| 2014
January Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Renegade
Wines' Top 21 Wines of 2013
(printable
PDF version click here)
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Every January we look back on the previous year and the wines
that we have tasted. There are literally hundreds and hundreds
of wines, from rich & racy Chardonnays to shinning Bordeauxs.
From our extensive tasting notes we compile our favorite 21 wines.
The list below reflects both great quality and great value, and
sometimes a nice bit of both.
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21. 2012 Bouchard Père et Fils Bourgogne Blanc
Reserve $18.50
Refreshing, clean, and classic chardonnay from Burgundy. Solid
minerality with a nice lush, juicy core. Effortless finish.
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20. 2011 Domaine Abbatucci Ajaccio Faustine $36
From Corsica: The owner/winmaker Jean-Charles Abbatucci plays
classical music over loud speakers to his vines, the vineyard
is intensely organic. And this wine breathtaking. There's a wealth
of floral and herbal notes but also black pepper, smoky tea, ripe
cherry, and dark strawberries. A exhilarating wine with a mouthwatering
finish.
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19. 2011 Sandhi Wines Pinot Noir Wenzlau $44
Mineral-driven & savory with a beautiful assortment of assorted
red fruit, rose petal, dried herbs. This is serious wine from
Santa Rita Hills. Well-structured with a everlasting finish.
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18. 2009 William Harrison Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford $42
We almost didn't want to share this wine, afraid that with increasing
popularity the price will go up. But we are. THE hidden gem of
a cab from Napa Valley. Full-bodied, smooth tannins, layers of
casis, plum, espresso. Well-balanced, food friendly, and a house
favorite!
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17. 2012 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles $24
On the West side of highway 101, this 2012 cab is a serious contender
for best Cabernet for the price of the Tri-Counties. It's a fuller
bodied cab but with good acidity, balance, suave tannins. For
the full experience, decant for 4-6 hours.
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16. 2012 Liquid Farm Chardonnay White Hill $38
With all the press last year (wine of the week, LA Times, etc...)
this was a hard one to keep in stock. Spicy pear, Meyer lemon,
honeysuckle, subtle smoky lees, nice mineral notes, a long long
finish all add up to a great Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay.
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15. 2011 François Chidaine Vouvray Sec Les Argiles
$26.50
A delighful chenin blanc. But don't get me wrong. This is serious
wine from Vouvray. Lightly perfumed nose with a touch of herb
and pineapple in the background. Medium length with a fine core
of minerality and good balance. As this wine opens up it reveals
layer after layer of zesty citrus and orchard fruit. Seriously
consider trying a bottle.
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14. 2010 Château Tronquoy-Lalande $58
Classic Bordeaux from St Estephe. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40%
Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. Loads of blueberry, boysenberry,
cassis, cocoa, with a voluptously textured mouthfeel and terrific
purity. If you have enough self control, try one now but keep
the rest for the years to come.
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13. 2012 Storm Wines Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard
$45
With 75 cases made we were lucky to get a sample. Very lucky.
Bright ruby red juice with smoky cherry, dark berry fruits. Sexy
floral and Asian spice nuances, and a stunning finish. Ernst Storm
has created a winner here.
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12. 2007 Valdana Elba Montecristo $45
From the island of Elba off the Tuscany coast comes one of our
very favorite dessert wines. Made from Aleatico grapes that are
dried (like Amarone) then aged for 3 years in large, neutral oak
barrels. Opulent, richly textured, with notes of mocha, spices,
dried fruits. The firm acidity and tannins, and the slight saline
tang provide excellent balance and structure. Perfect with Tiramisu.
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11. 2012 Keller Riesling Trocken $22
Hands down our best selling Riesling last year. And why not? It's
the perfect riesling that will change your mind about rieslings.
Dry, lightly effervescent, a charming personality, refreshing,
quenching, and we just about opened a bottle a day when the weather
was warm!
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10. 2001 Bodegas Ramirez Rioja Gran Reserva Ramirez de
la Piscina $42
We've seen sales grow exponentially for Rioja wines. Quality,
price, and age (this bottles is 13 years old and their current
release) combine to make for top quality wines at very reasonable
prices. Dark red fruits, orange peel, baking spices, tangy red
currant, and a lingering finish.
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9. 2002 Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut Millésimé
$49.50
A vintage Champagne from a top-level producer under $75 is unheard
of. But somehow L.P. manages to keep their prices down while creating
outstanding bubbles. Juicy and precise. Pear and peach notes with
Myer lemon, spicy citrus, and a long enchanting finish. From a
classic vintage, this wine drinks well now or can be cellared
for years.
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8. 2007 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard $58
How do you do it Joe? A lively mineral quality surronded by layers
of addicting berrys and stone fruits. Great pinot spice here and
a silky, impressive finish round out this knockout wine. This
is sexy pinot!
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7. 2012 Punta Crena Pigato Riviera Ligure di Ponente Vigneto
Ca da Rena $24
A dear friend turned us on to this wine and we are ever-so greatful.
In fact as we poured our second glass I texted her an immense
THANK YOU! This 100% pigato (closely related to vermentino) from
38 year old vines hovering over the Ligurian sea is at once lush
and rich, but then waves of stony fruity minerality come across
the palate. It has a long dashing finish and is a wine to pair
with oysters, scallops, or whitefish simply prepared.
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6. 2011 Ogier Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan
de Dieu Le temps est venu $22
Silky smooth, lively flavors of raseberry, spicecake, dark fruits
with a long and supple finish. A very intriguing GSM blend.
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5. 2009 Gostolai Cannonau di Sardegna Sonazzos $22.50
Cannonau (aka Grenache) thrives in Sardinia's warm Mediterranean
climate and its ancient, rocky, limestone rich soils. A very pure
and alluring wine. Nice clean red fruits, and a bit of chalkiness
as the soft tannins build on the palate. Long finish invites another
sip. On a side note, grenache from this region of Sardinia have
the highest antioxidatants (2-3 times more) than any other grape
varietal so far tested. Win-Win.
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4. 2010 Domenico Clerico Barbera d'Alba Trevigne $24
Known for producing top-notch Barolo, we almost overlooked their
Barbera. Attractive, juicy, bursting with sweet red fruits, flowers,
cloves, new leather. Gorgeous intensity and overall balance. Stellar
wine.
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3. 2009 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe $40
It's not a type-O. And yes, this is a KILLER Barolo that is drinking
well now for $40. Black currant, sandalwood, coffee. Juicy, fresh,
harmonious. Fine-grained tannins, and some serious mid-palate
red fruits plus a long wafting finish and you will known that
this is the best value in Barolo.
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2. 2012 Masseria Li Veli Verdeca Askos Valle d'Itria IGT
$18.50
How did an obscure grape from the heel of Italy become our second
biggest selling white wine in 2013? Simply because it's fabulous
(and because we love it!). A medium bodied wine that is reminiscent
of a Northern Rhone white blend, but with a little more acidity.
Meyer lemon, and honeysuckle on the mid-palate plus fresh cut
flowers, great structure and a rewarding finish, and another glass
handy makes for a perfect evening.
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1. 2010 C. Nagy Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County $19.50
Clarissa Nagy makes brilliant wine. And how this wine can be so
good for this price is utterly amazing. Sexy aromas of red berries,
cherries, spice and fresh cut flowers. A mid-palate that is rich
enough to be enjoyable to all, but not heavy or clumsy. Impressive
vivacity and length and this is why we chose this as our Number
One Wine of 2013. Thank You Clarissa!
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(printable
PDF version click here)
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For orders please e-mail us at renegadewines007@yahoo.com
or call us at 805-568-1961
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Thank
you for your support,
Renegade Wines
417 Santa Barbara Street Suite A-6
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805-568-1961
www.renegadewines.com
  
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