Philly Wine Finder

Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo 2008 and Bellini Grill

Dusty cherry, smooth, nice finish. The 10% merlot rounds it out nicely.

The take-out linguini puttanesca is from Bellini Grill, our favorite Italian restaurant in Center City. Homemade pasta, free range meats, fantastic kids menu, warm service, BYOB, reasonable prices.

Bellini Grill
220 S. 16th Street
Philadelphia PA 19102
215.545.1191  

Marchesi Mazzei Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo 2008
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32534
Size: 750ML
Price: $19.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $21, Min $16, Max $24)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

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Offley Ruby Porto NV

This is good if: you take a small sip and shove some berries in your mouth immediately; you love cherry cough syrup; you want to get something with 20% alcohol in your body and you don't care how; you don't have to go to work in the morning. Could also pair well with friends who like to have fun and aren't snobs.

Sweet and fruity and goes ok with berries. It's inexpensive. It has alcohol in it.

Rating: 2+ or 79

Offley Ruby Porto NV
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32467
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $11, Min $10, Max $11)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    Portugal > Douro
Grape Varieties:     Touriga Franca
Tinta Roriz
Tinta Amarela
Tinto Cão
Alcohol Content:    19.5%

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MacMurray Ranch Chardonnay 2009

MacMurray Ranch is on property once owned by American actor Fred MacMurray, known for his role in the film noir classic Double Indemnity and the television series My Three Sons. MacMurry bought the ranch in 1941 and used it to raise cattle. In 1996 it was purchased by Gallo. One of MacMurray's daughters still lives on the ranch and participates in the wine business.

 

The 2009 Sonomoa Coast  Chardonnay received a 90 point rating from Wine Advocate and 86 points from Wine Spectator.  To us this tasted like a full-bore California chardonnay in the new world style: full aromatics, big oak and vanilla flavor, a rich mouthfeel, some sweetness. May be a little too much on the vanilla for some palates.

 

MacMurray Ranch Chardonnay 2009
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32480
Size: 750ML
Price: $12.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $16, Min $14, Max $19)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

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Region:    USA > California > Sonoma County > Sonoma Coast
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.8%

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Vina Eguia Tempranillo Reserva 2007

Smooth, velvety, earthy, medium body, a little pepper. Very enjoyable tempranillo Rioja Reserva for $9.99.

The label is amusing. There is a hand on an open book surrounded by the words In vino veritas (In wine there is truth). Below that it says in Spanish  La verdad y nada mas que la verdad (The truth and nothing but the truth). Further below there is more rambling in Spanish about truth and wine.

As far as wine labels go, we'll take quotes about truth and wine in foreign languages over bears, frogs and fishes any day. It also helps that the wine is good, and that's the truth.

Muchos por todos en Filadelfia. Vamos a comprar más.

Vina Eguia Tempranillo Reserva 2007
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32479
Size: 750ML
Price: $9.99
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Trimbach Gewurz and Spicy Quinoa

Another Chairman's selection sale wine from Alsace, this time Gewurtztraminer. This one has a full golden color, big aromas, and lush flavors.  A perfect pairing for this spicy quinoa dish, a recent Rush Hour Gourmet recipe that appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer. 

There's 188 bottles at the Ardmore store.

Red Quinoa with Dried Fruit and Yogurt

Makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, finely diced

1 to 2 teaspoons chopped crystallized ginger or fresh grated ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

1 1/4 cups water

1/2 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup red quinoa, rinsed, drained

1 cup diced dried mixed fruit

1/2 cup plain yogurt, at room temperature

1/2 cup salted cashews or peanuts

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; add onion and ginger. Cook until onion is softened, 5 minutes. Add curry powder; cook, 1 minute. Add water, cinnamon, salt and red pepper flakes. Cover; heat to a boil. Add quinoa and fruit; stir to mix. Cover. Lower heat to a simmer; cook 20 minutes.

2. Remove from heat; let stand, covered for 5 minutes. Stir in yogurt. Sprinkle with cashews and cilantro.

Note: Rinse the quinoa well before cooking to remove a possible bitter flavor. If you want to substitute long-grain white rice, increase water to 2 cups. Stir in a cup of chopped cooked shrimp or chicken with the yogurt for a heartier dish.

Per serving: 447 calories, 12 grams protein, 72 grams carbohydrates, 15 grams fat, 3 milligrams cholesterol, 430 milligrams sodium, 6 grams dietary fiber.

 

Trimbach Gewurztraminer Cuvee des Seigneurs de Ribeaupierre 2001

Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32169
Size: 750ML
Price: Was 19.99 Now 14.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $33, Min $29, Max $37)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    France > Alsace
Grape Variety:     Gewürztraminer
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

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Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Hauserer 2007

High ratings in Wine Spectator (94!), Cellartracker, and PAWineTalk, a Garagiste selection, and prices ranging from $40 to $50 elsewhere, somehow the PLCB has this on sale for $19.99.

It lived up to the hype and didn't disappoint. We agree with others, this is a bright wine, lots of acidity, some citrus--grapefruit or starfruit, clean and crisp. Acidity and minerality are the stars.

Not much in the Philly area, but there are 80 bottles in Newtown.

 

Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Clos Hauserer 2007
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32065
Size: 750ML
Price: Was 29.99 Now 19.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $46, Min $40, Max $52)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

Region:    France > Alsace > Wintzenheim
Grape Variety:     Riesling
Alcohol Content:    12.5%

PAWineTalk

 

Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate 2006

Restrained oak, nice finish. Part of the Chairman's Selection Sale, down from $19.99 to $13.99, still some available in Philly. Good one to have around for summer.

Kumeu River Chardonnay Estate 2006
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32329
Size: 750ML
Price: Was 19.99 Now 13.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $24, Min $21, Max $28)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

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Region:    New Zealand > North Island > Auckland
Grape Variety:     Chardonnay
Alcohol Content:    13.5%

Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune 2007 and Yering Station Pinot Noir Little Yering 2008

Similar tastes and flavors, the Drouhin is brighter and has more bite; the Yering is more smooth. Despite the different price points and different regions, we found these wines to be very comparable as far as quality.

Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune 2007
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32006
Size: 750ML
Price: $15.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $20, Min $17, Max $25)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

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Yering Station Pinot Noir Little Yering 2008
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32344
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:  (Avg $14, Min $13, Max $16)
Availability in Pennsylvania:

In Wine & Spirits stores

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Le Petite Vigne Sauvignon Blanc Pays d'Oc 2010

 We found the grassy elements to be in balance with the grapefruit and lemon and enjoyed this a great deal. Just as good or better than any sauvignon blanc we've ever had up to $15-$20, but we don't drink a lot of sb so that may not be saying much.  We did not find it to have "loads of grapefruit" or it to be "far too lemony."

Seems like a great deal for $7.99 and good to have around for linguine and clams.

Le Petite Vigne Sauvignon Blanc Pays d'Oc 2010
Chairman's Selection^TM
Description from PLCB web site
PLCB Code: 32424
Size: 750ML
Price: $7.99
Compare to prices on wine-searcher.com:
Availability in Pennsylvania:

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 Region:    France > Languedoc Roussillon > Vin de Pays d'Oc

Brunori Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico San Nicolo

Another from Moore Brothers from their recent 10% off sale. This was medium bodied and lemony. 

The 6 hectares of the San Nicolò vineyard are located in the heart of the Verdicchio D.O.C., 200 meters above sea level. The varietal has been vinified in this area since the 15th century. Having produced excellent Verdicchio for three generations, the Brunori family has achieved a perfect balance of tradition in the vineyard (no chemicals, hand-harvesting, respect of the sandy soils) and innovation in the cellar (soft-pressing and microfiltering). The result is a wine of structure and fleshiness, with beautiful aromatics and a lovely, nutty finish. This is also a wine for aging - 5 to 8 years - taking on more complex layers of aromas and textures.
-- Brian Healy, Moore Brothers, June 6, 2011