Hugo's Sangria                7

Our refreshing version of this classic drink blends Los Cardos Merlot with Fresh lime, orange, & pineapple with a dash of El Presidente Brandy.      

2008 Pazo de Galegos Albarino (Rias Biaxas)| Spain

During this time of year my brain’s inbox is flooded with messages from stomach.  The subject is always the same an endless request for the fruits of the sea.  The cold months have passed and with them the endless meals of hearty grilled and braised meats.  Now is the time for bright, invigorating shellfish and lighter styles of fish along with an overwhelming thirst for good white wine.  One varietal that quenches the thirst is Spain’s lovely Albarino grape.   Grown in the Northwest area of Rias Biaxas in warm, rainy Atlantic conditions, the grape is grown on unique cement or stone trellises.  The intense moisture and poor soil yield intensely fragrant and refreshing whites.  The Galegos sets the tone for a delicious meal, opening with subtle orange blossom, tart green apple and a hint of spice in the background.  The breezy nose and silky texture go hand in hand with the electrifying acidity, creating a brilliant match for seafood, especially pulpo.    
Glass:   10             3oz Taste:  5               Bottle:   40

2007 Cline “Live Oak” Zinfandel (Contra Costa)| California

You might wonder why on restaurant wine lists there always seem to be so many unfamiliar wines.  Sommeliers and wine buyers often taste over a hundred wines in a given week.  Much of this is new producers, new varietals and new wine areas.  When your being flooded with so many fun, undiscovered wines it often makes it hard to get excited for the old guard.  Cline is one winery that always delivers an exciting glass of wine.  Ripe waves of decadent berry, plum and vanilla rise from the nose.   On the palate it exudes a confident streak of roasted coffee, , wild meatiness and juicy licorice.  The decadent flavors combined with the plush tannins make this wine a welcome match for dealing with the spicier elements of Mexican cuisine.  Best imbibed with meat cooked on our wood fired grill. 
Glass:   10            3oz Taste:  5                Bottle:   40

’07 Groom Shiraz (Barossa Valley) | Australia          62

For almost a decade Daryl Groom crafted Australia’s most legendary wine, the Penfold’s Grange.  His new venture as a proprietor, winemaker and farmer comes with the aid of his family.  The vineyards he owns are planted in the same area as the source material for Grange, only with a substantially lower price tag.  Groom is a spectacular steal, with succulent black cherry, blackberry and peppery bacon.  It avoids that over the top chocolate, raison streak found in many Barossa wines and instead reminds us why we fell in love with Shiraz in the first place.   The combination of decadent fruit, spice and earth are summed up in a striking finish of superb tannins and subtle notes of espresso. 

’07 Leeuwin “Prelude Vyd” Chardonnay (Margaret River)|Australia     67

Dennis Leeuwin has helped chart the history of Western Australia.  Turning it from an also ran to the undeniable king of Australian white wine.  In addition to making some stunning Riesling and Semillion, they make the best Chardonnay in the Southern Hemisphere.  The Prelude is their second label and sports a thrilling medley of Asian pear, green pineapple, white flower and exotic fruits of the tropics.  It unfolds with an off creamy feel and gentle infuse of oak, as it heads to a long thrilling finish. 

’07 Tikal “Patriota” Bonarda/Malbec Blend (Mendoza) | Argentina       40

Bonarda, a rustic and delectably supple grape, is the real varietal of Argentina.  During the past century it formed the base of most of their table wine.  Unfortunately, Bonarda was planted for quantity not quality, doing little to give it an international reputation.  Today it’s seeing new life as a blending grape, bringing a velvety touch to the powerful reds of Argentina.  It’s almost shocking how easily this saucy little red goes down.  Playful notes of sweet berry, soft floral and chocolate are at the heart of its appeal.  The tannins are almost pinot like, which only increases the exceptional value of this little gem.

‘08 Alta Vista “Premium” Torrontes (Salta) | Argentina         34

Malbec is what leaps to mind when people think of Argentinean wine, but they also have a signature white called Torrontes.  When treated thoughtfully it creates a lithe and fragrant wine with subtle spice and citrus notes.  Alta Vista makes a stunning version from high up in the Salta area.   The soft aromas of nectarine, apricot, and grapefruit blend with spicy notes of rose petal.  The wine is exceptionally clean and bright with excellent acidity and earthy backbone.  It works wonders with seafood and spicy pork.

’07 Roar ‘Rosella’s Vyd’ Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) |CA       92

Gary Franscioni is one of the farmer’s responsible for making the California’s Central Coast the promise land of Pinot Noir.  He and his wife Rosella went from growing the grapes that others made famous, to starting their own winery with Roar.  Here Gary features the superb from the vineyard he planted in his wife’s honor.  The ’07 Rosella’s awash in decadent dark cherry, cola and sweet wild berries.  This is an intense, layered wine with a ripe and vivid fruit, perfumed earth and spice. 

'08 Botani Moscatel Seco (Malaga) | Spain                   41

If Texas had spring year round we’d be Southern California, albeit with much nicer people.  Botani is a harbinger of spring, awakening vivid images of cool mornings with sweet dew gathering on the grass. This ode to “Muscat love” is compliments of the grand ambassador of Spain wine Jorge Ordonez and legendary Austrian winemaker Alios Kracher.  To call this wine a revelation is far from hyperbole.  You’ll find the sort of aromatics that could’ve inspired Monet.  A tantalizing glass of white peach, zippy lime, bright floral, sultry fruit and that beguiling hothouse spice you only find in Muscat.  Simply take a drink, preferably in the company of seafood, and you will feel the seasons change. 

’08 Bielsa Garnacha Vines Viejas (Compo de Borja | Spain                  31

The Grenache grape deserves to be in your glass.  It’s an incredibly undervalued and versatile varietal. You find outstanding versions from France, Australia, California, Italy, South Africa and throughout Spain.  Unlike most varietals, it has a wide flavor array.  It can be bright and Pinot like of dark and decadent.  The Bielsa is 100% Garnacha (Grenache) from Northeast Spain and packs a healthy punch of flavor for next to nothing.  It kicks off with some fresh jam flavors of smashed wild berry and raspberry.  The vivid fruit is given a meaty edge with some nice peppery spice, grill notes and thick tannins.  Big wine, big flavor at a surreal price