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May 2008

Dear Wine Friends,

This newsletter is asking input from you, the reader. Are you happy with the general content of this letter, which attempts to interest you in the new wines hitting our market? Or you are more inclined to purchase the more familiar wines that you already enjoy? A large part of our business is fulfilling special orders, meaning, trying to find a wine a customer had in a restaurant, a bottle recommended by a friend, discovered in a wine review, or enjoyed while traveling.

Since my shop has been on the forefront of the local wine industry for years, my primary obligation is to discover outstanding new wines coming to Seattle from various parts of the world, and offer them at the best price possible.

The bulk of the wines dumped in our market is often generic and very boring, no matter the country of origin. The expensive elite wines, especially now, often do not represent value, and it is such a joy to discover a lovely wine that fits your palate as well as your wallet. Most of our wines are of the latter category.

For the past few months we have been getting more and more referrals from grocery stores, other wine shops as well as restaurants. Let's stay in touch and don't hesitate to call me or send an Email if you have a certain question. Keep the good information moving.

Please let us know how we can serve you better. If this newsletter is of no use to you, please tell us. No hard feelings, we will remove your name from our mailing list. Thank you again for your continued patronage,

Emile and Stephanie Ninaud

Special MAY prices - WATERS WINERY- Walla Walla Winemaker Jamie Brown had me taste his latest releases which I thoroughly enjoyed. The winemaking is par excellence and the quality in general is remarkable, despite the short time Jamie has been with the winery. GREAT PRICES ALSO!!!Regular Price Special Price

	Regular Price	Special Price
06 Waters Interlude, Walla Walla Valley	$29.95	$25.95
53% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Cabernet Franc. The fruit lingers for several minutes with an especially long finish. Many layers of flavors, a wine of great complexity and charm. 1,100 cases produced
06 Waters Syrah, Columbia Valley	$29.95	$25.95
100% Syrah from Minick Vineyard. Very balanced with refined tannins and a persistent finish. Aged for 13 months in neutral French oak thus enhancing the wonderful Syrah fruit. One of the best and most affordable Syrah presently available. 980 cases produced
2995 Waters Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley	$41.95	$49.00
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. (A rare thing today). Also aged for nine months in the bottle making it more approachable upon release. Only mature vines come into the production of this wine. Aged for two years in French oak barrels, (30% new) 350 cases produced

~ NEW FROM WEST AUSTRALIA ~

Two wines of superb quality from cooler climate that rival with some $50.00 super premium wines. Intense and rich with good structure. Beautiful flavors and lenghty finish.

• 2005 West Cape Shiraz-Viognier, "Two Steps," Great Southern $25.00
• 2005 West Cape Cabernet Sauvignon, "Book Ends" $25.00

~ FROM THE RHONE VALLEY OF FRANCE ~

Of great interest, spectacular, many cases sold so far.

• 2004 100% Syrah, Mas BASILE Réserve, Costières de Nimes $27.85
• 2005 100% Mourvèdre, "Dame Noire", Côtes-du-Rhône $25.00

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SAY "CHEESE" or "FROMAGGIO"!

Theresa Simpson and Dennis Nelson, of THE CHEESE CELLAR in the Fisher Plaza, helped us pick a well known Italian cheese from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy: ROBIOLA 2 MILK. Robiola is a generic name for the many fresh cheeses that are produced in this part of Italy. A Robiola can be made of cow, goat, and sheep milk, depending on the family recipe or the milk that is available.

The present offering is made with 2 milks, a perfect blend of cow and sheep milk.

It looks like a thinner Brie. Very creamy, melt-in-the-mouth, earthy flavored, with a thin milky- white rind that takes you by surprise

Price is $12.99 per square or $6.50 for one-half square

You will be able to pick up the cheese either at the cheese shop, 100-4th Ave N, suite 150, Seattle, Tel: (206)404 2743, or with the corresponding wines, at Champion Wine Cellars. (Please order from the wine shop in advance for the cheese to be ready at a precise time.) Here are three red Piedmontese wines that will enhance the Robiolo. Pick a nice crusty sourdough bread and you'll be in heaven.

• 2006 Nebbiolo, CASTELLO DI VERDUNO, Langhe $19.85
• 2005 Dolcetto d'Alba, GERMANO ETTORE, Serralunga d'Alba $18.95
• 2004 Barbera d'Alba Superiore,
  Podere RUGGERI CORSINI,
  Armujan $25.00

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MORE FROM ITALY:

2006 Muller Thurgau, "Caves des Onzes Communes", Vallee d'Aoste $15.95
A delightful spring like white wine with subtle wild flowers aromas and clean fruitiness.

2006 Prosecco Rose, SPAGO ARENTO, Veneto $13.95
Lively sparkler with beautiful pink overtones, raspberry bouquet and tangy finish

2006 Valpolicella Classico, NEGRAR $13.95
A deep intense red color with outlandish bouquet, and a mouth filling aftertaste

2004 AMARONE, della Valpolicella Classico, VENETI $42.75
Made in the traditional way, a heavy weight among red wines, best value around.

ROSÉ WINE SEASON IS UPON US.

The month of May is the starting point for new fresh Rosé wines. A number of my customers started enjoy- ing Rosé wines a couple months ago with the hope of an improved and warmer weather. With WILD SALMON approaching there is nothing better than a crisp dry Rosé, a rich chardonnay, a fabulous Ameri- can Pinot Noir or French red Burgundy.

• 2006 Chateau Des TOURTES, Cabernet/Merlot Rosé, from Bordeaux $9.75
  
  
• 2005 Pinot Noir Rosé, CAVES DE BUXY, Burgundy $13.75
  
  
• 2006 Corbières Rosé,
  Gris de Gris, Domaine de FONSAINTE, Languedoc $15.95
  
  
• Sparkling Taittinger Domaine CARNEROS,
  Brut Rosé, Cuvée Pompadour $38.00
  
  
• 2006 Bourgogne Blanc Chardonnay,
  Domaine GOISOT, Auxerre/Burgundy $25.00
  
  
• 2005 Marsannay Blanc Chardonnay,
  Domaine Joseph ROTY, Burgundy $32.75
  
  
• 2005 Mercurey Blanc Chardonnay, Michel JUILLOT, Burgundy $32.75
  
  
• 2004 Pinot Noir, CALERA, Mt. Harlan Cuvée, California $29.75
  
  
• 2006 Pinot Noir, Walter SCHUG, Carneros, California $28.75
  
  
• 2006 Pinot Meunier, Domaine CHANDON, Carneros, California $32.95
  
  
• 2005 Pinot Noir, LACHINI, Willamette Valley, Oregon $49.95
  
  
• 2005 Pinot Noir, CARTER VINEYARD, "Hillblock", Willamette Valley $49.00
  
  
• 2005 Santenay ler Crû, "La Maladière",
  Chateau de La CHARRIERE, Burgundy $39.75
  
  

NEW TOP OF THE LINE WASHINGTON STATE RELEASES

• 2005 Syrah, VIN DU LAC, Barrel Select, Columbia Valley $25.00
  
  
• 2006 Syrah, K VINTNERS, Millbrand Vineyard,
  Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley $29.95
  
  
• 2005 Syrah, JANUIK, Lewis Vineyard, Columbia Valley $32.75
  
  
• 2005 Syrah, ZERBA, Columbia Valley $29.95
  
  
• 2005 ANDREW WILL Red Wine, Champoux Vineyards,
  Horse Heaven Hills $59.95
  
  
• 2006 Sangiovese "Guido" K VINTNERS, Walla Walla $48.95
  
  
• 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Artist Series,
  WOODWARD CANYON, Columbia Valley $49.95
  
  

~ SOME DEALS ~

• 2006 Riesling, VIN DU LAC, "Les Amis" Columbia Valley, WA $12.75
  
  
• 2006 Riesling GERHARD SCHUTZHAUS, Trocken Kabinett,
  Rheingau, Germany $19.75
  
  
• 2000 Chateau du TAILLAN, Crû Bourgeois,
  Haut-Médoc Red Bordeaux $21.00
  
  
• 2006 Morgon Beaujolais-Villages "Côte du Py", Louis Claude DESVIGNES $24.00
  
  
• 2006 Bonarda, LA POSTA, Mendoza, Argentina $18.75
  
  
• Cuvéée XVI, Sean THACKEREY Pleiades Old Vines, Bolinas, CA $32.75
  
  

FREE Parking behind the shop, for easy pick up of your order.