We have a wide selection of hand-picked wines from around the world. We pride ourselves on the focus of ‘Boutique Wines’. What is a ‘Boutique’ wine, you say? By logical extension, a wine produced by those making under 5,000 cases a year would be considered boutique wines. Some of the bigger wineries produce a very limited number of cases of a particular wine such as a Reserve, which could also be considered a boutique wine. The wines we like to educate our public on are wines made in limited quantity allowing the passion of the winemaker to shine through. The wines we sell & teach you about through our ‘Winemaker’s Tastings’ are found only in fine wine shops & through Studio 91…no grocery store ‘finds’ here!!
Remember…Any wine you see on our list is sold retail…out the door for a price less than the ‘in house’ bottle price. Ask your server regarding the retail price & purchase of a wine or two you would like to take home with you tonight
Lo Duca Reggiano Lambrusco – Italy $8 glass/$32 bottle
If you’re my age…mid 40-something, you remember your parents in the 70s sitting around the card table with friends, playing cards and drinking Lambrusco poured from the big glass jug. Well…this is not your parent’s Lambrusco!! From the region of Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy, this is a wine of stature. A light-hearted, full-bodied, semi-sweet red sparkling wine, naturally fermented, naturally carbonated, and made of 100% pure Lambrusco grapes, the way the original Lo Duca family blend has always been Girls…this is a total ‘Chick’ wine and one you will love to share with friends!
NV Cantine Aurora Dolce Stilnovo Rosso, Piemonte $10/ $40
Dolce Stilnovo (“Sweet-New-Style”) is a term used by literary critics to explain Dante Alighieri’s style of Poetry. It is also the perfect name for our light, crisp, frothy, sweet red wine. Technically, it is a MPF (Mosto Parzialmente Fermentato – Partially fermented must). In reality it is stylized to be similar to our Moscato Piemonte. It is, however, a pale red wine, similar to Bracchetto D’Acqui, but less costly. We are confident that you will enjoy this fragrant, fruity, fizzy red young and chilled. It is made from old vines fermented in enclosed stainless steel tanks under pressure. The crackle is a natural part of the fermentation process.A brilliant light red color with aromas of strawberries and raspberries. Sweet with good acidity, balances, aromatic, clean, almost creamy
“What contemptible scoundrel stole the cork from my lunch”
- W. C. Fields
Whites
$8 glass/$32 bottle
Left Coast Cellars ’09 Pinot Gris – Willamette Valley, OR $8/$32
This racy little number flirts with just a hint of sweetness, and alluring notes of tropical fruits and flowers. Serve this Pinot Gris with spicy Asian or Indian fare or robust cheeses. It’s fresh and vibrant and offers juicy pear and grapefruit flavors on a smooth texture.
Stoneburn ’10 Sauvignon Blanc – New Zealand $9/$36
Nelson was the first wine growing area in New Zealand before Maralbough was discovered. Nelson produces 2% of the wines in NZ…Maralbough, 98%. This sauvignon blanc is fresh & lively with zingy Lime notes on the nose. The palette is well-constructed with lengthy Mineral acidity & supporting wonderful tropical and gooseberry notes. This is a great sauvignon blanc…no grassiness & no residual grapefruitiness that some sauv blancs tend to exude. This is a good one!
J. Manciat ’10 Macon-Charnay – France $10/ $40
This is one of those Chardonnays that simply refreshes the palate with all the bright quince fruits and mineral. Makes you wonder how you would survive if wine didn’t exist…Medium straw to pale gold in color; the stony yellow apple and citrus nose leads into more of the same on the palate; rich, with excellent acidity and intensity…wonderfully refreshing!
Wellington ’09 Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley $11/$44
a slight stylistic change with this vintage; for the first time in our history we didn’t barrel ferment 100% of our Chardonnay. In order to accentuate the wonderful character of the Carneros fruit we cold fermented about 25% of the total blend in stainless steel and used less new oak. This medium bodied Chardonnay features aromas and flavors of pear, citrus, and a hint of oak. It is smooth and long with sufficient acid to give a clean, slightly crisp finish. In describing this wine, the term seamless comes to mind
Thomas Labaille ‘07 “L’Authentique” Sancerre Blanc – France $11/$44
Sensationally rich, fat and round. From old vines in Chavignol. It has layered aromas, a subtle nose and long finish. Not a typical bistro Sancerre, but a graceful wine meant for ageing and pleasure. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, you will love this one…one of Annette’s favorites!
Reds
Pueblo Del Sol ’08 Tannat – Uraguay $7/ $28
This Tannat is indiginous to Uraguay with a grape skin that is much thicker than most grapes due to environmental conditions & the warm South American sun. This thickness helps to seal in all the luscious flavors this wine reveals. On the nose are scents of ripe red fruits, spice & cassis. On the palate it is fruit-forward with sweet, soft tannins & a medium length finish…You are sure to enjoy this one!
Hacienda Araucano ’09 Cabernet Sauvignon - Chile $8/$32
“If I were a vine, I would want to be planted in Chile” says Hacienda Araucano winemaker, Francois Lurton. The ‘Dreamland’ for fine red wines is the Colchagua Valley where these vines reside. This wine is rich in aromas of well-ripened fruits & notes of licorice. The mouth is concentrated, powerful dense & the finish long. Silky tannins add to the surprisingly aromatic wide range of flavors this wine exudes
Zestos Tempranillo/Garnacha $8/ $32
Zestos is an easy-to-drink wine with body, brightness and loads of charm. Made from Tempranillo and Garnacha, this wine is produced by Bodegas Jeromín in the Vinos de Madrid DO region. ‘Zestos’ means ‘basket’ in English. Not too many years ago, baskets like the one on the label were placed on donkeys to transport the just-picked grapes from the vineyard to the winery. This simple, eloquent image is meant to recall the tools from the past that were once used to harvest grapes. This tremendous quality wine is made from old vine Tempranillo and Garnacha and it sells for a song! The Tempranillo adds body and the Garnacha adds brightness. The tannins are soft, making this a very easy-to-drink wine when young. Zestos show a touch of earth and spice. With fresh, succulent red and dark berry aromas and fruit; it’s a perfect introduction to Spanish wine
Casa Julia ’09 Carmenere – Chile $9/$36
Casa Julia Estate Wines are produced with high quality fruit from specific vineyards and then with absolute minimal handling , fermented to reflect and protect their individual character. Their extreme focus on quality from “green harvesting” drives their success. Since 1995, Casa Julia estate has been working to produce the best Chilean wines possible. The Carmenere grape was thought to be extinct from Bordeaux until it was rediscovered in Chile. This Reserve Carmenere, on the nose, is tobacco, leather, tar, and dark fruit followed by a medium bodied, lush mouthfeel with flavors of dark fruits, espresso, cocoa, and roasted pepper
Reds Continued
Hope ’09 Estate Shiraz - Hunter Valley, CA $9/ $36
Aromas of spicy pepper and nutmeg, concentrated blackberry characters with damson plums and chocolate. The oak fermentation and maturation (12 months in French oak) have enhanced the peppery and spicy characters of the wine, while the open ferments have increased the fruit intensity and warm colors of the Shiraz. A smooth, juicy palate with intense berry fruit. Rich mocha and spicy plums lead to an earthy finish. Soft, defined oak characters combined with silky tannins give the wine complexity and great length
Poppy 2008 Pinot Noir – CA $10/$40
These Pinot Noir grapes are cold soaked to extract flavor without harshness and also to stabilize color. We press gently, with some of the wine going straight to French oak barrels and the balance going to tank for settling. The tank and barrel lots are rotated mid season. The resulting wine is rich, vibrant, spicy & fruit forward. A delicious medium-bodied Pinot Noir worth a try!
Zuccardi A ’10 Malbec – Argentina $11/$44
Deep violet color with ruby notes, this Malbec has long, intense and expressive aromas of black cherry and juicy black fruit. Round & full-bodied, this wine has a velvety texture with a lengthy finish of coffee, chocolate, vanilla & soft spices
Three Saints ’08 Cabernet Sauvignon – CA $12/ $48
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara County. The 2008 Three Saints Cabernet Sauvignon opens beautifully with scents of chaparral, sage and blackberry. Accentuated with hints of vanilla and coriander, this wine evokes a feel of rustic elegance. On the palette, one is greeted with tones of rich earth, black pepper and the flavors of ripe plum. The soft tannins provide a supple, yet full-bodied finish, with lingering notes of chocolate and espresso
G. Alessandria ’10 Barbera d’Alba – Italy $12/ $48
This Barbera grape is ruby red color, very intense; hints of red fruits like cherry and blackberry. Medium bodied, velvety and high acidity, which is typical of the grape, is also due to the fermentation process of 8 – 9 months in steel tank. This Barbera is lush, wonderfully fruit forward and a truly delightful wine…you will not be disappointed
Library Reserves
Hill Family ’09 Barrel Blend, Napa Valley $14/ $56
The 2009 Hill Family Estate Barrel Blend reflects the depth and power of Merlot in a cool year. This wine has been put together with the help of Kyle Knox, a great surfer and a wine drinker, who loved the idea of “being in the barrel” as both a wine term, and a surfing term. This wine was blended under his direction, to appeal to surfers, and surfers in spirit, who are always looking for the next great wave, but might want to have a glass of wine in the mean time. The mountain grapes have intensity and finesse and the valley floor grapes have plushy, friendly palates, a great combo
Rock Wall Obsidian’10 Zinfandel/Petit Syrah - CA $14/ $60
This blend contains 50% Zinfandel & 50% Petit Syrah, both grown in the Nils Venge’s Black Rock Ranch in Lake County, volcanic soil from the Red Hills. This vineyard is packed full of obsidian that it actually grows under the moonlight. The result is rich with sarsaparilla, red licorice, graphite, minerality, dark chocolate, cherry vanilla, cola and has a soft, velvety blueberry finish
Joan d’Anguera Finca ’09 L’argata – Spain $15/ $60
Southwest of Barcelona, in the heart of the Tarragona region is the small D.O. of Montsant. Located on the mountains that surround Priorat, this young D.O. is the home of the Joan d’Anguera family estate. This vineyard has been growing grapes for 200 years and in 1977 decided to try their hand at winemaking rather than just selling the grapes. Syrah was not a well-known grape in this region until Josep d’Anguera planted them everywhere he could on his estate. He was soon called ‘Mr. Syrah’ & his son’s now follow in his footsteps. 2009 was a very good vintage with grapes showing excellent phenolic ripeness. Penetrating aromas of fruits & mountain herbs. The palate is redolent of red fruits and peaches with strident acidity from being aged in stainless steel & aged French oak for 12 months
’09 Wind Gap Orra – CA $15/ $60
69% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre & 10% counoise…no new oak. This is an intense, spice-accented wine with aromas of peppery red berries, cherries, blood orange & herbs that are lifted by a floral topnote. Sappy yet focused with a peppery quality that heightens its red fruit flavors. This amazing blend possesses very good mid-palate heft with firm tannins adding shape & grip to the lingering finish…very sexy wine!
“In Europe we thought of wine as something as healthy and normal as food and also a great giver of happiness and well being and delight. Drinking wine was not a snobbism nor a sign of sophistication nor a cult; it was as natural as eating and to me as necessary.”
- Ernest Hemingway,” A Moveable Feast’
Bottled World Beers
$4.50
Peroni Italy
Red Oak Amber Lager North Carolina
Shiner Bock Texas
Stella Artois Lager Belgium
$7.50
½ Liter Bavarian Beers
Other Beverages
Lurisia Sparkling Bottled Water Italy $4
Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite $2 French Press Coffee (2 cups, 4 cups, 6 cups) $4, $6, $10
Studio 91: A Fine Art Gallery & Wine Lounge
1201 Raleigh Road, Suite H. Chapel Hill, NC 27517
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