Jerry, Eleni & Monty

Cameron Hughes Wines Grand Junction Colorado

wine under$10 Grand Junction Colorado

We don't call John Lowey an employee because he is more like our big brother and friend who just happens to enjoy talking about wine and just about any other adult beverage we have in the store. Having been lord and master of Texas' largest premium winery, Llano Estacado and the Director of the Colorado Wine Board John has a world of experiene to offer our customers. You''l find him sharing his wisdom on Friday and Saturday afternoons durring our Free Tastings!

Cheese pairings ...6 no brainers!

When the cheese experts pair wine with cheese a 0 means that it is a pleasant pairing, -3 is a disaster and a +3 euphoric! The pairings below are all +1 to +3 and very affordable!

Idiazabal $19.95/lb w/ La Cana Albarino Spain $16.99

Handmade sheep’s milk cheese. It is aged for a few months and develops a nutty, buttery flavor, eaten fresh. If aged longer, it becomes firm, dry and sharp and can be used for grating.

Roomano Pradera $19.95/lb w/ Thomas Henry Chardonnay $10.99

Roomano contains less than 48% butterfat. It is made from cow's milk, and is typically aged for four or more years. The cheese's flavor is very complex, salty and sweet with hints of butterscotch or toffee.

Manchego 12 Months Old $17.49/lb w/ Roncier Pinot Noir

Manchego is sheep’s milk cheese aged for three months or longer, and is semi-firm with a rich golden color and small holes. It ranges from mild to sharp, depending on how long it is aged.

Bandaged Fiscalini Cheddar $26.99/lb w/ Apothic Red $10.99

This is a raw cow’s milk cheese that has been made in the tradition of an English cheddar. It has been aged for 30 months and has a rich, sharp flavor.

Hickory Smoked Gouda $5.49/7oz w/ Yard Dog Red $12.99

Smoked slowly in ancient, brick ovens over smoldering hickory chip embers, this hard cow’s milk cheese has an edible, brown rind and a creamy, yellow interior.

Roaring 40’s Blue Australia $24.95/lb

w/ Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee $21.99

Full bodied blue with a honeyed, slightly nutty quality and great aftertaste. It is a rindless cow’s milk cheese, matured in wax, which helps it retain moisture and creates a smooth and creamy texture.

6 Bottles under $10

$7.99 $8.99 $9.99

Anselmi Pinot Grigio

$9.99

Terrai

Syrah

$7.99

Kamen Estate Wines $79.99 92 Points

Eleni and I visited the estate last month. A lot of winemakers talk about organic and biodynamic practices but this was the first time we were totally taken aback by what we saw and tasted! In the middle of winter the rows between the vines were alive with a variety of plant life that gets turned back into the soil in the early spring. The scene was totally different than the conventional vineyards in the area! Robert is a genuine piece of work and he not only is a great winemaker but his olive oil was the best we tasted on the whole trip!

Looking for great California Cabernet Kamen fits the bill!

Winegrowing Information ... Kamen Estate Vineyards experienced a spectacular, prolonged and abundant 2005 grape harvest with ideal conditions, producing exceptional fruit that matured slowly and evenly. Unusually warm weather the second week in March woke the vines from dormancy, initiating bud break earlier than normal. Cool, foggy mornings followed by moderate afternoon temperatures in the 80's throughout the growing season created ideal ripening conditions allowing grapes to mature slowly and evenly. The extended Indian Summer allowed our Cabernet Sauvignon to have a longer "hang time" which allowed complexity to develop in the maturing grapes and produced rich color and deep, expressive, complex, fruit flavors. Harvest started on October 14, with the last grapes being brought into the winery on November 2nd. The first winter rains came the following day.

Winemaker Tasting Notes
The inky, dark blue to deep purple almost black velvet-hued wine opens to a rich sweet bouquet of exotic flowers intermixed with black currant, boysenberry, blackberry, dark plum with an enticing overlay of violets, minerals and hints of cinnamon and spice, coffee, and toasty oak. The luscious, mouth filling entry is full-bodied with superb purity, plenty of balancing tannins with sweet oak integration and a stunning and captivating perfume. With significant weight and an excellent structural foundation, the wine reveals terrific opulence and Mark Herold's deeply extracted style with great intensity and concentration with surprising elegance and lightness for such a powerful wine. This 2005 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon should drink beautifully for 15 to 20 years.

Grape Source
100% Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon at elevations of 1100' to 1450'
Kamen Estate Vineyards
Sonoma Valley Certified Organic Vineyards

From France at the unbelievable price of $9.99

If you need good, beautifully-made, refreshing bubbly at a bargain price, try the Jacqueline Brut Blanc de Blancs. The Folle Blanche and Colombard grapes, grown in the maritime climate of France's Charentais, yield sparkling wines that are delightfully clean, refreshing and affordable. The Jacqueline Brut is a crisp, lively sparkling wine, with tiny bubbles and an appetizing bouquet of green apple, flowers, and lemon. It scintillates on the palate with its citrusy fruit and floral delicacy.

Exclusively at Crossroads!

$16.99

If you are looking for Champagne let me do you a favor...

These 2 bottles of Champagne put the big names that

cost $15-20 more to shame! Both right around $40

...looking for a something different but you're stuck on

Menage et Trois ....APOTHEC RED IS THE ANSWER

$9.99

2007 Sonoma County Zin 94 Points in the Spectator

$23.99 ...off 10% per bottle!

15% off if it is part of a case!

Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot

Very popular in last weeks blind tasting they are an incredible value!

Inspired by his travels through the Tuscan countryside, winemaker Michael Pozzan proudly presents his classic creation, DANTE, named after his eldest son. These hearty but approachable wines are reminiscent of your favorite trattoria in Italy. As rich in character as the Italian landscape, so too is the DANTE wine collection.

One of the great bargains in the Best Damn Wine Store in Grand Junction!

Diseño Malbec 2006 has deep purple color with crimson luster. The bouquet
of lilac and cherry blossom unfolds to a hint of tobacco. The explosive
flavors of earthy blueberry and rich chocolate are fleshy yet robust with
well balanced acidity - quintessential Malbec from Mendoza.

Autograph, Trumps and Piping Shrike make Cimicky one of our most popular winemakers....

@ 90 points it's a steal!

"Winemaker Charles Cimicky has fashioned a terrific value from 100% Shiraz aged in old American hogsheads and smaller French barrels. It is another example of what can be achieved by top quality wine making in the Barossa’s finest viticultural areas. This 2006 Shiraz exhibits a deep ruby/purple color along with superb blackberry, spice box, pepper, and cedar characteristics. Full-bodied, opulent, and fleshy, this hedonistic offering should be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years."
-The Wine Advocate

Husch Chardonnay Mendocino 2006

This estate Chardonnay is fruit forward and very food friendly. Aromas of crisp Bosc pear, Red Delicious apples, citrus blossom and lemon zest intermingle with the modestly restrained bouquet notes of toasted oak, vanilla, nutmeg and hints of clove. On the palate, fruit reflecting the nose abounds with the additional suggestion of stone fruit. A full round mouth-feel and balanced acidity ensure successful food and wine pairing across a range of cuisine, especially grilled fish or grilled chicken topped with our Tomatillo Sauce.

Mesta Tempranillo 2007

Deliciously fruit-driven bouquet shows notes of raspberry and strawberry with a hint of spice and smoky leather. On the palate, the wine is full and ripe with concentrated flavors of black cherry fruit and smooth tannins balanced by bright acidity.

Clos La Chance Zinfandel Central Coast

"Wild black berry and raspberry fruit aromas along with rose oil, bottle brush with a hint of dill. Blueberry and blackberry jam flavors, touches of red cherry, sweet vanilla and oak spice on the finish. Fruit for the 2005 Buff-Bellied Zinfandel is sourced 100% from the Clos LaChance Estate Vineyard in San Martin, from 7-year-old vines. Food pairing: Penne with Peppered Chicken and Spicy Sausage, Moussaka (Lamb, Eggplant and Feta Cheese Casserole), Aztec Chocolate Mousse (Chocolate Mousse with Chile Powder)."

2007 Atalaya from Spain 91 Points

91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "This is the first release of Atalaya. The is a blend of Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera, and other red grapes. The wine was aged for eight months in French and American oak. This purple-colored wine has an expressive bouquet of violets, spice box, leather, game, blueberry, and black cherry. On the palate it comes off as borderline kinky and definitely sexy with lots of easy-going flavor, superb depth, complexity, and a 45-second finish. Although it can be enjoyed now, it will evolve for another 2-3 years." (08/08) 90 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Inky purple. Spicy dark berries and cherry on the nose, with strong black cardamom and cumin qualities. Candied blackberry and rose flavors are gently firmed by soft tannins and pick up a peppery note with air. Suave and immediately accessible, with very good finishing sweetness and cling.

Killer Bottle ...divine nose, luscious fruit, soft tannins!!!

Paso a Paso Tempranillo La Mancha
From the hand harvested Tempranillo grapes selected from the best vines to be found in La Mancha to the hands-on diligence of the wine maker, Paso A Paso receives the extra care and attention that a fine wine deserves. Careful vineyard selections, long, slow fermentation and macceration followed by gentle aging for six months in French oak combine to create a wine with the optimum balance of fruit, spices and robust aromas. Once in the hands of the consumer they will find that the wine compliments many dishes from winter hearty stews to barbecues.

Everyone always enjoys this Riesling it's not too sweet

it goes well with spicy foods and cheese!

One of our most popular

Rieslings ever!

The Free Wine Tasting last Saturday was great with the Urban UCO showing particularly well!

A fabulous White Wine to pair with Turkey!

Contrada Ragabo Nero D'Avola 2006

Vina Mayor ... Ribero Del Duero
Gran Reserva 1999
91 pts Wine Spectator
This round red is maturing nicely, with tobacco, spice and plum flavors. It's balanced, with firm tannins and fresh acidity. The tobacco and spice notes linger on the finish.

This wine is an exclusive at Crossroads because we bought everything that was available!

A lot of our favorite wine geeks have been asking for this....

The Prisoner

2006 Red Wine

The 2006 blends the lush berry flavors of Zinfandel(51%), the power and concentration of Cabernet Sauvignon (23%), the dark black fruit of Syrah (12%), the intensity and structure of Petit Sirah (6%), the flesh of Charbono (6%) and a hint of Grenache (2%) - all combined for a decadent wine with great complexity.

Last vintage was #17 on Wine Spectator top 100.

Tres Picos Back in Stock 20010 Vintage

It received a best ever 92 Pt. rating from the Wine Advocate

to go with last years placement on the WS TOP 100 List .

Robert Parker, Jr. has referred to this 100% old-vine Garnacha in past vintages as "cherry pie in a glass" with deep ruby color, aromas and flavors of kirsch liquer, licorice, garrigue, and plums. The grapes for this wine were harvested from vineyards that cling to rugged terrain on the slopes of the famous Moncayo Mountain with low yields of less than 2 tons per acre.

$16.99

Foxglove Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are spectacular values. The Chard is styled like good Burgundy. While the Cabernet exhibits a sophisticated structure and intense dark fruit flavors. Both drink like bottes that would cost $20 or more!

$14.99

Our Small Vineyards Import Order is in! Monty, John Lowey (former Lord and Master of Texas' largest and best known winery, Llano Estacado near Lubbock and who we are so lucky to have helping us during the weekend tastings) and I had the pleasure of attending a tasting a few months back where we got to preview some incredible wine from Italy. These are all spectacular values so whatever the price we have set at retail you can be sure that you will be drinking several quality levels better! Enjoy!

91 points ...Best Buy

Wine Spectator

Monty, Jerry & Eleni already knew this was a steal after all we sell more Chateau St. Jean than any store on the Western Slope!

Lively and refreshing Fume Blanc offers bright aromas of grapefruit, melon and lemongrass. The Semillon contributes a hint of sweet red apple that combines with the vibrant citrus, fig and spice characters found on the palate, creating a beautifully balanced wine with a long, lingering finish."

One of Jerry's favorite Shiraz'! ......is one of the great values in South Australian Shiraz. This super-intense, mouth-staining, and mouth-filling cuvee is all about gorgeously pure black fruits kissed with sweet oak presented in a full-bodied, beautiful, multi layered, textural, hedonistic style. Consume it over the next 3-4 years.

Joel Gott wines are excellent values! Starting with the Sauvignon Blanc, this collection from California will be a welcome addition to the store! We get a lot of requests for these wines and so are bringing them in by popular acclaim! We tasted them earlier in the week and could not be happier to add them to our list!

...Atecca Garnacha from Spain (no image available)

received 91 points from Parker & blew Monty and Jerry away when sampled in the office... tastes as big as the massive bottle it comes in!

One of our best summer wines ...Gazela Vinho Verde, from Portugal- Here's a zesty, light and crisp white offering bright lime and pear flavors with subtle spicy notes of ginger and even a hint of tangerine on the lively palate. Pure and clean, this is a truly refreshing wine. {Crisp, Citrus, Pear, Light-bodied}

Monty Jerry and Eleni are wild about Sake!!!


Heavens Door	Moon on the Water	Dreamy Clouds	Garden of Eternity	Wandering Poet	Root of Innocence

We carry an extensive selection of Sake in the store (these are a few of our favorites). Sake, often called the "Drink of the Gods" by the Japanese, is a beverage created from rice, water, koji, and yeast, usually with an alcohol content of 15%-16%, just slightly higher than that of an average red wine. These are meant to be consumed cold. Heating any of these lovelies up would be a mortal sin! Hot Sake is done with the cheapest and least artfully created Sake Cold Sake was the drink of the Samurai, it is sacred, much like better 100% Agave Tequila which I consider to be euphoric. It is the drink of choice for athletes looking for a buzz the night before an event because it is the purest, cleanest most easily consumed form of alcohol on the planet (no hang overs). Sake goes well with a lot of different foods, though it tends to get overpowered by very spicy or powerfully flavored foods (as would a fine wine). It DOES go well with sushi, raw oysters, cured fish, salmon/tuna tartare, grilled or broiled fish, fried fish or seafood. paella, mild curries, and many other dishes. It will even work with milder chicken or beef dishes (think light Italian)! As a rule of thumb, if you can drink fine white wine with a dish, then you can also drink premium chilled Japanese sake with it. Want to learn more go to this SAKI LINK!!!