This lot of 12 wines from around the world brings unique international flavors to your doorstep.  You would have to work very hard to find many of these local treasures easily.

#1: Khavanchkara
This red wine is from Georgia  (the former republic of USSR). Georgia was the best wine-producing region of the USSR and is the biggest supplier of wine to Russia. Special note for history and trivia buffs:  Khvanhchkara was the preferred wine of Josef Stalin.

#2: 2001 Kavaklidere NarinceThis Turkish Bogazkere wine is a ‘monocépage’ product created after long research in vinification and aging. The grapes come from a district named Çermik located at the northern part of the upper Mesopotamia plateau where the sources for the Tigris River reach the Taurus Mountains. The milder temperatures here combined with a hot summer climate create very suitable conditions for producing dark red, rich grapes. After aging in French oak barrels for 12 months, we get an elegant “boisé” besides fruity and spicy flavors. This remarkable and strong wine is stored for two years in the winery, but it can be aged for at least ten years and it is recommended to wait at least five or six years to get the “bouquet” and to soften the tannins. This wine is best served at 16-18 degrees C and it is a very good match with rich dishes of red meat.

#3: 2003 Kavaklidere Bogazkere Diyarbakir
A real Turkish treat! This very limited production of a hand-picked wine is very elegant with its perfect-structured body and complexity of aromas. It is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels to give a rare taste of a charming Turkish Wine. Subdued yellow-green in color, this white wine from the Narince grape is aged in oak which gives it its round, toasty flavor with fresh and citrus.

#4: 2003 Sterpigno Giovanna Madonia Forli Merlot
This Italian wine begins when the grapes are destalked and soft-pressed, fermented in steel vats at a maximum temperature of 30 °C. After fermenting on the skins for a short period, the wine is transferred to French oak barrels and is matured for 12-15 months. The wine is bottled without filtering and aged for at least an additional 10 months. On the nose, it’s layered into fruit and flowers with notes of raspberry, red currant, and spices, with a touch of warmth. In the mouth, it’s velvety with subtly astringent tannins.

#5: 2005 Ercavio Tempranillo Roble
This Spanish wine is produced from 100% Cencibel (Tempranillo), and is a custom cuvee selected by importer Eric Solomon, and was aged for 5 months in French and American oak. Purple colored, with fragrant spice box, tobacco, blueberry, and blackberry aromas, this full-bodied effort has gobs of ripe fruit, a firm structure, and a 40-second finish, not a bad value for a sawbuck. Although this well-made wine will surely evolve for 2-3 years, who will have the patience?

#6: 2005 Duriguitti Bonarda Mendoza
Enjoy this Argentinean great food wine at a terrific price. Deep eggplant in color, with aromas of blueberries, leather, and plums. Low-tannin mid-palate with lots of silky blueberry and plum flavors, mineral inflected finish.

#7: 2006 Daniel Rion Bourgogne Pinot Noir
This French wine is raised partially out of barrels of one or two wines. This Bourgogne presents a beautiful light ruby robe. The cherry and blackcurrant flavors are marked in its youth, after which appear the fur and the humus mixed with candied fruits.  Pairs beautifully with duck, spicy foods and soft cheeses.

#8 & #9: 2 bottles of 2003 Miner Family Napa Valley Syrah
This California red is rich with aromas of dried herbs, black cherry and pepper.  This all mountain-grown Syrah is supple and polished all the way through. Layer upon layer of blackberry fruit and enticing spices with smoky-earthy hints enliven the palate. Packing plenty of rich tannins, this wine has just the right amount of boldness. A fabulous choice with hearty casseroles and braised meats (think lamb shank).

#10: 2005 Obra Roble Ribera del Duero
This Spanish wine is from the Ribera area in the northwest. Produced from 60-year-old Tinta del Pais vines (Rioja’s Tempranillo), it has more fruit concentration and oomph than lots of Riojas. Pairs well with red meats, rich sauces and aromatic herbs.

#11: 2005 Sestadisopra Rosso Di Montalcino
A Italian wine is ruby color with some hints of purple at the rim. Full tones of blackberry and leather also some floral hints. Medium bodied with good fruit, smooth tannins and a medium finish. Give it 1-2 more years to develop, enjoy in 2008-2010. Great RdM with some classic character.

#12: 2004 Chateau Kefraya Les Bretches
This Lebanese wine is grown in sloping vines in un-irrigated terrain, clay and limestone terraced soils at an altitude of 1000 meters.  The vines receive exceptional exposure to the sun without any precipitation and handpicked grapes contribute to the elaboration of this typical wine produced by a blend of Cinsaut (80%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Carignan (7%) and Grenache (7%).
Value: $375.00