August 2020 Wine Club and Notes

Posted on August 12, 2020August 12, 2020 by nectarwineandbeer

As 2020 grinds on it is clear that great craft beer and wine are essential to survival. You, our amazing members, have been awesome to see during these times. Thank you again for understanding and adhering to the regulations set forth in our capacity and mask mandate. This month I (Josh) tried about 100 wines as I was making the decisions for the wine club. I hope you enjoy the selections as much as I do and we look forward to opening the bottles on Thursday, August 14 from 6 to 8pm. Pre-reservations are no longer required. Drop in and enjoy the wine club reveal. Check out the notes below. We are also archiving them on our website now so you can go back and look at previous months notes.

AUGUST WINE CLUB

First WHITE – Chateau du Chamilly Burgundy White (FR) $24.99 – There is nothing like a well made Burgundian or Loire Valley white! I loved the crispness and vivaciousness of this wine. One would be hard pressed in a blind tasting to call this out as 100% Chardonnay. Serve with shell fish, white fish and warm summer nights on the patio.

Second WHITE – Qupe A Modern White (CA) $21.99 – Qupe is a unique wine project in the Central Coast of California. They focus on cool climate Rhone whites and reds. This is a fun blend of Chardonnay, Rousanne and Marsanne. The nutty characteristics are complimented by baked apple pie and white pepper. This is a heartier white wine.

First RED – Lapostolle Alexander Cuvee Carmenere (CH) $24.99 – Those that know me know that I love Carmenere. This once thought to be extinct wine grape is thriving in Chile. I love how the leafy complexity of dried sage, pine cones and forest floor combines with earth and paprika, but then with very fresh fruit, such as blueberries and citrus. Medium to full body, chewy and grainy tannins and a bark-laden finish. 94 points James Suckling.

Second RED – Sansonina Merlot (IT) $29.99 – I really wanted this wine in the lead spot but the distributor didn’t have enough. This is a beautiful expression of older vine Merlot out of Veneto Italy. This is a masterful balance of elegance and lush flavors. You’ll want to buy more!

Third RED – NW Cellars 5^th Anniversary Malbec (WA) $24.99 – This single vineyard Malbec (Verhey Vinyard) just got double gold in the Seattle Wine Awards. Layers of tobacco, blue fruits and juicy berry are paired with savory spices.

Premium RED – Duckhorn Cabernet (CA) $69.99 – Looking for a classic expression of Napa Cabernet for less than $100? Duckhorn delivers! 94 points W&S There’s black-currant clarity to this clean and luscious cabernet, a blend of Duckhorn’s estate-grown fruit with purchased grapes. The dark fruit is layered with brighter black-raspberry flavor and rich chocolate tones from its time in French oak barrels (50 percent new). Relatively light in weight but saturated in flavor, the wine sustains a lovely mineral tension as it opens with air. No more at this price. New price is $79.99

July 2020 Wine Club and Notes

Posted on July 9, 2020July 9, 2020 by nectarwineandbeer

Not a Nectar wine club member? Join today and get the following benefits:

Never Ending Happy Hour
15% off all six packs
Half priced Thirsty Thursday Tastings
Free delivery for online orders of $50 or more
Waived ‘drink it here’ fees (great way to drink cheap)
Discounts on various events

July Wine Club Selections

Another round of delicious wines are ready for you to pick up. We will do a tasting of these wines on Thursday, July 16 2020.

FIRST WHITE: Angela’s Estate Chardonnay (OR) $27.99 – After some research it seemed we haven’t done an Oregon wine in the wine club all year! What an offering to present! This is a stellar single vineyard wine from an up and coming Willamette Valley producer. Great depth and texture without being too “fat.” The wine is creamy without being overly viscous. 6 months in 40% new French oak. Retails at the winery for $35.

SECOND WHITE: Eladio Pineiro La Ola Albarino (SP) $22.99 – This is definitely a STAFF FAVORITE. This Albarino from Rias Baixas Spain benefits from the salty seawater air and aging on the yeast (lees). Each sip presents a new layer of minerality, meyer lemons, salinity, and sexy acidity. Trust us, you’ll be back for more.

FIRST RED: 2013 Gamache Nicolas Red Blend (WA) $29.99 – Another Nectar price exclusive. Searches high and low price this wine between $40 and $50 bottle. The wine is an homage to Bordeaux with 58% Cabernet, 19% Merlot, 13% Malbec and 10% Cab Franc. Vineyard sources are impressive Gamache, Ciel du Cheval and Champoux.

SECOND RED: Montana Rioja Reserva (SP) $24.99 – Pronounced MonTANYA is 90% Tempranillo, 7% Graciano and 3% Mazuelo. Aged 18 months in new American Oak. Spice and leather complement the deep blackberry fruit and ferrous minerality of Rioja’s red soils. Mouth-filling yet fresh, with the structure for improving in the bottle for a number of years.

THIRD RED Maal Imposible Malbec (AG) $27.99 – This is the big brother to one of Nectar’s best selling Malbec’s, The Biutiful. This is a high elevation Malbec with minimal intervention. 91 PTS Jeb Dunnuk Made from 100% Malbec aged 8 months in a mix of barrel and tank, the 2016 Malbec Imposible offers more purity and freshness, with lots of blackberry, peppery herbs, violets, and smoke. It’s pure, medium to full-bodied, nicely concentrated, has integrated acidity and a great finish.

PREMIUM WINE: Allegrini Amarone (IT) $79.99 – Amarone involves one of the most unique processes in making wine. The grapes, traditionally Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella are harvested and then dried on racks for up to 120 days. This intensifies the fruit and sugar in the grape. The fermentation process can last up to 50 days at low temperatures. For a decadent but sleek wine, the ripeness level is spot-on here. It opens with glazed cherries, dried berries, vanilla, eucalyptus, caramel and wet earth, before following through to a dusty palate with tons of dried fruit, supported by fine acidity and a sweet-and-sour character. 94 points James Suckling.

COVID-19 Update

Posted on June 30, 2020July 3, 2020 by nectarwineandbeer

UPDATE: July 2 – Test results have come back for all staff members as NEGATIVE for Covid-19. We look forward to safely serving you. Happy 4th of July weekend.

It has been brought to our attention that one of our team members has tested positive for COVID-19. The positive test was identified on June 29. This team member’s last shift worked was June 20. They began feeling symptomatic on June 23 and subsequently got tested and self isolated.

The safety of our guests and staff has always been paramount to Nectar. During these times we have taken the necessary precautions outlined by the phase 2 regulations under the Stay Home, Stay Safe order and the protocol from the Spokane Regional Health Department. Our staff is asked a series of health questions at the start of their shift, has their temperature taken, wears masks during the entirety of their shift, routinely washes hands and sanitizes the space. We have implemented the required distance of our table spacing and reduced our capacity to 50%. In addition to these precautions we have hand sanitizer at every table, limit staff interaction with guests with a single server to a table policy and physical barriers at the bar and cash register areas.

Upon receiving the positive test notification we closed for the day for a deeper version of our sanitization routines. No other team members are showing symptoms but all have been tested. Staff will be allowed back to work upon notification of a negative test result. Nectar is fortunate to have two separate teams of workers and will remain open with a team that has never had interaction with the COVID-19 positive team member.

Our guests can be assured that Nectar Wine and Beer is a safe environment in which to enjoy socially distanced socializing. We have been at the forefront of implementing safety measures and will continue to keep to our high standard for everyone who chooses to enjoy our establishment.

As always our customers can order our carefully curated craft wine and beer selection through our online store for safe, contactless, curb side pick up.

Regards,

Josh Wade

Owner

Nectar is Turning 5!

Posted on June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 by nectarwineandbeer

Those of you who have been supporting us for a while have experienced the glory of our blowout anniversary parties. Every year we like to celebrate in style with an array of super fun beers and an exclusive custom labeled Nectar Anniversary wine. Life in 2020 is a little different (as you may have noticed), and we decided we needed to rethink what our 5th Anniversary might look like.

First things first, we actually turned five years old in May, but as we approached the anniversary of our opening it became clear that we couldn’t depend on being able to move into Phase 2 of the Safe Start plan for COVID-19, and we decided to make the call to move the date back to late June. We eventually settled on the weekend of June 26-28th for the event.

When the shutdown first started, we watched (and experienced) the way that our local businesses were struggling to adjust to the new reality into which we were all thrown. At the same time, we were so impressed with the creativity that Spokane breweries and our other local businesses were demonstrating in the face of challenging times. We started thinking that the right way for us to celebrate five years in this amazing community was to support and give back to our neighbors here in Spokane. Then the wheels started turning.

We have always wanted to give our customers a unique and exclusive experience for our anniversary event, and we started thinking about what we could do to create something special, while focusing on supporting our local community. That’s where the idea to create a series of local collaboration beers specifically for the event first came to be. The Spokane beer scene has become more and more exciting over the last several years, and the thought of working with some of our amazing local brewers to tap some unique beers for the event was a really exciting opportunity to show some love to the 509 beer scene. We chatted around and ended up with 13 different Spokane breweries who said that they would participate in the event, brewing 5 different Nectar 5th Anniversary beers between them. We will have more information coming over the next week, but here is the lineup of collabs that we will have on tap for the event.

Collaboration beers for Nectar 5th Anniversary — Nectar 5th Anniversary Collaboration Partners

In addition to the awesome collaborations, we are also excited to be donating a portion of proceeds from the weekend to Big Table. This amazing organization is all about taking care of people in the service industry, many of whom have been especially impacted by the shutdowns. Here’s some info about what Big Table does –

We will be donating $1 from every full sized draft beer, $5 from the purchase of each bottle of our custom labeled 5th Anniversary wine, and $5 from all of our 509 Strong t-shirts to help support Big Table in their mission.

During the five years that we have been here in Spokane, we have been really blessed by the support that our community has given us, and we are really excited to take the opportunity to celebrate our 5th Anniversary by supporting that same community. Here’s to the next 5 years and beyond!

June 2020 Wine Club Wines and Notes

Posted on June 8, 2020June 8, 2020 by nectarwineandbeer

With things returning to somewhat of a normal routine I (Josh) am able to taste wines with distributors again. This month’s line up represents some of the best wines I tasted. Many of them include deals you will be hard pressed to find locally. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

FIRST WHITE: Gard Vintners Rose Grand Klasse (WA) $24.99 – It is always fun to choose a rose wine for the lead white spot in May or June. Rose of Grenache and Mourvedre; Explosive nose of grapefruit, watermelon, dried strawberry and spring flowers. Some air adds muddled fresh red berries, white blossoms and a gorgeous hint of fresh mint and basil. One of the juiciest and textured Rosé’s we’ve made to date with melon, citrus and hints of white pepper spice on the palate. 91 PTS Wine Enthusiast

WHITE TWO: Sonder Rousanne (WA) $19.99 – I fell in love with the Sonder line up but they were hard to get over here from Seattle so I gave up on them. Imagine my surprise when one of our favorite distributors picked them up. Wine maker Riley Miller is part of what is known as the ‘lo-fi’ movement of wines. These are wines that have low intervention and low alcohol. Essentially let the wine be the wine. teely in structure, fanning out with expressive and vibrant layers of yellow apple, fresh lemon, honey, almond and baking spice. Stays focused on the mouthwatering finish.

RED ONE: 2015 Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel (CA) $29.99 – Great deal on this wine listed elsewhere for $35-40. This is a big boy wine from one of the most respected Zinfandel producers in the US. Plums, blackberries, cedary spice, and peppery herb notes all emerge from the 2015 Zinfandel Old Vine, a straight-up classic expression of this variety. More tobacco and cigar notes develop with time in the glass. It’s medium to full-bodied, has plenty of tannins, and is beautifully balanced. It will keep for a decade. 94 Points Dunnuk and Parker

RED TWO: 2016 Double Canyon SV Cabernet (WA) $28.99 (CLUB ONLY) – I couldn’t pass this deal up on a cellar worthy (or drink now) Cabernet. This is the BIG BROTHER single vineyard Cabernet to the $20 Double Canyon Horse Heaven Hills Cab. Retail is $65, most places sell for $40. A club only price of $28.99. It will be on the shelf to others for $39.99. The 2016 Double Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon expresses great depth and concentration of flavors, with a long, generous palate that opens up on the entry. Deep, dark garnet in the glass, aromas of red currant and coffee beans are joined alongside hints of polished leather, caramel cassis and pine. The palate has a bright entry, moderate tannins with pleasing length and complexity, and an elegant finish. The flavor profile is characteristic of our estate vineyard, displaying notes of cherries, red fruit, and rose hips. 94 points Dunnuck

RED THREE: 2015 Northstar Merlot (WA) $27.99 – Only a few of you get this third tier wine but it is a tried and true staple for me AND a perfect representation of why Washington makes great Merlot. Rich concentrated aromas of black cherry, plum, mint, cedar, and chocolate that lead into flavors of black raspberry and vanilla. The wine is big and bold and was created to enjoy now, or for many years to come as it will age gracefully. Pairs well with herbed leg of lamb, beef, and grilled vegetables. Blend: 77% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot 91 Points James Suckling

PREMIUM TIER WINE 2011 Arcanum Toscana (IT) $84.99 – I’ve been eyeballing this wine for a few years just waiting for the opportunity to bring it in. It always sat at $100 which was too much for this tier. A deal came in and I didn’t hesitate. Here it is! From a dark ruby, almost purple opaque core, it exudes a moderate intense wine displaying aromas of wild raspberries, cherry pie compote with cinnamon dust accents and red flowers. The flavors match the aroma profile yet are structured with a prominent earthy, lead pencil and dusty mineral essence. Spicy notes of pepper and hints of cedar frame a richness which extends to a long youthful finish. Blend: 77% Cabernet Franc, 14% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot; 93 points Parker and Suckling