Circa by John Bragg
  1. Home
  2. Menus
  3. About Us
  4. Private Dining & Catering
  5. Blog
  6. Events
  7. Store
  8. Find Us
delicious
  1. Lunch
  2. Dinner
  3. Wine By The Glass
  4. Wine By The Bottle
    1. dry sparkling wines - California
    2. dry sparkling wines - Italy
    3. dry sparkling wines - South Australia
    4. dry sparkling wines- Champagne, France
    5. dry whites - sauvignon blanc
    6. dry whites - amazing alternatives
    7. dry whites - new world chardonnays
    8. dry whites - old world chardonnays
    9. medium sweet whites - german (white) rieslings
    10. medium sweet whites - exotica
    11. red wines - pinot noir (beyond sideways)
    12. red wines - beaujolais grand crus
    13. red wines - wham-bam california zinfandels
    14. red wines - merlot mania
    15. red wines - the spice boys
    16. red wines - bordeaux grapes and blends
    17. red wines - those crafty europeans
    18. red wines - california cabernet sauvignon
  5. Cocktails & Cravings
  6. Confections
  7. Conclusions

Wine By The Bottle

HORNER 360 07113 040

"Wine is bottled poetry."
        -Robert Louis Stevenson

dry sparkling wines - California

Half
Bottle
J, Brut 2002 (Russian River Valley)
Judy Jordan’s classically dry, silky, Champagne style cuvée
  –  
$73
Iron Horse, “Wedding Cuvée” (Green Valley, Sonoma)
Finesse personified; peach hued, Pinot Noir dominated assemblage
  –  
$76
Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs 2003/2004 (Napa Valley)
The wine Nixon took to China (circa 1972); perhaps, still California’s finest
$39
$67
Roederer Estate, Brut (Anderson Valley, California)
Richly round, aromatic méthode Champenoise style sparkler
  –  
$48

dry sparkling wines - Italy

Half
Bottle
Nino Franco, Prosecco Rustico (Italy)
Crisp and refreshing, fun alternative to Champagne
  –  
$37

dry sparkling wines - South Australia

Half
Bottle
Mollydooker, “Goosebumps” Sparkling Shiraz
Sparkling what? This is no gimmick, folks. The Aussies not only prize their sparkling Shiraz, they enjoy this magnificently dry, full, fragrant and spicy style of red with all kinds of fusion cuisine. We love it with our own Tennessee-French dishes!
  –  
$99

dry sparkling wines- Champagne, France

Half
Bottle
Moët & Chandon, “White Star” Extra Dry
$54
$95
Charles Heidsick, ”Mise en Cave” 1996 – Magnum (1.5 L)
  –  
$178
Veuve Clicquot, “Yellow Label” Brut NV
Classic dry elegance
$70
$114
Moët & Chandon, “Cuvée Dom Pérignon” 1999
  –  
$425
Louis Roederer, “Cristal” Brut 1999
  –  
$614
Krug, “Grande Cuvée” Brut NV
$204
$378

dry whites - sauvignon blanc

Half
Bottle
The Sauvignon Blanc grape makes zesty edged, medium bodied whites; the perfect “fish” white.
Selene, “Hyde Vineyard” Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Carneros, Napa Valley)
By Mia Klein; masterful, layered elegance, with subtle French oak underpinnings
  –  
$55
Nautilus, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Marlborough, New Zealand)
Typical Kiwi style – aggressively aromatic, with palate tingling acidity
  –  
$35
St. Supéry, “Virtú” White Meritage 2006 (Napa Valley, California)
Highly refined, tropical, magnificently scented Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon
  –  
$66

dry whites - amazing alternatives

Half
Bottle
Dry whites made from Chardonnay are not the be-all and end-all in many parts of the world. We think these unique, fun, exceptionally food-worthy alternatives will turn you on:
Zenato, Lugana San Benedetto 2007 (Veneto, Italy)
From the ancient Trebbiano grape – smooth, supple, slices of melon and pear
  –  
$31
Babcock, “Naughty Little Hillsides” Pinot Gris 2007 (Santa Rita Hills, California)
Wrestled from a particularly steep, stony, difficult (to till) Santa Barbara hillside a meltingly rich, unusually creamy textured style of this classic varietal
  –  
$41
Domaine Ostertag, Pinot Blanc “Barriques” 2005 (Alsace, France)
By the ever-inventive André Ostertag; slivers of oak, scintillating Pinot fruit
  –  
$49
Pfeffingen, Gewürztraminer Spätlese 2006 (Pfalz, Germany)
Goodgollymissmolly – hugely, exotically perfumed; bodaciously lush
  –  
$51
Kuentz-Bas, Riesling “Cuvée Tradition” 2005 (Alsace, France)
Is dry Alsatian Riesling the greatest “food” wine in the world? Who cares! The main thing is this wine’s insanely delicious lime and peach intensity
  –  
$36
Kuentz-Bas, Gewürztraminer 2005 (Alsace, France)
Iconic grape, intoxicating perfume and spice
  –  
$61

dry whites - new world chardonnays

Half
Bottle
The Chardonnay grape is universally adored for its meaty, full bodied dryness; easy matches with all “white” meats (from fish to pork and fowl), especially in classic, French style butter sauces.
Babcock, “Rita’s Earth” Chardonnay 2005 (Santa Rita Hills, California)
In stone-cold accurate Bryan Babcock’s crisp, minerally, elegant style
  –  
$41
Chasseur, “Sonoma Coast” Chardonnay 2005 (Sonoma, California)
Fleshy, aggressively oaked, yet crisply balanced cool climate grown style
  –  
$67
Neyers, Chardonnay 2005 (Carneros, California)
Bruce Neyers’ wines are crafted by Ehren Jordan (also famed for Turley Wine Cellars); tropically intense, creamy, crisp Carneros style
  –  
$63
Tandem, “Sangiacomo Vineyard” Chardonnay 2005 (Sonoma Coast, California)
By winemaster Greg La Follette (founder of Flowers); pinpoint balance, hugely rich
  –  
$82
Tandem, “Ritchie Vineyard” Chardonnay 2004 (Russian River Valley, California)
La Follette in full-throttle mode; honeysuckle, lace and cream
  –  
$92
Paul Hobbs, Chardonnay 2005 (Russian River Valley, California)
The Hobbs style epitomizes length, complexity, with California chutzpah
  –  
$93
Kistler, “Les Noiseters” Chardonnay 2006 (Sonoma Coast, California)
Full blown, smoky oaked style, but with “cold climate” grown balance
  –  
$120
Cakebread, Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2007 (California)
  –  
$84

dry whites - old world chardonnays

Half
Bottle
The original, classically balanced styles of Chardonnay from the Burgundy region of France.
Olivier Savary, Chablis 2005 (France)
Steely dry, delicate – perfectionnez avec des mollusques et crustacés
  –  
$57
Francois Jobard, Meursault “En la Barre” 2002 (France)
Classic, fleshy, smoky French style, inundated with spicy minerality
  –  
$150
Philippe Colin, Chassagne-Montrachet “Les Chaumée” 2004 (France)
Flashy, floral, long and elegant premier grand cru
  –  
$163

medium sweet whites - german (white) rieslings

Half
Bottle
Great German Rieslings make everyone weak in the knees. Fresh, light, never cloying, just incredibly well balanced, these wines match classical cooking far better than you might think.
Zilliken, Saarburger Rausch, Riesling Kabinett 2004 (Saar)
The icy cold Saar River region yields slightly sweet Rieslings of pinpoint balance
$27
Weins-Prüm, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Riesling Kabinett 2005 (Mosel)
Just slightly sweet; extraordinary finesse and fragrance typical of the “sundial” (Sonnenuhr) vineyard plunging into the winding Mosel River
$26
Gunderloch, “Jean Baptiste” Riesling Kabinett 2005/2004 (Rheinhessen)
Winemaker/proprietor Fritz Hasselbach zips up and down his steep, red stone vineyards in his Harley, and his Rhine River Rieslings are just as racy and intense
$19
$41
Mönchhof, Ürziger Würzgarten, Riesling Kabinett 2006 (Mosel)
Würzgarten means “spice garden,” borne out in this wine’s amazing spiciness
  –  
$43
Mönchhof, Ürziger Würzgarten, Riesling Spätlese 2006 (Mosel)
Spätlese means “late picked” grapes, giving a juicier, medium sweet intensity
  –  
$57
Fritz Haag, Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr, Riesling Spätlese 2005 (Mosel)
Lacy, lilting, dew-on-flower-petal medium sweetness
$45

medium sweet whites - exotica

Pfeffingen, Scheurebe Spätlese 2005 (Pfalz)
If you love a lightly sweet white wine, you haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the luscious, tropical garden fruit of the Scheurebe (a rare Riesling/Silvaner cross)
  –  
$51

red wines - pinot noir (beyond sideways)

Half
Bottle
Few wines are as fine and food versatile as those made from the classic Pinot Noir grape.
Au Bon Climat, “La Bauge Au-dessus” 2006 (Santa Maria Valley, California)
Winemaker Jim Clendenen calls the Pinot from this hilltop vineyard the “party at the top” because of the consistently riotous, intoxicating intensity of its grapes
$37
$65
Au Bon Climat, “Isabelle Morgan” Pinot Noir 2005 (California)
Each year Clendenen fashions this breathtakingly balletic, silken cuvée from his absolute finest barrels, fittingly named after his daughter Isabelle
  –  
$114
Rex Hill, Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon)
The perfect “fish red?” Hard to find a match as refined and zesty
  –  
$51
Tandem, “Sangiacomo Vineyard” Pinot Noir 2006 (Sonoma Coast, California)
Meaty, plummy, cold climate grown style by winemaster Greg La Follette
  –  
$92
Tandem, “Van der Kamp Vineyard” Pinot Noir 2005 (Sonoma Mt., California)
Ultra-concentrated, smoky, foresty, luxuriously scented and textured cuvée
  –  
$100
Papapietro Perry, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2005 (California)
By two former Williams Selyem cellar rats; curvaceous, satiny, smoky, perfumed
$69
$102
Truchard, 2005 (Carneros, Napa Valley)
Winona Ryder – achingly rich, dark, delicate, scene stealing
  –  
$72
Etude, Pinot Noir 2006 (Carneros, Napa Valley)
Essence of spiced, red berry fruit on velvet by legendary winemaker Tony Soter
  –  
$90
Etude, “Heirloom” Pinot Noir 2004 (Carneros, Napa Valley)
Crafted from rare, meager yielding clones; opulently concentrated cuvée
  –  
$195
Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2005 (California)
By the grande dame of women winemakers – seamless, sensuous, spicy
$61
$108
Vision Cellars, “Gary’s Vineyard” 2006 (Santa Lucia Highlands, California)
Non ultra plus – loaded with classically spiced, luscious Pinot fruit
  –  
$89
Beaux Frères, “The Upper Terrace” Pinot Noir 2006 (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
Meticulously cultivated by Mike Etzel; the boldest, plushest of Oregon growths
  –  
$196

red wines - beaujolais grand crus

Half
Bottle
The grand crus of Beaujolais in France may be the most underrated red wines in the world.
Jean-Paul Thévenet, Morgon 2006
By one of members of Beaujolais’ “Gang of Four” – 100% unfiltered, unfined, unnothinged expression of the luscious raspberry quality of the Gamay grape
  –  
$57
Guy Breton, Morgon 2005 (Another “Gang of Four,” with even deeper, rounder, blackberryish intensity)
  –  
$61
Michel Chignard, Fleurie 2005 (Grand Cru de Beaujolais, France)
“Flowery” Fleurie – soft, lovely, rose petal fragrance, eminently food versatile
  –  
$50

red wines - wham-bam california zinfandels

Half
Bottle
7 Deadly Zins 2007 (Lodi)
Soft, easy style, with the juicy, peppery-cinnamon spice qualities of the grape
  –  
$38
Ridge, “Three Valleys” Zinfandel 2006 (Sonoma)
Peppery spice scented blend of Sonoma, Alexander and Dry Creek Valley fruit
  –  
$43
Ridge, “Lytton Spring” 2006 (Sonoma)
Classic, intensely full bodied field blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Carignane
  –  
$75
Rosenblum, “Annette’s Reserve” Zinfandel 2005 (Redwood Valley)
From ancient, dry farmed vines – fistfuls of exotically spiced, wild berry flavors
  –  
$64
Neyers, “Pato Vineyard” Zinfandel 2004 (Contra Costa County)
From own-rooted 110 year old vines – as spicy, plump and inviting as Christmas pie
  –  
$76

red wines - merlot mania

Half
Bottle
If you drink Merlot, make it a great one; three that make us ma-a-d for the grape:
St. Francis, “Behler Reserve” Merlot 2001 (Sonoma Valley, California)
Quintessential California Merlot – drippingly juicy, chocolaty black cherries
  –  
$94
Selene, “Frediani Vineyard” Merlot 2005 (Napa Valley, California)
Proprietor Mia Klein is one of California’s most gifted winemakers; re: her Merlot: uncommonly big and concentrated, yet ultra-plush and aromatic
  –  
$94
Swanson, Oakville Merlot 2005 (Napa Valley, California)
Mo’ serious stuff; in fact, as plush and luxuriously aromatic as Merlot can be
  –  
$51
Twomey, Merlot 2003 (Napa Valley, California)
Single vineyard estate owned by Silver Oak, producing a polished, full scaled style reminiscent of the finest wines of Pomerol in Bordeaux
  –  
$141

red wines - the spice boys

Half
Bottle
The “spice” varieties – better known as red “Rhône” grapes – tend to be full, thick, and yes, spicy scented; as such, more than conducive with meaty dishes in intense, natural sauces.
d’Arenberg, “The Custodian” Grenache 2006 (McLaren Vale, Australia)
Medium-full bodied, “raspberry fruit bomb” of a red from Australian bush vines
  –  
$41
Bonny Doon, “Le Cigare Volant” 2002 (California)
Randall Grahm’s thick, meaty blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah
$38
$71
Two Angels, “Shannon Ridge” Petite Sirah 2005 (High Valley, California)
While unrelated to Syrah, Petite Sirah produces even brawnier, blacker reds
  –  
$55
Earthquake, Petite Sirah 2005 (Lodi, California))
Not for the faint of heart; a full throttled, blood pumping, carnivore’s wine
  –  
$51
Rosenblum, “Pickett Road” Petite Sirah 2005 (Napa Valley, California)
Kent Rosenblum’s lusciously round, exotically spiced single vineyard rendering
  –  
$75
Earthquake, Syrah 2005 (Lodi, California)
As implied by the name – thick, huge, palate rattling concentration
  –  
$55
Marquis Philips, Shiraz “No. 9” 2006 (South Australia)
Sparky Marquis’ masterful synthesis of all things great and powerful about Syrah
  –  
$82
Tyrus Evan, “Del Rio Vineyard” Syrah 2005 (Rogue Valley, Oregon)
Though known for Pinot, Ken Wright also fashions spectacularly rich, layered Syrahs
  –  
$84
Patrick Jasmin, Côte-Rotie 2004 (Northern Rhône Valley, France)
The classic French version of Syrah – muscular, silky textured, enthrallingly scented
  –  
$133

red wines - bordeaux grapes and blends

Half
Bottle
Fascinating variations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec:
Tikal, “Amorio” Malbec 2007 (Mendoza, Argentina)
Sophisticated, high elevation powerhouse of immense breadth and concentration
  –  
$55
Boekenhoutskloof, “The Chocolate Block” 2007 (Western Cape, South Africa)
Deliciously original blend of Grenache, Cabernet, Syrah and Cinsault
  –  
$80
Selene, “Chesler” 2003 (Napa Valley, California)
Mama Mia – chewy, supple, sweetly concentrated blend of mostly Cabernet Franc, with some Cabernet Sauvignon
  –  
$143

red wines - those crafty europeans

Half
Bottle
The “Old World” implies old ways, experienced grape growing and crafty winemaking. All true; and when it comes to classically executed cuisine, often you can’t find better wines or values.
Brancaia, “Tre” 2004 (Toscana, Italy)
Super-smooth “Super Tuscan” style blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet
  –  
$41
Julia Roch y Hijos, “Las Gravas” 2001 (Jumilla, Spain)
Named for the thick layer of gravel that covers the chalky soil at the foothills of the Sierra de Molar Mountains. Made a blend of Monastrell, Cabernte Sauvignon, and Syrah yielding a concentrated rich wine with deep mineral notes
  –  
$59
Charles Joguet, Chinon “Cuvée Terroir” 2006 (Loire River, France)
Pure, elegantly smooth, juicy raspberry Cabernet Franc based red
  –  
$41
Aia Vecchia, “Lagone” 2006 (Toscana, Italy)
Super Tuscan style “Merlot,” embellished with Sangiovese and Cabernet; round, herby, like chocolate covered black cherries
  –  
$40
La Colombaia, Amarone della Valpolicella 2003 (Veneto, Italy)
Patiently vinified from native grapes raisined for up to four months before fermenting, resulting in something crazy big, concentrated, yet finely nuanced
  –  
$86
Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2005 (Toscana, Italy)
This pure, authentic, Tuscan Sangiovese has got it all going on – classically balanced, gentle, yet thick with fleshy, red berry fruit
  –  
$55
Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico DOCG 2000 (Italy)
Aged 18 months in small French oak barrels, this blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet espresses the unique terroir of the estate
  –  
$51
Marchesi di Gresy, Barbaresco “Martinenga” DOCG 2004 (Piemonte, Italy)
The Italians make important, world class wine, so what’s new? This one – made from Nebbiolo, the king (or “Elvis”) of Italian grapes – is not just meaty and muscled, but also as lush, round and elegant as any in the world
  –  
$99
Clos La Coutale, Cahors 2006 (France)
80% Malbec and 20% Merlot give this wine its finesse and roundness.
  –  
$45

red wines - california cabernet sauvignon

Half
Bottle
The manliest grape; for beef, game, or whatever turns you on.
Laurel Glen, “Counterpoint” Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Sonoma Mt.)
Patrick Campbell’s compact, elegantly composed estate bottling
  –  
$63
Provenance, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Rutherford, Napa Valley)
Elegant, voluptuous style from the center of Napa Valley’s “Cabernet belt”
  –  
$84
Blue Rock, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Alexander Valley, California)
Satiny smooth yet dense, muscular, luxuriously scented estate bottling owned and grown by Memphis native Kenny Kahn
  –  
$84
Faust, Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Napa Valley)
Bright, brash, yet balanced cuvée grown and produced by the Quintessa Estate
  –  
$93
Selene, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Napa Valley)
As intensely concentrated and harmonious as a Cabernet can possibly get
  –  
$143
Caymus, Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Napa Valley)
  –  
$145
Caymus, “Special Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Napa Valley)
  –  
$278
Paul Hobbs, Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 (Napa Valley)
  –  
$180
Etude, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Napa Valley)
  –  
$186
Beaulieu, “Georges de Latour Private Reserve” 2004 (Napa Valley)
  –  
$204
Silver Oak, Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 (Napa Valley)
  –  
$216
Contact

Circa by John Bragg
119 S. Main Street, Suite 100
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
901.522.1488  phone
901.522.1487  fax

Hours of Operation

*Lunch Tuesday - Friday: 11:00 - 2:00
Dinner
Tuesday - Friday:  5:00 - 10:00
Dinner
Friday - Saturday: 5:00 -11:00
Dinner
Sunday: 5:00 - 9:30
Reverse Happy Hour Friday - Saturday: 10:00 - 12:00

*Starting in July

Mondays are reserved for private parties only.  Please give us a call for more information.


Connections
Facebook Twitter

Enter your email address below to sign up for our newsletter.

home · menus · about us · private dining & catering · blog · store · find us

Copyright © 2009-2010 Circa by John Bragg. All rights reserved. Login | Powered by RocketFuel®

Circa by John Bragg
Memphis, TN
  • Circa by John Bragg