Marietta's Famed "Old Vine Red" Back In Stock

Marietta's Famed "Old Vine Red" Back In Stock

While a pallet lasts...Marietta's OVR #45 - $145.00/Case!

This is the perfect, post-holidays "stock the cellar" red. Long-time
aficionado's of this delicious and fruit-packed gurgle-bomb know that
the stuff comes and goes in a heartbeat and its best to grab
as-much-as-you-can, as soon-as-you-can when the word (of availability)
gets out.

For a short period of time, we are able to offer case lots of the wine
Robert Parker has described as; "California's" Answer to a top notch
Chateauneuf du Pape", a "Must Purchase which disappears quickly from
the shelves of retailers" and "If readers have not yet learned the
formula, here it is: Marietta Cellars = high quality, modest prices
and considerable pleasure!" The winery took a modest price increase
for the current lot...yet the wine still represents ridiculous "bang
for the buck" value at $145.00/Box

*The Marietta OVR is a "field blend" of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah,
Cabernet Sauvignon and Carignane harvested from ancient and
semi-ancient vineyards around the Sonoma, Mendocino, and North-coast
regions. Winemakers Chris and Jake Bilbro (Father & Son Tag Team) are
wizards at crafting a consistently delicious, medium-bodied, ICBFR
(Intercontinental Ballistic Fruit Rocket) which lends itself
beautifully to literally ALL types of savory dishes and cheeses. An
intentional pinch of sweetness in the finish makes this quaffer a
delicious "a'la carte" glass of red to enjoy all by its lonesome or
with a wedge of sharp Cheddar in front of a crackling fire on a cold
winter's night.

I distinctly remember the evening that (must have been in the late
'70s) we sampled one of the earliest lots of OVR at a tasting up at
the old Madrona Manor here in Healdsburg. Chris Bilbro was positioned
behind a table pouring lot #1 (or 2?). Although there were a number
of excellent reds on the docket that evening, the taste and texture of
the Marietta was something of an epiphany to our amateur palates. The
consistent flavor profile found in this non-vintage bottling has
evolved in a parallel fashion to our preferences, and I am proud to
say that there have been few if any subsequent releases which have
since failed to grace the sales floor of one or more of our stores.

Chris and Jake say: "Our Old vine red is a proprietary red wine that
is round, smooth, Zin-like and noted for its balance, approachability
and consistency. It is primarily comprised of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah
and Carignane as well as smaller amounts of Cabernet and Syrah.
Various Italian varietals round out the blend...our entire production
of the OVR has been completely allocated since 1978."

"Year after year one of the best wine bargains from California is
Marietta's NV concoction called Old Vine Red. This is one of those
blends made from everything but the kitchen sink, including Carignane,
Zin, Petite, Alicante and numerous mixed black varietals. Satisfying
as well as a vine value; possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as
a sweet nose of black fruits, underbrush and pepper... (The wine) will
offer tasty drinking over the next year". -RP

A famous Brit wine-writer (I think it was that guy with the exploding
eyebrows) was once asked if he'd ever confused Bordeaux with
Burgundy...he replied, "Not since lunch". (The guy's stock went up a
couple points with me after I read that, but I still think he should
do something about those eyebrows).

Although a Non-Vintage bottling, Lot #44 was crafted using the fruit
from two spectacular recent vintages, giving this bottling superb
body, depth and dimension.

This opaque, purple colored wine offers up huge quantities of sweet
black cherries and cassis intermixed with scents of pepper, truffles
and spices. Full-bodied, with a Kirsch-like flavor, this dense,
chewy, fleshy wine remains an INCREDIBLE VALUE. Slap a pricy Rhone
producer's label on a jar of OVR and sneak it into a San Francisco
tasting of moderate-to-expensive French reds. I'd bet dollars to
doughnuts that more than one fancy-schmancy Sommelier would score it
in the top five.

Get it while it's Hot...Marietta OVR $145.00/Case...More and more
people have "discovered" this wine hence it sells out quicker than
ever these days. Long-time devotees should consider multiple case
purchases. -PR

All of us at Root's Cellar sincerely wish that 2008 brings health,
peace and prosperity to you, your family, and all the inhabitants of
our little planet. (One can always hope)

The Green Lion & Chris Ringland Flee to Napa

The Green Lion & Chris Ringland Flee to Napa

All I can say is "Get it while it's hot" because this one will go VERY
quickly. Why? This is Chris Ringland's first winemaking foray north
of the Equator and is an INSTANT collectable...a Napa Valley Cabernet
and Merlot called "Green Lion" for only $215.00/Case (6 bottles of
each)

Guys, wait till you see the label on this one...Remarkable!!!

South Australia's Wizard Winemaker Chris Ringland flew the big Silver
Bird all the way to North America's Napa Valley to grace us with his
mystical knack of turning wine into Gold. May I present his first two
offerings; 2005 "Green Lion" 100% Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and
Napa Merlot...case of 12 (6 of each) $215.00...Over 10% Discount off
S.R.P.

It's hard to ignore averages like these...regardless of your opinion
of wine critics...

Check out Robert Parker's initial reviews of Chris Ringland's "R"
Winery Reds...it's pretty impressive. One "93", one "95", one "96",
one "98", two "99"s and FOUR "100"S. If you're keeping score, that's
an average of "98" points in TEN vintages. Even more impressive is
the average "93" point rating of the following FIFTY "R" wines which
he reviewed.

The magical Green Lion is Chris's first Napa offering

Chris teamed up with American Dan Philips (a well respected Aussie
wine authority, marketing genius and importer) to form "R Winery".
The company encompasses four familiar (to our readers anyway) labels,
Marquis Philips, 3 Rings, Roogle and Bitch along with 13 others
created especially for R wines. The packaging for these wines is
amazingly creative and you owe it to yourself to read the witty back
labels but more importantly, it's what's IN the bottle that counts and
these wines consistently OVER deliver from the low end to the
stratosphere (his "Longitude" Shiraz retails at $1,000/Btl).

Ringland and his minions kept their eyes peeled on the Napa Valley
from day one...this is not a wine which was "Phoned in" at any point.
(Maybe we should call this "NapOz"?)

2005 ranks as the largest grape harvest in Napa since 1997. Above
average cluster weight at harvest was the primary reason for the large
crop. Late in many north coast vintages, hot weather may quickly
reduce crop size by 20% simply through dehydration. In 2005 however,
moderate cool weather following veraison (the point at which grapes
turn from green to red) kept clusters fully hydrated. One key to
success in larger harvests is to insure the grapevine canopy is in
balance with the crop to insure even ripening. This requires a pricy
and labor-intensive oversight of the vineyards. Where crop levels
were not abused, the '05 reds show the same ripe, expressive fruit as
the famed vintage of 1997. The best wines are delicious from the
outset and will be delightful to drink at several points in the wine's
evolution of roughly 7-8 years before peaking.

"Food & Wine" compares the $19 Green Lion to the $70 Ladera...

The October 2007 issue of "Food & Wine" (the big wine issue...check it
out, it's well worth your time) printed a "Super Star vs. Super Steal"
feature. The copy begins with "The great wines of the world are
expensive and often hard to find, and (they should be) instantly
recognizable in the glass...at the same time, part of what makes a
great wine great is how well it expresses something larger than
itself...that is why it is possible to find-if you look hard,
enough-affordable wines that echo the characteristics of the truly
extraordinary." A terrific $20 Cabernet from an unknown property may
never achieve the complexity, depth and nuance of a top-level Napa
Cabernet but at the same time it can offer a hint, or MORE than a
hint, of what that much more expensive wine from the same general
region is like..."one trick for finding these bargains is to hunt for
famous grapes in unsung bottles." They then go on to compare the
Green Lion Napa Valley to the stunning Ladera Howell Mountain...

"This new Cabernet from Dan Philips (and Chris Ringland) is their
first foray into California-and a remarkable deal. Though not as
complex as the Ladera, It's juicy and bright, with similar black
currant notes" (They include photos' of both the Green Lion and
Ladera...you can't miss that label!)

Both the Cabernet and the Merlot are made from upper Napa Valley
vineyards mostly from the stretch of bale clay loam soils that extend
from Saint Helena to Calistoga. This region's fruit character shows
sweet raspberry and cassis fruit with moderate tannins. Ringland drew
structural elements from mountain sources, primarily Pritchard Hill
and Diamond Mountain. The wines are terrific representations of the
sub appellations of Napa valley and the ripe, harmonious fruit that
characterizes the 2005 vintage. Enjoy them now as they are classic
Napa Valley reds.

I think ya'll know by now that Chris can't make "thin" reds...every
wine he puts his signature on is BIG, complex, richly extracted and
powerful; a bang-for-your-buck beauty.

The Cabernet is full-bodied and sports that identifiable balance
inherent to the '05 vintage in Napa...that is, gorgeous blackberry,
ripe cherry and cassis fruit along with a hint of tar and licorice all
paired with integrated tannins and a rich, textured finish. The
Merlot is (typically of the Ringland style) hardly a wimp; ripe, rich,
deep and complex with black cherry and cocoa flavors followed by a
moderate zest of oak. They match well with red meats, stews,
roasts, full-bodied cheeses and Choucroute.

The FAX...100% Napa fruit from several old-vine properties in the
northern portion of the valley. Both the Cabernet and the Merlot were
aged in a mixture of French and American oak barrels for 16 months.

It would be a shame not to (at least try) describe this label because
it's a doozey. Here I go... A huge Green lion with yellow eyes and
red mouth holding (in his left paw) a golden trophy with a red-winged
warrior inside holding what appears to be a soccer ball. In his right
paw he grips a golden chalice with an Eagle tucked inside its wings
flapping about while it holds in its beak a gold medal. In the lower
left corner there is an owl in a purple dress (or chain mail) holding
a cricket bat and a red fish...in the lower right there is a monk
holding what appears to be a scale; there is an American Eagle in the
center below the Green Lion and a red heart with an eye in the middle
kind of like the one on a dollar bill. Fancy script on top reads
"Green Lion" in yellow, on the bottom "Cabernet Sauvignon" in red with
a tiny 2005 "Napa" in the center. Like I said...it's a doozey.

Due to our long-time support of the R Winery products I was able to
get the price down to $215/Case (average price of $17.92/Bottle).
(The SRPs' on the wines - $22.50 and $18.00)

A Chance To Own A Piece of U.S. Wine History

A Chance To Own a piece of U.S. Wine History

A mixed (6 bottle) case of Winery of the Year "Long Shadows
Distinguished Wineries and Vineyards". $305.00 (Full Case of 12
assorted - $600.00)

Food & Wine Magazine recently announced the winners of their annual
"American Wine Awards" program. 2007 marked the 10th anniversary of
this eagerly awaited judging. Allen Shoup's "Long Shadows
distinguished Wineries and Vineyards" was the deserving recipient of
the "Winery of the Year" category of the contest.

It is flat-out AMAZING that you can still obtain a sampler case of
these wines given their national demand and limited production,
especially when taking into account the unanimous and glowing reviews
which every wine in the portfolio has received in the last year.

The wines of Long Shadows are each individually hand crafted by some
of the wine world's most famed and talented enologists. This group
consists of Randy Dunn (Dunn Vineyards), Philippe Melka (Lail,
Vineyard 29, and 100 Acre), Michel Rolland ("The world's most
influential winemaker/Chateau Fontenil and Bertineau St. Vincent),
John Duval (Penfold's Grange), Armand Diel (Schlossgut Diel in the
Nahe River Valley of Deutschland) and Gilles Nicault (winemaker at
Long Shadows).

To say that Long Shadows hit the ground running with their first
releases would be a ridiculous understatement. Under long-time wine
industry insider Allen Shoup, this group of distinguished winemakers
(armed with some of the finest vineyards on the West coast) produced a
portfolio of Bordeaux, Rhone and Rhine Valley variety wines which
received unprecedented acclaim ("90" or above ratings) from literally
every recognized wine medium. That list includes Robert Parker's
Wine Advocate, the Wine Spectator, Connoisseur's Guide, Stephen
Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, The Quarterly Review of Wine,
Decanter, the San Francisco Chronicle, Wine & Spirits and Seattle
Magazine (just to name a few!)

We offered a mixed box of these wines early last summer (before many
of the reviews and awards had been published) and received a very
positive yet modest response. I felt confident that once the wine
buying public became more aware of the value and quality of "Long
Shadows Wineries" the demand would increase dramatically, therefore I
set aside a selection of each with the intention of re-acquainting our
clientele with them prior to the holidays.

That time has come. A 6-bottle case of the Long Shadows wines
assorted in the following manner - $305.00 (There is a small amount
of inventory remaining on these wines for any re-orders of your
favorites)

These jewels have received SO many rave reviews there just isn't
enough room to provide you with all the accompanying text. I will
include the numerical scores with the descriptions. Complete reviews
of the wines can be obtained by going to the Long Shadows web site.
We'll start with the only white wine in the group, a scrumptious
Germanic-styled Columbia Valley Riesling made by Armin Diel

*1-2005 Long Shadows Poet's Leap Riesling..."91" Parker...The only
white wine in the portfolio is the Poet's Leap made by Armin Diel of
the renowned Schlossgut Diel in the Nahe River Valley of Germany.
This splendid Riesling is light straw-colored with green highlights.
It delivers a complex perfume of slate, mineral, a hint of petrol,
spring flowers, honey and green apple. Made in a Spatlese style, with
just a touch of sweetness, the wine offers moth-filling fruit, crisp
acidity, and a long, pure finish. Drink it over the next several
years with Asian cuisine or as an aperitif. This wine could well
evolve in the manner of its German role model for those willing to set
aside a bottle".

*2-2004 Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red Wine..."91" Parker..."A blend
of 6 varieties, Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit
Verdot. The wine is made by Gilles Nicault who is also the winemaker
in residence at Long Shadows. The wine was aged for 27 months in 95%
new French oak. Opaque purple-colored, the wine exhibits a fragrant
perfume of pain grille (toast!), pencil lead, black currant and
blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a layered, spicy wine with
gobs of complex blue and black fruit flavors, soft tannins and plenty
of depth in its lush personality. The well-concealed structure should
allow for 3-5 years of further development and the wine should drink
well through 2030.

*1-2004 Long Shadows "Feather" Cabernet Sauvignon..."92" Wine
Spectator, "91" Wine Enthusiast, "91" Stephen Tanzer, "94"/RC and "91"
Parker..."The Feather Cabernet is made by Randy Dunn of Napa Valley
fame. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon selected from five vineyard
sources and aged for 23 months in French oak. This opaque purple
wine delivers classic Cabernet aromas of toast, lead pencil, black
currant and blackberry. It has excellent flavors and balance... it is
an outstanding effort.

*1-2004 Sequel..."92" Wine Spectator, "92" Wine Enthusiast, "5 Star
Rating" Decanter, "93"/RC, "93" Connoisseur's Guide and "93"
Parker..."The Sequel is made by John Duval, for 15 years the winemaker
of Penfold's Grange, Australia's most famous red Shiraz. The fruit
was sourced from five vineyards encompassing several AVAs' and
includes 3% Cabernet Sauvignon in the final blend. Ninety percent of
the wine was aged for 18 months in small French oak barrels.
Purple-black in color, this superb Syrah offers grilled meat, bacon
fat, game and wild blueberry aromas and flavors. On the palate the
wine is spicy, layered and plush with soft tannins and enough acidity
to hold things together. This hedonistic effort can be enjoyed now
but will easily last for 20 years or more".

*"93" Connoisseur's Guide...Polish and precision are the hallmarks of
this extremely engaging effort, and, in both nose and mouth, its
slightly juicy, youthfully bright, blackberryish fruit sets the pace
and is matched step for step by hints of rich earth and spice...it is
long and complete from front to back and sports a spice of supportive
tannins that will make it a stunning mate to beef roasts."

*1-Pirouette "90" Wine Spectator, "93" Wine & Spirits, "90" Wine
Enthusiast, "94"/RC and "93" Parker..."The last of the blends is the
Pirouette. The featured winemakers are Augustin Huneeus Sr. and
Philippe Melka. The wine is composed of 49% Cabernet, 27% Merlot, 13%
Petit Verdot and 11% Syrah. The fruit was selected from vineyards
encompassing five different AVAs' with yields in the range of 1-2
tons/acre. The wine was aged for 21 months in French oak of which 75%
was new. The expressive nose offers up toast, scorched earth,
blueberry and blackberry liqueur. This is followed by a thick wine
with silky tannins, superb depth and richness and layers of flavor.
It merits several years cellaring and should drink well through 2037.
In the context of what $55 will get you from Napa Valley or Bordeaux,
THIS IS A TERRIFIC VALUE.

*"91" Connoisseur's Guide...A wine of many parts and many facets, its
aromas start with ripe black cherries and hints of wild berries and
proceed to caramel, currants and toast combined in the most mannerly
and never flamboyant way. The wine's early suppleness on the palate
will remind of Merlot, but its depth and range speak to cabernet first
and then to the spice of Syrah. It is appropriately tannic for a
young wine, yet here again it is solid and polished in a style that
might seem to invite itself to the table today. Still, it will be
better in a decade, and it deserves the chance to grow into its full
majesty".

I think it would be a shame not to mention the incredibly beautiful
and unique way in which the Long Shadows wines are shipped and
presented. Each 6-bottle compartment-case is an individual and vivid
work of art which folds into itself creating a cube which is printed
with the vibrant colors of the enclosed bottles. Each wine name is
printed on the vessel in gold leaf or rich colorful pigments and all
are different, reflecting the type of wine within.

We can't (by law) ship the wines to you in these boxes, but I'll be
glad to UPS one to you should you like to use it to store the wines or
to enhance the presentation as a gift. Please ask when responding to
this offer.

What a GREAT Christmas gift this case would make for any wine lover,
veteran or novice. $305.00 after discounts

Text Format:Theme Thursday:Which $15 Pinot is the Best?

Theme Thursday: which $15 Pinot is the Best?

A Tasting Case of two cheap (no sense mincing words here) Pinot Noirs
- $175 after discount

Theme Thursday...we respectfully request your input on a new
"everyday" Pinot Noir. We've asked our wholesale winery reps to come
up with wines which fit the following requirements: Medium to-full
bodied, fruit-driven, clean and (most importantly) varietelly correct
yet retail for $15 or under. The wine's point of origin does not
matter providing they fit these criteria. Most of them rolled their
eyes, a few took us seriously. Here are the first two candidates for
your (and our) consideration.

Pinot Noir is still the most acclaimed variety in our country; problem
is, the prices of both domestic and imported examples keep rising like
pizza dough under flood lights. Finding quality wines which actually
"taste" like Pinot for under $30 are becoming rare. Many of the wines
which we've always depended on for their varietal integrity and modest
tare have become downright arrogant, allowing pretentiousness to flood
their previous lack of conceit in the wave of Pinot
popularity.(Sheesh! I sound like Spiro Agnew).

Obviously, we needed a new Pinot Pony to ride down the path toward are
daily vinous sunset. A wine which looked, smelled and tasted like the
pricy stuff yet defied the common perception that a good jar of PN had
to equal the price of the entrée', side dish, veggies and dessert.
(Am I the only one who thinks its nuts when your wine tab's greater
than the food?) Friends, we have only just begun our search yet have
already been heartened by our findings. Here then are our first
entrants in the quest to find the best "Cheap and Cheerful" everyday
Pinot Noir. We honestly want your feedback on this one because in the
best democratic tradition, the wine which receives the most votes
wins.

***Our first entrant is the Santa Barbara Winery 2006 Monterey County
Pinot Noir made by Bruce McGuire. This is a juicy, ripe, raspberry
and blackberry infused perfectly balanced little fruit bomb. Ultra
clean odors of blueberry compote, vanilla and cherry jam waft from the
glass. The color is a transparent garnet with blue/purple around the
perimeter. Flavors of sweet raspberry pancake syrup, cinnamon and
other baking spices wrapped up in a velvety, medium-bodied texture.
The finish is exactly what you'd expect of a sub $20 PN, short and
sweet.
The Santa Barbara over-delivers and is surprisingly complex given its
VERY reasonable price. Stick a French label on this sucker, double
its price and they'll line up to buy it in just about any 80-watt
restaurant in Northern California (you know, places with $18-$22
entrees and $5 desserts... my kind of "semi-special occasion" kind of
joint).

***We drive up the coast to Firesteed Vineyards in Rickreall Oregon, a
small town roughly 12 miles west of Salem on Pacific Highway. The
Firesteed is a true "Oregon" designate made from a blend of grapes
grown in the Willamette, Umpqua, Rogue and Walla Walla regions of the
state. The sum is greater than its parts in this one. A couple
shades darker than the Santa Barbara with a bit more stuffing in the
middle and a couple notches up the scale in body. Slightly crisper,
with a bit more food-friendly acid to give it balance and weight.
Flavors of warm berry preserves and strawberry shortcake are followed
by layers of vanilla, blackberries and chocolate covered espresso
beans; the tannins are soft and the texture is crisp...the finish is a
bit longer than the Santa Barbara. This one also impresses by its
complexity vs. price.

Both of these wines cannot fail to please given their price and true
Pinot flavors. They'll serve you beautifully with everything from a
grilled hanger steak to ripe Brie and a baguette. Their
fruit-forward, food friendly personalities make them superbly
adaptable and they're $175/Case ($14.58/Jar)

The Eric Kent Fall Release Reds Have Arrived

The Eric Kent Fall Release Reds have arrived

A mixed (6) case of the 2005 Eric Kent "Dry Stack" and "Kalen's Big
Boy" Syrah blends. If you only buy a handful of Syrah-based
California wines this year, the E-Ks' should be near or at the top of
your list. $235/6 (Three of each)

We have a number of customers who have a standing order for as many
bottles of Eric Kent wines we're willing to sell em' upon each
release, Price is not an issue.

Three years ago we introduced our clientele to Eric Kent Wine Cellars,
a new, small, Sonoma County producer of hand-crafted,
vineyard-designate Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Syrahs. Based on the
stunning quality of those first wines, the enthusiasm and energy
generated by the man who made them (Kent Humphrey) and his wife's
(Colleen Teitgen) eye for picking out the work of local artists to
grace the labels of each vintage, I felt it was no stretch to predict
a very successful future for their new venture.

Occasionally I get it right...

THIS is AMAZING...within those three short years the Eric Kent wines
have been picked by the Wine Spectator as one of the "Hot New Dozen"
producers with (Laube) scores of "94", "92" and "92" as well as the
COVER wine for the July '07 issue of the prestigious Connoisseur's
Guide ("94" points), FIRST in a flight of 12 ("91" points) in the
California Grapevine, a 4-Star rating in England's Decanter magazine
and a "90" point rating in BURGHOUND (and that dude's kind of brutal
to CA wines).

News of Syrah's death has been exaggerated...

There is no denying that Syrah sales have slowed in the last year. I
think there are several reasons for this which I would be glad to
discuss with you either in e-mail form or over the phone (I will not
bore you with my ideas in this pitch). Fortunately, many of the
states finest, small artisan producers have not been severely impacted
by the Syrah down-turn because of their inherent, pent up annual
demand and limited production. As Charles Olken stated so eloquently
in the November issue of the Connoisseur's Guide, "the days when Syrah
could skate by on its own standing as the new kid on the block are
gone...its time to explore what is really going on with Syrah, to tote
up its strengths and its weakness and to think about its future." To
back up his point, Olken put the Eric Kent Syrah on the cover of a
recent Syrah-focused issue of his respected periodical, rating it "94"
Points.

*2005 Eric Kent "Dry Stack" and "Big Boy Blend"

Kent dropped by this morning with his two fall releases from Bennett
Valley's Dry Stack Vineyards and his already famous "Big Boy Blend".
Both wines fare from the excellent 2005 vintage and both are ideal
representations of that excellent, cooler growing season. Humphrey
makes (relatively) tiny amounts of wine and essentially pre-sells
every case prior to release. We are fortunate to receive a relatively
generous allocation of the "Dry Stack" and "Big Boy" reds especially
considering their micro-production numbers (175 & 200 cases
respectively) and national demand which has been generated by the
crazy favorable press over the last 36 months. Because of the huge
demand and limited availability I decided to offer the fall 2005 Eric
Kent wines in a 6-bottle case form, 3 bottles of each.

*This is the third vintage of the Dry Stack. The warm '03 and '04
vintages were big, ripe, full bodied and powerful wines with tons of
forward fruit flavors and superb length. If one were to examine the
wines with a white glove, I suppose it could be said that they were a
bit gangly in their extroverted personality and hungry puppy
character. (This is of course, the natural result of making wine with
very ripe, intensely flavored fruit). The 2005s' are more composed,
still VERY fruit-driven and extremely rich in character but a little
more "grown up" than their earlier counterparts. If the 2004s' wore
Jeans, T-shirts, Denim jackets and leather boots than the 2005s' are
dressed in blazers with starched shirts, pressed slacks and shined
shoes.

*Kent says "Aromas of cherries, dark plum and tobacco invite you in,
followed by a palate of lively cherry infused with darker fruit
undertones, a touch of smoky cedar and a silky, elegant mouth-feel.
Delicious now, (with 1-2 hours of decanting) the balance of fruit and
acidity is delightful, making this a wine that should age wonderfully
for years to come".

*"91"/RC..."Bottled in January of 2007, released last month, this wine
is a composed glass of bright black cherry, blueberry, apricot and
licorice root framed by sweet oak and a fistful of sweet baking spice
and vanilla. There is a touch of the classic Syrah gaminess in the
back of the palate along with integrated oak and cedar flavors however
the fruit plays a leading role in this wine. A champion in the
middleweight class. The finish is sweet and beautifully balanced.

*The Connoisseur's Guide said of the Dry Stack..."Exhibits the mass
and full-scale fruit that we look for in a fine Syrah, it does so with
an uncanny sense of polish and impression of palatal plush-ness that
makes it doubly appealing. Its themes of sweet blackberries are
enriched with creamy oak and accented with nice touches of violets and
black pepper, and it shows a keen sense of overall balance...big, but
so graceful that it can be enjoyed now yet has the stuff to grow for
four or five years".

*2005 Sonoma county Kalen's Big Boy Blend...True to the spirit of its
name, the 2005 must have a big personality. That said, the cooler '05
vintage added a splash of refinement to this high-spirited bottling as
well. Poured side-by-side with the Dry Stack the two wines look like
a small portion of the Electro-Magnetic Spectrum going from
red/purple-blue to deep purple/blue-black. Only 2,100 bottles made
for the entire world.

Kent says "Inky dark in the glass, the nose offers up a rich, black
fruit, black and white pepper, a faint tease of eucalyptus and fertile
earth tones. Then a sip unleashes dark cherry, pomegranate, black
licorice and cola all lovingly embraced by fine, sweet tannins. While
a tad of patience will handsomely be rewarded, if you decide to open
one sooner rather than later, a brisk decanting and a couple hours on
the table will enhance its youthful charms.

Connoisseur's Guide says "This dramatic, mouth-filling wine with its
well-chosen moniker makes no pretense to grace or finesse. It is very
rich and long on ripeness but manages to be fruity and has the right
kind of extract to buffer its heat. Its sensations of peppery spice,
smoke and sweet oak serve as attractive seasonings to its central
themes of very ripe berries, and it stays the course to the finish
despite ample tannins". The Big Boy is a brute, a contender for the
heavyweight crown.

The Artists featured on the 2005 Dry Stack and Big Boy are Neil Seth
Levine and Roy Tomlinson. The Dry Stack label sports a magnificent
"scanned" image (no traditional photographic equipment was used in
making the final print) of a deep, red rose with intricate, natural
petal cluster patterns exploding from the center of the bud out to the
perimeter of the flower. (Hey! don't laugh, it's tough to describe)
The Big Boy is made from an old film print which has been weathered.
It kind of looks like what you see at the end of a film feel when the
last frame passes across the lens of the projector just before the
screen goes to white light. (Ditto)

*2005 Eric Kent Reds/Fall Release-$235. /Case of 6 (3 each)

Laurel Glen & The Genius of Patrick Campbell

Laurel Glen & the Genius of Patrick Campbell

An assorted sampler (12) of the character-infused "Laurel Glen" wines
made by the eclectic Patrick Campbell at his Sonoma Mountain winery;
$235.00.

Laurel Glen wines are difficult to find but well worth the effort...

Your case includes the famous and inherently age-able "Laurel Glen"
estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the "Counterpoint" Cabernet (drink this one
while you age the L-G), the famous "REDS" (wine of the people!), the
delicious and appellation-specific "Terra Rossa" Malbec and his
precocious "ZaZin".

Big Bob Parker weighs in...

"Proprietor Patrick Campbell's superb Cabernet Vineyard on the slopes
overlooking the Sonoma Valley has proven to be one of the finest
sources for Cabernet in California" Employing traditional winemaking
techniques specifically designed not to "strip" the wine results in a
final product that is full of character. Laurel Glen has been
producing one dazzling effort after another...the wines are
agonizingly difficult to find in the marketplace" -R. Parker

In 1983 Linda and I attended one of those co-operative wine tastings
which take place in a huge rented facility. The winery
representatives are stationed alphabetically on folding tables
(usually) circuitously arranged around the perimeter of the building.
I realize that this is probably the most economical and practical
format for the various producers to present their wines to the largest
possible trade and consumer audience.

Speaking strictly for myself, I've always found this type of event to
be kind of intimidating and not very useful, plus there are always a
certain percentage of participants who see these vinous pow-wows' as
little more than a free wine bar, behaving as such and getting louder
and more boorishly conspicuous as the evening wears on. (Yikes, I
sound old).

One of the best ways to maximize your take when attending large
tastings is to approach the event with a theme in mind (i.e. "I'm only
tasting 5 whites and 5 reds" or "Only Pinot Noirs" or "only wines
which we DON'T carry").

On the evening in question, (and since we'd arrived kind of late), I
decided to expedite my attendance by asking various retailers and
wine-scribes I knew which wines had most impressed them up to that
point.

I distinctly remember that EVERY one of those people told me that I
HAD to meet Patrick Campbell and taste his new Laurel Glen Cabernet.
The unanimous opinion was that this new label was one of the finest
Sonoma County Cabernets they had EVER tasted, rivaling the best of
Napa in every way.

I wandered over to the Laurel Glen table, tasted the wine, said
something stupid like "wow, that's real good wine" and ordered three
cases. I've discussed that evening with Patrick a few times over the
last quarter century and while he is reluctant to commit to my
selective memory (nor is he willing to dismiss it) I remember him
saying something like "Thank you...you are my first retail account to
place an order."

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Patrick Campbell is a remarkable man...one of my heroes (there aren't
many) in this goofy gig. Born in Baltimore in 1947 (he never mentions
it and you'll never know it unless you meet him in person, but he had
polio as a kid and lost the use of both legs...he gets around with the
energy of a man half his age using twin aluminum and steel crutches.
When Rebecca was 3 years old, she and I went up to visit Patrick...he
suggested we go up to his little hilltop winery after meeting him at
the house and I decided to drive Becky up the dirt road. Patrick
declined a ride, and just ran up.)

Pat discovered his little vineyard in 1973 while a member of a Zen
Buddhist community which was located near the property. He is also a
concert Violist (he has played with several Bay Area symphony
orchestras over the last 30 years), races ocean Kayaks and has studied
Philosophy of Religion at Harvard. It was during his time at the
Buddhist colony that he became interested in Viticulture as one of his
tasks was taking care of the small vineyard on the property. In 1977
Pat and his wife, Faith purchased the neighboring Laurel Glen
vineyard; since 1977, the vineyard holdings have expanded to the
present 35 contiguous acres.
Anyone even peripherally involved in the Sonoma Wine scene is aware of
Pat's passionate interest and presence in the local
political/environmental community. A champion of our little
enterprise, after a decade of leadership in industry trade
associations, he has focused on the direct shipping issue which is now
wending its way through the court system (keep an eye on Texas).
Concurrently, he was voted the first recipient of the Wine Industry
Integrity Award. I think it's fair to say that you can always depend
on Pat to give you his straight and honest opinion on just about any
subject.

*1-2003 "93"/RC... Laurel Glen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon...100%
Cabernet Sauvignon. "This spectacular and long-lived wine (we hosted
a vertical tasting of all vintages of the LG Cabernet a few years
ago...the initial vintage and all early bottlings were still very
youthful and fruit-driven) has an elegant style even in its early
stages which sets it apart from many overly-oaked and tannic
California wines. In a word, balance is the hallmark of the Laurel
Glen Sonoma Mountain. The 2003 vintage was severely impacted by
limited yields in the estate property yet the wine is typically dark,
with a dense core. It is perfumed with lovely briar, dark berry and
sandalwood aromas. The palate is rich and voluptuous without being
cloning or obvious, and reveals itself slowly".

*2-2003 "91"/RC... "Counterpoint...The second tier of the estate
Cabernets; Counterpoint gets the same meticulous treatment as the LG
estate in the vineyard, winemaking and barrel aging. While Laurel
Glen is the age worthy wine, Counterpoint stakes its claim in its
immediate drink-ability. Very rich and fruit-forward with perfect
texture, luscious dark cherry, sweet oak, blackberry, tar, and baking
spice flavors all framed by perfect acid balance. The finish is long
and nearly cloying in its viscosity."

*3-2005 "Reds"..."88-90"/RC "This wine displays a deep ruby core.
Fresh, bright scents of blackberry, cassis, cherry and violet. It's
very pure and graceful, with mineral-driven dark berry and cherry
flavors and an elegant, velvety texture. Finishes fresh and long,
with an echoing note of cherry. A blend of 40% Zinfandel, 25%
Carignane with the balance being equal amounts of Syrah and Petite
Sirah. The wine was matured in French oak for nine months".

*3-Laurel Glen "Terra Rosa" Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)...Pat heads
down to Argentina five times/year to oversee vineyard management and
to control harvest and fermentation activities. After fermentation is
completed the wine is brought up to the California winery by ship in
temperature controlled 24,000 liter containers to age in French oak
barrels for 15 months. A classic example of the practically
indigenous grape of the country, this is a BIG, juicy mouthful of wine
with a lashing of very sexy oak. Pat didn't set out to make this
vintage such a crowd pleasing style; the vintage dictated the result
and it REALLY is delicious...at once rich and powerful and with the
delicate, long finish which the best Malbec displays. 2005 was a
warm; trouble free vintage in Mendoza and this wine is a
quintessential example of that spectacular growing season.

*3-Laurel Glen 2006 "ZaZin"...Beginning with the first vintage in
2002, ZaZin has alternated between over-the-top and somewhat more
classic in style. Now, of course, "classic" is a term to be taken in
context. Everything from this central-state Lodi vineyard is BIG as
the property sits at the head of the Sacramento River delta.
"90"/RC... "While more refined in style, the 2006 is hardly
restrained. Black is the operative descriptor; black in color, juicy
black fruit in the nose plus black tar and wild summer blackberries in
flavor framed by a bright, racy and bold finish with just a hint of
cracked white pepper adding an exotic touch".

A Case of the hand-crafted wines made by Patrick Campbell from his
Sonoma Mountain estate. The grapes come from such diverse regions as
Sonoma Mountain, the Sacramento Delta and Argentina yet every bottle
bears the unmistakable touch of genius which only Pat can offer.
$235.00 After Discounts

Seghesio Sonoma Zin in the top "100" Again

Seghesio Sonoma Zin in the "Top 100" Again!

2006 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel $243.00/Case...Friends, this stuff is
FLYING!!!

It's difficult to believe that I'm saying this, but...Our last half
pallet of the incredible 2006 Seghesio Sonoma "Blue Cap" Zinfandel is
sitting in our store room. The national (and international, its
available in central and eastern Europe) demand for this remarkable
red depletes the annual production in a ridiculously short period of
time, and once it nails the "Big List" it dries up faster than a dew
drop on a red-hot skillet. I guess it's true, everybody loves a
winner.

Made the "Top 100" 3 out of the last 5 years!

The Wine Spectator's "Top 100 wines of 2007" has been posted "on line"
(11/19) and true to form the Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel made the cut at
# 91 out of 100. The Spectator editorial staff tastes over 12,000
wines on an annual basis giving (roughly) one-fifth of the entrants a
score of "90" or above. Only 20% of the 100 winners have a suggested
retail price of $20 or under, making the inclusion of the blue cap
even more significant. In addition, only two (count em', T-W-O, 2)
Zins made the list (the other being the 2004 Navarro Anderson Valley
which you can't buy unless you're on their mailing list (i.e.
"fogeddaboudit").

There are dozens of California Zinfandels sporting higher prices than
the Blue Cap yet many of them don't possess the chutzpah required to
occupy the same shelf space of this delicious quaffer which
consistently out-performs its modest tare.

How do they do it with such consistency?

Let's call it "The Seghesio Recipe". First, get to California in
1886, (The year Eduardo Seghesio set foot in Sonoma County... THAT'S
the Tough one) then take superb estate-owned vineyards in Dry Creek
and Alexander Valleys, a day-to-day "hands on" Matriarch (Rachel) add
flawless farming practices and a pinch of ridiculous attention to
detail (Pete), throw in "Familia" inspired operating practices which
instill pride in every employee from the vineyard workers to the lab
technician and tasting room, add a state-of-the-art winemaking
facility, a fourth generation winemaker (Ted) a dedicated and
energetic sales team (Ed) and (most importantly) an inherent and
absolutely unrivaled understanding of the peculiarities and components
of the Zinfandel grape. Put all the above in a blender set on
"perfection", whip until all the ingredients unite in a single-minded
consistency and bake for around 120 years at the same temperature
required for producing fully ripened Zinfandel grapes. That aughta'
do it.

Better yet, just buy a case of the drop-dead-delicious 2006 Sonoma
Zinfandel.

During every harvest approximately 35 individual lots of
single-vineyard Zinfandel grapes are brought into the winery (all of
which have been constantly tended and watched over by Ted
Seghesio...that's no lie). Each lot is tested for sugar content,
weight and other factors before the final selection is determined.
Only the finest of these are chosen for the Sonoma County bottling. A
small percentage of Petit Sirah is added to the final blend to add
color and depth.

"91"/RC...Strict adherence to these practices insure the consumer will
experience that unique Seghesio Dry Creek/AV taste profile of wild
blackberry, briary wild berry, cracked pepper and creamy
cassis/blueberry (which are) unique to the warm DC/AV appellations.
A tempered use of quality oak and aging time gives the Blue Cap its
sexy, silky and refined texture which (I think) is reminiscent of a
lighter bodied Crème de Cassis.

When the 2003 Blue Cap Sonoma was awarded its position in the "Top
100" listing ("90" points) there were only a few cases left in
inventory hence we suggested that those wanting to experience this
wine purchase the 2004 (which had just been released, "88" Wine
Spectator, "90" Connoisseur's Guide). When we offered the 2005 (May,
2007) the title of the alert was "Last call on Seghesio Blue Cap
Zin"...I wasn't kidding...although the wine had only been "out" for 5
months we were told by the winery to give the famed "last call"
announcement as the entire production was slip-sliding away.

Yikes! The 2006 has only recently been made available yet we have
ALREADY been told to shout the dreaded "Last call" on this delicious
vintage. It seems that my take ("best yet") has been the unanimous
decision of the retail wine world. Apparently the winery can't keep
the shipments going out in time to meet the demand and there are only
so many cases made...hence,

"LAST CALL FOR THE SEGHESIO 2006 BLUE CAP ZIN"-$243.00/CASE

An Affordable Box of Superb '05 Burgundies!

An Affordable Box of Superb 2005 Burgundies!

A mixed case (6 each) of the two great wines of Burgundy from a
historical vintage. Chassagne Montrachet (Chardonnay) and Bourgogne
(Pinot Noir) both from "98" Rated 2005...$510.00

The '05 Vintage in Burgundy has been unanimously hailed as the finest
in 30 years. The great wines of the region have always been
expensive...prices for the 2005s' are through the roof.

Those of us with limited financial depth need not write off this
vintage as one which is solely reserved for the high-end income
bracket. A responsible retailer will go the extra mile by finding
wines which exemplify the year while not setting their customer's
check-book on fire.

These are some of the most sought after wines on earth

Chateau de la Maltroye is considered something of a superstar in the
Cote de Beaune yet is not well known on this side of the pond. The
winery has always produced wines of great depth and muscular
structure. Owned by the Cournut family, the estate was purchased in
1940 (not the greatest time to start a new winery in central Europe)
when the small vineyard behind the "Chateau" had been converted to a
French version of a Victory Garden. Through hard work and a timely
growing appreciation of the wines made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
in the U.K. and America the Cournuts' turned their property into what
is today considered a quintessential example of a small Burgundian
Vineyard/Winery jewel.

Growers in Burgundy slyly call the summer of '05 as one of
"misfortune"...limited tonnage, maximum flavors.

The families winemaker, Jean-Pierre Cournut (an ex-aeronautical
engineer) began the harvest of 2005 by first thinning the bunches in
his vineyards in order to concentrate the nutrients and intensity of
the fruit remaining on the vine. Had he owned a crystal ball, he
would have been able to predict a hail storm near the end of the
growing season which further eliminated a significant portion of his
surviving grape clusters (in some portions of the property by as much
as 50%) thus producing final yields of only 2 tons/acre. The
remaining fruit benefited by receiving disproportionate amounts of
nutrients and sugars. The limited amount of wines produced from these
incredible grapes are massively extracted, thick and weighty...some of
the finest Chardonnays and Pinots to ever come from the property.

I had the privilege of tasting some of the Maltroye 2005's last week
and selected two which I felt represented the quality and depth of the
vintage.

*6-2005 Chateau de la Maltroye Chassagne Montrachet..."94"/RC
Gorgeous transparent yellow/gold color; nose of ripe apple and other
orchard fruits, caramel, sweet woods and a touch of coffee; the
texture is unbelievably sexy and silky with flavors of ripe golden
delicious apple, peach, sweet caramel, wild flowers, tangy citrus and
a touch of mineral. The finish goes on and on...the acids are
perfectly matched to the rich and dimensional texture...wow! What a
Chardonnay!"

*"91" Burghound..."Moderate wood influence frames floral and
relatively high toned and ripe orchard fruit aromas that dissolve into
rich but refined and detailed medium full flavors that are textured,
intense and tangy on the impressively long finish. This is not as
powerful as the Morgeot but there is real verve and personality here"

*6-2005 Chateau de la Maltroye Bourgogne..."92"/RC "A classic French
Pinot Noir; very ripe and fruit driven yet with that unique Burgundian
character which includes a touch of earthiness and tar. There are
subtle, integrated tannins and a touch of licorice in the round, rich
finish. While the fruit is the dominant factor, this wine has so many
competing elements its difficult to put your finger on the one
over-riding flavor...a very complex and intriguing Burgundy that will
only get better with a few years under its grapey little belt".

Here is a chance to buy, taste and cellar the two treat varieties of
Burgundy from the greatest vintage in decades at a very reasonable
price. (By Burgundy standards, these are bargains!) These wines are
selling out all over the world and our allocation will not last long.

$510.00/Case of 12...6 Bottles of each

Larkmead Cab-The Intelligent Alternative

Larkmead Cabernet-The Intelligent Alternative

A mixed (6) Case of the Top Rated ("90-92" Parker) 2005 Larkmead
Cabernet Sauvignon and the "Firebelle", a Cabernet-Based Meritage
style blend. $290.00 after discount.

There are over 100 Napa Valley Cabernets selling in the $150-Plus
range. In most cases the owners of these estates are able to provide
a convincing argument for the price of their wine (i.e. Napa dirt,
quality grapes, state-of-the-art facility, French oak barrels,
talented winemaker, back breaking taxes, "contributions" to the local
political machine, hospitality etc). For these reasons, the
legitimately expensive Napa Cabs justify their tare.

Because high-dollar wine is subjected to microscopic scrutiny from the
international wine and foodie press, sneaking a fraudulent product
into the wholesale pool is tantamount to entering a syphilitic hyena
into a pedigree dog show (and yet it does occur). Fortunately,
there are a few top producers who deliver the goods without punishing
the consumer for their prestige or overhead.

Larkmead's wines are definite heirs to the title of "Napa's Greatest
Cabernet Value". Let's examine the facts:

*The Larkmead wines are made by Andy Smith. Andy enjoys the enviable
position of being able to work with both Bordeaux as well as
Burgundian grape varieties. He has achieved unbelievable success with
the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays he makes at Dumol (easily one of the
state's top 5 producers) as well as earning unanimous praise for his
Bordeaux-based Cabernets at Larkmead. Robert Parker calls Andy a
"Superstar Winemaker" and has ordained him with the title of "Wine
Personality of the Year".

*California's "founding father of modern winemaking" Andre
Tchelistcheff included Larkmead in his list of the four finest
vineyards in the Napa Valley (along with Beaulieu, Inglenook and
Beringer).

*Larkmead Cabernets out-perform many of Napa's famous and pricy labels
yet retail for less than 1/3rd their price. Recent vintages have
outscored the $200 Phelps "Bacchus", the $150 Beringer "Chabot", the
$115 Rubicon, the $175 Opus One, the $125 Mondavi Reserve and the $125
Vine Cliff. (I could go on but you get the idea)

*The depth, structure and fruit-driven style of the Larkmead Cabs
invite early consumption as well as plenty of grip to age for several
years.

*Consistency counts Big Time...and the Larkmead Cabs have earned
unanimous praise from Parker, the Wine Spectator, Tanzer and the
Connoisseur's Guide.

Case consists of 2-2005 Cabernet Sauvignon and 4-2005 Firebelle

*2005 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon..."94"/RC..."The '05 is composed of
100% Estate grown fruit; 92% Cabernet, 4% Merlot, 2% Cab Franc and 2%
Petit Verdot. The expensive winemaking practices employed in making
this wine are hugely disproportionate to its frugal price. The wine
was aged for 20 months in 100% French Oak barrels (Tonnelleries
Darnajou, Demptos & Sylvain) of which 60% were new. The wine glows
with a deep ruby/purple color and sports intense aromatics of sweet
black cherry, cassis and violets which highlight the floral notes of
dark cocoa, sweet spice and complex vanillin oak. The flavors explode
from a core of sweet black fruits and an elegant yet luscious mouth
feel which deepens and concentrates with aeration. Youthful, chewy
and integrated tannins provide balance and length. Andy compares the
2005 to his incredible 2001 which also enjoyed a long, nearly perfect
growing season".

"92" Parker..."Bordeaux's Pontet-Canet comes to mind when tasting the
2005 Larkmead Estate, a combination of Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc and
Petit Verdot. A deep ruby-purple hue is accompanied by aromas of
graphite, black currants, pain grille and spice. Medium-full-bodied,
impressively pure...it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next
15 years".

*2005 Larkmead "Firebelle"..."91"/RC..."A blend of 49% Merlot, 24%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, the wine was aged
18 months in French oak barrels of which 50% were new. The wine is a
testament to the power and structure of the Merlot which Larkmead
grows in their northern Napa vineyards (where average summer temps are
considerably higher than the southern portion of the Valley). Bright
ruby/purple color, with classic Larkmead aromas of cassis, black
raspberry and menthol, underpinned by bitter chocolate and dried herb
notes. The youthful palate is initially tightly coiled but unfolds
with air to show sweet dark fruits, cocoa and brighter ripe plum
flavors. The mid-palate is broad and creamy leading to a powerful
finish featuring cassis fruit of great purity and a spicy licorice
edge".

"90" Parker...""The 2005 Firebelle comes across like a St. Emilion in
its notes of crushed rocks, herbs, black cherries, incense, spice box
and cedar. Elegant, medium to full-bodied and pure, it should drink
well for 10-12 years."

You would look like a hero should you serve these wines with the
Christmas Day rib roast or roast turkey. They have the fruit and rich
texture to enjoy now yet will easily age between 5-8 years if stored
at consistent temperature.

A great case of Napa's best -$290.00

Pure EVIL Chardonnay-Evil's Sexy Twin Sister!

PURE EVIL Chardonnay-EVIL'S Sexy Twin Sister!

 

Hot on the heels of Chris Ringland's remarkable "EVIL" Cabernet Sauvignon ("90" Points $132/Case) comes his equally sinister "PURE EVIL" Chardonnay with her own "90" point bragging rights and matching crazy price-point of $132/Case!

 

My allegiance to the world-class wines produced in the fair state of California cannot be questioned.  As a Wine Merchandiser/Buyer for Safeway stores back in the early 1980s' (when their wine program was the envy of the industry) I was fortunate to be given the opportunity of bringing many small, family owned Sonoma/Napa and Central State wineries to the public's attention through the companies "Boutique

Wine Program".    After my tour of duty with the Big Red "S" ended, I

continued to focus most of my enthusiasm and attention on the California wine community by managing a couple successful independent retail operations here in the heart of the Sonoma/Napa wine country before Linda, Becky and I opened Root's Cellar at the beginning of this decade.

 

O.K. Wine Boy...Why are you giving us this history lesson?

 

Retailers (like me) often take good-natured (I think) flak from the locals for promoting inexpensive varietal wines from foreign producers.  My response to these critics goes something like this; "I believe I would be failing my clientele by ignoring the many low-priced, quality imports from Australia, France, Italy and Spain...more importantly, I have always made a conscious effort to maintain a balance between the domestic-to-import, high-end to low-end products offered in our E-alerts.

 

(In my best John Cleese impersonation)...Right then!...I simply cannot pass on a "90 Point" Chardonnay that Parker calls "an awesome value"

and sells for $11/bottle...that would be stupid, and although I may be crazy, I am not stupid.

 

Meanwhile, in another dimension...

 

I recently spent some time with Giovanni Nencini, the winemaker for "DaVinci Winery" in Tuscany.  I tasted several of his current vintage Sangiovese based reds and they all fell into various categories of excellence.  What I took away from our meeting however was a comment Giovanni made concerning winemaking.  This is what he said (in a perfect Hollywood Italian accent):  "I respect all serious winemakers...yet I reserve my greatest admiration for enologists who are able to make good to very good wines in very large numbers consistently. Those are the world's best winemakers". 

 

I am not ignorant to the creative wine making practices (and products) a modern winemaker has at his or her disposal in the never-ending quest to produce a consistent flavor and texture profile regardless of the vintage; if that means that you can Buy a varietelly correct, delicious Chardonnay for $11 which will likely be consumed in the very near future (before you get out of the parking lot?)...so be it.  That is what Tuesday night wines are made for. 

 

On the other hand, small lot, vineyard-designate, oak aged, hand made varietals is another matter entirely...and the subject of another E-alert.

 

Mr. Ringland seems to have all his bases covered.  The guy (Becky visited him at his home a few months ago and had some marvelous stories to tell) makes wines (which receive rave reviews) in literally EVERY price category, from $11.00 -$1,000.00.  The PURE EVIL Chardonnay is a natural follow-up to last week's "EVIL" Cabernet.  Its fun to put a bottle of each on the table when you have friends or family over for dinner...I guarantee they will spark conversation.

 

Can be compared to wines "THREE TIMES ITS PRICE...IT IS AN AWESOME VALUE" -Parker

 

*2005 "PURE EVIL" Chardonnay..."90 Points"..."The 2005 Pure Evil Chardonnay spent some time in French oak.  It is light gold in color with an attractive perfume of butterscotch, spice box, baked apple and poached pear, more like the nose of wine THREE TIMES ITS PRICE.

Medium-bodied, it delivers intense, ripe, spicy flavors buttressed by good acidity and a long finish.  This is an awesome value in Chardonnay".

 

*Full Case of Chris Ringland's "Pure Evil" Chardonnay-$132.00

 

 

Ringland's "Evil"...Best Cab Value On Earth?

Ringland's "Evil"...Best Cab Value on Earth?

Parker Canonizes an $11 Cabernet with his Potent "90" Rating!

$132.00 case of 12

Yesterday (10/31) the new edition or Robert Parker's "Wine Advocate"
(Issue #173/Australia) simultaneously appeared on my computer screen
and in our mailbox. As is my habit (and because my clientele rely on
me to do so) I immediately scanned the entire issue (2,900 wines
reviewed!!) for the highest rated/lowest priced entries and I'm
delighted to say that several wines stood out like Psychedelic-neon
sore thumbs.

Chris Ringland raises the bar to near unattainable levels

The subject of today's alert is Chris Ringland's "EVIL" ("LIVE"
spelled backwards) Cabernet Sauvignon. Although we offered this wine
to our readers early last summer, in my humble opinion it never
received the attention it deserved given its spot-on Cabernet flavors,
expensive oak regimen, hefty depth and winemaking pedigree juxtaposed
to its extremely frugal price.

"Come on down to Mel Sharkey's School of Wine Writing located on Route
15, (Just off Exit 21) in Paramus, NJ!"

I am not so proud as to deny that my personal evaluations often fail
to carry the same weight as those of the recognized national wine
journals (i.e. Parker's Wine Advocate, the Spectator's Jim Laube,
Connoisseur's Guide's Charles Olken, Food & Wine's Lettie Teague,
Tanzer etc.) and although there is no institution of higher learning
where one may obtain a fancy, framed diploma which entitles the bearer
to proclaim themselves a "Professional Wine Writer" (at least the last
time I checked), until such a course exists, the publications
mentioned above must serve to fit the bill in the eyes of the
consumer.

The Man from Monkton enters stage left...

The Chris Ringland phenomenon has been chronicled within the confines
of this mighty tome in the past...suffice to say that the guy
apparently can do no wrong (at least in the eyes of Mr. Parker). I
think it's important to note that Bob has always been a fan of
muscular wines. Historically, he has rewarded enologists who aren't
afraid to fully extract every possible nuance and flavor
characteristic from whatever variety they're working with. It seems
this is especially true when he's reviewing "value" wines. The guy
likes BIG dimensional reds with weight, body and texture and if a bit
of finesse and delicacy are compromised in the process...well, so be
it. The man is far more forgiving when it comes to pricier wines
which require a more delicate touch in order to glean the true
varietal character and indigenous personality of their origin (terroir
if you wish). For what it's worth, I too believe that when shelling
out $10-$20 for a bottle of wine the consumer should get the most bang
for their buck. Of course, there are exceptions...examples include
Cru Beaujolais, inexpensive Burgundy, CA Pinot Noir, lighter
Sangiovese blends etc.

Ringland makes wines priced from $11.00-$1,000.00/Bottle and Nearly
EVERY entrant scored in "90" or above in the recent "Australia" issue
of Parker's Wine Advocate.

Some of the Ringland legacy to date: Evil Cabernet, Pure Evil
Chardonnay, Bitch Grenache, the Marquis-Philips portfolio, Boarding
Pass, Strong Arms Shiraz, Luchador, Suxx, 3 Rings, Chateau Chateau and
his "Longitude Shiraz" which retails for (wait for it) $1000.00/Bottle
and rated "100" in the issue.

So what about the Evil Cabernet? Glad you asked. An amazing wine for
the price...one of the finest Cabernet values EVER. The wine is
actually aged in French Oak, and is sourced from a number of top
growers in Southeast Oz...Comparable to dozens of wines in the $35-$40
Category. This wine even has the stuffing to AGE for up to half a
decade!

"90" Parker..."The 2006 EVIL Cabernet Sauvignon saw 25% of the wine
aged in French oak. It reveals a fragrant bouquet of cedar and black
currants. Fruit-driven, full bodied, with tons of flavor, this
Cabernet is an Exceptional Value. It will provide pleasure over the
next 6-8 years".

This wine will appeal to all red wine lovers. Cabernet-specific fans
will love its varietal distinctiveness, oak component and long, rich
finish. Being a S.E. Australia wine it will also appeal to anyone who
enjoys full bodied, fruit-driven wines regardless of the variety;
Deep, muscular and gripping with a decent pinch of oak and a touch of
sweetness in the finish. Amazing stuff for the price.

Q: How can you go wrong with a "90" Rating and $132/Case Price?

A: You can't.

Maiden Release-Seghesio/Shelton Rockpile Zins

Maiden release-Seghesio/Shelton Rockpile Zins

A mixed case of the 2005 Seghesio and Shelton Rockpile Zinfandels...a
FIRST EVER pairing of these stunning examples of Dry Creek's renowned
Rockpile AVA - 6 Bottles of each...$400.00

Where is the Rockpile Appellation?

The Rockpile AVA was established in 2002. The region is located
entirely in Sonoma County. It begins at the northern end of the Dry
Creek Valley and meanders in a north-west direction up to the
Mendocino county line. The total vineyard acreage (as of 2005) was
less than 175 acres (out of a total of 15,400). The predominant
variety (over 50%) planted is Zinfandel followed by Cabernet, Petite,
Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot.

If you've ever spent time in northwest Sonoma County during the summer
months you are no doubt aware that the region can get meltingly hot,
preventing most white varieties to prosper in the withering climate.
On the other hand, Zinfandel, Petit Sirah and other red types thrive
in this type of environment, situated at altitudes from 800-2000 feet
above sea level (and above the famous fog line) Rockpile is moderated
by afternoon marine-influenced zephyrs which blow from the
(relatively) nearby Pacific Ocean (roughly 8-10 miles away). The
vines of the region tend to bud later, receive warmer average daytime
summer temps and are (often) harvested later than their cousins down
in the valley. In other words, an ideal place to grow intense, fully
ripened, butt-kicker Zinfandel.

It has long been rumored that Rock Hudson and Gomer Pyle were once
married and adopted a son named "Rockpile"...is this true?

No. The region received its handle from an ancient Pomo Indian name
for the territory around Rockpile Peak, (Kabe-Chana or something like
that), which means a "place with many rocks". (It is a place where
the birds fly high, the gophers dig low and the rocks suck")

Sporting a "Rockpile" AVA on a bottle of Zinfandel is similar to
displaying "Pisoni" on a bottle of Pinot Noir...

As of today there are only a handful of wineries offering Rockpile AVA
Zinfandels (with less than 75 total acres planted to the variety, the
pickings are still kind of' thin for those who desire contractual
fruit from this highly desired appellation), hence Rockpile Zinfandels
tend to sell out pert-near instantly (on the wholesale market) upon
release.

It was only natural for the Seghesios' to bottle a Rockpile designated
Zinfandel given that the family has occupied a historical and
symbiotic presence in the region since the discovery of dirt...Carol
Shelton on the other hand has enjoyed a relationship with Jack
Florence (a chronicler of the history of Dry Creek) and his eponymous
"Florence Ranch" Rockpile property since the turn of the Century
(2000).

So, what about the wines?

*2005 Seghesio "Rockpile" Zinfandel...This is our first opportunity to
offer you guys the Seghesio's Rockpile, as this single-vineyard Zin
had previously been a tasting-room and wine club-exclusive item. Only
about 200 (6-bottle) cases of this wine were produced from grapes on
Mick Lumetta's Rockpile AVA Vineyard and contain a small percentage of
Petite Sirah which just adds additional color and body to an otherwise
BIG Zin.

*2005 Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel..."91"/RC..."You'll often hear
winemakers say "I didn't want to let this one out of the pen just yet
as I felt it would benefit from a bit more bottle time, but public
demand has dictated an earlier release date". Believe it or not,
sometimes this is actually a legitimate statement. (!) I have now
tasted the Seghesio Rockpile on two occasions at this point and can
honestly tell you that this stunning wine has evolved in the bottle
from a compact, structured and muscle-laden personality into a rich,
fruit-driven, open and fleshy, gorgeously textured, black cherry,
cracked pepper, raspberry, blueberry and licorice infused
gurgle-grenade.

There is no noticeable "heat" in the long, slightly decadent and
rich finish. Should you decide to open this beauty in the near
future (or the far pasture) I would suggest decanting an hour or so
before pouring to maximize the experience... The wine sports an
alcohol of 15% (relatively moderate by today's standards) hence I
believe this one will come into its own in 12-18 months and drink
beautifully for up to 5 years.

For what it's worth department:

As the Seghesio Rockpile has not been available to the consuming
public in the past, there has been little (read zero) ink devoted to
the wine. Besides my own notes, I found this review of a previous
vintage by the S.F. Chronicle's Steve Pitcher.

*Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel "Fruit forward aromas of black
raspberries and cherries accented by black pepper, mocha and anise;
smooth and juicy on the palate with medium tannins and concentrated
flavors of blackberries and subtle spice".

*2005 Carol Shelton Rockpile Zinfandel...Carol's winemaking style
belies her diminutive physical make-up. Although she casts a rather
petite shadow, her wines tend to swing toward the massive end of the
vinous scale and seem to parallel her extroverted and fun-loving
personality. As mentioned earlier, Carol purchases the grapes for her
"Rocky Reserve" Rockpile Zinfandel from Jack Florence. She told me
that she felt Jack took a gamble in planting grapevines in the
Rockpile AVA yet was rewarded with vines which cling to the rocky,
red-soil ridge tops which are blessed with long daily sun exposure
resulting in small clustered, quintessential Rockpile grapes.
Stressed fruit often produces the most intense flavors and the long
growing season combined with the warm climate make Rockpile one
helluva place to grow Zinfandel.

Jim Laube chimes in with a "90" Wine Spectator rating...

*2005 Carol Shelton "Rocky Reserve" Rockpile Zinfandel..."90" Wine
Spectator..."This is that rare Zinfandel with class and structure,
offering aromas of wild berry, pepper and mineral, dense flavors of
dried cherry, sage and licorice. The tannins are rather firm for now,
best from 2008 through 2012. 650 Cases made."

The guys at the Connoisseur's Guide have consistently raved over the
Shelton Rockpile...

"93"..."Long on the rich blackberry fruit of classic Zin and sporting
a fine sense of structure, this wonderfully well-concentrated wine is
a tantalizing look at the red-wine virtues of this (relatively) new
Sonoma appellation. No simple quaffer this, it is a deep and fairly
serious wine with plenty of substance and youthful grip, and it
deserves a few years of cellaring in which to settle down and round
into its best form".

Pitcher at the Chronicle said "Wonderfully fruity nose of blackberry
and cassis tinged with blueberry and subtle dried herb. Big and
robust with medium-full tannins, it serves up loads of ripe black
raspberry and blackberry enhanced by cedar, oak, spice, dark chocolate
and dried herb, finishing with a touch of vanilla".

"92"/RC..."The fruit leaps out of the glass of this beautiful, deep
purple-hued and gushingly rich Zin. Not one of those hot,
alcohol-infused monsters which seem to be menacingly lurking in the
marketplace, Carol's 2005 Rocky is a balanced (yes its big, but not
mean) fruit-driven beauty filled with ripe blackberry, blueberry, Bing
cherry, cocoa and a hint of licorice root flavors all wrapped up in a
frame of sweet spices and oak."

Fans of Carol Shelton's wines will have to include the 2005 Rocky in
their collection of diminishing cellar inventory (with 6 bottles you
really CAN have your Zin and drink it too!) Of course all longtime
Seghesio Zin lovers will be delighted to finally get their hands on
the Rockpile, a rare and allocated item formerly available to a their
on-site and wine club customers exclusively. Case of 12-6 Bottles
of each $400.00

Sanford's Alma Rosa/Stunning Chardonnay Deal

Sanford's Alma Rosa/Stunning Chardonnay Deal

The "Rose of the Soul" 2006 Santa Barbara Chardonnay from Richard
Sanford's "Alma Rosa" winery...$188.00/Case

If you enjoy excellent quality, varietelly spot-on Chardonnay with
impeccable lineage...this (rose) Bud's for you!

In 2005 Richard and Thekla Sanford (formerly of Sanford Winery) set a
new course for their future in the wine trade in the establishment of
Alma Rosa (Soul of the Rose) Winery and Vineyards. This new tack was
founded on the concepts of sustainable and organic agriculture
practices as well as a keen focus on environmentally correct
stewarding of the land on which their facility and home are located.
The first releases (a pair of Pinot Noirs in two distinct price tiers,
"La Encantada Vineyard" and Santa Rita Hills AVA) absolutely blew us
away with their depth, texture, terroir-identity and palate-coating
finish. (We sold dozens of cases and the requests just keep on
coming...new vintages out soon)

Sanford's Alma Rosa winery scored again with a duo of Chardonnays
which paralleled the Pinots in quality and design. Again, the wines
are positioned in two price categories, and while we enjoyed the
single-vineyard "Jabali" for its rich, succulent and well-mannered
sense of balance, we were BLOWN AWAY by the Santa Barbara due to its
inherent quality, varietal integrity, beautiful Primrose yellow label
& matching capsule and incredibly attractive price-point. (Yes, I love
a bargain) Simply put, there are very few California Chardonnays that
come close to the quality/value ratio of the Alma Rosa Santa Barbara.
Here are the reviews of the 2005 vintage of this amazing little wine;

*"90" Robert Parker..."Hazelnut, toasted almond and buttery popcorn
characteristics are found in the Alma Rosa Santa Barbara Chardonnay.
Not as forceful, rich or delineated as the Single Vineyard cuvee
(Jabali), it is an outstanding Chardonnay to consume over the next 1-2
years.

*"88" Wine Spectator..."A clean, flinty, unoaked style that keeps the
focus on the fruit, with a hint of nectarine and citrus. Fans out on
the finish, ending with crisp acidity. Drink now through 2010".

Newsflash! The winery Rep just dropped in with the 2006 Alma Rosa
Santa Barbara Chardonnay. Friends, Sanford's taken this wine to a new
level. Unlike the 2005, the '06 was oak-barrel fermented before being
racked into stainless tanks sans Malolactic fermentation. The wine
still sports the bright citrus and topical fruit characteristics
(classic "non-ML" descriptors) then adds a layer of rich, creamy
Golden Delicious apple, mineral, toasted almond and caramel notes on
the finish. Richard says that if the 2005 was akin to Chablis, than
the 2006 is reminiscent of a Montrachet...and I agree.

Sit Down! Get this...Sanford has decided to maintain the price-point
on his 2006 Santa Barbara Chardonnay. Amazingly, you can still buy a
case of this world-class Chardonnay for only $188.00. I double-dog
dare you to compare this wine to white Burgundy in the $40.00-plus
category.

'05 Paraduxx...Finest Vintage to Date

-----Original Message-----
2005 Duckhorn Paraduxx-Finest Vintage to Date

A mixed box of the 2005 ("One of the finest vintages to date")
Duckhorn Paraduxx Zinfandel/Cabernet blend. 6-750 ML, 2-375 ML and
one 1.5 L (Magnum)...a superb assortment - $425.00 Total
(Price reflects Wineries S.R.P. less Discounts)

Para for "Para" and Duxx for "Duxx"...Paraduxx

The 2005 Paraduxx will be released November 1st. This Delicious red is
a one-of-a-kind synergistic blend of California's signature Zinfandel
"para" with top quality Cabernet Sauvignon by Duckhorn (Duxx) wineries
estimable enologist Dave Galzignato. Paraduxx can legitimately be
compared to the great and innovative Sangiovese/Cabernet and
Syrah/Cabernet blends of Tuscany and Australia. Every vintage
contains the luscious concoction described above enclosed in a
beautiful and collectable package featuring a unique interpretation of
two Pacific Flyway Quackers. The 2005 version is adorned with the
depiction of two Red-Head Ducks painted by Canadian artist Patrice
Wolput. As usual, the 2005 features a beautiful and colorful
rendering of a Drake and a Hen (pair-a-ducks) cuddled together on a
golden pond.

Duckhorn has long adhered to a policy of releasing their products to
the trade and public simultaneously, hence the wines rarely receive
any press prior to their introduction. The Paraduxx has consistently
enjoyed raves in many of the most respected wine journals in the
country...unfortunately by the time these reviews see the light of
day, this particular pair of Ducks has flown south for the winter.

A year ago we offered you guys the 2004 vintage of Paraduxx. At that
time, all I could provide in terms of reviews were my own notes which
I'd scribbled on a Duckhorn brochure at their annual tasting in the
City and the brief ratings of the 2003 vintage plucked from the
Connoisseur's Guide, Wine Spectator etc. I looked into my murky
crystal ball and predicted that the 2004 vintage would likely garner
unanimous praise from these publications and I'll be damned if I
wasn't right. (Those reviews are provided below). In looking over my
notes from this year's tasting, I can honestly tell you that I believe
the 2005 eclipses that great wine, setting a new high-water-mark for
this particular waterfowl.

*The latest in a string of perennial winners, the Paraduxx can be
criticized by purists for its idiosyncratic Cepage, but it is great
wine by any standard. Very rich from start to finish with a lovely mix
of cherries, ripe berries, cappuccino and cream showing at every turn,
it is long on ripeness but is not plagued by the heat or harshness
that such ripeness so often begets. It is supple yet never soft, and
its superior sense of balance brings high hope for several years of
improvement".

*"92" -Connoisseur's Guide..."Deeply fruited and redolent of ripe
currants, blackberries, briary spice and a wee bit of chocolate,
Paraduxx once again strikes out on its own unique path and comes up
something more than typical Zin. It is full and fleshy with fine
balance and a bit of Cabernet grip and its very deep, genuinely
complex flavors are as long as they are impressively layered. It has
a sense of refinement even if it is a touch tannic on finish, and
there is no question but that it will improve for four or five years".

*"90" California Grapevine...(1st in flight)..."Medium to medium dark
ruby color with purplish tinges; attractive, briary, plummy, dark
currant, black raspberry and black cherry fruit aroma with hints of
vanilla and black pepper; medium-full bodied; well focused, herbal,
briary, plummy, textured, ripe berry fruit flavors with notes of
toasty oak; medium-full to full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoy
to drink now and will continue to develop with a few more years in the
bottle...VERY highly recommended."

*"92"/RC..."One of my favorite wines here, (The San Francisco Duckhorn
tasting is rather generous and consists the entire company portfolio
including the young Cabernets and Merlots (single-vineyard as well as
"Napa"), the single white wine (SB) and the spectacular Anderson
Valley Pinots...the Paraduxx tended to out-perform the much higher
priced Cabernet/Merlot and blends at this particular time due to its
fruit-forward, accessible and more youthful personality...in other
words it stuck out like a sore thumb).

*2005 was an IDEAL growing season which initiated with above average
rainfall. An ideal grape set produced abundant clusters and
exceptional fruit. The lengthy hang-time concluded in early November
with outstanding weather throughout harvest. The Paraduxx Zinfandel
is sourced from such outstanding properties as Korte Ranch and Rector
Creek.

Dave Galzignato's notes: "What really impresses me with the 2005 is
the way the aroma explodes with ripe fruit odors- strawberry,
boysenberry and plum complemented by hints of violets, spice,
wood-smoke and orange peel. The wine is medium-bodied with a chewy
texture, robust yet approachable tannins and a firm, lengthy finish.
Ripe flavors of raspberry, red cherries and boysenberries are balanced
by complex notes of dark chocolate, espresso bean and black licorice."
(You can Yahoogle Dave's tasting video on You-tube or by accessing
Duckhorn's web site)

*The 2005 is composed of 60% Zin, 32% Cabernet, 6% Merlot and 2%
Cabernet Franc...This is a classic pairing of the fruit-forward and
fun-loving nature of Zinfandel along with the grip and somewhat
serious attitude of Cabernet and Merlot...kind of a serendipitous
blind date between Christopher Walken and Zooey Deschanel...if you
will...whatever that means.

"A World Class" blend with a distinctly Californian personality

*100% Napa Valley fruit harvested between September 9th-October 20th.
The wine spent 18 months in oak barrels of which 40% were new.
Galzignato believes that the Paraduxx must "create its own benchmark".
To achieve this, he harvests and barrel ages each lot separately.
Next, individual Cab and Zin blends are made. Once a base blend of
these two varietals is achieved, several trial blends are made using
additional varietals "to see if they enhance the final wine".
Bottled-May, 2007...released November 1st, 2007

The 2005 Duckhorn Paraduxx is (in my humble opinion) the finest to
date. Your collection consists of three sized bottlings, 375, 750 and
1000 MLs'. Plan on tucking the little guys in your Picnic basket,
putting the 750s' in the kitchen rack to pair up with anything from
short-ribs to veggie Pizza and put the big boy in the "cellar" for a
few years to mellow and age. $425.00/Cs after discounts (individual
prices available on request, your price is below wineries suggested
retail)

______________________________________________________________________

Tuesday Super Saver-Cotes de Gascogne

Parker.com threatens to slug V-8 in Public!

One of the World's Greatest Wine Values - $125.00/Case!

Man, the hits just keep on coming!!!

A Refrigerated Container of 2006 Domaine de Pouy Cotes de Gascogne is
arriving at a San Francisco dock LITERALLY AS I WRITE THIS.
Parker.com's Robert Kacher (one of Parker's associate editors) stirred
it up big time recently by announcing that "If the Domaine de Pouy
isn't one of the finest white wine values in the world.....than I will
show up in public with a glass of V-8 juice".

A Quintessential taste of Southwest France...

I tasted this little liquid diamond on Friday last and can tell you
that the guy is definitely on to something. The 2006 Cotes de
Gascogne is one of the most lip-smacking and luscious "clean as a
whistle" fruit-driven, fun-loving wines I've tasted in many moons.
(The label and capsule have been "up-tweaked" for the 2006 vintage,
taking the entire presentation to a new level of sophistication).

Parker himself describes the Domaine de Pouy as "Always one of my
favorite dry whites, this whole cluster pressed blend of 76% Ugni
Blanc, 20% Columbard and 4% Manseng is all about fruit and freshness.
Aromas of grapefruit and flowers jump from the glass of this
light-bodied, stainless steel-fermented and aged offering. These
wines do not hold up for long in the bottle, but for enjoyment during
their first 9 months of life (they) CAN'T BE BEAT. They provide a
wonderful accompaniment to fish and shellfish cuisine."

Give me Pleasure over Prestige Anytime!!!

Kacher's entire review after the "V-8" comment?..."The 2006 continues
a nearly 20 year run of excellence of this Cotes de Gascogne.....light
(10.5% alcohol), loaded with crisp grapefruit and lime-like
notes....zesty....fresh...and clean as a mountain spring....this is
delicious wine that is totally tank fermented and aged....available at
just about every good wine shop....and finished with a Stelvin closure
for you corkophobes...the newly released 2006...an excellent vintage
for white varietals in that neck of the world...is going down the
gullet as I type...and holding up nicely with some very spicy homemade
Maryland crab soup...just think...for the price of one bottle of
oxidized white Burgundy you can have 24-36 bottles of something
delicious....give me pleasure over prestige anytime...any
place....just be sure to consume your stash over the next 10 months
(or so)...it doesn't get any better!

I have it on good authority that the Domaine du Pouy is one of the
favorite pours for after-hour gatherings at some of San Francisco's
most prestigious legal firms. I figure those guys probably have a
fairly generous expense budget for their little soirees, hence the
decision to put the Pouy on the table (rather than the high-priced
spread) is the result of rational thought trumping pomposity.

My notes..."Ultra clean, light transparent straw color; odors of
orange, fall apple orchard and sea-spray; flavors of mixed citrus,
Winesap apples, Kiwis and strawberries; this little wine is set apart
from other inexpensive whites by its texture and quenching
viscosity...just a sip will cure your thirst and put a smile on your
face; unique, pure and delicious with no obvious heat".

The Perfect Fall Picnic libation (relatively low alcohol content of
10.5%)

I realize that it's late October and Winter is on the horizon, but
there will still be plenty of opportunities to crack a bottle or two
of this "drink me now" potion during the coming Fall and Indian Summer
afternoons and evenings. This wine will also fit perfectly on your
Thanksgiving menu due to its versatile personality and nominal alcohol
content...and finally, by some strange twist of fate, you not finish
your case before New Years the wine will still be yummy and youthful
come spring!

*2006 Domaine de Pouy Cotes de Gascogne $125.00/Case Multiple cases
recommended...your gonna' like this wine!

Red Car Wines-Please Respond Again...

Red Car Wines-The Legend Continues

A (12) Mixed case of the stunning wines of "Red Car" $420.00

Case consists of 6-(True)Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 3-2006 "Speakeasy",
2-2005 "Shake Rattle & Roll" and 1-"The Fight".

This is one of our most anxiously anticipated E-alerts of the year,
hence I kindly request that you respond at your earliest convenience
to insure you secure a box for your cellar.

Red Car's winemaker, Carroll Kemp dropped by the shop yesterday
afternoon to taste us on his new releases. We sampled the Boxcar
Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, the Chapter seven 2006 "Speakeasy" and the
newest edition to his magnificent "The Fight". After the tasting, we
loosened Carroll up a bit and hit him with a request for a couple more
boxes of his incredible 2005 Chapter six "Shake Rattle and Roll" ("93"

Parker, "93" WS). I guess we caught him at a weak moment because
you're going to get two jars of that killer stuff within your case
along with the new releases described below. (Thanks Carroll, We
REALLY do appreciate your generosity).

Fifteen months ago I wrote "Walk into any wine-savvy restaurant in the
U.S. (as well as the U.K and central Europe) and ask the wine manager
for his or her opinion of Red Car Wines. If the sommelier has any
knowledge of "what's hot and what's not" in California wine, you'll
likely get an earful of enthusiastic banter regarding this Santa Maria
property and Red Car's enologist, Carroll Kemp."

In the ensuing year and a half since I wrote that, Red Car has built
and expanded on its reputation as one of California's true "Cult"
producers; with public perception rivaling that of some of the state's
most expensive and impossible to obtain labels.

As a matter of fact, the only difference between Red Car and many of
the central state's most expensive and outlandish labels is this: We
are able to SELL you a mixed case of Red Car. (Try that with Sine Qua
Non, Jonata or Linne Calodo).

The winemaking staff at Red Car hand culls every cluster and every
berry which comes into the winery. Carroll told us that what they are
able to sort in a day compares to that which larger producers often
process in an hour. This meticulous attention to detail translates to
wines of incredible depth, purity and ultra-clean, spot on flavors of
the varieties which they are made from.

"Red Car has the "Midas Touch" when it comes to producing wines of
character and richness" - Robert Parker

(I had an uncle who also had the "Midas Touch"...unfortunately,
everything he touched turned to Pig-Iron)

The selection of wines in this sampler represents an excellent cross
section of the amazing and complex wines of Red Car. In 2002,
Christie's Auction House invited Red Car to participate in their
annual wine auction. A lot of 6 magnums sold (for well above the
reserve) to a Swiss retailer solely on the reputation and perceived
potential of the brand.

The Red Car wines will be featured at a "Fall Kitchens and Cellars
Dinner" at "Eleven Madison Park" in New York City on November 8th.
They will be paired with dishes prepared by Chef Daniel Humm, who was
a James Beard Foundation 2007 nominee for Rising Star Chef of the
year, Food & Wine Magazine's "Best new Chef of 2005" and the San
Francisco Chronicle's "Rising Star Chef" of 2004.

You, on the other hand, can take our tasting notes and appropriate
reviews/ratings and host your own Red Car Fall Dinner within the
comfortable confines of your own kitchen or dining room. Put some
Sinatra on the turntable, put on a tie (or evening dress) and set the
table with your best dinnerware. "If I can make it there, I'll make
it any-where...it's up to you, New...Yada yada yada."

**Here is your wonderful Red Car assortment beginning with "The Fight"

a fabulous Cote-Rotie-like blend. The label of the Fight is a
continuous serial of an aging heavyweight prizefighter trying to
maintain his title by taking on a young upstart in 1940s' Los Angeles.

*1-2005 "The Fight...Round 3 Continues" The newly initiated as well as
Red Car collectors will recognize the continuing story of Prizefighter
Bobby "Red" Doyle and his opponent, Tony "Two Guns" Amato dukin' it
out in the ring in 1940s' L.A. In the last installment (2004 "The
Fight") Amato nailed Doyle with a left hook followed by a right
uppercut, sending the champ to the canvas.

As the story continues...the 2005 label reads "Doyle is searching
inward, trying to call on pride or insanity for inspiration. Only
three days ago the so-called experts laid ten to one that he would win

this one in a walk over...where are those experts now? Because
tonight, Amato became a warrior. He found he could take a blitzkrieg
and return the fire. BUT LOOK AT THIS! DOYLE IS UP OFF THE CANVAS!
THE CHAMP IS ON HIS FEET AND WAVING AMATO ON!"

The label art alone is worth the price of admission on this wine. I
envy all who get to own a bottle of "The Fight"...its way too precious
to sacrifice a jar for the denizens of Root's Cellar.

The 2005 "The Fight" is Red Car's version of California Cote-Rotie.
All of the Syrah comes from a steep limestone hill in Arroyo Grande's
Laetitia Vineyard. While it is anchored by the Alban clone, it also
includes smaller portions of clones 383 and 174. The small percentage
of Viognier comes from the Stolpman vineyard and was co-fermented with

a single lot as an experiment. The 2005 Fight is a mighty wine. It
packs a wallop, with blackberries, blueberries and tar. The layers of
leather, beef-steak and cherry cola make it complex and dimensional.
The Viognier gives it lift and vibrancy. Hints of cedar come off the
nose. Decant for indulging now or cellar it until the next round.
The wine is aged in 90% new French oak barrels from top coopers; it
was bottled unfined and unfiltered in January of 2007.

*Parker says "90"..."The Fight" 2005 reveals more licorice, underbrush
and pepper notes along with copious quantities of blackberries and
cassis. Although it is not as long or powerful as the twenty-two, it
is more elegant, with additional finesse as well as balance. Drink it
over the next 7-8 years". (I think Bob missed the point of this wine
by about 4 pts.)

*My notes on the Fight: "Look at the color of this monster...nearly
black-purple with twinkles of dark blue; nose of ripe blackberries,
licorice, grilled Porterhouse; flavors are multi-layered with
fascinating nuances of fennel, black tea, dark plum, black cherry and
tar. A huge wine which somehow retains a youthful edge; reminds me of
a Graillot Crozes Hermitage from a warm vintage; Hoowah, this is one
helluva jar of red."

*2-2005 "Chapter Six-Shake Rattle and Roll"...Red Car's "Trolley
Series" also features a continuing story of life in 1940s' L.A. The
label on the Shake etc. tells the story of riding the Red Trolley on a
hot summer morning as a temblor hits the area..."It was thirteen
minutes past noon when the street heaved in front of the tracks. The
trolley bucked...fear rippled through the air like the waves of
asphalt rolling down Wilshire. A woman screamed. Her voice fused
into screeching metal as my world spun off the tracks toward a fresh
abyss".

*"93" Parker..."The 2005 Shake Rattle and Roll reveals an inky/purple
color in addition to a big, sweet nose of tapenade, cassis,
blackberries and earth. Full, textured, long, layered and seamless,
this impressively endowed wine can be drunk over the next decade".

"93" Wine Spectator..."A riveting red. Dense, rich and complex, with
deep, concentrated plum, currant, smoke and blackberry fruit that's
plush and persistent. Fans of full-throttle Syrah will love this.
Drink now through 2011".

*3-2006 "Chapter Seven Speakeasy"...The 2006 Trolley Series
"Speakeasy" (a blend of seven vineyards including Bien Nacido, Shadow
Canyon, Laetitia and Dutton Ranch) is Carroll's "coolest" wine to date
in terms of climate, fruit and style. Over 70% of the fruit comes
from true cool climate regions. This evolving style is the result of
his attempt to produce a more sophisticated style of wine. The lush
taste of wild Maine blueberries, Rainier cherries, licorice and Kona
coffee are balanced and refined. The mouth feel is linear yet silky;
scents of crushed peppercorns, new-mown grass and clove come off the
nose with a hint of orange and wood spice.

The label continues with the earthquake from Chapter six, finding our
man in a dark bar shortly after the ground stopped shaking. Trying to
mind his own business and get his senses back after the quake he gets
into a squabble with a "pug-faced loudmouth" who was hassling a woman
patron at the end of the bar..."the kind of guy you dislike
instantly"..."The bartender stared at me again with those seminary
eyes. He might have told me the guy I'd just cranked was a cop".
(The story will continue in roughly 12 months)

"92"/RC..."The aromatics are still trying to find themselves in this
young monster; deep purple color with a border of blue-black,
extremely rich and textured...a small percentage of Viognier and
Roussanne give this wine a jolt of sweet fruit to balance out the
muscular blackberry, blueberry and licorice-laced flavors. 50% new
French oak is currently obvious, however I believe that given time the
various components will homogenize into a massively built yet very
approachable, fruit driven butt-kicker of a red".

Boxcar-Fu

*6-2006 Boxcar Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir...Oh My! Carroll and partners
have purchased and leased some of the most desirous vineyard property
available on Northern California's Sonoma Coast. The source for last
years "Amour Fu", Carroll decided to declassify a major portion of the
tonnage and use it in this incredibly delicious TRUE SO Coast Pinot
Noir. The land is situated above and slightly east of the coastal
village of Jenner near some of the most famous properties in the state
(think Marcassin, Peay, Pahlmeyer, Flowers etc). The Hirsch/Bohan
Dillon Road vineyard is adjacent to the Red Car acreage; hence the
classic SO Coast flavor profile (which usually costs you $50-plus) is
evident in this delicious wine. Rich and silky with luscious
blackberry, tea, spice, plum, cola and soft chocolate flavors surround
a sexy and textured mid-palate; the clean Pinot flavors and soft
mouth-feel bring to mind many wines 2-3 times the price of this Red
Car bottling. This may be the best value True Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
of vintage 2006. It REALLY is declassified Fu, and it shows.

What a wonderful and rare box of wine. Considering some of the finest

independent restaurants around the country would pay dearly to get
their hands on a workable allocation of this stuff, (not that I
approve of such things), $420.00 makes it quite a bargain!