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)
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