PRE-MOTHER’S DAY TASTING, 5/11/12

 WYCLIFF BRUT SPARKLING WINE

                Why not begin Mother’s Day weekend with a bit of Bubbly?  This one probably looks familiar, since most of our restaurants and hotels pour it for brunch every Sunday.  It’s fruity with a touch of strawberry and the perfect amount of sugar, finishing with a light, crisp quality that makes it ideal for Mimosas and Bellinis.  Mom might love this as much as she loves it when you “look both ways before crossing the street.”  $6.97.

SIERRA MADRE CHARDONNAY 2008

                You know you’re in trouble when you hear your first AND middle names, then the warning, “just wait ‘til your father gets home!”  Well, pouring Mom some of this lovely Chardonnay might buy you a reprieve.  Tropical fruit aromas decorated with hints of vanilla and fresh meringue precede mouth-watering flavors of crisp citrus, ripe apple, and pear.  Very tasty.  89 points Tobin Bros.  $19.97.

 PATASSY PINOT NOIR 2008

                All time best Mom advice?  Don’t run with scissors, wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident, and don’t drink lousy Pinots.  This one will make Mom proud, with yummy red fruit that is expressive but not over ripe.  It’s nicely balanced, with hints of cinnamon, spice, and a very long finish.  And the best part?  It’s very affordable.  88 points Tobin Bros.  $16.97.

 VINO VALPREDO SQUEEZEBOX RED 2009

                Mom warned us, “if you keep making that face it’ll get stuck that way.”  Which is okay, because the face you’re likely to make after tasting this is a smile.  “This wine opens up with aromas of fresh cherries, figs and dried cranberries, followed by hints of cocoa, aniseed and Indian spices. Led by bright youthful acidity this wine’s aromatics follow through onto the palate, also expressing flavors of a cranberry reduction, cherry pie and subtle oak. Soft and elegant tannins round out the feel.”  9.97.

 PEJU CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007

                “Come in out of the rain!  You’ll catch your death of cold!”  That’s just another of the endless ways that Mom worried about us.  There’s nothing to worry about with this delicious Cabernet.  On the nose it offers “a medley of summer berries, bright cherry, cocoa powder and hints of caramel and butterscotch. On the palate, a beautiful balance of richness and luminosity with flavors of boysenberry, Bing cherry, nutmeg and toffee that lead into a round, memorable finish.”   90 points Tobins.  $29.97.

 CLINE LIVE OAK ZINFANDEL 2009

                Another great example of Mom-isms is “Close that door!  Are you living in a barn?”  This wine is a classic example of the big Zinfandels, for which Cline Cellars has become known. It “displays notes of sweet berries, spice, coffee and licorice and has a firm, balanced structure of acid and fine-grained tannins.”  88 points Bill Tobin.  $18.97.

 CHOCOLATE SHOP

                If we said bad things Mom would threaten to wash our mouths out with soap.  But if we were good we got treats!  When we were kids it may have been pie, or cookies, or ice cream.  Now it can be this lush bottling.  “Inviting aromas of black cherry and dark chocolate entwine and continue on the palate surrounded by hints of cocoa powder. Nuances of red wine and residual sugar linger on the smooth finish.”  $8.97.

ARGYLE BRUT 2008

                Many stories have been told about the life and exploits of William Michael Tobin, not all of them accurate.  I am here to set the record straight.  Bill was conceived on a wind-swept Bordeaux hilltop at the time of Veraison, and born under a canopy of Napa Valley Cabernet vines at bud break, his eyes sparkling like this beautiful Oregon Bubbly.  “It displays a bouquet of brioche, pear, apple, and white peach. Crisp, balanced, and lengthy, this excellent value is meant for drinking over the next several years.”  90 points Robert Parker.  $19.97.

 ANTICA CHARDONNAY 2009

                Some people insist Bill was born with a glass of Cab in his hand.  This is ridiculous; the wine was in a baby bottle, and it was Chard first, then Cab.  But it wasn’t as spectacular as this, which is “one of the most unique Chardonnays being made in California. It shows gorgeous textural finesse and fabulous overall balance. The signature Napa Valley richness is there, but in a cooler, more mineral-driven style. Smoke, crushed rocks and citrus are layered into the vibrant finish. This is a fabulous showing.”  94 points Wine Advocate.  $26.97.

 PELERIN PINOT NOIR 2009

                When Bill was only 8, a few of the other kids threw him in a vat of fermenting Pinot Noir as a prank.  Most kids would have cried, even panicked.  Bill just got busy.  A few hours later the vat was empty, and a thoroughly purple Bill sat at the bottom with an extremely contented look on his face.  Thus his love affair with Pinot began.  This one offers “bright aromas of red cherry, cranberry, and black raspberry, with inviting floral undertones and hints of white pepper. It is lively on the palate, with a juicy core of fruit, earth spice accents, and a kiss of minerals on the finish. A really charming Pinot with understated elegance and restraint.”  89 points Tobins.  $19.97.

 SIKA MERLOT 2009

                As a teenager Bill had several encounters that changed the wine world forever.  It was after meeting Bill that Robert Mondavi gave up his career as a harpsichord player and devoted himself to wine.  Joe Heitz planned on being a dentist before Bill convinced him to grow grapes.  And Warren Winiarski never would have replaced those Stag’s Leap cherry and walnut trees with Cab and Merlot without prodding from Bill.  This Merlot boasts “plum, cocoa and essence of roasted coffee beans mingling with blackberry, bing cherry, pomegranate, fresh raspberry compote and hints of lavender. It’s soft and plush yet solid in structure.”  90 points Tobins.  $19.97.

 EMILIANA COYAM 2009

            To say that Bill embraces earthly pleasures would be a gross understatement.  He has been present at every major party worth mentioning, and several that no one dares mention, but always with a glass of something amazing in his hand.  Like this Chilean blend, so “dark and muscular in style, with loam, roasted coffee and dark fig notes backed by more tar, tobacco and black cherry. Shows solid depth, with nicely buried acidity driving the finish. This has range and character.”  90 points Wine Spectator.  $29.97.

 L’ECOLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008

                In his twenties Bill wandered Eastern and Southern Washington, educating the locals about possible vineyard sites from Red Mountain to Horse Heaven Hills to Walla Walla.  This is one of the beautiful wines that resulted from his foresight.  It’s “firm, focused and dense, with blackberry, cherry, sandalwood and grilled rosemary flavors, coming together seamlessly on the long, vivid finish.”  93 points Wine Spectator.  $25.97.

 McPRICE MYERS “BEAUTIFUL EARTH” 2009

                Bill’s palate and his wines are in high demand throughout the civilized world.  No one graduates from the UC Davis enology program without spending a week under his tutelage, and he has wines in his cellar that princes and sultans have begged him for.  Like this impressive GSM blend, “a gorgeous, firm wine endowed with candied dark fruit, leather and licorice. There is a sensual element that takes shape in the glass as the layers of fruit emerge from this striking, Syrah-based blend.”  93 points Wine Advocate.  $33.97.

So this Wednesday, May 30th, we’re
going to give you a chance to try
a bunch of closeouts. And when we
say “bunch,” we really mean it.

As in, taste 10 wines for just $5!
Yes, you read that correctly.
Taste 10 wines for $5.

I’m not going to take the space to
list them all. Suffice to say they’re
perfectly good wines, but it’s time
for them to go. So we’ve marked them
down to our cost.

Come give these a try. I’ll bet you’ll
find some bargains worth taking home.

And even if you don’t, you’re still
tasting 10 wines for 5 bucks.
Nothing wrong with that!

We love pizza and wine, which is why we’ve
invited our buddy Justin with Red Oven Pizza
to come back this Friday, May 25th!

He and his team turn out awesome, hand-crafted
pizzas and calzones, and they will be doing
exactly that this Friday, starting around 5:30.

And of course we’ll hook you up with a
7-course wine tasting so you can wash
down all that deliciousness. Just $10
to taste these killer pizza wines:

Badiola Toscana 2009, $12.97
-87 points Tobin Bros.
Valle Real Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007, $15.97
-91 points Robert Parker
Trinitas Old Vine Cuvee 2007, $14.97
-88 points Tobin Bros.
Borsao Berola 2008, $12.97
-90 points Jim
Zuccardi Q Cabernet 2007, $15.97
-90 points Robert Parker
Rosenblum Harris Kratka Zinfandel 2007, $21.97
-88 points Wine Spectator
St. Hallet Faith Shiraz 2006, $7.97
-89 points Wine Spectator

This promises to be a terrific
marriage of good food and good wine.
Come say “I do” with us!

Need we say more? Well, okay.
We’ll go ahead and list the wines
for you:

1448 Blend 2010, $14.97
-87 points Tobin Bros.
Pinot Noir 2010, $28.97
-88 points Jim (New Arrival)
Grenache 2010, $19.97
-88 points Tobin Bros.
Petit Verdot 2010, $25.97
-87 points Jim (New Arrival)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $26.97
-90 points Tobin Bros.
Syrah 2009, $19.97
-89 points Bill
Petite Sirah 2009, $22.97
-90 points Bill

If you’ve tasted any “R” wines
before, you know why they are so
insanely popular.

If you haven’t, now’s your chance.
So don’t wonder about it, don’t think
about it, don’t procrastinate about it,
and for God’s sake don’t make any excuses.

Just get in here! You’ll be very glad you did.

And a Sangria Party is a great way
to do that! So this Wednesday, May
16th, we’re offering Sangria at just
$5/glass.

Come on over and join us! We’ll keep
this juicy goodness flowing from 5-9.

Feel free to pop by any time between 4 & 10,
slip us ten bucks, and enjoy these:

Wycliff Brut Sparkling Wine, $6.97
Sierra Madre Chardonnay 2008, $19.97
-89 points Tobin Bros.
Patassy Pinot Noir 2008, $16.97
-88 points Tobin Bros.
Vino Valpredo Squeezebox Red 2009, $9.97
Peju Cabernet 2007, $29.97
-90 points Tobin Bros.
Cline Live Oak Zinfandel 2009, $18.97
-88 points Bill Tobin
Chocolate Shop Wine, $8.97

Then, all weekend long we’ll have our
“6 for 6″ tasting special, PLUS Mimosas
available both Saturday and Sunday, 2/$5.

And on Mother’s Day itself we’re offering
this special treat: a flight of 3 wines,
PLUS chocolates, PLUS a rose, for just $25/person.

Happy Mother’s Day to all!

We’ll be celebrating that fact this very
Friday, 5/4, with our Tasting Event of
Bill’s Favorites (or, “Bill’s Better Buys,”
as he likes to call them). This will run
anytime from 4-10 pm, of course, and will
be $15.

Check out this stellar group of bottles
he’s put together for your enjoyment:

Argyle Brut 2008, $20.97
-90 points Wine Spectator
Antica Chardonnay 2009, $26.97
-94 points Wine Advocate
Pelerin Pinot Noir 2009, $19.97
-89 points Tobin Bros.
Sika Merlot 2009, $19.97
-90 points Tobin Bros.
Emiliana Coyam Blend 2009, $29.97
-90 points Robert Parker
L’ecole Cabernet 2008, $25.97
-93 points Wine Spectator
McPrice Myers “Beautiful Earth” GSM 2009, $33.97
-91 points Tobin Bros.

In a word… Wow. Those of you who make this
pilgrimage will be very happy you did.

So come, ye wine lovers! Kneel before His
Drunken Highness, King Bill of Wineland!

And the same holds true for wine. Sure, we
sell tons of dry wines, but the sweeties
are exploding in popularity. Which brings us
to this Wednesday’s Wine Tasting. Anytime
from 5-9 pm, just $10. Here’s the lineup:

Jeio Prosecco Brut Rose, $12.97
-87 points Robert Parker
Orfila Gewurtztraminer 2011, $11.97
-87 points Jim
Fritz’s Riesling 2008, $11.97
-88 points Tobins
Trinitas Moscato 2010, $10.97
-87 points Jim
M. Chapoutier Banyuls 2008, $19.97
-90 points Wine Spectator
Desiree Chocolate Dessert Wine, $15.97
-87 points Jim

Actually, one online blogger gave that
last wine something like 10 million
points, but I felt that may have been
slightly exaggerated.

Still, this is a heckuva nice array of
wines, ranging from slightly sweet to
dessert in a glass. We’ll even put out
some sweet stuff to accompany them, so
come indulge your sweet tooth with us!

 TARRICA PINOT NOIR 2010

                There are so many reasons to love Pinot, so many reasons why many consider it to be the sexiest grape – and wine – in the world.  One is its unmistakably gorgeous perfume, which is probably the most distinctive of all varietals.  This one, from the Monterey appellation, carries aromas of cherry, dried cranberry, cinnamon and vanilla.  Those same fruit flavors blossom on the palate with medium tannins and lively acidity.  11.97.

 POPPY PINOT NOIR 2009

                Another source of Pinot’s appeal is its primary fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry that somehow manage to be both delicate and intense.  In this example, also from Monterey, those flavors are accented by spice, white pepper, and oak.  A good value Pinot, this is easy to drink, with the structural backbone to support that classic red fruit.  $12.97.

 RITUAL PINOT NOIR 2010

                Let us also acknowledge the seductiveness of Pinot’s secondary flavors, like cola, tea, flowers, spice and smoke, among others, which definitely help lend the wine its attractive complexity.  No question that quality shows up in this example, from Chile’s Casablanca Valley.  Notions of cedar, spice box, cherry blossom, cassis, and strawberry inform the nose of a smooth-textured, savory, nicely concentrated wine with plenty of flavor and solid length.  $15.97.

 CHANDON PINOT MEUNIER 2010

                Pinot Meunier is considered to be the “soulful sibling” of Pinot Noir and displays many of its characteristics.  Like that silky, sensuous texture.  From Carneros, this wine opens with bright fruit aromas on the nose lead by dominant notes of Santa Rosa plum, hibiscus and hints of cola nut. On the palate, the wine is mouth-watering, deliciously fresh and approachable, as flavors of raspberry, boysenberry, and a trace of briar and juniper are carried on supple tannins for a sexy, satisfying texture.  $19.97.

 BAILEYANA PINOT NOIR 2008

            Pinot is difficult to grow and make.  It’s stubborn and challenging.  But all that makes it a thought-provoking wine that rewards – sometimes even demands – contemplation.  Let’s face it, though; occasional contemplation is a healthy thing in this reckless, fast-paced world.  This example from Edna Valley is “supple and intensely concentrated, balanced nicely by smooth but young tannins. Black cherry and dark raspberry notes are present, along with a surprising dash of nutmeg and hazelnut. It rounds out clean and purely varietal, with a lengthy finish.”  $19.97.

 LINCOURT PINOT NOIR 2008

                One of the grape’s most enticing characteristics is that swarthy earthiness that subconsciously pulls us back to an earlier stage in our evolution when we were closer to the land.  This essence can show up in many guises, including stone, forest floor, mushroom, truffle, and even barnyard notes.  Our next Pinot, from Santa Rita Hills, is “firm, intense and tight, exhibiting a ripe raspberry flavor that shows pebble and floral scents, with spicy notes. It’s full-bodied, turning delicate and ending with firm, balanced tannins.”  $19.97.

 ALMA ROSA LA ENCANTADA PINOT NOIR 2008

                Yet another source of fascination is that Pinot, more than any other grape, so perfectly expresses and reflects the land on which it was grown, to the point where wines from vineyards just a few hundred yards apart can taste quite different.  This zesty and powerful version is “packed with fruit, showing intense flavors of red berries and a honeyed richness,” and is another classic example from that slice of Pinot heaven known as the Santa Rita Hills.  Like many Pinots, it is definitely worth savoring.  $37.97.