West Concord Liquors

Son of a Beach

 An old family friend of ours from Italy is getting married in a couple weeks and after speaking with the bride Carolina's father Aldo on the phone yesterday, it reminded me of something he used to say to me when I was younger.  With his Italian-English accent he would say in a joking, playful way,

"Ya know what Chris, me and ya fada Joey... we a couple sunuva beaches."

Being 8 or so at the time, I had no idea what the heck he was saying to me.  My Euro/English accent translation skills hadn't been acquired yet.  I would just smile along with Aldo, and then probably take off to find my mom in the other room.  I do remember thinking that when he said that phrase, he was talking about real, sandy beaches and telling me that him and my dad were literally born on the beach.  And that thought made me even more confused.   It was a couple years before I finally caught on.  Smart kid, right?

I ended up telling my friends about this line during my college years and to this day we still like to leave voicemails for each other saying, "Ya know what, (insert friend's name here)?  You're a real sunuva beach." 

If you flashed back 25 years and asked me then what does being a sunuva beach have to do with selling wine, I'd probably give you a VERY confident answer along the lines of:

"It's hot out and the beach is wicked awesome and my dad sells wine and he is from the beach too!"

                        (Beach in Cassis, France)

If you asked me now, I would tell you about this wine I just tried that is born on the beach.

Nestled in Provence is a very small, picturesque fishing village called Cassis (not where Creme de Cassis is from), and it just may be the most beautiful seaside village of the entire French Riviera.  The village of Cassis sports vineyards that are literally right next to the ocean.  And these vineyards are reached within minutes from the center of the Mediterranean port of Cassis.   As the oldest certified wine making area in Provence, vines are planted on top of dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea and are bathed in the Mediterranean sunlight and washed with the
 sea spray.          



                                                


One of the local wines, Cassis blanc is the PERFECT accompaniment to the local fare which of course, is seafood.  For me, it's another classic wine and food pairing that I just had to try out.  Like Muscadet and oysters or Chianti and tomato sauce, Cassis Blanc loves to be paired with a fish stew, Cioppino, or Bouillabaisse.  Not making those?  Try it like I did with shrimp cocktail or even a plain old garden salad.  What a perfect summer time wine and way to transport yourself to that gorgeous little fishing village on French Riviera.


The 2008 Clos Saint Magdeleine Cassis Blanc is another wine from one of my favorite importers, Kermit Lynch.    For those in the know, the Sainte Magdeleine Blanc has been considered the top producer of Cassis blanc for decades.   For the 2008 vintage,  there were less then 200 cases of Magdeleine imported into the US.  I was lucky to get my hands on three of these cases.

Kermit describing his fascination with Provence and their wines:  "I fell for Provence in 1971, one year before I opened my wine shop.   Driving from Portbou, Spain to Salzburg,  Austria,  I needed some shuteye.   The gods were kind because the convenient highway exit just happened to be Cassis on the Mediterranean.  So I drove into the village and took a room for one night.   I stayed the week.
                                                                                                                        
In the sixties, François Sack (owner of Sainte Magdeleine) was a Parisian and I was in Berkeley, so we have some things in common. Now he and I take off from Cassis on his boat whenever we can with some cold cuts, some rock 'n' roll, and bottles of his sun-drenched Cassis blanc."  

What can you compare this wine too?  Not much, and that's why it's so special and worth a try.  If you liked the Tablas Creek wine I featured a few weeks ago, you'll love this.   If you are like me and sit on your porch imagining yourself sitting in a seaside cafe in Provence, sipping on the local juice you'll absolutely love this wine.

The other night at the store I taste tested about 10 customers on this wine and everyone of them loved it...even those who only like red wine.   I'm thinking this  is a wine will make die-hard Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc afficionados a fan.  And when those 10 customers the price, they all thought it was worth it.  That's always a good sign! 






2008 Clos Sainte Magdeleine Cassis Blanc

Regular Price $28.99

E-Club special price for your own little slice of Provence is $21.99

The 2008 Sainte Magdeleine is a blend of Marsanne, Ugni Blanc, Clairette, and Sauvignon. It has vivid aromatics with some orchard fruits, white flowers, honeysuckle and sea foam. On the palate, solid richness and a little oily with orchard fruits with a little apricot, a mash of honey and butter as well as a touch of citrus, herbs and salt. Good minerality, soft acidity, great purity and balance with a clean finish.



 

*I have it right up next to the registers. You can reserve some by emailing me or come by and ask us where that little sunuva beach is.   Thanks, Chris

Uncle Charlie

Uncle Charlie  likes his wine light, with a nice balance of earth and fruit.  Not to mention low in alcohol so it goes down easy in the hot afternoon sun on the terrace.



I drank Uncle Charlie's wine over the last couple days and really enjoyed it.  At 12.5% alcohol, it's the perfect everyday red for warmer days.   A classic Bordeaux blend, it's 60% Cabernet, 40% Merlot.  However, the grapes are grown and the wine is produced in southern France, between Montpelier and the Mediterranean.  The wine is bottled at the famous Chateau Flaugergues.

It has a medium ruby color, and a pungent nose of red fruits and spice.  In the mouth it's medium bodied (due to the lower alcohol) and you taste fresh, juicy red fruit along with a delicate earthiness.   Once the wine opens up for a bit, some nice grape tannin comes through and leaves you with a positive pucker and wanting another sip.  


(nephew of Uncle Charlie and winemaker, Pierre de Colbert with his mom and wife)

The wine is aged in steel, so again it's not heavy and if I was blind tasting it I would guess it was from Bordeaux...probably in the $13 - $16 range.   It went great with some green leaf lettuce from the garden with lime and oil dressing, a can of tuna and fresh ground pepper on top.   Simple fare for a simple, yet very pleasing wine. 

I'm often reminded by customers  about how great (and cheap) the wine is Italy, Spain and France and for some reason it just tastes better when we are there.   Uncle Charlie's wine reminds me of those simple table wines you get when abroad.   Uncle Charlie's wine is like those wines that leave a lasting impression because they fit the moment, pair well with all sorts of food, and are easy on palate and on the wallet. 

2008 Le Vin de l'Uncle Charles $8.99

In stock now at $8.99 per bottle or email me to snag  a case of 12 for $80.  If you like the wines from our "Petite Chateau" Bordeaux section you'll love this wine at this price. 

Available now near the registers at the front counter or email me to reserve.  Thanks! Chris

 

French Fries

  Maillard Reaction 06/11/10 -  French Fries, cake, popcorn and Chardonnay.   If you add pizza to that list then you'd have my ultimate fantasy food chain.   During my intense scientific research (also know as Google) I found that there is a common reason why all of these foods and drink taste so good to me. 

The Maillard Reaction.  In the early 1900's, French scientist Louis Maillard studied the effect on foods when they are heated.  Sounds simple, right?  It's not really, but think about french fries and how they turn a golden brown when they are cooked.  Or how the crust of bread turns brown when baked, and then even browner when you toast it.  The Maillard Reaction is responsible for those delicious caramelized, sweet and toasty flavors that are present so many foods we love...as well as barrel aged Chardonnay from California.   

Why barrel aged Chardonnay?  When oak barrels are created, the oak is heated over a fire so the planks can be bent into the barrel shape.  The inside of the barrels can then be toasted further to suit a winemakers preference.  Once the Chardonnay is aged in the toasted barrels,  lots of the complex flavors you know and love like butterscotch, caramel and baked apple become present.    The Maillard Reaction occurs on the wood when the barrels are heated,  and then as the wine ages in the barrels, all the different toasty flavors blend in with the fruit to create the masterpiece of oak-aged California Chardonnay. 

Forget about the science though.....here is all you really need to know about the Maillard Reaction:   

 

When pairing wine with food,  one method of pairing is to match complimentary flavors in the food and wine.   Think about the the classic crisp acidity of  wine from Chianti paired with crisp acidity found in tomato sauce.   The sharpness of the Chianti and of the Tomato cancel each other out to create harmony in your mouth.  On that note, consider the Maillard reactions influence on french fries and in oak-aged Chardonnay.  The toasty flavors of the Chard and the toasty flavors of the fries also work  together to give your mouth a moment of bliss.  It's a match made in heaven!

The best California Chards are balanced between oak and fruit.  The winemaker has to be very careful to not let the Maillard effected oak dominate the wine.   Steve Macrostie's 2007 Macrostie Carneros Chardonnay really fits the bill of an oak-aged chard with great fruit,  integrated oak and a refreshing finish.   The hand-harvested grapes for the 2007 Macrostie come from some of the best Carneros  vineyards including Sangiacomo, Beresini, Beckstoffer, and Mitsuko’s. 

I've had more then one of my customers tell me this Chardonnay reminds them of the critically acclaimed Kistler Chardonnay that retails for well over $60.   After just finishing a glass, I can see why.  I've had this bottle open for two days and it's become better with some air.   It has very intense aromas of lemon and cream, followed by a rich, fully textured mouth-feel where I can taste butterscotch, apple and more cream.  The finish is long, with mineral tones and a mouth watering acidity.  If only I had some parm fries right now to balance it out... High quality Chardonnay is just too easy to drink. 

2007 Macrostie Chardonnay Carneros

Regular Price $25.99

Available now at $14.99 (over 40% off)

91 Points from the California Connoisseurs Guide (I've found these guys can be tough critics).

"Here is a deep and very nicely balanced Chardonnay that hits all the right varietal and winemaking markers without resorting to runaway ripeness, overdone oak or any enological tricks. Its very rich and well-composed flavors feature lots of energetic apple-like fruit juxtaposed with complementary touches of vanilla and spice, and its overall impression of depth and structural firmness argue for better to come if allowed a few years of cellar time. GOOD VALUE."

In stock now by the front registers or reply to this email to reserve some.

Thanks! Chris

Fit for a King or Queen

When is the correct time to enjoy genuine Champagne?

To kick off the summer season?  Certainly.

At an event?  Top me off please..

When you are entertaining? You betcha.

By the pool when you want to feel fab? Most Def.

When you bring it to someone as a gift and he or she decides to open it while you are there? Heck yea!

When you want to feel luxurious just because?  Gitty Up!

When we have some for you at  HALF price also known as 50% off? Whoa now! Say that again!


Marilyn Monroe loved Champagne and so do I.   She took a bath in it.   I don't think that would be so much fun.   But as I sit here typing, and sipping my glass of Champagne...in my shorts and a tee shirt, papers scattered about,  I'm wondering why I don't drink Champagne more often.   Champagne goes with just about any type of food and can be enjoyed before, during and after a meal.   It makes a party a party,  and can also  make a mundane night seem a little more elegant.

Maybe I don't drink Champagne more because I can't afford to drink it all the time.  Or maybe it's because I feel like I need a  reason to celebrate.  The Champagne section of our store catches my eye on a daily basis though I rarely indulge.  Once in a while, I'll splurge for Champagne, whether it's from one of the big old Champagne houses or a boutique, grower-Champagne.   Of course there are alternatives.  There is Prosecco from Italy and Cava from Spain.  Both can be delicious, and there are some great ones for the price but compared to Champagne?  They don't hold a candle.
 

(Beware:  Women enjoying Champagne together...)

Let's get one thing straight.  Genuine Champagne must be from the Champagne region of France.   There are some good, bad and incredible sparkling wines from the U.S.A. and Australia, but none of these are Champagne.  What makes Champagne so special?

• Terroir.  Champagne has a cool climate combined with unique soil.  The geologic evolution of the region, at one time a sea bed, gives Champagne chalky, mineral-rich soil. It's climate promotes a level of complexity in the wines with minerality layered with a multitude of flavors and aromas.
• The number and diversity of vineyards.  Champagne has over 300 individual crus or individually named vineyards.  These single vineyards provide a unique range of wine for blending.
  
  
• The cold, deep, chalky cellars in which Champagne can age for decades.
  
  
• 300+ years of experience in production.  Experience counts, right?
  

• The time consuming, difficult process in which Champagne is produced.

Champagne comes in all levels of sweetness.  The level of sweetness is always displayed on the label.   The most common and popular is Brut also know as dry.  I like both dry and sweet,  but like may other people I  prefer my bubbly to be dry.


 
When I first saw the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Extrem'  I was curious. They called it Extreme because it's the driest of dry Champagne.  There is no sugar added at all.  This style of Champagne (also known as Zero or Nature) is especially popular in restaurants because it's crisp finish pairs so well with food.   The winemaker of the Brut Extrem' commented that the Extrem'  is very popular in coastal states (like ours) because it pairs so well with local seafood cuisine.  Looking at the chart above, this wine would be on the far, far left in the dry area.   At first I thought...hmm...I wonder how it will be without any sugar?  And as we enjoyed our second bottle in as many nights, I've found it to be satisfying in so many ways.   And we drank it without any food. 

(Heads up: Champagne is for groups of dudes too!)

The Brut Extrem' is one sexy wine.  It has that classic, intense, bread dough  aroma you get from Champagne with some apple and macadamia nut in the background.  The mouth feel has a smooth texture, with hints of citrus.  And the finish....this is the best part.  It's sleek, crisp, refreshing and purifying.  The length of the finish is incredible...it goes on  for minutes.  But the most important question.....do you always want more after you finish a glass?  YES!  The Brut Extrem' wine is just too easy to drink .    

 


Nicholas Feuillatte Brut Extrem'

Regular Price $39.99
In stock now for $19.99 per bottle or $210 a case.  That's over 50% Off! 

Very limited quantity.  There won't be any left for New Years :-)

 Jean-Pierre Vincent's (winemaker) notes:

"With Brut Extrem’, I am looking for as pure a wine as possible. No sugar is added, so the champagne develops in the most natural way possible. This is champagne in its natural state. It is the diamond as it leaves the mine.”

In stock now and next to the registers up front. You can reserve  a case or more by emailing me.  Thanks, Chris

Wine

A Few Good Men 5/13/10-  Pictured above, these four men all import wine from Europe.   They all started with a passion for wine created in the most traditional, purist methods and over the years they've sought out winemakers in Europe (mostly France) who share that same passion.  

These men bring wine into the United States produced by winemakers that aren't driven by profit, but rather the desire to create an expression of their grape varieties, climate and soil with minimal use of chemicals and machinery.   They refer to the finished product as "natural wine" or "real wine".    More often then not, I find their wines have more character and personality, then wine that is mass produced in laboratories.   

The wine imported by these men might not be among the biggest or juiciest of wines.   It's doubtful their imports will be blind tasting winners and score big with the critics.  But there is something more to them that I want to convey to you....something very intriguing. 

These men import wine that I want to explore.   It's more then a "been there, done that" thing after the bottle is gone.   Each one of their wines comes with a story.   The wine may have been bottled by hand, unfiltered, or fermented in 200 year old barrels, with no sulphur added.   Those kinds of ancient techniques can give extra depth and character and lots of little surprises in the wine that you don't find in many mass produced wines.  

With these sort of wines, you can think about the soil types because you might even be able to TASTE elements of the soil in the wine.   Even better, the flavors in naturally made wine can give clues to what other kinds of plants  were grown near the grape vines. 

Focus on Kermit -  The #2 picture above is of Kermit Lynch.  One of Kermit's original producers from his early days of importing, the late Rene Loyau talks about smelling wild currants in wine from a passage of Kermit's book ...

"All the old vintages exhibited a strong smell of wild currants," Loyau begins, wide eyed with the wonder of it all.  "However, in more recent years the same aroma was not to be found in the wine. Mystery!!" He draws out the word mystery and let's it hang in the air.  His eyes narrow with cunning as he leans toward my secretary and taps her four times.  For emphasis, I presume, the old fox.  "I inquired of the grower and asked when he tad torn out the patch of currants near the vineyard. Of course I had NEVER SEEN his vineyard.  It was pure deduction.  And wouldn't you know it? There had been wild currants growing to the stone wall that separated his land from his neighbors until......his neighbor cleared the patch of currants in order to plant vines!!"

 

Kermit has been importing wine since the mid 70's.  Many of our customers already are very familiar with Kermit's wines.  Gary Vandeychuck (the loud, funny wine guy who does video wine reviews) recently did an interview with Kermit. You can click the picture on watch it here: Kermit visits Gary


 
(click picture to see video)

 

We are featuring two wines imported by Kermit Lynch this week.

2005 Domaine de Poujol - Proteus

True to Kermit's profile,  Poujol uses minimal chemical treatments, minimal sulphur does not filter and uses wild yeasts when possible.   The Wine Advocate mentions drinking this wine when it's young, but after having it last week I think it's hitting it's peak right now.   If you like, earthy, rustic style wine I encourage you to try this one.

This wine did get 87 Points from the Wine Advocate - "The 2005 Proteus is a blend of Merlot with classic Rhone varieties. Abundant red raspberry and tart cherry fruit are mingled with cocoa powder and dried herbs in a juicy, simply engaging, and impressively persistent wine."  I think that's a pretty good review of this wine. 

Regular $15.99, on sale at $10.99 (due in this Friday 5/14 and will be at the registers)





2008 Domaine Fontsainte Gris de Gris (Rose)

Regular $13.99 on sale at $11.19 (due in Friday5/14 and will be at the registers)

Kermit's own words about this wine: The Fonsainte Gris di Gris is a crisp, dry beauty that leaves you smacking your lips - the wine drinker's applause. 

My own words about this wine:  It's a great summah sippah a.k.a a porch pounder!

Steve Tanzer likes it too and gave it 88 Points - 60% grenache gris and grenache, 15% carignane, 10% each of mourvedre and cinsault and 5% syrah) Light, bright pink. Honeysuckle, green tea, cranberry and strawberry on the nose. Juicy, finely etched red berry and citrus flavors are gently sweet and given spine by nervy minerality. Richer on the finish, which repeats the strawberry and floral notes and leaves dusty minerals behind. Serve this with a good chill, to emphasize the wine's freshness.



The Laboucarié père and fils of Domaine Fontsainte--Bruno Laboucarié and his father, Yves. The elder Laboucarié says that a visit from his U.S. importer, Kermit Lynch, is worse than a visit from Inspector Clouseau; "He tastes everything twice, and pokes around everywhere." I'm sure that this news comes as no surprise to any of Lynch's customers. They have depended on his excellent palate and diligence for over 30 years.
 

A final quote from Kermit: "Wine is, above all, pleaure.  Those who would make it ponderous make it dull.  People talk about the mystery of wine, yet most don't want anything to do with mystery.  They want it all there in one sniff, one taste.  If you keep an open mind and take each wine on it's own terms, there is a world of magic to discover. "

---

2006 Bordeaux


The most critically reviewed Bordeaux of the last decade are from 2000, 2005 and now the upcoming 2009.    How about the other years?  There is so much media attention on those good years that often the years in between are overlooked.    

The 2006 Malmaison was #84 in Wine Spectator's top 100 wines of 2009 with a score of 90 Points.   Not too long ago I bought some of this wine and I was wondering whether or not it was ready to drink.  I took one home and found that while delicious, the wine needs to be laid down for at least few years.   While I can see why the Spectator thinks so highly of it, like many young and rising wines it's too tannic and harsh but it's a fine candidate to put in your basement.    And at this price, you don't usually find age-worthy wines. 

"Blackberry and raspberry jam aromas follow through to a full body, with very soft tannins and pretty berry and currant character. This is seamless and well done for the vintage. Best after 2012" - James Suckling --- 90 Points Wine Spectator

He's not kidding about best after 2012!  It's a set-it-and-forget-it kind of wine!   In 2012 and beyond you'll have a beautiful tasting treat. 

Regular Price $21.99

Single bottle price:
$17.59 net (in stock now)

Carmenere

Where in Concord is Carmenere San Diego?

Do you remember the TV show or computer game or movie about Carmen San Diego?  If you don't, your kids probably do.  I watched it with my girlfriends nephew a few weeks back.

This is my story about trying to find Carmen excuse me, Carmenere  San Diego.   First I had to think long and hard about where in the world ol' Carmenere could be found.  I checked all our favorite wine-making regions.  Just about every major wine-making region has a grape or a style of wine that put them on the consumer map of wine.   But Carmenere?    You don't have to be a detective to see what grapes besides Carmenere are well represented on the shelves of any fine wine store.

Burgundy is known for  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay
New Zealand is known for  Sauvignon Blanc
Argentina is known for Malbec and Torrontes
Bordeaux is known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
Rhone is known for Grenache and Syrah
South Africa is known for Pinotage
Germany is known for Riesling
Barolo and Barbaresco are known for Nebbiolo
Tuscany is known for  Sangiovese
Australia is known for Shiraz
and of course the USA is the melting pot of grapes

But what about Chile??? 
Chile is known for.........

Carmenere!  That's where she is, in Chile.   Besides being a little used blending grape in some Bordeaux wines, Carmenere stands out wonderfully as a single varietal  when grown and bottled in Chile.    Carmenere has been on my mind for a few weeks now since I watched the show.   I've been searching for a winery that produces the perfect example of this grape.   It shouldn't be too hard, right?  Just another small task in my quest of  finding amazing examples of wine from under-appreciated areas at a fantastic price.

I  tried some Carmenere's that were real Cheap-O's and some that were delicious, and what I call Expensive-O's.  The real Cheap-O's were under-ripe, thin and tasted like green pepper and the Expensive-O's were silky smooth, lush, dense and chewy.   But that's what I expect from an expensive bottle - either something totally unique and tasty or something so juicy I could drink the entire bottle myself in a night.  



(Carmenere goes great with a BBQ burger eaten on your porch, especially when it's 80 degrees out like it's going to be this coming Saturday!)

Anyone can walk into any store and spend a lot to get a great bottle.   Getting a great bottle for a great price requires research, trial and error and the desire to hunt!  My hunt for Carmenere San Diego continued on until I found her last week.  She had the looks and the makeup of a $30, expensive and awesome Carmenere but the price tag of a Cheap-O.   Now, that sounds like my kind of date!

For $15 this is a no-brainer purchase.  Why? Let me give you 5 reaons why.  Here comes the windup, and the  pitch.....

1. It's different.  I know, different doesn't necessarily mean better but it's easy to get caught in that Cabernet, Merlot, or Pinot Noir rut.   If you've tried Carmenere, this one will be the best you've had under $25.  If you haven't tried Carmenere, you're about to be spoiled.  It'll be like watching Forest Gump as your first introduction to all Tom Hanks movies. 
   
   
   
2. In a single word, this wine is hedonistic. The reviewers at the Wine Advocate use this term fairly often to describe a wine which is fun to drink for sheer pleasure rather then for a critical review. A proper definition for hedonistic?  "devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses". Pleasure, good. Pain, bad.
   
   
3. The price is right.  It will be very difficult to find this wine at a better price. Don't worry, I already checked.
   
   
   
4. Tastes great...and filling.  I just poured myself another sip.  It's the deepest of deep purples in the glass follow by spice, woodsy and red fruit aromas.  Very round and juicy in the mouth.  A creamy texture.  Finish shows soft and elegant tannins with a long, caressing and soothing finish. 
   
   
   
5. If you like modern versions of Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah and even Malbec it will be hard to not enjoy this wine.  If you like old world style wine - more rustic, earthy, and sometimes sharp I encourage you to try this one out.  It's different.  Or wait for my next email which should please your tastes.  
   
   Click the label to see what other consumers think of this wine on Cellartracker.com

2007 Concha y Toro Carmenere Marques de Casa Concha

Found elsewhere @ $21
Our special E-Club Price is $14.99 net (over 30% off)

91 Points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

"The Marques de Casa Concha series begins with the 2007 Carmenere which spent 16 months in French oak. Saturated purple in color, it offers up a splendid bouquet of toasty oak, tobacco, Asian spices, plum, and blueberry. Mouth-coating, layered, and bordering on opulent, there is plenty of ripe tannin lurking under the fruit, succulent flavors, and excellent balance. This is an awesome value "  91 Points - Wine Advocate

In stock now and next to the registers up front. You can reserve a bottle, a case or more by emailing me or just stop by the store.  

Portuguese Value

Last night I drank the Breakfast Club of wine



What makes an unforgettable movie?  My formula is simple.  If I ponder the movie's message, if I get inspired to make a positive change, or if I tell my friends about it then I would consider it a hit.   Bottom line....if it's great I just can't get it out of my mind.      
An old favorite that fits this description of unforgettable is the  80's classic, The Breakfast Club.   The entire movie was filmed at a school, mostly in just one room and wasn't overproduced.  The director didn't try to make the movie into something it wasn't, yet I remember it being so much better then some of it's blockbuster counterparts of the same era.  The dialogue and characters made the movie.  The Breakfast Club was a pure, simple and real movie.  No special effects, big explosions, etc. 

The 2007 Castelo do Sulco Reserva is the Breakfast Club of wine.   The wine doesn't try to be something it's not.  There are no special effects like over-oaking to hide questionable flavors or added sugar to make it more appealing.  Like the Breakfast Club, for $8 I don't want a wine that pretends to be something bigger and better.   The winemaker at Sulco didn't try to make his wine taste like anything from Napa,  Bordeaux or Piedmont.  There are too many examples of wine in the under $10 price range that taste like an overdone Hollywood remake of Caymus Cabernet.  The Sulco reminds me that it's possible to find an enjoyable wine that's well-made, simple, pure and still exciting to drink at a bargain basement price. 

For less then a movie ticket, you can enjoy this beauty.   Why should you  spend your hard earned $8 on this wine?

• The Sulco is a glimpse into what I think an $8 wine SHOULD taste like.  The Sulco doesn't pretend to be a $30 Cabernet -  it has very fresh and clean taste, with loads of tart, bright red fruit, a little bit of spice and just a hint of vanilla.    If you appreciate wines like  Barbera, Beaujolais, Oregon Pinot Noir,  or even Sauvignon Blanc then give this wine a try. 
  
  
• 2007 was a great year for red wine in Portugal, (and Port too)  and was the highest rated vintage of the decade in Portugal from Wine Spectator.  What does that mean?  In a great vintage you can search out lower tier wines and find great values.   Check out Spectator's Portugal chart below.  Please note the area lists Douro region, north of where the Sulco is made is Estremadura, but I feel that wines from all regions of Portugal in '07 are very strong.  Douro is the only region that Spectator rates as a whole. 

• Sulco is another great introduction to one of the most under-appreciated wine areas.  Portugal is a treasure trove of  great values.  If you tried Portuguese wines in the past or if are worried these wines will taste like Port,  erase that from your brain and try this wine.  It's not rustic and "porty" tasting.  It's bright, fresh, crisp and perfect for this time of year.
  
  Want to see some other reviews?  click here
  
  

 

2010 Movie Ticket = $10.50

2007 Sulco Reserva = $7.99 and can be mixed in a case of other wine to get 20% off
 
88 Points from the Wine Spectator:

"Well-balanced, showing plenty of elegance to the crushed red fruit, blueberry and wild plum flavors. Finishes with focused minerality that is accented by a subtle creaminess. Drink now through 2013 "

In stock now and next to the registers up front. You can reserve a bottle, a case or more by emailing me or just stop by the store.  

The Beast Arrives in Concord

Deep within the temperature controlled wine warehouse there have been rumors about a beast lurking around.  Supposedly, the Beast had been hiding in the shadows behind wine boxes because his body had pricker pins all over it.

The keepers of the Beast at wine warehouse sort of forgot about him, and everyone else was just scared to meet him.    Robert Parker had met him, but that was about it.   What nobody really knew was that those those pricker pins were actually made out of US Dollars.    

For over a year, the beast sat in cool darkness,  making himself stronger, juicier, thicker, meatier, and more well-balanced.  The Beast knew he would be released someday, but not until he shed some of those pricker pins.  Little did he know that he would come to Concord.

Then it happened.  Last week I got an email from the keeper of the Beast.  The keeper told me the Beast had shed nearly HALF of his pricker pins (a.k.a. US Dollars).  I immediately called the wine warehouse and  yelled over the phone:

"BRING THE BEAST TO CONCORD!"

The Beast or what's more conservatively known as the 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Reserve Cabernet is consistently one of my favorite Napa Cabs.  Sometimes when I drink wine over $50 (and if I'm feeling critical) I begin to wonder whether or not I could find a wine half the price that's just as delicious.   But with Anderson's Cab and others like Chapellet and Newton  you actually GET what you pay for.  And at 40% off this 2006 is  a steal.   Not to mention Anderson's is a family own and operated vineyard with estate grown fruit.  How did we get the price so low?  The distributor has their Anderson's 2007 Napa Cab arriving shortly, and the demand for '07's is so high that we were able to beat up the distributor a little bit and get this wine for a discount.

Check out this table from Robert Parker's website to see just  how consistent the Beast has been over the last decade.

The Beast: 2006 Anderson's Conn Valley Reserve Cabernet

Regular Price $65.00
On Sale now @ $39.99 (40% off) Tell me if you can find a better price anywhere in the country!

94 Points from Robert Parker

"The unfined, unfiltered 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve spends two years in French oak and another year in the bottle before being released. This cuvee has a long track record of aging (the 1990 and 1991 are still going strong). The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2006 offers notes of new saddle leather, black currants, autumnal vegetation/forest floor, cassis, and cherries, superb richness, and a full-bodied, powerful finish. Cellar it for 5-6 years, and drink it over the following 25 years." - Robert Parker

You can reserve a bottle, a case or more by emailing me or just stop by the store.   Chris

Christopher Columbus' favorite wine

Remember the ad campaign for the Snickers candy bar in the 80's? It went something like, "Packed with peanuts, Snickers really satisfies." 


This wine is my Snickers.  It's PACKED with fruit and really satisfies.  And you'll never guess who would probably agree with me on this.  Besides the great press this wine has received,  Christopher Columbus loved this style of wine too.  In 1492, he needed a wine to bring with him that had the body and structure to withstand the long trip.   He chose wine from Toro, Spain as his weeknight wine out at sea.

What's the deal with Toro?  

• Toro is located in Northwest Spain, about 3 hours from Madrid
  
  
• The main red grape grown here is the indigenous Tinta de Toro grape. 
  

•  The Tinta de Toro  grape is actually a clone of the Tempranillo grape that we see in wine from Rioja and Ribera Del Duero.  However, the wines from Toro tend to be more robust and full-bodied then from places like Rioja .
  
  
• Read more about the soil and climate in Toro here.

Why is this wine WELL worth your $11?

• If you like wine from Rioja, and you like  Cabernet from California I guarantee you'll love this wine. It has the best of both worlds; the fruit, the weight and the  strength of a Napa Cab but also the subtlety and refreshing aspects of a well-made wine from Rioja.
  
  
• This wine is in a GREAT drinking window right now, is unique and shows terroir. The wine has that Iberian flavor, but it doesn't taste like any other wine from Spain.  Toro's climate and soil, combined with an indigenous grape variety (whose vines never suffered from Phylloxera) give this wine a real sense of place.  There's no mistaking it for something else.  In-fact because of the soil and climate in Toro, their wine can naturally get to 17% alcohol.  (This one is 14%).
  
  
• It's a killer value and it's absolutely delicious....it's like eating a Snickers! The prices of these wines will increase someday so get'em while the gettin's good. Look at the reviews on cellartracker.com to see other consumer reviews. 

2005 Sabor Real Crianza - Vinas Centenarias

Regular Price $14.99
On Sale now @ $10.99 (over 25% off)

91 Points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -see review below:

"The 2005 Vinas Centenarias, as the name implies, comes from vines over 100 years of age. Purple-colored, it offers up a complex perfume of pain grille, violets, mineral, spice box, black cherry and blackberry. Bigger, richer, and more sweetly-fruited than its younger colleague, it would benefit from 2-3 years of additional cellaring. Balanced, lengthy, and altogether hedonistic, it should drink well through 2015. It is a stupendous value."  And the Wine Advocate lists the going release price as $16. 

A Sure Sign of Spring

             


I brought home several small production wines to try for the E-Club Special over the last week or so.  Two wines made it to the final cut.  One was a Bordeaux, the other a  Barbera D'Alba.  They are both great, but the Barbera won.  Why?  It's going to be 50 degrees on Saturday and I NEED to feel some warm weather and drink a wine that TASTES like warm weather.  Like a spring day after rain, I wanted a wine that is vibrant, fresh, crisp, lively and even a little raw.    This wine from the Piedmont area of Italy fit the bill.  

Historically, Barbera's only apparent redeeming quality was its cheapness or more modestly put, its value. Perhaps it has had a lesser  reputation because it is a primary Piedmont resident in Italy's northwest wine region, where the other two grape varietals, Nebbiolo and Dolcetto, overshadow Barbera in respect and admiration.   After Sangiovese, Barbera is the second most planted grape in the boot-country, but there's no correlation with that fact and that people love and praise their Chiantis, their Brunellos, and their Barolos more. While Barbera is sometimes sneered at, bottles of it are commonly found as the table wine in Italian restaurants. What do the restaurants know that others don't? Barbera is an everyday kinda wine that is underrated and under appreciated.

This weeks E-Club Special, the 2008 Paolo Scavino Barbera is
MUCH, MUCH more then your everyday table wine.  To me, right now, it's fresh and vibrant personality gives me assurance that it's going to feel like Spring this weekend.   If you do the research and tasting you'll find that this notable  Barolo producer takes his wines to a new level.  The 2008 Barbera D'Alba is no exception. His 2008

                                                  (Encrico Scavino and his daugther Enrica at home in the vineyard)

Barbera is aged in steel vats, a.k.a "un-oaked".   While many white wines see ageing in steel (i.e. Sauv Blanc), few reds do. This makes a huge difference in taste versus wine that is aged in oak.   When aged in steel, wine retains a freshness that can get lost when the wine is aged in oak barrels.  Also, the fruitiness of the wine aged in steel doesn't get masked by oak so you'll be able to more appreciate the very ripe and forward fruit flavors.    This Scavino Barbera struck me as such a great wine because of the freshness, but even more so because the wine was full bodied.   I didn't expect this wine to have such a  mouth coating, rich berry flavor. 

The two areas in Italy we typically see the Barbera grape from in the US are Alba and Asti.  Barbera D'Asti tends to be lighter and racier while Barbera D'Alba can be fuller and rounder in the mouth.   But either way, lively aroma and fresh flavors are what these wines are all about.  Some other un-oaked reds can  include Beaujolais and  Cotes-du-Rhone.  If you like either of these types of wine, this Barbera D'Alba is a must try. 

What else is great about Barbera?  Like just about any Italian wine it's great with food.  Where Barbera wins over other Italian wine is it's flexibility.  Typically Barbera has good acidity to make it a natural choice with food, particularly with pizzas, pastas, grilled poultry and meats.

 

 

2008 Paolo Scavino Barbera D'Alba

Regular Price $26.99
On Sale now @ $16.99 (over 35% off)

90 Points from Wine Spectator and only 700 cases produced

"This is really classy, with crushed raspberry and strawberry aromas. Full-bodied, with bright acidity and a tangy, fruity and flavorful finish. This is so delicious. Drink now. 700 cases made." - James Suckling 

A Cheap Date

The cheapest you'll find a glass of red wine at a restaurant from a well known wine growing area is for about $5 or $6.  And that's on the low end.   For that much money you usually get a wine that tastes like is was filtered through some Bounty paper towels and then had some sugar and strawberry jam stirred in.   Here is a tip:  when you are looking for value and QUALITY on a restaurant wine list,  look for wine from the most obscure place in terms of wine growing regions. They are usually inexpensive, and you'll get the best bang for your buck.   Emerging wine areas where you can find these values are places like the Languedoc-Roussillon (Southern France), Southern Italy (Campania, Puglia, Sicily), Greece, Lebanon, Austria, and this weeks featured destination, Portugal.

Granted, you don't see many of these areas well represented in restaurants - but that's why you come see us, right?

Portugal has started to gain popularity for their non-fortified wines instead of just Port wine.  However, wines from the major regions like the Dao and the Douro are still under-appreciated which results in fair prices for all of us. 

In the summertime, one of the most refreshing whites on the market is a Vinho Verde, and you can find them at our store for under $10.  But this time of year, I'm still thinking of red wine.  When a bunch of Portuguese wine showed up on our door step, I had high hopes.  After tasting through the line-up, I was really impressed by the quality of these wines.  And then I looked at the prices! My goodness!  One of the wines in the lineup particularly stood out from the rest.  It was the 2007 Castello D'Alba from the Douro.  

I thought about the glass of wine I paid $10 for in a restaurant the night before - it tasted like toothpaste compared to this sleek, sexy wine from Portugal.  It's the kind of wine where you take a sip, put the glass down and look at the deep ruby colored juice in your glass and say, "Mmmmmm....that's tasty."  And it feels even better to know that you only paid $10 bucks for an entire bottle of this beauty.  This wine has character.  It has personality.  It's not bland and boring like so much of the wine out there in this price range.  Heck, even Wine Spectator gave it 89 Points.

2007 Castelo D'Alba (Douro)

In stock now @ $9.99

89 Points from Wine Spectator

"A suave red, with well-defined crushed red fruit and berry flavors that are accented by bright minerally notes. Creamy, with luscious spice and hot stone notes on the juicy finish.  2009-2013"

Aged to Perfection

We are putting some older vintages of California wine on sale so we can make room for new ones.  It's a great chance to pick up some higher end wines that are ready to drink now and don't need any cellar time. 

All of these wines are 25% off a single bottle

2002 Viader

2000 Duckhorn Cabernet

2003 Duckhorn Three Palms Merlot

2003 Duckhorn Napa Merlot

2000-2004 Cain Five

2000-2004 Cain Concept

1993 Beringer Private Reserve

1999 Dominus

1998 Mondavi Private Reserve

Send me an email if your intrested in any of these.  Want to buy more then one?  Larger discounts are available.  

Thanks,

Chris

141 Chardonnays

We decided to count how many different chardonnays we have and it turns out the number is 141.   However, if we don't have the one you want we are always happy to special order any item.