So I'll be showcasing wines from our clients, and other wines that we find along the way that I think you might enjoy.
Pick #15 - 8/23/10
2009 Hoya de Cadenas Rosè
Wilfred gave it 90 PTS. Nice.
Pick #14 - 7/31/10
2008 Tapena Garnacha
As you've probably guessed, this is not a wine from one of our
clients. We have not expanded our business to Spain - not yet anyway.We picked this bottle up at the BevMo! 5c sale. It is really good! We drank both bottles and definitely need to pick up some more. And guess what? Right now it's only $7.99 at BevMo! Woo hoo!
90 PTS WILFRED WONG. Explodes with exuberant, ripe raspberry aromas, the soulful '08 Tapena Granacha is a dandy of a red wine; comes through with serious yet playful flavors; truly delicious.
Pick #13 - 7/17/10
2008 Stags Leap Chardonnay
I just looked it up on BevMo.com and Wilfred gave it 88 PTS.
Pick #12 - 7/9/10
2009 Vanel Merlot
This is not a wine from one of our clients, it's a BevMo exclusive. I like it because of the price and it tastes good too! It's the perfect wine to serve at a casual party. It's inexpensive ($6.99) and tastes great.Wilfred gave it 87 PTS.
Pick #11 - 6/26/10
This wine is amazing. So smooth and delicious. We enjoyed it with our family to celebrate our anniversary. (Thanks mom and dad! It was the best gift EVER!) I pretty much love all of the Cakebread wines. But the Cabernet and Sauvignon Blanc are definitely my favorites. It was a special treat to enjoy this '03 Cabernet. When we first moved to California we joined their wine club. We haven't been a member for a few years. And I don't think we have any left in the cellar. We're working on getting them as a client. Cross your fingers!
Pick #10 - 5/23/10
2006 Robert Sinskey POV
Pick #9 - 5/3/10
Napa Valley
There are only about a dozen winemakers on Howell Mountain. They mainly focus on Cabernet Sauvignon. So we were pretty excited to try this Reserve Cab from 2005. It was smooth, full-bodied and really, really good.
Our client came in recently and saw their bottle on display and were quite proud. Little do they know how proud we were of them. Because their wine was fantastic. We're proud to say they are a client.
Pick #8 - 4/19/10
'07 Nickel & Nickel Suscol Ranch Merlot
Napa Valley
We started working with the Nickel family on day one of owning the business. So they are very dear to us. We've done many projects for them in the three and a half years since we bought Pollin's. We never need an excuse to drink their wine, so we were pretty excited to pick up a bottle of their wine for "The Wall." Don selected the 2007 Nickel & Nickel Suscol Ranch Merlot. It was smooth and rich with delicious plum and berry flavors. Ooh la la it was gooooood. I wish the bottle was bigger. Or there was another one!Pick #7 - 4/12/10
'05 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
We opened a bottle of the '05 Oakville Cabernet. It's big and lush and they recommend holding it for 10-15 years. Oops. It tasted good to us!
Another favorite of ours is the Marianna, pictured on the left. But this is made by Michael Pozzan.
Pick #6 - 4/5/10
'06 Rombauer Vineyards Merlot
We love their wine. They are always so delicious. Don picked up the Merlot for "the wall." It was so good - - full-bodied, fruity, you can taste plum and black cherries, really good. Retails for about $29. And you can buy it here.Plus, Laura Rombauer owns the CUTEST store on Main Street in St. Helena called Vintage Home. You have to stop in if you're ever in St. Helena. She sells really cool antiques and collectibles.
Pick #5 - 3/29/10
'07 Testerossa Syrah
Smooth, delicious, rich flavors, hints of blackberry and raspberry - a fantastic wine. Before you know it's gone, and you're sad. You will love this wine. I love it. And so do the critics.91 PTS Wine Enthusiast
90 PTS Connoisseurs Guide
Ok. This
one isn't really fair. Because I don't think you can buy this anywhere.
We pulled this bottle from "the cellar." But it was so fantastic and
smooth and delicious I just had to make it the "pick of the week." I
guess the reason for posting it is to encourage everyone to pull out a
bottle you've been saving and just drink it. You don't have to wait for
the perfect occasion to enjoy a really great bottle (that may be more
expensive than your usual everyday wine.) Go ahead, uncork it, and
enjoy.Pick #3 - 3/15/10
'08 Challis Lane Sauvignon Blanc
I thought I would throw a good value wine in the mix this week.
BevMo has Challis Lane wines made specially for them. It started with a
chardonnay and cabernet. And just recently they expanded to include a
sauvignon blanc and merlot. These have quickly become best selling wines
at BevMo! because you really can't beat how good they taste for the
price. I mean, five bucks, that's a bargain!
You all know how much I like sauv. blanc, so I had to give this one a try. And much to my delight it's pretty darn tasty. Crisp, fruity, refreshing, not too green tasting, not too sweet, and the price is right. It's the perfect spring/summer wine. It would be a great pick for a bbq or pool party, with a bunch of bottles on ice just ready to drink. AND the best part is it's around 5 bucks. Your guests will think you spent more. Trust me, this is no two buck chuck. (Blech.)
BRONZE MEDAL, 2009 CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR WINE COMP. Pure and fine, the true-to-type '08 Challis Sauvignon Blanc serves up crisp fruit flavor with a trace of dried herbs.
Pick #2 - 3/8/10
'07 Bridlewood Viognier Reserve
Central Coast, Ca
I first tried this wine when we were visiting my sister Kathy in
Buellton. She took Don and I to Bridlewood
to go wine tasting. Kathy and I really liked this wine so we bought a
bottle to have with dinner that night. It has a nice fruit flavor with
hints of nectarine, tangerine and honeysuckle, it's not too sweet, and
tastes great with just about any food.So you can imagine how excited I was to find it included in BevMo's current 5c sale. AWE-SOME! You can get it on sale for $10 bucks a bottle. But you better hurry. The sale ends soon.
'08 Zolo Gaucho Select Chardonnay Unoaked
Mendoza Argentina
My boss Josh tipped me on to this wine. We are both big Sauvignon Blanc drinkers. So when he said I would like this chardonnay I knew I would. It has flavors of ripe apples and fruit. Not oakey or buttery. Definitely my kind of chardonnay. Wilfred likes it too. He gave it 90 pts.
On sale at BevMo for $15.99 + .05 for second bottle.
(On sale through 3/21, while supplies last!)
