Dear Groezinger Customer,
Gobble-gobble-gobble-hack-hack-splat! No, this is not the name of a previously undiscovered demo tape from the Ramones or a new taunt college football fans yell at the South Carolina Gamecocks. It is the sound of of good ol’ ‘Merica gearing up for the biggest celebration of gluttony and turkey’s least favorite day of the year. And unless you just took way too much Xanax so you can deal with your insane-ass Aunt Sally or you just got out of court mandated 28 day rehab, you are definitely going to need to stock up on some of that good stuff from your pals at Groezingers for your holiday festivities. Wine is as all-American as apple pie and corn bread stuffin’, and you can bet that the Founding Fathers chugged quite a bit of it back in the day. Even at the first Thanksgiving, many Puritans snuck out behind the old red barn to take a quick nip or two. Luckily, American wine making has come a long way since the those first few bottles of Scuppernong vinified in Jacksonville Florida in 1562, and we’ve got a little bit of everything for you this month, from the finest gems for your cellar to the killer cheap bottles that taste great and won’t pain you to watch Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Sally go through half a case before dinner. As you sit on the couch stuffed to the gills in a tryptophan and Topaz Late Harvest induced haze, you may find yourself pondering the great questions of the season, things like “What was I thinking? Why the hell didn’t I order more wine from Groezingers?” or “Where the f*** did Justin run off to now?” or “Is it really true that Rick is an albino black guy? (ask Mamie)” But the one question you won’t have to worry about is . . . “Does Groezingers still have that sweet three case shipping deal?” You bet your Turducken we do. Groezinger’s ships anywhere. UPS is available to most states, and if you live some place where they still burn witches or allow polygamy, we’ll have the mafia bring it to you. $25 ships a case of wine in the state of California, $40-$50 ships a case almost anywhere else, $60 ships a box to difficult states, and $110 will ship three cases almost anywhere in the continental U.S. If this is all too confusing, put down your wine glass, pick up the phone, and call 800-356-3970. I’ll give you an exact quote for shipping wine to your zip code.
IT’S COOL ACROSS THE COUNTRY! PICK UP A FEW CASES AND HAVE YOUR STORAGE WINE SHIPPED!
1.) 2008 TIERRA ROJA, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley-$125.00 IT’S HERE!!!
Grown in earth so red it makes the Cornhuskers uniforms look orange. Don’t waste your time or money on the other so-called cult Cabs from this region. By far the most broad-shouldered Tierra Roja to date, this is a seamless display of power and elegance. Only 250 cases made, so call soon to get some. If you want something undeniably badass that’ll impress your boss, partner, doctor, lawyer, wife, or anyone lucky enough to lay their lips on it, this is the one.
2.) 2007 KEENAN, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley-$90.00 (94+ Parker!)
Mike Keenan rolled by a few weeks back with this and the next few wines and rocked our balls off. Check them out!!
3.) 2008 KEENAN, Cabernet Franc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley-$55.00 (Another 94 Parker pointer!)
4.) 2007 KEENAN, Merlot, Spring Mountain, Napa-$33.00 This will make you a believer in Merlot again. Burly!!
5.) 2009 CHAPPELLET, Cabernet Sauvignon, “Signature”, Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley-$46.00 This sells out fast….
6.) 2008 RAMEY, Claret, (70%Cab/13%Merlot/12%Syrah/4%Verdot/1%Franc) Napa Valley-$32.00 Normally about $39, this is a screaming good deal on a wine that is serious yet ready to drink now. The flavors are plush and the texture is velvety, like going down on a . . . fuzzy peach or something. It shows sexy notes of ripe plum, bitter cherry, mocha, and integrated sweet French-vanilla oak. For those who insist on Cabernet for Thanksgiving, this is your wine!!
7.) 2010 BEDROCK, Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley-$28.00 Possibly the most allocated wine under thirty bucks.
8.) 2010 BEDROCK, Bedrock Heirloom (mixed black field blend), Bedrock Vineyard, Sonoma-$35.00 This and the above wine were made by Morgan Twain-Peterson, heir of the Raven’s Wood legacy. He is now making the most non-wimpy Zinfandels in all the land. We get two cases each of these behemoth wines. Call now or they will be gone.
9.) 2010 BEDROCK, Zinfandel, Monte Rosso, Sonoma Valley–$45.00 125 year old vines. We have a whopping 12 btls.
10.) 2009 PEAY, Estate Pinot Noir, “Scallop Shelf”, Sonoma Coast-$54.00 The Peay brothers and former Peter Michael wine-maker Vanessa Wong are crafting the finest Sonoma Coast Pinots on the market right now. They are so good it’s a wonder how they are even available. The “Pomarium” Pinot sold out in a quick minute, so don’t wait too long to call and get some of this. Drinkable now and cellar-worthy, the flavors are fit for a king, & the finish is as long as summer days in Alaska.
11.) 2009 PEAY, Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast–$51.00 Bomb, bomb, bomb. This is as fine as it gets. Bright fruit, thick texture, heavenly flavors, and a finish that’ll bring you back till it’s gone. God must have been smiling on the Peay Vineyards in 2009 because these are the best wines they’ve ever made. You’d be seriously insane to miss these. INSANE!!
12.) 2009 BECKMAN VINEYARDS, Syrah, Clone #1, Purisima Mountain Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley–$41.00
Parker gave this 94 points, and if you like killer Syrah, you’d be Cornas-holing it by skipping this big assed Syrah. .
FEATURED WINES
2006 NEIMAN, Red Wine (47%Cabernet/47%Merlot/6%Petit Verdot), Napa Valley-$90.00 (158 cases made)
Leave it to Drew Neiman to bring the sexy back: this stuff is so damn good, you might just piss your pants when you taste it. Drew Neiman is the guy Dos Equis patterned their “Most Interesting Man in the World” ad campaign after, and when he’s not circumnavigating the globe in Wonder Woman’s invisible jet plane which he recently bought off E-bay or saddle-breaking Ostriches in Australia, he usually can be found at the Playboy Mansion hanging out with the likes of John Kongsgaard, David Abreu, John Caldwell, and the Hef. The fruit that created this uber-delicious and extremely interesting wine came from choice blocks of the famed Thorevilos Vineyard, farmed by David Abreu himself, a site Bob Parker recently called one of Napa’s greatest vineyards. After harvest, no one touches the stuff except Drew, because as he says, “If anyone is going to fuck this stuff up, it’s gonna be me.” It’s okay Drew, we know what you meant. Drew absolutely nailed this one, his red showing huge amounts of extract and concentration, absolutely lubing your palate with intense flavors of red and black currant, ripe black plum, cherry compote, and very Bordeaux-like nuances of pencil lead, spice box, and mushroomy earth. This beauty is barely entering its window of drinkability and will continue to drink well through 2025. Abreu’s version of this wine got 98 points from Parker, and this one is just as good or better and retails at 1/3 the price. If you buy a bunch of this maybe you can get…..
2006 NEIMAN, “N”, (50%Cabernet/50%Petit Verdot), Thorevilos Vineyard, Napa Valley-$225.00 (23 cases)
2006 NEIMAN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Thorevilos Vineyard, Napa Valley-$225.00 (23 cases made) Drew made only one barrel each of these unbelievable wines. If you are real nice we may sell you a bottle or two. Be careful, if the Neiman Red causes minor accidents, these two wines might make you blast your shorts. Seriously, some of the best we’ve tasted in years.
2009 NEIMAN, Chardonnay, Napa Valley–$65.00
So you’re really fussy about what Chardonnays you will or won’t drink. Some are thin and insipid, some are fat and over oaked, and some are sorry examples of what the varietal should taste like. This is none of the above. This is Chardonnay perfection. Drew Neiman says that Chardonnays can’t be over-oaked, they can just be under-wined. This 2009 is most definitely not under-wined. The fruit for this beaut’ comes from the same vineyard that John Konsgard sourced to make the legendary Newton “Unfiltered” Chardonnays way back in the day. Forty two year old vines of Wente Clone grown in Coombsville (southeast Napa) give this wine unparalleled quality compared to other California Chards. Extensive minerality, creamy pear, toast, sweet lemon rind, and baked apple are blessed with 100% new oak that is seamlessly integrated. It is an undeniably great Chardonnay that rivals anything from California or Burgundy. Very arousing, it’ll make you hard for Chard.
2009 PALOMA, Estate Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$50.00
As the 2009’s are being released, we are seeing that the vintage is a great one and has produced some of the best wines of this century’s first decade. Paloma’s 2009 is in line with their stellar 2006 and could possibly overshadow it with some time in the bottle. If you think you don’t like Merlot, then you probably haven’t had Paloma. And if you don’t like Paloma, then you probably don’t like wine. That would make it a mystery as to why you are reading this, or why you aren’t calling us to get some ’09 Paloma. This juicy mo-fo has a texture just a bit thinner than 10-40 weight and carries sweet tannins with solid mountain structure. Flavors of blueberry, black plum, cherry, and mocha will take you to the top of Spring Mountain and put tablets in your hands. Thou shall have no other Merlots in front of Paloma. Thou shall honor Jim and Barbara Richards. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s Paloma. Stop wandering around in the valley and make yourself holy with some Paloma.
2007 HENDRY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$50.00
Ahhh. At last, the 2007 has finally been released. Just think about how many shitty white boy raps you had to suffer through to get to the 2007. That alone would make me want to rush to the phone and call just on the chance that it could all start up again before the end of this review. I’ll make you a deal. I’ll put the rapper flapper away if you bust a move and break it over to the telephone. This is the estate Hendry Cabernet that used to be labeled Block 8. The only reason it’s not called Block 8 is because the Superfly Mack, George Hendry, is blending in some of the other vineyard blocks to make it hit even harder than before. I recently had the extreme pleasure of drinking a 2001 Hendry Cab from my cellar. At ten years of age, it was simply spectacular. This ’07 Hendry is quite similar to what the ’01 was like in its youth, so it’ll cellar up nice and drink great for at least another 6 to 7+ years. Big and just a little raw around the edges, it has power and purity with lots of black fruit, an earthy undertone with classic Napa spice, and great structure. At four years of age, you can enjoy it now or cellar it. It’s got layers of flava’ and perfect behavior, that will satisfy, edify, make you cry, save you dough, so you can invest in some mo’. Wassup?
2008 PHILIP TOGNI, “TANBARK HILL”, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain Dist., Napa Valley–$38.00
For under forty bucks, the only thing that’s as good as this is a two song lap dance with a phat tip, so to speak. This too will have you dancing in your seat and is bound to last a lot longer than ten minutes. It could last for ten years if you can keep your sweaty paws off the merchandise. And like the lap grind, you might have a hard time standing up after a few glasses. We suspect but can’t confirm that Philip plays “Superfreak” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me” in the winery; although, we do know he doesn’t chapatalize. Philip Togni crushes and punches these estate grapes like they owe him money, which they do. This wine is made from the same estate grapes that go into the $90 “main label”. The only difference is that this is all free run juice instead of being a combination of pressed and free run. Luscious flavors of red and black cherry, plum, briar, herb, and mountain spice are held together by a taught g-string of tannin that is easily slid to the side with a decanting or a few years of cellaring. Even though this darling dances on the side stage, she’s well worth getting a good seat for. Bowm-chika-bowm-wow.
2009 CHRONICLE, Pinot Noir, Cerise Vineyard, Anderson Valley–$54.00 (132 cases produced)
Many of you have enjoyed partaking in the consumption of the chronic quality wines from Chronicle over the past few years. This would be a bad time to try and reel in your habit because the 2009’s are the biggest and the meanest Pinots Chronicle has produced. The Cerise vineyard is roughly a thousand feet above the Valley floor in sandstone and fractured shale forcing the vines struggle to produce a meager two tons per acre. This wine is the finest Chronicle has produced so far making it a must have for connoisseurs of the chronic. The fruit was cold soaked for five days before fermentation, punched down 2-3 times per day, and aged in 35% new French oak for 16 months. Previous vintages of the Cerise Pinot have had a more creamy texture to them with an immediately soft and friendly greeting. The 2009 answers the door with a glare, tattoos on its face, and a gun in its hand. It’s very full bodied, with ripped muscles, spice, firm acidity, and age-worthy tannins. Delicious full throttle flavors of black cherry, pomegranate, and cola are sure to turn any vicious pit bull into a whimpering puppy. The wine should age and mature for the life span of any healthy attack dog providing you keep it in a locked kennel and out of the sunlight.
2009 CHRONICLE, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley–$37.00 (161 cases produced)
This Pinot is similar in many ways to the Cerise except it packs a Daisy ten pump pellet gun and has henna tattoos. It’ll still hurt when you get shot, but the odds of surviving are way better, and you won’t need to worry about an ugly exit wound.
2009 SANS LIEGE, “THE OFFERING”, Paso Robles-$25.00 (42%Grenache,31%Syrah,25%Mouvedre,2%Viognier)
We humbly offer you the most recent offering of “The Offering”. As usual, this beating heart has just been ripped out and should have a couple hours in your Choc Mool (decanter) before you burn through it and throw the bottle down your steps. Raise your glass to Tlaloc (the Aztec god of rain and fertility) and maybe you’ll get some sweet lovin’ out in the pouring rain. Whatever kind of ritual you like to do on a Tuesday night this is a great captive to have at your disposal. It is incredibly complex once you give it two hours of its last air, and shows flavors encompassing the Rhone Valley from north to south. Raspberry, peppered meat, espresso, hazelnut, anise, spice, burnt sugar, and leather all appear during the sacrifice. The older your victim is, the more flavor you’ll get when you share it with your tribe. Only 1650 cases were produced. I don’t know what you do or don’t believe, but I would recommend getting some of this before 2012 just to be on the safe side.
2009 PALAZZO, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley–$70.00
Undeniably one of the best Cab Francs in the country, this new release will be gone in a flash due to the light crop. Only 400 six packs were produced. The grapes come from the famed Truchard Vineyard in south Napa and Peter Franus put the Midas touch on the juice. Aromas of perfumed violet and cherry concentrate are followed by flavors of raspberry, cassis, chocolate, and currant. If you’ve been turned off by Francs that smell like a green pepper farm, don’t worry, this is tight and right, ripe and round, ooey-gooey-rich-and-chewy, and has a mouthfeel so big it challenges Steven Tyler and Big Mouth Billy Bass.
2008 SCHULZ, Zinfandel, Lampyridae Vineyard, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$33.00 (50 cases produced)
On the very top of Mount Veeder, 2000 feet up, sits the Lampyridae vineyard. Lampyridae is the family of beetles referred to as fireflies or lightening bugs. This is somewhat ironic because there usually aren’t any lighting bugs in California. Some of you may remember the horrific story of the feud between the Brandlin and Meridith clans way back in the day, and how the families ended up killing each other, every last member of both families. Following this, their caged dogs escaped and bred, spawning gruesome and hostile hellhounds that ended up preying on hundreds of hunters, hikers, and children. A posse was formed and the angry men tracked and eventually killed the rabid animals. Now, each year lighting bugs hatch and appear one night every summer in the vineyard. Old timers say each firefly represents the soul of one person killed by the abominations. On a lighter note, this Zin is beautiful, with dark blackberry overtones, blueberry, spiced raspberry, clove, licorice, sweet oak, and a thick palate presence. The finish lasts for roughly a minute and will make you howl at the moon. Usually $40.
2009 BARBED OAK VINEYARD, Estate Pinot Noir, Zara’s Block, Bennett Valley, Sonoma–$29.00 (246 cases prod.)
Here is where you really need to pay attention. I haven’t tasted a Pinot this good for under $50 in years. It was so long ago that a $50 Pinot then is probably $75 today. If you are looking for moderately priced, extremely high quality Pinot and Chardonnay, you MUST check out these Barbed Oak Wines. Passing up an opportunity like this would be like burning five hundred bucks. If you are smart and lucky enough to get some of these, you will understand what I’m talking about. The Pinot is dark and luscious with a thick mouthfeel and sweet, heady aromas. Earthy nuances are meshed with the deep core of dank red fruits and a complex array of high tones. I just had my first customers taste this wine a few minutes ago on 10/27 at 11:30 am. One sip and they bought a case. I would recommend following their very wise buying decision. I’m scheduled to get only ten cases of this wine, so like Blondie says, “Call Me!” Sometimes this piece of “literature” can be challenging to take seriously, so stop laughing about strip clubs, Aztecs, hellhounds, thugs, Moses, etc., and call us to get hooked up
2009 BARBED OAK VINEYARD, EstateChardonnay, Bennett Valley, Sonoma–$22.00 (379 cases produced)
Equally as awesome as their bodacious Pinot Noir, this Burgundy-esque Chardonnay will make French babes ride the tube. I am talking about surfing, pervert. Greg Bjornstad and John Raytek, who have made some of Sonoma’s best Pinots and Chards, crafted these delectable and beautifully priced wines. I think winery owner, Ed Pascoe, must have plenty of money since he took this vineyard from producing five tons an acre down to two tons per acre and only charges a mere tuppance for his wines. This slamming good Chardonnay tastes like forty bucks. Classic flavors of Bartlett pear, green apple, slate, and orange peel are French kissed with super clean oak. A rich texture is elevated and glorified by great structure and bright acidity. As the holidays approach, we will need lots of wine to appease the crowds that descend onto our cellars like thirsty, alcoholic vultures. These wines will save you some dough & thoroughly impress your flock, no matter where they fly in from.
2007 WHITE ROCK VINEYARDS, Claret, Napa Valley–$33.00
Just released, this is one of our favorite and best selling wines from Napa. The organically farmed vineyard is at the base of Atlas Peak, just outside of Stags Leap District. This location provides fruit that has mountain qualities combined with a soft, velvety texture. This wine is built to age for up to twenty years if you have that kind of restraint, but is enjoyable today by using a decanter. It’s as tight as a nun upon first sip but opens up like a mall on November 25th with about an hour of air. The wine has gorgeous Bordeaux-like aromas on the nose followed by whiffs of California’s sweet fruit. You’ll find flavors of (not necessarily in this order) black currant, black cherry, cocoa, herb, cedar, tobacco, and grilled fat. I recently drank a 1988 White Rock Claret that was surviving time like the great pyramids. If you want serious wine in your cellar that will truly age and develop but aren’t into paying hundreds of dollars for it, get some of this to drink now or whenever you get around to it.
2009 PICKET FENCE, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley–$17.00
Rarely, hardy ever, do we find really good Pinot for under twenty bucks. These days, it’s actually hard to find anything good for under twenty smackers. I couldn’t believe how delicious this very inexpensive Pinot was when I tasted it. Then, when Mr. Wine Rep told me the price, I flailed on the floor and started speaking in tongues as if I was in some weird church where they dance with snakes. It comes from a vineyard on Westside Road, which is in the Beverly Hills of the Russian River Valley where $60-$100 Pinots are the norm. I bet the rock walled neighbors of Picket Fence are furious for making them look like crooks and threatening their property value. You’ll feel highly intelligent and a little bit richer when you break into a case of this textbook perfect example of Russain River Pinot. This is the real deal with strawberry, cherry, minerality, cranberry, mushroom, and a long, salivating finish. It’s everything you could hope for in a Pinot and MUCH MORE than you would ever expect for seventeen bucks. It’s perfect for football games, breakfast, lunch, bedtime, and to leave with Santa’s cookies.
2008 MAURITSON, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County–$23.50
I almost forgot to put in a screaming good Cabernet for under $25. The winery sells this for $35, and we can get it to you for $23.50. How? Who the hell cares? How is Brittney Spears still successful? How is Keith Richards still alive? Why do people pay attention to Snooki and/or the Kardashians? What is important is that this wine is serious juice that could save you some serious dough while not short changing your taste buds. Merlot is blended in to soften the texture and round out the intense fruit. 2008 provided long hang time for the grapes, so the flavors are full and lengthy on the palate. Very dark in color and flavor, you’ll taste satiating black fruits, tobacco, and sweet oak. It pairs very well with thirsty holiday guests.
Best Sellers and Favorites
These are some best sellers and favorites from the past year that you may have missed or want to restock on.
2005 FORT ROSS, Reserve Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast–$30
2007 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN, Antaeus, Napa Valley–$32.00
2008 DEHILINGER, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley–$34.50 2009 OUTPOST, Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$60
2008 WHITE ROCK, Chardonnay, Napa Valley–$27.00
2009 GAMBA, Zinfandel, Russian River Valley–$36.00
2008 MOUNT EDEN, Estate Chardonnay, Sta.Cruz.Mtns-$50.00 2009 VERDE SOLE, Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills–$18.00
2008 DESANTE, Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley-$30.00 2007 LAGIER MEREDITH, Syrah, Mount Veeder, Napa–$43.00
2010 PICAYUNE, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$21.00 2009 STRAIGHT LINE, Syrah, Santa Barbara County–$23.50
2009 EVENING LAND, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills–$36.00 2009 STRAIGHT LINE, Syrah, Santa Barbara County–$23.50
2009 BRICELAND, Pinot Noir, Humboldt County–$27.00 2009 FOUR CAIRN, Syrah, Napa Valley–$35.00
2009 STRAIGHT LINE, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County–$27.00
2007 JEMROSE, Syrah, Cardiac Hill, Bennett Val., Sonoma–$38
2009 TRISAETUM, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley–$51.00 2010 PHOENIX RANCH, Cinsault, Becthold Vin., Lodi–$18.00
2008 SINOR-LA VALLEE, Pinot Noir, Talley Rincon–$40.00 2006 BARLOW, Merlot, Napa Valley–$29.00
2008 ST. INNOCENT, Pinot Noir, Momtazi Vin, Willamette–$36.00
2007 BELL CELLARS, Clone 6, Cabernet Sauv, Rutherford-$65
Groezingers would love to be of assistance with your holiday gift giving. We also do corporate gifts and can ship any quantity of wine; a single bottle, three pack, six or nine pack, and always love to ship cases. If you want your own cards enclosed, send them to us, and we’ll make it happen. We have standard holiday cards, funny cards, and downright raunchy ones too. We also have hundreds of wines not mentioned in this letter/email, so if you’re looking for something you don’t see, please call. 800-356-3970
