April is usually a pretty crappy month for business since you send money to the government instead of to Groezingers.  This year, April was like a good old fashioned bed shitting. I want to send a special “thank you” out to the 34 people that did call and order wine during the month of April. You all rocked the house, and thanks so much for your support. As for the other 1,966 of you that did not call, or have not called recently, I want to notify you of a change in policy. Groezingers is starting a wine club, and you’re part of it! By signing up for the newsletter, you have signed up for the wine club (this was Justin’s idea). You will receive a shipment of assorted wines each month that have been selected for you by me. There are two ways to opt out of the wine club. You can call and order a case of wine of your choosing during the month of May, and/or call and specifically ask not to be on the wine club. This will assure that you don’t get any of the incredible Gewurztraminer from Sineann, or the badass Viognier from Renard, or the simply-freaking-awesome Artist Series Cabernet from Woodward Canyon. And don’t even bother trying to unsubscribe, that option has been disabled. My genius hackers in India have procured your credit card info and billing/shipping addresses. Resistance is futile. If you don’t think this is very funny, you should call me and buy some wine to mellow out with, or just call and tell me my humor sucks and to shove it up my ass.  I don’t know what kind of wine you are buying, but this not calling me crap has got to end.  To make this as painless as possible, I am offering half price shipping on three case orders from May 9^th thru June 9^th.  I will do my best to give a shipping discount on any order, providing I don’t lose money on the deal.

***FYI…For those of you not familiar with Groezinger’s “humor”, I do not have Indian hackers, nor do I have your credit card number unless you know I do, and chances are that I won’t send you wine without hearing from or calling you…probably.  If you are concerned, call the Po-Po, their number is 911.  Don’t be paranoid, although being paranoid isn’t always a bad thing. Remember, “Just because you’re not paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not after you.”

UPS is available to most states, but we can send it anywhere since we are also bootleggers.   $25 ships a case of wine in the state of California and on the west coast, $40-$55 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, just call us at 800-356-3970 and we’ll give you an exact quote for shipping wine to your zip code.  That’s 800-356-3970

FREE SUMMER STORAGE IS ROLLING. BUY IT NOW AND I’LL KEEP IT COOL UNTIL YOU’RE COOL.

There’s a few repeats this month since last month’s letter was sooo good, and your response was well, not acceptable.

1.)  2009 KOBALT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley—reg.$90…for you–$81.00 Quit playing with yourself and get some Kobalt. This shit is bad to the bone and makes most Cabernets taste like watered down Merlot.  93 points WA.

2.)  2008 RAMEY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pedrigal Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Valley—reg.$170-200…for you $150.00 This killer jug got a 96+ rating from the Wine Advocate. Built to go the distance, this is one of Napa’s finest Cabernets.  Seriously stunning Cabernet, it’s $200 from the winery. That’s a $50 savings. Not cheap but a real straight deal.

3.)  2007 WHITE ROCK, Claret, Napa Valley–$34.00 One of the Napa’s best reds for the dough. Not for rookies. If you don’t like structured wines with purity and integrity that are drinkable AND age-worthy, definitely do not get this wine. Get some of that stuff with a big yellow smiley face on it at Trader Joes, or get some Prisoner for $40. That’s right. WHAT??

4.)  2009 PHILIP TOGNI, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mtn. Dist., Napa Valley—reg.$95…for you $85.00 Truly legendary Cabernet, as age-worthy as any Napa Cabernet, 95+ from the Parker team, get some for your kids to enjoy after you’re gone, and don’t forget about Togni’s 2008 TANBARK HILL, Cabernet Sauv., S.M.D., Napa…reg-$45..you-$36

Again, if you prefer drinking overpriced “beverages” instead of REAL wine, don’t get these. Go ahead, puss out. Waaaah.

5.)  2009 VINEYARD 7 & 8,  “7” Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District—reg.$80…for you–$65 They asked me not to discount this kick-ass Spring Mtn. Cabernet, but, when nobody called for it, I had no choice…Enjoy the killer deal.

6.)  2009 LEWIS CELLARS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley-$90.00 Wicked good, full throttle, massive Cabernet.

7.)  2009 LA GRANDE ROCHE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley—reg.$35…for you–$31.00 I have 1.5 cases left.

8.)  2008 LEVIATHAN, California Red Wine-reg.-$50…for you–$44.00 28%SY, 26%ML, 25%CS, 21%CF  Leviathan means “something unusually large or formidable.”  I went to school with a guy named Odel who called his dick Leviathan. Now, I get it. And you should get some of this wine. It’ll make your party way more fun without the use of creams or drugs. I think I just realized what those things that suck the air out of a bottle of wine are really for because they don’t preserve wine.               9.)  2009 PEIRSON MEYER, “MAQUETTE”, Napa Valley—reg.$55…for you–$49.50       (175 cases produced)

2009 HILLIARD BRUCE, Pinot Noir, “MOON”, Santa Rita Hills—reg.-$80.00…for you, this month–$70.00

There is California Pinot Noir, and then, there are a very few domestic Pinots that are more like an American version of Grand Cru Burgundy. This is one of the few and the proud. This Pinot is absolutely dazzling and mind bending. Other than Schoolhouse, I would say this is the best domestic Pinot Noir that I’ve had in a very long time. Six different Pinot clones (Calera, Pommard, 115, 667, 777, & 828) are grown on 17.5 acres of sandy silt soil with 6’ by 3’ spacing. The yields are less than two tons per acre and less than 1.65 pounds of fruit per vine. What does that mean? It means this stuff is highly potent with complex flavors, incredible structure, and has a gorgeous finish that just goes on and on and on and on. This is not a bottle for people that are looking for an expensive beverage, this is the real shit. The H.B. “Moon” is just coming into its drinking window, which should last for a good eight years or more. Flavors of cherry cola, baking spice, clove, cinnamon, red raspberry, black tea, and red magic are seamlessly sewn together in this wine that is sure to have you cursing with joyful profanities. For some of you who I know love great Pinot Noir, if I don’t hear from you, you will hear from me. As they rarely say on Antiques Road Show, “Sir, you have a national treasure.”  This is a national treasure in liquid form. If you have the money, which I think you do, you should get all over this like a fat kid on a chocolate cake.

2009 SNOWDEN, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley—regular..$85…for you my friend–$76.50

This is the best wine Snowden has produced. It is undeniably infuckingcredible. DO NOT SKIP OVER THIS ONE!!                                 When I tasted this wine, I was seriously blown away with the intensity, structure, power, balance, and purity. It is a perfectly grown and crafted wine that represents the specific reasons why we drink Napa Valley Cabernets. The greatest thing about this wine (other than the wine) is that it’s not $150 or $250 while there are many inferior wines that are that expensive. The thing that sucks about trying to sell you this wine through a piece of paper or an email is that I can’t pour it for you. I promise you and swear on my soul that you will love this truly remarkable hillside Cabernet. If you could taste it, you would definitely buy it. The Wine Advocate score of 94+ is a few points low in my opinion as I think this is a perfect Cabernet in every way. The darkest of red fruits, bordering on black fruits are accented with bold nuances of tobacco, mint, tar, and spice. Any flavors of oak are chewed up and integrated into this powerful and intense wine. The finish is long, persistent, and mouth staining. It is hard for me to say that if there is one Cabernet in this newsletter you should buy, this would be it. But more than likely, this would be it. It is a ridiculously great wine.

2009 WOODWARD CANYON, “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State—reg.$54..for you–$46.00

I LOVE this wine. In past vintages of this production, the use of oak has sometimes been heavy handed to say the least. With the 2009 vintage, things have changed a bit.  As vineyards used for this Cab have grown older, the vines have dug deeper into the ground, bringing out darker, more complex, intense, and earthy flavors. With that, the oak regiment was dialed back, allowing the powerful, deep, black fruit to shine through as never before. The fruit comes from several of Washington’s finest vineyards, and when blended together, the result is mind blowing. Black fruit and cassis are the primary flavors with hints of black pepper, cedar, tobacco, and a mere suggestion of oak.  If this wine was from Napa, it would sell for a hundred bucks. Last month, one very smart person named Lou bought three bottles of this. I should rip off your arm and beat you with the wet end for not getting some of this. Get over it and just pretend it’s from Napa. Seriously, one dude?  Out of 2000?

2009 ROWLAND TEBB, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Sears Vineyard, Howell Mtn., Napa Valley-reg.$72..you-$65

Only a few highly intelligent and sophisticated customers picked up this TRULY WONDERFUL wine. I mean, who doesn’t love a great Howell Mountain Cab?  Answer: White trash cranksters, chicks that love cougar juice (disgustingly buttery Chards), and most children under the age of seven.  If you don’t fall into those categories, you will be failing at life by not having this wine. Upon first sip, you’ll see the power and grace this wine has. Classic Howell Mountain terroir is brought to a new level here with Steven Tebb’s winemaking, a masterful use of very nice French oak, and the assistance of a great vintage.  The color is somewhere between dark purple and deep maroon with a luminescent, bright purple rim.  The flavors are uplifting and enlightening with concentrated black plum, blueberry, blackberry, and cocoa-dosed cherry that’ll  have you calling back for more. Less than 100 cases were produced, you can’t buy it anywhere but here, and that’s a great price for an awesome single vineyard Howell Mountain Cab. Do your tongue a favor and get some Rowland Tebb.

2005 RUDD, ESTATE, Oakville Estate Red Wine, Napa Valley–$115.00 (77%CS, 11%CF, 4%PV, 4%ML, 4%MB)

This is a re-release from the cellar of Rudd Estate. Not only is this a bad-ass Cabernet blend, it has some bottle age that puts it into its perfect drinking window with plenty of years to go. In addition to that, it’s a great price considering their current release retails for $193. When this Wine hits your tongue, it’s like a party in your mouth. Better than a birthday party, hooker party, or house warming party, this is like an “I just died and went to heaven party.”  It is everything you could hope for in a Napa Valley red. It’s like Bacchus greeting you at the pearly gates with a big Riedel full of Rudd. I know this sounds unlikely since Leslie Rudd is Jewish, and Bacchus is Pagan, but that’s how this story is, and I’m sticking to it. Jesus was Jewish and made wine, not to mention that he hung out with a hooker, and Bacchus also wore plants on his head, so just go with it. Approaching seven years of age with five years in the bottle, this Wine is a gem. 2005 was a perfect growing season that allowed these Grapes to be harvested from Sept. 22 until Oct. 31, resulting in perfect ripeness with each varietal that went into this Blend. Flavors of black currant and blackberry are followed with heavenly nuances of dark chocolate, coffee bean, and cedar. This Wine is so good that without it in your cellar and in your life, your chances of redemption might be diminished. Christians, Pagans, Jews, and Buddhists all agree that this Wine is one hell of an offering.

2009 VINE HILL RANCH, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$150.00

At the most recent “Taste of Oakville,” a trade tasting of the appellation’s most prestigious producers, this wine was the star of the show. That is, while being alongside the likes of Harlan, Bond, Screaming Eagle, Futo, Dalla Valle, and dozens of other epic Oakville Cabernets. The seven blocks of Vine Hill Ranch’s vineyards are located between Harlan and Dominus and have been farmed since the late 1800’s while the Phillips have owned the property since 1959. The Phillips family was just named the “Napa Valley Grower of the Year” by the NVG (Napa Valley Growers). The seven vineyard blocks provide a mix of old and younger vines in a variety of soils producing grapes with distinctively different characteristics that when blended together create something very, very special. If you hunt for the best and forget the rest, this is a wine you must not overlook. I am sure that sooner than later the VHR Cabernet will be awarded the coveted 100 point rating and become one of the practically unattainable unicorns of Napa Valley. The recently released 2008 vintage is already sold out while their 2009 will surely vanish soon considering the substantial press the deserving wine has received.

Very complex from the nose through to the finish, it shows a full spectrum of flavor from bright red fruit to the deepest of black/purple flavors and earthy nuances. The balance and structure are perfect, and the wine should develop for at least ten more years and live for a good fifteen years after that. At $150, this represents a true bargain when lined up with its neighbors and other Oakville producers in the $250-$1500 a bottle range. I’m lucky to get any of this wine, and you’ll be lucky if I have some left. I can only hope they will give me enough juice to supply my enthusiasm.

Some of these whites are from last month because I didn’t find any white wines that were better, and you must have been drinking tequila and Pacifico while on spring break. If y’all don’t grab some of the Navaherreros Blanco de Bernabeleva, I will be making a lot of thirsty girls happy this summer. Then, I’ll have to drive them around, feed them, and clean up the wreckage in the morning. So help me out here and take some of this summer fun away from me. And, there’s short list of some excellent wines that are sure to make your summer way mo-betta.

2009 NAVAHERREROS, Blanco de BERNABELEVA, Abillo (a very rare varietal), San Martin de Valdeiglesias, Vinos de Madrid D. O.–reg.$21.00….case–$19.00

If I were going to drink one white wine all summer, this would be the one. First of all, the wine is incredible, and I’ll tell you all about it. Secondly, the price for the quality of this is just insane. I know you don’t buy much white wine from me and buy even less Spanish wine, but this deserves an exception. I have NEVER had a better white wine for under twenty bucks, and I’ve drank A LOT of wine for a LONG time. Here is the short version of this incredible wine’s story…….

Bernabeleva. Here, on the eastern edge of Spain’s Sierra de Gredos mountains, a renowned Madrid doctor named Vincente Alvarez-Villamil purchased land in 1923. The site, which at that time was a full day’s travel from Madrid, spoke of its Celtic past, with ancient bears carved from boulders to mark forests dedicated to the hunt goddess. But the estate, which Vincente named Bernabeleva (“the bear’s forest”), held more than just an ancient history—it was, he believed, a special place to plant the noble Garnacha (Grenache) and Abillo—a place whose wines might exhibit profound character. But, the next decade brought increased political instability to Spain, and the Civil War that erupted in 1936 devastated the country. Though the family held onto the land, Vincente’s dream of making wine ended … for the time being……But in 2006, two of Vincente’s great-grandchildren, Juan Diez Bulnes and Santiago Matallana Bulnes, vowed to fulfill their ancestor’s dream. The estate’s vineyards were now 80-years-old, and there were Granacha vineyards to purchase from neighboring properties as well. Rejecting current fashions in Spanish wine, the cousins resolved to make wines of purity and expressiveness that were in harmony with the beauty of their ancestral land. Juan and Santiago’s ambitions were well supported by the terroir. The vineyards are more than a half mile above sea level, with warm days but cool nights, and with poor, sandy soils. The resulting wines have ample ripeness, but also astounding buoyancy and freshness.

When drinking this the other evening, a good friend of mine with an excellent palate who is studying for her Master Sommelier certification, asked with joy, “What is this? Is it a white Burgundy?”  Similar in many ways to a modern Burgundian Chardonnay, this baby is an unbelievable wine for the money. The vines are 80 years old!! That alone makes possible a minerally, complex, concentrated, sophisticated, delicious, world class wine. Combine that with the 900 meter elevation, cool climate, sandy granitic soils, organic farming and non-interventional winemaking, and you have a wine that is the perfect storm, firing on all cylinders, and achieving the magic that so many wineries strive for but fall short of because one of the elements is compromised or missing. This wine is a rare and special thing, and I am blown away every time I taste it. It is creamy and mouth-coating, with ecstatic acidity, and a finish equivalent to nirvana. Perfectly balanced flavors of white peach, almond dust, white flowers, bright citrus, delicate wild herbs, lemon crème brulee, and minerality effortlessly harmonize. The wine was aged in 2-3 year old barrels that give a glycerol texture while not imparting flavors of oak into this PERFECT and magnificent white wine.  I can’t remember EVER being this exited about a $20 bottle of wine.

2010 FORMAN, Chardonnay, Napa Valley—reg.$42-45…for you–$38.50

Forman’s Chardonnay has been a darling of mine and many others for years and the 2010 is a real doozie. This is as pure as Chardonnay gets in this hemisphere, and for under forty bucks, it’s a real deal for a wine of this quality. It is minerally and perfectly balanced with a divine texture. Overtones of ripe pear and tart apple are accented with nuances of slate with no interference of oak. The absence of malolactic fermentation keeps it racy on the palate and makes the finish linger for a short minute, only to draw you helplessly back like a bad habit. If you like real Chardonnay, you MUST check this out. While 2010 was a tough year for producing big red wines, we are seeing a lot of incredible whites from this cool growing season. Due to a lot of good press, this wine will probably be in short supply pretty soon.

2011 SINEANN, Gewurztraminer, Resonance Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon—reg.$21…for you–$19.00

This is, by far, the best domestic Gewurztraminer I had in twenty-three years of tasting and selling wine. Again, I am not BS-ing you to sell you a nineteen dollar bottle of wine. Upon first sip, you may suspect for one second that it might be too sweet. It is then, at exactly one second, that it pulls the zipper up your wiener and wakes up every nerve in your body with tingling acidity. This is the ultimate wine to go with Indian, Chinese, or any kind of semi-exotic cuisine with a spicy kick that might need a little cooling down. Overtones of white peach are followed with classic Gewurztraminer spice and a texture that is nothing but orgasmic. And that’s saying a lot, especially after you just got your weenie zippered.

2009 POINT CONCEPTION, Caperona Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County—reg.$20…for you–$18.00

These grapes came from the awesome Sierra Madre Vineyard in Santa Maria. The fruit was whole cluster pressed, then split into two separate lots and fermented in two distinctively different ways. Half was fermented at 48° Fahrenheit for 38 days to dryness, and racked into neutral oak. The other half was fermented in neutral French oak with a yeast known for adding a leesy richness in barrel fermented Chardonnay. The lees were stirred daily during primary fermentation.  The two separate wines were then blended together and aged in barrel for a short period without stirring the lees. This is the best Chardonnay you could hope to find for under $20. It has much pricier flavors of spicy apple, crème brulee´, nuances of honey, and delicate tropical flavors and aromas.

2008 RENARD, Viognier, Kick Ranch, Sonoma County—reg.$24…for you–$21.75 (150 cases produced)

2009 STOLPMAN VINEYARDS, La Coppa Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley–$20….reg.-$25 70%Roussanne, 30%Viognier

2011 CEP (Peay Vineyards), Sauvignon Blanc, “Hopkins Ranch”, Russian River Valley—reg.$24…for you–$21.00

2010 PICAYUNE, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$21.00

2005 FORT ROSS, Reserve Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast–$30.00  reg.-$40 Magnificent coastal Chard, young and alive

2009 SCHOOLHOUSE, Chardonnay, Spring Mtn. District, Napa Valley–$50.00 Bright, minerally, rare, and beautiful

2010 KISTLER, Sonoma Mountain, Chardonnay–$60…regular price..$70

2010 MARGERUM, Chenin Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley—reg.$21…for you–$19.00 Check last month’s review, yummy

MERCAT, Cava-El Xamfra-Brut–$15 You’d be hard pressed to find a better bubbly for under $25. It is delicious.

2004 RICHARD GRANT, Reserve Napa Valley Sparkling Wine, Wrotham Clone, Pinot Noir–$36…reg.-$40

2008 CRISTOM, Syrah, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon–$28 So Rhone-like, it’s hard to believe it came from the U.S. of A.

2009 GAMBA, Old Vine Zinfandel, Estate, Russian River Valley–$36….reg.-$45 BIG!! 16.4% Alc., 105 yr. old vines

2009 PETER FRANUS, Brandlin Vineyards Zonfandel, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$33…reg.$37

2010 CASTALIA, Rochioli Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley–$54…reg.$60 Super-killer Pinot Noir

2008 HONRAMA, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley(Rutherford)–$25….reg.-$48 The best Cab available for $25

2007 VOLKER EISELE Family Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley—reg.-$50…for y’all–$45

2009 MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS, Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains—reg..$55…to you–$49.50

2009 MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains—reg.-$55…to you–$49.50

2009 MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS, Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains—reg.-$55…to you–$49.50

The Mount Eden wines are some of California’s biggest sleepers year after year. For the modest price of fifty clams these wines over-deliver and hang tough with much pricier Burgundy and Bordeaux offerings. It seems like lengthy reviews cannot convince most folks to check out Mount Eden’s wines while the same customers come back every year for these wines because they know how bad-ass they are. They usually score between 92 and 96 points from a variety of reviewers and are one of my favorite California wineries. The Chard and Pinot are two of the most truly Burgundian styled wines in the state and the Cabernet definitely has Bordeaux-like characteristics. Call me if you want some, you’ll be glad you did.

APRIL 2012 1-800-356-3970

Dear All Y’all,

I have some really great news about a true story that is happening right now with a good friend of mine and his mother.

The mother of my close friend in Pasadena California has had Alzheimer’s for the past four and a half years. She’s been confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak, and in need of constant supervision and care in every way. Recently, Carlos started giving his mother four tablespoons of pure coconut oil each day, in one ounce servings throughout the day. Two and a half weeks after starting the coconut oil doses, she was able to walk around (with assistance), speaking in full sentences, and continues to make remarkable progress.  If you go online, there are others who have had similar successes.  They have been using “pure” coconut oil that is available on the interwebs and in health food stores.

I am certainly not a doctor (thank God for humanity) and am not making any medical claims or promises that this works in all cases, but,  if you know of someone who could potentially use this information, please, pass it on to them or their family. It has certainly helped my good friend’s mother immensely.

I’ll probably get on the coconut oil just to be on the safe side since I’m a little wacked out and forgetful as it is. Maybe then, I can get rid of that jar of pills that’s labeled, “If you can’t remember what these are for, take them all.” And don’t forget that wine is heart healthy and good for the mind, body, and spirit when consumed in proper amounts. That amount can vary between individuals, so it’s best to have a bunch on hand in case of an emergency.

UPS is available to most states, but we can send it anywhere with the help of the mob.  Oh, right, I forgot…there is no mob.  $25 ships a case of wine in the state of California and on the west coast, $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, call 800-356-3970 and we’ll give you an exact quote for shipping wine to your zip code.

Nor am I a meteorologist, but, I can assure you that summer is coming and it will be warm to hot in another month or two.  We offer summer storage, but, now is a great time to get some juice for summer enjoyment.

1.)  2009 KOBALT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley—reg.$90…for you–$81.00 An amazing Cabernet from Coombsville made by consulting winemaker, Mark Herold. This wine rocks the house with deep black fruit, hints of smoky char, spice, red fruit, and a long finish with firm tannins.  If you like the big, super-hedonistic Cabs, you will love this wine.

2.)  2008 RAMEY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pedrigal Vineyard, Oakville, Napa Valley—reg.$170…for you $150.00

3.)  2008 PARADIGM, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley—reg.$62.25…for you $56.00 This is the heaviest Paradigm Cabernet in many years. Much thicker and more intense than usual, their 2008 is f-ing GREAT.

4.)  2009 PHILIP TOGNI, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mtn. Dist., Napa Valley—reg.$95…for you $85.00 Truly legendary Cabernet, as age-worthy as any Napa Cabernet, 95+ from the Parker team, get some for your kids to enjoy after you’re gone, and don’t forget about Togni’s 2008 TANBARK HILL, Cabernet Sauv., S.M.D., Napa…reg-$45..you-$36

5.)  2009 VINEYARD 7 & 8,  “7” Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District—reg.$80…for you–$72.00

Giant, full blown, balls to the wall, mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that shoots first and asks questions later.  Made by Luc Morlet with tannin management in mind, you can drink this dark Spring Mountain Cab now or cellar it away for 6-8 years.

6.)  2009 LEWIS CELLARS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$90.00 Thick and structured, with a complex band of red and black fruits, a hint of cocoa, and a nice layer of oak that’s one of the signature trademarks of the Lewis portfolio.

7.)  2008 DARMS LANE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bon Passe Vineyard, Napa Valley—reg.$60…for you–$54.00

A beautiful example of the under-hyped and fabulous ’08 vintage. This 500 case production from the western end of Oak Knoll delivers the truth. It’s vibrant and intense with impeccable balance and distinctive terroir. It should age for many years.

8.)  2008 LEVIATHAN, California Red Wine-reg.-$50…for you–$44.00 28%SY, 26%ML, 25%CS, 21%CF  Leviathan means “something unusually large or formidable”, which this wine is. It’s made by winemaking superstar, Andy Erickson, of Screaming Eagle. Big, round, and solid, this beast is ready for immediate consumption. Don’t be scared.

9.)  2009 TALLEY, Estate Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande Valley-reg.$36..for you–$32.50 I featured this wine last month, and for a wine of this quality at this sweet price, y’all didn’t pick up what I was throwing down.  Go ahead and pick it up.

10.) 2010 ROWLAND TEBB, Pinot Noir, Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Coast—reg.$42…for you–$38.00 Usually Pinots from Durrell Vineyard are much more expensive than this. Full bodied, bold red fruit, zippy acidity, and soft fuzzy tannins.

2009 WOODWARD CANYON, “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State—reg.$54..for you–$46.00

I love this wine. In past vintages of this production, the use of oak has sometimes been heavy handed to be nice. Even with strong oak nuances, this wine was usually incredible and a relative bargain compared to some of Napa’s offerings. With the 2009 vintage, things have changed a bit.  As vineyards used for this Cab have grown older, the vines have dug deeper into the ground, bringing on more complex, intense, and earthy flavors, reminiscent of a left bank Bordeaux. With that, the oak regiment was dialed back, allowing the powerful, deep, black fruit to shine through as never before. The fruit comes from several of Washington’s finest vineyards, and when blended together, the result is magnificent. Black fruit and cassis are the primary flavors with hints of black pepper, cedar, tobacco, and a mere suggestion of oak.  It is absolutely fabulous now and should continue to improve for at least ten years. A wine of this magnitude from other areas of the world could easily cost twice as much. I cannot urge you strongly enough to get over any phobia or reservation you might have toward Washington Cabernet and get some of this in your arsenal. You will be surprised and amazed.

2009 LA GRANDE ROCHE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley—reg.$35…for you–$31.00

Don’t be too upset if I’m out of this wine when you call since we only received 7.5 cases of this super bitchin’ Cabernet from Rick Forman’s estate on Howell Mountain. Rick’s 2009 estate Cabernet received a 97 point rating from the Parker crew, and this wine is what didn’t quite make the $90 cut. At one third the price, this wine is two thirds as good as the “estate” offering while being the best Cab under $35 I’ve tasted this year. It is serious stuff with a not so serious price. The depth and complexity are impressive to say the least, and the wine will fair well in your cellar along side pricier treasures. If you need to pad your cellar, this is the one that’ll do it with style. Intense and vibrant in the nose and on the palate, you’ll detect loamy black fruits, bright red fruit, spice, herb, and a hint of black licorice. I think this wine will evolve into a very sexy beast with just a couple years of cellaring. Don’t wait or hesitate or you’ll be too late.

2009 ROWLAND TEBB, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Sears Vineyard, Howell Mtn., Napa Valley-reg.$72..you-$63

I featured this wicked good Cab before the 2009 vintage was en vogue and when this wine was very young. Now that the word on the street is all good about the 2009’s, I am not alone in my claims. The ’09 vintage is like a combination of the 2007 and 2008. I’ve been finding most Napa Cabernets have very forward, ripe, and accessible flavors, while showing nice structure, acidity, and balance. In my humble opinion, the 2009’s should be rated higher than the heavily touted, very ripe, and sometimes rasin-ish 2007’s. Remember how many of the ‘97’s went past their prime way too soon?  It just might happen with the 2007’s….we will see.  That’s one of many reasons you should have some of this kick-butt, micro production, nicely priced, 2009 Howell Mountain Cab made by Steven Tebb. He’s Robert Craig’s winemaker.  Upon first sip, you’ll see the power and grace this wine has. Classic Howell Mountain terroir is brought to a new level here with Tebb’s winemaking, a masterful use of very nice French oak, and the assistance of a potentially great vintage.  The color is somewhere between dark purple and deep maroon with a luminescent, bright purple rim.  The flavors are uplifting and enlightening, only to humble you like a strong hallucinogen. It is a small journey from the top to the bottom of this bottle. Concentrated flavors of black plum, blueberry, blackberry, and cocoa-dosed cherry will have your head spinning and extremities tingling. I know this sounds far fetched, but it is true. This stuff is the shizzle for rizzle. Under 100 cases were produced, you can’t buy it anywhere but here, and that’s a great price for a great single vineyard Howell Mountain Cab.

2009 PETER FRANUS, Brandlin Vineyard Zinfandel, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley—reg.$36.50…for you–$33.00

The Brandlin Vineyard was planted in the 1920’s, making these vines possibly the oldest on Mount Veeder. It’s a dry farmed, head trained vineyard that’s 1200 feet above the Valley floor. This wine is consistently wonderful every year, and this vintage is one of my favorites. The 2008 was named “best Zin of the year” by Wine and Spirits magazine out of 200 Zinfandels. I think this wine is every bit as good as the ’08, and maybe a bit softer and more generous. The juice was aged in Burgundian French oak barrels to add complexity and elegant refinement. Quite dark in color, the flavors of bright blackberry are accented with minerality, pepper, clove, anise, and a soft earthiness from the significant age of the vines. All in all, this is a spectacular Zinfandel that is boosted with an 8% bend of Charbono that puts it over the top. There are plenty of good Zins on the market, but few posses the terroir and personality of this rock star wine. The new generation Peter Franus package has the bold PF on the label and I think it they should add an S so it could imply, Pretty F’ing Spectacular.

2009 CARGASACCHI, Pinot Noir, Cargasacchi Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills—reg.$40..for you–$36.50

Peter Cargasacchi came in the other day with his wines and, lemmee tell ya, I was impressed. Not only is he the funniest person I’ve met in years, his wines are purely spectacular. As I’ve come to find out, Peter is kind of a big deal in the world of California Pinot Noir. He’s a cutting edge grower with an incredible palate and a deep knowledge of everything related to making world class Pinot Noir. The 2009 growing season was a dry year with only 12 inches of rain, making for small yields, small clusters, and tiny berries. This made for a greater skin to juice ratio and a dark, complex wine. I’ll slightly plagiarize his tasting notes since he knows more about this than I do. Raspberry, smoked cranberry, and sage on the nose. The wine has a thick mouthfeel and a sensual texture with flavors of concentrated cherries, zesty red plums, wild berries, and a wide range of soft spices. Peter’s use of different rootstocks on the same clones gives a natural complexity rarely found in California wines. This is serious Pinot Noir that will cellar up nice while being delicious in its youth.

2008 LAIL, J. Daniel Cuvee, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley—reg.$140…for you, this month–$120.00

Lail’s J. Daniel Cuvee is consistently one of my favorite wines from Napa year after year. Many wines in the “cool kid’s club” may receive higher scores from the press, but few deliver the purity and sheer quality of this production. Philippe Melka made 509 cases of J. Daniel this vintage from vineyards in Calistoga, Oakville, and Howell Mountain. That’s where the “cuvee” comes in on this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Like discussed before, the 2008 vintage may not have received the immediate praise that 2007 did, but is now starting to shine and get the recognition it deserves. It’s like that skinny, kind of nerdy girl in high school that got her teeth fixed, lost the spectacles, went to the gym, and got a $15,000 boob job that she paid for herself with her own money from her kick ass job. It’ll make you wish you’d been nicer to her back in the day.  So, be nice today so that you can enjoy the voluptuous, sexy flavors and fleshy curves this sweetheart will soon have. Robert Parker is kind of like a wine pedophile, while I prefer nailing them when they’re a little older and know how to please a whole table full of men….or women for that matter.  Aromas and flavors of currant, blackberry, black tobacco leaf, deep red fruit, and a mild influence of French oak will bring out the wine nerd in the studliest of connoisseurs.

2009 PEIRSON MEYER, “MAQUETTE”, Napa Valley—reg.$55…for you–$49.50       (175 cases produced)

I’ll admit this month’s letter is a little Cabernet Sauvignon heavy.  Here’s a bend of 50% Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Oak Knoll Merlot. The marriage of these two varietals and two vineyards is pure drinking enjoyment. Powerful, bold, and structured mountain fruit is hooked up with supple and juicy Valley floor Merlot, resulting in a straight up yummy blend that is sweetly priced considering the Pritchard Hill fruit is very, very expensive. This is serious wine with a very friendly texture and loads of complex flavors.  Dark, black, earthy flavors are mellowed out with soft, red, juicy fruit and a very mild influence of French oak. Winemaker, Robbie Meyer, doesn’t miss a beat or a note and has never made a wine that I have ever disapproved of.  “Maquette” means artistic works in progress that lead to a final masterpiece.

2009 ARIETTA, “Quartet”, Napa Valley—reg.$55…for you–$50.00    (60%CS, 17%CF, 17%ML, 4%PV)

One more spledo-blendo from winemaker, Andy Erickson. This dark and complex blend is immediately accessible and/or cellar worthy for five to ten years from vintage date.  Grapes are sourced mostly (70%) from Coombsville in southeast Napa, with the remainder coming from Carneros and Calistoga. This sourcing, along with many hours of blending trials, has created a great wine that’s quite versatile. The wine is medium to full bodied with flavors of red currant, dark wild berries, blackberry, a hint of anise, and sweet toasted oak. It’s complex and totally satisfying in many ways. The main vineyard source in Coombsville was planted by vine-master David Abreu in 2003. This is the fist vintage of Quartet to incorporate these Abreu grapes and seems to have made a big difference in elevating the wine’s already very high quality.

SUPER ROCKING WHITE WINES, SOME RIDICULOUSLY INEXPENSIVE

2010 FORMAN, Chardonnay, Napa Valley—reg.$42-45…for you–$38.50

Forman’s Chardonnay has been a darling of mine for many years and the 2010 is a doozie. This is as pure as Chardonnay gets in this hemisphere, and for under forty bucks, it’s a real bargain for a wine of this quality. Minerally and perfectly balanced with a divine texture, flavors of crisp pear and tart apple and are accented with nuances of slate with no interference of oak. The absence of malolactic fermentation keeps it racy on the palate and makes the finish linger for a short minute, only to draw you helplessly back like a bad habit. If you like real Chardonnay, you MUST check this out. While 2010 was a tough year for producing big red wines, we are seeing a lot of incredible whites from this cool growing season. Due to a lot of good press, this wine will probably be in short supply pretty soon.

2010 MARGERUM, Chenin Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley—reg.$21…for you–$19.00         (131 cases produced)

This wine is just stupid good. That means it’s so good, you’d be stupid not to get some. Okay, I know Chenin Blanc isn’t the first thing on your mind most of the time, but after I tasted this, I think about it a lot.  The fruit comes from old vines planted in the 1970’s in the Firestone family’s vineyard. Harvested at exactly the right minute, these perfectly ripe, tight clustered grapes were 25% barrel fermented and 75% stainless fermented, then aged for six months in oak prior to bottling. I am not f**king kidding around here, even the winery says they are “giddy about this wine”, and, “if they were right wing Republicans, this would be their Sarah Palin.” This wine is hard to describe because I’ve never had anything quite like it. It tastes like the most incredible dry grape juice ever, with a hint of nectarine, minerality, and magically integrated oak that doesn’t even taste like oak. I can’t beg you enough to get off whatever white wine train you are riding and get on some of this. At $19, it’s not like I’m making much money on the deal, I’m just doing my job and hooking you up with the goods.

2011 SINEANN, Gewurztraminer, Resonance Vineyard, Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon—reg.$21…for you–$19.00

I must say that I am pretty impressed with my wines this month. This is, by far, the best domestic Gewurztraminer I have ever had in twenty three years of tasting and selling wine. Again, I am not BS-ing you to sell you a nineteen dollar bottle of wine. Upon first sip, you may suspect for one second that it might be too sweet and cloying. It is then, at exactly one second, that it pulls the zipper up your wiener and wakes up every nerve in your body with tingling acidity. This is the ultimate wine to go with Indian, Chinese, or any kind of semi-exotic cuisine with a spicy kick that might need a little cooling down. Overtones of white peach are followed with classic Gewurztraminer spice and a texture that is nothing but orgasmic. And that’s saying a lot, especially after you just got your weenie zippered.

2008 RENARD, Viognier, Kick Ranch, Sonoma County—reg.$24…for you–$21.75        (150 cases produced)

Here’s yet another spectacular wine that isn’t the best financial move for this business, but is really good news for you as a consumer. This is a perfect and beautiful expression of serious Viognier at a very nice price. It was fermented without undergoing malolactic fermentation and aged in neutral oak to preserve the varietal character and bright fruit. Flavors of ripe peach and jasmine are followed with hints of mandarin orange, minerality, and an awesome palate presence. The wine is floral on the nose and just delicious. There are many Viogniers selling at twice this price that aren’t half as good. It’s a perfect wine for many foods, but would also be outstanding by the pool on a scorching day with nothing on….the table.

2011 CEP (Peay Vineyards), Sauvignon Blanc, “Hopkins Ranch”, Russian River Valley—reg.$24…for you–$21.00

Andy Peay came by a couple weeks ago and left me a bottle of this that was roughly 2/3 full. We tasted it each day for about six days, and noticed very little to no deterioration in the wine. Very impressive for any wine, especially at this price. The fruit is sourced from the Hopkins Ranch in the R.R.V., not from their estate vineyards near Annapolis on the Sonoma Coast.  It has blazing and balanced acidity with a nice mouthfeel and plenty of fruit. It has super bright flavors of lemon-lime citrus and slate-like minerality with a great crisp finish. It’s a perfect wine to pair with summer foods from the garden, seafood, shellfish, and will also make a great refresher on hot summer days and warm evenings.  When you drink it, mosquitoes won’t bite you, you’ll catch more fish, and it seems to improve your golf game. All this for $21. Amazing!

2010 LEWIS, Chardonnay, Sonoma County–$50.00

Maybe you’re the type that doesn’t like steely, linear, crisp wines. You want meat on the bone. Here is a Chard that could be classified as “the other white meat”. Lewis makes them big and bold, rich and thick, mouth coating and full of intense flavor. The cool growing season of 2010 made for a later harvest with bright fruit and great acid balance, giving this full bodied Chardonnay killer structure while putting a lot of complex flavors in the bottle. Fruit comes from some of the oldest planting s in the Russian River Valley’s Dutton Ranch.  Flavors of lemon, tangerine, spiced honey, and subtle orange zest are melted together with malolactic fermentation and sweet oak. Like mentioned in the Forman review, the cool 2010 vintage is kicking out some of the best white wines northern California has seen in years.

2009 POINT CONCEPTION, Caperona Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County—reg.$20…for you–$18.00

This is Peter Cargasacchi’s “second label.” Like I said before, Peter is one of the funniest people I’ve met in years. He said they paired this wine with baby penguin at a winemaker dinner recently because adult penguins are too difficult to defeather.  He told us that he got penguin eggs from the zoo since they couldn’t possibly hatch all the eggs, for then they would then have too many penguins. Peter said he incubated the eggs until they hatched and then fed the little guys with wet cat food until they were almost one foot tall. All that without cracking a smile. I was on the floor. He is my brother from another mother. These grapes came from the awesome Sierra Madre Vineyard in Santa Maria. The fruit was whole cluster pressed, then split into two separate lots and fermented in two distinctively different ways. Half was fermented at 48° Fahrenheit for 38 days to dryness, then racked into neutral oak. The other half was fermented in neutral French oak  with a yeast known for adding a leesy richness in barrel fermented Chardonnay. The lees were stirred daily during primary fermentation.  The two separate wines were then blended together and aged in barrel for a short period without stirring the lees. This is the best Chardonnay you could ever hope to find for under $20. It has much pricier flavors of spicy apple, crème brulee´, nuances of honey, and delicate tropical flavors and aromas.  And, it pairs well with baby penguin.

Over the years our love has withstood the trails of economic hardships, massive alcohol abuse, foul and tasteless wine reviews, tired and repetitive jokes, and a complete disregard for any proper literary structure.  With the recent developments of Proposition 8, Justin and I might settle down and start a family.  We’ve talked about adopting Mamie for years but were hesitant because of what people might think.  Now the time seems right.  Late winter and spring are kind of like a second holiday season with Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, the beginning of festival season, St. Patrick’s Day, The Daytona 500 (hell yeah), President’s Day, and April Fools Day. They should probably move President’s Day to April 1^st.   PARAS CAB CONTEST RESULTS: Fist of all, to win, you must enter.  Out of 2000 customers, I received three entries.  The chances of winning were pretty good.  John (asked to be kept) Anonymous from Pittsburg was the winner with this entry.  I asked for reasons why you didn’t buy the 2007 Paras Cabernet Sauvignon in December.  John wrote…….We currently live in Pittsburgh.  My wife and I often laugh with other Pittsburgh transplants when we hear some good “still mill” dialect.  For example, this weekend I offered neighbor a glass of the Bell Cabernet he replied, “No, I don’t want any of that shit like that there.”  My wife spit a spray of red across the room because she thought he said, “I don’t want to shit like a deer.”   Well, we know the Bell Cab doesn’t make a person shit like a deer, but my wife is concerned with PARAS- In Pittsburgh, we pronounce that “up her ass”.  Consequently, Rick, my wife thinks she has a pretty good reason for not trying this one. ……Congrats John Anonymous.  You’ve won 3 bottles of 2007 Paras Cabernet Sauvignon, a $200 value.  Our runner up, Jeff Edmunds, said he doesn’t want a wine with black tobacco, scorched earth, and toasted oak.  He said from the descriptors the wine sounded like an interlacing of Copenhagen, napalm, and pencil. He also said his wife would be suspicious if he only got three bottles of wine from Groezingers, thinking he was spending his money on less wholesome pursuits………..Jeff, we don’t want to get you in trouble, but you should go to www.toutsuite.com and check out the “2-6-12 Tasting in the Dark” where the 2007 Paras Cabernet Sauvignon stomps the competition.

UPS is available to most states, but we can send it anywhere with the help of the mob.  $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 call 800-356-3970 and we’ll give you an exact quote for shipping wine to your zip code.

1.) 2009 CHAPPELLET, “Pritchard Hill” Cabernet Sauvignon, Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley–$126.00

2.) 2008 DOMINUS ESTATE, Napa Valley–$173.00 **99 big assed points from Robert Parker**

3.) 2009 PHILIP TOGNI, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mtn. District, Napa Valley–$86.00 **95+ Galloni**

4.) 2007 PARAS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$42.00 **the best you can do fer forty two**

5.) 2009 STELLARESE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$32.00 **the best you can do fer thirty two**

6.) 2009 ROBERT CRAIG, Affinity, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$43.50 **92 points from Galloni/Parker**

7.) 2007 BELL CELLARS, Clone 6, Cabernet Sauvignon, Georges III Vineyard, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$65.00

8.) 2008 DAVID FULTON, Estate Petite Sirah, St. Helena, Napa Valley–$40.00

9.) 2009 FOUR CAIRN, Syrah, St. Helena, Napa Valley–$34.50 **ass kicking small production Syrah**

10.) 2009 BARBED OAK, Pinot Noir, Zara’s Block, Bennett Valley, Sonoma County–$27.00

11.) 2010 CADE, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$23.50 **perfect balance, bright and vibrant with a big mouthfeel**

12.) 2010 MAZE, Sauvignon Blanc, Knights Valley–$25.50 **like a stylistic blend of white Bordeaux, New Zealand SB**

13.) 2010 PIERSON MEYER, Sauvignon Blanc, Ryan’s Vineyard, Napa Valley–$26.50 **our house favorite**

14.) 2010 PLUMP JACK, Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley–$41.00 **big, rich, thick, and creamy with a zip**

15.) 2009 EL MOLINO, Chardonnay, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$45.00 **as fine as Napa Chardonnay can be**

I usually don’t sell wines from larger producers like Cakebread because they already have established national distribution.  But when the opportunity came to sell their winery exclusive wines, I had no choice.  Check it out…..

2009 CAKEBREAD CELLARS, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley–$51.50

2009 CAKEBREAD CELLARS, Syrah, Napa Valley–$50.00

2009 CAKEBREAD CELLARS, Zinfandel, Lake County–$31.00 –and just in case you wanted some……

2008 CAKEBREAD CELLARS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$66.00

FEATURED RED WINES

If you live in the Southern (hot) states, now is a perfect time to load in some wine from Groezingers before the heat returns. We are always happy to store your summer purchases but really want to sell you some wine right now.

2009 CHESTER’S ANVIL, Hattori Hanzo, Napa Valley–$32.00        Only 150 cases produced….call soon if you want it.

This is a wine that thoroughly impressed me upon first sip.  Not only is the wine masterfully crafted and blended, it’s named after one of the greatest and most famed warriors of all time.  If you love excellent wine and are a Japanese history buff, or if you like the Kill Bill movies, this needs to be in your stash.  It’s a perfectly balanced, seamless blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petite Verdot, and Syrah. This project is a collaboration of the Lagier-Meredith team and Aaron Pott.  It is of unparalleled quality for a wine that’s under $35 and appears on the wine list of Morimoto (no surprise) and The French Fucking Laundry (surprise) for $195.  If my margins were that sweet I could take all y’all to lunch at TFFL every time you came to visit.  The Bordeaux varietals are from several appellations around Napa while the Syrah is from the Lagier-Meredith estate on top of Mt. Veeder. This awesome, rare, and affordable wine has a great palate presence with ultra-pure flavors of silky black and red fruit, a very light earthy nuance, and just a hint of integrated French oak. The Syrah is noticeable but not overbearing in this wine, giving it a blast of power and complexity hardly ever found in a $32 wine.  Most of my wine-geek buddies who have tasted this wine are surprised it doesn’t sell for $50 or $60. You’re gonna love this stuff.

2008 BLACK CORDON, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$58.00

Only 285 cases of this Cabernet were produced, and there are only few boxes left now.  This is big, massive, balls-to-the-wall Cab that’s made by one of California’s top winemakers, Paul Hobbs.  The Paul Hobbs Napa Cabernet Sauvignon sells for $85 a bottle and this wine is clearly a far bigger and better wine than that. That’s gotta be a tough gig…. “Let me make your kick ass estate grown wine that’s gonna make me look like a crook with my purchased Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from one of Napa’s top bio-hazards, the Stagecoach Vineyard”. Did I actually write that? Whoops.  The Black Cordon vineyard is situated at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains just west of the Oak Knoll District (southwest Napa Valley). There’s a blend of 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petite Verdot in this very dark and full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon. Black-purple in color, this wine is opaque with BIG flavors built to match the intimidating color. If you have the patience, this wine will be a superstar with a few years of age. Flavors of black cherry with black currant, cassis, herb, spice, graphite, and smoky toast will tell you exactly what Willis was talking about with a wallop of flavor and a finish that lingers for a long, heavy minute.

2008 PIERSON MEYER, Cabernet Sauvignon, Versant Vineyard, Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley–$77.00  (300 cases)

Sometimes we feature a truly great wine in this thing and receive a real shitty response to it. That’s when we stick it in here again and call you names for fucking up your cellar.  Jackass, palate-less pudd-whacker, Yellowtail chugger, Popov-lover, funnel cake fanatic, you like Slim Jims and chicken nuggets and J. Lohr Cabernet, your kids drink better than you do, you started drinking wine because you are the biggest April Wine fan in the world, you’ve given up on life and wear sweats all the time, duca-licker, backwasher, Libby-glassware-owner, McRibaficionado,  you dry out Skoal in the microwave and roll it up when you are out of Kools.  If that’s not enough to convince you to buy this wine then you are a smelly booger-eater.

This is Pierson Meyer’s crown jewel, it’s the best wine they’ve ever made, and is drastically underpriced at $77. I’ll repeat…. It’s polished, concentrated, weighty, balanced, and has a long, bright future in the cellar. On the palate you’ll get blackberry, currant, anise, vanilla, and cocoa.  This is one of Napa’s great Cabernets that doesn’t make it to the pages of the Spectator or Advocate. Be original, buy cool wine, support the little guy, drink Pierson Meyer wines, and don’t be a booger eater.

2009 DELILLE CELLARS, “D2”,  Columbia Valley, Washington–$36.00

This is my best selling wine from Washington. For years, the resistance was discouraging. I heard stuff like, “We don’t drink Washington wines-” or “I just buy Napa-” or  “What, like Columbia Crest?” or “I don’t think so, we’re in Napa-” or “Washington? Like where they grow apples?” or “Do you have Opus One?” or “Can I hold the Screaming Eagle?”

At the end of the day, it’s great to know that I have open minded customers that trust their own palates and don’t care where a vine is farmed, as long as the wine is kick ass. This newly released D2 is a blend of 55% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petite Verdot. It’s very dark in color and weighty on the palate with a complex band of flavors. Here are the flavors the winery believes to be in this wine. I noticed many, but not all of these. Call me a novice. Aromas: fresh cherries, cinnamon, plum brandy, mocha chocolate, fennel seed, and cigar box.  Flavors: Bordeaux blend flavors, black currants, black cherries, blueberries, mint, black pepper, brown butter, & toasty oak.  The 2009 D2 will age for a good ten years, drinks great right now, and promises to develop into a sweetly priced cellar treasure.

2010 SEXUAL CHOCOLATE, California Red Wine–$18.50 (75% Old Vine Howell Mtn. Zin., 25% Santa Barbara Syrah)

Here’s a wine that’s ready, willing, and able. It’s never been more affordable to let your loved one know that you are ready to get at it. Whether “getting at it” means cleaning out the garage or oiling up that back door that’s been locked all winter depends on the household. But when you’re chowing down on the brown butter or marinating the tube steak, it’s always good to have the Sexual Chocolate within arms reach. This is a great Tuesday night wine that goes great with pizza, pasta, steaks, burgers, hot sweaty sex, meatballs, quiche, and carnitas tacos. When you whip out your Sexual Chocolate, the mood is set, and it’s difficult to think about anything other than the obvious. You are no longer white, you be a brother for the next three hours.

Puh-Puh-PINOT CRAZY!@#$%

2008 SCHOOL HOUSE, Estate Pinot Noir, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$85.00

This gets released on Valentine’s Day, and if you want some, you should call soon to reserve yours.  2008 was a frost vintage so allocations will be smaller than usual. On years with lighter yields, the flavors usually are concentrated and amplified, so look for this to be a very memorable wine from School House.  This is their 51^st vintage of producing Pinot Noir.

2008 SCHOOL HOUSE, Mescolonza, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$40.00

Maybe y’all waited to get this because you knew it wasn’t released until 2/14. Well, it’s released and ready to go. See ya soon.

2009 KNEZ, Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley–$27.00                                Mmmmmmmmyummy

The 2009 vintage was an exceptional in the Anderson Valley and this wine will verify that. The Knez Pinot has super bright red fruit, wonderful high notes, and a big, rich palate presence. I love this wine so much, it would be very easy to down a full jug myself. Even though you’ll only pay $27 for it, you will refrain from sharing it with your buddies because you’ll want to put the whole bottle straight to your dome. Cherry, strawberry cream, pomegranate, and light clove will have you down on your kneez jonesing for spilled drops after the bottle is gone.  It should age for a good five more years, but not around our house as we can’t stay outta the goods.  Pick up a few jugs of this and see how strong your will power is.

2009 ELK COVE, “Roosevelt” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley–$61.50

The 2009 Roosevelt Pinot will go down in the books as a classic.  Like a ’65 GTO or a ’68 Camaro, this wine is of hot rod status. And yes, it will help you impress the ladies or lady in your life.  Congruent with most classic things, it won’t really become classic until you give it a few years in the garage.  And who knows, in ten more years, this stuff could be $100 a bottle at release.  So take it easy, James Dean, don’t be in a hurry to floor it, this is a marathon, not a sprint.  The 2009 Roosevelt Pinot is delicious today but will continue to develop for many years to come. In this heavenly liquid, you can find flavors of deep cherry, clove, cola, sassafras, and exotic spice.  If you want some of Oregon’s finest Pinot, look no further. To get something better, you’ll need to cough up more than $100 for some Elk Cove Reserve, Grace Vineyard, or Sitar.

2009 LA FOLLETTE, Pinot Noir, Manchester Ridge Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge–$45.00

Okay, so I’m going a little Pinot crazy this month. But isn’t that what every girl wants in February? A bunch of different Pinots temptingly dangled in front of her face, all so delicious that it doesn’t really matter which one she grabs and devours first. Seriously though, these Pinots are all individually fantastic and distinctively different.  Mendocino Ridge, Napa, Oregon, Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley…..Do you have any idea how long I had to drive to get these wines? How many tweakers I sped by?  How many pot farms I drove through? How many coastal switchbacks I almost drove off? How many micro-breweries I had to stop at? This vineyard is 2000 feet above the Pacific Ocean on the Manchester Plain. Like Fort Ross, this is truly coastal farming with mild winters, early bud break, slower growth, and long hang time. Juicy, mouth-filling red fruits are met with granite-like minerality, pork fat, brown spices, and cocoa. The flavors are mouthwateringly intense and lengthy. Only 494 cases were produced, and Pinot Noirs this good never stick around for too long.

2008 L’ ANGEVIN, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley–$41.00

It’s probably becoming obvious that I love all the L’Angevin and Pierson Meyer wines. My other Pinots are getting jealous and threatening to find another cellar and a drinker that’s completely infatuated with them.  I’m trying my best to convince my Pinots that it’s not cheating, it’s studying.  One of my Mount Eden Pinots said to me, “If you’re just studying, why don’t you study with a magnum?” I replied, “If I’m gonna learn something new it’s going to be with two little ones, not one big fat one.”

Obviously, I’ve studied big jugs before. But, the little ones are so much easier to handle and way easier to hide in case of a shakedown…….This wine, forever this wine, only this wine has these flavors in this order….Black cherry, bergamot, black tea, spice, sandalwood, forest floor, and white chocolate.  With the 2008 vintage being surrounded by the heavily hyped 2007 and 2009 vintages, some of the great 2008’s were overlooked and put in the corner.  NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER!!!!  This wine spent as much time in the barrel as many Cabernets, 19 months. Overoaked?  Hell no. This baby has so much fruit and flavor that it could take all the wood you could give it, only to come up with a smile and ask for more. Like a famous winemaker once said, “A wine can’t be over-oaked, it can just be under-wined.” There is no under-wining here.  Pick up on some of this and you’ll be studying what real Russian River Pinot is all about. But be careful when you sneak these bottles into your cellar and be sure to wipe off your corkscrew before approaching your other jugs.

2009 FOUR CAIRN, Syrah, Napa Valley–$34.50

What would this newsletter be without a really kick-ass Syrah? Even shittier.  What would you drink with the grilled lamb? Who in their right mind wouldn’t have a good stash of Four Cairn?  I love this wine, but sometimes that doesn’t matter. Check out what the Rhone Report wrote about this Syrah. I couldn’t have stated it better……..“2009 Four Cairn Syrah (USA, California, Napa Valley, St. Helena) $38 A serious and very well done Syrah, the 2009 Four Cairn Syrah, 100% Syrah aged for 16 months in 45% new French oak, delivers a straight up fantastic array of cassis, smoked bacon, pepper, game, and violets on the nose. Both rich and yet fresh at the same time, this medium to full-bodied Syrah is perfectly balanced, possessing good concentration, a pure, seamless texture, and a classic, focused finish. I’m a fan and this has a northern Rhône-like complexity paired with California fruit. It should continue to impress for 12-15 years. (93 pts.)” The winery is technically sold out of this wine but has reserved a few cases for Groezinger’s customers. That’s you. This wine is for you. Hook yourself up. Come on.

FEATURED WHITE WINES

2009 OAKVILLE RANCH, Estate Chardonnay, Oakville, Napa Valley–$33.00

For over 20 years, Oakville Ranch has been dishing out this stellar Chardonnay that’s anything but ordinary. Only 178 cases were produced from a single block of the Oakville Ranch Estate 1400 feet above the Valley floor. The ranch’s very red and rocky volcanic soil gives this Chard minerality that’s unlike almost anything from California. Flavors of pineapple, orange zest, peaches, and green apple are married with a dose of nice French oak.  It’s also one of those mysteriously cool deals. The winery sells this for $45 on their website, and for the time being we can sell it to you for just $33.

2009 L’ANGEVIN, Chardonnay, Laughlin Vineyard, Russian River Valley–$41.00

Here’s a Chardonnay that’ll make you give up on that $20 shit you get at the Super-Biggie-Cost-Saver store. This is Russian River Chard at its perfection and from a great growing season. They pull out all the tricks for this wine by using wild yeasts for fermentation, stirring the lees on a weekly basis, aging in barrel for 16 months, doing 100% malolactic fermentation, and bottling unfined and unfiltered.  When you devour this wine you might notice flavors of lemon meringue, cinnamon, fig, and stony granite. What stood out to me the most was this wines incredible mouthfeel and texture. It’s thick and creamy all the way through with great acidity on the finish to keep things straight. Summed up, this is a textbook perfect Russian River Chardonnay with some extra bells and whistles for the serious and critical connoisseur.

2009 PIERSON MEYER, Chardonnay, Charles Heintz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast–$50.00

Let’s assume you are a very serious and critical connoisseur that wants more bells and whistles. Well, this Chard has more bells and whistles than the Winter Olympics. It’s like a souped up version of the L’Angevin Chardonnay with more, more, more of everything. The difference starts with the 40 year old vines, their close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and the elevation of the vineyard that keeps the whole show above the fog line. This makes for incredibly complex wine with brilliant acidity and ripe, full throttle flavors. Along with the classic white pear and golden apple flavors come nuances of orange, apricot, orange blossom, slate, flint, and minerality. I can get down the mountain pretty fast when there’s a bottle of Pierson Meyer at the lodge. As the skier said to the snowboarder, “I shredded the gnar through the Sierra cement and bonked on a bombhole. Dude, my disco sticks were chattering as I left a snotsicle on that knuckle dragger. Let’s go take some kickers and put the hurt on that Pierson Meyer Chard, Bro.”

2010 MATTHIASSON, Napa Valley White Wine–$32.00

For a while now, I have been wondering how the hell I’m gonna convince you that you should buy this wine. That was until I was at a tasting where Steve Matthiasson simply said to someone, “It’s Conundrum for wine geeks.” That’s exactly what this is. A blend of 59% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Ribolla, 14% Semillon, and 7% Tocai Friulano will have you remembering those childhood days when you first started drinking and Mom always gave you Conundrum in your sippy cup. You thought it was great until you were thirteen and blew your guts out from the residual sugar right in front of your gal. This bright and complex wine is fermented dry and not made for kids.  The Sauvignon Blanc brings a clean, fresh, citrusy acidity and some tropical character. The Ribolla Gialla brings seashell minerality, nuttiness, and structure to the blend. The Semillon contributes viscosity and a ripe fig and beeswax character that adds gravity and weight. The Tocai Friulano adds spicy aromatic notes. The acidity and fruit expression is balanced by a rich lees character and a backdrop of sweet oak. This is like Conundrum for wine geeks. This is wine for sophisticated adult palates. Branch out, go out on a limb, or just fall out of the tree and leave the mainstream behind with this very complex and unique white blend.

Dear Beloved Groezinger Customer,

For some of us, it’s nice to have 2011 in the rear view mirror. Like Lindsay Lohan…hopefully the days in jail are over, and kudos to that brilliant airbrush artist. Have you seen the before and after shots? Wow. I predict a big 2012 come back for her… come back to jail, that is. Kim Jong Il, no coming back from death. At least he won’t be so ronery and all arone anymore.  And how about the Cubs?  Don’t hold your breath, although I’d love to see them win the Pennant. Charlie Sheen sure deserves a comeback. Come back to rehab. Maybe they could put him in a new sitcom called Three and a Half Grams. And who needs a comeback more than anyone?  Groezingers does. And with cool weather across the country and end of year bonuses in your pockets, now is the perfect time for you to make a difference. We usually send out two semi-desperte letters a year. One in January since our business comes to a screeching halt around December 15, and one in May after tax season. It’s a curse for most businesses that ship wine and while we are accustomed to the pattern, it’s not nearly as much fun as an enema. So this month, remember who loves you and needs you (other than your family). A world without Groezingers would be a sad place. And for those who live in the sweet South, this is the perfect time of year to be shipping your wine while the weather is nice and cool. Our January wine sale is on the last page, so check it for some incredible deals on a few items.  This month’s features are delicious and I’ll apologize in advance for screaming at you for not buying any Paras Cabernet last year. What were you thinking? And no Riesling? Really?

UPS is available to most states, but we can send it anywhere with the help of the mob.  $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 call 800-356-3970 and we’ll give you an exact quote for shipping wine to your zip code.

IF YER LOOKIN’ FER A WINE NOT LISTED, GIVE US A BUZZ AND WE’LL DO OUR BEST TO GET IT.

1.) 2009 DIAMOND CREEK, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Rock Terrace, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley–$155.00

2.) 2009 DIAMOND CREEK, Cabernet Sauvignon, Volcanic Hill, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley–$155.00

3.) 2009 DIAMOND CREEK, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gravelly Meadow, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley–$155.00

4.) 2009 ROBERT FOLEY VINEYARDS, Merlot, Napa Valley–$50.00

5.) 2008 LAGIER MEREDITH, Estate Syrah, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$43.00  (95 points, Wine Advocate)

6.) 2009 COHO, Headwaters, Napa Valley–$38.50    (66%CS, 32%ML, 2%PV)

7.) 2009 COHO, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Pinot Noir–$38.00

8.) 2008 JACK QUINN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Agave Rose Vineyard, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$70.00

9.) 2008 BLANKIET, Napa Valley–$185.00  (82% Cab Sauv, 16% Malbec, 1%Petite Verdot, 1%Cab Franc)

10.) 2009 TITUS, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley–$34.00

11.) 2008 CADE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$65.00

12.) 2008 BLACK SEARS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$72.00  I never expected this wine to still be available. If you love Howell Mtn. Cabernet, you are just being silly and/or stubborn not to get some of this.

13.) 2009 BLACK SEARS, Zinfandel, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$40.50 Winemaker, Thomas Brown, says this Zin is like the 2008 times two. It’s a big, earthy, meaty, spicy, and distinctively Howell Mountain from a great vintage.

14.) 2007 PETER FRANUS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$36.00  A few years ago we featured the 2002 vintage of this wine to be overwhelmed with the positive feedback and repeat orders.  This wine is very similar to the 2002, will age great, and deserves a taste before you skip over it. We recently drank a 2001 Franus Cab and it was magnificent.

15.) 2010 OWEN ROE, Pinot Noir, “The Kilmore”, Yamhill/Carlton, Oregon–$38.00

This wine was in our December letter, but apparently I lost y’all in translation. Let’s keep it simple…. Incredibly delicious. Thick texture. Beautiful color. Awesome producer. Limited quantity. Immediately drinkable. Cellarable. Cool label.  Great price.  If you would like more details, please call. Or if you want to order some wine, call now. Operators are standing by.

****We are happy to send 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 packs of wine if you want to try a bottle or two before you commit to a full case. Whatever we can do to help make buying wine fun and easy, let us know. We’ll tell you a joke or email you some weird stuff if that inspires you to get a few bottles.

2007 DOMAINE EDEN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains–$32.00

This wine was in last month’s letter with a very light response. I guess I failed to mention that the grapes in this wine are from Mount Eden Estate and Ridge’s famed Monte Bello Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This is Mount Eden’s second label and is quite similar to their estate Cabernet in many ways. If you like Mount Eden’s pureness, elegance, and classic styling, you can save some dough here and get some high grade mountain Cabernet from a real nice vintage.

2007 PARAS VINEYARDS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$42.00

This wine is the reason why you read this letter and pay the $25 yearly subscription fee. This full bodied and cellar-worthy Mount Veeder Cabernet used to be $75. A deal like this hasn’t come along since the 2005 Charbay Cabernet Sauvignon, and this is by far the best Cabernet in the store for under $45. Now, reasons why you didn’t buy this wine in December; a) You quit drinking for the holidays.  b) The economy isn’t as good as the news says it is.   c) You’re not into Cabernet anymore. Your new thing is Tokaji.  d) You really hate a great deal and enjoy paying full price.  e) You are suspicious of a wine called Paras that’s not French.   f) You realized Yellowtail is almost drinkable if you plug your nose while you slam it.  These are all far fetched reasons not to but this wine, just like the reason why you didn’t get this last month. So….if you think you don’t want this wine, call and tell us your reason. We will give three bottles of this wine to the person with the best reason for not wanting it and will publish that reason in our February 2011 letter, so let’s hear your best bullshit.  It’s big, dark, and full bodied with HUGE MOUNTAIN structure. Flavors of black tobacco, blackberry, black cherry concentrate, blueberry, toasted oak, and scorched earth will make you curse in satisfaction and hope you have some more. This Mount Veeder Cabernet will age for at least another ten years while remaining quite drinkable today if you don’t have the patience.

2007 MONTAGNA, Tre Vignetti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Pritchard Hill)–$45.00

Here’s one more great wine most of you didn’t pick up on last month. From the family that ignited the whole Pritchard Hill craze, comes this kick ass new brand with old school flair. Owner, Bob Long, is also partners in the well known David Arthur Winery, also on Pritchard Hill.  When I tasted this wine, I thought, “Great, another $100 Cab from one of Napa’s old school legends.” Then, I was informed that it retails for fifty bucks, so I thought, “That’s a screaming good deal on one of the finest new productions from Napa.” I also figured that if fifty bucks is a great price, then forty five would be even better. Other wines from the Pritchard Hill neighborhood start at a hundred bucks and go up to $450 pretty fast. This beautiful mountain Cabernet has bold new-world flavors complimented by old world structure and what is known as unmessedwithness. Winemaker, Nile Zacherle (David Arthur Vineyards), lets the three vineyard bocks (Tre Vignetti) do the flavor blending on their own. Firm mountain tannin is hidden by heavy layers of dark, ripe fruit, and a polishing of sweet oak. Flavors of black plum, cherry compote, briar, earthy loam, candied cassis, and mocha will explain to you why this wine is such a good deal.  Customers that taste this wine in the store buy it without thinking twice. Convincing you through the U.S. Mail or the interwebs isn’t as easy.  Now, don’t be a skeptical doubter, just remember we taste a lot of wines to find the best.

2008 DAVID FULTON, Estate Petite Sirah, Old Vines, St. Helana, Napa Valley–$40.00    (300 cases)

Do you know what heritage tastes like? It tastes like David Fulton Petite Sirah. This vineyard has been continuously farmed by the same family since the mid 1800’s. It’s the longest continuously owned and farmed vineyard in California. Currently, the vines are seventy five years old, dry farmed, and organically grown.  The color is as dark as the clear night sky, the flavors are saturating and satiating, and the 2008 is one of their best wines so far. That says a lot since they’ve been making wine for about 150 years now.  Because of a very dry and frosty spring, the 2008 crop set was much lower than usual resulting in a tiny 300 case production. This smaller harvest was more intense and concentrated than most vintages from David Fulton making the 2008 a must have for those of you who have enjoyed the Fulton wines in the past.  Dark aromas of poached black and red fruits are fluffed with a coddling of French oak.  The flavors are deep, long, and broad.  Black cherry, black raspberry, currant, spice, earth, and toasted oak will take you back to a time before Wine Spectators, Advocates, points, and ass kissing for sales.

If you even remotely like Petite Sirah and don’t pick up some ’08 David Fulton, you will have missed something quite special.

2008 PIERSON MEYER, Cabernet Sauvignon, Versant Vineyard, Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley–$77.00  (300 cases)

The Versant Vineyard is one of Pritchard Hill’s finest and was recently sold to the Mondavi family to go into their next attempt at something drastically overpriced; Continuum. 2009 was the last year the Pierson Meyer team received Versant fruit, so this is a good opportunity to save yourself seventy bucks and get some of this before it’s gone or before it morphs into a $150 bottle of Newpus Two.  This is Robbie Meyer’s favorite of all the P.M. Cabernets. It’s more refined than the 2006 and not as ripe as the 2007. It’s polished, concentrated, weighty, balanced, and has a bright future in the cellar. On the palate you’ll get blackberry, currant, anise, vanilla, and chocolate.  This is one of Napa’s great Cabernets that doesn’t make it to the pages of the Spectator or Advocate. Be original, drink cool wine, support the little guy, and drink Pierson Meyer.

2009 STELLAREESE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$32.50    (300 cases)

This wine just came through the front door and kicked our asses. Much more New World/Californian in style than the Domaine Eden, it has bold, ripe flavors that spill from the glass and coat your palate. Hailing from a vineyard just north of Calistoga near the legendary Duffy’s rehab, this wine is so good it will bring a quick end to anyone’s sobriety. Dark, ripe, black, and purple fruit gushes from every sip. It is a crowd pleaser of a Cabernet and will most definitely appeal to everyone who doesn’t hate wine. It should be easy for you to figure out….. it has “Stellar” in the name. Duh!!?!

2009 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN, Zinfandel, Eastern Exposures, Napa Estate–$41.00

2008 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN, Estate Reserve Zinfandel, Napa Valley–$50.00

Maybe you’ve noticed the Storybook Mountain wines are in this newsletter quite a bit. Compare that to the frequent mention of God in the bible. The Bible is about God, this is about great wine. Of course we’re gonna mention it a lot!  We’ll also mention how easy it is to wind up sober, thirsty, and wishing you had Storybook Mountain Zins in your life. Seriously though, all it takes to be partying down with angels and cherubs is a small contribution to the Bleeding Heart Church of Groezingers in Yountville, CA.  Another reason why Storybook graces these pages so often is that there really aren’t better Zins than these. Sure you could find Zins that are different or from somewhere else, but will they actually be better?  Probably not.  The 2009 Eastern Exposures Zinfandel is winemaking perfection combined with unsurpassable fruit.  It has brilliant high notes with ripe berry, subtly firm tannin, and corralling acidity. The persistent flavors of blackberry, sweet oak, raspberry, briar, and espresso are stretched to extremes and evolve into a big finish.  The 2008 Estate Reserve Zinfandel is so good, its absence could actually lower the value of your other wines. Keep your property value up with a rack of Storybook Reserve. Overtones of mountain-grown raspberry, cherry, and blackberry might just encourage you to cook with your other Zins. Along with the very full bodied characteristics, this Zin comes with a soft and sensual side too. The combination of big & bad with soft & mellow will get you in touch with your innermost feelings for the varietal no matter what team you play for.

2008 SCHOOLHOUSE, Estate Pinot Noir, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$85.00

This gets released on Valentine’s Day, and if you want some, you should call soon to reserve yours.  2008 was a frost vintage so allocations will be smaller than usual. On years with lighter yields the flavors usually are concentrated and amplified, so look for this to be a very memorable wine from Schoolhouse.  This is their 51st vintage of producing Pinot Noir.

2008 SCHOOLHOUSE, Mescolonza, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$40.00

Maybe things are getting a little predictable downstairs in that special place you only let your closest friends go.  Does it seem like every time you open it up the same old juice comes out?  Are you forty-something and looking to try something new? Something you’ve never done before? Let the Mescolonza help you mix things up a little bit. Peel off that tight red foil, carefully stick your instrument in and pull gently as you steadily rotate. Okay, now you’re ready to put it in your mouth. Or share it with your friends if you want to. This is a kinky blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and old Rhone varietals like Carignane, Alicante Bouchet, and Grand Noir. Like a Zinfandel with a schizophrenic personality, this wine will pair with anything off the grill, it’ll age great for the next 5-7 years, and will make you feel sexy for trying something new.

2007 HUGE BEAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$50.00   (100 cases)

Alright, check this out. This wine is actually declassified Knights Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a one time production made with fruit from the famous and very expensive Dr. Crane and To-Kalon vineyards. Most wines from these vineyards start at $110 and go up from there. This is a kick ass, one time deal that’ll be gone in a New York minute.  If you have actually read this far and don’t buy this wine, then I would like to mention what a great fire starter the paper version of this letter is. I will barely touch on what a fantastic vintage 2007 was since the press has already done a fine job. And with the 2010’s and 2011’s on the way, this is a great opportunity to stock up on some high grade wine before we weather the storm. Black cherry, bing cherry, currant, spice, and black tobacco will get your rocks off like the expensive stuff for a fraction of the price. It’s like paying for Swisher Sweets and smoking Cohibas. It’s like paying for bathtub crank and doing blue Peruvian. It’s like buying a Big Mac and waking up at the French Laundry with your face in a bowl of oysters and caviar.

2009 PHILIP TOGNI, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$86.00

Here is the new 95+ rated estate Cab from the most legendary producer in Napa. The reason we feature this wine every year is that there isn’t a better producer with a more consistent track record of making age worthy and world class wines. This ’09 is accessible now and will probably age for another 20 years in a good cellar. Antonio Galloni from the Wine Advocate called these wines, stunning, breathtaking, and seductive. A lot of people call us looking for age-worthy wines from a certain year to celebrate a marriage or a birth of a child. This is the wine to do it with, so I hope you did something in 2009 that you want to continue celebrating.  Even if you had a shitty 2009, you should get some of this to make it better. The tightly knit flavors of super dark red fruit, eucalyptus, briar, and herb will make you feel at least two and a half years younger while letting you know you are wise beyond your years.  Forget the hype and fluff of Napa’s “cults” and get some of the original gangsta.

2010 CALERA, Chardonnay, Mount Harlan–$31.00

The last few vintages of Calera’s Mt. Harlan Chard have been stunning to say the least. Chalky minerality has always been a key component in the flavor profile of this Chardonnay, and this vintage is no exception.  Tropical fruit is on the forefront here with nuances of quince and pear.  These vineyards were planted tin the early eighties and at roughly 25 years of age, they are producing some of the best fruit in the country. This is a wine that takes you far away from the mainstream style of domestic Chardonnay production while maintaining super high quality and purity.

2009 WHITE ROCK VINEYARDS, Chardonnay, Napa Valley–$27.00

Announcing the new release of Groezinger’s best selling Chardonnay.  This beautiful Chard is entirely estate grown, organically farmed, barrel fermented in mostly neutral oak, undergoes only partial malolactic fermentation, and will cellar for a good 6 to 10 years.  The vineyard is at the base of Atlas Peak, just outside of Stag’s Leap District and Oak Knoll. This is a superior site for growing grapes, influenced by the cool San Pablo Bay while still getting lots of sunlight and heat.

GROEZINGER’S 2010 JANUARY WINE SALE

We only have a few bottles of each of these wines so don’t expect much quantity on any of these items at these prices. This is intended to make some room for this year’s new items, not to detour you from this month’s featured wines.  Sadly, this month’s featured wines will never make it to the sale page. A few do have massive reductions from their original price.

1. 2008 SNOWDEN, Cabernet Sauvignon, “The Ranch”, Napa Valley–$44.00      sale price $35.00

2. 2006 SMITH WOOTON, Cabernet Franc, Gallagher’s Vineyard, Napa Valley–$35.00    sale price $20.00

3. 2006 SURH LUCHTEL, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley–$50.00   sale price $30.00

4. 2008 HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE, Red Mountain, Washington–$28.00   sale price $20.00

5. 2007 VIRAGE, Napa Valley (CF, ML)–$48.00   sale price $30.00

6. 2006 PARADIGM, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$65.00   sale price $50.00

7. 2005 MAYACAMAS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$65.00 sale price $52.00

8. 2008 KOBALT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$90.00   sale price $75.00

9. 2007 PAGE, “The Stash”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$100.00   sale price $60.00

10. 2008 RAMEY, Claret, Napa Valley–$39.00   sale price $30.00

11. 2009 ROUND POND, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$30.00    sale price   $21.00

12. 2007 LONG MEADOW RANCH, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Rutherford)–$50.00    sale price   $38.00

13. 2008 SURROUND, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County–$30.00   sale price $22.00

14. 2006 GRGICH HILLS, Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$60.00   sale price $45.00

15. 2008 DESANTE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$60.00      sale price   $45.00

16. 2006 KNIGHTS BRIDGE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley–$90.00    sale price $70.00

17. 2007 VIN ROC, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Atlas Peak)–$90.00    sale price   $70.00

18. 2008 VINEYARD SEVEN & EIGHT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District–$80.00    sale price $60.00

19. 2006 VERISMO, Malbec, Napa Valley–$50.00   sale price $20.00

20. 2005 HOPPER CREEK, Estate Merlot, Yountville, Napa Valley–$30.00   sale price $15.00

21. 2005 TEDESCHI, Merlot, Napa Valley–$25.00    sale price $13.00

22. 2008 RIDGE, “Geyserville”–$35.00   sale price $29.00

23. 2007 HEIBEL RANCH VINEYARDS, “Loppa’s”, Napa Valley–$32.00   sale price $24.00

24. 2005 CORTE RIVA, Petite Sirah, Lake & Napa County–$50.00    sale price $20.00

25. 2006 SHOWKET, Asante Sana, Napa Valley–$50.00   sale price $30.00

26. 2009 SANS LIEGE, “The Offering”, Paso Robles, G.S.M.V.–$28.00     sale price $22.00

27. 2010 BEDROCK WINE CO., “The Bedrock Heirloom”, Sonoma Valley–$35.00   sale price $26.00

28. 2010 GROUNDWORK, Grenache Rose, Santa Barbara County–$13.00   sale price $8.00

29. 2010 BIG BASIN VINEYARDS, GSM Rose, California–$18.00   sale price $13.00

30. 2010 EMERY ESTATE, Viognier, Sierra Foothills–$21.00    sale price $16.00

31. 2009 SIX SIGMA, Pinot Noir, Christian’s Vineyard, Lake County–$29.00    sale price $22.00

32. 2007 SIX SIGMA, Tempranillo, Lake County–$42.00   sale price $30.00

33. 2008 ADASTRA, Pinot Noir, Carneros–$40.00    sale price $32.00

34. 2009 EXPRESSION 44°, Pinot Noir, Oregon, Eola Amity Hills–$30.00     sale price $22.00

35. BRICELAND, Rose of Pinot Noir, Humboldt County–$17.00    sale price $11.00

36. 2009 JACQUELYNN, Cuvee Blanc, Sonoma County–$45.00   sale price $35.00

37. 2010 PEY-MARIN, Riesling, The Shell Mound, Marin County–$26.00   sale price $21.00

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 25^th 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

Dear Groezinger Customer,

Are you scared yet? Just when you thought it was safe to go to your mailbox, we’re back with our October issue.  With All Hallows Eve looming ominously on the horizon, we are forced to face our deepest fears and accept with bitter agony that once the pumpkin cuttin’ is over with, it’ll soon be turkey stuffin’ time, then stocking stuffin’ season, and then yet another year in the can.  And if all that isn’t scary enough, Justin is back for a special guest appearance. Justin is the Man; he’s given more farewell performances around here than The Who only to be put back on the menu more times than the McRib. For all of you that missed him, give a call soon to say hi and buy some bottles from him because you just never know when he’s gonna tip his hat and ride off onto the sunset again. For the time being, we’re reunited, and it feels so good, especially since we’ve had the pleasure of putting together the phenomenal wines you’ll find in this month’s newsletter.  We have plenty of juice from old friends, extended family, a few surprising new comers, and, as usual, a few items from last month that you clearly overlooked. The dog day afternoons of summer are behind us, and it is once again safe to ship just about anywhere, which brings us back to our most commonly asked question . . . “Does Groezingers still have that bitchin’ three case shipping deal?” You bet Justin’s ass 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 $100 will ship three cases almost anywhere in the continental U.S.  If this is too confusing, just call 800-356-3970, and I’ll give you an exact quote for shipping wine to your zip code.

Summer storage season is drawing to a close, so it would probably be wise to have your wine shipped before we start drinking it. If we’ve been sitting on your stash, don’t worry, it is safe and sound, but you’d be a fool not to buy a few more cases to take advantage of our three case shipping deal.  And if you already have three cases, you’d be down right crazy not to pick up a few more, because the holidays will be here before you know it!

CALL US TO HOOK YOURSELF UP ON SOME HALLOWEEN SWEETS! ALL TREATS, NO TRICKS, WE PROMISE!!

1.) 2008 TIERRA ROJA, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Estate, Napa Valley-$125.00 PRESALE!! SHIPS IN NOV.! This is the finest vintage yet of what we firmly believe to be the ultimate example of Oakville Cabernet. Perfection!

2.) 2008 FORMAN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Napa Valley-$80.00 Absolute dynamite brand new release! 92 ST.

3.) 2008 REVIVAL, Cabernet Sauvignon, Karios Vineyard, Napa Valley-$115.00 A Groezinger exclusive.  Stunning.

4.) 2006 ROBINSON FAMILY, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley-$90.00 Big and bad!

5.) 2008 ROWLAND TEBB, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Sears Vineyard, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley-$65.00 Items 2,3, and 4 were featured last month, and frankly, many of you overlooked them. Justin was so pissed he flew all the way from the Himalayas just to yell at you. These are some very serious wines that you can only get from us. Call us!

6.) 2008 ROBERT CRAIG, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley-$72.00 Tight and right.

7.) 2008 ROBERT CRAIG, Cabertnet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley-80.00 It is no secret that Robert Craig has been on quite a roll over the past few years and these wines are no exception. Big mountain Cab at it’s best!

8.) 2007 HENDRY, “HRW” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley-$23.00 This is probably the best deal going on Napa Cab. It seriously makes us wonder if George accidentally put his expensive stuff in the wrong bottle and then just said “screw it”. Multi-layered and textured with gobs of lush black fruit, expansive ripe tannins, and the right touch of oak.

9.) 2008 WOODWARD CANYON, “Artist Series” Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington-$40.00 What a steal! 93+ from Wine Advocate, normally fifty bucks, with fruit coming primarily from Washington’s oldest Cabernet vines (Champoux Vineyard), this is a big and balanced wine with a Bordeaux like structure and personality.

10,) 2007 FORT ROSS, Reserve, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast-$44.00 Another gem from last month too good to miss.

10.) 2008 BOHEME, Pinot Noir, Taylor Ridge, Sonoma Coast-$41.00 Brilliant depth and complexity, ultra polished, this is a gorgeous wine made with minimal intervention, although you may need an intervention after you taste it.

11.) 2009 BIG BASIN, “Homestead”, (49%Grenache/43%Syrah/11%Cabernet), Santa Cruz Mountains-$30.00 Another stellar wine from Big Basin, this is a dark and concentrated wine redolent of crushed violets, black currants, spice box, crushed rock, and whoop-ass. The only problem with Big Basin is you always seem to run out of it too fast . . .

FEATURED RED WINES

2008 DESANTE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley-$55.00

It has long been said up and down the Valley what a nice guy David DeSante is, which makes it ironic that he makes this wine. That is because this when you merely sniff this wine, it smacks you in the face, grabs you by the crotch, looks you straight in the eye, and calmly informs you that it is about to kick your ass. The fruit for this wine comes from a chosen few immaculately farmed vineyards in Oakville, a few of which we are not allowed to tell you the name of, in an area of east Oakville surrounded by cult wineries with long driveways, locked gates, and very expensive mailboxes. Bizarre late frosts and record high temperatures made 2008 an extremely difficult vintage for most wineries, but DeSante and his colleagues found ways to harmonize with Mother Nature’s tough love. The tiny yields of extremely ripe grapes resulted in a wine of incredible weight, depth, and intensity, surpassing even his potent 2007 vintage. This mean S.O.B. packs punch after jaw shattering punch of black cherry, wild blackberry, fig jam, plum tart, dark cocoa bibs, and the signature hints of Oakville red earth and wild mint, all delivered in a rich velvety cascade of fine grain tannins and French-vanillin Oak. This wine is approachable now with an hour or two in the decanter.  However, in another couple of years, this bruiser will unleash it’s deepest unrestrained fury and will certainly hold together for at least another decade. This is one Cab you shouldn’t miss, and as many of you remember from last year, this tiny production sells out fast. Incidentally, Dave also makes the insanely good 2008 Tierra Roja Oakville Cabernet, listed on the front page.

2007 OLIVIA BRION, Red Blend (69%Cabernet Sauv/31%Cabernet Franc), Napa Valley-$75.00

One of the great things about being a long time wine consultant in the Napa Valley is that it gives you access to some of the best fruit from the best vineyards for your solo projects. Dave Mahaffey is one such fellow. One of the great things about having a wine shop in Yountville with long established relationships with such fellows as Dave Mahaffey is that you can get their wine when no one else can. Groezinger’s is one such wine shop. Dave bottled a miniscule 50 cases of this wine for Olivia Brion, a blend of ultra plush Cab Franc from the famed Stagecoach vineyard, and Cabernet grapes hailing from such legendary sites as Beckstoffer X in Rutherford, Ink Grade on the slopes of Howell Mountain, and Palladian in St. Helena. Even though the Cab Franc is only 31% percent of the blend, it drives this train like the bruthas on the TCU football team, bringing crushed red and black stone fruit to the field and a whiff off crushed rose petal, backed by Cab Sauv, notes of Rutherford dust, Howell mountain spice and mineral, and pure crème de cassis from up valley. The amount of pedigree evident in this bottle is obvious in the nose, palate, and finish, which is why you should pick up as much of this as you can. After all, one of the best things about being a Groezinger’s customer is that you have access to some of the most magnificent and unique wines available from California, and you are one such lucky person.

2007 STONE EDGE FARMS, “SURROUND”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County-$23.00 (780 cases made)

Maybe you need a case or two to stack up in front of your DeSante and Olivia Brion Cabs. Maybe you are tired of your drunk neighbor cracking open your last few ’95 Shafer Hillsides at 3:00 a.m. on a Wednesday. Or maybe you are a fan of late night cable news, an insomniac, or a member of the long-term unemployed, and sick of hearing the kid on t.v. saying “Before GameFly, I couldn’t play all the games I wanted to, because I couldn’t afford it!!” If you suffer from these or any related conditions, this is your cure. The 2007 Surround is a succulent blend of 86% Cabernet and 14% Merlot containing more extract and complexity than most Napa Cabs we’ve tasted this month at twice the price! Aromas and flavors of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate covered espresso bean, and cigar box waft from the glass, and this wine is equally appropriate to drink whether it’s from your finest Reidel crystal or the sturdy cup holder on your Hoveround. This is an absolutely screaming deal not available in stores! Call Now! Operators are standing by! Then, get some sleep.

2009 MIKE & MOLLY HENDRY, Heritage Zinfandel, R.W. Moore Vineyard, Napa Valley-$34.00 (292 cases made)

Talk about a match made in heaven and some serious Napa Valley lineage! Mike is the nephew of Napa’s own Super-Fly Mac and master winemaker George Hendry, and his wife Molly is the daughter of Bill Moore, curator of one of North America’s most historic vineyards-the 100+ year old Moore Vineyard. It was only a matter of time before chocolate and peanut butter collided to produce this amazing wine. A perfect rendition of Heritage Clone Zinfandel, this bottling expresses all that is unique to California’s oldest vines: rich black and blue fruit, roasted pepper, dried herbs, lavender, smoked meat and mineral, all wrapped up by dusty tannins and the slightest hint of white pepper on the finish. Many of you will recognize this vineyard as the source for Turley’s “Earthquake” Zin, but should also note that this offering is slightly Moore restrained, Moore structured, Moore food friendly, and, oh, half the price, so you can buy even Moore!!!

2010 PHEONIX RANCH, Cinsault, Bechthold Vineyard, Lodi-$18.00

The vines which produced this wine are over 130 years old, though recent research suggest the Bechthold vineyard was originally established by French Neanderthals, who crossed over the Bering Strait Land Bridge near the end of the Pleistocene ice ages. Even cave men knew their precious Cinsault would never fully ripen in their native Rhone Valley, so they sought out the sun baked wastes of Lodi, where these grapes can express their true selves.  Think raspberries, rhubarb, blueberries, cigar box and baking spice, and you’ll have a good idea of what this wine tastes like. And at $18, this wine is an absolute no brainer! Best to buy a case of this lip smacker and drink it over the next 3-5 years!!

MORE GREAT WINES YOU CAN’T WAIT TO TRY

SEAN THACKERY, Pleiades XXI, Old Vine Red, California, (Non-Vintage Field Blend)-$24.00

To call Sean Thackery a slightly eccentric winemaker would be an understatement akin to stating that Charlie Sheen is an actor with a minor substance abuse problem, the main difference being that Mr. Thackery has spent the last two decades offering us interesting to profound gifts of the table, while Charlie has left us nothing but “Hot Shots: Part Deux”, the dumbest Comedy Central Roast ever, and multiple strains of medication resistant STDs. Sean spends a lot of his time pouring over and translating arcane texts with the same voracity that an occultist from an H.P. Lovecraft story would in hopes of raising Great Cthulhu from the Sunken City of R’yleh. Luckily, Sean has more benevolent goals, or we’d probably all be dead by now. Thackery’s knowledge and use of ancient wine making techniques result in some of the most unique wines on the planet. For instance, Pleiades, his vin de table if you will, is a medium bodied non-vintage blend of Sangiovese, Syrah, Petit Sirah, Pinot Noir, Cinsault, and Viognier, among others, and shows wildly complex flavors of baked plum, red currant, cedar, mint, pipe smoke, Turkish hash, anise, fennel seed, herbes du Provence, and bacon fat, with dusty tannins and cracked szechuan pepper corns on the long, slow finish, making this a wine that pairs well with, well, just about anything (making it the ultimate Thanksgiving wine, btw). Resistance is futile. Call us now.

2010 FAILLA, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast-$33.00

We’ve been waiting years for this, and now the time has arrived that we can offer you Pinot Noir from our old buddy, Ehren Jordan. See, it used to be the production of Failla was so small we’d only get a case or two of each of his single vineyard bottlings, and they’d be gone as soon as they hit the shelf. Back in ’09 he was able to contract with a new vineyard and bump up the production of the Sonoma Coast Pinot by a few hundred cases. As with all the Failla wines, there is a nod to his European mentors evident-slightly lower in alcohol and higher in acidity, tightly wound when you first open it up, but the fruit is pure Sonoma Coast. With a little air, the flavors and aromas shift and expand, bouncing from black cherry, spice, pine needle, violet perfume, and back to raspberry and cherry. I know this review seems a little tame and ass kissing for a Groezinger review, but it’s true, this wine is like that, like a lovely mademoiselle, like a fragile green caterpillar on a green stem, about to build a silken cocoon in your cellar, only to re-emerge a few years later as a beautiful butterfly, a blushing bride. After a few more years living at your house, she will turn into a sex crazed cougar milf looking to run out to the bar at Bouchon and bang anything that moves. Protect your stash.

2007 ELYSE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford–$32.00

The other day, we were discussing how there aren’t many good cabs in the $30-$40 price range that are worth a shit. A few minutes later, in walks Santa, er, Ray Corison with this badass Cab. He must have ESPN. With some substances, you’re lucky to only get a few grams for $32, but with this magical elixir, you get around 25 oz. Fruit harmonizes on your palate with a balance of acid, oak, and tannin, with wild raspberries, blackberries, and cassis all wrapped in a layer of creamy oak and mushroomy earthiness that might make you become an addict. Not only is Ray an awesome winemaker, he is also my favorite person to hang out with at Redd. So don’t bother callin’ Debo or O-Dawg to hook you up with this kickass juice. Call your dealer at Groezingers, and if we don’t answer, call Redd and ask for J-Boogie.

Note to you our customer: not finding what you are looking for? CALL US! We have wines available for every palate and every budget. Stumped? CALL US! Let us help you out. In short, CALL US! 1-800-356-3970

FEATURED WHITE WINES

2010 FAILLA, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast-$33.00

Yet another wine we’ve been dying to sell you for quite a while. Have you ever hooked up with someone and realized midway that it was all way too easy? I mean, it seemed to make sense at the time, she/he had a great package, was all dressed up, talked a good game, smelled okay, made you really think you wanted it, and they clearly weren’t going to make you wait . . . but then, after bailing on the first round of appetizers or the first twenty minutes of the movie, you are naked in some strange apartment, sampling the goods, and you wonder to yourself, “what the f**k am I doing here?!?” That is exactly what drinking most California Chardonnay is like. They’re just skanky sluts. Not so with this mysterious stranger. This is the kind of wine that captivates you from the first encounter, entices you with it’s perfume, seduces you with it’s lithe and sensuous form, commands all of your attention, and makes you wait a bit. Then the stuff is down right kinky. In short, this isn’t a tramp stamp and g-string wine. This is Victorian lingerie and garter belt wine.  Fermented in a concrete egg and neutral oak, this wine will make you swoon with it’s purity and nuanced flavors of lemon zest, jasmine, honeysuckle, flint, and papaya seed. You’ll just want to lie in bed all day pounding on this one.

2009 DESANTE, “L’ATELIER”, Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Napa Valley-$25.00

“L’Atelier” means artist’s studio, and we all know how much sex artists have in their studios. You will need a few bottles of this to drink before you get into the DeSante Cab. White peach, honey suckle, mandarin orange and melon will strip the panties off of your still life model without waking up your wife or husband. Straight, gay, or switch, this is the perfect addition to your arsenal of mass seduction. Old vines, native yeast fermentation, what else do you want?

A FEW MORE THINGS TO CONSIDER

2010 MAZE, Sauvignon Blanc, Blau Vineyard, Knights Valley–$25.00

When you find your way out of the maze of boring and insipid Sauvignon Blancs, you can set yourself loose yourself in this complex labyrinth of flavors.  It will attack you like the Minotaur, but when you are done pouring the last drops on to your Bacchanalian tongue, that’ll make you Theseus, and who doesn’t want to feel like an Athenian hero when they are buzzed? Answer-no one! Okay, enough with the Mythos. This delectable wine was crafted by one Shawn Johnson, and while we suspect he isn’t Greek, he has been involved in some serious Dionysian cults: Merus, Kobalt, and Caldwell. Only 80 cases were cracked out of cement egg fermentators to produce a wine laden with bright citrus and floral aromas and weighty mineral undertones. Fly like Icarus, buy a case, and behold the birth of a legend!

2010 BODEGA RANCHO, Viognier, Santa Lucia Highlands–$22.50

Does he like football?   Is he a fan of Divas? Does he dress well? Does he like musical comedies? Has he ever been in a fight?  Does he drink Viognier? These are just a few of the many questions on Android’s new app “Is my son gay?” Don’t be scared to show your feminine side. This fruity gem is sourced from Caymus’s “Mer et Soleil” vineyard in Monterey’s Santa Lucia Highlands and is made by one of our favorite winemakers, Kurt Beitler, of Boheme fame (check the front page for his intervention inducing Pinot Noir!). On the nose, you’ll get tropical fruits, pear, mango, and lychee. Pink grapefruit, tangy citrus, white peach, and stone fruit flavors pair with crisp acidity and minerality making this metro wine easy to chug on it’s own or paired with any sea faring cuisine. Only 125 cases of this rijpma were produced.  Take it from Mamie, homophobia is out, Viognier is in, and you couldn’t get laid in Napa without some Bodega Rancho.

WINE MAKER MINI-FEATURE

Kenneth Juhasz has been a friend of Groezinger’s for years, and has made many of our favorite Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays for Robert Stemmler and our beloved Donum Estate. Here’s what he makes on his own time . . .

2009 AUTEUR, Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard, Sonoma Valley-$42.00 It seems impossible that a wine could have so much raciness and weight at the same time. Last years model got huge scores from everyone, and so will this one. An assault of white peach, citrus, and pear skin with a nervous acidity characteristic of the renowned Hyde vineyard. This wine is so super sexy you are going to want to take it to bed with you and have a ménage a trios with your Failla Chard.

2009 AUTEUR, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Stage Vineyard, Sonoma Valley-$60.00 Touted as one of the greatest vintages on record for Sonoma Pinot Noir, this is a behemoth of a wine without loosing any varietal character. Brooding aromas of deep black and red fruit, dried rose petal and morel mushroom on the nose lead to a rich mouth full of black cherry, raspberry jam, sliced plum, toasted spice, and earthy undertones. 93 points from the Spectator but deserved a few more in our humble opinion. This is a killer wine from a phenomenal vintage and belongs in any Pinot lovers cellar.

AFTER A BRIEF HIATIUS & SOME TRAVELING, GROEZINGER’S IS BACK IN BLACK AND READY TO PACK
I recently tasted the entire lineup of Coho wines and was incredibly impressed, almost fell off my chair, and had to reattach my jaw after it fell off my face.  While most people know Coho for the Headwaters Red, Gary Lipp makes these other wines that are even better than that. Gorgeous, seductive Pinot Noirs and balls to the wall Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon will impress the most critical and knowledgeable connoisseurs.
2008 COHO, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley–$39.00 Super aromatic with a complex nose and perfect balance on the palate, it’s not as full bodied as the Stanley Ranch, but by no means is it a light wine.  It has flavors of black cherry, cranberry, and dried rose petal with bright acidity and long, complex finish.
2008 COHO, Pinot Noir, Stanly Ranch, Carneros–$39.00 This is as explosive as a 2000 pound bunker buster, except it won’t kill you unless you get drunk and fall off a cliff.  Stanley Ranch is in the eastern most part of Carneros, directly south of Napa Valley.   A bit more full bodied than the RRV, this wine is the bomb and will take out Pinots from all over the state.  Spicy, big, and nearly violent, it’s the pride of Carneros.
2007 COHO, Merlot, Michael Black Vineyard, Napa Valley–$47.00 Introducing a Merlot for the Cabernet lover. The vines were planted in 1987, trained in Coombsville, and produce flavors similar to the great wines from Pomerol.   Deep, earthy, black fruit flavors are coddled by sweet French oak, producing one of the best Merlots from our terrorist slaying country.  This Merlot is special-opps all the way.
2007 COHO, Cabernet Sauvignon, SummitVine Ranch, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley–$47.00 Whompa, whompa, bang, bang. Technically speaking, this Cabernet is among the finest from Diamond Mountain. From a northwest facing site on top of the mountain, this bitchin’ Cab dishes out aromas and flavors of black olive, black cherry, and currant.  It’s far better than many pricier mountain Cabs and really deserves your consideration.  It’s not hiding in a cave and is easy to find at Groezingers.  800-356-3970

2007 PALLADIAN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meadowood Lane Vineyard, Saint Helena, Napa Valley–$33
When I think of all the Cabs in Napa, and then think about all the Cabs from Napa that I truly love and want to drink, this falls into the latter. Many Cabs tend to be overbearing, monolithic, and non-directional.  Not to mention overpriced. The Palladian, similar in style to a second growth Bordeaux, has complexity, focus, and a great future ahead of it. The vineyard is next to Meadowood Resort and the famous Napa Reserve vineyard.   The grapes are cold soaked, fermented cool, gently pressed into French oak, then aged for two years, then aged for two more years in the bottle before release. On the nose, you’ll find cherry, currant, and tobacco cedar.  On the palate, it’s cassis, kirsch, cocoa powder, and exotic spice.  When you taste this at $33, you’ll be certain winemaker, Dave Mahaffey, must be losing money like it was 2009.  Dave is into it for the art and the craft, not for getting rich from your loss. Lord knows I’m not into it for getting rich either.
2008 OLIVIA BRION, Pinot Noir, Heron Lake Vineyard, Wild Horse Valley–$33
This stuff is legendary in small circles, and the 2008 is one of Olivia’s best Pinots ever. You might remember it as the Pinot with the dog racing the train on the label, but I consider it something way more serious.  The grapes are destemmed, fermented in small bins, and punched down by hand. After a gentle pressing, the juice is put into barrels without the use of pumps. For you aspiring engineers, that’s called gravity fed.  It’s like foreplay for the wine before the plump, young cork gets shoved in its glass. This gentle handling preserves the fruit, complexity, and texture.  Small fermentation bins and hand punch downs blow off some alcohol to a reasonable level of 13.9%.  The wine is intricate and truly Burgundian in many ways, giving up flavors of plum, baked cherry, clove, tea, and minerality.
2008 LA GRAND ROCHE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$29.00
Winemaking legend, Rick Forman, makes this wine entirely from his estate grapes on Howell Mountain. The Forman “main label” Cabernet sells for $85. This is 1/3 the price of that and comes from the same vineyard making this 500 case production a must have if you like Forman wines, Howell Mountain Cabs, and if you don’t want to pay big money for great Cabernet.  The other day someone asked me if there was a Cab from Howell Mountain for thirty bucks, and I drew a blank stare and couldn’t come up with one.  A few days later, I came across this wine.  The flavors are full bodied with ripe berry and cocoa. It will develop for many years to come, and when you taste it, you’ll probably think Mr. Forman is wack to make it his second label instead of throwing it into the $85 stuff.
2008 CRISTOM, Syrah, Eola Amity Hills, Willamette Valley–$28.00
I recently sold out of the ’06 Cristom Syrah and went into severe depression. They didn’t make a 2007 due to the cool climate vintage. This new 2008 release will probably outshine the ’06 with a year of bottle age and is an absolute must have for anyone who remotely likes Syrah. The black-red color is the first indicator that this wine is a killa’.  Blood red, meaty, earthy flavors are complimented with nuances of white pepper, whoop ass, and reduced blackberry.  From a great vintage, this wine will age for many years to come.  Cristom, most famous for their Pinots, is crafting one of the best Syrahs in this country. The cooler climate of Oregon provides weather necessary for a more authentically Rhone styled wine, while Steve Doerner, winemaking genius, optimizes what the vineyard produces with his French heritage. I frickin’ love this wine.
2007 MARSTON FAMILY VINEYARD, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$90
Marston has quietly been producing one of the best Cabs from Spring Mountain for the past ten years with the winemaking talent of Philippe Melka. The ’07 is one of their best to date and will live at least another ten years plus. Black mountain fruits leap out of the glass and firmly affix to your tongue. The aromas are heady and inviting with sweet oak hiding behind the massive wall of fruit. Below the black fruit, you’ll get earth, anise, light herb, and sweet tannin, with a special finish that will curl your toes and give you oral pleasure.
All joking aside, this is undeniably, nearly orgasmic, great Cabernet that rocks out with its cork out.
2005 SAGE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$38.00
The Sage brand and vineyards were sold to Darioush a few years ago so there won’t be any more Sage coming down the pipe. This stuff used to be $65 and now the Pierson Meyer team that made it is getting rid of it at about half of what it used to sell for. All estate grown on Mount Veeder, this thick and meaty Cab is the big brother to the Sage Veedercrest that y’all swallowed up like it was the last bag of MDMA on the planet. You’ll be rolling your face off when you taste the deep black fruits, thick mouthfeel, and almost four years of bottle age in this sweetly priced mountain grown Cabernet Sauvignon.
2007 VINOCE, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$51.00      (60%Cab Franc,25%Cab Sauv,15%Merlot)
Coming from 17 year old vines, this exquisite blend is the best Vinoce to date. Dark, rich, black raspberry dominates the palate with sweet oak in the background. The finish is long and sensational.  Don’t think you don’t like Cabernet Franc until you’ve tasted this stuff. And if you’re into Cabernet Franc, this is one of the best Franc dominated wines in the world and an absolutely necessary procurement for you.  Few wineries could even hope to nail a wine like Vinoce did this one.  With so many things going wrong with our country (have you checked the 2012 presidential candidates?), this wine is one thing that is going right.  Grapes are harvested from the steep, rocky, and rugged vineyards in multiple lots for perfect ripeness. Masterful grape farming, winemaking, and blending have produced one of Mount Veeder’s finest wines ever.
2007 STONE EDGE FARM, “SURROUND”, Sonoma County–$23.00
Maybe you like expensive wine but hate paying for it.  If that’s the case, then I have something for you. This wine usually sells for $30 and is a screaming good deal even at that price.  For $23, it’s like getting a few free bottles in a case. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot from four different vineyards, it’s got all the cherry, cedar, and black fruits of way more expensive wines, a cool package, and a giveaway price.  This wine is a perfect opportunity for you to get some wine to serve to those pesky friends that love drinking your wine but never bring over anything except some crap they found at Costco for eight bucks.
2006 BARLOW VINEYARDS, Merlot, Napa Valley–$29.50
Nearly seven years after the great Merlot catastrophe stemming from geeky Miles in the movie Sideways, the varietal is back in fashion and practically retro in style. Barlow has never given up on the grape. Bar Smith still wears Flashdance styled legwarmers on cool evenings and sometimes sports a striped tube top in the vineyard during the hot days. That’s cuz he doesn’t care what people think, that’s why he didn’t rip out, bud over, or bulk out his kick ass Merlot. It’s one of the best Merlots in Napa and is about half the price of anything else that compares, so his local followers are quite loyal. This is a wine that doesn’t stay on the shelf long. Deep black fruit, a thick mouthfeel, earthy spice, and a Cabernet-like finish will satiate almost any palate.  When we drink this wine, we call it getting a Barlow job. Call me and I’ll give you a BJ for only $29.50.
2007 PORTER BASS, Zinfandel, Dot’s Garden, Russian River Valley-$35.00 (only 150 cases produced)
Dot’s garden is the oldest portion of the Porter Bass vineyards with Zinfandel vines over 100 years old.  The yields are tiny, and they only make this wine on exceptional vintages.  Flavors of raspberry, blueberry, spice, and earth are wrapped up in mostly new French oak.  The wine drinks great now, but should improve with a few years of bottle age.  But, with Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China being pretty pissed off, the Middle East practically exploding, and 2012 just around the corner, I would recommend drinking this wine before the end of the year, just to be on the safe side.  Call soon, this wine will be sold out in a just a few weeks.
2008 ADASTRA, Pinot Noir, Carneros–$36.50
Adastra usually makes two Pinots each year, the “Carneros”, and the “Proximus”.  For the 2008 vintage, they didn’t produce the $60 Proximus and put all of that juice into the Carneros production.  This boosted the quality of this wine to the stars, so to speak. Their vineyard is certified organic, and the fruit is lovingly farmed, handled, and crafted, producing an ultra-pure expression of this varietal. The Proximus fruit used to be sold to Etude for their $90 “Heirloom” Pinot Noir before the Proximus came into production.  This wine has a thick mouthfeel with flavors of plum, cherry, and cola, backed up with a solid backbone of integrated acidity, supple tannins, and nuances of earthy spice and subtle minerality.  It’s a beautiful Pinot Noir.
2008 SNOWDEN, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$77.00
If you want to get your palate laid and increase your chances at the same time, you would be wise to get this aphrodisiac-like wine in your cellar.  Grown on the steep hillsides of eastern Napa, these vines struggle in dry, rocky soil and produce fruit with incredible intensity, flavor, and color.  This vivacious Cab will show you what a great vintage 2008 was with its ultra concentrated flavors of black cherry, blackberry, tar, black Cuban tobacco, and currant. This will also cellar for another 10 years easy and is accessible to drink now.
2008 PAUL HOBBS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$75.00
From 4 stellar Napa vineyards, this wine needs no review.  Hobbs is synonymous to great Cabernet. When I tasted this, it was just undeniably great Cabernet. I didn’t want to love it, but I did.  Go ahead and love it too.
2008 RIDGE VINEYARDS, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Bello Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mtns.-$36.50
This is Cabernet Sauvignon is from blocks of the Monte Bello Vineyard that don’t go into the $150 Ridge Monte Bello.  Mountain grown fruit from this legendary, world class vineyard is producing one of the best deals when it comes to California Cabernet.  It’s a blend of 75%Cab Sauv, 20%Merlot, 3%Petit Verdot, and 2%Cab Franc making it similar in many ways to it’s big brother. The main difference is that this is way more accessible upon release while it’ll still age for a good ten or more years if you choose.  For those who like American oak, this is your ticket. They use 100% American oak that gets chewed up and integrated by the intense fruit, creating flavors of blackberry, cassis, dark chocolate, fennel, and minerality. The oldest vines in this vineyard were planted in 1949. Sixty year old Cab Vines! Try finding that in Napa for under forty bucks.
2009 FOXEN, Tinaquaic Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley, Chardonnay–$31.50
The mouthfeel is lean and clean with an oily mid-palate that really cranks up the volume of this wine. My review of the 2008 Block U.U. (Oct.-Nov. 2010) is a bit more perverse than this one talking about whacking it and so on. This wine is every bit as good, and I’m just getting more humble in my years. Flavors of white peach, granny smith apple, and unbaked dough are elevated by a thicker texture, bright acidity, and sweet oak. It’s so delicious and smells so good that you could get your lover’s attention by soaking your drawers in it. I’m sitting in a puddle of it now, waiting to see what Mamie thinks when she gets home.
2008 WHITE ROCK, Chardonnay, Napa Valley–$27.00
I stopped by White Rock the other day and tasted their ‘08 Chard.  As many of you know, I love this stuff, but let me tell you, the 2008 is off the chain. I mean freaking great. How everyone doesn’t drink this stuff is a mystery to me?  They get the fruit nice and ripe (25°Brix), whole cluster press it, and then spare it the misery of malo-lactic fermentation to preserve the greatness that needs no enhancement. Only a small percentage of the barrels are new so the resulting wine is pure, bright, and untainted.  It drinks great today and has all the right stuff to age and develop for a good long while. It’s a fantastic food wine and is thoroughly enjoyable on its own. Ripe pear, baked apple, honey, and kiwi are a few of the flavors you might find in this estate grown and produced Chardonnay. Henry said they make wine like this because it’s what they like to drink with their meals. You can certainly buy more expensive Chards, but you can’t get it much better than this.
2008 LA DILIGENCE, Marsanne, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley–$35.00
I was riding my bicycle by Miner Family Winery the other day after going to the dentist and inhaling a huge amount of nitrous-oxide (wah,wah,wah), and well, pedaling was less than enjoyable. It looked like a good spot to stop, and after resting a moment, it occurred to me that there’s a tasting room up the steps. I hobbled up the steps and was greeted with a pour of this most incredibly awesome Marsanne. It was refreshingly intense, bright, lively, and full bodied, while still being true to its varietal character. If you want great white wine and don’t require that it’s Chard or S.B., this should be in your box. Orange rind, earthy apricot, pear, and mineral will sway you away from the addiction of commonly distributed drugs such as Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay while enhancing your edification of more obscure varietals. I promise you’ll love it.
2010 AZUR, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$23.75
If you’re looking for great SB, look no further. Azur is awesome with its flavors of grapefruit, key lime, honeysuckle, and a hint of gooseberry.  If you’ve had it before, you know. If you haven’t, you should.

As holiday gift orders are coming in much faster than the past three years, Mrs. Claus said the most commonly asked question by concerned parents is, ”Does Groezinger’s still have that fabulous three case shipping deal?” You bet your good time credits and ramen noodles we do.  We’ll ship anywhere, even if we’re breaking the law…… $100 ships three cases anywhere in the continental United States!!! $25 per case ships to our good neighbors in CA, OR, WA and NV.  $35-$50 ships one case via UPS to most other states, and, if you live in a state still suffering from prohibition era restrictions, we’ll bootleg it to you for $60 for one case, $90 for two, and $100 for three cases! These prices make it CHEAP and EASY to get great wines no matter where you reside.  Out of state orders are tax free, saving you a big chunk of dough to spend on great wine.   800-356-3970

HOPE YOU HAVE SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAYS. THANKS A BUNCH, AND GIMME A CALL FOR SOME  JUICE.
1.) 2008 RIDGE, Zinfandel, York Creek Vineyard, Spring Mountain District–$28.00 (79% Zin, 21% Petite Sirah)
2.) 2007 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS, Estate Reserve Zinfandel, Napa Valley–$50.00
3.) 2007 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS, Eastern Exposure, Zinfandel, Napa Valley–$41.00
4.) 2007 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS, Mayacamas Range, Zinfandel, Napa Valley–$32.00
5.) 2006 DAVID FULTON, Petite Sirah, St. Helena, Napa Valley–$41.00 We also can get the newly released 2007
6.) 2007 and/or 2008 PALOMA, Estate Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$49.00 Napa’s finest Merlots.
7.) 2007 SIDURI, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley-$28.50 Deluscious, juicy, big, plump & rich, with structure and style. Yum!
8.) 2007 McCREA, Mouvedre, Yakima Valley, Washington–$26.00 Ultra cool, complex, unique, and super flavorful.
9.) 2007 RAMEY, Syrah, Sonoma Coast–$28.00 This is BIG SYRAH, a combination of Ramey’s two single vineyard Syrahs that used to be double this price. A smart economic move on his part and a brilliant choice for your holiday feasts. Superb Syrah.
10.) 2008 RAMEY, Chardonnay, RRV, Sonoma–$27.50 Great Chardonnay that delivers lots o’flava and will please them all.
11.) 2008 SEBELLA (HANZELL),  EstateChardonnay, Sonoma Valley–$35.00 This is Hanzell’s “second label” which is SO similar to their $70 Chardonnay you’d swear they just put the expensive stuff in a different bottle. I think that’s what they did.
12.) 2007 KOBALT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$90.00 Last call for this 95 point rated rocker. Just a few bottles left.
13.) 2008 CHANIN, Pinot Noir, Le Bon Climat, Santa MariaValley-$42.00 5 barrels were produced of this perfectly balanced,
13% alcohol, lush & structured, drinkable & cellarable, downright gorgeous Pinot from one of California’s best Pinot vineyards.

2006 MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS, Cabernet Sauvignon (estate bottled), Santa Cruz Mountains–$36.50
This stuff is the legendary unsung king of mountain grown Cabernets. Farmed and crafted on the Chaine d’Or in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the same range as the coveted Ridge Monte Bello, this is one of the greatest values of Cabernet Sauvignon in the new world. Drinkable now with a good decanting, it promises to live for at least 15 years or more from vintage date, so you have a good ten to fifteen years to think about drinking it while you probably have about thirty days before this vintage is sold out due to the limited supply and high scores. Both Parker and Tanzer gave it 93 points without being served lavish, celebrity studded dinners, or being flown to tropical paradises on private jets.  As far as everyone’s infatuation with Napa Cabernets and how they are the best, and “I didn’t come to Napa to buy Santa Cruz Cabernet”, well, they can go stick it. Watching customers pass up or overlook this killer Cabernet is as painful to me as sticking my junk in a meat grinder and makes me equally as furious. For $36.50 you can have it all….classic Bordeaux flavors of cassis, black cherry, blueberry, lead pencil, minerality, earthy goodness, and shadings of beautiful French oak. I realize that every month I go off on how great this or that wine is and how you shouldn’t pass it up, but if you don’t get some of this incredibly affordable world class Cabernet in your cellar, it’s gonna be your wiener going through the meat grinder while others bask in the glory of this wine with their wood fully in tact and standing at attention.

2007 O’SHAUGHNESSY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$70.00
If you’ve loved this Cabernet in the past, you’ll flip out when you taste the 2007. Most definitely their finest effort yet, it has everything could hope for in a bottle of Howell Mountain Cabernet. It boasts powerful black fruit with a huge mouthfeel that would challenge Steven Tyler, and flavors that could make Dick Cheney a kind, gentle, loving humanitarian. Remember, money was of no concern in the process of setting up this winery, and no expense is spared in farming the grapes or making the wine.  The best thing about kind hearted, multi-billionaire, Betty O’Shaughnessy, is she doesn’t need your money and won’t charge you $300 to $700 for a bottle of incredible Cabernet like some of her poorer friends do. Flavors of black fruits, loamy earth, subtle French oak, cherry, tobacco, and cassis will transport you to Fantasy Island without the fear of another Cordoba commercial or a scary, flight announcing French midget. Seriously though, this is the best O’Shaughnessy Cabernet yet, and you’d be missing the Love Boat by not getting on board with this. Parker gave it 95 points if that matters to ya’, or if you don’t believe my BS.

2005 WHITE ROCK, “Laureate”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$41.00
2006 WHITE ROCK, Claret, Napa Valley–$32.50           (70%CS,23%ML,1%PV,6%CF)
2008 WHITE ROCK, Chardonnay, Napa Valley–$27.00
This is the only winery in Napa that truly cave ages their red wines for a full two years before releasing them. Very cool. The 2005 Laureate Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful, yet drinkable today and will age for twenty years if you’re planning your future.  I recently drank a 1988 White Rock Claret and was amazed and blown away at its vibrancy and youth (considering it’s 22 years old from a mediocre vintage and the bottle was in a flood).  Many wineries claim their Cabs will age for 20 years, but we all know most California Cabs won’t make it 10 years.  91% Cab, 9% Cab Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot make it complex and bad to the bone.  Don’t forget the greatness of the ‘05’s with all the hype on the ‘07’s right now.  This estate is located between Stag’s Leap District and Atlas Peak, giving it velvety red fruit combined with mountain grown structure and power.  It’s the best of both worlds with a price that will make you ponder the $75 quality in this $41 bottling.  The 2006 White Rock Claret is more accessible and a bit softer and friendlier today…if you don’t want to get your ass kicked by its big brother. It’ll age till your balls are two inches longer, and in ten years, your wife will actually enjoy putting this in her mouth. It’s so good she’ll even swallow it and ask you if you have more. It’s very complex for a modestly priced blend and blows the doors off overpriced wines like Blopus, Quintessa, Rubicon, Blowfile, and Blowetry. The 2008 White Rock Chardonnay is truly one of my favorites from Napa.  It has beautiful flavors and displays terroir with one of the best house styles of any winery in Napa.  It’s a Chard that really compliments food and appeals to everyone I share it with.  If they taste it, they buy it. The second you smell it, the purity and complexity will make you a believer.  If you don’t like this Chard, then you might have a dysfunctional palate.  Therapy through Groezingers can cure you of this affliction, and I will give counseling for 27 bucks to anyone who calls.  Aged in French oak, no more than 10% new, the fruit is untainted and will make your palate feel like it’s on two hits of pure MDMA.  It’s not buttery because wine isn’t supposed to be buttery. Popcorn and Paul Dean are buttery.  Estate grown, estate bottled, and priced so honestly, you’d be ripping yourself off by not buying it. You’ll taste flavors of vibrant pear, apple, white peach, minerality, and just a suspicion of oak.  With the “in vogue” style of Chard rebounding from the days of when you could use it in place of margarine or Astroglide, this wine will give your palate multiple orgasms without getting it sloppy or sticky.

2007 ROBERT KEENAN, Cabernet Franc, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$55.00
Who would have thought a Cab Franc could deliver like the finest of Cabernet Sauvignons?  This stuff is like Cab Frankenstein.  It’s a monster of a wine, grown and assembled by the mad scientists at Castle Keenan or Spring Mountain.  Halloween is over, so don’t be scared to put this treat in your box of tricks.  Even Parker gave it 94 points.  It has incredible finesse and power, with a finish that goes on and on and on.  Many Cab Francs can be a bit green like Frankenstein, but this freaky Franc is blood red all the way.  Barely herbaceous, it screams Spring Mountain with a plush mouthfeel, a rich, thick mid-palate, and a structure that rivals almost any Cabernet Sauvignon.  Spicy red fruit is followed by a core of black fruit flavors like currant, black olive, cassis, cocoa bean, and mocha, with a sweet coating of integrated oak.  This is one of Keenan’s best wines, comparable to their finest reserve Cabernets.  It is a must have for fans of Cabernet Franc, and if you haven’t delved into the world of the “other Cabernet”, frankly, my dear, this is the one to give a damn about.  And just a hint to my dear customers, you might want to ask me about the………

Correction from a misprint in last month’s newsletter:  Brett Favre still kicks ass and is badass for an old fart. Go Vikes!
2007 DESANTE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa–$50.00

You like Oakville Cabernet??  Me too.  You think most of it is overpriced??  Me too.  David & Catherine DeSante dropped off a jug of this stuff the other day, and when we tasted it, I was calling him within minutes to reserve a chunk of their tiny production. This is what Oakville Cabernet is supposed to taste like and what it SHOULD sell for.  I recently saw a website for a new Oakville winery with a $90 first release Cabernet with Jim Barbour, David Abreu, and some hot shot wine maker on the “team”.  They used the word “luminescent” twice in their description of their Cabernet.  Wouldn’t that make you think that it is light in color or that light shines through it??  What a bunch of B.S.  This is the real deal Holyfield.  No light shineth through this bruiser.  It truly floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.  Silky smooth with a solid punch that will back you up against the ropes and make you scream for Adrianne or whoever your lover is. Cherry, black cherry, plum, blackberry, tobacco, clove and spice are seamlessly held together with an uppercut of sweet oak.  This prize fighter could easily go the distance, but you’ll probably knock it out in the first few rounds after you pound down your first jug. And don’t ever forget about DeSante’s “great white hope”, the…
2007 DESANTE, Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$29.00 My favorite SB. 45 year old vines, truly awesome wine.

2008 TAFT STREET, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma–$17.00
2007 TAFT STREET, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast–$18.00
These great deals if you need some high quality, low priced juice to pour for your big holiday gatherings. They’ll drink it fast, and your cellar won’t get wounded in the battle if you have a barricade of Taft Street to keep your top officials in the “Green Zone”.  These are small production wines from great vineyards in Sonoma that deliver a big bang for the buck. Give me a call so I can send in the reinforcements before you get ambushed.

2009 BEDROCK, Syrah, Sonoma Coast –$23.00
2009 BEDROCK, Heirloom Red, Dolinsek Ranch, Russian River Valley–$35.00 Call me quick B4 it’s gone like last time.
2009 BEDROCK, Chardonnay, Brosseau Vineyard, Chalone–$30.00
2009 BEDROCK, Pinot Noir, Rebecca’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley–$42.00
This brand is so hot that you’re lucky your mailbox or computer isn’t on fire.  This wine will be gone in a flash, so call me right now if you want it because I don’t get much.  Rebecca’s Vineyard was planted with DRC cuttings, making it one of the finest Pinot Noir vineyards in the country.  This Pinot takes 24 hours to open up to its full potential and should age for a good ten years.  Only a few of you got the 2008’s, and I bet even fewer of you will get a crack at the 2009’s. Good luck. Talk to you soon.

2003 TOPAZ, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 66%/Semillon 34%–$35.00
Not having this wine with your holiday dessert is like going to see the “Dead” without Jerry Garcia.  Or like having a chocolate birthday cake with no frosting or candles.  It would be like watching Star Wars and turning it off right before Luke blows up the Death Star, or like having the best sex of your life and then stopping right before you……….Be sure to get the best dessert wine this side of Chateau d’Yquem to finish your holiday meals in style, with class, with the flavor that will make your guests remember your dinner forever.  It is a tradition with me, my family, my fiancé’s family, my friends, and it happens to be a tradition at the French Laundry too.  So if you think I’m shooting a photon missile up your ass, think again about that cold and lonely feeling you’ll have without your sweet, beautiful, baby kissing you after your almost perfect holiday dinner.  Just because Santa Claus won’t have any Topaz this Christmas doesn’t mean you can’t. And if you really want to get your rocks off, get some.

2002 TOPAZ, “DLX”, Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 65%/ Semillon 35%–$77.00 Harvested at over 40 brix. Sweet insanity.
2009 ST. INNOCENT, Pinot Blanc, Freedom Hills–$20.00
You want some mind blowing white wine to serve for your holiday meals that actually compliments almost any food?  This is the one.  With fruit and acidity that dance on your palate like a mini Michael Jackson (he was white, too), this wine will pop your dinner into high gear.  Mark Vlossak crafts some of Oregon’s finest Pinot Noir and by far the best Pinot Blanc that I’ve had from America.  Blazingly bright fruit is rounded out by the wine being partially (31%) fermented in French oak with the remainder fermented in stainless steel.  The result is stunning, complex, vibrant, and refreshingly unique, comparable to the finest of Alsatian Pinot Blanc.  Crisp flavors of melon, kiwi, citrus, and honeysuckle are enhanced by an almost oily mid-palate that makes this wine anything but light.  Cabernet doesn’t really pair with turkey or ham, so if you fancy yourself a culinary expert or just want some badass white wine, you should be put on the “naughty kids” list for not having this in your arsenal of holiday wines.

2008, SANS LIEGE, “The Offering,” Paso Robles, GSM–$23.00  (41%GR, 30%SY, 27%MV, 2%Viognier)
We had a great run with the 2006 Offering and after tasting this vintage, it is right on line with the 2006.  Just bottled this summer, it is improving daily in the bottle, getting richer, fuller, and more flavorful every day.  It’s refreshing to get such a nice wine at such a nice price and the label is so cool I’d buy it even if the wine sucked. It’s complex and satiating, offering rowdy  Rhone flavors of cherry, dried rose petal, pepper, cinnamon, spice, black raspberry, a little oak, and a streak of earthy minerality without being dirty like this filthy newsletter. Don’t pass up this Offering of great wine at a Tony the Tiger, “GRRREAT” price.

2007 KAPCSANDY FAMILY WINERY, Estate Cuvee, State Lane Vineyard, Napa Valley–$115.00
I’ve had quite a few requests for this wine over the last year so here it is. It got a big 96 pointer from Parker and is thick, rich, and phat. I agree with what Bobby-P said about the wine but wouldn’t bank on it aging for 25 years…let’s say 12 years….. just to be realistic.
Now…If you want the super high end, ultra-Californian, masterfully crafted, TRULY cult, extremely flashy, uber-limited goods that sell out quicker than a new X-Box or Tickle-Me-Elmo…..this is the stuff for you.

The new 2008 releases from Luke Morlet—
2008 MORLET FAMILY VINEYARDS, Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘Coeur de Vallee’-Beckstoffer-Tokalon, Napa Valley–$157
2008 MORLET FAMILY VINEYARDS, Cabernet Sauvignon, ‘Mon Chevalier’-Knights Valley–$140
2008 MORLET FAMILY VINEYARDS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Passionnement’-Oakville, Napa Valley–$200
I gotta tell ya’, as a hater of overpriced, over-hyped, fluffy, expensive, no-track-record-havin’, BS from Napa, I was set back in my chair and put in my place with these new releases from Luke Morlet, Peter Michael Winery’s former winemaker. These 2008’s display the greatness of Mr. Morlet’s winemaking, the power and grace of the vintage, and the maximum potential of flavor that can be harnessed from some of California’s finest Cabernet. Monstrous flavors were captured, caged and bottled. Sort of like King Kong in a bottle although technically speaking, it would be more like Grape Ape on top of the Empire State Building with Lindsay Lohan as his hostage. I read the Parker reviews and they all say basically the same stuff about each of these wines and he said, “the Mon Chevalier opens up after a few years of cellaring”. Now, duh. Who needs to be told that, and how does he know what this wine is gonna do when he’s the same guy that said the 1997’s were gonna live for 25 years. Anyway, these wines will cellar and develop for a good ten years or more, probably not decades, and are absolutely delicious now with a few hours of air. The flavors are brilliant, concentrated and focused, with big, creamy loads of luscious, lavish French oak. These wines are for the true lover of hedonistic, full throttle, fruit driven, oak coated, balls out California Cabernet Sauvignon.

2009 EVESHAM WOOD, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$17.50
Thought I should offer up some great Pinot Noir for the guests to chug at your holiday gatherings that won’t set you back too much. We all know how quickly wine gets chugged when people don’t have to pay for it…..especially when they’re accustomed to drinking it from a box. “Wow, this stuff is really good.” Glug, glug, glug, gone. You know how it goes. That’s why you’ll need this super tasty, immediately drinkable, and most importantly….affordable Pinot Noir so you don’t look at your guests like the Grinch when they drain your Grand Cru Burgundy after realizing how good it is.

2008 DELILLE CELLARS, “D2”, Columbia Valley, Washington–$39.00   (55%ML, 39%CF, 4%CF, 2%PV)
I just tasted this on 11/11/10 and had to put it in here as a last minute addition. If this wine was from Napa it would sell for $60 or more. It’s a beautiful blend and will cellar for a good long while. A few of you called for the 2007 D2 after it was gone, butt, this D2 is just as wonderful, a year younger, a bit tighter, and in need of some coaxing before she gives it all up and lets you stick your ‘screw in that soft, snug, tender seal.  This will also be in the January letter with more details, but you can bring her home today.

Here’s a few DRC’s if you wanted to get something special for that special someone, or for yourself.
1999 DOMAINE ROMANEE CONTI, Echezeaux, Vosne-Romanee, (Cote-D’Or) France–$1100.00
1999 DOMAINE ROMANEE CONTI, Richebourg, Vosne-Romanee, (Cote-D’Or) France–$3500.00
2000 DOMAINE ROMANEE CONTI, Echezeaux, Vosne-Romanee, (Cote-D’Or) France–$750.00
2000 DOMAINE ROMANEE CONTI, Richebourg, Vosne-Romanee, (Cote-D’Or) France–$1000.00
Lastly, I would like to say, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your business and support through these goofy economic times. I REALLY appreciate it and am truly grateful for my relationships/friendships with all of you. It’s a true pleasure having you as customers through thick and thin….and, the fact that you like reading my sick and warped views on wines and the wine industry makes me the happiest dude in any wine shop I’ve ever seen. So, thanks, happy holidays, and God bless all of you.”

2007 RIDGE, MONTE BELLO, California(Santa Cruz Mountains), 79%CS, 10%ML, 9%PV, 2%CF–$110.00
Usually $145, until October 25th I can sell you this for $110, but you gotta call me NOW so I can get the order in before they stop the sweet deal. After that, it’ll be $130. This legendary wine is America’s pride and joy when it comes to wines that compete on an international level. The Monte Bello is first growth quality all the way, expressive of its vineyard site and seriously built to age better than almost any other wine made in this hemisphere. The Santa Cruz Mountain appellation is quite different from Napa so this 2007 offering is going to outlive almost every 2007 Cabernet from Napa Valley by a good ten years. It spent two weeks fermenting before being pressed and barreled. Winemaker Eric Baugher says a vintage this great occurs about once every ten years making this an epic wine and a must have for any serious collector. The color is dark purple with a glimpse of the darkest shade of red. You’ll get flavors of cassis, black currant, licorice, black olive, mineral, exotic spice, and American oak that is all but buried by the fruit. The tannins are solid and integrated with lively acidity that holds this thing together like the bolts that hold down the 16 inch diameter cannons on a battleship. This is not for the faint of heart or the impatient lover of sweet, soft, sappy Cabernet. This is balls out, pedal to the metal, rip, slash, kill everyone wine. To put this into perspective, the 1991 vintage is drinking perfectly right now, singing in the glass and screaming on the palate. The 2007 Monte Bello should age similarly to that. The 2000 Monte Bello recently won the “re-creation of the 1976 Paris tasting” while competing with first growth Bordeaux and California’s best Cabernets. As you ponder your buying decisions and wonder which of the hundreds of California Cabernets are REALLY going to age and be TRULY great in the future, the answer is easy and is right here. And if you want to impress someone with a gift of prestige, quality, and unsurpassed pedigree, this is like buying them a brand new black on black on black Rolls Royce Phantom in a bottle.

2007 DIAMOND CREEK, Red Rock Terrace, Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley–$155.00
2007 DIAMOND CREEK, Volcanic Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley–$155.00
2007 DIAMOND CREEK, Gravelly Meadow, Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley–$155.00
This “truly cult” winery kick started the single vineyard, site specific, limited quantity craze that we all trip on these days.  While the 2007 vintage is forward and friendly, these Diamond Creeks will be drinkable sooner than most vintages, not requiring ten years of bottle age like most of their offerings. I’m not gonna go into details because if you know, you know, and if you don’t, you won’t.

2007 TANBARK HILL (Philip Togni), Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$37.00
If you want a 2007 Napa Cab to consume sooner than later, I could not emphasize strongly enough how this is the best choice of anything from Napa. Philip Togni makes some of the finest Cabernet in Napa, this wine being his “second label” while it is far better than most winery’s primary efforts. It’s composed of estate grown juice that didn’t go into the spectacular “2007 Philip Togni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.”  If you check out Togni’s track record you’ll find it to be one of the most consistently highly rated wineries in the world. Their $90 Cabernets will age for over twenty years and the Tanbark Hill is always god for at least ten years. This is seriously bad-ass Cabernet for a seriously bad-ass price. Some of you know this awesome wine, and the rest of you should find out why I’m so adamant about force feeding this to you. Either way, you should call me. It possesses the most succulent mountain grown flavors of black cherry, bing cherry, candied spice, earthy minerality, cassis, black berry, cocoa, and tobacco. Philip Togni is the current grandfather of Napa Valley Cab, is Andre Tchelistcheff’s living brother from another mother, and out of sheer age and experience has about 30 years more knowledge than most winemakers in California. If you’ve ever been to the Togni winery you know it is all about the wine. No B.S., no glitz, glam, no ass kissing, no stupid imported palm trees. There’s a padlock on the gate and no sign to keep rookies out, but you can get hooked up right now by calling me. Pick up dat phone and give me a buzz. 800-356-3970.

2007 PHILIP TOGNI, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$81.00
Philip asked me to sell this for the full retail price of $90 but we all know that doesn’t fly these days. Plus you are too smart for that. If you are out of state, without tax this price is $17 bucks cheaper than at the winery. That’s a sweet deal. I will say that Mr. Parker has accurately scored this wine with a 95 point rating. It’s maybe a point or two low, but that’s okay. Take the Tanbark hill tasting notes, turn up the volume, add some more tannin, another fifteen years of age-ability, and you have an accurate description of this wine. Like the Ridge Monte Bello, this wine is California first growth all the way. If you collect and cellar California Cabernet and don’t have Philip Togni’s wines in there, you are probably making a bad play call.  Philip says the Tanbark Hill is for lunch and the “main label” is for dinner. He must eat steak for lunch.

2006 DELILLE CELLARS, GRAND CIEL, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, Washington–$135.00
This wine was on the front page last month and most of you didn’t bite, so I’m giving you one more chance. I recently had the opportunity to drink the ’06 Grand Ciel along side the ’07 Lail J. Daniel Cuvee (97+ Parker), and the Grand Ciel BLEW IT AWAY like the big, bad, badass wolf. Clearly a better wine. I would score it a 99-100. They rated it 95 points and must not have tasted the Lail on the same day. While researching this wine of biblical proportions, I found that the vineyard was planted entirely with French clones and laid out using Guyot-trellising with super tight spacing in a manner to follow the sun while allowing the fruit to ripen slowly with additional hang-time.  I know when you call me here in Napa, you’re often thinking about Napa Cabs, but we can start changing our assumptions about Washington wines. Last month I featured the fantastic 2007 DeLille D2 red blend to embarrassingly sell only one twelve bottle case to over 1500 customers, six of those bottles to one person. So if you want to eat pepperoni pizza for every meal for the rest of your life, go ahead and choke on the cheese, but you’re the one that’s gonna have a hard time taking a crap. Take my word on this one. IT IS WHY WE DRINK WINE AND SPEND MONEY ON IT, TO TASTE WHAT GODS DRINK. Am I making myself clear? THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST WINES EVER MADE ON THIS SIDE OF THE PLANET.

2008 COHO, HEADWATERS RED, Napa Valley–$39.00      (62%CS, 32%ML, 4%PV, 2%CS)
This wine showcases the potential greatness of the 2008 vintage in a blend that is immediately accessible and drinkable without compromising structure and balance. Coho has become a darling of the press over the past years and always sells out quickly. This year, if you call soon, you can probably get as much as you want before the reviews come out and before the wine vanishes. The ’08 Headwaters Red is my favorite one so far. It’s unique, sexy, versatile, and fun to party with, kind of like the “most interesting man in the world” on the Dos Equis commercials. When I’m not skydiving, yacht racing, or climbing Mt. Everest, I drink Coho Headwaters. The wine is incredibly complex,  sophisticated and able to satisfy the most finicky of connoisseurs with ease. 90% of the grapes are from Coombsville in south Napa, with the remaining 10% coming off Diamond Mountain. The color is vibrant dark red with hues of deep purple, a bit darker than Justin’s nose will be in another five years. The aromas alone will clue you in to the complexity of this blend. You don’t even need to taste it to enjoy it although that would be a waste of good wine. The palate offers up a buffet of wonderful flavors like spice infused black cherry, loamy minerality from Diamond Mountain, black fruits, cigar box, cinnamon, and light influences of integrated oak complimented by fuzzy tannins. For a mid-priced wine that delivers expensive flavors with instant gratification, this is a great pick. The wine will be available starting the last week of October so call now to secure your allocation.

2005 SAGE, VEEDERCREST, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$30.00  (40%CS, 30%ML, 30%CF)   *!#@%&*!*!!!*
We’ve been selling this for a while, but after revisiting it, I thought it deserved another mention. With a few years of bottle age, this formerly $45 wine is kicking ass and taking names. We’ve drank this next to MUCH more expensive wines, and I can’t find a better $30 wine from Napa. It’s BIG, bold, and complex with dark mountain flavors and was made by the Pierson Meyer team from Peter Michael winery (lots of talent).  EVERYONE who tastes this wine in the store buys it because you just can’t do better for $30.

2008 CHAPPELLET, “Signature” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Pritchard Hill)–$45.00
Here’s another look into the crystal ball to see what’s in store for the GREAT ’08 vintage. This always impressive Cabernet comes from the esteemed Pritchard Hill appellation and in most cases will out age their pricier “Pritchard Hill Cabernet” due to its slightly more tannic structure and slightly higher acidity….for 1/3 the price! Yes tannin and structure are back in fashion after 15 years of pussed out, free run, low tannin, high PH wines that were made for teething babies and impatient consumers without cellars. Deep flavors of blackberry, black cherry, espresso bean, cinnamon, clove, and licorice will prove my predictions of the underpublicized and not yet rated 2008 vintage. Call me to get your palate red and to let me predict your good fortune with this geee-rate ’08.

Unlike sacked & intercepted Mr. Favre, at 42 I’m still playing at the top of my game and am always ready for a super bowl.

2005 VALANCE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (Howell Mountain)–$75.00     This stuff is infrikkincredible….
This tiny three acre vineyard is nestled into a corner of the famous Herb Lamb vineyard on the lower reaches of Howell Mountain. Under 100 cases are produced each year by 30 year winemaking veteran, Michael Raymor. He stopped by the store the other day and we tasted the ’04, ’05, and ’06 vintages, with the 2005 being the shining superstar of the bunch. I will try hard to describe the incredible seamlessness, complexity, and balance of this world class Cabernet although words just can’t do it justice. It’s so damn sexy that the government warning label should read, “May increase risk of pregnancy.”  The wine is site specific and displays the subtle, earthy nuances we all know and love from Howell Mountain. Deep red fruit flavors of currant, cherry, and subtle tones of cassis and plum are complimented by expensive French oak while tannins are smooth and silky from a few years of bottle age. This is the current release from Valance while most folks are pushing the ‘07’s on you because they’re in it for the money as opposed to being in it for the passion and true art of the craft. So when you wonder, “Why should I order wine from Groezinger’s when I can buy wine anywhere?”, please realize this wine is one of the reasons. Other reasons are (a) you can’t get this Cabernet anywhere else (b) it’s $90 from the winery (c) I literally taste thousands of wines to pick just a few for you (d) this stuff is f**king incredible and (e) unlike most wine stores that are in it just for the money, I’m in it for the passion and true love of what’s in the bottle, not for the price tag, points, label, or image. Once again, this wine is a reminder of why we drink wine in the first place.

2007 HEDGES FAMILY ESTATE, Red Mountain, Washington–$22.00
Ya’ know how Napa wines usually cost more because they say “Napa” on the label? Since you are smart and hopefully don’t believe the price tag always equals the quality here in the valley of fairy tails, oak bombs, high alcohols, and foof, you should investigate this spectacular Washington wine that way over performs for the money. And if you want something that looks, tastes, and feels like a $40 Napa wine for half the price, you should keep reading. The 2007 vintage was spectacular in Washington, creating the potential for great wines, and this is one of them. While it is not the Grand Ciel, this wine is equally incredible for it’s super high quality and dirty low price. I flipped out when I heard the price. It has a blend of 56%ML, 30%CS, 8% Syrah, 6% CF with 13.6% alcohol and a perfect ph of 3.68. Those numbers combined with a GREAT vintage have produced an estate grown wine of unsurpassed quality for $22. The nose is full of fruit with cherry, blackberry, cassis, cocoa, and spice while the palate delivers black cherry, anise, mocha, toasty oak, caramel, and earthy nuances. The wine is freaking awesome with an hour of decanting and will continue to improve for another five to seven years. Try getting that from Napa for $22. I don’t mean to throw my neighbors and suppliers under the bus, but I mean, f**k, come on. I have Napa winemakers buying this wine from me because it’s so dang good. AND, this wine is a perfect selection for the holidays, very impressive and sweetly priced in a fat bottle with a classy label.

2007 ALYSIAN, Pinot Noir, “Russian River Selections”, Russian River Valley–$37.00
This is the “new Gary Farrell” after he sold his namesake brand for some irresistible amount of money. Grapes for this beautiful Pinot come from famous Russian River Valley vineyards like Rochioli, Allen, Floodgate, and Starr Ridge, resulting in a stunning Pinot Noir reminiscent of the good ole’ Gary Farrel wines of long ago. 2007 was one of the finest vintages for RRV Pinot in the last twenty years, and this wine shines with lower alcohol, great acidity, and vibrant flavors of pomegranate, plum, blueberry, and dark red berry. This small production (1500 cases) is soon to be gone as Mr. Farrell has a huge fan base that has been Farrelless for a few good years now. Drinkable now and built for the cellar, this is beautiful Pinot from a legendary and masterful winemaker.

2007 COULIOR, Pinot Noir, Roma’s Vineyard, Anderson Valley, Mendocino–$38.00 (200 cases, normally $45.00)
Pronounced (cool-war). You would be downright foolish, maybe stupid, to pass this up if you love truly great Pinot Noirs. I personally love this stuff and so does the French Laundry, if you don’t trust my opinion. This wine was made with a labor of love by my good friend, John Grant, who is Turley’s muscle, serving as assistant winmaker. When not crafting mammoth Zinfandels he makes one of the finest Pinots in the land. A phenomenal ’07 Pinot from a truly great Pinot Noir vintage, this eight barrel production makes sweet love to your palate with black and red cherry, red plum, cocoa, minerality, a hint of sweet mint, and a superb alcohol level of only 13.5%. It is the KIND. There’s only 20 cases left of one of the best Pinots in California, and you won’t find it anywhere else but here.

2006 WATERMARK, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$40.00
“Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I’m a woman’s man no time to talk!” Ohhhhh, yeaaaaahhhh!!!! I know you’re gonna boogie your disco lovin’ ass over to your sexy telephone and tickle those buttons with my numba. “Call me on the line. Call me, call me any time! Call me my love, you can call me, call me any day or night, CALL ME!” That’s right, the mirror ball is spinning again, and I’m bringing the boogie woogie back except this time it’s in a bottle instead of a bindle. Don’t worry, you’ll still get laid, AND you don’t even need to break the law……..Well, you might have to depending on what state you live in, but as your dealer I will get this party to you one way or another. Quite possibly the best selling wine I’ve ever sold, and recently I’ve noticed you guys are jonesing for some more of this Peruvin blue quality Cabernet. Diamond Creek’s winemaker, Phil Steinschriber, makes this wine from mysterious vineyard sources near Calistoga. It’s thick, big, dark, and rich like Oprah except it won’t get flabby or lose weight with age. The main difference is you actually want this in your house and will enjoy it when you put it in your mouth. Back to the dance floor. Flavors of cassis, black cherry, blackberry, crushed rock, earthy goodness, and a phat mouthfeel will spin, cut, and do the splits on your palate, popping right back up for some more sexy moves as the finish can dance all night long. Phil didn’t make an ’07 or ‘08 Watermark Napa Valley Cab, so if you’re out and want to start the party and keep it going, you should go big the next time you score some from me. This vintage has a bit more oak (100% new) than the 2005 and benefits from a splashy decanting and drinks great for a couple days after being opened. In addition to this, Phil also makes a Howell Mountain Cab for $65, but you can get it from me for…..

2006 WATERMARK, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blue Hall Vineyard, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$50.00        (800-356-3970)

2008 KISTLER, Chardonnay, Les Noisetiers, Sonoma Mountain–$70.00
As far as I can remember, Kistler hasn’t given me an allocation in the last 20 years and I’m not counting on one in the near future, so if you want the “King of Chards” in your glass or cellar, you better tell me quick because I don’t know how long this good fortune will last. This vineyard is one of the oldest Chardonnay vineyards in the country. It’s east facing and terraced in chalky, red, volcanic soil. This exquisite Chardonnay has minerality throughout, with bright, vibrant fruit and uplifting aromas and flavors that will have you dancing on the ceiling like Lionel Richie. The grapes were whole cluster pressed, underwent 100% malolactic fermentation, were Sur Lie aged for 11 months in French oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It’s one of the greatest California Chardonnays made in the spirit of Grand Cru Chablis. You’ll discover flavors of citrus, tangerine, flinty minerality, and a slick, thick, coating mouthfeel.

2008 FOXEN, Chardonnay, Block UU, Santa Maria Valley–$32.00      (92 points from Parker, if you care)
So you want some awesome Chard but you’re not gonna pay $70 for the Kistler.  If so, then this is the treat of tricks for your holidays and your sophisticated palate. I’m drinking this wine as I write and I may need to go whack it because this wine so dang good and just downright foxy.  I didn’t do that, but I am still drinking it. It has loads (poor choice of words) of flavor and keeps coming and coming (whoops) with balance, texture, complexity, and a long finish. Flavors of, pear, grapefruit, mineral, and bright apple dance and boogie on your palate before bringing you home and giving you what you really want—A finish that lasts, “All night long, all night, all night…..all night long.” Gotta love Lionel. You’re gonna love this Chardonnay  and it’s gonna love you right back. It smells good too.

2009 AZUR, Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$22.00
What a refreshing diversion to the same old, same old, Sauvignon Blanc we usually come across. This truly French styled SB tastes like a cross of  Loire Valley and Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc. It is super clean, bright and refreshing, with ultra-pure citrus flavors and a finish that screams for another sip. Not grassy at all, this is a compliment to many dishes and wonderful glass of wine on its own.
2009 AZUR, Dry Rose, 60% Napa, 40%Sierra Foothills–$22.00
If you like truly great rose, you must try some of this. I wish you could see the beautiful light salmon color of this authentically Provencal styled California rose. It’s the best rose I can remember ever tasting from this country. And it isn’t f**king pink wine! While most of you don’t call me for rose wines, this deserves a spot in everyone’s arsenal because you don’t really want to pair Cabernet with seafood, salads, or dishes with Asian persuasion. It’s a fantastic food wine, it’s totally dry, and therefore, won’t compromise your manliness. The only problem is that you can’t serve it to bimbos because it’s too complex and finishes nice and dry.

2007 O’SHAUGHNESSY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$70.00
If you’ve loved this Cabernet in the past, you’ll flip out when you taste the 2007. Most definitely their finest effort yet, this has everything could hope for in a bottle of Howell Mountain Cabernet. Of course, it doesn’t have the extra two years bottle age like the 2005 Valance (featured above), but you can do that yourself if you want to. It boasts powerful black fruit with a mouthfeel that would challenge Carly Simon and flavors that could make Dick Chaney a kind, gentle, loving humanitarian. Remember, money was of no concern in the process of setting up this winery and no expense is spared in growing the grapes or making the wine.  The best thing about kind hearted multi-billionaires is they don’t need your money and won’t charge you $300 to $700 for a bottle of incredible Caberent like some of Betty O’Shaughnessy’s neighbors do. Flavors of black fruits, loamy earth, subtle French oak, cherry, tobacco, and cassis will transport you to Fantasy Island without the fear of another Cordoba commercial or a flight announcing French midget.
Seriously though, this is the best O’Shaughnessy Cabernet yet, and you’d be missing the Love Boat by not getting on board with this.

This is a list of items you may have missed but should really consider for the upcoming holidays or for your cellar stash.
2008 SEBELA, Chardonnay, Sonoma County–$35.00 This is Hanzell’s “second label” and tastes like the expensive stuff.
2007 FOG CREST, Chardonnay, Estate Bottled, Russian River Valley–$30.00 Rich, smooth, thick and delicious. Usually $45.00
2008 SHAFER, Red Shoulder Ranch, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Carneros–$45.00 BIG and THICK. You know this one.
2008 TOMERO, Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina–$13.00 Minerally, bold, lively, delicious, super chuggable, and CHEAP.
2007 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN, Zinfandel, Mayacamas Range, Napa Estate–$32.00 Why drink other inferior Zins??
2006 PALOMA, Estate Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$49.00 If you drink Merlot you should drink the best.
2007 PALOMA, Estate Merlot, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$49.00 Just in case you wanted options for Merlot.
2006 DAVID FULTON, Petite Sirah, St. Helena, Napa–$41.00 From 75 year old, dry farmed, head pruned vines. My favorite Petite.
2009 PHOENIX RANCH, Cinsault, Bechtold Vineyard, Lodi California–$17.00 130 year old vines. Complex and very satisfying.
2006 SCHOOLHOUSE, Mescolonza, Spring Mountain Dist.–$36.00 Zinfandel, Petite Sirah & 100+ year old vine Rhone varietals.
2007 ROUND POND, Cabernet Sauvignion, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$50.00 Big Cab with big scores. Some of Rutherford’s best.
2006 PIERSON MEYER, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$77.00 A personal favorite from Pritchard Hill, very cellar worthy.
2007 LAIL VINEYARDS, J. Daniel Cuvee, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$115.00 97+ from Robert Parker, freaking awesome.
2006 ILSLEY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley-$51.00 Better than Shafer One Point Five for $20 less.
2002 PARADOR, Tempranillo Reserva, Rancho Chimiles Vineyard, Napa Valley–$35.00 The best Spanish varietal wine in the U.S.
2007 PALAZZO, Napa Valley Red Wine–$50.00 A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon in that order. Yum.
2007 FORT ROSS, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast–$25.00 By far my best deal on Pinot. Bright and lively with a thick mid-palate.

FEATURED WINES
Don’t miss out on these new releases. Call soon due to limited supply, high scores, and thirsty wine addicts.

2007 LAIL VINEYARDS, J. Daniel Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$115.00
The J. Daniel cuvee has become a benchmark of Napa cult wines over the past ten years. The 2007 vintage received a 96+ rating from Parker. That’s basically the same score Eagle, Harlan, Schrader, Bond, and 100 Acre get except Lail doesn’t rip your anus in half when they sell you the wine. They also won’t laugh at you for buying them another yellow Ferrari or a new Palm Tree. This wine is dense, dark, focused, and concentrated, delivering a truly world class California Cabernet that would make Chateau Margaux proud. Parker said, and I quote………
“Lail’s flagship wine is the J. Daniel Cuvee. The 2007 is living up to all of its promise when tasted last year from barrel. There are 850 cases of this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from four separate sites in Napa (in Calistoga, Howell Mountain, Coombsville, and Rutherford). A dense purple color is accompanied by notes of graphite, licorice, black cherry liqueur, black currants, crushed rocks, spice box, and cedar. With Pauillac-like aromatic and flavor profiles, this opulent, full-bodied, rich 2007 reveals superb purity as well as definition. It may even grow in stature over the next five years, and is capable of lasting 20-25+ years”………..I couldn’t have said it better myself. We’re one of the first retailers in the country to have this so call us and get it while the getting’s good.

2009 PHOENIX RANCH, Cinsault, Bechthold Vineyard, Lodi California–$17.00   pronounced (sin-so)
Usually Cinsault is a blending grape used in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and ironically there is more Cinsault planted in France than there is Cabernet Sauvignon. This modestly priced wine delivers loads of satisfaction and a wallop of flavor. Simply put, this is highly enjoyable and very entertaining to drink with a unique flavor and an equally unique price. And don’t give me this shit about “I don’t know if I like Cinsault” or “Maybe I’ll try one and see if I like it” or “We don’t drink Cinsault”. Because when you try this you will know that you like Cinsault and therefore you will be a Cinsault drinker. It tastes like a blend of Syrah, Petit Sirah, and Grenache with a super friendly texture and a plump mouthfeel. These Cinsault vines were planted by Mike Grgich when he was a child and are now 130 years old offering up complex flavors, smooth tannin, and a complexity hardly ever found in $17 wines. This is one of those wines you buy a case of and enjoy the hell out of while your Cabernets age & mature.

2007 DeLILLE CELLARS, “D2”, Columbia Valley, Washington–$40.00 (51%ML, 40%CS, 7%CF, 2%PV)
“D2” refers to the “second label” from DeLille Cellars although it’s hardly reminiscent of second labels from Napa wineries which are usually compromised versions of their more expensive stuff. “D2” is also the name of the grand route du vin, the wine road that goes through the chateau region of Bordeaux. I know this sounds sac religious, but I think this wine is better than any $40 wine from Napa. This stuff is INTENSE and has
truly authentic Bordeaux qualities rarely found in Napa wines other than Lail. Dark purple in color, the D2’s aromas fly outta the glass, notifying you that you just bought some bad-ass wine. The D2 is seamless with flavors of plum, black cherry, currant, tobacco, caramel, mocha, and spice, all sewn together with 100% new French oak. The new oak is chewed up and perfectly integrated by the powerful black fruit in this world class wine. And seriously, don’t even start up with this, “I don’t like Washington wines” stuff, or “We just drink California reds” or, “Oh no, not Washington”. In fact, if you don’t buy this wine I should sell your information to some telemarketers and close the store, maybe burn it, and leave the wine business forever because nobody really cares about the GREAT wines I find unless they come from this mostly homogenized valley, the home of free run juice.

2007 ROUND POND ESTATE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$50.00
Let’s pretend you don’t like Washington or Oregon wines and you can’t stand or stomach wines from Mendocino or Santa Cruz and the only wines you really enjoy are Napa Valley Cabernets. If that is the case, then this is your wine. Round Pond’s winemaker, Brian Brown, trained in Australia and then in Napa where he worked as assistant winemaker at Vineyard 29. There he worked with Phillippe Melka and Ceila Masyczek where he learned cutting edge techniques that guarantee a minimum score of 94 points on every vintage, no matter what. Because of that experience the Round Pond Cabernet has the same luscious, intense, thick, rich qualities of much more expensive wines. The typical “Rutherford dust” in this wine is covered and coated with dark, dank flavors and a huge, rich presence on the palate. Nothing dusty about it. Notes of black cherry, cherry, earthy cassis, French oak, cocoa, and blackberry will sing to your senses and curl your toes. Check out this awesome 2007 Cabernet from one of the new kids on the block. This Cab is big, forward, and balanced and will satiate the most critical of aficionados.
THIS IS A SUPER SECRET DEAL ON A CABERNET YOU CAN GET ONLY IF I KNOW YOU–$25.00
This winery would cut my balls off if they new I was doing this, so only good customers who I know well will get a chance at this. Don’t have your friend call because I don’t sell dope to strangers. That way if associates of this winery try to bust me on cheaping out this AWESOME Cabernet I can tell them I have no idea what the hell they are talking about. The wine is mountain Cabernet from a very famous appellation, received real good scores, drinks great now and will improve for 4-5 more years. It’s dark and concentrated with black fruits, earthy goodness, and a $25 price tag. This is basically my next Charbay type deal except the supply is WAY smaller. Please identify yourself before asking about this wine so I’m not a dick to you when you inquire. The price is $25.00 and is normally about $45-50 making this a half price deal. It’s like two for one, buy one get one free, an unexpected threesome, or if you bought a new car and they just gave you another one for free just because they like you. $25.00–You need to call me to find out what this is all about so pick it up and dial 800-356-3970.  $25

2006 SCHOOLHOUSE, Estate Pinot Noir, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$85.00
I have about 2 cases left of the greatest Pinot outside of Burgundy. Not that you want to drink this when you are 95, but this Pinot can age and develop for up to 40 years. Seriously. Tell me one other wine from California that can do that and I’ll tell you that you are full of crap. Ever drank a 1963 California Pinot that tastes like DRC? Probably not. But, at least you can get a 2006 California Pinot reminiscent of the finest Burgundy in the word.

2007 FORT ROSS, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast–$25.00
If you don’t want $85 Pinot Noir but still want to get your world rocked you should jump on this. It is, by far, the best deal I have on Pinot. Some of you have bought it but most of you are staring at the wall or peeing down your leg. I’m not selling you cheap wine, I’m selling you a kick ass $40 Pinot for $25. This has been in our last couple letters, but y’all are missing the boat. Don’t hesitate to wrap you lips around this very well endowed Pinot.

2008 PEAY, “LA BRUMA”, Estate Syrah, Sonoma Coast–$41.00
Need something to go with your lamb chops? This is it. Peay grows incredible fruit on the Sonoma Coast. Cool climate creates perfect structure with supple and forward flavors of blackberries, boysenberry, lead pencil, and sweet smoky bacon fat. This wine is ultra-enjoyable with silky smooth fine tannins. Get the best, forget the rest.

FEATURED WHITE WINES

2009 BREGGO, Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley, Mendocino–$24.00
Judging from the last two newsletters it seems that nobody is really interested in Chardonnay anymore. Sooooo, here’s a kick ass white wine that doesn’t rhyme with ‘tard. This juice is jumpin’, jammin’ and built for slammin’.
Mendocino is famous for its crippling marijuana and now Breggo has put them on the map for medicinal quality Pinot Gris. This will heal your craving for something other than Chard with a nose full of nectarine, honeydew melon, and Mandarin orange followed by flavors of key lime, white peach, honey, and white pepper. Crisp acidity makes this an excellent food wine and a refreshing diversion to Chardonnay, which seems to be out of fashion.

2009 CROCKER STARR, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$26.00
Winemaker Pam Starr has nailed another perfect SB. Coming from north and south valley vineyards with grapes being harvested over a 45 day period, this wine is complex and exhibits the finest qualities of SB and leaves the grassy cat piss flavors out in the barn for the Kiwi’s and the rats to enjoy. Flavors of pear, guava, peach, and citrus infused minerality carry through to the long, lively, zippy finish. 95% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel barrels and 5% was done in new French oak for a crisp finish with a nice presence on the palate.

FEATURED WINE STORE FOR SALE
Groezinger Wine Company is for sale. After 22 years of retailing fine wines I’m changing things up and pursuing less intoxicating avenues of the wine business. If y’all know anyone who is extremely knowledgeable about retailing wine and wants one hell of an opportunity in Napa, please have them contact me. And don’t call me to bullshit about this unless you’re buying the store or at least buying some wine because I’m still busy selling wine and packing boxes. The ability to operate a tape gun at a rapid rate of speed is a valuable asset for this position.