You must have been getting very busy with your Valentine in February because we didn’t hear from enough of you. Maybe it was the pink paper or the predictable endless stream of tasteless humor. Whatever the case, we are switching things up a little. You are now being charged $12 a year to receive this. We appreciate your support as this should help pay the rent and keep the lights on. We figure a dollar a month is a small price to pay to belong to one of the most elite and unique wine programs in the country.  Of course, you could always call and buy some juice to get your subscription fee waived for the next year……it’s a great way to save twelve bucks.  And if yer living in the southern reaches of our country, remember how hot it gets in the summer and how cool it is right now.  Load in some summer whites or stock up on big reds before the 2010’s and 2011’s hit the market.

Did you hear?? The Paper Airplane Distance Record was shattered by 19 feet. Twenty seven year old, former Cal quarterback, Joe Ayoob, threw the record breaking plane 226 feet, 10 inches. To hell with the scary campaign, now that’s REAL news! With times a changing, with eras ending, and with major aeronautical breakthroughs, we are often asked…“Does Groezinger’s still have that incredible three case shipping special?”   You bet your Guiness Book of World Records we do………

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.

Yo! Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Mississippi.  Ship it now before the summer heat comes.

1.)  2008 RAMEY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$45.00 95 points from Wine Advocate/Galloni

2.)  2007 PETER FRANUS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$36.00 A real sleeper. Drinkable, age-worthy, delicious.

3.)  2008 DOMINUS ESTate, Napa Valley–$173.00 A straight up, hard core, 99 pointer. It will only appreciate.

4.)  2008 Cade, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$65.00

5.)  2008 REVANA FAMILY VINEYARDS, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, Napa Valley–$125.00

6.)  2006 PALLADIAN, Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helana, Napa Valley–$33.00 Balanced, Bordeaux-like, 13.9%alcohol.

7.)  2007 WHITE ROCK, Claret, Napa Valley–$33.00 An estate grown blend of CS, CF, ML, & PV. Very cellarable.

8.) 2008 PARADIGM, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$56.00

This is one of Paradigm’s biggest and most full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon in a few years. If you like Paradigm, you are gonna love this vintage. It’s thick and heavy on the palate with dark black fruits and a sweet dose of  nice oak.

9.)  2008 DETERT, Cabernet Franc, Oakville, Napa Valley–$60.00 One of Napa’s top three Cabernet Francs.

10.)  2008 MCKENZIE-MUELLER, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley–$33.00 Just in case you wanted your Franc in the 30’s

11.)  2009 CHESTER’S ANVIL, Hattori Hanzo, Napa Valley–$32.00 CS, CF, ML, PV, and Syrah.  Everyone who tastes this wine buys it.  It’s a beautiful blend of high-pedigree fruit that’s drastically underpriced.  Held over by popular demand.

12.) 2007 MINER FAMILY, Merlot, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley–$35.00 It’s been eight years since Miles killed the Merlot industry.  It’s time to move on.  In fact, what most people don’t realize is that the varietal is back in vogue now that all of the inferior Merlot vineyards have been ripped out and replanted.  And remember, Paul Giamatti, who played Miles in Sideways, is an actor, not a wine critic. And no, I wouldn’t drink Merlot from Santa Barbara either.

13.)  2009 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN, Zinfandel, Mayacamas Range, Napa Valley–$32.50

14.)  2009 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN, Zinfandel, Eastern Exposures, Napa Valley–$43.50 96 pts, Connoisseurs’ Guide

15.)  2007 ELYSE, Zinfandel, Korte Ranch, Napa Valley–$32.00 Do you remember Schuetz Oles Zin?  Maybe you’re a little young. This is the vineyard. Vibrant red raspberry, briar, blackberry, spice, and jam. 4 ½ years old and drinking great.

16.)  2009 ST. INNOCENT, Pinot Noir, Temperance Hill, Willamette Valley–$30.00

17.)  2005 CAMPION, Pinot Noir, Carneros–$22.00 Awesome Pinot at an equally awesome price. Still young at 6 years.

This is a beautiful wine that has a bit of age on it, yet still drinks like a very vibrant and young wine. While many Carneros Pinots are predictable to say the least, this is unlike most of them with structure, terroir, and Burgundain nuances.

18.)  2009 CALERA, Pinot Noir, de VILLIERS Vineyard, Mount Harlan–$34.50 This is the most recent addition to the family of Calera single vineyard wines from Mount Harlan. We’ve got a lot of fantastic feedback on this wine. Check it out.

19.)  2008 LAFOLLETTE, Chardonnay, Manchester Ridge, Mendocino Ridge–$45.00

The close proximity to the Pacific Ocean gives this heavyweight Chardonnay bright fruit and racing acidity. Awesome wine!

2008 HONRAMA, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$25.00                    600 cases produced

Alright, folks. Pay close attention.  This is a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford that usually sells for about $50.  It was aged in 50% new French Oak and 50% one year old French oak barrels. It’s deep red in color with aromas that will make you question your $60 bottles. All traces of Rutherford dust have been swept away with deep, concentrated flavors and a sweet layer of integrated oak.  You’ll drive past this vineyard as you cross the railroad tracks by Franciscan.  About 600 cases were produced and most of it will stay here in Napa…..that is unless you help a few cases find a new home.  This is one of those deals that will make you question the price of many wines you know and love. After you taste this great Cabernet at this ridiculously low price, you’ll realize that most wineries are just getting rich from our habit while great wine can be made and sold for a fraction of what we pay for it. Personally, I’m going to stash ten cases of this stuff for when I’m ready to get the party started. With bulk juice prices going through the roof and questionable vintages in the barrel, there will be no better time than now to stock up on some high grade Cabernet at a sweet low price. On the palate, you’ll get a lot of deep cherry and blackberry with nuances of espresso and cocoa. This is a meaty Cabernet that will cellar up nice for another six years with ease. A deal like this doesn’t come around very often. Load up now while it’s still available.

2007 SEPS ESTATE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$49.00

Very few people even know about this estate grown Cabernet from the rugged hillside vineyards of Storybook Mountain, just north of Calistoga. Generally sold only at the winery and for $65, this is a great opportunity to taste Jerry Seps’ masterful winemaking skills applied to Cabernet instead of Zinfandel while saving sixteen bucks a bottle. Like all of the Storybook wines, this will age effortlessly in your cellar, which is obvious from the bold, young, dark colors and flavors of this wine.  This is a beautiful expression of Napa Valley hillside Cabernet Sauvignon with a distinct terroir particularly specific to this vineyard site in the northwestern reaches of the Valley. Naturally infused nuances of loam and forest floor harmonize with the deep, spicy mountain fruit, making this a memorable wine that will linger on your palate and your mind for a long time.

2007 McKenzie Mueller, Real McCoy, “THE SPAGHETTI WESTERN”, Napa Valley–$50.00        318 cases produced

In a discussion with an old friend the other day, we came to the realization that there are three different types of people in the Napa Valley wine business. First is the person that has massive amounts of money and is doing all kinds of new weird shit to wine get some points and make a name for their wine and money.  The second type is the person that sucks up to and kisses the ring of the first person with high hopes of being accepted by them and getting an allocation of their precious juice.  The third kind is the person is one who doesn’t give a damn about the first two types and just tries to make and/or buy the best wines possible without the interference or influence of popular trends. McKenzie Mueller and Groezingers are type three establishments. If you want to drink image driven wines, stop reading. If you want the Real McCoy, give us a call and we will hook you up. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot is built to age for a long time yet is quite approachable in its youth. An image of the original Marlboro man from the 1950’s graces the label. He was Steven Butin from Sonoma County. While this wine still has a warning label on the bottle, it will kill you a lot slower than a pack of fags.  I’m talking about cigarettes, not a gang of biker-bears in the Castro on a Friday night. This wine spent 38 months in French and Hungarian oak, although you’d never guess it due to the powerful and untainted flavors in this wine.  With over forty years of winemaking experience, Bob Mueller is making awesome wines that are built to beat the test of time.

2007 VOLKER EISELE, “TERZETTO”, Napa Valley–$68.00                         501 cases produced

Once again, this is hard hitting, no nonsense wine that comes from type three Napa winery people. Equal parts of organically farmed, estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot are blended to create a complex expression of this remarkable vineyard.  Parker said this wine has “unmistakable elegance and impeccable balance.” Wine & Spirits called this “one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons and blends of 2011.” Every time I’ve tasted this wine, it has blown me away. The balance, attack, and persistence of the fruit in this wine are remarkable and rare. Why haven’t we been drinking and cellaring Terzetto for years?  Probably because we’re on some dumb mailing list at a glitzy winery that got some press three years ago and made us a sandwich. Or because we like label recognition and aren’t into wines that have obscure names like Terzetto. Or maybe it’s because we are thoroughly confused about Arajou Eisele and Volker Eisele and who is a type one or type three and god forbid being a type two wino. You wouldn’t guess the Terzetto was aged in 70% new French oak as the wood is masked by powerful and intense fruit.  Arousing red and black fruit is accented with solid, integrated tannins, and fluffed with French oak. This wine begs to be cellared and consumed with 8 or more years of age but is guaranteed to get you chubbin’ today.

2010 BEDROCK, Syrah, Sonoma Coast–$25.00

2009 BEDROCK, Syrah, Old Lakeville Vineyard, Sonoma Coast–$33.00

2008 PETERSON, Syrah, Bradford Mountain Vineyard, Gravity Flow Block, Dry Creek Valley–$41.00

2008 CRISTOM, Syrah, Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon–$27.50

Here are the new Syrahs from Bedrock, Peterson’s finest offering, and one that is impossible to beat. The Bedrock wines are approachable and enjoyable upon release, the Old Lakeville being a bit heavier and more complex with site specific flavors. The Peterson is heavy, gripping, and complex with a wallop of flavor and a bright future in the cellar. It’s one of Sonoma’s finest Syrahs. And the Cristom….This wine has a special place in my heart and in my cellar.  Deep in my heart and on the outskirts of my cellar and easy to get at.  Flavors of white pepper, very rare meat, spice, oak, and earth are captured in this wine. Made only in years where ripeness is achieved, this Syrah perfectly mixes new world and old world styles together resulting in a wine that is timeless and worldly in every aspect. I truly feel bad for those of you without the Cristom.

2004 SALEXIS, Merlot, Napa Valley–$30.00                            288 cases produced

This isn’t your typical insipid and uneventful Merlot. The grapes for this beast are from the Snowden Estate in the rugged hillsides just east of Rutherford. The juice spent a whopping 37 days on the skins before being pressed into 2/3 new French oak where it spent 18 months.  While some folks are cracking into their 2007’s, 2008’s, and 2009’s, we’ve been enjoying the mellowed texture and seamless flavors of this vibrant 2004 Merlot.  John Gibson is the man behind these wines. He’s a Napa veteran who has proudly served at Chappellet, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Vine Cliff, and Snowden while consulting for numerous wineries in California over the years. Flavors of toasted crème-cherry are complimented by spice, earth, and integrated oak.  This is a big-ole Merlot that’ll show most Napa Cabs what’s the what and who’s the who.

2009 HILLIARD BRUCE, “Sun” Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills–$50.00

Introducing one of the hottest new wineries in California and the most exciting Pinot Noir project since Seasmoke.  Pinot-genius, Paul Lato, is the consulting enologist for these masterfully crafted wines.  Antonio Galloni from the Wine Advocate said these are striking wines for such a new property, and I must agree.  The texture of this wine is thick, smooth, and bright all at the same time. The flavors are balanced and persistent with a purity rarely found in wine, anywhere on the planet.  You can expect this winery to be in the press over the next few years and for their wines to be harder to find as time goes on.  A massive blast of delicately spiced cherry leads into flavors of poached strawberry, earth, sunshine, clove, and cinnamon. If you enjoy great Pinot Noir as much as you like breathing, missing out on this wine would be like choking yourself out.  And I’m not talking about choking your chicken, I mean you would die if you knew how good this was.  There, you’ve been told.

2009 HILLIARD BRUCE, Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills–$41.00

And then there’s the Chardonnay. Mmmmmmmmm. This stuff is almost as good as the Pinot.  After years of drinking California Chardonnay and not killing myself, comes this wonderful offering of the bastardized varietal. I think a lot of wineries that make Chardonnay forget what the varietal is supposed to taste like. It happens often in America to a lot of products like pizza, tobacco, candy, Mexican food, French food, coffee, bread, and wine. While Chardonnay got its personality and style from Burgundy, recent domestic efforts leave room for discussion as to what the fuck exactly happened along the way. Well, this wine will put that discussion to rest with beautiful, bright, Burgundian flavors of white peach, lemon, orange rind, mineral, and only nuances of tight grained French oak. If you like Chardonnay but can’t stand what people do to it, this will renew your faith in the varietal as it washes away the sins of hundreds of Australian and Californian winemakers.

2008 HEIBEL RANCH VINEYARDS, “LOPPA’S”, Napa Valley–$30.00                 150 cases produced

This wine is composed of 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc, 17% Zinfandel, 10% Petite Sirah, and 7% Syrah.

It reminds me of a wine that came through the doors a good 11 or 12 years ago. That wine was the first vintage of The Prisoner when the production was 250 cases, and the wine freaking rocked the house for $25.  Over the years, that wine has turned into a 50,000+ case brand that doesn’t have much in common with the vintages that made it famous in the first place.

Which brings us back to why you should have some of this wine, it’s big and juicy with solid mountain structure, has flavors of black fruit, black currant, and cocoa with soft tannins and light shadings of oak. The grapes are from a single vineyard in Aetna Springs on the backside of Howell Mountain which gives this wine a personality and identity never found in larger production wines. If you had the 2007 Loppa’s, this vintage is even bigger, better, and more concentrated.

2009 TALLEY VINEYARDS, Estate Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande Valley–$32.50

I recently tasted the entire lineup of Talley’s wines with Brian Talley in the shop the other day.  I’ve always loved these wines because they are superbly farmed and made with the utmost care and concern for a true expression of the vineyards. But let me tell you, the current releases from Talley rival anything they have produced in the past. I don’t know if it’s because the vines are getting older or if the Talley’s have harnessed the vineyards and can make them do what they want them to do.  This Pinot is stunning, especially at $32. I would challenge you to find a better Pinot Noir for $32, and if you do find one, could you please call and tip me off? This Pinot has a mouthload of deep red fruit, pomegranate, cherry, black cherry, red cherry, and cherry pie, with medium spice and a delicate earthiness that perfectly showcases this vineyard site in a liquid form.

2009 TALLEY VINEYARDS, Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard, Edna Valley–$45.00

The 2008 Stone Corral Pinot got a 94 point rating from the Wine Advocate, and this vintage could easily garner another point or two. It’s full bodied and luscious with a powerful core of deep, bold, bright fruit and long complex, tantalizing finish of spice, almond, mineral, and dried cherry. This fruit comes from Edna Valley, just north of the Talley Estate next to Oliver’s Vineyard that provides fruit for the sensational “Oliver’s” Chardonnay that you’ll read about in a minute.  These single vineyard wines are built to age too. Close proximity to the Pacific Ocean creates good acidity and with the assistance of velvety tannins, these Pinots will age and develop for many years to come. Bob Parker said these wines “are among the finest values for world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that exist.”  I have to agree, Bob.  To sum this up, if you want some of the finest Pinot in the country but don’t want to pay $85-$125 a bottle, get some Talley. You’ll thank yourself later.

2010 CASTALIA, Pinot Noir, Rochioli Vineyard, Russian River Valley–$60.00          300 cases produced

Here’s a great way to get some of Rochioli’s finest grapes at a fraction of what they charge for it.  Terry Bering is Rochioli’s cellarmaster, and every year, he steals some grapes and makes this wine. I’m sure some day the bosses will catch on, but for now, you can get this superb Rochioli Vineyard Pinot at a super-honest price.  If you’re picky-picky and only like the finest Pinots from Russian River Valley, you should get all over this like ugly on an ape. I don’t know why I even write up this wine because the same few people call every year and buy a case each, which pretty much takes care of my allocation.

2010 TALLEY, Estate Chardonnay, Arroyo Grande Valley–$23.50

Definitely one of the best deals on high grade Chardonnay in the world.  I was checking out other wine shops, the wine isle at Whole Foods, and some other places too.  I was nauseated at how much bulk plunk is being sold for the same price or more than this estate grown gem. Like their 2010 Estate Pinot, if you can find a better Chard for $23, please let me know.  This super clean Chardonnay has flavors of pear, white peach, baked apple, plum blossom, and citrus zest with a lightly creamy yet brilliant finish. This is a mix of Rincon and Rosemary’s vineyards. That means, this $23 Chardonnay is made from two of the best vineyards in the country and some of the best grapes in the western hemisphere.  It’s like getting a Ferrari at a Ford price.

2009 TALLEY, OLIVER’S Vineyard Chardonnay, Edna Valley–$29.00

The Oliver’s Vineyard Chardonnay is bigger and more minerally than the Talley Estate Chard.  The Oliver’s Chardonnay is moving up the ranks at Talley as the vines get older and produce more complex flavors with a greater depth of fruit.  On the palate, the wine gives up flavors of green apple, citrus, and lots of minerality with a smooth and creamy finish. On the nose, you can find whiffs of tropical fruit, coconut, and flint.  Like their Estate Chard, this wine drastically over performs for $29.

2011 AZUR, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$23.50

Waiter: “Would monsieur care for another bottle of Chateau Latour?” Navin: “Ah yes, but no more 1966. Let’s splurge! Bring us some fresh wine! The freshest you’ve got – this year! No more of this old stuff.” Waiter: “Oui monsieur.” Navin: “He doesn’t realize he’s dealing with sophisticated people here.”      So you want some fresh wine. Here is the freshest wine we have, and it’s definitely made for sophisticated people. Whether you’re from old money or nouveau riche, this wine will put some class in your glass without annoying flavors of grass and cat ass.  This wine has become a darling of Napa Valley restaurants and appears on most wine lists out here.  It has super-bright fruit with citrus flavors, lemon, honeysuckle, and quince.  The Azur SB will pair with many foods and also makes a perfect cocktail if you’re like me and can’t stand hors d’oeuvres. And yes, I am aware that a lemon is a citrus. Thanks for the concern.

2011 AZUR, Rose, California–$23.50

Q: What would you call it if you have two people enjoying Azur Rose while one person tried to drink a corked bottle of Rudd SB? That would be called “two in the pink and one in the stink.”  The majority of this wine is surprisingly Syrah with a small blend of Semillon for additional mouthfeel. This is a superb food wine that will surprise you with how many foods it pairs with.  A medium rare steak , strawberry ice cream, ham, some cupcakes, and ambrosia salad are all pink. Aside from visual parings, this rose’s flavors will go with many salads, Mexican food, gazpacho, salmon (also pink), and goes really well with unbuttered popcorn while buttered popcorn should really go with Champagne. Azur Rose and unbuttered popcorn; not only is it delicious, it’s a great way to stay in shape. Pick up some of this Provence-styled rose for the warm spring and summer months that are just around the corner.  The ultimate pairing—Azur Rose by a pool with a big bowl of your favorite produce.

Have ya been searching for cheese boards made out of wine boxes? We thought so. That’s why Mamie started a new business called Board in Wine Country. It’s a small wood shop crafting one-of-a-kind items from wooden wine boxes. Items can be purchased directly through Groezinger’s or on her Etsy site. She’s adding many items to her site this weekend so be sure to check it out next week.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BoardinWineCountry

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,

Recent studies show that music is good for your health and can also help people with severe illnesses. It can lower pain levels, cheer a person’s mood, improve vital signs, and compliment medication. Independent studies show music works even better when you listen to it with a couple glasses of wine, a Percocet, and some medical marijuana. While we can’t sell you drugs or buds, this newsletter is packed with ultra high grade wines that are guaranteed to heal what ails you. These are medicinal quality wines without the medicinal taste of Fernet Branca or a peaty Scotch whiskey. And if you drink enough of these wines and take the above listed medications while listening to some good tunes, all those stupid politicians will disappear for at least a few hours, and maybe a few days if you’re on a real binge of a bender. Speaking of binges, the holidays will be here in no time with the first one, Labor Day, less than three weeks away. Be sure to get stocked up for football season with some of these big reds, purple people eaters, and crimson tides. Things are cooling off a little for fall shipping and coincidentally, one of the most frequently asked questions we hear is, “Does Groezinger’s still have summer storage and that incredible three case shipping deal?” Hell, yes we do! Another question we hear a lot is, “Where the f**k is Justin?”  Answer: in a small jail cell in Tijuana.

Yes, summer storage is still available at Groezingers. So if you want some of these great wines, but don’t want to ship now, I’ll keep them cool for you until this fall at no charge. It’s also a great way to take advantage of the three case shipping special. You can buy a case a month, have them stored for free, and then ship ‘em at the same time for about $100.  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.

DON’T HESITATE TO MEDICATE YOURSELF WITH SOME OF THESE MIND ALTERING SELECTIONS.

1.)  2008 LAIL, J. Daniel Cuvee, Napa Valley–$126.00 100% Cab Sauvignon this year. Ultra pure and concentrated.

2.)  2008 BLACK SEARS, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$73.00 Oh my God, it’s the bomb. It’s made by Thomas Brown and the fruit is the finest on Howell Mountain. Don’t hesitate, it’ll be gone in a second.

3.)  2008 SNOWDEN, “The Ranch”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$39.00 Great Cab at a great price.

4.)  2007 ROBINSON FAMILY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley–$50.00 Estate grown from a vineyard between Shafer and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. It’s an incredible deal for wine from this pricey appellation.

5.)  2006 ROBINSON FAMILY, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley–$90.00 170 cases.

Many people compare this wine to the Shafer Hillside Select. The difference is it’s bigger and $160 cheaper.  As far as I know, Groezingers is the only retail store in the world to sell this awesome Stag’s Leap Cabernet.

6.)  2007 ILSLEY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley–$54.00 Yet another incredible SLD wine.

7.)  2008 LARKIN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$55.00 Big, concentrated, age-worthy Cab with sweet scores.

8.)  2008 LARKIN, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley–$55.00 Larkin’s best Cab Franc so far. 94 points from Robba Pakka.

9.)  2007 CADE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$65.00 One of Cade’s best wines so far. We had this in the March newsletter and it sold out. Recently, our supplier just came up with a few more cases. Enjoy.

10.)  2005 VEEDERCREST, Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast–$12.00 Here’s some good stuff for those pesky friends that show up with a bottle of Folie a Deux Menage a Trios from Costco. A total sleeper and an incredible deal.

11.)  2009 EVENING LAND, Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills–$36.50 A killer Pinot from a flawless winery. Big and dark.

12.)  2004 CAMPION, Pinot Noir, Carneros–$22.00 This wine was built to age and believe it or not, this is the current release. Campion has character, depth, complexity, and the ability to pair with many foods. A sweet price too.

13.) 2008 STANTON, Petite Sirah, St. Helena, Napa Valley–$41.00 Big, thick, rich, and meaty. Made by Dave Finney.

14.) 2009 FOUR CAIRN, Syrah, Napa Valley–$34.50 Holy shit, this stuff is incredible. It’s a massive Syrah that’ll give any Cabernet a run for its money. Plus, it actually pairs with big foods and will blow you………….right off of your chair.

15.) 2009 WINE GUERILLA, Zinfandel, Coffaro Old Vine, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma–$35.00 You’ll go ape-shit over this beast of a Zinfandel. It’s big enough for King Kong, but smooth enough for Fay Wray, although it would have made her scream. Don’t monkey around, pick up the phone and go bananas with one of California’s best old vine Zins.

FEATURED RED WINES

2009 ROWLAND TEBB, Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Sears Vineyard, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$65.00

As it has happened many times in the past, Groezingers is the first store and one of two places where you can get this palate coating, mountain grown Cabernet. Upon first sip, you’ll know you got more than your money’s worth when this stuff wraps and slaps your tongue. It’s their first release, and if I could make a prediction, I’d say this brand is going to be one you wish you would have bought. Of course, you could avoid those sorrowful feelings by snatching up some of this MICRO PRODUCTON Cabernet right now. It’s made by Kevin Rowland and Stephen Tebb, who is the winemaker for Robert Craig.  They fermented the wine in oak vats to soften the rugged tannin of Howell Mountain and give the wine its voluptuous texture and slickery mouthfeel. When you taste it, the tannins are so integrated you need to rub your tongue on the roof of your mouth to feel them. But believe me, they are there and in force. The color is an inky black-red and the nose is explosive. Gushing with flavors that’ll make you drool (literally), you’ll get blackberry, earth, clove, and jammy cassis accented by barely noticeable, sweet French oak. Under 100 cases of this magnificent wine were born, so the supply is short and stubby while the wine is very well endowed, girthy, and fun to put in your mouth.

2008 REVIVAL, Cabernet Sauvignon, (Karios Vineyard) Napa Valley–$125.00

Here’s another freaking awesome Cabernet that you’ll only find here and at the winery. Only 96 cases of this seductive and succulent wine were made, so don’t think about getting it in a few months. Lindsay Garvey came by Groezingers this morning (8/12), and we opened this bottle. It was delicious and complex with layers of smooth, dark fruits, a light nuance of oak, and a long enticing finish. It’s now 4:45 pm, and this stuff has opened up and is in-fucking-credible. The balance is spectacular, the fruit is relentless, and the wine is ultra pure and refined while still retaining a core of raw and unmanipulated fruit. The younger Garvey’s, Sean and Lindsay, whose parents own Flora Springs and Buehler Vineyards, fermented 40% of this wine in barrels with one end popped off. Three of their four barrels were new French Oak and the other one was neutral. From a thirty one year old vineyard just south of Stag’s Leap District on the same hill that Groezinger’s previous owner, Martin Blumberg, has a vineyard, this Cabernet exhibits a true sense of place while showcasing many subtle nuances and characteristics that are only achievable with mature vines. Julie Garvey named the vineyard “Karios” after the Greek descriptor for the indefinite moments in time when something special happens. Something special has definitely happened here, and it’s in these bottles. You’ll taste candied black fruits with nuances of licorice and cedar followed by cherry, spice, and a delicate earthiness. The finish lasts for minutes. This is awesome Cabernet from a great vineyard with a super cool package.  On Monday 8/15, it’s still drinking great.

2008 BIG BASIN VINEYARDS, Pinot Noir, Alfaro Family Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains–$40.00

With a name like Big Basin, you might think this wine had something to do with Richard Pryor or Whitney Houston. Nope. But, this wine is so awesome that at forty bucks it’s almost like free Basin. There are Pinots at more than twice this price that aren’t half as good. I can’t emphasize enough how much you need to get your glass and take a big, slow drag of this stuff.  Proprietor and winemaker, Bradley Brown has enlisted the help of William Selyum’s former enogolist, Lindsey Otis, who must have some magical method or recipe for making incredible Pinot Noir because this is one of the best I’ve tasted all year. It has super vibrant red fruits and a giant palate presence. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, raspberry, and spice are elevated with brilliant acidity and a firm structure. It is seductive to say the least and highly addictive. Like freebase, one of the downsides is that you need to drink some about every three minutes or else you’ll freak out. That’s about how long the finish lasts.  I’d recommend getting a bunch so you don’t lose it when you blow through the first bottle. Another downside is that your friends or company just won’t leave when they know you have more, so stash it good. Less than 125 cases were produced, so get crackin’ and call me immediately.

2009 STOLPMAN VINEYARDS, Estate Grown Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley–$27.00

These dudes have produced one of the best and most food friendly Syrahs in the country. That is, if you’re eating brined and cold smoked porterhouse pork chops from the Fatted Calf in Napa. Or you could just drink this with a giant pile of bacon.  We had this with my chef buddy, Ryder, a few weeks ago and he loved the wine, saying he found aromas and flavors of Skoal and Slim Jims. Translated, that would be dark black fruits, black tobacco, mint (eucalyptus), spice, and meatiness. It’s a huge wine that brilliantly opens up with about an hour of air. Many wineries have made wines with large scores from this vineyard at much higher prices. Now you can get the real deal right from the teat on the cheap.

2007 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS, “Antaeus”, Estate, Napa Valley–$32.00

Normally $40, this is a sweet deal on this wine. Jerry Seps gave me a break on the price so I’m just passing it on to you instead of putting it in the register. Antaeus is an estate grown blend of 50% Zinfandel, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and 4% Petite Verdot. At first sip, the wine tastes like a big Zin, then out of nowhere come the Bordeaux-esque flavors that carry on into the long and complex finish.  This inmate is kind of like the Prisoner except it’ll kick the Prisoner’s ass.  It’s way bigger, way badder, has more structure, is a very small estate grown production, and will probably age for ten years from the vintage date. Plus at this price, it’s cheaper too. Vibrant Zinfandel flavors of black raspberry and wild blackberry are followed by structured black cherry, cocoa, spice, and just a hint of oak.  Get paroled from the confines of typical and predictable wines with this steal of a deal. It’s so good you’ll feel like you robbed me.

2009 ENKIDU, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County (Bedrock Vineyard)–$21.00

Who doesn’t love a good deal on great Cabernet?  This stuff is $45 from the winery, and for some reason, I can get it to you for $21.00. At this price, you’d be crazy and/or just plain stupid not to load in a case of this.  It’s serious hard hittin’ Cabernet from the mountains of Sonoma Valley and the 125 year old Bedrock Vineyard. With the holidays coming up, you’ll probably need some wine to pour for the masses, and how can you beat a half price deal? The coolest thing about this is that it actually tastes like $45.  A core of black cherry is backed up with flavors of blackberry, lavender, violet, chocolate, and toasty oak. This Cabernet will age and develop for many years to come and takes about an hour to fully open up. Phillip Staehle, Enkidu’s owner and winemaker, has never made anything but top notch wines. If you haven’t  had Enkidu wines, you owe it to your palate to give them a swirl.

2003 PARADOR, Reserva, Napa Valley Red Wine–$46.00 (Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon)

Many of you thoroughly enjoyed the 2002 Parador Tempranillo Reserva. That’s sold out now and has brought the 2003 Reserva to the table. With a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, this is bigger and a bit meatier than the 2002 Tempranillo. The Cabernet comes from the superb Hossfeld Vineyard in Soda Canyon, located at the base of Atlas Peak. The Tempranillo comes from the legendary Rancho Chimiles Vineyard planted with the true Ribera del Duero clone. After fermentation, the wine was aged for three years in barrels and then an additional three years in bottle prior to release. The finished product is bright, lively, dense, and intense. It compliments food better than most wines from California and will age for a long time. The nose is dark and seducing with hints of herb, tobacco, and spice.  Once on the tongue, it shows the full tilt cherry, bittersweet chocolate, and concentrated plum flavors. Delicious.  Only six barrels (150 cases)

were produced almost eight years ago. While some 2003’s are starting to mature with bottle age, this youngster is just starting to party.  Get those pork chops and rib eyes on the grill and crack a jug of this. Your taste buds will thank you.

FEATURED WHITE WINES

2010 ROWLAND TEBB, Chardonnay, Michael Mara Vineyard, Sonoma Coast–$29.00

Only 210 cases were made from this great vineyard located just inside the Sonoma Coast Appellation. This is a beautiful expression of Chardonnay, unlike most on the market. The focus here is the bright and uplifting white fruit, leaving behind the cream, toast, and butter typically found in California Chards. Undeniably delicious upon first sip, it’ll bring you back gulp after tasty gulp. I think the perfect food pairing would be a piece of grilled halibut with a cucumber/ginger sauce or baked sea bass with soy-ginger-sesame glaze. Flavors of white peach, pineapple, Granny Smith apple, and minerality are supported by a taught structure of firm acidity. It’s bright and lively and delicious.

2009 PEAY, Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast–$51.00

Last week, we spent a night out at Peay’s Vineyard, just four miles from the ocean. We tried their upcoming releases, and this wine, in particular, was absolutely stunning. It’s the best Chard I’ve had from Peay, and while it’s not officially released until September 1^st, you should get your order in now to secure the goods. Rich, complex golden fruit is souped up with racy (vroom-vroom) acidity and coastal influence. Co-owner and winemaker, Vanessa Wong, learned how to make kick-ass Chardonnay at Peter Michael winery and left in 2001 to start Peay Vineyards. You’ll find stylistic similarities due to the winemaking and delicious differences from the vineyard location. This wine dishes out layer after layer of ripe pear, golden apple, dried pineapple, and baked pie crust with minerality and a hint of lemon zest.

2010 PIERSON MEYER, Sauvignon Blanc, Ryan’s Vineyard, Napa Valley–$26.00

This S.B. has become an annual favorite amongst our customers. Unfortunately, the supply doesn’t last but a fraction of the year.  Robbie Meyer rounds out the super clean and grass-less fruit with neutral oak barrels and a bit of lees stirring to build up the mid palate. Malolactic fermentation is bypassed to preserve the bright fruit and make this food friendly and tantalizing. The wine is clean and bright with flavors of melon and green apple, floral notes, and a barely noticeable kiss of oak. Only 190 cases were produced so step to it before they go through it.

2010 VOGELZANG, “Birdsong” Sauvignon Blanc, Happy Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley–$16.50

Yet another great Sauvignon Blanc made by Robbie Meyer. This is stylistically very similar to the Pierson Meyer S.B. with nuances of melon, super light shadings of oak, a good palate presence, bright fruit, and zippy acidity. The sweet part about this wine is its sweet price. At $16.50, you and your friends can drink this wine till the birds start chirping.

BRICELAND VINEYARDS, Humboldt County, Sparkling Wine, Methode Champenoise–$32.00

Recently at the California State fair this wine was awarded a double gold medal, won the best of California, and the best of class for North Coast appellations in the sparkling wine category. It was scored 98 out of 100 points and judged the best sparkler in California. It’s a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from small, family owned vineyards in Humboldt County. Like the best French Champagnes, it’s fermented in the bottle and given three years of bottle age before being released. Want to see something funny? Go to http://youtu.be/VFevH5vP32s and check out Orson Wells on Paul Masson. But do that after you call 800-356-3970 and get some of the best bubbly in the country. It’s crisp, bright, and dry, with flavors of lemon ice, pear, yeast, toast, and lime with a long, tantalizing finish that’s fit for a king or queen.

FEATURED WINERY— FORT ROSS VINEYARD AND WINERY

I’ve sold Fort Ross for many years but hadn’t visited the vineyard until last week. After being at Peay’s sleepover, we drove down the coast on Highway 1 and made our way to Fort Ross for a vineyard tour, lunch, and a tasting of all their wines. The vineyards are so coastal that you can see about 150 degrees of coastline from the top of the site. These vineyards are cut into the coastal hillsides on very steep inclines that couldn’t be planted by obeying today’s laws and regulations.  Lester and Linda Schwartz and their crew work their asses off to make these world class Pinots and Chards. Oh, and they make the best Pinotage on the planet. Many vineyards in the Sonoma Coast Appellation aren’t really on or very near the Sonoma Coast. If you look at aerial photos of these vineyards, you will understand what coastal grape farming really is. The structure and flavor profile of these wines is unsurpassed by other California wineries and by few in the world. All of their wines are spectacular with the reserve Chardonnay and Pinot Noir being  absolutely outta sight. I can’t emphasize enough how much you should have these wines, especially if you don’t already know them.

2005 FORT ROSS, Reserve Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast–$30.00

This explosive and truly reserve Chardonnay is a rare treat. Wineries hardly ever hold back their wines until they are five years old. Tiny yields, smaller berries, and higher acidity from the rugged Sonoma Coast make this possible.

Only a half ton per acre was brought in from the 2005 vintage while smaller berry size increased the skin to juice ratio making for a very intense and age-worthy wine. The grapes were harvested into 5 gallon buckets and hand sorted prior to whole cluster pressing. It was given full malolactic fermentation and aged in 30% new French oak. This wine is spectacular and gushes with white peach, citrus, apricot, and hazelnut flavors. The finish is long and tantalizing and while you might think this wine is reaching maturity, it is still a youngster and will drink great for years to come.

2007 FORT ROSS, Pinot Noir, “Symposium”, Sonoma Coast–$25.00

Many of you enjoyed the 2007 Fort Ross Pinot Noir that we sold last year. The “Symposium” Pinot Noir, with a 4% blend of Pinotage, is drinking fabulously and is extremely comparable to their standard issue 2007 Pinot. With an additional year of bottle age, this is smooth and curvy in all the right places, soft in the middle, bright, sophisticated,  and won’t mind one bit if you want to lay it down or rip its top off.  If you are half as sexy and possess a fraction of this wine’s intelligence, when you whip out your corkscrew it should be a match made in heaven.  The grapes were harvested in the middle of the night, punched down only 1-2 times a day during fermentation, and aged in French oak that was 25% new and 75% neutral.  This wine is the best deal going on California Pinot Noir right now.  Do not think you can find a better and more sophisticated Pinot Noir. And, it’s a perfect wine for Thanksgiving & the holidaze.

2007 FORT ROSS, “Reserve” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast–$44.00

Most idiots know that 2007 was an incredible vintage for Pinot Noir in Sonoma. But only the real smart kids know how amazing the ’07 vintage was on the “true” Sonoma Coast.  This Pinot is everything you could hope for plus a bag of chips. Most Pinot producers are selling their ’09 vintage while Linda and Lester have been holding their 2007 reserve until the perfect moment. They will sell no Pinot before it’s time. This is an amplified version of their 2007 “Sonoma Coast” that really dishes out the flavor with wonderful balance, intensity, and structure.  You should be thrown down the bunny hole if you don’t get this wine in your cellar. The nose is like the most sophisticated cherry cola with a morel mushroom as a garnish. Kind of like Roy Rogers meets Alice in Wonderland. On the palate, you can find flavors of raspberry, black raspberry, orange zest, cherry, minerality, and yes, Alice, more mushrooms.  This is a great food wine that’ll compliment almost anything you dish out. It should age for another six years at the very least and will probably live a lot longer than that judging from its youthfulness at four years old.

800-356-3970
Dear Groezinger Customer,

As I sit here behind my desk watching the rain pour down in late June I wonder where the f-hell all the wine buying tourists are and think about those poor, little, soggy grapes that are but the size of  small peas, far behind schedule due to exceptionally lame weather patterns. As you’ve probably heard, 2010 was a hit and miss vintage for the big reds although the white wines have been exceptional. There will some very good Cabs from 2010, but probably not too many. Nobody likes to say it out here since our livelihood depends on good wine, but, this looks like another mediocre year unless something turns around soon. With this in mind, I can’t encourage you enough to stock up on the great vintages currently available in this letter. Unless you’re taking pictures of your junk with your phone or sexting sweet nothings, you should call me and get hooked up with some of these great wines from 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. The response to the past couple newsletters has been as exciting as a rerun of the Lawrence Welk Show followed by an episode of Matlock. I have a hungry fiancé at home that I need to feed every two hours like a baby, and while she’s far from chubby, she does require some of the finer cuisine from Napa. So with a single phone call you can enjoy a cornucopia of great wines while helping me avoid the Hamburger Helper and Ramen noodles.  And don’t give me this “it’s too hot to ship it” routine because everybody knows…….Summer Storage is available at Groezingers.  So if you want some of these great wines, but don’t want to ship now, I’ll keep them cool for you until this fall at no charge. It’s also a great way to take advantage of the three case shipping special. You can buy a case a month, have them stored for free, and then ship ‘em at the same time for about $100.  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.

AS USUAL, A FEW FROM LAST MONTH THAT YOU MISSED AND SOME HOT NEW RELEASES.  800-356-3970

1.)  2007 DeLILLE, Grand Ciel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain–$135.00 94 points from Parker.

2.)  2008 DOMINUS, Napa Valley–$250.00 Huge scores & tiny allocations, call soon if you want some.  99 points WA.

3.)  2007 SWANSON, “Alexis”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$69.00 Syrah has been eliminated from the previous Alexis recipe making this a hardcore Cabernet Sauvignon that can hang with the big boys.

4.) 2008 KNIGHTS BRIDGE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley–$99.00

5.) 2008 KNIGHTS BRIDGE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dr. Crane Vineyard, Napa Valley–$99.00 If you’re on the quest for the Holy Grail of Cabernet, look no further. These Cabs will get you across the bridge without any flesh wounds. Superb vineyards and masterful elevage make these wines worth fighting for. Other Cabs shall not pass.

6.) 2007 DeSANTE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Terraces, Napa Valley–$65.00 Silky, rich, smooth, and plump.

7.) 2007 MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains–$46.00

8.) 2007 MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS, Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains–$48.50 Both of these Mount Eden wines are available in miniscule quantities. The Chard got 96 points from the Wine Advocate and the Cab isn’t rated yet

9.) 2005 SAGE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley-$38.00 This is the Cabernet, NOT the Veedercrest. It used to be $65. This is almost half off the original price, so get it while the getting’s still good.

10.) 2007 LAGIER MEREDITH, Syrah, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$41.00 I hate to rely on Parker’s points to sell wine, but it seems like y’all sometimes don’t believe me when I tell you that a wine is incredible. Why wouldn’t one person out of 2000 buy this? Maybe because the joke is true. Q: What’s the difference between gonorrhea and Syrah?         Answ: You can get rid of gonorrhea! Big Bobby Parker gave this a 94+. Check last months review and give me a ring.

11.) 2007 HENDRY, Block 28 Zinfandel, Napa Valley–$32.00 Just because I reviewed it with a rap doesn’t mean it’s crap, you should be slapped. Who doesn’t like Hendry Zin? Evidently it’s people who don’t like Syrah. Diversity!@#$%

12.) 2009 SOTER, Pinot Noir, Mineral Springs, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$60.00 Oregon’s finest. Truly awesome.

13.) 2009 CASTALIA, Pinot Noir, Rochioli Vineyard, Russian River Valley–$55.00 I won’t be upset if you don’t buy this one. I only get a few cases and it’s so good that I’ll drink it if you don’t. From Rochioli’s cellar master, from some of Rochioli’s finest vineyard blocks, from a great vintage.  6 bottle limit. This will be gone in a flash. 800-356-3970

FEATURED RED WINES

If you actually read this paper/cyber cut bleeding middle finger of Napa Valley and don’t hook up with some of these featured wines, yer freakin’ crazy. Oakville Ranch, Bell, Craig, Valance, Gamba, Grant, Semper. Don’t miss ‘em.

2007 BELL WINE CELLARS, Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa Valley–$65.00        646 cases

This is one of three exclusively designated clone 6 Cabernets in the country. This clone six vineyard was originally planted by Georges de Latour of BV in 1928 and replanted by Andy Beckstoffer in 1991.  The budwood for these vines came from BV’s block 4 which has some of the oldest Cabernet vines in the Valley. This wine is a piece of history, crafted and bottled with the lineage of years gone by. It’s as real as real gets and it’s finer than a new set of snow tires in Montana in January with a free alignment. It’s what you need in your cellar if you love Cabernet and claim to know anything about it. It’s twenty five bucks cheaper than the winery’s price and worth every penny and then some. It is one of very few Cabernets that has spun my head, kicked my jaw, and reinvigorated my enthusiasm for Napa Valley Cabernets. Prior to fermentation, the grapes were cold soaked for two days.  Juice was drained and pumped back over the skins for maximum color and flavor extraction.  The wine was aged for 22 months in thin staved French oak barrels being racked every two months. This frequent racking softens the tannins and naturally clarifies the wine so that it can be bottled completely unfined and unfiltered. With two years of bottle age, this wine is drinking spectacularly and will age for many years to come.  The 2007 growing season provided perfect conditions that assisted Anthony Bell in producing one of his best wines ever.  The flavors are everything you could hope for in a Cabernet. Black cherry, currant, and blackberry are kissed with nuances of cocoa, pepper, coffee, and cedary French Oak, The wine is deep and complex with a salivating mouthfeel and a finish that goes on and on.  This Cabernet exhibits true Bordeaux characteristics with the influence of California sunshine and beautiful, lush, ripe fruit.  Only 646 cases were produced so don’t wait or hesitate to get some of this incredible Napa Cabernet Sauvignon in your cellar and into your glass.

2008 OAKVILLE RANCH, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$55.00      350 cases

The vineyard that is above them all is back on top. This beautiful site sits atop the Oakville appellation at 1400 feet on the eastern side of Napa.  Rocky, red, volcanic soils and organic farming practices are producing grapes and wines unsurpassed by most Napa wineries. Not to mention the spring frost of 2008 that cut the crop in half, intensifying and concentrating flavors as if Mother Nature herself dropped half the harvest.  Mr. Parker gave up 94 points for this intense and extracted mountain grown Cabernet.  Back in 1997 I made the legendary “cult killer”, Screaming Gopher, with no previous winemaking experience with grapes from this world class vineyard.  Now, if that’s possible, just think what experienced winemakers can do with this incredible fruit. Oakville Ranch used to be the backbone of the Lewis Reserve Cabernet and helped put Miner Family on the map. Only 350 cases were squeezed from the tiny crop this vineyard gave up.  As soon as this wine lands in your glass or decanter you’ll be captivated by the dark purple and nearly black color. It should age effortlessly for at least ten years if you can keep your mitts off the goods. You’ll get flavors of cassis, black raspberry, black plum, earth, herb, spice, and tobacco. Cassis is the dominate flavor in the wine and if you’ve ever wondered what cassis tastes like you should drink some of this. I’ve been selling this wine since the 1991 vintage and the 2008 is one of their best wines ever. This bitchin’ Cabernet also points out what a great vintage 2008 was and will give some insight to some of the other spectacular wines that you should be keeping an eye on.

2009 ROBERT CRAIG, Mount George Cuvee, Napa Valley–$26.00    (64%CS, 25%CF, 9%ML, 2%PV)  462 cases

Here is one of the best deals you could hope to find on Napa Valley Cabernet. Fashioned after a right bank Bordeaux blend, it delivers a wallop of flavor without kicking your wallet’s ass. The fruit comes from the foothills of Mount George, just south of the Stag’s Leap District. This wine is basically the little brother of the highly touted Affinity which usually gets scores in the mid 90’s and is always delicious. The Affinity comes from this same vineyard and the Mount George Cuvee is composed of lots that weren’t included in the Affinity’s final blend. On the nose the wine has aromas of perfumed red fruits, espresso, and vanilla. The palate is full of concentrated cherry and black fruits with hints of spice and barely noticeable oak,  The winery dishes this out for thirty bucks, so as usual I’m trying to eliminate any reason why you wouldn’t call me and order some of this hard rocking, sweetly priced, small production, splendo-blendo.

2007 SEMPER, Goldridge Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley–$78.00            192 cases

Do you like full bodied Pinot? If so, you need some 2007 Semper.  Special ops flavors of black cherry, cherry liqueur, bacon fat, spice, currant, and blackberry will invade, dominate, and occupy your entire palate.  This Pinot graced the March 2010 cover of Wine Enthusiast magazine along with some William Selyum Pinot and received a 97 point rating.  It is a big, bad, mo’-fo’ of a Pinot Noir.  At four years of age, this wine shows no signs of aging and should cellar gracefully for at least six more years.  The Goldridge Vineyard is near Graton in Sonoma County, close to Sebastopol in a cool coastal climate with morning fogs that sometime last into the early afternoon.  The cool weather patterns create brilliant acidity that supports the massive structure and bold fruit in this heavyweight Pinot. This wine is so limited and allocated they sell it in three pack wooden cases. I love a big, thick, dark Pinot that gives me wood.  All kidding aside, this is killer Pinot Noir in a style that is rarely pulled off outside of Burgundy. Winemaker Kenneth Juhasz and Tuck Beckstoffer (Andy’s son) have succeeded in cramming the flavor of four bottles of wine into one 750ml bottle. Amazing!

2009 GAMBA, Estate Old Vine Zinfandel, Russian River Valley–$36.00

When I think about great old vine Zinfandel, Gamba is the first winery that comes to mind. The vines are now 110 years old and have always been organically farmed without irrigation, herbicides, or pesticides.  Today the average yield from the 27.5 acre vineyard is about ½ ton per acre. As old vine vineyards vanish one by one for economic reasons, the Gamba family cares for and preserves this piece of enological history. Tearing out an old vine vineyard that still produces fruit is like killing your grandpa because he’s retired.  Drinking Gamba Old Vine Zinfandel is like going on a date with Betty White. She might be old, but you know it’s gonna be hot and dirty. That gives a whole new meaning to dry farming.   Sorry, I couldn’t help it.  When you rip the control top off the Gamba and pop the cork you’ll receive a century’s worth of flavors such as cherry, raspberry, blueberry, mocha, blackberry, black cherry, nutmeg, boysenberry, clove, cardamom, toast, and allspice. Now that’s complexity. If you dig super premium old vine Zinfandel you’d be senile to miss this one. Especially since the winery sells it for $45. That’s just a good old fashioned great deal. We’ve been drinking this wine with friends and customers and everyone loves it and can’t believe it’s only $36. Seriously and honestly, Zinfandel just doesn’t get any better than this. The 2009 is one of Gamba’s best wines ever.

2007 VALANCE, Cabernet Sauvignon, (Howell Mountain), Napa Valley–$75.00

Not too many people know about this rare and awesome mountain Cabernet. Howell Mountain doesn’t appear on the label because Michael Raymor’s vineyard is 800 feet up the mountain, not quite high enough to print it on the tag even though it is obviously on Howell Mountain. Fortunately Michael is high enough and the vineyard is far enough up the hill to make beautiful Cabernet that showcases all the qualities of the famous appellation.  This perfectly balanced wine has flavors of lush red fruit, black cherry, earthy loam, and lightly toasted oak. Less than a hundred cases are produced each year from this 3 acre vineyard that’s nestled into a corner of the well known Herb Lamb Vineyard. Valance will age gracefully for many years while it also drinks beautifully in its youth. This is one of my favorite Cabernets from Howell Mountain and I seriously recommend that you check it out. It could easily become one of your favorites too. Their warning label used to read “may increase risk of pregnancy” before the winery was officially bonded. $75 is a sweet price considering the winery sells it for $90. And remember, I’ll store it for you until it’s nice and cool this fall.

2007 JEMROSE, Syrah, Cardiac Hill Vineyard, Bennett Valley, Sonoma County–$38.00

This is probably the best new Syrah that I’ve tasted in the last six months or more and I’m being as serious as a heart attack. Remember how red wine is good for your cardiovascular health? This wine is really good for you….especially if you pair it with a braised lamb shank or a big ole’ greasy bone in rib eye. And speaking of a big ole’ greasy bone in, I’ve found that this very masculine Syrah also appeals to most women. There’s nothing like some really great Syrah to help clean out the pipes. It’s made by Michael Browne of Kosta Browne fame and a mere 550 cases were produced from this very steep hillside vineyard (thus the name) in Bennett Valley. The wine is a beautiful hue of dark purple with a nose of blackberry, grilled meat, and perfumed violet. The palate is explosive and fulfilling, reminiscent of a Cote-Rotie with flavors of earthy spice, dark fleshy fruit, pencil lead, and minerality. In a world where it seems no one really gives a rat’s ass about Syrah, this is one wine you should get hip to.

2007 RICHARD GRANT, Wrotham Clone, Pinot Noir, Napa Valley–$27.00

Richard Grant Peterson, PhD is one of the coolest, most knowledgeable, and experienced people I’ve ever met in the wine business. He’s been making wine for over sixty years, working as winemaker and/or president for BV, The Monterey Vineyard, Atlas Peak, and chairman of Folie a Deux. He designed the steel barrel palate used by almost every winery in the world today, designed and oversaw the digging and construction of a 40,000 square foot cave, developed 450 acres of Sangiovese for Atlas Peak, and fathered one Heidi Peterson (Barrett). Basically, he is the MAN. Then in 1980 he imported the Wrotham Clone to the U.S. from England where it had been growing for over 2000 years, from when the Romans brought it to the island. Over the last 2000 years the vine mutated to where it is completely resistant to powdery mildew, therefore never needing to be sprayed with sulfur. That, combined with the absence of pesticides or herbicides, creates a completely organic environment for the only two acre vineyard of Wrotham Pinot in the U.S.  It is unlike any other domestic Pinot with wonderfully unique flavors of cardamom, cherry, and spice. It truly pairs with many foods and is more Burgundian than almost any other Pinot noir in the country. This is one of those rare treats that very rarely comes around and makes me feel good about sitting in a retail wine store for 22 years of my life.

2004 RICHARD GRANT, Wrotham Clone, Blanc de Noir, Napa Valley Sparkling Wine–$36.00

You should really get on Richard’s website to read all about this because there’s just too much great stuff behind this story for me to fit into this review. Now, let me be clear, you should still buy it from me, m’kay? This beautiful rose bubbly just puts the hurt on other California sparkling wines. The color is a beautiful pink-salmon-peach and the bubbles are ultra-fine, unlike most of the frog-eyed California sparklers. On the palate, it’s bright and fuzzy with flavors of citrus, kiwi, strawberry, and bright green apple. If you drink domestic sparkling wine you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by not getting some of this kick ass wine in your flute.                      Let’s review:  Like Richard Peterson says,

“It took an army and 2000 years to create these wines.” The Wrotham Clone was found growing along a stone wall in the town of Wrotham, England and that ONE vine was probably 200 years old in 1950. The odds of these wines even existing is microscopically minimal, and the fact that you can get some of this ultra rare and incredibly fine juice is a small miracle granted by God Himself, the Romans, and legendary wine prophet Richard Grant Peterson.

FEATURED WHITE WINES

2009 DR. H. THANISCH, Berncasteler Doctor, Riesling Kabinett, Mosel–$41.00 If you want the some of the finest Riesling on the planet you should check this out. For those of you that are connoisseurs of the varietal, you probably know this wine.  And, if you don’t usually drink Riesling, there is no way you could not love this wine. This tiny 8.1 acre vineyard above the town of Berncastel is considered one of the Grand Cru vineyards of Germany. It is on an extremely steep, southwest facing slope that gets a direct shot of afternoon sun which produces super intensely flavored grapes. How the vineyard got its name, “Berncasteler Doctor”, is a great story. In the mid thirteen hundreds the Archbishop of Trier, Bishop Boemond II, fell deathly ill, which at that time could be a major concern considering the black plague had just torn up Europe a few years before. He drank wine from this vineyard and was miraculously healed. He named it and proclaimed it the Berncasteler Doctor.  You too can heal what ails you and enjoy beautiful flavors of pear, peach, mango, apricot, honeydew melon, and slate.  This wine will pair perfectly with Thai food, authentic Indian cuisine, almost anything spicy, and is a beautiful wine to have for breakfast.

2010 JERICHO CANYON, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$27.50 Yet another amazing wine made by Robbie Meyer! It is definitely Sauvignon Blanc season, and if you want one of the finest SB’s in the land to help chill out your sweltering summer, here it is. Half of this wine was fermented in French oak barrels with the other half being fermented in stainless steel. The result is gorgeous and juicy wine with bright flavors of tropical citrus, pineapple, wet stone, papaya, and lime. When you drink this by the pool you’ll wanna trade in those old swimming trunks for a brand new Speedo because this stuff is downright sexy and built to please. It’ll have the guys doing the helicopter while the ladies will be flossin’ the Clausen while floating and sunning the sweater cows.

2009 CARTHA, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast–$22.50 Here’s a no BS project from a couple guys who have set out to make incredible wines at incredibly reasonable prices. Winemaker John Raytek of Copain and vineyard manager Glen Alexander became annoyed by individuals and wineries buying bulk juice, slapping it in a bottle with a pretty label, and calling it their own while charging a pretty penny for it. This Chardonnay is from organic vineyards in the Sonoma Coast appellation, fermented, barreled, and bottled buy these dudes, using techniques that produce much more expensive wines. I don’t know the technical details although I’m pretty sure it was aged on the lees with some stirring and probably bottled unfiltered. It has great flavors of bright pear, lychee, and baked apple. The palate is thick and satisfying while retaining great structure and bright acidity. It tastes like it should be $40 and is the best deal I’ve tasted on a Chard in this style in quite a while.

2010 PICAYUNE, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$21.50 Don’t worry, this wine wasn’t born in the rain on the Ponchartrain. But, if you live down in the hot, sweaty South, y’alls might want some of this great SB. And if you don’t ice it down and drink it this summer, it makes a perfect wine for the duck blind. It was made by two real cute girls, Jennifer and Claire, who are both married to well known winemakers from Spottswoode and Arnot-Roberts. This wine is slightly kinky and had a three way during fermentation.  It was fermented in stainless steel barrels, cement egg, and neutral French oak barrels.  The combination of these three fermenting environments gives a beautiful texture to the wine while preserving the natural, brilliant acidity. With less (barely any) oak influence than the Jericho Canyon, this baby screams on the palate with racy flavors of lemon zest, crisp pear, minerality, and white peach.  It’s currently the favorite SB among my posse of picky and highly opinionated tasting associates from various wineries and distribution companies.  I promise you’re gonna love this stuff.

If everything works right, we should have some fairly entertaining podcasts online in a few weeks for your listening pleasure. Check our website for those.  I hope you’re all having a great summer.  Now, call me and order some wine.

Thanks a whole bunch.

HERE’S A FEW FOREMENTIONED WINES FROM LAST MONTH SINCE A LOT OF YOU WERE SNOOZING.

1.)  2008 COHO, Headwaters, Napa Valley Red Wine–$39.00 Cab, merlot, and cab franc. This wine is stunning, and although it hasn’t received press yet, it’s as good or better than the highly rated 2007. Complex, smooth, and rich.
2.)  2007 (Philip Togni) Tanbark Hill, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mtn., Napa Valley–$37.00 Sofa-king great. I’m still searching for a better Cabernet under $40 and there just aren’t any that are better than this. Tastes like $90.
3.)  2005 SAGE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley-$38.00 Down from $65, it’s a real sweet deal.
This is not the “Veedercrest” blend, this is their straight cabernet sauvignon….bigger, badder, darker, & at a great price.
4.)  2008 CRISTOM, Syrah, Eola Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$28.00 How can 2000 people say “no” to one of the best syrahs in America? Get some of this so you don’t have to have cabernet with your lamb chops.
5.)  2007 PARADIGM, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$56.00 Here’s the brand spankin’ new release of one of the best deals from Napa. While it might not be $20, this estate cabernet effortlessly hangs with the big ticket wines from Napa.  2007 is one of their best, drinks great now, and will develop for many years to come.
6.)  2005 PARADOR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Hossfeld Vineyard, Napa Valley–$50.00 This baby used to be $75.  It’s one of the most distinctive single vineyard cabs from Napa. The vineyard is on the lower reaches of Atlas Peak giving this wine mountain terroir with silky elegance and lots of subtle nuances. Very age-worthy or delicious today.
7.)  2007 KNIGHTS BRIDGE, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley–$81.00 I’m on my last case and figured I’d blow it out for $81.  A great cabernet from a 17 year old vineyard next to Peter Michael Winery. Very kick ass wine.
8.)  2009 PEAY, Estate Pinot Noir, Pomarium, Sonoma Coast–$52.00 This wine is probably the best Pinot that Peay has made so far. The vineyard is just four miles from the Pacific and produces bright, elegant, pure, and delicious pinot.
9.)  2009 CHEHALEM, 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$23.00 This is one of Oregon’s best deals on high-grade pinot. I was amazed when I tasted this stuff, especially with the price. Big mouthfeel, thick texture, big flavors of cherry, strawberry, clove, and spice. All this for under $25. That makes getting drunk tasty and affordable.
10.)  2009 STRAIGHT LINE, Syrah, Santa Barbara County–$23.00 Yet another wine that thoroughly impresses for a sweet price. Made by John Grant of Turley Cellars and Coulior Wines, this is great syrah that won’t set you back. You’ll be thrilled with its big presence on the palate, the earthy fruit, and the varietal correctness. Plus, when you want wine to truly compliment your food, you might not want cabernet sauvignon……unless you eat steak every night.

FEATURED RED WINES

2008 HEDGES Family Estate, “Red Mountain”–$23.50  (a blend of cab sauv, merlot, syrah, cab franc, & malbec)
We sold a shitload of the 2007 Hedges Red Mountain, and I was hoping the 2008 would be as good.  I am happy to report that this wine is every bit as good as the 2007 and will continue to develop for years to come. You can drink this stuff right now if you’re impatient and in need of instant gratification. But, if you stick this wine in your cold, dark basement for a few months, it’ll probably get Stockholm syndrome and love you more than anything.  Like a hostage in your cellar, the Hedges will show kindness and love for you in exchange for not killing it. As time goes on, it will even defend you against more expensive, less satisfying hostages in your basement.  This complex blend is entirely estate grown on Red Mountain and very expressive of the most up-and-coming appellation in the country. Minerally black fruit is complimented by subtle oak, ripe cherry, and black tobacco. If you are truly a kind captor or want to appear as one, take a bunch of these bottles hostage so they can keep each other company as you kill them one by one. I love going into my cellar and screaming, “I’M GONNA TEAR YOUR SCALP OFF AND RIP YOUR F-ING CORK OUT. WHO WANTS TO DIE?!!”  Call me crazy or unsympathetic, but I know a good hostage when I taste one.

2007 DESANTE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Terraces, Oakville, Napa Valley–$65.00
The grapes for this wine came from the masterfully farmed Tierra Roja vineyard on the eastern slopes of Oakville. The hillside is steep and well drained, the soil is red and rocky, and the fruit is magnificent. And leave it up to Dave DeSante not to screw things up. David doesn’t nail the maid, he doesn’t have “goddesses”, and he doesn’t even take hostages. He’s the straightest shooting, nicest, most honest dude in the Valley. Those are good reasons to buy this wine, but the real reason is because the wine is super bad-ass.  Not bad (awful) ass like Arnie’s maid but super killer hillside Oakville cabernet.  It’s so good and satisfying that you won’t feel the need to lie, cheat, steal, or do anything bad.  This wine will actually make you a better person. It’s silky, thick, mouth-filling, smooth, and full. Classic cabernet flavors of blackberry, plum, currant, and spice are elevated with subtle nuances of sweet French oak. The “other wine” from this vineyard sells for $110+ and isn’t one bit better than this. Only 85 cases were produced, so call soon and make yourself a better person.

2009 MASUT Vineyard and Winery, Pinot Noir, Mendocino County–$38.00
Some of my favorite things come from Mendocino County. Like cool ocean breezes, redwood trees, Anderson Valley Brewing Company’s oatmeal stout, the Skunk Train, cripplingly good oregano, and Masut Pinot Noir. This is a wine conceived with epic talent, love, and heritage, sparing no expense for quality. Bobby Fetzer, the Mondavi of Mendocino, sold Fetzer back in 1992 to the wine monster, Brown Forman. Shortly after that he bought 26 acres in western Mendocino and planted three clones of Pinot Noir; 113,115, & 777.  Using organic farming methods, he and his two boys, Ben and Jake, farmed these vines in gravelly & loamy soils just 26 miles in from the Pacific Ocean. In 2006, the boys lost their dad in a river rafting accident. Carrying on the family tradition and the spirit of their dad, the viniferous royal brothers of Mendocino have made one of the best Pinots in California from their 12 year old vineyard.  Super bright cherry, dark strawberry, and spicy earth are complexed with just a kiss of oak and brilliant Mendocino acidity. While you probably haven’t had a bottle of Fetzer Gewürztraminer in a long time, you should check out what the next generation is doing these days.  Only 850 cases were produced, so you probably won’t find it next to the Fetzer.

2007 RITCHIE CREEK, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$34.00
This incredible vineyard that you probably don’t know about was planted back in 1967 on St. George rootstock.  The four acres of cabernet produce about 2 ½ tons each which makes roughly 800 cases of deep, dark, heady wine.  This is a piece of Napa’s history and heritage.  The name comes from the creek which originates on the property and eventually collides with the Napa River.  Now, why would you pay a hundred or two hundred bucks for a cabernet from a young vineyard on the Valley floor with some mysteriously large score when you could have the real deal?  That would be like pigging and impregnating your crusty maid and having to pay for the spawn’s everything when you don’t even get to take him fishing or go to a single one of his soccer games…..or like calling your special someone a goddess when they’re really just a crank whore stripper. Seems pointless. That’s why we should all drink some of the truth.  You’ll fall in love with the blackest of black cherry, currant, herb, earth, tobacco, and briar flavors of this wine when you terminate it.  It’ll age for many years in the cellar, and when you check it, you won’t believe you paid less than $35 for it.

2007 LAGIER MEREDITH, Estate Syrah, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$43.00
So, ya know how 2007 produced incredibly forward and accessible wines with loads of flavor? Well combine those vintage characteristics with a wine that is always overly structured, mountainous, in need of cellaring, and sometimes nearly austere. The result is this ass-whipping Syrah from the very top of Mount Veeder. If you’re not too much of a pussy, you can probably handle it. If your nick-name is puss-light, flip the page. This 2007 packs a punch of poached black fruits, meaty spice, dried rose petal, and what we call whoop-ass; a combination of fear, copper, and blood.  The 2000 Lagier Meredith syrah is still drinking youthfully, so I know this vintage will go the distance.  I tasted this with sixty other very good wines the other day, and it stood out as the best of the bunch. Impressive! If you’re not too much of a girly-man and want a wine to pump you up, check out this powerhouse syrah from Lagier Meredith.

2007 HENDRY, Estate Zinfandel, Block 28, Napa Valley–$32.00 Start the beats and read it like a rap, yo.
Ya know George Hendry, he’s a real bad ass, he don’t snort nuthin’ and he won’t smoke grass… But when he makes the Zin, you know he’s in it to win it, his wine can wreck you in a fraction of a minute.…Cuz it’s got 15.3 if you know what I mean, at thirty two bucks this juice is almost free….When you chuggin’ George’s wine you’ll be chugging it fast, you’ll have a damn good time and prolly’ get some ass….It’s big and bad, it’s freaky and rad, it’s the best dang zin you ever, ever had….Only five years old it’s almost statutory, if you drink it and die you’ll go to purgatory…. Cuz it’s all the way good, and halfway perverted, a pimpin’ good time just can’t be averted….So get out the glasses and get your hands on some asses, you’ll be chuggin’ it back, it’s as thick as molasses…..It’s not the number 7, it’s the big 28, if you ain’t got the ladies then you’re bound to masturbate….But don’t feel bad even if you have to whack it, just buy enough Zin so that you need to stack it….don’t be sad and don’t call your mom, ring me on the telly’ and I’ll send you the bomb.
Seriously though, this is bad-ass zinfandel. It’s estate grown by a genius in the southwest corner of Napa Valley at the base of Mount Veeder, influenced by cool breezes from the San Pablo Bay, and released not a minute too early. It’s drinking great and is sure to age and develop for many years.  Yo, pick up the telly’ and ring my celly.
2007 HENDRY, Zinfandel, Block 7 & 22, Napa Valley–$27.50
Here’s the other side of the penny, and I’m not talking about getting some head or getting some tail. I’m talking about the softer, kinder, gentler Zinfandel from Hendry. More subtle and less assaulting than the Block 28, this wine still packs a punch but won’t give you a bloody nose. Smooth and rich with mild tannins and sophisticated berry nuances.

2004 VINATIERI, Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville Appellation, Napa Valley–$68.00
This wine nails it right through the uprights. What I mean is that this is a real kick to drink, especially on Sundays in the fall. On the odd chance that the NFL is on strike this season, you’ll probably want something to remember it with.  Since there’s not a Roethlisberger Riesling or a Manning Merlot or a Vick Viognier, I figured I’d drop kick you some Vinatieri Cabernet Sauvignon from about a mile south of Yountville. Pat Vinatieri makes this super small production Cabernet from his two acre vineyard. He blends in estate merlot, malbec, petit verdot, and cabernet franc from his super tightly spaced north and south running vines at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains.  At seven years of age, this wine is drinking super silky smooth with luscious red fruit and earthy nuances. This isn’t an idiot drunk kicker’s wine. This is professional grade, ultra high pedigree, precision crafted juice, perfectly cellared and ready to chug.  While Pat doesn’t play pro football, he is Adam Vinatieri’s cousin (the kicker for the Colts).  So if you’re a fan of semi mature Cabernet, the Colts, Vinatieri, the NFL, Yountville, or thick bottles and deep punts, this wine is for you.

2007 DeLILLE CELLARS, Grand Ciel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain–$135.00
Last year this was my best selling high end cabernet. That’s incredible since I’m in Napa, and it’s from Washington. It’s a testament to the unparalleled intensity and quality of this wine. 2007 was a stellar vintage in Washington and this is possibly the best Grand Ciel ever produced. Parker threw it a 94, and if it was from Napa, he probably would’ve added three or four more points. The wine is blackish purple in color. It has a Pinocchio sized nose of blackberry, cassis, bittersweet chocolate, and mint….and that’s no lie. The palate is broad and weighty with flavors of plum, cassis, espresso, and a dope-like herbaceousness.  The 2006 Grand Ciel slaughtered ’07 Napa cabs last year, and this wine will eat and consume those chopped up wines. It’s built to age for a long time, but with a good decanting you can enjoy this monster in the near future. Like I said last year, this is why we drink wine and why we work to make the money to pay for it. This is one of the finest wines ever made on this continent. It will probably be sold out by autumn, so remember, I’ll store it for you and ship it when it’s nice and cool again.

2008 STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN, Zinfandel, Mayacamas Range, Napa Valley–$32.00
Maybe you really like Zinfandel but just can’t stand rap. Considering the long track record of Storybook Mountain and the age of their vines and caves, this is classical in many ways.  Jerry Seps has over thirty vintages under his belt, so we can assume he knows how to jam on the zinfandel piano. Even though he lost a finger in the crusher a few years ago, he doesn’t miss a note. This zinfandel is expressive of the great 2008 vintage with firm structure and a bit less jam and fluff than the 2007. It’s got a wallop of flavor and a mean streak up the middle. Flavors of black and red raspberry, spicy blackberry jam, pepper, and blueberry amplify this classically styled zinfandel. You can crank up the volume with a decanting if you need it louder sooner.  As always, it’ll age for a long time and pair with a multitude of foods. The other night we had a wonderful Indian meal with some good friends, and the Storybook zin was phenomenal with their spicy lamb dish.

2009 CORVIDAE, The Keeper, Caberent Franc, Washington–$17.00  (from Owen Roe)
Cabernet franc is a great varietal, especially with food. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be green and under ripe, and more often, it can be just too damn expensive.  This wine is beating all the odds. It’s downright cheap, delicious, plump and ripe, with all the bells and whistles. It’s plush and flavorful with aromas of black tea, blackberry, spice, and herb.  The palate is lush, full bodied, and velvety, with a core of solid fruit that dishes up the flavor like wines that are way, way, more expensive.  Like it says on the label, this wine is a keeper. Keep it in your cellar, keep it in your kitchen, keep it under your bed, and keep it in your mouth. But most importantly keep it in your heart.

FEATURED WHITE WINES

2010 VOGELZANG, Sauvignon Blanc, Birdsong Vineyard, Happy Canyon, Santa Ynez Valley–$16.50
This bitchin’ sauvignon blanc is made by Robbie Meyer of the Pierson Meyer team who also made the Sage wines.  Volgelzang also makes a sauvignon blanc that sells for $28, and I think they may have made a marketing error somewhere along the way. This wine is as good as their expensive stuff and almost half the price. It has gorgeous fruit that is classily complimented with a touch of barrel aging, which rounds out the brilliant tropical fruit and takes the finish to the next level. I was thoroughly impressed with this wine and even more thrilled by the sweet price.

2009 JEMROSE, Viognier, Egret Pond Vineyard, Bennett Valley, Sonoma County—$32.00
So let’s say you really like viognier, but are somewhat underwhelmed with what’s available. It can be as discouraging as trying to buy high grade weed in a rural town in Iowa. Well, I just scored the mother load of the best new viognier in the country. From Bennett Valley in Sonoma, this is a beautifully crafted wine, giving up flavors of pear, honeydew, mineral, white peach, and spice.  It’ll make you say something like, “Wow, this stuff is really good, Rick actually knows what he’s talking about,” or “Holy crap, that idiot was right!”  Whatever your opinion, you’ll be bordering on idiocy if you need high grade summer white, and don’t hook up with this ultra kind, one of a kind, blow your mind viognier.

2009 LETO, Chardonnay, Old Vine, Varozza Vineyard, St. Helena–$25.00
So many chardonnays are just too predictable these days. They’re either big, buttery, and oaky, or lean and crisp. Some winemakers are making chards with no oak at all, which is usually kind of boring. And rarely, do we see chardonnay from older vineyards. And if, by chance, there is an old vine chard, it’s usually pretty expensive. This wine has so many rare attributes with one of its best qualities being the sweet price. It’s from a forty year old vineyard in St. Helena that only gives up about two tons per acre. That means that the fruit is bright, intense, focused, and flinty. It’s made by the nicest guy in the Valley, Dave DeSante, and the production is a mere 125 cases, making this a rare and unique treat. It’s aged in two year old oak, so the fruit shines through like bottled sunshine. It’s the ultimate summertime refresher, and at $25 you can refresh over and over again without worrying about how expensive gasoline is gonna be in August. The beautiful structure, depth, and bright flavors make this a great food wine, able to pair with a magnitude of dishes such as fish tacos, grilled pork, barbecued chicken, Asian persuasions, and salads. You can drink it before dinner, too.

2009 SANS LIEGE, Coates du Coast, Paso Robles–$22.00  (43% Viognier, 39% Rousanne, 18% Marsanne)
Personally, I love this stuff. It’s one of my favorite white wines in California, and last year, I almost needed therapy when it sold out. It’s a great alternative to the norm and over-satisfies in many ways. Plus, it compliments a wide variety of foods and appeals to almost everyone.  It’s uber-bright even though it went through full malo-lactic fermentation. The palate is full and intricate with an oily middle and a multitude of flavors that’ll keep you coming back to the glass for more. It has flavors of orange blossom, kiwi, spiced nuts, and minerality, all kissed with just a touch of French oak. Put down the chard and live outside of the box. You know…..variety. It’s the spice of life.

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.

FEATURED WINES

2007 CADE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Cuvee, Napa Valley–$54.00
I hadn’t tried these wines in a while and let me tell ya, they will smack you so hard your kids’ll come out behaving. Seriously, throw me between an axel housing and frame and call me shocked. Cade is making some beautiful Cabernets, and this is the best Cade Cuvee to date with fruit coming from Beckstoffer’s George the 3rd in Rutherford and Orchard Avenue in Oak Knoll, Kenefick Ranch, and Dr. Crane. Aged for 19 months in mostly new French Oak, this wine dishes up flavors and aromas of dark chocolate, blackberries, black currant, black olive, anise, plum, and blueberry. It’s been in the bottle for almost two years and is showing beautifully.

2007 CADE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley–$65.00
This Cabernet hits so hard, it’ll put a knot in your head the Boy Scouts can’t get out. It’s composed of grapes from 5 great growers on Howell Mountain: Cade Estate, Ink Grade, True, Outpost, and Pestoni. Some of this juice was on the skins for 2 months giving this wine added depth and intensity far from the norm. 85% new French Oak was used to harness this monster during the 20 months prior to bottling. This baby is one of the most powerful Cabernets coming from Howell Mountain. The nose is full of black fruits, smoke, black olive, cassis, soy and cola. On the palate it shows cocoa, black cherry, sage, black plum, and it is BIG in every sense. After you conquer this beast, you’ll be jerking off grizzly bears with a hand full of cockleburs and giving yourself a spring tan with a blow torch.

2006 CRISTOM, Syrah, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon-$30.00
I have a whopping 30 bottles of this wine available. That’s good since none of you really want Syrah from me. What’s better is this stuff is so awesome and perfect, I’ll be stoked even if you don’t buy it because I’ve been through three bottles in the last four days. Go ahead and try to get this. The wineries even sold out. A cooler climate growing region combined with a ripe year granted flavors of pepper, spice, and meatiness with dark, red, earthy fruit. Perfect Syrah.

2007 OAKVILLE RANCH, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$45.00
This is one of the great sleepers from 2007 in Napa Valley. This vineyard is perched high above the Valley on the east side in rocky, red volcanic soil and is a truly perfect site for Bordeaux varietals. This is Oakville Ranch’s best offering in several years. It’s super dark in color and highly aromatic with a nose of perfumed violets and spicy black fruit. Any aromas of oak are chewed up by the powerful fruit giving this wine impeccable balance and purity. It would appear from this vintage that Oakville Ranch is back in black and bad to the bone once again. Flavors of black berry, black cherry, tobacco, sage, and spice will put a whooping on your palate. You could cellar this until it’s ten years old without any deterioration. We’ve been tasting some 2001’s recently that are showing great, and we had a 1995 not long ago that was ready to drink but not over the hill. Get your Oakville on for under fifty bucks.

2007 ALYSIAN, Pinot Noir, Floodgate Vineyard, West Block. Russian River Valley–$50.00
Only a few times every year does a Pinot Noir of this quality and excellence come through the door. If you were wondering where the f**k Gary Farrell went, look no further. He makes this incredible Pinot from this truly awesome vineyard. This is one of Alysian’s single vineyard, reserve level offerings, a giant step up from their $40 RRV Pinot we sold last fall. It is undeniably great Pinot Noir from a great vintage. It’s full bodied for Pinot and built like a garlic milkshake; smooth, yet strong. And, it tastes way better too, with opulent flavors of cherry, black cherry, strawberry, cola, spice, earth, vanilla, and a kick ass structure that’s built to fight but made for lovin’. When I drink Pinot Noir, this is the kind that I want; Big and badass, firing on all cylinders, and built to go the distance.

2008 KOBALT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$81.00
If you dug the 2007 vintage of this production, you should get all over this like ugly on an ape. Over the past several vintages, this winery has earned an impressive track record from consumers and the press. This is big, fat, ripping Cabernet that’ll put the hurt on wines that cost $50 more. It’s crafted by Mark Herold who used to make the coveted Merus wines. With 2008 turning out to be a great vintage, this wine boasts super heavy, heady, black fruits, tar, black currants, and blueberry with sweet oak, and luscious, sweet tannins. It’s the epitome of what most serious California Cabernet lovers crave. And if you like wines with animals on the label, there’s a psychedelic horse on this one.

2008 COHO, Headwaters Red, Napa Valley–$39.00
I just revisited this ’08 and I might be going out on a limb, but I think this is the best Headwaters Red so far. I thought it was his Diamond Mountain Cab at first. A little bottle age has really pumped up the volume on this suburb-blaster. Bigger, thicker, and richer than previous vintages, you should get a stash of this out before it’s a gonner.

2007 HEIBEL RANCH VINEYARDS, “Loppa’s, Napa Valley Red Wine”–$28.00  (35%cs,30cf,20zin,9ps,6sy)
This truly unique, estate grown blend comes from the back side of Howell Mountain from Loppa’s vineyard. “Loppa” is an Italian slang for “suck”. This wine is far from sucky, and you’ll be sucking down fast and hard once you wrap your tongue around it. Only 188 cases were produced and the couple years of bottle age make this instantly enjoyable. The wine was aged in American oak the first year then put into neutral Chardonnay barrels to not over oak it. You’ll find cassis and black cherry from the Cabernet and Franc, spicy red fruit from the Zinfandel, and earthy tannin from the Petite Sirah. With wines like “The Prisoner” growing to 40,000 cases or more, this single vineyard wine is a fun little sucker of a blend with distinctive terroir and is hand crafted with love from a great vineyard site.

2008 GRAMERCY CELLARS, Syrah, Walla Walla Valley–$41.00
In 2010, Food and Wine Magazine named Gramercy Cellars the best new winery in America. Some of their wines have received excellent press, but this is the best wine they’ve made so far. Grapes were whole cluster pressed with partial destemming, and fermented with extended maceration. They incorporated 120 gallon puncheons and stirred the lees to intensify the fruit and integrate tannins. The wine is smoky, peppery, and meaty, with spicy black fruits, black olive, and licorice with a hint of vanilla. It has great balance and intensity with a long finish that keeps you coming back for more. I couldn’t recommend a Syrah more than this. It’s a stunning and perfect Syrah in every way.

PEAY VINEYARDS
I wondering how to fill this page when in comes Andy Peay with some of the best wines they’ve ever made.
2010 CEP VINEYARDS, Rose, Sonoma Coast–$19.50   300 cases produced(Pinot Noir)
A gorgeous rose. Not a saignee, not from bleeding off a red wine to concentrate it. These grapes were harvested at low brix. It’s great with foods like oysters, mussels, salumi, & compliments places like pools, back yards, & living rooms. It has a hint of strawberry on the nose that leads into minerality, oyster shell, and citrus. Not your typical pank wine.
2009 PEAY VINEYADS, Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast–$37.00         650 cases produced
The Sonoma Coast Chard is 60% estate fruit and 40%purchased fruit from Hirsch and Campbell vineyards. It’s crisp and vibrant with wonderful depth and a very happy ending. You’ll taste pineapple, lemon, limestone, ginger, and apple in this great 2009 Chardonnay. Young and bright in its youth, this will develop for several more years.
2009 CEP VINEYARDS, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast–$25.00       600 cases produced
Better than most Pinots from Sonoma, this is from Peay’s declassified barrels. 2009 was an exceptional vintage for the Sonoma Coast and this Pinot confirms it with balance, complexity and elegance usually found in more expensive wines. Flavors of cherry and strawberry are followed up with nuances of tea, vanilla, and light mineral.

2009 PEAY VINEYARDS, “Pomarium”, Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast–$52.00      625 cases produced
I am overjoyed to present the best Pinot Noir Peay has ever produced. This stuff is tight and right and built to thrill.
The 2009 vintage provided perfect growing conditions for a very intense Pinot. Usually bright and delicately aromatic, this vintage is concentrated, bold and masculine. The nose is reserved at this young age but will pop out like Pinocchio’s well endowed beak if you give it some time. The flavors are big and dark, showing blueberry, cherry, blackberry, tea and mushroom. It opens up in the glass and keeps pumping out more complexities and nuances. The best thing about this wine is the structure. It’s so well made you can tell upon first sip this wine will develop for a good long while. If you’re a fan of Peay Pinot this is an absolute must have in your arsenal. It is da’ bomb.

2009 JERICH0 CANYON, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$26.00
I was just visited by the best S.B. I’ve tasted since the DeSante Old Vine. Vibrant and lively on the palate with cool complexities filling every corner, I was wondering how and why this S.B. is so dang good. I then found out Robbie Meyer from Pierson Meyer makes it and my wondering was over. Flavors of peach, pear, nectarine, and gooseberry are lifted by a tiny touch of oak and bright acidity that lengthens the finish so it lasts about a minute. Resistance to another sip is futile so don’t even try, just be sure to pour yourself a big one.

PINK WINES (actually really great rose)
2009 CLOS CLEMENTINE, Cotes de Provence–$9.00 An unbelievably great deal. Gren/Cinsault/Tibouren/Syrah
2010 PARADIGM, Rose of Merlot, Oakville, Napa Valley–$21.75 A rare treat from Paradigm. Heidi’s pink wine.
2009 AZUR, Dry Rose, Napa/Sierra Foothills–$21.75 90%Syrah, 10 Semillon. This is beautiful rose that’s salmon in color and fantastic with food. Not your typical pink wine. Bright up front, silky smooth on the finish & delicious.
2009 TERREDORA DIPAOLO, Rosaenovae–$17.00 Rose of Aglianico. Great with foods. Bright with acidity.
Rose has become a very popular option for spring and summer drinking. Once scoffed at and shunned, these wines are nearly coveted by Napa locals and consumed throughout the year. They’re great on their own and awesome with food.
SPRING CLEANING AT GROEZINGERS

2009 HENDRY, Albarino, Napa Valley–$16.50
2009 ALBARINO DO FERREIRO, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain–$25.00
2009 SAINT INNOCENT, Pinot Gris, Vitae Springs Vineyard, Willamette Valley–$17.00
2009 BREGGO, Pinot Gris, Anderson Valley–$23.00
2008 PONT DE CHEVALIER, Sauvignon Blanc, Knights Valley–$26.00
2007 MAYACAMAS, Sauvignon Blanc, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$22.00
2008 RAMEY, Chardonnay, Carneros–$25.00
2007 FOG CREST VINEYARD, Chardonnay, Estate Bottled, Russian River Valley–$26.00
2007 BRICEAND, Pinot Noir, La Chien Blanc Vineyard, Humboldt County–$24.00
2007 CHRONICLE, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast–$26.00
2008 RAMSPECK, Pinot Noir, Napa Valley–$14.00
2007 NORTH VALLEY, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$25.00
2007 BLUE FARM, Pinot Noir, Anne Katherina Vineyard, Carneros–$38.00
2005 DOVETAIL, Pinot Noir, Indindoli Vineyard, Russian River Valley–$40.00
2008 MOSHIN VINEYARDS, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County–$10.00
2006 DOMAINE SERENE, Pinot Noir, Winery Hill, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$60.00
2006 DIERBERG, Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley–$35.00
2006 LIOCO, Pinot Noir, Michaud Vineyard, Chalone, Monterey County–$36.00
2006 SHOWKET VINEYARDS, Asante Sana, Oakville–$30.00
2007 VENGE, Sangiovese, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley–$24.00
2006 SADDLEBACK CELLARS, Zinfandel, Napa Valley–$25.00
2006 JAFFE ESTATE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Metamorphosis, Saint Helena, Napa Valley–$44.00
2006 SMITH WOOTEN, Cabernet Franc, Gallagher’s Vineyard, Napa Valley–$26.00
2007 CARAVAN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$30.00
2006 ONE ACRE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oak Knoll of Napa Valley–$32.00
2006 VERISMO, Malbec, Napa Valley–$36.00
2006 CARPE DIEM, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$23.00 Dominus Schwag
2005 MAYACAMAS, Merlot, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$28.00
2004 SPENCER ROLOSON, Syrah, La Herradura Vineyard, Napa Valley–$25.00
2002 BROTHERS IN ARMS, Shiraz, Langhorne Creek, South Australia–$21.00
2005 CORTE RIVA VINEYARDS, Petite Sirah, Lake County and Napa County–$35.00
2007 ROBERT CRAIG, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$65.00
2006 KNIGHTS BRIDGE, Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley–$70.00
2005 ROBINSON FAMILY VINEYARDS, Estate Merlot, Stags Leap–$30.00
2006 TWOMEY, Merlot, Napa Valley–$45.00

2008 KOBALT, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$81.00
Those of you fortunate and intelligent enough to have had the incredible 2007 vintage of this production should jump on this like Charlie Sheen jumps on porn stars and eight balls. Over the past few vintages, this winery has earned an impressive track record from consumers and the press. They used to make a $125 reserve wine called “Special-K”, that was until a guy named Tony the Tiger, a.k.a. Kellogg’s, put a cease and desist on that project. I don’t know where that juice went but you could probably guess. This is big, fat, mean, ripping Cabernet that’ll put the hurt on wines that cost $50 more. It’s crafted by Mark Herold who used to make the coveted Merus wine. With 2008 turning out to be an incredible vintage, this wine boasts super heavy, heady, black fruits, tar, black currants, and blueberry with sweet oak, and luscious, sweet tannins. This wine is the epitome of what most serious California Cabernet lovers crave. It’s a wine that gives it all up on the first sip and will keep it coming for years to come. It’ll age for a good ten+ years and drinks like a champ right now. Get it now before it’s gone, the 2007 vanished without a trace.

2009 WINDOWPANE, Napa Valley–$34.00
Made by the same fry-heads who make Kobalt, Mark Herold and Kevin Carriker have made this more affordable version of a Kobalt-esque wine that is sure to have you tripping your face off upon first sip. During the middle of the economic shit-storm they decided to make a bit less Kobalt and more Windowpane. Timothy Leary would’ve been proud. That said, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah is more potent and powerful than previous years with a fat chunk of the Kobalt juice being blended into this nearly hallucinogenic wine. The trippiest thing about this wine is the price. Some stores sell it for almost $50. Why? Because they’re jerks and are out to screw you over, plus the wine is worth it and if you didn’t know better, you’d buy it and still be happy. Like when the price of LSD went from $2 a hit to $5. Nobody seemed to mind because they were all still trippin’. Anyway, at the modest price of $34, this wine will melt your palate into a technicolor dream of big, black and purple swirls, with fractals of queen’s violet, indigo, and ultramarine. Pyramids of dusty cobalt tannin balance the intense dark fruit for a drinking experience you’ll be flashing back to for years to come. You should seek psychiatric help if you don’t purchase this wine.

2008 SOTER, Pinot Noir, Mineral Springs Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$44.00
Here’s a wine made by a living legend, Tony Soter, who has surely made wines that have crossed and amazed your palate in the past. After many memorable years of making some of California’s best Pinots and Cabernets at Etude in Napa Valley, Tony moved on to Oregon to make his mark there. This truly world class Pinot possesses a modest alcohol level of just 13.8%, allowing the brilliant fruit to shine and display the flavors of the Mineral Springs Vineyard. After fermentation the wine is given a 7-10 day “extended maceration” to soften the tannins and extract the maximum potential of flavor before it’s put into 60% new French oak barrels. Flavors of black cherry, strawberry, and black raspberry, are complimented and enhanced with nuances of exotic spice, toast, and dark floral notes. The mouthfeel is thick and satiating, with perfect acidity and mild tannins. This is beautiful Pinot for the serious connoisseur from a truly great vintage and will age for a good ten years or more.

2009 PATRICIA GREEN, Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon–$22.00
So maybe you’re on a budget these days but hate compromising quality due to your sophisticated palate. If so, then this is your Pinot. It’s unbelievably great for this ridiculously low price. The wine is bright red in color with hues of fuchsia and pink around the edges. Being a 2009, this Pinot is young and slightly immature, but with some discipline and a good slapping around this youngster behaves like an expensive call girl with a Phd. and very low mileage.  The “reserve” Pinot from Patricia Green is the main focus of their program, composed of several vineyards and multiple clones, making it complex, intriguing, and extremely satisfying for a wine with such a modest price. Over 60% of the grapes in this wine come from vines over twenty years old giving this inexpensive wine impeccable quality. Bright cherry and spicy raspberry overtones are followed by subtle, toasty aromas and minerality with a finish that lasts for a good minute and a half. A good decanting and some extra swirling in your goblet will crack this beauty open like Pinot Noir piñata, spilling the beautiful and layered flavors of Willamette Valley’s finest vineyards.

2007 RAMEY, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$38.00
Normally priced at $51, the winery said they would do unspeakable things to me if I sold it for less than $38, so here it is at $38. The grapes are from the famous and fabulous Larkmead Vineyard between St. Helena and Calistoga, so this non-vineyard-designate wine is actually Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet without the $70 price tag. The deep, dark purple color is the first hint of the extreme quality in this somewhat, they hate to hear it, “discounted” Cabernet Sauvignon. Of course many places will still sell it for fifty bucks, but since I just do this for my health and for fun you should take advantage of this smokin’ deal. Your glass will be blasting with blackberry, licorice, black currant, tobacco, cedar, and black cherry. You can drink this ’07 now or lay it down for about another seven years if you’re into exerting your patience. With 2012 around the corner, I’m chugging mine in case the end is near…Ramey won’t be using ANY Larkmead fruit in his future Cabs. That said, this is the last chance to get Ramey “Larkmead” Cabernet from the vineyard that helped put Ramey’s Cabs on the scoreboard. Dave (no-shit-takin’) Ramey will surely source excellent fruit in the future, but not from this vineyard. Call to get the scoop and some of this great Cab for $38.

2007 DASHE, Zinfandel, LouvauVineyard, Old Vines, Dry Creek Valley–$32.00  (422 cases produced)
This is old vine Zinfandel at its finest from a great growing season in Sonoma County. These 80 year old vines produce fruit with incredible texture and complexity. Cocked and loaded with black raspberry, spicy cherry, pepper, and a hint of oak, this Zin aims to thrill and shoots to kill. It has beautiful structure and balance with a silky and simultaneously gripping texture. Dashe has been producing great Zinfandel for a good long while now and this is one of their finest to date. It has a 2% kiss of Petite Sirah and was aged in French Oak, only 12% were new barrels, expressing the stunning and complex flavors of these historic old vines.

2007 SCHOOLHOUSE, Mescolonza, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$40.00
Known to some as the Chateauneuf-du-Pape of Spring Mountain, this “venerable field blend” is one of the most unique and intriguing blends from Napa. Comprised of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and a mish-mosh of old Rhone varietals like Carignane, Alicante Bouche, and Cinsault, it delivers a fantastic drinking experience if you’re looking for something outside of the norm. You’ll get flavors of plum, raspberry, clove, spice, earth, cherry, strawberry and blackberry. In fact, there aren’t too many flavors you won’t find in this wine. It’s a great food wine that’ll pair with anything off the grill or with some char on it. Like the Windowpane, I’m not sure if they put mescaline in it or not, but you’ll be one happy tripper when it touches your tongue.
2007 SCHOOLHOUSE, Pinot Noir, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$85.00
I only have three cases of this epic Pinot this year so I must sadly put a four bottle limit on this wine and you can only get it if you buy some other stuff too. Light crops mean high quality so don’t mess up and skip out on this stellar vintage of Schoolhouse.

2008 JOHN ROBERT EPPLER, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$19.00
I remember back when we were so poor we ate cereal with a fork to save milk. That’s when I learned how to find great wines for next to nuthin’.  Just when I thought there was no such thing as a great Napa Valley mountain Cabernet Sauvignon for under $20, I was amazed, blown off my slanted porch, and floored by this wine. $omehow this fruit comes from Pritchard Hill which is one of Napa’s priciest appellations, home to places like Bryant, David Arthur, and Chappellet just to name a few. If you want some ultra sensational Cabernet on the cheap you MUST try the “JRE” Cabernet. Load up on this and put it in front of your pricier treasures to keep your broke-ass, thirsty friends away from your gems. It’s big and bold with dark color and loads of full throttle mountain flavor and a structure that most $40 Cabernets wish they had. Black cherry, cassis, briary blackberry, blueberry, and black plum are propped up with solid tannins and rich, earthy, loamy nuances rarely found in wines this price. This is my “sweet-deal”, cheap Cab-of-the-month, as I always do my best to have super affordable, high quality treats for you. I seriously don’t know how he got Pritchard Hill fruit which is probably $6,000 a ton and got it into the bottle for this incredible price.

2006 PIERSON MEYER, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$68.00
This is one of those situations where I ride the line of pissing people off while offering a phenomenal wine at a lower price than I previously sold it for. This was originally $85 and I sold it for $77. A few weeks ago the wonderful people at Pierson Meyer offered me a ripping deal on this balls-to-the-wall Cabernet. They just released their 2007 vintage of this Cabernet and still had some 2006. So, as the leading account for the 2006 Cab they gave me a sweet discount that I’m passing on to you. For $68 this is, by far, the best Cabernet Sauvignon I have in the store. I’ve had it next to all the other highly rated, expensive, “culty” things from Napa and it consistently buries them. Many of you have purchased and loved this wine over the last year so you know how good it is. Don’t think I was jacking you for your dough, I’m just paying less for it now and so are you. This wine is cellarable for as long as you can stand, has more color, tannin, flavor, and phenolic content (the actual solid matter in wine) than the 2007 does. There were under 200 cases produced and for some strange reason they still have some left. So many stores sell, and so many people buy wine based on ratings that off the radar wines like this sometimes go unnoticed. This is also a Pritchard Hill Cabernet from the incredible Versant Vineyard which was unfortunately just sold to the Mondavi’s for their overpriced Continuum project.
This is truly Napa Cabernet at its finest showing the greatness of the under-rated 2006 vintage. Not buying this wine at this price is like punching yourself in the balls or making that one, really bad decision you made and still regret to this day.  I don’t know what that might have been (marriage, business, real estate, DUI?), but I promise this Cabernet will help ease the pain.

2007 LONG MEADOW RANCH, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$44.00
This Cab just got the #5 wine of the year from the Wine Enthusiast and Long Meadow Ranch is selling it just for the month of February before they put it away for a couple more years. It’s a wonderful Rutherford hillside Cabernet with fuzzy tannins, classic Rutherford dust, spicy red fruits complimented by black cherry, cedar, and French oak. Not “officially released”, this pre-sell offering is a special opportunity  to purchase this wine before the winery’s mailing list gets a hold of it. The vineyard is organically and biodynamically farmed on the western slopes of Rutherford. While a lot of Cabs from this appellation are lean, dusty and tannic, this wine is rich and meaty with some nice curves, big sweater cows, and sexy hips. While Long Meadow ranch has a good track record of excellent wines, this is better than their “reserve” wines and is their best Cabernet to date.

*****WHITE WINES*****
2009 DELILLE CELLARS, “Chaleur Estate”, 67%Sauvignon Blanc/33%Semillon–$31.00
If you’ve been reading this dirty newsletter for the past few months you’ve probably noticed my new “love connection” with DeLille Cellars. Their Chaleur Estate is one of the most memorable white wines I’ve ever had. I can’t imagine anyone not loving this incredible white blend. They slap it in 100% new French oak which is perfectly integrated with intense and vibrant fruit producing flavors of pear, fig, citrus, gooseberry, hazelnut, and a round texture with mouthwatering acidity. It’s a truly spectacular wine that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you “only drink Chard”, you’ll love this too. If you like Sauvignon Blanc you’d better be ready to get drunk because you won’t be able to stop drinking this. I love it and am struggling real hard not to chug it.

2008 KISTLER, Chardonnay, Les Noisetiers, Sonoma Coast–$65.00
No, you are not hallucinating. I have landed a small amount of Kistler’s Sonoma Coast Chardonnay but you should call me quick because there isn’t much. It’s thick, rich, big, and bold with a creamy texture and awesome Sonoma Coast acid that is sure to make you trip out. The only bad thing is coming down off the Kistler. It’s depressing when it’s gone and your “dude” is sold out.

2008 KNIGHTS BRIDGE, Chardonnay, West Block, Knights Valley–$59.00
I just revisited this stunning Chardonnay that is drinking absolutely fabulously. It’s big in every sense. The “West Block” possesses massive flavors of pear, apricot, and tropical fruits, is coated with a huge dose of delicious oak, and has enough butter for a hundred pancakes. The “West Block” is massive and complex, made for the lover of hedonistic Chardonnay.

2009 SOLITUDE, Chardonnay, Sangiacomo Vineyards, Carneros–$27.00
If you’re not the kind of guy or gal that has an expensive Chardonnay habit, but you still like to do the stuff every now and again, check out some Solitude. And if you’re like George Thorogood, and you like to drink alone, what could be better than a little Solitude? Wanting to get rid of your significant other? Buy some of this to through them a subtle hint to leave you alone. “Honey,
would you please give me some Solitude?” Have a nasty, stay at home drug habit? This will quench your parched palate and help you get to sleep too. Whatever your situation, some Solitude is always a nice thing to have. This delicious Chard has a great mix of bright fruit with nice richness and a sleek mouthfeel. Refreshing, fulfilling, and satisfying, this is nicely priced, high quality Chard from a great vineyard that supplies fruit to some of your favorite wineries. A Groezinger’s best seller, get a little Solitude.

2009 PHOENIX RANCH, Viognier, NapaValley–$24.00
Richard Phoenix, a young Napa Valley old timer, has a great Syrah vineyard in south Napa with a 600 vines of Viognier planted.
This very small production wine is fermented in stainless steel barrels with the lees being stirred for ten months prior to bottling.
It’s a great wine to pair with a wide variety of foods and I enjoyed chugging it on an empty stomach so you don’t really need to pair it with food to reap the benefits. I poured it for several groups of visitors in the store and they all loved it so I would assume it would be a hit with most anyone who drinks it. Bright and lively with no oak influence, the wine beams with flavors of nectarine, peach, minerality, and exotic spice. After drinking every Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc in California, Viognier is a beautiful excursion from the main road. Put some diversity on your palate with this rare and limited, micro production Napa Viognier.

MICHEL TURGY, Grand Cru Champagne, Brut, Blanc de Blanc, Le Mesnil sur-Oger, Grand Cru–$48.00
If you love REALLY GREAT Champagne and have never consumed the Michel Turgy, you MUST check it out. This stuff seriously tastes like $100+ Champagne. It blows the doors off that orange labeled stuff, and absolutely buries anything from California. Many domestic “sparkling wines” are this expensive or even more and can’t come close to the quality and complexity. This grower/producer is next door to Salon, my favorite and one of the most expensive Champagnes in the world. The similarities between this incredible bargain and the Salon are uncanny. It has the classic lemon-ice, butterscotch, and pound cake flavors rarely found in Champagnes of this price. It’s Grand Cru, the highest classification of Champagne and is truly awesome.

HERE’S A LIST OF INCREDIBLE WINES WITHOUT PAINFUL AND TRAUMATIZING REVIEWS TO READ
MICHEL TURGY, Millesime 2004, Champagne, Brut, Blanc de Blanc, Le Mesnil sur-Oger, Grand Cru–$63.00
2008 PONT de CHEVALIER, Sauvignon Blanc, Knights Valley–$33.00
2008 SANS LIEGE WINES, “THE OFFERING”, Grenache, Syrah, Mouvedre, 2%Viognier–$23.00  93pts.-Spectator
2006 LAGIER MEREDITH, Estate Syrah, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley–$41.00
2006 WHITE ROCK VINEYARDS, Claret , Napa Valley–$31.50    70%CS,  28%ML, 1%PV, 6%CF
2005 WHITE ROCK VINEYARDS, “Laureate”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$41.00
2007 PAGE WINE CELLARS, “THE STASH”, 90%CS,  5%CF,  5%PV–$65.00 (normally $100, WOW!)
2007 FORMAN, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$85.00  Didn’t hear much from you on this one last month. It’s awesome.
2007 HEDGES, Red Mountain, Estate Grown, Washington–$21.00 (56% ML, 30%CS, 8%SY, 6%CF) A killer wine for $21
2007 PHILIP TOGNI, “TANBARK HILL”, Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District–$37.00
2006 PARADIGM, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$56.00  One of their best vintages so far.

2007 PAGE WINE CELLARS, “THE STASH”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$65.00——–NORMALLY-$100.00
Here’s where I hope you pay attention. While this newsletter is usually funny, raunchy, and written with the foulest of humor, this is serious business. Bryan Page makes this phenomenal wine which is the “reserve edition” of his entire line of wines. It’s 90%Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5%Petit Verdot with a tiny production of only 340 cases of which there’s not much left. You could buy it from the winery for about $85, but since I bought Bryan a $10 sandwich for lunch and gave him a killer blowjob, he cut me this most incredible post-coital price. He said he needs money for bottling but I think he kinda likes me.
Either way, this is an incredible deal on a truly great wine you won’t find anywhere but here. No internet discounters, big or small retailers, and no tranny-hookers will be able to hook you up like I can. As stated before, I will do anything to get you the best wines at the best prices possible. This is big, in your face (no pun intended) Cabernet that will deeply impress you with every sip. Big, bold flavors of concentrated black cherry are rounded out with layers of mocha, sweet oak, cassis, nuances of exotic spice, and cigar box. Solid acidity and firm tannin give this seductive Cabernet the oomph it takes to age gracefully in your cellar although it’ll be hard to stash it once you take your first hit. The fruit for this full blown Cabernet is a combination from Rancho Chimiles, Stage Coach Vineyards, and Carneros. Rarely do I get deals this good on wines this great. The “Stash” could compete with any of Napa’s big name wines or any so called cult wines.  I promise you’ll be hot and horny with the quality, purity, and intensity of this full throttle bottle. It has a bold and impressive package on par with Bonn Scott’s AC/DC album covers and promo shots, with a cool slanted label, and three doves that look like they’re having an airborne ménage a trois. You’d be blowing it, so to speak, by passing up on this great deal from a great winemaker, from a great vintage, from your favorite retailer…I hope.

2006 PARADIGM, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley–$56.00    (a 10% discount from the $62 retail price)
Paradigm has always made really good wines, often great, and has an incredible track record for never screwing things up. I’ve sold, cellared, and drank their wines for years, never ever to be disappointed. I revisited this ass-whomping Cabernet a few weeks ago and was seriously flipping out about the wicked awesomeness of their 2006 vintage. Maybe it was the extra bit of bottle age, maybe I missed something before, but let me tell ya’, this is seriously a truly great bottle of Oakville Cabernet. Ren and Marilyn Harris basically own the west side of the Oakville appellation and keep only the best juice for themselves, never afraid to bulk out what doesn’t make the A+ cut. Heidi Barrett Peterson, the original and current legendary Queen of Cabernet still makes this Cab that rivals every other wine she makes, including her very own $125 La Sirena Cab. Did you notice how the quality, integrity, and reputations of Showket, Dalla Valle, and Screaming Eagle took a huge, stinking, sloppy, wet dump right on the intersection of Highway 29 and Oakville Crossroad when she was no longer their winemaker? Yes, it’s true. They all suck now. But Paradigm Winery knows who puts the magic in the music and who puts the proof in the pudding. Heidi does! Duh!#@$%. This particular vintage is one Paradigm’s best Cabs ever. It’s almost like Cabernet pudding: thick, rich, creamy, and a delicious surprise to find in your lunch box. Here’s what Heidi said about it, “From first smell, this wine is open and enticing. Beautiful aromas of ripe berries and toasty spicy oak. Very soft and silky across the palate with classic Paradigm finesse. Flavors of ripe black cherry, blackberry, cedar, and sweet vanilla. Rich and lush in the mouth with lots of flavor and elegance. The wine is very enjoyable now and will last for ten years or more.” Sounds like Cabernet pudding to me. Don’t screw it up like the fore mentioned wineries did by not getting this in your cellar. If you’ve liked Paradigm’s Cabs in the past, you’re gonna love their superstar 2006 vintage.

2007 PINHEAD RED, Syrah, Russian River Valley–$22.00  (handcrafted by Orfin Lotts, a project from Radio-Coteau)
Wanna do something good for the environment to offset that Styrofoam shipping box? A portion of the proceeds from this wine will be donated to American Wildlands to support their work to maintain wildlife biodiversity. Additionally, this wine will put some California wildlife right in your glass. For $22 this is a beast. It has the quality and impressiveness of Radio Coteau wines, just a smidge lighter and WAY cheaper. You’ll be howling at the moon when you bite into this meaty Syrah, and at $22 you can entertain a whole pack of foxes without draining the reservoir or resorting to a wine named after tuna. This is 100% Syrah, made by Syrah master, Eric Sussman, and is priced at roughly 1/3 the cost of the Radio Coteau wines. I’ve had many $45 Syrahs that don’t deliver like this animal does. Blood red in color with plenty of meat on the bone, it has earthy undertones, flavors of bold red and black fruits, smoked bacon, and toasty oak. As a coyote once said, “Ouwww! Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!” This is a superb deal on a kick ass Syrah that will keep your pricier chickens safe in their coop while you rip and shred this on a daily basis.

2008 CHAPPELLET, “Pritchard Hill”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley–$125.00      Regularly priced at $140, this is
Chappellet’s finest production, expressive of the phenomenal ’08 vintage and built to last. It’ll probably get scores equal to or greater than the 96 point Parker rated ’07. Masterfully crafted from some of Pritchard Hill’s finest fruit, this is a big boy. Deep, dank, black cherry overtones are complimented with nuances of plum, blackberry, earth, cassis, and classy, sweet French oak. The finish is long, tantalizing, and lingers for minutes. It’ll age for a good ten years, maybe more, and is accessible now if you are an impatient lover of big California Cabernet. It usually sells out once the points hit, so get it now before the score-whores swipe it.

2008 CHAPPELLET, Mountain Cuvee, Napa Valley–$28.50 (52%CS, 43ML, 3%PV, 1%MB, 1%CF)   Here’s something to stack in front of the Pritchard Hill while it ages. Again, this will display the greatness of the ’08 vintage without wounding your wallet or a tannin shy palate. This is really good stuff at a modest price. It’s a bit softer than their $50 Signature Cabernet due to the blend but still packs a punch of flavor with the same “signature” as Chappellet’s heavyweight contenders.
2007 VIRAGE, Napa Valley, “Red Wine”–$45.00 posted retail price (71% Cab Franc, 24% Merlot, 5% Cab Sauv)
As usual, you’ll get Groezinger’s somewhat standard discount when you buy this so it’ll be about ten percent cheaper than $45. This is where the grapes went that used to be in Haven’s Bourriquot after they bit the dust. That’s what Brettanomyces will do to a winery. Except for Dunn. The Virage is a sexy blend that’s built to compliment food with its bright red fruit, spice, balance and acidity. It’s curvy and soft in the middle like any good dinner date and will definitely help you get some action. This wine is from Emily Richer, so it’s made for a woman but strong enough for a man. If you’re drinking it by yourself, you’ll probably wind up having a masturdate. Dominated by Cab Franc, it’s refreshingly different than your typical Cabernet Sauvignon without compromising intensity or body. I recommend decanting it for an hour or two before you hit it, like foreplay for a wine.

2006 SCHOOLHOUSE, Pinot Noir, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$85.00   The greatest Pinot in the country!!
If you know it, get it. If you don’t, you should. Ageable for 30 years+, yet drinkable today. I’m aware that it’s expensive but it is worth every penny and more. We just drank a 2000 Schoolhouse Pinot that was singing like an angel and showing no signs of deterioration. Truly Burgundian in style, this will outlive most of us and any other Pinot Noir from this hemisphere. Incredible!

2008 PHILIP TOGNI, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain District, Napa Valley–$81.00
While we’re on the topic of wines that will live longer than we will, this should be in the conversation. If you want Cabernet to enjoy today, you should get the ’07 Tanbark Hill or make another selection. BUT, if you want the pinnacle of age worthy Napa Cabernet Sauvignon in your cellar to share with your grandchildren, this is the one. Hopefully your kid will branch out from beer and Jack Daniels and instill some class and taste into the little diaper-wetters so they will appreciate how smart Grandpa was for buying Togni Cabernet twenty years ago. Just think how cool that would be to drink mature Togni Cab with your grandkids and pass on the diminishing tradition of cellaring wine in this country of instant gratification. As an aficionado of fine wine, it’s kind of your obligation, so call me and get some of this in your cellar. It’s packed with raspberry, cherry, currant, and a light herbal nose in line with Togni’s signature style. I love this wine and Philip’s dedication to producing First Growth Napa Cabernet.

2008 DELILLE CELLARS, D2, Columbia Valley, Washington–$36.00     (55%ML, 39%CS, 4%CF, 2%PV)
I’m gonna try one more time with this one and then I’ll give up if you don’t jump on it. I beat up the distributor a bit so I can match the winery’s price on this truly Bordeaux styled blend that is so cellar-worthy and incredibly delicious with a day long decanting. This is a fantastic wine that would sell for double the price if it was from Napa. It’s not like some Columbia Crust schwag. DeLille is the finest producer of Washington wines and 23% of the Cab in this wine is from the newly legendary Grand Ciel Vineyard that produced the best Cabernet I tasted in 2010 for $150. Buy this, buy this, buy this! You’ll be stoked you did and even more fired up if you can give it some bottle age. Here are the notes from the winery that I couldn’t state better myself ……
“This wine has an extremely expressive nose of toasted black cherries, violets, lavender, thyme, all encapsulated in subtle mocha espresso from the oak. On the palate, rich dark fruits of blackberries and black cherries co mingle with chocolate nuances. The 2008 is extremely charming, rich and unusually complex – a truly exceptional vintage for D2.”  There you have it. If that’s not what you want in a $36 bottle of wine then I wish you, your palate, and your cellar good luck on your pursuit of happiness because I can’t do any better on my end. Now pick up the telephone and get on the DeLille. Trust me on this one. D2 is for you.

2006 FIRST PRESS, Malbec, Napa Valley–$28.00    (a 75 case production from White Rock Vineyards)
You won’t find this anywhere but here. I couldn’t even find it on the internet. Estate grown Malbec is hand pressed with the winery’s original first basket press, thus the name. The best of new school and old school winemaking techniques will learn you good on what Malbec is, was, and is supposed to be. Beautiful earthy tones, red and black fruits, spice, a structured mouthfeel, and dark floral notes give a rare and limited peek into a single varietal wine rarely found from Napa. I highly recommend this for the adventurous wine drinker who’s into branching out from the staples of the wine business.  A truly handcrafted wine.

2009 COULIOR, Pinot Noir, Oppenlander Vineyard, Mendocino–$37.00
Check the new goods from John Grant, assistant winemaker at Turley wine cellars. Many of you loved the 2007 Coulior Roma’s Vineyard Pinot and so did the French Laundry. This new ’09 release is a full bodied Pinot with solid structure and acidity, built to last and made to compliment the finest of foods. It’s obviously two years younger and will benefit from some bottle age although it’s impressively delicious today. The Oppenlander is a big Pinot with great acidity from the vineyard’s close proximity to the Mendocino coastline. Farmed by big, mean, Mendo rednecks, this is a no f**king strangers on our property vineyard, if you know what I mean. Bright cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, spice, and minerality will satisfy the most critical connoisseurs of California Pinot and Burgundy alike. This is a super high quality Pinot at an extremely nice price with a big flavors and a long, clean finish.

2008 DESANTE, Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley–$31.50  (only 125 cases produced)
This is by far the best Sauvignon Blanc in Napa. 2008 was a frost year in Napa, limiting the production of the 35 year old vines, intensifying and concentrating  flavors of kiwi, honeydew, lemongrass, pear, orange peel, and slate-like minerality never found in younger vine SB’s. The ’08 is possibly DeSante’s best Sauv Blanc to date & a must have for any of you that loved it in the past. Auberge du Soleil swiped up half the production so this will sell out quickly. Words really can’t do this wine justice so I hope for your sake you get some so you can experience the amazing joy this wine is bringing me as I write this. It is honestly amazing and tantalizing. The finish lasts for a full minute, and it’s minerality lingers on and on, leaving you craving and jonesing for more.
There IS NOT a Sauvignon Blanc I recommend more than this, and again, I promise you’ll be completely satiated and amazed.
2009 DOMAINE BARAT, Chablis, Appellation Chablis Controlee–$19.50
Drinking California Chardonnay can get to be a little bit like shaving, brushing you teeth, mowing the lawn, or doing the laundry.
While those are good things to do that smell good and help your friends and neighbors tolerate you, they get to be boring and monotonous at times like many domestic Chardonnays can be. 2009 was a spectacular vintage in Chablis and Burgundy that produced wines of great quality rarely found in most vintages. In order to get Chablis of this quality, you’d usually have to spend $40 or more. This is beautiful Chardonnay from 15 to 50 year old vines grown in clay limestone giving this wine bright fruit and minerality not attainable from California’s soil. Super clean flavors of white pear, granny smith apple, citrus, and flinty minerality are complimented by a great texture and zippy acidity. It’s a perfect wine to drink with shellfish, oysters, salads with vinaigrettes or lemon, escargot, and if you’re from the Deep South, put your beer down and chug this with some crawfish at your next boil.

2009 ALBARINO DO FERREIRO, Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain–$26.00
A Groezinger best seller, this stuff is hard to keep on the shelves because winemakers and locals swipe it up as quickly as I can get it. It’s another exceptional food wine with brilliant flavors and Albert Hoffman-like acidity that’ll make you trip out on how tantalizing and unique this wine is compared to domestic norms. The grapes are organically farmed in the Salnes Valley, the finest subzone of Rias Baixas, called “the footprint of God” by locals. The vines are 15 to 50 years old, grown in granite and sand soils.  The grapes are fermented in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts, giving this spectacular white wine complexity and its own site specific flavors. Atlantic maritime air influences the truly unique terroir. Eight parcels of Albarino are fermented separately and then masterfully blended together to create this brilliant wine. It pairs and compliments many cuisines, especially seafood. You’ll pick up flavors of Bartlett pear, lemon, spice, wet salinity, bright floral notes, and a long, lingering finish.

2009 JACQUELYN(Chateau Boswell), Cuvee Blanc, Sonoma County–$41.00   Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, 460 cases
This Bordeaux styled white blend combines the best characteristics of California fruit and French winemaking, resulting in a stunning wine that will please a very wide range of palates. Barrel fermented in 35% new French oak with lees stirred, this vintage is blessed with old vine Sauvignon Blanc not included in previous offerings adding minerality and depth. The 2009 Jacquelyn is crisp on the edges and thick in the middle with complex flavors of honey, nectarine, orange peel, and a super rich mid-palate. It’s impressive from the first whiff to the last sip. Luc Morlet, formerly of Peter Michael, is the winemaker and has put the magic in the bottle once again. If you like full bodied whites and want something other than Chardonnay, this is the ticket.

2007 HAMACHER, Chardonnay, “Cuvee Forets Diverses”, Willamette Valley–$34.00
I only have a couple cases of this Burgundian styled Chard from one of Oregon’s finest winemakers, Eric Hamacher. This is a minimal intervention Chard, letting the ultra-pure fruit shine through without being over influenced by oak or heavy handed winemaking. This ’07 with just a touch of bottle age is drinking great now, delivering bright fruit and a sleek feel on the palate with complex nuances and flavors reminiscent of white Burgundy. It’s my favorite Chard in the store right now, but convincing customers to buy Washington reds and Oregon Chards can be challenging, so I’ll be stoked even if you don’t buy it. I’ll drink it.

Here are a few suggested New Year’s resolutions in case you haven’t made any or need some more: 1. Never trust a fart
2. Never buy Yellowtail or Coppola Claret  3. Stay away from the salvia  4. Promote medical marijuana & industrial hemp
5. Use less gasoline  6. Buy more wine from Groezinger’s  7. Cancel your Facebook account  8.  Stop eating the KFC Double Down, fat-ass  9. Support small businesses 10. Have as much fun as possible in case the Mayan’s were right about 2012

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.”