A diva, two hipsters, and a ticking "fruit bomb"?
November 02, 2006
2003 La Sirena Syrah, Napa Valley - Should be $59.95 a bottle. Order NOW at $56.95.
Heidi Peterson Barrett's very own
label is La Sirena. However,
many wine aficionados only know Heidi for her super star
reputation as as the hired gun-winemaker for many of Napa Valley's most cult
followed Cabernet Sauvignons.....formerly, Screaming Eagle immediately comes to
mind. Barrett has just released a very limited production
of her 2003 La Sirena Syrah from a vineyard site in the eastern hills
of Napa Valley. Barrel aged for 22 months in 100% French oak (35%
new). Robert Parker states
the 2003 La Sirena Syrah, Napa Valley - "....displays a roasted,
scorched earth character along with sweet blackberry fruit, licorice and
pepper. Opulent, thick, juicy, and impressively endowed...." - 93 points. Heidi says, "Deep garnet in
color, this is a beautiful wine. Aromas are of ripe plum, spice, white
pepper, and cedar with some classic Syrah smoked meat tones. A pure
expression of the variety grown in the Napa Valley. On the palate, it is
very luxurious, super round, silky, rich and mouth-filling. The flavors
echo the aromas with layers of black fruits, and spice, great texture and
wonderful balance. This wine has it all!"
In stock
now....you will be able to sample at the tasting bar this Saturday and make your
own determination!! For full Saturday
lineup check the virtual tasting bar page at the webstore every Friday afternoon
> http://www.thewineconsultant.com/tastingbar/
2003 Tenuta Ponti
"Oreno" - Tuscano - $99.95 NET - or 10%
discount on six pack purchase.
In last week's e-mail entitled "Don't Miss
This List!", I took a shot at the owner's of the Sacramento Kings, Gavin
and Joe Maloof. Currently, in a televised national ad campaign
for Carl's Jr., the boys are shown at their Palms Hotel and Casino in Las
Vegas devouring a couple of the chain's $6 burgers while they guzzle
a $6,000 bottle of 1982 Bordeaux (implied by its price to be Chateau
Petrus). For those of you residing outside the Sacramento region,
this ad is particularly controversial (and smarts of poor taste and
timing....) because the Maloofs and the city and county of Sacramento
have a measure on the upcoming ballot to raise the sales tax to
publicly fund a new downtown entertainment/sports complex that would house
the Kings and be operated year round by the Maloofs. Anyway,
the Maloof's choice of a Carl's Jr. burger is one thing.....
who eats this kind of THING these days anyway.....what a sell
out?..... If these dudes are such hipsters why didn't they go over to
Hubert Keller's (famed chef of Fleur-de-Lys) new Burger Bar in Mandalay
Bay and try one of his Kobe beef burgers with foie gras and shaved
black truffles....for only $65!! Now, this warrants a great bottle of
wine......like the 2003 Tenuta Ponti "Oreno" (Super Tuscan blend of 50%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Sangiovese) that I tried the other night
with a burger from a local grill restaurant ($11 with fries......Hey,
"big spender"!).....WOW!!! Attention!! This is a must purchase for
any collector!! EXPLOSIVE nose and palate! HUGE black fruits
are riveting! Can not believe I found 20 six packs!! 95 points Wine
Spectator's #5 - 2005 Top 100 - click here > http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Top100/Top100-Top10/0,4151,,00.html
2005 Orin Swift "The
Prisoner" - California - $31.95 NET - or
10% discount on case purchase.
The Prisoner has just been released! I remember my
first experience with this wildly incorrigible, but charming wine
when we had the 2002 vintage paired with a plump grilled venison
sausages and fresh blueberry sauce at Bacar in San
Francisco. At the time, I correctly
predicted a cult-like reverence would develop. "The
Prisoner" composition has an "identity" problem, but no character
flaws, and proves the whole is better than the sum of its parts; 48%
Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah,
and 2% Charbono. The best way to describe "The Prisoner" is a ticking
"fruit bomb", hiding under the guise of finesse and breeding. The Prisoner
has been avoiding the full monty workouts in the yard; no big muscles or hard
tannins on this wine. However, the Cabernet Sauvignon
component provides a steady balance to the wine's
structure. Forward, ripe, juicy black fruits with a whisp
of smoke lurking in the shadows are evident on the
nose. Always looking for approval, The Prisoner wins adoration
for its mouthcoating and silky texture on the palate. If you
turn your back on The Prisoner, a Zinfandel-like personality begins to emerge
and black pepper spice, vanillin cream and raspberries add new
complexity. So whether you're a recidivist follower, or you need to
give this wine a first chance.....trust me when I say, The Prisoner is
no con job......at least for the short term, it's looking for a nice home where
it can be on its best behavior!
ORDER ANY OF THE ABOVE WINES BY
SIMPLY REPLYING DIRECTLY TO THIS E-MAIL. ALL ORDERS WILL BE CONFIRMED BY
INVOICE.
Eric
Stumpf
The Wine Consultant
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