Always do your "homework"!
December 12, 2006
Thank you! Your response to my "Best Cabernet Sauvignon Value of the Year" has been
overwhelming! Over 780 bottles were sold by e-mail reply within the
first 48 hours of the posting. All 25 cases of in-stock floor
inventory also were sold on Friday and Saturday. Not one single customer
decreased a reserve order after tasting. As a matter of fact, just about
everyone increased their orders for the stunning 2004
Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) from the new Red Hills AVA in
Lake County. Do not despair if you missed this announcement last
Thursday morning, or did a little procrastinating. Another 40 cases are
due to arrive tomorrow and more again on Friday. I will again be offering the wine to sample this Friday and
Saturday at the tasting bar beginning at Noon. This wine is
the perfect and affordable gift for the California Cab
aficionado, especially if you relish turning on your wino friends
to a new cutting edge region and producer.
ORDER NOW AT JUST $23.95 A BOTTLE!
or
ORDER SIX BOTTLES AT $21.95 A BOTTLE!!
or
ORDER 12+ BOTTLES AT $19.50 A BOTTLE!!!
......Let's not forget about the proprietary red
Bordeaux blend 2004 "Piocho" from Happy Canyon Vineyards in its eponymous new AVA in the far
eastern corner of Santa Ynez Valley. This wine is easily the
best Meritage - Bordeaux blend value of the year! A perfectly
ripened and beautifully balanced wine composed of 45% Cabernet Franc, 41%
Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Merlot. Robert Parker bestowed the Piocho
with 92 points. If combined with
the Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon as a gift set.....what a pair to draw
to....!!! Who would have thought it..... two very small,
but distinctive new discovery AVAs in the most obsure
places. IDEA! Let's also pour the Piocho along side the Obsidian Ridge
Cabernet this Friday and Saturday at the tasting bar beginning at
Noon!!
ORDER NOW
AT JUST $28.95 A BOTTLE
or
ORDER SIX
OR MORE BOTTLES AT $26.50 A
BOTTLE!!
The Greenback Lane store in
Citrus Heights will be closed from December 31st until it reopens on February
1st. - 2007.
Many of you already know we are taking our annual
January trip to Argentina and Chile. For
the last 3 months we have been focused on doing our geography "homework",
that is, tasting to understand and appreciate the available imported
wines from many of the grape growing regions we will be visiting. Of
course, our goal is to discover new gems for our
collective palates. Yes, we are always dedicated to this supreme
sacrifice! Here is a sampling selection of just some of the
impressive Argentine and Chilean wines currently
available:
2006 Sur de Los Andes Torrontes, Salta,
Argentina - $10.75 ($9.14)
- Extremely floral nose. A dry white
wine with lush, but vibrant fruit across the palate. Perfect with
dungeness crab.
2004 Salentein Malbec, Valle de Uco,
Mendoza, Argentina - $13.95 ($11.86)
- This brilliant purple hued
wine of great intensity and depth exudes personality with aromas of ripe plums,
blackberries and a soft touch of vanilla and tobacco typical of aging in French
oak barrels. Ripe black-blue berry fruit with an underlying
minerality that expresses the vineyard's high elevation terroir.
Sweet tannins, this wine is well-structured, with balanced acidity and a
long finish. It should improve nicely for
five years.
2004 Achaval Ferrer "Quimera", Mendoza,
Argentina - $44.95 ($38.21) LIMITED!
- A Bordeaux blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot, and Cabernet Franc from one of Argentina's cult producers. As
the proprietary name "Quimera" means, a wine striving for the
impossible perfection or idealism. As serious a wine as a heart
attack! Must be tried to believed!!! "Racy, almost piercing,
with graphite, violet, mineral and boysenberry notes rushing along fine tannins
and acidity. Long finish, but on the tight side for now, so cellar. Best from
2007 through 2014. " - Wine Spectator 93
points. Inquire if you are interested in the
highest rated vineyard designated Malbecs from this
producer.
2005 Vina La Playa Chardonnay - Block Selection
# 23 - Reserve, Casablanca Valley, Chile - $9.95
($8.46)
- Aka the "wonderchard"! Last week over 40
cases sold! The aromas show notes of candied papaya, toffee, honey
and dried apricot. In the mouth the flavors include an element of white peaches.
Well balanced with a nice medium finish. A big surprise for the
money. In time for holiday entertaining!
2004 Calina Carmenere Reserva, Valle del Maule,
Chile - $7.95 ($6.76)
- Carmenere, a grape indigenous to Bordeaux,
was brought to Chile and planted by immigrants in the mid 1800s.
Often used for blending, and likened to Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this
varietal can stand on its own. However, here it is blended with 20%
Cabernet Sauvignon and aged in a combination of French and American oak for nine
months. Ripe and spicy plum scents combine with hints of green
olive and fresh thyme on the nose. Inviting and gulpable; soft,
lush plum and berry fruits are on the palate. We had fun playing
"Deal or NO Deal" with this wine Friday afternoon at the tasting
bar......Just about everyone thought it should be priced in the mid
teens.
ORDER ANY COMBINATION
OF 12 OR MORE BOTTLES FROM THESE SOUTH AMERICAN WINES AND
RECEIVE THE 15% DISCOUNT (IN PARENTHESIS) ,
OR 12% ON VISA OR MC.
Selections from the above wines will
also be poured at the Saturday tasting bar!
THE DAYS OF WINE AND
LEATHER!! House of Gattorna Leather Bottle
Carriers from Argentina! These stylish, hand
stitched, beautifully stained, handsome leather totes are as elegant and
artisanal as the wines they should carry. Hey, taking a bottle or so
of wine to a nice restaurant or a fellow wino's home for a dinner
party? Well, a brown bag might be okay at Mr. Steak! But come on
now, ahem....if you're a customer of mine, then I know you want to show
some class and panache! These carries are the perfect fashion
accessory and a great way to show off and treat special
bottles. NOW IN STOCK!
Order now while I can guarantee selection and discounted sales
price. Available in "Dark Mahogany" or "Natural
Suela". Shipping via UPS available.
Click on these links for photographs and more
information:
We have just restocked our shelves with Riedel & Eisch decanters and
stemware!
We have two Eisch decanters that
are perfect for everyday use: The "Classic" at $69.95, and the
"Bonaparte" at $84.95.
Also, check out the new spiffy Eisch
stemware: The "Bordeaux Vintec" at $15.99 and "Bordeaux
Superior" at $19.99.
The BOTTLE BUTLER did
it!!!
$9.95 or one FREE on request with every $250
purchase. Choice of dark or light stained hardwood. Great
conversation piece! Unique display! Check this out! We got it
to actually balance on the lip of another bottle!! Buy a dozen for all of
your wine friends! > http://www.thewineconsultant.com/wine/959
Let us help make your holiday season a cheerful
time!
Thank you!
Eric Stumpf
The Wine Consultant
8039 Greenback Lane (Sunrise Market
Place)
Citrus Heights, CA
95610
(916) 721-WINE (9463)
Tuesday - Friday from 11 am to 6
pm
Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm
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