More Hummer! Brown Bag Napa Cab!
August 03, 2007
It's about that time! Nothing quite like the taste
sensation of eating just picked from the bush, sun warmed ripe
blackberries. We have our "secret" place in the
foothills to gather these tasty morsels. We take the "leftovers" home
with us to make jam....and I always convince Renee to make a cobbler or
pie. She likes to see me swoon! One of my other very favorite
concoctions is to macerate the less ripe berries with a little
sugar, fresh ground black pepper, and a sprig of vanilla bean.
This is a fabulous combinaton over ice cream. Truth be told I have
even enjoyed it as a condiment for grilled steaks, but then I balance with
balsamic vinegar.
Which brings me to the just released
2005 Mt. Aukum Petite Sirah from the winery's 5 acre vineyard
at the "summit" (2615 feet) of Fair Play in the Sierra Foothills of El
Dorado county. Last year, you may recall I tabbed the 2004 vintage of
this wine the "BLACK HUMMER" of red
wine; "smooth riding, but with full throttle, and muscular
tannins". I suggested pairing the 2004 with "brontosaurus rack of
ribs". Yes, the 2005 rendition is also the ultimate summer grill/bbq wine
when assertive and intense flavors need to find a partner. However,
the big difference in the 2005 Mt. Aukum Petite Sirah is a
more obvious black pepper spiciness that highlights its sumptuous
blackberry pie-filling fruit.....and this is what makes me think of the
blackberry-black pepper "compote" I just described. I am
hopeful to secure a few bottles for the tasting bar this
Saturday. More arriving next week.
Price is $28.95 a
bottle. But if you purchase six or more -
$25.95
And while everybody is focused on the pending releases of
high end California Cabernet Sauvignon, can you believe I have found a
stupendous value of Napa Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon from the 2005 vintage for under
$20!?! IT'S A
MIRACLE!! Or hard work pays off?? This wine took me
right out of my post vacation trip blues! 90%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. The Cabernet Sauvignon
comes from two vineyard sources in Napa Valley; Diamond Mountain and
the Yountville foothills. The Merlot component is sourced from Howell
Mountain. The marvel of this wine is its combination of fruit and
structure. Not over ripe or with undue alcohol, the wine presents complex
layers of bright aromas and deep flavors of what one expects of real
Cabernet Sauvignon fruit; cassis, currant, black cherry fruit. Add a
little smoke, licorice, and spice for good measure. Excellent tannin
management has engineered a wine with good structure, nothing flabby or too
soft, and with a remarkably long finish that's VERY enjoyable to
drink now.....although the wine should develop nicely or the next 2-4
years. To protect my source, I am not going
to divulge the name of this wine or producer.......yet! Honestly, it
is unlikely you have ever heard of this producer.....completely a new discovery
for me! Let's just call it my 2005 BROWN
BAG NAPA CAB.
IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TASTE AT THE TASTING
BAR SATURDAY. Don't delay, only a few
hundred cases remain.
Price is $19.95 a
bottle. But if you purchase six or more
- $17.50.
Few more of the "JUST"
arrived -
2005 BAD BAD HABIT
by Michael Austin (50% Petit Sirah, 45% Syrah, 5% Grenache) - Priest Ranch,
Napa Valley - $45.95 NET
Michael Austin grew up in a monastery on the
outskirts of France. He was raised by a pack of wild nuns who taught him
how to live on a strict diet of wine, cheese and real estate investments.
Today, he is religious about only one thing....making great wine!
Priceless label! http://www.thewineconsultant.com/wine/1102
2006 Copain "L' Automne" Pinot
Noir by Wells Guthrie - Anderson Valley, Mendocino - $19.95
(discounts to $17.56)
Sourced from noted and prime, organically farmed
vineyards in Anderson Valley; Hein, Savoy, Cerise. Partial whole
clusters. Native yeasts. No filtration or fining. Best value
in Pinot Noir on the market. Just released!
2005 Andre et Edmond Figeat -
"Cuvee Prestige" - Pouilly Fume, Loire Valley, France -
$29.95 (discount to $26.36)
The Sauvignon Blanc has
the quintessential combination of the clean, fresh, pure citrus fruit
and underlying minerality one looks for from this region. High energy
and a thrill to drink. Where are the Kumamoto oysters?
2006 Mas de Bazan - Rosado,
Valencia, Spain - $11.95 ($10.52)
Best dry blush wine of the summer. From the
free run must of Bobal, Grenache and Merlot. Beautiful, intense cranberry
like color. Vibrant ripe strawberries on the nose and palate.
Also "UNEXPECTED" restocks on
-
2005 Orin Swift "The
Prisoner" - 48% Zinfandel, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 10%
Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono - $31.95 NET
2006 Mollydooker "The Scooter"
Merlot - Southern Australia - $23.95
NET
Sarah and Sparky Marquis continue to amaze with
these new spell-binding releases.
2006 Mollydooker "Blue Eyed Boy"
Shiraz - Southern Australia - $53.95
NET
First release of this stunning
new Shiraz. A complex, unctuous and intense wine that far
outshines its price point.
HEIRLOOM TOMATO
TASTING! After I close the Tasting
Bar on Saturday (Noon to 4 pm), here's is an idea to continue your
afternoon! Sponsored by SLOW FOODS -
Sacramento.
4:30-7:30pm Co-op Community Learning Center and
Cooking School
1914 Alhambra Blvd.
~Taste an array of flavorful organic heirloom
tomatoes from local farms
~ Special presentation about Soil Born Farm Urban
Agriculture Project
~ Guest Chefs Terese and Dionisio Esperas, A Healthy
Kitchen
~ No host wine bar featuring local and organic
wines
$25.00 Slow Food Members - $30.00 Non Members (You
must show your slowfood card)
Proceeds benefit the Soil Born Farm Agriculture
Project
Please pre-register at the Co-op Customer Service
Desk
Corner of Alhambra Blvd. & S Street
916-455-2667
Also, if anyone was wondering where
Lori Friedli has disappeared to??.....You may remember Lori for
being responsible for the incredible cheese selection at the Natural
Foods Coop in midtown Sacramento. We ran into this "cheese whiz"
(pardon the humor) at One Ripe Tomato in the new
Quarry Pond Market Hall on Douglas Blvd. in Granite Bay where
she is the manager. Lori helped us put together a fabulous
picnic basket. Kudos to One Ripe Tomato!! You can contact Lori
at lori@quarryponds.com.
OH! The 2003 Silver Oak Cabernet
Sauvignon - Alexander Valley just ARRIVED! It was due next Wednesday when the
Twomey orders will be available to pickup......
2003 Silver
Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley - Reg $60 - NOW $58.50 a
bottle ($55.95 on six or more).
2003 Twomey Merlot - Napa
Valley - Reg $65 - NOW $57.95 a bottle ($54.95 on six or
more).
IF YOU WISH TO ORDER, JUST
REPLY DIRECTLY TO THIS E-MAIL.
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