Another exciting week is coming up at Imbibe.  As I mentioned last week, I just returned from the Rhone Rangers tasting and also had the pleasure of heading to LA to taste new releases of Araujo, Peter Michael, Luc Morlet and Hirsch.  This was all followed by three days in Napa Valley attending the PNV Tasting and enjoying Harlan, Bond, Rudd, Shafer and Spottswoode, plus about 300 other amazing wines.  Yes, my friends, the life I lead for you is a difficult one.  Stay posted for some of my favorite finds.

  For now, let me tell you about two great new wineries that I am very excited to have at Imbibe.  Last year I told you about the wines of Epoch and Torrin coming out of Paso Robles (before Mr. Parker, I might add).  On my most recent trip to Paso, I had the pleasure of enjoying the wines of Alta Colina and Caliza.  My good friend and longtime wine veteran, Lorain Alban tipped me off to Alta Colina and Caliza a few weeks ago, and I had the chance this past weekend to sit down with Caliza Owner  and Winemaker, Carl Bowker.  Carl and his wife, Pam, purchased 60 acres next to Torrin with 30 acres worth planted to Rhone Varietals.  For the past few years, Caliza has been selling their fruit to local vintners Villa Creek and Linne Calodo.  I recently tasted the 2007s and they are outstanding.  At Imbibe, we've brought in their 2007 Syrah and their 2007 Azimuth GSM Blend.  Both bottlings are very limited at under 200 cases produced.  Imbibe price - $44.99

  The wines of Alta Colina are equally impressive.  I had the privilege of meeting the minds behind the label, and you couldn't ask to meet better folks than Bob and Lynn Tillman and their daughter, Maggie.  Joining us as we tasted though their entire lineup was winemaker Scott Hawley.  One word easily describes these wines, "Wow."  First up, was the 2009 12 O'Clock High, a white Rhone blend consisting of mostly Viognier.  In the glass, this wine displays beautifully refreshing notes of peach and apricot, while still retaining an elegant weighty mouthfeel.  Only 220 cases for the world.  Imbibe price - $25.99

  The first red was Alta Colina's 2008 GSM Estate Blend, consisting of equal parts Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre.  This wine is loaded with roasted herbs and earthy tones, with hints of lavender and tobacco leaf on the finish.  Beautifully balanced and rich.  Imbibe price - $36.99

  Next in line, was the 2008 Old 900 Syrah.  We would have jumped to order 10 cases, but that's all the wholesaler received.  Simply put, you want this wine.  It's interesting to note that this Syrah vineyard is planted using Alban Vineyard cuttings.  This helps lend itself to the concentrated layers and huge espresso roast, chocolate fudge, crème de cassis and blackberry offered up in the glass.  Imbibe price - $47.99

  Last, but certainly not least, in the lineup was the the 2008 Ann's Block Petite Sirah.  Without question the best Petite Sirah that we have tasted out of Paso Robles.  This is a vineyard you have to see to believe, 0.6 acres of hand-farmed, head-trained vines on a near vertical hillside.  Though an incredibly difficult piece of land to farm, it leads way to gigantic, dark and fruity wine.  This bottling shows signs of anise, black cherry and blackberry liqueur.  Only 125 cases produced.  Imbibe price - $47.99

  Stop in today and buy by the case, because you don't want to try and find these after Mr. Parker gets a hold of them.

  Until next time, keep pullin' those corks! 

- David