This newsletter is aimed specifically at those of you who have mothers or who know someone who has a mother.

            There are many stores where you can buy something really nice for the mother in your life, but we believe Erick's offers more perfect items for a Mother's Day gift than any other shop in the High Country, so we recommend you begin and end your shopping spree right here.

            Our specialty is, of course, our beautiful array of custom made gifts baskets

hand-prepared only by the invaluable women on our staff who are themselves mothers and who know how to lovingly arrange eye-poppingly beautiful arrangements of wine, cheese, chocolates, hand-dipped chocolate figs, Fran's smoked salt caramels, oils, soaps, lotions, etc.   If your mother is going to be in the vicinity of Banner Elk, even Boone, Blowing Rock or Newland, we will deliver for a nominal charge.

            It has not escaped our notice than some mothers drink wine.   Frankly, many of them drink wine because of the strain of motherhood or (as in the case of yours truly) wifehood. If the mother in your life would appreciate some wine for Mother's Day this year, we have you covered!

            We have perhaps the best domestic Sauvignon Blanc you can find - the monumental 2010 Grey Stack Sauvignon Blanc (Bennett Valley, California, normally $36.99 / special $33.30 on Saturday only). Cellar Tracker readers score this wine at a median of 90 points, one user noting: "aromas of lemon thyme, citrus, minerals, and a light saline nuance. Medium-light bodied with clean bright ripe lemon flavors nuanced with some wax and saline notes".

            Also in stock is the 2010 Grey Stack Rosé (Bennett Valley, California, normally $25.99 / special $23.40 on Saturday only), a delicious wine for a Mother's Day brunch with succulent flavors of strawberry and watermelon.

            Note: we will be pouring samples of the two Grey Stack wines at our tasting bar on Saturday if you want to sample before you buy.

            If Mamma loves red wine, we have the epitome of red wine - a couple of fantastic Bordeaux.

            Say "Happy Mother's Day" with 2009 Château Gruaud Larose (2d growth, St. Julien, $99.99). Robert Parker 95 points: "The 2009 appears to be the finest Gruaud Larose since their 1990. Some of my concerns about too much brett in previous vintages are long gone as the purity of the 2009 jumps out. Copious notes of sagebrush, cedar, cigar box, licorice, incense, blackberries and lead pencil shavings suggest a big Pauillac rather than a St.-Julien. Broad, rich and full-bodied with good balance and abundant, but sweet, well-integrated tannin, this big, masculine Gruaud Larose reveals remarkable finesse, richness, extract, density and a cascade of fruit that nearly hides the lofty tannins. This beauty should be at its best between 2020-2045." (just 2 bottles remain from our allocation)

            Almost as good is the ...

            2009 La Vieille Cure (Fronsac, $45.99). Robert Parker 93 points: "This property has made so many fine efforts lately that it is difficult to say the 2009 is better than their 2005. However, the 2009 is a charming, sexy, dense ruby/purple-colored offering displaying lots of ripe Merlot fruit intermixed with hints of charcoal, black raspberries, black currants, lead pencil shavings and truffles. This full-bodied, pure, nicely textured and layered Fronsac is a sleeper of the vintage that considerably over-performs for its modest price. Drink it over the next 15+ years. This is an obvious great value!" (12 bottles available)

            Guys, if the mother in your life is like mine, nothing gives a mother a greater thrill than seeing the son in her life happy, so give her the best Mother's Day gift ever -- make yourself exceedingly happy with a bottle or two of ...

            2009 J. L. Chave Hermitage rouge ($344/bottle), Robert Parker 100 points: "The greatest wines Chave has produced since 2003 are the two cuvees of 2009 Hermitage. The 2009 Hermitage exhibits a black/purple color along with a sumptuous nose of roasted meats, ground pepper, black currants, blackberry jam, and subtle smoke and licorice. The extraordinary bouquet is followed by a wine of extravagant intensity as well as tremendous focus and precision. While not as powerful as the blockbuster 2003, the amazing 2009 may turn out to be a modern day version of their magnificent 1990 (which is drinking incredibly well at present). Anyone who loves Hermitage and has a cold cellar should be lining up to get a few bottles of this beauty." (3 bottles available; p.s., the average price of this wine on Cellar Tracker is a whopping $565 - moral: buy at Erick's and SAVE!)

            2009 J. L. Chave Hermitage blanc ($344/bottle), Robert Parker 99 points: "The bottled 2009 Hermitage Blanc is one of the greatest whites ever made chez Chave, and that's saying something given Chave's track record. This spectacular wine, normally a blend of 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, exhibits layers of concentration, superb acidity and minerality, laser-like focus, and plenty of quince, white currant, citrus oil, honeysuckle, anise, white peach and apricot marmalade notes. This significant, full-bodied, dry white Hermitage should age for 30-50 years. However, given the vintage's flamboyance, it will be drinkable early in life." (3 bottles available)

            Our tiny allocation of the Chave wines should arrive by June 20.   Let us now if you'd like us to reserve any for you.