Hello , Composing this week's email, I realize how many "Old Friends" we have in this spicy red line-up. I bet most of these wineries look familiar to you-perhaps from a past, satisfying Back Room Wines purchase. Something to be said for tried and true...I like my coffee the same way every morning with along with NPR Morning Edition, although they're on a pledge drive now, but I digress. Here are six spicy reds you can count on like the loyalty of an old hound. Rich, spice & dark fruit driven reds all. And of course, all six are extremely good values. My notes are below, along with suggested mixed case and half case, with discounts included. TASTING EVENT UPDATE: We had a great time last Friday at Back Room Blow Out XXX. Our guests (School House, Brick Angel, Retro Cellars & Laurel Glen) were very impressed by the questions and kindness of our tasters. All were impressed with the wines. Was a fun time. Blow Out XXXI is scheduled for Friday, April 3. Mark it down! THIS FRIDAY NIGHT we tastes wines from Spain. Two whites, five reds. Seven regions represented. Wow, what great set of wines we have for you, including wine from Bodegas El Nido, Muga, Vizcarra and Alvaro Palacios! The tasting is $15, all wines poured are for sale at discounted prices, the Serrano Ham, Idiazabal cheese and Spanish olives will be at the ready, and our friends in wine will be here to partake. Hope you can join us. The tasting is from 5 to 8 P.M., come anytime during these hours and have fun. Heard It Through The Grapevine Dan
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Spicy & Robust Reds PARAS VINEYARD Grenache Mount Veeder, Napa Valley 2007, $43The last release of Paras Grenache, the 2005, was a huge hit. A little waryof $40+ California Grenache, I suggested it, sold it, and heard only great reviews from customers. This 2007 (they didn't bottle a 2006) is extremely rich, spicy and opulent. Tastes of baked strawberries, five spice, mocha, blueberry essence, pipe
tobacco. It's a big mouthful of rich California red. May not identify it blind as
Grenache...no problem, most importantly it's just really good. 245 cases made.
T-VINE Zinfandel "Brown Vineyard" Napa Valley 2006, $33 I love this wine: every vintage. As close to a sure thing in my book as there is in wine. Tried the just-released '06 yesterday and mmmmm baby. Just wish there was more around. Black
cherry liqueur, brown sugar fried in sweet butter, cherries jubilee (with ample
cinnamon). Sweet sensations without actually being sweet. 400 cases made. Six bottle limit (with apologies).
SKYLARK "Red Belly" Rhone-Style Red North Coast 2007, $22 50 year old vine, head pruned Carignane gives "Red Belly" spice
and intensity. Syrah gives flesh, violets on the nose and power. Touch
of Grenache gives more fruit. This is spicy, seamless, silky and
aromatic. 775 cases made. Want to taste it for yourself? Come to Back Room Wines this month. "Red Belly" is being poured at the Wine Bar all of February. Visit anytime for a taste or a glass of this tasty Rhone-style red.
RUSINA Petite Sirah, Alexander Valley 2006, $31 You may have had bought this from us as we've been selling it since last summer. It's so good, and only 150 cases made, hard to believe it's still around. Lucky for us. A blue-purple sheet of wine clings to the glass when you swirl...you know it's a teeth-stainer. Nose is black pepper, raspberry and black cherry liqueurs. Tons of very ripe fruit in the mouth, really big, AND
(wonderfully) it's still very well balanced. I think this is special wine and merits a $45 price tag. Local customer/friend John D. came by mid-wine
scribe with a warm tri-tip sandwich. We ate it with a big sip of Rusina
Petite. Sometimes you just feel lucky. 10% Zin adds a
little zing. 33% new Hungarian oak explains the sweet musky
note. Rusina: the Roman goddess called upon by ancient farmers to
protect their fields and vineyards.
ORIN SWIFT "The Prisoner" Napa Valley 2007, $35 From the "who cares" department, but I'll tell you this anyway, "I was buying Prisoner back when the owner would deliver it in the back of his truck!" That was the 2001 vintage, and boy was it good. This is the 2007, and boy is it good. Released last November, just after bottling, and it's now starting to drink as it should: very rich, spicy and delicious. The blend: half Zinfandel, a quarter Cab Sauv, then Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono & Grenache. This will=
continue to open and rich-up with more bottle time. Tastes of cherry and mulberry
preserves, cloves, Mexican chocolate, mint and black pepper. Liking this
vintage's fine tannins and ability to evolve. Prisoner fans, I compare the 2007 to the 2004 in richness and complexity. GAMBA Zinfandel "Moratto Vineyard-Old Vine" Russian River Valley 2006, $40 "Moratto," a 90 year old Sonoma vineyard, makes breathtaking Zinfandel. Very ripe, heady, juicy, yet
DRY Zinfandel. (Hard to get dry at such ripeness and almost 16%
alcohol, but this has done it). Black cherry jam, licorice, five spice, cinnamon/clove. This
powerful Zin is definitely best with big flavored red meats with
garlic, herbs, soy, mustard marinade (or whatever is your fancy here).
When a customer requests "the biggest Zin we got," she usually walks out with a Gamba "Moratto."
Mixed case, two bottles of each:
$369 (10% discount applied) Half case, one bottle of each:
$195 (5% discount applied)
To order, call toll free at 877-322-2576 Order online here, Or, just reply to this email. Thank you for reading.
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I'm too sexy for my wine shop Attention ladies, and men who have the smarts (or stupidity) to choose garments for their ladies, Back Room Wines is hosting a Ladies Fashion Trunk Show this Friday, February 9, from Noon to 6.
MAMATOTO CLOTHING, by designer, and hostess for the day, Tina Margulies If you like stylish, funky yet cozy, functional and affordable clothes, then you should stop by, meet designer Tina Margulies, and check out her clothing line.
Choose from fabulous flirty, fleece and fun pants, dresses, skirts and tops that will freshen up your wardrobe and fast become your favorites. Hipster fleecy toddler pants, too!
Come enjoy complimentary wine and try on MAMATOTO's hip, cozy clothes. This Friday, February 9, from noon to 6, at Back Room Wines.
Drink more Sonoma Coast Syrah. Dan
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Daniel Dawson
Back Room Wines Corner of First & Main Streets (First Street Entrance) Downtown Napa, California 94559 Phone: (707) 226-1378 Toll Free # is 877-322-2576 Visit our website here email: [email protected]
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Spanish Wine Tasting
This Friday, February 6, 5 to 8 P.M. Taste stellar wines from Rias Baixas, Rioja, Jumilla, Ribera del Duero, Madrid, Navarra and Priorat. Seven wines for your enjoyment! $15/tasting Here are the wines and the notes for Friday night.
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Rhone Valley Wine Tasting Next Friday, February 13 5 to 8 P.M. You may know of our fondness for the Rhone wines. Tonight we taste seven of our favorites. $15/tasting
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