F Is For Flavor

Full of Flavor
Six reds that aren't shy.

ORIN SWIFT "Papillon" Napa Valley 2006, $55 Orin Swift Papillon

Second vintage, just released. Vince Tofannelli's hands once again adorn the label. The blend, similar to the 2005, is roughly 2/3 Cab Sauv, 1/4 Merlot and a dash each of Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Tasted it last week. This wine goes POW. Orin Swift aficionados: if you are one who's "not all that impressed with the 07 Prisoner," (words of one great customer...and we enjoy our disagreement on this), then THEN THIS IS THE ORIN SWIFT WINE YOU SHOULD BUY AND ENJOY INSTEAD. This '06 Papillon is a fruit bomb. If tasted blind, I'd guess there maybe 25% Zin and/or Petite Sirah in it to explain it's dense, jammy berry/cherry character. "Hedonistic" is an oft-used wine term now that applies in spades to the '06 "Papillon."
My tasting notes: Very ripe, rich, spicy and mouth-filling. Followers of Orin Swift wines will be very happy. Has tons of sappy berry, jam and liqueur flavor. Black pepper, licorice & cinnamon spices. Tannins kick in at the end.

HUMANITAS Pinot Noir
"Gap's Crown" Sonoma Coast 2006, $36
Launched in summer 2002 (same time as Back Room Wines), Humanitas is

a small winery passionate about making good wine. And, they donate their profits to charities in the community that the wine is sold (in Napa Valley, profits are donated to COPE Family Center). It's a fantastic program, and whenever I find a Humanitas wine that I like enough to carry, I do so. Good news...here's the latest, a tiny-production, superb Pinot Noir.
"Gaps' Crown" is a cool, wind-swept, sun-exposed vineyard on the west-facing side of Sonoma Mountain. This rich, luscious, generously-oaked Pinot is a real crowd-pleaser. Dark fruits, smoke, hard cherry candies, full body, silky mouth feel. An easy wine to like.
Only 251 cases made.
BACK ROOM WINE BAR EXTRA: For the month of March, Back Room Wines is serving Humanitas Pinot Noir "Gap's Crown" in the wine bar ($5 tasting for our two "Neighborly Wines" and by the glass.)
Also is March, Back Room Wines is donating 20% of Humanitas Pinot Noir sales to COPE Family Center. Come enjoy a taste (tell us your an email reader and we'll waive the tasting fee) all this month. Mail order customers: 20% of your Humanitas purchase will be donated to COPE. Yes, that's very nice. Most importantly, you want very good, rare wine from us. You'll be very happy with your purchase.

PRIEST RANCH Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2006, $39
New Napa Cabernet label. This is a spectacular mountain vineyard about six miles east of the Valley floor (it's Napa's Elder Valley. Never heard of it? Me either until this year!). Subjectively, this is the type of Cabernet I prefer to drink. Why? It combines great Napa Cab concentration (15.2% alcohol to prove it) with complexity one finds from selected vineyard sites-usually in the mountains). Abundant black cherry, kirsch, cassis, blueberries and vanilla. And, for no added fee :-), there's cedar, truffle, bittersweet chocolate, tobacco and that rather mysterious desciptor, "minerality." Firm tannins give this exceptionally ripe Cabernet structure and longevity. Guaranteed this would have been $50/bottle if released a year ago.
518 cases made.

HIGHFLYER "Aviator Red" California 2006, $25 Highflyer Aviator Red Wine

If you've been reading and buying from me for a while, you may remember the first vintages of "The Prisoner," when it was new, delicious and $25 a bottle. With Highflyer "Aviator Red," you can go back again! Salesmanship: yes. Hyberbole: no. If this is your style, you'll love the flavor of this more than the fair price, but not by much. Blend is Syrah, Zinfandel and Grenache, in that order. Fruit comes from Napa, Sonoma and Santa Barbara in that order. Am I being too cocky to say "trust me-you'll love it"? 800 cases made.
My notes (not long, but to the point): black fruits, dark spices, extremely concentrated and rich. Nice, fine tannins at end. Big red blend lovers must try!

How about a mixed case?
3 bottles of each: $419
(includes 10% discount)