Memorable Wines
For what else: Memorial Day!

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Greetings!
In my neverending challenge to package up "WHAT'S REALLY GOOD" in new, shiny wrapping, I look to the holiday on the horizon: Memorial Day. We remember our fallen heroes and loved ones perhaps, while taking time for the beach, mountains, ballpark, BBQ Pit and/or the swimming pool. It's the unofficial beginning  of summer! Where do my six picks of the week fall into this equation? Let me think about that while you read through my crafty prose on these six delectable wines. Hold on, I've thought about it: I can say, unequivocally, that these six wines fit the 3 day holiday: they're full-flavored, not too pricey, easy to drink on a warm day, and have the "anyone who likes good wine will dig it" taste to them. You know me: I try to make it  EASY for you to buy from Back Room Wines. We sell delicious wines at fair prices. Everything else is gravy.

Twas a rootin' tootin' Ros� tasting last Friday night. Were you the one who missed it? If so, the rest of the wine-drinking civilization missed you. From C�tes de Provence to Santa Barbara County, the Ros� wines rang true. As much as we sold, you'll be happy to hear we have more. Come in for a look, or contact us with questions. The tasting this Friday night is Santa Barbara wines. Look in that right hand column just below for details.

Enjoy your holiday weekend.
Dan.

 
Six Memorable Wines
Full-flavored, easy to like and not too pricey.

ETUDE Pinot Gris, Carneros 2008  $16
Pinot Noir specialist Etude has been making a trickle of Pinot Gris for some time. The grapes grow in the (relatively) cool Carneros region, both in Etude's Estate Vineyards and the mighty-fine "Hudson Vineyard" nearby. Alsatian style, i.e. the viscosity and cashmere-like texture of the grape come through. It is dry. Boasts a nose of juicy pears, cream & light caramel, then in the mouth a richness of fruit (pear, apple, nectarine) and lovely round mouthfeel. Medium bodied, creamy and exceedingly "fresh," it's so darn versatile with food-from appetizers to pork, fish and chicken on the grill. I think Hamachi (Yellow Tail) Sashimi will be great with it!

FROSTWATCH Frostwatch ChardonnayChardonnay
Sonoma County 2006  $22

We've sold many a bottle of Frostwatch Chardonnay over the past three years. It's just solid-a perfect marriage of Chardonnay opulence and palate-cleansing acidity. Sweet butter, roast hazelnuts, brioche, fresh peach preserves, squeeze of lemon, nectarines...and only 180 cases made-won't find this just anywhere! Interesting they dropped the price from $30 to $22 (it's not a fire sale...just passing on the discount the winery extended to BRW). Frostwatch is now more than a delicious artisanal Chardonnay. It's now a big-time recommendation for a GREAT PRICE! A case drops the price to under $20/bottle: $237.60 a case. That should get you through a few servings of pancetta-wrapped & grilled big shrimp!


"JRE" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2006  $19
True story: As I tasted this Napa Cabernet last week I wrote most positive notes: richness and depth of fruit, sexy oak notes, polish, structure, length, delicious. JRE Winery is new to me, so I had no idea of the price. If it was going to be $30-$35/bottle I'd be recommending it. At under $20 a bottle,
I ordered ten cases just to get us started!
JRE is John Robert Eppler, Owner & Winemaker. Looking for a bang-for-the-buck Napa Cab? Check this out. John harvested Cabernet from  Pritchard Hill, Mount Veeder and St. Helena. 7% Cab Franc gives the wine perfume and polish. Excellent. Starts shy with dark berries and nice oak. Taste oodles of dark fruits, mocha and tobacco. Very good structure and mouth feel. Not that  you have to, or would want to, but you could cellar this wine for 6-7 years with good results. Only 339 cases made.


UVAGGIO Barbera, Lodi 2007  $18
I'm not a member of the Barbera fan club. Just getting that out in the open. It's often too tart, too lean, too bitter. Those who have acquired the taste for this style of Barbera can have it. Bet you can see where I'm going with this...
Uvaggio Barbera is different! Longtime Napan and Italian variety champion Jim Moore puts his years of experience to work in making a Barbera that is varietally correct except for the (in my opinion) the icky parts.
From mature, 35 year old vines in Lodi, Sacramento Delta. Best California Barbera you may find at any price. Like a stronger Pinot Noir or a lighter Red Zin, it's bright, spicy, intense and pretty. White pepper, red plum & raspberry nose gets juicy, a little tangy and sleek in the mouth. No oak influence, which is nice sometimes, don't you think?

TALLULAH Syrah "Shake Ridge Ranch"
Amador Tallulah SyrahCounty 2005  $21

The amazing deals on top-notch artisan California wines just keep on coming! Tallulah: you may be loving their Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc, which we continue to sell with great enthusiasm. Their Syrah, from the Sierra Foothills ("Gold Country") is special. I mean it. It's rich, dark, smoky, full of berry & cherry fruit, and packed with classic Syrah flavors of black pepper, olive, bacon and allspice (I AM a Syrah fan club member). Full and supple in the mouth; very well balanced and impeccably made. This is exceptional Syrah that strides the balance beam between rich California fruit and spice & tobacco-first Rhone style.  330 cases made.

NAPA VALLEY FARMS "Cuv�e" Napa Valley 2005  $30
Here's an exceptional, Bordeaux-style (Right Bank if you will), blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot (in that order).  This blend, or "Cuv�e," is one well-endowed red loaded with dark berries, Indian spices & healthy, fine tannins. Full-bodied, lip-smacking-good and will not disappoint. Seekers of rich, Napa Valley reds a la Cabernet Sauvignon should check this out. Are you, by chance a lover or a seeker of Coho "Headwaters" Red? For flavor, texture and quality, we find this to be very similar.
Another price drop: Was $38, now $30/bottle...$27 with case discount!



A Memorable Mixed Case
Two bottles of each: $225

(includes 10% case discount)

A Memorable Half Case
One bottle of each: $120
(includes 5% discount)

To order, call toll free at 877-322-2576
Order online here,
Reply to this email, or COME TO THE SHOP & BUY.
Thank you for reading.
HEAR YE HEAR YE,
Downtown Napa's 15th Annual Chef's
Chef's Market LogoMarket begins this Thursday! It's Napa Party Time with street food, wines by the glass, Farmers' Market, live music, games for kids and groovy people-watching.
Chef's Market starts at 5 P.M. and
Back Room Wines is open until 7.

Our Chef's Market special:
2 for 1 on our $5 "Neighborly Tasting"

Our neighborly wines: BLOCKHEADIA Sauvignon Blanc 2007 and
"LE PETIT VICE" Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2005.
Two tastes delight!

We'll be here until 7 (later if business is still kickin' then) pouring all our wine-thirsty guests Two for One neighborly tastings. If you're in Napa and coming Downtown Thursday for Chef's Market, then it's a date.
See you at the shop!

Drink more Gruner Veltliner
.
Dan

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: daniel@backroomwines.com

Vineyard Divider Line
Vineyard Divider Line
Taste Wines
From
Santa Barbara

This Friday,
May 22

5 to 8 P.M.
Roussanne, Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir, Grenache,
Bordeaux-style red and more.

Six outstanding wines in all.
$15/tasting
Here's the
Santa Barbara tasting line-up

RIESLINGS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Next Friday,
May 29,
5 to 8 P.M.

We'll taste the great Riesling grape from Germany, Austria and New York's Finger Lakes. Special Guest: Nancy Irelan of Red Tail Ridge in the Finger Lakes.

$15/tasting

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