Memorable Wines for Memorial Day

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

Chardonnay
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

County 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)

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