This week's five faves California tiny-production wonders
TYLER Chardonnay "Zotovich Vineyard" Santa Rita Hills 2007 $40 net and
TYLER Pinot Noir "La Encantada Vineyard" Santa Rita Hills 2007 $50 net These are no-brainers if you love cool-climate, intense, complex, rich, balanced Burgundy varieties. Justin Willett, Owner/Winemaker of Tyler, drove up from Santa Barbara to pour for us. Mmmmm mmmmmm good. "Zotovich" Chardonnay starts with sweet cream, caramel and preserved lemons. In the mouth, a high acid tang is quickly followed by poached pears, pineapples and lemon curd. Long, spicy, creamy finish. 116 cases made. "La Encantada" is spectacular Pinot Noir from organic vineyard in western Santa Rita
Hills. Think "real" Sonoma Coast for ocean-proximity and style.
Wonderfully rich and succulent, keeping spot-on Pinot Noir character.
Licorice, allspice, sweet dark cherries, bold and beautiful and ready
to drink. We're very excited to have this. 72 cases made.
GAMBA Zinfandel "Moratto Vineyard-Old Vines" Russian River Valley 2007 $37 2007s, the best vintage for Zinfandel since 2003, and we present to you today one of the best tiny-production BIG BOYS. 90 year old, dry farmed vineyard. Comes right atcha with sweet berry preserves, tons of pie spice, mocha and licorice. Extremely ripe but still finishes dry and nicely chewy. Highly recommended to lovers of big, extracted Zins. Food match: blue cheeses, BBQ Beef Brisket, spicy pizza.
LIPARITA Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville, Napa Valley 2006 $53
You may know the Liparita wines from early this decade. They were out of operation for a while, the label was purchased by Spencer Hoopes (Hoopes Cabernet) and made by Jason Fisher (Hoopes and Fountainhead). It's delicious, rich, full-bodied, classic Oakville Cab. It's the flavor
that makes Oakville famous! Mocha, woodsmoke, black cherry liqueur,
blueberry pie, five spice & soy sauce. Low acid, very creamy
mouthfeel, very supple tannins. 500 cases made. CAVUS Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District, Napa Valley 2005 $80Second release from a Stags Leap District vineyard neighboring Shafer
and "Fay Vineyard." The winemaker is Dave Phinney of Orin Swift. He
doesn't take any new clients since the "explosion" of his own label, so
the Phinney stamp on here is pretty cool. High % of new
French oak with 6% Cabernet Franc & Merlot combined for more silkiness and perfume. I like this
a lot: Stags Leap velvet with dark, brilliant fruit a la classic Dave
Phinney-made Cabernet. Not super-oaky, which I like. The barrel
complements the rich fruit. It's a newer estate Cab, but the vines are
mature at 16 years of age, which is nice. Jim Barbour manages the
vineyard, so it's clear the owners are going for the best here. I was
just about the first to taste and buy it in The Valley, and I'm
confident enough in this super-premium wine to get a bunch of it. Just 330 cases made. 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.
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TASTING EVENTS Cabernet Franc Tasting this Friday night This Friday, June 5, 5 to 8 PM, taste a selection of Cabernet Franc wines from near & far. Loire Valley and Napa primarily, with Chinon Ros� (100% Cab Franc) to start us off. This tasting is $15.
Back Room Blow Out XXXIII next Friday night Come partake in our 33rd walk-around tasting event. Visit & taste with these three vignerons and wine importer: Kenny Kahn of Blue Rock Vineyard (Alexander Valley Cab Sauvignon), Adam Webb of Odisea Wines (Lodi Albari�o and Spicy Red Blend), Akiko Freeman of Freeman Winery (Sonoma Coast Chard & Pinot Noir), and Dan Lavorel of International Vineyards (Pouilly-Fum� and finally a little Banyuls for dessert). 8 great wines to drink with those who know them best! This tasting is $15, with $5 credit back for each bottle of Blow Out wine purchased).
Hot Dog Weekend is the end of this month 7th Annual Hot Dog Weekend! Friday, June 26 5 to 8 P.M. and Saturday June 27 Noon to 5 All Beef Hot Dogs served 3 ways: Classic ("Chicago Style"), Chili Dog and Sauerkraut Dog. Glass of wine, perfectly matched, served with each dog. $10 gets you a dog & a glass. We'll have a lot of dogs on hand, but when they're gone they're gone!
Paul Krassner Book Reading & Signing Saturday, July 18, 5 PM His new book: Who's To Say What's Obscene: Politics, Culture and Comedy in America Today, with foreword by Arianna Huffington
and last but not least, serving in the wine bar in June: FROSTWATCH Chardonnay Bennett Valley, Sonoma 2006 $25 Full-bodied and rich with a healthy, balancing acidity. This makes for
a big, balanced, toasty, bright, strong Chardonnay. Taste sweet butter,
toasted brioche, peaches, nectarines, roast hazelnuts. 180 cases made. LEVIATHAN Red Wine California 2006 $48 This is the "kitchen sink blend" by artisan Napa producer
Favia-Erickson. Fruit sourced & wine made from exceptional vineyards in Napa & the Sierra Foothills, from
which Favia-Erickson make their rare,
The blend: 41% Cab Sauv, 32% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 7% Cab Franc. Very ripe berries, low acid, big on pie spice, mocha and caramel
flavors. Finish is very soft with sweet cherry jam, toasty oak and
Mexican chocolate flavors. $5 for the tasting. Also serving both wines by the glass all of June.
Peace and please pass the potatoes. Drink more Garganega. 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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Cabernet Franc Tasting This Friday, June 5 5 to 8 P.M. California and Loire Valley Cab Francs for you to taste, compare and enjoy. $15/tasting
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BACK ROOM BLOW OUT XXXIII
Next Friday, June 12, 5 to 8 P.M. Visit & taste with three local vintners and one importer. Tonight we welcome Freeman Winery, Blue Rock, Odisea and International Vineyards. $15/tasting $5 credit back with each bottle of Blow Out wine purchased. More Information
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