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All Star Wines
Most popular wines of 2009 (so far)
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Greetings!
July's a cool month for sports fans. I have been known, as have many, to get up in the wee hours of the morning to watch LIVE the Tour de France (bicycle), British Open (golf) and Wimbledon (tennis). In America, it's pretty much all baseball, and July means the ALL STAR GAME.
It's on the minds of us San Francisco Giants fans more this year as our team is doing pretty well (best pitching in the Majors!). I know I know not everyone cares about, or watches baseball's All Star Game. Even if you don't, you like an All Star don't you? The best at his/her craft (like me ;-)) who brings his/her "A Game" every day (like me :-)). Here are Back Room Wines' All Star Wines for the first half of 2009. All Star selections are based on sales and customer feedback. My vote counts only in an event of a tie. Granted, I did put the whole league together in the first place. Call me The Commissioner.
A Delicious Pinot Wine Flight (available every day, all day), Friday Tastings, and two special Saturday Events are part of the action at Back Room Wines in July. Look below "All Star Wines" for the skinny.
I want to rest my weary head tonight on a bed of ___________.
Song & Artist? Anyone?
See ya! Dan
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All Star Wines
Most popular wines of 2009...so far
You've made the call...here are six proven winners.
TALLULAH Sauvignon Blanc "La Femme d'Argent" Sonoma Mountain 2006 $17
Lovers of crisp, tangy, strong Sauv Blanc with a more "minerality" than most from California keep coming back for this exceptional, and good-value, white. It's from "Farina Vineyard" on Sonoma Mountain, a rocky spot that subtly imparts its earth into the wine, and we like this! It tickles the gums with
acidity and zest. Taste green apples, grapefruit, lemongrass, lemon thyme. Pushing 3 years old, and it's still in its prime.
ERNA SCHEIN Cabernet Sauvignon
"Spare Me" Napa  Valley 2006 $45 net
$75 Cabernet for $45, in our opinion. Erna Schein, formerly Behrens & Hitchcock, go about their artisan winemaking biz on top of Spring Mountain. Everything they make rocks. When you consider the much-appreciated "value factor," their "Spare Me" Cab takes the prize. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot. This wine is
particularly delicious and ready to enjoy now, in its youth. A sweet
oaky frame encircles a full body, rich deep fruits, berry liqueur and
cassis. Creamy, supple mouthfeel and finish. 380 cases made.
JULES MELANGE Claret, Napa Valley 2006 $28
We've averaged selling between one & two cases a week of the Jules Claret over the last six months. Whether it's a Napa Valley Visitor in the shop or a mail-order customer, it's an easy recommendation because of yumminess, rarity and price. At only 125 cases made, you might think, understandably, "this wine can't be THAT good...it'd be gone by now." Usually would be the case, but the fact that Owners/Winemakers Julianna & Chris Corley have day jobs and a family PLUS Back Room's larger purchase of this wine means that we get to keep it around.Which is nice.
The blend: 54% Cab Franc, 42% Merlot, 4% Syrah. It's rich, smooth, and pleasingly long on the finish. Nose is exotic
with the Cab Franc giving violets & spicy plum pudding aromas, and
the Syrah giving black pepper and blueberry liqueur. Seamless and
lush in the mouth...it's on the softer side of texture, and still very long and delicious.
RAMIAN Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006 $29At just two weeks, easily the newest wine on the All Star list. Ramian, however, is not new. The wine with the simple "R" Medallion adorning the bottle has yet to dissapoint. We love the big flavors, careful use of oak and earthy complexity of the Ramian wines. 100% Cab Sauv, 3/4 from Rutherford, 1/4 Mt. Veeder. Sweet spicy nose of cola, black pepper, fruitcake, and Mexican chocolate. Dark mulberries and blueberries, full and rich mouth
presence, juicy, supple tannins, BIG but not "TOO BIG" if ya know what I mean. 500 cases made.JOHN ROBERT EPPLER (JRE) Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2006 $19
Another 5 cases just arrived. How long with they last? At this quality and price, not too long I gather. Fruit is grown on Pritchard Hill & Mount Veeder.
7% Cab Franc adds perfume and polish.
The words of fine customer and Napa wine lover Phil of NYC, "Every BRW customer needs a case of JRE Cab at home in the cellar. No questions asked. Decant 1 hour and this is a gorgeous Cocoa, Cherry, Blueberry yummy cabernet with a very full palate feel and soft tanins. The finish lingers long and shows a bit of charcoal and smoke. Roommate pegged this at 50 bucks ...I definitely think it could get 35- 40. As value Napa Cab goes this really delivers." Thanks Phil!
ORIN SWIFT "Papillon" Red Wine
Napa Valley 2006 $55
The greatness of Orin Swift Owner/Winemaker Dave Phinney knows no bounds! If he wasn't such a nice guy, I'd be spitefully jealous of his success. "Papillon" is his Bordeaux-style red blend. Lower production, more money, and more wine-in-the-bottle than his ubiquitous "The Prisoner" red blend. It's delicious, and makes the All Star list based on consistency of purchases and stellar feedback from you. The blend is 2/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1/4 Merlot and the rest a combo of Cab Franc, Petit Verdot & Malbec. As expected, it's super-ripe, spicy and mouth-coating. Has so much sappy berry, jam and liqueur flavors that I'd guess there's some Petite Sirah in the wine (but there's not). Black pepper, licorice & cinnamon spices. Tannins kick in at the end.
Mixed Case
Two of each: $355 (Includes 10% discount)
Half Case
One of each: $185 (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.
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Flights, Tastings and
two COOL Saturday events in July
A) Come in any day, any time for a Flight of Pinots:
- ETUDE Pinot Gris Carneros 2008
- MARSHALL FAMILY Pinot Noir "Barry's Blend" Russian River Vly 2006
- PELERIN Pinot Noir "Cuv�e St. Vincent" Santa Lucia Highlands 2006
$7 a flight, and all three are for sale at 10% discount.
A good way to spend a slice of your afternoon, don't you think?
B) Friday Tasting Events are going strong!
- WINES OF ITALY this Friday night, $15. (here's the Italy line-up)
- OREGON & WASHINGTON wines next Friday, July 17, $20
- SAUVIGNON BLANCS from Around the world Friday July 24, $10
C) Special Events on TWO Saturdays in July
- Mark Mattioli Artist Reception.
Saturday, July 25, 5 PM
From next week to the end of 2009, the walls of Back Room Wines will be adorned with the whimsical work of Napa artist Mark Mattioli, including our friend "Barrel Head" shown here. To launch the exhibit, Mark will be here to meet & greet on Saturday, July 25 from 5 to 7 P.M., enjoy his art, have some wine (the wine bar will be open of course) and start your Saturday evening with good art, wine and folks at Back Room Wines.
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Should you be a reader expressing interest in our BBQ hunt, WE DID IT. The Weber Genesis E310. Good sale: OSH We Pay The Sales Tax Event (even better with the newly raised rate of 8.75%). And since it just sat there like a cute homeless puppy, we had to get the Weber electric Rotisserie as well. Dear Joe: we're not certain it's tall enough for the beer can chicken. We might have to cut the feet off to close the lid. Will report back on this soon.
Drink more Malbec (with chimichurri).
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: daniel@backroomwines.com
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Taste Wines from Italy
This Friday,
July 10
5 to 8 P.M.
We travel all around Italy with
7 yummy wines.
Including:
Soave Classico, Fiano di Avellino, Ribolla Gialla,
Barbera d'Alba, Vino Passito.
Here's the Italy Tasting Sheet
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Oregon & Washington Wines
Next Friday,
July 17
5 to 8 P.M.
Enjoy exceptional wines from the Pacific Northwest this evening: Oregon Pinot Noir, Washington Cabernet, Syrah Viognier & more.
6 of the best!
$20/tasting
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