Killer Napa Cab Drinking At Its Prime

Both recently arrived, and are worth coming in for a bottle or two (or three):

SERRERA Torrontes Mendoza, Argentina 2008 $14
Seekers, and lovers, of top notch Torrontes will adore this wine. Exotic, super-aromatic, floral nose. Loads of citrus and tropical fruits. Strong and deep. As Torrontes wines go, the Serrera is particularly rich and creamy. More lees-stirring gives extra texture and almost toasty flavors.

ARTADI Rioja Back Room Banner

"Viñas de Gain" 2005 $25/bottle
Delicious & perfectly authentic Rioja for you. 100% Tempranillo, modestly oaked still with a delectable, earthy bottle bouquet. Nose is sweet berries, tobacco, cocoa, herbs and black pepper. Intense fruit, perfectly ripe and juicy, with earthy spice and dried herbs & flowers in the mouth. Will make you appreciate good Rioja (if you need the help).

Back Room Wines Email readers mention this feature and receive 10% off these two wines through Sunday. Discount is good for both walk-in & mail order purchases.

BIG TASTING WEEK
This Thursday, September 10, 5 to 8 P.M. is Back Room's inaugural Thursday night tasting.
The theme: CHARDONNAY ZERO TO 100% MALOLACTIC. We'll pour you a flight of five Chardonnays ranging from zero to 100% "ML." Smell, taste & feel the difference. To make things even more interesting, the flight includes a 100% ML White Burgundy. Compare a typical, high end California 100% ML Chard to one from Burgundy. Explanation and helpful reading material included. $15/tasting.
Here's the Zero to 100% ML Chardonnay flight line-up.

This Friday, September 11, 5 to 8 P.M. we play our favorite wine game, "Is It $15? Or is it $50?"
Taste three pairs of wine blind.
i.e. we put the bottles in paper bags so

you can't see what they are...blindfolds not supplied). In each pair, one of the wines costs about $15 and the other costs about $50.
Can you tell which is which?

We'll pour you a pair of Pinot Noirs,
Petite Sirahs & Chardonnays.
All are top-notch wines that are sold in the store. The prize for guessing right all three times? The satisfaction of knowing you have discriminating taste! Or, the satisfaction of knowing you can drink well for cheap.
(err, I mean "drink at a value.")

Both Thursday & Friday tastings, are from 5 to 8 P.M. (but we're usually ready to pour around 3), reservations are not necessary.
Check out the Calendar of Tasting Events here.