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Capiaux & Copain Pinot Noirs
Delicious artisan-made Pinots...and well-priced.
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Greetings!
Not only was yesterday my two year anniversary (Holly & enjoyed sushi and Champagne at home), it was also National Pancake Day! We found out from my Pop-In-Law late in the day, so we stuck with the sushi. Next year, see you at the Napa IHOP, 8 AM. We'll bring the bubbles.
Mountain Cabernet and dynamite Pinot Noir are the themes this week.
As for the Cabs...
TOMORROW (Thursday) night, 5:30 to 8, at Back Room Wines:
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN CABERNET TASTING. Consider it a mini "Blow Out."
We welcome three wineries that only make Cabernet Sauvignon:
Dyer Vineyards,
Mueller Family and Diamond Terrace.
Visit and taste with the winery
owners (who all live on their vineyard by the way).
Taste and learn about these superb Cabernets from those who know them best.
We start at 5:30, a half hour later than most of our tastings. Come anytime between 5:30 and 8 P.M.
Tasting fee is just $10, with $5 back for each bottle purchased. And, 10% discount on the wines.
More information here.
Lay down your money and you play your part. Dan
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Money Wine
for February 24, 2010
Money Wine: a wine that anyone who loves good, rich, utterly delicious wine will enjoy A LOT, and is an EXCEPTIONAL VALUE.
Two for you today. The theme is artisan Pinot Noir from Northern California.
CAPIAUX Pinot Noir 
"Chimera" Sonoma County 2008 $31
Since 1994 Sean Capiaux has crafted small lots of single vineyard Pinot Noirs from prime Sonoma and Santa Lucia Highlands Vineyards. "A blend of classic and contemporary," Sean states. Indeed, his Pinots capture California fruit and Pinot Noir restraint. I love them - always have.
We just received his first 2008 release, "Chimera." It means "blend" in Latin, and it's a blend of his single vineyard wines. Mostly Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, with 15-20% each Russian
River and Santa Lucia Highlands fruit...a proportion that qualifies it as Sonoma County Pinot Noir. Aged in about 1/3 new French oak.
I tasted Capiaux "Chimera" 2008 two weeks ago. It's very good and I'm very happy to have it in the store now.
Full of sweet
wild cherries, cranberry nut bread, rose petals and ruby grapefruit. Silky texture, bursting with flavor and long finish. Drinking nicely today with a youthful spirit. At around 500 cases, Chimera is the largest production wine Capiaux makes. Single vineyard wines, priced $40-$50 a bottle, are released later this year.COPAIN Pinot Noir  "Tous Ensemble"
Anderson Valley 2007 $27Owner & Winemaker Wells Guthrie brings old school (French) sensibility to his winemaking. Source from organic & byodynamic vineyards, minimal winemaking intervention, balance...let nature have the upper hand; the winemaker is the custodian.
Of all the winemakers who profess this, Wells walks this walk better than most.
Tous Ensemble means "all together." Like "Chimera," it's a blend of three
organic/biodynamic vineyards in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley, blended "all together."
It's classic
Anderson Valley Pinot with all the brightness and complexity we seek from the coolest climate Pinot vineyards. Think very good Red Burgundy here...one that would cost you $35-40, in fact.
Bright wild red cherries, red roses, black tea, a
zing of acidity and silky texture that only fine Pinot can provide. Mighty fine now, and will just get better & better
through 2010.
These two Pinot Noirs got me thinking of my two favorite meals with fine Pinot Noir: grilled wild salmon and duck breast, medium rare, with a light red wine and cherry sauce. Mashed Yukon Golds spiked with sauteed wild mushrooms on the side...
3 ways to order:
Buy Capiaux Pinot Noir "Chimera" online here.
Buy Copain Pinot Noir "Tous Ensemble" online here.
Just reply to this email with your order.
Or call us, toll-free, at 877-322-2576.
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35 Year Old Napa Restaurant I Bet You Haven't Been To
| Last Sunday, after cleaning gutters and running errands, I felt like a little reward. Holly and I stopped at The Olive Tree, a restaurant on Silverado Trail (in Napa) we've passed by countless times, as most Napans have, but never visited. Judging from friends' blank looks when asked about Olive Tree, they had not either. It was cool, and an experience worthy of my latest Food & Wine Blog.
OK...Food & COCKTAIL Blog this time.
Maker's Mark Manhattans and Fried Oysters. YUM! Check it out.
Drink more Lambrusco.
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
email: daniel@backroomwines.com
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DIAMOND MOUNTAIN CABERNET TASTING
This Thursday,
February 25,
5:30 to 8 P.M.
Meet and taste with the winery owners.
DYER VINEYARD
DIAMOND TERRACE
MUELLER FAMILY
Learn about the wines from the folks who know them best.
$10/Tasting
credit back with purchase.
More details here
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UNUSUAL
Grape Tasting
This Friday, February 26
Come anytime from 5 to 8 P.M.
Ever had Kerner?
Jacquere? Poulsard?
Zeleni Silvanec?
This Friday is your chance!
This tasting is fun, educational, a great value AND delicious. What more can you ask for?
$10/tasting
Here's the Unusual Grape Line-Up
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