Back Room Wines' CAB ALERT
POTT
Cabernet "St. Ralph The Liar" 2007
and two non-Cabs...I'll explain

Greetings!
Last Thursday, I took seven of my favorite California wines (mostly Napa) to a private dinner at Silverado Resort in Napa.
The theme: "Under 300 cases made."
We're talking artisan wine here - the kinds of wines you look for from
Back Room Wines.
All seven wines showed great. Three of them showed PARTICULARLY well that evening. I recommend these three wines to you.
I'll launch the three by keeping in the Cal Alert theme and tell you why you should buy Aaron Pott's Howell Mountain Cabernet.
Then, two non-Cabs because, well, they're just so darn tasty!
Little bonus here: all three wines are usually net-priced as they're so darn good for the winery price, I don't normally discount them. But you, dear Cab-Alert reader, aren't my normal customer, and I offer you 10% off all three of these wines, provided you order within the week and put together at least a case. Sound like a plan?

Read on. And thanks! Dan

POTT Cabernet Sauvignon
Click here to buy Pott
Pott Cabernet Sauvignon St. Ralph 2007

"St. Ralph The Liar -
White Cottage Ranch"
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2007  $90/bottle

Aaron Pott has worked extensively in Napa and Bordeaux both. Can't say that I've met him. Maybe now that I'm cyber-genuflecting before his "St Ralph" Cabernet, perhaps he'll stop by.
Anyway, this Cab rocked at this dinner. Hard to pick a Cab that marries all the best aspects of Napa red any better. Sweet, physically mature fruit. Structure and acidity indicates that it's built to last (7-10 years easy). Suppleness of tannins to enjoy tonight (it was sucked down with smiles). Length and complexity...complete Cab. It's rich, full-bodied, fleshy, dark and I would say hedonistic. 120 cases made.
This is the only vintage from White Cottage Ranch for Pott. The vineyard owners sold it between 2007 and 2008 harvests. The "St. Ralph..." is a reference from the English sitcom "Blackadder." That's all I can tell you about that.


SANGUIS Chardonnay
Click here to order Sanguis
Sanguis Chardonnay 2008

"The Narrow & Straight -
Bien Nacido Vineyard"

Santa Maria Valley 2008  $60
I absolutely loved this wine the first time I had it, with owner/winemaker Mattias Pippig. He lives and works in Santa Barbara, near the vineyard. Before Sanguis, he worked for Manfred Krankl at Sine Qua Non.  This is fantastic, world-class Chardonnay that lovers of the grape should not miss.  Tons of flavors...orange and lemon oil, lemon thyme, caramel candies, white peach, soil, green apples, fresh bread crust, sweet butter. Rich with restraint...Burgundy meets California! Texture of feather pillow. Don't chill it too much. 55 Degrees is just right to get all the layers and mouth feel. That's how I served it last week. Could compete, both for texture and complexity, with any California Chardonnay made.
75 cases made.


NEIMAN CELLARS Syrah
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Neiman Syrah 2005

Napa Valley 2005  $80
Local vintner Drew Neiman
makes tiny, tiny amounts of  a handful of Napa Valley wines, mostly red. Subjective Dan says "his Syrah is the best" because it richness, great Syrah character, dense rich fruit and guts. The fruit is 100% Caldwell Vineyard, the cooler, southern Napa Valley vineyard that arguably producers the best Syrah in these parts.
I thought the Neiman Syrah might not endear itself to guests at this dinner as there is, normally, an "acquired taste" factor for Syrah.  All these flavors are in the Neiman (descriptions start momentarily), everyone noticed them, and LIKED them, both with and without food.
The wine's both powerful and classy. Nose of French roast coffee, kirsch, kalamata olives, crispy bacon, sweet French oak and just-cracked black peppercorns. Taste a panoply of dark, delicious fresh summer berries, espresso and soy sauce. Such intensity of flavor here, all coming together and beginning to drink at its very best, now almost 5 years. 72 cases made.

3 WAYS TO ORDER
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Thank you! Dan


Daniel Dawson
Owner, 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
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