Golden Gate Wine Cellars
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !
A Great Tasting Week at Golden Gate Wine Cellars
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I got to spend some time with Jeff Smith, the proprietor of Hourglass winery. We tasted through his entire portfolio of Hourglass Estate, Hourglass Blueline, Fisticuffs wines. The Hourglass Estate is only four acres of prime vineyard surrounded by some big names like Grace Family, Colgin's Tychson Hill, Vineyard 29, Ahern and Korte Ranch. Hourglass takes its name from the fact that the vineyard defines the "pinch," or narrowest part of the hourglass shaped Napa Valley
The unique vineyard setting provides both hillside and valley floor microclimates. Varying degrees of hillside slope create different ripening zones, yielding complexity. Eucalyptus trees flank one block delivering a mint/eucalyptus character, and wild fennel grows throughout the vineyard adding black licorice nuances.
The Hourglass 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (139.99) is one of the best wines yet to date from the estate, and winemaker Robert Foley. The wine is very elegant, with a certain silkiness on the mid palate. The wine has an aroma of anise and black stone fruits which continue through the mid palate into a long, elegant finish.
Robert Parker (95 points) says:
“The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Hourglass has a dense purple color and a sweet nose of licorice, black currants, smoke, cedar, and some high-class subtle oak in the background. The wine is full-bodied, avoids some of the harder tannins that sometimes arise in this vintage, and has a much layered, multi-dimensional mouthfeel and finish. This is a beauty that can be drunk now or cellared for 20 or more years.”
We also tasted his Hourglass Blueline 2006 Merlot (74.99), which is not shabby at all! As a matter a fact, tasting it blind one would say it was a Bordeaux-style blend, rather than a straight Merlot. Only a few hundred cases were produced of this baby, which Robert Parker gave a 92 point rating “Readers looking for a soft, richly fruity, mocha and coffee-infused wine with oodles of berry fruit should check out the 2006 Merlot Blue Line. This wine is hedonistic and luscious, with plenty of Merlot typicity, medium to full body, and a soft, silky-textured finish. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.
To finish up the tasting, of course the much anticipated “bargain” wine, the 2006 Fisticuffs (29.99). For those who dream of big and expensive Cabernets and don't want to pay the big bucks... I got news for you! I have a wine that taste a lot more expensive than its price point! This wine is the real deal. Intense Cabernet aromas with hints of vanilla, plum and black cherry aromas. Medium to full in body with lively and lush fruit on the palate that gives a real "punch" into a long and pleasantly flavorful almost silky finish. This is a wine that would go well with some hardy red meats, a rack of lamb or steak. Stellar job from Rob Lawson! As it was the case with 2005, very limited, 500 cases. And it will sell out in no-time!!!
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An afternoon with Lioco. Catching up with Matt Licklider (the LI in Lioco).
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We tasted through their entire 2007 Portfolio, and I loved every single wine!
Too bad to hear that the Dermuth vineyard has succumbed to Phyloxera and has been replanted after this, the 2007, the last release.
The 2007 Lioco Sonoma County Chardonnay, the bargain in the flight, showed very nicely. This tank fermented (no oak!) is a great sipping wine on a nice Spring day. Very elegant with great crisp fruit. Retail 22.00 – GGWC SPECIAL 17.99
The Lioco Anderson Valley Dermuth 2007 Chardonnay, was lush on the both nose and palate, equally tank fermented (no oak!), but using wild yeast giving it a more buttery feel, with also had to do with the sur-lie aging this wine underwent. The wine smells of pressed white flowers, citrus oil and rock dust. The attack finds poached pears, orange sherbet, and minerals galore. A low-alcohol, age-worthy wine Retail 38.00 – Solid Case special 33.00
The 2007 Lioco Charles Heintz Chardonnay I always their flagship, and it was no different this release. Again, tank fermentation only using wild yeast. Making this wine super lush! It hints at the exotica, but is held taught by ripe, cleansing acidity. Like a kernel of sun, enveloped by a cold mountain stream. Prepare for a bouquet of orange blossoms, kettle corn, and wet sand. The flavors include lemon oil, jasmine, and a chalky minerality. Needs time to reveal its true potential. Retail 50.00 – GGWC 43.00
The last one was the 2007 Lioco Klindt Vineyard, Pinot Noir ( Anderson Valley ). Only 264 cases were produced of this baby! This wine is concentrated without being heavy. There are the signature flavors/aromas of the Anderson Valley which we love: red raspberries & rose petals. Needs time or a serious decanting. Retail 50.00 – GGWC 43.00
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Baton Winery – "the" next HOT Burgundy in California!
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Bill is a Sonoma County native, and was the General Manager at Peter Michael Winery .At the time, it was a small, unknown startup. Over the next 14 years, Bill helped develop Peter Michael Winery into one of the most respected luxury winery and vineyard estates in the United States . In 2006, Bill and his wife Cathy set out to start Baton Wines. Returning to the land he knows, Bill's experience and intimate knowledge of the landscape, soil types, microclimates, fog and wind patterns in his native Sonoma County have proven invaluable in identifying vineyard sites that produce the highest quality grapes. Bill Hired Jeff Pisoni to make is wine, and the rest as they say is history.
Baton 2006 Chardonnay, Charles Heintz Retail 55.00 – GGWC 48.99
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This wine hails from what Robert Parker calls "one of the great grand cru Chardonnay sites in California ." The old vines, planted 30+ years ago on Goldridge soils, sit at nearly 1,000 feet above sea level, just a few miles inland from the rugged Sonoma Coast . Perched above the fog line on most days, the site receives a combination of sunshine and cool ocean air that lengthens the growing season and provides ideal conditions for the grapes to develop rich, complex flavors while retaining a wonderful natural acidity. Harvested by hand at the end of October and naturally fermented in French oak barrels, we employed the 'old world' winemaking practice of 'Batonage' to stir the wine by hand in each barrel once a week for nine months. Batonage is so labor intensive that typically only small wineries dedicated to producing the highest quality wines still employ it. However, hand-stirring with the baton gives the winemaker an intimate, ongoing knowledge of how the wine is evolving in each barrel. That knowledge can provide all the edge a winemaker needs to craft a truly exceptional wine. Only 271 cases produced. Wine Notes: Aromas of vanilla, apple crisp, honeyed-pineapple. Vibrant, natural acidity and minerality with flavors of mango, pineapple and hazelnuts. Good energy, length and a lingering finish
Baton 2006 Laguna Ridge Pinot Noir, Russian River Retail 60.00 – GGWC 53.99
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This wine was grown in the famed Russian River Valley appellation on a small, 4 acre hillside vineyard near Sebastopol overlooking the Santa Rosa Plain and Laguna de Santa Rosa. The vineyard’s eastern aspect ensures good exposure to the sun's gentle rays from dawn through mid- afternoon and protects it from the extreme heat of the late afternoon sun. The vineyard's well drained, Goldridge soils keep vigor in check and the array of Pinot Noir selections - Dijon 113, 115, 667, 777, 459, Swan – lend personality and complexity to the wine. Great care was given throughout the growing season managing the leaf canopy and balancing the crop load on each vine. To retain the fruit flavors, we picked the grapes in the cool of night, harvesting the tiny grape clusters into small bins to protect them and prevent dejuicing. Immediately upon their arrival at the winery, we sorted the grapes by hand to ensure that only the finest grapes went to tank, culling out any sunburned berries, under ripe fruit or leaves. Aged in French oak barrels for 9 months. Only 259 cases produced. Wine notes: Enticing aromas and flavors of sweet raspberries, sandalwood, vanilla, tea and black cherries.
Baton 2007 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast – Retail 28.00 – GGWC 24.50
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This is the “hidden secret” only 8 barrels produced – this is wine that did not make the cut for the Charles Heintz designation, but if Bill would not have told me that, I would have just said WOW, another awesome wine at an AMAZING price!! This wine is super clean, and elegant with a crisp clean nose of green apples and a touch of white pepper. On the palate this medium to full bodied Chardonnay is elegant with touches of minerality and some tropical fruit. A must have, and a bargain knowing that the “original is 50.00!!!
GOLDEN GATE WINE CELLARS' LOCAL WINE TASTING EVENT!
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I am working on my next tasting. I had one planned for 4.11, but had to delay it (it is my wedding anniversary and my wife made plans to go out of town with our girls). So we are looking at May 2 at Lakeside Cafe's private room. My V'Day event was too large. We had almost 100 guest, and had to turn 60 away. Because of that we will limit it to 80 and RSVP only! We will have a similar format, about 8 winery owners or their winemakers will be showcasing their wines, and a "special" Golden Gate Wine Cellars selection of course!
Another gem from Orin Swift (Prisoner/Papillon, etc.)
2007 Saldo (Zinfandel) - Retail 32.00 – GGWC 28.00
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As you might know 2007 is an amazing growing year for California ! That said through the success with his Prisoner (Papillon) label Orin Swift winemaker/owner Dave Phinney has gained access to some of the best Zinfandel vineyards in the northern part of our state. His latest wine “Saldo” which is Latin for from “here to there” or “balance in hand,” is a blend of 85% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah and 5% Syrah. The production is not large, so this wine will not be around for a long time! The wine has a deep, dark ruby color, and aromas of dark raspberry fruit with a touch of toasty vanilla. On the palate, this full bodied wine is loaded with lush fruit – wild strawberries, rhubarb, and sassafras. The wine is very intense and the finish does not seem to end – it reminds me of my grandmother’s cherry pie!
Coho 2007 Pinot Noir Russian River Retail 45.00 - GGWC 39.99
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Riding high after the big score with their Headwaters 2006 Proprietary Red, I am proud to share another gem that was just released. The 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir from Coho is amazing. Sweet fruit intertwined with a touch of Pinot earth on both the nose and palate teases you throughout this well-made wine. It is medium to full in body, well-balanced with an elegance from start to finish! Only 357 cases were produced, this means it will sell out fast! Those of you who bought the Headwaters know how good the Coho wines really are and this Pinot is no different!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sanguis, the next Sine Qua Non!
GOLDEN GATE WINE CELLARS
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !
I just tasted with Matthias Pippig who owns Sanguis winery. Matthias worked for many years with Manfred Krankel (Sine Qua Non) at the "famous" La Brea Bakery in Southern California. Matthias got the wine bug as well and created some wines (the actual wine, the packaging and the names) in the genre of Sine Qua None - a little more palatable price point!
We tasted his two latest releases:
2006 Novillero (94% Syrah, 4% Grenache, and 2% Viognier). This is a wine made in the Chateauneuf-du-pape style. Elegant, not over the top! The wine is very complex on the nose and palate with gracious amounts of blackberry and a touch of anise with some smoky characters. With a production of only 200 cases this wine will not be around for a long time! $69.99
2006 Infidels (66% Syrah, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Grenache). This is a much more intense wine, with a somewhat more herbaceous character to it. Very intense, on both nose and palate with a good whiff of bacon-fat and spicy aromatics and flavors. This youngster will and should improve nicely. I recommend putting it down for a good amount of time! $79.99
I clearly lean towards the Novillero and that is the wine that gets my vote today!
Frank Melis
A.k.a. St. Frank - The Patron Saint of Tannins
Golden Gate Wine Cellars
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™!
Please consider the environment before printing this
"Wine, madam, is God's next best gift to man." - Ambrose Bierce, Devil's Dictionary 1907
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !
I just tasted with Matthias Pippig who owns Sanguis winery. Matthias worked for many years with Manfred Krankel (Sine Qua Non) at the "famous" La Brea Bakery in Southern California. Matthias got the wine bug as well and created some wines (the actual wine, the packaging and the names) in the genre of Sine Qua None - a little more palatable price point!
We tasted his two latest releases:
2006 Novillero (94% Syrah, 4% Grenache, and 2% Viognier). This is a wine made in the Chateauneuf-du-pape style. Elegant, not over the top! The wine is very complex on the nose and palate with gracious amounts of blackberry and a touch of anise with some smoky characters. With a production of only 200 cases this wine will not be around for a long time! $69.99
2006 Infidels (66% Syrah, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Grenache). This is a much more intense wine, with a somewhat more herbaceous character to it. Very intense, on both nose and palate with a good whiff of bacon-fat and spicy aromatics and flavors. This youngster will and should improve nicely. I recommend putting it down for a good amount of time! $79.99
I clearly lean towards the Novillero and that is the wine that gets my vote today!
Frank Melis
A.k.a. St. Frank - The Patron Saint of Tannins
Golden Gate Wine Cellars
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™!
Please consider the environment before printing this
"Wine, madam, is God's next best gift to man." - Ambrose Bierce, Devil's Dictionary 1907
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
March Wine New Releases part I
Golden Gate Wine Cellars
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !
MARCH NEW ARRIVALS - FREE SHIPPING*!
-----------------------------------
PAUL LATO four new releases
I just sampled Paul Lato’s four new releases for the Spring 2009 offer, and wow, I don’t think I have ever had that many awesome wines in one flight. All three Pinot Noirs and his one Chardonnay blew me away. Unfortunately, the production of Paul’s “first class” wines are non-existent. So I suggest you jump on this offer immediately. Paul was nice enough to sell me one more case of the 2006 Syrah “Cinematique” which Robert Parker gave 96 points! I am sure this offering will get big scores as well, but if you wait until then it will be too late!
*Fiddlestix Vineyard “Cine Sera” 2007, Santa Rita Hills – Retail 80.00 – GGWC 72.00
Intense hue and aroma, this 2007 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard from the Santa Rita Hills . It showcases dense concentrated fruit, meat juices, cinnamon and a touch of barnyard. Full in body with great structure and balance. A first class wine, one would think it is a high-end Premier Cru Burgundy . This is a must buy, only 125 cases produced.
* Solomon Hills Vineyard “Suerte” 2007, Santa Barbara – Retail 75.00 – GGWC 67.00
This is one of the best wines I have ever run across my palate! This seductive wine ( Dijon clone 115) showcases ripe, luscious black stone fruit, a touch of fig and earth. Incredible balance and texture, lush, broad with an intensity that jolts your palate. One would believe to be enjoying some Premier Cru Red Burgundy from a high-end producer. This is Pinot with class, and one should respect it. Seductive and lush is the 2007 Pinot Noir Suerte Solomon Hills Vineyard. Made from Dijon clone 115, this wine displays ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry, and fig notes with notions of damp earth and loamy soil. Its gorgeous texture, beautiful purity, broad, savory mouthfeel with no hard edges, and a certain floral quality are all reminiscent of a top-notch Cote de Nuits premier cru or grand cru. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. 100 cases produced.
*Gold Coast Vineyard “Duende” 2007, Santa Barbara – Retail 70.00 – GGWC 62.00
This is a real beauty, and like the other releases limited and a must have. The wine’s purple hue is followed by a strikingly complex aroma of sweet black and red fruits, with a touch of spice, toasty vanilla and wild flowers. The wine is lush and full in body and has an amazing texture and balance with a touch of smoke, amazing sweet fruit, a touch of silkiness and a long lasting finish. Only 100 cases produced
*Sierra Madre Vineyard “Le Souvenir” Santa Maria – Retail 54.00 – GGWC 47.00
Paul’s first Chardonnay, one would think he has been doing it for 20 years! This limited production fashioned from an old Wente clone is amazing. Unfortunately, there are only 75 cases of this exceptional effort produced. The wine’s aroma greats us with notes of orange blossom, nectarines and a touch of limestone reminiscent of a (yet another) great white Burgundy . This wine is so intense, one cannot control him (her) self and burst out a cheer of w.a.w. (what a wine!)
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TEXTBOOK 2006 CABERNET “ MISE EN PLACE ” - Retail 55.00 - GGWC 48.99
The Textbook "Mise en place" Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two very special single vineyard sites located on the extreme eastern side of the Oakville District abutting the rugged and dry Vaca Mountain Range. This sub-section of the Oakville AVA is renowned for superb, richly-textured Cabernet Sauvignon, including the likes of Screaming Eagle, PlumpJack and Rudd. Terrain is characterized by steep hills which bask in warm, sunny afternoons offering an ideal growing environment. The "Mise en Place" is real gem, and for those of you who bought the previous vintages know that this wine will cellar nicely. The wine is terrific! I recommend you open it in the morning when you brew your java, decant it and enjoy it at night with a great rack of lamb or steak. The wine is loaded with ripe blackberries, black cherries and currants. It if full in body, lush and densely concentrated with some tannic backbone, although not overpowering. As it was the case with the 2005 only a few hundred cases were produced, and it will sell out FAST!
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Palazzo Proprietary Red blend = The next "First Growth" from Napa Valley !
The 2006 vintage received a 94 Point rating from ROBERT PARKER.
Palazzo 2006 Proprietary Red Blend, Napa Valley - Retail 65.00 - GGWC 54.99
I just tasted through the wines with owner and winemaker Scott Palazzo, and I was flabbergasted. The wine is a blend of Merlot (68%), Cabernet Franc (22%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). The wine is very aromatic, and elegant with lots of finesse and substance at the same time. On impact it is silky, but it grows on you. The finish is long and elegant!
Robert Parker 94 Points: "This serious, small, artisinal operation is owned by Scott Palazzo, who, along with his consultant, Peter Franus, is turning out some complex, French-inspired offerings. Palazzo’s deep ruby/purple-tinged, full-bodied 2006 Proprietary Red (68% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) reveals a sumptuous perfume of white chocolate, fruitcake, black cherries, black currants, and subtle toasty oak. Displaying a luscious texture, a broad, savory mid-palate, and gorgeous length, it should drink nicely for 10-15+ years. "
Palazzo also produces an AMAZING Cabernet Franc, that is so NOT “Francish” in style, flavor and aroma (i.e. NOT Green!!) Parker, equally loved his wines and gave it a "modest" 93 Point rating.
Palazzo 2006 Cabernet Franc "Truchard" Napa Valley , Retail 75.00 - GGWC 65.00
Parker 93 Points: "There are only around 200 cases produced, but readers who are lucky enough to find a few bottles will enjoy the 2006 Cabernet Franc Truchard Vineyard. This 100% Cabernet Franc reveals beautiful aromas of cedar, herbs, raspberries, black currants, and a touch of toasty oak. The wine exudes complexity, medium to full body, stunningly sweet fruit and tannins, and an ethereal sense of airiness with no heaviness. Its velvety texture and burgeoning complexity are seductive. Drink this lovely Cabernet Franc over the next 8-10 years. "
Orin Swift 2006 Papillon Prorpietary Red, Napa Valley -- Retail 60.00 - GGWC 54.99
The long awaited release of Papillon has arrived. This latest release is a blend is 65% CS, 27% Merlot, 4% PV, 2% CF, and 2% Malbec. I just tasted the wine and it is amazing, with a bit more richness Orin Swift fans have come to expect. The glass on this vintage is also custom made with a butterfly inside the punt of the bottle. As it was the case with the 2005, this wine will sell out very fast, so HURRY
REMEMBER F R E E S H I P P I N G on orders of $500.00 or more.
Frank Melis
a.k.a. St. Frank - The Patron Saint of Tannins
Golden Gate Wine Cellars
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
"Wine, madam, is God's next best gift to man." - Ambrose Bierce, Devil's Dictionary 1907
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !
MARCH NEW ARRIVALS - FREE SHIPPING*!
-----------------------------------
PAUL LATO four new releases
I just sampled Paul Lato’s four new releases for the Spring 2009 offer, and wow, I don’t think I have ever had that many awesome wines in one flight. All three Pinot Noirs and his one Chardonnay blew me away. Unfortunately, the production of Paul’s “first class” wines are non-existent. So I suggest you jump on this offer immediately. Paul was nice enough to sell me one more case of the 2006 Syrah “Cinematique” which Robert Parker gave 96 points! I am sure this offering will get big scores as well, but if you wait until then it will be too late!
*Fiddlestix Vineyard “Cine Sera” 2007, Santa Rita Hills – Retail 80.00 – GGWC 72.00
Intense hue and aroma, this 2007 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard from the Santa Rita Hills . It showcases dense concentrated fruit, meat juices, cinnamon and a touch of barnyard. Full in body with great structure and balance. A first class wine, one would think it is a high-end Premier Cru Burgundy . This is a must buy, only 125 cases produced.
* Solomon Hills Vineyard “Suerte” 2007, Santa Barbara – Retail 75.00 – GGWC 67.00
This is one of the best wines I have ever run across my palate! This seductive wine ( Dijon clone 115) showcases ripe, luscious black stone fruit, a touch of fig and earth. Incredible balance and texture, lush, broad with an intensity that jolts your palate. One would believe to be enjoying some Premier Cru Red Burgundy from a high-end producer. This is Pinot with class, and one should respect it. Seductive and lush is the 2007 Pinot Noir Suerte Solomon Hills Vineyard. Made from Dijon clone 115, this wine displays ripe plum, black cherry, blackberry, and fig notes with notions of damp earth and loamy soil. Its gorgeous texture, beautiful purity, broad, savory mouthfeel with no hard edges, and a certain floral quality are all reminiscent of a top-notch Cote de Nuits premier cru or grand cru. Drink it over the next 7-8 years. 100 cases produced.
*Gold Coast Vineyard “Duende” 2007, Santa Barbara – Retail 70.00 – GGWC 62.00
This is a real beauty, and like the other releases limited and a must have. The wine’s purple hue is followed by a strikingly complex aroma of sweet black and red fruits, with a touch of spice, toasty vanilla and wild flowers. The wine is lush and full in body and has an amazing texture and balance with a touch of smoke, amazing sweet fruit, a touch of silkiness and a long lasting finish. Only 100 cases produced
*Sierra Madre Vineyard “Le Souvenir” Santa Maria – Retail 54.00 – GGWC 47.00
Paul’s first Chardonnay, one would think he has been doing it for 20 years! This limited production fashioned from an old Wente clone is amazing. Unfortunately, there are only 75 cases of this exceptional effort produced. The wine’s aroma greats us with notes of orange blossom, nectarines and a touch of limestone reminiscent of a (yet another) great white Burgundy . This wine is so intense, one cannot control him (her) self and burst out a cheer of w.a.w. (what a wine!)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEXTBOOK 2006 CABERNET “ MISE EN PLACE ” - Retail 55.00 - GGWC 48.99
The Textbook "Mise en place" Cabernet Sauvignon comes from two very special single vineyard sites located on the extreme eastern side of the Oakville District abutting the rugged and dry Vaca Mountain Range. This sub-section of the Oakville AVA is renowned for superb, richly-textured Cabernet Sauvignon, including the likes of Screaming Eagle, PlumpJack and Rudd. Terrain is characterized by steep hills which bask in warm, sunny afternoons offering an ideal growing environment. The "Mise en Place" is real gem, and for those of you who bought the previous vintages know that this wine will cellar nicely. The wine is terrific! I recommend you open it in the morning when you brew your java, decant it and enjoy it at night with a great rack of lamb or steak. The wine is loaded with ripe blackberries, black cherries and currants. It if full in body, lush and densely concentrated with some tannic backbone, although not overpowering. As it was the case with the 2005 only a few hundred cases were produced, and it will sell out FAST!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palazzo Proprietary Red blend = The next "First Growth" from Napa Valley !
The 2006 vintage received a 94 Point rating from ROBERT PARKER.
Palazzo 2006 Proprietary Red Blend, Napa Valley - Retail 65.00 - GGWC 54.99
I just tasted through the wines with owner and winemaker Scott Palazzo, and I was flabbergasted. The wine is a blend of Merlot (68%), Cabernet Franc (22%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). The wine is very aromatic, and elegant with lots of finesse and substance at the same time. On impact it is silky, but it grows on you. The finish is long and elegant!
Robert Parker 94 Points: "This serious, small, artisinal operation is owned by Scott Palazzo, who, along with his consultant, Peter Franus, is turning out some complex, French-inspired offerings. Palazzo’s deep ruby/purple-tinged, full-bodied 2006 Proprietary Red (68% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon) reveals a sumptuous perfume of white chocolate, fruitcake, black cherries, black currants, and subtle toasty oak. Displaying a luscious texture, a broad, savory mid-palate, and gorgeous length, it should drink nicely for 10-15+ years. "
Palazzo also produces an AMAZING Cabernet Franc, that is so NOT “Francish” in style, flavor and aroma (i.e. NOT Green!!) Parker, equally loved his wines and gave it a "modest" 93 Point rating.
Palazzo 2006 Cabernet Franc "Truchard" Napa Valley , Retail 75.00 - GGWC 65.00
Parker 93 Points: "There are only around 200 cases produced, but readers who are lucky enough to find a few bottles will enjoy the 2006 Cabernet Franc Truchard Vineyard. This 100% Cabernet Franc reveals beautiful aromas of cedar, herbs, raspberries, black currants, and a touch of toasty oak. The wine exudes complexity, medium to full body, stunningly sweet fruit and tannins, and an ethereal sense of airiness with no heaviness. Its velvety texture and burgeoning complexity are seductive. Drink this lovely Cabernet Franc over the next 8-10 years. "
Orin Swift 2006 Papillon Prorpietary Red, Napa Valley -- Retail 60.00 - GGWC 54.99
The long awaited release of Papillon has arrived. This latest release is a blend is 65% CS, 27% Merlot, 4% PV, 2% CF, and 2% Malbec. I just tasted the wine and it is amazing, with a bit more richness Orin Swift fans have come to expect. The glass on this vintage is also custom made with a butterfly inside the punt of the bottle. As it was the case with the 2005, this wine will sell out very fast, so HURRY
REMEMBER F R E E S H I P P I N G on orders of $500.00 or more.
Frank Melis
a.k.a. St. Frank - The Patron Saint of Tannins
Golden Gate Wine Cellars
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415 337.4083
Fax: 888 790 WINE (9463)
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !
Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
"Wine, madam, is God's next best gift to man." - Ambrose Bierce, Devil's Dictionary 1907
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Long time no talk!
Golden Gate Wine Cellars
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415.337.4083
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine!
Dear Friends
My apologies. Time gets the best of me - thus no blog time.
In a nutshell; I have been tasting a LOT of wine, some better, some worse, some outstanding, some ..... (fill in the blanks).
People are still drinking wine, so I am not complaining at all. My five cents to ALL of you, especially those who are working. Go out to eat, shop, buy! Really, what people don't realize is that by not buying that fancy coffee drink and buying regular coffee instead they KILL the economy. A quick fact - One SF coffee shop owner told me that he sells 600 coffee drinks per day, still does! Until 6 months ago 500 were the "fancy" drinks, 100 regular coffee. Today mostly coffee - what happens here, his sales drop $1,500.00 per day in coffee sales alone, that is FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS per year! Just one store!!! Imagine the entire city of SF, the state of CA, the entire US. You don't buy that coffee and you think "I am saving 2.00 per day" NOT, you are KILLING the US economy. I don't know how many coffee shops there are in the US, but at this rate the local populus has taken billions away from the coffee shop owners, not to talk about other businesses. I know some people lost their jobs, but it is our duty, the ones working to keep spending. It will create jobs for those who lost them. No, I am not talking politics here (I never will go there!). Just common sense. Go spend!
Now on a quick wine note. We are offering FREE SHIPPING throughout the month of March on purchases of $500.00 or more going to the same address. GREAT SAVINGS!
Give me a call to catch up sooooon, OK.
I promise, more wine notes will adore my blog this week.
Frank
2337 Ocean Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127
Tel: 415.337.4083
E: frank@goldengatewinecellars.com
W: www.goldengatewinecellars.com
Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine!
Dear Friends
My apologies. Time gets the best of me - thus no blog time.
In a nutshell; I have been tasting a LOT of wine, some better, some worse, some outstanding, some ..... (fill in the blanks).
People are still drinking wine, so I am not complaining at all. My five cents to ALL of you, especially those who are working. Go out to eat, shop, buy! Really, what people don't realize is that by not buying that fancy coffee drink and buying regular coffee instead they KILL the economy. A quick fact - One SF coffee shop owner told me that he sells 600 coffee drinks per day, still does! Until 6 months ago 500 were the "fancy" drinks, 100 regular coffee. Today mostly coffee - what happens here, his sales drop $1,500.00 per day in coffee sales alone, that is FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS per year! Just one store!!! Imagine the entire city of SF, the state of CA, the entire US. You don't buy that coffee and you think "I am saving 2.00 per day" NOT, you are KILLING the US economy. I don't know how many coffee shops there are in the US, but at this rate the local populus has taken billions away from the coffee shop owners, not to talk about other businesses. I know some people lost their jobs, but it is our duty, the ones working to keep spending. It will create jobs for those who lost them. No, I am not talking politics here (I never will go there!). Just common sense. Go spend!
Now on a quick wine note. We are offering FREE SHIPPING throughout the month of March on purchases of $500.00 or more going to the same address. GREAT SAVINGS!
Give me a call to catch up sooooon, OK.
I promise, more wine notes will adore my blog this week.
Frank
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