This week in wine

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™!


Another Week in Wine Review
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As May comes to an end, the wine landscape is just starting to blossom some more. I tasted a ton of wine this week, and I have some great DEALS to offer you as well. Remember FREE (ground) SHIPPING - $500.00 or more to the same address!

Canihan 2006 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Valley – Retail 38.00 – NOW 28.00 (25% OFF)
Only 300 cases of this Estate Pinot Noir were produced! Aromas of raspberry, plums, violet and floral tones fold into black cherry and cedar as the wine is swirled. The wine’s texture is rich and full, with a deep, lingering finish. A fun, easy drinking wine. So buy six bottles of this wine, and receive 25% OFF!


August West 2007 “Rosella Vineyard” Chardonnay – Retail 48.00 – GGWC 39.99
2007 was only 3rd vintage of the Rosella’s Chardonnay, and this wine benefited from the longest fermentation on record for August west: 10 months. The length of the fermentation added to the complexity of the nose and the palate. There’s a hint of the citrus fruit aromas very characteristic of the Rosella’s Vineyard Chards, and this is followed by a soft, full-bodied palate. Only 94 cases were produced.


August West 2007 “Graham” Pinot Noir, Russian River V. – Retail 55.00 – GGWC 48.00
After the prolific 2006 vintage at Graham, 2007 was back to normal at barely over 1 ton per acre. The wine has a nose of ripe Russian River Valley fruit mixed with spicy, earthy aromas that will evolve for many years to come. Only 310 cases were produced, and it will surely be sold out quickly. 300 cases produced.


Molnar 2007 “Poseidon” Chardonnay, Carneros – Retail 28.00 – GGWC 22.99
This Chardonnay has an inviting aroma of Kaffir lime and lemon custard. Upon first sip the wine is lively and fresh with the pinpoint acidity of green apples and lime. Ever-present notes of flint and minerality maintain the focused character. As the wine blossoms, flavors of crème Brule and custard fill out the palate, and a kiss of toasty vanilla adds a final touch of complexity to the wine's finish. 90 pt. Robert Parker.

Kesner 2006 Hudson Chardonnay – Retail 65.00 – GGWC 59.99
Quite possibly the best Hudson Vineyards produced to date. A simply magical growing season allowed us to pick the fruit at moderate sugar levels with a little less acid and lower yield than the previous vintage but with all of the fruit to back it up. The wine is brimming with the tones of a classic Hudson Vineyards Chardonnay. Grown in the cool and windy Carneros, where the old loam, clay and river stone foot hills meet the bay. Lifted essence of citrus, grilled stone fruit and mineral infused undertones. James Kesner has managed the Hudson vineyard for a decade and since 2008has joined Kistler Winery. He will fill Steve Kistler’s shoes when he retires as the Kistler winemaker in the (near) future.

Kazmer Blaise “Primo’s Hill” Pinot Noir, Carneros – Retail 56.00 – GGWC 49.00
This is one of the best Pinot Noir’s to come across my palate as of late. Brambly blackberry and cherry are deeply embedded in the wine's aroma but go un-noticed at first due to the dramatic overlay of campfire, leather, oils, waxes and sandalwood. This is a dark-toned wine, decidedly masculine for the absence of floral fragrance. The texture defies the expectations of the nose, and although the wine has weight, there is a rose-petal nap to the feel of the tannins. It is fine-grained, lush and wholly seductive. The wine received a 91 Point rating from Robert Parker and 94 Points from Wine Enthusiast. Only 249 cases produced!


Obsidian 2006 Cabernet Estate, Red Hills Lake County – Retail 32.00 – GGWC 27.99
The bouquet is filled with spices of bay, clove and anise amidst a core of red cherries, dried cranberries and ripe red plums. With each sip we're reminded of the terroir at Obsidian Ridge with the subtle hints of chaparral throughout. This is a rich and densely structured wine. It maintains appropriate acidity that carries forth the flavors of dark cherries finishing with espresso beans coated in dark chocolate. This is undeniable mountain Cabernet Sauvignon with ample tannin to secure its longevity for ten or even fifteen years. Under 30.00 not a bad find!


Obsidian 2006 Syrah “Estate” Red Hills Lake County – Retail 32.00 – GGWC 27.99
Only 216 cases of this gem were produced! This wine is ample to say the least. The bouquet is filled with aromas of blackberries mulled with ginger, graham cracker and spice. An undercurrent of smoke and meatiness keep this Syrah true to character. The wine is rich and surprisingly silken despite ample tannin that flesh out the mid-palate. The wine maintains appropriate acidity that works well with the fruit to keep this Syrah fresh and lively.


Last call for those who did not sign up for the 2007 DuMOL wines (see last week’s email – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah). 750’s and Magnums available!

Ramian’s Chapter Six Cabernet Blend and their Cabernet Franc are almost sold out as well. So hurry to get some of this much sought after wine!

Also, I have started a pre-order list for the 2007 Coho Headwaters Cabernet Blend. As you might recall the previous three vintages scored 94 and 95 points, and this one could be higher. I tasted the wine, and can tell you that it will leave the 200 far behind! Those of you that purchased some of the 2006 are on the “A” list for the 2007 vintage.

I suggest you sign up fast, as we have pre-sold 56 cases and we will only receive 75 cases this vintage! Retail TBA, but will be about (if not totally) the same as the 2006 vintage.

Lastly, Black Kite’s 2007 Pinot Noir “Kite’s Rest” which received a 92 point rating in Wine Spectator and 94 Points in Wine Enthusiast is almost sold out as well.

This offer is good while supplies last.

*Free Shipping is GROUND UPS and has to go to the same address - anywhere in the CONTINENTAL US!

Frank Melis
aka 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

"Wine, madam, is God's next best gift to man." - Ambrose Bierce, Devil's Dictionary 1907










Our Motto: Always Drink Good Wine™ !