Casa Solar Tempranillo 2007

Aged 3 years in American oak. Smells like toasted vanilla and has a bright cherry and hints at an oaked sherry flavor on the finish. Decent, very inexpensive $6.99. Maybe I should bring this in and herald it as the new BBQ wine? 2 for 12 anyone?

Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007

New Zealand. Cherry and tobacco nose, deep garnet red in color and light on the palate. Simple, though drinkable. Lacking depth.

Domaine Talmard Macon-Chardonnay 2008

Aged in stainless, planted on clay and limestone soils. 100% chardonnay grapes. Nose is gravel, fresh and clean with a hint of pepper(?) Not long finish, but very fresh and lemony.

Girard Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Napa Valley fermented in stainless. Very firm. A bit tart. Nah.

Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2008

New Zealand, Marlborough. Grapefruit nose, light color and a citrusy feel. Flinty finish, not long, but crisp.

Off the record...

New way to discuss wine: via mobile somewhere in the world. Love it!!!

I posted this note from my phone. I'm excited to see: 1) it worked and 2) i can remember how to do it again!

Tomorrow's Tuesday. Wine-tasting day at the store. What will they bring me??

A Mystery in a Boddingtons Case

This week when we received a case of Boddingtons Pub Ale for the store, there was a very cool discovery: a can of Thwaites Smooth Beer. This can, was not labeled for import, so we were excited to try it. What was inside? Thwaites? Or was it just Boddingtons in a Thwaites can?

We waited until today, so we could show our beer salesperson, Shane, the original 3 Boddingtons 4-pack pub draft can packaging with a single Thwaites can inside. We decided to taste a can of Boddies and the Thwaites side-by-side, because we wanted to know for certain that the Thwaites can contained Boddingtons Ale.

The verdict: both cans contained Boddingtons. But we're still wondering how we got a Thwaites can filled with Boddingtons on our doorstep. Just lucky, I guess.

Price isn't everything

I have a customer who came in today to thank me for selling her the Amador Foothills Katie's Cote Syrah/Grenache. She brought it over to a friend's home who she described as "people who regularly spend up to $100 on a bottle of wine". They all 'loved' this little gem. Priced at a very reasonable $17.99, this customer commented how great it is to drink a delicious wine under $20. She also "doesn't understand why her friends spend so much money on a bottle of wine, when there are so many great wines being made". I couldn't agree more!

My notes: wonderful rhone-like balance: 51% syrah and 49% grenache. This wine, from Shenandoah Valley California, has lush red raspberry flavors and an even tannin structure. Great with anything from eggplant parmigan to grilled meats to cheese platters.

ONLY 206 cases made. Get it NOW!

Melville Syrah 2007

Santa Barbara. Loaded with sweet cherry and deep, ripe pomegranate flavors. Arik says he gets 'bacon fat'. I agree! Very deep and rich. A definite contender for shelf space. I don't carry any Melville wines yet. But I should. Not to mention that it's my father-in-law's name!

Melville Pinot Noir 2007 Estate

Lompoc, California, Greg Brewer, winemaker. Fragrant, toasty and warm. Nose of lavender and blackberry. Decadent cherry-tobacco finish. I hope to bring this into the store, in the fall.

DID I say that this wine is 15.3% alcohol? You'd never know it!

Melville Viognier 2008 Verna's Estate

Santa Rita Hills Santa Barbara. Very rich and, dare I say, yummy! A spark of acidity at the end and flinty fruit in between. I'm trepidatious about bringing domestic viognier into the store. Mainly because: its a bit of an obscure grape. If you can commit to buying 3 bottles, I will get it. It's a cool-kid wine.

Domaine Houchart Côtes de Provence 2008

Another fine wine from Famille Quiot, this rose is a grenache, syrah, cinsault, cabernet sauvignon, mouvedre blend (with 5% 'other' grapes). At only $9.99, this wine is fairly dry with a light finish. A summer sipper that has been flying off the shelves! This rosé would be great in a sangria. $9.99

WAY OUT: Trimbach Pinot Gris 2005 Reserve

Rich and sweet with nice acidity. Apples and golden raisins show up at the finish. Brings pinot gris to a new level. I brought this in because I was lacking a French pinot gris in the store, and because it's way out of my comfort zone. This wine would be great with Indian food or a couscous.

Luca Pinot Noir 2007

Produced by Laura Catena. Uco Valley, Mendoza. Bright cherry nose with red peppers. Super soft and smooth mouth is velvety and unctuous. Thanks to Gary for recommending that I bring this beautiful wine into the store. It's a keeper.

Very good!

La Posta Malbec 2007

Angel Paulu. Deep, woodsy scent with black color and jammy nose. Rich black cherry and dry balance. Very nice.

Fat Tree Semillion Chardonnay 2008

A refreshing, citrusy semillion (78%) - sauvignon blanc (22%) blend with a little flint on the finish. The semillion gives it plenty of richness to balance the sauvignon blanc's acidity. Rose/lily floral scent is very nice.

Domaine de Servans Côtes du Rhône 2006

95% grenache, 5% syrah. Light and simple cherry flavors balanced well with acidity. Very smooth, rustic finish.

Samantha Starr Pinot Noir 2006

Monterey fruit. Rich raspberry and vanilla nose. Light- yet flavorful - with a tight, dry finish. Burgundian.

Samantha Starr Chardonnay 2007

Oaky nose with green apple, ripe pear. Very full-bodied expression of chardonnay. $15.99

Stag's Leap Petite Syrah 2006

Smooth, rich and ripe, this wine is a mouth-full of ripe berries and full tannins. Cocoa and a hint of lush raspberry are present in this wine. Stag's Leap Napa Valley $34.99