It’s officially summer and time for graduations, weddings, Holiday celebrations and family gatherings.  There is a need for high quality, affordable wines and we are going to give you 6 choices this evening. If you calculate this evenings savings on cases including the saving one tasting fee, you will be buying at almost cost!  Good time to stock up!

Summer Sippers Wine Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, June 3rd, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

SUMMER SIPPERS WINE TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Dom. Sorin Provence Rose - $10.99 (Glass Price: $5) Round and rich, the wine is full of strawberry and cherry flavors.  Dry and crisp to balance the wonderful fruit and a nice citrus tang at the end.

• d A Msrsanne - $9.99 (Glass Price: $4) Great flavors of white peach and apricot with a crème brulée and  mineral backbone. Our #1 selling party wine and what we use for our weddings and gatherings.  We promise it will be your new favorite white.
  

• Mandolin Pinot Noir - $13.99 (Glass Price: $6) Bright flavors of dark cherry and strawberry.  Well balanced and easy drinking.  Finding well made Pinot Noir at this price is very fun!

• Ch. La Paws Cabernet Sauvignon - $6.99 (Glass Price: $3) It began as a pet project of Kent Rosenblum (owner/vet) of Rosenblum Cellars before he sold the winery and it has continued to be a top seller for them ever since.  Lush Cab with tons of blackberry/cherry flavors.

• Ch. Haut Maginet Bordeaux Rouge - $10.99 (Glass Price: $5) Showing all the lush richness Merlot can offer with  the nice structure that Cabernet can add.  Great balance and finesse.  90 pts Parker!

No bicycles involved here just a liquid tour of the main wine regions in France.  We will taste the grape varietals grown in these regions so if you didn’t know Gamay is the red varietal in Beaujolais you can now taste it as well as the four other principal regions of France, Loire, Burgundy, Rhone and Bordeaux.  It should be fun.  No bike shorts please!

Tour de France Wine Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, May 27th, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

TOUR de FRANCE WINE TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Dom. Thomas, Sancerre, Loire - $29.99 (Glass Price: $12) Very interesting combination of pear and mint that this wine is famous for.  Lush, luscious, fruit forward style with a silken palate. 90 pts Parker!

• Alaine Morgon Cote du By, Beaujolais - $27.99 (Glass Price: $11) One of the bolder of the Beaujolais Villages, this has lots of smoky bacon, game, mocha and dark cherry flavors.  Ripe, layered and voluptuous.
  

• Danjean-Berthoux Givry, Burgundy - $25.99 (Glass Price: $10) Aromas of violets, cloves and red cherry.  Flavors that copy the nose as well as offer lush strawberry notes.  Great vintage and drinking great.

• Dom. Font Larade Vacqueyras, Rhone - $32.99 (Glass Price: $14) Loaded with ripe black fruits along with tobacco, leather and roasted meats.  Packed with power and richness.  Has nice age already.

• Ch. Feret-Lambert, Bordeaux Rouge - $21.99 (Glass Price: $9) Showing earth, licorice and Christmas fruitcake as well as a lush texture.  A very appealing and charming Bordeaux from a great vintage!

Everyone seems to enjoy these tastings where you can test yourself and find out where your preferences lie without letting labels sway your judgment.  There are a lot of similarities here so have fun and good luck.

California vs Australia (Blind) Wine Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, May 20th, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

CALIFORNIA vs. AUSTRALIA (BLIND) WINE TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Henry’s Drive Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia - $21.99 (Glass Price: $10) Aromas of warm cassis and blackberry.  Flavors of dark cherries and blackberry compote.  A ripe, muscular core of black fruits.  90 pts Parker

• Jim Barry Shiraz Lodge Hill, Australia - $21.99 (Glass Price: $10) Lovely blackberry and red cherry aromas followed by hints of black pepper, violets and herbs.  Nice savory character with bright fruits.
  

• Henry’s Drive Cab/Shiraz, Australia - $32.99 (Glass Price: $15) Intense notes of blackberry jam and kirsch along with mocha and a touch of bay leaf.  Full bodied and plenty of ripe warm berry.  90 pts Parker

• Eberle Syrah, Steinbeck, California - $24.99 (Glass Price: $11) Ripe flavors of plum, blackberry, mint and underbrush rush the palate.  Great complexity and balance.  Very bold and well rounded. 

• Veedercrest Cabernet Sauvignon, California - $29.99 (Glass Price: $14) Deep layers of berry flavors with nuances of rose petal and herbs.  Big, round and smooth textures on the palate. Nice Cab!

• The Pairing Red Blend, California - $24.99 (Glass Price: $11) Bold, savory flavors of dark cherry, smoke, game, licorice and spices coat the palate.  Rich, juicy and exuberant.  90 pts Parker

Special Event Bottle Pricing:

Save 10% off any 3 bottles from tonight’s tasting.
Save 15% off any 12 bottles from tonight’s tasting.

NOTE: If you purchase a case of wine (12 bottles) we will refund your $25.00 tasting fee on top of the 15% discount.

Meat/Cheese Pricing:

Small Plate $9.99
Large Plate $14.99

Co-founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, Duckhorn Vineyards has spent almost forty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.

Duckhorn Wine Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, May 13th, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

DUCKHORN WINE TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Sauvignon Blanc – $31.99 (Glass Price: $19) Delicate grapefruit, fig, melon and gravelly aromas jump from the glass.  Light to medium bodied and tons of flavor with zesty citrus acidity.

• Migration Pinot Noir – $39.99 (Glass Price: $19) Beautiful, high-tone red fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry and cranberry and enticing hints of orange-cinnamon spice. A big, complex, Burgundian nose of forest floor, bouquet garni, blue, red and black fruits, and a broad, savory, rich mouth feel with no heaviness. Full-bodied yet gorgeously pure and complex,
  

• Merlot – $59.99 (Glass Price: $29) Gorgeous notes of black cherry and mocha infused fruit.  On the palate opulent richness that’s hard to resist.  Very well made.  90 pts Parker   

• Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon - $29.99 (Glass Price: $14) Aromas of black raspberry, plum and blackberry leap from the glass.  Rich and concentrated flavors follow that are dense and juicy.  Bold wine.

• Cabernet Sauvignon - $69.99 (Glass Price: $30) Plenty of crème de cassis and spring flower notes as well as beautiful density and sweet tannin.  Great depth of flavor and a beautiful example of Napa Cab.  Showing great young.   

Special Event Bottle Pricing:

Save 10% off any 3 bottles from tonight’s tasting.
Save 15% off any 12 bottles from tonight’s tasting.

NOTE: If you purchase a case of wine (12 bottles) we will refund your $25.00 tasting fee on top of the 15% discount.

Meat/Cheese Pricing:

Small Plate $9.99
Large Plate $14.99

Cabernet is the king of the red wine world and we are going to try some Cabs from all over the state not just Napa Valley.  We will visit Napa, Paso Robles, Alexander Valley, Mendocino and the Suisun Valley.  Most have good scores if that’s of interest to you and one actually won our Silver Oak blind tasting last vintage!  You pick out the winner.

Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, May6th, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINE TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Husch, Mendocino – $22.99 (Glass Price: $10) Concentrated with notes of blackberry, black cherry, chocolate and subtle vanilla.  Very rich flavors and nice balanced acidity.  Nice long finish!

• Robert Hall, Paso Robles – $19.99 (Glass Price: $9) With a core of black currant and hints of cedar, cocoa and vanilla.  Very well balanced with rich, soft tannins.   91 pts Wine Enthusiast
  

• Contado Mankas, Suisun Valley - $13.99 (Glass Price: $6) Big, lush flavors of cassis, blackberry and spice.  Great power as well as finesse.  Tremendous value in Cabernet!  

• Stuhmuller, Alexander Valley - $39.99 (Glass Price: $19) Aromas of dried plums, black cherry jam and a hint of vanilla.  One sip unveils blackberry, dark chocolate and licorice.  91 pts Robert Parker!

• Freemark Abbey, Napa Valley - $37.99 (Glass Price: $17) Starts with a nice hint of chocolate, toasty oak, bay leaf and cedar box.  It’s a rich, layered, full bodied wine and a beauty!   92 pts Robert Parker!!

Special Event Bottle Pricing:

Purchase 3 Bottles – Save 10%
Purchase a Case (12) – Save 15%

NOTE: If you purchase a case of wine (12 bottles) we will refund your $25.00 tasting fee on top of the 15% discount.

Meat/Cheese Pricing:

Small Plate $9.99
Large Plate $14.99

The wines of Italy have always fan favorite favorites.  From the famous elegant wines of Tuscany up to the big boys in Piedmont, all wines bring back the old world style of wines being produced there. It’s a great departure from the power of California  to remind us of what is consumed across the pond.  Enjoy!

The Italian Wine Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, April 29th, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

THE ITALIAN WINE TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Masi Pinot Grigio – $15.99 (Glass Price: $7) Shows attractive tropical aromas.  Fresh and charming palate with flavors that become full and show nice fruit with a touch of honey.

• Baron Ricasoli Chianti Classico Brolio – $24.99 (Glass Price: $11) Stylistic wine that carries a high level of fruit intensity that’s backed by softer, oak driven layers of spice and leather.   90 pts Robert Parker

• Locations I (Orin Swift) – $19.99 (Glass Price: $9) Intense aromas of dark fruits, spices and wild flowers.  Rich flavors of plums, black cherries and mineral components on the palate.   90 pts Robert Parker

• Tintero Barbaresco - $24.99 (Glass Price: $11) The radiant Nebbiolo fruit shines through with plenty of heft and clout but showing more elegance than one would expect,  Fresh cut flowers, spices, mint and red berries are evident on the finish.

• Sette Ponti Crognolo Super Tuscan - $29.99 (Glass Price: $14) Richly layered, colored, perfumed and sculpted with dazzling red fruits, a great mouthfeel, silky tannins and exceptional balance.  A tremendous follow-up to the superb 2011.    95 pts James Suckling!

Special Event Bottle Pricing:

Purchase 3 Bottles – Save 10%
Purchase a Case (12) – Save 15%

NOTE: If you purchase a case of wine (12 bottles) we will refund your $25.00 tasting fee on top of the 15% discount.

Meat/Cheese Pricing:

Small Plate $9.99
Large Plate $14.99

To reserve a space for this event, sign up on our Facebook event page.

Relieve your tax day stress! Although we agree the point system for rating wines is very subjective, nonetheless it is a way to see how your favorites stack up in the grand scheme of things. Join as we try some of the top rated wines that won’t break your budget.

90+ Point Wine Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, April 15th, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

90+ POINT WINE TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Trinitas Chardonnay – $29.99 (Glass Price: $14) A prominent, “crème Brule” character on the nose. Underneath the toast, you get the intense tropical fruit – pear, peach, lemon zest and citrus. The rich palate, explodes with cinnamon toast, cream and butterscotch. 92 pts The Wine Spectator

• Talley Pinot Noir – $35.99 (Glass Price: $16) An authoritative nose of rose petal and other floral notes intermixed with boysenberry, black cherry, spice box, and forest floor notes is classic Pinot Noir at its best. 91 pts Robert Parker

• Saldo Zinfandel – $29.99 (Glass Price: $14) Jammy and loaded with toasty oak, with aromas of dark cherry, caramel and cracked pepper leading to zesty flavors of dried sage, espresso and licorice.  90 pts The Wine Spectator

• Laird Jillian’s Red Blend - $29.99 (Glass Price: $14) Lots of black cherry, mulberry, mocha flavors with a fleshy impression and nice purity.  Has a long, velvety finish.    91 pts Robert Parker

• Melville Syrah - $24.99 (Glass Price: $11) It reveals terrific notes of cassis, peppered meats, blackberries, licorice and wood smoke to go with a full-bodied, ripe, yet beautifully balanced and layered feel on the palate.  93 pts Robert Parker 93 pts Robert Parker

Special Event Bottle Pricing:

Purchase 3 Bottles – Save 10%
Purchase a Case (12) – Save 15%

NOTE: If you purchase a case of wine (12 bottles) we will refund your $25.00 tasting fee on top of the 15% discount.

Meat/Cheese Pricing:

Small Plate $9.99
Large Plate $14.99

For those of us in the business, Spain has long been thought of as the best wine value in the world.  When you taste these selections and then look at the prices I think you will agree.  We are covering some of the most important regions in Spain.  Enjoy!

Wines of Spain Tasting Event

Tasting Dates:

Friday, April 8th, 2016 – 5pm to 7pm

Tasting Cost: $25

WINES OF SPAIN TASTING:

Here are the wines we have selected to share with you.

• Locations E3 (Orin Swift) – $19.99 (Glass Price: $9) If you judge wines on how they taste and the degree of pleasure they offer, they are all incredible efforts. The three new cuvees I tasted are among the finest wine values one could hope to find.   93 pts Parker!!

• Tarima Hill Old Vine Mouvedre – $29.99 (Glass Price: $14) This is a beautifully balanced wine revealing lots of blueberry liqueur, dark raspberries, cherries, a chalky minerality, full body, a big, substantial mouthfeel, and a meaty texture.  91 pts Parker!

• Tres Picos Garnacha – $19.99 (Glass Price: $9) Notes of kirsch liqueur, licorice, pepper and spice box, and a medium to full-bodied, richly fruity, sensual wine with beautiful finesse, complexity and purity. Sometimes Grenache can take on a complex, Pinot Noir-like sensitivity, and this cuvée appears to have done that.  90 pts Parker!!

• Juan Gil Monastrell (Mouvedre) - $14.99 (Glass Price: $7) It has a clean fresh nose of bilberry and blackberry that is well defined and elegant. The palate is medium-bodied with an attractive chewy entry. The acidity is pleasing – cutting a swath through the black fruit laced with licorice and damson.   92 pts Parker!

• Numanthia Termes Tempranillo – $21.99 (Glass Price: $10) There are some savory aromas mixing cured meat with the classical Tempranillo black raspberries, and some lactic and spice aromas (cola nut), with hints of granite and licorice. The palate shows good freshness within the ripe and powerful style of the zone.   90 pts Parker!

Special Event Bottle Pricing:

Purchase 3 Bottles – Save 10%
Purchase a Case (12) – Save 15%

NOTE: If you purchase a case of wine (12 bottles) we will refund your $25.00 tasting fee on top of the 15% discount.

Meat/Cheese Pricing:

Small Plate $9.99
Large Plate $14.99