USA
May 1, 2008
California Classic: 2000 Mondavi Reserve
There is no doubt that Robert Mondavi changed the American wine psyche and in the process became one of the wine world's most powerful and controversial figures. His life, and the rise and fall of his empire, is a drama fit for the big screen. (Indeed, we're pretty sure the rights to the movie have been sold.)
That said, we're not really into the big egos and backdoor gossip. Instead, what we want to do is focus on what it was once all about: what's in the bottle. And this is where you really have to taste the wine in spite of, and irregardless of, any stereotypes or preconceived notions of what Mondavi is (or was), because the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a perfectly balanced and elegant Cali Cab that tips its hat to the greats of Bordeaux indulging in a silky finesse and even (gulp) enticing restraint!
At $68.53 - that's a discount of 30% - this quickly becomes one of the no-brainer buys of the season, a wine with real breed that one of those age-worthy Napa Cabs in the spirit of Togni, Mayacamas or even Dunn's Howell Mountain - though granted, it's softer and more supple even at this "young" age. Drink this Mondavi now and over the next decade while your Togni, Mayacamas and Dunn just begin to come into form!
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 10:00 AM
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February 2, 2007
Back to Scholium: A "Noble" Lesson for Sauvignon Blanc
Abe Schoener's Scholium Project is definitely one of the most interesting, outrageous and original Cult Wine endeavors taking place in California today.
We've previously offered a number of his sometimes luscious and always cerebral wines and have been blown away by the responses.
From the "Old School Wine Geek" to the "Napa Cabernet Afficianado," so many of you have enjoyed these wines and come back for more, only to find them sold out. The diversity of Scholium die-hards is a true indication that these wines uniquely mix California muscle with Old World finesse.
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Posted by Stephen Bitterolf at 4:05 PM
November 16, 2006
Thanksgiving for Charter Oak: The Great American Zinfandel
With one week to go, you're gearing up for the Thanksgiving holiday. The folding card-table has been dusted off for the kids, the turkey has been ordered, and uncle Bob has been reminded not to drink too much. Preparations are well under way.
The wine, however, needs to be selected. While I am busy collecting staff recommendations for your holiday table, today I want to offer a bottle Ive been waiting all year to recommend. We were confirmed on this wine today, just in time for Thanksgiving!
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 3:33 PM
November 9, 2006
Back Up the Truck #3: Baileyana Pinot Noir
We get an amazing number of requests for affordable New World Pinot Noir.
Despite our constant search, it is rare that we come across anything that is strong enough for us to recommend in the under-$40 price range. Case in point: It has been nearly 4 months since our last New World Pinot email (River Bend), and the re-order calls continue to roll in. (Note to all: regrettably, we are sold out.)
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Posted by Tristan Meador at 7:02 PM
October 18, 2006
Peacock Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
One of our specialties at Crush is finding rare, high-quality New World Cabernet Sauvignon for under $100. These are wines that have the palate impact of bottlings that sell for 50-200% more.
Small production wonders from this difficult-to-navigate category have been delighting our customers for the last year and a half.
Of note lately is the 2002 Peacock Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Posted by Bob Schagrin at 4:16 PM
October 17, 2006
Shelter Sauvignon Blanc 2005
We can�t tell you too much about this wine because its exact origins must be kept a secret. Yes, this is 007 meets the wine business.
What we do know is that 2005 Shelter Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley is blended from the top vineyards of one of the most famous winemakers in the region. Superstar vintners obviously don't want you to know where their extra juice goes, so it is sold with the promise that its identity will kept on the DL.
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Posted by Bob Schagrin at 3:06 PM
October 4, 2006
Vare Vineyards Bianco 2004
What do the following all have in common: Thomas Keller of restaurants Per Se and French Laundry, famed Californian winemakers John Kongsgaard and Abe Schoener, and eccentric Italian winemakers Josko Gravner and Stanto Radikon? They're all friends and fans of Vare Vineyards, a miniscule Napa Valley estate focusing on the "great whites" of Italy - Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla and others. The results were so dazzling in 2004 that Per Se and French Laundry bought almost the entire production. But not all of it!
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Posted by email offers at 12:07 PM
April 4, 2006
Araujo Estate: Incredible Wine from Legendary Terroir
Araujo Eisele is considered one of the top classic California wines along with Shafer Shafer Hillside Select, Caymus Special Selection, and Phelps Insignia, not only because of the limited production and attention to detail in their winemaking, but because of the storied terroir that its fruit comes from.
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Posted by email offers at 12:20 PM
February 7, 2006
Divine California Wines from Angel's Share
Napa Valley insider Mark Snyder is bringing the next wave of California hot-ticket wines to New York through his company, Angel's Share Wines. In all my years in this business, I have never tasted such a breadth of incredible wines from California that have a remarkable sense of place, otherwise known as terroir. Marks wines all come from extremely small productions, ranging from 7 to 900 cases. Here are a few notes on some of the standout bottles from this élite collection.
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Posted by email offers at 11:09 AM