My tasting group (15 strong) wasn’t shy to bring out the Napa “big guns” for this blind tasting “taste-off.” All of the candidates with scores in the mid to upper 90′s and some definite heavy-hitters in the mix. Even so, it wasn’t a big surprise to see which wine was the winner as much as a confirmation of this wine’s quality and pedigree.

The lineup included:

• Araujo “Eisele” (98 RP)
• Lokoya Mt. Veeder (96 RP)
• Kobalt (95 RP)
• Antica “Townsend” (94 RP)
• Merus (95 RP)
• Arietta (94 RP)
• Montelena “Estate” (95 RP)
• Krupp (93 RP)
• Lewis (93 WS)
• Morlet (97 RP)
• Peter Michael “Les Pavots” (93 RP)
• Carter “ToKalon” (96 RP)
• Baldacci “Brenda” (94 RP)
• Dancing Hares (93 WS)
• Trespass Rendezvous (96 GWC).

The Winner: Trespass Rendezvous!

Trespass 2010 Rendezvous (Cabernet Blend), Estate St. Helena Napa Valley
Retail 90.00 – GGWC 84.99 – FREE SHIPPING on SIX or more
Use discount shipping code “TRES10RV” during check out

This stunning 2010 Cabernet based blend was sourced from the “sweet spots” on the Trespass Estate in St. Helena (Napa Valley.  The wine is rich purple in color, and offers up a nice of sexy black cherries, chocolate, espresso and a whiff of lavender. On the palate, this full-bodied youngster is rich with supple tannins that provide a nice structure to this well-crafted wine.  Flavors of boysenberries, blackberries and plums coat the rich palate of this expressive wine.  This wine is incredibly well-balanced, even at such a young age.  It should age nicely for 10-15 years to come.  Only 125 cases produced.

Click here or on the links above to order!

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Peter Knez

Knez 2010 “Cerise” Pinot Noir
Retail 45.00 – GGWC 41.99 FREE SHIPPING on SIX or more
Use discount shipping code “KNEZ10″ during check out

High toned raspberry, carnation and baking spice aromas with a fleeting scent of iron fill the nose. Its character becomes hugely spicy and floral with air, with penetrating red fruit taking center stage. Intense mouthfeel and depth of flavors remain elegant, as the taste echoes the nose. This is a sappy, classically styled Cerise with years of rewarding aging ahead.

I rarely quote publications, but Stephen Tanzer is not a “generous” guy, so when he gives 93 points, you might see a 98 from Wine Spectator!

Stephen Tanzer:  “Vivid red. High-pitched aromas of redcurrant, black raspberry & potpourri, with a deeper note of licorice adding a  serious quality. Muscular but light on its feet, offering nervy red & dark berry flavors that expand and deepen with air. A spicy nuance carries through the very long, seductively sweet finish.”

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When you get some of the best fruit in the Valley you can only expect to wind up with an amazing final product.  The folks at Enkidu did just that with this 2010 Bedrock Old Vine Vineyard bottling.  But with only 200 cases produced I have to warn you that it will be gone in no time!  The original Bedrock vineyard was planted 125 years ago, planted by friends of General Vallejo on rich alluvial soils from the surrounding volcanic hillsides of Sonoma Valley.

Enkidu 2010 Bedrock Vineyard Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley
Retail 39.00 – GGWC 35.99 FREE SHIPPING on SIX or more
Use discount shipping code “ENK10BED” during check out

This wine has an amazing perfumed but amiable aroma.  It is full in body and flows across the lush palate with superb flavors of blackberries, crushed black peppercorn and licorice. The fruit and acid ratio are perfectly intertwined and well-balanced.  This Zinfandel is well-polished and loaded with finesse and ends with gorgeous silky tannins.

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Comptche Ridge winery is owned by the Weir Brothers (as in Weir vineyard, source for some amazing Pinots such as Drew, William Selyem, Spell, etc.).  Comptche has also been the foundation for some other stunning Pinots like Anthill, etc.

My tasting group was excited to add some Pinots into the mix.  This week’s lineup included:

• Anthill “Campbell Ranch” (94 RP)
• Anthill “Tina Marie” (93 RP)
• Rochioli “West Block (94 RP)
• Clos Pepe (93 RP)
• Comte de Vogue (95 RP)
• Brickhouse “Evelyn (93 RP)
• Capiaux Pisoni (93 RP)
• Brewer Clifton Mt Carmel (93 RP)
• Aubert UVSL (95 RP)
• Alexana (94 WS)
• DuMOL “Aidan” (94 RP)
• Donum (95 WS)
• Peter Michael “Clos du Ciel” (95 WS)
• Martinelli “Three Corner” (96 WS)
• Comptche Ridge (96 GGWC)

The WINNER = COMPTCHE RIDGE!

Comptche received 10 first, 2 second and 3 third place votes, votes beating out a pack of other amazing Pinot Noirs. Anthill Campbell received 3 first, 7 second and 2 third place votes, while Clos Pepe received 2 first, 4 second, and 7 third place votes.

Comptche Ridge 2010 Pinot Noir, Estate Mendocino
Retail 56.00 – GGWC 52.99 – FREE SHIPPING on SIX or more
Use discount shipping code “COMPTCHE” during check out

The year’s wine exhibits cool, deeply-pitched aromas, showing red berry, orange peel, and hints of minerality that emerge with air. Year after year, extremely low yields create a beautiful lushness to this cool-climate wine. This full-bodied, smooth and rich Pinot Noir has long and penetrating flavors of creamy red plum and red cherry flavors on a delicate, almost crystalline frame. The finish is flavorful and long with silky tannins. 13.5% alcohol.

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May 11th is Wine Tourism Day! Two for One Tasting Admission! Join us for an in-store tasting with winemakers of Gain Bay, Buccio, Seabiscuit Ranch, Il Cuore, and Solitude. Complete schedule below. Call, email, or click on the links below to RSVP! Walk-ins welcome, space permitting. May 11: Gain Bay, Buccio, Seabiscuit Ranch, and Solitude. Make sure to sign up on our FACEBOOK and TWITTER pages for updates and SPECIALS!

In-Store Tasting Schedule

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Campesino is a husband and wife venture with a North American farm twist.  Griselda’s grandfather Pablo Ceja (as in Ceja vineyards and winery) came to the US in 1967 to seek a better life.  Today the Ceja family owns hundreds of acres and various children run wineries and vineyards.  Griselda’s husband Marcario, who grew up near Napa and was dragged to wineries every weekend with his parents to taste wine – after graduating from Notre Dame (IN), and working in the corporate world for six years he decided to ditch the suit for purple hands and pruning shears. The rest, as they say is history.

Campesino 2011 Baybos, Sonoma Coast
Retail 35.00 – GGWC 32.99 – FREE SHIPPING on SIX
Can be mixed with Campesino Alina for free shipping
Use discount shipping code “CAMPESINO” during check out

A Rhone style Red blend from two Sonoma Coast vineyards, Sangiacomo and Ceja. The blend consists of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre.  Stunning aromas of wild fruits intermingled with spice and roasted meats, leap from the glass. Luscious flavors of dark fruits followed by wild herbs and cracked peppercorn lead to a long lasting finish. Full bodied yet balanced, Baybos is a wonderful wine for any occasion.

Campesino 2012 Alina, Sonoma Coast
Retail 30.00 – GGWC 27.99 – FREE SHIPPING on SIX
Can be mixed with Campesino Baybos for free shipping
Use discount shipping code “CAMPESINO” during check out

A white Rhone blend of 50% each Rousanne and Grenache Blanc.  The 2012 Alina is full of beautiful aromatics. Intoxicating notes of crisp apple, citrus essence and hints of pineapple fill your nose with all that is good about spring. Tiers of Meyer lemon and guava intermingle with refreshing acidity and flavorful minerality to awaken the senses. Stainless steel fermented and aged in neutral oak barrels for 7 months, Alina provides the perfect paring with any of your favorite summer dishes.

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I am excited to introduce a new winery to our portfolio “Stage Left” an outfit specializing in “Rhone Varietals” from some of the most sought after vineyards in California.  For this offer I want to introduce the 2010 “Go Getter” a Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Roussane blend, and the single vineyard “Alder Springs” Syrah.

Stage Left 2009 Syrah Alder Springs Mendocino
Retail 41.00 – GGWC 34.99 FREE SHIPPING on six or more
Can mix and match with Stage Left 2010 White Blend
Use discount shipping code “STAGELEFT” during check out

The Alder Springs vineyard has been the source for some of the best and very high-scoring Syrahs from California (Arnot Roberts, Behrens Hitchcock, Pax, etc.) so you are in great company here!

An amazing nose that is pretty and intensely aromatic – think lavender, wild strawberries, white flowers and a hint of vanilla bean. On the palate, there’s a rich red fruit profile (pomegranates, ripe strawberries, and raspberries) and fresh natural acidity to keep everything in balance. It finishes with a nice bit of minerality, graphite and fine, dusty tannins. Lower in alcohol, but packing a ton of flavor, this is a wonderful wine for the table. Only 95 cases produced!!

Stage Left 2010 “Go Getter” White Blend
Retail  34.00 – GGWC 29.99 FREE SHIPPING on six or more
Can mix and match with Stage Left 2009 Syrah
Use discount shipping code “STAGELEFT” during check out

This fun wine offers a beautiful aroma of honey suckle, orange blossom, pineapple and lemon zest (not sweet!!).  On the palate this 2010 rendition is full bodied, with beautiful, natural acidity, lots of mouth feel of honey, white peach and it finishes with a very intense, long finish (courtesy of a little skin contact).  Only 290 cases produced!

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Le Pich is the culmination of several seasoned and determined wine professionals efforts to produce the finest Cabernet Sauvignon possible from the best estate vineyards in Napa Valley all under the guidance of winemaker Julien Fayard (assistant winemaker at Lafite Rothschild and former assistant to Philippe Melka) and ace viticulturist Steve Matthiasson.

Le Pich 2010 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Retail 48.00 – GGWC 44.99 – FREE SHIPPING on SIX
Mix and match with Le Pich Sauvignon Blanc
Use discount shipping code “LEPICH” during check out

This might be “FIND” of the month! Sourced from the To-Kalon and Teucer vineyards this wine offers a deep, rich purple color. A gorgeous nose of black currants and chocolate jump out of the glass.  The mouthfeel is rich and creamy with stunning flavors of dark fruits, black plum, espresso and chocolate that lead to an explosive finish.  The wine arouses you on impact with sweet subtleties that tickle your palate.  The wine, full in body, is very elegant yet explosive without being a tannic monster, although I would suggest to decant this for an hour or two, this wine will age gracefully for a good 15 years!

Le Pich 2012 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Retail 28.00 – GGWC 24.99 – FREE SHIPPING on 12
Mix and match with Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon
Use discount shipping code “LEPICH” during check out

This is a sexy wine, juicy, lush, energized and buoyant.  On the nose you’ll encounter melon, ruby red grapefruit and Meyer lemons.  Smooth, rich, silky and round in the mouth, this wines tickles the palate with gorgeous flavors of pink grapefruit, some wet stone (minerality) and a touch of orange blossom lemon thyme and fresh cut grass.  This is probably the best Spring and early Summer wine to date.

Click here or on the links above to order!

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Just browse to http://www.GoldenGateWineCellars.com on your smartphone or mobile device or scan the image at the right with your phone’s code reader. The buttons across the top of the mobile website give you ready access to commonly used areas such as the Catalog, Your Account, Your Shopping Cart, and the Wine Search function. The new mobile site also incorporates the same SSL security as the regular website to make your wine purchase as safe and as simple as possible.

Of course, if you prefer the traditional version, there is a link at the bottom of the page to switch to the full website.

So take a look at the new site today and remember to “Always drink good wine!”

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