Events

14th Premiere Napa Valley Auction

Posted on by Frank Melis

I attended the 14th Premiere Napa Valley this past weekend and purchased some great auction lots! Soon, some of these new finds will show up on our website and in emails to you.

I visited with some new wineries, Ashe (their upcoming Cabernet release is stunning). Winemaker is Philippe Melka, who does not need any intro. I purchased lots from Cornerstone (Howell Mountain) Cabernet, Larkin (Pritchard Hill – same source as Bryant Family, Chappellet, etc.), and of the Boeschen lot.

The greatest find was Boeschen winery. I was blown away by this little gem. I should have their 2007 Cabernet in stock by the end of March, the wine is stunning!

14th Premiere Napa Valley Auction

As for the Auction, there were 200 lots (I tasted about 80 of them over a three day period). I was very impressed with the quality (all of them 2008 vintage), and had my bidding paddle up many times. For those of you who would be interested next year to have me bid on certain lots, please get in touch ASAP.

Most lots are 5 cases, which are exclusively produced for this auction. They are labeled with a private label as well! It would be great to have 5 people combine in a purchase so you get something very limited.

I had a few of my clients take me up on this offer, and soon they will be in possession of some one-of-a-kind Cabernets from Premiere Napa Valley 2010!

Tasting Notes

White Rock 04 Cabernet Sauvignon, Laureate Estate

Posted on by Frank Melis

I can’t believe it but White Rock is approaching 25 years in business! I fondly recall their 1987 Claret, which was their second release. This vintage could have been a claret as well, but since it has 75% Cabernet (as well as 20% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, the Laureate was born. The Vandendriesche’s have an amazing property, it is nestled on and between a few mountain slopes, this estate has been able to produce old-world-style wines from its property for nearly two decades now. I would say that the 2004 is one for the books! It exhibits powerful, dark fruit aromas and a rich, broad mouth-feel. Ripe blackberry and currant are complemented by undertones of coffee and vanilla bean. Notes of chocolate and a hint of licorice linger through a finish of lush tannins and dark plum.

White Rock 04 Cabernet Sauvignon, Laureate Estate

Tasting Notes

La Sirena 2004 Syrah, Santa Ynez

Posted on by Frank Melis

La Sirena 2004The Santa Ynez Syrah is deep ruby-purple in color with beautiful aromatics of black currant and jammy fruit, rose petal and spice. It is rich and ripe in the mouth, yet vibrant and lively at the same time chalked full of spicy, mouth bursting layers of flavor. I love the textural element on the palate. Beautifully balanced pure, and textured with good length, a wine to enjoy with a variety of savory or spicy foods. Robert Parker Says: “Barrett does a superb job with Syrah! The 2004 Syrah Santa Ynez is a more elegant version of the 2003 … Plenty of French oak was used in its upbringing. An impeccably well-made, finesse-styled wine to enjoy over the next 4-5 years. It bears a remarkable resemblance to a St.-Joseph or Croze-Hermitage from the northern Rhone.”

La Sirena 2004 Syrah, Santa Ynez

Tasting Notes

Laird Estate 2007 “Jillian’s Blend”

Posted on by Frank Melis

The color combines deep purple and reddish hues. On the nose is an enticing floral aroma of red roses, along with an attractive earthiness. The palate is alive with cherry, currant, red plums, sweet vanilla bean and an intriguing blood orange zest. This wine’s finish is lengthy and delicious. Serve with roasted pork loin with a caramelized, sweet onion red wine reduction sauce.

Tasting Notes

Loring 2008 Rosella’s Vineyard

Posted on by Frank Melis

This is a lot of Pinot! Oodles of wild berries, black stone fruit and a touch of minerality. This is a full bodied wine made by Brian Loring (a.k.a. Rocket Man, really he worked on various missile related programs for the U.S. government), that is complex and concentrated yet showing the right amounts of depth and flavor. The wine is balanced and finishes with great nuances and structure. Only 500 cases produced. This wine got some press as well (WS 93 Points – Pinot Report 95 Points!)

Tasting Notes

Liparita 2006 Oakville Cabernet

Posted on by Frank Melis

This wine has an inky, almost black hue, and displays ripe aromas of black current, cherry and plum. It is full in body with tons of intensity, but the right amount of balanced acidity. The integrated tannins in this wine show off flavors of ripe black fruits while displaying its fine acidity on the mid-palate. The wine finishes long and gorgeous!

Spotlights

Heidi Barret and Amuse Bouche

Posted on by Frank Melis

Amuse Bouche Vin PerduLooking for something truly unique? Referred to by TIME magazine as “The Wine Diva of Napa”, Heidi Barrett has crafted some of the most elegant Reds to come from the region. We only have a few remaining bottles of the fantastic Amuse Bouche ’05, ’06, and ’07 vintages.

Capping the list is the very special Vin Perdu. Vin Perdu can be translated from French as “lost wine”. But it is also a reference to one of the great French culinary contributions to the world: Pain Perdu (literally, lost bread). When a baguette is a day old (and quite state), it becomes eligible for transformation into a wonderful breakfast – thick slices of bread soaked in an egg/sugar batter, then fried into “French Toast”! The sizzling butter and toasty caramel aromas revive the lost art of cooking from scratch.

Each year, when the opportunity arises, Vin Perdu will be blended from scratch. Heidi will be at liberty to create something completely unique and undoubtedly exceptional, using a variable palette of ingredients. So we do not get lost in translation, Heidi will only produce Vin Perdu when she can produce wine to be proud of. Amuse Bouche has created a remarkable label for this wine and are confident that Vin Perdu will decorate your wine cellars and enliven your dinner parties. Each bottle has been signed by Heidi Barrett.

Heidi Barret and Amuse Bouche

Tasting Notes

Ancien 2007 Chardonnay Carneros

Posted on by Frank Melis

Ken Bernard’s who started his career at Truchard has been turning out stellar wines under his own “Ancien” label. This latest release offers power and opulence.

Melon, clementine, nectarine, yellow peach, figs, key lime, and lemon cream aromas are layered above brioche, cloves, cardamom, and crème brulleé. Powerful, ripe apple, pear, and citrus flavors coupled with minerality and lush textures of fruit tannins and lees present a palate that is both mouth-filling and lengthy. The fruit flavors and rich textures continue through the finish, uplifted by bright citrus notes and acidity. As the finish lingers, the wine strikes a compelling balance between texture, minerality, and acidity.

Ancien 2007 Chardonnay Carneros
Retail $35.00 – Golden Gate Wine Cellars $29.99

Events

Spring Wine Tasting Extravaganza

Posted on by Frank Melis

We are excited to announce our next wine tasting event! On March 13, Golden Gate Wine Cellars’ Spring Wine Tasting Extravaganza, Wine Country in the City, will be held at the Lakeside Cafe in San Francisco.

Taste the newest releases and meet the winemakers of: Chronicle, Page, AP Vin, Copain, Dutton Estate, Stone Edge, Costa de Oro, Sean Thackrey, Hidden Ridge, Paul Lato, Field Recordings, and more! Delicious hors d’oeuvres provided.

Clear your calendar for Saturday March 13, 2010 from 5 to 8pm. Tickets are $40.00 per person or $60.00 for two. To RSVP call 415-337-4083 or visit our website at http://www.GoldenGateWineCellars.com

Lakeside Cafe 2529 Ocean Avenue, San Francisco, CA