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Hey, get off our
backs
How many of you out there subscribe to A.Word.A.Day? Me, too. I often try
to use the word in a sentence that very same day, but don’t always have the
opportunity (without forcing it and, of course, it is always noticeable when
forced). Today, however, the opportunity arose when into my Inbox came the
term “Old Man of the Sea”. It refers to the “sea-god who forced Sinbad to
carry him on his shoulders and refused to dismount. In this story from The
Arabian Nights, Sinbad the Sailor eventually released himself from his burden
by getting the Old Man drunk.” Over the last 2 years it has been impossible
to ignore the economic instabilities and the yearning for things to be like
they were even in some minute capacity. Recently, we have been noticing
glimmers of activity that remind us of the way things were a couple of years
ago. We feel people are testing the waters and refusing to put up with The
Old Man of the Sea any longer. We applaud all you Sinbads and embrace your
swiftness and bravery. In fact, we’ve got just the thing for you. This list
of wines is perfectly suited for releasing burdens and getting back to where
we recently were: drinking and happy. For some, that nasty sea-god never
existed and we welcome you to also partake in these wines because we kind of
know there is no stopping you!
EXCLUSIVE FIRST RELEASE AT ACME
We’d like to take this special opportunity to let our clients know about a
new project we have been watching evolve for a while and couldn’t wait for
the chance to spill the beans.
TAKEN, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY 2007 $30 (12 bottle
case price $342)
This project is the first from Josh Phelps and Carlo Trinchero. I’ve
personally known Josh since the Tra Vigne days way back in 2000-2003. Josh
had the entrepreneurial bug and I always knew he would go on to create
something or some things impressive. He has it in his blood to create and
invent what people want and possibly need. Josh and Carlo have been friends
since grade school and although they went to different colleges, they kept in
touch and dreamed they would one day make wine together. Both come from wine
families. Josh’s father was the winemaker at Dominus for 12 years, at Caymus
for 7 and is currently making the wines at Swanson. Carlo’s family is very
well known in the world of wine and we have them to thank for helping
Americans become better interested in wine than cocktails and beer through
their Sutter Home White Zinfandel. Through their strong connections in the
wine industry, they are able to source some of the best fermented grape juice
available. It is with these collective backgrounds and collective ambitions
that we get to reap the benefits. We are always on the hunt for great wines
and we are also fervently seeking that special bottle of wine that won’t
break the bank and can be enjoyed on an everyday basis. We hope you feel the
desire to try this inaugural release. We know you won’t be disappointed. If
you have enjoyed Bonanno, Five Vintners, Hollis, Slingshot, The Sum, and/or
Volunteer that we brought to you over the years, you will certainly find the
value and excellence in this new $30 stunner. If you’d like to try before you
buy, please visit with Josh and Carlo this Saturday when we host their kick-off
release party at ACME from 2-5pm. ACME is proud to be the
exclusive shop representing the first release gem by Josh and Carlo. You’re
gonna love it.
HOCUS POCUS, SYRAH, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY 2008 $19 ($228 by
the case)
We often do not have time to taste the samples that come our way side by side
with the winemakers or sales people. In those instances, we offer Splash and
Dash moments where the winery person can pour a sample into a glass for us to
try when we are less busy selling wine or hosting guests. In the event that
we may not be able to see a winemaker upon his or her visit to the Valley,
they send a bottle to the shop and we open it alongside other bottles in a
staff blind tasting. Enter Hocus Pocus 1 week ago. We tried 4 wines that day.
One very lovely Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley called J.A.M. ($25)
for lovers of very ripe, jammy, fruit-forward, intensely juicy Cabernet---the
2008 is now available, two private projects yet to be released, and the very
impressive Hocus Pocus. At the end of the shop tastings, we will sometimes
claim bottles to bring home to see how they evolve. I chose Hocus Pocus and
practically had to wring the bottle to get the last drops out. The wine is
great, great and more great.
ROBERT FOLEY, SEMILLON, NAPA VALLEY 2009 $25 ($285 by the
case)
It’s that time of year to start shifting taste buds around. Just as red wine
is better suited for colder weather yet has a place any dang time of the
year, so is white wine better suited for warmer weather, but drinkable 365
days of the year rain or shine. When the name Bob Foley gets added to the
mix, the grape varietal doesn’t seem to matter anymore and the sheer
knowledge that the quality is going to be very high and the wine very yummy
takes precedent. This is Bob’s first vintage of making an awesome, gorgeous,
and quaffable Semillon. We were offered some of the 230 cases produced. Come
and get it……hiccup.
SCULLY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MOUNT VEEDER 2006 $35 ($399 by
the case)
Located on Mt. Veeder and farmed by David Abreu, this 200
case production wine from Helen Keplinger (Heidi Barrett’s
former assistant winemaker at Paradigm) is very worthy of our praise…and with
this talented line-up, how can you blame us? Possessing rich structure yet
still being approachable, Scully is a beautiful expression of what we look
for in great mountain fruit without having to wait forever to enjoy it.
It is a true example of Helen’s winemaking prowess. Kudos, Mon Amie.
LAST CALLS:
WINDOW PANE, RED WINE, NORTH COAST 2008 $34 (Mark Herold and
Kevin Carriker)
SEMPER, PINOT NOIR, ELLENBACH VINEYARD, SONOMA COAST
2007 $85 (Tuck Beckstoffer and Kenneth Juhasz)
SEMPER, PINOT NOIR, GOLD RIDGE, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
2007 $85
HARLAN, THE MAIDEN 2006 $225
COME TASTE WITH all of us AT ACME ON FRIDAYS
Interested in a private tasting at your home? Call Scot for details:
888.963.0440
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