Beginning on Friday (6-26), and continuing through the following week, we’ll pour Flights of Mixed Red and White Wines.
Our Mixed Red Wines Flight will include:
- Bookster 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
- Athair 2006 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
- Holus Bolus 2006 Syrah Santa Ynez Valley
- Cleb 2006 Syrah Colson Canyon Santa Maria Valley
- Midnight 2006 Zinfandel Paso Robles
- Christian Lazo 2006 Zinfandel Paso Robles
Our Mixed White Wines Flight will include:
- Valdez 2006 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma Co
- Bridesmaid 2007 White Napa Valley
- Paraiso 2006 Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands
- Ruhl 2004 Chardonnay Napa Valley
- B Cellars Blend 23 Napa Valley
New Wines:
- Bookster 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast @ $24.00
- Christian Lazo 2006 Zinfandel Paso Robles @ $20.00
- Booker 2007 White Paso Robles @ $30.00
- Bridesmaid 2007 White Napa Valley @ $19.00
Returning to the Racks:
- Minassian Young 2006 1000 Vines Zinfandel @ $23.00
- Mi Sueno 2006 EL Llano Red Wine Napa (New Vintage) @ $40.00
- Point Concepcion 2008 Celestina Pinot Grigio Santa Barbara Co (New Vintage) @ $18.00
We might title this weeks red flight, Tasting by Twos. All of the wines on offer are vintage 2006, and we’ll move from two Pinot Noir from Sonoma, followed by two Syrahs from Santa Barbara County, and finish with two Zinfandels from Paso Robles.
Based on bottle sales last week, the best selling red wine (by far) was the Trinitas 2006 Old Vine Cuvee Contra Costa County, while the Booker 2007 White Paso Robles ( a last minute replacement when the B Cellars didn’t show up) was the runaway winner among the whites.
Next week, on the evening of July 1, we’ll host a rare mid-week tasting when we are joined by Core Wines winemaker Dave Corey. Dave will be pouring his 2008 Kuyam Sauvignon Blanc, 2006 C3 Tempranillo, 2006 Turchi Malbec, 2007 Grenache and finish with the 2006 Mister Morved!! We will stay open an extra 1/2 hour with our last pour at 8:10PM.
Check out the West Wall and enjoy the photography of Frank Zgonc. His recent work involves creating photographs in the “Orton” style. Depending on your proximity to the picture, you see an image either slightly out of focus, or exceptionally sharp. It involves a layering process of two separately shot images. Frank has added new paintings to both the West Wall and some easels near the front of the shop. This weekend will be the last opportunity to see this show in the shop.
Stop by Sunday afternoons when we’re joined by Norman Davis who will play classical and light jazz pieces for a couple hours. His guitar playing provides a relaxing back drop to the whole wine and cheese experience. The music starts at 3:30PM.
The Cheese Corner
Bianco Sottobosco is a combination of cow and sheep’s milk blended with bits of black truffles. It’s aged in mountain caves in the Piedmont region of Italy for 40 to 60 days. It has a distinct earthy flavor is well paired with a variety of fruits, dark bread and robust wines.
Pyrenees D’Argental is a semi soft, lightly washed rind cheese made in the France. It’s a cows milk cheese commonly found in most French cupboards.
Upcoming Events:
As noted above, we’ll be joined Wednesday evening (7-1) by winemaker Dave Corey. See details in paragraph 2.
I have recently spoken with winemaker David Vergari about a tasting event in the shop and should have more details shortly.
On July 27, Richard Frank, proprietor of Frank Family Wines, will be at Bistro 45 pouring their tasting room only sparkling Signature Brut, along with the Lewis Vineyard 2007 Carneros Reserve Chardonnay, the 2006 Napa Zinfandel and the 2005 Napa Cabernet. As an added bonus, winemaker Todd Graf’s own multi-vintage Zinfandel Port will be served. Each of these wines will be paired with vibrant farm to table dining selections. Five wines and five courses at $80. Call 626-795-2478.
Cafe Massilia, offers a Wine Dinner on the first Wednesday of each month. The dinner prices vary depending on the region of France on which the meal is based. In speaking with Phillipe last week, I learned they will not do these dinners during the summer months. The next dinner will be on both September 2 and 3 and the food and wines will be native to the Bordeaux region of France. The reason for doing it on two evenings is because he is almost completely booked on the 2nd already!! Call the restaurant at 626-471-3588 for details (Located at 110 E. Lemon Ave).
The Rhone Rangers Annual Trade and Consumer Tasting is set for August 9 at Pier 59 Studios West in Santa Monica. There will be 100 wines. along with appetizers, available for sampling. The trade portion of the event runs from noon until 2:00pm, when it is then opened to the public. General Admission is $35., if purchased before July 31. Go to www.rhonerangers.org and check their calendar for more details.
Please visit our shop at 115 W. Foothill Blvd., Monrovia, CA 91016. Tastings occur whenever the door is unlocked!! That would be Tuesday through Thursday, 11:00am to 8:00pm; Friday and Saturday, 11:00pm to 9:00pm; and Sunday from noon until 6:00pm. Cheese plates designed to complement the wines are always available.
