OK, people -- there are just a few days left to bid on these wonderful wines. These two wine collections are great both for the serious wine aficionado and for the dilettante amateur who's looking to expand the horizons a tetch, like me. To that end, my anonymous donor graciously has offered up some additional information about the wines to whet your palate; I've complemented them with my own interpretation. This way, when you win the wines, you can impress your friends with your erudition and finesse as you swirl it in the glass, admire its legs and expound on its remarkable quantities. You can't buy that kind of savoir faire, but you sure as heck can have a crack at winning it for just $10 a ticket.
Old School: Item code WB06
Here’s a collection of some tried-and-true brands that any California wine collector will be familiar with.
For the aficionado: Beaulieu Vineyard (the cool kids just call it “BV”) is known for its Bordeaux-style reds, and The Maestro collection—named in honor of BV pioneer André Tchelistcheff—is an example why, blended together from a selection of blocks on their estate vineyard.
For the amateur: Watch your friends' eyebrows cock as you casually mention your admiration for BV's Bordeaux-style reds.
Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Gravelly Meadow 2006 ($175)For the aficionado: Diamond Creek was a forerunner of what eventually would become known as cult wines. Their ageworthy, mountain-grown Cabernets have always been known to be both intense and long-lived, a great wine to tuck away in your cellar for years to come.
For the amateur: Pique your friends' interest when you refer to the cult wine you're pouring in their glasses. Ensure them that there is absolutely no blood or KoolAid in it.
Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2007 ($70)For the aficionado: Pahlmeyer is perhaps best known for quality Merlots and Chardonnays, but has recently branched out to Pinot Noir. All the grapes for this wine come from Pahlmeyer’s own 24-acre Pinot Noir vineyard on the Sonoma Coast, the new hot spot for Burgundian-styled wines.
For the amateur: "I just adore the Sonoma Coast," you'll coo. "I think it's ever so charming and rustic. And the Burgundian-styled wines from the region? Why, I do believe they've really come into their own."
Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Leonardini Vineyard 1999 ($85)For the aficionado: Here’s a beautifully aged, showing-wonderfully-now Cabernet from Whitehall Lane’s estate vineyard, which they refer to as their “crown jewel”, at the southern edge of St. Helena. A beautiful example of how well California Cabernets can be cellared.
For the amateur: You're probably accustomed to aging your wine about as long as it takes to get from the liquor store to your kitchen. This time, your impatience is an asset.
Ferrari-Carano Trésor Sonoma County 1999 ($55)For the aficionado: A classic Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from their finest vineyards in Alexander and Dry Creek Valley. A consistent producer who makes a case as Sonoma County as a successful site for well-structured reds.
For the amateur: "Napa is so dreadfully recherché, n'est-ce pas? Sonoma reds are every bit as well structured."
Grgich Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Yountville Selection 2005 ($135)For the aficionado: Founder Mike Grgich is a legend in Napa Valley; before owning his own eponymous label, he was the winemaker for Chateau Montelena at the time of the famous Paris Tasting (the subject of the film, Bottle Shock). The Yountville Selection is the highest end of their portfolio, from some of the oldest plantings in Napa.
For the amateur: It's pronounced GRR-gitch. Google it.
New Guard: Item code WB07
Here’s a group of up-and-comers, representing some of the emerging styles, names, and packaging that are breathing new life into the California wine scene.
For the aficionado: This wine appears as #58 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list of 2009. This wine is a blend of three different vineyards and five different Pinot Noir clones. Founders Carroll Kemp and Mark Estrin met while working in the film industry, and their labels take on a cool, film noir vibe and “novellas” on the back. This bottling is nicknamed “The Trolley.”
For the amateur: Serve this at your next murder mystery party. Or, drink it on MUNI. Your call.
For the aficionado: Not only does Eric Kent purchase their grapes from some of the best vineyards in the state, but each bottling features an original piece of artwork by an artist. This bottling features both ripe, jammy fruit flavors and the image of an abstract by artist Claire B. Cotts.
For the amateur: After you've finished off the bottle, steam off the label for some easy and tasteful home décor.
MacPhail Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Ferrington Vineyard 2007 ($60)For the aficionado: James MacPhail focuses on vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs from Sonoma and Anderson Valley. This bottling, from the Ferrington Vineyard near Booneville shows MacPhail’s deft hand in coaxing elegance and nuance from Pinot Noir.
For the amateur: This is no MacFail. Pinot Noir FTW!
Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2003 ($160)For the aficionado: Merus became the poster child for the new-wave of Napa Valley cult-ish wines, when they first came on the scene ten years ago. Instant darlings of the critics, the brand was founded by a husband and wife team who made the wine for the first few vintages out of their garage in downtown Napa. A bold, flashy style wine with plenty of substance, too.
For the amateur: Compile a playlist of your favorite New Wave and garage bands to enjoy while you sip this.
Erna Schein Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Herrick-Moulds 2006 ($65)For the aficionado: Fans of Behrens & Hitchcock wines will be pleased to know this is the newest venture from Les Behrens. Erna Schein is known for featuring both vineyard-designate wines and kitchen sink blends, all bold and rich. This is somewhere in between; a blend of two Napa Valley vineyards, one featuring mountain fruit, the other from the valley floor.
For the amateur: Complete the theme by serving with surf and turf.
Adobe Road Cabernet Franc Knights Valley Bavarian Lion Vineyard 2006 ($38)For the aficionado: Professional sports-car driver turned race-team owner Kevin Buckler founded this Sonoma-based label in 1999. Best known for stellar reds like Syrah, Zinfandel and Cabernet, this small lot Cabernet Franc shows the grape at its best; complex, elegant and supple.
For the amateur: Buckler up and enjoy the ride.
To Donate and Enter the Menu for Hope Raffle
Here's what you need to do:
Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for WB06 and 3 tickets for WB07 - 2xWB06, 3xWB07.
Please note that this auction is limited to US recipients only, and due to restrictive laws in some states, I can only ship to the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI and WY. This does not mean that if you live in AL, DE, KY, MD, MA, MS, MT, NJ, OK, RI, SD, UT or VT you cannot bid on the prizes; it just means you need a shipping address in one of the aforementioned states that allows direct-to-consumer wine shipment.
Check back on Chez Pim on Monday, January 18 for the results of the raffle.
Thanks for your participation, and good luck in the raffle!
Love Menu for Hope. Maybe this is my year to win. But even if I don't, this post is all kinds of win. The Mildred Pierce quote is not the ONLY reason I adore you, but it's up there.
Posted by: Deb Rox | 12/21/2009 at 06:57 PM
There is a Schein wine?!
Happy New Year, Sean and Paul- keep livin' it up!
Posted by: Elyse Schein | 12/31/2009 at 05:50 PM
I know, right? Im sure its as complex and fruity as you. :)
Posted by: Hedonia | 12/31/2009 at 05:56 PM