On Wednesday, June 18th, 2008 importer Theresa Morrison ( Boutique Imports ) stopped by with owner Tom Pennachetti of CAVE SPRING winery ( founded in 1973 ) run by Tom and his brother Len. They hired from Italy winemaker Angelo Pavan ( been there twenty-four years ). This is Tom's second visit to our store. He and I hit it off immediately the first time that we met him. He followed all my dialogue that connects loosely at times and it also a stretch for many. Not only did he follow but he added and made me think and sometimes ponder his additions. Thanks Tom, it's always nice to be challenged mentally by others, word/idea sparring. We continued to do some of the same this time.
While I sampled Tom's new releases with Theresa I moved my Reidel glass around and snapped pictures of him and Theresa from different angles. It was all fun and everyone usually gets caught-up in this activity around the tasting of the wines. We have some bottles of Tom's 2006 Niagara Penninsula dry Riesling still at $14.49. The price when I buy it again next will be $16.49 a bottle. Come get some now at $14.49! We also tasted the Estate Riesling, dry, 2006 at $19.99 a bottle, the CSV dry Riesling ( a blend of 35 year-old vines from two of their oldest vineyards ), the Indian Summer 20006 375ml dessert, $31.99 and the Ice Wine 2006 750ml bottle at $74.99. We've had an assortment of most of these over the next two-three years. They all sell well. They are all really well-defined, elegant wines. For this hot weather I prefer the more steely, crisp, mineral and lighter version of the Niagara Penninsula that we have in stock. The Estate is more complex and I will bring that here in the fall, and perhaps a few bottles of the " CVS " 35 year-old vines Riesling. We can order and have them anytime that you want. Just call us at 202-363-4265 and either Mike or I will order you whatever you want from Theresa.
As I talked to Tom I learned more about his vineyard and it's locality. He brought me maps and signed them and left them for me. I'm going to try and put them in the store window. I just redesigned the store window and so it's fresh and exciting! There's room for Tom's posters.
When Tom told me that his winemaker Angelo had been with them for 24 years he quickly added that he wanted to have Angelo with them for another 24 years! Tom wrote on our winemaker/ owner poster : " I love this place! Thanks for lovin' ours. We appreciate your work broadening the palate of the Riesling ! " Tom.
Theresa came in this week, Wed 25th , 2008 and showed me some of her current releases from DE MEYE, MORESON, BEAUMONT and other South African wines in which she and her husband John Morrison specialize. We will get the Shiraz dry rose, probably more of the PINECREST Sauvignon Blanc. The MORESON Sauvignon Blanc sure is showing well now : full, rich, rounded and bright and just a delight to sip all by itsel, Expect to see that soon here again. We love these small South African estate wines from Boutique Imports.
We had customer Bianca here and I had Theresa offer her a taste of her DE MEYE dry rose. Then winemaker/champagne and sparkling wine specialist Claude Thibaut ( originally of JANISSON champagne house, then YELLOW GLEN sparkling Aussie wine ( was the first to make it there ), then IRON HORSE, CA. ( created the Wedding Cuvee and others for Ironhorse ), then JORDAN ( made the first " J " sparkling CA. wine ), then at KLUGE ( made the first sparkling wine there ), and NOW Claude is making his own sparkling VA. wine called THIBAUT-JANISSON ( or the reverse? ) with owner Manu Janisson of Champagne. This year is there second vintage. We sold everything from last year's small batch - wonderful, smooth, bright, elegant, refined. Claude was here to buy a gag present of the 500ml box VENDAGE to pour into a glass later for a French friend visiting! Or at least that's what Claude told us!
Also pictured with Theresa in her body shot ( dressed in in all white denim ) is Ian Tarlie who is a good customer and sells wines now for Theresa.
These pictures reflect slices of life, fluid happenings that just " happened " here recently, one thing leading, flowing into another. We have fun here at Cleveland Park Wines. We share everything, as many experiences with everyone, drawing everyone closer and into the circle that just happens to be here at any given time. Life is art, people are all beautiful if they just smile and let it show. We have many beautiful/handsome customers as these photos show. I think most people enjoy the experience of being/shopping/visiting here. Sometimes they buy, sometimes not ; they are always welcome, both customers and wine owners/ makers.
Theresa also brought some excellent organic Redhills northern California Cabernet Franc from YORKVILLE CELLARS that we will buy and have again here in the store. It sure is smooth and well-defined, not heavy, not too heavy. I like it's brightness and polish. There's so much great wine out there to take advantage of these days!
Included here are the pictures of Tom and his CAVE SPRING Canadian wines as well as the Theresa, Claude Thibaut, Bianca, Ian and some of her South African imports. Cheers, to many more glasses of interesting, balanced, inspirational wines! TONY
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