Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Anthony Quinn's Weekly Email About Midterm Elections, Community, Catharsis On The Mall 2018, Silvia Casseli's Italian Emilia Tasting 10/29 , Owner-Winemaker Doug Fabbioli of Fabbioli Cellars, Loudoun Count, VA Wine-Tasting, Mamuka nd Noel Of Georgian House Selections, & More!


Cleveland Park WineCleveland Park Beer, Liquor & Wine
Featuring a wide, international selection of fine wines, micro-brews and spirits
 
 
 
THE STORE IS FILLED now with so many perfect beers, liquors, liqueurs and wines to enjoy as the weather changes - we love having the tremendous variety for you all. You deserve it, you deserve choices and the right to decide for yourselves which is right for you. We are here to offer that variety, and let you decide for yourselves. What works best for you is what is best for us. Cheers.
 
 
 
 
THE WEATHER is nicer now, cooler, easier for many people with less humidity , easier on our joints and all. Come see what we have in store for you this week and for the rest of the year.
 
 
 
 
YES WE ARE ALREADY organizing the rest of the year.
 
 
 
 
BEST TO BE PROACTIVE and not reactive.
 
 
 
 
THE Midterm elections are weighing heavily on all of us, as are the devastating results of the damage that Hurricane Michael did on parts of Florida, and our hearts go out to those that are still struggling just to get the drinking water that they need as well as electricity and other basics.
 
 
 
 
 
HOPE THAT this process of recovery will not be a repeat of what happened in Puerto Rico. I read this weekend on Sunday the story told in the Outlook section of the Washington Post by several people there - an uber driver, a baker, a doctor and more - and I was moved by their stories that spoke to all the people that were there pitching in and doing all that they could themselves to make things better once again, to provide the essential services needed by anyone. It inspired me, I was happy to read it, made my day to see such perseverance in the wake of a natural tragedy like this.
 
 
 
 
THINKING OF PUERTO RICO I want to mention here the two great values we have of the DON Q Cristal clear and the Gold , too, fine rum, both at $14.99 a bottle, both recommended ( over Bacardi by me anyway ), and so far we have had many happy customers discovering the DON Q and in a small way helping Puerto Rico to recover - all essential, all very important. GREAT VALUES, too.
 
BUY YOUR Lottery tickets : 1) Power Ball and the 2) Mega tonight! So much money at stake. Check with Beau Finley, he mentioned this recently and proposed a great " imagine if - imagine what could be done ?!? " for the greater good of more people. I liked that a whole lot. I guess he and I both have some hippie blood in us, I know I have!
 
COME SEE MY sketch pad I did while in New York city three years ago in August, many abstract and more real, too portraits - studies of peops, moods, manners, the times, the weather, - all how it impacted ' the moments ' - pure, unaltered, immediate, stark, real, the original spark of each moment. Cheers.
 
CATHARSIS ON THE MALL is gearing up to take place in early November about the same time as midterm elections - lots to see, work through, evaluate, understand, vote on, be a part of - all making a difference today and soon and clearly in our futures as they unfold in today's world.
 
WE ARE HERE to be of any service we can to you - providing many diverse spirits as well as a sense of real honest compassionate, caring, including and welcoming community.
 
SO : here are some things to get your attention :
 
BEER -
 
1) Unfiltered IPA " Honeyspot Road " from TWO ROADS, a 6-pack of 12-ounce bottles , $10.99 , with 6% alcohol by volume, : " Take a direct route to HOPPY-ness ! " from Stratford, Connecticut, come try!
 
2) 300 years of Belgian Brewing , $20.99 for an 8-pack of four different kinds of beer-ale : a) Peche Mel , b) Saison Dupont  c) Cuvee des Trolls and  , d) Foret - 8 12 ounce bottles to enjoy - a winner all around, and a fine value, too! #GoBelgianbeers!
 
LAST NIGHT after dinner that I grilled outside I was watching the news on Channel 4 and I saw Adam Eidinger, one of the organizers for @CatharsisOnTheMall 2018 being interviewed, they showed two clips or ' sound-bites ' of him talking about our Ist Amendment rights, and I appreciated this as I know him, many of you, too might know him because he is across the street in the old 4 P's Irish bar location, and with the group of others, is working on this year's installment of Catharsis on the mall.
If you are interested stop by, knock on the door, and ask to be shown around as they are working hard and diligently to be ready. It is inspiring to me, hopefully to you, too.
Anyway getting an early glimpse here might encourage you to go down to the Mall and see the whole display of exhibits. Last year my 40-foot ' acrylic work on paper Arches ' was on display for part of the Sunday activities.
It was thrilling for me. I really enjoyed the rally there on women's rights, and hearing their new anthem sung live for the first time. It was a real let-down for me to see only one t.v. camera recording the event, where were all the other t.v. channels?!?
Hopefully they will be more present this year at this turning-point-tumultuous-stage-of-our-lives?
 
In CIDER from Santos we have - TWO from MT. DEFIANCE Cidery , VA. -
 
1) Farmhouse Style cider , small batch, $11.99, a 750ml bottle, with 7.2% alcohol by volume, I like this unique flavor profile that intrigues me and makes me ask what am I tasting exactly!
 
2) General's Reserve Hard Cider, $14.99 for a 750ml bottle, with 6% alcohol by volume - another superlative definition of hard cider made here locally and that complements many meals at this time of the especially well!
 
 
 
 
 
IN LIQUOR we have from Jagir -
 
1) From John E. Fitzgerald the Larceny Kentucky Straight bourbon whiskey, established in 1870, a ' very small batch ', I just tried this with our local rep Demi of @BacardiUSA , $27.99 a bottle, really distinct, focused flame of life and energy, warmth, mirth and mire all in one = I like it. We have an open bottle here for you all to taste, come by and see what you think. This represents a very fine value indeed! Cheers.
 
THREE From Springfield Manor Distilling, MD :
 
1) Pear Brandy, On Special for $29.99 a 375ml bottle, with 40% alcohol by volume - quite elegant, polished, delicately bright and very smooth.
 
2) Grappa , On Special for $28.99 a 375ml bottle, with 40% alcohol by volume, so smooth and velvety, something that many palates can fully appreciate and enjoy - a treat - and local, too! Go visit the lavender fields they have. I did for Father's Day three years ago and had a marvelous time!
 
3) White Corn Whiskey, On Special for $40.99, in a great bottle with a great label, a 750ml bottle, handcrafted in small batches, this is a great whiskey to get to know and appreciate better. I would enjoy it more with my food - something with high acidity, a salad, a corn salad?
This will awaken your palate and test your limits and tastes, you will grow to like it more once your nose becomes better acquainted with the bouquet, and your taste-buds settle down after the initial attack they perceive real or imagined?!?
All good, adding to the equation - everyone should try this at least once and offer when there is a celebration with many foods and spirits.
 
 
 
 
WEEK'S TASTINGS -
 
Friday, October 19th ( 5-8pm ) : We have TWO tastings for you so far :
 
1) Local Spirits with ONE EIGHT Distilling coming to pour their Bourbon and Rye wjiskies, as well as their vodka for you. JOIN US!
 
2) Serghei Gulceac of Old Town Cellars will be here to pour some fine Glug German mulled wine that is perfect for the season now, as well as both some IND-VIDO Moldovan wine as well as some VINKARA Turkish wine, some Narince dry indigenous white, - maybe even more?!?
 
Thinking possibly some Okuzgozu indigenous red also. Both our national rep and the owner have been here numerous times, we have sold the wines well before, and will be re-introducing them here now as Serghei is currently representing them!
 
 
 
 
SATURDAY, October 20th, 2018 , we have Will Murck with a backup from Sam Pulda here tasting a series of Bordeaux wines inspired by Chateau Haut Brion, Graves, called CLARENDELLE , a dry 2013 red, a dry white, 2017, $24.99 for both - and a 2014 Medoc, and a 2014 Saint-Emilion, too - so three reds and one white. They all are very expressive, balanced, with finesse and a certain terroir charm and complete authenticity, too - and the prices are very affordable. I like that a whole lot!
 
AND NOW for our mini- BIG THEME Wine-Tasting of 20 various wines - five passionate individuals in love with wine and it's integrity, charm, character, personality, idiosyncrasies all all the rest will be on-hand to pour for you!
 
IT IS ALSO Virginia Wine Month and so we will welcome back owner, winemaker Doug Fabbioli to taste four of his real gems with you all. Doug will be our featured guest followed by
 
-Mamuka Tsereteli the President of the Georgian House of Greater Washington LLC pouring dry Georgian reds...
 
- , and then Noel Brockett, Director of Operations for the Georgian House of Greater Washington LLC pouring Hungarian dry whites,
 
- and Adriene Morgan sales representative for FIVE GRAPES pouring a fine selection of wines - a German Pinot Blanc, an Italian Pinot Grigio, an organic Southwest French Pays D'Oc red, a sparkling Spanish Cava, and a California Paso Robles dry red blend, too!
 
- and Jeff Palmer Of Vintage fine Spanish wine selections will be here to pour the UNX red and white, the SEGREL Albarino white, and the DON JACOPO 2004 Gran Reserva Rioja!
 
TABLE # ONE ( with owner and winemaker Doug Fabbioli here to pour a selection of fine Loudoun County, VA wines :
1) Petit Manseng French grape variety from the southwest of France ( often blended with the Gros Manseng also from France's southwest ) - a dry complex layered white,
2) Chamboucin, a dry red French hybrid from a long time ago created to withstand our really cold winters and still survive and produce healthy grape bunches, something Virginia has made for years that fell out of fashion but that Doug has helped to bring back to our attention. Not heavy, medium-t0-lighter-bodied, a treat for Thanksgiving and many of these winter holidays - it is one of my favorites.
3) Cabernet Franc , a dry red made from an international grape that came to take the place of many Chambercins and Merechal Foch red wines, and it is considered of all the grapes by many to speak the most to our Virginia terroir. I see this, but I also see that the Petit Verdot could ultimately surpass the Cabernet Franc. That would be a good conversation to have with Doug and other Virginia winemakers.
4) Raspberry Merlot , a 375ml bottle that will appeal to many of our sweeter palates, this is a beauty, too - and something to finish-off many a meal with your dessert, or to blend and make your own Virginia definition of a Kir Royale with sparkling wine. ALL TREATS, and Doug may also have others to share with you all. I told him to bring whatever he wants and we will take pre-orders  for what we do not have.
 
 
TABLE # TWO with Mamuka Tsereteli , President of the Georgian House will pour three fine dry reds from Georgia :
 
1) DILA-0 dry red Saperavi indigenous grape of Georgia , $16.49 : made in the traditional ancient clay vessels buried in the ground called Qvevri This blows me away for all the flavor, the complexity, the focus, the firmness, and yet the richness and the amazing approachable flavors, too with just some coaxing! This is a value and a treat, so happy to have it here for you all to discover." Fresh as the morning sun " the labels announces!
 
2) ORGO 2017 dry red Saperavi ( also made in the Qvevri cermamic clay vessels buried in the ground, this is even more polished and elegant, refined, gentle, kind and considerate of your palate. As well as it should be as it costs $26.49, and this one sings me sweeter lullabies and rocks my cradle, and massages my temples, too - ooohhhhh yes. It is a favorite of Marina and her daughter, as well as it should be.
 
3) Gvantsa's Wine dry red made from 100%  Otskhanuri Sapere 2017, $30.99, Imreti, this sapere grown in the Village of Obcha, is more angular and hearty, robust, less polished, needs more time in the bottle, slower to awaken and show it's charms - but with tremendous promise. Made by one of two sisters that work together, she was just here visiting briefly in DC, and I did not get a chance to meet her, hopefully next time.
In the meantime I like her wine very much , and recommend aging it or enjoying it now with a flavorful meal. " Quite high acidity. Wine is full bodied with a long fruity finish. " says the label. I think the fuit surfaces later after being open more than one hour.
 
TABLE # THREE : With Noel Brockett the Director of Operations for the Georgian House -
 
1) Serpens Tokaj dry 2016, a blend of 65% Furmint indigenous grapes with 25% Harslevelu indigenous grapes ( these two grapes are blended together to make the famous sweet wine Tokaji ), and 10% Sargamuskotaily indigenous grapes ) : of the tree Noel pours this is the one to enjoy with your early fall meals - blending pear, summer apple and white peach , and some say elderberry, too? There is a melon taste, too, a melon I do not know yet but that clearly exists in this liquid form! I want to enjoy a glass by itself and then another with my meal! $16.49 a bottle with 12% alcohol by volume.
I Just spoke to Noel and he added : " Touch of sweetness, passion fruit. "

2) Somloi Vandor, Nagy-Somloi, a Furmint 2015, $25.49 , a white  that has some salinity that is a touch jarring, a touch welcoming after the first initial two sips. Your palate adjusts to it, and Noel just added : " Minerality and full bodied. " 
 
3) Kvaszinger estate Tokaji 2013, the Furmint with the most bottle age, $23.99, also it sees time in oak as it is barrel-aged, and Noel just added : " High acidity :, grown on the edge or banks of the Bodrog river, using traditional methods, with 14% alcohol to warm us all just a wee little bit more, like another sweater on ... pretty amazingly wonderful and distinct.
 
AND Noel added again : " All three are from 3 different terroirs and represent well what is possible with the Furmint grape in Hungary, and all three are perfect for Thanksgiving. " I agree wholeheartedly here with Noel. This was a collaborative effort, thanks Noel!
 
WILL FINISH with Tables FOUR and FIVE in next week's store Tuesday email, so stay-tuned. This should whet your curiosities enough for this week.
 
THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. You all are the very best, come by and see what we have up our upper sleeves for you as the lower ones are at home and not being utilized much yet! Thanks again, TONY 10/16/2018
 
 
WHAT FOLLOWS BELOW is an old store email that I wrote and posted way back on October 18th, 2011, read and enjoy it and check for current prices, availability, etcetera - and enjoy! Cheers, TONY 10/16/2018
 
THE STORE IS FILLED now with so many perfect beers, liquors, liqueurs, and ciders and wines as the weather changes ever so slightly like a slow-motion yo-yo sometimes and outta-control yo-yo others. How can anyone know or plan? We have lots for you to buy and hold in reserve for just the right moment and time. We can help you all be proactive and totally prepared.
 
WE ARE SO PLEASED with all that has been made available to us as times have difficult for most and downright trying for many. In all categories we have many sales running now here in the store : too many to mention here in one email. I will try and select a few to focus on and give you all more information.
 
IT'S PUMPKIN BEER/ ALE SEASON TIME and everything that Santos has bought over the last two months as sold quickly and with many of you very sad to see the end of certain ones as you return and inquire and hear our unwelcome answer that we are indeed out of that one till next season. Ouch : it hurts. Buy another six-pack/4-pack/large bottle next time to ensure you can stretch out your enjoyment just a wee bit further.
 
SANTOS HAS SOME WOODCHUCK HARD CIDER Pumpkin Private Reserve ( Gluten Free ) to add to the expanding variety and category. It sells for $11.49 for a six-pack of 12-ounce bottles with 6.9% alcohol. The back label reads : " Woodchuck Private Reserve Pumpkin is limited to only two and a half hours on our production line, fresh and crisp with pumpkin at the finish ... pairs perfectly with roasted duck, turkey, squash ravioli as well as creme brulee and fresh cheesecake ". Sounds perfect to me. You'd better get a couple of 6-packs : sounds like a real delight for this cooler, crisper weather and for the holidays.
 
RAVI BOUGHT THE BLACK GROUSE Blended Scotch Whisky ( $24.99 ) that I got to try the other day with our rep. Her picture holding the bottle is on our Facebook page at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits. You should check it out. She served it to us at the end of her flight of " goodies " to sample and I must say that I liked it's bolder/ heartier/ fuller flavors that will immediately warm one to one's core and take both the chill and the edge and leave one comfortable and relaxed and make it easier to simply " be " and " enjoy " one's present environment. Nice and very reasonably priced and in a nice gift box and bottle to make the presentation and the offer of a gift to yourselves or to a friend complete.
 
WE HAD PETER LOGAN of his own LOGAN Vineyard wines in Orange, Australia here three months ago was it? I think so, He came with our LVDH rep Sam Gessner and they together presented us the full lineup of current releases available - everything except the sparkling wine I believe? I would have loved to have tried the sparkling wine. It's quite expensive but I bet it was also quite distinct and worth the price. I will know next time when Peter brings it with him for us to taste.
WE HAVE a whole selection of Peter Logan's wines which include those from his less-expensive label called WEEMALA. I will mention two here :
     1) WEEMALA 2009 Pinot Gris ( $13.99 ) that our old rep for LVDH John Peters when he would come and taste with you all. It was and still is a perfect wine to enjoy during these holiday months as it has more weight and complexity and yet is quite fresh , crisp and bright. The extra body gives it the muscle it needs to cut through many a spice, strong flavor or sauce.
     2)  LOGAN 2009 " Hanna " dry rose ( $16.99 , www.loganwines.com ) : " I made the first Rose vintage especially for my wife Hannah to drink on our wedding day. ... The 2009 Rose marries spicy strawberry aromas with passion fruit, red apple and sour cherry flavors ". Comments by Peter Logan. Sounds perfect for these cooler evenings as the sun goes down and we still want to be outside around a grill and a fire pit enjoying family and friends and our meal. Cheers.
 
DINNER TONIGHT W/ Wine-Maker Eric Anesi of GAUCHEZCO Argentina wines ( 3 Malbecs, one dry rose and a refreshing dry white Torrontes ), $69 per person plus tax and gratuity, call Elli Benchimol ( Beverage Director ) at CHEF GEOFF'S DOWNTOWN ( 415-370-5224, www.chefgeoff.com. Call ASAP if you would like to come tonight. There should still be room. This will be really special. I included the menu in last week's emails so look at that for more information. Argentina is on fire now : really in the spotlight. Come and be a part of all this well-deserved " buzz ". Cheers.
ALL GAUCHEZCO wines will be On Special from Bottle #1 tonight at the dinner with more discounts offered the more that you buy. Contact Ian and me ( Tony ) here to collect your orders by this weekend.
 
ACACIA California 2009 Chardonnay ( Super Deal ! ) and 2009 Pinot Noir :
     1) ACACIA California Chardonnay 2009 ( On Special for $10.99 / regularly anywhere between $13-$15 a bottle ) is a class-act : really showing well now. Great focus and bright balance. Refreshing and a complete wine with everything in very fine tune : just the right amount of butter and slight accents of both acidity and oak.    A " Must Buy " !      2) ACACIA 2009 California Pinot Noir ( $22.99 ) is a really nice food wine because it turns up the heat with just a splash more of acidity and oak to hold the fruit inside perfectly. This would be fabulous at Thanksgiving. Perhaps you can all be really be proactive and buy some now and keep it for then? You won't be sorry if you do.
 
BEERS From Santos : 
     1) SWEET ACTION from SIXPOINT Craft Ales ( $9.99 On Special 4-pack, 5.2% alcohol by volume , 16 fluid ounce cans , est. 2004 ) : " Ah love is bitter and sweet, ... Sweet Action is an idea : a concept ... what makes beer great - the marriage of barley and hops, in a harmonious balance of sweet and bitter ". You will simply have to try this one on for size, fit and feel. it's a real tease all this : what does it actually taste like? How will you respond to this particular taste? Cheers.
     2) " Hoptober " Golden Ale New Belgian Brewing, Fort Collins, CO. USA ( $3.99 a 22fl. oz bottle, 6% alcohol by volume ) is : " Five hops and four malts make HOPTOBER Golden Ale a veritable cornucopia of the earth. Pale and wheat malt are mashed with rye and oats to create a medium bodied ale with a creamy mouth feel ... ".
     3) STAR HILL Founded In Charlottesville, VA. , these Northern Lights India Pale Ale ( On Special for $8.99 a 6-pack of 12 fluid ounces, 6.5% alcohol by volume ) is brand new and very exciting as we support our local breweries as well as wineries. Come check this IPA out.
 
 
ALCOHOL / LIQUEURS From Ravinder Sharma :
     1) DEATH'S DOOR White Whisky ( $33.99 ) from Washington Island in Wisconsin was established in 2005. It's 40% alcohol by volume , bottled and distilled by Death's Door Distillery in Madison, Wi. It's brand spanking new and part of a really new and exciting category.
     2) FIDENCIO Mezcal ( $49.99, Oaxaca, Mexico ) is a young / joven version of Mescal - Sin Humo. Four generation of experience, made from 100% estate-grown agave espadin. They use a neutral-heat oven, then they roast the agave " sin humo " or " without smoke ". Distilled twice in a custom alambic still. The resulting taste is both delicate and flavorful and ideal for sipping or blended in a cocktail.
 
     A RECAP Of Aussie Big-Theme Event :

 Lots Of Aussie Wines : Big-Theme Australian Wine-Tasting Last Wed. Oct. 12th, 2011 BIG SUCCESS - even with all the rain!
 
          WHITES :

     1) From ALICE WHITE , this Riesling 2010 from South Eastern Australia ( $5.99 ) is an incredible off-dry deal for any of you looking for a nice sipping wine with no edge or bite from acids, tannins or spices. Great label, too. Ernie would like the back label as well and mention to me in conversation : " ... free-spirited flavors of Australia " :  " what does that mean ? " he would ask me. Ernie, you will have a field day with this back label that goes on to say : " ... It's a tempting treat alone, or sipped alongside your favorite Asian dishes ... ".    
     2) HUGH HAMILTON'S McLaren Vale " The Loose Cannon " 2009 Viognier was tasted here twice recently : once with owner Hugh Hamilton himself and the the week afterward with rep Arielle Monaco at last week's Big-Theme Australian Wine-Tasting last Wednesday ( Oct. 12th, 2011 from 5:30-8:30PM ). It showed beautifully both times. Great balance and finesse and everything in place, for $18.99 this is a nice treat just about anytime : with or without a meal, inside or outside. It's pretty much got it all. Great job Hugh.  
     3) HAY SHED HILL Margaret River, western Australia 2009 Chardonnay from wine-maker Michael ( $24.99 , 12% alcohol by volume ) has lots of butter, oak and weight. It's a great food wine when you need a wine to refresh and cut through lots of heat and spices. It showed really well. Congrats to you Michael Kerrigan!
 
         REDS :     
 
     1) WEST CAPE HOWE Great Southern " Bookends " 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon from western Australia's tip called Denmark. Made by wine-makers Gavin Berry and David this Cabernet Sauvignon ( $19.99 ) is the epitome of elegance , refinement, spit and polish and finesse. It showed beautifully and we sold a lot as we always have. A class-act! Cheers Gavin and David.     
     2) PICARDY'S 2005 Merlimont , Pemberton, western Australia dry red blend of 53% Merlot,   24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Cabernet Franc (  On Special for $20.99, regularly $29.99 , 14% alcohol by volume ) is that old-world style of wine-making that is great when matched with food. Pithy, earthy, spicy and that lovely dusty-dry quality that begs for a meal. Great for this coming cold weather. Enjoy with something marinated for awhile and then cooked or smoked and definitely meats off the grill! Great job Dan, you really nailed it with this one.    
     3) GIBSON'S Barossa Vale dry red BLEND 2004 called " Isabelle " : a 53% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petite Verdot ( On Special for $29.99, 14.4% alcohol by volume ) is another classic, traditional-style dusty dry red Bordeaux blend to enjoy with a meal. It's named after owner and wine-maker Rob Gibson's mother. It showed beautifully this past Wednesday evening here when Arielle poured it for you all.
     4) GROOM 2008 Barossa Valley Shiraz ( $32.99, 14.9% alcohol by volume ) from Daryl Groom sure is drinking beautifully now. It's so smooth and soft, elegant and forward and very appealing now with or without a meal. I was very impressed with it, I really was. I was thinking it would have been chewier, chunkier and more hearty and it had weight and presence coupled with very nice suppleness on the palate. Great appeal. Daryl, let's sit down to a meal and enjoy a bottle. You are due for another visit here aren't you?
 
 
SUPPORT SOUTH AFRICA / SUPPORT BREAST CANCER RESEARCH : Come and buy some of the wines that John and Theresa Morrison sell us here. ALSO : buy a copy of Theresa Morrison's book called : CAPE WINELANDS ( A Touring Guide To Wineries Of Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschoek & Paarl ( cost is $20 a copy and all the money goes to Thersa Morrison's local chapter here for breast cancer research ). Neither John and Theresa or we make any money on this at all. It's all for a great cause and the book is fabulous! John and Theresa, if you are reading this you need to come by and bring me some signed copies for this special event.  Come try some of Theresa and John's last of the fabulous BLAAUWKLIPPEN 2005 Stellenbosch Zinfandel On Special for $24.99 ( regularly $30-$35 a bottle. It's drinking like a grand technicolor dream on a great Hollywood set come completely true and more! It's pretty amazing : spicy, earthy, pithy, packed and muscular and hearty, vocal, operatic, like explorers of underwater and grottoes, caves, just like the roots of the vines from which the grapes and thus this wine came.

FIVE DRY REDS to further tempt you with : Just a short list, more about them shortly :
     1) BEAUMONT'S  " Raoul's Old Basket Press " 2009 dry red blend from Walker's Bay. It costs $16.99 a bottle and is worth every penny : nicely fleshed, toned and balanced. Medium-bodied and quite the treat. Very versatile in all it's food-pairings. This also comes from John and Theresa Morrison.
     2) STEAK HOUSE Cabernet Sauvignon ( $13.99 ) 2009 from Columbia Valley is back once again by popular demand, from Washington State's Walla Walla region.
     3) L.A. CETTO Petite Sirah 2008 Estate Bottled from Baja, California ( $12.99 ) is really earthy, and pithy with great acidity that charges madly ahead over the palate. It's a great food wine from Mexico, medium-to-lighter-bodied.
     4) CASS Estate Grown Paso Robles 2005 Syrah ( 98% Syrah, 2% Petite Sirah , $39.99 ) is a perfect Rhone-style-roaming ranger California dry red that gives the Cote du Rhone wines a run for their money?!? What do you think?
     5) RUST EN VREDE 2010 Stellenbosch Merlot ( owner Jean Engelbrecht that I met here years ago ), South Africa On Special for $17.99 is showing really well now. Our rep Sal brought it by and it had some really upward mobility, fluid power and grace and that extra " gift-for-gab " quality that impressed me quite a bit. It's a food wine, come and check it out. It's not from John & Theresa but also good.
 
WEEK'S TASTINGS :
 
     Friday, Oct. 21st, 2011 ( 5-8PM ) : Come meet the owner/wine-maker of CHESTER GAP winery up in Front Royal, Virginia when he tastes some of his current releases. What a treat this will be. It will be his second visit. The first time he came was with his son and that a very special tasting indeed. They both might be here again? Come and see. There's lots of great and positive talk about the CHESTER GAP wines with the Viogniers, Chards, red blends of Merlot and Cabernet and more ... join us, NEVER any charge.
     Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 ( 2-6PM ) : We have Bordeaux owner Philippe Riveria here from Graves, Bordeaux to taste some of his excellent red and white dry Bordeaux wines. Join us, never any charge. We have half bottles of the 2005 CHATEAU De CALLAC Graves dry red Bordeaux ( $12.99 ) that are drinking beautifully now. Come check out the excitement.
 
 
I KNOW THAT I HAVE FORGOTTEN MANY THINGS but it's time to send this anyway. Thanks for all your business and support. Check us out at : Facebook at : Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits, on Twitter at : cpwinespirits and also at : chatwine.blogspot.com and chatpoetry.blogspot.com. Cheers,  TONY
 

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