MARCEL DEISS, TELMO RODRIGUEZ, ERRAZURIZ Wines Tasted In Cleveland Park, D.C. W/ Chris Of Monument Selections The 2nd Week Of Oct. 2009

It was a treat to taste this MARCEL DEISS 2003 biodynamic Beblenheim Alsace Pinot Gris ( around $30 a bottle ) with some bottle age on it. You never really know what you are going to get with an older-aged white and though I was hoping for the best I still was not sure what would be awaiting my taste buds?




They were not disappointed. This was an exceptionally well-preserved wine that offered plenty and really no signs at all of any fatigue. Rather it may still be developing more and is quite bright and fresh, lively and showing amazing character for a wine from Alsace that will be a real treat with food as both together will show and highlight more of the other as well as create a very nice dining experience as well.




I left my tasting notes at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits where I work. I just wanted to record now here at home my unvarnished memories of this experience a few days ago in the store.




Chris from Monument Imports brought me this gentleman that I seem to have hit it off with pretty much from the get-go. I liked this a lot : we shared a lot of the same views and both enjoyed the experience while I tasted and photographed and we bounced things off one another.




We have sold the MARCEL DEISS wines here at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits ( 3423 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-363-4265 sales@clevelandparkwine.com www.clevelandparkwine.com ) for many years now. We used to buy them from Bobby Kacher at one point and I guess that is where I discovered them. Thanks Bobby.

This 2003 Beblenheim Pinot Gris is very reasonably priced ( around $30 a bottle ) and we will be tasting it this month in an in-store tasting on the weekend - a week from now to be exact - on Friday I believe. I will add that information tomorrow when I get to the store. We will also taste a couple of the other wines that I tasted along with this MARCEL DEISS.

We were able to try the ERRAZURIZ " Max " reds of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and also the " Max " Reserve Shiraz. Of the two I found the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon much more interesting than the Reserve Shiraz that was just too smooth and elegant. It was in fact my least favorite wine of this excellent line up of wines because of this.

The other wines that we tasted were a fabulous white blend from SCHIOPETTO from Italy's northeast. Top quality flavorful blend of three white grapes produces this distinct, flavorful white that will hold it's own against many a food flavor. This is some of the best white wine from Friuli and it will be great to sell it instead of just another Pinot Grigio from this region. Let's turn up the volume and the stakes here and really endorse this distinct and welcome taste profile of great minerals, citrus, bright sunshine and cream accents.

I had to mention Pinocchio when I heard the name SCHIOPETTO and we got a number of comments from this one that ran awhile on a nice live energy and process by association and whatever else from this beginning. Smiles erupted all round : the energy flow started quickly and spread here.

There was also an excellent GABO DO XIL that I tasted. I definitely need to consult my notes here as it is already late and I must get to bed now. I liked it : that much I remember , this wine from TELMO RODRIGUEZ ...


I will write more about all of this and probably include another picture or two and include names, vintages, the name of the man pictured here that I hit it off with almost immediately. I've got my work cut out for me. In the meantime enjoy these pictures and the stories that each and everyone of them tells all by themselves. Cheers, TONY

Manuel F. Rojas , Pres. Of La Isla Corp. ( Chile's ALMA & DOS PASO Wines ) At Soriso With Me In November, 2008 For Lunch With Sofia Loren There, Too

I have known Manuel Rojas now for a number of years. We met when he came to the store to sell us his ALMA and DOS PASOS Chilean wines. I had never seen them before but was curious to find out more. I tasted them and liked them and decided to give Manuel an initial first order. The wines came to the store shortly after and sold well and so the rest is now history!

Manuel it turns out was an actor in his youth. He could not make enough at it so he quit but not before he acted in two Anthony Quinn movies. With my name being the same you can imagine my surprise and curiosity! I need to see those two films now. It will be great whenever I do. Manuel, do you have copies of them for me to see? I'll return them I promise.

Manuel also helped me organize our first " Chilean Monthly-BIG THEME " store wine tasting two years ago. We held it in September 2006 and Manuel got Mariano Fernandes the Chilean ambassador ( and Rolando Ortega - Economic adviser ) to come by during the tasting and I will never forget that. Thanks Manuel. I have the photos from that tasting which I still need to download and write about on this blog site. I will have to do it really soon now that I am including this blog about you Manuel.

Manuel and I also have developed a routine that I must say I like very much. Each time Manuel comes to see me I go and have lunch with him over at Soriso restaurant owned by Pietro and his wife and where their son also works. I know all three but I know Pietro best because he also comes by Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits ( 3423 Connecticut Avenue N.W. Washington D.C. 2008 sales@clevelandparkwine.com www.clevelandparkwine.com Tel : 202-363-4265 ) to talk, buy an occasional bottle or two and check out what's " new " with us and our selection of Italian wines.

We have the further connection Pietro and me that a number of our customers ( Bob, Bill, Andrea, Susan just to name a few ) dine frequently there. I often see them when I am invited there by friends and other wine suppliers like Gastone Zempieri.

These customers ( Bill and Bob ) also take Pietro wines to share with Pietro and his wife and son that they buy from me. So we stay in touch vicariously as well as actually when either of us is in the other's establishment. I like that. We respect one another and our times together are always very rewarding. I loved the time my old friend Lew visiting from Paris, France took me there one evening after I got off work and we enjoyed the whole experience from up above looking down onto the bar area and kitchen and ovens below. Pietro offered us many grappas and I had to give them all to Lew as I was the chauffeur.

Manuel and I have also a great respect and appreciation for one another and I am really happy to know you Manuel. Thanks for your friendship and help over these years.

It was great to have lunch with you Manuel the other day at Soriso. I think I got some nice pictures of all of us but I must say that the two of you have you looking very serious! I'll have to take more and show the others I have you where you are often smiling.

I loved the photos I took of Sophia Loren ( I think you'll know which they are ), the man eating spaghetti, and the one with the reflection from across Connecticut Avenue of the store fronts ). I think all these pictures capture some of the magic and warmth of Soriso. Too bad Pietro that your wife was not here this afternoon. It would have been fun to have included pictures of her along with you and your son.

Our waitress shown in the picture at the bar with Pietro's son was great this afternoon, very personable and helpful.

I also have pictures from the past that I took at Soriso when I rushed over to try and get some photographs of Nicole Kidman who was filming there at the metro station. I got there just as she was about to get into her limo and so I never got the photos of her that I wanted! Darn!!! Oh well, it was a great experience there at Soriso anyway and they could not ask me to leave all the movie people in charge of keeping the sidewalks clear!

In looking one last time at these photos of you Manuel I am pleased with them. Though serious they really show character and concentration. I love the way both your two hands grasped together just under your head are almost sculptural : sculptures in flesh, bone and blood - alive, intense, piercing and attentive almost as if asking something?!? Yes, that we interact with you and share a moment, a glass of wine, a slice of the excellent Soriso thin-crusted piazza like the one with pepperoni, avocado, mushrooms and fine cheeses. We've returned for that one Manuel, you and I now many times. Your wife loves it, too.

I need to buy some wine from you Manuel. I owe you an order. Call me and let's put an order together soon. Happy Holidays to you and your wife and family Manuel ; and to all my customers, friends and family as well.

It's Monday, December 14th, 2008 at 2:29 PM here in Virginia where I live as I finally finish typing this new blog entry.

For more info on Manuel and his excellent selection of Chilean wines go to : 36843 Paxson Road P.O. Box 2430 Purecellville, Virginia 20124 Tel : 540-338-8920 Fax: 540-338-8923 petroisla@aol.com.

Cheers, TONY