Anna Tyack Tastes SAINT ANDRE DE FIGUIERE Here , Sat. 4-8 PM : Two dry Roses ( One V.V. Biodynamic ), One Vieille Vigne Biodynamic White, Two Reds

This was a grand tasting which inluded four dry wines from the Cotes du Provence area of southern France ( all from the Doamaien de SAINT ANDRE DE FIGUIERE ) as well as one grand Chinon, 2007 " Les Gravieres " d"amador Abbe de Turpenay 100% Cabernet Franc from COULY-DUTHEIL ( Loire Valley, France ).

The SAINT ANDRE DE FIGUIERE wines were the : 2007 " Francois " dry red blend, $17.99 , the Atmosphere2007 Vin de Pays de Var rose, $9.99 ( it sold like hot cakes ! ), the Vieille Vignes 2006 biodynamic, old-vines ( V.V. ) dry white Vermentino blend with Semillon ( it was my favoroite because of the myriad of flavors, textures, highs and lows and everything in between - wow - impressive ! , $20.99 ) ; and the V.V. Old-Vines 2007 dry rose, $22.99 which was so big and bold and intense that I felt it needed food and a meal to fully grasp/appreciate. Too bad I was not down at Lavandou enjoying it with one of their meals!

We had a grand tasting that actually started from noon through 4 PM with Arielle Monaco with wines from Australia and South Africa. We tasted the Zeepard Shiraz 2006 ( western Australia, from WEST CAPE HOWE, $14.49 ) and the LONGVIEW 2006 Adelaide Hills " Beau Sea " Viognier ( ON SALE for $10.99 , reg: $18.99 ) : and the KEN FORRESTER Petit Pinotage 2008 ( $9.99 ) from South Africa. They all sold really well, too.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that our friend Tim and local rep for PEAK Organic Portland, Maine beer tasted out the " new " Pomegranate and Coriander Wheat beer ( sells for $9.99 a six-pack ) as well as the IPA that was just recently introduced at Tim's last tasting. I loved this new Pomegranate beer of Tim's : grand stuff, really - flavorful yet smooth and long and lingering in the finish.


Thanks Arielle, Anna and Tim : you guys are the best. We appreciate all your help at Cleveland Park Wines & Spirits as our customers do as well. Cheers, TONY

Saturday June 28th, 2008, 3 Tastings; Jeremy With LONGVIEW, WEST CAPE HOWE, Sean W/ WASMUNDS VA. Single Malt, Melanie &Peru MACCHU PISCO/ LA DIABLADA

Between Mike and me ( Anthony Quinn ), Ravi and Santos we get some pretty exciting wine/ beer and liquor tastings. This past Saturday we had Jeremy Overman come and pour some pretty exciting Aussie wines from LONGVIEW ( the Red Bucket 2006 white sem/sauvignon blanc, the red Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, BOTH $14.49 ), the LONGVIEW Shiraz, $27.49 2006, the PICARDY 2003 Shiraz from Pemberton, western Australia( $27.49 ), the WAGTAIL 2005 Barossa Shiraz( made by Rob Gibson ), $9.99 ; and the LOOSE ENDS Barossa sparkling Merlot/Shiraz/Mataro blend. Oh, we also had the WEST CAPE HOWE dry Riesling,2007 $18.99. There might have been one more white? I think so. It will come to me as I type. They all showed really well and we sold many bottles of each.

We also did a tasting of a fabulous Virginia single malt whisky called WASMUNDS Rappahannock Sperryville pot-stilled, smooth, smooth, bright, no bite. Some great apple-accents, some lovely brightness, too. It sells for $30.99 and we sold several bottles. I liked it very much, was very impressed. Sean McCaskey( Cooper Fox Distillery, 9 River Lane, VA. 22740 www.cooperfox.biz, (540)987-8554)that is the marketing director and does everything at the distillery from start-to-finish was here signing bottles and sending them each on their merry ways. He really knew the whole story having lived it intimately himself starting in 2005. That's when the grains were planted and when they harvested Shawn was right there to carry thing forward.

We also had Melanie da Trinadade the owner of her own company and the brewer herself of her two special Peruvian piscos : Macchu Pisco, $21.99 anf the La Diablada that both she and we are currently out of stock. We'll get it back in about another three weeks or so. Melanie made " killer " Peruvian pisco sours for all of you that were lucky enough to shop here Saturday.

I took many pictures of all of this. Here are some to help you all picture our last Saturday here. Enjoy and Happy 4th of July, 2008 this coming Friday. We will have Claire Rimbaud of LABOUE-ROI French wines ( burgundies, southwest ) and we will taste some great French white Macon, some red Beaujolais and some southwest Pinot Noir, too. Join us. 1-4PM here at the store at 3423 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. ( 202)363-4265 - www.clevelandparkwine.com. JOIN US, never any charge. Bring a friend or two. Then on Saturday we have Morgan Hartman here of Vine Connections to taste Argentinian reds( 3 ) and one white with you from 3-6:30P.M. The wines are from MAPEMA( Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo ), SUZANNA BALBO( a Crios Cabernet Sauvignon and a single-vineyard La Posta " Pizzella " Malbec ). These are some really fine wines, great values, too. See you. TONY