Now I know this sunny weather is getting you all excited (based on calls I’m already getting) for some Friday Flight patio time, but sorry to say it won’t be this Friday. For so many reasons…
~ Even with the warming weekend, tomorrow will still be cool-warm by the late afternoon/early evening.
~ It’s still very wet out there. The tables and benches are soaked by winter rains and I have too much respect for your varied fashion choices to expose them to”wet butt syndrome”
~ It looks like a vacant lot out there after a long, hard , cold winter. The hours needed to clear debris and do all the other spring cleaning hasn’t taken place…yet. The picnic tables , after hanging in their for 14 years, need to be replaced. Plus the fence will (hopefully) soon be replaced.
So with all that, there’ll be no outdoor seating yet. But be patient, it’s coming!
But I can promise you the wines we’ll be sharing tomorrow will taste amazing no matter where you have them! I’ve been looking forward to this event for a long time. Grenache, syrah, other Rhone-style grapes, and various blends of them are being made everywhere these days. With varying degrees of success, of course. I almost always find them (the good ones!) to be so appealing. Great on their own, terrific with robust foods, and fabulous with anything off the grill. Not to mention exuberantly crowd pleasing. So here you go, eight more reasons your drinking future is very bright indeed!
~ 2022 BIELER PERE & FILS Rosé Coteauc d’Aix-en-Provence (France) …$10.95
32% grenache/ 23% syrah/ cinsault, cabernet, rolle, grenache blanc, counoise
~ 2020 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE Syrah “Columbia Valley” (Wash.) …$13.95
100% syrah
~ 2021 DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE Cotes du Rhone (France) …$15.95
50% grenache/40% syrah/10% mourvedre
~ 2020 FRANCOIS VILLARD Syrah “L’Appel des Sereines” (France) …$21.95
100% syrah
~ 2022 STOLPMAN “Para Maria de Los Tecolotes” Santa Barbara County (Cal.) …$25.95
75% syrah/ 25% petit verdot
To be followed up by the usual array of next level temptations…
~~ Bonus #1- 2017 GRAMERCY CELLARS Mourvedre “Lower East” (Wash.) …$30.95
75% mourvedre/ 25% syrah/ 5% grenache
>> 92 pts- Wine Enthusiast: “The aromas are arresting, with notes of smoked meat, white pepper, raspberry, moist earth and dried herb. The palate is elegant yet flavorful, with a nice yum factor. Peppery notes linger on the finish. Pair it with grilled lamb”
>> 91 pts- Vinous/ >>90 pts- Wine Advocate
~~ Bonus #2– 2020 CROUS ST. MARTIN Chateauneuf du Pape “Hommage a l’An 1879” (France) …$42.95
>> 91+ pts- Wine Advocate: “The 2020 Crous Saint Martin Hommage à l’An 1879—an assemblage of 80% Grenache and 10% each Mourvèdre and Syrah—features earthy, loam-like aromas and hints of black olive and roasted meat. Dark and savory, it’s full-bodied and loaded with velvety tannins. It’s dark and monolithic, and it shows excellent intensity, richness and length.”
Bonus #3- 2020 PENFOLDS Cabernet-Shiraz “Bin 389” (Australia) ….$47.95
Yes, slightly off topic, but it does have a healthy percentage of Shiraz (syrah). But the main reason is I was able to swing an incredible deal to get this is your glasses It’s all over the interwebs for anywhere from $55-$75 (the winery lists it at $80). Obviously not inexpensive even at $48, but for what you get and what others are asking you to fork over, it’s bargain! Plus this…
>> 96 pts- Wine Advocate: “Here, the 2020 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz has consummate polish and sleek tannins, imbued as they are with graphite, black tea, licorice and resin. The fruit is pure and black and chewy… gorgeous wine. And it lives for decades. This has always been a collector’s dream and continues so through this vintage. Highly recommended.”
>> 94 pts- Wine Spectator/ >> 94 pts- Vinous
And that is a rather strong lineup, if I may. Just tremendously levels of satisfaction no matter your price threshhold, and I truly hope you can carve out some time to taste through this amazing flight! We’ll be here ready and pouring from 4:30-8:00 Friday. This week the first five get into your glasses for just $10, with a very worthy bit more for that awesome bonus lineup. Bring long snacks to soak up the octane, and friends to share the experience, and we’ll see you here!!