West Concord Wine & Spirits: 25% Off and Grand Reopening Tasting

West Concord Wine & Spirits is having a Grand Reopening tasting this Saturday March 5th, 2011 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. They'll be offering 25% off a mixed case and pouring 50+ wines along with light snacks.

For more info including a list of the wines being poured along with discount pricing click here.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/thugTM4XTu0/west-concord-wine-spirits-25-off-and.html

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Calera?s informative back label

Calera’s back label passes the usefulness test! Schmaltzy story, cheesy adjectives, mentions of “handcrafted“: none. Vineyard data and winemaking info: bountiful. What with Ridge Vineyards, Bonny Doon, and Calera putting lots of info on their labels, there must be something in the air of the Santa Cruz and Gavilan Mountains.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/GuSC/~3/KkcRYJ6yXCY/

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How To Decode Sherry Bottling Codes

Today is Wine Blogging Wednesday 70 and I’ve chosen Sherry in keeping with the theme of Spanish wines we have never had before. Sherry has a lot of issues gaining mindshare with the American consumer but one of the most basic is turnover of stock since some Sherries ? Fino and Manzanilla in particular ? are best [...]

How To Decode Sherry Bottling Codes originally appeared on Winecast. Licensed under Creative Commons.

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This Weekend: Barbaresco Tasting at Vintages in Belmont and Concord, MA

Vintages - Adventures in Wine is having a free tasting of Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Friday March 11th from 4-7 pm at their Belmont, MA location -and- Saturday March 12th from 1-5 pm at their Concord, MA location.

The tasting will feature the 2006 Cantina del Pino Albesani, Ovello, and their regular Barbaresco at special pricing. There will also be some Grand Cru Chablis at the tasting as well.

Owner Eric Broege's passion for Piedmont borders on an obsession and his knowledge of the region is invaluable for those trying to find their way to value. Highly recommended.

Check 'em out:
Vintages- Adventures in Wine
Locations in West Concord and Belmont, MA
On Twitter: @VINTAGESvino

Further Reading: A Passageway to Italian Wine through Barbaresco

PS: Don't forget to support direct shipment of wine to Massachusetts by sending an E-mail to your state representative encouraging them to Free the Grapes!


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/WellesleyWinePress/~3/xUytgs_R5iw/this-weekend-barbaresco-tasting-at.html

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How To Serve Wine Lovers AND Pass HR 1161

HR 1161, commonly referred to as the CARE ACT, has divided the alcohol industry, pitting wholesalers (who wrote the bill) against producers and retailers who see the bill as a power grab by wholesalers that will lead to discriminatory state...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/ud3uZI-O-BU/how-to-serve-wine-lovers-and-pass-hr-1161.html

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Craig Purser and the Beer Wholesalers' Hoodwinking of Congress

The term "Hoodwinked" reportedly originates in the 16th century. It meant then the actually covering of a person's head with a hood to prevent them from seeing anything, such as when an executioner would cover the head of a doomed...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/FermentationTheDailyWineBlog/~3/3jOIkz_M7Jc/craig-purser-and-beer-wholesalers-hoodwinking-of-congress.html

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Win Tickets to ZAP?s 2011 Grand Zinfandel Tasting at Fort Mason!

You heard correctly. Beyond Napa Valley is giving away 4 tickets to ZAP’s Grand Zinfandel Tasting at Fort Mason. All you have to do is write a Zinfandel-inspired Haiku. Click the link below for all of the details. We hope to see you at the Grand tasting in January. Win Tickets to ZAP’s 2011 Grand [...]

Source: http://www.beyondnapavalley.com/blog/win-tickets-to-zaps-2011-grand-zinfandel-tasting-at-fort-mason/

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Tasting Report: 2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Sometimes I wonder why I do it. By "it" I mean consulting wine ratings from publications, combining those opinions with reviews from other wine enthusiasts, and tracking them down at the best fully-loaded prices I can find. A lot of times the wine just can't live up to the accolades - I can't see my way to the massive numerical rating it's attained.  Other times the wine steps up and absolutely delivers the goods.

From the first sip I could see my way to the 94 point rating Wine Spectator bestowed upon the 2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - and that's not always the way it goes. The wine immediately reminded me of some of my favorite California Pinot Noirs. It's more restrained than the Kosta Brownes I've had, and doesn't have the earthy nuances I've enjoyed in Sea Smoke's wines. It delivers generous fruit, but it also has this subtle tobacco leaf note I've enjoyed in wines from Clary Ranch and Belle Glos Las Alturas.

For me, a great Pinot Noir is as much about what it doesn't have. So many reveal stemmy/green aromas that I find distracting. Some of my favorites (Zepaltas, Radio-Coteau, and Red Car) succeed for their vibrant purity, lacking any off notes.

This wine isn't necessarily a bargain play at $45. I just think it absolutely steps up and delivers exactly what I'm looking for in a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.  And that's what I expect in a $45 domestic bottle of wine.

It might be hard to find the 08 around anymore and the 09 is already in stores (2009 will probably be a more highly regarded vintage for California Pinot Noir). I'll look forward to trying the 09. Note this isn't the "Crossbarn" bottling I'm referring to which sells in the $30s. I haven't had that wine but just thought to point it out in case you see the Crossbarn pop up in searches.

Here are my notes:

2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
14.5% Alcohol
3,644 Cases Produced
$45 Release Price
Purchased at: Hingham Wine Merchant

Visually it's slightly dark for Pinot and perhaps veers more towards purple than it should. On the nose it is very pleasant with freshly cut strawberries and a hint of tobacco leaf. On the palate is where this wine really steps up and leaves $20 Pinot Noirs behind. It pours on clean elegant fruit and adds some beautiful slightly-sweet spicy flavors. Silky smooth without a hint of a green or off note. Man, I wish I would have bought more of this.

95/100 WWP: Classic

See other reviews on CellarTracker
Find it in retail shops on Wine-Searcher.com


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