Interesting Wines
I've been busy finding wines you might like to taste.Allow us to indulge and give you a sampling of what will be in the shop and on the bar starting Friday:
Charbono is an obscure grape varietal that in grown in minuscule quantities in California. Robert Foley is the winemaker that made Pride Mountain Vineyards a stellar producer. He left Pride to focus on his own label and still makes wine for Switchback Ridge. Food & Wine named him winemaker of the year in 2007. You've never tasted a wine like this - please come experience it. We'll also have his Pinot Blanc and Merlot available and both are some of the best I've tasted.
I tasted Lone Madrone Picpoul Blanc a couple years ago and it was love at first taste. On my next visit I tasted the 2007 and I was still in love. I'm not sure if this rare varietal is my favorite Rhone white but it might be.
This wine is made in microscopic quantity (60 cases) and I had to special order a case from the winery (true love.)
(photo credit: 2 days per bottle blog)
ChrisAnn and I have been in love with L'Aventure since our first taste of it in 2004. We happily signed up for the most expensive wine club to date. The power of the wines inspired us to lay some bottles down and resist the temptation to drink it all ASAP. Since opening the Lab we've carried L'Aventure wines and had 2 barrel tasting events for all of you - I want the Lab to be L'Aventure HQ in OC one day.
I nabbed a few library wines: Optimus 2000 and 2003. I'm going to open them for tasting this weekend alternating between the 2 years. Come taste something special or splurge and have a glass or half-glass.
Mollydooker and Vina Cobos Redux
I'm still trying to understand the wine biz. I got a small allocation of Mollydooker last fall and people who tasted it really loved it. These are hedonistic wines bursting with fruit. They sold out pretty fast. Wine Advocate scores were released last week and they were stellar. Funny thing is that my rep called and said some more was available at the same price. Go figure - maybe it's the recession. Anyway, I bought more of wines you liked the most (all are $24.99):2007 Mollydooker Two Left Feet - WA 93 pts.
2007 Mollydooker Cabernet Sauvignon The Maitre D’ - WA 92 pts.
2007 Mollydooker Merlot The Scooter - WA 91 pts.
Most of you have tasted the Vina Cobos wines over the past 2 years at the Lab. They are made by Paul Hobbs in Argentina. I get them in, the scores come out later, they are amazingly glowing for the price and the wine sells out in weeks. Because my rep knows I love these wines he called me and said 3 cases of 2007 Chardonnay (WA 91 pts.) became available - I scooped them up for you. A great bargain in good Chardonnay - you know by now there are oceans of bad Chardonnay, right?
Castalia Rochioli
Some regard Rochioli Pinot Noir as some of the best from California. I got a tip that the winemaker was in town. We rendezvoused at Baja Fresh and tasted it out of a plastic cup. Getting a case for you was a no-brainier. Probably not on the tasting flight but if you ever wanted to get some Rochioli fruit at a great price ($49.99), now's your chance.Happy Days are Here Again
We've brought back happy hours to the Lab. Until 6 PM on weekdays and 4 PM on weekends, enjoy glasses of wine or flights for 20% off.Sunday Wine Down
This Sunday bring a bottle to the Lab and share it with others. Sharing is fundamental to wine. Tasting lots of different wines is the best way to learn about wines. Satisfy your curiosity.We'll informally taste the wines and seek out the wine of the night (WOTN). Results will be posted on the blog.
The price of admission will be a flight of three Lab wines for $10. If you want to taste the wines others bring, you must bring a bottle of wine to share that meets the guidelines for that Sunday.
This Sunday, March 8: Cabernet Sauvignon (at least 75%) and retail price a minimum of $25.
Arrive between 3 & 5 PM.
Next Wednesday - Full Moon Wine Sale - Prices that will make you howl!
Check out the Blog for the latest news and find out what's on the tasting flight (click here).
Upcoming Events
| Great flights of wine changed at least once
a week. Click here for today's wine |
|
| March 12 5:30 - 9 |
Kenneth
Volk Winery
Event A Santa Barbara pioneer! Come taste 8 of their current releases including: Chardonnay Santa Maria Cuvee 07, Verdelho El Pomar Vyd 08, Pinot Noir Santa Maria Cuvee 07, Negrette 07, Merlot 05, Cabernet Sauvignon 05, Tempranillo Starr Ranch 05, and Mourvedre Enz Vyd 06. $15. Drop by anytime that evening |
| March 13 5:30 - 9 |
Tercero Winemaker Event Meet Larry Schaffer, part of the winemaking team at Fess Parker and Epiphany and his own artisan winery. We are excited to let you taste his hand crafted and affordable wines including: Grenache Blanc 09 barrel sample, Rose 08, Outlier 08, Grenache Watch Hill Vyd. 07, Cuvee Christie 06 (candy!), Mourvedre Camp 4 Vyd. 07 (awesome!), plus a bonus wine Larry will bring! $15. Drop by anytime that evening |
| Enkidu
Winery Winemaker Event Meet winemaker Phil Staehle and taste his unabashedly big and delicious wines: Humbaba red blend 07, Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 08, Pinot Noir Kiamberell's Vyd 07, "E" Cabernet Sauvignon 07, Bedrock Zinfandel 08 $15. Drop by anytime that evening |
|
| March 24 5:30 - 9 | Ladera Winemaker Event Taste the current lineup including their 94 pt. Howell Mt. Cab. (details TBD) |
| April 16 5:30 - 9 |
Cass
Vineyards & Winery
Event - NEW RELEASES $15 (details TBD) |
| April 22 5:30 - 9 | Sol Rouge Winemaker Event (details TBD) |
Store and Wine Bar Schedule
| Monday | Closed | Share a nice bottle at home with your friends |
| Tuesday - Thursday |
4 - 9 PM |
Happy
Hour till 6 PM - 25% off flights,
glasses & pizzas 10 for $10 (ten 1 oz. pours for $10 - not available on event days or in combo with other offers) |
| Friday | Open early for your weekend wine. Happy Hour till 6 PM - 25% off flights, glasses & pizzas Reservations Recommended after 6 PM |
|
| Saturday | 2 - 10 PM | Happy
Hour till 5 PM - 25% off flights,
glasses & pizzas Reservations Recommended after 6 PM |
| Sunday | 2 - 7 PM | Happy Hour till 5 PM
- 25% off flights,
glasses & pizzas Sunday Wine Down - no corkage with purchase |
Wines by the glass starting at $4. Beer too.
Flatbread Pizzas and hot appetizers starting at $10
Artisan Cheese to compliment your tasting or to go starting at $10
The Lab is available for your special event -- from small groups in our lounge to private events, contact us for details.
Thanks for reading.
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Find out more at: www.winelabnewport.com
Wine Lab Newport
2901
W. Coast Hwy - Suite 100
Newport Beach 92663
949-515-VINO
info@winelabnewport.com
Free Parking Validation For Customers
There are two dedicated spots outside of the entry gate - no need for validation. If those spots are filled, enter the garage and park in any visitor spot and we will validate your ticket. If someone is collecting a parking fee - tell them you are going to the Wine Lab and take a ticket.
© 2009 Wine Friends