Friday Grab-Bag

I need to clear out my in-box, so let me briefly introduce some new products with special pricing.

We have the end-of-vintage close out of Rusden Driftsand Red 2010. One of Australia's most respected wineries, Rusden grows their grapes in Vine Vale, with a terroir that is deep white sand over red clay.

2010 was one of the lowest yielding Grenache vintages in their history. This makes for a very fruit driven style, balanced with some real lifted spice that their Grenache is famous for. The Shiraz adds white pepper on the nose and sweetness on the palate, while the Mataro component adds some rich, gamey complexity. Rated 91 points by IWC, this is in the Bottle Club® for only $16.98.

David Ramey is held in the highest esteem as a true innovator, a talented wine artisan and an industry revolutionary. More than 30 years ago David helped lead the charge away from technically proficient, squeaky clean wines toward natural winemaking methods that embrace the importance of terroir, creating distinctive wines of unique character. He's the consulting winemaker for the Brassfield Estate Winery Volcano Ridge Vineyard Eruption Red 2012 that's new to our shelves.

The 2012 Eruption Red is rich and intense. The wine has aromas of fresh blueberries, toasted brioche, black cherries, and mocha, giving way to flavors that are jammy, ripe and unctuous. The palate explodes with blackberries, dark currants, and clove while it layers supple and round coating tannins, making the wine hedonistic while being simultaneously elegant. Made from Syrah, Malbec, Mourvèdre, and Petite Sirah, Eruption is only $15.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Another VIW (Very Important Winemaker) in the Napa Valley is Chuck Wagner. Among his other projects, Chuck brought us Caymus. We're now carrying his Emmolo Napa Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.

If you could bottle freshness, the Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc would be it. The personality of the River Ranch Vineyard in Rutherford is prominent in this Sauv Blanc. It's true to the varietal with well-integrated citrus, lemongrass, hints of passion fruit, melon, apricot and nicely woven minerality throughout. Crisp and clean; yet nicely textured. $19.99 in the Bottle Club®.

The Merlot is a rich example of the varietal, with Pomerol-like characteristics. It's highlighted by layers of ripe berries, earthy notes and hints of smoke and truffle on the finish. It’s bold, yet balanced. $54.99 in the Bottle Club®.

Our grab-bag wouldn't be complete without whisky. We've just brought in the Glenmorangie Companta, in 750ML bottles. On the nose, Companta (Scots Gaelic for ‘friendship’) exudes rich, autumnal scents of red berries and damp forest floors, with a hint of fragrant woodsmoke complementing notes of aromatic, nutty oak. Upon tasting, a spicy palate redolent of cherries and stewed fruits is slowly revealed, as notes of sugared plums, blood orange and rose-hip syrup emerge alongside milk chocolate and brown sugar. Companta lingers on with a rich, mouth-coating finish. $92.99 in the Bottle Club®.

So my in-box is a little lighter, and you know about some great new products. My job here is done for today.