People Powered Wines

We've talked before about some of the great values we're able to get from our suppliers. Our buyers do sample lots of wines, and don't hesitate to bring in a wine that meets their criteria. And you, our customers, almost always agree with their selections.

That brings us to today's featured wine, the 2011 Rickshaw Cabernet Sauvignon. The brand is new to our stores, although they've been around since 2010. Rickshaw is the synthesis of two powerful ideals: that one should be able to have a great bottle of California wine at a reasonable price and that those of us fortunate to enjoy said wine each night should help out our fellow man.

Achieving the first part of the mission is a challenge they embrace. They constantly scour California for good, honest sources of wine. Then Rickshaw spend months tinkering with different blends until there is something that really shines.

The second part of the mission comes naturally, by having priorities in the right place. Rickshaw is committed to donating 5 percent of the gross profit from each bottle to food-related charities in the states where it is sold.

Rickshaw takes a pretty minimal approach to winemaking. Tap into some great sources and make varietally true and focused wines.

However, the one part where they get to really flex some skills is during the blending process. Sometimes they weave together as many as two dozen different lots selected for cooperage, oak age, vineyards, and vineyard blocks. In the case of the Cabernet Sauvignon, there is even the option of using small pieces of other Bordeaux varietals to make it just so.

The 2011 vintage was phenomenal for Cabernet Sauvignon, as a moderate and cool summer gave way to a warm September and October.  Small berries produced some exceptionally concentrated flavors that ripened late.

In this rendition of Rickshaw Cabernet Sauvignon, they selected for a slightly richer expression than in the past, using a higher percentage of new oak and a few riper lots.  These components brought dark plum, coffee grounds, and cassis to the wine. This base is buttressed by a few mountain sources that provide a streak of red fruit, verve, and structure.  It remains an incredibly versatile Cabernet that will work with anything from steak to tuna with ease.

Rickshaw Cabernet Sauvignon is available in the Bottle Club® in both Lawrenceville and Woodbridge, for only $12.96. And look for Rickshaw Pinot Noir as well!

Rickshaw is the synthesis to two powerful ideals: that one should be able to have a great bottle of California wine at a reasonable price and that those of us fortunate to enjoy said wine each night should help out our fellow man.
Achieving the first part of the mission is a challenge we embrace. We constantly scour California for good, honest sources of wine. Then we spend months tinkering with different blends until we have something that really shines. Our Pinot Noir, for example, includes parcels from our partners in Anderson Valley, Russian River, and the Santa Lucia Highlands. Many of these parcels regularly go into wines that cost more than $40 a bottle. By blending we are able to deliver them at a much friendlier price.
The second part of the mission comes naturally, by having our priorities in the right place. Rickshaw is committed to donating 5 percent of the gross profit from each bottle to food-related charities in the states where it is sold.
- See more at: http://rickshawwines.com/#about