Friday 1/7

Can you believe it’s 2011 already? Here’s wishing a year of
health, love, and happiness for all of you!

In that spirit, we offer our first Friday Night Tasting of the year!
Anytime after 5:00 pm we’ll be pouring 7 wines and sharing
tasty snacks, all for just $10. In keeping with the New Year,
month, and week, our theme will be “New.” As in new wine
arrivals that we’re excited to share with you! Here’s our lineup:

Thomas Fogarty Gewurtztraminer, Monterey County 2008, $11.97
Hawk Crest Cabernet, California 2006, $9.97
Derby Wine Estates Implico Red, Paso Robles 2006, $15.97
Magness Merlot, Napa Valley 2007, $20.97
Thomas Fogarty Cabernet, Santa Cruz Mountains 2005, $22.97
Silver Stone Primal Red, Central Coast 2005, $13.97
Mollydooker “The Boxer” Shiraz, South Australia 2009, $23.97

So whether your resolution is to…
Get out more
Drink more wine
Have more fun
Drink more wine
Meet interesting people
Drink more wine
or, just drink more wine…

We’ve got ya covered!

Hope to see you here!

NCWC TASTING NOTES, 1/7/2011

THOMAS FOGARTY GEWURTZTRAMINER 2008
Our first resolution for 2011 is to drink more wine.  And that certainly includes the ones that are hard to pronounce.  If you think this grape’s spelling is complex, wait until you smell and taste it.  You’ll find aromas of rose petals, ginger, and mandarin orange.  Your taste buds will bathe in an elegant stew of tropical fruits and spices that retains the poise of Tom Brady without losing the exuberance of Philip Rivers.  $11.97.

HAWK CREST CABERNET 2006
Another resolution is to keep delivering most excellent and awesome deals.  Hawk Crest is the second label of Stags Leap Wine Cellars, and the grapes come from Lake County’s Red Hills, Paso Robles, and Napa – all killer sources of Cabernet.  This is as tannic and dry as the mouth of a Times Square partier on New Year’s morning.  But it’s rich in blackberry and black cherry flavors with an oaky veneer that finishes long and spicy.  88 points Wine Enthusiast.  $9.97.

DERBY WINE ESTATES IMPLICO 2006
Implico is Latin for “intimately connected,” and what better resolution than to stay close to family and friends – a goal made easier by sharing wines like this.  From Paso Robles, this is mostly Cab, with Merlot, Cab Franc, and Petite Verdot thrown in.  It starts with a dusty cherry nose before showing off a balanced and complex mouthfeel of dark berries, plums, vanilla and spice.  89 points Tobin Bros.  $15.97.

MAGNESS MERLOT 2007
One of Bill’s resolutions is to be more of a character.  Some would argue he’s already there, but whatever.  At least he doesn’t throw a “Miles-like” fit anymore when asked to drink Merlot.  Especially ones like this.  This one’s a bit more rustic than the ‘06, but the flavors remain rich, with plenty of black cherry, currant and plum beneath the edgy tannins, along with a long, spicy finish.  87 points Wine Enthusiast.  $20.97

THOMAS FOGARTY CABERNET 2005
A particular resolution of mine is to travel more, for example to the Santa Cruz Mountains, home of a handful of excellent wineries like this one.  Dry but balanced, this Cab is as concentrated and focused as Peyton Manning on third and ten.  Blackberry and currant flavors finish with a flourish of dark chocolate and spice.  90 points Wine & Spirits.  $22.97.

SILVER STONE PRIMAL 2005
A resolution we should all embrace is to have more fun!  To get primal, if you will (subtle how I worked that in, don’t you think?).  This blend of Syrah and Cab is dry but smooth, with complex flavors of blackberries, sweet leather, licorice and smoky oak.  In other words, yummy.  And yummy is fun!  90 points Wine Enthusiast.  $13.97.

MOLLYDOOKER “THE BOXER” SHIRAZ 2009
Our last resolution is to slay more dragons.  Who better to help than a Boxer?  This powerhouse is as dense as Manny Pacquiao’s bicep, but juicy with blueberry and currant flavors augmented by smoke and spice, all coalescing on a beautiful finish.  90 points Wine Spectator.  $23.97.