Dear Wine
Friends,
A funny thing happened on the
way to the Prison. The
Prisoner, aka Orin Swift's now iconic Zinfandel
blend.....our most requested
wine!.....has gained some imposing new cellmates!!
Call it a trend or penal envy, but some
swaggering zinfandel blends are now flexing in
the exercise yard to be the next "big boys"
in prisoner hierarchy.
First, before I introduce these
new accomplices, the 2007 The
Prisoner will be available October
31st. Although flight risk is minimal, bail
has been ever so slightly increased to
$34.99 a
bottle.
Again, as in the past,
priviledges will be denied by the warden, if
this wine is discounted.
Winemaker Dave
Phinney's Napa Valley blend is now a
tried and true 50% Zinfandel, 24% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono, and
1% Grenache, Yes, like its predecessors
(consistent Wine Spectator ratings from 91 -93 points)
the Zin's lush berry base is bolstered by powerful
and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon, while the dark
black fruits of Syrah and Petite Sirah enable
intensity and structure, and a dollop of Charbono
and Grenache help stir added complexity to
this decadent wine. Call it a California original.
Certainly, when compared to
The
Prisoner, the only thing lacking in
these two new zinfandel based blends are
a catchier proprietary namesake. Both wines
are also from the 2007 vintage, and like The Prisoner
should merit your attention for their assertive,
but unique stature of blends from highly prized vineyard
soucing. Additionally, these wines offer the
consumer alternative value price points that should
not be construed as lessened
quality.
2007 Three Wine Company - "Old Vine" Red -
$17.95 (Discounts to
$15.80*) Produced by Matthew Cline,
"Old Vine" is a 300 cases blend of fruit
primarily sourced from dry farmed, low yielding, 80 to
100 year old sandy-loam (dune like) vineyards along
the Delta's Oakley bench in Contra Costa county.
Composed of 40% Zinfandel, 33% Carignane, 12%
Mourvedre, 11% Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet, and
2% Black Malvoisie (the last three varietals
are sourced from old vines in the Lodi AVA.). Aged
separately in used oak barrels, and
then judiciously blended to let the true
concentration and complexity of fruit basket flavors
show true; raspberries, dark cherries, and
blueberries with hints of black
pepper, violets and Provencal herbs.
2007 Broc Cellar
Vine Starr Red - $26.95
(Discounts to
$23.72*) Produced by Chris Brockway, a true rising
star winemaker most noted for his work with Rhone
varietals. Vine Starr, named after his
eighth generation uncle, is a 250 case blend
of 62% Zinfandel from Sonoma's prized Arrowhead
Mountain Vineyard, 25% Syrah from the
cult revered Dry Stack Vineyard, with a balance of
8% Petite Sirah and 5% Graciano (Mourvedre)
from the Luna Matta Vineyard in Paso Robles. This
stunning wine, with lush texture to burn, is barrel aged
for ten months in French oak (30%
new). The zin's spicy bramble
fruitiness, and Syrah's verve of minerality and depth
are this alluring wine's
hallmark.
ORDER THE PRISONER at $34.99 a
bottle!
*ORDER ANY SIX BOTTLE combination
of the
"OLD VINE" or "VINE STARR" wines to
receive
our 12% DISCOUNT price!
or
SPECIAL PRE-SALE "BEND
IT " OFFER!
Purchase 3
bottle TASTING SAMPLER SETS
for only $71.95 -
No
Limits, except availability!
ORDER NOW BY REPLYING DIRECTLY TO
THIS EMAIL!! OR GIVE US A CALL AT (916) 721-WINE (9463).
Offers good thru
October 31st.
2008
