"Garagiste" wine in France, or known as "garage wine" in the
United States, does not mean your auto mechanic has turned winemaker
and is replacing his dip stick with a wine thief! Rather, "garage
wine" is a growing movement where the vintner ferments very small
batches of specifically sourced grapes into handcrafted, artistic and
personal expressions of wine. At a 240 square foot temperature
controlled space in Los Olivos (Santa Barbara County), MARGERUM is
certainly the smallest bonded winery in California and about the size
of a one car garage! Regardless of its size, Doug Margerum forages
grapes from only the finest growers in the region and has quickly
gained a cult following for his prized Syrah, Rhone blends, and
"minimalist" whites. Rather than case production, Margerum's volume is
measured by bottles. Doug is also a fellow wine merchant who owns and
operates the very successful Wine Cask in Santa Barbara, so it is easy
to understand why I am so excited to be included in the miniscule
allocation of wine that is targeted to a few other merchants. Finding
a Margerum wine is going to become even more difficult, because Robert
Parker recently latched on to a few bottles and his glowing reviews
were in the low 90s.
I offer you the opportunity to
purchase from the following Margerum selections!
2002 "M5" - Is a fairly even blend of five of the principal Rhone
Valley grapes; Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise. The
sourcing for these varietals is from a "who's who" in Santa Ynez
Valley. It quickly becomes apparent that Doug is very well
networked! Each grape could have been a successful bottling on its own
merit, however Doug's craftsmanship results in complex wine that wins
you over with it exuberant fruit and complex layering! I believe this
is Doug's largest production ever - a whopping 3750 bottles. Of
course, he could have produced 5 different wines at about 750 bottles
each. $24.95
2002 "Great Oaks Ranch
Vineyard" Syrah - Doug gets the very top
portion of this Santa Ynez Valley vineyard! A specific and special
place indeed. Massive; dark and inky blue/purple tooth staining
stuff! If you don't like your dental hygienist drink a glass of this
before your appointment! Forward aromas precede similar palate
impressions of blueberry and blackberry with a spicy floral
note. Terrific acid balance does not let this wine beat you up! 1800
bottles produced. $29.95
2002 "Purisima
Mountain Vineyard" Syrah - Doug sources this
fruit from Steve Beckman's great vineyard at the end of Ballard Canyon
in Santa Ynez Valley. Specifically, he gets four rows of Clone 99 from
the top of the section and six rows of Estrella Clone from the highest
rows at the Southwest section. You really sense the terroir influence
in this black beauty; blackberry, black licorice, black earth. Full
bodied, great structure and depth, but supple tannins and a long
lingering finish. 1200 bottles produced. $29.95
Mix or match any quantities for the following
discounts:
Any 3 Bottles - 5% (M5
- $23.71, Syrahs - $28.45) or SAVE ON ONE
SET - $78.95
Any 6 Bottles - 10%
(M5 - $22.46, Syrahs - $26.96) or SAVE ON TWO SETS - $149.95
Any 12 Bottles or
more - 15% (M5 - $21.21, Syrahs - $25.46) (#487-5661)
ORDER NOW BY REPLY EMAIL - ALL ORDERS WILL BE CONFIRMED BY EMAIL WITH YOUR INVOICE #.
Oh yes!! You
may remember when I wrote about these wines earlier in the summer.
Great news! I just received a few more cases of these EXCELLENT Paul
Coulon & Sons Chateauneuf-du Papes that received HUGE reviews from
Robert Parker and the Wine Spectator! If you missed out or you would
like to order more let me know ASAP!! I plan to keep six bottles of
each selection for my personal cellar. Great aging potential, but each
presently offers a smorgasbord of sumptuous Rhone fruits!
2001 "Beaurenard" -
Chateauneuf-du Pape - $34.95 NET (WS 94,
RP 89-91)
2001 "Boisrenard Cuvee" - Old
Vine - $59.95 NET (WS 95, RP 95) - Only a
couple of hundred cases imported!
REMEMBER! THE TASTING
BAR IS ALWAYS OPEN WITH AT LEAST 12 WINES TO SAMPLE!
Thank you!
Eric Stumpf
Proprietor, The Wine Consultant
8039 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
(916) 721-WINE (9463)
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