Wine Tasting with Special Guest Dave Phinney at Wine Watch

“The first miracle Jesus performed was instant winemaking.  No wonder people loved Him! He probably received a bunch of wedding invitations after that one.”  Dillon Burroughs

We still have a few seats left for the Argentina and Chile tasting tomorrow night at Cafe Maxx if anyone is thirsty.

Then only one more tastings this week and then I am off to Washington State for the annual wine auction next week.  We have no events next week when I am gone but we have Randall Grahm, the founding father of Bonny Doon Winery coming to Cafe Maxx the following week for a wine dinner that was just added to the calendar on August 20th and I will be back just in time for the super Syrah tasting on Friday, August 22nd here at the Wine Watch. 

This Friday, August 8th we have a special daytime wine tasting here at the Wine Watch featuring the newest line of wines from one of the hot young wikid winemakers from California Dave Phinney, the creator of the Prisoner.

This new locations wine that Dave Phinney has come out with is either the dumbest idea in the wine business or one of the most ingenious that any producer has come up with in recent times. 

Not that blending grapes from all over in a country like France has never been done before, they used to add Syrah from the Northern Rhone into the wines of Bordeaux on a regular basis in the1900's before the appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) laws were put into place in the 1940's.  This practice actually happened quite a bit all over France, Italy and Spain, not only did they blend different appellations but different vintages as well. 

To me this may be a step back rather than forward as far as quality is concerned.  To think that you can make a very high quality wine by deceiving the public as to what is in the bottle, but I guess if you tell them that the wine is a blend of different regions and vintages it is not really deception. 

You our "Wine Drinking People" have a chance to get the story first hand from Mr. Phinney himself as he will be here to tell you about these new location wines.   Of course you will have cookies with your milk as Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone will be preparing a few tasty treats to accompany these new Locations wines from Spain, France and Italy.  This is a day time event and will go from 1-3pm in the afternoon.  The Fee for this tasting is $25 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Locations wine tasting with Dave Phinney at Wine Watch

Friday, August 8th

1-3pm

Dave Phinney envisioned Locations while standing on a curb waiting for a taxi at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.   Having noticed the ubiquitous country code stickers on the back of cars there, the proverbial light bulb went off for a new brand.   The idea was to make a wine combining the best grape varieties from the great regions of France and apply the sticker as the label.   Six months later he found himself putting together a blend with Richard Case, General Manager of D66, and a new business was born.   Pleased with the results and potential of this concept, Dave called his friend and colleague, Arthur O'Connor of Codorniu, and inquired of their appetite for a similar project in Spain.  Impressed with this unconventional yet innovative approach, a meeting was quickly scheduled in Barcelona to discuss an international range of wines employing their viticultural network and logistics.  It was at this point that both parties decided to partner to make distinctive wines from exceptional "locations." The project would not be limited to just France and Spain, but include Italy, the Southern Hemisphere, USA and beyond, with the sole purpose of not being constrained by appellation.  Dave soon embarked on focused visits abroad to source the best fruit available and create some blends in his style and manner. Employing the same techniques he has developed over time, a finished product has resulted and we're delighted to offer Locations to you.  www.locationswine.com 

Here is also a youtube link to an interview where he tells the whole story from top to bottom - http://youtu.be/9tRDSZJVIiU

Corse Corsican White Wine Produced and bottled by Locations

Price: $19.25       Sale $16.94          Case $197

This marks the first release of our white wine from Corsica, which has been a great deal of fun in the making. Three year s of research and development went in to finding the best vineyards and winery to partner with to make what we think is a true expression of Corsi can Vermentino. The striking label represents the hand crafted Shepard’ s knives that can be found all over the beautiful island.

Winemaker’ s notes: Tank fermented and true to varietal. The profile of the wine is lively and crisp with blossoming floral aromatics jumping out of the glass. Flavors of fresh green apples, and bitter sweet almond are complemented by under tones of Thai basil .  This wine is perfect pair all year round as it is enjoyed with a multitude of cuisines and settings.

Blend 100% Vermentino

Maturation Stainless Steel Tank Fermented

Alc/Vol 1 3 .7%

E – 2   Spanish Red WineProduced and bottled by Locations

Price: $19.25       Sale $16.94          Case $197

Priorat, Jumilla, Toro, Rioja, and Ribera del Duero are among the most noble growing regions on the Iberian Peninsula and purposely chosen for the second release of our Spanish red wine.  A continuation of an original concept to seek out particular vineyards and make an eclectic blend, we have discovered new sites to advance our original purpose. Super concentrated fruit from old vines with low yields are accented with a judicious oak program for a balanced and distinctive wine.

Winemaker’s notes An alluring cast of blooming crimson and deep red shades are immediately present in the glass. Complimenting the appearance is an impressive intensity on the nose with elevated dark cherry and exotic spice notes.  The entry is rich with youthful berry compote, floral, and plum flavors, complimented with bright acidity.  The finish is expansive and pleasing with a persistent mocha tinge and silky tannins.

Blend A blend of Grenache/Garnacha, Tempranillo, Monastrell, and Carignan/Cariñena

Maturation Barrel aged 10 months prior to release

Alc/Vol 14.5%

F – 2   French Red WineProduced and bottled by Locations

Price: $19.25       Sale $16.94          Case $197

Establishing a “rapport” with our growers in France is something we take very seriously.  Frequent visits to Bordeaux, The Rhone, and The Roussillon are mandatory so we can continue to improve Locations and expand our vineyard network.  Although it can be demanding and exhaustive at times, it's a pursuit that we enjoy and constantly learn from.  Following the inaugural release of F1, we determined that an expanded barrel program with the addition of isolated, old vine vineyards could make the wine even better.  Searching for a true representation of site and appellation was paramount and resulted in some extraordinary finds.  The yields were smaller and the concentration was higher, which in turn provided us with optimum blending components for this second release.

Winemaker’s notes A heavy purple hue envelops the glass with a tinge of ruby on the band.  The nose reveals compelling, perfumed aromas of ripe cherry, kirsch, blackberry preserve, lavender, and subtle spice notes.  Spirited upon entry, the palate is treated to persuasive and distinctive flavors of strawberry compote, crushed plum, and mocha.  The silky mouthfeel gives way to a pleasing middle with notes of black tea, roasted fig, and juicy acidity.  Finishing with purpose, dark fruits linger effortlessly with an attractive mineral tone.

Blend A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and assorted Bordeaux varietals

Maturation Barrel aged 10 months prior to release

Alc/Vol 14.5%

I-1 Italian Red Wine

Price: $19.25       Sale $16.94          Case $197

Italy proudly boasts more than 2000 indigenous grape varieties to choose from and use to create a dynamic blend that is worthy of this historic wine producing land. Intimidating no doubt, but a challenge we eagerly accepted and spent considerable time researching and developing. Like many before us, we surveyed the countryside and identified specific appellations with celebrated varietals. Beginning in the south near the townships of Torricella and Manduria in Puglia, we finished up north at Alba in Piemonte. Diverse components were meticulously assembled that represent the finest from each region. The result is a vibrant wine that captures the spirit of Italy with a touch of new world bravado.

Winemaker’s notes Revealing an attractive color spectrum of crimson and scarlet with a slight magenta band on the rim, the wine explodes with aromas of macerated raspberries, dried lavender, plum tart, and toasty oak accents. The palate is immediately hit with super lush flavors of ripe berries and spice, supported with a dense core that has just the right amount of characteristic acidity. The tannins are already velvety and soft which provide for a lingering finish with hints of minerality and some herbal notes.

Blend A blend of Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola, Barbera, and native varietals from Puglia

Maturation Barrel aged 10 months prior to release

Alc/Vol 14.5%

Initial Reviews on the wines from the Wine Advocate:

I reviewed these Locations offerings from Dave Phinney of Orin-Swift Cellars last year, who is going against all conventional wisdom of vineyard and vintage dating wines. Terroirists will claim the devil has possessed Phinney, as his offerings from France, Italy and Spain are all blends from different sectors of each country. If you judge wines on how they taste and the degree of pleasure they offer, they are all incredible efforts. The three new cuvees I tasted are among the finest wine values one could hope to find. Moreover, there are 50,000 cases of each, no easy feat given the grapes Phinney has accessed and the quality he has turned out. As of now, Dave Phinney might be my “value winemaker of the year” candidate. –Robert Parker

E2 - 93 Points  The Non-Vintage Locations E-2 Spanish Red Wine is a blend of Grenache from Priorat, Rioja and Toro, Tempranillo from Rioja, and Carignan from Ribera del Duero and Carinyena. It has the same fermentation and upbringing as the French and Italian wines. Majestic, soaring black fruit aromas intermixed with forest floor, white flowers and kirsch emerge from this full-bodied, opulent, voluptuously textured red along with stunning richness and depth.

F2 - 91 Points The Non-Vintage Locations F-2 French Red Wine is all from the 2012 vintage and is a blend of Grenache from the Roussillon, Syrah from the Rhone Valley and assorted Bordeaux varieties. It was fermented in large oak vats and aged in barrel for ten months prior to bottling. A dense ruby/purple color is followed by a big, sweet kiss of licorice, black currants and camphor. Deep, full-bodied and ripe (but not over-ripe), it possesses good freshness, vibrancy and delineation as well as a juicy, in-your-face style. These wines are all meant to be drunk upon release, but enough stuffing is present that they should evolve for 4-5 years.  The Wine Advocate

Menu

Natural Beef Sliders/Gruyere Cheese/Truffled Mushrooms

Peking” Duck Spring Rolls/ Sesame Plum Glaze

Shanghai Style Pork and Leek “Pot stickers” / Soy Caramel dipping sauce

Tuna & Spring Onion Sliders with Miso Aioli

This tasting is from 1-3pm in the afternoon.  The fee for this tasting is $25 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.