France trip with Jon David Headrick

I'm off to France today for a week long trip with Jon David Headrick. Stayed tuned for updates and highlights
-Harry

A Very Big Thank You From Grassroots Wine on Helping Us Fight Hunger!

We all want to thank everyone who helped to fight hunger in the area by participating in Wal-Mart's Fighting Hunger on Facebook! Your help pushed us from the bottom of the ranks all the way to number 5 New Years Eve. Wal-Mart won't officially announce the winners till Wednesday, January 5th, but if we stay at number 5 then that means you helped bring in $100,000 worth of food into the Charleston area. So pat yourself on the back, cross your fingers, and check out this great article in the city paper about Charleston's fight against hunger!

We're Number 5 in anti-hunger vote

And check back here on Wednesday the fifth to see where we ended up!

Fight Hunger in Charleston

Did you know Charleston has a Food Hardship Rate of twice the national average? Help out- it's simple, follow the link and click "LIKE" to support Charleston. The Low Country Food Bank gets $100,000 from the Walmart Foundation if we finish in the Top 6 communities. We all know someone who is hungry.

Charleston-N Charleston-Summerville, SC
fightinghunger.walmart.com

Chono Reserva Syrah-90 Points and One of Chile's Greatest Wine Values-Wine Advocate

Chono Reserva Syrah- 2008

Jay Miller of Wine Advocate has listed the Chono Reserva Syrah in his "Chile's Greatest Wine Values" category! 

Producer Notes:

Alvaro Espinoza had returned to Chile from a stint at Fetzer and Bonterra where he experienced his own eureka on biodynamic farming. Upon his return to Chile and under the spell of the teachings from Alan York and Jim Fetzer, Alvaro was burning with ideas to put into practice in his home vineyard.  

Chono was started by Alvaro's father, an important enologist himself, and with Alvaro's recent feat of having succeeded him in receiving the Chilean Enology award for outstanding winemaking, the Espinoza family has gained legendary status among winemakers. In the central Maipo appellation Alvaro's father planted Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon, with Alvaro adding Syrah later on to the mix. These grapes constitute now the Chono Winery label. With some plots still in conversion, and a growing operation, only part of his production is certified as organic today.  

Wine Notes:

If it was up to us, we would call this wine Eureka! Here we find everything we are looking for in a wine; texture, ripeness, precision, uniqueness, fruit, length, balance and great harmony. Excuse our enthusiasm, but this un-oaked wine will change the way that the world will look on South America’s viticulture. Way north of Santiago, under the clearest skies of the world, with barely any air moisture, photosynthesis does something that we have never seen before.

90 Points-"Medium purple; smoked meat and game, lavender, spice box; lots of flavor, no hard edges." - Jay Miller, Wine Advocate, December 2010

Give us a call or shoot us an email if you are interested in buying this fantastic value wine!

Three SF Chronicle Top 100 Wines In Stock Now:

2008 Lioco Charles Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Lioco's goal is to frame the potential of outstanding vineyards, and Heintz is such a profound Chardonnay spot that it yielded two wines in this list. With zero oak influence, this shows a vivacious citrus edge, with a woodsy aroma of heather amid pineapple, focused mineral and honeyed pear and apricot. Heintz can yield tricky results in some years, but this is as pure as it gets.

2008 Hirsch Vineyards M Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Though wildfires prompted many wineries to skip a Hirsch designate in 2008, Hirsch itself stood firm, producing the M (usually a second tier) as its top wine. New winemaker Ross Cobb has finessed a blend dominant in old Pommard and Mount Eden clones that's packed with pleasing wild strawberry fruit and layered minerality.

2007 Qupé Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Syrah
Bob Lindquist's benchmark Syrah from this Santa Barbara County site is in gorgeous shape. Dark and earthy, with brawny peppercorn spice, dusky plum and fine, delicious tannins. It's equally rewarding whether you drink it now or age it.

90 Points for Chateau Smith Cab from Spectator

Charles Smith Wines - Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon - 2007
90 Points
"Lithe, elegant and nicely focused to show off its bright raspberry and cherry fruit. Lightly veiled in fine tannins, picking up white pepper and cinnamon notes on the lively finish. Drink now through 2015. 7,800 cases made." –HS, Wine Spectator, Dec. 2010

High Scores for Our Grower Champagnes!

L. Aubry Fils - Brut Rose - NV
93 Points-Wine & Spirits
Tart cherry scents and bright citrus lend the rosé its freshness. The fruit is substantial and firm, captured just as it was coming into ripeness. Juicy at the moment, the wine focuses attention on its long, savory finish. It hints at limestone and floral edges of rose, both suggesting the complexity that bottle age will bring.

L. Aubry Fils - Brut - NV
92 Points-Wine & Spirits
"While this is creamy in its richness and silken in feel, there’s a gentle push back in its texture that signals the formidable structure underneath. It has a savory, talc and mineral expression, with a purity to the clean flavors that reveal it’s authenticity. The saltiness will match jamón Serrano or sharp sheep’s milk cheeses if you open it now; the structure will sustain the wine for ages."

Pierre Gimonnet - 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut - NV
90 Points-Wine & Spirits
"Beautifully proportioned, this feels like a young wine with plush peach flavors sculpted by vibrant acidity. It’s austere and closed off for now, but its limestone core should evolve toward complexity as it ages."

Marc Hebrart - ‘Cuvee de Reserve’ Brut - NV
90 Points-Wine & Spirits
"A full-bodied yet subtle wine, this is closed off behind flinty notes of reduction. As it opens, the flavors broaden into red cherry, stony, autumnal fruits and floral hints of lilies. Store it away for several years; if you open it now, decant the bottle for roast quail."

Pehu-Simonet - Rose Brut - NV
91 Points- Wine & Spirits
"The rosy scent of a fine Burgandy carries into this wine’s savory, cranberry- and tart apple middle. The finish transitions to pleasant sweetness, with flavors of candied ginger. Delicious with sushi."