I am often asked by clients if I have had a particular wine that they are considering buying and if I liked it.  And while I am fortunate enough to get to try most of the wines that we carry there are times when I haven't tried one just yet.  So, first, I will point out that the wine in question is from a particular vintage (year) and region (place).  Then, I will recommend a wine from the same vintage and region which will typically share similar taste profiles and characteristics.  Therein lies an easy "Secret" in how to choose a wine.

It's easy to become overwhelmed when buying wine.  I can say with the utmost confidence that every wine we sell is excellent. I know this because each one is tasted by our expert tasting panel.  But if you've had a particular wine that you enjoyed in the past from a particular region and vintage, it's so easy to find another great wine by applying the "Secret".

Examples:

The place - Napa Valley; The year - 2006; The wine:

2006 BV Tapestry - 93 RP, 94 CC - $27.99.  I've had it and loved it and so have many others.  I especially like the 2006 vintage because for a while it was being overshadowed by the (deserved) press of the 2007 vintage.  But at two separate big-time wine tastings two different Napa Cab producers told me that they were glad for the press on the 2007s but that their 2006s were just as good.  Well that secret is out now - and we have some of this steal left.


The Place: Sonoma County; The Year - 2007; The wine:

2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir - 92 RP, 91 WS - $42.95.  Check out the cover of the Wine Spectator's 09/30/09 issue: Best Ever California Pinot Noir.  "2007 Delivers the Goods".  Indeed!


Another pair of great examples. 

The Place: Tuscany; The Year; 2006; The Wine:

2006 Pacina Chianti Colli Sensei - 92 SW, 93CC - $19.99.  A double secret gem here as the vintage and place are great but this wine was found by our on-the-ground in Italy co-worker, Summer.  So almost no one else carries this wine.  It really is delicious.


The Place - Tuscany; The Year - 2007; The Wine:

2007 La Maialina Chianti Classico Riserva - 92 RP - $19.99.  "...simply beautiful..." Robert Parker.  Nothing else needs to be said.


Other secrets divulged:

2004 Barolos, 2005-2007 White Burgundies, 2007 Rhones and 2009 Bordeaux, etc.

Find a year, find a place - find a great wine!