Well, at least the coming back home is. James Suckling, Bureau Chief of Wine Spectator Magazine and Editor for Cigar Aficionado Magazine, shares on his blog what happens when you try to return having forgotten a couple of Cubans and wine in the car. Read the very interesting — and a bit harrowing — story.
They’re serious about those customs laws.

• Difficulty sleeping?
• Difficulty concentrating?
• Obsessive compulsive behavior?
• Irritability?
• Mood swings?

If so, you may be, as I am, a wine collector during wine release season.
Every year my fellow sufferers and I make our wine-related New Year’s resolutions. “I’ll buy less wine in 2010.” “I’ll buy more wine in 2010.” “I’m going for quality over quantity.” “I need to concentrate more on daily drinkers.” “I’m going to collect a wider variety of wines.” “I’m going heavy on the 2007 vintage from Swavobia.” Whatever. By this time, if you’re still reading, you are either nodding your head in understanding, or shaking your head thinking I’m crazy.
If you are disciplined and able to easily follow your wine resolutions, well, my hat’s off to you.
This year I planned to continue last year’s trend of buying fewer bottles, spending less money on wine, and buying wines that are a better value. Notice that those last two are not necessarily the same thing. I’ve pretty much stopped chasing points — a bad habit new wine collectors can get in to — and am buying what I either know I like, what I suspect I will like, or wines recommended to me by trusted sources. That has ruled out many new wineries. Just because Mr Superstar Winemaker makes it or Mr Superstar Winereviewer says it is good will not make me pull the trigger on something, especially as the price starts approaching and then surpassing the century mark. And unfortunately, a lot of new wineries, especially those from my own beloved Napa, have surpassed $100… by a lot.
But I’ve got to admit I’ve got a collector’s (or hoarder’s) mentality and the potential loss of a coveted mailing list position does still strike “fear” into my heart every time I shred one of these new offers. Will I be sorry later?
Note to self: you are almost never sorry later with the exception of passing on Kosta Browne back in the very beginning.
The other day, I received a snail mail and email that the order window for a great winery was going to open. I’ve bought for quite a few years so had a large allocation initially including even the chance at a magnum. But now, the price that was about $60 per 750ml just a few years back, has risen to $125. For most of you, that is waaaaay too much to spend on a bottle of wine. It’s more than I should spend as well, but that didn’t make the decision any easier. This wine has garnered lofty scores from the Wine Advocate for many years and is in very high demand. If ever there was a wine that deserved such a price, this is it. So I started looking over my own notes on past vintages. They were good, but not stellar. I pulled a 2003 out of my cellar to do a little liquid research. Even after a few hours in the decanter, the 2003 was disjointed and a confusion of flavors and structure. All the elements were there, but it was too young. I recorked and waited a day. Day two it was much, much better. It made me feel confident that in 3-4 years, this would be a great bottle of wine, but right now, our own 2003 Match Butterdragon Hill is a better wine and a more enjoyable experience.
So what to do? If I go ahead and pay the $125 for this offer, I’ll be buying wine that probably won’t be worth the money to me until 2017 or later. How many special occasions do I celebrate each year that are worthy of such an expenditure? And this won’t be the only time I am tempted this year by a wine this — or even more — expensive. If I wait long enough, the decision will be made for me. They’ll sell out. Already the mags are gone. But each day I suffer from those symptoms I described, distracted by the temptation — or is it a fixation — to order.
I know other wine collectors face similar dilemmas this month. How are you deciding?

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America announced that Sarah Palin will be the keynote speaker for their convention in April 2010. The WSWA is the national trade organization representing the wholesale tier of the wine and spirits industry.
This is a truly an appropriate pairing.
Gov Palin is a noted expert on wine, wine distribution, and viticulture having for several months governed a state that borders British Columbia, a producer of ice wine.
I believe the organization will be changing their name to WTFWSWA.

2007 Bressler Pinot Noir – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (1/4/2010)
Strawberry, quince, cola, Christmas spice, and forest floor in this understatedly styled Pinot Noir. True to its Russian River Valley (Sonoma) origins without going over the top, it embraces a California style without the heaviness one sometimes sees. Impeccable balance is achieved after a couple of hours of air but it tends to take on a more tart character after about 4 hours. Drink over the next 3 years.

I’m a huge fan of Bressler Napa Cabernets from the White Sulphur Creek bench west of St Helena but this was my first experience with their small production of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. This project shows real promise. Their talented winemaker, Mia Klein, is obviously more than comfortable with the finicky Pinot grape. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Today I noticed that what used to be my Local Wine Store (LWS) in the Montclair district of Oakland is now going to be a self-serve yogurt place. I guess it is a sign of the times, but let’s see if you can make a little blip on the sales charts of your favorite LWS. Show them that you appreciate them adding value to your wine passion. Please pass this on. Share it on Facebook or post comments here. Tweet it and tag #wine. But most importantly, buy a bottle of something at your LWS this weekend.

2001 Crocker & Starr Stone Place Cuvée – USA, California, Napa Valley (1/2/2010)
Seems a lot more like an 02 Napa than an 01. Really big black plum fruit. Overall sweet character. Huge mouthfeel. Dark chocolate, strong, slightly bitter, espresso. Mint. Toasty oak. A LOT more youthful than I expected at this point but not lacking in complexity. Excellent with about an hour of air. I don’t think there is a rush to drink this but it is so pretty right now… this wine, in my opinion, has reached its highest potential. Wish I wasn’t all out. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Issue #186 (Dec 2009) is out and the big man himself reviewed some of our wines:

2007 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Baconbrook
Revealing the most opaque color of these offerings, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Baconbrook’s abundant notes of blue and black fruits, forest floor, graphite, and vanilla are followed by a tannic, rich, backward wine with undeniable minerality. It should turn out to be outstanding after 3-4 more years of bottle age. It will last 20+ years. (90-93 pts) Release Fall 2010
2007 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill
The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill possesses attractive, fleshy black currant, crushed rock, cedar, spice box, and tobacco leaf characteristics. This broad, savory, pure, moderately tannic 2007’s overall impression is one of elegance, with a Bordeaux-like framework to the tannic structure. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following two decades. (90-92 pts) Release Spring 2010
2006 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Baconbrook
The impressive 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Baconbrook does not possess any aggressive or rustic tannins. It offers pure red, blue, and black fruits intermixed with notions of crushed rocks and flowers. Medium to full-bodied with excellent balance, ripeness, depth, and length, it will benefit from 1-3 years of cellaring, and should easily last 15-18 years. (90 pts) Available Now
2006 Match Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Butterdragon Hill reveals plenty of plum, spice box, floral, cedary, black cherry, and black currant notes, elegant, medium to full-bodied flavors, and well-integrated wood, acidity, and moderate tannin. This graceful Cabernet should be enjoyed over the next 15-18 years. (90 pts) Available Now

We’re pretty proud of these notes. He describes our wines in very similar ways to how we would hope folks would perceive them. “Graceful.” “Pure.” “Elegant.” Wines that you can confidently age for 20 years. These are characteristics we are going for. As always, one can follow how our customers are enjoying our wines at Cellartracker.com.
At the end of the day, however, what really matters is how you like our wine. To receive information and the opportunity to buy our wines on release, please join our mailing list. The 2007 Butterdragon Hill that Mr Parker reviewed will be offered in just a few short weeks at a price of $60 for new customers. Repeat customers will receive their customary discount.

2007 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Marqués de Casa Concha – Chile, Central Valley, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto (12/30/2009)
Cherries, anise, smokey and earthy. Tannins are muscular, but stay in balance. Best to give this wine 3-4 years in the cellar. I liked its rustic, brooding charm. Especially impressive long wood smoke finish. (87 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

• 2007 d’Arenberg The Stump Jump – Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale (12/26/2009)
  Peachy with honeysuckle blossom, ripe honeydew. Hint of oily petrol aroma. Finishes sweet. Quite nice. Off an “expensive” restaurant wine list in Vietnam it was $30 so if it is available retail in the US, it should be at an attractive price to stock up: it would go well either as a sipping wine at a party or with Asian fare. (85 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker