Misha

QUICK, the '06 Amalaya that LaBan wrote about in the Inky on 3/29 and got a WS90, is back in stores. I heard that Marnie Old also spoke about this on the radio but did not hear her myself. I only managed to just snag two last weekend. I've almost never seen a wine fly off the PAWS shelves as quick as this did. Here's my review off Cellartracker: Score 90. Dark ruby. Nose of Mexican cocoa and dark fruit. Smooth mouthfeel. Tannins are soft and the acidity does step up afer a few seconds. Nice finish. For $10. quite the QPR. The Inky reviewer LaBan got it right! 55% Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 5% Tannat and 5% Bonarda.

It's now $49.99. w/ today's sale. And I think all orders have free shipping not just over $200 at least that's what my e-mail said; 'tho the web says >$200

The Montes Purple Angel is in for all you Carménère lovers. Secret code is 28711. I can't find it on the web for less than $50.00 and that's not including shipping.

If you like Garnacha, I have really enjoyed the 2005 Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón Catalunya Las Pizarras(secret code 26175 - $19.99). And, I'm anxiously awaiting it's big brother the Altos Las Pizarras which as February is now gone, hopefully will be arriving soon. ← Good recommendation, I had it with a steak the other night. Great color, nice nose, and excellent flavors. ← Dennis, Glad you enjoyed it! Seems the Altos is in Limboland as, while the code # is still valid, it's not in any of the stores. Here's another pretty interesting "buy" albeit a bit pricey - the '05 Andrew Will Sorella - Secret Code: 14669. 2005 is the highest rated vintage year for WA state and this WS95 was rated even higher than the '05 Quilceda Creek. While I'm not contemplating infanticide by opening one yet, I surely bet that this is gonna be a beauty. Interesting to note that only 805 cases were made (PAWS got about 7 of 'em) and average price on the web seems to be about $62. (not including shipping). Misha

Mike, Thanks for sharing that news. Gives me time to make a shopping list!

If you like Garnacha, I have really enjoyed the 2005 Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón Catalunya Las Pizarras(secret code 26175 - $19.99). And, I'm anxiously awaiting it's big brother the Altos Las Pizarras which as February is now gone, hopefully will be arriving soon.

Don't know about anyone else but the 375's of the '01 Luce are just starting to hit the PAWS on the left side of the state...can the East be that much further behind? For $20, this should is quite a deal since the 750 goes for $60+. Luce delle Vite 2001 2001 - 92 points in Wine Spectator Now $19.99 ... Quoted at $37.50 ... Save $17.51 Code: 23604

Thanks for the notes re the '03 Lascombes as Yardley still had some.

Here's my experience: This morning I see that one of the Yardley stores has over 100 bottles of the '03 Hanna and the '04 Montes Syrah. I print out their inventory and take a trip there after work. I get there and neither are on the floor. So, I ask one of the clerks who tells me that while they have them, she can't sell them to me as they are "on hold" for an upcoming promotion... they want to be sure they "have enough for the upcoming holiday." She gives me a pamphlet and encourges me to call the toll free # listed therein to complain. I do so and, needless to say, as it's now after 5pm no one answers the phone. I go back in the store, ask her to call and she does and gets the same non-response. She then call someone else and explains that I'm there w/ a print out showing they have it (which, of course, must have been printed before she was told to put all "on hold"). They ask how many I want (and, I guess, as I didn't want to wipe out their entire stock as I'm no a licensee) was finally told she could sell to me! Is this effed up or what? They have wine but don't want to sell it before it's time! I thought the purpose of the PLBC is to maintain control over the sale of alcohol to minors & visibly intoxicated persons and collect the outrageous taxes, not to deny a lawful purchaser access to a product available for sale! Over a half an hour wasted trying to get some wine. BTW, I popped open the '03 Hanna (how could I not after all the agro I was put thru, and boy o boy, I can't wait 'til 3/25 or 3/27 to get some more!

2003 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2004 d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie 2003 Achaval-Ferrer Quimera 2001 Beringer Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2002 Flora Springs Trilogy 1997 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino 2000 Abadia Retuerta Selección Especial 2002 Richard Hamilton Old Bush Vine Grenache Shiraz Burton's Vineyard 2004 Kaiken Malbec Ultra 2003 Bodega Norton Privada

"Senate eyes naming of liquor CEO - By Mark Scolforo Associated Press HARRISBURG - A state Liquor Control Board member said yesterday that he considered his vote last month to hire a new chief executive as simply restoring an upper-management position that existed about 20 years ago. Thomas F. Goldsmith said he didn't anticipate that the 2-1 vote to create the position and fill it with a former lawmaker would become so controversial that it would generate a 21/2-hour meeting of the Senate Law and Justice Committee. "Obviously, that was a miscalculation," said Sen. Sean Logan (D., Allegheny). The committee pressed Goldsmith and board Chairman P.J. Stapleton about the sudden hiring of former State Sen. Joe Conti (R., Bucks) shortly after he left the legislature at the end of November. Goldsmith and Stapleton hired Conti over the strenuous objections of the then-chairman, Jonathan H. Newman, who said that the decision was too secretive and that Conti's $150,000 salary was too high. Newman has since resigned and was succeeded as chairman by Stapleton. "It just seems to me it was done in a rush," said Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. (R., Chester), chairman of the Law and Justice Committee. "That in itself has led to our questioning the whole process." The hiring decision came two days after Gov. Rendell called board members to suggest they add a top manager - although such a move had been discussed for many years - and suggested Conti's name. Conti is the former Law and Justice Committee chairman, and his former colleagues seemed to go out of their way on several occasions to praise him. He did not attend the committee meeting." What gets me is the penultimate sentence in the above article...yeah, like Conti's former underlings are going to actually DO anything substantial to jeopardize their prior boss's new job!

Not that it really matters, but parker gave this particular one a 90. To the extent that I have a grip on what his numbers mean, this sounds about right. I liked it very much. ← WS also gave it a 90 rating. I, too, liked it and now have 1/2 case in my cellar.

Here's a head scratcher. PAWS has the '04 Rosenblum Heritage Clones San Francisco Bay Petite Syrah (Code: 016050) for $27.99. Yet the list price is only $20.00; and, I've found it in NJ for as little as $15.00. It's a puzzlement. BTW, I thought it was a blueberry/vanilla milkshake, very creamy mouthfeel and while the tannins are there giving it cellaring potential, the fruit makes it drinkable now!

The lost grape from Bordeaux - Carmenère from Chile I've had the '01, '02 & '03 Concha y Toro Carmenère Terrunyo (Spanish for Terroir) which runs about $22-$25 per bottle and have enjoyed each vintage.

BONARDA - the other grape from Argentina My TN for the 2003 Altos Las Hormigas Bonarda Colonia las Liebres: Opaque black-red in the center w/ just a hint of translucent burgandy red on the edges. Indeed, there's some bacon in the nose along w/ lots of blackberry and blackcurrent. While it is juicy, the tannins still announce their presence but I can't wait 'til they take just a tad more of a back seat. Acidity in balance. It's been a while since I opened one of these and it's good to remember how much I like this and what an excellent QPR this is (I paid $6.).

I would also like to join in albeit a bit late. While it's not easy to find here, I was introduced to this varietal in Italy: Aleatico. It's a very fragrant red dessert wine. If you ever have the chance, please try it. I also discovered Aglianico while I was there. Taurasi is a big strong red sometimes called the barolo of the South. Here's my TN on the 1997 Mastroberardino Taurasi Radici: Nice garnet red color. Lots of cherry on the nose with some underlying mushroom and tobacco and a hint of pepper. Quite jammy but not sweet. Tannins still present but softened. Nice acidity.

Would suggest if you want some of the '03 (perhaps for a side-by-side comparison), that you call the store prior to confirm that that, indeed, is what they have in stock, as I tried two stores in Bucks Co. last night that the PLCB web said had loads of it, only to find out that what they really had was all '04's.

Like the swallows to Capistrano, the Laughing Magpie has returned to PAWS. It's a steal at $17.99. Might want to collect a few for the nest a la gazza ladra.

Here's the menu for Matyson as website is still showing last week's tasting menu. Let's Get Tipsy Lobster Bisque Wood aged bourbon Seared Foie Gras Port and red grape reduction, pine nut cracker Tequila Smoked Shrimp Stuffed plantains, lime salsa Vanilla Rum Soaked Pork Hush puppies, braised Swiss chard Gran Marnier Créme Brulée

I heard back from Matyson. Indeed, it will be their weekly prix fixe 5 course tasting menu for $45. As such, it should be posted here: Matyson Tasting Menu soon. I was told that the theme will be "Let's Get Tipsy" in that each course will be prepared w/ some type of wine or spirit.

I just called Matyson and as their chef is on vacation, they have no idea as what their prix fixe dinner is going to be nor how much it'll cost. They took my number to call me back when that's determined. If anyone is interested, I'll post their reply. Thanks so much for the alert, Katie!

Hi Jeff, It is the right code as it's both on my receipt and on the upcoming selections page: "d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz/Viognier, South Australia 2004 92 Points by Robert Parker in The Wine Advocate, October 2005 Suggested Retail $34.99... Now $17.99... Save $17.00 ETA next delivery late August Code 27447" The reason you're not getting any "hit" must be because they are out of it for now. I might even start checking the code in mid August so I can swoop some up. While WS has not yet rated this vintage, the past three years have all been given 91 and I can taste why. Very yummy, indeed. I know I'll be squirreling away some ducats so I can stock up when the magpie returns to PA.

While I was late in getting turned onto it, I just took delivery of the '04 d'Arenberg Laughing Magpie. (code 27447). Oh boy, what a delight this wine is. Deep garnet with purple depths. Stunning nose of jammy strawberry and raspberry with a hint of vanilla and cardamon. A tad sweet on the palate but not that that detracts, it justs accentuates the jammy aromas. Nice finish. While there's cellaring potential, I'm gonna have problems keeping my paws off this stash. I see that the PLCB site says more is coming in mid-August...I can't wait!!! Bring it on and kudos to the Chairman for scoring this deal!

I am no longer a Capogiro virgin. Yesterday, as I was in town, I stopped at the the 13th St. store and after many tasting spoons, decided I'd have the following trio: Thai Coconut Milk, Orange Cardamon and Dulce de Leche :wub: just wonderful, makes me wish I lived a lot closer or could bring a store to Bucks Co.

Best Wishes, SaxChik! I'd recommend the Sauvignon Blanc - Coopers Creek - Marlboro NZ `03 $ 30.00. I know it was rated 89 by the Wine Spectator - "Ripe, generous flavors offer an explosion of passion fruit and hints of other tropical fruits on a tart, racy, juicy frame." I think this would pair well with salads and seafood. As to a red, I'd agree w/ Jeff L's thought on the Guigal CdR. Again, Congrats!