Bottle Rockets: Try (Then Buy) Some Napa Gems at Grailey’s Wine Cellar
<p>Sommelier D’Lynn Proctor is opening next week’s usually-private tasting of extraordinary wines to EscapeHatch readers.
On Wednesday, December 9, join D’Lynn, wine merchant (and all-around good guy) Ivan Thornton, and former Raiders QB Rick Mirer at Grailey’s Wine Cellar for an exclusive tasting and sale of Mirror wines.The tasting includes the labels Kapcsandy, Ghost Block, Pavi, TuTu and Fisticuffs.
“Mirror is a joint venture among Jeff Smith of Hourglass, Rob Lawson of Pavi Wines and Rick Mirer (ex-NFL quarterback).” writes sommelier Proctor. “Grapes are purchased from two famed (and unnamed) vineyards in St. Helena and Oakville. Their goal is to make an elegant, classic Napa Cabernet that carefully integrates pure fruit flavors with the nuances of French oak.”
Here’s the lineup of wines for purchase and some notes form D’Lynn. Like Baskin Robbins, tastes are free.
Grailey’s Wine Cellar, 6038 Oram Street Dallas, Texas 75206, 214-887-1880
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ….. $84.99
100% Cabernet Sauvignon / St. Helena and Oakville / Napa Valley
Tasting Notes: Aromatically, this Cab is an intoxicating blend of black cherry, rose petals, and spice, intertwined with sweet mocha coffee. On the palate it delivers a lush, ripe and richly concentrated core for dark fruits (cassis, blackberries and dried cranberries with a hint of tobacco). Good acidity and polished tannins give the core a balanced framework to focus the ripe fruit. The depth of flavor and structure contribute to a long and lasting finish. 500 cases
TuTu/Fisticuffs
Winemaker: Rob Lawson (Mirror, Kapcsandy, Ghost Block, Pavi)
Winemaking Info: TuTu is a joint venture between Jeff Smith of Hourglass and Rob Lawson of Pavi Wines. These two wines are designed to provide great values from these classic grape varietals; i.e., to “over deliver” on the price/quality scale.
Tasting Notes: Heady floral aromas of melon, pear, apricot and nectarine give way to flavors of fig, ripe melons and bright lemon peel. Lush fruit flavors on the mid-palate are complemented by classic slate minerality, all framed in crisp, refreshing natural acidity. The lingering finish is reminiscent of peaches and pineapple. 2500 cases
2007 Fisticuffs Cabernet Sauvignon $34.99
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot / Napa Valley
Tasting Notes: In the creation of this blend, Rob has applied the rigorous standards associated with the best Cabernets of Napa Valley, while sourcing fruit and blending components from some of Napa Valley’s top vineyards. Enticing aromas of Bing cherries, dark chocolate, spice and roasted espresso beans lead to a concentrated palate of blackberry and cassis. The wine is full bodied, with a lush mid-palate texture and a lingering finish noted with spice and black cherry. 2500 cases