Wines for the Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

Thank you to all who joined us for the YES tasting. The event was a great success and we raised approximately $8,000 for the foundation, which provides art and music classes to the children of Ross Valley Schools. To keep the spirit of giving going, we are donating 5% of all our December sales to Ross Valley School District parents to the YES Foundation.

In the spirit of the music that the YES Foundation brings so many kids, this month we’re bringing you some wines that really sing. Whether you’re in the mood for rock and roll, jazz or classical, we’ve got you covered.

At the holidays our customers often ask for an affordable wine that will please a wide range of guests. We searched high and low, and finally we found it! This offer features a natural red wine in a box. This, however, is not your grandma’s box wine. This Côtes du Rhône is absolutely delicious, and is perfect for holiday gatherings. Like every wine Francie and I sell, we drink this one too. If you are concerned about serving it from a box, just decant it. Your guests will never know!

For those of you hosting a special holiday meal, or looking for the perfect gift to bring to your host, we have some great new reds and whites. In addition, we are proud to offer an amazing Champagne at a price so low I’m blushing. We also have a sparkling wine the color of strawberries that is just fun to drink.

And though Black Friday has come and gone, we are having a sale! Please check at the end of this offer for wines that have been discounted. This sale applies to wines we have in stock and there are not further discounts on these bottles. Get them while they last!

Also, we have some gorgeous glassware for sale. This is definitely the best deal on stemware you will find anywhere. These 18 ounces Schott Zwiesel glasses usually sell for $12.00 each, but we are offering a six-pack of the glasses for only $42.00 plus tax. 

And now, the wines…

2009 From The Tank Red 3 liters (4 bottles) Côtes du Rhône (France)

Open this box and you will enjoy the simple pleasure of a good glass of red wine. I find it incredibly satisfying to have the opportunity to share this bargain with you. The wine is easy to drink, and I am sure you and your guests will enjoy this blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan.

$38/box

2009 Xavier Clua Tinto (Spain)
If you like wines from Spain, this one will steal your heart. Pour yourself a glass, and you will get the pure expression of the terroir and the grapes. There’s no oak on this wine, and the fruit shines through. It’s a blend of Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Tempranillo and Merlot.

$13/bottle, $140.40/case w/ 10% discount

2009 Le Claux Delorme Valencay rouge (France)

Here we have a harmonious wine with flavors of dark red fruits, cherries and plums combined with a pinch of black pepper. This wine is a blend of 40% Gamay, 30% Côt (Malbec), 10% Pinot Noir & 20% Cabernet Franc. This, like all of our wines, is incredibly food friendly.

$15/bottle, $162/case w/ 10% discount

2009 Casina di Cornia Rosso Toscano (Italy)

I admit I have a soft spot for the Tuscan town of Sienna. Not only is it a beautiful place, but we spent part of our honeymoon there nearly ten years ago. This wine makes me feel like I am back in Italy, enjoying life at a slower pace. The wine is a blend of 65% Sangivoese, 20% Canaiolo, 10% Cilliegiolo and 5% Trebbiano. I find the wine soft and pleasant, low in acid and thoroughly delicious. We plan on celebrating our anniversary with a bottle.
$20/bottle, $216/case w/ 10% discount

2010 Domaine Valensac Chardonnay (France)

I love Chardonnay, but I have a hard time finding it made in the style I enjoy. I like Chardonnay that’s crisp and refreshing, without the taste of oak, and this one fits the bill perfectly.
$15/bottle, $162/case w/ 10% discount

Latitude 50 Sekt Rose (Germany)

This sparkling wine is, in a word, sexy. If it had a little black book, you’d want to be in it. The name refers to the latitude at which the grapes are grown. With a creamy nose and a decadent palate, it is so nice to come home to, or take along with you to a friend’s.
$16/bottle, $172.80/case w/ 10% discount

Bernard Ledru Champagne (France)
Perhaps it’s the influence of the Occupy Movement, but I’ve got to hold up my homemade sign: Just say no to Veuve Cliquot! Why, you ask? Because when you make millions of bottles, something of the soul gets lost. This Champagne is made by a real person, not a multinational corporation. And, it’s less expensive to boot! The true reason to buy this, however, is that it’s simply delicious. What better way to ring in the nouvelle année than with some Champagne?
$31.50/bottle, $340.20/case w/ 10% discount

SALE WINES!

2009 Marquès de Montemor Tinto (Portugal)

Our first selection from Portugal is made predominantly from Touriga Nacional, a grape popular in Portugal. The wine maker, a German woman living in Portugal, modestly describes it this way: “An honest wine, fruity with fine berry flavors, simply round and balanced and all this without wood. Sometimes I like to drink it cold, tastes fantastic.” My winemaker friend Justin tasted this with me and his comment was “Polished.” Not like a car, but an old wooden banister.

SALE! $10.50/bottle (regularly $12.00)

2009 And Co The Supernatural (New Zealand, organic)

And now for a completely different hemisphere! Not only is this Sauvignon Blanc made from organic grapes by a woman winemaker; it is out of this world. The winery’s website describes this wine better than I could: “passion fruit and guava, spice and honeysuckle lime and a luscious long palate.” This still wine comes in a champagne bottle and is topped with a bottle cap. You’ll need a cork to close it, if you manage to have any left over. (We didn’t.)

SALE! $16/bottle (regularly $19.00)

2009 Haut Bourg Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie (France)

This white epitomizes our goal to bring you great wines from the road less travelled. This Muscadet is a light white that jumps out at you from the glass. With a perfect combination of citrus and minerality, it goes beautifully with anything from the sea, and makes for a great aperitif.

SALE! $12.00/bottle (regularly $13.50)

J. Laurens Brut Cremant de Limoux NV (France)
This delightful sparkling wine was such a hit at our tasting event, that we only have a handful of bottles left. This tastes like it’s for special occasions, but has the price of an everyday wine. Pour it to ring in the new year, or to toast your friends and loved ones. They’ll think it’s an expensive Champagne. It’s up to you if you want to let them in on the secret.
SALE! $14.00/bottle (regularly $16.00)

Wine Tasting Event

We are so excited to be the official sponsor of Fairfax's first wine tasting fundraiser for the YES Foundation. For only $40, you will have the opportunity to try and buy over 40 wines from the following wineries and merchants:

Age of Riesling
Argot Wines
Beaune Imports

Calluna Vineyards

Community Wines

Couloir Wines

Cowan Cellars

Easkoot

Winemonger

Kendric Vineyards

Maysie Cellars

MDB Selections

Westerhold Family Vineyards

Details...

Saturday, November 19, 2011

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Fairfax Pavilion

You must be 21 or over to purchase tickets to attend the event.

To purchase tickets on-line, go to yestokids.org.

Late Summer Wines

Greetings!

This summer we tasted lots of wines from around the world. This offering is the fruit of our labors. It includes several firsts for Community Wines: wines from Portugal, New Zealand and the Republic of Georgia. In addition, we have some Spanish and French selections. Please enjoy reading about the new wines as well as some past favorites. Also, we will begin taking credit cards, if all goes well, within the month. We are getting with the 21^st century! Lastly, if you know anyone who would like to rent out 500 or so square feet of retail space to two schoolteachers, let us know! We’re contemplating a small store front.

To purchase any of these wines, send us an email at communitywines@gmail.com or call us at 415-454-1244.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Brad and Francie

New Wines

The Whites

2009 Haut Bourg Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie (France)

Our first white epitomizes our goal to bring you great wines from the road less travelled. When we tried it, I insisted we carry it. Brad was reluctant – most Americans (excepting the serious wine geeks in need of therapy) aren’t familiar with Muscadet, a wine from the Loire Valley. (It’s true that we can’t remember seeing Muscadet sold anywhere in Marin.) I bet him that anyone who tried it would love it and become a convert. Let’s just say I won, and he’s glad about it! This Muscadet is a light white that jumps out at you from the glass. With a perfect combination of citrus and minerality, it goes beautifully with anything from the sea, and makes for a great aperitif.

$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 And Co The Supernatural (New Zealand, organic)

And now for a completely different hemisphere! Not only is this Sauvignon Blanc made from organic grapes by a woman winemaker; it is out of this world. The winery’s website describes this wine better than I could: “passion fruit and guava, spice and honeysuckle lime and a luscious long palate.” This still wine comes in a champagne bottle and is topped with a bottle cap. You’ll need a cork to close it, if you manage to have any left over. (We didn’t.)

$19.00 per bottle/$205.20 per case w/10% discount

The Reds

2008 Schuchmann Saperavi (Republic of Georgia)

Announcing Community Wines’ first ever selection from a former Soviet republic! No surprise here: it’s red. This is made from the Saperavi grape, which is indigenous to Georgia. The Saperavi grape makes for wines that remind me of dark fleshed plums. I can smell them in this bottle. This wine has gentle tannins and a light, refreshing acidity. It’s dark in color but light on the palate. If you’ve never tried wines from this part of the world, now is the time! We only have 18 bottles for sale – this wine sells like blini (Georgian hotcakes).
$14.50 per bottle/$156.60 per case w/10% discount

2009 Marquès de Montemor Tinto (Portugal)

Our first selection from Portugal is made predominantly from Touriga Nacional, a grape popular in Portugal. The wine maker, a German woman living in Portugal, modestly describes it this way: “An honest wine, fruity with fine berry flavors, simply round and balanced and all this without wood. Sometimes I like to drink it cold, tastes fantastic.” My winemaker friend Justin tasted this with me and his comment was “Polished.” Not like a car, but an old wooden banister.

$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2007 Tarantas Crianza Tempranillo (Spain, organic)

If I could find value wines like this all the time, you’d be reading about me in the New York Times. I hunt hard for a good bargain, and when I say a good bargain, I mean a wine that tastes like it costs far more than it does. When I found this one, I immediately bought three cases. I was afraid the price in the catalog was a misprint! Made from organic grapes (90% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon), this wine is uncomplicated and is made for drinking with just about anything. It’s easy to like. Try some, and you’ll see why.
$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 Zaumau (Spain)

Here we have a fabulous combination of Garnacha and Samso, or what the French call Grenache and Carignan. It will gently seduce you with its charms. Imagine a Zinfandel that’s neither sweet nor hot, singing to you like a siren. This wine is very low in acid and tannins, a rare thing in the Priorat region of Spain, where it’s made in the traditional manner. To see some photos of the winery, click here.
$20.00 per bottle/$216.00 per case w/10% discount

Returning favorites

2010 Vevi

Same great wine, new label!  We’ve brought back one of our most popular wines, the Vevi. This wine is light and refreshing. You won’t taste any butter or oak in this bottle, unless you add them yourself. This comes with a screw top, which is convenient for those who just can’t wait to get some into their glasses.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount

2010 Benaza Monterrei Godello (Spain)
Godello, an indigenous Spanish grape from Galicia, is the star of this apple crisp white wine. This wine will win friends and influence people… that is, if you share it.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 François Chidaine Touraine Rouge (France, biodynamic)
This bottle has all the hallmarks of a Community Wines selection, a wine that reflects the place it was made and the person who made it. This wine is made from equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cot (Malbec) and Pinot d'Aunis; these grapes form a wine of balance, distinctiveness and clarity. Here you will find pleasant tannins and lovely acidity ready to complement your evening meal. Pour yourself a glass and take a journey to a place you may never have been before. When you return, you will find yourself richer for the experience.
$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount

2008 Le Roc Cuvée Classique (Red, France)
This wine is a blend of Negrette, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has personality. It’s a welterweight in a heavyweight world with medium body that reminds me of a gymnast or a yogi. You know, the kind of folks with those lithe bodies whose abilities aren’t always apparent until you see them do their thing. Serve this with something grilled and you will see it do its thing.
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

Summer Wines

The News

Francie and I are both out of school, and summer is finally here! We have some great new wines and some previous selections for all of your summer time needs. I would like to call your attention to the Edmonds St John Bone Jolly Gamay. If you have not already tried this wine I urge you to do so. I know of no other wine from California that approaches the quality to price ratio of this exquisite Gamay. Also, the $12.00 liter bottles of Pollerhof are back in stock. This is a real no-brainer, an organic white wine that Francie would bathe in if I let her. At this price, I just might.
 Many of the new wines in this offering come from obscure grapes that we think you will enjoy getting to know. All of the wines are from family owned wineries. If you need wines for a summertime fête, give us a call and we can arrange a tasting.

2010 Le Roc (Rosé France)
This wine is from the Côte du Forntannais appellation in Southwest France, about 20 miles north of Toulouse. The main grape of the region is Negrette, known as Pinot St. George here in the U.S. The wine is made from Negrette, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a rosé with some grip. It reminds me of Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie, a feminine wine with masculine undertones. It’s crisp, dry and will work beautifully with your favorite summer time foods or is perfectly happy on its own. Chances are you have never tried anything like it. Once you do, you will be glad you did!

$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2010 Domaine de Bidalere Côtes de Gascogne (France)
This wine is zippy, like a perfect pink grapefruit. Made from a blend of Ugni Blanc, Gros Manseng, Colombard, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, it is lively and refreshing and will perk up your palate and please your senses. This wine is a head turner, and you will definitely want a second look. Oh, and did I mention the fabulous price?
$10.50 per bottle/$113.40 per case w/10% discount

2009 Pollerhof Grüner Veltliner (Organic White, Austria)

This is a fabulous, food friendly organic white made from Grüner Veltliner, a grape native to Austria. Conveniently packaged in a one-liter bottle, this wine is capable of disappearing right before your eyes. It is sophisticated without being pretentious, like the perfect black dress. This wine is truly refreshing with its lovely citrus and floral nose. It is the perfect white to open for a crowd.

$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Le Roc Cuvée Classique (Red, France)

This wine is a blend of Negrette, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. It has personality. It’s a welterweight in a heavyweight world with medium body that reminds me of a gymnast or a yogi. You know, the kind of folks with those lithe bodies whose abilities aren’t always apparent until you see them do their thing. Serve this with something grilled and you will see it do its thing.
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

Domaine Matha Marcilliac (Red, France)

Now here we have a seductive, intriguing wine that reminds me of Lauren Bacall’s character Slim in “To Have and Have Not.” If you haven’t see the film, rent it and watch while drinking a glass of this wine. It has a deep ruby color with intriguing aromas and a suave texture. The wine is made from the Mansois grape also known as Fer Servadou.
$13.00 per bottle/$140.40 per case w/10% discount

2006 Domaine Piquemal Tradition (Red, France)

What more could I ask for? This wine is a blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah with the perfect amount of bottle age to show off the qualities of these noble grapes. This wine is great alone or at table, and it is delicious! If you find a better wine for the price, please call me.

$12.75 per bottle/$137.70 per case w/10% discount

2009 Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Noir (Red, El Dorado, California)

This wine is made in the East Bay by Steve Edmunds from Gamay grapes grown in El Dorado County above 3,000 feet. Every one of my customers who has tried this has liked it! This wine is great chilled for a half hour or so in the refrigerator. I bought as much of this as I could afford on the theory that if I couldn’t sell it, I would have it all to myself!

$16.50 per bottle/$178.20 per case w/10% discount

It's almost summer...

We here at Community Wines are enjoying the beautiful spring weather, and hope you are, too. We have some beautiful wines to help you celebrate the fact that summer is almost here. Details on the wines are below. To purchase any of our selections, arrange delivery or gab about wine please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244.

Enjoy!

Brad

Arcese 2009 (Italy)
One of the reasons I started Community Wines was so that I could attend trade tastings. These are events put on by importers and distributors so their wholesale customers can try their wines. The last one I attended had about 300 wines. One of the standouts was this fabulous gem, Arcese. Slightly, ever slightly sparkling, this white wine is alive! It’s an affirmation of the rising sun and is the perfect wine to start a meal. This wine explains why we are so envious of the Italian lifestyle. It will take your troubles away on a raft of flavors and aromas.
$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

2009 Rocaberdi (Spain)
Our second white is a Spanish number and Francie is going to tell you all about it because she picked it... Yes, this was my choice. I thought it would be a perfect pick for my Marin book group, and it was. Produced from 80% Macabeo and 20% Xarel-lo, it has a pleasant minerality. It's beautifully dry. The grapes come from Catalonia, just south of Barcelona. If you've never been to Catalonia, but would like to go, just pick up some of this wine, fix yourself some tapas, and enjoy. You may find yourself there sooner than you thought possible...
$10.00 per bottle/$108.00 per case w/10% discount

2009 Edmunds St. John Pinot Grigio (El Dorado, California)
Well, here I go again, I am doing my best to sell as much California wine as I can. This baby is a well aged Pinto Gris, aka Pinot Grigio. I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to sell a mature white wine. I am truly proud to have the opportunity to offer the wines of Edmunds St. John. I drink them regularly and I have a bunch in my cellar waiting for me as we both age gracefully. One caveat: this wine is best served after it has been out of the refrigerator for about fifteen minutes
$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount

2009 Vevi (Spain)
This is our best selling white, a blend of Viura and Verdejo from the Rueda region of Spain. This wine is a real crowd pleaser with its easy to identify citrus notes and a quality that I can best describe as refreshing. It comes with a screw top -- perfect for a picnic!
$14.00 per bottle/$151.20 per case w/10% discount

2009 François Chidaine Sauvignon Blanc (France, biodynamic)
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to offer you two wines from the highly regarded Loire Valley winemaker François Chidaine. The first is a Sauvignon Blanc, and it is a real charmer. This wine makes me feel as if I'm in a citrus grove on a warm day. It is great on its own, but, like most of our selections, it truly shines at table.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Noir (El Dorado, California)
This wine is made in the East Bay by Steve Edmunds from Gamay grapes grown in El Dorado County above 3,000 feet. Every one of my customeres who has tried this has liked it! This is what Steve has to say about the Bone-Jolly: "The wonderful natural acidity of Gamay electrifies the flavors, and the finish, as ever, is both thirst-quenchingly refreshing, and thirst-inspiring... If your bones aren’t jolly after a taste of this, I’ll eat my hat!"
$16.50 per bottle/$178.20 per case w/10% discount

2009 François Chidaine Touraine Rouge (France, biodynamic)
This wine has all the hallmarks of a Community Wines selection, a wine that reflects the place it was made and the person who made it. It is made from equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cot (Malbec) and Pinot d'Aunis; these grapes form a wine of balance, distinctiveness and clarity. Here you will find pleasant tannins and lovely acidity ready to complement your evening meal. This wine has a beautiful polished quality to it, round in all the right places.
$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount

2006 Domaine Piquemal Tradition (France)
What more could I ask for? This wine is a blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah with the perfect amount of bottle age to show off the qualities of these noble grapes. This wine is great alone or at table, and it is delicious! If you find a better wine for the price, please call me.
$12.75 per bottle/$137.70 per case w/10% discount

2009 Edmunds St. John Rocks and Gravel (Dry Creek, California)
My first experience with Steve Edmunds’ wines was the 2001 Rocks and Gravel. I was really curious about the wine and how long it might cellar for, so I picked up the phone and dialed the number on the back of the label expecting to get his voicemail. To my great surprise, Steve answered the phone and patiently answered all of my questions. Since then, I have been drinking and cellaring his wines. This version, made from organic grapes from the Unti Vineyard, can be enjoyed now, but should be decanted for an hour or so first. If you can, cellar a few bottles, and your patience will be justly rewarded. (This wine is sold out at the distributor and I only have nine bottles left!)
$22.50 per bottle

March offering

Greetings!

This month we’re offering a rosé, two whites and six reds from four countries. We are very pleased to have found so many selections to share with you. Once again, if there’s something you’ve enjoyed in the past that is not listed, please let us know – we may be able to get you some!
To purchase any of our selections, arrange delivery or gab about wine please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244. Also, please feel free to forward this email to friends and family.

Enjoy!

Brad

The Rosé

2009 Guilhem (France)
When Francie and I tasted this wine we looked at each other and exclaimed: spring! This beauty is a blend of Syrah and Grenache, and it smells and tastes like strawberries. This wine will awaken you to the possibilities of the season, like seeing the daffodils appear. It is absolutely delicious.
$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case w/10% discount

The Whites

2009 François Chidaine Sauvignon Blanc (France, biodynamic)
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to offer you two wines from the highly regarded Loire Valley winemaker François Chidaine. The first is a Sauvignon Blanc, and it is a real charmer. Pour yourself a glass of this, close your eyes, and you might imagine yourself in a citrus grove on a warm day. This wine is great on its own, but, like most of our selections, it truly shines at table.
$13.50 per bottle/$145.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 Vevi (Spain)
This is our best selling white, a blend of Viura and Verdejo from the Rueda region of Spain. This is Francie’s Marin book group’s favorite, and who am I to argue with an intelligent, beautiful, group of women who look so much younger than they are? (Thank you for your support, ladies!) This wine is a real crowd pleaser with its easy to identify citrus notes and a quality that I can best describe as refreshing.
$14.00 per bottle/$151.20 per case w/10% discount

The Reds

2008 Three Trees rouge (France)
When I saw this wine my first thought was: why does a French wine have a label written in English? Turns out the winemaker is a South African who fell in love with a French woman whose family owns some vines… you get the picture. The wine is a 50-50 blend of Grenache and Carignan, produced in the Basque region of France. The winemaker, Tom Lubbe, combines graceful fruit flavors and soft tannins with an element of black pepper to create a delicious everyday wine. According to the label, the three trees are eating, drinking and dancing. Try this one and let me know if you find your feet moving.
$16.00 per bottle/$172.80 per case w/10% discount

2009 Semplicemente Vino Bellottirosso (Italy, biodynamic)
When I drank this with my friends Maria and Paula we all had the same reaction: this is a sexy wine. I don’t mean Marilyn Monroe sexy, I mean Sophia Loren sexy. Semplicemente means simply. This wine is simple like an elegant black dress or a perfectly ripe cherry. A blend of equal parts Barbera and Dolcetto, this is wine that is easy to love. It is generous and outgoing without being overbearing, like my wife (most of the time).
$16.00 per bottle/$172.80 per case w/10% discount

2006 Domaine Piquemal Tradition (France)
What more could I ask for? This wine is a blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Syrah with the perfect amount of bottle age to show off the qualities of these noble grapes. This wine is great alone or at table, and it is delicious! If you find a better wine for the price, please call me.
$12.75 per bottle/$137.70 per case w/10% discount

2009 François Chidaine Touraine Rouge (France, biodynamic)
I must confess, I took a chance buying this wine. I bought it before I tried it and I am glad I did. Nicholas, the gentleman who sold it to me, was confident that I would like it, and he was right. This bottle has all the hallmarks of a Community Wines selection, a wine that reflects the place it was made and the person who made it. This wine is made from equal parts Cabernet Franc, Cot (Malbec) and Pinot d'Aunis; these grapes form a wine of balance, distinctiveness and clarity. Here you will find pleasant tannins and lovely acidity ready to complement your evening meal. Pour yourself a glass and take a journey to a place you may never have been before. When you return, you will find yourself richer for the experience.
$15.00 per bottle/$162.00 per case w/10% discount

2009 Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Gamay Noir (El Dorado, California)
This wine is made in the East Bay by Steve Edmunds from Gamay grapes grown in El Dorado County above 3,000 feet. These are some of the only California vines which in winter are covered with snow. Steve is a modest gentleman whose wines have a lot to say. This is what he has to say about the Bone-Jolly:
The wonderful natural acidity of Gamay electrifies the flavors, and the finish, as ever, is both thirst-quenchingly refreshing, and thirst-inspiring (not to mention hunger-provoking—as in grilled something, or maybe salumi, or sheep-milk cheese, or—too many good things to recount!).  If your bones aren’t jolly after a taste of this, I’ll eat my hat!
$16.50 per bottle/$178.20 per case w/10% discount

2009 Edmunds St. John Rocks and Gravel (Dry Creek, California)
My first experience with Steve’s wines was the 2001 Rocks and Gravel. I was really curious about the wine and how long it might cellar for, so I picked up the phone and dialed the number on the back of the label expecting to get an answering machine. To my great surprise, Steve answered the phone and patiently answered all of my questions. Since then, I have been drinking and cellaring Steve’s wines. This version, made from organic grapes from the Unti Vineyard can be enjoyed now, but should be decanted for an hour or so first. If you can, cellar a few bottles, and your patience will be justly rewarded. Here’s Steve’s description:
This baby is dark, in the blue and purple end of red; it has a deep and penetrating, slightly feral nose, fresh, bloody, spicy, and very mineral.  It coats the palate, on entry, with lovely gripping tannins, then opens up into intense dark fruit enlivened by refreshing acidity.  Finishes long and firm.  A keeper, needing a few seasons to gestate, I’d say.  It has its youthful charms, oh yeah, but there are glory days ahead for the ’09 Rocks, down the road a piece.
$22.50 per bottle/$243.00 per case w/10% discount


Fine print:

10% discount on any full or mixed case.

We do not, at this time, accept credit cards, but happily take checks or cash.

Our minimum order is three bottles plus a $5.00 delivery fee (within Marin). We offer free delivery within Marin for six bottles or more. Note: someone 21 years old or older must be home to accept the wine. For delivery outside of Marin, call me. Prices are subject to change.

Payment requested at time of order.

To purchase any of our selections, arrange delivery or gab about wine please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244. Also, please feel free to forward this email to friends and family.

New Wines for a New Year

Happy New Year!

This offering marks our one-year anniversary. Thank you – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Francie and I have been hard at work tasting wines. We are constantly searching out high quality, fairly priced wines that represent the places and the people who make them. On your behalf, we’ve kissed a whole lot of frogs to reveal these new princes and princesses. This month we’re offering three new whites and three new reds. For those of you looking to restock, we’re bringing back some of our best sellers from past months. If there’s something you’ve enjoyed in the past that is not listed, please let us know – we may be able to get you some!
To purchase any of our selections or arrange delivery, please contact us at communitywines@gmail.com or call 415-454-1244. Also, please feel free to forward this email to friends and family.
Enjoy!

Brad

The Whites

2008 Le Chemin de Bassac Isa Blanc (organic)
I knew we were going to drink a lot if this in our house when Francie asked for another glass of it after she tasted it. Made from Roussane and Viognier grapes, this wine has the aroma of peaches and the taste of ripe pears. For the full story on this unique winery, check out their website athttp://www.cheminsdebassac.com/
$14.50 per bottle/$156.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Binz & Bratt Cuvée Franconia
This wonderful dry white is imported by Chris Terrell, who calls it a “pool side sipper.” This wine is a delightful experience; drinking it is much more enjoyable than trying to say the names of the grapes it is made from, Silvaner, Bacchus and Müller-Thurgau. It is beautifully balanced, straw colored and smells like some exotic fruit. Like Houdini, this wine will disappear before your very eyes.
$14.50 per bottle/$156.60 per case w/10% discount

2009 Marotti Campi Verdicchio
Grown about twenty miles inland from the Adriatic in the Marche region of Italy, this stellar beauty plays well with anything from the sea and makes for an excellent aperitif. Verdicchio is the name of both the grape and the wine. Try this one out on your Chardonnay loving friends, and you might find that they can’t get enough of this light, crisp, quaffer.
$14.50 per bottle/$156.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Hauth-Kerpen Riesling Blauschiefer (Dry)This description is from the poet and wine importer Bill MayerThis is a lovely Mosel with good, though not overbearing acidity, and only around 5 grams of residual sugar – very dry. But it’s beautifully balanced, not in the least tart, and is perfect for picnics, light dishes, or probably just about anything. If you like minerals in wine, this is the one for you. I’ve been glugging it down with chicken dishes and have felt no remorse whatsoever. Maybe this is the wine you should back your U-Haul up to the warehouse for. And don’t rent one of those puny U-Haul trailers. Get a big one; you’ll need it. I’m ready and willing to help.
$12.75 per bottle/$137.70 per case w/10% discount

2009 Pollerhof Grüner Veltliner(Organic)
This is a fabulous food friendly organic white made from Grüner Veltliner, a grape native to Austria. Conveniently packaged in a one-liter bottle, this wine is capable of disappearing right before your eyes. I like to open one of these to enjoy while I’m cooking. I often add a splash of it to whatever I’m preparing on the stove and enjoy some more of it with my meal. This wine is truly refreshing with its lovely citrus and floral nose. It is a great cocktail white and pairs particularly well with Asian or Indian foods.$12.00 per bottle/$129.60 per case w/10% discount

The Reds

2009 Marotti Campi Lacrima di Morro
Lacrima di Morro is a grape that almost went extinct; fortunately for us, it didn’t! This is the most fragrant dry red wine I have ever encountered. Tea roses seem to grow out of the glass. Make sure you have a camera ready when you pour this for friends. You will want to capture the expressions on their faces when they taste it.
$17.00 per bottle/$183.60 per case w/10% discount

2008 Vita Il Trullo Primitivo
It really is a challenge to find affordable red wines that meet our standards. We did a little dance to Bacchus when we found this one. It is from Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, and is made from the Primitivo grape. Primitivo is genetically related to Zinfandel, but you won’t mistake this wine for its American cousin. This is a rich and robust wine that could become your new house red.
$11.00 per bottle/$118.80 per case w/10% discount

2008 Chateau de Rouanne Côtes du Rhône (organic)
The Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes that make up this wine come from 35-50 year old organically farmed vines. This wine has wonderful pure fruit. It is peppery and earthy with subtle coffee aromas. This wine pairs beautifully with hearty winter fare.
$12.50 per bottle/$135.00 per case w/10% discount

2008 Becker-Landgraf  Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) Unfiltered (Germany)
This description is from the poet and wine importer Bill Mayer “The Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder) is light in color but not in flavor. I’m always amazed by folk who look at a wine’s color and, if it’s not black, assume the wine is light, rosé, and thoroughly uninteresting. Nothing could be further from the truth. Like many great Pinots (Romanée Conti, for example), the color is light but the flavors are long and very beautiful. A seductive spiciness is enhanced by the elegant acidity and slightly creamy texture. This is a winery that you simply cannot afford to miss.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Then again, he is a poet!
$21.50 per bottle/$232.20 per case w/10% discount

Fine print:

10% discount on any full or mixed case.

We do not, at this time, accept credit cards, but happily take checks or cash.

Our minimum order is three bottles plus a $5.00 delivery fee (within Marin). We offer free delivery within Marin for six bottles or more. Note: someone 21 years old or older must be home to accept the wine. For delivery outside of Marin, call me.

Payment requested at time of order.