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June 2006,
Offering #67 - Introduction
by The Social
Diary Wine Expert Columnist Gary Parker
My first selection for this month's Gary
Parker Collection is from a young winemaker who has recently settled
in the San Luis Obispo area to hone his craft. Russell From, beginning
with the vintage of 2001, has been making small quantities of
highly regarded wines for his label, Herman Story.
Next up is the 2001 Argiano Brunello di
Montalcino, a dynamic Brunello from a fabulous producer during
an outstanding vintage year. It is powerful and rich, much different
from Brunello's of old, and I am sure you will find it very much
to your liking.
2004 Herman Story Grenache, Larner Vineyard
For you lovers of big, ripe, luscious fruit
in your wines, Herman Story is your home run. Carving a path with
the vigor and assertiveness of youth, Russel From is producing
Syrah and Grenache to the tune of a few hundred cases of each.
Even in its short history, the winery has
been achieving high ratings from the likes or Robert Parker, who
rated his 2003 Grenache Larner Vineyard 91 points. I am cetain
the 2004 will either meet or exceed the accolades of the 2003,
but we will have to wait and see.
It is indeed pleasure as well as a special
treat to receive these wines for our Gary Parker Collection wine
club, and I hope you appreciate them as much as I do.
2001 Argiano, Brunello di Montaclino
Since the 16th century, the cellars at
Argiano have been keeping Brunello di Montalcino's in a peaceful,
perfect place for their storing and aging. The castle itself is
quite remarkable, and I suggest you go to this web site and check
it out. http://www.castellitoscani.com/argiano.htm
This estate was once owned by Cinzano,
better known as producers of Vermouth. It is a decent sized affair,
with over 30 hectares planted up as vineyards. In 1991 it was
purchased by Countess Noemi Marone Cinzano, who was quick to employ
Giacomo Tachis as consultant, and Sebastiano Rosa (once of Tenuta
San Guido, and nephew to that estate's owner Marchese Incisa della
Rochetta, who was responsible for the planting of vines at Sassicaia
in 1944) as winery supervisor.
Since that time this has become one of
the most reliable estates in Montalcino, frequently turning out
exciting wines.
Details of June's
Gary Parker Collection following.....
2004 Herman Story
Grenache, Larner Vineyard
Growing Region: San Luis Obispo, Ca.
Varietal Blend ……………… 100%
Grenache
Alcohol Level 14.8%
Fermentation ……………… French
Oak
Winery Price $35.00
Case Price $28.04
Notes: 91Point rating
by Robert Parker (no relation)
"An amazing example of a varietal even more fickle than Pinot
Noir is the 2003 Grenache Larner Vineyard. Its extraordinary!.
This full-bodied, broad-shouldered, sensational Grenache is bursting
with fruit, glycerin, and concentration"
Appearance: Great packaging,
but please be careful when cutting the plastic cap. Dark red hues
with a touch of crimson on the edges. Black at the center, and
has significant viscosity.
Nose: A crush of boysenberry
and blackberry with other dark red fruits, including black cherry.
Vanilla oak and black pepper give a youthful and fresh fragrance,
and it still shows long term promise
Texture: There is a slightly
angular touch to the rich and very full palate feel. Distinctive
fruit essence is countered by a touch of heat that is slightly
enhanced by the blood orange/red citric acid. It is indeed, very
intriguing.
Flavor: A boat load of
flavors come forward, even though the wine seems to be waiting
to open up. Actually, it reminds me of an old fashioned cola or
Dr. Pepper in some ways. Also, look for chocolate, cherry, vanilla
with hints of herb and mint, rosemary, mulberry and eucalyptus.
Really quite a showing for a young wine!
Serving Suggestions:
This wine definitely has the ability to go many years, but it
is approachable and enjoyable now. I would be challenging myself
to not drink all the bottles in my collection before their time.
5-10 years in the cellar is my best guess, but why wait?
2001
Argiano, Brunello di Montalcino
Growing Region: Montalcino, Italy.
Varietal Blend ……………… 100%
Sangiovese
Alcohol Level 14%
Fermentation ………………4 years
in barrel and bottle before release.
Winery Price $64.00
Case Price $52.69
Notes: Wines from the
2001 Brunello di Montalcino vintage were handed out 90-99 point
ratings like popcorn from the critics from The Wine Spectator
and The Wine Advocate. . Spice, fruit, structure, color, balance,
complexity, everything one could want in a vintage, this Argiano
has everything to offer!
Appearance: Classic Brunello
di Montalcino label, with black and gold letters, coat of arms,
DOCC tag over the top. The color is intense, with deep ruby-black-purple
hues that are pretty and reflect light wonderfully.
Nose: The fragrance is
quite complex, elegant (yet somewhat rustic as well), and features
a nutty, chestnut/pine-nut/vanilla scent that is contemplative.
Notes of vanilla, dusty earth, mushrooms and wood surround the
blackberry fruit. Nuance of rose petal also joins in.
Texture: Very smooth and
elegant texture, the wine has a delightful weight and very good
concentration. Sort of a power and elegance thing. There is some
silk and creamy feel in the middle, and it is slightly astringent
on the finish.
Flavor: This is a very
young tasting, ripe, approachable, modern style Brunello di Montalcino.
They are usually backwards and no fun at this early stage. Sweet
plum and fruit notes are welcoming, with some hints of licorice,
anise and fresh dark berries supporting. Nice notes of truffle
and earth . . . like having a piece of Tuscany in your glass!
Serving Suggestions: We
are looking for about 15 years in the cellar to bring this wine
to its fullest potential. I strongly urge you to order an additional
3-6 bottles to keep in your cellar for the ages. You will not
regret it!
* Gary
Parker is the Principal, Founder, Chairman and CEO
of The WineSellar Group. From a background of culinary arts, architecture
and art, Gary opened The WineSellar & Brasserie in 1988 with
a pioneering concept of combining a fine wine shop, a state of
the art wine storage facility, and a highly regarded French restaurant
named The Brasserie, all under one roof. With its top rated Zagat
level cuisine, and Gary Parker's hand picked wine list of 2,500
classic wines, The WineSellar & Brasserie garnered instant
notoriety. The wine list has won The Wine Spectator Grand Award
(one of the best 100 wine lists in the world) every year since
1988. Gary subsequently created The WineSellar Club and www.winesellar.com,
an Internet wine auction site. Gary is recognized
as a leading authority in fine wine, and is active as a spokesperson,
appraiser, auctioneer and panelist in the industry.
(editor's note - Gary is a former principal
owner of Laurel Restaurant & Bar. Gary established Laurel
in 1995, which he sold in February 2005).
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In reviewing the tasting notes for the two wines,
it looks like the "Notes" part of the Herman Story Grenache
are those of the other wine. Everything else looks great . . .
Here's how it should read, font is times new roman 12 point
GP
Notes:
91Point rating by Robert Parker (no relation)
"An amazing example of a varietal even more fickle than Pinot
Noir is the 2003 Grenache Larner Vineyard. Its extraordinary!.
This full-bodied, broad-shouldered, sensational Grenache is bursting
with fruit, glycerin, and concentration"
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