Join us this Thursday, September 20th, for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Barbara's going to be exploring American Red Blends: Meritage and More! This class will include a very special treat: Opus One 1997 from our cellar. This is California's famous and delicious collaboration between France's Rothschild and the US's Mondavi families! But there's a lot more to American blends than just Bordeaux-style reds or wines from the Rhône Rangers. There are still a few seats left. Reservations are required, so call 847-673-5711 to sign up today. The session starts at 6:30 PM and ends at 8 PM. Reservations are required in advance. Admission is $20 for CAP members, $25 for non-CAP.

We've just received a tiny allocation, I mean tiny, of the newest release from one of Tuscany's rock stars, Isole e Olena. Each year we see only a handful of bottles, not that we'd try to hold them all at once for fear of dropping one of these jewels. But they're here and you should call today to let us know you want one, or a few. The wine? It's the Isole Cepparello 2003. Have we heard anything about it? Well, here's what Robert Parker had to say about it: "94 points. The 2003 Cepparello (100% Sangiovese aged in French oak, 1/3 new) opens with an intense nose of very ripe fruit and sweet toasted oak. Round and supple on the palate, it presents terrific balance in its expression of the hot vintage while preserving a surprising amount of freshness. It may not quite have the finesse of the [as yet unreleased] 2004, but that is really splitting hairs at this high level of achievement. It is an awesome effort from the inspired Paolo De Marchi. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018." We urge you to strike now while we can still get you a bottle or two. Isole e Olena Cepparello 2003, Tuscany $45.97 on sale through September 30th, (Normally: $54.95)

They just make so much sense. We're crazy about these small jewels and know you'll like them too. We've always prided ourselves on our selection of half-bottles. But we confess our selection took a beating over the past six months. We were down to almost nothing before we took a look at that corner of the room. But bingo! Just in time for all Fall dinners and late warm-weather picnics, we've stocked up with some of the finest we could locate in the Midwest. Half bottles let a couple enjoy two wines for dinner, a red and a white, without a lot of waste. Half bottles allow anybody to try a wine above their budget, spend a little more for a little less. What a great idea! We're excited about each and every one of these and hope you'll take the time to fill up on these new arrivals!

 

Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel 2004, Paso Robles $25.95
 

Sanford Pinot Noir 2005, Santa Rita Hills $18.95

 

Muga Reserva 2003, Rioja, Spain $12.95

 

Le Cigare Volant 2003, California $18.95

 

Yalumba Shiraz 2004, Barossa $9.95

 

Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2004, Tuscany $16.95

 

Bethel Heights Pinot Noir 2005, Willamette Valley $19.95

 

Perrin Reserve 2005, Côtes du Rhône $7.95

 

Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2004, Côtes du Rhône $8.49

 

Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir 2005, Carneros $15.95

We've just received word about the Fall releases from one of Napa's superstars, Jayson Pahlmeyer. Not only has Pahlmeyer earned a reputation as one of California's most capable trial attorneys, once he turned his talents to making wine, he started getting raves from every wine writer and authority. The following are due in soon and will be allocated according to your orders. Please let us know immediately if you are a serious wine collector. These should be a part of your holdings.

 

Pahlmeyer Merlot 2004, Napa $99.97 (Normally: $123.95)

"90 pts. Pahlmeyer has consistently produced one of the finest, most ageworthy Merlots in California. Their 2004 Merlot (a blend of 87.5% Merlot and 12.5% Cabernet Sauvignon) exhibits a soft, fleshy, up-front, charming bouquet of chocolate, berry fruit, and roasted herbs. Round, front-end loaded, and seductive, it should be enjoyed over the next 7-8 years." - Robert Parker

 

Pahlmeyer Chardonnay 2005, Napa $79.97 (Normally: $86.95)

"92 points. There are 3,000 cases of the 2005 Chardonnay Napa, which reveals a light gold/green color along with scents of nectarines, quince, orange marmalade, brioche, and a leesy element. It possesses terrific acidity, not quite the complexity or mouthfeel of the Sonoma Coast offering, but a big, bold, smoky style that demands consumption over the next 5-6 years." - Robert Parker

 

Jason (Pahlmeyer) Chardonnay 2005 $45.97 (Normally: $53.95)

The 2005 is not yet rated. However, the 2004 scored 89 points by the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine. "This is Pahlmeyer's second-tier Chardonnay, but it fully reflects the winery's penchant for big wines of immense weight and stuffing, and, while very ripe and loaded down with dramatic oak, lees and toast, it still manages to save room for requisite fruit."

 

Jayson (Pahlmeyer) Red 2004, Napa $63.97 (Normally: $69.95)

"92 points. Firm, ripe and complex, with vivid, well-defined red currant and black cherry fruit, structured and supported by firm, integrated tannins. Ends with a nice flash of toasty oak and mineral notes. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2012. (JL). Wine Spectator Insider, Volume 2, Number 24, November 29, 2006.

 

Jayson (Pahlmeyer) Pinot Noir 2005, Napa $69.97 (Normally: $79.95)

"91-93 points... Its dark ruby color is accompanied by a sumptuous perfume of crushed rocks, spring flowers, blueberries, raspberries, plums, and spice. This medium to full-bodied, pure Pinot should age nicely for 7-8 years." - December, 2006, issue of The Wine Advocate, Robert Parker.

It never fails. You get a taste in your head, somewhere in the way-back part of your brain, and you can't shake it. That's what happened the first time I had this great, simple Cabernet Franc from the Loire, and it seems like every vintage just gets a lot better. The Bretons (could a name be any more perfect for two of the stars of this part of France?) own a parcel of Cabernet Franc in Bourgueil, the less-well-known brother of Chinon, along the Loire valley, and crank out some of the yummiest day-to-day reds ever. Who cares that it's not Pinot Noir or some big-name classified Bordeaux? For easy drinking with mushrooms and tenderloin, with a side of twice-bakeds, here's THE red. (The nickname of this wine, "Trinch" is French for the sound two glasses make when they clink.) Oh, and here's what Parker has to say, if you're not convinced: "88 points. Their 2005 Bourgueil Trinch! is brimming with fresh cassis and blackberry fruit, and finishes with purity, clarity and refreshment, subtle hints of tart fruit skin, bitter chocolate and salt." Breton Bourguiel "Trinch" 2005, Loire $19.95

Maybe we're a little sensitive, but one of Napa's powerhouse wineries, Joseph Phelps, announced the pending release of their top-drawer red, Insignia. Well, you'll have to buy this one somewhere else. Their 2004 took a jump of 33%! Have they heard how the economy's doing? Does anyone have a balloon mortgage they'd like to trade for a case or two of this? Last year's Insignia was released at $150 a bottle. This year, you'll have to pony up $225 a bottle, and be grateful if you can grab a few bottles. With the price of the 2005s from Bordeaux no doubt influencing the marketing people behind this, not to mention the stratospheric prices asked by several other Napa Cab. labels, I can understand why they feel that anyone who wants a bottle as good as this should have to pay for it. No question. Just don't ask me to stand behind it. There are limits, and mine was back there at $150.

In case you want to see what it's been like at the southern Rhône's greatest estate late this summer, here's a convenient on-line slideshow.

Get here early, we'll sample a range of discoveries from our latest sale as well as a range of the wines of one of our Napa favorites, the reds and whites of Raymond Vineyards. As always, its totally free.

That's all for this week. If we may be of any further service, please stop by our store at 9965 Gross Point Road in Skokie (for directions, click here), visit our website at http://www.schaefers.com, give us a call at 847-677-WINE (9463), 800-833-WINE (9463), or click here to contact us.