July 4 is Saturday (omigod you say) and
you're heading to the beach.
The kids are going to want to play putt-putt
and all you want is to catch some rays and
read a paperback. At some point during that
idyllic week you're going to need a glass of
wine . . . maybe a martini.
Follow me carefully . . . an idea is
germinating . . . you need wine and we've got
a warehouse full . . . where you have to walk
sideways to get through the aisles.
STARTING TODAY AT 10 AM . . . PEARSON'S
FOURTH OF JULY SUMMER WINE SALE
"Is this a great country or what?"
THIS WEEK ONLY . . . MONDAY, TUESDAY,
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY . . . CLOSED
SATURDAY JULY 4
30% OFF ALL "REGULAR PRICED" WHITE TAGGED
BOTTLES 5% OFF ALL "SALE PRICED" RED
TAGGED BOTTLES WHEN YOU BUY 12 OR MORE
BOTTLES MIX OR MATCH
details below.
RULES OF THE SALE 1. 100% OF OUR ''IN STOCK'' 750 ML wine
and champagne inventory is included.
2.
''IN STOCK'' ITEMS ONLY. . . NO SPECIAL
ORDERS. 3. FIVE DAYS ONLY . . .
June 29,
30, July 1, 2 & 3. 4. FOR EMAIL
CUSTOMERS ONLY. 5. BRING FRIENDS . . .
If they give us their EMAIL ADDRESS, they can
have 30% OFF, too. 6. 30% CASE
DISCOUNT
applies to the REGULAR WHITE TAG PRICES in
any assortment of 12 OR MORE 750 ml wines
that we have ''IN STOCK.'' 7. RED TAG
SALE wines ARE INCLUDED . . . TAKE 5% OFF RED
TAG WINES when they are included in any
assortment of 12 or more 750 ml wines.
8. NO SPECIAL ORDERS. If we don't have
it IN STOCK, it's not included. 9.
ALSO
NOT INCLUDED: Special orders, future orders,
previously ordered, and previously paid for
wines.
Many will be open for tasting . . . some will
sell out before you get here . . . all are
delicious . . . . buy early . . . buy often .
. . come with an open palate.
plus . . . A GREAT SELECTION OF
SPECIALLY CHOSEN WINES PERFECT FOR
CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF OUR MAGNIFICENT
COUNTRY . . . p.s. The wines
in this
list are dirt cheap . . . no further
discounts apply.
1. CAVE DE LUGNY MACON-VILLAGES 2007 This is Macon-Lugny's twin brother . . .
made at Cave de Lugny, southern Burgundy's
largest and most modern cooperative . . . one
of the most recognizable Chardonnay brands on
the face of the earth. We sell so much
Macon-Lugny it's almost uncontrollable . . .
but we were given the opportunity to sell its
twin brother for twenty percent less . . . so
we did the taste-test comparison and there
was no perceivable difference . . . both are
un-oaked . . . crisp and dry, reserved citrus
and peach and minerality on the nose . . .
mid to light texture and fresh as can be . .
. I recommend you stock up on the
Macon-Villages while supplies last.
Reg 11.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
33% OFF . . . $7.99 while supplies last
2. STERLING VINTNERS COLLECTION MERITAGE
2007 Meritage (rhymes with Heritage) . . . the
name given to wines outside Bordeaux that use
the Bordeaux varietals . . . Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec,
Petit Verdot . . . the Meritage label is
available only to wineries that have agreed
to adhere to certain high quality and maximum
production standards.
This wine has shocked and amazed me . . .
it is one of the best under $20 wines I have
ever drunk for less than ten bucks. Steve's notes: "Classic Bordeaux
blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit
Verdot. Dark, dark ruby . . . big,
wonderfully extracted nose . . . great
Bordeaux varietal flavors with a good tannic
grip and a definite California accent . . .
mid to long on the palate."
Reg 13.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
43% OFF . . . $7.99
3. METTLER FAMILY VINEYARDS CABERNET
SAUVIGNON, LODI, 2004 HALF BOTTLE DISCOVERY. We have
been recommending and selling Mettler Family
Vineyards in full bottles for several years.
They're from Lodi, the hot, sunny spot just
east of San Francisco. The Mettlers are
fourth generation Lodi farmers more famous
for their highly extracted, high octane
Zinfandel.
The Mettler Cabernet is very dark, highly
extracted, warm, lush and has just the right
Cabernet edge . . . organically grown . . .
aged in toasty oak . . . this HALF BOTTLE is
a huge discovery you'll compare to wine that
costs twice as much.
Reg 13.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
36% OFF . . . $8.99
4. DOMAINE DES CORBILLIERES TOURAINE
SAUVIGNON BLANC 2008 Touraine is just a short drive west of
Sancerre . . . still in the heart of the
Loire Valley. In the right hands, the climate
and the porous, mineral-rich soils can yield
near-identical flavors . . . AT HALF THE
PRICE OF SANCERRE. Those hands belong to
Dominique Barbou, the great grandson of the
founder . . . the vineyards are now quite
mature, with vines as much as 40 years old .
. . grown on sandy soil over a bed of clay .
. . no chemical fertilizers, only organic
matter is used . . . no oak for this beauty .
. . fermented in stainless steel and left on
its natural lees for a month . . . this
year's Sauvignon Blanc is brighter and
crisper and more intensely fragrant than
those of any of his predecessors.
Robert Kacher's notes: "Located in
the town of Oisly, about 30 kilometers east
of the city of Tours, is the 20-hectare
estate of Domaine des Corbillières. It was
three generations ago that Fabel Barbou
planted his first Sauvignon Blanc,
introducing the varietal in this central
Loire appellation. His family has followed in
producing the regions best example of the
grape type. The wines are now made by Fabel's
great-grandson Dominique, with the same great
care and passion. The vineyards today are
very old and low-yielding, which helps in
producing the expressive fruit for this
terrific white wine value. The first thing
you will realize when tasting this intensely
aromatic white wine, is there is no oak used.
High tones of ripe citrus fruits are abundant
in this refreshingly bright wine. I always
look forward to my January visit to taste the
fresh, vibrant wines after the harvest, and I
am always tempted to search out the local
goat cheese to accompany this impeccably-made
Sauvignon."
Reg 12.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
31% OFF . . . $8.99
5. CASA BELLA MONT'ARQUATO 2007 Ask Larry about this one . . . one of
those unusual blends from some faraway place
that lights his intellectual curiosity. The
winery is in the hills of Piacenza, in
northern Italy, between Milano and Bologna .
. . on the right bank of the Po River in the
fertile Po Valley. A blend of Cabernet and
Barbera . . . the wine takes on the aromas of
Provencal olives and local herbs . . . the
color is dark ruby . . . the texture is soft
and palate coating . . . unique and perfect
for summertime grilling . . . a huge value at
under $10.
Reg 14.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
33% OFF . . . $9.99
6. FOX TROT RED, FINGER LAKES, NEW YORK
STATE If I can't get you to drink this bright
concoction for July 4 I will consider myself
a dismal failure . . . it's like nothing
you've ever drunk before. Fox Run Vineyards
on Seneca Lake in the New York Finger Lakes
has taken two of its best growing grapes and
combined them into THIS SUMMER'S MOST
REFRESHING DRINK . . . a blend of half
Concord grape and half Cabernet Franc . . .
the Concord gives it that "wish I were a kid
again" gulp-ability and the Cabernet Franc
tones it down and adds a bit of grip and
finesse. Get yourself onto a comfortable
lounge chair, apply the sunscreen, then pour
some Fox Trot Red into a tall jelly glass . .
. add ice with club soda or tonic water and .
. . WOW . . . DELICIOUS . . . goes with
hamburgers, hot dogs and fireworks.
Reg 15.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
25% OFF . . . $11.99
7. LOUIS LATOUR DOMAINE DE VALMOISSINE
PINOT NOIR 2007 Latour is one of Burgundy's grandest
names . . . a grower, winemaker, grape
purchaser and Burgundy's largest owner of
Grand Cru Vineyards.
In 1989 they purchased 75 acres in the
Coteaux du Verdon, seventy miles north of the
vacation paradise known as Saint Tropez . . .
in the mountainous foothills that overlook
and take advantage of the Mediterranean
influence.
Using traditional Burgundian vinification
methods and adapting to the southern, warmer,
higher elevation appellation, they make the
most succulent Pinot Noir you can imagine . .
. completely fruit driven. The Valmoissine is
fermented in stainless steel, hand harvested
and estate bottled . . . it is all sweet
raspberry/strawberry with terrific spice and
length on the palate . . . I have drunk this
wine over three vintages and this one has the
most texture and extract I've yet encountered
. . . undoubtedly the best Valmoissine
they've ever made.
Reg 16.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
30% OFF . . . $11.99
8. GOTHAM SHIRAZ McLAREN VALE 2008 WINEMAKER BRUCE CLUGSTON WAS A RETAILER
FOR SIXTEEN YEARS . . . just like me . . .
opening bottles for customers day after day
on the floor of his store in Sydney . . . you
want to know what the customer really likes?
. . . ask a retailer. These are the kinds of
wines Australia used to send us when when
they were first making their mark . . . in
two words, they WAY OVERDELIVER.
Winery notes: "Deep dense dark and
brooding in colour with a stunning rim of
purple/red in the glass. The nose is
hedonistic with rich ripe plums and loads of
primary spices including fennel, black
pepper, with mocha and coffee highlights. The
palate is unctuous with superb velvet tannins
and incredible intense length. The wine is
big and rich, yet soft and silky with
beautiful plums, coffee, vanilla and fennel
all lingering around the mouth for ages.
Mouth watering!"
Reg 16.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
30% OFF . . . $11.99
9. GOTHAM CABERNET SAUVIGNON McLAREN VALE
2008 WINEMAKER BRUCE CLUGSTON WAS A RETAILER
FOR SIXTEEN YEARS . . . just like me . . .
opening bottles for customers day after day
on the floor of his store in Sydney . . . you
want to know what the customer really likes?
. . . ask a retailer. These are the kinds of
wines Australia used to send us when when
they were first making their mark . . . in
two words, they WAY OVERDELIVER.
Winery notes: "Black as ink to
look at and on the nose it screams
blueberries, creme de cassis, and liquorice,
cedar and spice box. The oak is dominated by
the lavish, extravagant amounts of fruit and
glycerin. This intense, full-bodied,
surprisingly pure and elegant Cabernet should
last at least a decade."
Reg 16.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
30% OFF . . . $11.99
10. AMERICAN WINETASTERS SOCIETY 2007
OREGON PINOT NOIR American Winetasters Society is our
fastest selling Pinot Noir. This year they
hardly made any at all . . . total production
2,688 bottles . . . 224 measly cases . . . we
had 168 of them . . . now we're down to
the last 50. It was grown in Willamette
Valley . . . a 100 mile stretch that begins
just south of Portland, Oregon. Of all the
wine growing regions in the U.S., Willamette
is considered Pinot's best . . . a cooler
climate than most to the south in California
. . . with long, gentle, misty summers and
sometimes finicky harvests, Willamette Valley
produces Pinot Noir to rival the best of
Burgundy. You've heard the names . . .
Adelsheim, Archery Summit, Beaux Freres,
Chehalem, Domaine Drouhin, Eyrie, Ken Wright,
Ponzi, Shea, Sokol Blosser, Willakenzie,
Witness Tree.
The 2007 vintage in Willamette is
outstanding . . . this year's is medium
garnet in color, a nose more reminiscent of
raspberry and cassis than strawberry, weighty
and palate coating, with a finish that goes
on a good, long time. Delicious now and
worthy to cellar for a half dozen years.
AWS is a group of professional wine
buyers and merchants who specialize in
purchasing overproduction of exceptional
single varietal wines which they then bottle
and sell at prices that are at least half of
what they would cost if they had the famous
labels still attached. Comparable Price would
be at least $25.00.
PEARSON'S PRICE $15.99 . . .
$14.99/btl by the case of 12
11. CLOUDY BAY MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
2008 New low price will shock and amaze you
. . . New Zealand's cult Sauvignon Blanc woke
up the
white wine world in 1990 with its zesty,
aromatic,
high-toned, concentrated, super-intense
grassy-ness . . . expensive, allocated and
hard to find, it became an overnight
worldwide success. After all these years
Cloudy Bay has become
close to invisible among the flood of
me-too's that have washed ashore . . . but
there is no denying that CB has remained
revered as the quality standard of the New
Zealand Sauvignon Blanc category.
Wine & Spirits 92 points: "This
firm, luscious Sauvignon is impressively
concentrated for the 2008 vintage. It's
saturated with gooseberry and lemongrass
flavors, and plenty of acidity. Give it
several years in bottle to mellow, or serve
it now with freshly shucked oysters."
Wine Spectator 91 points: "Light
and tart, with a zip to the acidity that
carries the vivid, celery-tinged gooseberry
and lime flavors, lingering impressively on
the sharply focused finish. Drink now."
Reg 29.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
33% OFF . . . $19.99
12. CONUNDRUM 2007 No one else makes a wine like this . . .
made from a base of Napa Valley's
first-to-ripen, warm weather Sauvignon Blanc
. . . for its green-melon aromas and
fresh-cut-grass flavors. Next are the highly
aromatic, warm climate Muscat Canelli and
Viognier from (halfway to Los Angeles) Tulare
County. Finally, they add the cool climate
Monterey Chardonnay . . . for its tropical
aromas and bit of weight. The result is a
"puzzle of a wine" . . . a conundrum . . .
that people never fail to react to . . .
"I've never tasted a white wine like this
before," they have been saying since the
first vintage in 1989. The '07 vintage is now
in stock . . . highly aromatic with a
tantalizing spiciness and a long, crisp
finish . . . drink as a heady aperitif . . .
or with the DC area's three basic summer food
groups . . . HARDSHELLS, SOFTSHELLS & CRABCAKES.
Reg Red Tag Sale Price 21.99 . . .
WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE . . . $18.99
13. LES CAILLOUX CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2006 It was 1989 . . . my first visit to the
Rhone Valley . . . a hot sunny summer
afternoon, barely 5 miles to the north of
Chateuneuf-du-Pape . . . lunch with Bobby
Kacher and Andre Brunel at a bistro next to
the small collesium in the center of the
ancient Roman village of Orange. We drank the
1986 Les Cailloux. Since that day, I have
turned to Chateauneuf-du-Pape more often than
any other wine . . . for sumptuous, meaty,
aromatic, early drinking reds . . .
especially Les Cailloux . . . the widely
acknowledged standard for the region. Wine Spectator 91 points: "Very
silky, but with nice drive, thanks to the
refreshing mineral and shiso leaf notes that
propel the supple raspberry and red currant
fruit and incense and spice box notes through
the lengthy finish. The minerality gets
brighter as this airs. Drink now through
2023. 500 cases imported."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine
Cellar 91 points: "Ruby-red. Exuberant
raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated
by anise, rose, baking spices and smoky
herbs. Offers an intriguing blend of
sweetness and spice on the palate, which
offers pliant red berry and bitter cherry
flavors with cinnamon, white pepper and
lavender pastille accents. Finishes with a
strong echo of red berries and impressive
clarity. This is delicious now."
Robert Parker 90 points: "The 2006
Chateauneuf du Pape displays the vintage's
distinctive, explosively earthy, spicy,
peppery, garrigue-dominated essence of
Provence-like aromatics. The fruit takes a
back seat to the spicy, earthy component. Les
Cailloux's tradition cuvee of Chateauneuf du
Pape is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20%
Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault,
aged in both tank and small barrels. This
full-bodied, supple-textured effort is
already seductive and round. Enjoy it over
the next 10-12 years."
Reg 59.99 . . . WEEK OF JULY 4 PRICE
39% OFF . . . $36.99
Case of 12 $420.00 (35.00)
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 29, 2009 - 07:22 PM
In Bordeaux, it is traditional. In
California, it was a problem.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec
and Petit Verdot . . .
These are the red grapes used in the
traditional Bordeaux blend . . . made in the
wine region called Bordeaux . . . and which
ends up being called . . . Bordeaux.
In California, the problem was . . . Cabernet
is called "Cabernet" . . . Merlot is called
"Merlot" . . . "Cabernet Franc" is called . .
. well, you get the idea.
So the problem persisted . . . what to call
California wines made from a blend of
traditional Bordeaux grapes?
In 1988, a group of wine makers, after
extensive research to determine a proper
name, formed the Meritage Association . . .
which concluded that the name Meritage (wines
of Merit -- rhymes with heritage) would be
applied to wines made from two or more of the
traditional Bordeaux grapes . . . and because
they were concerned that some terms (like
"reserve") were being used indiscriminately
by mass marketed wineries . . . Meritage
wines would be required to be the first or
second highest quality (also read most
expensive) wine that the winery has to offer
. . . with less than 25,000 case production.
Now going on twenty-five years . . . the term
Meritage has become quite a prestigious
reference.
There are more than 130 Meritage members in
fourteen states, Australia, Canada and Israel
. . . even elite non-members . . . like Opus
One and Dominus . . . at $100 and more . . .
have benefitted from the common practice of
referring to them as Meritage wines . . .
even though they are not members of the
Association and therefore do not use the name
Meritage on the label.
Which brings me to today's Meritage wine . . .
delicious and extraordinarily priced . . .
open for tasting.
STERLING VINTNERS COLLECTION MERITAGE 2007 Steve's notes: "Classic Bordeaux
blend of Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Petit
Verdot. Dark, dark ruby . . . big,
wonderfully extracted nose . . . great
Bordeaux varietal flavors with a good tannic
grip and a definite California accent . . .
mid to long on the palate . . . one of the
best under $10 values I've ever tasted."
PEARSON'S PRICE $8.99 . . . SATURDAY
ONLY $7.99 BY THE CASE
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 27, 2009 - 06:50 PM
That's when Andre Brunel . . . superb
Chateaneuf du Pape producer of Les Cailloux .
. . showed Bobby his latest wine . . . a
white Chateauneuf made from Roussanne,
Grenache Blanc and Clairette . . . native to
the southern Rhone, but planted just outside
of Chateauneuf . . . therefore required to
carry the label of Cotes du Rhone Blanc.
Brunel planted the vineyard in 1978 . . . a
cool micro climate of sandy, limestone soils
. . . one of the only domaines in the region
to produce white wines exclusively.
Ever since, Becassonne has been pruned to
produce low yields and each varietal is
separately harvested for optimum ripeness . .
. no oak for this bright beauty . . .
fermented in stainless steel to accentuate
freshness, vibrancy and aromatics.
Ever since, we have looked forward to its
arrival. Becassonne is a once a year wine . .
. deliverd to us shortly after its spring
bottling . . . and gobbled up by the
regulars who impatiently remind me of its
impending arrival.
Taste with us.
DOMAINE DE LA BECASSONNE 2008, COTES DU
RHONE BLANC I just opened a just-arrived bottle of
the 2008 . . . the color is clear light straw
and the nose is intensely lemon . . . it
slides onto the palate with a creaminess you
would not expect from a wine of such vibrancy
. . . the lemony/minerally flavors cling to
the back of the palate for quite a long
while, moving up into into the olfactories
where they continue to linger. A perfect,
crisp aperitif wine or with a Nicoise salad
or with goat cheese and hunk of french bread.
Buy a few cases and drink it all summer long
. . . like summering on the Cote d'Azur.
Reg 11.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE $8.99
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 25, 2009 - 06:41 PM
It was 1989 . . . my first visit to the Rhone
Valley . . . a hot sunny summer afternoon,
barely 5 miles to the north of
Chateuneuf-du-Pape . . . lunch with Bobby
Kacher and Andre Brunel at a bistro next to
the small collesium in the center of the
ancient Roman village of Orange. We drank the
1986 Les Cailloux.
Since that day, I have turned to
Chateauneuf-du-Pape more often than any other
wine . . . for sumptuous, meaty, aromatic,
early drinking reds . . . especially Les
Cailloux . . . the widely acknowledged
standard for the region.
Chateauneuf du Pape . . . the most famous
appellation of Southern France . . . named
for the Castle of Pope John XXII . . . built
among the vineyards outside of Avignon.
Where the earth is covered by large, smooth,
oval stones called Les Cailloux . . .
blanketing every vineyard and plateau . . .
formed from the rocks of glaciers ripped from
the terrain millions of years ago . . . then
slowly smoothed and rounded at the bottom of
the Rhone River . . . and ultimately
deposited throughout the region as if
precisely placed by hand in a single layer.
Then there's the Mistral . . . the hot summer
wind that howls across southern France . . .
parching the earth into a hardened crust. The
layer of "cailloux" acts to protect the
vineyards' underlying soils from drying out
completely . . . both protecting and
nourishing the vines' deep roots . . .
helping to ripen the grapes even earlier than
would otherwise be expected.
And the grapes . . . Appellation Controlee
laws allow up to thirteen different varietals
. . . reds and whites . . . Grenache, Syrah,
Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Cournoise,
Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne,
Terret Noir, Picardan, Vaccarese . . . to be
blended into a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Brunel's Les Cailloux is a blend of three of
the allowed grapes . . . primarily Grenache
from 80 to 100 year old vines, Mourvedre and
Syrah . . . each harvested and vinified
separately . . . the Grenache is aged in
large foudres, the Mourvedre and Syrah are
aged in small oak barrels. The wine has a
very ripe, meaty nose . . . its texture is
dense and chewy . . . the finish is long and
concentrated.
We have been able to secure a small
allocation of the wonderful 2006 at a very
special price . . . please come and taste
with us.
LES CAILLOUX CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2006 Wine Spectator 91 points: "Very
silky, but with nice drive, thanks to the
refreshing mineral and shiso leaf notes that
propel the supple raspberry and red currant
fruit and incense and spice box notes through
the lengthy finish. The minerality gets
brighter as this airs. Drink now through
2023. 500 cases imported."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine
Cellar 91 points: "Ruby-red. Exuberant
raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated
by anise, rose, baking spices and smoky
herbs. Offers an intriguing blend of
sweetness and spice on the palate, which
offers pliant red berry and bitter cherry
flavors with cinnamon, white pepper and
lavender pastille accents. Finishes with a
strong echo of red berries and impressive
clarity. This is delicious now."
Robert Parker 90 points: "The 2006
Chateauneuf du Pape displays the vintage's
distinctive, explosively earthy, spicy,
peppery, garrigue-dominated essence of
Provence-like aromatics. The fruit takes a
back seat to the spicy, earthy component. Les
Cailloux's tradition cuvee of Chateauneuf du
Pape is a blend of 65% Grenache, 20%
Mourvedre, 12% Syrah, and the rest Cinsault,
aged in both tank and small barrels. This
full-bodied, supple-textured effort is
already seductive and round. Enjoy it over
the next 10-12 years."
Reg 59.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE 39%
OFF . . . $36.99
Case of 12 $420.00 (35.00)
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 25, 2009 - 06:39 PM
The rumors are rumors no more. After 75 years
Pearson's is changing hands.
In 1933, Rae's father, Doc Eisenberg, started
as a pharmacist at Pearson's Pharmacy at the
corner of Wisconsin & Calvert. As soon as the
end of prohibition allowed, he added liquor
to the shelves and it just took off. In a
short time it was necessary to open Pearson's
Liquor Annex a couple of doors away . . . our
location still.
I came to Pearson's in 1976 and once the kids
were in school Rae came in to give me a hand.
We have worked side by side ever since.
Pearson's, Glover Park, all of our loyal
customers and faithful suppliers are our
life. We did not want to give up Pearson's .
. . it's a family matter which involves real
estate and other things that are beyond our
control. Everyone has to move on some time .
. . this is ours.
We are proud to introduce to you the new
owners of Pearson's, Helen and David Choi.
They are everything we were when we started
out . . . young, energetic, outgoing,
enthusiastic, serious . . . and nervous . . .
most importantly they are in love with wine.
Their philosophy is identical to ours . . .
the customer's needs come first . . .
personal relationships with customers and
suppliers are paramount . . . flexibility is
supreme.
Everything here will be the same . . . they
love the staff and everyone will remain . . .
Michael, Harold, Larry, Erick, John, Kobi,
Rev and Judy . . . all long timers. Rae and I
will be here for the next couple of months to
ease the transition and I will keep those
emails coming.
Will Pearson's change, you ask? That remains
to be seen . . . only for the better, I'm
certain . . . starting with the two new
welcoming faces of Helen and David Choi . . .
please come meet them soon.
Steve & Rae
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 23, 2009 - 07:42 PM
These are the kinds of wines Australia used
to send us when when they were first making
their mark . . . in two words, they WAY
OVERDELIVER.
Huge . . . hedonistic . . . velvety . . .
full of fruit . . . black through and through
. . . big . . . mouthfilling . . . and chewable.
WINEMAKER BRUCE CLUGSTON WAS A RETAILER
FOR SIXTEEN YEARS . . . just like me . .
. opening bottles for customers day after day
on the floor of his store in Sydney . . . you
want to know what the customer really likes?
. . . ask a retailer.
No wonder he has chosen to specialize in
these powerful wines.
Bruce's wife and partner, Fiona White, was in
the store last week with their new
Gotham wines . . . yes, they are named
for New Yawk City . . . so I'm sure
you won't take offense when I say, "Get your
rear end over here and taste these monumental
wines with us."
Buy them individually or 6 bottles of each
for $143.88 (11.99 a bottle).
GOTHAM SHIRAZ McLAREN VALE 2008 Winery notes: "Deep dense dark and
brooding in colour with a stunning rim of
purple/red in the glass. The nose is
hedonistic with rich ripe plums and loads of
primary spices including fennel, black
pepper, with mocha and coffee highlights. The
palate is unctuous with superb velvet tannins
and incredible intense length. The wine is
big and rich, yet soft and silky with
beautiful plums, coffee, vanilla and fennel
all lingering around the mouth for ages.
Mouth watering!"
Reg 16.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE $12.74
GOTHAM CABERNET SAUVIGNON McLAREN VALE
2008 Winery notes: "Black as ink to
look at and on the nose it screams
blueberries, creme de cassis, and liquorice,
cedar and spice box. The oak is dominated by
the lavish, extravagant amounts of fruit and
glycerin. This intense, full-bodied,
surprisingly pure and elegant Cabernet should
last at least a decade."
Reg 15.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE $12.74
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 23, 2009 - 07:40 PM
Some of the finest, highly rated, giftable
wines on the face of the earth . . .
JOHN DUVAL PLEXUS, BAROSSA VALLEY, 2006 John Duval was the principal winemaker at
Penfolds Grange from 1986 to 2002.
After 16 years as the chief winemaker for the
iconic Australia wine, Penfolds Grange, John
Duval established his own winery in
Australia's Barossa Valley . . . where he
continues to make world class wines that
receive world-shaking reviews.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 95
points: "The 2006 Plexus is composed of
52% Shiraz, 30% Grenache, and 18% Mourvedre.
Purple-colored, it offers up an exotic
concoction of underbrush, violets, leather,
black cherry, and blueberry pie. On the
palate, this sexy effort is opulent,
succulent, incipiently complex, and
altogether hedonistic. It should perform well
for a decade. In the scheme of things, it is
also a terrific value."
PEARSON'S PRICE $41.99 . . . 36
bottles available
MOLLYDOOKER SHIRAZ BLUE EYED BOY, SOUTH
AUSTRALIA, 2007 Made by Sarah and Sparky Marquis
(pronounced Markwiss, not Marquee) . . . two
of the most revered winemakers in Australia .
. . Winemakers of the Year, three time
McLaren Vale Bushing Award . . . responsible
for the icon brand, Marquis-Philips, until
their split from that other Australian icon,
Dan Philips.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 95
points: "The opaque purple-colored 2007
Blue-Eyed Boy Shiraz spent 12 months in 80%
new American oak. It offers up an enticing
nose of cedar, tobacco, mineral, blueberry,
and black raspberry. Opulent on the palate,
this glossy effort will evolve for another
1-2 years but can be enjoyed now and over the
next decade."
PEARSON'S PRICE $59.99 . . . 16
bottles available
MOLLYDOOKER CARNIVAL OF LOVE, McLAREN
VALE, 2007 MollyDooker (Aussie for leftie--both
Sarah and Sparky are southpaws) became their
new passion. . . . WOW WINES ALL. In the two
vintages since their first in 2005, sixteen
MollyDookers have been rated 90 and above by
the Wine Advocate . . . half of them 95-99
points.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 96
points: "The 100% Shiraz 2007 Carnival of
Love has a smoky, toasty perfume with notes
of violet, garrigue, blueberry, and plum
adding complexity. Opulent on the palate,
this glossy Shiraz has serious depth of
flavor, great concentration, excellent
integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, and
a pure, silky finish. Drink it from 2013 to 2026.
PEARSON'S PRICE $99.00 . . . 18
bottles available
SILVER OAK NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2004 Silver Oak makes two
wines only
. . . their fruit forward Sonoma Alexander
Valley Cabernet blend and the superior Napa
Valley Cabernet. 2004 in Napa was an
outstanding vintage . . . the long growing
season began very early and the harvest was
exceptionally long, extending over 39 days.
The final blend was aged in new American oak
for 24 months and another 20 months in bottle
before release. The wine is exceptional. I
recommend you cellar some of this classic
California Cab. Steve's
notes: "A
blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Medium ruby color. Nose of cedar, herbs,
spice, plum and olive. A touch of vanilla.
Medium body on the palate. Flavors accentuate
dark, brambly blackberry and currant. The
wine is velvety with strong, underlying
tannins. Enjoy for the next ten years, at
least." Tanzer's International Wine
Cellar 90 points: "Good deep red. Black
cherry, plum syrup and lead pencil on the
nose, with a lightly roasted character and a
meaty nuance. Quite pliant on the palate,
with a much more velvety mouthfeel than the
Alexander Valley offering and more mid-palate
stuffing to support its toothcoating tannins.
Here the wine's herbal element lifts the
fruit. Not exactly fat but nicely sweet.
Finishes with very good breadth and length."
Connoisseurs' Guide 91 points:
"Deep, well-defined curranty fruit is the
driving force of this nicely extracted, young
Cabernet, while complementary oak and deft
touches of cocoa lend a boost in overall
richness. If fairly full-bodied, the wine
shows nary a hint of heaviness and sports a
fine sense of balance from beginning to end.
It is supple to start and finishes with
appropriate tannins, but its astringency
never gets in the way of its ongoing fruit,
and time is a guaranteed remedy to its wholly
acceptable toughness." PEARSON'S
PRICE $84.99
ROBERT MONDAVI RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON,
NAPA, 2004 Robert Mondavi was a wine pioneer whose
winemaking, vision and salesmanship was
practically single-handedly responsible for
putting fine California varietal wines on the
dinner tables of millions of Americans. His
Reserve wines are among the finest Napa
Valley wines ever made.
Wine Spectator 95 points. #7 Top 100
2007: "Weaves together a complex array of
ripe, rich currant, anise, smoky oak and
black cherry. Dense, concentrated and
persistent, with great depth and focus. Ends
with an amazingly long, richly flavored
finish. Best from 2008 through 2018."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 92+
points: "A blend of 86% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and the rest
Petit Verdot, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve, which mostly comes from To-Kalon,
has a relatively small production in this
vintage (7,500 cases). The wine has a dense
purple color and a wonderful, sweet, almost
St.-Julien like nose of licorice, red and
black currants, cedar, and spice. Medium to
full-bodied, elegant, but authoritatively
flavored, this wine is still young, rich, and
very fine.
PEARSON'S PRICE $125.99 . . . 18
bottles available
ROBERT MONDAVI RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON,
NAPA, 2001 Robert Mondavi was a wine pioneer whose
winemaking, vision and salesmanship was
practically single-handedly responsible for
putting fine California varietal wines on the
dinner tables of millions of Americans. His
Reserve wines are among the finest Napa
Valley wines ever made.
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 94
points: "The finest Private Reserve since
the 1991, 1990, and 1987, the 2001 Cabernet
Sauvignon Private Reserve is extraordinary.
There are 8,000 cases of this blend of 88%
Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and
small dollops of Merlot as well as Petit
Verdot. A perfume of smoke, camphor, creme de
cassis, cedar, and fruitcake is accompanied
by a gentle giant of a wine. Powerful and
impeccably balanced, with outstanding
concentration, well-integrated wood, acidity,
and tannin, and a long, nearly 60-second
finish, this saturated ruby/purple-hued
effort is a prodigious example of Cabernet
Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: now-2020+."
PEARSON'S PRICE $125.99 . . . 6
bottles available
SHAFER VINEYARDS HILLSIDE SELECT CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 2004 In 1972 John Shafer invested in 210 acres
of Napa Valley's Stag's Leap District . . .
basically getting in on the ground floor of
Napa Valley's most prestigious American
Viticultural Area. Their "Hillside Select" is
made in tiny quantities and has become the
benchmark for the cult/collectibles of
California.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 97
points: "One of the world's most
prodigious Cabernet Sauvignons is Shafer's
2,000-case cuvee called Hillside Select.
Always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100%
new French oak for a whopping 32 months, it
boasts a gorgeous track record dating back to
the early nineties, and just about every
recent vintage has flirted with perfection.
The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select
performed even better this year than it did
in [the tasting of] 2007. It possesses an
inky/ruby/purple color, a juicy perfume of
black currants, black cherries, graphite,
charcoal, and toasty oak, superb opulence, a
fleshy mid-palate, a multilayered mouthfeel,
and a dazzling finish. This flamboyant, sexy
Hillside Select can be enjoyed now and over
the next 20 years.
PEARSON'S PRICE $279.00 . . . 5
bottles available
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
Sincerely brought to you by Steve
Silver, proprietor
Pearson's Wine & Liquor 2436 Wisconsin
Ave NW, Wash DC 20007
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 18, 2009 - 08:11 PM
Here's the reality. Today is June 15 and
there are only two weeks until the week of
July 4 . . . which, by the way, falls on a
Saturday this year.
Our most popular wines are under $15. I
quickly estimated at least one hundred wines
on the floor at our every day red tag prices
of $14.99 or less . . . more than half of
them are under
$10.
Here's the opportunity.
Whether your July 4 plans include a week at
the beach or a local backyard barbecue . . .
this is the week to stock up on our lowest
priced, most popular wines
. . . at our lowest prices of the year.
Buy 12 or more red tag wines . . . mix or
match . . . take an additional dollar a
bottle off of all the following red tag
prices . . .
[This list is not all inclusive. There are
many more red tag wines available at the
extra dollar a bottle case discount . . .
have a ball.]
Toasted Head Chardonnay 2007 . . . $10.99
Toasted Head Viognier 2007 . . . $10.99
Windmill Zinfandel Lodi 2006 . . . $11.99
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
Sincerely brought to you by Steve
Silver, proprietor
Pearson's Wine & Liquor 2436 Wisconsin
Ave NW, Wash DC 20007
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 16, 2009 - 08:12 AM
The Orphan was invented in 2002 . . . the
winery had just survived a major fire and
they needed a product to go to market in a
hurry. Several assorted barrels of Cab,
Merlot and Cab Franc were available to blend,
age and ship. The resulting "Orphan" of the
winery fire was a hit and each year a steady
demand has kept it adopted.
Each year they adjust the blend . . . this
year's is a spicy, meaty combination of
Cabernet and Syrah.
The winery tells us the time has come
to end Orphan's run . . . this is the last
time you will be able to buy this wine.
We have the only twenty cases available to
the DC market. One bottle for tasting . . .
what you adopt will be the last of the Orphan.
JUSTIN ORPHAN PASO ROBLES RED 2007 Winemaker notes: "Bright purple in
color with a ruby red hue, the 2007 is our
best Orphan offering to date. Aromas of black
fruit, raspberry and leather fill the glass.
The entry is soft, balanced and layered with
fruits, fig and a touch of spice. The mid
palate is fleshy and fruit forward, segueing
into a finish lightly touched by ripe tannins
and nuances of new French and American oak."
PEARSON'S PRICE $19.99
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
Sincerely brought to you by Steve
Silver, proprietor
Pearson's Wine & Liquor 2436 Wisconsin
Ave NW, Wash DC 20007
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 13, 2009 - 07:58 PM
All you hardened-Pearson's-email-veterans
know where to find the best wines in
Washington . . . in the back of the store . .
. behind the tasting table . . . where
Michael hides his best-of-the-best
small-production wines. Michael's discoveries
. . . almost never enough wine to put into an
email . . . but always enough for a small
taste and a few bottles . . . to satisfy a
few of you . . . who know the secret words . . .
"Hey, Michael, what's in your stash today?"
SILVER OAK NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2004 Silver Oak makes two wines only . . .
their fruit forward Sonoma Alexander Valley
Cabernet blend and the superior Napa Valley
Cabernet. 2004 in Napa was an outstanding
vintage . . . the long growing season began
very early and the harvest was exceptionally
long, extending over 39 days. The final blend
was aged in new American oak for 24 months
and another 20 months in bottle before
release. The wine is exceptional. I recommend
you cellar some of this classic California Cab.
Steve's notes: "A blend of
Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Medium
ruby color. Nose of cedar, herbs, spice, plum
and olive. A touch of vanilla. Medium body on
the palate. Flavors accentuate dark, brambly
blackberry and currant. The wine is velvety
with strong, underlying tannins. Enjoy for
the next ten years, at least."
Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90
points: "Good deep red. Black cherry,
plum syrup and lead pencil on the nose, with
a lightly roasted character and a meaty
nuance. Quite pliant on the palate, with a
much more velvety mouthfeel than the
Alexander Valley offering and more mid-palate
stuffing to support its toothcoating tannins.
Here the wine's herbal element lifts the
fruit. Not exactly fat but nicely sweet.
Finishes with very good breadth and length."
Connoisseurs' Guide 91 points:
"Deep, well-defined curranty fruit is the
driving force of this nicely extracted, young
Cabernet, while complementary oak and deft
touches of cocoa lend a boost in overall
richness. If fairly full-bodied, the wine
shows nary a hint of heaviness and sports a
fine sense of balance from beginning to end.
It is supple to start and finishes with
appropriate tannins, but its astringency
never gets in the way of its ongoing fruit,
and time is a guaranteed remedy to its wholly
acceptable toughness."
Winery price $100 . . . PEARSON'S
PRICE $84.99
STAR LANE VINEYARD SANTA YNEZ VALLEY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 Wine Enthusiast 92 points: "The
Dierberg family worked hard before releasing
this Cab, which comes from the warmest part
of the appellation. It's quite a good wine,
soft and rich and immediately likeable for
its array of black currant, licorice and
mocha flavors. The 100% new French oak is
just right in smoke and cedary vanilla. The
next step is to build in layers of density
and complexity, but this is a huge step
forward for Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon."
Reg 59.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE $37.99
PAUL HOBBS' CROSSBARN NAPA VALLEY CABERNET
SAUVIGNON 2005 Winemaker notes: "Deep garnet in
color and perfumed with blackberry and
tobacco, this well-structured cabernet
sauvignon offers generous, concentrated
flavors of black and red fruits framed by
silky tannins and accented with cedar and
spice on a long finish."
Reg 59.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE $39.99
MORGAN SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS CHARDONNAY
2007 Winermaker notes: "The wine
exhibits a brilliant straw-gold color. On the
nose, notes of minerals, cinnamon and toast
follow tropical fruits and Fuji apples. Rich
yet lively on the palate, the wine shows the
Santa Lucia Highland's style of balanced,
integrated, flavorful Chardonnays with fresh
cream, ripe peach, apricot, cantaloupe,
orange blossoms and sweet toasty oak, with a
ripe pear finish. Don't be afraid to lay this
wine down for a few years!"
Reg 29.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE $21.99
PAUL HOBBS' CROSSBARN RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
CHARDONNAY 2007 Winemaker notes: "Brilliant gold
color with a tinge of green carries aromas of
freshly sliced Asian pear and lemon blossom.
The palate offers rich, bold flavors of ripe
peach and pear with a hint of butterscotch.
Clean minerality and crisp acidity on the
finish leave the palate refreshed."
Reg 38.99 . . . PEARSON'S PRICE $25.99
TO ORDER CALL 202 333 6666: For SAME
DAY SERVICE visit us in person at 2436
Wisconsin Ave NW, Wash DC . . . EMAIL
ORDERS ARE NOT PROCESSED UNTIL THE NEXT
DAY and may be sold out by then . . . but
if you insist, email me at
Steve@PearsonsWine.com
with your name & phone number. We
will call you the next day to confirm
availability and we will
hold your order with payment in full.
THE BEST WAY . . . HAVE SOME FUN .
. . COME INTO THE
STORE AND TASTE BEFORE YOU BUY. Numerous wines are always open for tasting.
Sincerely brought to you by Steve
Silver, proprietor
Pearson's Wine & Liquor 2436 Wisconsin
Ave NW, Wash DC 20007
(c) 2000-2009 Stephen Silver, all rights reserved. Published Jun 13, 2009 - 07:55 PM
Shop on-line today for wine- and spirits-related gifts, books and accessories. 
July 4 is Saturday (omigod you say) and
you're heading to the beach.
