Goosecross Cellars 2004 Twentieth Anniversary Sparkline Rosé

I bought this sparkling wine a long while ago. It was the store's "last bottle" and I had been using the store's free wi-fi for three hours on their deck, so I had to give it a try.

I just liked the idea of a wine maker crafting this sparkling rosé (Chardonnay/Zin) as a 20-year wedding anniversary present for his wife. The shelf-talking notes or the sales woman may have also mentioned that this was the winery's first and perhaps only sparkling number.


I finally opened it for a brunch with Sylvia and Stacey. It was totally good. Not overly sweet and with a really clean finish, it suited our brunch of turkey bacon sourdough eggs benedict and Nutella crepes just fine.

Vinum Cellars "Financial Solidarity Sale"

Richard Bruno and Chris Condos have the right idea. You should definitely think about taking advantage of their 40% off any 12-bottle case of wine "Financial Solidarity Sale."


It's the perfect time to try the mixed case sampler ($138) or a case of my favorite "budget" red, the PETs '06 - Petite Sirah ($100.80) [the best table red for my money - it tastes as good to me as anything pricier].

Even with the deep discount, I don't think I'd be able to bite the bullet for a case of my other Vinum favorites.

White Elephant '07 ($122.40) - one of the most delectable white wines ever - my workmates find the perfect blend of 58% Chenin Blanc, 30% Roussanne and 12% Viognier irresistible.

The Scrapper '05 ($216) In your face, Sideways. This Cab Franc is AWESOME.

Red Dirt Red '05 ($216) The 2007 Stanford Wine Selection that started my love affair with Vinum Cellars.

NapaCab '06 ($273.60) This wine is delicious. I use delicious in the way that an entire meal should be delicious, not just a nice drink. I've served this wine to people with pricey palettes and non-wine drinkers, alike. It's hands down decadent.

2008 Stanford Wine Program Selections

I used to think the Alumni office was all secret society-ish about their wine program offerings to SAA members-only. Apparently they've opened it up to the web-surfing public. Read about the selections here. The online prices are valid for CA, NM, and IA customers, but other out-of-state folks have different pricing and have to order through a special list of partner retailers - this list is not available online and is still secret society-ish.

Vinum Cellars Wine Club - '08 Part Two

What was delivered in my Vinum Cellars wine club shipment last month?

2006 PETS, Petite Sirah, Clarksburg - Amazing. I think it's a great value for an easy to drink, unboring table red. Work people as well as Christophe and Blandine's Francophile dinner guests could not say better things about this wine. Boston folks can find it at Blanchard's ($12.99/bottle).

2007 White Elephant, California White Table Wine - I'm sure it was amazing as in my last shipment, but Ellen and Mary Ann bought these back from me as almost soon as I opened the box. I'm so happy they did!!! I'm not a baller who can actually afford to drink all this wine by myself. This would normally be just out of my price range if I were walking through a store ($17/bottle).

2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - I haven't tried it yet - as one of the pricier wines ($38/bottle) these puppies will keep until I have a nice excuse to open them.

2007 CNW, Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg - You know, as much as Vinum founders Chris Condos and Richard Bruno are famous for their love of Chenin Blanc, I can't say I share it. It makes me a little sad that I don't know how to appreciate this varietal. I've never had any other CBs, so I can't compare. That's probably my first step in learning what all the fuss is about (aww - I'm pulling the old "it's not you, it's me" excuse). But it's a very affordable, stand-up table white ($12/bottle).

Again, I'm really thankful to have stumbled upon Vinum through last year's Stanford Wine Program. I'm even more juiced that as a small boutique winery they can ship directly to folks in Massachusetts!

Vinum Cellars 2006 Rose It's Okay

So, I shared with you the story of Vinum Cellars and their 2007 Stanford Wine Program win. Vinum has a summer special that will blow your mind. Both their 2006 Chard No Way chenin blanc number and 2006 Rosé It's Okay! cab sauvignon cuveé are selling at half off each case!

Price? $66 for 12 bottles (all CNW, all Rosé, or half-and-half)

And for that unbelievable price, you're also getting real tastiness, too. The Wine Enthusiast gave the CNW 87 points and named it a best buy in October. In the 2008 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Vinum's Rosé took home a gold medal in the Dry Rosé class.

I haven't opened the CNW yet, but I did twist-off (rather than uncork)the Rosé with the work folks. It's definitely not a sugary sweet. Rather, it's very dry and has a decent body. I'm keeping it as a summer table wine and keep a bottle at work for impromptu dinner party presents.

From my wineBeagles facebook application tasting notes...

"The candy apple red hue of this rosé immediately sets it apart from most blush wines. It's a medium-bodied, crisp number that really surprised me. I expected something sugary, but was welcomed by bright cherry flavors from a cab cuvee."

More Stanford wine without the Stanford label.

I totally was into the story of the dudes at Vinum Cellars when the Stanford Alumni Wine Program announced last year's selections. Richard Bruno and Chris Condos both headed to UC Davis to study Viticulture & Enology. Lucky for us, they began Vinum and brought forth into the world some phantasmic wines.

Last year, Stanford panel awarded Vinum Cellars' 2005 Red Dirt Red with it's highest honor and made it available to lucky Stanford folk under the name 2005 Cardinal Cuvée (sounds like coo-vay?). At some point I should learn what folks javascript:void(0)
Publish Post mean when they describe it as a Rhône-style or Châteauneuf-style wine. I can't find the tasting notes from the panel and Mr. Bruno, but the praise was high and the advice was to keep it as a collector wine. Well, I don't know if all my bottles will make it to the 5-7 year mark, but the bottles we've had so far are amazing. $30/bottle

I went so far as to contact the winery and join their wine club. They actually ship to Massachusetts!!!

Here's a snippet from my WineBeagles tasting note.

"bold. a drier red with lotsa cherry going on. the tannins greet your first sip with a swift, but enjoyable, punch on the kisser... uber hip label and cork design, too. "

A Stanford wine without the Stanford label...

Many my workmates asked were one could buy the Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon that was featured as a 2007 Stanford Wine Program selection without having to trek to California. [A bonus to working with me is that I share Stanford wine from time to time].

Why did it stand out so much? It's a nice medium-bodied red with lots of solid berry flavor and just a slight amount of spice. The finish is just right and lingers just long enough to remind you that you need another sip.

I emailed the winery and they forwarded the list of stores below. It retails in the "real world" under the name: 2004 Pedroncelli Cabernet Sauvignon Three Vineyards*. You can buy directly from the winery or find it at a good number of places with the Google Product Search.

Leave a comment if you have a chance to try it!


Boston/Metro West Retailers

Albert Winestein 84 Fairmont (Hyde Park) [20% off on a case!]

Brighton Beverage 1650 Soldiers Field Rd (Brighton)

Brookline Liquor Mart 1354 Commonwealth Ave (Allston)

Gomes Liquors 58 Ashby State Rd (Fitchburg)

Hyders Mediterranean Market 408 Pleasant St (Worcester)

Macy’s 1826 Centre St (West Roxbury)

Plaza Liquor Mart 761 Providence Hwy (Dedham)

Port wine & Spirits 25 Storey Ave (Newburyport)

University Wine & Spirits 323A Boston Ave (Medford)

Water Street Wine & Spirits 1 Nicholas Rd (Framingham)

Wine Cask Cellars 100 Powdermill Rd (Acton)

*Under the Stanford label it was called 2004 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

ficoco goodness

I love bread and crackers: that's probably why I love tasty items that can be spread and eaten of said carby treats. Ficoco is an all-natural, Croatian fig and chocolate spread. It's definitely more "figgy" than chocolately with a very light spreadable consistency. I took advice from Stacey to buy it from Whole Foods, where they demoed it by mixing it 50/50 with softened cream cheese and serving it on mini-toast crackers.

One of the recommended serving suggestions includes drizzling it over ice-cream, but I'm not that brave. It's worth a try if you see it!

What did I drink? Pedroncelli Winery 2004 Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2007 Stanford Alumni Club wine selection. I offered the ficoco treat and the wine to coworkers as a Friday afternoon reward in exchange for helping the Research team stuff Dunkin' Donuts gift cards.