Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon & Antonio Sasa ‘Martina’ Brunello!

September 12, 2014

Here are two wines that you can drink now but hold for 5-10 years, with the holidays approaching and those special meals, why not consider a special wine for your family and your guests.

2012 MERCURY HEAD Cabernet Sauvignon- Napa Valley

I have 1 magnum and 9 bottles of the Mercury Head Cabernet left, last week I sold 5 magnums and 15 bottles of this small production wine. I don’t know if I will be able to get any more

“Mercury Head” is a moniker coined from Winged Liberty Head dimes that were struck from 1916-1945 and also serves as the wine’s “front label.” As a kid, winemaker Dave Phinney collected them and years later received one with some change, this prompted him to use it as a unique packaging.

Not produced since 2009, the wine was de-classified into other programs following two particularly challenging vintages. In contrast, the 2012 harvest offered a classic bounty and is poised to be one of the finest offerings ever made. Small berries with bright acidity and already refined tannins were in abundance from a near perfect growing season. In addition to St. Helena vineyards, Taplin and Morisoli, we incorporated fruit for the first time from The Atlas Peak AVA. This is notable in that we are in the process of planting our own vineyard nearby to be used in future releases. Always considered one of Dave Phinney’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon, the best vineyards and barrels are used for this refined and serious wine.

PRICE $109.00/bottle $265.00/magnum

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2009 Martina Brunello

(Antinio Sasa Winemaker)
Pre-Order This Wine
(should be arriving by end of next week)

2009 Martina Brunello has been released. This wine is stunning! The Martina Brunello will be one of the most captivating wines in our store since we first received the 2007 vintage. The 2007 received 94 points James Suckling, and the 2008 was awarded 92 points. Both of those vintages were sold out prior to the ratings being published. The 2009 (not rated yet) is in my opinion the best Martina Brunello I have tasted. The flavor profile is very red when first opened. The nose is filled with exotic spice and polishing acids are very apparent for the first ten minutes. The flavors start darkening after ten when boysenberry and blackberry come to the top. At this point the nose maintains exotic spice now is combined with rose petals. After another few minutes blueberry components emerge within black fruits at the top of the palate which then lingers into strawberry and finally cherry at the finish. The acid structure is extremely cleansing. We tried this wine with some spicy pepper jack cheese. The Martina Brunello cleaned the spice and refreshed the palate thoroughly. Though the 2009 Martina Brunello is harmonious enough to drink without a meal, when paired with food its power becomes obvious.

PRICE $69.00 , 5% off 6, 10% off 12.

All of the very best,

Jim & Lynda