Thursday February 13, 2020
That's.... true.
Happy Valentine's Day weekend. Love is in the air for some. For the rest, it's just really painfully cold air. Luckily, wine keeps everyone warm regardless of relationship status. Impress your date or impress yourself with a nice bottle. It's the right thing to do.

A few tickets left for the event with Andrew Jones - get 'em while you can (Valentine's gift idea?). Also, sad news: we promised you an extra tasting tonight with Meredith from Domace Vino. This has been called off. We will be on our normal schedule with some really stellar wines on Friday and Saturday, however. Brave the cold and come ask our wine pros for sound drinking advice. We are here for you.
The Next Big Basement Event:
Welcoming Andrew Jones!
He's the winemaker behind many of our favorite mainstay labels here at the shop: Field Recordings, the Fableist, Alloy, Fiction and Wonderwall. You have the chance to hear his story and learn the wines. Get your tix while you can: link here.
ON THE TASTING TABLE THIS WEEKEND
If you missed the memo from above, please note that the Thursday tasting we promised you has been rescheduled for a later date.

Friday's Tasting: Staci with Bourget Imports from 4pm to 8pm
-Jean Bourdy, Cremant de Jura, Brut NV
-G.B. Burlotto, Sauvignon, Langhe
-Goisot, Aligote, Bourgogne
-Cuvee des Galets, Cotes du Rhone Rouge
-Ampelaia, Unilitro, Toscana
-Ardeval, Anjoli, Priorat
-Secret Sipper: 2010 La Rioja Alta, Vina Ardanza

Saturday's Tasting: Staff Picks from 3pm to 7pm
Still deciding. Will be inspired by whatever is looking good to us that day.
Check the Facebook in the afternoon to see the lineup.

As usual, all wines from the tasting table are available to purchase at a 10% discount.
STAFF WINE PICKS
What we're busy drinking this week.

2018 Gail Wines, Chuy Vineyard, Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley - $42.99
Only 600 bottles of this were made from the last ever Chardonnay harvested from the Chuy vineyard, which was torn down and replanted after the 2018 vintage. Chuy Ordaz planted and tended the vineyard since 1964. The Chardonnays produced from this vineyard have been very compelling and opulent. The palate shows rich honey butter with golden apple fruit. Try with roasted chicken.
-Rob

2017 Jolie-Laide, Provisor Vineyard, Grenache, Dry Creek - $44.99
Here's a perfect example of the 'New California' wine scene. Like many of the proponents of this new style, Jolie-Laide seek out unique sites and varietals. They also make wine in impossibly small batches, ensuring that the wines are as rare as they are memorable. The Provisor Vineyard has just 3 acres of old vine Grenache. Just a handful of wineries have access to this fruit. Jolie-Laide's version is very well balanced with ripe red fruits and well integrated spice and herbal notes. This noticeably elegant bottling and other small production wines will inevitably become more expensive and harder to find as their popularity widens. Enjoy now.
-David

2015 Slo Down Wine Co, Sexual Chocolate, California - $29.99
The name for this wine was "borrowed" from Eddie Murphy's, movie, 'Coming to America. Get ready to slow down and enjoy some Sexual Chocolate! This mostly Syrah blend is the perfect accompaniment to a sensual evening with your S.O. Brambly dark berries are interlaced with soft supple tannins and touch of milk chocolate. 
-Mary

2015 Loveblock Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand - $33.99
The perfect name. The perfect wine for your sweetie on Valentine's Day.
Dark crimson color with aromatic notes of sweet berry fruit, tobacco, clove, and earthy mushroom lead to flavors of black plum and sweet berries that dance on your palate for a vibrant and rich mouthfeel. Partially aged in barrel, there is just the right kiss of oak for structure and complexity.
Enjoy on Valentine's night with that special someone over either salmon or lamb.
-Patrick

Spirit Pick of the Week: Bloom London Dry Gin - $31.99
Chamomile, pomelo and honeysuckle create a lovely floral balance in this gin. The citrus notes from the pomelo bring a lightness and freshness to the flavor. The honeysuckle provides a rich smoothness and the chamomile adds a gentle floral softness to the gin that also make it quite versatile.
-Chris

SOME NEW THINGS & RETURNING FAVS

-Domaine Eden, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains
-Selvapiana, Bucerchiale, Chianti Rufina
-Land of Saints, Sauvignon Blanc, Central Coast
-Broc Cellars, Trousseau Gris, RRV
-Marie Thibout, La Roue Qui Tourne, Vin de France (Pet Nat)
-Slo Down Wines, Sexual Chocolate, California
-Broadside, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
-Stephen Ross, Flying Cloud Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
-Stephen Ross, Flying Cloud Zinfandel, California
-Cuvee des Galets, Cotes du Rhone
-Burlotto, Langhe Sauvignon
-Ampelaia, Unilitro, Toscana Costa
-Envinate, Benje Blanco, Canary Islands
-Nacho Gonzalez, La Perdida O Pando, Galicia
-Nisia, Verdejo, Rueda
-Weingut Brand, "Acid Test" The Electric Chardonnay, Pfalz
-Lauer, Barrel X Riesling, Saar
-Clos Castelot, Saint-Emilion, BDX
-Baudry, Chinon Blanc
-Tribute to Grace, Grenache, Santa Barbara
Trefethen, Double T Red Blend, Napa Valley

.. to name a few.
TUESDAYS ARE FOR BEER.
On Tuesdays, we open some of our new releases and old favorites.
All beers sampled will be 10% off!