If Dan Philips has his way, you will be heeding these words that I witnessed him write on a friend’s wine bar wall. Dan is the founder of The Grateful Palate which specializes in hedonistic gastronomic pursuits. The Grateful Palate has been extremely successful due to Dan’s ability to spot a winner combined with his marketing savvy. As 2007 is the year of the pig, you can imagine the marketing opportunities promoting bacon this year. The Wine Warehouse stores are filled with a plethora of Dan’s Australian wine selections with a majority of them receiving 90+ points from both Robert Parker and The Wine Spectator. Please be aware. Many of these wines are not for the faint of heart. Grateful Palate reds tend to go for maximum extraction and can be heady fruit bombs. Strap on your helmet!"No one has done more to bring the great treasures of South Australia, particularly the old vine Grenache and Shiraz cuvées, to the American public than Dan Philips. Moreover, he has paved the road for other innovative Australian importers to do similar high quality work. Readers may not realize he is also the world’s greatest authority on "makin’ bacon." His Bacon of the Month club and his pursuit of artisinal, tiny bacon producers throughout the United States have made him a household name in the pork industry. As I know all too well, the quality of his bacons is extraordinary." Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate.
Below you will find a smattering of the Grateful Palate selections that are currently in our stores. Please note that not all selections may be available at every location.
Hobb’s The Gregor Shiraz is made from grapes that are hand picked and then placed onto drying racks. Over a period of time the drying process concentrates the berry flavors while maintaining their natural acids giving a unique flavor characteristic found only in this style of wine.Made from yields of two tons of fruit per acre, and aged two years in both new and old French oak, the 2003 Shiraz Gregor (from 16-year-old vines) possesses a roasted/scorched earth character as some of the fruit is dried a la Amarone. Rich and full-bodied, with a broodingly dense, concentrated style, an inky/blue/purple color, fabulous length as well as intensity, and riveting fruit, it can be enjoyed over the next 12-15 years. 96 points The Wine Advocate
Hobb’s Shiraz ‘The Gregor’ 2003, Retail $134.99 Warehouse $99.99
Shirvington Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 was 100% barrel fermented and aged for 12 months in 80% American oak and 20% French oak. 85% of the oak was new and the remaining 15% was one year old.The deep ruby/purple-colored 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a restrained, elegant bouquet of black fruits, minerals, and toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, with excellent concentration, purity, and texture, it should be consumed over the next 7-10 years. 90 points The Wine Advocate.
Shirvington Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Retail $64.99 Warehouse $49.99
The 2003 Rusden Cabernet Sauvignon Boundaries demonstrates how superb Barossa Cabernet can be. Aged 30 months in primarily old French (70%) and new American (30%) oak, it is a singular, distinctive effort offering notions of lead pencil shavings, tar, spice box, cedar, and juicy black currants. Deep, full-bodied, and rich with velvety tannin and a 45 plus second finish, this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon should age effortlessly for 15 or more years. 94 points The Wine Advocate.
Rusden Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Boundaries’ 2003, Retail $79.99 Warehouse $59.99
Henry's Drive 2004 Shiraz. Cut from the same mold as the Dead Letter Office, the rich 2004 Shiraz is slightly more linear, but exhibits notes of espresso roast, blackberries, creme de cassis, flowers, and toasty new oak. Deep, rich, and layered, it is best consumed over the next 5-7 years. 91 points The Wine Advocate.Henry’s Drive Shiraz 2004, Retail $39.99 Warehouse $29.99
Kay's Amery Shiraz 2003. One of Australia’s most traditional winemakers, Colin Kay fashions old style, high quality, distinctive Australian reds. Tarry, chewy, and fleshy, the 2003 Shiraz Hillside has a bit more punch (15% alcohol) as well as a sappy character that is not present in the regular bottling. It is a broad, savory, expansively flavored, full-bodied Shiraz to enjoy over the next decade. 92 points The Wine Advocate.
Kay’s Amery Shiraz 2003, Retail $44.99 Warehouse $29.99
Above is a picture of Jancis Robinson visiting the Brothers in Arms winery.
Brothers in Arms Shiraz 2002. More backward as well as more concentrated and layered than the 2000, with additional up-side potential, the 2001 Shiraz reveals a dense inky purple color along with a pretty nose of vanilla interwoven with acacia flowers, blackberries, and licorice. Full-bodied and opulent with a structure not dissimilar to some 2002s, give it 1-2 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 12-15. 91 points The Wine Advocate.
Brothers in Arms Shiraz 2002, Retail $39.99 Warehouse $29.99
Trevor Jones consistently produces one of the world’s best non-oaked, or “Virgin” Chardonnays, Trevor Jones’s offerings attain a laser-like precision without sacrificing any of their rich, white peach, pear, and honeyed citrus fruit. The medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure, charming, tasty 2005 Virgin Chardonnay will be very flexible with a variety of cuisines if drunk during its first several years of life. 90 points The Wine Advocate.Trevor Jones Virgin Chardonnay 2005, Retail $16.99 Warehouse $12.99
Trevor Jones Boots Grenache 2003, Retail $16.99 Warehouse $12.99
Marquis Philips’ 2004 Merlot is a tasty, dark ruby-hued example with sweet white chocolate characteristics intermixed with notions of road tar, black cherries, and currants. Supple-textured, medium-bodied, and luscious, it can be enjoyed over the next 2-3 years. 87 points The Wine Advocate. This partnership between Dan Philips and winemakers Sarah and Sparky Marquis (who will no longer be making these wines starting with the 2005 vintage) has been a blockbuster success in the American market. And why not? They are delicious efforts possessing varietal character in addition to being loaded with fruit. In short, they are hedonistic, fun wines to drink ... just what wines should be. And, when you consider their prices, they represent exceptional values. The 2002s were knock-outs, the 2003s, while good, were less successful, and the 2004s hit the bull’s eye once again.
Marquis Philips Merlot 2004, Retail $14.99 Warehouse $12.99
Paringa's 2003 Shiraz’s (only cropped at a measly 6 tons of fruit per acre) deep ruby color is accompanied by sweet aromas of ripe cherries, berries, smoke, and pepper. With good ripeness, medium body, and a soft, supple texture, it can be enjoyed now and over the next 2-3 years. 87 points The Wine Advocate.
Paringa Shiraz 2003, Retail $9.99 Warehouse $7.99
The Wine Warehouse has been trying to figure out a way to promote The Grateful Palate’s wines for years. We have finally been able to work out a deal to offer these wines at a terrific value. Personally I am happy we are working with these wines as I have known Dan’s wife for many years back when she was a self proclaimed member of the Bimbettes. I have also known their National Sales Manager, Robert ‘Negroni’ Farver since his days with The Chalone Group. Hope that you enjoy these offerings. And remember…………..
Skippy can drive!
