The Calamity Wine Works story continues. We have two new offerings of Calamity available for your enjoyment. First there is a new Cab from the Alexander Valley. Last year’s offering came from Sidney Frank’s vineyard, whereas this year’s offering comes from a vineyard with high profile neighbors such as Stonestreet and Jordan. It's a big and chewy Cab that offers no excuses for its structure. Then we have the 06 release of Calamity Zinfandel from an old vine vineyard in Calistoga. It’s the same vineyard that produced the stellar 05. This Zin was crafted by a prominent winery on the Silverado Trail that also used to make a Zin from this vineyard. In case you are wondering ‘what is Calamity?’ let’s take a look at how Calamity came to be.
A prominent wine personality and friend of ours in Napa called our founder, Tom Dorn, one day and alerted him about an opportunity to purchase some Cabernet Sauvignon from a top boutique producer. The only stipulation was that it had to be labeled with no reference to its source and that we could not say where the wine came from. Apparently the supply and demand curve chart of selling a $60 Cabernet was broken out and it was felt that there around 1000 gallons of top quality wine was not going to be sold based on the previous years sales. Tom felt that based upon the quality of the juice and the reputation of the winery, that this situation was a real calamity. Hence, we find the name Calamity on a wine label.
Why bother bottling and holding someone else’s juice under our own label? Is it worth the cost and ultimately will it benefit our customers? Getting a product to market can seem somewhat simple for the end consumer. For a wine, you pop down to your local Wine Warehouse store, the wine is then boxed up, carried to your car and enjoyed when you get home. However, there are many unseen hurdles that need to be cleared for the juice of crushed and fermented grapes to make it to your dinner table. From grape to glass there are a number of mouths to feed in the food chain of wine. The ability to become more efficient with these various costs is what we strive to do and what we base our model upon at the Wine Warehouse. Wine Warehouse has taken the next step as we are now working directly with the source. This efficiency is how we bring value to you the consumer and the reason why shopping at the Wine Warehouse means that you will ‘never pay retail again.’ Both of the new Calamity offerings come to you at 50c on the dollar versus the actual winery’s label. The Calamity label my friends, has value written all over it.
A prominent wine personality and friend of ours in Napa called our founder, Tom Dorn, one day and alerted him about an opportunity to purchase some Cabernet Sauvignon from a top boutique producer. The only stipulation was that it had to be labeled with no reference to its source and that we could not say where the wine came from. Apparently the supply and demand curve chart of selling a $60 Cabernet was broken out and it was felt that there around 1000 gallons of top quality wine was not going to be sold based on the previous years sales. Tom felt that based upon the quality of the juice and the reputation of the winery, that this situation was a real calamity. Hence, we find the name Calamity on a wine label.
Why bother bottling and holding someone else’s juice under our own label? Is it worth the cost and ultimately will it benefit our customers? Getting a product to market can seem somewhat simple for the end consumer. For a wine, you pop down to your local Wine Warehouse store, the wine is then boxed up, carried to your car and enjoyed when you get home. However, there are many unseen hurdles that need to be cleared for the juice of crushed and fermented grapes to make it to your dinner table. From grape to glass there are a number of mouths to feed in the food chain of wine. The ability to become more efficient with these various costs is what we strive to do and what we base our model upon at the Wine Warehouse. Wine Warehouse has taken the next step as we are now working directly with the source. This efficiency is how we bring value to you the consumer and the reason why shopping at the Wine Warehouse means that you will ‘never pay retail again.’ Both of the new Calamity offerings come to you at 50c on the dollar versus the actual winery’s label. The Calamity label my friends, has value written all over it.
On to the new wines: the 2005 vintage tested the nerves of even the most seasoned veteran in Sonoma County. The crop was one of the largest on record, with the quality generally superb. The winter was somewhat cold and soggy, but a mid-March heat spell started the growing season early. Rain continued on and off through June with summer temperatures seldom rising above 90° F. As September came to an end, vineyard owners nervously watched for rain, but the rain held out until late October. Ultimately, the vineyards got the sun and heat they needed. The Cabernet Sauvignons of Alexander Valley ended up with good structure and ripeness. This will be a Calamity to remember.
The Calamity 05 Alexander Valley was grown on mature 30 year old vines that produce classic Cabernet Sauvignon flavors and aromas of cassis, cedar and sweet red fruits. The difference with this 05 to last year’s offering is that this wine is brooding, chunky and is one that will be able to age. Flavors of deep red and black fruits on the palate combine with vanilla from the oak barrels and hints of cedar forming a long and tasty finish. The 05 Alex has excellent structure, depth and concentration. Although a less seductive wine than last year’s, it is a huge mouth-full of wine and one that begs for a nice grilled piece of beef or lamb chop.
Calamity Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Alexander Valley’ 2005, Retail $29.99 Warehouse $14.99
Calamity Zinfandel 2005 was custom crushed by a prominent Silverado Trail winery and was produced from old Zinfandel vines from Calistoga. The nice thing about this Zin is the elegance and grace it displays while showing off overt fruit characters that are all come together to show incredible balance, complexity and grace. Many Zinfandels in the market give you over the top and slightly overripe characters, this Zin is more like a cross between the flavors and color of Zinfandel with the texture and character of a nice Cabernet.
Cedar, vanilla and coconut macaroon aromas all combine to form a wonderful bouquet, the palate is presented an introduction to plum and wild berry flavors, leading to ripe, cherry, raspberry and cassis flavors with plum and pepper spice. There is a nice touch of earthiness, this wine displays a very nice balance with a silky texture and a long, full finish.
The 05 and 06 both display the flavor characteristics of this superb vineyard. Subtle and complex Zins are rare in the market nowadays as the trend is to produce Zinfandel in an over-the-top style. The Calamity should be a pleasant surprise for you and one that goes particularly well with food.
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Calamity Zinfandel Napa Valley 2005, Retail $24.99 Warehouse $14.99
Calamity Zinfandel Napa Valley 2006, Retail $24.99 Warehouse $14.99
The Calamity 05 Alexander Valley was grown on mature 30 year old vines that produce classic Cabernet Sauvignon flavors and aromas of cassis, cedar and sweet red fruits. The difference with this 05 to last year’s offering is that this wine is brooding, chunky and is one that will be able to age. Flavors of deep red and black fruits on the palate combine with vanilla from the oak barrels and hints of cedar forming a long and tasty finish. The 05 Alex has excellent structure, depth and concentration. Although a less seductive wine than last year’s, it is a huge mouth-full of wine and one that begs for a nice grilled piece of beef or lamb chop.
Calamity Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Alexander Valley’ 2005, Retail $29.99 Warehouse $14.99
Calamity Zinfandel 2005 was custom crushed by a prominent Silverado Trail winery and was produced from old Zinfandel vines from Calistoga. The nice thing about this Zin is the elegance and grace it displays while showing off overt fruit characters that are all come together to show incredible balance, complexity and grace. Many Zinfandels in the market give you over the top and slightly overripe characters, this Zin is more like a cross between the flavors and color of Zinfandel with the texture and character of a nice Cabernet.Cedar, vanilla and coconut macaroon aromas all combine to form a wonderful bouquet, the palate is presented an introduction to plum and wild berry flavors, leading to ripe, cherry, raspberry and cassis flavors with plum and pepper spice. There is a nice touch of earthiness, this wine displays a very nice balance with a silky texture and a long, full finish.
The 05 and 06 both display the flavor characteristics of this superb vineyard. Subtle and complex Zins are rare in the market nowadays as the trend is to produce Zinfandel in an over-the-top style. The Calamity should be a pleasant surprise for you and one that goes particularly well with food.
.
Calamity Zinfandel Napa Valley 2005, Retail $24.99 Warehouse $14.99
Calamity Zinfandel Napa Valley 2006, Retail $24.99 Warehouse $14.99
