Upcoming Events

John Cuddihy tasting event:

Hello all,

Our next wine tasting will be Saturday, 02 November from 4-6 at the Vocari Hub located at 3380 Vincent Rd in Pleasant Hill.

We will be featuring the wines of David Castleberry.  HIs wines are currently only available at restaurants and wine bars.  This will be your chance to purchase wines at one quarter of the price they normally sell.

Pricing:

Riesling $26

Chenin $30

Chardonnay $33

Syrah $40

Cab Franc $33

10% off 12 bottles (mix or match)

 

Indulge in the exquisite taste of limited-production wines meticulously handcrafted by Sommelier David Castleberry. These exceptional wines consistently score 90+ points and are sought after by top restaurants such as The French Laundry, Benu, Saison, Single Thread, Spruce, Rich Table, State Bird Provisions and Atelier Crenn (among many others). In addition to gracing the wine lists of top resorts like Cavallo Point, RItz Carlton Half Moon Bay, Montage Laguna and the Rosewood Montecito.

Sourced from the most esteemed vineyard sites in Santa Barbara, chosen for their ability to produce wines of unparalleled purity and finesse, our wines capture the essence of the region’s cool-coastal climate.

David Castleberry, renowned for his award-winning career as a sommelier in Hawaii and California, culminated his journey by spearheading the wine program at Michael Mina’s RN74. Inspired by the wines he encountered during his illustrious career and travels, David has taken his production expertise, honed at Sonoma’s famed Patz & Hall winery, to craft micro-production, world-class wines.

Experience the passion and expertise behind each bottle as you savor the distinctive flavors of David Castleberry’s wines.

I’ve attached a list of the potential wines with retail pricing. Scores are as follows:

Wine Enthusiast

93 Editors’ Choice Love & Terroir 2023 Jurassic Vineyard Chenin Blanc

93 Editors’ Choice Love & Terroir 2021 Melville Vineyard Syrah

92 Love & Terroir 2023 Melville Vineyard Chardonnay

91 Comptoir 2021 TTT Vineyard Cabernet Franc

93 Wine Enthusiast/94 Jeb Dunnuck Love & Terroir 2020 Ballard Canyon Syrah

SEE YOU THERE!

John

John Cuddihy

Cuddihy Wine Importers

+1 925 286 4515

cuddihywineimporters.com

 

PAST EVENTS:

Vinous Reverie – Walnut Creek, 554 Ygnacio Valley Rd Unit A, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Grenache & Greatness: Journey Through Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Friday, October 18th 5-7 PM

Step into the legendary vineyards where Popes once roamed and river-rolled stones (galets roules) bask in the Provencal sun. Chateauneuf-du-Pape isn’t just a wine – it’s a testament to the art of blending, and one of France’s most compelling vinous expressions. Epitome of GSM – Grenache: the leading voice, bringing warmth, power, and red fruit generosity; Syrah: contributing pepper, dark fruits, and Northern Rhone finesse; and Mourvedre: adding structure, depth, and a savory bass note.

We’ll taste classic multi-varietal blends, seldom seen 100% Grenache and a rare Chateauneuf-du-Pape blanc. This tasting might unravel the mysteries and majesty of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, one sample at a time.

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Vinous Reverie – Walnut Creek

554 Ygnacio Valley Rd Unit A, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA
Hours: Mon – Fri: 11AM-6PM; Sat: 12PM-5PM; Sun: Closed
925-464-5320

Special Tasting ($30): Pizza and Wine
Friday, September 27th 5-7 PM

Join us with special guest Mike B of Pizzeria Zopilote, who’ll be making his special Margherita Pizza(s). We’ll pair the pizza with 4 wines. It will take approximately 10 minutes to make each individual pizza. Pizza will be served in the order tickets were purchased. For example, the first person to purchase tickets will receive the 1st pizza and so on. So don’t delay!

The tasting will include one 10″ pizza pie and 4 wines.
15 people maximum.

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AND MORE:

Join us Saturday, 28 September at the Vocari Hub, (3380 Vincent Rd), beginning at 4 p.m. as we  revel in paella and in one of the most planted grapes around the world.  You know it as Grenache.  This grape (despite what the Italians may say), has its DNA from Aragon of Spain – hence the name Garnacha.  Garnacha is a great wine for the fall and winter.  it is a grape with light tannins (no headaches).  The grape itself has one of the highest levels of sugar; usually resulting in a higher alcohol content, (this has been reduced in recent years, but you can still see the higher alcohol in wines from Priorat).  The grape is known for its spiciness,   ( white pepper and cinnamon).  Garnacha is mostly used for blending.  We will taste the following expressions of Garnacha: one 100% white Garnacha; one 50% white Garnacha; one Garnacha Rosado; and four bottles of 100% Red Garnacha.

WHITES

2020 Vine Roots Garnacha Blanca

$19 (your price);  $32 – US Retail; $26 – $58 European Retail.

Our first wine from a single, organic, old vine (over 50 years old) plot in Rioja Baja comes this rich and decadent Garnacha Blanca, part of the Vine Roots series from Bodegas Corral winemaker, Carlos Rubio Villanúa.

This Vegan and Organic wine has a warm yellow-gold in color; the nose is rich and complex, ripe tropical fruits, banana, papaya and pineapple, combine with stone fruits and hints of vanilla and oak spice. It’s a beautifully textured white, fleshy tropical fruits supported by silky tannins and a fresh, cleansing acidity, a touch of grapefruit balancing out sweet pear and a hint of caramel. It’s magnificent.

Serve with roast chicken and all types of vegetables, fish and seafood dishes.

2021 Sangenis  I Vaque Lo Coster Blanc

$26 (your price);  $40 – US Retail; $30 – $59 European Retail We will now shift east to Priorat and taste the 897 bottle production of the 2021 Lo Coster Blanc (89 Wine Advocate).  The Los Coster Blanc 2021 wine from winery Sangenis I Vaqué is a blend of white Grenache and Macabeu from 40-year-old vines which matures for four months in French oak (Allier) barrels combined between new and up to five-year-old Lo Coster’ means ‘the steep slope’ in Catalan, which is where the grapes for this wine grow. These slopes are very rich in slate (llicorella), so characteristic of the subsoil of the Priorat wines.

Pairs with: Fish, goat cheese, matured and hard cheese, mushroom, poultry, shellfish and vegetarian dishes.

 

ROSADOS

2022 Don Jacobo Rosado

$10 (your price)/$8 (special case price); $15 – US Retail; $18 – European Retail As we return to Rioja; we will taste the organic, 100’% Garnacha 2022 Don Jacobo Rosado.

The nose it has a high aromatic intensity with hints of red fruits (currants and strawberry), sweets and candies. In the mouth it has medium acidity, reminiscences of red fruit and a lingering finish. It is well structured and rounded .in the mouth Ideal pairing with spicy food.

 

REDS

2021 Albret Garnacha

$12 Your Price; $30 – US Retail; $16 – European Retail

From Navarra comes this Decanter 93 point wine has discreet spice and

red fruit aromatics. There’s a freshness and drive on the palate that

carries the length. Fine, silky tannin gives a lovely lift.  100%

Garnacha. 4 months in French oak barrels. Deep cherry red color. Intense

aromas of ripe cherries with hints of blueberry, raspberry, strawberry

and subtle notes of peach and orange peel, integrating beautifully the

vanilla aromas from the barrel ageing. Round and opulent mouthfeel

showcasing red fruits in perfect harmony with subtle oak character. Soft

tannins, fresh and lively with a length and persistence seldom found in

this cepage. A complex, elegant, attractive wine. Pair with suckling pig

and lamb, game, cold meats, cheeses and vegetables.

 

2020 SanGenis I Vaque Lo Bancal Granatxa

$23 (your price); $45 CA Retail; $30 – European Retail

Returning to Sangenis I Vaque we will taste the Decanter 91 point Lo

Bancal Granatxa elaborated with 100% Grenache grapes sourced from

younger vines of 25 years of age from the Finca “La Cometa” in Porrera.

The wine has been aged for 6 months in oak barrels. The wine has not

been filtered or clarified. Limited production of 2388 bottles.

Tasting Notes:  A very classy and youthful wine with a good intensity of

red fruits and spices with mineral soft tones. Well integrated oak with

sweet tannins and a lovely fresh fruit finish.

 

2020 Vine Roots Garnacha

$21 (your price); $36 – US Retail;  $27+ – European Retail

Back to Rioja Bodegas Corral gives us the Decanter 92 point Vine Roots

Garnacha.  An organic 100% Garnacha wine from 40 – 60 year old

vineyards.

Aroma: Intense and long fruity aromas, soft, well combined and

good balance.

Taste: Round, tasty, unctuous, nice tannins and good backbone.

Food pairing:  With all red meats in general, roasted or grilled, fish

dishes in sauces. Mature cheeses and nuts.

3 months in new American oak barrels of 225 liters.

 

2016 Descalzos Viejos Iusta

$52 (your price); $80 – US Retail; $60 – European Retail

We will finish with Descalzos Viejos (voted one of the top four wineries

in D. O. Malaga), Iusta; This winery is located in Ronda; and Iusta is a

200 bottle production of 100% Garnacha.

The grapes are fermented and macerated with part of the stems. Aged in

oak barrels for 16 months.

Cherry red in color with reddish edges of medium layer. On the nose,

balsamic and mineral notes on red fruit and light toasted notes. On the

palate, intense at the entrance and persistent, which makes it a complex

and harmonious wine.

 

We look forward to seeing you.  All are welcome.

As of this writing we plan on serving a paella from either La Catalana

Restaurant; or Destapas Restaurant.

 

John

John Cuddihy

Cuddihy Wine Importers

+1 925 286 4515

cuddihywineimporters.com

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PAST TASTINGS:

Vinous Reverie – Walnut Creek

Vinous Reverie: 554 Ygnacio Valley Rd Unit A, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA
Hours: Mon – Fri: 11AM-6PM; Sat: 12PM-5PM; Sun: Closed
925-464-5320

Old World vs New World Blind Tasting

Clash of terroirs: Old World vs. New World Showdown!
We’ll pair off: ChardonnaySyrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Louis Jadot, Charmes Meursault vs. Tolpuddle Chardonnay
E Guigal vs. Dumol
Ch Haut-Batailley vs Ghost Block

Tickets are $65.00

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Thanks,

Joe & Debie

The Wine Chest Inc
3380 C Vincent Road
Pleasant Hill, Ca  94523
925-979-1444

[email protected]

www.thewinechest.com