As I reflect back to Monday evening, I began to think of why I wanted to get in to this industry in the first place ... the people. It's the people who make this job so challenging and so much fun at the same time.
Take our Monday night event with famed winemaker & consultant Daniel Schuster. The man has done it all from advising Antinori to Stag's Leap to Cheval Blanc. Not to mention making some pretty amazing wines of his own (See tasting notes below).
The evening started off a bit frantic (as Monday's typically do). Most of my day is tasting wine from distributor after distributor (I know, most of you think I have it pretty rough but it is more difficult than you would imagine - I have to run the store after all).
We do see some guests throughout the day. Monday being the last day of the South African promotion we sold a bit of the SA wine (at 15% off any bottle and 20% off the cases) so I was kept busy in between inventory, ordering, tasting and set up for the DS event.
6 pm arrives and Daniel Schuster arrives as well. Like I said before ... the people make the industry fun. I have a chance to chat with Robert Noecker (amazingly knowledgeable wine guru who works at Garco Wines) and then I get to chat with Daniel Schuster.
What a man and what a mind for wine. We discuss the intricacies of each of his wines presented at our tasting as well as wines and the industry in general. Anecdote after anecdote we continue through the evening with great wine tales and descriptions of his Pinot Noir that would make some of our guests blush (fortunately, none of them were in attendance).
So, on with the people ... the crowd of guests was small (heck, I am always amazed when we see anyone but on a Monday night you never know). This time I had an idea of who might show up based on previous conversations.
Couple #1 - They had been to NZ before and amazingly enough had barrel tasted with Daniel Schuster ... so their attendance was most appreciated. They made the trek in from a bit of a distance and I certainly appreciate it. Some of our customers come from outside of KC and continue to return ... for that we are very thankful.
Couple #2 - They had also been to NZ before and were big fans of all wines from there (Fortunate for us we have a great selection for them to choose from). They are regulars in the shop and we were thrilled they got to stop by, taste, purchase and get their bottles signed by DS.
Couple #3 - The husband had stopped by earlier in the day to look around and we quickly promoted the fact that we had a world-famous winemaker and consultant coming to taste with us. I guess having DS at his only retail appearance in KC was enough for the husband to grab his wife and stop by to sample as well. Great conversation and great wine always make for a fun night!
Couple #4 - Another husband and wife who frequent the shop on Friday nights when we switch our wine tasting themes. Again, we try some wines, we chat with the master and more bottles are signed and more bottles are sold.
The night continues with various guests stopping by to sample and chat with DS throughout the evening and even though the numbers in attendance were not massive, we sold a great deal of wine (All DS wines were 10% off last night) and had a wonderful evening of friends, conversation and great wines.
The evening concluded with Bob Dylan on the sound system (DS is a huge fan), a great discussion on wine and glass of Waipara Pinot Noir to appreciate. What a whirlwind of a day at a little wine shop in South KC.
All in all, the day was made special by the people we met (and the wine we tasted). As I said in the opening it's the people that make me so proud of what we do and excited to bring you the best wines we can day after day and week after week.
I hope we get to see more of our guests at our next event ... lots of great opportunities through the end of the year (especially with our Bordeaux promo) after all it's why we are here!
Have a great week ...
Michael
Showing posts with label Waipara Pinot Noir. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Waipara Pinot Noir. Show all posts
Daniel Schuster Wines tasted on 10.15.07
Here is a brief list of what we tasted with Daniel Schuster on Monday evening:
- 2004 Petrie Chardonnay$30/bottle: Burgundy personified! Like the fruit and not the barrel? This Chardonnay is for you. Crisp, clean with a soft minerality on the finish (My favorite style on the Chardonnay by the way). It was even loved by those who favored the big reds. Look out Burgindy ... the pupil may become the master! Available by special order with 24 hours notice.
- 2006 Waipara Riesling $17/bottle: That's right kids: we tasted a Riesling AFTER a Chardonnay. The DS Riesling was slightly-off dry and really possessed what I would want in a a Riesling that was not to be enjoyed for dessert. Wow ... we sold it well and it really showed its style by the end of the night. Great fruit without the sugar! In stock and on sale now (Think Kung Fu Girl with a softer finish!)
- 2004 Twin Vineyards Pinot Noir $25/bottle: The Pinot you drink when you want to drink Pinot! Having tasted it at noon I was blown away by the floral nose at 7 pm. Yes, it needed that long to really open up and showcase all it had. Soft, ripe fruit with a soft lingering finish! This bottle has Thanksgiving dinner written all over it (and yes, it will be around on our shelves at that time too!). Available by special order with 24 hours notice.
- 2006 Waipara Pinot Noir$35/bottle: Now we are talking my kind of Pinot! More floral notes ... more fruit and a bit of spice (just a hint on the finish) This is Burgundy if you have never tasted Burgundy. I think someone even said it reminded them (the nose) of DRC (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) one of the fiest red Burgundy even created. In stock and on sale now!
- 2006 Omihi Pinot Noir $55/bottle (and magnums): Bigger bottle, bigger flavor (bigger price tag too). This is the bottle DS described as the bottle you open when you want to make a nice dinner for a date and hope you get to make a nice breakfast too (hey, he said it; I am just repeating it). Rich and opulent flavors with a bit of spice on the long, lingering finish. One of the best Pinots I have tasted in a long, long time. This is the bottle for the Pinot collectors' collector. Only 56 cases will make it to the US and we have put our order in for at least one case at Vino 100. Magnum(s) may be available too ... it seems that 20 (twenty) magnums in wodden cases will make it to the US. We have reserved at least one for the store. The box and bottle shuld be here by Thanksgiving and will be priced @ $225!
- 2004 Late Harvest Riesling $33/bottle: So you think you have tasted some really great Sauternes? Some rich and viscous Auslese from Germany? This version has a bit of everything without being too much of anything. Soft, sweet and rich but not overpowering on the sugars or the alcohol. In stock and on sale now!
All of the wines really showed well with some breathing and the Pinot Noir exploded over the day giving us a real treat by night time.
We have the new vintages in stock ... if you missed the tasting be sure to stop by and get some!
Cheers!
Michael
- 2004 Petrie Chardonnay$30/bottle: Burgundy personified! Like the fruit and not the barrel? This Chardonnay is for you. Crisp, clean with a soft minerality on the finish (My favorite style on the Chardonnay by the way). It was even loved by those who favored the big reds. Look out Burgindy ... the pupil may become the master! Available by special order with 24 hours notice.
- 2006 Waipara Riesling $17/bottle: That's right kids: we tasted a Riesling AFTER a Chardonnay. The DS Riesling was slightly-off dry and really possessed what I would want in a a Riesling that was not to be enjoyed for dessert. Wow ... we sold it well and it really showed its style by the end of the night. Great fruit without the sugar! In stock and on sale now (Think Kung Fu Girl with a softer finish!)
- 2004 Twin Vineyards Pinot Noir $25/bottle: The Pinot you drink when you want to drink Pinot! Having tasted it at noon I was blown away by the floral nose at 7 pm. Yes, it needed that long to really open up and showcase all it had. Soft, ripe fruit with a soft lingering finish! This bottle has Thanksgiving dinner written all over it (and yes, it will be around on our shelves at that time too!). Available by special order with 24 hours notice.
- 2006 Waipara Pinot Noir$35/bottle: Now we are talking my kind of Pinot! More floral notes ... more fruit and a bit of spice (just a hint on the finish) This is Burgundy if you have never tasted Burgundy. I think someone even said it reminded them (the nose) of DRC (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) one of the fiest red Burgundy even created. In stock and on sale now!
- 2006 Omihi Pinot Noir $55/bottle (and magnums): Bigger bottle, bigger flavor (bigger price tag too). This is the bottle DS described as the bottle you open when you want to make a nice dinner for a date and hope you get to make a nice breakfast too (hey, he said it; I am just repeating it). Rich and opulent flavors with a bit of spice on the long, lingering finish. One of the best Pinots I have tasted in a long, long time. This is the bottle for the Pinot collectors' collector. Only 56 cases will make it to the US and we have put our order in for at least one case at Vino 100. Magnum(s) may be available too ... it seems that 20 (twenty) magnums in wodden cases will make it to the US. We have reserved at least one for the store. The box and bottle shuld be here by Thanksgiving and will be priced @ $225!
- 2004 Late Harvest Riesling $33/bottle: So you think you have tasted some really great Sauternes? Some rich and viscous Auslese from Germany? This version has a bit of everything without being too much of anything. Soft, sweet and rich but not overpowering on the sugars or the alcohol. In stock and on sale now!
All of the wines really showed well with some breathing and the Pinot Noir exploded over the day giving us a real treat by night time.
We have the new vintages in stock ... if you missed the tasting be sure to stop by and get some!
Cheers!
Michael
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