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As the month progresses, we've added even more events! This week we have a special Montes wine tasting on Wednesday from 5-8pm (The Grand Tasting is now on Oct 19th); and from 5-8pm on Friday, will be our Oktoberfest beer tasting. Next week's Jefferson Bourbon Dinner at the Fourth Estate restaurant (in the National Press Club building) is starting to fill. Make your reservations now before it's too late! The Fall Grand Tasting will also feature a Fussigny cognac tasting. (Wine lineup coming soon!) Don't forget to check out the Barrister Winery pre-sale and notes from the Saturday tasting!
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Barrister Winery Pre-Sale
Another Bell Wine Exclusive!
We recently discovered the fantastic wines of Washington state producer, Barrister Winery, and concluded we just had to bring them to Washington, DC. The name indicates the background of the winery owners and brand will undoubtedly do well in this city populated by attorneys. But don't let pretty labels fool you -- these wines have major points behind them (e.g., the flagship Cabernet Franc - 93 pts, and Sauvignon Blanc, 92 pts, Editor's Choice - Wine Enthusiast). Please see pre-sale prices below (delivery in late Oct/early Nov):
2008 Barrister Cabernet Franc (reg. $34.99) - PRE-SALE $27.99
2008 Barrister Rough Justice (reg. $24.99) - PRE-SALE $19.99
2010 Barrister Sauvignon Blanc (reg. $24.99) - PRE-SALE $19.99
2009 Barrister Merlot (reg. $34.99) - PRE-SALE $27.99
Jefferson Bourbon Dinner at the National Press Club
This popular event event returns on October 18th!
Jefferson's Bourbon Master Distiller Trey Zoeller will guide you through a tasting featuring three bourbons, including the Presidential, and a rye during a multi-course bourbon dinner at the Fourth Estate Restaurant at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18. The evening begins with a reception featuring a bourbon cocktail and includes a signed bottle of Jefferson Small Batch Bourbon signed by Zoeller (a $42 retail value). Malt Advocate calls Jefferson's "superbly balanced, sophisticated and very drinkable. An outstanding whiskey." Chef Susan Delbert will create multiple courses to pair with the bourbons.
Cost for members and their guest is $79 per person and includes the bottle of bourbon. Cost for non-members is $89 a person and also includes the bottle of bourbon. Please reserve early by calling the Fourth Estate at (202) 662-7638. This event sold out last year.
Wines On Sale
The wines below will be on sale through Saturday, October 15th:
Our traditional Saturday tasting saw many of our regular tasters, but none of our regular wines! We recently got in several new wines that were featured on the tasting bar. The Prado Rey was a taster favorite, with several other wines generating a lot of commentary.
The identity of the Mystery Wine is:
Trumpeter Malbec-Syrah 2010 (reg. $9.99) $8.99/8.49
Comprised of Malbec (50%) and Syrah (50%), this Argentinian wine is rich and smooth. Aromas of crushed berry, chocolate and tobacco are followed up by complex flavors of berry, game and toasty oak. With smooth tannins and a lengthy finish, it is a tasty everyday red!
Other wines in the tasting included:
Alpha Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (reg. $19.99) $17.99/16.99
This Sauv Blanc hails from Macedonia, Greece! Intense and aromatic, it shows delicate asparagus and floral notes with a nice lemony mango fruit flavor. With clean and crisp acidity that doesn’t overwhelm, this is tasty white begging to be paired with some feta!
Domaine Talmard Macon Chardonnay 2009 (reg. $14.99) $13.49/12.74
Domaine Talmard has been producing Burgundy Chardonnay for over 400 years, and they have certainly perfected their trade. A sunny, straw-colored wine, it exhibits aromas of apple and pear, coupled with soft floral tones. On the palate is a nice minerality, lemon zest, and a hint of cinnamon. Bone dry and rather light in mouthfeel, this is a bright and tasty Chard.
Montaribaldi Barbera D’Asti 2008 (reg. $15.99) $14.39/13.60
This Barbera comes from the Asti region of Italy’s Piedmont. The nose is a complex balance of plum, cherry and blackcurrant. The palate is soft with sweet tannins and tangy wild berry, which carry through to a long, lingering finish.
Babcock Red Table Wine 2010 (reg. $10.99) $9.89/9.34
Santa Inez Valley is one of California’s hottest regions for up-and-coming new producers. We recently got in some of Babcock’s selections, based on a recommendation. The wine is 88% Syrah and 12% other varieties including Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. With aromas of boysenberry and smoky clove, it has a smooth and light palate. Easygoing flavors of dark cherry and earth make this an incredibly drinkable red!
Baron de Rothschild Reserve Speciale Bordeaux 2009 (reg. $12.99) $11.19/11.04
This Bordeaux from the winemakers at Lafite is a deep purple in color, with rich aromas of ripe cherry. The palate is round with a long finish of berry, pepper and licorice. If you want the flavors and body of a Bordeaux but can’t afford a true Lafite, this is a great option!
Prado Rey Crianza 2006 (reg. $19.99) $17.99/16.99
This Ribera del Duero is Tempranillo (92%) with the balance consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that spent 12 months in barrel followed by 3 months in oak vats. With an opaque purple color, it offers a complex nose of violets, cedar, and blueberry. On the palate it is quite rich, smooth-textured, and structured. This wine received 90 points from Robert Parker and it is easy to see why.
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BELL WINE on the WEB
You can follow the latest updates and comments about wine at Bell Wine& Spirits at twitter.com and stay apprised of events such as wine, beer and liquor tastings on Facebook. Here are the relevant links (remember to log in first):
Follow Bell Wine on Twitter!  And on Facebook! 
Join our Facebook group! 
Come by the store! We are located in the heart of DC on M Street--just blocks from Metro's Red and Orange lines).
Order by phone: 202-223-4727. We will have it ready for pick-up.
Order by fax: 202-466-8070. Please include your name, credit card information and phone number so we can contact you to confirm your order.
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