VIP Wine Club 6-Pack
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Wine Club Feature:
Staff Picks
Hey pals,
It's been a long time since we had an 'employee picks' 6 pack theme. In fact, it's been way too long. That's why this month I've asked a few of my coworkers and bosses to offer a selection of their favorite wines this month. No competition this time; we're just featuring some staff besides me and their wine tastes for once. I hope you enjoy their choices.
Jon's Pick:
Easton
Zinfandel 2016
Zinfandel from Amador County, California
Jon's Pick:
Easton
Zinfandel 2016
Zinfandel from Amador County, California
14.5% alcohol
Sale price: $18.69
Regular price: $21.99
Our first pick comes to us from one of the owners of Cork & Barrel. In case you didn't know, our stores are locally owned and operated by a family who lives right here in Lawrence. Jon is an owner and(among many other hats he wears) manages the spirits for the store. He hired me over 15 years ago right after buying the stores and I've worked for him ever since. He took a little 23 year old who drank Carlo Rossi and turned her into a professional wine buyer. He fostered my knowledge every step along the way. Even though he holds the most knowledge about spirits in the store, he's also got a ton of experience with wine as well. Here's what he has to say about his pick, Easton Zinfandel:
2016 Easton Zinfandel
Amador county
Amador County, Ca. sits between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe in California’s “Gold Country.” The vineyards in this region are spread out with elevations varying from 1,000 to 3,000 feet above sea level giving way to a wide variety of growing conditions. Nestled on a valley floor of the Sierra foothills north of Plymouth lies the Shenandoah Valley AVA, Easton, and others considered to be some of the best growers of Zinfandel in the world.
Terre Rouge and Easton wines were founded in the late 80’s by husband-and-wife- team Bill Easton and Jane O’Riordan. Currently they produce over thirty different wines, many of which are very small production lots (100-500 cases). Each is unique and site-specific with a sense of place (terroir) in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
91 ENTHUSIAST
Smooth and creamy yet firm enough for good grip, this is a big but well-balanced wine that offers plenty of ripe berries and plums along with hints of black pepper and sage. Moderate tannins seem to build on the palate and add a good bite to the finish.
*My notes….
Color – dark rust
Nose - lush dark fruit
Mouth feel – soft, silky smooth
Taste – dark fruits, stone and leather
Overall – Great nose. Nicely balanced between tannins and fruit. Solid buy at $22. An “A” for sure. Backyard BBQs and Chinese food beware!!
Alicia's Pick:
Girasole
Rosé 2021
Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from Mendocino County, California
Alicia's Pick:
Girasole
Rosé 2021
Pinot Noir and Zinfandel from Mendocino County, California
12% alcohol
Sale: $11.99
Regular price: $13.99
Our next pick comes to us from the other owner of Cork & Barrel. Alicia has been a part of Cork & Barrel since the Smiley family took over the stores, but since 2020 she's come out from behind the scenes and put her shining smile around the store. She heads up our retail staff, helps at the register, and takes care of everything we need before we even realize it. If I didn't work with my actual husband she would be my work wife. I love her eye for detail and friendly disposition.
"Hi Friends! It’s getting warmer, and for me that means enjoying a cold glass of Rose. One of my favorites is this Girasole Vineyards Rose. It’s grown in Mendocino, it’s Certified Organic, and it tastes fabulously crisp and refreshing. Tasting notes include fresh fruit aromas of strawberries, watermelon, and a hint of citrus. On the palate, juicy raspberries and cranberries intermingle with the subtle spiciness of the zinfandel, creating a vibrant, lively experience. We are always looking for wines that taste better than their price, and this one wins at our sale price of $11.99!"
Clinton's Pick:
Perelada
5 Finques Red Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnatxa Negra, Merlot, Samso, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Monastrell from Emorda, Spain
Clinton's Pick:
Perelada
5 Finques Red Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnatxa Negra, Merlot, Samso, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Monastrell from Emorda, Spain
14.5% alcohol
Sale: $16.99
Regular price: $19.99
Next we have the Clinton Curtiss pick. I've worked with Clinton for the bulk of my career here at Cork & Barrel. He started here six months after I did and took a job at the 9th street Cork & Barrel for a while before coming back to 23rd street to buy beer. These days he's looking to get into the world of coding and stepping back from his role here(you got any leads on a job let me know!). I call him the swiss army knife of the store because he can still do every task around here and takes care of all kinds of jobs the rest of us don't want to deal with. I'll sure miss him when he's gone - not just because he puts the Champagne on the top shelf of the wine wall for me, but that's a big part of it.
"Jana and I were fortunate enough to visit Perelada last year and were able to try a few selections that weren't in KS yet. This one just arrived and I hope you all like it as much as we did. It's got a great balance of fruit and spice, has a fantastically long finish, and doesn't break the bank. I had some initial concerns the 'vacation bump' may have influenced my opinion on this wine and I wouldn't like it as much back in KS, but after having it again today, I still love it. The family behind Perelada has invested a TON of money in their winemaking process, and this is a great showing for what they have planned in Emporda in future years."
Michael's Pick:
Gassier
Cotes du Rhone
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre from Rhone Valley, France
Michael's Pick:
Gassier
Cotes du Rhone
80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre from Rhone Valley, France
15% alcohol
Sale: $11.99
Regular price: $13.99
If you've shopped here on a weekday before 5pm, you probably already know Michael. He's been with the store since 2021 and has been a loyal and knowledgeable member of the crew ever since. He's been such an asset to us here with his ability to give good wine recommendations. He also loves his wife and cats and knows his stuff with obscure 80's music.
"This Grenache-driven Red Blend delivers a BIG burst of raspberry and dark cherry, followed by a very dry, earthy, structured finish with notes of olive and spice. I love this wine because: if you already love Rhone wines, you may notice this wine tastes similar to those costing 50% more. If you've never tried a Cotes du Rhone, this bottle is a perfect into to this classic French blend."
Alex's Pick:
Mount Fishtail
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
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Alex's Pick:
Mount Fishtail
Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand
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13% alcohol
Sale: $12.74
Regular price: $14.99
Alex has been a member of the staff here for about a year but had experience in the liquor industry from her past life back in New Jersey. Her taste and background in wine are impressive given her age. We're happy to have her here while she studies at KU to become a lawyer. She plans to go into criminal law once she graduates. As one might expect from Alex's chosen profession, I love her quick wit and level head. Here's what Alex had to say about her pick, Mount Fishtail Sauvignon Blanc 2022:
"This is one of my favorite Sauvignon Blancs that we carry. It is citrusy, with notes of melon and kiwi. Grapefruit carries over the palate with an almost lemon zest finish. It is very crisp and is best served chilled. This is a great summer wine to enjoy on the patio and is best paired with marinated grilled chicken, a fruity summer salad with goat cheese, and lemon butter roasted fish."
Maddy's Pick:
Pound for Pound
Zinfandel 2022
Zinfandel from Paso Robles, California
Maddy's Pick:
Pound for Pound
Zinfandel 2022
Zinfandel from Paso Robles, California
14.8% alcohol
Sale: 18.69
Regular price: $21.99
Maddy has been working at Cork & Barrel for about five months now. Her musical tastes are beyond her years. She also possesses extraordinary knowledge of wines in the store. I love Maddy's relaxed attitude and enthusiasm to take on any task in the store. Is she basically stepping to the boss by choosing the same grape and pricepoint as he did? Heck yes! I'm kinda rooting for the gal too(seriously though I told her to go with this, her first choice, because the two wines are very different).
"This wine was a 21st birthday gift from my aunt, and I loved it. A bit more savory without being overpowering than other Zinfandels I've tried, it balances out the notes of blackberry and raspberry well. A really great choice if you're a fan of flavorful reds that aren't too sweet."
Thanks to the people who participated in this feature - especially because I only gave them like two days' notice to pick and write about their wines. I really couldn't do this without you.
Cheers,
Jana Curtiss, Grape Geek