This Wine is, Quite Literally, a “Deadly Deal”
For my first of seven deals during the 2014 holiday season, Santa Gary is partnering with old friends—Mike and Diane Naggiar—who have just introduced a new wine label, the NV series from Grass Valley’s Naggiar Vineyard. We’re spotlighting one of their five launch wines, the 2012 Grande Violette, a rich Rhone blend, winery priced at $18 per bottle. Our elves just unloaded an entire pallet (56 cases) that Santa Gary is holiday pricing at $15.99 per bottle or just $12.99 each when you purchase six or more. . . a discount of nearly 28%.
The Naggiars—whose 60-acre vineyard is one of the largest in the Sierra Foothills—are expanding production with a retail-only line of value-priced wines that will not be sold in their tasting room. Carpe Vino is helping with the rollout, and to get things started, we did a blind tasting with our staff to pick a favorite of three new red blends: Grande Violette, Nightshade and Dahlia Noir.
All of the wines are named for poisonous flowers that are beautifully illustrated on the labels, making this one Deadly Deal. With huge fruit flavors and a killer finish, Grande Violette blew away the staff, so Santa Gary acquiesced and went with it as our first holiday deal.
The quality factors that Naggiar’s winemaker, Derek Irwin, lavishes on its core wines shine through clearly in the new brand. All of the NV wines are made from 100% estate fruit and spent 15 months on a combination of 30% new American and French oak.
With just 200 cases made, Grande Violette qualifies as a boutique entry, and believe Santa Gary when he says, “This vintage is gonna sell out quickly, baby.”
Winery Tasting Notes: “A complex Rhone blend, this wine offers lovely aromas and bold flavors of blackberries, dark currants and exotic black pepper followed by concentrated, rich, soft tannins and a lovely, lingering finish. This wine will pair exquisitely with light meat dishes such as marinated and grilled lamb chops or savory, braised beef.”
Alcohol Level: 14.2%
Cases Produced: 200
Blend: 65% syrah; 20% mourvedre; 15% grenache
Winemaker: Derek Irwin
Now that Santa Gary’s crew of elves has done all the heavy lifting, all you have to do is gently depress the “Buy-Now” button and score six bottle. . .or maybe even a case. . .of Grand Violette!
Cheers,
Santa Gary
All deals are valid through December 24, 2013 or as long as supplies last.