In a world gone mad, Harold is keeping it together...

... with vodka.

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Wine Review & Wine Product Review: Black's Station Yolo County Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 & ArT Wine Preservation

My old friends at Matchbook Wine Company are back on the blog! I've done a lot of work with Matchbook, as you can see by doing a quick search on the blog or by clicking this link. And if you'd like to learn more about Matchbook, just read my article A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company.

This time I'll be checking out their new label, Black's Station. Black's Station is what the town of Zamora, within Dunnigan Hills, used to be named. Needless to say, the vineyards that make these wines are in Zamora. I've already tried Black's Stations 2015 Chardonnay, 2015 Malbec, 2014 Red Blend, and now I'm finishing them off with the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Wine Review: Black's Station Yolo County Red Blend 2014

My old friends at Matchbook Wine Company are back on the blog! I've done a lot of work with Matchbook, as you can see by doing a quick search on the blog or by clicking this link. And if you'd like to learn more about Matchbook, just read my article A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company.

This time I'll be checking out their new label, Black's Station. Black's Station is what the town of Zamora, within Dunnigan Hills, used to be named. Needless to say, the vineyards that make these wines are in Zamora. I've already tried Black's  Stations 2015 Chardonnay and the 2015 Malbec. Now I'm trying the 2014 Red Blend before I finish with the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

After an insane day at work, I'm about to pass out at my desk. Let's do this one quickly so I can curl up with my wife and baby and get yelled at for falling asleep too early.

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Wine Review: Black's Station Yolo County Malbec 2015

My old friends at Matchbook Wine Company are back on the blog! I've done a lot of work with Matchbook, as you can see by doing a quick search on the blog or by clicking this link. And if you'd like to learn more about Matchbook, just read my article A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company.

This time I'll be checking out their new label, Black's Station. Black's Station is what the town of Zamora, within Dunnigan Hills, used to be named. Needless to say, the vineyards that make these wines are in Zamora. I've already tried Black's Stations 2015 Chardonnay, now I'm on the 2015 Malbec, then I'll move on to the 2014 Red Blend, and finally 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

That's right, baby! Malbec! It's been growing in California for quite some time and now it's getting done right! Malbec just isn't for the French and Argentinians anymore, friend.

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Wine Review: Black's Station Yolo County Chardonnay 2015

My old friends at Matchbook Wine Company are back on the blog! I've done a lot of work with Matchbook, as you can see by doing a quick search on the blog or by clicking this link. And if you'd like to learn more about Matchbook, just read my article A Brief History of Matchbook Wine Company.

This time I'll be checking out their new label, Black's Station. Black's Station is what the town of Zamora, within Dunnigan Hills, used to be named when it was founded. Needless to say, the vineyards that make these wines are in Zamora. Today I'm tasting Black's Stations 2015 Chardonnay, then 2015 Malbec, then 2014 Red Blend, and finally 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon.

I know I promised you that this summer I'd return to the kind of reviews and articles you've come to expect from me, and also go back to three posts a week instead of two, but I gotta break that promise for the time being. Yes, my wife and I had our second child. She's pretty awesome. However, she also has colic and is very very needy. Especially at night. We now realize how easy the first one was! So, although I'm glad to say that I will still be posting, it'll only be twice a week and the reviews will be rather short. Also, I'm sorry I haven't been all that responsive and talkative on social media. But don't worry, my friends. We'll get back to the immature hijinks and captivating history soon enough.

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FRENCH Chardonnay? More like BEST Chardonnay!

BECAUSE THEY'RE AMAZING, THAT'S WHY! #RetailProblems

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Sauvignon Blanc! It's the Ultimate Wine Club Theme

As a wine guy in the retail business, I get a lot of regular customers from various wine clubs that come around looking for suggestions. These people get together usually once a month and they each bring a bottle of wine and, sometimes, food to pair it with. Generally the cap limit is $15 a bottle.

They’re not only looking for suggestions and pairings to fit a theme, but whoever is hosting that month might be looking for a theme itself. It could be a region or part of the world. Northwestern United States is always a big hit, because Oregon and Washington produce great affordable wine and cover a bunch of different grapes and styles. One person is designated an Oregon Pinot Gris, another a Washington Merlot, etc etc. Or it could be different California red blends. Or it could be just one varietal from around the world, which is exactly where I’m going with this.

One theme that is always a smash hit, where everybody has the most fun and learns the most about wine, is Sauvignon Blanc from around the world. Every time I suggest it to those who haven’t done it yet, they come back raving about the results.

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Wine Reviews: Concha y Toro Fronterra Chardonnay 2016 & Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016

Hello! How's everybody's week going? Did my fellow Americans have a nice Independence Day? Myself being in the wine retail business in a tourist destination, I can tell you that I did not. It's the busiest week of the year and I'm just beat, man. My feet are killing me. My arms are sore. But I love my job and I love this time of year. Talking to people from all over the world about wine and getting them the perfect bottle for their visit here makes me happy.

And, besides, a bit of wine at the end of the day will always make it all better. Because I'm just so run down I'm going to make this one quick. I've got two bottles here that you can buy in magnum format and are much better than your average Yellow Tail or Barefoot or Cavit. Let's drink 'em!

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July Wine Pick: Pavão Vinho Verde Branco

This WINE PICK of the month was written for the Luke's of Cape Cod website.

If Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, collaborated with the Horae, the Greek goddesses of the seasons, to create a wine specifically for summer they'd inevitably end up with the Branco (white) version of Vinho Verde from Portugal. Light, uncomplicated, quaffable, and refreshing with a touch of effervescence. It is the epitome of what we call a "porch pounder".

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