When in the course of human enterprise it becomes necessary to diversify, there exist certain survival tools one may employ in order to thrive among disheartened throngs, and to deliver fabulous goods and services to one’s friends and associates who crave bang-for-buck returns and immeasurable pleasures related to wine. Hear the sounds of hooves trotting along the road. Keen to decode the message of goodwill. Embrace the good news of Simple Math Cellars.
This is the age of the negociant reborn. Regularians, here’s a definition in case you need it: a negociant is a travelling sourcer of fine grapes and wine ageing in barrels that is found to be of adequate quality to label, brand and purvey, most likely at delightful prices and chiefly of top quality. This is a French term, used for a long time, and it’s a practice employed all over Burgundy and Bordeaux. Often, it connotes the work of winemakers in the “AP” or “custom crush” arenas of the wine business. There are small differences between all three, but suffice it say that I am now a negociant and will be grabbing up ridiculously premium wines without homes and selling them for fairly absurd prices under my Simple Math Cellars label. For the love of it, and for the fun.
The first tranche is becoming available in February or March, depending upon when the numerous and varying components of the business are completed. This isn’t too difficult but it takes time. All the while, I shall advise you to the best of my ability. But as we gear up for an inaugural release, here’s what’s cooking: Simple Math Cellars 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon – Mayacamas Mountains (Sonoma County). The grapes were farmed organically at about 1600 feet above sea level, enjoying a truly unique microclimate – terrific directivity and duration of sunshine, cooling fog and rugged volcanic soil. The vines are stressed, irrigated quite sparingly (nearly dry farmed) and sprayed only with fungicide three years prior to this vintage. The flavor profile is of dark berries, currant, cassis, cardamom, molasses and truffles. The acidity is “drink me with steaks, grilled peppers and eggplant”, and the structural/textural outlook translates to medium tannins rounding out to fine grain by 2010, ripe-round by 2011 and hitting a Medoc depth by 2014. This is big wine, really delicious and complex, and built for the long haul. One of the better Sonoma 2007s you’ll find under $60 and the best one you will get access to for under $45.
At about 70 cases, this $40 bottle is a no-brainer. If you’re looking for chewy chocolate brownies, look for Coombsville ’07s but if you’re looking for Left Bank Bordeaux lookalikes, come by Simple Math and have your mind blown. Keep in mind that I’ve tasted all over California and, maybe I haven’t gotten access to an overwhelming amount of fruit but this juice is a gold mine. It was crafted by Randall Watkins and Tom Garrett (skill sets having been Watkins, Chappellet, Moon Mountain, Revana, Bugay) and aged for the better part of 20 months in French oak. I think you’ll really enjoy this as a special event wine without having to spend Saturday night money. Make an occasion and share in the luck. Visit Simple Math Cellars and drop me a line. Pre-ordering is casual; we’ll do this via messaging for the time being. Shipping concerns are also handled on a case by case basis. Thanks for stopping by and make a great day.
Christian
Simple Math Cellars Has Arrived
