A great Chance!

Shhh!  A little Hummingbird told me that Clos La Chance is having a secret sale.

That’s right, these lovely wines are having a holiday HALF OFF sale!  That means that if you haven’t had the Chance to try the Clos, now is a great opportunity.  I have had several of the Hummingbird series of wines, which are a great value for some lovely wine.  I’ll probably buy a mixed case to have on hand, because $16 for Santa Cruz Mtn pinot is an offer you just can’t pass up.

Here is a full list of what is on sale with the full price first, and the sale price after.  These are the winery notes, since I haven’t tasted most of these before but with added commentary for your reading pleasure.

The sales starts FRIDAY the 13th – appropriately enough, and you can buy online or at thier San Martin tasting room until Sunday 11/15.

2006 Violet Crowded Merlot
Aromas of black plum and black cherry fruit with elements of smoke and vanilla along with violets and red licorice. Balanced flavors of raspberry and plum fruit combined with dried sage and sweet herb. Finishes with notes of wild cherry and tobacco. $18/9

2006 Late Harvest Semillon – Nectar 375mL (half bottle)
This would be an amazing wine to have at your Thanksgiving table with dessert. A beautiful yellow gold color that will darken with bottle age. Made in the Sauternesstyle with botrytized grapes. Rich aromas of orange peels, honey, almonds and apricots. The flavors of dried peach, apricot, honey and toasty almonds are perfectly balanced with a natural sweetness and acidity. $19/8

2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay
Aromas of sweet, scented pear and ripe Granny Smith apples. hints of tropical fruit with a touch of baking spices, hazelnut, and graham crackers. A faint floral aroma along with a touch of wet stones. The rich flavors of ripe white peaches dominates the mouth, along with a hint of juicy pear and tropical fruits that linger mid-palate. The finish is smooth, with traces of nutmeg and vanilla. $22/11

2005 Honduran-Emerald Meritage
Aromas of warm blackberry cobbler with currant, black plum, resh earth, herb, cedar and a hint of anise. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, mocha, spice and mineral with rips, firm tannin on the finish.  I have had the sister of this wine, the 2007 Crimson Topaz Meritage, and if this wine is any where near as good, it will be excellent with a killer QPR.  $25/12.50

2006 Late Harvest Zinfandel
Dark ruby-purple color with a rich viscosity when swirled around in my glass. Aromas of dried cranberries, powdered cocoa, strawberry syrup, vanilla and a hint of mint. A slight floral component−lavender. Flavors of vanilla and caramel open up to dark fruits. Plums and blackberries. Nuts and Zinfandel pepper on the finish.  $25/12.50

NV Zinfandel Port
Dark and rich. Aromas of dark chocolate, cherries, figs, brown sugar and baking spices. A slight floral note. Stewed cherries and milky chocolate, vanilla and jammy plum flavors. The higher alcohol balances well with the residual sugars. Long, velvety finish with a hint of white pepper.  Need I say more? Zin port? NOM! Pair this with some s’mores or sip in front of the fire.  $25/12.50

2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
Ripe strawberry, raspberry and cherry-cola aromas lead to hints of vanilla, brown sugar, nutmeg and cream. Flavors of boysenberry, cherry and cranberry fruit with spice, minerals and earth.  I would love to try this wine, and at $16 I surely will.  $32/16

2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
Bright garnet color with aromas of fresh strawberries, cinnamon, spice and a touch of vanilla. An earthy tone, with a hint of mushroom. The flavors of strawberries carry through, with crème frâiche and notes of coffee and cola. Bright acid and with soft, yet firm tannins. This is a wine that will lay down and age beautifully for 10 years minimum.  An intense minerality that is so classic Santa Cruz Mountains rounds out this very balanced, cool climate Pinot Noir. Will pair nicely with lamb, salmon with balsamic sauce and deep fried turkey.  Ripe strawberry, raspberry and cherry-cola aromas lead to hints of vanilla, brown sugar, nutmeg and cream. Flavors of boysenberry, cherry and cranberry fruit with spice, minerals and earth.  This would be a winning Thanksgiving wine as well. $32/16

2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
A big, bold Cabernet Sauvignon. Incredible complexity due to extensive barrel and bottle aging. Dark blackberry aromas with vanilla and classic Cabernet eucalyptus. Flavors of cassis, plum and blackberries dominate throughout the palate and into the long, smooth finish. $35/17.50

2005 Estate Syrah
Smoky aromas of plums, cocoa and an underlying “meaty” flavor. Plums and dried cherry fruits dominate the palate, with hints of bittersweet chocolate and molé. A smooth velvety, long finish. $35/17.50

2006 Estate Petite Sirah
Inky, dark opaque purple with a ruby rim. Rich chocolate, plums and blackberries on the nose, with raspberries, vanilla and spice. This is a wine not for the faint of heart. Big fruit is balanced by chewy tannins and a healthy dose of acid. The fruit stands out−baked blackberries and a little blueberry. A spicy finish. This wine begs for rich, hearty meals. Try it with a lasagna or steak au poivre. $35/17.50

2006 Estate Zinfandel
Ripe, full-bodied and powerful, this is a big Zinfandel. The alcohol level is 16%; however, due to excellent weather conditions throughout the picking period of the 2006 vintage, we were able to extend hang-time and balance the fruit flavors with the higher alcohol level, and the heat is balanced with the bright fruit. Sweet raspberries on the nose, ripe plums and figs, along with a cinnamon spice. Dried cherries and raspberries on the palate, hints of cocoa and a rosemary. The finish is long and smooth, and I get a touch of the vanilla at the very end, from the oak ageing.  $35/17.50

2005 Lila’s Cuvee, Rhône Style Blend
Elegant and balanced. Aromas of cherries and stewed strawberries. A slight smoky vanilla component. Flavors of dried cherries and rich berry jam. The finish is velvety and viscous. $50/25

2005 Special Select Series Meritage
A beautiful, deep ruby red. Aromas of ripe black cherries, anise, tobacco and clove/cinnamon spice. A hint of sweet vanilla and rosemary. Dried cherries and licorice on the entry with a lush blackberry dominating the mid-palate. Tannins and acid are both very prevalent, yet balanced, which makes this a beautiful wine with food. The finish is long, with hints of currants and again the rosemary. $50/25

2005 Whitestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
A big, bold Cabernet Sauvignon. Incredible complexity due to extensive barrel and bottle aging. Dark blackberry aromas with vanilla and classic Cabernet eucalyptus. Flavors of cassis, plum and blackberries dominate throughout the palate and into the long, smooth finish. $50/25

Case Special 2006 Santa Cruz Mountain Chardonnay
Aromas of sweet, scented pear and ripe Granny Smith apples. hints of tropical fruit with a touch of baking spices, hazelnut, and graham crackers. A faint floral aroma along with a touch of wet stones. The rich flavors of ripe white peaches dominates the mouth, along with a hint of juicy pear and tropical fruits that linger mid-palate. The finish is smooth, with traces of nutmeg and vanilla. $198/99

No one asked me to write this post and I am not getting wine in return.  No Hummingbirds, real or imagined, were intoxicated during this event either.  I just like good values and good wine.

Happy drinking!