Brix26: An Exclusive Wine Service

Brix26, a personalized wine recommendation service located in San Francisco at the crossroads of Napa and Sonoma. Created in 2005 by Peter Langenstein, Peter works
directly with many of California’s boutique wineries, obtaining the unique opportunity to taste hundreds of the finest varietals available. Brix26 clients are able to browse and purchase single wines or mixed cases on the website, and are encouraged to call or email Brix26 directly for one-on-one recommendations. Each bottle will be shipped directly to home or business, complete with customized tasting notes and the option for individual gift-wrapping.

Peter has put together some suggestions for wine lovers and wine givers this holiday season for some of his top picks.

The Most Bang for Your Buck (Under $25)

Ever tried to figure out how much should you spend on a wine gift? One of the biggest misconceptions the wine industry has foisted on consumers is the more expensive the wine, the better—or even more misguided, the longer it will age.  It’s just not true – there are great wines, even wines that can age, at all price points.

Peter Recommends:  The Twenty Rows 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($19.99)—a rare 100% Napa Valley Cabernet. Tasting as though it could be a $50 Cabernet, it’s a second label from one of the Valley’s top wineries.

Got the Urge to Splurge?

If you’re dishing out the dough, you should be assured you are receiving something spectacular. Unfortunately there is a sea of overpriced Napa Valley cabs, all hoping to be the next $100 cult wine. The good news is that there are wines that are able to back their lofty price tag.

Peter Recommends: The Robert Foley 2005 Claret Napa Valley ($159 – 94 points). You won’t go wrong with this bottle, which is made by the previous winemaker at Pride Vineyards. Foley’s Claret (a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) is consistently one of our favorites every year.

For the Ultimate Wine Snob

How do you impress the wine lover who claims to have seen (and tasted) it all? For this type of person, a highly rated, difficult to obtain Cult Cabernet will get their blood racing every time!
Peter Recommends: The Blankiet 2005 Paradise Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (95 Points – $299)

Party Picks

Let’s face it. There will be plenty of soirees this season and you won’t want to show up empty handed. Parties are the perfect opportunity to spice up your selection with something to please all palates.

For a great Chardonnay that’s not too steely, Peter recommends The Patz & Hall 2007 Chardonnay Napa Valley ($34.95)

As for a red, don’t be afraid to be adventurous! Unless steak is on the menu, there’s no need to serve Cabernet at a party. Try something a bit lighter such as a California Zinfandel.  A great option—a rare single vineyard treat from a venerable Napa Cab producer, is The Nickel & Nickel 2006 Bonfire Vineyard Zinfandel ($48).

The Icebreaker

Looking for a bottle to spark conversation and keep the gang talking long after the last sip?

Peter Recommends: *Orin Swift’s 2007 “The Prisoner” Napa Valley ($35). It’s guaranteed to garner attention and probably become the new crowd favorite.

The bottle is equipped with a visually striking label (from artist Francisco Goya) and is an intriguing blend of several red varieties including Zinfandel, Cabernet, Petite Syrah and several others,

Shhh…It’s our Secret!

For the bottle that you’re dying to share, but don’t want to anyone to discover, we’ve found some phenomenal small production wines that are truly hidden gems.

Peter Recommends:

The Atrea 2004 Old Soul Red, Mendocino ($26.99). As one of my favorites this year, it’s an interesting blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Malbec and Petite Syrah from Mendocino—an area often overlooked. This choice is sure to impress any fan of big, rich reds.

The Palazzo 2005 Proprietary Red Napa Valley ($55). For Bordeaux fans, this has been one of our best discoveries as there are only 1,000 cases of this Merlot/Cabernet/Cabernet Franc blend. This particular bottle was modeled after France’s Right Bank wines but unabashedly ‘made in California’. It’s a beautifully balanced blend produced by Scott Palazzo and will pair well with meat-based dishes.

Cheers!

Setting the tone for the New Year can be done right with the perfect bottle of champagne.

While New Year’s Eve usually means either low-priced domestic fizz (think Cook’s) or high end fancy French Champagnes, I’d like to suggest a taste of something both domestic and high-end.
Peter Recommends:

Schramsberg 2000 J. Schram ($89) – Possibly the finest sparkling wine produced in California, this Champagne rivals the finest bottles available, and frequently tops them in blind tastings.

All of these wines can be purchased at Brix26. They can be reached by email at info@brix26.com, or by phone at 1-866-4Brix26 (427-4926)

(images provided by Brix26)