AficioNada

Shakespeare was right when he said, “Thought is free.”  If only the same could be said about wine.

I am a sucker for jargon-y magazine columns. Esquire and O Magazines’ If You Only Have…; Marie Claire’s Splurge vs. Steal. (please, no comments from the peanut gallery regarding what this likely says about my character) So, when I saw Angelo Gaja’s 2005 Rossj Bass on The Bounty Hunter’s 15% Off Out the Door rack, the first thought that came to my mind was “My Gosh, this is a splurge that’s a steal!” Naturally.

Gaja may be most famous for his evocative, heartbreakingly expensive Barolos and Barbarescos, but this luscious, honeyed chardonnay, which is fermented in stainless steel using natural yeasts, is one of the most interesting wines being made in Italy today. It’s typically intense – a Gaja trademark – but it’s also mineral-y, citrus-scented and beautifully layered.

It’s also typically hard to find for less than $70/bottle. At 15% off out the Bounty Hunter door, however, the few remaining bottles of the ’05 ring in at about $56 (sans tax).

The entire display – smartly located in the center of this Napa Valley restaurant – is is a treasure trove of mouthwatering steals. There are some great value Burgundies, top drawer Bordeaux, high end Napa Valley cabernets, generous white Rhones, and everything in between.  Be prepared for a delicious hunt, because the wines in the slots below may not match the wine on the top rack.

The wines that wind up here, by the way, are not unwanted leftovers that have been lingering in some warm storage facility because one of their "wine scouts" was unable to sell them at full price. Instead they’re the last bottles from the Bounty Hunter’s current restaurant and catalog inventory.  (Note: They'll be restocking the rack tomorrow)

Want a charming red to go with that coq au vin you're planning? If you’re in the Napa Valley, swing by the BH and grab the last bottle of Robert Klingenfels’ 2005 “Cuvee Elodie,” an Alsatian Pinot Noir full of dusky cherry, earth and mulberry flavors that will cost you a little over $20. It ain't free, but it's a close cousin: cheap.

**If you’re not in the Bay Area but you’re feeling mighty parched, might I suggest peeking through the Bounty Hunter's rich wine catalog? (they ship practically everywhere) Or, checking out this wonderful blog, goodwineunder20.blogspot.com? It’s a fantastic resource for everyone looking for accessible, great value wines.