| Howdy Free Rangers, First, I know that masks are no fun, but we’ve been doing our own research since the beginning of the pandemic and continue to make decisions based on the health and safety of our people and the City at large. And no matter what our protocol has been, many have had other ideas. Those that have asked in earnest have heard the numbers we’ve been watching, and the theories under which we’ve been operating. Those who have questioned policies in a tone that was really asking, Why can’t I do exactly what I want right now?! received shorter, less articulate responses. Having learned the lessons of mask mandates ending too soon previously, we are waiting for higher temperaturesand lower hospitalization rates to return to maskless in-store shopping. And we can’t wait for it either, as the return of our in-store tasting program will follow shortly thereafter. Won’t that be nice? Second, I wrote that two days ago and have just now checked the latest available virus related hospitalization and death rates, and consulted with everyone individually who works here, and we will be relaxing mask restrictions sooner than later. Regardless of how anybody feels about this, I think we’ve finally found a topic we’d rather discuss even less than the weather or the day of the week. But we’re definitely here to talk to you at length about what you’re having for dinner tonight, and the most enjoyable possible adult juice with which to enjoy it. Regarding the rest of the world that has bigger problems than most of us face here in Brooklyn, I’m reading reports of American vets heading to Ukraine to fight the Russians, and I understand the impulse. You see civilian buildings randomly explode, and Russian tanks running over civilian cars with people inside, and it’s hard for the lizard brain to not take over and feel like it might be nice to see some of those Russian soldiers on the receiving end of randomly inflicted devastating lethal violence. And then a few of these guys are taken as prisoners of war, and you hear their stories of how they came to find themselves in that situation, and it’s easy to go back to the previous, more level headed stance: Nobody should be shot at or blown up at all. And more guys with guns, regardless of their intention, are not likely to forward this goal. And yet, Russian troops continue the indiscriminate murder of ordinary people as a tactic, just as they did in Syria. It’s hard to not see them as highly trained monsters inflicting the will of a madman on unarmed civilians. And then one starts to think about Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, and their hapless yes man, President George W Bush, and the lies they told to American Men and Women before sending them into 2 countries where the non-military casualties weren’t even counted. Between climate collapse, zombie apocalypse, and WWIII, the latter wasn’t really on my radar until fairly recently. So, who needs a drink? How ‘bout Tempranillo based reds from Spain? They haven’t bombed anybody in a really long time. Lopez de Heredia is quite possibly the most classic of Rioja producers. They have been so long and well lauded, having been featured in every world wine publication of which I am aware, and making wine since 1877, that I feel a bit silly discussing them. Rioja is one of the best known wine regions in the world for well made and well priced juice (Tempranillo based reds in particular), but there is a long history of profoundly fine winemaking and one can spend hundreds of dollars on the cultiest of labels. While they have gotten significantly pricier, and much harder to acquire in the last few years, Lopez de Heredia still represents some of the highest quality per dollar Spanish reds I’ve ever found. And they hold their wine back for so long that many of their current releases are from the legendary 2010 vintage, or earlier. All of these wines age very well, and I have personally been collecting them for as long as I have been doing such things. So check out these deals on some of my favorite wines ever from Spain: 1) The dark, luscious Lopez de Heredia Bosconia 2010 has become the scarcest of the regular red releases, and is particularly delicious with red meat, and heartier vegetarian fare, as well as with just about anything slow braised. 2010 is an excellent and long lived vintage. While focused and beautiful now, it will age gracefully for at least another decade (or two). Regularly on the shelf at $45, we’re offering single bottles at $40 here and now. 2) The 3-pack: This starts with their impressive intro level red, Lopez de Heredia Cubillo 2013, a deep and hearty red in its own right. Add one Lopez de Heredia Bosconia 2010 from above, and caps with the more subtle, spicier Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Reserve 2007. This trio runs $134 retail, but you can grab them below at $109. 3) The Double Vertical 6-pack: This extremely limited set contains one each Bosconia ’07, Bosconia ’10, Tondonia ’06, Tondonia ’07, and the even rarer Gravonia Blanco ’09 and ’11. Do not hesitate, if you want one of these. (!) Click here for the hidden sale page (!) sale: retail: Bosconia ‘10 $40 $45 3-pack: $109 $134 Cubillo ’13 Bosconia ’10 Tondonia ’07 6-pack: $215 $286 Bosconia ’07 Bosconia ’10 Tondonia ’06 Tondonia ’07 Gravonia ’09 Gravonia ‘11 *** SALE AVAILABLE ONLINE ONLY *** *** This week only! *** Cheers, Jack Proprietor Free Range Wine & Spirits P.S. Free Range E-mail Archive |
