| Can You Tell Me Free Rangers, Why is it always the highest maintenance jackass who thinks they’re doing you a favor just by showing up? The day before the day before Christmas (12/23) was extra special. While the numbers were solid, the work per dollar quotient was off the charts. A disproportionate percentage of people were doing that thing where we talk through their scenario, select the perfect bottle, and then they start the whole process over from a completely different angle, and instead of adding to the purchase, they replace it. Double the work for a single sale then compounds itself as the extra time required to satisfy that customer is just enough to cause a back-up of others awaiting assistance. And Friday was one of those days when we never did really catch up for hours in the middle during prime time. It was into this fraught maelstrom that two well dressed jackasses strolled, seeking a gift for one of their fathers-in-law. The talky one was that sort who interrupts the answer to his own question every time, jumping from one category to the next without ever hearing or responding to the results of the previous. Three interruptions and a mid-sentence jump from Barolo to American Pinot Noir later, I spokesmodeled the areas where he might find a bottle of red in his price range, and turned to help others while these two stood in the way, mindlessly pawing at bottles. I’ve met hypoglycemic toddlers with greater self-awareness and attention span. The third time I had to ask him to stop pulling bottles from the back of the shelf that were readily visible at eye level in front, he stormed out in a huff. Dozens and dozens of satisfied customers and the only two to run home and post reviews on the google were this oblivious prick and his shallow little shadow. Merry Christmas to you too, 1-star fellas. We’ve done pretty well for almost a decade without you, and we very much look forward to another you-less ten years. But actual sincere appreciation to the rest of you who made this tumultuous vintage a solid growth year for us, after a reasonably rough one. And double plus enormous thanks to our team here at Free Range. We are lucky to have each and every one of them. And I am extremely fortunate to be able to do what I do and then also have you all let me vent at length about the outlier idiots in the crowd. And as always, thank you all for sharing your four-legged furry friends (and occasional three legged friends) to whom we trade cookies and ear scratches for a little day brightening. On the bottle side of the conversation, we recently picked up our first two Serbian wines from our Croat friend, Dalibor. So in the holiday spirit, we thought we’d offer 15% off of all in-stock Croatian and Serbian bottles. The new arrivals from Bikicki (which I’m sure I’m mispronouncing) are organic medium-bodied wines with an unusual textural component. Bikicki Sfera Noir 2021 is an ethereal lighter-medium bodied Pinot Noir showing subtly deep fruit, somewhat fleshy texture, and great balance. Bikicki S/O 2020 is a skin-contact Sauv Blanc and is one of the most intriguing orange wines we’ve ever encountered. We’ve been warned that there isn’t much to go around and may or may not be able to get another drop for this vintage. So, you’ll want to check these out while they’re here. And we’ve championed Croatian wines for many years and most of these have long been staples, but here’s a recap of what’s in stock. Kozlovic Malvasia is a close cousin of what many know as Spanish or Portuguese Malvasia, this one is fresh and bright up front, with subtle white fruits and florals in the mid-palate, and a touch of salinity that really ties the room together. Bura Plavac is a fresh, medium bodied, un-oaked rendition of this close cousin of Zinfandel, showing good red fruit and salinity (generally served chilled). Pilizota Plavina is a dry cousin of Pinot Noir, which also finishes with an ocean air influence (generally served chilled). Skaramuca Dingac is quite literally the one that started it all for me, when I first tasted it 20+ years ago. This is an older vine, fuller bodied red that is an old-world salty grandfather of the best of old vine Zinfandel we get from CA. For those interested in the very best of old and rare Croatian reds, Zlatan Crljenak 2010 is the Croatian word for Zinfandel, and this is where Zin is originally from. Zlatan is widely regarded as the most important grower in the country, and these bottles have a little extra age. Arguably the second most important grower is Bura, whose Bura Dingac (the most revered old vine region for Plavac Mali) is a legitimate cult wine in Croatia and shows like a burly salty Amarone, and is unlike any other wine I’ve ever tasted. We have several vintages available, going back to 2012. Mix & match as desired, no minimums or limits (until sold out). Happy hunting! (!) Click here for hidden sale page (!) 15% off all Croatian and Serbian wine! *** Online exclusive! *** *** This week only! *** Cheers, Jack Proprietor Free Range Wine & Spirits P.S. Free Range E-mail Archive |
