Duke of Bourbon: E-mail Specials

Readers of our emails should recognize the name of good friend of the Duke Doug Margerum. For 25 years, Doug owned and operated the Wine Cask restaurant and wine shop in Santa Barbara and indulged his desire to make fine wine as a hobby. His success at that "hobby" was celebrated by rave reviews and outstanding scores from the critics. Just recently, he sold both Wine Cask businesses to be able to devote himself to making wine. The wine scene in the Central Coast just got brighter.

We were fortunate to be able to sell his famous Rhone-style blend 2005 M5 on future last year. The wine was sold-out shortly after delivery in October.

According to Doug, M5 is a wine that is from a thought. It is a an amalgamation of memories, both distant and recent, of wines he's tasted and loved the past thirty-two years.

M5 is a blend of the five principle Rhone varietals - Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, and Counoise. He co-ferments a tiny bit of Viognier in one of the lots, but refuses to call the wine M6. He uses a cadre of top-notch vineyards to make the blend: Syrah from Colson Canyon, Black Oak, Alondra de los Prados, Alisos, Vogelzang, and Great Oaks Ranch; Grenache from Purisima Mountain, Crossroads, Vogelzang and Thompson; and Mourvedre from Vogelzang, Zaca Mesa and Terra Alta. The Counoise and Cinsault come from Stolpman. Doug says, "Yes, we are having fun. It will be the earliest-drinking M5, as the wines already have their secondary flavors due to early MLs, more co-fermentation in the blend, and very flavorful grapes at harvest."

Robert Parker certainly agrees as he awarded M5 a well-deserved 90 points and noted: "A gorgeous blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache, Cinsault, and Counoise, Margerum's 2005 M5 is full of fun and character. Its deep plum/ruby color and lovely sweet, smoky, black cherry and herb aromas are accompanied by a medium-bodied wine displaying deep, concentrated flavors that bring to mind an open-air Provencal market. A heck-of-a good value, it can be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years."

Now for the good news for wine lovers! Although the wine is sold out in standard bottle format, we have acquired a supply of Margerum 2005 M5 in magnum. These beautiful magnum bottles are finished with wax instead of foil, are individually numbered and signed by Doug, hizownself! They retailed at the winery for $69.99 each. The Duke's exclusive offer for a limited time is $59.99 per magnum. Purchase 6 or more and save $5.00 per magnum - $330.00 per 6-pack.

Hint: It makes an impressive hostess gift! Perfect wine to go with grilled meats.

Great wine! Impressive packaging! You can't go wrong!
Call the Duke today!!

Note: Prices are good while our supplies last and we reserve the right to change them at any time without notice.