Dave F.
Yelp
This review is for the wine-only; not the winery.
One of my good friends owns a winery in Woodinville, WA, where many great wines are produced. I visited him several weeks ago mentioning I was headed to Napa. He gave me a quick list of his 7 "Must-do wineries" which included "Dave, go meet Pam Starr of Crocker and Starr and try her wines". Unfortunately due to my poor planning, we were in Napa Sun-Tues when most wineries are closed.
Several weeks later, I'm enjoying dinner at Boa in West Hollywood and see 2006 Crocker and Starr Cabernet Franc on the menu. I ask Pablo, (wine aficionado and Boa expert), for his thoughts. He just grins and says "order it".
We order the wine and let the bottle open up and and OMG, incredible! I'm tasting espresso and pepper in this big, but not a "fruit bomb", red. Wow, great flavors, great balance and a superb finish.
The next day I'm online trying to figure out who's got this. Someone has to, right? But, I'm totally striking out at K&L, Wally's, Woodland Hills and the usual haunts, I go to C&S website to submit an order. No luck! They, too, are sold out.
Then it occurs to me: I need to write this story and grovel. Ruthlessly drop names and grovel. Beg, plead, get down on my hands and knees as I need this wine! So, I document my sad story of missing the winery, then finding the wine, tasting it, only to be frustrated because I can't get any. I drop my buddy's name and the next day I'm out exercising when who calls: Pam Starr! I was so excited I felt like I was talking to the President! She got to hear the sad, but true story one more time, and miraculously found a case which she offered up for sale.
Of course, I graciously ordered and gave her a sales lead that we'd run Boa dry in the process of enjoying this masterpiece of a wine. I'm not really sure how Wine Spectator or Wine Enthusiast will score this wine, nor do I really care. This wine is perfect for my palette and the story makes it even better!
Hurray for Crocker and Starr!! I look forward to updating this review after touring the winery this Fall....and trying the 2007.