So I was sitting at home last weekend and I wife told me she was going shopping for her sister's birthday present and asked if I wanted to come. Now shopping for any thing is about the last thing I ever want to do but for some reason I agreed.
So we're walking around Rockville Town Center (Maryland) and I recalled that a new supermarket Dawnson's has opened nearby. Why I remembered this I don't know as you can't see the supermarket and there were no signs. So we go into Dawnson's, which one would characterize as a "mini Whole Foods." After browsing around I notice a wine section. Wow. Wine or beer in a supermarket in Montgomery County MD is very, very rare as it's mostly sold in beer/wine stores (I believe the exception is a supermarket chain can only sell it at one location).
So I browse the wine shop. While small, it had some interesting selections, not the typical supermarket wines. I come to the California section and I spot the 2010 Edmunds St. John, Syrah, El Dorado, Wylie-Fenaughty. Wow! I remember people raving about the ESJ on this board but could never find it locally*. There were 3 bottles so I buy one to try.
Outstanding! All the praise was well deserved. It has subtle white pepper that I love in Syrah, subtle fruit and well integrated oak. Delicious!
So I go back today to buy the remaining two bottles. If I hadn't decided to go shopping with my wife, hadn't decided to go to Dawnson's I would never have stumbled across ESJ. Serendipity indeed.
** Checking Wine Searcher, I see that Bassin's were I buy all my wine has the ESJ Rocks and Gravel. Time for a visit.
Maybe they will restock soon...