Grand Cru Wine & Gifts

Stopped in to check out the selection recently and was moderately impressed.  There is a small 10 person or so bar with a vaccu-vin wine tap system to allow tastings and samples at designated times.

The selection of wine is relatively well priced with around a 1.5 to 2 time increase based against a distributor's cost.  Each price on the wine then comes with a 'Wine Club' price as well.  This is usually a club membership that you purchase at a flat rate, allowing you discounts on wine by a couple of dollars or so.  Wine clubs are usually only a good thing to buy into if you plan to buy enough wine within the period of membership, that your savings pays for the club itself.  If you rarely purchase wine, don't get suckered into a wine club, you'll just be giving the store your money without anything in return.

The actually varietals available are a bit geared towards two areas: California as far as their Cabernet Sauvignon and American Blends are concerned, and as the name Grand Cru suggests, a variety of French Bordeauxs and Rhone varieties.  The American styles are mostly well known names and labels, or ones that are highly reviewed.  The French styles can be confusing based on labeling practice alone, but the store clerks seem to be very knowledgeable with them and are happy to help.  Also in assistance are small cards below the pricing tags with excerpted tasting notes.

A bit lacking are a wider selection of Italian wines (mostly all Sangiovese and Chianti), NW coastal Pinot Noirs from the US, and other worldy varietals.

Not to be neglected is the EuroCave and high-end label shelf of 'close-out.'  These are all labels or high regard and value, each of which has significantly reasonable pricing on them.  These are the labels such as Dom Perignon, Ace of Spades, Chateau Haute-Brion, Quintessa, Opus One, and so on.

The rest of the store is a playground of Oenophilic gadgetry and display with any amount of wine racks and openers, and the content of the wine lover's imagination.  An interesting store to get lost in the merriment  of wine for a bit, and dollar for dollar, competitively priced.  The selection is very tailored, so prepare for that in advance, but stop in and you will certainly find something to your liking.

Five stars doesn't quite cover it for me. I LOVE this place. I love their atmosphere. I love their staff. And most of all I love their selection. This is my go to wine place! The owners are kind, funny, inviting, and very knowledgeable about wine. I even do the wine membership here because for the price vs. the quality of wine I am definitely coming out on top. Wonderful place to buy and drink wine! And the food they have is top notch as well!