Nearly everyone is familiar with the Duke's penchant for the new and unique. We were the first to offer you the fabulous Amuse Bouche a few years ago and, more recently, Pharaoh Moans, arguably the first cult wine from the Paso Robles region. "What do those two wines have in common with today's subject, besides being red?" we hear you ask. And the answer is John Schwartz, a man with a vision to produce only the very best wine the land can offer. John teamed up with Heide Barrett on Amuse Bouche and with the award-winning chef Bryan Ogden and famed winemaker Stephen Asseo for Pharaoh Moans. His teammate on this venture is Sommelier Danielle Price, whose credits include being Director of Wine for Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts.

Coup de Foudre 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Stag's Leap District is his latest venture. Here is a limited production Cabernet (only 5 acres of grapes, not all of which make it into the bottle because of stringent selection criteria) blended with a small amount of Syrah to add spice, mystery and balance to the intensity of the Cabernet. (Think Grange, upside down!) Here are John's notes about this beauty: ". . . flirts with perfection and will enchant you like no other. Brilliantly concentrated with an intoxicating fragrant bouquet of vibrant floral and luscious sweet red berries lead to a rich palate of cherry, black currant, plum and chocolate flavors. This wine is deep yet delicate with flawless elegance married to intense concentration. A truly breathtaking wine!"

Coup de Foudre strives to bring back the romance of wine. Remember that magical glass of wine you were having with that special someone when you were struck by the lightning bolt of love - that coup de foudre. The label, the words of a man pouring out his heart to his beloved, peels back to reveal fields (Who, Where, When and Why) ready for you to record your moment in time. The label is attached to a one-of-a-kind bottle custom-made in Italy, the country of romance.

The Duke has this special bottling available on a pre-sell basis with the wine being ready by Valentine's Day of 2007. (For you non-romantics, that would be February 14.) We are trying to convince John to release the wine to us in time to deliver for the Holidays. We'll keep you posted on our efforts.

Call the Duke today and cement your reputation as an incurable romantic!!