Canyon Vines

By Adam Vignola           

Sage /saj’/ to taste, have good taste, be wise, and an apropos surname when owning a wine store. Ryan Sage is more than happy to impart wisdom, prudence, good judgment, and even cheer when you visit his wine store in search of a good bottle of wine.

Flask Fine Wines has a nouveau owner and will soon have a new look to match. “We’re in the process of gutting the store to expand the retail floor.” Flask is a vintage liquor store on Ventura Boulevard that’s been around since 1962.  “I inherited a good customer base and I hope that this remodeling will enable us to offer this neighborhood a lot more.”

A presale sign seems to set the tone for changes to come. BV Latour, Opus One, and Joseph Phelps Insignia, are all high-end California Cabernets being offered at an early discount prior to their arrival this fall.

Ryan, together with Ray, a graduate of the UCLA vintage program, and Steve, a Brit and a veteran of fine wine retail worldwide, round out the core staff at the new Flask. Together the three of them taste each wine that now comes through Flask’s door. “Heathen,” Ray comments after Steve notes that California Pinot Noir’s as a whole have tasted better to him recently than red Burgundies.

If you thought you knew Flask based on a trip in the past, it may be time to check them out again. Flask will begin offering futures (kind of a buy early plan for the discount shopper) on 2003 Bordeaux, Burgundies, and Barolos.

Bargains? Flask has them. Wines in the $10 range can be found from France to Washington State stacked throughout the shop. “The Spanish regions as a group have some really great deals these days, and the Australians seem to be cornering the market in value priced wines.”

In January Ryan hopes to launch a wine bar at Flask, and then his big ambition can begin. “Once I have the wine bar in, I can introduce my customers to new wine regions, new winemakers, I can even treat them to those high end wines that they may have heard of and never tried.” Ryan says with a smile.

 Do you have a wine picked out for tonight? “Yeah, a 1997 Snowden Cabernet.” I note that 1997 was a great vintage in Californian Cabernet and Snowden is a great Napa cabernet. Call me a sage too because I think Flask has all the makings to be a great wine store here in LA.

Tasting: Power’s Washington State Merlot 2000 – Washington State’s reputation for amazing merlots has arisen from exceptional examples like this: The aromas of ripe raspberry and rich earth are followed by the flavors of blackberry and red raspberry in a velvety finish. At Flask Fine Wines for $11.99

Flask Fine Wines, 12194 Ventura Blvd in Studio City. 818-761-5373

Questions? Comments? Contact me at adam@canyon-news.com.

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