"Cheers"

The 6740

6740 Greenleaf Ave. Whittier, California

From the first time I ever walked into this little pub in uptown Whittier over 8 years ago till yesterday. Only it's interior has changed, but the lifetime of memories, friends and clients will live on for the rest of my life. Lets face it! I am a social butterfly! My best friend Jr. Duarte and I use to find places to meet after a long day working just to hang out. Several different places we frequented from West Covina to El Monte. Then came the day when my buddy was working at an office in the City Whittier back in 2001. He called me up and said "Hey! I found this little pub on Greenleaf that is really kool. You gotta come down and check it out one day." Sometime later that week Jr called me again and said I am chillin in Whittier watching the Dodger game. Come on down and I will buy you a beer! Hey!! I can't turn down a free drink and it was a slow day anyway. Why not! I still remember the first words uttered to me by Mike Kachoeff who is one of the owners of The 6740. I walked in wearing a New York Yankee baseball cap and he told me that if I was gonna be wearing that I had to leave. Thanx Mike for being brutally honest!

Pubs like the 6740 are an anomaly. Whether it is the tight knit community of Whittier that makes this place special or just the fact that 3 Gentleman, Mike, Dave and Audi just have the knack for welcoming anybody into there home like family. I have never left now for over 8 years. I have gone on a camping trip with Dave. I have played golf and drank wine with Mike! I even have a close connection with Audi! We are both Cubanos. Three business owners that I now consider close friends.

So many memories stand out for me here like my 35th birthday party! The big giant card signed by many that my wife got the day she was having surgery for Uterine Cancer or the day I cracked the seal on a box of Montecristo #4 Cigars from Cuba right at the bar and passed them out to anybody who wanted them to honor my mother passing away just 2 days before.

The friends and clients I have made here. Russ, Todd, Ed, Big John, Steve C., Terry, little Joe, Marc, Tony, Mr Baley, and Martin to name just a few. They all have different stories to tell about this little Pub as I have done, but there is always a "hello! How are you" every time I step foot in here.

Great owners and Great friends! These are the reasons that I come all the way out from El Monte just to sit back in a chair, have an ice cold glass of Lagunitas Hairy Eyeball or Stone IPA and relax the rest of my day away. You always wish you could find a friendly neighborhood bar where everybody knows your name! Yeah I am a kid of the 80's! I saw the show!


I believe that I have done just that.

Cheers!

Attack of The Mermaids

"Legend"

To: Grandmother Jerry - Big Anitra and Baby Anitra

thank you so much for making my day fun and making me smile remembering some great family moments!

A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history. Is Heidi Peterson Barrett a legend. I have mentioned her name before. Yeah! something about how the women of wine rule the world.

Today I was fortunate to taste 2 of Heidi's wines. Her 2007 Moscato Azul - Muscate Canelli and her 2005 Napa Valley Syrah. I met Mrs Peterson 2 years ago at a tasting in Los Angeles. She herself was pouring the wines at the event which I attended with my big brother. Of course as we approached her booth, I wasn't even aware of who I was meeting. Just another wine maker pouring there wines. No!!!!!!! My big brother had to put me in my place and tell me just a little of her history. Okay the biggest part of her past history, which was her being winemaker for Screaming Eagle. Yeah!! That Screaming Eagle!! That is something you better learn if you are a wine buff or historian. Either way I was thrown back on how approachable Mrs. Barrett was in speaking about her wines then. A class act that needs no introduction to this wine lover ever again.... Fast forward 2 years later and nothing has changed. Mrs Barrett's wines are still a home run.

The First wine I tasted was her Napa Valley Syrah. Dark ruby color in the glass with aromas of Dark Chocolate, Currants and raspberry jam. On the palate perfectly integrated tannins with great length. Pure intense fruit flavors come forward. I was more impressed this time around with this wine then I was 2 years ago when Mrs Barrett poured the wine herself to me. Overall this wine is a winner.

The second wine tasted was the 2007 Moscato Azul. This is a Dry Muscat Canelli. I really don't have much experience with this grape varietal other than the sweet variety. Which I don't really like! That being said, tasting this wine makes you think of so many lingering sweet grape varietals like Riesling, Viognier, Pinot Gris. All of whom I do love very much. The wine appears almost white in the glass. Strong Peach and flower influences on the nose. On the palate come small hints of sweetness and lots of the same characteristics from the nose of peach and tropical fruit with hints of vanilla. The wine is very clean and crisp which would make it pair so well with sweet shell fish. Both wines can be purchased at Vinatero Wine shop. www.vinaterowineshop.com

Today I tasted 2 wines produced from a "LEGEND".

Tomorrow I shall wish I can drink more!

Give Them A Try!

Cheers!

80 to 120 Year Old Wine!

How do they do it?

How do they produce a wine in Spain from 80 to 120 year old vines, that only produce one ton of fruit per Hectare of land. Bottle it, Label it, and Ship it to the United States and only charge us $15.99 per bottle. This is a super wine for that price. I actually tasted another Grenache produced here in the United States this past week, that was $30.00 per bottle. Atteca was just as good if not better to drink right now.

The Spaniards have a magical way of producing high end, quality wines for a fraction of what they would cost here in the US or other European countries for that matter. I love reaching out for 2 of my favorite varietals, Tempranillo or Grenache from Spain. Well produced ones should cost you in the range of $12 to 20 dollars a bottle. What wino wouldn't want to pay under $20.00 bucks for a great wine that is ready to drink the minute you pop the cork.

Atteca has a beautiful dark purple color in the glass. Heavy blueberry and stone on the nose with a bit of graphite. Dark fruit like blackberries and plums come out on the palate with just the right amounts of wood.

This is an absolute perfect wine for sweet pulled pork BBQ or beef brisket. With July 4th being tomorrow, a match made in heaven. I tasted and bought this wine at Vinatero Wine Shop.
www.vinaterowineshop.com

Give it a Try!

Cheers!