Staff Favorites - Christie Cartwright

Christie Cartwright
Christie Cartwright  | Send Email  |   Subscribe to My Sommelier Service
I was first introduced to the fabulous world of California wine in Napa where I spent weekends bike riding and wine tasting with my parents up and down the Silverado Trail. Growing up in the East Bay Area it was only a hop...skip...jump away from wine country where my family would venture to relax and play every possible moment. It wasn't until my senior year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo that I realized I had a passion for the wine industry. My first encounter with the working world of wine was my volunteer internship at Edna Valley Winery where I traveled to a number of tasting events with the marketing manager for the winery and realized I needed to get in the business. I added a minor in wine and viticulture to my communications studies major and ended up writing my thesis on the differences in wine marketing throughout a choice number of Paso Robles wineries. My first "real job" in the wine industry was at the smallest tasting room with the biggest personality in Paso Robles named Four Vines Winery. I worked there for almost three years while going to school and fell in love with not only central coast wines, but also with the business of sales and all those who loved, appreciated, and enjoyed our fruitful product. After graduation in 2007 I loved the central coast so much I decided to make a go for it and stay in this blissful paradise of beach and vines. I became fond very fond of making trips to Los Olivos and Santa Ynez valley quite often and in the mean time also became employed at Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo and 15 degrees wine bar in Templeton. In the summer of 2009 I decided to take a chance and move to Hollywood for more opportunity. Being from northern California I wanted to expand my horizons and see what the LA lifestyle was all about. I knew this was where I belonged the moment I stepped into this oasis of wine and cuisine. Never had I been to a place where I could find so many restaurants, bistros, wine bars, and the like within a 4 mile radius, and I don't have to get on the freeway! I'm in heaven. When I walked into the infamous K&L Hollywood Store it was love at first sight! I'm thrilled to be working here doing what I love, and love the incredible people here who share this passion and commitment with me.


Reviews

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2012 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc
Review Date: 5-22-2013
Well I have to be honest...usually a California Sauv Blanc for under $8 is hard pressed to be drinkable, innocuous at best. But when I tasted the 2012 Geyser Peak SB I was very pleasantly surprised! It has a wonderful intensity to it. Lots of bright aromatics, crispy, great core of acid and citrus notes with a clean and fresh finish. Super Value here!!!
Price: $7.99 Add To Cart WE 90

2011 Laetitia Estate Arroyo Grande Valley Pinot Noir
Review Date: 5-2-2013
This 100% Estate Pinot Noir is nothing less than a pure expression of the cool central coast climate and near perfect growing conditions producing classic Pinot for an insanely good price! Bright ripe cherry fruit with a touch of spice on the nose with a supple and delicate texture on the mid palate, finishing strong with great acidity and structure making this wine both drinkable with or without food. This is my new crowd pleaser pinot!
Price: $22.99 Add To Cart

2008 Terra Valentine "Wurtele Vineyard" Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 4-24-2013
Terra Valentine is a tiny boutique producer that's sits high on the steep hillsides of Spring Mountain. The wines are meticulously hand crafted and they spare no expense on the sorting table. This I know because I went to visit them during the harvest of 2012, and they put me to work on the sorting table for a few hours, and I couldn't believe all the fruit they tossed aside because it wasn't "perfect"! After that experience I swore I would never subject myself to the sorting table again, it is truly some of the most back-breaking work you can do, but it sure does help make the wine damn fine!
Price: $59.99 Add To Cart WE 90 WS 90

2011 Spellbound California Chardonnay
Review Date: 4-11-2013
Spellbound Chardonnay comes from Robert Mondavi and Folio Fine Wine Partners, and the 2011 if you can believe it is even more amazing than 2010. A very nice cool growing season gave great acid and texture to the "Baby Rombauer" style Chardonnay. So even with its rich creamy texture there are layers of flavors and complex fruit notes like citrus, tropical fruit, and vanilla. But with the drink-ability and balance of this 'life of the party' wine you could never guess the price!!! It will be bikini season soon so drink your spellbound in place of the cheese!!! (Christie Cartwright, Hollywood Buyer)
Price: $11.99 Add To Cart

2012 Cibonne Tentations Côtes de Provence Rosé
Review Date: 4-11-2013
A classic Spring/Summer sippier that is classic and elegant, yet fun, flirty, and damn delicous! Bright, crisp, and mineral, with searingly amazing texture and acid. It will get your mouth watering for more! I can't wait to lay out on my deck and drink this baby all day long!!!(Christie Cartwright, Hollywood Buyer
Price: $18.99 Add To Cart

2010 Hirsch Vineyards "San Andreas Fault" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Review Date: 3-1-2013
I'm always a big fan of Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir, but at this price I'm their #1 fan! Compared to most Sonoma coast pinots that can be a touch over-ripe and dark purple in color, Hirsch shows way more pure Burgundian qualities such as the lighter dark pink color in the glass with exotic floral and spice notes, even a touch of blood orange peel. It shows elegance, brightness, pure strawberry seed, great acid and minerality so you can drink now or wait a few years and compare it with your Burgundy snob friends! Don't miss out on this one!
Price: Hidden View Price WE 93 ST 91

2010 Antech "Cuvée Eugenie" Cremant de Limoux
Review Date: 2-9-2013
My absolute favorite bubbly or "Champagne for half the price"! This Staff Favorite French Sparkling Cremant is elegant, dry, crisp, with stone fruit and citrus notes, and a touch of toasty creaminess that will keep you sipping all day/night long!
Price: $13.99 Add To Cart

2011 Pali Wine Company "Charm Acres" Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Review Date: 2-8-2013
Another great balanced effort from Pali Wine Co. Not your heavy-handed oaky-buttery style chard. This is light on its feet with lots of citrus, tropical, and stone fruit nuances with fresh acidity and lively texture on the palate. Definitely one to turn you Chard-hater friends onto.
Price: $17.99 Add To Cart WE 90

2010 Hey Mambo "Sultry Red" Red Blend
Review Date: 2-1-2013
An extremely tasty blend of 29% Sirah,26% Petite Sirah, 13% Zinfandel,12% Grenache, 10% Tempranillo,6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Merlot. The fruit comes from Paso Robles, Lodi, Amador, and Mendocino. I love how lush, plush, and ripe this wine is! Mouthwatering flavors of black raspberry, fig preserves, dark cocoa, blueberry, and boysenberry cobbler! Yum! Family owned and operated by Sebastiani siblings Mia and August through their company TOG(The Other Guys); they are determined to make wines that will continue their family’s reputation for quality winemaking for generations to come. (Christie Cartwright, Domestic buyer)
Price: $9.99 Add To Cart

2009 Cameron Hughes "Lot #285" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 1-9-2013
An instant Napa Classic! Very well balanced from start to finish. Love the velvety texture on the palate with plenty of black cherry, plum, and a touch of that rustic savory herb that Rutherford is famous for. Great for drinking now and over the next couple years!
Price: $21.99 Add To Cart WE 91

2006 Bodegas Casa Juan Señor de Lesmos Crianza Rioja
Review Date: 12-19-2012
IF your looking for the ultimate value Rioja to drink now then look no further! This new Direct Import is surely to tickle your fancy! Old world style with new world polish. Big bing cherry fruit with cigar box, leather, savory herb and spice. Perfect dinner party wine for all your festivities.
Price: $12.99 Add To Cart

2009 Antech "Emotion" Cremant de Limoux Brut Rosé
Review Date: 11-14-2012
If your looking for a gorgeous baby Rose Champagne look no further! Half the price of Champagne and made in the same style! Elegant and feminine, with delicate nuances of dried red fruits and flowers, this cremant will knock your socks off. I will be stocking up for the holidays without a doubt! The ladies and gentlemen love it!
Price: $14.99 Add To Cart

2010 Spellbound California Chardonnay
Review Date: 11-1-2012
Its not everyday you find a wine that majorly over delivers for the price. Fear not all the expenses of the holiday's wearing down your spirit and wallet; the Spell of the Super-Charged Spellbound Chardonnay is here to save the day! If you love Cakebread, Rombauer, or any other big name big price Chardonnay, but cant afford a case every other week, look no further! For just around ten bucks, you get all the richness and flavor to savor and will keep you and your guests uber satisfied and wanting more!
Price: $9.99 Add To Waiting List

Elisabeth Goutorbe "Cuvée Eclatante" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 10-17-2012
From the daughter of Henroit Goutorbe, Elisabeth is making something so elegant and superb for a far better price! 70% Pinot noir, and 25% Chardonnay, with 5% Pinot Meunier, this Champagne is rich and moussy, with a full of honey and caramelized fruit on the nose and finish. delicate yet plush, and a steal in my book!
Price: $34.99 Add To Cart

2010 XANTHOS California Red Wine
Review Date: 10-12-2012
A new arrival for California Red Blend Lovers! I can't believe I found this hidden jem for under $20! It tastes and drinks at least twice its price! Perfect Winter Red that all your friends will love to indulge themselves in! 63% Syrah, 16% Segalin, 11% Merlot, and 10% Zinfandel
Price: $17.99 Add To Cart

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Launois "Cuvée Reserve" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($34.99)