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2006 Chianti Classico, Poggio Amorelli $11.95
Chianti, Italy.  This wine it is deep and round, with a nose of blackberries and raspberries. There is a nice balance between softness, acidity and tannins. The latter are certainly presence but are well integrated. A really good Chianti Classico priced as though it must have fallen off a truck!

2008 Catarratto - Azienda Vitivinico Tola $4.95
Sicilia, Italy.  A wonderful fresh, fruity, bright and clean dry white wine from Sicilias’ Catarratto grape. A perfect white for every day enjoyment with just the right acidity, all this and it’s 12.5 alc.

2007 O’Shaughnessy Mt Veeder Cabernet $69.95
Mount Veeder, Napa 95 Points Parker
“A staggering wine of exceptional concentration, flavor dimension, and texture, the opaque blue/purple-tinged 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder boasts copious notes of smoked meats, subtle barbecue smoke, creme de cassis, charcoal, licorice, and background mountain flora. With terrific intensity as well as full- bodied power, this is a brilliant Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon to drink over the next 25-30 years.”

2009 Macon Morizottes, Larochette Manciat $ $13.95
Macon, Maconnais, Burgundy, France 90 Points Parker
“If this exemplifies what we are going to see from the 2009 vintage in the Maconnais and further north in the Cote d’Or, consumers are in for a treat. Larochette-Manciat’s 2009 exhibits plenty of steely freshness as well as ripe nectarine and honeyed melon notes presented in a fruity, medium-bodied style. It is a beautiful white combining power with elegance. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years.”

2009 Sancerre – Patrice Moreux $24.95
Loire valley, France  12.5% Alc.
This is an exciting Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) .Remarkable and aromatic intensity on the nose. Floral notes of white flowers such as hawthorn, acacia, eglantine, and elderflower. This is backed up by blackcurrant buds and wild flowers. It is lively on the palette, with very pleasant acidulous characteristics prolonged by light fruity notes. Full and refreshing, it is dominated by flinty stones and chalk typical of fine Sancerre wines. Delicious wine!

2009 Sauvignon Blanc, “1749”- Chanier $8.95
Loire Valley, France 12.5 alc.
Bright yellow with green reflections. Dry, zesty, lemony citrus aromas. Citrus fruit on the palate, well balanced, with a crisp and refreshing acidity. Crisp and refreshing, very different than California’s Sauv. Blancs.( no wood  and  no grass)

2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley- Trinitas $13.95
Pope Valley, Napa Valley
This wine displays aromatics of apple, green pear, honeydew melon, passion fruit, vanilla and a touch of cinnamon. The new Hungarian oak rounds out this wine’s wonderful acid, giving it a supple yet crisp palate and refreshing finish.

2009 Sauvignon Blanc, “1749”-Chanier $8.95
Loire Valley, France
Bright yellow with green reflections. Dry, zesty, lemony citrus aromas. Citrus fruit on the palate, well balanced, with a crisp and refreshing acidity. Crisp and refreshing, 12.5% Alc.

2009 Sauvignon Blanc, ROC-Chateuviex $8.95
Loire Valley, France
Pale yellow and bright. Dry, zesty, packed with gooseberry aromas and a hint of floral white blossom. Citrus fruit aromas, well balanced on the palate, with crisp and refreshing acidity. 12.5% Alc. 

2009  Sauvignon Blanc - Ch de la Roche $12.95
Loire Valley, France
The vines provide a complex wine on the nose, aromatic and mineral. Ripe fruits and citrus aromas, very subtle and delicate on the palate. 12.5% Alc.

2009 Sancerre, Les Hospices-Chanier $16.95
Loire Valley, France
Classic Sauvignon Blanc: refined, fresh nettle & flint aromatics and generous, mouthfilling, crunchy stone-fruit flavors. The winemaking team at Paul Buisse uses a blend of age-old practices and modern techniques to show the terroir characteristics of Sancerre at their best. A cool fermentation ensures a particularly pure, fruity style while 3 months on the lees provide extra complexity and richness. The wines are stored in stainless steel vats and bottled soon after the harvest for extra freshness. 12.5% Alc.

2009 Chablis - Domaine Billaud-Simon $19.95
Chablis, France.  Here’s a good place to start enjoying the white Burgundies of 2009. White fruits, lemon notes, wet rocks & minerals beautifully balanced with a round clean finish. Nice Chablis, nice price. 

2009 Ch. Lamothe de Haux, Bordeaux Blanc  $11.95
Bordeaux, France.  A dry white Bordeaux wine, made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc 40%, Sémillon 40% and Muscadelle 20% that offers elegant notes of sweet Meyer lemon, tangerine blossoms and silky minerals. Wonderful fragrance, rich tropical fruits of pineapple, mango and kiwi.

2008 Domaine Napa Chardonnay $13.95
Napa Valley, California. This is a great value Napa Chardonnay. The aroma is complex with notes of pear, citrus and melon mingling with shades of spice and oak. On the palate, flavors of pear, nectarine, honey and vanilla are followed with a hint of oak and butter.  A very enjoyable centrist Napa Chardonnay at a friendly price.

2009 PKNT Gold Chardonnay $6.95
Maule Valley, Chili.  This is made from 75% Chardonnay and 25% Viognier with 30% of the blend being aged in American and French oak. Elegant aromatic with tropical fruits and a hint of ripe melon. All in all a very nice every day Chard.

2009 Chardonnay, Carneros – Trinitas $19.95
Save from $7 to $10 a bottle with our ROMBAUER beater! If you like a subtle, clean, stainless steel Chardonnay, a la Burgundy,this monster is not for you. On the other hand if you enjoy Crème brûlée in your wine glass this is your best friend. The winery refers it to a "Butterscotch Bomb"and it really is one. The toast on the barrels is prominent, giving a Crème brûlée character to the nose. Underneath the toast, you get the intense tropical fruit–pear, peach, lemon zest and citrus. The rich mid-palate explodes with cinnamon toast, cream and butterscotch – which is a contribution to the length of time spent in the Oak Barrels.  Your first whiff of your glass will amaze you.

2007 Napa Chardonnay - Freemark Abbey $13.95
91 Points Wine Enthusiast December, 2009
The nose reveals aromas of baked apple, ripe banana and lemon oil with a hint of floral notes. This Chardonnay has an exceptional mouth feel with flavors of apple and butterscotch that integrate well with a subtle touch of oak spice. Typically one third is barrel fermented while the balance is fermented cold in stainless steel tanks and is transferred to barrels after the fermentation. This non- malolactic chardonnay is aged for 6-8 months in French oak barrels.

Freemark Abbey is returning to its historic position as one of Napa Valleys’ leading wineries

2007 Old Vine Cuvee-Trinitas $14.95
JMR and Conrado Vineyards in Mendocino, California
This zinfandel (55%) based blend is delicious. It displays aromatics of raspberry, chocolate, smoke and vanilla. It explodes in the mid palate and has a long finish of dark fruit, blackberry, plum and a touch of classic zinfandel briar notes. The wine was aged in 50% new American oak for 18 months .The blend is 55% Zinfandel, 30% Carignane, 12% Petite Sirah and a dash of Alicante Bouschet and Black Malvasia. The Trinitas folks produce big, rich wines that are real crowd pleasers.

2007 Syrah - Rancho Sisquoc $16.95
Flood Family Vineyards, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
89 points Parker # 190 Aug 2010
“This extroverted Syrah reveals a stunningly intense nose of lavender, wild berry fruit, incense, and background oak as well as earth. Medium- bodied and lush with attractive purity and an overall sense of finesse, it is a distinctively-styled Syrah that should be given serious consideration. Moreover, it is a very good value.”

(91% Syrah & 9% Pt. Sirah) Aged 18 months in 100% French oak.

2007 Petite Sirah, Old Vine - Trinitas $17.95
Oakley ,Contra Costa County, California
This wine displays aromatics of espresso covered chocolates, blue fruit, and toast. The tannin structure, weight, and balance remind us of what Petite Sirah is all about. Ripe fruit flavors veer toward the jimmy, spicy side, with wonderful red fruit, cherry, raspberry and currant flavors. The intensity and persistence of the flavors are supported by the firmly tannic structure The Petite Sirah is dry farmed at the Gonsalves Vineyard in Oakley. Deep sandy soils with root-systems that stretch almost 60 feet deep make this area extremely unique for growing Petite Sirah. These Vineyards are well over 100 years old and have survived both phyloxera and prohibition.

2007 Old Vine Cuvee, Mendocino – Trinitas $14.95
JMR and Conrado Vineyards in Mendocino, California
This zinfandel (55%)  based blend is delicious, it displays aromatics of raspberry, chocolate, smoke and vanilla. It explodes in the mid palate and has a long finish of dark fruit, blackberry, plum and a touch of classic zinfandel briar notes. The wine was barrel aged in 50% new American oak for 18 months. They managed to control the sometimes over powering qualities of American oak. The blend is 55% Zinfandel, 30% Carignane, 12% Petite Sirah and a dash of Alicante Bouschet and Black Malvasia. The Trinitas folks produce big, rich wines that sing songs of pleasure.

2009 Malbec, Reserve –Maipe $12.95
Mendoza, Argentina 90 Points Parker # 190 Aug 2010 Drink: 2010 – 2013. My three favorite Maipe red wines include the 2009 Malbec Reserve, the winery’s top selection that is aged in wood for 12 months. A dense blue/ purple color is followed by a big, sweet, floral (acacias), blueberry, blackberry, coffee, and white chocolate-scented bouquet. Remarkably rich and heady, with a full-bodied mouthfeel as well as silky tannins, it should be consumed over the next 2-3 years.Maipe fashions reds and whites that sell for a song.”

2007 Tre Vini, Flood Family - Rancho Sisquoc $13.95
Flood Family Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County
Sangiovese 58%, Malbec 22% & Syrah 20%
This rich blend is dominated by Sangiovese attributes. The nose is profiled with cherry, raspberry and red fruit aromas and some toasty oak. This well structured wine opens up with black jam, sweet herbs and floral tones. A bright finish accompanies the wine with signature Sangiovese tannin. Aged for 18 months in Hungarian oak. Outstanding blend at this price.

2008 Rosso di Montepulciano Corte alla Flora $11.95
Southern Tuscany in Montepulciano Italy
Clean-cut red, with berry, flower and cedar on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied, with a clean, lightly spiced finish. Made from Prugnolo Gentile (aka Sangiovese Grosso) 95% and Colorino 5%.

2009 Valpolicella Giacomo Montresor $9.95
Valpolicella, Italy.  This wine is really smooth and easy to drink. A medium bodied red with lively aromas of cherries, violets and almonds and a hint of the mossy/herbacious character typical of Valpolicella. Soft, velvety palate. Made from a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grapes grown on Montresor's estate in Valpolicella.

2008 Carro - Senorio de Barahonda $8.95
Yecla, Spain 88 Points Parker # 181May 2009  2009 - 2012
“The 2008 Carro is 50% Monastrell, 20% Syrah, 20% Tempranillo, and 10% Merlot fermented and aged in stainless steel. Purple-colored, it reveals a fragrant bouquet, of violets, damp earth, incense, and blueberry. On the palate it has surprising grip and concentration for its humble price and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will provide pleasure over the next three years. Senorio de Barahonda is the oldest winery in Yecla”

2008 Vermentino Uvaggio $11.95
Lodi, Calif.  “Lodi is a seriously interesting location for growing grapes, as this entry in the Oxford Companion (U.K.) demonstrates. And Uvaggio Vermentino 2008 Lodi made from Vermentino grapes grown there is seriously good value. Only 12% alcohol and a modest price, it over-delivers in terms of flavour and refreshment.

Uvaggo di Giacomo is a project devised by Jim Moore (aka Giacomo) who used to look after the Italian varietals program for Robert Mondavi Winery, and barrel broker and frequent forum poster Mel Knox. The 2008 is looking lovely now: bursting with fruit like a slice of juicy pear and with quite enough acidity to make it a good drink without food. It is only 12% alcohol and the Lodi grapes were apparently fully ripe at 21 Brix. Unlike most Cal-Ital varietals, which seem to bear pretty little relationship to the Italian prototype, one mouthful of this was enough to remind me of a lunch in Liguria high above the sparkling blue Mediterranean. (Vermentino has been shown by DNA analysis to be the same as the Pigato grown around Genoa, and the Favorita of Piemonte.)”
from Janice Robinson  4 Aug, 2009 (U.K.)

2009 Ch. Lamothe de Haux $11.95
Bordeaux, France. A dry white Bordeaux wine, made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc 40%, Sémillon 40% and Muscadelle 20% that offers elegant notes of sweet Meyer lemon, tangerine blossoms and silky minerals. Wonderful fragrance, rich tropical fruits of pineapple, mango and kiwi.

2006 Cabernet, Mendocino - Orsianna $14.95
Beautiful aromatics consisting of oak, cedar, rich red berries and hints of rose petals.  It’s a richly layered, medium- to full-bodied wine boasting supple tannins, rich brambly fruit and medium sweet tobacco overtones. It is beautifully balanced and elegant, and should age nicely for 7-10 years. A distinctive Mendocino Cab at a wine glut price.

2004 Costers del Gravet  - Capcanes  $10.95
Monsant, Spain 91 Points Parker # 169 Feb 2007
“The 2004 Costers del Gravet is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Garnacha, and 15% Carinena. The Garnacha and Carinena vines range in age from 30-60 years while the Cabernet is 15-20 years. The wine was aged for 12 months in used French oak. Purple colored and more touched by the oak, the wine exhibits an attractive perfume of pain grille, minerals, scorched earth, spice box, black currant, and black cherry. This is followed by a layered, full-bodied wine with gobs of sweet black fruits, a plush texture, and a pure, lengthy finish. Drink this hedonistically-styled wine now and over the next 8-10 years.”

2005 Cuvee Constance - Calvet-Thunevin $8.95
Vins de Pays des Cotes Catalanes, Languedoc Roussillon, France 90 Points Parker  # 173 Oct 2007 “The 2005 Constance ( a “Cotes Catalanes” Vin de Pays) – consisting of Grenache with 30% Syrah and 10% Carignan –represents the only cuvee among the Calvet-Thunevin line-up not to be aged for 18 months in new barriques, but rather roughly half as long and exclusively in cement. Sweet and alluring aromas of creme de cassis and black raspberry jam lead to a palate of liqueur-like richness along with deep bitter chocolate and coffee as well as wet stone and lead pencil shadings. This excellent value offers an almost unprecedented amount of pure ripe fruit and resonance of finish for its price,  and while it is successfully designed for impulsive (possibly even compulsive) consumption, it might well display more  nuance with another year or two in bottle.”

2005 Late Harvest Riesling – Arrowood $18.95
Alexander Valley, Sonoma 91 Points Parker #168 Dec 2006  (1/2 btl)
“No one in America produces more decadently rich Auslese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese-styled late harvest Rieslings than Dick Arrowood, who began making these wines when he was the winemaker at Chateau St. Jean during the decade of the seventies.

These brilliant sweet wines can age exceptionally well as evidenced by some bottles in my cellar from the late seventies. While their colors now resemble molasses, they remain fresh and lively. Arrowood has hit home runs with all three cuvees in 2005. The 2005 Late Harvest Riesling (301 cases) is an Auslese-like white offering gorgeous tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and peach-scented aromas as well as great acidity. It was bottled with 7.2 grams of residual sugar, and is low in alcohol.”

2007 Merlot, Alexander Valley – Laurier  $7.95
This Merlot delivers complexity and pleasure on many levels. The aroma of black cherries and chocolate is very prevalent and the taste continues with a refreshing hint of chocolate mint. The finish is sturdy with rich, pleasing tannins and a spicy, vanilla note. Nice value AV Merlot.

2008 Coussergues Chardonnay/Viognier $8.95
Languedoc-Roussillon, France
90 Points Parker # 183 Jun 2009 Drink: 2009 - 2010
"My favorite from this winery is the medium-bodied, dry, fresh, lively 2008 Chardonnay/Viognier (a 50-50 blend). Exotic tropical fruit, honeysuckle, and floral undertones offer a lovely aromatic display." Wonderful Value… 

2007 Hayman & Hill Napa Cabernet $8.95
Wow, a truly expressive Napa Cab under $10! Rich chocolate with blueberry and raspberry notes, subtle hints of tobacco and leather and the classic dust & berry you find on the nose of most Napa Cabernets. The palate has fine grain tannins, with a soft mid-palate and a lingering finish. A Chronicle super value Napa Cab.

2007 Valpolicella Classico Ripasso-Montresor  $13.95
Verona, Italy
A medium to full bodied red in a deep ruby red color with deeply inviting aromas of rich fruit, almond and cinnamon and a smooth velvety palate, rich with flavors of cherry, musk, spices and vanilla. Finishing with warming fruit and soft tannins. Made by the Ripasso method, which involves adding the unpressed skins from the dried grapes which were used to make an Amarone to a young Valpolicella wine. This helps to add extra flavor to the wine and gradually the luscious flavors of Amarone are imparted to the wine. The wine is agedfor 16 months in French and American oak. Made from Corvina Veronese (40-70%), Rondinella (20-40%) and Molinara (5-20%).

2007 Garnacha, Puntazo G - Sin-Ley  $12.95
Navarra, Spain 90 Points Parker # 178 Aug 2008 Drink: 2008 - 2012
“The 2007 Puntazo is sourced from 75 year old garnacha vines in Navarra. Purple-colored, its aromatics of black cherry and raspberry leap from the glass. On the palate, the wine has excellent breadth and concentration, light tannin, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. The reader is referred to Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Issue 175, pp72-73, for a more in depth explanation behind the Vinos Sin-Ley concept. In a nutshell, its purpose is to focus on individual grape varieties and their expressions in a range of terroirs. To help accomplish this goal,the wines are all unoaked so that the purity of the fruit is front and center.”

2002 Lignum - Albet I Noya $5.95
Penedés, Spain The 2007 Lignum, a Garnacha, Carignan & Cabernet blend, sells for $14.95 in New York. Here is a chance to see how this blend ages. The wine has nice weight with the fruit element surprisingly in evidence. The blend has fused together and developed another super value Spanish red, ideal for your summer meals.

2007 Mataro (Mourvedre), Old Vine - Trinitas $14.95
Contra Costa County.  From a professional Blog. “My next taste came from some of Contra Costa’s (Oakley) oldest vines, a rarely found Mataro (a.k.a. “Mourvedre”). I had never heard of the term “Mataro” before. This was where the day’s wine adventure took an exciting turn. This is a deep full bodied wine with a mouth full of raspberry, blackberry and plum fruit with a little black pepper, chocolate and spices. It sells for $25.”

2006 Petite Sirah Old Vine – Trinitas $14.95
Lodi. These grapes come from the Hwy 88 Ranch on the southeast side of Lodi from 50 year old vines. Judicious use of oak and a very light winemaking hand allows this wine to express everything a Petite Sirah should: huckleberries, slight white pepper, dusty cocoa, rich chocolate - all coming together in a rich, full mouth feel and with balanced tannins.

2008 Chardonnay, Reserve-Rusack $29.95
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara Bien Nacido (79%), Sierra Madre (21%) -338 cases. 90 Points Tanzer Nov/Dec 09   Higher score rumored from Parker.

“Musky, highly complex aromas of Meyer lemon, lime, iodine and hazelnut. Sweet on entry, then impressively tensile in the middle, showing sweet but lively citrus and pit fruit flavors and a strong mineral underpinning. Tactile, penetrating and balanced chardonnay, with mineral and smoke notes lingering on the very persistent finish.”

2008 Pinot Noir, Logan – Robert Talbott $21.95
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey
This is one of our favorite Pinots. On the nose, this wine shows inviting blueberry, ripe cherry and floral accents, with smoke notes and a touch of minerality. Segueing to flavors of blueberry and cherry-cola on the palate, it displays a seamless blend of richness, depth and silky texture.

Named for Robb Talbott’s son, Robert Logan Talbott, the original 1994 vintage of Logan Pinot Noir was introduced in 1997. Since then, this estate-grown wine, produced exclusively using grapes from their acclaimed Sleepy Hollow Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, has emerged as a great value Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot. 

2007 Ilaria Traveling Roo Proprietary Red $3?.95
Napa, North Coast 90 points Parker #186 Dec 2009  Drink: 2009 - 2016 “The 2007 The Traveling Roo, an innovative blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, offers peppery, blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with notions of violets, incense, and graphite. Enjoy this soft, round red over the next 5-7 years.”

2008 Shiraz ,Terra Barossa -Thorn-Clarke $ 11.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia
89 Points Parker #186  Dec 209 Drink: 2009 – 2016
Note 1 Liter Btl cost of reg Btl would be $ 8.97
“The 2008 Terra Barossa Shiraz is opaque purple-colored. Aromas of pencil lead, pepper, violets, blackberry, and blueberry lead to a medium to full-bodied  Shiraz with excellent depth and concentration, layered flavors, and a pure finish. It is an outstanding value for drinking over the next 5-7 years.”

2008 Ludovicus -Vinos Pinol  $10.95
Terra Alta, Spain 90 Points Parker
“The 2008 Ludovicus is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 30%Tempranillo, 25% Syrah, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for three months in French and American oak. It has a glass-coating deep crimson hue with an expressive nose of cherry, blueberry, and blackberry. Mouth-filling, succulent, and flavorful, this tasty effort is a sensational value for drinking over the next 1-2 years.”

2009 Rosé, Sables d’Azur - Gassier  $9.95
Cotes de Provence , France.   Major newspaper May 7, 2010
“This week's featured wine is the 2009 vintage of Baron Gassier's Sables d'Azur. This beautiful Rosé is a distinct salmon-pink colored wine featuring roses, peaches and plum aromas. A medley of fresh berries and light citrus ride in a soft stream of plum and strawberry accented with a hint of vanilla. This wonderful wine hails from the Rosé capital of the world — Provence, France — and is composed from three traditional grapes used to create Rosé, Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault.”

2007 Ch.neuf-du-Pape, Des Papes-Clos de L’Oratoire $35.95
Chateauneuf du Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone, France
90 Points Parker Oct 2009     91 Points Wine Spectator Nov 15, 2009
“The 2007 traditional Chateauneuf du Pape is a beauty – deep ruby/purple in color with a classic nose of jammy black cherries and black currants intermixed with lavender, spice box, fruit cake, and pepper. It is a medium to full-bodied wine with silky tannins, an alluring texture, and terrific purity and length. Drink it over the next decade. The is one of the oldest estates in Chateauneuf du Pape. It was sold at the turn of the century to the large negociant Ogier, and contrary to the idea that bigger is not better, Ogier has actually taken the wines back to their former glory of 30 to 40 years ago. 

2007 Gigondas, La Gille-Perrin $ 27.95
Gigondas, Southern Rhone, Rhone, France
92 Points Parker # 185 Oct 2009 Drink: 2009 – 2024
“The 2007 Gigondas Le Gille is performing even better than it was last year. A 2,500-case blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah grown in sandy soils, it exhibits sweet tannins, beautifully rich black raspberry and black cherry fruit intermixed with unmistakable minerality, and full body. It was obviously harvested at full phenolic maturity, and should age nicely for 10-15+ years.”

2008 Cabernet, Three Doves – Page $17.95
Napa.  Nice value Napa Cabernet thanks to the wine glut. This medium bodied Cabernet shows lots of bright, ripe aromas with hints of black cherries, cola, vanilla and spice. The finish is supple and smooth.

2007 Ilaria The Traveling Roo Proprietary Red $39.95
Napa. 90 points Parker #186 Dec 2009
Dec 2009 Robert Parker 90 Drink: 2009 - 2016 $40 (40)

“The 2007 The Traveling Roo, an innovative blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, offers peppery, blueberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with notions of violets, incense, and graphite. Enjoy this soft, round red over the next 5-7 years.” 

2007 Côtes Du Rhône, Les Dentelles, Cheron $9.95
Rhône, France. Crafted by Burgundian Yves Cheron, Les Dentelles has an undemanding elegance. Vinified of Grenache and Syrah, this wine is unfined with a portion of Syrah aged in neutral oak to add complexity. This light wine skips on your palate with notes of fresh thyme and rosemary and Mediterranean aromas of black olive and sun baked tomatoes.

2006 Gigondas, La Gille-Perrin $ 23.95
Gigondas, Southern Rhone, Rhone, France 90 Points Parker Mar 2010
“Medium garnet. Slightly reduced, tarry / rubbery nose to begin with underlying aromas of warm strawberry and raspberry, mushrooms and smoky bacon. Medium+ acid and a medium-firm level of velvety tannins. Full body with good concentration and balance. Long finish.” 

2005 Castano Solanera Vinas Viejas $7.95
Spain 91 Points Parker 90 Points Tanzer
“Saturated purple. Smoky raspberry and cherry on the nose, with a sexy mocha quality adding complexity. Fleshy, round dark fruit liqueur flavors caress rather than pummel the palate. Gentle tannins arrive late to add structure but this is all about silky, juicy fruit.” (65% Monastrell, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Tintorera) 

2005 Priorat – La Cartuja $13.95
Priorat, Spain 90 Points Parker # 188 Apr 2010  Drink: 2010 - 2016
“Bodegas La Cartuja’s 2008 La Cartuja is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Carinena with the balance Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from organically farmed estate fruit aged in French oak for 8 months. It offers up a reticent nose of graphite, spice box, underbrush, lavender, black cherry, and plum. This leads to a plush, sweetly-fruited, concentrated, mouth-filling wine for drinking over the next 5-6 years. It is an amazing value and a great introduction to Priorat.” 

2008 Shiraz, Shotfire Ridge – Thorn Clarke $16.95
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
90 Parker # 186 Dec 2009  Drink: 2009 - 2017
“The 2008 Shotfire Shiraz was aged for 14-16 months in 40% new French and American oak hogsheads. Purple-colored, it offers up a nose of toasty oak, Asian spices, incense, blueberry, and blackberry. On the palate it has excellent flavors in a plush, nearly opulent style. The wine is balanced, rich, fleshy, and ripe. Drink this full-flavored effort over the next 6-8 years.” 

2009 Albarino, Nessa - Gran Vinum $12.95
Rias Baixas , Spain 12.5% Parker scored the 2008 88 Points. This smooth white delivers pear, lime and juniper flavors, with citrusy acidity and a mineral finish. Focused and harmonious. Great summer sipper. Low alcohol at 12.5%Galicia's Rias Baixas region is where Albarino reaches its highest expression.

2007 Big Guy Red - Bell $13.95
Big Guy, named for their Wheaten Terrier pictured on the label, is a blend of the Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec & Petit Verdot (Napa appellations) and Syrah ( Sierra Foothills). This medium bodied red has lively fruit aromas, rich, ripe fruit flavors on the palate and soft, supple tannins on the finish.  Bell Cellars (Yountville) have created a wine as friendly as their dog “Ty”, aka Big Guy. A BBQ winner! 

2008 Pinotage – Fairview $10.95
Coastal Region, South Africa.  This Pinotage (hybrid of Pinot Noir & Cinsault) is deep inky in color, with  aromas of mocha and caramel, followed by ripe plums and blackberries on the nose. On the palate, it is medium to full bodied, with lovely richness and sweet fruit on the finish. Tannins give good structure and oak is subtle, so it does not to dominate the fruit. Low alcohol at 12.5%

2008 Deep Sea Red – Conway $17.95
Central Coast. Syrah, Petite Sirah, Lagrein, Merlot and Mourvedre. are expertly blended by Andrew Adam, former winemaker for Alban wines. It’s deep and it’s red, lush, with some good backbone from the Mourvedre and layers of glossy fruit from the family’s expertly tended Rancho Arroyo Grande vineyards.  The beautiful dark garnet color invites you to draw in the aromas and flavors of dark fruits, blackberry and plum with a toasty meaty complexity topped off with spice and floral qualities. The balance of tannins, acidity and fruit is delightful as it leads to a lingering finish.

2009 Rosé ,Terrasses – Ch. Pesquie  $12.95
Rhone Valley, France Cinsault 50% Grenache 40%  Syrah 10%
A fresh and bright rose from the Rhone. Light strawberry fruit on the palate is backed by a crisp finish. The perfect match for our warm, sunny afternoons. Parker scored the 2008 89 points and we expect a higher score as 2009 was a far better vintage. Eric Solomon. 

2009 Rosé - Saint Roch  $10.95
Cotes De Provence , France.  This succulent, refreshing blend of  Cinsault and  Grenache has a nice core of watermelon and berry fruit with touches of orange. It has a hint of sweetness, with a nice cut of acidity. Hard to beat the French in the Rosé game!

2009 Rosé - Domaine De La Janasse  $9.95
Principaute d’Orange. France
Well known for  Chateauneuf du Pape they also produce a wonderful Rosé from equal parts of their Syrah, Grenache & Mourvèdre. Lovely rosé with a complex fruity presentation and just the right level of acidity. Classis French Rosé. Another Eric Solomon wine with 12.5% alcohol.

2009 Rosé - Goats Do Roam $7.95
Coastal region, South Africa
“A cheerful nose of raspberry, strawberry and lemon starts this rose blend, and like flavors follow in layers that offer substance beyond the typical rose. The wine has a touch of sweetness and a more unctuous mouthfeel than the nose might suggest, giving it the weight to pair with more complex dishes. Overall, an affordable, elegant choice.--Wine Enthusiast”

2007 Tres Ojos Garnacha Old Vines $7.95
Spain 88 Points Parker # 181 May 2009  Drink: 2009 - 2012
“The 2007 Old Vines Garnacha, sourced from 40-50 year old vines, was aged for 12 months in stainless steel. Purple-colored, the nose exhibits spice box, violets, and black cherry. On the palate it has plenty of supple-textured, succulent fruit and a finish with no hard edges. Drink it over the next three years.”

2005 Castano Solanera Vinas Viejas $9.95
Spain 91 Points Parker 90 Points Tanzer
“Saturated purple. Smoky raspberry and cherry on the nose, with a sexy mocha quality adding complexity. Fleshy, round dark fruit liqueur flavors caress rather than pummel the palate. Gentle tannins arrive late to add structure but this is all about silky, juicy fruit. ( 65% monastrell, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 15% tintorera)”