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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)”
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