Champagne Premium“Grand Cuvee Brut” $25.95
Sorry, we can’t name the Champagne
Wine Spectator rated it 90 , they gave Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label 85 !
“A nice range of flavors, from floral and berry to deeper honey and nut tones, all held together by a creamy texture and well-integrated acidity. A refined, complex Champagne overall. Drink now through 2009. 2,000 cases imported.–BS”

Many other Champagnes, this is just the best buy…

Mumm Napa Reserve Brut Sparkling Wine $ 36.95
Magnums     Magnums     Magnums     Magnums
90 Points Wine Spectator : “Complex, with austere apple, pear and pleasant earth and mineral flavors that are firm and vibrant, finishing with a cleansing aftertaste. Drink now through 2009. –JL Score: 90 Release Price: $25

Other French Bubbles:
Pol Acker French Sparkling $4.95
Pol Acker French Sparkling Chardonnay $5.95

Cadre Noir, Saumur Brut $7.95
Dry Sparkler from Saumur in the Loire Valley. Named after the world famous riding academy at Saumur.

Jaillance Clairette de Die Cuvee Imperiale Tradition $7.95
Nice fruity sparkler with  Apricot, French vanilla and white flowers abounding. The town of Die is a small village in the Rhône Valley dating back to 77 A.D. Made of handpicked grapes : 90% Muscat Blanc and 10% White Clairette. Subtly fruity, no sugar nor yeast was added according to the 'method ancestral' in the region. Try with cheese & fruit before or after-dinner. Only 7% alcohol is an added bonus for easy quaffing. 

Jaillance,Clairette de Die Tradition $7.95
Made from 75% Muscat with the remainder being the Clairette blanche grape. This sparkling wine with very fine bubbles is light in alcohol (7%) and contains residual sugar. Perfect for daytime cocktail parties, desserts, ice cream, and fois gras. Serve very cool. {Concentrated, Sweet, Full-bodied}

2003 CABERNET - KRAVE, Central Coast $9.95
A special value Cabernet, unlike most of the Central Coast Cabs, this one has the taste and weight that you hope for in Cabernet wines. A winner at this price point!

2005 Cabernet - 75 Red Hills Amber Knolls $18.95
This hand-selected, hand crafted vineyard designated Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the Amber Knolls Vineyard. The Beckstoffer family (of Beckstoffer Vineyards fame) purchased this property in the late 1990's after determining that the soils and microclimate were perfect for growing ultra-premium Cabernet Sauvignon Grapes. The property is showcased by its deep, red hillside soils that are heavily laced in obsidian. We believe that Amber Knolls has unlimited potential in creating some of the finest grapes grown in the world.--Winemakers Note

P.S. WE AGREE

2006 Barbera d’Alba-Stefano Farina $9.95
From Piedmont Stefano Farina produces quality wines that are not overpriced, as so many Italians seem to be. His 2006 Barbera d’Albe fits the profile. A medium bodied red that goes with or without food. Slight raisiny aromas, with hints of very ripe strawberry, lead to a medium-bodied palate, with light acidity and a straight forward finish. Super price for this quality Barbera d’Alba.

2004 FRANCO MERLOT, Central Coast $9.95
These people have one of the winning Merlots in the under $15.00 field. A medium bodied Merlot perfect in our Spring weather.

2005 Rioja - Vina Berri $5.95
A Spanish red from Tempranillo (80%), Garnacha (15%), and Mazuelo (5%).  If you enjoy Spanish reds this is one to try, it’s selling for $8.95 around town. 

2002 Tempranillo - Montalvo Wilmot $6.95
This is a full bodied Tempranillo with a mouth full of flavors. Aged for 6 mo. in American Oak it will appeal to fans of Silver Oak wines.  More values from Spain! For what it’s worth this wine is selling for $16.00 in London.

2000 CELLA VINARIA, Castilla Spain $9.95
This is another great buy from Spain. Give this a little air and enjoy a well rounded Cabernet based blend that hits many high notes. 60% Cabernet, 20% Tempranillo,and 20% Merlot. French Allier and American oak for 12 months. A Chronicle Steal!

2005 TABLAS CREEK  ESPRIT DE BEAUCASTEL $31.95
92-94 Points Parker # 172 Aug 2007    Drink 2007 - 2022
"The 2005 Esprit de Beaucastel looks sensational. A blend of 44% Mourvedre, 26% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and the rest Counoise, this wine has a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of incense, melted licorice, roasted herbs, pepper, smoked meats, and black fruits. It hits the palate with substantial authority yet shows impressive definition to buttress its striking richness, muscle, and depth. This is a gorgeously proportioned wine that should drink beautifully for 15 or more years."

1997 SAN LEONARDO, VALLAGARINA Italy $59.95
95 Points Wine Spectator May 15, 2001  Top 100 Wine
“Black ruby in color, intense aromas of blackberries, licorice, red berries and green tobacco, this is a full-bodied red with loads of silky tannins and a long, long aftertaste of tobacco, sage and berry. A huge core of fruit in this wine. Needs time. An Italian interpretation of great Bordeaux from bygone days. Best after 2006.”

2004 Altamura Cabernet Sauvignon $63.95
94 Points Robert Palker # 174 Dec 2007
“I was blown away by the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon, which spent almost 34 months in 70% new French oak barrels. The wine is beautifully impressive, with a deep ruby/purple color and notes of loamy soil intermixed with creme de cassis, cedar, and licorice. The wine is full-bodied, powerful, but beautifully nuanced and nicely structured, with sweet, silky tannins. This wine should evolve for at least 20 or more years. The good news is that there are about 3,800 cases of this superb Cabernet. Altamura has been making wines for almost 20 years, and I certainly thought several of these wines were the best I ever had from them. They are located in Wooden Valley, which is mostly volcanic soils about nine miles northeast of Napa.”

2006 Woop Woop Shiraz $9.95
Here is what Tanzer has to say about one of our favorites from South Australia:
89 Points “Bright red. Jammy raspberry and kirsch on the nose, with gentle spice and floral notes adding interest. Juicy red and dark berry flavors pick up a deeper cassis note with air. This supple mid-weight finishes with bright dark berry flavors, a kiss of baking spices and very good length. Here's another outstanding bargain.” Stephen Tanzer, Jul/Aug 07 

2006 Winner's Tank Shiraz $12.95
From Langhorne Creek, South Australia.
91 Points Parker # 173 Oct 2007
“The 2006 Winner’s Tank Shiraz is a perennial Best Buy. It spent 9 months in tank with French oak staves. Purple-colored, it has a wonderfully expressive perfume of plum, black cherry, and blueberry compote. This leads to a full-bodied, seamless, rich wine with a long, pure finish. This is an ideal, every-day wine worth buying by the case. It is an awesome value.” 

2005 Hartford Court Chardonnay Four Hearts $28.95
91 Points Parker # 168 Dec 2006  From the Russian River Valley:
“A new offering, the 2005 Chardonnay Four Hearts is a 11,000-case cuvee of stunning Chardonnay. Beautiful aromas of honeysuckle, peach blossoms, poached pears, and subtle wood are present in this well-made, elegant, crisp, aromatically expressive white. Medium to full-bodied, long, and pure, it should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 3-4 years.” 

2005 Hecula Monastrell Castano $9.95
Another Spanish Winner from Yecla!
90 Points Tanzer Sep/Oct 07 “Inky violet. Deep cherry and cassis aromas complicated by an array of floral, mineral and herbal nuances. Powerful dark fruit flavors are firmed by solid tannins and lifted by gentle minerality. Picks up smoked meat and anise notes on the long, chewy finish. This could be a Bandol. Is the average buyer at this price point ready for this? Another amazing value.”

2004 Martín Berdugo Barrica $13.95
These wines get better every year ! 100% Tempranillo aged in American oak for four months. Young but elegant showing great fruit and nice spice.

2005 Rubens-Bodegas Tikalo $7.95
89 Points Tanzer
"(100% tempranillo) Glass-staining purple. Fresh raspberry on the nose, with an exotic cinnamon quality adding verve. Silky in texture and strikingly pure, delivering remarkably vivid red berry flavors, with zero earth or animal qualities. Finishes spicy and with impressive punch. This is an absolute steal."

2003 Enkidu - Petite Syrah,Napa $15.95
The last cases of their first release which beats out the bulk of the higher end Syrahs/Petite Syrahs .  Aromas of forest floor, briary black fruit with hints of asian spice and tar that evolve in the glass. On the palate the flavors for spicy chocolate, crushed black fruit and tar, accompanied throughout by a pommace component.

The dry tannins fill out the full bodied Petite and contribute to a long finish.

265 Cases produced.

2005 Las Rocas de San Alejandro Garnacha $8.95
90 Points Parker # 169 Feb 2007
“The unoaked 2005 Las Rocas Garnacha is sourced from low yielding vineyards ranging in age from 70-100 years. It gives up attractive aromas of kirsch, raspberries, pepper, and damp earth. This is followed by a broad, full-flavored wine with a supple texture and no hard edges. Drink this pleasure-packed wine over the next 2-3 years.”

A winner from Calatayud, Aragon, Spain

2003 Ch. L’Abbaye de St. Ferme $8.95
The Bordeaux Superior from Chateau L'Abbaye de Saint-Ferme is an outstanding value. This wine is a blend of 70% merlot, 25% cabernet sauvignon and 5% cabernet franc. It is rich and powerful and shows surprising depth and nuance for a wine in this price range. After trying over 50 Classified Growth Bordeaux we opened a bottle of this wine and we could not believe how well it stood up to the $40 and up wines. If you enjoy Bordeaux be sure to try this.

2004 Lavradores de Feitoria Douro Vinho Tinto $8.95
A great Red from Portugal. Its aroma of mature red fruit. The palate is smooth and elegant, showing a balanced acidity, a high presence of fruit, soft tannin, with a fine and very tasty finish.Made from the Tinta Roriz,  Tinta Barroca, 3 Touriga Franca,  Touriga Nacional, and Outras grown in : Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo, & Douro Superior areas.

2003 Los Cardos Merlot $4.95
86 Points Wine Spectator
"Juicy and ripe, with blackberry and plum fruit, smoky toast and a chocolaty finish".

2004 Dom. Lafage Los Planos Syrah $9.95
From the Cotes Catalanes the Los Planos bottling is made by Jean-Marc Lafage, the highly-respected owner/winemaker of Domaine Lafage in the Roussillon as well as the winemaker for multiple projects in Spain including Las Rocas and Equis. This Syrah possesses an intense degree of fruit concentration but still retains its elegance. 

2004  Tiz  Red $7.95
Here is a Red that shows California can produce a nice wine at a very friendly price.This premier vintage has refreshing, luscious fruity flavors with a deep color hue. The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon give the bright crisp flavors of summer berries. The Syrah lends a hint of pepper and jammy black fruit notes to the mid-palate. The tannins are delicate and velvety with a hint of spice in the finish.

Under $20 Pinot Noir in Today’s L.A. Times

Here are 3 they missed:
2007 Cono Sur Pinot Noir  $7.95
Clearly the best value in Friendly Priced Pinot Noir is this new vintage from Chile. Bright red in color. Intensely aromatic. Fresh, juicy and crisp in the mouth, with notes of cherry, raspberry and strawberry intertwined with softer traces of plum and a subtle smokiness. In 1999, the team at Cono Sur started the "Pinot Noir Project" with an idea to produce the best Pinot Noir in Chile. Later, that goal evolved into creating a world quality Pinot Noir, produced true to time-honored Burgundian tradition while maintaining the expression of its New World roots. They have come a long way!

2006 Poppy Pinot Noir $9.95
From a big competitor selling it for $11.95: “Made from cool climate pinot noir, sourced mostly from Arroyo Seco vineyards (a smattering come from the Santa Lucia Highlands and Monterey), the 2006 Poppy Montery Pinot Noir is full and structured enough to stand up to richer, meat dishes, but has the lovely fruit and acidity of a slow-ripened wine. "Deliciously bright and spicy Pinot from one of the coolest micro climate in California – Monterey with intense and juicy ripe cherries, and 'soft-as-velvet' tannins.”

2005 Campion Pinot Noir Central Coast $18.95
The grapes in this bottling came from the Sarmento Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands and Firepeak Vineyards in the Edna Valley. The first grapes were light and aromatic while the second contributed the wine's tannic structure. The resulting wine is ruby-hued with aromas of red fruit and sage followed by bright fruit and soft tannins. 

And a few nice Winter Reds

2005 Domaine Lafage Cote Sud $9.95
90 Points  Parker# 173  Oct 2007
Lafage has scored a mind-boggling value with his Syrah-based (10% each Grenache and Cabernet) 2005 Cote Sud. Intense aromas of plum paste, cherry, iodine and herbs lead into a richly-fruited, deeply mineral, dynamic palate with layering and interplay of black chocolate, lavender, licorice, cherry preserves, singed meat, salts and iodine. A wine this rich and complex and with a finish this long takes on an aura of unreality when one sees the price!

2005 La Piece Sous Le Bras $9.95
88 Points  Parker #169 Feb 2007
"This project is a joint venture between importer Eric Solomon, the famed southern Rhone oenologist Philippe Cambie, and the grower and negociant Michel Tardieu. The 2005 La Piece Sous Le Bras rouge, a blend of 50% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Merlot and Cinsault, again comes from the same areas, and it is also 60% tank-fermented and 40% aged in barriques. Excellent berry fruit with Zinfandel-like, briary pepperiness intermixed with some flowers, make for an attractive, inexpensive red wine. It is medium-bodied with lively fruit, pure and ideal for drinking in its first 2-3 years of life.

2004 Lafage Los Planos Syrah $9.95
From the Cotes Catalanes the Los Planos bottling is made by Jean-Marc Lafage, the highly-respected owner/winemaker of Domaine Lafage in the Roussillon as well as the winemaker for multiple projects in Spain including Las Rocas and Equis. This Syrah possesses an intense degree of fruit concentration but still retains its elegance. Another value from Souhern France.

2003 Barolo, Gavarini Vigna Chiniera - Elio Grasso $59.95
91 Points  Parker# 173 Oct 2007         Drink 2007 - 2017
The 2003 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is an elegant, perfumed wine that flows seamlessly onto the palate with remarkable length and purity. Although it doesn’t have the delineation of the finest vintages, this is a very strong effort, with everything beautifully kept in balance, including a very elegant use of oak. While I typically prefer the Ginestra here, in 2003 I have a slight preference for the Chiniera as it has retained a touch more freshness. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2017. Elio Grasso is one of those producers who for some reason doesn’t seem to receive the recognition he deserves. While that is unfortunate, it does mean the wines are often available at very reasonable prices

2006 Shiraz, Jester - Mitolo $15.95
91 Points Wine Parker# 173 Oct 2007     Drink 2007 - 2017
“The Shiraz lineup begins with 2006 Shiraz “Jester” which was aged for 12 months in French and American oak. Like the Cabernet, 20% dried grapes were included in the blend. Purple-colored, it offers up an expressive nose of cedar, spice box, smoke, pepper, and blueberry. Medium to full-bodied and supple-textured, the wine has a forward personality with layers of spicy fruit and some elegance. It is for drinking over the next 10 years. It is an outstanding value.”

2006 Shiraz, G A M - Mitolo $35.95
95 Points Parker# 173 Oct 2007       Drink 2012 - 2026
“The 2006 Shiraz “G.A.M.” (the initials of the Mitolo children) was aged in French and American oak, 60% new. Opaque purple in color, it has an aromatic array of roasted coffee, violets, lavender, pepper, Asian spices, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. In the mouth it is velvety-textured, deep, concentrated, opulent, and altogether hedonistic. It will evolve for 5-7 years and drink well through 2026.”

2006 Shiraz, Reiver - Mitolo $34.95
94 Points Parker# 173 Oct 2007          Drink 2007 - 2022
“The 2006 Shiraz “Reiver” is sourced from a single vineyard in the Greenock region of the Barossa Valley. The average age of the vines is 60 years. Opaque purple in color, it has a enthralling perfume of saddle leather, truffle, violets, pepper, blueberry, toast, and blackberry. This leads to a full-bodied wine which manages to retain elegance. Opulent, ripe, and layered with spicy blue and black fruits, the wine has enough underlying structure for extended cellaring. Nicely integrated and long in the finish, it can be enjoyed over the next 12-15 years.”

2006 Shiraz, Savitar - Mitolo $46.95
94 Points Parker # 173  Oct 2007        Drink 2015 - 2040
“The 2006 Shiraz “Savitar” was aged in 100% new oak, predominantly French. Purple-colored, the aromatics are a bit reticent initially, but soon scents of toasty oak, tar, licorice, scorched earth, and blueberry emerge. This leads to a wine which is more structured and less opulent than its peers. It will evolve for a minimum of 8-10 years and drink well through 2040.”

2006 Cabernet, Jester - Mitolo $ 15.95
92 Points Parker # 173  Oct 2007    Drink 2011 - 2027
"The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon “Jester” includes 20% dried grapes in the style of Amarone. Purple-colored, it has a fragrant bouquet of black fruits, tar, and violets. This leads to a smooth-textured, layered, dense wine with enough structure to evolve for 4-6 years. It has a long, pure finish and can be enjoyed over the next 15-20 years. It is a superb value in Cabernet Sauvignon."

Warre's Otima Tawny Port 10 year old $18.95
90 Points The Wine Spectator  Sept 2003
“A ripe and rich tawny. Loads of caramel, honey and dried fruits, with just a hint of Douro bake, or iodine character. Full-bodied, sweet and very toffeelike on the palate. Long finish. Dying for nuts and Stilton.”

Warre's 2000 Vintage Porto $55.95
91(+?) Points Stephen Tanzer Jan/Feb 03
“($65) Full medium ruby. Complex, perfumed nose combines crystallized blackberry and cassis, licorice, violet, spice cake, bitter chocolate and mint. Thick, dense and powerful, with slightly grapey, medicinal flavors of black fruits, violet, licorice, dark chocolate and spices. This shows terrific intensity, purity of flavor and length on the palate, with solid but fine tannins. Ultimately quite seamless and silky, even though still young.”

Parker also rated this port 91 Points and noted it could be drunk  2007-2020

2004 Côtes du Ventoux, La Vieille Ferme $4.95
87 Points  Parker
"The 2004 La Vieille Ferme Cotes du Ventoux, which has mostly Grenache with a bit of Syrah and no doubt some Carignan, and Mourvedre. It shows good freshness, straightforward berry fruit, medium body, and good purity and intensity. It is a surprisingly good effort with more substance than I would have guessed."

2003 Los Cardos Merlot $4.95
86 Points Wine Spectator
Juicy and ripe, with blackberry and plum fruit, smoky toast and a chocolaty finish". 

2005 Rubens-Bodegas Tikalo $7.95
89 Points Tanzer
 "(100% tempranillo) Glass-staining purple. Fresh raspberry on the nose, with an exotic cinnamon quality adding verve. Silky in texture and strikingly pure, delivering remarkably vivid red berry flavors, with zero earth or animal qualities. Finishes spicy and with impressive punch. This is an absolute steal."

2004 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Blanc Res. $6.95
87 Points Parker
“The 2004 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve blanc is made from mostly Grenache blanc with about 20% Viognier and the rest Marsanne and other varietals, shows good floral notes intermixed with citrus in a medium-bodied, nicely textured, crisp but flavorful style. Drink it over the next 1-2 years.”

Pol Acker Blanc de Blanc $5.95
Best value French Bubbly gets better. If  you want a good sparkler but don’t want Champagne prices this is your wine!

BIG BOTTLES - Double MAGS & MAGS from $25.95
Chardonnay-Cabernet-Blends-Burgundy

2005 TABLAS CREEK  ESPRIT DE BEAUCASTEL $32.95
Only 3 cases at this price
92-94 Points Parker # 172 Aug 2007            Drink 2007 - 2022
"The 2005 Esprit de Beaucastel looks sensational. A blend of 44% Mourvedre, 26% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and the rest Counoise, this wine has a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of incense, melted licorice, roasted herbs, pepper, smoked meats, and black fruits. It hits the palate with substantial authority yet shows impressive definition to buttress its striking richness, muscle, and depth. This is a gorgeously proportioned wine that should drink beautifully for 15 or more years."