"The Bodegas Caro 2005 is a collaboration between Baron de Rothschild and Nicolas Catena. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, this purple-colored wine has a bouquet of pain grille, earth notes, espresso, black cherry, and blackberry. Claret-like in its elegance, this layered effort already is revealing considerable complexity. It has the balance to develop in the cellar for several more years and should offer peak drinking from 2011 to 2020." - 92 points, Robert Parker
"A firm wine with fine structure and balance. The nose is fiery and rustic early on, then seductive as it opens up. The palate exhibits currents of raspberry, cherry and plum, and below the surface there’s vanilla and brown sugar. A smooth operator that shows the Campo Viejo brand in its best light." - 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast
Canella Conegliano Prosecco NV is a brilliant straw yellow with fine, persistent perlage and fruity aromas of peach, apple, pear and citrus fruit. The palate gracefully balances zingy acidity and a subtle hint of sweetness, richness and silky-smooth texture. It is an ideal wine as an aperitif, but also pairs perfectly with a meal.
The home estate of one of Bordeaux’s great gentlemen, Andre Lurton, is fruit source for the wine that bares his name, Andre Lurton Bonnet Rouge Oak Aged 2003. This French bordeaux blend exhibits a dark ruby color as well as sweet black cherry and strawberry aromas interwoven with a subtle touch of herbs, spice, and cedar.
Foxglove wine is a side project from Bob and Jim Varner, the same people that create the great wines from the Varner and Neely labels. Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2007 is amazingly well balanced. Beautiful black and blue fruits with nicely integrated tannins and just a hint of fig and earth. Great wines at very good price.
In the 17th century, Dom Pierre Pérignon, the cellar master of the Abbey of Hautvillers in Epernay, developed a wine whose extraordinary quality would make him the spiritual father of Champagne and one of the great visionaries of the winemaking world. Dom Perignon longed to produce the "best wine in the world" and there is much written testimony to the success of Dom Pérignon's wine with the most noble and wealthy personalities of the era.
92 pts Robert Parker - Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 has a beautiful fragrance of cassis, blackberry, mulberry and plum aromas. The palate is rich and robust with excellent concentration, complex fruit and integrated oak. There are loads of dark fruits on offer with hints of earth and mocha. The soft and supple tannins lead in to a long finish.
The brachetto grape is one of the best kept secrets of the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. A luscious red varietal that transforms into a lightcolored wine with distinctive aromas of rose and strawberry, moderate alcohol and a refreshing sparkle. It can be drunk during the different parts of the day. Marenco Brachetto d'Acqui 2008 is an intense ruby with pink shade. Very delicate with notes of rose on the nose. Mild, soft and delicate on the palate with slight foam.
Sean Minor Four Bears Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 is deep ruby in color and displays aromas of ripe cherry, cassis and blackberry fruit. Flavors of blackberries and raspberries combined with hints of savory spices coat the palate. The soft tannins and sweet oak balance lead to a long and lingering finish.
Blend:
82% Cabernet Sauvignon
13% Merlot
3% Cabernet Franc
2% Petite Verdot
Domaine Ste Michelle Luxe 2001 is a very eye catching pale yellow with loads of tiny bubbles, the wine promises good things to come. Enticing aromas of grapefruit, lemon and pear fill the nose. On the palate of this sparkling Washington wine shows tropical pineapple notes that are complimented with subtle hints of ginger and a creamy soft mouthfeel.
Crisp apple and pear with fresh fruit aromas combine after a desert rainstorm. Happy Camper Chardonnay 2007 is a perfect wine for sautéed sea bass or roast chicken with creamy risotto.
Andeluna Pasionado 2003 has great color intensity with purplish tones and is full bodied and complex. This Argentinian blend exhibits aromas of ripe red fruits and spices. On the palette the wine exhibits flavors of red fruit, spice, anise with notes of vanilla and chocolate that complement the rounded tannins.
Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2004 has a deep and youthful color in the glass.. The nose is a mix of ripe dark fruits, cassis, sandalwood and violets. On the palate this California wine is rich and mouth-coating with tannins that are clearly present, yet beautifully integrated. This is a delicious, full-bodied Cabernet that will bring great pleasure over the next decade.
Blend:
89.9% Cabernet Sauvignon
7.2% Merlot
1.6% Malbec
1.3% Petit Verdot
Marques de Arienzo Grand Reserva 1996 is made only in exceptional vintages. A classic aged Rioja with spicy notes and a velvety texture. Aged 2.5 years in American oak and 5 years in bottle. Best with white and red meats, roasts and big and small game. Varietal Content: 100% Tempranillo from the best of the estate vines.
Milbrandt Legacy Merlot 2005 is a smorgasbord of ripe blackberry, spice, tobacco, plum, cherry, and coffee. It is dense, lush and voluptuous. Milbrandt includes a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot in the blend for additional structure, color and weight. The wine finishes with a dash of oak, a hint of cassis and a dollop of cedar.
Mmmmm, bubbly. Lucien Albrecht Cremant Brut Rose NV is a perfect before dinner drink. The grapes of this authentic French champagne are hand picked. The whole cluster grapes are directly pressed in a pneumatic press with a long and soft pressing, hence the coral/ light pink salmon color. The resulting wine is a wonderfully, somewhat sweet bubbly rose. It is remarkably crisp and clean, and might I add, tasty.
Garnet red in color. A collection of fresh herbs, including thyme, sage, and clove with hints of hawthorn and quince followed by dark boysenberries and cherries. Blackberry and moist earth notes coupled with clove, pepper and quince give Matanzas Creek Merlot 2005 exceptional balance and soft tannins.
Torrontés is Argentina’s signature white wine varietal. In the glass Bodegas Goulart Torrontes 2009 is yellow with low intensity, green touches, very intense aroma, rose and fresh grapes fruit. The most distinctive descriptors of this wine is its very sweet entrance and aromatic feel in the mouth with a great balance.
Marques de Arienzo Crianza 2002 is made in a fresh and lively fruit-forward style showcasing deep cherry color with currant and vanilla spice flavors. An elegant layering of fruit, leather and American oak keeps the acidity in perfect balance.
The nose of D'Arenberg Money Spider Roussanne 2006 is floral and expressive with orange blossom and honeysuckle alongside exotic tropical flavours of paw paw and fig, with a hint of gingerbread in the background. Initially the palate is fresh and tight with lemon and lime characters dominating. It opens to ripe apple, white nectarine stone and creamy pine nuts, filling the mouth with complexity. The palate has good weight with lively acidity and mineral notes lingering. With some bottle age it will open up and reveal further complexity and will cellar well for the next 4 to 6 years.
With a lovely green-gold color, Willakenzie Cork Free Pinot Gris 2008 offers generous aromatics of honeydew melon, pear and tropical fruit. The pleasingly rich mouthfeel is dominated by flavors of ripe pear, peach, mango, papaya, pineapple and a hint of grapefruit. The ample flavors and lush texture are nicely framed by the wine’s balanced acidity.
Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay 2005 - 95 points, "round, generous and amazingly fresh, with a juicy hint of grapefruit playing against spicy pear, green guava and mint aromas and flavors that expand and persist onto the long, expressive finish. This just doesn't quit, remaining exquisitely balanced. Drink now through 2017." - Wine Spectator
91 points Robert Parker: "Coldisole Brunello di Montalcino 2003 offers lovely density and weight on the palate in a fat, rich expression of ripe dark fruit, chocolate, scorched earth and toasted oak. It is a backward wine that ideally needs another year or so in bottle or a few hours of aeration to allow the tannins to soften a little. It saw three years of aging in French oak, which gives the wine its roundness but also adds a touch of dryness to the tannins, particularly on the close. Still, it is a delicious, modern-styled Brunello to enjoy now and over the next decade or so. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018."
Ripe, supple, medium body, Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse 2007 is a classic expression of Pouilly-Fuissé. This unique French wine shows vibrant Chardonnay fruit with notes of melon and minerals, gently touched with oak, ending in a fresh, silky finish.
Straw yellow in the glass. Columbia Wyckoff Chardonnay 2005 opens with fine aromas of apple, melon and toasted hazelnuts. A hint of spiced oak and a creamy fullness on the palate. Very fresh with good intensity of sweet fruit. A clean, crisp finish this Washington chardonnay displays flavors that linger in the mouth.
As the pinnacle tier for Chateau Ste. Michelle, the Ethos Syrah offers a rich mouthful of jammy blackberry fruit with layers of complexity and depth. Washington is an ideal growing region for Rhone varietals and we are able to grow different styles of Syrah in Washington. Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Syrah 2005 is a superb example of the richness of the syrah grape.
"Antinori Solaia 2004 is clearly one of the highlights of this great vintage. Endowed with massive amounts of concentration as well as structure, it is a big, powerful Solaia that does not sacrifice elegance or balance in its full-bodied personality. Packed with the essence of blackberries, chocolate, tar, smoke, cassis and menthol, this layered beauty exhibits great length and a persistent, warmly alcoholic finish. It has been stunning on the three occasions I have had it so far and is not to be missed. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024. " - Robert Parker 96 points
Blend:
75% Cabernet Sauvignon
20% Sangiovese
5% Cabernet Franc
This Washington cabernet delivers power, structure and rich concentrated black fruit. Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 offers dense aromas of boysenberry and brown sugar spice with layers of fruit with nicely integrated, yet very age-worthy, tannins. The juice for the classic cabernet is sourced from 30 year old vineyards.
Annie's Lane Copper Trail Shiraz 2002 is deep rich and ripe. A fullbodied, full-flavored wooded wonder, the Clare at its best. Intense blackberry and chocolate fruit flavors framed about by charry oak. Sinuous tannins. Balanced and beautifully integrated, a wine for lovers of the big and the bold.
Primitivo comes from the heel of Italy in the region of Puglia. A long lost cousin of zinfandel this hearty southern Italian red wine has big intentions yet remains lighter and easier to drink than the average California zin. The alcohol percentage is a touch lower than most domestic zinfandels. This brings freshness to the wine and enables it to pair with food more easily. Primaterra Primitivo 2007 is a ripe and fruity wine with notes of plums, blackberries, and cherries with good concentration, balance and length. This is a fine Italian import to enjoy with your Thanksgiving turkey.
Justin Savant 2007 is dark ruby in color with a slight crimson hue. Aromas of dried flowers, wet earth, cocoa and caramel surround plum and black cherry in this barrel fermented red blend. The entry is soft and supple, filled with sweet fruit that layers in the mouth. The wine's mid palate balances the bright fruit of Syrah with the power and acidity of Cabernet Sauvignon. Structured, integrated tannins from the 68% new oak evolve into a lush velvety finish garnished with flavors of coffee, vanilla and butterscotch.
Blend:
62% Syrah
34% Cabernet Sauvignon
4% Malbec
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008 appears as pale green in color. Aromatics of tropical fruits combined with the traditional nettle and herbaceous aromas of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Firm acidity is surrounded by tropical fruits and herbaceous notes with hints of citrus sneaking in. A whopping mouthful of wine.
Ruby purple color Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne 2005 displays ripe red cherry aromas with hints of mineral and vanilla. A dry, medium bodied red wine with refreshing acidity (making it perfect to pair with food) and soft tannins, the Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne is well balanced with good integration of oak, good complexity and a finish of more red cherries.
"Mollydooker Two Left Feet 2007 is a blend of 68% Shiraz, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Merlot aged in 50% new oak for 11 months. A glass-coating opaque purple, it offers up a complex aromatic array of violets, scorched earth, smoke, black cherry, and blueberry. On the palate it is full-bodied, layered, and concentrated, with loads of spicy, savory blue and black fruits, silky tannin, and a very long finish. It will continue to unfold for another 1-2 years and drink well through 2017." - 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Named in honor of the hill upon which the first Ash Hollow vineyard sits, this delightful estate melange of Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot really stands out in a crowd. Hand-picked fruit from Ash Hollow's two estate vineyards, 75% Ash Hollow and 25% Bella Terra, make this wine rich and complex. Ash Hollow Nine Mile 2006 is comprised largely of the "king" of red grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon makes this wine big, bold, and ideal for cellar aging; however the wine is excellent to drink now. The complex nose is full of earthy scents, the most noticeable being smoked cedar, cocoa, and wild rose. This earthiness continues on the palate with cocoa, leather, and tobacco along with wonderfully dark and lush Northwest fruits. Well proportioned balance and body build to a delicate tannic finish that is both smooth and bright with subtle notes of blueberry and pine.
For the price it is impossible to find a Champagne that compares to Bisol Jeio Prosecco Brut NV. Luckily, for those that love bubbles but need to watch their budget, this Italian wine maker has been producing quality juice since 1542. The resulting sparkling wine has yeasty bread, flowers and citrus scents. In the mouth the juice displays pear and apple flavor. The finish is thick and creamy- not your typically light Prosecco.
Seven Hills Pentad 2005 vintage is the most dense and full of the four Pentad vintages released to date. It offers a seductive roundness and weight, accenting a warm, ripe tones and expansive fruit characters. Dark ripe plum dominates the nose, interwoven with tropical passion fruit and hints of cassis. Sweet cooking spice and light notes of fennel and violets round out the aroma. In the mouth, expect red and black plum, vanillin, dried herb and light smoky notes. The structure is broad, balanced, and bright yet very persistent and generous. Overall a beautiful representation of this moderately warm vintage in the Walla Walla Valley.
What a sensational value! Made by Trevor Jones in partnership with importer Dan Philips, Jonesy Old Tawny Port NV is a blend averaging 46 years in age. Its light to medium ruby hue is accompanied by an extraordinary bouquet of sweet candied fruit intermixed with notions of maple syrup, earth, and hazelnuts. This gorgeous tawny delivers plenty of pleasure.Score: 93. —Robert Parker, October 30, 2005.
On the palate, Montoya Monterey Pinot Noir 2008 has a soft texture with a nice finish. A fruity aroma gives way to soft cherry and raspberry flavors with a soft tannin structure. Overall this is a lovely wine with the food, dominated but not overwhelming; an easy drinking California wine with everything working in harmony.
Silverado Sangiovese 2006 averaged 11 months in 100 percent French oak barrels, 3% new. The result is a lively California wine. Abundant aromas of perfectly ripe cherry, earth, vanilla, green tea and clove. The resulting Sangiovese is loaded with flavors of juicy cranberry fruit on the palate, and caramel on the finish.
Cakebread Chardonnay 2007 displays vibrant citrus blossom, ripe apple, sweet melon and white peach aromas, with subtle butter-cream, baked bread and toasty oak scents adding complexity. Rich, fresh and creamy on the palate, with beautiful underlying structure, the wine delivers sleek, succulent, ripe peach, yellow apple and lemon zest flavors buoyed by a vein of refreshing minerality, which enlivens the crisp, flavorful finish. Boasting the purity and harmony emblematic of a great white wine vintage, this classic Napa Valley Chardonnay is delightful now, but will age gracefully in bottle for another 3 to 5 years.
Estancia Chardonnay 2007 opens with bright tropical notes. Stone fruit is then accented by nuances of citrus and crème brulee. The wine is rounded out with soft touches of toasty oak and cream which accentuate the lingering finish.
Jasper Hill Georgia's Paddock Shiraz 2003 is spectacularly concentrated. This wine represents an exceptional expression of cooler climate Australian Shiraz. The 2003 Shiraz Georgia's Paddock exhibits an inky/blue/purple color along with a big, sweet nose of lead pencil shavings interwoven with charcoal, blackberries, cassis, licorice, all brought together with a touch of oak. The result is a larger than life, multi-layered, intense, pure Shiraz which possesses supple tannin, giving it a certain accessibility. Still, this wine has 10-15 years of aging potential.
Marques de Arienzo Reserva is made only in exceptional vintages. 100% Tempranillo, only the best of the estate vines are allowed to make this Spanish wine. The result is a classic aged Rioja with spicy notes and a velvety texture. The wine is aged 2.5 years in American oak and more 5 years in bottle. Best with white and red meats, roasts and big and small game.
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay 2006 has a light straw color with a hint of pale green it the glass. The fruit for this wine was sourced from premium South Australian vineyards. Careful canopy management including light summer pruning ensured fruit was evenly exposed to sunlight. The resulting juice opens with tropical fruit aromas of melon and peach that drift up to the nose and then develop into lively varietal fruit characteristics on the palate. These fruity flavors are balanced by a clean acidity, subtle oak influence and good length.
Juicer plum, spicier clove and fuller in body than ever before. Michael David Earthquake Lodi Zinfandel 2006 leaves taste buds in upheaval. The suede-like tannins churning together with vanilla and toasted raspberry cobbler. This California wine has a loooong, smooth finish that leaves the palette in a state of aftershock.
Antinori Peppoli 2006 is characterized by intense red fruit aromas with light hints of vanilla and coffee. A well-structured wine with smooth, sweet tannins of nice length with fruity flavors. This Italian chianti is made to be enjoyed fairly young, while the fruit is at its fullest expression.
Beautiful pale-gold color with enticing aromas of lemon crème, baking spices and some tropical fruit notes. The aromas carry through to the palate, and are joined by hints of tropical fruit, spiced baked pear, and a stony/mineral flavor that creates a stylish Chardonnay that seems part New and part Old World wine. Luca Chardonnay 2006 finishes long with just a kiss of oak.
