Thursday, December 31, 2009

Bodegas Caro 2005



"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

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Kunde Reserve Chardonnay 2003



Kunde Reserve Chardonnay 2003 is a good example of the barrel-fermented, malolactic, full-bodied Chardonnay that Sonoma’s known for; apple honey and melted butter on toast — an after-school snack for adults.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Campo Viejo Gran Reserva 2001



"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

Monday, December 28, 2009

Canella Conegliano Prosecco NV



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.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Andre Lurton Bonnet Rouge Oak Aged 2003



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.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2007



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.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Dom Perignon 2000



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.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Mitolo The Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2006



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.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Marenco Brachetto d'Acqui 2008



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.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Sean Minor Four Bears Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007



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

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Domaine Ste Michelle Luxe 2001



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.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Happy Camper Chardonnay 2007



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.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Andeluna Pasionado 2003



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.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2004


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

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Marques de Arienzo Grand Reserva 1996



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.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Milbrandt Legacy Merlot 2005



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.

Friday, December 11, 2009

Lucien Albrecht Cremant Brut Rose NV



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.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Matanzas Creek Merlot 2005



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.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Bodegas Goulart Torrontes 2009



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.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Marques de Arienzo Crianza 2002



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.

Monday, December 7, 2009

D'Arenberg Money Spider Roussanne 2006



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.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Willakenzie Cork Free Pinot Gris 2008


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.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay 2005



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

Friday, December 4, 2009

Coldisole Brunello di Montalcino 2003



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."

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse 2007



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.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Columbia Wyckoff Chardonnay 2005



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.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Syrah 2005



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.