New Connoisseurs Connection Available  Updated May 15, 2014
When the heat is on there are few wines more refreshing than the "Green Wines" of Portugal! Pavao leads the pack in quality and value! Stock up for the Summer! Pavão Branco Vinho Verde, Portugal Reg $7.99 Sale $5.97 $69.99 cs 12 This crisp and fragrant white blend from the north of Portugal is not far from Spain’s Rias Baixas known and loved as the land of crisp Albariño. The cooler wet Região Vinhos Verdes is just south across the Minho River and while they allow Albariño in their blends (under the Portuguese Alvarihno) this punchy glass of pure refreshment is a traditional blend of Loureiro, Trajadura and Pedernã which come together like a dry and quenching like limeade made all the better by a chalky minerality and a sour patch acidity that clips off clean and snappy and beckons the next sip. With this sort of structure it goes without saying this has a charming affinity for food from the Iberian coastal fare with which it’s familiar to the Asian spices with which it carries on so well. This is an outstanding glass of crisp, white, northwestern Portuguese goodness for goodness sake. Drink it and lots of it because it inspires cheer and being chipper. Wine Review by Nicholas Livingston, January 21, 2014 (Root –and even so this tastes great)
Back In Stock! Limited! Two more Barburners from Southern France!
2011 Chateau Saint-Roch Cotes du Roussillon Chimeres Reg $19.99 Sale $14.97 eRobertParker.com # 0114 (Jan 2014) Rating: 92 Drink 2014 – 2017 The Lafage 2011 Cotes du Roussillon Chimeres - a blend, as usual, of Grenache and Syrah with a bit of Carignan - is pungently redolent of marjoram, fennel and sage; cherry and red raspberry; black pepper and crushed stone. Hints of vanilla, caramel, and brown spices from the exposure to new 500 liter barrels during fermentation and the long cold-soak that precedes it (techniques common to most of Lafage-s reds insofar as they aren-t tank-raised) are nicely restrained and integrated. Palpably dense and satin-textured, this develops a marvelously mouthwatering savor of salted roasted meat pan-scrapings en route to a finish of impressive length. Plan to enjoy such an amazing value through at least 2017.	2012 Chateau Saint-Roch Cotes du Roussillon Vieilles Vignes Blanc Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 Rated 89/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate Composed of 80% Grenache Blanc and 20% Marsanne, the 2012 Vieilles Vignes Blanc comes from 50-year-old vines planted in limestone and clay soils. A delightful bouquet of caramelized honeyed grapefruit, white currants and other assorted citrus jumps from the glass of this crisp, dry, medium-bodied white. With surprising length and power, it reminded me of a restrained, more laid-back top white Hermitage — at a fraction of the price. Consume it over the next several years.
Two of the most sought after grenache' in the country!! 93 pts under $20!
93 pts! for $13! superb red for summer fare!! 10 cases left!! 2012 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas (A K A Cote Grenache) Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 Review by Jeb Dunnuck eRobertParker.com # 212 (Apr 2014) Rating: 93 Drink 2014 - 2018 The 2012 Cotes Catalanes Cuvee Nicolas is an off-the-hook value. Named after Jean-Marc’s son and made from 100% Grenache from higher elevation sites in the Aspres region, fermented with 20% stems and aged half in demi-muid, it offers layers of kirsch, underbrush, licorice and serious floral notes in its medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile. Getting a big “wow” in the notes and showing fine tannin and serious length, it should be snatched up by savvy readers and consumed over the coming 3-4 years. Run by the talented (and fast driving) Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage, from their cellar located just outside of Perpignan (which is being completely renovated), this estate includes vineyards spread throughout the Roussillon, allowing them to make the most of the diverse terroirs and micro-climates. I struggle to think of another portfolio that encompasses anywhere close to this level of value, and the average quality to price (QPR) for these wines is just hard to believe. I’ve included the Chateau Saint Roch and Saint Roch (mostly Maury-basedbased) releases here as well, as they’re made at the estate and were part of the tasting I had with Jean-Marc.	55% grenache 45% syrah! 65 year old vines: fire up the grill! DO NOT MISS! Our little allocation of in stock!! 2011 Chateau Puech-Haut Coteaux de Languedoc Prestige Reg $24.99 Sale $17.97 Review by Jeb Dunnuck "The Rhone Report" Rating: 93 Drink 2014 - 2020 The 2011 Château Puech-Haut Coteaux du Languedoc Saint-Drézéry Cuvée Prestige is an incredible effort. A blend of 55% Grenache and 45% Syrah that’s aged all in concrete tank, it is a flamboyant, decadent 2011 that gives up copious black cherry and pit styled fruits, licorice, pepper, and black olive aromas and flavors. More supple and forward than the 2010, with a full-bodied, seamless, mouth feeling texture that never seems heavy, it has a core of gorgeously pure fruit, juicy acidity, and ripe tannin on the finish. Enjoy this knockout effort over the coming 5-7 years. 93 Points ~ Rhone Report
DO NOT MISS! Our little allocation of 10 cases of each arrives today!! 2011 Chateau Puech-Haut Coteaux de Languedoc Prestige Reg $19.99 Sale $17.97 Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 204 (Dec 2012) Rating: 91 Drink 2012 - 2018 A sensational offering from proprietor Gerard Bru, the 2011 Prestige is the estate’s least expensive wine. Readers may remember the fabulous review the 2010 Prestige received, and the 2011 is just as special. With Bru’s top Reserve wine selling for nearly $100 a bottle, the Prestige cuvee is an outstanding value. Interestingly, Bru has had three of the greatest winemaking consultants on Planet Earth working for him, first Michel Rolland, followed by Claude Gros and now Philippe Cambie. A blend of 60-75-year-old vine Grenache (55%) and 40-year old Syrah (45%), all grown on limestone soils dominated by the famous large rocks (galets roules) also found in parts of Chateauneuf du Pape. The wine is aged in concrete tanks prior to being bottled unfiltered. Some of the vineyards are farmed organically and others biodynamically. The wine exhibits a tremendous perfume of sweet raspberries, spring flowers, forest floor, truffles and lavender as well as a beautiful texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning velvety tannins and purity, and a long finish. This is the “real deal.” Drink it over the next 4-6 years. 2012 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas (A K A Cote Grenache) Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 Review by Jeb Dunnuck eRobertParker.com # 212 (Apr 2014) Rating: 93 Drink 2014 - 2018 The 2012 Cotes Catalanes Cuvee Nicolas is an off-the-hook value. Named after Jean-Marc’s son and made from 100% Grenache from higher elevation sites in the Aspres region, fermented with 20% stems and aged half in demi-muid, it offers layers of kirsch, underbrush, licorice and serious floral notes in its medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile. Getting a big “wow” in the notes and showing fine tannin and serious length, it should be snatched up by savvy readers and consumed over the coming 3-4 years. Run by the talented (and fast driving) Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage, from their cellar located just outside of Perpignan (which is being completely renovated), this estate includes vineyards spread throughout the Roussillon, allowing them to make the most of the diverse terroirs and micro-climates. I struggle to think of another portfolio that encompasses anywhere close to this level of value, and the average quality to price (QPR) for these wines is just hard to believe. I’ve included the Chateau Saint Roch and Saint Roch (mostly Maury-basedbased) releases here as well, as they’re made at the estate and were part of the tasting I had with Jean-Marc. www.domaine-lafage.com blantons bourbon $54.97 btl! lagavulin distillers edition $89.97!!!! back on sale! canadian club 1.75 liter $19.97 windsor canadian 1.75 $16.97 $99.99/cs 6	ITS HERE THE BEST VALUE ROSE AVAILABLE! WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN A TRADTIONAL "TAVEL ROSE" WITH A 91 POINT WINE ADVOCATE RATING! OUR FAVORITE FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS REMAINS ON TOP! 20 CASES ONLY! Domaine Lafond Tavel Rose Roc Epine 2013 Reg $21.99 Sale $19.97 Grenache 60%, Cinsault 10%, Syrah 10%, Carigna 5% and with Clairette, Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Mourvèdre. 91 POINTS-WINE ADVOCATE...Always solid, the 2013 Tavel Roc-Epine Rose is outstanding, with its strawberry, crushed rose petal, raspberry and hints of herbes de Provence aromas and flavors all flowing nicely from the glass. Medium-bodied and showing the food-friendly richness of the appellation, enjoy this solid effort over the coming 1-2 years. The LAFOND DOMAINE TAVEL is characterized by a lovely pure tender pink colour. The predominating aromas are complex: red and white fruit associated with floral notes. With time, these fruity aromas will evolve toward more mellow notes with a touch of spice and stone fruits, and the colour will take on amber tints. As of its first year, it disposes of all the necessary aromas to be appreciated, but it also has an exceptional ageing potential.-Winery Notes. OUR FIRST 2012 CHATEAUNEUF HAVE ARRIVED: VERY LIMITED! 2012 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Reg $59.99 Sale $49.97 (92-94WA) Moving to Boiron’s 2012s, the straight 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape is stunning. Black cherry, ground pepper, bouquet garni and new leather-like aromas and flavors all flow from this medium to full-bodied, textured and seamless effort. While traditional in style, it’s remarkably polished and elegant, with no hard edges and very fine tannin. It should have 12-15 years of longevity and should not be missed. Drink 2015-2027. 2012 Bosquet des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Gloire Mon Grand Pere Reg $79.99 Sale $64.97 (94-96 WA) Looking just as good, with a slightly more approachable profile, the 2012 Chateauneuf du Pape A La Gloire de Mon Grand-Pere is a field blend of close to 100% Grenache that comes from the Gardiole lieu-dit. Aged all in demi-muid, it is an awesomely textured, seamless effort that boasts knockout aromas and flavors of kirsch, wild strawberries, herbs de Provence and red licorice. Not quite as backwards or concentrated as the Chante Le Merle, it should be approachable at an earlier age and drink brilliantly for 15 years or more. Drink 2015-2027.
Beringer California Cab, Merlot, Chardonnay White Zin! Sale $3.97 Special purchase "70 cases only!" The perfect summer chardonnay! 2012 Meridian Vineyards Chardonnay California Reg $10.99 Sale $6.97! $79.99 cs 12 You’re all going to know it very soon that the 2012 growing season for grapes in California is off the charts great, and that’s translating into some extremely great values at the retail level. The chardonnays are coming in right now, the whites are coming in and the 2102 Meridian from California is no exception! But, there’s something you don’t know is that Meridian was one of the first vineyards, first wineries to plant grapes up and down the Central Coast of California nearly thirty years ago. They are now leveraging that to make superb wine during exceptional growing years, just like this year! They are making wines like this needle in a haystack $9-10.00 Chardonnay, which exhibits a lot of fine wine characteristics! This wine is an absolute masterpiece, it’s hard to do better than this $10.00 Chardonnay from Meridian Vineyards! What makes it so special is the outstanding fruit, it’s absolutely all about the fruit, and what we’re talking about is beautiful apple; tropical fruit flavors; pineapple; melon; a little bit of oak and a little bit of butter in a clean and delightful way! The finish has hints of vanilla, but what really balances it is just enough oak to put this thing into balance. When compared in a blind tasting, many of your friends and family will easily put this wine with the $25.00 – $30.00 wines. That’s why this wine is so fantastic! All summer through Labor Day Triple Play Sale! 24 pk cans Coors Light, Bud, Bud Light, Mich Golden Light, Miller GD, Miller Lite! Sale $17.97 ea. mix & match cs $49.99 ($16.67)
a "STEELE" of a deal! Jed Steele who was behind the success of "Kendall Jackson Chardonnay" has been producing spot on wines under his own label ever since his departure. Once a year they do "Blitz" pricing for 2 weeks only, far below their consistent good bang for the buck pricing. At regular pricing they are very solid values, at these Prices they are a "Steele". 10 cases of each in stock! Two weeks only! reg $21.99-$24.99 mix & match cs(12) $179.99 2011 Steele Wines Cabernet Lake County Reg $24.99 Sale $15.97 The Red Hills appellation in LakeCountyi s a new AVA (American Viticultural Area). The iron-rich, red soil of Red Hills is laden with obsidian, a glassy black volcanic rock that glistens in the afternoon sun. Well known NapaValleygrape grower Andy Beckstoffer bought up a piece of the Red Hills AVA, planting it in Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals with which he is very familiar. We have been receiving clone 6 and clone 37 grapes from Andy since 2002. Winemaking: The grapes are pressed to stainless steel tank and undergo 2-3 week fermentation with an extended maceration to extract every ounce of flavor. This wine is then laid down in a combination of French and French/American hybrid oak barrels to age for a year and a half before bottling. Tasting Notes: This wine has a rich, fruit-forward elegance. A spicy fruit and berry core backed up by soft tannins makes it a nice glass of wine for casual sipping among friends. 2012 Steele Pinot Noir Carneros Reg $24.99 Sale $15.97 We source our Carneros Pinot Noir from the Durell and Sangiacomo Vineyards, both situated in the Sonoma Carneros. Considered by many to be the home of the best American Pinot Noir, Carneros’ masking fog and cool breezes throughout most of the growing season allow for the hang time needed to develop the flavors of exceptional Pinot Noir. Winemaking: With Pinot Noir, we take a minimal approach to winemaking. Fermentations are carried out with as little manipulation as possible. We use a gentle crusher, one short pump-over per day and cool soak the grapes prior to the onset of fermentation. After fermentation the wine is aged for nine months in a combination of French and Hungarian barrels. Because of the popularity of this wine, we bottle it in both 750 and 375 ml bottles. Tasting Notes: This vineyard, given its coastal influence, produces a wine with bright strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced with hints of jasmine tea and cola. Our approach for Carneros Pinot Noir has always been to produce a classically-styled “pinot-lover’s pinot”, with moderate oak, high-tone fruit flavors, a rich nose, juicy palate and long finish. Food pairing: The quintessential pairing for this wine is a wild mushroom risotto. 2012 Steele Chardonnay Cuvee 2012 Reg $21.99 Sale $15.97 Our flagship white wine, California Cuvee Chardonnay, really shows off Jed Steele’s wizardry in blending. As with all great wines, the process begins with the selection of the right vineyards. We have worked with most of the great Chardonnay vineyards in California and have chosen these seven prestigious properties to obtain the grapes for this wine. Vineyards: Beginning in the south, the area around the Santa Maria Valley has a maritime climate with lots of morning fog in the summer and cool evenings. We get grapes from Bien Nacido Vineyards, located on the benches above the Sisquoc River and from the Goodchild Vineyard about a mile away across the river. Farther north we source grapes from the Carneros region, in the southern part of Sonoma County that borders the San Francisco/San Pablo Bay. Cool winds and morning fog are artifacts of the weather pattern in Carneros, making the region perfect for Chardonnay. The Sangiacomo Family farms 1000 acres of vineyards here. We source grapes from their Katerina and El Novillero ranches. The meticulously farmed vineyards of Durell and Parmelee-Hill are slightly further inland and tend to ripen sooner than Sangiacomo. Again moving north, we arrive in Mendocino County, home to both the warmest vineyard site and the coolest vineyard site in the blend. The Lolonis Family has been farming in Redwood Valley since the 1920’s, farming organically since the 1950’s. To the west lies the DuPratt Vineyard, located above Anderson Valley in the Mendocino Ridge appellation. Winemaking: Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels of which 20% are new. The wine remains in barrel for eight months, the lees are stirred regularly, and the wine can finish malolactic fermentation. Each vintage, two to three of the vineyards we source from produce such remarkable wine. This cream of the crop is extremely limited; generally around 300 6-packs. We then conduct blending trials to arrive at the best blend for the Steele Cuvee Chardonnay. Any excess wine that doesn’t fit into either of these two categories becomes our Shooting Star Chardonnay. Tasting Notes :The Cuvee consistently exhibits excellent depth of flavor, wonderful acidity and complex aromas. The Santa Maria vineyards add a tropical fruit character to the wine, flavors and aroma of mango, pineapple, and papaya. The Sonoma vineyards attribute citrus character and acid to the cuvee. The Mendocino vineyards flavor profile leans toward citrus fruit and minerality from DuPratt and Lolonis contributes the warmest-climate grapes to the cuvee with flavors and aromas of baked apples and cinnamon. Food Pairing Halibut with a white wine burre blanc sauce would compliment the complex flavors of the Cuveé Chardonnay any day. 2011 Steele Zinfandel Dupratt Reg $21.99 Sale $15.97 Vineyards: Even in a good year, picking the DuPratt Vineyard is never easy. A mountain vineyard with hilly terrain gives some vines more sun. By its nature Zinfandel ripens unevenly and each cluster has raisins, ripe berries and under-ripe berries. Choosing when to harvest takes skill, intuition and sometimes, good luck. Our answer to this is a test pick in which we harvest two rows, which run the length of the vineyard. If we get what we feel are adequate sugars after a day of soaking on the skins, we then harvest the remainder of the vineyard. Even so we keep the upper (riper) part of this vineyard separate from the lower portion. Winemaking: This tiny 5.5 acre plot of 80 year old vines has always produced wines of spectacular quality. The long season enjoyed by grapes grown in the Mendocino Ridge appellation does allow full ripeness and consistent quality year in and year out. Aging for 16 months in a special mix of Taransaud French Oak barrels is the other key to the great flavors and drinking pleasure that is a hallmark of the DuPratt Zinfandel. The long season and elevation makes wines that are rich, elegant and complex. They are more like fine Claret than typical old vine Zinfandel from California.
New! Bell's Oberon Ale and Two Hearted Ale - now available in 16 ounce 4pk 16oz Cans! $9.99 Bell's Oberon Ale: is a wheat ale fermented with Bell's signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel, making it a classic summer beer. Bell's Two Hearted Ale: An India Pale Ale style well suited for adventurous trips to the Upper Peninsula. American malts and enormous hop additions give this beer a crisp finish and an incredibly floral aroma. New: Superb Value Brand!! Shannon Ridge Cabernet "Lake County" Reg $14.99! Sale $9.97 90 points, is rosewood to purple in color, with a clear rim, the aroma is cooking spice, strong cedar, licorice, and just a hint of alcohol (14.5%). A medium-plus body carries good acidity, fair tannin, and a bounty of fruit: bramble berry (usually reserved for Zinfandel), juicy boysenberry, and not quite ripe mulberry with a hint of licorice. Finishes well on spice and a bit of heat. This wine displays a fair balance and complexity found in more expensive Cabernet Sauvignon wines, and at the power-buy price, I highly recommend this wine now and for the next couple of years also available: cab,chard,petite,s.blanc,wrangler red! try em!
PERFECT SUMMER RED! RIBS & ZINFANDEL SEASON IS COMING!  As beautiful and as elegant as this varietal can be!! We absolutely loved it! WE ORIGINALLY ORDERED AND GOT IN 100/6PKS OF THIS BEAUTY AND SOLD ALL OF IT! WE JUST GOT IN 20/MORE 6PKS WITH ANOTHER 80/6PKS ARRIVING LATE NEXT WEEK! IF YOU MISSES IT THE FIRST TIME YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE: HERE'S YOUR CHANCE! 2012 Terra d'Oro Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel Reg $30.00 btl Sale $16.97 BTL $99.99 6pk (16.67 btl) 20 IN STOCK 80 MORE ON THE WAY! "You're not going to find very many 100-year-old vines in California, which is why the Terra d'Oro Deaver Zinfandel is so special," Stubbs said, adding, "The amount of character that comes from a 100-year-old vine cannot be replicated and must be experienced." Land of Gold, that's what Terra d'Oro means. For more than 150 years, fortune seekers have been lured to California's rugged Sierra Foothills. Though they once came for the gold, these days they come for the wine-Terra d'Oro, to be more specific. Handcrafted from some of Amador County's most historic vineyards, Terra d'Oro wines are rich indeed, full of the character and intensity that perfectly captures the essence of this "Land of Gold." Terra d'Oro Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel is a Grandfather among Zinfandels. The wine has a classic Amador blend of spices including allspice, cardamom and clove that fills out an intense spice rack. The flavors of ripe plum make this wine a rich Zinfandel from a historic vineyard and pairs well with grilled flank steak and fresh homemade salsa. The story of the Deaver Vineyard starts in the 1800s during the California Gold Rush. Italian immigrants brought Zinfandel cuttings from the East Coast and planted vineyards in the Sierra Foothills. The 20 acre piece of the Deaver family vineyard used to make Terra d'Oro Deaver Vineyard 133 Year Old Vine Zinfandel was planted in 1881 . These historic vines are less vigourous, producing smaller quantities of more concentrated fruit. The dry farmed vines' roots continue to grow deeper into the soil as years pass and pull water and nutrients from multiple soil layers, resulting in more complexity of character. The wines from this vineyard showcase the long standing relationship between the Deaver and Trinchero families. Started in the 1960's, it continues today in mutual respect and love for Amador County Zinfandel The limited amount of fruit that comes from this vineyard is handled carefully. The fruit is hand-picked into small valley bins and driven one mile to the winery to be crushed. Decades of experience with this fruit have resulted in careful selection of yeast strains and pumpover techniques designed to extract the flavor and character of the grapes in a balanced manner. After gentle pressing, the wine is aged 15 months in a selection of French and American oak, focused on showcasing the character of these ancient vines. The Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel is a deep garnet color in the glass with lifted aromas of mixed berry jam, plum, clove spice and hints of cedar box. The approachable palate has robust flavors of juicy boysenberry, blackberry and plum fruit. The baked spice components add complexity to this bold wine. The Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel is smooth and well balanced with a fine, ripe tannin structure. The wine offers a long finish with notes of toasted almonds and cocoa powder lingering on the palate. There were two wines that stood out in particular. The Terra d'Oro Deaver Vineyard 130+ Year Old Vine Zinfandel was hands down my favorite wine of the nights. Juicy and delicious. The 2011 Terra d'Oro Deaver Zinfandel has a deep garnet color with lifted aromas of dark fruit, clove and spicy oak. The palate is focused with crisp and juicy layers of ripe blackberry, spicy plum and soft chewy tannins. The baked spice components add complexity to this bold wine and support a great balance of power and restraint. For a zesty pairing, serve this wine with a roasted rack of lamb or a juicy ribeye steak.
why pay $11-$15 for 2013 Rose's: when these are drinking just fine! Reg $11.99-$14.99 while they last $4.97 btl 2012 Chateau d'Or et de Gueules Costieres-de-Nimes Les Cimels 2012 Domaine de Gournier Vin de Pays Cevennes Rose 2012 Domaine de la Petite Cassagne Costieres-de-Nimes Rose 2012 Mas des Bressades Costieres-de-Nimes Cuvee Tradition New! 2012 Domaine d"Arton (Gascon) Still a little left of these super-values! Don't let the price scare you! 2006 Wegeler Riesling Medium Dry (Previously $22) Sale $5.97 2011 Sterling Vineyards Aromatic White Vintner's Collection Reg $13.99 Sale $5.97 2011 McWilliams "Jacks Red" (Australian Red Blend) Reg $11.99 Sale $5.97
* special purchase * a little of this: a little of that! in stock!! First Come: First Serve! 2009 La Massa "Giorgio Primo" Toscana Reg $119.99 Sale $69.97 (5/6pks only)) 97 pts 97 points James Suckling Powerful aromas of dark fruits, minerals and hints of new wood. Super perfumed. Licorice too. Full bodied, with a seamless tannin texture and wonderful length. The wine is ultra-polished and long. Super structure yet full of finesse. Best after 2014, but so amazing to taste. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot. (9/ 2011) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2009 Giorgio Primo emerges from the glass with scents of blackberry, spice, leather, licorice and camphor. All of the elements are woven together nicely in this supple, juicy wine. There is a centeredness and focus to the fruit that is highly appealing. Giorgio Primo is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Proprietor Giampaolo Motta and consultant Stephane Derenoncourt have achieved remarkable polish and elegance here. The only thing missing is an element of visceral thrill. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021. (6/ 2012) always been impressed with the wines that Giampaolo Motta has made at La Massa, and even more excited now that we are importing them directly. His small winery is just outside the village of Panzano in the heart of Chianti Classico; however, Giampaolo's heart has always been elsewhere...specifically, in Bordeaux. Giampaolo's Giorgio Primo is a classic Bordeaux blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Starting with the 2009 vintage Giampaolo brought in the famed French consultant Stephane Derenoncourt. Consumers From Cellar Tracker 93 pts 2/11/14: This was a great wine. It just jumped out of the glass at you. Too young, but there's so much character here. Love the cinnamon flavors, lots of dark red fruit. Would hold if it was in my cellar, but could see maybe as the previous note said with a very long decant. 94 Point 10/21/2013 A stunning wine that showed dark fruit, mineral, earth and tobacco notes with great mouthfeel and intensity. A really well made wine that definitely resembled a high-quality Bordeaux. It was one of those wines where you are upset when the bottle was empty. 2009 Domaine William Fevre Chablis Montee de Tonnerre Reg $59.99 Sale $39.97 (2cs Only) Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jul/Aug 11 Very pale yellow. Dusty crushed stone, apple, lime and a whiff of menthol on the nose. Rich, broad, full and quite dry, with a hint of pineapple ripeness currently overshadowed by stone. Plenty of tension and sneaky length here. Finishes chewy, tactile and young--in need of at least three or four years of cellaring. 91(+?) points 2005 Domaine Weinbach Gewurztraminer Cuvee Laurence Reg $79.99 Sale $49.97 (1cs Only) Good pale color. Captivating, high-pitched nose offers yellow plum, gingery spices and licorice. Dense, lush, glyceral and chewy yet almost magically light on its feet, with saline and spice elements framing and lifting the wine's fruit. Floral in the mouth and on the long, vibrant finish. This is 13.8% alcohol with 35 well-buffered grams of r.s. Should make a great partner at the dinner table: Laurence Faller recommends serving it with Thai dishes, tandoori chicken, or lobster done with a vanilla-based sauce. 92 points 2009 Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Petit Mont Reg $34.99 Sale $24.97! (4 cases only) Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 12 Bright red. Assertive, spice-accented scents of red and dark berries, dried lavender and herbs. Juicy and sharply focused, with lively raspberry and bitter cherry flavors taking a darker turn with aeration. The energetic, precise finish repeats the raspberry note. 90 points 2006 Clos du Mont Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Papet Reg $89.99 Sale $49.97! (2 cases only) ($85) Deep ruby. Alluring, highly perfumed bouquet of vivid black raspberry, blueberry and minerals, with a sexy floral overtone. Impressively precise, with sweet red and black fruit flavors braced by tangy minerality and complemented by rose, lavender and succulent herbs. The finish of this impressively balanced wine is brisk and focused, with sneaky sweetness and persistence. This is Apollo to the 2007's Dionysus. 93 points 2009 Cliff Lede Vineyards "Poetry" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reg $199.99 Sale $139.97 (7btls only) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Cliff Lede's 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Poetry is showing beautifully today. It, too, is rather statuesque and towering. Layers of dark red fruit, flowers, crushed rocks and cloves inform this powerful wine. The 2009 has plenty of sweetness and depth, but it needs a few years for the tannins to soften. Regardless, it is striking. Hints of mocha, licorice and incense add complexity on the finish. The 2009 is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2029. (12/ 2012) 2007 Corliss Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Reg $84.99 Sale $69.97 (8btls only) Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Oct 11 (blended with 15% merlot): Deep ruby-red. Explosive nose offers boysenberry, redcurrant, cherry, tobacco, graphite and sandalwood. Wonderfully silky and concentrated, with outstanding lift to its almost painfully intense berry, spice, earth and mineral flavors. The pliant middle yields to a gripping, mineral-driven, very long finish. A beauty, but the 2008 may well surpass it in the long run. 95 points (blended with 7% petit verdot, 5% malbec and 3% merlot) Full red-ruby. Plum, tobacco and loam on the shy nose. Wonderfully rich and suave in the mouth, with ineffable floral lift to the deep, sweet flavors of cherry, plum and minerals. Outstanding cabernet in the making-by any standard. Most impressive today on the explosively long back end, where the wine's huge structure is currently hidden by sheer material. Incidentally, this is the first vintage to include some estate fruit (from Red Mountain). It will be a treat to taste this wine alongside a half dozen of Washington's other cabernet superstars a decade hence. 94-97 points 2009 Chablis - Vaudesir: Reg $79.99 Sale $59.97 (1cs Only) A ripe yet elegant and admirably pure nose of green fruit, Granny Smith apple and tidal pool aromas marries into big and rich yet beautifully detailed flavors that brim with dry extract on the powerful and almost painfully intense and youthfully austere finish that goes on and on. Impressive. (92-94)/2016+ 2009 Verget Chablis Fourchaume Vieilles Vignes de Vaulorent Reg $49.99 Sale $39.97 (1cs Only) (fermented in oak barrels, then moved into concrete vat after three months for its malolactic fermentation and elevage; this was bottled after the 2010 harvest following 10 months on its lees): Medium yellow. Very ripe but fresh aromas of peach, apricot, marmalade and spicy oak. A sexy fruit bomb on the palate, with good precision to its ripe apricot flavor. Finishes ripe, juicy and long, with very well integrated acidity. In contrast to the regular Fourchaume, this is from south-facing vines. The crop level was just 25 hectoliters per hectare in 2009, as these 80-year-old vines produce small berries with very little juice, said enologist Desplans. 92 points
one sip today & we tripled our order!! arrives tomorrow 5/8/14! wow: super value! We just love the 2010 vintage in Napa/Sonoma, just an awesome vintage where making overripe wine was nearly impossible! I guess it should come as no surprise we would like one of our favorites year in and year out! but when we tasted it today, we had absolutely no idea that it would "absolutely incredible"! the nose is beguiling and it follows through all the way to the incredibly balanced and refined finish! drink it now or 10 years from now, don't know how it could get any better, but if it does you've got a real winner! Alexander Valley Vineyards Cyrus Estate Red Reg $60.00 btl Sale $44.97 $249.99/6pk (20 only!) Also available (June arrival) Etched Magnums $99.97(limited!) 51% Cabernet Sauvignon,26% Merlot , 18% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec In the glass there is terrific color with expressive aromas of cassis, berry, plum, toasty oak and vanilla. This is a rich, complex wine with flavors of dark fruits, spice, oak, vanilla and cocoa powder. Enjoyable upon release, this wine will reward those with the patience to age it. History, tradition, excellence - these three simple words define the vision of the Wetzel Family and our wines at Alexander Valley Vineyards. Our six hundred acre property was the homestead of valley namesake Cyrus Alexander. When he rode into our valley in 1840 he called it the "brightest and best spot in the world". He chose this spot to build his home and raise his family, and many years later we would do the same. From the beginning our wines have showcased the historic place we call home. Our property is bordered by the Russian River and the Mayacamas Mountains where the warm days and cool nights along with gravelly loam soils provide the perfect conditions to grow world class Bordeaux varietals. CYRUS is a celebration of our estate grown grapes, focused winemaking and the Alexander Valley. This wine is our tribute to the man, the region and the very best of the vintage. Overall 2010 was a cool growing season with fewer heat spikes than prior vintages, diligent vineyard management was the key to great fruit development.<> Winemaker Kevin Hall selected 8 exceptional barrel aged lots for the final blend. The blended wine was barrel aged in French Oak for an additional 12 months allowing the components to meld into a seamless blend. CYRUS 2010 was bottle aged for 8 months for additional complexity prior to release. There is great structure along with concentrated fruit in the 2010 CYRUS. In the glass there is terrific color with expressive aromas of cassis, berry, plum, toasty oak and vanilla. This is a rich, complex wine with flavors of dark fruits, spice, oak, vanilla and cocoa powder. Enjoyable upon release, this wine will reward those with the patience to age it. Two More Great Values From Alexander Valley Vineyards!! 2012 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Reg $24.99 Sale $15.97 New release! 2012 is a screaming vintage! 2012 Alexander Valley Vineyards Chardonnay Reg $19.99 Sale $13.97
Great Bordeaux Values are becoming a much more difficult to find. 2011,12,13 have not been kind, nor has the exchange rate! We have less than 10 cases left of each of these (and the star Reignac pretty close to 20). Highly recommend if you haven't stocked up already, this is probably the last chance on these great 2009's that just keep getting better & better! 2009 bordeaux is the real deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 days only $199.99 cs12 4 incredible values from the greatest vintage robert parker can ever recall in his 30+ years of tasting! if you haven't loaded your cellar/basement, your missing the boat! with these, we've added a new player turning our triple play into a grand slam sale! mix & match from these 4 "all stars" $199.99/12 An unbelievable 2009 bordeaux value find from stephane derenoncourt! 2009 Maison Blanche, Medoc Grand Slam Sale!! Reg $24.99 Sale $19.99 $199.99/cs 12($16.67) 91 points Wine Spectator : Vibrant, with nicely packed raspberry, fig and blackberry fruit carried by mouthwatering acidity and well-embedded structure. Lots of anise, spice and tar frames the finish. Stephane Derenoncourt consulting here. Best from 2012 through 2019. (3/ 2012) The blend for the 2009 Chateau Maison Blanche is 85% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc is usually not included in this wine but was in 2009 because it came in so perfectly.This wine is stunningly delicious... blackberries and toasty oak abound. Will cellar well for five-plus years. Fresh and vibrant The Medoc region is on the left side of Bordeaux's Gironde estuary, and that means this wine is made primarily with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Everything's very much in order: a hint of herbal leafiness, black berry, tea, flavour, texture and finish all bouncing around happily. Cellar-worthy, or knock it back tonight with beef. The Chateau Maison Blanche name and architectural profile were renowned 19th century beacons. Old editions of the Feret Guide (the "Bordeaux wine bible") place the estate among the most famous of the 19th-century Crus Bourgeois. In 1998, Patrick Bouey bought Chateau Maison Blanche at the same time as Chateau Lestruelle. He appreciated the incredible potential of this northern Medoc terroir and invested heavily in modernizing the vineyards. Pruning, trellising and other cultivation methods are assessed and revised with strict adherence to soil balance principles. A new thermoregulated fermenting room is also being introduced. Stephane Derenoncourt has been dubbed the "world's hottest winemaker"by Wine Spectator magazine. The firm he founded, Vignerons Consultants, works with more than 90 wineries around the world, including in the USA Boxwood Winery in Virginia and Rubicon Estate in California. More than 100 wineries a year contact the firm to try to hire him and his team. He incorporates both organic and biodynamic viticulture into his techniques. His approach, at the core, is based on the fundamental concept that a wine gets its richness and personality from the micro-terroir it comes from 2009 Chateau Maison Blanche – Blackberry, earth and cassis fragrances couple with round textures to produce an easy to drink early wine that represents a good value wine from the Medoc in 2009 2009 Chateau Maison Blanche showing nice luscious fruit, supple tannins, good acidity and good overall balance, it became soft and round. 2009 Chateau de Reignac "Bordeaux Superior" Reg $30 Sale $19.99/Grand Slam Sale!! M& M $199.99 cs 12 "Gold Medal": Concours Agricole Paris "Silver Medal": Concours de Bordeaux Vins d'Acquitane Chateau de Reignac sits atop the highest point in the parish of Saint Loubes, overlooking a 135-hectare clay and gravel rise that includes a single 80-hectare block of vines. The original chateau was built by Seigneur Baude de Peyron in the 16th century. It was remodeled in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the late 1800s, a central courtyard was added that features his signature wrought iron railings and in 1868, a remarkable greenhouse was designed by Gustave Eiffel. The present owners, Yves and Stephanie Vatelot, purchased Reignac in 1990 and have worked continuously ever since to restore the estate to its former glory while introducing numerous innovations. The world-renowned Michel Rolland is their consulting oenologist. Soil : Clay-gravel rises. Appellation : Bordeaux Superieur. Grape varieties : 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon et 5% Cabernet franc Density : 6,000 vines per hectare. Viticulture: Bud pruning, hand picking into small baskets and sorting both befor and after destermming. Vinification: Cold maceration prior to fermentation. Traditional alcoholic fermentation white wine run off while still warm. Ageing: 100 % in French oak barrels for 12 months. "Reignac is the standard bearer for what can be achieved by a passionate proprietor who cuts yields to a minimum, and does everything right in the cellar. Reignac is the leading candidate for the finest generic Bordeaux produced year in and year out. It can compete favorably with classified growths..."- Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 2009 Ch Blaignan Medoc Cru Bourgeois Reg $27 Sale $19.99/Grand Slam Sale M& M $199.99 cs 12 88/100 - Robert Parker: This vineyard just outside Pauillac has produced a seductive, sexy wine with an elegant combination of black cherry and black currant fruit. Some dusty, loamy soil notes also make an appearance as well as some high-quality unsmoked cigar tobacco. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. (A member of the Association of Crus Bourgeois du Medoc.) tout 15/20 - 3 Stars «Recommended» wine – Decanter: A pretty perfume aroma of mixed red and black fruit, spice and savoury notes. Light, fresh and well textured with sweet and sour plum flavours. Very tight. Wine Spectator Chocolate and herbal notes frame cherry and plum flavors in this plump red, which has just enough tannins for grip, with fresh acidity on the anise-scented finish. Drink now through 2017. 31,665 cases made. Score: 87. -Thomas Matthews, March 31, 2012. Our vineyards of vineyards in northern Medoc. The clay-limestone soil rests on a limestone subsoil, which dates back to the sedimentation Quaternary. The high production potential of the field based on two limestone hills that offer a variety of situations and exposure of slopes. Vineyards, with an average age of 25 years, are composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, for an average yield of 45 hectoliters per hectare. Certificate holder "Farming" Chateau Blaignan chose to adopt farming practices that respect the environment. The optimization plan of the entire vineyard initiated the redemption of the Castle is now carried out by Anne Le Naour, Technical Director of the group's areas and Jean-Jacques Lapeyre, Chief Operating Officer, assisted by advice the oenologist Denis Dubourdieu Chateau Blaignan is the oldest winemaking estate in the Medoc region of Bordeaux (over 600 years old). Contrary to popular opinion, there were some winegrowing estates in the northern Medoc before the 18th century. This came to light during a court case that started in 1727. Documents dating back to the 15th century revealed that vineyards were already planted in Blaignan at that time. Today, Credit Agricole Grands Crus, the new owner, is deeply committed to the renaissance of Blaignan and has invested over 3 million euros in the cellars and vineyards in 2010. Their star winemaking team, headed by world famous winemaker, Professor Denis Dubourdieu, is making the best of an outstanding terroir, next to the famous Chateau Potensac. Final blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. 87 hectare vineyards are planted on the highest part of the village of Blaignan, the average age of the vines is 25 years. Nice ruby dark color with violet reflections. Fresh, very soft, and sweet ripe nose of black currant followed by spicy notes of white pepper, fresh tobacco and cedar wood. This medium to full-bodied wine shows elegant tannins. It is already very approachable and will improve with a few years of ageing. Matches perfectly with red and white meat, pasta, hamburger and barbecue. 2009 Chateau Grand Bourdieu Graves Reg $30 Sale $19.99/Grand Slam Sale! M& M $199.99 cs 12 Grand Bourdieu is one of the Chateaux of Dominique Haverlan. It is located in the Graves, so few tens of kilometers below the city of Bordeaux. Haverlan owns more Chateaux in this region. He is fine, clean wines that are clearly influenced by the terroir. The wines are modern in style: the grapes are picked ripe, so the wines are relatively young though very drinkable. However, they are not blockbusters, despite the maturity, the terroir well back to taste the wines and finesse. Originally from Flanders, the Haverlan family has been in the Graves region since the 1930's. Dominique Haverlan was born in 1959. He is married with three children. In 1978, he obtained his Enology and Viticulture technician diploma. He began his career first by tenant farming (more particularly at Chateau Grand Bourdieu, where he organized re-planting of the entire vineyard), before purchasing the ruins of Le Vieux Chateau Gaubert and its vines in 1988. Chain saw in hand, he moved into his new home, where Nature had got the upper hand, and began planting on land that hadn't hosted vines since 1945. In just a few years, the estate came alive again, thanks to his hard work : the vineyard was re-planted and the technical buildings entirely renovated. Since 1996, two stone masons have been employed full-time to restore the estate's buildings. The whole project has been auto-financed. The surrounding walls have been completely rebuilt and reinforced. These will circle the park and a rotunda should soon be finished. The new vat room houses 16 stainless steel 200 hectolitre vats and 8 underground vats containing 170 hectolitres. The barrel cellar has been entirely re-thought and designed by Dominique. He has also built a reception hall measuring 150 square metres between the cellar and the vat room, which can welcome around 120 people. A boutique is planned. Furthermore, in 2004, Dominique took over the tenancy of a vineyard in Pessac-Leognan, Chateau Pontet Caillou, who's closest neighbour is Domaine de Chevalier. In 2010, he also took over Chateau Haut Pommarede, another abandoned vineyard in need of renovation. two incredible value bordeaux from the much heralded 2010 vintage! Not Much Left!!! * last june I tasted approximately 25 petite chateau from the 2010 & 2011 vintage of those wines I selected "2" that in my humble opinion far exceeded the rest in quality and value!! both ended up to be prestigous "gold medal" winning wines! *after ordering we got very nervous about receiving the lamothe after reading jancis robinson's rave reviews, but low and behold, even though we ordered a lot more, we have received 40 cases of this highly praised value! 2010 Chateau Lamothe-Vincent Heritage Reg $17.99 Sale $14.97 88 points Wine Enthusiast Notes of sweet wood and ripe stone fruits blend together in this solid, smoky and bacon-flavored wine. It is soft, firm and generous, with a full texture The classic Bordeaux blend, of course, is Cabernet/Merlot, and here we have a classic indeed. Gold Medal winner in Paris 2010, this "Heritage" cuvee has been aged in French oak barrels for 12 months and is quite simply as typical a claret as you could wish for at a very affordable price. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon with ageing on lees in French and American oak barrels for 12 months produces a stunning red! A complex bouquet of plum, black cherry, vanilla and cedar nuances. Rich and elegant, earthy black fruits wrapped in well integrated tannins with mineral and vanilla notes. Long velvety finish Since 1920, Chateau Lamothe-Vincent has consistently produced distinctive, award-winning wines, and both the 2009 and 2010 vintages were no exception. His Bordeaux Superieur Heritage is made from 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and with a low yield of 45 hectolitres /hectare, total production is only 53,000 bottles. The intense smoothness of the wine is achieved by micro-oxygenation, aided by aging on its lees in French and American oak barrels (33% new) for 12 months. The wine is deep cherry red with ruby tints and a complex bouquet of plum, black cherry, crushed strawberry, vanilla and cedar notes. Rich and elegant, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish it's an ideal match for red meats, lamb, turkey and roast duck. Drinking beautifully now, it will continue to do so until 2016. "This is where the real value in Bordeaux lies, in the little, best-tended corners of the least glamorous areas run with dedication and enough cash to make the right decisions. The Vincent family first bought vineyards in the Entre Deux Mers (the prettiest bit of Bordeaux but entitled only to the Bordeaux appellation for its reds) in 1873. Another parcel was added in 1920 and today the estate in Montignac is run with panache by the brothers Christophe and Fabien, both formally qualified in the academic side of wine production. This generation, as is now so common, has travelled widely outside Europe and has steadily been upgrading the vineyard since the early 1990s. As you can see here, all the latest tricks are used to maximise exposure of the right number of bunches and they tick the minimal inputs boxes. A sprauncy new winery was built in 2000. The result is that even their most basic red, this wine labeled Merlot in big letters and Cabernet Sauvignon in small to denote the 20% stiffening Cabernet in the blend, is a consistent gold-medal winner. The 2010 won a gold at the all-important Paris show and is a notably deep crimson. I tasted it just after returning from Southwold to look at all the top and middle 2008s (on which I will be reporting next week). What a joy it was to experience a fully ripe wine! This wine is admittedly fruitarama - not New World but much sweeter than most red bordeaux - and yet it is recognisably Bordeaux with all the appetising qualities that involves. Very clean, bright fruit with just a hint of carbon dioxide, it is all of 14.5% alcohol and I would happily drink it any time over the next three years. I thought it excellent value at £8.49 from the very worthwhile Real Wine Company in the UK, but it is widely distributed at much lower prices in European countries with much lower wine duties. What a steal this wine is in France! So much cheaper than the equivalent quality would be outside Europe. Sad, though, as it must be quite difficult to make much of a business out of selling at such a low price a wine into which so much effort goes. Their white wines are very solid, too." Jancis Robinson *another gold medal winning offering that totally defies this price point! gobs of exotic ripe fruit and a nice kick of acidity leaves nothing but a clean exotic finish! screaming value! 50 cases only! 2010 Chateau Moulin Blanc "Cuvee Prestige" Reg $14.99 Sale $9.97 A beautiful Bordeaux wine, showing the power of this amazing vintage. Here's finesse and elegance, packed with soft fruit from perfectly ripened grapes. This red wine is beautifully colored in the glass with an expressive bouquet. Here's fragrance notes of black currant, red cherry and a hint of leather. The taste is medium bodied with a very pure fruit style. Again experienced notes of red berries with good maturity. This wine is composed of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chateau Lamothe-Vincent 2012 Intense Blanc 25 cases Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 Pre-Sell $149.99 cs 12 92 POINTS WINE ENTHUSIAST 2/01/2014 Big, ripe and fruity, this is a concentrated, juicy wine. It highlights richness, intense green plum and tangy orange flavors, as well as a feeling of opulence. Concentrated and dense in texture, it needs a year to age 2012 produced lovely fresh, racy whites in Bordeaux. Fabien selected the best grapes to make this special 100% Sauvignon Blanc cuvee. The carefully controlled cold fermentation results in wonderful leafy, gooseberry aromas. It is full of concentrated passion fruit and gooseberry flavours on the palate with a lovely mineral finish displaying mouth-watering zingy acidity. Great as an aperitif or with fish dishes. Bordelais sauvignon blanc is often overlooked but it's a style that can be both refreshing and work very well with food. This one's made entirely from sauvignon blanc (no semillon, and no oak) and it gleams with purpose and pungency. It's been left for six months on the lees, which gives a more rounded texture. Polished and vivid. Chateau Lamothe-Vincent 2012 Intense Bordeaux Rouge 25 cases Reg $17.99 Sale $14.97 Pre-Sell $169.99 cs 12 It is now made from 100% Merlot, of which 1/3 undergoes the malolactic fermentation in French oak barrels. It has a subtle but expensive oaky nose dominated by intense fruit aromas of cassis and strawberry, while on the palate is very concentrated with wonderful silky mouthfeel and flavours of blackcurrant and plum, and a hint of toasty oak with ripe tannins at the finish and good length. It is lovely now but will age well over the next five years. Once again a Gold medal winner at Paris! 2013 Chateau Lamothe Vincent Bordeaux Rose 10 cases Reg $13.99 Sale 10.97 Pre-Sell $119.99 cs 12 50% Cab Franc 50% Cabernet Sauvignon is a fabulous dry, deep, dark pomegranate pink and is packed with flavours of ripe red currant, red gooseberries, raspberry, cranberry, crushed strawberry and citrus. It is silky smooth, well rounded, deep and has a lovely long finish. This is a Bordeaux Rose and it is bursting with the flavours of redcurrants and cranberries – making it superb with turkey. It's produced by the Vincent family who have been making wine since 1873 and have consistently produced distinctive, award winning wines. The very name of the family has produced a few comments. The name of the patron saint of vine growers and wine makers is Saint Vincent 2010 Lamothe Vincent Le Grand Rossignol Reg $39.99 Sale $34.99 $399.99 cs 12 10 cases First Vintage Release! A little alien within Bordeaux Superieur appellation, crafted from 7 acres of superb terroir. Everything is concentrated: The black color, the nose with candied black fruit notes and violet, the warm and full-bodied mouth, hopefully well-balanced by freshness that makes this wine really enjoyable. Although the estate is not based in the Medoc or any other prestigious area, they export 80% of their wines. This vast Entre-Deux-Mers estate (100 ha) is definitely a safe bet in the guide, with 4 "coups de coeur" in the recent years. The assets: A modern winery and complementary skills of the 2 owners. Le Grand Rossignol unveils an outstanding terroir of swelling clay planted with Merlot. It could have been another "coup de coeur" both for its qualities and its potential. Displaying a very deep colour with purple tints, it delivers intense fruit of blackberry and blackcherry married with subtle notes of cacao and toast, inherited from 16 months in french barrels. Frank, powerful, ample and full-bodied, with big though coated tannins, this wine deserves a long ageing. Cellar to 2017-2020
2010 Cabernet Cade Offer: 2013 Sauvignon Blanc Perched high atop Howell Mountain, PlumpJack's sister winery CADE has been a critical success since the day they opened their doors in 2005. Hailed as one of the "greenest" wineries ever built, it has also views that kill; making people that visit the winery lose all sense of reason and start figuring out how to move to Napa Valley. Amidst the potential vertigo of making wine in the misty mountains at 1800 feet, this team is given access to the sorts of spare-no-expense vineyards and cellar tools that make "great stuff" possible, and they constantly put out a dizzying array of spectacular wines that always make the grade. A leader in both cutting-edge design and exceptional winemaking, we invite you to grab your pack and join us for their continual ascent. 2010 Cade Howell Mountain Cabernet Reg $90 Sale $69.97 $799.99/12 Napa Valley ($99.95). The Stars Align as this is recommended by both John and Sara. JS – The Cade Cabernet Sauvignon is a highly attractive, elegant but structured wine from the volcanic terroir of Howell Mountain, which should continue to evolve and improve over the next decade. The cooler-than-normal 2010 growing season resulted in a floral and nuanced expression, with ripe but fresh black berry flavours and well-chiseled tannins. SD – What exactly is so special about Howell Mountain? Using the catch phrase "above the fog", the Mountain is gifted with long growing days of sustained temperatures due to its high elevation. It has very good drainage from rocky soils that tend to be of the nutrient deficient type, composed of volcanic ash or red clay. From this exquisite deprivation are produced these highly revered wines that are both challenging and age worthy. This cooler vintage for Cade has produced a delightfully revealing and feminine wine. Cade, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley Decanter average score: 17.25pts/20 Individual judges' scores: Stephen Brook 16.5 Pierre Mansour 17.5 Angela Mount 17.75 Savoury, meaty, focused nose of dark fruit and bitter chocolate. Rich and concentrated palate but not too dense, with grippy tannins and a big bold finish. A good future – one to look out for. Drink 2014–2030 91 Points The Wine Advocate Cade's 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain boasts excellent depth and richness, both supported by firm mountain tannin. This attractive Cabernet is a good introduction to Cade. The only thing it lacks is a little more mid-palate juiciness, the issue with so many 2010s from Howell Mountain. Today, the 2010 comes across as a bit compact, but I expect the wine to always be a little on the lean side. I have to say, Cade's 2010 was much more impressive when I tasted it last year from barrel. The 2010 is 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot from a variety of sources on Howell Mountain, roughly 73% estate or estate-controlled and 27% purchased fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024." Consumer Notes From Cellar Tracker: 3/27/2014 93 Points: Super deal at Greystone. Lone bottle sold at $78. Fine tannins, great fruit, good acidity, just an all around great mountain cab. 3/15/2014 92 Points: The first thing that slaps you in the face on this wine is some extremely high quality toasted french oak yielding a strong impression of fresh ground espresso. Beyond this, on the nose: dark cherries, dark plums, pencil shavings, graphite, christmas cake, and perhaps just the slightest hint of farmyard stink. Palate shows lush fruit, a quite a load of sweet ripe tannin, and relatively decent acid. Quite high quality all in all, if perhaps a tad oak driven. Not unlike a modern St. Emilion on the nose (Pavie, Monbousquet), though the palate has firmer tannic structure. 92 and quite near to 93 points even for my euro-centric palate. 1/30/2014 92 Points Four hour double-Vinturi decant to really give this a chance to shine. Cocoa and currants with a developing floral component still hiding in the background. I started out buying this to keep me from sampling their Estate too early, but it is virtuous in its own right, for sure. Wonderful, and the decant made a real difference... 1/16/2014 93 Points Similar to the 2010 Napa Valley blend, but a bit deeper, showing a bit more fight and grip. Fine tannins, crisp acid, lovely complexity of flavors: black and red currants. Notes of violets, cola, mocha, cedar, vanilla and hot campfire coals. Complex, so full yet pure and easy to drink. A simply gorgeous Howell Mountain Cab. 100% Cab aged 18 months in 80% new French oak. This deserves some cellar contemplation. 1/15/2014 91 Points Lovely Howell Mountain terroir shines beautifully, but needs a lot of air if you don't have the patience to let this sleep for a few years in the cellar. 1/2/2014 93 Points Drank this wine at Bottega restaurant in Yauntville. Really enjoyed it. Lots of fruit, mellow tannins, nicely balanced. 12/1/2013 93 Points Big fat Napa Cab. Very young and will reach potential with time in the bottle. Tight and complex. Large flavors of Howell Mt. Fruit. This wine will rock in about 2-5 years 2010 Cade Cabernet Napa Cuvee Reg $80 Sale $54.97 $639.99/12 1/16/2014 91 Points Smells so floral and fresh, with blackberries, rose petals, vanilla bean and sweet mocha. The palate is full of flavor, but so silky, fresh and downright sexy. Sweet berries, kirsch, vanilla, cedar, cola and root beer flavors abound. So pure and lively, with notes of loam and potpourri on the finish. Seems like one of the most approachable 2010 Napa Cabs I've tasted, although it'll improve for four to five years easily. Very Limited!! 2013 Cade Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc Sale $29.97 Net If we made an annual list of our favorite local SB's, this succulent beauty would always make its way to the top. Vibrant aromas of pear, honeydew melon, Mandarin orange and white flowers lead into an energetic palate laced with layers of green apple, grapefruit, high-toned citrus, lemon meringue pie, steely minerality and a faint kiss of oak. Sweltering heat just met its kryptonite!
Did you get yours! Stunning and in stock! 2008 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino Reg $59.99 Sale $44.97 [#24 Wine Spectator Top 100 --- 94 pts Wine Spectator] For soulful, age-worthy reds that over-deliver in, well, practically every way, you absolutely MUST be drinking Brunello. The 2008 Pertimali, which earned a 94-point score and a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2013, should be the poster child for why these wines are so dang impressive: •The combination of power and elegance, ripe fruit and nervy energy. Match the 2008 Pertimali with hearty Italian fare for a "wow" pairing. •History! For example, the Sassetti family has owned the Pertimali estate for over a century. Their command of their Montalcino cru - known for wines of balance and finesse - shines through in each bottle. •Let's not overlook price. Pertimali is one of Brunello's greatest bargains at its regular retail price, but for under $50, it's an absolute steal. Convinced? Those who know these wines will jump at today's great price on an in-demand collectible. If you haven't had the pleasure of a top-flight Brunello, it's a great time to join the party! Consumer Cellar Tracker & We agree! 94 pts 2008 Pertimali (Livio Sassetti) Brunello di Montalcino Literally dances on the palate – prunes and a tinge of raisin, driven home by a sharp acidity (that needs taming), with a truly delightful sense of age for a Brunello that is only 5 years old. It has well calibrated tannins and length that simply doesn't stop – a gorgeous hint of leathery liquorice, and a sublime yet subtle sourness accompanied by a faintly metallic turn on the end – there is a complexity that teases here, real mystery that you won't be able to get enough of. This wine has everything: minerality, stoniness, spice notes, straw, and I am convinced that it will only get better over the next 6-15 years. It is an immense value and should be collected and stored in serious quantities if at all possible. [tasted 3/2/2014] "Aromatic, suave and silky, boasting aromas and flavors of flowers, cherry, strawberry and leather, all boosted by bright acidity and firm, well-integrated tannins. Refined and long, with a lingering finish of mineral and spice." ----- "94 Points!! Rated 93 James Suckling "A wine with a lovely richness and roundness with ripe berries and chocolate, hints of nuts. Full body, with silky tannins and a fresh finish. Drink or hold. JS" "If I had only one Brunello to drink, it would be Pertimali. This producer has been making spectacular wines since 1982." – Robert Parker The Wine Advocate is a dark ruby with crimson like reflections. The aroma of the wine is redolent of dark cherries, leather, cured meat and tobacco. It's reflective of the earthier side of Brunello. On the palate, the wine is medium to full bodied with a solid core of ripe black cherry fruit. Worn leather and salume are present as well. Some may find this "funky" but to me, it represents the more meaty side of Brunello. It's rustic and less "fresh" but do not read that as a negative quality. The wine is well structured and balanced and will reward cellaring for 5-8 years. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I really like it as a change of pace. It's rather different than many of the wines in this report. 92 points SRP ~ $55.
We have just seen the pricing on 2012 Burgundy: Ouch! Not even a great vintage! Our advice!!! Get these classics at great prices from 2 great vintages while you can! in stock & limited! 2009 Domaine Vincent Girardin Corton Renardes Reg $99.99 Sale $89.99 Sale $69.97 (2cs Only) 93 Points James Suckling!! 96 points, Tim Atkin.Vincent Girardin reduced the amout of new oak here in 2009 to allow the fruit to sing. It's got good structure, with smoky oak, aromatic plum and black cherry fruit and fine tannins. 4/2013 2010 Domaine Vinc Girardin CharmesChambertin Reg $199.99 Sale $149.97 (3cs Only) 94 points Wine Enthusiast #82/100 in Enthusiast Top 100 2012: Big and concentrated, this is packed with tannins and solid dark fruits. It's powerful with a dark plum flavor and an impressive density of texture. Give it at least 7–10 years. Wine Enthusiast #82/100 in Enthusiast Top 100 2012 - (11/1/2012) - 94 Very aromatic with blackberry dried baking spice, and perfume notes; voluptuous, fine tannins, great concentration yet still elegant. Super. 92-93 2010 Henri Gouges Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Clos des Porrets St Georges 750's Reg $99.99 Sale $89.99 Sale $69.97 (2cs Only) Arguably the most famous domaine in the Nuits St. Georges appellation, Domaine Henri Gouges has been in production since 1919. Most notably, Henri Gouges fought alongside the Marquis d'Angerville in the "war against fraud" in Burgundy in the 1920's and 1930's, leading to the delineation of crus. Today, Henri's two grandsons, Christian and Pierre, own and manage the domaine, paying close attention to ecological preservation of their land for future generations of Gouges to come. Today the estate is run by Pierre and Christian Gouges and consists of just over 14.5 hectares, mostly in Nuits-Saint-Georges. The premier cru vineyard "Clos des Porrets St-Georges" is unique within Burgundy in that it's a monopole vineyard, owned entirely by one domaine that gets to keep all the grapes for their bottling. Dense and with plenty of muscle yet at the same time bursting with juicy, sumptuous fruit flavours of plum, sloe, bullace and forest berry. This is structured, yet fleshy and sweet, with a complex, earthy, almost gravelly quality, set in a gripping but refined tannic structure. A 3.7-hectare monopole of Domaine Gouges; always one of the more classic muscular style Nuits of the region. 93 points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar, December 2011: The 2010 Clos des Porrets is a stunning wine in the making, soaring from the glass in a complex and sappy blend of red and black cherries, stony minerality, espresso, gamebirds, woodsmoke and a lovely topnote of violets. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and sappy at the core, with brilliant soil inflection, firm, well-integrated tannins, excellent focus and balance and tangy acids perking up the very long, pure and properly reserved finish. A great vintage of Clos des Porrets. 2022-2065. 93+.90 -92 points, Burghound, January 2012: Reduction dominates the nose. By contrast to the funky nose, there is a lovely inner mouth perfume to the precise, intense and vibrant middle weight plus flavors that possess good volume. There is admirable persistence on the quite firm finish that is at once pure and actually rather refined, which is not always the case with this wine. Worth a look 91 -93 points, Stephen Tanzer's IWC, January 2012: Good full red. Redcurrant, raspberry, crushed stone and smoky minerality on the rather serious nose. At once silky and tangy in the mouth, with raspberry and stone flavors dominating. A step up in breadth and dimension from the foregoing wines, offering lovely inner-mouth perfume. Very representative of the south side of the village: "never with explosive fruit early," notes Gouges. Has the firm tannin/acid structure to age. This large Clos comprises 3.8 hectares of vines. 2010 Henri Gouges Nuits St Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers Reg $109.99 Sale $89.99 Sale $69.97 (2cs Only) 93 points John Gilman, View From The Cellar, December 2011 While Pruliers is one of the great terroirs of Nuits St. Georges, it is often not one of my favorites, as it can be a bit sauvage out of the blocks. Enter, the elegance of the 2010 vintage, which can transform the more sulky young wines of most vintages into charming wines of breed and pedigree! The 2010 Gouges Pruliers is indeed a stunning wine in the making, offering up a very complex, transparent and suave nose of cassis, black cherries, a touch of blood orange, bitter chocolate, gamebirds, superb minerality and a touch of woodsmoke in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very pure on the attack, great length and grip on the ripely tannic and tangy finish. Another dynamite wine in the making. 2020-2065. 93+. 91 -93 points, Burghound, January 2012: Mild reduction again renders the nose difficult to read but here it seems certain that the underlying fruit is quite ripe. This sense of elevated ripeness extends as well to the rich, supple and solidly well-concentrated flavors that possess excellent depth before culminating in a spicy, tension-filled and wonderfully long finish. A classic Pruliers that offers a very pretty mix of power and finesse. - Comments: Outstanding 90 -93 points, Stephen Tanzer's IWC, January 2012 Good bright, deep red. Aromas of boysenberry, licorice and spicy oak, plus an element of animal reduction. In a sweeter, fruity style but at the same time a bit more aggressive and less pliant than the Porrets St.-Georges. Big, ripe, dusty tannins give the savory, spicy, long finish an impression of power. Boasts excellent carry-through on the back. 90 -92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2012: The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers boasts good fleshiness and juiciness. This is an up-front, decidedly overt style loaded with blue and black fruit. Firm tannins add support, while expressive floral notes give the finish an attractive lift. Here, too, the wine is surprisingly approachable. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. -Antonio Galloni The best fine wine values in the business! 2011 Vintage Ports are here!! 2011 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port $89.97 $549.99/6pk (2 only left!) 97 pts WS 94-96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 2011 Quinta do Noval has wonderful precision on the nose with blackberry, cassis, intriguing flinty notes and a whiff of smoke. It might not possess the power of the Naçional but it has freshness to spare. That comes through on the beautifully composed palate, which is underpinned by fine tannins that lend it a silky smooth mouthfeel. There is real intensity here, but it is very controlled with superb minerality on the finish. Excellent. Tasted May 2013. (5/ 2013) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: A powerful, concentrated wine, full of dark tannins, ripe fruit and rich texture. This is a wine based on a solid structure-very firm in character while still allowing the gorgeous fruits to express themselves. It's obviously destined for long-term aging. (9/ 2013) 93 points James Suckling: Blueberry and wet earth aromas. Full body, medium sweet and a long finish. Balanced and refined. 2,000 cases produced of this foot-trodden wine. Try in 2022. (5/ 2013) One Consumer note from Cellar Tracker 9/25/2013 94 Points Loved it. Closed off and muted but thats because it's a 2010 Dunn. Great wines with a great nose. Beautiful case.
5 great wines one low price! VALUES TO $25.00 BTL first come first serve: no more available at wholesale! SALE $12.97 MIX & MATCH 12/$149.99 (12.50) Limited hurry!!!!!!! 2012 Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Ventoux Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 2008 Fattoria di Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Reg $29.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) 2009 Henry Fessy Morgon Reg $19.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) 2012 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) 2010 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas (Cote Grenache) Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 Buy this thrill ride of a Cotes du Ventoux by the case! "Wine Advocate" 2012 Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Ventoux Reg $14.99 Sale $12.97 Special Case Price $149.99 (12=$12.50btl) *92 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate! Tremendous Value Rhone Blend : In the same mold and an awesome value year in and year out, the 2012 Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses is a blend of 70% Grenache (60-year-old vines) and 30% Syrah (30+-year-old vines) that was aged two-thirds in concrete (and some in stainless steel) and one-third in older oak. Made from a blend of different terroirs on the estate (and basically declassified Quintessence) and coming from hillside vineyards lying between 840-930 feet in elevation, it offers up a gorgeously pure, supple and seamless profile with kirsch and berry-styled fruit, licorice and spring flower-like qualities all emerging from the glass. Elegant, forward and delicious, it gains in stature in the glass, is ridiculously textured from such an inexpensive wine, and has sweet tannin emerging on the finish. Buy this thrill ride of a Cotes du Ventoux by the case and enjoy bottles over the coming 3-5 years. Everyone knows that Felsina is a giant in Chianti Classico. The vineyard, the estate, and the wines are impeccable. 2008 Fattoria di Felsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Reg $29.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) Tony Aspler 4 stars Excellent: A classic Chianti in both senses. Deep ruby colour, cedar and cherry nose with a spicy liquorice note, well-extracted fruit, dry and stylish with soft tannins and a fine, lingering finish. Approx 5400 vines per ha, Cordon spur VSP and some Guyot simple with 5-8 buds per vine, Barrel aged for 12 months. Deep ruby, paling at the rim, wild strawberry and earthy nose and not much trace of oak on the nose. Strawberry, raspberry and fresh ripe fruit, Good medium acidity with alcohol 13%. Spicy notes and smooth tannin, Well balanced with long length very good. "A fruity red, offering berry and cherry character on a medium body, with a delicate finish. A little lighter than in past vintages. Drink now. 20,000 cases made." 88 Points Wine Spectator Consumer Notes from Cellar Tracker 90 pts 5/28/13 Nose was all earth, balsamic vinegar, and some black fruits. A heavier bodied chianti that had the earth, leather, light vanilla, black fruits (plum, fig, cassis), some light bitterness and good acidity. Tannins were integrated. Nice long black fruit finish. This is "my style" of chianti. 90 points 3/31/13 This wine has full character of Chianti. Powder on the nose with full fruit. Full broad texture with hints of pepper and powder. Well done 88 points 3/13/2013 More earthy than typical chianti. Missing some of the bold fruit. More tar and licorice than expected 88 points 3/13/2013 raspberry and herbs, soft tannin and clean finnish 2009 cru beaujolais stunningly rich: great value! 2009 Henry Fessy Morgon Reg $19.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) AC Morgon – 50 year old vines "A really ripe wine, rich and with a generous feel to it. The sweet cherry fruit is powered with plum juice, dense tannins and structure. A wine for aging. Cellar Selection." 91 Points Wine Enthusiast Deep cherry colour. Spicy red fruit compote nose. The palate was quite acidic and so very fresh and clean and lively with ripe red fruit – raspberry, strawberry, cherry and even some cassis – and some floral notes. Clean raspberry fruit really dominates the supple finish. Lovely, harmonious wine – 89/100 points. Robert Parker "reminds me of the great Blanc's of Hermitage" 2012 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) 92pts WA The 2011 vintage of Cuvee Centenaire was a huge hit. This 2012 is probably even more complex, offering a nervier structure than the more sappy 2011. "The same blend and e´levage as the '11, the 2012 Domaine Lafage Co^tes du Roussillon Cuve´e Centenaire is just as good. Dried pineapple, toast, mineral, and honeysuckle all emerge from the glass and as with the '11, it has thrilling purity, balance, and freshness on the palate, as well as medium to full- bodied richness and depth. This knockout effort will drink nicely for 3-5 years." - 92 Points, Rhone Report (Wine Advoocate) The Rhone Reports Jeb Dunnick Now writes for the Wine Advocate! Robert Parker "100 % grenache 92 points" 2010 Domaine Lafage Cuvee Nicolas Reg $15.99 Sale $12.97 ($149.99cs) 92pts WA A Grenache Dry Red Table wine from Roussillon, France Review by Robert Parker Wine Advocate # 201 (Jun 2012) Rating: 92 Drink 2012 – 2015 Proprietor and winemaker Jean-Marc Lafage has fashioned a knock-out red wine that sells for a ridiculously low price. Made from 100% Grenache aged six months on its lees in older barrels, the 2010 Cuvee Nicolas Vieilles Vignes reveals serious glycerin along with a sexy, open-knit, fruit-forward style with oodles of raspberry, black currant, cherry and kirsch liqueur characteristics. Medium-bodied, round, supple, heady and succulent, this is a big, lusty red for true hedonists. It is one of the finest 100% Grenache cuvees currently on the market at this price point and quality level. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. Trust me. I have not lost my mind or my palate even though I have given a $15 wine (which often can be found for even less) a 92 point score! More 1 time only purchases! incredible value pinot grigio from the hillside slopes of valdadigue (same as santa margarita!) buy! 2012 Barone fini valdidigue pinot grigio REG $12.99 Sale $6.97 (25 only) Soft and round with ripe juicy flavors, Barone Fini Pinot Grigio is a refreshing and expressive wine. The family wine making history goes back six centuries and today is done in the most modern style. All of their wines are entirely grown and produced in the Trentino-Alto Adige region of Northern Italy and their hillside Pinot Grigio vineyards average 25 to 30 years of age. Following all the strict guidelines of the Italian DOC, grapes are all hand picked and sorted manually before fermentation. Crushing and fermentation take place in a state-of-the-art winery under careful temperature controlled conditions. This is quality DOC Pinot Grigio at the the price of IGT. Great value. great buy on spring summer red! great light bodied red for burgers etc. springs right around the corner! buy! 2011 george dubouef beaujolais village REG $12.99 Sale $6.97 (25 only) Aromas of lots of sweet berry fruit (blueberry, raspberry and blackberry). So much so, in fact, that the bouquet reminded me a bit of Sweet Tarts candy. Tasting the wine revealed more juicy sweet berry fruit (mostly strawberry this time) plus a good dose of banana. The tannins are very soft contributing to a nice smooth, silky texture on this light-bodied wine. This wine is very easy to drink and it gets even easier as you go. It ends dry with a medium-short finish. A great pairing for a burger or other everyday food. A really nice, fun, everyday wine!
2010 Lillian Winery Syrah: Terribly limited! As Clos to "Sine Qua Non" as we'll probably ever get!! After eight years of training in the cellar at Sine Qua Non, Maggie made the first vintage of Lillian in 2004. Elaine and Manfred's own vineyard was beginning to produce fruit and the opportunity presented itself for Maggie to make wine from a small portion of the sandy hillside they had been working with at White Hawk. She bottled 150 cases in the inaugural vintage. White Hawk is a 60-acre vineyard in Los Alamos, CA in the central coast's Santa Ynez Valley. The ten acres at the top is a sand dune, literally pure sand, and Maggie farms just under seven acres of vines on that hill. It is a warmer site, but because of its elevation, retains precision and finesse. This is the darkest and most deeply fruited of the three sites. Complexity comes as floral and iodine (ocean) related perfumes rather than a more typical bacon fat, and pepper oriented profile. This fruit represents 37% of the 2010 Syrah. Each year Stolpman allows Maggie to select one-acre of their very best fruit. The site is Ballard Canyon. It's not very far from White Hawk and the sites are not dissimilar, but the calcareous soils at Stolpman mean the fruit profile is slightly brighter and more tannic. The fruit from this vineyard represents 27% of the blend in 2010. On the receiving end of the east-west transverse mountain range, Bien Nacido Vineyards is a maritime-influenced desert. The morning fog cover and the cool afternoon breezes from the Pacific Ocean make this a much cooler and later-ripening site than the others and it is evident in the wines. This is more Northern Rhone-esque in its flavors; it's all about bacon fat, smoke, olives, lavender and crazy salt-inflected oceanic aromas. This is always the lowest in sugars, highest in acidity and tannin and most vin-de-garde. Bien Nacido fruit makes up 36% of the 2010 Syrah. 2010 Lillian winery Syrah, Central Coast Reg $85 Sale $69.97 94 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 13 (made from fruit grown in the White Hawk, Stolpman and Bien Nacido vineyards): Inky purple. Assertive aromas of black and blue fruits, spicecake, olive and smoky minerals. Picks up a sexy floral nuance with air, which carries onto the palate, joining vibrant boysenberry and blackcurrant flavors. The spicy quality comes back strong on the finish, which clings with superb focus and persistence. I get no trace of heat here despite the fact that the wine is carrying 15.3% alcohol, but I've come to expect that from Maggie Harrison's wines. Speaking of which, I had the chance to revisit the outstanding 2009 Lillian syrah this fall and while its flamboyant fruit is still on full display its tannins are making their presence felt more than at this time last year. The wine is delicious after a few hours of decanting but my inclination would be to keep it buried in the cellar for at least another five years. 94 points Lillian is not particularly Syrah-like. It doesn't scream out the usual cocktail of blackberries, bacon fat, and lavender. The wines are lavish, but there is refined rocky quality in them that defies description. The 2010 vintage is no exception to this, but it is a vintage that emphasizes the lace-like structure and perfume of the wine now in stock!! 2012 is a vintage we have been waiting for! Roar Pinot extremely allocated do not miss! sold out at winery in a day or so! 2012 Roar Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Reg $45.00 Sale $39.97 $449.99 cs 12 From select blocks of Rosella's, Garys' and Sierra Mar comes the pretty and easy to fall in love with Roar SLH cuvee, which is a fantastic wine and has be considered one of the best values in the region. The blend of vineyards is a plus, and of course coming from some of the most prized sites in California, let alone in the Santa Lucia Highlands, this is no ordinary entry level wine! In the past this wine has even included some Pisoni fruit and it still might, but even without it, this is great stuff. This is one of the last Roar releases that was fashioned by Ed Kurtzman, he led Roar, after Adam Lee of Siduri, from 2007 to 2012 and will be missed, though the transition to new winemaker Scott Shapley looks to have gone very smoothly and all parties are moving happily ahead. The 2012 is more plush than 2011 or 2010, but the style is very consistent with the past with beautiful silky texture, unfiltered transparency and round full flavors. The nose is graced with red fruits, mocha and spicy elements leading to a palate of raspberry, cherry and plum fruits with hints of vanilla, peppercorns, briar and anise with hints of smoke, mineral and earth. This wine is vivacious and will drink nicely for next 4 or so years 92+ Points, grapelive 3/2014 2012 Roar SLH, $45: young, zesty, packed with lively raspberry and strawberry fruit; great promise and a bargain, to boot. Roar is owned by Gary and Rosella Franscioni, who also own the nearby Garys' (with Gary Pisoni) and Rosella's (planted in 1996) vineyards. ROAR was launched in 2001 to feature Pinot Noir and Syrah from Garys', Rosella's, and Pisoni Vineyards. The label was later expanded to include Soberanes and Sierra Mar vineyards (owned by the Franscionis and Pisonis), as well as Chardonnay from both vineyards. The name "ROAR" is derived from the sound of the ocean winds that characterize the Santa Lucia Highlands. Adam and Diana Lee collaborate on the winemaking with Ed Kurtzman and Gary Franscioni. The wines are sold primarily through a mailing list. The style is big, bold, fruit-driven, statement wines. Roar is proud to be a family winery specializing in small lots of Santa Lucia Highland's Pinot Noir. Their roots in the Santa Lucia Highlands are quite deep. Both Gary and Rosella grew up in California's agricultural heartland and Gary, and his family before him has, farmed their vineyard property for over 100 years. After graduating from Cal Poly with a degree in agribusiness, Gary took over the running of the family farm business, which owned and managed over 200 acres of row crops in the Salinas Valley. Recognizing the region's potential for premium wine grapes, they planted Rosella's Vineyard in 1996. The couple also co-owns and manages the Garys' Vineyard with Gary Pisoni of Pisoni Vineyard. Both vineyards have developed a reputation among high-end wineries for low yields of intensely flavored grapes. After working with several wineries to develop the pedigree of the vineyards and the region, they decided in 2001 to make their own wine. They were delighted that their good friends and longtime customers Adam & Dianna Lee of Siduri Wines agreed to collaborate with them on the making of Roar Wines. Their goal and Roar Wines to make small lots that are a pure reflection of the Santa Lucia Highlands and in particular the signature flavors of their vines. The name Roar comes from the sound of the Coastal winds that define the region and the roar of the mountain creeks that bisect the rocky, well-drained soils of these very special vineyards Winery: Grapes for our 2012 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir were harvested between September 24th and October 12th at 27.6-29.7 brix. The juice spent 24-31 days on the skins before being pressed to French oak barrels for 11 months aging. The wine was racked once and bottled unfiltered and unfined on August 22, 2013. The 2012 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir is a remarkably generous wine that evolves on the palate from darker brooding notes on entry to brighter, lifted fruit on the finish. The nose opens with dark fruit, cola, and blackberry with hints of sandalwood and sweet florals. The palate shows deep, rich fruit and good structure, with the mid-palate brightening to a mixed finish of strawberry, blackberry, and pine forest. Cases produced: 2,044 Price: $40/Bottle Alcohol: 14.9% pH: 3.84 TA: 0.56 g/100ml Clones: Swan, Pisoni, 828, Pommard and 777 Cooperage: 100% French, 66% new, 34% one-year old Francois Freres, Latour, Ermitage, Remond and Cadus

WineStreet Spirits "Wine of the Year" 2012

40 CASES GONE APPROXIMATELY 60 CASES OF THIS INCREDIBLE BORDEAUX VALUE LEFT IN STOCK! *

Last May I tasted through 50 or so 2009/10 Bordeaux ranging from $15-$40/btl retail.

Both great vintages, however, there is something very special about the flashy oppulence of the 2009 vintage.

A texture that seems very "New World" in style yet retaining the "Classic" bordeaux combination of delicacy and minerality.
Of the 50 wines I tasted I immediately tried to confirm 100 cases,
while I did order a few of the others, none approached the sheer oppulence and quality of the Reignac.
With the price of the "Classifides" in the stratosphere it was pure joy to latch on to a wine that can be enjoyed seemlessly now or 10 years from now!
100 cases Ordered! Load the cellar/basement and enjoy!

2009 Chateau de Reignac Bordeaux Superieur
Reg $24.99 Sale $19.97

Don't Miss wine of the month is the Chateau de Reignac Bordeaux Superieur 2009, 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Weighing in at 14% abv, high for a Bordeaux, this new comer to the club wowed us with its tremendous QPR. At $25 per bottle, , it really can't be beat. We put it up in three separate blind tastings against all-time favourite QPR Bordeaux, the Côtes de Castillon Chateau d'Aiguilhe, the Reignac trumped the d'Aiguilhe. On the nose we have red cherry and white chocolate, plus earth. leather, anise, coffee, mocha, spice box, cinnamon, and some floral notes. Quite tannic and well structured, in the mouth it shows dark fruits and tight dry tannins, with a surprising lengthy complex finish for its breed. It definitely will benefit from more time to knit together, yet very enjoyable now! For QPR, if you enjoy yourself Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon done Bordeaux right, this is a no-brainer. This wine nails it definitely a 90 pointer. Chateau Reignac is one of the most impeccably run estates by proprietors Stephanie and Yves Vatelot (who is now assisting Alain Raynaud in making Lascombes). The famous Michel Roland is their consulting winemaker, which has helped make Reignac the most consistently well-made Bordeaux Superieur over the last 10 years. Reignac's gentle slopes and gravely soils facilitate natural drainage. The gravel reflects and stores the sun's heat which promotes early ripening of the estate's grapes. Great terroir is the key to the wines of Reignac. It is this splendid terroir, recommended by Michel Rolland that gives Reignac its edge. Chateau de Reignac sits atop the highest point in the parish of Saint Loubes, overlooking a 135-hectare clay and gravel rise that includes a single 80-hectare block of vines. The original chateau was built by Seigneur Baude de Peyron in the 16th century. It was remodeled in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the late 1800s, a central courtyard was added that features his signature wrought iron railings and in 1868, a remarkable greenhouse was designed by Gustave Eiffel. The present owners, Yves and Stephanie Vatelot, purchased Reignac in 1990 and have worked continuously ever since to restore the estate to its former glory while introducing numerous innovations. The world-renowned Michel Rolland is their consulting oenologist. "Reignac is the standard bearer for what can be achieved by a passionate proprietor who cuts yields to a minimum, and does everything right in the cellar. Reignac is the leading candidate for the finest generic Bordeaux produced year in and year out. It can compete favorably with classified growths..." - Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate In order to classify as a Bordeaux Superieur a wine's permitted alcoholic strength must be half a percent higher than Bordeaux AC wines. The classification is used for predominately red wines and occasionally sweet and white. Quality is uneven yet one property stands head and shoulders above the rest. Chateau Reignac has become the reference point for what can be achieved with zealous commitment to quality. It is the Bordeaux Superieur by which all others are measured, and over recent vintages it has been as good as a classified growth. Proprietors Stephanie and Yves Vatelot (who is now assisting Alain Raynaud in making Lascombes) are at the top of their game and excelled themselves in 2000, producing a remarkable wine. The wines are typically a blend of Merlot (75%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and offer amazing value for money. Robert Parker describes Reignac as "the leading candidate for the finest generic Bordeaux produced year in and year out." If there's one thing to be wary of when it comes to wine, it's tradition for tradition's sake. That's but one reason why we love Chateau Reignac. Another is that the wine is superb, and you needn't sell the car to afford it. When Yves and Stephanie Vatelot acquired the estate in 1990, old-fashioned ways of thinking immediately went out the window. The estate wasn't listed in Bordeaux's venerable Classification of 1855, so why play by the same, stuffy old rules? Where's it written, a century and a half later, that a winery must be situated alongside classified growths, such as Chateau Latour or Chateau Gruaud-Larose, to be a considered a producer of world-class wines? So in addition to bringing world-renowned consultant winemaker Michel Rolland to Reignac, the Vatelots purchased multiple parcels of old-vine Merlot. They also embarked on a years-long agronomical and geological study of Reignac's vineyards (engineers dug 80 trenches for analysis). The findings were that "Reignac offers a unique peculiarity, that of reuniting the best types of terroir of both the Right and the Left Banks in a single estate, which explains the qualitative consistency of its wines, vintage in and vintage out." In simpler terms, this is a special place that – for more than a century – was making special wines that were overlooked and underappreciated for all the wrong reasons. Reignac is precisely the type of wine we love to bring to Lot18. Add to this the fact that the wine comes from Bordeaux's incredible 2009 vintage, and you can rest assured that you'll only be delighted by this wine's power, balance and ability to age, just as we were. And we can't help but love that the wine costs a fraction of a classified growth's cuvee, and tastes every bit as good. Tasting Note: The intense ruby-red color and glass-coating viscosity promise a full-bodied wine. The aromas are ripe and fruit-driven, with lots of fresh, black plums and cassis, as well as a perfumed note of sage. The acidity is balanced and the wine's supple tannins express the 2009 vintage's character beautifully. This is a modern expression of Bordeaux in the best sense of the word. Decant this wine, and serve it in large-bowled glasses if you can't wait for the wine to age, and pour it alongside roasted filet mignon that's been basted with butter and thyme. If you are able to hold the wine for five to eight years, you will enjoy a greater range of flavors. (14% ABV)

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