2006
Hess Estate
"Su'skol Vineyard"
Napa Chardonnay
Reg $27.99
Sale $19.99
The Lowdown:
Grapes: 100 percent Chardonnay
Wood: 30 percent new French oak
Alcohol: 14.7 percent
Price: $25 per bottle direct from the winery
Tasting Notes: To my palate this wine is luxurious and restrained: I get honeysuckle, apple, and butterscotch aromas, a smooth and full mouthfeel, flavors of Meyer lemon and mango, and a hint of vanilla. I also feel that this wine has a pleasing acidity that makes it more food friendly than many wines of its kind.

2005 Hess Estate "Allomi" Cabernet Sauvignon
Reg $27.99
Sale $19.99
This vintage displays notes of toffee, vanilla bean and hickory on the nose. which lead into black cherry, pomegranate and black licorice on the palate. Seamless tannins flow through the mid palate and then dovetail into a dark chocolate finish. A complex and approachable wine that pairs with moist fish, grilled meats, caramelized onions and wild mushrooms. This wine will best be enjoyed from 2008-2012.
Winemaker Notes - This vintage displays ripe plum and black licorice followed by cedar, currant, and toast. The flavors are expansive starting with black cherry and finishing back to fleshy plum. The texture of the wine lets you know it's a Cabernet; deep, concentrated, but supple tannins round out in the after taste.

2007 Hess Estate Allomi Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc
Reg $19.99
Sale $15.99
My how Napa Sauvignon Blancs have changed -- from the "fume blanc" style with smoky oak that permeated the flavors to this vibrant, crisp-tart example with enough gooseberry and kiwi to make you think New Zealand! This Sauvignon is all about grapefruit, gooseberry, grass, kiwi and herbs. It has zingy acidity, lovely mouthfeel and texture, and a finish that goes on and on. This is only the second time that Dave Guffy at Hess has made a single vineyard wine from the Allomi Vineyard, which was planted in 1997. The Allomi is planted to two clones, Sauvignon Blanc Musque and Sauvignon Blanc Cone 1. The majority of the barrels used are older French. It's a refreshing wine that would pair beautifully with oysters on the half shell or curried chicken.
Grapes: 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc Wood: 10 percent new French oak (which isn't much, right? Just a touch of oak flavor?) Alcohol: 14.5 percent (whoa!) Price: $18 Other Info I Like Knowing: These grapes were harvested from a relatively high-altitude Napa vineyard, at 770 to 950 feet.

2006 Hess Monterey Chardonnay
Reg $11.99
Sale $9.99
A core of cool-climate fruit, Hess's 2006 Monterey Chardonnay owes its bright acidity and exotic fruit mostly to the 352-acre Shirtail Creek Vineyard. Crisp apple, melon and pear aromas comprise this wine's charming nose. Pineapple, passion fruit and guava flavors are layered on the nose and palate of this medium-bodied wine, which finishes with the zing of orange zest.

2005 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon
Reg $14.99
Sale $12.99
Black cherry, chocolate and caramel aromas are dominant on this wine's bouquet, but then subtle hints of spice and barrel toast come through. Cherry and currant notes fill the mid-palate, while the tannins are ripe and round, lingering on the finish. Enjoy this with grilled meats like steak or lamb.

The folks at the Hendrick's distillery in Ayrshire, Scotland, really try to emphasize that their gin is not for everyone. "Loved by a select few" is its byword. I count myself as part of that group.

Double Gold winner at the 2004 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Hendrick's is an iconoclastically produced small batch gin distilled in Ayrshire, Scotland. An unusual distillation process combined with a delicious set of infusions (including Bulgarian rose and cucumber) yields a one-of-a-kind gin that is passionately loved by a tiny yet growing handful of individuals all over the world. No other gin tastes like it because no other gin is made like it.

Hendrick's Gin
Gin sampling, in my experience, involves the nose as much as the palate. While each gin has a juniper berry and alcohol base, the recipes can vary greatly. Some -- Bombay Sapphire being the most prominent example -- put their ingredients right on the label. Others -- Plymouth, for example -- rigorously guard their old, old recipes.

Hendrick's, bottled at a slightly-higher-than-average 88 proof, likes to talk about the obvious: cucumbers and rose petals. Both are obvious in the initial nose and throughout the tasting.

Hendrick's manufacturing process may have as much to do with its gin as do its ingredients. It has one of only four existing Carter-Head stills in the world. It was built in 19th century London and was restored to its original condition. The distillers explain that instead of boiling ingredients, the Carter-Head "bathes" them in vapors to foster a very slow buildup.

No matter how they do it, Hendrick's comes out as a beautiful gin, the fresh taste of cucumber helping create perhaps the cleanest dry martini I've ever experienced, but gentle enough to be pleasant merely over a few ice cubes.

Hendrick's Gin (88 proof) is one of the most interesting spirits we've seen in some time. The packaging is superb. It carries an image of "British" comedic, irreverance mixed with late Victorian scientism. A little pamphlet included in the cylinder contains diagrams showing brains, cucumbers, skulls attached to spines and little notes with dry comments like, "A strong backbone is often displayed by Hendrick's drinkers." All this Monty Python-like goofyness, yet, Hendrick's isn't quite English, it's distilled and bottled in Ayrshire, Scotland. Hendrick's describes itself as "A most peculiar gin." No argument there- it does taste of cucumber, but this is mild and balanced against juniper, coriander and rose. The Cucumber seems to give it an almost creamy texture. Thus, don't garnish it with a lime and make yourself a crisp gin and tonic, no, mix it with tonic and add a slice of cucmber. Strange? You bet, but very enjoyable and utterly different. (Rating ****1/2)

Hendrick's Gin is 44% abv. / 88 proof and is distilled in Scotland. I tasted Hendrick's for the first time around 7-8 years or more ago when I stopped by the New Hampshire state liquor store on my way to vacation in Maine. What attracted my attention was the same thing that everyone else in the world notices about Hendrick's. The squat, very dark brown that it's almost black, apothecary style bottle. That and then I noticed the price. It was on sale ridiculously cheap because it had just made it onto the shelves and was being first introduced. I had heard of it just recently and been wanting to try it and at half the normal price this was a steal. So I bought a bottle and figured that if it was good I could pick up a few more on sale when I headed back to NY, something which I later did.

The aroma is quite big, with a strong hit of juniper, followed closely by its star ingredients out of its various botanicals; cucumber and rose. The sharp, piney scent grabs you first but is quickly mellowed by the sweet, vegetal cucumber bottom notes and floral rose top notes. Then as it warms and opens up you get faint layers of spices coming in to play.

The taste is a medium juniper, again mellowed by the cucumber, and perked up with the rose petals. It is a soft and smooth gin, coating your mouth and tongue in soft, aromatic warmth, feeling sort of like a mouthful of warm, freshly made English custard. The mouth feel is very comforting and that softness of warm custard just jumps into my head. After the first hit of flavors you then get hints of citrus and herbs, and a very mild note of spearmint and rich chocolate and coffee. It has a long finish with semi-sweet layers of flavors following each other through your palate. The end is dry and aromatic and stays with you for several minutes.

Over the years I have had Hendrick's many times because it was one of the more easily available premium gins to locate, and helped start the trend of the new styles of gin. The first year or so they had some inconsistency with the product. Three bottles in a row would be excellent, then the fourth would taste like chemicals and benzene. Those issues were cleared up and they seem to be producing a consistently good product. This is a fine sipping gin, and if used in a martini you should make it very dry.

2007 Chateau La Boutignane Corbierres Cuvee Classique Blanc
Reg $11.99
Sale $8.97
Chateau La Boutignane, a family owned property in this respected Southern France wine region, produces wines from 100% estate fruit. Corbières Blanc La Grande Classique is dry, fruity white. It can be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif or with fish dishes. This classic range of wines comes from the sunny hills of southern France. Harvested from traditional grape varieties, the wine is made using modern, more environmentally friendly winemaking methods Acclaimed by U.S. wine authorities such as Dan Berger, Frank Prial of the New York Times, and Wine and Spirits Magazine, Chateau La Boutignane wines are noteworthy examples of the quality wines from this region.

2007 Chateau La Boutignane Corbierres Rose
Reg $11.99
Sale $8.97
OK, it's pink, yet the 2007 Chateau la Boutignane Corbieres Rosé de Saignee is my favorite wine on the list this week. This is no shrinking violet: It's a full-bodied, full-flavored wine with plenty of strawberry and earth, and it's completely dry.

2007 Domaine J.P. Lafond Tavel Rose
Reg $21.99
Sale $15.97
The best and most famous rosé wine of France. Dry, high in flavour! Pascal Lafond's beautifully made wines from Tavel are among the finest values the region has to offer. This 65-hectare family-run estate, located in the rosé-only appellation of Tavel, produces what is widely considered (by Robert Parker, among others) to be the best Tavel available. Different parcels are harvested at different times, according to their maturity; the Grenache is harvested a few days before the grapes used in the Cotes du Rhone in order to maximise acidity. Overnight maceration lends color and complexity without detracting fruit and freshness. The grapes are then pressed and blended before fermentation

2007 CHATEAU LAMOTHE-VINCENT Rosé
Reg $17.99
Sale $12.97
AC Bordeaux Rose Controlee.
Made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc Grapes.
Dry, terrific flavours of summer red fruits. No oak and a long finish make this a very interesting wine indeed!
SILVER MEDAL at 2008 CONCOURS GENERAL AGRICOLE DE PARIS
Now in stock - a must have rosé for summer drinking!

Domaine Vallon du Chene 2005 Costieres de Nimes
Reg $10.99
Sale $7.97
Rich oak aged Syrah and Mourvedre blend from this increasingly fashionable AOC
One of the best value Rhone blends we have found, 80% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre are aged in new oak barrels to give this excellent ripe blend extra richness. This domaine is one of the lesser know gems that make Costieres de Nimes an increasingly fashionable appellation. Spiced raspberry and cherry fruit aromas are complemented by a full bodied palate with soft tannins and great fruit intensity.

Domaine Lalande Petit Verdot 2005
Reg $12.99
Sale $9.97
The rarest, darkest 'Black Red' around - spicy black fruits and soft vanilla oak
This delectable Petit Verdot - Bordeaux's potent secret weapon - is rarely seen anywhere else in the world in its purest form!
The grape, named for its small berries, is used by top Bordeaux châteaux to add complexity to their Grand Vins. The berries have thick skins too - it's the skins that give colour, body and flavour ... and this wine has all three by the shed load!
Owner Pierre Degroote was the first ever to plant Petit Verdot wines in the region, and the cool climate of Domaine Lalande has perfect conditions for concentrating fruit - notoriously difficult to ripen elsewhere, hence the rarity.
Almost opaque, with mouthfilling richness of spicy black fruits and soft vanilla oak. Perfect with strong cheeses.

Moingeon Sparkling Brut 1415 Blanc de Blancs.
Reg $14.99
Sale $10.97
Chardonnay/Colombard/Chenin Blanc, NV. Burgundy, France. Color: Light straw Nose: Complex floral bouquet, hints of citrus Palate: Light, crisp, elegant, refreshing citrus, light toast Finish: Clean and crisp
Cellaring Suggestions: Drink now chilled, through 2009 Méthode Traditionnelle means that the wine has been made in exactly the same way as a bottle of Champagne. The only difference is that the grapes
are not from vines growing within the Champagne region The grapes for our 1415 Blanc de Blancs are carefully selected from vineyards within the
Vaucluse and Charente regions Grapes : Chardonnay, Colombard and Chenin. The second fermention takes place in the bottle and is aged on racks for at least 12 months before disgorging takes place. Delicate, long lasting bubbles are proof of the slow fermentation. Complex floral bouquet with hints of citrus fruits. Chilled 6° to 8°. Served as an apéritif or with food, it is the perfect wine for receptions.

Moingeon Crémant
de Bourgogne
" Prestige Brut "
Reg $29.99
Sale $22.97
This Crémant de Bourgogne " Prestige Brut " is produced with a Chardonnay grape. The juice select are collected for a first " fermentation " in vat. This " Cuvée Prestige " is bottled and laid on rack minimum of 9 months. This Crémant "Prestige" is light, brilliant, well-fruited. It can be served as an apéritif or with dessert.

2005 Les Haut de Lalande Carcassonne VDP
Reg $13.99
Sale $9.97

2007 Domaine Vincent Sauvestre Belles Roses Rose
Reg $16.99
Sale $12.97

2006 Domaine Vincent Sauvestre
Savigny Les Beaune
Les Goudelettes
Reg $29.99
Sale $22.97

How about a little
Rutherford dust!

Wine Spectator Insider
5/28/2008
Hot Wines!

Hewitt Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford 2005
94 points | $85 |
4,750 cases made | Red

Intense and concentrated, big and expressive, with layers of ripe currant, plum, sage, pencil lead and black cherry, all flowing rather seamlessly. Tightly focused, this is rich without being heavy, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2014.-J.L.

Hewitt Vineyard
The historic Hewitt Vineyard resides on the famed Rutherford Bench, a narrow ribbon of gravel-rich alluvial soils on the western side of the Napa Valley that has - since the late 1800s - produced California's best Cabernet Sauvignon.
William Hewitt purchased this property in 1962 and received guidance in planting the vineyard from legendary Beaulieu Vineyard (BV) winemaker André Tchelistcheff. BV purchased Cabernet Sauvignon from Hewitt Vineyard and included it in its top wines for many years. When Hewitt Vineyard was offered for sale in 2000, Chalone Wine Group President Tom Selfridge, who began his career at Beaulieu and knew first-hand the vineyard's extraordinary quality, jumped at the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to add this treasure to the company's portfolio. Add Tom Rinaldi of Duckhorn Cabernet Fame and a winner is sure to surface and it has!
Today, Hewitt Vineyard produces only estate Cabernet Sauvignon from its extraordinary property. Through this exclusive focus, Hewitt is a leader in Rutherford's winemaking renaissance.

92 points ($133) Deep red. Seductively perfumed aromas of cherry-vanilla and raspberry preserves are deepened by licorice and smoky herbs. Very fresh in the mouth, with bright raspberry and kirsch flavors, silky tannins and slow-building floral pastille character. Becomes sweeter on the long, clinging finish, with the rich fruit completely sucking up the tannins. - Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar Issue 136 , January/February 2008

93 points A tiny cuvee of the finest wine, the Cornas Vieilles Fontaines spends more time in small casks, 15-20% of which are new. A candidate for the Cornas of the vintage, the 2005 Cornas Vieilles Fontaines reveals some new oak along with copious quantities of blackberries, spicy figs, and truffles. With huge body, high tannin, and a marvelous finish, it should be at its finest between 2011-2027. - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate Issue 175

2005 Voge, Alain - Cornas Vieilles Vignes
Reg $85.
Sale $62.97
93 points Wine Spectator Really juicy, with red cherry, currant and raspberry fruit layered with racy mineral and enticing floral notes. Long and tangy on the finish, with great drive. Best from 2010 through 2023. 100 cases imported. -JM

90 Points Robert parker The full-bodied 2005 Cornas Vieilles Vignes exhibits beautiful black fruit notes intermixed with notions of white flowers, earth, figs, and pepper. Layered, rich, and impressively endowed, it should be at its peak between 2011-2018. Consistently one of the top estates in Cornas, Alain Voge, who survived a liver transplant in 1998, is now partnered with the brilliant oenologist who worked for Michel Chapoutier, Alberic Mazoyer. In fact, Chapoutier is one of Voge's investors. Alain Voge, who owns nearly 18 acres in Cornas, with some fabulous old vine parcels in Chaillot and Combe, also has 15 acres in St.-Peray, where he fashions one of that appellation's finest dry whites, the Chablis look-alike called Fleur de Crussol. I was struck by how successful all of the following offerings were.

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 08 ($84) Bright red. Vibrant red berry and candied cherry aromas are complicated by anise, dried violet and vanilla bean. Deep and sweet but focused, with fresh red fruit flavors, supple tannins and a slow-building mocha quality. Finishes with very good persistence and a lingering echo of raspberry. You could easily drink this now. 90 points

2004 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sori Ginestra
$101.97
Review by Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate # 174 (Dec 2007) Rating: 96 Drink 2014 - 2024 Conterno-Fantino have once again produced one of the vintage's finest wines with their stunning 2004 Barolo Sori Ginestra, which is just as impressive in bottle as it has been on the several occasions I have tasted it from barrel. This explosive, heady Barolo bursts onto the palate with seamless layers of ripe dark fruit, black cherries, menthol, cinnamon, pine and minerals, revealing profound depth and richness. It offers superb length, gorgeous, sweet tannins and a finish that lasts forever. Although it is a surprisingly accessible Sori Ginestra at this stage, I expect it will close down at some point in the near future. Readers who have an opportunity to taste this wine in the next few months should not hesitate to do so. This is a remarkable Barolo in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. I have long enjoyed the Conterno-Fantino Barolos but in recent years Claudio Conterno and Guido Fantino have taken their wines to an entirely new level. These Barolos can often be massively structured and difficult to evaluate at an early stage yet the 2004s have incredibly sweet, ripe tannins that makes them a pure joy to taste. Simply put, this is a superb collection of 2004 Barolos. "We harvested most of our fruit on October 5 and 6," says Guido Fantino. "We did 6-8 days of fermentation after which the wines went into French oak (100% new). The malos were very long and weren't completely finished until January."
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07
Saturated red-ruby color. Great purity of fruit on the nose, which combines raspberry, minerals, rose petal, truffle and vanilla; this shut down quickly with air. Dense, sappy and primary, with superb intensity and lift in the middle palate. Floral and minty nuances contribute to the impression of youthful vibrancy. The sappy, spicy, rising finish boasts outstanding length, great floral lift and noble tannins. A real Barolo knockout. Sure it's young and destined to be long-lived, but this is balanced from the outset. 96 points

2004 Conterno Fantino Barolo Mosconi
$49.97
Review by Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate # 174 (Dec 2007) Rating: 94 Drink 2012 - 2022
The 2004 Barolo Mosconi is the first release from this south-facing vineyard in Monforte, which the estate controls through a long-term lease. It is an impressively endowed, full-bodied Barolo with a multitude of tar, smoke, mocha, vanilla, mint and sweet dark fruit flavors that coat the palate with superb depth and persistence. As is usually the case with Barolos from this site, the wine is made in a distinctly powerful style that emphasizes fruit at the slight expense of aromatic complexity. That notwithstanding, it is a compelling Barolo. In 2004 the Mosconi contains fruit from only the oldest vines. A parcel the estate replanted will be added to the wine in forthcoming vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07 Good deep red. Musky strawberry, blackberry, violet and sexy oak on the nose. Superripe and deep but youthfully backward, showing more cedar and tobacco and less flowers than the Ginestra. A big, rich, chewy wine that's currently showing more oakiness in the middle palate and wood tannins on the finish than the Ginestra. Seems almost old-fashioned in the context of this producer's wines. Incidentally, although Conterno replanted half of the vineyard in 1998, this 2004 was made from only the old vines. The Ginestra may well be tastable early for its sheer sex appeal but this bottle will require aging. 94(+?) points

2004 Luigi Einaudi Barolo Nei Cannubi
$98.97
Review by Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate # 174 (Dec 2007) Rating: (92-95) Drink 2011 - 2024 The estate's classy, elegant 2004 Barolo Nei Cannubi is even more promising. It reveals a richly concentrated personality with the compelling perfumed inner sweetness that is the hallmark of this great vineyard. The wine offers terrific energy and structure, with gorgeous, silky tannins that round out the sweet, lingering finish. The Cannubi was still in oak when I tasted it in mid-November 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024. Consulting oenologist Beppe Caviola has been instrumental in ratcheting up the quality at this historic property. I can't think of too many estates that have made such significant strides in just the last few years
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07
Good deep red. Musky, carnal nose hints at excellent vinosity but is currently dominated by oak. Then huge, full and classic, with terrific concentration and a powerful underlying structure. At once sweet in its fruity character and classically dry. Best today on the minerally, floral, scented back end, where the tannins are ripe and smooth. This producer has been on a serious upward curve in recent years. It wasn't too long ago that the Einaudi wines were strong but distinctly rustic. Today's wines are pure, with no loss of power or structure. (Empson U.S.A., Alexandria, VA) 92-95 points

2004 Luigi Einaudi Barolo Costa Grimaldi $87.97
Review by Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate # 174 (Dec 2007) Rating: (91-94) Drink 2009 - 2022
The 2004 Barolo Costa Grimaldi is a promising wine. This sweet, generous wine is endowed with an attractive plumpness to its fruit, with well-integrated oak and soft tannins that caress the palate through to the long finish. It offers superb balance, poise and harmony. Costa Grimaldi is made from the best parcels in Via Nuova vineyard in Barolo. The wine had been moved into steel tank from oak a few weeks before my visit. 2009-2022
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07
Good deep red. Compellingly deep aromas of red fruits, dried rose and menthol. Highly concentrated and downright suave, with juicy acidity giving cut and lift to the strongly floral red fruit and mint flavors. Much more aromatic and elegant than the basic bottling, but also lush and sweet. Finishes with huge but thoroughly ripe tannins and lovely persistence. Offers superb potential. 92-95 points

2004 Marcarini Barolo Brunate
$55.97
Review by Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate # 174 (Dec 2007) Rating: 93 Drink 2012 - 2024
Soaring aromatics emerge from the estate's 2004 Barolo Brunate. Menthol, dark cherries, spices, new leather and licorice are all to be found in this generous, layered wine. Sweet, ripe tannins provide a lovely bookend to this rich, classic Barolo from the Brunate vineyard. Still somewhat closed, it is likely to require at least a few years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 07
Good medium red with an amber edge. Distinctly backward nose hints at dark raspberry and menthol; much less showy today than La Serra. Then rich, chewy, sweet and dense in the mouth, with bound-up flavors of dark fruits and camphor. Considerably deeper and more structured than La Serra, but these tannins will also require substantial bottle aging. Marcarini continues to employ a leisurely traditional maceration lasting 40 days, says director Manuel Marchetti, using a continuous and very gentle spray to keep the cap wet. 92(+?) points

2004 Poderi Colla
Barolo Bussia
Dardi le Rose
$64.97
Review by Antonio Galloni Wine Advocate # 174 (Dec 2007) Rating: 93 Drink 2014 - 2026
Poderi Colla has produced a big, masculine wine with their 2004 Barolo Bussia Dardi/Le Rose. Huge, brooding aromas of scorched earth, spices and tobacco lead to rich, complex layers of dried figs, plums and prunes that gradually open on the palate. This impressively endowed, exciting Barolo closes with a long, sweet finish, yet it needs a minimum of a few years of bottle age to fully come together. Fermentation takes place in cement, where the wine remains until the Spring, when it is racked into medium and large casks of various sizes. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026