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2008 Dominus is available, just give us a call
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Selections $25 & under
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Vina Sastre
2009 Flavus Blanco
Ribera Del Duero
Made from 100% Old Vines Jaen aka Palomino. This is an intensely flavored wine. Very floral on the nose. It has concentrated notes of peaches & pears. Just let it warm up a bit in the glass and citrus flavors meld on your palate with a kick of spices. Highly enjoyable.
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Vermeil XXXIV
2008 Proprietary Red
Napa Valley
A smooth, lush blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. It’s dry, full-bodied and fairly tannic, and very rich in black cherry fruit and licorice flavors, well integrated with spicy oak. Feels upscale, but will benefit from 3–5 years in the bottle.
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Beringer
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Knights Valley
A lot of Cabernet at this price... Ripe, plump, plum, black cherry and black berry flavors in a rich, smooth, polished style, full bodied and briming nicely on the finish, where the tannins have a minerally edge. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Bianchi
2010 Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County
This reminds me a village Puligny-Montrachet with bright acidity and plenty of minerally, apple pie and chalk character. Full yet very racy and crisp. Better in 2012.
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Clos de Caveau
2007 Carmin Brillant
Vacqueyras Southern Rhone Valley
Aromas of chocolate raspberry creams. The palate is warm and spicy with sweet black plums and mulberries well supported by smooth fine tannins and a full body. Leaves a long vibrant and refreshing feeling in the mouth. A really pleasurable and joyful wine. Decanter Magazine.
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Argyle
2007 Nuthouse Chardonnay
Willamette Valley
The 2007 Chardonnay Nut House exhibits a lovely perfume of baking spice, toast, mineral, hazelnut, and tropical aromas. Creamy textured and vibrant on the palate reflecting the natural acidity achievable in 2007, it has a zingy core of fruit, intense flavors, and a lengthy, pure finish. It has the balance to drink well for at least a decade much like the 1999. Jay Miller.
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Argyle
2010 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
Imagine a walk down a Pacific Northwest forest trail in September, the warm, dry smell of firs and sunshine with ripe blackberries hanging off the vines and the cool trickle of a babbling brook over wet stones. That sums up the 2010 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. This Pinot Noir has a surprising amount going on in the glass - from up front fruit to earthy complexity and spice nuances. Enjoy this taste of the Willamette Valley on the patio or on the forest trail.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Stonestreet
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley
A lovely, complex and flavorful Cab, but also tannic, giving it a lockdown feeling. There's a rich core of blackberries, black currants, spices and herbs, while new oak gives it a savory smokiness. Better after 2010, and should glide through 2014.
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Seghesio
2009 Zinfandel
Sonoma County
Bold aromas of briary wild berry and cracked pepper lead to plush and layered black raspberry, toasty sage and espresso flavors that finish with zesty tannins. Drink now through 2016.
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De Wetshof Estate
2010 Limestone Hill Chardonnay
Robertson South Africa
(made without oak): Palish yellow-green. Aromas of yellow plum, apricot and tropical fruits lifted by a zippy citrus element. Sweet, clean and ripe, with peach and spice flavors refreshed and complicated by sexy flinty minerality. Nicely concentrated, fruit-driven, persistent wine with the energy that comes from decomposed limestone soil. I love this style.
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Gilbert Picq & Fils
2009 Chablis Dessus La Carriere
Burgundy
Good pale yellow. Very pure, laid-back aromas of citrus peel and crushed stone, with hints of flint and smoke. Dense and ripe, with an impression of sucrosite buffered by penetrating citrus and grapefruit flavors and a firm spine of acids and minerals. This very rich, gripping wine dusts the palate with lemon zest and crushed stone on the very long, perfumed finish. A superb and complete 2009, and a stunningly good village wine.
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Sardus Pater Terre Fenicie
2009 Vermentino di Sardegna
Sicily
Straw-yellow. Dried lime, pear and a fusel note on the nose, complicated by suave floral honey and resiny nuances. Energetic citrus and orchard fruit flavors are enlivened by musky minerals and thyme. Turns sweeter and deeper on the long, fresh finish. This reminds me more of vermentino than the Lugore bottling (or at least what I look for in vermentino).
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Renacer
2009 Enamore
Mendoza Argentina
The 2009 Enamore Allegrini & ReNacer is composed of 60% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, with the balance Cabernet Franc and Bonarda aged for 12 months in seasoned French oak. Made in an Amarone style with dried grapes, it is a full-bodied, layered, sweet, and densely packed offering that will deliver prime drinking from 2013 to 2021. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Daniel Bouland
2010 Chiroubles
Beaujolais
Bouland’s 2010 Chiroubles is delightfully-scented with orange blossom and fresh red raspberry; luscious yet bright; infused with saliva-inducing salinity; and finishes with lift and a sappy persistence that was enhanced in the freshly-opened bottle versus that open overnight. Smoky black tea and crushed stone notes were on the other hand enhanced in the latter bottle. This won’t make one forget the seductively-textured 2009, but represents another fine performance that is worth following for several more years.
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Tensley
2009 Syrah
Santa Barbara County
This year’s Santa Barbara County Syrah was sourced from three distinct vineyards: Camp 4 (40%), Colson Canyon (40%) and Tierra Alta (20%). The Camp 4 brings in bright notes of raspberry, red stone fruits, and minerals while the Colson Canyon introduces a deep, jammy core of black fruits and berries with hints of chocolate, violets and smoked meat. The Tierra Alta brings it all together by adding floral notes to the nose and a streak of earth to the lush, smooth palate. Drink this wine now or age it over the next 3 to 5 years. Winery.
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Broadside
2009 Chardonnay
James Berry Vineyard Paso Robles
This Chardonnay is a beautiful golden-honey color. Poured out into the glass, delicious aromas exude with notes of curry leaf, pineapple, lemon oil, and citrus fruits. A medium-bodied Chard with perfect balance, the flavors of honey and apple blossoms glide over the tongue with the ever slightest zing of minerality. Winery.
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Broadside
2009 Wild Ferment Chardonnay
Edna Valley
Dubbed "wild ferment" because of non-interventionist techniques with only indigenous native yeast is allowed to induce fermentation naturally and no yeast or sugar is added. Original and aggressive wine offers tropical fruit flavors of papaya and apricot with a long luscious finish. Winery.
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Jackson Hills
2008 Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County
The 2008 Chardonnay Jackson Hills from Santa Barbara exhibits the classic pineapple, smoky hazelnut, mango, and orange marmalade fruit notes in a full-bodied, exuberant, flamboyant style. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Foxglove
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles
Also a strong effort, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (94% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) was aged primarily in tank with a small amount in oak. It is a seductive, authentic tasting, slightly herbaceous Cabernet that is dominated by black currant and black cherry fruit notes. With medium to full body, round, soft tannins, and a juicy finish, this delicious, endearing wine should drink well for 4-5 years or longer.
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Foxglove
2009 Zinfandel
Paso Robles
The 2009 Zinfandel includes 6% Petite Sirah. A delicious, classic Zinfandel, it offers up peppery, briery, wild berry fruit intermixed with damp earth and spice characteristics. Medium to full-bodied, delicious, and soft with enough acidity for cleanliness and delineation, it should be drunk over the next 2-3 years.
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Canonica A Cerreto
2007 Chianti Classico
Tuscany
Lots of vanilla, new wood and jammy fruit aromas and flavors lead to a full body, with velvety, soft-textured tannins and a long finish. This is a full-throttle Chianti Classico. Drink now. Only 3,000 cases made.
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Katherine Goldschmidt
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Crazy Creek Vineyard Alexander Valley
The thirty acre Crazy Creek Vineyard lies just east of the town of Geyserville in the renowned Alexander Valley wine region. Its old, low vigor vines consistently produce Cabernet Sauvignon with more power and depth than typically found in the appellation. Stylistically, Nick strives for full body and power in the mouth with wood behind the fruit. Few single vineyard Cabernets are offered at such a reasonable price. Blackberry, black pepper, and plum flavors enveloped in sweet oak. Round and fleshy middle palate, with nice concentration and good structure. Finishes with silky tannins and a hint of spice. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Broc Cellars
2010 Vine Star White Blend
Paso Robles
75% Chardonnay, 12.5% Roussanne and 12.5% Picpoul. 75% of the juice for Vine Star is Chardonnay (35 year old vines) from the famed James Berry Vineyard. Incredible nose (peaches, pears, apricots and honeysuckle) This wine totally coats the palate with stone fruit flavors smothered in melon rind with a nice touch of beeswax. Highly enjoyable. Only 200 cases made.
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Giornata
2010 iL Campo White Blend
Central Coast
Light, lively white blend of Tocai Friulano, Moscato Bianco and Chardonnay from the infamous James Berry Vineyard. It shows brilliant orange blossom and white peach skin notes in the nose, abundant apricot, peach and nectarine flavors across the palate, and finishes with wonderfully-balanced acidity. Under the Grape Tree notes. I have to say if you like Conundrum, then you'll absolutely appreciate and LOVE iL Campo.
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Conundrum
2010 White Blend
California
What is that wonderfully robust, floral and bright tropical taste? Is it green apple, tangerine or honeysuckle? Could it possibly be apricot, melon, pear or light vanilla? That's the Conundrum. Our proprietarily secretive blend of California white grapes create a lush, creamy texture that leads to the mouth-watering question, 'Mmmm, what’s in there?' We're not telling. Can you guess? Winery notes.
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Tenuta di Valgiano
2006 Palistorti
Tuscany
The 2006 Palistorti is 70% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot and 10% Syrah. This medium to full-bodied, racy Tuscan red reveals gorgeous balance in its super-ripe red fruit. With time in the glass, the wine’s inner perfume emerges. The finish is long and sublime. This is a terrific effort at this level, and a wine well worth seeking out. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016. Antonio Galloni.
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Pierre-Marie Chermette
2009 Moulin a Vent
Les Trois Roches Beaujolais
An elegant red, with good concentration to the boysenberry, cherry, spice and roasted herb flavors. The light tannins are well-integrated, with a smoky undertone lingering on the modest finish. Drink now through 2015. Only 200 cases imported.
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Pierre-Marie Chermette
2009 Fleurie
Poncie Beaujolais
An intriguing Fleurie, offering roasted chestnut and fall leaf aromas and flavors, with a smoky grill note, alongside the blackberry and boysenberry fruit. Lightly chewy, but silky in texture overall, with a pleasant subtle juiciness. Try with light meats or grilled or roast chicken. Drink now through 2013. Only 200 cases imported.
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Janotsbos
2006 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru
Burgundy
Our Saint- Aubin 1er cru is from the vineyard “En Montceau”, which is on the same hill and the same altitude as the well-known “En Remilly” and “Les Murgers des Dents de Chien”. Our Saint-Aubin is elegant with very delicate and fresh acidity. It is fruity (typically green apple) and has a distinguished mineral character. The aftertaste is long. Because of the high altitude of “En Montceau” the grapes ripen slowly, which adds to the fine acidity and aromas. The grapes are for the larger part from old vines (“Vieilles Vignes”). Our Saint-Aubin can be kept for several years. It is well suited for fish and sea fruit (fruits de mer) dishes. Winery notes.
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Albert Mann
2009 Riesling Cuvee Albert
Vin D'Alsace
A pretty, aromatic white, this finds a fine fit for its delicate flavors of honeydew melon, peach, orange zest and spice. Dry and tangy, with lovely purity of flavor and balance. Drink now through 2016. Only 150 cases imported.
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Stickybeak
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
The aromas are perfumed violets, blackberries, dark cherries and cedary spice. The long, rich palate if finely structured and expresses brambly dark fruit characters and high toned cherry notes alongside hints of dark cocoa and licorice. All flavors are pulled together nicely with fine grained tannins. Winery.
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Belle Glos Meiomi
2010 Pinot Noir
Coastal California
Bright, deep garnet color. Aromas of cola, blackberries and a sweet cedar note. A greatly layered palette abundant in flavor and texture. The first entry encases the mouth with a velvety richness. Then the wine unloads with flavors of bright cherry, cola, dried leaves undertoned with vanilla, leather and high style oak. The many layers emerge independently, then refocus while the supple tannins carry the wine through to a lingering, succulent finish. Winery notes.
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Bonnet-Huteau
2009 Muscadet de Sevre et Maine
Sur Lie le Dabinieres Loire Valley
Bonnet’s 2009 Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Cuvee Les Dabinieres is demurely scented with under-ripe honeydew melon, white peach, fresh lemon, clover, and a hint of chalk dust. Soft in feel and expansive on the palate for its genre, yet tingling in its bright citricity, it offers generous refreshment. The strong personality of this cuvee comes in its terrifically long, animating finish, with saliva-inducing salinity and citric juiciness; suggestions of fresh white peach and nut oils; and tactile sense of somehow crystalline mineral impingement, all of which put me in mind a bit of a Wachau Riesling from similarly degraded, sand-like mica-schist or igneous stone. This beauty should be worth following for at least 2-3 years. David Schildknecht.
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Atalon
2004 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
The impressive 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon comes primarily from a hillside vineyard above Lake Hennessy as well as Howell Mountain, Spring Mountain, and a tiny quantity from Mt. Veeder and Oakville. Its deep ruby/purple color is accompanied by a big, sweet bouquet of creme de cassis, spicy new oak, graphite, and licorice. Full-bodied, powerful, and long in the mouth, it will benefit from 1-3 years of bottle age, and last for 12-15 or more years.
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Jean-Claude Roux
2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Quincy Loire Valley
Lime, grapefruit, peppermint, and nettle combine for a bracing aromatic and lean, audaciously bright palate impression, with hints of brine, chalk, and bitter fruit pit and lemon pip adding mineral dimension to a penetrating finish. This is guaranteed to bring energy and refreshment to your table. David Schildknecht.
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Viorney
2009 Cote de Brouilly
Beaujolais
Like its stable mate in bottle two weeks when I tasted it, Viornery's 2009 Cote de Brouilly is dramatically different with a vivacious primary juiciness to its pure blue fruits and graphite and crushed stone senses of mineral matter. Considerable tannins here are fine-grained and inform a finish of impressive grip and length, tinged with rosemary, mint, toasted pecan, and blond tobacco. Revisit this over the next several years, giving it chance to rest while you enjoy Viornery's Brouilly. David Schildknecht. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Robert Mondavi
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, Mondavi’s least expensive Cabernet Sauvignon, is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and other grapes. It has a healthy deep ruby/purple color, with a pleasant nose of black fruits intermixed with hints of charcoal and spice, delicious, sweet fruit, medium body, and nice suppleness and flesh. Given that discounters will probably price this wine in the low twenties, this could be an outstanding bargain. It is no doubt a tribute to the talents of their director of winemaking, Genevieve Janssens. Drink it over the next decade. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Bernardus
2009 Chardonnay
Monterey County
This young, pithy wine shows good intensity, focus and purity of flavors build around citrus, green apple and honeydew melon, with light cedary notes. Elegant finish. Drink now through 2016. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Wairau River
2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand
Pale color. Green pepper and spices on the nose. Then supple and rather soft on the palate, with lime and pepper flavors dominating. This is almost creamy, but the persistent finish shows some slightly spiky acidity.
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Conway Family
2008 Deep Sea Red
Central Coast
Syrah 74.3%, Petite Sirah 13.5%, Lagrein 5.8%, Merlot 3.7%, Mourvèdre 2.6%. The 2008 Deep Sea Red shows incredibly dark purple hues reminiscent of pomegranate. The nose jumps at you with intense notes of dark red fruits including blackberry, plum, fresh bread, red meats, followed with hints of rose petal, thyme/oregano and lavender. The entry shows both its very nice acidity and youthful yet soft, sweet tannins. This wine unfolds into jam and cherry cola, supplemented with very nice oak integration. Winery.
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Chateau Saint-Pierre de Mejans
2010 White Blend
Cotes du Luberon
This white direct pressing made from 40% Clairette, 30% Grenache Blanc and 30% Vermentino is characterized by a pale yellow color, a bouquet of citrus aroma and on the palate is exotic white fruits. It's best served with fish, seafood and poultry. Winery.
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Domaine des Aubuisieres
2010 Cuvee de Silex Vouvray
Loire Valley
A superb, essentially dry Vouvray that sells for a song, the 2010 Cuvee Silex exhibits wonderfully flowery, melony aromas in its fragrant aromatics along with medium-bodied, crisp, pure flavors and an attractive flinty character. There is some residual sugar, but good acidity largely masks that component. Enjoy it over the next 1-2 years. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Damilano
2005 Barolo Lecinquevigne
Piedmont Italy
Berry, rose and cinnamon aromas lead to a full body, with a solid core of fruit and silky tannins. Long and refined. Always very good value for Barolo. Best from 2011 through 2015.
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Ridge
2009 Zinfandel
East Bench Dry Creek Valley
Bright red. Raspberry jam and cherry on the nose, along with intense vanillin oak and baking spice notes. Lush and open-knit, offering ripe red and dark berry flavors that show a touch of heat. The vanilla note carries through the broad, long, liqueur-like finish. This is carrying 15.2% alcohol.
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Pelissero
2007 Barbera d'Alba Piani
Piedmont
The 2007 Barbera d’Alba Piani is beautiful in the way refined layers of perfumed dark fruit grace the palate. This mid-weight, elegant Barbera offers plenty of complexity and elegance, especially at this price point. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2015. Antonio Galloni.
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Pelissero
2010 Dolcetto d'Alba Munfrina
Piedmont
The 2010 Dolcetto d’Alba Munfrina is an energetic, inward wine bursting with blackberries, sweet flowers and crushed rocks. It shows marvelous energy all the way through to the layered, polished finish. This is an impressively structured Dolcetto loaded with class and pedigree. Antonio Galloni. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Felsina
2007 Chianti Classico
Tuscany
The 2007 Chianti Classico is a sweet, super-ripe wine with an enticing core of fruit. The heat of the vintage has filled out the wine nicely. Although the acidity is still relatively high, this doesn’t look to be an especially long-lived wine. That should hardly matter, though, as readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this gem. In 2007 the Chianti Classico is a selection of fruit from eleven different vineyards harvested between the end of September and early October. The wine was mostly aged in cask, with about 10% seeing smaller neutral French oak barrels. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Pra
2009 Soave Classico
Veneto Italy
The 2009 Soave Classico opens with gorgeous aromatics that lead to crisp, beautifully articulated fruit. The persistence, balance and clean, minerally finish add up to an absolutely delicious bottle of Soave. Needless to say, it is highly recommended. Antonio Galloni.
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Cartlidge & Browne
2009 Zinfandel
North Coast
(65% Red Hills, Lake County)(35% Clear Lake, Lake County) A bright garnet color, the wine displays lots of juicy, assertive cherry/blackberry fruit, which is accompanied by fine notes of mocha spice, sweet oak, and just a touch of new leather. On the palate, it is dense and rich, with additional black fruit suggestions, as well as a note of licorice and baking spices. Tannins are soft enough to allow for immediate drinking, though the wine should easily hold for an additional five years.Winery notes.
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Miner
2008 Viognier
Simpson Vineyard California
Aromatically complex with citrus and honeysuckle notes on the nose and a plush feel on the palate, our Viognier consistently displays a fine balance of natural acidity and intense concentration. Sourced from John Simpson's low-yielding vineyards in Madera, this quintessential food wine was whole cluster pressed and stainless steel fermented to allow the vibrant, tropical and stone fruit characteristics of this varietal to shine. Drink now. Winemaker's notes.
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Bodegas Alto Moncayo
2008 Veraton
Campo de Borja
This polished red is fresh, focused and expressive, delivering black cherry, cassis, toast, cinnamon and smoke flavors. Plush, but has enough tannins for balance. Drink now through 2012. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Poet's Leap
2009 Riesling
Columbia Valley
With residual sugar at about 1.35%, this balances the acidity without seeming sweet. Hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed, this immaculate, fresh, generous and stylish Riesling is always at the top of the list of Washington’s best. Loaded with grapefruit, citrus and stone flavors, it cleans the palate and piles on the details as it rolls into a finish that lingers for well over a full minute. An Editors' Choice.
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Bodegas Atalaya
2008 Atalaya
Almansa Spain
The 2008 Atalaya is a blend of Monastrell, Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet), and other unspecified varieties. It was aged for 8 months in French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it displays an aromatic array of cedar, spice box, violets, blueberry, and blackberry with a hint of licorice in the background. On the palate it has layers of savory fruit, excellent concentration, and a long, fruit-filled finish. It is likely to evolve for 1-3 years but can be enjoyed now. This outstanding value over-delivers in a big way.
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Cloudy Bay
2011 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand
The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc offers intense notes of gooseberries, passion fruit, grapefruit zest and grass with a hint of fresh herbs. Crisp, dry and medium bodied with a good concentration of grapefruit and herb flavors, it gives a long tropical fruit laced finish. Delicious now, it should remain fresh through 2013.
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Byron Vineyards
2009 Pinot Noir
Santa Maria Valley
10 months in 100% French oak of which 20% in new.This wine displays aromas of dark cherry and plum. accented by hints of rose petals, brown spice and smoke. The flavor profile has a core of dark cherry and dark plum with hints of earth and brown spices, backed by a smoky finish. Winemaker's notes.
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Chateau Ste. Michelle
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Indian Wells District
Columbia Valley
The Indian Wells Cabernet is our warm climate, ripe, jammy 'New World' style of Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyards in the area are more than a decade old now and showing character and complexity. This lush wine reveals fruit-forward blackberry and cherry flavors and dark fruit aromas. 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 1% Cabernet Franc.
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Chateau Ste. Michelle
2009 Indian Wells Merlot
Columbia Valley
The Indian Wells Merlot offers ripe berry fruit aromas and jammy flavors typical of Wahluke Slope reds. This is a full bodied style of warm climate Merlot with a round, supple finish. We added Wahluke Slope syrah to enhance the mouthfeel and rich fruit character.
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Chateau Ste. Michelle
2008 Indian Wells Chardonnay
Columbia Valley
The warmth of the Wahluke Slope produces Chardonnay with an appealing tropical fruit character and rich texture. The Indian Wells Chardonnay delivers ripe tropical pineapple flavors and showcases the luscious opulence of Washington fruit. I like this wine with scallops, scampi or pasta with slightly richer sauces. Winery.
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Morgenhof Estate
2009 Chardonnay
Stellenbosch South Africa
100% Malolactic fermentation done in French oak. 8 months in French oak barrels. 100% Chardonnay. The nose is expressive of lime, kiwi and pineapple fruit flavours. These lovely flavors follow through, creating a crisp palate with subtle wood integration. Creating a rich creamy long finish. Winery notes.
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Peirano Estate Vineyards
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Lodi California
The rich, dark color of this wine catches you from the first pour. It exhibits a rich deep burgundy hue with perfect clarity. The aromas are a compendium of dark fruit - blackberry, black raspberry, and currant - with elements of toasty oak, chocolate, dark roasted coffee bean, sage and spices. A sip fills the mouth with blackberry pie, with hints of rich, ripe black cherries, sweet oak and white pepper, while maintaining absolute dryness and firm, yet supple, tannins. This delicious Cabernet is ready to drink now and will continue to age gracefully for the next 6 to 8 years. Winery notes.
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Vincent Girardin
2009 Moulin a' Vent Clos de la Tour
Beaujolais
Lush fruit flavors of blackberry and blueberry mix with a core of spice and dried herb notes in this fresh, silky red. Lightly chewy tannins are followed by lingering hints of dark chocolate and cardamom on the finish. Drink now through 2016. Only 1,000 cases imported. Highly Recommended Selection.
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Baileyana
2008 Grand Firepeak Pinot Noir
Edna Valley
This Pinot Noir is supple and intensely concentrated, balanced nicely by smooth but young tannins. Black cherry and dark raspberry notes are present, along with a surprising dash of nutmeg and hazelnut. It rounds out clean and purely varietal, with a lengthy finish. Winery notes. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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La Bastide Saint Dominique
2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages
Southern Rhone Valley
The amazing 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages tastes like a first rate Chateauneuf du Pape. Abundant aromas of kirsch liqueur, raspberries, licorice, and garrigue emerge from this fruit-driven, medium to full-bodied, luscious, pure red. Consume it over the next 5-6 years. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Creta Roble
2006 Tempranillo
Ribera del Duero
The 2006 Roble is sourced from a single vineyard at 850 meters of elevation, the highest vineyard in Ribera del Duero. The wine was aged for 4 to 5 months in French and American oak. Purple/black in color, the nose reveals cedar, mineral, damp earth, and assorted black fruits. Powerful on the palate, this tannic, structured effort has superb depth and grip and should evolve for 3-4 years. Drink it from 2011 to 2020.
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La Gerla
2007 Rosso di Montalcino
Tuscany
Good medium ruby. Rich cherry, dark plum, mocha and a whiff of dried flowers on the nose. Supple and concentrated, with harmonious acidity nicely framing the sweet flavors of red berries, dark plum, blackcurrant and coffee. This creamy wine really fills the mouth, and its long, rising finish displays a complicating smoky quality. One of the best young wines I have ever had from La Gerla.
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Ciacci Piccolomini
2009 Rosso di Montalcino
Tuscany
Medium ruby red color. Aromas of bing cherry, cranberry, sliced red plums, tomato leaf, earth. Has a real freshness/"coolness" to the nose. Medium-bodied, good grip and tannin, with sliced plums, minerals, sour cherry, with moderate length and finish.
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Edmeades
2008 Zinfandel
Mendocino
This year's tannins are soft and supple, the cherry fruit is vivacious, and the addition of Petite Sirah and Syrah adds a nice rural feel with earthy notes and some nice structure. Aging the wine should help it evolve into a nicely layered and complex Zinfandel, with toast and smokiness from the oak picking up in intensity. Winery notes. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Rutz Cellars
2008 Pinot Noir Sonoma Cuvee
Sonoma County
Aged in Voges and Never French oak barriques. Bright fresh upfront red and black cherry flavors hinted with cassis bring together a silky texture of refined proportion. A touch of smoke creates a lingering aromatic that gives balance as it enters the palate. Winery notes.
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Ciacci Piccolomini d Aragona
2008 Toscana Rosso
Tuscany
This particular wine is medium bodied and has a nice raspberry nose that’s not typical of Tuscan wine. This wine is soft, fruity and smooth. Although there is a hint of oak, the focus for the Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Toscana Rosso is really on the fruit. Importer's notes.
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Bodegas Emilio Moro
2010 Finca Resalso
Ribera del Duero
Saturated ruby. Primary dark berry and cherry skin aromas are complicated by notes of rose and anise. Juicy and precise on the palate, with very good energy to its redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors. Finishes tight and energetic, with the redcurrant and anise notes repeating. This is a baby.
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I Greppi
2007 Greppicante
Bolgheri Italy
Deliver currant, toasty oak and coffee aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a lot of rich fruit. Very polished and attractive. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Best after 2012. Only 5,265 cases made.
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I Greppi
2008 Greppicante
Bolgheri Italy
The 2008 Bolgheri Greppicante (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc) is a more serious, powerful red that could use another 6-12 months for the tannins to settle down. The generous warmth of the dark fruit shows wonderful depth leading to an articulate finish.
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BenMarco
2008 Malbec
Mendoza Argentina
The 2008 Malbec, which contains 10% Bonarda, spent 11 months in 50% new French oak and 50% first use American oak. Purple-colored, it reveals an expressive nose of wood smoke, cinnamon, incense, and black cherry. Round, ripe, medium-bodied, and savory, this layered effort has a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Enjoy it over the next 5 years.
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Kurt Angerer
2010 Gruner Veltliner Kies
Austria
Lemon, orange, lentil, gooseberry and waxed bean mark Angerer’s 2010 Gruner Veltliner Kies, whose levity, brightness, and zest are characteristic of virtues that emerge from Gruner Veltliner in this unusual vintage. In this instance, success was achieved by taking some lots through malo. A subtly silken texture; emerging aura of lilac; and exuberantly juicy finish add to the infectious charm of a wine I would plan on enjoying over the next year or two. David Schildknecht.
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Michel Dutour
2009 Pouilly Fuisse La Roche
Maconnais
Very light in weight and color. Clean, round and smooth on the palate with pear and citrus undertones. An excellent food wine. The perfect light, summer, Chardonnay sipper.
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La Ferme du Mont
2009 Cotes du Rhone le Ponnant
Southern Rhone Valley
Slightly better, more elegant, more complex, and even richer (as hard as that is to believe) is the 2009 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Le Ponnant. Elegant black cherry, black raspberry and licorice notes are intermixed with stunning, voluptuous texture, outstanding purity and balance in this classic, full-throttle wine, which has loads of personality. Drink it over the next several years.
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Volver
2009 Tempranillo
La Mancha Spain
(100% tempranillo): Bright purple. Dark berries, cherry pit, licorice and tobacco on the nose. Slowly unfolds to offer sappy cassis and bitter cherry flavors lifted by tangy acidity and complicated by a peppery, spicy quality. Finishes gripping and long, with resonating cherry and spice notes. Give this some aeration or a couple more years of bottle age.
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MollyDooker
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
South Australia
Smooth, rich and powerful, layered with blackberry, licorice, roasted meat and bay leaf flavors that roll easily into the expressive finish. Drink now through 2016.
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Landmark Vineyards
2007 Steel Plow Syrah
Sonoma Valley
Saturated ruby. Extremely primary nose displays dark berry and cherry skin scents, along with cracked pepper and black olive. Deep and sweet on the palate, with chewy dark fruit compote flavors, youthfully firm tannins and a late note of candied violet. Gains energy with air and finishes with impressive lift and cut.
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Moshin Vineyards
2008 Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
A Chardonnay to please white wine drinkers of all kinds with superb balance and pretty fruit. We blend two select vineyards in the heart of Russian River Valley for this wine. Aromas of toasty brioche, asian pear and star fruit followed by fresh flavors of lush melon and crisp apples and just the right amount of creaminess. A touch of minerality enhances the clean finish. A delightful wine to pair with seared scallops, crab cakes, roast chicken or fettuccine alfredo. Winery.
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Vina Godeval
2009 Godeval
Valdeorras Spain
Greenish gold. Spicy aromas of lime zest, green apple, white flowers and ginger. Dry, taut and sharply focused, offering lively citrus and fresh fig flavors underscored by dusty minerality. Sappier and deeper on the finish, which leaves bitter citrus zest and white pepper notes. Shows the power of the vintage but with no loss of verve.
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Llopart
2006 Brut Rose
Cava Spain
The 2006 Llopart Brut Rose was produced by the traditional Champagne method and is composed of 60% Monastrell, 20% Garnacha, and 20% Pinot Noir. Salmon pink-colored, it has a lovely perfume of strawberry, rhubarb, and biscuit. Crisp on the palate with a persistent stream of small bubbles, this tasty Cava would be the ideal match for Spain’s legendary Joselito jamon when Dom Perignon Rose is unavailable.
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Selvapiana
2009 Chianti Rufina
Tuscany
Made from Sangiovese with a dash of 5% Canaiolo, has lovely perfumes of cherries and spiced plums that give way to ripe yet supple, elegant red and dark fruit flavors on the palate. The pleasingly moderated acidity serves to corset the fruit and lift the perfumes on the finish. Winery.
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Damilano
2010 Arneis
Piedmont Italy
Arneis wine made from 100% Arneis grape, which is grown in, clay and sandy limestone. The municipality of Vezza Piedmont Alba is where this beautiful Arneis is grown.The distinctive pale yellow color gives it freshness and liveliness at first glance suggests in his mouth and a dry, elegant, balanced with moderate acidity, a delicate fragrance, fresh, and fruity. Winery.
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La Spinetta
2008 Moscato d'Asti
Piedmont Italy
This Moscato d'Asti offers beautiful aromatic intensity to match its luminous golden color. The wine is fresh and zippy in the mouth but then that natural sweetness takes over and caresses the palate. This is an excellent example of Piedmont's favorite sparkling dessert wine.
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Moshin Vineyards
2008 Pinot Noir
Russian River Valley
Each year our Russian River Pinot Noir blend exhibits true Russian River Valley characteristics. Alluring aromas of earth, mushroom and spices greet the nose followed by full and round rich cherry and red fruits. Beautiful mid-palate and lingering finish. Classic Russian River Pinot Noir. Winery.
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Bodegas Ondarre
2004 Rioja Reserva
Rioja Spain
Black cherry, licorice, smoke, tobacco and tar notes mingle nicely in this firm, lively red. Maturing now, but shows balance and length. Still fresh, it brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2016.
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Charles Smith Wines
2010 Kung Fu Girl Riesling
Evergreen Vineyard Columbia Valley
Vivid, distinctive and immensely appealing for its juicy Winesap apple, apricot and citrus flavors, finishing with zing to balance the sweetness. Drink now. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Saint Cosme
2009 Cotes du Rhone White
Southern Rhone Valley
Ripe and very juicy, with a delicious, succulent core of pear, peach and apple flavors enlivened with floral and sweetened butter notes. A nice streak of green plum and crème fraîche helps the finish stretch out. This has richness, freshness and length. Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne and Picpoul. Drink now. Only 350 cases imported.
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Domaine Servin
2009 Chablis Selection Massale
Burgundy
The 2009 Chablis Cuvee Massale is one of the bigger wines in this lineup. It bursts onto the palate with masses of ripe, tropical fruit offered in a decidedly round, creamy style. The old-vines Cuvee Massale was aged 30% in oak, which contributes to the wine's big, exuberant personality. Antonio Galloni. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Ridgeline Wines
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley
Full and rich, deep and direct, curranty and minty with more than a bit of caramelly oak on its ledger sheets, this one may be a tad less than fully complex but its pieces add up to drinking pleasure nonetheless. Supple, fleshy, on the soft and inviting side, this is not a wine for long aging, but not every Cabernet should offer a challenge to your wine cellar. Drink this one up over the next two to five years and enjoy.
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Domaine Servin
2009 Chablis Cuvee Les Pargues
Burgundy
Medium bright yellow. Exotic candied peach, pineapple and honey on the nose. Dense, spicy and concentrated, with firm acidity and a note of lemon zest giving this broad 2009 very good shape. A strong village wine.
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Daniel Bouland
2010 Morgon de lys Vieilles Vignes
Beaujolais
Smoked and red meat; moss and peat; along with ripe dark cherry and blackberry, inform the nose and firm, finely-tannic palate of Bouland’s 2010 Morgon De Lys Vieilles Vignes. Iodine, salt, and a tart crunch of berry seeds serve for invigorating counterpoint in this wine’s gripping finish. It should mature fascinatingly and deliciously for the next half dozen years.
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Saint Clair Vicar's ChoiceTerrunyo
20010 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand
Pale straw with green hues. A lifted nose showing aromas of passionfruit, blackcurrant, grapefruit and nettles with refreshing underlying mineral notes. A light bodied refreshing wine with typical Marlborough flavors of gooseberry, blackcurrant and grapefruit. A pleasing mineral note leads to a long lingering finish.
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Cartlidge & Browne
2009 Pinot Noir
North Coast
(72% Sonoma Carneros)(17% Sonoma Valley)(11% Napa Valley)
A brilliant medium-full garnet in color, the wine offers refined and classic Pinot Noir aromas of black cherry and plum jam, violets, cola, and a touch of anise and nutmeg. All of these are framed by fine oak character, which adds yet another dimension to the aromatics. The wine is full-bodied and rich, with suggestions of ripe black fruits, rosewood, and an inviting spice cake character; its tannins are just firm enough to contribute to a resonant finish. Winery.
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Chateau Grand Renom
2009 Sauvignon Blanc
Bordeaux
The wine was aged in 30% new French oak barriques and 70% stainless steel tanks for 7-10 months. It was blended, filtered and fined prior to bottling. Fresh and fruity on the nose with hints of apricot and lemon. Peach and citrus flavors on the palate make for a crisp, well-balanced wine. Importers notes.
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Chateau Grand Renom
2009 Red Blend
Bordeaux
70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc & 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was left in contact with the skins for an additional 10-12 days. Malolactic fermentation occurred. One-third of the wine was aged in a combination of new and previously-used French oak barriques for 12 months, then blended with the wine that rested in stainless steel tanks before being filtered, fined and bottled. A pleasant bouquet of fresh red fruits on the nose. Well-balanced with smooth and silky tannins. Importers notes.
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Livio FellugaTerrunyo
2010 Pinot Grigio
Colli Orientali del Friuli
Medium-dark yellow. Deep aromas of almond, yellow apple and sage. Dense, bright and chewy, with a creamy-sweet texture to the herbal and ripe fruit flavors. The long, clean finish features a repeating almond note. Very well done, big-boned friulano.
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Jean-Luc Colombo
2009 Viognier
Languedoc
Brilliant, light straw in color. Intense aromas of acacia, yellow peaches and exotic fruits. Very elegant and harmonious. Its freshness allows the fruit to fully develop. Winery notes.
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Turnbull
2009 Old Bull Red
Napa Valley
Our 2009 Old Bull blends the power and richness of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with the bold fruit of Syrah, and the enticing lighthearted fruit of Merlot. This artful blend achieves amazing complexity and decadent richness while detailing the great vineyard sites and viticultural work that is at the core of all Turnbull wines. Rich with aromas of plums, berries, dried cherries and a touch of mocha, in the glass, the dense dark flavors of blackberry and cocoa dominate. Winery.
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Meyer-Fonne
2008 Reserve Riesling
Vin D'Alsace
An elegant Riesling, with a smoky undertow to the Jonagold apple, quince and lemon peel flavors. This offers intense acidity, but it's folded in well, adding to the overall vibrancy, with a juicy, honey-tinged finish. Drink now through 2025. Only 750 cases made.
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Cerro Anon Reserva
2005 Red Blend
Rioja Spain
The 2005 Cerro Anon Reserva is a similar blend to the Crianza but aged in barrel for 20 months. Sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, mineral, and espresso notes inform the nose of this savory, mouth-filling, dense, succulent offering. Give it 2-3 years of additional cellaring to fully blossom and drink it through 2020, if not longer. It is a remarkable value in traditional Rioja. Jay Miller.
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Mount Eden Vineyards
2009 Chardonnay
Wolff Vineyard Edna Valley
Musky, powerfully scented aromas of orchard fruits, smoky lees, truffle and iodine; smells like a top-notch Chassagne. Weighty and round but sharply focused, offering fresh pear, peach, tangerine and buttered toast flavors. The iodine element returns on the long, smoky finish. Lots going on here, especially for the price. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Bodegas Teso la Monja Almirez
2007 Tempranillo
Toro Spain
The grapes for the 2007 Almirez came from 30-year-old ungrafted head pruned vines. The wine was aged for 12 months in one-year-old French oak. Deep crimson-colored, it displays an expressive nose of spice box, espresso, plum, and blackberry compote. Full-bodied on the palate with layers of savory black fruits, lots of spice, and enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for 1-2 years, it will drink beautifully from 2011 to 2019. It is an excellent value that over-delivers in a big way. Jay Miller.
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Manzanita Creek
2010 Chardonnay Elegance
Russian River Valley
Classic aromas of apple, pear with a hint of mango. Hints of butterscotch & vanilla, excellent mouth feel accented by crisp acidity. Flavors of toasted hazelnut and sweet oak with a well woven, and lingering finish. Winery notes.
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Rocca di Frassinello
2008 Poggio Alla Guardia
Tuscany
The 2008 Poggio alla Guardia, the entry-level wine from Rocca di Frassinello, is impressive in this vintage. Dark plums, chocolate, spices and grilled herbs come to life effortlessly. Clean mineral notes frame the finish and confer an attractive element of freshness. This unoaked blend of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Sangioveto delivers the goods and then some. The 2008 is the best vintage of Poggio alla Guardia yet. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014.
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La Brancaia Tre
2008 Red Blend
Tuscany
The 2008 Tre is an attractive mid-weight red laced with dried cherries, dried flowers and spices. As is to be expected, the 2008 doesn't have the plumpness and juiciness of the 2007, but it nevertheless delivers excellent balance in an approachable, mid-weight style. This looks to be an early drinking wine from Brancaia. Tre is 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the estate's three wineries, all in Tuscany. Antonio Galloni.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Copain
2006 Syrah
Madder Lake Lake County
The 2006 Syrah Madder Lake is co-fermented with 5% Viognier, and that gives the wine an exotic, heady feel to the exuberant aromatics. It is a wine to drink in the next 4-5 years and is a wonderful bistro-styled Rhone Valley red with loads of spicy, peppery, peach and blackberry fruit notes in a stunningly proportioned style. It’s seamless and velvety-textured.
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Ravenswood
2007 Zinfandel
Barrica Vineyard Sonoma
A beautiful Zinfandel that shows the variety’s spicy, briary personality in a balanced, elegant way. Dry and rich in brisk tannins, it has complex flavors of blackberries, cherries, sweet tobacco, anise, cola, cocoa, sandalwood and dusty spices.
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Jermann
2009 Chardonnay
Venezia Italy
Its color is brilliant straw-yellow with greenish highlights, its aroma is intense and fruity (banana when young, golden delicious apple when mature), lightly aromatic and with excellent persistence.The wine noticeably exalts the natural aromas of the grape variety. Winery notes.
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Serge Dagueneau
2010 Pouilly Fume Les Pentes
Loire Valley
A dry white wine with fruity aromas (exotic fruit, passion fruit, citrus), smoky notes (flint stone) and floral nuances (broom, boxwood, blackcurrant buds). It reaches its aromatic peak quite young, at 2 to 5 years and becomes unctuous as it ages. This wine is ideal as an aperitif but also a wonderful match with shellfish, fish (in sauce or grilled), white meat, roasted poultry and cheese. Winemaker's notes. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Aia Vecchia
2010 Vermentino
Tuscany
95% Vermentino, 5% Viognier, 100% ready to drink and enjoy in the sun. Fresh, inviting aromas of floral scents, pineapple and banana lead to a dry, well-balanced palate with a great acidic backbone and long finish. Great wine, great price! Winery notes.
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Crios de Susana Balbo
2010 Rose of Malbec
Mendoza Argentina
A beautiful, deep, vibrant rosé color. Has a surprising amount of body for a rosé wine, and beautiful aromas of fresh, ripe wild strawberries. On the palate, the flavors of strawberries and young cherries come rushing in, accompanied by some spice notes and a clean, dry finish. Winery.
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Luca
2008 Pinot Noir
Mendoza Argentina
The fruit for the 2008 Pinot Noir was sourced from a 15-acre parcel from the Adriana Vineyard made famous by Catena Zapata and aged in 30% new French oak. It displays lovely aromatics of raspberry and cherry, plenty of body, sweet, succulent flavors, a silky texture, and outstanding depth. It should drink well for another 8 years. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Chateau de Ribebon
2009 Bordeaux Superieur
Bordeaux
This is ripe and focused, with a solid beam of raspberry ganache and roasted vanilla supported by a nice, graphite-filled finish. Offers good grip, too. Drink now. Only 3,000 cases made.
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Mapema
2008 Malbec
Mendoza Argentina
Slightly candied berries, licorice and mint, lifted by a floral note. Very ripe, even a bit roasted, yet not overly sweet, with good density to the flavors of currant, chocolate, tobacco and herbs. Finishes with sweet tannins and broad flavors of black licorice and spice.
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Bodegas Shaya
2009 Verdejo
Rueda, Castilla Leon Spain
The Verdejo grapes for the 2009 Shaya are sourced from both estate vineyards and local growers with vine age ranging from 75-112 years. The wine was barrel-fermented and aged on its lees. Medium straw-colored, if offers up an alluring aroma of baking spices, spring flowers, and peach. On the palate it has a creamy texture, vibrant acidity, and intense flavors leading to a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It is a great value in dry, aromatic white wine that over-delivers in a big way. Jay Miller.
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La Ferme du Mont
2009 Cotes du Rhone Premieres Cotes
Southern Rhone Valley
The 2009 Cotes du Rhone Premiere Cote is an amazingly sexy, lush, full-bodied, Cotes du Rhone with loads of black cherry and black currant fruit, a deep, concentrated mouthfeel and a silky finish. It should drink nicely for 2-4 years if you can resist it that long. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Piattelli
2009 Premium Malbec
Luján de Cuyo Mendoza
The Piattelli Premium Malbec is an easy drinking wine with aromas of red fruit like: raspberry, strawberry and cherry. In the glass the deep burgundy color is complemented by the wine's smooth, round, and lasting finish. Jay Miller.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Domaine L'Oustal Blanc
2010 K10
Languedoc Roussillon
The Carignan-dominated 2010 vintage K10 is more refined as well as livelier and juicier than its 2009 counterpart, without sacrificing any of that wine's richness (save, perhaps, in the alcohol department). Toasted pecan and walnut; dark chocolate; ripe blackberry and cassis; and maritime saline and alkaline minerality combine for complex appeal and terrific value. I suspect this will be lovely for at least the next 3-4 years. David Schildknecht.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Familia Zuccardi Q
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza Argentina
The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Q spent 12 months in new French oak. Purple-colored, it exhibits an excellent perfume of damp earth, mineral, tobacco, spice box, and black currant. Medium-bodied, it has layered flavors, plenty of succulence, good balance, and a lengthy finish. Give it 2-3 years of additional bottle age and drink it from 2011 to 2018. Jay Miller.
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Laetitia
2009 Estate Pinot Noir
Arroyo Grande Valley
The 2009 Laetitia has lots of rich, dark, ripe cherry and plum fruit with interesting undertones of flowers, allspice, and vanilla. Highly enjoyable Pinot Noir.
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Girard
2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Napa Valley
A very clean, fresh and crisp Sauvignon Blanc; Lush aromas of citrus zest, pineapple and guava on the nose, while the palate exhibits fresh-cut grapefruit and Meyer lemon. A wonderful apéritif wine that pairs well with lighter white fish, green salads and goat cheese. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Winery notes.
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Anderson's Conn Valley
2009 Prologue Cabernet Sauvignon
North Coast
Normally only sold at the winery, this full bodied, powerful yet balanced Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits ripe, rich dark cherry and warm chocolate wrapped around a core of rounded, zesty acidity. Flavorful and supple, delightfully fresh on the palate, where it's cherry, violet, sandalwood, toast and vanilla flavors linger beautifully along with silky tannins. Winery.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Baileyana
2008 Grand Firepeak Chardonnay
Edna Valley
This classically-styled Chardonnay is nicely structured and well balanced, with a subtle acid backbone. Flavors of apple and crisp pear are seamlessly woven with notes of citrus, minerality, and a hint of vanilla. Winery notes.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Leese Fitch
2009 Pinot Noir
California
This wine is 81% Santa Barbara County & 19% Clarksburg Pinot Noir. The wine was aged on oak for 9 months before gentle racking and fining. Dark ruby in color, the 2009 Pinot Noir boasts aromas of wild strawberry, violets, dark plum, and vanilla spiked oak. Flavors reminiscent of dark plum, raspberry, tobacco leaf, cocoa nibs, and rhubarb finishing with a hint of earthy loam, black cherry, and toffee. The crisp acidity keeps you coming back for more.Winery notes.
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William Fevre
2009 Chablis "Champs Royaux"
Chablis
Champs Royaux is not a single vineyard Chablis, but rather a quality wine from a number of terrific sites in the appellation vinified precisely in the same manner as Fevre's premier and grand crus. Lean, minerally and very bracing, it is exactly what you want from high-end Chablis, without the correspondingly high-end price. Importer's notes. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Zenato
2008 Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa
Veneto
After 6 months’ bottle-ageing, the result is a rounded, velvet-textured wine with rich, complex aromas of berries and an impressively lengthy finish that seems to linger forever. Ripassa represents one of the most important milestones in Zenato’s winemaking evolution. Winery notes.
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Chateau Beaulieu
2010 Rose
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence
A full, rounded wine, very much a rose for food. It is bone dry in character, although the berry fruitiness gives the wine an attractive open feel. With its firm texture, it could age a year.
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Aia Vecchia
2008 Lagone Toscana
Tuscany
Lagone is a pleasurable and rich blend of Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Cab Franc and Sangiovese that opens with rich, dark color and intense aromas of sweet spice, chocolate, cherry and tobacco. The wine feels chewy and smooth in the mouth with a long, velvety feel on the close.
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Schramsberg
2007 Brut Blanc de Blancs
North Coast
Perhaps the finest portfolio of Schramsberg sparkling wines I have tasted to date, these beauties include the outstanding, frothy 2007 Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), which reveals notes of brioche, white currants and lemon blossoms. Medium-bodied with persistent effervescence and excellent acidity, it should drink nicely for several years or more.
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Flora Springs
2008 Merlot
Napa Valley
For this Napa Valley bottling, Flora Springs blends Merlot from our Komes Ranch in Rutherford, our St. Helena, Crossroads Ranch in Oakville, and our Cypress Ranch in Pope Valley. We have found there is no single spell to making great Merlot, the combination of vineyard site, meticulous farming methods, and specialized clone and rootstock selection allows us to craft a Merlot of great complexity and depth. While we do feel our Merlot vineyards have a bit of magic in them, the real trick is how quickly our Napa Valley Merlot disappears!
Winery notes.
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Blackburn
2009 Chardonnay
Santa Barbara County
A bright Chardonnay with a fresh light mouth feel. Aromas of pineapple, lemon zest and lemon curd capture your attention and are followed by fresh tropical fruit flavors, honeysuckle, minerality and slight creamy nuances with a hint of butter. Only 280 cases made. Winery notes.
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Perez Cruz
2008 Carmenere Reserva Limited Edition
Maipo Valley Chile
Let this onet get some air for about 2 hours, after that it opens up beautifully. It offers up aromas of blueberry and cigar box. It's mouth-filling flavors coat the palate and the tannins are long and silky.
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Pra
2010 Soave Classico
Veneto Italy
100% Garganega Soave fermented and aged in steel is a beauty. Very aromatic and precise in the mouth with orchard fruits, bright citrus, fresh mown grass, and a touch of fresh almond all making their presence felt. The balance of ripe fruit and bright acidity is just lovely here and a minerally element adds complexity and class. Long, refreshing, and very tasty on the finish.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Cune Monopole
2010 Blanco
Rioja Spain
100% Viura. This firm, focused white displays a solid structure, with supporting flavors of pear, ginger, smoke and herb. This is not a showy wine, but has depth and vibrancy. A good match with richer dishes.
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Bouchaine
2008 Estate Chardonnay
Carneros
Medium-light golden yellow color; attractive, forward, baked apple pie aroma with hints of coconut, butterscotch, and toasted hazelnut; medium-full to full body; rich, layered, lemony, melon and baked apple flavors with bright acidity and overtones of vanilla; lingering aftertaste. An aromatic and flavorful Chardonnay that is nicely balanced and shows some elegance. Grapevine.
( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Bodegas La Cana
2010 Albarino
Rias Baixas Spain
Tropical fruits, citrus, and minerals on the nose. Orange and lime flavors. Good acidity and body. Minerally finish that is a nice contrast to the richness. A white wine that is literally scintillating, with layers and layers of electric flavor.
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A to Z Wineworks
2009 Pinot Noir
Oregon
Light and lively, a bit tight but graceful, glowing with boysenberry and plum fruit that’s shaded with cedar and cream notes. The finish doesn’t quit. Drink now through 2014.
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Axis
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Central Coast
California's coastal grape growing regions have become a reference point, or Axis, for new world winemaking. Our Sauvignon Blanc, drawn from Central Coast vineyards, displays the region's exuberant melon, citrus and fig flavors, accented by aromatic, floral notes. Winery.
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Neyers
2006 Zinfandel
Pato Ranch Contra Costa
As for the 2006 Zinfandel Pato Vineyard, this wine has a dark ruby color as well, with hints of bay leaf, tobacco, loamy soil notes, and some sweet cherry and strawberry notes. The wine is medium-bodied and spicy.
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De Martino
2008 Chardonnay
Limari Valley Chile
Ripe and fleshy, but pure and focused, with gorgeous Jonagold apple, quince, chamomile and sweetened butter notes that stay lively on the full-bodied finish. A fresh apple note lingers nicely. Drink now. 5,000 cases made.
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Pra
2009 Soave Monte Grande Classico
Veneto Italy
Good, pale yellow-green. Complex, intense nose and palate meld peach, minerals, ginger and white flowers, plus a light fusel quality. This is a noticeable step up in concentration from the entry-level wine, though they are very similar. Finishes extremely long and saline, with a savory quality. Outstanding Soave that can age; I'd cellar this for a couple years before opening any bottles. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Ridge Vineyards
2007 York Creek Red Blend
Napa Valley
Inky ruby. High-pitched dark berry and cherry aromas show a slightly volatile quality. Deep, sappy blackberry and cherry-vanilla flavors display no rough edges and are complemented by a note of candied flowers. Rich and fleshy wine with strong finishing sweetness and a zesty kick of cracked pepper. This is extremely young but has very good material; I'd re-visit it after it's had a bit more bottle age.
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Eroica
2009 Riesling
ColumbiaValley
This wine just gets better with every new vintage. Young and fresh, it hits the palate with lip-puckering acidity, rolling on flavors of lemons, oranges, citrus rind, and then into mango and papaya. Though the residual sugar is listed at 1.6%, it shows only in a pleasing roundness in the lengthy finish. Delicious now, but entirely cellar-worthy for a decade or longer. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Pazos de Lusco
2010 Zios Albarino
Rias Baixas Spain
Intense, yet clean fragrances of tropical white fruit make up the bouquet. On the palate, it is refreshing and crisp with grassy notes. A well-balanced wine with a rounded mouthfeel and lingering finish of slight, pleasant bitterness. This wine makes a perfect aperitif, but also is a great accompaniment to sushi and raw shellfish. Importers notes.
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Abiouness Wines
2010 Rose of Pinot Noir
Stanly Ranch Carneros
Explosions of dried guava and watermelon juice jump out of the glass and follow through on the palate. The mouthfeel is big and juicy, round and delicious, with hints of strawberry jam and raspberries lingering behind. We made more than ever this year, but it is already going fast! Winery.
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Soligo
NV Brut Prosecco
Veneto Italy
Pale yellow color with a dry, orangey flavor and fine long lasting bubbles, with a bouquet of confetti and fresh citrus notes of limes and minerals. Winery notes.
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Marietta Cellars
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley
Our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied with a touch of elegance. The nose is classic Cabernet with rich black currant, cassis, and dark cherry fruit aromas. In the background mild oak and spice mix with a hint of sweet menthol-like herbs. Prominent, bright black currant flavors are balanced by lively acidity and firm, lasting tannins to create a textured, mouth coating finish. This is a big wine that will
last for at least 10 years yet is supple enough to enjoy now. Winery.
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Ca' Montebello
2010 Pinot Grigio
Lombardy
This favorite white wine has bright, straw yellow color. The aroma is reminiscent of peach and apple. The flavor is full and has good alcoholic balance. Appreciated as an aperitif, it pairs well with the whole meal, in particular with soups and prosciutto. Winery.
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Domaine Collotte
2010 Marsannay Rose
Burgundy
100% Pinot Noir. As soon as the grapes arrive at the cuverie, they are pressed, and fermentation and "élevage" take place in stainless steel in order to keep all the fruit of this wine and preserve its freshness and youth. The Marsannay Rosé, soft and fruity, is backed with good strength and liveliness. Its rosé color has red currant hues. The aroma evokes freshly-harvested peaches. Winemakers notes.
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Charles Smith Boom Boom
2010 Sryah
Washington State
Another BIG black cherry fruit bomb that explodes with flavor. Super dense dark purple. Intense yet plush texture...this wine is THE BOMB! ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Marietta Old Vine Red
NV Lot 56
California
Lot # 56 continues the tradition of consistently great wine. The aromas of the Zinfandel based blend are bright and rich with red and dark berry fruits followed by hints of earth and spice. The mouth feel is lush and full. The finish is marked with ample acidity to bring the wine to a balanced finish. Winery.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Souverain
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley
Rich aromatics of roasted coffee, black and red fruit on the nose lead to flavors of black cherry, black plum and blackberry on the palate. The high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon creates dark, brooding yet structured tannins along with subtle layers of vanilla, bittersweet chocolate and baking spices. This balanced wine offers a well-structured mouthfeel that contributes to a long, toasty oak finish. This Cabernet Sauvignon is a wonderful introduction to Alexander Valley. Winery.
( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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J Wine Company
Cuvee 20 Brut
Russian River Valley
49% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir, 2% Pinot Meunier. The non-vintage J Cuvée 20 Brut gracefully opens up with crisp lemon peel, honeysuckle and delicate yeast aromas. Upon entry, these notes are followed by a mix of Fuji apple, grapefruit and a sweet hint of angel food cake. The mid-palate is interlaced with toast, caramel and almond flavors. The acidity adds just enough liveliness and the citrus zest leads to a lingering, warm pear and lush finish. Winery notes.
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Rocca Del Principe
2008 Fiano Di Avelino
Avelino
This wine shows in a beautiful straw yellow, very clear and is of good consistency. The impact is intense and delicate, floral and fruity notes of fresh citrus fruit. At first taste accepts a sweet attack due to a slight residual sweetness, and then loosens the reins of an incredible contribution to propel the acid drop. Overall, the two sensations in contrast end up with the balance. Winery notes.
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Yangarra
2006 Cadenzia
McLaren Vale
Bright and jazzy, offering a riot of flavors, including plum, blackberry, floral and licorice notes that swirl through the finish against fine tannins. Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvedre. Drink now through 2014.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Columbia Crest
2009 H3 Cabernet Sauvignon
Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley
Focused, refined and appealing for its open-weave texture around a generous core of plum and currant fruit, finishing with hints of coffee and dark chocolate. Drink now through 2014. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Roederer Estate
non Vintage Sparkling Brut
Anderson Valley
Fully ready to drink now, this dry brut shows the classy elegance of a fine Champagne. The Chardonnay contributes white peaches and apples, while Pinot adds a subtle note of cherries with spicy, yeasty nuances. At 80,000 cases, it’s a notable achievement. ( 12 bottle minumum purchase )
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De Martino
2008 Syrah Legado Reserva
Choapa Chile
This is alluring, with shaved vanilla and cocoa powder notes followed by a ripe beam of focused black cherry and currant fruit. The long, fine-grained finish stretches out nicely.
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John Duval
2008 Entity Shiraz
Barossa Valley Australia
Opaque purple. Blackberry, violet, licorice, bitter chocolate and Indian spices on the nose. Dense and sweet but with racy, integrated acidity energizing the dark fruit, floral pastille and bitter chocolate flavors. Finishes with sweet tannins and noteworthy freshness and length. Becomes spicier with air and already displays impressive complexity. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Jip Jip Rocks
2009 Shiraz Cabernet
Padthaway Australia
The outstanding 2009 Shiraz/Cabernet boasts a deep purple color in addition to super-ripe mulberry and boysenberry fruit interwoven hints of cedar box, pepper, and underbrush. An opulent, voluptuously textured red with beautiful density and purity as well as a succulent style, it should drink nicely for 4-5 years.
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Soter Vineyards
2008 North Valley Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
Pinot Noir North Valley is medium ruby red with an enticing bouquet of smoke, rose petal, spice box, and a mix of cherry, and black raspberry. Firm and concentrated on the palate, it is smooth-textured, ripe, and packed with savory red and black fruit flavors. Like most of the better wines of the vintage, it will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age and offer pleasurable drinking from 2012 to 2020. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Stanley Lambert
2005 Mustang Sally Shiraz
South Australia
A soft spicy Shiraz with earthy fruit characters. The palate shows light berry flavors with sweet soft tannins and a gentle finish. Designed to drink on any occasion and especially with no nonsense chop and sausage barbeque.
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La Bastide Blanche
2010 Rose
Bandol
Light orange. Aromas of dried cherry, musky herbs and flowers, plus a hint of white pepper. Concentrated red fruit flavors are enlivened by a zesty orange pith quality that lends a bitter edge to the back half. Packs a punch but shows good mineral-driven vivacity, finishing with solid grip and good length. This bottling is quite rich this year and built to handle full-flavored food. ( 3 bottle minimum purchase )
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Chateau de Fontenille
2010 Bordeaux Blanc
Entre-Deux-Mers
As usual the aromas are full of citrus notes while the flavor is outstandingly fresh, crisp and round on the palate. The wine is perfectly balanced between the acid and fruit. Highly enjoyable.
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Enzo Di Sette Rue
2009 Primitivo
Sicily
100% Primitivo is aged for one year in Slovenian oak casks. The region is placed between two seas and has been known for it's dark, inky wines. A great requirement for a primitivo. The wine has an endless aromatic bouquet, with brilliant and aristocratic nuance, persuasive on the palate, enchanting, full of energy and still incredibly fresh, creamy, and drinkable with its notes of cherries.Winery notes.
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Long Shadows Wine
2008 Nine Hats Red Blend
Columbia Valley
The Nine Hats Red 2008 includes the classic five grapes of a true Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant grape at 54%, softened with 24% Merlot, 10% each Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec. Long Shadows' higher end wines draw from the very best vineyards in Washington, and the Nine Hats wines are made with the same fruit. Vineyard sources for the Nine Hats Red include the famous Champoux Vineyard. Winery notes.
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Wente Vineyards
2010 Chardonnay Riva Ranch
Arroyo Seco
This medium-bodied Chardonnay has a rich, golden color and aromas and flavors of tropicl fruit, honey, cinnamon and light floral notes, balanced by subtle oak, butter and vanilla from barrel aging. It has a round mouthfeel and a long, fruity finish. Winery.
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Pavillon Crossing
2008 Chardonnay
Northcoast
The grapes from this 2008 Chardonnay come from vineyards within Sonoma’s Russian River Valley and Napa Valley. The aromas are complex with bright spicy green apple, pear and hint of vanilla. The pallet is creamy and full bodied with hints of butter, nut and light toasty oak. The balance of this wine makes it a pleasure to savor on its own or enjoy with a variety of foods. Winery notes.
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Mount Nelson
2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand
Clear and bright with pale green and straw highlights. Fragrant and intense with passion fruit, grapefruit and lime on the nose. An excellent balance between crisp acidity and concentration with a long, clean finish. Winery notes.
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Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy
2010 Sancerre Cuvee Les Coutes
Loire Valley
Pascal and Nicolas Reverdy are based in the tiny hamlet of Maimbray, nestled in a valley surrounded by chalk hills, nearing mountains in steepness, at right angles from both Chavignol and Verdigny. Maimbray is a very modest, humble-looking village, but Reverdy has elevated it to the front ranks of the Loire.Cuvee La Coute comes from a vineyard on one of those very steep hills, and half of the Sauvignon Blanc vines are over fifty years old. The yields are very low, with excellent natural ripeness and super concentration of Sauvignon/mineral character. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Allan Scott Family Winemakers
2011 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand
A powerful wine, with passionfruit ,citrus flavors, nettles and a sweatiness contributing to the rich and concentrated palate. Maturation in old French oak barrels and regular battonage creates complexity and creaminess that dances along with the typical Marlborough acidity, leading to a lingering finish.
( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Broadside
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Margarita Vineyard Paso Robles
The fruit for this wine was sourced from the Margarita Vineyard, a Southern Paso Robles site planted originally by Robert Mondavi. It has become known as an excellent fruit source for Bordeaux varietals and amongst other high-end customers, the vineyard supplies fruit for Justin's Isosceles blend. The Broadside is a well-balanced wine and not overloaded with ripe fruit flavors like many Cabs from the region. Instead this small production is varietally-correct with notes of currant, licorice and vanilla and already soft tannins. It's the perfect local Cabernet Sauvignon to drink young. Distributor's notes.
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Lorenzo Begali
2009 Valpolicella Classico Ripasso
La Cengia Veneto
Big and spicy with blackberryand cherry fruit flavors. Smoky, cigar box notes intermingle with fresh herbs. This is a well-made Ripasso and highly recommended. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Byron
2009 Pinot Noir
Santa Barbara County
Given its entirely modest price, we would be more than happy with the clean and very precise fruit provided by this altogether engaging youngster, but the wine is about more than fruit and shows a sense of crafting and complexity that makes it an out-and-out steal. Its ongoing themes of ripe cherries are accented with hints of vanilla and a wisp of dried-flower sweetness, and it is as trim and carefully balanced as it is just plain delicious. We would not argue with those who would drink it right now, but its structure and very fine fit of pieces ensure that it will keep.
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Verget
2009 Chablis Terres De Pierres
Burgundy
Palish yellow. White peach, lemon and flowers on the nose. Dense and juicy, with enticing sweetness of fruit. Nicely integrated acidity gives this supple wine good back-end cling. Done entirely in stainless steel.
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Silkwood
2007 Red Duet
Stanislaus County
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Syrah. A perfect Red Duet from hand harvested, hand sorted mature grapes. A medium bodied wine, the Red Duet finished very clean and smooth on the back palate and pairs well with spicy foods and barbecued meats.
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La Posta
2009 Cocina Blend
Mendoza Argentina
60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, 20% Syrah Medium purple; loganberries, black cherry, spice box, some complexity, good balance, long. Jay Miller.
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Conn Creek
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
This is a blend of the various vineyards Conn Creek has access to. It is a splendid testimony to the winemaker’s ability to take disparate lots and make them harmonious. Just a beautiful Cabernet, dry and softly luscious, with complex blackberry, black currant, anise and cedar flavors. A wonderful experience now, and it should develop in the bottle for several years. Editors' Choice.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Columbia Crest
2009 H3 Merlot
Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley
The H3 Merlot entices the nose with aromas of blueberry, cassis and hints of tobacco and spice aromas. The silky and sweet mid-palate introduces slight dusty, earthy, and rich berry notes which cumulate in the long and concentrated finish. Winery. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Finca Sandoval
2007 Salia
Manchuela
A subtle, balanced red, delivering firm tannins that are fleshed out by dark berry, plum and lots of spice. A touch of dark chocolate shows midpalate, and through to the lingering finish. Give this some air in the glass. Best from 2011 through 2017. Only 500 cases imported.
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Tikal
2009 Patriota
Mendoza Argentina
60% Bonarda, 40% Malbec; Earth/mineral/underbrush; dense and layered, ripe, mouth-filling, impeccable balance, lengthy. Jay Miller.
( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Domaine les Aphillanthes
2009 Cotes du Rhone
Southern Rhone Valley
Its dark ruby hue is followed by abundant aromas of berry fruit, earth, cherries, and herbs. The impressively endowed 2009 Cotes du Rhones fashioned by proprietor Daniel Boulle from his bio-dynamically farmed vineyard will be hitting the market this fall.
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Keenan
2007 Merlot
Napa Valley
A delicious Merlot, drily tannic and rich in blackberries, cherries and chocolate. Nearly as good as the winery's much more expensive Reserve. Great with grilled steak with sautéed mushrooms.
( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Zolo
2006 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza Argentina
Bright, saturated medium ruby. Vibrant, pure aromas and flavors of cassis, black plum and licorice. Ripe acids give shape to the sweet fruit, with fairly serious tannins framing the dark berry and dark chocolate flavors on the back. A rather suave and energetic cabernet for the price.
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Graham Beck
2010 The Game Reserve Chenin Blanc
South Africa
40-45 year old hillside vines produce beautiful dried banana and pineapple aromas. Upfront the wine exhibits dried tropical fruit and moves into ginger, mineral and papaya notes on the mid-palate. The length of flavors are throughout and finishes with a long clean and crisp aftertaste. Winery.
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Timpune by Caruso & Minini
2008 Grillo
Sicily
This vibrant young wine is from a vibrant young estate in Sicily – Caruso & Minini, a partnership between two winemakers in their own right. It’s grown just outside the town of Marsala, famous for its fortified wine. Like any good Grillo, it’s fresh and full of lemon drop fruit with hints of orchard fruits and fresh herb. Medium-bodied and nicely crisp, this will pair very nicely with a wide range of shellfish and light poultry dishes. Winery.
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Dog Point
2009 Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough New Zealand
The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc gives intense passion fruit and pineapple aromas with nuances of matchstick, meal and toasted almonds. Medium bodied, crisp, concentrated and zesty, this is a Sauvignon with great texture and a long and minerally finish. Drink it now through 2014. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Gordon Brothers
2007 Merlot
Columbia Valley
The 2007 Merlot is a saturated purple color. The nose exhibits aromas of spice box, cedar, cassis, and black currant leading to a ripe, savory, full-flavored Merlot that lacks only complexity. Drink this tasty effort over the next 6-8 years. Jay Miller.
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Sineann
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
Ripe and polished, a plush-textured package of sweet plum, blueberry and cherry fruit playing against fine tannins, persisting impressively on the generous, open-textured finish. Drink now through 2016. Only 440 cases made.
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Antigal Uno
2008 Malbec
Mendoza Argentina
Intense red color with violet tones. Aromas of wild berry and dark plum with a hint of coffee. Berry and plum continue to the palate with smoke and vanilla joining through the persistent finish. Pairs well with red meat entrees, Beef Wellington, roasted leg of lamb, grilled vegetables, and semi-firm cheeses. Winery notes. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Pennywise
2009 Petite Sirah
California
Inky purple color, aromas of blueberry cobbler, fresh figs, and black raspberry jump from the glass. In the mouth, this 2009 Petite Sirah shows the depth from old vine Petite Sirah in Lodi as well as Paso Robles. The flavors show wild Maine blueberry with flickering flavors of sweet leather, raspberry jam, and sweet cinnamon latte. This wine finishes with lingering blackberry, balsamic glaze, bittersweet chocolate, and smoked caramel.
Winery notes.
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Santa Alicia
2008 Reserva Carmenere
Maipo Valley Chile
Delicate on the surface while firmly tannic underneath, this wine delivers fresh fruit that gains nuance from herbal scents of tea leaves and tobacco. For beef empanadas.
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La Posta
2008 Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec
Mendoza Argentina
Bright medium ruby. Ripe, slightly reduced aromas of plum and pepper. Sweet, silky and very ripe, with a distinctly chocolatey character. Not as complex as the Pizzella malbec but boasts sound vinosity and more obvious sweetness. Finishes with dusty, slightly drying tannins. This is from old, low-yielding vines in a warm site southeast of Agrelo, while the Angel Paulucci is from the cooler La Consulta area.
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Errazuriz
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard
Casablanca Valley Chile
Bright ruby-red in color with an intense and attractive nose that features aromas of ripe red and black fruits with a balsamic, spicy edge. The palate is juicy and well-balanced with tannins that are firm yet friendly. The fruit is echoed on the palate where it melds beautifully with spicy, chocolaty notes, and ends on a pleasingly balanced finish. Winery notes.
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Pali Alphabets
2009 Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
Aromas of sweet heirloom melon, wild field berries, earthen notes of beet and sandalwood touched with steely notes of iron and lime introduce the 2009 Alphabets. A rich velvet palate wrapped in a penetrating red currant and dried cherry core accentuated with savor porchini mushrooms mimics/reveals the warm and intense 2009 Willamette vintage. Lingering with pleasing, long and focused mouthfeel. Winery
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Thomas Henry
2008 Meritage
Sonoma County
Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Merlot, sourced from the famed Chalk Hill, and Alexander Valley Appellations in Sonoma County, bringing longer grape maturity period, and therefore packs richer dark berry flavors. A Bordeaux style wine, with plenty of dark fruit and savory flavors. Aromatics of Cassis, plum, and cherry. Wonderful with grilled meats, and vegetables. Winery.
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Mitolo
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Jester
McLaren Vale Australia
The 2008 Jester 'Monarco' Cabernet Sauvignon has a very deep garnet-purple color and intense notes of warm blackberry, prunes, some dark chocolate, kirsch and creme de cassis. The palate is rich and full bodied with plenty of juicy fruit, plus high acidity and a medium level of soft tannins to lend support. The finish is long. Drinking now, it should cellar to 2014+. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Avalon
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
There are 100,000 cases of this 100% Napa Cabernet Sauvignon that is a tribute to Alex Cose's winemaking skills as well as his ability to access good fruit. A dense plum/ruby color is followed by a wine with serious ripeness, supple, velvety tannins, abundant black currant, cedar and spice box notes, medium-bodied flavors and surprising texture and length. Drink this amazing offering over the next 4-5 years. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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St. Clement Winery
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
A sleeper of the vintage as well as a great value is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. Its opaque purple color is followed by terrific aromas of blueberries, blackberries, licorice, and camphor. The wine possesses sweet tannins, a velvety, full-bodied mouthfeel, and impressive purity and length. It should evolve for 12-15+ years.
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Sierra Cantabria
2006 Tempranillo Crianza
Rioja Spain
The 2006 Sierra Cantabria Crianza was sourced from 3 vineyard sites and aged for 15 months in seasoned American oak before bottling without filtration. Dark ruby-colored, it exhibits a pleasing perfume of wood smoke, pencil lead, spice box, violets, and blackberry. On the palate it leans toward elegance with a silky texture, some finesse, and succulent flavors. This balanced Rioja will evolve for 1-2 years and offer prime drinking from 2012 to 2021.
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Gerard Bertrand
2009 Brut
Crement De Limoux
The wine has a pale straw color with hints of green reflects at the edge of the glass. The bubbles are tine and very elegant. Its aromas are very fruity with a hint of biscuits, hazelnuts and flowers. This wine is elegantly balanced, complex and well structured with a crisp mineral finish. Winery. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Luigi Scarani
2009 Pinot Nero
Lombardy Italy
A wine of a bright ruby red with purplish reflections. Full bodied and vinous with notes of violets together with raspberry and blueberry jams, smooth and fragrant. Winery.
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Sol Fa Sol
2009 Malbec
Valle de Uco, Mendoza Argentina
The color is deep red, intense, and bright with splashes of magenta. Aromas of dark plums, with hints of raspberry and cherry. The palate is powerful, intense, with good length. It has good acidity, accompanied by a long fruity finish. This is an easy drinking wine, an ideal accompaniment with all types of food. Winery.
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A to Z
2007 Night & Day Red Wine
Oregon
The wine is juicy, generous and honest in the mouth with lovely sweet fruit given shape and backbone by a strong ripe tannic structure. Succulent and long-lasting, the final flavors end on a strong note of minerality and dark cocoa. Winery.
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BenMarco
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza Argentina
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon contains 10% Merlot and was aged for 8 months in a mix of new French oak and second use American oak. Purple-colored, it reveals an excellent nose of cedar, spice box, cassis, and violets. Medium-bodied, on the palate it has plenty of sweet fruit and ripe tannin but is in need of a bit more depth and concentration. Drink it over the next 6 years. Jay Miller.
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Colosi
2010 Nero d'Avola
Sicily
The 2010 Nero d'Avola is a highly attractive unoaked red. It flows with expressive layers of perfumed varietal fruit, flowers and mint. The 2010 is a touch firm at this stage, most likely owing to its recent bottling. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. Antonio Galloni.
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Wither Hills
2010 Sauvignon Blanc
Wairau Valley New Zealand
Pale, bright yellow. Musky nose dominated by ginger. Suave and juicy on the palate, with ripe citrus fruit and spice flavors complemented by a touch of sweetness. Builds nicely on the back half, finishing with subtle length. Combines very good depth with an attractive light touch. Nothing extreme about this nicely balanced wine. A steal at the price.
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Gordon Brothers
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon (87%) with Syrah and Merlot completing the blend. It spent 16 months in French and American oak. Medium purple in color, it offers up a perfume of cedar, spice box, incense, violets, and black cherry that jumps from the glass. Supple, forward, and tasty on the palate, it can be enjoyed over the next 6-8 years. It, too, is a very good value. Jay Miller.
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Vietti
2008 Perbacco
Piedmont Italy
Offers up generous fruit along with menthol, spices and hard candy, showing notable intensity while retaining an essentially mid-weight style. Round, suave tannins add to the long and refined finish. Winery notes.
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Daniel Bouland
2010 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes
Beaujolais
Bouland’s 2010 Morgon Corcelette Vieilles Vignes offers scents of violet, wisteria, fresh cherry, red currant, and smoked meat. Sweetly-ripe yet vivacious fruit informs a silken-textured palate, while smokiness and salinity lend invigoration to a purely-persistent, downright vibrant finish. Look for 4-6 years of satisfaction.
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Daou Vineyards
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles
Vivid ruby. Cherry-vanilla, candied red fruits and mocha on the nose. Then bright and precise in the mouth, offering spicy redcurrant and bitter cherry flavors that are underscored by zesty minerality. Closes down with air and finishes with strong peppery snap and lingering red fruit skin notes. Looks promising.
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Crios de Susana Balbo
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza Argentina
Susana Balbo is very high on Mendoza’s 2009 vintage, calling it a “fantastic year”. The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 5 months in seasoned French and American oak. It is purple-colored with a classy nose of cigar box, cassis, black currant, and violets. Medium-to full bodied, it has excellent depth, savory flavors, ripe tannin for balance, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will evolve for 1-2 years but can be enjoyed now and over the next 4-5 years. Jay Miller. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Bianchi
2009 Zinfandel
Paso Robles
Bianchi's Heritage Selection wines are a host of distinctive creations from our own unique vineyards. Ripe concentrated grapes for Zen Zin. Spicy oak ravishing raspberry jam flavors of Bianchi Zen Zin. Winery notes. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Ponzi Vineyards
2010 Pinot Gris
Willamette Valley
Vanilla, mango and papaya notes are offset by strong green pear and floral aromatics. The mouth is full and broad with a refreshing hit of lemon custard. Winemaker's notes.
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Flora Springs
2009 Chardonnay
Napa Valley
The 2009 vintage offers rich flavors of peach and pear with a hint of pineapple on the palate. In each vintage, we strive to find a balance between the rich flavors of our St. Helena and Oakville Chardonnay and the acidity and minerality of our Carneros fruit. For 2009 we further enhanced the wine by allowing 21% of the blend to go through malolactic fermentation. You wouldn't believe the excitement in the cellar when we passed the final blend around the table-tropical fruit, richness, complexity, spandex?-it's 1980 all over again! Winery.
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Ernie Els
2009 Big Easy
Stellenbosch South Africa
A blend of 52% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Mourvedre, 9% Grenache and 3% Viognier, the 2009 “Big Easy” has a well defined, oak-laden nose with blackberry, blueberry and small dark cherries. The palate is medium-bodied with a creamy entry, full-bodied with succulent dark berried fruits interlaced with chocolate and a dash of white pepper. The finish retains good delineation and harmony and makes this an impressive Rhone-inspired blend. Drink 2012-2018. Neal Martin.
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Bodega Norton
2008 Privada
Mendoza Argentina
Rich and dense, offering beautifully detailed mocha, boysenberry, fig and black currant notes, all framed by alluring spice, anise and graphite, with a long, rich finish. A large-scaled style. Very impressive. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2013.
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Branko
2010 Pinot Grigio
Collio Italy
A fine wine with a strong personality and character; a fruity wine in which wood fermentation and maturation give a toasty aroma, first woody then smooth which interpenetrate and create an olfactory synergy. Dry hay and nut hull are detectable. These are instinctive and determinate analogies. This wine is soft, warm, with fair acidity, giving enjoyable mouth fullness. It matures becoming even more attractive. Special with fish dishes, it can be enjoyed in any occasion. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Chateau Peynaud
2010 White Blend
Bordeaux
50% Semillon, 50% Sauvignon - Château Peynaud is a fresh, crisp and fruity wine. An aromatic citrus nose leads into a vivacious palate with delectable acidity. Can age for 2-3 years. Serve with seafood, fish & salad. . Importers notes.
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Landmark
2009 Overlook Chardonnay
Sonoma County
Completely accessed from Sonoma fruit (as opposed to several previous examples that came from numerous California appellations), it exhibits a light green/gold color as well as notes of nectarines, white peaches and hints of honey as well as tropical fruits. Medium to full-bodied, pure and fresh with the wood pushed to the background, this dry, classy white should be enjoyed over the next. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Domaine Collotte
2009 Bourgogne Cuvee de Noble Souche
Burgundy
This Bourgogne is nicely textured with plenty of dark fruit. Sensitive aromatics combined with elegance on the palate make for a great house style Bourgogne.
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Bodegas Botani
2009 Dry Moscatel
Malaga, Andalucia, Spain
The 2009 Botani was sourced from organically farmed 70-year-old Moscatel de Alejandria vines producing tiny yields. Thirty percent of the wine was barrel-fermented in neutral French oak, the rest in stainless steel. Medium straw-colored with a green tint, it displays a nose of mineral, spring flowers, acacia, and a hint of tropical aromas. The 2009 vintage has produced a wine with extra density and concentration. Although the aromatics suggest sweetness, the wine is dry but very fruity, refreshing, and exceptionally long. It is an outstanding value that over-delivers in a big way.
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Campus Oaks
2008 Old Vines Zinfandel
Lodi
Hand selected grapes from 80+ years old vines. Enjoy a wonderful fruit forward nose of raspberries and cherries followed by a jammy mid range of mixed berries with a hint of vanilla wrapped in oak, ending with a delightful silky finish.
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Seventy Five Wine Company
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Amber Knolls District Lake County
The 2009 Seventy Five Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon is nothing short of impressive.. It boasts an explosive nose of black currant, vanilla, bacon fat and spice box. Terrific concentration with multiple dimensions and layers, this wine is voluptuous, dense and powerful, all the while maintaining great acidity, structure and finish. This is a serious wine for the true Cabernet hedonist.
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Carpe Diem
2007 Pinot Noir
Firepeak Vineyard Edna Valley
Our Burgundian Pinot Noir is elegant and refined with cherry and red fruit flavors complimented by a light smokiness and spice. The dense ruby color is as bold as the cherry and spice bouquet. True to the Burgundian style and to the varietal, the wine has an earthiness to it that graduates into bright and bold red fruits. This wine continues to unfold up until the smooth finish. Winery notes.
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Cartlidge & Browne
2007 Merlot
North Coast
There is roundness and depth, and the top notes of cranberry and juicy bing cherry are accompanied by plenty of ripe black fruit. Mocha hints, along with a cedary character on the finish, give the wine a real dimension and a nice density.
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San Lorenzo
2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Abruzzi
This is one of the finest examples of Montepuliano d'Abruzzo. It has incredible fruit flavors along with a richness that's very hedonistic. Dense, extracted, smooth and delicious. A terrific bargain.
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San Lorenzo
2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Abruzzi
This is one of the finest examples of Montepuliano d'Abruzzo. It has incredible fruit flavors along with a richness that's very hedonistic. Dense, extracted, smooth and delicious. A terrific bargain.
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Sale Price: $17.99 (1.5 lt)
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QPR - 90 |
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Tenuta Luisa
2008 Sauvignon Blanc
Isonzo del Fruili Italy
Tropical fruit scents of guava and lime show the ripeness of the Sauvignon, ut by a grassy edge of green. It's gold and pure in its juiciness, tasting of pear and honey, finishing clean. For a spicy larb gai (Thai Chicken salad).
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Morgenhof Estate
2004 Brut Reserve
Stellenbosch South Africa
Not to mention getting four stars in John Platter Wine Guide 2007.
This Methode Cap Classique has a nose that is a combination of biscuits, granny smith apples, peaches and orange blossom flavors. The palate has a good acidity which adds to a lot of freshness with undertones of peaches and citrus, quite full-bodied in style with a long finish. Winery notes.
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Casanova di Neri
2008 Sant'Antimo Rosso
Tuscany
The 2008 Rosso di Montalcino (labeled Rosso di Casanova di Neri for the US) is a beautiful, impeccably balanced wine. There is lovely transparency and elegance to the fruit in an expression of Sangiovese that offers gorgeous roundness in a mid-weight, elegant style. The finish is long, soft and caressing. Even better, this is an outstanding value.
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Ridge Vineyards
2008 Zinfandel
Ponzo Vineyard Russian River Valley
Bob Ponzo's vineyard at the northern edge of the Russian River Valley includes a block of zin and petite from 1952, the core of this wine. The vines are cooled by the fog incursion that drifts upriver, though not as much as the pinot noir vineyards deeper into the valley and closer to the sea, Fat black cherry and tart strawberry flavors balance this wine's equally huge tannins, leaving a tail of red spice in the end. Leave it in a decanter for several hours while you marinate a butterflied leg of lamb.
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Chateau Jouanin
2009 Bordeaux Blend
Castillon Cotes De Bordeaux
Made with 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. This 2009 is full of extravagant fruit flavors of blackberry, ripe black currants, but also tobacco, ripe, sweet pepper and tar. On the palate, opulent and clear, full vigor and juice, with a harmonious finish.
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Pio Cesare
2010 Cortese di Gavi
Piedmont Italy
Gavi is a clear straw yellow, with green reflections. The bouquet is intense and ethereal, reminiscent of ripe fruit, green apples and moss. The palate is full and flavorful yet soft, with a daring hint of green fruit. It is a harmoniously balanced wine. Winery.
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Domaine Rosier
2009 Brut
Blanquette de Limoux
Made in the traditional Champage Methode, this Brut is the perfect sparkler to have around the house to share with family and friends. Let's call it the perfect aperitif. The nose is very floral and it's full of flavor in the mouth with a fine mousse. There's absolutely nothing not to like about this party sparkler. Enjoy!
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Ferrari Carano
2009 Siena
Sonoma County
Sangiovese 76%, Malbec 16%, Syrah 8%. Ferrari-Carano's Italian heritage is reflected in this Sangiovese-based, easy-sipping blend. Select lots of grapes are chosen from our vineyards in Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River Valleys to create a beautifully-balanced and medium-bodied wine. SIENA has delicious aromas of cherry pie, raspberry jam and spice with lingering flavors of ripe wild berries, pomegranate, vanilla, caramel, and sweet oak. Elevated tones of dried cherries, cranberries come out along with deeper, darker nuances of blueberry preserves, cherry cola and cinnamon. Winery notes. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Chateau Bel-Air
2009 La Chapelle Bordeaux Blend
Cote de Castillon
From one of the new "in" regions of Bordeaux, just east of St-Emilion. Very ripe and somewhat "new wave," this wine will appeal to the California Cabernet lovers. Superb value from a fantastic vintage! Soft elegant balanced berry fruit and oak on the nose. Smooth round and velvety on the palate. Lifted, elegant fruit on the finish.
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Bodegas Ateca
2009 Atteca
Calatayud Spain
The 2009 Ateca was sourced from mountainside vineyards and aged for 10 months in French oak. It displays aromas of cedar, an earthy minerality, black cherry, and lavender leading to a savory, deep, well-balanced red with succulent fruit and a lengthy, seamless finish. Drink this outstanding value over the next 4-5 years. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Sartarelli
2007 Verdiccio dei Castelli di Jesi
Classico Superiore Marches
Honeyed, floral aromatics emerge from the 2007 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Tralivio. This gorgeous, lush wine offers superb richness and depth in its succulent peaches, minerals and sweet spices, showing tons of persistence and a long, resonating finish. It, too, is a terrific value for the money. Antonio Galloni.
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Chateau Le Conseiller
2009 Bordeaux Blend
Bordeaux Superieur
One of the best of the generic Bordeaux, made by Jean-Philippe Janoueix, this dense, rich, full-bodied wine has an inky ruby/purple color, loads of graphite, blueberry, charcoal, and camphor notes, a dense, luscious, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, and plenty of fruit and glycerin. This is a very sexy, surprisingly rich wine to drink over the next 5-7 years. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Perez Cruz
2008 Malbec Reserva Limited Edition COT
Maipo Valley Chile
Inky ruby. Pungent aromas and flavors of dark berries, licorice, bitter chocolate and spicecake. Juicy, fruit-driven and nicely structured, with a pliant texture, building sweetness and very good depth to the cassis and bitter cherry flavors. Finishes with lingering fruit and sweet tannins. A suave midweight that offers impressive depth and very good energy.
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Conway Family
2008 Deep Sea Chardonnay
Central Coast
The 2008 Deep Sea Chardonnay, Central Coast is golden and clear. The nose shows a mix of fresh citrus, with a background of pear and apple, fresh dough and honey, all layered with some minerality. The smooth entrance shows a soft, balanced wine with notes of citrus, apple tart, and just enough oak to add another layer of complexity that includes vanilla and toffee, complemented with crisp acidity.
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Swindle Rig
2009 Chardonnay
Sonoma Valley
100% Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley. The grapes of whole-cluster pressed with native yeast fermentation (primary and secondary) and aged for 1 year in neutral French oak barrels. It is green golden tinged and full-bodied, and balanced by mineral and acid. Winery.
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Martino Biscardo
2008 Valpolicella Ripasso
Veneto Italy
After fermentation in stainless steel, the final step for Ripasso is obtained when the base wine is re-passed or in Italian: “Ripassando” the newly fermented juice on the skins of the Amarone wine. Finally 12 months in oak adds suppleness to the fig-infused, brambly finish. This is a bold, dense ruby-colored wine with terrific plum, fig, black cherry, chocolate, and earth-like characteristics. Importers notes.
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Franciscan
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
A solid Cabernet, dry and full bodied, showing classic flavors of blackberries, currants and oak, with hints of vanilla and toast. Feels rich in the mouth, a wine to enjoy through a long finish. Great price, and it could even develop in the bottle over the next few years.
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Milbrandt Vineyards
2006 Estate Syrah
Wahluke Slope Washington
Syrah may well be the standout grape among all that the Milbrandt brothers do well in their 13 vineyards. Here it captures the grape’s authentic toasty, meaty, earthy character (well supported with oak) and wraps it around pure black cherry fruit. Supple and long-lasting.
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Talley
2008 Chardonnay
Arroyo Grande Valley
Bright gold. Rich and lively, displaying scents of pear, orange oil, buttered apple and smoky minerals. Sappy orchard and citrus fruit flavors provide very good palate coverage and are lifted by tangy acidity. The orange note comes back strongly on the finish, which leaves a dusty, stony quality behind.
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Mapema
2009 Sauvignon Blanc
Argentina
There is little Sauvignon Blanc coming out of Argentina but Mapema’s 2009 Sauvignon Blanc is a fine one by any standard. The wine was aged predominantly in stainless steel but 10% of the wine was aged in new French oak for 3 months. It offers up an excellent bouquet of fresh herbs, citrus, and floral aromas leading to a spicy, savory, concentrated Sauvignon with impeccable balance and plenty of length. Drink it over the next 1-2 years. Jay Miller.
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Fairview
2007 La Beryl Blanc Paarl
Coastal Region South Africa
A round and forward style, with richly textured papaya, pineapple and creamed peach flavors that linger on the lush, sweet finish. For the hedonist crowd. Drink now through 2010. Only 200 cases made. (500 ml)
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La Valentina
2008 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Abruzzi Italy
Deep ruby, purple-red color; clean, bright vibrant, lingering aromas with hints of saffron, red berries, blackberries and black cherries. It has a rich, rounded palate full of clean, ripe red berries and a well-balanced, full textured finish. This is a great example of the montepulciano grape variety made in a style that is both traditional and modern. Serve with substantial first courses with game sauces, grilled meats and richly textured fish dishes. Drink immediately or keep for 5 years too. Winery notes.
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Duval Leroy
nv Brut
Champagne
An elegant wine, with a delicate grain and subtle, citrusy acidity. Offers flavors of yellow apple, clementine and licorice snap, with hints of marzipan and coconut and a fresh, creamy finish. Drink now through 2018. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Terlato & Chapoutier
2009 Shiraz-Viognier
Victoria Australia
Bright and bold, offering a racy feel to its red berry, cherry and spice flavors, with a floral note adding interest to the lively finish. This could use some time to soften. Best from 2012 through 2017. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Santadi
2007 Carignano del Sulcis Grotta Rossa
Sardinia
From Carignano grown in a mixture of clay, sand and limestone, this wine is aged in cement vats prior to bottling, so there's no oak to get in the way of the scents of wild thyme, coastal breezes and black, earthy fruit. It's a savory, mouthwatering red, lasting on elegant minerality.
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Jax Vineyards Y3
2008 Taureau
Napa Valley
Taureau is an elegant blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 14% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Franc offering ripe cherry, mocha, espresso beans and black licorice notes. Rich, supple, and expansive, this wine can tam just about any food. Winery notes.
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Marco Felluga
2008 Molamata
Collio
Golden yellow in color. When young the wine is characterized by an elegant bouquet of exotic fruits. Over time, as the wine evolves, it develops a hint of sweetness, reminiscent of vanilla. The wine is fresh and round with a warm, prolonged finish. Importer's notes.
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Muruve
2006 Crianza
Toro Spain
This polished, modern red delivers black cherry, dark chocolate, mineral and sanguine notes, firm and focused. Ripe, well-integrated tannins give way to a lingering floral and spicy finish. Drink now through 2014.
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Errazuriz
2010 Sauvignon Blanc Estate
Casablanca Valley
Pale bright yellow. Pungent, spice-accented aromas of white peach and orange are complicated by a hint of white pepper. Gently sweet and creamy on entry, then drier and nervier in the mid-palate, displaying a seamless texture and sappy pit fruit and lime gelato flavors. Finishes with a persistent flavor of peach.
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Conundrum
2009 Red Blend
California
Nearly floral, with tones of lavender, dried berries, baking chocolate, bacon bits. Aromas are rich, velvety and wonderfully appealing. On the palate, silky round entry with acid to balance with high fruit concentration. The nose leaves no doubt about the seriousness of this wine. The palate is fruit driven both before and after the high tannin middle core. The finish is long, not drying of tannin, and beckons a second sip. Winery.
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La Caplana
2010 Gavi di Gavi
Piedmont Italy
La Caplana’s Gavi is a straw yellow with green reflexes. At the olfactory exam it shows intense fragrances ranging from apple to the typical scents of white flowers. The palate is fresh but at the same time rich in structure and long persistence. Importer notes.
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Melville
2007 Estate Chardonnay
Santa Rita Hills
Revealing a more evolved, light to medium gold color, the 2007 Chardonnay Estate offers zesty, caramelized orange rind notes intermixed with lemon grass and a steely minerality. Medium to full-bodied and tightly knit, it looks set for at least 5-6 years of life.
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Ascheri
2009 Arneis
Piedmont Italy
Aging 4 months in steel, 2 months minimum in bottle Pale yellow color - Fresh bouquet with a fruity and slightly spicy - Dry, palatable, very fresh - Delicate wine of remarkable balance and finesse. Importers notes.
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Castello di Bossi
2006 Chianti Classico
Tuscany
The 2006 Chianti Classico (100% Sangiovese) is truly beautiful as it opens up in the glass, revealing tons of fruit in the powerful, ripe style that is typical of Castelnuovo. The wine possesses tons of stuffing and richness yet maintains notable clarity. Not only is this Chianti Classico a superb value, it can also challenge wines costing twice as much. Needless to say, it is highly recommended. Antonio Galloni.
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MacRostie
2008 Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast
A rich, elegant style, with intense, concentrated citrus, green apple, spice and fresh-cut flowers. Full-bodied, gaining depth and complexity on the finish, where the minerality shines through. Drink now through 2018. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Peirano Estate
2009 Viognier
Lodi
Peaches, pineapple, and tropical fruit are complemented by the scent of lemons and ginger. Lush flavors of fresh ripe peaches so juicy they drip down your arm are balanced by flavors of apples, pears and orange marmalade. The balance of fruit and a touch of sunshine lead to a refreshing finish. This wine will remind you of a spring day on a mountainside. We suggest serving this wine at 57-60 degrees, to allow the full characters of Viognier to shine through.
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Stolpman
2009 Syrah
Santa Ynez Valley
The 2009 Syrah is a powerful wine endowed with considerable depth. Black fruit, licorice, leather and tar are some of the notes that wrap around the palate in this intense, muscular Syrah. Sweet floral notes add lift and a measure of balance on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Antonio Galloni. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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Viticcio
2007 Chianti Classico
Tuscany
Shows a lot of bright cherry and berry character, with hints of coffee. Full-bodied, with fine, well-integrated tannins, clean acidity and a long finish.
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Viticcio
2007 Chianti Classico Riserva
Tuscany
Subtle currant, cedar and floral aromas follow through to a dense, full-bodied palate of ripe fruits and silky tannins, with a long finish. A little age will soften this just slightly. Really serious. Best after 2010.
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Stanley Lambert
Non Vintage Choc-a-Bloc
South Australia
Choc-a-Bloc is a luscious dessert wine, made using a fortified Australian Tawny wine and seeping it with chocolate. A pleasant accompaniment with sweets or coffee. It's really dessert in itself. Great to sip on with friends. Chocoholics beware. Winery notes.
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Paul Blanck
2009 Gewurztraminer
Alsace
A dry, minerally version of Gewurztraminer, featuring aromatic notes of apple blossom, yellow apple, pear, dried apricot and candied lemon zest. Tangy acidity keeps this lively and fresh, while a sweet, smoky mineral note lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2024.
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Roche De Lune
2009 Sauvignon Blanc
Touraine Loire Valley
This is a very pretty wine with delicate citrus flavors with sublte hints of honeysuckle and melon. Finishes with a refreshing palate.
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Chateau Haut Terrier
2010 White Blend
Blaye Cotes De Bordeaux
90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Colombard. With aromas of white peach, banana, lychee and pineapple highlight a great aromatic concentration. The finish is full, fat and balanced. This wine goes perfectly with fine fish, shellfish. Very popular as an aperitif. Winemaker's notes.
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Crios
2010 Torrontes
Mendoza Argentina
Perfumed aromas of peach nectar and flowers. Juicy, pure and intense, with lovely floral perfume and bright framing acidity. A bit viognier-like like in its floral complexity. Finishes juicy and long, and not a bit heavy. This is the #1 torrontés imported from Argentina and virtually never misses.
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Juan Gil
2010 Wrongo Dongo
Jumilla
The 2010 Wrongo Dongo, (a phrase made famous by the legendary Diamond Jim Arseneault), is a 100% Monastrell cuvee made from Jumilla grapes. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, it offers up a fruity nose with plenty of spice and floral notes. Ripe and savory on the palate, it has enough structure to provide pleasure for another 3-4 years. Jay Miller. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase)
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Marti Fabra
2003 Seleccio Vinyes Velles
Costa Brava Spain
The wine was aged 18 months in French oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. A great expression of the appellation, it reveals terrific minerality along with wonderfully projected, even flamboyant sweet red and black fruits interwoven with notions of flowers and graphite. Deep purple-hued, rich, full-bodied, stunningly pure, and well-textured, this beauty can be drunk over the next 10-12 years.
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Jermann
2010 Pinot Grigio
Friuli
Deep yellow with gold highlights. Fresh nose offers clean, crisp aromas of apple and pear, plus a whiff of white flowers. Enters clean and fresh, but develops surprising creaminess and depth, with almost luscious flavors of white peach, pear and minerals. This above-average pinot grigio shows sneaky complexity and good length and is the best such wine by Jermann in years.
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La Posta Cocina
2009 Blanco de Blancos
Argentina
The unoaked 2009 Cocina Blanco de Blancos is an intriguing blend of 70% Chardonnay, 15% Torrontes, and 15% Sauvignon Blanc. It exhibits an excellent bouquet of mineral, citrus, and lemon meringue leading to a medium-bodied, dry, intensely flavored, ripe wine that would be a fine match for a crab cake. Jay Miller.
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Celler Can Blau
2008 Can Blau Red
Monsant Spain
The 2008 Can Blau is a blend of Carinena, Syrah, and Garnacha from Montsant where value can still be found. Dark ruby-colored, it reveals a compelling bouquet of mineral, smoke, spice box, black cherry, and plum. Sweet and smooth-textured on the palate, this medium to full-bodied effort has excellent depth, concentration, and length. Drink it over the next 6 years. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
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Two Hands
2009 Angels Share
McLaren Vale
Bright, vibrant, generous and effusive, a seamless wine that bursts with fresh-tasting plum, blackberry and fresh cream flavors, coming together with finesse on the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2019.
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Michel Torino
2008 Don David Malbec Reserve
Calchaqui Valley
The flagship red varietal of Argentina. This wine shows plum, red fruits, spicy black cherries and cassis with toasted oak notes on the nose and palate. Ripe fruit and linear acidity balance strong but soft, ripe tannins.
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Saint Damien
2009 Cotes du Rhone VV
Southern Rhone Valley
The 2007 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes, which could easily pass for an outstanding Chateauneuf du Pape is a blend of 90% Grenache and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre and possesses superb intensity as well as a sweet perfume of kirsch liqueur, licorice, lavender, and soil undertones. Deep and full-bodied with terrific texture, stunning richness, and a long finish, this brilliant Cotes du Rhone can be enjoyed over the next 4-5 years.
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Chateau Teyssier
2006 Bordeaux Blend
St. Emilion
The 2006 is an outstanding success as well as a sleeper of the vintage. Its dark ruby color is accompanied by plenty of black fruit, licorice, earth, and spice characteristics. It should drink nicely for 8-10 years.
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Peachy Canyon
2009 Cirque du Vin
Paso Robles
A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Zinfandel, 16% Petit Sirah, 16% Merlot, 6% Petit Verdot and 3% Malbec. Deeply colored, hints of vanilla, menthol, and black cherry grace the nose. On the palate more cherry along with blueberry, licorice and spice flavors emerge in a round mouthfilling package that's as lively as a three ring circus. Winery.
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Decoy
2009 Red Blend
Napa Valley
The 2009 vintage has yielded a broad and inviting expression of our Decoy Red Wine, with classic Napa Valley fruit notes and a silky, mouthcoating mid-palate. The aromas spotlight layers of mocha, mulberry and cassis with a subtle, yet sophisticated hint of cigar box. On the palate, this wine is soft and appealing with abundant flavors of blackcurrant, plum, hazelnut and licorice. Winery.
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Uvaggio
2007 Barbera
Lodi
Fermented with a yeast strain that was isolated in Barolo, immediately following fermentation and pressing the wine was filled to barrels so the malo-lactic conversion took place in oak cooperage. Aged 15 months in combination of new and newer oak barrels, of both French and Hungarian origin, with the balance in neutral oak barrels. The wine is rich and structured with bright berry aromas and flavors, plus stone fruit flavors of cherries and plums which is followed by lively, fruit and a clean finish. Winery.
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Chateau de Parenchere
2010 Bordeaux Blanc Sec
Bordeaux
A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semillon and 10% Muscadelle. The wine is estate bottled from vines planted on hillsides of chalky clay soil. This wine combines the strength and liveliness of Sauvignon Blanc with the roundness of Semillon and the elegance of Muscadelle. With its intense aromas, silky attack and invigorating finish, it is best enjoyed between 10 and 12 degrees C.
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Errazuriz
2009 Single Vineyard Carmenere
Aconcagua Valley
Deep red. Fresh red and dark berries, violet and minerals on the aromatic nose. Suave and attractively sweet on the palate, offering lively blackcurrant and cherry flavors and a hint of vanilla. Packs a solid punch but this wine is quite elegant and seamless. The finish repeats the cherry note and clings with very good tenacity. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
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d'Arenberg
2006 The Cadenzia
McLaren Vale
The Shiraz portion of The Cadenzia GSM comes from the Laughing Magpie selection. Purple-colored, it reveals an already complex aromatic array of cedar, mineral, underbrush, espresso, black cherry, and blueberry. Layered and succulent on the palate, it has loads of fruit, plenty of spice, and excellent length. Give it 2-3 years to round out and drink it from 2011 to 2021.
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O. Fournier
2007 Urban Ribera
Ribera del Duero
The 2007 Urban Ribera is a strong candidate for the best new release Ribera del Duero under $25. Made from 100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo), the wine spent four months in French oak. Purple-colored, it offers up a fragrant bouquet of scorched earth, violets, and black cherry that leaps from the glass. Smooth-textured and suave on the palate, it has loads of succulent black fruit, silky tannins, excellent depth and grip, and a juicy finish. Drink this tasty effort over the next four years.
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Lustau
nv Pedro Ximenez San Emilio Cream Sherry
Jerez Spain
With piercing aromas of raisin pudding, molasses and spice, this rolls out the welcome mat and more. Luscious is probably as tame as you can put it; this is a ribald sweet wine with acidic backbone and hugely intense flavors of baked brown sugar, cinnamon cake and molasses. Powerful but still racy due to bracing acidity. About as good as it gets with PX.
| Sale Price: $24.99 |
WE - 93 |
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Clif Family Winery
2009 The Climber Sauvignon Blanc
California
To create our 2009 Climber Sauvignon Blanc, our winemakers began with an amazing selection of Sauvignon Blanc from organic and sustainably farmed vineyards in Lake County, Mendocino County and Lodi. They then added Pinot Gris, Riesling and a touch of Pinot Meunier and Muscat to add complexity and layers of vibrant fruit to the wine. The Climber is 100% stainless steel fermented and does not go through malolactic fermentation, thus enhancing the purity of the fruit and resulting in classical varietal notes with a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel. Winery notes.
| Sale Price: $13.99 |
QPR - 89 |
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Ridge
2009 Three Valleys Zinfandel
Sonoma County
Medium garnet. Fresh raspberry, cherry. Scorched clay/earth minerals, white pepper. Ripe briary fruit entry, elegant tannins, integrated oak spice, great length. Winery.
| Sale Price: $14.99* |
QPR - 88 |
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Wither Hills
2008 Pinot Noir
Wairau Valley
Bright ruby color with ripe berry fruit with balanced floral characters, enhanced by integrated oak. Reserve in style, this Pinot Noir is filled with ripe, concentrated, wild cherry and primary berry fruit characters. Winery.
| Sale Price: $19.99 |
QPR - 90 |
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Isole e Olena
2008 Chianti Classico
Tuscany
(80% sangiovese, 15% canaiolo nero and 5% syrah; aged for one year in tonneaux and barriques, 15% new; 14.5% alcohol) Good medium red. Enticing aromas of red cherry, violet, red rose and cinnamon. Very fresh and light on its feet, with pure, perfumed flavors of red cherry, rose and tobacco. Finishes wonderfully long, smooth and minerally. This perfumed wine really reminded me of nebbiolo! ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $16.98 |
ST - 91 |
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Domaine Les Grands Bois
2009 Cotes du Rh0ne Cuvee Les Trois Soeurs
Southern Rhone Valley
The 2009 Cotes du Rhone Les Trois Soeurs (a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Carignan from 30- to 60-year-old vines) offers a delicious mouthful of wine for a song. Its dense plum color is accompanied by notes of white chocolate, crushed berry fruit, earth, and licorice. Broad, savory, and silky textured, this delicious, enormously satisfying 2009 should drink well for 2-3 years.
| Sale Price: $13.99 |
RP - 90 |
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Chateau De La Chesnaie
2009 Muscadet Sevre Et Maine
Loire Valley
The 2009 Chateau de la Chesnaie Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie smells unusually for its appellation of winter pear, pumpkin, and pineapple, tinged with and hints of sea breeze. Atypically lush in texture for this cuvee – not to mention luscious – it reminds me slightly of a Gruner Veltliner in its alternation of tropical and northerly fruits, its hints of green bean, black pepper, nutmeg, and salt, and its persistent, tactile sense of finishing piquancy, alkalinity, and stoniness. David Schildknecht.
| Sale Price: $13.99 |
RP - 90 |
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Boroli
2007 Barbera d'Alba Bricco 4 Fratelli
Piedmont
The color is very intense, ruby red. On the nose it offers aromas of ripe forest fruits and undertones of vanilla while on the palate this wine is close-texture, mouth-filling with aromas of ripe raspberries and blackberries. There is a nice balance of acidity alcohol and tannins followed by a long-appealing finish. Winery notes.
| Sale Price: $15.99* |
QPR - 90 |
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Mauritson
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Sonoma County
The 2007 Mauritson Sonoma County Cabernet is explosive in the nose. Ripe red fruit jumps out of the glass accented with aromas of dust, cassis, vanilla, and hints of mineral. On the front palate, the wine is both juicy and serious. The lush fruit gives way to tobacco and sweet oak. The fine grained nature of the tannins begins to present itself: at first the mouth feel is broad and sweeping, but as the wine moves back on the palate, it gains focus, finishing with full tannins. There is nothing astringent or overpowering about the wine, yet the delicacy and complexity can not fully be appreciated until after the last sip is gone. Please enjoy this responsibly over the next 7 to 10 years. Winery.
| Sale Price: $24.99 |
QPR - 92 |
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Juan Gil (baby Clio)
2009 100% Monastrell
Jumilla Spain
Deep, bright ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, cola, oak spices and black tea. Musky and penetrating, offering spicy red and dark berry flavors that show a suave blend of richness and vivacity. Fine-grained tannins add grip to the long, smoky finish. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $11.99* |
ST - 90 |
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Domaine Di Joy
nv White Blend
Floc De Gascogne
33% Ugni-Blanc, 33% Colombard and 34% Gros Manseng. An absolutely delicious aperitif made with just a bit of 8-12 year old Armagnac. Pale yellow color with golden highlights. Subtle, elegant, complex nose with fruity notes (pineapple, apricot), flowers and a hint of honey. in the mouth, a supple attack, full, mild, well-balanced. Touch of acidity at the finish, giving freshness. Simply put, a delight.
| Sale Price: $14.99 |
QPR - 90 |
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Markowitsch
2010 Gruner Veltliner
Austria
This is yellow-green, very spicy on the nose and compact, great maturity of spraying, incredible concentration on the palate and a very long finish. Winery.
| Sale Price: $12.99 |
QPR - 89 |
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DeLoach
2008 O.F.S. Zinfandel
Russian River Valley
This is a thick and dense Zinfandel that's straightforward with its sweet berry fruit and spices. Well-balanced and Easy to like. 2-3 years cellaring would be perfect.
| Sale Price: $24.99 |
QPR - 90 |
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Chateau de La Greffiere
2009 Macon - La Roche - Vineuse
"Sous Le Bois" Maconnais Burgundy
This is a beautiful tasting Burgundy for the money. Full of harmony which makes it so drinkable. A great example of the value in white Burgundy. A must buy for the summer drinking weather.
| Sale Price: $14.99 |
QPR - 90 |
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Chappellet
2009 Mountain Cuvee
Napa Valley
Our 2009 Mountain Cuvee shows the appealing depth and nuance of a true Bordeaux blend. The aromas offer a complex mélange of spicy red fruit, rum raison, cedar, sweet tobacco, clove, cinnamon, dark chocolate and bay leaf. On the palate, the texture is smooth and lush, with lingering flavors of sweet cherry and plum. Though there is ample weight and richness, elegance is really the theme of this complex and balanced wine. Winery.
| Sale Price: $23.99* |
QPR - 90 |
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Wild Horse
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles
Distinctive for its bold, fruit-forward character, our Cabernet Sauvignon portrays rich aromas and flavors of cherry, strawberry, cedar, and clove, coupled with a lush mouthfeel yielding smooth tannins. The vibrant fruit and balanced acidity found in this wine makes a perfect match for a variety of foods including rosemary seasoned pork loin, rack of lamb and aged cheeses.
| Sale Price: $14.99 |
QPR - 90 |
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Columbia Crest
2008 H3 Chardonnay
Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley
The 2008 Chardonnay Horse Heaven Hills is a bit more serious. Forty percent was barrel-fermented in new oak, 30% in seasoned barrels with the balance in stainless steel. Like the Grand Estates, it was aged for 6-9 months sur lie with weekly batonnage. It gives up aromas of buttered popcorn, pear, spiced apple, and mineral leading to a smooth-textured, ripe Chardonnay with very good volume and concentration. This well-balanced, lengthy effort should drink well for 2-3 years.
| Sale Price: $12.99* |
RP - 89 |
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Maso Poli
2010 Pinot Grigio
Trentino Italy
Medium-deep straw-yellow. Complex nose offers intense aromas of pear, yellow apple, quince and fresh herbs. Rich, dense and savory, with concentrated pear and dried apricot flavors augmented by an herbal, saline nuance. Finishes bright, with good length and excellent palate presence. Serious stuff here: a well-above-average pinot grigio that's big enough to stand up to white meat dishes easily. Color me impressed. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $13.99 |
ST - 91 |
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Finca Sandoval
2007 Red Blend
Manchuela
The deep crimson-colored 2007 Finca Sandoval is made up of 79% Syrah, 13% Mourvedre, and 8% Bobal made entirely from estate-grown fruit. The wine was aged for 11 months in new and seasoned French and American oak. It offers up a brooding bouquet of underbrush, mineral, spice box, blueberry, and blackberry. Packed and impeccably balanced, this savory, layered effort is surprisingly forward for its size. It can be approached now but will be better with 2-3 years of additional cellaring. ( 3 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $22.99 |
RP - 93 |
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Rutz Cellars
2009 Maison Grand Cru Chardonnay
Russian River Valley
In the nose toast, butter, nuts, honey and ripe yellow fruit in the mouth, rich, creamy and smoky, but not boring or cumbersome, the beautiful acids, for a California chardonnay extraordinary. This is serious stuff.
| Sale Price: $15.99 |
QPR - 90 |
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Boulder Bank
2009 Pinot Noir
Marlborough New Zealand
Having made wine worldwide for many years, Nick Goldschmidt, has returned to his New Zealand roots to create Boulder Bank. This Pinot Noir comes from the WaxEye Vineyard on Hawkesbury Road in he Omaka area. Planted in 1999, these new Dijon clones are cane-pruned to reduce yield and have separate shoots for maximum cluster exposure. With an east-facing aspect of undulating glacial soils, the WaxEye Vineyard receives increased air flow and cooling. Humidity is also kept to a minimum. Deep black cherry color, with dusty plum and autumn forest on the nose. Flavors of red berry jam and cherry. Yields were lower in 2009 versus 2008, and the wines show more jammy fruit than usual. Winery. ( 12 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $15.99 |
QPR - 91 |
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Daniel Bouland
2010 Cote de Bouilly Cuvee Melanie
Beaujolais
From a parcel adjacent to the core vineyard of Chateau Thivin, Bouland’s barrel-matured 2010 Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Melanie displays juicy, tart-edged, cardamom- and cinnamon-tinged Maine blueberry wreathed alluringly in wisteria and finishing with notes of iodine and saliva-inducing salinity. Sleek, palpably dense, and pure-fruited, this delectable, charming Cote de Brouilly surprised me a bit for its absence of stony mineral expression as well as for the fact that a bottle – albeit merely one particular bottle – open overnight was less satisfying or mineral than one freshly-opened. I would however anticipate at least several years of pleasure.
| Sale Price: $19.99 |
RP - 91 |
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MollyDooker
2010 the Boxer Shiraz
South Australia
Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 The Boxer Shiraz has notes of warm blackberries and blueberries with nuances of menthol, some spice cake, anise and bacon fat. Concentrated, big, rich and ripe, it offers a very spicy palate with some licorice and cumin seed coming through, supported by a medium level of velvety tannins, lively acidity and finishing very long. Drink it now to 2017+.
Lisa. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $17.99 |
RP - 91 |
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Garnet
2009 Pinot Noir
Carneros
A Garnet Pinot Noir has been produced every year since 1983 and sets the highest standard for both style and value. Cool climate Carneros is ideal for Pinot Noir, and the wine is a pure expression of the region, with lovely garnet color, silky texture and fresh cherry, spice and mineral flavors. Winery notes.
| Sale Price: $13.99 |
QPR - 89 |
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MollyDooker
2010 Two Left Feet
South Australia
A blend of 72% Shiraz, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Merlot, the 2010 Two Left Feet has a deep garnet-purple color and a slightly closed nose of black currant cordial, mulberries, espresso and tree bark with a whiff of bacon. Full-bodied, ripe, rich and spicy in the mouth, it has a good foundation of crisp acid and a medium level of silky tannins, finishing long. Drinking nicely now, it should keep to 2017+. Lisa. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $17.99 |
RP - 90 |
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MollyDooker
2010 The Scooter Merlot
South Australia
Very deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 The Scooter Merlot gives pronounced notes of warm plums, blackberry preserves, coconut and baking spices plus a whiff of toasty cedar. Ripe, concentrated and voluptuous in the mouth, it offers tons of vanilla and spice flavors, a medium level of velvety tannins, medium-high acid and a long finish. Drinking beautifully now, it should cellar to 2016+. Lisa. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $17.99 |
RP - 90 |
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Casalvento
2007 Chianti Classico
Tuscany
A generous and fruity red, with plum, berry and raspberry character. This is polished and very beautiful, with a silky texture. Best after 2010. Only 1,500 cases made.
| Sale Price: $17.99 |
WS - 90 |
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Errazuriz
2009 Wild Ferment Chardonnay
Casablanca Valley Chile
Bright yellow-gold. A wild, highly perfumed bouquet evokes dried pear, orange, iodine and toasty lees. The palate offers sappy, densely packed orchard fruits along with suave spice and floral nuances. A note of toasted grain comes up with air and lingers on the long, focused finish. This rich, fleshy wine would be great with a buttery fish or chicken dish. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $13.99 |
ST - 90 |
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Stags' Leap Winery
2007 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Vivid aromas of red and black fruit characteristically introduce the wine. The palate emphasizes balance, with firm, round tannins and a complex finish that features a variety of notes from leather, espresso and chocolate. ( 6 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $24.99 |
JS - 90 |
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Domaines Schlumberger
2008 Princes Abbes Pinot Gris
Alsace
Soft-textured wine, open to spiced pear and apricots with kiwi fruit acidity. It takes a while before the bite of pepper and the richness come through. There is weight and intensity on the finish.
| Sale Price: $14.99 |
WE - 88 |
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Falesco
2009 Merlot
Umbria
The 2009 Merlot is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from Falesco. It is a decidedly firm, vibrant Merlot that stands in stark contrast to the super-ripe, obvious Vitiano Rosso. Here the fruit is wonderfully precise and elegant. Jammy blueberries, blackberries, cinnamon, leather and crushed rocks are woven into a beautiful fabric. The French oak is layered very nicely, adding depth and flavor, but never overpowering the wine. This is impressive juice from proprietor Riccardo Cotarella. Antonio Galloni.
| Sale Price: $14.99 |
RP - 92 |
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Scharffenberger
Sparkling Brut NV
Mendocino North Coast
Tangy citrus and doughy aromas are followed by creamy-textured peach, pear, green apple and spice flavors. The finish is fresh, long and generous. ( 3 bottle minimum purchase )
| Sale Price: $12.95 |
WS - 90 |
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*Denotes items that are available but may not be in stock,
please allow 3-4 days for delivery
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| Sarasota 941-926-WINE (9463) |
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