|
|
|
Wellington
Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
 |
|
|
 |
In 2003 Dick Handal and Alyce Denier
purchased the old Hulen Vineyard, and
hired the renowned Ulises Valdez to
manage it. Wellington Vineyards continue
to buy grapes from this wonderful little
hillside vineyard above West Dry Creek
Road. Beginning with the 2003 vintage
this wine has been bottled as Handal-Denier
Vineyard. The Cabernet from this
vineyard produces a full-bodied wine
with plenty of rich soft tannins, making
it both age worthy and approachable in
its youth. There is good intensity, with
ripe fruit (blackberry and cassis) with
classic Bordeaux-like aromas of cedar,
green olive, vanilla and pepper. On the
palate this Cabernet achieves the
elusive combination of power and
finesse, the proverbial iron fist in a
velvet glove. A moderately sweet, supple
entry and rich, but not heavy, middle
lead to a long finish with soft tannins
and lingering fruit aftertaste. Although
it’s already beautifully balanced and
soft enough to enjoy immediately, we
expect that this wine will continue to
fill out and gain more complexity and
finesse for several years to come. |
 |
|
Price $35 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shafer One
Point Five
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
|
|
|
 |
Shafer One Point Five takes its name
from the term “a generation-and-a-half,”
coined by John and Doug Shafer to
describe their long father-and-son
partnership. For 27 years this family
team has worked side by side to manage a
winery that aims to be world-class. The
2006 Shafer One Point Five is an
elegant, silky Cabernet Sauvignon with
soft tannins and abundant fruit that is
approachable when young, yet capable of
aging gracefully. This wine reflects the
climate and soils of the Stags Leap
District vineyard sites and Shafer’s
commitment to meticulous, sustainable
farming and quality winemaking. “Aromas
of warm black fruit, cedar, chocolate,
and dried herbs, followed by rich, juicy
flavors of blackberry, dark chocolate,
and tobacco, with a nice long finish.
The tannins are ripe and supple.” Elias
Fernandez, winemaker. |
|
|
|
Price $80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cade Napa
Cuvee
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
|
|
|
 |
From the folks at Plumpjack, the 2006
Cade Napa Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon is a
Napa Valley Appellation designated wine.
Made from some of Napa’s most renowned
vineyards located on both the steep
hillsides of the Mayacamas and Vaca
Mountain Ranges as well as the alluvial
fans at the base of both mountain
ranges. The vineyards include: To Kalon
in Oakville, Dr. Crane in St. Helena,
Las Amigas in Carneros, and Ink Grade on
Howell Mountain. Aromas of blackberry,
currant, anise and vanilla immediately
jump from the glass. With aeration
secondary aromas of plum, cedar and soy
develop. On the palate, flavors of
blackberry, boysenberry, black olive and
raspberry are framed by polished tannin.
The finish is smooth and lush with just
a hint of tannin that hints at long
life. |
|
|
|
Price $65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dominus
2006
|
|
|
 |
Dominus 2006 is dark red, almost deep
crimson in color. The nose is dense and
compact, filled with dark berries, blond
tobacco, black cherries and cacao. The
entry is both powerful and supple,
spherical in quality. Perfectly ripe,
the enveloped tannins are firm, round
and elegant. Black fruit and licorice
linger throughout the evolution in
mouth, well-balanced and harmonious. A
superb vintage. "...Its dark plum/purple
color is accompanied by aromas and
flavors of truffles,
forest floor, black cherries, black
currants, and Asian spices. One of the
finest wines of the vintage, it is
complete, full-bodied, and seamlessly
built with beautiful ripe tannins, low
acidity, and a luscious, layered
mouthfeel. The aromatics are even more
evolved and complex than the 2005's. The
2006 should drink well for 20-25 years."
Robert Parker – 96 Points! Special
pre-release price - $139.00. (Will be
$159.00 after May 31) |
|
|
|
Price $139 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snowden Cabernet
Sauvignon Reserve 2006
|
|
|
 |
The prodigious 2006 Snowden Cabernet
Sauvignon Reserve (75% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 8+% Petit Verdot,
and about 5% Cabernet Franc) has a
captivatingly dark bouquet, revealing
aromas of flowers, espresso roast,
blackberries, and creme de cassis. This
exuberant, rich, full-bodied Cabernet
coats the palate, but is neither heavy
nor overbearing. Black fruit is accented
with toasted cedar and cloves. It has a
quiet energy that lasts for minutes on
the palate. Dark fruit and fine,
tightly-wound tannins persist. While
this wine will drink well young, those
who wait will be rewarded. It is dense
and layered, and will blossom over the
next 10-15 years. 95 Points, Robert
Parker. |
|
|
|
Price $89 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Snowden “The
Ranch” Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
|
|
|
 |
The Snowden “The Ranch” 2005 Cabernet
Sauvignon has the unmistakable power,
breadth and character of our very
special site, with a hint more
rusticity. The 2005 Ranch wine is rich
with dark fruits, chunky tannins and a
deep, dark color. The bouquet is sweet,
dominated by plums and black cherries.
The Ranch blend is made to be enjoyed
young. |
|
|
|
Price $48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
York Creek
Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate 2005
|
|
|
 |
York Creek has consistently produced
great wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon,
Estate is their "flagship wine" and is a
blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot
following the example of the great red
wines from Bordeaux. They call it
"Estate" because it is blended from many
different vineyard blocks with different
exposures and elevations ranging from
1500' to 2000'. The 2005 is rich and
fruity and deep, a wonderful example of
a Spring Mountain District Cabernet
blend. An elegant, rich, "mountain
Cabernet," great with roast beef! |
|
|
|
Price $52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L’Ecole Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley
2006
|
|
|
 |
This complex and elegant wine reflects
the diversity of terroir in the Walla
Walla Valley from vineyards planted in
wind-blown loess (our Estate Seven Hills
Vineyard and Loess Vineyard – 54%),
ice-age flood silts (Va Piano and Pepper
Bridge Vineyard – 32%) and basalt river
rock (Yellow Jacket Vineyard – 14%). Its
elegant, old world structure and dense,
dark fruit flavors show cassis, black
cherry and cocoa with leather, tobacco
and savory spice on a beautifully
balanced toasty finish. 91 Points Wine
Advocate and Wine Spectator!
|
|
|
|
Price $47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ZD Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
|
|
|
 |
The grapes for the
2006 ZD Cabernet Sauvignon were sourced
from several small, low-yielding Napa
Valley vineyards, each with its own
unique “terroir”, giving a varied
palette of flavors and textures to
enjoy. Aged for two years in American
oak barrels, this wine is drinking
beautifully now and will age gracefully
for many years. With aromas of crushed
blackberries, red plum, cassis and
tobacco, this wine is layered with
complexity from start to finish.
Wonderfully textured on the palate, the
core of ripe fruit is enveloped by
velvety tannins and the oak is
integrated beautifully with hints of
vanilla, toasted nuts and spice that
linger on the long, rich finish. |
|
|
|
Price $57 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Saratoga Cuvee
|
|
|
 |
Produced from four different mountain vineyards in and
around Saratoga, the Mount Eden 2005
Cabernet Sauvignon, Saratoga Cuvee
receives the same care and expertise
that they lavish on their estate vines.
The blend reflects the character of the
fine cabernet wines produced in this
area since the 1880’s.
Fleshy and ripe with flavors of black cherry, plum, cocoa and
soil the cuvée is softer and more
accessible than the estate cabernet in
its youth. It is blended with small
amounts of merlot and cabernet franc for
complexity. Fine integrated tannins buttress typical flavors of red currant,
blackberry, and earth. |
|
|
|
Price $33 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Steven Kent Cabernet, Livermore 2006
|
| |
 |
Over the years Steven Kent Winery has made single
vineyard wines from each of the sites that were used for our 2006
Livermore Valley blend. Each site adds its aromas and flavors and
structures to the whole to create a wine of wonderful taste and
complexity. In the nose aromas of black cherry, cassis, tobacco,
creosote, mint, and toasty oak combine with a round mid-palate and
significant finishing tannins to produce a worthy successor to their
2005 vintage.
|
|
|
|
Price $55 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Parallel Cabernet, 2006
|
| |
 |
In 2006, well drained vineyards, especially from the
hills, as their estate vineyards and other vineyards selected to produce
Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon, had a huge advantage by growing smaller
berries which translated by greater concentrated flavors. The 2006
Parallel is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and 1% Petite
Verdot. The fruit sources underlying this wonderful wine are from
vineyards in St Helena, benches adjacent to lower Howell Mountain,
Combsville, and the upper elevations of Conn Valley. The
2005 Parallel blend exhibits sophistication and great harmony between
acidity, tannins and alcohol. The wine reveals a deep ruby color; the
bouquet is complex, gorgeous, and full of intense aromatics of, acacia
flowers, black currants, truffle, liquor of cassis and red cherry. Lush,
supple and round in the attack, the wine carries on with harmony and
depth finishing with ripe, soft tannins and aromas of crème de cassis,
fresh red fruit and crushed stones and more.....Philippe Melka,
Winemaker.
|
|
|
|
Price $67 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Darioush Signature Cabernet, 2006
|
| |
 |
The cool, consistent growing season in 2006
provided extended hangtime and even ripening, resulting in highly
developed, concentrated flavors from the fruit on our three estate
vineyards. The 2006 Darioush Signature Cabernet Sauvignon exemplifies
how an ideal vintage and meticulous attention to detail in the vineyard
can result in powerful wines with extraordinary depth, character and
poise. Enticing aromas of vanilla bean, blackberry and crème de cassis introduce
this bold, yet harmonious wine. A rich and well-focused palate is
endowed with layered flavors of wild black cherry, plum and espresso. An
elegant and generous finish is accented by delicate hints of cinnamon,
nutmeg and spice box. Extremely
limited!
|
|
|
|
Price $95 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Terra Valentine Spring Mountain Cabernet, 2005
|
| |
 |
Terra Valentine is blessed with two vineyards that
capture the best of Spring Mountain District winegrowing. The vineyards
are distinguished by a diversity of mountain terrain and vines that are
well adapted to the environment. While the mountain sites present
challenges - including accessibility, diversity of soils, ripening, and
hand labor - they reward the effort in wine filled with intense flavor
and color. The Wurtele Vineyard,
originally planted in the early 90’s, is comprised of 35 acres planted
to 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, ranging in elevations from 800 feet to
nearly 1000 feet with 360 degrees of exposure and two different soils:
volcanic soil and sedimentary rock.
The nose on the 2005 Terra Valentine Spring Mountain Cabernet
starts off with dark, jammy fruits, cedar wood spice, clove and toasted
marshmallow. Bright cherry fruit on the entry with notes of dark cocoa.
Smooth, lingering tannins lead to a rich, silky finish. Will age nicely
for the next 5-7 years.
|
|
|
|
Price $48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Reflections 2005, Kreck Estate Vineyard
|
| |
|
This very limited-production meritage wine
is a blend of 73%cabernet sauvignon, 15% cabernet franc, and 12% merlot.
It has aromas of vanilla, herbs, black cherry, brown spice, and smoke,
followed by flavors of sweet oak, herbs, brown spice, and smoke. The
wine is moderately acidic, slightly astringent (which will soften with
age), with a long finish. This wine is meant to be aged and will
continue to evolve in the bottle for 10 years. Serve with rich foods:
pate, beef Wellington, lamb, and save a glass to savor with some
Stilton, Brie, Camembert, or Vermont sharp cheddar.
|
|
|
|
Price $65 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Cain Cuvee NV6, Napa Valley
|
| |
 |
After more than fifteen years of development, Cain Cuvée
has come of age! The folks at Cain have created a refreshing, vibrant
cabernet blend that pleases the palate with plenty of complexity to
stimulate the senses. Cuvée is the most eclectic of their three blends –
not limited to a particular varietal formula. In this release, Merlot is
present in the largest proportion while, collectively, the two Cabernets
make up a slight majority. Finally, a dollop of Petit Verdot completes
the blend.. This supple, generous wine is built for pleasure— your
pleasure at the table with a good friend or two with whom to share the
bottle. This delightful wine contains fruit grown in the heart of the
Napa Valley and from historic “benchland” vineyards at the foot of the
mountains. These grapes provide the base of the blend and roundness to
the body. Then, being Cain, they work with grapes grown in the cooler
climes and poorer soils of the mountains, including wonderful grapes
grown in our neighborhood on Spring Mountain and high atop Atlas Peak.
These grapes contribute “backbone” to the structure and the lovely
top-notes to the bouquet. The result is a Cabernet Blend that is truly
unique, unlike any other from the Napa Valley
|
|
|
|
Price $38 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Laurel Glen Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2004, Sonoma Mountain
|
| |
 |
The vintage began with an early budbreak, on March 8, a
full ten days prior to our average, and ended right about on schedule,
with picking beginning in the fourth week of September and extending
over a couple of weeks. The early start to the growing season afforded a
long and even maturation of the fruit, and only a late-season heat wave
in the third week interrupted the steady flavor development. The 2004
vintage has more in common with the subtle and complex 1996 and 1999
vintages, than with its more up front 1994 and 2002 stable mates. It is
typically dark, with a dense core; very perfumed with lovely briar, dark
berry, and sandalwood aromas; on the palate it is rich and voluptuous
without being cloying or obvious, and reveals itself slowly. Decanting
is recommended!
|
|
|
|
Price $63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Elyse Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, Morisoli Vineyard, Napa Valley
|
| |
 |
The 2003 Morisoli Cabernet is a dark ruby colored with a
seductively aromatic nose of cassis, mulberries, and blackberries with
suggestions of graphite, vanilla, mint and lavender. On the palate, deep
focused flavors of wild blackberries, kirsch, dark plums, white
chocolate and hints of mineral are followed by silky tannins and a
supple finish. Once again, the Morisoli Vineyard shows its
characteristic power and elegance with complex layers of ripe, mature
fruit flavors and hints of earth with graceful acidity and balance.
Enjoy this with rich meat dishes and cheese. Drinking beautifully right
now, this wine will age for at least 7 – 12 years.
|
|
|
|
Price $90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
Duckhorn Decoy 2007
|
| |
 |
Since its inaugural vintage in 1985, Decoy, Duckhorn
Vineyards' sister label, has taken an important place in the Duckhorn
family of wines. Like the wines of Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy is produced
from classic Bordeaux varietals. With a new composition every vintage,
this unique red is blended from a changing combination of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to create an
engaging Napa Valley red wine. The 2007 Decoy is an approachable wine,
layered with bright acidity and forward fruit balanced by
well-integrated tannins. The aroma is distinct with raspberry, plum,
black pepper, tobacco and black olive. The flavors are abundant with
blackberry, bittersweet chocolate, cedar, toasty oak, and a caramel
finish.
|
|
|
|
Price $32 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
