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Les Vignes
de Bila Haut (Chapoutier) Cote du Roussillon 2008
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The Domaine that makes the Les Vignes de
Bila Haut (Chapoutier) Cote du
Roussillon 2008 is owned by the well
known Rhone Producer, Michel Chapoutier.
The name refers to an old farm villa
which was built high into the mountain
slopes, among some old vineyards. The
Domaine is 75 hectares, farmed
bio-dynamically. The grape varieties are
Grenache, Carignane and of course Syrah.
Located in the small village of Latour
de France, it is very close to the
Spanish border, where there is a great
deal of history related to the Knights
Templar, hence the cross on the “t” of
Bila Haut. The wine exhibits a
distinctive pepper and spice aroma, with
a follow through of round velvety red
fruits like dark cherries and
strawberries, finishing with a rich
spicy note. The 2007 vintage received
“89” points Wine Spectator, and “91”
from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and
Michel Chapoutier feels that his 2008
vintage is better than the 2007. Wine
Spectator picked it as #75 of the TOP100
wines of 2009! |
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Price $18 |
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Domaine de
la Solitude 2007 Cotes du Rhone Rouge
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Domaine de la Solitude 2007 Cotes du
Rhone Rouge comes from the estate of the
Lancon Family who has been producing top
quality Rhone wine for more than five
centuries. It is a robust and full red
wine made from Grenache, Syrah, and
Mourvedre grapes. According to Robert
Parker: “Throughout the southern Rhone,
2007 is the greatest vintage I have
tasted in my thirty years working in
that region... Nearly every producer has
attained largely unprecedented levels of
quality. Moreover, the vintage is
remarkably consistent from top to
bottom. Given the brilliance of this
estate’s Chateauneuf du Papes, it is not
surprising that they have also turned
out a delicious, attractive, elegant,
deep, berry fruit-filled 2007 Cotes du
Rhone. With a velvety texture as well as
wonderful length for a wine of this
pedigree, it can be enjoyed over the
next 1-2 years.” |
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Price $16 |
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Vino Noceto
Sangiovese Riserva 2006
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Beginning with their first, 1990
vintage, Vino Noceto wines have been
100% Sangiovese, targeted at a Chianti
Classico style. This style emphasizes
the delicate and complex fruitiness of
the Sangiovese grape. A Super-Tuscan
style wine, the fruit-packed,
full-flavored, well-balanced, complex
2006 Sangiovese Riserva is a blend of
selected blocks of superior fruit to
provide the best wine they could make
from the vintage. Displays rich flavor,
full body, deep flavor, and a lingering
finish. |
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Price $27 |
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Orin Swift
The Prisoner 2007
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The 2007 Orin Swift The Prisoner is now
available, but won't last long! The 2007
blends the lush berry flavors of
Zinfandel, the power and concentration
of Cabernet Sauvignon, the dark black
fruit of Syrah, the intensity and
structure of Petite Sirah, the flesh of
Charbono, and a hint of Grenache - all
combined for a decadent wine with great
complexity. "Offers both style and
structure, with lively aromas of black
raspberry, cracked pepper and mocha that
lead to plush, layered flavors of wild
berry, fresh sage and licorice. Ripe
tannins sneak in on the finish." Wine
Spectator - 92 Points. Limited!! |
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Price $39 |
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A to Z
Winery Night & Day Blend 2005
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We were very impressed with the 2005
Night & Day blend from A to Z. Saturated
dark purple/red color from rim to center
that looks like a Bordeaux from a great
vintage. The nose shows strong
minerality and has complex initial
aromas of blackberries, tobacco, pepper,
iron, graphite, cassis and tar. With
aeration aromas of cedar, Indian spices,
bramble, boysenberries, blood orange,
ripe plums and red currents emerge. In
the mouth the attack is concentrated,
structured and pure. As the wine
continues to move across the palate,
ripe tannins focus and bring balance to
the young and generous fruit. The
mid-palate is focused, strong and broad.
At the end, a classic tannin/fruit
balance gives the finish great clarity
and astounding length. The final flavors
end on a strong note of iron and
minerality. Continuing the tradition of
typicity, excellence and affordability
demonstrated by Southern Oregon and A to
Z, the 2005 Night and Day should drink
well now and for 5 – 10 more years. |
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Price $18 |
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August
Briggs 2007 Pinot Meunier
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A close relative of Pinot Noir, Pinot
Meunier is traditionally grown in the
Champagne region of France to lend added
body and complexity to sparkling wine
cuvees. We have found that when Pinot
Meunier is allowed to fully ripen in the
Napa Valley it creates elegant, aromatic
wines with pretty fruit flavors along
with much of the silky complexity and
nuance of its Burgundian brother. With
the 2007 Napa Valley Pinot Meunier, a
complex medley of aromas and flavors
greet the taster. There is raspberry,
bright cherry, berry compote, violets
and orange peel. This wine is pretty,
fruity, elegant, and spicy, with a nice
mocha finish. It is big for a Pinot
Meunier and will improve with age. It
would pair nicely with lightly seasoned
pork or fowl dishes or as aperitif with
mild cheeses. |
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Price $39 |
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Buoncristiani
OPC 2005
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The 2005 OPC is just gorgeous. It floods
the mouth with decadent black currant,
cherry, chocolate, anise, beef jerky and
smoky oak flavors that stun for their
addictive deliciousness. Yet it's
perfectly dry, and the balance of rich,
ripe tannins, acidity and smoky oak is
near perfect. The wine is a blend of
Bordeaux varieties and Syrah, from
esteemed vineyards including Hyde,
Stagecoach and Caldwell. 95 Points,
Editors Choice – Wine Enthusiast. |
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Price $45 |
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Peachy Canyon,
Cirque du Vin 2006
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From Peachy Canyon, we have the 2006
Cirque du Vin (formerly known as Jester)
– a blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20%
Petite Sirah, 12% Merlot, 10% Syrah and
9% Cabernet Franc. The first thing you
will notice is the dark garnet color.
The flavor follows - beautiful
integrated oak, smooth and graceful herb
notes. There are wonderfully textured
layers of fruit, earthy, but not too
heavy with great vibrancy at the same
time. The label is great too, featuring
a happy jester! |
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Price $21 |
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Altocedro 2008
Año Cero Malbec
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The Altocedro 2008 Año Cero Malbec is
85% Malbec and 15% Tempranillo. Aged for
6 months in oak, it shows a deep purple
color, sweet tannins, aromas of red
fruit, spice, and flowers. This Malbec
is packed with flavors of cherry and
ripe strawberry, its tannins forming a
dense structure supported by vivid
acidity and huge extraction. It finishes
long and silky with vibrant scents of
violets |
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Price $19 |
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Ksana Malbec,
Mendoza 2006
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Ksana refers to the Buddhist idea of
infinity in an instant. Likewise, they
believe the expression of a wine depends
on the ability of the winemaker to
recognize the right moment for each step
in the vineyard and winery. The Ksana
Malbec is very polished, with creamy
tannins and a milk chocolate note
leading the way for plush blackberry and
blueberry fruit. The round, soft finish
has good length. |
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Price $27 |
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Cain Five 2005
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2005 gave Cain Cellars plenty of “hang
time” to allow the grapes to ripen
gently. Unlike the yields on the valley
floor, the yields in the Cain Vineyard
were typically low. The 2005 Cain Five
is their most restrained wine since
1999. The cool weather on Spring
Mountain preserves the firmness of the
tannins and the freshness of the aromas.
Because of the long “hang time,” they
were able to include 14% Petit Verdot
for optimum color and structure. We
expect this wine to age gracefully for a
long time. The 2005 Cain Five shows the
emphasis that they place on the palate
feel: the texture of the tannins is
extremely fine, yet distinctly
present—like Shantung silk. The aromas
are of fresh red cherries and exotic
spices. It is gratifying to see how well
this wine evolves in the open glass,
which bodes well for the future. Today,
you should decant the wine, and sip it
carefully. Limited. |
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Price $140 |
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Terre Rouge
Winery Enigma 2006
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From Terre Rouge Winery, a beautiful
Rhone blend - 55% Marsanne, 28% Viognier
& 17% Roussanne – the 2006 Enigma.
Enigma is made from fruit harvested from
one vineyard site, Suma Kaw, planted in
volcanic soil at the elevation of 3,000
feet. This high, cool elevation allows
them to let the fruit hang for full
flavor development while maintaining
proper acidity. The vines grow on a
vertical trellis with upward shoot and
cane positioning for good fruit exposure
to sunlight. Aromas suggest wildflower
honey and acacia blossom with hints of
tangerine and papaya. Flavors are creamy
with peach, apple, and quince sensations
competing for your taste buds. The
finish is crisp with classic white Rhône
stone (peach) fruit pit flavors
intermingled with mineral tones from
this rocky site. Enjoyable young, the
wine also gains great complexity with
bottle age. |
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Price $28 |
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Michaud Vineyard
“3” Estate 2006
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A blend of Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and
Syrah. Vivid fruit flavors and aromas
suggesting black cherries, cassis and
blackberries, are complemented by a
supple texture and good depth. Enjoy the
delightful flavors of red cherry,
cranberry, and pomegranate on the
palate, evolving in the glass to a
lingering finish. |
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Price $25 |
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Tablas Creek
Vineyard Esprit de Beaucastel 2007
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The 2007 Esprit de Beaucastel, Tablas
Creek’s flagship red wine, is a product
of the exceptionally intense 2007
vintage, and combines the richness and
structure of Mourvedre, the generosity
of Grenache, the structure and mineral
of Syrah and the brambly wildness of
Counoise. It recently received 95-97
points from Robert Parker and 94 points
from Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.
The 2007 Esprit de Beaucastel is
delicious and unusually approachable
right now, with a complex nose of red
plum, ripe cherry, fresh figs and
candied orange peel, a velvety, layered
palate with spicy plum and cherry fruit,
pepper and nutmeg spices, and excellent
breadth. The finish shows more mineral,
plum, and spice, and a little gentle oak
from the barrel aging. It is delicious
now, if very young, and should evolve
elegantly in bottle for 10-15 years or
longer.
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Price $55 |
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Seghesio Omaggio 2005
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Seghesio Omaggio 2005 gets a 90 in Wine
Spectator! Dark ruby in color with a
enticing nose of black fruit, sour
cherry, violets andtouch of kirsch,
chocolate, clove and graphite. Black
cherry, blackcurrant and plum with some
pine and herbaceous notes on the palate.
We liked the body and weight of the wine
as well as the dusty and silkytannins.
Also impressive were the mellowness of
the Cabernet and the brightness of the
Sangiovese. "Elegant and refined, with
complex, understated loamy currant,
sage,anise and blueberry, keeping a
tight focus and ending with integrated
tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon and
Sangiovese. Best from 2009 through 2015.
600 cases made," James Laube.
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Price $62 |
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Bodegas Caro Amancaya, 2007
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From 50 year-old vines planted in Luján
de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, the 2007
Bodegas Caro Amancaya is a blend of
Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. With a
deep core of black and red fruit
enhanced by refreshing acidity and
muscular tannins this wine never fails
to impress! Bodegas Caro is a joint
venture between Domaines Barons de
Rothschild (Lafite) and the Catena
winery. You’ll be delighted with the
bright, saturated ruby-red color and
aromas of cassis, black cherry, licorice
and leather, plus a whiff of pepper. The
Amancaya has the vivid raspberry and
boysenberry fruit of a Malbec, along
with the fine-grained tannins and nice
framing notes of cedar, coffee and loam
that come from Cabernet. The finish is
long and focused. Malbec and Cabernet
Sauvignon. Only 200 cases are coming
into the US!
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Price $26 |
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Foxen
Cuvee Jeanne Marie, 2006
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"The stunning, sexy 2006 Foxen Cuvee
Jeanne Marie (a blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvedre)
offers up gorgeous aromas of roasted Provencal herbs, ground pepper,
sweet, smoky game and meat, and copious quantities of black cherries and
black currants. The expressive aromatics are followed by a pure, lush,
succulent, hedonistic, and medium to full-bodied red with considerable
complexity, purity, and depth. Drink this beauty over the next 4-5 years.”
Robert Parker, 92 Points- Wine
Advocate, June 2008. 600 cases
produced.
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Price $37 |
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Sawyer
Cellars Bradford Meritage, 2003
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Layered with precise
aromas of currant and black cherry, the 2003 Sawyer Cellars Bradford Meritage shows subtle notes of cherry and smokiness on the nose. True
to the celebrated Rutherford appellation, this wine exhibits elegant,
well-balanced Bordeaux fruit encircled with deep black cherry flavors,
white pepper spice and a long-lingering, satin finish. This wine will
age beautifully for the next nine to fourteen years.
Gold Medal - San Francisco Chronicle
Wine Competition. 926 Cases
produced.
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Price $55 |
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Dry Creek Vineyard Meritage, 2005
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The 2005 Meritage is Dry Creek’s first vintage
incorporating Malbec into the blend. The addition of this varietal adds
additional layers of depth and complexity to this stylish and elegant
wine. The aromas begin with ripe black cherry and finish with vanilla
and a hint of mocha. On the palate, bright currant and plum flavors lead
to cedar and tobacco notes producing a fairly rich mix, and a ripe,
layered personality. This wine
is seamless and well-integrated from beginning to end and should age and
develop beautifully for several years to come.
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Price $29 |
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Michaud Vineyards Sangiovese, Chalone, The Pinnacles 2005
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One of the most frequent comments about the 2005
Michaud Vineyards Sangiovese, Chalone, The Pinnacles is "…hey, this
actually tastes like Sangiovese." The 2005 Sangiovese grew well in the
appellation, developing red cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate flavors.
The mineral-like terroir and French oak contribute to a richly textured
wine with a lingering finish. Sangiovese's natural high acidity is
moderated by the growing conditions there, resulting in a well
structured, yet very accessible wine.
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Price $38 |
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St. Gregory Pinot Meunier 2006
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The 2006 St. Gregory Pinot Meunier is one of only a small handful of red
still wine Pinot Meuniers in California.
This early-budding, quick-ripening varietal has traditionally
been grown only in France, where it is included in many sparkling wines.
This Mendocino version is their eighth vintage, grown for them by
Roger Webb in an elevated vineyard setting in eastern Redwood Valley.
The color is dark and smoky, with aromas of leather and spice, followed
by flavors of soft, earthy black cherry.
The finish is very crisp and long, with just enough spicy pepper
and firm tannins to allow it to go with rich foods such as duck, glazed
ribs, marinated pork tenderloin or even steak au poivre.
This wine is very approachable now and will improve for at least
3 to 5 years in the cellar. Extremely limited.
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Price $28 |
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Pellegrini Milestone, 2006
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We have had great reaction to the Pellegrini Milestone
2006. With the first winery bonded
in 1933, the company’s history spans four generations, and traces its
evolution from being a grape and wine merchant house to producer of
estate-bottled Sonoma County wines.
Milestone was conceived by selecting special lots of Merlot,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc to form a
mosaic that would be defined by its depth of color, richness,
complexity, and supple texture. With Merlot as the dominant variety, it
is a stylistic nod to the wines we admire from Pomerol and St. Emilion,
yet Milestone’s character is clearly the provenance of three vineyards
located in the Russian River, Alexander, and Sonoma valleys.
The ripeness here is superb, showing overflowing richness but
balanced flavors of milk chocolate, vanilla bean, black cherry, oolong
tea and cigar smoke. This is a perfect wine for prime rib.
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Price $35 |
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Fife Vineyards L'Attitude 39, 2005
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The Fife Vineyards L’Attitude 39 is a Southern
Rhône-style blend of Syrah, Carignane, Mourvèdre, Grenache, and Cinsaut.
Grown on the sun-washed slopes of the Ukiah and Redwood Valleys
(latitude 39º), these “meridian” varieties feel right at home in
Mendocino County. Longer daylight
hours during the growing season, coupled with clear, warm days and cool
nights, rocky, well-drained soils, and favorable exposures on the
hillside slopes above the Russian River create a terroir comparable to
many parts of the Rhône, the ancestral home of these varieties. Black
fruit contributions from Grenache Noir and Syrah combine with the
intrigue of wild berries, licorice, bitter chocolate, espresso, plus the
heady scents of wild herbs, wood spice and sun baked stones. The
inclusion of old vine Carignane from Redwood Valley adds a ripe
jamminess that “glues” all the other components together. Forward and
lush this offering has a mature, sophisticated rich finish. There are
hidden layers of flavors that step forward to dance with almost any food
on the table. This wine is guaranteed to adjust your attitude. |
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Price $24 |
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Tandem Peloton, 2006
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The Tandem 2006 Peloton is a no-holds-barred,
pedal-to-the-metal, guns-blazing, full boogie tilt expression of what we
would like to be not a varietal or regional expression, but the “winner
of the first empty glass” contest! When you taste this wine, think not
of a particular grape or appellation, think instead of how wine can love
your mouth, how front-to-back pull through can be achieved with just a
little bit of blending. For a blend, they put under the microscope every
pothole and dip in the road, and work to create a wine that, from first
sip to last lingering aftertaste, provides pleasure and satisfaction,
all wrapped up in one big Peloton!
This is a wine from a cool vintage and a fair amount of Mendocino
old vines, both Carignane and Zin. The result is a racy, complex wine,
with a moderate color presentation to the eye and a lot of zip on the
fore-palate. Aromas are more towards red fruits, even strawberries, with
hints of woodruff and great acid and balance, this wine continues to
open up over an evening of air.
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Price $29 |
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Storrs BXR, 2001
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The grapes for the 2001 Storrs BXR were grown in a
series of plantings located in the recently-recognized San Francisco Bay
appellation. Each of the classical Bordeaux varietals is represented in
the blend… Merlot; Malbec; Petit Verdot; Cabernet Franc and Cabernet
Sauvignon. The various plantings are all located in Region II mezo-climates
where the heat of the day allows for the formation of the cassis and
black cherry notes found in the wine; while the evening coolness
promotes the tobacco box and cedar hints that you will discover in the
long, lingering finish. This tasty number is deep garnet with a purple
edge and has a delightful nose of cassis and black cherry, with hints of
cedar and cigar box. In the
mouth it is very big and full-bodied with layers of cassis, ripe plum,
cigar box, tobacco and notes of vanilla to round the palate. This wine
has backbone to spare and will age beautifully for many years to come.
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Price $53 |
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Trentadue Old Patch Red 2005, Alexander Valley
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Named for the original 1896 plantings, Trentadue’s Old
Patch Red has remained the all time favorite among legions of Trentadue
fans for over three decades. Some of these vines are still producing
today. Although the blend composition varies slightly with the vintage,
the main idea of pre-Prohibition style of field blend based on Zin,
Petite Sirah and Carignane remains the same. The 2005 harvest proved to
be one of the largest in history and while "Mother Nature" cooperated, a
large portion of the fruit became ripe at the same time. This created
some interesting issues with picking order and tank space. The Old Patch
is a serious everyday wine with soft palate and loads of flavors. The
predominance of Zin in the blend brings in jammy, peppery, black cherry
and strawberry aromas with spicy herbal nuances. Further aeration
reveals deeper and more complex layers of plums, brown sugar, graphite
and earthy, dusty undertones. The mouth feel reveals no hard edges, with
a juicy middle but shows a solid tannin core suggesting a good aging
potential.
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Price $16 |
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