Richard Stetler's Fine Wines & Tastings

The Best Cellar  *  New Location - June 1, 2009 - 1408 NE 26th St..  *  Wilton Manors, FL  *  33305
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EACH WEEK WE TASTE 7 - 9 DIFFERENT WINES + BONUS WINES
LISTED BELOW IS JUST A SAMPLING OF THE WINES WE HAVE TASTED IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS


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Wine Tasting - December 26 - 28, 2013

2009 Rueda Las Brisas Blanco (Spain)
89 points, Wine Advocate: A blend of 50% Verdejo, 30% Viura, and 20% Sauvignon Blanc fermented in stainless steel. Medium straw-colored, with complex aromas of fresh herbs, spring flowers, baking spices, and white peach.  A ripe, concentrated, nicely balanced wine that way over-delivers for its price point.

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra (Catalonia, Spain)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Incredible value, full-throttle 100% Grenache. Situated high on the hillside above the village of Batea, where grapes have been grown since the 15th century. Aged completely in concrete - a naked, unadulterated, unmanipulated effort with great minerality from the chalky, limestone soils and an intensity and richness from the old vines. Offers loads of kirsch, raspberry, licorice, garrigue and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied and dense, best consumed over the next 2-3 years.

2010 Allesverloren Cabernet Sauvignon (Swartland, South Africa)
Winemaker's Notes: Color - deep ruby. Bouquet - ample prunes and cherries with cassis and cigar box in the background. Taste  - full-bodied with a good tannin structure and an abundance of berry fruit such as cherries and prunes with undertones of tobacco and dark chocolate. 

2009 Cavalli Tenuta Degli Dei (Tuscany, Italy)
An unusual estate for Italy, making wines based on grape varietals only from France. 92 points, Wine Advocate: The 2009 Tenuta degli Dei is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot and 2% Alicante. The 2009 is a big step up from previous vintages. It is an intense, brooding wine packed with jammy blueberries, blackberries, cassis and crushed rocks, all of which flow effortlessly from its structured frame. This shows considerable textural depth and plenty of complexity.

2010 Chacewater Zinfandel  (Sierra Foothills, CA)
Gold Medal, 2012 Los Angles International Wine Competition. Winemaker's notes:This big jammy Zin is packed with strawberry, red cherry, white pepper and laced with smoky vanilla oak. The lush midpalate is fat with berry characters, finishing with expansive fruit, lingering sweet oak and complex ripeness. 100% Zinfandel, aged 14 months in oak, 36% new American.

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 Wine Tasting December 18 - 21, 2013
Champagne & Red Wine Holiday Fest

NV Gosset Excellence (Champagne, France)
A standout value Champagne that consistently is not blown off the table when tasted beside champagnes costing 3 times as much. 92 points Wine Spectator: Refined and creamy, with delicate acidity that finds fine balance with the layers of poached apple and pear, lemon cake, ground ginger, smoke and almond cream flavors. Very elegant.  Drink now through 2020.

NV Heidsieck Monopole Blue Top (Champagne, FR)
91 points, Wine Spectator: Well-defined and energetic, with racy acidity driving flavors of fresh-cut apple, black cherry, candied lemon zest and a richer note of pear financier. Offers a fresh, minerally finish.

NV Louis Roederer Brut Premier (Champagne, FR)
91 points, Wine Spectator: Light and lively, featuring apple, toast, ginger and light vanilla flavors. Balanced and on the dry side, with a creamy texture and a lingering butter pastry aftertaste.

2006 Marguet Estate Grand Cru Champagne (Champagne, FR)
92 points, Steve Tanzers's International Wine Cellar:Light, bright gold. Sexy, floral aromas of pear, citrus fruit and redcurrant, along with notes of buttered toast and gingery spices. At once fleshy and energetic, offering intense orchard fruit and red berry flavors and a refreshing jolt of bitter citrus pith. Closes on a spicy note, with excellent clarity and smoky persistence. I really like this Champagne's blend of depth, power and energy.

2009 Pietra Santa Cabernet Sauvignon (Cienega, CA)
 Located 25 miles east of Monterey Bay in the Gabilan Mountains.  Ocean cooled, with rocky granite and limestone soils. 100% Cabernet, planted in the warmest and deepest part of the valley. The winery says that this vintage was exceptionally good. A long growing season allowed rich flavors of dark ripe cherries, chocolate and hints of coffee to fully develop. Well balanced with soft tannins.  Aged 38 months in French oak barrels. Tastes fine now and will improve with age.

2009 Valdisanti Tolaini (Tuscany, Italy). Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 70% new. 94 points, Wine Advocate: A Bordeaux-inspired wine blending 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. The nose shows a delicate embroidery of spice, dark fruit and smoked cedar. The finish has a mineral dryness backed by lush layers of red berry fruit and dark chewing tobacco. The mouthfeel is polished and tight, with beautifully integrated tannins. Anticipated maturity:  2014-2022.

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Wine Tasting December 11 - 14, 2013

Our Special Guest on Wednesday Night was Sue Shay, Marketing and Sales Director, Airlie Winery (Oregon)

2011 Schieferkopf Gewurztraminer (Alsace, France)
From a high altitude vineyard 380m above sea level with black schist soil. Made to be minerally, with a light sweetness. Aged in stainless steel. 90 points, Wine Spectator.

Marietta Cellars Lot #59 Old Vines (Geyserville, CA)
Winemaker's Notes: Blackberry and dried cherry aromas spiked with notes of pepper and spice. Mouth-filling of hearty ripe plums, a hint of grilled toasty oak and just enough acidity in the finish to provide a refreshing lift that balances all of the jammy ripe fruit on the palate.

2009 Chateau St Bonnet Cru Bourgeois (Medoc, Bordeaux, France)
Made from about 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 5% Petit Verdot on a gravel ridge. 88-90 points, Wine Advocate: One of the most reliable and enjoyable wines in Bordeaux over the last 30+ years. Sells for a song, and the 2009 may turn out to be the best ever made. Inky purple, offering the creme de cassis, spring flowers, and forest floor more in common with a classified growth than a petite chateau. Medium-bodied, luscious, and rich. Drink over the next 10 years.

2010 Antigal Uno Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
Winemaker's Notes: 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.

2011 Ridge Lytton Springs (Geyserville, California)
One of the longest made famous Zinfandels. 93 points, Antonio Galloni: A wonderful immediacy to it, backed up by the structure of the year. This isn't the most nuanced Lytton Springs in recent memory. Despite its considerable appeal today, the 2011 needs a few more years in bottle for all of the elements to fully come together. The blend is 82% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah and 2% Carignane.

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Wine Tasting December 4 - 7, 2013

Cab Fest

2007 Emery Estate Unbridled Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma, CA)
Fleshed out, fruit forward wine with a nose of roasted herbs, coffee, black cherries and plums, followed by a palate of  generous flavors of wild berry, bittersweet chocolate and earth tones. Hillside lots are selected for milder tannins and lower acidity to make this very approachable, friendly and easy to consume. A well-balanced wine of moderate length that pairs wonderfully with food and will age gracefully for 5-8 years. Aged in French oak, 30% new.

2010 L'Ecole 41 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Shows more depth, richness and structure.  A medium to full-bodied, concentrated 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from multiple vineyards. Black cherry, black currant, tobacco, earth, asphalt and crushed stone-like aromas, and the palate has a dense, chewy mouthfeel and ample tannin. Will drink nicely for 10-15 years.

2009 Ahnfeldt Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, CA)
The best wine at a previous Best Cellar tasting. Paul Hobbs is the consulting winemaker. Grapes from Ahnfeldt vineyards have been sold to Beaulieu, Markham, Sterling, Kendal Jackson and Hagafen. Usually about 88% Cabernet, with Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Merlot.  Cherries, cassis, cocoa, and cinnamon.  Aged 30 months in French oak, half new.  Fruit forward, smooth, balanced, a touch of earthiness, subtle complexity, with oak nuances, soft tannins, and a lasting finish.

2007 Hidden Ridge Impassable Mountain Cabernet Reserve (Sonoma, CA)
Named after the despairing report by stagecoach surveyors that the mountains were impassable. Single mountain top vineyard, 100% Cab, selected from the best barrels. 85% new French oak.Winemaker's Notes:Dense, complex wine revealing aromas of cocoa, black currant, pipe tobacco and clove on the nose and smoke, fall leaf, cherry, blueberry and vanilla on the palate. Rich and powerful, the wine remains well balanced with a long mint and clove-laced finish. 96 points, Philip Guana, Scottsdale Examiner.

2007 Tetra Cabernet (Napa, CA)
94 points, Wine Advocate:Stunning. Opaque purple-colored, with plenty of creme de cassis, creosote, camphor, incense, subtle toasty oak, licorice and oodles of black fruits, the wine has superb purity, full bodied texture, beautiful richness and depth, and a finish that goes on for at least 40+ seconds. This blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot should age nicely for 15-20 years.

2010 Plumpjack (Oakville, California)
94 points, Wine Advocate: A gorgeous core of juicy red fruit announces the wine. The 2010 stands out for its expressive, supple personality. More than enough fruit to drink well early. One of the more approachable wines of the vintage, that drinks well upon release. Raspberry jam, flowers and cinnamon add lift to the floral, perfumed finish. A lovely showing from Plumpjack. 80% new oak, anticipated maturity of  2015-2025.

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Wine Tasting November 27, 29 & 30, 2013

2012 Nicky Hahn GSM, Central Coast
Modeled after Châteauneuf-du-Pape blends, the wine features 62% Grenache, 34% Syrah, and 4% Mourvèdre to create rich, sensuous wine that is savory, balanced, and remarkably drinkable. Pretty floral notes of violets dance with mouthwatering scents of green olives, plums, coffee, and a hint of minerality.

2012 St Cosme Côtes de Rhône, France
Mainly made of Syrah from Vinsobres and the Gard area, the wine features a complex bouquet of cassis, dark flowers, sweet cinnamon, cured meat, and a dark coal-like minerality is followed by black cherry, wild blueberry, and licorice flavors balanced by baking spice notes and smooth acidity on the palate.  The tannins emerge as plump and ripe during the medium to long finish. 

2011 La Posta Del Vinatero Tinto, Mendoza, Argentina
This dark blend of  60% Malbec, 20% Syrah, and 20% Bonarda features spice, black fruit, some tar, and earth on the nose. On the palate it is surprisingly dry with spice and fruit, a tarry undertow, and a touch of tanning balanced by good acid. 

2008 Northstar Merlot Columbia, Washington
The wine offers up aromas of balsam wood, spice box, tobacco, violets, cassis, and blackberry.  WA 91 Points.  This wine gets the all-star treatment, blending fruit from 14 vineyards, and aging it in 60% new French oak. It's a substantial, muscular effort, with dark fruit, earth and tar components. A small addition of Petit Verdot darkens the color and thickens the tannins.  WE 91 Points

2006 Charles Cimicky Barossa Shiraz Reserve, Australia
Dense purple-red; potent blackberry, prune and licorice fruit, with persistent but fine tannins; oak is a net contributor. Three trophies Barossa Valley Wine Show '07.

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Wine Tasting November 20 - 23, 2013

2011 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough New Zealand)
Best White Wine Buy of the Year, Michael Cooper's NZ Guide to Wine 2012. Razor acidity, juicy grassiness, lemon lime citrus, and pungent mouth cleaning dryness. Consistent excellence shows that machine harvesting to reduce costs can produce quality wines. The benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc at the Best Cellar.

2009 Paraiso Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands (California)
Double Gold Medal at 2012 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The Santa Lucia Highlands are home to many great wines.Winemaker's Notes: Our cool climate Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands is a youthful and approachable wine with soft tannins and a juicy mid-palate. The focus is decidedly Burgundian, with flavors of raspberry, cher ry and wild berries showing good acidity and a nice French oak complexity.

2009 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Symposium (Sonoma Coast, California)
Highly unusual blend includes 4% Pinotage. Aged 8 months in 100% French oak, 25% new. The grapes come from a single high altitude vineyard that is the closest one in California to the Pacific Ocean, planted and still owned by a California couple from South Africa. In January 2012 the Fort Ross –Seaview appellation was approved, separating this high quality part out of the huge Sonoma Coast appellation.  91 Points, James Suckling:Interesting aromas of cherries and beef jerky follow through to a full bodied palate with strawberry and a gelatin meat stock. Big tannins for a Pinot. Give it a year or two to soften.

2009 Abelis Carthago Lui (Toro, Spain)
90 points, Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: Opaque ruby.  Potent  aromas and flavors of candied cherry, blackberry and vanilla, and a hint of singed plum.  Lush and expansive, with supple texture and very good finishing power.  Ripe, in the style of the vintage, but energetic as well.

2010 Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
The fruit is a tasty mix of black currants, plum, and black and red cherry, balanced by acidity and tannins.  One of the best affordable Cabs from Napa as well as one of the few wines the Best Cellar has sold every year since 2004. Tasty on release, noticeably improves after the first year, and remains fine for a decade. Stratton Lummis has a long term relationship with a few excellent wineries in Rutherford and Oakville to takes some of their grapes without revealing the source.

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Wine Tasting November 13 - 16, 2013

2012 Praxis Viognier (Lodi, California)
Winemaker Notes:Dry and full bodied with a lingering finish of ripe fruit. To retain the purest expression of the grapes, the wine was fermented in stainless steel with no oak contact.  The color is pale straw with hints of green.  Delicate floral and citrus scents are followed by guava, jasmine and white pear notes with a hint of ginger.Rich flavors of white peach and apricot upfront, then becoming more tropical.   Best of Class  2013 Indy International Wine Competition.

2011 Chave Cotes de Rhone Mon Coeur (Rhone, France)
A Grenache and Syrah blend of excellent plots not owned by Chave in Vinsobres, Visan, Buisson, and Estargues. A perennial candidate for the best Cote du Rhone, based on rigorous selection of the best hillside sources with decomposed granite soils, that made the best wines in the vintage. Dark colored and well structured by tannin and acidity with ample and tasty fruit.

2010 Powers Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington)
Aged 22 months in old French oak. 100% Merlot from 3 vineyards. A perennial best buy.  Mid Valley Wine & Liquor, Newburg, NY: A lot of complexity for the price. Big on fruit with black cherry dominating in the nose and on palate, finishing with leather, vanilla bean and dark cocoa flavors.

2007 Northstar Stella Maris Red (Columbia Valley, Washington)
Stella Maris is Latin for star of the sea. A soft and silky wine with vanilla and rich dark chocolate, coconut, raspberry and cherry, green olive with long smoke finish. 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. Made in a fruity ready to drink style from lots left after the ones used for their Walla Walla and Columbia Valley selections.  A very ripe style, with berry compote and white pepper flavors on a  supple frame, finishing with an open texture.

2011 Seven Hills Merlot Seven Hills Vineyard (Walla Walla, Washington)
100% Merlot, aged in French oak for 21 months, 40% new.   Plum, clove, raspberry, and green herbs. Already sold out at the winery. 93 points, Wine Enthusiast: Entirely estate-grown, 100% Merlot from old vines, this unfined wine is labeled vegan. Plush, briary, brambly fruit from the 30 year old vineyard brings an extra dimension to the wine, which shows a lovely balance of cranberry, raspberry, pie cherry and baking spice flavors. There's a hint of pastry crust in the finish, which is seamless and long. An absolute delight.

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Wine Tasting November 6 - 9, 2013

2011 Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Napa, California)
Fruitier and less grassy and pungent than New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Winemaker's Notes: Vibrant aromas of gooseberry, pineapple and fresh pink grapefruit. Stainless steel fermentation helps retain fresh fruit flavors of pear, guava, passion fruit and lime. Has a lush mouthfeel with notes of clover and cassava melon. The balanced acidity on the finish makes a fresh, crisp end.

2010 Seven Falls Merlot (Wahluke Slope, Washington)
NW Wine Press: This smooth, delicious Merlot shows off aromas of  bing cherries and exotic spices on the nose, followed by smooth, elegant and approachable flavors on the palate. Supple tannins combine with ripe red fruit for a classic, easy-drinking Merlot.

2007 Emery Estate Unbridled Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma, CA)
Fleshed out, fruit forward wine with a nose of roasted herbs, coffee, black cherries and plums, followed by a palate of  generous flavors of wild berry, bittersweet chocolate and earth tones. Hillside lots are selected for milder tannins and lower acidity to make this very approachable, friendly and easy to consume. A well-balanced wine of moderate length that pairs wonderfully with food and will age gracefully for 5-8 years. Aged in French oak, 30% new.

2007 Albertina Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve (Mendocino, CA)
From high altitude mountain grapes. Dark color, fruit forward, concentrated flavors.

2009 Ahnfeldt Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
Paul Hobbs is the consulting winemaker for Ahnfeldt. Grapes from the Ahnfeldt vineyards have been sold to BV (Beaulieu), Markham, Sterling, Kendal Jackson and Hagafen wineries. Usually about 88% Cabernet, with some Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Merlot.  Cherries, cassis, cocoa, and cinnamon.  Aged 30 months in French oak, half new.  A fruit forward wine, smooth, balanced, a touch of earthiness, subtle complexity, with oak nuances, soft tannins , and a lasting finish.

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Wine Tasting October 30 - November 2, 2013
ZINFEST

2012 Boneshaker (Lodi)
A higher end Zinfandel from Cycles Gladiator, owned by Hahn. An unusual blend of 85% Zinfandel, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Petite Sirah. Aged in French oak, 70% new barrels. Plums, licorice, blackberry, cherry cola, and coffee, structured by acidity and tannin.

2011 Ridge Three Valleys (Geyserville)
65% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 9% Carignane, 3% Mataro, 2% Alicante Bouchet, 1% Grenache, with 13.8% alcohol. 91 points, Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast: Ridge hews to a lower alcohol style than most California blockbusters, but is complex and food-friendly. This bottling defines such a style. Dry and lithe in the mouth yet gently tannic, with berry jam, bacon, grilled mushrooms and hints of balsamic and soy sauce.

2011 La Storia Trentadue (Alexander Valley)
Zinfandel grapes easily raisin from heat and sunshine, but the very cool weather in 2011 left the grapes unusually juicy and vibrantly fruity instead of syrupy. Comes from the best head pruned vines mostly block 303 in the Estate Geyserville Ranch. Deep dark cherry and plum aroma, exuberant blackberry and pepper. Aged for 11 months in 30% new European barrels to add toasty oak, chocolate and vanilla.

2010 Terraces (Napa)
Deep ruby color with ripe berry, clove and savory meat aromas leads to a full mouthfeel with soft tannins and a long, fruit-filled finish. 740 case production, aged in French and American oak for 18 months. Very flexible with food and one of the best aging Zins.

2011 Mauritson Family Vineyards Rockpile Ridge Vineyard (Rockpile Ridge)
The 1,200 feet high vineyard overlooks Dry Creek Valley and Lake Sonoma. The grapes were harvested before heavy October rains marred the 2011 vintage. Winemaker's Notes: Red fruit aromas complement earthen spices and oak nuances. Fresh raspberry and baked fruit dominate the front palate giving way to a balanced mouth feel. The tannins are silky and focused. Shows the elegance of the cooler growing season. Long and vibrant, full bodied, with balanced acidity to age gracefully.

2010 Michael & David's Lust (Lodi)
The grapes were selected from the top 3 lots from among the hundred sources, singled out for strong fruit flavor, spiciness, and the most structure. Aged 18 months in new American oak, and blended with a little Petite Sirah to increase tannin and color. Dense, rich, layered, and complex.

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Wine Tasting October 23 - 26, 2013

2010 Cave de Beblenheim Baron de Hoen Riesling (Alsace, France)
Wine Enthusiast: Full and fruity, this is already a delicious wine. A note of tangy citrus enlivens the apple and pear flavors. This has weight and an intense texture, with warm acidity and a touch of spice on the finish.

2009 Burgess Family Napa Merlot (Yountville, California)
Winery Notes: The 2009 Merlot, like our previous vintages, demonstrates a unique intense varietal personality along with a richness associated with the vintage.  The most common flavor characteristics of Merlot, blueberries and black cherries, are stunning with a hint of mint.  100% Merlot.

2010 Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
Winery Notes: The 2010 vintage in Lodi was extraordinary with a long, cool growing season yielding beautiful, evenly ripened fruit. With aromas of black cherry, cedar shavings, vanilla and spice, this wine offers rich, supple flavors of cherries and plum, perfect balance and a long, smooth, lingering finish. Nutmeg, cardamom and pepper enhance an exotic nose but bright, dark fruits enhance a superb mouth filling experience. Our winemaker thinks this may be the vintage of the century! Best in Class, San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2010 Latetia Nadia Highlands Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Barbara, CA)
Includes 6% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot.  Inky ruby.  Smoky cherry and dark berries on the nose, along with deeper notes of vanilla and pipe tobacco.  Full, round and concentrated, with sappy, refreshingly bitter cherry pit and blackberry flavors complemented by a touch of bitter chocolate. Finishes with good grip, gentle tannins and a hint of roasted plum.

2010 Michael Mondavi  Emblem Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
About 78% Cabernet Sauvignon from the hilly and terraced Oso Vineyard 1,250 feet high, with additions from the full range of other select Napa vineyards  - 7% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Zinfandel. and 4% Petite Verdot. Tasted right beside the $130-$200 Mondavi M made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak grapes, this Emblem was almost as concentrated and exhibited the forward, tasty, and rich fruit of wines many times its price.

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Wine Tasting October 16 - 19, 2013

2011 Borie-Mannou Beau Rivage Blanc (Bordeaux, France)
50% Sauvignon Blanc, 40% Semillion, 10% Muscadelle. Melon, citrus, slight grass. Light bodied, refreshing starter wine.

2010 Robert Biale Basic Black (California)
A premium blend although the name, type of wine, and description suggest a low priced introductory wine. Uses only selected grapes and puts considerable work making the parts work. Winemaker's Notes: A selective blend of Syrah, Viognier, Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Barbera. The grapes are double hand sorted. Aged 14 months in French oak, 25% new. Just 402 cases made. Round and softly textured, complex, and very drinkable. Pomengrate, strawberry, herbs, and forest flavors.

2010 L'Ecole 41 Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington)
Recommended, Northwest Wine Press: 20% Grenache brings a refreshing amount of acidity not often found in Washington-built Syrah. This opens with hints of black cherry, Ovaltine, smoked meat, allspice and cracked pepper. On the attack, there's a theme of bold dark cherries with blueberry and pomegranate acidity to mix it up with sturdy tannins. Previous 2009 vintage, 91 points, Wine Spectator.

2011 Mollydooker Boxer Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia)
89 points, Wine Advocate:  Matured 11 months in American oak, 60% new. A deep garnet-purple color and aromas of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves and mocha plus an undercurrent of vanilla and cedar. The palate is very generously fruited, offering a whopping mouthful of spiced blackberry flavors with a low to medium level of silky tannins, enlivening acid and a long finish. Drink now to 2016+.

2008 Martinelli Felice Syrah (Sonoma Coast, California)
From Terra Felice Vineyard, with densely planted vines. Long, slow, cool fermentation in barrel, 10 months on the lees, with 75% new French oak. Huge nose on a huge wine.  Big body of black fruit, sweet tobacco and leather.

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Wine Tasting October 9 - 12, 2013

2011 Neudorf Chardonnay (Nelson, New Zealand)
From one of the best Chardonnay producers in New Zealand. 90 points, Bob Campell: A sophisticated Chardonnay with an array of citrus, mineral and white peach flavors supported by bran biscuit and bread crust from barrel maturation on the yeast lees. Linear and long with impressive depth and complexity. Classy wine offering great value at this price.

2011 Bodegas Zerron (Montsant, Spain)
50% Garnacha, 40% Carignan, and 10% Syrah. 91+ points,Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar: Vivid purple. Aromas of black raspberry, spicecake and musky herbs, with a smoky topnote. Densely packed and youthful, with spicy dark berry flavors accented by cracked pepper and a touch of candied violet. Tannins build on the zesty finish, which shows refreshing bitterness and a touch of boysenberry.

2010 HRW Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
A second wine for Hendry that includes the estate grapes not good enough to make the Hendry label. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 18 months in French oak, 10% new. Blackberry and cedar flavors. Includes the juice pressed out of the grapes after the free juice runs off. 

2009 Pucinum Rosso (Venezia, Italy)
Theinfluence of Bordeaux can be recognized immediately when you taste this blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Refosco.  After  fermentation, the wine spends 12 months in French oak.  Medium to full-bodied with plum, wild cherry, currant and cigar box.

2010 L'Ecole 41 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Showing more depth, richness and structure, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley is a medium to full-bodied, concentrated 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from multiple vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley. Black cherry, black currant, tobacco, earth, asphalt and crushed stone-like aromas all emerge from the glass, and the palate has a dense, chewy mouthfeel and ample tannin. With  2-3 years of bottle age, it will drink nicely for upwards of 10-15 years.

 

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Wine Tasting October 2 - 5, 2013

Our Special Guest on Wednesday Night was Casidy Ward, Co-Proprietor, Hidden Ridge Vineyard

2012 Cederberg Bukettraube (South Africa)
This beautifully crafted, rare, and unique wine exhibits floral notes of rose petals, with juicy litchi and prominent apricot, which follows through on the palate. Well balanced with a delicate sweetness and a crisp acidity.

2011 Urban Uco Tempranillo / Malbec (Argentina)
The 2011 Urban Uco is a blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Malbec that spent 3 months in oak. Deep purple in color, with an inviting bouquet of smoke, blackberry, and blueberry, on the palate it is loaded with flavor, depth, and length. A stunning overachiever-buy it by the case. 91 points Wine Advocate

2009 Ahnfeldt Provocative Cabernet, Napa Valley
A complex blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Syrah, 4% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdo, and 2% Merlot the wine was aged in 100% French Oak-50% new. With dark ruby red colors and a hint of purple at the rim, the bouquet is brimming with sweet cherry and milk chocolate, as well as caramel and cinnamon in the background. A medium body is followed by a good length and balance.

2009 Artadi Vinas de Gain (Rioja, Spain)
Sourced from 40- to 60-year-old vines and aged in 40% new French oak for 12-14 months, this wine exhibits saturated purple color and delivers an expressive bouquet of wood smoke, pencil lead, mineral, blueberry, and blackberry. Layered and full-flavored on the palate, it is nicely balanced with the structure to evolve for 4-6 years. 92 Points Wine Advocate

2006 Muga Rioja Seleccion Especial (Spain)
Rich yet subdued on the bouquet, with elegant tobacco, lemon peel and earthy scents, this feels lush and full of heft, but its not plodding or heavy. Flavors of spiced black fruit, molasses and tobacco are nice, and the finish features a long, dry, comfortable fade. Drink this winner now - 2016. 92 Points Wine Enthusiast

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Wine Tasting September 25 - 28, 2013

2009 Abelis Carthago Lui Crianza (Toro, Spain)
Opaque ruby.  Potent aromas and flavors of candied cherry, blackberry and vanilla, and a hint of singed plum.  Lush and expansive, with supple texture and very good finishing power.  Ripe, in the style of the vintage, but energetic as well. 90 Points, Stephen Tanzer

2009 Belregard-Figeac Tellus Vinea Rouge (Bordeaux, France)
Produced from vineyards literally on the border of the appellation of Lalande de Pomerol, this wine of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon features silky, well structured tannins and nice hints of minerals and spice on top of juicy red fruit.  A great value!

2009 Haut Segottes St. Emilion Grand Cru (Bordeaux, France)
Château Haut-Segottes has less than 10 hectares of vines located within the Saint-Emilion Grand Cru appellation. This cuvee features 35% Cabernet Franc and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon.  It is concentrated and juicy, with a rich upfront, velvety fruit and  tones of smoked cherries, cigar, peppercorn.   The fine tannins are in the character of the 2009 vintage.

2011 Araucano Cabernet Reserva (Colchagua, Chile)
The wine has a toasted espresso-scented bouquet that is mellow and well-defined.  The palate is medium-bodied with dusty tannins in the entry. There is a crisp sense of citrus leading to freshness and it fans out nicely towards the smooth, silky Morello and raspberry finish: 90 points, Wine Advocate

2008 Antigal "Aduentus" Classique (Mendoza, Argentina)
This Bordeaux blend of 40% Malbec and 30% each of Merlot and Cabernet has an intense ruby red color, with exotic fig, raspberries and ripe boysenberry along with notes of pepper, vanilla, and caramel. On the palate, sweet intense tannins and toasty oak with a persistent finish.

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Wine Tasting September 18 - 21, 2013

2006 Guffens Heynen Pierreclos Jus de Chavigne (Macon, Burgundy)
92 points, International Wine Cellar: Light yellow. Spicy, mineral-dominated and fresh on the nose, with energetic lime and pink grapefruit scents; picks up white flowers and licorice with air. Juicy citrus and green apple flavors flesh out to offer poached pear and peach, without losing their focus. Strikingly pure wine, finishing with admirable lift and cut. 

2009 Trenta Querce 30 (Umbria, Italy)
P
roduced exclusively with handpicked Merlot grapes from the farm estate of Maria Barbara Conti. Fresh fruit with a hint of peppery spice.  Well balanced structure. Finished 3 months in French oak.

2011 Agriverde Montepulciano D'abruzzo Piane Di Maggio (Italy)
Montepulciano is a grape variety famous in Italy for overdelivering a dark and surprisingly rich wine without the high price ouch. Dick Scheer, Village Corner (Michigan):Brilliant fruit, spice, flair. Black, elegant, and lovely. Seems like some wood spices here, but no, it's all about the Montepulciano grape. Racy, spicy, lithe, deep, and fruity, with violets.  92+/100. 

2005 De Trafford Merlot (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
From one of the best wineries in all of South Africa, with hillside high altitude vineyards on  decomposed granite soil, totaling only 20 acres. Includes 5% Cabernet Franc. Drip irrigated. Barrel fermented and aged 20 months on French oak, 35% new. 1,200 cases produced. Block selected from 3 vineyards. Winemaker's Notes: Attractive deep red color. Rich red berry and cherry fruit with beguiling savory earthiness, nuts and spices. These flavors follow through on the palate with plenty of fine tannins and a classic long, dry finish. Probably best between 2008 and 2015. 4 stars of 5, Platters South African Wine Guide.

2007 Hidden Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma, California)
A high altitude mountain top wine from a vineyard with some very steep slopes. 94 points, Wine Enthusiast: The vineyard is severely vintage-dependent, with some years much better than others but the superbly generous 2007 harvest has resulted in this delicious mountain wine. It's perfectly ripe, offering an array of blackberries, cherries and currants wrapped into beautifully mature tannins and grounded with a firm minerality. Defines the elegant concentration of a high Mayacamas Mountain Cabernet. Drink now and over the next 10 years, at least.

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Wine Tasting September 11 - 14, 2013

Multi-Vintage Messenger Telegram  Number 1 White (California)
A V-V-V blend across vintages, varietals, and vineyards, from grapes in Lake, Napa, and Sonoma counties.  69% Sauvignon Blanc, 18% Muscat Canelli, and 13% Riesling . Smells like a bouquet of flowers and tastes like a mix of white and pink grapefruit.

2007 Darling Onyx Pinotage (South Africa)
89 points, International Wine Cellar: Full red-ruby.  Smoked meat and exotic spices on the nose; smells dense.  Then supple, sweet and seamless, with a gamey nuance adding complexity to the berry and spice flavors.  With its well-integrated acidity and suave tannins, this is nicely balanced from the start. Very attractive Pinotage.

2007 Branham Estate Jazz Quartet Rutherford (Napa, California)
Winemaker's Notes: Aged 16 month in French oak, 20% new. About 35% Zinfandel, 25% Petite Sirah, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Harmonious fruit on the nose, segues on the palatte to refined melodies of black-plum, dark berries, and coffee notes, and brings down the house with a purposeful symmetry of tannins and acidity at the finish.

2010 Mollydooker Enchanted Path (McLaren Vale Australia)
94 points, Wine Advocate: 65% Shiraz and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, matured for 12 months in 85% new oak 97% American and 3% French. Very deep purple-black colored, with ripe cassis and black cherry compote over hints of smoked bacon, dark chocolate, espresso, cedar and cloves. Very full bodied, densely packed and opulent in the mouth, a medium level of grainy tannins, very crisp acidity and a long finish with some mintiness. Drink 2014 to 2022.

2009 Powers Coyote Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Wahluke,Washington State)
Consistently since 2007 the lowest priced of the highest rated Cabernets from Washington. Winemaker's Notes: 100% Cab, aged 33 months in French oak, 65% new.  Aromas ofsage and lilacs, followed by a palate of cherries, blueberries, pomegranate, and eucalyptus. Finishes with a lush and dense crescendo of all these flavors.

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Wine Tasting September 4 - 7, 2013

2005 Macon Pierreclos Chavigne Tri des 25 ans (Burgundy, France)
91 points, International Wine Cellar:Superripe aromas of stone fruits, apple and crushed rocks, complicated by flowers and minerals. Fat, rich and dry, with the inner-mouth aromatic quality and flavor depth missing in the examples from the Cote de Beaune. But then there was no hydric stress here, Guffens emphasizes. Rather powerful flavors of nectarine and minerals are framed by excellent acidity. Finishes very rich and long.

2007 Sijnn Swellendam Red (Cape Town, South Africa)
91 points, International Wine Cellar: 42% Shiraz, 26% Mourvedre, 21% Touriga Nacional, 10% Trincadeira and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby-red. Complex nose offers aromas of blueberry, tobacco, flint, dark chocolate and dusty stone. Glyceral and lush, with sweet berry fruit complicated by notes of smoke and pepper. Finishes with considerable spicy, dusty tannins and hints of honey and blueberry.

2011 Lafage Tessellae Old Vines (Cote du Roussilon, France)
93 points, Wine Advocate: 40% Syrah, 50% Grenache, 10% Mourvedre. Aged 12 months in concrete tanks prior to being bottled unfiltered. Has an expansive, intense, complex bouquet of garrigue, strawberries and black cherries intermixed with a hint of spring flowers, a velvety texture and a voluptuous mouthfeel. Beautiful, soft, round, and seductive red will drink well for 4-5 years (2012-2017).

2006 De Trafford Blueprint Shiraz (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Made from younger vines grown on sloped vineyards with decomposed granite soil.91 points, Wine Spectator:Has a rustic undertow but plenty of dark, ripe fig and blackberry fruit flavors as well, which offset the coffee and briar notes nicely. There's a lingering note of Black Forest cake on the slightly muscular finish. Drink now through 2011. 600 cases made.

2011 Mollydooker Carnival of Love Shiraz (Australia)
93+, Wine Advocate: single-vineyard 100% Shiraz. Very deep purple in color. Flaunts a very expressive and fragrant nose with floral notes, roses and potpourri intermingled with toasty black cherries, creme de cassis, chocolate, pepper and accents of cinnamon and cloves. Rich, ripe full-bodied, and concentrated, with crisp acid, low to medium levels of soft silky tannins, and a very harmonious and long finish. Drink it from 2014 to 2022+.

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Wine Tasting August 28 & 30, 2013

2011 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)
Best white wine buy of the year , Michael Cooper's New Zealand Guide to Wine 2012. A consistently excellent wine, which shows that machine harvesting to hold down costs can have  excellent results. The benchmark for Sauvignon Blanc at the Best Cellar. A crisp, dry white with aromas of freshly mowed hay and lemon grass, followed by a light body but with powerful and mouth filling flavors of citrus, grapefruit,  and lemon zest.

2010 Allesverloren Shiraz (Swartland, South Africa)
The grapes are grown on shale soil and were planted in 1969.  Deep red color. Plum fruit with hints of black pepper, smoked bacon, and cigar box. Aged mainly in 2 and 3 year old French oak barrels, with some new oak barrels of both French and American oak. 4 stars of 5 in Platter's guide to South African wines.

 2010 Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
One of the best affordable Cabs from Napa as well as one of the few wines the Best Cellar has sold every year since the first in 2004. Tasty on release, noticeably improves after the first year, and remains fine for a decade. The Stratton Lummis strategy is to have a long term relationship with a few excellent wineries in Rutherford and Oakville where the winery does not want to make all the wine they can produce because oversupply weakens their prices, so Stratton Lummis reliably takes their surplus grapes. The fruit is a tasty mix of black currants, plum, and black and red cherry, and is balanced by acidity and tannins.

 2009 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley (Washington)
Aged 18 months in 95% French oak, 57% new barrels. 81% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 4% Petitie Verdot. A reliably powerful wine. 92 points, Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast: The vines for this wine average 15 years old. Aged primarily in French oak, this concentrated wine shows fine depth, with an emphasis on black cherry and cassis flavors. Full and ripe, this well-structured effort has the balance and polished tannins to be cellared for at least a decade.

2011 Boneshaker Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
A high end Zinfandel from Cycles Gladiator, owned by Hahn.An unusual blend of85% Zinfandel, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 2% Petite Sirah. Aged in French oak, 70% new barrels. Plums, licorice, blackberry, cherry cola, and coffee, structured by acidity and tannin.

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Wine Tasting August 21 - 24, 2013

2011 Cantina Novelli Trebbiano Spoletino (Umbria, Italy)
100 percent Spoletino, an ancient Umbrian grape variety rescued from the brink of extinction by Cantina Novelli. The grapes are harvested in late October from the winery's vineyards around the town of Spoleto. Medium-bodied with appealing citrus and white fruit flavors.

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra (Catalonia, Spain)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Incredible value, full-throttle 100% Grenache. Situated high on the hillside above the village of Batea, where grapes have been grown since the 15th century. Aged completely in concrete - a naked, unadulterated, unmanipulated effort with great minerality from the chalky, limestone soils and an intensity and richness from the old vines. Offers loads of kirsch, raspberry, licorice, garrigue and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied and dense, best consumed over the next 2-3 years.

2010 L de Lyeth Malbec (Sonoma, California)
Lyeth Estates is a small part of the Boisset Family Estates conglomerate. 82% Malbec and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. "L de Lyeth" is a good value lower cost varietal bottling sourced from non-estate grapes in Sonoma County, with tasty fruit and a smooth feel in the mouth. Malbec is a varietal seldom produced separately in California but usually makes a rich, dark, and juicy wine.

2011 Mollydooker Two Left Feet (McLaren Vale, Australia)
92 points, Wine Spectator: Polished, ripe and generous with its blackberry, mocha and sage flavors, brilliantly focused and elegantly balanced, lingering effortlessly on the seamless finish. Complex and inviting, this should develop beautifully with cellaring.

2009 Liparita V Block Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast: Hard tannins and a brooding toughness mask the fruit on this wine, hiding the black cherry and currant under a cloak of dry astringency. However, it seems to have all the pieces in place to age gracefully. Should be fine by 2018-2020.

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Wine Tastings August 14 - 17, 2013

2010 Valdemonxes  (Rias Braxas, Spain)
From a small estate of 22 hectares focused solely on Albarino. Refreshing and refined white, dry and crisp, with notes of lemon, orange peel, and fresh mango.

2009 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Symposium (Fort Ross–Seaview, Sonoma, California)
Contains a small and unusual amount of Pinotage grapes.  Cedar, cardomon, black tea, and black plum. Aged 10 months in French oak, 24% new.

2010 Chateau de Brondeau Bordeaux Superiore (France)
90 points, Wine Spectator:This is lively and still a touch taut, with notes of plum skin, cherry preserves and fig wound at the core, while roasted wood spice and anise hints flitter around. Features solid grip and stays racy through the finish, displaying an echo of mocha.

2009 Three Petite Sirah (Contra Coastal, California)
Explosive aromas of blueberry preserves and sweet herbs. This Petite Sirah is ultra-concentrated and packed with blueberry flavors and firm tannins.

2006 Antucura Calcura Meritage (Mendoza, Argentina)
91 points, Wine Advocate: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Malbec. Rich, spic dark cherries and blackcurrant set the pace. Forest floor and leathery nuances add appeal in the textured, yet supple finish.

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Wine Tasting August 7 - 10, 2013
ZINFEST

2010 Buehler Zinfandel Old Vines (Napa, California)
A blend of estate and non-estate Zins from Napa County. Has about 5% Petite Sirah. Aged 12 months in French and American oak, 20% new. Juicy, flavorful, totally dry, and ready to drink.

2009 Blacksmith Cellars Zinfandel Reserve (Alameda, Sonoma County, California)
A small independent low volume producer of wine who likes to make wines from new and different varietals. Bay Area Wine Society, 2nd highest rated wine tasted. 175 cases made. Black pepper, juicy fruit, intense and lively.

2010 Boneshaker Zinfandel (Lodi, California) - A high end Zinfandel from Cycles Gladiator, owned by Hahn
An unusual blend of 83% Zinfandel, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, and 1% Petite Sirah. Winemaker's Notes: Plums and blackberry jam. A sip shows off dark flavors of bitter sweet chocolate and black cherries underscored by a hint of sweet tobacco. This Zinfandel is as full bodied as they come, with fine grained tannins on the mid palate and a long finish made up of subtle notes of allspice and lightly roasted coffee.

2007 Oak Ridge Winery Moss Roxx Ancient Vine Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
California State Fair, Double Gold, Best Of Class  - Lodi Appellation: A big, flavorful Zin from Lodi's half to century old vines. Mature, round tannins accenting generous raspberry, chocolate, mocha and spice. This zinfandel is truly a delectable expression of Lodi's signature terroir.

2010 Seghesio Cortina Zinfandel (Dry Creek, California)
A wine consistently ranked at the top of the 2010 vintage. 94 points, Wine Spectator: Dark and intense, yet well-polished, with floral blackberry and pepper aromas and concentrated black cherry, bitter chocolate and black olive flavors that finish with muscular but ripe tannins. Needs time. Best from 2015 through 2022.

2011 Michael & David Earthquake Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
A signature wine for all the Zinfests of the Best Cellar. Modestly priced for a wine of this density and size. Very dark, ripe, fruity, heady, big bodied, over the top, and unabashedly jammy sweet.

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Wine Tasting July 31 - August 3, 2013

2009 De Trafford Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch,  South Africa)
One of the best producers of Chenin Blanc in South Africa, with more texture, refreshing acidity, bright citrus fruit, and a faint brush of sweetness.

2005 Ardiles Merum (Priorat, Spain)
91 points, International Wine Cellar: Dark red. Seductive perfume of raspberry, minerals and Asian spices. Clean and deep in red fruit flavor, picking up suave floral pastille and baking spice character with air. Very light tannins seem to fade into the sweet fruit on the long, juicy finish. Even more elegant than the 2004.

2007 Avontuur Vintners Red (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Aromas of white pepper, ripe plums, cherry and pine forest. A juicy, medium-bodied wine with a dry finish but attractive fruit on the palate. Dark chocolate results from the wood treatment.

2008 Hartenberg Ecurie (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
A satiny, approachable red blend with flavors of black currant, brandy-soaked cherry and a touch of vanilla bean on the nose and mouth. A savory peppery spice reveals itself on the end, with moderate tannins lingering through the close.

2009 Morgenhof Cabernet Sauvignon Mint Haven (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
90 points, Wine Enthusiast:The name of this wine doesn't lie; if you like mint, then this one's definitely for you! Gorgeous notes of fresh eucalyptus take center stage to the blackberry and boysenberry fruit backbone. The menthol continues on in the mouth, with a gripping and structured finish that tastes like Thin Mint crumbles.

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Wine Tasting July 24 - 27, 2013

2008 Thomas Fogarty Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains, California)
Aged 10 months in French oak. Citrus fruit, racy acidity, clean minerals, white flowers, and pear. 90 points, Wine Enthusiast:Made Chablis style, very dry, acidic and aloof. There's a golden core of pineapples, peaches, oranges, minerals and oak - it tantalizes before withdrawing into dryness and spice. Could easily develop over the next six years.

2006 Guffens Heynen Pierreclos Jus de Chavigne (Macon, Burgundy)
92 points, International Wine Cellar: Light yellow. Spicy, mineral-dominated and fresh on the nose, with energetic lime and pink grapefruit scents; picks up white flowers and licorice with air. Juicy citrus and green apple flavors flesh out to offer poached pear and peach, without losing their focus. Strikingly pure wine, finishing with admirable lift and cut.

2008 Thomas Fogarty Skyline (Lodi, California)
85% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is Fogarty's value blend of Bordeaux grapes. 97% from a single vineyard – Lewis Vineyard in the Clements Hills of Lodi, which has a very rocky soil. Combines a fruity taste with a smooth texture.

2007 Thomas Fogarty Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains, California)
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot and 4% Cab Franc. A consistently superb high altitude California Cab at the best price you will ever get. Considerably under rated by the following review, which ignores how much the Fogarty improves with additional bottle age. 90 points, Wine Enthusiast: Still dry and tough in tannins at the age of four-plus years, this Cab shows the intense fruit of a mountain vineyard. It's power-packed in blackberries and cassis, with a firm, stony minerality that makes it feel hard. Drink over the next six years.

2006 Charles Cimicky Shiraz Reserve (Barossa, Australia)
A true reserve, made only in superior vintages, drinking beautifully, for a fraction of its original price. 92 points, International Wine Cellar:Aromas of blackcurrant, cherry-vanilla and licorice, with a smoky overtone. Dense and chewy in texture, with slow-to-unfold, palate-staining dark fruit flavors and a wallop of bitter chocolate. By far the most brooding and masculine of this set of wines, showing powerful finishing thrust, sweetness and smoky persistence. I'd decant this big but surprisingly energetic wine for an hour or so if I were going to drink it any time soon.

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Wine Tasting July 17 - 20, 2013

2007 Verget Pouilly Fuisse Terroir de Solutre Mure (Burgundy, France)
91+? points, International Wine Cellar:Yellow-gold. A pungent, complex bouquet evokes ripe pear, anise, orange zest and smoky lees. Lush on entry, then firmer in the middle palate, offering zesty orchard fruit and citrus pith flavors and a lashing of tangy minerals. This very young wine finishes spicy and long, with deeper melon and honey flavors. This is the most wound up of this set right now.

2007 Darling Cellars Pinotage (Darling, South Africa)
From a site that has decomposed granite and is ocean cooled. 89 points, International Wine Cellar:Full red-ruby.  Smoked meat and exotic spices on the nose; smells dense!  Then supple, sweet and seamless, with a gamey nuance adding complexity to the berry and spice flavors.  With its well-integrated acidity and suave tannins, this is nicely balanced from the start.  Very attractive pinotage.

2008 Bodegas Frutos Villar Muruve Reserva (Toro, Spain)
100% Tempranillo, aged 18 months in oak, 90% American and 10% French.  Intensecherry red.Rich aromaswith strongoak notes. Veryfull-bodied,elegant,balanced and roundon the palate.

2010 Domaine de la Garrigue La Cantarelle  (Vacqueryas, Rhone, France)
93 points, Wine Advocate:A blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from 80- to 100-year-old vines, aged in both tank and small oak. Extremely full-bodied as well as massively concentrated. Inky/purple color in addition to copious graphite, blackberry, cassis, licorice, floral and incense. Textured and expansive, this will provide immense pleasure over the next decade or more.

2003 Ojai Syrah Roll Ranch Vineyard (Ventura County, California)
A 3-D wine – dark, deep, and delicious, but wonderfully balanced by refreshing acidity and structuring tannins. Usually includes a little Viognier. From one of the warmer vineyards that gets greater ripeness. Tasted from a sample last week, the wine remains in fine shape despite being 10 years old. 93 points, Connoisseurs Guide to California Wine.

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Wine Tasting July 10 - 13, 2013

2010 Sauvion Vouvray (Loire Valley, France)
Made from Chenin Blanc grapes. Quince, fig and pear flavors laced with hints of ginger and green apple, followed by an open, friendly finish.

2009 Masi Chianti Reserva (Tuscany, Italy)
91 points, Wine Spectator:A mix of smoky tobacco, cherry, cedar, spice and almond marks this complex and appealing red. The light-grained tannins bolster the long finish. Developing nicely... Drink now through 2020.  Wine Cellars of Annapolis: One of the finest bargains we've ever discovered in Italian wine.

2005 De Trafford Merlot (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
From one of the best wineries in all of South Africa, with hillside high altitude vineyards on  decomposed granite soil, totaling only 20 acres. Includes 5% Cabernet Franc. Drip irrigated. Barrel fermented and aged 20 months on French oak, 35% new. 1,200 cases produced. Block selected from 3 vineyards. Winemaker's Notes: Attractive deep red color. Rich red berry and cherry fruit with beguiling savoury earthiness, nuts and spices. These flavors follow through on the palate with plenty of fine tannins and a classic long, dry finish. Probably best between 2008 and 2015. 4 stars of 5, Platters South African Wine Guide.

2007 Sijnn Swellendam Red (Cape Town, South Africa)
91 points, International Wine Cellar:42% Shiraz, 26% Mourvedre, 21% Touriga Nacional, 10% Trincadeira and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby-red. Complex nose offers aromas of blueberry, tobacco, flint, dark chocolate and dusty stone. Glyceral and lush, with sweet berry fruit complicated by notes of smoke and pepper. Finishes with considerable spicy, dusty tannins and hints of honey and blueberry.

2009 Powers Champoux Red Blend (Washington)
67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 2% Malbec. 95% Champoux Vineyard, which is one of the best and most famous in Washington. Aged 33 months in new French oak.  118 cases produced. Winemaker's Notes: The gentle tones of cassis and cherry underlie bold tones of oak and cedar with subtle hints of blueberry and spice that linger in the background. The balanced tannins and bright acidity crescendo on your palate then yield to layered flavors of blueberry, lilacs and licorice. The lingering finish remains well after each sip.

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Wine Tasting July 3 - 6, 2013

2012 Santa Luz Alba Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Valley, Chile)
Santa Luz Alba is the value brand of Viña Luis Felipe Edwards. The wine is on the light side in color and body for a Cabernet Sauvignon, but is meant to be easy drinking.

2010 Chateau Laplagnotte-Bellevue St. Emilion (Bordeaux, France)
90 points, Wine Advocate: This major sleeper of the vintage, from the Laborde family, a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, may be the best wine I've tasted from this estate, as they normally produce good, but somewhat light, easygoing wines. This has more depth, texture and richness than I've seen in the past. Deep ruby/purple, with loads of kirsch, black currants, licorice and a touch of lead pencil shavings, the wine shows some subtle oak, but is medium to full-bodied and surprisingly rich and well-delineated. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

2009 La Tour St Bonnet Medoc (Bordeaux, France)
90 points, Wine Advocate:
A very opulent, modern bouquet that is lavished in new oak, with scents of crushed strawberry, raspberry and orange essence. A bit obvious but still stylish. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grippy tannins and an attractive sense of tension, leading to a nicely poised finish that evinces very capable winemaking. Very fine.

2010 Château Brisson Chateau Baby (Cote du Castillon, France)
90+/100 points, Dick Scheer, Village Corner (Michigan):Full color. Deep and dark. Fine example of how the excellent 2010 vintage includes exciting bargains that are serious wines.   Rich and ripe black fruit centered on cherry.

2009 Gordon Estate Merlot (Columbia Valley, Washington)
Double Gold (best in class), 2013 Seattle Wine Awards. Includes 2% Syrah. Aged 31 months in French and American oak. 90 points, Wine Spectator:Features gritty tannins, with enough balance to let the plum and dark berry flavors shine. Shows finesse.

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Wine Tasting June 26 - 29, 2013

2010 L de Lyeth Malbec (Sonoma, California)
Lyeth Estates is a small part of the Boisset Family Estates conglomerate. 82% Malbec and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon. "L de Lyeth" is a good value lower cost varietal bottling sourced from non-estate grapes in Sonoma County, with tasty fruit and a smooth feel in the mouth. Malbec is a varietal seldom produced separately in California but usually makes a rich, dark, and juicy wine.

2009 HRW Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
A second label, used for the wines not selected for the Hendry label. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Includes some pressed wine after the free run juice went into Hendry. Aged 18 months in French oak, 10% new. Cassis, oaken finesse, and a fine dusting of peppery tannin which stands its ground but doesn't overwhelm the palate.

2008 Paolo Conterno Barolo Riva Del Bric (Italy)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Made from the estate's young vineyards in Ginestra. Shows the pretty, understated side of Nebbiolo and the Ginestra vineyard. Sweet tobacco, crushed flowers, herbs, plums and licorice are all woven together in this attractive, medium-bodied wine. The 2008 won't be a long-term ager, but it sure is delicious, even today. Floral notes add the final flourish of complexity and character.

2010 Allesverloren Shiraz (Swartland, South Africa)
The grapes are grown on shale soil and were planted in 1969.  Deep red color. Plum fruit with hints of black pepper, smoked bacon, and cigar box. Aged mainly in 2 and 3 year old French oak barrels, with some new oak barrels of both French and American oak. 4 stars of 5 in Platter's guide to South African wines.

2010 Fabre Montmayou Malbec Gran Reserva (Mendoza, Argentina)
The Gran Reserva treatment at this winery basically comes from reduced yields in the vineyard by cutting off immature green bunches, table sorting of harvested grapes, and a year's aging in French oak. Only here the wine is made from 100% Malbec, from two vineyards, with old vines at least 60 years old. The color is an intense violet, a floral component and red fruits complement the blackberry flavor, and the tannins are elegant and silky. Paul Gregutt, Seattle Times, one of the best value wines from South American for higher quality: Best of all is the Fabre Montmayou 2010 Gran Reserva Malbec. Think old-vine zinfandel, but with a Bordeaux slant. Aromatic, dark, earthy and dense, with a complex, lingering mix of black fruits, spicy, bitter herbs and very dark cacao. 

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Wine Tasting June 19 - 22, 2013

2011 Fenestra Pinot Gris (Livermore Valley, California)
Livermore Valley is a high altitude valley about 30 miles east of San Francisco. Winemaker's Notes:From the Buttner Family Vineyard in Sunol. Barrel-fermented and aged, sur lie, in French oak and Acacia barrels for 10 months. Spicy aromas of pineapple, ripe peach, orange blossom and white pepper. Medium-bodied with lingering flavors of melon, pear, lemon peel and spice. Enjoy with shellfish, apricot-glazed chicken, asian food and curry.

2004 Avontuur Baccarat (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Named not after a casino game but a select rose flower with a dark royal velvet color. Solidly in the tradition of South Africa of making a Bordeaux styled blend from about half Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Blackberry and black currant fruit with pencil lead and firm black tea tannins. Rounded, medium  bodied, and fairly long. 4 stars of 5, John Platter's 2008 guide to South African wines.

2009 Albertina Lorilai's Reserve Merlot Zmarzly Family Vineyard (Mendocino, CA)
81% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon. From a high elevation vineyard in the coastal highlands north of San Francisco.  Gold Medal (Best of Class) North of the Gate Wine Competition, June 2012. Mellow, smooth, not too heavy, and pairs well with steak.

 2010 Bodegas Caro Amancaya Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina)
Joint project between Lafite and Catena. 65% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 75% new. Winemaker's Notes: Intense, deep crimson color. Aromas of red and dark fruit, with redcurrants plums, mint, and cedar, plus notes of vanilla, spices and mocha. A pleasant tannic structure on the palate and shows good balance. Fine, mellow tannins with a soft mouthfeel. Drinkable now but which will develop more elegance over the next three to five years.

2007 Sierra Salinas Mira (Alicante, Spain)
Consistently gets 91 to 93 points in the Wine Advocate. 57% Monastrell, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Grenache. Winemaker's Notes: Shiny and well covered red cherry color. Intense nose of elegant noble wood notes which mix with liquorice and very ripe fruit (morello cherries). Elegant and voluminous in mouth. Velvet like, dense, without peaks. Gentle with hints of toasted bread and smoke. A long persistent aftertaste.

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Wine Tasting June 12 - 15, 2013

2012 Badenhorst Family Wines Secateurs Chenin Blanc (South Africa)
Eric Asimov, NY Times: Best Chenin Blanc in a tasting of 20 from South Africa.Full-bodied yet discreet and inviting, with herbal, floral and citrus flavors. 92 points, Wine Advocate: A light but pure bouquet with lemon peel, grapefruit and hints of wet wool. The palate is crisp and vibrant on the entry with touches of lanolin and litchi nuts. Well balanced and delicious.

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra (Catalonia, Spain)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Incredible value, full-throttle 100% Grenache. Situated high on the hillside above the village of Batea, where grapes have been grown since the 15th century. Aged completely in concrete - a naked, unadulterated, unmanipulated effort with great minerality from the chalky, limestone soils and an intensity and richness from the old vines. Offers loads of kirsch, raspberry, licorice, garrigue and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied and dense, best consumed over the next 2-3 years.

2011 Finca Sophenia Malbec Reserve (Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina)
Intense red color with violet hues. Interesting and complex nose showing ripe fruit aromas, including blackberries, blueberries, cherries, fresh plums, combined with subtle floral and spicy notes. Round and sweet tannins in the mouth that increase fruit sensation. Shows a nice fruit concentration and lively acidity, typical of high altitude wines. Very persistent aftertaste. 4,000 feet elevation.  91 points in the Wine Advocate.

2009 Casa Castillo La Gravas (Jumilla, Spain)
94 points, Wine Advocate: Single vineyard, amazing wine that must be tasted to be believed. Intense dense purple color is accompanied by copious kirsch, black raspberries, blueberries and underbrush intertwined with hints of truffles and graphite. Aged 18 months in new French oak demi-muids. 80% Monastrell, 10% Garnacha and 10% Syrah. The old vine Grenache component gives the wine a remarkable layered texture and plushness. The vineyard is planted in limestone and gravel soils at an altitude of 2,200+ feet.

2011 Domaine Tournon Shiraz Pyrenees Shays Flat Vineyard (Victoria, Australia )
Made by Michael Chapoutier, a Rhone owner  with diverse holdings outside of France, from a vineyard with schist and quartz soil, purchased in 2009. Aged 12 months in oak. 93 points, Wine Spectator: Fresh, vibrant and juicy, redolent of cracked black pepper around a lively core of currant and blueberry fruit, lingering with appealing transparency on the vivid finish. Drink now through 2018. 2,000 cases made. 

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Wine Tasting May 22 - 25, 2013

2011 Stags Leap Chardonnay (Napa, California)
90 points Wilfred Wong: Just the way the Napa Valley intended it to be, the strong built and well balanced Stags Leap Chardonnay is rich and ripe on the palate with tangy apples in the finish.

2009 Chateau La Gaborie (Ladaux, Bordeaux, France)
One of the great price values from the recent great vintages in Bordeaux, that is dense, tannic, and dry, but with delicious fruit. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with some Cabernet Franc.

2010 Remo Farina Ripasso (Italy)
What a lovely nose. Intense black cherry, fig and leather notes abound, with an enticing smoky complexity. The palate is a lip-smacking thrill ride with flavor intensity, structure and balance. Stylistically this is a stepping stone between Valpolicella Classico Superiore and Amarone Classico. The perfect addition to a meal featuring braised leg of lamb.

2008 Ravenswood Teldeschi Zinfandel (Dry Creek, California)
96 points Connoisseurs Guide:  The Ravenwood 2008 single-vineyard Zinfandels rank among winemaker Joel Peterson's best efforts yet, and the deep and delicious Teldeschi bottling stands out as our pick of the bunch. Keenly focused on optimally ripe berries and showing the stunning concentration of classic old-vine Zinfandel, it is wonderfully well-balanced for a big wine and its layered flavors last and last. It will no doubt tempt drinking early, but has at least a decade of improvement ahead, and should be cellared away for at least four or five years.

2007 Col Solare (Columbia Valley, Washington State)
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc. A joint project between Chateau St Michelle and Antinori from Italy. 94 points, Wine Enthusiast: An excellent Col Solare; the best yet. It has suppleness and structure, with a panoply of fruits, from cassis to slightly candied cherries. The barrel notes are here in proportion, adding toast,coffee and chocolate, with firm and polished tannins. A strong core leads into a tight, confident finish.

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Wine Tasting May 15 - 18, 2013

2011 MacMurray Ranch Pinot Gris (Sonoma Coast, California)
In the United States, wines from this grape (the French name is Pinot Gris, the Italian Pinot Grigio) mainly represent a light bodied, easy drinking non-oaked alternative to Chardonnays.  MacMurray's version aims to deliver more. First, the taste has a more complex and pronounced array of flavors including fig, white peach, pear, and citrus.  Second, MacMurray strives to deliver more texture and mouth feel beyond being just crisp and clean. Sometimes includes small amounts of other grapes for added complexity. Do swirl the wine in the glass to bring out the richer taste.

2008 Fin Del Mundo Reserva (Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina)
Blends Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot . Has a concentrated bouquet of cassis, vanilla, coconut, tobacco, cocoa, cedar, violets and blackberries pepper. Bigger and denser but also elegant, combining fruit and juiciness with velvety tannins and a very long finish.

2009 Axel Primero (Colchagua, Chile)
41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 19% Carmenére, 15% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec. Aged 14 months in French and American oak. Vanilla, wood spice, plum and blackberry.

2009 Axel Syrah (Limari Valley, Chile)
Grown in a cooler, coastal area. Aged 14 months in French and American oak.Floral fruit, cocoa, coffee, silky tannins.

2009 Axel Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua, Chile)
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 14 months in French and American oak.Plum, cedar, tobacco, sweet ripe fruit.

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Wine Tasting May 8 - 11, 2013
 ZINFEST

2011 La Storia Trentadue Zinfandel (Alexander Valley, California)
The famous Ridge Geyserville wine has been based on vineyards from this estate since 1967. This estate wine is composed primarily of fruit harvested from older vines in Block 303. Co-fermented with 12 percent Petite Sirah for enhanced color and depth, aged about  a year in a combination of European and American oak barrels. Lush and jammy, with black raspberry and baked plum fruit interwoven with baking spices, fennel, cola, cracked pepper and blood orange. Generous and open, pleasing acidity and soft tannins. Massages the palate and ends with a long gratifying finish.

2009 Terraces Zinfandel (Rutherford, Napa, California)
Made from an old clone with open clusters and small berries, planted on terraced slopes 300-400 feet high on volcanic soil. The combination makes a well structured and bright style of Zinfandel that here never is made to be raisiny, sweet, or heavy like many other Zinfandels. Powerful and clear flavors that age beautifully and work well with a wider range of foods.

2008 Beatty Ranch Howell Mountain Zinfandel (Napa, California)
These Zinfandel grapes are the oldest on Howell Mountain and were previously under contract by Ridge and Cakebread. 1,800 feet above the valley floor. The wine is not made raisiny but instead has a fine balance of blackberry and black currant fruit, refreshing acidity, and firm tannins more like Cabernet Sauvignon.

2009 Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee (Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California)
This winery's top Zinfandel, from old vines that produce very ripe fruit with mouth filling intensity. Outstanding richness with great complexity and balance. Heady, broad, and dense with raspberry jam, spice, camphor, hints of anise, and toasty oak. Coats the palate with toasted oak and ripe spicy berry flavors. A big wine that offers great aging potential, with only 2,400 cases made. Blends Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Carignane.

2010 Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel (Oak Knoll, Napa, California)
Winemaker's Notes: Vibrant purple color, spicy aromas, juicy blackberry and red raspberry fruit; baking spices: anise, clove, juniper berry, white pepper, and cinnamon; relaxed tannins and bouncy acidity.

2009 Michael & David Lust Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
A high end Zin from Michael & David.  Has a soft texture and decadent mouthfeel, with flavors of creme de cassis, caramel cream, melted milk chocolate, tangerine zest, cinnamon-spiced gingerbread, and raisin. Made from the 3 best of over a hundred lots.

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Wine Tasting May 1 - 4, 2013

2009 Harrington Pinot Noir Wiley Vineyard (Anderson Valley, California)
The Andersen Valley was originally planted for its morning fog and coolness to make sparkling wines. The Wiley vineyard is the part nearest the Pacific Ocean and usually is the last harvested. Harrington makes one its most voluptuous and sensual Pinots from 30 year old vines at this site. The featured flavors are black cherry, wild berries, and tangy currants, along with non-fruit flavors of earth and mushroom.

2010 Bodegas Trus Krel Roble (Ribero Del Duero, Spain)
Aged 6 months in French oak. Black cherry color with perfumed aromas of blackberry, subtle hints of vanilla and smoke. Ample, full, long, and lingering.

2008 Bodegas Frutos Villar Muruve Roble (Toro, Spain)
All Tempranillo, aged 20 months in French and American oak. Bigger body, dry tannins, good concentration, fine cherry fruit.  Decanter (best British wine magazine): Nice, big, full-bodied mouthfeel. Appetizing and refreshing. Balanced and harmonious.

2005 Bodegas Trus Ribero Del Duero Reserva (Spain)
All Tempranillo, aged 24 months in new French oak. 50 months in bottle before released. An invitingly rich nose, followed by a deep, balanced, long, and satisfying taste.

2009 Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
A selection of the best parts of the estate vineyards, most typically the oldest vines with the lowest yields and smallest grapes, and the most tannin and concentration. Aged 18 months in French and American oak. Blackberry, plum, smoke, and toast, with both complexity and power.

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Wine Tasting April 24 - 27, 2013

2008 Yamhill Valley Pinot Blanc (McMinnville, Willamette Valley, Oregon)
From a part of the Willamette valley with soil that is sedimentary with considerable clay. This Pinot Blanc emphasizes bright acidity with floral, melon, and light citrus flavors.

2010 Paraiso Santa Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands, California)
The Santa Lucia Highlands are home to wide variety of great wines. Winemaker's Notes:Our cool climate Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands is a youthful and approachable wine with soft tannins and a juicy mid-palate. The focus is decidedly Burgundian, with flavors of raspberry, cheery and wild berries showing good acidity and a nice French oak complexity.

2005 Taliano Michele Nebbiolo (Roero, Piedmont, Italy)
The Nebbiolos from here are not as powerful as more famous parts of Piedmont, but do have an attractive elegance, minerality, and complexity.  The landscape is a rugged mixture of cliffs and hillsides.

Telegram Messenger Red Wine #2 (Northern California)
An unusual multi-vintage wine, which tends to be done to combine the fresh fruitiness of a young vintage with the immediate ready-to-drink taste of an older one. Winemaker's Notes: Layered vineyards, varietals and vintages of 57% Grenache, 38% Syrah, 4% Mourvedre, and 1% Viognier. Rounded blackberry & cherry flavors are wrapped in sage.

2008 La Playa Axel Primero (Colchagua, Chile)
The step up red blend of this winery. Aged 14 months in French and American oak. Usually about 44% Cabernet Sauvignon and 21% Syrah, with smaller amounts of Carmenere, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.  The 2010 earthquake in Chile severely reduced the supply of 2008 wines in Colchagua by spilling numerous wines in storage, making this a very rare opportunity to buy this partial survivor, which has never been listed at the winery's website as even available.

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Wine Tasting April 17 - 20, 2013

15th Anniversary Celebration All Week!
{Opened Sunday April 19th, 1998}

2012 Domaine D'en Segur Le Rosé (Tarn, France)
A true red wine lover's rosé that is a great value. A typically dry rosé for France but made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, from a region in southwest France not especially famous for rosé. Attractive ruby color. Inviting aromas of fruit and flowers. A dancing palette of complex fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, along with violets, all held up by a net of tannins. Grown on clay and limestone soil, and made in temperature cooled stainless steel tanks.  Proof positive that mechanical harvesting can deliver excellent quality wine at a moderate price.

2009 Bodegas Sierra Salinas Puerto Salinas (Spain)
Named for a mountain pass. 92 points, Wine Advocate: Blends 66% Monastrell, 19% Garnacha and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for one year in both new and 2-year-old French oak. Inky/purple color along with notes of road tar, melted asphalt, blackberry liqueur, camphor, graphite and forest floor. Complex, full-bodied, rich and intense with terrific purity and balance. Completely over-delivers.

 2010 Domaine de la Garrigues Vacqueras (Rhone, France)
92pointsJeb Dunnuck , Rhone Report: Beautiful stuff and a classic Vacqueyras that's concrete aged and not destemmed. Blends 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and small amounts of Mourvedre and Cinsault.  Lovely blackberry and assorted red fruits, green herbs, licorice, and loads of exotic florals. Medium to full-bodied, balanced, and elegant.  Has a building richness and a lively, energetic feel on the palate. Delicious now, even better in another year or two, and drinkable for a decade.

2010 La Storia Trentadue Zinfandel (Alexander Valley, California)
The famous Ridge Geyserville wine has been based on vineyards from this estate since 1967. This estate wine is composed primarily of fruit harvested from older vines in Block 303. Co-fermented with 12 percent Petite Sirah for enhanced color and depth, aged about  a year in a combination of European and American oak barrels. Lush and jammy, with black raspberry and baked plum fruit interwoven with baking spices, fennel, cola, cracked pepper and blood orange. Generous and open, pleasing acidity and soft tannins. Massages the palate and ends with a long gratifying finish.

2009 PlumpJack Estate Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, California)
94+ points, Wine Advocate: A terrific and beautiful wine. Freshly cut flowers, dark red berries, mint and crushed rocks are some of the nuances that flow from this highly articulated, engaging red. Despite the rich and obvious size, the wine retains remarkable freshness, clarity and precision.

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Wine Tasting April 10 - 13, 2013

2010 Escarpment Over The Edge Pinot Noir (Martinborough, New Zealand)
Bob Campbell (Master of Wine who comprehensively reviews New Zealand wines): Moderately concentrated and quite complex wine with red fruits (cherry and plum), spice, oak and an appealing floral influence. Quite a gutsy Pinot Noir that needs a little time to settle down although it can be appreciated now.

2010 Chateau de Brondeau (Bordeaux Superior, France)
90 points, Wine Spectator: Lively and still a touch taut, with notes of plum skin, cherry preserves and fig wound at the core, while roasted wood spice and anise hints flitter around. Features solid grip and stays racy through the finish, displaying an echo of mocha. Drink now through  2015.

2010 Chateau La Gaborie (Bordeaux, France)
One of the great price values from the great 2010 vintage in Bordeaux, that is dense, tannic, and dry, but with delicious fruit. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with some Cabernet  Franc.

2010 Lagone Aia Vecchia (Tuscany, Italy)
90 points, Wine Enthusiast (Designation - Best Buy): A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that opens with rich, concentrated aromas of black fruit and milk chocolate. Savory dark pipe tobacco, clove and cardamom. A masculine and powerful palette, with firm tannins.

2010 Stratton Lummis Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
One of the best affordable Cabs from Napa as well as one of the few wines the Best Cellar has sold every year since the first in 2004. Tasty on release, noticeably improves after the first year, and remains fine for a decade. The Stratton Lummis strategy is to have a long term relationship with a few excellent wineries in Rutherford and Oakville where the winery does not want to make all the wine they can produce because oversupply weakens their prices, so Stratton Lummis reliably takes their surplus grapes. The fruit is a tasty mix of black currants, plum, and black and red cherry, and is balanced by acidity and tannins.

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Wine Tasting April 3 - 6, 2013

On Wednesday, April 3 our guest speaker was:
Kyle Greene General Manager/Owner at Rare Champagnes & Wines.
We tasted two wines in his portflio in addition to our regular wine tasting wines.
Chêne Bleu Rosé 2011 and the Chêne Bleu Abelard 2007 - Release Price $90

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Chêne Bleu Rosé 2011 (Provence, France)
Located just above Gigondas at 2000 foot elevation, the wine comes from the highest vineyard in the south of France.  This blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah is a pale, bright, salmon pink and offers aromas of strawberries and citrus, with hints of tangerines and papayas.  It is well structured and complex with a crisp and long finish.

Chêne Bleu Abelard 2007 (Provence, France)
This "Super Rhône" is the product of a unique microclimate just below Mont Ventoux in the hills above Gigondas at elevations of 2000 feet.  The property,Domaine de la Verrière, is owned by Xavier Rȏlet, the Frenchman running the London Stock Exchange.  This blend of 90% Grenache and 20% Syrah was named after Abélard, one of the most famous lovers in French history, to reflect the wine's forceful, brooding intensity. Aged for 11 months in new and old oak, it offers aromas of dark berries, licorice, garrigue, and spice.  Intense and concentrated on the palate, blackberry and dark cherry flavors mingle with a unique minerality and fine-grained tannins.  The finish is long and intense.

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Domaine D'en Ségur, Le Rosé 2012 (Côtes du Tarn, France)
Located in the Tarn region in the south west of France, the vineyards are influenced by the Mediterranean Sea and warm summer days. This juicy, aromatic blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc offers dainty red fruits and violets on the nose. Silver medal winner at the 2011 Cannes Wine Festival 

Tramuz Ribera del Duero 2011 (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
Made from 100% Tempranillo, this youthfully colored wine was aged for 6 months in French oak.  The complex nose is dominated by aromas of dark cherry, spices, and tobacco. The palate is complex, richly textured and balanced with a good depth of fruit and ample fine tannins.

Flavium Bierzo Mencia Premium 2008 (Bierzo, Spain)
Made from 100% Mencia this wine spent 20 months in French and American oak.  It is opulent, rich, and lengthy, offers sappy red fruit, a squirt of passion fruit, and a hint of wildflowers and has the balance to drink well for 6-8 years at a very affordable price.  90 Points Wine Advocate

Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2011 (Sonoma, California)
This classic Sonoma Zinfandel is highly rated year after year.  Spicy, lush black fruit flavors of Alexander Valley. Briary and raspberry flavors are present, along with structure of cooler Dry Creek Valley. Overall, a balanced and elegantly structured Zinfandel.  90 points, Wine Advocate 

Liparita Oakville Napa Cabernet 2009 (Napa, California)
A beautiful Cabernet, showing classic Oakville ripeness in its flavors of black and red berry, currant and spice. There's a fine, tangy note of green olive that brings an earthiness to the fruit and a long lush finish of vanilla and fruit. The structure is seamless, the tannins smooth and flashy. Drinkable now, and should develop for at least 10 years. 93 points Wine Enthusiast.

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Wine Tasting March 27 - 30, 2013
CABFEST

Pucinum Rosso 2009 (Venezia, Italy)
The influence of Bordeaux can be recognized immediately when you taste this blend of 50% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Refosco.  After fermentation, the wine spends 12 months in French oak.  Medium to full-bodied this red has plum, wild cherry, currant and cigar box.

Hendry Ranch 2009 HRW (Napa, California)
The wine flows across the palate with gorgeous depth and richness.  Black currants, flowers, violets, spice and earth are some of the many notes that ring out in this medium-bodied yet fleshy, textured wine.  The 2009 impresses for its depth, polish and pure refinement. 92, Wine Advocate

Oberon Napa Cabernet, 2009  (Napa, California)
Blended from vineyards all over the valley, this shows all the hallmarks of a Napa Cab you want.  After 18 months oak aging, the wine's vibrant red cherry, candied blackberry, currants, licorice and spice flavors are concentrated and lush and the finish is long and smooth.  91, Wine Enthusiast 

Antacurra Cabernet 2010 (Mendoza, Argentina)
This juicy, cabernet is totally opaque, red-black, and dark.  It is inky, viscous, coats the glass when you swirl, and is, by several miles, the most full-bodied Cabernet at this price.  This teeth-staining juice vastly over-delivers on its price tag and erupts in geysers of berries, coffee, smoke, and toast, right from the first sip. This is a major bargain! 90, Wine Advocate

Turnbull Napa Cabernet 2009 (Napa, California)
Softly delicious, this Cabernet is perfect  for drinking now.  Its blackberry, currant and cocoa flavors are housed  in wonderfully ripe, accessible tannins. Shows the elegance of a  superior Napa Cab. 91, Wine Enthusiast 
Dense, rich and extracted, this wine succeeds with a potent mix of cassis, dried currant, mineral, cedar, tobacco and roasted herb notes.  Balanced oak nuances add both a sweetness and roundness to this aromatic and powerful wine. Wine Spectator

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Wine Tasting March 20, 22 & 23, 2013

2011 Rombauer Chardonnay (Carneros, California)
A wine that pairs perfectly with seafood and anything with a butter sauce. Of the previous 2010 vintage, 91 points, Wine Spectator: This ripe, exotic style boasts gobs of fruit but also a measure of finesse. Ripe, sweet-tasting flavors of pear, fig and tangerine are intense and focused, leading to a long, clean, lingering finish. Drink now through 2017. 70,000 cases made.

2011 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir (California)
51% from Monterey County, 23% from Santa Barbara County and 26% from Sonoma ounty.  The introductory and most affordable of wines from Belle Glos winery. Captures the silk, delicious fruit, and earthiness of Pinot Noir, lacking only the intensity and concentration of the better ones. 92 points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator : Dark and rich, showing toasty mocha oak flavors, with a beam of wild berry, raspberry, cola, vanilla and spice. Long on the finish. Drinkable any time.

 2010 La Janesse Cotes de Rhones Reserve (Rhone, France)
92 points, Wine Advocate:A gorgeous custom cuvee made for the U.S. market by Eric Solomon from the superb producer Christophe Sabon.  Blends 50% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvedre and 10% Cinsault, aged 12 months in foudre.  Kirsch liqueur dominates the aromatics and flavors. Deep ruby/purple color followed by floral, licorice, lavender, pepper, roasted meat and herbes de provence. Complex, concentrated, stunning Cotes du Rhone selling for a song.

2011 Giraud CDR Les Grenaches de Sixte (Lirac, France)
92 points, Wine Advocate:A special cuvee made for Eric Solomon that comes from Lirac, where Sixte is one of the appellation's most famous parcels. Made from 100% Grenache aged in 66% tank and 34% in older wood. Dark plum/ruby/purple color, copious tannins unusual in 2011, with  earthy, sandy, loamy soil undertones, and plenty of kirsch, pepper and lavender.  Concentrated and big.

2010 Boneshaker Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
The ghoulish, glow-in-the-dark label from Gladiator features a velocipede with wooden tires that would  have been a bone-shaking experience on cobble stone roads. Big, bold and intense with concentrated sweet berry aromas that lead to layered dark plum, caramelized cherry, bittersweet chocolate, and a rich, full mouthfeel. Balanced with nice acidity and well-structured tannins. Subtle hints of spice, pepper, and sweet tobacco glide through a long and silky finish.

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Wine Tasting March 13 - 16, 2013

Viljoensdrift Chardonnay, 2012, South Africa
Fred Viljoen a young winemaker in South Africa, has already surprised the world of wine and many medals to his name.  Fermented in American oak, the wine features ripe peach and citrus aromas that mingle pleasantly with vanilla, wood, and a hint of gooseberry.  A six month contact with its lees results in a full, buttery mouthfeel and long lingering aftertaste. 

Gérard Bertrand Château l'Hospitalet, 2009, France
Gérard Bertrand, a former internationally famous rugby player, made his headquarters in the Languedoc region of southwestern France, close to the Mediterranean.  This well-integrated blend of syrah, grenache and mourvèdre has deep, dark color, with rich aromas of black fruit and strawberries, wisps of spicy black pepper and a touch of savory, leathery notes. On the palate, it has luscious berry and strawberry fruit, vanilla and hints of herbs such as anise and thyme. It is medium bodied with supple tannins, and it would make a great companion for a lamb roast.

Viljoensdrift Shiraz, 2011, South Africa
This well balanced, easy drinking Shiraz features aromas dark chocolate and roasted almonds. Warm, ripe fruit, mocha and freshly ground black and white pepper linger on the palate. 

Odfjell Orzada Malbec, 2009, Chile
The 2009 Orzada Malbec contains 10% Syrah and spent 15 months in 79% new French and American oak. Hints of game, balsamic, cherry cola, and assorted black fruits set the stage for a spicy, plush, full-bodied wine that deftly conceals enough fine-grained tannin to evolve for another 2-3 years.  90 pointsThe Wine Advocate

Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet, 2009, Washington
Produced from some of the finest and most highly regarded vineyards in Washington State, the wine is a A blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 5% each merlot and petit verdot and 1% syrah.  Thick, ripe and richly endowed, it keeps its black fruit, ripe tannins and liquorous barrel notes all in proportion.  Earth, cedar and tobacco notes highlight the extended finish.  95 points - The Wine Enthusiast 

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Wine Tasting March 6 - 9, 2013

2010 Lincourt  Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez, California)
A single vineyard wine from an area with cool nights, made entirely in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation. Very refreshing acidity, with citrus, melon, and guava instead of the vegetal grassiness/green pepper flavors that Sauvignon Blanc often has.

2010 Lincourt Pinot Noir (Santa Rita Hills, California)
Lincourt makes Pinots up to three times as expensive as their general blend, but their basic and affordable Pinot Noir is a good introduction to their wines, with tasty fruit and even some silkiness and complexity. Of the previous 2009 vintage, James Suckling: Beautiful blackberry and lightly toasted oak on the nose and palate. Turns to spices and meat. Full-bodied, with soft tannins and a long finish. Balanced and pretty. Drink now or hold.

2009 Owen Roe Cabernet Franc Red Willow (Yakima Valley, Washington)
Intricate aromatics and non-fruit complexity. Grown this far north and this high up, Cabernet Franc features lively and punchy acidity, a lattice of tannins, and bright purple raspberry, tart cherry, and black currant fruits, with the body and sleekness of a gazelle. In the 1980s David Lake of Columbia Valley Vineyards released separately bottled Cabernet Franc from Red Willow Vineyard, which is a rocky high altitude vineyard above Yakima Valley. That wine was proof positive that Washington State could make great wines competitive with California. The previous 2007 got 92 points in the Wine Spectator and the previous 2006 got 92 points in the Wine Enthusiast.

2010 Torbreck Woodcutters Shiraz (Barossa, Australia)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Very deep purple-black colored, with aromas of black fruits, blueberry and blackberry preserves and underlying cassis, chocolate, nut and licorice hints. Full, rich, and mouth-filling. Well supported by velvety tannins and lively acid, with a long finish. Drink any time.

2009 Von Strasser Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
93 points in the Wine Enthusiast, which is their highest rating ever for this particular wine. Von Strasser makes powerful and ageworthy wines from Cabernet Sauvignon from the Diamond Mountain appellation in Napa. His most expensive ones are his single vineyard bottlings. This is his DMD cuvee that usually blends across all five of his small to tiny Diamond Mountain vineyards. Only 1,400 cases made. Predominately blackberry, edged by blueberry, fresh fig, and pie spice. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot. Although somewhat softer and more forward and elegant than his others, it remains tannic, long, dry, and full bore. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new.  The most darkly colored and extracted barrels go into his single vineyard wines, which tend to be the blocks with the oldest vines, the highest elevation, and the smallest berries. The 2009 Estate Vineyards of this wine, one step up from the Mountain District and part of what went into DMD, got 98 points in the Wine Enthusiast.

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Wine Tasting February 27 - March 2, 2013

2010 Sauvion Muscadet Sevre et Maine (Loire, France)
Light bodied, floral, refreshing acidity, moderately citric, but with a rounded rather than a severe or lean texture.

2009 Etude Pinot Noir (Carneros, California)
A wine that consistently scored 90 to 94 points in prior vintages. Of the previous 2008 vintage, 91 points, Wine Advocate: The least expensive offering, the 2008 Pinot Noir Estate exhibits copious aromas of forest floor, strawberries, black cherries and hints of allspice and herbs. Medium-bodied, beautifully textured and complex, ideal for drinking now and over the next 5-6 years.

2010 Michael Pozzan Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley, California)
Markets wines under 6 brands. The "Michael Pozzan" label is meant to appeal to people who want high quality without a painful price. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 18 months in French oak.  Single vintage and single appellation, known for its fine Cabernet. 91 points, Wilfred Wong (BevMo reviewer): Incredibly aromatic and juicy, loaded with bright cassis flavors, with just a touch of oak. A winner!

2009 Ridge Lytton Springs (Sonoma, California)
74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah and 5% Carignane. 96 points, Connoisseur's Guide: This winery's mastery of Zinfandel is once again evident.  Shows the richness and depth that we anticipate from Lytton Springs bottlings, but is keenly composed and comes with a little more polish than usual. Young, incisively fruity and well-filled.  Foregoes bombast and flashiness for structured precision and great ageability.

2009 L'ecole 41 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington)
100% Cab, aged 22 months in French oak, 40% new. Blends three estate vineyards in Walla Walla. More Bordeaux styled than many Washington Cabs, with dusty tannins and a dryer taste. Of the previous 2008 vintage, 93 points, Wine Spectator: Firm, focused and dense, with blackberry, cherry, sandalwood and grilled rosemary flavors, coming together seamlessly on the long, vivid finish.

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Wine Tasting February 20 - 23, 2013

2011 Sauvion Muscadet Sevre et Maine (Loire, France)
Light bodied, floral refreshing acidity, faintly citric, but with a rounded rather than a severe texture.

2010 Three Wine Company Petite Sirah (Contra Costa, California)
The Petite Sirah grape makes dark, tannic, and ageworthy wines, usually with blackberry or blueberry fruit, and is frequently used to add structure to Zinfandel. The 2009 had 97% Petite Sirah, 2% Mourvedre, and 1% Carigane, and was aged 18 months in French oak barrels.

2010 Odfjell Carmenere Armador (Chile)
Dark colored with a relatively forward and more drinkable plumy taste , smooth texture, and some coffee, but with little of the celery, spice, and green herb taste that Camenere sometimes features.

2010 Odfjell Malbec Orzada Chile
Deep purple. Fairly fleshy plum and boysenberry with traces of mushroom, graphite, and cocoa.  50 year old vines.

2009 Laurel Glen Counterpoint (Sonoma Mountain, California)
93 points, Editors Choice, Wine Enthusiast: Made from the winery's estate vineyard, but from lots not included in the top wine, which costs twice as much. You'll find plenty of tannins in this darkly colored, impressively concentrated 100% Cabernet. It's fresh, soft and juicy in blackberry and cherry jam flavors, with a rich earthiness.

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Wine Tasting February 13 - 16, 2013

2011 Louis Max Chardonnay (Burgundy, France)
The Louis Max wine company markets a wide range of wines, from estate owned vineyards, to purchased grapes, to purchased bulk wines. This is their generic line of Bourgogne Blanc. Winery notes:Pale Gold color with aromas of fresh fruit and white flowers and a palette with a lot of fresh fruits and a delicate wood background.

2011 Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir (California)
51% from Monterey County, 23% from Santa Barbara County and 26% from Sonoma County.  The introductory and most affordable of wines from Belle Glos winery. Captures the silk, delicious fruit, and earthiness of Pinot Noir, lacking only the intensity and concentration of the better ones. 92 points, Smart Buy, Wine Spectator : Dark and rich, showing toasty mocha oak flavors, with a beam of wild berry, raspberry, cola, vanilla and spice. Long on the finish. Drinkable any time.

2010 Hahn Meritage (Monterey, California)
Winemaker's Notes:48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec, 8% Petite Verdot. Dark and seductive, this classic Bordeaux-style blend manages to be approachable yet complex. Pronounced blackberry and blueberry on the nose mingle with cedar spice and a hint of wood, while notes of bramble fruit, cherry, vanilla and dried herbs please the palate. The multidimensional character of this blend is well-suited for rich and robust foods.

2008 Paolo Conterno Barolo Riva Del Bric (Italy)
91 points, Wine Advocate:Made from the estate's young vineyards in Ginestra. Shows the pretty, understated side of Nebbiolo and the Ginestra vineyard. Sweet tobacco, crushed flowers, herbs, plums and licorice are all woven together in this attractive, medium-bodied wine. The 2008 won't be a long-term ager, but it sure is delicious, even today. Floral notes add the final flourish of complexity and character.

2010 Bodegas Teso la Monja Almirez (Spain)
94 points, Wine Advocate: Comes from a vineyard planted at an altitude of 2,300 feet with tiny yields of 18 hectoliters per hectare. Aged 12 months in mostly French oak , 30% new. Inky/purple-colored, with flavors of violets, graphite, licorice, blackberries and cassis. Full-bodied and rich with silky tannins as well as abundant minerality. Super-rich, full-throttled, and fabulous.

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Wine Tasting February 6 - 9, 2013
ZINFEST

2010 Mettler Zinfandel (Lodi, California)
Gold Medal, 2013 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Winemaker's Notes: 83% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bold, yet bright and complex flavors of plums, black cherries, dark berries and tobacco are balanced by a hint of smooth dark chocolate that enrobes the palate in richness. The velvety tannins are kept bright and juicy by a pleasing seam of acidity while the flavors build depth and concentration on the finish.

2010 Trentadue La Storia Zinfandel
Winemaker's Notes:Composed primarily of fruit harvested from older vines grown in the estate's Block 303. It was co-fermented with 12 percent Petite Sirah for enhanced color and depth before spending nearly a year in a combination of European and American oak barrels. This lush and jammy "Zin" features black raspberry and baked plum fruit interwoven with baking spices, fennel, cola, cracked pepper and blood orange. A sense of openhanded generosity massages the palate while pleasing acidity and soft tannins intensify the wine's long and gratifying finish.

2010 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel
93 points Wine Enthusiast , Editors' Choice: You could use this as a teaching tool for classic Sonoma County Zinfandel. It's full-bodied, dry and spicy, with briary flavors of wild berries, mocha, tobacco, leather and exotic spices. More importantly, it's absolutely delicious. The grapes come from Seghesio's best vineyards in the Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. An astonishing value.

2010 Seghesio Home Ranch
92 points, Wine Spectator: A powerful wine, both ripe and densely structured. Aromas of black cherry and spicy loam lead to concentrated blackberry, licorice and toasty oak flavors that finish with firm, crisp tannins.

2010 Venge Scouts Honor (Napa, California)
From 30 to 60 year-old vines, majority Zinfandel with Petite Sirah, Charbono, and Syrah. Small individual lots of fruit were destemmed and whole-berry fermentation took an average for 12 days in tank. Aged for 18 months in 60% new American Oak from Missouri. Brawny, deep, and concentrated black cherry, briary raspberry, cinnamon, clove, pepper, spice, smoky dark chocolate and dried blueberry.

2010 Rage Michael & David (Dry Creek, California)
Winemaker's Notes. The grapes for this unique wine come from a 45 year old head pruned vineyard located on the southern edge of Dry Creek Appellation. With its rocky red soils and hillside slope the vineyard produces a nice peppery edged Zin with fitting of the Rage name! Medium purple in color with aromas of blackberry, bright raspberry, and vanilla. Nice dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors with cracked black pepper and moderate tannins.

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Wine Tasting January 30 - February 2, 2013

2011 Trebbiano Spoletino (Umbria, Italy)
Spoletino is a native variety grown during the Middle Ages in the Duchy of Spoleto, rediscovered and restored to quality production by Cantina Novelli. The vineyard is situated on the slopes of the Martani Mountains, at an altitude of 380 meters, on loose textured sandy and gravely soil with a southern exposure and amazing view of the medieval castle of Spoleto, Rocca Albornoziana. An extensive research project evaluated the century-old, ungrafted vines, and the result is an aromatically rich wine, with a soft, full flavored, refreshing taste on a nice long finish.

2009 Over the Edge Pinot Noir (New Zealand)
Palish medium red. Subtle aromas of cherry and spices with hints of meat and earth. Supple, round and quite ripe but retains its shape and maintains a light touch. Distinctly likeable and an excellent pinot value, with good depth of fruit and a spicy sweetness on the back end.

2007 Piedemonte Crianza (Navarra, Spain)
Aged for 12 months in 70% French barrels and 30% American. Red ruby color. Ripe red berry fruits with hints of spice. The palate is full and harmonious with blackberry and mulberry fruits and firm tannins. Well-integrated, good structure and depth. 1/3 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tempranillo.

2010 Cercius Cotes du Rhone Vielle Vignes (France)
93 points, Wine Advocate:85% Grenache and 15% Syrah from the 70- to 80-year-old Grenache vines on the plateau of Domazan south of Chateauneuf du Pape. One of the greatest Cotes du Rhones I have ever tasted – wonderfully intense, deep ruby with some purple tinges, with a stunning nose of black raspberry liqueur intermixed with sweet cherries, licorice, pepper and Provencal lavender. Round, generous, opulent and heady, this fabulously intense, hedonistic wine should be drunk over the next 3-4 years. Bravo!

2008 Fattoria Di Milziade Antano Sagrantino Montefalco (Umbria, Italy)
15% alcohol, with a bouquet with smoked meats, fresh plowed earth, black spices, and dried herbs and flowers on the nose. A big wine on the palate with lots of spice, black raspberry fruit, and zesty acidity.

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Wine Tasting January 23 - 26, 2013

2010 Stags Leap Chardonnay (California)
With its lively acidity balanced by richness and minerality this wine is a true expression of grapes grown in in the cool southern Napa Valley region. Aromas of honeysuckle and stone fruit flavors of fresh peaches and nectarines mingle pleasantly with lemon and green apple.

2010 Allesverloren Cabernet (South Africa)
Allesverloren is the oldest estate along the Swartland wine route, its history dating back to between 1696 and 1704, when the governor of the Cape left it to a widow named Cloete. This courageous woman was one of the first settlers who ventured into the inhospitable Swartland region.  Her first house was burnt to the ground and the farm destroyed, hence the estate's sad name, "Allesverloren", which means "all is lost". Since then, the fate of Allesverloren has been an unusually happy one and the estate continues to make wines of renown and outstanding value. This full-bodied cabernet features dark plums and cherries with cassis, chocolate and cigar box in the background.

2010 Allesverloren Tinta Barroca (South Africa)
Famous initially for its ports, it's not surprising then that Allesverloren makes a wine from Tinta Barocca, a Portuguese port varietal. 18 Months maturation in oak barrels (10% new French oak and 40% second and third-fill French oak barrels) adds a warmth and body to the wine's inherent fruity character, which intermingles with mocca, vanilla and oak spices.

2010 Allesverloren Shiraz 2010 (South Africa)
A full-bodied wine of intense ruby color made in the traditional style with a smoky, scented bouquet and excellent fruit concentration.  Flavors range from black currant, ripe berries and dark plum to oak spices and tannins in the background.

2008 Allesverloren Vintage Port (South Africa)
Allesverloren Port is produced from a host of typical Portuguese port grapes including Tinta Barocca, Souzao, Tinta Röritz, and Touriga Naçional, varieties planted at an altitude of 450ft. The trellised vineyards face in a north-south direction and are about 43 years old. The wine is woody and toasty on the nose with nutty and raisin berry undertones. On the palate it is a creamy, soft and multi-dimensional port with full ripe fruits and a lingering aftertaste.

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Wine Tasting January 16 - 19, 2013

2011 Figini Gavi di Gavi (Piedmont, Italy)
100% Cortese, which is an indigenous white wine grape whose production centers around Gavi in the southern part of Piedmont. Widely used as a starting wine, often with meals. Known for its light body, freshness, high acidity, and distinct aromas of lime, almonds, and herbs or grass. Fruit flavors are typically apple, peach, or melon. The redundantly sounding "Gavi di Gavi" means the vineyards are within the township of Gavi. Figini is considered to be one of the higher quality producers, using local yeasts and temperature controlled fermentation.

2009 Etude Carneros Pinot Noir (Carneros, California)
In classical music, an etude is a composition that challenges the student to perfect a particular technique.  Like Chopin piano etudes, both notoriously difficult and sublimely beautiful, Etude wines are often examples of the practicing craft  transformed to art.  Gets scores every year ranging from 90 to 94 points. Cellar Selection, 92 points, Wine Enthusiast:There's a toughness to this wine that makes it hard to appreciate now, but it will soften with some time in the cellar. Dry, silky and tannic, it features an enormous black-cherry flavor, with considerable oak overtones. An altogether impressive wine. Given its fine structure, it should develop over the next 6–8 years.

Messenger Telegram Number One Red
A 3-V wine blending across vineyards, varietals and vintages in northern California. 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot , 12% Montepulciano, 8% Malbec and 3% Cabernet Franc 3%. The Montepulciano grape is an Italian varietal rarely grown in California. Bright raspberry tickled by vanilla and with a chewy mouth feel, with some French oak. The message expressed is lusciousness from the hand that made it and the land that grew the grapes.

2010 Michael Pozzan Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley, California)
Markets wines under 6 brands. The "Michael Pozzan" label is meant to appeal to people who want high quality without a painful price. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 18 months in French oak.  Single vintage and single appellation, known for its fine Cabernet. 91 points, Wilfred Wong (BevMo reviewer): An amazing transformation. Incredibly aromatic and juicy, loaded with bright cassis flavors, with just a touch of oak. A winner!

2008 Starry Night Zinfandel (Alexander Valley, California)
Winemaker's Notes: Aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels for over two years, it has rich fruit driven aromas and flavors of plums, blackberries and currants along with pepper and spice notes.

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Wine Tasting January 9 - 12, 2013

2011 Viognier Le Verger (Minervois, France)
 Viognier grapes come from vineyards in the village of Argeliers that is located in the hills of the Minervois appellation.  The harvest grapes are chilled and the fermentation temperatures kept low. Extended lees contact but no oak is used. The wine is fresh, crisp, and brightly fruity, with peach, pear, and honeysuckle.

2011 Grayson Cellars Block 9 Pinot Noir Caiden's Vineyard (California)
A strong candidate for the best Pinot Noir under $15. Medium bodied but with surprisingly strong flavors of plums, underbrush, forest floor and sweet cherries, as well as good texture and length. Even has a touch of leather, more like French Pinot Noirs. Wine Enthusiast:  Run, don't walk to find this lovely, inexpensive Pinot. It's a fine wine to drink now for all its soft silkiness, crisp dryness and raspberry, cherry, cola, pomegranate and sandalwood flavors.

2010 Bodegas Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha (Spain)
91 points, International Wine Cellar: Glass-staining purple. Lively, faintly medicinal aromas of cherry, blueberry and licorice, plus hints of smoky herbs and flowers. Juicy and expansive, offering sweet, deeply pitched bitter cherry and dark berry flavors supported by a taut spine of acidity and fine-grained tannins. Finishes with powerful spicy thrust and suggestions of candied flowers and woodsmoke. This could pass for a northern Rhone wine, and a really good one at that.

2008 Casey Flat Ranch Open Range Red (California)
An unusually affordable blend of high altitude mountain grapes from multiple appellations, combining 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Syrah, 5% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.  Black cherry and mint jump from the glass, followed by nutmeg and anise. True to its mountain origins, the wine features a chewy core with lively underlying acidity.

2008 Cerraia Geografico Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Tuscany, Italy)
Made from Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo and Mammolo grape varieties. Outstanding perfume of leather, sea salt, white truffle and lavender leading to a full bodied, very structured and layered palate. Even though it is quite approachable now it will develop for another 7-8 years.

 

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Wine Tasting January 2 - 5, 2013

2010 Butternut Chardonnay (California)
The grapes for this wine were sourced from several top Chardonnay vineyards throughout California (Napa Valley, Sonoma, Monterey, Sierra Foothills) to make a knockout wine reminiscent of some extremely high-demand California Chardonnays that sell for almost twice this price.  This big, round wine delivers notes of fig, creamy butterscotch with notes of hazelnut and finish that doesn't want to quit.

2011 Rio Madre Graciano (Rioja, Spain)
Graciano produces the lowest yield of any grape in Rioja and it is rarely bottled as a single varietal wine. 91 points Wine Advocate:Ripe blackberry fruit intermixed with licorice, wood smoke, camphor and a vivid floral display.  Concentrated and powerful on the palate with a youthfully tannic finish. Aged in French oak prior to bottling.  Outstanding value here.

2010 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, Washington)
Sourced from diverse sites throughout the Columbia Valley, but a very select, small production wine. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with smaller portions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.17 months in American,  and French oak, 25% new.Winemaker's Notes: Beautifully balanced with a round, soft mid-palate and lingering finish. Enticing aroma of graham and black berry. Bright blackberry by mouth with ripe, sweet plum overtones and lovely spicy oak notes.

2009 La Playa Axel Syrah (Limari Valley, Chile)
La Playa recently started to move the production of their top of the line Syrah from Colchagua to the dry Limari Valley 400kms north of Santiago and only 20 kms from the cooling Pacific Ocean with morning fog. The wine was aged for 14 months in French and American and spent more than 6 months in bottle before its release.  It offers floral fruit, cocoa, coffee, and silky tannins.

2009 Jeff Runquist Petite Sirah Salmon Vineyard (Clarksburg, California)
Sourced from the Salmon Vineyard on Sutter Island in the Sacramento River Delta.  The "Petite" refers not to any littleness in the wine, but the small size of the grapes. Winemaker's Notes: This wine just soaked up the new French oak. Big creamy mouthcoating flavors of ripe sweet boysenberry and blackberries are balanced by creamy French oak. The texture is full of thick viscous tannins, and the finish is long and lingers well after swallowing.
 

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