Richard Stetler's _{Fine Wines & Tastings}

The Best Cellar  *  New Location - June 1, 2009 - 1408 NE 26th St..  *  Wilton Manors, FL  *  33305
Telephone (954) 630-8020                    e-mail

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 30, 2015 & Janaury 2, 2016

2014 Aix Vin de Rose (Provence, France)
Rich and full of spicy red fruit, balanced with crisp acidity. The blend is Grenache (60%), Syrah (20%) and Cinsault (20%). A definite dry character puts it on the dining table.

2013 Leyda Pinot Noir Las Brisas (Leyda Valley, Chile)
91 points, Wine Spectator: Elegant and rich-tasting, with concentrated cherry and red currant flavors, loaded with sandalwood notes. Shows plenty of vibrant spiciness midpalate, with a well-structured and minerally finish. Drink now through 2018. 200 cases imported.

2010 Vinos de Finca Losada Mencia (Bierzo, Spain)
91 points, Wine Spectator: This savory red has intensity and energy, with meaty, toasty and earthy notes framing black cherry, plum, licorice and mineral flavors. Chewy tannins resolve on the sanguine finish. Austere, but shows character. Drink now through 2020.

2012 El Enemigo Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
93 points, Wine Enthusiast: Alejandro Vigil's El Enemigo wines are worth jumping on if you like full-bodied, robust Argentinean reds. This is typically smoky and dark up front, with molasses, marzipan and blackberry aromas. The palate clamps down with tannic grip, while flavors of oak, blackberry, tobacco, vanilla and spices end briary and with subtlety, which is what makes this powerful wine so good. Drink through 2019.

2014 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, CA)
91-93 points, Wine Advocate: Even a step up over the killer 2013, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with notions of black raspberry, cassis, spice and licorice. More textured, voluptuous, layered and concentrated than all of the previous vintages, it will have an easy 10-15 years of longevity.

Wine Tasting - December 23, 24 & 26, 2015

2014 Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc (California)
#40 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2015, 90 points: Graceful, offering fragrant orange blossom, ruby grapefruit and white peach flavors that are fresh and lively, set on a light, lithe body. Appealing pops of lime zest and passion fruit show on the long finish. 

2006 Winery Arts Squared Three (Ribera Del Queiles, Aragon, Spain)
Blends Garnacha, Merlot and Tempranillo.  Intense, brilliant cherry red color with a deep robe. Fine and elegant on the nose, with a predominance of red fruit, spices and a few blasamic notes which makes the wine complex and pleasant. Agreeable palate with finesse, despite its strength, leaving a tasty aftertaste, exhibiting an abundance of fruit flavors and hints of mineral.

2012 Oliverhill Winery Jimmy's Section Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia)
93 points, Wine Advocate:  Deep purple-black in color and intensely scented of blackcurrant cordial, preserved plums and dried mulberries with touches of cedar, sandalwood, spice cake and licorice. Full bodied and voluptuous in the mouth with the richness of preserved black fruit and anise flavors nicely offset by firm chewy tannins and balanced acid. Long great finish. Drink now to 2022+.

2009 Brovia Solatio Dolcetto D'Alba (Piedmont, Italy)
Dark color, deep, and concentrated. Not overripe or overdone in the least. Roundly tannic finish. Features great balance for aging.  Unusually serious wine for Dolcetto, which normally is less complex and best drink young.

2010 Mt Brave Cabernet Sauvignon (Mt Veeder, CA)
93 points, Wine Advocate: Surprisingly accessible for a high altitude Mount Veeder Cabernet from steep hillside sites.  Dark raspberry, blueberry, flowers, mint and new leather flesh out this exciting large-scaled wine. Balanced and harmonious with especially likeable density, richness and roundness. 93.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. Aged 22 months in 85% new French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Wine Tasting - December 16 ~ 19, 2015
Champagne & Red Wine Fest
The Best Cellar Holiday & Christmas Party

MV Lanson Black Label Brut (Champagne, France)
90 points, International Wine Cellar: Light yellow-gold. Meyer lemon, pear skin aromas, and chalky minerals, quinine and brioche. Chewy and dry on entry, then fleshier and smoother, with dense orchard fruit and a hint of bitter citrus pith. Closes with firm grip, mineral drive, & smoky toast.

MV Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut (Champagne, France)
93 points, Wine Spectator: Aromatic, with accents of bread dough, smoked almond and crème de cassis. Creamy, lightly chalky in texture and framed by firm acidity, with flavors of glazed apricot, orange blossom and rich hints of clover honey and coffee liqueur. Drink now through 2022.

MV Mumm Napa Sparkling Brut Rose (Napa, California)
One of the better brut rose sparklers at a price well below what Champagnes cost. The central flavor is crisp, dry, and a complexly fruity triad of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry. Also has a citrus edge to the acidity, a touch of tannin, and a background creamy texture.

MV Canard-Duchene Charles 7th Brut Rose (Champagne, France)
90 points Wine Enthusiast: A pale-pink rosé named after the French King Charles who was crowned by Joan of Arc. A structured wine, with plenty of refreshing red fruits and light tannins from the red wine in the blend. Ready to drink, attractive, and soft at the end.

2012 Joseph Phelps Freestone Estate Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, CA)
93 points, Antonio Galloni: Dark red cherries, tobacco and new leather wrap around a wine of presence and nuance, that stands out for its symmetry, overall sense of balance, delineation, and energy. Shows beautifully next to the single vineyard  Pinots with a significantly higher price. The value jewel in their Pinots.

2012 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee (Napa, CA)
Winemaker's Notes: 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot 12% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah.The aromas are rich, ripe and enticing, with sweet fruit layers of plum, bing cherry and cassis, as well as mocha, roasted co­ffee, cedar and baking spices, all supported by delicious hints of French oak. On the palate, supple and round, with balanced tannins, weighty texture and a smooth, mouth‑filling structure. Abundant ripe red and black fruit flavors, with elegant complexity.

2010 Charles Joguet Clos de la Dioterie (Chinon,Loire, France)
All Cabernet Franc. 94 points, Wine Spectator: Loaded with intense fig, blackberry coulis and currant paste flavors at the core, this is studded with smoldering charcoal, roasted cedar and bay notes and pushed by a prominent graphite spine. Shows terrific grip and drive, boasting a muscular and deep finish. Best from 2016 through 2023.

Wine Tasting - December 9 ~ 12, 2015

2014 Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay (Elgin, South Africa)
93 points, Wine Advocate: An attractive and well defined nose of dried honey, dried mango and a touch of walnut. The palate is fresh and crisp with harmonious almond and hazelnut notes infusing the tropical tones on the long and tender finish. One sip will never be enough! Another great Chardonnay from Andries Burger.

2012 Zenato Alanera Rosso (Verona, Italy)
90 points, Wine Advocate: This IGT blend is composed of 55% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone and 10% other grapes. Aged in oak and stainless steel. Good intensity with bright layers of spice, dark fruit and prune.

2009 O. Fournier Centauri Red Blend (Maule, Chile)
91 points, Wine Advocate: 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Carignan aged for 12 months in French oak. In the glass it is full-bodied, dense, layered, and long. Relatively forward, it can be consumed now but will drink well for a decade. An outstanding value.

2013 Puech-Haut La Closerie du Pic (Languedoc, France)
93-95 points, Wine Advocate: Equal parts Syrah and Grenache, with the Syrah aged in barrels and the Grenache in concrete tank. Exhibits terrific amounts of cassis and black raspberry fruit to go with additional notes of pepper, smoked meats, violets and crushed rock. Full-bodied, beautifully pure, layered and elegant, yet rich and textured. Should drink nicely on release and evolve gracefully.

2012 Domaine du Gros Nore Rouge (Bandol, France)
93 points and #94 Top 100 Wines of 2015, Wine Spectator: A dark leathery frame remains sleek and pure overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly mulled blackberry fruit, studded with dried anise and singed juniper notes. A bolt of iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025. 420 cases imported.

Wine Tasting - December 2 ~ 5, 2015
Washington State "Cabernets vs. Merlots"

2013 Gordon Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)
Winemaker's Notes: This big, bold Cab emerges from the glass with enticing aromas of anise, black currant, Marionberry and dark chocolate. To the palate, the wine is firm and concentrated with robust flavors of leather, raspberry and chocolate. The finish is long with refined tannins and a lingering hint of dried fig, and pipe tobacco.

2013 Gordon Estate Merlot (Columbia Valley, WA)
Winemaker's Notes: Aromas of lightly toasted marshmallow followed by blackberry jam with "Herbs de Provence" lingering in the background great the nose. The first sip is luscious and brooding flavors of a mixed berry compote blend seamlessly with the wine's supple tannins. The wine finishes with a brisk cleansing finish, reminiscent of graphite.

2012 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, WA)
Of the previous 2011 vintage, 94 points, Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection: From the oldest vines from the oldest vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. Piles on details of earth, grape and barrel. There's cassis, blackberry and fig in generously layered profusion, along with substantial components of dried herbs, cedar and pipe tobacco. The exceptional complexity, balance and length make this a sure-fire candidate for cellaring until 2024 or more.

2012 Seven Hills Merlot (Walla Walla, WA)
 91 points, Wine Enthusiast: This 100% varietal wine is appealing with aromas of coffee, toasty barrel spices, berry and red fruit. It displays good richness and depth, offering plenty of pleasure now but clearly keeping an eye on the future. Best after 2018.

2012 L'Ecole 41 Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, WA)
 91 points, Wine Spectator: Ripe and expressive, this upright style delivers cherry, currant and fruit flavors on a firm frame. The finish comes together harmoniously, echoing plum and spice notes enticingly. Best from 2017 through 2022.

2012 L'Ecole 41 Merlot (Walla Walla, WA)
92 points, International Wine Cellar: Good medium bright red. Lovely floral/mineral lift to the black fruit and bitter chocolate aromas. Sweet and fine-grained, showing excellent ripeness and intensity to its dark berry flavors. Savory minerality carries the fruit through a dry, long finish featureing fine-grained, palate-coating tannins. Should age very well.

2012 Bookwalter Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Foreshadow (Columbia Valley, WA)
91 points, Wine Advocate:Includes 4% Syrah in the blend. Exhibits lots of scorched earth and licorice characteristics to go with ample blackberry and currant-style fruits. Full-bodied, open, supple and textured, enjoy this hedonistic beauty over the coming 4-5 years.

2012 Bookwalter Merlot Foreshadow (Columbia Valley, WA)
Of the previous 2011 vintage, 91 points,Wine Enthusiast:The blend includes 14% Syrah and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon. As usual the scents of barrel toast lead the flavors. The wine shows excellent structure, and the flavors are a spicy mix of plum, cherry and kirsch. It's got crisp definition, ripe tannins and medium length, with a toasty beginning and a toasty finish.

2012 Woodward Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Artist Series (Columbia Valley, WA)
93 points, Wine Advocate: A beautiful blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Syrah.  Spent 21 months in 50% new French oak. Classy, full-bodied, seamless and sexy, with lots of black cherry, black raspberry, toasted spices, licorice and dried herbs. The most approachable and forward of the blends. Will still have two decades of longevity.

2012 Woodward Canyon Merlot (Columbia Valley, WA)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast:All Merlot. Charms with aromas of café au lait, cherry, spice and earth. The chocolate and cherry flavors are rich and full bodied with firm tannins. Drinking young now, with the oak up front. Give it plenty of time to open up.

Wine Tasting - November 25, 27 & 28, 2015

2011 Heller Estate Chardonnay (Mendocino, Carmel Valley, California)
Integrated oak and fruit aromas of ripe pineapple/butterscotch and coconut. Also, nice citrus notes and steely minerality. Juicy crisp apple, with a Meyer lemon zesty mouth feel. Elegant and ever present minerality combines with grapefruit, lemon, and lime.

2013 Domaine Lafage Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes (Côtes Catalanes, France)
94 points, Wine Advocate: A custom cuvee and joint venture with importer Eric Solomon. 100% Carignan from 70-year-old vines and the schist soils of Maury and Les Aspres. An off-the-charts value with thrilling black raspberry, chocolate, graphite, tar and licorice that goes with a voluptuous, decadent, yet seamless and gorgeously pure feel on the palate. Do not miss this incredible value.

2011 Ruca Malen Petit Verdot Reserve (Mendoza, Argentina)
90 points, Wine Advocate: Bright purple-colored, featuring umami with notes of meat broth, truffles, mushrooms and ripe black fruit. Tasty, full-bodied and long. Very different, almost impossible to identify as either Argentine or Petit Verdot. Very good value.

2012 Concrete Old Vines Zinfandel (Lodi, CA)
85% Zinfandel, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. fermented in a combination of 75 year old concrete tanks and small 60 gallon new and used French and American oak barrels.Luscious, smooth, full-bodied wine with aromas of blackberry, bramble berry and allspice. Deliciously mouth-filling, the wine opens up to sweet vanilla and toasty oak flavors, then follows with a concentrated core of well-balanced acidity, soft, but firm tannins and a lingering finish on the palate.

2010 Carpinteo Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (Tuscany, Italy)
93 points, Wine Spectator: Enticing aromas of sweet cherry, leather, spice and underbrush stay focused on the palate as this harmonious red unfolds. The hint of oak on the finish suggests this still has time to evolve. Has a mineral-laced finish.At least 90% Sangiovese, rest Canaiolo.

Wine Tasting - November 18 ~ 21, 2015

2013 C.H. Berres Riesling Impulse (Mosel, Germany)
Winemaker's Notes: A clean and well-crafted Riesling with textbook slate and citrus minerality in an off-dry style. A classic Mosel wine perfect as a refreshing apéritif and versatile food companion.

2011 Bujanda Crianza Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain)
90 points, Wine Spectator: This expressive red offers berry, dried cherry, herb and orange peel flavors, with light, firm tannins and citrusy acidity. Not muscular, but has grip, with a spicy, floral finish. A traditional style that will drink well now through 2018.

2013 Domaine Lafage Tessellae Old Vines (Cotes de Roussillon, France)
94 points, Wine Advocate: An incredible wine that's shockingly good for the price. A blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre aged in concrete tank. Black cherries, blueberry, licorice, clove and spring flowers. Medium to full-bodied and gorgeously pure. Showing more and more finesse and elegance with time in the glass, with loads of fruit and texture that is never heavy, cumbersome or cloying. Enjoyable for at least 4-5 years.

2010 Bodegas Mas Alta Black Slate Escaladei (Priorat, Spain)
94 points, Wine Advocate: One of the best values from the Priorat. 60% Garnacha, 35% Carignan and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 12 months in French oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Ggraphite, blueberry liqueur, raspberries, crushed rocks and spring flowers jump from the glass of this inky/purple-colored wine. Fabulous intensity, a multidimensional mouthfeel, supple tannins, a long finish, an alcohol pushing 16%. 1,000 cases exported to the United States. Should keep for 5-10+ years.

2010 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard (Yakima Valley, Washington)
Wine Advocate, 92 points: A blend of 43% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Malbec that spent 21 months in barrel. A ruby, semi-opaque color,  followed by a medium-bodied, elegant effort that includes red plums, underbrush, licorice and cedar on both the nose and palate. Now finesse oriented  and aromatically reserved, but will flesh out nicely with another year or two of bottle age and drink well for 7-8 more years.

Wine Tasting - November 11 ~ 14, 2015
ZINFEST

2011 Renwood Old Vines Zinfandel (Amador County, CA)
91 points, Wine Enthusiast: A ripe and tasty style of Zinfandel from a grand old name in the Sierra Foothills. The maple and brown sugar tones from new oak integrate well with ripe but not overripe fruit flavors. Touches of clove and black pepper come out as you sip, adding welcome nuances.

2012 Tikves Bela Voda (Macedonian Republic)
No Zin grapes but a likely descendent and ancestor of Zin. 92-94 points, Wine Advocate: Tastes like a top-quality Zin with briar, plum, licorice and underbrush. Equal blend of Vranac and Plavac aged 15 months in concrete and new and 1-year-old barrels. Full-bodied, balanced and silky. Superb value.

2012 Turley Juvenile Zinfandel (CA)
A multi-appellation blend. 91 points, Wine Spectator, Top 100 #46: Sleek, ripe and youthful, with jammy raspberry aromas and flavors and zesty notes of smoky spice and grilled anise.

2011 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel (Dry Creek, CA)
93+ points, Antonio Galloni: Has a wonderful burst of immediacy, backed up by the structure of the year. Considerable appeal today but needs a few more years in bottle to fully come together. 82% Zinfandel, 16% Petite Sirah and 2% Carignane.

2011 Gauthier Select Vineyards Los Chamizal Vineyard Zinfandel (Sonoma, CA)
Produced from a small block of 40 year old head trained vines in a single vineyard. Balanced flavors of bramble berry, cherry pie and licorice, spiced with clove and white pepper. A classic Zinfandel that will complement Italian dishes such as Osso Bucco.

2012 Michael & David Lust Zinfandel (Lodi, CA)
Made from a small handful of the finest lots of the 100+ used at the Michael David winery. Savory flavors of blackberries, black pepper, spice, and smoky oak. Smooth with fine grained tannins and excellent structure.

Wine Tasting - November 4 ~ 7, 2015

2014 Tilia Chardonnay (Mendoza, Argentina)
A fruity white, with plenty of buttery notes to the ripe apple and baked pear flavors. Spice and cream accents make a luscious finish.

2011 Vina Bujanda Crianza (Rioja, Spain)
90 points, Wine Spectator: An expressive red offering berry, dried cherry, herb and orange peel flavors, with light, firm tannins and citrusy acidity. Not muscular, but has grip, with a spicy, floral finish. A traditional style.

2013 Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina)
92 points, James Suckling:Extremely dark fruit on the nose with blackberries and wet earth. Full body, with a solid core of fruit and a mineral, blue slate and blueberry aftertaste. Black pepper and spice finish. Wonderful wine for the money.

2013 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, CA)
94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot 1% Cabernet Franc. From two blocks of a single vineyard in one of the coolest parts of Paso Robles, cradled by the Santa Lucia Mountains, with complex rocky soils. Plum, raspberry, tobacco and toasted oak. Rounded flavors of black cherry and black currant are interwoven with earthier hints of olive, mint, black tea and spice. Chewy tannins set the stage for a full, rich finish.

2010 Castello di Ama San Lorenzo Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)
#6 Top 100 2014, 95 points, Wine Spectator: Offers both power and elegance, with a racy feel. Wild cherry, strawberry, rose and leafy, woodsy flavors permeate this driving red. The finish is long, but this needs time to shed the tannins. Well-defined from start to finish. 80% Sangiovese, rest Malvasia Nera and Merlot. 

Wine Tasting - October 28 ~ 31, 2015

2009 De Trafford Sijnn White Blend (Malagas,South Africa)
A compelling blend of about 3/4 Chenin blanc and 1/4 Viognier barrel fermented in 225 L and 700L French oak barrels, about 20% new, and bottled unfiltered. A rich and full, succulent, openly inviting style with plenty of depth and length. The fruit concentration is more than enough to balance the wood. Acids, too, are balanced, and the14.5% alcohol is integrated.

2010 Biggio Hamina Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon)
92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: Vivid red. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of red fruit preserves, potpourri and smoky minerals, with an exotic black cardamom nuance in the background.  Sweet, sappy and incisive, with a more elegant character to its raspberry and cherry-cola flavors than the somewhat wild nose would suggest. Closes sweet, focused and very long, with lingering floral notes and a hint of tangy minerals.

2012 Finca Sophenia Cabernet Reserve Tupungato (Mendoza, Argentina)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Bright ruby-colored, with a clean nose displaying varietal notes of Cabernet, some cedar wood and a chalky feeling. The palate is fresh, with very fine tannins, great purity and length. Has the sophistication of a much more expensive wine. A steal.

2014 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, California)
91-93 points, Wine Advocate: Even a step up over the killer 2013, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with notions of black raspberry, cassis, spice and licorice. More textured, voluptuous, layered and concentrated than all of the previous vintages, it will have an easy 10-15 years of longevity.

2010 Banfi Brunello di Montalcino (Piedmont, Italy)
95 points, James Suckling: Fabulous aromas of dried rose petal, orange peel, oyster shell and hints of dark fruits. Full body, very fine tannins with a mineral, berry and orange-peel and Tuscan-dust undertone. A structured, salty, savory finish. Better in 2017.

Wine Tasting - October 21 ~ 24, 2015

NV Antucurra Cherie Sparkling Rose (Mendoza, Argentina)
Strawberry, field grass, and creamy lactic aromas feed into a bright palate with ripe but short flavors of melon and spiced apple. Dry and dusty on the finish, with fresh acidity and a touch of powdered sugar flavor.

2012 Trim Cabernet Sauvignon (California)
Connoisseurs Guide: Hits the varietal marks that very few Cabernets of its price do. Medium-full-bodied, slightly rounded in feel and consistently keeps defined fruit in its sights.  Gentle, nicely integrated tannins makes it comfortably enjoyable in the near- to mid-term.

2012 Edge Cabernet Sauvignon (North Coast, CA)
88 points, Wine Advocate: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14.5% Merlot, and the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Dense ruby/purple color, lots of fruit, and a round, seductive style with good ripeness and a heady finish.

2011 Ruca Malen Petit Verdot Reserve (Mendoza, Argentina)
90 points, Wine Advocate: Bright purple-colored, featuring umami with notes of meat broth, truffles, mushrooms and ripe black fruit. Tasty, full-bodied and long. Very different, almost impossible to identify as either Argentine or Petit Verdot. Very good value.

2013 Textbook Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, CA)
An impressive value Napa Cabernet tasted at a large distributor event, made by a winery that owns no vineyards and just buys grapes, here from 70% Oak Knoll, 20% Rutherford, and 10% Oakville District. Includes 10% Merlot. Has a long string of admiring reviews since 2009. Of the previous 2012 vintage, 90 points Wine Advocate:16 months in French oak. Exhibits the vintage's attractive notes of spice box, generous fruit, outstanding ripeness, and fine purity. Delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that should age and drink well for 15 or more years.

Wine Tasting - October 14 ~ 17, 2015

2002 Berres Urziger Wurzgarten Kabinett Riesling (Moselle River, Germany)
This 2002 is a late release wine from the winery's cellar. And yes, German Riesling easily holds or improves for 13 years. 89 points,Wine Spectator: Apple tart flavors are fresh and fruity, with notes of cinnamon and allspice. Pear and lemon curd linger on the fresh finish. Drink now through 2022. 320 cases made.

2010 Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva (Italy)
93 points, Best Buy, Wine Spectator:Enticing aromas of sweet cherry, leather, spice and underbrush stay focused on the palate as this harmonious red unfolds. The hint of oak on the finish suggests this still has time to evolve. Offers a mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2024.

2008 Domaine la Colliere Cote Du Rhone Villages (Rasteau, Rhone, France)
80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre. An exceptionally tasty overachiever from a lesser vintage, every bit as good as more expensive wines from the greater vintages of 2007, 2009, and 2010. Drinks superbly now and for the next 3 years. Available at a stock-up price. 88-91, points, Wine Advocate: Exhibits more density as well as a deeper ruby/purple color, and a sumptuous bouquet of black raspberries, black cherries, white chocolate, and pepper, with smooth tannins, neither rustic nor overbearing.

2010 Pezzi King Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley, CA)
Winemaker's Notes: Aromas of blueberry, violets and thyme greet your senses. The powerful flavors that follow include ripe plum coupled with cassis and ground white pepper. The elegant finish features flavors of cinnamon, tobacco and anise. Savory and well developed, this Cabernet Sauvignon features robust tannins that glide smoothly across the palate.

2004 Wolf Blass Platinum Shiraz (Barossa, Australia)
A blast from the past, that we happily bought from the Best Cellar before it moved to its current location. The top wine from this estate. 94 points, James Halliday: This top end Wolf Blass really is pure platinum. It is one of the few Aussie shirazes to show some elegance and charm in the fruit. It also has very fine tannins, fantastic fruit drive and pure cassis pepper fruit  flavours that just keep going.

Wine Tasting - October 7 ~ 10, 2015
French Wine Festival

2012 Domaine Du Gros Nore Red (Bandol, France)
93 points, Wine Spectator: Dark leathery frame but sleek and pure overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly mulled blackberry fruit. Best from 2017 to 2025.

2009 Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion (Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux)
93 points, James Suckling: A wine with lots of juicy fruit, animal, and sous bois. Decadent, full, and velvety. Goes on for a long time. Wild and delicious. Hard not to drink up before it reaches its peak.

2012 Domaine Paul Autard Chateauneuf-du-Pape
91 points, Wine Spectator: Very solid, with a lovely core of raspberry pate de fruit, cherry paste and plum sauce notes folded together, while graphite, fruitcake and dried anise accents fill in on the finish. Features a velvety feel overall. Best from 2017 through 2027.

2010 Charles Joguet Clos de la Dioterie (Chinon, Loire)
All Cabernet Franc. 94 points, Wine Spectator: Loaded with intense fig, blackberry coulis and currant paste flavors at the core, this is studded with smoldering charcoal, roasted cedar and bay notes and pushed by a prominent graphite spine. Shows terrific grip and drive, boasting a muscular and deep finish. Best from 2016 through 2023.

2012 Crocus Malbec (Cahors)
A joint project with Paul Hobbes. 95 points, Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast: An absolutely wonderful Malbec. The nose is pure and toasty, with mineral dark-berry aromas, cola and pastry notes.The palate is so rich and smooth it's like liquid heaven, while flavors of polished blackberry, espresso and mocha pudding finish mellow as can be, like a silk robe coated in Swiss chocolate.

2010 La Pèira en Damaisèla La Pèira (Les Terrasses du Larzac, France)
The wineryLa Pèira en Damaisèla was founded in 2004. Their top wine, Pèira, is a 60/40 blend of Syrah and Grenache aged in 60% new French oak. 97 points, Wine Advocate: Started backwards and reticent but is a blockbuster in the making. Cassis, toast, crushed rocks, melted licorice and roasted herb aromas and flavors all emerge and hit the palate with full-bodied richness and depth, brilliant purity of fruit, and a strong structure. A big wine that remains fresh and lively, with a seamless texture and fine balance.

Wine Tasting - September 30 ~ October 3, 2015

2013 Etude Pinot Noir Grace Benoist Ranch Vineyard (Sonoma, Carneros, CA)
91 points, Wine Advocate: An outstanding value in high quality Pinot Noir. Dark ruby color followed by sweet notes of red apple skins, plums, forest floor and red as well as black cherries. Generously endowed with good acidity and freshness, medium to full-bodied, should drink nicely for 4-5 years.

2012 Bodegas Ordonez Tineta ( Ribera Del Duero, Spain)
91 points, International Wine Cellar: Deep ruby. High-pitched red berry and floral scents are lift deeper notes of woodsmoke, licorice and mocha. Sappy, penetrating raspberry and cherry-cola flavors show impressive clarity and energy, picking up an allspice nuance with air. Finishes juicy and long, with supple tannins and excellent focus. This wine delivers exceptional value, especially for its appellation.

2012 Maculan Brentino Cabernet/Merlot (Veneto, Italy)
90 points, Wine Advocate: Great value at a bargain price. Blends 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 55% Merlot.  The wine is soft and yielding with bright cherries and blackberries followed by measured spice, leather and grilled herbs. Only half the wine is aged in oak, using neutral barriques. Italian entry-level wines do not get better than this.

2012 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Kiona Vineyard (Red Mountain, Washington)
Includes a block with some of the oldest vines on Red Mountain and another with younger vines. Aged 28 months in French oak, 60% new. 100% Cabernet.  Of  2012 Kiona Vineyards Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon, $65 at the winery, 93 points, Wine Enthusiast:This flagship showcases the region's oldest block of Cabernet, planted in 1975. The subtle, slightly grainy and grassy nuances of old-vine grapes are here, with red-fruit flavors that are soft and delicate, yet substantial, with a light dusting of cinnamon and whiff of smoke. A rare old vine, 100% Red Mountain Cabernet from a great vintage.

2009 Domain Tournon Lady's Lane Shiraz (Victoria, Heathcote, Australia)
Part of the international holdings of the Rhone based winemaker Michel Chapoutier. 95 points, Wine Spectator: Focused, bright and chewy, with a lifted mouthful of blueberry, currant, wet rock and white pepper flavors that keep roiling through a long and expressive finish. Brims with flavor, but finishes with a lovely transparency. Drink now through 2020.

Wine Tasting - September 23 ~ 26, 2015

2014 Los Dos Rose (Aragon, Campo de Borja, Spain)
Medium bodied and juicy, with sharp lemon/lime upfront with riper white peach and tangerine peel following through.

2012 TerraNoble Higuera Carmenere Reverva (Maule Valley, Chile)
Single vineyard 95% Carmenere and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon that is aged for ten months in  a combination of stainless steel and French and American oak barrels. Very attractive red-violet color with blue tones. Ripe fig, black and red berries mixed with chocolate notes. Intensely fruity in the mouth with some coffee notes. Well-structured, with smooth and silky tannins.

2013 La Storia Merlot (Alexander Valley, CA)
Aromas and flavors of cassis, black cherry, plum and hints of blackberry. Ripe, spicy and flavorful on the attack and has an elegant silky texture on the palate. Aged 16 months in new French and European oak. Beautifully balanced with round tannins and a superb finish.

 2012 Michael & David Earthquake Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi, CA)
90 points, Wine Advocate: Aged in French oak. Has more charcoal and smoky barbecue notes intermixed with the hallmark black currant of Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as tobacco leaf and licorice. Surprisingly complex, this dense, rich Cabernet Sauvignon should keep for 5-7 years. Tastes like it should cost 3 to 4 times the price.

2012 Domaine Du Gros Nore Red (Bandol, France)
80% Mourvèdre, 15% de Grenache, 5% Cinsault. 93 points, Wine Spectator: Has a dark leathery frame but remains sleek and pure overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly mulled blackberry fruit.

Wine Tasting - September 16 ~ 19, 2015

2013 Raeburn Chardonnay (Russian River Valley, California)
90 points, Wilfred Wong, wine.com: Flat out delicious, comforting and enjoyable. Medium straw color and slightly creamy in the nose. Nice core fruit, medium bodied, dry, soft acidity, good balance. Ripe fruit and sweet oak , with a smooth aftertaste.

2011 Glenelly Cabernet Glass Collection (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Owned since 2003 by May-Eliane de Lencquesaing, who for over 30 years was owner of the famous Bordeaux Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.  A solid 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fleshy style, with cassis, blackcurrant, and cherry edged with roasted vanilla and licorice. Friendly and juicy, but also has as a good tannin structure. The palette resembles the German Black Forest cake, which is a low sugar cherry chocolate torte.

2009 Fin Del Mundo Special Blend Reserva (Patagonia, Argentina)
91 points, International Wine Cellar: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec, 20% Merlot, aged 15 months in new French oak. Saturated red-ruby.  Aromas and flavors of cassis, cherry, licorice, herbs and tobacco are complemented by smoky oak.  Dense, supple and concentrated, with nicely integrated acidity giving the mid-palate a light touch.  Tactile, saline, rather sophisticated, finishing with good energy, a fine dusting of ripe tannins and excellent length. Very Old World in its suave texture and restrained sweetness.

2011 Fin Del Mundo Cabernet Franc (Neuquen, Patagonia, Argentina)
Intense red color. Very fruity, with blackberry, cassis and black cherry, along with notes of spice, coconut, tobacco and smoke. 

2012 Powers Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Coyote Vineyard (Wahluke, Washington)
Winemaker's Notes: Intense and deep aromatics of blackberry, eucalyptus, and black currant with a slight edge of cocoa. A rich mouthful of blackberry, dark cherry, cocoa, and a touch of dark spice on the palate. Very balanced with good acidity leading into a long finish with round but firm tannins. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 28 months in French oak, 65% new.

Wine Tasting - September 9 ~ 12, 2015

2014 Cederberg Bukettraube (Cederberg Ward, South Africa)
Bukettraube is a rare grape varietal with only 77 hectares in the world, that makes a gorgeous and unique wine.  Incredibly aromatic, bursting with apricot, lychee, rose petals, peaches and pineapple.  The mouthfeel is soft and plush. Has 25g/l of residual sugar, yet the finish clenches with a nice pop of citrus zest.

2012 Joseph Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, California)
93 points, Antonio Galloni: Dark red cherries, tobacco and new leather wrap around a wine of presence and nuance, that stands out for its symmetry, overall sense of balance, delineation, and energy. Shows beautifully next to the single vineyard  Pinots with a significantly higher price. The value jewel  in their Pinots.

2013 Joseph Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, CA)
91 points,Wine & Spirits: Joseph Phelps made a significant bet on coastal Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 1999, stepping outside of Napa to develop 100 acres of vineyards in the fog-cooled hills near Freestone. Those vines now grow a polished and silky Pinot, with sunny fruit sweetness that suggests candied cherries. Savory scents of vineyard dust and tea leaves contrast that juicy fruit, while citrusy acidity gives it a toned edge.

2012 Bodegas Ordonez Tineta Tempranillo (Ribero del Duero, Spain)
91 points, International Wine Cellar: Deep ruby. High-pitched red berry and floral scents are lift deeper notes of woodsmoke, licorice and mocha. Sappy, penetrating raspberry and cherry-cola flavors show impressive clarity and energy, picking up an allspice nuance with air. Finishes juicy and long, with supple tannins and excellent focus. This wine delivers exceptional value, especially for its appellation.

2011 Cederberg Shiraz South Africa (Cederberg Ward, South Africa)
4 stars of 5 in Platter's Wine Guide. Complex and intense fruit of mulberry, cherry, and raspberry, edged with light vanilla.  Improves with age. The winery is 250 kilometers north of Capetown, on the western side of South Africa. The vineyards are between 950m and 1,100m high, with slate and clay soil. Aged 15 months in 95% French and 5% American oak, 60% new and 40% second fill.

Wine Tasting - September 2 ~ 4, 2015

2013 Domaine du Salvard Rose Delaille (Cheverny, Loire, France)
Rose petal aromas, cherry and strawberry fruit, crisp acidity, and a chalky minerality. Made from 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Gamay. "Domaine du Salvard" is the name of the estate and "Delaille" is the name of the family that owns it.

2012 Belle Glos Las Alturas Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA)
An opaque Big Red, Syrah lover's style of Pinot Noir, with the strong clove component that is a signature of many of the red wines of Caymus. 93 points, Wine Spectator: Spares no expense, with lavish smoke and black licorice–scented oak framing a rich core of dark berry, anise, boysenberry and savory herb notes. Full-blown and expressive through a persistent, mouthcoating finish. Drink now through 2024.

2007 Sijnn Red (Malgas, South Africa)
Owned by De Trafford, which is one of the finest estates in South Africa, with its primary holdings in the Stellenbosch's rocky granite soil. Sijnn comes from untrellised bush vines in a remote area of eastern South Africa, with stony shale soil and a dry climate. Currently makes only general blends of white, red, and rose. This Red is 42% Shiraz, 26% Mourvedre, 21% Touriga Nacional, 10% Trincadeira and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Excellent balance of fruit, acid, and tannin.

2010 Emery Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley, CA)
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 5% other. Aged in French oak, 40% new. Winemaker's Notes: A dense, opaque Cabernet with aromas of smoke, graphite, and black currants, edged by hints of toast, sandalwood and spice. On the palate, generous flavors of wild berry, bittersweet chocolate and earth tones. Full bodied, expansive, and layered with integrated wood, tannin and acidity.

2012 Milbrandt Vineyards Estate Malbec (Wahluke Slope, Washington)
83% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 16 months in French oak, 30% new. Blueberries, white pepper, dried herb, and hints of vanilla and earth. A chewy midpalate with loads of fruit. 15.9% alcohol.

Wine Tasting - August 26 ~ 29, 2015

2013 D'Arenberg Viognier Marsanne Hermit Crab (McLaren Vale,  Australia)
89 points, Wine Spectator: Sleek and silky, with pretty pear, floral and tropical fruit flavors, shaded with green leafy notes as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2017. 65% Viognier, 35% Marsanne. 

2009 Venta La Ossa Tempranillo (La Mancha, Spain)
90 points, International Wine Cellar:  Glass-staining ruby. Aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, earth and vanillin oak are lifted by a peppery nuance. Spicy cherry and cassis flavors show very good depth and pick up a bitter chocolate quality with air. Closes with gentle tannic grip and strong, spicy length.

2009 Cedarville El Dorado Estate Zinfandel  (Sierra Foothills, El Dorado, CA)
89 points, Wine Enthusiast: Cedarville is loved for its Syrah and Grenache but it expertly handles its estate Zinfandel too, grown at 2,500-foot elevation. A smoky, raspberry-wrapped, silky wine full of big, round tannins yet somehow manages to be light on its feet. Have it with sticky ribs.

2012 Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington)
90 points, Wine Enthusiast: A blend of fruit from six vineyards, leading with aromas of dried herbs, violets, woodspice, coffee, plum and bittersweet chocolate. The cherry flavors combine richness and elegance, with grainy tannins and oak providing the frame. 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merolt, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 3% Syrah, 2% Petite Verdot. Aged in 96% French oak, 26% new. 

2012 Bookwalter Foreshadow Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, Washington)
92 points, Wine Spectator: Very minerally with extra layers of wet stone and tar around a core of dark berry and cherry fruit, finishing with intensity, richness, and peristent finish.  Aged 20 months in French oak. Includes 4% Syrah.  Drink now through 2022.

Wine Tasting - August 19 ~ 22, 2015

2012 Madrigal Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, CA)
Classic crisp citrus notes of grapefruit and lemon, but not grassy like New Zealand ones.

2008 Ramírez de la Piscina Reserva (Rioja, Spain)
92 points, Wine Spectator: Harmoniously delivers red and black cherry, mineral, licorice and orange peel flavors, supported by well-integrated tannins and firm acidity. Balanced and deep.

2013 Bodegas Mas Alta Priorat Black Slate La Vilella Alta (Catalonia, Priorat, Spain)
95 points, Wine Advocate: Inky purple, with notes of blueberry and blackberry liqueur mixed with spring flowers and graphite, followed by a full-bodied, dense, multidimensional taste with great intensity and complexity, plus a precise and lush feel. Tannins are silky and well-integrated. From grapes planted more than 1,000 feet above sea level, averaging 15 to 60 years old. 60% Grenache, 35% Carignan and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, all aged for a year in French oak  60% new and 40% one-year-old. (Black Slate is a brand owned by Eric Solomon with various wines made by different wineries. This red wine blend regularly gets scores of 93 or higher each vintage.)

2012 Ancient Peaks Renegade Margarita Vineyard (Paso Robles, CA)
Lavish black fruit aromas with savory smokiness. A juicy, mouth filling texture with robust flavors of plum, cassis and boysenberry, and hints of cocoa and white pepper. Finishes elegantly. 71% Syrah, 24% Malbec, 5% Petit Verdot. Oak aged for 18 months in 60% French (60%) and 40% American, one third new.

2013 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Mountain, CA)
True high altitude mountain wine, with bright acidity, firm tannins, and higher concentration. The great value wine made by Laurel Glen, which frequently gets ratings nearly as good as their greatest and much higher priced wine, including the 2009 and 2011 vintages. Blends estate with non-estate fruit but only from the same appellation. Includes 15% Merlot. Aged 16 months in oak, 40% new French.

Wine Tasting - August 12 ~ 15, 2015
ZINFEST

2012 Twenty Rows the Grappler (California)
Twenty Rows is the value line of this family winery, whose premium wine uses estate Mount Veeder grapes. Winemaker's Notes: 85% Zinfandel from Calistoga and Amador County. Includes 5% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot,  3% Cabernet Franc,  and 2% Grenache. Starts powerfully yet is smooth, with ripe, spicy, cherry and tobacco flavors on the mid palate. Finishes with strong fruits and tannins.

2011 Marietta Cellars Angeli Cuvee (Alexander Valley, CA)
90 points, Wine Advocate: Zinfandel blended with Carignane and Petite Sirah. Briary, peppery, meaty, raspberry and black cherry notes, a generous, succulent mouthfeel, and a heady, lush finish. Delivers terrific intensity, beautiful purity, and lots of value.

2011 JC Cellars Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel (Paso Robles, CA)
Wine of the Week, enofylzwineblog.com: A fine Zin based on elegance. Garnet color with pleasing blackberry, black cherry, pepper, bramble, spice and a hint of smoke aromas. On the palate, medium bodied, focused, and well structured, with silky texture, supple integrated tannins, and blackberry, black cherry, a bit of raspberry, and spice flavor with a delicious long finish. 

2012 Klinker Brick Old Ghost Zinfandel (Lodi, CA)
Wine of the Year and Best of Zin Class, 2014 Indianopolis International Wine Competition. Old Ghost is made from selecting the best lots of grapes, which usually is the oldest, low yielding ones. Aromas of berries and spice, a palette of dark, sweet fruit with a hint of black pepper, a long finish.

2012 Venge Scouts Honor (Napa, CA)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast: Complex deep cherry and milk chocolate, with plenty of grip, drinkable tannins, and a soft and rich finish. A great value for the quality.

2012 Robert Craig Sears Vineyard Zinfandel (Howell Mountain, CA)
80% Zinfandel, 15% Petit Sirah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 18 months in oak, 40% new French, 10% new American.  The grapes are grown at 2,400 feet altitude, the highest on Howell Mountain. The winery says that 2012 was one of their best vintages ever. 383 cases produced. Deep blackberry and white pepper. Impressively structured, neither sugary nor overipe. 383 cases made.

Wine Tasting - August 5 ~ 8, 2015

2013 Schug Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma, California)
90 points, Wine & Spirits: From a trio of wind-cooled vineyards in southern Sonoma, this feels refreshingly coastal, with lasting flavors of shishito pepper and grapefruit rind. Aging on the lees in neutral oak has built an appetizing fatness into the wine's texture that pulls against that green pungency. A zesty and satisfying Sauvignon, excellent with goat cheese.

2007 Chateau Peyrassol Rouge (Cotes de Provence, France)
Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. 92 points, Guilbert and Gaillard: Deep red. Delightful, expressive nose with meaty accents, undergrowth and smoky notes. On the palate, velvety tannins, full-bodied stuffing. Savory expression, length and complexity. A superlative wine that successfully masters its full range of qualities.

2009 Mastroberardino Aglianico (Campania, Italy)
89 points, Wine Advocate: A flashy, overt wine packed with fruit. Perhaps slightly less complex and varietally nuanced than the Lacryma Christi wine but nearly as pleasing.  A good introduction to the Aglianico grape.

2011 Three Wine Company Carignane Lucchesi Vineyard (Contra Costa, CA)
A field blend of 87% Carignane, 11% Petite Sirah, 1% Zinfandel, and 1% Mataro. Concentrated ripe black-cherries and spice with  minerality. The Petite Sirah adds structure, color, and blue-fruit character and the Zinfandel and Mataro add raspberry and dried herb flavors. 641 cases made.

2012 Luca Malbec (Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina)
93 points, Wine Spectator, #19 Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2014: Very suave and polished, with ripe, pure flavors of blackberry, vegetarian barbecue sauce and black pepper. Finely textured, packed with tar and roasted plum notes, showing plenty of licorice snap and dark chocolate accents on the powerful finish. Best after 2020. {Luca is a line of high quality wines owned by Laura Catena and made in small quantities from very select vineyards.} 

Wine Tasting - July 29 ~ August 1, 2015

NV Yosemite White (California)
Winemaker's notes: Blends Viognier, Moscato, Symphony, Semillion and Sauvignon Blanc.Lively and effusively aromatic.  Aromas of tangerine, citrus rind, lychee and rose petals layered with a slight lime and honey. These same juicy flavors join a palette of pineapple, citrus and a light mineral finish.

2009 Venta La Ossa Tempranillo (La Mancha, Spain)
90 points, International Wine Cellar:  Glass-staining ruby. Aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, earth and vanillin oak are lifted by a peppery nuance. Spicy cherry and cassis flavors show very good depth and pick up a bitter chocolate quality with air. Closes with gentle tannic grip and strong, spicy length.

2010 Château de Parenchère Cuvée Raphael Red (Bordeaux)
90 points, Wine Enthusiast: Solid and balanced, with both great fruits and a great structure. Dense, rich and layered with tannins and black currant fruits. Attractive, opulent, and ripe. Drink from 2017.

2005 Château Beau-Site (St.-Estèphe, Bordeaux)
This estate is located on one of the highest points in the Medoc, with an impressive view of the Gironde River.Inviting nose of cassis, plum, and spicy oak. Abundant, elegant flavors of cassis, blueberry, plum, oak, cedar, and some earthy tannins. Very tasty and well-balanced, with a long finish.

2012 Paul Autard Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Rhone, France)
93 points, Wine Advocate: A brilliant effort. Sweet, chocolatey nuances with ample cassis, black raspberry, tobacco leaf and wild herb. A big, full-bodied profile on the palate, with a terrific, broad, expansive texture.  Very provençal character.  Needs a few years to round but will have 15+ years of ultimate longevity

Wine Tasting - July 22 ~ 25, 2015

2013 Domaine du Salvard Delaille Rose (Cheverny, Loire, France)
Medium bodied, with good integration, refreshingly dry, and juicy strawberry fruit.

2011 Domingo Molina Hermanos Malbec Tannat (Cafayate Valley, Argentina)
Extraordinarily fruit forward, with fine tannins and structure. 90 points, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate: Dense aromas of blackberry. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, supple blackberry and bilberry with a rounded, harmonious finish. Very fine and well-crafted.

2012 Finca Sophenia Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Tupungato, Mendoza)
91 points, Wine Advocate: Bright ruby-colored. A clean nose displaying varietal notes of Cabernet, cedar wood, and chalk. The palate is fresh, with very fine tannins, great purity and length. Has the sophistication of a much more expensive wine. A steal.

2009 Conde Siruela Crianza (Ribera del Duero, Spain)
100% Tempranillo. Bright ruby color. A clean, powerful, and complex aroma offering elegant ageing notes and persistent fruit notes with balsamic hints. Full and balanced on the palate, it comes over harmoniously with nuances from ageing and fruit notes. Aged in 85% American and 15% French oak barrels, over a period of 12 to 18 months.

2012 Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, California)
93 points, Wine Spectator: A classy and classic Napa Cabernet, dark-colored, with rich blackberry, black licorice, cedar, tobacco and dusty, loamy earth notes. The brightness and density of the red and dark berry fruit gives this an immediate charm. Drink now through 2030.

Wine Tasting - July 15 ~ 18, 2015

2013 Louis Max Bourgogne Chardonnay (Burgundy, France)
Made in stainless steel with no oak from grapes in Burgundy, this introductory wine features bright lemon fruit, white flowers, and a crisp texture.

2010 Izadi Reserva (Rioja, Spain)
92 points, Wine Advocate: Another remarkable bargain from European Cellars. Made from 100% Tempranillo aged 14 months in American and French oak. A dense purple color as well as a big, sweet perfume of cassis, vanillin, graphite and forest floor. Full-bodied and ripe with terrific texture, purity and palate presence. Can be drunk now or cellar for 5-10 years, possibly longer.

2013 Chat Puech-Haut Closerie du Pic (Coteaux du Languedoc, France)
93-95 points, Wine Advocate: An incredible looking barrel sample made from equal parts Syrah and Grenache. Terrific amounts of cassis and black raspberry fruit to go with additional notes of pepper, smoked meats, violets and crushed rock. Full-bodied, beautifully pure, layered and elegant, yet rich and textured. Should drink nicely on release and evolve gracefully.

2010 Neyers Syrah Garys Vineyard (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA)
100% Syrah with only around 100 cases produced. High elevation rocky soil. Intense blueberry fruit, with aromas of wildflowers and white pepper.

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Sodini Vineyard (Russian River Valley, CA)
92 points , Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:  Includes 5% mixed varietals besides Zin. Inky ruby. Potent cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and palate, with smoke and peppery spice nuances adding complexity. Fleshy but lively too, with firm mineral spine contributing definition and lift. Finishes on a bitter cherry note, with excellent clarity and gripping tannins. The 15.2% alcohol is carried gracefully.

Wine Tasting - July 8 ~ 11, 2015

2005 Guffens-Heynen Mâcon-Pierreclos Tri des 25 ans de Chavigne (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.

2010 Perdriel Coleccion Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast: This purple-tinted, lush wine offers a nose full of ripe berry fruit, while the massive body is saturated yet balanced. Potent black-fruit flavors precede some savory spice notes and a finish that is an enjoyable mix of pepper, toast and tannin. Drink through 2019.

2009 Piccini Sasso Al Poggio (Tuscany, Italy)
90 to 92 points in the Wine Enthusiast for every vintage between 2005 and 2008. This blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot shows impressive intensity and carefully measured oak tones as well as nuances of clove and nutmeg. A fine fruit base of cherry, blackberry, cassis, and prune plum.

2011 Starry Night Winery La Sierra Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Lake County, CA)
From a vineyard 1,200 feet high. Rich fruitflavors of raspberry, blueberries and cassis along with aromas of violets and pepper.

2013 Daou Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, CA)
Aged 10 months in 60% new French oak. 90-92 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: I expect the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon to get even better. Has more depth, with gorgeous blackcurrants, violets, licorice and smoked earth all emerging from the glass. The texture here is really something. Excellent value. Made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. Will have 10-12 years of longevity. www.klwines.com: The most bang for the buck you can get in California! Concentrated, deep, and intense, yet still round and seamless.

Wine Tasting - July 1 ~ 4, 2015

2012 Mount Rozier Sauvignon Blanc The Garland (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Winemaker's Notes: Pale straw, clear and bright. Leafy-toned with hints of greengage. Packed with freshness and youthfully vibrant, finishing clean and dry. Has an attractive elegant purity and austerity which would make it the perfect match for shellfish.

2012 Fabre Montmayou Malbec Gran Reserva (Vistalba, Mendoza, Argentina)
90 points, Wine Advocate: Aged for one year in French oak. Dark-colored, with showy, intense aromas of ripe black fruit and licorice. The palate is fresh, full bodied, and fruit-driven, with buttery tannins. Great Malbec for a fantastic price.

2012 Bodegas Mengoba Brezo Mencia (Bierzo, Spain)
The grapes come from head pruned old vines on higher altitude foothills and mountain sides on the eastern inland edge of Bierzo. Tank fermented with some whole bunches. Darkly colored, perfumed, ample acidity, cherry fruit, long aftertaste.

2012 Powers Coyote Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Wahluke Slope, Washington)
One of the best value Washington Cabernets. Luscious dark fruit, subtle earthiness, and a lingering tarragon herbal component. Complexly elegant, with cassis, black cherry, plum, vanilla, sage and spice. Round, balanced and softly tannic.

2011 Daou Seventeen-Forty Reserve (Paso Robles, CA)
93 points, Wine Advocate: A blend of 70% Cabernet Franc and 30% Merlot that spent 16 months in 70% new French oak.  Complex flavors of tobacco leaf, black currants, lead pencil shavings and crushed flowers. Voluptuously textured, rich, yet focused and structured, with impressive purity and balance.

Wine Tasting - June 24 ~ 27, 2015

2009 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Blanc (Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France)
This Chardonnay combines the flavors of lemon, peach, and a hint of anise.

2009 Venta La Ossa Tempranillo (La Mancha, Spain)
90 points, International Wine Cellar:  Glass-staining ruby. Aromas of cherry, blackcurrant, earth and vanillin oak are lifted by a peppery nuance. Spicy cherry and cassis flavors show very good depth and pick up a bitter chocolate quality with air. Closes with gentle tannic grip and strong, spicy length.

2012 Shatter Grenache (Cote de Catalanes, France)
Shatter is a line of wines in the Trinchero Family Estates portfolio.92 points, Wine Advocate: A collaboration between Napa's Joel Gott and Dave Phinney. 100% Grenache grown in black schist soils. Aged in French oak for 10 months, 30%  new. Resembles the old-vine, 100% Grenache from Chateauneuf du Pape, with kirsch liqueur, blackberry, toasted spice, garrigue and hints of vanilla bean. Seamless, silky, and decadent, with fine tannin and a blockbuster, heady finish.

2011 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc (Mendoza, Argentina)
Includes 8% Malbec. Aged 16 months in French oak, 20% new. 91 points, Wine Enthusiast: Ripe berry, cassis and grilled meat aromas presage a fresh, zesty palate with free-flowing acidity that pumps up cherry, red plum, cassis and loamy earth flavors. It stays fruity, stout and smooth on the finish. 

2012 Hoopes Vineyard Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville, Napa, CA)
97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot. Aged 22 months in French oak, 70% new. 95 points, Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast: Bold but sophisticated, this has classic, concentrated Napa aromas and flavors. A luscious, velvety mouthfeel through to a lingering finish. The aroma combines cedar and spice-rack notes with fresh berries and black currants. Flavors are influenced by suave, spicy oak accents that weave in and out of the compelling ripe fruit. It's beautiful to drink now, but will improve through at least 2022.

Wine Tasting - June 17 ~ 20, 2015

2011 Mount Eden Chardonnay (Santa Cruz, CA)
95 points, Wine Spectator: This stunning wine is deliciously rich and layered, with vibrant flavors of honeydew, honeysuckle, fig and mineral shaded by seductive toasty oak. The flavors build, displaying a deep measure of intensity and persistence.  

NV Rare Red Blend (Lodi, CA)
Winner, Best of class (California Appellation), 2012 California State Fair:  Blend of Sangiovese,  Merlot, Zinfandel, and Primitivo.

2011 Prodigo Sangiovese Di Romagna Riserva (Emilia-Romagna, Italy)
100% Sangiovese. Importer's Notes: Bright, intense, ruby-red color with garnet hints. An expressive bouquet and full flavors. Aromas of fresh flowers, with an intense fruitiness on the palate. A dry, full-bodied wine with a rich, smooth, harmonious long finish. 

2012 Seven Hills Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot (Walla Walla, Washington)
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.

2010 Madrigal Petite Sirah (Napa, CA)
100% Petite Sirah, aged 20 months in new oak, 54% new. Blueberry and blackberry. Both jammy and highly structured by tannins and acidity.

Wine Tasting - June 10 ~ 13, 2015

2013 Valckenberg Pinot Blanc (Rheinhessen, Germany)
Dry, clean, focused, with good weight and an appealing slightly bitter finish. White peach and candle wax scent this elegantly structured wine. Pert lime and lemon tones add zest and vibe to the palate. Moderately long and faintly sweet.

2011 Post House Penny Black (Helderberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Wine Watch: A blend of 31% Shiraz, 29% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 4% Chenin Blanc. Named after a famous collectible stamp and the wine's dark color. Black currant and plum fruit with violets and eucalyptus. A big and chewy wine, finishing with a strong herbal note, dark spices, and espresso.

2010 Winners Tank Velvet  Sledgehammer Shiraz (Langhorne Creek, Australia)
Made from a higher up and lower yielding vineyard section, harvested a week later. 91 points, International Wine Cellar: Glass-staining ruby. Blueberry liqueur, cassis and hints of violet on the nose. Sweet, full and expansive, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors and a back end jolt of bracing acidity. Finishes with dusty tannins, appealing sweetness and lingering spicecake and floral nuances.

2013 Venge Vineyards Scout's Honor (Napa, CA)
71% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 10% Charbono, 4% Syrah. A very serious Zin blend, made to be delicious and enjoyable upon release. Each year the best vineyard site for each component is selected, from Calistoga, Yountville, and Atlas Peak. Aged 14 months in barrels, half new American oak and half reused French oak. Named in honor of a late and beloved Labrador retriever called Scout. The winery says that 2013 and 2012 were both strong candidates for the best Scout's Honor they have ever made.

2009 O. Fournier Centauri Red Blend (Maule Valley, Chile)
45% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carignan. One of the premium wines made by this winery. Smokey flavor with drying tannins and green herbs. Cherry, blueberry, and raspberry fruit. The Cabernet Franc was planted in 1890. Steel fermented, then aged 12 months in new and neutral French oak.

Wine Tasting - June 3 ~ 6, 2015

2009 Cantina del Taburno Fiano IGT (Campania, Italy)
90 points, International Wine Cellar. Winemaker's Notes: Pale yellow. Fresh tasting, with aromas of peach, pear and hazelnut.

2012 Joseph Phelps Freestone Estate Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, California)
93 points, Antonio Galloni: Dark red cherries, tobacco and new leather wrap around a wine of presence and nuance, that stands out for its symmetry, overall sense of balance, delineation, and energy. Shows beautifully next to the single vineyard  Pinots with a significantly higher price. The value jewel in their Pinots.

2010 Bodegas Riojanas Puerta Vieja Crianza (Rioja, Spain)
80% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano. 90 points, Josh Raynolds, Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: Bright ruby. Zesty redcurrant and cherry aromas are complicated by notes of fresh rose and blood orange. Firm, focused and juicy, with lively cherry and red berry flavors showing a refreshing bitterness. Bright and focused on the clinging finish.

2006 Winery Arts Squared Three Ribera Del Queiles (Aragon, Spain)
Blends Garnacha, Merlot and Tempranillo.  Intense, brilliant cherry red color with a deep robe. Fine and elegant on the nose, with a predominance of red fruit, spices and a few blasamic notes which makes the wine complex and pleasant. Agreeable palate with finesse, despite its strength, leaving a tasty aftertaste, exhibiting an abundance of fruit flavors and hints of mineral notes.

2010 Andrew Will Two Blondes Red (Yakima, Washington)
92 points, Wine Advocate: From a warmer, windy terroir located in the western part of Yakima Valley.  Blends 43% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc and a splash of Malbec. 21 months in barrel. Ruby, semi-opaque color followed by a medium-bodied, elegant effort that has flavors of red plums, underbrush, licorice and cedar on both the nose and palate.

Wine Tasting - May 27 ~ 30, 2015

2013 White Haven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand
A classic regional style – the palate is full and vibrant. Fresh nettle, gooseberry and tropical-fruit flavors abound and linger on the long, clean acidic finish.

2010 Perdriel Coleccion Cabernet, Mendoza, Argentina
92 pts Wine Enthusiast: "This purple-tinted, lush wine offers a nose full of ripe berry fruit, while the massive body is saturated yet balanced. Potent black-fruit flavors offer up some savory spice notes for complexity, while the finish is peppery, toasty and tannic, but not a driller. Drink through 2019."

2009 Bodegas Weinert "Carrascal", Lujan de Cuyo, Argentina
A blend of 45% Malbec, 35% Merlot and 20% Cabernet, this is a savory, dark cherry fruited wine, with an excellent sense of individuality and style. Fermented in concrete and then aged in used Nevers oak, this old school wine features intense fruit and earthy savor without any new oak influence.

Volver Triga Alicante 2011 Spain
94 pts Wine Spectator: "Expressive flavors of black cherry, mulled plum, dark chocolate, licorice and mineral mingle in this harmonious red. Offers a sleek texture and a solid structure, matching power with elegance. Impressive, in the modern style."

2008 Rioja Ramírez de la Piscina Reserva, Spain
92 Pts. Wine Spectator: "This harmonious red delivers black cherry, mineral, licorice and orange peel flavors, supported by well-integrated tannins and firm acidity. A bit reserved now, but balanced with good depth. Drink now through 2020."

Wine Tasting - May 20 ~ 23, 2015
Zinfest

2013 Nicky Hahn "Boneshaker" Zinfandel Lodi, California
Intense but surprisingly light with flavors ranging from macerated blackberry and plum jam to sweet dark chocolate set against a velvety mouthfeel and a richly satisfying finish.

2012 Starry Night Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley, California
Dark, rich and sexy. Forward fruit and soft tannins flow across the palate, finishing with hints of chocolate, plum jam, and elegant spice. A gold medal winner at the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

2012 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley, California
Galloni 93-95 points:  A totally sexy, voluptuous wine, endowed with serious power which stands out for its impeccable balance and class. Layers of dark red fruit build to a powerful finish laced with distinct Petite Sirah overtones.

2011 Seghesio Home Ranch, Alexander Valley, California
Wine Enthusiast 92 Points - "Seghesio's Home Ranch Zin is dependably ripe and blended with a little Petite Sirah for structure. The palate is soft and rather sweet with flavors of black cherry and raspberry, along with hints of mocha, bacon and toasty oak. It should hold for many. " Wine Spectator 91 Points - "Dense, tightly wound and well-structured, with floral raspberry and spiced cinnamon aromas and zesty cherry, mineral and toasted herb flavors. The tannins bite down on the finish. Hands off for now. "

2012 Michael & David " Rage" Zinfandel" Dry Creek, California
The grapes for this indulgent wine come from a 45 year old vineyard located on the southern edge of Dry Creek.  Pleasant earthiness oozing blackberry and a bit of pepper.

2012 VGS Chateau Potelle Zinfandel, Mt Veeder, Napa, California
Big cinnamon sweet spice with very bright acidity. Rich, dense, and intense, yet balanced and complex. Raspberry, blackberry, and vanilla. Alcohol usually over 16%. A limited production of around 600 cases. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels. From high altitude vineyards.

Wine Tasting - May 13 ~ 16, 2015

2014 La Fiera Pinot Grigio, Veneto,  Italy
This crowd pleaser displays pleasant minerality and fresh fruit flavors of green apple and ripe peaches. Crisp, fresh, floral and fruity.

2011 Poliziano Vino Noble di Montepulciano, Italy
If this wine were a suit, it would be Armani. Handsome and structured, with nothing out of place, it's a full-bodied, complex red with dark plum and raspberry notes and hints of tar, tobacco, and spices. Smooth at first, then it builds with sangiovese's salty tang and juicy acidity. 85% Prugnolo Gentile - 15% Colorino, Canaiolo, Merlot.

2012 Allesverloren Shiraz, Swartland, South Africa
This rich and full-bodied wine with a good tannic structure exudes the fruity, poignant scent of plums and black pepper, with a hint of bacon and cigar box aromas in the background.  On the palate, rich, ripe fruit nuances.

2009 Chateau Puech-Haut "Quercus", Coteaux du Languedoc, France
Wine Advocate: Ever so slightly more red fruit-driven, with kirsch, strawberry, garrigue, licorice and dried flowers, this 100% Grenache aged in equal parts concrete tank and new demi-muids, is similarly styled on the palate, with a seamless, hedonistic profile that should put a smile on anyone's face. 95 points

2012 Molly Dooker Enchanted Path, Maclaren Vale, Australia
Wine Spectator - Dark and focused, expansive and juicy, with blackberry and black olive notes at the core. Offers hints of licorice and floral as the finish expands. Delivers ample depth, poise and expressiveness. A blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1,327 cases made. 93 points

Wine Tasting - May 6 ~ 9, 2015

2014 Maison Saint Aix Rose (Coteaux Aix en Provence, France)
Winner,Gold Medal, Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2015. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cinsault. Located on a plateau 420 meters above sea level. Winemaker's notes: An elegant and refined rosé, with concentrated flavors of apple, spice and citrus that are flanked by plenty of rich, spicy notes and a creamy finish.

2010 Vinos de Finca Losada (Bierzo, Spain)
Wine Watch: Aged a year in oak. 100% Mencia. A big and bouquet of fresh flowers, violets, lavender with dark earth, blackberry and blueberry fruit, wild game like notes. Big and chewy wine on the tongue but still has wonderful freshness and array of that wild herbs and floral notes through the finish. Even more intense the second day. Excellent.

2011 Axel Syrah Limari Valley (Chile)
100% Syrah, aged 12 months in French and American oak. Best Value Chilean Syrah, Beverage Testing Institute: Opaque with a deep red rim. Aromas of dark earth, coffee, cracked peppercorns, black currants, stewed plums, wild black raspberries, roasted meat and blackberries. Rich and robust flavors of dry blackberry jam, dried cherries and chewy licorice. Seamless tannins provide excellent structure to the rich, opaque fruit. Touch of black pepper adds an overall zestiness.

2012 Saint Supery Elu Meritage (Napa, CA)
72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot. 94 points, Wine Advocate: The star of this portfolio. Deep ruby/purple color, sweet licorice, blackcurrant, graphite and blackberry. Full-bodied, voluptuously textured, and will age for 10-15 years.

2009 Chateau Puech-Haut Recantou (Coteaux du Languedoc, Saint Drezery, France)
95 poinits, Wine Advocate:Over-the-top decadence and richness. Licorice, chocolate, toasted spice, graphite and minerality. Full-bodied, gorgeously textured and decadent on the palate. A superb, character-filled beauty to enjoy over the coming decade or so.

Wine Tasting - April 29 ~ May 2, 2015

2013 Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, California)
An elegant and refined style of Sauvignon Blanc that is subtle and balanced, with minerality and bright natural acidity. On the nose, aromas of citrus, iron, wet stone and a hint of D'Anjou pear tempt your senses, while a crisp lightness and underlying notes of fleshy grapefruit and lime zest please the palate.

2007 Semper Pinot Noir Ellenbach Vineyard (Sonoma Coast, CA)
The grapes are from a hillside site only two miles from the Pacific Ocean. 95 points, Wine Enthusiast:Acidity makes the mouth water, tannins provide a firm framework, oak is perfectly integrated, and the depth of fruit is impressive. Shows flavors of cherry tart, raspberry Newton, cola, buttered cinnamon toast and vanilla that are magnificent, elegant, and classy.

2011 Monte Degli Angeli Barolo (Piedmont, Italy)
A small family estate, whose Barolo has a modest 13.5% alcohol versus the 15% of their neighbors. 91 points, James Suckling: A charming wine and one of the best base Barolos made in the 2010 vintage with soft lines, firm structure and a bursting personality. The bouquet is brimming with Nebbiolo-driven aromas of anise seed, cola, licorice and white almond skin. Fruit tones are delicate and ethereal with cassis and dried raspberry at the front. In the mouth, the wine is graceful and silky. Very approachable now but can age very nicely.

2012 Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon (Robertson, South Africa)
Winemaker's Notes: Blackish plum in color. Ripe blackcurrants a plummy fruit. Soft ripe tannins balance toasty oak aromas and sweet fruit flavours. Good structure with soft, clean finish.

2010 Seghesio Home Ranch Zinfandel (Alexander Valley, CA)
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. Best from 2014 through 2018.

Wine Tasting - April 22 ~ 25, 2015

2009 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey Blanc (Burgundy, France)
Vinified at cold temperatures in stainless steel tank. Aged in the cellars for 8 to 10 months with about 30% of the final blend seeing time in new and used oak. This 100% Chardonnay begins with aromas of green apple, wet stone and light toast, followed by bright acidity and minerality.

2012 Argyle Pinot Noir Reserve (Willamette Valley, Oregon)
90 points,Wine Spectator: Lithe, with a nice transparency to the polished texture and the tea leaf-accented cherry and herb flavors, sliding easily into a graceful finish.

2012 Bodegas Volver Tarima Hill Monestrell (Alicante, Spain)
92 points, International Wine Cellar:  Opaque ruby. Heady, seductively perfumed aromas of dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola, Indian spices and candied violet, with a smoky mineral nuance adding vivacity. Sweet, penetrating and seamless on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and mocha flavors underscored by juicy acidity. At once rich and energetic, finishing with strong thrust, supple tannins, and floral pastilles.

2010 Bouchaine Vineyards Rockin' H Syrah (Sonoma Coast, CA)
Grown in a cool area predominately planted in Pinot Noir, where the Syrah is harvested very late and fully ripe, but the cool nights retard the sugar levels, usually achieving only 13% alcohol, making the fruit and acidity unusually bright for a California Syrah.

2010 Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
A very consistent wine, scoring 90-92 points every vintage. The grapes come from one of the highest and coolest parts of the Stellenbosch, that makes wines not only fruity and rich but with greater acidity, tannins, and elegance. One of the advantages of higher vineyards is that the good drainage reduces the ill effect of occasional rain during the harvest, which happened in 2010. 100% Cabernet, with classic flavors of black currant, blackberry, cedar, and tobacco.

Wine Tasting - April 15 ~ 18, 2015
17th Anniversary Celebration - Italian Wine Festival

2010 Tomaiolo Chianti Classico Riserva (Tuscany, Italy)
Very affordable and easy drinking. Bright ruby red color. Intense and characteristic bouquet, fruity with a violet fragrance. Dry and harmonious with notes of dark chocolate and black cherries.

2012 Terre Di Giumara Nero D'Avola (Sicily, Italy)
Gold Medal, Decanter World Wine Awards 2014, 5 starts of 5:Delicious, concentrated, impressive, ripe blackberry nose. Intense and densely concentrated blackberry, marshmallow and liquorice fruit, followed by a massive, long finish. A real crowd pleaser with great delivery. Very well made and fabulously satisfying.

2012 Vigneti Del Vulture Pipoli Aglianico Del Vulture (Basilicata, Italy)
Importer's Notes: The color is intense deep ruby while the bouquet is ample, with dominant notes of bitter cherry, candied fruit, aromatic herbs and distant hints of vanilla and thyme. The flavor is exceptionally powerful, with marked minerality and warm elegant undertones of spices and cream.

2008 Terre del Barolo Barbaresco Riserva 2008 (Piedmont, Italy)
Subtle aromas of violet, baking spice and red berry lead the nose on  this straightforward wine. The palate delivers dark cherry and white pepper alongside soft tannins.

2010 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe (Piedmont, Italy)
93+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous:Rose petal, mint, sage and licorice meld together in a supple, racy Barolo with great near-term appeal and the potential to develop beautifully in bottle. Vajra crafts the Albe to be accessible young, but 2010 benefits from bottle aging. One of the very finest Barolos in its price range.

2010 Castello di Ama San Lorenzo Gran Selezione, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy)
#6 Top 100 2014, 95 points, Wine Spectator:Offers both power and elegance, with a racy feel. Wild cherry, strawberry, rose and leafy, woodsy flavors permeate this driving red. The finish is long, but this needs time to shed the tannins. Well-defined from start to finish. 80% Sangiovese, rest Malvasia Nera and Merlot.

 2010 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy)
95 points, James Suckling:Wonderful decadent aromas of musk, orange peel and plum follow through to a full body, with soft tannins and a long and rich finish. Salty and savory. Layers of gorgeous fruit. Drink or hold.

Wine Tasting - April 8 ~ 11, 2015

2011 Acustic Cellar Blanc (Montsant, Spain)
Of the previous 2010, 90 points, Wine Advocate: 30% fermented for 3 months in French oak and the balance in tank. Mineral, melon, honeysuckle, and baking spices inform the nose of a savory, smooth-textured, concentrated wine that will provide enjoyment for several more years. An outstanding value.

2013 Oakville Winery Zinfandel (Oakville, CA)
The Oakville Winery Zin was one of the most delicious Zinfandels in the last two Zinfests at the Best Cellar.
Winery Notes: Sweet on the front palate and spicy on the back. On the nose; black currants, wild huckleberries, and raspberries. On the palate this Zinfandel is medium bodied with soft tannins. It is supple, well balanced and has a delicious lingering taste.

2005 Ardiles Merum (Priorat, Spain)
91 points, Wine Advocate: 45% Garnacha, 34% Carinena, 18% Syrah, and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark ruby-colored with an alluring bouquet of slate, mineral, cherry, and blueberry. Seamless on the palate. An excellent value for a wine from the increasingly expensive Priorat.

2012 Orin Swift Papillon (Napa, CA)
Aged 16 months in French oak, 40% new. 93 points, Wine Advocate: Composed of around 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot,4% Petite Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc, sourced from Oakville, St. Helena, Howell Mountain and Rutherford. Gorgeous aromas of white chocolate, blackberries, blackcurrants, blue fruits and toasty oak. Full-bodied, layered, and nicely builds incrementally. The tannins are soft and well-integrated, and the acidity gives the wine brightness. A savory, hedonistic, and enjoyable wine over the next decade.

2010 Daou Mayote (Paso Robles, CA)
53% Syrah, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petite Verdot. 94 points, Wine Advocate: Voluptuously styled and rich, aged 22 months in 100% new French oak.  Deep, decadent notes of black currants, blackberry, chocolate, licorice and chalky minerality that flow to a full bodied, seamless and beautifully polished wine that has ripe, fine tannin framing the finish. A big, rich effort that carries itself beautifully and is a joy to drink. Will continue to shine for upwards of a decade.

Wine Tasting - April 1 ~ 4, 2015

2013 Hahn Chardonnay SLH (Santa Lucia Highlands, California)
90 points, Wine.com tasting panel: Creamy and lush with vanilla and toasted oak; crisp and juicy with bright fruit and silky texture; full-flavored and balanced with a long, rich finish.

2012 Caruso & Minini Terre di Giumara Nero d'Avola (Sicily, Italy)
5 stars of 5, Decanter: Delicious, concentrated, ripe blackberry nose. The palate includes intense and densely concentrated blackberry, marshmallow and licorice fruit, followed by a massive and long finish. A crowd pleaser with great delivery. Very well made and fabulously satisfying.

2010 Finca Perdriel Cabernet Sauvignon Coleccion (Mendoza, Argentina)
92 points, Wine Enthusiast:  Purple-tinted, lush wine with a nose full of ripe berry fruit, followed by a massive body saturated yet balanced. Potent black-fruit flavors with savory spice notes for complexity, with a peppery, toasty and tannic finish. Drink through 2019.

2011 Chateau Puech-Haut Prestige (Languedoc-Rousillion, France)
91 points, Wine Advocate: A tremendous perfume of sweet raspberries, spring flowers, forest floor, truffles and lavender along with a beautiful texture, full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning velvety tannins and purity, and a long finish. A sensational offering from the estate's least expensive wine. Blends 60-75-year-old vine Grenache (55%) and 40-year old Syrah (45%), all grown on limestone soils covered by the large round rocks also found in parts of Chateauneuf du Pape. Aged in concrete tanks prior to being bottled unfiltered.

2010 Mt Brave Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder, California)
93 points, Wine Advocate: Surprisingly accessible for a Mount Veeder Cabernet.  Dark raspberries, flowers, mint and new leather flesh out this exciting large-scaled wine. Balanced and harmonious with especially likeable density, richness and roundness. 93.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3.5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in French oak barrels, 19% new. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Wine Tasting - March 25 ~ 28, 2015

2012 Domaine du Salvard Delaille (Cheverny, Loire, France)
Very quaffable -  light, lively, crisp, and perfumed. Grown on quartz, flint, and limestone soil. Sauvignon Blanc with 15% Chardonnay, as appellation law mandates.

2012 Klein Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon (Cape Town, South Africa)
The earlier 2008 vintage got 5 stars out of 5 in the 2011 John Platter Wine Guide. 100% Cabernet. Consistently praised in CellarTracker over vintages by its drinkers for its color, concentration, fruit, and tannins.

2010 Hook and Ladder Estate Merlot (Russian River, CA)
Dark magenta and crimson. Aromas of blackberry and black-cherry with a hint of cloves and cedar. A complex palate of dark berries, cinnamon, rich stone fruits, and vanilla, with a lingering cherry oak finish.

2012 Amavi Cellars Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla, Washington)
76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 3% Syrah, 2% Petite Verdot. From 6 vineyards in Walla Walla. Of the previous 2011 vintage, 92 points, Wine Enthusiast: Fragrant and young, this Cab bursts with juicy berry fruit flavors. Brambly raspberry, a whiff of mint, plenty of cassis and a dusting of spice all combine in a well-structured wine ready for the table. Firm and supported with mineral-soaked acids, this has the texture, tannins and push-through to age gracefully, though it's perfectly ready right now.

2011 Domaine Giraud Les Premices Chateauneuf du Pape (Rhone, France)
93 points, Wine Advocate: A blend of 100% Grenache that's aged one-third in 225-liter French oak barrels and the balance in concrete tank for one year. Gorgeous all around and made in a friendly, seamless style that's hard to resist. A translucent ruby color that's followed by a perfumed array of kirsch, raspberry, flowers, and red licorice. Incredibly pure and smooth, with no hard edges and a silk-like texture. Light and elegant on the palate and a joy to drink.

Wine Tasting - March 18 ~ 21, 2015

2013 D'Arenberg Viognier Marsanne Hermit Crab (McLaren Vale, Australia)
Winemaker's Notes: Enticing aromas of white stonefruits and sweet pineapple with a hint of ginger. The palate is luscious and flavorful nectarine and peach with a twist of candied citrus rind, evolving into a savory almond and spice. Generous and textured with a surprising finesse on the finish.  65% Viognier, 35%, Marsanne.

2013 Finca Sophenia Altosur Cabernet Sauvignon (Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina)
90 points, Wine Spectator:A juicy and lush red, with bright red currant, raspberry and black licorice flavors. Complex and briary accents linger on the supple, creamy finish. Drink through 2018. 4,000 cases made.

2011 Antigal Malbec Uno (Mendoza, Argentina)
Each bottle has an impressive large bronzed "1" on it. Bright and fruity, with blueberry, blackberry, coffee, oak, and tobacco.  Lusciously acidic and supported by firm tannins. From high vineyards in the Andes foothills. Uses gravity-flow winemaking instead of pumping. Barrel-aged for eight months in French and American oak.

2010 Speedy Creek Knights Valley Zinfandel (Sonoma, California)
The only Zinfandel vineyard in the Knight's Valley appellation is high on a remote hillside in the Mayacamas Mountains, with lava-based soil and a southerly exposure. Lovely aromas of briar smoke, cocoa, followed by cola, blackberry, and spice, closing with a long, layered finish.

2012 Seven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Hills Vineyard (Walla Walla, Washington)
Of the previous 2011 vintage, 94 points, Cellar Select, Wine Enthusiast: Made from the oldest vines in the oldest vineyard in Walla Walla, with contributions from earth, grape, and barrel. Layers of cassis, blackberry and fig, along with substantial dried herbs, cedar and pipe tobacco. The complexity, balance and length make a sure-fire candidate for cellaring until 2024.

Wine Tasting - March 11 ~ 14, 2015

2012 Palazone Grechetto (Umbria, Italy)
88 points, Wine Enthusiast: Made entirely with Grechetto from one of the denomination's leading estates. Opens with an intensely floral fragrance of white spring flowers and acacia. The palate delivers rich peach, pineapple, citrus, mint and thyme flavors, followed by a bitter almond note on the finish.

2012 Villacreces Pruno (Ribero Del Duero, Spain)
The Pruno version is made from slightly younger vines. 93 points, Wine Advocate: 90% Tempranillo and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. From a vineyard next to one utilized to produce Spain's greatest red wine, Vega Sicilia. A sexy, opulent, voluptuously textured effort that spent 12 months in two-year-old French oak barrels. Possesses a dense ruby/purple color as well as unsmoked cigar tobacco, creme de cassis, licorice, graphite and spice box. Full-bodied, deep, velvety textured, lush and heady. A sensational bargain.

2012 Archaval Ferrer Malbec (Medrano, Mendoza, Argentina)
91 points, Wine Advocate: A blend of three vineyards. A very dark-colored, ripe wine with aromas of blackberries, a touch of red fruit, and hints of smoke and spices. Quite intense. Feels like an old-vine Malbec, medium-bodied palate, supple, mineral, rounder, velvety, grapy and silkier. Tannin and alcohol are well-integrated and in the background.

2009 Bodega Fin Del Mundo Special Blend Reserva (Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina)
93 points, Dan Altman, Argovino: 40% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot. Aged 15 months in new French oak. Dark wild strawberries beside plums in the bouquet and palate. A refreshing minty finish of Cabernet. The flavors just go on, alternating fruit and wood. Enjoyable now and better aged.

2012 Saint Cosme Gigondas (Rhone, France)
92 points, Wine Advocate: 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre, 2% Cinsault. Ample potential, with juicy black raspberry, sweet spice, licorice and toasty notes as well as medium to full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Nicely balanced, nice purity, as well as a relatively approachable style that will drink well on release.

Wine Tasting - March 4 ~ 7, 2015

2012 Mount Rozier La Garland Sauvignon Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Pale straw, clear and bright. Leafy-toned with hints of greengage plum. Packed with freshness and youthfully vibrant, finishing clean and dry. Has an attractive elegant purity and austerity which matches seafood well. The estate borders Vergelegen, and was originally owned by a flower merchant.

2009 Bodega Mano a Mano Venta La Ossa (Castile La Mancha, Spain)
95% Tempranillo, 5% Syrah. Dusky cherry color. Discernible hints of creaminess, cocoa and ripe fruit together with spicy flourishes. Powerful, tasty and long, with refined tannins and an overall freshness.

2010 Black Pearl Estate Mischief  Maker (Paarl, South Africa)
Winery's Notes:   91% Syrah and 9% Mourvedre. Inky black color with rich, polished, and savory flavors. Blackberry, cassis, lavender, roses and exotic spices. Haunting, full-bodied, and yet utterly sophisticated.  A tour de force in Paarl winemaking.

2012 Twenty Rows Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, CA)
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petite Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec. Napa wines priced to serve as a daily wine, yet still be concentrated and delicious.

2011 Joseph Phelps Fogdog Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, CA)
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 3% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc.  Winemaker's Notes: Aromas of Bing cherry, cassis, raspberries, red currants and cocoa powder with hints of baking spices and tobacco, followed by an approachable, fresh, medium-bodied palate and great texture. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels 2-4 years old.

Wine Tasting - February 25 ~ 28, 2015

2012 Lucien Albrecht Riesling Reserve Alsace, France
Riesling is considered the signature wine of the Albrecht family. The wine is bone dry and delicious. Nice floral and mineral smell, it reveals itself slightly spiced and elegant in the mouth.

2012 Aia Vecchia Lagone Tuscany, Italy
This blend of 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Cabernet Franc presents notes of cherry, vanilla, raw beef and herbs on the nose.  On the palate, it is dry, structured and elegant with flavors of plum, ripe cherries, wild berries and a hint of spice, followed by a lengthy and smooth finish that begs for food.

2012 Finca Sophenia Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina
Bright ruby-colored. A clean nose displaying varietal notes of Cabernet, cedar wood, and chalk. The palate is fresh, with very fine tannins, great purity and length. Has the sophistication of a much more expensive wine. A steal.  (91 points, Wine Advocate) 

2012 Biale "Black Chicken" Zinfandel
Rich, dense and jammy, with aromas of cherry pie and spice. The ripe, layered blackberry flavors show accents of smoky caramel, sage and licorice. For fans of big wines. Drink now through 2018. 6,000 cases made. (91 points Wine Spectator}

2012 Torbreck "Woodcutters" Shiraz,  Barossa, Australia
A grand statement of the quality of 2012, this has depth and weight, with the trademark Torbreck charm and seductive smoothness. Oozes blackberry fruit with a spicy edge and subtle tarry notes. The palate rolls rich and silky, and dark berry, cherry and plum fruit burst in every corner. (91 points, Decanter )

Wine Tasting - February 18 ~ 21, 2015

2012 Clarendelle Bordeaux Rosé 2012 (Haut-Brion inspired) Bordeaux, France
Clarendelle is a négociant project owned by the Clarence Dillon family, who owns Chateau Haut Brion. A  blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and 24% Merlot, this rosé offers strawberry and blackcurrant aromas as well as tangy redcurrant nuances. The tannic structure is balanced, and the aftertaste is long and aromatic.

2010 Chateau de Bel-Air Lalande De Pomerol
"This blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec exhibits lots of soft strawberry and black cherry fruit, as well as an almostCôte du Rhône-like kirsch and lavender notes.  It is spicy, pure, easygoing, medium-bodied and best consumed over the next 2-3 years." – Wine Advocate

2012 Pacific Rim Unparalleled Supertuscan Blend, Tuscany
Fermented and bottled in the partner winery in Italy, but sold under the Pacific Rim Label, this blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot offers a bouquet of red currant and spice and show firm tannic structure with good acidity and length.

2012 Ken Forrester Petit Cab / Merlot 2012 Stellenbosch, South Africa
 "The 2011 Petit Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot  (67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot) has a superb bouquet with simple but fresh raspberry and wild strawberry fruit laced with cedar and sandalwood aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and fine tannins. There is just a smattering of dark chocolate with a wonderfully focused, almost Old World finish. Excellent." – Wine Advocate

2012 Ernie Ells Cabernet, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Inky blue black core and explosive purple rim.  The palate is medium to full-bodied with a firm acidity, elegantly modern with a towering structure, finishing with a sweet fruit guise and a touch of mint and spicy oak.

Wine Tasting - February 11 ~ 14, 2015

2014 Santa Julia Torrontes (Mendoza, Argentina)
Winemake's Notes: Notes of rose, orange peel, white peaches, fruits salad, chamomile and aromatic herbs on the nose. A fresh flavor and light body with flavors of rose grapefruit, ripe fruits like peaches and pears. This is a balanced wine with great fineness in aromas and flavors.

2012 Rio Madre Graciano (Rioja, Spain)
100% Grenache aged in French oak for 11 months. 91 points, International Wine Cellar: Opaque ruby. Sexy, high-toned cherry and blackcurrant aromas with notes of Indian spices and fresh rose. Smooth and seamless in texture, offering intense black and blue fruit flavors that become spicier with air. The floral element repeats on the finish, wutg excellent clarity and persistence. Delivers uncanny value and has the structure to age.

2009 O. Fournier Centauri Red Blend (Maule Valley, Chile)
Smokey flavor with drying tannins and green herbs. Cherry, blueberry, and raspberry fruit. 45% Cabernet Franc, 25% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Carignan. The Cabernet Franc was planted in 1890. Steel fermented, then aged 12 months in new and neutral French oak.

2012 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee (Napa, CA)
Blends estate and purchased fruit, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 3% Syrah. Made to be approachable for near-term drinking. Winemake's Notes: Rich, ripe and enticing aromas, with sweet fruit layers of plum, Bing cherry and cassis, as well as notes of mocha, roasted coffee, cedar and baking spices, all supported by delicious hints of French oak. The palate is supple and round, with balanced tannins, Abundant ripe red and black fruit, weighty texture, and a smooth, mouthfilling structure.

2012 Selene Cabernet Sauvignon Dead Fred Vineyard (Coombsville, CA)
Made by Mia Klein. Winemaker notes: Blueberry syrup, blackcurrant, brown sugar, coffee, salty caramel, molasses, and chocolate aromas. Flavors in the mouth mirror the aromatics with very good intensity. The tannins are strong and intense as well, but reach a ripeness and sweetness only in vintages like this.

Wine Tasting - February 4 ~ 7, 2015
ZINFEST

2013 Boneshaker Zinfandel (Lodi, CA)
88% Zin, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon. Full bodied, lusciously textured, framed by chewy tannins, with flavors of blackberry, black plum, black cherry, cola, licorice, raisin, and vanilla. Aged in French oak, 70% new. Owned by Hahn.

2012 Three Vineyards Old Vines Zinfandel (Contra Costa, CA)
76% Zinfandel, 13% Carignane, 5% Petite Sirah, 4% Mataro, and 2% Alicante Bouschet. The soil type of our pre-phylloxera vines is Delhi Sandy Loam. Vines average 100+ years, all dry-farmed, producing dense flavors of ripe blackberries and spice with a sneaky minerality.

2012 Eberle Paso Robles Zinfandel(CA)
Very fruity with balanced tannins and acid. Aromas of raspberry and blackberry with a hint of smoke, followed by rich dark bramble berry flavors, cedar and spiciness. Sourced from 3 Paso Robles vineyards: Steinbeck, CocaVin & Wine-Bush. Gold Medal, 2014 Pacific Rim Wine Competition.

2012 Carlisle Zinfandel Sodini Estate (Russian River, CA)
92 points, International Wine Cellar: Inky ruby. Potent cherry and blackcurrant on the nose and palate, with smoke and peppery spice nuances adding complexity. Fleshy but lively too, with firm mineral spine contributing definition and lift. Finishes on a bitter cherry note, with excellent clarity and gripping tannins. 15.2% alcohol, carried gracefully.

2012 Michael & David Rage Zinfandel (Dry Creek, CA)
A premium selection of the best from the many places this winery sources grapes. 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. Medium purple in color with aromas of blackberry, bright raspberry, and vanilla. Nice dark cherry and blackberry fruit flavors, an earthiness, cracked black pepper, and moderate tannins.

2012 VGS Chateau Potelle Zinfandel (Mount Veeder, California)
Inviting nose of fresh fruit. Big cinnamon sweet spice but very bright acidity. Rich, dense, and intense, yet balanced and complex. Raspberry, blackberry, and vanilla. Alcohol usually over 16%. A limited production of around 600 cases. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels. From high altitude vineyards.

Wine Tasting - January 28 ~ 31, 2015

2013 Seven Hills Vineyards Pinot Gris (Columbia Valley, Washington)
Winemaker's Notes: Aromas of citrus, spearmint, vanillin and hazelnut. The palate starts with sweet citrus fruit, layered with spearmint and vanillin, and a little ripe pear underneath.  The finish is fruitful and brisk. Made to drink young.

2008 Casa Ferreirinha Esteva (Douro, Portugal)
www.klwines.com: Our red of the month. Produced from native Touriga Francesa, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, this gem is medium-deep ruby in color and offers a lovely fruity red cherry to violet-like aroma with hints of oak. Bright, flashy, clean and soft on the palate, with hints of anise and white pepper.

2010 Tolaini Al Passo (Tuscany, Italy)
92 points, Wine Advocate: A pretty blend of 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot from an elegant vintage. Redolent sweet spice and tobacco with lingering prune and dark cherry. The tobacco theme is strong with dried cigar leaf and ash. Lively in the mouth, with a tight vein of acidity that keeps it from feeling heavy on the palate.

2012 Seven Hills Vineyards Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington)
91 points, Wine Enthusiast: The Cabernet is stiffened up with small amounts of Petit Verdot, Cab Franc and Malbec, resulting in a firm, herbal, but very well-balanced Bordeaux-style blend. There's compact cassis fruit, streaked with light stem, earth and herb. This is a wine that should improve with bottle age through 2019.

2012 Seven Hills Vineyards Ciel du Cheval Red (Red Mountain, Washington)
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 15% Petit Verdot and 9% Cabernet Franc. 92+ points, Vinous, Stephen Tanzer: Bright medium  ruby. Cool, deep aromas of blueberry, mint, licorice and wild sage. Chewy and tactile while still tightly wound, showing a saline complexity to its dark fruit and wild herb flavors. Finishes classically dry and long, with serious tannins but also refinement.

Wine Tasting - January 21 ~ 24, 2015

2011 Yalumba Vermentino Y Series (South Australia)
Yalumba is an independent winemaking family as opposed to being a cog in some corporately owned enterprise. The Y Series takes grapes from diverse appellations, some estate and some not. Here they made an impressive rendition of a traditional Italian white grape on a frame of racy grapefruit acidity and tight intensity, featuring flavors of jasmine, white nectarine, cumquat, and sandalwood. Two months aging on the lees gives this wine a fine texture. 11.5% alcohol.

2012 Landmark Overlook Pinot Noir (California)
90 points Wine Enthusiast: This is a soft and intense Pinot Noir from three different appellations that's affordable and approachable. Well-made, with earth, candied citrus and Bing cherry notes intermixed with hints of anise and subtle oak.

2011 Chateau Puech-Haut Saint Drezery Prestige (Languedoc,France)
91 points, Wine Advocate: The estate's least expensive wine. A blend of 60-75 year old vine Grenache (55%) and 40-year old Syrah (45%), all grown on limestone soils dominated by the large rocks on top. Aged in concrete tanks prior to being bottled unfiltered. A tremendous perfume of sweet raspberries, spring flowers, forest floor, truffles and lavender as well as a beautiful texture, a full-bodied mouthfeel, stunning velvety tannins and purity, and a long finish.

2013 Antucura Cabernet Sauvignon (Vista Flores, Mendoza, Argentina)
Decanter: Gorgeously refined, almost French in style. Typical Vista Flores notes of violets, lavender, tobacco and black pepper on the nose. The palate is medium to full-bodied with very fine-grained, classy tannins. Fruit characters on the palate are more dried fruit than lush and primary. Lovely age-worthy Cabernet.

2009 Tournon Heathcote Ladys Lane Shiraz (Australia)
The top wine made by Chapoutier from Australia. 95 points, Wine Spectator:Focused, bright and chewy, with a lifted mouthful of blueberry, currant, wet rock and white pepper flavors that keep roiling through a long and expressive finish. Brims with flavor, but evolves into a lovely transparency on the finish. Drink now through 2020. 440 cases made.

Wine Tasting - January 14 ~ 17, 2015
Malbec Fest

2012 Amalaya Tinto (Salta, Argentina)
Gold Medal, 2014 Los Angeles International Wine Competition. Part of the Hess Family Estates. 75% Malbec, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 5% Tannat. The dominant aromas are cherry and boysenberry with nuances of flowers and white pepper, where the palate adds hints of vanilla. The finish is persistent with soft tannins making the wine approachable.

2009 Chateau Haut Monplaisir Cuvée Prestige (Cahors, France)
100% Malbec. The soil here has layered gravel, with larger round stones on top. The prestige cuvee is the middle tier, richer from oak aging and selectfruit from older vines. Full of new wood and tannic flavors, dense, dry, and very firm, but will soften with more aging from 10 to 15 years. Micro-oxygenation makes this Malbec approachable earlier.

2012 Januik Red Blend (Columbia Valley, Washington)
39% Malbec, 18% Syrah, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc. Aged 20 months in French oak, 50% new. Big aromas of blackberries, currants, and dark chocolate. Medium full bodied, elegant and lively, a long fruit packed finish.

2012 Milbrandt Vineyards Estate Malbec (Wahluke Slope, Washington)
83% Malbec, 11% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 16 months in French oak, 30% new. Blueberries, white pepper, dried herb, and hints of vanilla and earth. A chewy midpalate with loads of fruit.15.9% alcohol.

2010 Renacer Enamore (Mendoza, Argentina)
45% Malbec, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10%, Bonarda, 5% Cabernet Franc. Partners with Italy's Allegrini winery. 92 points, International Wine Cellar: Medium ruby. Sexy, slightly high-toned aromas of blackberry, mocha, cedar, violet, bitter chocolate, pepper, and dried fruits. Sweet, silky and seamless. Lush yet fresh flavors of currant, plum and chocolate nicely framed by acidity. Finishes with plush, ripe tannins and terrific length. European style, delicious, and a big success in 2010.

2009 Tapiz Black Tears Malbec San Pablo Vineyard (Turpengato, Mendoza, Argentina)
100% Malbec. Aged 24 months in once used French oak. This winery's top, luxury Malbec. 92 points, James Suckling:Layers of dark fruits and dark chocolate with a full body, firm tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Just starting to open.

2011 Puro Uno Mega Malbec Gran Reserva (Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina)
Aged 36 months in 100% new oak, 70% French and 30% American. Vines over a century old from a single vineyard. 1,734 bottles made. The new top wine of Puro Uno.

Wine Tasting - January 7 ~ 10, 2015

2012 Zorzon Pinot Grigio (Collio, Italy)
From the northeast corner of Italy. Fermented and aged in cooled stainless steel tanks. Light straw color. Enough intensity to go well with rich soups.

2012 Joseph Phelps Freestone Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast, CA)
93 points, Antonio Galloni's Vinous:  Dark red cherries, tobacco and new leather. A wine of presence and nuance, that stands out for its symmetry, overall balance, delineation and energy. Blends fruit from Quarter Moon and Pastorale Vineyards. Shows beautifully next to the single vineyard wines, despite a significantly lower price. The hidden jewel in the Phelps Pinot Noirs.

2010 L'Ecole 41 Syrah (Columbia Valley, Washington)
91 points, International Wine Cellar: Dark, bright red-ruby. Black raspberry and exotic nutty oak on the nose. Plush, dense and generous, with creamy-sweet black raspberry fruit showing no rough edges. Finishes with sweet, easy tannins and lingering berry flavors.

2010 Casey Flat Open Range (Calistoga, CA) 
90 points, Wine Spectator:  Tightly wound, with firm, dry tannins wrapped around rich dark berry, spice, pepper and tobacco leaf, ending with a tight focus on the pepper and dried berry. Blends Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes.

2011 Bodegas Volver Triga (Alicante, Spain)
85% Monastrell, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. This winery's high end Monastrell. 94 points, Wine Spectator: Expressive flavors of black cherry, mulled plum, dark chocolate, licorice and mineral harmoniously mingle. Offers a sleek texture and a solid structure, matching power with elegance. Impressive, in the modern style.

Wine Tasting - January 2 & 3, 2015

2012 Hahn Estate Pinot Gris (Monterrey, CA)
Winemaker's Notes: Made from free run juice, this wine offers delicate fruit aromas and flavors, silky texture, and incredible value. An initial swirl brings out aromas of ripe Fuji apples and crushed apricots with a subtle balance of fruitiness and acidity. A sip shows off a medium body supporting a core reminiscent of white peach and bosc pear. A smooth finish with a touch of tartness pairs well with foods.

2012 Bodegas Volver Monastrell Tarima Hill Old Vine (La Mancha, Spain)
92 points, International Wine Cellar: Opaque ruby. Heady, seductively perfumed aromas of dark berry liqueur, cherry-cola, Indian spices and candied violet, with a smoky mineral nuance adding vivacity. Sweet, penetrating and seamless on the palate, offering intense black raspberry and mocha flavors underscored by juicy acidity. Rich and energetic, finishes with strong thrust, supple tannins and a whiplash of floral pastilles.

2012 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon (Central Coast, CA)
Hahn uses its Smith & Hook brand for two Cabernet Sauvignons. The top level reserve called Westside gets the very best grapes from its Paso Robles estate vineyards, and the Central Coast can include grapes from any of its estates, but mostly uses fruit from Paso Robles county. The Westside is priced 2.6 times higher.

2009 Benessere Black Glass Zinfandel (St. Helena, Napa, CA)
Winemaker's Notes: Has new American Oak and once-used French Oak barrels for aging.  Has a brilliant medium red first poured, with distinctive terroir and velvety texture.  Spicy cherry and bright blackberry aromas complement clove and allspice tones that carry through to the palate.  The well-structured wine will age well for the next five to seven years.

2012 Chateau de St Cosme Gigondas (Rhone Valley, France)
93 points, Wine Spectator:Lovely bay leaf, pepper, lavender and tobacco notes impart texture and range as they wrap around a core of solid black currant and fig fruit. Shows a grippy charcoal feel through the finish. Very solid. Best from 2015 through 2024. 835 cases imported.