Winery
of the Month
The Top California Cabs of 2008
Once again we take a look back over the
year, kind of a theme you'll see this
month, at the best wines-- in this case
Cabernet Sauvignon from California.
Yes, it's December already! We
think we've put together pretty
comprehensive lists regarding what was
released in the wine world this year and
believe you'll find the right stuff for
your holiday feasting and gift-giving
needs.
AVALON 2005
NAPA VALLEY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
$9.99 [#274730]
We’ve got
holiday cheer in a bottle to
cure those “economic
uncertainty” blues! Hi-Time
prides itself on bringing our
patrons great values each and
every month and December is no
different. Avalon goes from
strength to strength; their
California Cabernet (our July
2008 Wine of the Month) was one
of our best selling wines ever,
and this Napa Valley bottling
may rival that! Acclaimed wine
critic Robert M. Parker, Jr.
reviewed this wine in his “value
issue” of The Wine Advocate and
he even went so far to state:
“It has been at least twenty
years since I have had a Napa
Cabernet this good for under $15
a bottle..." We couldn’t have
said it any better ourselves!
Aged in a combination of French
and American oak, notes of
toast, vanilla and baker's
chocolate complement the
blueberry, plum, dark cherry and
black raspberry nuances on the
nose. Deep ruby in color, the
supple texture and forward fruit
flavors are balanced by velvety
tannins, and the finish seems to
sail on endlessly. This is one
Cabernet that won’t deplete your
401k.
California BOGLE
2005 “PHANTOM”
CALIFORNIA PROPRIETARY RED $14.95 [#204680]
The black magic is back! Bogle Winery
consistently produces some of the best bargain
priced wines on the market, and we at Hi-Time
have fully supported the brand for years,
considering it an everyday wine of significance.
Here in time for the holidays, (although it
missed Halloween) from the dark recesses of the
cellar is “Phantom”, an old vine blend of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, and Mourvedre, that will help
digest some of the robust dishes we will enjoy
this Fall. This deep ruby hued monster serves up
dark mocha and blueberry notes, all accented
with a touch of pepper and clove spice. On the
nose, deep violet and chocolate covered cherry
notes linger as if some unknown presence has
taken over your glass. With no shortage of
fanfare, it is hard to keep this wine in stock,
snatch this up before the Phantom vanishes.
CHATEAU DULUC DE BRANAIRE DUCRU (ST.
JULIEN) $49.95 [#335005]
The incredibly modest and understated Patrick
Maroteaux has quietly turned Branaire Ducru into
one of St. Julien’s A-list estates! The style of
Branaire Ducru is one of regal balance and
rarified elegance. A perfectionist in every way,
Monsieur Maroteaux leaves no stone unturned in
his pursuit of excellence. The estate’s second
label is also traditionally fashioned
emphasizing the bright red fruits so typical of
St. Julien. For the record, Branaire Ducru
itself scored 95 points from Robert Parker and
could very well be the best wine ever produced
at this marvelous estate! This superb second
label, named after one of the estate’s early
owners, is more than worthy and lives up to the
fastidious standards of superstar Patrick
Maroteaux!
France - RHôNE We haven’t done much
with the Rhône lately but with the weather
cooling down, it’s time to bring a special item
to the forefront.
CHâTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2006 VIEUX DONJON $54.95 [#305006]
In a nutshell, here’s the story on 2006
Châteauneuf-du-Pape! It’s a serviceable,
above-average vintage but don’t let anyone tell
you that the wines reside at the same quality
level as 2005! Not even close! Unfortunately,
given the vicissitudes of the currency exchange,
they are also priced higher than the 2005s! So
why pay more for the B+ vintage when there’s
still ample supply of the A+ vintage still in
circulation? On top of all this is the rumour of
the spectacular 2007 southern Rhône vintage to
be released next year! All in all, it makes
little sense to buy heavily on 2006 southern
Rhônes! We’re not and we would advise you to
adapt the same strategy! Having said all that,
we’d be remiss in our duty if we didn’t make you
aware of the 2006 Vieux Donjon. This classically
produced wine has become a store favorite and
they’ve done it again with a remarkable effort
that’s lush and juicy, yet structured with a
cutting edge of southern Rhône aplomb! Don’t
miss out on this as our quantities are limited
and it always seems to end up on the Spectator
“Top 100’ list!
R.H. COUTIER
BRUT TRADITION GRAND CRU $34.95 [#325394] Champagne R.H. Coutier is located in the
celebrated Montagne de Reims village of Ambonnay,
where the Coutier family has lived since 1619.
Today the family estate is run by Rene Coutier
who farms twenty acres of vines all located in
this Grand Cru (100% Echelle) hamlet. Coutier
sells most of his production to the Grandes
Marques reserving enough of the best juice to
produce a modest 2,000 cases a year. Like that
of his better known neighbor, Serge Billiot (of
H. Billiot), this Coutier Brut is predominately
(70%) Pinot Noir, but its Chardonnay component
is much more expressive than with the Billiot
Brut Reserve. In fact it was Rene’s father who
pioneered the cultivation of Chardonnay in this
bastion of Pinot Noir in 1946. The grape has
done so well over the ensuing decades that it is
now as a highly regarded as the village’s Pinot
Noir. Coutier retards malolatic fermentation in
half of his base wines in order to add raciness
and structure to the natural opulence of his
Ambonnay juice. The resultant blend is a grand
yet very polished cuvée where the red berry
character of Pinot Noir takes a back seat to
savory notions of breadfruit, lemon curd,
toasted grains and honey. This, then, is a
seamlessly configured Brut that deftly combines
richness and grace at a price attractive as the
Champagne itself. Click here
to see this month's featured Sparkling Wines
Other Sparkling wine:
American Sparkling
-
Champagne -
Other Sparkling
Click here for description of Champagne Houses
we stock.
World Wines
-
Germany,
Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain
SORELLE
BRONCA NV PROSECCO [italy] $14.98 [#302441] Sparkling wines are not only festive but
also are great for most all occasions.
That’s one of the reasons we love this
top-rate Prosecco from the Bronca sisters.
What makes this crisp satisfying sparkler
especially good is the fact that the juice
is kept under pressure in tanks and bottled
to order unlike many in the zone. Since it’s
made in an extra dry style, it’s ideal for
the Thanksgiving table as an apertif or with
the entire meal. Here’s a really well-made,
inexpensive sparkler that is sure to make
your holiday festivities brighter.
Spirits EL FOGONERO EXTRA AÑEJO
Sale! $64.99 [#167269]
Regulary $99.99
El Fogonero leads with soft vanilla, baked agave, clean damp earth and fresh
cut white oak, which is a really nice way to start. The flavors that show
through are rich, delicate agave honey, intricate baking spices and full
elegant dark oak tones. These tastes are carried in a pillowed, medium
weight mouth-feel that moves slowly to a lean clean finish that includes
flan, toasted nuts and light vanilla.
Another
victory in Mark West's revolution to bring rich,
flavorful pinot noir and liberal prices to the
world—the 2006 California Pinot Noir is enticing
aromas of juicy cherry and plum, strawberry tart
and tangy marmalade with barrel notes of
vanilla, cedar, brown sugar and oak spice. Lush
and weighty in the mouth, flavors of raspberry
preserves give way to a fresh, bright red berry
finish. This basket includes a Mark West
California Pinot Noir along with red and black
cherries abound with a note of spice and a
fabulous food selection of Carrs crackers, pate,
nuts and chocolate.
Beer DALE'S PALE ALE 12OZ SINGLE CAN [#469313] DALE'S PALE ALE 12OZ 6 PACK CANS [#469314]
Dale's Pale Ale is our
flagship beer and America's first hand-canned craft beer. It's an
assertive but deftly balanced beer (somewhere between an American pale
ale and an India Pale Ale) brewed with hefty amounts of European malts
and American hops. It features a merengue-like head, a copper color, and
a hoppy nose, thanks to a big post-boil addition of Centennial hops. To
complement its hoppy first impression, Dale's also sports a rich middle
of malts and hops, and a bracing finish. Dale's is 6.5% alcohol by
volume, and features 65 International Bittering Units. We think of it as the
perfect, everyday beer for hopheads like us. Dale's Pale Ale's rich
flavor has helped us make many new fans, and its numerous honors have
helped us kick huge holes in the misconceptions regarding cans. Click here to this
months featured Beer.
Other Beers:
Domestic Beer-
Imported Beer-
Kegs -
Non Alcoholic -
Beer Accessories -
Home Brew Supplies
By making a donation to SWRA
you will be participating in the only
national effort to overturn the
anti-consumer and protectionist law
that is in place to prevent you from
legally obtaining the wines you
want. No one but consumers and
retailers, together, will fight this
fight. It's not just about wine.
It's about our rights.
Gift Cards!
The perfect gift for a multitude of occasions...
now available online!
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Hi-Time Wine Cellars | 250 Ogle Street | Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Store Hours: Sunday 10am -7pm | Mon-Wed 9am-8pm | Thurs-Sat 9am-9pm
