North American Wine

LAYER CAKE 2009 “VIRGIN” CENTRAL COAST CHARDONNAY

Following in the steps of its predecessors, Layer Cake’s latest release brings tremendous value to wine drinkers everywhere! Their “Virgin” Chardonnay is so named because it never comes in contact with any oak. Fellow wine lovers have expressed a shared interest in getting back to what Chardonnay used to be: clean, crisp, layered, refreshing fruit, a hint of summer, with none of the overbearing heaviness of oak. If the taste of buttered popcorn is what you crave, look somewhere else. The wine is made by taking grapes from excellent vineyards on California’s Central Coast, gently pressing them and fermenting them in stainless steel tanks, and ZERO contact with oak. The nose is blossoming with white flowers, wet cobblestones, and a hint of lemon meringue. Fresh and vibrant, the wine builds in body and texture as it sits in your mouth. Kaffir lime, guava, pineapple and a note of flint flow in first, then the light creamy texture of lemon curd fills in the flavor palette. The finish is clean and crisp, lingering enough to make you want another sip.

$12.95 750ml [276499]

COHO 2006 “HEADWATERS” NAPA VALLEY PROPRIETARY RED

This month’s “must-have” Cabernet pick comes from, where else, the Napa Valley! Brooks Painter and Gary Lipp have aimed to produce flavorful, balanced wines grown in select cool-climate vineyards to emphasize fruit purity and vitality. Their wines posses ripe fruit while being versatile with many foods; guess their fifty years of combined wine industry experience pays off! This is another one of those “...had it at a tasting, had to bring it in” type of wines, as several of us found balance in this wonderful bottling. Even James Laube of Wine Spectator loves it, as he gave this wine 95 points!

WINE SPECTATOR 95 POINTS - “Ultrarich, complex and concentrated, with ripe currant, black cherry and blackberry fruit that’s notably elegant and polished for a wine this size. Ends with ripe, mouthcoating tannins. Long on finesse. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2017.”

$44.95 750ml [212220]

LUCIA 2007 “ GARYS’ “ SYRAH SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS

The Pisoni family’s Lucia wines are no stranger to our store (or our newsletter), as their flamboyant personalities entice both novices and connoisseurs alike! The grapes for this bottling are sourced from the Garys’ Vineyard, a phenomenal 50-acre parcel farmed by Gary Pisoni, Mark Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, located on a sloping hillside in the center of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. While the Pinot Noir from this vineyard seems to steal the limelight, Lucia has been one of our favorite domestic Syrahs since its first release! Even the critics love this wine!

ROBERT PARKER 95 POINTS - “The dense purple-colored 2007 Syrah Garys’ Vineyard exhibits a gorgeous perfume of boysenberries, blueberries, blackberries, charcoal, camphor, and spring flowers. It reveals full-bodied power along with great elegance and freshness, good acidity, and super-rich fruit that is neither heavy nor overbearing. While it will not last as long as a great French Hermitage or Cote Rotie, it will offer sensational drinking over the next decade.”

$39.95 750ml [238820]

LULI 2009 PINOT NOIR SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS

Master Sommellier Sara Floyd and the Pisoni family have brought great value with the Luli wines. Their Chardonnay has become a staple in our store for it’s clean, refreshing, easy-drinking style and every-day price point. Now, they have introduced a Pinot Noir to match! Sourced from several different vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands for increased complexity, the grapes undergo a long cold soak for maximum flavor extraction and a subsequent fermentation by native yeast.  The wine is aged for eleven months in French oak barrels before being bottled, without fining or filtration.  A very low percentage of new oak barrels are used in order to maintain the bright vineyard flavors. The wine has bright aromatics of cherry, strawberry, and raspberry mixed with clean, fresh flavors of sour cherry, almond, spice, and a kiss of earth. Lovely acidity and a velvety texture make this a GREAT wine for the price!

$17.95 750ml [238880]

JAM CELLARS 2008 CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY

Last December, this was “go to” under $20 Cab, and it sold out very quickly. We’re happy to announce the new release is here, and it’s every bit as good! Made by Rob Lloyd (who worked at Rombauer for 8 years), he has put together a luscious, fruit forward Cabernet blended with just a touch of Petit Verdot. Aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels, this ruby/garnet colored wine has intense aromas of ripe plum, cherry, chocolate, and a touch of coffee. It is a sexy, opulent wine with velvety flavors of ripe black cherry, wild berry, plum, and finishing with a touch of spice, oak, and polished tannins. This is a hedonistic wine; one that doesn’t require you to have an extensive wine knowledge, you just need to know that this is delicious wine. So drink up!

$19.95 750ml [232380]

An Incredible Duo from DuMol Winery!

To say we are ecstatic about carrying the wines from DuMOL would be a severe understatement! Proprietors Kerry Murphy and Michael Verlander have been working tirelessly for over a decade to bring consumers their best expressions of wine from the Russian River Valley, and they have succeeded like few others have! Andy Smith is the talented winemaker and viticulturist, and he’s worked with some of the best in the industry, including Ted Lemon (Littorai) and Paul Hobbs. These are stunning, age-worthy, flavorful wines that can compete with any other producer in California, or the world for that matter! Many of our customers have been asking for these wines for quite some time (as we have, too), and production is quite small, so don’t hesitate on picking up some of these treasured wines!

DUMOL 2007 CHARDONNAY RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

The fruit for the Russian River bottling comes from 6 prized vineyards, including Dutton Ranch, Heintz, Ritchie, and Hyde. Yields were a lowly 2 to 3.5 tons per acre, with vines in the 13 to 39-year range (wow, that’s old!). The grapes were whole cluster pressed, barrel fermented with native yeasts, with only a small portion going through malolactic fermentation.

ROBERT PARKER 93 POINTS - “A blend of different vineyards, their 2007 Chardonnay Russian River might turn out to be one of the best Chardonnays they have made under this moniker. Crisp acids, beautiful lemon butter notes intermixed with brioche and orange/nectarine notes are all present in this full-bodied wine, with the oak pushed well into the background. This is a beauty that should drink nicely for 3-4 years.”

$54.95 750ml [220230]

DUMOL 2008 PINOT NOIR RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

Vineyards such as Dutton-Widdoes, DuMOL Estate, and Sonoma Stage were harvested at a measly 2 tons per acre. While this meant decrease production, it translates into superior wine! A combination of clones are utilized, including Dijon clones (115, 667, & 777), and old Calera and Swan selections. Hand harvested and hand sorted at the winery, 10% whole cluster fermentation was used for increased complexity and mouthfeel. Native yeast fermentation and malolactic fermentations occurred in French oak barrels, of which 40% were new. The wine possesses a medium dark ruby red as delicate spring flower aromas deepen to violet, allspice and a note of tea leaf. Bright crunchy red fruits open the palate then darken to black raspberry, ripe plum, black cherry and a touch of game and spicy sassafras. This is intense, yet beautiful at the same time, and will increase in richness for another 6 to 8 years if properly cellared.

$64.95 750ml [220280]

AARON 2009 “SWELL” PASO ROBLES ROSÉ OF PETITE SIRAH

We featured winemaker Aaron Jackson and his “Swell” Petite Sirah earlier in the year, and it has become our top selling Petite Sirah in the store! Aaron loves rosé, plain and simple. While living in Australia, Aaron and friends would guzzle bottle after bottle of dry, pink stuff to beat the heat at barbecues. The 2009 vintage inspired him enough to go ahead and produce a rosé, and of course it had to be from Petite Sirah! He used juice from two separate lots, one Eastside vineyard and one Westside. Because of the monster color of this grape, only 30-60 minutes of skin contact were necessary to attain the vibrant pink color. His goal was a rosé in a crisp white wine style with good acidity yet plenty of fruit. We adore the aromatics of unripe strawberry, watermelon and rhubarb, aided by the long, cold fermentation. The bright, fruit-driven palate has plenty of acidity and just a touch creaminess to add complexity. Finishing fresh and clean, this wine leaves your mouth watering and asking for more. Drink it with fruit, oysters or ice cubes... just make sure you finish the whole bottle and enjoy the sun!

$11.95 750ml [201510]

LEWIS 2009 “VIN GRIS” NAPA VALLEY ROSÉ OF SYRAH

While Randy Lewis and his family are known for their superstar Cabernet Sauvignons and Syrahs, this has quickly become one of their more sought-after (and hard-to-find) wines! Hours after their Syrah fruit is sent to open-top fermenters, the Lewis winemaking team drains off some of the pink-hued juice to concentrate color in the final red wine and create a fun rosé. Their 2009 Vin Gris is 100% Napa Valley Syrah, fermented and aged 3 to 4 months in neutral French oak and stainless steel barrels. This rosé is beautifully colored and packed with ripe raspberry fruit. Focused, fresh and fragrant with subtle spices, the wine is dry and perfect for Spring or Summer sipping! Only 100 cases produced!

$21.95 750ml [237445] 

EBERLE 2009 PASO ROBLES MUSCAT CANELLI

Gary Eberle is a wine pioneer in every sense of the word! After graduating from U.C. Davis’ winemaking doctoral program, he headed off to run his family Estrella River Winery, and co-founded the Paso Robles AVA. In addition, California Syrah might still be in the “dark ages” if it were not for his hard work to get this grape more widely planted! He and current Eberle winemaker Ben Mayo have worked hard to make every one of their wines the best it can be. Their latest rendition of Muscat Canelli won a 4-Star Gold medal at the Orange County Fair! With just a hint of sweetness, this tasty wine reveals floral aromas of orange blossom and ripe melon integrated with hints of citrus and bursts of guava and nectarine, culminating in a finish laced with spice. Crisp and semi-sweet, this wine is a surprising delight to enjoy with every occasion and a diversity of fare from crème brulée to foie gras.

$14.98 750ml [218410]

ROAR 2008 SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS PINOT NOIR

Roar’s 2008 release is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication from owners Gary and Rosella Franscioni. As third generation growers, their goal has always been to produce beautiful wines that are a direct reflection of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. This region’s elevated locations take full advantage of the morning sunshine before the afternoon maritime breezes cool the vineyards. This climatic combination results in an especially long growing season, which allows the grapes to fully develop and attain maximum varietal potential. Aged in 100% French Oak, of which 43% is new, the wine is medium and bright ruby colored with a fruity nose rich in ripe cherries, blueberries and root beer. Its full palate has good acidity and carries all the flavors of the nose with the addition of raspberries and cinnamon. The acidity and oak on the finish blend nicely with the fruit and spice.

$39.95 750ml [255130]

THE SHEPHERD 2008 PASO ROBLES CABERNET SAUVIGNON

When winemaker Valia Esh gave us a sneak-preview of her Cabernet Sauvignon, we knew this was a wine we needed in our store! This wine over-delivers for its price, and could easily compete with other wines in the $25-$30 price point. Sourced from the d’Anbino Vineyard, this tasty gem possesses everything we have come to know and love about Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, with its ripe fruit and lush texture. The wine leads off with aromas of dark plum, black cherry cola, a light smoky characteristic, cocoa and a hint of floral aromatics reminiscent of Lotus flowers in bloom. The mouth delivers everything the nose promises, is very fruit forward, and while its structure is rich and extracted, the soft and elegant tannins make it an enjoyable food wine!

$15.95 750ml [268690]

NICKEL & NICKEL 2008 “SEARBY” RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
CHARDONNAY

Established in 1997 by the partners of Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel is based on a philosophy of producing 100% varietal, single vineyard wines that best express the distinct personality of each vineyard. It is from some of the most coveted vineyards in the Napa and Sonoma valleys that the Nickel & Nickel wines are produced. The Searby Vineyard Chardonnay has beautiful floral aromatics that are quite distinctive. It opens with flavors of peach and passion fruit, which give sweet impressions, even though the wine is dry. Its naturally crisp acidity is quite refreshing with the opulent fruit, and the palate is enhanced by rich, French oak that melds with the flavors to achieve a long, lingering finish.

$34.95 750ml [276329]

THE TERRACES 2007 NAPA VALLEY ZINFANDEL

Located in the Rutherford AVA of Napa Valley next to wineries such as Quintessa, proprietors Timm and Sharon Crull grow some of the best grapes in the valley! Those grapes are so fantastic that most of them have gone to such blue chip names such as Duckhorn, Nickel & Nickel and Beringer! They also grow Zinfandel, but Timm likes to keep it all for themselves so that he and assistant winemaker Nate Page can make some of the most gorgeous Zinfandel in the Napa Valley! In fact, this has become the “go to” Zinfandel for several members of our wine staff. Aged in a combination of American and French oak for 18 months, the wine leads off with a deep ruby color, and exudes aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry, clove, savory meat and a bit of that classic black pepper note. Ripe, yet perfectly balanced, lovely flavors of raspberry, black cherry, spice and boysenberry are presented before a smooth and exceptionally long finish.

$27.95 750ml [268850]

FONTANELLA 2007 MT. VEEDER CABERNET SAUVIGNON

They say when it rains, it pours; and the accolades for Jeff and Karen Fontanella’s Cabernet keep coming down! Their Cabernet Sauvignon stood out to us at a recent trade tasting, even among Cabs from other wineries that sold for a lot more money. One taste, and we knew this was a wine we had to carry in our store! But more recently, Wine Spectator gave this lovely wine a 92-point rating, and it even received a 4-Star Gold Medal at this year’s Orange County Fair! Jeff Fontanella cut his “winemaking teeth” at Opus One and ZD, so he knows how to get everything he wants out of his grapes. This bottling is all Mt. Veeder fruit, aged for 20 months entirely in French oak. In the glass, the extremely intense aromas of dark cherry, cassis, vanilla and hints of lavender can be identified from across the room. On the palate, the concentration and extraction of Mount Veeder hillside fruit is seamlessly balanced by pure dense fruit and layered sweet tannin structure. Dense blackberry and boysenberry flavors are finished with a hint of dark chocolate and mocha.

$49.95 750ml [222320]

AARON 2007 “SWELL” PASO ROBLES PETITE SIRAH

Producers of Petite Sirah need to take note: there’s a young gun out there who’s going to show you some new moves-- winemaker Aaron Jackson is one amazing guy! He fully commits to whatever the task at hand is. So, being the hardcore surfer that he is, you can imagine how dedicated to winemaking Aaron must be when he has to leave those firing Central Coast point breaks to head for the vineyards. His wines have been staples at our store for years, and it’s amazing how he can make Petite Sirah taste so good, keep it complex yet easy to drink, and sell such a tasty wine for so little money! Blended with just a splash of both Zinfandel and Syrah, it is still a massive wine, yet a touch more supple and approachable than others, with its big nose of chocolate-covered cherries, plums, licorice and similar flavors intermixed with blueberries, vanilla bean, grilled meat and spice. This wine is dense, rich, flavorful, fruit-forward, and has a long finish balanced with velvety tannins. Feel free to pick one up for your filet, or for that pizza after your next sunset session!

$17.95 750ml [201475]

JUSTIN 2007 “ISOSCELES” PASO ROBLES PROPRIETARY RED

Since being founded in 1981, Justin Vineyards & Winery has been the benchmark for Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from Paso Robles. Their wines have received numerous high scores from the critics, and they have a very loyal following. 2007 is a year destined for the history books, as the wines have incredible balance, depth and intensity, and perhaps no wine can attest to the greatness of this vintage like Justin’s 2007 Isosceles! This year, the blend is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Merlot. It offers an opaque, dense purple-black core with barely perceptible color change to the rim, indicating extraordinarily high extract and viscosity. The nose is redolent of black and blue fruit, oak, cinnamon, nutmeg and a sense of roasted coffee beans. The palate reveals similar flavors, leading to layered notes of dark cocoa, black pepper, and a drop of vanilla. Full-bodied, intense, and with powerful yet succulent tannins, this gorgeous Isosceles is the most cellar-worthy since the legendary 1997.

$49.99 750ml [233600]

LORING 2008 CENTRAL COAST PINOT NOIR

If you enjoy California Pinot Noir, then you must know the name Brian Loring! How he became a winemaker is a great story, and can be read on his web page (loringwinecompany.com), but the best thing he says is: “My philosophy on making wine is that the fruit is EVERYTHING. What happens in the vineyard determines the quality of the wine - I can’t make it better - I can only screw it up! That’s why I’m extremely picky when choosing vineyards to buy grapes from. Not only am I looking for the right soil, micro-climate, and clones, I’m also looking for a grower with the same passion and dedication to producing great wine that I have.” Just take a look at this bottling. It’s the first time he’s made this “vineyard blend” and it comes from some of the greatest vineyards in California, such as Rosella’s, Garys’, and Cargasacchi! Aged for 10 months in French oak, this ranks at the top for quality wine at the sub-$25 price point! A strong, deep ruby color leads you to a lovely, rich nose of cherries, strawberries, raspberries, almond sage and loamy earth tones. Succulent, juicy, and savory all at the same time, the flavors mimic the aromas, joined by mushroom, velvety tannin and nice acidity (just as every Pinot Noir should!). Bravo!

$24.99 750ml [235960]

CHAMISAL 2009 “STAINLESS” CENTRAL COAST CHARDONNAY

This just may be the best “No Oak” Chardonnay in the house! And it’s no surprise that it comes from Chamisal Vineyards; it’s the same winery that brought us the Goss Creek Chardonnay last year and was one of our best “Wine of the Month” offerings in years! In fact, we STILL have people coming in looking for that sold out wine! The grapes for this bottling come from two sustainably-farmed vineyards; one near the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, the other a few miles from the Chamisal vineyard. Both vineyards have similarly fresh and bright characteristics. No oak is used in the winemaking process so the wine may showcase the essence of Chardonnay. 25% of the wine was put through maolactic fermentation to soften the acids, without adding buttery flavors. Intended as a pure expression of what the Chardonnay varietal represents, Chamisal’s 2009 Stainless Chardonnay has loads of fresh pineapple, lemon zest, golden apple and white peach fruit on the nose and palate. This wine has mouthwatering acidity, a bright and succulent profile and a long finish of ripe, fresh flavors.

$12.95 750ml [216040]

ODISEA 2007 “MELT DOWN” LODI LATE HARVEST VIOGNIER

If more wineries made their sweet wines like this, then dessert wines would be a staple on everybody’s table! Proprietors Adam Webb and Mike Kuenz have chosen to make wine in small lots from unique vineyard sites around California-- and to let the wine speak for itself. With only 90 cases of this wine produced, it speaks volumes about their commitment to quality! The grapes were frozen for five days then pressed off. This process allows only the pure nectar of the grape to be extracted while leaving behind much of the water. The juice was transferred directly to neutral barrels for a long, slow fermentation using only native yeasts. The resulting wine displays a beautiful, bright golden color and intense floral and honeysuckle aromas, along with ripe apricot, peach, mango, lychee and brioche flavors. It is ripe, decadently sweet, yet possesses lovely acidity to keep it lively. This is, in a word, delicious, and makes a great introduction to the world of California sweet whites!

$22.95 750ml [247230]

New & Notable! Smart, sebella

This 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is the culmination of its creators' journey-- “From the Land of the Sun to the Valley of The Moon.” Viticulturist Diego Smart (at left with their awesome kids performing a "family punch down") was farming his own vineyard in Mendoza, Argentina –The Land of the Sun- when he met winemaker Lynda Hanson (below left with grower Mark Barnes). Eventually he followed her to Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon and the pair started a family. Diego began working in some of Sonoma’s best vineyards as a vineyard manager and Lynda as a winemaker first at Wellington Vineyards in Glen Ellen, then at Hanzell vineyards in Sonoma. In 2007 they had the opportunity to combine their passion and expertise to create their own wine.

SMART CELLARS 2007 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

The grapes for this wine come from a small organically farmed vineyard in Glen Ellen. Diego oversaw all the farming and hand harvesting while Lynda oversaw the details of winemaking and aging. Only 2 barrels were produced in this first vintage.

$39.95 750ml [264821]

2007 SEBELLA CHARDONNAY

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes: Charming and complex with aromas of ripe apple, hazelnut and honeysuckle. As the wine opens, more of the classic characteristics of our vineyard-- chamomile and citrus peel-- shine through. The wine’s pedigree is evident with a creamy entry, fullness in the mouth yet with great acidity, and expansive flavors of lemon custard combining with a long, mineral-laden finish.

Sebella is the new companion label to the Hanzell Vineyards Estate wines. Lovingly named after the owner’s children (Sebastian and Isabella), Sebella has been created by following old world Grand Cru Domaine and First Growth Château classification philosophies. After finalizing the blend for the Hanzell Estate Chardonnay from eighteen separate barrel lots, we tasted through each remaining barrel. We then blended these few select barrels to craft a Chardonnay to enjoy now, while our Estate Chardonnay, with its intensity and structure, ages gracefully in the cellar. As our new Chardonnay vineyards come into their own sense of place and time, Sebella will also allow us a way to audition these new clone and rootstock combinations prior to inclusion in the Hanzell Estate Chardonnay.

Winemaker’s Vintage Notes: A dry, cool spring started the 2007 growing season with an even budbreak throughout the vineyard. Very mild weather carried through May and June when temperatures spiked for four days. The remainder of July and August was marked by warm, sunny days followed by cool nights and foggy mornings. At times, the fog was so thick that the vines looked as if they had been rained upon, necessitating increased diligence in the vineyards. The large diurnal swings allowed flavor development to keep pace with the sugars so we were able to harvest our fruit with fully ripe flavors and balanced sugar accumulation. The result is an elegant and refined expression of our Chardonnay.

$35.95 750ml [228660] 

TOR 2007 “CIMAROSSA” HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON

While this was listed in last month’s “New Release” section, we felt this wine merits its own feature. Tor Kenward spent 27 years as a senior executive with Beringer Vineyards working in winemaking and marketing. For three decades, he made at least one barrel of wine each vintage from Beringer’s best vineyard sites. He had two of the best mentors to help him along (Ed Sbragia and Bob Steinhauer), and they shared their knowledge and expertise, encouraging Tor to make great wine... mission success! Tor crafts a few different bottlings; this one comes from the fantastic Cimarossa vineyard atop Howell Mountain. We’ve been to this vineyard; folks, it is one AWESOME piece of property! This red volcanic rock property produces Cabernet grapes from small clusters, but with BIG flavors.

ROBERT PARKER 93 POINTS - “The dense ruby/purple-tinged 2007 Tor Cabernet Sauvignon Cimarossa Vineyard reveals juicy, seductive aromas of red and black fruits intertwined with crushed rock, graphite, and flower notes. Medium to full-bodied with loads of texture and a heady, rich finish, this wine can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years.”

$74.95 750ml [267830]

TEIRA 2009 “WOODS VINEYARD” DRY CREEK VALLEY
SAUVIGNON BLANC

This is a recent “revisit” that shows just how vibrant and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc can (and should) be! A prior vintage was a “Wine of the Month” for us, and owners Daniel Donahoe and Alexis Woods haven’t missed a beat! The vineyard is located in the Southern end of the valley on benchland bordering Dry Creek, and is only a few miles from the Russian River Valley appellation. The vineyard is farmed sustainably and organically by legendary Sonoma County vineyard manager Duff Bevill of Bevill Vineyard Management. Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this Sauv Blanc strikes a beautiful balance between new world and old world style on the nose and palate. Classic Sancerre-like aromas of minerals, lemon zest, and citrus ruminate on the nose. Light and crisp on the attack, the mid-palate shows strong tropical fruit notes of kiwi, grapefruit and tangerine. Balance and elegance are key descriptors of this wine. Light, crisp and dry, this wine finishes extremely clean with a bright acidity that begs for another sip!

$10.95 750ml [276364] 

PALMINA 2009 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PINOT GRIGIO

This winery can’t stay out of our newsletter! If you have been one of the customers that have cleaned us out of the winery’s other varietals, then you know why. The facts are undeniable; although this isn’t even California’s strong point, these Italian-varietal wines have made their mark here at the store. Owner/winemaker Steve Clifton (of Brewer-Clifton fame) and his wife Chrystal spent years of their life immersing themselves in Italian varietals and Italian winemaking and how the two “marry.” Now that they are utilizing similar techniques here in California, these wines are like no other! The pale, straw-like color, along with the brilliant clarity of the wine makes it seem like Pinot Grigio is dancing in your glass. A swirl unleashes a delicate bouquet of white clove, lime blossom and a granite-like minerality. There is a silky yet tart texture that skips across the palate, displaying notes of citrus, lemon-lime and lychee nut, joined with notes of Gala apples and Bosc pears. A hint of quince, then a remembrance of a well-made marmalade round out the flavor profile on the clean, refreshing finish.

$15.99 750ml [249020]

CAMERON HUGHES 2007 “LOT 136” NAPA VALLEY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Cameron Hughes has become a recent star in the winemaking world. The premise is simple: buy excess juice from notable producers and put your own label on it. However, what makes this label stand apart from the rest is the fact that they will purchase the wine and barrel the lots down under their own barrel program! Upon first sniff of the wine, we were able to peg the vineyards in Rutherford and Oakville where the majority of this wine came from and let us tell you, this is a wine that would normally sells for 4-6 times this price!!! It’s a crimson/purple-colored wine with a profound nose of mint, vanilla, blackberry, currant and a good dose of oak. Forward and consumer-friendly, blackberry, cassis, black cherry, currant and a hint of that classic “Rutherford dust” join on the palate. A seductive fleshiness is steadied by an ideal tannic structure, firm and well integrated. Just starting to disrobe, this wine drinks beautifully now, and even though it will improve with age, we can’t imagine anybody who wouldn’t drink all they had!

$14.98 750ml [209830]

PRAXIS 2008 MONTEREY PINOT NOIR

Praxis is derived from the Greek word for practice; just as a doctor or lawyer practices their craft, owner/winemaker Bill Arbios has practiced his craft to perfection! He has built a reputation for releasing high quality wines at everyday price points. Bill also has a keen eye for knowing quality vineyards when he sees them, and when he came across such a vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, he used those grapes to help him start Praxis in 2000. Bill uses only the Pinot Noir clones which he feels are best (667 and 777), and ferments them in small lots, then ages them in French oak barrels for months. The result is a ruby-colored wine with garnet hues. Aromas of roses, violets, red cherries, pomegranate and cranberries are followed by hints of truffle, vanilla and smoke. The Pinot has lovely flavors of tart red cherry and raspberry with a touch of vanilla. Smooth and silky, the wine is dry and mouth filling with bright acidity.

$15.95 750ml [274582]

ESCA 2005 SONOMA COUNTY ZINFANDEL

We tried this wine and absolutely loved it! So we bought a stack of it, put it on our by-the-glass list at the winebar and it sold out in three days! If that’s not a rolling endorsement, we don’t know what is! Well, we got more, and supply should be good for a bit. The wine is made by the husband and wife team of Mario and Anna Monticelli. “Esca," Italian for allurement, is an expression of winemaking and living that they embrace. Mario has worked with Antinori and Philippe Melka, while Anna honed in on her skills at Cheval Blanc, Seavey, and Bryant Family. This is pure (100%) Zinfandel from some high-quality, yet not widely known vineyard in the Dry Creek area of Sonoma County. Aged for 18 months in a combination of new and used American and French oak, this crimson/purple-colored wine has enticing aromas of wild berry, violets, spice box and cedar. It is as intense and alluring as the wine is bright, yet shows rich raspberry, cherry, and blackberry notes, along with good acidity. The mouthfeel is very ripe and juicy, and retains soft and integrated tannins, while vanillin notes linger on the finish.

$11.95 750ml [274166]

BUCCELLA 2007 NAPA VALLEY MERLOT

This is... the best domestic Merlots we’ve tasted in several years! In fact, when we told that to the broker, he said another big retailer in L.A. said it was the best they’ve ever had! It’s that story that starts off like many of our favorite wines; proprietors Bill and Alicia shared a common love of wine and decided to pursue making the best wine they could. Winemakers Chris Justin (Merus, Carter and Del Dotto) and Celia Welch (Scarecrow, Corra, Keever and Kelly Flemming) have put their heads together to get the right barrels, vineyards and final blends to make sure only the best goes in each bottle! The wine is primarily Merlot from the famed Hyde Vineyard, with a small amount of Cabernet from Oakville, Yountville and Combsville. Whole berry fermented in small T-bins, and aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak barrels, this opaque purple-colored wine has a intensely perfumed nose that screams of ripe plum, blueberry, boysenberry, creme-de-cassis, violets and a hint of chocolate, all of which follow through to the palate. This is a ripe, rich, succulent wine, with excellent purity, glorious texture, unmatched definition and a length that seems to go on for over a minute. If everybody made Merlot like this, Cabernet could be dethroned as king!
 

$74.95 750ml [206970]

DEEP SEA 2008 CENTRAL COAST CHARDONNAY
Sure, we see new Chardonnays at the sub-$20 price point all the time, but while most of them aren’t worth the glass they’re bottled in, this Deep Sea will make you think it’s worth more than you paid for it! From the Conway family, Deep Sea brings a unique freshness and vitality to this varietal. From our first taste, we knew this was something we had to bring to you, our customers! The wine was fermented in a combination of stainless steel and French oak (both new and used) to bring harmony and balance to a full-bodied white wine. The wine’s color is golden and clear. The nose shows a mix of fresh citrus, with a background of pear, apple, fresh dough and layered with minerality. The smooth entrance shows a soft balance, with notes of citrus, apple tart and just enough oak to add another layer of complexity that includes vanilla and toffee, complemented with crisp acidity.

$19.95 750ml [213160]

ORSIANNA 2006 MENDOCINO COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
What can we say about this gem of a find?!? A few weeks back while in Napa, we stumbled upon this wine while at an exclusive tasting event. First off, it was the fruit sourcing that caught our attention. While Mendocino County is better known for its Pinot Noirs, there are some pockets that are warm enough to grow outstanding Cabernet (Alder Springs is the most well-known and coveted vineyard). Once the wine was poured, we sniffed, sampled, and did a double take…”Wow!” was the first words to come out of all our mouths! It has a rich ruby/garnet color and beautiful aromatics consisting of oak, cedar, rich red berries and hints of rose petals. It’s a richly layered, medium- to full-bodied wine boasting supple tannins, rich brambly fruit and medium sweet tobacco overtones. This steal drinks great now with some decanting and will also age gracefully over the next 5-6 years. If you enjoyed our sub-$20 Cabernet from December (which sold out), then here’s your next bottle!

$19.95 750ml [250540]

WINDOW PANE 2008 NAPA VALLEY PROPRIETARY RED
This Cabernet blend is made by the same geniuses that brought you Kobalt (Kevin Carriker and Mark Herold). These are two guys who, in our opinions, have never brought us bad wines. To the contrary, whenever they bring us something new, it’s always fantastic! Window Pane is not Kobalt’s second label, but a different label, as it contains varietals not found in Kobalt. It is crafted in a more accessible style to be enjoyed while your Kobalt Cabernet ages for the next few years. Consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, this is a rich, flavorful, full-bodied wine with deep and enticing notes of sweet berry, toast and coffee bean aromas. On the palate, ripe, rich blackberry, black cherry, blueberry, anise crème de cassis and cola nut all strut their stuff. Black pepper, mocha and hints of spicy oak round out this fleshy, flamboyant wine that is a GREAT representation of what is to come from the 2008 vintage in Napa Valley!

$33.95 750ml [289000]

MOLNAR 2007 “POSEIDON’S VINEYARD” CARNEROS PINOT NOIR
This 2007 Pinot Noir exhibits aromas of rose petal, red cherry and cola with hints of candied citrus and an undertone of plum. The wine is silky in texture with a focused black cherry flavor that hits the palate, after which an elegant dash of vanilla sweetens the wine for a long, inviting finish. This young wine is best appreciated when decanted prior to serving and will hold well for several years of extended bottle aging. Poseidon’s Vineyard, planted in 1973, lies at the confluence of Carneros Creek and the Napa River at the northern edge of the San Francisco Bay. At the southernmost section of Napa’s Carneros appellation, the land on which the vineyard sits was among the first cultivated land in the Napa Valley. Pacific winds blow through the Petaluma Gap from the west and bring cooling fog throughout the spring, summer, and fall, tempering the generosity of California sun. Although Poseidon was the god of water, in his additional role of god of earthquakes he created the uplifted Mayacamas Range, which provides the soils and gravel of this unique vineyard.

$21.95 750ml [240060]

LUCIA 2009 “LUCY” ROSÉ OF PINOT NOIR
That time is here, and just what time is that, you ask? Springtime! That time when the days get longer, the weather gets warmer and rosés start coming out to quench that thirst. One of the first delicious 2009s from California is Lucia’s “Lucy” bottling, made by the Pisoni family. Year after year, this rosé of Pinot Noir always hits the spot. The Lucy rosé is made utilizing the saignée process. After absorbing color from the Pinot Noir berries, a small amount of grapes juice is drained from the recently filled fermentation tank. The juice is fermented in a both neutral oak barrels for texture, and stainless steel barrels for aromatics. This rosé undergoes no malolactic fermentation to maintain its acidity. This Rosé carries a very pretty color reminiscent of a near-ripe strawberry. The nose boasts exuberant watermelon and wild strawberry and raspberry notes. On the palate, the wine is dry but flavorful with a peach character and a crisp, mouthwatering finish. This is one of their most complex rosés to date.

$17.95 750ml [238740]

OJAI 2008 SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PINOT NOIR
While Ojai’s owner and winemaker Adam Tolmach has garnered fame and praise for his seductive renditions of Rhône varietals, his Pinot Noirs are not to be overlooked. In fact, several vintners do both wines, as they each take true “know-how” to make a superior wine from those grapes. Adam only works with the best vineyards, as great wine can only come from great grapes! Ojai has only produced single-vineyard Pinots in the past, but with Adam’s decision to scale down the program, that left him with some incredible wine that needed a home. Hence, he made this wine from the low-yielding, yet high-quality 2008 vintage! The wine is a vineyard blend of mostly Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills with a little bit of Presidio and Fe Ciega. It’s a more elegant representation of Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir that is led by its natural core of acidity rather than it’s full extract and tannin. The fruit on average was around 2 tons per acre, which is extremely low by the standard for boutique Pinot Noir in the state. It was vinified for 14 months in older French oak barrels without fining and filtration, so the wine is free of the presence of wood in the bouquet and palate, only to be left with the purity of fruit, subtlety and nuance that is Pinot Noir.

CANNONBALL 2007 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Here’s your chance to “jump” into a great Cabernet value! Dennis Hill has over 25 years of winemaking experience with many Sonoma wineries, including Blackstone. Over the years, he has established great connections with some great vineyard managers, and he’s utilizing those connections to get some good Cabernet fruit. Call it what you want (we think it’s the economy), but he’s getting the fruit for a fraction of what it went for just a few years ago. Put two and two together, and you know you’ve got a wine that would sell for double just a short time ago. Make no mistake, this is a very well-balanced wine, with bright red fruits, spice and chocolate notes, and a dark ruby color. Full, rich, and with bright acidity, the berry and spice flavors are boldly presented along with a racy vanilla-cherry note. It’s a great match with food; we enjoyed a glass with brisket marinated in a red wine reduction sauce. This is where Homer would go “Mmmmm... Brisket!”

JALAMA 2006 “LA PRESA” SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SYRAH
For some time, the La Presa vineyard has been a “secret source” for several high-scoring, hard-to-get, simply quite notable wines. Winemaker Mark Cargasacchi gave us a preview of this wine at last year’s Hospice du Rhone tasting in Paso Robles and ever since then, we’ve been waiting with bated breath. Now that the wine is here, it has gotten even better! Mark’s portion is planted on an extremely steep south facing slope; a staircase and a good pair of hiking boots provides the only access to the terraced vines. The layers of flavor are big and bold and the finish just goes on and on. La Presa has an impressively opaque purple color with black currant and blackberry flavors mixed with caramel, mocha, vanilla and spice. It displays outstanding concentration, length, intensity and depth, with copious amounts of ripe tannins, and a long, bold finish. Mark, you’ve done good!

DUCHAMP 2006 “CUVÉE TROUVéE” DRY CREEK VALLEY SYRAH
The Dry Creek Valley is a special part of Sonoma. Because of its unique soil characteristics and cool afternoon breezes, it is here that some of the best Syrah grapes in the state are grown. And that’s why Duchamp grows Syrah here, and ONLY Syrah! Winemaker Gary Galleron (who worked at Chateau Montelena, Grace Family, and Whitehall Lane) has created a beauty of a wine, one stylistically similar to those of France’s Northern Rhône Valley, and this beauty will compete with the best of them! Their Cuvée Trouvée Syrah is elegance and refinement in a bottle. It has a luminescent ruby color, with complex aromas of leather, tar, smoked meat and gunflint. Bright flavors of tart cherry and raspberry are punctuated by a peppery edge. This is a fleshy, opulent wine that balances red and black fruits with smoky earthiness, much in a Northern Rhône style.

WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Intense and powerful, with a rich mix of firm wild berry, black cherry, pepper and spice, gaining depth and strength and picking up tar and black licorice flavors that add dimension. Drink now through 2015."

LEWIS 2008 NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY
As it’s said in auto racing, if you’re not at the front of the field, you’re gonna get lapped! The Lewis Cellars team of Randy, Debbie, Dennis and winemaker Brian Mox work diligently to assure their place in victory lane! The latest release of their Napa Valley Chardonnay shows that when nature takes half your grapes, you make what’s left twice as good! Crafted from a combination of Oak Knoll vines and longer-hanging Carneros clusters, the wine is satisfyingly ripe, yet focused and fresh in the same sip. Showy stone fruit, pear, hazelnut and toasty oak spices spill from the glass. Rich-bodied, fruitful and round on the palate with vanilla and subtle minerality, the wine is threaded with lively acidity bringing length and focus to a fine finish. 1,100 cases produced.

WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "Rich and layered, offering complex, full-bodied pear, fig and melon flavors, with smoky, toasty notes that take on a subtle roasted marshmallow hint. Elegant and stylish, this is a shade less rich and opulent than prior vintages. Drink now through 2013. 1,000 cases made."