1 January 2015
We will return to Regular Hours Tomorrow 1/2
10AM- 6PMRing in the New Year and…
Shop Online at www.vinopoliswineshop.com
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Complete Stocklist: Wines Available Here Now from Oregon, Washington and California
Oregon White Wine
Crowley Four Winds Vineyard Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2012 ($47.95) $37 special
Winery Note “Four Winds is a special vineyard ideal for the Chardonnay that we aspire to make…fresh, acid driven and austere. Located high in the foothills of the McMinnville Coast Range, these 20 year old Wente clone vines deliver pristine Chardonnay with personality and restrained elegance.”
Crowley Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2012 ($26.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “Comprised of Wente and Dijon clones from Four Winds Vineyard this wine demonstrates the undeniable pedigree and personality of this fantastic high elevation and old vine site.”
Goodfellow Family Cellars Whistling Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay 2012 ($37.95) $33 special
Haden Fig Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2013 ($19.95) $16 special
Winery note “100% spontaneous fermentation and 100% fermented and aged in neutral barrel. Creamy texture while retaining bright, fresh acidity with complex flavors of citrus and mineral. 150 cases produced.”
Haden Fig “Juliette” Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2012 ($34.95) $27 special
Winery note “Three and a half barrel (15% new) blend that was fermented spontaneously in barrel. Aged for 18 month in barrel on the lees. Astonishingly complex with mineral, citrus, lemon curd, a creamy yet crisp texture with tremendous length. 80 cases produced.”
J. Christopher Lia’s Vineyard Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains 2011 ($34.95) $29 special
Barrel fermented
J. Christopher ‘Cuvee Lunatique’ Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2013 ($19.95) $16.60 special
No malolactic fermentation, unoaked
Matello Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2012 ($27.95) $24 special
Matello Richard’s Cuvee Chardonnay, Ribbon Ridge 2012 ($41.95) $36 special
Winery notes “From Whistling Ridge Vineyard, this wine is our version of Meursault. Very shallow soils give mineral intensity, transparent golden fruit, and citrus acidity leading to a long, dry finish.”
Westrey Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
Winery note “2012 was a long, very dry growing season that challenged our non-irrigated vines, but our 35-year-old Draper vines’ deep roots prevailed. We have consistently demanded length, richness, and balance for our Reserve wines; and this wine has it all. We pursue a very extended fermentation for Chardonnay, six months on average, striving for richness of fruit in the wine. Rich golden straw color reveals pear and apple aromas. These aromas are enhanced by sweet spicy oak, and an undercurrent of minerals. The wine unfolds on the palate with rich texture and balanced acidity. The hallmark of the 2012 vintage in this chardonnay is pinpoint acidity and intense cool-climate aromatics. The balance between precision and richness of this wine is a celebration of a wonderful, but nerveracking, vintage. The concentration of sweet fruit in the wine stands out as the finish lingers with crisp acidity. This six barrel lot included one new barrel (16%) and two one-year-old barrels. The wine was bottled without filtration after 12 months and may have a small amount of natural sediment in the bottle.”
Analemma Atavus Vineyard Gewurztraminer, Columbia Gorge 2013 ($31.95) $28 special
Winery note “A serious wine with notes of fresh pear, musk melon, lime and nutmeg. Subtleties will continue to unfold in your glass. This wine offers brisk acidity from its high elevation origins and a lasting, dry finish. Alcohol 13.2%. Proudly featuring Columbia Gorge AVA fruit. Organically grown by our team from nearly 50 year old vines. This wine was gently whole cluster pressed. A small portion was set aside for later addition as Suss Reserve. Barrel fermented and briefly aged on lees in neutral oak.”
J. Christopher ‘Cristo Misto’ White Wine 2013 ($14.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “This dry, stainless-steel-fermented quaffer is a special blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and just a touch of Riesling.”
Crowley Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2013 ($18.95) $16 special
Harper Voit Surlie Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2013 ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “While pinot gris has been the white wine grape of choice for most of the Willamette Valley, there is currently a renaissance focusing other white wine varieties. Working with pinot blanc is based on the Willamette’s historical European counterpart, Burgundy, where the variety had a long standing before being supplanted by (and replanted with) chardonnay. The choices in viticulture, vinification, and elevage are an investigation into pinot blanc’s historical roots. The 2013 Harper Voit Surlie Pinot Blanc, sourced from Amity Vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills and Meredith Mitchell Vineyard in McMinnville, is barrel fermented in used French oak and aged on lees. The fruit quality of the wine is bright, accompanied by laser-like acidity, a savory, complex palate and a lengthy, saline finish.”
Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley 2013 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winery note “Pinot Blanc is a lighter-colored natural mutation of Pinot Gris. Our sources for this fruit are a two acre block of Meredith Mitchell Vineyard and a half acre block of Freedom Hill Vineyard. After pressing the fruit, the juice is fermented in neutral French barrels. The neutral casks give us rich textures without imparting new oak that would detract from the bright fruit/mineral/floral profile of the wine. The new wine remains in barrel with the original yeast and is not racked until bottling.”
Vincent Pinot Blanc Willamette Valley 2013 ($21.95) $18 special
Winery note “The newest wine in my portfolio, a bright, lively and lemony white wine. The grapes here came from 20 year old vineyard near McMinnville, harvested in October but still at low sugar and strong acidity as this grape tends to give. I pressed the grapes, settled the juice and put it in old oak barrels for natural fermentation, just like I do with Chardonnay. No lees stirring, no new oak or buttery qualities, just bracing and lively white wine that is best younger but might age and develop a sense of honeycomb and waxy notes in a few years. If you can hold it that long. Just two barrels.”
Belle Pente Willamette Valley Pinot Gris 2011 ($17.95) $16 special
Alexeli Vineyard & Winery Riesling, Willamette Valley 2010 ($17.95) $14 special
Belle Pente Riesling, Willamette Valley 2008 ($18.95) $15.90 special
Dry, mineral style
Trisaetum Coast Range Vineyard Dry Riesling, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “This offers a hint of honey in the nose, then moves into a fresh palate loaded with a full range of yellow fruits. The acidity is spot on, and a suggestion of wet cement adds a hint of mineral to the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2024.” WE
Trisaetum Coast Range Vineyard Riesling, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This is the medium-dry (about 23 g/L residual sugar) Riesling from one of Trisaetum’s estate vineyards. Full-bodied, forward and bearing an acid-driven mix of pear, white peach, apricot and papaya fruit flavors, this wine delivers gobs of pleasure immediately, yet continues to add depth and detail when left to breathe overnight.” WE
Trisaetum Ribbon Ridge Estate Riesling, Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “Both the dry and off-dry Ribbon Ridge Rieslings are outstanding—no need to pick a favorite. Here is an elegant, sophisticated mix of stone fruits, mineral, sweet fruit sugar and bracing acidity. The overall balance, tension and complexity are superb.” WE
J. Christopher ‘Uber Sauvignon’ Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley 2012 ($34.95) $28 special
Wine Advocate 90 points “Uber Sauvignon is a single vineyard wine from the ‘Croft Vineyard’, aged in Acacia wood for 8 months. Mineral driven aromas with bracing acidity and refined texture, this is one of the most interesting wines Jay has ever made.” WA
J. Christopher Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley 2013 ($19.95) $16.60 special
Winery note “Sauvignon Blanc is a specialty at J. Christopher. Although not widely planted in Oregon’s Northern Willamette Valley, Sauvignon Blanc is ideal for the area’s climate, as this wine proves. Made in the clean, fresh style of France’s Loire Valley, this wine is fermented in stainless steel and does not go through malolactic fermentation. The result is a classic, highly aromatic Sauvignon Blanc with perfect ripeness and excellent acidity.”
Cameron Winery Clos Electrique Blanc, Dundee Hills 2012 ($69.95) $66 special
Winery note “This is as close (Clos?) as you can get to white Burgundy without being in France! The nose on the 2012 Clos Electrique Blanc is perfumed with pineapple mint, oyster shells, marzipan, white peach and fennel pollen. A “Loirish” quality of lemon curd, sea shells and tropical fruit cascade down your palate accompanied by vibrant, assertive acidity. Truly electrifying!!”
Oregon Red Wine
Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 ($21.95) $18 special
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2013 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Pinot Noir and Gamay blend
Cameron Nebbiolo, Willamette Valley 2009 ($79.95) $69 special
Winery note “Called Chiavennasca in Valtellina and Spanna in Gattinara, Nebbiolo is arguably Italy’s most revered wine grape. After 20 years of planting, tweeking, grafting, talking to winemakers from Barbaresco/Barolo and gleaning everything possible about this crazy variety, we present our fourth release. This is perhaps finally the wine that shows what is possible in Oregon and the New World. With classic aromas of dried cherries, anise and tar and signature “sand on the teeth” that only Nebbiolo exhibits, this wine will remind you of the real deal.”
Harper Voit Bieze Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “We are fortunate at Bieze Vineyard to work with the Calera clone of pinot noir, which is more common to California. Calera has tiny berries, relatively thicker skins, and less juice with a very loose cluster set, allowing air flow to keep disease pressure and rot at bay. We also source Pommard from Bieze, which is a late ripening heritage clone of pinot noir. The 2012 Bieze Vineyard Pinot Noir is composed of two-thirds Calera, contributing color intensity and round tannins, while the remaining one-third is the classic Pommard clone, giving lift and freshness to the wine. The wine was fermented dry, racked off lees, and barreled clean to French oak.”
Harper Voit Huntington Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Aberrant Cellars ‘Carpe Noctem’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($59.95) $49 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright red. Deeply pitched dark berry, cherry pit, anise and woodsmoke scents show very good clarity and pick up Indian spice and floral pastille qualities with air. Juicy, penetrating and precise, with vibrant black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors lifted and sharpened by tangy acidity. Shows excellent depth and power for the vintage, finishing sweet, smoky and very long. This sexy wine got 50% new oak but it doesn’t show in an overt fashion.” ST
Antica Terra ‘Ceras’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($89.95) $75 special
Winery’s note: “Ceras is Botanica’s counterpoint. Its color is more purple than red. It is more about minerals and herbs than fruit and flowers. It is a focused and elegant distillation of rock rather than an opulent cascade of fruit. It is an expression of the geology that lays beneath our land, the tart blue fruits of the coast range and the tender herbs that one finds amongst the trees and mushrooms of the Northwest forest. 600 cases produced.”
Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Reserve Series Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($49.95) $39 special
Atticus Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Bright, vivid, expressive and intense, with cherry and raspberry flavors at the core, plus shadings of pear skin, yogurt, white pepper and floral that mingle with the fruit as the finish persists against refined tannins. Drink now through 2022.” WS
Ayres Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($34.95) $29 special
Winery note “Comprised of each and every producing clone on our estate vineyard: 667, 777, 115, 113, 114, and Pommard. If our vineyard could talk this bottle is what it would say. This wine is truly a symphony of sophistication! Think of our Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot Noir as the belle of the ball and her date is the rebellious Pioneer Pinot Noir.”
Ayres Perspective Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($29.95) $26 special
Winery note “Savor Oregon’s most exclusive grape growing region in a bottle! Ayres Estate fruit and neighboring Ribbon Ridge vines from Armstrong Vineyard, Saikkonen Vineyard, & Lichtenwalter Vineyard team up for an unparalleled Pinot Noir experience. This is the only Ribbon Ridge cuvee on the market.”
Ayres Pioneer Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Musky cherry, blackberry and candied rose on the nose, plus notes of musky earth and star anise. Sappy, smoky and deeply concentrated, offering sweet red fruit and licorice pastille flavors and showing an exotic Indian spice nuance. Opens up nicely with air, picking up a hint of cola. Finishes on a youthfully tannic note, with firm grip, lingering spiciness and excellent persistence.” ST
Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2013 ($24.95) $19 special
Winery note “The best of Oregon’s Willamette Valley in a bottle! Impeccably grown Pinot Noir fruit from Yamhill-Carlton blends beautifully with our estate fruit. Dollar for dollar, this is simply the richest Willamette Valley Pinot Noir for your palate!”
Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2010 375ML ($21.95) $17.70 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid red. High-pitched aromas of black raspberry, Asian spices and fresh rose. Juicy, penetrating and pure, offering vibrant red berry and bitter cherry flavors that gain flesh and weight with aeration. Darker fruit notes come up on the clinging finish, with its lingering floral and spicecake qualities. Very suave pinot, with the balance to age but plenty of upfront appeal as well.” ST
Belle Pente Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($34.95) $29 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright, hazy red. Assertive smoke- and spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry pit, sassafras and incense. Supple, tangy and sharply focused on entry, then broader in the middle, offering smoky cherry, blood orange and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter herbs. Shows a refreshingly tangy quality on the finish, which clings with outstanding tenacity and no obvious tannins. Distinctly elegant in style, showing the best attributes of this cool vintage.” ST
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2010 ($44.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Bright ruby-red. A highly complex bouquet displays sexy red berry preserve, incense and candied rose scents, along with suggestions of cola, mocha and allspice. Sappy, deeply concentrated cherry and raspberry flavors are lifted and braced by juicy acidity and show excellent clarity and thrust. Closes with palate-staining intensity and sweetness, leaving suave floral and Asian spice notes behind. Impressively balanced and fine-grained, with serious cellaring potential.” ST
Belle Pente Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special
Belle Pente Murto Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 ($34.95) $29 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid ruby-red. Highly perfumed aromas of red fruit liqueur, Asian spices, rose oil and musky underbrush, with a subtle touch of smokiness in the background. Silky and penetrating on the palate, showing very good clarity to its spicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors. The spiciness builds on the finish, which is firmed by silky, building tannins. Quite elegant in style and balanced to age, although it’s already delicious.” ST
Bergstrom Wines ‘Cumberland’ Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 375ML ($21.95) $19 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Dark red. Spicy raspberry and rose pastille aromas are lifted by a mineral quality and pick up a hint of orange zest with air. Offers juicy, gently sweet red fruit flavors, with hints of bitter herbs and cola building on the back half. Closes spicy and long, with a strong echo of red berries and smooth, well-knit tannins that sneak in late. This is the best example of Bergstrom’s entry-level pinot bottling since the 2008.” ST
Bergstrom Wines ‘Cumberland’ Reserve Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 1.5L ($99.95) $89 special
Winery note “The 2013 Cumberland Reserve is dark red cherry in color and showcases an explosive and heady aromatic profile of fresh black cherries, red raspberries a slight kirsch note and ripe blueberries. The fruit character is bright and pure and only slightly lifted and framed by great Oregon spice and loamy earth character which adds depth and dimension to this very promising wine. In the mouth the wine is a fantastic expression of pure Oregon Pinot Noir with great verve and lift and vibrancy showing off rich, ripe berry flavors and a suave velvet-like structure which caresses the palate with its succulence but also promises a great future with its minerality and sweet tannins. Drink now-2019+”
Bergstrom Wines Gregory Ranch Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery note “Our fourth bottling of the Gregory Ranch Estate Vineyard really shows off the friendly personality of the 2013 vintage. Once again natural yields on this 21 acre vineyard were very low, a late spring frost reduced our overall crop by up to 40% in some blocks proving that although the Gregory Ranch may be our most climactically challenging parcel, the reward is always in the glass. The 2013 Gregory Ranch Pinot Noir is a vibrant ruby red color and possesses a very floral bouquet of roses and sweet purple violets as well as notes of ripe fruits on the nose like cherries, ripe strawberries and even red candies. A dark earthy note of mushrooms, oak spice, cola and sandalwood as well as citrus oils make this wine extremely intriguing now and promise great things as it develops with age. In the mouth it is bright and medium bodied with a tight tannic grip which opens up and melts away with aeration or decantation but still exudes lovely sweet fruit. This wine has succulent acidity and a long finish but remains tight now and will age well but is a very pleasant and easy drinking wine representative of the warm vintage. Needs 1-2 years to open up and develop then should drink well for 5-10 years.”
Bergstrom Wines Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2013 ($69.95) $57 special
Winery note “Harvested from 5 different clonal blocks from the East Hill of the Shea Vineyard (Dijon clones 115 and 777 and the pioneering Pommard and Wadenswil clones) our 2013 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir is a thing of beauty, in fact beauty is the key word when discussing where we are taking this vineyard. For the past several years we have been looking past simple extraction and large scaled wines towards a focus on prettiness. The Shea Vineyard is a thin-soiled vineyard where power and tannins come easy and Shea for many years has been synonymous with large scaled wines. We have chosen to showcase this site’s gorgeous fruit and mineral profile by backing off the extraction and oak influence to let the true terroir shine through. The 2013 Shea Vineyard is a gorgeous expression of the vineyard in this vintage: a potpourri of dark fruits, blue fruits and loamy earth with a lifted floral perfume reminiscent of roses that adds delicacy and grace. The wine is medium bodied with full ripe fruit flavors that coat the palate with dense silky waves of texture, sweetness and a long mineral and floral finish. Drink now to 2019+”
Boedecker Cellars Athena Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($34.95) $29 special
Winery note “Smooth, spicy, currant and plum flavors”
Boedecker Cellars Stewart Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($34.95) $29 special
Winery note “Silky and elegant with flavors of raspberry and cherry”
Brick House Vineyards ‘Evelyn’s’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 95 points “Focused, juicy, precise and expressive, this offers a gorgeously balanced mouthful of plum, currant, red berry and floral flavors that come together harmoniously and persist into the long finish. Has depth and distinction. Best from 2016 through 2022.”
Brick House Vineyards ‘Cuvee du Tonnelier’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2012 ($59.95) $47 special
Winery’s notes: “From our oldest vines, a wine whose name means “ the Cooper’s Cuvee.” It honors the winemaker’s father whose French family long ago took the name “Tonnelier” or cooper, after the craft by which they earned their livelihood. “Dad’s wine” is a tribute to a man as soft-spoken and generous as the Pinot Noir that honors him.”
Cameron Winery ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($69.95) $66 special
Winery note “The effusive aromas of 2012 Abbey Ridge Pinot noir mingle juniper berry, fennel, straw and tamarind, accompanied by high notes of blackberries and blueberries. The palate is resplendent with flavors of cherry cola, stewed plums and licorice. Soft tannins, bright acid and a nice long finish is typical of Abbey Ridge. This wine is a blinding success!”
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($49.95) $39 special
All Abbey Ridge Vineyard fruit
Chehalem Wines Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2010 ($79.95) $69 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Supple, velvety and gloriously expressive, layering blueberry, currant, white pepper and white chocolate flavors on a supple, medium-weight frame, playing out the flavors on a long, harmonious finish. Best from 2015 through 2020.” WS
Coelho Winery Paciencia Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($49.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Bright red. High-pitched aromas of strawberry, blood orange and white pepper, with a musky rhubarb nuance coming up with air. Lively and sharply focused, offering spicy red fruit flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. Racy and clean on the finish, which shows no obvious tannins and a zesty orange pith quality.” ST
Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery’s note “Eileen Vineyard tends to produce a wine that is the most precocious of our four estate vineyards and it’s often the first wine we release into the market. It is always the wine we show first in a line-up of Cristom Pinot Noir. We often find them softer, meaning rounder on the palate with less minerality. Typically, Eileen is textured, layered and creamy on the palate and often recognizable by its bouquet of sweet spices.”
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery’s note “Jessie Vineyard tends to produce Pinot Noirs that we recognize by a savory aroma that often calls to mind rare-beef. It also tends to have a very fresh and appealing scent of minerality, along with some higher tone lavender—purple flower notes. On the palate, Jessie tends towards a full mouth-feel and a deeper—darker—rounder impression. We find a certain ‘nervosity’ in this wine that describes some part of the tension between the ripe fruit and the structure of the wine.”
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery’s note “Louise Vineyard is typically the last single vineyard wine to be released. The wine is more heavily textured, dark-fruited and more concentrated in flavor than any of our other estate Pinot Noir. We often find creamy-mocha latte notes on the bouquet co-mingling with dark red fruits that are reminiscent of fresh mulberries, very ripe blackberries, plums and black cherries along with hints of chocolate. We recognize Louise by a delightful velvet texture and a full and persistent finish.”
Crowley Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2012 ($47.95) $38 special
Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 ($32.95) $27 special
Crowley Entre Nous Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($31.95) $27 special
Winery notes “This Pinot noir is our flagship blend. The wine is comprised exclusively of Pommard and Wadenswil clone Pinot noir from our best vineyard sites. Each barrel is hand selected resulting in a quintessential Oregon Pinot noir with extreme purity and depth of character.”
Crowley Four Winds Pinot Noir 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Crowley Gehrts Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($44.95) $36 special
Winery notes: “Dijon Clone Field Blend. Barrel aged for 19 months, no new oak.”
Crowley La Colina Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Winery notes: “100% Pommard clone. Barrel aged for 19 months, no new oak. LaColina was our very first vineyard contract in 2005 and we proudly continue to grow our holdings within this beautiful south Dundee Hills site. In addition to being a sentimental favorite of ours, LaColina has quietly become a cornerstone vineyard for the Crowley brand as it continues to deliver the highest quality fruit year in and year out. Farmed and managed by George Hillberry.”
Crowley Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Winemaker’s note: “The 2012 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has dark color and fruit notes to go with clean lines and decent complexity. In general, the conditions leading up to harvest were unique, including 90 days of no rain, but even warm temps (no extreme heat spikes) allowed good hang time and maturity. Though this wine strikes a richer chord, it also seems to have a fair amount of layering, possibly due to vines’ struggle for moisture. The 2012 also received (for the first time) our older vine Pommard from the Four Winds Vineyard, the Pinot counterpart to the Chardonnay. As with the Chardonnay, the tendency of the Pinot from Four Winds is to be leaner and exhibit mineral tones. This fruit certainly offsets the extreme dry year and helped keep this wine fresh and lighter on the palate.”
De Lancellotti ‘Onelia’ Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Bright ruby. Asian spice- and rose-accented scents of raspberry and cherry-cola, with a hint of smokiness in the background. Silky and seamless on the palate, offering sappy red berry and cherry compote flavors and a hint of licorice. Clings very nicely on the finish, which features silky tannins, repeating smokiness and an exotic floral pastille note. Balances power with vivacity smoothly and drinks very nicely right now with a bit of aeration.” ST
Dominio IV ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($31.95) $27 special
Dominio IV Pondering Ptolemy Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2009 ($31.95) $28 special
Erath Estate Selection Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($37.95) $24 special
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Ruby-red. Pungent aromas of dark berry, cola and vanilla show good depth, with allspice and fresh rose notes providing lift. Supple and open-knit, offering sweet blackberry and cherry-cola flavors that spread out on the mid-palate. Closes smooth and subtly spicy, with velvety tannins building slowly and framing the sweet dark fruit notes.” ST
Et Fille Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 ($49.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Deep red. Sexy, expansive aromas of red berries, potpourri and allspice show very good purity and an emerging smoky quality. Silky, sweet and penetrating, offering vibrant raspberry and rose pastille flavors and a touch of spicecake. Delicate and precise in the style of this vintage’s best wines, finishing with excellent cut and sneaky tannins that add grip. Open-minded Burgundy freaks should check this one out–and any of this producer’s pinots, in fact.” ST
Evening Land Silver Label ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2011 ($59.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Vivid red. Spicy cherry and red berry aromas are complemented by zesty minerality and a hint of potpourri. Bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors put on weight with air, showing a silky texture and slow-building sweetness. At once powerful and lively, with the berry and mineral notes echoing on the focused, persistent finish.” ST
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2,700 cases of Evening Land’s flagship 2011 Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard–comprised of around half Pommard and half Dijon clones–is striking for its immediate display of carnal and mineral dimensions: smoked and roasted red meats, saline and alkaline sea breeze emerge already in the nose, accompanied, to be sure, by ripe dark berries. Tart-edged elderberry and blackberry inform a polished and vivaciously bright palate and correspondingly exuberant, sustained finish. There isn’t an ounce of fat or of superficial sweetness here, and an undertone of forest floor and wet stone sets a somewhat somber contrast with the refreshing juiciness of fruit acidity; but the upshot of this dark-light paradox is both intrigue and sensual appeal. Look for high performance through at least 2022.” WA
Evesham Wood Cuvee J Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winery note “Every Spring I still drag Russ into the caves to taste through our Le Puits Sec barrels to determine the Cuvée J blend. Named in honor of Henri Jayer, the legendary Burgundian winemaker that Russ modeled much of his winemaking after we intend it to be our top cuvée worthy of the longest cellaring and capturing the vintage. Again this year’s blend is 6 barrels selected from Le Puits Sec. Certainly the most closed of our 2012 special cuvées, it’s easy to see the layers and complexity that are packed in the glass. This will easily age for a decade plus. 150 cases produced. Certified organically grown.”
Evesham Wood Le Puits Sec Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 1.5L ($89.95) $79 special
Winery note “2012 produced a darker bottling, both in color and flavors. Dark cherry with hints of blackberry, typical Le Puits Sec plum flavors with a silky, creamy texture. Very forward and showing great now, I expect it to improve handsomely for the next 7-10 years. 500 cases produced. Certified organically grown.”
Evesham Wood Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 375ML ($14.95) $11.90 special
Winery note “The Willamette Valley blend is always our first look at bottled Pinot from the vintage. 2013 was an interesting growing season, starting off early and warm all the way through the summer then hitting a siginificant cool down followed by epic rain. We picked about two-thirds of our fruit before the rain then paused for a week and resumed harvesting after things dried out. Very reminiscent of the 2010, lively and fresh with bright red cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and slight chewiness on the finish. 3,200 cases produced.”
Evesham Wood Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($31.95) $27 special
Winery note “Temperance Hill is such a special site to me. Evesham Wood has a long history with Temperance Hill, the first vintage of Cuvée J (1989) was 100% Temperance Hill fruit. I was captivated by Temperance Hill fruit my first harvest at Evesham Wood in 2007. Such distinct wines from fermenter to bottle and the vineyard is equally distinct. I often feel like I’ve set foot on another planet when I’m there. Up above 800 feet, frequently heavily fogged in, the Van Duzer Corridor, the break in the Coast Range that allows cool ocean wind to flow into the Eola-Amity Hills is still visible. Our block was planted in 1982 to own-rooted Pommard, now ravaged by phyloxera, greatly reducing yields. Although we don’t get many barrels from our block the wine is quite distinct. The 2012 bottling is even more exciting as it is now certified organic. A distinct Temperance nose of green tobacco and cedar with juicy raspberry fruit and dried herbs. 125 cases produced. Certified organically grown.”
Haden Fig Juliette Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “Red cherry, violet, dusty rose, silky texture with great length.”
Harper Voit Antiquum Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Harper Voit ‘Strandline’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($37.95) $30.90 special
Harper Voit ‘Strandline’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($37.95) $31.90 special
J. Christopher Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2011 ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “Lia’s Vineyard lies just up the hill from Olenik on Chehalem Mountain, but has a completely different style. It has a full, juicy mid-palate, but remains seductively elegant, with a complex interplay of fruit and minerality. The finish is long and tinged with spices. A gorgeous wine!”
J. Christopher Lia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winery note “Lia’s Vineyard lies just up the hill from Olenik on Chehalem Mountain, but has a completely different style. It has a full, juicy mid-palate, but remains seductively elegant, with a complex interplay of fruit and minerality. The finish is long and tinged with spices. A gorgeous wine!”
J. Christopher Olenik Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winery note “This powerful wine is from a very warm site not far from us on Chehalem Mountain. It is dark and deep, with an enormous, explosive blast of fruit and minerals on the palate, followed by firm, but supple tannin. It’s a monster, but with a charming side! ”
J. Christopher ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Winery note “If Oregon had a vineyard classification, Abbey Ridge would unquestionably top the list of “Grand Cru” sites. It lies high up in the Dundee Hills and always produces the most distinctive wines in Oregon. Jay has been working with a parcel of this vineyard for years, and started bottling some as a single-vineyard wine in 2009. The 2012 Abbey Ridge has the über-elegant, exceedingly distinctive mineral/floral character that is so typical of this great vineyard. It is somehow both delicate and full-bodied at the same time, with a lively salty/sweet interplay and a long, juicy finish.”
J. Christopher ‘Dundee Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Winery notes: “This cuvée is a blend of selected barrels from several excellent vineyard sites in the red Jory clay of the Dundee Hills AVA. It shows the depth and power that are typical of this area, with classic savory and sanguine notes and a seamless acid sructure. The 2012 vintage includes barrels from Bella Vida, La Colina, Meyer, and Charlie’s vineyards.”
J. Christopher ‘Lumiere’ Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($41.95) $36 special
Matt Kramer ‘My Wines of the Year’–“Oregon Pinot Noir continues to surprise if only because, as a still youthful and hugely ambitious category, it continues to evolve. J. Christopher is a formerly tiny producer that has grown in size thanks to a partnership between founder and winemaker Jay Somers and his new, deep-pocketed partner, German winegrower Ernst Loosen. A new winery was built, and Somers, who is one of Oregon’s finest wine-makers, is now issuing multiple Pinot Noirs, all fashioned in his signature austere, detailed, low-oak style. The 2012 Pinot Noir called Lumiere leaped out when I tasted it for its rich fruit allied with an unusual degree of flavor delineation and easily discerned mineral notes. I was surprised by its exquisiteness in a vintage that trades more in dramatic fruitiness.”
J. Christopher Nuages Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
J. Christopher Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($29.95) $26 special
Winery notes: “The Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is the flagship J. Christopher wine. The 2012 is blended from excellent vineyards in four of the Willamette Valley’s AVAs: Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Yamhill-Carlton and Eola-Amity Hills. Made with native fermentations and up to 18 months of barrel time, this is classic Oregon Pinot Noir. Appellation: Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, Yamhill-Carlton? and Eola Hills”
J. Christopher ‘Sandra Adele’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Sleek and polished, this is generous, with cherry, mocha, mint and floral flavors on a supple frame, lingering easily against deftly woven acidity and texture. Best from 2016 through 2022.” WS
Ken Wright Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 ($27.95) $24 special
Le Cadeau Vineyard Diversite Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Powerful, mineral-accented aromas of black raspberry, cherry-cola and lavender, with exotic clove and star anise nuances. Smooth and velvety in the mouth, offering sappy flavors of red and dark berries, cherry compote, candied flowers and blood orange. Closes sappy and very long, with resonating spiciness and smooth, late-arriving tannins.” ST
Le Cadeau Vineyard ‘Merci’ Reserve Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2011 ($74.95) $61.90 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The Le Cadeau 2011 Pinot Noir Merci Reserve – a bottling first essayed in vintage 2009 but tasted by me for the first time this year – is named for the generosity of those who made it possible for Mortimer to plant the stony lowest section of Le Cadeau with a who’s who (as well as a hush-hush or two) of California heirloom selections. The rough break down of selection heritage is nearly half Calera and most of the balance around equal parts Swan and Mount Eden. Vinification (which in my Issue 202 report I erroneously attributed to Steve Ryan) is overseen by Jim Sanders, who tells me that – just as one’s palate suggests – “it’s a different animal you’re dealing with in the cellar from these vines,” though he left most of his explanation of that difference at a metaphoric level, noting for instance the tendency of the fruit from these selections to “come down on itself, and need structure from the cooperage to hold it up and expand it.” There were three barrels’ worth (two new), bottled in June. Nutmeg, ginger, and fennel pollen alluringly accent concentrated red berry fruit, while a level of carnal, umami and saliva-inducingly saline savor emerges that I haven’t witnessed in previous Le Cadeau bottlings. There is also a striking sense of vibrancy to the finish here that perfectly complements this Pinot’s satiny texture and sense of lift. Exciting though it is today, I have high hopes that this will gain further complexity and refinement over the next dozen or more years in bottle. (“The 2012 is frightening,” reports Sanders. That sounds to me like a recommendation.) ”
Le Cadeau Vineyard Rocheux Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2010 ($49.95) $40.90 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The Le Cadeau 2010 Pinot Noir Rocheux spent 15 months in one-third new barrels, and delivers a pronounced blue and black fruit sweetness I associate especially with the Dijon clone 777 that made up half of its eventual blend (the rest being Pommard selection that almost certainly is responsible–perhaps along with the rocky site itself–for the results being anything but superficially fruity and shallow). Subtle notes of nutmeg and vanilla along with a satisfying savor of pan drippings and generally animal fat savor add allure to the rich fruit on a satiny palate, and this finishes with soothing and persistently, mouthwateringly seductive richness. I expect one will want to follow it for at least ten or twelve years.” WA
Le Cadeau Vineyard Rocheux Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The Le Cadeau 2011 Pinot Noir Rocheux–which had only just been bottled the week I visited the property in July, and I consequently postponed tasting until September–is spirited and bright, with an invigorating tang of berry skin to its tart cherry and a seedy crunch to its red raspberry. Sappy and mouth-filling though lean in texture, it finishes with a mouthwatering influx of salinity as well as notes of juniper berry, sage, black pepper, resin, crushed stone and tar that solidify its sense of stimulating impingement and sheer grip. This ought to perform well through at least 2025.” WA
Maison l’Envoye The Attache Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($41.95) $37 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Bright ruby. Deeper and darker in character than the Two Messengers, with intense cherry and black raspberry aromas and notes of cola, violet and woodsmoke. Broad and fleshy on entry, then tighter in the middle, offering intense dark berry flavors lifted by juicy acidity. Shows very good energy and lift on the finish, leaving smoke and floral pastille notes behind.”ST
Matello ‘Souris’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($41.95) $36 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(from fruit grown in the Whistling Ridge and Durant vineyards; made with 55% whole clusters and raised in 40% new oak): Vivid red. Vibrant red berry and Asian spice aromas are given depth by notes of vanilla and licorice and pick up a minerally nuance with air. Juicy raspberry and cherry-cola flavors tighten up in the mid-palate and show very good clarity. Finishes spicy and long, with silky tannins adding structure.” ST
Omero Cellars Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Vivid ruby-red. Fresh raspberry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by orange zest and white pepper. On the palate, vibrant red berry and bitter cherry flavors firm up with air and show solid energy. Finishes with good cut and spicy persistence.” ST
Omero Cellars Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2011 ($39.95) $33 special
Omero Cellars Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Light, crisp tannins wrap around a gorgeous core of ripe cherry, plum and spice, held in check by strands of wet earth and dusky spice, finishing with harmony and finesse. Has depth and detail. Best from 2016 through 2022.” WS
Patricia Green Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 ($24.95) $19.50 special
Winery note “This bottling allows us to accomplish two things that are very important to us as a winery. The first thing is that it allows us to use barrels from our vineyard designated sites that we think don’t represent what we think that site’s profile truly is. Sometimes that is based on vine age, clonal material or location within the site. This allows our vineyard designated wines to be true expressions of the site on a year in and year out basis. Secondly, it allows us to create a blended wine that has a degree of consistency to it each vintage that is of high-quality and will retail for $25.”
Patricia Green Cellars ‘Whistling Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge ($39.95) $33 special
Purple Hands Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2013 ($24.95) $20.90 special
Winery note “Black cherry, currents, mulberry, red licorice, cassis, forest floor, salted chocolate, tobacco, leather. Hand Harvested. Native fermentations. Small open top fermenters hand plunged and macerated. 12 months in barrel. 90% neutral oak, 10% new oak.”
Roco Clawson Creek Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 ($49.95) $40.90 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Light and vibrant, with fine tannins encircling a lean core of earthy cherry fruit, persisting gently on the delicate finish. Drink now through 2018. 250 cases made.”
Roco Knudsen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Black raspberry, cola, rose pastille and a hint of woodsmoke on the perfumed nose. On the palate, gently sweet dark berry flavors are lifted and firmed by juicy acidity and a touch of allspice. The spicy quality gains strength with air and carried through a long, seamless finish, which shows just a hint of dusty tannins. Very approachable now, but has the depth to suggest that a few years of cellaring would be rewarded.” ST
Roco Marsh Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “Vivid ruby-red. Sexy spice-laced black raspberry and cherry-cola aromas are complemented by deeper notes of mocha and licorice. At once lush and lively, offering broad dark berry flavors and a bracing kick of peppery spices. Silky tannins shape the finish, which clings with excellent clarity and persistent smoke and spice notes.” ST
Roco Marsh Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2011 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Sexy, high pitched red berry and floral aromas are complicated by notes of spice cake and vanilla. Closes with very good focus and energy, leaving a spicy note behind.”
Roco ‘The Stalker’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Sleek and racy, with vibrant notes of black cherry, dark plum and earthy spice playing against fine tannins and lively acidity. Mineral and maple syrup aromatics add to the finish. Drink now through 2022.” WS
Roco Wits’ End Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Sexy, spice-tinged red and dark berry aromas pick up subtle smoke and floral pastille qualities with air. Fleshy and broad on entry, then tighter in the mid-palate, offering intense black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a jolt of allspice. Silky tannins build on the finish, which lingers with excellent focus and length and insistent berry fruit character.” ST
Scott Paul La Paulee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($39.95) $31.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “(made from fruit grown in the Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge and Chehalem Mountains AVAs): Light red. Sexy aromas of red berry preserves and incense, with a spicy topnote and a hint of blood orange. Racy and precise on the palate, offering pure raspberry and cherry flavors that show an appealing sweetness. Closes silky and long, with resonating spiciness and no obvious tannins. Shows the finesse of the vintage to very good effect.” ST
Seven of Hearts Special Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($49.95) $44 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Brilliant ruby-red. Intense dark berry and floral pastille aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola, anise and smoky minerals. At once fleshy and lithe, showing excellent clarity and lift to its black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors. Brighter red fruits emerge with air and carry through a strikingly long, seamless finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins and a hint of spicecake. Bet on this concentrated, lively pinot to reward at least another six-plus years of aging.” ST
Sineann Wyeast Vineyard Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge 2013 ($39.95) $33 special
St. Innocent Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($41.95) $37 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “(28% new oak): Limpid ruby-red. Tightly focused cherry and black raspberry scents open up with air and are complicated by notes of cola, allspice and dried rose. Sappy, mineral-tinged bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors show very good focus and pick up a hint of smokiness with air. Fleshes out slowly on the persistent floral finish, which features youthfully chewy tannins. Based on this pinot’s power and structure I’d bet on it rewarding at least a decade of patience.” ST
Trisaetum Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($79.95) $66 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Deeply pitched dark berry preserve, cola and incense aromas show very good energy, with a smoky quality emerging as the wine opens in the glass. On the palate, juicy blackberry and cherry compote flavors are lifted and sharpened by a zesty mineral nuance and a hint of fresh flowers. Sweet vanilla and berry liqueur notes build on the finish, which is firmed by youthful, deftly integrated tannins. ” ST
Trisaetum Estate Reserve Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($79.95) $69 special
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Deeply pitched dark berry preserve, cola and incense aromas show very good energy, with a smoky quality emerging as the wine opens in the glass. On the palate, juicy blackberry and cherry compote flavors are lifted and sharpened by a zesty mineral nuance and a hint of fresh flowers. Sweet vanilla and berry liqeuer notes build on the finish, which is firmed by youthful, deftly integrated tannins.” JR
Trisaetum Ribbon Ridge Estate Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2011 ($49.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 89 points “Bright ruby-red. Pungent smoke- and spice-accented aromas of dark berries and cherry, with a hint of candied flowers in the background. Shows very good clarity and lift to its bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors and picks up a bitter orange pith nuance with air. Finishes sweet, gripping and persistent.”
Trisaetum Trisae Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($37.95) $28 special
Trisaetum Trisae Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($34.95) $27 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “Full ruby. Smoky cherry and dark berries on the pungent, spice-accented nose and palate. Juicy and precise, with building sweetness and a refreshing bite of tangy minerality on the back half. Bright, nervy and sharply focused on the persistent finish, showing silky tannins and lingering spiciness.” ST
Vincent Armstrong Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($39.95) $33 special
Winery note “This year’s Armstrong Vineyard bottling is a blend of three barrels from this Ribbon Ridge AVA location. Two of the barrels come from the lower section, all 115 clone of Pinot Noir, producing a richer, darker wine. The third barrel is all 667 clone, from higher in the vineyard, always more ethereal and red fruited at this vineyard. The blend makes the darkest wine of my 2013s, a transparent ruby color, full of spicy black cherry and briny olive notes, with cherry, cinnamon and black tea flavors and a juicy, lingering finish. Three barrels.”
Vincent Pinot Noir Ribbon Ridge 2013 ($27.95) $24 special
Winery note “This blend is all Armstrong vineyard wine, but softer, broader in focus, lacking only the detail and amplitude of my top wine from this site. As usual, the Ribbon Ridge gives spicy black cherry flavors with a distinctive olive note that reminds me of the 2010 Ribbon Ridge. Tasters repeatedly told me that wine was “classic Oregon Pinot.” I think they’ll say the same thing about this bottling. See for yourself. Five barrels.”
Westrey Cuvee 20 Anniversary Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Winery note “The 2012 vintage marked several milestones for Westrey, so we bottled a small four barrel lot to celebrate! 2012 marks Westrey’s 20th vintage, Amy’s 23 harvest in Oregon and David’s 25th harvest. The four barrels consist of 3 barrels of 35 year-old non-irrigated Pommard from Oracle and one barrel of 35 year-old Coury clone from our wonderful neighbors at Abbey Ridge. In the heat of 2012, our old own rooted vines produced fruit that was close to perfect. We harvested fruit with beautiful ripe Pinot flavors, without too much sugar, and fantastic acidity. Great richness in this wine is balanced by excellent length and elegance. The wine spent 19 months in wood with about 40% new. It was racked once, barrel to barrel, in the sping of 2013. It was blended at bottling in the spring of 2014. Please come celebrate 20+ years with us!!”
Westrey Oracle Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2011 ($29.95) $26 special
Westrey Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2011 ($24.95) $19 special
White Rose Estate Guillen Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Brilliant ruby. Sexy, assertively perfumed aromas of red and dark berries, Asian spices and cola, with a powerful floral jolt. Fleshy, sweet and expansive in the mouth, offering vibrant blackberry and cherry compote flavors that are lifted and braced by juicy acidity. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on the strikingly long finish, which leaves smoke and floral pastille notes behind.” ST
White Rose Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012 ($129.95) $99 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “Vivid ruby-red. Potent mineral- and spice-accented scents of candied red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, with a deeper licorice nuance in the background. Vibrant red and dark berry flavors show liqueur-like power without any excess weight. Spicy, incisive pinot with serious finishing thrust, silky tannins and a suave floral pastille quality that clings on the finish.” ST
WildAire Cellars Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton District 2012 ($49.95) $40.90 special
Winery note “Aromas of dark cherries, plums, and violets, leap from the glass. The soft entry leads to flavors of cherry, blackberry, and caramel, with sweet, abundant tannins and an incredibly long finish. Enjoy this wine with an herb encrusted rack of lamb with a port demi glace.”
WildAire Cellars Timothy Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2012 ($24.95) $20.90 special
Winery note “Wonderful aromas of cherries, rose petals, cola, and sassafrass, are mingled with whiffs of sweet oak. The easy entry glides into a creamy mid-palate with flavors of cherry, allspice, and vanilla. Well balanced with a medium finish, this food friendly wine pairs with countless meals.”
WildAire Cellars Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2012 ($49.95) $40.90 special
Winery note “Lovely aromatics of cherries, cloves, and bramble, integrate with toasty oak and rose petals. The soft entry evolves into flavors of cherry, plum, vanilla, with ample fine grained tannins that coast into a long finish. Try this wine with roasted pork loin and a pinot – Dijon mustard demi glace. “
Wildstock Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2012 ($29.95) $24 special
(Scott Paul Wines) Winery’s note “This wine is the perfect entry level Oregon Pinot Noir made with the same overriding philosophy of non-manipulated winemaking as the Scott Paul Pinot Noirs. We let the natural character of the Willamette Valley shine through in each bottle.”
Washington Sparkling Wine
Analemma Atavus Vineyard Blanc de Noir, Columbia Gorge 2010 ($59.95) $49 special
Winery Notes–“Of citrine color and brilliant clarity to the eye, traditional autolytic character on the nose and a creamy textured palate, this wine appeals to all of the senses. Our Blanc de Noir is an expression of single variety, single vineyard and single vintage, honoring the individuality of this historic site. This wine is vinous in character, in which the bubbles preserve the expression of this special terroir. Alcohol 12.7%”
Washington White Wines
Charles Smith ‘Sixto’ Moxee Chardonnay, Washington State 2012 ($79.95) $54.50 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Coming from a warmer site and old vines (37-year-old) that are located northeast of Yakima city, the 2012 Chardonnay Moxee Vineyard (aged in 20% new French oak puncheons) gives up perfumed spice, lemon curd, toast and chamomile-like nuances to go with a medium-bodied, rounded, supple and yet fantastically pure and layered profile on the palate. I love the mid-palate here, and this is a rich, textured effort that’s geared for consuming over the coming 3 to 4 years.” WA
Charles Smith ‘Sixto’ Roza Hills Chardonnay, Washington State 2012 ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The 2012 Chardonnay Roza Hills Vineyard comes from limestone soils that lie at an elevation of 1,300 feet outside the town of Zillah. Aged in 30% new French oak, it gives up impressive lemon and stone fruits, white flowers, warm spice and ample chalky minerality in its medium-bodied, layered, fabulously pure and rich profile. As with the other whites from this estate, it’s more than a little impressive.” WA
Charles Smith ‘Sixto’ Uncovered Chardonnay, Washington State 2012 ($49.95) $29 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 Chardonnay Columbia Valley sees no new oak and is a blend from the three vineyards (Frenchman Hills, Moxee and Roza Hills). Loaded with lychee, citrus blossom, lemon and crushed rock-like minerality, this medium-bodied, beautifully pure and elegant effort has superb mid-palate richness and picks up additional nuttiness on the finish. While my favorite cuvee here is probably the Frenchman Hills Vineyard, when you factor in price, this straight Columbia Valley is a no-brainer. It, too, should evolve gracefully over the coming 3-4 years, if not longer. Speaking of longevity, the safe bet with these would be to drink them on release and over the coming couple of years, but there’s no reason these beautiful efforts won’t evolve gracefully for upward of a decade either.” WA
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay, Columbia Valley 2012 ($11.95) $9.90 special
Wine Spectator 90 points “Silky and seductive, with pear and spicy grapefruit flavors on a taut, polished frame, lingering with intensity and brightness on the glowing finish. Impressive for the price. Drink now.” WS
Long Shadows Poet’s Leap Riesling, Columbia Valley 2013 ($21.95) $19 special
Wine Advocate 90 points “Also rock-solid, the 2013 Riesling Poet’s Leap is a delicious, lively and crisp white that offers plenty of mint, green citrus and flint- like minerality to go with a medium-bodied profile on the palate that delivers a kiss of sweetness. Perfectly balanced, it will drink well for 5-7 years (although I-d drink it over the coming couple of years).” WA
Reynvaan Queen’s Road Marsanne – Viognier, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($64.95) $51.90 special
Washington Red Wines
Analemma Atavus Vineyard Pinot Noir, Columbia Gorge 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2011 ($79.95) $66 special
Stephen Tanzer 94 (+?) points “(blended with 9% petit verdot and 3% merlot): Good bright red-ruby. Musky red berries, licorice, thyme, rosemary and pepper on the scented nose. Creamy-sweet, suave and deep but at the same time precise and youthful, offering lovely perfumed flavors of red berries, cocoa powder (from the Taransaud oak?) and anise. Very intensely flavored cabernet with terrific lift and aromatic persistence and remarkably suave, dusty tannins. Betz describes 2011 as a year with lower total polyphenols, higher acidity and lower pHs than 2010.”
Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz, Columbia Valley 2011 ($69.95) $51.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 93 points “(67% merlot, 28% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot; aged in 65% new oak): Good bright, deep red. Redcurrant, cocoa powder and musky tobacco on the nose. Gentle and creamy in the mouth for 2011, with harmonious ripe acidity framing the sweet red berry, cherry and cocoa powder flavors. This floral merlot-based wine is supported by firm acids and tannins but comes across as quite feminine in style. Betz notes that 2011 was a very good year for merlot.”
Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red, Columbia Valley 2007 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Medium red. Lovely Old World earthiness on the nose, along with brown spices and red rose. Then fresh, suave and layered in the mouth, with enticing floral lift to the dark berry, licorice, mocha and mineral flavors. This really spreads out to saturate the palate, but with perfume rather than weight. Finishes very long, with broad tannins, harmonious acidity and hints of mocha and pepper. A beauty. Chester-Kidder is the project of resident Long Shadows winemaker Gilles Nicault.”ST
Long Shadows Chester Kidder Red, Columbia Valley 2011 ($59.95) $49 special
Figgins Estate Red, Walla Walla Valley 2011 ($119.95) $89 special
Stephen Tanzer 94+ points “(from vines planted at 1,500 to 1,750 feet; the first vintage made at Chris Figgins’ new facility; roughly 45% each cabernet sauvignon and merlot and the rest petit verdot): Good bright ruby. Cassis, black cherry and licorice aromas are lifted by a floral topnote. A juicy, intense wine of outstanding clarity and penetration, with superb harmonious acidity giving it an element of inner-mouth tension rare in Washington red wine. Really builds and echoes on the slowly mounting finish, where the noble tannins are hidden by fruit. This beauty should enjoy a slow and spectacular evolution in the bottle.” ST
L’Ecole No. 41 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 ($31.95) $28 special
Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain 2011 ($199.95) $179 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard comes all from the Golitzin’s Red Mountain vineyard and is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon. One of the richest and most concentrated wines in the vintage, it offer fabulous creme de cassis, black raspberry, graphite, toast and licorice aromas and flavors to go with a full-bodied, seamless and beautifully balanced profile on the palate. As expected, it doesn’t have the sheer wealth of material that’s present in the prior vintages, yet everything is perfectly proportioned, it has excellent mid-palate depth and notable, sweet tannin. It benefits from a decant and will have upwards of two decades of longevity.” WA
Quilceda Creek Palengat Vineyard Red, Horse Heaven Hills 2011 ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “A blend of 61% Merlot, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and the balance Petit Verdot, the 2011 Palengat Vineyard has a great bouquet of sweet plum liqueur, blackberry, graphite, lead pencil shavings and toast. This is followed by a full-bodied effort that has beautiful concentration (especially in the vintage), loads of texture and ripe underlying tannic structure. Reasonably approachable now, it will nevertheless evolve gracefully on its overall balance. Enjoy bottles over the coming 10-15 years.” WA
Sineann Winery Block One Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley2012 ($74.95) $69 special
Wine Enthusiast 96 points –#28 Top 100 Cellar Selection 2014 “Block One is the original (1972) planting at Champoux, and it has anchored many of Washington’s finest wines over the past 20 years. Few if any better are than this, a huge wine with massive flavors of dense black fruits, from berries to cherries to cassis. It’s seen plenty of new oak, giving it a cedar-soaked scent, but the sheer power of the wine promises a long and expressive development over the coming decades. ” WE
Sineann Red Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points –Cellar Selection–“Classy and classic, this has the powerful depth of flavor and tannic structure that characterize the Red Mountain AVA. Still young and tight, with dense cassis fruit wrapped in generous barrel flavors of toast and chocolate, it’s a wine to tuck away until 2019 at least.” WE
Soos Creek Wine Cellars Artist Series Red Blend, Columbia Valley #11, 2011 ($34.95) $24.50 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92 points “(a 53/47 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc): Bright, dark red. Inviting, perfumed aromas of raspberry, currant, cocoa powder and licorice, lifted by an enticing floral element. Densely packed and broad but light on its feet, offering a fine-grained texture to its sweet berry and aromatic spice flavors. With the energy that comes from a cool year, this wine comes across as voluminous but not at all thick. And with its solid tannic clout and excellent rising length, it has the balance to evolve gracefully in bottle.” ST
Soos Creek Wine Cellars Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red, Red Mountain 2011 ($39.95) $28 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 93+ points “(42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc): Bright, saturated medium ruby. Brooding, youthfully medicinal aromas of blackberry, licorice and flint, smoky minerals. Dense, sappy and powerful, boasting terrific concentration and grip to its high-pitched flavors of blackberry, blueberry, spices and mint. Terrific texture and depth here but this tightly coiled wine is painfully young today and in need of six to eight years of cellaring. Finishes with a strong tannic spine and urgent cherry and spice intensity. This beauty strikes me as even stronger than the superb 2010 bottling.” ST
Soos Creek Wine Cellars Palisade, Columbia Valley 2011 ($29.95) $24 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 91 points “(an 82/18 blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon): Bright, dark red. Subdued but pure aromas of dark raspberry, dark chocolate, musky spices and earth. At once broad and juicy, offering savory currant and dark raspberry fruit flavors complicated by licorice and smoky soil nuances. Nicely concentrated wine with a restrained sweetness. Finishes with tongue-dusting, essentially supple tannins.” ST
Soos Creek Wine Cellars Soleil Red, Columbia Valley 2011 ($29.95) $21.90 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 90+ points “(55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 10% Syrah): Bright, saturated ruby-red. Brooding aromas of dark berries, licorice and violet, accented by black pepper and herbs. Densely packed and classically dry, with a fine-grained texture to the flavors of blackberry, cassis, violet, black pepper and minerals. Finishes with a firm spine of dusty, fine tannins and very good length.” ST
Soos Creek Wine Cellars Sundance Red, Columbia Valley 2011 ($24.95) $18 special
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 88 points “(38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 15% Syrah and 13% Cabernet Franc): Dark red. Aromas of dark cherry, brown spices and celery seed, plus a lively suggestion of rose petal. A juicy, slightly peppery midweight with a cool-vintage character to its red fruit and spice flavors. On the lean side but nicely aromatic in the mouth, although the nose seemed to shut down in the glass. I’d enjoy this over the next three or four years.” ST
Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley 2012 ($29.95) $21.90 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “A fantastic effort that also represents a smoking value, the 2012 Cabernet Franc boast thrilling notes of violets, wild flowers, black raspberry and mulberry styled fruits to go with a medium to full-bodied, voluptuously textured style on the palate. Showing the purity and focus of the vintage, this beauty will have over a decade of prime drinking.” WA
Angel Vine Stonetree Vineyard Petite Sirah, Columbia Valley 2011 ($24.95) $21.90 special
Betz Family Winery Besoleil, Columbia Valley 2012 1.5L ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “A Rhone-styled blend, the 2012 Besoleil is made from 50% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 15% Syrah and 15% Mourvedre that’s aged all in neutral oak. Gorgeous on all accounts, it has fantastic density and depth, with medium to full-bodied richness, beautiful freshness and classic Grenache-driven aromas and flavors of raspberry, black raspberry, pepper, herbs de Provence and flowers. Already hard to resist, it should evolve gracefully for over a decade.” WA
Charles Smith K Vintners ‘El Jefe en Chamberlin’, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “Aged in 80% new French oak, the 2012 El Jefe Tempranillo Stoneridge Vineyard gives up classic Christmas spice, cedar and graphite to go with a core of both red and black styled fruit. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and with the tannic grip of the variety, this solid effort will benefit from short-term cellaring and evolve gracefully for over a decade.” WA
Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2011 ($79.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2011 Columbia Valley Red Wine offers the classic creme de cassis, graphite, toasted spice and hints of licorice that seems to be present in all of the estate’s Cabernets. Medium to full-bodied, supple and already approachable, it nevertheless has the back-end stuffing to evolve gracefully for upwards of a decade.” WA
Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine, Columbia Valley 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 92-94 points “The 2012 CVR Columbia Valley Red Wine is a declassified blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with splashes of Merlot and Malbec. It offers up plenty of classic Quilceda character with notions of blackberry liqueur, toasted spice, graphite and licorice as well as full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Already supple and approachable, yet with notable tannin structure, it will deliver the goods on release, and over the following decade or more.” WA
Sineann Winery Champoux Vineyard Petit Verdot, Columbia Valley 2012 ($39.95) $33 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “From the acclaimed Champoux vineyard, this puts the purple fruit in a wrap of pretty baking spices. Barrel aging adds cocoa and coffee, while the acidity is sufficient to keep the wine from feeling too tannic. Another couple of years of bottle age-or brisk decanting-should put it at its peak.” WE
Trio Vintners Mourvedre, Yakima Valley 2010 ($29.95) $16 special
Winery Notes “Despite the challenge of the early freeze experienced at the tail-end of harvest 2010, we were so thrilled to be able to bring in this beautiful batch of Mourvedre from our favorite vineyard block. This particular block of Mourvedre is owned and farmed by Art Den Hoed and is grown on land that was never farmed prior to planing the vineyard. Sitting 1400 feet above the Yakima Valley floor, tucked high up on a south slope of the Rattlesnake Hills Mountains, the Far Away Vineyard is a perfect place to slowly ripen fruit in the hot summer sun is a spot where the risk of an early freeze is seldom experienced. Making the Seattle Times Top 100 Wines list last year, our 100% Mourvedre is rapidly becoming the all time favorite within our current line-up. This is our fourth vintage and we’re confident it will continue to please! Once more commonly known as a blending grape (think Chateauneuf-du-Pape), Mourvedre is now recognized as an incredibly versatile and food-friendly single varietal wine. Whether enjoying alone or paired with your favorite food, this wine bridges the flavor gap between the familiar spicy characteristics of a bold Syrah and the fruitful acidity of an Argentinean Malbec.”
Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “95 points. More mineral-driven, with savory spices, dried earth and floral notes balanced by a rocking core of fruit, the 2012 Syrah La Cote Rousse is more backwards and reticent than the La Serenne, and will need short-term cellaring to unwind. Possessing full-bodied richness, beautiful concentration, high, yet sweet tannin, and a terrific finish, this awesome Syrah will be at its best from 2017-2027.” WA
Force Majeure Syrah Collaboration III 2010 ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 97 points “The Collaboration III is made by Mike MacMorran and is 100% Syrah from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. The 2010 Syrah Collaboration Series III is incredible. Aged 20 months in 33% new Burgundy barrels prior to bottling, it gives up totally gorgeous notes of ripe black fruits, smoked earth, crushed rock and bacon fat. Hitting the palate with a full-bodied, elegant and seamless profile, it continues to build in the glass, showing sweet tannin, incredible purity and blockbuster length. It’s the most masculine and mineral-driven in style of the three vintages of the cuvee reviewed here.” WA
Gramercy Cellars Inigo Montoya Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley 2010 ($47.95) $39 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(blended with 10% syrah): Ruby-red. Lovely aromatic nose and palate combine cherry and coffee elements. Juicy, ripe and intense, with clearcut varietal character and excellent tannic spine. Finishes ripe and long. “Two thousand ten was our first true European-style vintage, with the flavors coming before the sugars,” noted proprietor Greg Harrington.” ST
Charles Smith K Vintners Rock Garden Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 93-95 points “The first vintage for the cuvee, the 2012 Syrah Rock Garden has fabulous aromas and flavors of plum, pepper, earth, spiced meats and underbrush that flow seamlessly to a full-bodied, layered and decadently textured Syrah that has polished tannin, no hard edges and a great finish. Given the amount of fruit and texture, it should be approachable on release, yet evolve gracefully for 10 to 15 years.” WA
Reynvaan Foothills in the Sun Reserve Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($99.95) $89 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “Certainly one of the wines of the vintage, the 2012 Foothills Reserve offers additional pepper, earthy minerality, olive tapenade and cured meats in its masculine, full-bodied and layered personality. Blossoming in the glass, it’s unfortunate that there’s a scant 200 cases of this beauty to go around. Nevertheless, it has awesome purity, excellent mid-palate depth and beautiful focus and precision on the finish. Give it 1 to 2 years in the cellar and drink bottles through 2027.” WA
Reynvaan In The Hills Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($99.95) $89 special
Wine Advocate 95+ points “Starting first with the wines already in bottle, the new 2012 Syrah In The Hills is another northern Rhone styled effort that’s co-fermented with 10% Viognier and 15-30% whole cluster. Coming from the Foothills in the Sun vineyard located around the estate, it gives up a fantastic, Cote-Rotie like bouquet of bacon fat, violets, pepper and olives to go with a core of sweet black raspberry styled fruit. Medium to full-bodied, layered, seamless and beautifully concentrated, with fine tannin, it’s a knockout effort to enjoy over the coming 12 to 15 years.” WA
Reynvaan In The Rocks Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($99.95) $89 special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “Including just a smidge (2%) of Viognier in 2012, the 2012 In The Rocks gives up lovely aromas and flavors of violets, wild flowers, smoke and assorted purple-styled fruits to go with a chewy, rich and beautifully textured profile on the palate. Staying remarkably fresh and elegant, it should be enjoyable on release and shine over the following decade or so.” WA
Reynvaan The Contender Syrah – Marsanne, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($119.95) $99 special
Wine Advocate 96-98 points “The 2012 Contender is just another incredible effort from this estate. A big, full-bodied, layered, decadent and exotic Syrah, it gives up loads of blackberry, plum, earth, cracked pepper and assorted bacon/meaty qualities that continue to change and evolve in the glass. Incorporating 3% Marsanne, it has the texture and balance to shine on release, yet will have no problems over the following decade either.” WA
Reynvaan The Unnamed Syrah, Walla Walla Valley 2012 ($99.95) $89 special
Wine Advocate 95-97 points “From the Rocks Region of Walla Wall, all of which were still in barrel at the time of this tasting, the 2012 Syrah Unnamed checks in as a blend of 90% Syrah and 10% Grenache Blanc that sees roughly 25% new French oak. Giving up rocking red and black fruits, black pepper, ground herbs and smoked meats, it’s a rich, full-bodied, fabulously textured effort to drink over the coming 10 to 12 years.” WA
Sineann Winery Old Vine Zinfandel, Columbia Valley 2013 ($39.95) $33 special
California White Wines
Provenance Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford 2011 ($21.95) $18 special
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Aveta Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley 2013 ($27.95) $14 special
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Aurora Point Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley 2011 ($49.95) $29 special
Robert Parker 92 points “Another drop-dead gorgeous wine, the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Aurora Point is laced with sweet apricots, white flowers, ginger, passion fruit and crushed rocks. Soft, perfumed and beautifully layered, the 2011 impresses for its soft, enveloping personality. Pure class, thats all there is to it. The Aurora Point is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from high-altitude vineyards. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016.” RP
Scholium Project La Severita di Bruto Farina Vineyards, Sonoma County 2009 ($44.95) $29 special
“LSB is our most conventional wine, if one asks solely about means of production, technique. Most of the juice is whole cluster pressed; some is crushed to press, none is affected by maceration or skin fermentation. The fruit itself is Sauvignon Blanc, a kind of vanilla ice-cream among grape cultivars. The wine ferments in neutral oak barrels of standard size; sometimes up to half of it ferments and ages in stainless steel barrels; but that is hardly unconventional. SO2 is used liberally but not wildly to suppress malo-lactic fermentation and preserve freshness.The wine is bottled after a year, while it is still fresh, not oxidized at all nor affected by post-fermentation microbes.”
Terlato Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio, Russian River Valley 2011 ($21.95) $10.90 special
“Ripe and forward with Meyer lemon, lime, green apple and honeysuckle flavors. The finish is off dry and zesty in acidity. What an easy wine to drink with Asian, Ethiopian, Indian or Mexican fare, or by itself as a cocktail sipper.”–Wine Enthusiast
Edmunds St. John Heart Of Gold, El Dorado 2012 ($21.95) $18 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “(made from 52% vermentino and 48% grenache blanc): Pale gold. Musky, mineral- and spice-accented aromas of pear and nectarine, with a gingery nuance gaining strength with air. Taut and nervy on entry but fleshier in the mid-palate, offering juicy orchard fruit flavors and a hint of bitter herbs. Closes on a spicy note, with strong cut and an echo of candied ginger. This wine will be extremely flexible at the table.” ST
Lieu Dit Winery Chenin Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley 2013 ($29.95) $24 special
Lieu Dit Winery Melon, Santa Maria Valley 2013 ($24.95) $20.90 special
Tablas Creek Vineyards Esprit de Tablas – Esprit de Beaucastel Blanc, Paso Robles 2011 ($47.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Easily my favorite of the 2011 whites, and comprised of 64% Roussanne, 26% Grenache Blanc and 10% Picpoul Blanc, the 2011 Esprit Blanc de Tablas offers up a beautifully clear, detailed and balanced profile with plenty of white peach, orange rind, buttered toast, cream and hints of hazelnut all emerging from the glass. Medium-bodied, silky and polished on the palate, with excellent acidity and freshness, this beauty can be consumed now, or cellared for a decade. Drink now-2026.”
Scholium Project ‘MSL – Marcher Sur la Lune’ Bokisch Ranches Vineyard Reserve Verdelho, Borden Ranch 2009 ($29.95) $18 special
(Verdelho) Barrel and Skin contact. “They crushed the majority of the fruit to press and captured the juice in a wooden fermenter. They reserved about a fifth of the harvest and destemmed but did not press it. Whole berries; no stems, but all of the skin and seeds. When they had finished pressing, they shoveled in the destemmed fruit. As the fermentation progressed, the fruit would float to the surface, and they would perform a pumpover to make sure that it integrated with the juice, and the the developing wine extracted tannins from the skins and seeds. The result is a wine no less pleasurable but in fact more so: more so for its rigor, definition, and subtle power. You do not taste skins or seeds– this is purely a white wine, but you sense their place in the structure of the wine. 285 cases produced”
Au Contraire Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2013 ($21.95) $16 special
Failla Estate Vineyard Chardonnay, Fort Ross-Seaview 12 ($47.95) $39 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “One of the standouts in this range, the 2012 Chardonnay Estate Vineyard is endowed with striking minerality and energy to match the pure depth of the fruit. This is a distinctly broad, yet implosive Chardonnay typical of the coast that needs time for the flavors to fully flesh out. Failla’s Estate vineyard is planted with a combination of Hyde, Wente and Mount Eden clones.”
Failla Keefer Ranch Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2011 ($49.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Lemon oil, grapefruit and crushed rocks all take shape as the 2011 Chardonnay Keefer Ranch shows off its focused, vibrant personality. This is one of the more pointed, intensely saline Chardonnays in the lineup. Transparent, vivid and totally alive in the glass, the 2011 impresses for its balance and crystalline purity. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2020.” WA
Flowers Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast 2013 ($39.95) $33 special
Lewis Cellars Chardonnay, Napa Valley 2013 ($59.95) $49 special
Winery Notes: “The bountiful yields of 2013 had tons of character too, as seen in our superb Napa Valley Chardonnay. Creamy pear, lime and caramel apple fruit basks in brioche, clove and sweet mineral spices. Loads of tree-ripened fruit form a dense, silky core rooted in natural acidity that gives the wine balance and sound structure. Flecks of gun metal, flint and whetstone add complexity to the long leesy finish. 2,200 cases produced.”
Poe Ferrington Vineyard Chardonnay, Anderson Valley 2012 ($47.95) $39 special
Winemaker Notes “The Chardonnay this year stands out for its purity and focus. The nose of white flowers, lemon oil, crushed rocks, and honey is enticing. This wine has beautiful bright acidity and envelopes the palate with flavors of peach, apricot skin, pear, quince and citrus. High-toned floral and stone fruit notes add lift on the linear, lengthy finish.”
Sanford Winery Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County 2011 ($31.95) $14 special
Winery Notes “Our 2011 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from our two estate vineyards in the heart of this cool climate appellation. The 2011 vintage was marked by low yields due to spring frost. This resulted in intense flavors with bright acid. By gently whole cluster pressing and barrel fermentation in French oak, this Chardonnay has lovely texture to balance the vibrant palate. Our 2011 estate Chardonnay offers intriguing aromas of lemon peel, apricot and toasted hazelnut. In addition to the bright fruit, this wine has aromas of white flowers. On the palate the minerality and acidity give this wine great structure, which carries through its long finish. This full bodied wine has nice acidity to keep it in balance and makes a nice complement to most seafood, poultry and pasta with lighter sauces, and makes and excellent pairing with mushrooms (especially chanterelles and morels).”
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Upper Barn Chardonnay, Alexander Valley 2011 ($79.95) $59 special
Stephen Tanzer 95 points “(from a Hyde Wente clone): Full bright yellow. Ripe, deep aromas of lemon peel, tangerine, beeswax, crushed rock and dusty herbs, with hints of honey and tropical fruits. Large-scaled, rich and tactile, with nearly viscous flavors of lemon, white peach and butterscotch. Really compelling, ripe, vibrant fruit here, and wonderfully broad and dry. Very complex and sexy wine, a brilliant rendition of this outstanding chardonnay vineyard.” ST
Varner Wine Bee Block Spring Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
California Red Wines
The Prisoner Wine Co. ‘The Prisoner’, Napa Valley 2013 ($44.95) $39 special
Sbragia Family Vineyards La Promessa Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2010 ($34.95) $27 special
Robert Parker 93 points “The 2010 Zinfandel La Promessa demonstrates what can be accomplished with better raw material. This killer Zinfandel boasts loads of ripe briery and berry fruit intermixed with pepper and spicy notes, more black fruits on the palate, full body, and a rich, opulent personality. It tips the scales at a whopping 15.9% alcohol, and should drink well for 3-5 years.”
Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley 2004 ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Syrah has done well in this climate, and the 2004 Syrah Eisele Vineyard is a more elegant, lighter-styled wine than I thought from tasting it last year. It is still well-delineated with a dark ruby/purple color, floral and blackberry notes, a subtle peppery touch and a hint of meat. The wine is pretty and does include a small percentage of Viognier in the blend (usually around 3-4%). Unfortunately, the production of this wine is only around 300-400 cases.” RP
Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley 2010 ($249.95) $189 special
Robert Parker 96 points “Another standout, the 2010 Syrah Eisele Vineyard is drop-dead gorgeous. A bevy of black olives and plums burst from the glass in an explosive wine loaded with varietal nuance and sheer power. The cooler vintage brought out the best. This is a marvelous, totally compelling wine endowed with massive concentration and depth. The addition of 3% Viognier and a small amount of stems add complexity. Black fruit, tobacco, savory herbs, licorice and menthol are layered into the brooding finish.” RP
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2006 ($179.95) $149 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Not to be forgotten are the 400+ cases of Colgin’s Estate IX Syrah. The French-styled 2006 IX Syrah Estate offers an exotic nose of roasted meats, bouquet garni, and flowers, silky tannins, and full-bodied blackberry and cherry fruit. Drink it over the next 5-7 years.” RP
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2008 ($199.95) $149 special
Robert Parker & Wine Spectator 94 points “Interesting French-like Syrahs are also made from the estate’s steep hillside vineyards. The 2008 IX Syrah Estate is performing even better than it did last year from barrel. Juicy bacon fat, roasted meat, grilled herb and smoky notes are classic northern Rhone Syrah characteristics. A floral component suggests some Viognier could be co-fermented, but this is 100% Syrah. The wood is well-concealed in this full-bodied, delicious wine. It is capable of a decade or more of cellaring”RP
Colgin Cellars IX Estate Syrah, Napa Valley 2009 ($249.95) $199 special
Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2009 Syrah IX Estate has developed beautifully over the last year. A blast of heady aromas and flavors burst from the glass in a wine endowed with serious depth. The 2009 stands out for its dazzling inner perfume and balance. Sweet spices, licorice and tobacco all add complexity, while firm mountain tannins frame the saline, focused finish. Although gorgeous today, the 2009 should continue to provide immense pleasure for at least another decade. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021.”WA
Failla Hudson Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley 2010 ($59.95) $51.90 special
Antonio Galloni 95 points “Black olives, savory herbs, asphalt, bittersweet chocolate, cloves and menthol all flesh out in Failla’s 2010 Syrah Hudson Vineyard. A dark, rich wine, the 2010 saturates the palate with endless waves of flavor. There is so much going on in the glass, it’s hard to know where to start. A deep, layered finish rounds out this explosive, rich Syrah beautifully. Jordan used 100% whole clusters here, but they are totally integrated with the wine.” AG
Ramey Wine Cellars Syrah, Sonoma Coast 2011 ($41.95) $36 special
Antonio Galloni 94+ points “Ramey’s 2011 Syrah is flat-out gorgeous. In this vintage, the Syrah includes the Rodgers Creek fruit, so it is more varietal than is typically the case. Savory herbs, dried flowers, black cherries and black pepper are some of the many notes that flow through to the finish. Quite simply, the 2011 is an extraordinary wine in its price range.” AG
Byron Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2012 ($19.95) $11.90 special
Evening Land Silver Label ‘Occidental Coast’ Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2009 ($119.95) $89 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2009 Pinot Noir Occidental is gorgeous. Sweet, silky tannins frame an expressive core of fruit in this refined, subtle wine. The finish is refined and haunting. Shatter was a big issue here in 2009 and lowered yields significantly, but the positive side of that is that the wine has more than enough stuffing to handle its 100% new French oak with grace. This is a striking wine from Evening Land. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.”WA
Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2012 ($49.95) $28 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “This beautiful Pinot Noir is a blend of various vineyards throughout the appellation. It shows classic coastal acidity, dryness and silkiness, with appealing raspberry, red licorice, cola and pomegranate flavors, wrapped into finely ground tannins. Decant and drink now.” WE
Joseph Phelps Vineyards Freestone Vineyards Fogdog Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2010 ($29.95) $26 special
Winemaker notes: “The 2010 Fogdog Pinot Noir fills the senses with ripe raspberry, red cherry and plum aromas with touches of fragrant violet, earth and tangerine peel. Youthful, with great energy and racy acidity, this wine is loaded with juicy blackberry, black cherry and black pepper with lingering notes of baking spices.”
Kalin Cellars Cuvee DD Sonoma Pinot Noir, Alexander Valley 1999 ($44.95) $39 special
Landmark Vineyards Grand Detour Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2009 375ML ($24.95) $16 special
Wine Advocate 89 points “The medium dark ruby-colored 2009 Pinot Noir Grand Detour is an intensely fragrant, super spicy effort offering notes of incense, spice box, herbs and Chinese black tea. The distinctive, super-sized aromatics give way to a classic palate revealing flavors of black cherry and berry fruit, silky tannins, decent acidity and a spicy, soft, round finish. Enjoy it over the next 2-3 years. Given the overwhelming aromatics, this could be a controversial wine, but its classic flavors should prevail with most Pinot lovers.” WA
Landmark Vineyards Grand Detour Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2010 ($49.95) $29 special
James Suckling 93 points, Wine Spectator 91 points “Notably earthy in a pleasant way, this Pinot is firm, loamy and slow to build, with its dark berry core of flavors. Once there, the flavors are intense and persistent, compelling yet begging for a cellar slumber. Best from 2013 through 2021.” WS
Poe Hudson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Carneros 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winemaker Notes “The Hudson Pinot Noir is by far our most feminine. The nose gives off aromas of roses and violets, sweet red berries and spice. There is a rush of raspberries, cherries, and a silky lingering texture. The beautiful acidity and luscious mouth feel linger with soft, cashmere-like tannins.”
Poe Manchester Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino 2012 ($49.95) $41.90 special
Winemaker Note “The Manchester Ridge is earthy and wild. There is an explosive array of aromatics including pine sap, earth, fresh herbs, flowers, pie spice and berries. On the palate is dark red cherry, rhubarb, plum, spice, with a freshness and structured acidity. The finish is long and generous. The 15% whole cluster gives the wine incredible complexity and hits of fresh herbs that should be picked for the kitchen. Smelling this wine immediately takes me to the vineyard, high in a forest on the Mendocino Ridge.”
Sandhi Rinconada Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 94 points “From a vineyard just beside Sanford & Benedict, but further up the slope and with less top soil, the 2012 Pinot Noir Rinconada is thrilling stuff. Loaded with minerality, spice, earth and darker berry fruits, there’s a slight rusticity here, but I love the underlying structure and depth. Showing more floral notes with air, give it another year and it will dish out loads of pleasure through 2020.” WA
Antoni Galloni 94 points “The 2012 Pinot Noir Rinconada is deep, layered and vibrant to the core. Dark red cherry, smoke, game, blood orange and sage meld together in a structured, intense Pinot that needs at least another year or two in barrel for the tannins to soften. This is an impressive showing.” AG
Sandhi Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills 2012 ($69.95) $59 special
Wine Advocate 93+ points “Showing a streamlined, focused and straight feel, the 2012 Pinot Noir Sanford and & Benedict knocks it out of the park with its nose of underbrush, rose petal, red berry and cranberry-slanted aromatics. Still tight on the palate, it has a serious core of fruit and will benefit from another year in bottle and drink nicely through 2020.” WA
Atalon Pauline’s Cuvee, Napa Valley 2010 ($29.95) $21.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “This Merlot-based blend is a huge success. It’s a big, tannic, tight wine, packed to bursting with black cherry liqueur, cola and spice flavors. Yet it maintains an exciting balance, with the tension between acids, tannins and oak in equilibrium. Seems like it wants 5-6 years in the cellar to let it throw some tannins and mellow.” WE
AHA Wines Bebame Red, El Dorado County 2012 ($19.95) $16 special
Continuum Proprietary Red, Oakville 2011 375ML ($119.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni 95+ points “The 2011 Continuum is a dark, brooding beauty. The heavy presence of Petit Verdot, 11% in this vintage, is clearly felt in the wine’s somber, intense personality. The 2011 is going to require significant patience. It boasts superb density and pedigree, but it was also bottled just a few months ago, and is a bit unsettled at this stage. The 2011 was made from virtually all estate fruit, with a splash of Petit Verdot from Mount Veeder.” AG
Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly Witters Vineyard Gamay Noir, El Dorado County 2013 ($21.95) $18 special
Edmunds St. John Rocks & Gravel, California 2012 ($31.95) $26 special
Stephen Tanzer 91 points “(55% grenache, 27% syrah and 18% mourvedre): Vivid ruby-red. A pungent bouquet features candied red fruits, Asian spices and potpourri, with a smoky mineral overtone. Sappy, incisive and densely packed blackberry and bitter cherry flavors gain sweetness with air and pick up notes of licorice and cola. Finishes stony and long, with slow-building tannins and lingering sweetness. Definitely let this one rest for a bit.” ST
Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear Reserve, Napa Valley 2010 1.5L ($399.95) $149 special
Kapcsandy Family Winery Endre, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($279.95) $159 special
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2009 Endre is a major step up in quality from the 2008 I tasted alongside it. The wine reveals lovely fleshiness and depth in its dark fruit, tobacco and spices. I especially like the way the Endre fleshes out on the finish. The 2009 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Syrah. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017.” WA
Kapcsandy Family Winery Rapszodia, Yountville 2010 ($499.95) $399 special
Robert Parker 96+ points “The 2010 Rapszodia Proprietary Blend is a new wine composed of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Like many proprietors, Lou Kapcsandy is increasingly convinced of the potential of Cabernet Franc. Sumptuous, elegant and beautifully proportioned, the 2010 caresses the palate from start to finish. Mocha, chocolate, cloves and new leather are all woven together in a seamless fabric of remarkable elegance. Obviously still a baby, the 2010 will require patience, but it is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. This is a superb first effort. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030.”
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Roberta’s Reserve, Napa Valley 2008 ($599.95) $499 special
Robert Parker 99 points “The 2008 Robertas Reserve State Lane Vineyard is virtually perfect. This offering is just as strong as the 2007, but slightly more forward and irresistible than the backward 2007. It boasts a dense inky/purple color as well as an extraordinary nose of blackberry liqueur intermixed with cocoa, forest floor, graphite and subtle hints of smoke as well as camphor. The wine reveals fresh acids, laser-like precision and an extraordinary plump, fleshy mouthfeel. Already approachable, it should evolve for 20-25 years.” RP
Lieu Dit Winery Cabernet Franc, Santa Ynez Valley 2013 ($31.95) $28 special
Rutherford Hill Barrel Select, Napa Valley 2010 ($37.95) $16 special
CASE-12 Rutherford Hill Barrel Select, Napa Valley 2010 ($349.95) $166 special
“Blended from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this is a good, full-bodied red wine. It’s dry and tannic, with blackberry, blueberry, tobacco, sweet red currant and oak flavors that finish sweet and spicy.”–Wine Enthusiast
Signorello Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010 ($99.95) $71.90 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “Signorello’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc) exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as sweet notes of cedar, black currants and spice box, medium to full body, and good acidity and purity. Accessible now, it is capable of evolving for 15+ years.” WA
Tablas Creek Vineyards Esprit de Tablas – Esprit de Beaucastel, Paso Robles 2011 ($59.95) $39 special
Wine Advocate 93 points “A blend of 40% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Counoise, the 2011 Esprit de Tablas has a core of sweet black raspberry and cassis that is cut by more savory, meaty nuances, pepper and spice. Medium to full-bodied, rich and beautifully textured, with ripe tannin, it’s a more streamlined, fresh version of the cuvee that relies more on elegance and complexity than sheer depth and richness. It will have 10-12 years of longevity.”
Treana Red, Paso Robles 2009 ($39.95) $21.90 special
Stephen Tanzer 90 points “(70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% syrah): Inky purple. Deep aromas of dark cherry, tar, licorice and woodsmoke. Supple and expansive, with a distinct fleshiness to its ripe cherry, smoky plum and mocha flavors. Finishes dense, broad and long, with very smooth tannins and lingering sweetness.” ST
Araujo Estate Altagracia Red, Napa Valley 2011 ($149.95) $119 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Altagracia is round, sexy, supple and beautiful, especially within the context of the year. Sweet red berries, mint, tobacco, savory herbs and anise meld together in a distinctive wine long on personality. With time in the glass the wine fleshes out nicely, as the flavors become darker, richer and layered. Altagracia is a blend of mostly Eisele fruit, plus a bit of Vine Hill Ranch, a well-draining site in Oakville that is among Napa Valley’s very best. The blend is 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Malbec.” WA
Araujo Estate Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010 ($449.95) $369 special
Robert Parker 98 points “Araujo’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is a picture perfect example of the year. Vibrant, precise and beautifully chiseled, the 2010 boasts serious depth and concentration. The aromas and flavors are incredibly vivid in this textured, dazzling Cabernet Sauvignon. Hints of dark blue and black fruit, mocha, espresso and grilled herbs flesh out on the huge finish. Today the 2010 is unusually open, but it is almost certain to shut down in bottle over the next 6-12 months. The 2010 is a super-classic Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon from Araujo. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035” RP
Au Sommet Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 ($299.95) $129 special
Robert Parker 93 points “The 2009 Au Sommet is a bit lighter on its feet than the 2008. Sweet, silky tannins frame the fruit. Unlike the 2008, the 2009 is not particularly wild or exotic. Instead, it is a wine that stands out for its textural finesse and understated personality. This mid-weight, gracious Cabernet Sauvignon should be cellared for another year or two and enjoyed over the following decade. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024”
Bryant Family Vineyard Proprietor Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2002 ($399.95) $349 special
Robert Parker 93 points “The 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon was made during a transitional period for Bryant when the winery was being constructed and a dramatic change in the winemaking was taking place, from Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer, who had made all the vintages until 2002, to Philippe Melka and Mark Aubert, and of course today, a new team. One of the finest vineyards of Napa Valley, Bryant is situated high in the Lake Hennessey region. While the 2002 is not one of their all-time great wines, it is performing beautifully, revealing plenty of classic notes of blueberry liqueur intermixed with acacia flower, incense, camphor and graphite notes. Full-bodied, opulent and generous, with low acidity, it can be drunk now and over the next 15+ years.” RP
Bryant Family Vineyard Proprietor Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2004 ($449.95) $399 special
Robert Parker 98 points “It is well-known that many of the vineyards and terroirs on Pritchard Hill can be magical, and this is unquestionably one of them. Bryant’s 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a dense ruby/purple color along with exceptional aromatics consisting of stunningly pure blackberry, black raspberry and floral scents, full body and an opulent personality. Although this estate went through a few hiccups during its change in winemakers in 2001, the 2004 clearly shows this estate has come back with a vengeance. This stunning 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the superstars of the vintage. Drink it over the next two decades.” RP
Bryant Family Vineyard Proprietor Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2005 ($349.95) $299 special
Wine Spectator 94 points “Elegant and stylish, with ripe, vivid black cherry, currant, wild berry and black olive flavors that gain depth and vibrancy, picking up body and complexity and ending with a long, lingering finish that keeps repeating the fruit and cedary oak themes. Best from 2011 through 2017.” WS
Beaulieu Vineyard BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010 ($119.95) $79 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points (Wine Advocate): “[$125 list] The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, licorice and graphite all burst from the glass as the 2010 shows off its personality. While some of Beaulieu’s 2010s are ripe and flashy, the Georges de Latour is wonderfully fresh and alive in the glass, not to mention absolutely classic in feel. Graphite, violets and pencil shavings linger on the close. The 2010 has captured every bit of the potential I sensed last year. Drink: 2016-2030. (Nov 2013)”
Robert Parker 93 points: “[$125 list] The strongest vintage since the 2007 is the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve Georges de Latour. This beautifully ripe wine boasts a dense ruby/purple color along with abundant notes of cassis, kirsch, cedarwood, foresty and background vanilla notes, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and moderately high tannins. Given the richer fruit concentration, the tannins are easily balanced and do not interfere with currant drinkability or the potential for the wine to be cellared for two decades or more. (Oct 2013)”
Wine Spectator 93 points: “[$125 list] Delightfully pure and flavorful, with generous plum, blueberry and blackberry notes, framed by solid yet friendly tannins. Most impressive on the finish, where the flavors sail on. Best from 2014 through 2025. (11/15/13)”
Caymus Vineyards 40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($79.95) $69 special
Robert Parker 96 points “They appear to be immune to some of winedom’s less than intelligent trends and fads that we see from time to time, and the result is a spectacular 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon 40th Anniversary offering. Its dense purple/black color is followed by copious quantities of crème de cassis and blackberry fruit, silky tannins, a voluptuous texture and stunning purity as well as length. This full-bodied effort is a fabulous example of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as well as a tribute to this amazing family. It is so good now, why wait? However, I’m sure that like most vintages of Caymus, it will last for 20-25 years. Amazing!” RP
Colgin Cellars Tychson Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010 ($499.95) $449 special
Robert Parker 96 points “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill is virtually all Cabernet Sauvignon except for tiny dollops of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It offers up gorgeous aromas of lavender, creme de cassis, violets, toast, incense and camphor. Layered, full-bodied and rich with great purity, focus and symmetry, this stunning effort from one of the tenderloin corridors of Napa Valley can be drunk early on or cellared for another 25-30 years.” RP
Corison Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010 ($89.95) $79 special
Decanter 95 points: “Seamless integration, with bright, juicy red and black fruit, ripe tannins, refreshing acidity and moderate alcohol. Layered and complex, unfolding with each sip. Drink 2013-2023. (California 2013 Issue)”
95 points Wine & Spirits: “For over 20 years, Cathy Corison has sourced her Napa cabernet from the same three vineyards, gravelly sites on the western benchland between Rutherford and St. Helena. This offers that area’s distinctly plush and gentle tannins in a Napa Valley cabernet of the old school. It feels formal and reserved, contrasting fresh herbal notes of pipe tobacco and cedar with classic cabernet flavors of red and black currants. Impeccably balanced, this has a scent that’s as compelling as any premier cru Pauillac, with the sunny profile of the Mayacamas benchlands. In other words, it smells pretty great, especially after it’s been open for a day. Built for the cellar, this will provide delicious drinking with roast lamb over the next ten years. 1,800 cases. (Dec 2013)”
Antonio Galloni 93+ points (Vinous): “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is drop-dead gorgeous. An intense, reticent wine, the 2010 is endowed with serious density, depth and structure. This is one of the most powerful, tightly coiled wines of the year. It will require considerable time in bottle but all the elements are in the right place. Plums, iron, cloves, violets, licorice and smoke all flesh out on the firm, structured finish. This is a fabulous wine with a great future, a superb effort from Cathy Corison. Drink: 2015-2025. (Nov 2013)”
Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($249.95) $179 special
Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 ($219.95) $189 special
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Dark raspberries, plums, smoke, mocha, licorice, tar and lavender notes burst from the glass in Diamond Creek’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace. Pliant, juicy and expressive, the 2010 covers every corner of the palate with gorgeous depth and pure richness. Layers of fruit built to a deeply resonant, generous finish marked with expressive, perfumed aromatics. Right now, the Red Rock Terrace is showing a little more French oak influence in its flavors and textures, but all the elements are beautifully balanced.”
Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($249.95) $189 special
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2011 ($219.95) $199 special
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Cool veins of graphite, pencil shavings, crushed rocks, plums, new leather, lavender and violets burst from the glass in the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Volcanic Hill. Powerful, rich and intense, the 2010 impresses for its balance, symmetry and class. The classic Volcanic Hill tannins are there, but they are beautifully balanced by the intensity of the fruit. Veins of intense savory notes, minerals and cedar add complexity on the layered, kaleidoscopic finish.”
Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($249.95) $189 special
Dominus Estate Christian Moueix, Napa Valley 2011 ($179.95) $149 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Savory herbs, menthol, smoke and licorice are some of the aromas that open up in the glass in the 2011 Dominus. This is a relatively immediate, expressive Dominus with plenty of near-term appeal. The style is open and succulent for the year, with lovely balance and poise. Crushed rose petals and dried herbs linger in the close. With time in the glass, the 2011 fleshes out nicely. In 2011 Dominus is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc… As always, I tasted two bottles of each wine; the first was double decanted about 18 hours in advance, the other opened shortly before the tasting. I consistently preferred the double decanted bottles, and suggest readers follow the same approach when drinking these wines young.” AG
Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2006 1.5L ($249.95) $219 special
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is big, dark and juicy. There is an element of wildness that runs through the wine. Graphite, licorice, tar and smoke are just some of the nuances that add complexity. The 2006 boasts superb purity from start to finish. Elements of fleshiness give the impression the 2006 might drink well relatively early, until the massive tannins set in. Floral notes add freshness on the finish. This is another fabulous wine from Randy Dunn. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036.” WA
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2004 ($89.95) $59 special
Stephen Tanzer 92 points “Good bright ruby-red. Aromas of blackberry, blueberry, licorice and aromatic spices. Richer and seemingly riper than the young 2005, but with lovely definition to the flavors of redcurrant and sour cherry. This features a lusher, softer, sweeter middle followed by chewier and more obvious tannins that showed a firmer edge with aeration.” ST
Forman Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2008 ($89.95) $59 special
Wine Spectator 93 points “Tightly wound, firm, dense and concentrated, with a core of dark berry, plum, roasted herb, game meat, graphite, road tar and lead pencil, ending with chewy tannins. Should reward cellaring. Best from 2012 through 2022.”WS
Forman Chateau La Grande Roche Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2005 ($49.95) $33 special
Frog’s Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Hall Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($59.95) $49 special
Antonio Galloni 88-90 points “Hall’s 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is laced with attractive plum, mocha, licorice, spices and menthol notes. This juicy, highly expressive Cabernet Sauvignon is shaping up beautifully. It should drink well pretty much upon release.” AG
Harlan Estate, Napa Valley 2004 1.5L ($1,499.95) $1,199 special
Robert Parker 98 points “Very deep garnet-black colour with a purple rim. Though still very youthful and muted, this vintage is already subtly revealing a wide array of aromas including blackberry tart, cedar, violets, truffles, liquorice and all spice. In the mouth however this is no shrinking violet–the ’04 is a big, concentrated and highly structured wine with somewhat impenetrable, tightly grained tannins and medium to high acid supporting its rich weight. Very, very long finish displaying hints of savoury earthiness and that signature minerality that appears to surface in better years. Drink 2009-2030.” RP
Kamen Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2010 ($89.95) $75 special
Antoni Galloni 93+ points “I am totally enthralled by Kamen’s 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, without question the most elegant wine I have tasted from this site on the hills outside Napa. Veins of chiseled, precise fruit come alive in the glass. Hints of dark red and black fruits lead to all sorts of flowers in a Cabernet Sauvignon that impresses for its total sense of elegance and polish. There is a lot to look forward to here. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.” AG
Kapcsandy Family Winery State Lane Vineyard Grand-Vin Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($899.95) $599 special
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most beguiling bouquet imaginable. Freshly cut flowers, mint, cinnamon and licorice all make an appearance as this vivid, beautifully delineated wine opens up in the glass. A model of total finesse and elegance, the 2009 wraps around the palate with what feels like endless layers of aromas and flavors. This totally seamless, polished Cabernet Sauvignon is virtually impossible to resist today, but it will be even better in another few years. The 2009 is 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2039. Kapcsandy’s 2009s have developed beautifully over the last year.” WA
Merryvale Profile, Napa Valley 2008 375ML ($99.95) $69 special
Robert Parker 96 points “The flagship red wine, the 2008 Profile, is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Dusty, loamy soil aromas intermixed with graphite, blueberry, blackberry, charcoal and camphor jump from the glass of this complex, inky/purple-colored offering. Full-bodied and backward with undeniable potential, this young red classic Napa blend of Bordeaux grapes should hit its stride in 4-5 years and last for three decades. A compelling wine, it is further evidence of the remarkable progress Merryvale has made over the last decade.” RP
Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2009 1.5L ($799.95) $579 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2009 Opus One is impeccable. It brings together the silkiness of the 2007 with the power and darkness of the 2008, a combination that is hugely appealing, to say the least. With a little air, the 2009 can be enjoyed young, but it is best cellared for at least a few years, which will allow some of the baby fat to drop off. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 1% Malbec.” AG
Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley 2011 375ML ($149.95) $119 special
Antonio Galloni 92+ points (Vinous): “The 2011 Opus One may turn out to be one of the surprises of the year. A brilliant, precise wine, the 2011 impresses for its energy. Sweet floral and spiced notes lead to expressive dark red berries, mocha, anise and new leather in a brilliant Opus One. Readers will note the lower than normal presence of Cabernet Sauvignon in the 2011, which is typical for a year in which blenders play an important role. The blend is 71% Cabernet, 11% Merlot, 9% Petit Verdot/8% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. Drink: 2016-2031. (Nov 2013)” AG
James Suckling 92 points “This is very aromatic and pretty with plum, cherry and currant aromas, plus hints of chocolate. It’s full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a clean, fresh finish. This is a subtly fruity, juicy red with a pretty texture. Drink or hold. For early drinking. 71% cabernet sauvignon, 11% merlot, 9% petit verdot, 8% cabernet franc and 1% malbec. (5/15/14)” JS
Scott Palazzo Cabernet Franc, Carneros 2008 ($79.95) $44 special
Robert Parker 92 points “The 2008 Cabernet Franc, a wine Palazzo seems to have a Midas’ touch with, has a deep bluish/ruby/purple color. Notes of cedar wood, spice box, bay leaf, black currant and black cherry fruit jump from the glass of this medium to full-bodied, elegant, ethereal wine. It displays good ripeness and moderately sweet tannin. It should be better in 2-3 years and evolve for 12-15+.” RP
Provenance Vineyards Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2011 ($49.95) $39 special
Ramey Wine Cellars Claret, Napa Valley 2012 ($41.95) $36 special
Robert Parker 90-92 points “The 2012 Claret appears to be another outstanding example of value-priced Cabernet Sauvignon. A 6,000-case blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and the rest Malbec, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, consumers will love this beauty because of its forward, classic Cabernet style. It should drink well for 5-8 years.”
Ramey Wine Cellars Pedregal Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2010 ($219.95) $199 special
Robert Parker 98 points “As usual, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard is a fabulous effort. The debut vintage of this cuvee was 2004, which is still quite young (I recently rated it 95). From the Oakville appellation, it is aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels, but sadly, only about 260 cases are made. The 2010 boasts beautiful notes of fruitcake, espresso roast, chocolate and black currants in its complex, full-bodied, concentrated, multi-dimensional personality. There is a huge up-side to this beauty as the tannins have not yet fully resolved. Give it another few years of bottle age and drink it over the following two decades or more.” RP
Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2009 ($79.95) $59 special
Robert Parker 92+ points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown bursts from the glass with dark cherry jam, blackberries, exotic spices, flowers, grilled herbs and graphite. It boasts gorgeous depth and a rich, sumptuous personality. Higher-toned floral notes add lift and brightness on the finish. The style is decidedly on the opulent side, yet all of the elements are nicely balanced. The 2009 is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 23 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.” RP
Rodney Strong Single Vineyard Alexander’s Crown Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 ($79.95) $54.50 special
Wine Enthusiast 92 points “[$75 list] This Cabernet is immediately succulent, with smooth tannins, gorgeous layers of oak, and intricate flavors of blackberries, black cherries, plums and mocha. The alcohol is high, giving this 100% Cabernet some heat, but it should pair well with char-broiled steak. 1,644 cases produced. Alcohol 15.5%. (Mar 2014)”
Antonio Galloni 90 points (Wine Advocate) “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander’s Crown is pure wildness and gaminess. Savory herbs, licorice, menthol, tobacco and plums grace a powerful, structured frame in this expressive, individualistic Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas and flavors are quite vivid from start to finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2020.”
Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County 2011 ($41.95) $31.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 91 points “Lengthy and expansive, this wine offers cherry and herb on the nose, followed by a taste of chocolate and anise, with a jolt of spicy black pepper on the finish. Ready to drink now it’s also structured enough to age 2017-2019.” WE
Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage, Alexander Valley 2011 ($59.95) $36 special
Sbragia Family Vineyards Andolsen Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley 2010 ($39.95) $31.90 special
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Andolsen Vineyard is utterly impeccable from start to finish. Firm mountain tannins provide the backdrop as this expressive, powerful wine gradually reveals its personality. Iron, tobacco and licorice notes dominate, while the fruit takes a little longer to become evident. With time in the glass, the wine gets better and better, as sweet floral notes and an attractive upper register opens up. Still, this remains a fairly bold, muscular Cabernet Sauvignon that could use another handful of years in the cellar. The 2010 is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc from a parcel in Dry Creek owned by the Sbragias’ family doctor. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030.” AG
Schrader Cellars LPV Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($399.95) $299 special
Robert Parker 96-98 points “There are 600 cases of the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard LPV. The best example I have seen of Cabernet Sauvignon from this vineyard to date, it offers lots of flowery, blueberry and blackberry fruit interwoven with notions of lead pencil shavings, loamy soil, unsmoked cigar tobacco, incense and forest floor. This tremendously complex, intense, full-bodied 2012 flirts with perfection as many of Schrader’s amazing wines do. Bravo!” RP
Schrader Cellars RBS Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2012 ($449.95) $419 special
Robert Parker 96-100 points “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard RBS is one of the potential candidates for perfection. Half the crop was thinned out and the result is a wine with incredible aromas of lead pencil shavings, licorice, creme de cassis, blueberry liqueur, roasted coffee beans and vanilla. The good news is there are 625 cases of this sensational wine.” RP
Chateau Souverain North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2010 ($14.95) $11.90 special
Winemaker’s notes: “Deep ruby-purple in color, this Cabernet boasts bright and vivid aromas of roasted vanilla, mocha and baking spices which meet elegant layers of blackberry and ripe cherry flavors. The full mouth feel is extracted and rich and framed by thick mouth coating tannins. The fully balanced fruit, tannins and acidity, lead to a juicy and lengthy finish.”
Spottswoode Family Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena 2011 ($169.95) $149 special
James Suckling 95 points “A solid Spottswoode with mint, currants, berries and flowers. Sweet tobacco and rose petals. Full body with silky tannins and a long, long finish. Tangy, energetic and lively. A wine with form, tension and beauty. This is classic California. 89% cabernet sauvignon, 8% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot.” JS
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Spottswoode’s 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is beautiful, immediate and impeccable in its balance. The 2011 doesn’t have the layered, explosive personality of some of the iconic vintages, but it isn’t too far off that level. Spottswoode fans should drink the 2011 relatively early, while some of the more powerful, structured vintages age. I will not be surprised if the 2011 turns out to be one of the jewels of this vintage. The medium-bodied structure argues for early drinking, but there is more than enough energy and acidity to suggest the 2011 will age gracefully for a number of years. Incidentally, the 2011 is the first Spottswoode Cabernet under 14% in a decade. Once again, the winemaking team led by Aron Weinkauf has done a fabulous job. The 2011 is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petite Verdot.” AG
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Bear Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2009 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Monument is a beautiful wine. Dark cherries, mocha, plums, spices, mint, minerals and graphite are woven together in this effortless, totally captivating wine. The 2009 impresses for its nuance, clarity and precision. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021. The Cabernets are all 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Mountain Estate. Weerts gives the Cabernets 18 months in French oak barrels, 40-90% new”
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Bear Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 ($59.95) $49 special
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “At the age of three years, this Cabernet Sauvignon is still very tannic and closed. It has a solid core of black currants, with sweet oak and mineral complexities. The structure is exceptionally refined, and it’s crisp with acidity. A gorgeous wine to age for eight years, if not longer.” WE
Stonestreet Alexander Mountain Estate Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2010 ($37.95) $31.90 special
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “A lovely Cabernet, ripe and delicious, yet complex enough to hold your interest. It’s just beginning its journey in the bottle. Very dark in color, with hard tannins, it has an immense core of blackberries and cherries. Give it at least 6-8 years, but it could still be rocking in 2022.” WE
Stony Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2010 ($79.95) $59 special