Chamisol Vineyards, Estate Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, 2009
Raspberry, cranberry, maybe some red cherry, hints of spice, great density framed with subtle oak | 68
Tantara, Solomon Hills Vineyards, Santa Maria, 2007
Rasberry, cranberry, red cherry, hints of spice | 85
Capiaux, Widdoes Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, 2009
Charcoal, black raspberries, camphor, opulent, expansive and velvety….94pts RP | 92
Cameo, Pinot Noir, Carneros
Fun and playful, bright raspberry, cherry, soft with a strong character | 64
Etude, ‘Deep Camp’ Estate, Pinot Noir, Carneros 2008
Boysenberry, blueberry nose, asian spice box with slight cherries, supple and dense | 110
Kistler, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2009
Wild berries, pomegranate, graphite, and wild flowers, beautiful extraction, a real mouth pleaser….94pts RP | 165
Auteur, Shea Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2007
Fresh blackberry & lavender aromas, raspberry & cranberry, mineral notes, refined acidity….92pts WS | 105
Domain Rossignon-Trapet, Gevrey Chembertin, Burgundy, France 2005
Aromas of flowers and ripe cherry, mineral and earthy notes, delicate acidity, terroir reflection | 124
Emmolo, Merlot, Napa Valley 2008
Plum, toasted spice, dark cocoa, small notes of smoke rolled into a delightful, smooth finish | 62
Long Shadow Vinters, “Pedestal” Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington 2008
Black currant, dark cocoa, and smoke, mouth-coating lush tannins…by Michel Rolland…94pts RP | 105
Favia, “Cerro Sur” Cabernet Franc, Rancho Chimiles Vineyard, Napa Valley 2007
67% Cab Franc, 35% Cab Sauvignon, an elegant beauty, blueberry, crushed rock, wildflower….211 cases, 95pts RP | 215
Kobalt, “Window Pane,” Napa Valley 2009
From Mark Herrold, Petite Syrah, Cab, and a bit of Malbec and Petit Verdot makes this an amazing little blend | 82
Alpha Omega, “II,” Cabernet, Napa Valley 2009
Dark and juicy, this racy little number shows bold fruit, followed by sweet oak, and a touch of spice! Score! | 100
Blair Estates, 45% Cab, 28% Cab Franc, 27% Merlot, Napa Valley 2003
Spicy currant paired with fruit and earth, undertones of toffee and vanilla | 85
Arietta, “Quartet,” Napa Valley 2009
Cab, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Petite Verdot, show stunning aromatics, black fruit, licorice, and toasty oak | 110
Bridesmaid, Red Blend, Napa Valley 2007
Jammy currant, cherry, a sweet kiss of charcoal, wood spice and toast, forward vanilla finish….92pts RP | 90
Kamen, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2007
Beautifully pure black and blue fruits, pure and well delineated subtle French oak….94pts RP | 138
Peter Michael, Les Pavots, Knights Valley, Sonoma 2008
Coffee, chocolate fudge, black currants, opulent texture, and amazing purity…95pts RP/98pts WS | 275
Pine Ridge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2008
Black cherries, kirsch, subtle notes of cedar and dust, plush and inviting | 88
Rubicon Estate, “Cask” Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 2008
Rich ripe fruit, juicy red berry flavors, delicate earth tones, structure and balance….wonderful! 95pts WE | 98
Hunnicutt, Cabernet, Napa Valley 2007
100% Cab, 22 months French oak. Graphite, creme de cassis, blueberry, layered and lush…a gem | 105
Sbragia Family Vineyards, “Rancho Del Oso,” Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2007
Blackberry, black cherry, plum terrific texture and opulence, white chocolate, french oak. YUM. 94pts RP | 135
O’Shaughnessey, Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2007
Blue and black fruit, camphor, smoke and crushed rock, gorgeous, rich and opulent….95pts RP | 160
Revana Family Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, St Helena 2007 #4 WS Wines of the Year
Sweet French oak, tremendous layers of ripe currant, plum and asian spice….97pts WS | 215
Gargiulo Vineyards, Money Road Ranch, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville 2008
Tremendous effort, pure fruit, stunning French oak, velvet mouth feel….a masterpiece! | 185
Milbrandt Vineyards, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2007
Wild flowers, vanilla, dark chocolate, boysenberry and asian spice box, shows tremendous texture…92pts RP | 62
Leonetti, Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla 2008
Mocha, vanilla, cassis, ripe red and black fruits, dense, ripe tannins, long WA legend….98pts WE | 225
Hartford, Old Vine Zinfandel, Wood Road Vineyard, Russian River 2009
Boysenberry, black raspberry, cinnamon, sumptuous and velvety…191 cases produced, 95pts RP | 80
Tantara, Gary’s Vineyard, Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands 2006
Rich and brooding dark fruits, leather, smoke, bacon….only 220 cases produced | 85
DeLille Cellars “Doyenne,” “Grand Ciel Vineyard” Syrah, Red Mountain, WA 2006
A powerhouse, dense, opulent, wild berries, herbs, roast meats, impeccable balance….94pts RP | 155
Las Roccas, Old Vine Granacha, Spain 2008
Forrest fruit, spice, truffles give away to cinnamon, coffee with a lush balanced finish | 52
Vina Neyen de Apalta, Carmenere, Cabernet Blend, Colchagua, Chile 2006
Blackberry, mission fig, currant, rich, but restrained, notes of tobacco, olive, pure and powerful | 75
Chateau Mont Redon, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, France 2007
Earthy blend of red and dark fruit, notes of pepper, coffee and spice | 90
Ch. La Fleur, St. Emilion, France 2008
Roasted vanilla and tobacco on the edges, core of sweet plum, dark currant, lively tannins | 115
Michele Chiarlo, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, Italy 2007
Lovely density follows ripe fruit, black berries, sweet French oak and classic tar…beauty…91pts RP/WS | 105
Luce della Vite, “Lucente,” IGT Toscana, Italy
50% Merlot, 35% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced with ripe cherries and cassis, full and velvety….91pts WS | 65
Connect