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$44.95
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United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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List $55.00
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Producer notes: "[$55 list] Arns would like to introduce their 5th vintage of 100% Syrah grown at a 1400’ rocky elevation known as Pritchard Hill. The vines were planted by John Arns in the early 1990s. The clonal selection came from Joseph Phelps Vineyards. This vineyard has moderate size berries on its vertical shoot positioned trellis. Flavors are unlike its French counterpart because of the rocky terrain, elevation, warmer and longer summers without interruption of rains. Dominant flavors are blackberries, cassis, ham anise, violets, leather and olive oil. It is truly rich on the palate with long, lingering high notes of acid and refined, but powerful tannins. It cries out for food to accompany its savory and rich flavors. Barrel aged 3 years in French oak (80% new). 65 cases produced."
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$44.95
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IWC 91
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Saturated ruby. Deep red and dark berry aromas are complicated by allspice and potpourri, with a subtle hint of pungent herbs. Sweet, penetrating raspberry and cherry flavors are framed by silky tannins, picking up an exotic candied floral quality with air. Nicely balanced syrah with excellent finishing energy and resonating spiciness. (May/Jun 2010)"
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$44.95
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RP 90–92
IWC 91
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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90-92+ points Robert Parker: "Aged completely in demi-muids, the 2008 Syrah Halcon is a tannic, young, promising effort that may merit an even higher score next year if it puts on the weight and flesh that the 2007s did in barrel. At present, it reveals abundant blue and black fruits intertwined with hints of forest flora and spice. While not as powerful as the 2007s, it exhibits lots of minerality and structure. (Feb 2010)"
91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Glass-staining violet. Mineral- and spice-dominated bouquet of black raspberry, dried flowers and olive, with a vibrant peppery quality. Deeper black and blue fruits in the mouth, which also offers violet pastille and spicecake qualities. Closes down with air and finishes with very good grip and an echo of dark berry skin. This is a baby but offers excellent potential. (May/Jun 2010)"
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$34.95
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WA 93
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock,
1
available
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List $40.00
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93 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$40 list] The estate’s 2008 Cuvee Constantine is 67% Grenache, 27% Mourvedre and 6% Syrah. It is a beautiful, layered wine redolent of dried red fruit, flowers, mint and sweet herbs, all of which come together on a classy, mid-weight frame. The finish is long, understated and impeccable. Fifty-percent whole clusters on the Grenache add lift and aromatic complexity on the close. The Cuvee Constance spent 27 months in mid-sized barrels, 20% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. (Aug 2011)"
Producer notes: "44% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 25% Mourvèdre, 1% Viognier. As we blend Constantine each year we are searching for that magical combination where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. After 22 months in puncheons and 9 months in bottle, the wine is drinking beautifully. The wine is loaded with ripe red fruits including cherries, raspberries, and dried strawberries. Look for exotic aromas and flavors of licorice, lavender, menthol and sandalwood, which will build as the wine opens in the glass. Drink now or hold for up to a decade. 345 cases produced."
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$35.95
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United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock,
2
available
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List $40.00
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Producer notes: "[$40 list] The White Hawk vineyard is located in Los Alamos Valley in northern Santa Barbara County. It is planted on sandy soils between 900 and 1000 feet in elevation and receives a somewhat cool maritime influence. The vines are farmed sustainably and organically in most vintages. The grapes are from a selection of the old California Estrella clone, vine age approximately 10 years old. Aged for 18 months in 300 liter French oak barrels, bottled without filtration, 75 cases produced."
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$34.95
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United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "These Syrah grapes were grown in the Coombsville and Atlas Peak regions of south eastern Napa. After fermentation the wine was aged in French and American oak barrels for 17 months. The nose of the wine offers aromas of black cherry and blackberry along with underlying floral nuances. The texture is soft, yet the wine maintains wonderful structure. This is a versatile wine that will accompany a wide array of dishes."
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$34.95
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United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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*SPECIAL: Take 10% Off Listed Price!
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Producer notes: "The 2008 vintage is a very small production wine. It is wildly aromatic and is our most robust to date, pumping out berry syrup, violet & orange floral notes and a baked pie character of vanilla and caramel with the oak. Sweet notes of blueberry and wild berry syrups are followed by a very powerful mouthfeel. The lingering tannin and oak contribution enhance the thick, rich finish that we love to pair with wood fired dishes from our pizza oven as well as dark chocolate desserts. A great example of one of the boldest varieties grown in Napa Valley. Certified organically grown. Barrel aged 25 months in 70% new French oak puncheons. Alcohol 15.5%. 450 cases produced."
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$35.95
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CG 96
WS 94
RR 93
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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List $44.00
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96 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "[$44 list] In 2008, this perennially successful combination of vineyard and vintner comes through with flying colors again and, in this case, reminds of the pitfalls that await those who might judge a wine solely on its alcohol content. Its label may claim 15.3% abv., but there is no unwieldy excess here, and it is a rich and remarkably composed Syrah of keen focus and real sophistication. It is at once substantial and exceptionally well-balanced with incisively fruity flavors and layers of interest even at this early age, and its combination of polish and power takes it right to the head of the class. Do not be in hurry to drink it up soon as it promises to impress even more with age. (Mar 2013)"
94 points and 'Highly Recommended,' Wine Spectator: "Pure, ripe and complex dark fruit aromatics show spice and floral accents in this red, which is rich, yet graceful in texture, with fine-grained tannins. Offers blueberry, wild berry and boysenberry flavors that turn elegant on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 339 cases made. (12/31/12)"
93 points Rhone Report: "The richest and ripest of the '08 Syrahs, the 2008 Roll Ranch Vineyard, which was co-fermented with 2% Viognier, sports an inky purple color to go with knockout aromatics of sweet red plums, black currants, licorice, tar, and Christmas spice-like qualities. Medium to full-bodied, deep, layered, and rich, this beauty has a voluptuous, yet elegant texture, notable focus and freshness, and plenty of length. While there's enough tannin to warrant another year or two in the cellar, it is far from unapproachable, and no doubt a delicious drink now. It should continue to shine for over a decade. (Dec 2012)"
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$34.95
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IWC 92
RR 92
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock,
11
available
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List $45.00
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92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Glass-staining ruby. Vibrant aromas of cassis, cherry-cola, candied licorice and Asian spices. Juicy, supple and sweet, with intense cassis and red berry flavors complicated by notes of lavender, licorice, fresh herbs and black pepper. Very syrah in character. Bright acidity adds cut to the long, gently tannic, penetrating finish. (Nov/Dec 2012)"
92 points Rhone Report: "[$45 list] The largest scaled wine in the lineup, the 2008 Qupé Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside Estate is a ripe, fleshy effort that packs a solid dose of fruit in its structured, edgy frame. Smoky, meaty, and dense, with a lavender, plum and currant driven core, this beauty flows onto the palate with medium to full-bodied texture, solid concentration, good acidity, and ripe tannin. It needs another 2-3 years to come together, and will have over a decade of prime drinking after that. (Dec 2012)"
Producer notes: "This wine is 100% syrah from the Z Block at Bien Nacido. This is a 5 acre block that was custom planted for us in 1992 on a perfect southwest facing hillside slope. Hard to believe but this is our 14th vintage of this special flagship wine, and at it’s $45 suggested retail price, a steal for the quality it provides! The grapes were all de-stemmed because the grape to stem ratio was off, then put in to small open top fermenters. After about 5 days about 10% of the juice was drained off into new Francois Freres French oak barrels for saignée barrel fermentation. I’ve used this technique for this wine since the first vintage in 1994 and it has become part of the wines signature style. The balance of the wine was aged for about 20 months in French oak, with about half being new Francois Freres. 1064 six-packs were bottled in June 2012."
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$39.95
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IWC 92
CGV 91
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock,
2
available
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List $48.00
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92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$48 list] Vivid ruby. Smoky dark berry and cherry-cola aromas are complicated by notes of potpourri and allspice. Ripe and fleshy but energetic, offering sweet dark fruit flavors and notes of spicecake and licorice. The smoky quality returns on the finish, which is long, smooth and seductively seamless. You could drink this now but I'd age it for at least another five years. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
91 points California Grapvevine: "[$48 list] Medium to medium-dark ruby; attractive, intense, spicy, cedary, earthy, blueberry and blackberry compote aroma with a hint of dill; full body; rich, plummy, ripe blackberry fruit flavors with notes of tar and graphite; full tannin; rough and slightly tart on the finish; lingering aftertaste. Shows appealing, very ripe fruit. Very highly recommended. 15.3% alcohol; 416 cases; 100% Syrah; released October 2010. (Feb/Mar 2011)"
Producer notes: "Stolpman's 'Reserve' Syrah is micropicked from only the ridgelines, where the thin topsoil and harsh limestone yield less than 1 ton of fruit per acre. The result: mouth-filling intensity that will stay with you for the rest of the night! 416 cases produced."
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$32.95
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RR 93
IWC 91
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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93 points Rhone Report: "A spitting image of a top Saint Joseph, the 2008 Wind Gap Wines Syrah Sonoma Coast sports brilliant, classic aromas of smoked bacon, cracked pepper, and gamey black fruits on the nose. Violets and assorted floral notes show with air, and this has fantastic purity and focus. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a supple, fresh profile, brilliant detail, and a seamless, yet well-structured finish. Beautiful now, this should continue to shine for 8-10 years. (Dec 2011)"
91 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "(12.1% alcohol, with a pH of 3.65): Inky ruby. Seductive perfume of cherry pit, blueberry, olive and Asian spices, along with a strong mineral quality. Velvety and bright on entry, then energetic and sweet in the mid-palate, with impressive energy to its black and blue fruit compote flavors. Very pure on the bright, extremely long finish, which features lingering floral and mineral nuances. These grapes were harvested on November 5th, 6th and 7th. (May/Jun 2011)"
'Top 100 Wines of 2011,' San Francisco Chronicle: "Pax Mahle made his name on Syrah, and for all his success with more unusual options (Trousseau Gris, Blaufrankisch) under his Wind Gap label, his Syrah remains stellar. From a mix of sites including Clary Ranch and Majik, this is packed with gorgeous pepper, lilac and cinnamon amid wild blueberry and bramble. The knotted tannins give it the guts that Syrah needs without relying on sheer power. When you get to the final hints of green olive and roasted thyme, you realize the aromatic brilliance at work."
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