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$16.95
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AM 87
France
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Burgundy
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Chablis
In stock,
9
available
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87 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 10 to 15 year old vines). This also displays a classic nose of green fruit, citrus and oyster shell nuances that can be found on the very fresh, crisp and dry flavors that possess enough flesh to be enjoyed now but I would advise cellaring this for 2 to 3 years first. In sum, perfectly good if not distinguished for its level. Drink: 2012+. (Oct 2010)"
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$35.95
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JG 92
WA 90
France
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Champagne
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The Berthelot NV Brut is a beautiful bottle, and the current release is every bit as fine as the wine I reported on last September. To remind readers, the Berthelot family has been growers in the region since the nineteenth century, but only began to bottle some of their production on their own in 1977. Their twenty-two hectares of vines lie in Ay and the nearby town of Dizy, and their vineyards share the heavy chalk of the Cote des Blancs, rather than the more typical clay and alluvial deposits of other villages in the Vallee de la Marne. The Berthelot Brut Reserve bottling is a blend of twenty-five percent chardonnay, forty-five percent pinot meunier and thirty percent pinot noir, and the family keeps a goodly supply of older wine available to blend in and maintain the house style of their non-vintage brut. The bouquet on the current release is again refined and complex, as it offers up a classy melange of pear, grapefruit zest, sourdough, beautiful chalky soil tones and a hint of vanilla custard in the upper register. On the palate the wine is fullbodied, deep and beautifully balanced, with a great core of fruit, refined mousse, and sound acids on the very long, soil-driven and complex finish. Utterly refined and sophisticated Brut NV, this wine is delicious now, but will clearly age brilliantly for the next fifteen to twenty years. A seamless and discreet beauty. 2007-2025. (May/Jun 2007)"
90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$50 list] The NV Brut Premier Cru Reserve is a gorgeous wine that offers lovely complexity in its subtle nuttiness and toast. The wine blossoms on the palate with expressive, generous fruit, showing terrific balance as well as poise. A long, creamy finish with suggestions of flowers and citrus rounds out this delicious Champagne. No disgorgement date indicated. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2014. (Dec 2009)"
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$14.95
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WA 92
IWC 91
Spain
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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92 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Tres Picos is a worthy successor to the string of splendid vintages which have preceded it. Heady black cherry and blackberry aromas, Asian spices, incense, and mineral notes lead to a dense, layered, rich old-vine Garnacha that over-delivers in a big way. A tasting of every vintage of Tres Picos ever produced (back to 2001) at the Bodega in January 2011 indicates that 8-10 years of pleasurable drinking is a reasonable expectation. However, this is a wine that is ready to drink on release. (Jun 2011)"
91 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(aged half in stainless steel and half in French barriques Glass-staining ruby. An explosive, flamboyantly perfumed bouquet exudes scents of blackberry, cherry cola, violet and cracked pepper, plus a hint of smokiness. Deeply pitched flavors of dark fruits and candied flowers remind me of syrah, but red fruit notes emerge with air, confirming that this is garnacha, not syrah. Intense, focused and impressively persistent on the finish, which echoes the sweet red and dark fruit notes and leaves a subtle smoky quality. This serious wine should be even better in a couple of years. (Nov/Dec 2010)"
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$16.95
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W&S 91
Spain
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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91 points Wine & Spirits: "[$24 list] Half of the fruit for this juicy blend comes from young vines, half from old-vine Carinena and Garnacha. The fruit is delightfully red, prettier and more accessible than what has become typical in Priorat. There's refinement to the acidity that lends the wine its nerve. For roast partridge. (Oct 2009)"
4 stars, Highly Recommended, Decanter: "Fine, fragrant and sumptuous aroma of strawberry and Grenache. Well balanced with fine mature fruit, firm, brisk acidity and a slatey, grainy finish. Fine mature fruit and good length. Alcohol: 14%. Drink: 2011-2014. (Mar 2011)"
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$12.95
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WS 90
Italy
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Tuscany
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Chianti
In stock, 12+ available
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List $17.00
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'Top 100 Wine of 2010 (#47)' and 90 points Wine Spectator: "[$17 list] This is what Chianti should taste like, with plenty of dark cherry and floral aromas and flavors that say Sangiovese. Fresh and fruity. Drink now. (10/31/10)"
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$14.95
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IWC 89
Spain
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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89 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "($24 list; 55% garnacha and 45% carinena) Deep red. Seductive, mineral-driven aromas of red berries, pencil lead, spicecake and dried flowers. Light-bodied, sweet red fruit flavors are firmed by dusty tannins and lifted by blood orange and white pepper. Graceful and brisk Priorat wine with a firm, minerally quality to the finish. (Sep/Oct 2009)"
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$16.95
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France
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Burgundy
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Beaujolais
In stock, 12+ available
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Domaine de Colette is in the small village of Lantignié, regarded as the top village in the cru of Régnié, and is owned by Jacky and Evelyne Gauthier. It is less than 1 km from the border of Morgon. The soils at Colette are worked organically in an effort to promote healthy and vigorous root systems. This delicious, fruity cru Beaujolais from neighboring Morgon is great with chicken, veal, roast pork, sausages, terrines and hot hors d'oeuvre, cheeses and mushroom-based vegetarian dishes.
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$9.95
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Italy
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Tuscany
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Chianti
In stock, 12+ available
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List $16.00
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Producer notes: "The Da Vinci Chianti is deep crimson in color with aromas of cherries and red fruit balanced by soft, round tannins."
Wine Spectator: "A rich red, backed by good acidity, leaving space for its cocoa dust, blackberry and spice notes. Just a bit burly on the finish. Drink now through 2012. (2/28/11)"
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$7.95
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WA 91
France
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Loire
In stock, 12+ available
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List $14.00
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91 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The Choblets' brilliantly green-gold 2009 Muscadet Cotes de Grandlieu -- grown on sand-like eroded mica schist and granite -- smells mouthwateringly of fresh lime, sea spray, herbs, chicken stock, and shrimp shell reduction, all of which follow on a palate of utmost juiciness and refreshment yet also a striking degree of subtly oily cling; seemingly tactile mineral and lime zest impingement; and lip-smacking salinity. Hints of iodine and fresh red raspberry with its crunchy, tart seeds add further interest and invigoration. This sensational value suggests a Muscadet that has borrowed a bit from Chablis and Nahe Riesling. The batch I tasted, incidentally, is Lot 099, and given the plastic stopper employed to seal it into bottle, I would be inclined to plan on relishing it over the coming 9-12 months. (Aug 2010)"
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$11.95
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France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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100% Roussanne from vineyards averaging 15 years old. Bright yellow in color with a citrus and white flower nose. Expansive flavors of lemon and citrus. Good acidity.
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$9.95
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Italy
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Campania
In stock, 12+ available
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List $13.00
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This vibrant Lacryma Christi 2009 Rosso hails from the lava-caked foothills of Mount Vesuvius, just east of the spirited bayside city of Naples. Lovers of Campanese wines already know that the region's mild year-round climate and cool Mediterranean breezes provide ideal growing conditions for its indigenous varietals. This deliciously inexpensive blend is crafted with fruit sourced from Caputo's Enodelta, twenty-five hectares of sun-baked volcanic soil at altitudes of 300-500 meters. Campania's local varietals include the smoky, licorice and berry infused Piedirosso and Aglianico, varietals that are uniquely suited to the volcanic soils of the region. This delightful wine is aged entirely in stainless steel, which allows the subtleties and nuances of the smoky, mineral-driven terroir to come out naturally. The 2009 vintage in southern Italy has been highly lauded by critics and oenophiles alike. This is easily one of the most interesting, well-balanced red quaffers we've come across at this price.
Aromas of red current, cherry, cocoa, tar, licorice, and dusty earth on the nose give way to tobacco leaf and smoky black minerals on the palate. A rustic yet smooth, well-balanced, medium-bodied red with bright acidity. In the glass over time evolve pretty scents of mint, flowers and dried herbs that add complexity and elegance. Perfect with pizza, spicy seafood pasta, or on its own with salumi, antipasti, and hard sheep's milk cheeses. The blend is 65% Piedirosso, 35% Aglianico, all grown in the black lava caked soils of region.
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$29.95
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VER 98
Italy
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Campania
In stock, 12+ available
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List $90.00
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98 points Daniel Thomases (Veronelli Guide): "Bold, spicy and extremely full-bodied, Feudi's 2003 Serpico has more in common with a top growth Bordeaux than it does a Super Tuscan. Mineral scents, toasty oak and black fruits are prominent in the fragrant bouquet. Superbly concentrated with ripe black cherries, anise, crushed minerals green tea, and cigar box notes caress the palate with intensity and great length. This is a big wine with plenty of structure; 30 years of life is not out of the question. (2006)"
Three Glasses, Gambero Rosso: "With 12 wines out of 12 passing the Two Glass threshold and seven of them in the finals, Feudi di San Gregorio has set a new record. This is an estate with a global project that focuses on taste and the senses but above all it is a winery. And what wine! ...Serpico '03... is already showing complexity, with spicy, balsamic nuances and powerful, beautifully mellow tannins. The Three Glasses did not require much reflection on the part of the panel. (2006)"
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$10.95
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United States
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Chardonnay
In stock,
1
available
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List $15.00
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San Francisco Chronicle: "[$15 list] Paso Robles' Christian Tietje kept this effort in stainless steel (hence the name), and it hits a sweet spot for a weeknight effort, a great example of unoaked finesse. Plenty of lemon-ice zing to its apple-driven flavors, bolstered by a hint of almondy richness. (1/30/11)"
Producer notes: "This Chardonnay was fermented in 100% stainless steel and has not seen any oak, nor does it want to. This is crisp, concentrated Chardonnay with all its natural acid. Naked exhibits apple, white peach, and pear, finishing long with hints of citrus and mineral. Eat oysters and drink 'Naked' often!"
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$13.95
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France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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Blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. Not yet reviewed, but 2007 vintage rated 88 points by Wine Advocate: "Red raspberry, cherry, mocha, vanilla, and toasted pecan rise from the glass of 2007 Cotes du Roussillon Mas Las Cabes Rouge, a blend of Syrah with 30% Grenache and 10% Carignan vinified in cement and older barriques. Marjoram and cedar as well as a subtle smokiness and a refreshing note of salinity join the red fruits on a rather firm palate which barely suggests the sweeter, nuttier notes in the nose. A bright, savory, red fruit- and herb-filled finish hints also at anchovy, calling forth the next sip and promising a versatile performance at table for at least the next couple of years."
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$16.95
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WS 87
Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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List $19.00
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"Recommended," San Francisco Chronicle (1/16/09).
87 points Wine Spectator: "[$19 list] Rich and on the sweet side, yet there's enough acidity to keep this fresh and even crisp on the finish. Needs time to integrate, but it's approachable now. Drink now through 2017. 200 cases made. (2008)"
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$17.95
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WA 90
Italy
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Piedmont
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $22.00
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90 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 2009 Dolcetto d’Alba Falletto is the most muscular of Giacosa’s 2009 Dolcettos. It exhibits terrific richness and depth in its dark cherries, plums, tobacco, herbs and menthol in a firm, classic style. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014. (Dec 2010)"
The late Sheldon Wasserman said it all in his magnum opus (co-authored by wife Pauline) Italy's Noble Red Wines: "Bruno Giacosa is without question one of Italy’s -- make that the world’s finest winemakers." Although Il Maestro could make more money pulling up these Dolcetto vines planted in the storied Falletto vineyard in Barolo and replacing them with Nebbiolo, he simply thinks it's cool to make a Dolcetto from a great terroir! Like the Dolcetto Sorano di Treiso, this is a tad more "serious" than the non-vineyard-specific Dolcetto d'Alba with more pronounced minerality and structure.
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$24.95
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WA 88
Italy
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Piedmont
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $43.00
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88 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$43 list] The 2008 Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore is an attractive, mid-weight red laced with crushed flowers, spices and berries, all of which come together in a soft, accessible style best enjoyed on the young side... Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013. (Dec 2010)"
The late Sheldon Wasserman said it all in his magnum opus (co-authored by wife Pauline) Italy's Noble Red Wines: "Bruno Giacosa is without question one of Italy’s -- make that the world’s finest winemakers." Giacosa's "baby" Barolo (or Barbaresco), if you will. From a vineyard in the Roero zone, it paradoxically embodies both a slight austerity and a certain feminine softness, even elegance.
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$18.95
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WS 90–93
RP 89–90
France
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Bordeaux
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Red
Pre-arrival, 12+ available, 6-bottle minimum order
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90-93 points Wine Spectator: "Grapey, with lots of mineral and floral aromas that follow through to a full body, with well-integrated tannins and a juicy, fruity finish. Love the raspberries. Excellent as usual. (4/15/10)" - J.S.
89-90 points Robert Parker: "A sleeper of the vintage, this blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc (made by Stephane Derenoncourt) exhibits a deep purple color as well as a sweet nose of black raspberries, black currants, and cherry jam, crisp acidity, ripe tannins, and a long, broad, concentrated mouthfeel. The finished alcohol is 14.4%. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years. (Apr 2010)"
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$19.95
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IWC 89
Italy
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Piedmont
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $24.00
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89 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "[$24 list] Good full red. Cool, primary aromas of red fruits, menthol, dried rose and fresh herbs. Fruitier today than the dolcetto, offering a finer-grained texture and more pliancy. Ripe and attractive but dry and juicy too: very nebbiolo. A very fresh wine from young vines facing southeast and southwest. Finishes with suave, fine tannins and lovely persistence. This, too, is very easy to drink. Grasso recommends consuming it within the next four years. (Nov/Dec 2009)"
Two Glasses Gambero Rosso.
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$22.95
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FWR 91
WA 90
WS 90
Germany
In stock,
11
available
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List $30.00
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91 points Fine Wine Review: "...the Brauneberger Kabinett is about 60% Juffer grapes, 40% Juffer Sonnenuhr grapes. The wine plays sweetness against the acidity with minerality and clarity -- all that one could want from a Kabinett. (Issue #131; 2011)"
90 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "Like many Kabinett ‘09s, this is reticent on the nose with touches of green apple, pear and pink grapefruit, although there is an underlying sucrosity that will become more developing with time. The palate is very well balanced, very fresh and vibrant with a harmonious finish of citrus lemon, apricot and a hint of blackberry leaf. Good length. Lovely. Drink now-2018. (Sep 2010)"
90 points Wine Spectator: "[$30 list] Ripe and juicy, with pronounced ruby grapefruit, fennel, mineral and quince flavors, this balanced white has a smoky finish that lingers with plenty of cream and spice. Drink now through 2022. (11/30/10)"
Producer notes: "The Brauneberger Rieslings come from the selective early vintage of Brauneberger top locations. Kabinett wines have a distinct mineral and slatey character from the steep slopes. They are characterised by their lightness, freshness and delicacy. They go with a very wide variety of foods: fish, white meat or fresh, crispy salads. Asian or slightly spicy cuisine (off-dry and residually sweet Kabinett) is also complemented by these wines. Kabinett with natural sweetness of fruit is an invigorating, every day wine, which also has excellent maturing potential."
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$13.95
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W&S 91
WS 88
CG 88
United States
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Zinfandel
In stock, 12+ available
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List $30.00
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91 points Wine & Spirits: "[$30 list] A combination of bright, floral blackberry and darker, black fig flavors form the heart of this zin. Oak scents surround it and grow only more powerful with air. The umami richness suggests juniper-spiced pork might push the oak into the background. (Apr 2009)"
88 points Wine Spectator: "[$30 list] An old-school Zinfandel, showing lots of cracked pepper, wild berry and roasted sage flavors and tart cherry and licorice notes that finish with wiry tannins. Drink now through 2014. (3/31/09)"
88 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "[$30 list] The solid blackberry fruit that typifies good Zin is in full evidence here and with it comes suggestions of cocoa and a faint note of pine-forest spice. Broad, fairly fleshy and, like its mates, ripe without excess, it buffers its bit of finishing heat with attractive fruit, and its blend of suppleness and soft tannins makes for lots of immediate appeal. (Jan 2009)"
Producer notes: "Aromas of black pepper, spice and mocha perfectly complement the bold fruit essences of black cherry and raspberry apparent in the 2006 Los Chamizal Zinfandel. Lush, concentrated flavors of sun-ripened raspberries and chocolate-covered cherries are softened by a touch of creamy oak on the mid-palate. The mouth-filling texture and velvety tannins lead to a long, smooth finish. Alcohol 15.6%."
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$19.95
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United States
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Pinot Noir
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Oregon
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Produced from Croft-Williamson Vineyard and Apolloni Vineyard grapes. This vintage shows off the best of Willamette Valley Pinot-- lush flavors of raspberry and cherry with an elegant finish and silky mouthfeel. 450 cases produced."
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$12.95
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WS 90
Italy
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Veneto
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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List $17.00
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90 points and 'Top 100 Wine of 2007 (#75)' Wine Spectator: "A delicate, well-balanced Prosecco, showing a good blend of baked apple, sour lemon and grapefruit, with a lightly creamy mineral texture on the palate. Medium froth, with some body and a pleasant lemon and mineral finish. Best Values. (4/30/07)"
Wall Street Journal: "This was one of the fruitiest and one of the most aromatic of the group--marked by notes of melon and citrus. 'A good breakfast Prosecco,' said Le Bernardin wine director Aldo Sohm. (6/12/10)"
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$44.95
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WA 92
France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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List $85.00
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92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "[$85 list] A special bottling of pure old vines Grenache in (four!) new barrels, Bernstein’s 2005 Pandora mingles strawberry jam, white pepper, smoked meat, and barrel staves in the nose, and comes to the palate amazingly sweet and high-toned, with strawberry liqueur underlain by persistent meatiness and stony mineral character. Fine tannins suffuse the palate but do not interfere with the enjoyment of so much pure, ripe fruit. (Oct 2007)"
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$11.95
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Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "70% Malbec, 30% semi-dried Corvina. A deep-coloured red with violet notes. A decisive bouquet of ripe, jammy fruits, especially prune, with a further suggestion of licorice. Great structure immediately on the palate with a well maintained acidity, nicely balanced by decisive and lively tannins. The generous nose makes for a pleasantly dry finish. The technique used here is Masi’s speciality: double fermentation. After soft pressing of the Malbec grapes, on-skin fermentation lasted 16 days in stainless steel tanks at a constant 23-27°C. The second fermentation was induced with selected yeasts and used 30% of whole Corvina grapes given a brief appassimento treatment before pressing. 13.5% alcohol."
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