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$23.99
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IWC 92
Spain
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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92 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(100% garnacha) Opaque violet. Sexy aromas of red and dark berries, sandalwood, spicecake and fresh rose. Spicy, concentrated raspberry and blackberry flavors are given spine by zesty minerals and pick up a smoky quality with air. Impressively lively for such a rich wine, with strong finishing spiciness and lingering notes of licorice and red berries. (Sep/Oct 2009)"
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$8.99
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Italy
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Tuscany
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Other
In stock,
9
available
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List $12.00
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Wine Spectator: "[$12 list] Aromas of fresh raspberry and flowers follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with an easygoing texture and a clean finish. Drink now. (9/30/08)"
Wall Street Journal: "Santa Cristina is... consistently good... Look for the 2007, which is made from Sangiovese and 10% Merlot. We drank this by the pool on a sweltering day and we described it as 'cooling.' We are big fans of Santa Cristina at room temperature in a carafe, too, but, with a chill, it became calmer, with its tastes becoming more black cherry than cherry, more deeply fruited. It retained its grapey quality, but also had a little bite at the end, with nice tannins, good acidity and a smooth, calm, relaxed taste that was perfect for a day off. (6/23/09)"
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$15.99
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Germany
In stock, 12+ available
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Aromas redolent of yellow apple and white flowers, apricots and citrus fruits. Full-flavored with light minerality on the palate. Racy and refreshing, with fine acid and perfect balance.
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$12.99
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IWC 88
Spain
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $15.00
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88 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "($15 list; includes 10% each of bastardo and arauxa) Bright ruby. Black raspberry and cherry on the nose, with notes of cracked pepper, licorice and violet adding complexity. Refreshingly bitter dark berry flavors are given spine by a tangy mineral quality and betray no rough edges. Finishes with mouthwatering acidity and a bitter cherry skin quality. This will be very flexible at the table. (Sep/Oct 2009)"
Production: 500 cases. Vine age: 50 years old average.
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$8.99
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IWC 88
JG 86
Spain
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Red
In stock,
8
available
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List $10.00
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88 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "[$10 list] Deep ruby-red. Attractive red and dark berries on the nose. Sappy and fresh, offering jammy dark berry flavors and good finishing acidity. Very fresh and easy to drink; I'd give this a light chill. (Sep/Oct 2009)"
86+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This one hundred percent Grenache bottling is deep and robust in style, with impressive depth and complexity in a slightly old-fashioned and rustic style that will find many fans amongst those looking for heartier reds. The bouquet offers up a slightly horsy blend of black raspberries, black cherries, grilled meat, chocolate, pepper and a touch of barnyard. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, deep and powerfully built, with a good core, sound balance and modest tannins on the long and chunky finish that closes with a note of new leather. This is not the most elegant rendition of Garnacha that I have tasted, but it does deliver impressive depth and complexity. 2009-2015. (May/Jun 2009)"
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$9.99
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WS 87
South Africa
In stock, 12+ available
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List $13.00
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87 points Wine Spectator: "[$13 list] Fresh, with an iron note running through the black tea, braised fig and dark cherry fruit notes. There's a nice plush edge to the open-knit finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases imported. (12/15/09)"
Producer notes: "Spicy, aromatic, rich, textured, French oaked and lingering."
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$8.99
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WS 86
Australia
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Red
In stock, 12+ available
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List $10.00
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86 points Wine Spectator: "[$10 list] Bright and jammy, offering a nice mouthful of black cherry and citrusy spice flavors that linger nicely on the easygoing finish. Drink now. (4/30/09)"
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$17.99
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France
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Alsace
In stock,
4
available
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List $28.00
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Domaine Albert Boxler is a 300-year-old family estate in the small Alsace town of Niedermorschwihr, and is currently run by Albert’s 34-year-old grandson, Jean Boxler, who trained at France's top wine school, the University of Montpellier, and made his first vintage in 1995. The domaine’s 26 vineyard-acres include parts of the famed Grands Crus Sommerberg and Brand. Indeed, 80 percent of Boxler’s vines are Grand Cru. All grapes are grown organically, and about 5,000 cases of wine are produced annually.
According to France magazine (Winter 2006/2007), 'Boxler . . . crafts some of Alsace’s most exciting wines from grapes drawn entirely from its own . . . vineyards. All Boxler Rieslings are very intense in flavor and are structured with an abundance of racy acidity. The range includes an excellent generic Riesling; a Reserve bottling made from young vines planted in Grand Cru vineyards; and Grand Cru wines from Brand and Sommerberg that are always among the best in Alsace.'
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$11.99
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United States
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Sauvignon Blanc & Aromatic Whites
In stock,
1
available
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List $15.00
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Los Angeles Times 'Wine of the Week': "Hail the 32nd vintage(!) of Brander Sauvignon Blanc. Made from fruit grown in the Los Olivos area, the 2008, like all the vintages before it, is a summer classic. Crisp and minerally with a touch of grapefruit rind and grass in the perfume, this is a California Sauvignon Blanc that's closer to Sancerre than some of the overly oaked fruit bombs around. And at under $15 -- sometimes well under, it's a basic for warm-weather drinking. Owner and winemaker C. Frederic Brander produces a couple of other more expensive Sauvignon Blanc cuvees, such as the more intense 'Cuvée Nicolas' aged sur lie in barrels, half of them new French oak, which imparts a pronounced flavor. Funny thing, though, I much prefer the regular bottling for its pure fruit flavors. (4/22/09)"
Producer notes: "In making this cuvée we blended our estate fruit with the best Sauvignon Blanc grown in other vineyards in the Los Olisos area. Crisp and dry, with floral aromas and true varietal expression, this wine combines cold tank fermentation with a small portion of barrel fermentation. This 32nd vintage celebrates our commitment to making the best Sauvignon Blanc in California."
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$29.99
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AM 88–90
France
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Burgundy
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Macon/Chalonnaise
In stock, 12+ available
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88-90 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A very primary, indeed borderline raw nose combines with zesty, intense and mineral-driven flavors that deliver excellent depth and a racy, palate staining and balanced finish. 2008+. (Oct 2006)"
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$8.99
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WA 86
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
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List $11.00
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86 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): Best Buy
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$7.99
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Italy
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Veneto
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Other
In stock, 12+ available
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Light straw color. Fine, elegant, clean and intense aroma, dry flavor with pleasant green apple aftertaste. Lively, and easy to drink. Excellent as aperitif, hors d'oevres, seafood salads and fish dishes. Perfect with white meats and light meals.
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$19.99
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United States
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Pinot Noir
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California
In stock, 12+ available
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List $27.00
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Larry Brooks is one of the "veterans" of the California Pinot Noir scene, having focused almost exclusively on this grape for nearly 30 years, dating back to the early days of Acacia, when it was still a source for "serious" Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A few years ago he founded his own Pinot-centric Campion label with a view to producing small lots of what are essentially hand-crafted wines.
The 2005 vintage was challenging, with both spring and summer being cooler than normal, but this has worked in favor of the Santa Lucia bottling: whereas many Pinots from this bench lying west of Salinas can be overripe, Syrah-like beasts, the '05 Campion from this region is all about finesse and aromatic complexity. Aromas of strawberry and raspberry are followed on the palate by similar red fruits flavors but with an overlay of brown spices (cinnamon, cardamom) and ginger.
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$7.99
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IWC 88
PG 86
Spain
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Red
In stock,
11
available
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88 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "Dark purple. Luscious blackberry and blueberry aromas are at once expansive and precise, with sexy floral and spice qualities adding complexity. Juicy dark fruit flavors deliver a sexy wallop of sweetness, with no rough edges or animal, earth or herbal character. This very fresh wine finishes with impressive cling and length. And the price is unreal. (Sep/Oct 2008)"
86 points Peñín Guide: "100% Monastrell. Deep cherry colour, violet edge, ripe fruit aroma, mawaxtion notes, floral, spicy, fresh palate, structured, fruity, somewhat tart. (2008)"
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$17.99
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WA 87
Italy
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Tuscany
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Chianti
In stock, 12+ available
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List $28.00
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87 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$28 list] The 2005 Chianti Classico offers perfumed red fruit and a fresh, accessible personality. This medium-bodied Chianti is best enjoyed over the next two to three years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2009. (Jun 2007)"
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$14.99
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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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$15.99
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United States
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Cabernet & Blends
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Washington
In stock, 12+ available
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List $20.00
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Producer notes: "Delicious Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromatics galore -- cigar box, pencil lead, cedar and currants with super refined tannins and a long, fine finish. French? No. Chateau Smith? OUI!"
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$11.99
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WS 88
United States
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Chardonnay
In stock, 12+ available
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88 points Wine Spectator: "Light and floral, with bright pear and apricot fruit shaded with hints of carnation and lavender. Drink now. (7/31/09)"
Producer notes: "Sinfully tempting...fresh, crisp, the perfume of sweet apple blossoms lures you into The Garden of Eden. Silky, soft, mouth filling deliciousness...take the first sip!"
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$11.99
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United States
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Merlot
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "If velvet had a flavor this would be it. Bittersweet chocolate, dark Italian cherries. Sweet rose petals with a firm, satiny finish. Pure Washington Merlot. HELL YEAH!"
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$14.99
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WS 89
United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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89 points Wine Spectator: "Bright and effusive, this is juicy with lively flavors of blackberry, plum and sweet spices, lingering on the open-textured finish. Drink now. (4/30/09)"
Producer notes: "EXPLOSIVE! Everything you want in a Syrah....smooth, firm, fresh & dark...it will KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!"
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$7.99
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Italy
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Marche
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "Ruby red with purple hues. Intense aromas or red fruits, ripe blackberry and flowers. Dry, good-bodied, pleasantly soft, tannic and well balance. Best served with first courses and red meat dishes."
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$21.99
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United States
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Rhone Varietals
In stock, 12+ available
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With aromas of fresh white spring blossoms (elder flower), this bright, vibrant, refreshing pale straw wine, bursts with exuberant fruit and just a touch of vanilla. This white wine varietal is part of the trilogy of Grenache cultivars (Grenache, Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc) that originates from the Priorat/Barcelona region in Spain. It has traditionally been blended with other varietals both in Spain and in France, where it can comprise as much as 50% of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc blends. Although widely planted in France and Spain, Grenache Blanc is relatively rare in the United States, with fewer than 100 acres planted nationwide.
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$15.99
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France
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South of France
In stock, 12+ available
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Producer notes: "We have carefully selected our extremely low yielding Grenache and Carignan vineyards from the steep, schistous slopes around the village of Maury. The hot, dry Roussillon summer, vineyards of up to 100 years of age, ridiculously shallow soils and minimal intervention winemaking help us to get the very best out of what is a truly exceptional terroir. In line with our winemaking principles the wines are all wild yeast fermented and are not fined or filtered before bottling. Our 2005 Nain Violet is produced from younger vineyards and from vineyards of over 50 years of age. The resulting wine is rich yet fresh and bright. It has been aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Grenache Noir 50%, Syrah 40%, Carignan 10%."
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$12.99
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WA 90
Argentina
In stock, 12+ available
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List $15.00
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90 points Jay Miller (Wine Advocate): "[$15 list] The 2008 Malbec spent 8 months in first use French oak. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up an alluring bouquet of Asian spices, cassis, cedar, incense, and black cherry. Medium-bodied, savory, and elegant, this spicy Malbec will also provide pleasure over the next 4 years. (Aug 2009)"
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$34.99
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United States
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Pinot Noir
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California
In stock, 12+ available
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List $50.00
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Producer notes: "Aromas for the first ten minutes are of forest floor, mushroom and damp earth after a spring rain... then wild tropical and dark fruits, roasted coffee, and powdered cocoa... to savory spices, pine duff and rich dark fruits. The palate continues with luscious, layered textures that show what tremendous Pinot Noir mouth-feel is all about -- toffee sweetness and a strength that holds weight, yet at the same time defies gravity. The late palate carries on the richness and texture with a long memorable fade. This is a true Burgundy style Pinot lover’s Pinot! 911 cases produced."
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