2006 Edna Valley Chardonnay
This week’s Wine of the Week, the 2006 Edna
Valley Chardonnay offers smoky aromas of
vanillin oak and sweet spice balanced by white
peach, pineapple and citrus notes. On the
palate, full, round flavors of white peach and
citrus are accompanied by a subtle minerality on
the long finish. Barrel fermentation and aging
contributes honey, caramel, vanilla and smoky
oak aromas. The 2006 vintage experienced
exceptionally cool weather and as a result the
Chardonnay ripened very slowly. The lengthy,
cool growing season brought out the fresh peach,
lemon and pineapple flavors that characterize
Edna Valley.
Wine of the Week --
October 13, 2008
Chalone Pinot Noir 2006
The grapes for the wine of the week, Chalone
Pinot Noir, come from distinct vineyards in the
75-mile long Salinas Valley, flanked by the
Santa Lucia and Gavilan Mountain ranges. The
mountains form a wind tunnel, sending cool ocean
breezes up through the valley and blanketing it
with early-morning coastal fog. The weather,
combined with the decomposed granite and
limestone and gravelly loam soils, is ideal for
cultivating hard-to-grow grapes like pinot noir.
A nose of tart black cherries and raspberries
punctuated by wood spice and bright red fruit
and cola flavors make this easy-drinking,
vibrant pinot noir a great everyday drinker.
Wine of the Week --
October 6, 2008
Black Opal Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Black Opal Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 is an
Australian gem that shines amongst the vast
field of other Australian wines, crafted from a
variety of premium vineyard sites throughout
South Eastern Australia. Parcels of fruit were
crushed and de-stemmed separately and
fermentation and cap management techniques were
employed to extract the intense color, flavor
and soft tannin from the skin while maintaining
approachability. The wine then underwent partial
oak maturation for nine months with some parcels
being left un-oaked to enhance the primary fruit
characters. The result is a wine of great
finesse and character, its rich aromas of
blackcurrant, mint and spice on the nose carry
through as flavors in a balanced palate offer
fruit flavor, subtle oak and soft,
well-integrated tannins.
Wine of the Week --
September 29, 2008
Fontana Candida Frascati 2006
Created almost 2,000 years ago, Frascati is one
of the world’s oldest wines, and Fontana Candida
Frascati is the most popular Frascati in the
world. The nose is delicate with a slight
perfume and a distinctive floral aroma.
Brilliant and translucent, it is refreshing,
dry, clean, and crisp. The grapes are grown in
the porous, volcanic soils located in the
Frascati commune near Rome. Rich in potassium,
this soil produces plump, flavorful grapes.
Fontana Candida is the only Frascati producer
that uses cold filtration and cold bottling to
preserve the wine’s flavor and clarity.
Wine of the Week --
September 22, 2008
Marquis Philips Sarah's Blend 2006
A beautiful integration of the three varieties,
the Marquis Philips Sarah’s Blend 2006 is a joy
to experience. This beautifully blended wine is
composed of 60% Shiraz, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon,
with a balance of Merlot and Cabernet Franc and
then barrel-fermented and aged in seasoned
French oak for 12 months. The wine denotes an
earthy spicy Merlot character with leafy berry
fruits and firm structure from the Cabernet and
chocolate and plum Shiraz flavors that lead to
an excellent finish. The harmony of the blend
gives you a wine that is balanced and complex
with lots of fruit. Deep crimson-colored, it
yields a complex aromatic array of cedar, spice
box, clove, pepper, cassis, and blueberry.
Wine of the Week --
September 15, 2008
2005 Louis M. Martini Sonoma County
Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2005 Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet
Sauvignon was made to highlight the high quality
of its fruit. It offers many layers, featuring
aromas and flavors of red cherry, blackberry and
fresh sage with an underlying dry creek
dustiness. Subtle herbal notes are complemented
by additional layers of chocolate and vanilla,
resulting in an easy drinking, but complex wine.
The Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon was crafted
from several of Sonoma County’s most prestigious
appellations and blended seamlessly to bring
together the unique characteristics of each,
creating a superbly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine of the Week --
September 8, 2008
Benziger Family Sonoma Coast
Cabernet 2005 – 2008 Gold Medal Winner
Benziger Cabernet Sauvignon is a classically
structured, full-bodied wine with a complete
range of flavors, firm tannic foundation and an
acid balance which showcases the varietal
character. The color is deep red-purple and the
aromas present blackberry, plum, leather and
smoked oak fragrances. Flavors of ripe berries,
deeply toasted oak and spice are completed by a
lengthy finish. Benziger Family wines reflect a
passion for creating blends that reveal the
unique characteristics of the individual
vineyards and the best expression of Sonoma
County winegrowing. Fruit for Benziger Family
Wines is carefully selected from a network of
growers committed to farming for quality, flavor
and varietal personality.
Wine of the Week --
September 1, 2008
2003 Silver Oak Alexander Valley
Don’t miss the chance to try the 2003 Alexander
Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an elegant,
highly expressive wine that displays great
complexity due to the multifaceted climatic
conditions of the harvest season. A blend of
wine from several different vineyards, the 100%
Cabernet Sauvignon was blended in early 2004 and
transferred to 50% new and 50% once-used
American oak barrels for aging. The wine is dark
ruby with a purple to red edge. It displays
bright aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate,
black tea, allspice and ginger. In the mouth, it
has a full-bodied attack, a round, balanced
mid-palate redolent of cherry preserves, brown
sugar and caramel and an extremely long finish
of savory ripe fruit. Properly cellared, it
should give drinking pleasure until 2026.
Wine of the Week --
August 25, 2008
Hawk Crest Cabernet 2005, Hawk Crest
Chardonnay 2007 and Hawk Crest Merlot 2007
Over the past 30 years the Hawk Crest label from
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars has made its name
crafting approachable, fruit-forward, quality,
affordable wines. We start off with the intense
and concentrated cabernet made from fruit
carefully selected from California's most
promising growing regions. Red currants, cocoa
powder and earthy chaparral entice on the nose
and continue onto the palate. The tannins are
restrained and complemented by vanillin oak on
the finish. The lively Chardonnay is medium
bodied with nice oak and soft fruit flavors
throughout. The Hawk Crest Merlot provides
aromas of warm berries, plum, oak, and a trace
of green tea. On the palate it is round and
ripe, its fruit flavors topped with strawberry
and black cherry notes and a hint of sweet
honeydew melon.
Wine of the Week --
August 18, 2008
L’Estandon Cotes de Provence Rose
2007
This is a wine ideally suited to spring and
summer drinking. This elegant Rose is a crystal
clear pale candy pink colour with a sweetly
elegant nose, and aromas of raspberry, white and
yellow peaches, and citrus fruits. The palate is
beautifully balanced between mouthwatering
acidity, a round, supple texture and the fruity
flavours detectable on the nose. Aromatic and
refreshing, it works perfectly with all kinds of
Mediterranean produce, shellfish, lamb, stuffed
vegetables, and pesto-flavoured dishes. It also
makes a brilliant partner for dishes with Asian
flavourings. L’Estandon is not only Provence’s
oldest brand, but also the pride of local
winemakers.
Wine of the Week --
August 11, 2008
Zardetto de Conegliano Prosecco Brut
-88 points Wine Advocate and Wine Enthusiast
Crystal clear with a hearty white froth and a
fine perlage, Zardetto Prosecco offers fresh,
fragrant aromas of peach, citrus and tropical
fruits. Delicately soft and harmonious on the
palate, it is extremely versatile and can be
enjoyed anytime, from important celebrations to
last-minutes parties. Zesty and stylish,
Zardetto Prosecco is the quintessential
sparkling aperitif, and perfect with a wide
array of foods. One of the finest of the bevy of
light - bodied, crisp, tasty Proseccos in the
marketplace, the Zardetto de Conegliano with 95%
Prosecco and 5% Chardonnay, is frothy, fresh, and
savory.
Wine of the Week --
August 4, 2008
Mark West Appellation California
Pinot Noir
Our customers were introduced to this boutique
wine at our Pinot Noir wine tasting last week
and gave it rave reviews. Soft on the palate,
this is a great wine for the warm summer nights
we have been experiencing lately. On the nose
you will experience enticing aromas of juicy
cherry, fleshy plum, strawberry tart and orange
marmalade, with barrel notes of vanilla, cedar,
brown sugar and spice. Oak aging rounds out the
palate and gives the wine its body. Lush weighty
fruit on the palate, tasting of raspberry
preserves. The finish is fresh, bright and
lingers of ripe red berry flavors.
Wine of the Week --
July 28, 2008
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Rose 2007
Compared to more traditional rosés, the Chilean
Santa Digna Rose is a wine of unmistakable
personality. Its stylish charm is the result of
careful vivification of the Cabernet Sauvignon
variety, during which only a short contact is
allowed between grape skins and juice. A
beautiful pale cherry colour, the aroma is
concentrated and powerful, reminiscent of plums
and strawberries over a background of
grapefruit. A full-flavoured wine, the Rose
features delicate fruity acidity and outstanding
floral flavours, like violet and orange blossom.
The aftertaste is long and smooth, with
excellent balance.
Wine of the Week --
July 14, 2008
Hess 19 Block Cuvee – 91 Points Wine
Enthusiast
Ineffably luscious and cool, this wine has
mountain-grown fruit intensity without feeling
pushed to extremes of ripeness or extract. It is
gentle and delicious, built from Hess
Collection’s unique estate and sustainably grown
Napa Cabernet from Mount Veeder blended with
Malbec, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet
Franc from vineyards 2000 feet above sea level.
A lovely wine that’s soft and supple, yet still
complex; a true cabernet with a drop of Syrah,
it has the tannic structure to improve for
years.
Wine of the Week --
July 7, 2008
Clos du Bois Chardonnay
The Clos du Bois Chardonnay is a classic Sonoma
County Chardonnay that exhibits ripe fruity
flavors of pear, crisp green apple, vanilla and
toasty caramel. A medium-bodied wine, this crowd
pleaser with oaky flavor exhibits a texture that
is creamy and smooth with a rich edge of smoky
honey. This Chardonnay is perfect for sipping
alone or with fish, chicken or lighter pasta
dishes. Enjoy lightly chilled on a warm summer
night.
Wine of
the Week -- June 30, 2008
Pine Ridge
2007 Chenin Blanc~Viognier
Floral and sweet on the nose, the
2007 Chenin Blanc~Viognier exhibits
fragrant aromas of pear, lychee and
melon, with a delicate touch of
grapefruit, lime and mixed citrus.
Sweet, bright flavors of lively
citrus and pear are offered up along
with a supple texture. The slightly
off-dry finish is clean and crisp,
marked with notes of red grapefruit.
Enjoy now or cellar for two years.
The fruity floral signature of
Chenin Blanc and the fragrant
bouquet of Viognier make up this
unique bottling. Pine Ridge was the
first California winery to develop
this original blend.
Wine of
the Week -- June 23, 2008
Kendall
Jackson Vinter's Reserve 2006
Chardonnay -89 points
One of the best Chardonnays for the
money, the Kendall Jackson Vinter’s
Reserve 2006 Chardonnay comes from
Kendall Jackson’s coastal vineyards.
Medium-light golden yellow and
aromas of peach, apple and pear are
richly layered and balanced. Crisp
orange marmalade and lemon oil, and
some tropical fruits characterize
this wine with very little evidence
of oak and a zesty acidity result in
a fresh, lively style. For the past
twenty-five years Kendall Jackson
has remained relentlessly committed
to leading the industry by producing
only the finest quality wines from
California’s most desirable growing
regions.
Wine of
the Week -- June 16, 2008
Jacobs
Creek Sparkling Rose
Being a non-vintage sparkling,
complexity and consistency of style
is achieved by including both
current and prior vintages.
Typically, the Chardonnay and Pinot
Noir grapes are harvested early in
vintage when they have fresh
varietal flavours and high natural
acidity. The retention of natural
acidity is important to the style of
this wine. Generous red berry and
citrus fruit flavours enrich the
palate with creamy yeast autolysis
providing depth and flavour. The
wine finishes soft and round, with
lingering berry flavours.
Wine of
the Week -- June 9, 2008
Hess
Cabernet 2005
Blackberry, chocolate and caramel
aromas with subtle spice and barrel
toast are inviting to your first
taste and pepper notes evolve into a
rich finish. Hess California
Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted using
small lot techniques from grapes
selected from premium regions in the
North Coast, including Mendocino,
Napa, and Lake Counties. Hess
produces this wine with the same
attention to detail as its Vineyard
Designate and Mount Veeder series to
provide high quality wines. The soft
tannins make this perennial value a
wine that is ready to be enjoyed
tonight.
Wine of
the Week -- June 2, 2008
Bogle
Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot
Although the Bogle family has been
farming since the mid-1800's, it was
not until 1968 that the father and
son team of Warren and Chris Bogle
planted their first 20 acres of wine
grapes in Clarksburg, California. In
this small farming community nestled
along the Sacramento River, the
Bogle family's years of hard work
have developed into an impressive
grape growing operation, as well as
a nationally acclaimed winery. Bogle
wine is a unique and exciting blend
with true varietal character and an
approachable style.
Wine of
the Week -- May 27, 2008
Jacob’s
Creek Reserve Shiraz 2004 – Wine
Spectator 91 pts.
Jacob's Creek's fresh, easy drinking
style and excellent quality has been
extremely popular in both Australia
and around the world. It is the most
popular brand in Australia and has
been the leading export brand for
more than a decade. From this
popular vineyard we introduce you to
this bold red with an open-texture
and cherry and savoury red pepper
flavours that mingle effectively
with its refined tannins on the
finish. A generous Shiraz for the
price, this Shiraz is youthful and
fruit-driven, and although not
complex it shows body and grip.
Wine of
the Week -- May 19, 2008
2006 Chalone
Monterey County Chardonnay
The Chalone Monterey County
Vineyards are fortunate to be near
the Pacific Ocean, which gives their
wines the ability to age due to the
unique growing site. The mountains
form a wind tunnel drawing cool
ocean breezes off the ocean into the
valley, and the cool air causes the
vines to shut down and delays the
ripening of the grapes. This leads
to a longer growing season and
results in intense fruit flavors for
you to enjoy. The 2006 Chalone
Monterey County Chardonnay has a
firm acidity and crisp pear, apple
and nectarine flavors. You will love
this chardonnay on a warm summer
night.
Wine of
the Week -- May 14, 2008
2006 Edna Valley
Chardonnay Paragon
Edna Valley Vineyard is known for
having the longest and coolest
growing seasons, thanks to sea
breezes funneled inland. The Edna
Valley Chardonnay Paragon has
amazing flavors of lush white peach
and sweet spice with a crisp clean
finish. You will love this
chardonnay; it is great paired with
fresh seafood, grilled chicken or
roasted pork.
