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RED WINES

America

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Blends

$9.00467 K Vintners, House Wine, Columbia Valley, 2005
Located at the base of the Blue Mountains in Walla Walla Washington, K Vintners produces critically acclaimed wines from two distinctive viticultural zones, Wahluke Slope and Walla Walla Valley. This Bordeaux style blend proves that Washington State is capable of producing great value. Warm, spicy aromas mingle with cassis, soft black fruit, balanced tannins and American oak.

$13.00345 Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley, 2005
Nearly half the grapes for this wine were harvested from the famed To Kalon Vineyard, located on the well-draining alluvial bench of the Oakville appellation surrounding the winery. About one-quarter of the blend was sourced from the Stags Leap District. The balance came from several Napa Valley regions. The wine opens with a perfume of ripe, wild blackberry jam with a hint of black olive. Fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis mingle with dark chocolate and well-integrated oak.

$15.00316 Hardin, Napa Valley, 2005
This wine was made in an attempt to produce an affordable “Cult” wine. The producers tapped some of Napa Valley's most venerable wineries to buy barrels of wine that they don’t use when they finalize their blends each year. A good portion of the Cabernet came from such high rent vineyards as ToKalon and Dr. Crane where grapes fetch prices over $10,000 a ton -- and the wine was aged in costly French oak. The blend is 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot and 2% Petite Verdot.

$16.00317 Invictus, Napa Valley, 2005
This aromatic, lush Cabernet displays ripe blackberry, plum and black cherry fruit with warm spice and firm tannins on the finish. The fruit was sourced from low yielding hillside vineyards on the Eastern and Western slopes of the Napa Valley.

$17.00384 Hall, Napa Valley, 2004
The wine delivers voluptuous notes of ripe blackberry and cassis with sweet aromas of nutmeg, vanilla and coffee. The palate displays supple, silky tannins with a lingering sweetness from its fruit-driven finish. Well integrated oak in the mid palate lends depth and complexity. As a side note, the Hall’s have retained world renowned architect Frank Ghery to renovate their Napa winery!

 

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RED WINES

Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Blends, Continued

$23.00362 Napanook, Cellared and Bottled by Dominus Estate, Napa Valley, 2003
Try a wine from classically trained Christian Moueix of Pomerol and Dominus fame. Well balanced with ripe plum and black cherry combined with an underlying spiciness. This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot has great structure and supple tannins.

$24.00468 J. Bookwalter, Columbia Valley, 2004
Black cherry pie, graphite, cedar and cigar box aromas precede plums, cherries and bitter sweet chocolate wrapped around a core of dusty earth, tobacco and dried herbs. The wine finishes with fine-grained tannins.

$27.00442 La Jota, Howell Mountain, 2002
"The graciousness of the fruit defies the tannic weight of this wine, leaving a velvet impression, remarkably approachable for a young Howell Mountain cabernet, and extremely delicious. It's from vines the Smith family, the founders of La Jota, originally planted in the late '70s. The structure is there, underpinning the fresh black fruit, the acidity edging it with eucalyptus. Plump and satin-textured on release, this should age into a beauty…" – 94 pts. Wine & Spirits

Merlot

$8.00522 Red Rover, Central Coast, 2005
This lush, plush Merlot has pleasing aromas of boysenberry and blueberry with a hint of mint and toasted oak. The black cherry fruit is ripe with soft tannins and a mouthwatering, juicy core.

$12.00 464 Rutherford Hill, Napa Valley, 2004
After purchasing the winery in 1996, the owner of Paterno wines rebuilt Rutherford Hill's merlot. He brought in a young winemaker whom he believed could make it competitive with the valley's best - and someday compare to Chateau Petrus of Pomerol. This wine is full of jammy cherry and blackberry fruit backed by velvety tannins, a hint of dark chocolate, sweet smoke, clove and cassis.

$13.00347 Nota Bene Cellars, Abbinare, Washington, 2003
This Merlot dominant Bordeaux style wine is a nod to France with a gentle perfume of violets, herbs, leather and earth. Complex aromas and flavors are supported by the addition of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The finish is savory and spicy with gentle French oak tannins.

$28.00452 Duckhorn Vineyards, Napa Valley, 2005
The standard bearer for Napa Valley Merlot with velvety black cherry and plum fruit offset by firm tannins and vibrant acidity.

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RED WINES

Pinot Noir

$11.00353 Row Eleven, Three Vineyards, California, 2006
This wine is less about terroir and more about Pinot Noir. It is a blend of all three clones, three appellations (Sonoma, Monterey, and Santa Barbara), and three vineyards. The wine earned its name, because the winemaker happened to select row eleven in several of Santa Maria and Russian River's best vineyards.

$12.00462 Vital Vineyards, Willamette Valley, 2005
Maggie Harrison, the assistant winemaker to Manfred Krankel of Sine Qua Non for eight years, has started her own label. Vital Vineyards produces Burgundian styled wines with traditional winemaking practices including hand punch downs in open top fermenters and no filtration. True to Oregon terroir, the result is a wine with earthy aromas and light strawberry fruit in a Cote de Beaune style.

$16.00559 Clos du Val, Carneros, 2005
In 1986, the1972 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon took first place in the rematch of the renowned 1976 Paris Tasting, which tests the ageability of the very same American and French wines and vintages tasted 10 years previously. In 2003 Clos Du Val was named a Wine & Spirits Magazine "Winery of the Year" for the fourth time in five years.

$16.00444 Melville, Estate, Santa Rita Hills, 2006
100% Melville fruit from the Santa Rita Hills Estate, this bottling is a representation of all 11 pinot noir clones growing on the property. Yields were 2.5 lbs. per plant from tightly spaced vineyards, and were selectively hand-harvested over a three week period giving 75 different fermentation lots. From the press, the wine was transferred directly into 25 % new French oak where it remained sur lie with no sulfur until it was gently pressure-racked for the first time and prepared for bottling in July.

 

Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Rhone Varieties

$8.00366 Syrah, Oreana, Project Happiness, California, 2005
Young red fruit and juicy berry aromas matched by blueberry fruit and a warm round finish with hints of spicy oak. This glass is sure to make you smile.

$9.00567 Petite Sirah (Durif), Vinum Cellars, Pets, Clarksburg, 2005
Vinum Cellars is a collaboration of winemakers Richard Bruno and Chris Condos, who first became friends while they were students at UC Davis. After graduation, Chris went to work for Pine Ridge as Enologist, and Richard went to Bonny Doon as their distiller. Currently the Vinum Cellars team is working with over 14 grape varieties from El Dorado and San Benito Counties to Napa Valley. This is a rich extracted Petite Sirah bursting with fruit flavor.

$10.00373 Syrah, Benziger, North Coast, 2005
Benziger Family Winery is dedicated to certified-sustainable, -organically grown and-Biodynamic® wines. Through their commitment to natural farming and environmentally and socially responsible business practices, they strive for sustainability. Experience aromas of tea, tobacco and herbs, followed by black cherry and ripe plum fruits, finished with notes of vanilla and toast from oak barrel aging.

 

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RED WINES

Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Rhone Varieties, Continued

$12.00300 Esca, Napa Valley, 2004
Anna and Mario Monticelli met while in enology school at UC Davis in California. Mario went on to Antinori in Italy, while Anna went to Cheval Blanc in Bordeaux. Anna now works for Bryant and Mario works with the former owner of Stags’ Leap at Quixote Winery (if that wasn’t enough, Mario’s father is head winemaker for Gallo). Anna and Mario started Esca in 2002 with the goal of producing rich, extracted wines at an affordable price. This Syrah is a monster with tooth coating black fruit, a blast of dark roasted espresso and dusty cocoa powder tannins.

Zinfandel

$8.00315 Pepperwood Grove, Old Vine, California, 2005
This medium bodied Zinfandel is packed with layers of jammy fruit. The ripe black cherry and raspberry flavors are backed by black pepper and cinnamon spices which finish with rich French oak and vanilla.

$23.00556 Ravenswood, Old Hill, Sonoma, 2003
An acknowledged benchmark in California wine, Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel is nothing less than an ongoing incarnation of its founder, Otto Teller. In 1981 he acquired Old Hill Ranch, an abandoned vineyard along Highway 12, where century-old Zinfandel vines were covered by blackberries, poison oak and discarded bathroom fixtures. Seeing no need to "improve" a vineyard that produced only a ton of unbelievably intense fruit per acre, he cleared the brush with a dragline, left a natural cover of grass and relied on ladybugs and praying mantises to control pests.

 

Other American Reds

$18.00534 The Prisoner, Orin Swift Cellars, Napa Valley, 2005
Dave Phinney produces a measly 1,400 cases at the Orin Swift winery. He is also the winemaker for Gaudeamus Vineyards and farms several other small vineyards in St. Helena. This is an intriguing blend of 53% Zinfandel, 15% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Charbono and 7% Petite Sirah. Zinfandel and blueberry aromas float over layers of dark black raspberry fruit, savory red cherry, and plums with a hint of spice from the Charbono.

Argentina

$8.00337 Nieto Senetiner, Reserva, Malbec, Mendoza, 2004
Malbec, once popular in France, is now the star of Argentina. The warm climate in Argentina is more favorable to the grape, allowing it to ripen fully and lose its harsh tannins (a vestige of the Old World), developing berry fruit and alluring spice.

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RED WINES

Argentina, Continued

$11.00370 Altos Las Hormigas, Mendoza, 2006
“The 2006 Malbec is a prime contender for the top value in Malbec. Purple-colored, it has an excellent nose of violets, spice box, blueberry, and black cherry. Medium to full-bodied, it offers a creamy texture, layers of flavor, excellent balance, and a long, fruit-driven finish. Although this outstanding Malbec may well evolve for 1-2 years, there is no reason to defer gratification. It is a fantastic value.” 90 pts. Wine Advocate

$12.00488 Ben Marco (Susana Balbo), Malbec / Bonarda, Mendoza, 2005
Pedro Marchevsky grows the grapes for this wine and his wife, and world renowned winemaker, Susana Balbo makes the wine, so you can be sure that it gets all the attention of a favorite child. It is an unusual blend of 90% Malbec and 10% Bonarda that sees new American and French oak. This youthful wine has lively red and black raspberry fruit, hints of black pepper and soft tannins.

$14.00451 Siesta en el Tahuantinsuyu, Ernesto Catena, Cabernet, Mendoza, 2003
Tikal is owned by Ernesto Catena and is named after his son. The wine is 100% Cabernet from Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo, and San Juan. Pure Cabernet is expressed through flavors and aromas of cassis and spice with dark blackberry fruit riding on a medium body defined by firm drying tannins. A good value from Argentina.

Australia

$9.00 407 Billi Billi, Mount Langhi Ghiran, Shiraz, Victoria, 2004
This fine example of cool climate Shiraz is named after a Langi aboriginal elder, King Billi Billi. Mount Langi creates a cooling effect as cold air tumbles down the mountain and flows through the valley at night. During Autumn, the mountain shadows the vineyard before day's end, shortening the effective sunshine hours, and thereby extending the growing season. Enjoy strawberry and plum fruit with hints of toasted oak and milk chocolate.

$11.00497 Yering Station, Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, 2005
This property is one of the leaders of the mini-Yarra revolution. The original winery was built in the 1860s as Château Yering and replanted in 1988. In 1996 Rathbone purchased the property, and 1997 was the first vintage under the new owners. Enjoy fragrant aromas of red strawberry fruit and earth coupled with refreshing acidity that lends a juicy finish.

$17.00325 Smidge, The Donald, Zinfandel, Barossa Valley, 2004
“Even better than The Tardy is the gamy, briery, underbrush, strawberry, and black cherry-scented 2004 Zinfandel The Donald. With 16% alcohol, it is a fiery, spicy, peppery red to drink over the next several years.” 90 pts. Wine Advocate

$27.00411 Charles Cimicky, Reserve, Shiraz, Barossa Valley, 2005
“Remarkably, the 2005 Shiraz Reserve is even better than the Autograph. It spent 14 months in new oak, 60% French and 40% American. It, too, coats the glass with a thick purple film. Purple/black, it gives up a splendid perfume of cedar, Asian spices, pepper, violets, bacon, blueberry, and blackberry. On the palate the wine is dense and plush, admirably combining elegance and power. There are gobs of sweet blue and black fruits, ripe tannins, and a pure, 60-second finish. Give it 3-4 years to blossom and drink it through 2025. Founded in 1973, the winery is now run by Charles Cimicky who succeeded his father at the helm. Charles Cimicky has established a reputation for both high quality and excellent values.” 95 pts. Wine Advocate

WINES BY THE GLASS

RED WINES

France

$9.00469 Chinon, Jean-Maurice Raffault, Loire, 2005
This light and refreshing wine has lively red fruit and a hint of earth and herbs to remind you of its Old World origins.

$10.00466 Côtes du Rhône, Domaine des Garances, Louis Latour, 2003
This is a small 5 hectare estate run by the Cortellinis and jointly owned with the French comedy film actor Jean Louis Trintignant. They own a total of 28ha spread across various vineyards in the communes of Castillon du Gard and Saint-Hilaire d’Ozilhan. Garances comes from mainly old vine Carignan with the addition of Grenache and Syrah. Red fruits, licorice, balsamic notes and spice.

$12.00413 Morgon, Chateau des Lumières, Louis Jadot, 2004
The Morgon propensity for longevity is sometimes expressed as a verb; “morgonner" is to age well. The abundance of manganese in its soil, which lends the wines density and vigor, makes them slower to evolve. This soil profile yields the fullest and most ageworthy of the crus of Beaujolais. Rather than the carbonic maceration technique typically used in the Beaujolais, Château des Lumières practices a traditional Pinot Noir vinification.

$20.00434 Châteauneuf du Pape, Chateau La Nerthe, 2003
La Nerthe enjoys an illustrious history. As early as the 18th century, its wine was being bottled on the estate and was considered one of the best Châteauneufs. Thomas Jefferson even bought a few cases. La Nerthe's wine is one of the most modern and accessible Châteauneufs -- it has less tannin than Beaucastel or Vieux Télégraphe, and is ready to drink earlier. Almost all La Nerthe wines are vinified in wood, many in small barrels, which is rare in Châteauneuf.

$22.00 346 Bordeaux, Les Hauts de Pontet Canet, Pauillac, 2004
Les Hauts de Pontet is located directly across from the Château Mouton-Rothschild in Pauillac. The origins of the vineyard date back to the beginning of the 18th century, when Jean François Pontet, Master of the King's Horse and Major-General of the Médoc, put together several parcels of land to the north-west of Pauillac. A few years later, his descendants completed the work by acquiring the vineyards known as "La Maison de Canet". This is a classic left bank Bordeaux.

$27.00415 Chambolle-Musigny, Vielles Vignes, Nicolas Potel, 2004
Chambolle-Musigny is one of the smaller villages in this famous area and contains approximately 550 vineyard acres; all planted to Pinot Noir except for a 3/4-acre plot that grows Chardonnay. While the area is best known for its Grand Crus, Bonnes Mares and Musigny, Chambolle-Musigny also has twenty-four Premier Cru vineyards. Chambolle-Musigny wines are light and elegant with good structure and this wine is no exception.

WINES BY THE GLASS

RED WINES

Italy

$8.00491 Chianti, Vadossi, 2006
This easy going Chianti exhibits red cherry and strawberry fruit with hints of herbs and a refreshingly crisp finish.

340 Barbera d'Alba, Musso, 2004 $9.00
Barbera is the high-in-acid grape of north-western Italy that makes it the perfect accompaniment to food. It is widely planted, but at its best in the hills around Alba and Asti. Barbera’s quality changes dramatically according to yield. At its best, Barbera is rich, plummy and cherryish with undertones of sweet vanilla and spice. Low yields and ageing in small new oak casks can accomplish this

$10.00554 Valpolicella, Ca’Fiui, Corte Sant Alda, Verona, 2005
Ca’ Fiui is the hillside settlement where the Corte Sant’Alda winery is situated. The wine is made from Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Molinara, with small amounts of Croatina and Rossara. Grapes were hand-harvested and fermented in new oak vats and traditional small stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged for three months in oak. A perfume of dried fruits and leather with cherries and spice.

$11.00573 Nero d'Avola, Lamùri, Tasca D'Almerita, Sicilia, 2004
"Immediately appealing with its bright ruby color, frutti di bosco flavors and fresh pine forest aromas, this wine packs plenty of stuffing onto its lithe frame. It feels simultaneously modern and ancient, a rich savor that's firmly Mediterranean…" Wine & Spirits 90 pts.

$12.00473 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Quattro Mani, Abruzzo, 2006
Some argue that Montepulciano originated in the Abruzzi region, with which it's still most closely associated, mainly because of the DOC wines of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. This grape produces deeply colored wines with blackberry fruit and hints of spice. Because of its moderate acid levels, Montepulciano is generally smooth and luscious.

$13.00465 Chianti Classico, Fonterutoli, Mazzei, Toscana, 2003
For six centuries the Mazzei family has made wine in Tuscany, today located at Castello di Fonterutoli. This Chianti Classico is 100% Sangiovese from the Fonterutoli and Belvedere vineyards, aged in French barriques for up to twelve months.

$15.00418 Morellino di Scansano, Rovente, Col di Bacche, Toscana, 2004
You may never have had a Morellino di Scansano, but Morellino di Scansano wines are a tremendous value. Morellino is a strain of Sangiovese, the main grape in Chianti. Scansano is a village situated on a mountain ridge in the heart of Maremma, which is an area in the southernmost part of Tuscany – far south of Chianti. Its hot weather and proximity to the coast and beaches make it ideal for producing lush wines, but it’s more famous to tourists as a vacation spot.

$17.00575 Aglianico del Vulture, Re Manfredi, Basilicata, 2001
Aglianico is a Roman corruption of the Greek name of the grape, Ellenico. This wine is grown in the Monte Vulture zone of Basilicata on the slopes of an extinct volcano. Experience deep, dark, chewy spicy black cherry fruit, with hints of green herbs and the warm volcanic soils it grew in.

$26.00376 Brunello di Montalcino, Poggio Antico, Tuscany, 2000
Truffle-like, smoky and floral with loads of wild red berries, black cherry, leather, tobacco and vanilla. In the mouth the structure is powerful and austere, yet extremely velvety. Great balance and sweet tannins makes it silky and persistent in the finish.

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RED WINES

Italy, Continued

$28.00378 Barolo, Marcarini, Brunate, 2003
This ripe Barolo yearns from the fabled Brunate vineyard. A delicate aroma of rose petals, leather and sweet spices is met by ripe tannins with juicy strawberry fruit, tempered by beef bouillon and soy flavors.

New Zealand

$12.00471 Pinot Noir, Box O’ Birds, Central Otago, 2003
Since the debut of Sideways, the supply of New World Pinot has dwindled and prices have been on the rise. At the same time, New Zealand Pinot has begun to match it’s Sauvignon Blanc counterpart in quality and price-to-value, so this entry from Central Otago is welcome and deserves a spot on our glass list. Box O'Birds gets its name from the Kiwis' answer to the question, ``How are you?'' It means, ``I'm cheerful, happy, in fine health.'' Enjoy classic earthy Pinot aromas singed by spice and cherry cola with toasty oak.

Portugal

$9.00306 Três Bagos, Lavradores de Feitoria, Douro, 2003
A joint project between 15 quality-minded Portuguese quintas or growers (Lavradores means grower), with guidance from Port wunderkind Dirk Niepoort. Based on the traditional varieties found in Port, this wine is a real expression of the Douro terroir. Experience Old World aromas of earth and subtle oak married with warm, spicy black raspberry fruit.

South Africa

$8.00394 Merlot, Porcupine Ridge, Boekenhoutskloof, South Africa, 2001
As little brother to the well known Boekenhoutskloof label, Porcupine Ridge presents great value for the dollar. Predominantly sourced from the Boekenhoutskloof Estate, half of the grapes underwent a cold-soak. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks, but before the wine went 'dry' (all of the sugar was converted to alcohol), it was transferred to oak casks. 85% of the wine spent nine months in barrel. Dried herb, plum, and cocoa aromas, followed by a seam of dark espresso chocolate, which some identify as South Africa’s classic ash character, are softened by a luscious, fleshy finish.

$10.00421 Goat Roti, Goats do Roam Wine Company, South Africa, 2003
When the French filed suit over Charles Back’s "Goat Roti" name, he staged a media event at the French consulate in Cape Town, complete with protest signs saying "Free the Goats" and "You'll Never Get our Goat". The blend of this wine changes annually, but the '03 is a blend of 85% Syrah, 12% Mourvèdre and 3% Viognier. Red and black fruit with overtones of road tar on the nose. Warm and full in flavor with dark, ripe berry fruit balanced by tart acidity.

WINES BY THE GLASS

RED WINES

Spain

$8.00551 Sonsierra, Crianza, Rioja, 2004
This wine is made from 100% estate Tempranillo grown around Sierra de Cantabria. After a thirteen day fermentation to maximize color and tannin extraction, the wine spends 12 months in American oak. Juicy black cherry, spice, and a hint of tobacco with a refreshing finish. This is a great value!

$9.00485 Altos de la Hoya, Olivares, Monastrell, Jumilla, 2005
“The 2005 Altos de la Hoya Monastrell “Ungrafted Old Vines” is a perennial Best Buy in this journal. Purple in color, the wine offers up a nearly exotic nose (perhaps due to wild yeast fermentation) of earth, minerals, blueberries, and blackberries. This medium to full-bodied effort possesses layers of sweet, ripe fruit, and soft tannins yet is surprisingly elegant. Drink this tasty wine over the next 2-3 years.” 90 pts. Wine Advocate

$10.00445 Cuatro Pasos, Martin Codax, Mencía, Bierzo, 2004
Jancis Robinson has referred to the Mencía grape as an up and coming variety – “just the job for a modern red”. It is grown in the north-west of Spain principally in the DOs of Bierzo and Valdeorras. It produces red wines that are fruity and delicate, and a refreshing change to other Spanish red wines. According to recent studies, Mencía is very similar to Cabernet Franc.

$20.00459 Propriedad H. Remondo, Palacios Remondo, Rioja, 2006
Made by the brother of Alvaro Palacios, this wine is substantial with aromas of brambly black raspberry and oak spice followed by mouth-coating black fruit with crisp acid, young tannins and a long finish.

$25.00422 Prado Enea, Gran Reserva, Muga, Rioja, 1998
“The 1998 Prado Enea Gran Reserva is 80% Tempranillo and the balance Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano. It is aged for one year in large oak followed by 3 years in new French oak and 3 years in bottle prior to release. This medium ruby colored wine seems to combine traditional and modern elements beginning with a classic nose of earth, cedar, tobacco, spice box, and red currants. Medium-bodied with a velvety texture, the wine offers elegance and lovely balance but also plenty of fleshy flavor. The fruit has enough structure to drink well for at least another 6-8 years.” 91 pts. Wine Advocate

$30.00425 Labastida, Manuel Quintano, Reserva, Rioja, 2001
“This wine feels potent, wound around intense spice and smoke. The spices unravel in the finish, extremely long on flavors of cedar, cherry and wood smoke. The blast of tannin is very Spanish, in a hearty Hemmingway sort of way." 92 pts. Wine & Spirits