Wine Type: Award Winning

Robert Biale Zinfandel ‘Black Chicken’ Napa Valley 2008

'Black Chicken' Zinfandel, Robert Biale, Napa Valley 2008

Wine Spectator 91 points! Dense yet sleek, with blackberry and cracked pepper aromas and complex, layered flavors of plum, licorice and roasted sage, finishing with firm, loamy tannins. Needs time. Best from 2012 through 2016. This is a highly Allocated wine in California, similar in style to a Turley zin, and every bit as rare!

  • Price (bottle) ~ $100.00

Merlot Redigaffi, Tua Rita 2005

‘Redigaffi’ Tua Rita, Tuscany, Italy 2005

WS 95. WA 93. IWC 93. A legendary wine, although the winery produced its first vintage only in 1992. Robert Parker called this wine ‘as close to perfection as a wine can get’ and on the heels of that kind of praise, this has become the most sought-after (and impossible to find) Super-Tuscan there is. Deep, intense purple in color, with tremendous extraction, Redigaffi is a monumental and beautifully structured wine that shows how well the non-native Merlot has adapted to the area around Suvereto on the Tuscan coast. It offers luscious layers of raspberry and blueberry jam, ripe plum and blackberry, followed by voluptuous notes of dark chocolate, licorice, black pepper, vanilla and incense. Full-bodied, lush, with polished tannins and an extra-long finish, Redigaffi is one of Italy’s greatest Merlots. A sought-after gem for collectors and wine lovers worldwide. A true masterpiece. **vigorous decanting required - please call in advance if possible**

  • Price (bottle) ~ $385

Solaia 2003

Antinori, IGT Tuscany 2003

WA 93: WS 95. The 2003 Solaia (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc) reveals the essence of blackberry jam, licorice, cassis, tar and minerals in a super-ripe, heady expression of the vintage. Richly sumptuous on the palate, this beautiful, expansive Solaia offers terrific length as well as stunning balance with plenty of style. It is sure to deliver much gratification over the next decade or so. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2018 **decant**

  • Price (bottle) ~ $300

Giusto di Notri, Tua Rita 2005

Tua Rita, Tuscany, Italy 2005

WS 93. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Merlot 5% Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot is the blend on this super-tuscan treat. Deep purple in color, Giusto di Notri offers abundant and very intense aromas of blackberry, plum, chocolate-covered strawberries, and currants followed by enticing notes of bell pepper, coriander, violet and a touch of vanilla. Full bodied, with rich, sweet tannins, and a jammy texture, Giusto di Notri is a stunning wine with great aging potential. **vigorously decant**

  • Price (bottle) ~ $175

Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot ‘Black Label’ Wolf Blass, South Australia 2001

Wolf Blass, South Australia 2001

WS 92. WA 92. Velvety, round and generous with smoky blueberry and currant flavors, beautifully balanced to hold their shape and their flavors as the finish sails on and on. Has extra dimensions and excellent balance. Best from 2007 through 2016. 500 cases imported. –HS

  • Price (bottle) ~ $135

Pinot Noir ‘Las Alturas Vineyard’ Belle Glos, Santa Lucia Highlands, California USA 2005

‘Las Alturas Vineyard’ Belle Glos, Santa Lucia Highlands, California USA 2005

WA 94. This Pinot Noir is part of the Wagner family (Caymus) legacy, and true to its lineage displays supple, delicious elegance that is the essence of the Caymus brand. The 2005 Pinot Noir Las Alturas Vineyard possesses a broad texture, deep, sweet fruit, forest floor, black raspberry, cherry, and currant aromas in a seamless, gorgeous package.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $125

Shiraz Elderton ‘Command’ Barossa Valley, Australia 2002

Elderton ‘Command’ Barossa Valley, Australia 2002

WS 94. DL 91. Rich, dense and velvety, distinctive for its blueberry, boysenberry and spice flavors, shaded with subtle cocoa and tar notes, lingering beautifully on the subtle, generous finish. Best from 2008 through 2015. 1,550 cases imported. –HS

  • Price (bottle) ~ $120

Solaia 2001

Antinori, IGT Tuscany, Italy 2001

WS 93. Masses of coffee and blackberry character in this youthful wine. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins, loads of fruit and excellent wood. Big and juicy, with a long, long finish. A fine wine. Needs time. Best after 2007. 7,500 cases made. –JS

  • Price (bottle) ~ $250

Grenache ‘Cadenzia’ DogRidge, McLaren Vale, Australia 2005

DogRidge, McLaren Vale, Australia 2005

DL 91. I’m sure you are very confused by all the doggie brands out there – Bad Dog, Dog House, Dog Point etc, - but let me assure you DogRidge’s offerings are not your typical critter wines. This 7,000- case family enterprise in McLaren Vale is actually quite non-conventional in terms of wine style. Winemaker Fred Howard said he was striving for “varietal elegance,” a throwaway line, I thought, having heard them all. But the wines are very much about the grapes: we’re talking natural balance here. I was suddenly getting a gut level varietal essence of Grenache, making me reflect; and I liked the dry, surprisingly not hot finish, despite being over 14% alcohol. The cool yet peppery Cadenzia Grenache is from 65 year old bush vines.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $68

Shiraz Langmeil Valley Floor Barossa Valley, Australia 2004

Langmeil Valley Floor Barossa Valley, Australia 2004

WS 94 (#16 in the top 100 of 2006) For a wine that doesn't feel big or broad, this Shiraz has amazing depth of flavor and focus, delivering a seamless package of blueberry, currant, plum and vanilla-spice flavors that fan out over the palate. Has compelling purity and impressive persistence. Best from 2008 through 2016. 8,000 cases made. –HS

  • Price (bottle) ~ $65

Touriga Nacional Quinta de Ventozelo, Douro, Portugal 2003

Quinta de Ventozelo, Douro, Portugal 2003

WS 90. Lovely aromas of blackberries and coffee are laced with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. Bursts with fresh fruit – blueberries and blackberries – on the palate, but the flavors aren’t simple, they’re backed by layers of minerality and stone dust. Supple enough to drink now, but should hold up to five years, maybe longer.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $35

Barco Real de Carmagnano Cappezzana, Italy 2003

Cappezzana, Italy 2003

WA 90. The estate’s 2003 Barco Reale di Carmignano (70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet and 10% Canaiolo), a dark translucent ruby, displays an earthy profile, with perfumed notes of dark red cherries, tobacco and menthol. Medium in body, it offers excellent length, fine tannins and enough stuffing to drink well to age ten or so. It is also an excellent value. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2014.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $35

Meursault ‘Les Narvaux’ Domaine Vincent Girardin, Burgundy, France 2002

Domaine Vincent Girardin, Burgundy, France 2002

WS 89. A full-bodied, opulent Meursault, featuring hazelnut, lemon and spicy oak flavors. It's all defined by a vibrant structure, which drives the flavors to a long finish. 400 cases imported. –BS

  • Price (bottle) ~ $90

Gewürztraminer ‘Wintzenheim’ Zind Humbrecht Alsace, France 2001

Alsace, France 2001

WS 90. Assertive aromas of smoked meat and spice introduce this full-bodied, powerful white. Grapefruit, honey and white pepper round out the flavor profile. 1,000 cases made. –BS

  • Price (bottle) ~ $75

Chablis 1er Cru ‘Vaillons’ Domaine Christian Moreau, France 2005

Domaine Christian Moreau, France 2005

WS 89. Very clean and focused, with a hint of vanilla and nutmeg and notes of lemon and stone. Firm and steely, will do well with some cellaring. 3,000 cases made. –BS

  • Price (bottle) ~ $70

Savennières ‘Clos de St. Yves’ Domaine des Baumard, Loire Valley, France 2002

Domaine des Baumard, Loire Valley, France 2002

WS 90 – JM 100% Chenin Blanc, single vineyard, from vines more than thirty five years old. Riveting acidity from start to finish, along with freshly cut quince, peach, orange blossom and mineral flavors. Long and stony with nice precision, followed by a real mouth-watering tang. Best now through 2015

  • Price (bottle) ~ $55

Pouilly Fumé Pascal Jolivet, Loire Valley, France 2005

Pascal Jolivet, Loire Valley, France 2005

W&S 90. 100% Sauvignon Blanc - Tasting Notes - Pale straw in color. Piquant, minerally, austere, and very clean nose. The palate is open, fresh, and direct, with ripe fruit flavor. Clean biting finish; very youthful; minerally flavors resurface.

  • Price (bottle) ~ $55

Chardonnay Mount Eden ‘Wolff Vineyard’ Edna Valley, California USA 2004

‘Wolff Vineyard’ Edna Valley, California USA 2004

WS 92 (#29 in top 100 of 2007) Ripe and intense, with rich, perfumed apple, pear and spice flavors that pick up a note of butterscotch from oak. Turns elegant and stylish on the finish, showing a hint of lemon and citrus. A great value. Drink now through 2010. 7,532 cases made. –JL

  • Price (bottle) ~ $47

Riesling Kabinett Munsterer Rheinberg Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Germany 2004

Kruger-Rumpf, Nahe Germany 2004

WS 88. Spice- and mineral-laden, full of lime, peach and orange notes, with fine clarity and intensity. It's all in balance, with a stone aftertaste. Drink now through 2015. –BS (available by the glass)

  • Price (bottle) ~ $31