Wine Type: Rare
Syrah, Rosehall Run Vineyards ‘The Swinger’
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2010
The namesake of this wine, Dick Singer, was a local grower and wine aficionado who passed away recently, leaving a vineyard on Salmon Point, and many great wines to its credit. 2010 was a stellar and hot year, so i expect this wine to be reflective of that. Syrah doesn't easily ripen in this climate, so it's only in a long and hot year that it is possible to produce good syrah. The wine, like its namesake, a rare breed indeed.
- Price (bottle) ~ $70.
Cab Sauvignon, Rockford Est. ‘Rifle Range’ (half bottle)
Barossa Valley, Australia 2009
(375ml)
- Price (bottle) ~ $60
Pinot Noir, Hanzell Vineyards
Sonoma Valley, California USA 2007
- Price (bottle) ~ $225.
Pinot Noir, Merry Edwards 07
Sonoma Coast, California USA 2007
91 points "Year's Best Pinot Noir" "This pinot noir has substantial weight and it also has drive, the flavors of bosky cherry, foresty mushroom and pine held tight within a rich texture. Oak contributes to the smoky scent and adds to the mineral tannin without blocking the clean fruit." Wine & Spirits Magazine, reviewed June 2010, "Year's Best Pinot Noir," April 2011
- Price (bottle) ~ $150
Pinot Noir, Merry Edwards
Russian River Valley, California USA 2006
"It's easy to pay a lot of money for domestic pinot noir. Some wines aren't worth the money, but these are some good ones if you have the cash... The 2006 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is more generous, with juicy cherry and raspberry, nice spice and fine tannins."
- Price (bottle) ~ $148.
Pinot Noir, Littorai
Sonoma Coast California USA 2010
WS: 89 Firmly concentrated, with a tight, compact focus on crushed rock, wild berry and raspberry flavors that show savory herb and pepper notes. Needs time. Best from 2014 through 2023. –JL
- Price (bottle) ~ $140
Cabernet Sauvignon Shafer
Napa Valley, California USA 2002
WS: 91 Firm, dark, rich and concentrated, with layers of spicy, grapey plum, currant and blackberry, with hints of herb, coffee and cedary oak. The tannins are tight yet ripe and the finish sails on. Best from 2006 through 2012. 7,000 cases made
- Price (bottle) ~ $150
Zinfandel ‘Black Chicken’ Robert Biale Vineyards
Napa Valley California USA 2010
- Price (bottle) ~ $145
Claret, Ramey
Napa Valley 2007
91 Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate, December 2010: The 2007 Claret, which is Ramey’s easiest to drink and appreciate wine, is a seductive blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec included. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by a velvety textured, plush, round, generous wine with lots of texture and fruit. This high quality effort should be drunk over the next decade.
93 Wine Spectator October 15, 2010: Bordeaux-like in its subtlety and restraint, yet rich, flavorful, full-bodied and expansive, with a mix of cedar, currant, cigar box, tar and mineral. Firm and focused, its elegance and refinement are impressive. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2018.
- Price (bottle) ~ $98
Syrah, ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Cayuse Vineyards
Walla Walla Valley, Washington USA 2007
The saturated purple 2007 Syrah Cailloux Vineyard contains 4% Viognier in the blend. It displays a Cote-Rotie-like nose of smoked meat, olives, herbs, game, and bacon. Layered, plush, and super-rich, this full-bodied, pleasure-bent effort has exceptional length. Difficult to resist now, it can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years. 97 Points.: Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate
Strong notes of tar, hot stone and licorice weave through the rich, dark plum, mulberry and currant aromas and flavors. A complex, beautifully knit wine that lets its flavors sail through a long, compelling finish. Best from 2012 through 2020. 95 Points: Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator
- Price (bottle) ~ $220.
Cornas, Jean Luc Colombo ‘Terres Brulees’
France 2010
(W&S•90) Blended from several plots ranging from 20 to 60 years old, this is sweet and bright, with jazzy acidity lifting the dark, gravelly fruit. It’s polished but not shiny, an inviting introduction to a region known for formidable wines - and yet one that will last well over the next decade. only 15 cases imported to Ontario.
- Price (bottle) ~ $130.
St. Laurent, Harwood Estates
Hillier, Prince Edward County 2009
remarkably good. medium bodied, but fresh and somewhat akin to a good Pinot Noir.
- Price (bottle) ~ $40
Pinot Noir, Rochioli Vineyards
Russian River Valley, California USA 2009
WS 92. Openly fruity, with plum, black cherry, mineral and spice notes that show a touch of cedar. Medium- to full-bodied, retaining its delicate profile. Drink now through 2017. 3,550 cases made. –JL
- Price (bottle) ~ $145.
Chardonnay, Hanzell
Sonoma Valley, California USA 2008
WS 91. Complex and layered, offering a full-bodied mix of toasty vanilla oak, ripe pear and fig, with touches of floral and spice. Ends with a complex finish. –JL
- Price (bottle) ~ $145.
Gruner Veltliner, ‘Privat’ Nigl
Kremstal, Austria 2007
WS 93. A luscious spicy aroma is followed up by concentrated flavors of ripe peach, glazed apricot, honeydew melon and cream. The long, well-structured finish is dominated by lemon zest and smoke. Drink now through 2014.
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Zinfandel, ‘Black Chicken’ Robert Biale Vineyards 08
Napa Valley, California USA 2008
WS 91. A rarity indeed - this wines' name harkens back to the prohibition era, when farmer Robert Biale would take orders for wine over the party line for things like " two dozen eggs - and one Black Chicken" - a thinly veiled method of accounting for his bootlegging operation up and down the valley! decades later, the name still stands! 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.
- Price (bottle) ~ $133.
Dolcetto, Palmina
Santa Barbara County California USA 2009
You may be familiar with Steve Clifton of Brewer-Clifton wines' fame, but whether you are or not, Steve's name on the bottle means it's something special. Formed in 1995, Palmina Winery produces a full range of wines crafted from Italian varietals grown in Santa Barbara County. They are not trying to emulate the Italian versions of those grapes, but rather interpret the styles to the growing conditions and vineyard sites of the very unique characteristics of Santa Barbara County. The wines are Italian by tradition and modern by design, and all are designed to be an “extension of the plate”. While stylistically, they are most definitely new world, there is no mistaking any of these varietal wines for something that they are not - each wine is so true to its varietal nature, that it's almost impossible to fathom. But the truth, as always, is in the glass.
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Sauvignon Blanc, Rochioli
Russian River Valley, California USA 2011
This wine is a blend consisting of 42% from the original Sauvignon Blanc vineyard planted in 1959, 32% is from a planting of a very rare and special clone and 26% is from a seventeen year old hillside vineyard. Only 22% of this blend is barrel fermented which gives this wine its complexity and round texture. The rest is tank fermented to preserve its intense varietal character and firm acidity. They had me at "Rochioli" actually ... even when I lived in Napa Valley, you couldn't get your hands on this stuff! So by all means ... enjoy!
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Pinot Noir, Picard MacLaurin
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2006
The winemaking team of Fredric Picard (Huff Estates' winemaker) and Huff's sales director Karen MacLauren decided to pick probably the most challenging year in a decade to start making Pinot Noir. The label does not exist anymore, and the last handful of bottles here are on at fire sale pricing! great with duck or pork.
- Price (bottle) ~ $25
Pinot Gris, Stanners Vineyard
Prince Edward County, Ontario Canada 2010
we are apparently the last restaurant to have a stock of this wine - a real favorite of everyone who tries it! lovely poached pear and a hint of tea spice, a light pink hue and opulent mouthfeel.
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
jerez, ‘Noe’ 30 year old Pedro Ximinez, Gonzalez Byass
Spain, NV
An unctuous treat, with concentrated raisin and jammy black berry flavors. Dense and rich, with spicy, meaty notes, reminiscent of mincemeat pie. (375ml)
- Price (glass) ~ $10
Sauternes 1er Cru Classé Château de Rayne Vigneau
France, 1999
(750ml) Here's an interested factoid: this property is situated directly next door to Chateau d'Yquiem, so one hopes that there are some shared attributes here. This particular vintage of du Rayne is less sweet than some others I have tasted, earthy and soft. I don't have a tasting note for the 1999, however the wines consistently rate in the low nineties score-wise, and 1999 was a decent year in Sauternes. A very good value, as it is a full-sized bottle.
- Price (bottle) ~ $95
Sauternes 1er Grand Cru Classé Château Coutet
France 1997
(375ml) 95 points Wine Spectator: Offers fascinating aromas of cooked apple, clove and honey that follow through to a full body, with superlively acidity and spicy blanched almond and honey character on the palate. Long and powerful, showing amazing botrytis character, with so much spice and richness, yet also freshness. Even better than the superb 2006. Best after 2015. –JS
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Pinot Noir ‘Gary’s’ Vineyard’ Testarossa
Santa Lucia Highlands 2004
The Gary's are indeed two - Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni. Planted in 1997, these guys have a rep for growing the most coveted Pinot Noir (and Syrah) in California, bar none. They sell their grapes only to select vintners, friends and revered colleagues - Testarossa being one such. It's expensive for a reason: low cropped to less than 1.5 tons per acre, and hand cultivated by two of the craziest guys in the biz. This vineyard is considered to be one of California's 'grands crus' and the origin of the cuttings is also stuff of legend ... one which isn't talked about openly, but suffice to say there's another big reason the grapes are so good ...
- Price (bottle) ~ $160
Valpolicella Guiseppe Quintarelli
Classico Superiore 1998
The venerable Guiseppe Quintarelli makes the best wines the Veneto has to offer. His Amarones are sublime, though somewhat price-restrictive for us common folk. This is an excellent second choice at a much more acceptable price, though once you've experienced it you'll realize it's a steal!
- Price (bottle) ~ $100
Morey-Saint-Denis Domaine Dujac *white*
France, 2002
A rarity - a white burgundy from Morey-Saint-Denis, the most northern village in the Cotes de Nuits - better known for their reds, and where most of the Grands Crus are located. Dujac is named simply for its proprietor, Jacques Seysses, who still makes the wine along with his son Jeremy, who is in charge of the white wine production. This wine is a firmly structured example of what excellent Burgundy can and should be: judicious use of new oak frames a smoky, nutty and mineral core, giving up aromas of nut butter, toffee and fresh cream. A complex finish unfolds with layers of spice, tea, french vanilla, lime and baked apple. A real stunner! (Cellar temperature, please allow ten minutes to chill)
- Price (bottle) ~ $95
Tokay Pinot Gris Vendanges Tardives, J.M. Sohler
Alsace, France 1999
Yet another rarity from JM Sohler, this one a medium-sweet late harvest Tokay, with a slight pink tinge. a bit peachy and stone fruity, and not at all cloying. easy to finish this, you and i, over a cheese plate or - dare i say it - a nice warm foie gras ... sheer heaven!
- Price (bottle) ~ $110
Pinot Gris ‘Winzenberg’ Grand Cru, J.M. Sohler
Alsace, France 2004
As with all of JM Sohler's wines, this one's production weighs in at less than 100 cases, so you're tasting a rare wine indeed. complex and decadent, this wine is just now hitting its stride. Enjoy with pork loin, or our catch of the day.
- Price (bottle) ~ $70
Riesling ‘Heissenberg’ J.M. Sohler
Alsace France 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Salon ‘Les Mesnil’, Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 1995
Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, Vintage 1995
WS 96. (Champagne) This is assertive and grainy in texture, a big-boned Champagne that's powerful and intensely flavored. Biscuit, graphite, honeysuckle, peach and floral notes come together, defined by the firm structure, and last throughout the complex finish. Needs a little more time for the elements to harmonize. Drink now through 2018. 500 cases imported. –BS
- Price (bottle) ~ $475
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) ~ $425
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
Rosso ‘Ca del Merlo’ Guiseppe Quintarelli
Veneto, Italy 1997
Considered to be the Master of the Veneto, Guiseppe Quintarelli’s Valpolicellas rival many Amarones! The blend for the Ca del Merlo is exactly the same as the regular Valpolicella, but the grapes come from a single hilltop vineyard. Add this to the not insignificant vintage (considered the best in Veneto and Tuscany) and you will find a rare treat in this bottling.
- Price (bottle) ~ $175
Raboso di Piave Moletto
Italy 2001
A not often seen wine from the Veneto region of Italy, made from the indigenous grape Raboso. It’s a dark and tannic wine, and could do with some cellar age, but a vigorous decanting will reward the patient with lovely Bing Cherry aromas and flavors, roses and dried berries. It’s an ideal match to mature cheeses or rare cuts of meat.
- Price (bottle) ~ $22
Viognier Daniel Lenko
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario Canada 2004
When pioneering grower Bill Lenko planted these vines in the early nineties, there was no Viognier planted anywhere in Ontario. “Jim Warren (Stoney Ridge) suggested Viognier, as I was looking for an early ripening white.” Cropped to less than two tons per acre, these are now the oldest Viognier vines in the country, and the concentration is remarkable, giving the wine a voluptuous texture enveloping flavors of ripe white peaches, apricots and mango that hold through a lingering finish. Truly satisfying and delicious! Last tasted in January 2013: was austere on first open, but opened quickly to show great complexity and a remarkable texture. Still a monster wine, and now a bargain as well!
- Price (bottle) ~ $65