Wine Type: Reds
‘Nota Bene’ Black Hills Winery, Black Sage Bench, Okanagan Valley BC 2008
'Nota Bene' Black Hills Winery, Black Sage Bench, Okanagan Valley BC 2008
This is a finely tuned example of what great Meritage should be - sweet oak and skin tannins, jammy blackberry over cedar notes and loads of mineral, showing off the distinct Black Sage Bench terroir. A big, dark and elegant wine which will reward us all with a vigorous decanting (i would suggest letting it sit in the decanter for a good fifteen minutes before enjoying - so be sure to order it for your mains as soon as you sit, that way it'll be ready for you!). This wine is hard to find even in its native province, and we're lucky enough to be able to bring it to you at such a stunning value.
- Price (bottle) ~ $85.
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
Pinot Noir Meerlust
WO Stellenbosch 2000
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
‘Rubicon’
Meerlust Estate, WO Stellenbosch 2000
- Price (bottle) ~ $60
‘The Faithful Hound’
Mulderbosch, WO Stellenbosch 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Merlot Groot Constantia
WO Constantia 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $49
Shiraz-Viognier ‘The Joshua’
Graham Beck, WO Coastal Region 2002
A classic rhone style blend of shiraz with about 6% Viognier blended in for aromatics. Solidly structured with loads of black fruit.
- Price (bottle) ~ $47
‘Goat Roti’
Goats do Roam Wine Co., Fairview, WO Coastal Region 2004
A classic northern Rhone blend of Syrah (shiraz) and Viognier from two distinctly different terroirs, one in Stellenbosch and one on Paarl mountain. Makes for a more complex blend as the two regions ripen weeks apart, thereby imparting a well-balanced frame of acidity and ripe fruit. Nice with all kinds of grilled meats and hard cheeses.
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Pinotage Diemersfontein
WO Wellington 2005
Pinotage is the indigenous variety of South Africa, and in the best vintages produces a big, bold, tannic and highly unique wine, often with subtle undertones of banana over its more typical coffee and chocolate character.
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Pinotage Kleine Zalze
WO Stellenbosch 2003
The wine shows a deep red colour with intense plum, mulberry and black fruit flavours. The 50% Pinotage aged in French oak barrels adds a good, soft complexity with well integrated firm oaky tannins.
- Price (bottle) ~ $31
Pinotage Hidden Valley
WO Stellenbosch 2004
The colour is a deep ruby red with a crimson hue. The style is big and bold with surprising softness on the palate. Arousing aromas of plum, mint, and chocolate and vanilla palate surprisingly and appealingly non Pinotage. Rich seductive aromas of mocha and mulberry, with a ripe spicy, blackberry and chocolate palate.
- Price (bottle) ~ $38
‘The Goatfather’
Goats do Roam Wine Co., WO Coastal Region 2005
Another blend-o-rama from the Goat farm - this one a tribute to pretty much every Italian varietal: sangiovese, barbera, nebbiolo, and primitivo - with some cab sauv, mourvedre and of course pinotage just for fun. Leathery, with dark cherry and cigar box notes, very good with pasta and any tomato based dish.
- Price (bottle) ~ $35
‘Larose’
Stoneyridge Vineyard, Waiheke Island 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $200
Goats do Roam in Villages
Goats do Roam Wine Co., Fairview, WO Coastal Region 2004
The various, predominantly Rhône varietals were harvested ripe and destalked before being fermented at 25 - 28°C. This vintage is a blend of primarily Shiraz and Pinotage with Cinsaut, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Merlot, Carignan, Gamay and Cabernet being used to achieve a style consistent with what Goats do Roam has become famous for. The wine is lightly oaked before being carefully blended and bottled. Ripe red fruit, with a fragrant lift, with liquorice and spice notes on the nose; fruit follows through, with fragrant notes completing the medium bodied mouthfeel. Well integrated with a smooth finish.
- Price (bottle) ~ $29
Pinot Noir Spy Valley
Marlborough 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $47
Pinot Noir Wither Hill
Marlborough 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Cabernet-Merlot ‘Wood’s Hills’
Goldwater, Waiheke Island 2000
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Pinot Noir Quartz Reef
Central Otago 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Merlot ‘Matheson’
Matua Valley Wines, Hawke’s Bay 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Shiraz ‘Command’
Elderton, Barossa 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $120
Pinot Noir Mc Cashins
Nelson 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Black Label’
Wolf Blass, South Australia 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $145
Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Euphonium’
Keyneton Estate, Henschke, Barossa 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $100
Nebbiolo, ‘Joseph’
Primo Estate, McLaren Vale 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $90
Shiraz ‘Classic Clare’
Leasingham, Clare Valley 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $85
Shiraz ‘The Mc Rae Wood’
Jim Barry, Clare Valley, 2000
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Shiraz ‘Valley Floor’
Langmeil Wines, Barossa Valley 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Grenache ‘Cadenzia’
DogRidge, McLaren Vale 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $68
Shiraz ‘Hyland’
Penley Estate, McLaren Vale 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $58
Shiraz Morambro Creek
Padthaway 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $60
Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon Penley Estate
McLaren Vale 2000
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Shiraz-Viognier ‘The Laughing Magpie’
d’Arenberg, Mc Laren Vale 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Shiraz ‘The Futures’
Peter Lehmann, Barossa 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Shiraz Château Reynella
Mc Laren Vale 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Cabernet Sauvignon Château Reynella
Mc Laren Vale 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Shiraz ‘Woodcutter’s’
Torbreck, Barossa Valley 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
‘The Galvo Garage’
d’Arenberg, Mc Laren Vale/Adelaide Hills 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $49
Cabernet Sauvignon Leconfield
Coonawarra, 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $49
Grenache ‘John Zilm’
Craneford Barossa Valley 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Grenache-Shiraz Jeanneret
Clare Valley 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $47
Shiraz-Petit Verdot ‘Basket Pressed’
Bonneyview Wines 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $43
Grenache-Shiraz-Touriga St. Hallet
Barossa 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Shiraz ‘Earthworks’
Langmeil Wines, Barossa Valley 2006
- Price (bottle) ~ $35
Pinot Noir Higher Plane
Margaret River 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $43
Cabernet-Merlot ‘Trinders’
Cape Mentelle, Margaret River 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $49
Pinot Noir Higher Plane 2003
Margaret River 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Shiraz ‘Blackwood Ridge’
Plunkett Wines 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $43
Shiraz Taltarni
Heathcote 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $60
‘Le Mistral’ (Rhône-Style Blend)
Joseph Phelps 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Merlot Blackstone
Blackstone 2003
Always a good solid choice that won't offend anyone. Easy drinking if a little predictable.
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Carignane ‘Ancient Vines’
Cline 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Zinfandel ‘Ancient Vines’
Cline 2004
Nice example of a simple sonoma zin - they make it best here, well balanced with typical black plum and berry flavors and a judicious smattering of new american oak.
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Pinot Noir ‘Las Alturas Vineyard’
Belle Glos, Santa Lucia Highlands 2005
Belle Glos is Caymus Vineyard's Pinot Noir division. If you are familiar with Caymus, progeny of Napa Valley pioneer Charles Wagner, even by reputation you'll know that it's legacy is for elegant, silky, sexy wines with opulent texture and fruit that lingers on the palate, evolving with each sip. This single vineyard Pinot Noir is from the Santa Lucia Highlands region, where Gary Pisoni has pioneered a sort of Pinot Noir revolution. It only stands to reason that if one were after the perfect Pinot Noir, they might want to situate there. Smart people, them Wagners.
- Price (bottle) ~ $125
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) ~ $175
Zinfandel Painter Bridge
Vineyards 2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $32
Pinot Noir ‘La Bauge Au-Dessus’
Au Bon Climat, Santa Maria Valley 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Syrah ‘Parker Station’
Fess Parker, Santa Barbara County 2003
Nice medium bodied example, good varietal character with dark plum fruit and grilled notes with a hint of leather and black cherry on the finish.
- Price (bottle) ~ $49
Syrah Morgan
Syrah Morgan Monterey 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $53
Syrah ‘SLO’
Adelaida, Paso Robles 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $47
Mourvedre ‘Ancient Vines’
Cline, Contra Costa County 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Cabernet Sauvignon Silver Oak
Alexander Valley 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $145
Zinfandel ‘Lytton Springs’
Ridge, Sonoma 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Zinfandel ‘Annette’s Reserve’
Rosenblum, Redwood Valley 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Zinfandel ‘Geyserville’
Ridge Sonoma 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $70
Cabernet Sauvignon Château Souverain
Alexander Valley 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Zinfandel ‘Old Vine’
Ravenswood, Mendocino 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Zinfandel Artezin
Mendocino/Amador/Napa Valley 2003
An elegant zin from the makers of Hess Collection, refined and well put together with outstanding balance.
- Price (bottle) ~ $47
Syrah ‘Icon’
Ravenswood, Sonoma 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $49
Zinfandel ‘Old Vine’
Ravenswood, Lodi 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $45
Pinot Noir Rodney Strong
Russian River Valley 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $41
Zinfandel ‘Liars Dice’
Murphy-Goode, Sonoma 2003
Raspberry jello come to mind - really! get it while it's hot, i think there's one bottle left!
- Price (bottle) ~ $40
‘Tete à Tete’ (Rhône-Style Blend)
Domaine de la Terre Rouge, Sierra Foothills 2004
Lovely and fun blend of classic Rhone varietals Syrah, Mourvedre, Grenache and Cinsault. Medium to full bodied with lots of plummy fruit, but well designed, refined and not jammy at all. LOVE this wine!
- Price (bottle) ~ $48
Dominus
Moeiux (Magnum) 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $395
Opus One
Mondavi-Rothschild 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $350
Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Cliff
Oakville (Magnum) 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $320
Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Special Selection’
Caymus 2002
This is one wine considered to be the pinnacle of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley - it ranks with Dominus, Montebello, and Insignia as its peers, not a common wine in the bunch.
- Price (bottle) ~ $220
Cain Five
Spring Mountain 2002
Spring Mountain is a sub appellation of Napa Valley and lies above and to the west of the valley proper. Cain Five sits at the highest point on Spring Mountain, and from its 360 degree view of the surrounding valleys you can see everybody's business ... all the top vineyards are in sight of this remarkable property, planted primarily with the Bordeaux varietals on high wind-swept rocky slopes. The altitude lends acidity, and the attention to detail is evident in every sip. Winemaker Christopher Howell is a master, and Cain Five is truly a masterpiece.
- Price (bottle) ~ $250
Cabernet Sauvignon Caymus
2005
- Price (bottle) ~ $160
Cabernet Sauvignon Vine Cliff
Oakville 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $175
Cabernet Sauvignon Grgich Hills
2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $150
Merlot Duckhorn
Vineyards 2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $145
Cabernet Sauvignon Shafer
2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $120
Merlot Grgich Hills
2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $110
Merlot Grgich Hills
2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $110
Paraduxx
Paraduxx 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $100
Merlot Shafer
2003
- Price (bottle) ~ $95
Napanook
Dominus Estate 2001
- Price (bottle) ~ $95
Napanook
Dominus Estate 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $85
Cabernet Sauvignon Château Montelena
2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $80
Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Reserve’
Raymond 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $75
Zinfandel Green and Red
Chile’s Mill Vineyard 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $65
Merlot Freemark Abbey
2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $60
Zinfandel Storybook Mountain Vineyards
Mayacamas Range 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $70
Merlot Rutherford Hill
2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Cabernet Sauvignon Courtney Benham
2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $55
Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva
Fabre Montmayou, Mendoza 2004
- Price (bottle) ~ $40
Pinot Noir Macrostie
Carneros 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $50
‘Estampa’ Reserve
Colchagua Valley, Chile 2006
an excellent bordeaux-style blend. Great bang for the buck!
- Price (bottle) ~ $39
Malbec ‘Clos de Los Siete’
par Michel Rolland, Mendoza 2004
Elegantly done by Michel Rolland, star winemaker - so very much a french style wine, polished and balanced with typical flavors of licorice and spicy dark fruit with coffee notes.
- Price (bottle) ~ $37
‘Escudo Rojo’
Philippe de Rothschild, Maipo 2002
- Price (bottle) ~ $35