CALIFORNIA , CHILE, OREGON & WASHINGTON Reds

August/September 2010

CABERNET

2005 Cocha Don Melchor Cabernet Puenta Alta - $350.00cs/6 - Wine Spectator Top 100 & 96pts."This is still very tight, but the tannins that lead the way now are sleek and refined, and should easily meld into the huge core of roasted chestnut, black currant paste, warm fig and tar. Has a long coffee-and-loam-tinged finish. Best from 2009 through 2019." (06/08) Puente Alto Vineyard is located in the highest, coldest region of the Maipo Valley. Don Melchor is harvested from 114 Cabernet Sauvignon hectares within this larger vineyard. In this section, vines are 20 years old on average and yield fruit of extraordinary quality. Don Melchor is a blend-wine, made with selected grapes harvested from carefully drawn plots. The 2005 has a nose expressive and complex where chocolate, black cherry and ripe plum notes mingle in a pot of coffee and cassis. The palate features a dense, full-bodied wine whose fine, ripe tannins extend the concentration and lead into a big, long and juicy finish."

2005 Continuum Proprietary Red Napa - $150.00*bot. - Parker 95pts."There are 1,000 cases of Tim Mondavi’s debut wine, a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This is the first wine Tim has produced since Constellation purchased the Robert Mondavi winery. An excellent beginning, this 2005 exhibits a dense ruby/purple color followed by a beautiful nose of lead pencil shavings intermixed with creme de cassis, subtle wood smoke, and hints of bay leaves as well as spring flowers. Full-bodied with lovely purity, nicely integrated wood, tannin, acidity, and alcohol, and a long finish reminiscent of a classic Bordeaux Pauillac, while accessible, it should age effortlessly for 15+yrs."

2007 Continuum Propritiery Napa Red - $160.00*bot. - WS 97pts. "A wonderful expression of Cabernet, sleek and polished, with a mix of rich, layered black cherry, currant, wild berry and plum fruit that’s intense, concentrated, focused and stylish, turning spicy, with cedar anise and sage notes on a long, persistent finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now - 2020.  Winemaker Notes - a richly aromatic wine showing great balance and finesse on the palate. A unique blend, Continuum expresses the nerve and power of the Cabernet Sauvignon, the structure and exotic aromas of the Cabernet Franc and the depth and density of color of the Petit Verdot. The 2007 blend manifests this in firm yet supple tannins, a generous mid-palate with a long, nuanced finish making for a very textural, silky wine. Aromas of black currant, mulberry, and rose petal lead to cardamom, truffle and graphite flavors. A wine of exquisite power and elegance, the harmonious integration and balance make it delicious now, while assuring tremendous agreeability."

2007 Cru from Napa’s Vineyard 29 - $599.99 cs/12($49.99) - Stephen Tanzer 94-97pts. -"Full ruby. The nose shows a medicinal reserve and good floral lift to the aromas of blackberry, black cherry, bitter chocolate and licorice. Extremely sweet and fine-grained, with a texture of liquid silk. This superbly concentrated wine builds slowly in the mouth and finishes with extremely suave tannins that reach the front teeth. This is even sweeter than the 2006 and promises to be one of the elite Napa cabernets of the 2007 vintage."and Parker 92pts."One of Napa’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines in the $50 range is Vineyard 29's 2007 Cru. Produced by owners Chuck and Ann McMinn and their consulting winemaker, Philippe Melka, there are 5,000 cases of this blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The grapes are all purchased, and the wine is made at their state-of-the-art facility just off Highway 29 north of St. Helena. This beautiful wine exhibits a dense ruby/purple color as well as pure black currant fruit aromas intermixed with notions of licorice, charcoal, subtle smoke, and high class unsmoked cigar tobacco. It is an elegant, stunningly concentrated, seductive, lush wine that should age nicely for a decade or more. (Dec 2009)"

2006 Decoy Duckhorn Red Blend - $349.99 cs/12 - Winemaker Mark Beringer's Notes: "This approachable wine is layered with bright acidity and forward fruit balanced by well-integrated tannins. The aroma is distinct with raspberry, plum, black pepper, tobacco and black olive. The flavors are abundant with blackberry, bittersweet chocolate, cedar, toasty oak, and a caramel finish."

2005 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine - $750.00 cs/6($125.00) - Parker 95+pts."The 2005 Dominus continues to strut its stuff, tasting like a Napa hybrid blend of a St.-Emilion and Pomerol. Its dark ruby/purple-tinged color is followed by notions of cedarwood, spice box, roasted herbs, sweet black cherry and cassis fruit, licorice, and truffles. Full-bodied with excellent fruit intensity, complex aromatics, supple tannins, and a long finish, this 7,000-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot should drink well for two decades or more. Christian Moueix, Dominus’ owner, has purchased the 35-acre Swanson Vineyard, which is situated between the well-known California bistros, Brix and Mustard’s. I suspect that will result in a third label from Dominus. At present, the production from these large holdings in Yountville is approximately 10,000-12,000 cases, with the second wine, Napanook, representing 3,500-4,000 cases, depending on the vintage. It is ironic that Christian Moueix, the great Merlot specialist at his flagship chateaux in Pomerol, especially Petrus, prefers the other Bordeaux varietals at his Napa property. Interestingly, when I visit Dominus, they always open a fresh bottle and serve it alongside a bottle that has been decanted for 24 hours. On each occasion, the more complex, open wine is the one that has had 24 hours of aeration, something buyers of this wine should take into consideration. These are the two strongest back to back vintages for Dominus since 1990-1991 and 2001-2002."

2007 Dominus Napa Red - $850.00 cs/6 - Parker 98pts."The soon-to-be-released 2007 Dominus is a 5,400-case blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot. It is ironic that Christian Moueix, the practitioner of utterly profound Merlot-based wines from St.-Emilion and Pomerol, eschews Merlot from his Napa vineyard, recognizing that it is Cabernet Sauvignon, and to a lesser extent Cabernet Franc, that hits the high notes in Napa. A prodigious example of Dominus, the 2007 represents a hypothetical blend of a Pomerol, Pauillac, and a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep ruby/purple-colored with a sweet nose of incense, cedar wood, black currants, black cherries, licorice, and a subtle hint of roasted herbs, it is an expansive, savory, opulent wine with a full-bodied mouthfeel, silky tannins, and sensational concentration. A legend in the making, it should evolve for 25-30 years, possibly longer given the fact that his vintages from the early eighties are still going strong, and the wines today are better made given Moueix-s Napa experience and the estate winery he did not have 25 years ago. Perhaps the finest vintage at Dominus since their historic 1994s and 1991s is 2007, although I am also a big fan of what they achieved in 2001, 2002, and 2006. Lastly, when I visit this winery they always open a fresh bottle and also have a bottle that has been decanted for an hour or two. The decanted bottles definitely reveal more aromatic complexity and breadth of flavor, so readers may wish to aerate the wines prior to service."  Wine Advocate # 186 Dec 2009

Dominus Library Vertical 1996, 2001, 2003 - $950.00 cs/6 - "The 1996 Dominus, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot, tips the scales at 14.2% alcohol. Although this offering lacks the power, intensity, and compelling characteristics of the 1991 and 1994, it is not far off the pace of those two monumental wines. A super nose of roasted coffee, chocolate, dried herbs, black fruits and kirsch is both intense and persuasive. The wine displays terrific richness, medium to full body, low acidity, a succulent, opulent texture, and superb purity. This beautifully made 1996 is one of the few wines that has successfully tamed the vintage's elevated tannin level. It should be relatively drinkable upon its release, yet evolve nicely for two decades. Impressive!"

"The impeccably made 2001 Dominus boasts a dense plum/purple color in addition to a fragrant, promising perfume of cocoa, cedar, coffee, roasted herbs, and copious quantities of black fruits. There are 7,000 cases of this 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot blend. Rich and medium to full-bodied, with sweet but noticeable tannin, a layered mid-palate, and a long finish with obvious tannin, it will require 3-4 years of cellaring. It should last for two decades."

"The 2003 Dominus has turned out even better than I thought from barrel. There are 4,800 cases of this 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot blend. A big, sweet nose of roasted coffee, Provencal herbs, black currants, cherry jam, plums, allspice, and forest floor is followed by a spicy, rich, full-bodied, fragrant, intense wine. The tannins are sweet, but noticeable in this beautifully complex, strikingly aromatic 2003. It has much more similarity to a great Bordeaux than anything from Napa Valley. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025.The most European-styled of all the Napa Valley Bordeaux blends, Dominus is owned by Petrus winemaker Christian Moueix, who works from one of region’s most historic vineyards, the renowned Napanook site from which many of the famed Inglenook wines of the fifties and sixties were produced. Interestingly, I tasted both decanted and recently opened bottles of each of these wines, and the additional aeration unquestionably revealed more nuances and character. I wouldn't be surprised if 5-10 hours of decanting resulted in significant improvement for these young wines. P.S. When I asked Christian Moueix to briefly summarize the last three Dominus vintages, he called 2001 “classic and elegant,” 2002 “exuberant and rich in more of a California style,” and 2003 “extremely aromatic and supple.”

2005 Esca Cabernet – Retail $32 bot. – SALE $25.00 bottle - "A great Cabernet value! Esca means ‘allurement’ in Italian, and this alluring wine was made by Anna and Mario Monticelli who met at UC Davis while earning their degrees in Viticulture and Enology. Anna worked at Chateau Cheval Blanc in St. Emilion and Bryant Family in Napa, while Mario interned at Antinori in Tuscany before they began making their own wines (Cab and Syrah) in Napa. This is their third vintage using grapes grown on the western hillsides of St. Helena in the Spring Mountain AVA. Only 800 cases of this 100% Cabernet were produced. The wine spent 21 months in French oak. It is dark, rich, and concentrated. The nose reveals ripe currant and blackberry aromas intermixed with hints of cedar and sage. The wine is well structured with good acidity and soft tannins. And yes, it comes with a screw-cap! "

2005 Groth Cabernet RESERVE Napa - $150.00*bot. - Wine Spectator 94pts. "This has wonderful richness, density and focus, with tiers of smoky plum, currant, blackberry, loamy earth, sage and underbrush notes. Though firmly tannic, there's a measure of finesse and polish. Ends with a long, rich, persistent finish. The best Groth Reserve in years. Best from 2009 through 2015." -JL - winery notes: The 2005 vintage marks the return of Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon after a six vintage hiatus. For sixteen vintages the vines from Block 1, at our Oakville "home" vineyard, produced grapes that made exquisite and memorable Reserve wines between 1983 and 1999. The Reserve block was pulled out and replanted in 2000 with new rootstocks, new clones, new trellising system and a new vine row orientation. The result of this huge investment in time, energy and resources can be tasted in our 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon."

2005 Hewitt Rutherford Cabernet - $75.00*bot. - WS 94pts.+"Intense and concentrated, big and expressive, with layers of ripe currant, plum, sage, pencil lead and black cherry, all flowing rather seamlessly. Tightly focused, this is rich without being heavy, ending with a long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2014." (05/08) Hewitt's winemaker, Tom Rinaldi, said" the hair stood up on the back of my neck, when he first walked the vineyard. A 60-acre site first planted to vine in 1880, legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff replanted in 1992, under the ownership of William Hewitt. Located on the Rutherford Bench in Napa's Maycamas Mountains, the site produces opulent wines like this 2005, full of black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit with underlying notes of anise, bittersweet chocolate and cedary spice. Smooth and graceful, the wine is kissed with a touch of classic Rutherford Dust and a muscular structure. Enjoy with full-flavored, hearty foods after decanting now or watch this gem gain in complexity with time in your cellar."

2006 Honig Cabernet - $349.99 cs/12($29.17) - "Honig's Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of fruit from Honig's own sustainably farmed vineyard in Rutherford and from local Napa vineyards. The vintage's long growing season allowed for plenty of hang time, resulting in a concentrated wine with balanced acids. On the nose it packs a one-two punch, with vibrant red fruit aromas followed by spice, vanilla and sweet tea. It is round on the palate, finishing with supple, cocoa powder tannins."  Producer notes: "Ripe red and black fruits with underlying cedar, cocoa and spice. Rich, supple mid-palate, with moderately firm tannins. Long, balanced, flavorful finish with well integrated oak. The fruit for this wine comes from both our sustainably farmed vineyard in Rutherford and from local Napa Valley vineyards. Fruit: 97% Cabernet, 3% Petit Verdot."

2006 Ladera Howell Mountain Cabernet - $350.00 cs/6 - Wine Spectator 94pts. "A tour de force Cabernet. Dense, plush, rich and concentrated, wall-to-wall flavors, with layers of black cherry, black currant, black licorice, mineral and graphite. Full-bodied and tightly wound with firm tannins, yet finishes with a mix of juicy berry and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2020."
 
Robert Parker 91pts. (web review) "The star of this duo is the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, which offers up juicy notes of crushed rocks, flowers, dark berries, black currants, and earth. This elegant, medium to full-bodied Cabernet possesses both finesse and substance. Deep, pure, and rich with moderate tannins, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and should drink well over the following 15 years."

2004 Montelena Estate Cabernet - $150.00*bot. - Parker 94+pts."Chateau Montelena's sale to the owners of Bordeaux's well-known second-growth, Chateau Cos d'Estournel, fell through, no doubt because of the global economic crisis. It was unquestionably shocking that this Napa icon was on the block, and about to be sold to, of all people, the French, who Montelena had defeated in the famous Steven Spurrier tasting of 1976. Tasting through the wines with the ever reliable Bo Barrett is always a lesson in candor and honesty. Montelena's negociant blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, from northern vineyards in the Calistoga area, is meant to represent a Montelena house style, but it is much softer and less ageworthy, thus is the ideal restaurant/steakhouse wine." on Dec. 2008, and on Dec. 2007 "The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from their old vineyards in Calistoga. This is a dense, ruby/purple-tinged wine with full body, and despite the softness of the general vintage, Montelena has plenty of structure. Like nearly every vintage of their top Cabernet Sauvignon, it will last for 25 or more years. The wine has sweet tannin in a broad, flavorful, concentrated style with plenty of black currant, licorice, and spice. The wine is beautifully textured, slightly more forward than most Montelena Cabernets tend to be. It is another beauty from probably the most consistent winery for Cabernet Sauvignon over the last three decades." Drink 2007- 2037.

2005 NEYEN Espiritu de Apalta $70.00*bot. "The history of Neyen de Apalta has unfolded in an exceptional corner of the Colchagua Valley. Nestled into a horseshoe-shaped ring of hills, the winery produces a treasured red wine that reflects the fame of this terroir that is bathed by the Tinguiririca River, blessed by the sun, and sheltered by the coastal mountain range. For decades the vines supplied neighboring producers with high quality grapes. Today, 75 of the original acres of Carmenère and Cabernet Sauvignon have been reclaimed and provide the foundation for this ultra premium wine. Winemaker Patrick Valette, formerly of Chateau Pavie,  and vineyard manager, Eduardo Silva were charged with creating just one wine that would reflect the essence of the Apalta Valley. The maximum expression of the vines, the varieties, and the area’s privileged terroir are expressed in the native word for “spirit” with which the winery christened its first and only label—Neyen, Espiritu de Apalta. This new vintage release, 2005, has yet to be rated, however the 2004 received: Parker 92pts."a superb bouquet of pain grille, spice box, leather, blueberry, black currants, and blackberry liqueur. On the palate the wine has plenty of grip, oodles of layered black and blue fruits, ripe tannins, and terrific balance. The finish is long and pure." , Wine Spectator 90pts."Solid, and broad-shouldered, with tobacco, mineral, cedar, black currant and game notes held together by tightly grained tannins. Builds nicely on the finish and shows solid concentration as it opens in the glass.", Wine & Spirits Magazine 92pts., and Decanter Magazines high 5 Star rating.

2003 Prevail Back Forty $79.99*bot. "Sumptuous aromas of white chocolate, dried herbs, and loamy soil in its full-bodied, expressive style. Lovely fruit, texture & sweet tannin." Parker 91pts. A classic Bordeaux-style wine, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes are grown on low-yielding vines on a 40 acre block on the back side of Rockrise Mountain in Alexander Valley. Affectionately called Back Forty, the wine displays deep aromatics of ripe blackberry and cherry with a rich mouth-feel that is beautifully concentrated and supple with a long, lingering smooth finish.

2004 Togni Napa Cabernet - $1,350.00 cs/12(112.50) - Parker 95pts."Readers looking for more ripeness, opulence, and an extroverted character should check out the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, which is actually a larger crop than 2005. This sensational dense purple-colored effort boasts delicious blueberry, black raspberry, cassis, licorice, and olive-like notes. In the mouth, there is more creme de cassis as well as background toasty oak, structure, and tannin. I don’t think there has ever been a vintage where Philip Togni has cheated anybody on flavor intensity or tannic structure as his wines always last, even in lighter vintages, for twenty or more years. The 2004 will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age, and should last for 25-30 years. It is, atypically for the vintage, front-end loaded. 2010-2036"

2004 Vina Almavina - $399.99 cs/6(66.67) - Winery joint venture of Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Viña Concha y Toro. "Delicate aromas of forest strawberries, raspberries, cocoa and wildflowers with overtones of honey and incense characterize the subtle nose. Very precisely fresh, pure and creamy with persistent and tannins. Flavors of peach pips, almonds and smoky mesquite blend together with vanilla and bright, fresh red and black fruit aromas throughout the exceptionally elegant finish. A remarkably graceful and pure wine. 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and 28% Carmenère aged 17 months in new French oak."  WS 95pts. (Highly Recommended) - "Very dense, with loads of raspberry ganache, black currant and fig fruit layered with loam, tobacco, mineral and cedar notes. Lots of grip on the finish."  Wine Spectator 95pts. "This brick house of a wine shows plenty of Pauillac-like hints of iron, dried currant and cigar smoke, but also has layers of Chilean loam, blackberry, plum, spice and minerals. A powerful performance in a powerful vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2005 through 2012. 15,000 cases made."

2006 White Oak Cabernet Sauvignon - $300.00 cs/12(25.00) "96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc - Volcanic soils, strong gravel outcroppings and shale, at 1400 feet. The wine is minimally handled and processed. Bottled with light filtration allowing it to fully express the fruity character of the grapes. Tasting Notes: Dark, rich and concentrated, with earthy currant and dusty berry flavors that are tight, plush and complex, picking up a vanilla-mocha edge from oak. Long, concentrated aftertaste, echoing anise and coffee."

MERITAGE

2002 St.Clement Oroppas Magnums - $150.00*each: Parker 92pts. "composed of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and 4% Petit Verdot. Its vivid blue/purple color is accompanied by a sweet perfume of incense, Asian spices, black currants, blackberries, and vanilla. There is terrific fruit on the attack, medium to full body, a sweet mid-palate, fine length, and nicely integrated ripe tannin. Consume it over the next 10-15 years."  and Tanzer 92pts. "60/40 blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc) Good deep red-ruby. Blackberry, violet and licorice aromas, complicated by leather and graphite. Wonderfully sweet, silky and suave, with an inner-mouth aromatic quality rare for the year. This very well-balanced blend is juicy, even a bit youthfully tight, and finishes with impressive perfume. Has the mid-palate sweetness to balance its firm tannic spine and offers a lovely combination of density and elegance. In comparison to this vintage, the 2003 release is more of an "upfront" wine, notes Viader, who pointed out that her flagship wine's cabernet franc element is more important to its aging potential than the sauvignon."

2005 St. Clement Oroppas - $250.00 cs/6 - Parker 91pts. "St. Clement’s proprietary red, the 2005 Oroppas, is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with small quantities of Merlot and Petit Verdot included in the blend. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by notes of licorice, black currants, cedar, bay leaves, and toast. Ripe, round, medium to full-bodied, and opulent, it should drink well for 10-15 years."

MERLOT

2006 White Oak Merlot Napa - $260.00cs/12

PETIT SYRAH & SYRAH

2005 Copain Syrah Thompson - $50.00*bottle - Parker 94 pts."Thompson Vineyard (made famous by Ojai’s Adam Tolmach) is seriously endowed, with notes of licorice, ground pepper, incense, Chinese black tea, roasted meats, and copious quantities of blackberry and cassis fruit. Admirable stuffing, full-bodied power, and dazzling delineation make for an impressive Syrah, should drink well for 10-12 years."

2006 DuMol Syrah Russian River - $79.99*bot.

2006 Figge Syrah Sycamore Flat Vineyard Arroyo Secco -  $450.00 cs/12 - "Not unlike a northern Rhone with a big nose that blasts of blackberry and bosenberry followed by dark coffee and smoky toast noyes. Fresh and lively in the mouth full rich tannins."

2004 Jorian Hill Syrah – Retail $36 bottle – SALE $162.50 cs/6($27.09) - "displays a deep, inky purple color that hints at the wine's character and concentration. In the bouquet, the wine reveals elegant aromas of blueberry, blackberry, rose petal and cassis, along with understated notes of leather, pepper, cedar and cigar box.  On the palate, these enticing aromas are followed by layered flavors of purple plums, subdued fruit, coffee, cocoa and soft spice.  Though drinking beautifully now, this well-balanced Syrah's rich underlying tannins will ensure that it cellars well for the next five to eight years."

2004 White Oak Syrah $280.00 cs/12

PINOT NOIR

2006 Domaine Serene Yamhill Pinot Noir - $450.00 cs/12($37.50) - Parker 90pts."The entry level 2006 Pinot Noir Yamhill Cuvee delivers an expressive nose of rose petal, red cherry and raspberry that leaps from the glass. This leads to a velvety-textured, medium-bodied Pinot with ample sweet fruit, good depth, and a fruit-filled finish. It lacks only complexity. Drink this pleasurable wine over the next 4-5 years. Domaine Serene has turned out its most successful set of Pinot Noirs in several vintages."

2005 Domaine Serene Winery Hill Pinot Noir in Magnum - $179.99*each

2007 Figge Pinot Noir Peilo Vineyard $450.00 cs/12 - "Truly French Burgundy in style with soft, velvety fruit aromas. IIIIn the mouth very softly oaked with light deleciated balanced fruit flavors."

2006 Lane Tanner Julia's Pinot Noir – Retail $35 bottle – SALE $249.99 cs/12($20.84) "The ripest and most substantial of Lane Tanner's Pinot lineup. Dark cherries and black raspberries run through the mouth with dried spice that hovers like a cloud-thread of perfume. Full and lush yet soft and accessible." This vineyard is located three miles due east of the Bien Nacido Vineyard and Lane’s block is planted to the Martin Ray clone of Pinot Noir. · Dark crimson in color. Aromas of earth-dusted fruit, grilled meat and toasted oak lead to an attack of plush dark stone fruits which are earth-kissed. Layers of flavor interest with mushrooms, herbs and cola.. Dense on the palate but still silky in texture with a healthy tannic core that is not intrusive. This one will appeal to those who like the more sauvage style of Pinot Noir. Like Lane says, “ like the haunting other woman - rather scary.”

2006 Martin Ray Santa Barbara Pinot Noir in 375mls – Retail $12 bottle – SALE $99.99 cs/12($8.34) -  winemaker's notes: When it comes to Pinot Noir, they apply traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques. The key to their winemaking is the "intuitive" approach of understanding when to step back and not to over manipulate the wine. Martin Ray's goal is to allow the wine to develop its own depth and distinctive characteristics. The 2006 Pinot Noir has a brilliant garnet color and aromas of berries and vanilla. The palate is full and sensual with ripe raspberry and strawberry, elegantly balanced with vanilla. The mouth boasts creamy, supple texture and opulent fruit, fused with smooth but bright flavors on the finish. Try this Pinot Noir paired with poached salmon in cream sauce or braised pork.

2007 Sequana Dutton Pinot Noir - $275.00 cs/6 ($45.84) - "Spice, wild berry, tea and sassafras provide a fragrant aroma. Tighter on the palate, rich and expansive, with layers of berry and dried currant." James Laube, Wine Spectator

ZINFANDEL

2008 Ridge Zinfandel Paso Robles - $29.99*bottle - NOT YET RATED:  "Deep garnet. Concentrated plum, black cherry. Gravelly earth, rich chocolate. Dark, juicy bramble fruit on palate; cardamom, crushed pepper, sweet oak. Round tannins; fresh, lively acidity." WINERY. "This is an approachable wine with a long finish. This vineyard's forward fruit and soft tannins have often dictated early bottling. In this vintage, however, our blind tastings confirmed the need for a full thirteen months of barrel age. Rich fruit and the spice of barrel aging are beautifully balanced in this accessible zinfandel. It will be at its best over the next five years."

2007 Ridge Lyton Springs Zinfandel - $349.99 cs/12 - Parker 92pts. "(71% Zinfandel, 22% Petite Sirah, and 7% Carignan; 14.4% alcohol) exhibits a similar dark ruby/purple hue as well as more black fruits and spice in the impressive aromatics. It is a fuller-bodied, richer wine with beautiful texture, purity, and length. Enjoy it over the next 7-10 years. "

2007 Ridge Sonoma 3 Valleys Zinfandel  - $25.00*bot. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine 90pts. "When measured against its far riper cousins, this very well-balanced wine may seem a bit light on muscle, but what is really missing is fat, and, instead, it turns out to be both deep and quite long on bona fide fruity substance. Its careful composition and keen, claret-like structure mark it indelibly as an eminently food-worthy Zin for now and the next few years."   Wine Spectator's Tasting Highlights: "Zesty and appealingly eccentric, with wild berry and exotic Asian spice aromas and layered baked cherry, anise and walnut flavors. Drink now through 2013."
Ridge has been making their Three Valleys blend since 2001. The 2007 vintage is comprised of 76% zinfandel, 8% petite sirah, 7% syrah, 6% grenache and 3% carignane sourced from 10 individual Sonoma vineyards. Different than the winery's single vineyard wines, which showcase terroir - the vineyard's winemaking - this blend showcases the craft of winemaking, the deft balancing of aromas, flavors and textures that Ridge does so well. Rich, up front fruit make this wine immediately appealing, but there's plenty of spice and earthy intrigue to keep evolving over the next five years."2007

The Prisoner by Orin Swift - $399.99 cs/12($33.34) - Wine Spectator 92pts. "Offers both style and structure, with lively aromas of black raspberry, cracked pepper and mocha, with plush and layered flavors of wild berry, fresh sage and licorice. Ripe tannins sneak in on the finish. Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono and Grenache. Drink now through 2014. Yet another beautiful vintage of the prisoner from Orin Swift. This is not a wine to put in your cellar. Big, bright and all about immediate drinking. With vineyards sources such as Duarte, Toffanelli and David Fulton, there is no wonder why this wine is so beautiful and powerful. 50% Zinfandel, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Syrah, 9% Petite Sirah, 2% Charbono and 1% Grenache."

* = Deduct 5% on 12 bottled assorted purchase

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