Number 96 June 8, 2010
New Items
Four Vines Zinfandel Paso Robles Biker 2008 Not Reviewed Wine Spectator 2006 – 92 Wine Spectator 2007 – 91
$27
Four Vines Zinfandel Amador County Maverick 2007 $25.00 Gutsy, offering a real sense of place, with loamy blackberry aromas and briary blueberry, tar and licorice flavors that finish with minerally tannins. Best from 2011 through 2014. December 2009
Chateau Cantemerle 2005 $51.00 Robert Parker 90 Cantemerle’s new proprietors believe in producing delicate, beautifully wrought, finessestyled wines that require some introspection. The deep ruby-hued 2005 displays aromas of licorice, roasted herbs, sweet cherries, and flowers. In the mouth, the wine seems almost light in comparison to its peers, but it possesses an ethereal seriousness, purity, and overall harmony that are striking for its delicacy and finesse. A blend of 61% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest primarily Merlot with a tiny dollop of Cabernet Franc, it should be at its finest between 2012-2025+. April 2008
Armand de Brignac Brut Gold NV $301.00 From Armand de Brignac web site: Fine Champagne Magazine, the 100 Best Champagnes for 2010: 1000 Champagnes were blind-tasted. Armand de Brignac was ranked number one. This year the world’s most respected wine critics and sommeliers conducted a rigorous blind-tasting of more than 1000 brands. The results were published in Fine Champagne Magazine, the only international publication devoted to Champagne and an authority on the industry. Each Champagne was rated on a 100-point scale. The process was so strict that, if judges’ scores were more than four points apart, the Champagne would be re-tested and re-assessed. When the results were weighed, Armand de Brignac ranked #1 among the world’s best Champagnes. 1. 96p Armand de Brignac Brut Gold 2. 94p 2000 Dom Perignon 3. 94p 1998 Mumm R. Lalou 4. 94p 2002 Roederer Cristal 5. 94p 2000 Egerier de Pannier 6. 94p 1998 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 7. 93p 1998 Dom Perignon Rose 8. 93p 1999 Jacquart Blanc de Blancs 9. 93p 2002 Roederer Cristal Rose 10. 93p NV Chartogne –Taillet Fiacre
Don Gascon Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2008 $23.00 Robert Parker 90 It is a blend of 88% Malbec, with the balance Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon aged for 14 months in 60% new French and American oak. Purple-colored, it offers up an alluring perfume of wood smoke, spice box, violets, incense, black cherry, and plum. August 2009
Soda Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008 $49.00 Not Reviewed The winemaker for this is Dave Phinney, the same guy that makes Beau Vigne and Orrin Swift. It’s goooood.
Chateau Potensac 2005 $45.00 Robert Parker 90 A superb value for Jean-Hubert Delon, the 2005 Potensac has a deep ruby/purple color, a classic bouquet of sweet red and black fruits, as well as gorgeous texture and purity. Medium-bodied and concentrated, this wine behaves like a Medoc cru classe. Moreover, it will age very well for 10-15 years. Very impressive! August 2008
Forefront Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2008 $21.00 Not Reviewed Here’s the story. Forefront is owned by Pine Ridge. Pine Ridge also owns Archery Summit. For this vintage, Forefront is using some left over Archery Summit juice to make their wine. The 2009 vintage will be from California. Get it while you can, it’s really, really good and it’s $21.00.
Silverado Merlot Napa Valley 2005$28.00 Not Reviewed Between the merlot and the cabernet, we’ve become big Silverado fans. Good stuff.
New Review Numanthia-Termes Toro Termes 2007 $30.00 Robert Parker 92 The 2007 Termes is a bit more elegant with its velvety texture, ripe tannins, and silky finish. It, too, has the ability to improve with 2-3 years of cellaring, but can be enjoyed now. April 2010
Updated Review Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Special Selection 2007 $165.00 Wine Spectator 96 A firm, ripe, muscular wine that's tight, deep, structured, intense and concentrated, serving up a mix of ripe currant, cassis, plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's clean, pure, complex and layered, with touches of anise, cedar and black licorice. Ends with chewy tannins. Best from 2011 through 2019. April 2010
Updated Review Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2008 $39.00 Wine Spectator 93 Effusively fragrant, with honeysuckle, apple blossom, peach and ripe melon flavors that are delicious, ripe and extremely mouthwatering, with an acidity that dances along the rich, creamy texture. Drink now through 2016. June 2010
JC Cellars Rose Rockpile 2009 Not Reviewed
$16.00
New Vintage Anne Amie Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2006 $42.50 The 2007 Pinot Noir Estate (from the winery formerly known as Chateau Benoit) is medium ruby-colored with an attractive nose of spicy red fruits, cedar, and earth notes. Elegant on the palate, it has good concentration and enough structure to carry it through 2017. October 2009
The Crossings Chardonnay Marlborough Unoaked 2008 $13.00 Not Reviewed. Light, Unoaked chardonnay. Perfect for late afternoon in the summertime.
Taltarni Brut Tache $23.00 Wine Spectator 88 Pale pink in color, with creamy texture and delicate pear and white pepper flavors, lingering nicely.
Stoli White Pomegranate Vodka Not Reviewed
$25.75
John L. Sullivan Irish $25.00 Not Reviewed From the label – “This special blend pays tribute to John L. & to the Irish American experience. Irish grain & mountain spring water craft the whiskey, which is then aged in Single Use American Oak Bourbon Barrels – unlike other whiskeys aged in barrels reused multiple times. The result is a smooth Irish whiskey with hints of oak & vanilla, a mellow maltiness, a soft honey nose, & a silky bourbon finish.” Yep, it’s pretty good.
Ketel One Oranje Not Reviewed
$28.50
Prichard's Tennessee Whiskey $40.00 Not Reviewed This is the same Prichard’s in Kelso, Tennessee, that makes Sweet Lucy, Sweet Georgia Belle and the great rum. It’s a smooth, rich Tennessee Whiskey, without any rough edges.
Berentzen Pear Liqueur Not Reviewed
$20.00
Berentzen Apple Schnapps $20.00 Not Reviewed
Hangar One Kaffir Lime Vodka $36.00 Spirit Journal 5 Stars Translucent, with minor sediment. The acute citrus/lime intensity of the bouquet right from the first sniffing steps out of the glass and slaps you in the face, forehand then backhand’ the exhilaration continues as this incredible bouquet adjusts to the air contact by turning more to the juicy lime pulp and turning away from the more bitter peel; on the of the tow or three most spectacular flavored white spirits bouquets I know of. The keen limey tartness at the palate entry makes my face twist; the flavor at midpalate is intriguingly sweet and sour (smacks of Rose’s Lime Juice). The aftertaste is intense, but manageable citrusy/limey and tart. For the ultimate Vodka Gimlet.
Rhum Barbancourt Reserve speciale 8 yr Rum $25.00 Spirit Journal 5 Stars Pretty medium amber/saffron hue; superb clarity. Initial whiffs pick up soft, even delicate scents of wood resin, dark caramel, brown sugar, and honey; later inhalations encounter added aromas of chocolate covered cherries and nutmeg. Entry offers medium-sweet and alluring flavors of brown sugar and cake frosting; midpalate is sturdy, sweet and harmonious in a quiet manner that’s reassuring and stately. Finishes long, luxuriously sweet, and lip-smacking good. I’m totally satisfied with raising the 1996 four star rating to five stars. It deserves the kick up the rating ladder. This is rhum agricole in its lifecycle prime, brothers and sisters.
Buffalo Trace White Dog Mash #1 $16.00 Not Reviewed There’s not much to say about this. It’s the clear liquor that’s later put into barrels that turns into Bourbon. 125 proof moonshine. But it is Buffalo Trace.
Thanks Latham