December 2008 Newsletter

SPECIAL DISCOUNT ON 2006 SHAFER MERLOT AND 2000 SILVER OAK NAPA VALLEY

Our recent end of fiscal year inventory found us with a few cases of the above wines from these iconic California producers. Both make great gifts – appreciated by both those who know wines and those for whom wine is an occasional pleasure. The price has been greatly reduced for the Holiday season.
2006 SHAFER Merlot - “This release is marked by its perfumy aromas of dark fruit that push out of the glass. The wine itself fills the mouth with opulent flavors of red and black berry fruit, licorice, spice, pepper, strawberry and plum.”(Winemaker notes.) Regular price: $54.95 now $39.95.
2000 SILVER OAK Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley – “exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color in addition to a big, cocoa-scented nose, a sweet entry on the palate and a medium body; it is a friendly, easy-to-drink effort that should be consumed over the next 7-8 years. 88pts.” (WA #150). Regular price $119.95 now $79.95.

GIFTS FROM THE WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100

A Few great gift ideas from the top 10 of this year’s Wine Spectator Top 100 –
#1   2005 Casa Lapostolle, Clos Alpalta - $71.95     
#2   2005 Chateau Rauzan-Segla- $159.95
#6   2004 Pio Cesare Barolo - $74.95    
#8   2005 Ch. Beaucastel, Chateauneuf-du-Pape - $109.95
#9   2007 Mollydooker “Carnival of Love” Shiraz - $89.95 
#10 2007 Seghesio Zinfindel Sonoma County - $25.95
Please note that we have a very limited supply of some of the above wines.

A CASE IN WOOD -- A UNIQUE GIFT

We have saved our wood cases all year and have filled them with selected wines from our monthly specials. This is truly a unique gift choice. The twelve bottle cases are already made up and sealed so we are not able to make substitutions. Because of the limited quantities it wood be a good idea to call ahead. Here are the 7 reds and 5 whites sealed in each case: Whites: 2007 Nieto Chardonnay, Argentina; 2007 Domaine De Pajot “Les Quatre Cepages”, France; 2006 Crane Lake Chardonnay, California; 2007 Barbi Orvieto Classico, Italy; 2006 Poggio Le Volpi Frescati Superiore, Italy. Reds: 2005 Bodegas Carrau Tannat de Reserva, Uruguay; 2005 Benotto Nebbiolo, Italy; 2001 Ravenswood Rancho Salina Vineyards, Sonoma California; 2006 Resonata Nero D’ Avola, Sicily; 2006 Collegiata Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Italy; 2006 Calcu Cabernet/Carmenere blend, Chile; 2007 Sfida Primativo/Negromaro, Italy. The retail value of the wine is over $135.00. We will offer the sealed wood case for $119.95.

HOLIDAY GIFT BOTTLE IDEAS

2007 “THE PRISONER ” – David Phinney’s California Blend from Orin Swift in a MAGNUM -$89.95

MOLLYDOOKER – We’ve saved a few of the 2007 Mollydooker wines to offer this Holiday Season. All the reviews are from Wine Spectator’s 10/15/08 issue:
2007 Boxer-$35.95 “Supple and generous, with spicy blackberry and tar flavors, lingering effortlessly with a thin veil of fine tannins 90pts.”, 2007 Two left Feet- $27.95 “…ripe black fruits and smoky oak making for an intense combination of flavors, finishing rich and slightly herbal. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. 88pts.” 2007 Carnival of Love- $89.95 “Big, rich and terrifically ripe. A lithe mouthful of pure wild blueberry and Asian spices, with swirls of plum and other berries as the finish rolls on, unimpeded by tannins. 95pts.” 2007 Enchanted Path- $89.95 - Big, ripe and focused, offering a blast of cherry and plum, with a welcome floral note that lasts through the long, vivid finish. 91 pts” Blue Eyed Boy - $56.95 “a hot black pepper streak running through the meaty cherry, dense plum and spice flavors, persisting on the round, supple finish.92pts.” 2007 Velvet Glove-  $217.95 “Lithe, generous and beautifully proportioned, offering a seamless array of dark plum, blueberry and sandalwood flavors wrapped in a veil of fine-grained tannins. 96pts.”

LEWIS CELLARS – Very small production (300 to 1,000 cases) of some very unctuous wines.
2007 Lewis Cellars Chardonnay – “A rich, opulent style, this is full-blown, with a bold yet elegant mix of ripe fig, pear, citrus and melon flavors, ending with hints of mineral and butterscotch. 93pts” (WS – Web only) $54.95
2006 Lewis Cellars Cabernet Savignon, Napa Valley – “Powerful, ripe, fleshy and full-bodied, with rich, intense smoky currant, blackberry and black cherry fruit… 93pts” (WS web only) $99.95
2006 Lewis Cellars “Alec’s Blend” Napa Valley -  Smooth, rich and polished,  Syrah and Cabernet blend. $74.95

2005 Opus One – “This elegantly styled wine really coats the mouth without coming off as overly sweet. Finishes with noteworthy spine and length. 92pts.”  (IWC May/June 08) $179.95
2004 Joseph Phelps Insignia -  “Elegant and restrained, the wine is also rich, dense, pure, with chocolatey cassis notes…It is ripe, rich, and full bodied. 93-96pts.” (WA #174) $199.95
2004 Shafer Hillside Select – “One of the world’s, as well as Napa’s, most profound Cabernet Sauvignons is Shafer’s Hillside Select. (An) opulent, flamboyant style of wine with notes of black currant liqueur intermixed with toasty new oak, charcoal, smoke, barbecue spices, and oodles of fruit, this wine has fabulous richness. 97pts.” (WA #174) $239.95

VALUE GIFTS

Not necessarily the least expensive, but rather those that offer the best value for your wine dollar.
2006 CENNATOIO Toscana “Innominato”  - “Blackberry and sultana aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with lots of ripe fruit and a long, chewy finish. Good value. Sangiovese, Cab. Sauv. and Merlot.  87pts.” (WS 9/30/08) $14.95
2006 Domaine des Huards Cheverny Rouge “(I) am happy to be able to wholeheartedly recommend the red 2006 Cheverny. Blending 20% Gamay into Pinot Noir (the winemaker) has gotten much tastier results than many a Bourgogne Passetoutgrain blend that sells at a higher price. …black cherry and black raspberry are accented by toasted almond, chocolate, …on the surprisingly rich palate, leading to a satisfyingly juicy bright finish. 87pts.” (WA #178) $18.95

CHAMPAGNE TASTING

Wednesday December 17th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at our Store on Grove Ave.

A list of wines will be available in the store and special pricing will be available for purchases made during the tasting.

MONTHLY SPECIALS