Was $54.97 | $47.97 | 6 Bottle Limit * JUST RELEASED
2006 PARADUXX NAPA VALLEY
The 2006 growing season was marked by a very mild summer
A mid-July heat spike accelerated ripening. Mild temperatures throughout the fall allowed for a moderately paced harvest. The long growing season yielded added complexity, intense flavors and excellent aroma developmentDense color with a red cherry hue, Aromas of plum, chocolate and cherry pie accentuated by hints of violet, clove, cinnamon spice and vanilla bean. Bright red fruit flavors of Bing cherry, strawberry and raspberry, contrasted by dark and compelling layers of blueberry, mocha and molasses. Great structure with smooth, fine tannins, a black pepper mid-palate and long nutmeg and red currant finish
Was $54.97 | $49.97 | 12 Bottle Limit *
2007 DUCKHORN NAPA VALLEY MERLOT
This full-bodied, mouthfilling Merlot brings together grapes from five Estate vineyards to create a robust, layered wine, notable for its fruit intensity, soft, integrated tannins and bright acidity. Crafted around a core of grapes from our Rector Creek Vineyard, it displays beautiful blueberry and floral notes underscored by fresh red berry and pomegranate elements from Monitor Ledge. The Patzimaro vineyards add depth, complexity and subtle hints of wild herbs, while the Cork Tree Vineyard contributes a velvety mid-palate and touches of plum and spice.
Was $69.97 | NOW $59.97 | 12 Bottle Limit *
2006 GODSEND CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Something sent by good? a good chance it was...
The Léal Vineyards Godsend is the made from select lots of the 2005 Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon. The selected lots received extended barrel aging of
seventeen months in a blend of French and American Oak and an additional
six months in brand new heavy toasted American oak barrels. This
additional six months of aging give the wine added complexity and depth.
The sophistication of this wine is apparent with the first sip. The nose is full
of aromas of rich currant, vibrant blackberry and notes of toasty oak. This is
an elegant, balanced and well structured wine with a long rounded finish.
This limited production is intended to be enjoyed with the best of friends and
family in the celebration of life.
Was $149.97 | NOW $129.44 | 6 Bottle Limit * JUST RELEASED
2005 Rubicon 30 Year Anniversary
93 from Wine Spectator: "Supple-textured, ripe, rich and fleshy, with spice, currant, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's well-proportioned, drinking easily already. Firms up nicely on the finish, where the tannins have just the right touch of grip. Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2009 through 2016. 5,580 cases made." (10/08) 92 points Wine & Spirits: "From Gustave Niebaum's historic Inglenook estate, reassembled and renovated by Francis Ford Coppola as Rubicon Estate, this wine is grown organically and made by Scott McLeod, the estate managed by Larry Stone, MS. It's a powerful team, and they often produce one of the top Cabernets in Napa Valley. This vintage is heady and plump, with the black fruit character McLeod selects for the blend and substantial tannins for such a big, soft wine. Right now, it's deliciously rich and chocolately, a forward vintage that seems ready to drink. The tannins give it more cut and complexity with a day of air. Cellar it to let the terroir expression develop." (04/09
Was $199.97 | NOW $169.44 | 2 Bottle Limit * IN STOCK
"Krug Grande Cuvée is as a symphony, a composition where the instruments all play together, complementing each other in total harmony."
-Henri Krug.The flagship of the house, Grande Cuvée is imposing in character from the first moment in the glass. The "birth" of Krug Grande Cuvée, through its first fermentation exclusively in small oak casks, ensures the unique personality and dimension that is the Krug Style. The composition of the "cuvée" is a stunning mosaic of flavors where the three champagne grapes, 20-25 growths and 6-10 different years, combine to give Krug Grande Cuvée its complexity, elegance and consistency year after year, blend after blend.
Was $139.97 | NOW $109.44 | 2 Bottle Limit *
The 2005 ROBERT FOLEY CLARET vintage produced some beautifullly extracted red wine wines with superb balance. This vintage of Claret is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot, opaque and ripe as can be. Aromas of super ripe black cherries introduce this big broad Cabernet and there are plenty of youthful chewy tannins to guarantee long graceful aging potential.
Wine Advocate The prodigious 2005 Claret possesses a dense purple color in addition to beautiful aromas of creme de cassis, smoke, graphite, and cedar. Full-bodied, opulent, and voluptuously-textured with superb depth and purity in addition to a savory mouthfeel, and a surprisingly fleshy, forward personality, it should last for 10-15 years, but who will be able to resist it for that long? Score: 94. —Robert Parker, December 2007.
Was $129.97 | NOW $109.44 | 6 Bottle Limit *
2005 PAHLMEYER MERLOT
94 points from Robert Parker! -"The 2005 Merlot is looking sensational, and far better than I thought last year. There are 3,000 cases of this wine, which is aged in 85% new Taransaud barrels. Blended with 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reveals distinctive black cherry and berry notes intermixed with chocolate, mocha, caramel, and scorched earth. The wine is full-bodied, fleshy, but has underlying acidity and a long, layered finish. This wine can be drunk now or cellared for another 15+ years. The charismatic Jayson Pahlmeyer and his exuberant winemaker, Erin Green, who apprenticed for Helen Turley for many years, are turning out some fabulous wines. I terribly underestimated their 2005 reds. However, there’s always time to correct these things, and I intend to do it with the following notes." (Dec 2007) From Wine Spectator: "Deeply structured and brooding, with smoky black currant and mineral aromas and firm but layered blackberry, cedar and Asian spice flavors that finish with chewy tannins. Best from 2009 through 2012." (June 15, 2008)
Was $159.97 | NOW $129.44 | 12 Bottle Limit *
2005 PAHLMEYER PROPRIETARY RED
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, Issue 174, December 2007:
The 2005 Proprietary Red is significantly better than what I tasted last year, although I certainly gave it a high score. This wine has fleshed out beautifully. The final blend (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec) has a deep purple color, a beautifully sweet nose of blackberries and cassis intermixed with some meatiness, smoke, and a touch of pain grille as well as notes of espresso and licorice. Full-bodied, rich, with decent acidity, excellent delineation, and moderately high tannin, this is a beauty that should evolve for 25-30+ years It is no wimpish wine at 15.2% natural alcohol, but that is buried beneath a cascade of gorgeous fruit and glycerin. This wine should be cruising along brilliantly in 2030+. 96 pointsStephen Tanzer?s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2008:
Good saturated red-ruby. Pungent aromas of cassis and violet, with a whiff of smoked meat. Densely packed, layered and thick; a step up in depth from the merlot. This boasts a chocolatey richness to its sweet dark fruit flavors. Finishes supple, lush, broad and long, with substantial sweet tannins and a lingering note of chocolate. 94 pointsWine Spectator, Tasting Highlights: California Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends, June 2, 2008:
Ripe, rich and complex, with layers of black cherry, wild berry, currant and cherry kirsch flavors that are bold, rich and persistent, ending with a long, intense yet elegant aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Drink now through 2015. (JL) 94 points
Was $59.97 | NOW $44.44 | 12 Bottle Limit *
2005 PAHLMEYER JAYSON RED
The 2005 Jayson Red is a declassified wine made from Bordeaux varietals initially intended for Pahlmeyer's Merlot and Proprietary Red; it was vinified in the same manner as those top-quality wines. A Bordeaux-style blend, this vintage of Jayson leans toward the right bank, comprised predominantly of merlot. Tobacco, tar, freshly-tilled earth and pencil lead mingle with spiced summer fruits. Integrated oak, this balanced wine is drinking well now on upon release and will continue to develop over the next few years.
Was $104.97 | NOW $89.44 | 2 Bottle Limit *
ROY ESTATES PROPRIETARY RED 2005
The 2005 Proprietary Red Wine expresses flavors of blackberry, licorice, espresso beans and Asian spices. Lush and rich in the attack, the wine carries on with harmony and depth finishing with ripe, soft tannins and aromas of black tea, bacon, smoke and licorice. It’s tasting great right now. Enjoy the beautiful fruit today and then watch it evolve over time.
Wine Advocate This 17-acre vineyard on the eastern side of Napa is owned by Charles and Shirley Roy. Located in what is known as the Soda Canyon area, the vineyard was planted under the direction of Helen Turley, but today’s winemaker is Philippe Melka. They have two wines in their cuvee, a Bordeaux blend and, of course, their Cabernet Sauvignon. My favorite of the quartet of wines I tasted is the 2005 Proprietary Red, a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot (1,500 cases produced). Of course, Soda Canyon is a southern Napa region and cool, much like its neighbor Stags Leap. This wine exhibits very Bordeaux-like notes of black currants, chocolate, underbrush, and some background oak. With beautiful sweet fruit, striking elegance, well-integrated acidity, and a dense ruby/purple color and medium to full body, this will be a long-lived wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Score: 95. —Robert Parker, December 2007.
Was $199.97 | NOW $169.44 | 6 Bottle Limit *
OPUS ONE PROPRIETARY RED 2006
The 2006 Proprietary Red Wine is an exquisite, complex, stylish wine, wearing a cloak of earthy, leathery tannins around flavors of mineral, currant, earth and blackberry. Gains intensity and shows its depth and concentration on the finish, which is long and detailed. Best from 2004 through 2012. 24,000 cases made.
Was $189.97 | NOW $159.44 | 2 Bottle Limit *
INSIGNIA NAPA VALLEY RED 2005 By Joseph Phelps
WA (93-96)pts. - IWC (92-95)pts. - According to the Wine Advocate: The 2005 Insignia (12,500 cases) is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. Elegant and restrained (which is very much in keeping with the style of this vintage), the wine is also rich, dense, pure, with chocolatey cassis notes intermixed with hints of subtle wood, roasted herbs, and spice. It is ripe, rich, full-bodied, but in need of 4-5 years of bottle age. It should last for 25-30 years. It is far more reticent than the more flamboyant 2004.
Was $74.97 | NOW $59.97 | 12 Bottle Limit *
This 2006 vintage of Cyamus Cabernet brings aromas of sweet bing cherry and ripe, lush plum. The opulent sweetness of peak-season, fully-ripe fruit brings about abundant yet soft tannins. The core of this wine is a silky and amiably rich, textured base, with a pure Napa Valley cabernet focus. Flavors of cocoa, currant and sweet tobacco. This rich and chalky wine, devoid of assertive astringencies, drinks well now and should endure for a decade or more.
Price good while supply lasts!
Was $169.97 | NOW $109.97 | 12 Bottle Limit *
This vintage of Cyamus SPECIAL SELECTION Cabernet 2007
Winemaker's notes:
One of the most allocated and collectible Cabernets in the world, Caymus Vineyards Special Selection is crafted from the outstanding barrels of the vintage. Special Selection is produced only in vintages that proprietor Chuck Wagner feels are suitable for this designation. We are proud to offer limited amounts of the new release of Caymus Special Selection – dark and intense with deep, rich flavors of black currant, cherry, mocha and spice. A collectible masterpiece!"A barrel sample of the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection offers terrific fruit intensity and purity, a more laid-back style, a meaty, chewy texture, and impressive opulence as well as length. It should evolve for 10-15 years."
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Barrel sample: 92-94 Points
Was $159.97 | NOW $129.44 | 6 Bottle Limit *
2005 DOMINUS NAPA VALLEY
"The 2005 Dominus (a 7,000-case cuvee of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) has come of age, and is one of the strongest efforts they’ve made. It is possibly the best Dominus since the 2001, and perhaps even the 1997 or 1991. A beautiful, sweet nose of roasted coffee interwoven with kirsch, black currant, cedar, and spice box emerges from this deep ruby/purple-colored wine. The wine has fabulous intensity, a layered, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, well-integrated acidity, and a stunningly long finish. The layering of this wine as it builds incrementally on the palate is something to behold. An outstanding, sexy, ageworthy Dominus, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and last for at least 25 or 30 years. When I am tasting at Dominus, they always present a wine opened the day before and decanted, and one just opened, and the extended aeration version always seems to be the better example of the wine, so plenty of decanting seems to be in order."
-Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Was $54.97 | NOW $49.97 | 12 Bottle Limit *
California Merlot has taken a few hard hits lately, but none of that changes the fact that when the grapes are grown in the right climate, the resulting wine can be superb. Duckhorn Merlot has been producing Bordeaux varieties with a particular dedication to Merlot-driven blends for over 30 years now. This $50 offering shows a typical right bank Bordeaux approach by rounding out the Merlot with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Grapes are sourced from several Napa vineyards. The wine is aged 16 months in 100% French oak, 40% new.
The Duckhorn gives the nose a lot to work on and excellent raw material for contemplation. I call the amalgam “deep fruit,” with aspects of black cherry, licorice, blackberry, and cola, combined with a faint spicy layer of vanilla, nutmeg and clove.
Was $389.97 | NOW $299.44 | 2 Bottle Limit *
"The 1995 Vega Sicilia Unico is a worthy successor to the profound 1994 (awarded a score of 98+ in Issue #159). Opaque purple in color, it has aromatic complexity which nearly defies words. There are notes of earth, licorice, hard wood charcoal, and black currants. Full-bodied, and powerful, the wine has beautiful balance with a multi-dimensional character and the structure to last for 25-40 years. The 1960 and the 1965, drunk within the last several months, appear to have many more years ahead." 97 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
