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High Rent District Archive
April 8, 2008
Many folks have the regular size bottles, but MAGNUMS OF ORIN SWIFT
"The Prisoner" Napa Valley 2006 ($79 net) are rare.
Similar to past vintages in the blend and vineyard sources. More Zinfandel than any other grape, then Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cab Sauv and Charbono. Briar patch and blueberry jam. Black peppercorns and cloves smashed up in your mortar. Cinnamon sticks steeped in kirsch. This vintage has a little more grip to it, but not too much. It's drinking super-fine now in its youth. We got just a few mags of this. First come first served.
March 26, 2008
ROBERT FOLEY CLARET Napa Valley 2005 ($110 net)
Had the pleasure of a nice, healthy glass of the Robert Foley Claret yesterday. Blend is 80% Cab Sauv and 20% Merlot. I really think this is as good a Foley Claret as any from this decade (I've had them all). The richness, structure, complexity and evolution as it opens up puts this wine on par with anything made in Napa. Maybe not THE best, but to many a trained palate it well could be. This is all black & blue fruits, mocha, vanilla bean, maduro cigar and dark chocolate. Never shy on the oak but always well proportioned, Bob Foley hit the sweet spot once again here. Big tannins in the wine that are balance by copious sweet fruit. Best drinking around 2012 I'm thinking, and will stay great through 2020, maybe longer.
November 10, 2007
Jim Richards just dropped off our modest allocation of PALOMA Merlot Napa Valley 2005 ($55 net, limited). We tasted this just once-at the huge "Family Winemakers" tasting in San Francisco last summer. Once again, this is very juicy, dark, luscious and GOOD. Bit atypical of the Paloma style, which we find makes it more universally appealing. Like the mega-award winning 2001 Paloma, this 2005 is more about the lush, sexy, dark fruit and creamy texture than it is the spice, tannin and age worthiness of the majority of their vintages. This one is pretty darn dreamy and fun to drink for the shear pleasure of drinking yummy, big red wine.
November 1, 2007
ARIETTA "On The White Keys" 2006 ($62 net). Concert pianist/classical music expert/world class wine auctioneer Fritz Hatton loves the name game with his wines. The significance of this name is not known to me. My guess is that Fritz is allowed to drink "...White Keys" while at his piano.
"...White Keys" is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc from "Farina Vineyard" Sonoma Mountain (we love SB from here!) and Semillon from "Hyde Vineyard." The SB is part fermented in steel barrels, part in new French oak. The Semillon is all new French oak fermented. Exotic, tenacious and alluring, this white wine will satisfy lovers of big whites and exotic, delicate whites alike. All the oak is wonderfully soaked up by the concentrated fruit to make a lush, strong, fruit driven wine. Taste peach nectar, white roses, grapefruit extract, mango and a drop of sweet cream. Beeswax and lemongrass aroma sneaks in there. Special wine for seekers of the best!
October 13, 2008
KOBALT Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 2004 ($150 net).
Owner/Winemaker Kevin Carriker just complete a rumage through his wine collection and came upon a case of 2004 Kobalt. It's our pleasure to have it for sale! Pricey, yes. Haven't had it for over a year. Mark Herold-inspired. Rich, opaque, juicy and complex. A melted chocolate/mulberry/boysenberry/mineral/toasty French barrel complexity. Will make a great Holiday Celebration for somebody.
October 9, 2008
CLIFF LEDE Cabernet Sauvignon "Poetry" Stags Leap District, Napa Valley 2005 ($160 net).
As Cliff Lede gets more vintages under their belt, and their crack team (Dave Abreu, Michelle Edwards, Jack Bittner) get more and more situated, the wines get even better. "Poetry," their super-duper Cabernet, is a powerhouse that asks to be cellared until 2013 at least. Got one six pack.
March 17, 2008
BUCCELLA Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 ($125 net). Fourth vintage for this super-premium Cabernet producer. Mark Herold, Napa Cab specialist, made this vintage (it's the last vintage that he saw into bottle, by the way). Gorgeously oaked, sweet and smoky sensations, powerful fruit, bittersweet chocolate and mineral notes and an explosion of flavor on the finish of the '05 Buccella (which means "mouthfull" in Latin, and that it is). We've been a great supporter of Buccella since their first vintage, and we're pleased to have a sizeable allocation to keep our customers happy for a while.
DAN'S TASTING NOTES FROM MARCH 27, 2008: First thought is "wow, what a lot of sweet, expensive oak!" Smell the smoked, dark, chocolate. Turkish coffee, all black fruits (mulberry, blackberry, currant), cigar box, cedar, black peppercorn, curry. In the mouth, taste decadent, rich, lush black fruits, cola, vanilla malt, black truffle, light smoke, kirsch. This is very powerful and stunning. For all the oak in this wine, the character of the fruit supports it. This is balanced. I don't find this 2005 Buccella Cabernet as wound up and shy as critics have said. A half hour decanting and I find it drinking extremely well. That written, would behoove you to cellar this wine for at least 3 years, preferrably 5 to 8.
August 24, 2008
Just acquired six bottles of JOSEPH PHELPS "Insignia" Napa Valley 2002 ($250). Wine Spectator "Wine of the Year" and 95 points from Robert Parker. I had it a long time ago and don't remember what it's like besides, rich, dark and long. I think it has a long life ahead of it. Hey, why not?
April 3, 2008
Not "high rent" but definitely wish we had more, DRINKWARD PESCHON Cabernet Sauvignon "Entre Deux Mères" Napa Valley 2005 ($50 net) is, once again, really really good. From Calistoga vineyards, made by partners Lisa Drinkward and Francoise Peschon. We tasted this along with the Kobalt and Buccella '05 Cabs last week and it held its own with the three figure Cabs. My tasting notes: nose is fresh, very ripe and juicy black cherry and blueberry along with fresh ginger, mocha, red rose and tobacco. The flavor offers more of the same in a substantial yet refined package. Loads of flavor and, again, a pleasing, exotic five spice/Asian spice quality. Long finish, not particulary tannic, great character. 500 cases made. Limited supply.
March 11, 2008
KOBALT Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 ($110 net)
This just came in last week and I haven't yet tasted it. I will soon. So, I quote a wine authority who has tasted it: "The wine has remarkable intensity, an inky bluish/purple color to the rim, and a stunning nose of acacia flowers interwoven with blueberry and blackberry, espresso roast, and pain grille. The wine is rich, full-bodied, has the somewhat European-like structure of this vintage, but exceptional generosity, richness, and depth. It is certainly an impressive Cabernet Sauvignon (there is a some Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc in the final blend). This wine should age nicely for 20-25 years." Robert Parker
DAN'S TASTING NOTES FROM MARCH 27, 2008: Rich, intense Cabernet that delivers great sweetness, dimension and length. Nose of black raspberry, espresso, blueberry, black currant, dry aged beef, spun sugar and some kind of flower (I'm rarely good at identifying the flower unless it's rose or lavender). The flavor combines black and red fruits: black raspberry, mulberry, black currants, red cherry. Great fruitiness supports the generous, first-class oak ageing. As husky as the 2005 Kobalt Cabernet is, I still find a certain elegance to it, too. I think the 2005 vintage serves this wine well to capture more layers than previous vintages.
October 11, 2007
VICE VERSA Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2004 ($100). In the words of Vice Versa Owner Patrice Breton, "this wine is a slam dunk." Made by Paul Hobbs from mostly mountainous "Stagecoach Vineyard" Cab with a smidge of "Tokalon" fruit for good measure. Since we flash his picture today, why not use R.P.'s notes here: "A stunner. Boasts abundant aromas of sweet creme de cassis intermixed with smoke, bay leaf, chocolate, incense, and licorice. Superb fruit and opulence are buttressed by impressive structure, acidity, and purity." You won't see this in very many places as there are only 210 cases made.
October 16, 2007
HUNDRED ACRE Cabernet Sauvignon "Kayli Morgan Vineyard" Napa Valley 2004, $250 net, just arrived, all six bottles of it. Have not had the pleasure of trying it. By the notes I read, it's certainly an opulent, rich, seductive Cabernet that still boasts the finesse/elegance of a Cabernet touched by Philippe Melka (who consults...Jayson Woodbridge is the Winemaker as well as owner.) Won't be around long, I'm sure.
November 5, 2005
Now in the store: Blankiet Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 $210/bottle and Blankiet Estate Merlot 2002 $145/bottle. Have yet to try either one yet. Napa meets Bordeaux in the Estate vineyard looking over Dominus Estate.
February 14, 2007
I was delighted to try and really enjoy the new CALDWELL RED WINE "SILVER" Napa Valley 2004 ($100/bottle). "Caldwell," in the outskirts of Napa town, grows and makes outstanding red wine. "Silver" is a blend of 40% Syrah and 60% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is exceptional, and with only 409 cases in existence, it's pretty rare. Roast coffee, flower perfume, sweet oak nose is followed by flavors of very ripe blueberries, mocha, vanilla bean (lot of oak showing now-it will integrate over time) and black cherries. Parker wrote that this Caldwell "Silver" 2004 "was obviously made from overripe grapes." The wine is certainly ripe, but not any more than other big-hittin' delicious Napa red. Expensive yes, but a fair price for a special wine.
June 26, 2006
LA SIRENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY 2003 ($125) is here. Made a special trip to the Revana/Barbour/Amuse Bouche and La Sirena tasting room to taste the wine and met Dr. Revana, which was nice. The La Sirena Cab is 650 case production, 99% Cab Sauv from Calistoga vines (on the Silverado Trail) and 1% Cab Franc. This is powerful Cabernet, less feminine than Barrett's typical style. It's dark and brooding with classic Cab flavors of black currant, blueberry, liqueur, olive, violets, clove and leather. It's not jammy, but it's big, tight and needing time. I'd say give it until at least 2008. Most recommended for those wanting Napa Valley's super special Cabs in their cellar collections.
November 7, 2007
PARALLEL Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 ($58 net). Tasted it at Family Winemaker's, a humongous tasting held in the summer in San Francisco. Awesome. Flavor bursted through our fatigued palates. Made by Philippe Melka who can practically do no wrong. Fruit sourced from vineyards in St. Helena, Coombsville, Howell Mountain and Conn Valley. Big fruit, nicely rich, big, succulent, slam-dunk.
July 3, 2007
I get a kick out of writing "Parker missed on this one." Feel he kinda did on the ETUDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON St. Helena, Napa Valley 2002 ($100). He did write glowingly about it: plush, luscious, rich, and all that. Tastes like a 95 point Parker wine to me (he scored it twice: 93 and 91). My thoughts were, "Whoa Nellie, this is a big, well-endowed, powerful, seamless, delicious, ready to drink now wine!" Sourced mostly from a benchland vineyard just north of St. Helena town, Etude made 381 cases of killer Cab out of it. Frankly, when it comes to Napa Cabs of this price range, we want superior ripeness, mouth presence and length. Some complexity is necessary but if it's overshadowed by concentration of flavor that's OK. I taste such a wine and I know right away if it has "it." Etude Cab Sauv St. Helena '02 has it. The Etude Cabernet made our Super Cab list for the fall newsletter. Check it out here.
October 22, 2007
PAHLMEYER Red Wine, Napa Valley 2004 ($125). Six bottles available. Descriptions from R.P. such as "flamboyant, full-bodied, lush, heady, outstanding." Gotta dig it. Blend is 79% Cab Sauv then Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.
September 22, 2007
Our KAMEN Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley 2004 Magnums ($130 net) are pretty darn cool. This Estate vineyard on "the Sonoma side of Mt. Veeder" is really good...definitely the best yet from this outstanding Cabernet producer. Owner Robert Kamen hired Mark Herold to be his Winemaker in early 2004, so this is the first Mark Herold-made Kamen Cab from start to finish. This Cab is "the bomb" with huge concentration of fruit, ample seductive barrel, velvety mouthfeel, background of smoke and spicy chocolate. Drink or hold...you shall be well rewarded whichever you choose. Regrets on having no more 750s. Treat yourself to a Magnum.
July 14, 2007
We're lucky to have a little more ROBERT FOLEY Claret, Napa Valley 2004 ($125/bottle) left. Seven bottles at the time of this posting, in fact. Last tasted it in February. Luscious, rich, thick and all that jazz. Parker says all the things he says about a Napa Cab he gives 95 points...sensational, gorgeous and all that. It is almost all Cabernet Sauvignon, by the way. A splash of Merlot and Petit Verdot are sometimes added vintage to vintage. This is a lower acid, super-fleshy wine that can be enjoyed anytime. In fact, I'm not sure there's any benefit in cellaring this wine.
September 25, 2007
Not listed on inventory, not on WineSearcher, not on order page. Here and right here only: PISONI ESTATE Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 2005 ($65 net). Two bottle limit, and this is for good customers exclusively. New customers looking to buy only this wine need not apply. Haven't had it. Should be scrumdiliumptious.
May 23, 2007
Two Cabs new to the shop:
ORIN SWIFT Cabernet Sauvignon "Mercury Head" Napa Valley 2004 ($75 net) reached cult status on first release (which was 2001 I think). The 2004 Mercury Head is cut from the same cloth quality and style wise as its predecessors. Rich, supple, spicy and smooth sums up the wine. Owner/Winemaker Dave Phinney isn't afraid of big ripeness, extraction and oak. Luckily (for him, me and you) he knows how to put all the pieces together and make a winner of a wine. Black currant, berry and cherry flavors, smoke, chocolate malted, cinnamon, vanilla bean...the wine is definitely well "handled" in the most delicious sense of the word.
September 5, 2007
HL VINEYARDS Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2004 ($150 net) is the new release of Jennifer & Herb Lamb from their Estate Vineyard. As before, made by Michael Trujillo (Karl Lawrence, Sequoia Grove). Almost none made. Will taste it next week and then update this posting. One bottle limit, and can make two available should you do some shopping at BRW and make the two part of a case.
January 31, 2007
Gus Kalaris, owner of AXIOS Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2003 ($125/bottle) paid us a surprise visit last week. Gus owns Worthy "Sophia's Cuvee" Napa Valley, a very popular wine for us. Axios is his super-duper wine. He poured it for us on his visit, and yes indeed it's special. Want to know, or reaffirm, what "Mountain Cabernet" tastes like? This is it. Mostly Howell Mountain, with fruit near this AVA. Made for Gus by Mountain Cab specialist Bob Egelhoff. The nose on the Axios is all dried pie spice, overturned earth, cigar wrapper (best kind) and black truffle. The fruit slowly appears and blossoms. Right now, one needs a time lapse camera, set to flavor mode, to note its emergence. I do exaggerate, for this is a delicioius, intriguing wine right now. Just drink it slowly. Cellar this until 2015 and you'll be well rewarded.
July 23, 2007
Finally drank the BUCCELLA Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2004 ($100 net) last week. What I expected. Very delicious, with well integrated, ample sweet/sexy oak, extremely lush and decadent, black fruits a go-go, and just tastes expensive. (Feels expensive too...the bottle I mean. It's HUGE.) Doesn't garner great points for tasting of "somewhereness" but boy is it delicious! In this age of $150-$200+ Napa reds rolling out there bumble-tumble, this is amazingly kind of a value wine!
June 30, 2007
FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS PINOT NOIR "Fiddlestix Vineyard-Lollapalooza"
Santa Rita Hills 2004
($59 net) is way way down in production this year. So much so, that the ten cases we sold of the 2003 is only one or two cases. Have not tried the wine yet (when we do, will post our notes) but we have tried the Fiddlestix "Fiddlestix 728" 2004 and it's really good (and coming soon). "Lollapalooza" is the barrel selection "reserve" bottling of the "728." Expect dark cherries and berries, cola berry, smoke, licorice and earth. And power (the silver lining behind such low yields). We're looking foward to trying this wine, it should be outstanding. Three bottle limit while it lasts.
April 24, 2007
Wines from Bond, the single vineyard Cabernets by Bill Harlan (made by Bob Levy, Michel Rolland consultant). Have not tasted either, so I will quote Parker. Prices are as good as they get, according to WineSearcher.
BOND "ST. EDEN" 2003 ($265 net). This is from the Valley floor in Oakville. Full bodied, sweet cigar tobacco, spice, licorice and meaty characteristics, good richness and fatness and huge concentration and intensity. Performing even better from bottle that it did from barrel. 95 points.
BOND "VECINA" 2003 ($250 net). From a site near Harlan Estate, on the Oakville Grade. Firm, tannic, backward wine displaying a gravelly, scorched earth, hot rock, black currant, licorice, and herb-scented bouquet in the mouth, it is tight, rich, and ruggedly constructed with medium to full body as well as a boatload of tannin. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring, and consume it over the following 15. 93 points.
January 4, 2007
Small allocation of Brewer Clifton wines just arrived. Have tiny amounts of
Brewer Clifton Chardonnay "Mt. Carmel" 2005 ($54 net). I loved the 2004 vintage of this wine. This should be just as good if not better. Very cool climate, tiny & flavor-packed grapes, and great winemaking make a full package. Brewer Clifton Pinot Noir "Ashley's" Santa Rita Hills 2005 ($49 net) I'm sure has that intriguing spice box/tobacco/cocoa/deep berry & cherry nose and flavor that sets Santa Rita Hills apart. Power and delicacy. These "BC" wines are not listed on inventory, not posted on the internet anywhere. They are Wine Diary exclusives.
June 19, 2007
Received a scant one case of HIRSCH VINEYARD PINOT NOIR Sonoma Coast 2005 ($60 net). Grape yields were way down in the "real" Sonoma Coast (along the Pacific Ocean) so our 3 case allotment is paired down to one. Pity, for this is the richest, boldest, roundest, most delicious Hirsch Vineyard Pinot yet. Concentrated fruit soaks up the oak, get the brown spices, exotic floral notes and deep raspberry/blueberry. Silky. Dynamite Pinot that too few will get to enjoy this vintage.
March 10, 2007
Wine Diary Exclusive. Have just a little bit of
TURLEY ZINFANDEL "Grist" Dry Creek Valley 2004 ($75 net) and
TURLEY ZINFANDEL "Moore-Earthquake" Napa Valley 2004 ($65 net). First come, first served.
June 19, 2007
MARCASSIN CHARDONNAYS, 2003 vintage.
You've found the ONLY page on the website where these wines are listed and offered. Still, if you want some, limited to a bottle or two (depends how much OTHER great wine you buy from us).
MARCASSIN CHARDONNAY "Marcassin Vineyard" Sonoma Coast 2003, $210 net
MARCASSIN CHARDONNAY "Three Sisters Vineyard" Sonoma Coast 2003, $140 net
June 1, 2007
CULLER Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, Napa Valley 2004 ($65 net). What a wine! Karen Culler gets fruit from the same vineyard as Ladera (for whom she makes wine as well). This is outstanding Cab. So good, we shouldn't even post it considering we only got a case to sell! Mountain structure, asian and sweet spices, black earth, dark fruit, powerful, well proportioned, big Cabernet here. Will drink best maybe in 2012, maybe a little later. Sure liked it when we tried it too: a sure sign of a super quality wine. VERY limited.
January 18, 2007
Have our hands on two Pisoni Pinot Noir "Estate" Santa Lucia Highlands MAGNUMS 2004 ($200/bottle net). Well regarded, great reviews, big points (95 from R.P.). I tasted the wine in September '06 and it was tight. Not the Syrah-like concentration that made Pisoni famous. It was red fruits, big spice, intense...different than the Parker notes. It's very very good, and is probably bigger than how it showed when I tasted. It's rare, it's a magnum, and it's a Wine Diary exclusive. Comes with wood box, if you want it.
March 20, 2007
Wine Diary Exclusive. Not in our inventory, not on Winesearcher.
DRINKWARD PESCHON CABERNET SAUVIGNON "Entre deux Meres" Napa Valley 2004 ($50 net). This superb Cabernet is made up at Behrens & Hitchcock winery by Lisa Drinkward and Francoise Peschon. Our small allotment came in today and we just had to try one. Yes indeed, it's pretty good. So nicely described by Parker, I'm pleasantly surprised what restraint it shows. Juicy red and black cherries, malt, pie spices, blackberry pie, cocoa, good acidity, nicely fresh and forthcoming. This delicious Cabernet will improve through 2007 and drink at its best from 2008 to 2012 I estimate.
January 4 , 2007
Maldonado Chardonnay "Los Olivos Vineyard - Reserve" Napa Valley 2004 ($99/bottle net) is the first and so far only Reserve bottling for this super premium Chardonnay house. "Los Olivos" is in Napa's Jamison Canyon, which neighbors the Carneros. It's cold and windy here, and Chardonnay does best. The style is big and substantial: full of creme brulee, marzipan, dried pineapple slices, brown butter and on and on. As for this "Reserve," only 40 cases were made and we get two! In addition to the sensations above, you'll get mocha, vanilla extract, minerality, Poire William and warm croissants. As the great Chards manage, all this is packed in neatly. This is not gross wine, rather an immense, luscious, fit wine with great texture and a 45 second finish. As if I need to write this, I recommend it.
January 14, 2007
BRW has obtained one bottle of Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. Price is $400. This is the sweetheart wine of the latest Wine Advocate. 98 points, glorious notes from R.P. I've had it and found it very good, but not quite breathtaking. If one has the dough for such an extravagance, why not? There is a lite smudge on the upper left hand corner of the label.
October 17, 2006
Behrens & Hitchcock "10th Anniversary" Napa Valley 2003 ($60) is 46% Cab Sauv, 40% Merlot then 7% each Cab Franc and Petite Verdot. This is the Bordeaux-like wine of the line up with its creme ce cassis, tobacco leaf and licorice notes. Cabernet Sauvignon "Herrick-Moulds Vineyard" Napa Valley 2003 ($60) is 100% Cabernet from these Howell Mountain and Oakville vineyards. This is big, chewy and dense with ample sweet toasty oak and the concentration of fruit to balance. BRW receives just two cases of each, so max of any wine per customer is three bottles.
November 6, 2006
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2003. $1200. That's right, a one, a two, two zeros, then the period. Got one bottle. It's lonely, and wants to find a good home. Tasting notes? Nope. Haven't had it.
November 6, 2006 (By Ryan Graham)
Paloma Merlot Napa Valley 2004 ($54 net) I had the pleasure of going up to Jim and Barbara Richards' house at the top of Spring Mountain this afternoon to pick up our allocation of the 2004, and taste the 2005 in barrel. Ah, the rough life of a wine merchant. Jim tells me the buzz is Parker was really excited about the '04. This is really good wine, in very limited supply. Production was down in 2004, so there's just a little to go around.
November 1, 2006
MARCASSIN 2002 PINOT NOIRS JUST CAME AND WENT. These wines are not in inventory. Only Wine Diary readers will see that we have these for sale. Allocation combined of these four wines is a mere 12 bottles, so supply is way way way limited. Should you know the value of these wines, you realize these are great prices. We had:
MARCASSIN PINOT NOIR "Marcassin" 2002, $200/bottle net
MARCASSIN PINOT NOIR "Blue-Slide Ridge" 2002, $180/bottle net
October 18, 2006
Favia "Madgalena" Napa Valley 2003 ($85 net) is roughly half & half Cab Sauv and Cab Franc. Names for their daughter, Annie Favia and Andy Erickson sourced both Franc and Sauv from Abreu's vineyard in St. Helena. Only 90 cases produced, and BRW is one of the very very few retailers to get any. Maybe the only? Haven't had it yet, but will soon and will share my notes. 2 bottle max per customer as we got only 12.
September 20, 2006
I include the TOR CHARDONNAY "DURELL VINEYARD - WENTE CLONE" SONOMA COAST 2004 ($60 net) in High Rent District because A) a $60 Chardonnay is pretty "special" price, B) it's rare, only 40 cases made and only one case for us to sell and C) the wine is spectactular. Wente Clone is a tiny yielding berry usually yielding super concentrated Chardonnay. I'll take a Wente Clone Chardonnay over any other, truly. Owner Tor Kenward came by yesterday and poured me some. This Chardonnay is as much about texture as it is flavor, and there's loads of both here. All the big Chard descriptors apply, then add wet stones, preserved lemon, grapefruit candies and passionfruit. Back to texture: this wine sits rich and bold in the mouth while still being light on its feet. Like a huge football player with fancy footwork. If you buy the best Cal Chards, I suggest you take this opportunity to buy a couple bottles of this. When you do, ask me about the other two TOR Chardonnays in stock: "Two Rivers" Yountville and "Durell - Dijon Clones." Both are 2004's, both are $55/bottle.
September 27, 2006
This just in: JOSEPH PHELPS "INSIGNIA" NAPA VALLEY 2002 ($174 net). Yes, this is the one: Spectator wine of the year for 2005. Haven't tried it myself, but colleagues who have do say "it's all that!" Look online and you'll see this price is very competitive. I wonder if lower published prices have wine for sale. Case and a half in stock and it's totally open. Wood boxes (three) came with, too.
March 23, 2006
Have here six bottles of Peter Michael "Les Pavots" 2001 for $225/bottle. I've yet to taste it. 95 points from Mr. Parker. Yowza.
January 18, 2006
Now in: Marcassin Chardonnay "Marcassin Vineyard" Sonoma Coast 2002 $250. Expensive, but I believe the best price you're going to find for this special wine, besides the mailing list, which I'm on.
Thoughts? E-Mail Us. Order? Try Here. Or call me at 877-322-2576
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