Brewer - Clifton 2009 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills

Layers of ripe fruit flavors and aromas attack your senses. The ripe apple, melon, lemon and tropical notes are lively and set against a back drop of spice and subtle oak. As with all Brewer - Clifton chardonnays, there underlying mineral tones and good acidity. 93 pts. Robert Parker, Jr.

Jordan 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

The 2007 may very well be the best Jordan that I have tasted since 1987. Blackberry, currant, anise and vanillia tones are abundant. The 2007 has 20% Merlot, so while the fruit flavors are big and rich, the finish still has that trademark, soft, round tannins. Really a stellar effort for Jordan. On Sale $39.99 until 12/31/11

Melville Vineyards 2009 Pinot Noir Estate Santa Rita Hills

A wonderful effort from owner and winemaker Greg Brewer. The wine is very rich and somewhat dense in both flavors and mouthfeel. Flavors range from strawberry, cherry, currant and sweet floral notes. Spice, cedar and well intergrated oak follows. While it is a big pinot, the wine still has grace and finesse. 91 pts. Robert Parker, Jr.

Melville Vineyards 2010 Viognier Verna's

One of best Viogniers out of California that I have tasted. The wine shows flavors of pineapples, melon, and citrus, along with hints of nuts, ginger and mineral qualities. The rich mouthfeel is followed with a crisp, ripe finish.

Poizin 2009 Zinfandel Sonoma County

Deep blood red in color. This wine has a fun label for Halloween, but, the wine is solid. Lots of ripe cherry, plum and sweet oak flavors and aromas. Black peppercorn comes through on a finish that is robust and lenghty. Poizin is not, "the wine to die for", as the winery claims, but it is a bloody fine zin!!

Domaine Joblot Givry 1er Cru Clos Du Cellier Aux Moines 2009

Jean - Marc Joblot delivers a pinot that richness ans density not expected from this area. The wine shows blackberry and currant flavors, intergrated nicely with hints of earth and spice. Richer and bolder is better when it comes to this pinot noir.

Domaine Saint Vincent Brut Sparkling

A terrific value in sparkling wine from New Mexico. This wine show flavors and aromas of apples, white peaches, lime, and pie dough. Easy drinking, clean, and lively bubbles, perfect for all parties coming up later in the year. At $9 a bottles, this is one of the best values in the store.

Iron Horse Classic Brut

The Iron Horse sparkling wines are clearly among the best that California has to offer. The Classic Brut is rich and creamy, with a baked apple quality. The finish is rich, creamy and yeasty, somewhat full bodied and well balanced, over all a solid sparkler.

Cade 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Cuvee

Big, rich and bold, packed with aromsas of black fruits, blue berries and foral notes. In the mouth flavors are layered and forward, with notes of blackberry, currant, chocolate, mocha and spice. Full bodied with fairly intense tannis, that should mellow with cellaring. 92-94 Robert Parker,Jr.

Neyers 2010 Sage Canyon Red

This is first vintage for the Sage Canyon Red, a blend of Grenache, Syrah and mouvedre. Crafted to be a true Rhone style wine, with a freshness that is California. The fruit is ripe and rich, offering notes of raspberry, plum, and cherry. Hints of spice, coffee, cedar and dried fruits, give the wine roundness and balance. A very nice effort, that should be wonderful with roast pork loin.

Miner Vineyards 2007 AIA Napa Red

35% Cabernet franc, 35% Cabernet Suavignon, with the rest Malbec and Petite Verdot. The wine is rich with floral and plummy aromas. Flavors of black cherry, currants, plums and spice, with fairly soft tannins and a vanilla tone to round out the wine. One of my personal favorites for under $30

Three Everyday Wines from Sicilia

Feudo Arancia Stemmari

2009 Nero D'Avola Siclia

          The classic red wine from Sicily. Offers up flavors of cherries and cranberries, medium-bodied and soft tannins. Goes well with pasta and grilled meats.

2010 Chardonnay

          Flavors and aromas remind you of baked apples, pears and minerals. Light bodied, clean and fresh. Ideal with fish, cheeses and chicken.

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

          A medium bodied cabernet with notes of currants, bing cherries and minerals. The soft tannins make the wine pleasant and easy drinking. Have this one with grilled red meats, and salami.

Ten Value Chardonnay for $20 or Less

Steele 2009 California Steele Cuvee

                  Rich and ripe, creamy and complex with good oak. $20

LaLande 2009 France

                  Ripe apples and tropical fruit, medium bodied, crowd pleaser. $12

Ninety Plus Cellars 2009 Russian River

                  Baked apples, rich and lightly creamy. $12

Talbott Kali Hart 2009 Monterey

                  Bold smokey oak, rich and creamy. $16

Annabella 2009 Napa

                  Green apples, pears and hint of citrus, great party wine. $11

Shooting Star 2009 Mendocino

                  Touch of oak, ripe apples, pears and lemon zest. $14

Manciat Macon Charnay 2009 France

                  Well balanced, great with food, clean finish. $15

Contrada 2009 Sonoma Coast

                  Middle wieght, citurs, pears and melon, light style. $11

Domaine Grournier 2009 France

                  Easy drinking with ripe fruit flavors and great balance. $12

Ferrari - Carano 2009 Sonoma

                  Apple, pears and melons, with light oak and cream. $18

Brewer-Clifton 2008 Mount Carmel Chardonnay

This is a truly enjoyable glass of California Chardonnay, but it is not the classic California style, it is not over oaked, fat and sweet. Flavors and aromas of apricots, peaches, nut and figs, are married nicely with mineral notes and good acidity. The finish goes on and on and on.

94 pts. Robert Parker, Jr.

Robert Craig 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Affinity

The 2008 Affinity is a very charming blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and small amounts of Merlot, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Flavors of black cherry, plum, and blackberry, intertwine nicely with notes of coffee, cedar and herbs. Less tannic than the 2007, but it still has nice wieght and a smooth finish.

Lalande 2009 Chardonnay

This chardonnay from France offers both quality and value. The wine has a wonderful floral quality to the nose, flavors are of apples, pears, a kiss of citrus and a hint of nuts. At $12 a bottle, this chardonnay is fresh and ripe, with a balance reserved for higher prices French chards. A real crowd pleaser, and great with food.
SOLD OUT

Larkin 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa

The 2007 Larkin Cabernet is deep ruby in color with a nose that explodes with aromas of cassis, anise, graphite and smoky tones. The fruit is big and forward, offering up black cherry, raspberry and plums. Full bodied, rich and layered with flavors, finishing with almost sweet tannins. Drinks well now and will cellar nicely for 15 years. 93 pts. Robert Parker, Jr.