This Month’s Deal of the Century

2007 Dow, “Vale do Bomfim”  Douro  $11.99

A powerful red made from the same grape varieties that make port, except fermented to full dryness (no port sweetness).   It’s like a rich, California Cab combined with a juicy Shiraz.   This is a bottling I’ve loved to recommend for a couple years now but the new 2007 is the best yet.

 

Valentines Day

2007 Tommasi, “Romeo” Verona, Italy  Sale $5.99  Reg. $8.99  86pts Wine Enthusiast

“This is a cheerful blend of Merlot (25%) with traditional grapes of the Veneto such as Corvina and Rondinella. The result is an easy-drinking and fresh wine with very good integrity of fruit. Drink it with pasta, pizza or informal dinners.”

 

Sales and Events

Odds and Ends Sale.    February is a short month and so I’m featuring some wines that have been overlooked since their debut in the last few newsletters.

Take an additional 20% off the sale prices for mixed case sales.  (you can mix regular items into the case for the standard 10% off.)

 

2006 Whitehall Lane, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Sale $9.99 ($8.00)   Reg.  $15.99 88pts Wine Spectator

2006 Whitehall Lane, Chardonnay, Napa  Sale $15.99 ($12.80)  Reg. $24.99

2007 King Estate, Pinot Gris “Domaine”   Sale  $11.99 ($9.60) Reg.  $24.99 89pts Wine Enthusiast

2005 King Estate, Pinot Noir “Domaine”  Sale $26.99 ($21.60)  Reg. $44.99

2003 Cocci Grifoni, “Le Torri” Rosso, Sangiovese/Montepulciano Sale $9.99  $8.00)  Reg. $13.99 88pts Wine Enthusiast 

2001 Casa Contini, Biferno Riserva (Montepulciano) Sale $9.99 ($8.00) Reg. $19.99

2008 Los Vascos, Sauvignon Blanc, Chile  Sale $5.99 ($4.80 mixed case)  Reg. $10.99 90pts Wine& Spirits

2006 Amisfield, Pinot Noir, New Zealand  Sale $19.99 ($16.00) Reg. $34.99  90pts Wine Spectator

2006 Valley of the Moon, Chardonnay, Sonoma  Sale $9.99 ($8.00)  Reg. $15.99 88pts Wine Spectator

2004 Columbia Winery, Cabernet Sauvignon “Red Willow Vineyard”  Sale $15.99 ($12.80)  Reg. $24.99 88pts Wine & Spirits

2003/2004 Peachy Canyon, “Para Siempre” Meritage, Paso Robles  Sale $19.99 ($16.00)  Reg. $34.99

2002 Mondavi, Pinot Noir Reserve, Carneros  Sale $24.99 ($20.00)  Reg. $44.99

2007 Chateau d’Aussieres, Corbieres Blanc, France   Sale $9.99 ($8.00)  Reg. $15.99 

2003 Faiveley, Nuits-Saint-George,  Sale  $19.99 ($16.00)  Reg. $34.99 90pts Wine Spectator

2005 Louis Jadot, Marsannay Sale $19.99 ($16.00) Reg. $29.99

NV MPX Brut or Brut Rose, Cava   Sale $4.99 ($4.00)  Reg. $9.99

2003 Leeuwin Estate, Shiraz “Art Series” , Western Australia  Sale $15.99 ($12.80  Reg. $29.99 89pts Wine Advocate

2005 Girard, Petite Sirah, Napa Valley   Sale $17.99 ($14.40)   Reg.  $32.99 92pts Wine & Spirits

2003 Cullen, Cabernet Merlot "Diana Madeline", Western Australia  Sale  $24.99  ($20.00)  Reg. $59.99

2006 Gundlach Bundschu, Sauvignon Blanc “Block 13”  Sale $9.99 ($8.00) Reg. $16.99

2006 Flora Springs, Soliloquy, Napa  Sale $9.99 ($8.00)  Reg. $17.99

2008 Trumpeter, Torrontes, Argentina Sale $5.99 ($4.80) Reg. $9.99          

 

Focus on the Northwest

2008 Acrobat (from King Estate) Pinot Gris  $10.99  89pts Wine Spectator

“Light and juicy, offering a lively mouthful of pear, honeydew and spice aromas and flavors, lingering nicely. Drink now.”

 

2008 Acrobat (from King Estate), Pinot Noir $17.99  89pts Wine Spectator

“This tangy red offers bright berry and spice flavors that sail through the vibrant frame. Finishes on a candied apple note. Drink now through 2012”

 

2006 Gramercy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colombia Valley  $39.99  93pts Wine Advocate

“Gramercy’s 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Portteus, Phinney Hill, and Pepper Bridge Vineyards, each from a different AVA. Dark ruby-colored, it emits a superb bouquet of cigar box, violets, incense, black cherry, and black raspberry. This is followed by a medium to full-bodied, smooth-textured, deep, opulent Cabernet with plenty of underlying structure, excellent integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will continue to unfold with another 6-8 years of cellaring and offer a drinking window extending through 2026.”

 

2008 l’Ecole No 41, “Luminesse” Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc  $16.49  91pts Wine Enthusiast

“Toasty and precise, it offers a wonderful panoply of pears, orange peel, hints of banana and tropical fruits, with a luscious, creamy mid-palate.  The finish lingers gracefully, adding details of spice.”

 

2006 l’Ecole No 41, Merlot $21.99 (new low price)   89pts Wine Enthusiast

“Plump red fruits are dappled with hints of peppery herb, acids are natural and lend vibrancy, but the finish carries just a little too much heat.  The blend includes 11% Cab Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Petit Verdot.”

 

2006 l’Ecole No 41, Cabernet Sauvignon (new low price)   90pts Wine Enthusiast

“This is 100% varietal, from an outstanding mix of vineyards, many with vines more than 30 years old.  There is a sense of tension and balance, that the old vine fruit enhances, along with lightly herbal highlights to the tangy boysenberry fruit.  Hints of dark chocolate and peppery spice fill out the palate, with drying tannins that call out for beef.”

 

2007 Dusted Valley Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla  $21.99  92pts Wine & Spirits

The full review doesn’t come out until the next issue but this is a blockbuster vintage.   Also look for Dusted Valley’s Mourvedre arriving next week if you like the unusual bottlings.  

 

NV Cougar Crest, Dedication Three  $18.49  

Primarily from the killer 2007 vintage, this Bordeaux (plus a touch of Syrah) blend is their best yet.   Smoky, spicy and juicy.

 

NV Va Piano, Bruno’s Blend V  $19.99

Like the Cougar but more Syrah and less Cab and Merlot.   I also think this is the best Bruno’s yet.

 

2007 Sleight of Hand, Spellbinder Red  $17.49  90pts Wine Advocate

“Sleight of Hand’s value priced 2007 Red Wine The Spellbinder is composed of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 14% Sangiovese aged in seasoned French oak for 11 months. It emits an alluring aromatic array of cedar, cinnamon, damp earth, cassis, and black cherry. Textured and savory on the palate, this sleek effort has enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years.”

 

2005 Delille, Doyenne Aix  $34.99  93pts Wine Spectator

“Ripe, focused and beguiling for the espresso and caramel notes that swirl through the dark plum and currant fruit, remaining focused and vibrant through the long finish. Time in the cellar should polish the tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2009 through 2015.”

 

Other Odds and Ends

2004 LAN, Rioja Reserva  $19.99  90pts Wine Spectator

“A silky texture carries expressive flavors of black plum, violet, licorice and smoke in this focused, balanced red. Has good intensity yet remains vibrant and accessible. Drink now through 2012.”

 

2004 Museum, Cigales (Tempranillo)  87pts International Wine Cellar

“"Medium red. Cherry, smoke, tobacco, vanilla and cedar on the nose. Medium-bodied, sweet cherry-vanilla and herb flavors are a touch pinched but betray no rough edges. I waited for this wine to stretch out but it remained rather tight and linear. Finishes with good grip and an echo of sweet vanilla."”

2007 Tikal, Patriota, Mendoza  $17.99  92pts Wine Advocate

“The 2007 Patriota is a blend of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec aged in 70% French oak (40% new) and 30% second use American oak. Purple-colored, it offers an alluring bouquet of spice box, black cherry, and blueberry. Supple and flavorful on the palate, additional notes of raspberry and chocolate emerge, accompanied by a complex, rich wine with good structure and length. It way over-delivers for its modest price.”

 

 

Collector’s Corner

2006 Rafanelli, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley  $51.99

 

2006 Mt. Eden, Chardonnay “Estate”, Santa Cruz  $46.99

“Simply delicious, a rich, buttery style, delivering ripe, vivid and delicate peach, pear and honeydew melon fruit that's complex, concentrated and full-bodied Offers excellent length and depth. Creamy oak adds a touch of smoke and vanilla. The texture is silky. Drink now through 2016. 2,387 cases made”

 

2006 Rocca di Frassinello, “Le Sughere” Toscana  $29.99  91pts Wine Spectator

“This shows coffee, spice, tar and blackberry character on the nose and palate. Big and powerful, with loads of new wood. Juicy and rich. Very New World. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Best after 2010.”

 

2005 Terrabianca, “Campaccio” Toscana $29.99  90pts Wine Spectator

“Very attractive aromas of flowers, berries and raspberry follow through to a full body, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Needs bottle age to mellow. Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2010.”