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Scott's Picks

September 2008

2007 Airfield Estates "Unoaked" Chardonnay, Yakima Valley
$13.99

July 2008

2005 Silverado Vineyards "Miller Ranch" Sauvignon Blanc, Yountville
$14.99

June 2008

2006 Stump Jump White, McLaren Vale
$11.99

This blend of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Rousanne and Marsanne is the ultimate summer sipper. From the McLaren Vale area of Australia, this wine comes from vines planted in 1912. The grapes were basket pressed, and femented in stainless steel tanks. The result is an off-dry crisp and clean wine with a nose showing an array of aromas of lemongrass, peach, and apricot. The palate carries over to a great pairing of acidity and fruit. A nice, clean finish follows. Pair this with a warm afternoon on the deck, or grilled sea scallops with a wasabi cream. This also stands up well to slightly spicier dishes.

2005 :Nota Bene Cellars "Miscela", Washington State
$31.99

Miscela in an Italian word for blend. The grapes in this gem come from a pretty impressive group of vineyards here in Washington: vineyard sources include Klipsun, Champoux, Chandler Reach, and Kestrel. The wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, but is softened with Merlot, and a bit each of Cab Franc and Malbec. The result is a mixture of muscle and finesse; a "velvet hammer" if you will. Big tannins and creamy oak lead to a nose of candied cherries and whiff of strawberry and raspberry. The palate is all about a big, beefy mouthfeel, but balanced out well with the tannins integrated with the fruit. With 30 minutes of air, this wine will pair well with lamb shank or a thick New York hot off the grill.

April 2008

2007 Domain Sorin Rose, Cotes de Provence
$12.99

Although summer isn't here quite yet, we are gearing up for Rose season, just tasting the new crop of pinks, and this one is a standout! Bright and crisp, this my “deck wine” for the summer. The nose is reminiscent of fresh picked strawberries, and the acidity is bracing. This would be my choice with anything spiced, like Thai or sushi.

2004 Lockwood “Partners Reserve” red wine, Monterey County
$21.99

This vintage is the first time this monster wine has been made with all estate fruit: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Malbec, with < 700 cases produced. The nose is awash in blackberry and cassis, and carries over  to a beautiful combination of  silky smooth tannins. Yet another reason to buy a decanter, this will benefit with about 30 minutes of air. This wine pairs well with a nicely rare filet topped with blue cheese.

March 2008

2005 Tres Sabores "Por Que?" Zinfandel blend, Napa Valley
$24.99

This new wine from Napa is incredible! Mostly Zinfandel, it has a splash of Petite Sirah. If you are looking for a rich, jammy spice monster, this is it! Deep, dark black raspberry and cassis on the nose, carrying over to a palate of white pepper and savory spice. Pair this one with a steak or lamb shank in a red wine reduction. Por Que? Why not? .

2006 Ponzi Pinot Blanc, Willamette Valley
$17.99

Fresh from the Willamette Valley, this wine is going to be your Spring favorite. The 2006 vintage was exceptional in Oregon, and Dick Ponzi is a pioneer in grape growing and winemaking. He was one of the first to plant Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc back in 1970. This is a wine of definitive acidity and a beautiful nose of white peach and gooseberry. The palate carries notes of minerality and a crisp, bracing finish. This wine would be great with simply-prepared seafood, paricularly oysters on the half shell.

February 2008

2005 Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel, Sonoma County
$37.99

Celebrating their 40th vintage of this wine, famed "ZinMaster" Paul Draper has a real winner here. 77% Zinfandel, 17% carignane, and 6% Petite Syrah make for a very different experience. Throw in the 14.6% alcohol, and you've got a monster! This Zin is very complex due to the unique blend of grapes. Very full bodied, with classic spicy and dark berry flavors (think blackberry and cassis). This one will lay down for a few years, or, with about a hour in a decanter, drink well now. Team this up with Osso Bucco, or other hearty fare.

2005 Chateau de L'Aurore Cremant de Bourgogne Brut
$14.99

Who says you have to wait for a holiday for bubbles? Not us. I tasted this one and bought it on the spot. I'm not quite sure how to say it, but I know it's fantastic at this price. Cremant is about the closest thing to true Champagne without the price tag. It is made in the same manner as Champagne, but doesn't come from there, therefore it can't be called Champagne. This sparkler has classic tones of bread dough and almond on the nose, while the palate carries over to notes of biscuits and a hint of citrus. This is best enjoyed with anything on days that end in "Y".

January 2008

2005 Gorman "Bully" Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain
$44.99

This Cab is aptly named - it's a monster! This is one of the most jam-packed, juiciest Cabs I have tasted in a long time. The nose is all about rich, deep, dark fruit, and the palate carries over to absolutely amazing structure and depth. Cellar this one for at least five years, but it is showing marvelously well right now. If you pop the cork on this brute, give yourself up to an hour to let it fully develop (if you don't have one already, this wine is the perfect excuse to buy a decanter).

2004 Curtis "Heritage Cuvee", Santa Barbara County
$13.99

This interesting red is a true value. Primarily Grenache, with Mourvedre, Syrah, and Cinsault rounding it out, this Rhone-inspired blend is sourced from grapes in the Santa Ynez Valley, where warm temperatures really work well to intensify the deep, dark flavors. Think blackberry (the fruit, not the handheld carpal tunnel device) and a hint of dark cherry on the nose, followed by a palate of pretty much the same. Don't store this one - crack it and enjoy!

December 2007

Fitz Sparkling Riesling Extra Trocken (Pfalz)
$19.99

A pleasant surprise - I was expecting sweet, but here is this bone-dry sparkler with bracing acidity and loads of peach, apricot, and a little flinty minerality. A perfect wine to start the meal, and then go all the way through!

2004 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
$46.99

Silverado Vineyards is one of California's oldest wineries (right on the Silverado Trail). The grapes are sourced primarily from Stag's Leap AVA, and they have long-term relationships with other quality Napa-area vineyards, where the grapes in this wine originate. It fires on all cylinders in terms of fruit, acidity, and alcohol. It is deep, dark black cherry, with some plum notes - it'll need some decanting time before drinking.

November 2007

2005 Bistro Rouge
$13.99

Talk about "everything but the kitchen sink"! This great red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, and is the party wine for the holidays. With a healthy dose of Cabernet for structure, and the Merlot and Syrah to soften the tannins, this has a nose of deep, dark berry that carries to a well-rounded and silky mouthfeel. This is great just by itself, or with a bowl of chili by the fireplace.

NV Cain Cuvee
$29.99

This gem is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. From one of the most famous names in Napa, this is your wine for a nice holiday dinner. This one is big and rich, with a nose of cassis and black currant, and the flavor profile is all about the fruit. This is the one for prime rib!

October 2007

2006 Kahurangi Sauvignon Blanc
$17.99

From New Zealand, this is a beauty. With bracing acidity, this wine shows an incredible nose of grapefruit and lime rind, finishing off with a crisp mineral mouthfeel. Pair this with oysters or pate.

2004 Cliff Lede Claret
$34.99

This Bordeaux-style blend is primarily sourced from the Stags Leap area, and is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot and a little Cabernet Franc. It is big and rich, with deep blackberry and black cherry aromas,followed by a silky smooth finish. Try this with a braised lamb shank or a hearty beef stew.

September 2007

2006 Bergevin Lane "Calico White"
$15.99

Winemakers Ann Bergevin and Amber Lane have been making this Chardonnay/Viognier blend for a couple of years now. This is a dry, crisp wine with a nose of rose petal and a hint of peach and pear on the palate. Try this by itself or with freshly-shucked oysters.

www.bergevinlane.com

2006 Cloudline Pinot Noir
$19.99

Veronique Drouhin, the gerat-great-granddaughter of Joseph Drouhin, is the winemaker for this Oregon Pinot. Like her family before her, she specializes in an old-world style, like the burgundies for which her family is so famous in Europe. This Pinot has a great nose of new leather and a cedary note as well. The palate carries flavors of dried cherries, and a hint of minerals. Pair this with simply-grilled salmon.

August 2007

Riedel "O" series Champagne Tumbler
$24.99 for two

I usually pick out two wines that I like, but this month I am substituting this glass. From the 11th generation of glassblowers, Maximillen Riedel introduced this line of stemless glasses. The champagne tumbler was a custom design to benefit Breast Cancer Research. I lost my Aunt Carol to breast cancer last month so these glasses are extra special to me. The Riedel family is donating 15 percent of all profits from this glass to breast cancer research foundations all over the world.

www.riedel.com

2006 Honig Sauvignon Blanc
$15.99

This wine hails from Rutherford, in the heart of Napa. Louis Honig arrived in the area and purchased the old Rutherford Ranch in the 1960's. He farmed it until his death, but left the property to his grandchildren, Steve and Ellen. They replanted the farm with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. This vintage is classic Napa Sauvignon Blanc. On the nose, there is a vibrant combination of graprfruit, mango, and papaya. The mouthfeel is crisp and zingy with bracing acidity, carrying over to a finish of crisp minerality. Try this on on the deck this Summer, or pair it with simply grilled swordfish with caper butter.

www.honigwine.com

July 2007

2006 Calera Vin Gris of Pinot Noir
$17.99

This rose is a new favorite. Because it had a little more time of skin contact, this wine is a bit darker and richer than most roses. The grapes were sourced from vineyards in Santa Clara and Monterey Counties, giving it a "Central Coast" apellation. This wine begins with a nose of just picked berries and carries on to flavors of melon and strawberry. I know that it sounds sweet, but it's really suprisingly off-dry. I had a dedicated red wine drinker try this recently and he was suprised at the full bodied richness of this wine. As with all roses, enjoy this wine chilled, but not cold. The Calera Vin Gris of Pinot Noir would be a great companion to baby back ribs from the grill, or a smoked salmon caesar on a sunny day.

2006 Finca El Reposo White Wine
$8.99

The winemaker of this Argentinian wine was in town last week, and I had the oportunity to taste through his small portfolio of wines. Based in Mendoza, these folks put out some really great wine. This one in particular really did it for me. It starts out with a nose of honeydew melon and orange peel, then goes on to a combination of lemon zest and passionfruit. This is a great example of "Deck Wine"! By the way, the reason Argentinian wine are relatively new to us in the states is that the annual wine consumption per person was 28 gallons. PER PERSON! The U.S. comes in at 2 to 3 gallons per person. These guys like to party!

June 2007

2006 Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir
$23.99

These grapes were grown in mineral rich soil in the Adelaide Hills in South
Austrailia. Named for the Gold mine discovered there in 1879, this wine is
amazing. A nose of lavender and cherry leads to a burst of berry and plum. This
wine has a touch of residual sugar, but it is not sweet. Crisp and refreshing,
this pairs well with salty foods and BBQ. Or just enjoy a glass by itself on a
warm Summer evening.

Casal Garcia Vinho Verde
$7.99

The Minho Valley is an area in Portugal known for crisp whites. This wine is
a party for your palate. With a touch of spritz, this wine is so young and
disappears so fast, that winemakers rarely put a vintage date on the label!
Because the Minho is also home to farm crops, this wine pairs well with more
rustic dishes. The "fizzyness" comes from carbon dioxide still in the wine at
bottling. This wine amazingly quaffable because of its low alcohol content-most are
around 10%. Try it with Paella, and salads dressed with balsalmic vinegar.

May 2007

2006 Barnard Griffin Rose of Sangiovese
$9.99

DOUBLE GOLD!! This beautiful Rose is a Double Gold Medal winner at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, where over 3800 wines were judged, and the prestigious Monterey Wine Competition. With a nose of strawberry and violet, this lean and racy wine is the perfect Summer sipper. And it's TEN BUCKS!

2005 Goose Ridge Viognier
$19.99

From acclaimed winemaker Charlie Hoppes, this wine shows wonderful floral aromas, then goes right to the classic Viognier profile: Think fresh pears with a touch of honey, and crisp red apple. Pair this gem with simply grilled swordfish with mango salsa.

April 2007

2004 Stonecap Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington)
$9.99

A second label from Goose Ridge Vineyards, this gem is a winner! Famed Washington Winemaker Charlie Hoppes has brought us a cab with plenty of dark fruit and easy tannins, and best of all, it’s ready to drink now!

2004 Zachary’s Ladder Red Wine (Washington)
$24.99

From newcomer Chris Gorman, this is the second release of this red blend. This wine is big and beefy with plenty of backbone. Decant this monster, pick up a thick New York Strip, and fire up the grill!