2011
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River $50
Plenty of bright, rich, cherry fruit, a luscious, medium-bodied mouthfeel, and impressive purity, texture and length. Classic pinot from Russian River.
2011
Dragonette Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills $44
A deep, slightly earthy effort, the 2011 Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied, elegant red that has solid length and texture. Showing plenty of spice, underbrush, earth and darker-styled fruits, it has wonderful freshness and impressive length. We love this wine (and the winemakers are pretty awesome people too!)
2011
Tyler Pinot Noir Bentrock Vineyard $58
Exhibiting gorgeous raspberry, spice, sappy flowers and distinct minerality, this medium-bodied effort has a core of sweet fruit that’s balanced nicely by ripe, firm tannin. Super-small production (75 cases).
2010
Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five $76
The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five (99% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot) exhibits aromas of blueberries, black currants, incense and delicate floral notes. Following the stunning perfume, this full-bodied, elegant, super-rich wine reveals great definition and purity of black currants and black raspberries gentle wrapped in subtle spicy oak. This classic Cabernet is the quintessential model for both Stags Leap and Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
2007
Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley $78
Vivid and vibrant core of currant and dark berry, with dusty earth, licorice, and dried berry. Long smooth finish rounds out this beauty.
2010
Sanguis Syrah 'Pilgrim' $74
100% Syrah from Bien Nacido vineyard: Fantastic. A big, pedal-to- the metal style that stays beautifully fresh and focused, it offers up thrilling aromatics, a mouth-filling, voluptuous texture and an overall generous, supple feel. Around 80 cases produced.
2010
Jaffurs Syrah Larner Vineyard $46
We go back and forth on which of Jaffurs syrahs are his best. Year after year it's his Larner Vineyard. This 2010 syrah dishes out deep, mineral-tinged dark berry fruit, exotic spice, roasted meats and floral undertones to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich and nicely structured profile on the palate. It's a gorgeously balanced, overall elegant wine that is impossible to resist.
2010
Booker Tempranillo $80
There is no shortage of depth, power or richness in the 2010 Tempranillo. The 2010 boasts extraordinary purity and complexity, lovely aromas of raseberry, anise, tar, and a finish that is nearly endless. In a word: Gorgeous.
2010
Chateau Gloria $72
Abundant notes of cedar wood, fruitcake, flowers, creme de cassis and kirsch are all present in this full-bodied, opulent, dense, dark ruby/purple wine. This is a juicy, well-proportioned, sensationally concentrated, super-ripe Gloria to drink over the next decades.
2010
Chateau Les Carmes Haut-Brion $94
Raspberries, red currants and sweet cherries as well as hints of vanilla, smoke and subtle herbal notes. The blend is 45% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon. Always elegant & stylish.
2008
Mascarello Barolo Monprivato $118
Detailed and fragrant, offering floral, strawberry, cherry, licorice, and spice flavors. Elegant with a streak of minerality. Intense and complex with an extremely savory finish. This is old-school Barolo at its Best!
2010
Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove $70
This Super-Tuscan shows off tons of concentration and sheer depth. Mocha, espresso, dark cherries and plums are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. A decidedly powerful wine that drinks more like a first-growth Bordeaux. Impressive!
2008
Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva Montefico $58
This wine hits the palate with a blast of fruit intermingled with copious acidity and pure structure. Clean cherry and raseberry interwoven with floral and spice notes.The high altitude of these parcels ensures there is plenty of freshness and vibrancy. A dazzling effort!
2008
Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova $80
Mocha, plums, black cherries, savory herbs and flowers are some of the notes that take shape in the glass. Beautiful nose with a firm mid-palate, and an expansive finish. A highly appealing wine.
2009
Aalto Ribera del Duero $52
From 40+ year old tempranillo vines. The 2009 Aalto has a rich decadent, floral bouquet with licorice-tinged dark berries with earthy, almost peaty aromas underneath the carapace of fruit. The palate is full-bodied with dense tannins, but good acidity and very fine harmony and focus. There are hints of star anis toward the multi-layered finish that possesses great length. Superb.
2009
Fattoria Selvapiana Chianti Rufina Bucerchiale $90 / MAGNUM
What's a party without a large bottle of wine? This 1.5 Liter Chianti opens with a burst of red fruit. It is an intensely perfumed, seductive wine loaded with personality. Sweet, silky tannins frame the exquisite finish. This is a drop-dead gorgeous wine.
2010
Domaine du Clos des Tourelles $90
The Perrin family (from Beaucastel fame) purchased this last remaining 'Clos' (walled/enclosed vineyard) in Gigondas. First planted in the 1620's. The Perrin family restored the original walls, cared for the 80-100 year old grenache vines, and then made the best darn wine from Gigondas we have ever tasted. Delicate yet powerful, the wine drinks more like a grand cru Burgundy. Amazing stuff.
Classic
Pinot Noir from Burgundy (one bottle each):
2011 Domaine Camus-Bruchon & Fils Bourgogne
2011 Bouchard Pere et Fils Bourgogne Reserve
Both of these pinots are a delight to share, either with friends, family, or just each other. Both pair wonderfully with lamb, traditional spiced Moraccan couscous, or with a perfect Santa Barbara sunset.
$44
Old-World
Rioja at its Best (one bottle each):
2001 Bodegas Ramirez de la Piscina Rioja Gran Reserva
2001 La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial
From the near-perfect 2001 vintage. Both these producers are benchmarks of the region using traditional farming and winemaking practices. While La Rioja has wonderful complexity & finesse, the Ramirez de la Piscina is more of a fruit forward, richer, denser wine. A real treat to taste side by side!
$92