Premium Wines
For those occasions that you want to spend a little extra, these wines are an experience worth the price.
2010 Luce, Brunello di Montalcino
DOCG, Italy
Intense aromas show a bounty of scents including blackberry, coconut, dried cherry, vanilla, violets, forest floor, coffee beans, hibiscus and black tea with notes of iron and salt minerality, red meats, pepper, leather and mushroom.
On the palate you can taste the youth, the muscularity and the special quality of this wine. Everything is there, packed tight; beautiful structure moderate-plus acidity, firm, chewy, full tannins and moderate alcohol. Flavors deliver with great intensity and concentration. blackberry, plum and dried cherry notes are met swiftly with dark roast espresso grounds, dark chocolate, forest floor, black tea, dried hibiscus, char grilled game meats, tobacco, mineral and mushroom lingering through the powerful chewy finish on leathery notes. A classic in the making from a rock star vintage.
$100- 94+ Points
2013 Carte Blanche, Chardonnay
Sonoma Coast, California
A blend of 5 blocks vinified separately. 15 months in French oak with 100% Malo. Only 300 cases produced.
Beautiful, rich aromas are medium-plus in intensity and wildly intoxicating showing depth and complexity. Roasted marshmallow, cinnamon brioche, butterscotch, dried apricot, lemon curd, white flowers, white fig, vanilla, toast and an underlining of saline and oyster shell.
The palate translates showing impeccable balance and structure. Rich and creamy yet focused and delineated. Creme brûlée, white fig and dried apricot flavors are met with saline and minerals, brioche, pastry crust, lemon curd, white flowers, vanilla and light touches of baking spice and toast. Long and elegant on the finish.
$65- 94 Points
2012, Duckhorn, Merlot, Three Palms Vineyard
Napa Valley, California
Beautiful scents of medium-plus intensity show off this vineyard specific Merlot. Aromas lead with scents of warm gravel that meld with notes of cigar smoke and tobacco, mocha, suede, dark cherry, forest floor, dark berry, cocoa nib, vanilla, dried then crushed florals and hints of pencil shavings, herbs and underbrush.
On the palate well developed showing notes of warm rock and gravel with an unyielding juicy dark cherry and mocha component upfront. Dark berry, plum, wild raspberry, bramble, sage, suede, cigar tobacco, spice, espresso, earth and wood come into play on the palate as well. Exceptionally well integrated flavors with medium-plus velvety tannins and acidity showing the wine's structure and ability to age. The finish is long showing off impeccable balance between the sweet and savory, the tannins and acidity of the wine.
$90- 93+ Points
2009, Domenico Clerico, Barolo, Ciabot Mentin
DOCG, Italy
100% Nebbiolo from the Ginestra Cru area. 30 months in French Oak. (80% new).
This very young wine is in need of a good decant. Once in the glass this shows leather notes with dried cherry, brambly raspberry, and plum scents that incorporate black tea, fresh cut flowers, tar, and forest tree aromas with hints of eucalyptus, earth and mineral.
On the palate beautifully structured strutting high acidity, ripe, firm tannins and mouth watering flavors of dried cherry, plum, black tea, flowers, earth, leather, wood and goji with hints of mint, tar and graphite. Long through the grippy finish showing the dusty tannins playing against the juicy acidity. A great Barolo with a modern streak.
$60 - 92+ Points
2015 Portal del Priorat, Clos del Portal, Tros De Clos
Priorat, Spain
Tros de Clos is a pure Carignan from 101-year-old vines on the “Coster” (slope), partly de-stemmed and aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak. It is 100% estate grown and organic (certified). Biodynamically farmed in slate soils.
It has a gorgeous, intellectual nose that is beautifully defined and elegant, not powerful but mineral-rich and earthy, blossoming with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with graceful tannins, pure, unbridled dark cherry, fig and plum fruit intermingling with minerals and slate aromas. A wine that demonstrates the unbridled greatness of Carignan, a wine that takes you straight to Priorat.
$100 - 95 points
NV Conde de Aldama, Palo Cortado Edicion Limitada
Manzanilla de Sanlucar de Barrameda, Spain
The Aldama family was among the most prominent in Sanlúcar
during the 19th century, with vast vineyard and stock holdings. In 1888 the Conde de Aldama sealed his best botas in plaster to protect their value and to prevent their admixture with wines from grafted vines. The botas remained sealed until 1927, at which time the Aldama heirs, facing ruin, liquidated their stocks to begin monastic life. Until acquisition by Francisco Yuste in the early 21st century, only the natural ullage has been replaced. Estimated average age is measured in centuries!
Undoubtedly the best sherry I have ever experienced... Extremely intense on the nose and palate with an intense finish that lasts longer than anything I have tasted before. Dry with an impeccable salinity that gives way to intense roasted Marcona almonds and other nuts, maple, chamomile, maple, dried orange zest, raisin and dried apricots that weave perfectly with leather, tobacco and fall leaves. Absolutely stunning..... Absolutely amazing!
$250- 97 Points
2015 Brane Cantenac, Margaux
Margaux, France
This 2015 Bordeaux is an absolute stunner. A powerful and intense infant. This vintage is made up of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Carménère.
This shows the classic notes of black currant, black plum, charcoal smoke, pencil shavings, espresso and pepper details on the nose and palate that are tightly wound and will benefit from cellar time. Bold in structure but showing refinement and balance. Incredibly long on the finish that shows focus and concentration.
$90 - 95 Points
2013 Hundred Acre, Cabernet Sauvignon Ark Vineyard
Napa Valley, California
Dense, rich, opulent and flat out stunning! Super-fine tannins, balanced acidity, velvety texture and even at 15.5% the alcohol is well integrated.
This wine is extremely long on the palate delivering flavors of blackberry compote, fig, blueberries, cassis and plum with notes of sweet tobacco, herbs, suede, mocha, toast and vanilla bean. The plush finish is long and decadent.
Though this drinks amazingly well now, this wine will cellar well.
$450 - 98 Points
2012 Boudreaux, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Loess Vineyard,
Walla Walla Valey, Washington
From the Leonetti Estate Loess Vineyard.
Stunning aromatics that show complex scents of framboise, cassis, cherry, Danish pastry, sweet herbs and cigar box with aromas of vanilla crème anglaise, florals and hints of peach skin, baking spice, cocoa and earth.
The palate showcases super-fine tannins, structured acidity and balanced alcohol. Flavors of deep red cherry, raspberry and cassis meet flavors of fresh pastry, herbs, pepper, dried flowers, peach skin, vanilla, cedar and cocoa. The finish is long letting the fruit penetrate and the tannins gain in intensity.
Still so very young and a gorgeous wine that should cellar amazingly well.
$125 - 94 Points
2008 Bollinger, La Grande Année,
Chapagne, France
71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay taken across 18 crus. Finished with an eight grams per liter dosage. Disgorged 10/18.
Wonderful aromas show notes of chamomile, bruised apple, oxidized white peach and pear, dried white flowers, baguette, fresh baked biscuits and chalk with hints of sea spray and honeycomb. Very reminiscent of a delicate Manzanilla.
The palate shows a super-fine mousse with tiny pinprick bubbles. Great weight and viscosity with a creamy texture. Flavors show intensity repeating the nose with its bruised apple, white orchard fruits, dried white flowers, chamomile, biscuit and baguette notes that lead into the chalky minerality and almond tones. The finish is unending showing the depth and broadness of this wine.
An exceptional vintage Champagne from an exceptional producer.
$140 - 94 Points
2015 Domaine Guyon, Vosne-Romanée, Les Charmes de Mazières
Vosne-Romanée, Burgundy, France
An exceptional, well-built and elegant Pinot Noir from Vosne-Romanée that comes from old vines mostly from Hautes Mazières fruit that adjoin 1er Cru Les Suchots, and a small amount from a parcel at the top of Chalandins situated between Mazière and Clos de Vougeot. After an almost month long cuvasion, whole cluster, this wine is aged approx. 12 months in new French oak.
The nose brings to mind raspberry, cherry, violet, rose laden flower boquet, spices, earth, mineral, pastilles, pastry and hints of sea spray and herbs.
The palate shows incredible intensity and density, opening slowly with air time. A lush flavor profile that replays the nose: fresh cherries, red cherry, and strawberry reduction with notes of rose, violet, fresh pastry, spices, wood, earth and a touch of chalk and herbs. The tannins, acid and alcohol are balanced and moderate-plus. The plush finish glides on endlessly.
$90 - 93 Points
2018 RAEN, Pinot Noir, Bodega
Sonoma Coast, California
The Bodega Vineyard sits just 4 miles from the coast and is steep, remote and surrounded by redwoods, pines, wildflowers, coastal oaks and a beautiful assortment of plant life.
Only 8 barrels produced. The wine is 100% whole cluster, that sees all native fermentation before being aged in neutral French oak barrels and bottled with no fining or filtration.
This stunning Pinot Noir displays an array of wild strawberry, cherry pomegranate and raspberry that fold in notes of tea, rose petal, mint, spice, bramble, earth, pine and hints of orange bitters. The palate shows precision and balance with harmonious balance between the zesty acidity and ripe, full tannins. A cellar worthy wine!
$80 - 94 Points
2014 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello, Scudetto, Barbera d'Alba Superiore
Barbera d'Alba, Italy
three years after the vintage.
Scents are moderate even with ample air time, but one can discern notes of the red cherry, cranberry, dried raspberry and goji notes that come laced with forest floor, briar, dried hibiscus and dried rose petal and light scents of leather, cured meats dust and dried mushroom.
The palate shows bright acids and firm drying tannins that gain in intensity through the finish. The wine shows earthy and musty flavors around a core of red cherry, dried raspberry, strawberry fruit leather and goji that incorporate notes of tea, dried florals, tobacco, dried mushroom, forest floor, briar, cured meats and leather. The dry and savory finish lingers with balance.
2008 Giuseppe Quintarelli, Cabernet ‘Alzero’
This wine is a blend of 20% Merlot with the 80% (split evenly) of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This wine is produced in the same manner as Amarone, in the appassimento style. The wine is then aged in French barrels for three years, then racked into Slavonian oak barrels for four more years.
In the glass this wine is deep with a stunning Tyrian purple hue. Aromas show amazing complexity with notes of chocolate, bruised mint, tobacco, spice cake, plum, candied fruits, balsamic and hints of floral pastilles. The wine is smooth and velvety across the palate and the acidity keeps it from being overweight. The high level ABV is nicely tucked in and not a burner. All the flavors come with intensity and linger through the extremely long and unforgettable finish.
Absolutely stunning and unique.