A few listed here are now in very small supply and a few are arriving back in stock very soon.  If you're interested in those wines that are arriving soon, we can reserve them for you.

As always, prices are per-bottle, we sell only in unmixed case lots and we do offer delivery.  Please visit us on the web to see all of our wines, reviews and catalogues.

 

Vilmart's non-vintage Brut is sourced from Premier Cru vineyards in Rilly, in the Montagne de Reims region of Champagne.    Known as "Baby Krug", Vilmart's style is luxurious and toasty because of barrel fermentation of the base wines, just as they do at Krug.  Vilmart's wines are much more wallet-friendly.

"Vibrant acidity structures this seamlessly integrated version, backing the layered flavours.  Shows lovely texture and length."

Altesino's Brunellos are grown high above the region's floor, leading to this house's finessed, elegant style.  Maturation in Slavonian oak casks, not French barriques, shows the true character of the Sangiovese and the terroir of Altesino.

"Fine wine with fabulous aromas of tangerines and peaches with plums. So aromatic. Full body, with super polished tannins and a long, long finish. Drink or hold."

 

This wine is sourced from Altesino's parcel of the famed Montosoli vineyard, and although it is only produced in great years, it is widely regarded as one of the region's top wines.

"Intense balsamic and mint notes make this red distinctive, along with currant, raspberry and floral touches. Silky, ripe and impressive, this shows elegance and a vibrant structure. Offers excellent length and resonance on the finish. Best from 2016 through 2032. 1,250 cases made."

Still one of the greatest values in high-end Tuscan wine, Flaccianello 2009 is a thoroughbred.  Annually this is one of Tuscany's top wines. 

Wine Spectator featured the vineyard and winery in the Oct 31, 2013 issue, and has awarded it three "Top 10" placings in the last 10 years - #10 in 2004, #8 in 2009, #8 in 2010 and now #25 in 2013. 

"The first impression of this red is purity and finesse, as black currant, raspberry and violet aromas and flavours stay focused and persistent. An earthy leather element and mineral notes chime in on the finish, backed by a vibrant structure. Sangiovese. Best from 2015 through 2032. 5,000 cases made."

If you subscribe to Connoisseur's Guide to California Wines (a very good publication by the way), you'll know what this 95 point score means to them.  This is one of the highest scores you're likely to see for a Zinfandel this year. 

"78% Zinfandel; 16% Carignane; 4% Petite Sirah; and 2% Other.  Another stunner under the Geyserville moniker, this rich, nicely layered offering combines red and black berries with touches of dried leaves and black pepper in its mid-volume aromas. And, as promising as the nose seems to be, the wine is even more deeply packed on the palate where its blackberry, raspberry, darkly spiced fruit is joined by background notes of creamy oak. Latter palate tannin assures that this version of Geyserville will enjoy the long-aging abilities of its predecessors."

95 points, Wine Enthusiast, Sept 2012

David Schildknecht of Wine Advocate also awarded this 94 points and this note, "It exhibits amazing resonance and viscous cling yet (at 13.9%) with no hint of heat or alcoholic roughness, leading to a finish of fruit essences and confections that positively soars with ester-rich, near-spirituous yet not in the least raw intensity. This should be spellbinding to follow over at least the better part of the next decade."

Just released is the new 2011 Caymus "Special Selection", the only wine to have won Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in two different vintages.  This truly is a "special selection" of the best lots sourced from 8 viticultural areas of Napa Valley.

"A brilliant wine, and one of the stars of the vintage, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection boasts aromas of blueberry pie, blackberries, cassis and white flowers. This full-bodied, velvety textured, delicious 2011 is already drinking well, and should continue to do so for 10-12 years. It is a terrific success for the vintage."

The definition of "Cult Cab" Dancing Hares is a 4.4 acre(!!) vineyard at the base of Howell Mountain.  The vineyard is managed by David Abreu, Napa's foremost grower, and the wines are made by Andy Erickson, formerly of Screaming Eagle.

"The 2010 Dancing Hares is deeper and fuller with more structure as well as a lot of the sensuality exhibited by the 2009. Composed of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot, it boasts a dense purple colour and notes of wet rocks, blueberries, black raspberries, mulberries, espresso and subtle background oak. The delicious aromatics are followed by a deep, supple, round, opulent wine with some tannin underlying the extravagant fruit. A beauty of purity and symmetry, it is capable of lasting two decades or more."

If I had to pick my #1 Wine of the Year, I would have to say, without hesitation, 2009 Hillside Select.  The purity and poise of this wine is stunning.  To me this is definitive Napa Valley Cabernet - rich and powerful, fresh and aromatic, captivating and enthralling.  Enjoy this over the next 3 decades.

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is deep, racy and layered from the very first taste. A large-scaled, sumptuous wine, the 2009 impresses for its exceptional balance and pure pedigree. There is plenty of flesh here, but also more than enough tannin to help balance some of the wine's more overt tendencies. A dazzling, utterly vivid finish rounds things out in style. This large-scaled, voluptuous Cabernet Sauvignon should be at its finest between the ages of 10 and 30. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039."