ZINFANDEL, PETITE SIRAH, OTHER VARIETALS & BLENDS 20
ARGENTINA & CHILE 21
ITALY 21
SPAIN 21
SPAIN “CLOS PISSARRA COLLECTION” 22
Jan-Feb 2018
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F E A T U R E D
W I N E F L I G H T S
A Wine Fl i ght i s the per fe ct way to taste a var ie ty o f wine s s ide by s ide . Each f l i ght i s equave lent to a s ing le g las s of wine , wi th three 2 oz. g la sse s per f l i ght . We al so of fe r a l l o f our by the g las s se lect ions a s a hal f g las s - 3oz pour
B U B B L E S Voveti, Prosecco Brut D.O.C., Veneto – Italy NV
Fine bubble s ,br i ght st raw ye l low color . Aromas o f Peaches & sweet f lower s , h int s of pineapple s and ye l low apple s .
Beaut i fu l cora l co lor , aromas o f ro se peta l s and bananas, a de l i cate mousse , l i ght body, a love ly balance and a f re sh , la st ing f in i sh .
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin, Yellow Label, Champagne – France NV
Bright ye l low color , complex aromas o f r ipe apple , e xce l l ent depth and per s i s t ence ; medium bodied, dry , medium acidi ty , we l l ba lanced.
Three 2 oz tastes … 14 E U R O P E A N W H I T E S Grüner Veltliner, Huber, Terrassen, Traisental DAC - Austria ’15
Notes of c i t rus and whi te pepper , very re f re sh ing
Viognier, Secret de Famille, P. Jaboulet Aine, IGP Mediteranee-France ‘14 Rich & concentrated, whi te f lower & vio le t notes . Smooth , medium-bodied.
Grenache Blanc, Clos Pissarra, El Sol Blanc, Montsant – Spain 15
Yel low apple , whi te necta r ine , apple b lo ssoms, whi t e pepper , s t ruck f l int .
Three 2 oz tastes … 13
H E R E C O M E S T H E K I N G - C H A R D O N N A Y
Ron Rubin, Pamela’s, Sonoma ‘13 unoaked
Asian pear , nectar ines , whi te peaches , and acacia b los som.
Olema, Sonoma County ‘14
Tropica l f ru i t , pineapple , pear , green apple , peach and vani l la .
Mer Soleil Reserve, Santa Lucia Highlands ’15 Guava, baked pear , crème bru lée , and lemon pee l .
A Wine Fl i ght i s the per fe ct way to taste a var ie ty o f wine s s ide by s ide . Each f l i ght i s equave lent to a s ing le g las s of wine , wi th three 2 oz. g la sse s per f l i ght . We al so of fe r a l l o f our by the g las s se lect ions a s a hal f g las s - 3oz pour
O L D W O R L D C L A S S I C S Rhone, Domaine de Chantepierre, Lirac – France ‘15
Ripe , brambly f ru i t aromas wi th caramel and l i quor ice .
Bordeaux, Ch. La Croix Moution, Bordeaux – France ‘15
Blackcurrent , red cher ry and dark ber r i e s .
Priorat, Clos Pissarra El Ramon by Miura, – Spain ‘10
Bold & vibrant red cher ry , ani se , and wi ld ber ry .
Three 2 oz tastes … 13
C A L I F O R N I A J A M S
Pinot Noir, Miura, Santa Lucia ‘15
Lush red & black cher ry , pomegranate , b lack tea leaf , spice , pie cru st .
Cabernet Sauvignon, Joseph Carr, Napa Valley ‘14
The nose expres se s a combinat ion of sweet cher ry , b lueber ry h int s . . Petite Sirah, Terra d‘Oro, Amador County ‘14
Hints o f wi ld raspber r i e s , dark cher r i e s & blackberr i e . Cacao, under tones of cardamom, sage , ani se and cedar .
Three 2 oz tastes … 15
R E D & J U I C Y Pinot Noir, Elouan, Oregon ‘15
Wild S trawbe rr y , Cher r y Tart , Graham Cracke r , Van i l l a
Rhone Blend GSM, Domaine de Chantepierre, Lirac, Rhone – France ’15
Ripe ra spbe r r y and che rr y w ith mocha , ea r th , and oak .
Zinfandel, Tonti Family Wines Old Vine, Russian River ’12
Ripe B lack Cher r y , S t rawber r y , P lum, B lack L ic or ice , Pepper
Three 2 oz tastes … 13
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S O M M E L I E R ’ S P I C K S
W H I T E S
Clos des Lunes “Lune d'Argent” Bordeaux '16 $48
Semillon 70% - Sauvignon Blanc 30%
Start ing severa l year s ago, Ol ivie r Bernard and the team at Domaine de Cheval i e r made a st rong commitment to Clo s de s Lunes, an ancient vineyard in Sauternes , among the f ine st in Bordeaux . Re ly ing on an int imate re lat ionship wi th the te r ro i r , the u l t imate aim i s to create one of the greatest dr y whi te wines on the market . Located in Sauternes , on one of the greatest whi te wine te r ro i r s in France , the Clos de s Lunes i s a magni f i cent ro l l ing vineyard planted wi th o ld sémi l lon and sauvignon blanc vine s . On ve ry o ld vine s , some per fe ct l y go lden c lu ste r s are chosen and de l i cate ly sor ted grain by grain, by exper t hands. The Clos des Lune "Lune d 'Argent " 2015, which i s matured in 25% barre l and 75% stainle s s s t ee l , has an appeal ing bouquet of f re sh green apple , c i t rus pee l and just a h int of vani l la or i g inat ing f r om the oak. The palate i s f r e sh on the ent ry wi th a f ine l ine of acidi ty .
Macon Fuisse, Joseph Burrier Burgundy '13 $55 The Burr i e r fami ly has been l iv ing in the South of Burgundy for 500 years , and has owned Château de Beauregard for s i x generat ions.
The Burr i e r fami ly const i tute one of the major proper t i e s of Southern Burgundy. I t s vineyards cover 43 hec tares . The vineyards are managed to promote microbia l l i fe in the so i l and to encourage deep roo t ing of the vines . In the ce l lar the wine s are a l lowed t ime to fe rment s lowly and to c lar i fy natural ly . I t i s the i r be l i e f that th i s method enable s the wines to acqui re the t rue express ion of the i r “Terroi r” . The Mâcon Fui s sé evokes the whi te f lowers and fru i t s . The wine i s r i ch , s t ructured and wel l ba lanced in the mouth wi th ci t rus f ini sh .
“What star ted as a love a f fa i r wi th wine has turned into a pas s ion for producing smal l l ot s of ve ry handcrafted wines f rom neighbor ing vineyards . Our t iny (under 1k ca ses ) winery i s named afte r Comanche , my horse when I was ten year s o ld . He was an important part o f a young l i fe , and I use h i s name as a loving t r ibute to th i s o ld f r i end” . Thi s part i cu lar Chardonnay i s fu l l o f aromas, green and gold de l i c iou s apple s meld wi th crabapple , cr i sp pear , honeysuckle and but te r scotch cookie s to se t the stage for the f lavor s o f apple tar t , pear cr i sp , honeyed cashews and honey bi scui t s . The vineyard i s nutr i ent poor sandy cobble stone , and the howl ing afte rnoon wind i s l egend. Severa l I ta l ian c lones – who knew there were I ta l ian c lone s in Cal i forni
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S O M M E L I E R ’ S P I C K S
R E D S
Clos Pissarra “La Vinyeta“, El Lloar, Priorat- Spain ’08 $85
The name Clos Pi ssar ra i s der ived f rom the Catalan word for s late , as th i s i s the so i l that cover s the re g ions of Montsant ( sacred mountain) and Pr iorat (pr iory ) , that l i e about 85 mi le s southwest of Barce l ona. Pr iorat has quickly e stabl i shed i t se l f as the pr emier wine reg ion in Spain producing wines of great intensi ty and concentrat ion but ye t remaining e legant and balanced. La Vinyeta (meaning “The Vineyard” in Catalan) i s about 2.5 acres . I t l i e s in the town o f El Lloar in Pr iorat . Thi s i s a c las s i c Pr iorat “co ste r” or an ex t remely steep vineyard that i s not te r raced and i s fu l l o f s late wi th a lmost no topsoi l . The vineyard i s p lanted approx imate ly (as i t i s a f i e ld b lend ) to 80% Carignan (Samso )and 20% Grenache Garnatxa, vines that are over 125 years o ld vine and are not i r r i gated as i s the ca se wi th a l l our vineyards in Pr iorat and Montsant ! Yi e lds are a mi ser ly .4 t ons per acre ! In th i s rugged land, a throwback to another century , the vines rea l ly ge t to know the meaning o f s t rugg l ing . 50 cases pr oduced.
J. Wilkes Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley ’13 $62
Je f f (e r son)Wilke s was a winegrower and a wine grape sa le sman at Bien Nacido, Solomon Hi l l s Vineyards in the Santa Maria Val ley as Wel l as French Camp Vineyard in Paso Roble s for 20 years (1981 -2001) . Je f f launched h i s ‘ J .Wi lke s ’ labe l in 2001, focusing on Santa Maria Val ley Pinot Noir , Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, and made h i s last wine in 2010 be fore h i s unt imely pas s ing late in that same year .Soon af te r , the labe l was re launched as a t r ibute to Je f f ’ s unwaver ing love o f the Santa Maria Val ley , h i s commitment t o value and qual i ty , and later as a vehic le for b lending AVA wines that show the best of the Centra l Coast and our diver s i t y o f me so -c l imates . .
Thi s Pinot Noi r as a fabulously complex nose that wi l l r emind many dr inker s of a Cote de Beaune wine . A nice balance of r ipe b lack ber ry f ru i t , tar t red f ru i t s and l oamy ear th dominate the aromas in the g las s . On the palate again, remini scent of a young Burgundy wine f rom the Cote de Beaune, a t i ght - l ipped young man conceal ing h i s character for the future . 254 cases pr oduced. Laird, Cabernet Sauvignon Yountville - Napa Valley ‘12 $99
Laird i s the large st grape grower in Napa Val ley wi th over 2,200 planted acr es and 42 vineyards . Lai rd se l l s f ru i t to Duckhorn, Rombauer , Cakebread, Nicke l & Nicke l , Merryvale , Chandon, Paul Hobbs, Chateau St . Jean, Lewis , and Luna among over 60 top Napa winer ie s s ince 1970.
Thi s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon i s a duet of the i r favor i te two vineyards : 50% Flat Rock Ranch, the most cr i t i ca l l y -a cc la imed block, for i t s ju icy and vibrant approachabi l i t y , and 50% Mast Ranch for i t s ear thy , tannic st ructure . Both s ing le vineyard de si gnates of the Yountvi l l e Appe l la t ion, these vineyards pos se ss a cros s se ct ion o f geomorphic and micro -c l imate id iosyncrasie s poi sed to produce a Cabernet Sauvignon o f approachable re f inement .
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.H A L F B O T T L E
W H I T E S
We are very proud of our co l l e ct ion o f hal f bot t l e s . The producer s that you se e on th i s l i s t are commit ted to the h ighest qual i ty po s s ib le and be l i eve , as we do, that the hal f bot t l e a l lows the dr inker to exper iment and indulge . They are a great a l te rnat ive to our by the g las s se lect ion a s they se rve r oughly two g las se s .
H A L F B O T T L E B U B B L E S
Canard Duchêne, Authentic Brut, Ludes-Reims NV 58
H A L F B O T T L E S A U V I G N O N B L A N C
Frog’s Leap, Rutherford ’16 32
H A L F B O T T L E C H A R D O N N A Y
Alfaro Family “Trout Gluch”, Santa Cruz Mountains ’15 33
Frank Family, Carneros '14 42
Keenan, Spring Mountain - Napa Valley ‘14 41
Lucia, Santa Lucia ’13 58
Migration by Duckhorn, Russian River ’14 39
Patz & Hall “Dutton Ranch”, Russian River Valley ’14 55
Ramey, Russian River Valley ’14 47
Rombauer, Carneros ’16 44
Senses, Sonoma Coast ’13 43
Chablis, Domaine Fevre, France ’14 42
Meursault 1er Cru, Louis Jadot “Genevrieres” '13 109
H A L F B O T T L E I N T R I G U I N G W H I T E S
Viognier, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Sonoma County ’14 47
Viognier, Miner "Simpson" California '16 29
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H A L F B O T T L E
P I N O T N O I R H A L F B O T T L E N O R T H C O A S T
Stolpman, Ballard Canyon (Santa Barbara County) '16 51
The Seventy Five Wine Company, California '15 39
Touraine, Domaine des Caillots ’15 42
R O S É
Flowers Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ’16 54
Joel Gott Grenache, Central Coast ’16 36
Tavel (Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Carignan), Domaine de Chantepierre, Rhone Valley - France‘16 41
Spicy Vines Violet, Cinsault, Carignane, Grenache, Zinfandel, Viognier), Dry Creek Valley '15 50
R I E S L I N G
Q U A L I T A T S W E I N
Leitz Dragon Stone, QBA Rheingau '16 45
Robert Eymael Monchhof, Urzig - Mosel ’15 47
S P Ä T L E S E
Havemeyer, Piesporter Goldtropfchen, Mosel ’15 44
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C H A R D O N N A Y N O R T H C O A S T
Acacia, Carneros ’15 46
B. Kosuge, Sonoma Coast ’14 70
Cakebread, Napa Valley ’15 82
Carpe Diem, Anderson Valley ’13 58
Chalk Hill, Sonoma Coast ’16 57
Duckhorn, Napa Valley ’14 72
Etre, Sonoma Coast ’15 62
Far Niente, Napa Valley ’15 99
Gary Farrell, Russian River ’15 83
Laird, “Red Hen”, Napa Valley ’15 60
Lloyd, Carneros ’15 79
Spicy Vines Joie de Vivre, Mendocino Ridge '14 68
Stag’s Leap Winery, Napa Valley ’15 54
Truchard, Carneros ’15 68
C E N T R A L C O A S T
August West, “Rosella’s”, Santa Lucia ’13 80
Beauregard, “Bald Mountain”, Ben Lomond ’14 64
Cherry Tart by Cherry Pie , Monterey-Sonoma-Napa ’13 40
Comanche “Cedar Lane”, Arroyo Seco '14 46
McIntyre Estate, Santa Lucia '13 61
Ojai, “Solomon Hills”, Santa Maria ’14 68
Pelerin, “Sierra Mar”, Santa Lucia ’13 70
Union Sacre, La Marianne, Santa Barbara County ’15 50
B U R G U N D Y
Chablis, Simonet Fevbre, 14 50
Meursault, Joseph Drouhin ’13 125
Macon Fuisse, Joseph Burrier ’13 55
S T I M U L A T I N G W H I T E S
King Estate, Pinot Gris, Wuillamette Valley-Oregon ’16 50
Pine Ridge, Chenin Blanc-Viognier, California '15 39
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M I U R A C O L L E C T I O N
P I N O T N O I R Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands ’12 139
Thi s pa r t i c u l a r p r ope r t y ha s b ecome th e mos t ta lk ed about P ino t No i r p r ope r t y i n Ca l i f o r n ia f o r good r ea son . The w in e s f r om th i s v i neya r d hav e an i n t en s i t y and
r i chne s s unmat ched b y any o t he r P ino t No i r s anywh er e . Th e v in eya r d i s t uck ed
amongth e h i l l s and dr y c r e ek b eds o f th e s outh e r n pa r t o f t h e Santa Luc ia High lands i n Mon te r e y . The b l o ck s a r e wh ims i c a l l y named a f t e r p eop l e , ob j e c t s
and fam i l y memb er s— “Camper , ” “Mommy ’ s , ” “E l i a s , ” t o name a f ew (M iura
g rap e s c ome f r om the “Campe r ” and “Hermanos ” s e c t i on s . The in t en s i t y w i th wh i ch
th i s v in eya r d i s f a rmed i s unmatched in th e H i gh l ands , o r anywh er e e l s e f o r tha t mat t e r . 435 cases produced.
Talley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande ‘10 99
The Ta l l e y V in eya r d l i e s i n Ar royo Grande Va l l e y i n th e s out he r n pa r t o f San Lu i s Ob i sp o County . Miura ’ s two ac r e p a r c e l o f P ino t No i r i s i n th e Wes t R incon b l o ck
and i s on a g en t l e ea s t f a c in g s l ope , on a fa i r l y l i gh t c la y l oam (p rob ab l y a m ix t ur e
o f mar in e and vo l can i c mat e r ia l ) . P lant ed t o two d i f f e r en t c l on e s , on e o f wh ich i s an ea r l y ma tu r in g , l i gh t b ea r in g s o ca l l e d “Di jon” c l on e . The o the r i s an o l de r ,
s l i gh t l y l a t e r matur in g c l on e named “Pommard” , a f t e r th e v i l l a ge in B ur gundy wh e r e
i t was o r i g i na l l y s e l e c t e d . Th i s i s th e f i ne s t P ino t No i r p r o pe r t y in th e s outh e r n pa r t
o f th e Cent ra l Coas t o f Ca l i f o rn ia f o r many s omme l i e r . 370 cases produced.
Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ’12 115 Afte r 10 y ea r s o f p e s t e r i n g J o e and Tom Roch io l i Emmanue lKem i j i M.S . f ina l l y r e c e i ve d th e ca l l th a t I had won th e l o t t e r y ! F o r h im t he Roch io l i V in eya r d ha s a lway s b een ‘THE’ v ineya r d in Sonoma County and one o f th e f ew v ineya r ds i n Ca l i f o r n ia tha t h e woul d t e rm ‘Grand Cru . Whi l e we on l y r e c e i ve d a t on and a ha l f o f f r u i t ( bu t we r e e x t r eme l y g ra t e f u l ! ) th e w in e shows th e ha l lmark s o f th i s i c on i c Rus s ian R i ve r Va l l e y p rop e r t y . Fu l l o f r e d cur ran t , b la ck ch e r r y and sp i c e , th e w in e exh ib i t s g r ea t r i chne s s and l en g th . U nt i l t he 2013 V in t ag e M i u r a w as not a l l ow ed to p u t the nam e of R oc hio l i on t he i r l abe l , J oe an d T om R ochio l i w ant ed to m ak e su r e t ha t the qu a l i t y o f t he M i u r a w i ne w i l l b e p er f c e t be f or e be i ng ab l e t o u se the nam e of t h i s f am ou s v i ne y ar d . A f t e r thr ee y ear s t he y bot h ag r ee d t ha t f r om 2013 V in t ag e i t w i l l b e M i u r a R ochi o l i V ine y ar d . I n 2010 -2011 -2012 the V i ne y ar d u se d for t h i s w i ne com e f r om T he R oc hio l i Sw ee tw a t e r B l ock . . 83 cases produced.
Williams Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley ’12 129
Thi s v in eya r d b e l on gs t o B ur t Wi l l iams o f Wi l l iams & S e l y em fame . A f t e r B ur t and Ed S e l y em s o l d th e i r win e r y i n 1997 Bur t dec i ded t o buy a h i l l s i de p a r c e l
and p lant ed i t i n 1998 . Th e r e a r e wonde r f u l c l ona l s e l e c t i on s t o wo rk w i th ,
in c l ud ing P ommard , D i j on 1 15 &777 , a P ino t s e l e c t i on f r om th e Roch io l i V ineya r d and an o l d DRC su i t c a s e s e l e c t i o n . The f r u i t e x h ib i t s g r e a t a romas o f
ch e r r y and wi ld b e r r i e s , wi th fu l l l u sh tann ins th a t a dd t o th e t e x t ur e . V ib rant
ac i d i t y comp l e t e s th e p i c t ur e f o r P ino t t yp i ca l l y g r own in t h i s c o o l e r a r ea o f th e Ande r s on Va l l e y .Th e wine h e r e i s th e mos t B ur gundy - l i k e o f a l l th e P ino t s made
in Ca l i f o rn ia , a s i t i s th e co o l e s t g r ape g r ow ing r e g ion i n t h e s ta t e . L i gh t e r , mor e
f rag ran t and p e r f umed , w i th b r i gh t r e d f r u i t o n th e pa la t e . The p ro duc t ion go e s mos t l y t o Wi l l i ams S e l y em Wine r y (60 , %) Th e s ta r s f ina l l y a l i gn ed and th ey we r e ab l e t o g e t th e f i r s t s i z eab l e c r op f r om th i s p r ope r t y in s e ve r a l y ea r s , i f o ne can ca l l l e s s t han 200 ca s e s s i z e ab l e ! D rough t t yp e cond i t i on s mean t th e b e r r y s i z e was sma l l bu t c r e a t ed a ve r y c onc ent ra t ed w in e . Emmanue l Kemi j i ’ s f a vo r i t e bo t t l in g f r om th i s v i s ua l l y s t unn in g p rope r t y s i nc e th e 2006 . 184 cases produced.
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P I N O T N O I R
O R E G O N
Benton Lane, Willamette Valley ’14 68
EIEIO, Cuvee E12, Willamette Valley ‘13 70
Four Graces, Willamette Valley ’15 60
Ken Wright “Tanager”, Yamhill-Carlton, Willamette Valley ’13 119
Montinore Estate “Red Cap”, Willamette Valley ’16 50
Portlandia “Momtazi”, McMinnville-Willamette Valley ’14 72
Purple Hands, Willamette Valley 15 59
Roco, “Wits’ End”, Chehalem Mountains ’12 109
St Innocent, Villages Cuvee, Willamette Valley '15 67
Miura, Village Bistro Barrel Select, “Tondré”, Santa Lucia’14 64
Siduri, Santa Lucia ’14 74
P I S O N I V I N E Y A R D
Gary Pisoni has forever changed the way grapes are grown and wine i s made in the Santa Lucia Highlands , about one hour south of here . His specia l French Pinot Noi r c lones are the most hi ghly pr ized pinot g rapes in Cal i fornia. In addi t ion to hi s Estate vines , hi s Garys ’ Vineyard, with Gary Franscioni , a l so produces s t e l lar Pinot Noir and Syrah. We’re proud to feature some of our favor i te vintner ’ s express ions o f Gary Pisoni ’ s e f fort s .
Gary Pisoni ’ s own c lone of Pinot Noir i s a ffect ionately ca l led the Pisoni Clone, but i t or iginal ly was c l ipped from one o f the most famous Pinot Noir Vineyard in the wor ld—La Tâche, in France’ s Vosne -Romanée area of Burgundy.
Bernardus, “Pisoni Vineyard” ’11 99
Capiaux, “Pisoni Vineyard” ’12 125
Miura, “Pisoni Vineyard” ’11 139
Pisoni, Estate ’12 165
Roar, “Pisoni Vineyard” ’14 149
Siduri, “Pisoni Vineyard” ’14 139
Testarossa, “Pisoni Vineyard” ’14 155
G A R Y S ’ V I N E Y A R D
A.P. Vin, “Garys’ Vineyard” ’11 119
Loring Wine Co., “Garys’ Vineyard” ’12 99
Lucia, “Garys’ Vineyard” ’12 129
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C A R N E R O S
Adastra, Carneros ’13 85
B. Kosuge The Shop, Carneros ’13 69
Mi Seño, Carneros ’13 72
S A N T A C R U Z M O U N T A I N S
Beauregard, Santa Cruz Mountains ’13 74
Sonnet "Muns", Santa Cruz Mountains ’13 77
S A N T A M A R I A V A L L E Y
Bonaccorsi, "Fiddlestix", Santa Maria ’13 99
Foxen, Santa Maria ’14 86
J. Wilkes, Santa Maria ‘13 62
Row Eleven, Santa Maria ’14 55
Sandler, “Bien Nacido”, Santa Maria ’12 78
Whitcraft, “Sierra Madre”, Santa Maria ’13 98
S A N T A R I T A H I L L S
Domaine de la Cote, Santa Rita Hills ’13 99
Melville, Santa Rita ‘14 89
Samsara, Santa Rita Hills ’14 65
Sandhi, “Mount Carmel”, Santa Rita Hills ’13 125
Sandhi, Santa Rita Hills ’13 68
C E N T R A L C O A S T
Miura, “Talley”, Arroyo Grande ’10 99
Scott Family Estate, Arroyo Seco ’14 62
Stephen Ross, Edna Valley ’13 66
Tolosa "Clonal Select", Edna Valley '14 60
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F R A N C E
B U R G U N D Y
CÔTE D’OR PINOT NOIR
Beaune 1er Cru “Greves” , Joseph Drouhin ’12 199
Mercurey, La Framboisiere, Dom Faiveley '12 90
Nuits st. Georges 1er Cru ”Les Crots”, Louis Latour ‘12 149
Pommard 1er Cru ”Les Grands Epenots”, Dom Fr. Gaunoux ’12 140
B O R D E A U X L E F T B A N K ( M O S T L Y C A B E R N E T S A U V I G N O N - B A S E D )
Haut-Medoc, Closerie de Camensac (Cht. Camensac ’12 64
Haut-Medoc, Château de Villambis ’11 53
Haut-Medoc, Château Saint Ahon ’10 55
Margaux, Brio Cantenac Brown (Cht. Cantenac Brown) ’14 99
Pauillac, Château Lacoste Borie (Cht. Gd Puy Lacoste)’14 88
Pauillac, Res. de la Comtesse (Cht. Pichon Longueville)’14 113
St. Estephe, Marquis de Calon (Cht. Calon Segur) ’14 90
St. Julien, Château Branaire Ducru Grand Cru Classe ’11 171
St. Julien, Connetable de Talbot (Cht. Talbot) ‘14 94
R I G H T B A N K ( M O S T L Y M E R L O T - B A S E D )
Pomerol, Château De Sales ’12 82
St. Emilion Gr Cru Classé, Cht. Grand Corbin d’Espagne ’12 90
St. Emilion Gr Cru Classé, Dauphin de Grand Pontet ’11 69
St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé, Château Bois Cardinale ’12 70
St. Emilion Grand Cru Classé, Château Soutard ’11 117
R H O N E V A L L E Y
N O R T H E R N R H Ô N E S Y R A H
Cote Rotie Les Jumelles, Jaboulet Aine '10 132
Saint-Joseph Le Grand Pompee, Jaboulet Aine '12 65
S O U T H E R N R H Ô N E G R E N A C H E - B A S E D
Châteaneuf-du-Pape, Château de la Font du Loup ‘13 111
Châteaneuf-du-Pape, Pierre Amadieu, La Paillousse ‘14 93
Gigondas, Pierre Amadieu, Romane Machotte ’10 68
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A T R I B U T E T O G I L N I C K E L
Gil Nicke l was a vi s ionary of the Napa Val ley wine indust ry and the propr ie tor of Far Niente winery . He was a l so a g i f t ed nurseryman, champion vintage auto racer , avid motorcycl i s t and guided mi ss i l e anal yst . Whi le h i s pas s ions were many, h i s f r i ends and longt ime as sociates agree that Gi l was dr iven more by h i s ideal s , loya l t i e s , f r i endships and sense of humor , than hi s busines s inte re st s . In the fa l l o f 2003, Gi l pa ssed away afte r a courageous bat t le against melanoma.
Far Niente Cabernet, Oakville ‘12 249
Planted on some o f the most beaut i fu l , g rave l l y loam soi l in the Napa Val ley , the Martin Ste l l ing vineyard uni formly produces wines wi th supple tannins, br i ght , forward f ru i t , and beaut i fu l tannin st ructur e .
C.C. Ranch s i t s a long the s lope o f a knol l west o f the S i lverado Trai l . I t i s planted on wel l -drained, g rave l ly loam soi l and the c l imate i s ideal for the var ie ty due to warm summer temperatures that mature tannins and r ipen fru i t .
Nickel & Nickel Cabernet, “Hayne”, St. Helena ’12 178
The Hayne Vineyard i s s i tuated in St . Helena at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain, where warm temperatures are ideal for producing sweet , jammy fru i t and th i s vineyard tends to be picked at the beg inning of harve st each year .
Rock Cairn l i e s near the southern edge of the Oakvi l l e appe l lat ion, east of Highway 29 and nor th o f the town of Yountvi l l e . The dry - farmed s i t e i s compri sed of deep, grave l l y loam with a wadtern exposure .
High in the h i l l s o f Diamond Mountain, Sor i Br icco spans a wide range of h i l l s ides wi th di f fe rent sun exposures re su l t ing in separate harvest date s acro s s the ranch. The so i l i s composed of a sandy, grave l ly loam and the vines tend to be very smal l a s they st rugg le against the s lopes .
Bella Union, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ‘14 170
Located in Ruther ford a long Be l la Oaks Lane—hal lowed ground for Napa Val l ey Cabernet—the 25 -acre Be l la Union Vineyard i s planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, wi th a smal l por t ion devo ted to Cabernet Franc and Pet i t Verdot .
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C A B E R N E T S A U V I G N O N ,
C A B . F R A N C , & B L E N D S
N A P A V A L L E Y
ALMVS, Cabernet, Pritchard Hill ’10 99
Alpha Omega II, Cabernet Blend Napa Valley '14 82
Andrew Lane, Cabernet, Rutherford ’10 99
Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet, Napa Valley ’10 225
Buoncristiani, O.P.C. Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’12 90
Chappellet, Signature, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’14 155
Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’13 89
Cuttings by the Prisoner Wine Company, Cabernet Blend, California ’14 83
Dunn, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’12 192
Etude, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’12 130
Faust, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’14 95
Foundry, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’10 111
Girard, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’14 85
Groth, Cabernet, Oakville ’12 128
Hagafen, Cabernet Franc Napa Valley ’09 65
Hall, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’13 89
Heritance, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’12 79
Inglenook CASK Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’13 120
Kenefick Ranch, Chris’ Cuvée, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’12 89
Lewis, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’13 185
Miner, Emily’s Cuvée, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’13 88
Mount Veeder, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’14 82
Priest Ranch "Somerston" Cabernet, Napa Valley, '09 99
Route Stock, Route 29, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley '14 58
Synthesis by Martin Ray, Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley ’14 95
Terra Valentine, Cabernet Blend Napa Valley '15 68
Turley, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’13 110
Viader DARE, Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley ’13 132
Vineyard 29 Cru, Cabernet, Napa VAlley ’14 88
Yao Ming, Cabernet, Napa Valley ’13 129
S O N O M A C O U N T Y
Avaler, Cabernet, Dry Creek Valley '14 47
Decoy by Duckhorn, Sonoma County ’15 50
Gundlach-Bundschu, Cabernet Blend Sonoma Valley '13 95
Hanna, Cabernet Blend, Alexander Valley '13 65
Kunde, Cabernet, Sonoma Valley ’13 50
Sheldon, “D’Allaird”, Cabernet, Sonoma Valley ’12 88
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C A B E R N E T S A U V I G N O N ,
C A B F R A N C & B L E N D S ( C O N T . )
C E N T R A L C O A S T & O T H E R S
Beauregard, Estate, Cabernet, Ben Lomond Mtn ’12 90
Betz Clos de Betz, Cabernet Blend, Columbia Valley ’11 139
Tuscany IGT, Montevertine Rosso de Tuscana, Tuscany ’13 115
Tuscany IGT , Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto, Tuscany '14 84
Tuscany DOC, Le Serre Nuevo dell Ornellaia, Bolgheri '13 138
Valpolicella Ripasso, Acinum, Veneto ’13 55
S P A N I S H R E D S
Castilla La Mancha, Finca Constancia Altos de la Finca ’11 60
Garnacha, Alto Moncayo, Veraton, Campo de Borja ’13 77
Garnacha, Arrels, “Clos Oblidat”, Monsant ’10 55
Garnacha, El Reventon, Sierra de Gredos, Castilla y Leon ’11 99
Priorat, Clos d’Oc ’08 110
Ribera del Duero, Dominio de Pingus Psi ’15 75
Toro, Numanthia Termes ‘12 50
PLEASE SEE OUR C LOS PISSARRA FEATURE NEXT PAGE
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C L O S P I S S A R A F E A T U R E
P R I O R A T & M O N T S A N T
The name Clos Pissarra is derived from the Catalan word for slate, as this is the soil that covers the regions of Montsant (sacred mountain) and Priorat (priory), that lie about 85 miles southwest of Barcelona. Priorat has quickly established itself as the
premier wine region in Spain producing wines of great intensity and concentration but yet remaining elegant and balanced. Montsant has found a most comfortable niche,
being described as a softer and more approachable version of Priorat, at a great value.
Clos Pissarra El Sol Blanc, Grenache White – Montsant ‘15 52 El So l B lanc i s a two and a hal f ac r e v ine yard that l i e s in the Mont san t re g i on in the p rov ince o f Tar ragona and sur round s the Clos P i s sar ra winer y . Th i s v ineyard i s named af te r the b ru tal sun that be s ie ge s the a rea eve r y summer (“The Whi te Sun” in Catalan ) . Made up en t i r e l y o f Whi te Grenache (Garnatxa Blanca in Catalan) , the so i l i s a mix tu re o f c l ay and s l a te . 380 cases produced.
Clos Pissarra Aristan, Syrah, Garnacha – Montsant ‘10 55 Aris tan i s a f i ve ac r e v ineyard that l i e s nex t t o our w iner y . Thi s v ineyard i s owned by Mast e r S ommel ie r Emmanue l Kemi j i ( propr i e t or o f Miura Vineyards in Cal i f o rn ia & Manag ing Di rec tor o f Clo s P i s sar ra) and named a f t e r h i s two sons , Ar i s t os and Tr i s tan . Made up ent i re l y o f 10 - y ear o l d Grenache (Garnatxa in Catalan ) and S yrah v ines on so i l that i s a mix tu re o f c lay and s l a te . The y ie ld s a re cu t back to a mi se r l y one ton to the ac r e . 399 cases produced.
Clos Pissarra El Ramón, Garnacha, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bellmunt del Priorat– Priorat ‘09 79 El Ramon (mean ing the one known as Ramon in Cata lan) re f e r s t o a 6 ac re v ineyard in the o ld min ing town o f Be l lmunt in P r io ra t , owned by Ramon Marco who i s ou r v ineyard manager . Th i s v ine yard i s p l an ted t o Grenache (Garnatxa ) , Car i gnan (Samso in Cata lan ) and Caberne t Sauvi gnon in e ven por t ions . I t i s a t r e l l i s ed and te r raced v ine yard , v e r y s t eep , and the on ly th ing you see on the ground i s s l at e ( l ocal l y known as l i c or e l l a ) as i s t yp ical in the r e g i on . Y ie ld s a re typ ical l y l e s s than a t on pe r ac re . 342 cases produced.
Clos Pissarra La Vinyeta, Garnacha, Carignan, El Lloar – Priorat ‘09 85 La Vinye ta (meaning “The Vineyard” in Cata lan) i s about 2 .5 ac re s . I t l i e s in the town o f E l Ll oar in P r i ora t . Th i s i s a c l as s ic P r i ora t “c os te r ” or an e x t remel y s t eep v ine yard that i s no t t e r raced and i s fu l l o f s l a te w ith almos t no t op so i l . The v ine yard i s p l an ted approx imate l y (a s i t i s a f i e ld b l end) t o 80% Car i gnan (Samso )and 20% Grenache Garnatxa, v ine s that a re ove r 125 y ear s old v ine and are no t i r r i gat ed a s i s the ca se w ith a l l ou r v ineyards in P r i o rat and Montsant ! Y ie l d s a re a mis e r l y .4 t on s pe r ac re ! In th i s rugged l and , a th rowback to anothe r c en tur y , the v ines real l y g e t t o know the mean ing o f s t rugg l ing . . 50 cases produced.
