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Gary’s Wines of the Month
Russian Hill Chardonnay 2001 Gail Ann’s Vineyard Dutton Ranch
Regular Price $19.99 Cellar Master Price $14.95
"Lots of complexity, depth and richness, built around a tight,
concentrated core of anise, pear, fig and earthy citrus. Holds its
tight focus on a long flavorful finish. Drink now through 2006."
This is an exceptional value for a chardonnay from this vineyard.
Fisher Vineyards Chardonnay 2000 Paladini Vineyard Carneros
Regular Price $49.99 Cellar Master Price $39.95
"Sharply focused and well-structured, with depth and flavor.
This is a solid, well-constructed effort, with layers of fig,
tangerine and apricot. Drink now through 2005. 320 cases made."
Wine Spectator
Gainey Chardonnay 2001 Santa Barbara County
Regular Price $17.99
"This is a fine effort from Gainey. The 2001 Chardonnay Santa
Rita Hills exhibits complex aromas of wet stones intermixed with
peaches and honeyed citrus, followed by an impeccably balanced,
intense, well-delineated, medium-bodied wine. Drink it over the
next 2-3 years." Robert Parker
Gainey Merlot Limited Selection 2000 Santa Ynez Valley
Regular Price $29.99 Cellar Master Price $17.95
"A rich mouthful of black cherry, leather and spice notes, with
chewy tannins and a mineral edge on the finish. Drink now through
2007." Only 7 6-packs available.
Landmark Young Vines Pinot Noir 2000 Sonoma County
Regular Price $29.99 Special Price $19.95
"The 2000 Pinot Noir (Young Vines) is a pungent, earthy, stemmy
example with high levels of acidity, notes of plums, cherries, and
earth, and a compressed finish. It vaguely suggests a backward,
sinewy Nuits-St.-Georges premier cru. Approximately 40-50% new oak
is used. It should drink well for 4-5 years." Robert Parker
Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 Napa Valley
Regular Price $39.99 Cellar Master Price $29.95
"Well-balanced and medium-bodied, with tangy acidity keeping
the tart cherry and red plum flavors lively. Finishes with a touch
of sage and herb. Drink now through 2008. 10,583 cases made."
Wine Spectator
Steve’s Wines of the Month
Elderton CSM Proprietary Blend 1999
Wine Spectator Score 90
Regular Price $39.99 Cellar Master Price $34.95
"The outstanding 1999 CSM (a
proprietary blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz, and 10%
Merlot) boasts a saturated ruby/purple color as well as a big,
aromatic blast of soy, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, and black
fruits. Ripe, savory, and full-bodied, with no hard edges, this
luscious 1999 will drink well for 10-12 years. This is a huge
wine".
Torbreck Steading 2001
Robert Parker Score 92, Wine Spectator 91
Regular Price $39.99 Cellar Master Price $29.95
"The 2001 The Steading is an
ageworthy effort. Made from the same blend as the Juveniles, but
aged 18 months in old French and American hogsheads (300 liter
barrels), it exhibits a deep plum/garnet color in addition to a
big, spice-driven nose of cinnamon, pepper, soy, damp earth, dried
herbs, and red as well as black fruits. Ripe, full-bodied, and
complex, it is a French-styled red that should drink well for a
decade. Get ready for an extra long finish".
Domaine de l’Olivette Bandol Rose 2000
Score: 89 points
Regular Price $34.99 Cellar Master Price $27.95
"If you like authentic roses, this is
the one. Nicely nuanced berry and cherry flavors make this a clean
and refreshing rosé. Perfect for fish dishes and the wine made for
bouillabaisse. One sip takes you to the south of France. Only
3,000 cases made".
Arano Amarone 1997
Robert Parker Score - 91 points
Regular Price $67.99 Cellar Master Price $44.99
"The seriously-endowed, full-throttle 1997 Amarone (15%
alcohol) offers a dark plum/ruby color in addition to a big,
earthy nose of asphalt, chocolate, roasted herbs, and black
fruits. It saturates the mouth, possesses sweet tannin, gorgeously
pure fruit, and none of the raisiny, oxidized characteristics
found in old style Amarones. This 1997 should drink well for two
decades."
Killibinbin Red Blend 2002
Robert Parker 90-92 points
Regular Price $22.99 Special Cellar Master Price $18.95
"The Shiraz/Cabernet is an outstanding bargain, revealing an
opaque purple color, copious quantities of pure blackberry and
cassis fruit, chocolate, earth and spice, explosive ripe flavors,
and a hedonistic, classic south Australian, fruity style.
Terroirists and pseudo-intellectuals may turn up their noses at a
wine that tastes this good, but this is an exciting red to drink
over the next 3-4 years. I have immensely enjoyed the big, sweet,
rich fruit found in Killibinbin's reds. Medium to full-bodied,
chunky, ripe, and corpulent, it is a total hedonistic turn on.
This low acid, plump 2002 should be drunk over the next 5-7 years.
This is a big, fruit-forward, rich, concentrated, substantial,
corpulent Australian red that is undoubtedly more ageworthy than
most suspect. The purity of its flavor, enticing texture, and
luscious personality in addition to its fair price, will please
many tasters."
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