Wine Sense

90+ rating

Alamos Malbec Seleccion 2008 -- $12.99 -- "Round and fleshy, with enticing spice, blueberry, fig and boysenberry flavors backed by hints of fruitcake and melted licorice. Stays fresh and vivid on the finish, with a lingering mocha hint. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 11,000 cases imported. . . .
Buy Now

Amisfield Wine Company Pinot Noir 2006 -- $37.99 -- Supple and concentrated, Amisfield Pinot Noir shows the complexity, concentration and texture of great new world Pinot Noir. This is classic Central Otago Pinot with dark rich fruits, spicy aromas and undertones of liquorice and smoke. Finished in a rich . . .
Buy Now

Argiolas Costera 2007 -- $17.99 -- The intense, ruby red color of this wine tends toward orange with age. The full bouquet of sweet black cherry, pepper, and licorice is typical of the Cannonau grape. Warm and full bodied on the palate with excellent texture, ripe fruit flavors and pleasant . . .
Buy Now

Bacio Divino Pazzo 2006 -- $28.99 -- "The seductive 2006 Pazzo may not be as rich as the 2005, but it offers a boatload of pleasure at a realistic price. It is a peppery, spicy, slightly herbal, deliciously fruity red that is meant to be consumed during its first 2-4 years of life.Pazzo . . .
Buy Now

Bennett Lane Maximus Red 2005 -- $36.99 -- Firm, rich and intense, with ripe, vivid blackberry and wild berry fruit and a mix of currant and raspberry. Keeps a tight focus on the long, layered finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2013. 7,000 . . .
Buy Now

Charles Cimicky Trumps Shiraz 2008 -- $19.99 -- "The 2008 Trumps Shiraz was aged in predominantly new American oak for 17 months. A glass-coating purple color, it displays a smoky, toasty, spicy nose leading to a fruit-filled, succulent Shiraz with a bit of underlying structure. This lenghy effort . . .
Buy Now

Chateau de Montfaucon -- $12.99 -- Very solid, with a juicy core of blackberry and plum woven with cocoa and pastis hints. Smoky, spicy finish has nice length. This fruity, rich red is a blend of 50% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Cinsault, 10% Carignan and 10% Counoise. Drink now through . . .
Buy Now

Chave Cote du Rhone "Mon Coeur" 2007 -- $22.99 -- "The 2007 Cotes du Rhone Mon Coeur is sensational, offering superb purity, texture, and richness. It should drink well for 5-7 years.Jean-Louis Chave owns a small negociant operation that produces two wines, a St.-Joseph from the north and this Cotes . . .
Buy Now

Chave Crozes Hermitage "Silene" 2007 -- $27.99 -- "Very bright and fresh, with a lively floral note leading the way for damson plum, red cherry and red currant fruit, all backed by an elegant, iron-tinged finish. 600 cases made" -Wine Spectator
Buy Now

Ciacci Piccolomini d Aragona Brunello di Montalcino 2004 -- $56.99 -- The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino reveals sweet, open aromatics that meld seamlessly into a perfumed core of ripe red fruits. This is one of the more intensely scented, fruit-driven Brunellos of the vintage. The wine reveals superior density and richness . . .
Buy Now

Clos la Coutale Cahors 2007 -- $14.99 -- You can see why the French call the wines of Cahors “Black Wine.” The wine is rich, juicy and peppery. It is filled with mulberries, dark chocolate, nuts, cassis and stewed fruit. Its earthy and leathery…less of a fruit bomb than Argentian Malbecs. It . . .
Buy Now

Concha y Toro Don Melchor -- $74.99 -- "The 2006 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon is a glass-coating opaque purple with an alluring bouquet of toast, tobacco, cedar, leather, mocha, and black currant. Sweet, voluptuous (but not in a fruit bomb kind of way), layered, and complex already, its . . .
Buy Now

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 -- $22.99 -- The Marques de Casa Concha series begins with the 2007 Carmenere which spent 16 months in French oak. Saturated purple in color, it offers up a splendid bouquet of toasty oak, tobacco, Asian spices, plum, and bluberry. Mouth-coating, layered, and bordering . . .
Buy Now

Crios Rose of Malbec 2008 -- $14.99 -- “The 2008 Rose of Malbec is a saignee of Malbec sourced from 30-year-old ungrafted vines. It exhibits a fragrant bouquet of cherry and wild strawberries leading to a medium-bodied, dry, concentrated wine with lots of spicy red fruits and excellent . . .
Buy Now

De Lisio Quarterback Proprietary Red 2007 -- $23.99 -- "Last year I was shown four De Lisio wines, this year only the entry level 2007 Quarterback, a sign of the times in a microcosm. The wine is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 26% Shiraz, and 17% Grenache aged for 15 months in seasoned French . . .
Buy Now

Domaine Chante-Perdrix Chateauneuf du Pape -- $36.99 -- "The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape is an outstanding effort. Upfront, evolved notes of spring flowers, sweet licorice, blueberry, and boysenberry aromas emerge from this dark ruby/plum-tinged wine. Like many 2007s, the fruit character is prominent, and the . . .
Buy Now

Domaine de Beaurenard Chateauneuf du Pape 2005 -- $54.99 -- Robert Parker "The 2005 Chateauneuf du Pape offers a very aromatic display of white chocolate, black cherry, roasted herbs, pepper, and espresso. The wine has excellent concentration, lush tannins for the vintage, and a round, opulent mouthfeel. It is . . .
Buy Now

Domaine de l’Echevin Cote du Rhone Villages Guillaume de Rouville 2007 -- $19.99 -- 91 Wine Spectator This is ripe and alluring, with a roasted mesquite note up front, followed by dark mulled plum, currant and blackberry fruit notes. Spice and espresso hints flitter through the grippy, well-focused finish. Drink now through . . .
Buy Now

Domaine de la Charbonniere Vacqueray 2007 -- $34.99 -- 91 points Wine Advocate As I have indicated in many of my reports on the southern Rhone, while I am a big fan of everything the family of Michel Maret and his daughters produce in Chateauneuf du Pape, perhaps their biggest sleeper wine and best . . .
Buy Now

Domaine des Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) Beaujolais Blanc Chardonnay 2008 -- $15.99 -- The Terres Dorees 2008 Beaujolais Blanc Chardonnay smells of lime, oregano, diverse flowers, white peach, and an apparent amalgam of chalk dust and sea breeze. With a formidable sense of underlying density and mysterious minerality, allied to luscious, . . .
Buy Now

Dominio de Pingus PSI 2007 -- $43.99 -- Rich plum in color, with a fuchsia rim, this is immediately attractive. Gorgeous swathes of red fruit are seductive on the nose, allied to fresh violets and hints of wild blackberry liqueur. This offers really delectable, vibrant fruit, intense and appetizing . . .
Buy Now

Duval-Leroy Champagne Brut NV -- $39.99 -- A big, full-bodied bubbly, featuring graphite, toast, lemon and nut aromas and flavors. Balanced, with an assertive finish. Drink today or cellar but be sure to drink by the end of 2009. Salut!Cheese Pairings: Morbier, Rocastin, St. AndreFood Pairings: . . .
Buy Now

Flechas de los Andes Gran Malbec 2007 -- $18.99 -- 92 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: Flechas de Los Andes’ 2007 Gran Malbec spent 14 months in 33% new French oak, 33% second fill French oak, and 34% in stainless steel. Opaque purple-colored, it reveals a brooding bouquet of cedar, espresso, violets, . . .
Buy Now

Foxglove Zinfandel 2007 -- $17.99 -- We are all huge fans of Foxglove Chardonnay & Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon...now we are fans of the Zinfandel. Bob & Jim Varner are making some incredible wines in the Paso Robles, Edna Valley Region of California. Join the fan club..try one of . . .
Buy Now

Frog's Leap Zinfandel 2007 -- $32.99 -- 91 points Wine & Spirits: "This floral zin has a cool, wild blueberry tone edged by red spice. The zesty fruit brightens the tannins' darker earth and mushroom savor. There's tension to the structure, and harmonious balance in the length of flavor. . . .
Buy Now

Ghost Pines Cabernet Savignon 2007 -- $19.99 -- The aromas of this wine are of dark chocolate, blackberry, cassis, and a cedary-oak that dominates over the body of the bouquet. As the wine develops in the glass aromas of black pepper also creep into the glass. The flavors show dark berry-fruit nuances, . . .
Buy Now

Glaymond "The Distance" Shiraz 2006 -- $31.99
Buy Now

Hamacher Chardonnay Cuvee Forets Diverses 2004 -- $15.99 -- "The 2004 Chardonnay 'Cuvee Forets Diverses' reveals light toast, mineral, green apple, and poached pear aromas. This leads to a medium- to full-bodied Chablis-like Chardonnay with excellent depth, pure flavors, vibrant acidity, and excellent length. . . .
Buy Now

Hamacher H Pinot Noir 2007 -- $24.99 -- The 2007 Pinot Noir H was blended from vineyards with an average age in the mid-20s. Very fragrant with lots of spice notes including cinnamon and clove as well as rose petal and raspberry, on the palate it reveals an elegant personality. Medium-bodied, . . .
Buy Now

Hardin Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 -- $29.99 -- Wine Advocate 92 points: Dense ruby/purple with elegant notes of black and red currants intermixed with licorice, subtle smoke, and striking minerality, this wine is deep, full-bodied, and opulent, with velvety tannins. It is already approachable . . .
Buy Now

JR Wines Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 -- $49.99 -- Wine Enthusiast: "Quite a good young Cab, deeply flavored in red and black currants, plums, chocolate and oak. Has a weight, density and balance that feel important and authoritative. Not an ager, but epitomizes a delicious Napa Cab to drink now." 91 . . .
Buy Now

Keenan Merlot 2004 -- $34.99 -- The 2004 Merlot (which includes 3% Cabernet Franc) is a dense, rich, concentrated effort boasting a dark ruby/purple color along with plenty of black cherry and currant fruit intermixed with espresso roast and earth notes. Its moderate tannin is sweet . . .
Buy Now

Kilikanoon Clare Valley Prodigal Grenache 2006 -- $34.99 -- Sourced in equal parts from two 60 year old hand pruned and hand picked vineyards, the fully ripened fruit was crushed, fermented traditionally in small open topped fementers, then basket pressed and allowed to mature for 22months in older French and . . .
Buy Now

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2008 -- $16.99 -- "Fragrant and complex, with a refreshing burst of lime, guava, grapefruit and grass flavors. Wet stone, passion fruit and oyster shell accents add interest, with bright acidity highlighting the vivid finish. Another outstanding Sauvignon from a perennial . . .
Buy Now

La Lecciaia Brunello di Montalcino 2004 -- $38.99 -- The 2004 Brunello di Montalcino offers up dark red fruit, flowers and spices in a soft, accessible style. This medium-bodied Brunello flows with beautiful length and ripe, finessed tannins. Clean, mineral notes frame the wine nicely. Anticipated maturity: . . .
Buy Now

La Massa Giorgio Primo Toscana 2003 -- $49.99 -- "Dark and powerful with intense aromas of tar, berry and raisins. Full-bodied, with loads of fruit and big, velvety tannins. Full-throttle. Huge wine. What this lacks in finesse it gives in power. Best ever from here. Best after 2008. 2,915 cases made. . . .
Buy Now

Le Ragose Amarone della Valpolicella 2003 -- $59.99 -- Rated 92 points by Robert Paker: Sweet, super-ripe aromatics along with dark cherries, herbs and underbrush waft from the glass as the 2003 Amarone della Valpolicella reveals its elegant, understated personality. The wine shows plenty of length and lovely . . .
Buy Now

L'Ecole No 41 Winery "Walla Woila" Chenin Blanc 2008 -- $15.99 -- Flavor Profile: A drier style Chenin Blanc with crisp acidity... similar to biting into a Granny Smith Apple. Juicy flavors of ripe melon and pear. Very refreshing!Food Pairings: Seafood, Soup, Salads, Chicken French, Sear Scallops
Buy Now

Les Vins de Vienne Crozes-Hermitage Les Palignons 2007 -- $27.99 -- "Inviting, with incense, warm blackberry and plum sauce notes, followed by a dark, olive- and tobacco-filled finish. It all hangs nicely together, thanks to a fresh streak of iron that cuts through the middle. 580 Cases made." -Wine Spectator
Buy Now

Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 -- $14.99 -- "I am also including their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma, a 290,000-case blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest the other Bordeaux varietals. An exquisite value, this is a seductive, fleshy, fruity wine with excellent texture, body, and balance. . . .
Buy Now

Maison Nicolas Poet Savigny les Beaune les Peuillets 2005 -- $34.99 -- "A 2005 Savigny-les-Beaunes Les Peuillets offers a site-typical smoky, floral, meaty, strawberry nose, then comes onto the palate silken, incipiently creamy in texture and infectiously juicy and satisfying in its ripeness and freshness. Deep clay in this . . .
Buy Now

Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 -- $15.99 -- "This refreshing white offers a breezy mouthful of lime-accented green apple and herb flavors, veering toward lime peel as the finish races on and on. Drink now. 2,300 cases imported." -Wine Spectator
Buy Now

Orin Swift Cellars "Saldo" -- $31.99 -- "This recalls those great old California field blends, but with more polish and structure. Aromas of smoky boysenberry and cracked pepper lead to layered, zesty flavors of plum, tobacco and anise. Drink now through 2013." - Wine Spectator, 91 pts
Buy Now

Pride Merlot 2007 -- $62.99 -- "The wine opens with a big, perfumey nose featuring red raspberry, plum preserves, black and maraschino cherries and brown sugar. The palate is soft, luscious and silky, with intense flavors that coat the mouth. With sustained presence, fruit and spice . . .
Buy Now

Produttori Barbaresco Montestefano Riserva 2004 -- $64.99 -- The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano is one of the more reticent wines in this lineup of 2004 Riservas. Its vibrant, fresh color is followed by notes of violets, roses, black cherries, menthol, smoke and licorice. The wine possesses tons of structure . . .
Buy Now

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco 2005 -- $38.99 -- "Once again, the Produttori have turned out a gem in their 2005 Barbaresco. A beautiful, perfumed Nebbiolo, the wine flows effortlessly from the glass with captivating notes of crushed flowers, raspberries, sweet herbs and spices. This classic, mid-weight . . .
Buy Now

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello Riserva 2004 -- $64.99 -- The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is deep, dense and incredibly primary. Although the wine clearly possesses remarkable stuffing, there is very little tertiary development here. With air, suggestions of menthol, pine, spices and licorice gradually emerge, . . .
Buy Now

Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Pora 2004 -- $64.99 -- The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Pora is a dense, chewy offering loaded with ripe red cherries, licorice, tar and sweet wild herbs. The wine’s sheer concentration and power are impressive but today the tannins seem to lack the extra level of elegance that . . .
Buy Now

Puydeval 2008 -- $14.99 -- "Lovers of Cabernet Franc -not to mention value- do not miss this 2008 Puydeval, blended with 28% Syrah and 10% Merlot grown near Carcasonne, and conceived and executed by ambitious oenologist-negociant Jeff Carrell! Machine oil, mulberry, and incense . . .
Buy Now

R Wines Chris Ringland Cote Rotie Shiraz 2008 -- $21.99 -- "This is the third vintage of Chris Ringland Cote Rotie Shiraz. The 2008 was sourced from 20-60 year old Barossa vines and aged in seasoned American oak hogsheads. Deep purple-colored, it emits a captivating, already complex nose of smoke, incense, Asian . . .
Buy Now

San Michele Appiano (St. Michael-Eppan) Pinot Grigio Linea Classica Vintage 2008 -- $16.99 -- “Displays spicy apple and peach notes, with silky mineral character. Medium-bodied, with clean acidity and a fruity finish. Subtle and layered.” -Wine Spectator Cheese Pairings: La Tur, Crottin(goat) Food Pairings : Shellfish see recipe . . .
Buy Now

Selection Laurence Feraud 2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages Seguret -- $17.99 -- "The outstanding 2007 Cotes du Rhone-Villages Seguret is a brilliant wine as well as a fabulous bargain. Aromas of licorice, lavender, cassis, and kirsch emerge from this dense ruby/purple-hued offering. Full-bodied and pure with the sweet tannins that . . .
Buy Now

Shafer Relentless 2005 -- $79.99 -- "The sensational 2005 Relentless boasts an opaque purple color along with a wonderfully sweet nose of blackberries, creosote, acacia flowers, and hints of pepper and meat in the background. Full-bodied and densely concentrated with the oak component well-concealed . . .
Buy Now

Soter Vineyards North Valley Pinot Noir 2007 -- $33.99 -- "The Pinot Noirs begin with the 2007 North Valley Pinot Noir. The fruit for this cuvee was picked entirely before the late September rainfall but the wine shows no green character whatsoever. Medium ruby-colored, it exhibits a fragrant nose of cedar, . . .
Buy Now

St. Urbans-Hof Riesling 2008 -- $15.99 -- Needs a little air to reveal its floral, apricot and slate aromas and flavors. Beautifully integrated, with a lingering, stony, savory finish. Drink now through 2018. Cheese Pairings: Brie, Triple Creme, Gruyere Food Pairings: shellfish, turkey, green . . .
Buy Now

The 75 Wine Company "The Sum" 2007 -- $23.99 -- "The real star, and a great bargain, is the 2007 The Sum -- The Seventy-Five Wine Company. This is an absolute steal when it comes to high-class wine. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah, and 10% Petite Sirah, there are 5,200 cases of this wine, . . .
Buy Now

The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007 -- $36.99 -- The 2007 Pinot Noir Estate is more expressive aromatically. Cinnamon, allspice, rose petal, cherry, and raspberry scents lead to a silky, medium-bodied, feminine Pinot with savory red fruits, excellent concentration, lively acidity, and a lengthy finish. . . .
Buy Now

TIKAL Patriota Mendoza -- $26.99 -- "Juicy and ripe, with delicious raspberry, blackberry and boysenberry fruit backed by spice and toast notes. Rich finish." - Wine Spectator "The 2006 Patriota is composed of 60% Bonarda and 40% Malbec. It has greater depth and a longer finish than . . .
Buy Now

Travaglini Gattinara 2004 -- $34.99 -- 90 points Wine Specatator: Delicate aromas of ripe plum, with hints of cedar and flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, with very refined tannins and a long, complex finish of strawberry and spices. Flavor Profile: Nose of smoky, earthy, winey dried cherries.Aromas . . .
Buy Now

Valle Dell ' Acate Il Moro 2006 -- $24.99 -- Rated 90 points by Wine Advocate! It is not comparable to any grapes found in California. It is characterized by tobacco, leather and prunes. There are also ripe raspberry and blackberry aromas. It smells old but tastes fresh. This is a great wine to . . .
Buy Now

Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf du Pape 2006 -- $69.99 -- "The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape reveals the vintage's peppery, earthy spiciness along with notes of forest floor, root vegetables, black cherries, and meat. This rich, medium to full-bodied effort possesses moderately soft tannin as well as good body, . . .
Buy Now

Vignamaggio Toscana Cabernet Franc 2003 -- $46.99 -- "The 2003 IGT Vignamaggio is 100% Cabernet Franc aged in French oak. It is a fascinating wine packed with a multitude of spice, crushed black pepper, herb, smoke and sweet dark fruit nuances that emerge from the glass. It offers excellent length and plenty . . .
Buy Now

Vignobles Brunier Telegramme Chateauneuf du Pape 2007 -- $42.99 -- 90 points Wine Advocate The outstanding 2007 Telegramme Chateauneuf du Pape (15.8% alcohol) offers notes of kirsch liqueur, spring flowers, and framboise, medium to full body, good acidity, a beautiful texture, and a luscious, heady finish. It . . .
Buy Now