First Date white gets 95 Points

Jeff Cohn Jeff Cohn (JC Cellars) has been at it for 20+ years since he started his career at Ridge and Rosenblum.  His own label has been on fire as of late.  To finish up the summer I wanted to introduce a fun wine – The First Date, a Rousanne and Marsanne (White Rhone varietals) blend.

JC Cellars "First Date"JC Cellars 2009 First Date Proprietary White
Retail 32.00 – GGWC 29.99 (FREE SHIPPING on 12)
Use the discount shipping code “FIRSTDATE” during check out

A beautiful combination of dried apricots, bitter almonds and orange blossom. Liquid mineral notes soar from the glass, while the golden hue draws you in for a taste that is overflowing with full bodied sweet almond extract, flint notes, exotic ginger, dried peaches and apricots. This wine has enough structure to drink as an aperitif or to age gracefully and hold its own with the richest of foods.

Pair With: Perfect combination for all types of fowl, both wild or farm raised. Goes well with fish, shell fish or rich meats such as veal or pork. Also enjoy this with young or slightly aged goat cheese. Drink now to 5 years

Jeff Cohn says: “The wine of amazing intensity! There is a pureness to this wine, or is it more of a structured feel that set this First Date apart from past vintages. The wine comes across lusher, more flamboyant and I dare to say more seductive than the past.”

Click here or on the link above to order.

A 96 Pointer for less than 28.00!

When you have a winemaker on your team that regularly receives 94 – 98 Points one can only expect great results.  I found this diamond in the rough; a 96 Point wine for under $28.00!  Sourced from one vineyard in the Alexander from 4 different elevations (200 – 1800 feet).

Back in the day, a “Presshouse” was the common name for what we now call the winery – the building where the grapes were pressed and fermented.  A “Farrier” is a professional who is trained to fit shoes to horses, and sometimes other hooved animals as well.  All together this property used to be horse farm turned winery – thus Farrier Presshouse.

Farrier “Presshouse”  2009 Proprietary Red Blend, Alexander Valley
Retail 32.00 – GGWC  27.99 – FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use discount shipping code “PRESSHOUSE” during check out

A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1 % Carmenere.  This easy drinking gorgeous beauty reveals gorgeous color and stunning aromatics with copious notes of black and red stone fruits, crushed rocks with a touch of toasty vanilla.  Very sophisticated  from start to finish, medium to full in body with a lush mid-palate and well-balanced concentration.  The wine is intense yet elegant with a soft, silky finish.  300 cases produced.

Click here or on the link above to order!

$150.00 Cabernet source at only $39.99 FREE SHIPPING on SIX

If you have a spot for some Cabernet Sauvignon in your wine cellar we have a serious contender here for you. Cabernet that tastes like Cabernet! This is sourced from one of the most amazing vineyard sites in the Napa Valley.  As a matter a fact the estate wine produced from this vineyard retails for $150.00!  All the “must have” factors come in to play here: expertly and organically farmed by Mark Neal, a soil base of sedimentary gravel and clay, and a unique heritage clone developed by the See family in the 1970’s. All these variables combine to create a vineyard with tremendous potential and ageing ability. While production was a mere 125 cases, it embodies that Napa Valley fruit character that has made the region one of the world’s top destinations for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Alondra 2009 Cabernet SauvignonAlondra 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Retail 44.00 – GGWC 39.99 Free Shipping on SIX or more
Use the discount shipping code “ALONDRA09” during check out

Opaque in the glass. Definitely a fruit-driven wine, but the aromatic complexities of the varietal really shine. Dark berry fruits of cassis and plum are enhanced by the secondary notes of black olive, cedar, tobacco and rich earth. The palate is dense and polished, while still refined with the fine-grained tannins wrapped in a seamless balance of fruit and earth. The palate-staining finish leaves the impression of textured fruit, barrel spice and ripe tannin in complete harmony.  Only 125 cases produced!

Click here or on the link above to order!

Killer $100.00 Cabernet at only $47.99

White Rock Vineyards

White Rock Vineyards is situated in a small valley in the southern foothills of the Stag’s Leap Range. The estate began making wine in the 1870’s. The Vandendriessche family continues in the tradition of natural sustainable farming, since 1977. Volcanic ash soils, hillside vines, cooler climate, hand crafting on the land and in the cave make these wines complex, concentrated and with a mineral character expressing the earth itself.  The first 20 vintages were crafted by Henri, the latter ones by their Son Christopher who has a great portfolio of wine experience under his belt.  He gained valuable experience from working with John Kongsgaard, Chateau, David Ramey, Doug Shafer, Remelluri in Rioja (Spain), Pape-Clément (Bordeaux, France) and Clark Claudon.  He is also the day-to-day winemaker at Hudson!

White Rock 2007 "Laureate" Cabernet SauvignonWhite Rock 2007 Cabernet “Laureate” Napa Valley Estate
Retail $56.00 – GGWC 47.99 FREE SHIPPING ON SIX or more
Use the shipping discount code “WR07L” during check out

The 2007 vintage was a fabulous year for Napa Cabernet. The White Rock Laureate tastes like a lot more expensive wine than its $47.99 price tag, really! The wine is richly structured and flavorful. It has seductive aromas of blackberry, coffee and mocha.  On the palate, this rich, full bodied wine greets you with a core of plum, licorice, vanilla, chocolate and black currants.  The wine is very well balanced and nuanced, with a long finish of dark cocoa.   This wine is showing nicely now and will age for another 15 years!  I am a big proponent of decanting and this wine is no different.

Click here or on the link above to order!

2009 Howell Mountain Cab stuns in blind tasting

Moffett Wines

The 2009 Moffett Howell Mountain Cabernet beat out 9 Napa Valley Cabernets in a recent blind tasting.

  • The line-up included Diamond Creek
  • Dunn (97 Points Parker)
  • Morlet (96 Points Parker)
  • Kapscandy ($350.00 and 97 Points Parker)
  • Peter Michael
  • Buccella
  • Dancing Hares
  • Screaming Eagle ($$$$$ – 97 Points)
  • Mondavi Reserve.

Not only did Moffett come in first, the average price point of some of the “collectibles” did not do so well.

MOffett 2009 CabernetMoffett 2009 Howell Mountain Cabernet  – Howell Mountain Napa Valley
Retail 85.00 – GGWC 74.99 (FREE SHIPPING on SIX or more)
Use the discount code “MOF09CSHM” during check out.

Not all of the Howell Mountain wines are super tannic, and need 10 years in the cellar to drink well. The 2009 Moffett is a stunning, well-crafted, gorgeous, nicely balanced mountain-grown youngster. Beautiful deep dark color and rich, black stone fruit aromas jump out of the glass. This 2009 is dense, rich, powerful and extracted with stunning layers of black currant, black cherry and blackberry fruits with a touch of chocolate, espresso and a whiff of toasty vanilla. Full in bodied, but well balanced, with a stunning finish that offers up touches of raspberry mixed into the deep core of fruit that allows for an impressive long juicy finish with a silky lining.

Click here or on the link above to order!

World Class Chardonnay from a Grand Cru Vineyard!

Fama Wines

Heather Munden produced one of the most amazing Chardonnays I have ever tasted from the Hudson Vineyard in Carneros. This vineyard has gained “Grand-Cru” status among the wine critics, elite wineries and wine lovers alike. This is one of the best sources for Chardonnay in California, and I would say in the world!

Fama 2009 Chardonnay "Hudson"FAMA 2009 Chardonnay “Hudson”
Retail 65.00 NOW ONLY $49.99 and FREE SHIPPING on SIX or more!
Use the discount code “FAMA09CHD” during check out!

“Fama” = Italian for FAME — “Hudson” = Californian/Carneros for OUTSTANDING Chardonnay —– Combine the two and you have a FAMEOU(S)TANDING bottle of wine. Only 7 (seven) barrels of this holy juice were produced, so you’ll blink and -the wine will be gone! —– Gorgeous color and amazing aromas of white peaches, quince and honeysuckle jump out of the glass. This is one the “best” made Chardonnays I have tasted in years! The wine is full in body, concentrated and well-balanced with a succulent texture. A touch of citrus and minerality and a touch of nuttiness lingers from the mid-palate into a long lasting finish. This is Chardonnay that can be drunk now, and will age nicely!

Click here or on the link above to order!

XXI Amendment new release is a mindboggling wine!

Amendment XXI is more than just rounded beauty and seductive grace in a bottle. Because of the 21st Amendment, prohibition was abolished and fine wine was again enjoyed by all!  This wine is not just a story, it is the real McCoy!  Crafted by ace-winemaker Nils Venge this Cabernet-Merlot blend will wow you and blow you away.

Amendment XXI 2010 Red BlendAmendment XXI , 2010 Merlot/Cabernet blend, Napa Valley
Retail 55.00 – GGWC 49.99 FREE SHIPPING on 8 or more
Use the discount code “AMEND21” during checkout.

The 2010 Amendment XXI begins with plush warmth and roundness in the nose. This Merlot/Cabernet blend has notes of black cherry, blackberry briar, and is backed by a hint spice. The lush, but silky palate opens up to a fresh and bountiful array of exotic red  berries, strawberry and plums. It is soft and delivers seamlessly, but there is a serious side to the wine in its finish that arrives with agreeable tannins.

Click here or on the link above to order!

Jeff Pisoni’s amazing Pinot Noir!

Fort Ross Vineyard & Winery

Fort Ross vineyardNestled on a sunny coastal ridge, overlooking the Pacific Ocean a mile below, the “True Sonoma Coast” vineyard is one of the closest, if not the closest, to the ocean in all of California. From the vineyard you can see the breaking surf and the misty silhouettes of Bodega Head and Pt. Reyes far below. The vineyard’s high elevation above the coastal fog and its proximity to the ocean provide a gentle, sunny and temperate climate that has proved to be very favorable for the slow and even ripening of Burgundian varietals. Fort Ross Vineyard has just received wonderful news — the establishment of the FORT ROSS-SEAVIEW AVA, a limited mountainous area overlooking the Pacific Ocean, north of the Russian River that was carved out of the expansive Sonoma Coast AVA. With Jeff Pisoni at the helm since 2009 this winery has gone from good to outstanding!

Fort Ross 2009 Pinot NoirFort Ross 2009 Pinot Noir Estate, Sonoma Coast
Retail 42.00 – GGWC 38.99 FREE SHIPPING on SIX
Use the discount code “FTRS09PNEST” during checkout.

The 2009 is a very serious wine.  The wine shows what Jeff Pisoni is all about.  The wine shows structure, balance and power.  On the nose one is greeted by exotic red stone fruit and hints of crushed rocks . On the palate this well-crafted wine shows its great potential of black cherries, and plums, licorice and a touch of herbs and mint.  The wine is gorgeous and complex and bottled unfined and unfiltered. It tastes a lot more expensive than its price tag!

Click here or on the links above to order!

Stunning Old Vine Zinfandel

Limerick Lane

Limerick Lane is a thirty acre estate located in the north east corner of the Russian River Appellation just south of the town of Healdsburg.  The estate was first planted to grapes in 1910 by the Del Fava family and the original homestead where Mario Del Fava was born is where the current owner lives with his wife and three children In the mid 70’s, the estate was sold to the Collins family. Brothers Mike and Tom Collins brought incredible passion and enthusiasm to the property selling the grapes as vineyard designates to several well-known local wineries.  In 2009, Mike Collins approached sold the winery to the current owners and they immediately turned it into an even better producer.  The current vintage is just an example of what we can expect from Limerick Lane in the future.

Limerick Lane 2010 ZinfandelLimerick Lane 2010 Zinfandel
Retail 32.00 – GGWC 28.99  FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use the discount code “LIMLANE10” during checkout.

This 2010 Zin is a wine that I would very much define as “rustic” in style. It is balanced, chewy, and absolutely chock full of texture…very much a complete wine as opposed to a jar of jam. Made with the intention of complimenting food, not dominating it, this Zin exhibits a spectrum of flavors including red fruits like strawberries and raspberries as well as some riper black fruit flavors such as blackberries and plums.  The fruit flavors in the wine are complemented by a good dose of chewy tannins, a hint of oak, and great acidity. This wine is comprised of 60% Limerick Lane estate grown fruit. The balance of the fruit comes from 2 vineyards: The Crossroads vineyard on West Dry Creek Rd and the 100 year old Sodini vineyard just down the street on Limerick Lane. Textured, layered, rich and complex yet appropriately balanced, this is a Zinfandel that hearkens back to the days of Italian immigrants and field blends.  It is reflective of a time when Zinfandel was known for much more than just a fruit and is very much a product of the unique growing conditions at Limerick Lane.

Click here or on the link above to order!

Cultivar 2009 Cabernet Franc, Napa – 30% OFF

Cultivar Wines

Sommelier turned winemaker Dan O’Brien and Julien Fayard (Winemaker at Azur and Atelier Philippe Melka) crafted this fun 161 case Cabernet Franc production from a stunning vineyard source in Oakville!

Cultivar 209 Cabernet FrankCultivar 2009 Cabernet Franc, Oakville Napa Valley
Retail 53.00 – GGWC SPECIAL 37.50 on six or more (FREE SHIPPING on 12)
Use discount code “CULTIVAR09CF” during checkout.

The nose shows gorgeous aromas of cranberries, mint, raspberries and a hint of fragrant spice. On the palate this well-balanced, medium to full-bodied and striking wine (aged in neutral French oak barrels) shows great body, lots of juice and bright clean flavors. Beautiful flavors of black currant, anise, a touch of leather and spice linger on into the silky finish of this little gem. The wine reminds me of a Chinon from the Loire Valley.

Click here or on the link above to order!

Zin is not a sin. This one will not break the bank!

Sandler Wines

Ed Kurtzman Ed Kurtzman’s portfolio includes Roar, Freeman, August West and Sandler.  He really put his stamp on the wine map and received great accolades with these wines (and others) over the past 20 years.  I was very excited when he offered me the 2010 Buck Hill Zinfandel. A  real crowd pleaser and money saver!

Sandler 2010 Buck Hill Zinfandel, Sonoma
Retail 31.00 – GGWC 27.99 FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use the discount code “SANDLER10Z12” during checkout.

From the start this little gem shows great quality and character.  On the nose you’ll encounter red cherries, plums, sweet spice, a touch of chocolate.  On the palate this plush wine is loaded with red plums, mocha and chocolate flavors and a touch of anise.  The wine is full in body, yet extremely elegant and finishes with a whiff of spice.  Fun wine and easy on the palate!

Click here or on the link above to order!

Small Napa White wins in wine stampede!

I rarely, if ever conduct blind tastings of Sauvignon Blancs, but decided to give it a try when a bunch of Francophiles challenged me to go head-to-head with California.  A few of my “French” friends provided “their” wines and I sourced the local market.  As you know I don’t stock the big names, I wanted to include some in this tasting to see how they would do against the French and small, boutique producers.  Since Brian Malk is from South Africa, I decided to include a well-rated white from there as well.

  • Peter Michael Winery Sauvignon Blanc l’Apres Midi (94 Pts Parker)
  • Domaine Pascal Cotat Sancerre les Mont Damnes 94 Pts Parker
  • Duckhorn
  • Cakebread
  • Louis-Benjamin Dagueneau Sancerre Monts Damnes (a very expensive $120.00, 95 Pts Parker)
  • Domaine Claude Riffault Sancerre les Desmalets (93 Pts Parker)
  • Peirson Meyer Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley Ryan (93 Pts WS)
  • Reyneke Reserve White Stellenbosch (93 Pts WS)
  • Merry Edwards
  • Malk 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

The winner, by a long shot MALK 2011 Sauvignon Blanc!

A native of South Africa, Brian Malk continues a family tradition of grape growing started by his grandfather who owned a wine farm (vineyard) in Franschhoek, near Capetown. Brian moved to the United States in 1978 and is now residing in Napa Valley as well as San Diego. Brian and Nancy purchased the Stags Leap property for Malk Family Vineyards in 1997 and began planting in 1998.

Malk 2011 Sauvignon BlancMalk 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
Retail 35.00 – GGWC 31.99 (FREE SHIPPING on 12)
Use the discount code “Malk01SB12” during checkout.

Our friends at Malk produced a stunning wine.  The Aromas of peaches and melons are gorgeous and elegant jumping right out of the glass.  On impact this well-made youngster tickles the palate with flavors of fresh apricots, honeydew, orange blossom and a touch of minerality.  Medium weight, this wine has good body with its hallmark Sauvignon Blanc crisp flavors.  The finish is silky and long lasting.  Only 278 cases produced!

Also check out the 2008 Malk Cabernet Sauvignon!

Click here or on the links above to order!

A $100.00 Napa Valley stunner at $45.00!

Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon

Julien Fayard the right-hand man of Phillipe Melka worked at various grand Chateaux in France such as Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite.  He also crafts his own label, Azur, and has a great philosophy of making terroir accentuated wine.  He told me one time that the wine is really made while in the vineyard. This Le Pich bottling is just an example of great terroir and amazing flavors.  Very limited!!

Le Pich 2009 Cabernet SauvignonLe Pich 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Retail $50.00 – GGWC 44.99 – FREE SHIPPING on SIX!
Use the discount code “LEPICH09CS6” during check out.

A mindboggling wine, that tastes a lot more expensive than its $45.00 price tag!  A gorgeous purple hue. An extreme, intense aroma of chocolate, hints of floral and crushed rocks.  Full and dense in body with a creaminess coating the lush black currant, black berry flavors.  Well balanced from start to finish, with great acidity and lush flavors. This is a wine that will please those who like the big and bold, but also those who like the elegant and silky wines!  This wine has an explosive finish that lasts a good 30 seconds! Only 300 cases produced!

Click here or on the links above to order!

Summer Tasting Nearly Sold Out

There are only 4 remaining ticket pairs for our Seventh Anniversary Tasting. We are offering these last tickets at a 25% discount, first come first serve. Call me at the store or click on this link to claim yours before they are gone! http://ggwctastingaugust11.eventbrite.com/?discount=GGWC25OFF

“We Bring Wine Country to the City!”

Celebrate our Seventh Anniversary and meet the winemakers, owners of many boutique wineries and taste their new releases. We will be pouring up to 30 new wines!

Confirmed wineries:

Milange, Coho, Redmon, Inherit The Sheep, Malk, Palazzo, Luli, Solitude, Paul Lato, Jemrose (Kosta Browne winemaker), Dragonette Cellars, B. Kosuge, Field Recordings, Grey Stack, Liquid Farm, Page, Knez, and others.

Saturday August 11 from 5 – 8 P.M.
Lakeside Cafe – 2529 Ocean Avenue
Generous hors d’oeuvres provided.
Tickets $45.00 per person or $75.00 for TWO

SORRY NO TICKETS at the door! RSVP required at 415-337-4083 or www.goldengatewinecellars.com

Score some 94+ Points Pott

Pott Wine

Aaron Pott has amassed a nice portfolio over the years and his own label has been on fire as of late.  This latest bottling the HMSS  or “Her Majesty’s Secret Service” comes from the famed Stagecoach Vineyard.  The legend has it that a notorious 19th century Englishman bandit robbed the daily Stagecoach here from St. Helena.  According to legend, he was excessively gallant, tipping his hat to the ladies as he calmly and elegantly extracted himself from the scene

As for the wine…The specific block M5 and M6 are rumored to be “Samsonite” clone from Chateau Latour – as in, one had visited Latour and “brought” back vine clippings from the famed estate.   A story collaborated by Jean –Louis Mandrau a former Director at Latour and mentor to Aaron Pott.  The M5 & 6 blocks are the cream of the crop of the Stagecoach vineyard (700 acres), and Jan Krupp was not willing to part quickly, but Aaron had been a great consultant to the vineyard that Krupp told him he could select any block he wanted for his HMSS project – without hesitation he picked M5 & M6.   The wine, incidentally, is named for famous gentleman spy – and some would say bandit – James Bond.  M(I)5 and M(I)6 being the secret intelligence agencies of Great Britain… thus the secretive clone ….

Pott 2009 Cabernet HMSS, Napa Valley
Retail 125.00 – GGWC 114.99 – FREE SHIPPING on 4 or more.
Use the discount code “POTT09HMMS4” during check out

This “royal” wine has an amazing purple hue and stunning aromatics and flavors that remind me of a First Growth.  This wine show cases what the hills of the Napa Valley are all about.  A lush wine with hints of anise, black currant and chocolate on both nose and palate.  Very full in body, yet extremely elegant and well-balanced.  This wine has great structure and class. Layers of fruit, a whiff of spice but an impressive body and tons of purity.  This is a wine that will age nicely.  I had a bottle open for 3 days and it got better day after day.  Very limited production.

Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that you purchase (pot), just a take on the last name (in case you did not notice)

Click here or on the links above to order!

The BEST VALUE Pinot Noir on the market!

The 2011 Luli Pinot Noir (made by Jeff Pisoni, yes THAT Pisoni) was sourced from various sustainably-farmed vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Sourcing from diverse locations within the appellation adds to the wine’s complexity and flavor profile.  This maritime appellation is known for its well-drained soils, morning fog,  afternoon winds and long growing season. These elements combine for a perfect place to grow Pinot Noir.

Luli 2011 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Retail $26.00 – GGWC $22.99

The deep color in the 2011 Luli Pinot Noir resulted from the low-yielding vintage and it was the cool season that developed the exuberant aromatics. The rich bouquet gives way to the depth of the wine, highlighted by notes of wild-strawberry, baking spice, and forest floor. On the palate the tannins from the 2011 vintage are very fine and velvety, while the acid is bright and gives much lift and focus to the palate.

Also check out their 2011 Chardonnay:

Luli 2011 Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands
Retail $25.00 – GGWC $22.50

This fifth release of the Luli Chardonnay was sourced from vineyards next to Pisoni’s Ranch in the Santa Lucia Highlands. The wine was fermented in 40% neutral barrels and 60% in stainless steel. By not undergoing any malolactic formation the wine showcases the vibrant and cool climate of the SLH fruit and aromas. It is medium in body, and could be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of dishes.

Click here or on the links above to order!

Local boutique stocks hard-to-find wines

We were fortunate enough to be featured in today’s San Francisco Chronicle! Read the full article here…

Golden Gate Wine Cellars is a locally owned boutique wine store that carries hundreds of hard-to-find wines from California vineyards. The shop has close to a thousand labels in stock at any given time that are also available for shipping anywhere in the world.

“I’m of the firm belief that some of the best wine in the world comes from our backyard,” says owner Frank Melis.

“I have clientele in most of the 50 states and around the world. Where some of them live, they could buy French wine for less than California wine, but still they keep ordering from me.”

Melis believes that drinking wine should be an experience people appreciate, so he has developed extensive tasting notes on his website that accompany each type of wine available. He also hosts tasting nights every other month that typically consist of about 30 different wines for guests to try. The next event is slated for August 11. Tickets are available on the store’s website, but they frequently sell out in the first few days of a date being announced.

Melis also hosts tastings for private parties, such as birthdays or corporate events. “My next private tasting is for a couple’s anniversary. They met in the Napa Valley and fell in love over Sauvignon Blanc. So we’ll start the evening with that and move on from there.”

The variety of wines available at Golden Gate Wine Cellars ranges from $15 to $70 and on up to four figures. “I have something I call ‘Frank’s Palatable Price Point,'” Melis explains. “Ninety-five percent of my inventory is priced between $15 and $70, but of course we carry a few select high-end wines. Colgin, for example, is $500 per bottle.”

Melis carries a wine called Screaming Eagle that retails for $1,400 per bottle, but only a dozen are available each year.

Bring in this page to the store and receive a 10 percent discount on a $200.00 minimum purchase.

 

One of the best Chardonnays ever!

Owner/Winemaker, Kenneth Juhasz has worked in the industry over the last sixteen years with meticulous and unyielding standards and has become well respected in the industry. Along with AUTEUR, Kenneth is the consulting winemaker for several wineries consistently producing wines revered by critics, claiming California’s two Highest Rated Wine Spectator Pinot Noirs in 2008. Kenneth’s approach to each vintage varies with the qualities of the fruit that is captured each year and while always enjoying the praises from critics, the goal is to keep the wines in balance with power and grace.

Auteur 2010 “Durrell” Chardonnay, Carneros
Retail 48.00 – GGWC 43.99 FREE SHIPPING on SIX or more
Use the discount code “Auter106” during checkout.

The 2010 shows the rich golden straw color that we have come to expect from Durell Chardonnay. The nose is packed with intense aromas of lime, apple, lemon, honey, candlewax and flint. The palate is bright and rich, with a stunning depth of citrus and tropical fruit flavors, along with notes of apple pie, mineral, and anise. The finish resonates with spice and zingy lemon and nectarine. We expect this to open up fairly quickly after bottling, and it should show well for years to come.

Robert Parker 93 Points: “The 2010 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard is a gorgeous, beautifully balanced wine layered with pineapple, mango, ripe yellow apricots, flowers and honey. It shows the weight and textural richness of these old Wente clones, but with more than enough minerality to give the wine its sense of backbone and drive. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.”

Click here or on the links above to order!

Culler’s Casaeda Gewurztraminer adds a little spice to your life!

Karen Culler has been making wine in the Napa Valley for 20 years now and she is still going strong.  With labels like Wolf, Culler and Casaeda Karen continues to impress me.  It does not always have to cost a bundle to be very good, and this latest release will add some spice to your life while not breaking the bank!

Culler 2011 Casaeda GewurztraminerCuller 2011 “Casaeda” Gewurztraminer
Retail 18.00 – GGWC 15.99

Lots of orange, lychee, pear, lemon, mineral , all rounded out with a bone dry (no sugar here), and a refreshingly tart finish. Grown in cool Mendocino in a cool year… all the better to preserve everything that shouts Gewurztraminer. Perfect for Asian, Indian, and all American summer fare.

Click here or on the link above to order!

Heidi Barrett’s Blockbuster Chardonnay

Fantesca Wines

Heidi does not need an intro, but for those of you who do not know her – Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Amuse Bouche, La Sirena, Paradigm, Kenzo, etc.  She has been at the helm at Fantesca for some years now with great success.

Fantesca ChardonnayFantesca 2010 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Retail 80.00 – GGWC 74.99 – FREE SHIPPING on SIX!
Use the discount code “Fantesca106” during checkout.

Vibrant and lush aromas of green apples, citrus, tropical.  On the palate you are greeted by sweet, toasty, creamy notes with touches of minerality.  The wine is juicy, well-balanced with tropical, lychee, lemon custard and a whiff of white pepper racing across the palate.  The wine is well-crafted and will age nicely.  The transition to the finish is seamless – it is long and lingers for a good 30 seconds!

Click here or on the links above to order!