Tasting Notes

Barrel 27 Syrah 2006 Right Hand Man, Central Coast

Posted on by Frank Melis

Barrel 27 Syrah 2006 Right Hand ManThe 2006 Right Hand Man possesses a deep, almost black garnet color with rich aromas of raspberry jam, dried cherry, grilled meat, black pepper corn, and black plum, wrapped in notes of rose petal, anise, sweet wood-smoke, mocha and toasted vanilla. On the palate, the wine blossoms with flavors of raspberry and currant fruit, filled out with Asian spice notes, anise, mint and even more pepper. A complex and well built mid-palate flows seamlessly into a long, pure finish of pepper-spiced raspberry, lifted with great acidity and firmed with excellent tannins.

Barrel 27 Syrah 2006 Right Hand Man
Retail 20.00 – GGWC 17.99
Full case is 16.99 per bottle (mix and match with other Barrel 27 products OK)

Tasting Notes

Totus Tuus Cava Brut Metodo Tradicional, Spain

Posted on by Frank Melis

Totus Tuus Cava Brut Metodo TradicionalA fun nice, crisp, bone dry clean Sparkler from Spain! The Totus Tuus is a blend of 40% Chardonnay, 18% Xarello, 18% Macabeo, 18% Parellada and 6% Pinot Noir. Great for sipping after a long day at the office at the porch or with a BBQ.

Totus Tuus Cava Brut Metodo Tradicional, Spain
Retail 19.50 – GGWC 14.99

Tasting Notes

O’Shaughnessy 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain Napa Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

O'Shaughnessy 2006 Cabernet SauvignonOne of the superstar estates on Howell Mountain, O’Shaughnessy’s winemaker Sean Capiaux is the force behind these impressive reds. Capiaux also makes his own wines under the Capiaux Cellars label.

Robert Parker gives this wine 94 Points and says:  “…the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, …is performing better now than it did last year. A dense purple color in addition to plenty of creme de cassis, crushed rock, blueberry, and brioche-like notes are found in this full-bodied Cabernet. It avoids the rustic tannins of this vintage, and exhibits good sweetness and purity of fruit. Consume it over the next 15-20 years. ”

Retail 80.00- GGWC 74.95
O’Shaughnessy 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain

Tasting Notes

O’Shaughnessy 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder Napa Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

O'Shaughnessy 2006 Cabernet SauvignonThe 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Mount Veeder vineyard is an impressive wine with an absolutely solid purple/black opaque color. Beautiful perfumed aromas of wild flowers, lead pencil shavings, crème de cassis, blackberry, plum, and fig; followed by vanilla and barrel char. On the palate the wine is super concentrated with sweet blueberry syrup flavors, full tannins that come across silky smooth and last for several moments.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate issue gave this wine 95 points.

Retail 100.00 – GGWC 94.00
O’Shaughnessy 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

Capiaux 2007 Pinot Noir, Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands

Posted on by Frank Melis

Capiaux 2007 Pinot Noir, PisoniOnly 300 cases of this stunning wine were produced! The 2007 Capiaux Pisoni has a deep dark red color with a purple hue. Aromas of wild black raspberries, bittersweet chocolate, plum and roasted herbs wrapped in an intense, concentrated and full bodied wine with well integrated tannins.

Robert Parker gives 94 Points  – “The 2007 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard offers lots of black raspberry and boysenberry fruit intertwined with a floral undertone. Fleshy, opulent, and even viscous by Pinot Noir standards, this full-bodied, concentrated, velvety 2007 is impossible to resist. It should last for 7-8 years.”

Retail 55.00 – GGWC 49.99
Capiaux 2007 Pinot Noir, Pisoni

Capiaux 2007 Pinot Noir, Pisoni Santa Lucia Highlands Robert Parker 94 Points Retail 55.00 – GGWC 49.99

Other

Wine Tasting 101

Posted on by Frank Melis

Wine Tasting (C)Jenny Downing WikicommonsOne of the questions I am most frequently asked by people new to the world of rare and boutique wines is “What is the right way to taste wine?” The simplest answer is “There is no one right way to taste wine.” However, there are a number of things you can do to enhance your ability to distinguish between the nuances and flavors present in each wine and learn to tell a “good” wine from one that is not quite as pleasing.

The basic principles of wine tasting are simple to learn. Once you have built a foundation based on these essentials, you will develop a natural understanding of the nuances and finer details of wine tasting. Just like any other pursuit, learning to taste wine takes practice and experience. Fortunately, practicing wine tasting is a very enjoyable activity!

Click Here to Continue…

Tasting Notes

Capiaux 2008 Pinot Noir “Chimera” Sonoma

Posted on by Frank Melis

Capiaux ChimeraThe Chimera is a blend of Hendricks (Sonoma Coast), Freestone & Widdoes (Russian River), Wilson Vineyard (Sonoma Coast) and Garys’ & Pisoni (Santa Lucia Highlands) vineyards. Only 500 cases were produced!

“More beet root, black currant, plum, and cherry characteristics are found in the 2008 Pinot Noir Chimera Vineyard. With an attractive smoky earthiness, abundant fruit, full body, and good richness, it should provide pleasant drinking over the next 4-5 years.

Sean Capiaux fashions O’Shaughnessy’s outstanding Cabernets from Howell Mountain as well as a half dozen impressive Pinot Noirs at his own estate, Capiaux Cellars.”

Robert Parker gives this wine 92 Points

Retail 35.00 – GGWC $29.95
Capiaux 2008 Pinot Noir “Chimera”

Tasting Notes

Luli 2009 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands

Posted on by Frank Melis

Luli 2009 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia HighlandsMaster Sommelier Sara Floyd and wine maker Jeff Pisoni teamed up to produce yet another stunning, economy friendly priced Pinot Noir The 2009 Luli Pinot Noir 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.

The seductive 2009 Pinot Noir is a stunning effort. On the nose elegant black cherry fruit with a touch of flowery aromas jump out of the glass. The wine has plenty of character in this medium to full-bodied offering. The wine has well balanced acidity with good ripeness and pure Pinot Noir fruit. Jeff is an amazing winemaker and this well-price Pinot is just another accolade. Drink now through 2015.

Retail 25.00 – GGWC 19.99
Luli 2009 Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes

Saxon Brown 2007 Semillon “Santinamaria”, Sonoma Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

Saxon BrownAt one time, Semillon was one of the most popular white varietals planted throughout much of the world. Today it is relatively difficult to find.

Saxon Brown’s “Santinamaria” offers up a tropical aroma with a touch of minerality on the nose. Medium bodied wine with lush flavors of Anjou Pear and figs. The wine is vibrant without being acidic and finishes long and pleasant.

Retail 25.00 – GGWC 19.94
Saxon Brown 2007 Semillon “Santinamaria”

Spotlights

Ramian Estate 2007 “Chapter 7” Cabernet Blend

Posted on by Frank Melis

Ramian EstateFrom the tallest heights of Mt. Veeder, well above the Napa Valley floor, the winemaker handcrafts his story one chapter at a time into a collected work of vintages: a traditional tale told from a new perspective, a moveable feast intended to endure. This classic Bordeaux “style” blend exemplifies its Napa Valley mountain home.  All five traditional Bordeaux grapes are used with Cabernet Sauvignon being the majority and dominate varietal. Our goal is to create a soft and very rich old-world style Cabernet Sauvignon blend but with ultra rich Napa Valley fruit flavor. This wine will age for 10-15 years easily

Retail 65.00 – GGWC 59.99
For a limited time, buy this wine as part of a case (all or mixed) for only $55
Ramian Estate 2007 “Chapter 7” Cabernet Blend

Spotlights

Ramian Estate 2009 Viognier “Reserve”

Posted on by Frank Melis

Ramian EstateThis Viognier was slow, cool fermented and aged sur-lee style in neutral French oak barrels for 3 months prior to bottling. This helped to create mouthfeel without oak flavors while focusing on bright, crisp, classic Viognier fruit flavors. If you have never enjoyed or tasted a Viognier, imagine a crisp clean, very floral, tropical fruit flavored Sauvignon Blanc but with the mouthfeel and texture of a unoaked Chardonnay, that’s what you should expect from our Viognier.

Retail 32.00 – GGWC 26.99
Ramian Estate 2009 Viognier “Reserve”

Spotlights

Ramian Estate 2009 Rosé, Napa Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

Ramian EstateThis Rose was made from the saignier of Napa Valley Syrah. Slow, cool fermented and aged in a stainless steel tank to retain its crisp edge and very bright fruit flavors. The lees were stirred in tank to obtain a well rounded mouthfeel. This Rose is crisp and clean and has a rich, round mouth-feel. This wine was created and styled so that white wine and red wine drinkers a like will enjoy it in all settings. Only 145 cases were produced.

Retail 18.00 – GGWC 14.99
Ramian Estate 2009 Rosé

Spotlights, Tasting Notes

Ramian Estate 2008 Chardonnay

Posted on by Frank Melis

Ramian EstateA stunning effort, the Ramian Chardonnay reveals copious amounts of flowery aromatics.  On the palate this lush wine offers us honeysuckle and green apples packed in its full bodied frame with hints of “Burgundian” minerality and purity.  This wine is very well balanced and extremely clean from start to its long lasting finish.

Retail 44.00 – GGWC 39.99
Ramian 2008 Chardonnay

Spotlights

Ramian Estate New Releases

Posted on by Frank Melis

This summer is getting better by the minute! I just received four new releases of one of Napa Valley’s best kept secrets, and they are absolutely stunning! This set encompasses a full range of wines, beginning with the incredible new “Chapter 7” Cabernet Blend, a classical Viognier, a versatile and well rounded Rose, and an aromatic and well balanced Chardonnay.

“As the Patron Saint of Tannins, I can honestly say that Brian Graham has conquered the heights (i.e. the tannins) of Mt. Veeder’s tough fruit and converted it into an harmonious, well-balanced piece of fine art (i.e. a stunning wine). He turned a linebacker into a prima ballerina, and this, his Seventh Chapter is his best yet to date!”
-St. Frank

Be sure to come back to this blog again over the next few days where I will be posting notes on each of these.  If you register on the blog you can also be automatically updated as new posts appear.

Tasting Notes

Winter 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

Posted on by Frank Melis

Winter 2007 Cabernet SauvignonWine Spectator gives this phenomenal Cabernet 95 Points and says: This wine  “Offers gorgeous fruit, with amazing purity of flavor, delivering rich, concentrated, supple layers of currant, blackberry, black licorice and mocha, with subtle loamy earth. Ends with a long, full and persistent finish. Drink now through 2019. 680 cases made.”

RETAIL 150.00 – GGWC 124.95
Winter 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

Penche 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

Penche 2006 Cabernet SauvignonDark garnet hue; deeply layered aromas of dark berries, mocha, cassis, toasty French Oak, sweet toffee, molasses, and exotic spices. Expect big, full and rich mid-palate density laced with intense flavors of ripe blackberries, integrated toasty vanilla, and a touch of chocolate. The persistent, yet balanced finish exhibitis excellent depth, purity and elelgance. Only 364 cases produced.

Penche 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tasting Notes

Mueller 2007 Pinot Noir “Emily’s Cuvee” Russian River Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

Mueller 2007 Pinot Noir "Emily's Cuvee"The 2007 Emily’s Cuvée has a rich cranberry red color. Displaying intense aromas of Bing cherries, warm, ripe raspberries, smoke and anise with a broad spectrum of flavors including cherry cola, strawberry and vanilla. Fleshy body and rich, apparent tannins contribute to its long and flavorful finish. Its broad array of flavors and aromas will age gracefully and become more complex over the next several years.

Retail 44.00 – GGWC 39.99
Mueller 2007 Pinot Noir “Emily’s Cuvee”

Tasting Notes

Road 31 2007 Pinot Noir, Napa Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

Road 31 2007 Pinot NoirThe nose is dark and brooding, with the cola, cherry, and coffee accents. The wine is racy and lively, with a strong base note of dark fruit. It has both length of finish and depth of flavor. While intense, the wine has a delicacy of aromatics that balances the wine in a way I rarely experience with Pinot. It will drink wonderfully right upon release, continue to excel as the first holidays approach, and I believe this wine could cellar for 8 years from vintage date and still deliver.

Retail 40.00  –  GGWC 34.99
Road 31 2007 Pinot Noir, Napa Valley

Tasting Notes

Barrel 27 Grenache 2007 “Rock and a Hard Place” Paso Robles

Posted on by Frank Melis

Barrel 27 Grenache "A Rock and a Hard Place"A beautifully expressive wine; medium ruby-black in color with a captivating nose of sweet raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry, with notes of milk chocolate, floral perfumes, dried cranberry, tar and charcoal. On the palate, the wine shows the same pure concentrated fruit flavors filled out with notes of black tea and orange rind with a hint rose petal. Soft and rich, with a beautiful, broad mid palate, the wine’s fruit and spice notes continue to build through the long, long finish. Inspired by the great wines of France’s Chateauneuf du Pape, this is a unique Californian interpretation of one of the World’s greatest grapes.

Barrel 27 Grenache 2007 “Rock and a Hard Place”

Spotlights, Tasting Notes

Page 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley

Posted on by Frank Melis

Page Sauvignon BlancThe third and final of our new releases from Page Wine Cellars makes for an excellent addition to your cellar as we approach the hot summer months.

As soon as the cap of this Napa Valley grown 2009 Sauvignon Blanc is opened, the aromas of key lime, citrus, and passion fruit fill the immediate area. The wine is big on flavors of citrus and lime with a lively texture that yields to the freshness and pleasure of a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Serve this wine with just about any medium to light fare. The wine can be enjoyed on its own or with anything that calls for fresh, flavorful Vin Blanc.

Retail 25.00 – GGWC 19.99
Page 2009 Sauvignon Blanc