Staff Favorites
Ahh, the Staff Favorites. These are wines that we love. Actually, that doesn't really go far enough. These are the fine wines that we are drinking and enjoying! We taste a ton of wines and find plenty that we are really quite fond of, but below are the wines that our wine specialists are taking home and getting to know. Intimately.
Corison Cabernet 2007
Region: Napa Valley, California
Elliott's Favorite: This has always been one of my favorite Napa Valley Cabernets. I love the elegance, the balance, and the regal nature of it. "Aromas of blackberry and cassis, with hints of leather and meat. Juicy, firm and tightly wound, but with noteworthy intensity to its flavors of red and blue fruits complicated by licorice and herbs. Finishes dry and classic, with lingering suggestions of boysenberry, tobacco and iron." 91 Points, Steve Tanzer
$6999
L'Argentier Vieilles Vignes de Cinsault 2009
Region: Southern France
Michael's Favorite: Cinsault as the featured varietal is rare and, in the case of the L'Argentier, a fascinating example. It is funky, fresh, complex, and full of life. Not a heavy weight rather it is delicate and pretty with plenty of cherry fruits, baking spices, and earth.
$1499
Mendel Malbec 2008
Region: Argentina
Elliott's Favorite: Elegant, intense, polished, and balanced. Malbecs rarely have the structure, power, elegance, and gace that the Mendel has. Without question, one of the best Malbecs I have tasted in years. "The 2008 Malbec, sourced from ungrafted vines over 80 years of age, was aged for 12 months in 40% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration (as are all these Mendel wines). Medium purple in color with legs that coat the glass, it reveals a lovely nose of Asian spices, incense, lavender, black cherry, and black raspberry. Supple, ripe, and round on the palate with medium- to full-body, layered fruit, and excellent balance, it has the structure to evolve for 1-2 years but can be approached now" 91 Points, Jay Miller, The Wine Advocate.
$2999
Marcarini Barolo Brunate 2007
Region: Barolo, Italy
Taylor's Pick: After tasting this wine at a show, I immediately was taken by its velvet glove/iron vist personality. If any wine accurately displays this personality, it is the 2007. Lots of rich, lush fruit wrap around the tannin and structure. "The estate’s 2007 Barolo Brunate sweeps across the palate with endless layers of expansive fruit. The Brunate shows fabulous intensity and depth in an uncharacteristically rich, opulent style for Marcarini. Despite the wine’s richness there is plenty of Brunate character, particularly on the finish, where menthol, pine, resin, spices and a host of other balsamic notes speak with great eloquence." 94 Points, Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate.
$4759
Stefania Cabernet Uvas Creek Vineyard 2007
Region: California
Taylor's Pick: Stefania is one of my favorite producers, if not my favorite, coming out of California. The wines are always beautiful, controlled, fresh, and satisfying. "The wine is deep red with a pronounced nose of summer cherries and dark berry fruit. On the palate, there are powerful notes of ripe berries, spices and cherry fruit. The fruit is layered and complex with a classic Cabernet Sauvignon profile. This is a more serious and masculine Uvas Creek than the 05 and 06, but still retains the balance and red fruit profile of previous versions. Best after 2011" -Paul Romero, owner and winemaker
$3799
