Prager Winery & Portworks
1999 Royal Escort $125
Two generations of Pragers run this unique
family Winery and Portworks in Napa Valley.
They produce five styles of port, and a fine
late harvest Riesling called Sweet Madeline
Perhaps the most impressive Prager product
is their Royal Escort, a vintage port crafted
from 100% Napa Valley Petit Sirah and
aged for 2-3 years in 60 gallon oak barrels.
Buehler Vineyards
2000 Zinfandel $15
Buehler produces some of the most elegant Zinfandels at any price and
this one is really a bargain. Complex wild berry flavors, hints of
prune and currant culminate in an intriguing floral note at the finish.
Following traditional “field-blend” methods, Buehler allows about 5% of
Petit Sirah vines to add their unique characteristics to the blend.
While lesser Zinfandels at this price may lack finesse, this one has a
big burst of fruit up front, followed by the Petit Sirah-inspired
peppery notes and even a touch of measured spice from the restrained
use of new oak.
Frogs Leap
Merlot 2002
Beautifully integrated medley of ripe-
berry and cola flavors linger
on the tongue in this elegant and
delicately structured merlot.
A wine to pour with sagely seasoned fowl
or earthy casserole of portobello mushrooms.
A strong commitment to sustainable agriculture
Compliments the quality of their wines.
Bacio Divino
Pinot Noir $80
Everyone should experience this stunningly successful
Californian interpretation of a Tuscan-style blend. Suggestions of
sweet, jammy plum, leathery licorice, and delicately toasted oak are
gradually unearthed from the core of this artful blend of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Sangiovese & Petit Sirah aptly named “Divine Kiss” in
Italian. A superb wine, definitely worth cellaring. Winemaker Claus Jansen, began following his inspiration back in 1993.
His wines are a class act all the way. He also makes a less pricey, but
equally notable Sangiovese blend called “Bacio Angelico”.
Sebastiani
Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley 2002 $28
Concentrated, complex flavors of currant, blackberry tinged with
delicate accents of anise. The tannins and oak influence are still
present so a year of cellaring may be helpful.
Founded in 1904 by Samuele Sebastiani, Sebastiani Vineyards spent the
final years of the century re-focusing its dedication to excellence.
It now produces wines not only worthy of its historic tradition, but
also of exceptional price for value.
Turnbull
Merlot
Oakville Fortuna Vineyard 2002 $40
Facing down the ferocious bull of current fashion that says that
Merlots are somehow always lush and blowsy, this intriguing blend of
currant, blackberry and mocha flavors stands up to the very best.
The Turnbull name goes back to the early 1300’s when a retainer of
Robert the Bruce saved the king's life by turning away a ferocious bull
which had threatened to gore the king. The current label is derived
from a bull's figure on an ancient Minoan drinking vessel.
Like its namesake, the wine has a very persistant finish.
Flora Springs
Sauvignon Blanc
Soliloquy 2003 $25
The grapes used for Soliloquy come from a unique clone known as
Sauvignon Musque, which is the key to producing the soft
Chardonnay-like characteristics of the wine.
Melon, yellow apple on the palate are followed by delicate hints of fig
and vanilla.
With its lingering finish offering just the right hint of bright citric
acidity, this wine makes a perfect partner to a wide variety of seafood
dishes, especially mussels, clams and oysters.
Since 1977, when Flora and Jerry Komes bought an old stone winery built
in the 1880's, most of their extended family have been producing wines
of exceptional quality, including Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir,
Merlot & Cabernet.
Cakebread
Chardonnay
Carneros Reserve 2002 $49
Short-term cellering will benefit this exceedingly well structured
Chardonnay with rich, ripe flavors of pear, apple and just a hint of
butterscotch.
Its quite wonderful with grilled asparagus tossed in parmesan, drizzled
with white truffle-oil, and seasoned with black pepper. Since founding
the winery in 1973, the Cakebreads have consistantly been recognized as
one of the most creative wineries in Napa Valley.
Verite
La Muse 2000
Sonoma County $80
Featuring carefully selected Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from
a handful of outstanding mountain sites, or micro-crus, in Sonoma
County, La Muse offers a Pomerol-style blend with an opulent velvety
texture and truly impeccable balance.
The wine spent 12-14 months in new French Oak, with the wood employed
only as a softening element. Rich plum, licorice, and tobacco flavors
appear, followed by a hint of espresso at the finish. Quite
drinkable now, this wine should remain vibrant for decades.
Inspired by the ideal of marrying the classic approach of the French
vigneron with the exquisite potential of Sonoma County fruit, winemaker
Pierre Seillan brings over 35 years of experience to his art.
1997Jepson
Viognier $16
The Mendocino climate is classic for growing Viognier grapes. Here
peachy fragrance precedes luscious pear, fig, and sweet currant notes
with nice hints of pineapple in the finish. A luxurious and aromatic
wine. The perfect partner to a plump roasted fowl.
In 1985 Bob and Alice Jepson purchased 1,240 Acres bordering the
Russian River in Mendocino County. Nearly twenty years later Jepson has
become extremely well-respected for its estate-grown Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Champagne, and Brandy .
Committed to sustainable agriculture they consistently produce
high-quality, hand- crafted wines.
