Wines from the United States

Ironstone Vineyards Obsession '09
Made from 100% Symphony grape, which is a cross between Muscat of Alexandria and Grenache Gris created over 60 years ago and planted in the Lodi and Sierra Foothills AVA's of California. Fruity on the tongue, but with a nice acidity on the finish, the Obsession goes with all kinds of spicy foods, but especially Thai dishes. Give this one a try, we think it's going to be a crowd pleaser! (You may even become obsessed with it!)

Il Cuore '07 Rosso
This vintage is Il Cuore's ninth release of Rosso Classico, a unique blend of Syrah, Zinfandel, Carignane, and Sangiovese varieties. The Rosso Classico is a medium bodied yet expressive wine, produced with modest oak cooperage to emphasize supple tannins and rich fruit flavors on the palate. Rosso Classico creates a rich and exuberant expression of berries, plums and ripe cherries. Syrah is the principle grape variety for this vintage, and contributes effusive ripe cherry flavors and good acidity to cut through spicy cuisine. Zinfandel offers bold fruit flavor and black pepper with dark color, while Carignane from this region provides jammy complexity and spicy character. Sangiovese from old plantings adds succulent plum nuances, pleasant spice and great color. Rosso Classico's fruity, spicy flavor will enhance a range of cuisine: classic Italian dishes, braised lamb, roasted salmon, grilled eggplant, herbed chicken... it pairs beautifully with dishes involving lots of garlic, but you might want to save those recipes till after Valentine's Day!

haymanhill Hayman & Hill Cabernet Sauvignon '08
Crafted to express the diversity of Napa's soils and microclimates, this blend (mainly Cabernet, with 12% Syrah and 2% Merlot) offers the distinctive varietal character for which the appellation has become famous. Big and rich, this is a truly expressive Napa Cabernet. Each sip reveals rich chocolate with blueberry and raspberry notes, subtle hints of tobacco and leather and the classic dust and berry that you find on the nose of most Napa Cabernets. The Hayman & Hill winemaking philosophy is simply to seek out the finest quality grapes where they grow best. A fantastic value for Napa Cabernet!

Cline '07 Cashmere Cline '08 Cashmere
Cashmere is one of the most precious gifts of nature. The name evokes a sense of quality, luxury, and something that is a labor of love to produce. The Cline Cashmere is perfectly named: a silky and wonderful blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Just as with the processing of cashmere, the production of these meticulously farmed grapes and the blending of the components that result in this wine is something achieved only with extraordinary time and skill. This vintage of Cashmere blend consists of 39% Grenache, 38% Syrah and 23% Mourvèdre. The lion's share of Grenache for this luscious blend is harvested from Massoni Vineyard in Oakley, California, where cluster-thinning and leaf-pulling is a common practice, resulting in increased fruit concentration. The ancient vines of the Oakley Big Break vineyard are planted in phylloxera-resistant sandy soil, contributing to the Grenache piece of the blend. This vineyard also produces the Mourvèdre. Syrah is sourced primarily from Paso Robles, where warm days and cool nights enhance the intensity of flavors. You won't want to miss this distinctive twist on a Rhone blend.

pro*mis*Q*ous California Red
"Sweetish, fresh and fruity wine seeking relationship with meaty dish." This food-friendly Santa Rosa wine is a "daring dalliance" (according to the makers) of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. But the blend's seduction takes a back seat to that implied by the name and label. The latter promotes a "wanton disregard for convention," and warns that drinking the wine "may result in an intense sensory experience." Despite the overly gimmicky label and shtick, this is a good, solid wine that is a bit lighter than the varietals would suggest.

Our Daily Red
Our Daily Red is Sulfite Free and fully Organic. As they say, practice makes perfect, and after ten years in production, Our Daily Red definitely approaches perfection! In order to put "Sulfite Free" and "Organic" on a wine label, the BATF must approve both the art and wording, and requires confirmation from a certified laboratory that Sulfites are "none detectable" at the parts per million level. The wine is an extremely hot seller, so much so that the winemakers must keep increasing production each year to meet the skyrocketing demand! Ongoing vintages have added a healthy percentage (30%) of Mendocino grapes, which bring the leaner mouth feel and more focused flavors of the region to the mix. A blend of Fresno Syrah and Carignan and Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine should age well for a few years... if it lasts that long.

Tamás Double Decker Red
This Central Coast California Red blend is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Barbera. To retain aromatics and fruit flavors, the grapes were fermented in upright, stainless steel tanks at a cold temperature. Each component of this blend was aged separately in a combination of neutral oak and stainless steel tank. "At Tamás Estates we've made it our passion to fashion California wines in a style honoring their varietal heritage. With Double Decker Red we've taken it a step further by crafting an exciting blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Barbera to create an adventurously robust yet smooth red wine with mouth-filling flavors of blackberry, black cherry and plum, and a smooth, spicy finish. Hop on the Double Decker Red bus for a multinational wine tour experience and stamp your passport for world taste." -Tamás Estates

Pacific Rim Gewürztraminer
The Pacific Rim Gewürztraminer is crafted from Washington and Oregon grapes. The fruit from these two regions possesses different yet complimentary characteristics, producing a balanced, more expressive and complex wine. The winemakers often put the juice and the grape skins in contact to extract and unleash the exquisite Gewürztraminer aromas locked in the skin. The juice is then cold temperature fermented over 20 days. Wine Enthusiast raves: "A burst of lychee and pear, aromatic, perfumed with rose petals, lush and forward. The alcohol is 12%, the residual sugar is 1.7%; with plenty of acid under it. The mix of flower and fruit is perfect, substantial, and beautifully balanced." 91 Points

Four Vines '09 Naked Chardonnay
The Four Vines Naked Chardonnay is fermented in 100% stainless steel. The fruit is harvested from three south facing hilltop vineyards in the Cat Canyon in Northern Santa Barbara: Los Alamos, Loma Verde and El Camino. The nose is bright with crisp apple and pear laced with clove, mineral and a hint of anise. On the palate, the Chardonnay exhibits crisp apple, white peach and pear, finishing long with hints of citrus and mineral.

Snoqualmie Naked Chardonnay
This Chardonnay offers fresh pure aromas of Chardonnay fruit characters with nuances of citrus and pear followed by natural juicy fruit flavors on the palate and a balanced clean finish."This Chardonnay offers fresh pure aromas of Chardonnay fruit characters with nuances of citrus and pear followed by natural juicy fruit flavors on the palate and a balanced clean finish." -Joy Andersen, Winemaker Wine Spectator -Light and bright, with grapefruit, pear and spice flavors that echo nicely on the lively finish. Drink now. Score: 87. -Harvey Steiman, March 31, 2009. As part of the Snoqualmie's commitment to maintaining and advancing the natural quality of the Northwest, winemaker Joy Andersen and her team take an active interest in the local community and environment, and are continually improving Snoqualmie's sustainable and organic practices to ensure the quality of this special land for future generations.

Kitchen Sink Blends Red Blend
Like a great chef who is able to create a culinary tour de force from whatever mix of flavors and spices the cupboard provides, the winemakers at Kitchen Sink embrace the same "kitchen sink" approach to crafting deeply flavored and harmonious artisan blends from their cellar's diverse selection of vineyard and varietal lots. The wine is a combo of small lots of Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah to create a wine with complex structure, ripe tannins, and rich red berry flavors and a hit of cassis. Good with steak and pasta dishes.

Bell Merlot '05
Bell's Merlot grapes are grown primarily in the Yountville appellation. Yountville enjoys the early morning fog and cool growing conditions of the maritime influenced southern Napa Valley - resulting in luscious fruit flavors and great natural acidity. Cabernet sauvignon from Rutherford is blended to add structure to the wine. Syrah from the Canterbury Vineyard heightens fruit perception on the palate and adds depth and length to the finish. Definitely a Cabernet drinkers' Merlot!

Bell Syrah '06
Canterbury Vineyard is situated at the 2,000-foot elevation in Calaveras County in the Sierra Foothills. Uniquely situated on a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the large New Mellones Dam, this 4-acre vineyard enjoys a microclimate with warm sunny days, no fog, and moderated by cool afternoon breezes off the dam. Well-drained soils with a shallow layer of schist restrict root growth, resulting in vines yielding intensely flavored fruit. This 100% Syrah is aged in barrel for eighteen months, and given an additional 3 - 6 months bottle age before release.

Shannon Ridge Zinfandel '07
The grapes used to produce the 2007 Lake County Zinfandel were harvested from the Shannon family's vineyards in the High Valley appellation in Lake County, California. They were not crushed, only de-stemmed; the wine's deep color and flavors were achieved through a soft punch down extraction during the 6-day cool fermentation and 100% malolactic fermentation.

Shannon Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon '07
This wine meets the eye with deep purple and garnet tones, while the nose is filled with scents of Bing cherry, blackberry and rich vanilla oak. The texture is supple, full, rich and well balanced, and fills the mouth with berry and cherry flavors, along with creamy vanilla oak. The grapes for the 2007 vintage were picked at the peak of ripeness at 26 Brix, then put through an early press with a slow extraction of color and tannins from the skins, and 100% malolactic fermentation in French oak.

Bell Sauvignon Blanc '08
Bell's Sauvignon blanc is grown in Lake County, located to the north of Napa Valley and away from the fog and moisture that characterize the coastal counties. The moderate elevations found in the area contribute to the favorable growing conditions. The unique variety of soils make for a geologically rich region, heavy in volcanic and mineral content, and ideal for growing grapes. The county experiences a 50-degree differential between its daytime and nighttime temperatures, producing very warm days and cool, clear nights. The area is known for producing world-class Sauvignon blanc - with lively crisp and bright fruit flavors, which are more melony than grassy and herbal. Their Sauvignon blanc is cold fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain beautiful, crisp fruit flavors.

Bell Chardonnay '06
Bell's Chardonnay grapes are grown on the winery's estate vineyard located within the Yountville appellation. Yountville enjoys the early morning fog and cool growing conditions of the maritime influenced southern Napa Valley. The early receding fog gives us slightly longer sunlight and warmer daytime temperatures than the Carneros region directly to our south resulting in richly flavored Chardonnay grapes. This 100% Chardonnay is partially barrel fermented, undergoes partial malo-lactic fermentation, is aged 'sur lies' without stirring for up to nine months, and given an additional 6 - 9 months bottle age before release.

Huntington '07 Petite Sirah
This Menotomy Beer & Wine favorite is also known as Mary's boyfriend; she sits on the couch with it, watches a show - truly enjoying spending time with Huntington! Well, our favorite wine has changed vintages, and unless you are drinking YellowTail, this most likely means that the flavor profile has changed. But we think it's just as good! The California grape variety known as Petite Sirah is the same French grape variety known as 'Durif,' a descendant of the true Syrah of the famed Rhône Valley. Its resulting deep- colored, robust and age-worthy wines draws plenty of fans. Additionally, Petite Sirah is prized for its intense tannins and flavor profiles that include blueberry, pepper, blackberry and black cherry. Dry conditions in Lodi were dominant during a late winter, which was followed by sufficient rain and an early spring. A combination of extreme cold and heat in the spring, followed by an early frost prior to harvest in October, resulted in a lower-than- average yield in Paso Robles. The exceptional grapes from these vineyards were enhanced by a short period of a cool climate. Central Coast fruit intensifies both tannins and aromas. It's easy to see why this one is a favorite among Petite Sirah fans; the Huntington 2007 vintage boasts classic characteristics and tantalizing scents. Cherry and plum are immediately identifiable and lead straight to a decadent fullness in the mouth. This full-bodied wine has excellent aging power, and in addition to rich, dense fruit, its flavors include zinging notes of orange peel, cinnamon and blackberry. Together, they provide pure luxury from sip to sip. Pick up a bottle tonight and spend some quality time!

Lost Angel Mischief Blend '06
In honor of All Saints/All Souls day, we present the story of the Lost Angel (sort of goes with the theme, no?). "Legend has it, an angel came down from the sky to explore the garden of earthly delights and lost her way home. Tired of searching - she created her own paradise in the region now known as Paso Robles." This blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Petite Sirah, and 18% Sangiovese is possessed by the aromatic characters of lilac preceded by the hearty characters of booberry (sorry, couldn't resist), cassis, raspberry and black cherry. Floral properties embrace the brighter fruit of raspberry and cherry, while the dark fruit of blackberry and boysenberry linger into the finish. The finish lingers with the distinctive Paso Robles dry, dusty earth and spices of cedar, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Bogle Phantom
Bogle \bō'gəl\ n. [Scots, perhaps from Welsh] A goblin; a specter; a phantom; a bogy, boggart or bugbear.

Catch the Phantom when you can - he usually appears around September, and then disappears quickly!!

Three distinctive varietals convene and merge, forming one incandescent apparition: a rich, ruby-red concoction of lush berry and fierce spice, ignited by succulent blackberry flavors. Wisps of black pepper enfold aromas of anise and sweet fig; subtle notes of cloves and vanilla emerge from the darkest depths to complement the concentrated fruit characters. Captured in one- two- and three-year- old American oak barrels, this unearthly amalgam showcases the best of each varietal. It is a remarkably good wine now, and aging in the bottle will only integrate the varietals further. Welcome the winery ghost into your home again with this latest vintage, a frighteningly good blend of Petite Sirah: 49%; Zinfandel: 49% and Mourvèdre, 2%. Be sure to enjoy with full-flavored and hearty meals before it vanishes... again.

Merriam Vineyards Merlot '04
Windacre Vineyard is a single vineyard on the east edge of the Russian River Valley that experiences cool morning fog giving way to hot days and dropping temperatures in the evening. Windacre is a great Merlot grape growing vineyard, very similar in temperature and soil types to the Pomerol region of France where the most famous Merlots are made. Windacre merlot vines have been reduced by 1¾ acres. This part of the vineyard has been replanted with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This leaves 9 ½ acres remaining of these 24-year-old vines.
"Crop thinning continues to occur to ensure the best possible fruit at harvest. 1¾ - 2 tons per acre were produced from Windacre Vineyard.This wine has a deep, dark ruby color, bouquet of dark ripe berries, raspberry, reduced cherry tones, with a touch of mint. Cola, cassis, and cherry drop tone give way to long earthtone finish with medium tannin." - 2004 Windacre Merlot 93 points, Wine News 09

Sass Pinot Blanc '07
Sass Winery is tucked into the folds of Oregon's fertile Willamette Valley, where small vineyards flourish on land once thought unsuitable for anything but grasses or Christmas trees. Each year, the struggling vines produce tight clusters of grapes that gradually ripen during the long, dry summer. The hazy, warm days and cool nights of autumn help the fruit develop intense, complex layers of flavor and aroma that produce wonderfully rich, elegant and forward wines. The 2007 Pinot Blanc offers vibrant, rich aromas and flavors of melon, stone fruit and pears, with a tropical fruit burst on the front and midpalate. A racy acidity makes it linger in the mouth and stand up to rich food. Only 173 cases of the Pinot Blanc were made from Brigadoon Vineyard and Yamhill Valley Vineyard.

Hendry Barrel Fermented '05 Chardonnay
My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit George Hendry at his stunning Vineyard this past October. Meeting George and seeing the passion he has for growing grapes and making wines was the highlight of my year. George is extremely engaging as he both educates and enthralls you with his winemaking knowledge and abilities. The Hendry Vineyard is located on bench lands west of the town of Napa. The vines grow on thin, stony Boomer series soils, between 200 and 300 feet above sea level. Morning fog and afternoon breezes from the San Pablo Bay moderate the climate. This wine is a blend from the winery's Block 9, Block 19, Block 20, and Block 21. The Blocks have real meaning, some indicating growth at a higher elevation (and therefore less moisture), and others, growth lower in the valley. In 2005, median budbreak in the chardonnay blocks was March 10th, median bloom May 18th, and a harvest between August 31st and September 4th. It was whole-cluster crushed, barrel fermented sur lie and aged in 50% new French oak barrels for approximately 11 months. It was not allowed to go through malolactic fermentation, which some think is very important for retaining its food-friendly malic acidity. Complex aromas of stone and tropical fruits, oak and spice complement the mouthfeel, which is full despite the lack of malolactic. The palate is multidimensional, creamy, nutty, with mango and custard, biscuit and mineral. The finish is long with a cleansing acidity. While this wine might be at its best when enjoyed with George, sitting at a long, heavy oak table and looking over the vineyard, it is fantastic any time.

Turnbull '06 Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2006 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted to highlight the best qualities of Turnbull's five Estate Vineyards. Dark, rich, and extracted, this wine has aromas of cassis, black cherry and currants. Balanced oak nuances add both a sweetness and roundness to this aromatic and powerful wine. The soil type in each of the vineyards contributes its individual character to the final estate blend. Each soil type and microclimate demands unique farming techniques to obtain the most character from each site, and different levels of crop thinning, leaf removal, irrigation, and trellis system are applied depending on the conditions. Individual lots from each vineyard are fermented separately in stainless steel tanks before being pressed to French oak. The result is a dark wine with a full body and rich texture.

Burgess Syrah '05
We had the honor of meeting Steve Burgess of Burgess Cellars this past week. Steve came in to sample us on the family's three wines. (That's right, three: Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah. They also have a winery- exclusive Petit Sirah.) We already knew (and loved) the Cabernet Sauvignon - a VALUE at $35 from Napa- so, when he poured the Syrah, we had high hopes. And we were not disappointed! From the winemaker: "The ripeness of the grapes is wonderfully demonstrated in the richness of the fruit. The aromas of spice and varietal character are quite pronounced and complemented by oak tones. This style of wine is a great accompaniment to most foods as it exhibits the flavors of a Mediterranean-style wine, which over the years has been developed to go with modern cuisine." We couldn't agree more!

Ménage à Trois White, $11.99
The 2008 Ménage à Trois white marries Chardonnay with Muscat in menage whitesmall stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and character and retain juicy fruit aromas. The Chardonnay is rich and firm; the Muscat is wild and exotic; the Chenin is soft and supportive. Together they make the perfect threesome. It's a trip to the islands without the worry of sunburn or bugs. Undeniably fruity and unabashedly easy, it's meant to be quaffed, not analyzed. The White blend brings together citrus and tropical fruit flavors with crisp acidity. Dare we say that it's refreshing? With food or without, alone or with two companions, this wine is one exhilarating experience!

Sin Zin
Varietally distinct, this Zinfandel captures the true essence of Alexander Valley, its fruit sourced from a number of vineyards with differing microclimates. These provide winemaker Kevin Hall with an array of unique parcels of fruit. Once they are vinified, these parcels are blended together and then allowed to mature in French and American oak for 10 months. The deep ruby color is reflected in bouquet, which is dominated by bing cherry, followed by aromas of crushed black pepper, boysenberry and wild strawberry. Eucalyptus, cedar and cola fill the palate, and the finish has subtle oak nuances and an integrated acid balance. This is a medium bodied wine with a cellar life of 5-8 years.

Enotria Dolcetto '06,
Dolcetto (meaning "little sweet one") is a grape native to northwestern Italy and grows primariy in the hills of the Piemonte region. In Mendocino County, California, where the Graziano Family of Wines are produced, these wines are jam-packed with the essence of fresh fruit. This wine is medium dark purple with inviting fruit flavors and aromas of blackberries, raspberries and dried cherries that mingles with undertones of sweet vanilla oak and earth. The finish is complex and long lasting. It is a wine that can be enjoyed young but has the depth to age for several years. It is excellent when paired with roasted meats and wild mushrooms.

Trentadue Chocolate Amoré Port
Another Menotomy favorite - and a fantastic finish to any holiday meal. The first whiff of this port-style Merlot reminds one of a Hersey kiss. No fooling (it was very hard waiting until the end of the e-mail to put in the April Fool's reference). This delicious dessert beverage moved so fast over Thanksgiving that people were fighting over the last bottles of it. That's not a joke either! We're thrilled that we have it back in time for another set of holidays, but really, it can be enjoyed at any time of the year. From the Trentadue Winery: "Borrowing from the traditions of port making, we add neutral grape spirits to stop fermentation trapping a percentage of sugar in the wine. Once Chocolate Amore is finished aging and is ready for bottling, we infuse a tiny amount of natural chocolate extract to the final blend, creating the perfect marriage of food and wine. This Merlot-based, port-styled chocolate flavored dessert wine is great over vanilla ice cream or as a stand-alone dessert."

Calistoga Cellars Zinfandel '06
Calistoga Cellars was founded in 1996 as a partnership of friends from around the U.S. who act as ambassadors for the winery in their respective communities. Our wines are made by Barry Gnekow, an award- winning winemaker with 30+ years experience making wine. Barry's Zinfandel has a very elegant mouth-feel that some tasters call Claret-style. The addition of Cabernet Sauvignon to the blend adds complexity to the exuberantZinfandel fruit and adds structure to the palate. Deep ruby-black color, bold pepper, plum and raspberry nose. It finishes with creamy vanilla, and isready for enjoyment now. This is perfect with grilled meats.

Siduri Sapphire Hill Pinot Noir '04
Winemakers Adam and Dianna Lee started Siduri Wines in 1994 after moving from their native Texas to California's Napa Valley. Since then, they've gotten married, had three kids, and become the darlings of the Pinot Noir world. A long-time favorite of the Wine Advocate's Robert Parker-he tried their first Pinot offering when they left a bottle of it for him with the concierge at the hotel he was staying at in Napa. They knew he liked it when they began getting phone orders for a wine they hadn't officially bottled yet! We had the honor and privilege of meeting Dianna three weeks ago when she came into the store to taste her range of wines. She's a lovely woman, and a fantastic winemaker. The 2004 Sapphire Hill (Russian River Valley) Pinot is a steal at this price, and highly acclaimed from a range of sources. The Pinot Report: 93 Points - "Medium-deep ruby color; ripe, red cherry and spicy aromas; rich and lush with bright red cherry flavors, spicy notes and sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy style of Pinot with some nice spice notes and silky texture."

B.R. Cohn Cabernet Sauvignon '07
The 2007 Silver Label Cabernet Sauvignon reflects a blending of grapes grown from the B.R. Cohn Olive Hill Estate Vineyard and select North Coast vineyards. This combination offers full, rich flavors of berry, cassis and black cherry with hints of vanilla in the background. Aging with French oak adds complexity and depth, resulting in a high quality Cabernet Sauvignon with great value. In fact, it was ranked the #2 Top Value Cabernet by Wine Spectator : 88 Points - "Trim and focused, with spice, dill, cedar, black cherry and plum flavors. Full-bodied and elegant in weight, ending with delicate fruit and cedar notes. Drink now through 2016."

Annie Amie Pinot Gris
With just a hint of bright copper color, the 2008 Pinot Gris shows its provenance, as these Pinot Gris grapes were harvested with skins almost as purple as Pinot Noir. Brilliantly zesty and lively on the nose and palate, this Pinot Gris is laced with the flavors and aromas of fresh pears and fragrant mandarin oranges. Fruity and refreshing!

Schug Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir '07
The cool growing season of the Sonoma Coast, which includes the western portion of Carneros, allows Pinot Noir to mature slowly while retaining its natural acidity, yielding a wine with ripe flavors and silky texture. By aging it primarily in large oak casks and "neutral" older barrels, the Schug winery emphasizes the varietal character of the fruit while minimizing the extraction of new oak flavors or tannins. It has flavors reminiscent of cherries, strawberries and spice, with a lively finish that is an ideal accompaniment to grilled fish and fowl or barbecued meats.

Shannon Ridge Chardonnay
In 1861 Lake County was created from parts of Napa and Mendocino countiesshannonchardand has since been well known as a farming community. In the 1870s vineyards were planted and by the early 1900s the area was already earning its reputation for producing the "World's greatest wines". Prohibition forced an end to the Lake County wine production in 1920; some of the vineyards were removed and replaced with walnut and pear orchards. The comeback of the wine industry began in the 1960s when a few growers rediscovered the area's grape growing potential and once again began planting vineyards. Lake County now has close to 10,000 acres of planted vineyards, and is among the fastest growing regions in California. This area has also seen the recent establishment of several American Viticultural areas such as High Valley and Red Hills-Lake County. Lake County contains many vineyards that support the California Wine Institute's Code of Sustainable farming practices. The grapes used to produce the Shannon Ridge Lake County Chardonnay were picked from several different blocks to help create an elegant multi-layered wine with great complexity. The wine was barrel fermented in American oak and a portion was put through Malo-lactic fermentation to help create a creamy, buttery richness and soft vanilla flavors.

Westport Rivers Rkatsiteli (raht-sih-telli) '08
Westport Rivers' popular Georgian (formerly of the Soviet Republic) varietal bursts with aromas of lemon, lime and ripe kiwi; this medium-bodied wine is bone dry. Ripe fruity mouth feel finishes with a citrusy zing. Very fun summer sipper! Rkatsiteli was popular in the Soviet Union prior to its fall and at one point was responsible for more the 18% of all Soviet wine production. There it was used to make everything from table wine to liqueurs to Sherry-like fortified wine. Up until the early 1980's, it was possibly the world's most widely planted white wine grape.

Schug Sauvignon Blanc '08
Founded in 1980, Schug Carneros Estate Winery is the showcase and life-long dream of one of California's most celebrated winemakers. Walter Schug's reputation blossomed during his tenure as Founding Winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the 1970s, where he made California's first proprietary Bordeaux-Style blend (Insignia) and legendary vineyard designated Cabernets (Backus and Eisele Vineyards). This well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of vineyards from very different micro-climates in Sonoma County. Grapes grown in the cooler Carneros district contribute spice and acidity for excellent food compatibility, while the warmer-grown Bennett Valley component contributes lush fruit flavors reminiscent of melon, honeysuckle and grapefruit. These flavors are enhanced by the creamy richness of fermentation and aging on the yeast ("sur lie"). This wine finishes with a clean, crisp acidity that makes it an ideal accompaniment to a wide range of soups, salads and shellfish dishes.

Stephen Vincent Crimson
As its name implies, SV Crimson has a deep, dark red color. Crimson is produced from a blend of 75% Syrah and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Central Coast growing regions of California. This very rich wine has beautiful ripe plum and blackberry flavor, accented with hints of cassis and toasty French and American oak. Deep dark crimson color, with lots of black fruit in the nose. Soft tannins round out rich flavors of licorice, blackberries and cinnamon.

Red Newt Cellars Riesling
Scents reminiscent of sweet pineapple, pear, honey, orange peel and dried fruit mingle on a fruit salad of a nose. Definitely in a sweeter style (3.2% RS) the broad, mouth-filling palate shows good balance because of zesty acidity. The flavors range from pineapple to pear to honey to peach -- with just a bit of candied citrus peel. The finish isn't long, but ends cleanly given the RS. "It is our vision to create broad recognition of the Finger Lakes as a world class wine and culinary region and establish Red Newt as the leader of the region by creating a synergy of food and wine. It is our mission to develop an unquestionable reputation for our ability to deliver exceptional quality in everything we do and to consistently meet and exceed expectations, produce exceptional wine and innovative regional cuisine presented with exemplary service in an intimate atmosphere that makes every customer feel unique and that results in long lasting relationships, increase the awareness of who we are by educating every customer and neighbor about our commitment to promoting the Finger Lakes through our creation and presentation of exceptional regional wine and food, and to contribute to the betterment of our extended community through providing rewarding work opportunities to our family of employees and enriching our community through involvement in local arts, charities, and community activities." Red Newt Wine Cellar

Stephen Vincent Chardonnay '08
This California Chardonnay is a blend of 50% Monterey County Chardonnay and 50% Clarksburg Chardonnay. 20% barrel Fermented, 10% malolactic and 80% stainless steel fermented. The malolactic fermentation gives the wine a buttery flavor and stainless steel fermentation captures the essence of Chardonnay fruit. The wine is food friendly, with buttery overtones and melon fig and tropical flavors. Stylistically, it's a fruit driven Chardonnay that is rich and delicious to drink.

Shannon Ridge Zinfandel '08
Shannon Ridge Vineyards & Winery was named the "hot" California winery and brand of 2009. We are not usually about "hot" or "it" wine labels here at Menotomy. We typically choose wines based on tasting and value but this wine definitely fits that bill AND it just happens to be "HOT"! The grapes used to produce the 2008 Shannon Ridge Lake County Zinfandel were harvested from several different blocks from their family's vineyards in High Valley appellation in Lake County, California. Deep color and flavors were achieved through a soft punch down extraction during a cool fermentation. Aged in French and American oak to help create a balanced soft mouthfeel the resulting wine has aromas of Boysenberry, creamy vanilla and spice and flavors of raspberry, strawberry and white pepper. The result is a balanced wine with a lingering finish. Perfect for your 4th of July Barbecue!

Schug Sonoma Coast Chardonnay '08
Founded in 1980, Schug Carneros Estate Winery is the showcase and life-long dream of one of California's most celebrated winemakers. Walter Schug's reputation blossomed during his tenure as Founding Winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards in the 1970s, where he made California's first proprietary Bordeaux-Style blend (Insignia) and legendary vineyard designated Cabernets (Backus and Eisele Vineyards). This Chardonnay was produced in a lively, crisp style that emphasizes varietal fruit character. The winemakers achieve this by combining modern cold fermentation with traditional French Burgundian aging techniques. It draws its structure and spice from Chardonnay grown on Schug's own Estate vineyards in the Carneros region of the Sonoma Valley. The cool Carneros microclimate contributes a spicy bouquet, citrus and tropical fruit flavors and good acidity for depth and balance. The blend is rounded out by elegant, buttery textures and ripe flavors of pear and peach which comes from Chardonnay grown in the warmer reaches of Sonoma Valley. Try it as an elegant aperitif paired with hors d'oeuvres, or lighter dishes such as soups, salads, seafood and pasta.

Next: Riesling '08
An interesting name for an interesting wine; it's golden yellow in the glass with scents of spicy orange, quince and clove on the nose. The flavors are what I really found interesting. There's peach and apricot; but there's also ginger that almost makes the wine spicy. This is a great crisp, fresh clean summer sipper at 13% alcohol, making it a nice addition to your dry Riesling choices. "Racy, sharply focused citrus flavors possess good concentration and finish with refreshing bite and lift. I'd serve this bracing wine with something rich." -88 Points, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar.

The Other White '07
Estate grown grapes from the Peirano Family vineyards in the heart of Lodi, California go into The Other white blend. Once the fruit is received at the winery, the winemakers keep each varietal separate through the entire fermentation and aging process, so each grape can fully express its true character. They then make several blends and sample each one until they have found one that is greater than the sum of its parts. The 2007 blend consists of 65% Chardonnay, 25% Sauvignon Blanc, and 10% Viognier. One is immediately struck by the vibrant color of this wine. The aromas of apples, pears, tropical fruit, and a whiff of bubble gum are complemented by hints of coconut and vanilla. Lush flavors of fresh ripe pears, apples, tropical fruit and homemade lemon pie lead to a long, totally seductive, finish.

Montinore Borealis '09
The inspiration for this wine grew out of the Montinore Estates' winemakers enjoyment of aromatic wines like Albariño from Spain and Torrontes from Argentina; wines with great fruit flavor but a dry finish. Knowing that Oregon's cool-climate whites provided them with a broad range of flavors and aromas, they have been able to create a unique wine bursting with exotic aromatics and ripe fruit flavors that reflect the character of Montinore's corner of the Willamette Valley. The blend of 45% Müller-Thurgau, 24% Gewürztraminer, 18% Pinot Gris and 13% Riesling provides aromas of fresh ripe fruit including citrus, honeydew and casaba melon, hints of orange blossom, yellow apple, and strawberries. On the palate it opens up to ripe yellow apple, mandarin orange, and fresh melon with hints of lemon zest finishing crisp and dry with lingering sweet ripe fruit character and floral notes.

Wyatt Cabernet Sauvignon '09
90% Cabernet Sauvignon (80% California appellation, 20% Lake County); 10% Merlot (Lake County). The wine was fermented and aged in 90% stainless steel tank, the remaining 10% in oak barrels. The wine has a breadth and richness without overpowering at all; the finish is smooth and lingers with notes of juicy red and black fruits.

Claar Cellars Riesling '08
Floral and citrusy, the nose is echoed in the mouth by a fresh sensation of exotic fruits, honeysuckle and stone fruits. The crispiness is balanced by a mild sweetness that adds an extra dimension and enhances the fruitiness that lingers on honey flavors. This is a superb wine to match with Asian food or to gather with friends. Serve it chilled.

Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc '09
Neil is proud to say that HE brought this wine into Menotomy when we first opened. (And, that's waaaay back when he was just coming out of his "Bud Light" phase.) It's still in his Top Five. It has a wonderful grapefruit and figgy nose. The wine explodes with delicious flavors of fig, apple and grapefruit. It is as though one were biting into a big piece of yummy fruit. It also has a lovely textural mouth feel.

Grady Shenanigans Celtic Chardonnay '09
We're always, always, on the lookout for good inexpensive California Chardonnay. Something that suits all palates - with a bit of oak, but also with some fruit. We think we found it in this fun new bottle from Grady Family Vineyards - we hope you feel the same! Crisp, fresh and fruit forward with layers of green apple and pear and a hint of oak on the finish. It also has a fun, Irish-looking label, which always fits in here at Menotomy!

Lockwood Chardonnay '08
Lockwood Chardonnay is estate grown and bottled on a 1850 acre ranch in Southern Monterey County. The Chardonnay has aromas of citrus blossom. On the palate, the wine shows flavors of tropical fruit with a mineral background that is a terrior expression of our shaly loam soil type. The wine is elegant, fresh and radiant with a varietal character. This Chardonnay would complement a lightly grilled salmon or a roasted poultry dish.

90+ Cellars Lot 31 Carneros Pinot Noir '09

90+ has been fortunate to introduce three exceptional Pinot Noirs in a row at extreme values - and we've been lucky enough to carry all of them! The Lot 31 Pinot Noir comes from the cool and breezy hills of Carneros, a place where Pinot grapes develop to near perfection. This wine is sourced from a producer with three decades of Pinot Noir wine growing experience. On the nose this Pinot exhibits aromas of dried cherries, vanilla bean and strawberry with just a hint of cedar and dried tobacco. Rich flavors of wild berry, huckleberry and fresh earth unfold to leave a long, persistent finish. Serve it alongside a roast duck or quail.

90+ Cellars Lot 32 Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon '08

This is a perfect blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot - a true Bordeaux- style blend. Kevin Mehra and crew sourced this wine from a renowned vineyard located at an elevation of 2,000 feet on the Sonoma Valley side of Mount Veeder, California. The steep, southern-facing slopes consist of soils called the Sonoma Volcanics. These soils result in small, concentrated grapes with pure flavors and a pronounced sense of place. In the 90+ tradition, this is a special occasion, weekend wine that you can now enjoy any day! Rich flavors of cassis feature throughout, along with a mocha flavor enhanced by smoky notes. The velvety mouthfeel and long, elegant finish add style to this classic Cabernet Sauvignon. Ideal for pairing with herb-crusted roasted rack of lamb, grilled rib eye steak and hearty cheeses.

Glass Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ’09

It has been more than a hundred years since California wine pioneer Jean Laurent quarried stone from the base of Glass Mountain in Napa Valley to build his wine cellar. That cellar stands today and serves as both a literal and figurative link to the past and Laurent‘s guiding principles of quality and values. The concept is driven by a simple philosophy: “ Place Quality First.” The Cabernet is a gem of a wine that spells value and quality. Each barrel is hand-crafted by a dedicated family of employees to create a wine of depth with generous Cabernet flavors accented by the spice and flesh of Syrah. Glass Mountain vintners taste for ripe flavors in the vineyards to bring this fruit driven wine home to you. Enjoyment will be easy to find with anything from the grill, or a hearty bowl of chili.