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CALIFORNIA
Central
Coast
Cycles
Gladiator
2005
Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon; $10
13/20
— Aromas of raspberry, mint and mocha. Flavors
of dark fruits layered on more dark fruits wrapped in a
cloak of dusty tannins, with a lush and mouthfilling character.
Cycles
Gladiator
2005
Central Coast Chardonnay; $10
13/20
— Aromatics of peach and pineapple, and subtle
spice from oak. The tongue is wrapped in a fresh compote
of white stone and tropical fruit flavors, with bright acidity.
Cycles
Gladiator
2005
Central Coast Merlot; $10
13.5/20
— Aromatics of Emperor Cherry, blackberry and
cedar in the nose, while lush red fruits fill the mouth
in increasing intensity finishing with plums.
Cycles
Gladiator
2005
Central Coast Pinot Noir; $14
13.5/20
— Ripe black cola and a hint of spiciness on the
nose. Core flavors of cherry and plum along with silky notes
of wild berries and vanilla that fill the mouth.
Cycles
Gladiator
2005
Central Coast Syrah; $10
13/20
— Raspberry and plum aromas framed by fresh cracked
pepper and pretty oak notes. The mouth is rich and spicy
with big red fruit flavors layered over spice, tobacco and
blueberry.
Monterey
Lockwood
Vineyard
2005
Chardonnay Estate Grown; $10
12.5/20
— On the palate, the wine shows a creaminess and
toastiness with attractive fruit that shows a mineral character.
It pairs well with Italian dishes like roasted garlic scampi.
Napa
Valley
Grgich
Hills
2003 Cabernet
Sauvignon Estate Grown; $58
14.5/20
— Dark, muscular wine with aromas of licorice,
cedar and blackberries with a hint of earthy truffles. The
firm tannin structure promises that it will benefit from
further aging.
Grgich
Hills
2003 Merlot
Estate Grown; $38
14/20
— The wine's mix of ripe fruit and French oak
creates a bouquet of cherry and blackberry with hints of
cedar and spice. Generous, soft and smooth texture in the
mouth.
Spelletich
Cellars
2002
Bodog Red; $35
14.5/20
— Opens to plump blackberry on the layered palate,
added complexity is provided by licorice, clove, anise,
pepper, cinnamon and cocoa with earthy nuances on the long
finish.
Spelletich
Cellars
2001
Cabernet Sauvignon; $48
15/20
— This Cab has balanced layers of ripe fruit;
bright and lively black cherry, deep plum, licorice, blackberry
with mocha and chocolate-covered currants.
Spelletich
Cellars
2003
Ghisletta Chardonnay; $32
14/20
— Powerful aromas of orange blossom, with expressive
pears, apples, pineapple, kiwi, banana, spices and complex
minerality that charge onto the palate.
Spelletich
Cellars
2002
Zinfandel Alviso Vineyard; $29
14/20
— Blackberry, cocoa, sassafras, brambleberry,
black cherry cola, anise, a dollop of vanilla creme and
spicy French plum with fleshy tannins that provide a lingering,
smooth finish.
Rutherford
Sanctuary
2003 Usibelli
Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon; $32
15/20
— It’s quite dark and has good body with
dark summer fruit flavors. It has a near interminable finish
and nuances of cigar box, vanilla and clove among a few
others.
Shenandoah
Valley
Spelletich
Cellars
2002
Tim & Edie's Zinfandel; $25
15/20
— Flavors of intense blackberry, raspberry, brambleberry,
black cherry, anise, vanilla and spicy beach plum with fleshy
tannins that provide a long, smooth, lingering finish.
Sonoma
Coast
Sonoma-Cutrer
2005
Chardonnay; $25
14/20
— Aromas of ginger and lemon zest are joined by
toasty coconut, melon and caramel alongside a mineral, flinty
cedar chest oakiness overlaid by notes of honeysuckle.
Sonoma
County
Moon
Mountain Vineyards
2004
Cabernet Sauvignon; $16
12.5/20
— Has a touch of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit
Verdot. It offers rich flavors of cassis and mocha, enhanced
by smoky notes and a long, elegant finish.
Moon
Mountain Vineyards
2005
Sauvignon Blanc; $12
13/20
— Crisp acidity in the forefront, followed by
refreshing flavors of citrus, gooseberry and a hint of kiwi.
It is made to be consumed upon release, and pairs well with
spiced chicken.
Champagne
Besserat
de Bellefon
Cuvée
des Moines Brut; $40
13.5/20
— With a floral nose of apples, pears and candied fruit, this bubbly yields silky hazelnut flavors and pairs well with lobster and sushi.
Durbanville
Durbanville
Hills
2005 Pinotage; $13
13/20
— Ripe berry aromas with dark chocolate and slightly
jammy.
La
Mancha
Finca
Antigua
2003 Crianza; $12
13.5/20
— A raspberry and black currant-flavored wine
good to go with lamb.
Rioja
Conde
de Valdemar
1998 Gran
Reserva; $30
13/20
— Tempranillo wine with a dash of Mazuelo grapes
aged in American and French oak barrels.
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