Wines and Beyond

Red Wine by Sequel from Columbia Valley, Washington. John Duval is the winemaker who for fifteen years presented Australia with its most celebrated wine, Penfold's Grange. This is a deep, dark Syrah loaded with aromatic dark chocolate and black cherries. Lush and concentrated with a perfect balance of richness and acidity that brings the wine to life. Taking advantage of the Columbia Valley's diverse growing region, John worked with a variety of top Washington State Syrah vineyards to build a layered, complex wine. The Horse Heaven Hills' Alder Ridge and Wallula Vineyards (40%) and Red Mountain and the surrounding area vineyards (24%) give the wine concentration, richness, dark fruit colors and flavors. Yakima Valley vineyards (15%), including grapes from the well-known Boushey Vineyard, bring balance to the wine and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon from Sagemoor's Dionysus Vineyard in Pasco enhances the wine's structure and adds dimension.

Red Wine by La Brancaia from Tuscany, Italy. The top product of the Brancaia brand is the Brancaia IL BLU, IGT (Supertuscan), highly acclaimed by the international wine press. Since the vintage 1997, this wine has been rewarded with the TRE BICCHIERI by the Gambero Rosso / Slow Food. The Brancaia IL BLU 2001 (93 points) was quoted by Wine Spectator as a real beauty and Wine Spectator rated the vintage 98 with the high score of 94 points and concluded comments with: Brancaia is a new star. For many wine lovers all over the world, this is already a classic. 50% Sangiovese 45% Merlot 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Red Wine by Falesco from Southern Italy, Italy. Made from 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Cabernet Franc grown in estate vineyards in Umbria. Marciliano has a profound dark purple color and exhibits complex aromas of tobacco and slate. This wine is a great representation of Cabernet when all of nature's forces are working together. Layers of fruit are evident on the nose and on the palate, while the tannins are expressive without being too aggressive. Here is a knockout wine from one of Italy's most talented enologists, Riccardo Cotarella, that delivers classic Cabernet green notes followed by bursting tones of blackberry, tobacco, toasted coconut flakes, apple pie crust and ... distant hints of black licorice. The aromatic complexity is stellar and so is the velvety mouthfeel; a genuine crowd pleaser. -Wine Enthusiast

Red Wine by Pedestal from Columbia Valley, Washington. Michel Rolland, Pomerol vintner and consultant to many of the world's most famous wineries, partners with Washington State wine pioneer Allen Shoup to produce the third vintage of this limited release wine. Dark cherry and blackberry aromas complement an appealing hint of toasty oak in this dense, deeply concentrated Merlot. Rich at entry, with added intensity on the mid-palate, the finish provides a lingering impression of layered black fruit.

Red Wine by Abadia Retuerta from Ribera del Duero, Spain. Deep crimson in color with ruby highlights, Cuvee Palomar shows intense aromas of fresh ripe red berry and preserved plum with notes of violets, orange peel, mint and hints of caramel from the barrel toast. These impressions carry onto a full, voluptuous palate with further floral notes and nuances of torrefaction set in a silky tannic structure of elegant balance. The finish is long and powerful, an expression of one of the great microclimates of the Duero Valley.

Red Wine by Cune from Rioja, Spain. Bright ruby, cherry red with good colour structure. Extremely elegant on the nose, balancing mature, fine fruit with the toasty, spicy notes from the wood. On the palate it is rich, structured and complex. Blend: 95 % Tempranillo, 5% Graciano

Red Wine by Newton from Napa Valley, California. Aromas of dried flowers contrasted with black berry jam, roasted hazelnuts and a hint of discreet oak reveal that this is a Merlot to capture the imagination. On the palate, bright cherry, sweet current and strawberry fruit are carried by a powerful structure and well-balanced acidity. Newton Vineyard Unfiltered wines, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot are the wines most closely identified with the heritage and history of the estate. The winery is recognized as an American pioneer of unfiltered wines, a philosophy that adds complexity to the winemaking process and demands meticulousness and attention to detail, but maximizes all the subtle characters of the fruit.

Red Wine by Ch. Phelan Segur from St. Estephe, France - Bordeaux. Subtle yet rich aromas of currant, spice and smoke follow through to a full-bodied palate, with chewy tannins and a long, flavorful aftertaste. Very thick, almost syrupy. Impressive. Best after 2010. -Wine Spectator The excellent 2003 has a deep ruby/plum color and asweet nose of creme de cassis, licorice, dried herbs, and earth. It is fresh, rich, savory, with velvety-textured tannins and a supple mouthfeel. It should drink well for up to a decade. This is a sleeper of the vintage. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Groth from Napa Valley, California. The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is big and lush with huge gobs of fruit in the aroma and flavor. The texture of the wine is soft and supple, typical of Cabernet Sauvignons grown in our area of the Oakville AVA. Patience during bottle aging will reward the steward with an outstanding bottle over the next 10 to 15 years. The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit is grown on our Estate controlled vineyards, in the Oakville AVA, in the heart of the Napa Valley. The Oakville District is renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and produces wines that are full, lush and very elegant. Menu suggestion: A slab and a Cab, Dennis Groth recommends you drink his Cabernet Sauvignon with steak.

Red Wine by Col d'Orcia from Tuscany, Italy. Color: Deep ruby red Bouquet: Complex and fresh, with inviting fruit aromas balanced by oak-imparted spices. Taste: Well-structured and full-bodied, with fine tannins that promise great aging capacity. The finish is long and impressive. Serving Suggestions: An ideal companion to red meat entrees, hearty stews and assorted cheeses.

Red Wine by Tenuta San Guido from Tuscany, Italy. By the same producers of the famed Sassicaia, the grapes are grown in a vineyard on lands adjacent to the Sassicaia vineyard. The grape varieties are approximately 45% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvingnon and 10% Sangiovese. The grapes are vinified in a new cellar created especially by the Tenuta San Guido in the locality known as 'Vecchio Frantoio (Old Olive Press) not far from the town of Bolgheri. The 2005 vintage was fermented in steel vats at controlled temperatures with a maceration period of 15 days for the the Merlot and the Cabernet Sauvignon and 12 days for the Sangiovese. The wine was then aged in French and American oak barriques for 14 months, one-third of the barriques being new ones. Wonderful aromas of crushed blackberry and cherry follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Needs time to develop in the bottle, but hard not to drink now. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. Best after 2009. -Wine Spectator

Red Wine by Masi from Veneto, Italy. A deep ruby red colour with garnet reflections. On the nose the wine is clean and intense, with the typical cherries-in-alcohol and prunes aromas; then come berry fruit and animal notes. Very intense in the mouth for its alcohol and structure, aromas of cooked cherries, cinnamon and vanilla. A very long and pleasant finish.

Red Wine by Xisto from Portugal. Xisto, a singular, new, limited production, ultra-premium red wine from Portugal making its debut with the 2003 vintage, is the fruit of a long-standing friendship between the internationally renowned Bordelais wine producer, Jean-Michel Cazes, and Jorge Roquette, owner of the Quinto do Crasto estate in Portugal's Upper Douro Valley, which has been hailed as a leader in current revitalization of Portuguese wine industry. A blend of three classic grape varieties traditionally identified with Portugal's Upper Douro Valley: Touriga Nacional - 60%; Tinta Roriz - 25%; Touriga Franca - 15%

Red Wine by Chapoutier from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France - Rhone. Chateauneuf-du-Pape is known for its amazing soil of large rolled stones which laid on the bed of the Rhone river in ancient times. These stones hold the heat of the day's sun and warm the vines in the brisk evening air. La Bernardine is quite unique in that it is made up of only one to three grape varieties when 13 are allowed by AOC law. At such low yields, Michael Chapoutier produces a rich, flavorful wine with moderate tannins. Color: Rich red Aroma: Complex aromas of currant, plum, coffee, cinnamon, cherry and spice. Taste: Peppery flavors with nuances of sage, rosemary and red fruit.

Red Wine by Vall Llach from Priorat, Spain. Idus is the result of a close collaboration with local viticulturalists and owners of trossos, or small vineyard blocks, who cultivate old-vine Cari?enas and Garnachas. These old-vine vineyards, which are located in the Porrera and Torroja municipalities, are the key to the character of this wine. Deep cherry red in color, this wine has a provocative aroma that is slightly earthy and full of ripe berries, dried fruit, and forest herbs. On the palate it is perfectly balanced with undulating flavors of dark fruit and minerals, licorice and chocolate-covered cherries. Its great structure and long finish produce a truly extraordinary and modern wine. 45% Cari?ena, 20% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Garnacha, 10% Syrah The old vines that make up this wine are located in areas with highly enviable conditions due to their picturesque surroundings, hours of sunshine and height above sea level. Their slopes are impressive to the eye, preventing any kind of mechanical farming, which mandates an intimate and exclusive relationship with the wine grower. Selected from the choicest vineyard blocks each individual year, this wine is guaranteed to possess some of the best fruit that can be found in the Porrera/Torroja regions of Priorat.

Red Wine by Torbreck from Barossa Valley, Australia. A blend of 44 year old Eden Valley Shiraz vines and 80 year old Barossa Shiraz, the Struie is aged for 18 months in a combination of old and new French oak barriques prior to bottling. Its dense color is accompanied by a fragrant bouquet comprising blackberry, pepper and licorice aromas, and a rich, silky mouth feel. The Struie greatly rewards those with the patience to carefully cellar it.

Red Wine by Laurel Glen from Sonoma County, California. The 2003 vintage has more in common with the subtle and complex 1996 and 1999 vintages, than with its more up-front 1994 and 2002 stable mates. It is typically dark, with a dense core; very perfumed with lovely briar, dark berry, and sandalwood aromas. On the palate, it is rich and voluptuous without being cloying or obvious, and reveals itself slowly. Decanting is recommended.

Red Wine by Newton from Napa Valley, California. Aromas of dried flowers contrasted with black berry jam, roasted hazelnuts and a hint of discreet oak reveal that this is a Merlot to capture the imagination. On the palate, bright cherry, sweet currant and strawberry fruit are carried by a powerful structure and well balanced acidity. Try robust meats such as duck, filet mignon or venison served with a red wine reduction sauce. The earthy flavors found in a black olive pesto offer a clever contrast to the bright fruit characters found in this Merlot.

Red Wine by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars from Napa Valley, California. A perennial favorite on restaurant wine lists, Artemis is generous in flavor and velvety in texture. Aromas of cassis and caramel rise and give way to earthy notes of black olive, black pepper, and truffles. Classic flavors of cassis and black cherry fill the mouth as notes of violets and vanilla linger on the finish. Enjoy this wine with braised short ribs on a cold winter's night or with a porcini and gorgonzola burger for you gourmet grillers.

Ship a bottle for just a buck. Details at Wine.com.Red Wine by Laurel Glen from Sonoma County, California. Classic Laurel Glen, a Cabernet stuffed with dense, thrillingly ripe fruit... -Wine Enthusiast Laurel Glen has built a reputation for making some of the most balanced and delicious Cabernets in California - this flagship wine from mountain grown fruit is a perfect example of how special these wines are. The later growing season afforded a beautiful balance of acid, fruit, and tannins; in fact, the wine tastes unusually drinkable right now. The dark core extends to the rim of the glass in a firm, bright purple rim; the nose is dark and deep, with layers of ripe black berry and cassis tones below the distinctive Laurel Glen exotic spice top-notes. What is really atypical for the vineyard is the immediately smooth and silky mouthfeel: normally, Laurel Glen wines need a couple of years to achieve this level of balance. This is a lovely wine right now, but I suspect time will allow it to blossom into a wine of greater profundity. Will we be able to wait?

Red Wine by Jordan from Sonoma County, California. A combination of Merlot (18%), Cabernet Franc (2%), Petit Verdot (4%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (76%) creates well-integrated flavors, deep color, and balance. The bouquet offers distinct notes of cassis, black cherry, and cocoa. The aromatic qualities of the Petit Verdot marry well with the soft, alluring flavors of Merlot and complement the masculine tannins of the Cabernet Sauvignon. Jordan 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon has a rich texture and opulent flavors, complemented by a restrained framework of oak that leads to a lingering finish of violet, earth, smoke, and cola.

Red Wine by Ata Rangi from Martinborough, New Zealand. The dream vintage of 2006 has produced a lively, fruit-expressive Pinot that reflects the strong Ata Rangi heritage. Selected barrel components kept separate during fermentation and maturation integrated unusually effortlessly on blending, immediately revealing a wine of deceptive power and grace - the ultimate reward for a winemaker, and the result of an exceptionally favorable season. Sleek, ultra-supple tannins support the vivid red fruits, fresh plum-stone and ripe black cherry notes. Dark chocolate and rose scents add intrigue and promise, as do the fine savory threads which run through the palate. Taut and restrained when young, this vibrant Pinot will in time reveal its wilder, earthier side, along with voluptuous fruit spun in a shawl of silky tannins. Consider decanting this wine when the wine is very young, for perhaps one hour before serving.

Red Wine by Beaulieu - BV from Napa Valley, California. The 2004 Beaulieu Vineyard Reserve Tapestry weaves five classic varietals - Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec - into an elegant, beautifully balanced wine. The deep, expressive aromas and flavors are filled with black cherry, briary blackberry, cassis, dark cocoa and cedar character. Pre-fermentation maceration, gentle punch downs in open-top fermenters and in-barrel malolactic fermentation all contributed to the wine's richly textured flavors. Beaulieu barrel-aged the wine for 20 months, with 70 percent new barrels, to add warm vanilla nuances. For even more complexity, they used a tapestry of different oak barrels; over half were French, with the balance being American, Hungarian and Russian. This wine makes a delicious complement to seared duck breast, mesquite grilled steak, filet mignon with shiitake mushrooms or roast lamb.

Red Wine by Vine Cliff from Napa Valley, California. Aroma: Bright with sweet black currant jam, plum and wild berry fruit with hints of fennel and lavender. Cocoa powder, cedar, toast with hints of mineral add depth and complexity. Palate: The mouth feel is rich and full with a luscious texture that builds to a long lingering finish.

Red Wine by Von Strasser from Napa Valley, California. The Diamond Mountain District Cabernet is a blend of all of von Strasser's Cabernet vineyards with a small amount of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. It is deep, dense, dark, and rich with loads of ripe cherry, blackberry and cassis. It has firm tannins and a long milk chocolate finish. Perfect with a thick New York Strip, a grilled rack of lamb or smoked baby back ribs.

Red Wine by Joseph Phelps from Napa Valley, California. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot from estate-owned vineyards (75%) and independent growers (25%). The dark ruby-colored 2005 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon resembles a classic Bordeaux both in aromatics and flavor. A rich bouquet of cinnamon, spice, licorice, graphite and caramel are followed by integrated layers of cherry, currant, fresh cream and balanced, sweet tannin, all of which contribute to a youthful, bright, multi-layered wine.

Red Wine by Faust from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc The 2005 Faust delivers a Cabernet with precision and style - all of the aromatics, complexity and finesse that are the best of this vintage without giving up any power. A core of sweet, juicy black fruit, classic black cherry and blackberry flavors pick right up right on the palate where the aromas leave off. - Charles Thomas & Aaron Pott, Winemakers