Wines and Beyond

Red Wine by Capezzana from Tuscany, Italy. Ghiaie della Furba is a 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 20% Syrah blend aged in oak for 14 months and 2 months in bottle. It has a deep, intense ruby red color with light shades of garnet red. In terms of flavor its dense and sweet tannins create a well balanced acidity giving this wine a long finish with persistent fruitiness of small wild berries married to intense spicy tones.

Red Wine by Archery Summit from Willamette Valley, Oregon. Scarlet red in color, the 2006 Premier Cuvee opens with lifted aromas of black cherries, rose petal, vanilla and a hint of savory spice. Pomegranate, currant floral notes notes mingle on the palate with mulling spices, anise, juicy plum and clean earth. The wine is sumptuous and bright with layers of mineral, flint and spice surrounding a seductive black cherry core. There is balance and good concentration; tannins are rich but restrained, revealing a wine with depth of flavor and clean lines. Succulent and focused, this wine is ready for enjoyment now, however may improve with proper cellaring over the next five to eight years.

Red Wine by Philip Shaw from Australia. 99% Shiraz, 1% Viognier A deep bloody velvet color with aromas of lively white pepper and warmed aniseed. The many layers of aromas continue to reveal more. On the palate, dark plums are driven by a richness of silky ripe tannins. All in harmony and well balanced. This wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for up to 20 years. Numbered for the year in which was planted. Shiraz is my most challenging, yet rewarding variety. The vines grow like crazy - producing tiny, flavour packed berries. I'm constantly trying to tame this wild child, yet am amazed by its power. No. 89 is the complete opposite to the general perception of Australian Shiraz. It's both powerful and refined and framed with fine grain tannins.- Philip Shaw

Red Wine by Spring Valley from Walla Walla Valley, Washington. Blend: 59% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot A very bright and powerful wine with plenty of crushed red berry flavors. More oak character, but already perfectly integrated. A very balanced wine in acid, fruit and oak. The Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are adding more structure, complexity and a huge mouth feel. Tannins are concentrated with a nice, very long finish on chocolate notes.

Red Wine by Stags Leap Winery from Napa Valley, California. Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3%Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec Cabernet has always been a mainstay in the winemaking program at Stags' Leap Winery, and winemaker Kevin Morrisey likes to blend a combination of estate fruit and grapes from key vineyards located in many of the other prestigious Napa Valley appellations. Much of the estate vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon where deep, well-drained, loamy volcanic soils make this a perfect place to grow Cabernet. Rich ruby red in color, luscious aromatics of black cherry, blackberries, and plum greet the nose with a slight back note of earth, leather, and bittersweet chocolate. Flavors of plum compote, spice, green tea, and cocoa are the introduction to this wine as velvety, unctuous tannins blend with a juicy, naturally balanced mid-palate of complex structure. Layers of spice, coffee and cream integrate with fruit notes to the end.

Red Wine by Yalumba from Barossa Valley, Australia. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Shiraz from Barossa estate vineyards, the 2003 The Signature is a big, chunky, heady red that is closed at present. Nevertheless, it reveals an inky/purple color, impressive levels of richness, and sweet notes of charcoal, acacia flowers, blackberries, tar, and pepper. This wine spent 22 months in 300 liter American and French hogsheads. It should emerge from its muted stage in 2-3 years, and last for 15 or more. - Wine Advocate

Red Wine by Beaulieu - BV from Napa Valley, California. Classic black-ruby color typical of this blend. Ripe, brambly, coffee and black cherry aromas showcase the varietal, while black olive and dark cocoa scents suggest the wine's Rutherford origin. Medium full-body and firm structure dominant, with the cherry-plum and herb Merlot adding nuance in the finish. Chewy tannins, fine minerality, with vanilla oak-spice adding an elegant touch of sweetness.

Red Wine by Dominus from Napa Valley, California. Napanook is made solely from grapes grown in the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, Napa Valley. Napanook is blended from blocks in the vineyard that were carefully selected for their lively fruit, soft tannins and early maturing characteristics. The 2004 vintage consists of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Merlot and 1% Malbec. This wine is created to be consumed young, and enjoyed with food, but will also age well from up to 10 years. Christian Moueix recommends decanting the wine before serving to allow it to reach its full potential. The 2004 vintage has a deep ruby color, with a ripe, fruity nose. The intense aroma of clove and raspberry leads to a hint of chocolate. This wine feels like velvet in your mouth. The sweet, lingering tannins develop into an expression of sun-dried cherries.

Red Wine by Franciscan from Napa Valley, California. Magnificat is a hand-selected blend of the vintage's finest lots of fruit. Every year, winemaker Janet Myers tastes hundreds of barrel samples to craft Magnificat, a wine as seamless and harmonious as the Bach masterwork it honors in name. This is the twentieth vintage. For Magnificat, our goal is simply to make the best glass of wine possible, says Janet. We pay no attention to variety percentages until we put the wine together. We can afford to do this because, frankly, our Merlot is as rich and concentrated as our Cabernet. In Oakville, that is saying something. Blend: 50% Merlot, 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc Appearance: Deep garnet. Aroma: Enticing aromas of dark cherry and black plum with a dark chocolate background and notes of sage and black tea. Appealing and complex. Flavors: Elegant, well-structured mouthfeel, with cherries, rich chocolate, black pepper and vibrant plum flavors filling the palate. Very supple, with fine texture and firm structure, giving an immediately approachable richness. The finish is a seamless continuation of fruit and cocoa-like tannins.

Red Wine by Clos du Bois from Sonoma County, California. The introductory, 1978 vintage of Marlstone stands as the first release of a Bordeaux-style wine from Sonoma County. The release of the 2003 vintage of this wine thus marks the 25th anniversary of Marlstone, and is the first vintage of this historic cuvee which winemaker Erik Olsen has shepherded from vineyard to bottle. This wine's inky, deep, ruby color promises intensity and depth. Its generous nose reveals layers of aromas: from black cherry, vanilla, toasted oak and cedar to nutmeg, cinnamon, blackberry and notes of violet and sweet tobacco. Ultra-rich and round, this powerful, generous wine offers up ripe blackberry and black licorice flavors on the palate and a lasting, memorable finish.

Red Wine by Rodney Strong from Sonoma County, California. Blend: 71% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot Celebrating the esteemed art of blending, the spirit of Symmetry is the true essence of Sonoma County winemaking. With nearly 40 years experience growing classic French grape varieties here, Rodney Strong selects their best Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and other traditional Bordeaux grapes from mountain and hillside vineyards in Alexander Valley, where well-drained rocky soils combine with warm, sunny days and cool nights to provide ideal growing conditions. The 2004 Symmetry greets you with an opulent bouquet of blackberries, ripe dark plums and sweet spices. The wine opens generously on the palate with layers of blackberry, cassis and plum framed with accents of dark chocolate and spice. The finish is persistent and smooth. This wine is at once rich, harmonious, powerful, and elegant; a wine intended to be enjoyable on release, yet destined for years of further evolution in the bottle.

Red Wine by Ch?teau Sociando-Mallet from Medoc, France - Bordeaux. Aromas of currant and leaves. Medium- to full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a caressing finish. Ends chewy. Best after 2009. Wine Spectator 90 points Sociando Mallet's big, extracted, rich, classic 2004 boasts a deep ruby/purple hue as well as aromas of charcoal, wet stones, cold steel, and abundant black currant and cassis fruit. This medium to full-bodied, structured, powerful wine will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring. It should last for two decades. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate 90 points Dark red with ruby highlights. Plum, redcurrant and a whiff of smoked meat on the nose. Supple and vinous, with very good spine and savory character. Notes of plum, currant, dark chocolate and licorice firmed by lively but integrated acidity. Finishes with broad tannins and good grip. Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 89 points

Red Wine by Vilafonte from South Africa. Series M. This wine is more Merlot based; still a blend, but using the Merlot, and Malbec with Cabernet to give it some backbone. It is more supple, more fruit forward; with silky texture in the mouth, good length, and very approachable and succulent. Merlot 41% Malbec 16% Cabernet Sauvignon 39% Cabernet Franc 4%

Red Wine by Santa Rita from Chile, South America. This superb wine is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere, three varieties originally from Bordeaux that have been carefully cultivated by Santa Rita. Triple C benefits from the best of both the Old and New World, combining the elegance of traditional grape varieties with state-of-the-art New World techniques. The specially selected grapes are grown at Santa Rita's Alto Jahuel Estate in Maipo Valley, Chile, approximately 40 miles from Santiago. Triple C represents a new style in Chilean winemaking, becoming a true expression of Chilean nature; complex and abundant. Blend: 55% Cabernet Franc, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Carmenere

Red Wine by Chester-Kidder from Columbia Valley, Washington. Tasting Notes: Vibrant blackberry aromas are enhanced by hints of chocolate and mocha. Rich and complex, the mouth feel is round and balanced with lush, soft tannins. A lengthy finish lingers with a seamless impression of dark fruit. Vintage: Collectors who enjoy big, rich, fruit-forward wines will find Columbia Valley's 2003 vintage to their liking. This was one of Washington's warmest seasons on record with overall heat accumulation rivaling the high numbers posted in 1998. Temperatures were warm from June to August, allowing grapes to reach an exceptional level of maturity. In short, it was a wonderful vintage from start to finish. Winemaking: Chester-Kidder is a hand-crafted blend of classic red Bordeaux varietals and Syrah, styled for complexity and elegance. Fermented in small lots and aged 27 months in tight-grain French oak, winemaker Gilles Nicault and Long Shadows founder Allen Shoup, selected a diverse collection of Columbia Valley's finest vineyards to create a layered wine with ripe fruit character that is reflective of the vintage. Vineyards: The 2003 Chester-Kidder represents a diverse collection of select Columbia Valley vineyards, all farmed for low yields, resulting in a rich, multi-dimensional blend. Cabernet Sauvignon from the old vines at Sagemoor Vineyards, near Pasco, contributes complexity and deep flavors to the wine; Cabernet from Weinbau Vineyard on theWahluke Slope gives the wine rich tannins; Walla Walla Syrah adds dark, lush flavors.

Red Wine by Seven Hills from Walla Walla Valley, Washington. Pentad vintage red wine, a Walla Walla Valley blend of five varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (13%), Carmenere (6%), Cabernet Franc (13%) and Malbec (13%). The intention with Pentad is change through time, shaping expansive flavor, complexity, and creation of an evolving sensory experience. Every care has been taken in the production of Pentad, to provide a transcendent wine that is both enjoyable and collectible. The 2003 is the most open at release of the three Pentad vintages released to date. It offers an inviting accessibility, accenting warm, ripe tones and expansive fruit characters. Red and blackcurrant dominate the nose, interwoven with tropical passionfruit and hints of blueberry. Sweet cooking spice and light notes of fennel and licorice round out the aroma. I find red raspberry, vanillin, light smoky notes by mouth. The structure is broad, balanced, and elegant yet very persistent and generous. Overall, a beautiful representation of the nature of this very warm vintage year. - Casey McClellan, Winemaker

Red Wine by Stag's Leap Wine Cellars from Napa Valley, California. Our Napa Valley collection of wines are crafted with the same approach to winemaking as our limited-production estate wines, resulting in wines of supple power and elegance.  In fact, fruit from our estate vineyards forms the focal point of this blend and provides the stylistic inspiration for this wine.  ARTEMIS, named after the Greek goddess of the hunt, represents our targeted approach of establishing this wine’s origin, style, and character as a gateway to our renowned estate wines.   Sensuous aromas of rich, dark chocolate, black cherries, and espresso immediately rise from the glass. As the wine opens, look for more subtle notes of violets, nutmeg, and truffles.  The aromas carry over to the palate with additional flavors of cassis, orange peel, and clove.  This medium to full-bodied wine has fine grained and smooth pebbly tannins.   Its firm structure and fine balance make it a perfect accompaniment to classic chop house fare.  Try this wine with any fine cut of steak and you will be delighted

Red Wine by Chappellet from Napa Valley, California. The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon has been our flagship wine for more than three decades. It is a benchmark for the long-lived hillside wines of the Napa Valley; full of structure and ageing potential, yet seductively forward in its concentrated varietal character. The dry, rocky soils of Pritchard Hill produce small, intensely flavorful grapes. Crop thinning allows for full, even ripening and elevates flavor complexity. \\xA0 Opening with intense, dark fruit aromas of blackberry, cherry and cassis, this wine is full-bodied and rich. Notes of cola, chocolate and espresso layer nicely with fresh herbs and spicy oak, adding depth and complexity. Smooth tannins coated with sweet fruit create a lush, supple texture, adding structure and finesse. Rich waves of berries, spice and herbs carry through on the palate, leaving a long and lasting impression on the finish.

Red Wine by Pine Ridge from Napa Valley, California. This distinctive Bordeaux style blend is complemented by the Rutherford Dust characteristics of this historic Napa Valley appellation. The style is created to broaden and fine tune the palate as well as extend the finish. Pine Ridge Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, produced since the inception of Pine Ridge in 1978, reflects the attention to detail afforded their entire portfolio of fine wines. The 2005 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Pine Ridge's estate vineyards. A nose of briar, blackberry and blueberry is marked by mixed aromas of coffee, tobacco and vanilla. Elegant in structure and balance, this medium to full-bodied Cabernet is teeming with cherry, blackberry and tobacco flavors, with firm, cloaking tannins giving way to an extended finish of berries and toast. This wine may be enjoyed now or cellared for ten years.

Red Wine by Catena from Argentina, South America. The 2004 Alta Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced and blended from three vineyards with distinct terroirs and aged for 18 months in new French oak. It offers greater aromatic complexity with elements of pain grille, scorched earth, espresso, black currant, and blackberry liqueur. Medium-bodied, it has the elegance of a classified growth St.-Julien, with intense, spicy, cassis, mint, and black fruit flavors, superb balance, and a 45-second, pure finish. It will profit from 6-8 years of further cellaring and drink well through 2030. When all is said and done, Catena Zapata is the Argentina winery of reference - the standard of excellence for comparing all others. The brilliant, forward-thinking Nicolas Catena remains in charge, with his daughter, Laura, playing an increasingly large role. The Catena Zapata winery is an essential destination for fans of both architecture and wine in Mendoza. It is hard to believe, given the surge in popularity of Malbec in recent years, that Catena Zapata only began exporting Malbec to the United States in 1994. -Wine Advocate

Red Wine by De Martino from Chile, South America. Gran Familia is the De Martino family's most exclusive wine and it is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. It displays an intense red color with a hint of dark violet. On the nose, it is deep, fresh, elegant and complex with lots of dark fruits such as cherry, blackcurrant, plum and cranberry. There is also violet, wood, tobacco and vanilla, which help deliver an immense complexity of aromas that gradually reveal themselves in the glass. In the mouth this wine has great structure; full-bodied with very round, ripe tannins. It is well-balanced, complex and expressive with a great variety of flavors deriving from the French oak which gives it extra complexity and depth. A long and very pleasant finish. A great wine to age.

Red Wine by Los Vascos from Chile, South America.

Red Wine by Chateau Maris from Languedoc-Roussillon, France - regions. The 2004 Chateau Maris Old Vine Grenache is a lush and full-bodied wine with aromas of dark cherry and garrigue and flavors of blueberry and dark chocolate.

Red Wine by Tenuta Sette Ponti from Tuscany, Italy. Tenuta Sette Ponti's first release was the 1998 vintage Crognolo, named after a wild bush, Cornus, which grows on the estate. The blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from vines of an average age of 25 to 35 years yields a refined, elegantly stylish wine of fruit forward lushness. The wine's dense color suggests a concentration confirmed on the palate along with sweet ripe flavors of wild cherries, black fruit, leather and vanilla also evident in the aromas. The wine is firmly structured yet elegant, with good tannic support and well-integrated oak notes, leaving an overall impression of harmony, balance and length.

Red Wine by Prunotto from Piedmont, Italy. Medium red. Primary aromas of cassis, mint, flowers and licorice. Dense, chewy and structured, with a strong impression of extract. A plump, sweet, nicely balanced Barolo that finishes firmly tannic, with good cut and grip. International Wine CellarRuby red with orange reflections. The nose is full with hints of dry roses and violets. With maturity truffle and tar come through in the perfume. Dry on the palate, full bodied and elegant with an ideal balance of extract, alcohol,acidity and tannin. Recommended with roasted red meats, game and full flavored cheese.

Red Wine by Foppiano from Russian River, California. Foppiano Vineyards has been a family-owned winery since 1896. Petite Sirah is the hallmark wine from our Russian River Valley Estate. For this special Reserve bottling we selected the oldest Petite Sirah vines from our 2000 Millenium Harvest and allowed the fruit extra hang-time for maxiumum maturity. This richly extracted, aromatic wine with its lingering flavors and exceptional smoothness is a rewarding choice for cellaring and celebrating. Here's to the next century of Petite Sirah!

Red Wine Pinot Noir by Loring Wine Company from Central Coast, California. Garys' Vineyard is a joint effort between Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni (of Pisoni Vineyard). Childhood friends, the two Garys decided to work together to create Garys' Vineyard after the success of Pisoni Vineyard. They took their multi-generation...