WINE

The Cotes du Rhone shows bright fruit followed by a well-structured mouth with a good texture. Two sources have composed this wine for many years now: Vinsobres brings the freshness, the complexity, the strenght and the relief. The "villafranchiennes terraces" from the Gard area (huge terraces of rolling stones) generate the color, the power, and the generosity of a southern syrah. The Syrah from the southern Rhone has a fresh fruit full of charm. In this wine, you will find notes of blackcurrant, oriental spices, licorice and violet.

Chateau de Saint Cosme ginger bread, strawberry, raspberry, white pepper. Bottled without filtration. The co-fermentation of the different grapes together is a technic that has been used for a long time at Saint Cosme, with good results. In the co-fermentation was not only a choice for quality, it was a matter of necesity to get good fermentations and balanced wines. The vintages can be compared but all of them have their own character. The good yields in were probably a good thing because of the heat of the end of august. With lower yields, the alcohol level would have probably gone up too quickly. Mourvedre and syrah played a crucial role: they kept the grenache down. They brought the roundness and the meatiness which make a real Gigondas. The stems brought an important freshness. As usual, time will tell what is the real quality level of this vintage but the quality of the fruit, the association between power and freshness make us think that it is a good one, especially for the late ripening terroirs. 50% of the Valbelle grapes have been used for the regular Gigondas which has now a greater proportion of old vines than usual.

Chateau des Deux Rocs the vines of Jean-Claude's new domaine, Château des Deux Rocs, are located in the isolated Vallé des Crozes. This enclosed valley is protected from the dominating winds of the region and benefits from more than 220 days of sun per year. His vines are planted at nearly 1000 feet above sea level in deep schist soils, higher than anyone in the region has planted before. These elements lend a delicate and finessed nature to both the rosé and red.

It is inky, spicy Cahors endowed with red and black fruits and smoked fig and liquorice flavours. A mixture of new and old oak, the top cuvees are made from low yields and the oldest vines on the estate. The grape variety here is Malbec (also known locally as Auxerrois), supplemented by smidgeons of Merlot and Tannat.

Aromas of espresso roast, subtle pain grille, black currants, and cigar box. Full-bodied and surprisingly powerful for a with outstanding purity, texture, and depth, patience will be required for this beauty." Reviewed by Robert Parker

This Zinfandel shows beautiful ruby red color with medium density. The nose is rich with barrel spice and toast notes reminiscent of rustic bread fresh from a wood-fired oven along with bright red briar-berry, cedar, anise, and a hint of tobacco. Bright yet soft on the palate, this wine opens on the mid-palate with juicy fruits and complex barrel spice followed by tannins that persist through a lovely finish of dried fruit and black licorice. This wine is very well balanced with wonderful acidity, and will be the perfect addition to your dinner table.

Château Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet shows beautiful dark garnet color. The nose opens with big, ripe, red fruits - particularly raspberry and red currant - before moving into layers of barrel spice, anise, and warm cedar. Entering the palate, this wine is bright and lively with good weight and tannin presence. There is also a firm acidity that will make for great food pairings. The mid-palate is loaded with juicy red fruit and blueberry, which are nicely complemented by well-integrated barrel notes of vanilla, sarsaparilla, and toast.

Château Montelena Sauvignon Blanc is brilliant and pale gold in color with aromas of honey, orange blossom, warm oak, and caramelized bananas. On the palate, this wine is fresh and clean with a wonderfly juicy mouthfeel and complexity throughout. The acidity is firm but not tart. This Sauvignon Blanc is loaded with bright citrus, tropical starfruit, and a rich, slightly spicy finish with a touch of Meyer lemon custard.

Château Montelena pale gold in color, this Riesling opens with floral aromas of honeysuckle and candied orange, layered with pear, spicy honey, and rich Charentais melon. The palate shows a nice smooth entry; full and round, but not heavy, with good crisp acidity. Flavors of lemon zest and tart mandarins lead the way and are followed by light stone fruits, honey, and poached pear - all rounded off with a warm, subtle, spicy finish. As with all of Montelena's offerings, this is a food wine, and should pair quite nicely with seared scallops (among other things).

Chateau Mouton Cadet iIn an elegant bouquet of flavors, it thus invites several fine appellations of the Bordeaux region, planted with classic grape varieties. Through its balance, roundness and aging capacity, the fruits of generous Nature and the work of human hands, Mouton Cadet red expresses all the richness and diversity of one of the world's foremost wine growing areas.

Charles Smith Chateau Smith is a wine long and rich in the mouth. Aromas of black cherry, wet earth, anise and a touch of toasted herbs with flavors and a finish to match. A New Classic! Try with Pappardelle with Porcini and Pistachios.

The Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon consists of selected fruit from two California coastal area where Cabernet grows best – the North Coast and Central Coast – to blend this wine. North Coast vineyards from Sonoma to Lake County give the wine fruit flavors of black cherry and black berry with tannin structure. Vivid aromas of blackberries, fresh plum and chocolate follow through to rich flavors of black cherries, fresh pie and notes of black tea. The wine is well structures with a juicy mouthfeel and a full, lingering finish.

Inviting aromas of lemon, pear and jasmine along with a touch of toasty vanilla mingle on the nose of this classic Sonoma County Chardonnay. Refreshing and balanced, the wine has vibrant acidity with pleasing flavors of pear, pineapple and roasted almonds that lead to a clean finish

Chateau St Jean Merlot Sonoma County "Aromas of sweet black cherry, black plum and toasted almonds burst from the glass of this Merlot. These bright fruit characters carry over onto the palate and mingle with notes of blackberry, dark chocolate and clove. A rich and full mid-palate, with polished tannins, leads to a lush finish with cassis on the close."

The Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay is refined and elegant and offers apple and citrus aromas with a clean, refreshing finish. We age the wine in lighter French oak barrels to maintain the fresh, elegant style of this Chardonnay.