A perennial 'best buy', Kenwood's Sonoma Series Cabernet Sauvignon is a smooth, rich, full-bodied offering. Its lively red currant fruit, subtle spice notes and well-integrated oak make this wine a perfect complement to lamb.

990440    (XD)            750 mL    $22.95   

Food & Drink Discovery
VAN RUITEN OLD VINE ZINFANDEL  2004
Lodi Appellation  


TASTING NOTE:  I'm not a Zin expert, but I do know that places like Amador and Lodi compete on a level playing field with ordinarily more hallowed Napa and Sonoma when it comes to Zin ... the [2004 Van Ruiten Old Vine is] intensely red fruited and pretty [and] as delicious a Zin as one could hope for at $18 [USD]. (Todd M. Wernstrom, www.thewinenews.com).
58685    (D)            750 mL    $18.95   

A homegrown success story, Catena Zapata is one of Argentina's leading producers and its Alamos range consistently offers outstanding value. Expect blackberry flavours aplenty with notes of toasty oak and café mocha on a long, lingering finish. Enjoy with gourmet sausages or grilled steak.

467944    (XD)            750 mL    $13.95   

MICHEL TORINO CICLOS MALBEC/MERLOT  2004
Cafayate  


TASTING NOTE:  Chocolate and mint with the essence of coffee drives the bouquet. In the mouth, this Malbec-Merlot blend is ripe as can be, with cassis, blackberry and chocolate all making their mark. The finish is secure and mildly tannic, while the overall take is that this is a ribald, rich South American red.
Score - 92. (Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2006) 

37895    (XD)            750 mL    $18.95   

SALENTEIN MALBEC  2004
Uco Valley, Estate Btld.  


TASTING NOTE:  Salentein is a most impressive outfit, a beautifully designed circular custom-built bodega high in the Andes at 1,200 m above sea level ... What's good about this wine is that it really does seem to have a geographical (high altitude) story to tell - and particularly well integrated, very high quality French oak. It's much drier and more savoury on the finish than the standard sweet, velvety Mendoza Malbec, and yet there is no shortage of flavour. It's all of 14.5 per cent alcohol according to the label but certainly hides its potency well.
(Jancis Robinson M.W., www.jancisrobinson.com, June 20, 2006) 

640854    (XD)            750 mL    $19.95   

ARBOLEDA CARMENÈRE  2005
Colchagua Valley  


TASTING NOTE:  Muted nose, damsons. Rich, broad, plummy, soft texture, plenty of fruit, touch of caramel, medium length. Up to 3 years. Score - *** (out of 5). (Stephen Brook, Decanter, June 2007) 

46284    (XD)            750 mL    $16.95   

SANTA CAROLINA BARRICA SELECTION PETIT VERDOT  2005
Rapel Valley  


TASTING NOTE:  Petit Verdot, a minor variety in the Bordeaux palette, is too-seldom produced as a varietal wine. This one (which is 85% Petit Verdot, 9% Syrah and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon) delivers richly complex flavours of dark plum, cherry and blackberries, with notes of dried fruit, spice and smoke. It's medium bodied with a fairly full and plush texture, has good tannic structure, and it goes well with well-seasoned red meats. Score - **** 1/2 (out of 5). (Rod Phillips,
w ww.winecurrent.com, June 9, 2007) 

7484    (XD)            750 mL    $14.95   

TERRANOBLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON GRAN RESERVA  2004
Colchagua Valley  


TASTING NOTE:  This wine is the perfect model for midlevel Chilean Cabernet ... The nose is firm and toasty, with serious berry and cassis aromas. In the mouth, it sings its way through wavy raspberry and vanilla flavors. Balanced and rich, with some creaminess and depth. Score - 90. (Michael Schachner, Wine Enthusiast, Nov. 15, 2006) 

46268    (XD)            750 mL    $15.95   

D'ARENBERG THE OLIVE GROVE CHARDONNAY  2006
McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, South Australia  


TASTING NOTE:  Greenish straw. Initially subdued on the nose, but aeration brought up smoky pear, apple and floral honey scents. Firm and youthfully dry, with deep pit fruit and yellow plum flavors braced by bright acidity. Fleshes out on the finish, picking up an earthy dried herb quality. I like the emphasis on qualities other than fruit here. Score - 89. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, July/Aug. 2007) 

702845    (D)            750 mL    $16.95   

YALUMBA WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY  2005
Eden Valley, South Australia  


TASTING NOTE:  The beautiful 2005 Chardonnay Wild Ferment (aged 8 months in new and used French oak) may be one of the world's top half dozen or so Chardonnay values. The "Wild Ferment" refers to fermentation with indigenous yeasts. This offering, which does not see any malolactic fermentation, has retained its crisp acidity, which props up its fleshy, lemon oil, honeysuckle, and tropical fruit characteristics. Enjoy this lovely, medium-bodied Chardonnay over the next 1-2 years. Score - 90. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, Oct. 2006) 

39271    (XD)            750 mL    $17.95   

Cool-climate Hunter Valley gives Hope Estate an ideal climate to create a Shiraz that tastes like it might have come from the Northern Rhône during a warm vintage. Aromas of plum, blackberry, chocolate and licorice are leavened by earth and pepper notes. It is a great choice for mid-autumn barbecues.

740068    (D)            750 mL    $18.95   

This is a real-crowd pleaser at a fantastic price.

TASTING NOTE:  Jim Jim Shiraz is a simple, luscious wine that fills your mouth with rich, dark berry fruit awash in silky tannins. (Kim Pierce, The Dallas Morning News, Oct. 4, 2006). 

682005    (D)            750 mL    $14.95   

New at VINTAGES

SALTRAM MAMRE BROOK SHIRAZ  2004
Barossa, South Australia  

TASTING NOTE:  Opening with aromas of fragrant black tea, dark fruits (cherry and blackberry) and traces of spice. The fruit builds and becomes quite opulent but with restraint that holds it in balance. The palate is full and rich with a fine backbone of tannin, and this balance makes it great current drinking. Having said that a couple of years would be advantageous and a decade will see it still in great form. (www.eatanddrink.com.au, Oct. 2006) 

32227    (XD)            750 mL    $21.95   

Prior to becoming principal winemaker at Laborie, Dave Boyes' apprenticeship has taken him far and wide: from South African wineries to California, New Zealand and Bordeaux. Boyes' has his finger on the pulse of international winemaking techniques. His Merlot/Cabernet blend reflects both European and New World wines with its bold fruit combined with subtle elegance.

663195    (XD)            750 mL    $14.95   

Just how smart is winemaker Olivier Zind-Humbrecht? You get a sense of his genius in every glass of his wine. Olivier has the uncommon ability to explain the winemaking process from its origins deep within the soil right up to the point it is poured into one's glass, so that even a wine novice understands exactly why his wines taste the way they do. (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, April 2004) 

686246    (D)            750 mL    $39.95   

Domaine de Triennes is a joint project of Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac and Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Expect aromas of apricot, honeysuckle, and honey from this powerful, balanced Viognier.

726620    (D)            750 mL    $24.95   

Greek winemakers long ago made peace with the international varieties that are ubiquitous in the wine world today. They have taken the strengths that they offer, combined them with some of their own favoured varieties to create a series of superb wines that are uniquely Greek. In this case, renowned winemaker Costa Lazaridi combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with the local and respected Limnio grape. He then ages the wine for 12 months in French barriques. Absolutely perfect with lamb souvlaki.

724831    (XD)            750 mL    $24.95   

Nebbiolo is a notoriously difficult grape to grow and yields can be low. Barbaresco wines are a less expensive alternative to Barolos. Batasiolo, run by the Dogliani family and one of the largest producers in the region, makes a genuine effort to keep the prices of their Barbarescos reasonable. This eminently age-worthy wine would make a wonderful addition to your cellar or be great now with a steak.

37051    (XD)            750 mL    $23.95   

RENATO RATTI BARBERA D'ALBA TORRIGLIONE  2005
DOC  

TASTING NOTE:  This gorgeous Barbera has a deep red color with purple on the rim. A mixture of flavors and aromas-plum, raspberry, cherry, spice, and green pepper with a dry finish and a medium helping of that Old World earth. Absolutely a must for an Italian wine lover or for your introduction to this region, you can pair this with any Italian fare. Score - 91. (Jimmy Collins, www.nashvillewinepress.com, Aug./Sept. 2007) 

47266    (XD)            750 mL    $18.95   

CASTIGLIONI CABERNET SAUVIGNON/SANGIOVESE  2005
IGT Toscana  


TASTING NOTE:  The 2005 Tenuta di Castiglioni (55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Sangiovese) displays an open, ripe nose and generous, sweet fruit, showing excellent length and plenty of style. It is an attractive, plump wine to drink over the next three to four years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2010.
Score - 89. (Antonio Galloni, www.erobertparker.com, June 2007) 

974394    (D)            750 mL    $22.95   

CAMPO VIEJO GRAN RESERVA  2000
DOC Rioja  


TASTING NOTE:  This ... Gran Reserva has smooth, velvety tannins and oderate acidity. Perfumey rose petal, dried plum, jammy blueberry and kalamata olive on the nose lead to a dark berry, coffee and spice palate. Score - ** 1/2 (out of 4).
(Lynne Char Bennett, San Francisco Chronicle, June 22, 2006) 

586701    (XD)            750 mL    $29.95   

CONDADO DE HAZA CRIANZA  2004
DO Ribera del Duero  


TASTING NOTE:  The brilliant 2004 Condado de Haza received malolactic fermentation in barrel followed by 15 months in American oak. Purple-colored, it offers up fragrant aromas of cedar, tobacco, black currants and blackberry. There is a supple mouth-feel and generous cherry and black fruit flavors and enough ripe tannins to ensure good longevity. Drink this hedonistic effort now and over the next 10-12 years. Score - 91. (Jay Miller, www.erobertparker.com, Feb. 2007) 

963348    (D)            750 mL    $24.95