Menu for november
Big Ass Reds
Orin Swift 2006 The Prisoner 36.99
A blend of 51% Zinfandel, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, 6% Charbono and 2% Grenache, the Prisoner is made by Dave Swift Phinney. The eclectic blend is full of dark plum fruit and finishes with lush, silken vanilla flavors. This wine is extremely limited and always sells out quickly.
Cloud View 2004 Proprietary Red 69.99
Cloud View shares some premium real estate on Pritchard Hill nestled within the Vaca Mountains on the east side of Napa. Neighbors include Bryant Family, Chappellet, Colgin, David Arthur, Harrison, Long, and Martin...not bad company. The 67% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Merlot blend is full-bodied with rich extracted blackberry fruit and soft, supple tannins. I know it’s expensive, but one taste and you’ll know why. This is the only wine made at Cloud View and is very limited with only a few six-pack cases available.
Robert Craig 2004 Affinity 39.99
A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, Affinity is a gorgeous Bordeaux-style blend from Napa. Beautiful black cherry flavors with an elegant finish. If you love wine and don’t need another scarf for Christmas, drop a hint…a bottle of Affinity even fits nicely in a stocking.
Owen Roe 200 Lady Rosa Syrah 54.99
Owen Roe 2006 Abbott’s Table 29.99
The wines of Owen Roe have really captured the imagination of my customers. These are lush, handcrafted wines that are made from Washington and Oregon grapes. The Lady Rosa Syrah is produced from the Dubrul vineyard that are known for it’s large stones, producing a wine with rich, intense fruit and beautiful floral elements.
I’m offered so little of the Owen Roe wines, I snatch up every little bit I can. This is the most popular wine in their lineup. Inspired by what the English call Claret, this cult Oregon winery makes a unique version blending 23% Zinfandel, 16.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 13% Syrah, 11% Merlot, 8% Blaufrankisch, 8% Sangiovese, 4.5% Petit Sirah and 2% Malbec. I know what you’re thinking…over the top, but it’s really a terrifically well integrated, lush red wine.
Caravan 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon 34.99
The 2004 Caravan is an estate-grown Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that’s blended with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The wine is spicy and aromatic with rich, concentrated brambly, black fruit flavors. I just saw the movie Elizabeth: The Golden Age and kept thinking, “What is Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) drinking out of those jeweled goblets?” It brought to mind the opulent Darioush winery. Caravan is their second label and in my mind one of the regions most overlooked Cabernets.
Helix 2004 Merlot 24.99
Because there is such a huge quantity of bad Merlot in the market, I sometimes forget there is very good, even profound Merlot out there (Robert Sinskey comes to mind). Helix is produced by small craft winery Reininger with grapes sourced from the larger Columbia Valley. The Reininger wines focus on Walla Walla sourced fruit. The wine is meant to be accessible upon release although a few years of bottle age could only help. This certainly isn’t the fruity quaffer you buy at Kroger’s. It has a weighty palate, filled with juicy, black fruit. Because of it’s Washington roots, there is an earthiness in the finish that reminds me of a new world Pomerol.
Dashe 2005 Zinfandel Dry Creek 22.99
A blend of 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petite Sirah with gorgeous blackberry and kirsch flavors. At 14.5% alcohol this Zinfandel is very moderate and elegant. Whiffs of chocolate and a long silky finish remind me why I love Zinfandel many years ago. If only they all tasted this good.
Tyrus Evan 2004 Claret Ciel du Cheval 41.99
This is a very small production winery using Washington and Oregon fruit. The man behind the scenes is none other than cult winemaker Ken Wright. He says his first love is Pinot but decided to have some fun blending Bordeaux style grapes from select vineyards. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, the Ciel du Cheval offers a great midpoint between rich extracted Napa wines and the austere quality of Bordeaux.
Robert Sinskey 2004 Cabernet Franc Vandal 42.99
Cabernet Franc is always one of my favorite wines. It can be made in varying styles but the perfumed elegance of the grape makes it irresistable. Love, love Sinskey wines and this Cabernet Franc from their Vandal vineyard is no exception. Full of red and black raspberry flavors along with a slightly herbal element.
