Top 5: Tastings from the week of 4/20/14

Every week we have the tough “fantastic” job of tasting dozens of wines to make sure that we only offer the very BEST to our clients. We are constantly on the look out for amazing under-the-radar wines, along with celebrated projects from famous producers to augment our ever changing portfolio. Give us a call (800.933.8466) or email us so we can get some of these in your cellar and on your table. Without further pomp and circumstance, here are this weeks Top 5.

This weeks Top 5

2010 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Bartolucci Vineyard’, Napa Valley
Wine Spectrum Rated 95: A rich Cabernet, combining aromas and flavors of blackberry and black cherry, and currant spiced with vanilla bean and anise. The texture is silky, rich and layered on the mid-palate, with a beautiful, lasting finish and dense, structured tannins. While enjoyable upon release, the wine will cellar until 2020 and beyond. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

2007 Ramey ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Wine Spectrum Rated 94+: Bright green-tinged gold. The richest and most opulent of this set of vineyard chardonnays, displaying ripe peach, melon and nectarine scents, along with toasty lees and a hint of star anise. Broad and deeply concentrated but energetic, offering rich orchard fruit flavors that are given spine by subtle minerality. This seamless, expressive wine is  drinking well and finishes with excellent clarity and sappy persistence.

2012 Honig Sauvignon Blanc ‘Late Harvest’, Rutherford
Wine Spectrum Rated 94+: Dessert in a bottle, with the aromas of dried pear, baked apple, figs and beeswax, spiced with nutmeg, clove, allspice and vanilla. Medium weight, bright and exquisitely balanced – with just the right amounts of sweetness and lively acidity. 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Aged in 100% new French oak for 10 months. Just 100 cases produced

2011 Chasseur ‘Green Acres Hill Sangiacomo Vineyard’, Sonoma Coast
Wine Spectrum Rated 94: This mineral laced bottling is richly oaky yet decidedly fruit dominated to the nose, where bright green apple, pineapple and a bit of fresh lime and nutmeg. It has a delightful creaminess of texture, along with the zest to assure that it never seems heavy, as its cascade of ripe white peach, Fuji apple, pastry crust, bees wax, preserved lemon and toasted nut flavors washes through to a lingering finish. Light on its feet, despite all the richness, it will be at once a terrific sipper and a brilliant and seductive companion to classic sauced cuisine. 105 cases produced.

2012 Saddleback Cellars ‘Old Vines’ Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Wine Spectrum Rated WSI 93+:  This delicious wine opens with concentrated aromas of sweet blackberry and oak that gives way to a palate of dark fruit compote, sweet cedar and elderberry jam. This wine is structured and complex with a full bodied finish and round tannins. A perfect compliment with BBQ ribs, grilled lamb, spicy marinated beef, and blue cheese. Our Zinfandel is always treated to 100% brand new American oak and is no exception to the rule of “meal-in-a-glass” Zinfandels. The Saddleback Zinfandel has gained quite a reputation as a “monster Zin” and is in great demand. This wine has a track record of selling out within 30-45 days of release.710 cases produced.