Category: $51 +

Magana Merlot 2011

90
Magana
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: Spain
Appellation: Navarra
Retail Price: $66.49

Tasting Notes: A wine made only in the best vintages and only nine times since 1979. This exemplifies the darker, denser expression of Merlot with caramelized cherries, smoke, rich loam and bay leaf. Somewhat gritty tannins should integrate with time.
Magana Merlot 2011

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Duckhorn Merlot 2013

91
Duckhorn
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2013
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $57.99

Tasting Notes: Founded in 1976, and one of the original cult Merlot-producers. Winemaker Renee Ary utilizes estate fruit in conjunction with other top sites in the valley to produce this state-of-the-art offering. Classic valley fruit enhanced with Cabernet and Cab Franc is aged for 15 months in French Oak. Warm, rich, full-bodied. Pure velvet for beginning to end.
Duckhorn Merlot 2013

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J.Lohr Cuvee Pom Merlot 2012

94
J.Lohr Cuvee Pom
Varietal: Merlot
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Paso Robles
Retail Price: $59.99

Tasting Notes: The ultimate expression of Merlot from J.Lohr. This is their homage to the great Pomerol blends from Bordeaux. Winemaker Steve Peck starts with a classic blending of Merlot and Malbec, then subtly blends in trace amounts of Cabernet and Cabernet Franc. Paso Robles sourcing offers a truly viable alternative to Napa for exceptional fruit. Aged 18 months in French oak.
J.Lohr Cuvee Pom Merlot 2012

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Rock View Chardonnay 2012

91
Rock View
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Mendocino
Retail Price: $70

Tasting Notes: Complex nose with hints of chocolate. Flavors of cassis, blackberry and pepper. Long, pleasing finish.
Rock View Chardonnay 2012

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Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

91
Duckhorn Vineyards
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $75

Tasting Notes: Possesses a medium-full bouquet of ripe red fruits, with currant and cherry leading the way and blackberry lingering in the wings. Medium-full on the palate too, which shows off some firm tannins but it stays well balanced as the ripe red fruits still show through quite nicely. A touch of cocoa pops up in the finish.
Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

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The Weekender Experience Meritage 2011

95
The Weekender Experience
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $59.99

Tasting Notes: There are lovely floral and ripe black fruit nuances in the bouquet, followed by subtle earth tones. The palate exudes flavors of plum, blueberry and toasty oak, with a slight licorice spice note on the end. The terroir shows beautifully on the finish with supple tannins balancing the wine perfectly. Gorgeous now, this wine can be cellared for several years.
The Weekender Experience Meritage 2011

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Shypoke Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

96
Shypoke
Fanciful Name: Calistoga
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Calistoga
Retail Price: $55

Tasting Notes: An aromatic, powerful, yet elegant cabernet aged in French oak. You’ll swoon over the ménage of blackberries and cassis. This impeccable cab is simply delicious and worth every penny.
Shypoke Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

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Saint Helena Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

95
Saint Helena Winery
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2009
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $75

Tasting Notes: Blend of 98% cabernet sauvignon, 2% petit verdot, estate grown. Native yeast fermentation and 22 months in three types of French oak, 70% new, add to the complexities of this fabulous wine. The bouquet is lush with hints of lilac, blueberry and black cherry. The mouthfeel is rich with ripe, black fruit flavors mingling with nuances of mocha, coffee and sweet spices and a hint of “cigar box” on the end. Tannins are firm, in balance, and assure several years of development.
Saint Helena Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

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Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

95
Rocca Family Vineyards
Fanciful Name: Collinetta Vineyard
Varietal: Cabernet
Vintage: 2010
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $95

Tasting Notes: From a vineyard located in the Coombsville AVA, just east of the city of Napa, this lovely example of a Napa Valley cabernet is sure to please the most discerning of palates. Intensely dark in the glass, the nose is filled with black fruit, and hints of toast. Exceptionally well balanced, with a long finish.
Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

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Robert Craig Zinfandel 2012

94
Robert Craig
Fanciful Name: Howell Mountain
Varietal: Zinfandel
Vintage: 2012
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $75

Tasting Notes: 100% mountain fruit and an absolutely unbelievable Zinfandel. Fleshy ripe black and blue fruits, silky layered impressive texture and, finally, nuances of eucalyptus and herbs on the long finish. This wine is about finesse and structure and delivers an incredible mouthful of California Howell Mountain Zinfandel with each sip. Just treat yourself; you won’t regret it!
Robert Craig Zinfandel 2012

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Miner Family Winery Red 2010

95
Miner Family Winery
Fanciful Name: The Oracle
Varietal: Blend
Vintage: 2010
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $100

Tasting Notes: While the cuvee’ is reminiscent of a superb Left Bank Bordeaux, The Oracle is all Napa Valley. Lush aromas and flavors of lilac, violet, blackberry and cassis abound with nuances of charred oak and allspice. The mouthfeel is rich. The finish is long with a hint of terroir and a perfect balance of tannin and sweet/tart acidity. This fabulous wine calls for a medium rare Filet Mignon. The 2010 is surprisingly approachable, but we suggest cellaring a bottle or two for 3-5 years.
Miner Family Winery Red 2010

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Miner Family Winery Chardonnay 2011

93
Miner Family Winery
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2011
Country of Origin: California
Appellation: Napa Valley
Retail Price: $54.99

Tasting Notes: From their Chardonnay series, this is the “wild yeast offering.” The Miner family sources from three of the top Napa sites, and then utilizes native yeasts. For the fermentation process, 16 months in oak with 100% malolactic and barrel fermentation yield a rich, opulent wine, ripe with tropical fruit notes. This one can only improve with light cellaring, if you’re patient enough.
Miner Family Winery Chardonnay 2011

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