Featured Wines - August 2000

The 1997 Baron de Magana should dispel any notion that the Navarra is any less capable of producing world class wine than Spain’s more highly publicized Rioja. In fact, we prefer the fuller, richer fare we have been tasting lately from this beautiful province to many of the over-oaked, underwined Rioja’s on the market. Deep, forceful and robust in color, the Magana melds the very best characteristics of its three great varietals: Merlot, Cabernet... Read More

The 1999 Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc is a tangy, palate pleasing Sancere-style Sauvignon Blanc. In the nose, the first impressions are of herb, grass, grapefruit and flint, reminding us of some very expensive French renditions. As it opens, gooseberry, passion fruit and finally, pineapple begin to permeate the bouquet and flavor of this expressive, mouth-filling wine, each adding depth and dimension. On the finish, this Lawson’s Dry Hills ... Read More

Structured like a classified Bordeaux, the 1998 Carmen Reserve Grande Vidure (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) is full of red fruits, spice and other lush decadent flavors. However, this wine’s best is yet to come as a layer of tannin will peel away, revealing secondary characteristics: coffee, berry, chocolate and bacon fat - the very flavors the Bordelais refer to as “gras” or fat. Bottled unfiltered, the Carmen Grande Vidure/ Cabernet Sauvignon ... Read More