Featured Wines - August 2003

The glorious 1999 vintage has imbued the 1999 Loriñon Tinto Crianza with a rich ruby robe. As the wine sits in the glass, a gorgeous bouquet unfolds that reveals both extract and elegance. An amplifying nose proffers copious quantities of red and black fruits, cassis, chestnut, tobacco, spice, and of course vanilla and sweet oak. On the palate, the Loriñno Crianza is smooth and silky, but packed with flavor and nuance. With each sip, the latent g...

Bold, but impeccably balanced the 2000 Artesa Carneros Chardonnay is a statement of excellence in a glass. A golden hue, which is deftly tinged with a glint of green, sets the tone for the goodness to follow. A tantalizing array of aromas waft from the glass: tropical fruit, apple citrus, and a light spicy oak underpinning that emanates from barrel-fermentation and aging sur lie caress the nose. Complex, satisfying flavors that recall peach, pear...

Deeply colored and boldly styled, the 1999 Artesa Napa Merlot is not one of the wimpy, cherry-berry, cola-styled Merlots. Rather, this is a serious, robust Merlot that recalls top notch St. Emilion, with a California attitude. Scents of deep down black fruits, most notably black cherry and cassis, coupled with vanilla bean and coffee, slowly unfold from the glass. On the palate, ripe uncomplicated fruit and a hint of both sweet oak and chocolate ...

Wow. This is.. the best Pinot Grigio I have ever tasted.... Thank the Lord, this is real Pinot Grigio, and not one of those clear watery renditions or insipid fruit bombs, with no backbone, that they call Pinot Grigio, etc., etc. No, guys, this is the real thing a wine of distinctive flavor, substance and supreme quality. The tasting panel was unanimous in its kudos for the 2001 Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Pinot Grigio because this is easily t...