Featured Wines - May 2003

Born on the volcanic hills of Vesuvius, the 2001 De Angelis Bianco Lacrima Christi captures every bit of the flavor and subtle complex tones that volcanic soil can impart to a dry white wine. Bright in color, golden rays of sunshine burst from a glass of this wine followed by subtle scents of blossoms, mineral, lemon zest and the sea, resplendent with its restorative freshness. Clean sophisticated flavors that underscore the wines bouquet carry t...

Wow! An intense bouquet, full of ripe cherry, strawberry, and rose petal, emerges from this deeply robed Pinot Noir. The 2000 Mark West Sonoma County Pinot Noir follows through on the palate, too, with ripe fruit, spice, and just a hint of hickory smoke imparted from at least twelve months of oak barrel aging. There is definitely no wimp in this wine. Rich, smooth, and long on the palate, this Mark West Pinot exhibits long soft tannins and suprem...

The 2000 Guigal Crozes-Hermitage Blanc is indeed a poster child for white wine from the sprawling Crozes-Hermitage appellation. Deep in color and packed with charm and flavor, Guigal's 'Crozes' is already accessible and beautifully wrought. Scents of spring and exotic wildflowers haunt the nose, while the savor of this heady white is replete with the essential oils of flowers, herbs, and citrus fruits. Long and refreshing on the finish, this racy...

The 2001 Septima Malbec (60%) Cabernet Sauvignon (40%) is a tasty, straightforward, no muss, no fuss kind of wine. Deeply colored and long on old-fashioned flavor, this is the kind of wine that old timers used to call foursquare. The scents and savors of cherry, plum and cedar pop out of a stalwart frame that is rimmed with just enough tannic structure to provide character and definition, without proffering any hard edge. In keeping with its easy...