Featured Wines - November 2006

The 2003 Murphy-Goode All In Claret is a tour de force in winemaking. To put it simply, All In is "all there" and then some. All In is a blend of Murphy-Goode's finest lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, and like all of Murphy-Goode's wines it is already approachable and quite seductive, even at a mere three years of age. Although early drink ability and the capability to age and develop additional complexity are the calling car...

The 2003 Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas is one sexy, seductive wine, owing its allure to a combination of expert winemaking and the searing summer heat of 2003. Gigondas is, perhaps, best known for its rustic charm and unfailing ability to ward off the chill of a cold winter night . . . and Dominique's Ay's heaven scented, full flavored, sensual 2003 Gigondas can more than fill that bill; it reflects back every bit of the glorious warmth of a Proven...

A fleshy, flamboyant, and just plain fun to drink wine, the 2004 Murphy-Goode Liar's Dice Zinfandelremains true to the estate's commitment to fashion plush hedonistic wines that offer complete and utter pleasure from start to finish. As one would expect, the 2004 Liar's Dice is richly colored and laden with the tantalizing aroma of top notch Zinfandel: crushed bramble and blueberries, hints of herb and spice, and everything nice come to fore. Isn...

If there were still any doubt as to Mario Geise's reputation as the "King of Carmenère," the 2005 Casa Silva Reserva Carmenère should dispel any such notions. The 2005 Reserva Carmenère from Casa Silva is knockout stuff. The wine is deep purple with ruby highlights, but before the glass can even reach the mouth all kinds of deep woodsy scents are leaping from the glass. Lots of blackberry, graphite, leather, and spice form a seductive olfactory a...

An authentic Champagne, the Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV is delightfully creamy, light, lovely, and round — all at the same time. There is no harsh bite or acidic overload: the Feuillatte Brut is the real deal. Scents of golden apples and freshly baked bread straight from the oven are brought to life in a steady stream of pinpoint bubbles that gently caress the nose and the palate. Soft, seductive, and ohhh so easy to drink, the Feuillatte Brut cou...

Marvelously consistent with each release, Nino Franco's Prosecco Rustico Brut NV is an outstanding example of the exuberant Valdobbiadene style of Prosecco. It graciously embodies all that is good about an awakening land and the fruits of the harvest. It offers up the light, lovely scents of pear, apple, and white peach, all of which are entwined in a delicate, round body. In addition, what makes the Rustico even more appealing is that it offers ...

The 2005 Jack William Alexander Valley Sauvignon Blanc is a majestic example of California Sauvignon Blanc. In the words of one panel member, "it's a true Sauvignon Blanc drinker's Sauvignon Blanc." Furthermore, this blend of tank and barrel fermented Musque with other assorted Sauvignon Blanc clones makes an expert case for clone variation; at the same time it provides evidence that California has not forgotten how to make complex, dry, beautifu...