Featured Wines - August 2007

It is evident from the outset that Kenwood has fashioned another award winning Cabernet Sauvignon in the 2004 Jack London. Beginning with a richly endowed robe and a haunting aroma, replete with blackberry, currant, eucalyptus, and mint, the newly released 2004 Jack London Cabernet Sauvignon captures this terraced vineyard's unique terroir: the red-lava earth of Mount Sonoma, the warm eastern sun, and the cooling afternoon sea breeze much like th...

The 2005 Dr.Bürklin-Wolf Wachenheimer Rechbächel Riesling wears a lightly golden robe and appears as if it has been gently kissed by the first rays of the morning sun. Here the subtlety ends, at least for the moment, for this is young, serious, full-bodied Riesling from a great vintage. It offers a superb draught of nearly everything that is special about Rhine Riesling. A heady, spicy scent of ripe summer apples, pear, quince, and stony minerals...

The quintessential Barossa Shiraz, the 2002 Bethany Shiraz from Barossa is luxuriously robed and full of rich, deep down flavors. However, what sets this lovely Shiraz apart from much of the competition is its sense of elegance. Certainly, ripe black cherry and cassis flavors haunt the nose and there is plenty of black fruit, cedar, and eucalyptus in this flavor packed Shiraz to go around. However, try to find a Shiraz with this much complexity a...

Once again Andrea Faccio has crafted a light, lovely elixir that captures the essence of spring and captivates the senses. It is comforting to taste and see how consistent this great producer is with his wines. The 2006 Villa Giada Moscato d'Asti exudes the pure scent and savor of Moscato: pear, peach, mango, and just enough of that kinky, exotic touch of true Moscato to be compelling. Moscato d'Asti is typically light, effervescent, low in alcoh...

Pure, natural, and easy to drink, the 2005 certified organic Domaine du Vieux Chêne Haie des Grives Côtes-du-Rhône really knows how to please a crowd. Medium-bodied and as natural tasting as any wine we have ever had the pleasure to drink, the charming 2005 Haie des Grives provides a lightly fragrant nose and plenty of flavor and mouth feel in the guise of uncomplicated black fruits, subtle spice, and a velvet finish. Due to the natural methods o...

If energetic, full-flavored, in your face white wine appeals to you, you will surely love the 2006 Las Brisas from Bodegas Naia and if such a wine is not your style you will probably enjoy it anyway. "Wow, this wine is hard to resist" is how one incredulous, persnickety member of the tasting panel described this wine – authentic testimony and high praise from one hard to please type. With a glint of sunshine and hint of gold to dazzle the eye, th...

The 2002 vintage in Napa Valley was cooler than normal; a boon for the valley's early maturing Merlot. In 2002, Napa Cellars made an outstanding Merlot that is certainly one of the finest Merlot wines ever produced at this venerable property. The 2002 Napa Cellars Merlot is a juicy, plush wine that offers up plenty of ripe cassis, cedar, and chocolate tones, both in the nose and on the palate. Ripe, soft, but full-flavored, this Napa Cellars rend...