Featured Wines - November 2007

The 2004 Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas is another unequivocal success from one of the appellation's finest and most consistent producers. Once again, Dominque Ay has fashioned a sexy, seductive Gigondas that is both elegant and powerful. While most domaine bottled Gigondas can muster plenty of alcohol and brawn, they often fall short on charm, but not so with Dominque Ay's wines. Not only will his lovely 2004 Gigondas ward off the chill of a cold w...

The 2001 Montellori Salamartano is a titan of a wine that captures all the glory of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot as well as the scintillating Tuscan landscape. Named for the ancient room (Salamartanto) in which Etruscan warriors from rival villages were locked to fight for their respective clans, Montellori's 2001 Salamartano possesses a rich Bordeaux style robe, an aromatic bouquet, complex, nuanced flavors, and plenty of strength and vigor. Wi...

Produced in the actual bottle in the same painstaking way as French Champagne, the Avinyó Brut is consistently Cava at its finest. A lovely pearl of a bubble beads to the top of the glass: soft scents of apple, pear, and fresh bread delight the nose. In the mouth, creamed fruit and the faintest hint of cinnamon caress the palate. Fun, flavorful and easy to drink, the Avinyó Brut remains one of the tasting panel's favorite sparkling wines. We are ...

The 2005 Dominio Dostares Estay is an excellent example of the rare indigenous grape variety by the name of Prieto Picudo. It's imbued with a deep, deep purple color and a knockout nose that one taster respectfully referred to as "both lush and mysterious." A totally captivating wine, the 2005 Estay is indeed unique, probably because old vine Prieto Picudo is unique. Moreover, there is nothing ordinary about Estay. She has the style and hedonisti...

A match for the best of Sancerre and Pouilly-FumÉ, the 2005 Blondeau Menetou-Salon sings a sensual, sophisticated ode to Sauvignon Blanc. The pleasure begins with the wine's sunny glow and continues through to a long satisfying finish. Moreover, in scent and savor the wine captures all the sensual, grassy, herbal goodness that Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc is famous for. This Menetou-Salon has it all: a pinch of gooseberry, a slice of grapefruit, ...

A soft, gentle, fulfilling Champagne, the non-vintage Laurent-Perrier L-P Brut is justly renowned for it elegance as well as its flavor. Wearing an authentic champagne colored robe and exhibiting a very tiny, delicate perle or bubble, the L-P Brut appears as the epitome of elegance and sophistication. But wait, the best is yet to come! L-P's aroma carries the seductive scents of white fruits and freshly baked bread. And on the palate, L-P really ...

The 2003 Pedroncelli Dry Creek Valley Merlot Bench Vineyards bursts with flavor and easily distinguishes itself among its brother Merlot. When afforded just a few minutes of aeration, an elegant, smooth aromatic profile promises richness in the glass. Loaded up front with fruit flavors, such as black cherry and blueberry, the Bench Vineyards Merlot smoothly layers on a distinct patina of oak that adds to the wine's hedonistic feel. A spicy finish...