Featured Wines - Sept 2016

The Auctor 2014 Paso Robles Red represents a unique take on two of the Southern Rhône’s most important grape varietals. A blend of 62% Mourvèdre and 38% Grenache, The Auctor doesn’t act like a French wine, because it is not. Nonetheless, it exhibits some of the finest characteristics of Bandol, Provence’s greatest Mourvèdre based wine. Born almost exclusively in Paso Robles along California’s Central Coast, The Auctor draws much of its unique...

Morgon is not a big, brawny wine, but with just one sniff and a single sip, the 2014 Château de Pizay Morgon befriends the senses, confirming why Château de Pizay’s Morgon routinely receives 90 point ratings and high praise from critics and wine publications. Sporting a pretty crimson color, this scented, savory and silky smooth wine offers up a beautiful bouquet of raspberry and strawberry fruit with hints of minerality, cinnamon, and...

Dopff au Moulin has fashioned an exuberant Pinot Blanc in their 2015 vintage, a wine that exudes charm, flavor, and a clean, creamy texture that makes it both easy to drink and completely satisfying. Aromas of pear, apple, and freshly baked bread with a touch of spice delight the nose, while those same charming fruit flavors enjoin to a gentle minerality to grace the mouth and satisfy the palate. Although easy to drink and enjoy, Dopff au...

The 2012 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero ranks as another unequivocal success from Alejandro Fernandez and his incomparable 500-acre Condado de Haza. The deeply saturated 2012 Condado de Haza reflects the bold and brilliant winemaking style of Alejandro Fernandez. Not only is this Tempranillo deeply colored, it exhibits an amplifying nose of crushed blackberry, plum, bramble, currant, cedar, and more. It, also, possesses a rich, savory...

Chief Winemaker and Managing Partner Russell Hearn has once again fashioned an exciting, first rate North Fork Pinot Blanc in Lieb Cellars’ delicious 2015 Reserve Pinot Blanc, an effort every bit as enticing as the winery’s award winning 2012 Reserve Pinot Blanc, the wine that received national recognition and first turned us on to Lieb Cellars. Having honed his winemaking ability in pioneering wineries around the world, including stints in...

Luca’s 2012 Beso de Dante (meaning Dante’s Kiss) is named for Laura Catena’s second son Dante. It is a smooth, polished blend of Malbec (55%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (45%) from high altitude vineyards that outshines many a classified Bordeaux in both flavor and finesse. The 2012 Luca Beso de Dante offers a brilliant deep ruby color, explosive aromatics and a mouthful of luscious flavors. Dark cherry, cassis, violet, tobacco and wood smoke...

Born of the splendid 2014 vintage from 50-80 year old vines, the 2014 Domaine Renaud Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé epitomizes the elegance and charm for which Pouilly-Fuissé is renowned. Sporting an eye-catching, sun-splashed yellow robe, Reynaud’s Cuvée Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuissé dazzles the eye even before it offers up its distinctive aroma of acacia flowers, ripe yellow peaches and plums, and pain grillé infused with clean...