On Saturday night we will taste wines from Barnett Winery.  Due to the high cost of the wines it will only be four wines on tap, but they are truly wonderful. I tasted them a couple of weeks ago and immediately brought them into the store and was anxious to share one of our newest acquisitions.  The Chardonnay is from my favorite vineyard for Chardonnay, San Giacomo Vineyard.  The Pinot is from a single vineyard as well, and both the Cabernet and Merlot are all estate grown fruit. As on Friday we will be inside due to the weather so there is no need to worry about dressing warm and staying dry.

See you this weekend.

Jason Perry

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, February 28th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, March 1st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, February 28th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring the wines of “Casa de Uvas”

2011 Sierra Madre Pinot Blanc ($16.99)

• Aromas of butterscotch, caramel and lime leaf waft above the glass with wonderful bright citrus notes. On the palate, experience a rich, creamy taste of baked apple with an energizing tartness on the finish. We certainly have nothing against Chardonnay at Sierra Madre, but the 2010 Pinot Blanc is a marvelous alternative. Classic Pinot Blanc pairings include lightly sauced dishes made with seafood, chicken, or vegetables.

2012 Waters Prelude ($31.99)

• “Looking at the whites and an outstanding blend of 53% Roussanne (vinified all in stainless steel) and 47% Viognier (vinified all in neutral wood), the 2012 Prelude comes from the Alder Ridge Vineyard and offers up a pure, steely bouquet of poached pear, citrus rind and clean minerality to go with a more voluptuous, rich and rounded palate feel. Impressive for its purity, richness and detail, it should be consumed over the coming 2-3 years. Drink now-2015.” Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 90 Points!

2004 Vina Cerrada Gran Reserva ($29.99)

• “Mild and floral on the bouquet, this has touches of citrus and gritty cherry. The palate feels fresh, lively and healthy, with a baked, spicy flavor along with a briary berry note. Solid but mild on the finish; drink now–2015.” Wine Enthusiast 89 Points!

2010 Waters Syrah ($49.99)

• “The reds are outstanding across the board. A pretty, elegant and lively Syrah, the 2010 Syrah Loess (97% Syrah and 3% Viognier aged in 10% new French oak, all from the Loess Vineyard) delivers beautifully pure blackberry, blueberry, underbrush, smoke and violet aromas to go with a medium to full-bodied, detailed and brilliantly focused palate. Complex aromatically and perfectly balanced on the palate, this impressive 2010 will benefit from short-term cellaring and drink nicely through 2022+. Drink 2015-2022.” Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 91 Points!

2010 Waters Cabernet Reserve ($84.99)

• “A classic, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Malbec that comes from the Cold Creek and Stone Tree Vineyards in the Columbia Valley. Brilliantly pure, detailed and delineated, with aromas and flavors of cassis, mulberry, underbrush, lead pencil and hints of crushed flowers, it flows onto the palate with a full-bodied, broad, mouth coating texture that carries juicy acidity and sound tannic grip that builds through the mid-palate and finish. Aged all in once-used French oak, it needs 3-4 years of bottle age (or more) and will have 15+ years of ultimate longevity. Drink 2016-2026.” Jeb Dunnuck – Wine Advocate 93 Points!

Saturday, March 1st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “Wines from Barnett Winery”.

2011 Barnett Chardonnay ($37.99)

• Honeysuckle and Bosque Pear are immediate on the nose of the 2011 San Giacomo Chardonnay. The nose also offers hints of white pepper, caramel, lily-perfume with some soapstone minerality. This Chardonnay has good viscosity, which becomes richer in time. More tropical notes of mango and pineapple are present on the palette. The residual Malic acid balances out the viscosity of this weighty wine. Bright with fruit in its youth this wine will develop nicely over the next 7-8 years (2019-2020).

2011 Barnett Pinot Noir ($44.99)

• The 2011 Donnelly Creek is more of a deeper richer style of Pinot. Black cherry, boysenberry and pomegranate dominate the primary aromatics, while dusty cinnamon and cedar are more apparent afterwards. This is the richest Donnelly Creek yet. Similar fruit from the nose comes out on the pallet, but more spice (mostly ground pepper) is much stronger here. Very firm tannins are balanced by the acidity. This full rich wine will hold nicely over the next 7-8 years (2019-2020).

2011 Barnett Spring Mountain Merlot ($64.99)

• The attractive 2011 Merlot Spring Mountain reveals notes of mocha, sweet black cherries, caramel and chocolate. With a luscious texture as well as medium to full body this high quality example makes a mockery of the anti-Merlot sentiments that were provoked by the movie “Sideways.” This serious, delicious Merlot is already drinking well, and should continue to do so for a decade.” Robert Parker – Wine Advocate 89 Points

2011 Barnett Cabernet Estate ($79.99)

• This opaque wine currently shows crushed violets, cocoa nibs and mixed black cooking spices. Some of the subtle minerality is only beginning to show. The palate is very plush and darker small berry fruit carries through here. Very firm chalky tannins begin to build on the palate, which is backed by firm acid. The 10% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot bring extra levels of complexity to this wine. This is a deeper and firmer Cabernet than in previous years, a true classic mountain wine that will take time to show its best, 11-13 years (2024-2026).

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

Here are our regular tasting notes:

On Friday we will be featuring Talbott Winery.  Talbott Vineyards devotes itself to handcrafting world-class wines.  Furthermore, Jeb Dunnuck from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate was extremely impressed with the Talbott offerings he tasted claiming, “I was blown away by these current releases.  Across the board the wines show beautiful balance and loads of class. In addition, the Kali Hart and Logan releases are serious values that should not be missed!”  The evening will feature two Chardonnays and two Pinot Noirs and then culminate with a great little Cabernet from Fisticuffs Winery.

On Saturday we will be featuring California Petite Sirah. The “petite” in the name of this grape refers to the size of its berries and not the vine, which is particularly vigorous. Petite Sirah produces dark, inky colored wines that are relatively acidic, with firm texture and mouth feel; the bouquet has herbal and black pepper overtones, and typically offers flavors of blue fruit, black fruit, plums, and especially blueberries. We will begin with the elegant Hanzell Chardonnay before diving into the Petite Syrah selections. First one from the boutique winery Andrew Will, then two from wineries many of you know I have an affinnity for, Niner and T-Vine.  We will finish with the 94 point Jaffurs Winery.

See you this weekend!

Jason

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, February 14th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, February 15th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, February 14th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “Talbott Winery”

2012 Talbott Logan Chardonnay ($24.99)

• “This wine is a light, bright yellow. It shows musky pear skin, peach pit and citrus pith on the fragrant nose. On the palate, spicy orchard, pit fruit flavors, sweeter honeydew, and tangerine qualities gain strength with air. It closes silky and long, with resonating spiciness and lingering sweet citrus fruit qualities. This elegant wine has the balance to repay a little patience.” Steven Tanzer 90 Points International Wine Cellar!

2011 Talbott Diamond T Chardonnay ($54.99)

• “The 2011 Chardonnay Diamond T Vineyard is decadent stuff. All barrel-fermented and aged for 14 months on lees in 45% new French oak, it’s a rich, full-flavored effort that stays balanced and pure, with knockout detail and clarity on the palate. Offering up notes of grilled peaches, toast, honey, vanilla custard and flower oil, it’s a full-bodied, balanced white that has great underlying acidity and focus. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years. Drink now-2017.” Jeb Dunnuck Wine Advocate 94 Points!

2012 Talbott Logan Pinot Noir ($24.99)

• Talbott Vineyards devotes itself to handcrafting world-class wines.  This wine is crafted using carefully selected all estate grown grapes from our Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. This wine combines fruit from both mature vines and youthful elite Pommard and Dijon clone vines, to create a lush medium bodied Pinot Noir with flavors of ripe cherry and blueberry.

2011 Talbott Sarah Case Pinot ($69.99)

• “My favorite of the Pinots and more fresh and lively than the Diamond T Pinot Noir, the 2011 Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Cuvee Sarah Case offers gorgeous complexity and elegance, with sweet cherries, red currants, spice box, underbrush and earthy nuances giving way to a rich, medium to full-bodied red that has silky tannin, great acidity and an all-around classy feel. It will be better in another year or two and have a decade of longevity, possibly longer. Drink 2014-2021.” Jeb Dunnuck Wine Advocate 93 Points!

2011 Fisticuffs Cabernet($29.99)

• This Napa Valley Cabernet can spar with the heavyweights! Hourglass Winery owners Jeff & Carolyn Smith team up with their good friends, winemaker Rob Lawson (Ghost Block, Mirror & The Fearless Rider) and his wife Pavi to produce a delicious, crowd pleasing and affordable wine that delivers a mean uppercut. Classic flavors of black fruit, cassis and baking spice surround the ring and the aromas on this wine and will beat any smelling salts after a knockout punch.

Saturday, February 15th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “California Petit Sirah”

2008 Hanzell Chardonnay ($64.99)

• The attractive, high-toned aromas are of citrus blossoms, pear, green apple, vanilla, lemon oil, anise, clove, graphite, and clean mineral. A bit tightly wound initially, the mouth-watering acidity belies the full body and concentrated, sweet lemony fruit. As the wine opens up, the inherent richness and flavor intensity rise to demonstrate the quality and longevity of the vintage. The unfolding flavors are of ripe apple, citrus, clove and caramel on a long, mineral-laden finish.

2007 Andrew Lane Petite Sirah ($19.99)

• Andrew Lane draws fruit from some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley, specializing in an Oakville-hillside Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay Noir and Petite Sirah Their small, artisan winery celebrates community around the world through limited production wines. The Petite Sirah shows blueberry on the palate with huckleberry, blackberry, pencil lead, roasted thyme, and earth. It has a silky mouthfeel, with a long rich and lush finish.

2008 Niner Petite Sirah ($27.99)

• This wine is well-structured with a balance of earth, spice and black olive. On the nose, there are hints of cocoa followed by brambly blackberries, and a sweet and savory tobacco facet. The wine finishes with chewy tannins.

2008 T-Vine Petite Sirah ($37.99)

• T-Vine was founded in 1992 by winemaker Greg Brown, with the intent to produce small lot wines of old vine origins such as Grenache, Zinfandel and Petite Sirah. Though full-bodied and densely packed with dark rich fruit and thick tannins, the 08 Petite Sirah is remarkably balanced, polished and smooth – a Greg Brown winemaking calling card. It is worth noting that among the sources of this limited production Petite Sirah is the half-acre Oak Glade Vineyard, unique for its pre-prohibition cuttings. Only 670 cases made.

2011 Jaffurs Petite Sirah ($44.99)

• “Last of the 2011s and one of the most elegant Petite Sirahs out there, the 2011 Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard is a knockout effort that offers up thrilling aromas of smoky black and red raspberries, tar, licorice, mineral and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, tannic and structured, yet also seamless and silky, with loads of depth and richness, it needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will have 15+ years of total longevity. Drink now-2026.” JD Wine Advocate 94 Points!

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

On Saturday we will explore Napa Valley Cabernet Franc.  This varietal is one of the major red wine varietals grown worldwide.  It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone.  Cabernet Franc is lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon, making a bright pale red wine color and contributing finesse and a peppery perfume to blends with more robust grapes.  We will begin the evening with a wonderful Sauvignon Blanc from Honig Winery before diving into four different Cabernet Franc’s.  The evening will culminate with the highly acclaimed Keenan Merlot. Robert Parker considers Keenan a, “one of the finest producers in California and a marvelous source of top notch Cabernet Franc.”

See you this weekend.

~Jason Perry

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, February 7th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, February 8th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, February 7th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “The wines of Italy”

2010 Elena Walch Gewurztraminer ($19.99)

• “A pale, golden-tinged straw in color. Subdued aromas of grapefruit and green fig are complemented by cinnamon and floral elements. It is soft and smooth in the mouth, with flavors similar to the aromas but only average intensity. The finish displays moderate persistence. A solid entry-level gewürztraminer.” Steven Tanzer 87 Points!

2003 Gualdo del Rennero Merlot ($39.99)

• Gualdo del Re’s 2003 Il Rennero (100% Merlot aged in barrique) performed very well when tasted blind alongside some of the region’s more famous bottlings. A deep, dark ruby, it presents a compelling mix of blueberry jam, cassis, chocolate and sweet toasted oak, with an engaging, plump personality, notable length on the palate and outstanding freshness considering the vintage. Though not the most complex Italian Merlot, it is sure to please many with its generous, up-front qualities. Antonio Galloni. Wine Advocate 91 Points!

2006 Basilisco Aglianico($39.99)

• The 2006 Aglianico del Vulture Basilisco is a fabulous wine loaded with varietal character. Juicy dark cherries, plums, spices, leather, earthiness and game come together in this unusually supple, refined wine from Basilisco. The finish is equally composed, with superb integration of aromatics, fruit and structure. This is a highly enjoyable red from Basilicata’s Vulture district. Needless to say, it is highly recommended. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2016.” Antonio Galloni. Wine Advocate 91 Points!

2007 Valdisanti Tolanai ($44.99)

• The 2007 Valdisanti is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc that spent 16 months in French oak. It is the most complete of these 2007s, redolent with heady scents of dark fruit, licorice, leather and smoke. Balsamic notes develop in the glass, adding further layers of complexity and depth. This finishes with a joyful exuberance that is impossible not to admire. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.

2004 Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino ($74.99)

• “This changes all the time as you taste it, with aromas of dark fruit and porcini mushroom turning to cigar box and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with masses of fruit and chewy tannins. Really powerful and long. Best after 2011. 1,450 cases made.” –JS Wine Spectator 96  Points!   #31 2010 Wine Spectator Top 100!

Saturday, February 8th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “Napa Valley Cabernet Franc”

2012 Honig Sauvignon Blanc ($19.99)

• The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc offers plenty of fig, melon and caramelized grapefruit characteristics in its fresh, crisp personality. With excellent texture and medium body, this delicious, dry, complex, satisfying Sauvignon should provide plenty of enjoyment over the next year. The good news is there are 50,000 cases. This winery has a long and impressive track record working with Sauvignon Blanc and continues to produce a classic/textbook example of this varietal in Northern California.

2006 Beaucannon Cabernet Franc ($24.99)

• This Full-bodied Cabernet Franc shows bright acidity vying with prominent tannins that quickly fade as juicy black cherry and red apple fruit comes to the fore. Deeper layers of the wine reveal notes of cocoa and cinnamon spice.

2008 Dare Cabernet Franc ($36.99)

• “This is a good full bodied red. Displays a very floral nose, with suave oak treatment. The Dare shows attractive, pliant flavors of red berries and flowers. The finish features building tannins that coat the teeth and very good energy and floral lift.” Tanzer.  International Wine Cellar 89 Points!

2006 Revolver “The Fury” Cabernet Franc ($44.99)

• Look for amazing character from this wine right from the first aroma– violets, blackberry, and sweet herbs are a very intriguing lead into a depth filled pallet balanced by slightly toasted oak and moderate tannins. Definitely enjoyable now and previous vintages have proved to grow in intensity and some of the ruggedness turns suppler with time. The Fruit for this wine comes from a select few Cabernet Franc vineyards all south of Yountville in the Napa Valley.

2006 Keenan Cabernet Franc ($59.99)

• “Keenan is a marvelous source of top-notch Cabernet Franc, as evidenced by the small quantity (350 cases produced) of their 100% Cabernet Franc, one of the finest made in California. The 2006 version reveals an ethereal nose of bouquet garni, red and black currants, and a hint of spring flowers, followed by a layered, medium-bodied red that is remarkably light on its feet. The tannins are round and silky, and the finish is long and velvety. This beauty will be even better with several more years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 15+ years.” Robert Parker. Wine Advocate 91 Points!

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

On Saturday we will be featuring three wines that I just brought into the store from Benton Lane Winery.  The night will begin with a nice Willamette Valley Rose of Pinot Noir from Cardwell Hill before moving on to an outstanding Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc from Benton Lane.  Our first of two reds is the Benton Lane First Class Pinot Noir which received 93 Points from Wine Spectator.  In an effort to maintain the high standards it has set, Benton Lane does not produce a “First Class’ Pinot Noir every year, and releases these only during the best of vintages.  The last wine will be a Sangiovese from the well received Leonetti Winery.  Leonetti has developed quite an impressive resume for producing some of the best wines available in Washington.

See you this weekend!

Jason Perry

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, January 31st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, February 1st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, January 31st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “The wines of Spain”

2012 Garnacha De Fuego ($11.99)

• “The 2012 Garnacha de Fuego offers straightforward, simple, but delicious cherry fruit intermixed with notions of loamy soil, pepper and earth. Drink it over the next several years. Just when you think you have found the wine worlds greatest value, along comes the Bodegas Brecca.” Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 86 Points!

2011 Bodegas Breca Breca Garnacha ($19.99)

• “The 2011 Breca was fashioned from remarkable yields of .4 tons of fruit per acre, and was aged 21 months in French oak. The long aging regime appears to have resulted in a slight  austerity, and the fruit seems slightly faded. Nevertheless, the wine offers enjoyable notes of strawberries, black cherries, dusty, loamy soil and meaty, peppery characteristics. Consume this medium-bodied 2011 over the next several years.” Parker Wine Advocate – 87 Points!

2009 Vina Real Crianza ($19.99)

• Another sensational value is the 2009 Rioja Vina Real Crianza. Made from 90% Tempranillo blended with other authorized varietals, this effort comes from vineyards in the foothills of Sierra Cantabria. Exceptionally ripe with a dark ruby/purple color, excellent texture, and outstanding concentration, length and equilibrium, this is one of the finest value-priced Riojas in the marketplace. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years.” R. Parker Wine Advocate – 91 Points!

2011 Bodegas Volver Tarima Hill ($19.99)

• “The 2011 Tarima Hill is made from old vine Mourvedre grown at a high elevation of 2,000-2,500 feet. Aged 20 months in French oak, its sensational inky/purple color is followed by a sweet bouquet of acacia flowers, blueberry liqueur, blackberries and graphite, and a full-bodied, rich mouthfeel. This sensational red wine could easily sell for three to five times the price with no complaints. It should age easily for another 5-6 years.” Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 91 Points!

2005 Finca Allende Aurus ($129.99)

• “The 2005 Aurus raises the bar.  It is 85% old-vine Tempranillo and 15% Graciano. It was aged for 24 months in French oak and bottled unfiltered. Purple/black in color, the aromatics seem to have an extra dimension of complexity. Notes of pain grille, pencil lead, crushed stone, blueberry, and blackberry are superb. This leads to a thick, rich, opulent, massive wine with an exceptionally lengthy finish and a decade of aging potential. Drink this behemoth through 2040.” Jay Miller Wine Advocate – 98 Points!

Saturday, February 1st, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “Benton Lane Winery”

About the Winery:

Steve and Carol Girard founded Benton-Lane in 1988. They shared a passionate desire to produce great Pinot Noir but, after careful consideration, looked to Oregon where the cooler climate offered the possibility of producing Pinot Noir with better balance, structure, and more interesting flavors. Benton-Lane produced Pinot Noir exclusively until 2003, when small quantities of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc were produced from small 1 and 2 acre experimental plantings of each in the Benton-Lane vineyard. These wines were sold exclusively in the tasting room. In 2004, the winery began full-scale commercial production of Pinot Gris from grapes purchased from carefully selected Willamette Valley growers.

2012 Cardwell Hill Rose ($16.99)

• Terrific domestic pink from the gang at Cardwell Hill. Produced from 100% Pinot Noir from the outstanding 2012 vintage, this joyous, bouncy bottle of summertime truly engages with its surprisingly dense strawberry and watermelon flavors.

2011 Benton Lane Pinot Gris ($19.99)

• The 2011 Pinot Gris exudes aromas of honeysuckle blossoms, grapefruit and comice pears. It is crisp and refreshing to the palate with flavors of white peach, honeydew and lime zest. The lively acidity makes it a wonderful food wine, especially with shellfish and fresh salads.

2011 Benton Lane Pinot Blanc ($22.99)

• Exhibiting complex aromas of honeysuckle, butterscotch and baking spices; this Pinot Blanc is medium bodied, with a lightly creamy texture carrying a hint of meringue with tamarind and ripe pear flavors.

2011 Benton Lane First Class Pinot Noir ($59.99)

• “Fresh and vibrant, deftly playing its cherry, orange peel and black tea flavors against a veil of crisp tannins. Persists impressively on the expressive finish. Drink now through 2017. 525 cases made.” –HS Wine Spectator – 93 Points!

2008 Leonetti Sangiovese ($79.99)

• “The 2008 Sangiovese is redolent of dark cherries and spices. Intense, racy, and structured, this beautifully proportioned wine will perform optimally from 2012 to 2023.” Jay Miller  Wine Advocate – 93 Points!“Ripe and floral, this is tightly wound with refined tannins, as carnation and violet overtones add interest to the cherry fruit. Finishes with finesse. Best from 2012 through 2017. 809 cases made.” –HS  Wine Spectator – 91 Points!

Hope to see you all out this weekend!

Personally, I like to drink good wines, so I have put together two very solid lineups for your tasting pleasure.  I have stretched the budget for these two for certain, thus it is not a weekend to be missed.  Both evenings culminate with a Napa Cabernet that I adore.  I look forward to seeing many you on Friday, Saturday, or both!

~ Jason Perry

Jonathan’s Market La Jolla Wine Tasting:

Friday, January 17th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm
Saturday, January 18th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

7611 Fay Avenue
(between Kline St & Pearl St)
La Jolla, CA 92037
Phone: 858.459.2677
View Map

Friday, January 17th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Friday’s Selections: $20.00 per person

Featuring “Jason’s Choice”

2012 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc ($29.99)

• This is a classic expression of our Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of grapefruit, lemon curd and nectarine, as well as rich, underlying notes of vanilla and homemade marshmallow. A smooth-textured entry gives way to tingling acidity that shows off the citrus elements beautifully, while adding length to flavors of cantaloupe, Asian pear and Fuji apple. The finish is persistent and refreshing with long mineral notes. Wine Spectator 90 Points!

2011 Donum Estate Chardonnay ($54.99)

• Carneros is renowned for stellar Chardonnay, and these vineyards are a gem. The selection of 100% Old Wente Chardonnay came from the Winery Lake and Larry Hyde vineyards. It’s a charming Chardonnay, yielding a host of aromas of apple, lemon, orange blossom, lime and crème brulee balanced by the minerality provided by our vineyard’s prominent natural acidity.

2008 T-Vine Merlot ($34.99)

• There are just 420 cases of T-Vine’s Napa Valley Merlot out in the world, and it’s a sad thing, since it’s just the kind of Merlot detractors need to taste to redeem this varietal’s damaged reputation. Made from fruit grown on Calistoga’s Kenefick Ranch, this Merlot is beautiful, with plum and blueberry fruit, saddle leather and spice, all coming together in wonderful, integrated harmony.

2010 Brancaia Ilatraia ($64.99)

• This is pure and oh-so-silky featuring flavors of black currant, violet, sweet spice, with a hint of tobacco.  The supple texture is offset by refined tannins as this cruises to a long aftertaste of black currant and spice.  Best from 2014-2024.” BS Wine Spectator 94 Points! #86 Top 100 wines of 2010!

2006 Lancaster Cabernet ($69.99)

• “Revealing a deep ruby purple color, a big intense, masculine mouthfeel and plenty of power and tannin it is a readily accessible wine with good balance, structure and purity.” Robert Parker Wine Advocate 90 Points! Wine Enthusiast 92 Points!

Saturday, January 18th, 2014 – 4pm – 7pm

Saturday’s Selections: $25.00 per person

Featuring “Jason’s Choice Part 2″

2012 Michel Redde Les Tuilieres Sancerre ($31.99)

• “Pebbly chalk and limestone subsoils in the vineyard along with warm summers result in a wonderfully vibrant, fruity wine. Michel Redde uses temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats to create a pure expression of the Sauvignon Blanc grape, then the wine rests on its lees until bottling. A very approachable, classic Sancerre: zesty with a hint of grass as well as white fruit on the nose. Crisp on the palate, with pronounced but well-balanced acidity.” Wine Spectator 91 Points!

2011 Cote Bonneville Chardonnay ($49.99)

• “The 2011 Chardonnay is a beauty and up there with the top examples of this variety coming out of Washington today. Barrel-fermented and aged 17 months, on lees, in 50% new French oak, it has a decidedly Old World feel with its rich golden apple, toast, brioche and spice aromas giving way to a medium to full-bodied, balanced and focused effort that builds on the palate and finishes with outstanding clarity and length. Given how the 2007 is currently showing, I’ve no doubt this will age gracefully for over a decade, yet I also see no reason to delay gratification either. Drink now-2020.” Jeb Dunnuck Wine Advocate 93 Points!

2010 Dierberg Drum Canyon Pinot Noir ($44.99)

• Less voluptuous and more edgy, with crisp black cherry, crushed stone, ground herbs, new leather and pepper, the 2010 Pinot Noir Drum Canyon comes together beautifully on the palate with a chiseled, pure and classically structured mouthfeel. Showing a salty minerality on the finish, this knockout effort needs another year of bottle age and will evolve gracefully through 2020. Drink 2014-2020.

2007 Sebastiani Secolo ($34.99)

• The 2007 Secolo delivers bold aromas of blackberry, blueberry, sandalwood and dried herbs. The character of the vintage encouraged us to emphasize the elegance of the fruit by using less new oak than in the past. The palate is a ripe, concentrated mélange of black fruits laced with vanilla and hints of mocha. The wine finishes fairly soft with just enough tannins to frame the generous fruit. Wine Spectator 92 Points!

2007 Sherwin Cabernet ($89.99)

• “The Sherwin Cabernet is a stylish effort, ripe, complex, supple and layered, with a mix of black cherry, wild berry, road tar, graphite and cedar notes. Full-bodied, turning supple and elegant on the finish, where the tannins are ripe and fleshy. Drink now through 2021.” James Laube Wine Spectator 92 Points!

Hope to see you all out this weekend!