Staff Favorites - Steve Bearden

Steve Bearden
Steve Bearden  | Send Email  |   Subscribe to My Sommelier Service
I’m the Bordeaux liason for the San Francisco store, starting my run there around 2000. Over the years I've gained a great respect for subtlety, finesse, elegance and terroir, or a sense of place, that I believe all great wine should have. I enjoy practically anything and everything but mostly French and Italian with heavy emphasis on Rhône and Bordeaux. Be adventurous. There is tremendous diversity in regions, varieties and styles, so don’t let your palate get pigeon-holed.


Reviews

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2010 Calèches de Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 3-1-2013
Chateau direct pricing and old world charm make Lanessan one of our most popular Bordeaux and this second wine is an even greater value. This is just as rustic and traditional as the regular bottling but in a more approachable style and price.
Price: $15.99 Add To Cart

2009 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac
Review Date: 3-1-2013
People are often surprised when I tell them that my favorite 5th Growth Pauillac is not Lynch Bages but rather its close neighbor Grand-Put-Lacoste. Currants,blackberries,cedar,graphite,earth and mineral meld effortlessly in this sleek and powerful wine where the copius fruit is held at bay by the sheer structure. Wine this balanced is difficult to resist but this classic will greatly reward several years of bottle age and could be cellared for well over a decade.

2010 Soquel Vineyards "Partners' Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 2-9-2013
Big, hearty and somewhat chewy, this deeply flavored cabernet represents the quality you expect from Napa but at an easily affordable price. This has layers of deep, dark fruit, a hint of herb, a touch of spice and suggestions of mineral on the flavorful finish. Buried in the deep mid-palate is enough burly fruit to stand up to the heartiest of fare, yet the overall balance neve wavers.
Price: $17.99 Add To Cart

2010 Haut-La Péreyre, Bordeaux Supérieur
Review Date: 2-9-2013
Here is a new producer for us and a great value from the fantastic 2010 Bordeaux vintage. This is sleek and creamy with wonderful depth of fruit and no hard edges. Black cherry, dark plum, earth and a touch of mineral broaden the middle and score the finish of this high quality easy drinker.
Price: $15.99 Add To Cart

2010 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
This was probably the easiest property to taste at the entire UGC, and the wine is so complete it could be enjoyed now. Damp earth, copious red fruits and bright spice form a smooth and balanced package with a lingering finish. The burly mid-palate that closed down so many wines at this tasting is completely lacking in this zesty and elegant wine.

2010 Poujeaux, Moulis Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
This was very impressive, with a thick texture, gobs of smoky cherry fruit and aromas of incense and tobacco. This is a bit flashier than usual, but the tannins are velvety, and there is wonderful balance throughout. Quality seems to be rising at this property.

2010 Chasse-Spleen, Moulis (1.5L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
This full-bodied wine has very deep, dark fruit, a super mineral-driven personality and slick tannins on the lively finish. This is more rustic and beefy than the 2009, but with plenty of freshness. A little more time in the bottle should do wonders.

2010 Chasse-Spleen, Moulis Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
This full-bodied wine has very deep, dark fruit, a super mineral-driven personality and slick tannins on the lively finish. This is more rustic and beefy than the 2009, but with plenty of freshness. A little more time in the bottle should do wonders.

2010 Beaumont, Haut-Médoc (3L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
One of my favorite wines from the folks at Beychevelle. This is earthy and elegant, with dusty cherry fruit and hints of toasty oak in the deep but still supple mid-palate. This version is a bit sturdier than most vintages, with substantial grip.

2010 Beaumont, Haut-Médoc (1.5L) Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
One of my favorite wines from the folks at Beychevelle. This is earthy and elegant, with dusty cherry fruit and hints of toasty oak in the deep but still supple mid-palate. This version is a bit sturdier than most vintages, with substantial grip.

2010 Beaumont, Haut-Médoc Pre-Arrival
Review Date: 2-4-2013
One of my favorite wines from the folks at Beychevelle. This is earthy and elegant, with dusty cherry fruit and hints of toasty oak in the deep but still supple mid-palate. This version is a bit sturdier than most vintages, with substantial grip.

2009 Priest Ranch "Somerston Vineyards" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 1-15-2013
Here is a big, hearty, rustic bottle for lovers of old school Bordeaux and Northern Rhone wines. This is dark, dense and tarry with a seamless texture to the mid-palate until the deeply embedded tannin scar the long finish. Although full-bodied and hefty this is no fruit bomb and has a reserved yet masculine personality. Hermitage meets St. Julien in Napa.
Price: $36.99 Add To Cart RP 93 CG 90

1998 Grandis, Haut-Medoc
Review Date: 12-27-2012
This traditionaly styled wine from a very good vintage starts with mature notes of cedar wood, black olives, dark cherry fruit and a touch of leather. The mid-palate is firm, chewy, bold and bone dry. The still youthful tannins speak to the power of the vintage, but at 12 years of age this is a joy to drink tonight.
Price: $19.99 Add To Cart

2009 Picque Caillou Rouge, Pessac-Leognan
Review Date: 12-27-2012
Smoky dark currants and hot gravel aromas soar from this elegant yet rich wine. The body is smooth and satin textured and there is a roasted quality to the sweet, dark fruit and toasted herb flavors. This stays supple, velvety and balanced right through to the gravely, mineral laced finish.
Price: $22.99 Add To Cart

Wine Club

Club Price: $19.99

2009 Chauvet Rouge, Bordeaux
Review Date: 12-27-2012
Here is another great example of the quality provided by the 2009 Bordeaux vintage. This starts with warm and earthy scents of baked cherry, dark plum and ripe blackberry fruit. Although the body is quite deep and rich the finish stays clean, crisp and refreshing.
Price: $9.99 Add To Cart

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