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Wine Scores
Below is a listing of the wine review scores we frequently reference in our notes. While these sources remain an excellent source of information, we always recommend that you trust your own palate. Scores in these publications often represent the personal taste of an individual critic, which may not always coincide with your own. We have a huge team of excellent wine professionals that can match wines you've had in the past with new arrivals that meet your flavor profile.
- Allen Meadows - Burghound
- Connoisseurs Guide
- Gambero Rosso
- James Halliday
- James Suckling
- Malt Advocate
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
- International Wine Cellar
- Wine & Spirits
- Wine Enthusiast
- Wine Spectator
- The Wine News
- Malt Advocate
Reviewers
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Staff Favorites - Steve Bearden
Steve Bearden
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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.
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Reviews
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2011 Balletto Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Review Date: 5-22-2013
This is a great find for Pinot lovers not already familiar with Balletto's tradition of crafting fine elegant wines. Not quite as rich and full as many Pinots from Russian River but very nuanced and layered with a great core of dark cherry fruit that is persistant and dry. This is very well priced for Pinot Noir of this quality.
Price: $21.99
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
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
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
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.
Price: $42.99
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.
Price: $34.99
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.
Price: $69.99
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.
Price: $37.99
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.
Price: $74.99
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.
Price: $35.99
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.
Price: $16.99
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
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
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.
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
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