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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.
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Staff Favorites - Keith Mabry
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Reviews
1999 Bürklin-Wolf Ruppertsberg Gaisböhl Riesling Spätlese Trocken (Dry)
Review Date: 11-2-2009
This '99 is a Grosses Gewachs level wine direct from the winery's cellar. The wine has tremendous acidity and length adding to the longevity of this bone-dry white. It's like drinking a beam of light. Fabulous stuff.
Price: $49.99
2008 Gunn Estate Pinot Noir
Review Date: 10-4-2009
I found this utterly charming wine to far exceed its price point especially when compared to domestic wines at twice its price. Supple red cherry fruitand a touch of loamy earthiness make this one of my favorite under $20 pinots.
Price: $14.99
1991 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Bosconia" Gran Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 9-28-2009
Fresh tilled earth, asian spice box and roasted fruit flavors. This wine speaks of its place and origins with a song.
Price: $89.99
1990 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Blanco Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 9-28-2009
Vibrant and dry with lemon zest and spicebox aromas. This wine sings with balancing acidity as it unfolds into multi-layered complexity. Like walking through a beautiful spring garden as it begins to rain.
Price: $39.99
2006 Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 9-9-2009
This is a tremendous effort from this Chateau. Lovely coffee and caramel aromas are surrounded by flavors of cassis and black cherries. Great balance of acidity and refined tannins, this will make a good candidate for a few years of bottle age but there is something extremely appealing about this wine right now.
Price: $29.99
2004 Les Allees de Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 9-9-2009
Waiting for your 06 Cantemerle to mature? This second label is a great go to wine for drinking now. Very pretty floral nose with black plum and mission fig flavors. So elegant and refined.
Price: $16.99
2005 Saint Jacques de Siran, Bordeaux Superior
Review Date: 9-9-2009
This wine was a delightful suprise at our last staff tasting. Really well balanced, lovely red currant and plum flavors and a nice supple finish. This is a great wine for drinking now and you don't have to cross the $15 threshold to get there.
Price: $14.99
2008 Berger Grüner Veltliner (1L)
Review Date: 9-6-2009
Currently my favorite go-to Liter bottle of Gruner. Bright citrus, hint of melon, very classy and refined for a gruner veltliner at this price.
Price: $12.99
2003 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Cubillo" Crianza Rioja
Review Date: 9-6-2009
This is a wonderful classic Rioja with spicy cherry fruit flavors, floral notes and a hint of dried herbs. It is subtle, balanced and extremely pretty.
Price: $24.99
1999 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Gravonia" Crianza Blanco Rioja
Review Date: 9-6-2009
It's hard to express just how big a fan of these wines I am. The whites are exceptionally interesting and full of complexities and flavors that are so unique. The 99 Gravonia has wonderful acidity, vibrant lemon zest and carmelized fruit flavors and impeccable balance. Give it a short decant before serving and you will be well rewarded.
Price: $24.99
1981 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Blanco Gran Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 9-6-2009
This wine is almost indescribable in its character and complexity. It actually takes a little time to open up, so I do encourage a short decant or aeration before serving...not too long though. It first opens with cedar and notes of fine tobacco. We joked that it was like "cream of cigar box". But in a good way!! The wine develops generous dried citrus notes, hints of quince and a lovely dulce de leche character. This is a true wine of intrigue, subtlety and balance.
Price: $89.99
2008 Pascal Janvier "Cuvée du Rosier" Coteaux du Loir
Review Date: 9-6-2009
Lovely perfume flowers, damp earth and pomegranite fruit. If you are not familiar with the wines of the Loir (a tributary to the Loire river) this is one of the best producers to start with. Serve with a hint of a chill and go to town.
Price: $16.99
2008 Domaine des Nembrets Denis Barraud St-Véran
Review Date: 8-30-2009
The mineral tones on this wine come leaping out of the glass. For fans of Pouilly flavor at an un-Pouilly price this is my go-to wine.
Price: $14.99
2007 Domaine des Niales, Rhedon-Marin Mâcon-Villages Vieilles Vignes
Review Date: 8-30-2009
Once again this is a fantastic white. It reminds me of spiced pears with creamy notes of lees and hazelnuts. The wine is focused and has a fabulous backbone of acidity. This Macon definitely transcends its price.
Price: $12.99
2001 Domaine Valette Pouilly-Fuissé "Clos Reyssie Reserve Particuliere" ($78 Elsewhere)
Review Date: 8-30-2009
Definitely not to everyone's taste, this wine is more about the secondary development in wine. It does have rich carmelized flavors of toffee and nougat with a long butterscotch finish. There is wonderful acidity, citrus zest tones and roasted nuts. This is fascinating stuff.
Price: $39.99
2001 Domaine Valette Pouilly-Vinzelles "OOO" ($45 Elsewhere)
Review Date: 8-30-2009
Vibrant streak of acidity, tons of leesy minerality, candied lemon rind, a superb texture. These are just a few things to love about this complex mature white.
Price: $19.99
2007 Larochette-Manciat Mâcon-Morizottes
Review Date: 8-30-2009
Lovely rich flavors with a creamy buttery texture similar to a triple cream brie. This wine also has nuances of asian pear and white flowers. The leesy notes are the driving force of this wine but even so it has wonderful finesse.
Price: $11.99
2007 Viñedos de Ithaca "Akyles" Priorat
Review Date: 8-27-2009
I find most Priorat wines to be a tad overwhelming with monolithic fruit and always out of reach price wise. The Akyles is by far once of the most balanced and yielding wines from this appellation with flavors of blackberries, loam, asian spices and a touch of smoke. This is also a Priorat that is within the reach of the common man like myself. As good as most at twice or three times the price.
Price: $21.99
2008 Southern Lights Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough
Review Date: 8-19-2009
I love the kiwi/grapefruit flavors of this second wine from Omaka Springs. This is sure to please anyone who likes Classic Marlborough flavors with a snappy finish. My new house wine!
Price: $7.99
2008 Doña Paula "Los Cardos" Malbec Mendoza
Review Date: 8-18-2009
The 2008 Dona Paula “Los Cardos” Malbec is just plain delicious. Estate fruit from the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, I always wonder in amazement at the quality of some of these wines. How do they produce a wine of pleasure and detail and get it to the US at such a decent price. The Malbec is deeply colored with waves of black raspberries, red plums, spice box, dried tobacco and lead pencil. The wine is medium to full-bodied with a lingering finish. This wine is a tremendous value.
Price: $6.99
2008 Carballal Albariño "Sete Cepas" Rias Baixas
Review Date: 8-13-2009
I was blown away by the 2007 of this wine, so I was slightly apprehensive about tasting the new vintage. Fortunatley, this wine rocks! It has the same extraction of lemon zest, peach pits and zesty minerality. Great range of flavors that I think will continue to improve and come together over the next 6 months to year. It should continue to drink well even longer.
Price: $14.99
2007 Castro Ventosa "El Castro de Valtuille" Mencia Joven Bierzo
Review Date: 8-13-2009
I like to describe Mencia as the lovechild of a Cabernet Franc from Chinon and a spicier, meatier Pinot Noir from the Cote de Beaune in Burgundy. The Ventosa Joven leans more towards the rich black fruit of Cab Franc with gorgeous sage and garrigue aromas. I believe this wine will complement anything grilled - be it animal or vegetable.
Price: $12.99
2007 Errazuriz "Wild Ferment" Chardonnay Casablanca Valley
Review Date: 8-13-2009
As many California chardonnays shift away from their classic butter and oak components the Errazuriz "Wild Ferment" is unapologetic in its embrace of this tradition. That is not too say there are too much of these things but they are there in the forefront. Toast, carmelized pears, creamy richness, vanilla beans. These are the makings of a classic chardonnay.
Price: $16.99
2008 Gurrutxaga Bizkaiko Txakolina Rosé
Review Date: 8-13-2009
This wine may seem a tad on the "geeky" side for some but it is pretty fascinating stuff. Made from Hondarribi Beltza (the red grape from Txakoli) it has a range of flavors that float between cabernet franc and gamay. The wine definitely has lots of cherry fruit with a lovely sparkle behind it but it is the slightly herbal notes and touch of smoke that make it truly intriguing. One of the most amusing rose's I have tasted this season.
Price: $19.99
2008 Tabali Pinot Noir Reserva Especial Limari Valley
Review Date: 8-13-2009
Everyone talks about New Zealand as the new frontier for pinot noir production but I would like to nominate Chile. Both this vintage and the last of the Tabali have gorgeous pinot flavors of cherries, spice and toast. There is a great purity of flavors that I would put this up against anything from California at $30. This is a region and a winery on the rise.
Price: $17.99
2008 Tomero Torrontes Salta
Review Date: 8-13-2009
Gorgeous aromatic nose but not overdone. Torrontes can sometimes be a little too fruit-salady for my taste much like viognier, but here we have an example that is striking but not overwhelming. You can attribute the balance of aromatics and vibrant acidity to its high altitude roots in the Salta region of Mendoza (in my opinion the best area for torrontes). Jasmine, stargazer lilies and orange blossoms. Very pretty stuff.
Price: $12.99
2008 Uriondo Bizkaiko Txakolina
Review Date: 8-13-2009
Not as fizzy as some Txakoli but this definitely has the goods when it comes to bright acidity, loads of citrus and a vibrant mineral tone.
Price: $16.99
2008 Vidal Soblechero "Viña Clavidor" Verdejo Rueda
Review Date: 8-13-2009
Verdejo is rapidly becoming one of my favorite white varietals. It may not deliver the complexity of top-tier sauvignon blanc but it gets really close for a fraction of the price. The "Clavidor" is old vine fruit and it really shines through with powerful flavors of melon and citrus rind. A hint of chalk on the finish lends some nice minerality to this wine that is both superb for quaffing but even better with a salad comprised of fresh melon, feta cheese, pine nuts and chervil.
Price: $12.99
2006 Chateau Soucherie "Clos des Perrieres" Savennieres (was$28)
Review Date: 7-19-2009
Definitely some wood tone on this wine but it is an outstanding compliment lending a touch of vanilla to the vibrant tropical tones of this wine. This Savennieres also reminds me a bit of mango chutney or perhaps I want to drink this wine with some Indian food that has mango chutney on the side.
Price: $19.99
2007 Gerard Boulay "Monts Damnés" Sancerre Chavignol
Review Date: 7-19-2009
Tour de force white wine. There is such gorgeous mineral tone to this wine that I start salivating just thinking about it. One for some short term cellaring give it a couple more years to fully open up and I think you will be well rewarded for your patience.
Price: $29.99
Veuve du Vernay Brut
Review Date: 7-19-2009
I think this might be one of the best sparkling wine values the world over. The wine has undertones of grapefruit and guava with clean mineral notes. You would have to twice as much to get anything this close in quality.
Top Value!
Price: $7.99
2008 Achával Ferrer Malbec Mendoza
Review Date: 6-1-2009
Achaval Ferrer has been one of my favorite Southern Hemisphere producers for quite some time. Their single-vineyard Malbecs are world-class and beautifully balanced wines. This year they have elevated the 2008 Malbec to new heights. Not that it was ever a disappointment but this year it has that extra something special. Gorgeous raspberry and boysenberry fruit interlaced with hints of smoke, graphite and spicebox. A finish that lingers elegantly. The only thing that surprised me more were the 2007 single vineyard wines. Considering those are four times the price, the regular Malbec is an excellent jumping on point.
Price: $18.99
2006 Domaine de Pallus "Les Pensées de Pallus" Chinon
Review Date: 5-24-2009
So many wines these days seem like they are trying to shed their roots. This is unapologetic Chinon. What makes it great Chinon is the fact that it has classic varietal and regional Cabernet Franc character but it is exquisitely balanced. There is a subtle perfume of violets and black cherries laced with hints of sage and black olives. What a gorgeous expression for people who truly appreciate this region and those who are just discovering it.
Price: $19.99
2007 Mönchhof Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese ($45 Elsewhere)
Review Date: 2-23-2009
Erdener Pralat is one of the top vineyard designations in the Mosel. Robert Eymael, the proprieter, only produces an Auslese level wine from this vineyard. It is rare and absolutely exquisite. The wine has wonderful texture and weight with a filigree fineness to it. It could last a couple of decades in the cellar, but it won't last that long in mine. I'm too inclined to drink it.
Price: $29.99
2007 Mönchhof Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett
Review Date: 2-23-2009
Lots of snap and stone fruit character. One of my favorite Kabinetts!
Price: $18.99
2006 Château de la Negly "Cuvée de la Falaise" Côteaux du Languedoc-La Clape (was $24.99)
Review Date: 2-12-2009
This is definitely the more amped up version of our Negly offerings. Full and rich with lots of glycerin. When you first open this wine it is dense with fruit. As it opens though the characteristics of the Carignan come forward and add a lot of spice and nuance to the wine. This is a wine I would like to drink while I spit-roast an animal and finish when I sit down and devour a large hunk of its flesh.
Price: $12.99
2007 Gerard Boulay "Clos du Beaujeu" Sancerre Chavignol
Review Date: 2-12-2009
I wish I could keep this wine off the radar because I want it all for myself. Fortunately we have a great relationship with Boulay and get a good supply of these wines. Unfortunately, our great customers are on to Boulay and know that these wines don't last long. Why am I even bothering to write this wine up? Because it is fantastic! It is the ultimate expression of Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre and I had to declare it to the world. Intense but balanced. Refined and delineated. Long, long finish. Alas, not long for our shelves.
Price: $29.99
2006 DeRose Vineyards Cienega Valley Negrette
Review Date: 2-2-2009
Old-Vine Negrette! Just rolls off the tongue. Though if you actually see the wine in the glass it looks like its going to stain your tongue and your lips and most definitely your teeth. Extremely opaque and full-bodied but with fine-grained tannins, it reminds me of some other off the wall varietals like Dornfelder, Tannat and Charbono. Yes it's esoteric and sometimes I like things for that reason, but this wine has history, the vines are 115 years old. Rich, inky, deep plum and spice notes, this is a whole lot of wine.
Price: $34.99
Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noirs
Review Date: 1-28-2009
Domaine Chandon was the first French-owned sparkling wine venture in California. Established in 1973, they have led the way in production methods and farming practices. They were also the first domestic producer to introduce Pinot Meunier into their sparkling wine. The Domaine Chandon Blanc de Noir is a great reflection of their style, focusing on Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The grapes come primarily from their Carneros property, which has the cool climate to provide great structure and backbone to the wine. It has a delicate salmon color with flavors of strawberry and black cherry. It is a fruit-driven style with a creamy texture and finish.
Price: $14.99
Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut
Review Date: 1-28-2009
This has a vibrant spiced pear and melon character. It sees little to no malolactic fermentation, giving it a racing stripe of acidity that keeps the wine focused. We also have this beauty, which was awarded 90 points by Wine & Spirits Magazine, in magnum .
Price: $18.99
Scharffenberger Brut
Review Date: 1-28-2009
Not far from Roederer is a little homegrown brand: Scharffenberger. Established in 1981, the winery has gone through a couple of ownership changes (remember Pacific Echo? Me neither). Under the current ownership quality from this 120-acre property has shot to new heights. In contrast to the Roederer, the NV Scharffenberger Brut sees 100% malolactic fermentation. The wine is comprised of 2/3s Pinot Noir and 1/3 Chardonnay. There is a fruity richness with hints of plum, roasted apples and cinnamon.
Price: $15.99
2007 Benanti Bianco di Caselle
Review Date: 12-4-2008
This is an astounding white that I have just become familiar with. There is a wonderful richness and dense fruit and floral quality with brilliant acidity. It is probably easiest to equate the style of this wine to a dry Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley but that doesn't fully express the dimension this wine has. You should really try this!
Price: $16.99
2006 Poggiarellino Rosso di Montalcino
Review Date: 11-24-2008
Definitely on the rustic side, but that makes me love this wine even more. This is classic saddle leather and spice. Every time I try this wine, I am blown away by its unique character. Yes it's a little funky and yes it is not for every palate, but if you favor earth and complexity this is certainly a wine you will appreciate.
Price: $17.99
2007 Shenandoah Vineyards "Special Reserve" Amador Zinfandel
Review Date: 11-24-2008
This is an outstanding entry-level zinfandel. There is wonderfully spicy fruit with a strawberry blackberry compote character.
Price: $9.99
2000 Señorío de P.Peciña Crianza Rioja
Review Date: 11-20-2008
I am a huge fan of this winery and this wine is the perfect reason to see why. It definitely has a little dustiness and forest floor when you first open the bottle, but that quickly evolves into mulled cherry fruit, potpourri and damp earth. Beautiful.
Price: $19.99
1998 Valduero "6 Años" Reserva Premium Ribera del Duero
Review Date: 11-20-2008
This wine is only produced in great years and only from the oldest vines in the vineyard. That said it's hard to believe that this wine is 10 years old. Their is still a potent youthfulness to the fruit but the wine is balanced through and through. The "6 Anos" has a suppleness that shows the character of Ribera but does not overwhelm with oak flavors and overripe fruit.
Price: $49.99
2004 Valduero Reserva Ribera del Duero
Review Date: 11-20-2008
Pretty classic Ribera. Lots of vanilla, cherry, tobacco and spicebox flavors. Well balanced style without being too over the top. The vintage really shows through with the concentration and structure. I could drink this now but I would prefer to wait for a few years. It should develop beautifully.
Price: $35.99
Caveau du Mont July Bugey Cerdon Rosé
Review Date: 11-19-2008
If you have never had Bugey Cerdon - You Must Try This! It is a lush, fruity, sparkling wine that has a touch of residual sugar. But don't be alarmed. It is not sappy sweet. It not quite as sweet as Moscato or most Lambrusco. It is appropriate as an aperitif, a summer sipper by the pool, for holiday meals (THANKSGIVING ESPECIALLY!!!) and any spicy foods (Thai or Mexican anyone?). This is what wine is all about - fun!
Price: $15.99
Schramsberg "Mirabelle" North Coast Rosé
Review Date: 11-19-2008
With a high Spectator score, this sparkling wine doesn't really need my help to sell it, but I did really enjoy the style. The wine possesses a strong watermelon and strawberry character with hints of cinnamon. Though not quite as detailed as some higher-end Rosé Champanges this would definitely hold its ground against many of the entry level cuvees for a lot less money!
Price: $19.99
2006 Dragonette Cellars Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir (Was $45)
Review Date: 6-18-2008
The 2006 Dragonette Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is just an infant. It is a blend of Gaia and Fiddlestix Vineyards (both of which are producing some very exciting fruit). As the vines in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation get older, the fruit is maturing beyond that sappy cherry cough syrup character its known for and building real complexity. The Dragonette pinot has some of the meaty, smoky bacon fat character reserved typically for Grand Cru Burgundies like Clos Vougeot. One of our tasters even equated the wine to a young Meo-Camuzet (high praise indeed from Mr. Trey Beffa, our domestic wine buyer).
Price: $34.99
2005 Chesebro "Cedar Lane Vineyard" Arroyo Seco Syrah
Review Date: 5-20-2008
Mark Chesebro, the former winemaker of Bernardus, meticulously farms his vineyard sources throughout the Carmel Valley. He is also an avid cheesemaker and felt compelled to make wines that went with his food. This wine has great spicy qualities. It is more of a medium- to full-bodied style with great acidity that screams, “feed me!” Serve it with a nice firm sheep’s milk cheese (it doesn’t have to be Mark’s, but that would be even better) with some dried currants or a little blackberry jam; it will accent the flavors of the wine perfectly and bring out all of its glorious smoky spice. A great bargain!
Price: $14.99
Rihaku "Wandering Poet" Junmai Ginjo Sake 300ml
Review Date: 4-29-2008
An exceptional Sake with lots of complexity. The Wandering Poet has a wonderful melon and citrus quality with a hint of anise in the finish. It is one of the best-balanced Sakes that we have.
Price: $14.99
Rihaku "Wandering Poet" Junmai Ginjo Sake 720ml
Review Date: 4-29-2008
An exceptional Sake with lots of complexity. The Wandering Poet has a wonderful melon and citrus quality with a hint of anise in the finish. It is one of the best balanced Sakes that we have.
Price: $31.99
2005 Vino V Wines "Confundido" Santa Barbara Red (Was $28)
Review Date: 4-17-2008
Yes the blend is strange (80% syrah, 20% pinot noir), but with most people complaining about pinot tasting too much like syrah, how about a role reversal? The pinot adds a vibrant string of red currant fruit plus bright acidity to a syrah that is laced with copious blackberry fruit. The wine is showing up on some top lists here in L.A. and with good reason. This is a wine that is pleasing now and works with food.
Price: $19.99
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