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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
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Staff Favorites - Keith Mabry
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Reviews
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2001 Marques de Legarda Gran Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 12-3-2012
One of the most interesting wineries I have ever visited. The winery dates back to 14th century. The 2001 Gran Reserva is classic Rioja through and through with subtle herb spices and nuances, dried cranberries and figs, hint of rosemary and an earthy complex finish. We had this served with the Spanish equivalent of Guinea Hen over rice but you could serve this with any fowl and be a pretty happy camper.
Price: $29.99
2008 Marques de Legarda Crianza Rioja
Review Date: 12-3-2012
Our visit to Legarda was one of the most interesting visits to a winery I have ever experienced. Likely the oldest operating winery in Spain and maybe even Europe, this place exudes history. The wines however are timeless. Classic Rioja with a slightly modern tact, the basic Crianza is bright with red fruit flavors, earthy loamy notes and a hint of cocoa in the finish. Great length and finish, this is a winery to jump on board with.
Price: $14.99
2007 Can Mayol Loxarel Gran Reserva Familiar Brut Nature Penedes
Review Date: 12-3-2012
One of my favorite new Direct Import producers. Loxarel deals predominately in Xarel-lo for their cava production. All organic and biodyanmic vineyards with lots of old vine fruit and the Gran Reserva is aged 40 months on the lees. This is definitely the next level in cava production when it comes to flavor. Loads of mineral and spice with a vibrant snappy finish. Some nice autolytic qualities that make you think of Champagne, but don't think knock-off. This is pure expressive Cava!
Price: $21.99
2008 Mas Codina Vinya Ferrer Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes
Review Date: 12-3-2012
One of the properties we visited on our buying trip in April of 2012. This is still a small family owned and operated winery with an excellent eye for detail. Clean and fresh this cava is aged for a minimum of 24 months and has subtle toasty nuances and spice notes. A terrific value and a happy addition to our Direct Import sparkling wine program.
Price: $14.99
2009 Manos Negras Carménère Colchagua
Review Date: 8-6-2012
This is one of the cleanest brightest Carmeneres that I have tasted. Sweet black fruit of currants and blackberries follows warm spices and subtle cedar tones. None of the herbaceous capsicum flavors to be found here. This ranks up there with the best of our $20 to $30 domestic Cabernets and Merlots. When you factor in the much lower price, how can you not try it?
Price: $12.99
2010 Kirnbauer "Blau Haus" Blaufränkisch
Review Date: 8-6-2012
This is my new favorite everyday red! Loaded with tobacco, spicebox and savory red fruit qualities, this is the perfect foil for grilled meats, roasted chickens and the eponymous bbq ribs. It's even great with Mexican food. If you have never tried Blaufrankisch this is the best place to start.
Price: $13.99
Spirit of the Andes Sparkling Torrontes Extra Brut
Review Date: 2-13-2012
A unique beauty of Argentina is this sparkling torrontes. This is incredible stuff made in the Champagne Method. It is fermented bone dry and though it is technically an Extra Brut, the aromatic lift of the wine helps round out the flavors. It is bright, vibrant, has a long finish and far exceeded my expectations.
Price: $16.99
2007 Viña Eguía Reserva Rioja
Review Date: 2-9-2012
This is as pretty and perfumed as you could hope for. This Reserva is cut from the classic cloth of Spanish Rioja, with tobacco nuances, burnished leather, dried blueberries and bing cherry notes. The oak is well integrated adding some of the dusty notes and subtle grilled herb components. Normally a $20 bottle of wine this would over-deliver even at that price. For $15, you have one of the best every day reds worthy of pairing with any pork, beef or lamb dish you could think of throwing at it.
Price: $14.99
Gazela Vinho Verde
Review Date: 6-15-2011
Light, bubbly, full of zesty fruit, this is the perfect poolside sipper for the summer.
Price: $5.99
2002 Bruno Michel "Cuvee Millésime" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 2-9-2011
Bruno Michel is one of my favorite producers in our DI program. Every time I read my tasting notes for one of these wines, it says something like - Pouilly Fuisse with bubble or in the case of the rose, Gevrey Chambertin with bubbles. The 2002 is broad shoulders on a sinewy frame - Chablis Les Clos with bubbles. Terrific stuff and built for the long haul.
Price: $59.99
Bruno Michel Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 2-9-2011
Upon first sip, this bubbly reminds me what I love about our Direct Import Champagne program. Gorgeous aromas of nutmeg, allspice, buttered toast and caramelized apples. The flavors match up beautifully and bright acidity carries the wine across the palate to a long lingering finish. There is so much to love about this.
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: $8.99
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: $14.99
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
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