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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 - Melissa Smith
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Reviews
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Compass Box Great King Street Artist's Blended Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 9-16-2011
Another great acheivment by Compass Box's John Glasser. Finally one that I can afford, and get my hands on. Steller, smokey, with an imperceptival sweetness on the palate.
Price: $39.99
Laphroaig "Triple Wood" Islay Single Malt Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 9-16-2011
This is a camping whisky, or, if you're "indoorsy" like my husband, this is a great whisky to have while peering towards the outdoors from a safe, warm, bug free environment. The wood on this is huge, but in a very cool way. Umm...what I mean is, you can actually taste the wood treatments in layers, and then they softly fade away. Nice smokey layers, sweet vanilla, and an almost freshly lumbered redwood flavor all play with your sences. This is a great gateway into Islay Scotch’s Scotch.
Price: $64.99
St. George Terroir Mt. Tam Gin 750ml
Review Date: 9-9-2011
Holy crap! This Gin tastes like every hike or walk I've ever been on in the Bay Area! I've been waiting for this for years hearing Lance and Dave Smith talking about it. This is truly a phenomenal concept and I don't think that anywhere else in the world could replicate such a diverse terroir so elegantly. Redwood, Bay, Fir Trees, Fennel, Wormwood, Brush Sage! You feel like you're wandering through Muir woods, walking down the aisle on Mt Tam above the San Francisco Bay, traipsing through unknown hilly areas of Oakland with your favorite dog friend. It takes you there in every sense, enveloping you with calm and beauty. This is the best aromatherapy gets folks.
Price: $30.99
Caol Ila 12 year old Islay Single Malt Whisky750ml
Review Date: 8-16-2011
Full of campfire smoke and menthol!
Price: $49.99
2009 Columbia Crest "Two Vines" Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 7-1-2011
Wow! This Cab is what a Cab should be, in flavor, texture, alcohol content...this is a huge score brought in by Alex Pross. Ripe and ready to drink, nicely structured without being a fruit bomb or full of tannins. BTW, did you notice the price? Remember the Haven's sale of 2009? I find this to be infinitely more likable at less than that was selling for at closeout! Buy a case (or five), there will be no regrets.
Price: $6.99
Amrut "Fusion" Indian Single Malt Whiskey 750ml
Review Date: 4-11-2011
I actually had some one accuse me of working for the company because I wouldn't let him leave without the bottle. Well worth the hype, it is an exceptional example of balance and finesse. There is no way in a blind tasting that you would expect this to be from anywhere except Scotland. If you have a friend that loves scotch and looking to get them a special gift, I highly recommend this bottle, there's a good chance they haven't heard of it yet.
Price: $64.99
Hangar One Vodka Roasted Chipotle 750ml
Review Date: 4-11-2011
THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! Infinitely better than the original (which I tasted through its many stages of progression) and found to be too rough and green for my taste. On the nose it is bright and green, but on the palate it’s rich and smoky with an incredible kick that soon fades into almost a cocoa finish. It has hints of sweetness and a flavor of spicy bacon lingers forever (in a good way). Although I think this is fantastic on its own, I doubt that I’m going to be able to convince any of you to buy it and drink it by the glass. Cocktails on the other hand, you can lose an afternoon dreaming up the possibilities!
Personally, I think this would be fantastic in a snifter with a chilled tomato water chaser. But until tomato season is in full affect I’ve settled on mixing it with crushed pineapple, agave, and a squirt of lime over ice. DE-LIC-IOUS! (and it went perfectly with my fish tacos)
Price: $27.99
Cocchi Barolo Chinato (1000ml)
Review Date: 4-5-2011
Insanity. It's hard to come up with any other way to describe how good this is. The only thing stopping me from buying it is the price and knowing that I would easily kill half of the bottle in one evening.
Price: $65.99
Tempus Fugit Liqueur De Violettes 750ml
Review Date: 3-6-2011
This stuff is amazing. I always wondered why some of the other violet liquers tasted nothing like violets. I thought it was me and I wasn't getting something. This is the real deal, I can't wait to run out of my other bottle of "violet" liqor to replace it with a bottle of the Tempus.
Price: $30.99
Deligeroy Crémant de Loire Brut Rosé
Review Date: 1-16-2011
Remember De Chanceny? Same wine, different label: I love rose, and I love bubbly, so naturally I had to try this bargain bottle from the Loire. And yup, the perfect bottle for a beautiful Spring day. I'm thinking a buttermilk panna cotta with crushed strawberries and a touch of rosewater, would complete this experience.
Price: $12.99
2009 Orin Swift Cellars "Abstract" Rhone Blend
Review Date: 1-9-2011
I am a huge fan of Orin Swift's wines and the Abstract is no exception. If anything, it is right up there with the Papillion as far as their wines that I am stoked about. It is a full weighted, structured fruit bomb of a wine. Lip smackingly good, and a wine that does not need food to be enjoyed. In fact, this wine is close to a meal in itself.
Price: $24.99
Antech "Brut Nature" Blanquette de Limoux
Review Date: 11-27-2010
Extremely crisp, great as an aperitif or as a base for cocktails. I'll be mixing this with some clove spiked OJ for the holidays, or perhaps the cranberry liquor from Clear Creek, or, maybe I'll float it on one of my favorite cocktails...
Price: $12.99
Marguet Pere et Fils "Cuvée Reserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 10-30-2010
Through the holidays this will be my go to champagne recommendation for the numerous parties where hors d'oeuvres play center stage. Gorgeous, lush, bright, and extremely food friendly at a jaw dropping price. After the holidays this will remain a perfect selection for toasts, gatherings, or just a Tuesday night.
Price: $34.99
Suntory Yamazaki 12 year old Japanese Single Malt Whiskey 750ml
Review Date: 8-24-2010
This is pleasure in a glass. With every glass coating swirl I feel inspired to write a Haiku. It's delicate, yet voluptuous. There's toasted coconut, caramelized pear, hints of clove, and a long nuanced finish.
Price: $49.99
2007 Orin Swift "Papillon" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend
Review Date: 8-3-2010
I am a huge fan of the wines from Orin Swift, but this vintage of Papillon is exceptional. Big and ripe with cigar box nuances on the nose, this is another powerhouse from the cult winemakers that brought you my other favorites the Prisoner and Veladora.
For the back-story on the Papillon, and therefore the Prisoner references, check out this link: http://thewineconsultant.com/newsletter/351/
Price: $49.99
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More Favorites
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Melissa Smith's Personal Sommelier Service.
2011 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Viognier Stellenbosch South Africa ($19.99)
2009 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Syrah Stellenbosch South Africa ($24.99)
2011 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch ($19.99)
2010 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Chardonnay Stellenbosch ($19.99)
2009 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa ($24.99)
2010 Charles Baur Pinot Blanc ($12.99)
2009 Patricius Sárga Muskotály (Yellow Muscat) Tokaj (Dry) ($14.99)
Campo de Encanto Pisco de Peru 750ml ($32.99)
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum 750ml ($34.99)
2009 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Syrah Stellenbosch South Africa ($24.99)
2011 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch ($19.99)
2010 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Chardonnay Stellenbosch ($19.99)
2009 Waterkloof "Circumstance" Cabernet Sauvignon Stellenbosch South Africa ($24.99)
2010 Charles Baur Pinot Blanc ($12.99)
2009 Patricius Sárga Muskotály (Yellow Muscat) Tokaj (Dry) ($14.99)
Campo de Encanto Pisco de Peru 750ml ($32.99)
Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum 750ml ($34.99)
