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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 - Joe Manekin
Joe Manekin
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Joe arrived at our doors in February 2007 from far away, Washington, DC to be exact. Just so no one gets the wrong idea, though, he was merely earning a living in DC; Joe’s cultural identity, as well as his professional sports allegiances and, when he has a few drinks in him, his accent, are all Baltimore through and through. After working on the wholesale side of the business for nearly 4 years, Joe decided that he wanted to work wine retail with the best, so he emailed Cindy Westby at K&L and the rest is history. While Joe is well versed in a number of wine regions, he most enjoys the wines of Europe, though he is growing increasingly interested in the great wines of the Santa Cruz mountains. When he is not at K&L, Joe enjoys cooking, traveling, catching up on The Wire, doing occasional PR, booking and recording work for reggae band JohnStone (www.johnstonemusic.com), and writing for his wine, food and music blog, Old world Old School (www.oldworldoldschool.blogspot.com)
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Reviews
2007 La Nevera Garnacha Navarra
Review Date: 11-20-2009
I try to minimize reviews of wines which are in my department (Spain,Portugal, South America) but sometimes I cannot help myself. This cool climate (well, cool climate for Spain!) garnacha from Navarra has a lot of snap, freshness and mouth watering, crunchy red fruit. Drink this at cool cellar temperature to highlight the fresh, engaging qualities of this wonderful red.
Top Value!
Price: $11.99
Equipo Navazos La Bota de Fino #15
Review Date: 11-18-2009
This is connoisseur sherry, pure and simple. Equipos Navazos finds the best soleras in family bodegas, and bottles them under their name. La Bota no. 15, the current fino, is from the storied Valdespino winery, produced from grapes grown on the famed Macharnudo Alta vineyard in Jerez. Only 20 butts were used for this bottling (compare with 150 or more for many other sherries, even the nicer ones). Like their other bottlings, there is an added element of purity, mouthfilling richness and elegance that makes this a world class example of the style, writ large. Highly recommended while it lasts.
Price: $39.99
2008 Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Review Date: 11-18-2009
This will sell out before Christmas, so if you're looking for good Oregon pinot noir, with subtlety, grace, and wonderful Williamette Valley typicity: tangy fruit, a bit of beet root, a touch of a floral aspect, then have it. I know I will.
Price: $17.99
2003 La Lagune, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 11-18-2009
Soft, sweet cherry fruit with delicate inner mouth floral aromas and very good balance, especially for the vintage. Useful wine reminder - you can't always pre-judge a wine based on its vintage! While this is ripe, it is still quite balanced and possessing enough of interest to keep this intrepid drinker in to this bottle.
Price: $39.99
2004 Philippe Gonet Cuvee Belemnita Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne
Review Date: 11-18-2009
If I'm going to review a tete de cuvee champagne that is well north of $100, you best believe that I'm going to really think highly of it! The Belemnita has the clearest, most precise and mineral expression of cotes de blancs chardonnay that I've tasted since 1996 Salon. There it is. Bold statement, but I stand behind my words. If you can afford it, then try it, gift it, whatever you're fancy. Whoever drinks or cellars the wine will not be disappointed.
Price: $129.00
2008 Tessier Cheverny Rouge
Review Date: 11-18-2009
What an enjoyble wine! Bright red fruit, light in the mouth, energetic and vibrant. It's the perfect red for sipping with friends, or perhaps pairing with a roasted chicken, even braised meat if you're in the mood for something lighter and brighter to contrast with the dish. Tessier's wines are amongst my favorite Loire direct imports in the store, and this delightful red really brings the goods this vintage.
Price: $13.99
2007 Bolognani Moscato Giallo (Dry Muscat)
Review Date: 8-29-2009
Here is something unique and off the beaten path, either for an aperitif or to pair with grilled salmon. Intense, bright fruit cocktail aromas lead to a delicious palate which pops with flavor, something reminiscent of lychee but less sweet. Perhaps like lychee juice fermented to dryness? Or maybe some sort of tropical fruit which I have yet to taste? Either way, this is delicious, if tough to describe, Italian white.
Price: $16.99
2006 Ruggeri Corsini Barbera d'Alba "Armujan"
Review Date: 8-25-2009
Some out there might find this one to rich for their blood, but I'm always an Armujan fan, even with the heft, the 14-14.5% alcohol, and oak. Why? Probably because of the delicious depth of deeply pitched, black cherry fruit, with enough acid to hold it together. Not a cocktail, be sure to drink this with a hearty meal. Guido says it's a good one to age up to 10 years, which makes sense given the wine's balance, fruit intensity, and acidity.
Price: $22.99
2006 Ruggeri Corsini Nebbiolo d'Alba
Review Date: 8-25-2009
Very well done, affordable Nebbiolo d'Alba, as per usual with Ruggeri Corsini. Intense Bitter cherry aromas do not go towards the cherry robitussin cough syrup side of the Nebbiolo aroma wheel, thankfully. Very unique range of flavors on the palate include mixed black and red raspberries as well as a fresher style of high quality oolong tea. If that doesn't mean much to you, I can't say I can blame you as I was in the mood to pen fanciful wine speak (it is really what I tasted though, good quality oolong). Rest assured that if you're looking for The Real Thing in Nebbiolo this is it. Highly recommended.
Price: $17.99
2007 Sella Coste della Sesia "Orbello"
Review Date: 8-25-2009
I'm liking the cut of this wine's jib. While I had a different vintage (pretty sure it was the '06) of this last year and wasn't as crazy about it, this year it is more to my liking: beautiful, bright red cherry with a hint of orange peel on the nose. More cut on the palate this time around. Very fresh delicate, even a bit tense, this blend of Barbera, Nebbiolo and Vespolina is a delicious light to mid-weight wine for drinking now.
Price: $19.99
2008 Domaine des Nembrets Denis Barraud Mâcon "Source de Plaisirs"
Review Date: 8-21-2009
Don't tell any of my fellow Chardonnay averse cohorts, but this is really good wine! Formerly the Macon Vergisson (which apparently Nembrets can no longer label this wine by French AOC law), the '08 vintage shows a bit riper and more textural than the '07. Lemon curd and apple aromas lead to a clean palate of citric and yellow stone fruit flavors, all laid out on a softly textured frame with excellent purity and flavor intensity. It earns a well deserved TOP VALUE from this intrepid drinker.
Top Value!
Price: $12.99
2008 Tessier Cheverny Rosé
Review Date: 7-18-2009
A winner. Presumably Gamay with a hint of PN? Whatever the grape breakdown, this is thirst quenching, delicious rosé for a warm day.
Price: $12.99
2008 Xavier Frissant "Tendance" Touraine Rosé
Review Date: 7-18-2009
I love a good Loire rosé. Bright, crisp, focused red berry fruits here. Good acid and typicity on this Loire valley rosé. As an aside, Xavier Frissant makes a really tasty, fairly priced Sauvignon as well from a rare clone of the varietal.
Price: $11.99
2005 Tenute di Sella "Bramaterra"
Review Date: 7-10-2009
This is the single most elegant young Nebbiolo I think I have ever tasted. Lessona makes great wine, so I'm not sure how this had fallen off my radar. Approachable, and downright delicious now, it will surely improve for many years to come.
Price: $34.99
Bruno Michel Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut
Review Date: 7-6-2009
I love all Bruno Michel Champagnes, but the Blanc de Blancs really distinguished itself from the pack when I last tasted it. Bright clementine aromas and a real sense of freshness and brightness characterize the nose. This follows through to the palate - full of pure, intense, and amazingly persistent fruit. Delicious.
Price: $44.99
Franck Bonville Brut Selection Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Review Date: 7-6-2009
Very easy to like - soft textured, citrus and cream flavors. Plump, round and delicious. For someone who usually goes for a bit lean and austere, I'm always surprised I like this as much as I do. It's just delicious stuff.
Price: $29.99
2006 Gazin, Pomerol
Review Date: 7-6-2009
I was told that if I didn't start reviewing more BDX I would be fired on the spot! Joking...anyway we tasted a mini horizontal of '06 right bank wines, of which this one in particular spoke to me. It said, 'review me, so that Clyde won't fire you.' Dark fruit and coffee ground aromas lead to a very elegant, very mineral palate. The raw material and balance are here for extended long term aging.
Price: $59.99
2005 Lanessan, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 7-6-2009
Firm, traditional wine. I love firm and traditional BDX, it gives me hope for the future. I would buy this and put it away for a decade or more. This is just one of many traditional, ageworthy, authentic bordeaux we sell here....
Price: $24.99
2005 Les Allees de Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 7-6-2009
A good deal. Good freshness, a bit floral, tasty.
Price: $19.99
2001 Louise Brison Cuvée Tendresse Brut
Review Date: 7-6-2009
What a unique blanc de blancs! Distinctive, dry, earthy, meaty, and salty. There is an unusual (for chardonnay based champagne, that is) miso type of savor and salty character to this wine which I really enjoy. Of course, the acidity is on point as well, combining with the fruit and savory tones to make for one interesting Aube champagne. Definitely a producer to watch here.
Price: $59.99
Marguet Pere et Fils "Cuvee Reserve" Brut Champagne
Review Date: 7-6-2009
One of my favorite champagnes for the $. They just get better and better, each time we receive a new batch. This pulls off the neat trick of showing terrific, rich, biscuity pinot noir berry fruit as well as finishing fresh and cleanliy. As an aside, Benoit is a great guy, authentic and engaging. Even if he was a jerk, though, I'd still buy this.
Price: $36.99
Tarlant Rosé Zero Champagne
Review Date: 7-6-2009
WOW. This is DRY, but so delicious. Tangy hibiscus and rasberry fruits are initially shy, but gain volume and depth with some air (which will be especially apparent if this was in your fridge for over an hour, don't overchill this!) My favorite rosé champagne in the store, from one of my favorite champagne producers.
Price: $49.99
2008 Gerard Boulay Sancerre Chavignol Rosé
Review Date: 6-11-2009
One of my favorite rosés, year in, year out. Pinot Noir rosé done right, with the bright berry fruit, crisply balanced acids, and silken texture, is really one of the very best versions of rosé wine out there. The best version of any type of wine at $20 is always a good deal in my book. For the Loire geeks, if you know and love the rosé wines from Francois Cotat and Pascal Cotat, Boulay is in this league and really delivers the goods.
Price: $21.99
2006 Domaine Gabriel Billard Bourgogne Rouge "Cuvée Milliane"
Review Date: 3-11-2009
So much character in this wine for the price. A handcrafted, estate-produced, natural wine (carefully tended vineyards, hand-harvested, fermentation with natural yeasts) from Burgundy, of this quality, is a no-brainer for the price. Bright, lifted cherry and plum fruits on the nose lead to an amazingly transparent, energetic bottle of Pinot Noir. Nice, finishing tannins as well. A wonderful wine. As an aside, this wine also presents a great example of how certain wines really need to settle in after shipping overseas. Initially this bottle showed really tough, with little fruit and little to like. After settling into our warehouse for a few months, this is a completely different wine! Buy it up now, once this wine catches on (and it will) it probably won't last beyond springtime.
Price: $19.99
2006 Maison Joseph Drouhin Côte-de-Nuits-Villages (Was $21.99)
Review Date: 3-11-2009
Pretty wine. Light, floral, cherry fruit, with a touch of earth. Both transparent and easy to drink. If you like drinking PN, want an affordable Burgundy, and are interested in a textbook, lighter style French Bourgogne Rouge, here you go.
Price: $19.99
1985 Glenrothes Distillery Bottle Single Malt Whisky (was $125.99) 750ml
Review Date: 3-4-2009
Though I'm primarily a wine guy, I have had quite the single malt education over the past two years, courtesy of our terrific selection, hand-picked by ace spirits buyer Susan Purnell. My taste for single malts has really developed, and my personal collection is slowly growing. That having been said, of the dozens of whiskies I have tasted over the past year or so, this one stands out and just might be my favorite. It has the intensity of flavor and presence that only long, careful cask-aging lends a spirit. Toffee, candied orange, vanilla and spices are all there, as well as a gently floral finish and that impeccable Glenrothes balance. I don't use the word value and $100 together often when describing our products, but this is absolutely a value and one to contemplate on your own or in the company of a few close friends.
Price: $105.99
Glenrothes Select Reserve Single Malt Whisky 750ml
Review Date: 3-4-2009
There is probably not a single better value single malt in our store. This would be the equivalent of a 10 year. Very classic Glenrothes, with a round texture, fairly rich, malty character on the mid-palate, and impeccable Glenrothes mellow, balanced character. Just a wonderful house single malt, and a terrific introduction to the joys of Speyside whisky!
Price: $44.99
Springbank 10 year old, Campbeltown Single Malt Whisky 750ml (Was $59.99)
Review Date: 3-4-2009
If I'm in the mood for a bit of peat, this is one of my favorites. Scottland's oldest independent, continually-operated distillery, Springbank's 10 year is a great balance of judicious peaty smoke, malty, nutty flavors, a hint of sweetness, and an amazing saline tang on the finish, which lingers a while and then seems to dissolve effortlessly. Powerful and elegant, Springbank is a true original, and every bit as elegant as people say it is.
Price: $54.99
2007 Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir
Review Date: 2-25-2009
When I first tasted this wine, it brought to mind Jura PN from Jacques Puffeney. That may or may not mean anything to you, but if it does, I kid you not. However, the second time I tasted it, the wine tasted nothing like the Jura, and certainly nothing like Puffeney. That having been said, I like this wine a lot. It's probably the most intriguing current release North American Pinot Noir I've had in two years. Medium-bodied, firm texture, lots of minerality and pretty, cherry and plum fruit. Definitely a Pinot Noir for those who prefer higher acidity, minerality, and a more classic, French style.
Top Value!
Price: $16.99
2006 Massena "11th Hour" Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia
Review Date: 2-25-2009
To be perfectly honest, very few Barossa wines interest me these days. This one, however, is a different story. It leads with a soft, velvety texture, and shortly reveals a blend of cocoa, warm, earthy Barossa fruit,a touch of meaty, animale qualities, and just enough acidity to balance the flavors. This is an artfully crafted, tasty, natural tasting Barossa Shiraz.
Price: $39.99
2006 Acustic "Brao" Montsant
Review Date: 2-24-2009
If this "Acustic" wine were a music venue, it would be Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club - best sound in America! Corny analogy aside, the name acustic refers to the winery's devotion to producing authentic, natural expressions of Montsant, not the overly-extracted or manipulated versions you, unfortunately, see these days. This is the bigger brother to the "basic" bottling (which hopefully some of you have, as it's currently sold out), and it shows intense, jammy dark fruit aromas, with similar flavors, but real typicity and balance as well. This is a warm climate region, and the wine reflects that -it's rich, but genuine - and a real treat to drink.
Price: $29.99
2004 Eric Lecours "Sweeney Canyon Vineyard" Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay
Review Date: 2-24-2009
If you like white Burgundy and have all but given up on honest California Chardonnay, if you value high acidity and balance in your wines, or if you are just looking for something truly interesting from the Golden State, then I think you might have something here. I hear that Eric Lecours drinks a lot of Burgundy. He also produces wine in a decidedly non-mainstream fashion that might be more at home in, say, the Loire valley than Santa Barbara County. Give this bottle a try, and be prepared to change your opinion of CA Chardonnay
Price: $14.99
2006 Garrida Dão Portugal
Review Date: 2-24-2009
Big, rustic, Dao wine. The way it should be. Juicy fruit, chewy tannins and full of character.
Price: $15.99
2005 Hook & Ladder "Third Alarm Gambogi Ranch Reserve" Russian River Valley Zinfandel
Review Date: 2-24-2009
Like Tenor Saw, I'm prepared to ring the alarm for this one! Reason is, this is delicious RR Zin in all of its fresh, high-toned, brambly glory. If you're like me and have a soft spot for good Zinfandel, of the brighter style with balanced acidity, then give this one a try.
Price: $26.99
2004 Mitarte "Vendimia Seleccionada" Rioja
Review Date: 2-24-2009
Alright, this is Rioja review #5 in as many minutes. This is a classic crossover wine. If you're into CA Pinot you need to be giving this wine a try. It's got sweet, spicy black cherry fruit on a mid-weight frame. But I still get some minerality and floral notes as well, showing that this is one of those crossover wines that will truly appeal to a broad range of drinkers, Euro- and Cali-philes alike.
Price: $19.99
1998 Valduero "6 Años" Reserva Premium Ribera del Duero
Review Date: 2-24-2009
Valduero is one of those bodegas that occasionally goes all but unnoticed around these parts, but whose wines are amongst the best in their region, and in Spain. For the price, this is truly first class. A real mouthful of Tempranillo fruit, and improbably youthful even at 10-years-old. If you're drinking this now, decant it for a while and serve it with a steak or lamb. Otherwise age it for another 5+ years and you'll be well pleased with your purchase.
Price: $49.99
2007 Becker-Landgraf Riesling Trocken(Dry)
Review Date: 2-23-2009
What a terrific effort from this Rheinhessen estate - further proof that this part of Germany is producing some of the country's best dry Rieslings right now. Soft texture, bright fruity acidity and that slightly smoky Germanic Riesling mineral savor. It drinks wonderfully now, though I plan on cellaring a few bottles over the next 5 years or so.
Top Value!
Price: $16.99
2007 Gerard Boulay "Clos du Beaujeu" Sancerre Chavignol
Review Date: 2-23-2009
Boulay's richest Sancerre, the Clos du Beaujeau generally yields a bit of a riper, richer, rounder style. Sometimes a bit too much for my preferences, though in a classic vintage like '07 (as opposed to the riper '06 and '05) this is just about perfect. Citrus and melon aromas lead to a ripe, but pure and balanced palate.
Price: $29.99
2007 Gerard Boulay "Monts Damnés" Sancerre Chavignol
Review Date: 2-23-2009
While it's a bit reticent on the nose, and very tight at this point, all of the characteristic minerality, acidity and power of the Mont Damnes site are here on full display. I had it in the fridge over the course of a week and it certainly opened up a good bit and improved. So, I would either open this three days before drinking it, or cellar it for a couple years (and up to 15) to allow for some integration and flavor development to occur.
Price: $29.99
2007 Huët "Le Haut Lieu" Vouvray Demi-Sec
Review Date: 2-23-2009
I allocated my entire February wine budget to Huet. Part of that purchase was 3 of these bottles. These are as close to perfection in a demi-sec wine as you'll probably get.
Price: $36.99
2007 Clos de los Siete Mendoza
Review Date: 1-28-2009
Michel Rolland. Big scores. Buy now, ask questions later. In all seriousness, this blend of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah and Cab will please a lot of people. Yes, it does smell like a well-capitalized winery’s barrel room, but flourishes of blackberry, black currants and fruitcake aromas add complexity. Brawny and spicy on the palate, the Clos de los Siete also shows a sense of balance; it’s not at all over the top compared to other similarly lauded efforts out there.
Price: $15.99
2005 Domini de la Cartoixa "Galena" Priorat (Was $29.99)
Review Date: 1-28-2009
The moment I popped the cork and sniffed the bottle to make sure it was okay, I knew that this would be a winner. This is textbook, and I do mean textbook, Priorat. Spicy blueberry fruit and baking spice aromas on the nose. But the oak-derived spice notes frame, rather than dominate, the bouquet. Flavors are of wild mixed berries. Very pure, fresh and snappy. A streak of vibrant slate minerality reveals itself on the mid-palate, too. The combination of acidity and strong tannins make this a wine in want of some breathing time, so be patient. I plan on buying a few bottles and cellaring them, and I never buy Priorat. This, however, is Priorat how I remember it when I first tasted it four years ago: intensely fruity but structured, mineral, and a true original in the world of red wine. I recommend that you buy some.
Price: $19.99
2006 Agostino Pavia Barbera d'Asti Bricco Blina
Review Date: 1-27-2009
Snappy, slightly tangy, red fruited Barbera that should work terrifically with a variety of Italian cheeses, salumi and cookery. Textbook Barbera from Asti - lighter, racier acidity, thirst quenching and begging for a hearty spread of one of the world's finest ingredient driven cuisines, that of the Piemonte.
Price: $14.99
2005 Maurac, Haut-Médoc
Review Date: 1-15-2009
Maurac’s wines always show such an impeccable balance of rich fruit and the sort of lightly herbal, meaty savor that more classic claret displays. This ’05 would be terrific for drinking tonight (decant briefly), though it absolutely has the structure to improve with some mid-term (5-8 years) aging. Without a doubt this is a winner, a must-try and case purchase candidate for enjoying now or cellaring.
Price: $17.99
De Meric Grande Reserve Sous Bois Brut Champagne
Review Date: 11-19-2008
Clean berry fruits and a bit of challah bread dough on the nose lead to a very fruit-driven palate. Very Pinot Noir. Length, purity and acidity are all nicely balanced.
Price: $34.99
2002 Louise Brison Vintage Brut (was $39.99)
Review Date: 11-19-2008
Compared with Brison's other Champagnes, there is a similar richness, roundness and persistence here, though with more pronounced acidity. Tasted a second time, the acidity really jumped out even more, in a good way. I like this quite a bit; it will probably be my house Champagne for when the occasion calls for a good quality bubbly.
Price: $34.99
Marguet Pere et Fils Rosé Champagne
Review Date: 11-19-2008
Light coppery pink color. The quality of Benoit Marguet's pinot noir really shows here; there is a real Burgundian pinot noir savor to this champagne. It's red berry fruited, but also brawny and masculine - not a simply fruity, cheerful rosé Champagne. I quite like it and plan on buying some soon.
Price: $34.99
2006 Terre del Vulcano Fiano di Avellino (Was $15.99)
Review Date: 9-24-2008
We currently have four (yes, count them, four) fiano wines in stock right now. Campania's fiano grape produces some of Italy's finest whites, and this particular example is typical with its broad, fleshy, nectarine and recently ripened champagne mango flavors. Think albariño with a different type of minerality (fiano grows in volcanic, not granitic soil) and more moderate acidity.
Price: $7.99
2006 Unti Vineyards "Petit Frere" Dry Creek Rhone Blend
Review Date: 9-24-2008
Putting the 'dry' back into Dry Creek wines, Unti's Petit Frere (along with their other reds, for that matter) always strike me as among the most honest, well-made, food friendly wines the Golden State has to offer. Consisting of mainly Grenache, with some Syrah blended in as well, this Rhone-inspired effort shows balanced dark fruit flavors, with the characteristic terrific texture and balance of Unti's wines. Mick Unti is a good guy who is clearly continuing to do things right in the vineyard and the winery. Support this man's wines! Once you taste them you'll realize that you'll be happy to do so.
Price: $18.99
2006 Domaine Jaume "Altitude 420" Vinsobres (was $12.99)
Review Date: 7-29-2008
420, dude, yeah! I’m sorry, but you know you were thinking of the same stoner reference. I digress…Here’s a real winner produced from 60% grenache and 40% syrah. Stunningly pure dark and red berry fruit, medium-bodied, and highly drinkable, this red will complement a wide range of foods. It’s also delicious on its own - typically fresh, vibrant ’06 Rhone wine here. Your perfect party red, and a good excuse to throw a ‘420’ wine party.
Price: $9.99
2007 Jean-Francois Merieau Touraine Sauvignon Blanc
Review Date: 7-10-2008
I'm super-selective with the 'top value' tag on this review page. While I strongly believe in the existence of value at every price point, I am limiting my top values here to wines under $17 that just really impress. Here is a Touraine that really pops on the palate, with bright, rich citrus flavors and a moderately strong minerality reminiscent of Sancerre. Yet another delicious value from Mr. Loire himself, importer Jon-David Headrick. I plan on drinking a whole lot of this wine, and suspect that anyone who tries it might follow suit.
Top Value!
Price: $13.99
2007 Cune "Cuvee Monopole" Blanco Rioja
Review Date: 7-9-2008
With a total production of more than 600,000 cases, Cune is large, but not huge by Rioja standards. They are based in Haro, in La Rioja Alta, and have a storied history dating back to the early 20th century. In my mind the winery is a perfect example of how a large, modern winery, in the right hands, can churn out very good bottles of wine, year in, year out. The Cuvee Monopole, composed of 100% viura, is a fresh, balanced sipper to enjoy before a meal or with seafood.
Price: $15.99
Gran Sarao Brut Cava Penedes
Review Date: 4-29-2008
This is produced by a well-run cooperative, which also happens to make one of Spain’s most beloved cavas, Mont Marcal. Crisp, clean, Granny Smith apple flavors make this an ideal budget sparkler for any occasion.
Price: $9.99
Caveau du Mont July Bugey Cerdon Rosé
Review Date: 4-20-2008
If you love rosé champagne (and who doesn’t), if you enjoy adventurous wine pairings (you know you do) and if you love raspberries (mmm…rasbpberries), then this is your wine. This pink-colored, off-dry (read: slightly sweet) sparkling wine from the Savoie region of Eastern France is made by spontaneous fermentation, otherwise known as methode ancestrale using poulsard and gamay. Enjoy this delicious sparkler as an aperitif, with cheeses, jamon Serrano or even spicier Asian cuisine like Thai or Burmese
Price: $15.99
2004 Edetaria "Vinya d'Irto" Terra Alta
Review Date: 4-20-2008
This sturdy, but fresh and vibrant red is a blend of garnacha (60%), cabernet sauvignon (20%) and merlot (20%) grown in the rapidly-improving Terra Alta D.O., in Catalunya’s western Tarragona region. A brief four months in oak adds texture and does not overwhelm the pure dark fruit flavors. I’d categorize this as a "more" wine, as in "gimme some more."
Price: $11.99
2006 Khroma Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 4-20-2008
According to proprietors Ralph Meyer and Sandy Garber, "We crush; we ferment; we dance around the tanks to scare away any bad Juju.” Well, no bad juju here. What you will find is delicious, juicy, supple cab that is amongst the best values in California cab right now.
Top Value!
Price: $15.99
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