90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Bright, pale yellow. Cool aromas of citrus peel, gooseberry, licorice and pepper, with a whiff of tropical fruits. Round but dry, with classic, pure varietal flavors of gooseberry and pepper. This dense, textured wine finishes with sneaky length." (March/April '09) And, according to Wine Spectator: "A nice crunchy style, with sea salt and lime notes kept perky by mouthwatering acidity. Begs for some oysters. Drink now." (03/09) "I first visited Neil Ellis in 2002 at his winery in the gorgeous Jonker... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "Bright and open, with a nice crunchy feel to the yellow apple, peach, chamomile and honeysuckle notes that are more Chenin Blanc?like. The buttery finish brings this back into Chardonnay land. Drink now through 2010. 1,200 cases imported." (04/09) This Burgundian-style barrel fermented Chardonnay possesses an alluring flinty, minerally quality and loads of finesse. It’s packed with aromas and flavors of apple, citrus, and fig as well as plenty of toasty, nutty nuance imparted by the well-integrated oak. 91 points from Stephen ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Porcupine Ridge is a handcrafted range of wines, celebrated for its uncompromising commitment to quality. The wines carry a distinctive label featuring an original pen and ink of the crested porcupine drawn by leading South Africa wildlife artist, Zakkie Eloff. These crested porcupines inhabit the vineyards of the Boekenhoutskloof homestead. This newly released wine is called Syrah, not Shiraz, for a reason. It shares much in common with the Syrah based wines of the northern Rhone, especially the rustic and dark-fruited crozes hermitage. Wonderful with r... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

The wine has an intense, opaque deep ruby color, very slight gradation to the rim. Bright and vivacious in the glass, very youthful. The nose is brooding and restrained at this stage, yet beginning to emerge with deep, dark fruit, cassis, plum and black cherry. There is a pronounced minerality on the nose with graphite, cedar smoke and cigar box. The palate is beautifully structured, fuller bodied than some earlier vintages of Rubicon due to the intensity of the fruit and intricate tannin structure. The wine exhibits rich juiciness already, but the compa... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This is the top selling South African Cabernet Sauvignon in the USA. Ripe blackcurrants and plumy fruit on the nose lead to soft ripe tannins that balance toasty oak aromas and sweet fruit flavors. According to the Wine Spectator: "Medium-weight, with a mix of red and black cherry, herb and toast notes. Contains 8 percent Syrah and 2 percent Petit Verdot. Drink now." (06/09) From Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "With their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, the De Wet family’s Excelsior estate has delivered an example of this beloved grape of exceptional value. Ri... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This wine knocked me out when I first tasted it, and to my delight, when our Rhone buyer Mulan Chan-Randel had it at our staff tasting. The bouquet is lifted with very Northern Rhone-like notes of smoked meats, game, garrique, blackberries, pepper, camphor, dark chocolate and a hint of lavender. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, on the palate the wine has good acidity and a fine tannin structure. This very cool Syrah from Swartland which seems to be the homeland in South Africa for Rhone varietals, is an Old/New World wine that would fool many in a blind ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

89 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "That Danie de Wet excels also in barrel-fermented Chardonnay is demonstrated by the De Wetshof Estate 2007 Chardonnay Lesca. Smelling of baked apple; toasted nuts and grains; lime and tangerine zest, this wine offers clarity of fruit and refined expression of lees and barrel such as one too-seldom encounters with this ubiquitous grape variety. Salt, citrus, lees, and nut oils mingle in a satisfying and finish that encourages the next sip." (08/08) 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Abundant citrus and tropical fruit aromas follow through on the lively palate of this elegant Chenin Blanc. It's packed with intense, zippy flavors of pineapple, lychee, lemon, and lime as well as delicate floral and spice nuances resulting from the light oak treatment. A touch of late harvest Chenin Blanc adds considerable richness and complexity. According to Wine Spectator: "Medium-weight, with focused white peach, melon rind and floral notes offset by a hint of dried chamomile flower. Drink now." (06/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood

According to the Wine Spectator: "A restrained, minerally style, but with latent concentration to the green plum, pippin apple, lime zest and mineral notes. The finish is long and chiseled. Drink now through 2009. 800 cases imported." (07/07) According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 07: "Pale color. Subtly complex nose suggests stone fruits, nutmeg and lees. Juicy, spicy and quite dry, with some unabsorbed CO2 and an edge of acidity giving a penetrating quality to the peach and lemon cream flavors..." 

Inventory: Redwood City

According to the Wine Spectator: "Ripe and smoky, with good medium-weight black cherry and currant fruit laced with maduro tobacco and toast notes that linger on the slightly briary finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot. Drink now." (05/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood

90 points from Stephen Tanzer's IWC: "Medium yellow. Cool aromas of menthol, minerals, crushed stone and underripe pineapple, plus a sweaty hint that reminded me of a Loire Valley example. Broad, rich and minerally but youthfully dumb today, with its fruit currently hidden by resin and stone. A very serious chenin with an enticing sweet touch that should work well at the dinner table. I'd wait until the summer to pop a bottle. " 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This sexy, sophisticated dry rosé combines mouthwatering flavors of cherry and wild strawberry with graceful notes of lavender and herbes de provence. It's a versatile and accessible pink for all seasons! 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Pale, bright yellow. High-toned aromas of mint and lime, with hints of honey and resin. Supple and bright, with attractive citrus fruit flavor complicated by a note of nutmeg. Not the last word in intensity or grip, but very easy to drink-and always a splendid value." (Mar/Apr 09) And from Wine Spectator: "Shows delightful floral, heather, candied lime peel and quince notes on a bright, unadorned frame. Drink now." (11/09) 

Inventory: San Francisco

This racy, livewire bottling offers tremendous bang for the buck, consistently earning Best Buy/Best Value accolades. It’s packed with zesty flavors of gooseberry, green pepper, and lime backed by pronounced herbal notes and a minerally tang. It displays an elegance typical of cool climate Sauvignon Blanc. The 2007 got 90 points and Best Buy designation from the Wine Enthusiast, and this write up: "A full, rounded nose of honeyed spice and citrus gives this wine a sexy vibe from the start, and on the palate, curvy floral notes mingle perfectly with miner... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

91(+?) points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 09: "($30; 45% cabernet sauvignon, 38% merlot, 13% petit verdot, 3% cab franc and 1% malbec) Full, saturated medium ruby. Primal aromas of blackcurrant, licorice and exotic flowers. Rich, broad and smoky, with superb fat and depth. Very ripe dark berry flavors are complicated by hints of truffle and tobacco leaf. This layered, large-scaled wine is extremely young today. Finishes quite dry and uncompromising, with big, chewy tannins and powerful backbone." 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Pale silver-pink. Aromas of raspberries, cherries and a few secondary whiffs of minerality. A lively mousse but fine in the mouth, with subtle red berry flavours enlivened by bright acids. Brisk on the palate, showing hints of oyster shell and fresh lavender. Flirtatious and fun, yet elegant and structured, it’s perfect for all seasons and settings. Chardonnay 55%, Pinot Noir 45% According to the Wine Spectator: "Fresh, with dried strawberry and cherry notes and a modest finish. Drink now." 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Just by the name, you know this wine has to be good. And good it most certainly is! Hints of dark chocolate and ripe fruit dominate the aromatic profile of this wine. Rich and ripe, the wine has a generous mouth feel and mid-palate weight with a minimum of five years ageing potential. A blend of syrah, grenache, cabernet and others! According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 09: "($39; a blend based on 55% syrah and 20% grenache) Dark red. Blackberry, licorice, leather and wild herbs on the nose. A sweet, savory fruit bomb in the m... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

Sweet nougat on the nose is followed by vanilla and French oak. The flavors are complex, not only minty but also a hint of eucalyptus. The aromas are sweet berry, black currants and a long, strong mouth feel. Lamb dishes and Cabernet Sauvignon are a match made in heaven, the thick tannins are neutralized by the fat content in the meat which enables the full depth of fruit to come to the fore. Drink now or cellar 4-6 years. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

89 points Wine Enthusiast: "Lush vanilla, cocoa and plum aromas lead into velvety waves of fresh berries, chocolate and spice on the palate. Elegant and unfolding, with a lingering fresh finish. A classic food wine." (11/09) According to the Wine Spectator: "Solid, with a nice juicy edge to the dark plum, blackberry and prune notes, all layered with obvious but integrated-enough toast. Drink now." (Web only, 2009) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

Ernst & Co Wine Farm is situated on the Stellenbosch wine route at the foot of the Simonsberg in the Muldersvlei area, 15 kilometers from the picturesque town of Stellenbosch and 40 kilometers from Cape Town, South Africa. Ernst & Co Wines is a dedicated family affair with a passion for the fruit of the vine. Husband and wife team, Ernst and Gwenda Gouws, assisted by their winemaker daughter, Ezanne, are the soul and drive behind this fine wine company in the Cape Winelands. The wine has ripe plum fruit flavors with the signature flavors of smoke, tobac... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

A Best Buy according to the Wine Enthusiast: "Red berry, tobacco and sweet oak lead on this exemplary Pinotage, whose mocha, red fruit and smoke flavors offer South African character with an elegant edge. It's balanced and smooth but still hearty enough to stand up to dishes like grilled, sliced meat and stew. (3/1/2009) According to the Wine Spectator: "Light and open, with cherry, sage and sassafras notes. Drink now." (12/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood

91 points Stephen Tanzer's IWC: "Deep ruby-red. Sexy aromas of cassis, bitter chocolate, smoky oak and graphite. Tightly coiled yet sweet, with the wine's firm spine currently dominating flavors of dark berries, graphite, fresh herbs and tobacco leaf. This is broader but more backward than the Z, showing little in the way of early sweetness, and yet the tannins are nobler. Give this one a lot of air if you plan to open it anytime soon, or lay it down for four or five years." 90 points The Wine Spectator: "Ripe and polished, with nice density to the black... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

According to the Wine Spectator: "Dark and juicy, with a rock-solid grip, this lets plum sauce, black licorice, Turkish coffee and macerated cherry notes play out nicely through the rich, slightly muscular finish. A hint of lingering pepper adds length. Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. Drink now through 2010." (04/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood

Tropical fruit, guava and melon aromas, crisp and bold sweet citrus backed by refreshing acidity and minerality characteristic of South Africa's coastal vineyards. A versatile food wine to go with most poultry, fish and salad dishes. Also fabulous as an aperitif for a hot summer afternoon. This wine has a unique delicious tangy character that goes well with a lot of food and makes for an excellent aperitif. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Soft red cherry and plum aromas, backed by spice and vanilla undertones make this an all around winner of a red wine. Elegant and lingering on the palate with just the right amount of oak and tannin. 41% Cab Sauvignon, 40% Shiraz, 13% Ruby Cabernet, 6% Malbec matured for 12 months in French oak casks. 

Inventory: Hollywood

Fans of Savennieres or Vouvray Sec will be delighted by this dry-styled Chenin from South Africa. This wine is alredy showing lovely complexity for a wine with just a few years of bottle age on it. Classic notes of quince, meyer lemon peel, candied ginger, the Brahms has vibrant acidity and a lovely finish. (Keith Mabry, K&L Hollywood) 

Inventory: Hollywood

91 points Wine Spectator: "Broad-shouldered but still sleek, with the cedar and cocoa notes well-integrated into the dark currant, raspberry and toast notes, followed by a long, broad finish. Should age well. Drink now through 2011. 590 cases made." (03/09) 

Inventory: San Francisco

For 3 generations the Steytler Family has been running their 190 hectare large estate hands-on: Brothers Danie and George being the winemaker and viticulturist with their wives in charge of marketing and finances. This 2006 offers a sumptuous Pinotage expression with intense layers of spiced berries, damson and showy oak flavors. It is powerful and bold with tightly knit tannin structure supporting generous fruit; delicious and well rounded with a lingering finish. This serious wine will handsomely repay 3-5 years cellaring to reveal presently hidden dep... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage was inspired by the brightest star in the constellation Crux, a 'giant red' called Gamma Crucis, which has guided many an explorer around the Cape of Storms. It was aged partially in oak, and it offers a rich melange of summer berries with smooth and juicy fruits on the palate. A Cape blend benchmarking a new trend in New World Style! 

Inventory: Hollywood

According to the Wine Spectator: "Fresh, with lively honeysuckle, heather, blanched almond and mineral notes followed by a refreshing finish. Drink now." (02/09) 

Inventory: Hollywood

90 points Wine Spectator: "Smoky and fleshy, but with good aromatics and vibrancy to the black currant, fig, roasted sage and bramble notes. A nice minerally spine lingers through the finish. Drink now through 2010. " (03/09) Hamilton Russell was the first wine estate planted in Walker Bay, founded by Tim Hamilton Russell in 1975 and since that time has carved out a reputation for producing wines that straddle the old and new worlds. In 1994, Anthony Hamilton-Russell founded Southern Right Cellars as a Pinotage specialist, convinced that Pinotage has th... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

This Semillon comes from a combination of 45 year, 60 year old and 100 year old Franschhoek vines grown on the sandy valley floor just outside the town of Franschhoek is acquired from a grower on a long term contract. The wine was cool fermented using selected yeast in 100% new Dargaud & Jaegle, Allier & Vosges barrels. No malolactic fermentation occurred and the wine was matured in our cold room at 8°C and left for 13 months without either batonnage or the addition of sulphur. The first sulphur was added at the final racking after 13 months in barriques... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

This spectacular wine hails from Groenekloof ward, in Darling Hills. Its predominant flavors are those of tropical fruit with herbaceous overtones, while the overall impression is of elegance and delicacy with a long flavoursome finish. Wonderful with a chilled shellfish platter! 

Inventory: Hollywood

This wine was created by drawing on years of experience with blending Sauvignon Blanc with Semillon to acheive a wonderful summer sipper in the style of a fine Bordeaux blanc. Down to earth, yes. And at a price that is heavenly! 

Inventory: Hollywood

Old World all the way, this South African Pinot Noir makes an excellent alternative to red Burgundy , showing black cherry and savory earth notes, with mushroom and spice on this long and silky finish. Just the thing with this year's wild Alaskan salmon, especially if it's cedar planked! 

Inventory: Main Warehouse San Francisco

92(+?) points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Sep 09: "(a blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, 30% shiraz and 10% merlot) Bright red-ruby color. Very ripe, sexy aromas of blackberry, chocolate, leather, cinnamon, mint and pepper. Broad, dense and very intense, with rich plum and cherry fruit flavors showing a surprisingly light touch. The wine's noteworthy sweetness (3.7 grams per liter r.s.) are nicely buffered by strong underlying mineral structure. The dusty, fine-grained tannins build with air, but without showing any hardness." 

Inventory: San Francisco

89 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Mar/Apr 09: "($17; a 54/46 blend of pinot noir and chardonnay) Pale copper-tinged gold. Tangerine, spicy oak and a hint of exotic fruits on the nose. Fruity and harmonious, with a yeasty complexity adding depth to the fairly dense, harmonious middle palate. Comes across as sweeter and fuller than the Blanc de Blancs, but finishes dry and crisp, with a bit more length. No shortage of flavor here." 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Complex, wild nose melds soft citrus fruits, ginger, marzipan, game, smoke and truffle, with a minerally lift. Dense, thick and rich but dry, with exotic hints of candied orange, truffle and spices. Still youthfully subdued and not at all an exotic style of chardonnay. Finishes with very good dusty persistence and firmness, suggesting it will blossom further with a couple more years in the bottle. This spent longer in a higher percentage of new oak, but got less lees stirring than the basic 2003 char... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

Kaapzicht's 2006 Pinotage features sweet ripe pure-fruited aromas of plum, bramble and black cherries. Ripe tannins lends support and structure with some well integrated French oak spice and vanilla adding complexity, luscious length and a flavorful, satisfying finish. 

Inventory: Hollywood

91 points Wine Spectator: "Well-built, with black currant, bacon, grilled herb, tobacco and fig flavors supported by a good firm structure underneath. Excellent length, with the fruit and spice delivering another wave on the finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2009." (04/07) 

Inventory: San Francisco