91 points Wine Spectator: "Sleek and complex, with lovely aromas of green apple, loam and warm cinnamon rolls. The flavors show pinpoint focus, yet are nicely layered, with baked apple, lime and toasty spice flavors that linger. Drink now through 2013." (11/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

Sonoma Valley's "Les Pierres" vineyard is a unique site, comprised of gravelly clay loam soils in an ancient river bed of cobbled stones from the Sonoma Mountain caldera. Set into an east-facing slope, this vineyard is close enough to the San Pablo Bay to fully experience the cooling effects of the fog that rolls off the Bay, cutting a deep swath across Valley Ford toward the Valley of the Moon. The wine made from this vineyard, not often available outside the winery, is treated with the utmost care, what the winery calls their Grand Cru approach. The re... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Opens with powerful aromas of cedar, toasty oak and vanilla perfume framing ripe black currant and mocha. Turns wonderfully smooth in the mouth. Plump and ripe in cherry and currant fruit, it's beautiful now, but has the tannins and balance to last forever. " (11/04) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Spicy mint and bay leaf aromas mingle with ripe currant and black cherry fruit, turning smooth and elegant on the palate while displaying richness, depth and concentration; finishes with a full chorus of ripe fruit flavors and firm yet ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

96 points Robert Parker: "The opaque-colored 1992 exhibits a huge, chocolatey, smoky nose crammed with gobs of black fruits, This soft, voluptuously-textured, full-bodied wine boasts remarkable concentration and purity. It is a round, flattering, luscious style of Cabernet Sauvignon that will be hard to resist when young. It should keep for 15+ years. Beringer has once again proven that they are one of the qualitative leaders in California as they continue to turn out reference point wines - not only for California, but the world." (12/95) According ... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

90% cabernet sauvignon, 5% merlot, 5% cabernet franc. This ideally cellared Cab is brownish with brick at rim, with a very earthy aroma with pronounced soy, mushroom, leather, peat and smoke. This mature red has plenty of fruit in evidence with flavors of soy and a bit of tannin in the finish. Drink now with savory, slow cooked beef or lamb. 

Inventory: Redwood City

95 points and a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator: "Incredibly concentrated, rich and powerful, but still smooth and plush. The flavors of mint, cherry, black currant and spice are deep, long and chewy, with great complexity and polish. Not for everyone, but absolutely full of flavor and beautifully structured, harmonious and complex. Very tempting to drink now, but should improve. Drink now through 2005." (04/91) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

92 points Robert Parker: "The 1999 Chardonnay Michaud Vineyard boasts a stunning nose of roasted nuts, minerals, tropical fruits, and honeyed citrus. This full-bodied effort is reminiscent of a Batard-Montrachet in its richness, opulence, and minerality. This dense, exquisitely concentrated, and pure wine should drink well for 4-5 years. Brilliant!" (06/02) 90 points Wine Spectator: "Smooth-textured, with polished, graceful, pure pear, fig, citrus and hazelnut flavors that are rich and creamy, finishing lots of finesse and spiciness. Drink now through 2... Read More » 

94-96 points Robert Parker: "Hints of ripe pears, lemon butter, tangerines, and crushed rocks emerge from the 2004 Chardonnay Vine Hill Vineyard, an elegant yet authoritatively flavored effort with a striking minerality, zesty acidity, and a spectacular finish. The good news is that there are 2,700 cases of this cuvee." (12/05) 92 points Wine Spectator: "Complex, with a roasted marshmallow edge from toasty oak. There's a medium-bodied mix underneath of sleek citrus-infused pear, anise, melon and hazelnut flavors that linger and turn elegant. Drink now t... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "Still unyielding at age 10. Firm, dark andintense, chunky and chewy, with gritty tanninswrapped around a core of stewed plum and blackcherry, with dashes of mineral and sage. Turns dryand tannic, but offers lots of substance anddepth.--California Cabernetretrospective. Best from 2002 through 2012. 5,725 cases made." (02/01) According to Robert Parker: "the 1990 Insignia is an extremely strong wine. It offers rich, cassis fruit, less body and density than in the 1991, and spicy flavors. It should drink well for 10-14 years." (0... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

93 points Robert Parker: "The sensational black/purple-colored 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon 16th Anniversary Release is closed, but its emerging aromas of charcoal, blackberries, cassis, and minerals are promising. The wine is intense, ripe, with a layered, expansive richness, and exotic notes of Asian spices, beef blood, and assorted black fruits. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025." (01/2000) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Spicy, fruity aromatics lead to a rich and supple wine with pretty currant, anise, cherry and blackberry flavors. Firms up on the finish, wher... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Rated 94 points and given a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator upon release, Jim Laube called it: "Crisp and intense..." when he retasted in in 1991. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

93 points Wine Spectator (10/85) 

Inventory: San Francisco

This is a new vintage of Blanc de Blancs from the folks at Iron Horse, easily one of the best sparkling wine producers domestically. Made entirely of Chardonnay, this vintage bubbly is aged four years on its lees. It has a lovely melon and citrus bouquet touched off by a fine bead and a toasty, creamy, buttered bread finish. The 2002 vintage scored 95 points in the Wine Enthusiast. 500 cases produced. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

90-93 points Robert Parker: "Smoky, sweet, black and red currant aromas jump from the glass of this intriguing, saturated purple-colored wine. Some new oak is noticeable in the background. The wine's attack exhibits terrific purity of fruit, more acidity than many 1994s, and sweet, ripe tannin, all packed into a tightly wound, medium to full-bodied wine that only hints at its ultimate potential. This is not a large-scaled 1994, but it is a beautifully etched wine with considerable personality. I suspect it will be accessible when released in 1-2 years, b... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

96 points and a Cellar Selection designation from the Wine Spectator: "Enormously complex, firm and tightly wound, with ripe, firm tannins and a wide range of rich, concentrated flavors, cherry, wild berry, plum, cedar, coffee and spice. Shows remarkable finesse and polish for a young wine. Tempting now for its suppleness, but sure to age for another decade. Best from 2001 through 2009." (05/98) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Can a California Pinot Noir last well into its third decade? If any a wine could do it from the Golden State, our money would be on Chalone! Perched high on the western slopes of the remote Gavilan Mountain Range, 1,800 feet above California's Salinas Valley, Chalone Vineyard represents a singular convergence of terroir and winemaking. It's a site that was deemed unique enough to have its very own AVA! Chalone Pinot Noir, produced in true Burgundian fashion, shows uncommon power, depth and complexity. Not to mention its ability to age. 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points Robert Parker: "The wine's opaque purple color is followed by a promising sweet, smoky, chocolatey, licorice, and blackcurrant-scented nose, and deep, powerful, full-bodied flavors. Abundant tannin in the finish suggests this is a Private Reserve to lay away for 2-3 years...Aromatically, the 1993 Private Reserve is rewarding, but after the initial attack of sweet fruit, the wine's tannin takes precedence. It is an outstanding wine, but more of a long-term prospect. Compared with the flattering precociousness of the 1994, 1992, 1991, and 1990, t... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse

A bigger, bolder Conn Valley than in the past. Very hearty with tons of tobacco and intense currant fruit. Complex and well worth cellar space. Received 90-92 points from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate… 'The 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon may turn out to be the finest Conn Valley Cabernet since 1990. The wine is the sweetest and richest of recent vintages, with nicely integrated tannin, a dense, deep, ruby/purple color, velvety texture, and the seamless quality possessed by many 1994s. It should drink well for 20 years. As I have said before, the Caberne... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse San Francisco

93 points from Robert Parker: "The 2001 Chardonnay Alder Springs Vineyard offers up aromas of citrus, liquid minerals, and smoke in a high-class, complex yet restrained bouquet. It is exceptionally pure and medium to full-bodied, with loads of fruit. The most backward yet potentially the finest of the 2001s, it reveals tremendous length, intensity, and fruit. Drink it over the next 5-7 years." (Dec. 2003) 92 points from Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: "Aromas of grapefruit, smoke and white flowers. Dense, thick and pure, with lovely lemony ac... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

91 points Robert Parker: "Similar in style to the 1996, the 1995 reveals an opaque purple color, remarkably sweet tannin for a wine from this vintage, and gorgeous levels of black currant fruit nicely complemented by toast, smoke, and floral scents. This rich, medium to full-bodied wine fills the mouth without any sense of heaviness or harshness. It is a beautifully knit, lush, complex, elegant red wine that should drink well for 12-15 years. The wines from this superbly situated hillside vineyard on the lower slopes of Howell Mountain are going from st... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points from Parker: "If you missed out on Robert Mondavi's 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, try to find a few bottles of the sumptuously rich, decadent, showy 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve that is about to be released. It is a sweeter, riper, more unctuously-styled Cabernet. While it may lack some of the classicism of the 1991 Reserve, it is a super-rich, full-bodied, flamboyant, unctuously-textured wine that should drink well for 20+ years." (12/95) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "A solid effort, with a tight band of herb, currant and cherry. Well balanced, with a pleasing dash of toasty oak, it holds together nicely on the finish. With its tannic strength, best to try it after 1999." (02/97) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

Some of you may remember the chaos we sparked late in 2007 when we sent out an e-mail about a little known producer called Eric Lecours. We were featuring his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and it almost started a Beatles-like stampede at our doors. If I remember correctly we sold out the near 100 cases of Pinot Noir in about 3 hours. Unfortunately this year there is no Pinot, Eric decided not to make any and he is still trying to decide if he wants to continue with the varietal. I told him he was crazy if he didn't, that K&L alone would take at least half of... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

98 points Robert Parker: "This is a profoundly great wine. It came across in a blind tasting as one of the most remarkable wines there, with most tasters mistaking it for a first-growth Medoc. The wine revealed an opaque purple color, a fabulously complex, sweet nose of minerals, fruitcake, cedar, toasty new oak, and pure blackcurrant fruit. Although huge in the mouth, the wine is remarkably well-balanced, with its high tannin level well-concealed by copious quantities of sweet ripe fruit, as well as huge amounts of glycerin and extract. I have consisten... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

92 points from Robert Parker: "Leighton’s 1994 Chardonnay Cuvee LD is made from an old Wente clone. It exhibits notes of subtle pineapples, poached pears, citrus oil, and background oak and charcoal scents. Crisp and full-bodied with impressive balance and harmony, it should continue to evolve for 8-10 years. The idiosyncratic Terry Leighton, who has produced some magnificent wines that have stood the test of time for nearly two decades, releases his wines 2-10 years later than most producers. I have always loved them, and I have been remiss in not repo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

92 points from the Wine Spectato: "Elegant, refined, perfectly balanced, with ripe, fleshy cherry, currant, anise, cedar and spice, finishing with supple, well-integrated tannins." (11/98) 

Inventory: San Francisco

92 points Wine Spectator: "Ultraripe and raisiny, intense and powerful, with jammy prune, plum and black cherry, picking up a touch of earthiness. Can handle further cellaring, but it's not likely to improve proportionately.--California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2007." (02/01) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

95 points and a Collectibles designation from the Wine Spectator: "A wine of great intensity, depth and complexity. Beautifully crafted, ripe, rich and creamy, showing off pretty vanilla and mocha-scented oak before a deep core of currant, blackberry, black cherry and minerally flavors fold in. Firm tannins add structure on the finish." (11/02) Dominus is the red wine produced from the historical Napanook vineyard, 124 acres in size, in Yountville, mid-Napa Valley. Christian Moueix of St-Emilion and Pomerol began producing Dominus with the 1983 vintage.... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

90 points from Robert Parker: "The 2001 Chardonnay Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is a Chablis-inspired, chalky, medium-bodied white exhibiting notes of white currants, peaches, and stone fruits. Crisp, delicately layered, and impressively endowed." (08/04) 90 points from Wine Enthusiast: "One of the more distinctive Chards I’ve had this year, notable especially for its very high acidity and mineral and lime complex. The lime tastes like a cool custard, flavored with vanilla, while the minerals bring to mind liquid steel. One hundred percent new French oak slat... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City

93 points Robert Parker: "This vineyard produces expensive but superb Limited Reserve wines from the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The first Limited Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, the 1991, is a knock-out effort. Although Silverado has a tendency to take great raw materials and add excessive acidity in the winemaking process, that did not happen with this marvelously rich, natural tasting Cabernet. The wine possesses an opaque purple color, a big, sweet nose of cassis and new oak, and full-bodied, concentrated, well-balanced flavors with a harmo... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

This bottling comes exclusively from Kistler and Dutton Ranch vineyards in the Russian River Valley. The title is a testament to the mineral and hazelnut scented wines Kistler produces from these Russian River Valley soils. Complex aromas of ripe fruits, spices, toasted almond and hazelnut. Rich and expressive, with a long, lingering finish. Delicious now or will benefit from further aging. 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points Robert Parker: "The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Bancroft Ranch may possess an even more saturated, thicker, black/purple color than the 1995. Some tannin has emerged since I tasted it last year, when it was far more velvety. This is a powerhouse, extremely full-bodied, palate-staining wine. Its enormous extract, richness, and elevated tannin seem to suggest this wine is about ready to settle down for a long period of dormancy. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2025." 

Inventory: Redwood City

93 points Wine Spectator: "Sleek and well-structured, with a braid of exotic smoke, currant, green olive and herbal flavors that drape together nicely, holding a tight focus and showing how ripe, supple tannins can integrate without dominating. Finishes with a dash of mocha and spice.--1995 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2010." (Web only, 2005) 90 points Robert Parker: "While it is fashionable to criticize this wine because of its price, and the secrecy surrounding the amount produced (who really cares?), the wine is unquestionably... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

92 points Wine Spectator: "A ripe, jammy style, with rich black cherry, wild berry, plum and raspberry flavors, finishing with a touch of heat, polished tannins and a dash of anise. Drink now through 2012. 950 cases made." (10/2000) 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker: "The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve displays a dense purple color, followed by a sweet, jammy, black plum, and cassis-scented nose, no obvious oak, full-bodied, spicy flavors with moderate tannin, and exceptional concentration. The wine reveals a youthful appearance and personality. There is enough fruit to cover the strong tannin in the finish. It should be cellared for 3-5 years and consumed over the next two decades. Ken Deiss, the winemaker at Flora Springs, thinks that the 1994 and 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon vintages have more... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

94 points from Robert Parker: "The 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon-Special Selection appears to be the best Caymus has produced since 1986 and 1985. Two thousand, six-bottle cases will be released in February, 1994. The wine offers a saturated, dark purple color, and a rich, spicy, oaky nose backed up by generous quantities of jammy blackcurrants. Ripe, highly extracted, and full-bodied, with copious amounts of sweet tannin and layers of fruit, this is a knock-out, flamboyantly-styled Cabernet for drinking over the next 15 or more years." 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

92 points Robert Parker: "This superb Cabernet producer has finally released its splendid 1991s. The 1991 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon boasts a dark ruby color, a rich, ostentatious, sweet vanillin, herb, and blackcurrant-scented nose, and gobs of rich, herb-tinged, juicy fruit, the opulent texture that Silver Oak routinely obtains. There is plenty of fat, glycerin, and alcohol in the long finish. Both wines are already delicious, and will age gracefully for 12-15 years." (10/95) 91 points and a Highly Recommended designation from the Wine Specta... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

96 points and a Spectator Selection from the Wine Spectator (03/86) 93 points Robert Parker: "Few wineries in the world can boast such an enviable record of consistent excellence as that of Caymus." (10/93) 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Four stars from Michael Broadbent: 'Already mature, and rich, earthy, scented nose; some sweetness, nice weight, silky tannins. A delight. 

Inventory: Redwood City

93 points Wine Spectator: "Classic Cabernet aromas and flavors, a bright beam of currant flavor shining through the toasty, vanilla and brown sugar complexity. Very seductive and elegant." (07/89) 

Inventory: Hollywood San Francisco

93 points Robert Parker: "Although closed, the 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon is crammed with so much sweet, blackcurrant fruit that it does not take a genius to figure out what this wine is all about. It offers an opaque garnet/purple color, a moderately intense, cassis, smoky, herb, and earthy nose, fabulous concentration, good muscle, and a boatload of sweet tannin. While drinkable, it needs another 4-5 years of cellaring. It will easily last for 20 years." (12/96) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Excellent intensity and focus, with vibrant black cherry and black... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

93 points and a Cellar Selection designation from Wine Spectator: "An intense wine that weaves together a pretty array of ripe cherry, currant and spicy oak flavors, and adds a trim of earthy character. Very well focused, young and vibrant, but needs at least until 1999. Tasted twice, with consistent notes." (06/95) 91 points Robert Parker: "It seems like yesterday that Ric Forman began his career, yet he is now one of California's veteran wine-makers. From his early days (nearly 20 years ago) at Sterling he has built an impressive resume. The proprietor... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

The steep rocky slopes of the vineyards at Mayacamas yield small crops of tiny grapes. This small fruit is intensely flavored and results in very full character development in the wines. Winemaker Robert Travers designs winemaking procedures to preserve this intensity. 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

90 points Wine Spectator: "Tightly wound, firm and crisp, with a complex core of plum, black cherry, blackberry, cedar and toasty oak. Finishes with a rich aftertaste and fine length. Best from 2001 through 2008. 613 cases made." (09/99) According to Robert Parker: "Readers should be aware that Hartwell's labels are confusing in that the vineyard designation is at the bottom right hand side of the label. Their dark ruby-colored 1996 Sunshine Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon offers an attractive bouquet of cedar and spice, open-knit, ripe flavors, medium body... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

91 points Robert Parker: "Petite Sirah lovers will go ballistic when they taste the two 1993 offerings from Turley Cellars. The 1993 Petite Syrah Hayne Vineyard (from a vineyard planted in 1950) reveals a dense purple color, full body, an earth, pepper, and black fruit-scented nose, concentrated flavors, and a muscular, tannic finish. These are extraordinary wines!" (06/95) 91 points Wine Spectator: "Big, ripe, dark and richly flavored, this has a tight core of juicy plum, currant and black cherry, and finishes with a mouthful of chewy tannins and a spi... Read More » 

Inventory: San Francisco

One of the successes of the vintage. Meaty, spicy nose; ripe flavors, dense, and firm on the palate. Still has life in it. (Joe Zugelder, K&L Old and rare Buyer) 

Inventory: Redwood City

96 points Robert Parker: "The newest release, the 1992, offers a dense purple color, and a splendid sweet nose of minerals, blackcurrants, toast, and spice. Opulent and rich, with full body, and well-integrated sweet tannin, this expansive yet graceful wine possesses layers of flavor that caress the palate. The wine is accessible, yet still youthful and unformed. It should drink well for 20+ years. Dazzling wines! I urge interested readers to get their names on the winery's mailing list if they want to purchase these wines." (12/96) And according to the... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

93 points Robert Parker: "Tasting through Robert Mondavi's portfolio continues to reinforce my impression that this winery is undeniably the spiritual and qualitative leader of that sector of the California wine industry dedicated to producing world-class wines. What is so admirable about the entire Mondavi operation is that they continue to push their wines to higher and higher qualitative levels. Their nearly obsessive pursuit of bottling the wines with no manipulation has led to the majority of Mondavi's white wines being bottled without filtration - ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points Robert Parker: "Forman's 1990 Cabernet Sauvignon may be this winery's best effort to date. This deep purple-colored wine displays a super-expressive nose of blackcurrants, licorice, and vanillin. With a beautifully etched, medium to full-bodied feel, exquisite concentration, decent acidity, and firm but soft, sweet tannins, this is a graceful, authoritatively flavored Cabernet for drinking over the next 12-15 years." (06/93) 

Inventory: San Francisco

Rated 95 points Wine Spectator, upon release, and desribed as: "Soft, lush and elegant, but with a steely backbone and complex Cabernet flavor." (02/87) According to Robert Parker: "A decent deep ruby color is followed by light intensity aromas of herbs, cherries, and vanillin. Rich fruit jumps from the glass...Charming in a lighter, medium-bodied style." (08/94) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco