After giving the 2004 Amici Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon an additional year and half of bottle age, winemaker Jeff Hansen finally decided to release this exceptional wine in October, 2008. And, the additional time really helped, allowing this rich puppy to evolve and open up to show its true depth of character. Deeply colored, the nose is loaded with cassis, currants, blackberries and espresso notes, which is underscored by mild toasty tones. In the mouth, you will be treated to an expansive, hugely complex, multi-dimensional cabernet, with well-integ... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Silver Oak's long-awaited 2004 Cabernet blends small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet and Petite Verdot, for a complex, savory wine that is still developing and has many years ahead of it. Right now the wine is the color of royal velvet and it's alluring bouquet is wonderfully exotic, displaying notes of Damson plum, rose, soy, spice and black olive. Sumptuous on the attack, the fruit is lifted by spice and supple, integrated tannins. According to K&L's Mike Jordan: "Silver Oak has been synonymous with California Cabernet for years. The 2004 Napa is a beauti... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

A slight departure from previous vintages, this Spring Mountain Cabernet is a rich, full-bodied red, deep in color, with a nose that is lively with essences of berries, plum, and toasty oak. The sweet, supple entry crescendos into a deeply intense middle; followed by a pleasant, velvety, lingering finish. 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot. 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92 points Wine & Spirits: "This wine is tense and inky with potent black fruit flavor. Its compression brings to mind the gale force wind from the Columbia River, which Alder Ridge overlooks. After a day, what seemed locked up is now a marvel of tension and concentration, with a savory earth note to complement a lean, pure black raspberry flavor." (12/08) 90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "In addition to the Cabernet Sauvignon, it consists of 16% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot aged in a mix of European and American oak, 45% new. Pu... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

94+ points from Robert Parker: "I don’t know whether it’s me, the vintage character, or whether Randy Dunn and his son have intentionally softened their wines, but these 2004s are more opulent and up-front than previous renditions. Yet, they lack neither concentration nor richness. Those of us who have been cellaring Dunn’s wines for twenty years, waiting for them to reach maturity should be thrilled by this new development. The Howell Mountain is denser and richer with blacker fruits as well as more body. Both are full-bodied, powerful Cabernets very mu... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

93 points Wine Enthusiast - "Shows the impeccable balance you expect from this master winemaker, even in this hot vintage, where supermaturity was a challenge. The wine is certainly ripe, offering a mouthful of blackberries, cherries and currants. But it never loses its elegant tannin-acid architecture. Beautiful now, and should develop through 2014." March 2008 

Inventory: Hollywood

90 points Wine Enthusiast: "Crisp acids and finely ground tannins give this young Cab great structure, making it feel balanced and elegant. It’s also a very ripe wine, showing lush blackberry, cassis and cherry flavors. The wine is big enough to easily support its significant amount of flashy new oak. Drink now through 2010." (03/08) 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City

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

The Viano Vineyards "Private Stock" Cabernet comes from estate vineyards located about halfway betweem Napa and Livermore. Exposed to the cooling influences of the San Francisco Bay, the site boasts warm days and cool nights. Aged for eight months in American and French oak, this wine has plummy, dark berried fruit with hints of spice and supple tannins. Packs a wallop for $7.99. 

Inventory: San Francisco

In the early 1980s, the Heitz Family acquired a marvelous Rutherford vineyard bordered on one side by the Silverado Trail and nudged on the other by the Conn Creak. Thus the Trailside Vineyard was born. This is an opulent wine that consistently expresses its lineage in bold, luscious statements. Known for its overall powerful Cabernet varietal flavors this Trailside, from a great vintage in the Napa Valley, certainly delivers. Aged for three-and-a-half years in a combination of American and French Limousin oak. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse

93 points from Wine Enthusiast: "This is the opposite of the gooey, cult-style wines grown down on the valley benches and floor. It's pure mountain in the tannins, acidity and dryness, with below 14% alcohol. It's a food wine, with cassis, cedar and mineral flavors. Should age well for a decade." (09/09) 90 points and a Best Buy, Wine & Spirits: "Plump currant flavors give this Cabernet a rich profile...This needs at least five years for the structure to relent and the pure fruit to come forward." (07/09) 

Inventory: Redwood City San Francisco

From Wine Enthusiast: "White Oak has achieved consistency over the years with this bottling. It’s dependably dry and balanced. The ’04 is riper than its predecessors, with the cherry and blackberry flavors approaching raisins. It’s also richly textured and soft in tannins. Drink now." (2/1/2008) 

Inventory: Redwood City

95 points from Wine Enthusiast: "A dramatic young wine, fleshy and dazzling now for its lush fruit and oak, although the tannins have a crunchy hardness. But that merely ensures ageability. It’s beautiful the way the acid-tannin structure plays against the cherry, cassis and olive fruit, creating an architectural tension. If you open this wine now, decant for a few hours. Otherwise, it should hold for six to eight years, and develop further bottle complexity afterward." (12/15/2007) 94 points Wine & Spirits: "From the Huneeus estate on the east side of N... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Phelan Vineyard's 100% estate-grown, limited production 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon is deeply colored, concentrated mountain cabernet. The nose delivers black currant and baked cherry cobbler aromas, spiked with notes of leather. In the mouth, the wine's core of dark berry fruit is framed by mocha flavors, ripe tannins and substantial mid-palate weight. Decant now or cellar for the next 5-7 years. 93 points - Beverage Tasting Institute 

Inventory: Hollywood

This Stags Leap District winery, located on a knoll just above the Silverado Trail, is perhaps best known for its pricey, Limited Reserve Cabernet. But they make a pretty mean and remarkably affordable merlot, too. The 2004 vintage walks the wine between savory and sweet, with nutty, spicy aromas balancing out sweet fruit and kirsch that follows onto the palate. Medium-bodied with a solid mid-palate (the merlot is supported by an 11% dose of cabernet sauvignon), this wine is approachable now, but structured enough to age for the short-term. Drink it whil... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

94 points from Robert Parker: "The stunningly full-bodied, rich, opulent, ripe 2004 Syrah Roll Ranch offers lovely aromas of melted licorice, creme de cassis, blackberries, violets, and underbrush. It is deep, full-bodied, velvety-textured, and as always, the most forward and evolved of the Ojai Syrahs. Enjoy it over the next decade or more." (08/07) 93 points Connoisseurs' Guide to CA Wine: "One of California's leading Syrah bottlings year after year leaps to the top again in this vintage. Its nose is saturated with plush blackberry and sweet plum fruit... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

94 points and two stars in the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wines: "18% Carignane; 7% Petite Sirah. Of all the Zinfandels produced by this greatly respected winery, none has stood out more than Geyserville over the years. Perhaps it is the very high percentages of other grapes that are planted in the vineyard and have found their ways into the wine. Indeed, in many years, Geyserville has not reached the required 75% Zinfandel content needed to bear the varietal name. That this edition does cross that barrier is not to suggest that its character has ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

93 points Wine Spectator: "Shows hints of maturity, with chocolate mint, cherry and currant flavors that are intense yet elegant, balanced and stylish. Full-bodied, firm and focused, this is complex and concentrated without being heavy, offering the wine's classic style and personality. Drink now through 2018. 2,750 cases made." (10/09) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse San Francisco

94+ points Robert Parker: "A beautiful wine, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve boasts classic creme de cassis, cedar, tobacco leaf, spice box, and pain grille aromas and flavors. This impeccably made, full-bodied, super-concentrated Cabernet reveals good delineation and freshness as well as surprising definition and elegance for a wine of such power and intensity. If you haven’t discovered the wines of Robert Keenan, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon as quality appears to go from strength to strength." (12/06) 

Inventory: Hollywood

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

Guilliams 2004 Estate Cab is a beautiful expression of mountain fruit comprised of 91% cabernet sauvignon, 8% cabernet franc and 1% merlot. Aged in French oak barrels for two years before blending and another in bottle before release, this wine is already wonderfully expressive. Red berry fruit, toffee, spice and eucalyptus notes combine for an intoxicating perfume. In the mouth, the raspberry, cherry and blackberry fruit are at the forefront, framed by supple tannins and plenty of acidity. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

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

This is winemakers Nick Goldschmidt and Kenneth Kahn's fourth vintage of Blue Rock Syrah, made from 100% estate grown Alexander Valley fruit. Focused on grace and elegance rather than extraction, the wine's smoky meat, pomegranate and blackcurrant aromas are redolent of Northern Rhône. The bouquet continues on the palate, adding game and earth flavors as well as some black cherry. Soft, fine-grained tannins make this wine approachable now, but it has enough structure to continue to improve over the next five years. 90 points Wine Enthusiast: "The tannins... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

93 points Wine Spectator: "Rich and spicy, intense and concentrated, with full-bodied currant, cedar, blackberry and black licorice fruit that's impeccably balanced and well-structured, offering firm tannins and vibrant acidity. Excellent length. Drink now through 2015." (Insider, 01/09) 92 points Wine Enthusiast: "With this wine, Kenwood is seriously poaching on Napa Valley cult Cab territory. Shows powerful, intense chocolate, blackberry pie filling and smoky new oak flavors wrapped into soft but complex tannins. yes, the alcohol is high, but the wine... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City San Francisco

This is the second single-varietal bottling of mourvèdre from Rhône Ranger producer Tablas Creek. All of the fruit comes from the winery's 120-acre certified organic vineyard in Paso Robles, California and, while most of the estate's mourvèdre goes into the Esprit de Beaucastel blend each year, we're glad they've saved some for this limited production wine. Concentrated mourvèdre aromas of roasted meats, cherries, chocolate and spice on the nose are unbearably enticing. Full in the mouth, the juicy fruit is complemented by earthy and leather, with notes ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

93+ from Robert Parker: "The 2004 Syrah Thompson Vineyard offers attractive beefy, blackberry, currant, and damp earth characteristics, medium to full body, moderately high tannin, outstanding purity, and very good depth and texture. Consume it over the next 10-12+ years." (06/08) 93 points from Wine Enthusiast: "Here’s a big, rich, densely layered Syrah, the kind of wine that Cab or Merlot lovers who are looking for alternatives should discover. It’s full-bodied, dry and oaky, yet with its cherry, chocolate, fig and licorice flavors, offers a whole diff... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood 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

90 points Wine Enthusiast: "Here’s one for the cellar. You could drink it now, with a little decanting, but such is the structural youth that you’d miss this Bordeaux blend at its best. Rich and savory in spicy black and red currant, cherry and cedar flavors, the wine shows a firm tannic structure, with a crisp bite of acidity. Hold until late 2008; should evolve over the next six to eight years." (12/07) 

Inventory: San Francisco

The Mas de Maha is California's answer to a blockbuster Ribera del Duero, and this 2004 is another in a line of well-proportioned, though elegant, unique reds. A blend of tempranillo, grenache and mourvedre, it provides ample tannin, acidity and pure, rich fruit, with each varietal bringing their own special something to the table (tempranillo's got the tannin and structure, grenache the lush fruit and mourvedre the spicy complexity). Bring out the aged manchego and Spanish olives! 

Inventory: Redwood City

This is the flagship wine from the Kathryn Kennedy's estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains and its release marks the proprietress's 80th birthday. Just 400 cases of this rich and opulent wine were produced. A bit austere in its youth, currant flavors are just beginning to poke out from beneath tightly-wound tannins, promising a lovely drink in a few years. Lay down until 2009. 

Inventory: Hollywood Redwood City

Deep boysenberry fruit, anise and bay aromas carry from this wine's aromatic bouquet to its full-bodied palate. The tannins are fine and dusty, but well-integrated. The Rosati Family Vineyards has quite illustrious roots, literally, planted from rootstock from the famed Jimsomare Ranch, Ridge co-founder David Bennion planted it on a hilltop in southern Mendocino County more than 20 years ago. 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

A silkier version of Frazier's Estate Merlot, the 2004 Lupine Hill has lovely strawberry and cherry character. There's plenty of oak sweetness, too, and nice structure. Buy this one for picnicking! 

Inventory: San Francisco

94-96 from Robert Parker: "The soft, opulent 2004 Insignia (a 10,000-case blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, and 2% Malbec) is already seductive and lush. Offering abundant quantities of cassis, incense, graphite, plums, blackberries, and black currants, it will be hard to resist young, but should age effortlessly for two decades or more." Wine Advocate #168 Dec 2006 - very limited this year! 94 points and a "Collectible" designation from Wine Spectator: "Tight and complex, with a deep, potent core of ripe currant, herb, sage ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

Old carignane blocks were included in this rustic red, as well as a limited amount of petite sirah. After ten months of barrel aging, some very rich, spicy zinfandel was added from a parcel initially held out. The wine spent a full eighteen months in barrel, roughly four more than is customary, bringing the tannins and firm acid into balance. This superb, opulent Geyserville will be enjoyable within a year, and develop fully over the next ten. 

Inventory: Redwood City

92 points Wine Spectator: "Well-made in a superripe style, with ripe plum, berry jam and anise. Starts out smooth and concentrated, then firms up on the finish, where this shows a touch of heat and cedary oak. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2016. 291 cases made." (07/09) 91-93 points Robert Parker: "The deep ruby/purple-hued 2004 Farewell Cuvee (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot) is the estate’s last offering made from Beckstoffer Vineyard fruit. While tannic, rich... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

According to Wine Enthusaist: "An admirable first effort from this winery on the high slopes of Lake County’s Mount Konocti..." Tucked among the pines in Red Hills Lake County, Snows Lake Vineyard is blessed with the same classic volcanic soils as the famed Diamond Creek in Napa. The "One" is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with lots of petreey, forward fruit and firm tannins that need a little time to soften. 

Inventory: San Francisco

This is thick, ripe and concentrated with creamy flavors of huckleberry, blackberry, espresso roast, dark chocolate, vanilla and allspice. With 20% alcohol by volume and 10.5% residual sugar this jammy, sweet wine is a dead ringer for a young vintage Port. Comprised of 55% touriga nacional, 30% tinto cao, 7% petite sirah, 5% tinta roriz and 3% zinfandel. (Steve Bearden, K&L San Francisco) 

Inventory: Redwood City

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Merryvale's Profile remains a star year after year. The '04 is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon, and stunds with its power. With a smooth, complex tannin structure, it's rich in currants, blackberries and cedar, but is too young to open now. Should hit its stride around 2010 and continue to develop for some years after. Tasted twice, with consistent results. Cellar Selection." (12/08) 90 points and one star from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "This complex mix of concentrated black fruits is aided and abetted by scen... Read More » 

Inventory: Hollywood

93 points Wine & Spirits: "Scents of wild blueberries and mineral tannins fill this dark, supple wine. It's dense, rich and savory, with powerful tannins that hold on through a tight finish. This is primarily cabernet sauvignon (80 percent) with small amounts of petit verdot, merlot and cabernet franc. It's the top selection from Spring Mountain Vineyards' 225 acres of vines and shows the warmth of the early 2004 harvest with lovely textural grace. Probably best ten years from the vintage." 93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Scents of wild blueberries and mine... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

Mataro, a.k.a. Mourvèdre, was made famous near the banks of the Rhône River in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in Southern France. Like the Mourvèdre grown in Rhône, this Mataro is planted near the banks of a river (the Sacramento River) in California's Contra Costa County. This is a strapping red, with ample tannin and dark, mysterious fruit. Just the thing for ribs cooked outside or for smoky barbequed brisket. 

Inventory: San Francisco

If you like elegant, mineral-kissed Syrahs, then you'll love the Encantado from Point Concepcíon. Blending fruit from both the warm east side and cooler west side of Paso Robles, the wine entices with aromas of black cherry cola with flavors of Assam tea, blackberry and pencil lead following. The cedary-oak notes are perfectly interlaced, complementing rather than dominating the fruit. The wine finishes firm with balancing acidity. 

Inventory: Redwood City

A heavy and brooding effort from this small estate winery in Oak Knoll, this syrah has a dense core of blueberry and cedar. Its domestic origin is obvious in the weight of the wine's fruit and the plush tannins of its long finish, but there is real-syrah complexity to be found in the wine's slightly beefy nose and pepper spices. This is a great choice for those who want some classic syrah character coupled with rich domestic fruit. 

Inventory: San Francisco

What do you get when you have an Englishman who comes to California to make wine? Palladian. This is not your run of the mill Napa Valley Cabernet. This is a wine inspired by the great Bordeaux houses. It reminds me of the great Philip Togni wines, but shows a little bit more Valley floor ripeness. Bright nose of cherry and blackberry encircled by a hint of cedar and stone. The palate is all cassis and tobacco with a beautiful stone minerality. The tannins are firm but soft. Finishes long and clean. Great for tonight but the wine will hold for several ye... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse Redwood City San Francisco

92-94 points Robert Parker 95% Cimarossa Vineyard and 5% Mast Vineyard. Cimarossa is at 2,100 feet above the valley floor and had close to a foot of snow early 2006. Mast Vineyard is only a few hundred feet above sea level and snow turned to rain before it reached the vines. Soils, climates, facings, everything about these two vineyards is different but their broader appellation, Napa Valley. And the fact there are a lot of rocks and stones in both vineyards. Yet together they can sing, and they did in 2004. This Cab is rich and full throttle with layers... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

89 points Robert Parker: "The most classic wine of this trio is the 2004 Syrah Petite Rousse, a Paso Robles’ interpretation of a good Crozes-Hermitage or St.-Joseph. Peppery, meaty, and spicy with plenty of black currant and cherry fruit, medium to full body, undeniable style and personality, it is accessible enough to be drunk over the next 3-4 years." (08/09) This wine fermented completely dry while on its skins, which, for the record, was a first for "petite rousse." Identical to the 2001 and 2002 "petite rousse" the 2004 "petite rousse" comes from 1... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

The "Two" is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc blend from Snows Lake, a new winery on Mt. Konocti in the Red Hills AVA. Wood smoke and pine aromas contrast this wine's deep, fruity nose and palate. Firm tannins envelop this wine right now, so decant or cellar to give them time to soften a bit. 

Inventory: San Francisco

92 points from Wine Spectator: "Offers gorgeous fruit purity, with ripe, fleshy, plush plum, currant and black cherry flavors that are framed and supported by lively acidity and firm tannins. It all adds up to a rich, concentrated, focused wine that’s intense yet elegant and beautifully balanced. Best from 2009 through 2015." (Web '08) 

Inventory: San Francisco

According to Wine Spectator: "Keeps the focus on ripe green apple, pear and melon fruit. Intense and concentrated, with a full-bodied, concentrated finish. Drink now through 2011. Tasted twice, with consistent notes." (07/07) 

Inventory: Main Warehouse San Francisco

Sniffing our glasses we detect aromas of pear, crisp green apple and a hint of exotic citrus. The mouthfeel is tart, indicating that it is still a youthful and tightly wound wine. But at the same time the big fruit flavors give the wine an elegant profile. Although some wine critics claim there is no way to smell or taste minerality, all of us detect a consistent presence in this wine that may derive from this rocky soil, brought up by long tap roots from deep in the hillside. Call it what you will, this characteristic, along with intense fruit flavors, ... Read More » 

Inventory: Redwood City

94+ points from Robert Parker: "The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, all from their old vineyards in Calistoga. This is a dense, ruby/purple-tinged wine with full body, and despite the softness of the general vintage, Montelena has plenty of structure. Like nearly every vintage of their top Cabernet Sauvignon, it will last for 25 or more years. The wine has sweet tannin in a broad, flavorful, concentrated style with plenty of black currant, licorice, and spice. The wine is beautifully textured, slightly more forward than most Mo... Read More » 

Inventory: Main Warehouse