The Sarah Jane English Newsletter:  59th Edition
September 19,  2003

 TOP PICKS FOR THE MONTH ($best buy) (prices vary store to store)
Varietal: Mixed (if you can't find these vintages, try currently available vintage

• MONTICELLO Vineyards, Corley Family 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $33 (Best wine tasted this month in this price range!)

• MacMURRAY Ranch 2002 Pinot Gris, Russian River $23

• ForestVille 2002 Sauvignon Blanc $6$ 

• GRAND CRU 2002 Sauvignon Blanc $7.50 $

• LOLONIS 2002 Lady Bug Red, Mendocino $13

• SHAFER Vineyards 2000 Relentless (81% Syrah/ 19% Petite Sirah), Napa Valley $55 (Best wine tasted this month in this price range!)

• JEWEL 2002 Viognier, Lodi $10 $

• BLACK OPAL 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, South Eastern Australia $10 $

• ROSEMOUNT ESTATE 2001 Shiraz, South Eastern Australia $11$

• DUTCH HENRY 2001 Argos $38

• LIVINGSTONE-Moffett 2001 Chardonnay, Genny's Vineyard, Carneros $35

Winery of the Month: Caymus, Mer Soleil, Belle Glos  Caymus was founded by Charles F. Wagner and Lorna Belle Glos Wagner and their son Chuck in 1972 on their Rutherford property.  There they make two Cabernet Sauvignon--the Napa wine was introduced in 1972 and the Special Selection in 1975.  Chuck Wagner and his family have been doing so many things right for so long.  Gratitude is what any wine enthusiast feels for the array of fine wines this family had paraded to our tables for years.   The newest edition is BELLE GLOS PINOT NOIR, Santa Maria Valley.  The vineyard climate makes for later-ripening, longer-hanging grapes with delightful fruitiness, great acidity and complex flavor nuances.   Of course, the CAYMUS Cabernets stay as famous as ever.  CAYMUS Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 had weather that pleased Chuck.  "We experienced interval heat peaks throughout the summer--with high temperatures pushing grapes to ripeness and  alternating with cool days.  The natural balance of weather cycles gave us extra time to do selective picking--sometimes picking opposite sides of the vines on different days to select clusters with optimal maturity.   Upon crushing, the juice was concentrated, sweet with a broad array of integrated flavors.   While it will age, I may have a hard time keeping my hands off it during its youth."       Another delicious wine comes from Chuck's son Charlie.  He has been showing his skills with Mer Soleil in Salinas Valley since he was 18--now he's a ripe 23--and just keeps getting better.  I had the pleasure of watching him in action at the winery, quietly doing what needed to be done--checking this, stirring that, hooking up this hose, washing down that tank.   I asked Chuck about the Central Coast property.     "Monterey Jack cheese originated here in Salinas Valley," Chuck says.  "But technology changed what could be successfully produced here, moving from cows to raw crops in the 1930s and 1940s once refrigerated transportation could cool produce to ship it.  Vineyards started being planted in the 1970s."       Chuck's interest in the area began when he was introduced to Talbot and Morgan Chardonnays.  "I liked those wines a lot," he says.   "Central Coast Chardonnays were impressive, but  I was drawn to this part of the region (Salinas Valley) the most .   We planted 18 acres in 1989 to try it out , and we used different techniques--vertical trellis, for example, for good air flow, and drip irrigation (rather than overhead sprinklers) to prevent rot.  Now we have 300 acres of Chardonnay.  We’re primarily a grower selling grapes to other wineries, but we keep some of the best grapes for Mer Soleil and produce 9,000 cases.  We’ve also planted lemons here on about 1/3 of the land.   There’s a new sub-appellation that we are included in: Santa Lucia Highlands."      Chuck says there are several other varieties planted too--Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Marsanne; however, just a small amount of land is dedicated to experimental vineyards.  "The proceeds from the sale of the Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc go to a local school--eventually our hopes are that there’ll be a viticulture course in the school (California State University- Monterey Bay).  To my knowledge the Mer Soleil vineyard is planted in the coolest viticulture site in California."      The style for the 1996 Mer Soleil Chardonnay was to ferment  in 100% new French oak and undergo 100% malolactic fermentation.   "The Central Coast is emerging and it’s exciting.  Every year things change because the Central Coast is experimenting."    We tasted the Viognier and Sangiovese - produced from this vineyard by other wineries, as well as the Mer Soleil Chardonnay.    "Chardonnay expresses itself differently depending on where it’s grown--it can be assertive in the nose, have less acidity or be fully flavored.  We pick on the ripe side, producing wines near 14% alcohol.  We press whole cluster, let it settle 1 or 2 days at 40 degrees, transfer to barrel for barrel fermentation.  It’s as natural a wine as you can get.  Charlie, my 18-year-old son began making this wine beginning with the 1998 vintage. After the wine has sufficient time in barrel we ship it to Caymus and bottle it there. A bottling line for Mer Soleil is in our future."    So, what are the Wagners bringing us from 2000?  Chuck says, "The 2001 Mer Soleil marks a decade of learning about our wines from Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County.   Our land has different slopes and soil types within a small area.  No grapes had been planted here so we started fresh.  This area is perhaps the coolest and driest grape growing place in California, with harvest typically taking place well into November.  Our risk: was the climate too cool for our style of Chardonnay?  2001 Mer Soleil validates our efforts--lushly ripe fruit, balancing acidity and mouth-filling texture.  Flavor is the major force of Mer Soleil.      History: The Wagners took the name Caymus from the Mexican land grant known as Rancho Caymus, given to George Yount in 1836, which included what eventually became the town of Rutherford and much of the surrounding area. (Caymus was also the name of a subgroup of Mishewal-Wappo Indians whose village was north of what is now the town of Yountville.)    Vineyards: The winery's 60-plus acres of estate Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley's Rutherford District continue to form the foundation of Caymus Cabernets. Caymus also purchases grapes from carefully selected Napa Valley growers who have had a long-term association with the winery.  Wines:  Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley  Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

NEWS

BREAKING NEWS: WINES MAY BE SHIPPED LEGALLY TO TEXAS FROM OTHER STATES.

KING ESTATE 2000 Domaine Pinot Noir Wins 'Best of Show.'   King Estate 2000 Domaine Pinot Noir received a Gold Medal and the Best of Show at The 2003 Oregon State Fair Professional Wine Awards Celebration.  Sixty-one wineries representing all six Oregon appellations entered the competition, with over 400 wines tasted and judged.  King Estate also received Silver Medals for its 2000 Pinot Gris-Vin Glacé and 2000 Oregon Pinot Noir and a Bronze Medal for the 2001 Oregon Pinot Gris, winning medals for all wines entered.   www.kingestate.com.

SOCIETY OF WINE EDUCATORS (SWE) ANNUAL CONFERENCE Presents Annual Awards: SWE, an international non-profit wine-education organization,  provides wine education for professionals and wine enthusiasts.  Conferred on awards night were 1)the first Annual Award for Excellence in Restaurant Education--Myriad Restaurant Group accepted by Larry Stone, M.S., 2) a special award posthumously to former Seattle Times wine writer, Tom Stockley and 3) a Grand Award to Dr. Gerry Warren, a clinical professor in Rehabilitation Medicine and Bioengineering at the University of  Washington Medical School.   Established in 1977, SWE offers professional certification through two programs--Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Certified Wine Educator (CWE)--and a number of certificate and continuing education programs.   Information,  www.wine.gurus.com or 202.347.5677.  Media contact is Kimberly Charles, 415.341.8848 or kcharlesus@yahoo.com.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK has programs for visitors. Packages highlight the offerings for winter season 2003-04 and include a new program called Old Faithful Winter Adventure plus others offered in collaboration with the Yellowstone Association Institute (YAI). All Lodging and Learning programs include accommodations inside the park at either The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, open Dec. 20, 2003 until March 7, 2004, and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, open Dec. 17, 2003 until March 14, 2004.   Each winter package includes concessionaire Xanterra's "Snow Card," good for 10 percent off meals, in-park transportation, tours, snowmobile rentals, ski shop services and select retail items.
For information: Yellowstone, 307-344-7311 or visit www.TravelYellowstone.com. or www.xanterra.com. or Mesereau Public Relations (1) 720-842-5271 mona_mesereau@msn.com

BELL WINE CELLARS,  south of Yountville, is housed in a stone winery surrounded by vineyards that satisfied twenty years of searching by winemaker Anthony Bell and winegrower John Baritelle as the perfect place to produce their limited  production that showcases "terroir."  Bell Wine Cellars has opened its doors to the public, 6200 Washington Street, Yountville,  (707) 944.1673

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, Wyoming: The Grand Teton Lodge Company (GTLC), operator of lodging, restaurants and activities in Grand Teton National Park, is Wyoming's first member of the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Performance Track program.  The program recognizes, rewards and encourages top environmental performers that consistently exceed regulatory requirements, work closely with their communities and excel in protecting the environment and public health. 

MIKE GRGICH received the inaugural Ho'okele Award for Lifetime Achievements at the 22nd Annual Kapalua Wine and Food Festival.  The award was developed to recognize an outstanding individual who has shown a lifetime of achievements in the wine industry, has had a significant impact on the culinary world, and has greatly contributed to the hospitality industry.

ARGER-MARTUCCI Vineyards celebrated the 2nd Annual Release Party for their wines.

PEAK WINES INTERNATIONAL, a subsidiary of Jim Beam Brands Worldwide, Inc.,  announced the acquisition of WILD HORSE WINERY & VINEYARDS.

RODNEY STRONG Vineyards will install the largest winery solar energy system in the wine world in October 2003.  Over the 25-year life of the system, the solar generated electricity will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 8,700 tons--equivalent to planting 2,500 trees or removing 1,700 cars from the road, or not driving 22 million miles (same as 45 trips to the moon and back).  Additionally, the system will generate enough electricity during daytime to power about 800 homes.

MAISON MARQUES & DOMAINE announced that Dr. Michel Salgues has turned over the winemaking duties at Roederer Estate in Mendocino to Arnaud Weyrich, who has apprenticed under Salgues for five years.  Michel will consult and travel back and forth to France.

CHALK HILL ESTATE VINEYARDS announced  the new positions of  Consulting Winemaker David Ramey and Winemaker Steve Leveque.

CHATEAU ST. JEAN has named Associate Winemaker Margo Van Staaveren as winemaker and director of winery operations upon the departure of Steve Reeder.

BERINGER VINEYARDS has paid tribute to Viticulturist Bob Steinhauer by renaming a key reserve vineyard Steinhauer Ranch.  Bob has 24 years at BERINGER and the Tre Colline Vineyard in the Howell Mtn. sub-appellation--a regular component in the Private Reserve--was so christened.

NEW RELEASES (quotes are winemakers' comments)

MONTICELLO VINEYARD, Corley Family, Napa has reentered my life.  I was present at the time Jay Corley had construction underway on the winery and still have my hardhat with MONTICELLO penned across it.  Now four of his sons are actively carrying on the MONTICELLO tradition and I vigorously applaud their efforts.  The wines I've tasted are extremely well made and will be ones you want to add to your shopping list.  More coming next issue!                       ___________________________________________________________________________ 

  BONNY DOON VINEYARD has released several 2002 vintages.  www.bonnydoonvineyard.com

• BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2002 Vin Gris de Cigare $10, "Marsanne attacks! the palate in a very gentle fashion,"  says owner Randall Graham, "and we have included a generous dollop of it in this otherwise classical southern French cuvee (grenache, syrah and mourvedre). "Our '02 Vin Gris is an exercise in the usual refreshing fruity aromatics that one typically finds in a proper pink--strawberry and rose with a subliminal suggestion o f linden and lime blossom.  There's a wonderful creaminess and sophistication to this year's pink--perfect with Mediterranean foods."

• BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2002 Ca' del Solo Malvasia Bianca $13, "We began making this wine in 1990 when little Malvasia just entered the first grade," says Randall.  "She's now a freshman at UCLA, driving a trust fund financed convertible with a trail of broken hearts in her wake.  The 'o2 is as aromatically intense as ever--litchi, elderflower and gooseberry--with great natural acidity and faint hint of residual sugar and softer texture, our most concentrated to date."  

• BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2002 The Heart has its Rieslings $15, "Riesling is like love--at least this one is--sweet and tart.  One is both braced and embraced when one locks lips with this dulcet young thing.  It's made from non-botrytised grapes from a shy yielding though hardly coquettish vineyard in eastern Washington.  Remarkably crisp and zinging with acidity and enough sweetness to deliver an exquisite wallop to the senses--pear, green apple, mango, kiwi and grapefruit.  Eminently gulpable in the short term, it is our expectation (though who knows what the future will bring) that this wine will reward a long-term commitment to cellaring."

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SHAFER VINEYARDS has released three new wines for the pleasure of your  palates.  www.shafervineyards.com

• SHAFER VINEYARDS 2001 Merlot, Stags Leap District, Oak Knoll, Carneros $39: "The Merlot grape is a wine country diva," says Doug Shafer.  "In public it is beautiful and expressive--soft, feminine and aromatic, but behind the scenes it's overly sensitive and problematic, a pain in the neck in the vineyard!  While Napa Valley's 2001  vintage is heralded as a picture perfect year, it was no easy task to coax ripeness from Merlot.  Perfection is not enough for this grape," says Doug.  "Because of sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, springtime flowering often does not occur uniformly.  Within a single cluster individual berries may be from a week to ten days apart in maturity.  On harvest day, that difference in ripeness is the difference between kind of good and really good wine.  So our crews review the vines several times and cut away the less ripe and underdeveloped fruit. So we end up with a wine that is rich, mouth filling and very pleasing to drink."  Pair with poultry, pork and meat dishes.

• SHAFER VINEYARDS 2000 Relentless (81% Syrah/ 19% Petite Sirah), Napa Valley $55: Napa's 2000 wines are often called quieter.  "No one told our Syrah vineyard that is was time to play quietly," says Doug.  "It gave us fruit that was bigger and more powerful than the previous year.  The site's a powder keg."  Shafer's La Mesa vineyard produces a field blend of Syrah and Petite Sirah.  The soil is shallow and rocky with quick drainage so the vines are never bathed in moisture or nutrients.  This second release is named Relentless to honor longtime Shafer Winemaker Elias Fernandez and his relentless pursuit of quality.  Relentless is a limited-production, vineyard-designated wine and spends 28 months in 25% new French oak barrels.  It's intense with black pepper, spices, blueberries and blackberries, rich  with expansive tannins--a luscious wine.

• SHAFER VINEYARDS 1999 Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, SLD, Napa Valley $150: This wine is Shafer's limited production, signature wine.  1999 provided near ideal growing conditions and the wines shows bold, concentrated color and flavor with an overall softness characteristic of the Stags Leap District.  "It was a dreamboat year where everything went right in the vineyard," Doug says.  "Hillside Select is sourced entirely from  small vineyard blocks on the rugged estate property that surrounds the winery, Stags Leap District.  The thin, volcanic soils atypically are measured in inches not feet.   Grapes are half the normal size at harvest.   All the elaborate vineyard techniques used in deep, rich soil are dispensed with on the hillsides.  Good vintages are easy to work; however, in tough years they're the hardest because the vines live so close to the edge of survival." The wine is rich blackberry, loads of jammy fruit, some tobac, fresh herbs and minerals, generously proportioned with chocolate coating stylish with power and finesse.  Pair with grilled or roasted beef, lamb, duck and game and full-flavored cheeses.

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SCHRAMSBERG is getting ready for the holidays by releasing several methode champenoise sparkling wines.  One of them is the Blanc de Noirs, a wine style Schramsberg pioneered in the United States with its first release in 1967.   If you like, you can have wines shipped to Texas now.  "The Schramsberg Cellar Club was named for the more than two miles of caves that are tunneled into the soft volcanic rock of our property. The caves were begun in 1870 by our founder, Jacob Schram, after he established Schramsberg as the first hillside winery in the Napa Valley. Cellaring our wines in these cool caverns provides year-round temperatures of 55 degrees while the wines got through second fermentation and aging." For information:   www.schramsberg.com

• SCHRAMSBERG 1999 Blanc de Noirs $29: "Making a white wine from red grapes (Pinot Noir)  takes great care," says Winemaker Hugh Davies, "such as early morning picking, optimal maturity and delicate pressing.  This wine has layers of roasted almonds, caramel, cherry and spice.  It's an assemblage of 27 vineyards and 20% chardonnay was added to lend crispness and 15% barrel fermentation to add flesh and viscosity.  It is especially appealing with lighter meats like veal and pork, cheese soufflés and risotto."

• SCHRAMSBERG 1999 Blanc de Blancs, Brut $29: "The counterpoint to Blanc de Noirs, the wine is made from Chardonnay," explains Hugh Davies.  "First produced in 1965, this wine was America's first commercial Chardonnay based sparkling wine.  It is dry, firm and crisp with abundant flavors of lemon, apple, pear and pineapple.  It's aged about three years on the lees in bottle.  Try with oysters on the half shell, poultry, cheese and vegetable courses." 

• SCHRAMSBERG RESERVE $60:  "A blend of 73% Pinot Noir and 27% Chardonnay and three counties, this wine is our top Pinot-Noir based sparkling wine," says Hugh.  The reserve represents only two percent of Schramsberg's annual production.  It is richly flavored and full-bodied, fruity and creamy, and made from the finest 100 base wine that represent 60 vineyard lots in five counties with 40% barrel fermented.   It is six years old upon release.   "Toasted pie-crust, roasted hazelnut and coconut notes frame the baked apple and cherry aromatic core of this complex, well-aged bubbly," Hugh says. "It is well suited for the main course--veal tenderloin, roast duck or full-flavored fish like sea bass."

• SCHRAMSBERG 1997 J. Schram $80: "From our inception in 1965, we have sought the greatest elegance and individuality possible in our sparkling wines," Hugh says.  "J. Schram epitomizes our philosophy--using all care and sparing no effort to make this fine expression of American individuality and innovation.  It stands with the best in the world to make an American statement.  The powerful, opulent vintage gave us extraordinary fruit.  This wine blends 70% Chardonnay grapes from 21 vineyards and focuses on the rich pineapple-citrus fruit from Carneros and lean, racy grapes from the benchlands in Monterey.  30% Pinot Noir adds touches of peach and strawberry.  41% of the components were barrel and malolactic-fermented, enriching the blend with weight and body.  Luxurious, luscious, creamy and toasty, enjoy as an aperitif or with fresh shellfish, smoked salmon and mild cheeses."

• MIRABELLE Brut NV $17.50, focused on the lifted fruit of the 2000 vintage with the blend gaining flavor and complexity from the addition of small barrel-aged lots from 1999, 1998 ND 1997.  "Principally made from Chardonnay," says Winemaker Hug Davies, "it has fresh pear, golden apple and mango aromas that mix with light toast, cracked almonds and faint marzipan.  Portions of Pinot Noir lend weight and body, giving way to a pleasing, palate-cleansing finish."

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• KENWOOD VINEYARDS 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley $16: "With its deep color, full aromas and bold, complex style, KENWOOD's newly released wine captures the essence of mountain -grown grapes," says Winemaker Mike Lee.  "Mountain wines get special attention from wine lovers for good reason--their power and structure cannot be matched.  I took care to gain complexity and elegance with this wine to complement the grape intensity.  It displays black cherry and currant aromas, some cedar and mint notes, with cherry and berry flavors and integrated tannins.  It has smooth, supple tannins with an elegant finish." 

• KENWOOD VINEYARDS 2002 Sauvignon Blanc $11: Winemaker Mike Lee draws on five Sonoma appellations to create this wine.  Vineyards in the cold regions of Carneros and Russian River contribute grass and citrus character, lean crisp acidity.  Warmer vineyards in Sonoma Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek provide fruit and pear flavors, as well as lush texture.  The wine has fresh, full aromas of tropical fruits, and just-cut hay, flavors of citrus and tropical fruits and spice, a lovely weight and balance.

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 RICHARD PARTRIDGE WINES eponymous owner says, "I know a good opportunity when I see one and in this case it was a chance to produce my own wines from top Napa Valley Chardonnay and Cabernet vineyards.   We were founded in 1998, and I'm  devoted to discovering and interpreting these select grapes into small amounts of  fine wines.  We focus on these two varietals exclusively."

• RICHARD PARTRIDGE WINES 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley $75 (only 940 cases): This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon received a month of extended maceration, thereby receiving an additional depth and complexity.  It was aged for 20 months in a combination of new and two-year-old Sequin Moreau, Demptos Allier and Tronçais oak and then bottled unfined and unfiltered.  The dark ruby wine has aromas of blackberry and black cherry with hints of cocoa powder, anise, and spicy vanilla.  It's rich, full-bodied, with flavors with flavors of dark plum and Bing cherry that has a long, elegant finish. www.richardpartridge.com

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MUMM CUVEE NAPA Brut Prestige ($18)  is Winemaker Ludovic Dervan's pick above all others to represent the Napa Valley.  "The  climate and the soil combine to produce incomparable fruit," he says, "with full flavors and subtleties to make the wine enchanting.  The naturally ripened fruit is selected from 50 separate vineyards and yields a beautiful rose petal aroma.  The wine has layers of crisp yet creamy qualities, rich and lingering."  There's a new package design for the MUMM NAPA Blanc de Noirs $18 (white of  blacks) sparkling wine to better reflect the color.  The copper-rose label creates more impact with a classic look.  The slightly colored wine is made with 85% Pinot Noir and the color comes from the skins.  The 15% of Chardonnay gives the wine power and structure while the bouquet and soft fruity character comes from the Pinot.  Robustness makes the wine complement many cuisines from Thai to Italian.  1997 DVX $45 is named for Mumm Napa Valley's founding winemaker, Guy Devaux.   Fresh,  fruit-forward and complex, it is a celebration of sparkling wine from Napa.  It is carefully crafted from the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, following the labor-intensive procedures of the méthode champenoise.   Only seven of 91 lots from 65 vineyards met the standards to be used in this wine and 1997 has been called "the vintage of the century."  Very seldom is there such perfect balance between high yields and exceptional quality for virtually all varietals.  With fine bubbles, the elegant wine showcases fresh fruit of apple, pear, melon and raspberry with subtle buttery notes.  www.mummcuveenapa.com   

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HARVEYS BRISTOL CREAM SHERRY is the world's best selling sherry, and the most popular imported sherry in the United States, outselling its nearest competitor by a margin of two to one.  HARVEYS is served as an aperitif or digestif  by itself or over ice with a squeeze of lime or orange, $14.  Sherry is a fortified wine with an alcohol content of 17.5% and created from the Palomino grape in various styles.   Domecq's family of wines provides a wide range of sherry styles--from the bone dry La Ina to the dessert wine Venerable.  The process called solera consists of blending different vintages to ensure a consistent quality year after year.

• DOMECQ LA INA Sherry $15 has apple, almond and yeast flavors. It is a bone dry Fino, an ideal companion for olives, nuts, cheese and shrimp.

• DOMECQ MANZANILLA $15 is a pale dry sherry, pungent and delicate, serve chilled with almonds, olives and shellfish.

• DOMECQ Medium Dry Amontillado $15 display classic nuttiness and is sweetened with another wine before bottling--serve with chowders and bisques.

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DOMINUS is the proprietary red wine produced by Christian Moueix of Libourne, France, from grapes grown on a single vineyard in the heart of Napa Valley. The wines reflect both the California terroir (soil and microclimate) and the spirit of a great Bordeaux chateau, with its attention to detail and devotion to quality in every aspect of winemaking.
DOMINUS is made solely from grapes grown at Napanook, a vineyard located in Yountville on the west side of highway 29. Established in 1866 Napanook was one of the first vineyards planted and named in the heart of the valley. Napanook has long been recognized for its extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon, which today covers more than half of the acreage. Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are also grown, completing the quartet of great Bordeaux varieties
Each year a selection is made among the blocks in the vineyard and then among the different lots in the cellar to achieve the optimum balance for the final blend. Therefore, the exact varietal composition varies from vintage to vintage, with a majority of Cabernet Franc, and a small fraction of Petit Verdot.

•  DOMINUS 2000 Napa Valley $90: "The first vintage of the new millennium will be remembered for its fine quality," Christian Moueix says.  "Characterized by a rather normal growing season and an unusually long harvest, the vintage resulted in a wine with fully-developed flavors and complexity.  Deep ruby color with a complex nose of cloves, blackberries and dark chocolate, the wine has structured tannins, enticing aroma and a mid-palate with essences of spices and worn leather, a long lingering finish that displays a harmony of tobacco, coffee and fruit."  The wine is 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot.  It will age gracefully and decanting is recommended.

NAPANOOK,  an historic vineyard that dates back to the mid-19th century, is located at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains in Yountville, Napa Valley. It's famous for producing extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon and is planted 70% to that varietal.  Christian Moueix of Libourne, France,  first released NAPANOOK with its 1996 vintage.  The intention is enjoy this wine in its younger years.  It is a blend of four varietal coming from vineyard blocks chosen for their finesse, lively fruit and subtle tannins.  The goal is to equilibrium among these elements for a harmoniously balanced wine..

• NAPANOOK 2000 Napa Valley $39: "Beautiful garnet color with rich aromas of cedar, red berries and licorice, the wine is refreshing with supple tannins and a great balance between nose and mouth, round, soft structure with a hint of cigar box that leads to a finish of spice with earthy undertones."  Decanting is recommended.
   

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MAISON MARQUES & DOMAINE announced that Dr. Michel Salgues has turned over the winemaking duties at Roederer Estate in Mendocino to Arnaud Weyrich, who has apprenticed under Salgues for five years.  Michel will consult and travel back and forth to France.  As always, Roederer Estate builds upon a centuries-old tradition of fine winemaking which is based on two elements: ownership of vineyards and oak-aged reserve wines.  A sampling of the portfolio follows.

• ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT, Anderson Valley, Mendocino $22 is crisp and elegant with complex pear, spice and hazelnut flavors.

• FLEUR DU CAP Merlot South Africa:  "A lively, ruby red Merlot with cherry and berry aromas, and a touch of chocolate and vanilla. On the palate, raspberry flavors mingle with vanilla and wood notes. It flows into a well-rounded, medium-full palate, and finishes smoothly with hints of fruit and wood. The ripe fruit makes the wine very drinkable now and the solid structure will allow the wine to mature for the next five years."

• FLEUR DU CAP Merlot Unfiltered South Africa:  "On the nose the wine has subtle ripe berries and cherries in beautiful harmony with elegant mocha, vanilla and cinnamon flavors of French oak that creates a creamy aroma. On the palate it has intense berry flavors, wood spice and sweet vanilla. The finely structured tannins give a soft, full, mouthfeel that finishes with warm chocolate flavors."

• LE BONHEUR, Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa: "Winemaker Sakkie Kotze describes the wine as a pale straw color with a green tinge. On the nose, there are distinct aromas of green figs and fresh cut grass. The aromas on the nose follow through to the palate, translating into a rich tropical fruitiness. Mid-weight and crisp with a long finish.  Serving Suggestions: Well suited for grilled, poached or baked fish, cheese soufflés and fried chicken. Can be served alone at 50 to 53 degrees Fahrenheit."

• UITKYK (Pronounced "ate cake") Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa: "Very pale straw color with a faint green-yellow tint and is clear and bright. On the nose, clean bracing aromas of passion fruit, tangerine, fresh green herbs and nettle that create a complex, multi-layered effect. The richness follows through onto the palate, with vivid melon, grass, green pepper and fig flavors. The wine has lovely acidity with smooth and lively fruit. The finish as a good to excellent length. FOOD PAIRING: Enjoy while young and vibrant with lighter-textured fish such as fresh cob, deep-fried calamari, mussels and sole meunière. Delightful on its own, or with a plate of cold cuts with olives, creamy vegetarian pastas and fried chicken. Serve chilled at 50-53 degrees Fahrenheit."

• de LADOUCETTE Pouilly Fume, Loire: "Pale golden-green color. Considerable intensity on the nose. It has an exceptional full range of floral, exotic and citrus fruit aromas such as white blossoms, hawthorn, broom and white nettles and grapefruit. These notes are enhanced and strengthened by the mineral note of gunflint (flint stone heated by the sun). The flavor is pleasant and lively, tempered by a fruity roundness with notes of pear, green apples and citrus fruits, which boost the mineral and stony hardness of gunflint. The finish brings to mind a pleasant lemony freshness."

• LA POUSSIE Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc), Sancerre, Loire: Crystal clear and green-gold in color. The wine's intense aromas are remarkably clean and a perfect reflection of the clay and chalky soils of La Poussie. The initial aromas are flowery with broom, eglantine and acacia. Fruity notes of peaches and apricot emerge, followed by a powerful and complex mineral component. On the palate, the wine has an initial freshness followed by a pleasant, fruity fullness. About midway through, it is delicate, supple and harmonious. The finish is clean and lingering."

• LA POUSSIE  Rouge (Pinot Noir), Sancerre, Loire: The color is a bright crimson red. On the nose, intense aromas of red berries such as raspberry and blackcurrant, accompanied by notes of smoke, toasted bread and cherry. Lively, fruity attack in the mouth, then round and easy to drink. Complex finish with subtle spicy and woody notes. It has a rich tannic character, which ensures the evolution of the wine."

• MARC BREDIF Cabernet Franc, Chinon, Loire: "On the nose, intense, refined and fruity. Nuances of cherry, strawberry and spicy notes. In the mouth, a subtle attack; fruity, light structure. Fresh and aromatic finish."

• MARC BREDIF Chenin Blanc, Vouvray, Loire: "On the nose, intense, refined and fruity. Nuances of cherry, strawberry and spicy notes. In the mouth, a subtle attack; fruity, light structure. Fresh and aromatic finish."

• DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER Grand Cru Saering Riesling, Alsace: "With a single holding of more than 330 acres at Guebwiller, Domaines Schlumberger is the largest Grands Crus producer in Alsace. All Schlumberger wines are estate-grown. Seventy-five percent of the vines are planted on very steep, terraced slopes, requiring horses be used for field work. The outstanding quality of the wines is due largely to Schlumberger's superior vineyards, but also because yields are deliberately kept low. The winery produces only 80,000 cases annually, while the law allows for up to 160,000."

• DOMAINES SCHLUMBERGER Sylvaner, Alsace: "The Sylvaner is one of the oldest grapes in Alsace and yields a fresh, fruity, easy-drinking wine.  This light and fresh wine is characterized by a delicate fruitiness sustained by balanced acidity. Drink within two years. Wines of the 1995 vintage are fairly high in acidity with light stucture. Meant for drinking young. Serving Suggestion: The wine pairs well with sausages, pâtés and fish."

• DELAS FRERES 2001 CROZES HERMITAGE ROUGE (Syrah)  LES LAUNES: The village of Crozes Hermitage lies just north of Hermitage proper. The appellation of Crozes Hermitage is the largest in the northern Rhône valley, covering nearly 2,100 acres. The region consists of primarily Syrah grapes that are aromatic, rich and full-bodied. Delas has been buying grapes from family growers in this region for over 100 years.  The wine has a deep garnet red color. It is fruity on the nose with strong aromas of cassis and plums and a touch of violets. The tannic structure is ample and well rounded, which assures good aging potential. It is recommended with game, grilled and rich foods."
   Founded over 160 years ago, Delas Frères was acquired by Champagne Deutz in 1977.   Delas Frères cultivates vineyards on the steep granite slopes of the northern Rhône, in some of the region's most prestigious appellations. Additional grapes are supplied through long-term agreements with southern Rhone growers dedicated to providing only top quality grapes.  Crafted by winemaker Jacques Grange to epitomize finesse and elegance, recent Delas Frères vintages from the vineyards of Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Côtes-du-Rhône and Côtes-du-Ventoux have won renewed praise for their intensity of flavor and excellent value.

• DELAS FRERES  Grenache (80%), Syrah (20%) Côtes-du-Ventoux, Rhone: "After malolactic fermentation, the wines are mixed and then preserved in stainless steel tanks, in temperature controlled wine warehouses for six to eight months until bottled.  The color is a dark ruby red. There is a dominance of red berries with a combination of power and freshness that carries over onto the palate."

• DELAS FRERES  Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Les Calcerniers 90% Grenache, 5% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre, 2% Carignan: "Located between Avignon and Orange, wines from the Chateauneuf-du-Pape appellation are among the most prestigious of the southern Rhone. These blended wines are made from grapes grown in the region's hills of red clay covered with quartz pebbles. A negociant wine, the Delas Chateauneuf-du-Pape rouge is made with grapes purchased from growers with whom the winery has worked for decades.  Dark garnet color. Vibrant, complex nose with scents of spice (nutmeg, black pepper), leather and rich red fruit. In the mouth, full-bodied with concentrated flavors, good tannins, and abundant fruitiness. An easy-drinking red, the perfect match with hearty stews, red meats and game, and strong cheeses. Can easily be kept 10 years or more."
  
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• GRGICH HILLS has reported that it's official--the 2002 Fume Blanc is estate grown.  "After 26 years of uncompromising quality, the 2002front label displays the new designation.  When Grgich was founded in 1977, there were 14 estate acres. Over the years, property has been acquired to the extent of 400 acres.  On the palate the wine is broad and voluminous, with power and softness, flavors of passion fruit, citrus, melon and fig, all derived from the Musqué clone of Sauvignon Blanc.  GRGICH HILLS 2002 Fumé Blanc "Estate Grown" Napa Valley $18.

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CASTELLO di GABBIANO 2001 Chianti DOCG $14 "is clear, bright and ruby red.  The bouquet, perfumed with scents of wild and damask roses, gives way to flavors of sour cherry, blackberry and pepper spice.  The wine's full-bodied palate is followed by a dry,  vivid finish--enjoy with rich, spicy pasta dishes, grilled chicken or gourmet pizza."
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  LIVINGSTONE MOFFETT 2001 Chardonnay, Genny's Vineyard, Carneros, Napa $35 (843 cases): "Our vineyard manager owns this vineyard named for his mother.  It's perfect for our Chardonnay.  This region is generally recognized as the finest Chardonnay growing area in Napa.  The vineyard has a variety of Robert Young and Dijon clones from which we select our blend.  The low yield assures complete ripeness while preserving the acidity.  The flavors and rich varietal character of these grapes has more than rewarded our expectations and efforts," the Livingstons.    

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Rancho ZABACO is named for one of the original Mexican land grants in Northern Sonoma, which crosses over portions of the Russian River Valley.  The wines are inspired by the bold spirit and rich heritage of the Spanish and Mexican pioneers who settled the land.

• Rancho ZABACO 2002 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River, Sonoma $20: "Aromas of lime peel, lemongrass and sweet pea are matched by flavors of grapefruit and passion fruit.  The mouthfeel is crisp and refined, with a touch of mineral adding focus to the fruit character.

• Rancho ZABACO 2002 Pinot Gris Sonoma Coast $20: "Aromas of warm spice, peach, orange peel and floral notes.  The mouth is full and rich with fleshy mango and fig flavors and crisp pear and green apple." 

• Rancho ZABACO 2002 Dancing Bull Sauvignon Blanc, California $10: "Crisp and clean, the wine has bright grapefruit balanced by tropical fruit and hint of herbaceous ness.  Aromas of apple, kiwi, lime, peach and bell pepper.  Extremely drinkable and pairs with a wide variety of foods."

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JEWEL Collection folks feel they have an important message about the JEWEL wines.  "JEWEL is about giving the customer the best possible bottle of wine for the best possible price," says James Harte, director of marketing.  "We make affordable, classically styled wine to reach a broader public; and in the process, mitigate the ego and intimidation often found in the wine industry.  This wine was created from comments with consumers who told us what they wanted.  JEWEL is in the 'Super Premium' category ($8 to $14), the fastest growing segment in the market."

• JEWEL Collection of Fine Wines 2002 Viognier, California $10: "Fermented at very cool temperatures over eight weeks, the wine aged sur lie for two months.  It's aromatic of peaches and rich citrus flavors, well balanced and refreshing."

• JEWEL Collection of Fine Wines 2001 Petite Sirah, California $10: "Deep concentrated ruby, the wine has aromas of blueberries and vanilla oak, intense berry fruit and cherries throughout the mouth, full bodied with rich tannins and toasty oak."

• JEWEL Collection of Fine Wines 2001 firma , Lodi (blend of Italian and Bordeaux varietals) $10: "A 'Super Tuscan' blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which exhibits bright ruby color, toasty oak and cherry aromas with big black cherry flavors and underlying currant with good acidity and richness."

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MERIDIAN Vineyards Winemaker Signe Zoller loves the flagship varietal, Chardonnay, but she is almost as equally fond of Meridian's other white wines.  In any event, these three make a nice trio for many food pleasures.

• MERIDIAN Vineyards 2002 California Pinot Grigio $11: "roasted vanillin character rounding out acidity, rich and crisp, try with chicken, pork, and eggs benedict"

• MERIDIAN Vineyards 2002 Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc $8: "melon and lemon, whiff of just-cut grass, refreshing acidity"

• MERIDIAN Vineyards 2002 Santa Barbara Gewurztraminer $8: "cinnamon, spice and lychee, a dry Alsatian style with straight forward fruit"

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CHALONE WINE GROUP has latest releases. www.ChaloneWineGroup.com

• ECHELON Vineyards 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, California $12: "black cherry, mint, touch of oak, rich aromas, nice balance of fruit, acid and tannins, enjoy with lamb and beef"

• ECHELON Vineyards 2001 Merlot, Central Coast $12: "delicate floral aroma, toasty oak framed by fruit and spice, full bodied with integrated tannins and rich cherry flavors and touch of cocoa, enjoy with grilled meats and soft cheeses"

• ECHELON Vineyards 2001 Syrah, Clarksburg $10: "a big, dark wine with aromas of blueberry, plum and spice with toasty oak, serve with hearty roasted meats, pastas with rich sauces"

• SAGELANDS Vineyard 2001 Merlot, Columbia Valley $12: "dark cherry and ripe plum balanced with sweet vanilla, subtle tobac, roasted coffee, licorice, soft lush mid palate, medium bodied with velvety tannins, enjoy with pork tenderloin with cranberries and roasted fresh salmon"

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COCKBURN'S PORT was founded in 1815 and has grown to one of the world's fine PORT houses.   Based in the Douro Region of Portugal, Cockburn's is the world's most popular premium port, top quality, approachable and slightly drier in style.  The unusual control exercised by the winery during the growing and making and attention to detail in the production of Cockburn's sets the company apart.  The ports include: Cockburn's Special Reserve, the flagship, blends older port wines which give a complex, drier character; also produced are 10- and 20-year-old Tawny Port, Fine Tawny & Fine Ruby, Anno Late Bottled Vintage Port, Quinta dos Canais Single Quinta Port, and Vintage Port in declared years.

• COCKBURN'S 20 Years Old Tawny ($50) port is a golden-colored tawny, denoting a wine of considerable age. Very nutty and aromatic on the nose, it is a wine that has reached a high degree of smoothness through many years in wood. While very mellow and concentrated on the palate, it shows plenty of fruit with a long, rich finish. This wine is notably sweeter than the 10-year-old Tawny, and much more concentrated, yet displays the characteristic Cockburn's style of freshness and grip.   The 20 Years Old Tawny is wonderful with rich cream-based desserts, such as crème brulee, cheesecake or flan. It also makes a special treat when served alone, slightly chilled, perhaps with almonds or pecans.

• COCKBURN'S 10 Years Old Tawny ($30) is a light, medium tawny-colored wine. The aroma is clean, showing a good balance of sweetness and acidity mingled with a soft nuttiness permeating through the rich complexity of wood-aged wine. It is round and delicate on the palate, yet crisp and lively with a soft, mellow background and a good long aftertaste. The crispness and "grip" that are the hallmark of Cockburn's tawnies come from the judicious blending and the continuous refreshing of these wood-aged wines. The Cockburn's style is less sweet than most other tawnies, which gives it a firmness on the palate and helps to avoid the cloying effect of many aged wines.   Serve 10 Years Old Tawny port with cream desserts, such as cheesecake, crème brulee or flan, or simply pecans or almonds, or slightly chilled as an aperitif, and served with almonds or pecans.

• COCKBURN'S 1996 Anno ($20)  is a Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) port  a style of port made entirely of wines harvested in a single year, from multiple vineyard properties. The vintage may or may not have been "declared" by the port house. While Vintage Ports are aged in cask for two years, LBVs are aged four to six years in cask before bottling. Therefore, they are more mature and fully developed when bottled, with well-rounded flavors and a smoother finish. No further bottle aging is required. Additionally, LBVs are lightly filtered before bottling, eliminating the need to decant the wine.

• COCKBURN'S Special Reserve($16)  is the world’s most popular premium port.  A medium dark ruby color, with a deep garnet edge, the blend has a clean aroma, showing maturity and finesse, with a hint of dried plums. Off dry to medium sweet, Special Reserve has a rich, mellow texture and smooth tannin structure, with a long, satisfying finish.  It is classically served with aged Stilton cheese after dinner. Or enjoy with roasted almonds or walnuts and squares of rich, dark chocolate for a simple but elegant dessert.

• COCKBURN'S Fine Tawny ($12) is aged for about  three years, but in small barrels to hasten aging to a reddish amber (tawny) color and to develop a smooth, nutty flavor.  Many of these wines are also left "upriver" in the Douro Valley to age in the hotter climate (the "Douro Bake") to speed the process and lighten the color.  Tawny port is bottled filtered and ready to drink. Tawny is a smoother, more mellow drink than Ruby.   From its  wood aging,  Fine Tawny loses some of its color and sweetness and acquires the classic nutty/butterscotch flavor of tawny port.  It has smooth full flavor with a toffee nose and pairs well with cream-based desserts such as cheesecake or crème brulee and may also be enjoyed chilled  with almonds or pecans.

• COCKBURN'S  Fine Ruby ($12) is a blend of young wines from various years, aged for three years in wood casks and bottled after filtration. With rich, full-bodied flavors of raspberry, plum and spice, it retains the red color and fruit flavor of youth, and is ready to drink when bottled, offering a rich, fruity, sweet taste.   Fine Ruby pairs well with blue veined cheeses, rich chocolate desserts ­ especially with raspberry sauce ­ or simply squares of dark chocolate and toasted walnuts. 

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• SEQUOIA GROVE 1999 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa $45: "From selected vineyards in the Rutherford area, including Sequoia Grove's estate vineyard.  1999 was an exceptionally good harvest at our vineyard.  We picked fully ripened fruit of good acid sugar balance. The yield here at the home ranch was between four and five tons, which has been fairly standard in the production of fine wine here. The wine received a long fermentation and very light fining before bottling. It is a fragrant, rich, yet smooth wine... music for the palette! It was chosen as one of the San Francisco Chronicle's Top 100 Wines.

• SEQUOIA GROVE 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa $29: "Another long harvest, although warmer than 1999, it resulted in a larger crop with softer forward fruit.  Fruit is intense in this vintage, which also has very good balance and extremely good color--very drinkable and enjoyable at this time."

• SEQUOIA GROVE 2001 Chardonnay Carneros $18: "shows wonderful balance of natural acidity with plenty of fruit character, aromas and flavors of apple and pear are complemented with a touch of sweet toasted oak, giving the wine bright, crisp, long lingering flavors from start to finish.  It complements many foods and is enjoyed on its own."

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ROSEMOUNT and LINDEMANS have  several new releases.  ROSEMOUNT Estate released new vintages of its flagship red wines, its best selling Diamond Shiraz and three Show Reserve wines--designed to showcase the definitive varietals from viticultural regions in Australia.  LINDEMANS also has a number of new wines: four new Bin wines blended from more than one region and the new range of LINDEMANS Reserve label.

• ROSEMOUNT Estate 2000 Balmoral Syrah, McLaren Vale $50: "Named for the Oatley family homestead, vines are 50 to 100 years old.  The palate has a rich, velvety structure, expressive fruit with spicy aromas, rich blackberry and well-integrated American."

• ROSEMOUNT Estate 1999 Mountain Blue Shiraz Cabernet, Mudgee, New South Wales $45: "This wine is the jewel in the crown of Rosemount's newly developed vineyard in Mudgee.  It has dense blackberry fruit, impressive tannin richness and has won many international awards." 

• ROSEMOUNT Estate 2002 Diamond Shiraz, South Eastern Australia $12: "Rosemount's best selling wine is regularly named a Best Buy, awarded gold medals and is credited with starting the Shiraz category in the U.S. in the 1980s.  It has a nose of pepper, dark plum and red cherry and a fruit-driven palate with soft tannins ".

• ROSEMOUNT Estate 2001 Show Reserve Chardonnay, Hunter Valley $19: "Elegant yet intense with delicate fruit, aromas of peach and citrus, with crisp natural acidity, creamy notes, toasty oak"

• ROSEMOUNT Estate Show Reserve Shiraz, McLaren Valley, $24: ". . . a varietal wines of great character, intensity with cellaring potential, it has spiced plum and berry flavors balanced by fine grained tannins from American oak."

• ROSEMOUNT Estate Show Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra $24: "Matured in new and two-year-old French and American oak imparts cedar and vanilla characters, and has ripe dark berry fruit with chocolate, blackberry and cassis, lovely structure."

• LINDEMANS 2002 Bin 77 Semillon Chardonnay $8: ". . .  easy-drinking style that combines easily with multiple foods--tropical fruits like pineapple, some oak and rich toasted characters."

• LINDEMANS 2002 Bin 40 Merlot $8: ". . . medium bodied, won gold at San Francisco, smooth, rich plum, gentle spice and dark berry flavors with lovely oak complexity."

• LINDEMANS 2002 Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon $8: ". . . red currant and cherry aromas balanced with gentle hints of earthiness and tobacco, bright fresh cherry and berry fruit on the palate, subtle oak, soft tannins and a smooth balanced finish"

• LINDEMANS 2002 Bin 50 Shiraz $8: ". . . soft fruit, touch licorice and spice, oak in structure, vibrant fruit-driven wine with subtle oak finish"

• LINDEMANS 2002 Reserve Chardonnay, Padthaway $10: ". . . intensely flavored fruit with natural acidity ad aromatics, peach and melon characters enhanced by cashews and oak"

• LINDEMANS 2001 Reserve Merlot $10: ". . . enticing aromas of lush plum, cherry, mint and licorice with dense black currant and mint flavors, spicy oak character and elegance"

• LINDEMANS 2001 Reserve Shiraz $10: ". . . packed with blackberry fruit, fennel and spice, hint of sweet toasted cedar, rich deep blackberry flavors and spice, medium to full body"

• LINDEMANS 2001 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon $10: ". . . aromas of dark berries and tobacco, medium to fill body, excellent balance of black currant fruit flavor and complexity and sweet chary oak, excellent length and structure"

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    PEAK WINES INTERNATIONAL asks if wines that come from a spectacular single vineyard inherently better than those blended form multiple vineyards?  "Of course not"--is their answer.  Blending might be considered a gifted winemaker's most powerful tool, they continue.  At Geyser Peak, the belief is that blending may be integral to creating world-class wine.  Also, however, terroir provides a wine's essential foundation.  When such a parcel of land presents itself, then they're not blended at all.  Hence, BLOCK wines.

• GEYSER PEAK 2000 Block Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Kuimelis $26: ". . . vibrant color, intense and rich fruit, black cherry, blackberry and cassis with accents of cedar and vanilla, juicy and structured and balanced with fine tannins to finish"

• GEYSER PEAK 2002 Block Collection Viognier, Preston Vineyard $19: ". . . nose of exotic orange blossom, lychee, jasmine, finely balanced palate of fresh fruit, bright acidity and a lingering finish--pair with Pacific rim foods"

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DALLAS CONTÉ is located in the central Colchagua Valley, Chile.   Winemaker Laurence Segat has diverse winemaking background--France, Australia and Chile, which is reflected in her wines--making them consistently approachable, expressive and complex.

• DALLAS CONTÉ 2002 Chardonnay $10--displays pineapple and citrus, hints of vanilla and is a fresh wine with nice acidity citrus flavors.

• DALLAS CONTÉ 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon $10--blackberry aromas, hint eucalyptus, chocolate and black pepper, some  oak, plumy flavors, elegant structure with soft, ripe tannins.

• DALLAS CONTÉ 2000 Merlot $10--raspberry, plum and spicy notes, vanilla nuances, layred flavoars of black cherry, cloves and spice mingled with vanilla and soft tannins.

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LAKE SONOMA winery reports that California is paradise from grape vines; still, it's location, location, location--especially for sauvignon blanc and zinfandel grapes.  Dry Creek Valley is the place loved by both of them. 

• LAKE SONOMA winery 2002 Fume Blanc, Dry Creek $14: ". . . vivacious character, forward aromas and flavors of newly cut hay, fresh herbs, citrus and pear, light and dry, fresh and crisp, pair with chicken or fish"

• LAKE SONOMA winery 2001 Zinfandel, Dry Creek $16: ". . . ripe character, subtle complexity, generous aromas of blueberry and cinnamon, rich, ripe berries and hint of smoke, medium body and smooth with elegant finish"

• LAKE SONOMA winery  2001 Zinfandel, Saini Farms $20: " These 71-year-old vines in Dry Creek produce a powerhouse Zin.  opulent aromas showcase raspberry and blackberry, mint notes, mouth filling flavors of ripe blackberry, complex finish"

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EDMEADES is pure Mendocino.  It is the authentic taste of one of California's final viticultural frontiers--the Anderson Valley.  The approach here is traditional and natural and the methods are decidedly low tech.

• EDMEADES 2000 Pinot Noir $20: "Pinot Noir likes cold. The Anderson Valley knows cold. What you get with Edmeades Pinot Noir is pure earth and fruit. This wine is all strawberry, raspberry, toast, spice, soil and nature.  Silver - 2003 Los Angeles County Fair - Wines of the World International Wine Competition and Silver - 2003 San Francisco International Wine Competition

• EDMEADES 2000 Zinfandel $19: "Ripe, fleshy and earthy, with raspberry cobbler, vanilla and plum character. Modest tannins fold into tangy acidity on the finish.  Silver Medalist--2003 California State Fair Wine Competition

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BLACK OPAL's portfolio includes three varietal wines and two blends from South Eastern Australia.   In recent Australian wine tastings, the wines were among our favorites.

• BLACK OPAL 2002 Chardonnay $10: " Bouquet offers intense peach, melon, and stone fruits, while the palate is rich and long with good varietal fruit characteristics.  As a result of malolactic, the mouthfeel is complex and the finish is long and dry.  Pair with smoked chicken and asparagus salad."

• BLACK OPAL 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon $10: "Classic flavored Australian Cabernet with rich aromas of black currant, mint and spice evident and a balanced palate filed with fruit, subtle oak and soft, well-integrated tannins.  Pair with wood-fired pizza and caramelized onions and goat cheese."

• BLACK OPAL 2001 Shiraz $10: "Excellent example of modern style Shiraz with a generous body and flavor.  Aromas show plum and dark berry fruit, hint of oak. varietal spice, rich, soft palate made complex by soft tannins and fine oak character.  Pair with T-bone steak."

• BLACK OPAL 2001 Cabernet (82%) Merlot $10: "A lifted aroma of berry and cassis with predominant mint.  Palate has a rich full-flavored complexity, fine structure and balance with natural acidity and soft tannins and fruit.  Pair with potato gnocchi in blue cheese sauce."

• BLACK OPAL 2001Shiraz (53%) Cabernet Sauvignon $10: "Generous body and full fruit flavors, spicy plum character, black currant and mint, medium body, rich and soft with subtle oak."

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MONTPELLIER Winemaker Ed Moody says, "If I've learned one thing in the last 18 months it's that wine doesn't have to be from 'Down Under' or elsewhere to taste good at good value prices.  California is on the leading edge of the revolution toward high-quality and exceptional value wines and Classic Wines of California continues to prove that quality and value are not necessarily best when imported.  Both Montpellier wines have true varietal character and their own unique California-grown personalities to showcase. "

• MONTPELLIER 2001 Chardonnay $7

• MONTPELLIER 2001 Syrah $7

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GALLO FAMILY OF WINES has two releases for pleasurable drinking.

• GALLO OF SONOMA 2001 Sonoma County Merlot $11: "A full-bodied, complex wine with aromas of red cherries and rich flavors of ripe berries, spice and a hint of dried herbs.  It's well balanced and accentuates qualities of bright red fruit framed by soft tannins and mild oak nuances.  To add complexity and structure to the Merlot fruit, the wine was aged in French, European and American oak for five months--delicious with any meal."

• MacMURRAY Ranch 2002 Pinot Gris, Russian River Valley $23: "Rich aromas of white peach, honeydew melon and fig with notes of honey and spice, which add weight and interest.  The flavors meld into a rich core with elements of spice and citrus that's rich and broad and reflects the wine's legacy of the land of the Russian River Valley."

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LOLONIS featured guest with Sarah Jane's tasters and wine dinner at Mirabelle: Phillip Lolonis--young, lively and knowledgeable, entertained and informed my tasting group members with the delicious Lolonis wines.  He continued his good vibes during a delightful dinner at Mirabelle.  Both groups of guests agreed that having Lolonis wines available in our market was a definite boon.  (Please see 58th Newsletter for list of wines).  Phillip and his godfather Achilles noted that Texas is their kind of place.  "The people here are authentic, not worried about what's chic but independent and want what's honest," Phillip mentioned.  "These are tough times for the wine industry and we're pleased to have Texas as a market.  For many wineries, overproduction has caused devastating problems and many wineries are being bought by bigger ones.  Our home, Redwood Valley, is like Sonoma and Napa of 25 years ago--no flashy restaurants or splashy chicness.  It's a land of rural and unsophisticated farmers who prune and tend the vines they own with tender, loving care.  They pay attention to the essentials."

At the Mirabelle dinner, as a starter, Lady Bug Red was an immediate hit for flavor, price ($13) and ingenuity and just right with the mushroom-filled pastries.   The Lobster Seviche and Savory Corn Flan paired beautifully with the Chardonnay ($17).  The Private Reserve Zinfandel ($30) tasted like it was made to match the Roasted Rabbit with Salsify Ravioli, while the Filet of Beef with Italian Pesto was a resounding success with the Orpheus Petite Sirah ($30) and the Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($35).   www.lolonis.com 

Book Review: THE SCIENCE OF HEALTHY DRINKING, by Gene Ford: Dr. R. Curtis Ellison, Professor of Medicine & Public Health Boston University Medical School, says, “Congratulations on a job well done! I find the book accurate in its scientific facts and balanced in presentation and a very enjoyable read.  I recommend it to anyone wanting information on drinking wine and health and alcohol in one source.”   Dr. Ellison made comments on the landmark 60 Minutes television episode--after which red wine sales reportedly went up 44 percent.      THE SCIENCE OF HEALTHY DRINKING presents the latest scientific findings supporting the value of moderate alcohol consumption for 30 of the world’s most persistent maladies, including high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, breast cancer, poor cognition, the common cold, stress and obesity.  Here are a few findings:
· The 1996 MANNISTO Study (by the American Cancer Society) of 79,236 adults found that “…moderate daily drinkers were the leanest, even when compared to abstainers.” A German study found that moderate alcohol consumption has a protective effect against CHD (coronary heart disease) and total mortality in an overweight population.
· The American Heart Association researcher who published a study on how daily aspirin decreased heart attack risk  by 45 %, also published a study stating, “compared with nondrinkers, people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol every day—defined as two beers, glasses of wine or one mixed drink—had 49 percent lower risk from heart attack.”   One doctor  writes, “Alcohol, like aspirin, in regular, small doses is life giving; alcohol, like aspirin, in episodic, large doses is life taking.” Gene Ford believes that for all its supposed liberalism, much of U.S. health care policy is still steeped in Temperance Age teetotalism. The evidence given in support of his premise is compelling and often shocking.
“A proper balance is feasible--restricting alcohol abuse, encouraging moderate alcohol use.  This book and Gene Ford’s long-time efforts should help us achieve this proper balance.”  Norman Kaplan, M.D., Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
The Science of Healthy Drinking is 447 pages, has hundreds of graphs and charts, 1500 studies, surveys and articles, and retails for $29.95 at leading bookstores, wine shops, on the WEB, or TOLL FREE: (800) 231-9463 X 22, FAX: (650) 866-3513.

GARDNER TECHNOLOGIES' REVOLUTIONARY NEW WINE OPENER--METACORK™: The Napa, California-based wine technology company, has released MetaCork, its twist-to-uncork wine opener.  It's available on three Super Premium brands: Amusant Wines’ Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and Clos du Bois 2002 Sonoma County Chardonnay and Fetzer 2001 Barrel Select Sonoma County Merlot.   MetaCork  will be available to wineries worldwide beginning September 1^st.  For a list of participating retailers and restaurants, seewww.gardnertechnologies.com.     "MetaCork has the traditional look of cork/foil finished wine and also functions as a common sense wine opener," said VP of Sales & Marketing, Kerry Manahan-Ehlow.  "The unique bottle design has a built-in cork anchor that is removed with a few twists of the capsule.   MetaCork is called a twist-capsule since it clearly is not a screw cap!  In fact, it creates an entirely new category for wine packaging.  And, it's 100% recyclable,  provides a convenient reseal cap and has drip-resistant pouring feature - all with the same form and function as the traditional foil capsule."    CEO William Borghetti believes the product is market ready: "We always focused on improving the wine experience, fully understanding all the dynamics facing a consumer at the moment of purchase and the moment of use.  We studied this carefully and directed our efforts toward areas that gave consumers more, but didn’t detract from the image and quality connotations of traditional fine wine packaging," said  "To confirm our assumptions on consumer acceptance and provide objective third-party validation, which is important to the wineries, we contracted with TRD Frameworks, a Seattle-based market research firm, to conduct a national survey of our product. The results strongly support our premise that MetaCork will have a high rate of acceptance – 73% of the survey group said that they would purchase MetaCork sealed wines over traditional packaging. They love the fact that it is easy to open, to reseal, and does not require a corkscrew. Better yet, 83% described their image of wineries using MetaCork as innovative, more progressive, and more in tune with consumers’ needs."