Hogue Cellars Genesis Merlot 2005

With generous raspberry and caramel, this warm, dense wine is a fine example of why Washington has been recognized as an exceptional Merlot-producing region. The 2005 expresses dense ripe black cherry aromatics with complexing menthol and earth tones to round it out. Pair this wine with hearty meat dishes such as a glazed rack of lamb or beef stew. It would also go well with a finely aged cheddar or marinated, grilled Portobello mushrooms.

Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet 2005

The Dry Creek Valley, known primarily for its delicious Zinfandel, also produces very intense and flavorful Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. This impressive Cabernet displays compelling aromas of sweet cherry, lush plum, and roses. The opulence of this wine shines through with a harmonious core of silky smooth tannins and rich fruit. Palate filling flavors of sweet currant, black cherry, and cocoa are perfectly balanced. This delicious wine should age beautifully for a decade or more.

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet/Shiraz 2003

A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Shiraz from Barossa estate vineyards, the 2003 The Signature is a big, chunky, heady red that is closed at present. Nevertheless, it reveals an inky/purple color, impressive levels of richness, and sweet notes of charcoal, acacia flowers, blackberries, tar, and pepper. This wine spent 22 months in 300 liter American and French hogsheads. It should emerge from its muted stage in 2-3 years, and last for 15 or more.

Vin de Glaciere Riesling grapes are harvested around 22.5% sugar in order to preserve the natural acidity of the grapes. The grapes are then frozen. After which they press the grapes frozen, resulting in a concentrated press juice (about 36% sugar) and a low yield (about half the regular yield). The concentrated juice is fermented until it reaches 16% Residual Sugar. The wine shows loads of pear, and some honey and horse radish. On the palate, the wine is surprisingly light and aromatic but not syrupy or heavy. This has to do with the great acidity (0.88%) in the wine. The 10.4% Ethanol makes the wine very refreshing and quite food friendly.

Castello Soave Classico

Soave is located in the Veneto Region which is renowned for its history and cultural traditions, about twenty kilometers to the east of the city of Verona. The historic centre of Soave is encircled by elegant medieval walls interspersed with a total of twenty four towers which are now considered as amongst the best preserved throughout the whole of Italy, closely guarding Soave’s ancient history. The town itself is surrounded by “suave” rolling hills that are almost exclusively used for wine growing, unleashing the full power of nature’s fragrances, colors and fruit.

Maryhill Winemaker’s White 2006

This luscious blend of four white varietals, 49% Chardonnay, 36% Sauvignon Blanc, 11% Semillon and 4% Viognier will remind you of rich summer fruits: ripe juicy melons, peaches and succulent apricots. The palate is full and creamy yet fresh with crunchy pear, green apple, lemon peel and honeydew nuances leading into a long finish tinged with honeysuckle and tropical kiwis.        

Orin Swift Mercury Head Cabernet 2005

From Orin Swift’s Website:The truth is - Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the easier varieties to grow as well as make. The old saying, "great Cabernet Sauvignon makes itself," is really true. You've got to start with the grapes though. We are blessed to buy Cabernet from a handful of great people who are also great farmers who farm great vineyards. So this year, I'll leave out the adjectives and descriptors and thank a couple of those growers by name. I've learned a lot from these guys, and I'm proud to count them as friends.Thanks, Gary! (Gary Morisoli - Morisoli Vineyard, Rutherford)
Thanks, Doug! (Doug Wight - Taplin/Lewelling, St. Helena)The 2005 Mercury Head is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and entirely from these two vineyard sites.

X Winery Red X 2006

Dark purple, blue red color with aromas of ripe cherries, blackberries, plum with just a hint of mocha and anise.  Well integrated tannins lead to a smooth texture.  Fully extracted with wonderful balance; this unique blend is quite versatile.

Clayhouse Adobe White 2007

The final blend is 34% Chenin Blanc, 17% Chardonnay, 16% Roussanne, 11% Viognier and 22%. The Adobe White is a proprietary blend with a golden straw color, and fine floral notes of orange blossom and rose petal. Pear and apple aromas, and a varietal Chenin Blanc character, are also apparent. The full mouthfeel is rounded out by the structure of the Roussanne. The finish is crisp, but balanced with a bit of residual sugar. The mouthwatering fruit flavors are of red apple and stone fruit.

Shannon Ridge Wrangler Red 2006

The grapes used to produce our 2006 Shannon Ridge Lake County Wrangler Red came from the hills and slopes of ultra-premium vineyards of Lake County, California. To give it complexity, this wine was aged with French and American oak. It is a blend of red varietals married together to create a wine that best represents its vintage.

Domaine Maby Tavel Prima Donna 2007

This is a stunning rose from Tavel, France. Domaine Maby is a family property located in Cotes-du-Rhone, just north of Avignon, across the Rhone River from Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC. The family has cultivated the vineyards in Tavel sinse at least the beginning of the 19^th century. They have a commitment to quality and are very environmentally conscience. The approach they take to wine making expresses the character of this beautiful land. Tavel shares some of the same soil of pebbles as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The pebbles retain the heat of the day on going into the night thereby ensuring perfect ripeness of the grapes.