Cellar Notes -by Aris

October 20th, 2010
cellar_RoyEstate

  Roy Estate Vineyard, 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California Cost: $101/bottle A browse through a convenient small wine and beer shop (located in an Ocean City, Maryland Hilton Hotel) revealed a rare bottle from Roy, a “garagiste” (or rather, a premium “cult” wine)— a bit steeply priced at about $20 above the winery-direct […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

September 29th, 2010
cellar_Endeavour

  Dry Creek Valley – Endeavor Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Cost: App. $50/bottle Lush fruit— currants, black berries, and blueberries, along with graham cracker pie crust and toasted oak, with a touch of smoke and dark chocolate. Layered in the mouth, a long decadent finish, a joy to sniff and of course to taste. Accompanied with […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

September 15th, 2010
Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon

  Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon – Altitude Series 2005 – Galil, Israel Cost: $49/Bottle Wow! Who would have thought a wine like this could be made in Israel (and Kosher to boot)? This wine is unbelievable. Dark, rich, ruby in color, full-bodied, with an inky texture loaded with black fruits, currants, and black raspberries, saddled with […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

September 3rd, 2010
Matanzas Creek and Simi

Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2007 – Sonoma County California Cost: $22.99/Bottle Light pewter in color, medium-bodied, nice genuine notes of grapefruit, wet stones, and lemon rind on the nose. In the mouth, tart and dry, good balance, refreshing and light on the palate with slightly diluted but consistent flavors of grapefruit and minerals. Rating: 86 […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

August 18th, 2010
cellar_MatuaValley

Matua Valley – Sauvignon Blanc – 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand Cost: app. $16 to $18 / bottle One of the hidden gems in the world of dry white wines can easily include the sauvignon blanc, and New Zealand is well known for producing fine examples. This Matua Valley was quite simply… awesome. This is crisp, […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

August 9th, 2010
cellar_clos-la-coutale

Clos La Coutale 2007 – Cahors, France (dry red wine) Cost: $10/Bottle Browsing at a wine store, they give this bottle to me and say, “just try it and see what you think.” At $10/bottle, how could I go wrong? And I certainly didn’t. It does indeed have good value with its dark opaque purple […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

July 28th, 2010
CN_BanginRed_HitchingPost

Bangin Red 2006 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $11.99/bottle Shopping at one of my favorite liquor stores, the manager recommended an $11.99 bottle of Bangin Red, made of a blend of 6 grape varietals: cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, plus a scant 2% of zinfandel— a blend I couldn’t help but find […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

July 6th, 2010
cellar_Landmark

Landmark Chardonnay 2006 – Napa Valley, California Cost: $22/bottle Nice light-gold color, clear and crisp, notes of lemon, honey, oak, and oatmeal. Full-bodied, smooth and rich on the palate. Gobs of fruit with forgiving acidity. Fills the mouth so much, it can be enjoyed on its own just sipping away at happy hour. Personally, I […]

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

June 23rd, 2010
cellar_Siduri

Cellar Notes Review: Siduri – Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 – Santa Lucia Highlands, California Cost: $35-$40/Bottle

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Cellar Notes -by Aris

June 9th, 2010
cellar_Rudd

Rudd – Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 – Russian River Valley, California Cost: $65/bottle Dining at a newly opened restaurant in our neighborhood, we are treated to an impressive selection of fine Italian dishes. During appetizers, we enjoyed this bottle of Bacigalupi Vineyard chardonnay, the signature white wine of the Rudd Estate. Its impressive nose of […]

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