AMERICAN WINES

CABERNET

THE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ALONG WITH MERLOT AND CABERNET FRANC, IS ONE OF THE PREDOMINANT GRAPES OF BORDEAUX.  IN CALIFORNIA, THE GRAPE ACHIEVES HIGH LEVELS OF RIPE FRUIT REMINISCENT OF CASSIS AND PLUM.  GENERALLY, THESE ARE LARGE SCALED WINES BEST PAIRED WITH BEEF, LAMB, AND VENISON.

ARTESSA NAPA’00………………..58.39

BENZIGER SONOMA’01……………………..28.69

CAIN NAPA’01 – “A touch earthy and muddled in its presentation of flavors, this rich, dense wine could easily pass for a classified-growth Bordeaux, with its mix of earth, cedar and mineral flavors. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.” …….63.49

CAKEBREAD NAPA’01 – “Supple and harmonious, with a graceful core of spicy black cherry, plum and wild berry fruit…delicately balanced, finishing with smooth, fine-grained tannins.” 79.29

CHAPPELLET NAPA “SIGNATURE”’00 – “Well-balanced, rich and flavorful, with lavender, currant and dill aromas and earthy currant, herb, sage and cedar flavors. Finishes with firm, chewy tannins.” ……..65.49

CHATEAU ST. JEAN SONOMA “CINQ CEPAGES”’00 – “Smooth and harmonious, with ripe, rich, supple plum and blackberry fruit, shaded by cedar, anise, black cherry and spice attributes. Firms up and flexes its tannic strength on the finish. Very well-made”….98.19

CONSTANT NAPA VALLEY  “DIAMOND MOUNTAIN VINEYARD”'99 – “Firm and concentrated, a touch green and herbal, with spicy, peppery notes adding complexity to the hard bell pepper and currant flavors. Tightly wound, with dense tannins, wonderful structure and concentration for the cellar."…………………...129.69

COLUMBIA CREST COLUMBIA VALLEY  “RESERVE”’01  - “Ripe, polished, opulent style teems with spicy black cherry, raspberry, black olive, bay leaf and sweet spice flavors, which echo against the superfine tannins on the long, generous finish.” …..55.69

DEL DOTTO NAPA’99 – “Dark and intense, with a tight, rich, concentrated beam of spicy black cherry, blackberry and currant fruit. Remarkably focused, with excellent structure, depth length”….89.99

DUCKHORN NAPA “ESTATE GROWN”’01 – “A bold, rich, massive expression of exuberant Cabernet, with layers of concentrated currant, blackberry, spice and wild berry flavors that offer a mix of power and finesse…the tannins are ripe and firm.” ………….115.69

ETUDE NAPA’00 – “Ripe and supple, with fleshy currant, plum, black cherry and blackberry fruit that's rich and focused, long on the finish” …………..99.99

ETUDE NAPA’01 – “A bold, rich, concentrated wine with lots of flavor dimensions and excellent structure. Dense and complex, with currant, anise, cedar and fresh earth flavors…chocolate and mocha on the finish, and should only get better over the next couple of years.” …..114.69

FISHER NAPA “COACH INSIGNIA”’98 – “Well made with ripe, intense, juicy plum, black cherry, dill, cedar, sage and earth notes, finishing with supple tannins and good length”…….84.49

GALLO SONOMA “STEFANI VINEYARD”’97 – “Dark and spicy, with rich, vibrant, blackberry, plum, currant, mineral, sage and anise flavors, finishing with a touch of earthiness and firm tannins.” ……….49.99

GEYSER PEAK ALEXANDER VALLEY “BIN 2”’95 – “Very dark, ripe and rich, almost with a Shiraz-like edge. Cedar, herb, black cherry, currant and mint notes turn elegant and polished on the finish” …………125.99

HAHN CENTRAL COAST’02…………………….29.99

HAHN CENTRAL COAST’03……………………. 29.99

HANNA SONOMA VALLEY “BISMARK RANCH”’99 – “Richly flavored, with stalky green bean, tobacco and currant aromas leading to a rich, concentrated wine, with layers of flavor supported by firm, chewy tannins.” …………….76.99

J. LOHR SAN JOSE  “CYPRESS”’02…………………….29.99

LYETH SONOMA’02 – “Juicy cherry, mint, herb, coffee, toasty vanilla and blackberry flavors are round and tasty, with ripe tannins that give it some stuffing.” …..31.29

MIA’S PLAYGROUND ALEXANDER VALLEY’02 – “Bell pepper notes are strong…rich cherry, olive and toast flavors.”……….31.59

MERRYVALE NAPA “RUTHERFORD BECKSTOFFER VINEYARDS CLONE 6”’01 – “Beautifully crafted and elegantly styled, with ripe, smooth currant, plum, blackberry and ginger snap flavors that glide across the palate. Rich and concentrated, this wine makes a statement with its finesse and grace, finishing with ripe, fine-grained tannins.” …119.99

PLUMPJACK NAPA-OAKVILLE’02 – “Deep purple in color, full-bodied, with sumptuous texture and a long, concentrated finish displaying beautifully integrated acidity and tannin, this blockbuster effort should age graciously for 12-15 more years”……..87.99

QUILCEDA CREEK WASHINGTON’00 – “Announces itself as a serious red from the first whiff of earthy, smoky notes weaving through the licorice-scented dark berry flavors. This firm, chewy wine expands on the long finish under a layer of fine-grained tannins, holding it all together seamlessly. It begs for time in the cellar to develop”……………...104.89

RAMEY NAPA “DIAMOND MOUNTAIN”’02………..86.39

RAMEY NAPA “JERICO CANYON”’02…………119.49

RAMEY NAPA “DIAMOND MOUNTAIN”’01 – “Dense, rich and deeply concentrated, beautifully crafted and sharply focused, with a potent core of mineral- and spice-infused Cabernet, with layers of plum, currant and blackberry and finishing with a long, complex aftertaste. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc” …..83.29

REDWOOD CREEK CALIFORNIA “FRIE BROTHERS”’00………………..26.89

ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA “TO KALON”’98………..188.39

ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA “PRIVATE RESERVE”’95 – “Ripe, dark, dense and earthy, with a rich core of currant, mineral and spice. Shows off pretty, toasty, spicy oak too, all the while maintaining a tremendous sense of elegance and finesse” ……….199.89

RODNEY STRONG SONOMA “RESERVE”’00……………….58.99

SEBASTIANI SONOMA’00 – “Firm, with a tight, focused band of currant, anise, cedar and tobacco that unfolds gracefully, revealing subtle nuances and excellent depth and concentration.”…..39.89

SHAFER NAPA’02 – “Firm, dark, rich and concentrated, with layers of spicy, grapey plum, currant and blackberry, with hints of herb, coffee and cedary oak. The tannins are tight yet ripe and the finish sails on.” …………….79.79

SHAFER NAPA “HILLSIDE SELECT”’00 – “A mouthful, this wine gushes with pure, ripe Cabernet fruit. Tiers of currant, anise, blackberry, cherry and wild berry flavors are supported by pretty mocha-scented oak and plush, velvety tannins that firm up on the finish, giving it a solid backbone, yet the persistent flavors keep pushing through.”….194.29

SIGNORELLO NAPA “ESTATE”’00 – “Smooth and creamy, well-balanced, with mocha-laced currant, cedar and plum. Finishes with mellow tannins and a dash of vanilla and mocha.”…..72.49

SILVER OAK NAPA’00 – “Starts out with creamy, milk chocolaty oak leading to a core of currant and plum-flavored fruit, offering richness, depth and complexity, finishing with a plush, concentrated aftertaste. Those who like well-oaked Cabernets will find this most appealing.”………………133.29

SIMI ALEXANDER VALLEY “LANDSLIDE”’00 – “Combines ripe, earthy currant, mineral, lead pencil and cedary olive aromas with a smooth texture, revealing complex currant and blackberry flavors accented by a spicy scent.”……………67.09

STEELE LAKE COUNTY “SHOOTING STAR”’01………………..33.49

STUHLMULLER ALEXANDER VALLEY’00…………………..58.89

TOPEL MENDOCINO “HIDDEN VINEYARD”’01 – “Green been, black currant, violet and plum flavors have firm tannic structure and herbal tones in the finish”……….…63.99

VIADER NAPA’01 – “A seductive, smooth and richly flavored wine, with layers of chocolate, black cherry, plum and spice. Long, complex aftertaste” ………116.09

VINE CLIFF NAPA’01 – “Smooth-textured, with a touch of caramel woven into the fabric of earthy currant and anise. Well-focused and balanced, with espresso and cedary oak flavors, finishing with tight, dry tannins.” ………………42.69

WATERBROOK COLUMBIA VALLEY’02 – “Lean and lithe, generous in flavor, offering a pulsing core of black cherry, blackberry, mocha and gentle herb flavors that linger effortlessly against a bed of fine-grained tannins on the finish.” ……….44.29

WHITEHALL LANE NAPA “RESERVE”’00 – “A complex, concentrated style. Firm, earthy tannins support a center of mocha, currant and plum Cabernet flavors, with hints of dill and cedar woven in. Shows a burst of fruit on the long, rich aftertaste.” ….104.69