Outstanding Wine of the Week

Shafer
One Pint Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 $76.99
92 PTS Robert Parker

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five should turn out to be just as good. Slightly more powerful with sweeter fruit as well as more glycerin and fat, this is a big, full-bodied Stags Leap Cabernet offering abundant notes of roasted herbs, chocolate, cassis, incense and earth. Drink this deep, powerful 2008 over the next 10-15 years.
While still renowned for their portfolio of classic world-class reds, Shafer also turns out a terrific non-malolactic Chardonnay from the Red Shoulder Ranch. The only dramatic change made over recent years is that instead of 100% being barrel-fermented and oak- aged, 25% is now aged in stainless steel which has added freshness and possibly lon- gevity. Introduced several years ago, the Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five cuvee is aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. It is meant to be a reference point Cabernet from Stags Leap priced lower than Shafer’s limited production, usually monumental Hill- side Select Cabernet Sauvignon. Shafer’s flagship offering is their monumental Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select (about 2,000 cases produced). Always 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for at least 30 months in oak, this is one of Napa’s most profound wines. Since 1999, Shafer has made a Syrah/Petite Sirah blend (usually 80% of the former and 20% of the latter) aged 32 months in 100% new French oak. The first vintage, the 1999 Relentless, which they opened at the winery to show how well it is aging, is still a baby at age 11. I rated it 96 points, which is higher than the 93 points I gave it in 2002. So much for California Syrah not aging well! The 1999 is still intense with a plum color and lots of grilled meat, herb, licorice and spice characteristics. RP

Rick’s Picks

Shafer
Merlot Napa Valley 2008 $44.99

Winemaker’s Comments: “2008 Merlot has a lively, perfumy nose that begins the moment the bottle is opened – delicious aromas of red cherry, raspberry, red plum, cherry kirsch. In the mouth are rich, juicy, palate- enveloping flavors of pure red and black fruit, red licorice, and hints of mint and toasted almonds. The tannins are round and smooth and part of the long, pleasing finish.”

Shafer
Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch 2009 $44.99

Winemaker’s Comments: “The 2009 offers lush, luxurious aromas and flavors of melon, honeysuckle, apricot, pineapple and flint all held together with bright acidity, good structure and elegant balance.”

Highway 12 Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $15.99

The new 2009 release presents the vibrant berry-like characteristics of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon. An intense dark color leads the way to wonderful ripe Cabernet aromas of dark berries and soft French oak nuances. The silky entry provides for a polished varietal presence supported by soft tannins for prime enjoyment in it’s youth. The addition of Cabernet Franc (10%) and Merlot (8%) lend a soft richness and subtle tannin to this versatile wine.

This Week’s Events

Monday Night 5PM to ?PM Every Monday

Beer and Wine served with appetizers.

Tequila Tuesday 5PM to 9PM

Serving Margaritas with fresh squeezed juice every Tuesday with Chips and Salsa

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 8th

Stag’s Leap Winery
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Syrah
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Saturday February 11th

Pinot Noir
5 PM to 8 PM $20 / Person

Upcoming Events

Wine Tasting on Tuesday February 14th Valentine’s Day

Champagne or Cabernet and Chocolate. Single or coupled up it doesn’t matter. We want to celebrate this day of love with you at Vintage with Champagne or Cabernet with truffles.
5 PM to 8 PM

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 15th

Waddell & Reed
Waddell and Reed will be presenting advice for investors on current strategies for successful investing. Stop by and have a glass of wine and discuss current issues related to investments.

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 22nd

Double Bond
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Upcoming Events

Monday Night

5PM to ?PM Every Monday
Beer and Wine served with appetizers.

Tequila Tuesday 5PM to 9PM

Serving Margaritas with fresh squeezed juice every Tuesday. Chips and Salsa

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 1st Cepage Selections – French Wine

5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Saturday February 4th

Let’s Visit Spain

An Evening of Spanish guitar with Milton. Join us for Spanish wine and special tapas!

5 PM to 8 PM $20 / Person

Wine Tasting on Saturday February 4th

Let’s Visit Spain

An Evening of Spanish guitar with Milton!
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 8th

Stag’s Leap Winery

5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Tuesday February 14th

Valentine’s Day
Champagne or Cabernet and Chocolate. Single or coupled up it doesn’t matter. We want to celebrate this day of love with you at Vintage with Champagne or Cabernet with truffles.
5 PM to 8 PM

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 15th

Waddell & Reed

Waddell and Reed will be presenting advice for investors on current strategies for success- ful inventing. Stop by and have a glass of wine and discuss current issues related to in- vestments.

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 22nd

Double Bond
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Outstanding Wine of the Week

Graham’s 2003 Vintage Port
$95.99
94 PTS Wine Spectator

Loads of tar and blackberry aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with medium sweetness, big, velvety tannins and a long finish. A big, juicy wine. Best after 2015. 8,500 cases made. –JS
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rick’s Picks

Opolo Summit Creek Zinfandel 2009
$19.99

Opolo’s 2009 Summit Creek Zinfandel is a full-bodied red wine showcasing overt raspberry and black cherry fruit aromatics and flavors framed by soft tannins and balanced acidity. Subtle pepper and spice nuances further complement this hand crafted wine. This Zinfandel is an approachable wine which is ready to drink today, although the dark color and youthful fruitiness of this sturdy wine indicates that it will likely cellar well for a few years.
 
 
 
 

Luna Sangiovese 2008
$21.49

Our 2008 Napa Valley Sangiovese is a deep garnet color. Perfumed aromas of raspberries, black cherries, lilacs, and rose petals come forward on the nose. The Merlot supports a chewy currant core on the mid-palate, accented by chocolate and hints of sandalwood. An interesting mineral note appears on the back of the palate, and firm, silky tannins hold the wine together. The finish is a lush thirty second trail of per- fectly ripe, Bing cherries.
 
 
 
 
 

Ridge Lytton Springs (Zinfandel Blend) 2008
$29.99
93 PTS Robert Parker

Striking, intense black cherry and blackberry fruit with some spice and earth jump from the glass of the 2008 Lytton Springs, a blend of 74% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, and 5% Carignan. Dark ruby with a nice tannic overlay, the wine was aged 15 months in American oak. Spicy, impressively rich, with good acids and loads of concentration, this is a beauty to drink over the next 5-7 years. RP
 
 
 
 
 

Upcoming Events

Hot Toddy Tuesday & Thursday! 5PM to 9PM

Burrr – It’s getting cold out. Warm up with one of Vintages’ signature Hot Toddy’s Every Tuesday and Thursday til its warm again! Always served with yummy nibbles to boot!

Wine Tasting on Wednesday January 25th

Crystal Basin Cellars
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Saturday January 28th

Let’s Visit Spain
An Evening of Spanish guitar with Milton. Join us for Spanish wine and special tapas!
5 PM to 8 PM $20 / Person

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 1st

Cepage Selections
French Wine Tasting
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Saturday February 4th

Let’s Visit Spain
An Evening of Spanish guitar with Milton!
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 8th

Stag’s Leap Winery
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person

Wine Tasting on Wednesday February 22nd

Double Bond
5 PM to 8 PM $15 / Person
 
 
 

Outstanding Wine of the Week

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2004
$207.99
95 PTS Robert Parker

The 2004 Insignia (the first to be 100% from the estate vineyards) is a blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec. I had this wine several times in Napa, and it is a beauty. A flashy, exuberant style for Phelps, with dense ruby/purple color, a gorgeous nose of creme de cassis, incense, licorice, smoke, and spice, the wine has supple tannins, a flamboyant, full-bodied mouthfeel, and tremendous length. Despite its precociousness and up-front style, this wine should evolve easily for 20 or more years. There are 10,000 cases of the 2004.
 
 

Rick’s Picks

Crystal Basin Cellars Cabernet Franc
$26.49

This wine is made in a minimalist winemaking style following traditional methods; as well this wine shows aromas of lavender, violets and rose petals along with a rich black cherry backbone.

Often used for blending, our Cabernet Franc is far better on its own – it is consistently one of Crystal Basin Cellars favorites. Previous vintages of Crystal Basin Cellars Cabernet Franc have won numerous major awards in wine competitions and this one should prove to be no exception.

This wine will benefit from a bit of time in the bottle to mellow the tannins and transform the intense fruit forward style of the wine to a smooth as silk elegant example of this right bank Bordeaux classic. This Cabernet Franc should peak 18 to 24 months after release and last for over 5 years in your cellar.
 

New Arrivals from Venge Vineyards

Venge Spettro 2010
$23.49

Production Notes:

The grapes are all hand harvested very cool in the early morning and whole cluster pressed and the juice settled in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation of each varietal is separate and started in the stainless and all but the Sauvignon Blanc is put to neutral, French Oak casks to finish fermentation. The Sauvignon Blanc will go down to barrel after a slow, 20 day alcoholic fermentation. The wines are surlies aged for 8 months until bottling. Batonage, or the gentle stirring of the lees, is employed in the early stages of ageing to further develop richness and length of body in the wine’s mid-palate all the while remaining clean and fresh. The varietals were blended just prior to bottling. This wine sees ap- proximately 10% malolactic fermentation to add just a touch of roundness and enhanced mouth feel.

61% Sauvignon Blanc; 31% Chardonnay, and 8% Chenin Blanc
 
 

Venge Scout’s Honor 2010
$36.99

Venge Chardonnay 2010
$39.99