tastes of - Vintages

SANTA BARBARA WINERY SYRAH 2009
Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County
Founded in 1962 by Canadian-born Pierre
Lafond, the Santa Barbara Winery was the first to
be established in Santa Barbara County since
prohibition, and is the sister winery to Lafond. Winemaker
Bruce McGuire crafts the wines for both
wineries, sourcing his Syrah grapes from three vineyard
sites in the Santa Ynez Valley. Intense and
concentrated, with layered black fruit and white
pepper notes backed by medium tannins and
gentle acidity. Enjoy this Syrah with smoky barbecued
ribs or steaks.
630616 (XD) 750 mL $21.95 2
SEGHESIO OLD VINE ZINFANDEL 2008
Sonoma County
TASTING NOTE: Extraordinarily rich and complicated
in flavors, this wine comes from vineyards
that are at least 50 years old. It’s dry and spicy, with
textbook Zin notes of wild berries and currants,
but also exotic minerals that come from the soil.
Yes, the alcohol is high, but that is the signature
of Seghesio’s marvelous Zinfandels. Score: 92
(Steve Heimoff, Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 31, 2010)
056879 (XD) 750 mL $39.95 2
SIGNORELLO
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007
Napa Valley, Unfiltered
TASTING NOTE: Composed of 80% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc,
the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate reveals
a slightly more evolved looking dark garnet/plum
color and a more fragrant, open-knit bouquet
of black currants, black cherries, incense and loamy
soil undertones. Fleshy and exuberant with a more
evolved personality than the 2008, this medium to
full-bodied, elegant yet authoritative 2007 Cabernet
Sauvignon can be enjoyed over the next 15 years.
Score: 90 (Robert Parker Jr., erobertparker.com,
Dec. 2010)
060152 (XD) 750 mL $59.95 2
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SONOMA-CUTRER GROWER VINTNER
PINOT NOIR 2007
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
TASTING NOTE: Firm, intense and vibrant,
displaying a tight beam of wild berry and raspberry
fruit shaded by floral rose petal scents. A mineral
edge and a hint of vanilla-laced oak mark the
finish. Drink now through 2017. Score: 89 (James
Laube, winespectator.com, Sept. 30, 2010)
140723 (XD) 750 mL $29.95 2
OREGON
FIRESTEED PINOT NOIR 2009
Oregon
TASTING NOTE: Oregon produces some of
the world’s finest Pinot Noir. This version offers an
intriguing nose that provides suggestions of
strawberry and rhubarb mingled with a touch of
smoke. Dry and tangy with a good backbone of
acidity. Red cherry and earth notes are prominent,
and again a nice smoky character adding
complexity. Enjoy this very well priced Oregonian
with grilled portobello mushroom burgers.
(VINTAGES panel, Nov. 2010)
361782 (D) 750 mL $17.95 2
ARGENTINA – WHITE WINE
CRIOS DE SUSANA BALBO
TORRONTÉS 2010
Salta
(Dominio del Plata)
TASTING NOTE: Some Mendoza Torrontes in the
blend; fragrant, dry, mouth-filling, the prototype
Torrontes. Score: 91 (Jay Miller, erobertparker.com,
Dec. 2010)
001834 (XD) 750 mL $11.95 1
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2011 VINTAGES 25