Cellar Notes

Entwine Merlot, California 2009 *1/2
(Everyday Merlot with a touch of class)

Entwine Pinot Grigio, California 2010 *
(Smooth, creamy and versatile)

Murietta's Well, The Spur Red Wine, Livermore 2010 * 
(Big, brawny, tannic, informal)

Murietta's Well, The Whip, White Blend2011 * 1/2
(Tasty and complex, good value)

Wente Chardonnay "Morning Fog", Livermore 2010
(Great Chard value)

Wente "Sandstone" Merlot, Livermore 2009 *
(Easy drinking, everyday merlot)

Wente "Southern Hills" Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore 2010 *1/2 
(Straightforward, casual cab)

Wente "Riverside" Riesling, Arroyo Secco, Monterey 2011 **
(Based on a Rhinegau Spatlese style Riesling)

Wente "Louis Mel" Sauvignon Blanc, Livermore 2010 *
(Crisp, light, Meyer Lemons)

Soter Vineyards Pinot Noir, Soter Vineyards, Willamette Valley 2009 **
(a pretty, lighter pinot noir made by a master)

Ken Wright Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2010 **
(entry level pinot assembled by the great Ken Wright)

Artisinal Wine Cellars Viognier, Oregon 2010 **1/2
(A very pleasing viognier with depth and balance)

St. Innocent Chardonnay, Dijon Clone, Freedom Hill, Willamette Valley '10 **
(taut yet fleshy chardonnay with good minerality and acidity)

(Note:  these may be a little hard to find, so do not hesitate to ask your wine merchant to contact L'Amore di Vino at 410-285-1040 and place an order for you.)

Clara C. Prosecco "Fiori di Prosecco"  Extra Dry, NV ***
(a hand-made Prosecco with class and detail)

Landmark Chardonnay, Overlook, Sonoma County 2010 ** 1/2
(One of the most reliable chards on the market)

Atalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Napa, 2009 **1/2
(A dense, powerful cab with surprising finesse)

Centenaire Cote Du Rhone Villages, Cuvee Centenaire 2009 **
(great example of one of the best value regions in the world)

Conundrum White Blend, California 2010 **
(Year in, year out, a great white, easy to enjoy, reliable)

Comb Vodka and Gin
(made from honey!)

Cameron Hughes  Gran Riserva Tempranillo, Lot 263, Ribero Del Duero '02**1/2
(fine grained tannis and cassis notes recall Bordeaux)   

Cameron Hughes Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot 336, Rutherford '10 ** 1/2
(A very good price for textbook Napa cab)

Cameron Hughes Zinfandel, Lot 301, Lodi '10 **1/2
(Big lush and juicy, a good bargain)

Cameron Hughes Chardonnay, Lot 334, Napa '10 **
(Restrained, but deep, a nice chard)

Cameron Hughes Torrontes, Lot 305, La Rioja Argentina, '11 **
(Exotic, lean flavors for everyday drinking)

Amapola Creek Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 2010 ***
    (classic California Chardonnay at a good price)
Amapola Creek Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vyd., 2009 ***
    (lush, scuplted zin from a historic vineyard)
Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley 2008 ***
    (an elegant, rich cab from a master of the genre)

Glen Grant, Speyside 10 year old (easy drinking)
Bruichladdich "Rocks", Islay (seawater tang)
Auchetoshan, Lowlands, Three Times Distilled (Sweet enough to be a dessert Scotch, Al's favorite)
Aberlour, Speyside Barrel Strength (A big mouthful, reminiscent of Bristol Cream)
Highland Park, Orkney Islands, 12 year old
Edradour, Highland (refined and complex)
Signatory (for lovers of peat)

Greenbough Pinot Noir, Nelson 2008 **
Borthwick Vineyards Pinot Noir, New Zealand 2010 **1/2
Auntsfield Pinot Noir, "Hawk Hill" Marlborough 2008 **1/2
Runnymeade "Gum Emperor" Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2009 **
Runnymeade "Vintage Widow" Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2010 **

(Hugh discussed his visit to these celebrated Bordeaux estates, whose wines are very good and very expensive.  A much more reasonably priced option is the Leydet Valentin at about $39.)

Chateau Troplong Mondot, St. Emilion
Chateau Brainaire Ducru, St. Julien
Cahteau Lascombes, Margaux
Chateau Beausejour Becot,  St. Emilion
Chateau Leydet Valentin, St. Emilion 2009 ***