1)  Arnot-Roberts Rose 2016:  $27  Touriga Nacional, Tempranillo and Grenache.  The 2016 rosé follows in the footsteps of our 2015 with very pale salmon color and refreshingly light body. The wine has lively aromas of yellow and orange melons, white sage, blood orange zest and dry terra-cotta. In the mouth the wine is bursting with white fruits, salinity and energy with a touch of mid-palate weight to round out the edges.

2)  Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Alexander Valley:  $24  Suggested retail:  $34  WE 90 pts.  This wine has a small amount of Syrah and is aged in new French, as well as Hungarian and American oak, much of it in older barrels. Opening like a perfumed rose garden, it offers a juicy core of cassis around integrated tannin and oak, with finishing touches of cedar, licorice and mocha.

3)  Daniel Cohn Wine Company Bellacosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2014:  $22  Tasting Panel – 94 pts.  “Deep, earthy chocolate notes invigorate the palate. Raspberry painted on blueberry painted on blackberry makes for layers of sumptuous fruit, with a juiciness that goes to the max. The acidity is just right and pinpoints the pleasure principle for pairing with duck, grilled meats and cheese.”

4)  Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2014:  $75.79  Vinous / Antonio Galloni – 92 pts. “Limpid ruby. A highly expressive bouquet evokes ripe red berries, potpourri and peppery spices, and a smoky mineral nuance gains strength as the wine opens up. Offers concentrated raspberry liqueur and spice cake flavors and deeper licorice and bitter chocolate flavors sharpened and given spine by juicy acidity. Effortlessly plays richness off elegance and finishes sweet, spicy and impressively long, with velvety tannins lending shape and grip.”

5)  Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc 2014:  $69.99  The Wine Advocate – 93 pts. “The 2014 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is the top white of the estate and it won’t be released until this coming January as they like to give this release additional time in bottle. As a general rule, this is sound advice and almost every quality 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Blanc will show better next summer. This 2014 has more tension and minerality than the La Roquete releases, as well as fabulous notes of mulled pears, citrus blossom and peach. Medium to full-bodied, structured, tight and backwards, it needs another year in bottle but is a sensational white that will evolve gracefully for another decade easily.

 6)  L’Ecole No. 41 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Walla Walla Valley:  $30.99  The Wine Advocate – 91 pts.  “More complex than the Columbia Valley Cabernet, the 2013 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon (100% Cabernet aged in 40% new French oak) reveals a healthy ruby/purple color as well as perfumed cedar, spice-box, crushed flowers and cassis and black raspberry like fruit. The oak is present, but nicely integrated. This medium to full-bodied, beautifully polished 2013 has solid mid-palate depth and enough tannin to keep it evolving gracefully for another decade or more.”

7)  Robert Hall Merlot 2013, Paso Robles:  $16  Excellent price!  Rich aromas of ripe black cherry accentuated by hints of cedaremanate from our 2013 Merlot. Lush, ruby-red color indicates the level of concentration yielded by the vintage and the vineyards. On the palate, rich flavors mirror the aromas and are complemented by soft, silky tannins on the finish.  Blend: 88% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petite Sirah.

8)  Robert Hall Chardonnay 2010, Paso Robles:  $17  Suggested retail:  $22  Lots to like in this rich, creamy Chardonnay. It has very ripe flavors of oranges, green apples and pineapples, with a touch of oak and some firm minerality. Zesty acidity provides balance.

9)  Bodega Numanthia Termes 2013, Toro:  $19.79  Great deal price on a great Spanish Wine!    The Wine Advocate – 90 pts.  “The 2013 Termes, from a slow ripening, cold and wet vintage, is pure Tinta de Toro (aka Tempranillo) from a number of 30- to 50-year-old vineyards in the villages of Valdefinjas, Morales de Toro, Toro, Venialbo and El Pego at an average of 700 meters altitude on sandy and stony soils. The destemmed grapes underwent a cold soak before fermenting and a post-fermentative maceration of 21 days. The wine aged in French oak barrels for 14 months with rackings every four months. The vintage provided conditions for fresher wines, and this Termes, harvested from October, has good acidity and a lively palate, showcasing the vintage. The nose has nicely integrated oak and a core of red and black fruit, quite harmonious. The palate is medium-bodied, with fine tannins and moderate acidity, but with a sense of freshness. There was less Numanthia produced in 2013, so part of the grapes that usually go to Numanthia is in this Termes. ”

10)  Terrazas Torrontes Reserva 2015, Mendoza:  $15.99  Pale yellow with greenish highlights. Intense tropical fruit notes as passion fruit and litchi combine with balanced aromas of white peach, ripe apricot and white roses. Its citric character blends with its great freshness and juiciness. Reveals a long and refined finish.  Pairs well with Asian dishes combined with sweet, acid and spicy notes. Vegetables wok with ginger, marinated fish and sushi.

11)  Anthill Farms 2015 Peugh Vineyard Chardonnay, Russian River:  $49  Rich and intense on the palate, with striking phenolic intensity. Candied lemon, dried pear, herb and dried flowers are nicely laced together. There is lovely complexity here, not to mention striking depth. The Peugh emerges from 70 year-old, head trained vines in the Russian River.  92 pts Vinous

12)  Boedecker Cellars Athena Pinot Noir 2014, Willamette Valley:  $32.99  Opulent and rich with flavors of black cherry, baking spice and campfire with a long, silky finish.

13)  Rabble Wine Company Merlot 2015, Mossfire Ranch, Paso Robles:  $19  Dusty, dark berries give way to ripe plum, dried violets and black tea.  Rich, layered fruit is balanced by firm, fine tannins and a backbone of racing acidity.  For those who have forgotten, and those who never lost faith, this Merlot will not disappoint.

14)  Podere le Ripi “Amore e Magia” Rosso di Montalcino 2010:  $42.99  Has considerable near-term appeal. Sweet red cherry, raspberry, mint and spice meld into the full, racy finish. A beautifully nuanced wine that shows what an excellent vintage this is for Montalcino. Dark cherry, wild herbs, sage, licorice and underbrush open up in the glass, with good depth and intensity that could be easily mistaken for a ‘Baby-Brunello’. Hints of orange peel and star anise add a touch of exotic flair on the finish.

15)  Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape 2011:  $94.99  Only 3 bottles left!    #28 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2014!  The Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape opens up to near black in color in the glass. On the nose, the wine is very delicate and powerful at the same time, red fruit, black currants, blackberries, spices, thyme and lavender. The bouquet is very elegant, rich and round. Figs, cherries, black currants and stewed fruit, all with a great acidity. The tannins are present but very delicate.  Chateau de Beaucastel has long been considered as one of the greatest wines in France. It is famously known for its elegance, balance and ageing potential. Beaucastel has an exceptional terroir at the northern limit of the appellation of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, exposed to the mistral wind. All thirteen varieties of the appellation have been grown organically since the sixties.  The Wine Advocate – 94 pts. “Reminiscent of a lighter weight 2009, the 2011 Chateauneuf du Pape offers up a sweet bouquet of spiced black cherries, plum, truffle, saddle leather and underbrush. Coming from tiny yields (which were down 50% from 2010), this medium to full-bodied 2011 is gorgeously textured and has solid mid-palate depth, terrific purity of fruit and ripe tannin. Relatively approachable and enjoyable even now, it should nevertheless evolve gracefully for 15-20 years.”

16)  Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2015, Santa Lucia Highlands:  $110.99  Hillside sage, wild herbs and ripe red fruits, bramble and black raspberry on the nose. Wild fruits, alpine strawberry, cherry. Savory mint and tea. Bright, elegant and focused.

17)  Kosta Browne Pinot Noir 2015, Russian River Valley:  $110.99  Rainier and Bing cherry and raspberries with fragrant floral notes on the nose. This wine is elegantly textured with bright acidity and silky mouthfeel. Crunchy red fruits are forward on the palate with lasting focus and energy.

18)  Kosta Browne One Sixteen Chardonnay 2015:  $78.99  Wine Spectator – 92 pts.  “Shows intensity and vibrancy, offering a complex mix of mineral- and citrus-laced green apple flavors, with subtle touches of toasty oak. Ends with a full-bodied aftertaste that should be better after a year. Drink now. 2,912 cases made.”

19)  Big Table Farm Pinot Noir 2014:  $43.99  These wines are crafted in small quantities and are mostly only available at the farm and winery. We have been able to talk them into selling us a few of their very special wines. The winery’s tasting note on this Pinot Noir: “Green peppercorn and savory herbs are apparent immediately on the nose. The fruit here is perfectly balanced by the stems and structure. The sweet toasted oak really polishes the edges of the wine making it glide across the palate. This wine strikes a perfect balance with red grapefruit and orange zest aromatics supporting the generous cherry and red currant flavors. Drinking perfect and ready to satisfy.”  James Suckling – 95 pts.  “Intriguing aromas of spices, meat, dried berries and lemons follow through to a full body, velvety tannins and a fresh and fruity finish. Linear backbone to this generous wine. Drink or hold.”

20)  Groth Chardonnay 2014, Hillview Vineyard, Napa:  $27.99  WE 91 pts.  This is a thick, rich and layered white from Oak Knoll District-grown estate fruit. It’s inviting, with lemon chiffon, baked pineapple and anise. Medium bodied and not afraid to be robust, wet-stone minerality brings it together.

21)  Tenshen Rhone Red Blend 2015, Santa Barbara County:  $23.99  WE 92 pts. Editor’s Choice!  A project by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi, this is a whopper of a wine for the price tag. Black cherry, oregano, eucalyptus and dried sage show on the nose. The palate packs a mix of herbal seasonings, including anise and spearmint, alongside black cherry and baked blueberry fruit.

22)  Boen Pinot Noir 2015, Russian River Valley:  $22.99  This is a great price compared to competition!  Intense aromas of cherry, dark chocolate, coconut, black licorice and a hint of toast, along with smoked meat, blueberry and barrel spice. The palate is lush with a raisin and dried strawberry character layered with cola, vanilla cream soda and black licorice. Powerful structure balanced with bright acidity and fine, persistent tannins for a wine with complexity, opulence and a long, satisfying finish.

23)  Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2013, New Zealand:  $48.99  Great price!  Initial scents of white florals and fresh herbs are supported by those of sweet stone fruits and honey suckle, and completed by a flinty intriguing minerality. Juicy, with mouthwatering notes of nectarine, kaffir lime and lemongrass. A round and creamy mouthfeel complimented by a gentle minerality, while the nervy acidity contributes to a youthful and vibrant finish.  Pairs well with King salmon tartar with horseradish dressing and Soba and katsobushi.

24)  Groth Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Oakville:  $54.79  James Suckling – 93 pts.  “Subtle and complex with mint, black currant and licorice aromas. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and a fresh finish. Clean and refined. A delicious cabernet to drink now or later. Yes.”

25)  Newton Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa:  $54.79  The Wine Advocate – 93 pts.  “A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, Newton’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered has a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of blackcurrants, licorice, camphor and incense. There’s some spice box and subtle background oak as well. It is medium to full-bodied, elegant, and like most of Newton’s wines, seems to represent a beautiful crossover between the elegance and finesse of a great Bordeaux and the ripeness, power and exuberance of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink it over the next 20+ years.”

26)  Terrazas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2015, Mendoza:  $19.99  Intense garnet red. Predominance of spicy notes of thyme and green pepper in harmony with an intense black fruit and figs background. A gentle and full wine. In the mouth, it reveals a precise and long finish.  Pair with slow cooked lamb with spicy sauce and fresh salad or mashed potatoes.

27)  Cheval de Andes 2012, Mendoza:  $83.99  ($99 Suggested retail)  94 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “ 2012 was a warmer vintage but they harvested earlier to preserve freshness. The 2012 Cheval des Andes has more floral notes (that they attribute to the early picking) violets and lilies. While the blackberries and blackcurrants are there, they do not overpower the nose. In this vintage the final blend (which changes every year, they have no rules) was 64% Malbec, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon (a higher percentage to provide freshness in this warmer vintage) and then 8% Petit Verdot. This is a hedonistic Cheval showing the character of the vintage but with better balance and more integrated oak than in the earlier releases. They reduced the percentage of new oak to 30% and also started experimenting with some 500-liter barrels that were widely used in 2014, and the aging was longer at 14 months. The palate is powerful, and to drink at around 15 C. It gets more depth and nuanced with time in the glass. Even if young, this is polished and can be drunk starting now. 68,000 bottles were produced in 2012.

28)  Monte Zovo Amarone della Valpolicella 2011:  $34.99  Great price!  The 2011 Monte Zovo Amarone della Valpolicella is composed of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella from vineyards ten to fifteen years of age located in the upper Ilasi valley, Mezzane di Sopra, and the hill of Tegnago, at altitudes between 350 and 500 meters above sea level. As this opens it releases aromatics of cherries and raisin woven together with spices, leather and chocolate notes all coming together in the glass. On the palate this is medium to full bodied with lovely balance and a core of ripe dark cherries and chocolate notes expanding on to the lingering finish. I expect this to continue to drink well over the course of the next decade. (Best 2016-2026)

29)  Monte Zovo Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2013:  $19.99  Ruby red with garnet highlights. Aromas of ripe fruit, cherries, plums, dried fruit, spices, vanilla, and cinnamon. Fruity in flavor with notes of vanilla, supple in its tannins.

30)  Corvidae Wine Company Mirth Chardonnay 2016, Washington State:  $11  Exhibiting bright tropical notes and excellent purity of flavor and balance unencumbered by oak flavor. The wine is fermented and cellared in stainless steel to preserve its freshness and varietal character. Pair this refreshing Chardonnay with a chanterelle herb frittata, lemon roasted chicken, or a mango avocado and smoked salmon salad.

31)  Dr. Hermann H Riesling 2015, Mosel:  $18  Swirls of penetrating peach and honey flavors pack a mighty punch in this dazzling, sunny sip. Off dry in style, it’s an easy going yet elegant wine accented by saffron, blossoms and reverberating tangerine acidity.

32)  Staglin Family Vineyard Salus Estate Chardonnay 2013, Napa: $35.99  (regular:  $45.99!)  Sourced from Staglin’s estate vineyards, this 2013 Chardonnay displays the quality of the flawless 2013 growing season. Rich and concentrated, the wine was barrel-fermented and aged in 61% new wood for 10 months before bottling, but malolactic fermentation was partially restricted to retain brightness and energy. From winemaker Fredrik Johansson: “The flaxen hued 2013 Salus Chardonnay exudes restraint as a result of an abundantly warm growing season juxtaposed by some earlier-than-usual picks to capture and preserve the wonderful freshness the fruit was exhibiting. It offers up an expressive nose of ripe citrus, subtle tropical fruits and white flowers with lifting notes of galangal and lemongrass. The clean, medium-bodied palate shows a bit more than typical crispness and minerality underlying the lush lemon infused melon and pineapple flavors that glide into a beautifully balanced and lengthy finish.”

33)  Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Chile:  $15.59  Deep red in color. Brimming with aromas plums, morello cherries, chocolate and cassis. A well structured wine showing good density and concentration reveals red fruit on the palate.

34)  Domaine Jean Grivot Clos de Vougeot 2013, Grand Cru:  $199.99  95-97 pts. Vinous:  One the most polished and refined wines readers will taste from this site, the largest Grand Cru in the Côte de Nuits. All of the elements of the Grivot house style come together in a wine that impresses for its harmony and total class. Graphite, pencil shavings, violets and menthol all flesh out in a brilliant, chiseled Burgundy that hits all the right notes.  Finishes with vibrant, saline minerality, hints of dried rose petals and fabulous energy. Readers who can find the Clos Vougeot should not hesitate. It is magnificent. Grivot owns two hectares in Clos Vougeot, an enormity by Burgundian standards.

35)  Domaine Jean Grivot Vosne-Romanee 2012:  $69.99  (cheapest price online:  $89.99)  90 pts. Stephen Tanzer  Medium red. Ripe aromas of musky redcurrant, red raspberry and dried flowers. Sweet, fully ripe and highly concentrated, offering terrific drinkability now but also the sappy mineral energy to evolve gracefully in the bottle. Quite palate-staining for village wine, finishing with pungent lingering saline minerality.

36)  Amon-Ra by Ben Glaetzer Unfiltered Shiraz 2013, Barossa Valley:  $79.99  (usually $99.99!)  The Wine Advocate – 96 pts.  Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2013 Amon Ra has youthfully toned-down notes of blackcurrants, blackberry preserves, plums and cracked pepper with nuances of licorice, dark chocolate, cedar and black earth. The palate has wonderful balance and elegance for its commendable concentration and fullness, with tons of muscular fruit and spice layers framed by grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with great persistence.”

37)  Gagnard-Delagrange Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru “Morgeot” 2013:  $79.99  ($119.99 online)  The Wine Advocate – 92 pts. “There is just half the normal harvest of the Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot this year. Deep ruby in colour, it has a delightful redcurrant and crushed strawberry bouquet. The palate is crisp and fresh with chalky tannins and fine focus on the tense and lively finish. This is one of the best red Chassagnes that I tasted in 2013 as it conveys a sense of substance that they often lack. Range: 90-92”

38)  Cune Real de Asua 2010, Rioja:  $87.99  ($100 suggested retail)  96 pts. WE  Cellar Selection, “#29 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2015”  “The best of CVNE’s impressive lineup of 2010 high-end Riojas is this pure, staunch, ripe stud that’s blasting with blackberry, wood-spice, leather and cedar aromas. Lush, layered and deep as an ocean trench, this ultra-ripe, expressive wine pumps out blackberry, cassis and chocolate flavors prior to a lush, mile-long finish. Amazingly pure and delicious; drink through 2025.”

39)  Dopff & Irion Cuvee Rene Dopff Pinot Gris 2012:  $19  Well balanced between fruitiness and spice, this is a young, crisp wine. Its apricot and pear flavors are lighted by fragrant acidity and considerable freshness for a Pinot Gris.

40)  Perata Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Napa:  $40.99  Deep chocolate and cedar on the nose follow with great fruit flavors including plum and blackberry. The cedar creeps back in on the finish as well as some mild toasted oak. For 100% estate grown Napa Cabernet, this wine is priced very reasonably.

41)  Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling Dry 2009:  $60.99  Suggested retail:  $70.97 points James Suckling  “This is so open and sexy with blood orange, minerals, flint and stone. Full-bodied and tangy, plus sliced lemon, lime and white peach. Salty with limestone too. Amazing.”

96 points Wine Enthusiast “ *Cellar Selection* A benchmark for Alsace Riesling, Cuvée Frédéric Emile is released only as it approaches maturity, and this 2009 is just getting there now. With kerosene aromas and tight, intensely zesty and mineral flavors, it shows the Trimbach approach—that Riesling needs to be bone dry. It’s impressive now, but will be even better from 2016. (RV)”

42)  Kanonkop Kadette Cape Blend 2015, Stellenbosch:  $13.99  It shows ripe raspberries, black currant and mocha flavors on the nose and has dark chocolate and blackberry fruit on the palate. The wine has good length with a dry finish and can mature for a further 7-8 years.  Varietal Composition: 54% Pinotage, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc.

43)  Yalumba Patchwork Barossa Shiraz 2014:  $17.99  The fruit aromatics are all about red plum, cherries and savory herbs. This is a medium to full depth wine with balanced fruit concentration. The palate is full of savoriness, texture, black olives and has an evenness flowing from start to finish. This is about being soft and supple yet also rich and textural; an even line of tannins completes the wine. Cellar for 5 to 7 years.  Pair with barbecued pork spare ribs with a dark sticky glaze.

44)  Tarapaca Gran Reserva Carmenere 2015, Valle del Maipo:  $16.99  This wine stands out for its unique red ruby color and black fruit aromas; in mouth it is well rounded and rich in flavors, where the figs notes and wild fruits, together with delicate spices aromas, are in perfect harmony.

45)  Tenshen Red Wine 2015, Santa Barbara County:  $23.99  92 pts. WE  Editor’s Choice!  A project by Joey Tensley and Alex Guarachi, this is a whopper of a wine for the price tag. Black cherry, oregano, eucalyptus and dried sage show on the nose. The palate packs a mix of herbal seasonings, including anise and spearmint, alongside black cherry and baked blueberry fruit.

46)  Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Sonoma County:  $20.99  This blend of Sonoma County’s sub-appellations expresses wonderful complexity. A fruit-driven bouquet and palate with notes of wild blackberry, Maraschino cherry, and spicy persimmon is balanced by aromatic cloves, fresh sage leaves, and a touch of butterscotch. This approachable, medium-bodied Cabernet is not to be underestimated, with its pronounced tannins and well-integrated oak influence.

47)  Stags Leap Winery The Investor Red 2013:  $42.99  (cheapest price online:  $50)   A blend of 38% Merlot, 32% Petite Sirah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Malbec aged in a combination of French and American oak for 16 months, the 2013 Proprietary Red The Investor is an intriguing combination of grapes. Stags’ Leap winemaker Christophe Paubert (from Bordeaux) has produced an opaque purple wine with notes of blackcurrants, blueberry, white flowers, a full-bodied constitution, impressive purity and moderate tannins in the finish. It needs several years of bottle age and should drink well for 15 or more years. This is a fascinating array of wines, especially some of the intriguing red wine cuvées produced at this winery, which has a long history (established in 1893). (RP) 90 pts.

48)  Angela Estate Pinot Noir 2012, Yamhill-Carlton:  $41 99  Suggested retail:  $48  WE 88 pts.  This estate-grown wine is made by Ken Wright. Showing some sharp, high-toned volatility in the nose, it opens into a smooth, spicy wine with pomegranate and black cherry fruit. A slight whiff of vinegar underlies the tannins, but for most tasters, it will not be noticeable.

49)  Clio 2014, Jumilla, Spain:  $44.79  Looking for a consistently over-achieving, full-bodied red? How about this for a track record? (all scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate) 2003 – 96 points; 2004 – 97 points; 2005 – 95 points; 2006 – 95 points; 2007 – 94 points, 2008 – 94 points, 2009 – 90 points. The wine is a blend of 70% old vine Monastrell and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon that was barrel-aged for 22-26 months in French and American oak. It bears Clio’s hallmark opulence, with bold aromas and flavors, a thick, dense palate, and a long finish. A powerful, decadent wine.

50)  Bodegas El Nido 2014, Jumilla, Spain:  $124.79  Black inky color and a sophisticated bouquet with aromas of black currants, vanilla, dried red pepper, and subtle hints of earth and smoke.  A remarkably well balanced wine with rich flavors of cassis and dark cherry jam which constitute its full body mouth-feel that glides across the palate.  The soft tannins are well integrated and provide for great structure and complexity.  This wine that will hold for many, many years.  Aging:  24 months in French and American oak.  Varieties:  70% Cabernet Sauvignon/30% Monastrell.  Winemaker:  Chris Ringland.

51)  Odette Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Stags Leap District:  $124.99  The Wine Advocate – 95 pts.  “The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The wine has terrific aromatics of graphite, spring flowers, and some blackberry and blueberry fruit. Full-bodied, elegant, but also substantial and long, this is super-impressive, rich wine can be approached now or cellared for 20 or more years.”

52)  Cade Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Howell Mountain:  $179.79  98 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve comes in a unique bottle that is similar to the special bottle used by Joseph Phelps for their Insignia (which reminds me of a grenade). A blockbuster superstar, this inky/purple-hued 2012 is filled with crème de cassis, blueberry and mulberry fruit that hides any notion of its oak aging. Opulent, voluptuously textured, multilayered and stunningly rich with a finish that lasts 45+ seconds, this magnificent Cabernet should age effortlessly for two decades or more. But who can wait that long? Not me. (RP)”

53)  Sexual Chocolate 2014, CA:  $24.99  Bold but not too full bodied, this dry wine made from Syrah and Malbec has vivid, grapey, dark-fruit aromas and flavors liberally accented with spicy, smoky, earthy accents. Laden with fine tannins, the texture conveys a thick but smooth mouthfeel.

54)  Domaine de Courcel Pommard Grand Clos des Epenots Premier Cru 2012:  $115.99  (Usually $170)  Burghound.com – 93 pts. “This is quite ripe yet retains a lovely freshness to the cassis, black cherry, lavender and warm earth scents. There is excellent power and volume to the concentrated, intense and mouth coating big-bodied flavors that culminate in an impressively long and balanced finish. This is a bigger wine than the Fremiers but it’s no more complex and as is usually the case, less refined. A qualitative choice but the respective characteristics are distinctly different.

55)  Stags’ Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2014:  $44.99  The Wine Advocate – 90 pts “The serious wines start with the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, which is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and a cross-county blend. Deep, dense purple-colored, with notes of creosote, earth, forest floor and plenty of cassis fruit, this wine is rich, medium-bodied, and ideal for drinking over the next 10-15 years.”

56)  Cloud Chaser Rose 2016, Cotes de Provence:  $18.99  Abounds with tantalizing aromas of strawberry, peach, apricot, and tropical fruits, including mango and banana. Round and smooth on the palate with enticing hints of raspberry and orange. The finish is long and lingering. Pairs perfectly with fish, Asian and Mediterranean cuisines, grilled and roasted meats, and pasta.35% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 12% Mourvedre, 11% Carignan, 8% Syrah, 3% Tibouren.

57)  Newton Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Napa Valley:  $52  The Wine Advocate – 93 pts. “A blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Merlot, Newton’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Unfiltered has a dense ruby/purple color, a beautiful nose of blackcurrants, licorice, camphor and incense. There’s some spice box and subtle background oak as well. It is medium to full-bodied, elegant, and like most of Newton’s wines, seems to represent a beautiful crossover between the elegance and finesse of a great Bordeaux and the ripeness, power and exuberance of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink it over the next 20+ years.”

58)  Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay 2014, Napa Valley:  $46.99  The Wine Advocate – 93 pts. “Newton’s unfiltered Chardonnay has been a consistent winner since it was first launched in the early 1980s, when the fruit was coming from what is today John Kongsgaard’s Judge cuvée. Newton is still making this wine unfiltered, and the 2014 Chardonnay Unfiltered is rich and displays beautiful white peach, honeysuckle and tropical fruit, some nice, crisp wet pebble minerality in the background and a full-bodied mouthfeel. Deep, layered and complete, this is a big-time winner.”

59)  Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir 2014, Dundee Hills:  $29.99  (Average price online:  $42)  Wine Enthusiast – 92 pts. “In this exceptional vintage, the all-estate bottling over-delivers big time at this price. Brambly blackberry/kirsch flavors fill the mouth with sappy juicy flavors. The tannins are a bit stiff, and at first the wine hits a tannic wall, but more bottle age, aeration and/or aggressive decanting will open it up. The lengthy cinnamon-soaked finish hints at a stellar cellar life ahead.”

I love wine. I love learning about special vintages, discovering new labels, finding gems that no one else knows about, and most of all, I love sharing my knowledge of wine!

At Sauer Grapes, we always have one dry still rose, three sparkling wines:  one Champagne, one rose and one something else, five whites and five reds on the menu—always a $4 glass, $6-9 glass and a $10-14 glass—and the menu changes weekly.  The more expensive glasses are always still very great deals! You can also pick any bottle off the shelf to open.  If you don’t finish it, State law lets you take it home.  There is a $4 corkage but I beat everyones’ prices so you can’t drink cheaper anywhere!. We also offer great craft beers, delicious tapas plates, and a variety of unique specialty foods to take home.

You’ll find I am a huge advocate of Grower Champagne. The Champagne region in France is dominated by a handful of brand names and they produce a mass-market commodity. By contrast, Small Growers, or “récoltant-manipulants,” handcraft their limited quantities of Champagne from individual villages and parcels where the inherent qualities of the vineyards imprint themselves into the wines. These winemakers are brave souls in an industrialized age: growing vinifying and bottling their own Champagne and offering it to the world as their lives’ work.

Marie Sauer