The Holiday
Wine Guide

The Wine School of Philadelphia

  The Wine School of Philadelphia!

The Big Spenders: Napa Cabernet

Flora Springs 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Wild Boar Vineyard
One of the best Napa Valley Cabernets not to come out of Napa Valley. Yeah, its a trick: this is from Pope Valley, which is considered to be part of Napa by the Federal Government. Yes, it's screwy. 

This is a knock-you-down and steal-your-lunch-money type of Cabernet: untamed and very aggressive. With a few years in the cellar, this will be dynamite. Typically retails in PA& elsewhere for about $80.
Pa Price: $39.99 Code: #11675

Clos Du Val 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
I featured this wine in last years "Director's Cut, Cabernet Sauvignon" class. This is a perfect example of the extraordinary quality that can come from a vintage that the wine cognoscenti claim to be a poor vintage (and their silliness is the reason we can pick up a $100 for $30 now). This Cabernet is at its peak, with nuances of graphite and green pepper on the nose, and a long well-tended structure throughout.
PA Price: $29.99 Code: #11008


Beringer 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Yowzer! This monster will need at least five years to calm down, but it is going to be one of the best Cabernets of the vintage at that point.
PA Price: $59.99  Code: 11685

The Top $10 Reds

Segura Viudas 2001 Mas D'Aranyo Riserva, Penedes (Spain)
Amazingly ripe and soft Tempranillo-based red wine. The richness of the fruit reminds one of an Barossa Shiraz, but the wilted flower & roasted spices on the nose brings this back to the old world. Fun & tempting.
PA Price: $9.99 Code: #25744

BARONE RICASOLI 2002 CAMPOCENI, Tuscany (Italy)
A pretty little Sangiovese, and a great value for this classic Chianti producer. Another lovely wine from a poor vintage: flavors of cocoa, leather, and lavender flourish in this bottle.
PA Price: $9.99 PLCB Code: 23399


Luce Della Vite 2000, Montalcino (Italy) (Note: this is a half bottle!)
One of the finest Merlot-dominated Super-Tuscans on the market. Impenetrably deep plum & blackberry flavors laced down their gustatory rabbit-hole with leather and stray leaves of rosemary. This is definitely a hallucinatory Alice-in-wonderland style of wine. This half-bottle typically costs $40, so its time to get a bit giddy
PA Price: $12.99 PLCB Code: 023660

The Under $20 Picks

Arrowood 2001 Saralee's Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley (California)

All the stuffing of an Hermitage, including a dash of Viognier in the blend, with a level of ripeness that insures this remains firmly moored to California.  Bacon fat, violets and hickory on the nose. Voluptuously round on the palate, with a layer of tar and white pepper that adds a great deal of interest and intrigue.
PA Price: $17.99  PLCB Code: #14654

Mondavi 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
A delightful surprise, and a reminder of what this once-great winemaking house could accomplish back in the day. Graphite & flint rise from the glass with just an edge of wet earth. The leather & herb notes are a delicate  counterpoint to the fresh raspberry & vanilla notes.
PA Cost $17.99   PLCB Code: #11265

 

The Best Buy Whites

Pecan Stream 2005 Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch (South Africa)
A pretty quince and grapefruit cocktail with plenty of zip-zam-zoom. Bone dry & exciting.
PA Price: $10.99  Code: #28516


Sauvignon Republic 2005 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley (California)
Dense  layers of guava and very ripe pear. Plenty of acidity to balance out the fleshiness.
Year: 2005
PA Price: $12.99 Code: #17454


Vionta 2005 Albarino (Spain)
An aroma akin to white pepper on melon, and on the palate, lime and mineral predominate. This Albarino is lovely and complex.
PA Price: $11.99 Code: #25981

The Champagnes

Guy Larmandier Vertus Brut Premier Cru (France)
PA Price: $32.99  Code: 29444

Laurent Perrier 1996 Brut (France)
PA Price: $48.99     Code: 29548

 

 

 

 

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