Each week, when new wines arrive in the shop, or maybe when a wine we have not carried in a while returns, I’ll provide some reviews and/or information about the wines. I’ll plan to post this information each Friday .

Unfortunately, I’ve fallen behind on this page – My apologies.

On December 12, we began flights of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  For the last several months, I have been looking for some good price point Pinot.   With the high prices Pinot grapes command these day, it’s getting more difficult all the time to find something in  the $20 range.   Jamie at Hollywood and Wine solved that problem for me when she recently introduced me to the Chesebro 2006 Pinot Noir Cedar Lane and F & G Vineyards, Arroyo Seco.  Mark Chesebro produced 203 cases of this smooth and  silky cherry delight.  By itself or with food it really works well.

Among the Chardonnay, we offered a 2006 Inspiration Vineyards Chardonnay Los Carneros.  What started as a home winemaking project almost 10 years ago by Barbara & Jon Phillips, culminated in buying a vineyard in Sonoma and producing their first commercial juice in 2003.   It has a great balance of fruit, butter and vanilla with just the right accent of oak.

Red Rhones began on December 5, 2008

Between red Rhone varietals and Pinot Noir, I’m not sure which is the most popular with our guests. This week, we poured red Rhones (next week Pinot).   Mikael Sigouin’s Kaena 2006 Hapa Red Wine Santa Ynez Valley completely disappeared on the first night!! A blend of 65% Syrah, 20% Grenache and  15% Mourvedre clearly made a lot of people happy with it’s red fruit, smoke and spice.  After   that disappeared, the Halter Ranch 2005 GSM Paso Robles became the favorite at the tasting bar. Bright red fruit flavors and just a light touch of oak.

A few  standouts in the flights we’re starting on November 21, 2008:

Within the mixed Red Rhone Flight are two Syrahs from Eric Kent Cellars. We   have carried wine made by Kent Humphrey almost since we opened.   Since about 2003, when he segued from advertising to winemaking, he has made some of the best Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma County vineyards. This week, we’re including his Dry Stack Vineyard Bennett Valley and his Kalen’s Big Boy Blend in our flight. Big rich wines; blueberry and chocolate in Kalen’s and blackberry and black pepper in the Dry Stack, and each have a really smooth finish.

Among the white wines this week is an interesting one from Novy. While we only carry California wines, this one was so interesting that I sort of split hairs in that while the grapes are from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, Adam Lee actually made in is Sonoma. The wine is the Novy 2007 Blanc du Noir White Wine. Is actually a white Pinot Noir. This is a medium body golden wine with a hint of pear. A perfect wine with chicken.

Among the new arrivals on November 13, 2008:

Wine Enthusiast rated the following two wines:

• The Wine Guerrilla 2006 Zinfandel Coffaro Vineyards Dry Creek was described as an old style field blend type of wine … A big tannic, juicy, fruity wine, potent in jammy blackberry, blueberry, currant, dark unsweetened chocolate, coffee and pepper flavors… Rating 89
• The Loring 2005 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard Sta Rita Hills was described as… a compelling Pinot Noir, dry and crisp in acids, enormously complex, with the cherry, pomegranate, cola and fruit flavors made more interesting with the tastes of earth, mushrooms, balsalmic and expresso. Rating 94

Robert Parker is a big fan of Walter Hansel Wines:

• He described the Walter Hansel 2006 Chardonnay Cahill Lane Russian River Valley as exhibiting …a steely, stony nose intermixed with peach, pear and brioche notes. It has … terrific up front fruit, decent acidity, and a plump, medium to full bodied mouthfeel. Rating 94

Among the New Arrivals on November 6, 2008:

Robert Parker reviewed some of the Thompkin Cellars wine.

• The 2005 3^ie Degré (a blend of 50% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 25% Mourvedre) possesses a dark ruby color as well as an attractive perfume of roasted Provencal herbs, and sweet strawberries, cherries, and currants. Medium-bodied, soft, and silky, this hedonistic red should be enjoyed over the next 3-4 years. Rating: 90
• The 2006 Mourvedre has a dark ruby color and an earthy nose with hints of porcini mushrooms intermixed with blue and red fruits. The wine is medium-bodied, it is a bit narrow compared to the other bottlings, but very pleasant. Rating: 86
• The 2004 Couchant is a blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Syrah.   It  exhibits a deep ruby/purple hue as well as blackberry, cassis, cedar, and spice aromas. Playing it close to the vest, this linear, structured 2004 should evolve for 5-7 years. Rating: 86
• The 2006 Grenache has a medium ruby color (lighter than the two previous wines) and a classic nose of kirsch liqueur, licorice, and spice. It is medium-bodied, simple, fruity, and best drunk over the next 2-3 years. Rating: 86
• Gary Vaynerchuk recently featured the TV Celadon 2006 Grenache BlancEsperanza Vyd Clarksburg on an edition of Wine Library TV (10-08-08). Gary rated it a 91+. He pointed out the creaminess and pineapple flavors, with a nice residual sugar that will appeal to many; gorgeous guava and papaya on the back-end; a little honey comb; creamy; very tropical (like Capri Sun drinks); with a lot of white flowers; smokey.

The Radio Coteau 2006 Syrah Las Colinas was also reviewed by Robert Parker.

The 2006 Syrah Las Colinas seems even bigger and richer than the 2005, with an opaque purple color, full body, and notes of road tar, black truffle, camphor and blackberry. It behaves like a Hermitage. This wine is stunning and should drink nicely for 7-8 years.