2005 Stefania Cabernet Sauvignon Uvas Creek Vineyard

What is there to say about this wine other than awesome. Many of you have heard me talk about them before, and I think they are producing the best $35 cabernet on the market today.

This is the 2nd bottle we have enjoyed of a half case, and we brought it to Dave's Annual Wine Bash to introduce to others. Needless to say, it went over well and was a huge success, and I am sure a few of you signed up for their mailing list after this.

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I had this bottle opened for a good 4 hours before we took our first pour, and it showed a really nice dark ruby color in the glass, with hints of mocha and dark cherry on the nose. On the palate, lots of darker blueberry and raspberry notes shine through, with a good acidity, and the faintest bits of toasted oak and spice. A nice medium long finish was to follow, and this wine showed to be very well integrated, with a nice and creamy full bodied texture! All I can say about this wine is wow. Great to drink now, or cellar for yet a few more years. This is a must buy for us, and I look forward to their syrah release in the Spring. No matter what they release, you can count on us to go "all in." Awesome wines at $35 a bottle, and to boot, Paul and Stefania seem like great people. I can't wait to meet them at an offline in the future.

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Overall, I'll go a point higher on this wine than the last bottle we had, and give it 92 out of 100 points. Could be a 95 pointer with another couple years in the bottle. We'll see! Check them out at: http://www.stefaniawine.com/ and be sure to let them know that we sent you! Cheers!

RELEASE ALERT - Auteur Wines

The March 2008 release was announced today from Auteur, and this is always a must buy with their highly rated wines. Unfortunately, I missed out on the Fall 2007 mailing, but was lucky enough to get on the Spring 2008 list, and purchased all 3 bottles I was allocated. If you are not on their mailing list, this is one I would recommend signing up for. And as always, remember that you are not obligated to purchase. To sign up, check out their website at: http://www.auteurwines.com/

This Spring release consists of:

2006 Hyde Chardonnay, Carneros Napa

2006 Manchester Ridge, Mendocino Ridge

2006 Sonoma Stage Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

Check out the release notes for more information. Also note that on rare occasions, you might be able to find these wines at some of the local stores in NJ. The Canal's on Route 1 in Lawrenceville/Princeton has had their wines on a few occasions. Check them out and see if they live up to some of their 100 point reviews! Cheers!

RELEASE ALERT: Kistler Spring 2008 Release

Here we are in January, and already receiving the Spring Kistler mailing for their incredible chardonnay. Unfortunately, we were only offered 3 different vineyards this year, and no pinot nor whatsoever.

Kistler's full Spring release consisted of the following wines:

2005 Hudson Vineyard Chardonnay Carneros 2005 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay Carneros 2005 Vine Hill Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2005 Kistler Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 2005 Kistler Vineyard Cuvée Cathleen Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 2006 Stone Flat Vineyard Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2005 Occidental Station Cuvée Catherine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2005 Bodega Headlands Cuvée Elizabeth Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Unfortunatley however, we were only allocated the Hudson, Hyde, and Vine Hill, but regardless, they are all delicious. One of these years it would be nice to get on their list to get some of the much sough after pinot noir, but that will come in time with consistent ordering.

This is a list I would suggest signing up for, even if you don't plan on purchasing, because you just never know. More information on Kistler can be found at:

http://www.kistlerwine.com/

Kistler Vineyards

4707 Vine Hill Road

Sebastopol, CA 95472 Telephone: (707) 823-5603

Fax: (707) 823-6709

Cheers!