Exclusive Pre-Sale - 2005 Dominus Estate

2005 Dominus Estate - 96 Points

Out of the entire 2005 vintage in BOTH Bordeaux and Napa, the 05 Dominus is one of only seven red wines rated 96 points or higher by Robert Parker that retails for $120 or less.

With all the recent focus on 2005 Bordeaux, here is a wine that brings you the best of both worlds – a Bordeaux style wine made from Napa fruit. Sadly, there are only 7000 cases made of what is now considered one of the finest red wines in the world.

Few wines have the excellent track record of Dominus Estate - going back to 2001 the RP ratings are: 95, 96, 95, 94, 96, 94-96 - a remarkable achievement. Even Chateau Petrus, the other wine made by the same owner - Christian Moueix - doesn’t have a record that good!

Robert Parker calls the 2005 Dominus "one of the strongest efforts they have made" and says "the layering of this wine as it builds incrementally on the palate is something to behold."

Made from 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot, this is a wine of extraordinary richness and complexity that will age beautifully for 25+ years. While a true collectible, it’s one of the last remaining Napa gems that can also be had at a reasonable price. Enjoy!

Please note, this is a pre-arrival - wine ships end of May.

Pre-Arrival - Ships May 2008

USA - CALIFORNIA

2005 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine Proprietary Blend 750ml - $119.99
Wine Advocate, Dec 2007, 96 points: "The 2005 Dominus (a 7,000-case cuvee of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot) has come of age, and is one of the strongest efforts they've made. It is possibly the best Dominus since the 2001, and perhaps even the 1997 or 1991. A beautiful, sweet nose of roasted coffee interwoven with kirsch, black currant, cedar, and spice box emerges from this deep ruby/purple-colored wine. The wine has fabulous intensity, a layered, opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, well-integrated acidity, and a stunningly long finish. The layering of this wine as it builds incrementally on the palate is something to behold. An outstanding, sexy, ageworthy Dominus, it will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring, and last for at least 25 or 30 years. When I am tasting at Dominus, they always present a wine opened the day before and decanted, and one just opened, and the extended aeration version always seems to be the better example of the wine, so plenty of decanting seems to be in order."

2005 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine Proprietary Blend 1500ml - $249.99

2005 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine Proprietary Blend 3000ml - $599.99

2005 Dominus Proprietary Red Wine Proprietary Blend 6000ml - $1,154.99

Lowest Priced 90pt Vino Nobile

2003 La Braccesca Vino Nobile - RP90 points only $12.99 (was $22.99)

You are looking at the best deal on a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano that you can find anywhere. In fact, the 2003 La Braccesca is the lowest priced Vino Nobile di Montepulciano from any vintage that rated 90 points or above in the entire US marketplace. This wine totally over delivers for the price.

The owner and producer is none other than the great Antinori family with winemaking headed by Renzo Cotarella, famous for his work with Solaia and Tignarello. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is made from the Sangiovese Grosso grape (locally called Prugnelo Gentile but it’s the same grape used in Brunello). According to local custom, all Vino Nobiles spend a minimum of two years in large oak barrels called Botti, which permits the wine to naturally breathe and subsequently not be overwhelmed by oak. Instead, the wines are fruit driven and a perfect match with food.

Made from 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, La Braccesca's Vino Nobile has beautiful aromas of plum, dusty red cherries and spice with a medium body and balanced acidity. As soon as we tasted it, we began to imagine how wonderful it would be with food, especially rustic Italian dishes, meat, and game. There is an old world charm about this wine that frames the beautiful fresh fruit and makes it a pure pleasure to enjoy.

This is an unbeatable value and one you should not pass up – a great choice for an everyday food wine that you can pull out whenever the occasion calls for it. Enjoy!

In Stock

ITALY - TUSCANY

2003 La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Proprietary Blend 750ml - $12.99 (was $22.99)
Wine Advocate, Jun 2007, 90 points: "The 2003 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a plump, engaging effort. A dark ruby, it presents attractive notes of crushed flowers, tobacco, herbs, spices and earthiness. On the palate it is packed with fruit and full of life, showing outstanding persistence as well as notable balance considering the vintage. Though enjoyable today, another year or so in the bottle should help smooth out the tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2015. La Braccesca is the Montepulciano property of the Antinori family. I was very impressed with the wines I tasted from the estate. “At La Braccesca we are aiming for a fresher, fruit-driven style that reflects varietal character,” says oenologist Renzo Cotarella. “Fermentations are generally shorter and unlike our other estates, we use a percentage of American oak to give the wines an extra dimension of sweetness and spiciness.”
JJ Buckley, Apr 2008: "Dark ruby and maroon in the core with a maroon rim. Plum and dusty red cherry aromas are joined by spicy cedar with a note of earth and game over a subtle wild honeycomb note. Good acid in the mouth. Medium bodied. Somewhat earthy and old world in style, but with a nice burst of ripe rich cherry. Spicy chocolate and cherries are matched with a streak of lingering minerality on the finish." - Mike Supple

JJ Buckley Special Find

The Finest in Languedoc - Chateau de la Negly

Following the beaten path in any pursuit can produce satisfying results, but creativity and unique experiences are often sacrificed at the expense of reassurance. At Chateau de la Negly, every effort is made to make a wine that will surprise you, simply knock you off your feet the moment you and the wine make contact. These wines are pure artistry, made by people who understand terroir and demonstrate how great a wine can be if made from draconian yields and attention to every detail.

La Porte du Ciel and Clos des Truffiers are Chateau de la Negly's flagship cuvees. With the assistance of Bordeaux negociant Jeffrey Davies, owner Jean Paux-Rosset and brilliant oenologist Claude Gros have developed the property into what Robert Parker has called "the Languedoc-Roussillon's finest estate" and have crafted "world class wines of great individuality and detail."

These wines explode from the glass with a burst of hedonism that might literally take your breath away. Copious amounts of ripe fruit and spices exude out of the glass while chocolate, cassis, and preserves fill your palate. Every day you open a new bottle, you will be intrigued by some new nuance and subtle flavor to relish. These are well-endowed wines that offer up intense Old World complexity.

Rigorous selection and absurdly low yields (about 1/5 the yields of most Bordeaux wines) are the norms at these properties represented by Jeffrey Davies. The 2004 "La Porte du Ciel," Negly's luxury cuvee, comes from a tiny, 11-year old portion of a 50-hectare vineyard. It is 100% Syrah grown in clay and limestone soils which is hand-harvested before being being table-sorted three times and aged for two years in 100% new French oak barrels. In fact, the 1999 vintage of La Porte du Ciel is the highest rated wine from Languedoc ever at RP96 points while the 2003 was rated 94 points.

The 2005 Clos des Truffiers comes from an even smaller vineyard with compressed clay and limestone soils. Also 100% Syrah, it is hand-harvested, table-sorted three times, and aged for 26 months in 100% new French oak. This wine promises to be a unique tasting experience, incomparable to anything you have had before.

Production is ridiculously small at about 300 cases each and absolutely no expense is spared in making these wines. This isn't something you wouldn't normally find at your local store, so take this opportunity now to try something totally new and utterly superb.

In Stock

FRANCE - LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON

2004 Chateau de la Negly la Porte du Ciel Syrah 750ml - $109.99
JJ Buckley, Apr 2008: "Deep purple, almost hypnotic in its dark ocean purple. Aroma of new leather, refreshing forest in the morning smells, with a spring like energy. Mouth coating and rich, full bodied and lush. Vanilla is big here. Sweet, voluptuous oak. Well polished like a gem. From entry when it touches your tongue, to the long full finish, one seamless smile! A++. In essence: Total WOW!" - David Derby

2005 Chateau de la Negly Clos des Truffieres Syrah 750ml - $129.99
JJ Buckley, Apr 2008: "Okay, maybe it is because of the name, but this has beautiful aromas of fresh morels, grilled Portobello and Shiitake mushrooms. Flavors of spicy white pepper, Pain grille, and bacon fat over wood fire. The flavor is longer than a summer sunset, and is persistent in its intensity and pure focus of core rapture. This is one seriously #$@%*& good wine! R-rated." - David Derby

Kosher Wines For Passover

The Jewish holiday of Passover is right around the corner and wine is a central and indispensable item at any Passover seder table. During the first two nights of the holiday, no one can opt out of drinking it, which means that you need it...and a lot of it. As you read this, the JJ Buckley buying team is on a tour of Bordeaux, so we thought it very fitting to feature a selection of Kosher wines that many of you probably never knew existed from the region.

For those of you who may not be celebrating this Passover holiday yourselves but have been invited to a seder, one of the best items to bring along would be a bottle of Kosher wine. There is a good chance that your hosts will have not had the opportunity to try most of the wines featured here, so any one of them would be a great choice to bring some wine of quality to the table.

Along with a couple of Sauternes and a Chassagne Montrachet, there is a great selection of hard to find Kosher Bordeaux, including the Kosher versions of some of the most famous chateaux including Leoville Poyferre, Pontet-Canet, and even Valandraud. Jean-Luc Thunevin of Chateau Valandraud is one of the pioneers of the garagiste movement in France and decided a few years ago to produce a special run of kosher wine at his chateau and it has turned out beautifully. This kind of selection of kosher Bordeaux wines are not prevalent on the 'net (especially in Northern California), as these wines are hard to come by.

But no seder would be complete without wine from Israel, and what wine would be better than one from arguably Israel's best winery - Domaine du Castel? After receiving great scores in the recent Israeli wine review in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Domaine du Castel has emerged as Israel's premier winery and their Bordeaux style wine Petit du Castel would serve as a great comparison to it's French counterparts.

Also, be sure to continue checking JJ Buckley's kosher section by clicking here for any new Kosher wines that come in before Passover.

Quantities are very limited and everything is in stock and ready to ship. Put your best wine on the table this year and make this Passover something to write home about.

In Stock - Limited Quantity

FRANCE - BORDEAUX

2002 Baron Rothschild Haut Medoc (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $39.99

2001 Barrail de Zede (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $39.99

2001 Chateau Malmaison Baronne Nadine de Rothschild (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $39.99

2002 Crock, Le (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $51.99

2000 Fonbadet (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $70.99

2001 Giscours (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $81.99

2001 Labegorce (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $60.99

2001 Leoville-Poyferre (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $129.99

2002 Leoville-Poyferre (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $107.99

2003 Malartic-Lagraviere (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $86.99

2004 Montviel (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $74.99

2002 Patache d'Aux (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $48.99

2002 Pontet-Canet (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $108.99

2003 Pontet-Canet (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $129.99

2002 Royaumont Lalande (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $48.99

2000 Tertre-Daugay (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $89.99

2001 Valandraud (Kosher) Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $335.99

FRANCE - BURGUNDY

2001 Anselme Deslar Chassagne Montrachet (Kosher) Pinot Noir 750ml - $57.99

FRANCE - SAUTERNES

1999 Guiraud (Kosher) Sauternes Blend 750ml - $128.99

2001 Piada (Kosher) Sauternes Blend 750ml - $81.99

ISRAEL

2003 Castel, Domaine du Petit Castel (Kosher) Proprietary Blend 750ml - $45.99

1998 Golan Heights Cabernet Sauvignon Galil Gamla (Kosher) 750ml - $31.99

2005 Recanati Cabernet Sauvignon (Kosher) 750ml - ON SALE $7.99 (was $9.99)

2006 R Wines Strong Arms Shiraz WA91 only $10.99

R Wines, Chris Ringland's new venture out of Australia, is probably the best source today for a combination of wonderfully creative packaging and amazing values. The wines never fail to disappoint or surprise, both internally and externally, and boast rave reviews from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate at a fraction of the price of other similarly scored wines.

Today's offer features only one wine, the 2006 Strong Arms Shiraz, but it actually has six unique labels. The name Strong Arms Shiraz is intended as a satirical response to what some describe as "good legs," drops of wine that accumulate and run down the side of a wine glass, creating the image of legs. Here, Chris Ringland has created a wine with "strong arms," and trust us, this wine will knock you out. The wine's six different labels all represent this theme in a unique way.

The Wine Advocate's Jay Miller says the wine boasts "remarkable class for its giveaway price" and is "fruit-driven, supple-textured, rich, and easygoing." We absolutely loved it here and will tell you now that this is one of the best values in Australian Shiraz that money can buy.

Please note, we do not have control over which labels we receive, therefore we can not promise any particular one(s) to our customers.

The story of R Wines:

Winemaker Chris Ringland and importer Dan Philips collaborate to bring you the most exciting new project in Australia. Responsible for four perfect, 100 point scores from Robert Parker, Chris is one of the most brilliant and well-respected winemakers from around the world. Dan, who's palate Robert Parker refers to as 'brilliant', has been creating and importing top Australian wines for over a decade.

Together, they have formed R Wines and have begun producing wines in Australia and California. Check Wine Advocate Issue 173, 10-31-2007, pp 52-53: R Wines has 32 wines 90 points or higher, including 7 wines 96 points or higher!

Jay Miller from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate says "the packaging of these wines is amazingly creative but, more importantly, what is in the bottle consistently over-delivers from low-end to high-end".

AUSTRALIA - SOUTHEAST AUSTRALIA

2006 R Wines Strong Arms Shiraz Syrah 750ml - $10.99
Wine Advocate, Oct 2007, 91 points: "The 2006 Shiraz is composed of 46% McLaren Vale, 44% Riverland, and 10% Barossa Valley fruit. It was aged in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months. Opaque purple-colored, it has a nose of cedar, spice box, and blueberry. Fruit-driven, supple-textured, rich, and easygoing, the wine has remarkable class for its giveaway price. It actually has 2-3 years of aging potential but no one that I know is going to defer their gratification. Strong Arms has been bottled with 6 different but similarly themed labels. Collect them all and Dan Philips will send you a free Bacon of the Month Club catalog. There are 12,000 cases of this remarkable value. R Wines is a new company founded by importer and marketing genius, Dan Philips, along with co-owner, renowned winemaker, Chris Ringland. Winemakers for R Wines are Chris Ringland, Lisa Wetherell, Andrew Hercock, and John Hughes. It encompasses four familiar labels, Marquis Philips, 3 Rings, Roogle, and Bitch, along with 13 others created especially for R Wines. Needless to say, the packaging of these wines is amazingly creative but, more importantly, what is in the bottle consistently over-delivers from low-end to high-end."

Mystery Case!

JJ Buckley's Mystery Case™ case of wine

Roll the Dice,
Get Something Nice!
Half Off the Retail Price!

JJ Buckley's Mystery Case is by far our most popular offering - we do all the work while you simply sit back and save big on 12 exciting wines! Yes, we're talking huge savings of 50%. With just one click of the mouse you'll receive 12 different wines (chosen randomly from the list below) and the average price you'll pay per bottle is just $8.25. This is THE opportunity to sample 12 terrific wines and save 50% with JJ Buckley's Mystery Case.

For only $99, you will receive one bottle each of 12 unique, randomly selected wines from the list below. Save yourself the time and hassle of picking and choosing an assortment of wines for your everyday drinking and put your faith in the JJ Buckley Mystery Case! As you can see, many of these wines retail for $20+ per bottle, so this is a win-win proposition. Buy a case or two and get in on the deal that everyone at JJ Buckley is talking about!

Our last Mystery Case went out way back in October, before Thanksgiving and the Holiday rush, and since then numerous people have been wondering if a new selection will ever be offered. Now that we have all had some time to recuperate, it's a great time for our fifth Mystery Case, which may be our best one yet.

Click Here to place your order for a mystery case of 12 randomly selected wines for $99.

Mystery bottles will be selected from the list below:

USA - CALIFORNIA

2006 Cosentino Winery Pinot Noir Sonoma County 750ml - $24.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Light ruby core with a faint pink rim. Cooler climate Pinot notes of earth and herbal fruits. Red cherry on the palate. Soft and round with nice acid on the finish."- Mike Supple

2000 Longoria Syrah Santa Barbara County 750ml - $21.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Bright purple core with a ruby rim. Light plum and dark cherry aromas. Chewy tannins on the mid palate leading to a black cherry finish."- Mike Supple

2003 Nonno Zito Calogera-Lily Tocai Bien Nacido Vineyard 750ml - $23.99
JJ Buckley, Feb 2003: "Bright yellow core with a golden tint, thinning around the rim. Big candied lemon aromas are accented by cantaloupe, light toasted walnut and a hint of oak. Round and full in the mouth with a nice medium-bodied weight. A good amount of acid keeps it bright. Creamy lemons are surrounded by cantaloupe and yellow pear, leading to a nice cream and butter finish."- Mike Supple

2002 St Clement Merlot 750ml - $22.99
JJ Buckley, Dec 2004: "Dark, almost black core, surrounded by a bright maroon and crimson rim. Warm, rich aromas of black cherries, plum and blackberries with sweet cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and molasses. On the palate there is a nice solid core of red and black fruits. Good ripe tannins supporting the body, and a lingering hazelnut, baker's chocolate and plum finish."- Mike Supple

2000 Steele Syrah Parmelee Hill Vineyard 750ml - $23.99
Wine Spectator, Jan 2003, 86 points: "Tart and firm, with black cherry, cedar, beef and bitter chocolate character. Tangy acidity, solid tannin and cedary flavors linger on the finish. Drink now through 2007. 500 cases made."

2005 Whitehall Lane Chardonnay 750ml - $27.99
JJ Buckley, Oct 2007: "Very bright in the glass with solid gold core. Ripe fruit aromas of pineapple, yellow apple and pear are surrounded by fresh herbal notes and a hint of slate. A subtle entry on the palate builds in acid on the mid through to the finish. Tropical pineapple flavors dominate the palate and are backed by a rich oak and cream component giving the wine a nice medium bodied mouth feel. Lingering notes of pear and pineapple with vanilla spice."- Mike Supple

AUSTRALIA

2004 Rosemount Semillon / Chardonnay Proprietary Blend 750ml - $6.99
Stephen Tanzer, Aug 2005, 88 points: "Pale gold color. Perfumed, leesy, buttery aromas of honeyed peach and mango. Ripe and smoky on the palate, with flavors of ripe pineapple, lichee and apricot firmed by juicy acids. Persistent and firm on the back end. A nice showing for this bottling."

AUSTRALIA - SOUTH AUSTRALIA

2002 Pearson Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml - $33.99
Wine Advocate, Oct 2004, 90 points: "There are 150 cases of the 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec. Aromas of smoky oak, black currants, flowers, loamy soil, and anise are followed by a medium to full-bodied Cabernet with good tannic structure as well as a pure finish. Drink it over the next decade."

2001 Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml - $24.99
Wine Spectator, Jun 2004, 88 points: "Firm and a bit chunky, but generous with its currant and spicy oak flavors, which linger nicely. Drink now through 2009. 4,000 cases made. -HS"

2002 Reschke Vitulus Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml - $24.99
Wine Spectator, Jan 2004, 86 points: "Lithe, supple style has a layer of ripe currant at the core, finishing with fine tannins and a coffee note. Best from 2007 through 2012. 2,000 cases made. -HS"

FRANCE - BORDEAUX

2001 Charmail Bordeaux Blend 750ml - $19.99
Wine Advocate, Jun 2004, 87 points: "...Charmail's 2001...is a pleasant, elegant, medium-bodied effort. Drink it over the next 5-7 years."

FRANCE - BURGUNDY

2003 Collonge, Domaine de la Macon Fuisse Chardonnay 750ml - $12.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Medium gold core with a lighter rim. Yellow pear aromas followed by a touch of cream and wet slate. There is a hint of sweet on the palate with big pear, apple and peach flavors leading to the medium length finish." - Mike Supple

FRANCE - LANGUEDOC ROUSSILLON

2001 Galtier, Domaine Coteaux du Languedoc Cuvee Kermes Proprietary Blend 750ml - $12.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Dark core with a garnet rim. Plums, vitamin C, smoke and black cherry on the nose. Dense black fruit on the palate. Medium bodied."- Mike Supple

2004 Lamargue, Chateau Costieres de Nimes Proprietary Blend 750ml - $7.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Medium ruby core with a touch of garnet in the rim. Very perfumy with flowers and fresh herbs over darker charcoal and black cherry. Soft and round in the mouth with a nice lingering dark fruit finish."- Mike Supple

2003 Valensac, Domaine de Reserve Lafon Merlot 750ml - $10.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Dark core with a brick red rim. Plum, red cherry and spicy cinnamon aromas. Licorice on the palate surrounded by bold cedar, leading to white truffle and prunes on the finish. Nice tannic grip on the back."- Mike Supple

FRANCE - RHONE

2003 Vieux Lazaret, Domaine du Cotes Du Ventoux Prestige Proprietary Blend 750ml - $9.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Black and ruby core with a lighter rim. Sweet black licorice and black cherry over wet stone aromas. Medium bodied with dark flavors of stewed plums, cassis, dark anise and a hint of game."- Mike Supple

ITALY - TRENTINO ALTO ADIGE

2004 Concilio Pinot Grigio Contessa Manci Pinot Gris 750ml - $13.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Pale lemon green in the glas. Crisp, light aromas of flint and sweet green apple. Medium bodied with very crisp acidity. Good minerality and apple flavors. Light and refreshing. "- Mike Supple

ITALY - TUSCANY

2002 Fuligni Rosso di Montalcino Sangiovese 750ml - $29.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Bright ruby core with a lighter orange rim. Dark plum and black cherry aromas backed by sweet tobacco and black truffles. The palate mirrors the nose well with a medium body and nice length of finish."- Mike Supple

2005 Placido Rosso di Montalcino Sangiovese Grosso 750ml - $14.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Deep ruby core with a vibrant rim. Dark cherry, cassis, black truffle and roasted leather aromas. Smooth entry on the palate. Nice acid on the mid-palate. Caramel and black cherry linger on the finish."- Mike Supple

ITALY - UMBRIA

2005 Castello Delle Regine Bianco Proprietary Blend 750ml - $15.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "30% Charonnday, 30% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Riesling, 10% Pinot Grigio. Medium gold with a bright rim.The Reisling really lifts the aromas out of the glass giving a nice white flower nose with whice licorice and sweet candied citrus peel. Dry and crisp entry onto the palate with apricot and yellow apple flavors. Nice acid and balance leading to a medium length finish. A fun little wine."- Mike Supple

2005 Cecchi Orvieto Classico Proprietary Blend 750ml - $6.99
JJ Buckley, Oct 2007: "Pale lemon yellow with a clear core. Very light and flinty on aromas. Fresh floral notes are underscored by wild honeycomb. Nice acidity on the front of the palate. The honeycomb comes through strong, with wet stone and lingering citrus notes."- Mike Supple

ITALY - VENETO

2003 Ecco Domani Merlot Delle Venezie 750ml - $9.99
JJ Buckley, Mar 2008: "Dark ruby core with a pink and orange rim. Milk chocolate and smokey aromas over red cherry and raspberry. Soft entry in the mouth. Easy drinking red cherry with an earthy mineral finish."- Mike Supple

NEW ZEALAND - MARLBOROUGH

2005 Thornbury Sauvignon Blanc 750ml - $16.99
Wine Spectator, Nov 2006, 88 points: "Bright and zingy, with a pretty apricot note adding interest to the lime and green apple flavors, persisting nicely on the finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases imported. -HS"

SOUTH AFRICA - COASTAL REGION

2001 Fleur du Cap Merlot 750ml - $11.99
Wine Spectator, Jan 2003, 85 points: "Medium-bodied red and blackberry fruit, with hints of herbs, chocolate and pepper. Moderate finish. Drink now. 35,000 cases made. -JM"

SPAIN

2005 Alta Almanzora Este Proprietary Blend 750ml - $8.99
Wine Advocate, Feb 2008, 89 points: "The 2005 Alto Almanzora "Este" is a blend of 60% Monastrell, 10% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha with the balance three other varieties. The wine was aged for 6 months in French and American oak. Opaque purple-colored, the wine exhibits a surprisingly complex array of mineral, mushroom, black cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied with gobs of ripe fruit, this easy drinking wine has a firm, lengthy finish. At the asking price, this is an awesome value. Drink it over the next 2 years (although the adventurous might want to cellar a case or two for a couple of years and be pleasantly surprised by its evolution)."

Click Here to place your order for a mystery case of 12 randomly selected wines for $99.

Highest Scoring California Syrah Under $50

2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah - RP95 Points and ONLY $49.99

Today's offer is almost too good to be true: a well structured, elegant, and balanced California Syrah that, for the last decade, has never scored below 90 points by Robert Parker or Wine Spectator and has never budged from its 50 dollar price point! The 2005 vintage was most recently awarded a remarkable 95 points from Robert Parker, the highest score ever in this winery's impeccable career. We can assure you that the price is on its way up soon.

While Cabernet may be considered king in Napa, many people believe that because the soil and weather there are actually better suited for Syrah than for Cabernet Sauvignon, the brightest future lies with Syrah. Robert Parker explains the California Syrah market by saying: "It is distressing to see how many terrific Syrahs are being made throughout California, often at remarkably fair prices, with fabulous personalities and characters, that are largely ignored in the retail marketplace."

At Langier Meredith they do one thing and one thing only: beautiful, perfumed, French-styled Syrah. Sitting atop Mt. Veeder at 1,300 feet above the valley floor, the grapes bathe in the cool morning sunshine, able to ripen while retaining high acidity and producing concentrated flavor. This is not your typical jammy, super ripe, over-the-top Shiraz, but a subtle, exotic and noble expression of the Syrah grape.

We take great pride in presenting our customers wines that over deliver in their complexity and pleasure profile, while remaining both true to type and fairly priced. This one has it all, so stock up on this highly rated, value priced Napa Valley Syrah before it sells out!

In Stock

USA - CALIFORNIA

2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah 750ml - $49.99
Wine Advocate, Jan 2007, 95 points: "I have always enjoyed the elegant, French-styled Syrahs from this winery, and this 2005 appears to be the finest they have yet produced. A beautiful deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by aromas of blueberries, black raspberries, spice, and ground pepper. Displaying a seamless integration of acidity, alcohol, tannin, and wood, winemaker/proprietor Carol Meredith has fashioned a brilliant Syrah offering substance and style. With full body, superb balance, a silky texture, and a fascinating mouthfeel, it can be drunk now as well as over the next 7-8 years."
JJ Buckley, Jan 2008: "Black and purple in the core with a pink and fuchsia rim. Big swarming dark aromas of blackberry, cassis and fig surround caramel, black olive, rose petals and a touch of wet earth. In the mouth it is impressively smooth and balanced, with ripe yet chewy tannins on the back palate. Sweet dark berry fruits with charcoal and a hint of leather lead to blackberry and black olive on the finish. This opened very nicely after about 30 minutes in the glass." - Mike Supple