Rhone Steals, RRWC Exclusive

Yesterday afternoon we spent some quality time with Kenny Likitprakong, his wife Lynn, and their lovely baby daughter Ida Mae. Kenny is the owner of Hobo/Banyan wines, as well as Moshin's winemaker.

He now is also collaborating with Sebastien Latour of the tiny Rhone winery Domaine de la Damase, bringing these wines into the USA for the first time. These are fantastic values on food and wallet friendly reds. There were only about 100 cases produced of each. We thought they were tasty as heck. We are also proud to mention we are the only shop in Northern California with these wines.

2006 Domaine de la Damase Vin de Pays de Vacluse

30% Syrah/30% Cinsault/30% Merlot/10% Grenache

$141/case, $11.75/bottle

Pleasingly vivid aromas of pepper, flint, violets and graham cracker. Pretty flavors of cocoa, raspberry and dried cherry. A velvety texture runs throughout, and lightly gripping tannins bode well for some bottle age.

2006 Domaine de la Damase Cotes du Rhone

60% Grenache/20% Carignane/20% Syrah

$192/case, $16/bottle

Smooth and rich, with an appealing earthiness, gobs of bramble, dark chocolate, coffee, and baking spice. This is the kind of wine I'll buy in a shop on a whim, open up on a Wednesday night, and kick my self later for not grabbing a case.

2005 Le Clochard

$252/case, $21/bottle

A winemaking collaboration between Sebastien and Kenny, this is a beautiful wine composed of 90% Mourvedre from 75 year old vines, 5% Syrah, and 5% Grenache; aged in 2nd fill barrels bought from Chateau Lafite.

This blend was just too "complicated" for the AOC, so it's "officially" a non-vintage Vin du Table. The rooster on the label (Chinese calendar, year of the rooster, 2005-shhh, don't tell the French government) is the clue to its vintage. This wine is smoky, spicy, meaty, juicy, complex, flavorful and intensely aromatic. It should age well for 10 years or so.

Cult Cab Flash! Axios and Venge!

Axios 2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

$1524/case, $127/bottle

"A Napa Cabernet worthy of bearing an emperor's image." – Wine Spectator

This larger than life wine is one of the consistently best of all the Napa "cult cabs," with brooding, complex flavors of wild sun-ripened black fruits, cedar, earth, tobacco, anise and oak spice, culminating in an impressively long finish.

It's crafted by genius winemaker Bob Egelhoff who has been instrumental in classic vintages from Beckstoffer Vineyards, Harlan Estate, Pahlmeyer, Merryvale, David Arthur and Richard Partridge, among others. The fruit is sourced from two immaculately tended vineyards: one in the Eastern Rutherford Hills and another at a higher elevation near the Howell Mountain appellation.

This is handcrafted A-List Napa Cabernet made by one of this country's greatest winemakers. If you collect, or just appreciate the very best things in life, you need some of this.

Venge 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley Family Reserve

$1104/case, $92/bottle

Nils Venge is universally regarded as a California wine pioneer. From his groundbreaking work with Villa Mount Eden and Groth in the 70's and 80's, to more recent accomplishments at Plumpjack, Del Dotto and his own Saddleback Cellars, Venge has consistently remained on the cutting edge of the Napa wine world. During his tenure at Groth Venge became the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 point rating from Wine Critic Robert Parker Jr. The 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon catapulted Venge to a venerated position in the California wine industry

Since 1999, Nils' son Kirk has been Venge's winemaker and Dad's co-conspirator on many projects, and he has definitely taken them to the next level, if such a thing is possible.

Kirk is without a doubt one of the hottest young winemakers out there.

We absolutely loved this wine at the recent Oakville Growers Tasting, and worked hard to get a bit of this classic Oakville Cabernet to you. Robert Parker is equally enthusiastic about this big bold wine, giving it a 92 score.

Our Tasting Notes:

Fans of serious Napa Cabernet need look no further. A deep, brooding hue and a nose of blackberry, tobacco and cedar opens the door; and the first sip escorts you into the foyer (vestibule?) of smoky, dark fruit. Black cherry, red licorice and black currant mingle with spicy oak, earth, tar and graphite on the long finish. The powerful and unique structure, exquisite tannins and classic Oakville flavor profile make this one a must taste affair.

Marietta: Still the Best Wine for the $ in California!

Marietta Cellars '03 Angeli Cuvee

$342/case, $28.50/bottle

Marietta Cellars '04 Emilia's Cuvee

$342/case, $28.50/bottle

Marietta Cellars 2002 Zinfandel Sonoma County

$225/case, $18.75/bottle

Owner and winemaker Chris Bilbro initially founded Marietta Cellars in 1979 in an abandoned cow barn in the Dry Creek Valley. Over the last twenty-seven years, Chris has developed a product of incredible consistency both in quality and price with relatively complete anonymity. Marietta's flagship is the Anglei Cuvee, and it possesses perhaps the finest price/quality ratio of any wine in California. The new release is the 2003 version; Chris likes to hold them back until they are "ready to go." The 2004 Emilia's Cuvee is a delicious and decadent addition to the lineup, and the Zin is as great as ever…

Marietta Cellars 2003 Angeli Cuvée
$342/case, $28.50/bottle

Magnums - $75

A limited amount of the 2002 version is available also – by the case only at $342

If you are one of our many clients that pick this distinctive wine up every year, you know what this wine is all about. If you have not tasted this wine before, it is truly a unique experience.

The wine is made from Zinfandel grapes planted around the turn of the century in Geyserville, just north of Healdsburg. Some Petite Sirah is blended in to provide added structure and power. A small amount of old vine Carignane adds floral mid-palate flavors and sharpness of focus on the fruit in the wine. The end result is an immense and lusty offering that sports heady ripe raspberry fruit that is thick and mouth filling.

Additional black fruits, pepper and exotic spices round out this hedonistic delight. This is a serious wine aged for twenty months in French oak and built to age up to 10 years or more. The wine has a loyal following because there is nothing quite like it. This is one of THE best Angelis we've seen. It won't last long.

Marietta Cellars '04 Emilia's Cuvee

$342/case, $28.50/bottle

This is a blend of Montepulciano and Negro Amaro sourced from a killer vineyard in Mendocino County. These Italian varietals translate well to Chris' style – all the vital acidity is there, along with the big lush expression of fruit. Earth, tar, licorice and herbs join the explosive jumble of blueberry, coffee, dark chocolate and raspberry; with a clean orange zest kissed finish. A beautiful wine that should appeal to any fan of what Chris does with a "cuvee."

Marietta Cellars 2002 Zinfandel Sonoma County

$225/case, $18.75/bottle

Everything a Sonoma Zin should be – bold, nearly larger than life and spicy, with a cleaner, even more fruit driven profile than previous vintages. Raspberry, Blackberry, mocha and pepper mingle with nutmeg and vanilla. Those pricing their Zins at $30 or more would do well to taste this one and hang their head in shame.


Jon Kelvey-Winebroker
Russian River Wine Company
Healdsburg, CA 95448
1-800-477-0490 ext 17

Just Deserts: 99 Point Loire Gems

These are some of the finest dessert wines the Loire has to offer…

They are also extremely limited; we only have a couple cases of each to share – first come first served.

Philippe Delesvaux Coteaux du Layon Sélection de Grains Nobles 1999

$1524/case 500ML

Wine Spectator

99 Points

"So lush, so creamy, so dense, you almost lose track of the fig, almond, quince, persimmon, green tea, mineral and spice flavors here. Incredible length on the finish, with the flavors lingering effortlessly. An absolutely stunning wine. Drink now through 2025."

Philippe Delesvaux Coteaux du Layon Sélection de Grains Nobles 2004

$1224/case 500 ML

Wine Spectator

95 Points

"Seems very rich at first, with blood orange, persimmon and ginger notes, but then the fine minerality takes over, carrying it to a long elegant finish thanks to its rapierlike acidity. Each sip makes you want another. Drink now through 2020. 250 cases made."

Philippe Delesvaux Coteaux du Layon-St.-Aubin Clos du Pavillon 2004

$492/case 500ML

Wine Spectator

93 Points

Pure and precise, with apricot, persimmon, fig and dried tangerine notes riding atop lacy acidity and a fine, minerally spine. Beautiful balance, with the flavors playing out on the finish. Drink now through 2013. 300 cases made.

Plus a Cabernet for the adventurous…

Philippe Delesvaux Anjou La Montée de l'Epine 2004

$300/case

Wine Spectator

91 Points

Has a layer of tobacco-infused toast, but also a lovely beam of black cherry and currant fruit. Dark, lengthy finish shows mineral and more tobacco hints. Drink now through 2009. 250 cases made.



Jon Kelvey-Wine Broker
Russian River Wine Co
132 Plaza St.
Headldsburg, CA 95448
1-800-477-0490 ext 17
jonkelvey@gmail.com

Inaugural Release! Jayson Pinot Noir by Pahlmeyer

2005 Jayson (By Pahlmeyer)

Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

$789/case, $65.75/bottle

Sourced from Pahlmeyer’s Wayfarer Vineyard two ridges in from the Pacific Ocean, the Jayson Pinot Noir is a "declassification" of the Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir. After a meticulous selection process in assembling the final blend of the Pahlmeyer Pinot Noir, Erin Green determines which to bottle under the Jayson label.

The winery never purchases juice or wine to make Jayson wines, and as far as the barrels used, winemaking, etc.; they are treated just like the Pahlmeyer wines.

Erin describes this Pinot as having a nose of Bing cherries and rich earth, with blackberry and elegant tannins on the palate; the wine has a long complex finish with touches of plum and spice, with a long elegant finish. "The fruit and acid balance in this wine make it a quintessential Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, lively in the mouth with lots of stuffing and complexity at the same time," she says.

Miner Wild Yeast-Cult Chardonnay Classic?

Pre Release – Wine to arrive at our shop the first week of June.

2005 Miner Wild Yeast Chardonnay Napa Valley

$600/case, $50/bottle

Miner Wild Yeast Chardonnay is back with a vengeance; and it's as rich and decadent as ever. The 2005 might be the best version of this cult Chardonnay classic yet.

Aromas of vanilla and pear are followed by effusive ripe fruit flavors, buttery goodness, and subtle toast on the palate. Citrus and caramel notes add to the intrigue of this smooth, juicy, dramatic, supple and unabashedly sexy chardonnay.

The 2004 was a favorite among our clients and disappeared very quickly and we expect the same to happen with the 2005 version………

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Cheers,

Jon Kelvey

Russian River Wine Company
132 Plaza St.
Healdsburg CA, 95448
1-800-477-0490 Ext 17
Jonkelvey@gmail.com

Mercury Head: Dave Phinney's Masterpiece Cabernet

Dave Phinney's (the Prisoner) annual Cabernet masterpiece

2004 Mercury Head Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
$456/six pack, $76/bottle (six bottle limit)

Those in the know know what this delicious cult cab is all about...