Purchase a half-case or more of Italian wine and get 50% off shipping with code "cellar21"

The Monte Rosso vineyard is located in the Mayacamas Mountain range nearly 1,000 feet above the Sonoma Valley. Louis Martini has an amazing history as one of the first wineries to make wine in the Napa Valley and although I won't go into that history, you can check out the timeline here.

The 2005 Monte Rosso Cab is composed of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petite Verdot, and was aged in 90% French oak and 10% American oak barrels.

On the nose I get aromas of black raspberry, savory milk chocolate, chocolate covered raisins, and sweet tobacco. It's a beautiful bouquet and one that expresses the best of California's abundant sunshine. It's fruit- driven and full of luscious black fruit aromas.

On the palate I get flavors reminiscent of black raspberry, black plum, chocolate covered raisin, and black cherry. There's some really nice plush and ripe tannin, lots of fruit, and not a whole lot of earth or soil driven notes.

I really enjoyed this wine because of it's big ripe fruit, sturdy tannin, and unmistakable California character. The purity of the black raspberry and cherry aromas and flavors are what define this wine. 92 points

This wine is certainly of no small reputation and may be Chile's best scored wine of the decade. Looking over the wine scores for Don Melchor over the last 10 years, I couldn't find a single score under 91 points. This vintage that I'm lucky enough to be tasting was actually a 96pt wine and #4 on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 wines. I have tasted this wine before, but let's find out how the wine has matured over the last five years or so, and see if indeed the wine was worthy of such merit.

The color has held up absolutely perfectly and it's almost just as dark and opaque as it was upon release. There is only the very slightest of fading towards the edges of the glass, but if you didn't know it was the 03' this could easily go unnoticed.

On the nose I get the most fabulous and distinctly Chilean aromas of pepper, dried herbs, blackberry, black currant, scorched earth, mineral, and coffee. It has this peppery loam and mineral character that is absolutely mind-boggling. This is truly a distinctive and perplexing bouquet and one that tops my list of wines that demonstrate a true "sense of place". Awesome stuff...

On the palate this wine touches down with a barrage of black currant and blackberry flavor, as well as secondary notes of black pepper, mineral, tar, sage, and bitter chocolate. The tannins are still very much a factor on the finish towards the front of the palate, and the black currant sings for at least a minute or two post-sip. (you like that...."post-sip")!

This is just an all around a remarkable wine, and I'm actually tasting the bottle on the second day of being open and it has improved dramatically. If you have this in your cellar then you're very lucky because it is drinking beautifully right now and I can only see it getting better throughout the next decade. 95 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

It's always a fabulous experience to be able to taste aged wines and really analyze how they have changed over the years. Not only is it fun to see how the wine itself has changed in the bottle, but it's also fun to reflect upon the changes the winery has gone through over the years as well. This particular bottle of wine is quite interesting to taste because of what Mondavi means to the American wine industry, and because in 1992 the late Mr. Mondavi actually still owned the winery. So......it's like tasting a true piece of history.

On the nose I get aromas of stewed cherry, dusty coco powder, peppercorn, plum, earth, tobacco, and a touch of mushroom. It's a bouquet that develops dramatically in the glass and opens up to reveal several layers beyond the initial impressions. The wine is distinctively Mondavi Reserve with it's peppercorn, coco,  cherry, and earthy tones. This is definitely made in the "old world" style that once defined the Mondavi Cabernet's of the early 90's and back through the 70's and 80's. I mean it's only 13.5% alcohol for Christ's sake.....(which I love).

On the palate the wine continues in the same vain with it's cherry and plum fruit, and also shows some really interesting earth and forest floor notes. There are definitely some secondary layers of peppercorn and tobacco that impress as well. The tannins are surprisingly showing pretty firm still and the wine seems to be  very nicely balanced with both fruit and earthy tones. The finish is long and dry with some nice plum, cranberry, and coco flavors. 92+ points

Click here to find out more about this wine

Leonetti has long been considered the "benchmark" for Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon and their dedication to producing world class wines since the late 70's has helped the region develop into what it is today.  I'm excited to be tasting this wine because as in most wine markets, Leonetti is very limited and has become somewhat of a hot commodity in the retail segment. The times that I have been lucky enough to taste the wine, it's mostly come from private cellars of close friends who are on the mailing list.

The 2007 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 4% Carmenere, and 3% Malbec.........(Yes, I said Carmenere!! awesome huh)......The wine was aged in both new and neutral French and American oak for a total of 22 months.

This very dark and opaquely colored wine has a bouquet that expresses aromas of black currant, black cherry, coffee grind, spice, toasted oak, and a slight touch of cinnamon-sugar. This wine is far too young to be consuming as is and needs serious decanting in order for the aromas to blossom. In time I believe this nose could develop into something far more layered and complex.

On the palate I get dark and dense flavors of black currant, ripe blackberry, black licorice, toast, cedar, and hints of coffee bean. This wine is loaded with intensity and big ripe tannin. You can immediately tell when drinking it that the wine has the capability to age gracefully for decades, mainly because of the balanced acidity and density of structure. Trust me folks......this wine has all the skeleton! The finish is really long and leaves lingering flavors of wild blackberry, vanilla, and coffee grind. 94 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

La Spinetta has been one of my favorite producers of Italian wine for quite some time. They make some of the most delicious Nebbiolo based wines on the planet (especially their Barbaresco's), but they also make stunning wines from Barbera and Sangiovese. They actually own three different wineries' two in Piedmonte and one in Tuscany. This wine is produced at the original Castagnole Lanze winery located in Piedmonte. It's made from 100% Barbera and was aged for 12 months in French oak, and an additional 6 months in stainless steel before bottling.

I'd like to first suggest that before you consume this wine that it be properly decanted for a few hours before pouring it. I found it to be very much a wine that improves with being aerated at this particular stage in it's life. Once properly oxygenated the wine improves at least ten-fold.

On the nose I get aromas of dark chocolate covered cherry, black plum, meat, spicy oak, earth/soil, and some rustic and earthy blackberry notes. It's a very complex effort on the nose and one that I wouldn't mind smelling over and over as it unfolds.

On the palate I get some tart blackberry flavors that combine with secondary notes of dark chocolate, tar, and leather. It has a very tart mixed-berry complexity and is nice and dry on the finish. This is most definitely above-average Barbera, and one that I believe is a perfect value and a serious candidate for my everyday table wine of choice. 89+ points

Click here to find out more about this wine

Harris Presents the 2011 Milwaukee Wine Festival Aug. 12-13

WHAT:
inPLAY EVENTS announces the return of the 2011 Milwaukee Wine Festival presented by Harris to be held Aug. 12-13 on the grounds of the Milwaukee Art Museum. The two-day, outdoor event, will provide festival-goers an opportunity to sample more than 200 fine wines from around the globe in a relaxed setting along the shore of Lake Michigan with a beautiful view of the Santiago Calatrava.

WHO:
Wine seminars, cooking demonstrations and Craft beer tasting are conducted by event sponsors, exhibiting wineries, area chefs and restaurateurs. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy live music that will be performed on the festival stage as well as enjoy some of the area's most exquisite food from local restaurants.

WHEN:
Friday, August 12th from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 13th t from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Milwaukee Art Museum
700 Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202

HOW:
Adult Wine Tasting Tickets are $27 in advance and $35 at the gate. This ticket price includes a souvenir wine glass, 10 tastings, a Festival Program and food and wine demonstrations, musical entertainment, and the opportunity to purchase wine at a discount. Adult Craft Beer Tasting tickets are $27 in advance and $35 at the door which includes admittance and 10 craft beer tasting coupons. Adult Wine and Craft Beer Tasting Tickets are $43 in advance, and $50 at the door which includes admittance, and 10 wine and 10 beer tasting coupons. All advance tickets can be purchased through Thursday, August 11th. For each of these ticket options, buy 15 or more adult tickets and receive $2.50 off each ticket.

Designated Driver tickets are $10 in advance or at the door. This ticket includes two non-alcoholic drinks, a Festival Program, food and wine seminars, access to cooking demonstrations, musical entertainment and a souvenir wine glass upon departure. Attendees under 21 are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.milwaukeewinefestival.com or by phone at 877-772-5425. Please note an additional fee applies for phone orders. Phone center hours are 8:00am to 9:00pm Central time - 7 days a week. Advanced tickets can also be purchased at the Milwaukee Art Museum Store. Tickets will also be available for purchase on the festival grounds at the Milwaukee Art Museum on the day of the festival. The festival takes place rain or shine.

For more information about the 2011 Milwaukee Wine Festival, please visit www.milwaukeewinefestival.com

I have always been a big fan of the wines from Flowers and am usually really impressed with the purity of their wines. The 2009 Sonoma Coast is a blend of diverse Sonoma Coast vineyards including two estate vineyards Sea View Ridge and Camp Meeting Ridge. The wine was aged 100% French oak for a total of nine months.

On the nose I get bright cherry aromas that combine with mineral, cherry cough syrup, and a touch of orange peel. It has a very classic Pinot Noir wildness or almost a touch of earthiness unique to the variety.

On the palate the wine continues to show it's bright cherry character as well as hints of cranberry, rhubarb, and mineral. The wine is light in body, but has a pretty striking acidity.

I do have to admit that in previous vintages I have been more impressed with this particular wine. I found it to be very simple and almost a bit understated; lacking the amount of complexity that I have been accustomed to with the typical offerings from this winery. However, it's still a really nice wine and may improve with some additional bottle age. 88 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

Visit us for great deals on fine wine.

Rochioli is such a icon when we speak of Sonoma and in particular the Russian River Valley. The family legacy began in 1938, when Joe Rochioli Sr. purchased land he had long farmed. Now after three generations the family continues to dedicate their energy to producing exceptional wines from their estate vineyards.

The 2007 Estate Chardonnay is a blend from two different vineyard sites; 24% River Block Vineyard and 76% Mid 40 Vineyard. It was aged for 9 months in 100% French oak (35% new).

This golden colored Chardonnay has a beautiful and elegant bouquet with aromas of baked apple, acacia flowers, wet stone, french vanilla, and spice.

On the palate wine shows an equal amount of elegance with it's sleek and ribboned texture, and bold flavors of golden apple, lemon curd, nutmeg, vanilla, and mineral. The acidity of the wine is what really impresses me and makes me believe that with even a few more years of bottle age, this wine will only continue to improve. In fact, I believe the wine may be a bit too young and hasn't yet developed into the full range of complexity that it embodies within. 91-93 points

Click here to find out more about this wine

I don't have the opportunity to taste that much Amarone, even though it's actually one of my favorite types of wine on the earth. It's often just a touch above the price range that I'm willing to spend for a bottle of wine for the dinner table, unless of course it's for a special occasion. However, I popped a split-bottle of this 03' the other night to pair with a beautiful buffalo tenderloin dish that was prepared for me at the bistro next to the wine shop where I work. Needless to say the pairing was amazing and the wine showed beautifully. Anyways, here's my tasting notes:

The color of the wine still had a dark red core, but it did show signs of fading to a lighter and almost brick-red color towards the edges of the glass.

On the nose I got prunes, black plum, stewed cherry, hints of leather, and tobacco. As the wine opened up new layers and complexity would reveal themselves such as brown sugar, white pepper, earth, and blueberry.

On the palate I got a very nice and voluptuous texture and flavors that reminded me of black plum, tobacco, brandied cherries, chocolate truffle, coco powder, and powdered sugar. There is a touch of alcohol that peeks through on the finish, but that is almost to be expected with aged Amarone. 91+ points

Click here to find out more about this wine

This is certainly a wine with a pretty high reputation and one that many people who drink fine wine will be familiar with. Cakebread Cellars has had plenty of success throughout the years and I believe it's mainly because their wines are pretty damn consistent and maintain a high qualitative standard.

The 2009 Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from several vineyards throughout the Napa Valley, but the majority of the wine is composed of fruit grown on their estate vineyards in Rutherford, Calistoga and Carneros. The wine is 91% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon, and 4% Sauvignon Musque, and was fermented in 82% stainless steel and 18% French Oak. The wine was also 95% aged in neutral French oak for a total of 5 months.

On the nose I get what us wine geeks affectionately like to refer to as "cat pee" as well as hints of citrus peel, tangerine, mineral, and a touch of yeast or lees. It also carries a touch of white blossom aromas which I believe stems from the use of the musque clone.

On the palate the wine is very clean and precise, delivering flavors reminiscent of tangerine and mandarin, mineral, and a touch of lemon oil. The acidity is pretty remarkable for a wine made in the sunshine of Napa Valley, and the texture is rounded on the mid-palate from the use of neutral oak in the aging process. Overall this wine is a very solid effort and one that merits an above average rating. 90 points 

Click here to find out more about this wine

The Maldonado Family makes some really amazing small production wines in the Napa Valley and I encourage anyone looking for the true essence of the Napa to seek out their wines. I previously reviewed their other Chardonnay from the "Parr Vineyard" in Sonoma. The "Los Olivos" Chardonnay is from their Napa Valley Estate and is a great example of the complexity and depth that can be achieved with California Chard.

On the nose I get amazing aromas of fig, lemon curd, custard, caramel, golden apple, nutmeg, and toasted oak. Wow! What and amazing bouquet that's packed with intense perfume and layers of complexity.

On the palate the wine is equally compelling showing flavors of candied fig, lemon custard, pineapple, and  tropical coconut and guava. The texture is amazingly round and luscious, but the wine finishes clean and has a very balanced acidity.

This is really amazing wine and while I rate the "Parr Vineyard" even higher than this particular Chardonnay, this wine is certainly nothing to scoff at. 93+ Points

Click here to find out more about this wine