Veritas Wine Bar Bottle List
The Listed Prices are for On-Premises Consumption
Ask your server for the Take Home Retail Price, which is competitive with any Retail Price in Dallas
Please note that this list is not comprehensive and that several hundred other labels may be enjoyed
NEW WORLD WINES
REDS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON & CAB-BASED BLENDS
2007 Becker Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon (Texas) $17
This is proof that Texas makes tasty, easy-drinking wines! Drink local!
2006 Goodnite Cabernet Sauvignon Central Coast (California) $25
Named for Charles Goodnite, who was a Captain of the Texas Rangers and the inventor of the Chuck Wagon, this California Cabernet is full of soft berry flavors and approachable tannins.
2006 Silver Palm Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $26
This North Coast California Cab is soft, lush and rich with a touch of vanilla providing complexity on the finish. If you’ve been looking for value in a California Cab, you just found it.
2006 Rock & Vine California Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $30
This Cab-based blend is aged for 16 months in French and American Oak. The rich blackberry and cassis flavors mingle with roasted coffee aromas. Sweet oak and spice linger on the finish.
2006 Vina Robles Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $32
Restaurant Wine magazine: “4 Stars. [T]his is a rich, Zin-like Cabernet with good balance and a very long finish, tasting of plum and blackberry jam, with overtones of toast, cedar and aniseed.”
2006 Pascual Toso Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Argentina) $35
Wine Spectator: “89 Points. This is quite ripe, with velvety textured raspberry and dark plum fruit layered with notes of mocha and milk chocolate. The fleshy, smoky finish is very fan-friendly.”
2005 Elderton Friends Vineyard Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Australia) $37
Elderton is among the greatest producers in all of Australia. 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot, this juice offers black cherries, chocolate and spice with an elegant mouthfeel.
2005 Slingshot Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $37
This Napa Cab is full of blueberry, cigar smoke and essence of vanilla. Guy Stout, one of only 4 Master Sommeliers working in Texas, was involved in the final blending of this wine.
2006 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington) $45
This Washington mélange of 80% Cab, 7% Merlot, 7% Cab Franc, 5% Syrah and 1% Malbec features smooth tannins, dark berry flavors and notes of chocolate and coffee! 1000 cases.
2006 Stuhlmuller Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $53
The Wine Enthusiast: “91 Points. Shows the soft acids, gentle tannins and herbaceousness that mark most Alexander Valley Cabs, with supporting cherry, red currant and licorice flavors. It’s a complex wine, balanced and intriguing …” 2752 cases produced.
2005 Trefethen Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $55
This Oak Knoll Cab is a blend of grapes from Trefethen’s Estate Vineyards with a small amount of Merlot, Cab Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot blended in to provide depth, complexity and accessibility. The 16 months of aging in French and American Oak resulted in this stunning wine’s tremendous complexity. This wine sells for $50 plus shipping from the Trefethen website!
2006 Von Strasser Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $65
From AppellationAmerica.com: “Rudy and Rita von Strasser began making wine in the Diamond Mountain District in 1990. Rudy [was] … the first American to be invited to intern with Bordeaux’s famed Chateau Lafite-Rotschild … All of the wine is limited in production and highly allocated.” This wine sells for $50 plus shipping from V-S website!
2005 B Cellars B25 Blend (California) $65
Robert Parker: “91 Points. Offers a big, sweet nose of blackberries, chocolate, coffee beans, and plums. Full bodied with excellent fruit, low acidity and a broad, savory mouthfeel, it should provide plenty of pleasure during its exuberant youth.” 1733 cases produced.
2004 Rustenberg “Peter Barlow” Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa) $79
Stephen Tanzer: “93+ points. “Pure, perfumed aromas of cassis, minerals, licorice and flowers. It enters the mouth with subtlety, building inexorably in silky texture, concentration and power. Wonderfully spicy and penetrating, finishing with noble, sweet tannins and superb persistence.” 292 cases imported to the US.
2005 Rodney Strong Symmetry Meritage Red Wine (California) $80
Wine Enthusiast: “94 Points. Rodney Strong’s Symmetry is more tannic than their ‘05 Reserve Cab, and it also has more complex flavors from being a blend of all five Bordeaux varieties. It shows a deep streak of dark stone fruits, black and blue berries, cassis, carob, violets and smoky cedar. Fine and elegant now, and it should develop nicely over the next decade.”
2005 Hoopes Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (California) $89
Bounty Hunter Rare Wine & Provisions, internationally regarded as one of the finest sources of hard-to-find California Cab said this: “A delectable presentation of classic Oakville cassis and black cherry flavors with … lavish new oak to ratchet up the intensity. This was one of the stars at the Taste of Oakville, which is about the toughest room we know of to make a statement about Cabernet. It went toe-to-toe with wines double and triple its price tag.” 552 cases produced.
PINOT NOIR
2008 Cono Sur Pinot Noir (Chile) $25
Medium ruby colored, this affordable quaffer has a tempting bouquet of strawberry and cherry. The red fruit aromas are confirmed on the palate and are balanced by lively acidity.
2005 Cooralook Pinot Noir (Australia) $29
Wine Spectator: “89 Points. Light and fragrant. The supple texture provides a lovely vehicle for the pretty blackberry and currant fruit to slip though gracefully, lingering effortlessly on the delicate finish.” Only 1500 cases of this hard-to-find juice were produced!
2008 Siduri Pinot Noir Sonoma County California) $33
Wine Spectator: “90 Points. Exhibits a complex, concentrated mix of berry, floral, lavender, spice and mineral notes that are well-distributed, full-bodied and polished, fanning out nicely on the finish. 1374 cases made.”
2006 Picket Fence Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (California) $39
Its flavors of ripe berries and black cherries are complemented by a subtle herb profile. With touches of cedar and minerals, this wine has been a Veritas favorite from the Day One!
2006 Anne Amie Winemaker’s Selection Pinot Noir (Oregon) $49
Given 90 points by Burghound and The Wine Advocate, this Oregon Pinot features a refined nose of strawberry and a touch of maple syrup. The palate is well-structured with integrated tannins, dark berry flavors and hints of espresso and mushrooms which provide great complexity.
2006 L’Angevin Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (California) $59
L’Angevin is one of the finest cult producers of California Pinot. This muscular Pinot has loads of cherry, lots of charred oak, well-integrated tannins and sufficient structure to age. 400 cases.
2006 Woodenhead Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (California) $62
Layered aromas and flavors of dark berries, oaky cinnamon spice and cola morph into black cherry on the finish. Wonderfully soft and velvety, this is small-production deliciousness.
2006 Anthill Farms Tina Marie Vineyards Pinot Noir (California) $79
Stephen Tanzer’s: “92 Points. Bright red. Vibrant, highly expressive nose offers spicy strawberry, raspberry and baking spices. Zesty and sharply focused, with medium weight and intense, pure red fruit flavors. Fine-grained tannins provide shape and extend through the long, sappy finish. An impressively fresh, elegant pinot with admirable balance and purity.” 200 cases.
ZINFANDEL
2005 Graziano Mendocino Zinfandel (California) $27
Bright red fruit, spice, oak and pepper greet your nose with an aromatic blast. The red berry flavors are complemented by the touch of sweet oak. E-Z drinkin’!
2007 Joel Gott Zinfandel (California) $28
This Zin combines fruit Lodi, Amador, Napa and Sonoma for a vibrant, powerful, classic zin. Spicy black pepper and anise notes lure you in and then continue to charm on the palate, which is packed with black licorice, black cherry and black berry flavors.
2006 Mettler Epicenter Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi (California) $32
This friendly and approachable Lodi Zin is full of jammy fruit, chocolate, cedar and peppery overtones. Soft vanilla accents linger on the nice finish. Pop it open and guzzle down!
2007 Ridge Three Valleys Zinfandel (California) $35
This blend of 76% zinfandel, 8% petite sirah, 7% syrah, 6% grenache and 3% carignane is the only Ridge wine not made from single vineyard sites. Featuring up front fruit with a counterpoint of spice and earthiness, this wine may be soft and approachable but the various grape varietals provide a unique flavor profile.
2005 Heitz Cellar Napa Valley Zinfandel (California) $39
This is an eminently drinkable Zin from one of the Napa Valley’s most esteemed producers. Juicy red berry fruit dominates the nose and palate of this food-friendly red, with chewy tannins and sweet vanilla creating a grounding base note.
2006 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel (California) $45
From Wine & Spirits. “91 Points. Bright spice drives through the complex dark fruit of this old-vine blend, which includes Petite Syrah (16%) and Carignane (4%). There’s some funk to it that reads like Brett, but it has not taken over the wine.” Veritas loves the funk!!!
2006 Dark Horse Zindandel Treborce Vineyard (California) $54
This California Zin is well-balanced and layered, with a touch of smokiness and Old World ‘funkiness’ adding a complexity to the wild berry aromas and cracked pepper, stewed plum and licorice flavors. The winery’s winemaker, Michael Loykasek, was named the 2007 Winemaker of the Year by the Sonoma County Harvest Fair. 650 cases.
OTHER REDS AND RED BLENDS
2007 Vina Robles 4 (California) $25
This blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Touriga and Tannat received a Gold Medal and 90 Points at the Beverage Tasting Institute World Wine Championships 2008, where it was labeled Exceptional and a Best Buy. Dark, inky and thick, this is value in a bottle!
2008 Pascual Toso Malbec (Argentina) $25
This Malbec is approachable and easy to drink and isn’t that what Malbec is all about?!? The toasty black cherry and raspberry fruit are balanced by soft tannins and subtle hints of oak.
2006 McPherson Sangiovese (Texas) $27
From the Dallas Morning News: “McPherson Sangiovese. Kim McPherson is as close to winemaker royalty as we get in this state. Don’t look for in-your-face fruit. Kim’s winemaking style is elegant, with careful attention to letting the fruit speak for itself.” This is a fantastic food wine, perfect with a variety of cheeses, meats, pizza and even Chef Boyardee!
2007 Tamarack Firehouse Red (Washington) $35
This blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27%Syrah, 16% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 7% Malbec, 3% Sangiovese, 1 % Carmenere and 1% Petite Verdot is fresh, bright, juicy and rich with hints of pepper, espresso and dark chocolate. This is a Veritas Staff Favorite!
2006 Catena Malbec (Argentina) $39
The Wine Spectator loved this wine! “91 Points. Enticing, with lots of mocha, fruitcake, raspberry and boysenberry flavors stretched of a lengthy, fleshy finish. A delicious, fruit-driven version.”
2005 Spann Vineyards Merlot (California) $44
Vintner: “A seductive aroma of ripe red cherries and spicy oak emanates from this elegant, right bank Bordeaux-style wine. Liquid velvet on the tongue, this is richly flavored and versatile, matching well with beef, lamb, fowl or cheese. 20 months in new and older French oak barrels added layers of flavors and marvelous complexity to what these vines gave us.” 193 cases.
2005 Ridge Syrah Lytton West (California) $52
Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine awarded this wine 95 points and named it the top-ranking Syrah in its March 2009 issue. “There is a sense of refinement and pure precision about this bottling that not only moves it to the head of the class but sets it in a class all its own …”
2005 Henry’s Drive Reserve Shiraz Padthaway (Australia) $59
Wine Spectator “91 Points. Bright and open-textured, with pretty raspberry and currant flavors at the core, lingering nicely against finely polished tannins. Has depth and focus, with a coffee note adding interest as the finish rolls on elegantly.” The Wine Spectator SRP is $54!
2006 Vina Robles Suendero (California) $65
This 450 case production wine from Paso Robles was the Grand Champion Best of Show WINNER out of more than 1800 wine entries from 585 wineries in Texas, the U.S. of A. and abroad at the 2008 Houston International Wine Competition. This blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and 47% Petit Verdot is filled notes of strawberry, black currant and blackberry subtly framed by vanilla and coconut aromas from the American Oak aging.
2006 Catena Alta Malbec (Argentina) $65
Wine Advocate: “93 Points. The nicely perfumed bouquet reveals wood smoke, cedar, leather, black cherry and black raspberry. On the palate it is suave, layered and richly fruity with lots of spice notes and well-integrated oak, tannin and acidity.”
2005 Elderton Command Single Vineyard Shiraz (Australia) $149
Robert Parker: “97 Points. Elderton’s flagship is the single vineyard Command Shiraz, a wine with serious aging potential, and one with which all other South Australia Shiraz must be compared. The opaque purple/black 2005 Command was aged for 34 months in French and American oak puncheons (500 liter barrels). It offers up a sexy/kinky bouquet of wood smoke, lavender, leather, game, mineral, black raspberry and blueberry pie. Voluptuous on the palate, complex and dense, it demands a decade of cellaring after which it should offer hedonists much pleasure through 2035.” Veritas agrees with Stephen Tanzer: “This is downright sexy today.”
WHITES
CHARDONNAY
2006 Heron Chardonnay (California) $22
The April, 2008 issue of the Wine Spectator called this wine a “Great California Value”. Light and crisp, this wine exhibits flavors of citrus and pears with a touch of oak. It’s an easy summer sipper.
2006 Bocage Unoaked Chardonnay (California) $22
Aromas of green pears are confirmed on the palate. Traces of citrusy acidity are balanced by a fullness derived from 4 months of sur lie aging. The Wine Enthusiast named it Editor’s Choice.
2007 Storrs Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay (California) $29
WineAppellation.com review: “The nose is a playground of hazelnut, Calvados, nectarine, mandarin, pear, rose and lychee. Extremely steely, crisp and minerally, zipped up tight for now. Clean and precise and very minerally. Predict that it will age very well. Wow. 2000 cases.”
2004 Kooyong Estate Chardonnay (Australia) $35
Ripe and round, this wine exhibits pleasing pear and spice flavors intertwined with a floral touch. 12 months in French Oak (30% new) provided complexity and depth. The Wine Spectator suggested retail price is $40. It’s only $35 right here at Veritas! 192 cases were imported.
2006 Catena Alta Chardonnay Mendoza (Argentina) $49
Considered one of the most consistent producers in the world, the Alta lineup of Cabernet, Malbec and Chardonnay receives tremendous press every year. Robert Parker said: “93 Points. The nose reveals pain grille, baking spices, floral notes, baked apple and tropical fruits. This leads to a layered wine with a creamy texture, ripe, complex flavors and a lengthy finish.”
2006 Ramey Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (California) $50
Spicy citrus aromas are infused with a touch of toasty smoke and floral honey while the mineral undercurrent supports green apple flavors and a leesy quality that comes out on the lengthy finish of this Burgundian-like effort. 90 from Tanzer and a 91 from the Connoisseur’s Guide.
2006 Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay (California) $50
If you doubt that Chardonnay can soar to great heights without oak and malolactic fermentation, then order this. Tremendously complex aromas and flavors of pear, green apple, citrus and pineapple are balanced by fresh acidity and can’t miss minerality. Great for patio-sippin’!
2005 Fog Crest Russian River Valley Chardonnay (California) $63
Here’s your high-quality, heavily-oaked California Chardonnay! This unfined and unfiltered Chard boasts intense flavors of ripe apple, citrus, tropical fruit, charred oak and vanilla flavors, all intertwined into the creamy, mouth-filling texture. 900 cases. BountyHunterWine.com called Fog Crest a “superstar in the making” and the wine “world class”. Veritas agrees!!
2006 L’Angevin Laughlin Vineyard Chardonnay (California) $65
Robert Parker: “93 Points. Another winner is the crisp 2006 Chardonnay Laughlin Family Vineyard. It offers hints of white peaches, apricots, honeysuckle, and candle wax, a restrained oak component, full body, good acidity and a long finish. It should drink well for 3-4 years.” 400 cases.
2006 Kazmer & Blaise Boon’s Fly Hill Chardonnay (California) $80
Of the 90 cases produced, 1 case came to Texas and Veritas got ‘em all!! From the Wine Spectator: “95 Points. Deliciously complex, rich and layered with a mix of fig, apricot, spice and smoky, toasty oak, all fanning out to subtle nuances and ending with a wonderful finish. 90 cases made.” Caveat Emptor – this hedonistic wine is not for the faint of heart and is likely smokier, toastier and denser than any Chardonnay you have ever tried.
SAUVIGNON BLANC
2007 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough (New Zealand) $22
This wine offers classic New Zealand Sav Blanc aromas and flavors of grass, grapefruit and a touch of minerality. This is a classic summer sipper that won’t break the bank!
2006 Star Lane Vineyard Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc (California) $29
With good acidity and lemony flavors, this lightly oaked Sav Blanc is balanced by a toasty, spicy edge that you might not be expecting!
2008 Hewitson LuLu Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc (Australia) $32
This is vibrant and bursts with aromas of grapefruit, lime and a touch of melon and apple. The palate is equally vivacious and energetic, with bright citrus and tart apple and loads of juicy minerality and focused acidity. 90 Points from both Stephen Tanzer and Robert Parker.
2005 Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand) $79
Formulated for the adventurous wine drinker, this oaked Sauvignon Blanc is extraordinarily complex, layered and unique; in point of fact, Veritas says it’s one of the most interesting white wines it has ever tasted. From the Wine Spectator: “91 Points. Supple, plush and very ripe, with outstanding depth to banana cream, guava, lemon curd and tangy fresh lime notes. Vanilla oak melts gracefully into the fruit, lingering through the finish. 400 cases.”
OTHER WHITES
2007 Anne Amie Pinot Gris Willamette Valley (Oregon) $28
This pale colored wine is filled with aromas of citrus, stone fruits and flowers. The citrusy palate is full of minerals and a slight creaminess. Veritas knows of no better Hot Weather Patio Wine!
2006 Claiborne & Churchill Dry Gewurztraminer Alsatian-Style (California) $28
Made in the Alsatian-style, this bone dry Gewurz exhibits peach, grapefruit, a touch of tropical fruit and a touch of spiciness. The palate races with acidity and there is just a touch of sweetness on the otherwise long, dry finish. Great with spicy food, this is a seriously food friendly wine.
2007 J Vineyards Pinot Gris Russian River Valley (California) $29
Wine & Spirits: “90 Points. A rich sleek white with the gentleness of coastal rain. J’s Pinot Gris has simple flavors of the grape and nutty lees. It ends on a tart lemon note.”
2006 Graff Family Vineyards Chalone Viognier (California) $49
From the Head Vineyard originally planted by Dick Graff on Monterey’s Chalone Bench, this soars with notes of tangerine and peach. The lush, palate is complimented by aging in French Oak. Absolutely delicious and most likely not what you would expect from a California Viognier.
OLD WORLD WINES
REDS
2007 Monte Oton Garnacha (Spain) $20
Wine Advocate: “88 Points. The 2007 Monte Oton is 100% Garnacha. Dark ruby-colored, the nose delivers aromas of mineral, cherry and earth notes. This is followed by a medium-bodied wine with excellent depth, ripeness and a lengthy finish. It’s a mighty effort for its tiny price.”
2005 Palagetto Chianti Colli Senesi (Italy) $25
This is a clean and balanced Chianti, with pleasant dark fruit, enjoyable minerality and traditional Italian earth and leather.
2002 Calvet-Thunevin Hugo Cotes de Roussillon Villages (France) $28
This Southern French wine is lush, extracted and packs a punch. Dark fruit flavors are backed up by well-intergrated tannins. The long finish is spicy and has a touch of Old World.
2006 Rhone Gang ‘Hold Up’ (France) $30
This absolutely non-traditional blend of 70% Grenache from 60 year old vines and 30% Pinot Noir results in a light bodied wine with flavors and aromas of red berries, with an underlying sweep of minerality. Great with light cheeses and meats.
2006 La Mozza I Perazzi Morellino di Scansano (Italy) $36
Robert Parker: “90 Points. The 2006 Morellino di Scansano I Perazzi is an especially sexy, juicy Morellino loaded with fruit, underbrush, smoke and licorice nuances that emerge from its generous, plump frame. It should drink beautifully over the next few years. Best of all, it is an outstanding value.” Mario Batali owns the winery.
2004 Chateaux de Rieux (France) $40
This blend of old vine Syrah and Grenache is full of blackberry, violet, smoke, tobacco and earthy terroir. The tannins are rich but not too drying. The long finish is spicy and has nice wood tones.
2004 Domaine de Montvac Vacqueyras Variation (France) $54
Wine Spectator: “92 Points. This is muscular, but has nice underlying purity, with fig paste, hoisin sauce and licorice notes woven with hints of spice, fruitcake and mesquite. The long, grippy finish has nicely rounded flesh and buried mineratlity. Rock-solid. Drink now through 2013. 500 cases made.” This is a beautiful value from the Southern Rhone.
2005 Domaine Saint Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape (France) $55
From the winemaker’s website: “Dark ruby-red robe with nice intensity. Complex nose developing aromas of crystallized red fruits with spicy touches. Powerful and generous mouth well structured with mellow tannins, aromas from the garriugue, red and black crystallized fruits and a touch of vanilla. A well-balanced wine with much substance in mouth.” That’s translating!
2004 Chateau Certan Pomerol (France) $65
Stephen Tanzer: “89 Points. Full deep red with ruby highlights. Explosive aromas of berries, meat, truffle, smoke, mocha, coffee and caramel. Rich, lush and silky-sweet, with a juicy lift and a bit of medicinal restraint to the red cherry and redcurrant flavors. Finishes with firm, dusty tannins and slightly sauvage notes of iron and woodsmoke. This has turned out nicely.”
2005 Domaine des Beaumont ‘Aux Combottes’ Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru (France) $99
2005 was one of the finest Burgundy vintages of all time. Chambertin is maybe the most famous Cru Vineyard in the Burgundy village of Gevrey. This muscular Burgundy is filled with intense red fruits, aromatic earthiness and a lengthy and complex finish.
2006 Clos Mogador Priorat (Spain) $145
Michael Skurnik, one of America’s most famous wine importers, had this to say about the celebrated Clos Mogador: “The estate of Clos Mogador is a must for any serious Spanish Wine aficionado. [It creates an] intensely concentrated wine from a blend of 40% Garnacha (from 80 year old vines), 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah and 5% Pinot Noir, Mourvedre and Merlot. This distinctive blend balances the power and massive structure typical of priorat with an elegance and a finesse that belies its aging potential.” While the scores for the 2006 have not yet been released, the 2005 Clos Mogador received a 98 from Robert Parker.
2006 Sette Ponti Toscana Oreno (Italy) $145
Wine Spectator: “96 Points. Shows loads of black licorice, blackberry and toasty oak. Full-bodied, with supersilky tannins and a long finish. Wonderful concentration and balance. Structured. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sangiovese.” #15 Wine on 2008 WS Top 100.
WHITES
2008 Ipsum (Spain) $20
This blend of 60% Verdejo and 40% Viura is light greenish-gold in the glass. The subtle yet crisp nose foretells a wine of soft flavors, balancing acidity and surprising refinement for this price point.
2008 Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio (Italy) $25
Riper, fruiter and more full-bodied than you might expect from a value-driven Pinot Grigio yet still crisp and acidic, this is perfect by itself or with light summer fare like a Caesar salad or grilled fish.
2006 Chateau Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers (France) $25
Chateau Bonnet is the standard bearer for affordable White Bordeaux. Lively aromas of white flowers, peaches and melon foretell the bright, melony flavors on the palate. The addition of Semillon gives this wine a decadent mouthfeel.
2007 Chateau de La Greffiere (France) $28
Without question one of the top White Burgundy values. Gloral, peachy and appley notes are elegantly complimented by, and do not overpower, the hints of oak from barrel-aging.
2006 Albert Seltz Riesling (France) $29
This clean, dry, full-bodied Riesling has crisp, subtle fruit flavors countered by sharp acidity.
2006 Monchhof Urzig Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett (Germany) $35
This rich, opulent Riesling offers stone fruit, pear and a touch of baking spice. The sweetness is balanced by zippy acidity. This is opposite in style to full-bodied, dry Alsatian Rieslings.
2007 Alphonse Mellot La Moussiere Blanc Sancerre (France) $49
The Mellot family has been associated with winemaking in Sancerre since 1513. This beautifully racy Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc) is light golden-green in color with intense aromas of grapefruit, lime peel in-your-face minerality. The dense and textural palate exhibits more of the unmistakable minerality and wonderfully vibrant fruit which defines Sancerre.
2007 Domaine DeLarche Pernand-Vergelesses ‘Sous Fretille’ Premier Cru (France) $65
Veritas has scoured the ends of the earth to bring you the case production on this wine, but to no avail. We can tell you that the 2005 vintage was comprised of 46 cases. This Premier Cru White Burgundy has hints of oak, stone fruit and a pleasing nuttiness all backed up by a precision-like minerality. Some of the finest restaurants in the world, like Campanile, carry this Burgundy.
DESSERT WINES
2005 Chateau de Caladroy Muscat de Rivesaltes (France) $20
With a touch of vanilla, peach and orange pith on the palate, this slightly sweet vin doux naturel is a perfect night cap. Vin doux naturel has been made in Rivesaltes since the 13th Century! Only 100 cases were imported to the US.
2006 Yalumba Botrytis Viognier Wrattonbully (Australia) $30
Opulent flavors of apricots, peaches and spices are encased by a dense mouthfeel and a lush sweetness to this aromatic dessert wine.
2007 Bouchaine Bouche D’Or Late Harvest Chardonnay Napa Valley $39
Bouche d’Or, which translates to “Taste of Gold”, refers to the amber color and decadent, luscious essence of the wine. The honeyed apricot fragrance leads to the rich, viscous palate.
2001 San Felice Vin Santo del Chianti Classico (Italy) $45
Carefully selected bunches of grapes are laid out on straw mats in a well-ventilated attic for around 4 months. They are then pressed and the concentrated, syrupy must is fermented and aged in French barriques for a four-year period during which the must evaporates up to a final yield of 25% of the original volume of liquid. It matures for an additional 12 months in bottle. Nutty and citrusy, this slightly oxidized sweet wine has been served in Tuscany for centuries.
2003 Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos (Hungary) $55
Wine Spectator: “91 Points. An attractive mix of apricot, orange marmalade and mango, with a hint of iodine aromas and flavors. It’s compact, with a mouthwatering finish of dried fruit and mineral. Drink now through 2020.”
SPARKLING WINES
NV Veuve de Vernay (France) $20
Are you looking for soft, fruity, dry, delicious and bubbly? One of the great wine values.
NV Mumm Napa Brut Rosé(California) $35
Real men can drink Pink Wine! Strawberry dominates the nose while the palate is full of raspberry and a masculine toastiness!
NV Nicolas Feuillate Cuvee Gastronomique (France) $39
This blend of 20% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 40% Pinot Meunier offers a balanced aroma of citrus, apples and nuts. Soft on the palate with ripe peach and a touch of brown sugar, the acidity and flintiness lead into the dry finish. This is classic Champagne, and the price … !
NV J Cuvee 20 Brut (California) $45
Made in celebration of J’s 20th Anniversary, this non-vintage Brut opens with crisp lemon peel, honeysuckle and delicate yeast aromas. The palate is full of apple, grapefruit and a sweet hint of angel food cake. The mid-palate is toasty with hints of caramel and almond. The lively acidity and citrusy zest make this bubbly dance on the palate.
NV Michel Turgy Brut Réserve Selection Blanc de Blancs (France) $70
This 100% Grand Cru Champagne features nutty notes of toasted brioche seamlessly intertwined with hints of wild flowers and toffee. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grown in the most famous village of Cotes de Blancs, Le Mesnil sur Oger, this is energetic and vivacious Champagne.
NV Jean Vesselle Brut Réserve à Bouzy (France) $70
From the Importer: A finely balanced, fresh Champagne that spends 30 months on lees. This 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay blend (from 30+ year old vines) drinks like a vintage wine. Honeysuckle blossoms tickle the aromatic nose. Toasty, lovely notes of warm, crusty oatmeal biscuits drizzled with molasses and sweet, red fruits characterize the bountiful, layered mouth.
1998 Comtes De Champagne Taittinger (France) $229
Wine Spectator: “95 Points. Impressive and seamless from the get-go, featuring lemon, apricot, smoke and spice aromas and flavors that build to the long conclusion. This is creamy, yet firm and fresh, with all its elements integrated for an alluring profile overall. There’s wonderful finesse and length. 2,000 cases.” The Release Price on Wine Spectator? $270!
