The Dead Arm is d’Arenberg’s top Shiraz and the 2006 vintage was absolutely spectacular.  It scored 95+ points from Parker and 93 from Tanzer with the former saying it will last 30 years beyond its vintage date.  That’s a serious wine.  Since this deal is only available in half bottles, it’s a perfect purchase for solo drinking (I can personally attest to this), or to supplement another partially consumed bottle.  Or you can just open two bottles.  Usually this doesn’t make sense because two half bottles cost more than a full, but in this case two halves are cheaper than the lowest price I can find for a whole.

This is a massive wine that handles the high percentage of new French and American oak well.  Bright cherries on the nose transition in to dark blueberry reduction on the palate with a cutting acidity to balance.  Mineral flavors lurk underneath the huge fruit and with age, these will emerge to form a stunning, sophisticated wine.

Buy Here: 2006 D’Arenberg The Dead Arm Shiraz 375ml $21.95

Wine Advocate 95 points

“D’Arenberg’s flagship is the 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz. Opaque purple-colored, the nose is reticent but gives up aromas of meat, bacon, game, truffles, blueberry, and blackberry. Firm, layered, and complex, this beautifully rendered Shiraz demands a decade of cellaring. It will be superb from 2018 to 2036.

D’Arenberg has been owned and operated by the Osborn family since its inception in 1912. The portfolio, with a focus on the Rhone varieties, is wide ranging and value-oriented from top to bottom. The winery produces a bevy of value priced reds and whites that were reviewed in Issue 178. They should not be overlooked. At the higher end of the portfolio there is one white wine on which to report.”

International Wine Cellar 93 points

“($65) Opaque ruby. Blackberry and candied cherry on the nose, with suave graphite and anise qualities adding complexity. Deep and rich but also focused, with powerful dark berry preserve flavors and a late kick of iron. There’s lots going on here, and this energetic wine is still painfully young. Finishes with mounting sweetness and a strong echo of minerals.”

Paso Robles is heating up and I predict that this wine will be mailing list only soon.  It certainly won’t be available for under $60.  This is an incredibly unique, rich,and mind blowing (but sophisticated) wine that I personally find unrivaled. Just look at how the reviewers rave about it.  Do a friend, or better yet, yourself a favor and buy some!

Buy Here: L’Aventure Estate Cuvee 2008 $59.95

Wine Advocate 94 points

“The finest 2008 I tasted is the 2008 Estate Cuvee, a blend of 50% Syrah, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14% Petit Verdot. Mocha, fudge, blackberry, graphite, cassis, and smoky barbecue scents jump from the glass of this dense purple-colored 2008. Full-bodied, rich, textured, and layered, this terrific effort is surprisingly soft and accessible. Drink it over the next decade.

Consistently brilliant wines are produced by former St.-Emilion native, Stephan Asseo, who is now ensconced in the wine world of Paso Robles. These distinctively styled wines offer the power and exuberance of the fruit grown in this region along with a structured, delineated style (no doubt part of Asseo’s French DNA). These are all big wines, with the reds fashioned from innovative blends and displaying significant aging potential. The 2008 red wines are strong efforts, but they do not measure up to the brilliant 2007s Asseo produced. The two late-released 2007s I reviewed last year are certainly living up to my hype.”

International Wine Cellar 94 points

“($85; 50% syrah, 36% cabernet sauvignon and 14% petit verdot; 15.9% alcohol) Inky purple. Cassis, blueberry and smoky Indian spices on the expansive, heady nose, with a sexy floral quality that gains strength with air. Deep, sappy and palate-coating dark fruit compote flavors show unlikely energy and become spicier with air. Strikingly expressive, potent and compellingly fragrant wine that finishes with remarkable clarity and sweet persistence. This was raised in 100% new French oak, but I’d never have guessed it.”

Wanger put out a well produced informative video about how he makes Caymus wines.  If you are interested in the process, you would enjoy this video.  View the video on YouTube here.

Caymus’s consistency comes down to vineyard management and after watching the video, I was surprised to learn that Caymus harvests by machine- something that most high-end wineries would not admit to.  It obviously works for them, and I appreciate that Wagner isn’t interested in posturing.  The true secret to their consistency is the range of vineyards they have to choose from when producing each year’s wines.  In addition to their home Rutherford Vineyard, Caymus sources from vineyards throughout Napa allowing them to choose from each vintage’s best microclimates to produce their wine.

As expected, this is a very ripe, dark and rich Cabernet made in the typical Caymus style.  The nose is blueberry and vanilla with a palate dominated by dark chocolate and coffee.  This is a sweet wine, but balanced on the finish, with a nice acid that seems to be more prevalent in the 2009 vintage.  If you sometimes find Caymus too sweet, this vintage might be one to try.

This is my third vintage to write up on this blog and I can tell you confidently that 2009 is another winner from Caymus.  I can’t wait to see how Wagner works his magic with the difficult 2010 vintage.

For the lowest price on every vintage, LA Wine Co is the place to shop!

Buy Here: 2009 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon $59.95

Wine Spectator 91 points

“Supple and creamy-textured, with mocha, ripe plum and cherry flavors that show touches of tobacco, espresso and underbrush. Full-bodied, gaining tannic traction on the finish, elegant and readily approachable. Drink now through 2018.”

Those are pretty impressive credentials for any wine, let alone one that costs less than $20.  Think of it this way: four glasses of this chianti cost less than four Starbucks carmel macchiatos!  Tastes better too, and I would much rather have a case of this in my cellar than 12 cups of soy latte.

Chianti lovers will not find a better value for under $20.  Plain and simple.  Despite it’s origins in the cooler Rufina region of Tuscany, this Chianti is ripe, though it maintains the telltale Sangiovese acidity and minerality.  Though a little tight on day one, by day two it had opened up into a beautiful rich wine with dense chocolate flavors complemented by bright cherry tones.

Nothing more needs to be said about this incredible value.  It’s a Chianti, so naturally it will last for quite a few years, making a strong arguement for picking up a case.  At least.

Buy Here: 2007 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Castello di Nipozzano Riserva $17.95

Wine Enthusiast Top 100 #1 (93 points)

“From Frescobaldi’s gorgeous Nipozzano estate, this Riserva Sangiovese (with small percentages of Malvasia Nera, Cabernet and Merlot for extra density and intensity) opens with impressive generosity and personality. It offers lingering flavors of cherry, chocolate and dark spice. ”

Wine Spectator Top 100 #65 (91 points)

“A burly Rufina, offering dried dark fruits and chewy tannins, with an aftertaste of dark chocolate and mineral. Full and satisfying, with fresh acidity on the back palate. A go-to Chianti. Drink now. 121,000 cases made”

International Wine Cellar 91 points

“($22; 90% sangiovese, the rest colorino, malvasia nera, cabernet sauvignon and merlot) Deep violet-ruby. Fresh, fruity aromas of red cherry, blueberry and blackberry, with hints of underbrush and minerals; much less spicy, tarry and dark than some other recent vintages of this wine. Then bright and fresh in the mouth, with red cherry, plum and mineral flavors. Finishes smoothly tannic, polite and persistent. One of the better young Nipozzano vintages I recall: this really does remind you of the higher-altitude, cooler Rufina zone.” (IWC)

Outside of Bordeaux, Chateauneuf du Pape is arguably France’s most prestigious wine regions and that fact isn’t lost on the importers and wholesalers, which is to say, these wines aren’t cheap. Anything rated 90 points or above starts at $30 and goes all the way past the $500 mark. So when a potential 94 point CdP from a highly collectible label comes along for under $40, I pay attention.

Though Autard’s techniques are modern, his wines are classic CdP.  Oak only subtly influences the overall flavor which is dark and brooding, likely due to the 50% Syrah component – a higher percentage than most wines of this region.  Still the Grenache brightness, which focuses through the lengthy finish, adds lift to this age-worthy wine.

If you enjoy the wines of Southern Rhone, I would highly recommend this one.  Paul Autard’s wines are proven classics and at a price that’s nearly $5 lower than the next lowest price in the country (according to Wine Searcher), the deal is literally unbeatable!

Buy Here: 2009 Domaine Paul Autard Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee La Cote Ronde $39.95

Robert Parker 93 points

“Autard’s quasi-modern-styled offering is the dense plum/purple-colored 2009 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee La Cote Ronde, a blend of equal parts Grenache and Syrah from relatively old vines (60 plus years) that sees some new oak barrels. However, the 2009 shows only subtle evidence of vanillin and toast. It is a seductive, full-bodied, opulent effort displaying notes of caramelized red and black fruits, herbs, licorice and a hint of ink. This full-bodied, rich 2009 is ideal for drinking over the next 12+ years.

The 2010s all reveal deeper colors, higher acids, and more focus and precision.”

Wine Spectator 93 points

“This is beautifully rendered, with sleek, polished layers of black- berry, cassis and boysenberry fruit inlaid with toasty spice and sweet anise notes. The long, ganache-coated finish glides along despite its heft, with a great roasted mesquite note that lingers on and on. Drink now through 2013.”

This wine is made by David Ramey and comes mostly from Sacrashe Vineyard.

Buy Here: 2008 Hall Napa Valley Cabernet $39.95

Robert Parker 95 points

“As for those in bottle, my favorite is the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa. Most of this comes from the Sacrashe Vineyard as well. A dense, full-bodied wine with lots of creme de cassis, charcoal, licorice and forest floor, the wine is opulent and already delicious and powerful. It should continue to drink well for at least 12-15+ years.

All of these wines are made by winemaking consultant David Ramey. I looked at some 2009 cuvees , the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Ellie’s, 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Jack’s Masterpiece, and 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Bergfeld. All of these wines should score between 90 and 95 points as they all have deep colors, beautiful pure fruit, the vintage’s tell-tale front-end loaded sweetness, balance and elegance as well as good freshness and depth. My favorites include the Diamond Mountain, Ellie’s, and Jack’s Masterpiece, with the latter being the most tannic along with the Bergfeld. All of these should be top-notch Cabernet Sauvignons that will last 20-25 years. If you haven’t jumped on the Hall bandwagon, it has been loaded with goodies for the last 3-4 years.”

The fact is, California Syrah has been good for quite a while.  But in the last 20 years, we had Cabernet, Merlot and more recently Pinot Noir fever.  One of the symptoms of this fever is the inability to recognize Rhone varietals as the best values in the country.  Well I’ve got the prescription and it’s actually not more cowbell.  It’s Jaffurs’ 2009 Santa Barbara County Syrah.

Jaffurs is known as a Rhone specialist. Every year they have numerous wines that score in the mid to high 90s.  Consequently, these wines are sold to their mailing list and don’t make it to retail shops.  But every year Jaffurs makes a Santa Barbara county blend of all the Syrah vineyards they work with and that wine is priced under $25.  At that, it’s an exceptional value.  In fact, Robert Parker calls it:

“…easily one of the best values readers will find in California Syrah.”

Richly floral on the nose, the 2009 Jaffurs Syrah gains strength on the palate where it shows the trademark minerality of Santa Barbara county.  Ripe concentrated flavors coat the mouth with black fruit flavors that linger into the long finish.

Whether you’re a long time Syrah fan or you’re just getting into it, this wine will satisfy and surprise you.  Hopefully it helps to increase the popularity of Central Coast Syrah too.  We’ll keep the prices just where they are too, thank you very much.

Buy Here: 2009 Jaffurs Vineyards Syrah $23.95

Wine Advocate 92 points

“The 2009 Syrah is a gorgeous entry-level wine loaded with blackberries, blueberries, licorice and herbs. It shows lovely depth and roundness to match some of its more powerful tendencies. A few barrels of Petite Sirah add layers of muscle, yet this remains an exceptionally polished wine at its level, not to mention a fabulous value. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.

This is a very strong showing from Rhone specialist Craig Jaffurs. The Syrahs in particular are outstanding. In 2009 the Syrahs were picked between October 5 and November 4 illustrating just how long the harvest can stretch in Santa Barbara. The straight Santa Barbara County is an excellent starting point, and easily one of the best values readers will find in California Syrah.”

Whatever your perspective, this is a very well made wine.  It pours a deep black/ruby color that foreshadows its concentration, but it has a slightly translucent quality that suggests polish.  French oak aging, versus the American oak many of the more over-the-top Aussies use, gives this wine a Rhone or Washington feel, but the spiciness gives it away as Australian.

I haven’t been drinking a lot of Australian wine lately, but I might just start buying more.  This experience confirms something I’ve said before, but tend to forget: Good wine is good.  It doesn’t matter where the grapes were grown or what grape it’s made from.  No need to take it from me.  The Oliverhill Jimmy Section Shiraz was scored a solid 93 by Wine Advocate, 92 by IWC , and 91 by Wine Spectator.  Add the fact that this is the lowest price I can find by $8 and it has all the makings of an incredible value.

Day 2 update: the spiciness fades into the background and this wine gains even more elegance.  Very impressive.

Buy Here: 2006 Oliverhill Jimmy Section Shiraz $21.95

Wine Advocate 93 points

“The 2006 Shiraz “Jimmy Section” is slightly muted aromatically but with coaxing aromas of pain grille, tar, blueberry, and blackberry emerge. This leads to a full-bodied wine with gobs of spicy black fruits, ripe flavors, and for a wine of this size, surprising elegance. Give it 4-6 years in the cellar and drink it through 2027.”

International Wine Cellar 92 points

“Inky ruby. Strikingly aromatic nose displays alluring ripe dark berry and spice elements, along with fresh flowers and minerals. Lush, deeply concentrated blackberry and mulberry flavors offer compelling sweetness and a suave, velvety texture. Where are the tannins? Finishes with very impressive palate-staining persistence.”

Wine Spectator 91 points

“This is a wine of real personality. Smooth and velvety, with a winning reticence to the polished blueberry and plum flavors, delicately shaded with loamy, leafy notes. The finish keeps sailing on. Shiraz. Best from 2009 through 2016. 2,900 cases made.”

The 2008 Oakville Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is no exception.  At this young age, it pours a deep, opaque purple.  The color alone identifies this wine as something special.  The nose is sweet and round, another signature of Oakville, with a nice balance of ripe fruit and new oak flavors.  On the palate, it shows its youth with mouth-coating, biting tannins that get sweeter as the lengthy finish lingers on.  Let this baby sit for 10 years and it will be absolutely epic.  If you don’t like it then, you will be able to sell it for more than you bought it for on the 94+ point rating alone.

As I read the back label, two things are clear.  1) Oakville ranch takes winemaking very seriously.  This wine comes from 4 distinct plots in a single vineyard rising clear up to 1,400 feet.  That kind of precise selection is impressive and really shows through in the layered flavors of their wine.  2) Oakville Ranch does not believe in capitalization (see picture right).

If you collect California Cabernet, this wine is a must.  It’s a spectacular wine today for its size and weight, but like a bride before her wedding, this wine will drop weight and gain complexity as it ages.  2008 is turning out to be an absolutely spectacular vintage for Napa Cabernet.  I can’t wait to taste more!

Buy Here: 2008 Oakville Ranch Cabernet $44.95

Robert Parker 94+ points

“The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville exhibits a similar opaque purple color and appears to be slightly richer than the 2007, as preposterous as that may sound. This thick, unctuously textured Cabernet is loaded with creme de cassis, charcoal, earth and spice characteristics and displays an explosively long finish. Both vintages are great, but the 2008 might nudge out the 2007. However, this will not be definitively decided for 10-15 years. This is another 20-year wine.”

International Wine Cellar 92 points

“Good full ruby. Complex aromas of cassis, blackberry, licorice, subtle spices and menthol. Lush on entry, then utterly seamless in the middle, with harmonious acidity giving shape and energy to the intense cassis and black cherry flavors. A peppery nuance provides lift but this fruit bomb will need four or five years in the bottle to develop more complexity.”

The wine writers listen too, with Chateau Le Gay garnering a huge 95-98 point score for the 2008 vintage and this, their second wine receiving 91 points from Wine Spectator.  2008 was an overlooked vintage in Bordeaux, which somewhat laughably had 3 “Vintages of the Decade” in 2000, 2005 and 2009.  The hype machine works in savvy consumers’ favor, especially if you know your sub-appellations.  See, while most of Bordeaux scored in the low 90′s for 2008, Robert Parker’s vintage chart shows Pomerol at 96 points that year – higher than any other appellation and one of the highest scores for any appellation in the 2000′s.

I’m a firm believer in using scores as guides and taste as my decision point.  This wine tastes really good.  If you’re a Bordeaux fan, you will be highly impressed with Chateau Le Gay’s second wine.  It’s dark, dark ruby in the glass with a bright nose of cherry and earth.  The 100% Merlot shows on the palate and finish with a rich texture that lingers for an exceptionally long time.  It’s tannic, though very drinkable today, and will blossom amazingly in the next 5-10 years.

Bordeaux fans will recognize this as an incredible value and non-fans?  Well they won’t.  And that’s okay.  More for me.

Buy Here: 2008 Manoir De Gay Pomerol $29.95

Wine Spectator 91 points

“Gorgeous aromas of cocoa and coffee bean give way to fresh, ripe fruit flavors of blackberry and fig in this rich, generous red, which isn’t heavy or muscular, but has good depth and plenty of grip, with a fresh, spicy finish. Drink now through 2018. “