To quote French Stewart of Saturday Night Live’s “Celebrity Jeopardy”, “I’m a late bloomer, Alex, and in Double Jeopardy, I’m gonna bloom!”  It’s Double Jeopardy for the 2007 vintage but Sonoma County is still releasing some of that amazing vintage and the 2007 Stonestreet Monument Ridge Cabernet is, well, monumental.

This winery is another one of the late Jess Jackson’s masterpieces.  He was a pioneer of California wine, but also wine values, especially with the Kendall-Jackson label.  This winery has released a true value with this Alexander Valley Cabernet.  Alexander Valley is one of the few places in Sonoma County that grows great Cabernet grapes because of it’s warmer temperatures.  I hesitate to bring this up, but another famous Cabernet hails from the Alexander Valley appellation.  Silver something…

The expressive, bright, floral nose is indicative of the 400-2400 ft altitude at which these grapes were grown.  On the palate, this wine is Sahara Desert dry with incredible focus, bright acids and serious tannins.  As it finishes the tannins turn sweet to make what might be an otherwise astringent wine absolutely stunning.

I can only imagine how great this wine will taste with five, 10  or 15 years.  This is an ager!

Robert Parker gives this one 94 points and the somewhat less reliable Wine Enthusiast gives it 96.  Here’s the plan: buy four bottles and drink one now, one in five years, 10 and 15.  I would bet that 15 years from now, you will be wishing you bought a whole case.  But isn’t that what wine’s all about?

Buy Here: 2007 Stonestreet Monument Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon $36.95

Robert Parker 94 Points

“The biggest production cuvee, the inky/purple-tinged 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Monument Ridge is fabulous. Composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc aged 16 months in 76% new French oak casks, it reveals abundant aromas of creme de cassis, graphite, ink, licorice, and fruitcake in a full-bodied, Pauillac-like style with plenty of sweet tannin.

These are far and away the most impressive group of Stonestreet Alexander Mountain estate wines I have ever tasted. Kudos to proprietor Jess Jackson and winemakers Graham Weerts and Marcia Monahan for exploiting this high elevation terroir. This has been a work-in-progress for Jackson, and he has finally hit paydirt with the following wines. Readers need to pay close attention as there are some amazing Chardonnays as well as red wines emerging from Stonestreet. There are seven distinctive cuvees of Chardonnay, ranging in production from 185 cases of Red Point, to 660 cases of Lower Rim. All of these super-impressive efforts come from elevations of 900 to 1,800 feet. I tasted one Merlot and seven Cabernet Sauvignons, and as readers can tell, these are also impressive wines. Production ranges from approximately 250 cases of the single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons (the only exception being the 5,000-case cuvee of Cabernet Sauvignon Monument Ridge).”

Wine Enthusiast 96 Points

“A dramatic wine, authoritative in tannins, bone dry and noble. Withholds its best under a cloak of astringency, but already shows its mountain terroir in the complexity of its structure and deep, intense blackberry, currant, blueberry and dried herb flavors. Should develop bottle complexities for at least a decade and probably longer.”

Paul Hobbs makes wine from the very best vineyards in California.  Think names like Hyde, Stagecoach, To-Kalon and Dr. Crane.  He has numerous 100 point ratings and has established himself as perhaps the top winemaker and consultant in California and beyond.

But what happens to all of those expensive grapes he buys that don’t quite make the cut for his $100+ wines?  I’ll give you a hint.  He doesn’t just throw them away.  He makes them into his Crossbarn series of wines.  You might call Crossbarn a second wine, but that wouldn’t really do these wines justice.  The Crossbarn series are on par with most wineries top tier productions, but Hobbs just holds himself to a higher standard.

I’ve had a number of vintages of both the Chardonnay and the Cabernet and each impress every time.  For the most recent vintage, 2008 for the Cab and 2009 for the Chard, Hobbs lowered the price and upped the quality.  Both come in under the $30 mark, an impressive feat for a producer whose Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard Cabernet retails for $139.95!

Parker gave each of these 91 points making them undeniable values – one thing Paul Hobbs isn’t always known for…

Buy Here:  2008 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon $29.95

Robert Parker 91 points

“A terrific bargain in Napa Cabernet, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon CrossBarn (100% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5,782 cases produced) is a cross Napa Valley blend. It possesses a dense ruby/purple color in addition to a brilliant perfume of smoked herbs, sweet creme de cassis and blackberry fruit, incense and hints of charcoal and herbs. Savory, broad and expansive on the palate, this full-bodied, supple-textured effort is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet that is silky enough to be drunk early in life and over the next 10-15 years.”

Buy Here: 2009 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Chardonnay $22.95

Robert Parker 91 points

“A stunning bargain is the 2009 Chardonnay CrossBarn, which was aged in 75% stainless steel, was put through 100% malolactic, and 15% was barrel fermented in order to provide a subtle hint of spice. Made in a steely, Chablis-like style, it offers up full-bodied tropical fruit notes intermixed with hints of honeysuckle and crushed rocks. Drink this 4,000-case beauty over the next several years.

What’s better than sitting outside on a warm evening with a cool glass of Chardonnay?  For me, not a heck of a lot, especially when that cool glass is from La Crema, who makes one of the best values in California Chardonnay hands down.  All of their Chardonnays are really good year after year and this, the lowest priced in their lineup, still shows as a premium wine.

This wine actually reminds me of the 94 point Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay in a lot of ways.  It’s oaky and buttery, yet balanced with a persistent acidity – a truly impressive expression of California Chardonnay.  The round mouthfeel combined with crisp pineapple flavors tell me that this isn’t a one trick pony like a lot of Chardonnay in this price range.  I’ve found that most Chards in the under $20 category are very one dimensional, either huge oak bombs, or all citrus flavors with no texture.  Not the case here.  This wine goes through 50% malolactic fermentation which gives it the rich oily mouthfeel while retaining the citric acid that keeps everything in balanace.  It all finishes with nice length and purity.

La Crema is worth seeking out.  That’s really saying something for a wine priced at $13.95 – a price that is actually so good there are retailers selling half bottles for more!  I just found my new house Chardonnay.

Buy Here: 2009 La Crema Chardonnay Monterey $13.95

Robert Parker 90 points

“More tropical aromas of pineapples, orange marmalade and honeysuckle jump from the glass of the 2009 Chardonnay Monterey. Fifty percent of this cuvee was put through malolactic fermentation and it came in under 14% alcohol, not unusual in a cool year such as 2009. It exhibits abundant fruit, medium body, good depth and a seductive style. Enjoy it over the next several years.

La Crema is an excellent value winery owned by Jess Jackson with an impressive group of winemakers, including Melissa Stackhouse.”

Tonight we brought two different wines to a business dinner and it became apparent to me how differently people perceive outwardly similar wines.  We had four wine drinkers and we were split 50/50, somewhat passionately, between these two.  Both wines were 2007 Napa Cabernet but they were very different in style.  The Turnbull, from Oakville is rich, opulent and upfront; almost sweet with mouth coating tannins.  On the other hand, the Chimney Rock, from cooler Stags Leap, is focused, clean, exceptionally long and almost Bordeaux-like.  Think Aussie Shiraz vs. Rhone Syrah – same grape, but much different styles.

What I took out of tonight is that both of these are great wines.  I own both and enjoy them in different ways.   The bottom line is, if you like it IS good. That’s really all that matters.  Perception is reality when it comes to wine.  For what it’s worth, we bought both of these at a major discount super store which tends to have the lowest prices anywhere, and both of the wines were truly great values.  LA Wine Co. has the 92 point Turnbull a full $7 cheaper at $29.95.  That puts it at a $20 discount over the Chimney Rock, which starts to make a compelling argument for the Turnbull.  Even still, the Chimney Rock is exceptional and totally worth the $50 we paid.

If you take to a particular style, buy and enjoy that wine.  Throw out the ratings and labels and enjoy what you like.  Wine is about enjoyment and any other motivation between its purchase and consumption is downright pretentious!

This is just one of those outstanding deals of a vintage where the score and the price don’t match up.  Chalk Hill has a fabled history of producing one of Sonoma County’s top Bordeaux Blends. The perfect 2007 growing season, combined with their continuous efforts to find the perfect site/varietal/rootstock combination, have paid off in a major way.  Half Cabernet and a quarter Malbec, make this a unique blend for California, but as Allison Steltzner pointed out, California is a great place to grow Malbec and I applaud Chalk Hill’s liberal use of the varietal.

Buy this wine to drink now or lay it back for 20 years.  Robert Parker and Wine Enthusiast gave it 95 points and Wine Spectator gave it 93.  The lowest price on WineBid.com for a 95 point California Cabernet blend is $70 and this week’s bidding isn’t over.  Like I always tell my wife: If you ever needed the money, you could just sell it for more than you bought it for…

Buy Here: 2007 Chalk Hill Estate Proprietary Red $54.95

Robert Parker 95 points

“Perhaps the finest Estate Red to date is the 2007. Its dense ruby/purple hue is followed by blackberry, cassis, cedar, and licorice characteristics, supple tannins, a more accessible personality, full body, and admirable purity, texture, and length. Drink this beauty over the next 2-3 decades.

This may be the finest portfolio of Chalk Hill wines I have yet tasted. All are super-impressive with beautiful purity, balance, texture, and complexity. There are just under 200 cases of one of the rarest dry white wines readers will find in California. Barrel samples of the 2008 Estate Red and Syrah Estate look nearly as impressive as the 2007s.”

I predict that 10 years from now, Syrah will be right up there with Cabernet Sauvignon in terms of popularity in the United States.  Wine writers have been touting U.S. Syrah for a while, but I think they were a little premature with their predictions.  It takes time for growers to figure out the best locations, rootstock, vine trellising and production methods.  I believe that the U.S. has now figured out the grape that the French and Aussies made so popular before us.  American Syrah has arrived.

Richard “Dick” Arrowood started his career in wine in the ’60s and by the ’70s became winemaker at Sonoma icon Chateau Ste. Jean.  There, he created arguably Sonoma County’s most famous red wine, Cinq Cepages.  Arrowood went on to found his namesake winery, which he sold in the 90s when the market was hot.  So what does any true winemaker do now?  He starts another winery of course!

Amapola Creek, founded in 2001, lies on the rugged slopes of the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas mountains.  Sonoma’s cooler climate is perfect for the Syrah grape and Dick Arrowood’s extensive skills and experience shine through in this incredible wine.  It pours an opaque purple/black and has an absolutely incredible nose of reduced maple, smoked meat and blueberry.  On the palate, it’s dense, rich and broad with the blueberry flavors continuing though the incredibly lengthy finish.  I made these notes last night and I’m still thinking about the taste this afternoon.  That’s how I know this was a memorable wine.

The 2007 Amapola Creek Syrah is $45 on the winery’s website and it’s allocated to only 3 bottles per person; likely a function of its 94 point score awarded by Robert Parker.  L.A. Wine Co. has it for $36.95 (no allocation limits), the lowest price online and an incredible value for this monumental wine.  I hope there is still some left next time I’m there because I can see this wine becoming one of those mailing list only cult wines.

Buy Here: 2007 Amapola Creek Syrah $36.95

Robert Parker 94 points

“Arrowood has a long history of making Syrah, and his 2007 Syrah from a mountainside estate vineyard organically farmed has a dense purple color and a big sweet kiss of exotic flowers, blue and black fruits, graphite, and subtle smoke. Full-bodied, opulent, fleshy, intense and layered, this is a brilliant Syrah, still very youthful, and best drunk over the next decade or more.

Having sold the Arrowood winery to Jess Jackson, Richard Arrowood has stayed on as a consultant, but this is his own operation, which involves estate Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon as well as purchased Zinfandel from the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. These are all impressive newcomers, but that’s to be expected from Dick Arrowood, one of the most experienced and highly talented winemakers of the last four decades.”

Each month around this time, I’m going to be giving our readers an early look at the top deals of the month.  Many of these wines will appear in individual features throughout the month and some have already appeared on the blog, but if you are like me, you know what you like and you want to get to the deals before they’re gone.  For this month I’m not doing a gimmicky top 10 list, though I reserve the right to use gimmicks in the future.  This month, I’m just telling you about the wines that I’m excited to buy.

1. Mas Doix Salanques 2007, Priorat RP93 – $23.95

This is one of my favorite all time wines.  It usually sells around $40, so this is an absolute steal.  I’ve been buying it since the 2004 vintage when I paid big full price to split a case with my dad.  That wine is just coming into its own now and is oh so good!  This price is CRAZY low.

2. Grayson Cellars Chardonnay 2009, California WA87 – $7.99

Robert Parker calls this wine “almost too good to be true”.  That’s a heck of an endorsement from a guy that knows his wine.  Grayson’s wines are almost all spectacular values and for the quality, this wine should be selling for double the price.

3.  Chateau La Vielle Cure 2005, Bordeaux RP93 – $35.95

How this wine is still available is completely beyond me.  I’ve had it several times and it’s incredible.  It’s drinking great now but will improve for 5 years and hold for an additional 10.  Buy up because the next Bordeaux vintage that compares with ’05 is ’09.  The prospect of waiting an additional 5 years to open a bottle is tough for me to handle!

4. Ridge Lytton Springs 2008, Dry Creek Valley RP93 – $29.95

I wrote this wine up already, and it too is still available.  Ridge makes Zinfandel with finesse and I’ve been craving this one since I last had it.  Powerful and balanced, this is one to watch for every year.

5. Gloria Ferrer Brut Royal Cuvee 2001, Carneros WS93 – $15.95

This is by far the best sparkling wine deal I have ever seen.  Ever.  I bought a bunch at $21.95, then at $18.95 and now it’s an additional $3 cheaper.  This is Gloria Ferrer’s vintage reserve wine and with 10 years of age, it tastes better than ever.  I’ll never understand how those bubbles stay in the bottle, but I’m glad they do.

6. Hahn GSM Red Blend 2009, Central Coast WE87 – $8.99

Hahn makes some of the best values going.  This wine, their Meritage, Chardonnay and Cabernet are all notable for their QPR.  I like Hahn because I know I’m getting a great wine at a more than fair price.  What more can you really ask for?

7. Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet 2005, Napa ST94 – $59.95

This is easily the lowest price I’ve ever seen on this Napa icon and my personal favorite.  Beringer PR is made from a blend of Beringer’s extensive vineyard holdings.  They pick the best every year and it really shows.  This wine was released at $90+ but the ’07 scored a couple of points higher so the ’05 is discounted while the ’07 sells out at list price.  That’s what I call an opportunity.

8. Doyenne AIX Proprietary Blend 2007, Columbia Valley WA92 – $23.95

BUY THIS WINE. It’s so good and it’s under $25.  I’ve already bought the 2008 because I am such a believer in this label.  I can’t say enough good things about this one.

Doyenne, sister label of Delille, is one to watch.  They are producing some absolutely top-notch Rhone blends from the state of Washington: AIX, a blend of Cabernet and Syrah, and Metier, a blend of Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah, and this 98% Syrah blended with 2% Viognier.  All of these wines are notably good and honestly, I don’t know which to say I like best.

The 2006 Syrah, rated 93 points by Tanzer and Parker, is anchored by blueberry, smoke and vanilla on the nose with the blueberry continuing on the palate complimented by dense black cherry.  Much like ripe black cherries, it has a mouth coating sweetness kept in check with a bright acidity.  The texture creates a length on the finish that begs you to take another sip.  This is a wine I can get truly excited about.

Since this is a wine value blog, let’s talk about why this is a good deal.  As has happened with many 2006 vintage wines, a great vintage was overshadowed by an incredible one in 2007.  The ’07 Syrah scored one point higher and thus sold out before the also spectacular 2006.  This leaves the ’06 sitting at the winery and distributors and we, the value conscious wine consumers, are the beneficiaries.  I’ve had both vintages and I actually prefer the 2006.

I fully realize that it’s hard to call a $35 Syrah inexpensive but it can be called a great value.  I’m going to be purchasing a few more of these to lay back and break out when I want something truly exciting.

Buy Here: 2006 Delille Cellars Doyenne Syrah $34.95

Robert Parker 93 points

“The 2006 Syrah contains 2% Viognier. Purple-colored with a brooding bouquet of bacon, pomegranate, lavender, and garrigue notes, on the palate this masculine, large-scaled wine is bursting with spicy black fruit and baking spices. Give this intense, lengthy wine 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it through 2021.

Doyenne is the sister label of DeLille Cellars and is used for Rhone varieties.” (WA)

International Wine Cellar 93 points

“($49; with 2% viognier) Blackberry, smoked meat and sexy floral lift on the very ripe nose. Sweet, pure dark berry flavors are complemented by a tarry nuance and lifted by lavender and brown spices. Sexy and spicy but not at all an oaky style. This very classy syrah finishes with superb cut, fine-grained tannins and excellent length.”

Nickel and Dime Wine readers are getting this deal 48 hours before it’s announced to the general public.

Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet is one of the most highly regarded wines from the Napa Valley.  Its ratings pedigree is legendary, garnering cult scores at reasonable production levels.  This is the wine that’s $180 on every prime steakhouse’s reserve list.  $115 at the winery, $90 at most retailers, LA Wine Co. is selling it for $59.95.  This is the best Cabernet deal of the year so far.  Easily.

Beringer Private Reserve is also one of my personal favorites.  I have every vintage between 2003 and 2007 with the exception of ’06 which I missed somehow.  The 2005 featured here was awarded 94 points from Stephen Tanzer who called it “Sexy from the start”, 93 from Wine Spectator and 92 from Robert Parker.

If you like Beringer PR, buy up today.  It drinks great now, but will last for another 15+ years.  This deal will be announced to the public on Monday and it will sell out.  LA Wine Co. ships nationally.

Buy Here: 2005 Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet $59.95

Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar 94 points

“Good bright medium ruby. Knockout nose combines black raspberry, minerals and sweet spices. Lush and creamy, with explosive, fully ripe dark fruit and mineral flavors and terrific back-end lift. Finishes with big, broad, fine-grained tannins and impressive length. The goal here is not to make an early-drinking wine but one with sweet tannins and thoroughly ripe fruit, notes winemaker Laurie Hook, but I find this sexy from the start.”

Wine Spectator 93 points

“Offers richness, concentration and depth while remaining elegant and supple, focusing on the ripe, spicy currant, mineral, herb and sage notes…”

Robert Parker 92 points

“There is no doubt that the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is the top wine in the portfolio. Delicious notes of smoky oak, creme de cassis, espresso roast, blackberries, and graphite are followed by a full-bodied, powerful, rich wine with undeniable elegance and finesse as well as sweet tannins. It can be drunk now or cellared for 15-20 years. This cuvee usually includes about 5% Cabernet Franc in the blend. I doubt this vintage will turn out to be as impressive as the 2004, 2002, and 2001 Private Reserves.”

We have a serious blue chip Napa Cabernet deal coming this week, and believe it or not, this isn’t it!  But this is arguably just as good a deal.

Nickel and Nickel was founded by Gil Nickel, owner of the famed Far Niente label.  Whereas Far Niente is focused on making the best Napa appellation wine, combining the best grapes for multiple vineyards, Nickel and Nickel makes exclusively single vineyard wines.  In July of last year, we tasted through a selection of Nickel and Nickel’s single vineyard Cabernets and were impressed by all.  The only problem: all of the Cabernets are around $90.  Especially in this case, quality comes at a price.

Can you guess where this post is going?  Somehow, LA Wine Co. managed to get Nickel and Nickel’s second highest rated wine (94 points from Robert Parker), and they are selling it for $59.95.  The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Kelham Vineyard is a wine for now and a wine for 20 years from now.  When I was there on Saturday, only 11 bottles were left, but if they are out when you try to order, or you want more than 11 bottles, send me an email and I will find out if more is available.

If you like Oakville Cabernet, and especially if you’re a fan of Nickel and Nickel, this buy is as good as it gets!  Plus it shares a name for this blog, so it must be good…

Buy Here: 2007 Nickel and Nickel Cabernet Sauvignon Kelham Vineyard $59.95

Robert Parker 94+ points

“Even more opaque ruby/purple-tinged (almost blue/purple) is the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Kelham Vineyard, which comes from a western hillside vineyard planted three decades ago. Like all the other wines, it is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Classic creme de cassis, vanillin and spice box aromas emerge from this full-bodied, dense, rich wine. Approachable now, it promises to be even better in 4-5 years and last for two decades or more.

An impressive group of 2007 Cabernet Sauvignons from the Gil Nickel family represents an Oakville terroir lesson with the exception of the State Ranch which comes from a vineyard further south in Yountville.”