Steve Matthiasson – Farmer and Winemaker, Matthiasson Wines, 2014 SF Chronicle Winemaker of the Year
Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1988
“Working my way through the case, a few dead bottles, a few wonderful ones.”
Rated 9.1
$99 Available at Pop’s Wine
Domaine Clos Ouvert El Pais de Quenehuao Mission 2011
“This wine is alive! Mission grapes, as old hardy variety, made carbonically (I assume), spritzey, super tannic, washed down grilled game like a champ.”
Rated 9.4
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Emmanuel Brochet Le Mont Benoit Non Dosé Premier Cru Brut Champagne Blend
“Minerals…dry, tight, clean.”
Rated 9.2
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Domaine Zind Humbrecht Turckheim Riesling 2011
“Normally a bit too rich for me, discovered it’s perfect match - choucroute garnie – pork chops, bacon, apples, sour kraut, ideal foil for this viscous lemon oil, almost lemon pledge wine. Regional food for wine pairing is a no-brainer, shouldn’t have taken this long to figure out.”
Rated 9.1
$60.99 Available at Orion Wine & Spirits or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Screaming Eagle Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1995
“1995. Restrained, elegant, totally unlike its cult cab compatriots. Pleasant surprise.”
Rated 9.3
$3,400 Available at Belmont Wine Exchange or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Jean Foillard Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2011
“As always, a desert island wine. Cherries, minerals, foamy black earth.”
Rated 9.5
$95 Available at Union Square Wine & Spirits or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Omero Cellars Omero Vineyard Pinot Gris 2011
“Tropical flavors balanced by driving acidity – such a pleasure to drink an “Alsation-style” white made in a true old-world style – no gross fermentation esters, just pure fruit and minerals.”
Rated 9.4
$14.88 Available at Woodland Hills Wine Company
Cathy Corison – Winemaker and proprietor at Corison Winery
Isole e Olena Cepparello Toscana Sangiovese 2010
“Soft, aromatic. Violets. Earth. Classic. Perennial favorite.”
Rated 9.3
$51.99 Available at Total Wine or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Tolaini Tenuta S. Giovanni Valdisanti Toscana IGT Super Tuscan Blend 2009
“Dried cherries. Tuscan flavors muddied by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.”
Rated 8.9
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Ovis Ciclo Relieve Nebbiolo 2010
“Beautiful. Wonderful aromatics. Roses, wet cement. Cherry fruit. Appropriate medium weight. Perfect, snappy balance. Savory.”
Rated 9.4
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Finca Flichman Extra Brut Sparkling Chardonnay Malbec NV
“Making do in Puerto Angel, Oaxaca. Ripe Chardonnay pinked up with Malbec. Bubbles! Happy New Year.”
Rated 8.0
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
L.A. Cetto Nebbiolo 2010
“Concrete. Savory. Raspberry jam.”
Rated 8.3
$15.95 Available at Los Angeles Wine Company
Mariatinto 2012
“Figs, brown sugar, volatile. Boozy. Membrillo. Savory.”
Rated 8.2
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Yoon Ha – Master Sommelier & Wine Director at Benu, James Beard award nominee, San Francisco Magazine’s 2012 Sommelier of the Year
Château La Dominique St. Emilion Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 1982
Rated 8.6
$135 Available at OWC Wines or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Chardonnay 2010
“No excessive sulphur, pinpoint articulation, energetic without oakiness.”
Rated 9.3
$109.99 Available at 67 Wine or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Brut Champagne Blend 1996
“Perhaps not the most sought after tete de cuvee, but super solid and a lot of fun.”
Rated 8.8
$179.99 Available at Schneider’s of Capital Hill or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Clos Fourtet St. Emilion Cru Premier Grand Cru Red Bordeaux Blend 2003
“Maybe not displaying the broadest range of flavors, but miraculously no raisination given the vintage.”
Rated 8.9
$124.95 Available at Real Wine or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Krug Champagne Brut Rosé NV
“Elegant and precise with understated power.”
Rated 9.6
$129.95 Available at Crush Wine & Spirits or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Michael Redde et Fils Les Tuilières Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc 2013
“A no frills, classic workhorse of a Sancerre that will not come up short.”
Rated 8.7
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Rajat Parr – Producer of Domaine de la Cote, Sandhi, ELV, Seven Springs & Maison l’Oree
Racines White Blend
Rated 9.1
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Domaine Takahiko Soga Nana-Tsu-Mori Pinot Noir 2012
Rated 8.9
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Christian Ducroux Exspectatia Beaujolais Gamay
Rated 9.2
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Panevino Alvas Bianco White Blend
Rated 9.1
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Domaine de Chassorney Clos des Argillières Nuits St. Georges Pinot Noir 2006
Rated 9.4
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Domaine de L’Anglore Terre d’Ombre 2013
Rated 9.3
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Emmanuel Houillon Arbois Pupillin Chardonnay 2005
“Chardonnay. Killer!!”
Rated 9.5
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Domaine des Miroirs Les Saugettes Côtes du Jura Chardonnay 2011
Rated 9.3
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Gerard Schueller Selection de Grains Nobles Alsace Tokay Pinot Gris Blend 1989
Rated 9.7
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Clos Rougeard Les Poyeux Saumur-Champigny Cabernet Franc 2006
“Sexy!!”
Rated 9.5
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Christy Canterbury MW – Master of Wine
Robert & Stéphane Rousset Saint-Joseph Syrah 2012
“Super terroir-driven with game, black olive, blackberries and tar. Youthful but with medium complexity to allow some nice mid-term evolution.”
Rated 8.9
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Domaine Rousset Les Picaudiéres Crozes-Hermitage Syrah 2012
“Rather oaky (vanilla & sweet spice) but this should even out with the gobs of blackberries in time. Give it 9-12 months. Only moderately complex, so drink within five years.”
Rated 8.5
$26.99 Available at Chambers Street Wine
Ferrari Perlé Millesimato Metodo Classico Trento Pinot Noir Rosé 2007
“Vigorous but fine bubbles. Lovely leesiness paired with crunchy red apple fruit. World class now but with a few years will be even better, especially since this was a magnum!”
Rated 9.1
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Cantine Sant’Agata Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato Pro Nobis Ruche 2010
“This 2010 Ruchè de Castagnole Monferrato is fading the bright, primary furit for which I love Ruchè. But its tertiary leathery & forest berry aromas are pleasant & its high acidity makes it very versatile with food.”
Rated 8.5
$14.99 Available at Laurenti Wines or elsewhere through wine-searcher
Domaine Léon Barral Faugères Carignan Blend 2007
Blackberries, hung meat & funk! Needs hearty winter food with these flavors & its slightly gruff tannins (even 7 years on!)
Rated 8.8
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Viñedo & Bodega Marenas Cerra Encinas Blanco 2013
“A lightly “orange” wine made from the near-unknown Montepila grape. Savory with subdued yellow plum, Marcona almonds, beeswax & sand. A whiff of becoming VA, too.”
Rated 9.1
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Lamoresca Nerocapitano Vino Rosso
“Soulful & graceful despite its 2013 youth. Lightly cloudy. Lavender, Mediterranean scrub bushes, red cherries. Serious personality.”
Rated 9.4
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Jordan Salcito –Beverage Director at Momofuku, founder of Bellus Wines
Jean François Ganevat Cuvée Orégane Savagnin-Chardonnay Blend
“Savagnin at it apex. Pristinely mineral. Gorgeous. 2003 vintage.”
Rated 9.9
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
Domaine du Collier Saumur Blanc Chenin Blanc 2011
“Chenin in one of its purest expressions.”
Rated 9.4
Unavailable through search on wine-searcher
