Opus One 2011 James Suckling Score: 92 This is very aromatic and pretty with plum, cherry and currant aromas, plus hints of chocolate. It's full-bodied, with soft, silky tannins and a clean, fresh finish. $416 Joseph Phelps Insignia 2011 Wine Enthusiast Score: 96 Impeccable elegance characterizes this vintage of the producer's marquee Bordeaux-style blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 4% Malbec, 2% Merlot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Juicy in exotic black fruit, it stands tall, with silky, towering shoulders of herb, cardamom and clove. $310 Querciabella Palafreno 2008 James Suckling Score: 92 This 100% merlot is fruit driven with a touch of earthiness and a hint of fresh herb on the nose. A biodynamic, fullbodied merlot from Tuscany with silky tannins and a long racy finish. $190 Antinori Tignanello 2013 Robert Parker Score: 96 This is amazing on the nose with blackberry, black truffle, dried cherry and hints of tobacco. So complex on the nose. Full body, soft and velvety tannins, and a persistent, fabulous finish. The mouthfeel is magic. 80% sangiovese and 20% cabernet sauvignon. $150
Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Robert Parker Score: 94 A dense opaque purple color, a kiss of blackberry and cassis fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel with ripe tannin and a long finish. It is very Caymus in its immediate accessibility, but has plenty of staying power and depth. This is lush, full, intense and pure. $139 Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Wine.com Score: 92 Duckhorn Vineyards produces one of America's most consistent and delicious Cabernet Sauvignons. The 2014 vintage is another excellent effort. This wine brings ripe cassis and licorice to the fore and combines those flavors with oak and vanilla nuances. $115 The Prisoner Napa Valley 2015 The wine features enticing aromas of bing cherry, espresso, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, pomegranate and wild berry linger harmoniously for a smooth and luscious finish. $95
Gaja Ca Marcanda Magari 2014 Robert Parker Score: 92 From Tuscany, Italy. 50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 25% Cabernet Franc. Rich & well rounded with an elegant, silky finish. $99 Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2012 Wine Spectator Score: 94 A soft and silky Sangiovese from Tuscany, with plum, chocolate and light coffee character. Medium to full body, well-integrated tannins and a fruity, fresh finish. $99 Chateau Pibran (Pauillac) 2011 Wine Spectator Score: 90 Sleek plum, red currant and bitter cherry notes pumping along, lined with cassis and singed vanilla hints. Silky and smooth, full bodied overall. $100 Frogs Leap Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown 2014 (Napa) Wine.com Score: 93 Intense aromas of dark fruits, blackberry and cassis with lovely overtones of mocha and coffee bean. The flavors are subtle and nuanced while precisely balanced and deep. $90
Pahlmeyer Napa Chardonnay 2013 Robert Parker Score: 94 Beautiful honeysuckle, lemon oil, and hints of nectarine and poached pear. It has a Burgundian, Bâtard-Montrachet-like texture and richness. The wine is sensationally rich and once again a great success from this winery, which has an incredible track record for world-class Chardonnays. $136 Antinori Bolgheri Superiore Guado al Tasso 2013 Wine Spectator Score: 95 Alluring violet, black currant, blackberry, wild herb, spice and mineral aromas coat the dense underlying structure. Shows excellent balance and expression of fruit and place. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. $124 Chateau Croix de Beaucaillou St. Julien 2012 Wine Spectator Score: 90 Bright cherry, blackberry and plum fruit is laced with violet, bay leaf and juniper notes, all carried by energetic, brambly structure through the finish. $101 Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Asinone 2007 This sangiovese blend offers berry and dried cherry aromas. Full-bodied and slightly austere, with drying tannins. $99
Januik Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Wine Spectator Score: 91 From Red Mountain, Washington State. Firm in texture, with a juicy quality to the blackberry and black currant fruit pulsing underneath a layer of fine-grained tannins. The flavors linger easily. $84 Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf du Pape 2010 Wine Spectator Score: 91 From the Rhone region of France. On the nose, we are seduced by the intensity and the purity of the fruit. On the palate, the charm continue to operate. The wine is perfectly balanced, fleshy and round. The finish is long with hints of sweetness & sweet spices. $83 Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma) 2011 Aromas and flavors of pomegranate, cassis and blood orange. The palate is stony, black-fruited and sanguine, with an abundant palate texture and firm backbone. $80 Giuseppe Campagnola Amarone 2012 Wine Spectator Score: 91 From Verona, Italy. Taut tannins and a rich texture that is accented by red fruit, jam, chocolate, spice and black pepper. $75
Villarrica Reserva Rioja 2011 Tempranillo from Spain. Sweet compote aromas of plums, peaches and figs are integrated with a bouquet of spicy French oak in this full bodied red. $67 Antinori Marchese Chianti Riserva 2013 (Tuscany) Ripe red fruit, with perceptible notes of wild cherries under spirits to tobacco, leather, and spices. The initial palate sensations are very soft with an excellent balance between tannins and acidity. The finish is richly flavorful and pleasurable and is quite lasting and sustained. $72 Thorn Clarke Shot Fire Barossa Shiraz 2014 (Australia) Wine Spectator Score: 90 Offers fresh spearmint overtones to the chocolatelaced plum and black cherry flavors. Features fleshy tannins and plenty of gusto on the finish. $59 Greg Norman Pinot Noir 2014 (Santa Barbara) Bright aromas of fresh strawberry, cherry pie and subtle cinnamon spice notes. The aromas lead to a juicy palate with flavors of red raspberry, strawberry and notes of rose water. The flavorful palate is highlighted by sweet vanilla notes and well-balanced with bright acidity. $54
Rodney Strong Estate Russian River Pinot Noir 2014 Lovely aromas of red fruit, floral and earth. With a soft and silky texture, on the palate cherry & cranberry characteristics shine through with balance, acidity and a nice lingering finish. This medium bodied wine was aged for 15 months in small French oak barrels, which added a hint of toasty vanilla and spice complexity. $64 St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon offers classic aromas and flavors of ripe black currant, spicy tobacco and cedar are accompanied by full body and firm structure. $58 Chateau Bellevue La Caze Saint-Emilion 2014 A blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc. This wine is focused on rich red fruit aromas and is made in the classical style of St. Emilion wines. $58 Momo Marlborough New Zealand Pinot Noir 2014 Bright red fruit with perfectly pitched savory tones and underlying spice. Made using organic and biodynamic practices, this is an elegant and classic take on cool-climate Pinot. $58
A to Z Oregon Pinot Noir 2014 Pleasing red fruit aroma, medium bodied with a taut palate expression. Dry, medium acidity and well balanced with pert, red fruit flavors. $64 Catena Malbec Argentina 2014 Decanter Score: 90 Wonderful precision and balance. Fresh, intense cherry fruit on the nose, complemented by well-integrated oak notes. Delicious mocha tones mingle with the clean cherry fruit on the palate. Complex wine, with a great length of flavor. $52 14 Hands Columbia Valley Merlot 2013 This Washington State Merlot is packed with rich flavors and aromas of blackberry, plum, cherry and mocha. Balanced in style, the wine is soft, approachable and food friendly. $52 Zaccagnini Montelpulciano D Abruzzo 2013 Intense, characteristic bouquet that fully reflects the primary aromatic components of this variety. On the palate, it shows clear breed: it is full-bodied and robust, with a perfect integration of tannins and wood. $52
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz 2013 (Australia) The nose gives off inviting aromas of blackberry compote, dark chocolate and mocha. Mince tart complexity and sweet short crust pastry add spice/brioche notes to the aromatic spectrum. Penfolds character and 'House Style' is immediately evident; characterized by mouth-filling dark fruits and fine tannins. Currants, chocolate custard and vanilla sponge adorn the palate, combining with notes of quince, praline and ground coffee. $52 Ravenswood Lodi Old Vines Zinfandel 2014 (California) Bursting with luscious red cherry and plum, with a bright acidity. The mouthfeel is seductively soft and perfectly plush. This wine is weighty without aggressive tannins. On the playful finish, expect fantastic fruit flavor. $52 Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (Chile) Wine Spectator Score: 90 Made of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, featured in the Top 100 wines of 2016. There's minerally freshness to the ripe dark plum, blackberry and cherry flavors, with peppery hints. Well-structured and crisp mid palate, featuring Asian spice and black fig notes on the finish. $42