California/Oregon/Wash. - Vinrare - Buy Fine Wine Online - Fine Wines International

1996 Leonetti Washington (750ml)

$163.00

Wine Spectator 91

"Firm and focused, a jazzy mouthful of spicy blackberry, black pepper and violet flavors that harmonize nicely on the graceful finish. Approachable now, but can age."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90+

Bright deep ruby. Sappy, sweet aromas of crystallized black cherry, cassis, mocha and mint. Dense and firmly built, with sharply delineated cherry and black raspberry flavors framed by strong acidity. A solidly structured, firmly tannic cabernet that should age for many years.

1996 McCray Ridge California (750ml)

$50.00

Wine Spectator

Combines ripe, spicy cherry and wild berry flavors with supple, polished tannins and a sense of understated elegance and grace. Delicious enough to drink now or cellar through 2002.

1996 McCrea Winery Washington (750ml)

List Price: ~~$33.00~~ Our Price: $28.80

$28.80

FineWine International

"Excellent Washington State winery located near Puget Sound, producing highly regarded wines. Columbia Valley grown and barrel fermented, complex and well balanced."

1996 Mondavi Reserve California (750ml)

$95.00

Wine Spectator 95

"Rich and complex yet restrained in style, with pretty coffee, currant, black cherry, spice and anise flavors that fan out nicely, this California Cabernet turns particularly elegant and polished on the long finish."

Robert Parker 92

The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve may be no better than the Oakville, but it is made in a slightly different style. The color is opaque purple, and the wine reveals more vanillin, a touch of mint, and plenty of black currant fruit in its moderately intense aromatics. Some of the vintage's dry tannin (from this year's stressed vineyard conditions) is present in the wine's finish. A more stylish, restrained, less exuberant example than the 1996 Oakville, it is an outstanding offering that should be consumed between 2002-2025.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 94

"Deep ruby-red. Explosive, somewhat feral, highly aromatic nose of cassis, roast coffee, game, smoky oak and chocolate; shows a very strong torrefaction aspect. Lush, rich and deep; has a pliancy and degree of early personality I find in only the very best young California cabernets. Subtle notes of chocolate and tobacco contribute to the wine appeal. Finishes fairly tannic but very long. Distinctly more layered than the '95."

1996 Opus One California (750ml)

$275.00

Robert Parker 94

"This is one of the finest Opus Ones to date, offering a dark ruby/purple color, as well as a striking, intense bouquet of sweet licorice intermixed with blackberries, cassis, plums, and saddle leather. The long finish is filled with glycerin, ripe fruit, and sweet tannin."

Wine Spectator 96

"Wonderful finesse and complexity. Not the up-front opulent flavor of the '94 or '95, but seemingly deeper, with more finesse to the toasty clove, currant, black cherry and spice."

Wine News 96

"Expansive, aromatic nose of dusty herbs, clove, sandalwood, ripe black fruits, leather and toasty oak. Deep, ulra-ripe black fruits are accompanied by a wisp of Medoc-like green herb, with flavors that show excellent concentration and avoid any suggestion of being overripe. A bigger style than bottling up to 1993 with medium-full tannins and considerable extraction that will require several years of cellaring." From 20th Anniversary Tasting held October 1999.

FineWine International

Blend: 86% Cabernet, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot, 3% Malbec

1996 Seavey California (750ml)

$78.00

Robert Parker 92

The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon is superb. This opaque purple-colored effort reveals aromas of black currants, creosote, smoke, minerals, and plums. It is full-bodied, with exquisite density and terrific fruit purity and intensity, particularly in the mid-palate and length (always good signs for wines that are meant to improve and last). There is plenty of tannin, but this is a generous, impressively endowed wine that should stand the test of several decades of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2025.

Wine Spectator 92

Firm, tight and complex, with a rich, focused band of spicy currant, mineral, plum, cherry, cedar and anise, turning rich and flavorful on the finish.

1996 Shafer Hillside Select California (750ml)

$385.00

Robert Parker 98

"The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is one of the vintage's super-stars. Its opaque purple color is accompanied by super aromatics, immense body, great fruit extraction, superb purity and overall symmetry, as well as a 40+ second finish. Revealing exceptional intensity (but no heaviness) as well as perfectly integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this fabulous Cabernet will drink wonderfully for three decades."

1996 Skewis Floodgate California (750ml)

$82.00

Wine Spectator 87

"Starts smooth, with ripe cherry and herbal mushroom flavors turning tart and focused on the finish. (240 cases produced)"

1996 Skewis Montgomery Vineyard California (750ml)

$82.00

1996 Turley, Aida Vineyard California (750ml)

$88.00

Wine Spectator 91

"Young and grapey, with a deep, saturated color and appealing ripe berry and cherry flavors, finishing with big, ripe tannins."

1996 Whitehall Reserve California (750ml)

$59.00

Wine Spectator 93

"Has a wonderful sense of harmony. Ripe, rich and deeply concentrated, with layers of juicy plum, black cherry, plum and spice, with a pretty toasty oak and blackberry aftertaste."

1996 Williams Selyem Coastlands California (750ml)

$136.00

1996 Williams Selyem Hirsch California (750ml)

$109.00

Wine Spectator 88

"Firm, with chewy tannins and a core of flavors built around wild berry, black cherry, sage, mineral and spice. Best from 2000 through 2006."

1996 Williams Selyem Hirsch California (750ml)

$109.00

Wine Spectator 88

"Firm, with chewy tannins and a core of flavors built around wild berry, black cherry, sage, mineral and spice. Best from 2000 through 2006."

1996 Williams Selyem Riverblock Vineyard California (750ml)

$147.00

Wine Spectator 90

Boasts a complex, intriguing array of ripe plum, cherry, cola, spice and anise, not especially dense but distinctive and elegant, long on the finish.

1996 Williams Selyem Riverblock Vineyard California (750ml)

$147.00

Wine Spectator 90

Boasts a complex, intriguing array of ripe plum, cherry, cola, spice and anise, not especially dense but distinctive and elegant, long on the finish.

1997 Behrens & Hitchcock Ode to Picasso California (750ml)

$78.00

Robert Parker 91-93

Named after a long deceased cat, the 1997 Ode to Picasso (a blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Merlot) is far superior to the very good 1996. It reveals the winery's tell-tale aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and cassis, as well as terrific fruit intensity, a layered texture, and huge flavors. Although built like a fortress, it possesses glorious levels of fruit and plenty of power. Accessible enough to be drunk young, it will keep for 12-15+ years.

1997 Chappellet Pritchard Hill California (750ml)

$129.00

Wine Spectator 93

"Dark, ripe and concentrated, with pretty currant, plum, black cherry, roasted coffee and shoe-leather flavors woven tightly together, finishing with lively acidity and firm tannins."

Robert Parker 90

The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill (a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc) is the finest wine to emerge from Chappellet since the Philip Togni era (remember the exquisite 1969 Cabernet Sauvignon Togni fashioned?). A dark saturated blue/purple color is followed by tight aromatics offering up scents of blueberries, minerals, cassis, and subtle toast. It is medium to full-bodied and elegant, with sweet tannin as well as a tightly-knit, convincing finish. This wine appears to have a promising future. Although still young and unevolved, it is impressively endowed and pure. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

1997 Icaria Alexander Valley California (750ml)

$50.00

1997 Jarvis Malbec California (375ml)

$47.00

1997 Jarvis Petit Verdot California (375ml)

$37.00

1997 Jones Family (750ml)

$190.00

Robert Parker 94

"This wine is the product of a small micro-vinification from a 5-acre vineyard on the upper eastern hillsides of Napa Valley. David Abreu, the well-known vineyard manager, oversees the vineyard, and acclaimed wine consultant, Heidi Barrett, makes the wine. The sensational 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon (800 cases produced) is the finest effort yet from the Jones Family. The color is a saturated blue/purple. The nose offers up classic mineral, blueberry, creme de cassis, and subtle toasty oak notes. Full-bodied, with stunning purity, a multi-layered, full-bodied palate impression, and an explosive finish, this wine requires 2-3 years of cellaring; it will age nicely for 20-25 years."

Wine Enthusiast 95

Enormous aromatics of vanilla and chocolate, dark berries and spice cake. An open palate with sweet-tart fruit and vanilla notes. The rich, round feel, the depth of fruit, and the velvety tannins nearly veil the solid structure. Finishes dry and long, with coffee and chocolate flavors. A newcomer with budding cult credentials. Hold three to five years if you can keep your hands off it.

1997 La Sirena California (1.5L)

$325.00

Robert Parker 92

The brilliant, opaque purple-colored 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon boast sumptuous levels of black currant fruit intermixed with smoke, minerals, and toasty oak. Pure and full-bodied, with additional layers of extract, richness, and flavor dimension, this intense, well-balanced, seamless classic can be drunk now, yet promises to age well for 20-25 years.

1997 Leonetti Washington (750ml)

$103.00

Wine Spectator 91

Dense in texture and distinctive in flavor, with floral, spicy, peppery notes swirling around the black cherry flavor at the core.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright ruby-red. Black cherry, licorice, smoke, herbs and spices on the nose, plus a slight medicinal quality. Juicy and intensely flavored, with sound supporting acidity; initially seemed rather hard and lacking in density but became silkier with aeration. Finishes firmly tannic and persistent. 88(+?)

Robert Parker

The purple/ruby-colored 1997 Merlot exhibits sweet red cherry and Asian spice aromas. A myriad of wood flavors are intermingled with jammy red cherries in this extroverted wine. Gary Figgins' trademark supple personality leads to an atypically firm and structured finish.

1997 Marilyn Merlot California (750ml)

$98.00

Wine- Maker Notes

The 1997 Marilyn Merlot is an exceptional bottle of wine. This rich Napa Valley Merlot is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, creating an impression of fullness in the mouth with a nice balance of acids and tannins and a suggestion of oak. Aromas of ripe, plump blackberry complement the lovely, lingering fruit on the finish.

1997 Mondavi Reserve California (750ml)

$150.00

Robert Parker 95

"The profound 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve boasts a saturated ruby/purple color. Production (about 20,000 cases) of this sweet, opulently-textured, rich, full-bodied wine should guarantee widespread availability. Aged in 100% new French oak, this blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot offers a textbook varietal nose of cedar wood, licorice, creme de cassis, and pain grille. Full-bodied, with explosive sweetness and fruit on the attack, this gloriously pure, superbly well-delineated wine should be drinkable young, and last for 3 decades. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2025."

Wine Spectator 93

"Packed with currant, black cherry, plum, cedar and spice nuances, finishing long and complete, this Mondavi reserve is a dark, immense, deeply concentrated and sharply focused red."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 93+

Very good deep ruby-red. Superripe aromas of crystallized red berries, cassis, graphite and grilled nuts. Lush, sweet and minerally; already displays compelling inner-mouth complexity and superb delineation. Youthful fruit flavors show less of the meaty quality that characterized some recent vintages of this wine. Very strong underlying backbone. The wine's lovely sweetness carries through to the very long finish, which features dusty, even tannins.

1997 Newton Unfiltered California (750ml)

$55.00

Robert Parker 90

Lush, ripe, and fragrant, this forward Merlot should be accessible when released, and last for 12 or more years.

1997 Pride Mountain (750ml)

$90.00

Wine Spectator 94

Dark and intense, with a solid, plush core of ripe, rich currant, black cherry, blackberry and light cedar notes. Jam-packed with flavors, it's an immense wine but beautifully balanced.

1997 Quilceda Creek Washington (750ml)

$145.00

Robert Parker 94

The 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon was fashioned from 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It offers a boisterous rosemary and black fruit-scented nose. Big, broad, and chewy, this medium to full-bodied wine is packed with black fruits, spices, and hints of tar. It is masculine, concentrated, and in need of cellaring. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2020.

1997 Schramsberg Reserve California (750ml)

$72.00

Wine Spectator 91

Austere, but with a tight, focused beam of spicy pear, ginger and creamy vanilla, all folding together nicely, gaining complexity and nuance, with a long, elegant creamy-textured finish.

Wine Enthusiast 95

Most Americans don't think to age sparkling wine, but this is one for the long-term cellar. It's very good now and will eventually become great. Still very young at six-plus years, it brims with fresh citrusy acids, and is very dry. There's a great undertow of lush peach fruit, vanilla, bread dough and smoke that fades into a long finish. Defines elegance and class.

1997 Silverado Limited Reserve California (750ml)

$109.00

Wine Spectator 92

"Sleek and elegant, rich and polished, with a pretty array of herb, black cherry, mint, wild berry, chocolate, anise and tar, finishing with firm yet supple tannins."

1997 Skewis Montgomery Vineyard California (750ml)

$55.00

Wine Spectator

Serves up a pretty stream of spicy wild berry and black cherry fruit accented by spice and cedar notes. Turns firm and crisp on the finish. Drink now through 2007. (250 cases produced).

FineWine International

Earthy, forest mulch, and spice on the nose. Red fruit and a supple tannins in the mouth. Lovely length. A classic mature California Pinot that is aging wonderfully.

1997 Turley, Aida Vineyard California (750ml)

$88.00

Robert Parker 90

"The 1997 Petite Syrah Aida Vineyard (from 80-year old vines) assaults the palate with such an overload of fruit, tannin, and extract that the taster's first impression is that this is something more than table wine. It is a massive, almost uncivilized, wildly out of control Petite Syrah that will require 10-15 years of cellaring, and last for 30 or more. I have been conservative in my judgment because the tannin nearly melted the fillings in my teeth, but this is an amazing, astonishing wine that will be fascinating to follow over the next 3-4 decades."

1997 Turley, Rattlesnake Acres California (750ml)

$78.00

Robert Parker 91

"A new offering, the 1997 Petite Syrah Rattlesnake Acres is from a 50-year old plantation of Petite Sirah. The wine's notes suggested I needed to return to my hotel to grab my floss after tasting this wine. The color is a saturated, thick black/purple. The wine reveals surprising amounts of toasty new oak in the nose (Turley only uses 25%-30% new oak). In the mouth, it is "beyond immense, massive, and gargantuan," and should be purchased only by those seeking an adventurous wine experience."

1997 Williams Selyem Allen Vineyard California (750ml)

$109.00

Wine Spectator 89

"Light in color, though blessed with ripe, pleasant black cherry, blackberry, strawberry, cedar and herb notes that gain complexity and nuance.Drink now through 2007."

Allen Meadows, Burghound 91

This is a notable elegant wine that offers first class balance and fine harmony elements. Highly recommended.

1997 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast California (750ml)

$109.00

Wine Spectator 91

Starts out gamy and a touch peppery, but doesn't stray too far from its core of dense, ripe plum, black cherry and raspberry-laced fruit. Finishes with firm tannins.Best from 2001 through 2006. (350 cases produced)

1997 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast California (750ml)

$109.00

Wine Spectator 91

Starts out gamy and a touch peppery, but doesn't stray too far from its core of dense, ripe plum, black cherry and raspberry-laced fruit. Finishes with firm tannins.Best from 2001 through 2006. (350 cases produced)

1997 Williams Selyem, Ferrington California (750ml)

$52.00

1998 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$190.00

Robert Parker 91

"Medium-deep red. Complex, inviting aromas of plum leather, spice, game and Burgundian earth tones. Lush and sweet in the mouth, with plum, meat and leather flavors. Harmonious acids give shape to the wine without drying it. Finishes with sweet, rich tannins and very good length. This has filled in very nicely since I tasted it from barrel a year ago. A real standout of the vintage."

Wine Spectator 90

A supple, harmonious, well-crafted effort, with rich yet subtle earthy currant, tobacco, toasty-cedary oak and spicy anise notes. Very complete and focused, with fine-grained tannins on the finish.

1998 Araujo Eisele California (750ml)

$98.00

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 91

Bright red-ruby. Very complex aromas of raspberry, tar,smoked meat and burnished oak. Big, rich and smoky,with a sophisticated texture and hints of exotic fruits. Very suave, smooth syrah.

Robert Parker

"The 1998 Syrah Eisele vineyard is a soft, supple-textured, opulent, civilized effort that can be drunk now as well as over the next 8-10 years. Not a blockbuster, it is elegantly rendered, pure, and filled with blackberry/cassis fruit as well as a hint of honeysuckle provided by 8% Viognier in the blend."

1998 Dalla Valle California (750ml)

$152.00

Robert Parker 94

"The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon is even better from bottle than it was from barrel. It is a terrific wine with an opaque blue/purple color and a gorgeously sweet nose of black fruits interrmixed with licorice, mineral, and spice. Full-bodied, opulently textured, and drinkable at an earlier age than most vintages, it should keep at least two decades."

1998 David Arthur Elevation 1147 (750ml)

$115.00

Robert Parker 91

"There are only a few hundred cases of this 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon. Extremely ripe notes of prunes, blackberries, and currants intertwine with coffee and chocolate in this surprisingly dense, low acid, concentrated 1998. A dense ruby/plum/purple color is accompanied by a full-bodied, unctuously-textured, fully mature wine. I am not sure it possesses the structure necessary for extended aging, but it will provide immense pleasure over the next 10-15 years. "

Wine Spectator 91

"Dark, rich, intense and focused, with ripe, spicy currant, plum and black cherry fruit, plus shadings of herb and cedar. Turns a touch prickly, with a slight vinegary edge. Finishes with dry, earthy tannins. "

1998 Dunn Napa California (750ml)

$75.00

Robert Parker

"The 1998 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa (a composite blend) is highly-extracted, but very light. It obviously reflects the challenges presented by this vintage. Dry tannin in the finish might turn out to be cause for concern, but there is still plenty of cassis fruit in this medium to full-bodied Cabernet, but it is more compressed than usual. Dunn will undoubtedly build more flesh and fruit into it before bottling, but we will have to wait another year to find out. If Godzilla drank California Cabernet Sauvignon, would there be any doubt as to what choice it would be? Anyone who has regularly tasted Randy Dunn's Cabernet Sauvignons (first produced in 1979) realizes several things. They all possess the following characteristics: (1) remarkable color and richness, (2) massive personalities with huge tannic structures, (3) gorgeous purity and unreal aging potential."

Wine Spectator

"Highly reliant on green, cedary oak for its flavor, this tight, tannic, intense youngster finds enough ripe fruit to counter the wood, with hints of earthy currant, bell pepper, sage and tar. Requires patience."

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90

Bright ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, licorice, graphite and game. Dense, supple and rich in extract; juicy flavors of cassis and licorice. Offers impressive texture for the vintage, but comes across as distinctly less sweet than the Howell Mountain bottling. Finishes with very good length and ripe, fairly substantial tannins that grew slightly dry with aeration.

1998 Kistler, Les Noisetiers California (750ml)

List Price: ~~$72.00~~ Our Price: $40.00

$40.00

1998 Leonetti Washington (750ml)

$73.00

Wine Spectator 93

"Firm, flavorful and distinctly spicy, with cinnamon and nutmeg overtones to the yummy, focused black currant and blackberry flavors. A racy red with great style and depth. Fine-grained tannins can use cellaring."

Robert Parker 94

Medium to full-bodied and hugely ripe, it is crammed with Asian spices, chocolate, blackberry juice, and a cascade of cherries. This expansive, rich lively Melrot is unquestionably great stuff! There are no hard edges in its sultry character or exceptionally long, fruit-filled finish. Enjoy it over the next 7-9 years.

Wine Enthusiast 95

The 1998 vintage shows its forward, fat, lip -smackinly luscious qualities in this meaty, oaky Cab that boasts firm, tongue-lashing tanins and plenty of red berries and cassis. It's delicius and strong, with coffee, bitter chocolate and licorice lining the extended finish.

Steve Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 90

"Bright, deep ruby-red. Spicy aromas of blackberry, boysenberry, black plum and sexy oak. Juicy, intense and tightly wound, with flavors of red berries, mint and spice. Rather tannic today and in need of aging, but spicy, chocolatey and very long."

1998 Marilyn Merlot California (750ml)

$98.00

Wine- Maker Notes

This is the 14th vintage. It is a supple blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc grapes from the Napa Valley viticultural areas of Oakville, Rutherford and Yountville. Cinnamon and vanilla aromas from the oak compliment the milk chocolate and black cherry flavors of the fruit.

1998 McCray Ridge California (750ml)

$49.00

FineWine International

One of the best Merlots to emerge from California comes from this small vineyard high above Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma. We have sung the praises of this wine since its debut with the 1996 vintage. This year, fans of McCray Ridge Merlot will not be disappointed. In style, the 1998 vintage is more like the 1996 than the 1997. The color is a beautiful blueish-purple with deep scarlet highlights. The nose is rich and full with exotic notes of plum, blueberry, allspice, along with hints of licorice, smoke and olive. The flavors echo the nose and the finish is long and full. A wine with real grip. The only bad news is the size of the crop, only 370 cases, less than half of the 1997.

1998 McCray Ridge California (750ml)

$49.00

FineWine International

One of the best Merlots to emerge from California comes from this small vineyard high above Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma. We have sung the praises of this wine since its debut with the 1996 vintage. This year, fans of McCray Ridge Merlot will not be disappointed. In style, the 1998 vintage is more like the 1996 than the 1997. The color is a beautiful blueish-purple with deep scarlet highlights. The nose is rich and full with exotic notes of plum, blueberry, allspice, along with hints of licorice, smoke and olive. The flavors echo the nose and the finish is long and full. A wine with real grip. The only bad news is the size of the crop, only 370 cases, less than half of the 1997.

1998 Mondavi Reserve California (750ml)

$78.00

Wine Enthusiast 92

"Soft and succulent blackberry and cassis fruit upfront, framed by squeaky clean tannins and solid oak elements. This is most notable for its voluptuous, velvety texture, which coats the palate with sweet flavors. It?s not a big wine but a balanced, harmonious one, and a success for the vintage."

1998 Peter Michael Les Pavots California (750ml)

$174.00

Robert Parker 89+

"The 1998 Les Pavots (80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot, and 9% Cabernet Franc) was produced from minuscule yields of 1.3 tons of fruit per acre. It exhibits a dense ruby/purple color in additioin to aromas of melted fudge, cocoa, tobacco, and black currant fruit. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with firm tannin, and a compressed, moderately long finish. Not surprisingly, it does not exhibit either the flavor dimension or length of the 1997 or 1996. 1998 was a more difficult vintage, but Les Pavots has turned out well, revealing more of a Bordeaux-like weight profile than the more enormously-endowed, concentrated 1997. Nevertheles, it is a successful effort in a challenging year."

All Other Reds	Cabernet	Chardonnay
Merlot	Other Whites	Pinot Noir
Riesling	Sauvignon Blanc	Sparkling
Syrah	Zinfandel