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Connoisseurs' Guide to California WineConnoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: (CG)acclaimed by the Los Angeles Times as the "oldest, most prestigious reviewer of California wines", delivers candid, unbiased opinions." Robert M. Parker, Jr., Author/Publisher, The Wine Advocate -“No one does a better job of covering the California wine scene."

Rating System

3 Stars:(95-98 points) An exceptional wine. Worth a special search of the market.
2 Stars:(91-94 points) A highly distinctive wine. Likely to be memorable.
1 Star:(87-90 points) Fine example of a type or style of wine. Without notable flaws.
80-86 Wines of varying quality and value. See tasting notes for details.
70-79 Flawed wines to be avoided.
Note: Wines not marked with stars are often delightful wines. Each has unique virtues and any of these wines may be the best wine to serve your needs based on value, availability or for your dining and taste preferences.


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Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine

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Zaca Mesa 2009 Viognier Santa Ynez Valley
On the nose, aromas of honeysuckle and white peach hint at sweetness. However, this wine is dry on the palate with notes of ripe apricot, lemon-lime, melon and lychee.$12.00

Ferrari-Carano 2012 Fume Blanc Sonoma County
This wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc grapes from various appellations in Sonoma County: Dry Creek, Alexander, Knights and Russian River Valleys. Overall, 2012 was a very good year with ideal weather conditions for the vines.$12.95

Seghesio 2011 Zinfandel Sonoma County
The newest vintage from Seghesio's signature Sonoma County Zinfandel is here and showing beatifully. Grab one while you can ... You can also grab more than one as well. $18.95

Ravenswood 2009 Zinfandel Big River Alexander Valley
After the difficult 2008 vintage, when the Adams family lost much of the crop from their very old (70 to 100+ years) Zin vines to early-season frost and late-season heat, the 2009 vintage was a welcome return to more reasonable (albeit still very low) yields.$22.95

J Vineyards NV Cuvee 20 Brut Russian River Valley - 750ml
This J non-vintage Brut gracefully opens up with crisp lemon peel, honeysuckle and delicate yeast aromas. Upon entry, these notes follow through to a mix of Fuji apple and grapefruit interlaced with toast, caramel and almond flavors on the mid-palate.$22.95

Bella Vetta 2008 Zinfandel Jack's Cabin
Bella Vetta Jack's Cabin Zinfandel is sourced from Rockpile in the 2008 vintage, and has a seamless quality we love. The wine is is a veritable explosion of fruit, jam packed with strawberries, cherries and raspberries and laced throughout.$24.95

Frank Family 2011 Chardonnay Napa Valley
Frank Family Chardonnay has classic Cali Chard style, in the 2011 vintage the wine is rich with tropical fruit character, toasty oak, and a butter-cream mouth-feel. $27.99

Francis Coppola 2009 Cinema Red Director's Cut Sonoma County
Currently, Director’s Cut Cinema is one of the wines Corey, Coppola's wine director and general manager is most excited about. The wine has only been produced from three vintages in very limited quantities.$30.00

Ridge 2006 Geyserville Sonoma County
Ridge has made the Geyserville as a single-site zinfandel in every year since 1966. The grapes are grown in three adjoining vineyards on a defined stretch of gravelly soil approximately one-and-a-quarter miles long and a half-mile wide.$37.95

Ravenswood 2009 Zinfandel Barricia Single Vineyard Sonoma Valley
Located in the heart of Sonoma Valley known by locals as the “Banana Belt” due to the generous warmth located in this microclimate. $37.95


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