Fleming's Wine Collection

Piper-Heidsieck
Brut Champagne France NV
Yes, go ahead and call this bubbly French beauty "Champagne". In fact, call it the most popular Champagne from Piper-Hiedsieck, for its elegance, vivacity and style. A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, this wine is bright and spring-fresh, with blossoms, fruit and toast on the nose--and pineapple, nutmeg, white pepper and zest on the palate. Sustainable

Domaine Chandon
Brut Chardonnay Napa Valley Mt. Veeder Reserve, 2001
The pop! It shoots a smile onto the face of anyone within earshot. Next, this sparkling version of a classic Chardonnay brings treats to the nose--toasted almonds, honey, Meyer lemons and pears. Then it makes a soft, voluptuous entrance on the front palate, serving toffee and crisp pear. The flavors build, and then descend into a long, creamy finish. Beautiful with food, the mere act of opening this wine is cause for celebration. Sustainable, Biodynamic

Gloria Ferrer
Blanc de Noirs Sonoma County NV
From land that was once a pasture, Gloria Ferrer has coaxed vibrant vines and created sparkling wines that have brought back more than 100 glittering gold medals in the last five years. This hand-harvested Pinot-based wine is ever so faintly pink, creamy and complex, with bright strawberry and black cherry aromas up front, and a lush mix of cherry, lemon and cola splashing through the lively little bubbles. Sustainable

Loosen Bros
Riesling Mosel Dr. L, 2007
"I want to taste the depth of the old vines. I want to experience the character of the vintage. I want authenticity; without it, a wine is simply another beverage." These are the words of winemaker Ernst Loosen--Dr. Loosen, as he's known. No wonder he's created this elegant and racy Riesling, evoking the steep, slate-soil vineyards of the Mosel Valley. Aromas of flowers, lime, nectarine and peaches burst forward in the nose, making way for sumptuous peach and melon on the palate. Acidity winds through the fruit like a graceful vine. A perfect German translation of terroir. Sustainable, Organic

Beringer
White Zinfandel Napa Valley, 2007
You've got to love a great pink wine. It doesn't apologize. It doesn't make excuses for itself. It simply moves beyond any preconceived notions you may have of its kind, and lavishes you with brilliant flavors and aromas--fresh red berry, citrus and melon. It will pair beautifully with all kinds of foods, and keep its head held high. (Whether it's blushing however, well, that we really don't know.) Sustainable

Zilliken
Riesling Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Germany, 2006
In Saarburg, a picturesque medieval town in Germany, the Zilliken family has been making Riesling wines for 260 years. Glowing and fresh as the sky on a late spring evening, this wine makes a great aperitif. A lovely nose of peach and apricot introduces flavors of citrus, herb and vanilla. Light but creamy, its apple-spiked finish lingers in your mouth and tickles the tongue with the lightness of a butterfly's wing--a sensation that inspired its name. Sustainable

Maso Canali
Pinot Grigio Trentino Italy, 2007
There's a saying in Trentino: "Pane e vino fanno un bel bambino." It means "bread and wine make a beautiful baby." Kind of gives you a sense of the importance of wine in this region, and the life-enhancing qualities of these grapes--dried on racks in the local style, for concentrated sugar and flavors. With a brilliant, light gold color and flavors of pink apricot, lemon and pineapple, this wine is as charming as an Italian child.

Luna
Freakout Napa Valley, 2006
While tasting some innovative European white wine blends made near the border of Italy and Slovenia, the winemaker had a life-changing experience. It inspired him to make his own break with winemaking convention. It also inspired the name of this lucid white wine. Each varietal in it is treated separately, aged differently, and then blended before bottling. The complexity is intense, with layer upon layer of exotic fruit, citrus and honey. Wow!

SoloRosa
Rosé Napa Valley, 2007
A few decades ago, while on a backpacking trip through southern France, winemaker Jeff Morgan fell in love with this sunny countryside's dry rosés and never forgot them. He professed his love by naming his winery SoloRosa, which means "only pink"--and you can taste his passion in the wine. Bone dry, bright and fresh, this blend of Sangiovese with a touch of Syrah is as refreshing as a rosé can be; yet it carries enough weight and complexity to please even the most discerning connoisseur.

Bonterra
Viognier Mendocino and Lake Counties, 2006
Like a tropical vacation, this organic Viognier lavishes you with the freshness of ripe fruit, dripping with flavor. A rich texture layers the essences of green apple, papaya, mango, kiwi, pear and key lime onto your palate, garnishing them with hauntingly beautiful floral notes. A brief oaking adds a touch of vanilla, for a mélange of flavors that jump from the glass and stick around for a long, lingering finish. Sustainable, Certified Organic, Biodynamic.

Ceago Vinegarden
Sauvignon Blanc Clear Lake Kathleen's Vineyard, 2006
Crisp flavors of green apple, lime and melon buoy this Sauvignon Blanc above the pack, and hint to your palate of this wine's green beginnings. Grown biodynamically, this multiple award-winner illuminates the fresh flavors of most spring and summer dishes, like salads, vegetables and seafood. And it offers proof that the earth will give generously to those who treat it with respect. Sustainable, Certified Organic, Certified Biodynamic

Henschke
Tilly's Vineyard Barossa Australia, 2005
Named after a great aunt in the Henschke family, this Australian blend of Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and untraditional Chardonnay was matured in French oak. It immerses you in the smells of the rain forest, with guava and passion fruits and a crisp lime zing around the mouth. Like its namesake, the wine is easy, fresh, friendly and memorable. Sustainable

Kim Crawford
Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand, 2007
The cool days of this New Zealand growing season allowed the grapes to ripen and intensify, and at harvest, they were picked in the cool of the evening to preserve their crisp flavors. The Sauvignon Blanc that emerged is a straw-green potion with aromas of ripe tropical fruits, citrus and freshly mown grass. Its flavors? Passion fruit, gooseberry and the traditional Kiwi-style herbaceousness. Intoxicating as the New Zealand landscape, this mouth-filling wine snagged a spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 last year and fetched a score of 91 this time around.

Fritz
Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley, 2006
Like a brilliant yellow ray of sunshine, this ebullient wine explodes with fruit--aromas of pineapple, lemon and honeysuckle mingle with flavors of citrus, ripe melon and passion fruit. Refreshing, crisp and as lovely on its own as it is paired with light foods, this wine's bright-as-day personality belies its beginnings in this family winery built underground. Sustainable

Ruffino
Chardonnay Toscana Libaio Italy, 2006
Near the medieval town of Monteriggioni, Ruffino makes wines that bridge the old world and the new. Official wine supplier to the Italian Royal Court since 1916, they are masters of classic winemaking techniques, which they now blend with new styles to create conversation-opening wines like this complex pear and citrus flavored Chardonnay. Well-balanced and concentrated, it's delicious as an aperitif, and moves gracefully to the table for dinner with seafood or poultry.

Au Bon Climat
Chardonnay Santa Barbara County, 2007
On the way to becoming a law student, Jim Clendenen took a detour to France. There, he fell in love with Burgundy and Champagne, brought his passion back to California, and the legal world's loss became the wine world's gain. From a place that means "a well-exposed vineyard" and has been called "Best Winery of the World" by Robert Parker in 1989 and 1990, this Chardonnay serves as a delicious ambassador. Its aromas of citrus, stone fruit, fennel and custard-apple precede creamy integrated flavors of apricot, apple and lemon verbena. Sustainable, Certified Organic

Vasse Felix
Chardonnay Margaret River Adams Road Australia, 2006
The Margaret River runs through the wine-growing region south of Perth. With its cooling maritime influence, the growing conditions would be positively Bordeaux-like, if growers didn't have the pesky problem of parrots eating their grapes. Felix is Latin for "luck", and the grapes that survive bring luck to all those who taste this beautifully balanced wine. Packed with ripe tropical fruit flavors, this is a Chardonnay to be given to those who say they don't like Chardonnay. They'll eat their words, and gladly use this pale straw-colored wine with bright green tinges to wash them down.

Solaire by Robert Mondavi
Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands, 2006
California's Central Coast has a way of pulling people. In fact, it pulled Robert Mondavi from his domain in Napa Valley into a different world of winemaking. Here, his winery focuses on expressing the distinctive characteristics of this diverse area. Solaire is the fruity, spicy, smoky result of both this special region's allure, and a winemaker's finely developed skill. Expressive, with lots of citrus, pear, mango and fresh pineapple, it's a wine full of flavor and balance.

Solex
Chardonnay Russian River Valley, 2006
Solex means "extra sun", which is what this bright, golden Chardonnay brings to mind. Grapes from the Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Santa Barbara County are elegantly mingled, generating a crisp, balanced wine with citrus fruit that blazes with vivid tropical fruit flavors against a backdrop of subtle, toasty oak.

Newman's Own
Chardonnay California, 2006
Twenty-five years ago, Paul Newman bottled his first product--salad dressing--in a wine bottle. Now he's come full circle, back to wine bottles, only this time he's filling them with wine. No pretenses. Just real, great wine, for real, everyday folks. That is, everyday folks who appreciate a rich, complex Chardonnay with exceptional balance, ripe apple, pear and citrus flavors with a hint of sweet vanilla oak, and a crisp, dry finish. Sustainable

Picket Fence
Chardonnay Russian River Valley, 2006
Like a perfect childhood in a sweet house with a picket fence, this winery gives its grapes an ideal start in life, with the gentlest guidance as they develop. Warm days, cool nights and foggy mornings mean slow ripening, for sophisticated flavor. Hand harvesting at night allows acidity and crisp flavors to maintain their natural character. Full of lemon, apple and pear, this balanced wine is subtle, elegant, and a neighborly partner for food. Sustainable

Kendall-Jackson
Chardonnay Vintner's Selection California, 2006
Using grapes from Santa Barbara for their tropical fruit flavors, grapes from Monterey for their lemon-lime flavors, and grapes from Napa and Sonoma for their apple and pear flavors, Kendall-Jackson handcrafts this beloved taste of California, with its signature creamy, velvety texture. The venerable Robert Parker recommends it as a remarkable value. Sustainable

Merryvale
Chardonnay Napa Valley Starmont, 2006
Made from the hand-selected jewels of vineyards throughout Napa Valley, here's a Chardonnay that truly shines. It's aged in oak for 10 months sur lie (on top of dead yeast...hmm, could this be where the word "surly" comes from?) to round out the texture and enhance complexity--while still delivering a great big smack of fruit. Sustainable, Certified Organic

Beringer
Chardonnay Napa Valley, 2006
Like the colors of sunset on a perfect summer day, this luxurious Chardonnay brings cool, crisp refreshment with the breezy flavors of apple, pear, honeysuckle, vanilla and citrus dancing as a graceful troupe on the palate. Expressive and youthful-feeling, this wine is the progeny of the oldest continuously operating winery in Napa Valley. Sustainable

A to Z Wineworks
Pinot Noir Oregon, 2006
"Hello, my name is Oregon Pinot," this wine screams. Blended from the fruits of at least sixteen different Oregon Pinot Noir vineyards, A to Z lets the personality of the region's Pinot grapes shape this wine in their own image. Deep, pure and overflowing with berries, it gives you the earth, the smoke, the spice and the lacy violets of its home turf, while negotiating a truce between richness and power. Sustainable, Biodynamic

MacMurray Ranch
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 2006
Remember Fred MacMurray? The single dad in the TV sitcom, "My Three Sons"? This ranch was once his property. Instead of grazing cattle, vines now grace the land but the wrought iron gate MacMurray made still greets his daughter Kate every day when she comes to work at the winery--reminding us that raising good grapes is like raising good kids--it takes patience and a sense of humor. Aged in American and European oak barrels, bright ruby colored and redolent with ripe fruit flavors, this rich, beautifully finessed Pinot was definitely raised right. Sustainable

Paul Dolan
Pinot Noir Mendocino County, 2006
An interplay of wild berry, cherry, toasted oak and vanilla flavors splashing together in a glass. This special, energetic wine owes its bright personality to its organic beginnings, in a vineyard free of chemicals and pesticides, where the soil is treated as a living, life-giving system. The wine expresses the passion with which the vineyard is tended. Available exclusively at Fleming's. Sustainable, Certified Organic, Certified Biodynamic

Davis Bynum
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, 2005
Location, location, location. This wine sings about terroir--the Russian River Valley, to be precise. With its foggy mornings, warm days, cool nights, and bountiful fruit this land has wrought a youthful, vibrant wine with a velvety mouthfeel, nice acidity and good balance. Flavors of bright cherry, rhubarb, smoke and caramel complement tuna or pork perfectly. Exclusive by-the-glass pour at Fleming's. Sustainable

Georges Duboeuf
Juliénas Château des Capitans France, 2006
From the winemaker known for popularizing Beaujolais, Duboeuf (or as his fans call him, the "King of Beaujolais") presents a wine as self-assured and expressive as his northern neighbors in Cote d'Or. From the fruit of old, carefully tended French Gamay vines surrounding the Château, this deep red beauty gives an intense nose of berries, earth and spice, and a taste of their intricate complexities.

Cartlidge & Browne
Pinot Noir California, 2007
Yin and yang. Fruit and spice. We could go on and on with the contrasting combos that characterize this multifaceted French-style Pinot Noir. But we don't want to make you think that the baked cherry, the plum, the mulberry, the spice cake, the anise and the beets add up to anything other than an authentic, full-frontal Pinot--with the fruit striking the first velvet-gloved punch, and the oak two steps behind. Sustainable

Cambria
Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley Julia's Vineyard, 2006
This pretty Pinot, named after the winemaker's youngest daughter, exhibits all the qualities of a confident, captivating young lady. It blends cherries, blueberries, strawberries and cranberries with dashes of cinnamon and vanilla, to the delight of all who taste it. Cloaked in velvety texture, it arranges floral components beautifully. Its acids are balanced, its tannins graceful, and in general, it exhibits exquisite Pinot Noir manners.

Palacios-Remondo
Rioja La Vendimia Spain, 2006
Spain's Rioja region has been producing wine since the 16th century, when Spain was the most powerful country in Europe, experiencing its most artistically prolific period. Made by Spain's celebrated winemaker, Álvaro Palacios, this red wine layers plum and lavender aromas with flavors of fruit and florals, allowing you to channel the nation's aesthetic sensitivity, past and present. Sustainable

Argus
Sangiovese-Merlot Napa Valley, 2005
Don't expect just a Napa. This is a "Super Napa," crafted from the Italian grape Sangiovese and blended with almost an equal part of the Bordeaux grape, Merlot. From a family-owned winery dedicated to crafting great Italian-style wines in Napa, this wine greets you with gorgeous aromas as intense as a double-cheek European kiss. Rich with ripe blackberry and black cherry, a touch of mocha weaves through the fruit, complementing super-fine tannins and playing out in a long, satisfying finish.

J. & F. Lurton
Douro Barco Negro Portugal, 2005
Life isn't easy for Tempranillo and Touriga vines in this part of Portugal, with its harsh, dry winters, scalding summers and rocky soil. But when 2005 added drought and a fire to the mix, winemaker Francois Lurton set out to prove that tough conditions really can build character. The ruby red result, Barco Negro, with its rich, ripe fruit flavor, floral accents and dark, tarry tannins surprises, delights, and certainly deserves its 90 points from Wine Enthusiast. Sustainable

Pascual Toso
Malbec Mendoza Argentina, 2007
In the 1880s, Pascual Toso left his home in Italy and put down his roots in Argentina. Now the oldest and most prestigious winery in the nation, Toso works with famous Sonoma winemaker Paul Hobbs crafting premium and super-premium wines. A Wine Enthusiast Top 100 pick, this 100% Malbec puts you on a breezy rooftop deck above a flat in Buenos Aires, enjoying its deep, colorful charms over a great conversation with friends. Sustainable

Tenuta di Nozzole
Chianti Classico Riserva Nozzole Italy, 2004
In the heart of the Classico region, under the Tuscan sun, stands the centuries-old Nozzole estate--1000 acres filled with olive groves, wild game preserves, and numerous hillside microclimates planted with the appropriate red Tuscan vines. This wine channels the essence of Sangiovese. The fragrance is one of dark cherries and berries, with woodsy notes of leather and forest floor. On the palate, it's full and mellow, with a firm texture, clean acidic balance and a grand, full finish.

Spellbound
Petite Sirah Lodi, 2005
Mesmerizing Petite Sirah's notoriously powerful tannins into submission, Spellbound successfully tames the beasts in this refined, approachable wine that's balanced and rich, and unmistakably Petite Sirah. Delicate berry fruit combines with the flavor of toasty vanilla on the palate, creating a wine that's as perfect for watching a majestic sunset as it is for celebrating life's major milestones.

Peter Lehmann
Clancy's Red Barossa Australia, 2005
Peter Lehmann, Australia's "Baron of Barossa," meets the expectations he's set among wine lovers with Clancy's blend. Expanding on the pioneering tradition of blending Shiraz with Cabernet Sauvignon, the Baron adds Merlot to the mix, creating an exceptional, food-friendly wine that's easy to drink and easy to love.

Onyx
Shiraz Darling South Africa, 2005
There is beauty in restraint--a beauty this wine understands implicitly. It charms the nose with powerful fruit and a hint of mocha, but then reveals its fruit to the palate only in glimmers, through a veil of spice, oak and forest floor flavors. Beautiful oak aging effects add yet another stripe of character to the Onyx mix. Sustainable

Two Hands
Shiraz Barossa Gnarly Dudes Australia, 2006
Named for the gnarly old vines that bear the crop that goes into this bottle, this wine lets the fruit tell its life story in full detail. The nose notices spice, fennel, espresso and chocolate. Bright cherry, strawberry, cranberry and raspberry come through unabashedly on the palate with well-integrated tannins and a long, fruity finish. Oh, and did we mention fruit? Sustainable, Organic

Renwood
Zinfandel Amador County Old Vine, 2005
Wisdom comes with age, and the old vine grapes that go into this wine bring wisdom from the best of Renwood's Old Vine vineyard lots, each adding its own nuance and complexity to the final blend. Cranberry, allspice, nutmeg and blackberry weave through the bouquet. Flavors of ripe berries and holiday spices speak to the palate, and mention the oak aging that made them what they are today. Sustainable

Artezin
Zinfandel Mendocino County, 2006
A Tuscan villa. Outdoor tables set for an elegant supper under the grape arbors and cypress trees. Carafes of handmade red wine made from classic old Italian field blends. Friends and family, laughing, drinking, and talking with their hands. These are the images conjured by Artezin, a loudmouthed, sensual Zinfandel frontloaded with fruit flavors like black cherry, plum and lots of berries. Round, seamless tannins mean it's perfect right now, with good company.

Seghesio
Zinfandel Sonoma County, 2006
Eduardo Seghesio planted the family's first Zinfandel vines in 1895. Today, the Seghesios share their great-grandfather's passion for their 400 acres in the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. This northern Sonoma Zinfandel has been included on the Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of the World three times. Well-defined, outgoing fruit in both the aromas and the full, fleshy flavors give counterpoint to notes of dry spices and briar. Sustainable

Dry Creek
Zinfandel Sonoma County Heritage, 2006
Don't expect brash, in-your-face Zinfandel behavior from this award-winning wine. Instead it's bold and balanced; the exemplification of Zin from Dry Creek Valley at its beautiful best. A deep, inky red glass swirls up aromas of blackberry, plum, white pepper and Middle Eastern spices. On the palate, rich concentrated fruit laced with chocolate, allspice and vanilla engage in the most civilized discourse. Sustainable

Red Diamond
Merlot Washington, 2004
In the hands of winemaker Juan Munoz Oca, Washington State Merlot will never have an identity crisis. Oca is dedicated to crafting wine that celebrates this exquisite grape for the individual that it becomes in the Pacific Northwest--with cherry and cola on the nose, and red cherry, caramel and mocha on the palate. Silky, approachable, and easy to drink.

Clos du Bois
Merlot Sonoma County, 2004
Clos du Bois translates to "enclosures in the woods"--an image this big, juicy wine might conjure. With its velvet touch, its taste might remind you of a gingerbread house, with its flavors of vanilla and spice. Its shingles are made of tobacco leaves. Red currants, black cherries and plums ripen in profusion around the cottage. An evocative Merlot with a looong finish. Sustainable

Chelsea Goldschmidt
Merlot Dry Creek Valley, 2006
Legendary winemaker Nick Goldschmidt makes premium quality artisan wines in New Zealand, Australia, South America and California. Between supervising northern and southern hemisphere harvests, he likes to spend quality time with his family. This powerful, beautifully finessed Merlot is named after his oldest daughter Chelsea, and if the wine represents her properly, she must be quite a stunner. It presents aromas of red cherry and blueberry, with sweet, ripe fruit flavors and long, soft, silky tannins. Pair it with meat or fish, and get to know this Dry Creek Valley's family traits. Sustainable

Markham
Merlot Napa Valley, 2004
Everyone needs a best friend. One you want to spend time with no matter what kind of mood you're in. This Merlot is that much fun, that interesting, and that easy to get along with. Layers of dark fruits with toasty vanilla oak notes standing next to firm, lush tannins partner especially well with meats--and seem even more appealing when you know that part of the proceeds help Hurricane Katrina victims. Sustainable

Genesis
Merlot Columbia Valley, 2005
There are only 100 acres in Washington Sstate where the rare but vigorous Lemberger grape can be found. These acres are among the few places in the world where the Lemberger survives. But the thriving raspberry and cracked pepper notes in this warm, dense Merlot owe their existence to the oddly-named red grape and its 2% presence in the blend-- complementing flavors of fruit and ripe berry, cocoa and cinnamon. It all plays out to a spicy finish, delicious with hearty meat dishes.

Havens
Merlot Napa Valley, 2004
A late summer heat wave intensified the flavors in 2004's crop, making it a fruit-forward year. And while this Merlot's first line is fruit, there's so much more there. Complexities of earth, dried herbs, cocoa powder (and fruit, fruit, fruit) make this eminently agreeable wine deceivably easy to drink up now. The fact that the winery switched to solar energy and reduced its carbon output makes it taste even better. Sustainable

Robert Sinskey
Merlot Los Carneros, 2004
Halfway to the glass, the nose detects fennel-laced pure plums, vanilla cassis, violets and bay leaves. Tip the glass, and the palate is wrapped in their clean flavors, and embraced by this big, strapping Merlot's plush texture. Ripe, polished tannins give structure and treat you to a finish of precise fruit flavors that lasts and lasts. A biodynamically produced wine, crafted with respect for the contributions made by the earth, the sun, the stars and the phases of the moon. Sustainable, Certified Organic, Biodynamic

Rodney Strong
Merlot Sonoma County, 2005
Rodney Strong's first love was dance. After years of performing in Paris, his head filled with the flavors and aromas of so many French wines, he brought his grace and energy to winemaking. Here in Sonoma County, where growing conditions allow picky Merlot grapes to relax and do their thing, Strong created a soft, rich Merlot with plenty of backbone. Plum, blueberry and toasty spice play on the palate as if choreographed. Sustainable

Flora Springs
Merlot Napa Valley, 2005
Like a perfect Napa Valley evening, this all-occasion wine is warm and soft and glowing with earthly pleasures. It reaches out to you with flavors of strawberries, chocolate-covered cherries, raspberries and spice--layered with souvenir notes from French, American and Eastern European oak. From a winery that's been growing vines for decades, and knows precisely where Merlot's favorite soils are found. Yes, life is good. Organic, Certified Biodynamic

Rust en Vrede
Merlot Stellenbosch South Africa, 2006
More than 300 years ago, the Governor of the Cape established this winery. In 2004, President Nelson Mandela chose Rust en Vrede to be served at the Nobel Peace Prize Dinner in Oslo. The name of the winery translates to "Quiet and Peace", but the wine is full-bodied and complex, with flavors of fresh berries and plush mid-palate tannins. This new-world style wine reflects modern South Africa. Sustainable, Organic

Whitehall Lane
Merlot Napa Valley, 2005
Winemaker Dean Sylvester is a guitarist. And like a piece of acoustic music, he creates a mellifluous array of notes, beginning with a nose of blackberry, violet and oak. The flavor follows with slow, lingering notes of plum, berry and cola. An opulent example of a classic Merlot. Sustainable

Rutherford Ranch
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2005
A few yards off Silverado Trail at Rutherford Crossroad, Rutherford Ranch sits on the banks of a winding creek bed. The wines crafted here demonstrate why Napa Valley's Rutherford appellation is world-renowned. With complex and balanced fruit, this ruby-colored Cabernet gushes with currants, warm cinnamon spice and a dusting of cedar at the nose, and fruit-filled flavor at the lush finish. Sustainable, Biodynamic

Joel Gott
Cabernet Sauvignon California 815, 2006
Joel and Sarah Gott welcomed their first child on August 15th, 2003. And so their wine was named: 815. Joel, famous for his James Beard award-winning Taylor's Refresher Diner, and his wife Sarah of Insignia and Quintessa fame, combined their talents in this wine as well. The wine has a beautiful nose--evoking blackberry, cassis, plum and spicy oak aromas, followed by the rich flavors of blueberry, blackberry, plum and mocha.

Greg Norman
Cabernet Merlot Limestone Coast Australia, 2005
Greg Norman's name on a bottle means Greg Norman's taste is represented in that bottle. So one can safely assume that golf's "Great White Shark" likes his Cabs on the purple side, with a clean, powerful nose of cloves, a dusty dash of Aussie eucalyptus. He prefers his Merlot with aromas of red berries, vanilla and violets--and a palate that confirms the nose of this blend--medium-full body, and ripe tannins. Like the man it's named after, this wine is determined, easygoing and full of character. Sustainable

Five Rivers
Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles, 2005
The winery is named after the five major rivers that define the essence of the Central Coast. These five waterways, together with key mountain ranges, define the diverse topography and distinct microclimates of the Central Coast growing region. The wine is a juicy, fruity, earth-friendly Cab that brings a sense of fun to the table, with plums, hazelnuts and currants on the nose, and tobacco-laced plums on its long, memorable finish. Each rich, red glass offers a true expression of the magic of California's Central Coast. Sustainable, Certified Organic

Francis Coppola Diamond Collection
Claret California Black Label, 2006
Open on a British drawing room. An elegant couple is sipping dark red glasses of Claret beneath a portrait of their ancestors. Cut to the home's exterior. We see that we are actually in California wine country. And the wine, as it turns out, is a pure, ultra-premium California Cabernet blend--modeled after famous Bordeaux. Mocha and crème brulée aromas precede flavors of crushed berries, cassis, vanilla and wood. Full-bodied and dry, it's not just a drink, old chap. It's a glass of history. Sustainable, Organic, Biodynamic

B. R. Cohn
Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast Silver Label, 2006
Mellow and fun loving, this true Sonoma-style Cab fills the senses with all that feels good. It weaves notes of vanilla through lusciously full, rich, berry and cassis fruit flavors. It adds complexity from its aging in French oak, and it parties down with food, especially steak. No wonder--the proprietor has been managing the Doobie Brothers since the '70s. Rock on, Bruce Cohn. Sustainable

Valley of the Moon
Cuvée de la Luna Sonoma County Reserve, 2005
Haunted by history and romance, the Sonoma Valley was called the "Valley of the Moons" by the Native Americans who inhabited the area, for the illusion of multiple moonrises created by the area's mountains. It's a complicated phenomenon, as is the concentrated fruit, oak and chocolate flavor of this Cabernet, Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc blend. It's full-bodied, fruit-forward and quite magical. Sustainable

Hess
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Allomi Vineyard, 2005
An art lover and collector, Donald Hess has created a wine that's an artwork in itself. During this cool year with an above-average crop size, fruit ripened slowly and hung on the vine a long, long time, which gave the grapes great balance. The wine's smooth, soft, round tannins mean patience is no longer required. This classic California Cabernet will be perfect tonight with steaks, chops or lamb. Sustainable

Hall
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2005
Kathryn Hall has been an ambassador, a corporate attorney and an activist. Craig Hall is an entrepreneur, an art collector and author. Their winery's visitor center is being designed by the legendary architect Frank Gehry. Not surprisingly, their artisanal wine is a highly aesthetic, yet outspoken mash-up of rich, intense aromas and flavors. Currant, blackberry and cherry on the nose. Leather, nutmeg, plum and vanilla on the palate. Sustainable, Organic

Chateau Ste. Michelle
Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Indian Wells, 2005
Like Rudolf Valentino in The Sheik, this big charmer of a Cab emerges from the desert full of sweetness and star quality. Far from Seattle's rainy climate, the dry Columbia Valley nurtures the Chateau's mature vineyards with warm days and cool nights. Winemaker Bob Berthau elicits from them this lovable hunk of a wine--comforting, yet layered with fascinating complexity.

Clos du Val
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2005
Talk about a knockout. This wine comes at you with black fruit, dried herbs, fennel and leather, right in the nose and all with a French accent. It's deep, hypnotic purple-black color and the dark fruit flavors play out on your palate, emphasizing the wine's elegant, strong structure, smooth, long-stretching tannins, and ultimate suitability for a long-term relationship. Love it now. And then wait five to ten years, try it again and see how your love deepens Sustainable

Chateau Montelena
Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, 2005
It was a year beyond expectation at Chateau Montelena. We're talking a veritable tsunami of Cabernet grapes--473 tons, to be exact. And every drop delivered the quality, the flavor and the chemistry that it takes to create the classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon--the region's original Big Kahuna. Dark, savory, deep and fruity, with that old school firmness that put California Cabs on the map. Sustainable, Organic

Engelbrecht Els
Proprietor's Blend Western Cape South Africa, 2004
Wine visionary Jean Engelbrecht, who loves Bordeaux, and golf legend Ernie Els, whose favorite grape is Shiraz, have hit a hole-in-one with this Shiraz-infused Bordeaux-style blend. Notes of toffee, jasmine and caramelized sage butter punctuate the berry and currant aromas, leading to flavors of black currant, bacon, grilled herbs, tobacco and figs. Sustainable, Organic

Vina Montes
Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Alpha Apalta Vineyard Chile, 2005
Named Winemaker of the Year by Wine Spectator in 2002 and 2006, Aurelio Montes is the only winemaker in Chile to harvest solely at night. This, he says, makes the wine more balanced, since the vine "perspires" during the day, losing water and elevating the grape's sugar content. This kind of attention to detail produced this romantic, full-bodied, old world style Cab that screams smoothness and sophistication (in Spanish, of course). Sustainable, Organic