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The Californian wine industry is huge, with vast tracts of land under vine, the equivalent of driving from Manchester to London and seeing nothing but vines! They make some truly stunning wines most of which are consumed in the US, but struggle in the UK against an image dominated by cheap factory produced brands. The immense Central Valley is a mass producer of mediocre grapes, trapped inland between two mountain ranges, too hot, where the grapes ripen too quickly. The secret to finding good Californian wines is to look for vineyards which are cooled by the sea. Napa Valley is widely regarded as the best location in the Californian winelands but there are other smaller, lesser known areas with unique microclimates producing great wines as well.

Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley 2004 75cl

14.5% abv. This is the ultimate wine from this award winning family owned winery. Rutherford Ranch, as the name suggests, is situated in Rutherford, the premier grape growing sub region of the Napa Valley. The vineyard and winery are certified 100% organic with the philosophy that these labour intensive methods produce fruit with superior quality and flavour. This wine is a blend of parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon from different vineyards, each with it's own individual characteristics. Each is vinified separately and aged for two years in barrel before being blended to produce the ultimate wine. This wine is sensational, embodying everything that's good about quality Napa Valley Cab Sauv, and exceptional value for money at this price.

This wine is exceptionally rare. There probably isn't a single bottle in the UK other than these few - 17 bottles left - and very little in the USA.

Rutherford Website

Price: £35.25 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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John's Rating	93 Points

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Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley 2004 75cl

Rutherford Ranch Rhiannon Napa Valley 2005 75cl

14.5% abv. Rutherford Ranch, as the name suggests, is situated in Rutherford, the premier grape growing sub region of the Napa Valley. The vineyard and winery are certified 100% organic with the philosophy that these labour intensive methods produce fruit with superior quality and flavour. This Rhiannon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petite Syrah (the Californian name for the originally French but adopted Australian grape, Durif). Deep ruby in colour with black fruits on the nose, it's silky smooth on the palate. Long with a dry finish, very well balanced fruit, tannin and alcohol. Particularly well suited to food but very enjoyable on it's own.

Rutherford Website

Price: £16.30 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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Rutherford Ranch Rhiannon Napa Valley 2005 75cl

Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2004 75cl

13.5% abv. Superb wine. From the prestigious Southern end of the Nappa Valley where their Oakville vineyards are surrounded by the likes of Mondavi and Opus One, reputed to produce the best fruit in California. The wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, producing a fruit driven but soft and supple wine with gentle oak and great length. It's delicious and is drinking well now but will keep for several years.

Price: £16.22 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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John's Rating	85 Points

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OUT OF STOCK

Franciscan Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2004 75cl

Stonehedge Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2005 75cl

13.5% abv. Silver Medal - Tasters Guild International Wine Competition 2008, Silver Medal - Jerry Mead New World Wine Competition 2008. Predominantly Cab Sauv with a small amount of Syrah and Petite Syrah blended in to add a slight spice. Plenty of fruit on the palate, soft and smooth with sweet tannins. Medium bodied with noticeable oak and great length. This is a good bottle of wine. Great to drink on it's own or pair with red meat casseroles, or dishes with sweet sauces such as roast duck Cantonese style.

Stonehedge Website

Price: £9.19 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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Stonehedge Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2005 75cl

Stonehedge Merlot, California 2002 75cl

13% abv. An exceptional wine from a small winery established by the Shahabi family in 1992. They specialise in the production of small quantities of high quality hand crafted wines. This Merlot, while a 2002, has aged well and is drinking superbly and will continue to do so for at least another year or more, thanks in part to a proportion of Syrah and Sangiovese having been blended with the Merlot. It has good concentrated fruit with a structured and elegant palate. Medium bodied with subtle oak, smooth and lingering. This is another very good bottle of wine, suited to a variety of foods from red meats to cheese, and even lighter dishes like roast pork or chicken.

Stonehedge Website

Price: £9.19 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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Stonehedge Old Vine Zinfandel Napa Valley 2005 75cl

13.5% abv. 2001 vintage won IWC Gold, Orange County Gold. An exceptional wine from a small winery established by the Shahabi family in 1992. They specialise in the production of small quantities of high quality hand crafted wines. This Zinfandel is a deep opaque purple colour, with a wonderful nose of fruit and spice. Swirl it in your glass and it opens up with aromas of cherries and pepper. Delicious cherry fruit on the palate with a spicy, peppery finish. Very smooth, nicely balanced alcohol and tannins, and good length. Red Zinfandel is California's forte, and this one from Stonehedge is superb. Highly recommended.

Stonehedge Website

Price: £8.05 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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Stonehedge Old Vine Zinfandel Napa Valley 2005 75cl

Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 75cl

Please note the presentation has changed on the new vintage, the 2006, although the wine itself is just as good! 2005 was IWC Commended 2007. 2004 won Orange County Fair Gold

13.5% abv. From the Sebastiani family who have been making fine wines in California since 1904 when they emigrated from Northern Italy. They were voted American Winery of the Year in 2005 in Wine Enthusiast magazine. Don Sebastiani's sons, Donny and August joined with their father to create the present Company, Don Sebastiani & Sons in 2001, based in Sonoma County. A medium bodied wine with good fruit up front, well structured and very smooth. Easy drinking on it's own but also big enough to stand up to foods like lamb or beef, casseroles and tomato based dishes.

Price: £8.72 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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Smoking Loon Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 75cl

R H Phillips

R.H. Phillips. The Giguiere family founded their own vineyard in the Dunnigan Hills area. Despite being in the poor quality Central Valley, the vineyards specific location is cooled by sea breezes from San Francisco Bay. As a result of this unique mesoclimate they produced excellent grapes, and facing reluctance by winemakers to trust this unproven grape growing region, they founded their own winery. They now produce nearly half a million cases per year. I personally believe their wines are excellent.

R H Phillips Website

R H Phillips Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 75cl

13.5% abv. Jane just said 'Wow, absolutely wonderful' on first tasting this one. Smooth, lingering beautiful flavours and just the right amount of toasted oak. We thoroughly enjoyed leisurely drinking this on it's own over an evening, but it's also a great acompaniment to food. Highly recommended.

R H Phillips Website

Price: £11.23 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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R H Phillips Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 75cl

R H Phillips EXP Syrah 2001 75cl

14.5% abv. Deep garnet colour. Their Syrah grapes are grown in their cooler vineyards to retain acidity. 50% of the grapes then undergo a long barrel fermentation in French oak, then the wine is aged 'sur lies' with regular 'batonnage' (stirring). The wine has a complex, rich, aromatic nose, great concentration of fruit and depth of flavour. It is delicious and very smooth with a good length. I love this one. Highly recommended.

R H Phillips Website

Price: £10.48 (Inc. VAT at 17.5% )

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