CSWS Collectors' Corner
Featured Specials from The Oak Room
January 30 - February 4, 2012
Now that 2012 is underway, we look forward to a big and exciting year in wine, with new selections from all over the world. This week, we feature five beautiful wines from Washington State, more specifically, Columbia Valley. Situated in the shadows of the Cascade Mountains, Columbia Valley offers sunny days and cool evenings, perfect conditions for a collection of wines that tout ripe fruit characters and natural levels of acidity. Classic varietals such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah flourish throughout, creating elegant wines that are both concentrated and age-worthy. Stop by The Oak Room this week and check our CV wines...we have some great deals. - Mark Luna
Col Solare Red 2006
94 points Wine Spectator & 93 points Wine Advocate
Col Solare is the partnership between two influential wine producers who are recognized leaders in their respective regions: Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori and Washington State’s Chateau Ste. Michelle. From its inaugural 1995 vintage, Col Solare’s mission has been to unite these two unique viticultural and winemaking cultures to produce a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon-based red wine from the very best Washington fruit. The exciting 2006 vintage offers aromas of black cherry, currant, and ripe black berries, together with subtle notes of espresso and vanilla in the nose. On the palate, flavors of dark chocolate, black fruits, and a coconut spice which leads to a lingering, silky finish. This is a full-bodied wine and drinking extremely well right now, but can still rest for a couple more years .
$67.99, compare at $80
Shining Hill Red Blend 2006
Another project from the Col Solare family, Shining Hill is red blend wine that reflects both the power and subtlety of Washington State. Composed of 56% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Syrah, this 2006 release is full of bing cherry, plum, and dried fruit aromatics that lead into a silky smooth palate with lots of fruit. There is a touch of spice on the back-end, leading to a long and seductive finish. Don't be fooled by this Merlot-driven wine, there's more than enough punch in the bottle.
$34.99, compare at $40
Columbia Crest Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
92 points Wine Spectator
Columbia Crest prides itself on delivering handcrafted, superior-quality small-lot wines, as well as affordable everyday Washington wines. Their first release in 1984 started a tradition that has established them as one of America’s most popular and fast-growing wineries. In addition to their fine collection of solid value friendly wines, CC also has a small collection of reserve wines that can rival any competitor around. The 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon offers intense aromatics of anise, mint, earth and berry, which are balanced with notes of wood and fruit flavors. The mid-plate presents chocolate cherry and slight vanilla hints that lead to a powerful, lingering cocoa berry finish. The layered flavors of this vintage are reminiscent of the 2005 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, another CC classic. This wine is firm in texture, chewy with tannin, and solid at the core. Best from 2012 through 2017.
$39.99, compare at $47
Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
90 points Wine Spectator & 93 points Wine Enthusiast
Using grapes from some of the finest vineyards in the Walla Walla, Yakima and Columbia Valleys, Dunham Cellars has established an award-winning reputation for their wines. When their first vintage - 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon - was released, it was deemed one of the finest wines made in Washington by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Subsequent vintages and varietals have also earned high marks with both wine writers and consumers. The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon is a great wine, with a nose full of ripe, exotic cherry and cranberry with baking spices and bramble. Richly structured with lush tannins, there's an evocative minerality, complemented by plum, mountain berries and a racy core of black cherry. This is a serious Cab for the serious Cab drinker.
$42.99, compare at $50
Northstar Merlot 2006
91 points Wine Spectator & 91 points Wine Advocate
Combining the art of old world wine-making with new world innovation, Northstar creates Merlots that can be considered among the world’s best, showing that Washington State is fast becoming one of the world’s most acclaimed Merlot producing regions. The 2006 release exmplifies that reputation. Composed of 76% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it was aged in French and American oak, 65% new, for 18 months. The fruit was sourced from 14 different vineyards making the wine a testament to the art of blending.This is a rich wine, both concentrated and elegant. Dark crimson-colored, it displays an alluring bouquet of cigar box, sage, clove, cinnamon, black cherry, and a hint of chocolate, with aromas of cherry, plum and raspberry. It finishes off with flavors of toasted oak, vanilla, mint and toffee. The texture is firm, with sandy tannins around a ripe core of currant and berry flavors, with the fruit winning easily on the finish. It's absolutely ready to drink now, but will cellar well through 2016.
$37.99, compare at $45
More great offers from Columbia Valley...
Chester Kidder Red 2004
$37.99, compare at $46
Long Shadow Pirouette 2005
$42.99, compare at $50
Saggi 2007
$36.99, compare at $42
Dunham Cellars Trutina 2007
$26.99, compare at $30
Pedestal Red 2006
$54.99, compare at $65
Feather Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
$59.99, compare at $70
Stella Maris Red 2004
$27.99, compare at $33
Prices valid through Saturday, February 4, 2012. First come, first served. No rain checks. No further discounts on sale items.
Click here to see our weekly sale on wine, spirits and beer.
