| YEAR | WINE/DESCRIPTION | PRICE | ||
| 2006 | Orin Swift The Prisoner Dave Phinney set a high bar when he first released the Prisoner back in 2002. The wine was a huge hit. But could he repeat it? He has every year and 2006 is no different. Again for those of you who have been living under a rock, Phinney, creates a "field blend" sourcing from some of the best vineyards in California: Morisoli, Tofanelli, and Duarte to name a few. Every year the blend is a little different. Typically there is Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Charbono and Syrah in the mix. For me, the 2006 leans slightly toward Cab and Petite Sirah with the gobs of inky, tarry black fruit. Very intense. Absolutely outstanding. Will improve with bottle age. WS 91 pts. |
$31.95 | ||
| 2006 | Robert Foley Charbono |
$35.00 | ||
| 2005 | Corte Riva Cabernet Franc RP 92 pts | $50.00 | ||
| 2005 | Orin Swift The Prisoner WS 93 pts. |
$84.00/magnum | ||
| 2005 | Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc RP 91 pts. | $69.95 | ||
| 2004 | Atrea Old Soul Red I have been on the hunt for a poor man's version of the Prisoner ever since it crossed the $30 threshold. Now, don't get me wrong, I love Orin Swift's The Prisoner even at it's $32 price point and it certainly continues to garner great reviews (WS 93 pts). I even think that it's a value wine, given the quality in the bottle. I just kept hoping that someone would come into the market to fill the $25 niche with a similar wine sourced from great vineyards. I wanted something that my customers and I could drink every day without giving it a second thought. Well, I tasted the 2004 Old Souls Red from Atrea at the Family Winemakers Trade tasting last month and realized that I had found that wine. Atrea is a wine made by the folks at Saracina, known for its terrific Sauvignon Blanc. This wine has the big, bold fruit and the complexity that comes from blending vineyard sources and varietals. Made up of 37% Zin, 34% Syrah and the rest Petite Sirah and Malbec, this wine is sourced from some great Mendocino Vineyards such as McDowell and Eaglepoint. |
$24.00 | ||
| 2004 | Outpost Howell Mountain Grenache |
$47.00 | ||
| 2004 | Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc ST 90 pts. | $79.00 | ||
| 2004 | Pride Mountain Cabernet Franc ST 90 pts. | $199/Magnum | ||
| 2003 | Linne Calodo The Outsider A combination of 72% Zinfandel, 20% Mourvedre, and 8% Syrah. RP 92 pts. |
$67.00 | ||
| 2003 | Pride Mountain Sangiovese ST 90 pts. |
$69.00/500ml | ||
| 2002 | Sean Thackrey Aquila Eaglepoint Ranch Sangiovese |
$56.00 | ||
| 1999 | Luna Sangiovese Reserva RP 90 pts. ST 91 pts. |
$55.00 |