Keep updated on our ever-changing Wine List!
All Items Subject to Availability
Featured Wines / Red
#20 Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon, Dogajolo, Carpineto, 200…….$20/$5.50
This 80% Sangiovese / 20% Cabernet blend is made by a relatively new but respected winemaker from Tuscany, Carpineto. The wine has the acidity of the Sangiovese balanced by a backbone of Cabernet, and is a very smooth, easy drinking wine that will work well with our menu, especially the marinara sauce. Carpineto strives to make quality wines at all price points, and our wine list features other wines from Carpineto, including a Vino Nobile de Montepulciano and a 100% Cabernet “Supertuscan”, Farnito. All these wines are drinking well.
#136 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Koonunga Hills, Penfolds, 1999….….$24/$6
Australian wines continue to grow in this country, and are the fastest growing segment of the imported wine market. This wine comes from Penfolds, one of the flagship vineyards in Australia, and is a blend of 74% Shiraz and 26% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet adds depth and body to the spice of the Shiraz, known as Syrah throughout the rest of the world, and the wine offers both an excellent nose and pronounced fruit on the palette. Readers of our wine list will recall that we feel that Shiraz/Syrah is among the best grapes to work with Italian food, and this inexpensive offering from Penfolds will be excellent with our menu.
#17 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tiberini, 1997, 1998……………………$30/$8
This Sangiovese based red is made exclusively in the township of Montepulciano in the Tuscan hills southeast of Florence. This wine is typically fuller in body and alcohol than Chianti, reflecting its warmer climate, and has long been one of our favorite wines to pair with our menu. This particular Vino Nobile is medium bodied, with good fruit and acidity which matches with our marinara sauce and chicken and veal entrees.
#34 Chianti Classico, 1141, Barone Ricasoli, 1998…………………………$24/$6
The Ricasoli winery is perhaps the world’s oldest winery, whose history includes the development in 1874 of the Sangiovese-based formula that came to be known as the official blend for Chianti wine. This 100% Sangiovese Chianti is named in honor of the year the Ricasoli family became winemakers in 1141. The wine is aged briefly in wood, with a distinctive color, fruit forward nose, and a full finish. 1141 is a quality wine and an excellent value, and will work well with our menu.
Featured Wines / White
#125 “Les Charmes”, Macon-Lugny, 1999, 2000………………… .….…$22/$6
This white wine from France hails from the Macon district of Southern Burgundy, and is 100% Chardonnay. The wine is fresh and clean, with a fresh nose and attractive fruit. It is very well balanced, however, rendering it a very good food wine, unlike many other Chardonnays. This wine continues to be one of our favorite wines, and is a very good value.
#140 Chardonnay, Duck Pond, 2000……………………………………$20/$5.50
The Chardonnay comes from the Columbia Valley in Eastern Washington, and shows the rich fruit aromas and flavors which characterize Chardonnay from this region. The area has hot days and cool nights which allow the wine to ripen without losing the acidity necessary for food pairing, and the vineyards are shallow and rocky which contribute slight mineral overtones to the wine. This Chardonnay is well balanced, however, and has received Best Buy awards in both the Wine Spectator and Enthusiast. Not many Chardonnays of this quality are available at this price.
#141 Sauvignon Blanc, Goosecross, 2000………………………………$28/$7.50
This wine comes from a small Napa Valley, California, producer, and displays refreshing citrus notes of pineapple, banana, pear and cinnamon apple spice. This wine is more fruit orientated than the grassy nose associated with many Sauvignon Blancs, and the wine has a hint of being aged 4 months in oak barrels in the finish. The winemaker suggests pairing the wine with such seafood entrees as shrimp, mussels, clams and shellfish. A refreshing and delightful wine.
#122 Sancerre, “La Reine Blanche”, Jean Reverdy et Fils, 1999………..$29/$8
Sancerre is one of the most famous white wines from the Loire Valley in France, and is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. This Sancerre has lively fruit and acidity, has essentially seen no oak, and is both light and delicious. The wine is drinking wonderful now, and we urge you to try it, especially with seafood entrees. This wine is imported by former Rocky River resident Fran Kysela.
Additions
Additions to our list include two of the flagship wines from Castello Banfi, the respected American owned vineyard from Tuscany, Italy. Both wines are highly allocated and difficult to find, so our supply is very limited. We are fortunate to be able to offer them to you for your dining pleasure.
#59 Excelsus, Castello Banfi, 1998………………………………….……….$98
This wine is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, and the goal of the winemaker was to produce a round, soft, deeply colored wine, rich in structure but without aggressive tannins. The 1998 harvest was characterized by a dry and hot summer, which rendered fruit with small size but intense concentration. Tasting comments suggest that the 1998 Excelsus has a deep, opaque color with complex fruit and floral aromas, with well structured tannins. The wine is long and persistent, with a full finish, and should pair well with our Marinara and veal and chicken entrees.
#39 Summus, Castello Banfi, 1998……………………………….………….$90
This wine is also a blended wine, with 45% Brunello (Sangiovese), 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, but the grape that most impacts the finish is the Cabernet Sauvignon. The 1998 vintage was challenging in Tuscany, and the winemaker had to harvest and vinify each variety separately. The resulting wine is round and soft, not overly tannic, with a deep color and berry nose. The finish is long and elegant, and as with the Excelsus, this wine should work well with most of our menu.
We have added some new wines to our list with the New Year that might interest you. Some of these wines are allocated only to restaurants and in short supply, and our supply is very limited.
#29 Rosso Veronese, Sergio, 1997…………………………………….$48
Rosso Veronese, as the name implies, comes from the Venice area of Italy, and is made with the same grapes that the classic Amarone is made from, with the addition of a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is aged in French oak, and has a deep color and powerful nose. This is a bigger style wine, slightly higher in alcohol content than most wines.
#76 Luce, Marchesi di Frescobaldi, Robert Mondavi, 1998……...$105
#40 Lam’oro, Lamole di Lamole, 1997…………..……….………..$70
#88 San Martino, Villa Cafaggio, 1994………………………….....$60
These wines add to our collection of “Super Tuscan” wines from Italy, joining Anagallis, Pergole Torte, and Summus and Excelsus, whose description follows. All these wines include Sangiovese to some degree, which makes them ideal companions to our Marinara sauce. The wines are typically rich in the mouth, medium to full bodied, with excellent nose and color. Luce is the flagship wine of the venture between Frescobaldi and the Robert Mondavi family, who yearned to return to their Italian roots and produce a world class Italian wine. The blend is Sangiovese and Merlot, a similar blend to their lesser expensive Lucente, also on our list, and the difference between the two wines are in the vineyards from which the grapes come. Luce has more depth and body, richness and fullness.
Lam’oro is the first Super Tuscan produced by the respected Chianti vineyard of Lamole di Lamole, and we have a Lamole Chianti on our list. This wine is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Syrah.
San Martino returns to our list after a brief absence, and is blended from Sangiovese and Sangiovese Grosso, a Sangiovese clone. Villa Cafaggio, another of our favorite Tuscan vineyards, makes the wine, which is also full and lush and will work well with our chicken, veal, and marinara entrees.
#79 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stefani Vineyards, Dry Creek,
Sonoma, Gallo, 1997………………………………………..……$28
This wine is one of the higher grade wines produced by the goliath Gallo Vineyards of Sonoma, and is made from grapes from the Dry Creek appellation within Sonoma County. The wine has a deep color and full tannins which soften after opening, with big fruit and taste characteristic of the gravel soil of Dry Creek.
#89 Cabernet Sauvignon, Heller Estate,
Durney Vineyards, 1998…………………………………….…..$28
This Cabernet returns to our list again, and as with the Gallo Cabernet, the price of this wine belies its quality. This is an excellent California Cabernet, with great fruit and flavor, good body and color. This wine was recommended to us by one of our clients, and we are grateful for the recommendation. A great value.
#37 Primitivo, Amano, 2000………………………………….…….$22
This wine comes from the Puglia region of Italy, a region that produces more wine than any other region except Sicily. Primitivo is a wine that is very similar to the red Zinfandel from California, and at least one source suggests that the DNA of the two wines are identical. Whether Primitivo is the source of Zinfandel or not, this wine drinks like a Zindandel, with the spice and body which works very well with our menu, especially the marinara sauce. This particular Primitivo has received great press and ratings in international wine competitions, and is a very good value.
#58 Cotes de Castillon, Chateau de Pitray, 1998…………..……$27
A new wine distributor in the area, European Wine Imports, imports these wines, which are a very good value red wine subappelation from Bordeaux, France. Pitray is located immediately east of the St. Emilion region, and their wines are primarily Merlot with some Cabernet Franc blended. The 1998 Chateau Pitray was aged only in French barrels, and the wine is opening very well and immediately approachable. This wine is a very good value, and recent wine press has touted 1998 as especially strong for the Merlot based wines.
#57 Cru Bourgeois Saint Estephe,
Chateau Saint Roch, 1995…………………………………….$29
This wine is also a Bordeaux imported by local wine distributor, Private Reserve, and is basically an equal blend of the three great wine varietals that make Bordeaux wines so wonderful, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine has excellent nose, color and fruit, well balanced and a nice finish. The wine has benefited from aging since 1995 and is drinking very well now. The vineyard of Saint Roch belongs to the famous and more costly Chateau Cos Labory, and is a good value for Bordeaux lovers, new and old.
#54 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru,
Vieux Chateau L’Abbaye, 1998……………………………….$44
This wine is another import from Private Reserve that comes from the Saint-Emilion appellation of Bordeux, where Merlot is the primary grape blended into the wine. The wine has a beautiful color and nose, mellow tannins and good balance, and is a product of the 1998 vintage that many wine columnists, among them Robert Parker, are speaking so highly of, especially the Merlot based wines. Saint-Emilion wines are typically somewhat softer and more approachable than the other Bordeaux appellations, and are a good introduction to the wonderful wines of Bordeaux.
We have also added three very good wines from Argentina to our list. Argentina is one of the world’s top five producers of wine, yet until recently the vast majority of wine was produced for domestic consumption. This is changing, however, and great strides have been taken to produce and export wines as good as anywhere in the world. These wines are made by the Catena family, who have been making wines for nearly a century. The wines come from Mendoza province, located at the eastern base of the Andes and home to perhaps the best vineyards in all Argentina. Respected winemaker Paul Hobbs from California consulted Catena on these wines, and the wine press, including Robert Parker, The Wine Spectator, The Wine Enthusiast and Decanter have been very enthused about these wines.
#145 Malbec, Lunlunta Vineyard, Catena, 1999……………..…….$36
Malbec is a Bordeaux grape that reaches it best potential as a varietal in Argentina. This is a dense and serious wine, packed with fruit, deep color and full tannins. The wine feels soft and round, however, with an excellent finish. The Enthusiast calls this a muscular wine, and it should pair well with our veal and chicken entrees.
#32 Cabernet Sauvignon, Agrelo Vineyards, Catena, 1999………...$32
This Cabernet also comes from Mendoza and the 1999 harvest, which is considered one of the best vintages in decades in Argentina. The wine is 85% Cabernet. 8% Merlot and 7% Malbec, and the wine is full bodied and well balanced with concentrated fruit. The wine has a deep color with aromas of berries and plums, with a long, lingering finish.
#146 Chardonnay, Agrelo Vineyards, Catena, 2000……………..….$30
The Mendoza region where this wine also comes from is on the edge of the Andes, and the white wines made here are similar to the better whites from California. This Chardonnay has a golden color, a fruity aroma, and a nice balance between oak and fruit in the mouth. The wine is soft and full and finishes well. This should pair well with our seafood entrees, but is full enough to work with our chicken entrees as well.
Vino Rosso
Italian Red
#2 Amarone, Lamberti, 1997 $ 52.00
#29 Rosso Veronese, Sergio, 1997 48.00
#3 Amarone, Righetti, 1996 43.00
#4 Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Boscaini, 1998 $ 22.00
#5 Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Righetti, 1997 22.00
#6 Chianti Classico Riserva, Carpineto, 1990 $ 53.00
#7 Chianti Classico, Castello di Fonterutoli, Mazzei, 1998 38.00
#8 Chianti Classico Riserva, Carpineto, 1997 34.00
#9 Chianti Classico Riserva, Nozzole, 1998 29.00
#10 Chianti Classico, Brolio, 1998 29.00
#11 Chianti Classico, Barrique, Lamole di Lamole, 1997 29.00
#14 Chianti Classico, San Leonino, 1997 26.00
#34 Chianti Classico, 1141, Barone Ricasoli, 1998 24.00
#12 Chianti Classico, Querceto, 1998, 1999 24.00
#13 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Riserva, Fattoria Delcerro 1990 $ 79.00
#15 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Riserva, Carpineto, 1996 44.00
#16 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tenuta Lodola Nuova, Ruffino, 1995 32.00
#17 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Tiberini, 1997, 1998 30.00
#18 Rosso di Montalcino, Campo della Spinaia, 1997 32.00
#19 Rosso, Centine, Castello Banfi, 1997 22.00
#20 Sangiovese/Cabernet, Dogajolo, Carpineto, 1999 20.00
#21 Le Pergole Torte, Montevertine, 1997 $110.00
#22 Le Pergole Torte, Montevertine, 1998 110.00
#76 Luce, Marchesi di Frescobaldi, Robert Mondavi, 1998 105.00
#59 Excelsus, Castello Banfi, 1998 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot) 98.00
#39 Summus, Castello Banfi, 1998
(Brunello, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah) $ 90.00
#40 Lam’oro, Lamole di Lamole, 1997 (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah) 70.00
#23 Il Sodaccio di Montevertine, 1997 (Sangioveto, Canaiolo) 60.00
#88 San Martino, Villa Cafaggio, 1998 (Sangiovese, Sangiovese Grosso) 60.00
#24 Montevertine Riserva, 1997 (Sangioveto, Canaiolo) 54.00
#25 Anagallis, Lilliano, 1997
(Sangiovese, Colorino, Merlot) 54.00
#32 Lucente, Frescobaldi/Mondavi, 1997 (Sangiovese, Merlot) 40.00
#26 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tavernelle, Castello Banfi, 1996 $ 54.00
#27 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cru Farnito, Carpineto, 1997 48.00
#28 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gibbione, Tenuta Il Corno, 1996 38.00
#30 Brunello di Montalcino, Castello Banfi, 1995 $ 75.00
#31 Brunello di Montalcino, San Fiorenzo, 1993 48.00
#33 Dolcetto di Dogliani, Briccolero, Chionetti, 1996 $ 32.00
#35 Pais, Barbera del Monferrato, Colle Manora, 1997 20.00
#36 Merlot, Falesco, dell ‘Umbria, 2000 $ 30.00
#37 Primitivo, Amano, 2000 22.00
#41 Gattinara Riserva, Dessilani, 1993 $ 60.00
#42 Ghemme Riserva, Dessilani, 1995 40.00
#43 Nebbiolo, Fontanabianca, 1999 30.00
#44 Spanna Riserva, Dessilani, 1997 25.00
#45 Barbaresco, Sori Burdin, Fontanabianca, 1997 (WS 96) $ 68.00
#46 Barbaresco, Cru Martinenga, Marchesi di Gresy, 1995 56.00
#48 Barbaresco, La Spinona, Pietro, 1997 34.00
#49 Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Riserva, 1990 $ 99.00
#47 Barolo, Mauro Veglio, 1997 75.00
#50 Barolo, Riccardo Fenocchio, 1989 70.00
#51 Barolo, Bricco delle Viole, Giovanni Viberti, 1993 66.00
#52 Barolo, Vetus, Dominus Vini, Castiglione Faletto, 1996 $ 60.00
#149 Barolo, Giovanni Viberti, 1997 58.00
#53 Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, 1995 58.00
French Red
#54 Bordeaux, Vieux Chateau L’Abbaye, Saint Emilion Grand Cru, 1998 $ 44.00
#55 Bordeaux, Domaines Baron De Rothschild (Lafite),
Lafite Pauillac Reserve, 1998 37.00
#56 Bordeaux, Chateau Malmaison, Baronne Nadine de Rothschild, 1998 29.00
#57 Bordeaux, Chateau Saint-Roch, Saint Estephe, 1995 29.00
#58 Bordeaux, Cotes de Castillon, Chateau de Pitray, 1998 27.00
#61 Bordeaux, Mouton Cadet, 1998 22.00
#62 Bordeaux Superieur, Chateau Malrome, “La Revue Blanche”, 1998 21.00
#63 Beaujolais, Moulin-A-Vent, Georges Duboeuf, 2000
Domaine de la Tour du Bief $ 21.00
#67 Chateauneuf du Pape, Les Cedres, Paul Jaboulet, 1997 $ 60.00
#64 Chateauneuf du Pape, Brusquieres, 1995 52.00
#68 Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Grand Veneur, 1997 36.00
#69 Chateauneuf du Pape, Comte de Gabet, 1998 32.00
#65 Hermitage, Cave de Tain, 1995 $ 40.00
#70 Gigondas, Les Hussonnieres, Princes, 1997 26.00
#71 Crozes- Hermitage, Le Millepertuis, Guyot, 1996 22.00
#72 Cote du Rhone, “Parallele 45”, Paul Jaboulet, 1998 $ 21.00
#142 Cote du Rhone, Chateau de Marjolet, 2000 20.00
Spanish Red
#73 Ribera del Duero, Tinto Pesquera, 1996 $ 42.00
#74 Ribera del Duero, Condado de Haza, 1997 32.00
#75 Rioja Riserva, Marques de Riscal, 1997 28.00
Australian Red
#77 Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia,
Pertaringa, 1999 $ 40.00
#78 Shiraz, Wolf Blass, 2000 27.00
#136 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon, Koonunga Hills Penfolds, 1999 24.00
Argentina Red
#145 Malbec, Lunlunta Vineyards, Catena, 1999 $ 36.00
#98 Cabernet Sauvignon, Agrelo, Catena, 1999 32.00
California Red
#66 Opus One, Mouton-Rothschild/Mondavi, 1998 $160.00
#80 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beringer, Private Reserve, 1997 135.00
#81 Cabernet Sauvignon, Caymus, 1998 94.00
#84 Cabernet Sauvignon, Spring Mountain, 1996, 1997 82.00
#82 Cabernet Sauvignon, Robert Mondavi, Oakville, 1998 72.00
#85 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Fife, 1998 69.00
#86 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sterling Vineyards,
Diamond Mountain Ranch, 1998 68.00
#87 Cabernet Sauvignon, Jack London, 1998 56.00
#83 Cabernet Sauvignon, Smith & Hook Baroness Reserve, 1997 32.00
#79 Cabernet Sauvignon, Gallo, Sonoma,
Stefani Vineyards, Dry Creek, 1997 $ 28.00
#89 Cabernet Sauvignon, Heller Estate, Durney Vineyards, 1998 28.00
#90 Cabernet Sauvignon, Smith & Hook, 1997 27.00
#91 Merlot, Sonoma, Lambert Bridge, 1998 $ 30.00
#92 Merlot, BV Napa, 1998, 1999 28.00
#93 Pinot Noir, Gary Farrell, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, 1999 $ 64.00
#94 Pinot Noir, Sinskey, 1998 40.00
#147 Pinot Noir, Schug, Carneros, 2000 32.00
#148 Pinot Noir, Schug, Sonoma, 2000 26.00
#95 Syrah/Grenache, “Rocks & Gravel”,
Edmunds St. John, 1998 $ 29.00
#96 Zinfandel, Home Ranch, Seghesio, 1999 $ 42.00
#97 Zinfandel, Renwood Old Vine, 1999 33.00
#100 Zinfandel, Ravenswood, Amador Cty., 1998 28.00
#101 Zinfandel, Seghesio, Sonoma, 1999 25.00
#102 Zinfandel, Rabbit Ridge Cuvee, 1999 22.00
Washington State Red
#103 Merlot, Chateau Ste. Michelle, 1999 $ 28.00
#104 Merlot, Columbia Crest, 1998 24.00
Vino Bianco
Italian White
#105 Soave Classico Superiore, Gini, 2000 $ 22.00
#106 Bianco di Custoza, Lamberti, 1998 22.00
#107 Orvieto Classico Superiore, Bigi, 1999 22.00
#108 Frascati, Fontana Candida, 2000 22.00
#109 Chardonnay, Umberto Cesari, Laurento, 1996 $ 27.00
#110 Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio, Libaio, Ruffino, 1998 22.00
#111 Chardonnay, Eno Friulia, 1996 22.00
#112 Pinot Grigio, Santa Margherita, 2000 $ 32.00
#113 Pinot Grigio, San Angelo, Castello Banfi, 2000 24.00
#114 Gavi, Vigne del Pareto, 1997 $ 22.00
#115 Vernaccia, Teruzzi & Puthod, 1998 22.00
#116 Verdicchio, Fazi Battaglia, 1999 22.00
California White
#117 Chardonnay, Les Pierres, Sonoma-Cutrer, 1998 $ 55.00
#118 Chardonnay, ZD, 1999, 2000 46.00
#119 Chardonnay, Chappellet, 1999 34.00
#120 Chardonnay, Logan, 1999 28.00
#140 Chardonnay, Duck Pond, 2000 20.00
#141 Sauvignon Blanc, Goosecross, 2000 $ 28.00
French White
#121 Pouilly-Fuisse, “Les Ronchevats”,
Domaine Saumaize-Michelin, 1999 $ 44.00
#122 Sancerre, “La Reine Blanche”, Jean Reverdy et Fils, 1999 $ 29.00
#38 Chablis, Terroir de Chablis, Verget, 2000 28.00
#123 Riesling, Trimbach, 1999 28.00
#124 Viognier, Georges Duboeuf, 1998 20.00
#125 Chardonnay, “Les Charmes”, Macon-Lugny, 1999, 2000 22.00
#143 Chardonnay, Guy Allion, 1999 20.00
Argentina White
#145 Chardonnay, Agrelo Vineyard, Catena, 2000 $ 30.00
Austrian White
#126 Gruner Veltliner, Smaragd “Weitemberg”, Praeger, 1998 $ 56.00
#127 Gruner Veltliner, Federspiel “Wachauer”, Rudi Pichler, 1998 30.00
Blush Wines
#128 Rose, Tavel, E. Guigal, 1997 $ 22.00
#129 White Merlot, Zonin, 1999 20.00
#130 White Zinfandel, Beringer, 2000, 2001 20.00
Dessert Wine
#131 Vin Santo, Montegrossi, 1990, 375ml $ 29.00
#132 “B”, Castello Banfi, 1996, 375ml 22.00
#133 Vin Santo, Lamole di Lamole, 1993, 375ml 20.00
#134 Moscato Bianco, Robert Mondavi, 1998, 375ml 20.00
Sparkling Wines
#135 Champagne, Veuve Clicquot $ 65.00
#138 Asti Spumanti, Martini & Rossi 24.00
#139 Asti Spumanti, Zonin 24.00
#151 Champagne, Piper-Heidsieck, Brut, 187ml 15.00
#150 Asti Spumante, Martini & Rossi, 187ml 6.00
Vino di Casa
Chardonnay
Pinot Grigio
Riesling
White Zinfandel
Cabernet Sauvignon
Italian Chianti
Merlot
Valpolicella