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Kathy & I enjoy entertaining friends at our home. Often on these occasions we end up drinking wines from my personal collection, many of which are from my home country of Italy. I want all our guests at Cafe Aura to have the opportunity to experience these wines. The list we have put together represent some of the highest rated wines from Italy, France and the United States. And what better to enhance a special evening with friends and family than a great bottle of wine.
RATINGS GUIDE:
RP: ROBERT PARKER
JS: JAMES SUCKLING
WS: WINE SPECTATOR
BH: BURG HOUND
WA: WINE ADVOCATE
Domaine Louis Jadot, Puligny – Montrachet 2017
Exhibits attractive aromas of ripe citrus fruit, fresh peach, orange blossom and chalky soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, satiny and succulent palate with good concentration and a penetrating finish.BH 92
Domaine Matrot, “Les Chevalieres” – Meursault 2019
A mineral Meursault white that is rich, fine, and elegant with a great balance. The aromas of mature Chardonnay are balanced with the minerality of the soi. WS 92, BH 91
Domaine Francois Carillon, “Champ-Gain” 1er cru, Puligny-Montrachet 2018
A cool and airy mix features notes of various white orchard fruit and acacia blossom aromas that are laced with subtle hints of exotic tea and citrus rind.BH 93
Anderson Conn Valley “Eloge” 2016
Dense, layered and super-expressive. Black cherry, plum, cloves, licorice, chocolate and espresso.RP 97
Cardinale, Cabernet 2016
This captivating red impresses in its firm grasp of complex herb and spice. Sage, clove and woody tannin grip a core of currant, cranberry and high-toned red fruit, the texture dusty and lengthy. RP 97
La Jota “Howell Mountain” 2016
Blackberry, rosemary, subtle Asian spice, and a hint of Petit Verdot that rounds out the flavors.RP 97, WS 94
Beaulieu Vineyards “Tapestry” Reserve 2017
A soft and velvety red with chocolate and currant character. Medium to full body, creamy tannins and a fruity finish. Extremely polished and approachable. Shows the dusty character of the harvest. JS 92
Dominus, Yountville 2018 #1 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021
With its remarkably complex nose, Dominus is an utterly seductive wine. It displays red and black fruits and an ethereal aroma of deep cherry, warm citrus and marzipan. RP 99, JS 100
Dalla Valle 2016
Crushed blackberries, wild blueberries, kirsch and black cherries with touches of fragrant soil, cassis, tobacco leaf, candied violets and espresso. Medium to full-bodied.RP 97, JS 95
Jordan Vineyards, Alexander Valley 2006
Intense aromas of cassis, black currants, blackberries and ripe cherries with a lovely floral note. The palate is rich and seductive, exuding blackberries and cassis interwoven seamlessly with fine tannins from new French oak barrels.WS 92
Dominus 2017 Magnum
Very intense aromas of fruit, yet complex subtlety. Blue fruit, licorice and blackberries with flowers and perfumes. Full-bodied, round and chewy with black tea, currants and hints of leather and incense. Coffee undertones.
RP 97
Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva “Montefico” 2015
Full body vintage with ripe red fruit, solid tannic structure, good drinkability solid structure, intense minerality, spicy fruit, slow maturing tannins.RP 95, WE 96
Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva “Montefico” 2017Ruby red. The nose is rich, spicy with red fruit notes like clove, raspberry and red cherry. The wine is full-bodied with solid structure, intense minerality and slow-maturing tannins.RP 94, WE 95
Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva “Rabaja” 2017
There is purity and definition to the rose, cherry, strawberry and spice aromas and flavors in this red. Draped on an elegant profile, with a terrific mineral underpinning. Harmony and finesse renders this red approachable now.
RP 96
