Coach's List
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 Café 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.
Cento Anni!
Geno Auriemma
RATINGS GUIDE:
RP: ROBERT PARKER
JS: JAMES SUCKLING
WS: WINE SPECTATOR
BH: BURG HOUND
Burgundy
| 119 | 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 | 115 |
| 120 | Domaine Olivier Leflaive, Puligny - Montrachet 2017 Expresses noble and distinguished aromas with notes of citrus, beautiful minerality and toasted scents. The mouth is elegant and tonic with a very long persistence. WS 92, BH 91 | 115 |
| 121 | Domaine Francois Carillon, “Les Folatieres” 1ere cru, P - Montrachet 2017Aromas of beeswax, tangerine, yellow orchard fruit and crisp green apple, full bodied. RP 93 | 165 |
California
| Napa Valley Cabernet & Bordeaux Blends | ||
|---|---|---|
| 510 | Anderson Conn Valley “Eloge” 2016 Dense, layered and super-expressive. Black cherry, plum, cloves, licorice, chocolate and espresso. RP 97 | 165 |
| 511 | Cardinale, Cabernet 2015 Beautiful perfume of crème de cassis, black raspberry jam, graphite, and scorched earth. RP 96 | 450 |
| 512 | 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 | 250 |
| 513 | Shafer One Point Five 2015 Bursts with bright, energetic aromas and flavors of fresh black cherry, black plum right from the tree, pomegranate, wet slate, peppercorn, lavender, and savory herbs. RP 95, WS 93 | 160 |
| 514 | Beaulieu Vineyards "Tapestry" Reserve 2015 Takes a bright and relatively fresh approach, with raspberry and plum coulis flavors racing through first, backed by a plumper feel on the back end, showing notes of anise, mocha and briar.JS 93 | 125 |
| 515 | Dominus 2015 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 100, JS 98 | 375 |
| 516 | 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 | 325 |
| 517 | Dalla Valle "Maya" 2016 Floral and red fruit layers--kirsch, red currant jelly, black raspberries, lilacs, red roses and lavender--with achingly beautiful wafts of cigar box, pencil lead, camphor, cinnamon stick and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied.RP 100, JS 99 | 495 |
| 518 | Robert Mondavi "The Reserve", To Kalon Vineyard 2015 Rich, powerful and voluptuous, the 2015 oozes with class from the very first taste. The flavors are deep, dark and boldly sketched in this sumptuous, beautifully resonant Cabernet.JS 96 | 225 |
| 519 | Grigich Hills Estate Cabernet 2015 Entices the senses with layers of complex flavors that continue to evolve in the glass and on the palate. Aromas of black currants, violets, and plums.JS 91 | 125 |
| 520 | Ghost Block Estate Cabernet, Oakville 2016 100% Certified Organic. Intense, overt aromas of dark plum and black cherry. The palate has enticing flavors of darker red fruits--black cherry, cassis, and cranberry.WS 93 | 125 |
| 198 | Caymus Vineyards Cabernet 2018 liter bottle Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe, velvety tannins--as approachable in youth as in maturity.WS 90 | 145 |
| 199 | Cakebread Cellars 2016 Deep shades of purple, and rich dark-red hues signal that this is a quintessential Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Aromas of ripe blackberry, boysenberry, dark chocolate and notes of oak precede balanced acidity and firm tannins.RP 91 | 145 |
| 521 | Cade "Howell Mountain" 2016 Notes of raspberry coulis, black cherry, cedar, cocoa nib, boysenberry, mint, graham cracker, and a hint of lavender, rose and bay. The palette follows with bright flavors of red cherry and strawberry jam before tertiary elements of coffee, dark chocolate, licorice, and fresh plums. RP 96 | 175 |
| 522 | Quintessa, Rutherford 2016 A generous wine, with complex and elegant layers that envelop you from the first sip. Welcoming with aromas of cassis, blackberry, red currant and undertones of sage, thyme, crushed rocks, and rose petals.RP 97, JS 98 | 225 |
| 523 | Phelps Insignia 2016 Elegant and complex with a supple, creamy texture and bold tannins, this latest vintage offers luscious ripe plum and blackberry character with hints of roasted coffee and dark cherry throughout the palate to a long, velvety finish.RP 99 | 295 |
| Alexander Valley | ||
|---|---|---|
| 523 | Jordan Vineyards 2006 Magnum 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 | 325 |
Italian Treasures
| Piedmont | ||
|---|---|---|
| 221 | Produttori del Barbaresco Riserva “Pora” 2014 Ruby red color. Ripe, broad red fruit with an earthy character. Full-bodied and intense on the palate with rich tannins and a long finish. RP 94, WS 93 | 125 |
| 542 | La Spinetta "Pin" 2013 A fruity and savory red with shaved chocolate, minerals and hints of leather. The palate has a juicy and dark berry Barbera entrance that is perfectly completed by Nebbiolo length and elegance. JS 92 | 115 |
| 543 | Podere Aldo Conterno, Barolo "Bussia" 2013 Gorgeous aromas of dark berries, cedar and very ripe fruit that follow through to a full body, deep and dense tannins and a long, flavorful finish.RP 93, WS 94 | 128 |
| Tuscany | ||
|---|---|---|
| 234 | Casanova di Neri, Brunello di Montalcino 2014 The color is bright red, and fresh hints of young red fruits mark the intense bouquet. In the mouth everything is perfectly balanced, from the vibrant acidity to the creaminess and the silky consistency. RP 92, WS 91 | 108 |
| 551 | Altesino, Brunello di Montalcino 2014 Very perfumed aromas of dark berries and hints of dried violets and orange peel. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a linear and fine finish. Fresh and lively.RP 92, JS 91 | 105 |
| 233 | La Gerla, Brunello di Montalcino 2013 Delicately perfumed bouquet with layers of soft berry fruit and blue flower. You get wild rose, lavender and dried violet.RP 94, WS 92 | 118 |
| 553 | Gaja Brunello di Montalcino "Sugarille" 2013 A very aromatic red. Aromas of cherry and rose petal with hints of bark. Full body, firm and silky tannins. A racy linear line runs through it.RP 94, WS 94 | 225 |
| 554 | Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona, Brunello di Montalcino "Pianrosso" 2015 Ripe red-berry and cherry aromas that lead to a palate that has attractive red cherries with soft, earthy nuances and fine, chalky tannins.RP 95, JS 98 | 165 |
| 555 | Marchesi Mazzei, "Philip" IGT 2013 Deep, dark purple in color. Intriguing black cherry, balsamic herbs, coffee, and lightly toasted oak. Harmonious flavors of dark fruit, dried flowers, chocolate and vanilla. Exotic, complex character, full bodied.RP 94, JS 92 | 105 |
| 560 | Argiano, Solengo IGT 2014 This is elegant, with well-integrated structure framing black currant, black cherry, vioet, leather and tobacco flavors. Stays long and resonant on the finish, where a touch of oak spice shines through.JS 92, RP 91 | 125 |
| 561 | Antinori, Tiganello IGT 2016 A big, lush style, this red delivers pure aromas and flavors of black currant, cherry, violet, flint, tobacco and baking spices. This is supple, yet backed by a firm, dense matrix of tannins.RP 97, JS 97 | 225 |
| 562 | Tenuta San Guido, Guidalberto IGT 2017 This beautifully balanced wine is strongly marked by sweet black Merlot fruit character, impressions of ripe, concentrated berries in the aroma offset by restrained notes of spice vanilla and cedar.JS 94 | 115 |
| 563 | Fattoria Le Pupille Elisabetta Geppetti, Safreddi IGT 2016 Currant and rosemary character. Some sage, too. Complex aromas that draw you in. Full bodied.RP 98, JS 99 | 165 |
| 564 | Felsina Beradenga, Fontarello 2016 Amazing aromas of licorice, wet earth, orange peel and lavender. Full body, tight and super compact and polished.RP 98, JS 98 | 115 |
| 565 | Dell'Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove 2016 An integrated, ripe red with currant, berry and light tobacco character. Medium to full body, silky tannins and a flavorful finish. Second wine of Ornellaia.RP 94, JS 94 | 135 |
| Bolgheri | ||
|---|---|---|
| 570 | Antinori, Guida al Tasso, Bolgheri Superiore 2016 Beautiful center palate of fruit here with ripe and silky tannins that are resolved and fine-grained. Full-bodied, polished and ever so refined. RP 98, JS 98 | 148 |
| 571 | Ornellaia, Bolgheri Superiore 2016 An astoundingly vibrant, powerful and concentrated Ornellaia that has a wealth of intense dark cherries, mulberries and plums with hints of espresso, dark cocoa powder and cedar.RP 98, WS 96 | 275 |
| 572 | Gaja, Ca' Marcanda Promis 2017 Fresh and juicy, with notes of red and black fruits--raspberry, wild strawberry and mulberry. Creamy, firm tannins. The finish is sapid with a smoky and spicy character.JS 93 | 105 |
| Campania | ||
|---|---|---|
| 250 | Feudi di San Gregorio, Taurasi 2013 Brilliant ruby red with garnet reflections, this wine offers fragrant aromas of maraschino cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and anise. The taste is full and balanced with sweet and soft tannins that confer to good aromatic persistence.RP 93, JS 91 | 88 |
| 251 | Montevetrano, Colli di Salerno 2012 Deep ruby-red in color, aromas of blackberries and spices complement undertones of black currants, licorice, tobacco, earth, and leather. Elegant with fine-grained tannins and a rich, silky texture.RP 93, WS 91 | 110 |
| Veneto | ||
|---|---|---|
| 253 | Masi, Amarone Costasera 2013 This opens beautifully to reveal violets, blueberries, licorice, citrus, oyster shell and orange rind. So velvety and polished, but with real depth and structure. Medium-to full-bodied with delightful fruit and a long finish.JS 94 | 106 |
