drunkengoose


We ask our employees to try various wines and score them out of 100 points gauging how much they like or dislike them. Finally, all the scores are averaged together. That is why we call it Gates Circle Picks.
Staff Picks PDF Print E-mail

Redhawk 
Pinot Noir 
redhawk_pinot_noir

88 pts.

This is a tightly wound wine with subtle violet and caramel aromas. The core shows dried red berries and hints of earth and cola and the tannins are well integrated on the finish. A great pairing with grilled salmon and roasted meats.

Puppeteer

Chardonnay
puppeteer_chard

91 pts.

Puppeteer Chardonnay will develop pleasing honey and coconut influences in the bottle that will integrate with the fruit derived melon and peach. The palate is round and smooth with a clean finish.

Aresti 
Sauvignon Blanc
aresti_sauv_blanc

88 pts.

Nose: Melon, apricots, and citrus fruit. Very nice 
Taste: Refreshing with good acidity and fruit flavor. Mineral infused body, with a smooth finish. 
Summary: This wine jumps out at you. From the full bouquet of its fruity nose to its refreshing and crispy tang. I really loved this wine. Great with cheeses, seafood, salads.

Amethyst 

Vinalia
amethyst

94 pts.

Made mostly from Nebbiolo this is our homage to Barbaresco. Most Cal-Italia wines are heavy on the Cal and light on the Italia. Not this one. You could easily mistake it for a native of Piedmont. It has that wonderful dynamic of a perfumed nose – violet and
nectarines if you will combined with a mouth that is as serious as a heart attack. Wonderful with a grilled steak. It demands rich food. Near immortal, this wine will age forever, or as long as you keep a cork in it.

Marco Fiori
Cabernet Sauvignon 
marco_fiori_cab

93 pts.

Marco Fiori Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005 is fruity, firm & well balanced. Black currant, cassis & plum fruits with medium to full bodied tannins backing up this Napa Valley winner.

Russolo

Mussignaz
russolo_mussignaz

91 pts.

Brilliant straw yellow with subtle green highlights. Powerful aromas of ripe fruit such as melon, pineapple and peach, and orange and lemon blossoms. Clear, clean flavor. Powerful flavor, very round, lots of beautiful fruit. Pleasant fruity finish with a light bitterness and a subtle acidity.

Vincent Raimbault

Vouvray
v._raimbault_vouvray

92 pts.

This is a fairly typical example of Vouvray in the dry style. Pale color with a light fresh nose showing some stone fruits and a hint of the wet wool of Chenin Blanc.  Great with shellfish, particularly oysters.

Bricco del Sole
Moscato Asti
bricco_del_sole

92 pts.

The farm has been in the Morando family since the beginning of the 19th century. They respect tradition and terroir of their region but also utilizing modern tools and concepts. Producing mainly Moscato d’Asti (70%) and Barbera, they also produce a delicious Chardonnay, all stainless steel, and Nebbiolo, plus they are in the L’Insieme group. The family has 21 hectares of vineyard land. They farm their land organically and with great respect for nature.

PuntaPays

Malbec
puntapay_malbec

92 pts.

Classic Argentinean malbec nose of cassis, light oak and a touch of blackberry. Bright black cherry, touch of fig rounding out the flavors. Just a touch of green pepper.

Joel Gott
Zinfandel
joelgutt

95 pts.

Very inviting blackberry aroma - reminiscent of Smucker's blackberry jam; slightly jammy, with big soft, round texture and generous fruit; nice firm tannins and a big cherry finish."

Quattro Mani

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
quattro_mani

89 pts.

Barley and vanilla aromas with blackberry and cherry cola on the palate.  This is a very soft, simple and approachable wine filled with a nice abundance of fruit.  The finish is fairly long and it is well balanced.  It’s a decent and enjoyable pizza or pasta wine, but it’s not extraordinarily elegant.

Parallele 45

Rose
parrallele_45_rose_btl

89 pts.

Color:
Attractive salmon pink color, with brilliant tint.
Bouquet:
Intense and rich with very ripe berries.
Palate:
Ample and generous with tart red berries and an attractive final note of freshness.