Sommelier’s Recommendation

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Agustinos Central Valley, Chile
PHP 1,300
Showing once again the estate’s respect for traditions, this Cabernet is fermented in stainless steel after de-stemming, followed by 7 days of punch-down maceration but racked with pneumatic press, no pumps, a relatively low-interference approach that results in well preserved fruit flavors, firm structures without too much extraction. This Cabernet is very popular with grilled or stewed red meat, dishes with rich red sauces as well a nice steak.

2013 Merlot, Agustinos Central Valley, Chile
PHP 1,300
Intense plum color paves the way for a wine with an array of aromas comprising of wild red and black fruit, a touch of mocha too. The palate repeats what’s offered on the nose with notes of coffee, ripe rigs and a bit of chocolate too. Fresh acidity gives the wine vigor and make it crisp on the palate, enough so to make it an excellent companion for rabbit, roast lamb, oily fish, buttery sauce, duck and roast chicken skins-on. Needless to say, it is equally happy with a nice well-marbled steak.

2013 Malbec Humberto Canale Estate Black River Patagonia, Argentina
PHP 1,300
The wine displays a shade of intense reds and wraps the mouth into an aromatic rainbow of red fruit, plums and prunes with flowery notes. Mature and elegant with a great balance and roundness. The wine weighs in at just below 14% alcohol by volume with a tiny bit of residual sugar, very good with steaks and grilled red meat.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Barefoot, California
PHP 1,550
Typical of California red wines which routinely enjoy near perfect weather year after year resulting in ripe harvest, this Cabernet Sauvignon yields big-size flavors of currant raspberry, blackberry. Lush and reasonably long for its class, the velvety vanillas’ finish makes it a good match for red meat, lamb, pasta, dishes with red sauce and a nice juicy steak.

2012 Merlot, Barefoot, California
PHP 1,550
This fleshy red wine offers a platter of cherry, boysenberry, plum and chocolate flavors, supported by Merlot’s usual round and mellow tannins. This full-bodied wine can be enjoyed with all sorts of dishes involving beef and poultry.

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Four Rivers Valle Central, Chile
PHP 1,300
Leaning towards a traditional Claret – Bordeaux Red wine – this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot extracts the best of both worlds, namely the structure, astringency and depth of flavors of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the fleshy, plummy, jammy texture of the Merlot. The resulting wine is a mildly intense flavored red wine with a smooth texture, a worthy companion for red meat and steaks.

2012 Merlot, Four Rivers Valle Central, Chile
PHP 1,300
Chile’s Valle Central is undoubtedly one of the largest and most important wine producing regions in Sough America. With so many different terroirs at its disposal, many different varietals are successfully planted here, among them the fleshy and easy-to-appreciate Merlot which seems to always be the wine of choice for burgers and steaks.

2010 Shiraz Wolfblass President’s Selection, Australia
PHP 2,900
Wolf lass’s President Selection series is designed to enjoy with food. This is a wine of elegant structure with long balanced tannins, aromas of blackberries, mulberries and dark chocolate, with hints of liquorices and spicy oak that add complexity to depth of flavors. Many will enjoy this full-bodied slightly spicy red wine with lamb, burgers, game, casseroles, roast beef and sharp cheddar cheese but it is a real treat to drink it with slightly spicy dish or a nice piece of aged beef.

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Wolfblass President’s Selection, Australia
PHP 2,900
Made from carefully selected grapes grown in their best vineyards in South Australia, the wine is rich, fruity, intense yet soft with fine tannin structure. Braised and roasted red meat will go swimmingly with this full-bodied red wine but possibly the top choice would be an excellent Wagyu steak prepared masterfully on a hot lava rock by the table.

2010 Paxton Shiraz "Quandong", McLaren Vale, South Australia
PHP 3,600
Fans of terroir-centric single-vineyard new-world wine would probably love this Shiraz from Paxton’s Quandon Farm which is located north of McLarent Vale in the celebrated Sea view Road area whose shallow loam soil over limestone restricts yield rendering grapes with intense flavors. Only 15% new French barrels was needed after Paxton customary extended maceration to extract more flavors. Smooth mouth filling texture, fragrant nose of plum, spices and truffles, and balanced flavors of earthy fruit and plum with a pH of 3.6 to balance out 13.5% alcohol level (quite restraint by Aussie standards) make this a food-friendly wine..

2009 Paxton Cabernet Sauvignon "The Vale", McLaren Vale,, South Australia
PHP 2,900
Cabernet Sauvignon likes McLaren Vale, producing wines of intense fruit flavors or rich, dark fruit, chocolate and minerals undertone. Paxton plants these at one of the coolest sites in the region to achieve a wine of fragrance, brightness and elegance, qualities that are not easily found in big Australian wines. 12 months in new and old French oak after extended post-fermentation maceration imbue extra layers of complexity. The wine feels and tastes well-integrated, certainly big in size but not overpowering, good for bigger food and juicy steaks.

2009 Pinot Noir, Domaine Pui- Gay, Central Otago,, New Zealand
PHP 1,900
Central Otago is New Zealand’s highest and the world’s most southerly wine region situated at latitude 45º south. Ringed by mountains interlaced with lakes and deep river gorges Central Otago is one of New Zealand’s most spectacular settings for vineyards. This unique climate combined with the mostly glacially derived soils, with rich deposits of mica and schist, is ideally suited to Pinot Noir.

2006 Cabernet Suaviginon, Beaulieu Vineyards Century Vineyard, California
PHP 1,800
Beaulieu Vineyard was named by Fernande de Latour, the wife of BV founder Georges de Latour. Georges purchased the property in 1900 and surprised Fernande by bringing her to the spot that would eventually be the birthplace of one of California’s premiere wineries. One look and Fernande was in heaven – she exclaimed "Beaulieu!" which means "beautiful place" in French. That is how BV or Beaulieu Vineyard got its name. Approachable and fruit forward—there is nothing stuffy about this Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh-picked blackberries and spring cherries open the aromas, hemmed by vanilla and toast. A juicy cherry-berry core develops through the mouth, picking up cocoa and subtle spices, which are gently cupped by soft tannins that hold through the lingering finish. Easy to enjoy, this wine pairs well with meaty lasagna, grilled burgers or rack of lamb.

2009 Malbec , Gougueheim, Mendoza, Argentina
PHP 1,700
Malbec which was known for the black wines fo France’s Cahor region, is now Argentina’s main thrust into the highly critical and competitive international wine market. Oddly enough Argentina’s Malbec is the original because phylloxera destroyed French vines forcing them to replant a stronger clone. Malbec strives in climates featuring wide temperature ranges, something that’s seen in Mendoza a lot. This Argentinian Malbec offers charming qualities of round tannins that creates a sweet, silky and mouth filling wine that many enjoy with grilled red meat and steaks.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Frog’s Leap, Rutherford, Napa Valley
PHP 8,900
The rocky, fast draining soils of the Rutherford Bench, the misty, late morning Fog rolling in from the San Pablo Bay and that ever-present California sun lends well to producing Cabenret Sauvignon. With a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot, the wine that is beautifully balanced and drinkable when young, just as it is beautifully balanced and drinkable when old.

2006 Malbec, Nomade, Argentina
PHP 1,900
The wine displays a shade of intense reds and wraps the mouth into an aromatic rainbow of red fruit, plums and prunes with flowery notes. Mature and elegant with a great balance and roundness. Aged for 8 months in French (70 %) and American oak barrels (30 %), the wine weighs in at just below 14% alcohol by volume, 4.7 g/l of acidity and a tiny bit of 1.8 g.l of residual sugar, very good with steaks and grilled red meat.

1999 Viader Napa Valley Red, Napa Valley
PHP 19,000
"VIADER is a leading first growth Napa Valley estate established in 1986 by Delia Viader and located at 1300ft on the eastern slopes of Howell Mountain. VIADER is recognized around the world for consistently producing high quality, very limited production red wines and red Bordeaux-style blends. distinctive blend allows Cabernet Sauvignon to provide the backbone, structure, character and complexity with succulent fruit and rich tannins. The added Cabernet Franc instills the aromatics and imparts a silky structure as well as suppleness and elegance while capturing an ideal balance between the two varietals; the Cabernet Franc contributing early approachability and the Cabernet Sauvignon providing long aging potential."

1997 Casa Lapostolle, Clos Apalta, Chile
PHP 11,000
The blend of 71% Carmenère, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Merlot produced a wine with a concentrated structure, a round and packed attack followed by velvety and polished tannins filling the mid palate and a ripe and rich long lasting finish. This handcrafted expression of the Carmenere grape variety is an ideal companion for game, lamb, and entrecote fillet. Also good with rich cocoa chocolate deserts.

1997 Gamay Noir, Interlude, Stellenbosch, Verdun Estate Wine, South Africa
PHP 2,500
South Africa’s Gamay Noir is quite different from the Gamay used in Beaujolais. This wine is more like a Burgundy than a Beaujolais. It is quite full-bodied for a Gamay, lots of fresh acidity and firm structure, medium intensity of flavors comprising of strawberry and black cherry, all in all a substantial wine to enjoy with braised meat, burgers and steaks.

1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Casa Real Santa Rita, Chile
PHP 6,500
100% old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon from a single vineyard site in Alto Jahuel in Chile’s Maipo Valley, Casa Real is named in honor of the noble house of Santa Rita’s founding family. Hand-selected and sorted grapes undergo 12 days’ fermentation and 10 days’ extended maceration, producing a wine with immense body and weight of tannins. Maturation takes place in 95%-new medium-toast French oak barrels.

1990 Cabernet Sauvignon Le Bonheur, Estate Wine, South Africa
PHP 3,500
Le Bonheur, which means happiness, dates back to the 1790’s. Most of the vineyards face north, while a few face east and south-east. They are situated at altitudes ranging from 200m to 400m above sea level. The wine is full–bodied with a good tannic structure and a long finish with ample cherries and pine needles. Excellent enjoyed on its own or served with red meat dishes and hard, mature yellow cheeses.

1990 Lievland Estate Wine, South Africa
PHP 2,900
Lievland Wine Estate is a classic family-run wine farm. This estate wine is a dry red blend of Cabernet Merlot, Petit Verdot and Shiraz; Lievlander is made from the estate’s best red cultivars. Ripe fruit berries, a hint of cherries, and elegant spices make this smooth and sophisticated wine a pleasure to drink.

1988 Dunn Howell Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
PHP 19,000
Only 2500 cases of this 100% cabernet sauvignon wine are produced each year. The Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is massive in fruit and tannins. For years, Dunn has been on a crusade to reverse the upward spiral of alcohol in Cabernet, a trend he sees as not only destroying the style of wine on which Napa has made its reputation but also neutralizing any sense of place.

1985 Cabernet Sauvignon, Zonnebloem, Stellenbosch, Farmers, South Africa
PHP 3,900
This lively, ruby-red wine is packed with cherry and cassis aromas with subtle hints of oak spice. Its rich, fruity palate and good tannic structure make it the perfect pairing partner for roasts and grilled red meat dishes.

1985 Diamond Creek Red Rock Terrace, Napa Valley
PHP 17,000
Diamond Creek Vineyards, carved out of Diamond Mountain in Napa Valley California, has four distinctly different vineyards that yield equally singular Cabernet Sauvignons. Red Rock Terrace, a warm microclimate, is 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wines have velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.

1984 Dominus Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
PHP 44,000
"Dominus is situated on an exceptional location in Napa Valley. Chateau Petrus’ Christian Moueix recognized the potential of this terroir for producing quality grapes in comparison to numerous other vineyards. Known for its complexity and balance, Dominus demonstrates the potential of a wine produced on exceptional terroir. Structured, seamless and perfectly integrated, DOMINUS is an elegant wine that improves with age."

1983 Grange Hermitage, Shiraz, Penfolds, Australia
PHP 88,000
Grange has bypassed the fads and trends of modern winemaking in the sense that it has maintained an integrity of style and remained true to its origins in the mind of Max Schubert. Penfolds Grange is the quality standard against which all other Australian red wines are judged. To share a mature Grange, in fine condition, is one of the great wine experiences. Popular food accompaniments include Wagyu Tenderloin, Braised oxtail in red wine, poultry, meat and game in red wine reduction sauce.

1980 Cabernet Sauvignon, Fairview Estate Wine, South Africa
PHP 3,700
Bright ruby in the glass. A complex nose of blackcurrant leaf and mint, accompanied by squashed ripe black cherries. Palate is full displaying smoked dark fruits with hints of leather. Rounded by grippy tannins.

1979 Laborie Estate Wine, Superior, Paarl,
South Africa
PHP 3,300
Through marriage, the farm passed out of the Taillefert family into another French Huguenot family, the De Villiers, who then later sold Laborie on to the Louw family. Both these families also played an integral role in the development and advancement of the Laborie Estate. With their knowledge of French viticulture techniques, the Taillefert family laid a solid foundation of vineyards and outstanding wine production that is evident today, three hundred years later, in Laborie’s wines of distinction.

1977 Cabernet Sauvignon, Zaca Mesa, California
PHP 7,700
Zaca is a Native American term for our area meaning “restful or peaceful place.” Their vineyards are mostly on elevated mesas or plateaus. Soils are Chamise Loam which are well-drained soils that developed over gravelly beds of silt and clay, and sandy water-deposited materials. These soils are on dissected high terraces (or mesas) with elevations of 1500 feet above sea level. This high elevation provides cooler nights, which translates into wines retaining their natural acidity.

1 4 月, 2014 in Sommelier Selection 2013, Wine List