WINE LIST TABLE OF CONTENTS

Transcription

1 Click on a Varietal to Jump to that Selection WINE LIST TABLE OF CONTENTS PHILOSOPHY Page One **Sample Menu** Due to availability and the nature of the wine business, some wines or vintages listed may not be available. WINE BY THE GLASS Page Two SAKE BY THE GLASS Page Three ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC WINES Page Four HALF BOTTLES Page Five CHAMPAGNE, SPARKLING WINES AND SAUVIGNON BLANC Page Six CHARDONNAY Page Seven PINOT GRIGIO, GEWURZTRAMINER, RIESLING VIOGNIER AND OTHER INTRIGUING WHITES Page Eight PINOT NOIR Page Nine MERLOT AND SYRAH Page Ten ZINFANDEL AND INTRIGUING REDS Page Eleven CABERNET SAUVIGNON Page Twelve MERITAGE AND RED BLENDS Page Thirteen OPUS ONE Page Fourteen 1997 CALIFORNIA REDS Page Fifteen CLOSING THOUGHT THE PHILOSOPHY OF WINE

2 PHILOSOPHY TOP Welcome To The Cliff House. Our Colorful History, Beautiful Setting And Dining Tradition Have Made Us A San Francisco Landmark, And We Are Delighted That You Have Chosen To Join Us. To Accompany Your Meal, We Invite You To Choose From Among Our Carefully Selected California Wines Which Are From All Around The State, And In Particular, From Some Of The Excellent Vineyards In Our Neighboring Counties Here In Northern California. Excerpt From Cliff House Wine List Circa 1985 We Are Committed To Carry On This Rich Tradition Of San Francisco Dining. Continuing With Our Award Winning Wine List Which Remains Predominantly Californian. Our Well-Trained Staff Are Pleased To Assist You In Finding Suitable Wines To Accompany And Enhance Your Cliff House Experience. If A Man Deliberately Abstains From Wine To Such An Extent That He Does Serious Harm To His Nature, He Will Not Be Free From Blame. Saint Thomas Aquinas Proprietors: Dan & Mary Hountalas General Manager: Ralph Burgin Wine Director: Jaime Wong Recipient Of WINE SPECTATOR S AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2004 Page One

3 WINE BY THE GLASS WHITES NV GLORIA FERRER brut, sonoma - sparkling wine 8.5 NV VEUVE CLICQUOT "yellow label" brut - champagne BRASSFIELD ESTATE high serenity ranch - pinot grigio PATIANNA mendocino - sauvignon blanc (organic / biodynamic) MILLERICK ROAD sonoma county - chardonnay EDNA VALLEY paragon, san luis obispo - chardonnay MacROSTIE carneros - chardonnay KENWOOD sonoma - white zinfandel 7 REDS 2006 ESTANCIA pinnacles, monterey - pinot noir "A" by ALFARO WINERY estate, santa cruz mountains - pinot noir ZAYANTE estate, santa cruz mountains - merlot (organic) ARTESA 74% sonoma county - 26% napa county - merlot HAYMAN & HILL reserve selection, dry creek valley - zinfandel MADRIGAL napa valley - zinfandel JADE MOUNTAIN napa valley - syrah R D L R (riddler) mendocino - syrah (organic / biodynamic) MOON MOUNTAIN sonoma county - cab. sauvignon (organic) PAUL DOLAN mendocino county - cab. sauvignon (organic) BERINGER knight's valley, sonoma - cabernet sauvignon MILLERICK ROAD sonoma county - meritage 8.5 Page Two

4 SAKE FOR THE SAKE OF IT each sake served chilled by the glass three ounces MUKUNE - SHADOWS OF KATANO junmai ginjo nigori sake (unfiltered) osaka prefecture rice: yamada nishiki & gohyakumangoku brewery name: daimon shuzo (founded in 1826) MU EMPTINESS junmai daiginjo sake hyogo prefecture rice: yamada nishiki brewery name: yaegaki shuzo aromas of fresh-picked mushrooms, sandalwood brilliant aromatic and complex flavor and apricot blossoms. on the palate, it has an the aroma from this sake is not cloying, but incredible sweet/savory/spicy character. leaves a smooth, light, and refreshing taste. $ 10 $ 11 SATO NO HOMARE - PRIDE OF THE VILLAGE GINGA SHIZUKU - DIVINE DROPLETS junmai ginjo junmai daiginjo ibaraki prefecture hokkaido prefecture rice: yamada nishiki rice: yamada nishiki brewery name: sudo honke (founded in 1140) brewery name: takasago shuzo (founded in 1899) light and fruity nose, laced with violets, pear, very fragrant, yet delicate on the nose and strawberries, and grape. refined and clear flavor, palate. this is considered one of the yet settle. semi-dry with a superbly clean finish. rolls royces of japanese sake $ 11 $ 12 Page Three

5 ORGANIC / BIODYNAMIC WINES FROG'S LEAP rutherford, napa valley - sauvignon blanc (org) BENZIGER carneros - chardonnay (org/bio) STUBBS VINEYARD estate, marin county - chardonnay (org) GRGICH HILLS estate, napa valley - chardonnay (org/bio) BUCKLIN compagni portis vineyard, sonoma - gewurztraminer (org) DASHE mcfadden farms, potter valley - riesling (org) ROBERT SINSKEY VINEYARDS carneros - pinot noir (org/bio) STUBBS VINEYARD estate grown, marin county - pinot noir (org) BENZIGER sonoma county - merlot (org/bio) PATIANNA fairbairn ranch, mendocino - syrah (org/bio) QUIVIRA dry creek valley - zinfandel (org) LIOCO "indica" mendocino - carignane & petite verdot (org) "75" amber knolls vineyard, lake county (org) FORTH dry creek valley - cabernet sauvignon (org/bio) NIEBAUM-COPPOLA "rubicon" napa valley - meritage (org) QUINTESSA rutherford, napa valley - proprietary red (org/bio) CAROL SHELTON "wild thing" cox vnyd, mendocino - zin. (org) CEÁGO camp masút, mendocino - cab. sauvignon (org/bio) 375mL GRGICH HILLS napa valley - cabernet sauvignon (org/bio) 375mL. 55 WINES BY THE GLASS 2005 PATIANNA mendocino - sauvignon blanc (org/bio) ZAYANTE estate, santa cruz mountains - merlot (org) R D L R (riddler) mendocino - syrah (org/bio) MOON MOUNTAIN sonoma county - cab. sauvignon (org) PAUL DOLAN mendocino county - cab. sauvignon (org) 11.5 Page Four

6 HALF BOTTLE SELECTIONS 950 NV VEUVE CLICQUOT "yellow label" brut - champagne TRECINI russian river valley - sauvignon blanc ACACIA carneros - chardonnay PATZ & HALL dutton ranch - chardonnay SONOMA-CUTRER russian river ranches - chardonnay GREGORY GRAHAM napa valley - viognier ETUDE estate, carneros - pinot noir PAPAPIETRO PERRY leras vineyard, russian river - pinot noir ROW ELEVEN santa maria valley - pinot noir SAINTSBURY carneros - pinot noir STEELE carneros - pinot noir MATANZAS CREEK bennett valley, sonoma county - merlot STEELE lake county - syrah CAROL SHELTON "wild thing" cox vnyd, mendocino - zin. (organic) DASHE dry creek valley - zinfandel CEÁGO camp masút, mendocino - cab. sauvignon (org/biodynamic) CHATEAU ST. JEAN "cinq cepages" sonoma county - cab. sauvignon GRGICH HILLS napa valley - cab. sauvignon (organic/biodynamic) JOSEPH PHELPS napa valley - cabernet sauvignon ROBERT CRAIG "affinity" napa valley - cabernet sauvignon OPUS ONE napa valley - meritage OPUS ONE napa valley - meritage VIADER napa valley - proprietary red blend 81 Page Five

7 CHAMPAGNE AND SPARKLING WINE DOM PERIGNON brut, epernay NV GRUET blanc de noir, new mexico NV KRUG "grand cuvee", brut, reims NV MALVASIA PRESTIGE ARIOLA brut, malvasia dell'emilio, italy NV MOËT & CHANDON "imperial" brut rose, épernay "OENOTHÉQUE" dom perignon brut, epernay PERRIER JOUËT "flower bottle", brut, epernay RICHARD GRANT "wrotham pinot noir" reserve NV ROEDERER ESTATE brut, anderson valley SCHRAMSBERG blanc de blancs, napa valley VEUVE CLICQUOT "la grande dame" brut, champagne NV VEUVE CLICQUOT "yellow label" brut rose, champagne 98 SAUVIGNON BLANC AND FUME BLANC CAKEBREAD napa valley FERRARI CARANO sonoma county, fume blanc FORTH sanford ranch - beckstoffer, mendocino county FROG'S LEAP rutherford, napa valley (organic) GROTH napa valley HALLECK VINEYARD "little sister", russian river valley KENWOOD sonoma county ROBERT MONDAVI napa valley, fume blanc SCHUG sonoma county 35 Page Six

8 CHARDONNAY LIGHT & LIVELY BENZIGER carneros (organic/biodynamic) CARMEL ROAD monterey CLOS LA CHANCE monterey county (unoaked) RODNEY STRONG estate, chalk hill, sonoma county STUBBS VINEYARD estate, marin county (organic) 53 WELL BALANCED BERINGER private reserve, napa valley CHATEAU POTELLE "v.g.s." mt. veeder, napa valley DOMAINE CHANDON carneros GLORIA FERRER carneros GRGICH HILLS estate, napa valley (organic/biodynamic) KENDALL-JACKSON vintner's reserve, california LA CREMA sonoma coast MORGAN "highland", santa lucia highlands, monterey PATZ & HALL alder vineyard, mendocino county SCHUG sonoma coast SONOMA-CUTRER russian river ranches, sonoma valley WILLIAM HILL napa valley 31 FULL-BODIED CUVAISON napa valley - carneros FAR NIENTE napa valley FRANK FAMILY napa valley HARTFORD COURT four hearts vineyard MINER napa valley MOUNT EDEN VINEYARDS saratoga cuvee, santa cruz mountains ROMBAUER carneros 54 Page Seven

9 PINOT GRIGIO PAVI napa valley SWANSON napa valley TERLATO russian river valley 34 GEWÜRZTRAMINER BUCKLIN compagni portis vineyard, sonoma valley (organic) CHATEAU ST. JEAN sonoma CORAZÓN anderson valley HOOK & LADDER russian river valley, sonoma county THOMAS FOGARTY monterey 27 RIESLING DASHE mcfadden farms, potter valley (organic) KENDALL-JACKSON vintner's reserve, california LUDWIG monterey TREFETHEN oak knoll district, napa valley 35 VIOGNIER FESS PARKER santa barbara county ROSENBLUM california, kathy's cuvee VOSS VINEYARDS carneros 41 INTRIGUING WHITES CONUNDRUM california - proprietary blend ETUDE carneros - pinot noir rosé FOXEN ernesto wickerden vnyd, santa maria valley - chennin blanc ST. SUPÉRY "virtú" napa valley, white meritage TREANA mer soleil vineyard, central coast - viognier & marsanne 54 Page Eight

10 PINOT NOIR CALERA central coast CHEVAL SAUVAGE ashley's vineyard, santa rita hills EDNA VALLEY VINEYARDS paragon, san luis obispo county ETUDE estate, carneros FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS "fiddlestix", estate, santa rita hills HALLECK "the farm" russian river valley J WINERY estate, russian river valley KOSTA BROWNE sonoma coast LA CREMA sonoma coast LANE TANNER santa barbara county LORCA gary's vineyard, monterey county MORGAN "twelve clones", santa lucia highlands OLIVET LANE russian river valley PARAISO santa lucia highlands, monterey county PATZ & HALL sonoma coast ROBERT SINSKEY VINEYARDS carneros (organic/biodynamic) SCHUG carneros SESSIONS russian river valley STUBBS VINEYARD estate grown, marin county (organic) W.H. SMITH marimar vineyard, sonoma coast W.H. SMITH sonoma coast 51 Page Nine

11 MERLOT B.R. COHN sonoma valley BENZIGER sonoma county (organic/biodynamic) CLOS DU VAL napa valley FRANCISCAN napa valley FREI BROTHERS reserve, dry creek valley, sonoma LUNA napa valley (organic/biodynamic) RAYMOND reserve, napa valley SOUVERAIN alexander valley STERLING three palms, napa valley TWOMEY napa valley 115 SYRAH A DONKEY & GOAT "recluse" anderson valley ALISOS HILLS santa barbara county BROC CELLARS dry stack vineyard, bennett valley OJAI VINEYARDS santa barbara county PARAISO santa lucia highlands PATIANNA fairbairn ranch, mendocino (organic / biodynamic) 54 Page Ten

12 ZINFANDEL D cubed napa valley GAMBA estate, russian river valley HOWELL MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS old vines, napa valley MARTIN rattler rock vineyard, russian river ranches PEJU PROVINCE estate, napa valley PERRY CREEK potter vineyard, amador county PEZZI KING maple vineyard, dry creek valley QUIVIRA dry creek valley (organic) ROMBAUER california ROSENBLUM annette's reserve, redwood valley SEGHESIO sonoma county 32 INTRIGUING REDS & RHÔNE BLENDS BROC CELLARS dry stack vineyard, bennett valley - grenache LIOCO "indica" mendocino - carignane & petite verdot (organic) SILVER larner vineyard, santa barbara county - syrah & mourvedre SUTTON CELLARS trimble vineyard, mendocino - carignane NV YORK CREEK "cuvee one" spring mtn., napa - cab, zin & merlot 29 Page Eleven

13 CABERNET SAUVIGNON "75" amber knolls vineyard, lake county (organic) AUGUST BRIGGS monte rosso vineyard, sonoma valley B.R. COHN olive hill vineyard, sonoma valley BEAULIEU VINEYARDS napa valley BERINGER private reserve, napa valley CARDINALE napa valley CHATEAU ST. JEAN sonoma county CORISON napa valley FORTH dry creek valley (organic/biodynamic) GROTH oakville, napa valley GROTH oakville, napa valley JORDAN alexander valley KENWOOD jack london vineyard, sonoma county LADERA lone canyon, napa valley LAIRD diamond mountain, napa valley PIEDRA HILL VINEYARD howell mountain, napa valley RAYMOND reserve, napa valley ROBERT MONDAVI napa valley RUBICON ESTATE "cask" rutherford, napa valley SENSORIUM uvas creek, santa cruz mountains SILVER OAK napa valley SNOWDEN napa valley SPENCE howell mountain ST. SUPÉRY napa valley 53 Page Twelve

14 MERITAGE AND BLENDS CHATEAU ST JEAN "cinq cepages" sonoma valley % cab sauvignon, 10% merlot, 8% cab franc, 4% malbec, 2% petit verdot CHATEAU ST JEAN "cinq cepages" sonoma valley % cab sauvignon, 10% merlot, 9% cab franc, 3% malbec, 2% petit verdot CHATEAU ST JEAN "cinq cepages" sonoma valley % cab sauvignon, 10% merlot, 7% cab franc, 3% malbec, 2% petit verdot JOSEPH PHELPS "insignia" napa valley % cab sauvignon, 21% merlot, 6% petite verdot, 1% malbec, 1% cab franc JOSEPH PHELPS "insignia" napa valley % cab sauvignon, 18% merlot, 3% petite verdot, 1% malbec, 1% cab franc LANCASTER ESTATE alexander valley % cab sauvignon, 5% cab franc, 4% malbec, 2% merlot, 1% petit verdot MERRYVALE "profile" napa valley % cab sauvignon, 8% merlot, 3% cab franc, 1% petit verdot NIEBAUM-COPPOLA "rubicon" rutherford, napa valley (organic) % cab sauvignon, 5% merlot, 3% cab franc, 3% petit verdot PAHLMEYER proprietary red % cab sauvignon, 22% merlot, 1% cab franc, 1% petit verdot, 1% malbec QUINTESSA rutherford, napa valley STONESTREET "legacy" alexander valley % cab sauvignon, 26% merlot, 17% cab franc STONESTREET "legacy" alexander valley % cab sauvignon, 27% merlot, 17% cab franc Page Thirteen

15 OPUS ONE OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 8% cab franc, 3% merlot, 3% malbec Bold, rich and leathery, delivering tiers of currant, mineral, spice and sage, this is a remarkably complex and deeply concentrated Opus that's potent while it leans into Cabernet's earthier spectrum OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 8% cab franc, 5% merlot, 4% malbec, 1% petit verdot A rich, decidedly earthy style of Opus, showing currant, anise, black cherry, mineral, leather and sage flavors that are focused and complex OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 7% cab franc, 1% merlot, 1% malbec & petit verdot Elegant, polished, supple and complex, with pretty currant, cedar, anise, sage and tar notes. Turns firmly tannic OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 7% merlot, 5% cab franc, 3% malbec, 1% petit verdot An exquisite, complex, stylish wine, wearing a cloak of earthy, leathery tannins around flavors of mineral, currant, earth and blackberry. Gains intensity and shows its depth and concentration on the finish, which is long and detailed OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 6% merlot, 5% cab franc, 3% malbec, 2% petit verdot Firm and structured, with spicy currant, herb, dill and berry, picking up a cedary lead pencil edge. Finishes with a firm, rich core of flavors and tight tannins OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 6% merlot, 2% cab franc, 3% malbec, 2% petit verdot Scents of red currant, red licorice, wild berry, sage and fresh earth fold together nicely in this ripe, intense, tightly wound young Cabernet. Well-focused, deep and complex, with dry, earthy tannins on the finish OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 6% merlot, 3% cab franc, 3% malbec, 2% petit verdot OPUS ONE napa valley % cab sauvignon, 6% merlot, 2% cab franc, 3% malbec, 2% petit verdot Scents of red currant, red licorice, wild berry, sage and fresh earth fold together nicely in this ripe, intense, tightly wound young Cabernet. Well-focused, deep and complex, with dry, earthy tannins on the finish. Page Fourteen

16 NINETEEN NINETY-SEVEN CALIFORNIA REDS All Wine Listed On This Page Are In Very Limited Supply CABERNET SAUVIGNON BARNETT spring mountain district, napa valley CAYMUS "special selection", napa valley CHATEAU POTELLE v.g.s. mount veeder, napa valley GRGICH HILLS napa valley GROTH oakville district, napa valley JORDAN napa valley STAG'S LEAP WINE CELLARS "cask 23" napa valley WILLIAM HILL reserve, napa valley 265 MERITAGE AND BLENDS CHATEAU ST JEAN "cinq cepages" sonoma valley JOSEPH PHELPS "insignia" napa valley OPUS ONE napa valley RAVENSWOOD "pickberry vineyard" sonoma county STONESTREET "legacy" alexander valley 235 Page Fifteen

17 THE PHILOSOPHY OF WINE An Anonymous Homage to Wine A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, without a word, he picked up a very large jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, each about two inches in diameter. He then asked the class if the jar was full. They all agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks. He then asked the class again if the jar was full. They all agreed it was. The professor picked up a bag of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled in between the pebbles. He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous...yes. The professor then produced a bottle of red wine from under the table and proceeded to pour the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty spaces between the sand. Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks being the important things your family, your health, and your children things that if everything else were lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else...the small stuff. If you put the sand in the jar first there would be no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Take care of the rocks first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled, I m glad you asked. It goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there s always room for a good bottle of wine. TOP