We started May 4 with a Jeroboam of Brunello di Montalcino Casanova di Neri 2007. The Wine Advocate called it “a fabulous wine” and “flat-out delicious,” giving it 93 points.

The Wine Enthusiast was even more ecstatic, giving it 95 points, describing it as “a big, opulent pleasure bomb.”

Next up: May 11 — Barolo Brunate Marcarini 2007. Wine Advocate said it “sweeps across the palate with endless layers of expansive fruit.” - 94 Points

The Pinot Project, California, 2010

Pure aromas and flavors of black cherries kissed by oak and complimented by just the right amount of Asian spice.

Roots “Klee,” Willamette Valley, 2009

Fresh scents of red cherry, raspberry, and cedar are echoed in the flavor of the wine. Blackberry, cinnamon, and a base note of minerality add complexity.

Calera, Central Coast, 2009

“The 2009 Pinot Noir bursts from the glass with expressive red fruit, flowers, spices and mint. It shows lovely mid-palate juiciness and an elegant, polished finish. At its price point, it may very well be the single finest value in American Pinot Noir.”  –Wine Advocate, 92 Points.

Bourgogne Rouge, Maison Leroy, 2007

This is lively and bursting with fruit, showing flavors of freshly crushed cherry. There’s also a spice note, and the structure is well-integrated, with fine length.

Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley, 2008

Fresh aromas of strawberry, raspberry and huckleberry are firm and spicy in this medium-bodied red, yet it gains depth and length, ending with a wet pebble and mineral edge.

Martinelli, Blue Slide Ridge, Sonoma Coast, 2009

“Always the most complex for my olfactory senses is the Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge. The 2009 exhibits DRC-like aromas of blue and black fruits, raspberries, cherries, forest floor, and spring flowers. Full-bodied, opulent, broad, and seductive, this lush, heady Pinot can be enjoyed over the next 7-8 years.”  –Robert Parker, 94 Points.

Jean Reilly MW, wine buyer at Morrell Wine and Gaia Gaja, daughter of great Italian winemaker Angelo Gaja, discuss the role of strong women at Gaja.

We’re proud to announce that our wine list has been getting attention recently:

Opentable named Morrell Wine Bar’s list as one of the 50 most notable wine lists in the country.

The Village Voice also awarded us with the Best Wine List award for 2011.  Not too shabby!

What should we do to celebrate?  We think drinks are in order!  Come down and check out our extensive wine list for yourselves!

Morrell Wine’s Jean Reilly MW and Robert Drouhin of the famed Burgundy wine making and shipping family, Maison Joseph Drouhin, explore the finer points of Drouhin’s Chablis Premier Cru, Vaudon 2009 and their Gevrey Chambertin 2008. One of the nicest wine people from any region, Robert is extremely knowledgeable about Burgundy, his family’s wines and what makes wines of Chablis and the Cotes de Nuit so special. He’s also about six feet four inches tall!

Chablis & dollar oysters = an evening to remember.

Chablis winemaker Christian Moreau and Morrell Wine Bar and Wine Store teamed up to put on an awesome Oysters and Chablis tasting at the the Wine Bar last week. Christian brought three delicious Chablis to drink, including his grand cru vineyard, Les Clos, and Chef Jake Klein laid on shucking station, serving up East Coast and West Coast bivalves. The Moreau Chablis measured up to their great reputation as the perfect match to the briny oysters that were served.

The classic pairing, together at last!

Our Oyster Chablis fest last week was a great event.

Winemaker Christian Moreau poured complimentary tastes of his Chablis wines – including Premier Cru and Grand Cru – from the celebrated 2009 vintage. The oysters were just $1 apiece and the Chablis pours were 2-for-1.

Jean Reilly MW, Wine Buyer at Morrell Wine, speaks with Jim Clendenen about the wines of Au Bon Climat.

Jean Reilly MW and Donald Patz dig into Patz & Hall’s Carnernos Chardonnays.