Bonnie Brae Wine & Liquor Mart
785 S. University Boulevard • Denver, CO 80209
Phone: (303) 733-7261

Avalon Napa Winery
– Graton (Napa), CA

Avalon is an unapologetic maverick; they have “attitude”…and they make excellent, excellent value Cabernet!! "Let’s make a wine that tastes like $75, but then let's sell it for $15!!” “We've taken the ego out of the equation and bring you world class wine at a darn good value.”

The Monthly Selection

2007 Napa Cabernet  

Winemaker Comments: For this 2007, the grapes were fermented in stainless steel for approximately two weeks and then gently pressed. The wine aged for over 16 months in French and American oak before bottling. The deep garnet color is the first indication of the wine's depth. Our 2007 exhibits aromas of raspberry, blackberry, mint and black cherries. Vanilla and short bread cookie notes from oak aging bring balance, and frame the ripe berry flavors. Oak aging additionally adds breadth and weight on the palate. Napa Valley characteristics show through with strawberries, red raspberries and a faint root beer note with quintessential Oakville dark cherries. The tannins are fine and chalky. Finally, there is also a mineral/earthy note to the wine that contributes to the multi-layer characteristics; supple, elegant and richly flavored in dark berries with a subtle note of oak; a classic Napa Valley wine. Regular Price $14.99 Web Special $12.99

Regular Price $14.99 Web Special $12.99

The Avalon Story

This winery is definitely off the wall, outside the box, an unapologetic maverick, has “attitude”…and makes excellent, excellent value Cabernet!! A second generation Californian, Proprietor, Derek Benham grew up in an agricultural environment in the great San Joaquin Valley. While working summers on his Dad's farm, he began to dream of building his own wine company. After graduating from UC Berkeley in 1982, Derek went to work in sales for a small winery near Lodi. Eventually, he assumed the role of General Manager, and learned all aspects of running a wine company, culminating in the sale of the winery to La Crema Winery. In 1990, Derek founded the Codera Wine Group and created the Blackstone Merlot brand. After seven very successful years, he sold the brand in 2001.

The “mission statement” of Avalon breathes brevity. Like the Indie films that inspired Avalon, our wines are original and uncut. According to Arthurian legend, the town of Glastonbury in the U.K. was once known as Avalon. Avalon has long been associated with paradise. It is a land of souls. Many believe that King Arthur's soul rests there and will some day rise again to defend England. Our wines don't cost a king's ransom, but that's exactly the sort of wines our Winemaker, Alex Cose, used to make. We joke with him and say, "Make us a wine that tastes like $75, but then let's sell it for $15 (actually this month it’s only $12.99!!).

We focus on the essence of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. We differentiate ourselves by producing flavorful wines at a decent price. And we only make Cabernet! Napa is one-eighth the size of Bordeaux, yet this small little valley is responsible for some of the world's most expensive wines…ours, however, is not one of them. We've taken the ego out of the equation and bring you world class wine at a darn good value. Unlike wines from the Culinary Industrial Complex, Avalon wines are original and uncut. Our wines reflect the true essence of Cabernet Sauvignon without pretense, hang-ups or apathy. Tune in, turn on, and discover Avalon.Avalon's inspiration is derived from our owner, Derek Benham. Never one to let the world pass him by, Derek is always striving to find better ways to make the wine, sell the wine, and to talk about it. His enthusiasm for Avalon inspires us all.

March 2010 SPECIAL FEATURES

Avalon Winery - Napa, CA
• 2007 Napa Cabernet
  Sauvignon