Carmel’s da Giovanni dazzles on multiple fronts
“It’s hard to find the right words to describe da Giovanni restaurant in Carmel. To say it’s charming doesn’t differentiate it from 90 percent of restaurants in the area. To mention it’s family-run evokes a welcoming, sociable environment, but there are lots of those about, too. To point out that it has a nice view—well, it does, but there are places with more spectacular vistas.
Synergy. That’s it. That’s what da Giovanni is blessed with. A friend recently called to tell me about it. She described her entire fabulous meal and, embarrassing as it was for one supposedly knowledgeable about the MC food scene, I admitted I hadn’t dined there. I immediately amended the situation.”
~ Jeanne Howard
Sparkling Wines and Champagne
2006 Ferrari, Brut, Italy 1⁄2 Bottle
NV Laurent Perrier, Brut, Reims, France Split
NV Segura Viudas, Brut Reserve, Spain Split
NV Zardetto, Prosecco, Italy Split
NV Banfi, Brachetto D’Aqui, Piedmont, Italy
NV Charles de Fere, Brut, France
NV Da Giovanni, Blanc De Noir
2001 Da Giovanni, Brut, North Coast
2003 Da Giovanni, Sparkling Shiraz, Mendocino
2003 Domaine Carneros, Brut, Carneros
NV Greg Norman, Sparkling, South East Australia
NV Piper Heidsieck, Reims, France
NV Segura Viudas, Brut Reserve, Catalonia, Spain
Chardonnay
2005 Da Giovanni 1⁄2 Bottle
2005 Sonoma- Cutrer, Russian River 1⁄2 Bottle
2005 Beringer “Private Reserve”, Napa Valley
2005 Bernardus, Carmel Valley
2006 Benzinger Reserve, Sonoma
2005 Cakebread Cellars, Napa Valley
2005 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2005 Da Giovanni “Preston Ranch Limited Reserve” Russian River
2005 Da Giovanni “Private Reserve” Sonoma
2004 Da Giovanni ,”Limited Reserve”, Russian River
2003 Da Giovanni, “Private Reserve”, Alexander Valley
2006 Flora Springs, “Barrel Fermented”, Napa Valley
2005 Foley Estates, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
2004 Gainey Vineyard, “Limited Select”, Santa Barbara County
2005 Mer Soliel, Monterey
2005 Rodney Strong, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County
2003 Sonoma- Cutrer, “Les Pierres”, Russian River
Sauvignon Blanc and Alternative Whites
2006 King Estate,Pinot Gris, Oregon 1⁄2 Bottle
2006 Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc 1⁄2 Bottle
2006 Cavit, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy 1⁄2 Bottle
2006 Alois Lageder, Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy
2006 Bernardus, Carmel Valley
2004 Caymus Vineyards, “Conundrum”, California
2006 Charles Krug, Napa
2005 Da Giovanni, Chenin Blanc, California
2005 Da Giovanni, Gewurztraminer, Alexander Valley
2006 Da Giovanni, Pinot Grigio
2005 Da Giovanni,Riesling, California
2005 Da Giovanni, Reserve, “Middleridge Vineyard”, Mendocino
2006 Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma
2003 Flora Springs, “Soliloquy”, Napa Valley
2005 Ganz, Riesling, Spatlese Troken, Germany
2004 Hall Vineyards, Napa Valley
2005 Inama Seave Classico, Veneto Italy
2005 J.Lohr, Napa
2004 J. Moreau et Fils, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
2006 King Estate,Pinot Gris, Oregon 1⁄2 Bottle
2006 Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc 1⁄2 Bottle
2006 Cavit, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy 1⁄2 Bottle
2006 Alois Lageder, Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige, Italy
2006 Bernardus, Carmel Valley
2004 Caymus Vineyards, “Conundrum”, California
2006 Charles Krug, Napa
2005 Da Giovanni, Chenin Blanc, California
2005 Da Giovanni, Gewurztraminer, Alexander Valley
2006 Da Giovanni, Pinot Grigio
2005 Da Giovanni,Riesling, California
2005 Da Giovanni, Reserve, “Middleridge Vineyard”, Mendocino
2006 Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma
2003 Flora Springs, “Soliloquy”, Napa Valley
2005 Ganz, Riesling, Spatlese Troken, Germany
2004 Hall Vineyards, Napa Valley
2005 Inama Seave Classico, Veneto Italy
2005 J.Lohr, Napa0
2004 J. Moreau et Fils, Vouvray, Loire Valley, Franc
2004 Maison Louis Jadot, Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy
2006 Maso Canali, Pinot Grigio, Trentino, Italy
2004 Mastroberardino, Lacryma Chrisit, Campania, Italy
2004 Michel Laroche, Chablis, Burgundy, France
2004 Michel Redde, Sancerre, Les Tuilieres, Loire Valley
2005 Rodney Strong “Charlotte’s Home”, Sonoma
2005 Abbazia Novacella, Pinot Grigio, Italy
2005 Del Castelli, Verdicchio, Italy
Pinot Noir and Alternative Reds
2005 Villa Sparina, Gavi di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy
2004 Gloria Ferrer, Carneros 1⁄2 Bottle
2001 EOS, Reserve Petite Syrah, Paso Robles 1⁄2 Bottle
2004 Renwood, Zinfandel, Amador County 1⁄2 Bottle
2005 Paraiso,Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands 1⁄2 Bottle
2005 Alexander Valley Vineyards, “Sin Zin”, Zinfandel, Sonoma County
2005 Amberton Estate, Shiraz, Australia
2006 Bernardus, Carmel Valley
2004 Chateau Mont-Redon, Cotes du Rhone, Rhone Valley
2004 Da Giovanni, “Private Reserve”
2005 Da Giovanni “Limited Private Select”, Napa Valley
2003 Da Giovanni, Petite Syrah, North Coast
2003 Da Giovanni, Shiraz
2003 Da Giovanni Private Reserve, Zinfandel, Mendocino
2004 David Bruce, Santa Lucia Highlands
2005 Domaine Carneros, Napa Valley
2002 Echezeaux, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, France
2000 Echezeaux, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Franc
2005 Foley, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara
2002 Gran Feudo, Tempranillo,Spain
2005 Ironstone, Zinfandel, Sierra Foothills
2004 La Tache, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, France
2004 Lincourt, Syrah, Santa Barbara
2003 Penfolds, St. Henri Shiraz, South Australia
2003 Pessagno, “Gary’s Vineyard”, Santa Lucia Highlands
2004 Sonoma-Cutrer, Sonoma Coast
2005 Steele, Carneros District, Napa Valley 1⁄2 Bottle
2004 Terra d’Oro, “Montevina”, Zinfandel, Amador County
2006 Wild Horse, Central Coast
Northeran Italian Reds
2001 Gaja, Barbaresco, Piedmont
2001 Gaja, “Darmagi”, Piedmont
2003 Gaja, Sito Moresco, Piedmont
2001 Gaja, Sori San Lorenzo, Piedmont
2003 Masi, Amarone, Classico “Costasera”, Veneto
2004 Masi, Ripasso, Campofiorin (baby Amarone) Veneto
2005 Massolino, Dolcetto D’Alba, Piedmont
2003 Michele Chiarlo, Barolo, “Tortoniano”,Piedmont
2005 Moroder, Rosso Conero, Marche
2005 Vietti, “Tre Vigne”, Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont
1998 “Villa Chiara”, Barbaresco Riserva, Piedmont
2004 Ajello, Furat, Sicily
2004 La Valentina, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo
2004 Lucarelli-San Marzano, Primitivo, Puglia
2000 Mastroberardino, Taurasi Radici, Campania
Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends
2005 Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma 1⁄2 Bottle
2005 Hess Estate, Napa Valley 1⁄2 Bottle
2004 Provenance, Rutherford District, Napa Valley 1⁄2 Bottle
2004 Antica, Napa Valley
2004 Buehler Vineyards, Napa Valley
2004 Cakebread Cellars, Napa Valley
2005 Caymus, Napa
2003 Chateau Fleur Haut Gaussens, Bordeaux Superieur
2001 Chateau Malescot, St. Exupery, Margaux, Bordeaux
2003 Chateau Mongravey, Margaux, Bordeaux
2003 Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2002 Chateau Montelena Estate, Napa Valley
2001 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux
2002 Chateau St. Jean, Cinq Cepage, Sonoma
2003 Chatenuf du Pape, E.Guigal, France 1⁄2 Bottle
2004 Clois Du Bois, “Reserve” Alexander Valley
2004 Cote du Rhone, E.Guigal, France 1⁄2 Bottle
2003 Chateau Ste. Michelle, “Cold Creek”, Washington
2002 Da Giovanni “North Coast Reserve” Private Selection
2002 Da Giovanni, Paso Robles
2002 Da Giovanni Private Reserve, Alexander Valley, Sonoma
2004 Da Giovanni Meritage, Sonoma County
2004 Da Giovanni Limited Reserve, Napa Valley
2002 Faiveley, Clos Marechale, Nuits St. George, Burgundy
2002 Flora Springs, “Trilogy”, Napa Valley
2004 Hess Estate, Napa Valley
2002 Jordan, Sonoma County
2004 Joseph Phelps, “Insignia” Napa Valley
2004 Joseph Phelps, Napa Valley
2005 Justin, Paso Robles
2004 Justin, “Isoscoles”, Paso Roble
2003 Opus One, Napa Valley 1⁄2 Bottle
2004 Quintessa, Napa Valley
1997 Robert Mondavi Reserve, Napa Valley
2003 Robert Mondavi Reserve, Napa Valley
2004 Robert Mondavi Reserve, Napa Valley
2002 Silver Oak, Alexander Valley
2002 Silver Oak, Napa Valley
2001 Silver Oak, Napa Valley
2003 Silverado Vineyards, “Stag’s leap Vineyard”, Napa Valley
2004 St. Clement, Oroppas, Napa Valley
2004 St. Francis, Sonoma
2001 Sterling Vineyards, Napa Valley
2003 Whispering Dove, Stag’s Leap District, Napa Valley
Merlot
2004 Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County 1⁄2 Bottle
2004 Da Giovanni 1⁄2 Bottle
2002 Marco Felluga, Italy 1⁄2 Bottle
2002 Canoe Ridge Vineyard, Columbia Valley
2002 Chateau Cristina, Napa Valley
2004 Chateau St Jean, Sonoma County
2003 Chateau St Michelle,”Cold Creek” Washington
1979 Chateau Trotanoy, Pommerol, Jean Pierre Moueix
2004 Clos Du Bois “Reserve”, Alexander Valley
2004 Da Giovanni, Sonoma
2005 Da Giovanni Private Reserve, Mendocino
2002 Da Giovanni Limited Reserve, Napa Valley
2001 Delicato, “Vine Street”, Monterey
2002 Gainey Vineyard, Santa Barbara County
2003 Rutherford Hill, Napa Valley
2003 St. Francis, Reserve, Sonoma County
2002 Sterling Vineyards, Reserve, Napa Valley
2003 Twomey Cellars, Napa Valley
Tuscan Reds
2005 Coltibuono, Chianti Classico, “Roberto Stucchi” 1⁄2 Bottle
2003 San Leonino, Chianti Classico 1⁄2 Bottle
2001 Antinori, Brunello di Montalcino, “Pian Della Vigne”
2003 Avignonesi, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
1999 Badia a Coltibuono, Sangioveto, (100% Sangiovese)
2000 Badia Passignano Antinori, Chianti Classico Riserva
2000 Banfi, Brunello di Montalcino
2004 Cabuto, Barbera D’Alba
2001 Casanova di Neri, “Tenuta Nuova”,Brunello di Montalcino
2004 Castello di D’Alboa, Chianti Classico Riserva
1999 C.C Brunello Di Montalcino
2001 Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico
2005 Da Giovanni, Sangiovese
2004 Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico
2001 Gaja, Brunello di Montalcino, Rennina
2005 Gaja, Ca Marcanda “Promis”
2003 Il Molino di Grace, Chianti Classico
2003 Nozzole, “La Forra”, Chianti Classico Riserva
2004 Cataldi Madonna, Montepulciano
2003 Poggio Sanbolo, Rosso di Montalcino
2001 San Polo, Brunello di Montalcino
2001 Silvio Nardi, Brunello di Montalcino
2000 Silvio Nardi “Manachiara”, Brunello di Montalcino
1999 Silvio Nardi “Manachiara”, Brunello di Montalcino
2003 Tenute Marchesi Antinori, Chianti Classico Riserva
2001 Val di Suga, Brunello di Montalcino
2003 Villa Antinori, Sangiovese/Cabernet/Merlot
Super Tuscans
2000 Antinori,Guado al Tasso (60% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah)
2001 Antinori,Guado al Tasso (60% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah)
1997 Antinori,Guado al Tasso (60% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah)
1999 Antinori,Guado al Tasso (60% Cabernet, 30% Merlot, 10% Syrah)
2001 Antinori, Solaia, (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Franc)
2003 Antinori, Solaia, (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Franc)
2003 Antinori, Solaia, (75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese, 5%Cabernet Franc)
2001 Antinori, Tignanello, (80% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc)
2003 Avignonesi, Desiderio (Merlot, small amount Cabernet)
2001 Biondi-Santi, Sassaolloro (Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon)
2003 Cabutto, Borolo, DOCG
2000 Casanova di Neri, Pietradonice (95% Cabernet, 5% Sangiovese)
2001 Guiseppe Lonardi, Amarone Valpolicella
2003 Il Molino di Grace, Gratius (100% Sangiovese)
2000 La Colonica, Vino Noble de Montepulciano
2000 Loredan Gasparini (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec)
2000 Luce Della Vita (Sangiovese and Merlot)
2000 Trattoria Capannacce, Poggio Crocino
2003 Tenuta Ponte, Taurasi, DOCG
1999 Tenuta Del Ornellaia
2002 Tenuta Del Ornellaia, Serre Nuovo,
1999 Tenuta del Terriccio, Lupicaia, Bolgheri (Cabernet Sauvignon)
2001 Tenuta del Terriccio, Lupicaia, Bolgheri (Cabernet Sauvignon)
2001 Tenuta del Terriccio, Tassinaia, (56% Cabernet, 34% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot)
2000 Tenuta San Guido,Bolgheri Sassicaia, (87% Cabernet Sauvignon) 13%
2003 Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri Sassicaia, (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc)
2001 Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri Sassicaia, (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc)
2000 Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri Sassicaia, (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc)
2003 Tenuta San Guido, Guidalberto, Bolgheri (Young Sassicaia Vines)
2003 Tenuta Sette Ponti, Oreno (Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot)