2021 Impetuous By Checkerboard Red Blend Napa Valley

2021 Impetuous By Checkerboard Red Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Impetuous

By Checkerboard
Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Impetuous By Checkerboard Red Blend Napa Valley

Checkerboard’s 2021 Impetuous is a wine of striking intensity, softened by a deep, graceful elegance—a tribute to the captivating landscape of Diamond Mountain. Martha McClellan, whose skill has shaped renowned estates like Harlan and Sloan, guides this wine with precision and genuine passion, crafting a creation that resonates with both clarity and heart.

The Checkerboard estate vineyards sit high above the valley floor, their roots woven into ancient volcanic soils. McClellan’s close bond with Diamond Mountain’s rugged terrain—from its basalt-strewn slopes to its towering volcanic peaks—enables her to capture the land’s complexity in a vintage that reflects the spirit of this remarkable place.

The winemaking process unfolds like a careful dance, deliberately enhancing the natural beauty drawn from the region’s unique terroir. The result stirs an emotional connection that lingers well beyond the final sip. Boldly expressive, Impetuous reveals itself like a narrative, growing richer, more intricate, and more memorable with each encounter.

Impetuous
By Checkerboard
Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $125

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“The 2021 Checkerboard Impetuous Red Blend offers a brooding, rich nose of powerful blue and black fruits—blackberry and blueberry stand out—layered with notes of French lavender, iron, and a touch of vanilla from well-integrated oak. The palate is opulent yet focused, with concentrated blackberries, black cherry, and red currants driving a deep, penetrating core. Balanced acidity keeps it lively, while velvety tannins provide structure. The finish is long and seamless, with a luscious quality that lingers. A polished, high-quality wine, it’s delicious now, but built for 10-12 years of development.”

96 Points

NV Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

NV Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underAtlas PeakCabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Boomslang

Cabernet Sauvignon
NV Napa Valley

NV Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Innovation fuels the spirit of Thurlow Cellars, and their Boomslang Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold embodiment of this ethos. This dynamic, multi-vintage blend – artfully combining fruit from the 2019 to 2022 harvests – defies convention, earning an impressive 94-point rating and captivating wine enthusiasts with its exceptional quality at an accessible price. Decanter Magazine has lauded this groundbreaking approach, encouraging more wineries to explore the untapped potential of multi-vintage winemaking.

Guided by the visionary winemaker Kevin Morrisey, formerly of Ehlers Estate, Boomslang is a symphony of Napa Valley’s finest high-elevation vineyards. Grapes sourced from esteemed sites like Atlas Peak, Diamond Mountain, and Howell Mountain converge to showcase a captivating interplay of terroir and time. Embracing a minimalist, hands-off approach complemented by cutting-edge technology, the Thurlow Cellars team allows the vineyards to speak for themselves, preserving the unique character and complexity of each parcel.

Boomslang Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon invites you on a journey through Napa’s diverse landscapes and vintages, weaving together the essence of each growing season. This captivating blend entices you to savor the layers of innovation, terroir, and artistry, all offered at a compelling value.

Boomslang
Cabernet Sauvignon
NV Napa Valley
Retails at: $68

Your Price: $60

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“Boomslang is a multi-vintage blend of 2019, 2021, and 2022 fruit, and is crafted by Kevin Morrisey (formerly of Ehlers Estate). It’s an incredibly easy-drinking, smooth Cabernet with just enough fine-grained tannins to layer in a bit of grippy texture, but for the most part, it’s a pretty, red-fruited elegant Cabernet with good tension and energy. This makes me wish California wineries would do more non-vintage blends.”

94 Points

2021 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Napa Valley

2021 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Diamond MountainKevin VogtNapaOak KnollProprietary RedSaint HelenaUSA

STEPS

RESERVE BARREL SELECT
NAPA VALLEY 2021

2021 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Napa Valley
STEPS Barrel Select Reserve is a quintessential Napa Valley Blend crafted by Grant Long, Jr., the renowned winemaker behind Aonair, Reverie II, James Joseph, and Witchery. Grant’s winemaking wizardry creates approachable wines with a supple texture, hedonistic flavors, and ageability.
 
The 2021 STEPS unites plush valley floor fruit from Oak Knoll and St. Helena with structured mountain fruit from Diamond Mountain, showcasing the exceptional balance of Napa terroir.
 
The blend for this vintage is 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, aged in 50% new French oak and 50% once-used French oak, seamlessly harmonizing power and elegance.
 
STEPS
RESERVE BARREL SELECT
NAPA VALLEY 2021
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The 2021 Steps Reserve Barrel Select has fresh aromas of violets, black tea leaves, berry bramble, ripe plum, and black olive. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with bright acidity and flavors of black cherry, black currant, mint, dark chocolate, and cloves. The wine’s intensity and fine-grained tannins will allow for graceful development, although it’s drinking quite nicely already.”
94 Points
2020 Steps Proprietary Red Reserve Barrel Select Napa Valley

2020 Steps Proprietary Red Reserve Barrel Select Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

STEPS

RESERVE BARREL SELECT
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2020

2020 Steps Proprietary Red Reserve Barrel Select Napa Valley
STEPS Barrel Select Reserve is designed each year from a powerfully expressive and quality-driven selection of fruit from some of Napa Valley’s most prized AVAs. Grant Long Jr. is well known for his winemaking at Aonair, Reverie II, James Joseph, and Witchery, and he creates STEPS Reserve in the same supple, concentrated, and hedonistic style that’s developed a devoted following.
 
The 2020 STEPS combines structured mountain fruit from Diamond Mountain and Atlas Peak with characteristically earthy, dusty Rutherford fruit to create a harmonious balance of Napa terroir. The blend consists of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon enhanced with Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Merlot, presented in a richly layered style that perfectly balances power and elegance and a long, smooth finish. 
 
STEPS
RESERVE BARREL SELECT
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2020
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The 2020 Steps Reserve Barrel Select opens with an intense nose and aromas of violet, lilac, black tea, red plum, black raspberry, and volcanic rock. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and mouth-filling with flavors of ripe plums, cocoa powder, berry bramble, and savory spice. The tannins are velvety soft but with a strong backbone that will allow the wine to age and develop further.”
94 Points
2019 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond District

2019 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond District

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

MARTIN RAY

2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN

2019 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond District
There is an intrigue behind estate-grown and bottled wines, but the most critical piece of the puzzle is the site where the grapes are grown. Martin Ray has continuously operated under the “wines of place” philosophy, and quite frankly, they’re nailing it, producing wines that showcase the best each region has to offer.
 
Their Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in the Andrew Geoffrey Vineyard located on the lower foothills of the mountain with a powdery mix of volcanic ash and porous tufa rock with some sprinkles of obsidian. The majority of the small lots are fermented in upright French oak puncheons, with a small portion in open-top stainless-steel vessels, followed by about 30 days on the skins after fermentation, giving a silky mouthfeel and a seamless integration between the fruit and the oak. 
 
MARTIN RAY
2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
Retails at: $85
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“Complex aromas of dark plums, blackcurrants, dried herbs, cedar and spice box. Some tar. Pine needles. Full-bodied with creamy tannins. Firm and polished with a velvety texture. Flavorful and long…”
95 Points
2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Diamond MountainKevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

STEPS

RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red
Each year STEPS is re-birthed as it’s formed from declassified grapes from some of Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards and meticulously blended by winemaker Grant Long, Jr, whom you might know from Aonair, Witchery, and James Joseph. Grant makes the blend with an unwavering goal of producing a showy, opulent red, guided by the vintage and the varietals that performed best. The 2019 release reflects the vintage’s knockout power and blanketing intensity, and at $50, the value is nearly inconceivable.
 
Steps 2019 Barrel Select draws on Diamond Mountain’s concentrated fruit and expressive flavors, then brings Rutherford elegance and Oakville complexity into play with absolute grandiosity. The final blend is more than 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, crafted in a richly layered, lavish, hedonistic style. The wine is a steal at $50, and at $45, a single case won’t be enough.
 
STEPS
RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“The 2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select is beautifully aromatic with violets, ripe black plums and black raspberries, dark chocolate, and wet stones. On the palate, flavors of blueberry pie, cocoa power, and a savory mushroom component add additional layers of complexity. The tannins are fine-grained, giving the wine a velvety texture felt throughout the long and opulent finish that slowly fades away on the palate, revealing its complexity one layer at a time.”
95 Points
2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Diamond MountainKevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

STEPS

RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red
Each year STEPS is re-birthed as it’s formed from declassified grapes from some of Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards and meticulously blended by winemaker Grant Long, Jr, whom you might know from Aonair, Witchery, and James Joseph. Grant makes the blend with an unwavering goal of producing a showy, opulent red, guided by the vintage and the varietals that performed best. The 2019 release reflects the vintage’s knockout power and blanketing intensity, and at our price, the value is nearly inconceivable.
 
Steps 2019 Barrel Select draws on Diamond Mountain’s concentrated fruit and expressive flavors, then brings Rutherford elegance and Oakville complexity into play with absolute grandiosity. The final blend is more than 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, crafted in a richly layered, lavish, hedonistic style. The wine is a steal at $50, and at $45, a single case won’t be enough.
 
STEPS
RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“The 2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select is beautifully aromatic with violets, ripe black plums and black raspberries, dark chocolate, and wet stones. On the palate, flavors of blueberry pie, cocoa power, and a savory mushroom component add additional layers of complexity. The tannins are fine-grained, giving the wine a velvety texture felt throughout the long and opulent finish that slowly fades away on the palate, revealing its complexity one layer at a time.”
95 Points
2015 Dyer Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District

2015 Dyer Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainNapaUSA

DYER

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT 

2015 Dyer Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District
Diamond Mountain District is known for its upland volcanic soils formed during the Pliocene era, giving its fruit a distinctive minerality, firm tannic structure, and extensive suitability for aging. The mountain’s proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean causes a substantial moderating effect with up to 40-degree differences between nighttime and daytime temperatures, enhancing the freshness and acidity in the grapes.
 
Bill and Dawnine Dyer have over 80 years of combined experience in winemaking both in Napa Valley and around the world, evident in Dyer wines with a focus on the exceptional terroir of Diamond Mountain. The Dyers have moved towards dry farming their vineyard, creating an opportunity for the best possible quality to flourish, as is evident in this riveting expression of Diamond Mountain District Cabernet.
 
DYER
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $95
 
Your Price: $89
 
 
“Translucent and super-expressive, Dyer’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is magnificent. Sweet plum, graphite, lavender and spice develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s exceptional balance and captivating beauty that stand out most. The richness of the vintage has filled out the wine’s classically built frame nicely. Even so, what comes through is a powerful, structured Diamond Mountain Cabernet that exudes class and polish from the first taste to the last. Don’t miss it.”
95 Points
 
“A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain shows the more pretty, elegant side to this appellation. Cassis, blueberries, liquid violets and incense are just some of the nuances here. This beauty from winemaker Dawnine Dyer is full-bodied, has notable freshness, polished tannin, and again, a beautiful elegance. Drink it anytime over the coming 15-20 years.”
93+ Points
 
“Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain displays understated blackberries, black cherries, cedar and herbs notes with damp earth and black truffles nuances. Medium to full-bodied and built like a brick house, it is packed with restrained, muscular fruit, framed by grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and earthy. Give it another year or two in bottle and drink it over the next 15-20+.”
93+ Points
2018 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve

2018 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn’s Reserve

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

JAMES JOSEPH 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 KATHRYN’S RESERVE 

2018 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve
James Joseph has built a reputation for crafting age-worthy Cabernets that are powerfully elegant and profoundly hedonistic for the last eighteen vintages. Without constraint, the wine adapts to each vintage, bringing in new fruit sources or dropping old ones to craft the most extraordinary wine possible. The 2018 vintage is the deepest, most decadent, and hedonistic version yet, and with a total production of just 4 barrels, don’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
In this 2018 release, James Joseph combined the power of Diamond Mountain with the concentrated fruit of Atlas Peak and then intertwined the elegance of Rutherford. After nearly two years in French oak, the 2018 vintage offers a spectacular display of deep black fruits, dark chocolates, graphite, and liquid violets. 
 
Grant Long Jr., winemaker at Witchery, Steps, and Aonair, authored this masterpiece. Grant’s wines have a cult following for their incredibly compelling, magnetic style that draws you in and keeps you coming back for more. 
 
JAMES JOSEPH 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 KATHRYN’S RESERVE
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
“The 2018 James Joseph Kathryn’s Reserve begins with a nose combining deep, rich aromas of Autumn spiced blackberry cobbler, dried tobacco leaves, fresh mint, and sweet vanilla. The palate is intensely focused, with tantalizing layers of lush, concentrated black currants, crème de cassis, blueberry purée, and espresso roast, all in perfect balance. The ripe fruit tannins are silky smooth, so this wine begs you to drink it now, or over the next 10 years. This release is quite possibly the best James Joseph Kathryn’s ever made.”
96 Points
2011 Frisson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2011 Frisson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

FRISSON 2011 Frisson Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2011 NAPA VALLEY

 
Frisson is defined as a sudden feeling of excitement or thrill, which is exactly what you’ll get when you taste this $60 Napa Valley Cabernet.  It’s a blend of 70% Diamond Mountain and 30% Howell Mountain fruit and produced in a vintage where parts of the valley floor experienced challenges ripening.  The high elevation Mountains in Northern Napa Valley did quite well, however.  This wine embodies the mission set by the proprietors of creating small production wines from luxury grapes, grown in superior terroir, and  transforming them into balanced wine with sense of place and voice.  The wines are made by Wayne Donaldson who has nearly 3 decades of experience and has held top winemaking positions at notables Domaine Chandon, Moet Hennessy, Louis Martini and the list goes on…
 
The 2011 Frisson was made with an extreme attention to detail and add to it access to incredible Mountain fruit sources, and this wine speaks for itself and it’s stunningly impressive at this price point.  If you follow Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, you might have already heard of Frisson and noticed their mid-90 point scores on their 2015’s…  With a total production of just 150 cases of their perfectly ready to drink 2011 vintage, there are very few cases available, so I wouldn’t wait long to secure yours…
 
FRISSON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2011 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes: “Seductive aromas of coffee, black currant and blueberry are laced together with hints of vanilla that drift onto the palate which dances with layers of complex flavor. Espresso chocolate, dark berry fruits and rich brown spice thrill you with delight. The wine is balanced with a dense yet supple tannin finish. 
70% Diamond Mountain, 30% Howell Mountain fruit.”
 
Customers who enjoy Frisson Napa Valley Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabernets…
2017 Fortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Silenus Tryos Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
FORTUNE 1621
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Journeying for more from 18 months in French and American oak barrels, the 2017 set sail from carefully chosen vineyards throughout Napa Valley, each selected for their own unique characteristics which contribute to the final blend.  The 2017 is marked by it’s superior concentration, royal elegance, fine details and dusty tannins that are rarely found at this price..
SILENUS
2015 TYROS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $32/btl

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Winery Notes: “Brilliant ruby red color introduces black cherry, rose petal, vanilla, bay leaf and toasted oak on the nose. The palate has vibrant, deep flavors of raspberry, cherry, and plum with cocoa and vanilla extracted from the oak barrels. The wine is seamless and wonderfully balanced with bright acid, deep red fruit, lightly toasted oak and good structure that least to a long velvety finish.”