2018 Acumen Mountainside Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2018 Acumen Mountainside Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Atlas PeakKevin VogtNapaProprietary Red

ACUMEN

2018 MOUNTAINSIDE
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY

2018 Acumen Mountainside Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Acumen wines have a definitive style similar to Napa Valley’s great Cabernets from the 1960s and 1970s. They craft classically structured, balanced wines marked by complexity and ageability under renowned winemaker Phillip Titus, winemaker at Chappellet for nearly 30 years. At $40, Acumen’s Mountainside Red embodies the soul of their Estate vineyard, their team’s talent, and their proprietor’s drive, offering immeasurable value. 
 
At around 1500 feet elevation on Atlas Peak, Acumen’s Mountainside Blend was wrought from the rocky, volcanic soils and relatively cool climate, perfectly depicting the deep, concentrated flavors that make this region famous.
 
Acumen sells most of their fruit, allowing Phillip Titus to focus on his favorite blocks for Acumen’s estate wines. Phillip created this wine around a core of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Merlot and Petit Verdot for soft, supple characteristics, balancing the power of Mountain Cabernet.
 
ACUMEN
2018 MOUNTAINSIDE
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“This full-bodied wine starts with fragrant aromas of ripe blackberries, potpourri, freshly turned earth, and Chambord. On the palate, we find mouth-coating flavors of blueberries, Santa Rosa plums, and baking spices with a pleasant grip of ripe tannins coupled with notes of toffee, rhubarb compote, fresh sage and cigar box on the long and pleasant finish.”
2020 Skinner Grenache Blanc El Dorado

2020 Skinner Grenache Blanc El Dorado

with No Comment $30 and underGrenache BlancKevin VogtSierra FoothillsUSA

SKINNER

GRENACHE BLANC
2020 EL DORADO 

2020 Skinner Grenache Blanc El Dorado
Setting out to epitomize Sierra Foothill wines, Skinner designed their state-of-the-art winery to support chemical-free, small-lot fermentations. They strategically assembled a team of like-minded, talented individuals, including winemaker Adam Smith, former assistant winemaker at Craggy Range in New Zealand, and Domaine Serene in Oregon. Specializing in Rhône varieties, their Grenache Blanc exemplifies their team’s combined experience, environmental awareness, and the full capabilities of their vineyard. 
 
At 1,400 feet elevation, the alluvial soils of Skinner’s vineyard combine with elevation-induced cool temperatures, resulting in fruit with bright acidity and balanced flavors. Their vineyard’s shallow topsoil and decomposed granite cause the vines to struggle for water and nutrients, encouraging flavor intensity. 
 
Combining Concrete, Stainless Steel, and French oak fermentation vessels for increased complexity, Skinner’s winemaking team ferments their Grenache Blanc on the lees, increasing textural richness. At $24, this wine offers substantial value.
 
SKINNER
GRENACHE BLANC
2020 EL DORADO
 
Your Price: $24
 
 
Foothill Wine Festival 2021
Double Gold Medal
Best of Show – White Wine
100 Points
 
“The aromatics on the 2020 Grenache Blanc are punchy and brilliant, as the nose suggests a wine of tremendous posture. The first impression is crushed limestone and white flowers, giving way to underpinnings of blood orange, honeysuckle and sandalwood. This wine’s clean, platinum hue and lithe aromatics only begin to tell the story of its deep, complex palate presence of weight and electric tension; a tight balance of flowers, fruit and dirt, this is a real testament to the transcendence of El Dorado-grown white Rhônes.”
2018 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2018 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

ASTON

2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2018 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Co-founded two decades earlier by industry leaders Fred Schrader, Chuck Sweeney, and Thomas Rivers Brown, Aston arose from 14 acres of prime coastal vineyards near Annapolis. The winery is now under the sole ownership of Brown, and with the vines coming into age, the quality of the wine produced is at an even higher level, and the brand is ready to claim its throne as one of the Sonoma Coast’s top players. Brown describes Annapolis Pinots as having a savage quality, yielding a more significant, structured style of this Burgundian variety. 
 
Aston Vineyard is located along the Northern reaches of the Sonoma Coast and planted to Dijon clones 115, 667, and 777, which together produce a complete wine with outstanding depth and floral lift. As the vines have aged over the last two decades, Brown has noticed the fruit characteristics have become more interesting, and the 2018 release shows off the site’s capabilities. 
 
This wine enters from a vintage the Wine Spectator describes as “Nearly perfect conditions; full-flavored wines backed by crisp acidity, especially from coastal vineyards,” then was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Fans of BIG, rustic, full-bodied, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs should scoop this up by the case.
 
ASTON
2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $75
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“2018 was a winegrower’s dream come true. We had every available advantage leading into harvest and ample hang time for the fruit to fully mature. While still made up of all Estate fruit, this bottling comes from its own block in the vineyard. The result in the glass is a balanced, expressive Pinot Noir that resonates with all the hallmark notes of the Estate vineyard. The wine displays a red-purple hue in the glass. Aromas suggest blackberry jam, cranberry, plum, orange pith, and nutmeg. The sleek, structured palate resonates with notes of raspberry, pomegranate pulp, river rock, and lavender. This wine possesses vivacious energy and shows extremely well today.”
2016 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Valley

2016 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

AMAPOLA CREEK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 ESTATE SONOMA VALLEY 

2016 Amapola Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Sonoma Valley
Maestro of Sonoma winemaking with 50+ years experience, Richard Arrowood helped pioneer small-lot, single-vineyard wines unveiling terroir significance. His Estate neighbors the highly-acclaimed Monte Rosso Vineyard, and his 15 acres of organically farmed vines carved into red, iron-oxide soils produce powerful berries with deep savory intensity. At $100, his 2016 Estate Cab earned an exceptional 94 point score from Robert Parker; at $46, the best score will be a case for your cellar. 
 
Richard’s Cabernet highlights the diversity of his Estate’s terroir by combining fruit from China Wall, Bobcat Run, Fox Trot Meadow, and Montaña Vista blocks, each with a distinct micro-climate and soil profile. 
 
A masterpiece of hedonism, the 2016 release includes 7% Petit Verdot that contributes to the seamless texture and aids in harnessing the power of Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. After 24 months in seasoned French oak barrels, the wine’s dynamic complexity is on display, showcasing Dick Arrowood’s vast skillset. 
 
AMAPOLA CREEK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 ESTATE SONOMA VALLEY 
Retails at: $100
 
Your Price: $46
 
 
“… the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyard displays a deep garnet-purple color and tantalizing scents of plum pudding, crème de cassis and blueberry pie with touches of hoisin, licorice, sandalwood and cedar chest plus a hint of cloves. The palate is big, concentrated and full-bodied, laden with black and blue fruit preserves and framed by ripe, grainy tannins, finishing wonderfully long and spicy…”
94 Points
 
“… a deep ruby/plum color as well as a beautiful perfume of cassis, sandalwood, menthol, and lead pencil shavings. This medium-bodied, seamlessly textured, balanced Sonoma Cabernet has bright acidity, moderate depth yet terrific balance, and a clean, classy finish. It’s going to continue drinking nicely for a solid 15-20 years.”
92+ Points
2018 Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District

2018 Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSpring MountainUSA

BARNETT 

2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

2018 Barnett Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District
Carved into a 35º slope at 2000 feet elevation on Spring Mountain, Barnett’s Vineyard is impeccably farmed on a vine-by-vine basis, ensuring each berry reaches the pinnacle of ripeness. Once harvested, Winemaker David Tate ferments each block individually, performing multiple punch-downs daily, maximizing flavor concentration. Their unwavering use of traditional techniques and micro-managing production has solidified them as a paragon on Spring Mountain for more than 30 years. 
 
Crafted with the intent to showcase Spring Mountain’s most distinct characteristics, displayed with grace and persistence, Barnett’s team intricately combines fruit from their high-elevation Estate and neighboring York Creek Vineyards in creating their Spring Mountain District Cabernet.
 
Blending the 2018 Barnett, David utilized 8% Petit Verdot for increased depth, structure, and balancing the ripe and supple Cabernet Sauvignon fruit, which he aged for 22 months in barrel. At less than $100, this wine perfectly expresses the profound qualities that I look for in Spring Mountain Cabernet. 
 
BARNETT 
2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $80
 
Your Price: $75
 
 
“In 2018 climatic conditions were perfect up on Spring Mountain. This Cabernet is evidence of that. Fresh blackberry, anise and mocha are the first things apparent on the nose followed by cola, acai berry and menthol. This is a silky lush wine with layers of dark chocolate, cedar and freshly ground coffee. The tannins are chiefly present, being round pleasing chalky tannins with firm mountain acid balancing them out. The finish is chocolate covered plum. This powerhouse Cabernet is already showing well and will develop even more complexity over the next 10-12 years (2030-2032).”
2019 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Stonemason Hill

2019 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Stonemason Hill

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT

2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
STONEMASON HILL
ALEXANDER VALLEY 

2019 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Stonemason Hill
Designed to expose a vineyard’s most defining characteristics and deliver them with transparency, richness, intensity, and balance, Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet offers relentless value, unprovoked by trends or production costs. Nick Goldschmidt hand-selected Stonemason Hill Vineyard after recognizing the distinct character and terroir of the vineyard would ensure the continued stylistic goals that made the brand so successful.
 
At 500 feet elevation in Alexander Valley, Stonemason Hill is near Rattlesnake Hill and Blue Rock Vineyards, where low-yielding 31-year-old-vines grown in Sandy and Bale loam produce concentrated fruit with striking characteristics. 
 
Nick Goldschmidt is a global winemaker with decades of experience making wine in California, New Zealand, and Argentina. His 2019 Stonemason Hill Cabernet is 100% single-varietal and out-performs most Cabernets at double its price.
 
KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT
2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
STONEMASON HILL
ALEXANDER VALLEY
 
Your Price: $24
 
 
“Intense purple and reds in color. The aromatics are opulent and very floral. Black fruits of black cherry and plum were a common theme. The mouth follows with rich dark fruits of blackberry, plum, and some licorice texture. Lush ripe tannins, full body and the nice creamy velvet tongue-wrapping flavor. Drink now or over the next 10 years… if you can wait that long!”
2013 Roderer Estate L'Ermitage Brut Sparkling Wine

2013 Roderer Estate L’Ermitage Brut Sparkling Wine

with No Comment $40-$50Anderson ValleyChampagne/SparklingKevin VogtSonomaUSA

ROEDERER ESTATE

2013 L’ERMITAGE
BRUT SPARKLING WINE

2013 Roderer Estate L'Ermitage Brut Sparkling Wine
Roederer Estate is rooted in viticulture and centered around ownership of their vineyards. In France, their top Champagne is Cristal, but in California, their flagship Sparkling wine is their L’Ermitage, which they only make in exceptional vintages. Relying on age-old traditions, they’ve established a reputation as the top domestic Sparkling wine, and with its 95 point score and placement on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Cellar Selections list, here’s your chance to own it. 
 
Roederer’s winemaking style moves beyond science and chemistry into artistry measured by taste. Their team ages L’Ermitage for an impressive five years in oak casks, lending body, finesse, and depth, setting it apart from other California Sparkling wines.
 
Selecting Anderson Valley as the California outpost; The area was chosen for its proximity to the Pacific, inducing a gentle cycle of warm days and cool nights, allowing the grapes to slowly mature and develop full flavors. L’Ermitage’s choreographed union of 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir is domestic sparkling at the highest level.
 
ROEDERER ESTATE
2013 L’ERMITAGE
BRUT SPARKLING WINE
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“A panoply of subtle aromas and delicate flavors wrapped in a silky, slightly crisp texture give this medium-bodied wine a great sense of elegance. Fresh ginger, biscuits, toasted almonds and mild cherry nuances fill the palate. Best through 2025.”
95 Points, #42 Top 100 Cellar Selections
 
“The nose is open and inviting, golden apples mingling with toast, mushrooms, honey and crushed stone. The medium-bodied palate, with eight grams per liter dosage, has pure fruits tactfully accented by earthy, toasty notes. It’s energetic but rounded, supported by a finely beaded mousse, and it finishes long and layered.”
93+ Points
2016 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder

2016 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMt VeederNapaUSA

ANTHEM 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 MOUNT VEEDER

2016 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
Steadfast on creating superior quality Cabernets from distinctive Mountain AVA’s in Napa Valley, Anthem winery assembled a powerful team led by highly-respected viticulturist John Truchard and winemaker Jeff Ames. The winery’s production team is free to vinify without regard for cost, making every decision solely on its impact on the quality of their wine. All of this is present in their wines, and the 2016 release is their best yet. 
 
Mount Veeder arose from an ancient seabed, and the soils at Anthem Estate are excessively well-drained and derived from sedimentary rock. Their vines yield just 1.9 tons per acre of super-concentrated berries that powerfully reflect their site-specific terroir.
 
Jeff crafts Anthem’s Cabernet Sauvignon to showcase the power and restraint, as well as a stunning level of depth and persistent intensity. The 2016 vintage produced an even richer version, and after 18 months in barrel and three years in the bottle, this wine rocks.
 
ANTHEM 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 MOUNT VEEDER
Retails at: $125
 
 
 
“Made by Winemaker Jeff Ames, this Cabernet Sauvignon includes 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. Aged in 100% new French oak, it offers a seamless core of cassis, raspberry and dark cherry, with velvety richness forming a concentrated bond on the palate.”
94 Points
 
“…Deep garnet-purple in color, is offers up scents of crème de cassis, blueberry compote and Christmas cake with an undercurrent of plum preserves, camphor and cigar box. Big, rich and full-bodied on the palate, it delivers impactful, maturing black fruit and spicy flavors, supported by firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with great length.”
93 Points
 
“Lush and well-fruited, with lots of boysenberry, blackberry and plum flavors rolling through, laced with apple wood, anise, violet and sweet tobacco notes. Shows a tarry edge on the finish but the fruit keeps pace easily. Solidly built. Best from 2021 through 2032.”
93 Points
2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma MountainUSA

WESTWOOD

2018 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED

2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red
Legends of biodynamic viticulture, Westwood spares no expense raising the highest quality wines possible from their Estate. Their vineyard is one of a handful of Demeter-certified Biodynamic vineyards in North America. Westwood’s winemaker is Philippe Melka, named by the Wine Advocate as “one of the Top 10 Winemakers in the World,” and whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Mastery, and Dominus. Jeb Dunnuck writes, this wine has a “notable sense of class and balance,” and simply put, you don’t want to miss it. 
 
Westwood Legend arose from the cool, wind-swept Annadel Gap Vineyard, located between Mt. Hood and Sonoma Mountain, and includes specially sourced organic grapes from Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Formatted to bring out the best qualities of the Estate, the 2018 blend is exquisite.
 
Meticulously made, Philippe and his winemaking team harvest each clone at the pinnacle of ripeness before being carefully sorted by hand and fermented in individual lots. The wine was gravity-fed into French oak barrels, where it spent the next 20 months. The result is stunning.
 
WESTWOOD
2018 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The 2018 Legend Proprietary Red is an interesting blend of 45% Syrah, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Tannat, and a splash of Petit Verdot. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by loads of blackberry and blueberries fruit intermixed with plenty of peppery herbs, menthol, and graphite. This rich, full-bodied effort has a delicious juiciness, polished tannins, and a notable sense of class and balance.”
92 Points
2017 Leto Cellars Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2017 Leto Cellars Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSaint HelenaUSA

LETO CELLARS

PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 Leto Cellars Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Brad Warner’s half-century of winemaking experience is compounded by each successful vintage and tuned with the trials and tribulations encountered along the way, resulting in expertly balanced, story-telling wines of palpable quality. Calling on his vast experience, Brad created this union of Mountain and valley floor fruit that balances power and grace, and simply put, tastes like it should be at least double the price. 
 
Combining Mount Veeder’s power with the refined complexity of Saint Helena fruit, Brad’s decades in the wine industry allowed him access to some remarkable vineyards. He sourced the Merlot and some of the Cabernet from a steep hillside vineyard, which he balanced with Cabernet Sauvignon from dry-farmed vines in St Helena’s center. 
 
Blending 35%Merlot with 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot softens the Cabernet’s tannins, providing supple fruits that balance Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure. After developing for 22 months in oak and two years in the bottle, this wine is gorgeous now and will gracefully age for another decade.
 
LETO CELLARS
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $55
 
 
 
“The 2017 Leto Red Blend is a striking blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, giving it the right balance to drink beautifully now and for many years to come. It begins with a compelling nose of red currants, mountain berries, fresh florals, green sage, and savory, earthy spices. The palate is rich with ripe Burgundy plums, wild currants, hints of vanilla, and subtle spice. It is beautifully concentrated with penetrating fruit that carries the balanced flavors for a long finish, and I highly recommend trying some.” 
94 Points