2022 Random Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

2022 Random Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMt VeederNapaUSA

Random Ridge

Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2022

2022 Random Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

At 2,000 feet above sea level, where Napa and Sonoma meet along a jagged ridgeline, Random Ridge occupies a realm defined by exposure. Winds sweep across the Mayacamas. Soils thin to fractured rock. Vines dig deep or fail. This is not comfortable farming. It is mountain viticulture at its rawest. The wines carry the imprint of that altitude, concentrated and structured, shaped by a place that refuses excess.

That intensity was no accident. In 1980, Bill Hawley began pioneering this remote site, clearing and planting ten acres the following year on slopes many would have left untouched. Now decades into maturity, the vines root through shallow, well-drained soils that naturally limit vigor and yields. From those conditions comes natural concentration forged in the ground itself.

Above the fog line, ripening unfolds with deliberation, and that composure defines the 2022 vintage. Nearly 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, sharpened with a touch of Cabernet Franc, it delivers compact, dark-fruit flavors layered with a savory, mineral edge inseparable from its rocky origins. The finish lingers, steady and assured, echoing the wind-swept ridgeline from which it came.

Random Ridge
Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2022
Retails at: $60

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“The Random Ridge 2022 Mt Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is supple and expressive, opening with layered dark fruit aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, and blackberry, savory notes of bay leaf, wild mushroom, warm spices, an earthy core of forest floor, and graphite. On the palate, concentrated yet finely balanced fruit is framed by polished structure, with nuances of dark chocolate and freshly grated nutmeg adding depth and complexity, with a distinct mountain-grown fruit tension.”

94 Points

2023 Sentium By Continuum Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino

2023 Sentium By Continuum Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtMendocinoMendocino RidgeSauvignon BlancUSA

Sentium

By Continuum
Sauvignon Blanc
Mendocino, 2023

2023 Sentium By Continuum Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino

Sentium stands apart for one clear reason: it treats Sauvignon Blanc as a wine of structure and longevity, not just freshness. Drawn from old-vine fruit in Mendocino, it delivers a rare combination of mineral precision, layered texture, and power. As the white wine expression of Continuum Estate, it carries that same uncompromising pursuit of precision into an entirely different register.

Its character takes shape in Redwood Valley, where cooling Pacific influence meets ample sun, creating a natural balance between ripeness and moderation. This steady pace slows ripening, preserving tension while allowing the fruit to reach full phenolic maturity. In 2023, that equilibrium comes through cleanly, where freshness and concentration move in seamless alignment.

The cellar work reinforces that balance through a deliberate, multi-vessel élevage. Concrete, stainless steel, and neutral oak each add dimension, while extended lees aging builds texture and density through the mid-palate. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc of uncommon shape and persistence, expansive yet precise, leaving a lasting impression that extends well beyond the variety’s expected limits.

Sentium
By Continuum
Sauvignon Blanc
Mendocino, 2023

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“The 2023 release totals approximately 188 cases. This vintage delivers beautifully luscious fruit, marked by lemon-leaf pithiness and notes of crushed Marcona almonds. There’s excellent tension and grip here, with the wine showing its hallmark medium-bodied richness and silky, satiny fruit character. Laced with vibrant acid tension, it finishes long with flinty minerality, a kiss of tarragon, and a lingering saline edge. Chiara Mondavi set out to find older, organically farmed vines cared for by family growers. Her search led her to Mendocino’s Redwood Valley, where vineyards planted between the 1940s and 1970s provided the perfect fit for her vision of crafting textured, ageworthy Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.”

96 Points

2021 Domaine De La Riviere Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2021 Domaine De La Riviere Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

Domaine de la Rivière

Pinot Noir 2021
Middle Reach Vineyards
Russian River Valley

2021 Domaine De La Riviere Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

With poised intensity, Domaine de la Rivière Pinot Noir captures one of the most compelling stretches of the Russian River Valley. In this prized Middle Reach corridor, cooling Pacific fog tempers the sun and extends the growing season, preserving freshness and detail. The result is a wine defined by balance, where vivid red fruit, lifted aromatics, and fine structure reflect a site shaped by equilibrium.

Guided by a philosophy that favors precision, the wine reflects a disciplined, site-first approach. At the helm, Kale Anderson brings a pedigree shaped at Colgin Cellars, Cliff Lede Vineyards, and Pahlmeyer, where he honed a style defined by precision and control. Each decision in the cellar is deliberate, preserving tension, structure, and aromatic lift, resulting in a Pinot Noir that is both transparent and complete.

Native fermentation anchors the wine in transparency, allowing site and structure to speak without interference. This is Pinot Noir that moves beyond immediacy, offering both present beauty and the promise of evolution. It speaks with clarity of place and rewards those willing to follow it over time.

Domaine de la Rivière
Pinot Noir 2021
Middle Reach Vineyards
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $75

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“Aromas of pomegranate, cherry, black tea and orange peel swirl and mingle on the nose of this native-fermented Pinot. The palate gives flavors of salty cherry, roasted mushroom and violets, with the satisfying grip of tannin lingering through the finish. Best 2028–2040.”

94 Points, Cellar Selection

Merlot wine bottle from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, 2014 vintage.

2014 La Jota Merlot Howell Mountain

with No Comment $80-$90Howell MountainKevin VogtMerlotNapaUSA

La Jota

Merlot 2014
Howell Mountain

Merlot wine bottle from Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, 2014 vintage.

The 2014 La Jota Howell Mountain Merlot arrives with an authority that immediately distinguishes it. Born at high elevation, it forgoes plushness in favor of precision and generosity in favor of structure, delivering a wine that is both powerful and exacting. This is Merlot with genuine mountain backbone, shaped by volcanic soils, cool nights, and a long growing season that prizes depth, tension, and longevity.

La Jota’s roots run deep on this mountain. Founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, the estate has endured cycles of abandonment and renewal, yet its commitment to Howell Mountain has never wavered. Today, under the direction of Chris Carpenter, that legacy is honed with precision. His approach is measured and site-driven, allowing the character of these historic vineyards to emerge fully.

At twelve years of age, the 2014 demonstrates precisely why Howell Mountain wines command such respect for their longevity. The structure remains firm, but the edges have softened, revealing a more expressive, layered profile. A natural freshness keeps the wine vibrant and lifted. It is a compelling reminder that wines from this elevation are built not merely to endure, but to evolve.

La Jota
Merlot 2014
Howell Mountain
Retails at: $100

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“Blended with 10% Petit Verdot, this age-worthy beauty is impressively oaked and tannic in its youth, with a concentration of densely packed red and black currants. Coconut shavings and vanilla appear from the background alongside black pepper and cinnamon. This should drink best from 2024–2034.”

94 Points, Cellar Selection

Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc wine bottle from MorganLee Vineyard, Napa Valley.

2024 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc MorgaenLee Vineyard

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancUSAYountville

Ghost Block

Sauvignon Blanc
MorgaenLee Vineyard
Yountville 2024

Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc wine bottle from MorganLee Vineyard, Napa Valley.

In a valley defined by Cabernet, crafting a Sauvignon Blanc of substance takes conviction. Yountville provides ideal conditions, with warm afternoons and cool evenings that sharpen flavor while preserving texture. The 2024 Ghost Block Sauvignon Blanc captures that equilibrium with precision, layering lemon citrus, grapefruit, and fresh florals over structure shaped by old vines and intentional blending. This is Sauvignon Blanc with lineage and depth, built with purpose.

Its foundation is organically farmed, dry-farmed vines, some planted in 1978, their roots set deep in Yountville soils. The block is harvested in three measured passes, each pick capturing a distinct point of maturity, from vibrant citrus tension to fuller ripeness. Together, they form a complete portrait of one vineyard, amplifying complexity without losing sense of place.

In the cellar, that detail is preserved and refined. Whole-cluster pressing maintains purity, while barrel fermentation and seven months of aging shape integration and lift. A modest 2 percent of Sémillon adds subtle breadth to the mid-palate, extending the finish without softening the wine’s edge. The result is poised and luminous, a Sauvignon Blanc of precision, texture, and lasting presence.

Ghost Block
Sauvignon Blanc
MorgaenLee Vineyard
Yountville 2024
Retails at: $35

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“The Ghost Block 2024 MorgaenLee Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc hails from Yountville in Napa Valley and opens with an exuberant bouquet of cherry blossoms, jasmine, gooseberries, freshly cut lemon slices, ruby grapefruit, passion fruit, mangos, golden apples, and a wet stone minerality. On the palate, the wine is bright and energetic, with crisp acidity, flavors of lemon zest, white peaches, and guavas, all seamlessly layered. This wine has a clean, focused precision and structure, enhancing its freshness, with a long, refreshing finish.”

94 Points

2023 Napanook by Dominus Napa Valley Red

2023 Napanook by Dominus Napa Valley Red

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSAYountville

Napanook

by Dominus
Napa Valley Red 2023

2023 Napanook by Dominus Napa Valley Red

A beautiful entry into the wines of Dominus Estate, the 2023 Napanook captures the essence of a vineyard that has shaped Napa Valley for nearly two centuries. Drawn entirely from the historic Napanook Vineyard in Yountville, first planted in 1836 by George C. Yount, the wine reflects the authority of a site whose gravelly valley-floor soils have long proven ideal for Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine takes inspiration from the classic structure of Left Bank Bordeaux while remaining unmistakably Napa in character. The vineyard is farmed with an unwavering focus on balance and site expression. Dry-farmed vines send their roots deep into gravelly clay-loam soils threaded with volcanic material, while meticulous cane pruning and careful cluster thinning ensure each vine yields fruit of concentration and purity.

In the cellar, the philosophy is one of moderation and transparency. The 2023 Napanook matures for twenty months in French oak barrels, about twenty percent of them new, a measured approach that frames the wine without overshadowing it. The emphasis remains firmly on allowing the voice of the Napanook Vineyard to come through with precision.

Napanook
by Dominus
Napa Valley Red 2023

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“Aromas of blueberries, ash and stones with hints of blackberries, orange peel and chocolate. It’s medium-bodied with medium-round tannins that are polished and velvety but always in check. Cedar and baking spices like nutmeg on the palate. Lovely soft and silky texture with a long finish. Enchanting and delicious. 92% cabernet sauvginon, 4% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. From organically grown grapes. Drink now or hold.”

97 Points

2022 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

2022 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSAWillamette Valley

Ponzi Vineyard

Pinot Noir 2022
Laurelwood District
Willamette Valley

2022 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Founded in 1970 by Dick and Nancy Ponzi, Ponzi Vineyards helped define modern Oregon wine. Long before the Willamette Valley earned global acclaim for Pinot Noir, the Ponzis believed in its potential. The 2022 Laurelwood District Pinot Noir carries that conviction forward with five decades devoted to place, precision, and an unwavering faith in Oregon’s promise.

Ponzi sources this wine predominantly from its estate vineyards Avellana, Aurora, and Linda Vista, all within the Laurelwood District. Beneath the vines lies fractured basalt capped by layers of windblown loess, soils that shape architecture as much as flavor. The wine delivers a fine mineral tension that speaks directly to its origin.

The cellar work sharpens that expression. Ten percent whole-cluster fermentation adds aromatic lift, while ten months in French oak refines the tannins and adds polish. Bottled by gravity to preserve purity, the wine finishes with focus and persistence, carrying Laurelwood’s signature tension from first impression to final note.

Ponzi Vineyard
Pinot Noir 2022
Laurelwood District
Willamette Valley
Retails at: $47

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“The 2022 bottling of the Ponzi entry-level Pinot Noir punches well above its weight class. The savoury and earth-driven elements buoy the dark fruits that predominate on the wine’s finish. Rich soil notes and dried violets introduce the effusively aromatic wine, with hints of smoky clove and freshly turned soil. The palate offers redolent muddled blackberries with mint, whisps of graphite mineral tones and a finish of warm spices.”

94 Points

2023 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2023 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

Favia

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Favia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

With a 98-point affirmation, Favia’s 2023 Napa Valley Cabernet stands as a clear statement of intent. Andy Erickson’s aim is direct: to bring Coombsville and Oakville together not as opposites, but as complements. Coombsville contributes freshness and mineral tension; Oakville delivers depth and structure. The result is a composed expression that captures Napa in full scale and proportion.

This is not blending for effect. It is calibration. Coombsville’s edge tightens the spine, carving a clean line through the wine’s core, while Oakville provides weight and gravitational pull. The structure feels deliberate and exact, with each element measured and placed with precision. Nothing drifts beyond its frame.

The proportions reinforce that design. Seventy-six percent Cabernet Sauvignon establishes foundation and breadth. Twenty-one percent Cabernet Franc introduces lift, definition, and structural tension, with Petit Verdot completing the architecture. After careful tannin extraction, the wine matures for twenty months in French oak, building depth without softening its lines. The final impression is complete and resolved, powerful yet controlled, undeniably Favia.

Favia
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2023

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“In a new beginning for Favia, an equal blend of Coombsville and Oakville represents the best of both appellations—the fresh, savory, mineral edge of the former intertwining with the deep flavor and floral lift of the latter. Layers of fruit, supported by graphite, dried herbs, flowers and spices, lead to a luscious yet refined palate with finely tuned tannins and a bright line of acidity. A complete, balanced expression of Napa. 75% cabernet sauvignon, 21% cabernet franc and 4% petit verdot. Excellent. Drink or hold.”

98 Points

2022 Salus Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

260313 2022 Salus Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

Salus

Cabernet Sauvignon
by Staglin Family Vineyard
Rutherford Estate 2022

2022 Salus Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

 

Some estates define a place so completely that their story becomes inseparable from the soil itself. On the southwestern edge of Rutherford, where a century and a half of viticultural history lies layered in gravel and clay, the Staglin family continues a legacy first planted in the 1860s. Each vintage conveys that sense of place, making it unmistakably Staglin and setting the bar for Rutherford excellence.

At the helm is winemaker Fredrik Johansson, whose precision and judicious winemaking define the modern Staglin style. Trained under Thomas Rivers Brown and guided by vineyard maestro David Abreu, Johansson shapes the estate’s organically farmed fruit into a Cabernet Sauvignon that radiates purity and structure.

Power meets intention in this wine. Beneath its layers of fruit lies a more profound generosity: the Staglin family’s ongoing commitment to healing the mind. Through One Mind, each bottle of Salus extends that mission, bridging the worlds of fine wine and philanthropy with rare authenticity while donating 100% of its profits. In the Staglin tradition, greatness is measured not only by acclaim but also by compassion. Bravo!

Salus
Cabernet Sauvignon
by Staglin Family Vineyard
Rutherford Estate 2022

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“Staglin Salus Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2022: This Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon displays a deep ruby color with impressive concentration. The nose reveals black and blue fruits, graphite, pipe tobacco, crushed stone, and red rose petals, offering complexity without excess. On the palate, blackberries and boysenberries dominate, supported by a deep, lush, and powerful structure. The oak is balanced and integrated, adding depth rather than overwhelming the fruit. Intense and concentrated, it finishes long and elegant, with fine tannins suggesting 15-20 years of evolution. A strong effort from Staglin. Drink 2026-2042.”

96 Points

2020 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

2020 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $40-$50BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

La Rasina

Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2020

2020 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

The 2020 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino reflects precision under pressure. In a year that challenged even the most experienced growers, this wine emerged not through excess or generosity, but through balance achieved by careful decisions at every stage. Its poise reveals a producer deeply attuned to vineyard and vintage, crafting a Brunello that favors brilliance, elegance, and authenticity over overt power.

La Rasina’s vineyards, positioned on the northeastern slopes of Montalcino, played a critical role in navigating the season. Higher elevation, cooler nights, and steady air movement helped moderate the warmth of 2020, preserving freshness and structure. Farmed organically, these vines benefit from a philosophy that prioritizes observation and patience, allowing the vineyard’s natural balance to assert itself.

Aging for more than two years in traditional large oak casks, the wine settles into a rhythm defined by balance and clarity. The wood frames the fruit without dominating it, preserving the wine’s natural tension and energy. What emerges is a Brunello of regal confidence, layered and precise, offering immediate appeal alongside the promise of long-term reward.

La Rasina
Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2020
Retails at: $55

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“Some complexity here with smoky-woodland and licorice-root notes. Lead pencil is mixed with blood orange. The attack is tense and firm with crisp acidity and tight, chalky tannins. Yet, it’s ripe on the finish and quite warming. This will improve with age. Drink from 2025.”

93 Points