2015 Skinner El Dorado Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underFair PlaySyrahUSA

SKINNER

2015 SYRAH
EL DORADO

One of the fastest-growing categories in our shop is high-quality California Syrah at value Prices, and when you read about who’s involved in this project, and then consider it’s less than $30 bucks, it should be an easy decision to try it. After all, the wine is made by Chris Pittenger, who gained valuable first-hand experience working at iconic wineries Marcassin and Williams-Selyem.
 
The sumptuous, silky Skinner Syrah was carved primarily from the winery’s Stoney Creek Estate Vineyard, perched at 2,740′ elevation in the tiny AVA of Fair Play, located inside the larger El Dorado and Sierra Foothill Appellations. The area produces Syrah with distinct elegance, remarkable delineation, and rustic appeal. 
 
The 2015 vintage is artfully composed of 88% Syrah and finished with other Rhone grape varieties for added lift and abundant layers. After spending 23 months in French oak barrels, it has evolved nicely in the bottle and is seamlessly balanced, profound, and absolutely delicious…
 
SKINNER
2015 SYRAH
EL DORADO
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $24
Click to Order


 “This wine tastes bold and assertive, pushing smoky oak and vanilla flavors close to the edge but rescuing them with attractive ripe flavors of blackberry and black cherry. The wine is full bodied, layered and mouthcoating, supported by moderate tannins that melt into the bold flavors.”93 Points
2014 Maroon Special Reserve Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Maroon Special Reserve Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

MAROON 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPECIAL RESERVE
2014 COOMBSVILLE 

 
2014 Maroon Special Reserve Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon
There are many styles of California Cabernet, ranging from big, ripe, and inky, to silky, elegant, and linear, and both can be equally powerful and hedonistic, although in very different ways. Maroon’s 2014 Special Reserve Cabernet from Napa Valley’s highly acclaimed Coombsville region, falls into the more elegant style, with laser-like focus, powerfully hedonistic flavors, and Classic Coombsville attributes. At the winery’s $160 retail, Maroon priced it in line with Coombsville icons Favia, Merus, and Meteor. At our price it’s the most significant discount on premium Cabernet that we’ve ever offered.  
 
This stunning 2014 Cabernet arose from the winery’s Estate Vineyard in Coombsville, where for years the winery sold fruit to Joseph Phelps for their iconic Insigna Blend. On the palate, the wine is classic Coombsville and made in a focused, highly detailed style with sweet red fruits, vibrant red currants, clay, wet earth, and black raspberries.
 
Entering from one of Napa Valley’s best vintages, one that the Wine Spectator describes as producing “dense, charming, cellar-worthy wines.” The 2014 Special Reserve is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for a full 24 months in oak before bottling. If you’re looking for an elegant, medium-bodied Cabernet with plenty of power and personality, this is it. 
 
 
MAROON 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPECIAL RESERVE
2014 COOMBSVILLE
Retails at: $160
 
 
“Brown brick red color. Aromas and flavors of spiced dried berries, honeycomb, leather bag filled with coffee, chocolate and spice, and wet clay with a satiny, bright, fruity medium-to-full body and a warming, complex, very long finish with notes of cassis pie a la mode, honey glazed carrots, cherry cola, and chocolate mint with silky, soft tannins. A stately, seamless cabernet with deep rich flavors, finely balanced oak, and a long satisfying finish.” 96 Points, Cellar Selection
2017 Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

VINE CLIFF

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 Vine Cliff Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
One of the most remarkable terroirs in Napa Valley lies on the Eastern side of Oakville at the base of the Vaca Mountain range, where the soils are loaded with minerals and volcanic composites. Icons Dalla Valle, Tierra Roja, Peter Michael’s Au Paradis and Vine Cliff produce some of the most complex, memorable Cabernets from this hollowed ground. These wines often exhibit an intense red-fruited perfume, dark, supple fruits, crushed rock and brilliant complexity.
 
Vine Cliff’s 2017 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced 100% from the winery’s iconic Estate vineyard, and combines 38% fruit from their Oakville Bench block, and 62% from the North facing terraced vines. 
 
The 2017 checks in at 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and incorporates five separate clones that each contribute layers to the wine’s vast complexity. The winery has an outstanding reputation of excellence, and is one of Napa Valley’s historic wineries that was established in 1871.
 
At around eighty bucks the value is almost inconceivable… 
 
VINE CLIFF
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $79
Click to Order


“Ripe and rich in feel, with dark plum and cassis fruit rolling through, flanked by warm cocoa and tobacco notes and scored by a flash of loam on the finish. Drink now through 2026.”  92 Points

“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is dense, plush and super-expressive. Black plum, espresso, chocolate, licorice and dark spice all open up in a mid-weight, beautifully persistent Cabernet that will drink well right out of the gate.”  90 Points
2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros Chardonnay

2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosChardonnayKevin VogtNapaUSA

BALDACCI

SORELLE CHARDONNAY
2017 CARNEROS

 
2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros ChardonnayRevered for their lively acidity, Carneros Chardonnays also have big fruit, and plenty of structure. It’s the cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay that funnel through the Coastal Mountain ranges, and allow the grapes a long growing season, with temperatures cool enough to maintain acidity and structure. A great example is Baldacci’s Sorelle Chardonnay, which captivated our tasting panel with tangible value. 
 
Michael Baldacci works closely with Ricardo Herrera to craft balanced wines with sense of place, and that are varietally sound. Ricardo gained invaluable experience over the years at icons Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Dominus, and Screaming Eagle…
 
The 2017 vintage arose from Baldacci’s Honey B Vineyard in Carneros, which is farmed by Josh Clark, one of wine country’s most sought after viticulturists whose clients include icons Outpost, Hourglass, and Kinsella. The wine was barrel-aged, and is rich and inviting, with stunning natural acidity and a mouth-quenching freshness.
 
BALDACCI
SORELLE CHARDONNAY
2017 CARNEROS
Retails at: $40
 
 
“Tango. In perfect unison, the oak and fruit support each other without either dominating. Aromas of honey, tangerine peel, fresh oak and pineapple complement the taste of caramel-covered apple, slight hints of cool rock and a beautiful finish of vanilla. The weight of this Chardonnay matches well with full orchestra salads!”
2015 Leto Cellars Mt Veeder Cabernet Franc

2015 Leto Mt Veeder Cabernet Franc

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

LETO

CABERNET FRANC
2015 MT VEEDER

2015 Leto Cellars Mt Veeder Cabernet Franc
If Napa Valley Cabernet is gold, then Cabernet Franc is platinum, due to its scarcity and cult following. There’s around twenty times as much Cabernet Sauvignon planted in Napa Valley, and on average, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sell for less than Cabernet Franc. The coveted grape is revered for its stunning power, concentration, delineation, and mouthwatering acidity. Leto’s 2015 Mt Veeder Cabernet Franc, which retails at $78, is simply brilliant. What’s left of this 50 case production is going to fly.
 
Leto sourced their 2015 Cabernet Franc from a single-vineyard perched at 1,100 feet elevation on Mount Veeder. They chose this site for the incredible volcanic soils and vines that yield small, powerful berries with intense flavor. 
 
Mt Veeder is the coolest Mountain in Napa, which allows the grapes to have a longer hang-time so they can develop into something majestic. With a production of only 50 cases, you might want to keep this one secret, at least until you get your case.
 
LETO
CABERNET FRANC
2015 MT VEEDER
Retails at: $78
 
 
 
“The Leto Cellars Mount Veeder Cabernet Franc 2015 begins with a beautiful nose of red cherries, fresh sage leaf, Spring lavender, and Italian glove leather. On the palate, it is vibrant, with penetrating red cherries, black licorice, nutrient-rich earth, with sweet vanilla oak and spice box, and a gorgeous, lingering finish. Drink now through 2028.” 93 Points
2016 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2016 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

RED MARE

2016 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2016 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley ChardonnayMy favorite wines are those that illuminate the best qualities and characteristics of the vineyard and vintage foremost over any winemaker’s unique style. Anne Vawter, who’s experience includes working alongside Heidi Barrett as the assistant winemaker at Paradigm for years, did a perfect job giving this Chardonnay from the iconic Dutton Ranch vineyard a bright, beautiful voice. At $48, it’s an absolute steal, but at $36, I would saddle up and secure a case (or two) before this one rides off into the sunset.
 
Red Mare sources their Chardonnay from the famed Dutton Ranch Vineyard located in the Russian River Valley, and fans of Kistler, Patz & Hall, & DuMOL likely recognize this iconic site. On the palate, the wine is plump without being heavy, and offers a kaleidoscope of Granny Smith apple, honeyed pair, pressed lemon and subtle spice.
 
The 2016 is fresh and lively, appealing to anyone looking for a balanced, site-specific wine, but with just enough richness to satisfy fans of a more powerful, California style Chardonnay.
 
RED MARE
2016 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $48
 
Your Price: $36
use code mare36
 
Winery Notes: “Honey, dried hay, and poached pear come together to create a very complex and interesting nose. Stewed apple and freshly rained-on gravel increase the autumnal associations with this wine. In the mouth this wine has a bright, clean entry with a zesty acidity leading through to notes of brioche and stone fruits, finally finishing with a hint of warmth that leads to a round, voluminous and clean finish.”
2015 Cherry Pie Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir

2015 Cherry Pie Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir

with No Comment $40-$50CarnerosKevin VogtNapaPinot NoirUSA

CHERRY PIE

2015 PINOT NOIR
STANLY RANCH

2015 Cherry Pie Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir
After dominating one varietal for more than a decade, the natural progression is to begin a new challenge and conquer that too. Jayson Woodbridge did just that. His Hundred Acre Cabernets reign as one of the top Cult wines in Napa for over a decade, and choosing Pinot Noir as a challenge, he sourced from the iconic Stanly Ranch Vineyard in Carneros. The 2015 vintage is loaded with concentrated cherry fruit, wild rhubarb, and subtle spice, and with a 95 Point Score from Tasting Panel Magazine, now is the perfect time to try it.  
 
Judge Stanly planted the original Stanly Ranch Vineyard in the 1800s, but since being replanted in 2001, it’s been a source for COHO, Saintsbury, and others. The well-drained Haire-loam soils, rolling hills, and coastal influences are ideal for ripening Pinot Noir to the pinnacle of perfection. 
 
Cherry Pie made the 2015 vintage in a dense style, layered with seductive red fruits, intriguing spices, and subtle floral notes. Each small-block was micro-lot fermented to isolate the individual flavors and aromas, and the wine is aged sur lie for the entire process, which contributes to the depth of flavor. 
 
CHERRY PIE
2015 PINOT NOIR
STANLY RANCH
Retails at: $50
 
Your Price: $45
 
“Stanly Ranch, the easternmost vineyard on the Napa Valley side of Carneros, has proven itself as ideal ground for Pinot Noir for more than 70 years, thanks to its well-drained clayloam soils, gentle slopes, and cool San Pablo Bay breezes.This French oak-aged red offers cinnamon- and nutmeg-spiced rose-petal aromatics and ahint of forest floor. Mocha-tinged soild and strawberry jam fill the mouth with flavor alongside generous notes of tomato leaf, cranberry, and tobacco. Pretty, feminine, and bright.” 95 Points
2017 Gamba Starr Ranch Road Zinfandel

2017 Gamba Starr Road Ranch Zinfandel

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

GAMBA 

2017 ZINFANDEL
STARR ROAD RANCH

2017 Gamba Starr Ranch Road Zinfandel
Over the years, We’ve offered some of the best brands out there, but few have developed the kind of love affair that Gamba has. It’s their undeviating style of matching fruit intensity with old vine depth and balance, and then delivering it all with immaculate detail that’s made them so beloved. Each release is a joy to behold…
 
Gamba birthed the Starr Road Ranch Zin from an organically farmed vineyard planted in 1920. The ancient vines have relied on winter rains as their sole source of irrigation for over 95 years, and they yield just 1.5 tons per acre of strikingly intense, concentrated, pristinely focused fruit. 
 
The 2017 is hugely appealing, with intense raspberry, sweet plum, briery cherry, and cracked black pepper. This vintage is rocking right now and will continue to provide copious amounts of enjoyment over the next decade.
 
GAMBA 
2017 ZINFANDEL
STARR ROAD RANCH
Retails at: $52
 
 
 
 “…. the 2017 Zinfandel Starr Road Ranch Old Vine is similarly colored and offers a sweet plum, blueberries, sandalwood, and spice-driven bouquet. This carries to a medium-bodied, elegant, silky Zinfandel that has loads of character, as well as length. Aged 16 months in 40% new American oak, it’s going to keep nicely for upwards of a decade.” 91 Points
2016 Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Pinot Noir

2016 Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

WESTWOOD

ESTATE PINOT NOIR
2016 ANNADEL GAP 

2016 Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Pinot Noir
When a winery farms their vineyard biodynamically, and the site is ideally suited for Pinot Noir, AND they hire a world-class winemaker to help achieve their goal, great things happen. Westwood’s winemaker is Philippe Melka, whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus. At around $40, this Pinot absolutely should not be missed.
 
Westwood’s Estate Pinot Noir arose from the cool, wind-swept Annadel Gap, located between Mt. Hood and Sonoma Mountain. The 2016 vintage is remarkably individualistic and laces together some of the top Pinot clones, including Calera, Pommard, 777, and Martini. 
 
Philippe and his winemaking team pay attention to every detail, and picked each clone at the pinnacle of ripeness, before being carefully sorted by hand and fermented individually. The wine was gravity-fed into French oak barrels, where it spent the next 16 months developing on the lees. The result is stunning.
 
WESTWOOD
ESTATE PINOT NOIR
2016 ANNADEL GAP
Retails at: $48
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
“This exuberant wine from the estate site offers rich tones of forest floor and black tea. The palate brings wild strawberry, boysenberry and dried herb tones that veer into an intriguing note of white pepper on the finish.” 93 Points, Editors’ Choice
2018 Capture Tradition Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Capture Tradition Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

CAPTURE

2018 TRADITION
SAUVIGNON BLANC

 

2018 Capture Tradition Sauvignon BlancCapture seized our attention more than a decade ago with their very first vintage, and we knew immediately that the brand was something special. At the time, the late Denis Malbec was the winemaker, and today they’re crafted by Winemaster Graham Weerts, who has extensive winemaking experience throughout Bordeaux and South Africa, as well as Stonestreet and Arrowood wineries in Sonoma County.
 
Capture Sauvignon Blanc has always stayed true to its traditions of crafting a Bordeaux-style Sauvignon Blanc that’s balanced, pure, rounded, and loaded with detailed stone fruits and earthy minerals.  
 
The winery’s decision to ferment in stainless steel and age the wine for ten months sur lie further highlights the purity of the fruit. The resulting wine is palate refreshing with finely sculpted flavors and energy. I highly recommend a case while supplies last.
 
CAPTURE
2018 TRADITION
SAUVIGNON BLANC
 
Your Price: $25
 
“Bordeaux-like with its crisp citrus, lemon, and white flower bouquet, the 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Tradition is medium-bodied, vibrant and pure on the palate, with beautiful purity and freshness. It’s impeccably made and well worth drinking…” 91 Points
 
“The 2018 Sauvignon Blanc Tradition comes 76% from Alexander Valley and 24% from Lake County, made in stainless steel with lees stirring. It offers gregarious scents of tarragon, chive and mown grass with kiwi, gooseberry, white peaches, flint and lychee notes. The palate is light-bodied and lively with pure fruits, bright acidity and a long, refreshing finish.”  90 Points