2023 Admire by Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2023 Admire by Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaPinot NoirSonoma CoastUSA

Admire

by Dan Kosta
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Admire by Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

When Dan Kosta turns his attention to Pinot Noir, it’s never casual. The 2023 Admire distills decades of insight into a focused wine with purpose, where coastal freshness meets California generosity. This is not a departure from the past, but a measured evolution, shaped by experience and guided by a balanced, measured approach.

With Admire, the intent drives what matters most. Launched in 2019, Dan’s new family of brands represents a deliberate return to the essentials of Pinot Noir, favoring balance, site expression, and natural energy. It is a label built on deep respect for the grape, informed by a lifetime spent understanding how precision, patience, and place converge in the glass.

Sourced from cool, ocean-influenced vineyards, the 2023 vintage is vibrant and lifted, driven by natural acidity and a sense of immediacy that defines the Sonoma Coast. Nine months of maturation in French oak (30% new) adds subtle structure and polish, lending depth without obscuring purity. Expressive from the first pour yet capable of evolving gracefully over three to five years, this Pinot Noir delivers pleasure now while rewarding those willing to wait.

Admire
by Dan Kosta
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

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“The Admire Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is a brilliant expression of the region’s character. Its nose is a fragrant bouquet of red cherries, baking spices, daisy petals, and tangerine zest, while the palate delivers a lively dance of bright red plums, tart cherries, and a touch of cola. The wine’s classic Sonoma Coast minerality and fresh acidity create a beautifully balanced profile that lingers on the finish. While it shares the same 94-point rating I gave its riper 2022 counterpart, this vintage offers a distinct charm with its brighter, fresher fruit and enduring concentration.”

94 Points

2022 Grand Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

2022 Grand Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMt VeederNapaUSA

Grand Napa

Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2022

2022 Grand Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

There is no blending away the truth of Mt. Veeder in Grand Napa’s 2022, crafted entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon. Drawn from a single, high-elevation site, it presents the variety in its most honest form: firm, focused, and deeply expressive of place. The mountain’s influence is immediate, revealed through a firm grip, depth, and a measured restraint that resists easy generosity.

Grown at elevations above 1,500 feet, the vineyard’s cooler climate and well-drained mountain soils shape a wine defined by precision and structure. Ripening unfolds slowly here, preserving natural balance while concentrating flavor and form. The result is a Cabernet with clarity and inner strength, one that reflects the discipline of its environment rather than the breadth of the valley floor.

Time in French oak brings cohesion without compromise, shaping the 2022 Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon with focused intent. The texture is refined, the tannins composed, and the finish long and deliberate, each element settling into place with confidence. For those drawn to authenticity, site expression, and the promise of graceful evolution, this is a compelling expression of Mt. Veeder at its most assured.

Grand Napa
Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2022
Retails at: $135

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“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder starts with notes of dried Provence herbs, tilled soil, and fresh black plums slowly emerging from the glass, giving way to a core of red currant jelly, graphite, and Morello cherries. The medium to full-bodied palate is tightly wound with crunchy red and black fruit layers, supported by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with a cheeky herbal lift.”

94 Points

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Alexander ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

Lancaster Estate

Winemaker’s Cuvée
Alexander Valley 2021

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

High above the valley floor, where gravelly loam and warm afternoons shape Cabernet into something both powerful and poised, Lancaster’s Winemaker’s Cuvée takes root. This wine is the purest expression of the estate’s hillside benches, sites where vines dig deep into fractured soils and the fruit emerges with remarkable concentration, lift, and unmistakable character.

At the core of the 2021 blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, commanding in both presence and structure, supported by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot in thoughtful proportions. Each variety contributes its own dimension: Franc with aromatic lift, Merlot with mid-palate breadth, and Petit Verdot with richness. Together they create a cuvée that feels seamlessly layered and shaped by a winemaking vision grounded in precision.

In the cellar, the wine is guided with the same clarity of intent that defines the vineyard work: fermentation is kept exacting, oak is used to frame rather than dominate. What emerges is a wine that marries depth with refinement, with tannins firm yet polished and a finish that is long and resonant. Impressive now, the 2021 Winemaker’s Cuvée is crafted for the long view, promising years of unfolding nuance for those who choose to follow its evolution.

Lancaster Estate
Winemaker’s Cuvée
Alexander Valley 2021
Retails at: $125

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“The 2021 Winemaker’s Cuvee Red Blend is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. A saturated red color, it opens in the glass to reveal a luxurious and layered profile with notes of cassis, menthol, polished leather, and mocha. Full-bodied and velvety on the palate, it’s generous, offering a balanced and ripe feel without feeling weighty, and it has an elegantly rich and tapered finish. It’s going to age gracefully over the coming 10 years. 5000 cases were produced.”

94 Points

2019 Laird Jillians Blend Napa Valley

251230 2019 Laird Jillians Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50CalistogaCarnerosKevin VogtProprietary RedUSA

Laird

Jillian’s Blend
Napa Valley 2019

2019 Laird Jillians Blend Napa Valley

The Laird family’s name carries a certain weight in Napa Valley, with an unspoken authority earned over five decades of farming. Jillian’s Blend is a vivid expression of that legacy, drawing from the family’s deep roots and their instinct for growing exceptional fruit. It is a wine shaped by the land, and by generations of vision, risk-taking, and craftsmanship that have made the Lairds one of Napa’s most respected growers.

The wine’s foundation lies in the Lairds’ extraordinary vineyard holdings, stretching from Carneros to Calistoga and encompassing some of Napa’s most sought-after terroirs. Jillian’s Blend draws selectively from these parcels, weaving together fruit that reflects the Valley’s remarkable diversity. It is this mosaic of vineyard character that gives the wine its depth, its lift, and its unmistakable sense of place.

Crafted from this enviable palette of terroirs, the 2019 blend unfolds luxuriously. Cabernet anchors the wine with depth, while the supporting varietals add dimension. Each sip feels shaped by careful selection and seamless integration. It’s a style that mirrors the Laird approach: generous in expression, meticulous in execution.

Laird
Jillian’s Blend
Napa Valley 2019
Retails at: $55

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“Currants and dried berries with fresh flowers and spices. Medium to full body with round, juicy fruit and ripe, firm tannins. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 20% syrah, 12% merlot, 5% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Needs time to come together. Drink after 2025.”

92 points

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

251229 2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

Gamba

MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Most wines draw their character from climate and soil; Gamba MCM Zinfandel draws as much from time itself. A century of growth rings lies within those vine trunks, and the depth of the fruit reflects that history. The wine is bold but not brash, structured without rigidity, carrying a personality shaped by decades of vines pushing through hardship and flourishing because of it.

Gus Gamba allows that legacy to speak without interference, relying on indigenous yeast and gentle handling to preserve every nuance the vineyard offers. In the 2023 vintage, the site’s voice comes through with uncommon precision. Nothing in the cellar seeks to sculpt the wine’s natural character; instead, the winemaking reveals the vineyard’s imprint with striking clarity.

Each element of the 2023 MCM Zinfandel feels deliberately tuned, from the fruit’s natural richness to the subtle oak framing. The wine moves with layered dimension, velvety at the start, expansive across the palate, and confident in its lingering finish. It is the product of a vineyard that has endured for generations and of a winemaker who knows how to translate continuity into something undeniably alive.

Gamba
MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023
Retails at: $69

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“The Gamba 2023 MCM Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel opens with vibrant notes of juicy cherries, cranberries, and wild blackberries with underlying notes of Christmas spices and toast. On the palate, the wine has a silky smooth approach with flavors of bramble fruit, dark cherry, and boysenberry compote, complemented with savory undertones of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The wine has supple tannins and finishes with a finely textured, velvety mouthfeel.”

94 Points

2020 Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli Tus cany Italy

with No Comment $60-$70BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Siro Pacenti

Brunello di Montalcino
Pelagrilli 2020
Tuscany, Italy

From the slopes of Montalcino, the Pelagrilli vineyard tells a story that few Brunellos can match. Rooted in the land Giancarlo Pacenti’s father purchased in 1970 and shaped over decades into a modern icon, the 2020 release channels this lineage with singular precision. It reflects the focus of a winemaker who has devoted his life to shaping Sangiovese into something unmistakably his own.

At the core of the wine’s character are vines that have matured over decades, their roots threaded deep into Montalcino’s varied soils. These older plantings lend natural concentration and a purity of fruit that only time and thoughtful farming can produce. Pacenti captures their voice with uncommon finesse, crafting a wine that feels both grounded and vibrant.

As the wine settles on the palate, it becomes clear why Pelagrilli remains a cornerstone of the Pacenti legacy. The interplay of red fruit, savory spice, and cool mineral depth leaves a lasting imprint that resonates long after the final sip. This is Sangiovese articulated with precision and heart, shaped by a vineyard that speaks with uncommon vividness and a winemaker who has spent a lifetime learning how to listen.

Siro Pacenti
Brunello di Montalcino
Pelagrilli 2020
Tuscany, Italy
Retails at: $80

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“A round and juicy red with berry, cherry, mushroom and wet-earth character on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with integrated tannins that are soft and luscious. Long, flavorful finish. Drinkable now, but better in two or three years.”

96 Points

2018 Morlet Cabernet Sauvignon Le Petits Morlet Oakville

2018 Morlet Cabernet Sauvignon Le Petits Morlet Oakville

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

Morlet

Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Petits Morlet
Oakville 2018

2018 Morlet Cabernet Sauvignon Le Petits Morlet Oakville

Few winemakers bridge the traditions of Bordeaux and the vitality of Napa as effortlessly as Luc Morlet. The 2018 “Les Petits Morlet” embodies that balance, uniting Old World refinement with New World energy. Drawn from his Oakville Estate, just south of Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, it reflects heritage, ambition, and a vision honed over decades.

From the younger vines of Morlet’s Coeur de Vallée Vineyard, this Cabernet channels the pulse of Oakville with remarkable purity while carrying the unmistakable signature of its lineage. Every facet of its creation bears the mark of Morlet’s meticulous craftsmanship, from the precision of harvest to the quiet patience of aging. The result is harmony in motion, a portrait of a vineyard rendered in balance and grace.

Sixteen months of élevage in French oak have refined the 2018 “Les Petits Morlet” into something both vibrant and composed. Guided by native fermentations, restrained new oak, and a philosophy of minimal intervention, Luc Morlet allows the vineyard’s voice to ring clear and true. The wine resonates with clarity and confidence, unfolding in layers of dark fruit, subtle spice, and polished tannin to reveal a Cabernet of authenticity and soul.

Morlet
Cabernet Sauvignon
Le Petits Morlet
Oakville 2018

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“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Les Petits Morlet is a delightful wine from Luc and Jodie Morlet. Soft, open-knit and so inviting, the 2018 is beautifully done. It captures all the house signatures, but in an accessible style, making it easy to drink and enjoy right now. Succulent dark cherry, raspberry, mocha, spice and licorice linger on the long, understated finish. This is an absolutely gorgeous second wine. Most of the fruit is from the Morlets vineyard in Oakville, with some fruit from their sites in St. Helena and Knights Valley.”

93 Points

2019 MC4 Cabernet Sauvignon Martin & Croshaw Vineyard St. Helena

2019 MC4 Cabernet Sauvignon Martin & Croshaw Vineyard St. Helena

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSt. HelenaUSA

MC4

Cabernet Sauvignon
Martin & Croshaw Vineyard
St. Helena 2019

2019 MC4 Cabernet Sauvignon Martin & Croshaw Vineyard St. Helena

In a valley dominated by grand estates, MC4 stands apart. Drawn from a single acre of organically farmed vines tucked into St. Helena’s prized western bench, the 2019 MC4 is the kind of wine that reminds you how powerfully a tiny vineyard can speak. It’s a micro-cuvée born of obsession, precision, and a site so focused that every bottle feels like a direct transmission from the land itself.

What gives MC4 its unmistakable character is the vineyard’s tight geographic focus: a gravelly, west-side slope warmed by afternoon sun and cooled by drifting canyon breezes. Each vine seems to express its own nuance of dark fruit, spice, and mineral tension, resulting in a Cabernet that feels less blended than harmonized; one voice composed of countless subtle inflections.

Shaping this fruit is winemaker Victoria Coleman, whose training spans Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars under Michael Silacci to Château Mouton Rothschild. Her touch brings both restraint and clarity, guiding the fruit toward a style that marries Napa Valley richness with a Bordeaux-like sense of proportion. The result is a wine that feels confident, polished, and remarkably complete.

MC4
Cabernet Sauvignon
Martin & Croshaw Vineyard
St. Helena 2019
Retails at: $75

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“Coming from a small, organically farmed vineyard to the north of Ehlers Lane in St. Helena, MC4’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and vibrant scents of redcurrant jelly, kirsch and black raspberries, plus hints of menthol, cedar chest, rose oil and pencil shavings with a touch of cinnamon stick. The medium to full-bodied palate shimmers with bright, energetic red and black berry layers, framed by ripe, fine-grained tannins and exhilarating freshness, finishing long and perfumed.”

94+ Points

2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Napa Valley

2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosChardonnayKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

Sequoia Grove

Chardonnay
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Napa Valley

In a region celebrated for its opulence, the 2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay stands out by choosing nuance as its compass. It’s a wine shaped by cool-climate discipline: mornings that delay ripeness, evenings that preserve acidity, and vineyards that favor elegance over indulgence. It shows a precision that feels rare for Napa, offering a Chardonnay shaped as much by restraint as by ripeness.

Much of that character comes from Carneros’ Haire Vineyard, where 30-year-old Wente and Robert Young clone vines deliver fruit with natural concentration. These old vines ripen slowly, holding onto acidity even in generous years, giving the wine its signature tension. Oak Knoll adds its own imprint, layering in structure and a subtle mineral thread that keeps the wine lifted and complete.

The winemaking team further amplifies that interplay of energy and richness. Native-yeast fermentation and extended lees contact build a creamy mid-palate, while the modest use of new French oak contributes subtle warmth rather than weight. The resulting Chardonnay is vibrant yet composed, delivering richness through texture rather than sweetness and finishing with a clarity that echoes its origins.

Sequoia Grove
Chardonnay
Napa Valley 2023
Retails at: $38

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“A nicely rich, suave and spicy white that blends luxurious poached apple and pear flavors with notes of marzipan, lemon meringue, toasted almonds, hazelnuts, brioche and butter. Full-bodied, broad in mouthfeel, well layered and plush. Drink now.”

93 Points

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Adamvs

Téres Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, 2021

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

High on the volcanic spine of Howell Mountain, ADAMVS shapes Cabernet with precision, under the steady hand of winemaker Alberto Bianchi, supported by the seasoned insight of Philippe Melka. The 2021 Téres is the estate at its most expressive: an elevated Cabernet that channels Howell Mountain’s raw power into something remarkably refined.

This evolution begins in the vineyard, where ADAMVS farms its estate as a fully certified Organic and Biodynamic® ecosystem. Each of the five vineyard sites contributes its own voice to the wine, shaped by iron-rich red soils and rugged hillside exposures. Rather than force uniformity, the team leans into this mosaic, allowing the diversity of clones, soils, and elevations to create a Cabernet defined by nuance rather than density.

That rich diversity of vineyard character met its ideal match in the 2021 growing season. Conditions favored small berries with concentrated flavor, vibrant acidity, and exceptional aromatic lift. In the cellar, the team preserved that energy through restrained extraction and meticulous aging. The result is a Cabernet deeply rooted in Howell Mountain power, yet carried by a brightness and refinement that lingers long after each sip.

Adamvs
Téres Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, 2021

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“Opaque ruby-coloured core, leading to a dark ruby rim. A robust, broad-shouldered, muscular Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain. The Téres is a field blend of grapes from their 32.37ha estate. Black cherry, mulberry, and blueberry fruit frame wild herbs, toasty oak and graphite. Full-bodied with chewy dark fruit and tannins framed by palate-coating chalky minerals and nuanced by a pop of capsicum. Dried floral notes and ironstone infuse the refreshing finish. Proprietors Denise and Stephen Adams work with Philippe Melka, Alberto Bianchi, and viticulturist Michael Wolf to craft their wines.”

97 Points