2018 TOR Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay

2018 TOR Carneros Napa Valley Chardonnay

with No Comment $50-$60CarnerosChardonnayKevin VogtNapaUSA

TOR

2018 CHARDONNAY
CARNEROS, NAPA VALLEY

2018 TOR Carneros Napa Valley ChardonnayIf you enjoy some of California’s top Chardonnays, and you want to find one at an obtainable price, TOR’s 2018 Carneros Chardonnay is for you. When you read below about the origins of the grapes, and then consider that they’re paired with the immeasurable talents of winemaker Jeff Ames, you might just decide to skip right down to the order button…

Tor’s 2018 Chardonnay is a barrel selection from Steve Beresini’s heritage vines, Larry Hyde’s world-renowned Carneros fruit, and the iconic Durell Vineyard in Sonoma, and any one of these three sites could be considered one of California’s Grand Cru Vineyards.

All three sites were hand-harvested separately, and at their individual optimum ripeness before being pressed directly into small French oak barrels, where winemaker Jeff Ames was then able to identify and capture the best qualities from each vineyard, and harmonize them into something absolutely remarkable.

TOR
2018 CHARDONNAY
CARNEROS, NAPA VALLEY

Your Price: $55/btl

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Winery Notes: “This wine is from three historic Chardonnay vineyards, the sum of this winemaker’s selection is greater than its parts. Steve Beresini’s thirty-year-old, dry-farmed heritage vines gives depth and texture, Hyde Vineyard’s wind-cooled topography gives minerality and precision, Durell vineyard contributes richness and opulence. 470 cases made.” 94 Points ~ International Wine Report

2014 Rudius Kaley Elizabeth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Rudius Kaley Elizabeth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

RUDIUS 2014 Rudius Kaley Elizabeth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

KALEY ELIZABETH 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2014 OAKVILLE 

 
Rudius is a wine so profound that it gave every one of our buyers a you gotta be kidding me moment the first time we tried it.  Even after tasting over 5,000 wines this year, Rudius stands out on multiple levels.  For starters, it gave me goosebumps when I first tasted it, and it hails exclusively from a secret vineyard source in Oakville just across from Screaming Eagle.  It’s serendipitous that Rudius chose not to list the vineyard name on their label, or they would have had to charge $175 per bottle, and less of us would get to experience this brilliant wine.  The wine was expertly crafted by Jeff Ames, who mentored under Thomas River Brown at Schrader, Maybach, Outpost and TOR before becoming head winemaker at TOR in 2005.  Since then, he’s made wines scoring in the high-90’s look easy, and words absolutely cannot express how great this wine is at $135/btl.
 
This secret vineyard source has beautiful red soils that give wines from this area intense, prolific flavors, and with neighbors like Screaming Eagle, Rudd, Dalla Valle’s Maya and Joseph Phelps’ Bacchus Vineyards, no doubt this is a great place to source fruit.  The wines from this vineyard have a trademark intense red-fruited perfume, dark, supple fruits, crushed rock and brilliant complexity.  If you enjoy the best wines that Napa Valley has to offer, you do not want to miss this… 
 
RUDIUS
KALEY ELIZABETH 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2014 OAKVILLE
Retails at: $135/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Kaley Elizabeth comes from the Tierra Rojo vineyard in Oakville planted in 1988 and contains a small splash of Cabernet Franc. The nose explodes with baked cherries, blackcurrant cordial and blueberry pie notes with touches of Chinese five spice, wood smoke and beef drippings with a waft of dried herbs. Full-bodied, rich and spicy with mouth-filling savory and spice layers, it has a solid backbone of chewy tannins and a lively line, finishing long. 300 cases were made.”  96+ Points
2015 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2015 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNorth CoastPinot NoirRussian River ValleyUncategorizedUSA

JOSEPH JEWELL  2015 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2015 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

 
We’ve introduced some unbelievable values this year, however, there’s still just one that I can honestly say is the best wine I’ve ever tasted in this price range. Every time I taste it, I ‘m perplexed that a wine we can offer at this price can taste like it costs more than double the price.  The 2015 combines fruit from Hallberg, Floodgate and Bucher Vineyards and Williams-Selyem and Gary Farrell fans likely recognize these sites as being spectacular.  The 2015 makes a gorgeous, elegant entrance onto your palate with stunning balance, detail, intensity, and length, and it perfectly portrays everything that I’m exited about in cool climate California Pinot Noir.  It truly drinks like a killer $40+ Pinot, and wines of this quality don’t come around often.
 
This Pinot has been lingering on my mind since I first tasted it, and in equal detail are the mineral-laced raspberries, red cherries, black tea, wild rose and touches of violets that are etched in my memory.  The 2015 was elevated for 11 months in Francois Freres, Ermitage and Rousseau barrels, and has blossomed over the last 3 years in the bottle. If you love Pinot Noir, and better yet, even if you don’t… try a case of this, and I think you’ll become and instant fan.
 
JOSEPH JEWELL 
2015 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $40/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “My favorite Pinot Noir brand that I’ve discovered in the last few years, the Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir always over-delivers.  The elegant nose is seamless with bright cherries, mixed berries, flowers and spice.  Then comes the wonderfully balanced, nuanced palate which begins with red cherries, crushed raspberries and plum skin, then balanced by dried rose petal, subtle spices and a touch of oak.  The mouth quenching finish brings lingering flavors, lasting for over a minute, then leaving your palate begging for another sip.” 95 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.”
216 Heir Apparent Cellar Selection Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red

2016 Heir Apparent Cellar Selection Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSpring MountainUSA

HEIR APPARENT  216 Heir Apparent Cellar Selection Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red

2016 CELLAR SELECTION
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
PROPRIETARY RED

 
Wine producers that consistently out-perform others in sheer value, concentration, and hedonistic flavors, and do so without sacrificing sense of place, always generate the most excitement from our customers.  Heir Apparent is etched onto that list, and their Spring Mountain Cellar Selection mirrors all of the best qualities of its origin. The Spring Mountain region is unique to the other Mountainous growing regions in Napa Valley, because it produces classically structured Mountain fruit, but with more perceived suppleness than the others.  I’m also drawn to the complexity and savory undertones that often show themselves in Spring Mountain wines.  This one is fantastic at its $110 retail price (join our Insiders Club for special offers).  You’ll feel like the heir to a fortune the moment this wine touches your palate.
 
Calling on Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc sourced exclusively from Spring Mountain, the 2016 pulls you in like a powerful magnet and seduces your senses with perfectly ripe berries, incense, exotic florals, along with savory notes that are intellectually pleasing and continually evolving in the glass.  This beauty will provide enormous levels of enjoyment now and over the next 12-15 years. I highly recommend securing your case… You’ll be glad you did.
 
HEIR APPARENT
2016 CELLAR SELECTION
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $110.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “This 2016 Cellar selection comes from the one of the most exclusive sub- appellations of Napa Valley. The Spring Mountain District offers rich, volcanic soils. Aromas of black currant and ripe plum are complemented with rich blackberry flavors and a hint of graphite. This carefully selected blend continues to pick build weight into a long and concentrated finish.”
2015 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Proprietary Red

2015 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordStags LeapUSA

BEAULIEU VINEYARD2015 Beaulieu Vineyard Tapestry Reserve Proprietary Red

TAPESTRY RESERVE
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY

 
Tapestry is defined by an intricate or complex combination, and BV’s Tapestry Reserve intricately combines 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with each of the five major Bordeaux varietals and lives up to the literal definition of its name.  The winery tailors their winemaking for each varietal to best capture the individual nature of the vintage and unique origins of the grapes.  Fifty percent of the Cabernet Sauvignon arose from the Western benchlands of Rutherford, and was balanced with fruit from Stags Leap, Atlas Peak, and Coombsville.  On the palate the Cabernet plays a key role in imparting a generous core of wild blackberries, cassis, while the Merlot shows vivid dark cherry fruit.   Malbec adds black plum while Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot complete the wine with wild violets and added structure.  In blockbuster vintages like 2015, the Tapestry Reserve can take on all of the best qualities of the vintage and deliver them with stunning elegance, complexity and profound definition.  At around $50/btl the value is off-the-charts.
 
Alluring, engaging and balance all come to mind when tasting the 2015 Tapestry Reserve.  The winery has Napa Valley winemaking history embedded deep in its DNA and was established in 1900.  Throughout the years they’ve produced many timeless classics that embody the essence of Napa Valley.  Their 2015 Tapestry Reserve is an absolute classic that can be enjoyed now and over the next decade.
 
BEAULIEU VINEYARD
TAPESTRY RESERVE
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl   
YOU SAVE 23%
 

93 Points
“Lots of ripe fruit with very fine tannins and a juicy mouthfeel. Medium to full body, polished and round texture and a flavorful finish. Soft with lots of flavor. Drink or hold.“

92 Points
“…a beautiful perfume of roses and lilacs with a core of cassis, redcurrant jelly and blackberry tart plus a touch of cedar chest. Full, velvety and seductive, it delivers layers of perfumed red and black fruit with a very long finish.”

92 Points
“soft, pliant and supple, all qualities that make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Sweet red cherry, plum, rose petal, mint and dried flowers are all laced together in this racy, super-expressive blend from BV. The Cabernet Sauvignon-based Tapestry is one of the hidden gems in the range.” 

91 Points
“Takes a bright and relatively fresh approach, with raspberry and plum coulis flavors racing through first, backed by a plumper feel on the back end, showing notes of anise, mocha and briar. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2026″
2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Chardonnay

2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Sonoma County Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underBennett ValleyChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaUSA

LETO CELLARS 2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Chardonnay

2017 CHARDONNAY
BENNETT VALLEY
SONOMA COUNTY

 
Many of the greatest wines that we evaluate at our weekly tastings are tasted without knowing the retail price, along with little to no information about them other than what’s printed on the bottle.  With Leto Cellars’ 2017 Chardonnay, we knew from first-hand experience how great their Cabernets have performed for the price, and we also knew the wine was made by a seasoned winemaker with more than 50 vintages under his belt…  On the palate the wine had remarkable structure, ample acidity, and detailed poached pear, granny smith apple and white peach.  It absolutely shatters expectations at this price.
 
This incredibly small 110 case production Chardonnay was forged from the newly formed Bennett Valley Appellation in Sonoma County.  Bennett Valley is unique in that it’s surrounded on three sides by the Sonoma Mountain range, and receives cooling from the Pacific Ocean flowing through Crane Canyon, which runs the length of the gap between Sonoma and Taylor Mountains.  The cooling plays a large role in allowing the grapes to maintain a firm acidity and structure, and Leto’s 2017 Chardonnay is the perfect example…
 
LETO CELLARS
2017 CHARDONNAY
BENNETT VALLEY
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $30/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “The 2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Chardonnay has a bright, floral nose along with an amazing freshness on the palate, showcasing crisp green apples, ripe pear, and balanced, integrated sweet vanilla oak.  It is lively on the palate and not in the least bit cloying or heavy, and beautifully displays this wonderfully fresh style.”
2017 Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel

2017 Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

MARTINELLI 2017 Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel

2017 ZINFANDEL
GIUSEPPE & LUISA

 
The only thing stretching deeper than the root systems of the ancient Zinfandel vines of Jackass Hill, are Martinelli’s roots in the Russian River Valley, which go back to the 1880’s.  Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli planted their iconic Jackass Hill Vineyard in 1899 on a 60 degree slope, which remains the steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County.  In 1994 Lee Martinelli grafted budwood from the centurion vines of Jackass Hill and planted them on a rocky knoll above the winery which became the Giuseppe & Luisa Vineyard.  This wine is the liquid definition of a huge California-style Zinfandel with unending depth, penetrating wild raspberry compote, boysenberry jam and mouthwatering acidity.  Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate proclaims, “This is just what Zinfandel should be…” and at about 1/2 the price of Jackass Vineyard Zin, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
Martinelli was one of the early leaders back in the early 1990’s producing cult level Zinfandels that were nearly impossible to acquire. Their 2017 was brought to life by winemakers Courtney Wagoner and Erin Green. Erin worked alongside Helen Turley in the early ’90’s on some of her projects, including at Bryant Family & Martinelli and also was director of winemaking at Pahlmeyer.  If you love huge, California style Zinfandel, this one shouldn’t be missed.
 
MARTINELLI
2017 ZINFANDEL
GIUSEPPE & LUISA
 
Your Price: $58/btl  
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Zinfandel Giuseppe and Luisa has a wonderful nose of yellow peach preserves, apricot, boysenberry jam, cinnamon stick and warm black fruits-there are loads of fruity and spicy layers here. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied with intense tricolored fruits, firm, grainy tannins and very juicy acidity, finishing long and peachy. This is just what Zinfandel should be!” 96 Points
2017 Foley Johnson Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON  2017 Foley Johnson Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 ESTATE CABERNET
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY

 
Napa Valley’s Iconic Rutherford appellation is one of the most revered regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s celebrated for producing wines with palpable and distinct character, superior elegance and of course classic Rutherford dusty tannins.  Paragons Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  The best Rutherford Cabernets will fuse elegance, complexity and dusty tannins in a way that makes you want to enjoy them on a regular basis.  Of course with an average retail price of well over $100 per bottle for Rutherford Cabernet, it can be tough to find one at a modest price. Foley Johnson’s Rutherford Estate Cab is absolutely one of the best values in Rutherford, with a name that’s synonymous quality.
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s supremely focused and brims with concentrated red fruits, wild violets, cherry pipe tobacco, crushed graphite and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.  Their Rutherford Estate Cabernet competes favorably with the best in the Valley…
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
2017 ESTATE CABERNET
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes: “Our 2017 Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon displays inviting aromas of huckleberry, cedar, black pepper and a hint of dried sage. On the palate, bold tannins are balanced with flavors of black currant and dark cherry with savory notes of tobacco and graphite. Well structured and full bodied, our Cabernet Sauvignon is approachable now, but will age beautifully over the next 5-10 
2016 Mastery Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2016 Mastery Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $90-$100CoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

MASTERY  2016 Mastery Napa Valley Proprietary Red

PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY

 
The 2016 vintage of Mastery is everything you would expect from this near perfect vintage.  Wine Spectator Magazine touts 2016 as their highest rated vintage for Napa since 1997 and rated it a 98 point score.  The new 2016 Mastery is a perfect reflection of this other-worldly vintage.  With just three barrels produced, Mastery is one of our most popular wines every year, but the demand always exceeds our supply.  This thrilling wine is finely detailed with a sweet inner core of focused red and black berries, supple tannins, and concentrated flavors that build layer upon layer of hedonistic bliss.  With a total production of 73 cases, this vintage of Mastery will disappear far too early…
 
Created from Napa Valley’s highly acclaimed Coombsville region, the vineyard is located on volcanic soils on the Eastern outskirts of the town of Napa.  This elegantly styled, yet focused and penetrating Napa Valley Cabernet Blend satisfies everything a Cabernet drinker looks for.  After spending about 2 years in French oak, this perfectly balanced Cabernet Sauvignon enchants your taste buds.  If you would like to add some of this exceptional wine to your cellar, please place your order right away.  This is another in a long list of near-perfect vintages of Mastery and we know you will absolutely love it!  It is spectacular.
 
MASTERY
PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $95/btl

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Tasting Notes: “Embodying every finite nuance that makes the 2016 vintage so great, Mastery 2016 has alluring aromas of black currants, bing cherries, crushed minerals and dried rose petal.  Seductive wild mountain blackberries, ripe red plum and cassis, are in perfect harmony with the concentrated, rich, supple black fruits balancing the brighter red fruits, providing both depth and length as well as complexity on the palate.  The finish is focused with an amazing seamless structure, providing immense satisfaction.”  Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier