2015 Delgado Rodgers Creek Vineyard Sonoma County Chardonnay

2015 Delgado Rogers Creek Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

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DELGADO 2015 Delgado Rodgers Creek Vineyard Sonoma County Chardonnay

2015 CHARDONNAY
RODGERS CREEK VINEYARD 
SONOMA COAST

 
Value wines don’t usually come from iconic vineyards and they’re not always made by renowned winemakers, but this case, this one absolutely did.  Delgado’s 2015 Chardonnay was authored  by Don Van Staaveren…  Don is responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines from ’85-’97, and made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was recognized as the #1 wine of the year on the 1999 Wine Spectator Top 100.  The wine arose from the iconic Rodgers Creek Vineyard located within the revered Petaluma Gap AVA of the Sonoma Coast.  Icons like David Ramey, Sojourn and Cherry Pie all recognized this site’s ability to produce world class wine, and they’ve all crafted single vineyard bottling from it.  The Wine Enthusiast rated this spectacular effort 93 Points and at $35/btl it’s clearly at terrific value.  Join our email list for a special offer and you’ll feel like you hit the jackpot when you taste it… 
 
Most people probably haven’t heard of Delgado, and with their tiny production, there’s no surprise…  There are just a handful of barrels produced of their 2015 Chardonnay from Rodgers Creek Vineyard… The wine has wonderful weight, delicate texture, remarkable balance and it simply drinks like a white wine that I’d expect to pay about double for…
 
DELGADO
2015 CHARDONNAY
ROGERS CREEK VINEAYRD 
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $35/btl
 
 
 
From Wine Enthusiast: “With a crisp entry of green apple and wet stone, this impressive, small-production offering is effusive in floral highlights of jasmine and orange blossom. Buoyantly fresh in the glass, it has substantial body weight and texture that finishes in a cohesive whole.” 93 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Delgado Chardonnay may also enjoy these two great value Chardonnays…
2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015 Matias Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay
JOSEPH JEWELL 
2014 CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $35/btl
 
Your Price: $23/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Yellow straw color in the glass, this beauty has classic aromas of lemon curd, ripe apple, spring flowers and toast. Elegant and bright on the palate with succulent flavors of mixed citrus and apple with a supple opulence. It is beautifully constructed, impeccably balanced and finishes long and smooth with all of the elements integrated in a seamless, beautiful wine.”
MATIAS
2015 CHARDONNAY
ROSELLA’S VINEYARD
Retails at:  $55/btl
 

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From Wine Enthusiast: “Toasted almond, lemon peel, grapefruit pith, ash and a waft of smoke show on the nose of this single-vineyard expression from the Brack Mountain Winery family. The palate is broad with lemon, pluot and hazelnut flavors, proving equal parts fresh, fruity and savory with every touch point needed in a Chardonnay.”  93 Points

2016 Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

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BERNARDUS

2016 PINOT NOIR
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS

 
What makes Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir unique?  For starters, it’s one of California’s coolest Pinot producing regions and as a whole, it’s even cooler than the Russian River Valley.  This is due to the prominent ocean breeze and fog from Monterey Bay.  Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climates, which allows the grapes to achieve optimum ripeness and flavor development, but also maintain acidity and structure.  For my palate, the best Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots have an idyllic combination of intense plum and cherry fruit, with earthy nuances that keep me coming back for more.  The balanced acidity and dense core make them both delightful upon release, and something to look forward to in the cellar.  The 2016 Bernardus is exactly what I look for in classically styled SLH Pinot Noir and at 33% below retail, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours.  
 
The 2016 was created from a collage of specifically selected vineyards throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands with the purpose of creating a picture-perfect Pinot.  Their winemaker Dean Dekorth, is well-versed in Santa Lucia Highland fruit, from making Morgan, David Bruce and Talbott.  He also spent 4 years working at some of Burgundies top producers including Olivier LeFlaive, Comtes Lafon and Pierre Morey.   If you love a great value, and crave exceptional Pinot Noir, this one will leave you grinning… 
 
BERNARDUS
2016 PINOT NOIR
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl  

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“Vivid ruby-red. Ripe cherry and red berries on the nose along with hints of licorice and dried flowers in the background. Smooth and fleshy in style showing good energy to the blackberry and bitter cherry flavors. Smooth tannins come in late adding shape to a gently sweet focused persistent finish.” 90 Points “The appellation blend 2016 Pinot Noir SLH Blend is outstanding, offering lots of red fruits and spice, a terrific sense of elegance, medium body, and great balance. It shows the balance and purity that’s the hallmark of the vintage and is ideal for drinking over the coming 6-7 years.” 91 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Bernardus Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots…
2016 Morgan Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2015 Matia's Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir
MORGAN
2016 PINOT NOIR
TWELVE CLONES
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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From Jeb Dunnuck: “Moving to the reds, the 2016 Pinot Noir Twelve Clones (aged ten months in 38% new French oak) offers ample black cherry, violet, and scorched earth aromatics, hints of background oak, medium body, and a beautiful fruit forward, balanced, layered style on the palate. It’s a winner.” 93 Points
MATIAS
2015 PINOT NOIR
ROSELLA’S VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
 
From Wine Enthusiast: “Rose petals, cranberry and dust show on the nose of this bottling, which grows more intense on the nose as it sits open, offering riper fruit. Dried sagebrush and baked earth flavors show on the sip as the red fruit and floral components arise with grace.”  93 Points
2016 Revana Terrior Series Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon

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REVANA  2016 Revana Terrior Series Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 TERROIR SERIES

 
Some of my favorite winemakers have a signature style that’s detectable across multiple brands that they make.  For my palate, Thomas Brown’s Cabernets often combine a velvety mouthfeel with well-integrated oak and soft tannins that make them immediately enjoyable upon release and a gem behold.  Revana’s 2016 Terroir Selection Cabernet is a perfect example and even though it’s a massive Cabernet, the flavors unwind in supple layers and uncover remarkable complexity that’s complimented by perfectly integrated toasty oak.  Brown is absolutely at the top of his game and is one of the dominating forces in Cabernet Sauvignon…  He made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 Point score from the Wine Spectator, and he’s also the winemaker at Revana, Maybach, Gemstone and Outpost to name a few.
 
Arising from carefully selected vineyard sites in St Helena, Oak Knoll and Calistoga, the 2016 is packed with concentrated blackberry, supple cherries, graphite and a touch of sweet vanilla. Housed for 14 months in French oak barrels and a full year in the bottle before release, this Cabernet will thrill you from first sip to last.
 
REVANA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 TERROIR SERIES
Retails at: $105.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl 
 
“This has a very suave, supple and fleshy style to it with aromas of poached blueberries and plums that lead to a soft, fleshy and seamlessly honed palate that’s easygoing, even and balanced. Drink or hold.” 92 Points
“…a deep garnet-purple color and oak to begin, giving way to a red and black currant core with blueberries, warm plums, earth and mocha plus a tobacco waft. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with good concentration and an earthy finish.” 92 Points
 

Customers who enjoy Revana Terroir Series Cabernet may also enjoy these two outstanding Cabs…

2016 Witchery Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Morlet Les Petits Morlet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
WITCHERY
2016 OAKVILLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $110.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl

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Tasting Notes: “Some Cabernets are styled more elegantly with laser like precision, while others are monstrous, bold and powerfully inky. Somewhere in the middle lies the perfect balance of power & grace and I’ve found it in this wine.  The Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is a picture of balance with a nose that actually smells satiny with fresh black plums, crushed blueberries, sweet vanilla and delicate floral notes.  The palate is lush and beautifully balanced with black cherry, red currants, ever so slightly dusty tannins and beautifully integrated toasty oak...”  96 Points
MORLET
2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
LES PETITS MORLET
 
Your Price: $95/btl

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Winemaker Notes: “Displaying a very intense bouquet of black currant, candied red and black cherries and mocha, intermixed with hints of blond tobacco leaves and earthy notes of leather and toasted red pepper. This wine possesses youthful, yet sweet tannins and is characterized by its overall richness, suave character and approachability.“
2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red

2017 The Prisoner Napa Valley Proprietary Red

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THE PRISONER 2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red

PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY

 
Electric, jubillant, infectiously charming, the 2017 Prisoner unshackles a jailbreak of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and that become even more complex once it escapes the bottle and opens in the glass. The 2017 has shocking levels of intensity and permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral. A single sip condemns your taste buds to a sentence filled with provocative red fruits, sweet tannins and elaborate flavors that even the toughest restraints couldn’t contain.  This is regularly the first bottle emptied at ANY celebration and it’s pairs particularly great with summer fun and barbecues.
 
This captivating concoction contains a glass-staining, deep, dense ruby/purple color, and is from a gang of top vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley, including Korte Ranch in St. Helena and Tiedemann Ranch in Yountville.  Each distinct vineyard block adds its own unique dimension, helping to complete the uniquely complex flavors that we have come to love and expect from The Prisoner.  I strongly recommend stowing some of this away… You’ll be glad you did.
 
THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl
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Winery Notes: “Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla linger harmoniously, for a smooth and luscious finish.”
 
Customers that enjoy The Prisoner may also enjoy these two terrific wines from Prisoner Wine Company…
2017 Prisoner Wine Co Saldo Zinfandel 2016 Prisoner Wine Co Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon
SALDO
2017 ZINFANDEL
PRISONER WINE CO.
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl 

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Winemaker’s Notes: “Dark ruby color with bold aromas of black licorice, black pepper, cherry, and baking spice. The entry is rich, full, and scintillating. The palate is mouthwatering and smooth with a hint of chocolate. The finish is voluptuous with soft, velvety tannins.” Blend: 85% Zinfandel; 15% Petite Sirah and Syrah
CUTTINGS
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
PRISONER WINE CO.
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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The 2016 Cuttings is a larger-than-life Cabernet Sauvignon that always makes an indomitable entrance with a spectacular display of unbridled richness, voluptuous textures and satin layers. The wine was thoughtfully inspired by steep, hillside vineyards and expert blending, and the 2016 was built around a core of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel.
2014 William Knuttel D Rafanelli Vineyard Mary's Block Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 William Knuttel D. Rafanelli Vineyard Mary’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon

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WILLIAM KNUTTEL 2014 William Knuttel D Rafanelli Vineyard Mary's Block Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
D. RAFANELLI VINEYARD
2014 MARY’S BLOCK

 
When it comes to the most Iconic Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel Vineyards in Sonoma County, the Rafanelli Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley is foremost.  Their wines are nearly impossible to acquire and are mailing list and restaurant only… What many people don’t know is that William Knuttel produces two Cabernets from Rafanelli Vineyard, so as you can imagine, we couldn’t wait to try them.  Their 2014 D. Rafanelli Mary’s Block is remarkably stunning, and it’s made in an elegant, long and expansive style that keeps you coming back for more.  At around $40, this makes my list of the best Cabernets in Sonoma County.
 
Proprietor William Knuttel isn’t a stranger to high-quality Sonoma County Cabernet.  He was the Vice President and winemaker at Chalk Hill from 1996 through 2003 and he was also winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyards through 2011.  The Mary’s Block produced minuscule yields of just 1.4 tons per are of intensely flavored, BB sized berries, and the resulting wine spent 19 months in oak.  In this realistic price category, this will compete favorably with the best Cabernets produced in Napa Valley and in fact, it did at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition where it earned a Gold Medal.  You simply need to try it.  8 barrels produced.
 
WILLIAM KNUTTEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
D. RAFANELLI VINEYARD
2014 MARY’S BLOCK
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
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Winery Notes: “Mary’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon combines black cherry, ripe plum and blackberry fruit, spiced with brooding herbs. Oak and toast highlight and focus the ripe berry and cherry flavors, completely complementing the aromas. Hillside tannins are fully resolved, leading to a full, balanced and supple finish…”
Gold – 2018 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
 
Customers who enjoy William Knuttel Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
2014 Humanitas Piscis Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Kuleto Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
HUMANITAS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 PISCIS VINEYARD
Retails at: $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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Tasting Notes: “....The nose has a sultry opulence with pungent berry intensity followed by blueberry tart, creme de cassis, hints of bay leaf, liquid mineral and sweetened dark chocolate.  The palate begins with penetrating, focused flavors of crushed blackberries and red currants, followed by secondary characteristics including wet stone, cigar box and vanilla spice.  For this price point, this wine is approaching perfection… I can’t remember having a wine that costs less and drinks better… Simply fabulous!”  97 Points
KULETO
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Wine Enthusiast: “From the producer’s estate at over 1,000 feet in elevation, this seamlessly textured wine grabs one’s palate from the start and doesn’t let go. Huckleberry and cedar notes meet bay leaf accents and grippy tannins, all enveloped in smoky oak. It finishes with bright, fresh blackberry.”  92 Points
2016 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

2016 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $40-$50Anderson ValleyKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUncategorizedUSA

GOLDENEYE 2016 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

2016 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY

 
Duckhorn Wine Company has always had an eye for discovering premium vineyard sites.  Just look at Three Palms Vineyard in Calistoga or their recent purchases of Calera Vineyards on Mount Harlan and Kosta Browne in Sonoma.  In 1996 Dan Duckhorn recognized the potential for world-class Pinot Noir in California’s Anderson Valley AVA.  Perfectly positioned near the Pacific Ocean and with a wide diurnal temperature variation, spanning 40-50 degrees, Duckhorn seized the opportunity to create a Pinot Noir that would stand on its own as one of California’s finest.  They now produce a handful of Pinots under the Goldeneye label, and with the top level ranging $80-$125, their Anderson Valley Pinot is a steal at under fifty bucks.
 
Combining fruit from both warm and cool portions of the Valley, the tension created from the contrast of styles and flavors gives this Pinot a classic portrayal of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Housed for 16 months in oak, the 2016 is wonderfully textured and bursts from the glass with soaring blue and red fruits, black cherry, wild flowers and holiday spices.  If you’re searching for an absolutely classic Anderson Valley Pinot Noir that’s perfectly ready to drink now and will cellar for years to come, this one is for you.
 
GOLDENEYE
2016 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY
Retails at:  $58/btl
 
Your Price: $45/btl  

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“This wine is full bodied, dark and brooding-in a good way. It has concentrated flavors of black fruit and ripe red berry as well as attractive oak accents of cinnamon and clove. Fine-grained tannins lend ample support and structure.” 92 Points
“Juicy, with firm richness to the burnished dried cherry, berry and cedary flavors. Suave midpalate, featuring a creamy texture. The finish is powered by seductive spice and forest floor notes. Drink now through 2024.” 92 Points
 
 
Customers that enjoy Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots… 
2017 Siduri Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2015 Daniel Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
SIDURI
2017 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY
 
Your Price: $36/btl

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Winery Notes: “… Aged for 15 months in 35% new French oak, this wine has aromas of warm oak spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon, followed by pomegranate, black plum, fresh boysenberry, Portobello mushroom, chestnut, sage, chamomile, and forest floor. The flavors include tart red plum, raspberry, and red currant. Bright acid leads at the front of the palate with a full, juicy texture in the middle. Fine and focused tannin adds length to the finish.”
DANIEL
2015 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Wine Enthusiast: “Oodles of black cherry and sour cherry fill the aroma and flood the flavors of this full-bodied, concentrated and deeply fruity wine. The ripeness is balanced by good fruit acidity, making the wine both seductive and refreshing to sip. Made from Ferrington Vineyard and the old-vine Beaujolais Vineyard, it has the structure to age and improve…”  96 Points, Cellar Selection
0217 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

2017 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

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QUIVIRA 0217 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

2017 ZINFANDEL
PILLSBURY VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY

 
As much as I love a great California style Zinfandel that’s classically deep, jammy, and intensely flavored, there’s something refreshing about finding a pure expression of the varietal, with brilliant detail and stunning balance.  When I came across Quivira’s 2017 Pillsbury Zinfandel it reminded me just how much I love the Zinfandel grape.  Imagine a basket filled with fresh blueberries, wild plums, boysenberries, black cherries and mulberries and being able to taste each one simultaneously and with absolute clarity?  That’s exactly what you’ll find in a glass of this Zin… At $48 it’s an experience worth taking, but at $39.99, it’s a rush that you’ll want to experience over and over again…
 
Carved from the dry-farmed Pillsbury Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley where winter rains are the sole source of irrigation.  You can see the crushed oyster shells scattered abundantly throughout the vineyard which are used to supplement the soils and strengthen the vines.  The wine was carefully guided from grape to bottle by Hugh Chappelle, former winemaker at Flowers, Lynmar and Charles Heintz to name a few…  We taste quite a few new Zinfandels every week and this is simply the best Zin that I’ve tasted this year.  Trust me… You’ll be glad you did.
 
QUIVIRA
2017 ZINFANDEL
PILLSBURY VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Jeb Dunnuck: “… the 2017 Zinfandel Pillsbury Vineyard (100% Zinfandel) has a classic bouquet of plums, mulled currants, cedary spice, and incense. Elegant, medium to full-bodied, rounded, and fleshy on the palate, with good purity, it’s another beautiful Zinfandel from this estate.” 93 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Zinfandel, may also enjoy these two terrific Zins…
2016 Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel 2013 Valedez St Peter's Church Zinfandel
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “… a bold, well structured wine with an aromatic nose of ripe berries, brown spice, and black licorice. The color is a beautiful and vibrant dark crimson. The wine is deftly balanced, with flavors that burst on the palate, offering well defined dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry that give way to dark chocolate, spicy pepper and a hint of nutty oak. The frame is firm yet round without harsh edges, with an appealing, weighty, yet buoyant mid palate, and a refreshing lift on the lengthy, enjoyable, toasty finish.“
VALDEZ
2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “This impeccably balanced zinfandel flaunts energizing flavors and aromas of ripe black cherries, concentrated pomegranate, and crushed blackberries with hints of white rose petals, cocoa powder and pipe tobacco. The perfect balance shines through with an amazing brightness that elegantly supports the richly focused flavors.  Simply stunning!”  94 Points
2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON 2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

ESTATE CABERNET 
2013 RUTHERFORD 

 
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 character.  Paragons Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  I recently checked the average retail price of the more than fifty 2013 vintage Rutherford Cabernets listed in the Wine Spectator and they averaged well over $130/btl…  This is a real barometer to the quality of this appellation, and if you’ve followed my emails for a while, you know that one of my favorite Rutherford producers is Foley Johnson.  Their name is synonymous with epic value, and even at the winery retail price of $75 it’s a terrific find.  At our price, it’s a complete steal…
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s brimming with concentrated black fruits, crushed violets, graphite, freshly ground coffee and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.  After nearly 4 years blossoming inside the bottle, words can hardly describe how great this wine is drinking right now.  
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
ESTATE CABERNET
2013 RUTHERFORD
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 

Winery Notes: “The nose of our 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is fruit forward with very deep and concentrated notes of blackberry, black currant and hints of toasted characters. The body follows the aroma and is fruit forward with nice tannin balance throughout the palate. The fruit on the palate shines and provides flavors from blackberry to slight hints of light raspberry and as it opens up there is a light hint of sweetness and licorice. Although the tannins are still quite prevalent, they are not overwhelming and are approachable now, but will age nicely over next 5-10 years.”

2016 Crane Assembly Disciples Proprietary Red

2016 The Crane Assembly ‘Disciples’ Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordSt HelenaUSA

THE CRANE ASSEMBLY 2016 Crane Assembly Disciples Proprietary Red

2016 DISCIPLES
PROPRIETARY RED

  
Forged from ancient vines dating back to the 1880’s, and including the iconic Morisoli and Milat vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena, Crane Assembly Disciples was named for these vineyards which can be considered “disciples” of the ancient vines of G.B. Crane, which the winery owns.  The G.B. Crane vineyard was originally planted around 1885, making it one of the oldest vineyards in the Napa Valley… The 2016 release is incredibly appealing and comes layered with wild raspberries, black cherries, clove and incense.  The wine was masterfully blended by winemaker Kevin Fox and consulting winemaker Dave Phinney, and with a 93 Point score from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, I wouldn’t wait too long to assemble your case.  
 
Absolutely thrilling to swirl and taste, this wine has every quality that I look for in an ancient vine Zinfandel Blend.  The final blend includes bits of Charbono, Grenache and Petite Sirah which enhance color, depth and structure.  The 2016 is bursting with pristinely focused, seductive fruit and is incredibly hedonistic on the palate as flavors continue to expand throughout the extremely long finish. 
 
THE CRANE ASSEMBLY
2016 DISCIPLES
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $44.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “A blend of 76% Zinfandel, 13% Charbono, 6% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah, the 2016 Disciples is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with gorgeous notions of hoisin, Black Forest cake, prunes and potpourri with hints of black pepper, unsmoked cigars and cloves. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and oh-so-spicy, it fills the palate with decadent fruit and a plush texture, finishing with a lively lift.” 93 Points
 
2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red
 2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Alluring aromas of ripe blackberries, red plums, sweet floral notes and a touch of vanilla spice seduce your nose. A compact core of perfectly balanced cherry preserves, muddled blueberries, wild blackberries and a touch of black pepper unfurl and expand across your palate.  Opulent without being inky, the supple fruit tannins combine with a very long finish to simply make you smile. Drink right now, or you can hold until 2025.“
THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

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Electric, jubilant, infectiously charming, the new 2017  Prisoner
 unshackles a posse of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and become even more complex with aeration. Having jail-break level intensity, the 2017 permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral.  
2014 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo

2014 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo

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FRATELLI ALESSANDRIA 2014 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo

2014 BAROLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY

 
Some of the best things in life are emotionally resonating, and that sensation can come from anything that moves us.  A great speech, poem, song, play, picture, and in this case, Fratellia Alessandria Barolo…  At a recent trade tasting at Farmstead in St Helena, this wine moved us more than ANY other wine at the event and if you could only see what it was up against, you’d have already ordered a case.  The wine is stunningly detailed and powerfully expressive.  It bounds from the glass with black cherries, wild plum, pipe tobacco, crushed mint and candied orange peel.  With brilliant evolution and finesse, this remarkable illustration of Barolo has already earned solid reviews from two of the Country’s top critics.  Of course, with the limited number of cases of this gem that make their way into the US, you’ll want to move quickly… 
 
We certainly weren’t the first to discover this gorgeous Barolo… It was originally recognized by King Carlo Alberto in 1843 for having notable quality.  The Fratelli Estate crowns the small hilltop village of Verduno, and the 2014 includes fruit from Riva Rocca, Rocca dell’Olmo, Neirane, Campasso and Bosco vineyards, and it’s truly one of the best 2014 Barolo’s under $100/btl that I’ve tasted.  I strongly recommend securing a case. 
 
FRATELLI ALESSANDRIA
2014 BAROLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY
Retails at:  $54.00/btl
 
Your Price: $47.99/btl 
 
Vinous Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
“Now with a few months in bottle, Alessandria’s 2014 Barolo is a real powerhouse. Smoke, scorched earth, tobacco, menthol, licorice and wild cherry all convey an impression of gravitas, as this potent, muscular Barolo shows off its personality. The 2014 has quite a bit of density and richness at this level. I won’t be surprised if it turns out even better than this note suggests. There is so much going on here.” 
 
91 + Points
“The Fratelli Alessandria 2014 Barolo is a streamlined and elegant wine that imparts delicate tones of wild berry, spice, licorice, rosemary twig and candied orange peel. This is a classic expression and an absolute embodiment of Barolo tradition. The finish is long and silky with lingering tones of smoke and crushed mineral. This wine is very nicely done. It ages slowly in large Slavonian oak casks for three years...” 
 
91 Points
Customers who enjoy Fratelli Alessandria may also enjoy these two stunning Barolos…
 
2014 Rocche Costamagna Barolo
 2014 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo
ROCCHE COSTAMAGNA
2014 BAROLO 
ROCCHE DELL’ANNUNZIATA
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl 

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From Wine Enthusiast: “This opens with red berry, new leather and eucalyptus aromas. The firmly structured palate offers red cherry, star anise and a hint of white pepper alongside close-grained tannins and bright acidity…”  90 Points
GIACOMO GRIMALDI
2014 BAROLO 
PIEDMONT, ITALY
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl 

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From The Wine Spectator:  “Cherry and plum flavors resonate throughout this red, joined by notes of eucalyptus, tar, tobacco and spice. The fruit persists, with a firm grip of tannins as this fades on the finish…”  92 Points