2016 Walter Hansel Cuvee Alyce Pinot Noir

2016 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir(s)

WALTER HANSEL

2016 PINOT NOIR(S)
CUVEE ALYCE | NORTH SLOPE

 
Showcasing the best of Russian River Valley, Walter Hansel produces profound wines with sense of place, harmonious balance and elaborate texture. When they come up in a conversation, it’s easy to reminisce about how they’re a model of consistency, and how their wines continually outshine the vast majority in their category.
 
Then comes the reviews, and they’re second to none… Their 2016 Cuvee Alyce and North Slope Pinots have already earned monster scores from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, and when your brand sets a standard of undeviating quality and exceptionally high scores, it can be tough to stand out among your own vast accomplishments. Walter Hansel took that as a challenge and their 2016’s stand tall as some of their best Pinot Noirs in the last decade.  Don’t miss this opportunity to secure yours… There’s simply never enough of these brilliant Pinots to satisfy demand.

 

2016 Walter Hansel Cuvee Alyce Pinot Noir 2016 Walter Hansel North Slope Pinot Noir
WALTER HANSEL
2016 PINOT NOIR
CUVEE ALYCE
 
Your Price: $45/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate:Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce leaps from the glass with gregarious black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry notes with touches of red roses, lavender and dried Provence herbs plus a waft of black soil. Medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and great freshness, it is simply packed with taut fruit and finishes on a lingering mineral note…95 Points
WALTER HANSEL
2016 PINOT NOIR
NORTH SLOPE
 
Your Price: $42/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate:The 2016 Pinot Noir The North Slope is medium ruby-purple in color and scented of crushed red plums, mulberries and black cherries with touches of baking spices, violets and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, it offers bags of rich berry flavors in the mouth with a sexy, plush texture and scintillating freshness, finishing long...” 94 Points
2017 Vista Atlas Peak Proprietary Red

2017 Vista Atlas Peak Proprietary Red

Vista

2017 Proprietary Red
Atlas Peak

2017 Vista Atlas Peak Proprietary Red“Capturing a depth and richness that is completely unheard of at this price, Vista Atlas Peak unfurls aromas of muddled blackberries, black plum, crushed granite, graphite  and hints of vanilla.  The palate is powerfully concentrated with a stunning array of flavors including deep black cherries, blackberry tart, blueberry syrup, with hints of tobacco and chocolate.  Powerful mountain fruit created a wine that is focused and linear in style, yet richly structured with balanced fruit tannins and a palate staining mid palate that leads to a long, intense finish.”  94 – 96 Points  Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier

 

VISTA 
2017 Proprietary Red
ATLAS PEAK
 
Your Price: $23/btl
2013 Cabaud Benedictions Cabernet Sauvignon

2103 Cabaud ‘Benedictions’ Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

CABAUD 

2013 BENEDICTIONS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

2013 Cabaud Benedictions Cabernet Sauvignon
After tasting over 5,000 wines in 2018, our number one pick was clear the instant we tasted it… Each and every enthusiastic and glowing review that followed, cemented the wine permanently onto the list, and it became clear that it’s a wine that everybody loves.  After all, this wine combines the highest level of winemaking with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Andy Beckstoffer’s heritage vineyards in Oakville.  Many of you know winemaker Luc Morlet from his work at Newton Cellars, Peter Michael, or from his own label Morlet which is raking in 100 point scores… The 2013 Benedictions is the top wine produced at Cabaud and it’s made from the iconic Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard in Oakville.  The previous vintage caught the eye of Robert Parker who scored the 2012 94-96 points and the 2013 is even better…
 
Finding new wines made by top winemakers, that are somewhat unheard of, pays off big at times… I would estimate Morlet’s Cabs to range from $165 to around $300/btl.  At $150 Cabaud is a killer deal,  I cannot put into words how incredible this wine is.  Wines of this caliber and at this price never last long… I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours.  Make sure to join our Insider’s Club and receive special offers on some of our featured wines…
 
CABAUD
2013 BENEDICTIONS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $150/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: An intense, glass-staining purple color combines beautifully with flavors of blueberry pie filling, with muddled blackberries, red currant, bramble, white flowers and bakers chocolate. The supple, full-bodied opulence, sweet tannin, and rich, dense center core intermingle with the powerful fruit to seduce you with the first sip. The finish is long, powerful and supple with just enough fruit tannins to allow this one to age for a decade or so.  Kudos to Luke Morlet for crafting such a stunning wine.96 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

JOSEPH JEWELL 2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 

 
We’ve introduced some unbelievable values this year, more so than in any year previously.  However, there’s just one wine that I can honestly say is the best wine I’ve ever tasted in this price range.  For that reason, Joseph Jewell’s Russian River Valley Pinot was an easy choice as my #3 wine of the year in 2018.  After all, the 2014 combines fruit from Hallberg, Floodgate and Bucher Vineyards… Williams Selyem and Gary Farrell fans likely recognize these sites.  The 2014 washes over your palate with stunning balance, detail and length, and it perfectly portrays everything that I look for in cool climate California Pinot Noir.  It truly drinks like a killer forty dollar Pinot, and wines like this don’t come around often. Make sure to join our Insider’s Club for special pricing and be the first find out about these hidden gems.
 
This Pinot hasn’t left my mind, or my glass for very long since I first tasted it, and in equal detail are the mineral-laced blueberries, bramble fruit, black tea, dried rose and touches of violets that are etched in my memory.  The 2014 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
2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $38/btl
 
 
Winery Notes:A special barrel selection from our favorite Russian River vineyard sites, this wine offers elegance from start to finish. This wine beckons with an exquisite bouquet of raspberry and black cherry laced with hints of rose petals and violets. A soft mid-palate is highlighted by fresh, bright red fruits that linger long on the finish.”
2013 Valdez St Peter's Church Zinfandel

2013 Ulises Valdez St. Peter’s Church Zinfandel

ULISES VALDEZ 2013 Valdez St Peter's Church Zinfandel

2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH

When comparing the Ulises Valdez St. Peter’s Church Zinfandel to all of the others that I’ve tasted over the years, it’s number one in my mind, and for that reason it was a clear choice as my #4 wine in 2018.  Detailed, intense, penetrating, balanced are all perfect descriptors for this wine… The winery was founded by the late Ulises Valdez, one of California’s most sought after wine growers, revered for farming vineyards for Aubert, Kistler, Paul Hobbs and others.  When he wasn’t farming for California’s most elite vineyards, he was cultivating his dream of building a successful brand and his children continue in his legacy of hard-work, passion, and family.
 
Arising from a 5 acre vineyard in Alexander Valley that’s planted to nearly century old vines, this wine exhibits all the qualities that I look for in Old Vine Zinfandel. Rosenblum fans might also recognize this vineyard from single vineyard Zinfandels that they produced in the 1990’s.  I’ve always believed that “perfect” wines are exceptional to nearly everyone who tastes them, regardless of varietal.  This is one of those and this exemplary ancient vine Zinfandel absolutely shouldn’t be missed…
 
ULISES VALDEZ
2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 

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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
2016 Silverpoint Petaluma Gap Chardonnay

2016 Silverpoint ‘Petaluma Gap’ Chardonnay

SILVERPOINT

2016 Silverpoint Petaluma Gap Chardonnay2016 CHARDONNAY
PETALUMA GAP

 
There are a lot of reasons why Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted varieties in the world, and one of the most popular among consumers.  It’s one of the richest of the white wine varieties, yet can also have amazing balance.  Silverpoint’s new 2016 Chardonnay from the Petaluma Gap perfectly highlights these qualities ….and it’s one of the best Chardonnays that I’ve tasted this year.  It was authored by Don Van Staaveren who was responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines and made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was recognized as the #1 wine on the Spectator Top 100 list, and the first Sonoma wine to garner the #1 spot. Chardonnays of this extraordinary quality and value don’t come around often, and with just 167 cases produced, I wouldn’t hesitate to order yours… 
 
Hailing from the Rodgers Creek Vineyard located in the Petaluma Gap, this is a source for single vineyard wines from Ramey, Sojourn and Cherry Pie. Spending 15 months in oak and aged sur lie, a French term meaning literally ‘on the sediment’, plays a large role in contributing to this wine’s rich, opulent texture.  If you’re searching for a sensational bottle of Chardonnay to share with your friends and family… this is it.    

 

SILVERPOINT
2016 CHARDONNAY
PETALUMA GAP
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes:Rich and pale gold with a creamy texture balanced by a lively acidity.  Hints of melon and white peach.  Voluptuous.  A long juicy finish lets you linger with this Chardonnay.
2015 Juslyn Perry's Blend Spring Mountain Proprietary Red

2015 Juslyn Perry’s Blend Spring Mountain Proprietary Red

JUSLYN

2015 PERRY’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN 

2015 Juslyn Perry's Blend Spring Mountain Proprietary Red
Second chances don’t always come back around, but this one just did, and it marks the perfect start to this holiday season.  When we offered this wine last June, we predicted that mid 90’s scores weren’t far behind.  That prediction came to fruition just a few weeks ago when this wine earned a blockbuster 95 point score from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate.  Assisting in their constant pursuit of perfection, consulting winemaker Angelina Mondavi, who’s worked alongside Jayson Woodbridge at Hundred Acre, helped craft this masterpiece… At the retail price of $95/btl, this is a brilliant bottle of wine and a great representation of Spring Mountain terroir, but you might just want to join our email list and grab as much as you can…   
 
At 81% Cabernet Sauvignon this vintage of Perry’s Blend is stunningly powerful and oozes sweet mulberries, chocolate covered cherries, pen ink, graphite and hints of savory spices.  This wine conveys all of the noble traits that make Spring Mountain so desired, and immediately out of the bottle it’s absolutely rocking and promises another 12-15 years of enjoyment.  Don’t wait too long to secure this blockbuster 95 Point wine…
 
JUSLYN
2015 PERRY’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN 
Retails at:  $95.00/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Perry’s Blend is deep garnet-purple colored and reveals fragrant kirsch, stewed tea and rose scents with touches of sandalwood, preserved plums, blackberry pie and mulberries plus eucalyptus and tilled soil. The palate is full-bodied and boldly fruited with a firm, velvety frame and a very long, multilayered finish.95 Points
2013 Enos Totem Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Enos ‘Totem Ridge Vineyard’ Knight’s Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

ENOS 

2013 Enos Totem Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
TOTEM RIDGE VINEYARD
KNIGHT’S VALLEY

 
One of my favorite feelings that comes from opening a bottle of wine is one of an overwhelming rush of, wow, I just got a really good deal…  For customer appreciation week this year, we wanted to give you an opportunity to experience that over and over again, with a full week of our best deals of the year.  The only thing steeper than the incline of Totem Ridge Vineyard is the vertigo inducing discount of this $60 Cabernet … The vineyard is located on the Southern edge of the Knight’s Valley, which is an appellation shared with icons like Peter Michael and Anakota…  At $60/btl this wine is a terrific find… At our price it’s one of the best Cabernet offers that we’ve presented all year.
 
If you’re looking for an inky, ripe, fruit bomb with lots of sweet oak and vanilla this wine is NOT for you… If you enjoy a more linear Cabernet with vivid red berries, veins of minerals, spices and crème de cassis.  Don’t let this one slip by.  It opens with a burst of dried raspberries, black cherries, bay leaf, pipe tobacco, crushed rock and incense.  On the palate the wine is long and balanced with intriguing and expansive flavors that bring you back for more.  This wine is only produced in exceptional vintages, so don’t wait for the next one to secure yours… 
 
ENOS 
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
TOTEM RIDGE VINEYARD
KNIGHT’S VALLEY
Retails at:  $60/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “The 2013 Enos Totem Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon expresses ripe blackberry aromas, notes of cigar box and a burst of cola. Elegant tannins and balanced acidity support a full and firm structure. The round, juicy finish is long and seamless showcased by cedar spice, bing cherry and loamy earth.”
2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

JOSEPH JEWELL 2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

 
When I first introduced Joseph Jewell’s sensational value Pinot in September, I asked you what the best wine that you’ve ever tasted in the $20 range was?  I’m confident now that many of you have had a chance to try this Pinot, you would agree that it is this Joseph Jewell…   I can tell you without ANY hesitation that it’s my choice too and I personally bought 7 cases for my home cellar, which tells you what I think of it.  The 2014 combines fruit from Hallberg, Floodgate and Bucher Vineyards… Williams Selyem and Gary Farrell fans likely recognize these sites.  The 2014 washes over your palate with stunning balance, detail and length, and it perfectly portrays everything that I look for in cool climate California Pinot Noir.  It truly drinks like a killer forty dollar Pinot, and wines like this don’t come around often at this price
 
This Pinot hasn’t left my mind (or my glass for very long) since I first tasted it, and in equal detail are the mineral-laced blueberries, bramble fruit, black tea, dried rose and touches of violets that are etched in my memory.  The 2014 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
2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $38/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes:A special barrel selection from our favorite Russian River vineyard sites, this wine offers elegance from start to finish. This wine beckons with an exquisite bouquet of raspberry and black cherry laced with hints of rose petals and violets. A soft mid-palate is highlighted by fresh, bright red fruits that linger long on the finish.”

2017 Armida Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

ARMIDA

2017 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY

 
One of my favorite attributes found in wines is a perceptible level of tension on the palate. Tension can highlight specific characteristics in a wine and contribute energy and complexity on the palate.  There are many winemaking tools and techniques that can be used to create it.  Utilizing multiple clones, varietals or vineyards can add tension. It can come from utilizing both younger and older vines, the use of different types of oak barrels or multiple fermentation methods.  Armida’s 2017 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel shows tremendous tension and was created from a mix of 2/3 old and 1/3 younger vines.  They source from over a dozen vineyard sources Dry Creek, both hillside and valley floor and most of them are farmed by 4th and 5th generation farmers.
 
Immersed in exceptional vineyards, this classic Californian Zinfandel perfectly portrays the essence of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel.  The winery ferments the grapes from each distinct vineyard separately before creating a masterful blend.  They also use a complex mix of American, Hungarian and French oak adding yet even more complexity.  At $23/btl, you simply can’t afford to miss this…
 
ARMIDA
2017 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
 
 
Winery Notes:Inky black with brash and seductive blackberry, plum, and smoky oak aromas. Bold, rich flavors of black-cherry jam, raspberry, cola, mocha and anise are wrapped in a warm blanket of vanilla spice and oak. A muscular yet balanced wine finishing long and sweet.
Zinfandel 90% | Petite Sirah 10%
 
 
Customers who enjoy Armida Dry Creek Zinfandel may also enjoy these two terrific Reds… 
2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red 2016 Prisoner Wine Co Saldo Zinfandel
WESTWOOD
2015 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $44.00/btl
 

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From Tasting Panel:… (25% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 15% Zinfandel and 10% Tannat) … The perfume is primarily floral: gardenia, red rose petals – with accents on red plum and an echo of black pepper. The palate is a silk road with gritty chocolate tannins. But the ruby slippers that carry you down the path bursts with red plum, dark chocolate cherries, exotic jasmine and grilled meat with soy sauce. The finish is pleasurable with a creamy cedar note.”  95 Points
SALDO
2016 ZINFANDEL
PRISONER WINE CO.
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl

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Wonderfully alive on the palate, the 2016 expresses vibrant red fruit, crushed pepper, blueberry liqueur and cocoa dusted cherries. Winemaker Chrissy Wittmann is really showing her obvious talent in this remarkably balanced, yet full-bodied Zin, which arrives loaded with vibrancy and is layered with excitement.  A serious value, the retail price has remained nearly unchanged since their first vintage back in 2007.