2015 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON  2015 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY

 
How much would you expect to pay for a Cabernet from Napa Valley’s revered Rutherford AVA?  Iconic producers Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  I recently checked the average retail price of the nearly 3 dozen 2015 vintage Rutherford Cabernets listed in the Wine Spectator and they averaged over $140/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 great value, and even at the winery retail price of $75 it’s a terrific find.  At $39.99/btl, it competes favorably with the best in the Valley.  As a testament to the quality of Foley Johnson’s 2015 Rutherford Cabernet, the winery auctioned 10 cases of 2015 Rutherford Cabernet at the 2018 Premiere Napa Valley Auction and it went for $1800 per case… 
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, and as conveyed by Andre Tchelistcheff, legendary winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyards, “Cabernets need a touch of that Rutherford dust.” This exemplary 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s brimming with bright, focused red fruits, crushed violets, graphite, chocolate covered raspberries and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.
 
FOLEY JOHNSON 
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
YOU SAVE 46%
 
Winery Notes: “This 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon has a focused deep red to purple color with a brilliantly dark core. The nose exudes an initial attack of bright dark cherry, black fruits, purple flowers and cocoa with a background hint of savory herbs. The palate offers nice heft and weight, with elegant flavors of blue and black fruits, roasted coffee, graphite, vanilla and sage. Its full mouthfeel is structured by firm tannins leading into a poised finish...” 
2016 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FAUST 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Faust can be described as the next generation in classic Napa Valley Cabernet that’s a go-to on restaurant wine lists, in a similar way that old-school producers Heitz and Stags Leap have been for many years.  Created in Quintessa’s state-of-the-art winery in Rutherford, Faust’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has superior focus and unleashes a bounty of exquisite aromas infused with opulent black fruits, melted chocolate, graphite and crushed rock.  Created from the winery’s estate vineyards in Coombsville and Rutherford, combined with additions of Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain resulting in diverse flavors that continually unfurl new components with aeration.  At under $50 per bottle this is absolutely one of Napa Valleys best values in Cabernet Sauvignon.  
 
Pre-fermentation, the grapes are hand-sorted twice with full-attention to every detail.  Optimizing technology, Quintessa uses a gravity-flow method where are grapes are gently crushed on the winery roof before making their way to the fermentation room below using the force of gravity.  This provides a gentler, more grape friendly approach to winemaking and the results simply need to be tasted to be appreciated.
 
FAUST 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl
 
Winery Notes: “The 2016 vintage is a fierce reminder of why we love what we do, as it extended a run of five remarkable vintages in the Napa Valley. Even temperatures throughout the growing season produced excellent clusters, resulting in a bold and powerful wine. Fans of the 2015 Faust will love the 2016, with notes of dark chocolate, blue and black fruit, and dried herbs balanced by silky tannins and lifting acidity.“
 
Customers who enjoy Faust Napa Valley Cabernet enjoy these terrific wines from Huneeus Vintners…
 
2015 Quintessa Proprietary Red 2015 Faust Graffitti Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5 Ltr Magnum 
QUINTESSA
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $174.99/btl 

Click to Order

From James Suckling: “Aromas of blue fruits, blackberries, tile and lead pencil. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Layered and intense with white-pepper and salt undertones. Love the finish to this racy young wine. Beautiful blue fruits! Drink in 2020 and onwards. From biodynamic grapes.” 97 Points
FAUST 
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
“GRAFFITI EDITION” MAGNUM
 
Your Price: $99.99/(1.5L)

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “A barrel sample, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple colored, with a decadent cassis, baked blackberries and plum preserves-scented nose, plus hints of spice cake, cedar and Marmite toast. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and wonderfully spicy in the mouth, it has velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long”  92-94 Points
2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red

2017 Vista Rutherford Red Blend

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

VISTA 

2017 RED BLEND
RUTHERFORD

2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red
How do you get an incredible Rutherford Cabernet Blend for $23? Frankly, you don’t, unless something unusual happens… Originally intended to be a Single Vineyard Cabernet, a winemaking miscommunication led to some barrels from other high-end projects getting accidentally blended into the same tank.  The result is an absolutely stunning Rutherford Blend that needs a new home… When I first tasted this wine I was asked to estimate the retail price with no information other than what was on the label.  After considering the focused and penetrating red fruits, classic Rutherford dust characteristics and long, pleasant finish, my number was $75-$95/btl… Turns out it was $95, had it been finished as a single vineyard Rutherford Cabernet.  This wine will undoubtedly leave countless fans wanting more, however there is a finite number of cases made and when it’s gone, it’s gone for good.  If you look for value Reds from Napa Valley, I strongly recommend that you double or even triple down on this one…
 
Originating from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this wine embodies many of  the hallmarks that I look for in Rutherford Cabernet. Predominately Cabernet, heightened with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2017 saturates your palate in seductive red berries laced with dried lavender, red currants, iron, and Rutherford dust.  In my career I’ve only come across one other scenario similar to this one… Don’t wait for the next one and stock up on a case or two of this Rutherford Blend.  
 
VISTA 
2017 RED BLEND
RUTHERFORD
 
Your Price: $23/btl
 
Tasting Notes: “Scintillating aromas of fresh blackberries, tart red currants, cocoa powder and vanilla spice.  The palate is dense, rich and powerful with a beautiful combination of bright red fruit characteristics that perfectly intertwine with deep black fruits including blueberry compote, crushed black raspberries, ripe red plum, baking spices and bittersweet chocolate.  Intense and penetrating, this wine displays concentrated, powerful fruit with a gorgeous center core that finishes with a long, focused finish and slightly dusty tannins.“
92 – 95 Points  Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2015 BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 BV Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

BEAULIEU VINEYARDS

2015 BV Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

GEORGES DE LATOUR
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
With Napa Valley history embedded deep into it’s DNA, Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a timeless classic that embodies every quality that makes Rutherford so wondrous.  The vineyard blocks that go into this wine were planed in the early 1900’s, with the first vintage of 1936 Georges de Latour Private Reserve released in 1940 in honor of the winery founder’s passing.  Under the guidance of one of the world’s most iconic winemakers, Andre Tchelistcheff, BV built on a reputation of excellence and achievements.  Now, nearly 80 vintages later Georges de Latour is still turning heads and after the previous vintage earned 97 Points from Robert Parker, I wouldn’t wait for the scores to come out on the 2015 vintage before securing yours…
 
Enchanting, profound and deeply hedonistic all come to mind when tasting the 2015.  This vintage was made in the winery’s new state-of-the-art facility and it perfectly combines time-honored traditions with modern technologies.  Birthed from the iconic BV Ranches Numbers 1 and 2, originally planted by Georges de Latour in the early 1900’s… The 2015 is built around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon and heightened with a small amount of Petit Verdot and Merlot, the 2015 screams Rutherford Cabernet.  I highly recommend a case.
 
BEAULIEU VINEYARDS
GEORGES DE LATOUR
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $145.00/btl
 
Your Price: $119.99/btl
YOU SAVE 17%
 
Winery Notes: “The 2015 vintage influenced our signature Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon by crafting a wine small in yield, but mighty in concentration, depth and elegance.  The bouquet shows beautiful freshness with a cascade of red and dark berry fruit notes followed by hints of rose petal and violet.  Rich, with a full-bodied structure on the palate, the wine is complex and expressive, revealing layers of blackcurrant, bright raspberry, dark cherry and cassis, followed by hints of cedar, cinnamon, clove and mocha. Plush tannins support the expansive palate, while impeccably balanced acidity adds vibrancy and freshness. Well integrated notes of vanilla and toasted oak spices – from aging in new French oak barrels – heighten the aromas and linger on the finish. To enjoy this wine at its full potential, we recommend at least five years of bottle aging; however if you can’t wait, decant before serving.”
 
Customers who enjoy BV Georges de Latour Cabernet enjoy these two Reds…
2014 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
 2015 Quintessa Proprietary Red
SILVER OAK
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ALEXANDER VALLEY
Retails at:  $80.00/btl
 
Your Price: $74.99/btl 

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QUINTESSA
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $174.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
“Aromas of blue fruits, blackberries, tile and lead pencil. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Layered and intense with white-pepper and salt undertones. Love the finish to this racy young wine. Beautiful blue fruits! Drink in 2020 and onwards. From biodynamic grapes.” 97 Points 
2016 Heir Apparent Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2016 Heir Apparent Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordSt HelenaUSA

HEIR APPARENT

PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY

2016 Heir Apparent Napa Valley Proprietary Red
Ever wonder how we are able to offer these amazingly high-quality wines with such dramatic discounts? It comes down to patience, confidence and buying power. We have the patience for our tasting panel to taste through over 80 wines each week, looking for only the best wines available. Then, our panel’s consensus gives us the confidence that we’ve made the right choices on which wines to work with.  Finally, we have the buying power to commit to, and purchase large quantities in advance, so we can negotiate the best deals. It is somewhat risky on our part, but frankly, we are pretty darn good at it, and the quality and value shows through in each incredible bottle we offer.
 
Case in point, this Heir Apparent Proprietary Red seduces you with intense aromas of floral infused red fruits, minerals and chocolaty espresso, the 2016 wraps your palate in a velvety embrace and leaves your taste buds yearning for another sip.  Combining fruit from St Helena and Rutherford, the tension created between the two distinct areas lends greatly to the complexity. Calling on all five Bordeaux Varietals, the 2016 spent 16 month in oak and it’s already providing enormous levels of pleasure, and should drink well over the next 10-12 years. Another winner!
 
HEIR  APPARENT
PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $69.99/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes: “With a beautiful dark red hue, the wine opens up with seductive aromas of fresh violets, dried rose petals, ripe tree fruits, wild berries, licorice and spice. On the palate, lively notes of fresh baked dark cherry pie, red plum and ripe raspberry are layered with zesty notes of pepper, cloves, ginger, roasted walnuts, and the gentle use of oak which allow the flavors to pop. As the wine opens up, these flavors are balanced with soft tannins, tangy acidity, and (a) long finish...” 92 Points “Sommelier to the Stars” Christopher Sawyer
2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage

2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON

2014 MERITAGE
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE  

2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage
Victory is a thousand times sweeter when you’re the underdog… Just ask Bill Foley who’s Las Vegas Golden Knights just shocked the world by making it to the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season. And scoring yet another goal, Bill’s 2014 Rutherford Estate Meritage pulls a hat trick with its mouth puckeringly good, deep, velvety flavors and scores a power play goal with thundering authority.  With an entry price significantly lower than others in its division you could say that this Meritage is an underdog story of it’s own.  In this case the victory will be yours, when you score this wine for less than forty bucks.
 
Carved from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, as conveyed by Andre Tchelistcheff, legendary winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyards, “Cabernets need a touch of that Rutherford dust,” and this one grabbed my full attention. These players are made up of all five Bordeaux varietals and bursts onto the scene with pulverized dark berries, dried violets dusted with cocoa, pipe tobacco and subtle cedar.  At $45/btl this wine cross-checks every box… At $39.99/btl, you’ll want to clear some serious room in the wine cellar…
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
2014 MERITAGE
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE  
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
YOU SAVE 11%
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Their 2014 Proprietary Red Meritage is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec and Cabernet Franc. It is another striking value among the stratospherically priced wines of Napa. More floral than its counterpart, with more uplifted aromatics, but similar weight and richness, this full-bodied, pure, ripe, delicious and complex wine has attractive aromatics, medium to full body and velvety tannins. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.”  92 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Foley Johnson’s Meritage may also enjoy these two terrific Reds… 
2016 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietary Red
 2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Reserve
CHAPPELLET
2016 MOUNTAIN CUVEE
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
 
Your Price: $31.99/btl 

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An absolute crowd-pleaser, and those of you who’ve enjoyed this blend each vintage might notice the 2016 exploits a greater percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than their previous 6 vintages.  With Cabernet as the dominant grape, the 2016 is nicely concentrated, and on the palate, the wine’s hallmark velvety embrace comes dressed with provocative black cherries, blueberries, dried violets and cocoa. 
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price:
 
When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.  


SILVER GHOST CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 NAPA VALLEY

Silver Ghost 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

SILVER GHOST

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY

SILVER GHOST CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2015 NAPA VALLEY
In the wine business, the saying that nice guys finish last doesn’t hold an ounce of truth.  Anybody that’s met Weston Eidson, founder and winemaker at Silver Ghost will likely tell you that he’s absolutely one of the nicest guys in the wine industry, and I concur.  Silver Ghost always finishes first, and it’s also the first bottle finished when opened next to comparably priced wines.  When you’re as nice as Weston you can access to some seriously high quality fruit at a price low enough to produce a killer Napa Valley Cabernet at under forty per bottle. The 2015 comes from vineyards in Rutherford, Saint Helena and Yountville, where the diversity in each iconic site adds it’s own unique character and complexity to the final blend, which is stunningly good.  
The 2015 is becoming known for its superior quality, and this Silver Ghost is brimming with crushed black fruits, chocolate covered blueberries, dried violets and espresso roast.  It’s kept for 22 months in French oak barrels, and if  you’ve tasted Weston’s earlier vintages of Silver Ghost, then you already know… If you haven’t, I strongly recommend grabbing some before it vaporizes. 

  

SILVER GHOST
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl
 
Winery Notes: “Silver Ghost is a full-bodied, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards. Complex aromas of black cherry, blueberry and cassis perfectly complement the wine’s rich, deep hue. The palate reveals lush fruit and notes of espresso, mocha, and toast providing a rich texture and depth guaranteed to please the palate long after the last sip.“
Customers who enjoy Silver Ghost’s Napa Cabernet Sauvignon may also enjoy these stunning Reds…
STEPS RESERVE 
BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $50/btl
Your Price: $45/btl 
 
EHLERS ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 ST. HELENA 
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
In grape growing, much as in real estate, location-location-location is absolutely essential.   And when your neighbors include Chuck McMinn’s renowned “Aida” Vineyard, Turley and Revana, wine lovers should pay keen attention.  Founded in 1886, Ehlers Estate, located just North of St. Helena, quietly produces some of the most classically styled Cabernet Sauvignon out there. 

Faust 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA
FAUST
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
A constant frontrunner in our tasting room in Yountville, Faust has become one of my go-to Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons for truly top quality wine in this price range.  Created in Quintessa’s state-of-the-art winery in Rutherford, Faust’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon unleashes a flurry of extravagant aromas infused with opulent black fruits, melted chocolate, graphite and intense violets.  Created from the winery’s estate vineyards in Coombsville and Rutherford, combined with additions of Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain resulting in diverse flavors that continually unfurl new components with aeration.  With a 92-94 Point score from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, I wouldn’t hesitate too long to secure a case.
Pre-fermentation, the grapes are hand-sorted twice with full-attention to every detail.  Optimizing technology, Quintessa uses a gravity-flow method where are grapes are gently crushed on the winery roof before making their way to the fermentation room below using the force of gravity.  This provides a gentler, more grape friendly approach to winemaking and the results simply need to be tasted to be appreciated.
FAUST
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
Your Price: $49.99/btl Click to Order
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(Upgrade your 15-Pack to UPS 3-DAY AIR for $39, Available in select States)
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, “A barrel sample, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple colored, with a decadent cassis, baked blackberries and plum preserves-scented nose, plus hints of spice cake, cedar and Marmite toast. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and wonderfully spicy in the mouth, it has velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long.” 92-94 Points
Customers that enjoy Faust’s Napa Valley Cabernet may also enjoy these two terrific wines from Quintessa… 
ILLUMINATION
2016 SAUVIGNON BLANC
BY QUINTESSA
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
Your Price: $39.99/btl
With a striking bouquet that is one of the most penetrating and intense from any Sauvignon Blanc I’ve ever experienced, spotlighting vivid passionfruit, exotic mango, zesty tangerine, caramelized grapefruit and sweet floral, Quintessa’s 2016 Illumination is exceptionally bright and full of energy. This wine guaranteed to brighten any occasion…
QUINTESSA
2014 PROPRIETARY RED
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
Your Price: $174.99/btl
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, “… A beautiful floral, black raspberry and blackcurrant nose soars from this dense ruby/purple wine. Medium-bodied, beautifully rich and layered, the emphasis is on discreet yet intense flavors, power allied with elegance, and wonderfully supple, lush tannins. This wine has great balance, purity, and presence on the palate and should evolve beautifully for two decades or more…“
 94 Points