2017 Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

VALRAVN 2017 Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 SONOMA COUNTY

 

We occasionally come across a new project so captivating that by the time it hits our palate, we’re left with absolutely no question that it’s going to be a success. In the case of Valravn, it wouldn’t be the first giant success for founder Baron Ziegler… Baron started Banshee wines in 2008, which quickly grew to over 50,000 cases before striking a deal to sell the brand to Billionaire Bill Foley last year.  With a goal of producing approachable, delicious wines with single-vineyard level of quality from Sonoma County, and at prices far less than their counterparts, you can bet that they’ll make a lot of friends along the way.  At under $25 their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is velvety and opulent without any hard edges.  If you’re searching for the next value Cab to share with your friends, this is it…

Valravn really hit the ground running, and they had a head start by already having established relationships with growers and winemakers which they formed over the last decade while growing the Banshee brand.  Their 2017 Cabernet encompasses fruit from Alexander Valley, Moon Mountain and the Russian River Valley, and it’s made in a showy and velvety style that’s really easy to love.  

 

VALRAVN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $24.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Reminiscent of classic ripe-vintage Bordeaux – refined and well defined with a lovely play of savory and sweet.  Cassis, black cherry and blackberry fruit is accompanied by opulent notes of dark chocolate, espresso roast, and graphite. Silky tannins with amazing richness on the palate.“
 
Customers who enjoy Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2014 Enos Estate Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Vista Rutherford Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend
ENOS
2014 ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $60/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “This intriguing  Cabernet begins with a compelling nose of black cherries, red currants and cocoa powder, followed by pipe tobacco, toasted hazelnuts and sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate, focused blackberry and chocolate covered cherries intertwine beautifully with a complex, earthy wet clay character along with slightly dusty tannins.  The finish is detailed, long and fresh, without be heavy or cloying. A delight to enjoy now and will age beautifully for a decade or so. Serious wine at a not-so-serious price…”  93+ Points
VISTA
2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $23/btl 

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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
2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red

2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

SEBASTIANI 

GRAVEL BED RED
2016 SONOMA COUNTY  

2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red
To many of you, Gravel Bed Red needs no introduction, primarily because it’s got such a following and reputation along with ridiculously high scores for its price, that it sells out regardless of vintage.  Sebastiani is certainly established, but at under thirty per bottle, it tops the list of wines that don’t need any introduction. “This stuff is ridiculous!”  “Are you kidding me?”  “This wine is amazing…”   These quotes represent just a few of the many comments I’ve received about Gravel Bed Red.  Sebastiani’s 2013 Gravel Bed Red was my number one pick on my top 10 list in 2015, and three months later went on to receive a near perfect 97 Point Score from Robert Parker.   The following for their wines has snowballed and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
 
Named for the gravelly soils that are key components in this exciting Cabernet Blend, the 2016 blankets your taste buds in a velvety embrace that comes threaded with mineraly red and black fruits, pipe tobacco, pencil lead and vanilla.  With fruit sourced from famed sites such as the iconic Cherryblock Vineyard, this wine delivers serious bang for your buck and with the growing following, I wouldn’t wait to secure yours.   
 
SEBASTIANI 
GRAVEL BED RED
2016 SONOMA COUNTY 
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $26.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 32%
 
Winery Notes: “Our 2016 Gravel Bed Red is a harmonious expression of gravely vineyard sites from a moderately warm vintage. Its deep ruby red color leads into forward aromas of cherry liquor, tobacco leaf, wet stone minerality and a hint of oak. Dark fruit flavors attack the palate predominated by blackberry, black cherry, herbs de Provence and dried leaves. The impressive palate offers enough tannin and acidity to reign in the generous fruit. This wine is showing well in its youth, but will only gain in complexity over the next 2-4 years.”
Cabernet Sauvignon 44% | Merlot 33% | Malbec 10% | Petit Verdot 9% | Syrah 3% | Zinfandel 1% 

 

Customers who enjoy Sebastiani’s Gravel Bed Red may also enjoy these two outstanding blends…
2015 B Sharp Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2014 Blind Tasting Proprietary Red
B. SHARP
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “With an attractive dark inky hue, the wine features sultry aromas of black and blue fruits, licorice, smoke, and spice. On the palate, the flavors expand with generous notes of briary blackberry, ripe boysenberry, cranberry, cassis, dark chocolate truffle, blood orange peel, and a kiss of oak. The plush texture is elevated with a burst of lively acidity leading to a long, dry finish that makes you want more! Outstanding.” 
92 Points, Christopher Sawyer, Sommelier to the Stars.
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2014 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $36/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Intoxicating aromas of crushed blue fruits, blackberry cobbler, violets, raspberry compote and a touch of vanilla, erupt from the glass. Ripe, round tannins and a core of perfectly woven flavors of dark cherry, blueberry pie, crushed blackberries and a hint pepper spice unwind in a continuous loop.  Soft, voluptuous tannins caress your taste buds with a long, luxurious finish that just wont quit.”
2016 Cru9 As Ever Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2016 Cru9 ‘As Ever’ Russian River Valley Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

CRU9 AS EVER…

2016 Cru9 As Ever Russian River Valley Chardonnay2016 CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

 
 
If you’ve been reading my emails this year, you already know how I feel about Cru9. It’s absolutely one of the best new discoveries for us this year, and with a quality-to-price ratio that you simply will not believe. The 2016 Russian River Valley Chardonnay is created from a secret vineyard source that also sells to several high-end producers, but due to a non-disclosure agreement, the fruit source needs to be kept secret.  One taste, however, will tell you everything you need to know.  This wine competes with the best $50 Chardonnays that I’ve tasted, it’s startling how good it is. 
With just 4 barrels produced, you can almost taste the attention to every minute detail that went into producing this wine.  It was aged for 11 months sur lie, a French term meaning literally ‘on the sediment’, the sur lie style plays a large role in contributing to this wine’s rich, opulent texture.  Notably Cru9 also gives back and helps support two nonprofit women shelters, Rudy’s Place in CA and House of Hope in IA.  Every time you buy a Cru9 bottle, you also help level the playing field for survivors of human trafficking, domestic abuse, and homelessness.  
 
CRU9 AS EVER…
2016 CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $38.00/btl
 
 
 
Tasting Notes: “This lovely, graciously styled Chardonnay has a beautiful nose of orange marmalade, lemon blossom, citrus oil, wild flowers and chamomile tea. The palate follows through with a mouth watering array of ripe pear, toasted hazelnut, butter cream, subtle toasted oak notes, combined with lively acidity. Nuanced, sumptuous and nicely layered, it has a beautifully soft-textured finish. Drink this classically styled Russian River Chardonnay now and over the next few years. 100 Cases Produced” 
93 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
Customers who enjoy Cru9’s Russian River Chardonnay may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…

 

2015 Silverpoint Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2014 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
SILVERPOINT
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
If the best wines were like a puzzle, this wine would have every piece laid out perfectly.  With everything from an accomplished winemaker, iconic vineyard, blockbuster vintage and a terrific price, this wine truly has it all.  It was authored by Don Van Staaveren who’s responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines from ’85-’97, and even made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was recognized as the #1 wine on the 1999 Wine Spectator Top 100 list.  It was the first Sonoma wine to receive the honor of being the #1 Wine in the World…
RED MARE
2014 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
A luminous interpretation of Dutton Ranch fruit, the 2014 washes over your palate with classic Granny Smith apple, spiced pear, juicy yellow melon and subtle lemon bar.  Big and full across the palate and crafted in a plump, round style, if you’re searching for a top-level California Chardonnay without the high price tag that usually comes with one, I would saddle up and secure a case of Red Mare before this one rides off into the sunset
2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonChalk HillKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

VELLICHOR

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CHALK HILL 2015

 2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

We love it when a new wine has an attractive label, a powerful name, famous winemaker and a big score…  When the above elements are in short supply, we have to rely solely on the quality of what’s inside the bottle, and if anything, the wine has that much more to prove. Our biggest challenge is getting you to try wines like this…  In many cases they offer the greatest value.  In the case of Vellichor, our panel tasted this wine twice and on both occasions the wine provided a surreal sense of value and we knew we had to share it to you.


Arising from Chalk Hill, an area recognized for it’s unique micro-climate and volcanic, chalky, white ash soil, which furnishes fruit of remarkable power and delineated flavors so distinctive, the area was was established as an AVA in 1983. Aged for 18 months in oak, the 2015 shines bright with chocolate dusted cherries, wild raspberry, crème de cassis, graphite and of course, chalky undertones…   If you’re searching for a great bottle of Cab priced to be your daily drinker…this is it! 
 
VELLICHOR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CHALK HILL 2015
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “...this Cabernet exemplifies the Chalk Hill appellation. Raspberries and blackberries dominate the mid palate with a soft and succulent finish. This wine invites you to savor the moment and seize your own playful spirit!”
Customers that would enjoy Vellichor’s Chalk Hill Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
2015 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 
Some of my favorite wine discoveries are those that naturally go on to sell hundreds of cases in just a couple vintages.  It’s a concrete affirmation proving that what we felt when we first tasted the wine resonated and was felt by almost everyone who tries it.  Sailor’s Grave’s Napa Valley Cabernet did just that.  And with its origins in Yountville, Oakville and Chiles Valley, combined with a price-point that makes you smile, it was the quality of the wine that propelled constant re-orders… to the tune of several hundred cases sold in only 2 vintages. 
FISTICUFFS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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One of my favorite results that comes from tasting a new wine, is one that makes me do a double-take simply because the taste exceeds my expectations for the price.  The 2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet made me do just that.  Performing well above its weight class for value Napa Cabernet, this undisputed champion hailing from Napa Valley dances inside a tightly wound core, threaded with chocolate covered cherries, blackcurrants, unground coffee bean and cedar spice.
2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRussian River ValleySauvignon BlancSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

ALMA de CATTLEYA

2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 

Immeasurable talent… gifted… Midas touch… These would all be fitting descriptors of winemaker Bibiana Gonzalez Rave.  Her artistry has allowed her to climb the ranks and become winemaker at Pahlmeyer… She’s also made wines at Lynmar and has extensive experience making wine in France.  Bibiana applies her vast skill-set and remarkable abilities and crafts wines that exceed all expectations… This Sauvignon Blanc Leaps feverishly from the glass with a spectacular aromatic display of exotic mangos, lime leaves, caramelized grapefruit and honeyed pear and is absolutely stunning. Her new Alma de Cattleya label is rapidly increasing in popularity with each cork pulled, setting the bar for what can be achieved at this realistic price level. 
 
Arising from methodically selected vineyards centered primarily in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast, this beautiful interpretation of cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc was authored using the same exacting standards as the Cattleya single vineyard wines, which retail for around $70/btl.  Fermented on it’s lees for six months, the 2017 graces your palate with energy and absolute focus.  If you’re on the lookout for a fresh, clean and energized Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for Spring and Summer… Time to stock up.
 
ALMA de CATTLEYA
2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY
Your Price: $19.99/btl
 
Tasting Notes: “This Sauvignon Blanc is a true expression of the influence of the Pacific Ocean breezes in Sonoma County’s grape growing region. Zesty and bright, the exceptional intensity of lemon zest, grapefruit, verbena, lemongrass and citrus blossoms aromatics are an impressive aperture to a gorgeous mouthfeel with centered acidity and a luscious finish. Enjoy now until 2022.”
 
Customers who enjoy Alma de Cattleya’s Sauvignon Blanc, may also enjoy these two Sauvignon Blancs…

  

2017 Picayune Napa County Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Farella Coombsville Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
PICAYUNE
2016 SAUVIGNON BLANC
NAPA COUNTY & 
SONOMA COUNTY
Your Price: $20.99/btl 
 
Taking things to the next level with their 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Picayune’s 2016 comes alive in the glass with remarkable clarity, focus and penetrating fruit.  Picayune is a stand-out in affordable, premium quality Sauvignon Blanc, and originates from declassified barrels from top Sauvignon Blanc producers around Napa and Sonoma Counties, and retails for just a fraction of the price.
FARELLA
2016 SAUVIGNON BLANC
LA LUCE, ESTATE
COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Your Price: $23.99/btl 
 
In a world where clarity is hard to find, I will say with absolute clarity that you’d be hard pressed to find a better Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc at anywhere near this price.  Tom Farella’s 2016 Estate La Luce Sauvignon Blanc has mesmerizing nuances of almost Loire Valley-like honeydew melon, tangerine and honeyed grapefruit that flow from the glass in an exquisite perfume. 
2014 Amapola Creek Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Amapola Creek Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

AMAPOLA CREEK

2014 Amapola Creek Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, SONOMA VALLEY 

 
If rich, deep and extracted Cabernet Sauvignon doesn’t pique your interest,  add to it a 93-95 Point Score from Robert Parker and a legendary winemaker like Dick Arrowood, this wine should be edging towards the top of the list. Stunningly long and complex, this wine simply pops on your palate with an explosion of lingering flavors.  The grapes were sourced from the Amapola Creek Estate Vineyard which borders the iconic Monte Rosso Vineyard, made famous by Ridge in the 1960’s…  It was expertly authored by renowned winemaker Dick Arrowood who rocketed to fame crafting some of Sonoma’s most notable wines, including Chateau St. Jean from 1974 through 1990.
 
Created from a collection of various vineyard blocks, diversity is what truly sets this wine apart. After resting for 24 months in French oak barrels, this wine is made in an approachable style that will immediately bring a smile to your face, but also promises to age gracefully for the next 10-15 years.  This 95 point Cabernet will take you to that happy place, so you’ll want to order this wine by the case… 
 
AMAPOLA CREEK
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, SONOMA VALLEY
Retails at:  $90.00/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “…Containing 7% Petit Verdot, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color and youthfully reticent nose, offering glimpses at blackberry and black plum notes over pencil shavings, garrigue, lavender and Mediterranean herbs. Full-bodied and packed with black fruits and earthy flavors, it is built like a brick house with a solid frame of firm, ripe tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.”   93-95 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Amapola Creek’s Estate Cabernet may also enjoy these two outstanding Cabs…
2013 Laird Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
LAIRD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
Your Price: $52.99/btl
 
Laird’s 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is built from almost equal parts Mast Ranch and Flat Rock vineyards.  The winery produces single vineyard Cabernets from both of these sites which retail for $80 to $90 per bottle…  It’s a brand that I love, and in fact we featured their 2012 vintage as one of our top 5 wines of the year in 2017.
GRASSI
2014 SHINER SERIES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $50/btl
Your Price: $45/btl 
Grassi’s 6 barrel production of their 2014 Shiner Series  Cabernet is incredibly fabulous and lucky for consumers, it also comes in at around $30/btl below their Estate Cabernet… It’s brought to life by Robbie Meyer, whose experience includes 5 vintages at the iconic Peter Michael Winery, as well as time at Lewis Cellars, Jericho Canyon and Del Dotto to list a few…