2014 Horse & Plow Blockhouse Vineyard Grenache

2014 Horse & Plow Blockhouse Vineyard Grenache

with No Comment $30 and underGrenacheKevin VogtNapaUSAYountville

HORSE & PLOW

2014 GRENACHE 
BLOCKHOUSE VINEYARD

 
2014 Horse & Plow Blockhouse Vineyard GrenacheA farmer needs faith that a bountiful harvest will come, and sometimes when trying new wines, faith plays a role when discovering one that could completely change your perspective on an unfamiliar varietal. It just might open up new fields of curiosity and paths to enjoyment. Horse & Plow’s single vineyard Grenache is from Yountville, just a stone’s throw from our shop, and it completely rocked my world when I tasted it.  This beautifully proportioned and profoundly pleasing red should be the wikipedia reference for California Grenache.  With a round, velvet lined core, the 2014 envelopes your palate in a bumper crop of plump, juicy flavors with red plum, wild berries, mineral, cocoa and subtle spice.  The only down-side comes from the realization that there were only 6 barrels produced.
Unearthed by husband and wife winemaking team Chris Condos and Suzanne Hagins, who combined their talents to really shine in this remarkable expression of Grenache. Chris began his career as winemaker at Pine Ridge, and he’s also consulting winemaker at Kathryn Kennedy, and Suzanne gained valuable experience in the cellar at DeLoach, David Bruce and Goldeneye wineries… I strongly recommend filling your saddle bags with as much as you can carry… You’ll be glad you did.  
 
HORSE & PLOW
2014 GRENACHE 
BLOCKHOUSE VINEYARD
Retails at:  $34.00/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes: “Lovely notes of cherry and vanilla, wild herbs and black plum compose this bright and fruity red with plenty of spice to balance.”
 
Customers that enjoy Horse & Plow’s Grenache may also enjoy these two terrific Reds… 
2015 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red 2013 Titus Napa Valley Malbec
SANS LIEGE
2015 THE OFFERING
PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $29/btl 
Made in a magnetic style that draws you in with lavish aromas that become increasingly compelling with aeration, Sans Liege’s Southern Rhone inspired blend The Offering is wine that I simply love.  A remarkable fusion of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, the 2015 saturates your taste buds with a velvety texture, intermixed with vibrant red fruits, crème de cassis, juicy blackberries, and savory spices that you coming back for more.
TITUS 
2013 MALBEC
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
There are a handful of California winemakers whom many would refer to as legendary or iconic, and whose triumphs and experience are so profound that their very name rings with excellence.  Philip Titus is etched permanently onto that list…  Revered for his work authoring Chappellet’s Pritchard Hill wines for nearly three decades, leaving countless World Class wines in his wake.  
2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red

2014 Laird Jillian’s Blend Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSAYountville

LAIRD

JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY

2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary RedWhen 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.  The 2014 is 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, which is sourced from the winery’s renowned Mast Ranch and Linda Vista Vineyards.  Their Mast Ranch Cab sells for $80/btl… Because we love it so much, we worked some magic to be able to offer you the wine at our lowest price since their 2011 vintage.
 
Developing for 21 months in oak, the 2014 has a striking core with layers of blueberry and blackberry fruit, intertwined with espresso roast, liquid floral, cassis and black chocolate.  Those of you who’ve enjoyed earlier vintages of Laird’s popular Jillian’s Blend, likely need no further convincing.  l can’t wait for you to try the 2014… 
 
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Winery Notes: “Complex and precocious just like the real Jillian. Its deep, ruby red appearance accompanied by viscous legs leads the way to a seductive bouquet of toasted oak, lavender and ripe strawberries. A medium bodied palate, with delicate tannins and acidity, leads the way to tart dusty cherries and boysenberries that dance across your palate, while flavors of clove, vanilla and blueberry custard unfold on the finish.”
 
Cabernet Sauvignon 65% | Syrah 18% | Merlot 10% | Malbec 5% | Petit Verdot 2%

 

Customers who enjoy Laird’s Jillian’s Blend may also enjoy these two outstanding wines from Laird…
2014 Laird Phantom Ranch Pinot Noir 2013 Laird Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
LAIRD
2014 PINOT NOIR
PHANTOM RANCH
Retails at:  $55/btl
 

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Composed in a chillingly deep, velvety style that I love, and we don’t have anything else quite like it on our tasting menu in Yountville…  Laird’s 2014  Phantom Ranch is haunted by spine-tingling allure, laced with shades of wild blueberries, spring flowers, vanilla and spices. If you enjoy full-bodied, deep, velvety Pinots, I strongly recommend a case of this limited release.
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.

 

2015 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Sailor’s Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSAYountville

SAILOR’S GRAVE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY

2015 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
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.  Everybody who’s tasted this wine knows how great of a value it is and for those who haven’t, it’s not too late.  At 25% below the winery retail you may want to stock up on this new vintage before it also sails away.  
Inspired by Matthew Pozzan’s grandfather, a Merchant Marine who traveled around the world visiting exotic ports.  At each port, a new tattoo would symbolize the struggles that he’d been through. The 2015 unfurls intense aromas of black raspberries, spring flowers, espresso roast, black chocolates.  Washing over the palate with dark berries, creme de cassis and camphor, deliciously governed by the wines voluptuous, rich texture.  Kept for 20 months in oak barrels, magnificent flavors cascade over your palate and tattoo a lasting impression in your mind…
 
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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YOU SAVE 25% 
 
 
Winery Notes: “The 2015 Sailor’s Grave is Napa Valley Cabernet in its purest expression. Aromas leap out of the glass – tobacco, cassis, blueberries, and bright red cherry. The mouth is creamy and expansive, with layers of boysenberry, milk chocolate covered cherries, and Tahitian vanilla bean. The palate is truly finessed, with a lovely integration of French oak to the wine’s structure and flavor. The sweet smoke of lightly charred oak lingers throughout the lengthy finish.”
Cabernet Sauvignon 90% | Malbec 5% | Petite Sirah 3%| Petit Verdot 2% 

 

 

Customers that enjoy Sailor’s Grave Napa Valle Cabernet  may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Sparkman Holler Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
FISTICUFFS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 
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.
SPARKMAN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 HOLLER
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
Sparking an intense love affair with Washington Wines with just a single taste, when we first offered Sparkman’s 2013 Holler Cabernet two years ago we knew it would induce one of those where have you been all my life moments…  Later that year it went on to rank #21 in the world on the Wine Spectator Top 100 and even outscored icons like Screaming Eagle at more than 25 times its price. 
Laird 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Laird 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSAYountville

LAIRD

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 NAPA VALLEY

Laird 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
When it comes to traditionally styled Napa Valley Cabernet, one of my favorite examples is from Laird Family Winery.  As one of the largest land owners in Napa Valley, Laird has access to some terrific fruit sources.  The 2013 Napa Cab 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.  At $53/btl the 2013 is simply stunning and a wine that shouldn’t be missed.
 
Laird has always attracted terrific winemakers.  The wines are currently made by Brian Mox, who spent several vintages at Lewis Cellars.  In 2013, Laird’s Consulting Winemaker was Paul Hobbs, one of the top winemakers in the world, having crafted such notables as Opus One, DuMOL, and Peter Michael to name a few.  This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Yountville spends an impressive 22 months in oak and generously delivers hedonistic delights with velvety tannins and great length.  The most common reaction to tasting this one is “Why haven’t I heard of these guys before?”  Consider yourself in-the-know!
 
LAIRD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
Your Price: $52.99/btl
YOU SAVE 11%
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, “Laird’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa is a strong effort, with deep blueberry and blackberry fruit, charcoal and licorice, a touch of spicy oak and moderate tannin. This should be a wine to drink in its first 3-4 years, but certainly has the stuffing and structure to last 15 more years.” 
91+ Points

 

Customers who enjoy Laird’s 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet may also enjoy these terrific Laird Family Wines…
Laird 2014 Phantom Ranch Pinot Noir Laird 2013 Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red
LAIRD
2014 PINOT NOIR
PHANTOM RANCH
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
Your Price: $49.99/btl 
Winery Notes: “The aroma is a brilliant medley of rose petals, black cherry, licorice, and cedar. As the wine hits your palate, the lively acidity is evocative of tart strawberries, while undertones of toffee and marzipan slowly make their presence. The ripe tannins are well-integrated and allow for a lingering finish” 

 
LAIRD
2013 JILLIAN’S BLEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $48/btl
Your Price: $44/btl 
 
Flawlessly constructed, and with no shortage of brawn, Laird’s sensational 2013 Jillian’s Blend reveals a tapestry of beautifully knit, meaty and extravagant flavors.  Absolutely brilliant, the 2013 is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), sourced from the winery’s famed Mast Ranch Vineyard.  Their single vineyard Mast Ranch Cab sells for $80/btl,