2017 Baldacci Elizabeth Pinot Noir Carneros

2017 Baldacci Elizabeth Pinot Noir Carneros

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosKevin VogtNapaPinot NoirUSA

BALDACCI

ELIZABETH PINOT NOIR
2017 CARNEROS 

2017 Baldacci Elizabeth Pinot Noir Carneros
Baldacci crafts their Carneros Pinot Noir in a style that’s marked by concentrated fruit, intriguing textures, and palpable sense of place. The wine arose from Baldacci’s Estate Vineyard in Carneros, which is farmed by Josh Clark, one of wine country’s most sought after viticulturists whose clients include icons like Outpost, Hourglass, and Kinsella to list a few.
 
Michael Baldacci works closely with Ricardo Herrera to craft balanced wines with a sense of place and tangible value. Ricardo gained invaluable experience over the years at icons Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Dominus, and Screaming Eagle.
 
The Baldacci team is steadfast in producing wines that tell a story of their origins and vintage. They achieve this through highly-skilled vineyard management, top-level winemaking, and timely choices made during each step of the process. The results speak for themselves, and at this price, a single case may not be enough.
 
BALDACCI
ELIZABETH PINOT NOIR
2017 CARNEROS
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“Our motto is no whimpy Pinot Noir! I approach this varietal as a lighter, yet sturdy red wine from our portfolio. We work towards a balanced fruit load, per vine, in the vineyard. We use our clones to create nuance and texture in the final wine. There is nothing formulaic about Pinot Noir. It is much more challenging to produce than Cabernet Sauvignon. We strive for a fruit forward expression that is more dark rather than red berry. We de-stem everything and cold soak for no more than 3 days to achieve a color and tannin profile that is more structured. Everything is fermented in open top, small volume tanks with daily punch downs until dry. We use 40% new French oak to marry our fruit with the spice from the wood.”
2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley

2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Anderson ValleyChardonnayKevin VogtUSA

FEL

2018 CHARDONNAY
ANDERSON VALLEY

2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley
Fel produces their Chardonnay in a pure, refreshing style that highlights the fruit’s natural essence, without the influence of new oak or malolactic fermentation. Winemaker Ryan Hodgins ferments his Chardonnay in neutral oak barrels, a technique he used while working as the assistant winemaker at Hanzell Vineyards. The resulting wine captures the undiluted personality of the appellation and delivers it brilliantly. 
 
Fel Winery is in California’s Anderson Valley, and it’s the sister-winery of powerhouse Stags Leap District producer Cliff Lede. The winery also owns the renowned Savoy Vineyard, which produced single-vineyard wines from notables such as Radio-Coteau, Peay, and Littorai. 
 
The 2018 release is from several methodically selected Anderson Valley Vineyards, including Savoy Estate. The wine was aged sur lie for ten months, which contributed to the wine’s richness and textures, and perfectly complements the brightly focused fruit. 
 
FEL
2018 CHARDONNAY
ANDERSON VALLEY
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“Fresh, vibrant fruit aromas and flavors drive this full-bodied and well-balanced wine. It floods the palate with flavors of crisp apple, ripe pear and a touch of pineapple while subtle hints of baking spice play in the background.”
92 Points
 
“The 2018 Chardonnay Anderson Valley is a soft, fruity wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Apricot, orange confit, white flowers and tropical accents give this bold Anderson Valley wine tons of depth and complexity. The 2018 is a terrific appellation-level wine from Fel.”
89 Points
 
“Lifted floral aromatics waft from the glass of this citrus-driven Chardonnay. Notes of lemon zest, white grapefruit, and Key lime, are complemented by hints of juniper, struck flint, and melon. The blend of citrus flavors continues in the mouth with an abundance of fresh lemon and orange zest. The juicy finish is carried by notes of lemon balm with zippy acidity.”
2017 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles

2017 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles

with No Comment $50-$60Central CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedSanta Lucia HighlandsUSA

JUSTIN

2017 ISOSCELES 
PASO ROBLES 

2017 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles
Justin pioneered Bordeaux grape varietal blending in Paso Robles more than 30 years ago and named their flagship wine Isosceles for the three varieties that go into it; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Today, they’re one of the most recognizable producers in the region, and Isosceles unwaveringly delivers rich layers of lavish fruits and remarkable complexity. At around $60, it’s a lot of wine for the price.
 
Justin planted their vineyards in the Santa Lucia Mountains, where abundant fossilized limestone and enormous diurnal temperature swings proved ideal for ripening Bordeaux varietals and producing powerfully expressive flavors. 
 
The 2017 release is centered around a core 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and then aged in 100% new French oak barrels for an impressive 21 months. If you’re looking for a full-bodied red with deep, enthralling flavors and stunning complexity, this is it. 
 
JUSTIN
2017 ISOSCELES 
PASO ROBLES
Retails at: $76
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“Highly aromatic and complex with lush, ripe black cherry, black currant and boysenberry with vanilla, cinnamon spice, sweet tobacco and savory notes of leather, camphor and cedar; Full bodied and luxuriant with ripe black fruit, mostly cherry and black currant with mixed ripe berries and barrel spice on entry. The mid-palate features continued fruit with subtle savory elements of autumn leaf, leather, and cedar with rounded, plush tannins that extend into a long finish featuring black cherry and camphor notes. The 2017 ISOSCELES is a full, complex and rich wine that is drinking nicely on release and will offer added complexity in a few years. 15% alcohol.”
2015 Together Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2015 Together Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

TOGETHER

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 NAPA VALLEY

2015 Together Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Together Cabernet Sauvignon harnesses Mountain fruit’s power through gentle winemaking, barrel age, and time in the bottle and delivers it with supreme elegance, refinement, and balance. The wine is crafted by Grant Long Jr, whom you might know from Witchery, Aonair, James Joseph, and Steps. Grant produced the 2015 vintage in the deeply enchanting style that we’d expect from his wine, and at $80, it’s worth every penny. Of course, at our price, very few wines can even complete.
 
Grant flawlessly merged hillside Cabernet Sauvignon fruit sourced from the surrounding mountains of Napa Valley, then enhanced it with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, which are vital in balancing the distinct Mountain terroirs. 
 
This remarkable 2015 was cave-aged for around 20 months in premium oak barrels, and after blossoming in the bottle for more than three years, the flavors have come together spectacularly. There are very few cases of this boutique Cabernet produced, and priced at 1/2 of the winery retail, you simply can’t order too much of this.
 
TOGETHER
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $80
 
 
 
“Following the spectacular 2014 vintage, the Together Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is even more enticing. It begins with a concentrated nose of muddled blackberries, cassis, black plums, fresh lavender, and vanilla spice. The brooding palate has impressive balance with the wine’s deep, dark bass notes in perfect harmony with the brighter red fruit character. The rich, supple texture caresses your taste buds into a blissful, satiated state. It then finishes very long, with a complexity that teases your palate in such a beautiful way, and leaving you absolutely needing that next sip. Then the next. Then the next…” 
94 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSpring MountainUSA

PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY

2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Pride Mountain Vineyards is a paradigm producer on Spring Mountain that defines its wines’ success by their uncanny ability to be identified in blind tastings. This distinction is due to the Estate’s highly unique terroir and their undeviating focus on producing intensely flavored wines that honor their fabulous property. At around $80, their 2018 Cabernet is a benchmark for high-elevation hillside Cabernet in Napa Valley, and you might grab some while you can.
 
The Estate Vineyards are at the top of Spring Mountain, and they straddle the Napa and Sonoma County line. The extreme elevation provides warm mornings and chilly afternoons that result in longer hang-time, contributing textural and flavor characteristics that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. This location is only part of the reason why their wines are so desirable. 
 
Winemaker Sally Johnson employs traditional winemaking practices designed to let the terroir of the grapes take center stage. Her method includes 100% destemming the red varietals and fermenting over two-weeks in stainless steel tank before transferring the wine to French oak barrels for roughly 18 months. 
 
PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $76
 
 
“Black currant, Morello cherry and just-ripe black mission fig dance with the aromas of sage, candied violets, star anise and black truffle. The palate is dense and compact with incredible structure. Layers of complex black and red fruit fill the mouth, while sandalwood, bay, graphite and forest aromatics linger with the velvety tannins on the long and dynamic finish. This is a showstopper!”
2018 Rocca Di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

2018 Rocca Di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $30 and underChiantiChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI

2018 CHIANTI CLASSICO
TUSCANY, ITALY 

2018 Rocca Di Montegrossi Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy
Each decision that Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi of Rocca di Montegrossi makes in his vineyard has the laser-focused goal of balancing growth and production, with his wine’s quality paramount. Together with consultant agronomist Dr. Stefano Dini, he cares for 20 hectares of vines grown in one of the finest sections of Chianti. His flagship 2018 Chianti Classico has explosive aromas of rich dark fruits, wet slate, and wildflowers. It’s, as Vinous writes, “a fabulous wine for the money,” so don’t miss it.
 
The richness of this wine is matched equally by the Estate’s history, which dates back to the 7th century AD. In 1141, the property was passed to the Ricasoli family. To this day, Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi is dedicated to crafting the best wine from the Estate, and International fame has followed. 
 
The Estate is planted primarily to Sangiovese (13 hectares), followed by Merlot, while the remaining 4.5 hectares includes Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pugnitello, and Malvasia Bianca del Chianti. Marco blends 8% Canaiolo and 2% Colorino with 90% Sangiovese to make a more complex and serious wine. If you’re looking for a killer bottle of Italian wine for under $30, this is it. 
 
ROCCA DI MONTEGROSSI
2018 CHIANTI CLASSICO
TUSCANY, ITALY
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“The 2018 Chianti Classico opens with a burst of sweet red berry fruit, spice and wild flowers. Exuberant and racy, the 2018 is endowed with tremendous energy and tons of personality. Time in the glass brings out the wine’s inner sweetness and radiance, with a closing flourish of red flowers. This is a fabulous wine for the money. Don’t miss it. Drink 2022-2038.”
93 Points
 
“A red with blackberries, black cherries and hints of sliced dark mushrooms that follow through to a medium body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Some bark, too. Always a serious Chianti Classico. Drink now.”
92 Points
 
“It is very youthful with great energy and freshness on the palate but still fairly tightly wound. I’d give it a few more months in bottle before approaching. Drinking Window 2021 – 2027.”
91 Points
 
“Rocca di Montegrossi’s Chianti Classico is the estate’s flagship wine; it is a blend of about 90% Sangiovese, with Canaiolo and Colorino, and is produced every year. It ages mainly in large casks and barrels made with oak from Allier, for 12-14 months. It is unfiltered, and after bottling it ages another 6 months prior to release. In the glass it is lively ruby, with bright violet reflections, and on the nose displays the rich fruity aromas typical of the varietals, particularly forest berry fruit and sour cherries.”
2019 Sidebar Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

2019 Sidebar Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRussian River ValleySauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

SIDEBAR

2019 SAUVIGNON BLANC
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2019 Sidebar Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
Sidebar is the second label for Ramey Wine Cellars, and the wines are designed for instant gratification while waiting for the Ramey bottlings to mature. They make their Sauvignon Blanc in a brightly focused style that balances floral and citrus characteristics. Since their inception, the wines have generated a bevy of positive reviews that are themed by terrific value, quality, and bang-for-the-buck. 
 
The 2019 vintage balances two distinct Russian River terroirs, with the primary fruit component located at the Northeast part of the Valley and the second one positioned on the Western edge. 
 
Dave’s associate winemaker at Ramey, and winemaker at Sidebar, Lydia Cummins, combines clone 1, which originated from Chateau d’Yquem, with Musque Clone, resulting in a fresh, brightly focused wine. The results are divine, and at $22, a single case may not be enough.
 
SIDEBAR
2019 SAUVIGNON BLANC
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $25
 
Your Price: $22
 
 
 “The nose of the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is gregarious with gooseberries, white peaches, fresh herbs and lychee. The palate is light-bodied, bright and crisp with fresh fruit flavors and lifted acidity, finishing clean.”
90 Points
 
“White grapefruit, crushed citrus, and a kiss of lemon rind all emerge from the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley, a juicy, medium-bodied, lightly textured white that’s about as gulpable as they come. Drink it over the coming year or two. These Sidebar Cellars releases from David Ramey continue to offer loads of bang for the buck.”
88 Points
2017 Ty Caton Winemaker's Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

2017 Ty Caton Winemaker’s Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMoon MountainSonomaUSA

TY CATON 

WINEMAKER’S CUVEE
2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT 

2017 Ty Caton Winemaker's Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District
Ty Caton’s motto is to produce handcrafted wines of distinction with an authentic sense of place from his incredible Estate vineyard on Moon Mountain. He divided his 40-acre vineyard into distinct blocks defined by sun exposures, soil type, incline, clone, and elevation to help achieve this. His wines showcase their varietal intently and are powerful yet perfectly restrained and balanced. Each year his Winemaker’s Cuvee offers a fantastic portrayal of his entire property and the vintage itself, and at less than thirty bucks, the value is substantial.
 
The Caton Vineyard is on the Sonoma side of Mount Veeder. The well-drained red volcanic soils are also home to icons like the Monte Rosso, which was made famous by Louis Martini, and the Frederick’s Vineyard used by Turley.  
 
In the 2017 release, Ty’s Winemaker’s Cuvée is centered around 76% Cabernet Sauvignon and made even more complex with additions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Merlot. The wine has terrific fruit intensity, supple tannins, and noble balance.
 
TY CATON 
WINEMAKER’S CUVEE
2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $38
 
Your Price: $28 
 
 
“The 2017 Estate Winemofaker’s Cuvee meets the palate with rich and full-bodied flavors of black currant, red plums, and cassis, followed by oak notes of cedar and vanilla. These dark flavors produce a lush and velvety textured mouth feel that combine with supple tannins and leads to a long silky finish.”
2017 Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

2017 Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

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

GOLDENEYE

2017 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY

2017 Goldeneye Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
The Duckhorn Group crafts Goldeneye Pinot Noir in a lavishly rich style, yet it presents elegance and charm. Their Anderson Valley Pinot hatched from predominantly Estate vineyards, defined by wind, fog, and a considerable diurnal temperature variation. If you’re searching for a classic Anderson Valley Pinot that’s deep, rich, and is not only enjoyable upon release but has the ability to age, this one is for you. 
 
Dan Duckhorn recognized the potential for world-class Pinot Noir in California’s Anderson Valley AVA in the late 1990’s, and he seized the opportunity to create a Pinot Noir that would stand on its own as one of California’s finest. The winery now produces a handful of Pinots under the Goldeneye label, and with the top-level wines ranging from $80-$125, their Anderson Valley Pinot is a steal at under $50. 
 
Goldeneye winemaker Katey Larwood intertwines fruit from warm and cool portions of the Valley, creating tension from the contrast of styles and flavors, giving this Pinot a classic portrayal of the region. Nesting for 16 months in oak, the 2017 release is a richly textured wine with velvety red and black fruits, wildflowers, and holiday spices.
 
GOLDENEYE
2017 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY
Retails at: $58
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“Starting with the 2017 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, which comes from multiple sites in the Anderson Valley and spent 16 months in 60% new French oak, it has a juicy berry-fruited nose as well as ample violets, candied orange peel, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. It’s one of the more approachable wines in the lineup yet still has classic Anderson Valley structure and minerality, medium body, and a great finish.”
90 Points
 
“Capturing the rustic elegance of the Anderson Valley, this wine begins with lively aromas of fresh-picked wild strawberry, dusty earth and sweet tobacco leaf. The dynamic strawberry aromas are echoed on the palate, where they are supported by supple tannins and a bright underlying acidity that adds energy and zest to a long, nuanced finish.”
2017 Heinrich Spindler Trocken Riesling Pfalz Germany

2017 Heinrich Spindler Trocken Riesling Pfalz Germany

with No Comment $30 and underGermanyKevin VogtRiesling

HEINRICH SPINDLER

2017 TROCKEN RIESLING
PFALZ, GERMANY 

2017 Heinrich Spindler Trocken Riesling Pfalz Germany
There’s passion in winemaking, and then there’s Markus Spindler, whose heart beats for Riesling. His family has been crafting Riesling in the Pfalz region of Germany for 400 years. He believes premium wines can only arise when a variety of small but crucial conditions occur, and he does everything in his power to make sure these events happen. His 2017 Trocken Riesling is brilliant, and at less than thirty bucks, the quality in the bottle is unmatched. 
 
Markus Spindler farms 20 hectares of vines with a strong focus on organic principles. The vines are grown in shell limestone, basalt, colored sandstone, where the vines’ deep roots draw up the diverse minerals and store them in the grapes. 
 
Pfalz offers a range of microclimates perfectly suited for ripening Riesling. Markus meticulously vinifies each plot individually in all of its variants. His greatest challenge is preserving the full range of natural aromatics, which he achieves through gentle handling, limiting the use of pumps, and utilizing gravity flow whenever possible. 
 
HEINRICH SPINDLER
2017 TROCKEN RIESLING
PFALZ, GERMANY
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“This is Markus’ bread and butter riesling. The grapes for this wine are sourced from Spindler’s vineyard holdings in Friedelsheim, Niederkirchen and Forst. It was fermented in stainless steel until dry with cultured yeasts. This is a pure expression of Pfalz exotics: passion fruit, peach, almond blossom.”