2017 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

2017 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin VogtSaint Emilion

CHÂTEAU MOULIN DE LA GRANGERE

2017 BORDEAUX  
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU 

2017 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Bordeaux Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
On paper, Château Moulin de la Grangère has everything you would want from a great Bordeaux. Their location is next to Château Pavie, one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered wineries that earns regular 100 point scores. Next, their consulting winemaker is Michel Rolland, whom many would argue is the world’s top winemaker. Their 2017 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru follows through with penetrating fruit, beautifully integrated tannins, and perfectly balanced acidity on the palate. At $33, the only thing this wine doesn’t have is a high price to match its tangible pedigree.
 
Château Moulin de la Grangère sits at the foot of the finest slopes of Saint-Émilion, where they planted their certified organic vines in clay-limestone soils. The winery excelled in 2017, and it was a vintage the Wine Spectator described as follows… “Cloudy July kept wines on the fresh, pure side, with good acidity and modest tannins. St.-Emilion atop the limestone plateau is excellent.” 
 
This wine is often 100% Merlot, but in 2017, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon increased structure in the final blend. Before fermentation, the wine team used vibrating tables to meticulously sort the most pristine berries, which shows in this stunning Grand Cru. 
 
CHÂTEAU MOULIN DE LA GRANGERE
2017 BORDEAUX  
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
 
Your Price: $33
 
“The Château Moulin de la Grangère 2017 is a beautifully elegant Bordeaux, beginning with a nose of red currants, pomegranates, crushed granite, freshly turned earth, and light florals. There is an intriguing tension between red currants, mountain blackberries, crushed minerals, and cool blue fruits on the palate. It is elegant and focused with a seamless, supple mouthfeel and a long finish. Drink now through 2028.”
93 Points
2016 Cerro Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2016 Cerro Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaOak KnollProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

CERRO

PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY

2016 Cerro Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Cerro red blend with its unabashedly Californian style, plush dark berries, and lavish hedonism has been snowballing in popularity since we introduced it earlier this year. Derek Beitler, a nephew of Caymus Founder, Chuck Wagner, created the brand. Derek founded Carne Humana in 2010 and later sold to his cousin Joe Wagner. Since then, he’s spearheaded popular brands like Bodega Rancho and Skyhook, and he continually builds upon his reputation of producing quality wines at realistic prices.
 
Derek forged this wine from secret vineyard sources in Rutherford and Oak Knoll. The 2016 Cerro Blend combines 65% Petit Verdot with 33% Petite Sirah and 2% Zinfandel into an intensely concentrated, lush, yet balanced red blend that’s remarkably pleasing.
 
The wine team kept this vintage for 30 months in French oak barrels, producing a deep, powerful wine with a focused intensity that gives way to a rush of irresistible fruit, displayed with outstanding clarity and showy, rich layers. 
 
CERRO
PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
“Opaque purplish-black color. Fragrant nose of black fruits, very floral. Mouthfeel is rich and smooth, with soft tannins. Flavors of plums, blackberries, dark cherries and espresso.”
2018 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve

2018 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn’s Reserve

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

JAMES JOSEPH 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 KATHRYN’S RESERVE 

2018 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve
James Joseph has built a reputation for crafting age-worthy Cabernets that are powerfully elegant and profoundly hedonistic for the last eighteen vintages. Without constraint, the wine adapts to each vintage, bringing in new fruit sources or dropping old ones to craft the most extraordinary wine possible. The 2018 vintage is the deepest, most decadent, and hedonistic version yet, and with a total production of just 4 barrels, don’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
In this 2018 release, James Joseph combined the power of Diamond Mountain with the concentrated fruit of Atlas Peak and then intertwined the elegance of Rutherford. After nearly two years in French oak, the 2018 vintage offers a spectacular display of deep black fruits, dark chocolates, graphite, and liquid violets. 
 
Grant Long Jr., winemaker at Witchery, Steps, and Aonair, authored this masterpiece. Grant’s wines have a cult following for their incredibly compelling, magnetic style that draws you in and keeps you coming back for more. 
 
JAMES JOSEPH 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 KATHRYN’S RESERVE
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
“The 2018 James Joseph Kathryn’s Reserve begins with a nose combining deep, rich aromas of Autumn spiced blackberry cobbler, dried tobacco leaves, fresh mint, and sweet vanilla. The palate is intensely focused, with tantalizing layers of lush, concentrated black currants, crème de cassis, blueberry purée, and espresso roast, all in perfect balance. The ripe fruit tannins are silky smooth, so this wine begs you to drink it now, or over the next 10 years. This release is quite possibly the best James Joseph Kathryn’s ever made.”
96 Points
2017 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes

2017 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes

with No Comment $30 and underFort Ross SeaviewKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

FORT ROSS

2017 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES 

2017 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Sea Slopes
Fort Ross was one of the first to plant Pinot Noir on the extreme Sonoma Coast’s rugged ridges, overlooking the Pacific. After purchasing the land in 1988, the Schwartz family spent years experimenting with various clones, rootstocks, and trellising systems, before selecting a set of heritage clones that they believed would best reveal the terroir of their majestic vineyard. Their 2017 Sea Slopes is the delicious result of the culmination of their continual drive to make the best wines from their Estate, and at $30, the value is real.
 
Sea Slopes comes exclusively from the winery’s Estate Vineyard located in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA, a source for Peter Michael, Marcassin, Martinelli, Flowers, and Pahlmeyer, to list a few.
 
In 2009 renowned winemaker Jeff Pisoni came aboard to articulate the best attributes of the Estate further. Jeff barrel ages this wine for ten months in mostly neutral barrels to integrate the natural acidity, rich flavors, and soft tannins into a beautiful, perfumed Pinot Noir.
 
 
FORT ROSS
2017 PINOT NOIR
SEA SLOPES
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
“This red offers outstanding value for the quality: a balanced, textured and varietally satisfying expression of coastal coolness and acidity. Earthy flavors of tea, cola, black licorice and dried herb provide an exoticism amidst elegant layers of orange peel and cranberry.”
92 Points, Editors’ Choice
 
“Aromas of wild red flowers and red cherries, as well as raspberries here. The palate has a gently creamy texture with fine, supple and even-paced tannins, carrying vibrant, fresh-fruit flavors. Drink now. Screw cap.”
91 Points
2017 Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2017 Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedUSA

OPUS ONE 

PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Opus One began in 1979 with a powerful partnership between two titans of the industry, Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild. They shared dream of producing a single Napa wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality. The wine is a blend of Bordeaux varieties that’s often centered around a core of approximately 80% Cabernet Sauvignon. Their winemaking team strives to capture each vintage’s character and perfectly balances power, finesse, structure, and texture. Their 2017 vintage does just that, and with a string of 95-96 point reviews, it may not be available for long. 
 
The winery’s Estate vineyards are centered in the Western portion of Oakville and include 100 acres inside the highly celebrated To-Kalon Vineyard. They complement the To-Kalon fruit with two other parcels that surround the winery. 
 
The 2017 vintage blends four of Bordeaux’s top five varietals with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. The wine spent 17 months in barrel and was cellared for an additional 15 months in bottle before release. 
 
OPUS ONE 
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $360
 
“A fist of late summer cherries, raspberry and bilberry fruits set out their stall, all with the juicy character that confirms, even in a hot vintage like 2017, Opus can deliver balance and sculpted elegance. Beautiful grip, creamy texture with a strikingly powerful tannic frame. As the wine stays in the glass the floral aromatics begin to bloom up. A brilliant Opus. 20 days maceration – around half what it would have been a decade ago. 54% native yeast, as part of their native yeast project. 5% Merlot and 1% Malbec complete the blend. Harvest spread out over September 5 to October 8, just before the fires… Drinking Window 2023 – 2045”
96 Points
 
“A remarkable wine for the year, the 2017 Opus One is a dense, full-throttle beauty. Plush fruit and soft, silky contours give the 2017 its racy personality. Exotic, beautifully perfumed and impeccable in its balance, Opus One is one of the most complete wines of the vintage. In 2017, Opus One has a distinctly red-toned fruit profile that distinguishes it from the surrounding vintages.”
95+ Points
 
“… Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly grows on the nose, revealing compelling notes of baked black cherries, mulberries, black raspberries, warm cassis and blackberry pie with nuances of spice cake, yeast extract, tapenade, licorice and dusty soil with a waft of wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lively skip in its step, featuring bags of juicy raspberry and cassis-laced fruit and a refreshing line, supported by ripe, plush tannins, finishing long and graceful. Drink 2021 – 2036”
95 Points
 
“Lots of currant and floral notes on the nose. Hints of mint and spice. Medium-to full-bodied, round and savory with creamy, juicy tannins. Hints of citrus underneath. Bright, fresh and delicious. Drink or hold.”
95 points
2015 Maxville Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2015 Maxville Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

MAXVILLE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 NAPA VALLEY

2015 Maxville Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Chiles Valley Cabernet grapes are a recurrent source for many of Napa’s top producers. That’s because the area lies East of Rutherford at elevations ranging from 600-1200 feet, and it’s cooler than the Valley floor, providing ideal conditions for the grapes to retain their natural acidity. Wineries like Volker Eisele and Brown Estate have been making hits there for years, and Maxville, which burst on the scene in 2014, is positioning themselves to be at the top.
 
Maxville hired renowned winemaker Jean Hoefliger to give voice to their incredible Estate. Jean trained in Bordeaux and South Africa before working at powerhouse producers Hartford Court, Newton, and Alpha Omega. 
 
The Estate Vineyard was planted in 1974, and the almost half-century-old vines produce small yields of concentrated and intensely flavored fruit. Their highly distinctive terroir comes through with deep, expressive flavors, finely grained tannins and natural, fresh acidity. 
 
MAXVILLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $65
 
 
“The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is another sexy, sweetly fruited effort. Blackcurrants, blueberries, charred earth, and leafy herb notes all emerge from this medium-bodied, nicely balanced, concentrated 2015 that has present tannins and good purity of fruit. It’s going to drink nicely for 10-15 years.”
89 Points
 
“There is a considerable amount of Petite Sirah (11%) blended within this wine, which helps emphasize its big power and concentration. Earth, soy, currant, cedar and graphite accent a core of juicy blackberry and chocolate-covered cherry.”
89 Points
 
“Dark opulent ruby and garnet hues with tantalizing aromas of black currant jam, earthy and ripe dark fruits layered with hints of vanilla, cassis and black pepper. The palate has a supple entry that lingers to the back of the mouth with firm tannin structures.”
2014 Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

2014 Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

SULLIVAN

2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
RUTHERFORD ESTATE 

2014 Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate
Sullivan’s Estate is centered in the Rutherford AVA, an area long celebrated for producing wines with distinctive character, superior elegance, and signature dusty tannins. When Jim Sullivan founded the property, he consulted with legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff who helped design the original vineyards. Their 2014 Estate Cabernet is, as Jeb Dunnuck writes, “classy stuff” with “terrific balance,” and at half price, it’s an absolute steal… 
 
The vineyard is located on Galleron Road, just North of BV and behind Franciscan Estate. It was planted over an ancient riverbed with soil types ranging from clay loam to sandy gravel, and both have excellent drainage, which assists in producing intensely flavored berries. 
 
Winemaker Jeff Cole is well-rounded in his skillset, previously making wines at Laetitia Winery and Windward before joining Schramsberg. He constantly scrutinizes each detail surrounding his winemaking for insights that can take the wine to the next level. If you’re looking for a classic Rutherford Cabernet, that’s awesome now and will cellar for another decade, this is it. 
 
SULLIVAN
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
RUTHERFORD ESTATE
Retails at: $120
 
 
“This is a tannic and structured cabernet sauvignon that is tight and focused with lots of dark berry and currant character as well as chocolate and spice undertones. Full and chewy yet so polished and pretty. Give it two or three years to resolve the tannins. Better in 2020.”
93 Points
 
“The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot that spent 20 months in 100% new French oak. This deep purple colored 2014 is classy stuff that offers notes of blackcurrants, black raspberries, toasted spice, and graphite. With medium to full-bodied richness, a lush, supple style, and sweet tannin, it has terrific balance and a great finish. I suspect it’s capable of lasting for 10-15 years.”
92 Points
 
“…the 2014 boasts dark cherry with hints of tobacco and cola. This wine has mineral and earthy undertones that compliment the savory dark chocolate notes which add depth and complexity.”
2018 Domaine Regnaudot Red Burgundy Hautes-Cotes De Beaune

2018 Domaine Regnaudot Red Burgundy Hautes-Cotes De Beaune

with No Comment $30 and underBurgandyFranceKevin VogtPinot Noir

DOMAINE REGNAUDOT

2018 RED BURGUNDY
HAUTES-COTES DE BEAUNE 

2018 Domaine Regnaudot Red Burgundy Hautes-Cotes De Beaune
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune is a wine-growing region of predominately Pinot Noir, grown up on the hills above the Côte de Beaune. The name translates to “high hillsides of Beaune,” and Pinot Noirs from this area can have concentrated red fruits, intriguing complexity with a soft, well-rounded presence on the palate. Domaine Regnaudot’s 2018 is a textbook example of the quality of wines from this region, and at less than $30, the value is abundant.
 
Domaine Regnaudot is a small family-owned, and operated winery in Burgundy run by a father and son team focused on limiting yields and understanding their 16-acre vineyard’s terroir. They aim to produce their wines in a supple, fresh style focused on the natural essence of the fruit from their vineyard. 
 
Florian Regnaudot and his wife Marion meticulously sort and destem the grape clusters at the winery before they undergo a slow two-week fermentation. They age it for a year in French oak barrels, and now with a little time in the bottle, the 2018 vintage is rocking. 
 
DOMAINE REGNAUDOT
2018 RED BURGUNDY
HAUTES-COTES DE BEAUNE
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The Domaine Regnaudot Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 2018 is a gorgeous representation of the region with a beautiful nose of bright pomegranate, red cherries, earthy mushrooms, cola bean and sweet florals. The palate has penetrating red fruits including fresh red currants, ripe red plums, forest floor and light spice. There is a nice tension between the tart red fruits, earthy complexity, and the supple, rich body creating a great overall balance.”
92 Points
2019 Prisoner Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2019 Prisoner Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSAYountville

PRISONER

PROPRIETARY RED
2019 NAPA VALLEY

2019 Prisoner Proprietary Red Napa Valley
The Prisoner wine was inspired by “Mixed Blacks,” which are field blends that were common in California more than 100 years ago. These interplanted vineyards were predominantly Zinfandel vines intermixed with varieties like Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Alicante Bouchet. With the right ‘mix’ of grape varieties, these vineyards can produce intensely flavored wines with profound character and charm. The Prisoner comes from multiple sites, so it’s not technically a Mixed Blacks wine; however, the style, varietal mix, and flavors share similarities.
 
Created from a compilation of strategically selected sites throughout Napa Valley, including Korte Ranch in St. Helena and Tiedemann Ranch in Yountville, The Prisoner exists because of the relationships and collaboration from each of their growers. 
 
The 2019 release served time in French and American barrels and was built around a core of Zinfandel, enhanced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Charbono. This latest release condemns your taste buds to a sentence filled with provocative red, blue and black fruits, sweet tannins, and elaborate flavors, and even the toughest restraints couldn’t contain the fun and excitement this wine exudes.
 
PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED
2019 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $48
 
“Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla linger harmoniously, for a smooth and luscious finish.”
2017 Heitz Cellar Chardonnay Napa Valley

2017 Heitz Cellar Chardonnay Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtNapaSaint HelenaUSA

HEITZ CELLAR

2017 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY

2017 Heitz Cellar Chardonnay Napa Valley
Heitz Cellar crafts their Napa Valley Chardonnay in a clean and refreshing style that highlights the fruit’s purest expression. They’ve been perfecting their craft for nearly 60 years, and back in the 60s and 70s, they labeled their Chardonnay “Chablis.” In the 80s, they began bottling single-vineyard Chardonnays from Trailside and Heitz Vineyard. Their 2017 is a timeless classic that harkens to the old days of Napa Chardonnay with delicate details and outstanding balance. 
 
The 2017 release combines fruit from Oak Knoll, Rutherford, St Helena, and Yountville. It highlights the rich, ripe fruit characteristics of the warmer climates up-valley and balances them with the structure and acid from the cooler Oak Knoll District. 
 
Aged for an impressive three years in a combination of stainless steel, French oak, and in the bottle before release, the 2017 vintage is fresh and lively, offering vivid island fruits, Meyer lemon, toasted hazelnut, and Key lime. I strongly recommend a case of this classic Napa Chardonnay for your cellar.
 
HEITZ CELLAR
2017 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $38
 
Your Price: $35
 
“This is one of the last bastions of Napa Chardonnay that retains the ethos of winemaking from the 1970s and ’80s. A blend of mainly Rutherford and Oak Knoll fruit, it undergoes no malolactic fermentation and is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. Aromas of lemon meringue, key limes and orchard fruit blossoms lead to an angular, focused and pure palate. An authentic example of a past time. Drinking Window 2020 – 2035”
92 Points
 
“The Palate expresses hints of Meyer lemon, pineapple, and freshly baked sweet apple tarts. The fresh fruit aroma is complemented by subtle notes of toasted hazelnut, honey suckle, and white floral characteristics. Its fresh, bright acidity pleases the palate while balanced by a smooth richness that we obtain through sur-lie aging.”