2022 Admire By Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2022 Admire By Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

ADMIRE

BY DAN KOSTA
PINOT NOIR 2022
SONOMA COAST

2022 Admire By Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Dan Kosta is a pioneer of domestic Pinot Noir, having co-founded Kosta Browne Winery with Michael Browne in 1997 and consistently producing award-winning wines, including Wine Spectator’s number-one wine in 2011. His passion for wine began in his early childhood growing up in Sonoma, surrounded by some of California’s finest vineyards and watching the evolution within the industry.
 
Admire is Dan’s newest Pinot Noir project, announced earlier this year, naming it after his admiration for the variety and paying tribute to producers that came before him and helped shape his vision. 
 
The 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is the inaugural release that celebrates the rugged coast Dan calls home and gives the same excellent qualities Dan’s wines are known for at a much lower price point.
 
ADMIRE
BY DAN KOSTA
PINOT NOIR 2022
SONOMA COAST
 
 
 
“The Admire Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022 begins with a deep, rich nose that includes red and black fruits, cola beans, baking spices, fresh herbs, and purple flowers. It continues on the palate with sweet black cherries, cranberries, and ripe red plums wrapped in soft, supple tannins that carry it to a long, elegant finish. These qualities allow it to be enjoyed immediately. Kudos to Dan Kosta and crew for making this high-quality easy-drinking Pinot Noir, then pricing it to be enjoyed much more regularly than its more expensive brethren.”
94 Points
2018 Top Source Red Blend Columbia Valley

2018 Top Source Red Blend Columbia Valley

with No Comment $30 and underColumbia ValleyGrenacheKevin VogtProprietary RedSyrahUSAWashington State

TOP SOURCE

RED BLEND 2018
COLUMBIA VALLEY

2018 Top Source Red Blend Columbia Valley
Meredith Hyslop is a Walla Walla native who graduated from the Walla Walla Wine Institute in 2007 before moving to Dijon, France, to complete a Master’s program in International Wine business. After her studies, Meredith moved to the Languedoc-Roussillon in Southern France, where she spent 12 years working in the wine industry and found many significant similarities to the climate of her home in Eastern Washington.
 
Realizing that Syrah and Grenache thrive in Columbia Valley’s volcanic soils and high diurnal range, Meredith founded Top Source to showcase Rhône-style blends from the AVA’s idyllic conditions and terroir. 
 
Meredith hand-selected three organically farmed sites for her 2018 Red Wine, blended at bottled at her partner’s winery, Cayuse Vineyards, one of Washington State’s most iconic producers. The Blend combines 70% Syrah with 30% Grenache, aged in neutral oak, highlighting the region’s fruit and world-class growing conditions.
 
TOP SOURCE
RED BLEND 2018
COLUMBIA VALLEY
Retails at: $30
 
 
 
“The 2018 Red Wine Columbia Valley combines Syrah (70%) with Grenache (30%). The palate is wonderfully stony with bright red fruits that mingle with orange rind, umami and pretty pomegranate seed flavors. The salty accents really make this sing.”
93 Points
2021 Standard Deviation Grenache Bennett Valley

2021 Standard Deviation Grenache Bennett Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Bennett ValleyGrenacheKevin VogtSonomaUSA

STANDARD DEVIATION 

GRENACHE 2021
BENNETT VALLEY

2021 Standard Deviation Grenache Bennett Valley
Standard Deviation is the culmination of two great minds in the wine industry with dreams to create high-quality, micro-production wines at an everyday budget. Winemaker Justin Harmon and Vintner Josh Peeples bring Standard Deviation from exceptional terroir in Bennet Valley. Justin is known for his Argot wines, while Josh owns Elyse Winery and has made wine since 2002. He previously co-founded a start-up order management software company for the beverage industry in the late 1990s.
 
Grenache grapes are widely grown worldwide and used to produce single-varietal wines and blends, particularly notable in the wines of the Rhône Valley. Bennet Valley in Sonoma County provides an ideal growing environment for Grenache with a cool climate that lengthens the grapes’ hang time, promoting deep flavor development. The exemplary 2021 vintage produced lower yields, further concentrating flavors and aromas, resulting in a remarkably pure, fresh, complex wine.
 
STANDARD DEVIATION 
GRENACHE 2021
BENNETT VALLEY
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“The Standard Deviation 2021 Grenache from Bennet Valley opens with fresh lavender, rosemary, bright red fruits, white pepper, and an earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine has concentrated flavors of bing cherry, strawberry, cranberry, savory spice, and blackberry compote. The wine has a silky texture and fresh acidity that perfectly complements the fruit flavors and delivers a delicious finish.”
94 Points
2020 Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2020 Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $90-$100Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

JAYSON BY PAHLMEYER

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2020

2020 Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Jason Pahlmeyer was drawn to the rugged terroir of Atlas Peak over 35 years ago to grow grapes with the intense concentration and soulful structure that comes from mountain-grown fruit. His wines became an instant success, and over the years, Pahlmeyer Winery has attracted some of California’s most accomplished winemakers, beginning with Randy Dunn in the inaugural 1986 vintage, followed by Bob Levy of Harlan Estate and Helen Turley, with Katie Vogt taking the reins in 2019.
 
Notably, in the 2020 vintage, the small crop of estate Cabernet Sauvignon typically intended for their flagship wine, Pahlmeyer Red ($240 retail), went into this year’s Jayson Cabernet Sauvignon. Due to the limited yield, winemaker Katie Vogt decided not to produce Pahlmeyer Red and, instead, create a wine with exceptional character and undeniable prestige for a fraction of the price.
 
JAYSON BY PAHLMEYER
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2020
 
 
 
“Aromas of blackcurrant, sliced plum, coriander and cardamom. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Nicely concentrated, without being overblown. Sweet spice and black fruit wash over the palate, with some black-tea notes coming through as well. I like the subtlety here. Drink or hold.”
93 Points
2021 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

SILVER GHOST 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2021

2021 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Proprietor and winemaker of Silver Ghost, Weston Eidson, attended graduate school in the UK, leading him to discover some of Europe’s most extraordinary wine-growing regions and inspiring his journey into wine. Weston also explored South Africa and Chile before landing in Napa Valley, where he met Jason Moore of Modus Operandi and learned valuable skills working the 2012 harvest. He’s since learned from his mentor, Russell Bevan.
 
Weston’s great-grandfather John Montagu was an automobile pioneer with connections to Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Silver Ghost pays homage to his favorite vehicle, the 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and like the classic car, this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant red wine displays nuanced characteristics and authenticity from a dedicated winemaking team and fruit from Napa’s finest vineyards.
 
The 2021 release is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with Merlot, and Petite Verdot, aged 22 months in French oak barrels, resulting in a supple and powerful Cabernet that’s not only ready-to-drink now but will continue to develop additional complexity with age.
 
SILVER GHOST 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2021
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
Ripe, dark-fruited character with vanilla, licorice, walnuts and moist earth. Medium- to full-bodied with supple tannins. Juicy and sleek with a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.”
92 Points
2018 Taupenot-Merme Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru Red Burgundy

2018 Taupenot-Merme Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru Red Burgundy

with No Comment $100 and overBurgandyFranceKevin VogtRed Burgandy

TAUPENOT-MERME

CHARMES CHAMBERTIN 2018
GRAND CRU RED BURGUNDY

2018 Taupenot-Merme Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru Red Burgundy
Romain Taupenot descends from a long line of vignerons dating back to the 17th century. Today, he produces nineteen different wines across seventeen appellations in the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, with a significant portion of fruit sourced from Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites. Old vines represent most of Domaine Taupenot-Merme’s holdings, with new plantings propagated from cuttings from each site’s best vines. 
 
The prestigious village of Gevrey-Chambertin produces some of the world’s most famous and sought-after wines, and the 68-acre Charmes-Chambertin vineyard was officially granted Grand Cru status in 1937.
 
Romain considers himself a hands-off winemaker as he prioritizes his work in the vineyard and uses minimalistic approaches in the cellar. The fruit for the 2018 Charmes-Chambertin was hand-harvested, de-stemmed, and cold-soaked before fermentation in stainless steel, then aged in French oak. The wine shows beautifully now and will gain ethereal complexity from extended aging time in the bottle.
 
TAUPENOT-MERME
CHARMES CHAMBERTIN 2018
GRAND CRU RED BURGUNDY
Retails at: $345
 
 
 
“The 2018 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru has a seductive, plush nose laden with pure red cherries, cranberry and wild strawberry fruit. Nicely integrated new oak, quite luxurious in style. The palate is well balanced with fine tannins, crisp acidity (perhaps acidified?) With just a little shrillness towards the finish. It does improve with aeration and develops a pleasing harmony. Tasted blind…”
93 Points
2019 Saracina Old Soul Red Mendocino County

2019 Saracina Old Soul Red Mendocino County

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMendocinoMendocino RidgeProprietary RedUSA

SARACINA

OLD SOUL RED
MENDOCINO COUNTY 2019

2019 Saracina Old Soul Red Mendocino County
Saracina Vineyards thrives at the southern end of Mendocino County along the foothills of the Mayacamas range and the headwaters of the Russian River, in an area that prizes sustainable viticulture. Mendocino has the most significant percentage of certified organic grape growers, and most producers are less interested in building extravagant tasting rooms, focusing instead on naturally crafting exceptional wines that express the region’s identity.
 
Saracina was founded in 2001, and in 2018, the Taub family purchased the property and took over as proud stewards of the vineyards. Their team studies the differences in each microclimate with extensive soil analysis and rootstock matching to ensure each vine planted thrives to the fullest extent. 
 
The Old Soul red is a field blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, and Malbec that changes slightly with each vintage to give the best expression of the growing season. The 2019 vintage was aged in a combination of American and French oak with only 10% new barrels allowing a gentle integration of flavor complexity while retaining a sense of place.
 
SARACINA
OLD SOUL RED
MENDOCINO COUNTY 2019
 
 
 
“This is a rich, full-bodied red blend. Integrated aromas and flavors of boysenberry, marionberry, black and red plum, bramble, chocolate, vanilla, toasted oak and anise greet the nose and palate. Ripe, plush tannins coat the mouth and are well-matched by the ripe nature of the fruits. Acidity adds a line of freshness right down the center.”
93 Points
2019 Sixteen By Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2019 Sixteen By Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

SIXTEEN by TWENTY

CHARDONNAY 2019
SONOMA COAST

2019 Sixteen By Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Sixteen by Twenty Winery is named after an artist’s most common canvas dimension because it provides ideal balance, aligning with their wines’ guiding philosophy. Self-taught viticulturist David Dunphy and his wife Karen purchased their first parcel in Napa Valley in 2004. Today, they own 15 acres of vineyard land scattered throughout the valley, ranging from Howell Mountain to Coombsville.
 
As artists, David and Karen apply the precision of a 16×20 canvas philosophy to each wine in their portfolio, focusing on small productions from selected vineyard sites that are tended to by hand by the vineyard team. The Sonoma Coast AVA gives Chardonnay a distinct minerality, ripe fruits, and fresh acidity due to the oceanic influence, and the 2019 production portrays a beautiful balance of opulence and finesse while retaining its coastal roots with minerality and bright acidity. 
 
SIXTEEN by TWENTY
CHARDONNAY 2019
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“The Sixteen by Twenty 2019 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay opens with aromas of ripe peach, melon, roasted almonds, cinnamon, and toasted bread. On the palate, the wine has flavors of apricot, Werther’s Original candies, roasted marshmallow, and fresh minerality. The wine has a creamy texture balanced by acidity and a bright, pleasant finish.”
94 Points
2019 Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

2019 Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSt. HelenaUSA

EHLERS ESTATE

1886 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ST. HELENA 2019

2019 Ehlers Estate 1886 Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena
Established in 1886, Ehlers Estate, located in one of Napa’s most elite neighborhoods, sits in the narrowest part of the Valley, where moderating sea breezes ensure a slow and even ripening. Mike Wolf, one of the leading viticulture experts in Napa Valley, whose past and present clients include To Kalon, Scarecrow, and Vine Hill Ranch, manages the vineyard. 
 
Ehlers winemaker Laura Díaz Muñoz carefully tastes through every barrel and selects the best for the winery’s flagship wine, 1886, which honors the completion year of the historic stone winery. The 2019 release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a near-perfect vintage and was aged for 22 months in French oak and is a prime example of the Estate vineyards and the dedication of Ehlers’ passionate team. 
 
Flanked by vineyards like AXR and nearby Vineyard 29 Aida, whose top Cabs soar North of $250, Ehlers 1886 stands out as a value for the neighborhood, delivering outrageous quality. 
 
EHLERS ESTATE
1886 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ST. HELENA 2019
 
 
 
“This rich, concentrated and relaxed wine wraps supersoft tannins around plump black cherries, blueberries and dark chocolate. It is saturated with fruit and subtle oak spices that taste complex and luxurious. Enjoyable to drink now through at least 2030.”
95 Points
2019 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard Russian River Valley

2019 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

JOSEPH JEWELL

PINOT NOIR 2019
HALLBERG VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2019 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard Russian River Valley
Adrian Jewell grew up in Northern California’s cold, foggy climate, believing that sites with cooler microclimates along the North Coast can grow California’s best Pinot Noirs. Adrian is the owner and winemaker of Joseph Jewell wines, and his goal is to make wines that bring people together with approachability, balance, and natural varietal character derived from small, independently owned, and sustainably farmed vineyards.
 
The Hallberg Vineyard in the Russian River Valley is known for its dry-farmed Gold Ridge soils that encourage deep root propagation in search of water and nutrients, giving fruit with increased depth and complexity of flavors. Joseph Jewell began working with the vineyard in 2010 and has released a single-vineyard designation ever since. His 2019 continues to share the legacy of the vineyard’s distinct earthy and spicy fruit with an impressive depth of flavors. 
 
Side Note: Our tasting panel tried this wine earlier this year, and at the time, it was a bit closed and didn’t make our selection. We tasted it again recently, and it had blossomed into an outstanding representation of Hallberg Vineyard and a truly memorable wine. At our price of $42, it’s one of my favorite Pinots in the shop. 
 
JOSEPH JEWELL
PINOT NOIR 2019
HALLBERG VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“This wine offers a deep, dark-fruit profile of great flavor and texture, with a soft, supple approach to tannin and well-integrated oak. Dark cherry is accented in dried herb, baking spice and forest, expansive on the palate throughout.”
90 Points