2023 Ernest Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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

Ernest

Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Ernest continues to raise the bar with each vintage, and the 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir may be their most impressive yet. Building on the success of the 2022—one of my top five wines of the year in 2024—the new release radiates precision, elegance, and coastal allure. Where Burgundian finesse meets the wild beauty of the Sonoma Coast, this wine delivers concentrated fruit, vivid acidity, and a striking sense of place.

Sourced from the fog-draped Freestone Valley and neighboring coastal vineyards, the wine owes its vibrancy to the region’s cool, ocean-tempered climate. Winemaker Joseph Ryan has embraced a low-intervention, site-driven approach, coaxing purity and nuance from every vintage. His attention to detail and deft touch allow the terroir to speak, with each bottling reflecting a distinct moment in time.

The 2023 Pinot Noir is the clearest expression yet of that vision. A blend of estate-grown fruit and select heritage sites, it pulses with energy—bright red berries, wild herbs, coastal salinity, all wrapped in silky tannins and a crystalline finish. At $38, it offers a rare combination of poise, purity, and pedigree—an exceptional discovery in this price tier.

Ernest
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

Your Price: $38

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“The 2023 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is terrific. Rich and generous in the glass, with tons of savory nuance, the 2023 is a wonderfully complete wine. Cedar, dried herbs, new leather, tobacco and incense wrap around the palate. A healthy dose of stems (33%) adds complexity, but it’s the wine’s balance I admire most.”

92 Points

2019 Rubia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2019 Rubia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Rubia

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2019

2019 Rubia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Rubia’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon emerges as a striking reflection of its mountain origins, deftly balancing vigor with refinement. Drawn from the lofty slopes of Howell Mountain and the untamed ridges of Calistoga, it captures the untempered energy of its rugged birthplace while unveiling a polished grace. Guided by the skilled hands of Julien Fayard, a luminary among Napa Valley’s winemakers, this wine commands the senses with its robust, mountain-born intensity, softened by a seamless elegance.

Julien Fayard’s journey lends depth to this creation. Shaped by his time at revered French estates like Château Lafite Rothschild, he carried his mastery to Napa, collaborating with Philippe Melka before stepping forward as a trailblazer in the region’s contemporary winemaking scene. His finesse shines through in this wine—a compelling blend of structure and allure, where the firm tannins of the mountains are artfully tamed.

Limited to just 130 cases, the 2019 vintage matured for nearly two years in French oak, then rested four more in the bottle, allowing its initial intensity to evolve into a refined majesty. Now approaching its finest hour, this Cabernet Sauvignon reveals a captivating harmony of power and subtlety—a wine of undeniable pedigree and exceptional value.

Rubia
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2019
Retails at: $130

Your Price: $49.99

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“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) from Rubia is a boisterous, heady wine loaded with character and personality. A blast of inky blue/purplish fruit makes a strong first impression. Spice, rose petal, chocolate and licorice add layers of flavor to this full-throttle, resonant Cabernet Sauvignon. The full-throttle style works well here.”

94 Points

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyCabernet FrancKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Schema

Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley 2023

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

Schema Cabernet Franc 2023 debuts Madelyn Hille’s distinct winemaking perspective, honed through years of dedication at renowned houses such as Pax, Merry Edwards, and Arnot Roberts. With a careful, reflective approach, she’s shaped a wine that reflects her expertise and innate connection to Cabernet Franc. The result is a vivid, unadulterated expression—polished yet seemingly effortless in its clarity and precision.

Sourced from the biodynamically farmed Cisne Vineyard in Alexander Valley, this wine radiates vibrant finesse. Its mineral-threaded fruit, paired with bright acidity, ignites a lively, energetic palate. At a modest 12% alcohol, it strikes an uncommon harmony—airy and agile yet rich with intricate layers—delivering instant delight while hinting at a graceful evolution over time.

Picked by hand and fermented with native yeasts, this Cabernet Franc matured for 14 months in neutral oak, safeguarding the vineyard’s essence and allowing the grape’s delicate traits to emerge. Departing from the lush, fruit-forward profiles common in many New World renditions, it echoes the lifted, fragrant restraint of the Loire Valley. This wine captures a sense of place, poise, and unembellished purity, weaving together thoughtful farming and masterful winemaking.

Schema
Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley 2023
Retails at: $42

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“The Schema 2023 Cabernet Franc from the Cisne Vineyard in Alexander Valley opens with bright notes of lilac, lavender, raspberry, orange zest, chai tea, earth, and a wet stone minerality. On the palate, the wine has a silky texture with flavors of red cherry, marionberry, pomegranate, white pepper, and aniseed. The wine’s low alcohol level is in a delicate balance with the light to medium body and concentration of flavors, ending in an elegant finish.”

95 Points

2023 Langtry Sauvignon Blanc Lillie Vineyard Guenoc Valley

2023 Langtry Sauvignon Blanc Lillie Vineyard Guenoc Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSauvignon BlancUSA

Langtry

Sauvignon Blanc
Lillie Vineyard 2023
Guenoc Valley

2023 Langtry Sauvignon Blanc Lillie Vineyard Guenoc Valley

Langtry’s 2023 Lillie’s Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc emerges as a luminous reflection of Guenoc Valley, captivating with its pristine clarity, vibrant energy, and harmonious balance—all offered at a remarkable value. This historic estate, rooted in the vision of British actress Lillie Langtry, began in 1888 when she, enchanted by the wild allure of California’s wine country, claimed the sprawling 4,200-acre property. Her bold embrace of viticulture set the stage for a legacy that continues to define the region’s winemaking character.

The Guenoc Valley terroir is as compelling as its past. An alluvial fan of Arroyo Seco and Conejo Loam soils ensures superb drainage, while the region’s dramatic day-to-night temperature swings lend the grapes uncommon depth and vitality.

Meticulously crafted to retain its vivid freshness, this Sauvignon Blanc spends four months in stainless steel, locking in its bright, fruit-driven essence, followed by four months in neutral barrels to weave in delicate layers of texture and nuance. The result is a wine of radiant finesse—each sip honors Lillie Langtry’s vision, blending a glimpse of history with contemporary brilliance.

Langtry
Sauvignon Blanc
Lillie Vineyard 2023
Guenoc Valley
Retails at: $30

Your Price: $26

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“This wine is fresh, zesty, with aromas of green guava, kiwi, citrus blossom, and notes of white florals on the nose. The flavors on the palate are kaffir lime, white grapefruit, white nectarine, sedimentary rock, interwoven with good acidity, and a long juicy finish. pair with tinned fish, marinated green olive, red bell pepper, herbed olive oil.”

94 Points

2022 Thistle & Thorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2022 Thistle & Thorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Thistle & Thorn

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Thistle & Thorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Exceptional wines often emerge from careful intent, yet occasionally, they owe their existence to the whims of chance. The tale of Thistle & Thorn unfolds as a fortunate twist of fate—a wine that almost slipped through the cracks. When a coveted batch of Napa Valley grapes found itself without a home, winemaker Blair Guthrie faced a pivotal decision: let the fruit wither on the vine or embrace the opportunity to shape something remarkable. Guided by intuition, he chose to act.

Blair Guthrie’s path is as captivating as the bottles he produces. Hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand, he pursued the study of enology and viticulture with a steady resolve that would eventually lead him across continents. His formative years under the tutelage of Paul Hobbs refined a winemaking approach centered on the purity of fruit, harmonic balance, and a vivid sense of origin.

Drawn from the organically tended Juliana Vineyard, this wine embodies Napa Valley’s finest qualities. It unfolds with rich, dark fruit, finely woven tannins, and a poised intricacy that elevates its allure—an inviting portrait of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, born not by chance but from the vision of a winemaker who recognized possibility amid uncertainty.

Thistle & Thorn
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022
Retails at: $50

Your Price: $25

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“The Thistle & Thorn 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon begins with aromas of green peppercorns, sweet rose, black currants, blackberries, black tea leaves, and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine has penetrative flavors of black fruits, balsamic reduction, and baking spices with a warm, inviting character and a pleasant finish. This wine has an excellent concentration of fruit and spice notes, adding layered complexity and extra enjoyment.”

92 Points

2021 Timeless Proprietary Red Soda Canyon Ranch Napa Valley

2021 Timeless Proprietary Red Soda Canyon Ranch Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Timeless

Proprietary Red
Soda Canyon Ranch
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Timeless Proprietary Red Soda Canyon Ranch Napa Valley

The 2021 Timeless Soda Canyon Ranch Red reflects the enduring vision of one of Napa Valley’s most storied wine families, capturing their craft at its pinnacle. Created by the Duncan family as a tribute to Silver Oak co-founder Ray Duncan, Timeless stands as a link between heritage and horizon—the finest gem of their wine estates.

This wine emerges from the striking landscape of Soda Canyon Ranch, a vivid expression of its singular terroir. Tucked within the Vaca Mountains, the site blends diverse microclimates with intricate volcanic soils, infusing the fruit with richness and nuance.

A masterful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a hint of Petit Verdot, the 2021 vintage draws from carefully chosen blocks to reveal the estate’s distinctive character. Guided by winemaker Nate Weis, it unfolds with both strength and finesse—a harmonious balance of deep, layered power and smooth, refined elegance. This is a wine that candidly speaks of its origins, its lineage, and the skill that shaped it.

Timeless
Proprietary Red
Soda Canyon Ranch
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $225

Your Price: $199.99

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“This Timeless Napa Valley Red 2021 is a captivating expression of Napa Valley terroir, earning a well-deserved 96 points. The nose is immediately engaging, a complex tapestry woven from rich black currant compote and the delicate perfume of elderflower. There’s a sultry, almost exotic allure here, underscored by intriguing notes of crushed rocks and the subtle warmth of brioche. A whisper of sweet vanilla adds a final touch of elegance. On the palate, the wine is focused and concentrated, yet maintains an elegant balance. Fresh currants and kirsch dance on the tongue, revealing the wine’s vibrant core. The skillful use of French oak is evident, adding a refined layer of complexity without overshadowing the fruit. The finish is long and satisfying, with supple, beautifully integrated fruit tannins promising graceful aging potential. This is a truly timeless red blend, showcasing the best of Napa Valley.”

96 Points

2022 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

2022 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirUSAWashington StateWillamette Valley

Bethel Heights

Estate Pinot Noir
Eola-Amity Hills 2022

2022 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

The 2022 Pinot Noir from Bethel Heights reveals the Willamette Valley’s distinctive terroir with striking clarity and allure. This exceptional vintage unfolds with vibrant complexity, showcasing flawlessly ripened fruit and a layered depth that delights. As one of the valley’s original trailblazers, Bethel Heights played a key role in shaping the region’s worldwide acclaim, channeling the intricate nature of its hillside soils and the subtle pull of cool ocean breezes into every bottle.

Rooted in family ownership since its founding, Bethel Heights remains devoted to sustainable stewardship of the land. Through organic and biodynamic practices, they nurture wines of remarkable character. The winery’s 80 acres of estate vineyards—Bethel Heights, Justice, and Lewman—stretch across a diverse terrain, sculpted over time by ancient volcanic activity and lava flows. This rich foundation yields wines with a rare and compelling nuance.

The Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir unites fruit from these three vineyards, blending their individual traits into a harmonious whole. What emerges is a wine that captures a fleeting convergence—of the season, the soil, and the artistry that singularly defines Bethel Heights.

Bethel Heights
Estate Pinot Noir
Eola-Amity Hills 2022

Your Price: $36

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“A delightful wine that punches so far above its price point. Black tea aromatics are married to freshly churned topsoil, dried lavender and sun-baked blackberries. The palate is distinguished in this well-priced wine. Chinese five spice, black tea and white pepper make room for ripe black bramble fruits and red plum skin. This wine is distinguished and complex, so refreshing to see such deference paid to a wine priced under $40.”

94 Points

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Bruliam 

Chardonnay 2022
Heintz Vineyard
Sonoma Coast

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Tucked seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, Bruliam Chardonnay shines as a vivid expression of the Heintz Vineyard, a standout treasure along the Sonoma Coast. Perched at 1,000 feet, this site channels the cool, coastal ocean breeze, locking in the fruit’s vibrant freshness. For more than forty years, the Heintz family has tended this remarkable vineyard, its grapes gracing the cellars of California’s most admired winemakers—names like Williams Selyem, DuMOL, and Littorai among them.

Guiding Bruliam Wines is Kerith Overstreet, a physician who traded medicine for the art of winemaking. Her sharp intellect and precise hand in the cellar bring a lively clarity to every bottle. In this Chardonnay, the Heintz Vineyard speaks with striking purity, leaving a lasting echo that resonates with each sip.

Awarded an impressive 96 points, this Chardonnay captures the Sonoma Coast’s character—bright fruit woven with intricate, alluring layers. It reveals the profound possibilities of the region’s Chardonnays, reaching heights that command attention and invite appreciation.

Bruliam
Chardonnay 2022
Heintz Vineyard
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $65

Your Price: $49.99

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“The 2022 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay slowly unfurls to offer evocative notes of grapefruit, fresh pineapple, white peaches, and chalk dust plus touches of Marcona almonds and nutmeg. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound at this youthful stage, delivering great tension with mineral-laced stone and tropical fruit layers, finishing with great length.”

96 Points

2021 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2021 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

Paradigm

Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2021

2021 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon has long been a hidden gem of Oakville—a wine that marries remarkable heritage with exceptional value, quietly cherished by discerning collectors until its recent emergence. That shift began when Jonathan Cristaldi, a noted writer for Decanter, discovered Paradigm on a Napa Valley wine list. Captivated by its rich complexity and finesse, he paid an unscheduled visit to the winery, where he affirmed what those in the know have always understood: Paradigm stands apart.

Situated just south of the renowned To-Kalon Vineyard, Paradigm Estate lies in the company of Napa Valley’s most celebrated neighbors—Opus One, Martha’s Vineyard, and Harlan Estate. This distinctive terroir lends the wine an indelible character, where Oakville’s signature balance of strength and grace shines through.

Shaped by the legendary Heidi Barrett—whose expertise has defined some of the region’s most coveted bottlings—Paradigm reflects the depth, structure, and composure that mark Oakville’s finest. Yet, in an age when Napa’s top wines reach ever-loftier heights of acclaim, Paradigm remains a rare find: an estate whose offerings rival the splendor of their storied peers while staying refreshingly attainable.

Paradigm
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2021

Your Price: $98

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“This blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot was fermented in stainless steel with a small percentage of whole berries included. Winemaker Mark Fasi explains that pressing off the wine before it goes dry helps to soften the tannins. The wine is then aged 18–20 months in approximately 50% new French oak. The Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignons are medium-bodied and exude utmost elegance, showcasing soaring tannins that are assertive yet beautifully integrated and framed by crisp, juicy acidity. The palate reveals pure and gorgeous red berry fruit, complemented by a panoply of brown spices, wild herbs like sage, and floral notes of lilacs and violets. This wine is absolutely pure, brimming with energy and tension, and delivers a stunningly refined expression. A remarkable effort, embodying balance, vitality, and sophistication. Truly impressive. The winemaker is legendary Napa icon Heidi Barrett. Mark Fasi, who joined the winery in 2010 and has worked hand-in-hand with Barrett, takes the helm as winemaker with the 2023 vintage.”

97 Points

2022 Claudio Family Cellars Merlot Mt. Veeder

2022 Claudio Family Cellars Merlot Mt. Veeder

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMerlotMt VeederNapaUSA

Claudio Family Cellars

Merlot 2022
Mt. Veeder

2022 Claudio Family Cellars Merlot Mt. Veeder

Claudio Family Cellars’ 2022 Merlot captures the vivid essence of mountain viticulture, blending intensity and grace into a wine of striking harmony. Grown on the rugged slopes of Mount Veeder, it reveals Merlot’s potential for depth and distinction when shaped by such untamed terroir. Winemaker Chris Jones has deftly crafted a wine that echoes the mountain’s raw energy while delivering a refined vibrancy that distinguishes it from the ordinary.

Jones’ journey to this creation is as compelling as the wine itself. Beginning as a home winemaker in Minnesota, his curiosity and drive carried him to Napa and Sonoma. There, he refined his craft through an internship at Sojourn Cellars before founding Claudio Family Cellars. His 2022 Mount Veeder Merlot reflects this arc—bold yet poised, it channels the mountain’s strength with clarity and elegance.

Mount Veeder, a scarce source of Napa’s output at under two percent, yields wines of rare concentration from its steep inclines and ancient, mineral-rich soils. The 2022 Merlot embodies this duality—rich yet precise, with layers of black cherry, violet, and wild sage unfolding alongside dark fruit and earthy nuance, culminating in a smooth, lingering finish. It’s a vivid example of Merlot’s ability to flourish in the high, wild reaches of the mountains.

Claudio Family Cellars
Merlot 2022
Mt. Veeder
Retails at: $40

Your Price: $29.99

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“The Claudio Family Cellars 2022 Merlot from Mt Veeder opens with fresh aromas of lavender, subtle herbal notes, cherry, raspberry, cloves, white pepper, and a graphite minerality. On the palate, the wine has a plush texture balanced with mountain fruit characteristics and flavors of red plum, vanilla, baking spices, and mocha. Mt Veeder is one of Napa Valley’s cooler growing environments, giving this wine elegance but with an excellent structure from this mountainside location.”

94 Points