2022 Double Diamond by Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2022 Double Diamond by Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

Double Diamond

by Schrader Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2022

2022 Double Diamond by Schrader Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Double Diamond Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon further solidified its reputation in 2022, building on the success of its 2019 vintage, crowned Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine-of-the-Year. Born from the legacy of Schrader Cellars, Double Diamond offers an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy world-class craftsmanship without the ultra-premium price tag.

 

Founded in 2001 by Fred Schrader, Double Diamond shares the same commitment to quality as its sister winery, guided by the talented winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.

This wine is a stunning expression of its vintage, showcasing concentrated black fruit, vibrant acidity, and refined tannins. Crafted entirely from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine benefits from meticulous aging in French oak, including second-use Schrader Darnajou barrels. The result is a balanced, elegant expression with a silky texture and robust structure, ready to be enjoyed now or cellared for future appreciation.

Experience the iconic terroir of Oakville with every sip of this extraordinary wine.

Double Diamond
by Schrader Cellars
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2022

Your Price: $89.99

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“The 2022 Double Diamond Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine of profound elegance and power. The nose is a captivating blend of dark fruit aromas, with notes of blackberry cobbler and boysenberry preserves leading the way. A subtle floral note of lavender adds complexity, while a hint of minerality, eucalyptus, and milk chocolate rounds out the bouquet. The wine is seamless and opulent on the palate, with rich, ripe, concentrated, and lush flavors mirroring the aromatic profile. The tannins are finely-grained and well-integrated, providing structure and a long, complex finish. This is a wine of remarkable depth and intensity, showcasing the exceptional quality of the 2022 vintage. A true gem from Oakville.”

96 Points

2023 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

2023 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSAWillamette Valley

Evesham Wood

Pinot Noir 2023
Willamette Valley

2023 Evesham Wood Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Pinot Noir embodies the heart and soul of Oregon Pinot Noir: elegant, balanced, and remarkably affordable. Since its inception in 1986, Evesham Wood has adhered to a minimalist approach, prioritizing sustainable vineyard practices and gentle winemaking. This philosophy allows the true character of the fruit to shine through, resulting in authentic, expressive wines from some of the region’s most prestigious vineyards.

The 2023 vintage showcases the brilliance of this approach. Sourced primarily from Mahonia and Illahe Vineyards, with complementary contributions from renowned Eola-Amity Hills sites like Prophet, Koosah, Jubilee, Cortell Rose, and Sojeau, this Pinot Noir captivates with layers of bright red fruit, delicate spice, and refreshing acidity. Its silky texture and inviting charm make it the perfect companion for any occasion, and encapsulates the vibrant, approachable spirit of the Willamette Valley at an incredible value.

Evesham Wood
Pinot Noir 2023
Willamette Valley

Your Price: $27

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“The Evesham Wood Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 begins with a delicate ballet of red fruit that unfolds on the nose, with tart cherry and pomegranate leading the way. A floral bouquet of spring blossoms and potpourri adds elegance, while subtle earthy notes of dried mushrooms, wet stone, and cola bean round out the complex aromatic profile. The palate projects elegance, showcasing a lighter body and bright, refreshing fruit flavors. The wine’s crisp acidity provides a mouth-quenching quality, leaving a clean and satisfying finish.”

92 Points

2017 PureCru Sangio Vetta Napa Valley

2017 PureCru Sangio Vetta Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

PureCru

Sangio Vetta
Napa Valley 2017

2017 PureCru Sangio Vetta Napa Valley

PureCru’s Sangio Vetta offers a compelling invitation to wine enthusiasts seeking unique experiences. This wine, with its Brunello-like qualities, presents exceptional value for its remarkable quality. How does PureCru achieve this? Through the artistry of Mitch Cosentino, a seasoned winemaker with over four decades of expertise.

Recognized internationally, Mitch is a pioneer in Cal-Ital wines. His innovative approach seamlessly blends Old World elegance with New World intensity. Invited to speak at the inaugural World Conference for Nebbiolo, Mitch’s mastery is undeniable.

The 2017 Sangio Vetta honors this expertise. A blend of 81% Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc, it has been meticulously aged for 38 months in oak barrels. This extended aging period, reminiscent of the esteemed tradition of Brunello di Montalcino, ensures a rich and complex wine that rewards patient drinkers.

PureCru
Sangio Vetta
Napa Valley 2017
Retails at: $36

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“Some blood-orange character to the savory plums, dried cranberries and cloves on the nose. Nice salted plum and grapefruit on the palate, with a pleasant, chalky texture to the fine tannins. Juicy, with medium body. Delicious now.”

92 Points

2022 Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2022 Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Post & Beam

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Far Niente has always been synonymous with excellence, crafting wines that embody the heart and soul of Napa Valley. Among its distinguished family—Far Niente, Bella Union, and Nickel & Nickel—Post & Beam carves its own path, offering a more accessible gateway to Far Niente’s expertise.

The name pays homage to the historic barns at Nickel & Nickel Winery, where the enduring strength of the posts and beams mirrors the spirit of Post & Beam wines: authentic, powerful, and uncomplicated.

The 2022 vintage is a testament to nature’s balance and resilience. Grapes from diverse Napa Valley AVAs, each with its unique character, were carefully selected and blended to create a wine that reflects the region’s incredible diversity.

Aged for ten months in French oak, the 2022 Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterpiece of simplicity and precision. Lush layers of ripe blackberries and cassis intertwine with supple tannins and subtle oak notes. It’s a wine that is both polished and approachable, refined yet comforting. Whether you’re a seasoned Napa Valley enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this wine offers a timeless connection to the region’s rich heritage.

Post & Beam
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022
Retails at: $55

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“Richly appointed, with dark blue and purple fruit and a plush mouthfeel. Notes of plum liqueur and fresh roasted coffee grace the palate. Dark chocolate and anise entwine in the wine’s well-defined structure and satin-lined tannins. Spiced red tea and sandalwood engage with chocolate notes on the finish.”

95 Points

2021 Lewis Cellars Mason's Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Lewis Cellars Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaOak KnollRutherfordSaint HelenaUSA

Lewis Cellars

Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Lewis Cellars Mason's Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Randy Lewis’s journey to winemaking is as captivating as his former life on the racetrack. A professional race car driver, passionate about speed and precision, Randy’s trajectory took a dramatic turn following a life-altering crash during the 1991 Indianapolis 500 qualifiers. This near-fatal incident ignited a new passion, inspiring him to craft world-class wines.

In 1992, Randy and his wife, Debbie, founded Lewis Cellars. They brought the same focus and dedication to winemaking that once propelled him to success on the track. Over the past three decades, Lewis Cellars has become synonymous with excellence, garnering numerous 90+ point scores and achieving the prestigious title of Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year in 2016.

The 2021 Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the winery’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to sourcing from Napa Valley’s premier vineyard sites, including Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oak Knoll. This wine reflects a vintage characterized by intensity and concentration, offering ripe blackberry, cassis, and subtle spice aromas. With its robust structure and refined tannins, Mason’s balances power and elegance, delivering a sensory experience that deepens with each sip.

Lewis Cellars
Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

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“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Mason’s Cabernet is a smoking value offering a big, rich, mouthful of ripe black fruit as well as full-bodied richness, ripe, velvety tannins, no hard edges, and classic Cabernet tobacco, spice, and chocolate nuances.”

94 Points

2022 Vista Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

2022 Vista Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

Vista Reserve

Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford 2022

2022 Vista Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

The 2022 Vista Reserve Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is a game-changer, boldly proving that stunning quality doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag. As the sole Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon available at $25, this wine offers the region’s hallmark elegance, complexity, and signature “Rutherford dust” tannins, wrapped in a richness that belies its modest price.

Sourced from Rutherford’s coveted western slopes, where ideal soils and temperate microclimate nurture grapes to perfection, the 2022 vintage shines with concentrated fruit, velvety tannins, and remarkable balance and exemplifies Vista’s unwavering commitment to exceptional quality.

Crafted by renowned winemaker Grant Long Jr. of Aonair, Reverie II, Steps, and James Joseph, this Cabernet Sauvignon overflows with richness and sophistication. It redefines expectations at this price point, delivering an extraordinary tasting experience that rivals bottles far more expensive.

Vista Reserve
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford 2022

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“The Vista 2022 Reserve Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon opens with vibrant aromas of blackberry, blueberry, lavender, and cloves. On the palate, there are flavors of red currant, berry compote, cherry, tobacco, graphite, and cocoa. The wine’s firm structure and elegant finish deliver exceptional quality at an incredible price.”

95 Points

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

Limerick Lane

Zinfandel 2021
Russian River Valley

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Limerick Lane stands as a beacon for classic American Zinfandel, where tradition meets innovation to honor the soul of this noble varietal. Renowned for crafting fresh, focused, and impeccably balanced wines, Limerick Lane brings Zinfandel’s unique character to life, showcasing vibrant fruit, complex layers, and a profound sense of place.

This historic estate has remained deeply rooted in its heritage for over a century, committed to sustainable farming practices and a thoughtful approach to viticulture. By relying on minimal, strategic irrigation, their vineyards produce fruit of unparalleled concentration and aromatic depth, reflecting their harmonious relationship between land and vine.

Winemaker Chris Pittenger intentionally curates the vineyard composition of each vintage, seeking out fruit to create the most balanced wine possible. The 2021 vintage embodies the spirit of the Russian River Valley, with perfectly ripe, bright fruit accented by refreshing acidity and an ideal balance of flavors.

Limerick Lane
Zinfandel 2021
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $46

Your Price: $42

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“A bright saturated ruby, the 2021 Zinfandel Russian River Valley is lifted with fresh aromas of candied peach, grenadine, and pressed red flowers. Medium to full-bodied, with great energy in its notes of fresh mixed berries, gravelly earth, and mocha, it’s an elegant wine with fine tannins, a stony texture, and a good, clean finish. It’s a fantastic entry to the wines from Limerick Lane to drink over the next several years.”

93 Points

2023 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2023 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Flowers

Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Flowers Chardonnay masterfully captures the essence of the Sonoma Coast, a grace that has earned it a place of honor on countless wine lists and in the hearts of Chardonnay enthusiasts. Consistently exceptional, this wine is a love letter to the rugged beauty of the Sonoma Coast, a region renowned for its cool-climate perfection.

In 1991, Flowers Winery’s visionary founders dared to plant vines on the windswept ridges of the Sonoma Coast. This unique terroir, characterized by cool breezes, persistent fog, and rocky soils, imparts a crisp minerality and invigorating acidity to the Chardonnay. Here, nature’s extremes are harnessed to produce wines of profound character, resulting in a distinctive and impressive Chardonnay.

Now part of the esteemed Huneeus Collection, which includes luminaries like Quintessa, Flowers reaches new heights with this wine attaining #43 on the Wine Spectator’s 2024 Top 100 list. The 2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a masterful blend of estate fruit from Camp Meeting Ridge, complemented by select grapes from Ross Ranch, Wildcat Mountain, and Bohan Ranch. The result is a seamless expression of the Sonoma Coast’s signature style, reflecting the distinct qualities of each vineyard.

Flowers
Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $55

Your Price: $39.99

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“This distinctive white features a lively, mouthwatering and energetic mix of pomelo, yuzu and lemon sherbet flavors, with hints of sweetgrass, apple blossoms and lime zest. There’s also an appealing grip on the finish, reminiscent of the skin of roasted, salted almonds, while a whiff of wild fennel lingers. Drink now through 2033. 23,000 cases made.” 

93 Points, #43 Top 100 Wines of 2024

2018 The Grade Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard Calistoga

2018 The Grade Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard Calistoga

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

The Grade

Cabernet Sauvignon
Winfield Vineyard
Calistoga 2018

2018 The Grade Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard Calistoga

The Grade’s 2018 Winfield Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon epitomizes power and grace, with legendary winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown’s masterful touch evident in every sip. Crowned as my top wine of 2024, this Cabernet marries concentrated, expressive fruit with an impeccable structure, delivering a wine that captivates and enchants. 

With a legacy that includes authoring dozens of 100-point wines—among them Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of 2022—Thomas Rivers Brown brings unparalleled expertise to The Grade. This wine offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience the height of Napa Valley winemaking, all without the steep price tag often associated with such pedegree.

Sourced from the 32-acre Winfield Vineyard, nestled along the historic Old Toll Road north of Calistoga, this Cabernet benefits from the ideal terroir. The 2018 vintage is a pinnacle expression of Winfield Vineyard’s potential. A flagship blend drawn from three exceptional blocks, this Cabernet offers profound depth and vibrant fruit. It’s a testament to the extraordinary quality and exceptional value that Napa Valley has to offer. 

The Grade

Cabernet Sauvignon
Winfield Vineyard
Calistoga 2018
Retails at: $120

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“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Winfield Vineyard is an absolutely gorgeous wine that conveys a striking interplay of richness, power and nuance. Silky and restrained for this site, the Winfield offers up a compelling melange of red fruit, iron, cedar, tobacco, rose petal and dried herbs, all in a mid-weight style that is incredibly appealing. The Winfield is a selection taken from Blocks 1, 4 and 5.”

94 Points

2016 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2016 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

The Vineyard House

Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2016

2016 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

Surrounded by the prestigious names of Harlan Estate, Promontory, and Futo Vineyards, The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon quietly carves out its place among Napa’s elite. The 2016 vintage captures everything I love about world-class Cabernet Sauvignon—layers of vibrant fruit, a remarkable balance of power and finesse, elegance, and expansive flavors, making a clear choice for my list of the top 5 wines of 2024.

Imbued with the artistry of the renowned Philippe Melka and his director of winemaking, Maayan Koschitzky, The Vineyard House’s lineage is a testament to their impeccable craft. Philippe’s mastery has graced esteemed estates like Château Petrus and Haut-Brion and renowned California vineyards such as Caldwell, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Dalla Valle, Bryant Family, Mastery, and dozens more, instilling confidence in every sip.

While its circle of surrounding wineries command prices ranging to $1700 per bottle, The Vineyard House exudes To-Kalon-esque pedigree at a fraction of the cost. For those seeking the essence of a $500+ Napa wine without the exorbitant price tag, The Vineyard House offers an irresistible solution.

The Vineyard House
Cabernet Sauvignon
Oakville 2016
Retails at: $275

Your Price: $199.99

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“The Vineyard House 2016 Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is penetrative and intense on the nose with aromas of bay leaves, sage, blueberry, black currant, game, and crushed rock. The palate has complex flavors of black tea, blackberry, black plum, cinnamon, and dried oregano. The fine-grained tannins and flavor intensity are in perfect harmony together and glide into a decadent, long finish.”

96 Points, #2 WCC’s Top 5 Wines of 2024