2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Merus

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

With striking intensity and a captivating balance between muscle and finesse, the 2021 Merus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is unapologetically bold and commands attention. Once a cult garage label founded by Mark Herold, Merus rose swiftly in the late 1990s, earning a reputation for producing Cabernets with both swagger and substance. Now under the stewardship of Bill Foley, Merus reclaims its place among Napa’s elite with stunning authority.

At the helm of the 2021 vintage is Eric Baugher, a scientist turned artisan who, during his 27-year tenure at Ridge Vineyards, crafted two 100-point Monte Bello vintages. Known for his precision, restraint, and deep respect for structure, Baugher brings an exacting lens to Merus, elevating the brand with a style that marries power with poise.

Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine is both muscular and magnetic. Aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, it’s a wine of immense presence, but also one of clarity and control, bringing a commanding expression of modern Napa Valley.

Merus
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $225

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“Beautiful plum and blue fruits, sappy herbs, violets, and sandalwood notes all emerge from Merus’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, a deep purple-hued, ripe, sexy 2021. Despite all its upfront baby fat, it has a rock-solid underlying structure and is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and should be long-lived.”

97 Points

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Ernest

Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

The 2023 Ernest Sonoma Coast Chardonnay pulses with coastal energy: brilliantly chiseled, refreshingly pure, and seamlessly composed, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the region’s most esteemed bottlings. Garnering a sensational 95-point rating, this Chardonnay effortlessly captures the elegance, minerality, and nuanced restraint synonymous with the region’s most coveted wines.

Ernest Vineyards, founded in 2012 by Erin Brooks, draws inspiration from Sonoma County’s rugged hillsides and rolling fog, giving a perfect setting for exceptional Chardonnay. With the arrival of winemaker Joseph Ryan in 2018, Ernest adopted a meticulous, minimal-intervention approach, celebrating the land’s unique voice and allowing its purest expression to illuminate every bottle.

Artfully crafted from the prized Old Wente clone, this Chardonnay boasts an alluring silkiness interwoven with crisp citrus notes. The 2023 vintage, fermented naturally with native yeasts and aged for ten months on lees in 25% new French oak, strikes a harmonious balance: beautifully textured yet vibrantly fresh. It is a wine that speaks eloquently of place, seamlessly blending depth, finesse, and unforgettable charm.

Ernest
Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $38

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“A super lean, racy, mineral-driven wine, so fresh and linear and full of energy. Crisp green apples and lemon pith. Light-bodied and refreshing. At just 12% alcohol it’s easy to sip and enjoy multiple glasses. Fermented in oak barrels with native yeast and native malolactic for a slightly smoother texture. Drink now.”

95 Points

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

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

Gamba

MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Born from one of California’s oldest dry-farmed vineyards, the 2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel delivers a striking tribute to a century of continuous heritage. Rooted in a delicate balance of soil and climate, Gamba’s Estate Vineyard stands as a benchmark for sustainable viticulture, producing intensely concentrated Zinfandel from impossibly small yields.

With the 2023 MCM Zinfandel, Gamba masterfully celebrates a vineyard that has become a cherished symbol of Russian River Valley viticulture. Known for producing grapes brimming with lively, succulent fruit, this historic site imparts layers of complexity accentuated through indigenous yeast fermentation.

Aged gracefully in American and French oak, the 2023 vintage exemplifies Gamba’s signature style: richly textured yet impeccably balanced. Carefully crafted, it reveals astonishing depth, intricate detail, and a lingering finish that echoes its remarkable lineage, offering an homage to one of Sonoma’s oldest vineyards.

Gamba
MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023
Retails at: $69

Your Price: $49.99

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“The Gamba 2023 MCM Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel opens with vibrant notes of juicy cherries, cranberries, and wild blackberries with underlying notes of Christmas spices and toast. On the palate, the wine has a silky smooth approach with flavors of bramble fruit, dark cherry, and boysenberry compote, complemented with savory undertones of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The wine has supple tannins and finishes with a finely textured, velvety mouthfeel.”

94 Points

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Lorenzi Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

At once bold and impeccably refined, the 2021 Lorenzi Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon channels the raw intensity of Howell Mountain into something transcendent. Crafted from meticulously selected fruit by Julien Fayard and shaped with quiet precision by Don Lorenzi, this wine is a singular expression of place, pedigree, and purpose.

Aging for thirty-two months in new French oak has sculpted the wine into something both majestic and deeply harmonious. Plush yet restrained, it glides across the palate with a velvet intensity. The confident yet composed tannins promise a graceful arc of evolution, while its inner tension suggests decades of potential.

It is built on a foundation of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, subtly elevated by Merlot’s plushness, Petit Verdot’s depth, and Malbec’s intrigue. The result is a wine of striking clarity and dimension. With only 250 cases produced, its scarcity is as real as its brilliance. 

Lorenzi Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley
Retails at: $125

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“With the addition of some Merlot and Petit Verdot, this is a 28-month, 100% French-oaked aged Cabernet Sauvignon with chewy, but approachable suede tannins. Dusted with cocoa and blueberry. The wine comes on like a heavyweight, but broadens across the palate, reining in its powerful message. A sprinkle of white pepper, graphite, licorice, and soy sauce drench the palate on the finish.”

95 Points

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Red

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Buoncristiani

O.P.C. 2021
Napa Valley Red

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Napa Valley Red

Each vintage of Buoncristiani O.P.C. reveals a new chapter in the captivating story of Napa Valley’s celebrated terroir. With an artful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, and a whisper of Merlot, this wine seamlessly weaves power and finesse into every sip. Born and raised in Napa, the Buoncristiani brothers connect deeply to their region, channeling intimate vineyard knowledge into each wine they produce.

Under the guidance of winemaker Jay Buoncristiani, each vineyard’s distinct voice is showcased brilliantly. His expert hand ensures that every element, from vibrant fruit to finely integrated tannins, aligns harmoniously, creating depth and perfect equilibrium. 

Buoncristiani has honed a signature style for more than twenty-five years, masterfully blending concentration and elegance to craft wines of profound texture and captivating allure. The 2021 O.P.C., sourced from some of Napa’s most revered vineyards, stands proudly among its predecessors, a stunning 95-point testament to bold, richly textured winemaking. 

Buoncristiani
O.P.C. 2021
Napa Valley Red
Retails at: $75

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“The 2021 Red Wine O.P.C., Buoncristiani’s blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Merlot, is superb. Another rich wine in this range, the 2021 hits the palate with dense dark fruit, chocolate, graphite, leather, spice, plum and lavender. This rich, inky wine will delight Buoncristiani fans.”

95 Points

2022 Faint-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

2022 Faint-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper, Oakville

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

Fait-Main

Cabernet Sauvignon
Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper
Oakville 2022

2022 Faint-Main Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper

From the gifted hands of Benoit Touquette, a protégé of legends Michel Rolland and Andy Erickson, comes a wine that doesn’t merely reflect Oakville—it redefines it. At Fait-Main, Touquette applies the same precision that led to 28 perfect 100-point wines at Realm Cellars. The 2022 Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon embodies everything he’s learned, resulting in a wine of riveting definition.

Located on Oakville’s Western Benchland, neighboring To Kalon, Beckstoffer’s Missouri Hopper site is shaped by the marine breezes of San Pablo Bay, offering a rare combination of richness and restraint. The silty-clay loam soils challenge the vines, driving them deep and yielding fruit with density, polish, and an unmistakable sense of place.

The 2022 vintage exemplifies this balance, being plush and concentrated yet lifted by sculpted tannins and effortless structure. Jeb Dunnuck describes it as “ready to go,” yet its poise and depth suggest it will evolve beautifully over the next decade or more. This is Oakville through the lens of a master, a Cabernet Sauvignon that captures its remarkable origins.

Fait-Main
Cabernet Sauvignon
Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper
Oakville 2022

Your Price: $175

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“Crème de cassis, smoked tobacco, chocolate, incense, and flowery incense are just some of the aromatics in the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard, a concentrated 2022 that has terrific purity, ripe, polished tannins, a lively spice of acidity, and a great finish. This valley floor site can be hit or miss (it’s a large vineyard), but when it’s on, it can rival the best. As with most 2022s, this is upfront, ripe, front-end-loaded, and ready to go. Enjoy bottles over the coming decade or so.”

95 Points

2021 Grail Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch West Sonoma Coast

2021 Grail Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch West Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $90-$100Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Grail

Pinot Noir 2021
Campbell Ranch
West Sonoma Coast

2021 Grail Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch West Sonoma Coast

Grail 2021 ‘Campbell Ranch’ Pinot Noir is Dan Kosta’s defining achievement, embodying decades of dedication to mastering Pinot Noir. Reverently described as his “Grand Cru,” this wine reflects the precision, depth, and artistry that first brought Kosta Browne international acclaim. With this exceptional release, Dan reignites his innovative spirit, showcasing the vast potential of New World Pinot Noir.

Dan Kosta, a visionary co-founder of the legendary Kosta Browne Winery, transformed American Pinot Noir. Entrusting the gifted Shane Finley, who honed his craft under Dan’s mentorship, this collaboration marks a thrilling new expression of excellence in winemaking, rooted in meticulous craftsmanship and creative synergy.

Crafted from Sonoma Coast’s celebrated Campbell Ranch vineyard, this inaugural vintage is a blend of the elegant 777 and refined 115 Pinot Noir clones. After 15 months in French oak, the wine offers an enchanting, silky texture with savory spices harmonizing beautifully with pristine, ripe fruit. The Grail 2021 promises an unforgettable adventure of contemplation and indulgent pleasure.

Grail
Pinot Noir 2021
Campbell Ranch
West Sonoma Coast

Your Price: $95

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“Dan Kosta’s Convene wines are aged in 30% new oak, while his elevated DK label is closer to 50% for 15 months and encompasses specific blocks or barrel selections from single vineyards. Campbell Ranch vineyard in the Russian River Valley is the winery’s largest holding, with clones 777 and 115. There’s more power and intensity to these single vineyard wines. A wonderful minty freshness mingles with crushed river stones, white pepper, and intriguing umami notes. Medium to full-bodied with very present, substantial tannins that have beam-like qualities, a bit sappy and balanced by mocha notes. The entire wine has a broad feeling on the palate and builds with spicy richness. It’s layered with dense black cherry, pomegranate, spiced plums, and blood orange fruits, which have real staying power. The long finish is marked by warming brown sugar spices, toffee, and espresso beans. Plenty of heft balanced by great tension. 503 cases made.”

97 Points

2022 Jett Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

2022 Jett Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtUSAWashington State

Jett

Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley 2022

2022 Jett Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

Few wines arrive with the profound poise of the 2022 Jett Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon—a masterpiece born from visionary artistry and remarkable terroir. Guiding its creation are two prodigious talents: Chris Carpenter, Napa Valley’s revered craftsman behind Lokoya and Cardinale, and Gianna Ghilarducci, a rising talent whose skills were honed at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and through collaboration with Carpenter at Mt. Brave and Lokoya.

The Jett Cabernet Sauvignon is an evocative portrait of Skysill Vineyard, nestled within the elevated folds of Walla Walla’s Upper Mill Creek district, not far from Leonetti. Perched between 1,200 and 1,600 feet, the vines thrive amidst cool mountain breezes and Aeolian soils, rich with ancient volcanic and sedimentary deposits.

After twenty months in French oak, the wine emerges with captivating finesse and structured depth. Pouring forth in an alluring cascade, it weaves together deep, rich intensity with intricate notes of graphite, crushed herbs, and aromatic spices. It leaves a lasting memory on the palate and a quiet conviction that something truly special is unfolding in the Walla Walla Valley.

Jett
Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley 2022

Your Price: $79.99

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“The Jett 2022 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon brings together complex, powerful, yet elegant aromas of violets, blackberries, cassis, forest floor, dried herbs, dark chocolate, and a pencil-lead-like minerality. On the palate, the wine has fine-grained, chalky tannins with bright acidity, enhancing flavors of baking spices alongside black and blue fruits, balanced by subtle savory notes. This wine is penetrating and concentrated at the moment and will age gracefully with time.”

97 Points

2021 Trujillo Petit Verdot Napa Valley

2021 Trujillo Petit Verdot Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaPetit VerdotUSA

Trujillo

Petit Verdot
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Trujillo Petit Verdot Napa Valley

In a region dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, Michael Trujillo’s 2021 Napa Valley Petit Verdot stands apart with quiet force and unforgettable depth. The wine is rich and commanding, with intense flavors of blackberry, plum, and black currant, all wrapped in a polished, velvety texture. An iron fist in a velvet glove, it offers powerful structure, yet also lift and clarity, making it truly enjoyable.

Such a wine is no mere coincidence. Michael Trujillo brings over three decades of experience, shaped by his years at Sequoia Grove, Herb Lamb, and Karl Lawrence. His unwavering focus and independence from fleeting trends set him apart. He knows what renders a wine memorable, and his 2021 Petit Verdot reflects that dedication.

With just 58 cases produced, this is a wine to seek, savor, and remember. Trujillo’s 2021 Petit Verdot offers a rare glimpse into a varietal often subtly incorporated into blends, now given the space to shine with brilliance and purpose. Crafted by a winemaker whose expertise resonates in every detail, this wine delivers boldness without excess, structure without edge, and beauty without compromise.

Trujillo
Petit Verdot
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $60

Your Price: $49.99

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“TheTrujillo Napa Valley Petit Verdot 2021 captivates with its deep, inky core, promising an intense experience. The nose reveals a lush array of dark fruit preserves—blueberry and black plum dominate, complemented by wild, briary boysenberry syrup. Sweet purple florals and subtle pie spices complexity. The palate surges with bright yet plush red, blue, and black fruits. Flavors fill the mouth, supported by silky, supple tannins that create a polished, velvety structure. Bold yet balanced, this vibrant wine showcases the varietal’s potential and promises further evolution.”

93 Points

2021 Azur Proprietary Blend Napa Valley

2021 Azur Proprietary Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Azur

Proprietary Blend
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Azur Proprietary Blend Napa Valley

Azur’s 2021 Napa Valley Red defies expectations, delivering an elegance and depth of sophistication rarely encountered at this price. Each sip feels a bit like discovering a carefully kept secret. Its effortless grace, remarkable richness, and mesmerizing complexity beg the question: How can something so extraordinary remain within reach?

At the heart of Azur’s charm is the visionary craftsmanship of Elan Fayard, whose Provençal heritage leaves an indelible imprint on every bottle. With masterful precision, Fayard seamlessly marries the timeless finesse of French winemaking traditions to the vibrant spirit and sunlit energy of Napa Valley. Her artistry produces wines that speak with authenticity, nuance, and a distinctly memorable voice.

Sourced from select vineyards across Napa Valley, this proprietary blend of nearly 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with a dash of Malbec captures the essence of the region’s exceptional landscape. The 2021 vintage unfolds gracefully, revealing a plush, velvety texture supported by rich fruit and refined structure. Azur’s Red is an invitation to savor Napa at its most compelling, delivering an experience that resonates long after the final sip.

Azur
Proprietary Blend
Napa Valley 2021

Retails at: $125

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“The Azur 2021 Proprietary Red Blend is polished and approachable with aromas of violets, juicy blackberries, blueberries, plums, and black cherries. On the palate, the wine offers flavors of sweet baking spices, fudge brownies, and mixed berry pie, with hints of savory notes. The wine has ripe and fine-grained tannins, offering a structure that is nicely balanced by the depth of fruit, which lends harmony and approachability.”

94 Points