2020 Chester Kidder Red Blend Columbia Valley

2020 Chester Kidder Red Blend Columbia Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Columbia ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedUSAWashington State

Chester Kidder

Red Blend 2020
Columbia Valley

2020 Chester Kidder Red Blend Columbia Valley

Drawn from three of Washington’s most distinguished vineyard sites, Summit View, Candy Mountain, and Dionysus, the 2020 Chester-Kidder Columbia Valley Red speaks with a confidence rooted firmly in place. It is a wine shaped by contrast and harmony, where structure, richness, and finesse align in a composition that feels both deliberate and deeply satisfying.

Chester-Kidder is a masterful blend, balancing Cabernet Sauvignon’s authority with the generous depth of Syrah and the refined lift of Petit Verdot. Each variety plays a distinct role, contributing structure, texture, and aromatic complexity without ever competing for attention. The harmony achieved speaks to vineyard selection and an instinctive understanding of how these elements come together.

Extended élevage brings the wine fully into focus. Thirty months in French oak add nuance rather than dominance, weaving notes of cocoa, espresso, and warm spice into a concentrated dark-fruit core. The integration is seamless, the texture polished, and the finish long and resonant. It is a wine that unfolds with patience and composure, revealing its depth gradually with poise.

Chester Kidder
Red Blend 2020
Columbia Valley
Retails at: $70

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“Very perfumed with aromas ranging from lavender, graphite and sandalwood to purple plum, blueberry and black pepper. Firm and compact on the palate, with a full body and dense, chewy tannins. Toasty but not opulent. Needs a couple of years to soften. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 33% syrah and 10% petit verdot. Try from 2026.”

93 Points

2019 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2019 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

La Jota

Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain 2019

2019 La Jota Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

On Howell Mountain, beauty is earned. The soils are thin, the slopes unforgiving, and the climate cool; yet from this adversity comes the soul of the La Jota Cabernet. Each cluster ripened under intense sunlight and cooled by high-elevation breezes, developing a structure both formidable and refined. The result is a wine that speaks fluently of its origin: dark, resonant, and built for the long arc of aging.

La Jota’s roots run deep into this mountain as well. Founded in 1898 by Frederick Hess, the estate has weathered booms, busts, Prohibition, and rebirth, all while maintaining its foothold on Howell Mountain’s most expressive soils. Today, under Chris Carpenter’s guidance, the estate channels more than a century of resilience into each vintage. His approach honors the site’s original philosophy: let the mountain speak first, then shape its voice with precision and patience.

After several years of unhurried evolution in bottle, the 2019 now shows a harmony that only time can create. The fruit has deepened and integrated, while the tannins have relaxed without losing their mountain backbone, creating a wine that is open, expressive, and beautifully layered. It retains all the hallmarks of great Howell Mountain Cabernet, but with a charm and accessibility that make it stunningly enjoyable right now.

La Jota
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain 2019
Retails at: $185

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“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is another superb wine from La Jota. Rich and explosive, the 2019 possesses tremendous density and plenty of mountain power. A rush of black cherry, blackberry, licorice, spice and menthol builds into the huge finish. This is a fabulous vintage for the La Jota Cabernet.”

96 Points

2022 Flanagan the beauty of three Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2022 Flanagan the beauty of three Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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

Flanagan

the beauty of three
Pinot Noir 2022
Sonoma Coast

2022 Flanagan the beauty of three Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

The beauty of truly exceptional Pinot Noir is found not in what is added or altered, but in what is allowed to remain. With the beauty of three, Flanagan embraces that philosophy fully, crafting a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir that feels guided rather than imposed. Drawn from the Gap’s View and River Road Grape Farm vineyards, the wine reflects meticulous farming and a thoughtful, measured approach in the cellar, allowing purity of fruit, texture, and site to take precedence.

This approach carries seamlessly into the winemaking. Aging in once-used and neutral barrels ensures that oak never obscures the wine’s voice. Instead, the vineyards and the vintage’s character come through with vibrant composure.

At its core, the beauty of three is a quiet statement of Flanagan’s guiding philosophy: wines shaped by integrity, grounded in their vineyards, and respectful of the season that formed them. Every decision, from farming to élevage, serves the wine’s sense of harmony. The result is a Pinot Noir that feels authentic, expressive, and memorable without excess.

Flanagan
the beauty of three
Pinot Noir 2022
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $42

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“This rich and textured Pinot gives aromas of Bing cherry, cedar and shiitake on the nose, while the palate delivers a punch of raspberry, orange peel and cinnamon flavors with smooth tannin and juicy acidity. Pair this with roasted pork shoulder or ribs.”

91 points

2023 Ehlers Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley

2023 Ehlers Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Ehlers

Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate Napa Valley 2023

2023 Ehlers Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley

From the northwestern edge of St. Helena, where gravelly soils meet long afternoon light, Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon emerges with authority. This is a site where nuance is earned and restraint rewarded, and the wine carries that discipline in every detail. Farmed organically under the direction of Mike Wolf, each decision in the vineyard is shaped by patience and intention. The result is a wine firmly grounded in its place and unmistakably its own.

What defines this wine is not sheer weight, but precision. Built on Cabernet Sauvignon and supported by Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the blend favors clarity over excess. The palate moves with purpose, structured yet supple, with finely woven tannins and a line of freshness that brings lift and focus. Balance here feels natural and assured, the product of thoughtful farming and measured craft rather than force.

Though firmly structured, the 2023 already shows a harmony that invites exploration now. Fruit, tannin, and freshness align seamlessly, delivering immediate pleasure. With time, added nuance and depth will emerge, but even in its youth, this is a complete and compelling expression of St. Helena, one that lingers with poise and a strong sense of place.

Ehlers
Cabernet Sauvignon
Estate Napa Valley 2023
Retails at: $80

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“The Ehlers 2023 Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a plush richness and notes of black cherry, plum compote, wild berry bramble, warm spices, and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is supple yet finely structured, with a velvety texture and juicy fruit, before unveiling deeper nuances of cedar, mocha, and baking spices, along with savory undertones. The tannins are polished but firm, providing a strong backbone that carries the wine through a long, harmonious finish.”

96 Points

2023 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon One Liters Napa Valley

260116 2023 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon One Liters Napa Valley

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Caymus

Cabernet Sauvignon
One Liters 2023
Napa Valley

2023 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon One Liters Napa Valley

Few names in Napa Valley command the same immediate recognition as Caymus, and the 2023 Napa Cabernet reaffirms why. Shaped by more than five decades of family stewardship, this wine arrives with a confidence that only time can earn. It reflects a philosophy built on consistency, intuition, and a belief in Napa Valley’s capacity to produce Cabernet of unmistakable richness and presence.

That confidence is rooted in a lineage that began in 1971, when the Wagner family set out to craft Cabernet that captured the valley’s character with purpose. Generations of hands-on experience have refined that vision, sharpening decisions around vineyard selection, harvest timing, and balance. The 2023 vintage carries that accumulated wisdom, translating tradition into a wine that feels both instantly recognizable and freshly composed.

Harvested at peak maturity, the 2023 release delivers the signature richness that defines the Caymus style. Full-bodied and expressive, it unfolds with depth and assurance, honoring more than half a century of dedication while continuing to capture the bold, sunlit spirit of Napa Valley. This is not simply a vintage, but a continuation of a story that has secured its place among Napa’s most enduring classics.

Caymus
Cabernet Sauvignon
One Liters 2023
Napa Valley
Retails at: $110

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“This clear and dark ruby red colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Caymus opens with a shy black licorice and cherry-cola bouquet with hints of tobacco leaf, violet, and chocolate. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, round, smooth, and a little lush. The flavor profile is an extracted black cherry and cedar blend with notes of cola and licorice. We also detected hints of toffee, clove, and menthol. The finish displays friendly and fine-grained tannins that linger nicely. We would pair this Cab with a beef bourguignon or with a pan-seared duck breast. Enjoy”

93 Points

2023 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

260114 2023 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMontereyPinot NoirSanta Lucia HighlandsUSA

Luli

Pinot Noir 2023
Santa Lucia Highlands

2023 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

Luli’s 2023 Pinot Noir exceeds expectations, delivering remarkable pedigree at a price that feels almost improbable. It offers a level of clarity, balance, and authenticity that many costlier bottles struggle to match. This is not value born of compromise, but value earned through intention, precision, and an unwavering respect for place.

Set along the windswept slopes of the Santa Lucia Highlands, the wine draws its character from a cool, coastal climate shaped by fog-laced mornings, steady ocean breezes, and extended growing seasons. These conditions naturally favor freshness and structure, allowing the fruit to emerge with definition and lift. The result is a Pinot Noir that feels vibrant and composed, carrying depth with ease rather than weight.

That sense of composure is reinforced by a hands-on approach in both vineyard and cellar. Low yields, meticulous sorting, and native fermentations allow the fruit to speak clearly, while small-lot vinification preserves nuance and texture. By forgoing fining and filtration, the wine retains its natural energy, resulting in a Pinot Noir that is pure, expressive, and unmistakably authentic.

Luli
Pinot Noir 2023
Santa Lucia Highlands

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“Candied cherry and raspberry compote aromas are very fresh and accessible on the nose of this bottling, which also shows earthier hints of soil and bark. The palate is zippy with acidity that shines through the black cherry, star anise and turned loam flavors.”

94 Points

2021 Sixteen by Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2021 Sixteen by Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Sixteen by Twenty

Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Coast

2021 Sixteen by Twenty Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Sixteen by Twenty represents a modern vision of California Chardonnay, one rooted in balance rather than excess. Its name reflects a philosophy borrowed from fine art, where proportion and restraint define true beauty. This mindset carries through every stage of winemaking, resulting in a wine that feels polished, thoughtful, and effortlessly refined.

The 2021 vintage showcases the Sonoma Coast at its most expressive. Sourced from two cool, windswept vineyard sites, the blend combines Old Wente’s richness and aromatic complexity with the tension and precision of Clone 6. The result is a Chardonnay that feels both generous and controlled.

Eleven months in French oak lend subtle structure and texture, enhancing the wine without dominating it. The finish is persistent and balanced, carrying the wine’s natural energy through a long, graceful close that invites another sip.

Sixteen by Twenty
Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $60

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“The 16X20 2021 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay introduces coastal freshness with opulent California Fruit, featuring flavors of Meyer lemon, golden apples, nectarine, crushed stone, and a subtle thread of vanilla bean and butterscotch. On the palate, the wine has a vibrant edge balanced by rich flavors of ripe orchard fruit, a saline edge, lemon curd, and hazelnut. Playful and expressive, this wine exemplifies the refinement and energy of the Sonoma Coast.”

94 Points

2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour

2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

Beaulieu Vineyard

Cabernet Sauvignon
Georges de Latour
Private Reserve
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Georges de Latour

With consistency and restraint, Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve helped shape the very identity of Napa Valley and remains one of its most enduring benchmarks. First produced in 1936, it is a living record of the region’s evolution, proving that true greatness is not driven by trends, but earned through decades of disciplined craftsmanship and vision.

The 2021 vintage draws its strength from the western bench of Rutherford, sourced exclusively from BV Ranches No. 1 and No. 2, vineyards first planted by Georges de Latour in the early 1900s. These historic sites sit on well-draining alluvial fan soils that naturally limit vigor and concentrate flavor, producing Cabernet Sauvignon of depth, structure, and unmistakable Rutherford character.

The 2021 vintage affirmed its place among Napa’s elite when it was ranked #2 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2024 and earned multiple 98-point scores from leading critics. These accolades are not departures from history, but confirmations of it, reinforcing Georges de Latour as a wine that continues to set the standard for what great Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon can achieve.

Beaulieu Vineyard
Cabernet Sauvignon
Georges de Latour
Private Reserve
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $180

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“Lastly, the flagship 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Georges De Latour Private Reserve is in the same ballpark as the 2019 and is an incredibly elegant yet concentrated 2021 that does everything right. Purple-hued, with ample cassis, wild sage, graphite, and darker chocolate-like aromatics, it picks up a Graves-like gravelly earth character with air and is full-bodied, has ripe, polished tannins, beautiful overall balance, and a great finish. As with many of the top 2021s, it’s a touch reserved and closed and needs 4-5 years of bottle age, but will drink well for 30 years.”

98+ Points

2023 Admire by Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2023 Admire by Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaPinot NoirSonoma CoastUSA

Admire

by Dan Kosta
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Admire by Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

When Dan Kosta turns his attention to Pinot Noir, it’s never casual. The 2023 Admire distills decades of insight into a focused wine with purpose, where coastal freshness meets California generosity. This is not a departure from the past, but a measured evolution, shaped by experience and guided by a balanced, measured approach.

With Admire, the intent drives what matters most. Launched in 2019, Dan’s new family of brands represents a deliberate return to the essentials of Pinot Noir, favoring balance, site expression, and natural energy. It is a label built on deep respect for the grape, informed by a lifetime spent understanding how precision, patience, and place converge in the glass.

Sourced from cool, ocean-influenced vineyards, the 2023 vintage is vibrant and lifted, driven by natural acidity and a sense of immediacy that defines the Sonoma Coast. Nine months of maturation in French oak (30% new) adds subtle structure and polish, lending depth without obscuring purity. Expressive from the first pour yet capable of evolving gracefully over three to five years, this Pinot Noir delivers pleasure now while rewarding those willing to wait.

Admire
by Dan Kosta
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

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“The Admire Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 is a brilliant expression of the region’s character. Its nose is a fragrant bouquet of red cherries, baking spices, daisy petals, and tangerine zest, while the palate delivers a lively dance of bright red plums, tart cherries, and a touch of cola. The wine’s classic Sonoma Coast minerality and fresh acidity create a beautifully balanced profile that lingers on the finish. While it shares the same 94-point rating I gave its riper 2022 counterpart, this vintage offers a distinct charm with its brighter, fresher fruit and enduring concentration.”

94 Points

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Buoncristiani O.P.C.

Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

The 2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. does not attempt to define Napa Valley with a single stroke. Instead, it captures the region as a layered composition, where power, nuance, and polish coexist in careful proportion. Built around Cabernet and enriched by Malbec, Syrah, and Merlot, the wine presents Napa not as excess, but as harmony shaped by intention.

That sense of harmony reflects the Buoncristiani brothers’ deep-rooted relationship with Napa Valley. Growing up immersed in the region’s vineyards, they developed an intuitive understanding of how site, variety, and vintage intersect. The 2021 O.P.C. draws from that lived experience, translating familiarity with the land into a wine with scintillating confidence.

That perspective reveals itself in the wine’s effortless composure. The 2021 O.P.C. carries the Buoncristiani signature of concentration balanced by elegance, a style refined over more than twenty-five years of winemaking. Each vineyard component contributes structure and intensity, yet the wine never feels assembled. Instead, it flows as a complete and confident expression of place.

Buoncristiani O.P.C.
Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021
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