2019 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red Sonoma County

2019 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red Sonoma County

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

WESTWOOD

LEGEND PROPRIETARY RED
SONOMA COUNTY 2019

2019 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red Sonoma County
Sustainability is the heart and soul of Westwood’s philosophy, centered around sourcing fruit from vineyards farmed organically or biodynamically, becoming one of just a few Demeter-certified Biodynamic vineyards in North America. Famed winemakers Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky are the vintner team at the helm of Westwood wines, bringing forth their knowledge and experience gained at top wineries, including Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Screaming Eagle, and Dalla Valle.
 
Like the three previous releases, the 2019 Proprietary Red Wine Legend blends the biodynamically farmed Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard fruit with specially selected organic, sustainable fruit from Sonoma County and Napa Valley. This rich, sultry red wine is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon enhanced with Syrah and with small amounts of Counoise, Grenache, and Tannat that spent twenty months in French oak, giving a divine drinking pleasure for at least the next seven to eight years.
 
WESTWOOD
LEGEND PROPRIETARY RED
SONOMA COUNTY 2019
Retails at: $55
 
 
 
“With 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah, this 20-month French oak barrel-aged blend has a dep, opaque purple hue. Notes of spiced blackberry, licorice, and new leather. Creamy, with heather and soy sauce – it’s penetrating and concentrated – but generous in its juicy, floral nature. Dark chocolate lingers on the juicy finish.”
95 Points
2019 Rubia Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

2019 Rubia Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

RUBIA

CHARDONNAY 2019
RITCHIE VINEYARD

2019 Rubia Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
Margaret and Joe Valenzuela founded Rubia Wine Cellars as a tribute to their love and a deep desire to become a part of the winemaking world. They built strong friendships throughout Napa and Sonoma, allowing them access to renowned vineyards like Kent Ritchie’s Vineyard. Considered one of the top locations for Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley, Ritchie Vineyard fruit produces award-winning wines from Aubert, Ramey, DuMOL, and Paul Hobbs.
 
Furthering their dream, Margaret and Joe hired Julien Fayard as their winemaker. Julien worked for Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in France before moving to the US, then became the Director of Winemaking for Philippe Melka. Rubia’s 2019 vintage Chardonnay was fermented in new French oak and kept on the lees for 16 months with a monthly batonnage creating a round, creamy mouthfeel and a long, flavorful finish.
 
RUBIA
CHARDONNAY 2019
RITCHIE VINEYARD
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“The Rubia 2019 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay begins with notes of chamomile and honeysuckle with ripe peaches, apricots, marzipan, and vanilla custard. On the palate, the wine has a rich texture and creamy mouthfeel with flavors of honeydew, pear, baking spices, and toasted brioche. The roundness on the palate rolls into a smooth yet bright finish.”
93-94 Points
2021 Edict Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2021 Edict Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaSonoma CoastUSA

EDICT.

PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

2021 Edict Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
“Truth, generosity, and love” are the three words that guide Edict’s winemaking approach, led by ardor and attention to detail that begins in the vineyard and is transferred to the winery, ensuring premium quality in every bottle. Edict’s Vineyard Manager has over 30 years of grape-growing wisdom. He collaborates with some of Napa Valley’s and Sonoma County’s foremost growers, overseeing that only top-quality fruit is selected and vinified.
 
The meticulous selection of fruit with the purest varietal expressions gives their winemaker the ingredients to craft memorable wines. The 2021 Sonoma County Pinot Noir was sourced from vineyards in the Sonoma Coast AVA and the Russian River Valley AVA and matured in 50% new French oak, creating an intrinsic balance between Sonoma’s bright fruit character and Pinot Noir’s innate spice rack.
 
EDICT.
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021
Retails at: $54
 
 
 
“The Edict 2021 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has juicy fruit aromatics with ripe cherries, strawberries, and plums balanced by sweet baking spices, earthy undertones, and savory mushrooms. On the palate, the wine has flavors of cherry cola, ripe berries, cinnamon, and toast. The wine’s ultra-smooth texture and friendly approachability make this wine pretty easy to enjoy any night of the week.”
92 Points
2019 Justin Isosceles Red Blend Paso Robles

2019 Justin Isosceles Red Blend Paso Robles

with No Comment $50-$60Central CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedUSA

JUSTIN

ISOSCELES RED BLEND
PASO ROBLES 2019 

2019 Justin Isosceles Red Blend Paso Robles
Justin Winery’s founders planted their first vineyard in 1981, releasing the first commercial vintage in 1987, a richly layered, intense Bordeaux-styled blend predicated on the fossilized limestone soils in Paso Robles. These unique soils are also found in Bordeaux and are a part of the terroir of many of the world’s most distinct and memorable wines. 
 
For over 30 years, Isosceles has been the flagship wine of Justin and shows exactly why this little part of the world has massive potential for viticulture. The 2019 Isosceles comprises nearly 80% Cabernet Sauvignon married with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, aged in new French oak for 21 months, resulting in a full-bodied red wine with a seductively long finish. 
 
JUSTIN
ISOSCELES RED BLEND
PASO ROBLES 2019 
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“Deep ruby/purple core with black secondary color, lighter toward the rim with moderate plus viscosity and slow forming, moderately stained tears. Very aromatic and complex with ripe black cherry and cassis fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice spice with sweet tobacco, cedar, leather and camphor notes.  Full-bodied with ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit complemented with baking spice and oak notes on entry. Sustained fruit and spice are joined by savory autumn leaf, cedar and leather on the mid-palate with mouth filling, fine tannins that lead into a long, complex and balanced finish with attractive fruit, spice, cedar and subtle camphor notes.”
2022 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

2022 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

ALMA de CATTLEYA

SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2022 

2022 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County
Bibiana González Rave puts her heart and soul into each wine she vinifies and branded her company accordingly, as ‘alma’ translates to ‘soul’ in Spanish. Bibiana grew up in Colombia, where the national flower is the Cattleya (Orchid,) and now produces wines with highly transparent varietal purity from Sonoma County and Napa Valley.
 
She has an impressive repertoire of experience making wine in Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley, and South Africa. When she came to California, industry leaders immediately recognized her talents, hiring her to create fabulous wines at Peay, Lynmar, and Pahlmeyer. The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc came from five different hillside vineyards in Sonoma County, resulting in a dynamic drinking experience. The wine was aged six months on its lees in neutral barrels before bottling, giving an added complexity that’s seriously enjoyable.
 
ALMA de CATTLEYA
SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2022 
 
 
 
“The Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2022 opens with a dynamic range of aromas, including white peach, passionfruit, Key lime, English rose petals and ripe guava. The wine has fresh, bright citrus on the palate with exotic tropicals, pomelo juice, and chamomile tea. The long, crisp finish cuts a swath across your palate, leaving your mouth watering and wanting more.”
93 Points
2021 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley

2021 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley

with No Comment $50-$60ChardonnayCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

FAR NIENTE

CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY

2021 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley
John Benson founded Far Niente in 1885, and the winery was a notable stronghold in Napa Valley until Prohibition closed the gates in 1919. Sixty years later, Gil Nickel purchased and restored the property with a vision to create a quintessential Napa Valley Chardonnay of sophistication, balance, and stature. He released the first vintage of Far Niente in the modern era, an estate-bottled 1979 Napa Valley Chardonnay that has been a namesake of the winery for over four decades.
 
The fruit for the Estate Chardonnay is grown in Coombsville, which has a similar climate to Carneros, but with less wind and well-drained gravelly loam and volcanic soils that give the wine its signature stone and tropical fruit flavors with a distinct minerality. Malolactic fermentation is avoided in the winemaking process to preserve the malic acid for a fresher sensation on the palate, increased longevity in the bottle, and a celebrated style long associated with the winery.
 
FAR NIENTE
CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $73
 
 
 
“The Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay 2021 opens with concentrated notes of green apple, ripe pear, exotic tropical fruits, and spring florals. The palate follows suit, bringing vibrant acidity, levity, and intense, ripe flavors. This wine blends the perfect balance of power and elegance in a way that brings you back for sip after sip. It’s an outstanding Chardonnay, thrilling to drink now and over the next decade.”
95 Points
2019 Bruliam Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Roberts Road Sonoma County

2019 Bruliam Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Roberts Road Sonoma County

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPetaluma GapPinot NoirSonomaUSA

BRULIAM

PINOT NOIR 2019
SANGIACOMO ROBERTS ROAD
PETALUMA GAP, SONOMA COUNTY

2019 Bruliam Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Roberts Road Sonoma County
After completing medical school, Kerith Overstreet decided winemaking sounded more exciting and enrolled to study enology at UC Davis leading to her first harvest in 2008. Launching Bruliam with a single barrel, Kerith now produces around 1000 cases annually of primarily single-vineyard Pinot Noir from cherished grower relationships in Sonoma County, Santa Lucia Highlands, and her own Torrey Hill vineyard in the Russian River Valley.
 
The Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard was planted in 1998 and is the first area to receive fog in the Petaluma Gap and the last to burn it off, extending the growing season. This cool microclimate ripens about two weeks later than Gap’s Crown, giving fully ripe fruit without raising sugar levels and preserving crisp acidity, which the 2019 vintage represents beautifully with dynamic precision and elegantly nuanced flavors.
 
BRULIAM
PINOT NOIR 2019
SANGIACOMO ROBERTS ROAD
PETALUMA GAP, SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“This wine wowed me from the first sip, starting with an elegant nose including bright red fruits, holiday baking spices, light florals, and minerals. The vibrant palate starts with tart cranberries, pomegranate, red cherries, and spice box character combined with an intriguing saline quality. This medium-bodied Pinot Noir has beautifully concentrated, crunchy red fruit combined with elegance, grace, and length that is ultimately satisfying. Bravo!”
94 Points
2018 Mastery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Mastery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

MASTERY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2018

2018 Mastery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Mastery’s 2018 release offers a deep, powerful reflection of Napa Valley’s highest-rated vintage in more than twenty years; a vintage revered for producing “wines that are rich and dark, but detailed, restrained in style and very terroir-driven,” as written by the Wine Spectator. Winemaker Rudy Zuidema’s cumulative knowledge over the past 30 years is commanding in this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon which beautifully articulates the terroir of Rapp Ranch and Shadybrook Estate Vineyards in Coombsville. 
 
Forged from vines grown in Coombsville’s volcanic soils, this powerful, focused, penetrating Cabernet celebrates its origin in memorable detail. Three barrels made up the entire production in the 2018 vintage, each chosen for varietal focus, concentrated flavors, and a masterful combination of strength and elegance. You’ll find these qualities in many of the world’s most outstanding wines. At $95, Cabernet Sauvignon doesn’t get any better!
 
MASTERY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2018
 
 
 
“Mastery 2018 is a sumptuous wine with aromas of violet, blueberry, cassis, balsamic glaze, English toffee, cigar box, and petrichor. On the palate, the wine is rich and powerful, with flavors of blackberry pie, dark chocolate, and gingerbread. The 2018 vintage is elegantly layered with an intense structure that will slowly unravel to reveal its intricacies for those who lay this beauty down in the cellar.” 
96-97 Points
2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

JANZEN

BECKSTOFFER TO-KALON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019

2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon
The renowned Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, initially planted by Hamilton Crabb in 1868, is widely regarded as a Napa Valley First Growth. With a rich heritage of producing exceptional wines that consistently receive high scores, its fruit draws some of Napa Valley’s most distinguished winemakers. Kirk Venge, one of Napa’s most in-demand winemakers, whom you might recognize from Eleven Eleven, Macauley, B Cellars, and Venge wines, crafted this remarkable expression. 
 
The detail-oriented viticultural team keeps the vineyard in optimum health, ensuring the vines grow deep into the well-drained soils in search of nutrients that aid in the fruit’s distinguished flavors and robust structure. Janzen’s 2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon unabashedly displays the signature characteristics that have made the legendary piece of land incredibly valuable.
 
JANZEN
BECKSTOFFER TO-KALON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019
 
 
 
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes from one of the greatest sites in the valley and is all varietal. Its ruby/purple color is followed by a perfumed, expressive bouquet of red and black currants, flowery incense, leather, chocolate, and baking spices. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate and nicely balanced, with velvety tannins, a round, supple mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s drinking nicely already, but I see no need to delay gratification either. Nevertheless, it should have 15 years of prime drinking.”
95 Points
2021 Sonoma Bench Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2021 Sonoma Bench Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

SONOMA BENCH

PINOT NOIR 2021
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2021 Sonoma Bench Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
The Green Valley AVA, nestled within the larger Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, is renowned for producing exceptional Pinot Noir. It benefits from the unique climate that brings in fog during the evenings and dissipates slowly, making it one of the last areas in the region to see sunlight. The cool temperatures and extended hangtime provide ideal conditions for the fruit to mature slowly and develop nuanced flavors with a refined complexity.
 
With twenty years of winemaking experience in Sonoma, David Sayre has established enduring partnerships with talented growers from the county’s finest vineyards. The grapes for Sonoma Bench’s 2021 Russian River Pinot Noir underwent meticulous hand-sorting and destemming before fermentation. The wine aged for nine months in 30% new French oak barrels, resulting in a flawlessly balanced Pinot Noir that’s an absolute delight.
 
SONOMA BENCH
PINOT NOIR 2021
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
 
 
 
“Beautifully reflecting the true essence of the Pinot Noir grape, the Sonoma Bench Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2021 begins with an elegant nose of red cherries, light florals, fresh sage, and subtle baking spices. The palate continues with bright cherry cola, dried mushrooms, and sassafras combined with a saline minerality. This lighter-styled offering has a beautiful, balanced, complex finish that will make any Pinot Noir purist smile.”
94 Points