0217 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

2017 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

with No Comment $30-$40Dry Creek ValleyKevin VogtSonomaUncategorizedUSAZinfandel

QUIVIRA 0217 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

2017 ZINFANDEL
PILLSBURY VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY

 
As much as I love a great California style Zinfandel that’s classically deep, jammy, and intensely flavored, there’s something refreshing about finding a pure expression of the varietal, with brilliant detail and stunning balance.  When I came across Quivira’s 2017 Pillsbury Zinfandel it reminded me just how much I love the Zinfandel grape.  Imagine a basket filled with fresh blueberries, wild plums, boysenberries, black cherries and mulberries and being able to taste each one simultaneously and with absolute clarity?  That’s exactly what you’ll find in a glass of this Zin… At $48 it’s an experience worth taking, but at $39.99, it’s a rush that you’ll want to experience over and over again…
 
Carved from the dry-farmed Pillsbury Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley where winter rains are the sole source of irrigation.  You can see the crushed oyster shells scattered abundantly throughout the vineyard which are used to supplement the soils and strengthen the vines.  The wine was carefully guided from grape to bottle by Hugh Chappelle, former winemaker at Flowers, Lynmar and Charles Heintz to name a few…  We taste quite a few new Zinfandels every week and this is simply the best Zin that I’ve tasted this year.  Trust me… You’ll be glad you did.
 
QUIVIRA
2017 ZINFANDEL
PILLSBURY VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Jeb Dunnuck: “… the 2017 Zinfandel Pillsbury Vineyard (100% Zinfandel) has a classic bouquet of plums, mulled currants, cedary spice, and incense. Elegant, medium to full-bodied, rounded, and fleshy on the palate, with good purity, it’s another beautiful Zinfandel from this estate.” 93 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Zinfandel, may also enjoy these two terrific Zins…
2016 Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel 2013 Valedez St Peter's Church Zinfandel
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “… a bold, well structured wine with an aromatic nose of ripe berries, brown spice, and black licorice. The color is a beautiful and vibrant dark crimson. The wine is deftly balanced, with flavors that burst on the palate, offering well defined dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry that give way to dark chocolate, spicy pepper and a hint of nutty oak. The frame is firm yet round without harsh edges, with an appealing, weighty, yet buoyant mid palate, and a refreshing lift on the lengthy, enjoyable, toasty finish.“
VALDEZ
2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “This impeccably balanced zinfandel flaunts energizing flavors and aromas of ripe black cherries, concentrated pomegranate, and crushed blackberries with hints of white rose petals, cocoa powder and pipe tobacco. The perfect balance shines through with an amazing brightness that elegantly supports the richly focused flavors.  Simply stunning!”  94 Points
2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON 2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

ESTATE CABERNET 
2013 RUTHERFORD 

 
Napa Valley’s Iconic Rutherford appellation is one of THE most revered regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s celebrated for producing wines with palpable character.  Paragons Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  I recently checked the average retail price of the more than fifty 2013 vintage Rutherford Cabernets listed in the Wine Spectator and they averaged well over $130/btl…  This is a real barometer to the quality of this appellation, and if you’ve followed my emails for a while, you know that one of my favorite Rutherford producers is Foley Johnson.  Their name is synonymous with epic value, and even at the winery retail price of $75 it’s a terrific find.  At our price, it’s a complete steal…
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s brimming with concentrated black fruits, crushed violets, graphite, freshly ground coffee and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.  After nearly 4 years blossoming inside the bottle, words can hardly describe how great this wine is drinking right now.  
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
ESTATE CABERNET
2013 RUTHERFORD
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 

Winery Notes: “The nose of our 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is fruit forward with very deep and concentrated notes of blackberry, black currant and hints of toasted characters. The body follows the aroma and is fruit forward with nice tannin balance throughout the palate. The fruit on the palate shines and provides flavors from blackberry to slight hints of light raspberry and as it opens up there is a light hint of sweetness and licorice. Although the tannins are still quite prevalent, they are not overwhelming and are approachable now, but will age nicely over next 5-10 years.”

2016 Crane Assembly Disciples Proprietary Red

2016 The Crane Assembly ‘Disciples’ Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordSt HelenaUSA

THE CRANE ASSEMBLY 2016 Crane Assembly Disciples Proprietary Red

2016 DISCIPLES
PROPRIETARY RED

  
Forged from ancient vines dating back to the 1880’s, and including the iconic Morisoli and Milat vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena, Crane Assembly Disciples was named for these vineyards which can be considered “disciples” of the ancient vines of G.B. Crane, which the winery owns.  The G.B. Crane vineyard was originally planted around 1885, making it one of the oldest vineyards in the Napa Valley… The 2016 release is incredibly appealing and comes layered with wild raspberries, black cherries, clove and incense.  The wine was masterfully blended by winemaker Kevin Fox and consulting winemaker Dave Phinney, and with a 93 Point score from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, I wouldn’t wait too long to assemble your case.  
 
Absolutely thrilling to swirl and taste, this wine has every quality that I look for in an ancient vine Zinfandel Blend.  The final blend includes bits of Charbono, Grenache and Petite Sirah which enhance color, depth and structure.  The 2016 is bursting with pristinely focused, seductive fruit and is incredibly hedonistic on the palate as flavors continue to expand throughout the extremely long finish. 
 
THE CRANE ASSEMBLY
2016 DISCIPLES
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $44.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “A blend of 76% Zinfandel, 13% Charbono, 6% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah, the 2016 Disciples is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with gorgeous notions of hoisin, Black Forest cake, prunes and potpourri with hints of black pepper, unsmoked cigars and cloves. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and oh-so-spicy, it fills the palate with decadent fruit and a plush texture, finishing with a lively lift.” 93 Points
 
2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red
 2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Alluring aromas of ripe blackberries, red plums, sweet floral notes and a touch of vanilla spice seduce your nose. A compact core of perfectly balanced cherry preserves, muddled blueberries, wild blackberries and a touch of black pepper unfurl and expand across your palate.  Opulent without being inky, the supple fruit tannins combine with a very long finish to simply make you smile. Drink right now, or you can hold until 2025.“
THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

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Electric, jubilant, infectiously charming, the new 2017  Prisoner
 unshackles a posse of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and become even more complex with aeration. Having jail-break level intensity, the 2017 permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral.  
2017 Gortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Fortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

FORTUNE 1621 2017 Gortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY

 
Sailing into their 2017 vintage with even more energy and forward momentum, Fortune 1621 is a brand that’s become synonymous with value Cabernet Sauvignon in our shop.  With the Bump family at the helm, and a crew that includes winemaker Brian Mox, who spent several vintages at Lewis Cellars, Fortune 1621 is clearly a voyage worth taking. The 2017 evokes the kind of joy you would get sailing across a glassy, calm ocean, as flavors glide seamlessly across your palate, leaving a soft wake of crushed black fruits, dried lavender, mocha with hints of blueberries.  At under $30, don’t miss the boat on this one…
 
Journeying for more from 18 months in French and American oak barrels, the 2017 set sail from carefully chosen vineyards throughout Napa Valley, each selected for their own unique characteristics which contribute to the final blend.  The 2017 is marked by it’s superior concentration, royal elegance, fine details and dusty tannins that are rarely found at this price…
 
FORTUNE 1621
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Fresh nose of toasty oak, red currant, vanilla and touches of mocha. The palate is full bodied with pure notes of cherry, red berry intermingled with blackberry and hints of tobacco.“
 
Customers who enjoy Fortune 1621 Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Napa Cabs…
2016 Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
SILVER GHOST
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $35/btl

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Winery Notes: “Silver Ghost is a rich, full-bodied  Cabernet  Sauvignon crafted from some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley. The wine is deep in color with aromas of black cherry, blueberry and cassis leaping from the glass. On the palate Silver   Ghost reveals layers of red and black fruit intermingled with mocha, toast and savory spice. A sumptuous texture rounds out the long finish.”
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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With origins in Yountville, Coombsville and Oakville, the 2016 was housed in oak barrels for 22 months.  In the glass the 2016 is incredibly hedonistic, with layers of rich and supple dark berries that are intermixed with black coffee, bay leaf, pipe tobacco and dark chocolate.  The finish is long and expansive and makes it impossible to resist diving in for another sip… another glass and another.
0216 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2016 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

COSA OBRA 0216 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

 
It’s very telling to us when any particular wine is still requested and praised months or even years post offering…  When this happens, some might call it storied or legendary, but when a value Pinot Noir under thirty bucks makes this list, it simply speaks to the above average quality of the wine.  For those of you who tasted, loved and are still talking about the earlier vintages of Cosa Obra Pinot, all I can say is, wait until you taste the 2016… Vaulting from from the glass with a vibrant medley of dark cherries, exotic spices, lavender and subtle vanilla, this is not only a terrific value, but a wine I think people will talk about long after it’s gone.
 
Arising from the Sangiacomo Vineyard, a vineyard that’s produced it’s fair share of memorable and highly-rated wines, the 2016 spends just 9 months in French oak, preserving the wines vibrant and lively flavors, yet adding a lightly toasty finish.  Long, lovely and persistent on the palate this is simply a wine that when you taste it, you feel like you got a great deal, and that leaves a good taste in your mouth… Pun intended.
 
COSA OBRA
2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Garnet color in the glass. The nose opens slowly over time revealing aromas of dark cherry, spice, and tobacco. A full mid palate with flavors of black cherry, blueberry-pomegranate and cherry cola, embellished with toasty oak in the background. Wellrounded, integrated tannins and texturally appealing with a soft and sleek mouthfeel.“
 
Customers that enjoy Cosa Obra Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2015 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
ALMA de CATTLEYA
2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Pale ruby purple in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir opens with Bing cherries, tart cranberry, blackberry, violet and tobacco leaf aromas with tangerine peel nuance. Light to medium-bodied, it’s fresh and soft in the mouth with crunchy red fruits and citrus accents, framed by soft, grainy tannins and juicy freshness to lift the finish...” 90 Points
JOSEPH JEWELL
2015 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $40/btl
 
 
From PinotFile: “Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Terrific nose offering aromas of vivid cherry, raspberry, spice and subtle toast. Thoroughly satisfying in a mid weight style featuring flavors of black cherry, blackberry and spice with a deft touch of oak in the background. Notable mid palate and finishing intensity, with gracious tannins. A charming AVA wine.” 92 Points
2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordUSA

CORNERSTONE 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BENCHLANDS

 
When it comes to the highest quality, most powerful Cabernet Sauvignons in our shop that sell for less than $75, there’s one brand that’s been a Cornerstone (figuratively and literally) in that category for years… It’s a wine that has every component necessary to be truly outstanding, and it begins with winemaker Kari Auringer who worked under Celia Welch at Cornerstone as well as contributing to the fame of some of the Napa Valley’s most luminous names including Scarecrow, Keever, Kelly Fleming, and Corra to name a few.  Adding another level of greatness to the wine is winemaker Charles Thomas who has more than 30 years winemaking experience crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, or his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  And then there’s the vineyards…
 
Cornerstone’s 2015 Benchlands Cabernet is built around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Oakville and Rutherford.  The 2015 is made in a rich, opulent style with remarkable intensity and stunning length.  On the palate, the wine is rich and elegant with wonderful energy, and flavors that unwind methodically across your palate.  At $75/btl you’d be thrilled by the quality. From us, you’ll want to make extra room in the cellar, and go deep…
 
CORNERSTONE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BENCHLANDS
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon is another beautiful rendition, picking up right where the 2014 left off.  The elegant, sultry nose begins with captivating ripe blackberries, toasty oak and black olives, followed by hints of beechnut gum, lavender and rock dust.  The palate starts with a pristine elegance and balance, paralleling the focused flavors of black cherries, red currants and black tea, then followed by beautifully integrated, toasty, sweet vanilla spice.  The orchestrated finish lingers with elegant acidity, dusty fruit tannins and a wonderful freshness.  Drink now, or drink later, but I’m  going back for a second glass now...” 94 Points
2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

HEITZ 2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

TRAILSIDE VINEYARD
2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
Heitz is an absolutely historic winery that continues to craft wine in the same traditional and age-worthy style that they’ve become revered for, for almost 60 years.  Each decision made at the winery, from when to pick, through the entire fermentation and aging process are purposefully made to guide the wine into a style that will stand the test of time, rather than be flashy and forward when consumed young.  Why? You’ll find the answer in a bottle of 2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet… After resting for 3 long years in 100% oak, followed by another 3 years inside the bottle, the 2012 now awakes with penetrating dark fruits, powerful structure, unending depth and remarkable detail.  With the new 2013 vintage checking in at $125/btl, the 2012 is a stunning value, that shouldn’t be missed at $79.99/btl.
 
The Trailside Vineyard, located in the Iconic Rutherford AVA, made it’s debut in 1989 and they’ve produced a bevy of high-scoring Cabernets from this vineyard ever since.  The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and made it’s entrance from one of Napa Valley’s most desired vintages. I highly recommend saddling up and securing your case…
 
HEITZ
TRAILSIDE VINEYARD
2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $85.00/btl
 
Your Price: $79.99/btl

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“Subtle aromas of plums and cherries with hazelnuts and cedar follow through to a full body. Plenty of wood showing in the mid-palate with a flavorful finish. Needs two or three years to come together. A traditionally structured Napa cab with focus. Drink in 2021 and onwards.”  93 Points
“Features an alluring mulled spice hint weaving around a core of gently steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit flavors. A light cherry wood note lines the finish while the fruit easily keeps pace. This is approachable now but there’s no rush.”  93 Points
“From a certified organic vineyard in Rutherford, this is a 100% varietal wine that impresses from start to finish, allowing room for a slight whiff of reduction and tar on the nose. Dark notions of coffee are interwoven between bright layers of cassis and red cherry around structured acidity and oak.”
94 Points, Cellar Selection
 
 
Customers who enjoy Heitz Trailside Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabernets…
2015 Paradigm Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Inglenook Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
PARADIGM
2015 OAKVILLE ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $84.00/btl
 
Your Price: $79.99/btl

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If I were to choose one wine that perfectly expresses Oakville’s notorious complexity, Paradigm  would be my first choice.  This absolutely stunning wine made by Heidi Barrett comes from the Western side of Oakville, just South of Beckstoffer’s Iconic To-Kalon Vineyard in an area widely considered the epicenter of Grand Cru quality Cabernet Sauvignon.  Paradigm’s neighbors include icons, Dominus, Harlan Estate, Opus One, and Martha’s Vineyard…
INGLENOOK
2014 RUTHERFORD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $75/btl
 
Your Price: $65/btl

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From Vinous: “ … pulses with a host of savory and mineral notes that confer notable freshness. Quite representative of the vintage, the Cabernet displays considerable energy and tension, with terrific intensity throughout. Graphite, lavender, mint, smoke and tobacco are all finely knit in a Cabernet that offers quite a bit of potential.”  92-95 Points
2016 Morgan Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

2016 Morgan Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMontereyPinot NoirSanta Lucia HighlandsUSA
MORGAN 2016 Morgan Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
2016 PINOT NOIR
TWELVE CLONES
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
 
Odds are, when three top wine critics in the country positively agree on a wine, it will appeal to a broad audience. Yes, taste is  subjective, but truly great wine can transcend subjectivity and appeal to a much wider range of palates, simply because it’s an excellent representation, is perfectly balanced and has a set of indescribable qualities that is compelling for just about any wine lover.  Morgan Twelve Clones has always made my short-list of California’s best value Pinots and the reasons why were abundantly clear at our recent tasting where it outshined multiple Pinots at a much higher price level.  With triple 91-93 point scores and a price that’s fairly easy to swallow (pun, intended), I strongly recommend locking up a case.  
 
When you begin to dig into the specifics on why this wine is such a stunning value, the first thing you might note is that nearly 1/3 of the fruit comes from the winery’s flagship Double L Vineyard and their single vineyard from there rings in at $65.  You might also note the care that goes into crafting this wine, with fruit being hand-sorted, twice… The most obvious reason is unequivocal the moment this wine hits your palate, and you’ll find the multi-dimensional flavors, balanced acidity and supple fruit will induce a smile on even the most discerning palate.
 
MORGAN
2016 PINOT NOIR
TWELVE CLONES
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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“Brilliant red. Spice-accented raspberry and cherry accents along with hints of woodsmoke cola and Asian spices. Silky and energetic on the palate offering appealingly sweet red berry and floral pastille flavors that deepen slowly as the wine opens up. Fine-grained tannins lend shape to an impressively long mineral- and spice-laced finish that shows excellent clarity and repeating florality.” 91 Points
“Aromas of strawberries, tar and light earth follow through to a medium body with fine and light tannins. A floral, watermelon and citrus aftertaste. A pleasing purity of fruit to this. Drink now.”  92 Points
“Moving to the reds, the 2016 Pinot Noir Twelve Clones (aged ten months in 38% new French oak) offers ample black cherry, violet, and scorched earth aromatics, hints of background oak, medium body, and a beautiful fruit forward, balanced, layered style on the palate. It’s a winner.“ 93 Points
2012 Rudius Fion Bainise Proprietary Red

2012 Rudius Fion Bainise Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNorth CoastProprietary RedUSA

RUDIUS

2012 Rudius Fion Bainise Proprietary Red

2012 FION BAINISE
PROPRIETARY RED

 
What do you get when you combine one of Napa’s most talented winemakers, whose day job is crafting the high-scoring TOR wines, with ancient Mourvedre from Bedrock, Syrah from Hudson and nearly century old Grenache vines from Sceales Vineyard?  The net result is a wine so outrageously good, that at thirty bucks it’s not even fair…  Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Jeff Ames, who mentored under Thomas River Brown at Schrader, Maybach, Outpost and TOR before becoming head winemaker at TOR in 2005.  At TOR he’s made crafting high-90’s rated wines look easy, and with his own label Rudius, he’s applied that same skill-set to creating value wines with unrestrained character and profound hedonism.  Words can’t express how brilliant this wine is showing right now, but maybe actions can?  We bought every single bottle available just after we tasted it.
 
How do you take a wine like this and make it even better?  You allow it to blossom for 5 years in the bottle… The Fion Bainise blend is build around a core of 57% ancient vine Grenache and enhanced with 130 year old Mourvedre vines from Morgan Twain Peterson’s Iconic Bedrock Vineyard. It’s then amplified with 7% Syrah from Hudson Vineyard.  A wine this great, likely won’t last the day…
 
RUDIUS
2012 FION BAINISE
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $38.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl
YOU SAVE 21%
 
Winery Notes: “Jeff always allows this wine to take on a life of its own, letting the brilliance of the vintage guide his blend, and in 2012 the Grenache is the shining star. Head-trained, 84 year- old Grenache gives the wine a deep ruby color and commands your attention from the first whiff with spicy aromas, sweetened by lush raspberry and subtle lavender undertones. On the palate, the Grenache dominates the entry with bright acidity and tannins that demand a little time in the cellar (or at least 30 minutes to breath once you pop the cork). The minerality of the 126 year-old Mourvédre wows you in the end, filling out the finish with flavors of silky ripe elderberry. And as the 2012 vintage would dictate, this is a bigger wine than previous incarnations, but fans of this bottling will recognize the bright acidity and appreciate its incredible ability to go with almost any food.“
 
Customers that enjoy Rudius Fion Bainise may also enjoy these two stunning blends…
2016 Clos Du Caillou Cotes Du Rhone Cuvee VV Unique 2016 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red
CLOS Du CAILLOU
2016 COTES Du RHONE
CUVEE UNIQUE VV
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Robert Parker’s Review on the Regular Cotes to Rhone (The VV is Even Better)…  “The estate’s entry-level wine, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone Le Caillou is a stunning value, offering gluggable cherry and blueberry fruit, ample weight and a velvety texture. This Grenache-dominated blend should drink well for the next 5 years.” 90 Points
SANS LIEGE
2016 THE OFFERING
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $29/btl

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From The Wine Spectator: “Distinctive, refined and well-built, offeringexpressive black cherry, cigar box, green olive and cured meat accents that build richness on the long finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Drink now through 2026.” 94 Points
2016 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot

2016 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtMerlotNapaUSA

DUCKHORN  2016 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot

2016 MERLOT
NAPA VALLEY

 
Duckhorn Vineyards unquestionably dominates the category of California Merlot, and they’ve done so for the last 40 years.  It’s their unwavering consistency that’s made them a mainstay in our shop, and that same level of dependability and value that thrusts them into the forefront on wine lists and in shops across the country.  I can think of no other wine brand that defines iconic for a varietal than Duckhorn does for Merlot. The newly released 2016 vintage is complemented with 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s even bigger, richer and more full-bodied than the previous couple of vintages.  Our panel was quite literally stunned by the even higher quality, and we can’t wait to start pouring this by the glass in Yountville.
 
A classic expression of Napa Valley Merlot, the 2016 offers a seamless combination of concentrated fruit, wrapped in a rich, supple elegance.  The bouquet has terrific intensity, offering detailed black cherries, freshly picked blackberries, black tea and wild rose.  Held in oak barrels for 15 months the 2016 is powerful and really easy to love…
 
 
DUCKHORN
2016 MERLOT
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $56/btl
 
Your Price: $45/btl

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Tasting Notes: “The 2016 growing season yielded a beautifully complex expression of Napa Valley Merlot, with inviting aromas of fresh black raspberry, vanilla, tea leaves, pie crust and licorice. On the palate, luxurious red-fruit flavors of strawberry, plum, Bing cherry and loganberry are supported by silky tannins and a bright, mouthwatering acidity that carries the wine to a lingering finish, with hints of maple, cedar and sweet spice.”
 
Customers that enjoy Duckhorn Napa Merlot may also enjoy these two terrific wines from Duckhorn Wine Co… 
2015 Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot
DUCKHORN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $78.00/btl
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Beginning with a gorgeous nose of boysenberry, cherry, strawberry, cedar, sage and licorice, this lush and lively Cabernet captures the rich diversity of Napa Valley. On the palate, the alluring fruit flavors are underscored by bright acidity, firm polished tannins and notes of fig, licorice and cinnamon that linger on the well-structured finish.“
DUCKHORN
2016 THREE PALMS
NAPA VALLEY MERLOT
Retails at: $110.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Once again, the revered Three Palms Vineyard has yielded a benchmark expression of New World Merlot, with a complex, age-worthy structure, silken tannins, and radiant fruit. On the nose, aromas of huckleberry, plum, Bing cherry, cinnamon and rose petals are underscored by hints of cocoa and sweet French oak. As it evolves in the glass, flavors of cardamom, cranberry, blueberry and figs are revealed, as well as elements of earthy minerality that add drama to the long, complex finish.”