2017 Aspara Syrah Las Madres Vineyard

2017 Aspara Syrah Las Madres Vineyard

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosKevin VogtSonomaSyrahUSA

APSARA

SYRAH 2017
LAS MADRES VINEYARD

2017 Aspara Syrah Las Madres Vineyard
The word apsara originates from the Sanskrit language, symbolizing an angelic dancer with balance, purity, and expression, accurately describing each of Apsara Cellars’ exquisite wines. The winery’s founders, Robin and Aneeta Akhurst, met 20 years ago while studying biology and environmental science in Indonesia, broadening the scope of their interests in preserving nature with organic, biodynamic, and sustainable practices.
 
After Robin obtained his degree in Enology, he spent the next four years working with legendary winemakers worldwide, including Anne Claude Leflaive in Burgundy, Matt Wenk in the Barossa Valley, and Thomas Rivers Brown in the Napa Valley. The 2017 Apsara Syrah was grown in the meticulously farmed Las Madres Vineyard in Sonoma Carneros and is known for its cool climate Syrah with spice, depth, and style similar to the celebrated wines of the Northern Rhône. With only 100 cases produced, it won’t last long at this price.
 
APSARA
SYRAH 2017
LAS MADRES VINEYARD
Retails at: $80
 
 
 
“The 2017 Apsara Las Madres Vineyard Syrah begins with notes of violets, rose petals, garrigue, white pepper, blackberry, and chocolate mousse. The wine envelopes and coats the palate with silky tannins and flavors of black plum, bramble, chocolate chip cookies, and aniseed. This style of Syrah is seductive but not heavy and sweetly coaxes you into the perfect state of relaxation.”
94 Points
2018 Domaine Eden Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains

2018 Domaine Eden Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains

with No Comment $30-$40Central CoastKevin VogtPinot NoirSanta CruzSanta Cruz MountainsUSA

DOMAINE EDEN

PINOT NOIR 2018
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

2018 Domaine Eden Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains
Domaine Eden is an estate owned by iconic Santa Cruz Mountains producer Mount Eden vineyards that focuses on high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production. Their team adheres to strict sustainable farming standards, producing small, concentrated yields of remarkable fruit. The vineyards are planted with Dijon clones 777, 667, and 828 and the historic California clones Mount Eden, Calera, and Swan, resulting in remarkably complex, aromatically indulgent wines that have become a signature of the brand.
 
Indigenous yeasts carry out the fermentation in French Burgundian barrels without fining, filtration, or manipulation, allowing complete transparency and purity true to the varietal. The 2018 Pinot Noir lives up to its sister winery’s hierarchy with a suave mouthfeel and polished balance reflective of the site’s terroir in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
 
DOMAINE EDEN
PINOT NOIR 2018
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“Gamy aromas of roasted pork and a wet stone mineraliy surround the plush cranberry fruit on the nose of this bottling. There’s a floral edge to the palate, from rose petal to violet, as well as light red-currant and more game flavors.”
93 Points
2019 Lichen Pinot Noir Moonglow Vineyard Anderson Valley

2019 Lichen Pinot Noir Moonglow Vineyard Anderson Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Anderson ValleyKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

LICHEN

PINOT NOIR
MOONGLOW VINEYARD
ANDERSON VALLEY 2019

2019 Lichen Pinot Noir Moonglow Vineyard Anderson Valley
In 2008, Lichen Estate planted 7 acres of vines in the Anderson Valley with meter-by-meter spacing, modeling the Grand Cru vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne, resulting in nearly four times the amount of vines per acre than neighboring vineyards. This style of planting increases the competition between each vine, forcing the roots to dig deeper into the earth in search of nutrients and moisture. This type of farming lowers yields and concentrates aromas and flavors. 
 
This estate was initially named Breggo, the Breggo brand sold in 2009, and the fruit then went to Cliff Lede’s Fel Pinot Noir for years before the lease ended in 2014. The vineyard has always been organically farmed, with six blocks of Pinot Noir from the Martini, Wadenswil, Pommard, and 667 clones. The 2019 Moonglow Pinot Noir displays notes of red cherries with a refined focus and savory spice typical of the cool-climate region, one of the top Pinot Noir regions in the New World.
 
LICHEN
PINOT NOIR
MOONGLOW VINEYARD
ANDERSON VALLEY 2019
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“Aromas of dried orange peel, strawberry and wet stone. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Good depth and intensity on the steady, mineral finish. Pleasantly salty, too. Drink now.”
92 Points
2016 Farella Estate Merlot Coombsville

2016 Farella Estate Merlot Coombsville

with No Comment $30-$40CoombsvilleKevin VogtMerlotNapaUSA

FARELLA

ESTATE MERLOT
COOMBSVILLE 2016

2016 Farella Estate Merlot Coombsville
This beauty is one of those “trust me” wines, and if you do indeed trust me and try it, you’ll be thanking me too. Tom Farella developed an affinity for wine early on, and his ardor led him to pursue a degree in Enology from UC Davis. After graduating in 1983, he worked in Burgundy and Oregon before returning home to his father’s small Farella-Park Vineyards in the Napa Valley. Once back home, he began crafting distinct and memorable wines that helped put Coombsville on the map.
 
Farella’s hillside vineyard, planted in 1979 in what is now the Coombsville AVA, speaks through this 2016 Merlot, which has a Right Bank Bordeaux finesse with velvety tannins and a signature, rich Napa core. Notably, it’s been a couple of years since critics reviewed this wine, and it’s blossomed into something much more extraordinary in that time.
 
FARELLA
ESTATE MERLOT
COOMBSVILLE 2016
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
Tasted February 2020: “Fresh with lots of polished and chewy tannins that give the wine focus and texture. Berry, chocolate and spice character. Medium to full body. Flavorful finish. Drink or hold.”
92 Points
 
Tasted October 2020: “Sporting a medium to deep garnet color, the 2016 Merlot charges out of the glass with notions of plum pudding, blueberry pie and fruitcake plus hints of tobacco leaf, bay leaves and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers evolving black fruit preserves flavors with loads of savory accents and a frame of rounded tannins, finishing earthy/savory.”
90 Points
2021 Aspara Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2021 Apsara Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRoséSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

APSARA CELLARS

ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

2021 Aspara Cellars Rose of Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Founders of Apsara Cellars, Robin and Aneeta Akhurst, met 20 years ago while studying biology and environmental science in Indonesia. Their travels broadened their interest in preserving nature with organic, biodynamic, and sustainable practices. Robin obtained his degree in Enology and spent the next four years working with Anne Claude Leflaive at Domaine Leflaive in Burgundy, Matt Wenk of Two Hands Wines in the Barossa Valley, Thomas Rivers Brown of Schrader and Outpost Cellars, and Mike Smith of Myriad and Carter Cellars in the Napa Valley.
 
Nothing could have prepared Robin better than his time spent with some of the world’s top winemakers, and today he sources fruit for Apsara wines with growers who share the same ecological ideals. Robin harvested the grapes for this 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir early to maintain a vibrant acidity, low alcohol, and delicate fruity and floral notes that make a perfectly indulgent summer wine. 
 
APSARA CELLARS
ROSÉ of PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The 2021 Apsara Rosé begins with aerial notes of rose petals, pink grapefruit, mandarin orange, ginger, and fresh sage. The wine has a light body with mouthwatering acidity and refreshing flavors of peach, strawberry, and white cherry. This elegant wine is uplifting to the senses from the first sip through the delightful, zesty finish.”
94 Points
2017 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Sonoma County Red

2017 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Sonoma County Red

with No Comment $70-$80Alexander ValleyDry Creek ValleyKevin VogtKnight's ValleyMoon MountainProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

CHATEAU ST. JEAN 

CINQ CEPAGES 2017
SONOMA COUNTY RED

2017 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Sonoma County Red
Chateau St. Jean was founded in the Sonoma Valley in 1973 and quickly established a reputation for single vineyard-designated wines that captured the individual character of each site. Cinq Cépages is the winery’s flagship wine that winemaker Margo Van Staaveren creates from specially selected fruit from outstanding vineyard locations throughout Sonoma. The wine has an incredible history of exceptional accomplishments, including ranking as the #1 wine on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list in 1999, followed by the #2 spot in 2002. 
 
This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Bordeaux-style blend has fruit sourced from Knights Valley, Moon Mountain, Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley, and the Sonoma Valley estate. The yields for the 2017 vintage were lower than average, leading to wines of fine quality with depth, dimension, and silky smooth tannins.
 
CHATEAU ST. JEAN 
CINQ CEPAGES 2017
SONOMA COUNTY RED
Retails at: $90
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
 
“Beautiful blackberry, mushroom, bark and oak leaf. Some pine cone, too. Full-bodied, round and savory with layers of ripe fruit. Rather chunky wine, but nicely done. Drink after 2025.”
94 Points
2015 Maroon Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label Napa Valley

2015 Maroon Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

MAROON

BLACK LABEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2015

2015 Maroon Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label Napa Valley
Embodying power and elegance at a value price, Maroon’s Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the winery’s Coombsville-Estate Vineyard and a neighboring property with similar rocky, volcanic, gravely loam soils. Polished by winemaker Chris Corley’s style of introducing as little manipulation as possible, Maroon’s 2015 vintage is beautiful now and has a lot to offer, particularly at our value price.
 
This incredible value emerges from one of Napa Valley’s top vintages, which the Wine Spectator describes as producing “significantly lower yields…Quality is high.” The 2015 vintage is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, offering supple dark fruits and red currants with perfectly balanced acidity. After more than five years inside the bottle, the winery reached deep into their cellar and found this gem for us, which we couldn’t wait to share with you.
 
MAROON
BLACK LABEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2015
Retails at: $70
 
 
 
“This wine begins with a beautiful, deep, supple nose of dark berries, purple florals, and light spice. The lively palate has a great presence with a balance of both red and black fruits, including black cherries, red currants, and ripe plums, and sweet vanilla, along with slightly earthy minerals. The finish is focused, long, and very satisfying.”
94 Points
2019 Pont Neuf Pnt Royal Chardonnay Russian River Valley

2019 Pont Neuf Pont Royal Chardonnay Russian River Valley

with No Comment $60-$70ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

PONT NEUF

PONT ROYAL CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 2019

2019 Pont Neuf Pnt Royal Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Douglas Danielak completed the Professional Winemaking Program at the Lycée Agricole et Viticole de Beaune in Burgundy while working with Wine Exporter Rebecca Wasserman, gaining an impressive knowledge of Burgundian wines and barrels. Upon returning to California, Douglas completed his degree in Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis and, for over twenty years, has made wine for some of Napa Valley’s most respected wineries.
 
Douglas and his wife Mary named Pont Neuf wines after the oldest standing bridge in Paris, symbolizing the bridge between Burgundian and Californian winemaking. By carefully applying low-intervention techniques, native yeasts, and slow malolactic fermentation, this 2019 Russian River Valley Chardonnay possesses Burgundy’s sophistication and finesse matched with California’s opulent, stunning fruit. It’s one of the most popular Chardonnays we feature by pouring in the shop and is a must-try if you love top-quality Chardonnay.
 
PONT NEUF
PONT ROYAL CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 2019
 
Your Price: $65
 
 
“The Pont Neuf 2019 ‘Pont Royal’ Chardonnay opens with aromas of golden apple, apricot, toast, roasted almond, and crème brûlée. On the palate, the wine has a rich body with flavors of peach, cantaloupe, and macadamia nut balanced by a crisp minerality and bright acidity. The finish is long and sultry, leaving a lasting impression.”
94 Points
2021 Farella La Luce Sauvignon Blanc Coombsville Estate

2021 Farella La Luce Sauvignon Blanc Coombsville Estate

with No Comment $30 and underCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancUSA

FARELLA

LA LUCE SAUVIGNON BLANC
COOMBSVILLE ESTATE 2021

2021 Farella La Luce Sauvignon Blanc Coombsville Estate
Tom Farella knew early on that he had an affinity for wine and graduated from UC Davis in 1983 with a degree in Viticulture and Enology. He left California to work in Burgundy for six years, followed by a harvest and vineyard work in Oregon before returning home to his father’s small Farella-Park Vineyards, where he was the lead winemaker from 1991 to 2018.
 
Fellow UC Davis graduate Ryan Pass is the current winemaker, and utilizing Tom’s expertise, Ryan ensures the winery’s goals are accomplished, crafting exceptionally balanced, sustainably produced wines. Farella’s hillside vineyard was planted in 1979 on volcanic ash and gravelly loam in the cool Coombsville AVA, giving the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc a distinct vibrancy, purity, and generous length.
 
FARELLA
LA LUCE SAUVIGNON BLANC
COOMBSVILLE ESTATE 2021
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“The 2021 Farella Sauvignon Blanc opens with uplifting notes of elderflower, chamomile, grapefruit, lime zest, lemongrass, and wet stones. The wine is vivid and alive on the palate with fresh acidity and flavors of Granny Smith apple, mango, green guava, and fresh oregano. This wine is perfect for summer with a pleasant levity and verve to brighten the moment.”
94 Points
2019 Edict Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2019 Edict Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

EDICT

PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Edict Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Edict’s team mindfully crafts boutique wines that remain true to their geographic character, offering a sense of place in each wine produced. Their approach begins with their vineyard manager’s 30 years of expertise and a collaboration with some of Napa Valley’s top growers to ensure a selection of the healthiest fruit with the most significant varietal expressions, giving their winemaker the ingredients to craft memorable wines.
 
The 2019 Proprietary Red wine is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend that exhibits a dynamic balance of Napa Valley terroir from several different soil types. This wine’s complex structure allows for a few years in the cellar but is already welcoming and drinking beautifully, making it the perfect wine to open anytime.
 
EDICT
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $80
 
 
 
“Aromas of red and black fruit, espresso and crushed herbs. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity and silky tannins. Juicy and succulent on the palate. Charming. Drink or hold.”
92 Points