2015 Crocker & Starr Bridesmaid Proprietary Red

2015 Crocker & Starr Bridesmaid Proprietary Red

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

CROCKER & STARR

2015 Crocker & Starr Bridesmaid Proprietary Red2015 BRIDESMAID
PROPRIETARY RED

Taking things to the next level, the new vintage of Bridesmaid Red not only has a new look, but the wine is now sourced exclusively from Napa Valley’s iconic St Helena AVA…  The wine was inspired through Pam Starr’s work at Spottswoode and Gemstone and over the years it’s amassed a remarkable following.  The 2015 is powerful, compact and dangerously hedonistic, with a seductive bouquet spanning blue and red fruits, spring flowers, pipe tobacco and exotic chocolates.  Sensual flavors cascade over the palate with incredible energy and an effortless nature.  The blend is a collaboration of declassified barrels of premium wine, carefully selected from the winery’s Estate, as well as other top Napa Valley wineries after their own blends are complete.  The wine that makes it into these bottles often had an intended retail of more than 2-3 times the price…
 
Using Cabernet Franc as the base and layering in Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the 2015 Bridesmaid Red is highly detailed and captures the diverse terrain of the St Helena AVA faultlessly.  Those of you that have enjoyed any of the earlier vintages of this wine, just know one thing…  This is the BEST one yet.   If you haven’t experienced this absolutely stunning blend, here’s the perfect opportunity to do so…
 
CROCKER & STARR
2015 BRIDESMAID 
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “A blend of 60% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot and 6% Malbec, the medium garnet-purple colored 2015 Cabernet Franc Blend Bridesmaid gives gorgeous kirsch, raspberry pie and blackberries scents with a beautiful undercurrent of roses, cinnamon stick, potpourri and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and great vivacity, finishing long and perfumed...” 93+ Points
 
Cabernet Franc 60% | Merlot 23% | Petit Verdot 11% | Malbec 6%
 
Customers who enjoy Crocker & Starr Bridesmaid Red may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
 
2015 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Reserve 2016 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red
STEPS RESERVE
BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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Arising from Mountainous Vineyards, including Mount Veeder and Altas Peak, the 2015 is built around a core of nearly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, heightened with Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Simply stunning to swirl and taste, the 2015 was cave aged for nearly 24 months in high quality oak barrels.  Dramatic, thrilling and hedonistic are all excellent descriptors for the 2015 Steps Reserve and with a total production of only 150 cases, don’t let this one walk on by.
HOURGLASS
2016 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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The Hourglass HGII Blend was authored by legendary winemaker Tony Biagi…Tony spent nearly 10 years crafting the high-scoring  Plumpjack wines, which rank among the best in Napa Valley, and their top Estate wines can go for around $200/btl and garner 100 point scores…  At under fifty, the HG III is a low price of admission for wine of this outstanding pedigree.
2013 Fort Ross FRV Pinot Noir

2013 Fort Ross FRV Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Fort Ross SeaviewKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

FORT ROSS

2013 PINOT NOIR
FRV, SONOMA COAST

2013 Fort Ross FRV Pinot Noir
There are plenty of reasons why we love Fort Ross Pinot Noirs.  Their winemaking is second to none with Jeff Pisoni calling the shots. Further, their prices have also remained realistic over the years, despite the growing fan base and well-deserved scores.  The number one thing that keeps me coming back year-after-year is the ideal location of their vineyard… It’s centered in the idyllic Fort Ross Seaview AVA, which in 2011 was approved as its own Appellation within the Sonoma Coast, the area is also a source for such notables as Peter Michael, Marcassin, Martinelli, Flowers and Pahlmeyer, to list a few…  Their 2013 FRV Pinot Noir is a wine marked by stunning detail, length and character, and at this price, I can’t wait to experience it again…
 
Beautifully expressing the exceptional terroir found in the Fort Ross Seaview AVA with perfectly nit flavors, If you’ve tasted any of the earlier vintages of Fort Ross, you likely need no further commentary, other than to know the 2013 is now available.  If you haven’t tried a Pinot from this beloved producer, here’s a chance to enjoy one at a truly fantastic price.
 
FORT ROSS
2013 PINOT NOIR
FRV, SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $52.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
YOU SAVE 23% 
 
From Jeb Dunnuck: “The 2013 Pinot Noir FRV Fort Ross Vineyard sports a ruby color as well as an open knit, ready-to-go bouquet of dried cherries, tobacco, menthol, and dried herbs. It’s pretty, medium-bodied, rounded, and supple, with an evolved style ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.” 90 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Fort Ross FRV Estate Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two stunning Pinots…
2016 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir 2015 Daniel Grandvent Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
ORRIN-SAGE
2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $49.00/btl
 

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Arising from the rugged Sonoma Mountain AVA, a unique area which gains some of the cooling influence from the Petaluma Gap and produces brilliant Pinot Noir fruit.  Bevan, Siduri and Flowers are just a few of the wineries that have crafted Pinots from this unique area.  The 2016 has stunning balance and opens up to vivid red fruits, dried rose, wild blueberries and tea leaf.   This remarkable expression of Pinot Noir was was expertly made by Justin Harmon who gained valuable experience as an intern under Russell Bevan.
DANIEL
2015 PINOT NOIR
GRANDVENT VINEYARD
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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YOU SAVE 33%
 
Tasting Notes: “… Sultry aromas of Bing cherry, tart cranberry and strawberry rhubarb pie combine with fresh sage, subtle green peppercorn, white rose petals and lavender to make your mouth water from the first whiff.  Next, wave after wave of complex flavors taunt your palate with Morello cherries, Desertnyi pomegranate, perfectly ripe Japanese black plum that beautifully intermingle with hints of cola and a touch of earthy dried porcini mushroom.  Densely focused red and black fruit flavors linger on your palate in such a compelling way, that you never want it to stop...”
2015 Cornerstone Ram's Horn Vineyard Syrah

2015 Cornerstone Ram’s Horn Vineyard Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMendocinoSyrahUSA

CORNERSTONE 

2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD

2015 Cornerstone Ram's Horn Vineyard Syrah
Syrah is a darling varietal among many in the wine industry, and a friend of consumers looking for wines of stunning quality and character at a value price.  It’s one of the classic varietals of the world, and was made famous in the Northern Rhone valley of France with the world-class wines from Cote Rotie and Hermitage.  Many would argue that in the New World, Americans are a little behind the curve in the appreciation of Syrah. Because of this, you can occasionally find a remarkable value… There’s no better example than Cornerstone’s 2015 single vineyard Syrah which is a stunning bottle of wine at it’s $85 retail price… Join our Insider’s Club email list and you’ll see this ranks among one of the best values that I’ve come across in my career.
 
This remarkable expression of California Syrah was authored by talented winemaking duo Kari Auringer and Charles Thomas. Kari 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. Charles has more than 30 years winemaking experience including crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, and his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  This beauty also defeated EVERY wine in the Syrah & Shiraz over $41/btl category at the SF Chronicle Competition, and was named “Best of Class.” At this price, you may want to grab all you can…
 
CORNERSTONE 
2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD 
Retails at:  $85/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “French by heritage, California in spirit. These head trained Syrah grapes were lovingly grown high on a steep hillside at 1,800 feet, overlooking the little town of Hopland in Mendocino. Small berries on petite clusters struggle on this dry farmed ranch, which gives this wine a dark and concentrated color. The aromas are a complex combination of ripe black berries, boysenberry and earthy sage. You’ll also likely find typical Syrah notes of smoked bacon, tar and black pepper. Lush and fleshy on the palate, this wine is ripe from long sun-drenched days. More new world in style than old world, but there is plenty of backbone that Syrah is known for. The finish lingers with a melody of mocha, licorice and a hint of allspice wrapped up in silky integrated tannins.”  Best In Class | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 
2015 Mastery Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2015 Mastery Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $90-$100CoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

MASTERY 2015 Mastery Napa Valley Proprietary Red

PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY

 
There is a rock-solid reason the 2015 vintage in Napa has been touted for having more 100 point wines than any other… It was simply a spectacular vintage that produced more incredible wines than ever before.  The new 2015 MASTERY is a perfect reflection of this wonderful vintage.  With just two barrels produced, MASTERY is not only our most limited wine, but it’s also one of our most requested wines every year. In producing those two barrels, winemaker Rudy Zuidema and Master Sommelier Kevin Vogt collaborate to oversee every minute detail surrounding the winemaking and use rigorous sorting practices to create a wine with not only a sense of place, but with stunning precision, length, and balance.  The 2015 is finely detailed with a sweet inner core of focused red and black berries, supple tannins, and flavors that build layer upon layer of pure bliss.  With a total production of 46 cases, this vintage of Mastery will disappear far too early…
Wrought from Napa Valley’s highly acclaimed Coombsville region, the vineyard is located on volcanic soils on the Eastern outskirts of the town of Napa.  This elegantly styled, yet focused and penetrating Napa Valley Cabernet Blend satisfies everything a Cabernet drinker looks for.  After spending about 2 years in French oak, this perfectly balanced blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc enchants your taste buds.  If you would like to add some of this exceptional wine to your cellar, please place your order right away.  This is another in a long list of near-perfect vintages of Mastery and we know you will absolutely love it!  It is truly amazing.
 
MASTERY
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $95/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Encapsulating every characteristic that makes the 2015 vintage so great, the 2015 Mastery has seductive aromas of crushed blackberries, red currant, freshly cut violets and a touch of vanilla spice, delicately balanced by hints of cherry pipe tobacco and wet slate.  Alluringly bright red fruits perfectly balance the rich, supple black fruits in perfect harmony, providing both depth and length as well as complexity on the palate.  The finish is rich, yet pristinely balanced, providing immense satisfaction.” Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2014 Laird Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Laird Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSAYountville

LAIRD 2014 Laird Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 NAPA VALLEY

 
Laird models strength, consistency, and value, and when it comes to traditionally styled Napa Valley Cabernet, theirs is one of the best.  As one of the largest vineyard owners in Napa Valley, Laird has access to some terrific fruit sources.  The 2014 Napa Cab is built from almost equal parts Mast Ranch and Flat Rock vineyards.  The winery produces single vineyard Cabernets from both of these sites which retail for $80 to $90 per bottle…  It’s a brand that I love, and in fact we featured an earlier vintage as one of our top 5 wines of the year in 2017.  Their 2014 made a big impression on our panel with deep and impressive core, layered in dark chocolate, plum and blackberry and etched with character. At $55/btl this classic Napa Valley Cabernet should not be missed… 
 
Laird has always attracted terrific winemakers.  The wines are currently made by Brian Mox, who spent several vintages at Lewis Cellars.  In 2014, Laird’s Consulting Winemaker was Paul Hobbs, one of the top winemakers in the world, having crafted such notables as Opus One, DuMOL, and Peter Michael to name a few.  This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Yountville spends nearly two years in oak and generously delivers hedonistic delights with velvety tannins and great length.  If you enjoy classically styled and full-bodied Napa Valley Cabs, you won’t want to miss this latest release from Laird.  
 
LAIRD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl
 
From Vinous: “A rich, unctuous wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is sweet, layered and enveloping in feel. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, cloves and new leather are all fused together. This is an especially intense, flamboyant expression of the vintage.” 
 
Customers who enjoy Laird’s Napa Valley Cabernet may also enjoy these two outstanding wines from Laird…
 
2016 Laird Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir 2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red
LAIRD
2016 PINOT NOIR
GHOST RANCH
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl 

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I love it when a wine has flavors are so deep and penetrating, that it might be described as chilling, spine-tingling and scary good.  All three of these descriptors came time mind when I tasted Laird’s 2016 Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir. Made in a deep, velvety style that I love, Laird’s 2016 Ghost Ranch is haunted by spine-tingling allure, laced with shades of wild blueberries, black cherries, vanilla and spices.  If you like your Pinot Noirs a little fuller bodied, deep, and rich, I strongly recommend a case of this limited release.
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 

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When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.  
2016 Walter Hansel Cuvee Alyce Pinot Noir

2016 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir(s)

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUncategorizedUSA

WALTER HANSEL

2016 PINOT NOIR(S)
CUVEE ALYCE | NORTH SLOPE

 
Showcasing the best of Russian River Valley, Walter Hansel produces profound wines with sense of place, harmonious balance and elaborate texture. When they come up in a conversation, it’s easy to reminisce about how they’re a model of consistency, and how their wines continually outshine the vast majority in their category.
 
Then comes the reviews, and they’re second to none… Their 2016 Cuvee Alyce and North Slope Pinots have already earned monster scores from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, and when your brand sets a standard of undeviating quality and exceptionally high scores, it can be tough to stand out among your own vast accomplishments. Walter Hansel took that as a challenge and their 2016’s stand tall as some of their best Pinot Noirs in the last decade.  Don’t miss this opportunity to secure yours… There’s simply never enough of these brilliant Pinots to satisfy demand.

 

2016 Walter Hansel Cuvee Alyce Pinot Noir 2016 Walter Hansel North Slope Pinot Noir
WALTER HANSEL
2016 PINOT NOIR
CUVEE ALYCE
 
Your Price: $45/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2016 Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce leaps from the glass with gregarious black cherries, pomegranate and cranberry notes with touches of red roses, lavender and dried Provence herbs plus a waft of black soil. Medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of ripe, grainy tannins and great freshness, it is simply packed with taut fruit and finishes on a lingering mineral note…” 95 Points
WALTER HANSEL
2016 PINOT NOIR
NORTH SLOPE
 
Your Price: $42/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2016 Pinot Noir The North Slope is medium ruby-purple in color and scented of crushed red plums, mulberries and black cherries with touches of baking spices, violets and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, it offers bags of rich berry flavors in the mouth with a sexy, plush texture and scintillating freshness, finishing long...” 94 Points
2017 Vista Atlas Peak Proprietary Red

2017 Vista Atlas Peak Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underAtlas PeakKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUncategorizedUSA

Vista

2017 Proprietary Red
Atlas Peak

2017 Vista Atlas Peak Proprietary Red“Capturing a depth and richness that is completely unheard of at this price, Vista Atlas Peak unfurls aromas of muddled blackberries, black plum, crushed granite, graphite  and hints of vanilla.  The palate is powerfully concentrated with a stunning array of flavors including deep black cherries, blackberry tart, blueberry syrup, with hints of tobacco and chocolate.  Powerful mountain fruit created a wine that is focused and linear in style, yet richly structured with balanced fruit tannins and a palate staining mid palate that leads to a long, intense finish.”  94 – 96 Points  Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier

 

VISTA 
2017 Proprietary Red
ATLAS PEAK
 
Your Price: $23/btl
2013 Cabaud Benedictions Cabernet Sauvignon

2103 Cabaud ‘Benedictions’ Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

CABAUD 

2013 BENEDICTIONS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

2013 Cabaud Benedictions Cabernet Sauvignon
After tasting over 5,000 wines in 2018, our number one pick was clear the instant we tasted it… Each and every enthusiastic and glowing review that followed, cemented the wine permanently onto the list, and it became clear that it’s a wine that everybody loves.  After all, this wine combines the highest level of winemaking with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Andy Beckstoffer’s heritage vineyards in Oakville.  Many of you know winemaker Luc Morlet from his work at Newton Cellars, Peter Michael, or from his own label Morlet which is raking in 100 point scores… The 2013 Benedictions is the top wine produced at Cabaud and it’s made from the iconic Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard in Oakville.  The previous vintage caught the eye of Robert Parker who scored the 2012 94-96 points and the 2013 is even better…
 
Finding new wines made by top winemakers, that are somewhat unheard of, pays off big at times… I would estimate Morlet’s Cabs to range from $165 to around $300/btl.  At $150 Cabaud is a killer deal,  I cannot put into words how incredible this wine is.  Wines of this caliber and at this price never last long… I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours.  Make sure to join our Insider’s Club and receive special offers on some of our featured wines…
 
CABAUD
2013 BENEDICTIONS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $150/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “An intense, glass-staining purple color combines beautifully with flavors of blueberry pie filling, with muddled blackberries, red currant, bramble, white flowers and bakers chocolate. The supple, full-bodied opulence, sweet tannin, and rich, dense center core intermingle with the powerful fruit to seduce you with the first sip. The finish is long, powerful and supple with just enough fruit tannins to allow this one to age for a decade or so.  Kudos to Luke Morlet for crafting such a stunning wine.“96 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2016 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Red

2016 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

HOURGLASS

2016 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED

2016 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary RedYour palate immediately recognizes a wine that is absolutely remarkable, and mine instantly identified the 2016 HG III as a wine that deserved a top spot on my top 5 wines of the year.  Locking in my #2 spot with a bouquet that makes my skin tingle, and at first taste, a wave of thrills and excitement ensues.  The wine was authored by legendary winemaker Tony Biagi… Tony spent nearly 10 years crafting the high-scoring Plumpjack wines, which rank among the best in Napa Valley. Their top Estate wines can go for around $200/btl and garner 100 point scores…  At under fifty, the HG III is an exceptionally low price of admission for wine with this outstanding pedigree.  
 
With an exhilarating, velvety texture and endless layers of sweet blueberries, cherry pipe tobacco, dried flowers and black chocolate, the HG III combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah into an exhilarating wine of pure brilliance.  After spending around 16 months in French oak, the 2016 is stunningly gorgeous now, and it’s undoubtedly the best version of HG III yet.  Don’t hesitate to secure your case… 
 
HOURGLASS
2016 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $53.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl 

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Tasting Notes:  “Finding a wine that is rich and deep, but also has a liveliness and freshness that gives it complexity and length is rare.  This beauty starts with a nose of black cherries, bakers chocolate, Autumn spices and white flowers. The rich and supple palate is focused and pure with sweet blackberries, vanilla bean and ripe black plums. The finish is balanced, concentrated, long and very satisfying.  The tannins are soft enough that you may enjoy this now, but it’s concentrated enough that you can cellar it for a decade or more.” 95 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier

2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

JOSEPH JEWELL 2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 

 
We’ve introduced some unbelievable values this year, more so than in any year previously.  However, there’s just one wine that I can honestly say is the best wine I’ve ever tasted in this price range.  For that reason, Joseph Jewell’s Russian River Valley Pinot was an easy choice as my #3 wine of the year in 2018.  After all, the 2014 combines fruit from Hallberg, Floodgate and Bucher Vineyards… Williams Selyem and Gary Farrell fans likely recognize these sites.  The 2014 washes over your palate with stunning balance, detail and length, and it perfectly portrays everything that I look for in cool climate California Pinot Noir.  It truly drinks like a killer forty dollar Pinot, and wines like this don’t come around often. Make sure to join our Insider’s Club for special pricing and be the first find out about these hidden gems.
 
This Pinot hasn’t left my mind, or my glass for very long since I first tasted it, and in equal detail are the mineral-laced blueberries, bramble fruit, black tea, dried rose and touches of violets that are etched in my memory.  The 2014 elevated for 11 months in Francois Freres, Ermitage and Rousseau barrels, and has blossomed over the last 3 years in the bottle. If you love Pinot Noir, and better yet, even if you don’t… try a case of this, and I think you’ll become and instant fan. 

 

 
JOSEPH JEWELL
2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $38/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “A special barrel selection from our favorite Russian River vineyard sites, this wine offers elegance from start to finish. This wine beckons with an exquisite bouquet of raspberry and black cherry laced with hints of rose petals and violets. A soft mid-palate is highlighted by fresh, bright red fruits that linger long on the finish.”