2015 Walter Hansel Chardonnays

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnaySonomaSonoma CoastUncategorizedUSA

WALTER HANSEL

2015 CHARDONNAYS
CAHILL LANE | NORTH SLOPE | CUVEE ALYCE

Each time I share a bottle of Walter Hansel Chardonnay, I get an unequivocal feeling that I’ve under-paid for it, because the wine inside the glass mimics Chardonnays at a significantly higher price.  When the winery comes up in a conversation, it’s very 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, which always shine.  Robert Parker writes that they’re “… consistently terrific wines… realistically priced… consumers couldn’t have a better friend than proprietor Stephen Hansel.”  Their 2015 Chardonnays are brilliantly detailed, profound and offer a glaring sense of value with every sip.  I strongly recommend stocking up, because there’s never enough to meet demand.
 
 
2015 Walter Hansel North Slope Chardonnay 2015 Walter Hansel Cahill Lane Chardonnay 2015 Walter Hansel Russian River Valley Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay
WALTER HANSEL
2015 CHARDONNAY
NORTH SLOPE
 
Your Price: $32/btl
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 season resulted in tiny clusters and small berries with production levels off by a minimum of 25%. The following 2015s will be bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2015 Chardonnay The North Slope is a relatively small parcel planted on the sandy, loamy, Goldridge soils. This wine has a light greenish-gold color, a beautiful nose of nectarine, white peach and pineapple followed by a sexy, broad, savory full-bodied mouthfeel with an almost exotic fruit character. This is heady stuff and concentrated as most 2015s are. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years.” 94-96 Points
WALTER HANSEL
2015 CHARDONNAY
CAHILL LANE
 
Your Price: $32/btl
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Chardonnay Cahill Lane is made from 100% Old Wente clone and planted in one of the few areas of his vineyard that has adobe-clay soil intermixed with sandy Goldridge material. The yields tend to be relatively large, so Stephen Hansel crop-thinned by at least 30%. The result is a big, beautiful wine that reminds me of a Corton-Charlemagne. Plenty of deep, poached pear, white peach, nectarine, tangerine oil and caramelized citrus are all present in ths wine that shows virtually no oak, full body and loads of texture. Drink it over the next 7-8 years.” 91-94 Points
WALTER HANSEL
2015 CHARDONNAY
CUVEE ALYCE
 
Your Price: $36/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce features lovely lemon curd, pink grapefruit and underripe pineapple with touches of toasted almonds, fresh ginger and honey toast. Medium-bodied and super intense in the mouth, it has a racy line cutting through the electrically charged fruit, finishing very long and minerally…”
94+ Points

 

2015 Calculated Risk Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2015 Calculated Risk Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUncategorizedUSA

CALCULATED RISK

PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY

A winemaker must be calculated when creating a blend, because even the slightest adjustment to the varietal breakdown can completely change the style and distinct qualities showcased in a wine. Each individual varietal will not only add its own attributes and unique characteristics, but th2015 Calculated Risk Napa Valley Proprietary Redey will also compliment one another, and the goal is to have them intermingle into a well-rounded symphony rather than a singular solo… Calculated Risk’s 2015 Napa Valley Red Blend achieved that goal, with each varietal enhancing the best qualities of the others.  The Merlot adds a supple elegance, while the Cabernet Sauvignon contributes depth and structure and the Cabernet Franc enhances focus and aromatics…
 
A calculated blend of 72% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc sourced from secret vineyard locations throughout Napa Valley. The 2015 shows plenty of up-front fruit, depth and focus.  At our price, the only risk will be waiting too long to secure your case…  This Calculated Risk is sure to pay off…
 
CALCULATED RISK
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $55/btl
 
 
“...With an alluring dark garnet hue, the wine features attractive aromas of ripe red fruits, wild berries, black fig and fresh sage are layered with subtle nuances of spice and toasted nuts. As the wine opens up in the glass, the gracious flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, raspberry coolie, white pepper and bittersweet chocolate are balanced with a smooth texture, silky tannins, bright acidity, and a rewarding finish that makes every sip count. Elegant, complex and drinkable when young, this is an outstanding wine that over-delivers for the price.” 94 Points, Chris Sawyer, Sommelier to the Stars
2015 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaSt HelenaUncategorizedUSA

REVANA

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 TERROIR SERIES

2015 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon
What does it take to make one of Napa Valley’s Top Cabernets? Choosing the right winemaker that not only has proven abilities to create some of the best wines in the world, but one who is an expert in terroir selection and can carefully choose the right vineyard(s) to shape a monumental wine.
 
Dr. Revana selected Thomas Rivers Brown to take his wine to the next level.  Brown is at the top of his game and is one of the dominating forces in Napa Valley Cabernet.  He made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 Point score from the Wine Spectator, and he’s also the winemaker at Schrader, Maybach, Gemstone and Outpost to name a few.
 
Arising from carefully selected vineyard sites in St Helena, Oak Knoll and Calistoga, this stunning effort immediately gives you a feeling of greatness the moment you taste it… Having already earned a stellar 93 point score in the Wine Spectator, I strongly recommend securing a case, before it’s to late.
 
REVANA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 TERROIR SERIES
 
Your Price: $105/btl
 
From The Wine Spectator: “Strikingly vibrant, featuring complex flavors, innate balance and pure dark berry, spice, licorice and light oak shadings, with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2030...” 93 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Revana Terroir Series Cabernet enjoy these two terrific Cabs…
 
2015 BV Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Schrader Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon
BEAULIEU VINEYARDS
GEORGES DE LATOUR
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $119.99/btl
 
With Napa Valley history embedded deep into it’s DNA, Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a timeless classic that embodies every quality that makes Rutherford so wondrous.  The vineyard blocks that go into this wine were planed in the early 1900’s, with the first vintage of 1936 Georges de Latour Private Reserve released in 1940 in honor of the winery founder’s passing.  Under the guidance of one of the world’s most iconic winemakers, Andre Tchelistcheff, BV built on a reputation of excellence and achievements.  Now, nearly 80 vintages later Georges de Latour is still turning heads and after the previous vintage earned 97 Points from Robert Parker, I wouldn’t wait for the scores to come out on the 2015 vintage before securing yours…
DOUBLE DIAMOND
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $69.99/btl

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2016 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Sailor’s Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSAYountville

SAILOR’S GRAVE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
I love seeing nice guys in the wine industry achieve success with their brand, and even more than watching their journey to success… I love tasting their wines.  When we first introduced Sailor’s Grave a few years ago, we knew we were onto something special. The wine went on to sell hundreds of cases over the next few vintages with continual re-orders and countless glowing comments. Truth-be-told the 2016 vintage is at an entirely new level and for a winemaker, this has got to be what success tastes like.  We taste a lot of wines, and last week was a particularly large tasting with over 100 wines. Sailor’s Grave 2016 was the top performer and at $29.99, you may want to stock up on this new vintage before it also sails away.  
 
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 resit diving in for another sip… another glass and another.  
 
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl
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Winery Notes: “The inky black 2016 Sailor’s Grave Cabernet Sauvignon entices from the start with aromas of cassis, cranberry, violets, and blackberries, with a touch of pipe tobacco. In the mouth, the wine is well structured, and fills the mouth with flavors of black cherry, blackberries, and freshly roasted coffee with a touch of malted chocolate. This wine is stunning and ready to drink now, and will reward those with the patience to cellar it for a few years.“
Cabernet Sauvignon 76% | Merlot 19% | Petit Verdot 2% | Cabernet Franc 2% | Petite Sirah 1%
 
Customers who enjoy Sailor’s Grave Napa Valley Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
 
2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Fortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
FISTICUFFS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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One of my favorite results that comes from tasting a new wine, is one that makes me do a double-take simply because the taste exceeds my expectations for the price.  The 2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet made me do just that.  Performing well above its weight class for value Napa Cabernet, this undisputed champion hailing from Napa Valley dances inside a tightly wound core, threaded with chocolate covered cherries, blackcurrants, unground coffee bean and cedar spice.
FORTUNE 1621
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 NAPA VALLEY 
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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Sailing into their 2016 vintage,  Fortune1621 is a brand that’s become synonymous with value Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.  With the Bump family at the helm, and a crew that include winemaker Brian Mox, who spent several vintages at Lewis Cellars, Fortune1621 is clearly a voyage worth taking. The 2016 is strikingly concentrated, yet poised and balanced with a layers of crushed black fruits, freshly roasted coffee beans, dried violets with hints of blueberries. 
2014 Ramey Platt Vineyard Chardonnay

2014 Ramey Platt Vineyard Chardonnay

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

RAMEY

2014 Ramey Platt Vineyard Chardonnay2014 CHARDONNAY
PLATT VINEYARD

 
If you’ve ever wondered if a winemakers experience could manifest itself directly into the flavors, profound complexity and vivid characteristics in a wine, just try one of David Ramey’s Single Vineyard Chardonnays… David is one of the great pioneers in the California wine industry, having helped put many iconic wineries on the map, including Dominus, Rudd and Jericho Canyon.  His first vintage of Chardonnay was at Simi Winery in 1980 and he’s taken everything that he’s learned along the way and poured it into his own label Ramey Wine Cellars which he started in 1996.  His single vineyard selection of Chardonnays offer Grand-Cru level complexity and they have the scores to back it up.  2014 is the final vintage of his Platt Vineyard designate Chardonnay and with a stellar 95 Point score from Robert Parker, don’t hesitate to secure yours…
 
Emerging from the cool and wind-swept Platt Vineyard, located within a few miles from the Pacific Ocean, this absolutely brilliant expression of cool climate Chardonnay was aged for 19 months in François Frères barrels and bottled without filtration.  Bearing a concentrated core of green orchard fruits interwoven with  veins of rocky minerals, tangerine oil and nutmeg, the wine’s stunning finish goes on and on and on, which is unlike the amount of this wine available, which certainly won’t last… 
 
RAMEY
2014 CHARDONNAY
PLATT VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl
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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2014 Chardonnay Platt Vineyard has expressive pink grapefruit, warm peaches and brioche notes with hints of praline and ginger. Medium-bodied with great richness and depth in the mouth, it has a lovely creamy texture offset by a wicked backbone of freshness, finishing long with mineral and savory/yeasty layers.” 95 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Ramey Platt Vineyard Chardonnay may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
2016 DuMOL Wester Reach Russian River Valley Chardonnay
 2016 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay
DuMOL 
2016 CHARDONNAY
WESTER REACH
 
Your Price: $56.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “ Orange zest, white flower, sweet sage and hay aromas yield to softer peach and apricot. The palate is full of energy and vigor with clear-cut fruit intensity and savory character. Ripe stone fruits dominate with an underscore of oatmeal and marzipan. Texture builds with a core of old vine extract balanced with vibrant lime and oyster shell freshness. The finish is long, cleansing, and refined. Drink between 2018 and 2022.” 
PAHLMEYER
2016 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $79.99/btl 

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2016 Chardonnay has a lovely savory, yeasty/toasty nose over a core of warm grapefruit, fresh apricots and allspice with a touch of candied ginger. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling stone fruit and spicy layers, supported by great freshness and finishing long and creamy.” 95 Points
2014 Leto Exceptional Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSt HelenaUSA

LETO 

EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2014 Leto Exceptional Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Have you ever tasted a “reserve level” wine from a given winery and thought that it was very similar to the winery’s standard offering?  Me too, but this wine is the polar opposite of that scenario… Leto only produces their Exceptional Selection when the wine is “unusually excellent” and dramatically differs from their other bottling of Cabernet.  This wine is deeper, richer and more powerful and fulfills every desire that one would have in an upper echelon Cabernet Sauvignon. The Exceptional Selection comes from a micro-block of 1/2 century old vines in the heart of St Helena.  The vineyard has been farmed by the same family for over 100 years…  At $150/btl this wine oozes majestic flavors and superior quality… It’s quite simply one of the best Napa Cabernets that I’ve come across at our price. 
 
Brad Warner, owner and winemaker has been making wine for over a 1/2 century, and it shows in this classically styled, deep and hauntingly penetrating wine.  A mere 3 barrels of Exceptional Selection were produced and after developing for 24 months in oak, the wine is marked by hauntingly intense aromas, intertwined with pressed blackberries, black expresso beans, vivid floral and Baker’s chocolate.  With 70 cases produced in total, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure a case.
 
LETO 
EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $150/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “It always amazes me when a wine can be both deep and brooding, yet light on its feet, without being heavy or overly sweet on the palate.  The depth on the nose starts immediately with fresh crushed blackberries, exotic black currants, toasty oak, pipe tobacco, a hint of fresh green herbs and spring flowers.  The deep palate begins with sweet black raspberries and ripe black plum, followed by secondary characteristics that include cocoa dusted chocolate, combined with sweet fruit tannins that perfectly balance the fruit. Absolutely stunning to drink now, but this will gorgeous for a decade or more to come.”  97 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2016 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FAUST 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Faust can be described as the next generation in classic Napa Valley Cabernet that’s a go-to on restaurant wine lists, in a similar way that old-school producers Heitz and Stags Leap have been for many years.  Created in Quintessa’s state-of-the-art winery in Rutherford, Faust’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has superior focus and unleashes a bounty of exquisite aromas infused with opulent black fruits, melted chocolate, graphite and crushed rock.  Created from the winery’s estate vineyards in Coombsville and Rutherford, combined with additions of Atlas Peak, Mount Veeder and Howell Mountain resulting in diverse flavors that continually unfurl new components with aeration.  At under $50 per bottle this is absolutely one of Napa Valleys best values in Cabernet Sauvignon.  
 
Pre-fermentation, the grapes are hand-sorted twice with full-attention to every detail.  Optimizing technology, Quintessa uses a gravity-flow method where are grapes are gently crushed on the winery roof before making their way to the fermentation room below using the force of gravity.  This provides a gentler, more grape friendly approach to winemaking and the results simply need to be tasted to be appreciated.
 
FAUST 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl
 
Winery Notes: “The 2016 vintage is a fierce reminder of why we love what we do, as it extended a run of five remarkable vintages in the Napa Valley. Even temperatures throughout the growing season produced excellent clusters, resulting in a bold and powerful wine. Fans of the 2015 Faust will love the 2016, with notes of dark chocolate, blue and black fruit, and dried herbs balanced by silky tannins and lifting acidity.“
 
Customers who enjoy Faust Napa Valley Cabernet enjoy these terrific wines from Huneeus Vintners…
 
2015 Quintessa Proprietary Red 2015 Faust Graffitti Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5 Ltr Magnum 
QUINTESSA
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $174.99/btl 

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From James Suckling: “Aromas of blue fruits, blackberries, tile and lead pencil. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Layered and intense with white-pepper and salt undertones. Love the finish to this racy young wine. Beautiful blue fruits! Drink in 2020 and onwards. From biodynamic grapes.” 97 Points
FAUST 
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
“GRAFFITI EDITION” MAGNUM
 
Your Price: $99.99/(1.5L)

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “A barrel sample, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple colored, with a decadent cassis, baked blackberries and plum preserves-scented nose, plus hints of spice cake, cedar and Marmite toast. Full-bodied, rich, concentrated and wonderfully spicy in the mouth, it has velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long”  92-94 Points
2015 Hoopla The Mutt Proprietary Red

2015 Hoopla ‘The Mutt’ Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedUSA

HOOPLA

2015 THE MUTT
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY

2015 Hoopla The Mutt Proprietary Red
What’s all the hoopla about with this wine? Hoopla’s Napa Valley Red Blend “The Mutt” might be a mixed breed, but if you follow the lineage, I think you’ll find it’s from some doggone good stock…  After all, the producer Hoopes Ranch does own 35 acres in Oakville… They also produce Reds from Howell Mountain and The Muttis a cross-breed of barrels that didn’t go into Hoopes purebred bottlings that range $50-$100/btl…  On the palate the wine offers a lush coat of smooth dark berries and slightly dusty tannins, intertwined with spice box, subtle cigar, and absolutely no bite.  At $23/btl it might just become man’s second best friend…
 
This delicious crossbreed combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and was harnessed in oak barrels for 18 months. This lively offering is now calming and comforting with layers of fruit, intertwined with subtle spices, un-sweetened blackberry pie filling, plum and toasty oak.  Don’t let this one escape…
 
HOOPLA 
2015 THE MUTT 
PROPRIETARY RED 
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $25/btl
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “This Napa Valley Red Blend exemplifies that big 2015 concentration. The aromas are rich and inviting with juicy blackberry, violet, and anise lending layered complexity. The mid-palate is full and plummy with a touch of toasted oak. This structured yet smooth wine finishes with hints of cola and vanilla.”
 

Customers who enjoy Hoopla’s The Mutt may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…

2015 Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red
KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT 
2015 CRAZY CREEK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ALEXANDER VALLEY 
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl 

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From The Tasting Panel: “Named for Goldschmidt’s middle daughter, the wine’s grapes hail from Crazy Creek, a vineyard known to produce some iconic wines. Big, bright, blue fruit notes on the nose are meaty, with a chocolate espresso twist and dry tannins showing on the palate.  It’s a little masterpiece with a dark chocolate finish that way over delivers on price-to-quality.”  94 Points
VISTA 
2017 RED BLEND
RUTHERFORD
 
Your Price: $23/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Scintillating aromas of fresh blackberries, tart red currants, cocoa powder and vanilla spice.  The palate is dense, rich and powerful with a beautiful combination of bright red fruit characteristics that perfectly intertwine with deep black fruits including blueberry compote, crushed black raspberries, ripe red plum, baking spices and bittersweet chocolate.  Intense and penetrating, this wine displays concentrated, powerful fruit with a gorgeous center core that finishes with a long, focused finish and slightly dusty tannins.”  92 – 95 Points  Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2016 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountian Pinot Noir

2016 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir

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

ORRIN-SAGE

2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN

2016 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountian Pinot Noir
A common thread linking many of the top wines that we’ve discovered is that most of them sold out before many of you got to try them.  Those are usually the wines that are the easiest to describe and I believe our excitement over them is contagious. Orrin-Sage Pinot Noir defines that statement and based on the flurry of gushing comments and attempted re-orders, many of you felt just as strongly about the wine as we did.  This remarkable expression of Pinot Noir was was expertly made by Justin Harmon who gained valuable experience as an intern under Russell Bevan.  It’s absolutely one of the best Pinots in the shop under fifty per bottle and the 2016 shouldn’t be missed.  
 
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.  You’ll feel like you stole something after you taste it.
 
ORRIN-SAGE
2016 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $49.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “This stunning Pinot Noir starts with a penetrating nose of bright red plum, intermingling with wet stone, hints of fresh sage leaf and lavender. The focused, compact palate is linear in style with a brilliant blend of tart red cherry, ripe pomegranate, crushed raspberry, red currant, blueberry compote and zingy acidity that cuts a swath across your palate and leaves you begging for more. The finish is long, satisfying and expansive with perfect balance and elegance. Highly recommended.“
95 Points, Kevin M Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
Customers who enjoy Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two stunning Pinots…
2015 Cru9 See You In Your Dreams Pinot Noir
 2015 Daniel Grandvent Vineyard Pinot Noir
CRU9
2015 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
SEE YOU IN YOUR DREAMS
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “A sweetly perfumed Pinot Noir with a compellingly sultry nose of dried violets, ripe raspberries, tart red cherries, spiced cola beans and dried green tea.  On the palate, it is supple and lush with crushed blueberries, tart cranberry, candied lime peel and an exceptionally long finish that lasts for over a minute.  An exceptional effort that drinks great now, but will age gracefully for years… Drink now through 2024.” 94+ Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
DANIEL
2015 PINOT NOIR
GRANDVENT VINEYARD
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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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…”
97 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red

2017 Vista Rutherford Red Blend

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

VISTA 

2017 RED BLEND
RUTHERFORD

2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red
How do you get an incredible Rutherford Cabernet Blend for $23? Frankly, you don’t, unless something unusual happens… Originally intended to be a Single Vineyard Cabernet, a winemaking miscommunication led to some barrels from other high-end projects getting accidentally blended into the same tank.  The result is an absolutely stunning Rutherford Blend that needs a new home… When I first tasted this wine I was asked to estimate the retail price with no information other than what was on the label.  After considering the focused and penetrating red fruits, classic Rutherford dust characteristics and long, pleasant finish, my number was $75-$95/btl… Turns out it was $95, had it been finished as a single vineyard Rutherford Cabernet.  This wine will undoubtedly leave countless fans wanting more, however there is a finite number of cases made and when it’s gone, it’s gone for good.  If you look for value Reds from Napa Valley, I strongly recommend that you double or even triple down on this one…
 
Originating from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this wine embodies many of  the hallmarks that I look for in Rutherford Cabernet. Predominately Cabernet, heightened with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2017 saturates your palate in seductive red berries laced with dried lavender, red currants, iron, and Rutherford dust.  In my career I’ve only come across one other scenario similar to this one… Don’t wait for the next one and stock up on a case or two of this Rutherford Blend.  
 
VISTA 
2017 RED BLEND
RUTHERFORD
 
Your Price: $23/btl
 
Tasting Notes: “Scintillating aromas of fresh blackberries, tart red currants, cocoa powder and vanilla spice.  The palate is dense, rich and powerful with a beautiful combination of bright red fruit characteristics that perfectly intertwine with deep black fruits including blueberry compote, crushed black raspberries, ripe red plum, baking spices and bittersweet chocolate.  Intense and penetrating, this wine displays concentrated, powerful fruit with a gorgeous center core that finishes with a long, focused finish and slightly dusty tannins.“
92 – 95 Points  Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier