2015 Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

HEITZ CELLAR

MARTHA’S VINEYARD
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2015 Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Martha’s Vineyard is one of the most prized vineyards in all of Napa Valley, boasting some of the New World’s longest-lasting, alluring Cabernet Sauvignons, capable of 100 point scores. Heitz has had a contract with Martha’s Vineyard since 1966, after Tom and Martha May, founders of Martha’s Vineyard, tasted Heitz Cabernet and were so impressed with the quality, they sealed a deal with their precious fruit.
 
Located on Oakville Bench bordering To-Kalon and below Harlan and BOND wineries, Martha’s Vineyard is fringed with eucalyptus trees believed to be the source of the wine’s signature minty, menthol character that makes it so memorable. The 2015 release is powerfully complex and loaded with the Vineyard’s hallmark savory undertones and is an absolute classic.
 
HEITZ CELLAR
MARTHA’S VINEYARD
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $260
 
 
“Enticing, with the frankly ripe profile of the vintage showing off in a display of slightly exotic plum and blackberry coulis flavors, while dark licorice, menthol and sassafras notes course through. Sweet spice accents sparkle through the finish, revealing a lingering hint of singed juniper. The long finish features rippling acidity…” 
95 Points
2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSonomaSonoma MountainUSA

WESTWOOD

2018 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED

2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red
Legends of biodynamic viticulture, Westwood spares no expense raising the highest quality wines possible from their Demeter-certified Biodynamic vineyard, one of just a handful in North America. Their winemaker is Philippe Melka, named by the Wine Advocate as “one of the Top 10 Winemakers in the World,” whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Mastery, and Dominus.
 
Westwood Legend arose from the cool, wind-swept Annadel Gap Vineyard, located between Mt. Hood and Sonoma Mountain, and includes specially sourced organic grapes from Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Formatted to bring out the best qualities of the Estate, the “superbly expressive” 2018 blend earned a massive 97 Point rating from Tasting Panel Magazine, and at around $50, delivers legendary quality.
 
WESTWOOD
2018 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“In its third vintage, this superbly expressive red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Mourvedre emits scents of jasmine, plum blossoms and cafe mocha. Winemakers Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky fermented the wine in closed-top stainless steel tanks as well as a French oak upright tank. Aged in 30% new French oak for 20 months. The palate mirrors the nose, adding a graceful array of floral notes with more robust flavors ascending to heavenly levels of black raspberry, coffee, and dots of white pepper that cause the mouth to salivate.”
97 Points
2019 Montagu Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2019 Montagu Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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

MONTAGU

2019 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2019 Montagu Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Exceptional vineyards attract the best winemakers, and Montagu’s owner and winemaker, Weston Eidson, is no exception, gaining much of his experience from his mentors Jason Moore and Russel Bevan. Weston focuses on single-vineyard wines from some of the best vineyards in Napa and Sonoma, sourcing the fruit for this Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from a hidden location in Sonoma’s rolling hills, cooled by ocean breezes and fog from the Pacific Ocean.
 
Rarely blended with other varietals, Pinot Noir is a vector for terroir expression and meant to reflect the earth on which it was grown. Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir presents richness elegantly with bright fruit character and refreshing acidity that you can’t find anywhere else on earth.
 
MONTAGU
2019 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“The Montagu Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2019 begins with aromas of rose petals, bing cherries, strawberries, vanilla, and earth. The palate leads with a crisp acidity that enhances the bright fruit character and soft tannins that lead into a silky, smooth finish. This wine is drinking wonderfully right now but can also lay down for 5-7 years. I’d be delighted to see this at my dinner table this evening.”
92 Points
2019 Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

2019 Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

HIGHLANDS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 RESERVE
NAPA VALLEY

2019 Highlands Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley
Highlands Winery combines over 75 years of winemaking and grape growing experience by two wine industry pioneers, both working with some of the biggest names in Napa. Dave Cofran began making wine in 1967 and later joined Silver Oak in 1984 as GM, and Paul Segas is an expert in the vineyard, selling grapes to Chateau Montelena, Joseph Phelps, and Robert Mondavi.
 
Paul and Dave spent years perfecting their crafts and combined their expertise to make high-quality wines from small plots, guided by the belief that winemaking begins in the vineyard. Their attention to detail, drive to make their best wines possible, and vast knowledge of the vineyards and winemaking is undeniable in this wine, which won’t last long at less than half the winery retail price!
 
HIGHLANDS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 RESERVE
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“Highlands Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is an incredibly aromatic beauty that opens with violets, cassis, blackberries, anise, and graphite. The palate is round with flavors of black plums, cloves, and chocolate fondant cake. The fine-grained tannic structure and fresh acidity will age very well, becoming softer with time and revealing additional layers of complex flavors.” 
92 Points
2018 Duckhorn Three Palms Napa Valley Merlot

2018 Duckhorn Three Palms Napa Valley Merlot

with No Comment $90-$100Kevin VogtMerlotMerlotNapaUSA

DUCKHORN 

2018 THREE PALMS
NAPA VALLEY MERLOT

2018 Duckhorn Three Palms Napa Valley Merlot
Since its first bottling in 1978, Duckhorn Three Palms Vineyard Merlot set the gold standard for New World Merlot, reaching the pinnacle in 2017 by ranking #1 on the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, the second-ever domestic Merlot to achieve that status. Located in Northern Napa Valley, Three Palms Vineyard sits at the exact location where warm temperatures and rocky, volcanic soils force the vine’s roots deep into the ground in search of nutrients, boosting the minerality and depth of flavors.
 
The growing conditions in 2018 were optimal, with a mild spring and summer followed by a temperate fall allowing the grapes an extended hang-time, achieving the perfect ripeness of fruit and tannin components. Duckhorn’s tradition of excellence comes full circle in this powerful yet elegant, full-bodied Merlot with a long, ethereal finish that’ll keep you wanting more and more.
 
DUCKHORN 
2018 THREE PALMS
NAPA VALLEY MERLOT
Retails at: $110
 
Your Price: $99.99
 
 
“Elegantly structured and featuring concentrated cherry tart and raspberry pastry flavors that are loaded with toasty richness. Creamy and spice-filled finish is backed by firm acidity and tannins. Drink now through 2026.”
94 Points
2017 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve

2017 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSAWillamette Valley

DOMAINE SERENE

2017 PINOT NOIR
EVENSTAD RESERVE 

2017 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve
Few places in the world have the ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir grapes, but Grace and Ken Evenstad struck gold when they purchased land in the rolling Dundee Hills of Oregon. Since the inaugural 1990 vintage, Domaine Serene has been producing world-class wines and is the only winery in the world with a Top 3 rating in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including the #3 Wine of 2013 for their 2010 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir.
 
The Evenstad’s are lovers of classic, Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir, having high-quality standards to create wines of the same caliber by a commitment to sustainability and continuing to improve internal standards. The 2017 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir represents the highest standards for Oregon Pinot Noir, and with its stratospheric 96 point score, this should be in every Pinot-lovers collection.
 
DOMAINE SERENE
2017 PINOT NOIR
EVENSTAD RESERVE
 
Your Price: $75
 
 
“So much spice is the first impression here, this blended expression is well established as a powerful and complex style of pinot. Fresh red-cherry, potpourri, orange-peel, dried-flower, pomegranate and red and dark-cherry aromas, to name a few. The palate has such concentrated and layered style with dense red-cherry, blueberry and black-cherry flavors, delivered in a seamless build that holds so long. Impressive quality here. Drink or hold.”
96 Points
2018 Styler Pinot Noir Saucci Vineyard

2018 Styler Pinot Noir Saucci Vineyard

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

STYLER

2018 PINOT NOIR
SUACCI VINEYARD

2018 Styler Pinot Noir Saucci Vineyard
Styler focuses exclusively on cool-climate Pinot Noir with an emphasis on sustainability and site expression. Driven by a love for Pinot Noir and the desire to accurately reflect the grape’s origins by utilizing a hands-off winemaking approach, Styler partnered with UC Davis alumni Scott Rich to bring their dreams to fruition. Scott’s experience includes making wine at Morga Winery in Bel Air, Etude in Napa Valley, and Corpora in Chile.
 
This Pinot Noir arose from the Goldridge soils of Suacci Vineyard, where naturally low yields of tiny grape clusters powerfully reflect their origin with remarkable clarity and sophisticated balance. The 2018 vintage was aged 20 months in barrel, offering focused, concentrated fruit with savory intensity and elegant balance that creates a delightfully joyous experience from the first sip to the last.
 
STYLER
2018 PINOT NOIR
SUACCI VINEYARD
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“The 2018 Styler Suacci Pinot Noir has a wonderfully unique combination of elements on the nose, including dried mushrooms, ripe red berries, spice cake, with light hints of glove leather, and orange blossoms. The palate is bright and concentrated with sweet strawberries, concentrated tart cherries, elegant florals, and baking spices. It finishes long and balanced, with the sweet fruit dancing perfectly in sync with the bright freshness.”
93 Points
2018 Mike And Molly Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard

2018 Mike And Molly Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard

with No Comment $30-$40CoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSAZinfandel

MIKE AND MOLLY

2018 ZINFANDEL
R.W. MOORE VINEYARD

2018 Mike And Molly Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard
The only thing deeper than the roots of the ancient Zinfandel vines at R.W. Moore Vineyard is Mike and Molly Hendry’s ties to Napa Valley. Mike’s grandparents purchased a vineyard at the base of Mount Veeder in 1939, where the Hendry Winery is today. Molly’s uncle Bill owns the historic R.W. Moore Vineyard in Coombsville’s center, planted in 1905 and part of the U.C. Davis Heritage Vineyard project, where genetic material is studied and preserved. 
 
This field blend of approximately 95% Zinfandel, 1% Petite Sirah, 1% Carignan, 1% Mourvedre, and 2% Mourtaou is grown in Coombsville, where the cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean keep the grapes from developing overripe, jammy fruit characteristics, producing a more balanced Zinfandel. The resulting wine is elegantly styled and profoundly complex, and at $40, the value is memorable.
 
MIKE AND MOLLY
2018 ZINFANDEL
R.W. MOORE VINEYARD
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“This is a richly layered and complex wine from the great estate site. It is juicy and expressive in bold flavors of cherry and blackberry. With a softness to the palate, it invites one into a supple tannin structure and integrated oak, finishing in just a subtle hint of vanilla.”
92 Points
2019 Hanzell Sebella Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2019 Hanzell Sebella Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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

HANZELL

SEBELLA PINOT NOIR
2019 SONOMA COAST

2019 Hanzell Sebella Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Founded in 1953 with a passion for traditional Burgundian-style, low intervention winemaking that naturally expresses the purity of the fruit and the terroir, Hanzell is a paragon in this style domestically. The current owners, the de Brye family, and winemaker Michael McNeill dedicate themselves to preserving this natural approach that’s made Hanzell a reference standard for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production.
 
Hanzell “Sebella” Pinot Noir is blended from specially selected vineyard sites on the Sonoma Coast, providing the depth, complexity, and age-worthiness of Hanzell’s estate wines for a fraction of the cost. The wine is primarily aged in neutral barrels, preserving wine’s fresh fruit character and spice that can be enjoyed now or cellared for a few years to develop the classic savory and earthy notes of a mature Pinot Noir.
 
HANZELL
SEBELLA PINOT NOIR
2019 SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“Having spent nine months in new French oak, this wine offers a mix of bright acidity and crunchy red fruit. It uncovers white pepper, lavender and forest floor accents as it develops, yielding a wine that shows tremendous value for the quality.”
94 Points, Editors’ Choice
2019 My favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

2019 My favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCentral CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesUSA

MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 PASO ROBLES

2019 My favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles
Eric Jensen of Booker Vineyard is dedicated to growing fruit for some of the best wineries in Paso Robles, gaining experience along the way from neighboring farmers and vintners, particularly from his original favorite neighbor, Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure Winery. The homage is a Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from exceptional vineyards around Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Edna Valley, presented in a powerfully compelling and lavish style. 
 
Farming is life for Jensen and the farmers he works with, sharing the common goal of growing the best fruit possible using organic or biodynamic practices, coaxing the vines to perform at their ultimate best. The result is a wine that stands up to some of the most noteworthy California cult Cabernets and makes no excuses at its $50 price level where it performs at the highest level. 
 
MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 PASO ROBLES
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“2019 My Favorite Neighbor is deeply aromatic with incense, ripe black plums, blackcurrants, and chocolate-covered cherries. The wine has a rich, decadent mouthfeel with voluminous flavors of blueberry crumble, mocha, and butterscotch. The wine has an edgy minerality, like wet stones after a rainstorm, enhanced by the soft, chalky tannins, finishing with a succulent, velvety texture. Drink now until 2031.”
94 Points