2016 Coursey Graves West Slope Syrah Bennett Valley

2016 Coursey Graves West Slope Syrah Bennett Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSonomaSonoma MountainSyrahUSA

COURSEY GRAVES

2016 WEST SLOPE SYRAH
BENNETT VALLEY

2016 Coursey Graves West Slope Syrah Bennett Valley
Winemaker Cabell Coursey works tirelessly to uncover and illuminate some of Napa and Sonoma’s lesser-known vineyards that are quietly yielding world-class grapes. He seeks out steep hillside plots that experience cool atmospheric conditions and have rocky soils that share similarities to the austere conditions of Bordeaux. These vineyards are capable of producing concentrated fruit with majestic characteristics that are unique to their origin. When I first tasted his 2016 West Slope Syrah last year, my immediate thought was, I’m getting a case of this for my cellar.
 
Coursey Graves Estate Vineyard is located a thousand feet above sea level on Bennett Mountain, where the ancient volcanic soils and unique micro-climate is ideally suited for Syrah. The wine is powerfully compelling, richly layered, and effortlessly elegant. 
 
Burgundy inspired winemaker Cabell Coursey, and he learned winemaking from the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France. Then he honed his skills in New Zealand and the Willamette Valley before working at iconic producers DuMOL and Kosta Browne. The 2016 release has several stellar reviews, but DougAndrea on CellarTracker may have said it best with his quote, “OMG. Buy more…” 
 
COURSEY GRAVES
2016 WEST SLOPE SYRAH
BENNETT VALLEY
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“Very savory and smoky, this Sonoma syrah is anything but a fruit bomb. The slightly sappy tannins and smoked-bacon flavor nicely balances the underplayed ripeness. The finish is fresh with plenty of spicy complexity. Drink or hold.”
93 Points
 
“Deep ruby-purple, the 2016 Syrah Estate West Slope has a very pretty nose with scents of violet, stone and graphite with touches of tar and olive over a concentrated core of blackcurrant, warm black cherries and spice box. Full-bodied, it gives up intense, spiced blue and black fruits framed by firm, ripe tannins and good freshness, finishing very long…”
92 Points
 
“This is a thick, rich and unctuously varietal wine, smoky in oak and beautifully wrapped layers of grilled meat and game. A thicket of lavender and licorice gives it complexity and more to ponder.”
90 Points
2014 William Knuttel Cabernet Sauvignon Windsor Oaks Vineyard

2014 William Knuttel Cabernet Sauvignon Windsor Oaks Vineyard Chalk Hill

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonChalk HillKevin VogtNapaUSA

WILLIAM KNUTTEL

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
WINDSOR OAKS VINEYARD 
CHALK HILL 2014

2014 William Knuttel Cabernet Sauvignon Windsor Oaks Vineyard
William Knuttel produces wines with intensity and finesse, which he achieves through meticulous fruit selection and skilled winemaking. As the former VP and winemaker at Chalk Hill, he has relationships with some of Sonoma County’s most heralded growers. As a veteran winemaker, he allows each featured site to shine brightly under his namesake label. At just $40, his 2014 Windsor Oaks Vineyard Cabernet is deep, firm, and well-defined, showing off his learned skills as a top winemaker.
 
Knuttle’s 2014 Windsor Oak Vineyard Cabernet is sourced from a single block of vines overlooking the Russian River Valley to the West and the Alexander Valley and the Mayacamas Mountains to the East. He’s scrupulous in his selection of only the ripest and most flavorful berries for his single-vineyard bottling, and he vinifies them separately. 
 
The hillside vineyard is quintessentially Chalk Hill and planted over well-drained, gravelly, clay-loam soils with open exposure to brisk Russian River Valley breezes that allow the Cabernet to maintain balanced acidity and fine structure. He produced just 8 barrels of this wine, and after more than 4 years in the bottle, the wine is stunning.
 
WILLIAM KNUTTEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
WINDSOR OAKS VINEYARD 
CHALK HILL 2014
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and spiced tea rise unabated from this inky black wine. A well-integrated backbone of velvety tannins and toasty oak highlights cherry and cassis flavors, leading to concentrated fruit in a seamless and assertive finish. Alcohol 14.8%”
2019 Desante L'Atelier Proprietary White Napa Valley

2019 Desante L’Atelier Proprietary White Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underNapaProprietary WhiteSauvignon BlancUSAYountville

DESANTE 

2019 L’ATELIER
PROPRIETARY WHITE
NAPA VALLEY
 
2019 Desante L'Atelier Proprietary White Napa Valley
Desante’s L’Atelier proves that certain grape varietals can complement one another by accentuating specific characteristics. In this case, Semillon adds richness and opulence to the bright, piercing Sauvignon Blanc elements, resulting in a supremely focused white with enough richness to keep you coming back for more.
 
Dave Desante’s admiration for winemaking began at age ten, and it’s taken him all over the world, from Margaret River, Australia, to Chateau Petrus in Bordeaux. He’s revered as an expert winemaking consultant in Napa Valley and was the founding winemaker for Tierra Roja.
 
The Semillon grapes are from 45-year-old, dry-farmed vines in Yountville, and contribute to the wine’s textural depth, richness, and floral complexity. The Sauvignon Blanc came from the nearly half-century-old Varozza Vineyard in St. Helena, which brings intense minerality and bright citrus fruits.
 
DESANTE 
2019 L’ATELIER
PROPRIETARY WHITE
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $28
 
 
 
“Surprising with its vivid aromatic references to flint and peach, this refreshing summer white could be mistaken with ease for one of the best offerings from Bordeaux. True to this reference, there is a harmonic balance of Semillon (30%) that rounds the vibrant edge of the crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The Semillon adds mid-palate weight without making this marriage a clumsy one. Spiced pear and fresh mandarin are the flavors that result with a flourish of toast and mineral in the pleasing finish. This is the wine to enjoy with prawns, grilled vegetables and salmon.”
2018 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines

2018 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPaso RoblesUSAZinfandel

TURLEY

2018 ZINFANDEL
OLD VINES

2018 Turley Zinfandel Old Vines
Turley’s Old Vines Zinfandel is birthed each vintage from a collection of ancient vineyards, with vines ranging from 41 to 129 years old. Director of winemaking Tegan Passalacqua calls the 2018 vintage “one of the best in a long time,” and this wine wears it on its sleeves. They’ve produced their Old Vine Cuvee for twenty vintages, and it’s because it’s a compilation of so many of their properties that it’s as the winery describes, “the story of Turley Wine Cellars itself.”
 
Turley prides itself on being stewards of historic vineyards and producing forty-seven wines from over fifty Certified Organic sites. The 2018 Old Vines arose from seven iconic regions across California and includes many sites with yields too low to make a single-vineyard bottling. 
 
The winery has always attracted some of California’s most talented winemakers, beginning with Helen Turley. Helen passed the torch to winemaker Ehren Jordan and now Ehren to Tegan Passalacqua, who worked under Jordan before becoming Director of Winemaking.
 
TURLEY
2018 ZINFANDEL
OLD VINES
 
Your Price: $36
 
 
“The 2018 Zinfandel Old Vines is a gorgeous wine and a fabulous value. Sweet dark cherry, new leather, spice, menthol, licorice and red flowers all open up effortlessly. Medium in body yet fleshy and wonderfully deep, the 2018 has a lot to offer. It can be enjoyed now, but also has the stuffing to develop nicely for years to come.” 
90 Points
 
“Tegan has called this vintage one of the best he’s seen in a long time. Silky, structured, savory, and seriously satisfying, this wine has kind of natural depth, complexity, and grace that can only come from truly old vines. The full gamut of fruits and a satin-like texture, the Old Vines over- delivers, and will continue to do so for many years to come…”
2018 Courtney Benham Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

2018 Courtney Benham Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

COURTNEY BENHAM

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 RUTHERFORD 

2018 Courtney Benham Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
Courtney Benham wines give tribute to Courtney’s love of terroir and journey through some of Napa Valley’s most distinctive appellations, offering a vivid portrayal of their unique origins. Rutherford is one of the most celebrated terroirs in Napa Valley due to its dynamic complexity, powerful elegance, and dusty tannins. Courtney’s version spotlights each of those hallmark characteristics, as well as the incredible vintage, and at less than $50, it’s one of the best values in the region.
 
Rutherford plays an integral part of Courtney’s terroir expression series, with ideal temperatures coupled with gravel and loam soils and volcanic deposits. These elements produce dense Cabernet Sauvignon fruit heightened with a quintessential earthiness that’s unique to the region. 
 
Winemaker Courtney Benham has three decades of experience, and his talent for selecting vineyards of distinction is highly evident in this wine. The 2018 vintage showcases power and restraint, with concentrated fruit, earthy minerals, and a singular focus.  
 
COURTNEY BENHAM
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 RUTHERFORD
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $46
 
 
“The blue fruit, fresh flowers, sandalwood and dust are so beautiful in this. Full body, firm and polished tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Really linear and tight. Persistent finish…”
94 Points
2015 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate

2015 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

THE VINEYARD HOUSE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 OAKVILLE ESTATE 

2015 The Vineyard House Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate
The Vineyard House is my go-to recommendation for anyone looking for $500 quality in Cabernet, but at a price that’s less than half that. Surrounding their Estate Vineyard are properties owned by Harlan Estate, Promontory, and Futo, which garner around $500 to $1600 per bottle. Jeremy Nickel owns the winery, and the brand is a tribute to his late father, Gil Nickel, of Far Niente and Nickel & Nickel wineries. The wine is under-the-radar, for now, but based upon the extreme quality inside the bottle and pedigree of the land, the brand will likely be a future cult wine.
 
Jeremy’s property is elevated above the benchlands of Oakville, overlooking To-Kalon and Martha’s Vineyards. The vines are grown in volcanic and sedimentary bedrock and produce fruit with superior concentration, power, and depth. 
 
This stunning wine emerges from one of Napa Valley’s top vintages, which the Wine Spectator describes as producing “significantly lower yields…Quality is high.” After developing for 24 months in oak, this remarkable wine expresses everything that I look forward to in upper echelon Oakville Cabernet. Still, we priced it at less than half of what you’d expect. 
 
THE VINEYARD HOUSE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 OAKVILLE ESTATE
Retails at: $225
 
 
 
“The Vineyard House Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is picture-perfect. Of all the Cabernet Sauvignons I taste every year, The Vineyard House always stands out as one of the best-of-the-best Napa Cabernets that could easily challenge any contender. It’s powerfully brooding, with a linear element that makes it incredibly complex and seamless, along with remarkable purity. It is a towering wine with a mouth-watering combination of wild Burgundy plums, crushed mountain blackberries, smooth blue fruits, and elegant florals. It has a defined presence on your palate, but with all elements perfectly in place. The finish stays on your palate long enough to evolve as it slowly expands, then tapers for over a minute. It’s simply a delight to behold, and you can enjoy it now and over the next couple of decades.”
97 Points
 
“Our 2015 Cab is a case study of power & balance. This reddish-purple wine displays concentrated aromas of blackcurrants, blackberries, redcurrants, crème de cassis, violets, rosehips, tobacco leaf, forest floor, and pencil lead. Its seamless tannic structure and bright acidity will provide the stuffing for great longevity in your cellar. Patience will pay off in dividends, but our extended barrel aging adds a supple nature to the wine allowing for accessibility in its youth. The 2015 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will not disappoint with its polished but intense personality.”
2017 Baldacci Elizabeth Pinot Noir Carneros

2017 Baldacci Elizabeth Pinot Noir Carneros

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosKevin VogtNapaPinot NoirUSA

BALDACCI

ELIZABETH PINOT NOIR
2017 CARNEROS 

2017 Baldacci Elizabeth Pinot Noir Carneros
Baldacci crafts their Carneros Pinot Noir in a style that’s marked by concentrated fruit, intriguing textures, and palpable sense of place. The wine arose from Baldacci’s Estate Vineyard in Carneros, which is farmed by Josh Clark, one of wine country’s most sought after viticulturists whose clients include icons like Outpost, Hourglass, and Kinsella to list a few.
 
Michael Baldacci works closely with Ricardo Herrera to craft balanced wines with a sense of place and tangible value. Ricardo gained invaluable experience over the years at icons Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Dominus, and Screaming Eagle.
 
The Baldacci team is steadfast in producing wines that tell a story of their origins and vintage. They achieve this through highly-skilled vineyard management, top-level winemaking, and timely choices made during each step of the process. The results speak for themselves, and at this price, a single case may not be enough.
 
BALDACCI
ELIZABETH PINOT NOIR
2017 CARNEROS
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“Our motto is no whimpy Pinot Noir! I approach this varietal as a lighter, yet sturdy red wine from our portfolio. We work towards a balanced fruit load, per vine, in the vineyard. We use our clones to create nuance and texture in the final wine. There is nothing formulaic about Pinot Noir. It is much more challenging to produce than Cabernet Sauvignon. We strive for a fruit forward expression that is more dark rather than red berry. We de-stem everything and cold soak for no more than 3 days to achieve a color and tannin profile that is more structured. Everything is fermented in open top, small volume tanks with daily punch downs until dry. We use 40% new French oak to marry our fruit with the spice from the wood.”
2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley

2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Anderson ValleyChardonnayKevin VogtUSA

FEL

2018 CHARDONNAY
ANDERSON VALLEY

2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley
Fel produces their Chardonnay in a pure, refreshing style that highlights the fruit’s natural essence, without the influence of new oak or malolactic fermentation. Winemaker Ryan Hodgins ferments his Chardonnay in neutral oak barrels, a technique he used while working as the assistant winemaker at Hanzell Vineyards. The resulting wine captures the undiluted personality of the appellation and delivers it brilliantly. 
 
Fel Winery is in California’s Anderson Valley, and it’s the sister-winery of powerhouse Stags Leap District producer Cliff Lede. The winery also owns the renowned Savoy Vineyard, which produced single-vineyard wines from notables such as Radio-Coteau, Peay, and Littorai. 
 
The 2018 release is from several methodically selected Anderson Valley Vineyards, including Savoy Estate. The wine was aged sur lie for ten months, which contributed to the wine’s richness and textures, and perfectly complements the brightly focused fruit. 
 
FEL
2018 CHARDONNAY
ANDERSON VALLEY
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“Fresh, vibrant fruit aromas and flavors drive this full-bodied and well-balanced wine. It floods the palate with flavors of crisp apple, ripe pear and a touch of pineapple while subtle hints of baking spice play in the background.”
92 Points
 
“The 2018 Chardonnay Anderson Valley is a soft, fruity wine to drink now and over the next handful of years. Apricot, orange confit, white flowers and tropical accents give this bold Anderson Valley wine tons of depth and complexity. The 2018 is a terrific appellation-level wine from Fel.”
89 Points
 
“Lifted floral aromatics waft from the glass of this citrus-driven Chardonnay. Notes of lemon zest, white grapefruit, and Key lime, are complemented by hints of juniper, struck flint, and melon. The blend of citrus flavors continues in the mouth with an abundance of fresh lemon and orange zest. The juicy finish is carried by notes of lemon balm with zippy acidity.”
2017 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles

2017 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles

with No Comment $50-$60Central CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedSanta Lucia HighlandsUSA

JUSTIN

2017 ISOSCELES 
PASO ROBLES 

2017 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles
Justin pioneered Bordeaux grape varietal blending in Paso Robles more than 30 years ago and named their flagship wine Isosceles for the three varieties that go into it; Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Today, they’re one of the most recognizable producers in the region, and Isosceles unwaveringly delivers rich layers of lavish fruits and remarkable complexity. At around $60, it’s a lot of wine for the price.
 
Justin planted their vineyards in the Santa Lucia Mountains, where abundant fossilized limestone and enormous diurnal temperature swings proved ideal for ripening Bordeaux varietals and producing powerfully expressive flavors. 
 
The 2017 release is centered around a core 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and then aged in 100% new French oak barrels for an impressive 21 months. If you’re looking for a full-bodied red with deep, enthralling flavors and stunning complexity, this is it. 
 
JUSTIN
2017 ISOSCELES 
PASO ROBLES
Retails at: $76
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“Highly aromatic and complex with lush, ripe black cherry, black currant and boysenberry with vanilla, cinnamon spice, sweet tobacco and savory notes of leather, camphor and cedar; Full bodied and luxuriant with ripe black fruit, mostly cherry and black currant with mixed ripe berries and barrel spice on entry. The mid-palate features continued fruit with subtle savory elements of autumn leaf, leather, and cedar with rounded, plush tannins that extend into a long finish featuring black cherry and camphor notes. The 2017 ISOSCELES is a full, complex and rich wine that is drinking nicely on release and will offer added complexity in a few years. 15% alcohol.”
2015 Together Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2015 Together Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

TOGETHER

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 NAPA VALLEY

2015 Together Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Together Cabernet Sauvignon harnesses Mountain fruit’s power through gentle winemaking, barrel age, and time in the bottle and delivers it with supreme elegance, refinement, and balance. The wine is crafted by Grant Long Jr, whom you might know from Witchery, Aonair, James Joseph, and Steps. Grant produced the 2015 vintage in the deeply enchanting style that we’d expect from his wine, and at $80, it’s worth every penny. Of course, at our price, very few wines can even complete.
 
Grant flawlessly merged hillside Cabernet Sauvignon fruit sourced from the surrounding mountains of Napa Valley, then enhanced it with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, which are vital in balancing the distinct Mountain terroirs. 
 
This remarkable 2015 was cave-aged for around 20 months in premium oak barrels, and after blossoming in the bottle for more than three years, the flavors have come together spectacularly. There are very few cases of this boutique Cabernet produced, and priced at 1/2 of the winery retail, you simply can’t order too much of this.
 
TOGETHER
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $80
 
 
 
“Following the spectacular 2014 vintage, the Together Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 is even more enticing. It begins with a concentrated nose of muddled blackberries, cassis, black plums, fresh lavender, and vanilla spice. The brooding palate has impressive balance with the wine’s deep, dark bass notes in perfect harmony with the brighter red fruit character. The rich, supple texture caresses your taste buds into a blissful, satiated state. It then finishes very long, with a complexity that teases your palate in such a beautiful way, and leaving you absolutely needing that next sip. Then the next. Then the next…” 
94 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier