2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $100 and overChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Antinori 

Tignanello 2021
Tuscany, Italy

2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

Tenuta Tignanello, a pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement, has redefined Italian winemaking with its bold innovations. The estate’s pioneering spirit, evident in its early adoption of barrique aging for Sangiovese and its masterful blending of Bordeaux varieties, has shaped the future of Italian viticulture.

Tignanello and Solaia, the estate’s iconic wines, stand as benchmarks of Italian excellence. The 2021 Tignanello, recently ranked #3 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, beautifully reflects this legacy.

The 2021 vintage is a masterpiece of balance and complexity, born from an extended growing season that allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. This wine offers a harmonious blend of power and finesse, with deep, layered flavors and a polished structure. Aged for 16 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak, the wine showcases the estate’s signature Sangiovese-dominant blend, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

With exceptional critical acclaim and immense aging potential, the 2021 Tignanello is a must-have for collectors and showcases Tenuta Tignanello’s enduring vision.

Antinori 
Tignanello 2021
Tuscany, Italy

Your Price: $169.99

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“Laced with pure cherry, strawberry, graphite and tobacco aromas and flavors, this red is beautifully supported by a backbone of vibrant acidity and taut, refined tannins. Everything is framed by vanilla and toasty oak in the best sense, revealing harmony, with a long, orange-tinged finish and, yes, even drinkability at this stage. Best to give this a few more years in the bottle. Best from 2027 through 2045.”

97 Points, #3 Top 100 Wines of 2024

2017 Greg Linn Grand Cru Champagne Blanc de Blancs

2017 Greg Linn Grand Cru Champagne Blanc de Blancs

with No Comment $100 and overChampagneChampagne/SparklingFranceKevin Vogt

Greg Linn

Grand Cru Champagne
Blanc de Blancs
Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger
Vintage Ammonite 2017

2017 Greg Linn Grand Cru Champagne Blanc de Blancs

Greg Linn is an unconventional winemaker, a true globetrotter who describes his brand as “a négociant meets world-traveling rock band.” After years of exploring the world’s most revered wine regions, he found his muse in the hallowed soils of Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger. The result? The extraordinary 2017 ‘Vintage Ammonite’ Grand Cru Champagne.

Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger is a legendary village renowned for its chalky terroir, which yields some of the world’s finest Chardonnay. It’s the birthplace of iconic wines like Salon Le Mesnil and Krug Clos du Mesnil—wines that fetch four-figure price tags and stand as benchmarks of luxury. The purity and prestige of this terroir are the foundation of Greg Linn’s 2017 ‘Vintage Ammonite.’

This exceptional Champagne captures the essence of a singular year, showcasing the ethereal brilliance of Le Mesnil’s Grand Cru vineyards. Each sip is a harmonious blend of minerality, precision, and elegance, a testament to the terroir and the vintage.

Greg Linn
Grand Cru Champagne
Blanc de Blancs
Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger
Vintage Ammonite 2017

Your Price: $125

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“The Greg Linn Vintage Ammonite Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2017 begins with a rich nose of baked apples, toasted walnuts, red roses, and toasted brioche. The exquisite, crisp, dry palate is beautifully constructed, with concentrated flavors of citrus, apples, and almond pastry intertwined with a mouth-quenching saline quality, adding even more nuanced characteristics. The incredible finish is as lingering and penetrating as you could ever wish for, making this offering one of the top Champagnes available at any price.” 

98 Points

2021 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

La Sirena

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The 2021 La Sirena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon encapsulates the mastery, dedication, and heart that only small, family-driven winemaking can achieve. Crafted by legendary winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett, this wine carries a story of tradition, artistry, and ambition. Heidi’s journey started in her early years alongside her father, Dick Peterson, where she first fell in love with winemaking. After studying Fermentation Science at UC Davis, she quickly rose to fame in the 1980s with stints at prestigious names like Dalla Valle and Screaming Eagle, where her talent earned multiple perfect 100-point scores.

La Sirena began in 1994 with an unexpected twist when Heidi, while creating a Sangiovese for a client, was left with a beautiful wine the client could no longer take. She recognized its quality and bought the wine, launching La Sirena within a month.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a remarkable product of a low-yield, intensely concentrated vintage sourced from Heidi’s meticulously farmed Calistoga vineyards and vinified with the same finesse she brought to Screaming Eagle. With a lush, velvety profile, this Cabernet is purposefully crafted to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike, embodying a rich heritage of Napa winemaking artistry.

La Sirena
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $185

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“The La Sirena 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with elegant aromas of violets, ripe black cherry, blackberry, and plum, with subtle undertones of dark chocolate, vanilla, and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine has soft tannins and balanced acidity, with pronounced flavors of dark fruits, including black currant and cherry, baking spices, cocoa, and cigar box. A hint of toast adds to the complexity with spice notes and a long lingering finish.”

96 Points

2021 Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

2021 Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSpring MountainUSA

Barnett Vineyards

Rattlesnake 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Spring Mountain

2021 Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

A former number one wine-of-the-year on our top five list, Barnett’s Rattlesnake Hill Cabernet Sauvignon traces its illustrious journey back to 1991, when its debut vintage earned a heartfelt, handwritten letter from Robert Parker. Parker, compelled to write only for the third time in his career, enclosed a personal check for two cases for his cellar, an unprecedented gesture that signaled a bright future for this wine.

Perched on a rugged knoll at 2,050 feet, this Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the most cherished parcel of Barnett’s Spring Mountain estate. Each bottle tells the story of an intense selection process, as winemaker David Tate meticulously chooses only the finest barrels from their estate fruit to craft a wine that is, above all, a celebration of purity and intensity.

The Barnett team’s dedication to traditional winemaking techniques and close attention to every production detail has anchored them as a true icon of Spring Mountain for over three decades. This Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of their work, a testament to their vision and a showcase of their expertise on every level.

Barnett Vineyards
Rattlesnake 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Spring Mountain
Retails at: $250

Your Price: $225

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“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon erupts from the glass with powerful notes of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves, and plum pudding giving way to wafts of lavender oil, crushed rocks, Chinese five spice, and tar. The full-bodied palate is jam packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice flavors, framed by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and opulent.”

96+ Points

2022 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

2022 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSAWillamette Valley

Beaux Frères

Pinot Noir 2022
Beaux Frères Vineyard
Willamette Valley

2022 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Discover the epitome of Oregon Pinot Noir with the 2022 Beaux Frères, ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard.’ This exquisite and super high-scoring wine, sourced from the heart of the Willamette Valley’s renowned Ribbon Ridge AVA, is a testament to the estate’s unwavering commitment to quality.

This wine hails from the winery’s flagship vineyard—a jewel in the region. This single-vineyard expression showcases the unique character of the region’s marine sedimentary soils and a legacy of meticulous viticulture and winemaking.

Founded by Michael G. Etzel, with the support of his sister, Pat, and her husband, Robert J. Parker, the estate has transformed a former pig farm into a world-class vineyard. Planted at a remarkably dense 2,200 vines per acre, the vineyard maximizes the potential of its exceptional site.

The 2022 vintage produced a remarkably concentrated and age-worthy wine. The grapes reached peak ripeness with reduced yields, resulting in a wine of exceptional complexity and depth. As the years pass, this Pinot Noir will continue evolving, revealing layers of flavor and structure that will delight discerning palates.

Beaux Frères
Pinot Noir 2022
Beaux Frères Vineyard
Willamette Valley

Your Price: $125

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“A jeweled, youthful ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir The Beaux Freres Vineyard is fantastically layered with bright red fruit, preserved cranberries, lifted spice, and crushed stones, and the palate is elegant and refined, with fine tannins and a great harmonious and tapered finish. It’s very well-detailed, with a chiseled structure that makes itself known, and it’s only going to improve with time in the bottle. Drink 2026-2046.”

98 Points

2019 Pauillac de Latour Pauillac Bordeaux France

2019 Pauillac de Latour Pauillac Bordeaux France

with No Comment $100 and overBordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

Pauillac de Latour

Pauillac 2019
Bordeaux, France

2019 Pauillac de Latour Pauillac Bordeaux France

Château Latour, a storied First Growth estate in Bordeaux, has a legacy that stretches back to the mid-14th century. Nestled on a sloping hillside along the Gironde Estuary, the estate benefits from a unique terroir where warm breezes protect the vines from frost. This idyllic setting, combined with centuries of winemaking expertise, has solidified Latour’s position at the pinnacle of Bordeaux’s history.

While many Bordeaux estates produce two wines, Château Latour offers a third: Le Pauillac. Crafted from younger vines that may not quite meet the exacting standards of the Grand Vin, Le Pauillac nevertheless captures the essence of the estate’s character.

Produced with meticulous care, Le Pauillac presents an approachable yet refined expression of the Château Latour legacy. Typically a blend of 45% Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Petit Verdot, Le Pauillac offers an inviting introduction to the Latour family of wines—providing luxury and heritage without the Grand Vin’s lofty price tag.

Pauillac de Latour
Pauillac 2019
Bordeaux, France

Your Price: $105

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“Blackberries and blackcurrants with lead-pencil overtones in the nose and palate. Mint, too. It’s full-bodied with very fine, polished tannins and an extremely long finish. Shows class and refinement. Start drinking after 2027.”

96 Points

2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino

2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino

with No Comment $100 and overBrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Luce

Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino 2018

2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino

In 1980, Brunello di Montalcino became Italy’s inaugural wine to receive the prestigious DOCG designation, solidifying its position as the crown jewel of Montalcino’s winemaking tradition. Nestled within Tuscany’s rolling hills, this enchanting village, where vineyards intertwine with ancient olive groves, boasts a unique microclimate that nurtures exceptional viticulture. Montalcino’s harmonious blend of landscape and heritage yields some of the world’s most celebrated wines.

At Tenuta Luce, each facet of the winemaking process is approached with profound respect for the land, the vineyards, and the artisans who bring it to life. The 2018 Luce Brunello di Montalcino embodies this dedication. Blessed by a temperate summer devoid of excessive rain or scorching heat, the grapes achieved optimal phenolic ripeness, developing layers of complexity. Following fermentation in cement tanks, the wine matured in Slavonian oak barrels, resulting in a luxuriously smooth red that encapsulates the richness and elegance of Montalcino.

Luce’s 2018 vintage offers a bold and captivating expression of the year, characterized by its “beautiful texture and balance,” as commended by James Suckling, a renowned Italian wine critic.

Luce
Brunello di Montalcino
Montalcino 2018
Retails at: $150

Your Price: $110

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“A finely structured and focused Brunello with a complex array of cherries, blackberries, dried roses, bark, licorice and hints of praline. Iodine and oyster shells, too. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, very fine tannins. Beautiful texture and balance. Remains fresh and fine until the end. Try in 2025.”

96 Points

2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

JANZEN

BECKSTOFFER TO-KALON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019

2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon
The renowned Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, initially planted by Hamilton Crabb in 1868, is widely regarded as a Napa Valley First Growth. With a rich heritage of producing exceptional wines that consistently receive high scores, its fruit draws some of Napa Valley’s most distinguished winemakers. Kirk Venge, one of Napa’s most in-demand winemakers, whom you might recognize from Eleven Eleven, Macauley, B Cellars, and Venge wines, crafted this remarkable expression. 
 
The detail-oriented viticultural team keeps the vineyard in optimum health, ensuring the vines grow deep into the well-drained soils in search of nutrients that aid in the fruit’s distinguished flavors and robust structure. Janzen’s 2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon unabashedly displays the signature characteristics that have made the legendary piece of land incredibly valuable.
 
JANZEN
BECKSTOFFER TO-KALON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019
 
 
 
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes from one of the greatest sites in the valley and is all varietal. Its ruby/purple color is followed by a perfumed, expressive bouquet of red and black currants, flowery incense, leather, chocolate, and baking spices. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate and nicely balanced, with velvety tannins, a round, supple mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s drinking nicely already, but I see no need to delay gratification either. Nevertheless, it should have 15 years of prime drinking.”
95 Points
2016 Levy & Mcclellan Ampersand Red Blend Napa Valley

2016 Levy & Mcclellan Ampersand Red Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtProprietary RedUSA

LEVY & MCCLELLAN

AMPERSAND RED BLEND
NAPA VALLEY 2016

2016 Levy & Mcclellan Ampersand Red Blend Napa Valley
Bob Levy began his winemaking career in the mid-1970s at Cuvaison, moving on in the early 1980s as winemaker and general manager at Rombauer before dedicating himself to several years at Merryvale, where he met his future business partner, Real Estate Developer Bill Harlan. Bob became Harlan Estate’s founding winemaker and Director of Winegrowing and embarked on an illustrious career as Director of Winegrowing for all of the Harlan Family Domain properties, including BOND ESTATES, Promontory, and The Napa Valley Reserve. He recently handed over those responsibilities to the next generation; however, he continues to oversee the Harlan family winegrowing teams and properties. Over time, Bob worked with over 100 unique hillside cabernet vineyard sites in Napa Valley during his career.
 
Levy & McClellan was founded in 1999 by Bob and his wife, Martha McClellan, capitalizing on Bob’s profound experiences in the vineyard to select a prime location to plant a vineyard with specific ideas not previously done. His philosophies included producing a wine that would share the structure of a hillside cabernet while preserving the terroir’s character and providing a pleasurable experience through the finish with soft tannins. Martha is also a talented winemaker, crafting the wines at Sloan Estate, Checkerboard Vineyards, and Vineyard 7 & 8. She and Bob created Ampersand to tell the vintage story; Their 2016 Proprietary Red is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon-based with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, giving a clear portrait of excellence. 
 
LEVY & MCCLELLAN
AMPERSAND RED BLEND
NAPA VALLEY 2016
 
Your Price: $350
 
 
“The Levy & McClellan 2016 Ampersand has alluring aromas of lavender, violet, black currant, black plum, black olive, cedar, and dark chocolate. The palate is rich and densely concentrated with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, baking spices, and dried herbs, balanced with bright, refreshing acidity and seductively smooth tannins. This wine immediately grabs your attention and doesn’t easily let go with its infinitely long finish.”
98 Points
2019 Quinetessa Proprietary Red Rutherford

2019 Quinetessa Proprietary Red Rutherford

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

QUINTESSA

PROPRIETARY RED
RUTHERFORD 2019

2019 Quinetessa Proprietary Red Rutherford
Quintessa sees an opportunity for each vintage to deepen their connection with their land by looking, listening, and developing a better understanding of how each plot responds to its soils, aspect, and microclimate. The Huneeus Family founded the estate on 280 acres of diverse geology with several different terroirs, all organically farmed and individually monitored to ensure the perfect ripening of each plot for their flagship red wine.
 
The 2019 vintage saw early rains that established healthy soils and even shoot-growth with slightly cooler spring temperatures, then ideal summer conditions without significant heat spikes that helped maintain bright acidity. This Bordeaux-style blend is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 22 months in French oak, allowing for a refined integration of tannins and fruit character that have a youthful approachability and a potential for longevity and further development in the cellar.
 
QUINTESSA
PROPRIETARY RED
RUTHERFORD 2019
 
Your Price: $235
Limit 6 Bottles Per Customer
 
 
“This is a winemaker’s master class in blending and understanding of a long-standing site. Dried herb, cedar and pencil shavings accent lifted red fruit and brilliant acidity on the palate, with a supple yet still youthfully grippy texture that is framed by structured, graceful tannins. Enjoy from 2029–2039.”
100 Points
 
“So much earth and spice with walnut and wet earth. Like fog laying over the valley in the morning. Black fruit. Medium-to full-bodied with super-fine tannins that are long and persistent, with graceful progression and length on the palate. So long, with real definition. September 2022 release. From biodynamically grown grapes. Hard not to drink now, but will age wonderfully.”
99 Points