2019 Sophie Cinier Macon-Fuisse Les Perrieres

2019 Sophie Cinier Macon-Fuisse Les Perrieres

with No Comment $30-$40BurgandyChablisChardonnayFranceKevin Vogt

SOPHIE CINIER

MÂCON-FUISSÉ
LES PERRIÉRES 2019

2019 Sophie Cinier Macon-Fuisse Les Perrieres
Sophie Cinier took over her family’s small estate near Fuissé in 2000, immersing herself in farming while selling grapes to local producers. Five years later, Sophie’s passion for her vineyards extended into the cellar, and realizing the immense quality of her fruit, she produced her first vintage. 
 
The region of Mâcon-Fuissé lies at the end of the most extended range in the Mâcconais, positioned on either side of Pouilly-Fuissé, lying within a topographical bowl of reef-like composites of limestone. Sandwiched in the middle of several Pouilly-Fuissé vineyards, Les Perrières contains vines averaging nearly 30 years, producing fruit with remarkable intensity and sophistication. Sophie fermented this wine using native yeasts before aging it in neutral oak for 22 months for an exquisite combination of richness and vibrancy, offering immense value.
 
SOPHIE CINIER
MÂCON-FUISSÉ
LES PERRIÉRES 2019
 
Your Price: $36
 
 
“Dried-apple and fresh-pear aromas with a touch of spice. Medium body with a bright, spicy-fruit palate that pushes long. Solid chardonnay. Drink now.”
92 Points
2020 Widows Peak Pinot Noir by Beau Vigne Sonoma County

2020 Widows Peak Pinot Noir by Beau Vigne Sonoma County

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

WIDOW’S PEAK

BY BEAU VIGNE
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY 2020

2020 Widows Peak Pinot Noir by Beau Vigne Sonoma County
Beau Vigne’s signature style was developed by founding winemaker Dave Phinney, making rich, balanced, multidimensional wines, with Robert Parker calling the boutique estate “one of my favorite wineries.” Kirk Venge succeeded Dave Phinney, and Julien Fayard, former Director of Winemaking for Philippe Melka, is the mastermind behind the wines known for producing California varietals with a French twist.
 
The Widow’s Peak Sonoma County Pinot Noir was sourced from a single vineyard in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley, with several aspects and microclimates creating a range of diversity within the vines. The grapes producing the 2020 wine are from four separate clones, including 667, 777, and two California Heritage clones. The fermented juice spent eight months in 40% new French oak, delivering a wine that energetically showcases the complexity of the variety.
 
WIDOW’S PEAK
BY BEAU VIGNE
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY 2020
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“Beau Vigne 2020 Widow’s Peak Sonoma County Pinot Noir opens with lush notes of ripe red plum, maraschino cherry, Christmas cake, vanilla, cocoa powder, and earth. The wine is full-bodied on the palate with flavors of sweet red fruit, orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, cola, and espresso bean. The rich flavor intensity carries into a long finish, and the spice component will make a perfect match for holiday pairings.”
93-94 Points
2019 La Pitchoune La Revolte Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2019 La Pitchoune La Revolte Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

LA PITCHOUNE

LA RÉVOLTE CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST 2019

2019 La Pitchoune La Revolte Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Inspired by a small family property in Southern France, La Pitchoune Winery’s name translates to “the little one.” The winery is proud of its small size and production, which the owners consider their most significant asset because they can spend more time, attention, and focus to every bottle they produce. 
 
Winemaker Andrew Berge’s Master’s degree in Agriculture gives him a deep understanding of geography, soil, and vines that are the foundation of his wines. The 2019 La Révolte Chardonnay was sourced from the Pratt and Falcon Crest Vineyards and hand-crafted using Old-World style techniques, including barrel fermentation without fining or filtering for opulent flavor and impeccable balance.
 
LA PITCHOUNE
LA RÉVOLTE CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST 2019
Retails at: $48
 
 
 
“La Pitchoune 2019 La Révolte Chardonnay begins with rich notes of apricot, honeydew melon, vanilla, and beeswax. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with opulent flavors of ripe peach, nectarine, honey, and toasted brioche. The flavor intensity lingers into a pleasant finish balanced by refreshing acidity.”
92 Points
2018 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Vineyard

2018 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Vineyard

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

PATZ & HALL

CHARDONNAY 2018
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD

2018 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Vineyard
Donald Patz and James Hall were colleagues at Flora Springs Winery before a shared passion for wines with a sense of place brought them together to create Patz & Hall, one of California’s crown jewel Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers. In 1988 Patz & Hall was founded by Donald and Heather Patz, James Hall, and Anne Moses. The winery, to this day, maintains a reputation of excellence by consistently producing brilliant wines from some of Sonoma’s most renowned growers.
 
The Dutton Ranch vineyard is home to some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in western Sonoma County, with partial dry farming producing intensely concentrated berries. The 2018 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is a blend of five clones- Hyde-Wente, Robert Young, Rued, UC Davis Clone 4, and Spring Mountain, aged in 35% new Burgundian French oak, giving the wine some spice while allowing the fruit to shine radiantly.
 
PATZ & HALL
CHARDONNAY 2018
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
Retails at: $44
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“James Hall selects the fruit for this wine from 11 blocks farmed by the Dutton family. Most of the vines are older plantings of heritage clones and selections, a mix that seems to respond to a slow, spontaneous fermentation and development in French oak barrels (35 percent new). The 2018 builds to a savory and ornate chardonnay, a wine with traction that digs into scents of violets and game, jasmine and butterscotch, giving a sweet impression without any actual sweetness. There’s yellow and orange citrus fruit, but the main impression is earthy, with notes of lobster mushroom and lobster broth in a mineral finish. It’s floral, clean, intense wine, with stature and resistance to oxygen. Decant it for crab Louis, or cellar it for years.”
94 Points
 
2018 Les Hauts De Granget Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

2018 Les Hauts De Granget Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin VogtSaint Emilion

LES HAUTS DE GRANGET

SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
BORDEAUX 2018

2018 Les Hauts De Granget Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux
Les Hauts de Granget is produced by the Union de Producteurs de Saint Emilion, a cooperative established during the economic crisis of the 1930s to unite several vineyards and estates in production. For over 80 years, the emphasis has been on quality and responsibility, as evidenced by their multiple certifications and state-of-the-art facility.
 
Les Hauts de Granget produces elegant wines with sophistication, reflecting the subliminal terroir of St Émilion. With the help of four oenologists and a viticultural expert, their 2018 vintage won the Medaille d’Or in France, a blind tasting celebrating the most impressive wines in the country. It also charmed the Decanter World Wine Awards, receiving an incredible 96-point score. 
 
LES HAUTS DE GRANGET
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
BORDEAUX 2018
 
Your Price: $35
 
 
“Ripe black cherry, blueberry, cedar and cinnamon on the nose. Full bodied with fine grained ripe tannins. Cabernet Franc helps to give some refreshing acidity that balances the depth of fruit concentration.”
96 Points
20121 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella Sonoma Coast

2021 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella Sonoma Coast

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

HANZELL

SEBELLA PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

20121 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sebella Sonoma Coast
Hanzell Vineyards is a historic Sonoma property planted in 1953 after the founder, James D. Zellerbach, spent several years in Burgundy, falling in love with the region’s style, techniques, and wine culture. The De Brye family acquired the estate in 1975, focusing on sustainability and maintaining the original, holistic farming approach.
 
The Sebella Pinot Noir celebrates this site and soil selection and sources fruit from like-minded partner growers in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The 2021 Sebella was aged for ten months in 100% neutral French oak to maintain a fresh coastal charm, complex fruit intensity, and depth, emulating the estate wines for a third of the price.
 
HANZELL
SEBELLA PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“The Hanzell 2021 Sebella Pinot Noir opens with lilacs, fresh red cherry, and plum accented by savory spice, sweet tobacco, and a sea shell minerality. The wine has a light to medium body and flavors of pomegranate, cranberry, blood orange, and cinnamon. The bright, playful character is in a delicate balance with soft tannins, ready to drink now or lay down for a few years.”
93 Points
2020 Leviathan Proprietary Red California

2020 Leviathan Proprietary Red California

with No Comment $30-$40CoombsvilleKevin VogtMoon MountainProprietary RedSonomaUSA

LEVIATHAN

PROPRIETARY RED
CALIFORNIA 2020

2020 Leviathan Proprietary Red California
Andy Erickson grew up in the Midwest, and after spending a summer in France, he began his winemaking journey in Napa Valley before moving to Mendoza, Argentina. Upon his return to Napa, he worked under several renowned winemakers, including Paul Hobbs, John Kongsgaard, and Michel Rolland, and earned his Master’s Degree in Enology from UC Davis. During his college studies, he worked at Spottswoode and Saintsbury wineries before making wine for some of Napa Valley’s top estates, including Harlan Estate, Screaming Eagle, and Staglin Family Vineyards.
 
Propelled by his access to some of the most exceptional vineyards in Northern California, Andy founded Leviathan in 2004 to showcase the freedom of American winemaking without rigid appellation requirements. For the 2020 blend, he sourced Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Syrah, Syrah, Petite Verdot, and Cabernet Franc from some of his favorite plots in Red Hills, Coombsville, and Moon Mountain, combining his advanced knowledge and skillset for this delicious blend.
 
LEVIATHAN
PROPRIETARY RED
CALIFORNIA 2020
Retails at: $40
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“Lots of black olive, tar and asphalt with black fruit. Medium to full body with firm and linear tannins that run the length of the wine. This is a multi-region blend with a large percent from Sonoma. 56% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 13% petite syrah, 7% syrah, 5% petit verdot and 4% cabernet franc. Drink or hold.”
93 Points
2019 Emiliana Coyam Valle De Colchagua

2019 Emiliana Coyam Valle De Colchagua

with No Comment $30-$40ChileKevin VogtProprietary Red

EMILIANA 

COYAM 2019
VALLE DE COLCHAGUA

2019 Emiliana Coyam Valle De Colchagua
Visionaries Rafael and José Guilisasti noticed a change in the global wine market in the late 1990s, with consumers consciously choosing wines, not just for health reasons but also looking into environmental and social aspects. Rafael and José partnered with winemaker Álvaro Espinoza converting a traditional Chilean winery into a 100% organic and biodynamic production facility focused on respecting the environment and creating wines of the highest quality.Colchagua Valley
 
 
Coyam is the winery’s proprietary red blend sourced from the Los Robles Estate in the Colchagua Valley, known for producing complex Syrah, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The grapes ripen slowly due to a mixture of ocean breezes and winds from the Andes Mountains. This wine represents the entire wine team’s commitment to excellence and responsibility, with a delicious balance of Chilean spice and fruit character, earning outstanding scores.
 
EMILIANA 
COYAM 2019
VALLE DE COLCHAGUA
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“The 2019 Coyam is a blend of 38% Syrah, 33% Carmenere and several other grape varieties from the Los Robles vineyard in Colchagua, aged for 18 months, 75% in barrels and the rest in foudres and eggs. Expressive, complex and ripe on the nose; the oak lends cedar aromas to accompany the blackberry, raspberry and hints of spice. In the mouth, it’s fleshy with juicy freshness, a smooth texture and delicate, concentrated, relaxed tannins before the lengthy finish.” 
94 Points
2017 Farella Estate Merlot Coombsville

2017 Farella Estate Merlot Coombsville

with No Comment $30-$40CoombsvilleKevin VogtMerlotNapaUSA

FARELLA

ESTATE MERLOT
COOMBSVILLE 2017

2017 Farella Estate Merlot Coombsville
Tom Farella’s decades of farming experience and work in Burgundy and Oregon, combined with his lifelong passion for wine, resulted in many of Coombsville’s most memorable wines. Realm Winery recognized the quality of Tom’s grapes nearly two decades ago, and they’ve produced a single-vineyard wine from Farella, earning numerous 95 and above scores. Tom’s namesake wine is consistently outstanding and offers impressive quality, a sense of place, and balance, well above what you’d expect at this price level.
 
Farella’s hillside vineyard, planted in 1979, gives a Right Bank Bordeaux-style Merlot with supple tannins and bright acidity due to the proximity of the San Pablo Bay and its cooling effects. The 2017 Merlot is nuanced and spicy with grace and elegance blossoming from a rich Napa core, continuing in the Farella legacy of small-production fine wine for over 42 years.
 
FARELLA
ESTATE MERLOT
COOMBSVILLE 2017
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“Lots of plum and currant aromas here with some flowers and green olives. It’s full-bodied with round, ripe tannins and a generous finish of fruit. Drinkable now, but better in 2023.”
92 Points
2021 Jean-Marie Reverdy Caillottes Sancerre Loire Valley

2021 Jean-Marie Reverdy Caillottes Sancerre Loire Valley

with No Comment $30-$40FranceKevin VogtLoire ValleySancerre

JEAN-MARIE REVERDY

CAILLOTTES SANCERRE
LOIRE VALLEY 2021

2021 Jean-Marie Reverdy Caillottes Sancerre Loire Valley
Domaine La Villaudière is a multi-generational winery run by Jean-Marie Reverdy and his wife Catherine, with the help of their elder son and estate winemaker Guillaume. They handcraft brilliant Sancerre, centered around sustainability, family, and preserving classic Sancerre terroir. The Sancerre AOC brings a level of sophistication to Sauvignon Blanc, unmatched by any other region in the world, with traditional farming practices and winemaking techniques passed down for generations.
 
The winery sources this stunning Sauvignon Blanc from vines grown on the renowned Caillottes soil, known for producing fruit with elaborate aromatics. The 2021 ‘Caillottes’ Sancerre offers a specific sense of place, capturing the chalky minerality and zesty citrus fruit that’s part of the region’s identity and why it’s celebrated worldwide as the epitome of Sauvignon Blanc.
 
JEAN-MARIE REVERDY
CAILLOTTES SANCERRE
LOIRE VALLEY 2021
 
Your Price: $36
 
 
“Domaine La Villaudière 2021 ‘Caillottes’ Sancerre opens with aromas of bay leaf, rosemary, lime, white peach, and crushed sea shells. On the palate, the wine displays vibrant acidity and flavors of grapefruit, lemon yogurt, and gooseberry. This wine is mineral and citrus fruit-driven, balanced by a soft mouthfeel with remarkable concentration.”
94 Points