2017 Foley Johnson Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

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FOLEY JOHNSON  2017 Foley Johnson Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 ESTATE CABERNET
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY

 
Napa Valley’s Iconic Rutherford appellation is one of the most revered regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s celebrated for producing wines with palpable and distinct character, superior elegance and of course classic Rutherford dusty tannins.  Paragons Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  The best Rutherford Cabernets will fuse elegance, complexity and dusty tannins in a way that makes you want to enjoy them on a regular basis.  Of course with an average retail price of well over $100 per bottle for Rutherford Cabernet, it can be tough to find one at a modest price. Foley Johnson’s Rutherford Estate Cab is absolutely one of the best values in Rutherford, with a name that’s synonymous quality.
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s supremely focused and brims with concentrated red fruits, wild violets, cherry pipe tobacco, crushed graphite and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.  Their Rutherford Estate Cabernet competes favorably with the best in the Valley…
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
2017 ESTATE CABERNET
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes: “Our 2017 Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon displays inviting aromas of huckleberry, cedar, black pepper and a hint of dried sage. On the palate, bold tannins are balanced with flavors of black currant and dark cherry with savory notes of tobacco and graphite. Well structured and full bodied, our Cabernet Sauvignon is approachable now, but will age beautifully over the next 5-10 
2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

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LA FOLLETTE 2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

2016 CHARDONNAY
LORENZO VINEYARD

 
There are several key qualities that I look for in absolutely top-quality Chardonnay.  First I look at color intensity, and evaluate it for a golden hue that’s both striking and pure.  Next, is aroma, and I want to smell both complexity and precision detail. On the palate, the most important thing that I seek is balance.  A great Chardonnay can be rich, and opulent, but it needs to be finely threaded with enough acidity to be refreshing, and to not fall flat.  I found all of the above in a glass of 2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay, and it turns out I wasn’t alone… With 94-95 Point scores from Robert Parker and Jeb Dunnuck, this micro-produced Chardonnay is screaming for your attention.  At under $40, it’s truly one of the best examples California Chardonnays that I’ve tasted in years.
 
La Follette is all about showcasing terroir, and their goal is to create a wine that is transparent to the individual site from which it was hewn.  The Lorenzo Vineyard lies in the middle of Sonoma’s Iconic Russian River Valley AVA and the vineyard gets plenty of cooling fog in the mornings and evenings which help the grapes maintain acidity throughout their lifecycle.  The 10 acre vineyard is planted to Old Wente Clone, which is a classic Chardonnay clone preferred for producing wines with intense aromatics, and rich textures.  With just 128 cases produced, I wouldn’t wait to secure yours.
 
LA FOLLETTE
2016 CHARDONNAY
LORENZO VINEYARD
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl  
YOU SAVE 20%
 
 
“A step up, the 2016 Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard comes from a vineyard in the Russian River and spent ten months in 20% new French oak. It has riveting notes of caramelized lemons, white flowers, salty minerality, and toasted bread. Clean, pure, medium to full-bodied, with integrated acidity and a great finish, it has a racy, vibrant style that’s backed up by terrific intensity and depth. It’s a beauty.“  95 Points
“The 2016 Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard has gregarious scents of honeycomb, pink grapefruit, green mango and nectarines with touches of croissant and apple blossom. Medium-bodied, it fills the palate with great tension and tightly wound mineral and tropical layers, finishing with great length and depth. 128 cases produced.” 94 Points
 
Customers who enjoy La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay  may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
2017 Vine Cliff Los Carneros Chardonnay
 2017 Montagu Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
VINE CLIFF
2017 CHARDONNAY
LOS CARNEROS 
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “.. opens up with inviting citrus notes of Meyer lemon and mandarin orange, followed by floral notes of honey suckle, and jasmine. A second breath of wine takes you to a place of minerals, with hints of flint and wet stones. The gentle kiss of oak seems to seep through the fruit ever so slowly. The beauty of this vintage is reflected by the perfect balance between fruit, oak, and acid. The palate exhibits a depth of fruit flavors ranging from golden delicious apple, tangelo, and nectarine. On the finish the wine ends with a medley of honey, citrus, and floral notes.”
MONTAGU
2017 CHARDONNAY
DURELL VINEYARD
Retails at:  $55/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “This Chardonnay hails exclusively from the DurellVineyard in Sonoma Coast. The Chardonnay is bright, powerful, and driven by a flinty minerality balanced with tropical fruit notes of white peach, honeyed apricots, and lemon curd with hints of mint and citrus. This wine was fermented in French barrels and spent one year in barrel leading to wonderfully balanced oak integration while sur lee aging developed rich complexity.”
2015 Waterfall Old Vine Proprietary Red

2015 Waterfall Old Vine Napa | Sonoma Proprietary Red

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WATERFALL 2015 Waterfall Old Vine Proprietary Red

2015 PROPRIETARY RED
OLD VINE, NAPA | SONOMA

 
You might recognize winemaker Helen Keplinger from when she was featured on the front page of the Wine Spectator, or from her work at Bryant Family, Kenzo, Grace Family, Carte Blanche or from her own label Keplinger, but most people probably haven’t heard of Waterfall… Of course, with 140 cases made of their Proprietary Blend, it’s no surprise.  At a small fraction of the price of the above mentioned wines, I couldn’t wait to taste this wine and it absolutely did not disappoint.  The wine combines equal quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and arose from old, dry farmed vines.  On the palate the wine is deeply concentrated, focused and finely detailed.  At $40, a wine of this caliber would make anyone do a double take… At $35, the quality is overflowing. 
 
Cascading in from the remarkable 2015 vintage, which was the fourth straight drought influenced growing season and one that produced stunningly high quality fruit, but incredibly low yields.  The 2015 spent an impressive 21 months in oak barrels and now with a couple years in the bottle, it’s really starting to flow.  
 
WATERFALL
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
OLD VINE, NAPA | SONOMA
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “Nose of purple flowers, tobacco, cedar and campfire. Mouth coating, dense and chewy, with flavors of black plum, black cherry, cocoa. Great grip and texture, with fine tannins. A fantastic blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc, from a single vineyard in Sonoma Valley, is from 80 year old, head trained, dry farmed vines. Aged 21 months in 30% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.” 140 cases made.
 
Customers who enjoy Waterfall Proprietary Red may also enjoy these two stunning Blends… 
2015 Tobias Formation Proprietary Red 2017 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietary Red
TOBIAS 
2015 FORMATION
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $50/btl
 
Your Price: $33/btl 

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From Wine Enthusiast: “Hearty and full bodied, this wine is loaded with blackberry, dark chocolate and beef flavors and structured with moderate tannins and a rich mouthfeel. Blended from Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, it has good concentration, ripeness and length, and it’s easy to enjoy.” 90 Points
CHAPPELLET
2017 MOUNTAIN CUVEE
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $33/btl 

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Winery Notes: “This lush and layered Bordeaux blend begins with alluring fruit-driven aromas of cherry, currant and plum, as well as sophisticated undercurrents of graphite, cedar, clove and nutmeg. The berry and spice notes are echoed on the round, mouth- coating palate, where they mingle with hints of black tea, vanilla and savory herbs. An underpinning of tannins provides weight, structure and impressive length to the finish.“
2014 Valdez St Peter's Church Zinfandel

2014 Valdez St Peter’s Church Zinfandel

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VALDEZ 2014 Valdez St Peter's Church Zinfandel

2014 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH

 
There are many different interpretations of Zinfandel produced in California, ranging from  intensely jammy, to those that have a brawny build and concentrated core, to a pure, supple and well-balanced style.  This remarkable single-vineyard Zin from Valdez falls in the brawny, well-built category with a deep and concentrated core of fruit, unending depth and escalating persistence.  What makes this Zin extra-special is that it also attracts some of the best attributes of the other styles of Zin. It has just enough intense jammy fruit to let you know it’s classic Old Vine Zinfandel and a purity of flavors and balance reflecting the talented family that produced it. The Valdez family are some California’s most sought after wine growers, having farmed for Aubert, Kistler, Paul Hobbs and others.  Their St. Peter’s Church Zinfandel is simply one of the best Zin’s produced in California, which is why their 2013 earned a spot on my top 5 wines of the year list in 2018…
 
Arising from a 5 acre vineyard in Alexander Valley that’s planted to nearly century old vines, this wine exhibits all the qualities that I look for in Old Vine Zinfandel. Rosenblum fans might also recognize this vineyard from single-vineyard Zinfandels that they produced in the 1990’s.  Carved from one of Sonoma Counties greatest vintages, this exemplary ancient vine Zinfandel is a must-have.
 
VALDEZ
2014 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
 
Tasting Notes: “This focused, penetrating zinfandel flaunts intense flavors and aromas of rich Bing cherries, concentrated cranberry, and black currants with hints of Spring flowers, bakers chocolate and black olives. The amazing balance of flavors makes your palate thirst for more after every sip of this beauty.”
 
Customers that enjoy Valdez St. Peter’s Church Vineyard  Zinfandel, may also enjoy these two terrific Zins… 
2016 Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel 2107 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “… a bold, well structured wine with an aromatic nose of ripe berries, brown spice, and black licorice. The color is a beautiful and vibrant dark crimson. The wine is deftly balanced, with flavors that burst on the palate, offering well defined dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry that give way to dark chocolate, spicy pepper and a hint of nutty oak. The frame is firm yet round without harsh edges, with an appealing, weighty, yet buoyant mid palate, and a refreshing lift on the lengthy, enjoyable, toasty finish.”
QUIVIRA
2017 ZINFANDEL
PILLSBURY VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Jeb Dunnuck: “… the 2017 Zinfandel Pillsbury Vineyard (100% Zinfandel) has a classic bouquet of plums, mulled currants, cedary spice, and incense. Elegant, medium to full-bodied, rounded, and fleshy on the palate, with good purity, it’s another beautiful Zinfandel from this estate.” 93 Points
2017 Domaine Barat Vaillons Premier Cru Chablis

2017 Domaine Barat Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons

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DOMAINE BARAT 2017 Domaine Barat Vaillons Premier Cru Chablis

PREMIER CRU CHABLIS
2017 VAILLONS

 
While there’s never a bad time for a glass of White Burgundy, I begin to crave Chablis even more as the weather warms up.  A classically styled Chablis is clean and linear with bright citrus fruits, minerals, refreshing acidity and little to no buttery or oaky characteristics.  One of my favorites is Domaine Barat’s Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons.  The Estate dates back to 1795, and has a reputation for producing some of the most compelling, absolutely brilliant Chablis, and fortunately for us, they do so at a wonderfully realistic price. The only problem is with the minuscule number of cases imported into the US, there’s simply never enough of this wonderful White Burgundy to satisfy demand.
 
Chablis suffered greatly from frost in 2017 which resulted in lower grape yields, however those that survived were of extraordinary quality.  Domaine Barat’s 2017 Premier Cru Vaillons was carved from half-century old Chardonnay vines, grown in soils rich in clay and limestone and the wine is stunningly brilliant.  I strongly recommend securing your case, before it’s too late.
 
DOMAINE BARAT
PREMIER CRU CHABLIS
2017 VAILLONS
 
Your Price: $33/btl

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Tasting Notes: “This flashy Chablis is linear and focused with penetrating flavors that cut a swath across your tongue.  The palate has beautiful key lime tart, ripe peach and dried apricot flavors.  It has beautiful complexity with a flinty minerality and hints of crushed oyster shells.  The brilliant acidity carries the balanced flavors through a very long, concentrated finish.”
 
Customers that enjoy Domaine Barat Chablis may also enjoy these two terrific White Burgundies…
2017 Domain La Croix Sancerre Domain Du Grand Pre Macon-Lugny Les Charmes White Burgandy
DOMAINE LA CROIX
SAINT-LAURENT
2018 SANCERRE
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Importer’s Tasting Notes: “Great nose, very expressive, stones and flowers. Explosive right from the start, bright, fresh, energetic, structured, focused, with great flavors of orange citrus, green citrus and green melon. Wonderful tension and balance, beautiful mouthfeel and a long, complex, deliciously clean finish.”
DOMAINE du GRAND PRE
2017 MÂCON-LUGNY
LES CHARMES
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Great nose of minerals and white flowers. Nice richness, balance, acidity and structure in the mouth, with flavors of honeydew, pear, spice and a cleansing salinity on the finish. A harmonious, vibrant wine. ‘Les Charmes’, an 11 hectare vineyard with vines averaging 35 years of age, is located in the prime growing area of Mâcon on clay and limestone soils on east facing slopes, farmed organically…
50 cases imported.“
2014 William Knuttel D Rafanelli Vineyard Mary's Block Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 William Knuttel D. Rafanelli Vineyard Mary’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon

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WILLIAM KNUTTEL 2014 William Knuttel D Rafanelli Vineyard Mary's Block Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
D. RAFANELLI VINEYARD
2014 MARY’S BLOCK

 
When it comes to the most Iconic Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel Vineyards in Sonoma County, the Rafanelli Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley is foremost.  Their wines are nearly impossible to acquire and are mailing list and restaurant only… What many people don’t know is that William Knuttel produces two Cabernets from Rafanelli Vineyard, so as you can imagine, we couldn’t wait to try them.  Their 2014 D. Rafanelli Mary’s Block is remarkably stunning, and it’s made in an elegant, long and expansive style that keeps you coming back for more.  At around $40, this makes my list of the best Cabernets in Sonoma County.
 
Proprietor William Knuttel isn’t a stranger to high-quality Sonoma County Cabernet.  He was the Vice President and winemaker at Chalk Hill from 1996 through 2003 and he was also winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyards through 2011.  The Mary’s Block produced minuscule yields of just 1.4 tons per are of intensely flavored, BB sized berries, and the resulting wine spent 19 months in oak.  In this realistic price category, this will compete favorably with the best Cabernets produced in Napa Valley and in fact, it did at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition where it earned a Gold Medal.  You simply need to try it.  8 barrels produced.
 
WILLIAM KNUTTEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
D. RAFANELLI VINEYARD
2014 MARY’S BLOCK
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 11%
 
Winery Notes: “Mary’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon combines black cherry, ripe plum and blackberry fruit, spiced with brooding herbs. Oak and toast highlight and focus the ripe berry and cherry flavors, completely complementing the aromas. Hillside tannins are fully resolved, leading to a full, balanced and supple finish…”
Gold – 2018 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
 
Customers who enjoy William Knuttel Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
2014 Humanitas Piscis Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Kuleto Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
HUMANITAS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 PISCIS VINEYARD
Retails at: $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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Tasting Notes: “....The nose has a sultry opulence with pungent berry intensity followed by blueberry tart, creme de cassis, hints of bay leaf, liquid mineral and sweetened dark chocolate.  The palate begins with penetrating, focused flavors of crushed blackberries and red currants, followed by secondary characteristics including wet stone, cigar box and vanilla spice.  For this price point, this wine is approaching perfection… I can’t remember having a wine that costs less and drinks better… Simply fabulous!”  97 Points
KULETO
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Wine Enthusiast: “From the producer’s estate at over 1,000 feet in elevation, this seamlessly textured wine grabs one’s palate from the start and doesn’t let go. Huckleberry and cedar notes meet bay leaf accents and grippy tannins, all enveloped in smoky oak. It finishes with bright, fresh blackberry.”  92 Points
0217 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

2017 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

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QUIVIRA 0217 Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

2017 ZINFANDEL
PILLSBURY VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY

 
As much as I love a great California style Zinfandel that’s classically deep, jammy, and intensely flavored, there’s something refreshing about finding a pure expression of the varietal, with brilliant detail and stunning balance.  When I came across Quivira’s 2017 Pillsbury Zinfandel it reminded me just how much I love the Zinfandel grape.  Imagine a basket filled with fresh blueberries, wild plums, boysenberries, black cherries and mulberries and being able to taste each one simultaneously and with absolute clarity?  That’s exactly what you’ll find in a glass of this Zin… At $48 it’s an experience worth taking, but at $39.99, it’s a rush that you’ll want to experience over and over again…
 
Carved from the dry-farmed Pillsbury Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley where winter rains are the sole source of irrigation.  You can see the crushed oyster shells scattered abundantly throughout the vineyard which are used to supplement the soils and strengthen the vines.  The wine was carefully guided from grape to bottle by Hugh Chappelle, former winemaker at Flowers, Lynmar and Charles Heintz to name a few…  We taste quite a few new Zinfandels every week and this is simply the best Zin that I’ve tasted this year.  Trust me… You’ll be glad you did.
 
QUIVIRA
2017 ZINFANDEL
PILLSBURY VINEYARD
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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YOU SAVE 16%
From Jeb Dunnuck: “… the 2017 Zinfandel Pillsbury Vineyard (100% Zinfandel) has a classic bouquet of plums, mulled currants, cedary spice, and incense. Elegant, medium to full-bodied, rounded, and fleshy on the palate, with good purity, it’s another beautiful Zinfandel from this estate.” 93 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Quivira Pillsbury Vineyard Zinfandel, may also enjoy these two terrific Zins…
2016 Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel 2013 Valedez St Peter's Church Zinfandel
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “… a bold, well structured wine with an aromatic nose of ripe berries, brown spice, and black licorice. The color is a beautiful and vibrant dark crimson. The wine is deftly balanced, with flavors that burst on the palate, offering well defined dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry that give way to dark chocolate, spicy pepper and a hint of nutty oak. The frame is firm yet round without harsh edges, with an appealing, weighty, yet buoyant mid palate, and a refreshing lift on the lengthy, enjoyable, toasty finish.“
VALDEZ
2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “This impeccably balanced zinfandel flaunts energizing flavors and aromas of ripe black cherries, concentrated pomegranate, and crushed blackberries with hints of white rose petals, cocoa powder and pipe tobacco. The perfect balance shines through with an amazing brightness that elegantly supports the richly focused flavors.  Simply stunning!”  94 Points
2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

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FOLEY JOHNSON 2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

ESTATE CABERNET 
2013 RUTHERFORD 

 
Napa Valley’s Iconic Rutherford appellation is one of THE most revered regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s celebrated for producing wines with palpable character.  Paragons Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  I recently checked the average retail price of the more than fifty 2013 vintage Rutherford Cabernets listed in the Wine Spectator and they averaged well over $130/btl…  This is a real barometer to the quality of this appellation, and if you’ve followed my emails for a while, you know that one of my favorite Rutherford producers is Foley Johnson.  Their name is synonymous with epic value, and even at the winery retail price of $75 it’s a terrific find.  At our price, it’s a complete steal…
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s brimming with concentrated black fruits, crushed violets, graphite, freshly ground coffee and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.  After nearly 4 years blossoming inside the bottle, words can hardly describe how great this wine is drinking right now.  
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
ESTATE CABERNET
2013 RUTHERFORD
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 

Winery Notes: “The nose of our 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is fruit forward with very deep and concentrated notes of blackberry, black currant and hints of toasted characters. The body follows the aroma and is fruit forward with nice tannin balance throughout the palate. The fruit on the palate shines and provides flavors from blackberry to slight hints of light raspberry and as it opens up there is a light hint of sweetness and licorice. Although the tannins are still quite prevalent, they are not overwhelming and are approachable now, but will age nicely over next 5-10 years.”

2015 Bibbiano Vigna Del Capannino Gran Selezione Chianti Classico

2015 Bibbiano Vigna Del Capannino Gran Selezione Chianti Classico

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BIBBIANO 2015 Bibbiano Vigna Del Capannino Gran Selezione Chianti Classico

GRAN SELEZIONE
2015 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO

 
When our panel tasted Bibbiano’s 2015 Gran Selezione Chianti back in April, we knew immediately that it was a picture-perfect example of stunning Chianti Classico.  We went BIG, and bought all we could… If you read the most recent issue of Wine Spectator Insider, this one might have caught your eye with an incredible 96 Point score and modest price.  After all, it is from Tuscany’s best vintage in nearly 2 decades… The wine was created from 100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello) and aged for 30 months before bottling. It has a lovely satiny texture and long resonant finish, and at under forty per bottle this 96 Point Blockbuster has everything that I look for in great Chianti Classico.  If you missed our offer on this one back in April, here’s one more chance, but this time, it may not last the day…
 
Chianti Classico fans had a lot to be thankful for when the Italian Wine Authority approved a new classification above Riserva called Gran Selezione (Great Selection.)  It represents the pinnacle of quality for Chianti Classico.  The new class must be created from 100% Estate grown fruit, or a selection of the Estate’s best parcels…  It also has higher extract restrictions and longer oak aging requirements. If you want to taste a seriously high-quality Chianti at a value price, this is the perfect opportunity.
 
BIBBIANO
GRAN SELEZIONE
2015 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
 
From Wine Spectator: “Alluring aromas of wild rosemary, thyme and sage complement the black cherry, blackberry, iron and tobacco flavors in this powerful red, which is supple and fluid, yet muscular too, with a long, resonant finish. Best from 2021 through 2040. From Italy.”  96 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti may also enjoy these two stunning Italian Reds…
2013 Salcheto Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano
 2012 Aria Di Caiarossa IGT
SALCHETO
2013 RISERVA
VINO NOBILE DI MONTELPULCIANO
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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ARIA DI CAIAROSSA
2012 TOSCANA
ROSSO IGT
TUSCANY, ITALY
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From The Wine Spectator: “A savory and fruity style, boasting blueberry, boysenberry, leather, earth and spice flavors. Quickly yields to firm tannins, yet there is sweetness and length on the finish… Best from 2019 through 2025...”  91 Points
2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordUSA

CORNERSTONE 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BENCHLANDS

 
When it comes to the highest quality, most powerful Cabernet Sauvignons in our shop that sell for less than $75, there’s one brand that’s been a Cornerstone (figuratively and literally) in that category for years… It’s a wine that has every component necessary to be truly outstanding, and it begins with winemaker Kari Auringer who worked under Celia Welch at Cornerstone as well as contributing to the fame of some of the Napa Valley’s most luminous names including Scarecrow, Keever, Kelly Fleming, and Corra to name a few.  Adding another level of greatness to the wine is winemaker Charles Thomas who has more than 30 years winemaking experience crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, or his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  And then there’s the vineyards…
 
Cornerstone’s 2015 Benchlands Cabernet is built around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Oakville and Rutherford.  The 2015 is made in a rich, opulent style with remarkable intensity and stunning length.  On the palate, the wine is rich and elegant with wonderful energy, and flavors that unwind methodically across your palate.  At $75/btl you’d be thrilled by the quality. From us, you’ll want to make extra room in the cellar, and go deep…
 
CORNERSTONE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BENCHLANDS
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon is another beautiful rendition, picking up right where the 2014 left off.  The elegant, sultry nose begins with captivating ripe blackberries, toasty oak and black olives, followed by hints of beechnut gum, lavender and rock dust.  The palate starts with a pristine elegance and balance, paralleling the focused flavors of black cherries, red currants and black tea, then followed by beautifully integrated, toasty, sweet vanilla spice.  The orchestrated finish lingers with elegant acidity, dusty fruit tannins and a wonderful freshness.  Drink now, or drink later, but I’m  going back for a second glass now...” 94 Points