2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley

2018 Fel Chardonnay Anderson Valley

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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 Silverpoint Chardonnay Petaluma Gap

2017 Silverpoint Chardonnay Petaluma Gap

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SILVERPOINT

2017 CHARDONNAY
PETALUMA GAP

2017 Silverpoint Chardonnay Petaluma Gap
Silverpoint’s master plan is to remain small and focused on producing tiny quantities of meticulously made wines. Their strategy parallels winemaker Don Van Staaveren’s patient and minimal intervention approach of winemaking. Don is a seasoned winemaker responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines that made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was the #1 wine on the Spectator Top 100 list. This wine proves that when a winemaker perfectly aligns his style with the proprietor’s goals, great things happen, and with a mere 91 cases made, don’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
Silverpoint Cellars sources their Chardonnay fruit from the renowned Rodgers Creek Vineyard, which sits in the heart of the cool-climate Petaluma Gap AVA. The site has maritime winds and heavy fog influences, along with chalky volcanic ash soils, which create an ideal environment for Chardonnay to develop expressive flavors and maintain natural acidity.  
 
Don barrel-aged the 2017 release for nine months sur lie, which played a crucial role in contributing to the wine’s creamy mouthfeel and opulent textures. With just 91 cases made, this pedigreed and micro-produced Chardonnay guarantees to impress.
 
SILVERPOINT
2017 CHARDONNAY
PETALUMA GAP
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
“Rich and pale gold color with a creamy texture balanced by a lively acidity. Hints of melon and white peach. Voluptuous. A long juicy finish lets you linger with this Chardonnay. 91 cases produced”
2016 Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauternes (375ML)

2016 Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauternes (375ML)

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CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERGERON

2016 SAUTERNES (375ML)

2016 Chateau Haut Bergeron Sauternes (375ML)
Sauternais is a region inside the Graves section of Bordeaux that’s best known for producing Sauternes, sweet dessert wines made from botrytis affected Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle varieties. It’s arguably the most famous region in the world for white dessert wines, and they’ve been made there since the 17th century. The most celebrated of them all is Château d’Yquem, which can top $500 per bottle. Notably, some of Château Haut-Bergon’s parcels sit adjacent to d’Yquem, and at less than $40 for the 375ml bottle, this is an incredibly stunning Sauternes.
 
Château Haut-Bergeron is owned by one of the oldest families in Sauternes, with more than 200 years and nine generations of winemaking. Their Estate consists of 35 hectares of vines in Sauternes and 12 hectares in Graves. 
 
The 2016 release unites 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, which mirrors Château d’Yquem plantings. On the palate, the wine is graceful, rich and intense, and comes loaded with overripe apricot, nectarine, honey. If you’re searching for a brilliant Sauternes to add to your cellar, this is it.
 
CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERGERON
2016 SAUTERNES (375ML)
 
Your Price: $39.99
(375ML)
 
 
“Pitch-perfect Sauternes, with focused scents of ginger, marmalade, honey and Asian spices. Gorgeous candied apricot palate which is generous with its high quality oak, delivering creamy vanilla custard notes. Everything is In place here.”
96 Points, The Decanter World Wine Awards
 
“This is very serious for this producer with very pretty depth and intensity in terms of rich fruit and a long and intense finish. Excited about this wine.”
92-93 Points
 
“Pale lemon colored, the 2016 Haut-Bergeron has quite a savory nose of baker’s yeast, warm bread, fresh straw and fried spices over a core of lemon meringue pie, baked peaches and beeswax. The palate has wonderful restraint with bags of tightly wound nuances and fantastic freshness, finishing long and honeyed.”
92+ Points
 
“Hint of ginger and well integrated and lush. Streak of green. Needs quite a time. And overall a refreshing style of Sauternes.”
16+/20
2018 Foley Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

2018 Foley Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

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FOLEY JOHNSON 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 RUTHERFORD 

2018 Foley Johnson Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
Bill Foley is a titan in the wine industry, with around thirty successful brands, including Merus, Lancaster, Kuleto, and many others. Foley Johnson is paramount, and not only because it bears his name, but it’s in the heart of Rutherford, one of the top regions in America for growing premium Cabernet. Paragons Quintessa, BV, and Scarecrow all set precedence for quality there. The best will fuse elegance, complexity, and dusty tannins in a way that makes you want to enjoy them regularly, but with an average price of over $100, it can be tough to find one at a modest price. At under $40, Foley Johnson is one of the best values in the region. 
 
Reigning from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the Rutherford hallmarks I love. The 2018 release is compelling, focused, and packed with concentrated red and black fruits, wild violets, crushed rock, and, of course, beautiful Rutherford dust. 
 
The wine is made by Giovani Verdejo, who gained his experience working at Merus and assisting under Dave Lattin at Kuleto Estate. Gio aged the 2018 Cab for 18 months in a mix of French, American and Hungarian oak, and he completed the blend with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Sirah.
 
FOLEY JOHNSON 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 RUTHERFORD 
Retails at: $75
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“Upon opening our 2018 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, aromas of black cherry and cassis fill the glass, followed by a hint of mocha. On the palate, bold tannins are balanced with concentrated flavors of ripe fig with savory notes of black olive and dried herbs. Well structured and full bodied, our Cabernet Sauvignon is approachable now, but will age beautifully over the next 5-10 years.” 
2016 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range

2016 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range

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STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

2016 ZINFANDEL
MAYACAMAS RANGE

2016 Storybook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Mayacamas Range
Storybook Mountain Vineyards has always been a treasured producer for those “in the know” and has ranked on the Wine & Spirits magazine top 100 list on fifteen occasions; that list is ever-growing. It’s the winery’s elevation, eastern exposure, and red clay-loam soils that join forces and create a terroir capable of producing world-class Zinfandel. The results speak for themselves, and fans of elegantly styled Zins with penetrating fruit, unique Mountain complexity, and long expansive flavors should invest in this 94 point treasure.
 
Andre Tchelistcheff advised Dr. Jerry Seps that the hills above Calistoga, with their red clay-loam soils and eastern exposures, were the best place in California to plant Zinfandel vines. Today, the vineyard is divided into over 100 micro-blocks based on varietal, sun exposure, rootstock, and clone, all farmed organically and without irrigation.  
 
Jerry aged this Zinfandel in a combination of French and American oak barrels inside the 130 years old caves, dug into the volcanic rock. The yields are also severely regulated by two green harvests in May and June, where only the best clusters are kept on each vine, resulting in just 2 to 2.5 tons/acre of pristine Zinfandel fruit.  
 
STORYBOOK MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
2016 ZINFANDEL
MAYACAMAS RANGE
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
“While Eastern Exposures (also recommended here) may prove to be longer lived than the Mayacamas Range zin from 2016, this wine is more compellingly delicious right now. “I was happy this was in my mouth,” said Jared Hooper of LA’s Faith & Flower when he tasted it. Maria Garcia from the Wine House in Santa Monica described it as “pinot-noir-esque, with more of the weight I want in zinfandel.” In fact, when our pourer, Lewis Hurrell, was griping to me about a ZAP tasting he’d attended, I suggested he taste this wine, along with another (the Storybook Reserve). “Those wines changed my mind about zinfandel,” he told me later. So, if you don’t think of zinfandel as lively, zesty and fresh, a sleekly fruited backdrop for the scent of a meadow in June, try this wine. I can’t guarantee you’ll like it, but I would wager that you will.”
94 Points
 
“The Mayacamas Range Zinfandel is our primary estate wine from 100% Napa Valley organically grown grapes. Here you will find all the varietal character and fruit for which Zinfandel is famous, plus the depth and structure associated with Napa hillside vineyards, and the balance for which Storybook wines are known. Crafted to be enjoyed on release, the wine’s notable depth and balance will continue its appeal well into the future.”
2015 Chateau De Vie Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga

2015 Chateau De Vie Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga

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CHATEAU DE VIE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 CALISTOGA 

2015 Chateau De Vie Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga
Chateau de Vie isn’t just a working B&B surrounded by world-class vineyards. They also produce a small amount of powerful Cabernet Sauvignon that’s clean and focused, with exceptional fruit and intertwined minerality. Dave Phinney, the winemaker responsible for creating The Prisoner, Orin Swift, and Location brands, helps make it. Dave also consults for a handful of small wineries, and Chateau de Vie might be a lesser known brand, but the quality of their wine is something special.
 
The estate is located on the northern end of Calistoga and sits almost directly behind Tamber Bey and not far from Chateau Montelena. Their soils are loaded with volcanic compounds, formed by ancient lava flows, and produce Cabernet Sauvignon with powerful fruit and intriguing minerality. 
 
Calistoga is warmer than most other appellations in Napa, and thus, produces some of the biggest, boldest, and most robust Cabernet Sauvignons in the Valley. Chateau De Vie perfectly details all of the qualities that I love about Calistoga Cabernet and delivers them with focus and balance. 
 
CHATEAU DE VIE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 CALISTOGA
Retails at: $68
 
 
“The Chateau de Vie 2015 is everything you would hope for from this spectacular vintage. It begins with an enticing nose with briary red currants, cool blue fruits, purple flowers, a hint of spearmint and vanilla spice. The seductively lively palate is balanced with red cherries, wild blackberries, dark plums, cassis and cocoa powder. The beautiful finish has just enough bright acidity to keep your mouth watering for more.”
93 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
“All Estate Grown fruit off of 3.5 acres on the Northwest side of Calistoga. Aged in 70% New French Oak Barrels for 22 months This is a deeply rich and satisfying Cabernet with aromas of blackberry, mocha, black fig, dark brown bread and rich vanilla. The wine is fleshy in texture and ripe on the palate, with almost a heady display of blueberry, black fig and toasted caramel. The finish is long and sweetly ripe and will pair nicely with rich cheeses and ripe fruits as well as dark roasts or sauced filet. It is essentially ready to drink and will grow softer and more aromatic over the next few years.”
80% Cabernet Sauvignon | 10% Petite Verdot |10% Cabernet Franc
2018 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains

2018 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains

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MARTIN RAY

2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
2018 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA produces powerful Cabernet Sauvignons with appealing savory elements, firm tannins, and intriguing red and black fruits. Martin Ray sources their Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet from three high-elevation sites that produce intensely concentrated fruits. Our panel loved their 2018 vintage, but we weren’t the only ones. With a 95 point score, I’d jump on this sub $35 Cabernet before it’s too late.
 
Martin Ray’s Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet comes from high-elevation vineyards, Fellom Ranch, Cooper-Garrod, and Beauregard, each sharing large diurnal temperature fluctuation shifts, which result in powerfully concentrated fruit. 
 
The 2018 release is a blend of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and fermented on its skins for a month, which extracted the deep purple color. They stored the wine for 18 months in French and American oak barrels, which added compelling vanilla and spice elements.
 
MARTIN RAY
2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $33
 
“Loads of forest floor, mushrooms, leaves and dark fruit on the nose. It’s full-bodied with juicy fruit and chewy tannins. Hints of toasted oak and cedar, too. This is a structured red that needs two or three years to soften, then you can give it a go. Best Santa Cruz Mountain cab for a long time from here. Try after 2023.”
95 Points
 
“Notes of dense cassis with touches of nutmeg and cherry. Blackberry brush and mountain sage with bright acidity and a touch of graphite. Firm, chalky tannins and well-integrated oak.”
2019 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2019 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

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LIMERICK LANE

2019 ZINFANDEL
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2019 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley
Limerick Lane dials in an ideal balance of rich, powerful, and expressive Zinfandel that’s simultaneously fresh, bright, and focused. The winery is run by fourth-generation winemaker Jake Bilbro who grew up at his father’s Marietta Cellars. The wines are made by Chris Pittenger, who gained first-hand experience working at iconic wineries Biale, Torbreck, Marcassin, and Williams-Selyem. The previous vintage earned a monstrous 95 point rating from Jeb Dunnuck, and this new vintage is even better.
 
Limerick Lane’s Russian River Zinfandel at the core is a field blend, which includes ancient Zinfandel vines interplanted with other rare varieties like Pelousin and Negrette. The fruit is co-fermented and offers unparalleled power, depth, and stunning definition.  
 
The 2019 vintage is built around a base of Estate fruit and includes grapes from 5 carefully selected sites, including Sodini vineyard, which Bedrock and Carlisle fans might recognize. Chris ages this Zinfandel for 18 months in predominantly neutral barrels to maintain the beautiful fresh fruit and striking acidity that makes their Zin’s unique. 
 
LIMERICK LANE
2019 ZINFANDEL
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
“Our Russian River Zinfandel is our flagship wine. Originally planted by Italians at the start of the 1900’s, this wine hearkens back, in some ways, to a different time. While seamless and with an unparalleled clarity of flavor and aromas, there is also an undeniable gravity that Limerick Lane Zinfandel seems to exude. It may be nothing more than a romantic appreciation for the hands that have tended these vines for over a century. It’s possible that it is a result of the other varieties, now all but extinct, save for a few old Zinfandel vineyards like Peloursin, Negrette, and Petite Sirah, that add more structure, color, and acid than normally found in Zinfandel. Maybe the rocks, the dirt, the morning fog and the afternoon sun come together in this place a little differently than anywhere else. It may even be all of these special characteristics combined, but the Zinfandel grown at the end of this little lane is undeniably special, undeniably unique, and undeniably “Limerick Lane.”
2018 Arbe Garbe White Blend Sonoma County

2018 Arbe Garbe White Blend Sonoma County

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ARBE GARBE

2018 WHITE BLEND
SONOMA COUNTY

2018 Arbe Garbe White Blend Sonoma County
Arbe Garbe is a local winery inspired by the Friuli region of Italy and created by Italian-born winemakers Letizia Pauletto and Enrico Maria Bertoz to reconnect with their roots. They make the Arbe Garbe Blend with rare white varieties common in Friuli but scarce in the New World. For instance, in 2016, there were 51 acres of Tocai Friulano in California and too little Ribolla Gialla to register on the CDFA report. The style is freshly focused, with citrus fruits, minerals, floral characteristics, and is presented seamlessly on the palate. It’s as Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate writes, “fabulous”.
 
The 2018 release combines roughly 50% Malvasia Bianca with nearly equal parts Ribolla Gialla and old-vine Tocai Friulano. The Malvasia Bianca contributes to the clean and crisp style, while the Ribolla adds stunning floral notes, and the Tocai Friulano lends body and weight. 
 
Winemakers Enrico and Letizia are well-rounded in their skillsets, having worked harvests in Friuli. After arriving in the US, Enrico gained invaluable experience at Sine Qua Non, Joseph Phelps, and Flora Springs. If you enjoy crisp whites with enormous personality, don’t miss this one. 
 
ARBE GARBE
2018 WHITE BLEND
SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $35
 
“The 2018 White Wine from Arbe Garbe is an unusual—and fabulous—blend of 55% Malvasia Bianca, 25% Tocai Friulano and 20% Ribolla Gialla, what winemaker Enrico Maria Bertoz calls “the Holy Trinity of Friuli,” where he was raised. The Malvasia is split into portions, with one portion whole-cluster pressed, a second portion on skins for 12 hours and a third portion on skins for 24 hours. These lots are then blind tasted to create the final blend. The nose explodes to musk, lychee, warm peaches, charcuterie and beeswax with high-toned notes of fresh green herbs. The medium to full-bodied palate has a gorgeous silken texture, ever-so-slightly creamy, with kaleidoscopic bursts of ripe fruit in the mouth. It’s concentrated while still incredibly light on its feet, addicting in its freshness and long, textured finish. What a gorgeous vintage for this wine!”
94 Points

2014 Korbin Kameron Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

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KORBIN KAMERON 

2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

When scrutinizing the final contenders for our top 5 list this year, we re-tasted Korbin Kameron’s 2014 Estate Cabernet side-by-side a $135 bottle of Napa Cab was clear that Korbin deserved a top spot on our list. They produce their Estate Cabernet in a powerfully compelling style that’s resonated deeply with fans of concentrated, inky Mountain wines. The wines are made by Tim Milos, who crafted stellar vintages of Opus One, Stag’s Leap, and Cliff Lede. At just $40, this is one of the best wine bottles in the shop, period. 
 
The Cabernet includes the iconic clones 337 and 7, which thrive in the well-drained gravelly loam soils. The area’s ample daytime sunshine and cooling maritime influence at night are perfect for ripening Bordeaux varietals to the peak of perfection.
 
Korbin Kameron’s vineyard is perched on a ridge near the top of Mt Veeder and straddles the Mayacamas Mountain Range at 2,300 feet elevation. Phil Coturri farms the vineyard organically, biodynamically, and sustainably, resulting in a pure and natural expression of fruit. 
 
KORBIN KAMERON 
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $60
 
 
“The Korbin Kameron Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 begins with a deep, concentrated nose composed of tart red fruits, combined with blue and black fruits, violets and hints of spice. The color is a dark purple that perfectly frames the focused, concentrated palate, showcasing pomegranate, crushed blackberries, dried cherries, and red currants. This is a flashy wine with supple tannins that lead to a very long, intense finish. KorbinKameron 2014 is a wine that’s beautiful now, but will age for 12 years or more.”
95 Points