2019 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Vineyard

2019 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Vineyard

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnaySonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

PATZ & HALL

CHARDONNAY 2019
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD

2019 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Vineyard

Donald Patz and James Hall worked together at Flora Springs Winery before their shared passion for crafting terroir-driven wines led them to join forces and create Patz & Hall. The winery was founded in 1988 by Donald and Heather Patz, James Hall, and Anne Moses and is considered among California’s top Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers, consistently crafting exceptional wines from renowned vineyards.

The Dutton Ranch Vineyard boasts some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in western Sonoma County, farmed with partial dry farming, resulting in intensely concentrated berries that contribute to the exceptional quality of the wines. Patz & Hall has a strong partnership with the Dutton family, ensuring only the finest fruit is selected, and the 2019 release is unwavering, delivering exceptional quality and distinctive character.

PATZ & HALL
CHARDONNAY 2019
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
Retails at: $55

Your Price: $39.99

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“The 2019 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is fresh with candied lemon, tarragon, and delicate smokiness. The palate is dry, with green apple, beeswax, and a chalky mineral texture with fantastic energetic lift. Drink over the next 8-10 years.”

95 Points

2018 Calcu Fotem Cabernet Sauvignon Valle De Colchagua Chile

2018 Calcu Fotem Cabernet Sauvignon Valle De Colchagua Chile

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonChileKevin Vogt

CALCU FOTEM 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
VALLE DE COLCHAGUA
CHILE 2018

2018 Calcu Fotem Cabernet Sauvignon Valle De Colchagua Chile

Hurtado family founded Calcu in 2003 in Marchigüe, Chile, located about 85 miles south of Santiago and 16 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Marchigüe’s prized terroir, composed of granite stone soils with clay deposits, produces powerful berries with a potent sense of place. Calcu’s vineyard team honors and respects this superior microclimate by sustainably farming the land and incorporating diversity with native plants and wildlife.

Calcu’s Fotem captures the regional terroir and personality of Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the Colchagua Valley’s most coastal terroir. 

This inaugural release highlights the granitic, clay soils and cool sea breeze influences that define this maritime region and delivers Cabernet with lively acidity, vibrant fruit, and spice with persistence and depth.

CALCU FOTEM 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
VALLE DE COLCHAGUA
CHILE 2018
Retails at: $55

Your Price: $32

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“The granitic soils in Marchigue tend to produce extremely tannic wines, and although we have nothing agains that (it’s nothing that the right food or some time in the cellar can’t fix), in this case, we’re surprised that a cabernet, a variety rich in tannins, shows such softness in its texture. According to winemaker Rodrigo Romero, the key lies in the quality of the grapes, which are harvested early with firmer skins that don’t give up their tannins as easily during fermentation. That, in addition to delicate extraction, makes this a silky cabernet full of red fruits with spicy and herbal tones and offering delicious varietal clarity. It’s elegant and subtle, a cabernet that’s sophisticated like few others in Colchauga.”

95 Points

2018 David Clinton Old Vine Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley

2018 David Clinton Old Vine Zinfandel Mounts Vineyard Dry Creek Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Dry Creek ValleyKevin VogtSonomaUSAZinfandel

DAVID CLINTON

OLD VINE ZINFANDEL
MOUNTS VINEYARD 2018
DRY CREEK VALLEY

2018 David Clinton Old Vine Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
Specializing in Old Vine Zinfandel, David Clinton Wines began with the unity of two friends sharing a passion for wine, then sourcing fruit from choice vineyards in Sonoma County. The Dry Creek Valley is famous for high-quality Zinfandels due to its soil composition, topography, and cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean. These factors are the driving influence behind David Clinton’s wines.
 
The winery has produced a single vineyard Zin, from the Mounts Vineyard, located adjacent to Rafanelli, since 2013. This wine defines their house style with approachability, red and black fruits balanced with acidity, and a smooth mouthfeel. The 2018 vintage represents a classic example of Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel sourced from an old vineyard block, giving concentrated, intense flavors, soft tannins, and ageability. 
 
DAVID CLINTON
OLD VINE ZINFANDEL
MOUNTS VINEYARD 2018
DRY CREEK VALLEY
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“The David Clinton 2018 Mounts Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel begins with red cherry, plum, mixed berry pie, milk chocolate, cinnamon, and earth. On the palate, the wine has rich flavors of raspberry, blueberry, and chocolate chip cookies, with a hint of black pepper on the finish. This wine has had some time to develop in the bottle, bringing out more profound complexity and a soft texture that will continue to age but is very drinkable right now.” 
94 Points
2022 Admire By Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2022 Admire By Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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

ADMIRE

BY DAN KOSTA
PINOT NOIR 2022
SONOMA COAST

2022 Admire By Dan Kosta Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Dan Kosta is a pioneer of domestic Pinot Noir, having co-founded Kosta Browne Winery with Michael Browne in 1997 and consistently producing award-winning wines, including Wine Spectator’s number-one wine in 2011. His passion for wine began in his early childhood growing up in Sonoma, surrounded by some of California’s finest vineyards and watching the evolution within the industry.
 
Admire is Dan’s newest Pinot Noir project, announced earlier this year, naming it after his admiration for the variety and paying tribute to producers that came before him and helped shape his vision. 
 
The 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is the inaugural release that celebrates the rugged coast Dan calls home and gives the same excellent qualities Dan’s wines are known for at a much lower price point.
 
ADMIRE
BY DAN KOSTA
PINOT NOIR 2022
SONOMA COAST
 
 
 
“The Admire Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022 begins with a deep, rich nose that includes red and black fruits, cola beans, baking spices, fresh herbs, and purple flowers. It continues on the palate with sweet black cherries, cranberries, and ripe red plums wrapped in soft, supple tannins that carry it to a long, elegant finish. These qualities allow it to be enjoyed immediately. Kudos to Dan Kosta and crew for making this high-quality easy-drinking Pinot Noir, then pricing it to be enjoyed much more regularly than its more expensive brethren.”
94 Points
2021 Standard Deviation Grenache Bennett Valley

2021 Standard Deviation Grenache Bennett Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Bennett ValleyGrenacheKevin VogtSonomaUSA

STANDARD DEVIATION 

GRENACHE 2021
BENNETT VALLEY

2021 Standard Deviation Grenache Bennett Valley
Standard Deviation is the culmination of two great minds in the wine industry with dreams to create high-quality, micro-production wines at an everyday budget. Winemaker Justin Harmon and Vintner Josh Peeples bring Standard Deviation from exceptional terroir in Bennet Valley. Justin is known for his Argot wines, while Josh owns Elyse Winery and has made wine since 2002. He previously co-founded a start-up order management software company for the beverage industry in the late 1990s.
 
Grenache grapes are widely grown worldwide and used to produce single-varietal wines and blends, particularly notable in the wines of the Rhône Valley. Bennet Valley in Sonoma County provides an ideal growing environment for Grenache with a cool climate that lengthens the grapes’ hang time, promoting deep flavor development. The exemplary 2021 vintage produced lower yields, further concentrating flavors and aromas, resulting in a remarkably pure, fresh, complex wine.
 
STANDARD DEVIATION 
GRENACHE 2021
BENNETT VALLEY
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“The Standard Deviation 2021 Grenache from Bennet Valley opens with fresh lavender, rosemary, bright red fruits, white pepper, and an earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine has concentrated flavors of bing cherry, strawberry, cranberry, savory spice, and blackberry compote. The wine has a silky texture and fresh acidity that perfectly complements the fruit flavors and delivers a delicious finish.”
94 Points
2021 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

SILVER GHOST 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2021

2021 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Proprietor and winemaker of Silver Ghost, Weston Eidson, attended graduate school in the UK, leading him to discover some of Europe’s most extraordinary wine-growing regions and inspiring his journey into wine. Weston also explored South Africa and Chile before landing in Napa Valley, where he met Jason Moore of Modus Operandi and learned valuable skills working the 2012 harvest. He’s since learned from his mentor, Russell Bevan.
 
Weston’s great-grandfather John Montagu was an automobile pioneer with connections to Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. Silver Ghost pays homage to his favorite vehicle, the 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, and like the classic car, this Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant red wine displays nuanced characteristics and authenticity from a dedicated winemaking team and fruit from Napa’s finest vineyards.
 
The 2021 release is 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with Merlot, and Petite Verdot, aged 22 months in French oak barrels, resulting in a supple and powerful Cabernet that’s not only ready-to-drink now but will continue to develop additional complexity with age.
 
SILVER GHOST 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2021
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
Ripe, dark-fruited character with vanilla, licorice, walnuts and moist earth. Medium- to full-bodied with supple tannins. Juicy and sleek with a flavorful finish. Drink or hold.”
92 Points
2019 Villa Loren Amarone Della Volpolicella Veneto Italy

2019 Villa Loren Amarone Della Volpolicella Veneto Italy

with No Comment $30-$40ItalyKevin VogtProprietary White

VILLA LOREN

AMARONE DELLA VOLPOLICELLA
VENETO ITALY 2019

2019 Villa Loren Amarone Della Volpolicella Veneto Italy
Progetti Agricoli is an established Italian producer showcasing the best in Italian wine production, and their Villa Loren label focuses on wines of Veneto. Within Veneto lies Valpolicella DOCG, where Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and Molinara grapes are hand-harvested late in the season for Amarone della Valpolicella. Once harvested, the grapes are dried in well-aerated drying lofts for three to four months, desiccating the grapes and concentrating sugars, flavors, and aromas.
 
Fermentation for Amarone is a long, slow process due to high sugar levels in the juice and cooler temperatures in the winter, enhancing flavor components as the sugar slowly converts into alcohol. The 2019 Amarone della Valpolicella from Villa Loren was aged in medium-sized oak casks for 24 months before bottling and left to rest in the bottle for eight months before release. The resulting rich, layered, luscious wine is an absolute delight and offers exceptional value at under $40 for one of Italy’s most desired styles of wine.  
 
VILLA LOREN
AMARONE DELLA VOLPOLICELLA
VENETO ITALY 2019
 
 
 
“The Villa Loren Amarone della Valpolicella 2019 is a deep garnet red in color, with aromas of fresh figs, cocoa powder, dried rose petals and nutmeg. The concentrated palate continues this theme with bittersweet chocolate-covered tart dried black cherries, preserved plums, and sweet black fruits. These sweet flavors are beautifully balanced with a slightly bitter black tea character. The balance of sweet-tart fruit, bitter, drying tannins, and long, lingering finish combine to leave your mouth watering, yearning for another sip.
93 Points
2022 Massican Annia White Blend California

2022 Massican Annia White Blend California

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtProprietary WhiteUSA

MASSICAN

ANNIA WHITE BLEND
CALIFORNIA 2022

2022 Massican Annia White Blend California
Dan Petroski is a well-known (former Larkmead) winemaker in Napa Valley, and his latest creation is Annia, a white wine that’s a delight to drink.
 
Annia is a blend of Friulian grapes (Ribolla Gialla and Tocai Friulano) and Chardonnay, made in a Mediterranean style. This blend creates a fresh, vibrant, and approachable wine with a kaleidoscope of aromatics. The Chardonnay provides structure and acidity, while the Friulian grapes add complexity and depth.
 
The 2022 vintage of Annia is a lovely wine that’s pale yellow with citrus and orange blossom aromas and a palate that is fresh and lively, with peach and lemon zest flavors with an underlying thread of complex minerality, leading to a long, lingering finish.
 
If you enjoy interesting white wines, I think you will love this one.
 
MASSICAN
ANNIA WHITE BLEND
CALIFORNIA 2022
 
 
 
“The Massican 2022 Annia is an elegantly styled white blend that brings aromas of orange blossom, peach, yellow apple, lemon, wet stones, and an oceanic salinity. On the palate, the flavors are broadened by the medium to full-bodied texture with notes of white blossoms, peach, lemon zest, and a crisp minerality. This wine is not only easy to drink but brings complexity that carries into a beautiful finish.”
95 Points
2021 Bacio Divino Pazzo Red Blend Sonoma County

2021 Bacio Divino Pazzo Red Blend Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

BACIO DIVINO

PAZZO RED BLEND
SONOMA COUNTY 2021

2021 Bacio Divino Pazzo Red Blend Sonoma County
Sourcing fruit from some of Napa and Sonoma’s best vineyards, Bacio Divino produces superior quality wines under the guidance of Kirk Venge, one of California’s most in-demand winemakers, whom you might recognize from Eleven Eleven, Macauley, and Venge wines. A combination of exceptional terroir, expert winemaking, and excellent fruit quality is their recipe for success, and the wines are phenomenal.
 
Pazzo was created in 1999 as a sister label to Bacio Divino and translates to “crazy” in Italian and perfectly depicts the wine’s crazy-good value. The 2021 vintage comprises 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Sirah, 19% Merlot, 11% Sagrantino, and 4% Malbec aged 14 months in once-used French oak barrels that provide a hint of spice but maintain the fruit’s integrity and complex flavor profile. It’s a big, juicy, crowd-pleasing wine at a modest price point.
 
BACIO DIVINO
PAZZO RED BLEND
SONOMA COUNTY 2021
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
“The Bacio Divino 2021 Sonoma County Red has intense, rich aromas of ripe plum, bramble, licorice, and Fig Newton cookies. On the palate, the wine has a smooth mouth-coating texture that lingers throughout the finish with flavors of raspberry jelly, black cherry, Marionberry pie, and fresh mint. The flavor concentration and tannic structure will give this wine longevity but don’t hesitate to drink it now.”
93 Points
2022 J. Bucher Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

2022 J. Bucher Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

J. BUCHER

SAUVIGNON BLANC
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 2022

2022 J. Bucher Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley
Located in Healdsburg at the site of an old dairy farm, Bucher Vineyard is one of the Russian River Valley’s most prized vineyards. Renowned producers Williams Selyem, Merry Edwards, and Joseph Jewell have all produced single vineyard wines from Bucher, highlighting the site’s ability to deliver exceptional fruit. 
 
Bob Cabral, the former winemaker at Williams Selyem, helped the Bucher family establish their vineyards, quickly becoming a top supplier for some of the Russian River Valley’s most renowned wineries. The 2022 Bucher Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc comes from a block planted in the 1970s and takes on a European approach to the variety with fresh minerality and a delicate balance of citrus and tropical fruits, perfect for warm summer months. 
 
J. BUCHER
SAUVIGNON BLANC
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 2022
Retails at: $38
 
 
 
“J. Bucher’s 2022 Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc is similar to the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast because it gives powerfully concentrated fruit with delicate elegance. The wine opens with ripe citrus fruits, including lemon and grapefruit, a backdrop of white blossoms, and some hints of pineapple and lychee. On the palate, the wine offers notes of ripe lemon, golden apple, green mango, and chalky minerality.”
94 Points