2016 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Washington State

2016 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Washington State

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtReviewUSAWashington State

DOUBLE CANYON

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
HORSE HEAVEN HILLS
2016 WASHINGTON STATE

2016 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Washington StateCalifornia isn’t the only state on the West Coast capable of producing World-Class Cabernet Sauvignon. There’s an Appellation inside the Columbia Valley called Horse Heaven Hills that’s home to iconic vineyards like Champoux in Alderdale, which Quilceda Creek fans might recognize. They’ve produced five perfect 100 point Cabernets from it. Double Canyon sources from four sites within the Alderdale region, and at $23, you’ve really got to try it.

The Horse Heaven Hills Appellation is defined by it’s proximity to the Columbia River, strong winds, and volcanic soils, which produce a distinct mineral nuance. The area even caught the eye of Andre Tchelistcheff, legendary winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyards. 

The 2016 combines fruit from Phinny Hill, Destiny Ridge, Alder Ridge, and their own Double Canyon Estate Vineyard. The final blend beautifully expresses the 88% Cabernet Sauvignon heightened with Syrah, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec, which all contribute to the rich textures and compelling flavors.  

DOUBLE CANYON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
HORSE HEAVEN HILLS
2016 WASHINGTON STATE
Retails at: $25

Your Price: $23
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“… What impressed us about this wine beyond its value were its numerous layers of aromas and flavors. Roasted coffee, cedar, and blackberry are distinctive on the nose, and on the palate, tobacco, underbrush, and grainy tannins keep the mouth dry with chalky, teeth-gripping texture. It’s structured and clean, with a sweet, toasty finish.”    93 Points

2018 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2018 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

BLACK PINE

2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2018 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Now entering their tenth vintage, Black Pine has built a reputation as one of the greatest value Pinot Noirs to grace the shelves in our shop, after a culmination of outstanding efforts. If you’ve enjoyed any of their earlier vintages, you already know what to expect, but if you haven’t, I guarantee you’ll love it once you do.
 
Conceived from carefully chosen vineyards located in the Petaluma Gap, Russian River, and Sonoma Coast, the 2018 Black Pine has a lush mouthfeel, terrific intensity, and balance.
 
The 2018 was kept for ten months in French oak and delivers outstanding weight, richness and has a stunning palate presence. The new release is so good that not only did it live up to our grand expectations, but it absolutely crushed them…  
 
BLACK PINE
2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $30
 

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“The vibrant garnet color gives way to bright floral strawberry- raspberry aromatics, while in the mouth the velvety texture delivers ripe cherry, red plum and a touch of earthiness that defines this outstanding bottling. The moderate tannins give length to the finish of this balanced wine”

2017 Red Car Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

2015 Red Car Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

RED CAR

2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST

2017 Red Car Sonoma Coast ChardonnayThe vineyard composition of Red Car’s Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is legendary, making the level of value inside the bottle remarkably transparent. A significant portion of the 2015 hails from Ritchie Vineyard, which has an epic history of producing some of California’s most distinguished Chardonnays. At $38, the wine is a serious value, but at this price, you might want to race to the order button. 

Red Car’s 2015 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay features some of the coldest Chardonnay vineyards in California. It is based around a core of Ritchie fruit that’s made even more intriguing with fruit from Red Car Estate, Zephyr Farms, Manchester Ridge, and Hawk Hill Vineyards.

The 2015 was fermented almost exclusively in neutral oak barrels to preserve the natural clarity of the fruit. On the palate, the wine is detailed, fresh, and inviting, and offers brilliant clarity, balance, and delicate texture, and It’s an absolute joy to taste. 

RED CAR
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $38

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“The 2015 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast offers up notes of spiced apples and poached pears with touches of honey toast, cashews and ginger. Medium-bodied with a very yeasty/savory palate, it has a pleasantly creamy texture and oodles of freshness, finishing long…” 91 Points

2015 Skinner El Dorado Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underFair PlaySyrahUSA

SKINNER

2015 SYRAH
EL DORADO

One of the fastest-growing categories in our shop is high-quality California Syrah at value Prices, and when you read about who’s involved in this project, and then consider it’s less than $30 bucks, it should be an easy decision to try it. After all, the wine is made by Chris Pittenger, who gained valuable first-hand experience working at iconic wineries Marcassin and Williams-Selyem.
 
The sumptuous, silky Skinner Syrah was carved primarily from the winery’s Stoney Creek Estate Vineyard, perched at 2,740′ elevation in the tiny AVA of Fair Play, located inside the larger El Dorado and Sierra Foothill Appellations. The area produces Syrah with distinct elegance, remarkable delineation, and rustic appeal. 
 
The 2015 vintage is artfully composed of 88% Syrah and finished with other Rhone grape varieties for added lift and abundant layers. After spending 23 months in French oak barrels, it has evolved nicely in the bottle and is seamlessly balanced, profound, and absolutely delicious…
 
SKINNER
2015 SYRAH
EL DORADO
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $24
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 “This wine tastes bold and assertive, pushing smoky oak and vanilla flavors close to the edge but rescuing them with attractive ripe flavors of blackberry and black cherry. The wine is full bodied, layered and mouthcoating, supported by moderate tannins that melt into the bold flavors.”93 Points

2018 Paydirt ‘Going for Broke’ California Proprietary Blend

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedUSA

PAYDIRT

GOING FOR BROKE
PROPRIETARY BLEND
2018 CALIFORNIA

Paydirt burst onto the wine scene in 2010 and quickly made a name for themselves with their crowd-pleasing, California-style Reds. The winery proved early on that they could hold-their-own in the competitive $30 red blend category. Now entering their 2018 vintage, they’re onto a new challenge in the sub $20 price range.

The 2018 faultlessly combines 81% old vine Zinfandel with Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Barbera and Cabernet from top-sites including Dusi in Paso Robles, Bokisch in Lodi, and includes vineyards in Oak Knoll and St Helena.

Paydirt has attracted talented winemakers, and one of Paso’s top winemakers, McPrice Myers, made the first vintages. The 2018 was authored by Kent Jarman, who’s also the winemaker at Coup de Foudre and Kenefick Ranch, and previously the assistant winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards.

PAYDIRT
GOING FOR BROKE
PROPRIETARY BLEND
2018 CALIFORNIA

Your Price: $19.99

“The nose is filled with ripe blackberries, smoked plum, orange relish, cranberry, blueberry compote, white pepper, and dark chocolate. The palate is round, juicy, and bursting with fresh-ness and concentrated red and dark fruit components. The finish is persistent, layered and vibrant, with a touch of spice.”
2016 Hoopla California Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Hoopla California Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtUSA

HOOPLA

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 CALIFORNIA

2016 Hoopla California Cabernet Sauvignon
What’s all the hoopla about with this wine? Hoopla’s California Cabernet might be a mixed breed, but if you follow the lineage, I think you’ll find it comes from some doggone good stock. After all, the producer Hoopes Ranch does own 35 acres in Oakville. Their 2016 California Cabernet brings together fruit from Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and Monterey. The unnamed fruit sources play harmoniously well on the palate in this complex, balanced, and hedonistic value. At $22, this Cab could become man’s second-best friend.

Hoopla is a cross-breed that includes barrels that didn’t go into Hoopes purebred bottlings from Napa Valley, Oakville, and Howell Mountain that range $50-$125/btl, and also includes fruit from secret sources in Paso Robles and Monterey. The wine offers a lush coat of smooth red and black fruits, intertwined with spice box, crushed rock, subtle pipe tobacco, dried flowers, scorched earth, and absolutely no bite.

This delicious Cabernet Sauvignon was harnessed in oak barrels for 18 months and is stunningly well balanced, which is not-so-common at this value level. Don’t let this one escape.

HOOPLA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 CALIFORNIA
Retails at: $25

Your Price: $22

“This wine’s dense, dark garnet hue beckons you to dive deep into the nose as it opens with hints of Peruvian peppercorn and pencil shavings. Upon taking time to breathe in the glass, notes of raspberry, graphite and hot earth are revealed. On the palate, the raspberry aromatic evolves first into bramble and secondarily into framboise liqueur, filling the mouth with its dense body. As the wine slowly recedes, a beautiful rose water essence is revealed, leaving one wanting more.”
2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros Chardonnay

2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosChardonnayKevin VogtNapaUSA

BALDACCI

SORELLE CHARDONNAY
2017 CARNEROS

 
2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros ChardonnayRevered for their lively acidity, Carneros Chardonnays also have big fruit, and plenty of structure. It’s the cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay that funnel through the Coastal Mountain ranges, and allow the grapes a long growing season, with temperatures cool enough to maintain acidity and structure. A great example is Baldacci’s Sorelle Chardonnay, which captivated our tasting panel with tangible value. 
 
Michael Baldacci works closely with Ricardo Herrera to craft balanced wines with sense of place, and that are varietally sound. Ricardo gained invaluable experience over the years at icons Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Dominus, and Screaming Eagle…
 
The 2017 vintage arose from Baldacci’s Honey B Vineyard in Carneros, which is farmed by Josh Clark, one of wine country’s most sought after viticulturists whose clients include icons Outpost, Hourglass, and Kinsella. The wine was barrel-aged, and is rich and inviting, with stunning natural acidity and a mouth-quenching freshness.
 
BALDACCI
SORELLE CHARDONNAY
2017 CARNEROS
Retails at: $40
 
 
“Tango. In perfect unison, the oak and fruit support each other without either dominating. Aromas of honey, tangerine peel, fresh oak and pineapple complement the taste of caramel-covered apple, slight hints of cool rock and a beautiful finish of vanilla. The weight of this Chardonnay matches well with full orchestra salads!”
2015 Schwarz Sweigelt Burgenland Austria

2015 Schwarz Zweigelt Burgenland Austria

with No Comment $30 and underAustriaBurgenlandKevin VogtZweigelt

SCHWARZ 

2015 ZWEIGELT
BURGENLAND, AUSTRIA

2015 Schwarz Sweigelt Burgenland Austria
Picture a pristinely focused red wine with penetrating fruit, bracing acidity, depth, and wildly intriguing flavors. You could be tasting an Austrian Zweigelt, and if you’re seeking value, it pays to look outside of the box and try something fresh and new. When you consider who’s involved in this project, and take notice of more than 60 percent discount, this one should be a no brainer. It’s a project between Alois Kracher, one of Austria’s most iconic producers, and Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non.
 
Zweigelt is a cross between St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch, and the varietal hasn’t even been around 100 years and is already the most widely planted red wine grape in Austria. The grape is denser than Pinot Noir and is known for its penetrating fruit, exotic spice, and firm acidity. 
 
This brilliant interpretation of Zweigelt arose from Estate Vineyards in Burgenland, along the shore of Lake Neusiedl. The climate is hot during the day and is cooled by evening fog, which allows the grapes to ripen to their optimum potential. 
 
SCHWARZ 
2015 ZWEIGELT
BURGENLAND, AUSTRIA
Retails at: $70
 
Your Price: $25
 
Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Schwarz Zweigelt has a deep and enchanting nose of crushed blue violets, black raspberries, plum skins and hints of potpourri. The palate is lush, elegant and seamless, and opens with concentrated blueberry, black cherry, wild flowers and spice cake. The finish is smooth and pure with a bracing acidy, light toast and lingering spice.”

2014 Dolin Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underPinot NoirSanta Maria ValleyUSA

DOLIN 

2014 PINOT NOIR
BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD 
SANTA MARIA VALLEY

Bien Nacido is one of the most distinguished vineyards in California’s Central Coast as well as one of the oldest, and was planted in the 1970s. When I come across a Bien Nacido Pinot on a restaurant wine list, I’m always eager to taste it. Their fruit attracts some of the top players in Pinot Noir to make a wine, including Foxen, Gary Farrell, and Calera, to name a few. Dolin’s version at under fifty will make many friends, but at $25, few others can play the game…
 
Bien Nacido, located in the Santa Maria Valley, is distinguished for having a strong maritime influence that’s caused by its geographical funnel shape, which opens up to the Pacific Ocean. 
 
The vineyard’s rock-laden soils are a crucial component in its unique terroir that manifests in the distinctive flavors. On the palate, the 2014 is rich, supple, and pure, and features defined red and black cherries, earth, and attractive savory accents. 
 
DOLIN 
2014 PINOT NOIR
BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD 
SANTA MARIA VALLEY
Retails at: $45
 
 
“Aromas of kirsch, new leather and dried red-plum show on the nose of this bottling, which has plenty of bottle age to reach secondary aromas. The palate is showing a touch of age, with dried strawberry and red-plum flavors alongside sumac spice.” 91 Points
02016 Muga Rioja Reserva

2016 Muga Rioja Reserva

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedRiojaSpain

MUGA 

2016 RIOJA RESERVA
RIOJA, SPAIN 

02016 Muga Rioja Reserva
Leading the pack as one of Rioja’s top producers, Bodegas Muga’s flagship 2016 Rioja Reserva is one of the most stunning values from the old world. At $30, the 2016 earned a monster 95 Point score from James Suckling, who dubs it, “One of the top best-value, high-quality reds in Spain.” I recommend making some extra room in the cellar…
 
Bodegas Muga is a paragon producer in Spain’s iconic Rioja region, and it’s their philosophy of never losing touch with the authenticity of the wines that they’re making, and their constant use of traditional winemaking processes that’s kept them in the number one spot. 
 
Their wine team built the 2016 Rioja Reserva around a solid core of 70% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha, then enhanced with other indigenous varietals. They aged this wine for 24 months in oak cask, and on the palate, it’s richly layered and powerfully intense. At $30, the value is nearly inconceivable.
 
MUGA 
2016 RIOJA RESERVA
RIOJA, SPAIN 
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“This is really tight and powerful with gorgeous tannins and solid fruit. Full body. Tight and composed. Wet earth, smoked meat and hints of black truffles. Very long and powerful. Wonderful length. Real Rioja. One of the top best-value, high-quality reds in Spain. Drink or hold.” 95 Points
 
 
“…This has the Muga style and the imprint of the cool and fresh 2016 vintage, one of the best vintages of recent years… It has a mixture of red and black fruit with sweet spices that are very integrated and in harmony. The palate is silky and clean, and the tannins are round and gentle…” 93 Points