2015 Livio Sassetti Rosso Di Montalcino

2015 Livio Sassetti Rosso Di Montalcino Italy

with No Comment $30 and underItalyKevin VogtMontalcinoRossoTuscany

LIVIO SASSETTI 2015 Livio Sassetti Rosso Di Montalcino

2015 ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
MONTALCINO, ITALY

 
Ever wonder why Rosso di Montalcino is so much less expensive than Brunello di Montalcino?  After all, they’re both produced from 100% Sangiovese Grosso grapes grown in the Italy’s iconic Montalcino region.  While legal requirements dictate that Brunello is aged for two years in oak and 4 months in bottle, they are typically aged for a total of 50 months total before release.  Rosso’s are only required to be aged for one year before release, often resulting in a fresher, more vibrant red that can be enjoyed young.  A gorgeous example is from Livio Sassetti and I always jump at the chance to taste any wine from an Iconic producer of Brunello.  Their Brunello is one of the best in the shop and scored 98 Points and is also a favorite of Robert Parker. Antonio Galloni wrote that Livio Sassetti is “One of Italy’s finest.”   At under thirty per bottle, their Rosso is an excellent value.
 
Absolutely hands-on in every way possible, each individual wine produced by Livio Sassetti is hand-tended by Livio and his two sons.  With attention to every detail, their 2015 Rosso is stacked with concentrated red cherries, black plum and intermixed are detailed notes of dried rose petals, violets and spice rack.  I strongly recommend securing your case… You’ll be seriously glad you did.
 
LIVIO SASSETTI
2015 ROSSO DI MONTALCINO
MONTALCINO, ITALY
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “Ruby red color with purple hues. Deep black plum, cassis, violet, fresh dark earth and herb flavors flow on a silky palate to a deliciously long, velvety finish.”
 
Customers who enjoy Livio Sassetti Rosso di Montalcino may also enjoy these two terrific Italian wines…
2013 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino 2013 Salcheto Vino Nobile Di Montelpulciano
LIVIO SASSETTI
2013 PERTIMALI
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
Retails at:  $80.00/btl
 
Your Price: $69.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From James Suckling: “This is intense and complex yet subtle with fantastic aromas of rose petal, plum, clove and fresh mushroom. Hints of stems. Full body, focused and polished with a linear line of tannins and fabulous length. A beauty. Better after 2021 but already a joy to taste.” 98 Points
SALCHETO
2013 RISERVA
VINO NOBILE DI MONTELPULCIANO
SANGIOVESE BLEND
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From Vinous: “... Powerful and ample, with tons of depth, the 2013 is impressive. Fresh dark cherry, spice, licorice and menthol notes abound in this vibrant, beautifully resonant Vino Nobile…. In a word: superb!”  94 Points
2017 Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

VALRAVN 2017 Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 SONOMA COUNTY

 

We occasionally come across a new project so captivating that by the time it hits our palate, we’re left with absolutely no question that it’s going to be a success. In the case of Valravn, it wouldn’t be the first giant success for founder Baron Ziegler… Baron started Banshee wines in 2008, which quickly grew to over 50,000 cases before striking a deal to sell the brand to Billionaire Bill Foley last year.  With a goal of producing approachable, delicious wines with single-vineyard level of quality from Sonoma County, and at prices far less than their counterparts, you can bet that they’ll make a lot of friends along the way.  At under $25 their 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is velvety and opulent without any hard edges.  If you’re searching for the next value Cab to share with your friends, this is it…

Valravn really hit the ground running, and they had a head start by already having established relationships with growers and winemakers which they formed over the last decade while growing the Banshee brand.  Their 2017 Cabernet encompasses fruit from Alexander Valley, Moon Mountain and the Russian River Valley, and it’s made in a showy and velvety style that’s really easy to love.  

 

VALRAVN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $24.99/btl 

Click to Order

Winery Notes: “Reminiscent of classic ripe-vintage Bordeaux – refined and well defined with a lovely play of savory and sweet.  Cassis, black cherry and blackberry fruit is accompanied by opulent notes of dark chocolate, espresso roast, and graphite. Silky tannins with amazing richness on the palate.“
 
Customers who enjoy Valravn Sonoma County Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2014 Enos Estate Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Vista Rutherford Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend
ENOS
2014 ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $60/btl
 

Click to Order

Tasting Notes: “This intriguing  Cabernet begins with a compelling nose of black cherries, red currants and cocoa powder, followed by pipe tobacco, toasted hazelnuts and sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate, focused blackberry and chocolate covered cherries intertwine beautifully with a complex, earthy wet clay character along with slightly dusty tannins.  The finish is detailed, long and fresh, without be heavy or cloying. A delight to enjoy now and will age beautifully for a decade or so. Serious wine at a not-so-serious price…”  93+ Points
VISTA
2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $23/btl 

Click to Order

Tasting Notes: “Scintillating aromas of fresh blackberries, tart red currants, cocoa powder and vanilla spice.  The palate is dense, rich and powerful with a beautiful combination of bright red fruit characteristics that perfectly intertwine with deep black fruits including blueberry compote, crushed black raspberries, ripe red plum, baking spices and bittersweet chocolate.  Intense and penetrating, this wine displays concentrated, powerful fruit with a gorgeous center core that finishes with a long, focused finish and slightly dusty tannins.”  92-95 Points
2015 POP 300 Oakville Rosé

2018 Pop 300 Oakville Rosé

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRoséUSA

POP 300  2015 POP 300 Oakville Rosé

2018 ROSÉ
OAKVILLE 

 
For wine lovers, being in-the-know can sometimes result in drinking a wine that performs so stratospherically above the realm of possibilities, that you feel like you stole something when you taste it. POP 300’s Oakville Rosé hands you all of that on a sterling silver platter, and here’s why… Many would argue that the To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of Oakville is the greatest vineyard in California.  A little known secret is that there’s a tiny block of Pinot Noir in the center of this magical vineyard.  It’s called Wilsey-To Kalon and in a case where location and being connected takes you the distance, POP 300 has my vote.  The aromas alone give you a rush, and compelling notes of bright raspberry, crushed sea shells, minerals, pink grapefruit and pomegranate let you know what you’re about to get into… Oh yeah and at $29.99/btl, it’s truly one of the best Rosé wines produced in California.  
 
It’s well known that Oakville produces some of the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the world, but very few people would know that Pinot Noir even exits in this iconic region. This is a truly unique, Rosé of Pinot Noir with a dash of Viognier tossed in, is made by Luke Russ, whose day job is the Commercial Director at O’Shaughnessy Winery.  Beware, it might just leave you in disbelief of just how good it is.  Just don’t let the shock last too long, because it will be gone before you know it…
 
POP 300 
2018 ROSÉ
OAKVILLE
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

Click to Order

Tasting Notes: “What a delight to find an absolutely one-of-a-kind wine that is immensely delicious too.  The nose begins with ripe peach, nectarine and fresh, ripe raspberries intermingled with a whiff of banana and spring flowers.  The palate is bursting with flavors including Bosc pear, white strawberries, Meyer lemon, along with a saline minerality and bright acidity.  It is a complex, dry wine with very little if any residual sugar and a zesty mouthfeel that perfectly balances the powerful flavors.  I highly recommend this for your Spring and Summer enjoyment.”  94 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2017 Malene Central Coast Rose

2017 Malene Central Coast Rosé

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtRoséUncategorizedUSA

MALENE 2017 Malene Central Coast Rose

2017 ROSÉ
CENTRAL COAST

 
When a winery combines Old World thought with new world fruit, the results can be absolutely inspiring.  With Malene’s 2017 Rosé from the Central Coast, the fruit is sourced from top vineyards the Santa Ynez Valley and Paso Robles, where the climate is similar to Southern France.  Many would argue that it’s the best area in California for growing Rhone varietals like Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre which are three of the main grapes used to make Provence Rosé wines.  Malene embodies many of the qualities that I love about Provence Rosé and adds an element of new world plump, juicy fruit. Our panel wasn’t the only one’s that liked it… It also earned an impressive 91 points and Editor’s Choice from the Wine Enthusiast.
 
One sip of Malene’s 2017 Rosé and you might think you’re in Provence, France, transporting your mind with underripe-raspberry, delicate rose, lime peel, rock minerals and hints of lavender.  It was fermented using three different types of vessels to add even more complexity.  At $19.99/btl, I’m planning on enjoying this beauty all Spring and Summer long, and I invite you to do the same…
 
MALENE
2017 ROSÉ
CENTRAL COAST
Retails at:  $22.00/btl
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl

 Click to Order

From Wine Enthusiast: “This rosé, by the team at Chamisal, is a superstar in the category, offering a little bit of everything for all palate preferences. Perfumed aromas of peach, strawberry and wet gravel combine fruit with minerality, while the palate is framed by a compelling texture. Flavors of red apple and plum sail into the finish.” 91 Points Editors’ Choice
 
Customers who enjoy Malene Rosé, may also enjoy these two outstanding Rosés…
2017 Chateau Des Garcinieres Provence Rose
 2017 Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
CHÂTEAU DES GARCINIÈRES
2017 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE
 
Your Price: $23/btl

Click to Order

 
Importers Tasting Notes: “Blessed by the same sun and sea breezes as Tahiti Beach, Cap 21, and the memory of Voile Rouge, it embodies the delicate, romantic taste of 45% Grenache, 45% Cinsault and 10% Rolle, marrying the refreshing flavors of strawberry and cherry, mixed with mineral nuances into one glass...”
FLOWERS
ROSÉ OF PINOT NOIR
2017 SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From California Wine Review: “Layered aromatics of strawberry, raspberry, starfruit and rose petal highlight the complex palate, driven by orange marmalade countered with fresh citrus peels, and balanced by the signature coastal mineralogy and defined salinity.“
95 Points
2015 Daniel Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah

2015 Daniel Soberanes Vineyard Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSanta CruzSanta Lucia HighlandsSyrahUncategorizedUSA

DANIEL 2015 Daniel Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah

2015 SYRAH
SOBERANES VINEYARD

 
One of the fastest growing categories in our shop is high-quality California Syrah at value prices.  Many would argue that in the New World, Americans are a little behind the curve in the appreciation of Syrah and because of this, that you can occasionally find a ridiculous deal on a fantastic wine.  A perfect example is the 2015 DANIEL Syrah from the iconic Soberanes Vineyard.  This two barrel production Syrah opens up to sweet violets, pulverized blackberries, compact black cherries, smoked meats, white pepper and charcuterie.  And while you might expect to pay around $50-$70/btl for a single vineyard Syrah from Soberanes, you might just want to grab 2.5% of their entire production… Which in this case is a 15-pack.
 
Some of the greatest California Syrah comes from the Santa Lucia Highlands, and one of the best spots there is the Soberanes Vineyard.  The 2015 perfectly illustrates the best qualities from this vineyard which were brought to life by winemaker Dan Fitzgerald, who got his start working at Williams-Selyem.  As the wine unfolds in the glass, rich and inviting flavors envelope your palate in pure elegance, and become increasingly compelling as the wine opens up.  At this price, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours…
 
DANIEL
2015 SYRAH
SOBERANES VINEYARD
Retails at:  $50/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “Deep plum red in color, the nose is fragrant with crushed peppercorns, wildflowers and rhubarb. The palate is full bodied with lovely, fine tannins, finishes with blackberry reduction, gamey toffee notes, wet clay and violets.”
 
Customers who enjoy DANIEL Soberanes Vineyard Syrah may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2013 Anarchist Conspiracy Theory Proprietary Red
 2015 Cornerstone Ram's Horn Vineyard Syrah
ANARCHIST WINE CO.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $36/btl
 

Click to Order


Tasting Notes: “This unique blend begins with a compact nose of Bing cherry, wet slate, cotton candy and a touch of sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate, it begins with focused black plum, penetrating wild red and black berries and Ibarra Chocolate. The finish is mouth-filling without being cloying, with just the right amount of dusty tannin, cocoa powder and a touch of baking spices.”

 
CORNERSTONE
2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD
Retails at:  $85/btl
 
 

Click to Order


Winery Notes: “French by heritage, California in spirit. These head trained 
Syrah grapes were lovingly grown high on a steep hillside at 1,800 feet… The aromas are a complex combination of ripe black berries, boysenberry and earthy sage. You’ll also likely find typical Syrah notes of smoked bacon, tar and black pepper…”
Best In Class | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2014 Amapola Creek Estate Sonoma County Cuvee Alis

2014 Amapola Creek Estate Sonoma County Cuvee Alis

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUncategorizedUSA

AMAPOLA CREEK 2014 Amapola Creek Estate Sonoma County Cuvee Alis

2014 CUVEE ALIS
ESTATE, SONOMA COUNTY

 
If a deeply compelling, complex red from a site that neighbors the iconic Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma County doesn’t pique your interest, how about getting the same wine at a special price?  Add to that a 92 Point Score from Robert Parker and it being produced by legendary winemaker Dick Arrowood, and your taste buds might already be salivating to try it… Beautifully elegant and remarkably individualistic, this wine simply pops on your palate with an explosion of flavors that linger on and on.  The grapes were sourced from the Amapola Creek Estate Vineyard which I mentioned above borders the iconic Monte Rosso Vineyard, made famous by Ridge in the 1960’s…  It was expertly authored by renowned winemaker Dick Arrowood who rocketed to fame crafting some of Sonoma’s most notable wines, including Chateau St. Jean from 1974 through 1990.
 
Created from a collection of various vineyard blocks, diversity is what truly sets this wine apart. After resting for 18 months in French oak barrels, this wine is made in an approachable style that will immediately bring a smile to your face… At the winery price of $48/btl, this wine will take you to that happy place, but with our special offer you may want to clear some serious room in the cellar.  This is the perfect Red Blend to share at Spring and Summer barbecues. 
 
AMAPOLA CREEK
2014 CUVEE ALIS
ESTATE, SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Blended of 69% Grenache, 9% Syrah and 22% Mourvedre, the 2014 Cuvee Alis Estate Vineyard has a medium garnet color and a beautifully spicy nose of Chinese five spice and Sichuan pepper with a good core of cherry preserves, blueberries and dried plums, plus a waft of Provence herbs. Full-bodied, the palate is led by spice box and savory notes with velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with great persistence.” 92 Points

2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUncategorizedUSA

VISTA

2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED

 
Being part of a wine brand that’s shattering records and has everybody talking is always fun, and Vista turns out to be our single most popular wine we’ve ever offered… This is a $23 Rutherford Blend that tastes like it should cost many many times its price.  When I first tasted this wine I was asked to estimate the retail price with no information other than what was on the label.  After considering the focused and penetrating red fruits, classic Rutherford dust characteristics, and long, pleasant finish, my number was $75-$95/btl… Turns out, the intended retail was $95, had it been finished as a single vineyard Rutherford Cabernet under a different brand name.  If you look for value reds from Napa Valley, I strongly recommend that you double or even triple down on this one…
 
Originating from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this wine embodies many of  the hallmarks that I look for in Rutherford Cabernet. Predominately Cabernet, heightened with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2017 saturates your palate in seductive red berries laced with dried lavender, red currants, iron, and Rutherford dust.  At $23 bucks this wine shatters expectations of how great a value wine can possibly be in this price.
 
VISTA
2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
 
Tasting Notes: “Scintillating aromas of fresh blackberries, tart red currants, cocoa powder and vanilla spice.  The palate is dense, rich and powerful with a beautiful combination of bright red fruit characteristics that perfectly intertwine with deep black fruits including blueberry compote, crushed black raspberries, ripe red plum, baking spices and bittersweet chocolate.  Intense and penetrating, this wine displays concentrated, powerful fruit with a gorgeous center core that finishes with a long, focused finish and slightly dusty tannins.”  92 – 95 Points
2013 Salcheto Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulchino Sangiovese

2013 Salcheto Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano Riserva

with No Comment $30 and underItalyKevin VogtNobile di MontelpulcianoSangioveseTuscanyUncategorized

SALCHETO 2013 Salcheto Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulchino Sangiovese

2013 RISERVA
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
TUSCANY, ITALY

 
Working with one of the top importers of boutique Italian wines in the US has its benefits… Massanois Imports supplies us with some of the highest-scoring and reputable Italian brands such as Aldo Conterno, Livio Sassetti and Parusso.  They’ve also introduced us to some stunning values from break-out boutique producers like Salcheto which launched in 2009.  Salcheto is already earning huge scores and obtaining this brand early in its life cycle offers an opportunity to stock-up while it’s still value priced.  The quality is so obviously high, that we struggled keeping the 2012 on the shelf.  The 2013 has even higher scores and a price that’s easy to swallow (pun, intended), you simply have to try this one…
 
Emerging from Tuscany’s Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, this stunning Riserva spends more than the required 2 full years in oak and a year in the bottle before release.  It’s 100% Sangiovese and the 2013 has a gorgeous perfume of sweet cherries, wild plum, leather and spices, and on the palate the wine is deep, seductive and velvety.  With the 93 and 94 Point scores on the 2013, you’ll want to secure yours before the rest of the world gets their chance.
 
SALCHETO
2013 RISERVA
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
TUSCANY, ITALY
Retails at:  $36.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

Click to Order

YOU SAVE 16%
 
“This is beginning to hit its stride, with sweet cherry and berry, licorice, leather, tar and iron aromas and flavors. A good dose of tannins remains, but they are well-integrated into the whole. Fine length. Drink now through 2033.” 93 Points
“… Powerful and ample, with tons of depth, the 2013 is impressive. Fresh dark cherry, spice, licorice and menthol notes abound in this vibrant, beautifully resonant Vino Nobile…. In a word: superb!“  94 Points
Customers who enjoy Salcheto Riserva may also enjoy these two stunning Italian Reds…
2014 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo 2013 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino
GIACOMO GRIMALDI
2014 BAROLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From The Wine Spectator: “Cherry and plum flavors resonate throughout this red, joined by notes of eucalyptus, tar, tobacco and spice. The fruit persists, with a firm grip of tannins as this fades on the finish...” 92 Points
LA RASINA
2013 BRUNELLO DIMONTALCINO
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From James Suckling: “A wealth of ripe fruit with spice, tobacco, cedar and plum aromas that follow through to a full body, chewy and dense tannins and a ripe and delicious finish. A solid and stoic young red. Give it three or four years to soften. Made from organic grapes.” 96 Points
2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

with No Comment $30 and underDry Creek ValleySonomaUncategorizedUSAWhitesZinfandel

PETERSON 2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

2013 ESTATE ZINFANDEL
BRADFORD MOUNTAIN

 
Many of the best wines go well beyond flavors and aromas, and some can even evoke feelings of nostalgia, like when I tasted Fred Peterson’s wines.  They are a perfect example of a classic style that many would call traditional and non-interventional.  Fred calls it their zero manipulation style of winemaking, which just as it sounds, is the philosophy of doing as little as possible to the wine in the cellar, resulting in the in the best expression of the vineyard.  It’s rare to come across a New World winery with a steadfast approach to this winemaking approach, and to celebrate it, we thought we would offer the wine at a “historic” price to boot…
 
Zero manipulation winemaking always begins in the vineyard, and that’s why we picked the 2013 Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel.  Perched at 1,000 feet in elevation, overlooking Dry Creek Valley, the well-drained, red-clay soils produce exceptional fruit.  The 2013 has a sturdy frame and concentrated center core of fruit that opens up to classic mulberry, white pepper and hints of saddle leather and wild rose.  At this price, you simply can’t afford to miss this…
 
PETERSON
2013 ESTATE ZINFANDEL
BRADFORD MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $38/btl
 

Click to Order

Winery Notes: “A rich blend of ripe dark berries with traces of toasty oak provides an inviting entry. The luscious mouthfeel releases layers of concentrated fruit-plum, deep blackberry and dark cherry-punctuated by hints of spice and pepper. The Bradford Mountain terroir influences are evident in the threads of minerality that weave through this opulent wine, adding to its depth and complexity.”
 
Customers who enjoy Peterson Estate Zinfandel may also enjoy these two outstanding Zins…
2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2014 Valdez Sonoma County Zinfadel
MAURITSON
2016 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $39.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

Click to Order

Winery Notes: “Perfumed aromas of black boysenberry cobbler with graham cracker crust waft from the glass. Hints of anise, fresh fig, and earthiness beautifully complement the fruit profile. The entry is full but inviting, exhibiting flavors of mocha, wet gravel, and black cherry. The mouthfeel is seamless from start to finish, indicative of perfectly integrated tannin and acid. Please enjoy this wine for the next 7-10 years.”
VALDEZ
2014 ZINFANDEL
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $30/btl
 

Click to Order

Winery Notes: “Aromas and flavors of juicy blackberries and currants are expressed in the 2014ValdezZinfandel. This wine has fresh acidity and light tannins that are in harmonious balance while hints of licorice and spice linger on the finish. Fruit for this wine is sourced from 3 different Sonoma County AVAs: Dry creek, Russian River Valley, and Alexander Valley.“

2015 Cornerstone Ram’s Horn Vineyard Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underMendocinoMendocino RidgeSyrahUncategorized

CORNERSTONE

2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD

 
Some of the greatest values in red wines can be found in American Syrah.  It’s one of the classic varietals of the world, and was made famous in the Northern Rhone valley of France with the world-class wines from Cote Rotie and Hermitage.  Many would argue that in the New World, Americans are a little behind the curve in the appreciation of Syrah and it’s because of this, that you can occasionally find a ridiculous deal on a fantastic wine.  There’s no better example than Cornerstone’s 2015 single vineyard Syrah which is a stunning bottle of wine at it’s $85 retail price… Make sure to join our Insider’s Club mailing list (it’s free) to unlock special offers and see one of the best values that I’ve come across in my career.
 
This remarkable expression of California Syrah was authored by talented winemaking duo Kari Auringer and Charles Thomas. Kari 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. Charles has more than 30 years winemaking experience including crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, and his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  This beauty also defeated EVERY wine in the Syrah & Shiraz over $41/btl category at the SF Chronicle Competition, and was named “Best of Class.” You may want to grab all you can…
 
CORNERSTONE
2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD
Retails at:  $85/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “French by heritage, California in spirit. These head trained Syrah grapes were lovingly grown high on a steep hillside at 1,800 feet, overlooking the little town of Hopland in Mendocino. Small berries on petite clusters struggle on this dry farmed ranch, which gives this wine a dark and concentrated color. The aromas are a complex combination of ripe black berries, boysenberry and earthy sage. You’ll also likely find typical Syrah notes of smoked bacon, tar and black pepper. Lush and fleshy on the palate, this wine is ripe from long sun-drenched days. More new world in style than old world, but there is plenty of backbone that Syrah is known for. The finish lingers with a melody of mocha, licorice and a hint of allspice wrapped up in silky integrated tannins.“
Best In Class | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 
 
Customers who enjoy Cornerstone Ram’s Horn Vineyard Syrah may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2014 Valdez Sonoma Coast Zinfandel
 2013 Anarchist Wine Co Conspiracy Theory Proprietary Red
VALDEZ
2014 ZINFANDEL
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $30/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Winery Notes: “Aromas and flavors of juicy blackberries and currants are expressed in the 2014ValdezZinfandel. This wine has fresh acidity and light tannins that are in harmonious balance while hints of licorice and spice linger on the finish. Fruit for this wine is sourced from 3 different Sonoma County AVAs: Dry creek, Russian River Valley, and Alexander Valley.”
ANARCHIST WINE CO.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $36/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes, “This unique blend begins with a compact nose of Bing cherry, wet slate, cotton candy and a touch of sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate, it begins with focused black plum, penetrating wild red and black berries and Ibarra Chocolate. The finish is mouth-filling without being cloying, with just the right amount of dusty tannin, cocoa powder and a touch of baking spices.”