2018 Grand Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

2018 Grand Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaRutherfordSt HelenaUSA

GRAND NAPA 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RESERVE NAPA VALLEY 2018

2018 Grand Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley
Our top-selling Cabernet Sauvignon this year, Grand Napa Vineyards in Rutherford, produces rich, full-bodied wines with depth and character from premium vineyards in Napa Valley. Grand Napa owner/winemaker Dwight Bonewell hand-selects the vineyards he works with, and his involvement ensures harvesting only the highest quality fruit before he works his magic in the winery, carefully nurturing each vineyard’s unique character into its purest expression.
 
Grand Napa’s 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon arose from prime sites in Rutherford, St. Helena, and Coombsville, compellingly representing the vintage and distinct origins. This bottling spent 22 months in 50% new French oak and 50% two-year-old oak, giving a graceful balance between the depth of fruit, spice components from the oak, plush tannins, and impressive structure.
 
GRAND NAPA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RESERVE NAPA VALLEY 2018
Retails at: $110
 
 
 
“Another terrific wine, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve offers lots of blackcurrants, spice box, tobacco leaf, and chocolatey nuances to go with a full-bodied style on the palate. It has the 2018 vintage’s fresher, more elegant style yet brings ample fruit and has an expansive, layered mouthfeel as well as a great finish. It’s another wine to enjoy any time over the coming 15-20 years.”
94 Points
2019 Waits-Mast Pinot Noir Nash Mill Vineyard Anderson Valley

2019 Waits-Mast Pinot Noir Nash Mill Vineyard Anderson Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Anderson ValleyKevin VogtMendocino RidgePinot NoirSonomaUSA

WAITS-MAST

PINOT NOIR
NASH MILL VINEYARD
ANDERSON VALLEY 2019

2019 Waits-Mast Pinot Noir Nash Mill Vineyard Anderson Valley
Brian Mast and Jennifer Waits founded Waits-Mast in 2005 and created a brand whose core passion centers around premium, vineyard-designated Pinot Noir. Shalini Sekar joined the team as the winemaker in 2013, previously developing her foundation in music by earning a Master’s Degree in Flute and Piccolo Performance, now using that same precision, balance, and determination in her winemaking.
 
The Mariah Vineyard is sustainably farmed and found inside the Mendocino Ridge AVA at 2300 feet above sea level. The extreme elevation results in more intense sunlight hours because of its aspect above the fog layer. The various loam soils above fractured sandstone in the vineyard help provide mineral-based complexity, and the 2019 vintage gave wines with intense flavors that are enormously enjoyable on their own and a decadent enhancement to any meal.
 
WAITS-MAST
PINOT NOIR
NASH MILL VINEYARD
ANDERSON VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $52
 
 
 
“This is a beautiful Pinot Noir with a depth of flavor that will only increase in complexity over time. Find pronounced aromas and flavors of bright red cherry, strawberry and pomegranate, forest floor, toasted wood and violet. Fine-grained, silky tannins slide off the tongue; elevated acidity brings lightness and freshness from start to lingering finish.”
96 Points, “Editors’ Choice”
2018 Diego E Damiano Barale Barolo Piedmont Italy

2018 Diego E Damiano Barale Barolo Piedmont Italy

with No Comment $40-$50BaroloItalyKevin VogtPiedmont

DIEGO E DAMIANO BARALE

BAROLO 2018
PIEDMONT, ITALY

2018 Diego E Damiano Barale Barolo Piedmont Italy
Brothers Diego and Damiano Barale are a viticultural and winemaking powerhouse after spending valuable time learning the tricks of the trade. Working together, they use their combined education and practical knowledge to produce outstanding wines. Though their company is relatively new, the land they inherited from their father in Barolo and Monforte d’Alba has historical roots in the heart of superior grape-growing regions in Piedmont. 
 
This Barolo is a selection of old and young vineyards, matured for 20 months in oak and another 18 in the bottle before being released to the market. The 2018 growing season was a fertile vintage with no drought concerns, resulting in vines developing healthy canopies of balanced fruit, noticeable in the wine’s acidity-to-alcohol ratio and the mature, supple tannin structure.
 
DIEGO E DAMIANO BARALE
BAROLO 2018
PIEDMONT, ITALY
Retails at: $55
 
 
 
“Just mid ruby with orange tinges. An amplification of their very pretty Langhe Nebbiolo, with more inherent richness but the same minerality, but now wrapped up in sweetly perfumed raspberry fruit. Supple, long and persistent, the fruit on the finish is carried by a fine, long tannic trail. Long, finely balanced and with real depth and with just a touch of oak.”
17++/20
2018 Erickson & Caradin Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena

2018 Erickson & Caradin Cabernet Sauvignon Craftsmen & Wolves St Helena

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSt HelenaSt. HelenaUSA

ERICKSON & CARADIN 

CRAFTSMEN & WOLVES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ST HELENA 2018

2018 Erickson & Caradin Cabernet Sauvignon St Helena
Erikson & Caradin proprietors are keenly aware that soil, elevation, and climate play crucial roles in fine wine production; however, expertise and ambition can take wine to the next level. Erikson & Caradin began in 2013, selling their small production to friends and restaurants, and continue to remain craft-focused, with only around fifty barrels produced across eight different designations.
 
Their specialty is producing terroir-driven wines, which aligns with winemaker Kevin Morrisey’s skillset after interning at Chateau Petrus in Bordeaux before Stags’ Leap Winery, Etude, and Ehlers Estate. Their 2018 Craftsman & Wolves Cabernet emerged from two rows of VSP (Vertical Shoot Position) trained clone 337 Cabernet Sauvignon vines. The Vineyard sits above alluvial soils created by ancient river beds providing rich, powerful fruit with profoundly complex minerality.
 
ERICKSON & CARADIN 
CRAFTSMEN & WOLVES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ST HELENA 2018
Retails at: $140
 
 
 
“Aromas of blueberries, dark cherries, cassis, lavender and oak spices. Full body with plush, velvety tannins. Rich and creamy with an intense, bold core of ripe black fruit on the mid-palate and a dense finish. Big, yet polished and balanced. Drink after 2023.” (Reviewed 1/3/22)
93 Points
2019 Daniel Pinot Noir Grand Vent Vineyard Petaluma Gap

2019 Daniel Pinot Noir Grand Vent Vineyard Petaluma Gap

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPetaluma GapPinot NoirSonomaUSA

DANIEL

PINOT NOIR
GRAND VENT VINEYARD
PETALUMA GAP 2019

2019 Daniel Pinot Noir Grand Vent Vineyard Petaluma Gap
Dan Fitzgerald of DANIEL Wines believes that the strong relationship between family, soil, and culture is at the heart of what makes a wine genuinely compelling. Unlike many wineries, Dan veers away from expansion and aims to stay small, focusing on a limited production of wines from premium growers with the same passionate demeanor. Case in point, Dan produced 45 cases of this gorgeous Pinot Noir.
 
Pinot Noir thrives in cool climates, and many of the world’s top Pinots come from areas with cooling coastal influences, like the Petaluma Gap in Sonoma County. The gap between the mountains funnels in cold oceanic breezes from the Pacific Ocean and creates a climate where Pinot Noir can not only fully ripen but maintain freshness. The Grand Vent Vineyard produces small crops of concentrated fruit with elegant balance, and the 2019 release is one of the best vintages of the last decade, and this is a shining example. 
 
DANIEL
PINOT NOIR
GRAND VENT VINEYARD
PETALUMA GAP 2019
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“The Daniel 2019 Grand Vent Petaluma Pinot Noir opens with notes of wild roses, mint, sour raspberry, red cherry, and cardamom. On the palate, the wine is concentrated with flavors of bright red fruits, bramble, black tea leaves, and a crushed rock minerality. The depth and complexity of flavors dance into a lengthy finish, delicately balanced by silky tannins and refreshing acidity.”
94 Points 
2019 Meyer Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fluffy Billows Oakville

2019 Meyer Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fluffy Billows Oakville

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

MEYER FAMILY CELLARS

FLUFFY BILLOWS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
OAKVILLE 2019

2019 Meyer Family Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Fluffy Billows Oakville
Matt and Karen Meyer combine their impressive educational knowledge and practical hands-on experience to expertly craft each Meyer Family Cellars wine. Matt spent many hours shadowing his father, Justin Meyer, in the vineyards and cellar at Silver Oak, interning in Oregon, Australia, and New Zealand, eventually gaining a Master’s in Viticulture from UC Davis. Karen completed her Enology degree from Charles Sturt University in Australia and worked harvests worldwide, finally landing her in Willamette Valley, where she and Matt met.
 
The Oakville AVA is home to some of Napa Valley’s most exclusive and premium vineyards, and the Meyer family has farmed and produced Cabernet from Oakville since the mid-1970s. The 2019 growing season saw extended hang times aiding depth and layers of flavors harnessed by Matt and Karen’s meticulous winemaking methods. The Fluffy Billows Cabernet Sauvignon brings impressive power, depth, and richness uncommon in this price range.
 
MEYER FAMILY CELLARS
FLUFFY BILLOWS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
OAKVILLE 2019
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“The Meyer Family Cellars Fluffy Billows Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 begins with a nose of bright cherry, green herbs, wet clay, and vanilla spice. The palate continues with a complex liquid-mineral quality, beautifully balancing focused red and black fruits and mouth-quenching acidity that carries the concentrated flavors to a long, satisfying, lingering finish. This wine is a real standout Cabernet Sauvignon at this price point.” 
94 Points
2016 Site Ret Blend Larner Vineyard Ballard Canyon

2016 Site Red Blend Larner Vineyard Ballard Canyon

with No Comment $40-$50Central CoastKevin VogtProprietary Red

SITE

RED BLEND
LARNER VINEYARD 2016
BALLARD CANYON

2016 Site Ret Blend Larner Vineyard Ballard Canyon
Jeremy Weintraub is a winemaker and owner of Site Wines. He has experience in winemaking and grape growing in several regions, including Napa, Paso Robles, Central Otago, Tuscany, and Long Island. He sources grapes from three vineyards in Santa Barbara County, crafting his wines according to each particular vintage.
 
The Larner Vineyard in Ballard Canyon is a small AVA about 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The region’s north-to-south orientation in the coastal hills receives little oceanic influence and is much warmer than surrounding areas. This gives the perfect climate for Rhône varietals to thrive.The 2016 Larner Vineyard Red Blend is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Viognier. The Syrah and Viognier were co-fermented in a similar style to red blends from the Rhône, giving brevity and brightness to the final wine.
 
SITE
RED BLEND
LARNER VINEYARD 2016
BALLARD CANYON
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“The 2016 Red Wine Larner Vineyard is another wine in this range that just dazzles with personality and character. Vibrant inky blue/purplish fruit, grilled herbs, lavender and spice all develop effortlessly. I especially admire the wine’s freshness and energy. The 2016 is a blend of mostly Syrah, with some Grenache and Viognier.”
93 Points
2019 Buoncristiani Proprietary Red O.P.C. Napa Valley

2019 Buoncristiani Proprietary Red O.P.C. Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

BUONCRISTIANI

O.P.C. PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Buoncristiani Proprietary Red O.P.C. Napa Valley
Recreated with a fresh approach in each vintage, the Buoncristiani Brothers’ O.P.C. embodies a unique harmony discovered by blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah. The wines’ signature reveals itself after rounding out the complexity and texture with Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. After 20 months in French oak and now nearly another two years in the bottle, this wine is drinking beautifully.  
 
Grapes for the O.P.C. are sourced from some of Napa’s most prized vineyards, including Hyde, Stagecoach, Hossfeld, and Bennett, creating a wine that further enhances the enjoyment of life. The brothers run all aspects of their business, from growing and production to sales and marketing, ensuring the highest quality standard. If you’re looking for a wine that will make you smile each time you taste it, this is it.
 
BUONCRISTIANI
O.P.C. PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $75
 
 
 
“…Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with youthful notes of crushed black and red currants, fresh blackberries, and spearmint, followed by suggestions of tilled soil, star anise, and cardamom. The full-bodied palate has impressive poise, featuring expressive black and red fruit layers and a fine-grained texture, finishing long and vibrant.”
94 Points
2021 Waypoint Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard Russian River

2021 Waypoint Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard Russian River

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

WAYPOINT

SAUVIGNON BLANC
RITCHIE VINEYARD 
RUSSIAN RIVER 2021

2021 Waypoint Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard Russian River
New Frontier Wines produces Waypoint with a keen focus on single vineyard wines from sustainably farmed vineyards with unique characteristics. Founder Alejandro Bulgheroni, an Argentinian-Italian businessman, farmer, winemaker, and conservationist, has been active in several ecological endeavors since the 1960s and continues to promote his ideals in every bottle produced.
 
Kent Ritchie’s Russian River Valley Vineyard is renowned for producing expressive fruit with incredible aromas and flavors. This particular bottling is 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Ritchie Block “C” fermented before maturation in a selection of the finest French barrels from top producers. The exceptional winemaking team of Philippe Melka and Matt Sands carefully vinted this beautifully aromatic Sauvignon Blanc from the 2021 vintage, describing it as “akin to a powerful Sancerre.” 
 
WAYPOINT
SAUVIGNON BLANC
RITCHIE VINEYARD 
RUSSIAN RIVER 2021
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“The Waypoint Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021 begins with a bright, citrusy nose, with white flowers, fresh sage, and white pepper. It continues with a beautifully balanced palate of lemon-lime, white peach, quince, and liquid minerals. It seamlessly combines the best traits of rich American, complex French, and bright New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, leading to a crisp, fresh, and long finish.”
93 Points
2018 Cavalli Tenuta Degli Dei Toscana IGT

2018 Cavalli Tenuta Degli Dei Toscana IGT

with No Comment $40-$50ItalyKevin VogtNapaProprietary Red

CAVALLI

TENUTA DEGLI DEI
TOSCANA IGT 2018

2018 Cavalli Tenuta Degli Dei Toscana IGT
The Cavalli family has been crafting fine wines in Tuscany since the 1970s. Their Tenuta Degli Dei estate is located near Panzano in Chianti, a region known for its rich marl soils and sunny southern exposure. Tommaso Cavalli, the current winemaker, is committed to sustainable farming practices and works with his father, Roberto, to produce wines that are both delicious and environmentally friendly.
 
The 2018 Cavalli is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. It is a full-bodied wine with a dense, robust structure and an underlying elegance. Antonio Galloni describes it as “wonderfully inviting…with exceptional balance and tons of character.” The wine will age gracefully, but it is also enjoyable to drink now. 
 
CAVALLI
TENUTA DEGLI DEI
TOSCANA IGT 2018
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“The 2018 Tenuta Degli Dei is dense, juicy and wonderfully inviting. Silky tannins wrap around a core of inky dark fruit, chocolate, spice, lavender and new leather. In the glass, the 2018 is intensely aromatic and layered, with exceptional balance and tons of character. Here, too, the wine’s overall sense of harmony can only be described as exquisite.”
96 Points