2017 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate

2017 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

PARADIGM   

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 OAKVILLE ESTATE 

2017 Paradigm Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate
The Paradigm wine team masterfully articulates their vineyard because of their non-invasive winemaking, without house style. Positioned directly South of Andy Beckstoffer’s Iconic To-Kalon Vineyard, Paradigm is in the epicenter of Grand Cru quality Cabernet. The 2017 release offers a vivid interpretation of Oakville’s notorious complexity, superior concentration, piercing focus, and with neighbors like Opus One, and Martha’s Vineyard, Paradigm tips the scales with nonpareil value. 
 
Heidi Barrett is Paradigm’s current and original winemaker; She has intimate knowledge of the Estate, allowing the fruit to express its quality and unique terroir with minimal intervention.
 
The 2017 Paradigm Cabernet is richly concentrated, keenly focused, and beautifully defined. The wine spends 20 months in oak and 20 months in the bottle before release and offers a parade of perfectly ripe red and black fruits, rocky minerals, and subtle oak. 
 
PARADIGM   
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 OAKVILLE ESTATE
Retails at: $84
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
 
“This wine is deeply pigmented with ruby/garnet color. First sniff is Oakville Cabernet all the way. Nice layers of ripe berry and cherry-like fruit with a matching complement of toasty French Oak from an assortment of Coopers and different barrel ages. Gorgeous across the palate with a silky yet dense mouthcoating impression. Ripeness is key and the result is a wine with perfect balance and flow – just plain delicious. It’s a big, beautiful wine now but has tremendous aging potential.”
2018 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

2018 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon Estate

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSaint HelenaUSA

SINEGAL

CABERNET SAUVIGNON  
2018 ESTATE 

2018 Sinegal Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
Sinegal’s team micro-farms their tiny 9-acre vineyard, planted by renowned viticulturist Jim Barbour, with a resolute commitment to quality. Their winemaking team is on a personal level with each vine on the property, and it shows dramatically in their wines. Initially planted in the late 1800s, the vineyard is strategically positioned South of Lewelling Vineyard, along the Southwestern rim of St. Helena AVA. The area produces Bordeaux varietals of stunning quality, and here’s a terrific opportunity to try their 97 Point Cabernet. 
 
The winery’s pursuit of perfection begins in the vineyard, but it doesn’t stop there. Sinegal winemaker Ryan Knoth gained valuable experience working under the tutelage of icons David Abreu, Michel Rolland, and Fredrik Johansson at Staglin Vineyards. He also worked with Jim Barbour and Philippe Melka at Gandona Estate. 
 
The 2018 vintage was faultless and virtually uninterrupted by significant heat spikes, providing a prolonged hang-time, allowing the fruit to accumulate intense flavor and complexity. This wine highlights the vintage’s power by embellishing its best qualities with additions of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot, all aged for 20 months in French oak.
 
SINEGAL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON  
2018 ESTATE
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
 
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon turned out beautifully. Rich, sumptuous and incredibly alluring, the 2018 will drink well right out of the gate. Dark red fruit, mocha, spice and licorice are some of the notes that build in the glass. I would give it a few years in bottle, or alternatively open it in advance. Aeration and the passage of time did wonders for the 2018. It spent 20 months in barrel, 85% new…”
97 Points
2014 Immortal Estate Slope Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Immortal Estate Slope Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

IMMORTAL ESTATE

2014 SLOPE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

2014 Immortal Estate Slope Cabernet Sauvignon
On the West side of Spring Mountain, Immortal Estate is planted on a staggering 55-degree slope, making it one of the steepest hillside-vineyards in California. Initially named Hidden Ridge, the property produced 100 point wines under Tim Milos’ guidance. Tim gained invaluable experience while crafting stellar vintages of Opus One, Stag’s Leap, and Cliff Lede, and he’s the winemaker at Immortal Estate.
 
Vines grown on steep slopes can experience better air-flow, water drainage, and more sunlight, which combine to produce fully-developed and complexly flavored grapes. Immortal Estate is a perfect example and has more than 20 separate blocks with an elevation range of 1200-1700 feet, near Pride Mountain Vineyards. 
 
Tim selected harvest dates for each block based on taste, and the team meticulously sorted the grapes at the winery. They fermented the juice on the grape skins for up to 50 days, extracting depth, structure, and deep color. They then aged the wine for 28 months in French oak, and now with several years in the bottle, it’s rocking.
 
IMMORTAL ESTATE
2014 SLOPE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $75
 
 
“…the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Slope from the Hidden Ridge vineyard does not suffer in comparison with the extraordinary efforts of 2013. Still a barrel sample, its riveting richness, concentration, texture and density represent another legend in the making. Crème de cassis, licorice, blackberry, earthiness and spice are all present in this magnificent example of Cabernet Sauvignon that should age beautifully for 25-30+ years.”
95-97+ Points
 
“The Slope represents the many aspects, elevations and exposures of this remarkable hillside vineyard. Individual lots from across the property were selected and blended to produce this august cuvée. The wine is dense, ripe and powerful, an effusive vortex of blackberry, toast, brown sugar, allspice, cassis, dark chocolate, earl grey tea, mint, anise, sugar cookie, chai, and tarragon. The palate is massive, but the fruit is sweet, supple and creamy. It is an experience that will bring you to our mountain, for there is no other place like it.”
2015 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino

2015 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino

with No Comment $70-$80BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin Vogt

LIVIO SASSETTI

2015 PERTIMALI 
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO

2015 Livio Sassetti Pertimali Brunello Di Montalcino
If you could only drink only one Brunello di Montalcino, what would it be? Robert Parker wrote, “it would have to be Pertimali.” The only problem is they’re a microscopic Italian producer owning only 7 hectares (about 17 acres), and they’re highly desired. The 2015 vintage earned a near-perfect 98 Point score from James Suckling, and at under $100, this should be in every Italian wine collector’s cellar.
 
The 2015 vintage in Montalcino was textbook, and one that James Suckling alerts, “nobody should miss.” The vintage brought remarkable power, dynamic complexity, and a purity of fruit that’s spectacular, and Livio Sassetti’s 2015 showcases all of it. 
 
Livio and his two sons take a hands-on approach in every way possible, and each wine is hand-tended by them. With a concentrated focus on every detail, their Brunello has become a Sommelier favorite, gracing the Grand Award-winning wine lists of Emeril Lagasse, Thomas Keller, and many others.
 
LIVIO SASSETTI
2015 PERTIMALI 
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
Retails at: $90
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
 
“There’s something ethereal in the nose with flowers, cherries, strawberries and shitake mushrooms. Full body. This grows on the palate with super tannin and fruit structure. So much berry flavor and round, caressing tannins that fill your mouth. Tight at the end. This needs four to five years to show its true greatness…”
98 Points
 
“Aromas of woodland berry, pine forest, truffle and dried herb emerge from the glass in this fragrant red. Full in weight but refined, the accessible palate offers dried cherry, black tea, star anise and a dollop of vanilla alongside polished tannins before a minty finish. Reflecting the hot vintage, it’s already approachable but still offers good midterm aging potential. Drink 2021–2027.”
94 Points
2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSpring MountainUSA

PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY

2018 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Pride Mountain Vineyards is a paradigm producer on Spring Mountain that defines its wines’ success by their uncanny ability to be identified in blind tastings. This distinction is due to the Estate’s highly unique terroir and their undeviating focus on producing intensely flavored wines that honor their fabulous property. At around $80, their 2018 Cabernet is a benchmark for high-elevation hillside Cabernet in Napa Valley, and you might grab some while you can.
 
The Estate Vineyards are at the top of Spring Mountain, and they straddle the Napa and Sonoma County line. The extreme elevation provides warm mornings and chilly afternoons that result in longer hang-time, contributing textural and flavor characteristics that don’t exist anywhere else in the world. This location is only part of the reason why their wines are so desirable. 
 
Winemaker Sally Johnson employs traditional winemaking practices designed to let the terroir of the grapes take center stage. Her method includes 100% destemming the red varietals and fermenting over two-weeks in stainless steel tank before transferring the wine to French oak barrels for roughly 18 months. 
 
PRIDE MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $76
 
 
“Black currant, Morello cherry and just-ripe black mission fig dance with the aromas of sage, candied violets, star anise and black truffle. The palate is dense and compact with incredible structure. Layers of complex black and red fruit fill the mouth, while sandalwood, bay, graphite and forest aromatics linger with the velvety tannins on the long and dynamic finish. This is a showstopper!”
2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSaint HelenaUSA

LETO CELLARS

EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ST HELENA, NAPA VALLEY

2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena
The pinnacle wine produced by Leto Cellars is their Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and it accurately lives up to its name. The wine is exceptional in terms of extract, power, and finesse. The only problem is with 72 cases produced, very few will get to experience this exceptional effort. 
 
The Exceptional Selection is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon drawn from a micro-block of half-century-old vines in the heart of St Helena. The low-yielding, dry-farmed vines have deep root systems that provide a vivid portrayal of their unique terroir, which delivers with powerful intensity, grace, and balance.  
 
After developing for 21 months in oak, the wine has enticing aromas of rich black fruits, roasted espresso, dark chocolate, and rocky minerals. With 3 barrels made and a savings of nearly $50/btl, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure a case.
 
LETO CELLARS
EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ST HELENA, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $125
 
 
 
“The precisely shaped and exquisitely balanced Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 begins with an elegant nose filled with black plums, black currants, smooth blue fruits, baking spices, rose petals and sweet vanilla oak. There is a seamless combination of freshly crushed mountain blackberries, kirsch, and light tobacco notes on the palate. The finish is focused, penetrating, balanced, and long, making this wine a truly exceptional selection.”
94 Points
2016 Faust The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley

2016 Faust The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

FAUST

2016 THE PACT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

2016 Faust The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley
Faust’s 96 point The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 was created from their most expressive blocks from the Estate Vineyard in Coombsville and was crafted to epitomize the purest expression of the Estate. Formerly a dairy farm, the property was developed by the Huneeus family, who also own Quintessa. They chose it for its diversity of soil, elevation, exposition, and climate that’s cooler than most areas of Napa Valley. This remarkable 2016 resulted from the culmination of their vision, work developing the land, and perfecting their winemaking.
 
Faust winemakers Jen Beloz and David Jelinek produced this masterpiece. Jen gained her experience while working under Joel Peterson at Ravenswood Winery before joining Huneeus and becoming winemaker at Prisoner in 2011.  
 
The 2016 release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, born in Quintessa’s state-of-the-art winery in Rutherford. After 19 months in barrel and a couple of years of development in the bottle, the 2016 offering is a stunning beauty.
 
FAUST
2016 THE PACT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $130
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
“This is very layered and beautiful with tannins that unfold horizontally and melt into the wine. So much subtle and complex currant and green-olive character with a hint of fresh tobacco. Drink or hold.”
96 Points
 
“… Deep garnet-purple colored, it reveals bold red and black currants scents with touches of crushed rocks, new leather, fried herbs, rose hip tea and wood smoke plus a hint of incense. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers and rock-solid structure of firm, ripe, grainy tannins framing the muscular fruit, finishing very long and mineral laced.”
95 Points
 
“Black cherry and black currant generously welcome the nose and reward the palate with a plush texture and fresh acidity. Dark fruit and graphite, along with tobacco, star anise and dark cocoa flavors await you with a seductive finish that lasts for an eternity.”
– David Jelinek, Winemaker
2017 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2017 O’Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtMt VeederNapaOakvilleUSA

O’SHAUGHNESSY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 O'Shaughnessy Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
O’Shaughnessy is one of Napa Valley’s top Cabernet producers, and it’s rare for us to feature their wines because of their scarcity. They have machine-like consistency for producing focused, intensely flavored Cabernets with perfect balance. At $75, their Napa Valley Cabernet perfectly represents their powerful style, and as Jeb Dunnuck says, “It’s a terrific 2017 as well as a good value.”
 
O’Shaughnessy’s Napa Valley Cabernet is composed using all Estate fruit from the winery’s properties on Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, and Oakville. The wine perfectly expresses Mountain terroir with Oakville elegance in a way that brings me back for more. 
 
Since their inception, O’Shaughnessy’s winemaker has been Sean Capiaux, whom you might know from his work at Peter Michael or his own brand Capiaux. He did a terrific job on the 2017 which has concentrated, supple dark fruits, fresh violets, and complex savory notes.
 
O’SHAUGHNESSY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $75
 
 
 
“Moving to the reds, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley checks in as 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, and 5% Malbec that spent 20 months in 75% new French oak. Deep purple-colored with notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, smoked earth, white chocolate, and crushed violets, it’s medium to full-bodied, ripe, and sexy, with a core of sweet fruit. It’s a terrific 2017 as well as a good value.”  93 Points
 
“A very reserved and structured cabernet with red and dark berries, as well as cedary notes and a savory, iodine-like edge. The palate has a very balanced and composed feel with a sleek, focused edge to the fresh blackcurrant flavors. Drink or hold.” 93 Points
 
“O’Shaughnessy’s 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Bright aromatics, plush fruit and silky tannins give the 2017 much of its immediate appeal. Sweet red cherry, plum, mint, spice, blood orange, and rose petal all meld together in this very pretty and engaging Cabernet; there is certainly plenty to like here. As always, the Napa Valley Cabernet is a blend of fruit from O’Shaughnessy’s Oakville, Howell Mountain and Mt. Veeder ranches.” 91 Points
2016 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2016 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSAYountville

KEEVER

2016 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Keever Vineyard’s motto is that great wine should tell a story, and theirs is an inspiring tale written by a passionate family of proprietors and some of the most talented winemaking and farming in the industry. It takes place on a 6-acre rock-laden hillside Southwest of Yountville, nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains where the earth has eroded from the slopes over millennia. Then add in Jim Barbour, one of the absolute top grape growers, and Celia Welch, a legendary winemaker. We’ve had the Inspirado on our best seller’s list for years, and the 2016 vintage is among their very best yet. 
 
Appropriately named Inspirado, which translates to Inspired, this release was penned with 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, and drafted with Merlot and Petite Verdot. It envelopes your taste buds with rich, scrumptious textures, and intermixed are fine details of rocky minerals, cocoa dusted black fruits, and vanilla bean. 
 
The wine was authored by Celia Welch, whom you might recognize from Scarecrow, D.R. Stephens, Barbour, Dalla Valle, and at under $100/btl, this is one of the best wines in the shop, period.
 
KEEVER
2016 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $80
 
Your Price: $75
 
“… It has an exotic, complex bouquet of black raspberry and cassis fruits intermixed with some forest floor, dried flowers, and cedar. This carries to a medium to full-bodied red that has sweet tannin, a rounded, approachable style, and loads to love.”  93 points
“Once in a handful of years, Mother Nature serves up a growing season in which every detail is just exactly right. A Spring full of enough rainfall but not too much, a Summer of enough heat but not too much, and an Autumn with warm days and cool nights. The 2016 Inspirado captures this season beautifully, showing warm blueberry, spiced plum, and dark cherry notes, all floating atop more subtle base notes of vanilla and toasty oak. The palate impression reflects the aromas, with ripe fruit, a touch of spice, and a finish that showcases the soft, satiny texture of this beautiful blend.”
2016 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

2016 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

SILVER OAK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 ALEXANDER VALLEY 

2016 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander ValleySilver Oak has dominated the space for high-quality domestic American oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon over the past four decades. They’re one of the most recognizable names across the globe in premium level Cabernet Sauvignon from the New World, and the upcoming release of the 2016 vintage epitomizes the distinctive Silver Oak style that’s made them so revered.  

Lauded as one of the original Cult Cabernet Sauvignons in the New World, Silver Oak carved out a category with their distinctive style. It’s hard to argue with the results which resonate deeply within their fan base. In a stellar vintage like 2016, many of those qualities that make Silver Oak so distinctive become even more enhanced. 
 
Arriving from the remarkable 2016 growing season, Silver Oak aged this vintage for 24 months in American white oak barrels before spending more than a year in the bottle. The 2016 brims with concentrated dark fruits, vanilla, crushed herbs, fresh dill, and Kalamata olives. 
 
SILVER OAK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 ALEXANDER VALLEY
 
 
 
 
“Our 2016 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is ruby in color with a magenta rim. It has an enticing nose of cassis, blackberry, vanilla, sage and spearmint. Upon entry, this wine builds from potpourri and bramble to a bright pop of raspberry on the mid-palate. A juicy finish with chewy tannins and a medium length, it will provide drinking pleasure through 2042 with proper cellaring.”