2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District Sonoma County

2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District Sonoma County

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMoon MountainSonomaUSA

Kamen

Cabernet Sauvignon
Moon Mountain District
Sonoma County 2021

2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District Sonoma County

Kamen’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a cinematic masterpiece—an epic of power and precision, written by the land and directed by a man who knows storytelling like few others. When screenwriter Robert Kamen first encountered the wild slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains in 1980, he saw a story waiting to unfold. With volcanic soils and wind-swept ridgelines, it was a rugged, high-altitude stage destined for greatness. Partnering with legendary viticulturist Phil Coturri, Kamen began shaping the vineyard like a screenplay—layer by layer—where the struggle of the vines yields fruit of striking intensity.

Since its debut in 1999, Kamen’s Estate Cabernet has become a defining voice in the Moon Mountain AVA—a district that whispers of the wild and rewards the bold. With each passing vintage, the wine has grown more nuanced, more layered—like the best kind of protagonist: complex, charismatic, unforgettable.

In 2021, winemaker Mark Herold crafts a pure Cabernet Sauvignon as expressive as a finely tuned monologue. It moves with structure and grace, revealing scene after scene of black fruit, crushed rock, violets, and spice—each sip a nod to the mountain’s raw beauty and Kamen’s relentless pursuit of excellence. 

Kamen
Cabernet Sauvignon
Moon Mountain District
Sonoma County 2021

Your Price: $125

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“A richly fruited red, with lush flavors of plum and blackberry compote, this cruises steadily, offering flashes of warm earth, sweet bay, tobacco and licorice root. The fruit is polished, and the other elements show a little growl, creating a nice contrast throughout. Best from 2025 through 2036.”

93 Points

2019 Scarlett Grenache McGah Vineyard Rutherford Estate

2019 Scarlett Grenache McGah Vineyard Rutherford Estate

with No Comment $30-$40GrenacheKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

Scarlett

Grenache 2019
McGah Vineyard
Rutherford Estate

2019 Scarlett Grenache McGah Vineyard Rutherford Estate

Scarlett’s 2019 Estate Grenache beckons with a captivating departure from Rutherford’s celebrated Bordeaux tradition, revealing the region’s alluvial soils—woven with gravelly sands and loam—as a generous haven for Rhône varietals. Ancient sediments from the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains have shaped this distinctive terroir, creating an exquisite foundation where Grenache flourishes with striking clarity.

Crafted by winemaker Mike Smith, whose artistry was refined through years alongside acclaimed vintner Thomas Brown, this wine reflects a mastery honed at Napa Valley estates like Maybach Family, Tamber Bey, and Carter Cellars. Smith’s vision captures Rutherford’s distinctive character, yielding a Grenache of remarkable depth and expressive finesse.

Born from Napa Valley’s exceptional 2019 vintage, Scarlett’s Grenache offers elegant refinement and approachable luxury. It celebrates the region’s storied terroir, inviting you to savor Rutherford’s singular character. As Wine Advocate noted, “For the price, the quality is extraordinary.”

At our price, it’s even better…

Scarlett
Grenache 2019
McGah Vineyard
Rutherford Estate
Retails at: $45

Your Price: $32

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The exotically perfumed 2019 Grenache is—at least for the moment—a one-off effort, as the protective purchaser backed out of their contract, leaving the grapes to Scarlett and winemaker Mike Smith. Made with 50% whole clusters from head-trained vines planted in 2010, this is floral, and spicy—a veritable potpourri on the nose, backed by ripe cherries. Full-bodied and supple, this is just great stuff, which shows no sign of its considerable alcohol (16+%). 150 cases produced. For the price, the quality is off the charts.”

94 Points

2018 Campinovi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

2018 Campinovi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $30-$40BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Campinovi

Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy 2018

2018 Campinovi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

Campinovi’s 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is a remarkable discovery—a quintessential Brunello presented at an unexpectedly inviting price.

Born from vineyards kissed by Tuscan sun and anchored in Montalcino’s renowned galestro soils, this wine speaks vividly of its distinguished origins, revealing clarity, strength, vitality, and a deep connection to its terroir.

Masterfully fashioned from the treasured Sangiovese Grosso clone, known for its robust skins and vivid intensity, the wine benefits from a deliberate aging process exceeding two years in oak barrels. This thoughtful maturation refines its inherent vigor into a sophisticated blend of flavors, unfolding in a harmonious cascade that resonates long after the first sip.

More than just an affordable indulgence, Campinovi’s Brunello pays elegant tribute to Montalcino’s winemaking heritage—its artistry, commitment, and enduring traditions—while priced as though you’ve stepped back fifteen years in time.

Campinovi
Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy 2018

Your Price: $36

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Campinovi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino opens with a lifted and perfumed bouquet of violets, dried black tea leaves, red and black cherries, boysenberries, savory spices, and a rocky minerality with hints of petrichor. On the palate, wine is elegant, with complex flavors ranging from dried herbs, peppercorns, cherries, blackberries, and truffles. The wine’s structure is refined and graceful with refreshing acidity, and the finish lingers with a subtle earthy complexity drinking well now with the potential to evolve gracefully for several years.”

94 Points

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

with No Comment $40-$50Howell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSAZinfandel

Summit Lake

Zinfandel 2021
Howell Mountain

2021 Summit Lake Zinfandel Howell Mountain

Summit Lake Vineyards’ 2021 Estate Zinfandel weaves a compelling tale of heritage, dedication, and the distinctive terroir of Howell Mountain. Here, among ancient, head-trained Zinfandel vines nurtured by vintners Bob and Sally Brakesman, the mountain’s bold essence shines through in every vibrant sip. At this lofty elevation, lively fruit intertwines with deep, concentrated flavors, embodying the heart of this celebrated appellation.

Founded in 1971, Summit Lake Vineyards spans a scenic 28-acre estate, home to eight acres of historic Zinfandel vines—some rooted in the pre-Prohibition era. These time-honored vines, having weathered over a century of harvests, impart profound depth and character to the wine.

Howell Mountain, known for its robust and intricate reds, provides a perfect stage for Zinfandel. The 2021 vintage, crafted from a blend of heritage vines dating to 1900 and younger plantings from the early 2000s, delivers a captivating, richly layered wine. Bursting with youthful energy yet steeped in tradition, it offers a memorable expression of Howell Mountain’s iconic spirit.

Summit Lake
Zinfandel 2021
Howell Mountain

Your Price: $45

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Summit Lake 2021 Howell Mountain Estate Zinfandel opens with vibrancy and fresh notes of black cherries and raspberries, complemented with Baker’s chocolate, clove, and white pepper spice. On the palate, the wine has flavors of blackberries, boysenberries, fudge brownies, cinnamon, and a specific graphite-like minerality that is typically found in Howell Mountain fruit. The wine has a smooth texture and velvety tannins that coat your mouth as the wine finishes with finesse and grace. Not even close to being overripe or jammy, this wine shows the elegant side of Zinfandel with impeccable balance.”

94 Points

2016 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Saint Helena

2016 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Saint Helena

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSaint HelenaUSA

Leto

Exceptional Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon
Saint Helena 2016

2016 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Saint Helena

Leto’s 2016 Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon captures the height of artisanal winemaking, blending deep intensity, refined elegance, and steadfast commitment. Drawn from a carefully nurtured micro-block of Cabernet vines—rooted over fifty years ago in the storied soils of Saint Helena—this wine tells a vivid tale of legacy, endurance, and terroir. The ancient, dry-farmed vines yield concentrated fruit, revealing their landscape with striking precision.

Under the skilled hand of veteran winemaker Brad Warner, this distinctive Cabernet matured for 21 months in French oak barrels, followed by a remarkable six-year refinement in bottle. The outcome is mesmerizing: a broad, richly layered bouquet that instantly awakens the senses with its intricate depth.

With only a handful of cases produced, the 2016 Leto Exceptional Selection is a rare and soulful expression that speaks quietly but lingers long. After years of careful rest, it reveals its truth: deep, graceful, and complete. It’s a rare opportunity—to experience a wine not just at its peak but in its prime.

Leto
Exceptional Selection
Cabernet Sauvignon
Saint Helena 2016
Retails at: $125

Your Price: $42

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“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

2021 Impetuous By Checkerboard Red Blend Napa Valley

2021 Impetuous By Checkerboard Red Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Impetuous

By Checkerboard
Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Impetuous By Checkerboard Red Blend Napa Valley

Checkerboard’s 2021 Impetuous is a wine of striking intensity, softened by a deep, graceful elegance—a tribute to the captivating landscape of Diamond Mountain. Martha McClellan, whose skill has shaped renowned estates like Harlan and Sloan, guides this wine with precision and genuine passion, crafting a creation that resonates with both clarity and heart.

The Checkerboard estate vineyards sit high above the valley floor, their roots woven into ancient volcanic soils. McClellan’s close bond with Diamond Mountain’s rugged terrain—from its basalt-strewn slopes to its towering volcanic peaks—enables her to capture the land’s complexity in a vintage that reflects the spirit of this remarkable place.

The winemaking process unfolds like a careful dance, deliberately enhancing the natural beauty drawn from the region’s unique terroir. The result stirs an emotional connection that lingers well beyond the final sip. Boldly expressive, Impetuous reveals itself like a narrative, growing richer, more intricate, and more memorable with each encounter.

Impetuous
By Checkerboard
Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $125

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The 2021 Checkerboard Impetuous Red Blend offers a brooding, rich nose of powerful blue and black fruits—blackberry and blueberry stand out—layered with notes of French lavender, iron, and a touch of vanilla from well-integrated oak. The palate is opulent yet focused, with concentrated blackberries, black cherry, and red currants driving a deep, penetrating core. Balanced acidity keeps it lively, while velvety tannins provide structure. The finish is long and seamless, with a luscious quality that lingers. A polished, high-quality wine, it’s delicious now, but built for 10-12 years of development.”

96 Points

2023 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2023 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Black Pine

Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Black Pine’s 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir captures California fruit’s sophistication with a deft balance of depth and subtlety. It embodies the spirit of Sonoma Coast grapes—lush and sun-warmed, yet tempered by coastal winds that lend it structure and finesse. For years, Black Pine has remained a standout among value Pinot Noirs, drawing in seasoned collectors and intrigued novices alike with its consistent quality and appeal.

Drawn from a mosaic of thoughtfully chosen vineyards, this Pinot Noir reflects a winemaker’s distinct perspective. Each parcel is crafted with care, letting the unique traits of every site emerge. The outcome is a harmonious portrayal of the region—rich in layers, textured, and effortlessly refined.

The 2023 vintage achieves a subtle victory—a wine that doesn’t clamor for notice but secures it with each taste. It invites dialogue, reflection, and those fleeting moments that resonate long after. Beyond the glass, it carries a sense of connection, a gentle nudge that life’s most enduring impressions often arrive with quiet clarity.

Black Pine
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $38

Your Price: $29.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The 2023 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir offers a compelling value in quality Pinot Noir. On the nose, it delivers ripe black cherries and dried cranberries, with hints of cola bean, Darjeeling tea, and violets adding floral elements. The palate brings juicy black raspberries and vibrant pomegranate, showing a ripe yet fuller-bodied profile that remains fresh and lively. A thread of liquid minerals runs through it, and the fruit intensity exceeds expectations for the price point. Well-balanced and approachable now, with a long, satisfying finish.”

93+ Points

2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonCentral CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesUSA

My Favorite Neighbor

Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles 2021

2021 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

In the dynamic landscape of Paso Robles, few narratives captivate quite like My Favorite Neighbor. Within a mere handful of vintages, this exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon has ascended with rare elegance, earning its rank among California’s finest. It traces its origins to Eric and Lisa Jensen, seasoned stewards of exceptional grapes, who resolved to capture their vision in a bottle. From the foundation of Booker Vineyard emerged a wine of genuine distinction.

The 2021 vintage, shaped with unwavering purpose, reveals precisely why this wine continues to captivate. Lush, perfectly ripened fruit unfurls in waves of depth and intensity. There’s an undeniable power, conveyed with striking balance—a defining harmony that has come to characterize My Favorite Neighbor.

Eric Jensen’s relentless focus on precision shapes the wine’s identity. The 2021 release offers a vibrant reflection of Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the region’s most prized vineyards and imbued with a spirit of warmth and generosity. With a newly earned 95-point rating and an even more enticing price, now is an ideal time to stock up—and perhaps share some with your favorite neighbors.

My Favorite Neighbor
Cabernet Sauvignon
Paso Robles 2021
Retails at: $55

Flash Sale $39.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Considering that this blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with 7% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec (along with bits of Petite Sirah and Syrah) was sourced from Paso Robles but bottled in Napa, the “Neighbor” part of this wine’s name makes sense-and tasting it explains the “Favorite” part. It’s very flavorful, with notes of black cherry and cassis and an acid structure that’s ready to rip, making it just perfect for restaurants.”

95 Points

2019 Las Rubias Red Blend Uco Valley Argentina

2019 Las Rubias Red Blend Uco Valley Argentina

with No Comment $30-$40ArgentinaKevin VogtProprietary RedUco Valley

Las Rubias

Red Blend 2019
Uco Valley, Argentina

2019 Las Rubias Red Blend Uco Valley Argentina

The 2019 Las Rubias Uco Valley Red seized our tasting panel’s attention from the initial sip—a wine so compelling it demands pause, invites scrutiny, and rewards every fleeting detail. Fashioned by 100-point Winemaker Rob Lawson, a vintner honed by years at renowned houses such as Bryant, Pahlmeyer, and Staglin during his tenure leading Napa Wine Company, this creation bears the mark of seasoned artistry. In it, Rob’s exacting skill intertwines seamlessly with the untamed splendor of Argentina’s Uco Valley. What struck us most was how effortlessly this wine balances the region’s bold power with Rob’s signature finesse, creating something truly memorable.

Blending Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec with remarkable precision, this wine strikes a flawless balance between richness and elegance. After 24 months in oak, it reveals a polished structure that remains vibrant and expressive. 

Las Rubias is a reflection of place and passion, a story told through the vines and vision of a master. At our price, its exceptional value makes it even more remarkable. This is a bottle I’d proudly open at any table, knowing it will leave a lasting impression long after the final sip.

Las Rubias
Red Blend 2019
Uco Valley, Argentina
Retails at: $95

Your Price: $38

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Las Rubias Red Blend 2019 from Uco Valley greets the nose with cherry cough drops, elegant florals, and fresh mushrooms, followed by a bright crushed-mineral edge. On the palate, it delivers a focused lineup of red currants, cassis, and black plum, with a linear intensity that’s both vibrant and precise. The satiny tannins frame a mouth-quenching quality that invites sip after sip, leading to a long, satisfying finish. A striking and well-defined wine.”

96 Points

2019 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

2019 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin VogtSaint Emilion

Château Moulin
De La Grangere

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France 2019

2019 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

The 2019 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from Château Moulin de La Grangère articulately reflects the estate’s deep-rooted legacy, its remarkable terroir, and the meticulous care on full display. Perched on one of Saint-Émilion’s most cherished slopes, this distinguished vineyard shares its prestigious neighborhood with notable properties like Château Laroque and Château Pavie. Here, certified organic Merlot vines sink their roots into the region’s famed clay-limestone soils, drawing forth a vivid purity and character that shine through in every bottle.

Guided by a steadfast commitment to sustainability, Château Moulin de La Grangère captures the unspoiled spirit of this storied landscape. Each vintage crafted within its bounds reflects the quiet splendor of its surroundings, a tribute rendered in liquid form.

Mirroring the revered approach of Château Pétrus, the estate pours its focus entirely into Merlot, a grape perfectly attuned to these water-holding soils. The 2019 season, blessed with near-perfect conditions, produced fruit of striking ripeness and depth. The wine that emerged offers a poised elegance, revealing the captivating charm and remarkable value of its origins with every sip.

Château Moulin
De La Grangere
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France 2019

Your Price: $36

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Château Moulin de la Grangère 2019 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru opens with an elegant bouquet of earth and potting soil, layered with delicate floral notes of peonies and dried rose petals, a spice rack of savory spices, cloves, and cigar box, and a core of fresh red cherries and juicy blackberries. On the palate, the wine is structured yet refined, with well-integrated tannins and a silky texture. Flavors of black olives, vanilla, and nutmeg add complexity. A beautifully balanced expression of Right Bank terroir, this wine is drinking well now but promises further development with time in the cellar.”

94 Points