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.”
2016 Pavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2016 Pavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordSpring MountainUSA

PAVI

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Pavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa ValleyPavi means lightning, and their new 2016 Napa Cabernet precisely reflects that. The 2016 vintage has a regal presence on the palate that’s defined by lush fruit and superior richness. Renown winemaker Rob Lawson owns the winery, and throughout his career, Rob helped craft some of the top brands produced at Napa Wine Company while he was GM. He’s also responsible for helping shape the 2007 Kapcscandy Grand Vin, which scored a perfect 100 point score from Robert Parker.   

Pavi’s 2016 release combines high-quality grapes from Rutherford, Oakville, and Spring Mountain AVAs. The Rutherford vineyard is on the Southeastern end of the AVA, just South of Caymus, and the Oakville fruit comes from the center of Oakville.
 
The final blend is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon along with 3% Petite Verdot, which contributes to the lush, dark fruit. The only downside is there were only 150 cases of this beauty produced, and at this price, you might want to strike quickly…
 
PAVI
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $85
 
 
“This is a lush, full-bodied wine, rich and bright with dark-fruit flavors and floral aromas. The intense flavors of black cherry, peppery spice, and cocoa come together in a balanced wine that is a perfect complement to savory grilled and braised meats, mushroom pizza and the perfect hamburger”
2015 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

2015 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

BERINGER

2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

2015 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private ReserveAs much as I love tasting and discovering new, and as-of-yet undiscovered wine producers, there’s nothing like the feeling of historic significance, pride and antiquity that I get from tasting a wine that helped pave the way for Napa to become one of the greatest wine regions of the world. Beringer’s flagship Private Reserve Cabernet hasn’t skipped a beat either, and their 2015 ranked as the #24 Wine-Of-The-Year on James Sucklings Top 100 in 2018 with an outstanding 99 Point score. Here’s a chance to own it, and at a fantastic price… 

Beringer is one of Napa Valley’s most historically significant wineries. Period. After all, they’re California’s oldest continually operating winery, and they’re the only winery in history to have both a red and white wine honored as the #1 wine on the Wine Spectator Top 100. 
 
The 2015 Private Reserve was built on a core of 62% fruit from Bancroft and Steinhauer Ranches atop Howell Mountain, which provided enormous structure and richness. Made even better with fruit from the iron-rich Home and Chabot Vineyards in St. Helena and topped with fruit from Spring Mountain and Mount Veeder to round out the stunningly complex blend…
 
BERINGER
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $170
 
Your Price: $135
 
 
“The spice and walnut aromas are so enticing. Undertones of blackberries and black truffles. Full-bodied, dense and layered with fantastic tension and seamless tannins. It goes on for minutes. All about classic structure and beauty.”  99 Points, Top 100 Wines of 2018
 
 
“…This full-bodied, ripe, voluptuous beauty shows the vintage to a T, offering a blast of sweet blackcurrants, licorice, ground herbs, and graphite aromas and flavors. Blockbuster styled, with full body and an expansive, sexy texture, it has the depth and density to continue drinking brilliantly for 20+ years.” 97 Points
 
“… the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of plum preserves, baked blackberries and cassis with hints of menthol, sandalwood and chocolate box. Full-bodied with soft, seductive tannins and a lively backbone supporting the generous, ripe, opulent fruit, it has a decadent spiciness and great length.” 95+ Points
2015 Il Borro Toscana Tuscany, Italy

2015 Il Borro Toscana Tuscany, Italy

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonItalyKevin VogtMerlotTuscany

IL BORRO

2015 TOSCANA
TUSCANY, ITALY 

2015 Il Borro Toscana Tuscany, Italy

The Ferragamo’s are icons in the fashion industry with a heritage of creativity and utmost quality. They’ve carried those same hallmarks that brought them success in their luxury goods company over to wine, and the results speak for themselves. Their 2015 Il Borro is one of the highest-scoring Tuscan blends under $100, having earned high 90s scores from both James Suckling and Robert Parker. This wine is one of the least expensive ways to enjoy a piece of the Ferragamo lifestyle.
 
Moving another step closer to their goal of producing the best Bordeaux like blend outside of Bordeaux, and with a monster 97 Point score, Salvatore Ferragamo’s Il Borro comes from their family estate in Tuscany, and like their clothing line, it’s powerfully bold, yet gorgeously elegant and remarkably detailed. 
 
The 2015 laces together 50% Merlot, dressed with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, then precisely threaded with other varietals. After meticulously hand sorting each grape, the wine is sent gravity flow into the tank where the wine team removes 10-20% of the juice to increase concentration.
 
IL BORRO
2015 TOSCANA
TUSCANY, ITALY
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $59.99
Click to Order
 
 
 
“This is the best Il Borro to date with fantastic blackberry, blueberry and sandalwood aromas that follow through to a full body with masses of fruit. Yet, it remains bright and linear down the center palate. A rich and toned wine. 50 per cent merlot, 35 per cent cabernet and 15 per cent syrah…”  97 Points
 
 
“This robust Tuscan blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah is Il Borro’s flagship wine. The 2015 Il Borro is an important and thickly enriched expression that shows ample power and muscle but remains elegantly modulated and contoured at the same time. The bouquet opens to dark fruit, blackberry, prune, spice, leather and tar. In the mouth, this wine is richly textured, velvety and concentrated, and it delivers balanced tannins and acidity. Il Borro has beautifully captured the warmth and exuberance of the terrific 2015 vintage.” 96 Points
2012 V12 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2012 V12 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaStags LeapUSA

V12

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 444
2014 NAPA VALLEY

2012 V12 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

After a fast-paced racing career, growing premium grapes seems to go hand-and-hand. Just look at what Randy Lewis and Mario Andretti have accomplished. Indy-car Champion Jimmy Vassar owns V12, and he brings to his wine the same focus and determination needed to be a successful race car driver. And wait until you see where his vineyard is… 
 
The V12 Estate Vineyard is on Soda Canyon Road, Southeast of Stags Leap Winery, and above Odette and Joseph Phelps La Rocas Vineyards. The vineyard itself was blanketed with several feet of solid surface rock and had to be blasted with dynamite before top viticulturist Davie Piňa could plant it. 
 
Chad Alexander makes the wine, and he’s well-versed in hillside Cabernet, spending years as the head winemaker at Hess Collection and Robert Craig wineries. The 2014 444 Cabernet is a concentrated and solidly-built wine, with an incredible core of fruit that’s decorated with rocky minerals, cassis, and crushed violets… 
 
V12
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 444
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $65
 
 
2018 Mica Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Mica Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleOakvilleSt HelenaSt. HelenaUSAYountville

MICA 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY 

2018 Mica Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

 
When we can access it, Buccella is a pillar on our reserve list in the shop, and MICA is the second wine from Buccella. However, in 2018 the quality of fruit was so stupendous that referring to MICA as a second wine, doesn’t seem to fit… The 2018 vintage shows more like a first wine from a top Estate, with deep, penetrating fruit, sharply defined details, and stunning balance. At around 1/2 the price of Buccella, this wine mimics a much pricier wine.   
 
Buccella and Mica are made by Landon Donley, who gained experience interning for Australian powerhouse Mollydooker before joining Spottswoode Estate as the assistant winemaker. At Spottswoode, he learned to craft wines worthy of 100 Point scores, and everything he absorbed there is transparent in a glass of 2018 Mica. 
 
The 2018 Mica stitches together fruit from Oakville, Yountville, St Helena, and Coombsville in a way that embellishes the best qualities from each iconic AVA, without losing sight of balance. The wine checks in at 90% Cabernet, balanced with Merlot and Malbec, and with just over 500 cases produced, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours…
 
MICA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $120
 
Your Price: $115
Click to Order
 
 
 
 
“The 2018 Mica Cabernet Sauvignon from Buccella is a masterpiece. It begins with a deep nose of blueberry cobbler, English rose petals, sweet vanilla and iron. The palate explodes with a mixed basket of fresh red, black and blue berries, beautifully balanced by toasty oak. The finish is long, concentrated, penetrating and makes your mouth water, leaving it begging for the next sip. Drink now to 2032.” 95 Points
2016 Ty Caton Winemaker's Cuvee Moon Mountain District

2016 Ty Caton Winemaker’s Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMoon MountainNapaUSA

TY CATON 

WINEMAKER’S CUVEE
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT 

2016 Ty Caton Winemaker's Cuvee Moon Mountain DistrictIf you enjoy robust, hedonistic Cabs from Mount Veeder, and the elegant and savory wines from Spring Mountain, you would also enjoy wines from Moon Mountain. Positioned on the Sonoma side of Mount Veeder, the well-drained red volcanic soils are also home to icons like the Monte Rosso, which was made famous by Louis Martini, and Frederick’s Vineyard used by Turley. At the $38 retail price, Ty Caton’s Winemaker’s Cuvée from Moon Mountain earned a Gold Medal at the SF Chronicle Wine Competition. But at our price, few others can compete.  

Ty selected clone 337 for his Cabernet, which is commonly found in cult wines and thrives in the well-drained volcanic soils. On the palate, the wine is stunningly deep, enchanting, and full of hedonistic delights. 
 
The 2016 Cuvée checks in at 90% Cabernet Sauvignon entwined with Merlot and spent 15 months in oak barrels. Now with a couple of years in the bottle, it conquers your senses with an exotic tapestry of opulent black fruits, liquid floral, and crushed rock.
 
TY CATON 
WINEMAKER’S CUVEE
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $38
 
 
 
 
 
“The 2016 Estate Winemaker’s Cuvee meets the palate with rich and full-bodied flavors of black currant, red plums, and cassis, followed by oak notes of cedar and vanilla. These dark flavors produce a lush and velvety textured mouth feel that combine with supple tannins, and leads to a long silky finish.”
2015 Heitz Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

HEITZ

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY

2015 Heitz Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet SauvignonHeitz is one of Napa Valley’s most historic wineries, and it’s their undeviating style of producing profoundly hedonistic and age-worthy Cabernets that have become a hallmark of their brand. The winery has reliably produced their unmistakably intense, savory, well-built Cabernets since the 1960s. Their 2015 Napa Cabernet perfectly expresses their timeless approach, and with a 95 Point Score and Editors’ Choice, I recommend going all-in… 

Joe Heitz had a keen eye for discovering vineyards capable of producing age-worthy wines. The winery has vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, St Helena, Howell Mountain, Oak Knoll, and Calistoga, and their Napa Valley Cabernet captures this diversity and is a pure representation of Napa Valley terroir. 
 
Each decision made at the winery, from when to pick, through the entire fermentation and aging process are purposefully made to guide the wine into a style that’s both stunning upon release and will stand the test of time, rather than be flashy and forward when consumed young.
 
HEITZ
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $63
 
Your Price: $59.99

Click to Order

 
“Woody, herbal and elegantly structured, this wine is high-toned and freshly layered in bold red fruit. Given time in the barrel and the bottle, it shows its graceful edges and nuanced elegance with ease, finishing in dusty crushed rock. It vastly overdelivers on its price point.” 95 Points, Editors’ Choice
 
 
 “The 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon immediately entices with notes of black cherry, sweet plum, fresh raspberries, currants, anise, and clove. These notes are complimented by savory elements, reminiscent of sweet tobacco and new leather. The mouthfeel on this wine has gentle power. It is light and bright with fresh acidity yet there is weight and length that extends long after the first sip of wine. The structure is balanced with soft and developed tannins, only achieved by allowing this wine to age for two full years in barrel and full year in bottle before release.”
2016 Shottesbrooke Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Shottesbrooke “Langhorne Creek” Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underAustraliaCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtLanghorne Creek

SHOTTESBROOKE

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
LANGHORNE CREEK, AUSTRALIA

 

2016 Shottesbrooke Cabernet SauvignonSome of the most complex and hedonistic Cabernet Sauvignon for your dollar, comes from down-under. The grape has a long history in Australia that dates back to the mid-1800s. Luminaries Penfolds, Leeuwin and Cape Mentelle have helped to canonize Australian grown Cabernet as a serious contender on the world stage. Shottesbrooke’s 2016 Cabernet reminded me of this, and with 93 and 95 Point scores, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours. 

Hailing from the Langhorne Creek Appellation, which is located inside the Fleurieu zone, and is also home to the McLaren Vale region, Shottesbrooke’s 2016 perfectly expresses the area’s rich terroir. 

The 2016 is loaded with classically styled, profound notes of eucalyptus, blue plums, juniper berry, and baking spices. The wine is intensely aromatic, wildly complex, approachable, and at our price, offers extraordinary value.

SHOTTESBROOKE
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
LANGHORNE CREEK, AUSTRALIA
 
Your Price: $19.99
 
“While not particularly deep, the hue is youthful, and the fragrant eucalypt nuances that accompany the fresh cassis of the palate are regional (and shared with Coonawarra). The finely spun tannins are a feature of a medium-bodied cabernet made to be drunk whenever the idea pleases you. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. To 2030”  95 Points
 
“Dark dusty garnet color. Aromas of blackberry jam, black plum, juniper berry, and wet slate with a tart, dry full body and an interesting, very long ripe blackberry, black plum, bergamot, and dates finish with woody tannins and heavy oak flavor. Robust and aggressively structured cab for similarly inclined fare.” 93 Points, Gold Medal Exceptional 
2013 J Gregory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 J Gregory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

J. GREGORY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 NAPA VALLEY

2013 J Gregory Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
What comes after making some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious wines in the 1980s and 1990s? Mark Jessup was part of the original winemaking team at OPUS ONE from 1979 through 1987, and after OPUS, he chose to pursue his dream of building a winery of his own… Lucky for us, we found him, and his 2013 Napa Cabernet is genuinely a joy to behold.
 
The 2013 J Gregory Napa Cabernet hails from one of the areas most prized vintages. At nearly 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine perfectly embodies the power and focus that are hallmarks of this vintage. On the palate, the wine is detailed and expressive, yet firmly balanced and sophisticated.
 
Mark works closely with a handful of growers, where he has long term, mutual relationships. His 2013 vintage has origins in Coombsville and Oak Knoll, which are both situated in cooler-climate regions within Napa Valley, where in a great vintage like 2013, the grapes can achieve optimum ripeness, and at a gradual pace…
 
J. GREGORY
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“There is a compelling way that this wine presents itself, with an intriguing nose of bright, briary wild berries and subtle eucalyptus that combine with balanced sweet vanilla and hints of wet earth. On the palate, ripe black cherries, red and black raspberries, red currants, and fresh cranberries beautifully frame elegant floral characteristics along with a subtle, minerally, slate-like thread. This beauty indeed begins bright and linear but puts on weight and body as it opens up in the glass over time. Drink or hold for a decade or more.” 94 Points