2014 William Knuttel D Rafanelli Vineyard Mary's Block Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 William Knuttel D. Rafanelli Vineyard Mary’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonDry Creek ValleyKevin VogtSonomaUncategorizedUSA

WILLIAM KNUTTEL 2014 William Knuttel D Rafanelli Vineyard Mary's Block Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
D. RAFANELLI VINEYARD
2014 MARY’S BLOCK

 
When it comes to the most Iconic Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel Vineyards in Sonoma County, the Rafanelli Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley is foremost.  Their wines are nearly impossible to acquire and are mailing list and restaurant only… What many people don’t know is that William Knuttel produces two Cabernets from Rafanelli Vineyard, so as you can imagine, we couldn’t wait to try them.  Their 2014 D. Rafanelli Mary’s Block is remarkably stunning, and it’s made in an elegant, long and expansive style that keeps you coming back for more.  At around $40, this makes my list of the best Cabernets in Sonoma County.
 
Proprietor William Knuttel isn’t a stranger to high-quality Sonoma County Cabernet.  He was the Vice President and winemaker at Chalk Hill from 1996 through 2003 and he was also winemaker at Dry Creek Vineyards through 2011.  The Mary’s Block produced minuscule yields of just 1.4 tons per are of intensely flavored, BB sized berries, and the resulting wine spent 19 months in oak.  In this realistic price category, this will compete favorably with the best Cabernets produced in Napa Valley and in fact, it did at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition where it earned a Gold Medal.  You simply need to try it.  8 barrels produced.
 
WILLIAM KNUTTEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
D. RAFANELLI VINEYARD
2014 MARY’S BLOCK
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 11%
 
Winery Notes: “Mary’s 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon combines black cherry, ripe plum and blackberry fruit, spiced with brooding herbs. Oak and toast highlight and focus the ripe berry and cherry flavors, completely complementing the aromas. Hillside tannins are fully resolved, leading to a full, balanced and supple finish…”
Gold – 2018 SF Chronicle Wine Competition
 
Customers who enjoy William Knuttel Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
2014 Humanitas Piscis Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Kuleto Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
HUMANITAS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 PISCIS VINEYARD
Retails at: $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes: “....The nose has a sultry opulence with pungent berry intensity followed by blueberry tart, creme de cassis, hints of bay leaf, liquid mineral and sweetened dark chocolate.  The palate begins with penetrating, focused flavors of crushed blackberries and red currants, followed by secondary characteristics including wet stone, cigar box and vanilla spice.  For this price point, this wine is approaching perfection… I can’t remember having a wine that costs less and drinks better… Simply fabulous!”  97 Points
KULETO
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From Wine Enthusiast: “From the producer’s estate at over 1,000 feet in elevation, this seamlessly textured wine grabs one’s palate from the start and doesn’t let go. Huckleberry and cedar notes meet bay leaf accents and grippy tannins, all enveloped in smoky oak. It finishes with bright, fresh blackberry.”  92 Points
2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON 2013 Foley Johnson Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

ESTATE CABERNET 
2013 RUTHERFORD 

 
Napa Valley’s Iconic Rutherford appellation is one of THE most revered regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s celebrated for producing wines with palpable character.  Paragons Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  I recently checked the average retail price of the more than fifty 2013 vintage Rutherford Cabernets listed in the Wine Spectator and they averaged well over $130/btl…  This is a real barometer to the quality of this appellation, and if you’ve followed my emails for a while, you know that one of my favorite Rutherford producers is Foley Johnson.  Their name is synonymous with epic value, and even at the winery retail price of $75 it’s a terrific find.  At our price, it’s a complete steal…
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s brimming with concentrated black fruits, crushed violets, graphite, freshly ground coffee and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.  After nearly 4 years blossoming inside the bottle, words can hardly describe how great this wine is drinking right now.  
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
ESTATE CABERNET
2013 RUTHERFORD
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 

Winery Notes: “The nose of our 2013 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is fruit forward with very deep and concentrated notes of blackberry, black currant and hints of toasted characters. The body follows the aroma and is fruit forward with nice tannin balance throughout the palate. The fruit on the palate shines and provides flavors from blackberry to slight hints of light raspberry and as it opens up there is a light hint of sweetness and licorice. Although the tannins are still quite prevalent, they are not overwhelming and are approachable now, but will age nicely over next 5-10 years.”

2017 Gortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Fortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

FORTUNE 1621 2017 Gortune 1621 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY

 
Sailing into their 2017 vintage with even more energy and forward momentum, Fortune 1621 is a brand that’s become synonymous with value Cabernet Sauvignon in our shop.  With the Bump family at the helm, and a crew that includes winemaker Brian Mox, who spent several vintages at Lewis Cellars, Fortune 1621 is clearly a voyage worth taking. The 2017 evokes the kind of joy you would get sailing across a glassy, calm ocean, as flavors glide seamlessly across your palate, leaving a soft wake of crushed black fruits, dried lavender, mocha with hints of blueberries.  At under $30, don’t miss the boat on this one…
 
Journeying for more from 18 months in French and American oak barrels, the 2017 set sail from carefully chosen vineyards throughout Napa Valley, each selected for their own unique characteristics which contribute to the final blend.  The 2017 is marked by it’s superior concentration, royal elegance, fine details and dusty tannins that are rarely found at this price…
 
FORTUNE 1621
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

Click to Order

Tasting Notes: “Fresh nose of toasty oak, red currant, vanilla and touches of mocha. The palate is full bodied with pure notes of cherry, red berry intermingled with blackberry and hints of tobacco.“
 
Customers who enjoy Fortune 1621 Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Napa Cabs…
2016 Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
SILVER GHOST
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $35/btl

Click to Order

 
 
Winery Notes: “Silver Ghost is a rich, full-bodied  Cabernet  Sauvignon crafted from some of the finest vineyards in the Napa Valley. The wine is deep in color with aromas of black cherry, blueberry and cassis leaping from the glass. On the palate Silver   Ghost reveals layers of red and black fruit intermingled with mocha, toast and savory spice. A sumptuous texture rounds out the long finish.”
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

Click to Order

 
With origins in Yountville, Coombsville and Oakville, the 2016 was housed in oak barrels for 22 months.  In the glass the 2016 is incredibly hedonistic, with layers of rich and supple dark berries that are intermixed with black coffee, bay leaf, pipe tobacco and dark chocolate.  The finish is long and expansive and makes it impossible to resist diving in for another sip… another glass and another.
2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleRutherfordUSA

CORNERSTONE 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BENCHLANDS

 
When it comes to the highest quality, most powerful Cabernet Sauvignons in our shop that sell for less than $75, there’s one brand that’s been a Cornerstone (figuratively and literally) in that category for years… It’s a wine that has every component necessary to be truly outstanding, and it begins with winemaker Kari Auringer who 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 to name a few.  Adding another level of greatness to the wine is winemaker Charles Thomas who has more than 30 years winemaking experience crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, or his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  And then there’s the vineyards…
 
Cornerstone’s 2015 Benchlands Cabernet is built around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Oakville and Rutherford.  The 2015 is made in a rich, opulent style with remarkable intensity and stunning length.  On the palate, the wine is rich and elegant with wonderful energy, and flavors that unwind methodically across your palate.  At $75/btl you’d be thrilled by the quality. From us, you’ll want to make extra room in the cellar, and go deep…
 
CORNERSTONE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BENCHLANDS
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Cornerstone Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon is another beautiful rendition, picking up right where the 2014 left off.  The elegant, sultry nose begins with captivating ripe blackberries, toasty oak and black olives, followed by hints of beechnut gum, lavender and rock dust.  The palate starts with a pristine elegance and balance, paralleling the focused flavors of black cherries, red currants and black tea, then followed by beautifully integrated, toasty, sweet vanilla spice.  The orchestrated finish lingers with elegant acidity, dusty fruit tannins and a wonderful freshness.  Drink now, or drink later, but I’m  going back for a second glass now...” 94 Points
2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

HEITZ 2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

TRAILSIDE VINEYARD
2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
Heitz is an absolutely historic winery that continues to craft wine in the same traditional and age-worthy style that they’ve become revered for, for almost 60 years.  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 will stand the test of time, rather than be flashy and forward when consumed young.  Why? You’ll find the answer in a bottle of 2012 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet… After resting for 3 long years in 100% oak, followed by another 3 years inside the bottle, the 2012 now awakes with penetrating dark fruits, powerful structure, unending depth and remarkable detail.  With the new 2013 vintage checking in at $125/btl, the 2012 is a stunning value, that shouldn’t be missed at $79.99/btl.
 
The Trailside Vineyard, located in the Iconic Rutherford AVA, made it’s debut in 1989 and they’ve produced a bevy of high-scoring Cabernets from this vineyard ever since.  The wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and made it’s entrance from one of Napa Valley’s most desired vintages. I highly recommend saddling up and securing your case…
 
HEITZ
TRAILSIDE VINEYARD
2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $85.00/btl
 
Your Price: $79.99/btl

 Click to Order

“Subtle aromas of plums and cherries with hazelnuts and cedar follow through to a full body. Plenty of wood showing in the mid-palate with a flavorful finish. Needs two or three years to come together. A traditionally structured Napa cab with focus. Drink in 2021 and onwards.”  93 Points
“Features an alluring mulled spice hint weaving around a core of gently steeped plum, blackberry and red currant fruit flavors. A light cherry wood note lines the finish while the fruit easily keeps pace. This is approachable now but there’s no rush.”  93 Points
“From a certified organic vineyard in Rutherford, this is a 100% varietal wine that impresses from start to finish, allowing room for a slight whiff of reduction and tar on the nose. Dark notions of coffee are interwoven between bright layers of cassis and red cherry around structured acidity and oak.”
94 Points, Cellar Selection
 
 
Customers who enjoy Heitz Trailside Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabernets…
2015 Paradigm Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Inglenook Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon
PARADIGM
2015 OAKVILLE ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $84.00/btl
 
Your Price: $79.99/btl

Click to Order

 
If I were to choose one wine that perfectly expresses Oakville’s notorious complexity, Paradigm  would be my first choice.  This absolutely stunning wine made by Heidi Barrett comes from the Western side of Oakville, just South of Beckstoffer’s Iconic To-Kalon Vineyard in an area widely considered the epicenter of Grand Cru quality Cabernet Sauvignon.  Paradigm’s neighbors include icons, Dominus, Harlan Estate, Opus One, and Martha’s Vineyard…
INGLENOOK
2014 RUTHERFORD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $75/btl
 
Your Price: $65/btl

Click to Order

From Vinous: “ … pulses with a host of savory and mineral notes that confer notable freshness. Quite representative of the vintage, the Cabernet displays considerable energy and tension, with terrific intensity throughout. Graphite, lavender, mint, smoke and tobacco are all finely knit in a Cabernet that offers quite a bit of potential.”  92-95 Points
2016 Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

WITCHERY 2016 Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 OAKVILLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
You know a brand has something extra special when just about everybody that tries it becomes a devoted fan and collects each subsequent vintage.  It’s almost like one taste of Witchery casts a powerful spell with its rich and hedonistic flavors, and wine lovers really don’t stand a chance.  It’s the wines spellbinding style that’s enchanting, filled with chillingly rich, extracted flavors that casts you on a witch-hunt for more once you taste it.  Their flagship Oakville Cabernet was hewn from a vineyard that sits directly South of Opus One, and at under $100, we’re certain it will have you spellbound.
 
Witchery’s 2016 Oakville is their best yet, and flaunts a dramatic perfume laced with intense brambleberry, dried violets, Baker’s chocolate and sweet camphor.  Those of you who tasted any of the previous vintages of Witchery know what this wine is capable of…  I strongly recommend conjuring up your case before it’s too late.  Just six barrels were produced.
 
WITCHERY
2016 OAKVILLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $110.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl

 Click to Order

YOU SAVE 9%
 

Tasting Notes: “Some Cabernets are styled more elegantly with laser like precision, while others are monstrous, bold and powerfully inky. Somewhere in the middle lies the perfect balance of power & grace and I’ve found it in this wine.  The Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is a picture of balance with a nose that actually smells satiny with fresh black plums, crushed blueberries, sweet vanilla and delicate floral notes.  The palate is lush and beautifully balanced with black cherry, red currants, ever so slightly dusty tannins and beautifully integrated toasty oak.  The finish is long, penetrating and so mouth watering that it evokes a pavlovian response.  It is absolutely beautiful now, but will age gracefully for a decade or more.”  96 Points

 
Customers that enjoy Witchery Oakville Cabernet, may also enjoy these two terrific Reds…
2015 James Joseph Cabernet Franc 2015 Misc Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
JAMES JOSEPH
NAPA VALLEY RESERVE
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $60/btl

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes: “An enchanting bouquet of ripe bing cherry, black plum, raspberry liqueur, mocha, violets and hints of sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate the wine is remarkably rich and densely concentrated.  Lavish layers of ripe blackberries, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and sweet black cherry are intertwined and compel you to another sip.  This wine can be enjoyed upon release or cellared for 10-15 years.”  150 Cases Produced
MISC.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 DIAMOND MTN
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION
 
Your Price: $95/btl

Click to Order

 
Winery Notes: “These grapes were grown on the highest vineyard on Diamond Mountain. Harvest was low yield and the more appellation characteristics of black cherry and chocolate were concentrated in this vintage. The bouquet flourishes in red fruit, pipe tobacco and rose petals.  Undertones of cedar box spice and mint.  Finishes with lush tannin and fruit preserves.” 50 Cases Produced
2013 Chateau De Vie Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Chateau de Vie Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

CHATEAU DE VIE 2013 Chateau De Vie Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 CALISTOGA

 
Looking for a new wine that has a high likelihood to be one you’ll love?  One of the best places to look is other wines made by famous winemakers.  When it comes to Napa Valley’s most gifted talents, Dave Phinney is one of the foremost.  Anybody that’s followed the creation and success of The Prisoner as well as the Orin Swift and Locations brands knows what he’s capable of.  Many don’t know that Dave also consults on a handful of much smaller projects like Chateau de Vie in Calistoga… Located on the North end of Calistoga almost directly behind Tamber Bey and close to Chateau Montelena’s vineyards, the vines surrounding Chateau de Vie produce fruit of exceptional quality.  At $68 this is a stunning bottle of Calistoga Cabernet… From Cherry Picked Wines it might just become your new favorite.
 
Entering from one of Napa Valley’s most sought after vintages, the 2013 Chateau De Vie Cabernet Sauvignon offers the perfect mix of rugged power and supple elegance.  The weather in Calistoga is warmer than the AVA’s to its South and in turn the area is known for producing some of the biggest, richest and most robust Cabernet Sauvignons in the Valley.  When we introduced this wine at the beginning of the year, we knew it would be a hit and now that it’s nearly gone, we thought we would offer one last chance to stock up.
 
CHATEAU DE VIE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 CALISTOGA
Retails at:  $68.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Winery Notes: “The finish is long and sweetly ripe and this wine will serve as nicely with ripe cheeses and fruits as it will with dark roasts or sauced filet. If essentially ready to drink it will grow softer and more aromatic over the next few years.”
 
Customers that enjoy Chateau De Vie Cabernet may also enjoy these two terrific wines…
2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red
2016 Prisoner Wine Co Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon
THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

Click to Order


Electric, jubilant, infectiously charming, the new 2017  Prisoner unshackles a posse of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and become even more complex with aeration. Having jail-break level intensity, the 2017 permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral.  
PRISONER WINE CO.
2016 CUTTINGS 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
The 2016 Cuttings is a larger-than-life Cabernet Sauvignon that always makes an indomitable entrance with a spectacular display of unbridled richness, voluptuous textures and satin layers. The wine was thoughtfully inspired by steep, hillside vineyards and expert blending, and the 2016 was built around a core of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. 
2016 Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

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

BARNETT  2016 Barnett Vineyards Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

 
Spring Mountain Cabernet is unique to the other Mountainous growing regions in Napa Valley because it produces classically structured Mountain fruit, but with more perceived suppleness than the others.  I’m also drawn to the complexity and savory undertones that often show themselves in Spring Mountain wines.  I regularly find notes of eucalyptus, bay leaves, forest floor and a range of detailed spices.  They can also be profoundly floral.  One of the best examples of classically made Spring Mountain Cabernet is Barnett’s 2016.  It’s created with 100% Spring Mountain fruit from both Barnett’s high-elevation Estate Vineyard and neighboring York Creek.  At under $100 this wine perfectly expresses the profound qualities that I look for in Spring Mountain Cabernet.
 
Fruit for Barnett’s 2016 Spring Mountain District Cabernet was harvested on six separate days ranging from late September through late October.  Each lot was aged separately for 22 months in oak before winemaker David Tate combined them into perfection.  David has been winemaker at Barnett since 2007 and before that he spent 5 years at Ridge, helping to craft their iconic Monte Bello Cabernet.  If you love Mountain fruit, you’ll want to make some room in the cellar for this one.  It’s ready to enjoy now and will age gracefully for 10-12 years.
 
BARNETT
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, SPRING MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $80/btl
 
Your Price: $75/btl 
 
“Blended of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Petit Verdot, 9% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District is deep purple-black in color and offers up baked blackberries, crème de cassis and fruitcake scents with hints of spice box and tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, firm, chewy and with a lively line, it delivers uncomplicated baked berries flavors and an herbal lift on the finish.”91 Points
“The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Spring Mountain District) packs quite a bit of punch, yet is also incredibly polished and sophisticated. Soft curves and silky tannins push forward a gorgeous core of dark red and purplish berry fruit, with pretty floral and spice overtones that develop over time. Open-knit and racy in the glass, the 2016 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is an especially accessible young Spring Mountain Cabernet.”  92 Points

 

 
Customers who enjoy Barnett may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
2013 Vine Cliff Original Blend 1871 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Cabaud Benedictions Cabernet Sauvignon
VINE CLIFF
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ORIGINAL BLEND 1871
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $80/btl
 
Your Price: $75/btl

Click to Order

 
From Wine Enthusiast: “Leather, tobacco and mocha combine effortlessly in this medium-bodied wine, a juicy, broad expression of the variety that drinks well. Black cherry and currant fruit flavors integrate into the quiet oak.“92 Points
CABAUD
2014 BENEDICTIONS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $150/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes: “A beautifully deep ruby color immediately captures your imagination of what is about to unfold… A quick swirl and sniff reveals a nose of red currants, black plum skin, wet stone, hints of English rose petals and sweet vanilla oak. Then at first sip, layers of lush red plums, dried blueberries, wild mountain blackberries combine with hints of green tea and tobacco leaf…”  96 Points
2014 Inglenook Rutherford Cabernet Sauvingon

2014 Inglenook Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

INGLENOOK  2014 Inglenook Rutherford Cabernet Sauvingon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 RUTHERFORD

 
If the historic Inglenook Winery was portrayed in a film, it would be filled with rich history, challenges, grand awards, and new beginnings. The winery was founded in 1879, making it the 5th oldest winery in Napa Valley and in the late 1970’s, the property was purchased by iconic film director Francis Ford Coppola.  Francis made pivotal enhancements to the Estate, and took the winemaking to an even higher level when he hired famed winemaking consultant André Tchelistcheff.  By 1990, the Wine Spectator awarded the 1941 Inglenook Cabernet a perfect 100 Point score, naming it one of the Top Wines of the Century and to this day, Inglenook is still catching the eye of critics, and the 2014 has an abundance of stellar reviews.  The wine is produced in a confident, show-stopping style, yet it hasn’t forgotten it’s roots as one of Napa’s most historic Cabernets.  At $65, you’ll want tickets to this show…
 
Cut from Chateau, Cohn, Creek, Small Block, and Walnut Vineyards, this wine is classically Rutherford and embodies the perfect mix of drama, charisma and antiquity.  The main character is Cabernet Sauvignon at 93%, but it’s supported by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot, which add focus and  a soft suppleness to the wine, making it even more irresistible.  Don’t miss this stellar release.
 
INGLENOOK 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 RUTHERFORD
Retails at:  $75/btl
 
Your Price: $65/btl 

Click to Order

YOU SAVE 13%
 
“Soft and round, with an undeniable Old World-like balance, this wine shows dark chocolate, tobacco and tar notes. Its power derives from its complex texture, imbued with a smoky oak essence and clove and graphite accents.”  93 Points
“…a beauty of classicism and balance. Dense purple in color, with notes of crème de cassis, blackberry, cedar wood and forest floor, the wine is full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and pure, with moderate tannins and the potential for 20-25 years of upside”  92 Points
“… pulses with a host of savory and mineral notes that confer notable freshness. Quite representative of the vintage, the Cabernet displays considerable energy and tension, with terrific intensity throughout. Graphite, lavender, mint, smoke and tobacco are all finely knit in a Cabernet that offers quite a bit of potential.” 92-95 Points
Customers who enjoy Inglenook Rutherford Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabernets…
2015 Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon
DUCKHORN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $78.00/btl
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
Winery Notes: “Beginning with a gorgeous nose of boysenberry, cherry, strawberry, cedar, sage and licorice, this lush and lively Cabernet captures the rich diversity of Napa Valley. On the palate, the alluring fruit flavors are underscored by bright acidity, firm polished tannins and notes of fig, licorice and cinnamon that linger on the well-structured finish.”
ROBERT CRAIG
2015 AFFINITY 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $70.00/btl
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
From James Suckling: “Very pretty stones, oyster shell, blueberries and underbrush character. The palate is very composed with lots of bright, tangy fruit, grainy tannins and a minerally yet at the same time fruit-driven finish. A unique wine. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Drink in 2020 even if delicious now.”  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