2019 Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon C.L.R.T. Napa Valley

2019 Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon C.L.R.T. Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

BLACKSMITH

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
C.L.R.T. NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon C.L.R.T. Napa Valley

Founded in 2003 by winemaker Matt Smith, Blacksmith Cellars carved its niche in the world of high-quality wines produced at a remarkable value. Driven by their balance, freshness, and sophisticated complexity, Blacksmith wines highlight the skill, expertise, and heritage integral to exceptional, autonomous winemaking. 

Emerging from Napa Valley, where Cabernet prices regularly top $100 and up per bottle, Blacksmith’s C.L.R.T. stands out, representing unparalleled value in this premium, high-priced area.

C.L.R.T. comes from the term “claret,” a centuries-old British term used for Bordeaux wines, centering on the primary red varieties of the famous, historic region. 

The 2019 vintage results from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, aged in French oak, and defines value in an area known for premium Cabernet Sauvignon.

BLACKSMITH
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
C.L.R.T. NAPA VALLEY 2019

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“The Blacksmith C.L.R.T. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 begins with a nose with briary ripe blackberries, mocha, nutmeg, pie spices, and light florals. The palate continues with black currants, dried prunes, cherry Luden’s cough drops, baker’s chocolate, and cloves. It is ripe on the palate with penetrating fruit, rich flavors, complex aromas, and a medium-long finish. It’s always great to find a ridiculous value in Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.”

93 Points

2021 Lingua Franca Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

2021 Lingua Franca Estate Pinot Noir Eola-Amity-Hills Willamette Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSAWillamette Valley

LINGUA FRANCA

ESTATE PINOT NOIR
EOLA-AMITY-HILLS 2021
WILLAMETTE VALLEY

2021 Lingua Franca Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

A rising star in Oregon’s prized Eola-Amity Hills region, Lingua Franca winery is the brainchild of Master Sommelier Larry Stone. Collaborating with legendary Burgundy icon Dominique Lafon, Lingua Franca’s organic and biodynamically farmed vineyard neighbors iconic sites, Argyle’s Lone Star, Domaine Serene’s Jerusalem Hill, and Evening Land’s Seven Springs vineyards.

The winemaking team produces world-class wines that balance New World intensity with Burgundian finesse, and for the 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, winemaker Thomas Savre consulted with Lafon and fermented 20% whole clusters for added complexity. 

Aged in primarily neutral French oak barriques to preserve the fruit’s natural essence and reflect the region’s terroir, this stunning example of Pinot Noir beautifully showcases a harmonious blend of concentration, balance, and a strong sense of place reminiscent of Burgundy but grown in Oregon.

LINGUA FRANCA
ESTATE PINOT NOIR
EOLA-AMITY-HILLS 2021
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
Retails at: $60

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“A compelling, multilayered red, with lilting raspberry and cherry flavors that expand to reveal fresh violet and earthy mineral accents, which build tension toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2032.”

95 Points

2019 Maroon Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville

2019 Maroon Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

MAROON

SPECIAL RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COOMBSVILLE 2019

2019 Maroon Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville

Paul Maroon acquired 37 acres in Coombsville over two decades ago, supplying grapes to Napa Valley’s leading wineries until 2009, when he ventured into crafting the inaugural vintage of Maroon. Coombsville gained AVA status in 2011, swiftly earning acclaim for its cooler climate, which imparts sophistication and elegant structure to its wines in the southern reaches of Napa Valley.

Maroon Estate’s 17 acres of vines reside in a bowl-shaped depression at the base of Mount George, an extinct volcano. This site provides a patchwork of rocky volcanic soil and fertile gravelly loams, ensuring efficient drainage and optimal water supply for the vines, culminating in impeccably balanced wines. 

The 2019 Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon arose from 30-year-old vines and some younger vines, providing a wide range of complex flavors and aromas, highlighting the exceptional vintage from Napa’s most celebrated new subregion.

MAROON
SPECIAL RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
COOMBSVILLE 2019
Retails at: $174

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“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve is deep garnet-purple in color. Notes of blackberry pie, black cherry preserves, and warm cassis leap from the glass, leading to wafts of violets, mint tea, and tar with a hint of licorice. The medium to full-bodied palate is wonderfully soft-spoken and savory, with nice, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness to support, finishing long and mineral-laced.”

95 Points

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSouth Africa

RUSTENBERG 

JOHN X MERRIMAN 
RED BLEND 2019
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

In the Stellenbosch region of South Africa, the historic Rustenberg Estate has a rich history dating back to the late 17th century. The Estate has consistently maintained its reputation for producing high-quality wines from the 600 million-year-old soils of the Stellenbosch Mountains. This ancient terroir imparts captivating mineral hints attributed to the decomposed granite soils and achieves exceptional quality when crafted with precision.

The John X Merriman Red gets its name from the Estate’s former owner, who played a prominent role in revitalizing the area and promoting the tourism and agricultural value of Stellenbosch. 

The wine is a Bordeaux-styled blend based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and in the 2019 vintage, is accentuated with Malbec and Petit Verdot from a small yield that is aging wonderfully.

RUSTENBERG 
JOHN X MERRIMAN 
RED BLEND 2019
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

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“Dark cherries, plums, chocolate, grilled herbs and cigar box on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, creamy tannins. Succulent, fruity and delicious with lingering chocolate notes. Merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot. Sustainable. Drink or hold.”

92 Points

2019 Hendry Cabernet Franc Blocks 9D & 26 Napa Valley

2019 Hendry Cabernet Franc Blocks 9D & 26 Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet FrancKevin VogtNapaUSA

HENDRY

CABERNET FRANC
BLOCKS 9D & 26
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Hendry Cabernet Franc Blocks 9D & 26 Napa Valley

The Hendry family has cultivated grapevines in Napa Valley since 1939, accumulating over 80 years of expertise in viticulture and standing as one of the region’s most prominent wine families. 

Located in the southern part of Napa, their 203-acre ranch benefits from a substantial coastal influence from San Pablo Bay, contributing to fresh acidity and vibrant fruit. Block 26 and 9D, planted in 1998 and 2003, are the Estate’s only Cabernet Franc vines, initially intended for blending; however, George Hendry was so impressed with the fruit quality that he began bottling the Cabernet Franc independently. 

Aged 15 months in French oak, Hendry’s 2019 Cabernet Franc presents fine tannins and a soft texture with a depth of flavor that evolves in the glass and is drinking beautifully after time in the bottle.

HENDRY
CABERNET FRANC
BLOCKS 9D & 26
NAPA VALLEY 2019

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“The Hendry 2019 Cabernet Franc from Blocks 26 and 9D opens with beautiful aromatics of lavender, cloves, a wet stone minerality, plums, baking spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the wine has an elegant entrance with soft tannins and flavors of blackberry, red plum, mocha, and saffron, intricately laced with sophistication. The wine’s silky texture flows into a smooth finish that doesn’t let you forget why Cabernet Franc is so special.”

95 Points

2021 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2021 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

JOSEPH JEWELL

PINOT NOIR 2021
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2021 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

A stand-out value Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, Joseph Jewell’s latest release earned a stellar 95-point score from Wine Enthusiast, and it’s been a favorite of our Pinot Noir customers for years. Proprietor/winemaker Adrian Jewell Manspeaker steadily crafts Pinot Noirs that foster a deep sense of connection through their approachability, balance, and authentic varietal character. 

Joseph Jewell’s Russian River Pinot Noir is a blend of carefully chosen barrels sourced from three highly distinct vineyard sites, selected to embody different microclimates within the renowned geographical region. 

The 2021 bottling reliably presents an outstanding wine, emerging from expressive fruit that supplies the essential elements for crafting Pinot Noir of opulent quality, marked by captivating refinement and remarkable value.

JOSEPH JEWELL
PINOT NOIR 2021
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $40

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“This layered, nuanced, spicy wine offers enticing aromas, intricate flavors and a balanced, appetizing mouthfeel. Red and black cherries, cranberries, black tea and cinnamon are just a few of the flavor descriptors. Vivid acidity meets warm fruit ripeness for great balance.”

95 Points

2019 Rubia Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2019 Rubia Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40CalistogaCoombsvilleHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

RUBIA

PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Rubia Proprietary Red Napa Valley

Margaret and Joe Valenzuela founded Rubia Wine Cellars as a tribute to their love and deep desire to become a part of the winemaking world. The winery focuses on limited-production wines and strong friendships, allowing them access to renowned vineyards.

To pursue their vision, Margaret and Joe enlisted Julien Fayard as their winemaker, who had previously worked at much-heralded French vineyards such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte before relocating to the United States, assuming the role of Director of Winemaking under Philippe Melka. 

The 2019 production yielded 200 cases of powerful and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon from hillside vineyards in Calistoga and Howell Mtn blended with 45% Coombsville AVA Merlot. The wine matured for 20 months in French oak before release and is now drinking beautifully with a long, resonant finish.

RUBIA
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $85

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“The 2019 Red Blend is plush, dark and wonderfully inviting. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice and licorice are all kicked up in this juicy, potent Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend. Soft contours add to the wine’s immediacy and allure.”

92 Points

2019 Sequum Cabernet Sauvignon Kidd Ranch Vineyard Napa Valley

2019 Sequum Cabernet Sauvignon Kidd Ranch Vineyard Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

SEQUUM

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
KIDD RANCH VINEYARD
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Sequum Cabernet Sauvignon Kidd Ranch Vineyard Napa Valley

Hand-crafting powerful, terroir-expressive wines, Sequum is a boutique winery in Saint Helena led by Paul Skinner. With a Ph.D. in viticulture and soil science, Paul lives and breaths his Kidd Ranch Estate Vineyard, walking it daily. Knowing each vine like they are his children results in some of the most well-balanced wines that truly reflect their origin. 

The 2019 growing season saw a mild winter and spring followed by a warm summer and steady temperatures during harvest. This led to grapes reaching optimal ripeness levels, optimal concentration of flavors, and balanced acidity. 

Sequum’s 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to the winery’s quality, showcasing power and depth for a sublime wine-drinking experience, with significant cellaring potential.

SEQUUM
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
KIDD RANCH VINEYARD
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $85

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“The 2019 Sequum Cabernet is…” Spectacular.

2021 Ernest Estate Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2021 Ernest Estate Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

ERNEST

ESTATE PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

2021 Ernest Estate Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Making a splash in Sonoma County’s Pinot Noir scene, Ernest Vineyards sources grapes from seven cool-climate sites in Sonoma County, artfully blending the diversity of this wondrous AVA from the Pacific coastline to the rolling coastal ranges. 

Ernest Estate nestles within the Freestone Valley, a region profoundly influenced by the Pacific Ocean, with cold temperatures and fog consistently enveloping the vineyards, reaping ideal fruit with robust structure and elegant restraint.

Winemaker Joseph Ryan prefers neutral oak barrels to highlight the essence and finesse of Pinot Noir with vibrant acidity and a nearly endless finish. The 2021 vintage yielded a limited 325 cases and was aged in French oak, enabling the exquisite transparency and pristine purity of the terroir to shine through.

ERNEST
ESTATE PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

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“The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate is a blend from the Cleary and Michael Vallentine ranches, both in Freestone. Bright and effusive, with striking depth, the 2021 is deep and beautifully layered right out of the gate. A rush of dark red/purplish fruit, rose petal, lavender, mint and blood orange build into the rich, heady finish. The 33% stems are not especially evident. This is the best wine I have tasted from Ernest so far. It would be great to see more wines here in this direction.”

95 Points

“The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate pours a rich ruby and offers pure, ripe aromas of fresh pine, black cherry, and toasted sage. This continues to the palate, with gorgeous ripe fruit that fills the palate with plush wild raspberry, smoky earth, and baking spice. Medium-bodied and long on the palate, with supple fruit up front and an excellent underlying structure, it’s drinking beautifully now but will benefit from another 6-12 months in bottle. It offers both immediacy and longevity. Drink 2023-2035.”

95 Points

2016 Chateau Chantelune Margaux Bordeaux France

2016 Chateau Chantelune Margaux Bordeaux France

with No Comment $40-$50BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

CHÂTEAU CHANTELUNE

MARGAUX 2016
BORDEAUX, FRANCE

2016 Chateau Chantelune Margaux Bordeaux France

Château Chantelune is a small estate with 40-year-old vines grown at the highest elevation within the Margaux AOC. 

José Sanfin, the director of Château Cantenac Brown, is the proprietor of Château Chantelune, and he focuses on producing the most exceptional quality fruit from his small vineyards.

This classic Right Bank Bordeaux centers on Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. Even better, 2016 is considered one of the stand-out vintages of the last decade due to ideal weather conditions.

This vintage produced fruit with incredible structure, depth of flavor, and refined tannins, sculpting a wine that’s drinking beautifully now, with the ability to age.

CHÂTEAU CHANTELUNE
MARGAUX 2016
BORDEAUX, FRANCE

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“Owned by José Sanfins, director of Cantenac Brown, who also owns Haut Médoc property Château du Moulin. Chantelune is a tiny estate, but quality is high. Extremely silky with some lovely caramel and coffee bean notes alongside damson fruit. Here the flavours go all the way through the mid-palate, really making you smile, intense but not overpowering.”

91 Points