2015 Mt Beautiful 10 Barrels New Zealand Pinot Noir

2015 Mt Beautiful 10 Barrels New Zealand Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNew ZealandPinot NoirUncategorized

MT. BEAUTIFUL 2015 Mt Beautiful 10 Barrels New Zealand Pinot Noir

2015 PINOT NOIR
10 BARRELS
NEW ZEALAND

 
For many of the same reasons New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is so revered, their Pinot Noirs are gaining more momentum every year…  Their Sauvignon Blancs have bright acidity and laser like clarity, which you will also find in their Pinot Noirs. The New World styled fruit, wild complexity, and superb focus makes Mt. Beautiful’s 2015 10 Barrels Pinot Noir one of the best that I’ve tasted in years.  2015 marks the inaugural release of their 10 Barrels Pinot, and with a mere 229 cases produced, there is very little of this available in the US…  Our panel was floored by the vivid detail, spiraling depth and intriguing meaty undertones of this special cuvée.  At under forty dollars, the quality is truly palpable.
 
In New Zealand, Pinot Noir reigns supreme and is their most widely planted varietal ahead of Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot.  The area’s cool climate and complex soils produce charming Pinots with seductive fruit, profound complexity and intense aromas.  The Wine Spectator describes the 2015 vintage in New Zealand as producing “excellent quality and concentration.”  If you haven’t experienced a Pinot Noir from a top New Zealand producer, here’s a chance to try one of the best…
 
MT. BEAUTIFUL
2015 PINOT NOIR
10 BARREL SELECT
NEW ZEALAND
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Our first ever Barrel Select Pinot Noir begins with sophisticated floral fragrances of violets and blackberries, underpinned by subtle power and savory bacon-like aromas. On the palate this elegant wine reveals a veiled depth of intense bramble-like fruit, earthiness and subtle chalky tannins that run right through the mouth. The wine finishes with an echo of that toasty crisp bacon fat, and with a clarity of fruit and good persistent flavor.“
 
Customers that enjoy Mt. Beautiful 10 Barrel Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
2016 Sonnet Tondre's Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2015 Cloudy Bay New Zealand Pinot Noir
SONNET
2016 PINOT NOIR
TONDRE’S GRAPEFIELD
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “The 2016 vintage pinot noir shows an array of cherry fruit, red berries, nutmeg, and that recognizable Santa Lucia Highlands AVA spiciness, that resembles dried herbs, potpourri and briar patch. The palate is soft and plush with balanced acidity and moderate tannin.”
CLOUDY BAY
2015 PINOT NOIR
NEW ZEALAND
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot  Noir has pretty violet, red cherry and warm raspberry scents with a hint of cinnamon and dusty earth. Soft, elegant and medium-bodied, it gives lovely purity and a more understated expression.” 90 Points

2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUncategorizedUSA

VISTA

2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED

 
Being part of a wine brand that’s shattering records and has everybody talking is always fun, and Vista turns out to be our single most popular wine we’ve ever offered… This is a $23 Rutherford Blend that tastes like it should cost many many times its price.  When I first tasted this wine I was asked to estimate the retail price with no information other than what was on the label.  After considering the focused and penetrating red fruits, classic Rutherford dust characteristics, and long, pleasant finish, my number was $75-$95/btl… Turns out, the intended retail was $95, had it been finished as a single vineyard Rutherford Cabernet under a different brand name.  If you look for value reds from Napa Valley, I strongly recommend that you double or even triple down on this one…
 
Originating from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this wine embodies many of  the hallmarks that I look for in Rutherford Cabernet. Predominately Cabernet, heightened with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2017 saturates your palate in seductive red berries laced with dried lavender, red currants, iron, and Rutherford dust.  At $23 bucks this wine shatters expectations of how great a value wine can possibly be in this price.
 
VISTA
2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
 
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
2014 Liparita V Block Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Liparita V Block Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSAYountville

LIPARITA  2014 Liparita V Block Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon

 

2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
V BLOCK, YOUNTVILLE

 
With the ever-growing number of new wineries in Napa Valley, sometimes it pays to re-discover a historic Estate.  Liparita, originally named Liparita – La Jota is absolutely one of the oldest wine Estates in Napa Valley, with the original property on Howell Mountain dating back to 1880.  In 1900 their claret earned a gold medal in Paris and another in Saint Louis in 1904.  Like many other Napa Valley wineries, Liparita vanished with Prohibition and remained a ghost winery that didn’t re-open until the late 1980’s.  Now, nearly 140 years after their inception, Liparita is producing stunning, classically-styled Cabernet Sauvignons and you really ought to try this one.  
 
Conjured from a single block that’s ideally located in a benchlands vineyard in Napa Valley’s iconic Yountville AVA, the 2014 erupts from the glass with intense blackberry, red plum, pipe tobacco and dark chocolate.  Kept for 21 months in oak barrels, the 2014 is made in a deep, supple style that opens up beautifully in the glass.  This one is going to fly… 
 
LIPARITA 
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
V BLOCK, YOUNTVILLE
Retails at: $65.00/btl
 
 
From James Suckling: “Attractive spice, walnut, earth and currant character follows through to a medium body, fresh acidity and a tangy, complex aftertaste. Fun, traditional-styled cab. Drink now or hold.” 91 Points
2013 Salcheto Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulchino Sangiovese

2013 Salcheto Vino Nobile di Montelpulciano Riserva

with No Comment $30 and underItalyKevin VogtNobile di MontelpulcianoSangioveseTuscanyUncategorized

SALCHETO 2013 Salcheto Riserva Vino Nobile di Montepulchino Sangiovese

2013 RISERVA
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
TUSCANY, ITALY

 
Working with one of the top importers of boutique Italian wines in the US has its benefits… Massanois Imports supplies us with some of the highest-scoring and reputable Italian brands such as Aldo Conterno, Livio Sassetti and Parusso.  They’ve also introduced us to some stunning values from break-out boutique producers like Salcheto which launched in 2009.  Salcheto is already earning huge scores and obtaining this brand early in its life cycle offers an opportunity to stock-up while it’s still value priced.  The quality is so obviously high, that we struggled keeping the 2012 on the shelf.  The 2013 has even higher scores and a price that’s easy to swallow (pun, intended), you simply have to try this one…
 
Emerging from Tuscany’s Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, this stunning Riserva spends more than the required 2 full years in oak and a year in the bottle before release.  It’s 100% Sangiovese and the 2013 has a gorgeous perfume of sweet cherries, wild plum, leather and spices, and on the palate the wine is deep, seductive and velvety.  With the 93 and 94 Point scores on the 2013, you’ll want to secure yours before the rest of the world gets their chance.
 
SALCHETO
2013 RISERVA
VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO
TUSCANY, ITALY
Retails at:  $36.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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“This is beginning to hit its stride, with sweet cherry and berry, licorice, leather, tar and iron aromas and flavors. A good dose of tannins remains, but they are well-integrated into the whole. Fine length. Drink now through 2033.” 93 Points
“… Powerful and ample, with tons of depth, the 2013 is impressive. Fresh dark cherry, spice, licorice and menthol notes abound in this vibrant, beautifully resonant Vino Nobile…. In a word: superb!“  94 Points
Customers who enjoy Salcheto Riserva may also enjoy these two stunning Italian Reds…
2014 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo 2013 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino
GIACOMO GRIMALDI
2014 BAROLO
PIEDMONT, ITALY
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

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From The Wine Spectator: “Cherry and plum flavors resonate throughout this red, joined by notes of eucalyptus, tar, tobacco and spice. The fruit persists, with a firm grip of tannins as this fades on the finish...” 92 Points
LA RASINA
2013 BRUNELLO DIMONTALCINO
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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From James Suckling: “A wealth of ripe fruit with spice, tobacco, cedar and plum aromas that follow through to a full body, chewy and dense tannins and a ripe and delicious finish. A solid and stoic young red. Give it three or four years to soften. Made from organic grapes.” 96 Points
2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

with No Comment $30 and underDry Creek ValleySonomaUncategorizedUSAWhitesZinfandel

PETERSON 2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

2013 ESTATE ZINFANDEL
BRADFORD MOUNTAIN

 
Many of the best wines go well beyond flavors and aromas, and some can even evoke feelings of nostalgia, like when I tasted Fred Peterson’s wines.  They are a perfect example of a classic style that many would call traditional and non-interventional.  Fred calls it their zero manipulation style of winemaking, which just as it sounds, is the philosophy of doing as little as possible to the wine in the cellar, resulting in the in the best expression of the vineyard.  It’s rare to come across a New World winery with a steadfast approach to this winemaking approach, and to celebrate it, we thought we would offer the wine at a “historic” price to boot…
 
Zero manipulation winemaking always begins in the vineyard, and that’s why we picked the 2013 Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel.  Perched at 1,000 feet in elevation, overlooking Dry Creek Valley, the well-drained, red-clay soils produce exceptional fruit.  The 2013 has a sturdy frame and concentrated center core of fruit that opens up to classic mulberry, white pepper and hints of saddle leather and wild rose.  At this price, you simply can’t afford to miss this…
 
PETERSON
2013 ESTATE ZINFANDEL
BRADFORD MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $38/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “A rich blend of ripe dark berries with traces of toasty oak provides an inviting entry. The luscious mouthfeel releases layers of concentrated fruit-plum, deep blackberry and dark cherry-punctuated by hints of spice and pepper. The Bradford Mountain terroir influences are evident in the threads of minerality that weave through this opulent wine, adding to its depth and complexity.”
 
Customers who enjoy Peterson Estate Zinfandel may also enjoy these two outstanding Zins…
2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2014 Valdez Sonoma County Zinfadel
MAURITSON
2016 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $39.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Perfumed aromas of black boysenberry cobbler with graham cracker crust waft from the glass. Hints of anise, fresh fig, and earthiness beautifully complement the fruit profile. The entry is full but inviting, exhibiting flavors of mocha, wet gravel, and black cherry. The mouthfeel is seamless from start to finish, indicative of perfectly integrated tannin and acid. Please enjoy this wine for the next 7-10 years.”
VALDEZ
2014 ZINFANDEL
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $30/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “Aromas and flavors of juicy blackberries and currants are expressed in the 2014ValdezZinfandel. This wine has fresh acidity and light tannins that are in harmonious balance while hints of licorice and spice linger on the finish. Fruit for this wine is sourced from 3 different Sonoma County AVAs: Dry creek, Russian River Valley, and Alexander Valley.“
2017 Loring Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pinot Noir

2017 Loring Kessler-Haak Vineyard Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSanta BarbaraSanta Rita HillsUncategorizedUSA

LORING 2017 Loring Kessler-Haak Vineyard Pinot Noir

2017 PINOT NOIR
KESSLER-HAAK VINEYARD
SANTA RITA HILLS

 
If you’ve ever wondered whether a winemaker’s passion for their artistry could manifest itself directly into the flavors and personality of the wine they produce, just take one sip of ANY of Brian Loring’s Pinot Noirs and you’ll know… His passion for the Pinot Noir grape began in Burgundy and was later propelled by the wines of Josh Jensen (Calera), and from there reached Williams Selyem, Chalone, Sanford and Cottonwood Canyon.  The level of passion that he has for the varietal adds another dimension to his winemaking which is absolutely on-point.  His Pinot Noirs are revered for their ability to express terroir and for their uncanny levels of balance and charisma.  At this price, they should not be missed.
 
We often note that vineyard owners have a clear advantage when it comes to selecting grapes for their own wines and knowing when to pick… They know their land like nobody else, and Brian recognized that and sought out some of California’s best Pinot Noir vineyards, then instructed the owners of each vineyard to treat the Loring blocks exactly the same way as they treat the blocks for the wines they produce for themselves.  A perfect example is his single vineyard Pinot from Kessler-Haak Vineyard, which expresses in vivid detail the remarkable complexity and deep, saturating flavors that this vineyard is able to produce and was the highlight of our tasting…
 
LORING
2017 PINOT NOIR
KESSLER-HAAK VINEYARD
SANTA RITA HILLS
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 

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From PinotFile: “Dark garnet color in the glass. Brooding aromas of fertile earth and wine cave. A charge of boisterous black raspberry and blackberry fruit greets the palate, fills every nook and cranny in the mouth, and exits with aplomb. Velvety in texture with noticeable, but not intrusive tannins.”  92 Points

 

2017 Loring Clos Pepe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 Loring Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir
LORING
2017 PINOT NOIR
CLOS PEPE VINEYARD
SANTA RITA HILLS
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
 
From PinotFile: “Moderate garnet color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of black cherry and spice rub lead to a mid weight plus styled wine with a generous core of delicious black cherry and purple berry fruit. Supple tannins provide marvelous support and the energetic acidity adds vigor. A compelling wine with an extremely long finish.”  94 Points
LORING
2017 PINOT NOIR
ROSELLA’S VINEYARD
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
 
From PinotFile: “... Grand aromas of purple grape, boysenberry and sandalwood. My first word after taking a sip was Wow! An ephemeral wine with flat-out delicious, well-spiced, dark red cherry fruit that really captures the palate with goodness. Wondrous harmony with endless aromatic pleasure on the finish. Praise the Lord! Gary Franscioni really knows how to raise wine grapes!”  95 Points
2016 Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUncategorizedUSA

SILVER GHOST  2016 Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY

 
From a part of the world where Cabernet Sauvignon grapes average around $8,000 per ton, the list of producers that can create a quality wine at a relative value is getting more and more rare. Silver Ghost’s proprietor is well connected with handful of secret vineyard sources in Rutherford, Calistoga and Yountville which allows him to produce a killer Napa Valley Cabernet at under forty per bottle… Without divulging specifics on the vineyard names or locations, Proprietor Weston Eidson is able to offer this wine at a lower price than the quality in the bottle suggests, and once you taste it, it’ll tell you everything you need to know.
 
The 2016 showcases the diversity of each vineyard, with each adding its own unique character and complexity to the final blend.  Cellared for around 22 months in French oak barrels, the 2016 is not only rich and concentrated, but it’s supple and smooth offering an array of crushed black fruits, chocolate covered cherries, cassis and roasted espresso.  Those of you who’ve tasted Weston’s earlier vintages of Silver Ghost already know… If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend grabbing some before it vaporizes.
 
SILVER GHOST
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $35/btl
 
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.” 93 Points – Tasting Panel Magazine
 
Customers who enjoy Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning value Cabs… 
2016 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Humanitas Piscis Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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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.
HUMANITAS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 PISCIS VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
 
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...” 97 Points
2016 Heir Apparent Cellar Selection Oakville Red Wine

2016 Heir Apparent Cellar Selection Oakville Red

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUncategorizedUSA

HEIR APPARENT 2016 Heir Apparent Cellar Selection Oakville Red Wine

2016 OAKVILLE RED
CELLAR SELECTION

 
I love watching a brand that we’ve featured early on gain momentum, as well as earn the really high scores that they deserve… If you read Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate you’ve likely already taken notice of Heir Apparent/Grand Napa’s 2016’s, which earned monster scores including 95 Points on their Rutherford Blend.  The Oakville Red is my favorite, and although unrated, we’ve experienced an expanding flow of re-orders since we first wrote about it in December.  The level of value at this price-point is unlike anything else that I’ve tasted in Oakville.  Some of the greatest wines produced in Napa Valley have Oakville origins, and the average price per bottle is likely higher than any other AVA in the Valley.  It’s rare to find an Oakville wine at this price, the value is unmatched.
 
Heir Apparent’s 2016 Oakville Red seduces your senses with intense aromas of dark berries, exotic florals, minerals and hints of graphite.  Calling on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot all sourced exclusively from Oakville, the 2016 Cellar Selection offers stunning levels of pleasure, and should drink well over the next 12-15 years.  I highly recommend locking up a case… You’ll be glad you did.
 
HEIR APPARENT
2016 OAKVILLE RED
CELLAR SELECTION
Retails at:  $110/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “Coming from the prestigious Oakville appellation, this carefully selected of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a dash of Merlot shows firm tannins, a compact structure along with hits of black cherry, currant, plum and dark toast.“
2015 Staglin Salus Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Staglin Salus Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUncategorizedUSA

STAGLIN  2015 Staglin Salus Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 SALUS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE

 
Raising a staggering number approaching a Billion Dollars in charitable support, Staglin is known for much more than just terrific wines… At Auction Napa Valley last year, their joint lot with Antinori brought in $1.5 million.  They’ve spared absolutely no expense in their relentless pursuit of perfection, and their Rutherford Cabernets are some of the most distinct and powerfully compelling wines produced in Napa Valley.  Winemaker Fredrik Johansson works closely with one of the world’s most influential winemakers Michel Rolland, as well as renowned viticulturist David Abreu, who’s planted vineyards for Harlan Estate, Colgin and Screaming Eagle to list a few… Johansson gained invaluable experience working alongside Thomas River Brown at Outpost, as well as helping with Schrader and Maybach…
 
Composed from Staglin’s Estate vineyard located on the Southwestern rim of Napa Valley’s renowned Rutherford AVA, this vineyard’s ideal soils and microclimate produce pristine, complex fruit.   In fact, the top wines produced at the Estate go for around $285 to $335/btl… Salus represents a stupendous value for Staglin, and if you’re searching for a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon at an obtainable price… This is it.
 
STAGLIN
2015 SALUS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE
Retails at:  $115.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl
YOU SAVE 13%
 
Winery Notes: “The nose of focused and driven dark red and black fruits is made complex and intriguing by an overlay of earth and herbs – think tilled soil and wet, leafless wintertime trees with a sprinkle of freshly torn tobacco, pinched camphor leaves and Tellicherry peppercorns. The crystalline and concentrated palate of ripe cherries and bursting black raspberries cascades along a chiseled path of fine granulated tannins given texture and touch by notes of espresso, cocoa nibs and hazelnut butter. A bit tightly wound at present, this fine-grained gem will appreciate a brief stint in your cellar, or your decanter.”
 
Customers who enjoy Staglin Salus Cabernet may also enjoy these two terrific Rutherford wines…
2015 Beaulieu Vineyards Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Quintessa Proprietary Red
BEAULIEU VINEYARDS
GEORGES DE LATOUR
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $119.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “...very deep purple-black in color and reveals bags of crushed blackberries, black cherries and warm cassis notes with mocha, Sichuan pepper and hoisin plus unsmoked cigars and cedar chest hints. Full-bodied and absolutely laden with layers of black fruits and spices, it has a firm, grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing very long…” 96+ Points
QUINTESSA
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $174.99/btl

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From James Suckling: “Aromas of blue fruits, blackberries, tile and lead pencil. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Layered and intense with white-pepper and salt undertones. Love the finish to this racy young wine. Beautiful blue fruits! Drink in 2020 and onwards. From biodynamic grapes.” 97 Points 

2015 Cornerstone Ram’s Horn Vineyard Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underMendocinoMendocino RidgeSyrahUncategorized

CORNERSTONE

2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD

 
Some of the greatest values in red wines can be found in American Syrah.  It’s one of the classic varietals of the world, and was made famous in the Northern Rhone valley of France with the world-class wines from Cote Rotie and Hermitage.  Many would argue that in the New World, Americans are a little behind the curve in the appreciation of Syrah and it’s because of this, that you can occasionally find a ridiculous deal on a fantastic wine.  There’s no better example than Cornerstone’s 2015 single vineyard Syrah which is a stunning bottle of wine at it’s $85 retail price… Make sure to join our Insider’s Club mailing list (it’s free) to unlock special offers and see one of the best values that I’ve come across in my career.
 
This remarkable expression of California Syrah was authored by talented winemaking duo Kari Auringer and Charles Thomas. Kari 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. Charles has more than 30 years winemaking experience including crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, and his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  This beauty also defeated EVERY wine in the Syrah & Shiraz over $41/btl category at the SF Chronicle Competition, and was named “Best of Class.” You may want to grab all you can…
 
CORNERSTONE
2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD
Retails at:  $85/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “French by heritage, California in spirit. These head trained Syrah grapes were lovingly grown high on a steep hillside at 1,800 feet, overlooking the little town of Hopland in Mendocino. Small berries on petite clusters struggle on this dry farmed ranch, which gives this wine a dark and concentrated color. The aromas are a complex combination of ripe black berries, boysenberry and earthy sage. You’ll also likely find typical Syrah notes of smoked bacon, tar and black pepper. Lush and fleshy on the palate, this wine is ripe from long sun-drenched days. More new world in style than old world, but there is plenty of backbone that Syrah is known for. The finish lingers with a melody of mocha, licorice and a hint of allspice wrapped up in silky integrated tannins.“
Best In Class | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 
 
Customers who enjoy Cornerstone Ram’s Horn Vineyard Syrah may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2014 Valdez Sonoma Coast Zinfandel
 2013 Anarchist Wine Co Conspiracy Theory Proprietary Red
VALDEZ
2014 ZINFANDEL
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $30/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “Aromas and flavors of juicy blackberries and currants are expressed in the 2014ValdezZinfandel. This wine has fresh acidity and light tannins that are in harmonious balance while hints of licorice and spice linger on the finish. Fruit for this wine is sourced from 3 different Sonoma County AVAs: Dry creek, Russian River Valley, and Alexander Valley.”
ANARCHIST WINE CO.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $36/btl
 

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Tasting Notes, “This unique blend begins with a compact nose of Bing cherry, wet slate, cotton candy and a touch of sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate, it begins with focused black plum, penetrating wild red and black berries and Ibarra Chocolate. The finish is mouth-filling without being cloying, with just the right amount of dusty tannin, cocoa powder and a touch of baking spices.”