2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino

2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino

with No Comment $30-$40ChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

BIBBIANO 

GRAN SELEZIONE
2016 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO 

2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino
Bibbiano cemented its spot on my top 5 list with its explosive richness, deep-seated power, and captivating elegance. It’s a Chianti on steroids, and each time I taste it, the wine not only stands up to Italian, French and American producers, but it dominates just about everything in its path. I wasn’t the least bit surprised to find out it had already earned a 95 Point score from Decanter. After all, Gran Selezione, which means Great Selection, is the pinnacle of quality for Chianti Classico. 
 
Making a dramatic entrance from one of Tuscany’s best vintages in nearly two decades, this stunning wine was created from 100% Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello) and aged for 30 months before bottling. On the palate, the wine is remarkably powerful and with a satin texture and long resonant finish.  
 
Production requirements for Gran Selezione wines insist on sourcing the grapes from 100% Estate grown fruit or selecting the Estate’s best parcels. It also has higher extract restrictions and extended oak aging requirements. If you want to taste an exceptionally high-quality Chianti at a great price, this is it.  
 
BIBBIANO 
GRAN SELEZIONE
2016 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
“Restrained, fresh pomegranate fruit with slightly nutty character, earthy-strawberry depth and minerality. Bright acidity and savoury character, firm and chalky, with natural and integrated freshness. Andrew Jefford: A gorgeously teased, poised aromatic ripeness here: subtle incense spice just hidden behind the refined, perfumed plums; a hint of orange peel. Shapely, fresh, vivid and vigorous: super purity, admirable finesse. Monty Waldin: Nose-tingling peppery notes; the fruit on the palate is slightly faded already, although the wine is by no means drying out. Drinking Window 2020 – 2028″ 
95 Points
2018 Heir Apparent Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Heir Apparent Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

HEIR APPARENT

2018 OAKVILLE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

2018 Heir Apparent Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
We’ve offered some outrageous deals on phenomenal wines this year, but this one trumps all of them at 70% off for an outstanding Oakville AVA Cabernet. It comes from a secret vineyard in Oakville’s center on Money Road, with notable neighbors Plumpjack, Groth, and Silver Oak. The 2018 release conveys Oakville’s notorious complexity, and it does so with the robust confidence that you’d expect from an Oakville wine.
 
Oakville’s collaboration of soil, topography, and climate create a viticultural treasure containing the greatest concentration of Napa Valley’s preeminent Cabernet producers. The area’s hallowed ground resulted from collisions first between the North American plate and the Farallon plate, and later the Pacific plate. In Oakville’s center, along the Valley floor, where Heir Apparent sources their grapes, the soils are fluvial, with finely grained loam washed down from floodwaters.
 
The 2018 vintage was a faultless growing season, virtually uninterrupted by significant heat spikes, providing a prolonged hang-time and allowing the fruit to accumulate intense flavor and complexity. Heir Apparent’s 2018 is more profound, with darker fruits than in years past, along with fine tannins with great length. 
 
HEIR APPARENT
2018 OAKVILLE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $165
 
 
“This gorgeous wine begins with a nose of puréed blueberry, black raspberries, red plums, vanilla bean, and rose petals. On the palate, it is concentrated and balanced with ripe black cherries, wild red currants, black raspberry jam, glove leather, and tobacco hints, all wrapped in a concentrated, supple mouthfeel. It has a beautiful tension between the fruit and acidity, leaving a long and elegant finish.”
95 Points
 
“Bright and deep ruby red color. The nose is lush and mixing fresh strawberry jam with intense blueberry and cassis scents. The palate is fresh but full body with a return of ripe black fruit, vanilla spice and vibrant white pepper characters. It is fleshy and polished and a Napa typically long and aromatic finish. This wine will provide instant reward.”
2015 Maroon Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve Coombsville

2015 Maroon Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

MAROON

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BLACK LABEL

2015 Maroon Cabernet Sauvignon Special Reserve Coombsville
Maroon winemaker Chris Corley crafts beautifully balanced wines under the guiding principle of introducing as little manipulation as possible. His style pairs well with Maroon’s Vineyard in Coombsville, where the rocky, volcanic, gravely loam soils produce exquisitely balanced fruit. The combination results in powerful yet elegant wines that are less common in Napa Valley. At $70, their Black Label Cab is a solid offering, but at our price, it’s one of the best values in the shop.
 
The 2015 Black Label Cabernet is from both the winery’s Estate Vineyard and a neighboring site with similar fruit characteristics. The Estate Vineyard is in a unique bowl-shaped depression beneath Mt George, which is an extinct volcano. Joseph Phelps recognized the quality of their grapes, and fruit from Maroon Vineyard went into the high-scoring Insignia Blend for years. 
 
This stunning wine emerges from one of Napa Valley’s top vintages, which the Wine Spectator describes as producing “significantly lower yields…Quality is high.” The 2015 vintage is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and offers supple dark fruits, red currants with perfectly balanced acidity.
 
MAROON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 BLACK LABEL
Retails at: $70
 
 
“This wine begins with a beautiful, deep, supple nose of dark berries, purple florals, and light spice. The lively palate has a great presence with a balance of both red and black fruits, including black cherries, red currants, and ripe plums, and sweet vanilla, along with slightly earthy minerals. The finish is focused, long, and very satisfying.”
94 Points
 
“100% Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a blend of our estate and our neighbors’ finest grapes. It is a wonderful, well balanced wine with an aromatic nose and beautiful dark and red fruit. Aged in French Oak, it has a rich midpalate and a lingering finish. Alcohol: 13.8%. 300 cases”
2013 Sebright Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2013 Sebright Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

SEBRIGHT

2013 RESERVE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 

2013 Sebright Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Sebright wowed us earlier this year with their Greenwood Block Cabernet. Their resolute style of crafting beautifully refined wines deep-seated in elegance made a memorable impact on everybody lucky enough to try it. We wondered if it could get any better, and their 48 case production of Reserve Cabernet from their Estate Vineyard loudly answered that question with a resilient YES. The wine is more profound, more opulent, and with more intensity than their Greenwood Block bottling. Like the Greenwood block, Andy Jones, who worked under Thomas Rivers Brown at Outpost and several other well-known projects, made it. At $125, it’s an incredible wine, but at our customer appreciation week price of $65, it’s unbeatable.
 
Sebright’s Reserve Cabernet comes from their single-acre Garnett Creek Estate Vineyard, double planted to clone 7, a clone also used by Screaming Eagle. They farm the vineyard sustainably and by hand, and the volcanic ash soils produce tiny yields of intense fruit. 
 
Andy’s wine team created this reserve release from a vintage recognized for its unrivaled quality, and one that Robert Parker stated “…may turn out to be the finest vintage I have experienced in tasting North Coast varietals over the last 37 years.” It spent 23 months in new French oak barrels, and with just 2 barrels (48 cases) produced, only a few will be lucky enough to own it. 
 
SEBRIGHT
2013 RESERVE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $125
 
 
“This is a profound wine with an intense nose that spans the spectrum including wild blackberries, ripe black plums, exotic fresh mushrooms, sweet violets, vanilla/cocoa spice. The captivating palate has a powerful, complex approach with black raspberries flinty minerals, mixed berry cobbler, and subtle aged tobacco leaf. The finish is sweet, rich, supple, very long, and exceptionally satisfying.”
96 Points
 
“This stately and elegant Cabernet Sauvignon derives great depth from a low yielding, tightly planted vineyard site in Calistoga. This historic site located on Garnett Creek Farm reflects high pedigree and creates intense, dark color attributes. The aromas center around blackberry, cassis and spice yet accented with a delicate mineral essence from our volcanic ash soil. The wine offers a juicy palate that folds together layers of complex black fruits and brambly tannins that integrate into a long, well-balanced, refined oak finish. The wine is 97% Cabernet Sauvignon with small amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec which add color and structure. Designed to age yet approachable upon release. 13.9% alcohol.”
2017 Ty Caton Estate Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

2017 Ty Caton Estate Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMoon MountainMt VeederSonomaUSA

TY CATON

2017 ESTATE KNOLL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

2017 Ty Caton Estate Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District
Ty Caton created his Cabernet Collection to highlight the very best blocks within his Estate Vineyard on Moon Mountain. Ty’s Estate Knoll Cabernet is from a tiny half-acre block, which took over 80 jackhammer bits to plant the 559 vines. The resulting wine has penetrating dark fruits, remarkable depth, and character, and at 40% below retail, I recommend you grab some while you can.
 
Ty’s Vineyard is on the Sonoma side of Mount Veeder, where 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. 
 
Moon Mountain AVA Cabernets can combine the robust, hedonistic qualities found on Mount Veeder with the elegance and savory characteristics common on Spring Mountain. Ty’s 70 case production Estate Knoll Cabernet is a stunning example of just how great they can be, and at just $36/btl, you’ll savor every drop.
 
TY CATON
2017 ESTATE KNOLL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MOON MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $60
 
 
“The Caton Estate “Knoll” Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 seduces you with a nose including red currants, cherry cola, spearmint, light florals, and Christmas spices. The concentrated palate is captivating with beautiful red and black cherries, sweet & tart black plums, dried mushrooms, and vanilla hints. The finish is balanced, with integrated flavors and slightly dusty tannins. It drinks beautifully now and will improve for another decade or so.”
94 Points
2016 Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak

2016 Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapa

CORNERSTONE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 ATLAS PEAK

2016 Cornerstone Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak
Cornerstone Cellars is a foundational producer, and when wedged into the under-fifty category for Napa Cabernet, they are tough to beat. Their brand’s fundamental attribute is cemented in top-level winemaking and access to some of the most expressive vineyards in Napa Valley. Their 2016 Atlas Peak Cabernet arose from Dr. Jan Krupp’s iconic Stagecoach Vineyard, revered for well-drained soils producing powerful berries laced with volcanic subtleties. At less than half the price of the winery retail, don’t hesitate to secure a case.
 
This stunning wine was composed by Kari Auringer, who worked under Celia Welch at Cornerstone and contributed to the fame of some of the Napa Valley’s most luminous names, including Scarecrow, Keever, Kelly Fleming, and Corra, to name a few. 
 
This wine makes its splash from one of Napa Valley’s most outstanding vintages, and one that the Wine Spectator ranks as the highest-rated vintage since 1997. The 2016 release brings superior concentration, scrumptious dark fruits, and absolutely killer focus. 
 
CORNERSTONE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 ATLAS PEAK
Retails at: $95
 
 
“The Cornerstone Atlas Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 begins with a beautifully elegant nose including lavender & violets, wild sage, mountain blackberries, black raspberry, pencil lead, bright red currants, and Autumn Spices. It is clean and vibrant on the palate, with a beautiful combination of black cherries, red plums, and assorted black berries, along with a pristine freshness, seamless complexity, and linear focus. It concludes with a long, powerful finish, including lively fruit tannins, fresh tobacco leaf, earthy minerals, and vanilla spice. Drink now through 2032.”
95 Points
 
“The first swirl of this provocative hillside Cabernet releases classic mountain grown fruit characteristics of intense ripe berries and black licorice. Bold and expressive, the core is bursting with primarily black ripe fruit with a bit of red berry notes. The complex mid-palate is satisfying and seductive, offering spice and sweet vanilla flavors with integrated tannins that linger on the finish. The layers of flavors continue to unfold as this tasty gem opens up. Always evolving, this wine immediately begs another taste.”
2016 Faust The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley

2016 Faust The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

FAUST

2016 THE PACT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

2016 Faust The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville Napa Valley
Faust’s 96 point The Pact Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 was created from their most expressive blocks from the Estate Vineyard in Coombsville and was crafted to epitomize the purest expression of the Estate. Formerly a dairy farm, the property was developed by the Huneeus family, who also own Quintessa. They chose it for its diversity of soil, elevation, exposition, and climate that’s cooler than most areas of Napa Valley. This remarkable 2016 resulted from the culmination of their vision, work developing the land, and perfecting their winemaking.
 
Faust winemakers Jen Beloz and David Jelinek produced this masterpiece. Jen gained her experience while working under Joel Peterson at Ravenswood Winery before joining Huneeus and becoming winemaker at Prisoner in 2011.  
 
The 2016 release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, born in Quintessa’s state-of-the-art winery in Rutherford. After 19 months in barrel and a couple of years of development in the bottle, the 2016 offering is a stunning beauty.
 
FAUST
2016 THE PACT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $130
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
“This is very layered and beautiful with tannins that unfold horizontally and melt into the wine. So much subtle and complex currant and green-olive character with a hint of fresh tobacco. Drink or hold.”
96 Points
 
“… Deep garnet-purple colored, it reveals bold red and black currants scents with touches of crushed rocks, new leather, fried herbs, rose hip tea and wood smoke plus a hint of incense. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers and rock-solid structure of firm, ripe, grainy tannins framing the muscular fruit, finishing very long and mineral laced.”
95 Points
 
“Black cherry and black currant generously welcome the nose and reward the palate with a plush texture and fresh acidity. Dark fruit and graphite, along with tobacco, star anise and dark cocoa flavors await you with a seductive finish that lasts for an eternity.”
– David Jelinek, Winemaker
2017 Frederic Magnien Red Burgundy Bourgogne Graviers

2017 Frederic Magnien Red Burgundy Bourgogne Graviers

with No Comment $30-$40BurgandyFranceKevin VogtPinot Noir

FREDERIC MAGNIEN

2017 RED BURGUNDY 
BOURGOGNE GRAVIERS

2017 Frederic Magnien Red Burgundy Bourgogne Graviers
In Burgundy, expressing a vineyard’s terroir and the concept that the land the grapes are grown in bestows qualities unique to that site, hold true. Winemaker Frédéric Magnien’s mantra is to bring out the purest translation of Burgundy terroirs. He differentiates himself from other négociants by working closely with partner growers throughout the year and selecting only organically farmed, older-vine parcels cared for to his exacting standards. His Red Burgundy from Graviers offers remarkable insight into this excellent site, and at $33 it’s as Wine & Spirits writes, a “Crazy-good Bourgogne rouge”.
 
Graviers Vineyard is located in the sub-region of Chambolle-Musigny and is planted over soils rich in clay and gravel. The vines average 40 years in age, and the deep root systems help provide a vivid interpretation of the earth beneath and overall individualistic terroir.
 
Frédéric Magnien is a fifth-generation winemaker from Morey-Saint-Denis, who learned his craft from his father Michel Magnien of Domaine Michel Magnien. He furthered his knowledge by coming to California and working with Josh Jensen at Calera Vineyards before traveling to Australia and making his way back to Burgundy to follow his dream of producing wine under his name. 
 
FREDERIC MAGNIEN
2017 RED BURGUNDY 
BOURGOGNE GRAVIERS
 
Your Price: $33
 
“This fruit comes from a single parcel east of the RN74 in Chambolle-Musigny, where Magnien works with a grower farming 40-year-old vines in clay soils over gravel. He destems the grapes, allows a spontaneous fermentation while controlling the temperature, then ages the wine in older barrels, presenting the kind of depth and richness that could stand in for a Villages wine. The flavors are bold and ripe, almost chunky in their cherry intensity, with tart raspberry and apple-like acidity to brighten the finish. Crazy-good Bourgogne rouge.”
91 Points
2016 Casas Del Toqui' Barrel Series Reserve

2016 Casas Del Toqui’ Barrel Series Reserve

with No Comment $30 and underCarménèreChileKevin VogtSouth America

CASAS DEL TOQUI’

2016 CARMENERE
BARREL SERIES RESERVE

2016 Casas Del Toqui' Barrel Series Reserve
The Carménère grape originates from the Medoc region in Bordeaux and is revered for producing deep, robust red wines with striking aromatics. It’s those classic attributes that made Casas del Toqui’ Carménère stand out in a tasting of around 100 more expensive wines. At $19.99, it’s a great example Carménère from Chile’s Cachapoal Valley, and with 93 Points and the Best Buy designation from tastings .com, you really should try it…
 
Casas del Toqui is a joint partnership between the Court family and historic Bordeaux producer Chateau Larose Trintaudon. The vineyards are located in Alto Cachapoal, where alluvial soils combined with a Mediterranean climate are perfect for ripening Bordeaux grape varietals.
 
Carménère might be a member of the Cabernet Sauvignon family and now rarely found in France, it’s found a stronghold in Chile, where it reigns as king. Interestingly, Chilean growers inadvertently preserved the grape during the last 150 years, mistaking it for Merlot until a couple of decades ago.
 
CASAS DEL TOQUI’
2016 CARMENERE
BARREL SERIES RESERVE
 
Your Price: $19.99
 
“Dull garnet black color. Aromas and flavors of toasty blueberry handpie, grilled veggies, eucalyptus, and violet with a velvety, crisp, fruity medium body and a silky, amusing, medium-length finish that presents touches of grilled watermelon and grenadine with medium, silky tannins and no oak flavor. A silky Carmenère with a touch of sweetness; perfect for spicy fare.”
93 Points, Best Buy
2018 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

2018 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50CalistogaCoombsvilleHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

STEPS

RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2018 PROPRIETARY RED

2018 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red
Each year STEPS is re-birthed as it’s formed from declassified grapes out of some of Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards and meticulously blended by winemaker Grant Long, Jr, whom you might know from Aonair, Witchery, and James Joseph. Grant makes the blend with an unwavering goal of producing a showy, hedonistic red that’s guided by the vintage and the varietals that performed best. The 2018 release perfectly reflects the vintages knockout power and underlined elegance, and at $50, the value is nearly inconceivable.
 
Steps 2018 Barrel Select draws on the concentrated flavors of Howell Mountain fruit and brings into play the elegance of Coombsville and the minerality of Calistoga grapes. Each lot was fermented separately and barrel-aged for 23 months before the blend was assembled and guided into bottles. 
 
The final blend is nearly 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The 2018 vintage is richly layered and ladened with ripe blackberries, assorted chocolates, minerals, and red flowers on the palate. With just four barrels produced, don’t hesitate to secure this release. 
 
STEPS
RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2018 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
“The 2018 Steps Barrel Select begins with an intense, ripe nose of black red currants, graphite, fresh mushrooms and sweet vanilla. The palate is powerful and penetrating with crushed mountain blackberries, lush black fruits, espresso roast and refined minerals. It finishes with satiny tannins, and a long, balanced, supple mouthfeel. Drink now until 2030.” 
94 Points