2016 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red

2016 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red

with No Comment $90-$100Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

BEVAN 2016 Bevan Ontogeny Proprietary Red

2016 ONTOGENY
PROPRIETARY RED

 
Have you ever had a wine so stunningly brilliant that it made you question the theory that taste is subjective? I can’t fathom anybody not getting that feeling when they taste Bevan‘s 2016 Ontogeny.  This is Bevan‘s least expensive of his big reds and the 2016 has a larger percentage of Cabernet than ever before. I generally try not to predict the potential for a perfect score, however that was before I tasted Bevan‘s Ontogeny… I strongly recommend grabbing as much as you can, before the scores are out.  His 2012 Ontogeny scored 99 points from Robert Parker and the 2016 is at a new level…
 
Accumulating perfect 100 point scores at a record pace, Russell Bevan clearly has a Midas touch in winemaking.  His Ontogeny Proprietary Red combines four of the top five Bordeaux Varietals, grown in several of his top vineyard sites.  The wine is kept in a variety of high-end oak barrels and the 2016 is showing so much potential right now that it has to be experienced to fathom how good is.  There truly aren’t enough superlatives to describe this one…
 
BEVAN
2016 ONTOGENY
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Ontogeny. Like our EE, this is more Cabernet Sauvignon than ever before. Less mineral, more pure fruit. It also has a layer of richness that the previous Ontogeny wines didn’t have. The fruit profile from the additional Cabernet Sauvignon is blackberry, boysenberry and there is a hint of mocha that really pops on the finish. Deep purple, incredibly seductive. This is as decadent as Ontogeny has ever been.”
 
Customers who enjoy Bevan Ontogeny may also enjoy these two Bevan Releases…
 
2016 Bevan Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir 2016 Bevan Tench Vineyard EE Proprietary Red
BEVAN
2016 PINOT NOIR
PETALUMA GAP
 
Your Price: $75/btl
 
Winery Notes: “The Petaluma Gap is made up of four different clones and all of them are expressed on different levels. The power and massive textures come from the Pommard clone, the floral aromatics from the Swan, roasted earth from the Calera and bright fruit from the 828 clone. The combination is a powerful, deep wine that in the glass looks like Cabernet but in the nose is all Pinot Noir seduction. In the world of Pinot Noir this is an 800-pound gorilla.”
BEVAN
2016 PROPRIETARY RED
TENCH VINEYARD EE, OAKVILLE 
 
Your Price: $199.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “2016 Proprietary Red EE Tench Vineyard reveals a deep garnet-purple color and reticent nose of crushed black and red cherries, mulberries with wafts of dried herbs, lavender and fresh roses plus hints of pencil shavings and tilled soil. Medium to full-bodied, very fine and very fresh in the mouth, it has drop dead gorgeous poise and sophistication with a long, graceful finish that cannot fail to impress.”  97-100 Points
2013 Xtant Petit Batard Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2013 Petit Batard Napa Valley Red by Xtant

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUncategorizedUSA

PETIT BATARD

2013 NAPA VALLEY RED
by XTANT…

2013 Xtant Petit Batard Napa Valley Proprietary Red
As the second label for Xtant, an ultra-premium producer whose reds go for $85-$175/btl, Petit Bâtard delivers a wine of remarkably high quality, and without the lofty price tag that generally accompanies them.  With access to the same tools, techniques and terroir that go into creating their flagship wine, the 2013 Petit Bâtard merits significant attention at $39.99.  It was forged from the same three iconic vineyards that go into Xtant, Lewelling, Kletter  and Oakville Station, and after a meticulous sorting process, each wine spends an identical 40 months in barrel before the blends are complete…
 
Created with three of the five Bordeaux Varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec, this deep and enchanting blend was thoughtfully composed by winemaker Jeff Gaffner.  You might recognize Jeff from Saxon Brown and Black Kite.  He was responsible for making the renowned 1996 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cépages, which was the Wine Spectator’s #1 wine of the year.  If you love deep, richly layered red blends, you’ll want a case of Petit Bâtard before it disappears…
 
PETIT BATARD
2013 NAPA VALLEY RED
by XTANT…
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 27%
 
Winery Notes: “Rich and supple, our 2013 Petit Bâtard is a beautiful reflection of a premier Napa Valley vintage. Deep purple hues set the stage for layers of blueberry, cranberry, and bing cherry on the nose. On the palate smooth tannins give way to notes of sweet tea, clove and black licorice. Well balanced acid and bright fruit ensure that this will be a wine to be enjoyed for many years to come!“
 
Customers who enjoy Petit Bâtard may also enjoy these two terrific Reds… 
2013 Kobalt Window Pane Proprietary Red 2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red
KOBALT
WINDOW PANE
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $37.99/btl

Click to OrderCo-authored by Kevin Carriker, who’s been in the wine industry for nearly 40 years and Mark Herold who’s responsible for having crafted some of the greatest wines in California including Merus, Hestan, Buccella, and his own label Herold. At under forty bucks, Kobalt’s Window Pane packs enormous value…
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 

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When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.

 

2016 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red

2016 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

HOURGLASS

2016 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED 

2016 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red
The best wines only take your palate an instant to recognize that it’s something remarkable, and that’s exactly what we look for in our tastings each week.  In fact, we taste nearly a wine a minute at our group tastings because it happens that quickly when you come across something profound.  Sometimes you know just based on the aroma, but when it hits your palate it should light you up with excitement, which is exactly what happened when I tasted the new Hourglass HG III.  The wine was authored by legendary winemaker Toni Biagi… Tony spent nearly 10 years crafting the high-scoring Plumpjack wines, which rank among the best in Napa Valley, and their top Estate wines can go for around $200/btl…  At under fifty, the HG III is a low price of admission for wine of this outstanding pedigree.  
 
With an exhilarating velvety texture, and endless layers of sweet blueberries, cherry pipe tobacco, dried flowers and black chcolate, the HG III combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah into an exhilarating wine of pure brilliance.  
After spending around 16 months in French oak, the 2016 is stunningly gorgeous now, and it’s undoubtably the best version of HG III yet.  Don’t hesitate to secure your case… 
 
HOURGLASS
2016 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $53.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl
 
 
“Showing the quality of this vintage, the 2016 HG III is a big, opulent, incredibly sexy effort that boasts a deep purple color and terrific notes of black cherries, chocolate, dried flowers, and spice. Made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah (that’s the III of HG III), it’s one heck of a red blend and well worth seeking out.”  91-93 Points
“A barrel sample, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Proprietary Red Hourglass H. G. III is beautifully scented at this nascent stage of crushed plums, mulberries, kirsch and black cherries with wafts of spice cake and chocolate box. Full-bodied, rich, soft and seductive at this youthful stage, it offers lovely plush tannins and plenty of vivacity on the finish.”  91-93 Points
Customers who enjoy Hourglass HG III may also enjoy these two stunning Reds… 
2015 Juslyn Perry's Blend Spring Mountain Proprietary Red 2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Proprietary Red
JUSLYN
2015 PERRY’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $95.00/btl
 

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The first impression I had when I tasted Juslyn’s 2015 Perry’s Blend was one of shattered expectations, and those were set high, given the high quality of wines that the winery has produced over the last several vintages. They’ve also attracted some incredible talent…  Assisting in their constant pursuit of perfection, consulting winemaker Angelina Mondavi, who’s worked alongside Jayson Woodbridge at Hundred Acre…
DANCING HARES
2016 MAD HATTER
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl 

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2013 Behrens The Collector Proprietary Red

2013 Behrens Family The Collector Proprietary Red

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

BEHRENS FAMILY 

2013 THE COLLECTOR
PROPRIETARY RED

2013 Behrens The Collector Proprietary Red
Appropriately named The Collector, this latest release from Behrens Family was so ridiculously good that it had everybody at our tasting wanting to stash away as much as we could.  As it opens in the glass, deep and enchanting flavors amass and it becomes abundantly clear that this wine will effortlessly age for another 20-25 years. Of course it will take a true Collector to keep this wine locked away in the cellar, because it’s riveting right now, and having already accrued several years in the bottle, you won’t have to wait.  Assembled under a powerful partnership between Les Behrens and Lisa Drinkward, who’ve made “Behrens & Hitchcock” since 1993, this high-scoring Cabernet blend deserves a spot in the cellar and on the table. 
 
Gathering nearly two years in high quality oak barrels, this beautifully proportioned blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon stockpiled with Petit Sirah, Petit Verdot and Merlot has an incredible core of ripe blackberries, sweet cassis, exotic spices and black chocolate.  If you love boutique Napa Valley reds, you’ll want to add a case of this to your collection…
 
BEHRENS FAMILY 
2013 THE COLLECTOR
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon the Collector, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Sirah and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot, reminds me of a big, rich Petite Sirah. That explains the 30% of that variety, but it seems to dominate the blend. Beautiful blueberry and black raspberry fruit, extremely extracted and rich, but not rustic by any means, this is a big, dense, pedal-to-the-metal, balls-to-the-wall black/purple red wine to drink over the next 20-25 years.” 94+ Points
 
Customers who enjoy Behrens Family’s The Collector may also enjoy these two terrific Reds…  
2014 Steps Winemakers Reserve Proprietary Blend 2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Proprietary Red
STEPS 
WINEMAKER’S RESERVE 
2014 PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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The 6 barrel production  Winemaker’s  Reserve is heavily based in Atlas Peak, and made transparent by its striking crushed rock minerality and dusty tannins that make the area so desired.  The final blend has a solid core of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak, magnified by 14% Cabernet Franc from Kenefick Palisades Vineyard, 9% Malbec from Oakville and 5% Petit Verdot from Coombsville.
DANCING HARES
2016 MAD HATTER
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl 

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2012 Anantaah Bella's Blend Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red

2012 Anantaah Bella’s Blend Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSpring MountainUSA

ANANTAAH

2012 BELLA’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

2012 Anantaah Bella's Blend Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red
There’s something magical that happens when a powerful mountain blend has a few extra years in the bottle…  As good as they can be at release, they really blossom into something even more incredible with a little extra age.  Anantaah’s 2012 Bella’s blend is a prime example and it was created in a deep and elegant style that added to it’s ability to age.  And coming from a mountainous area where the bottle prices are generally as steep as the terrain, it’s extremely rare to come across a wine like this at under $80/btl. 
 
Originating from the Madrone Vineyard located at 1,900 feet in elevation, this deep, velvety red possesses a treasure chest of layers and remarkable balance.  Perpetually changing and evolving in the glass, layer after layer of impeccably well-balanced flavors coat your palate in an abundance of dark fruits and sweet, velvety tannins.  Aged for nearly two full years in barrels and now with around 3 1/2 years of development in the bottle, this wine is gorgeous right now and has the structure to go another decade.  
 
ANANTAAH
2012 BELLA’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “… Deep dark purple in color, with the initial aromatics of blackberries. After you roll it around on your palette the dark plum, blackberries and dark cherries open up with a touch of minerality; the finish is long and lingering as the flavors continue to unravel. Wait for the finish….is that a bit of spice…”
2015 Quinta Do Vallado Reserva Douro

2015 Quinta Do Vallado Reserva Douro, Portugal

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPortugalProprietary Red

QUINTA DO VALLADO

2015 RESERVA 
DOURO, PORTUGAL 

2015 Quinta Do Vallado Reserva Douro
If I were to choose just one International wine that I’ve discovered in my career that perfectly represents everything great in a wine, Quinta Do Vallado is it.  And while the texture, flavors and depth are ridiculously irresistible, what I love most about this wine is that it’s incredibly unique and yet it appeals to nearly everyone who tries it. One taste offers a lasting impression of deep red and black fruits, wild complexity and a long and persistent, satiny finish. Portugal’s dry wines are simply making a lot of dedicated, die-hard enthusiasts, and this bottle will push them over th e top.  In fact, on the 2014 Wine Spectator Top 100 list, wines #1, #3 & #4 were all from the Douro region of Portugal, and to me, I’ve tried them all and this one is even better.
 
A fusion of more than 30 grape varietals, Vallado’s 2013 Reserva asserts a crescendo of tightly wound, brilliantly focused fruit, and is more vibrant than a Nadir Afonso painting.  Utilizing fruit from ancient vines more than 100 years old, Quinta do Vallado’s 2015 Reserva has already earned 93 Points from Robert Parker.  Very few cases of the Reserva were imported this year, and having already earned a high score, this one certainly won’t be available for very long. 
 
QUINTA DO VALLADO
2015 RESERVA 
DOURO, PORTUGAL
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl
YOU SAVE 15%
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Reserva is a field blend of very old vines (100+ years old), aged for 18 months in an equal blend of new and used barrels. It comes in at 14% alcohol. This was previously seen as a tank sample. Here’s the bottled version in the USA. Reasonably concentrated for the producer’s subregion and the vintage, this actually has fleshed out since I last saw it. Yet it retains that graceful, textured feel, the freshness and the fine fruit. I suspect the wine will show even more elegance as it continues to age… This is going to be a hard-to-resist wine when it hits the table at dinner.” 93 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Quinto Do Vallado’s Reserva may also enjoy these two terrific wines…
2013 Enzo Bianchi Proprietary Red
 2012 Vik Milla Cala Proprietary Red
ENZO BIANCHI 
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl 

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From The Wine Enthusiast: “This Cabernet-Malbec-Petit Verdot blend smells smoky and rich, with lemony oak notes. But in the mouth, it’s tight as a drum, with an unbreakable structure. Dark spice and clove notes accent ripe berry fruit that’s not jammy and which has absorbed its oak well. Its firm, tannic finish will stand guard as it ages for a decade or more…”  93 Points, Editor’s Choice
VIK
2012 MILLA CALA
PROPRIETARY RED
MILLAHUE VALLEY, CHILE
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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From The Wine Spectator: “Rich and refined, delivering unctuous dark fruit and spice flavors that offer a creamy svelteness. Slate and mineral accents linger on the complex finish, with dark chocolate and olive notes. Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Merlot. Drink now through 2022…”  94 Points
2015 Chalk Hill Estate Proprietary Red

2015 Chalk Hill Estate Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50$50-$60Chalk HillKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUncategorizedUSA

CHALK HILL

2015 ESTATE RED
PROPRIETARY RED

2015 Chalk Hill Estate Proprietary Red
Named for it’s unique volcanic soils composed of chalky white ash, the Chalk Hill AVA produces stunning wines, and in my mind, this one reigns supreme.  This wine makes absolutely no excuses at it’s $70 retail price…  A paragon of Northern Sonoma County, and especially when it comes to Bordeaux varietals, this towering, ostentatious effort from Chalk Hill Winery is brimming with super-concentrated dark berries, black chocolates, pipe tobacco, and creme de cassis. The 2015 has superb presence on the palate with great intensity, depth and balance.  Unsurprisingly, it’s already earned 94 Points from Robert Parker.
 
A fusion of nearly 60% Cabernet Sauvignon enhanced with Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot, the wine‘s deep, concentrated core is complex and extracted, carving out layers of vivid dark berries, black tea, sweet vanilla and cigar box.  After evolving for 20 months in oak and kept for over a year in the bottle, this compelling wine is drinking beautifully now and will cellar effortlessly for two decades…
 
CHALK HILL
2015 ESTATE RED
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $70.00/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Estate Red is deep garnet-purple colored and delivers a good amount of oak-inspired notions to begin over a core of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry pie, preserved plums and chocolate box with hints of vanilla pod and cigar box. Big, concentrated and full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with black fruit preserves, framed by ripe, firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a woody note. Forget it for 5-6 years and drink it over the next 20.“ 94 Points 
 
Customers who enjoy Chalk Hill Estate Red may also enjoy these two terrific Reds…
2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red 2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Proprietary Red
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.
DANCING HARES
2016 MAD HATTER
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl

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2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma MountainUSA

WESTWOOD

2015 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED

2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red
In a conversation about the most recognizable blends in the world, it’s rare for the composition of varietals to come up. These wines are branded solely on taste and the location of the grapes. The components that make up the wine are eclipsed by the overall flavors and style.  Before we tell you what’s in Westwood’s Legend, we should tell you who’s behind it. The legend was made by Ben Cane who spent 6 years on the winemaking team at Twomey, and David Ramey, one of California’s most legendary winemakers, who helped put many iconic wineries get on the map including Dominus, Rudd Estate and Jericho Canyon…  The feeling that I had when tasting this wine was one of euphoria and sheer contentment.  When I found out I could offer this wine to you I jumped at the chance.
 
This legend arose from the bio-dynamically farmed Annadel Gap Estate Vineyard located between Mt Hood and Sonoma Mountain.  The area is heavily influenced by morning fog and high-winds, and the variety of soil types lend to the wines vast complexity.  The flavors are intriguing and balanced and introduce themselves in a silky and enchanting style that make this wine as unique as it is delicious.  It’s already earned 95 points from Tasting Panel Magazine, don’t hesitate to secure your case.   
 
WESTWOOD
2015 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $44.00/btl
 
 
From Tasting Panel: “This proprietary red blend (25% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 15% Zinfandel and 10% Tannat) is sourced [mostly from] the estate vineyard, situated between Mt. Hood and the Sonoma Mountains. The perfume is primarily floral: gardenia, red rose petals – with accents on red plum and an echo of black pepper. The palate is a silk road with gritty chocolate tannins. But the ruby slippers that carry you down the path bursts with red plum, dark chocolate cherries, exotic jasmine and grilled meat with soy sauce. The finish is pleasurable with a creamy cedar note.” 95 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Westwood’s Legend may also enjoy these two terrific Reds… 
2014 Horse & Plow Blockhouse Vineyard Napa Valley Grenache 2015 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red
HORSE & PLOW
2014 GRENACHE 
BLOCKHOUSE VINEYARD
Retails at:  $34.00/btl
 

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Horse & Plow’s single vineyard Grenache is from Yountville, just a stone’s throw from our shop, and it completely rocked my world when I tasted it.  This beautifully proportioned and profoundly pleasing red should be the wikipedia reference for California Grenache.  With a round, velvet lined core, the 2014 envelopes your palate in a bumper crop of plump, juicy flavors with red plum, wild berries, mineral, cocoa and subtle spice.  
SANS LIEGE
2015 THE OFFERING
PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $29/btl 

Click to Order

 

Made in a magnetic style that draws you in with lavish aromas that become increasingly compelling with aeration, Sans Liege’s Southern Rhone inspired blend The Offering is wine that I simply love.  A remarkable fusion of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, the 2015 saturates your taste buds with a velvety texture, intermixed with vibrant red fruits, crème de cassis, juicy blackberries, and savory spices that you coming back for more.
2015 Juslyn Perry's Blend Spring Mountain Proprietary Red

2015 Juslyn Perry’s Blend Spring Mountain Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSpring MountainUSA

JUSLYN 

2015 PERRY’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN 

2015 Juslyn Perry's Blend Spring Mountain Proprietary Red
The best wines I taste leave me with an indelible stamp in my mind and an overall feeling that becomes part of the wine’s identity.  The first impression I had when I tasted Juslyn’s 2015 Perry’s Blend was one of shattered expectations, and those were set high, given the high quality of wines that the winery has produced over the last several vintages. They’ve also attracted some incredible talent…  Assisting in their constant pursuit of perfection, consulting winemaker Angelina Mondavi, who’s worked alongside Jayson Woodbridge at Hundred Acre… At the retail price of $95/btl, this is a brilliant bottle of wine and a great representation of Spring Mountain terroir.
 
At 81% Cabernet Sauvignon this vintage of Perry’s Blend is stunningly powerful and oozes sweet mulberries, chocolate covered cherries, pen ink, graphite and hints of savory spices.  This wine conveys all of the noble traits that make Spring Mountain so desired, and immediately out of the bottle it’s absolutely rocking and promises another 12-15 years of enjoyment.  I’m predicting mid 90’s scores aren’t far behind and I wouldn’t wait for the reviews to get yours… 
 
JUSLYN 
2015 PERRY’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $95.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “…Enticing aromas of ripe blueberries, rich blackberries, powerful cassis, black currants and delicate floral notes rise from the glass.  On the palate, terraced layers of wild red and black berries, cocoa powder, black plum and pen ink build over time.  Compact and rich with a focused center palate of densely concentrated fruit intermixed with spring flowers and hints of pencil lead and subtle sweet vanilla.  Powerful on the palate, with firm, slightly dusty tannins, this wine is simply gorgeous now and promises another 12-15 years of enjoyment.”
 
2014 Leviathan Proprietary Red

2014 Leviathan Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40CarnerosCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedUSA

LEVIATHAN

2014 PROPRIETARY RED

2014 Leviathan Proprietary Red
With a reputation as one of Napa Valley’s most revered winemakers, Andy Erickson made Screaming Eagle from 2005-2010 producing two perfect 100 Point Wines.  Beyond that, he also assisted in making wine at Harlan Estate as well as crafting wines for Ovid, Arietta, Staglin, Dalla Valle and his own label Favia.  Aiming to create an intriguing, unique red wine, drawn from some of the best vineyards in Northern California, Leviathan has a monstrous core of mystical black and red fruits layered into a flashy and inspiring red blend.  Antonio Galloni alerts his readers: “At $40 a bottle, the appropriately named Leviathan is one of the best values in California.” 
 
With fruit sourced from 7 different appellations, including Oakville, Coombsville and Carneros, the 2014 blend marries Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.  With aromatics as compelling as a mythical Leviathan, the 2014 surges from the deep with an indomitable cascade brambly blackberry, cherry pipe tobacco, red plum, black chocolate and spice box.  At $39.99/btl, you may want to secure a case or two before this mythical beast vanishes… 
 
LEVIATHAN
2014 PROPRIETARY RED 
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
 
From Vinous, “The 2014 Leviathan is a big, juicy wine that will appeal to readers who enjoy flashy, extroverted reds. Copious red cherry jam, red plum, spice, vanillin and oak are pushed forward in this flamboyant, racy Cabernet Sauvignon-based red. At $40 a bottle, the appropriately named Leviathan is one of the best values in California.”  90 Points
 
Cabernet Sauvignon 42% | Syrah 30% | Cabernet Franc 21% | Merlot 7%
 
Customers who enjoy Leviathan Proprietary Red may also enjoy these two terrific Red Blends…
2013 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red 2014 Steps Winemaker's Reserve Proprietary Blend
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.  
STEPS 
WINEMAKER’S RESERVE 
2014 PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl
 
The 6 barrel production  Winemaker’s  Reserve is heavily based in Atlas Peak, and made transparent by its striking crushed rock minerality and dusty tannins that make the area so desired.  The final blend has a solid core of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak, magnified by 14% Cabernet Franc from Kenefick Palisades Vineyard, 9% Malbec from Oakville and 5% Petit Verdot from Coombsville.