2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Buoncristiani O.P.C.

Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

The 2021 Buoncristiani O.P.C. does not attempt to define Napa Valley with a single stroke. Instead, it captures the region as a layered composition, where power, nuance, and polish coexist in careful proportion. Built around Cabernet and enriched by Malbec, Syrah, and Merlot, the wine presents Napa not as excess, but as harmony shaped by intention.

That sense of harmony reflects the Buoncristiani brothers’ deep-rooted relationship with Napa Valley. Growing up immersed in the region’s vineyards, they developed an intuitive understanding of how site, variety, and vintage intersect. The 2021 O.P.C. draws from that lived experience, translating familiarity with the land into a wine with scintillating confidence.

That perspective reveals itself in the wine’s effortless composure. The 2021 O.P.C. carries the Buoncristiani signature of concentration balanced by elegance, a style refined over more than twenty-five years of winemaking. Each vineyard component contributes structure and intensity, yet the wine never feels assembled. Instead, it flows as a complete and confident expression of place.

Buoncristiani O.P.C.
Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $75

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“The 2021 Red Wine O.P.C., Buoncristiani’s blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah and Merlot, is superb. Another rich wine in this range, the 2021 hits the palate with dense dark fruit, chocolate, graphite, leather, spice, plum and lavender. This rich, inky wine will delight Buoncristiani fans.”

95 Points

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Alexander ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

Lancaster Estate

Winemaker’s Cuvée
Alexander Valley 2021

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

High above the valley floor, where gravelly loam and warm afternoons shape Cabernet into something both powerful and poised, Lancaster’s Winemaker’s Cuvée takes root. This wine is the purest expression of the estate’s hillside benches, sites where vines dig deep into fractured soils and the fruit emerges with remarkable concentration, lift, and unmistakable character.

At the core of the 2021 blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, commanding in both presence and structure, supported by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot in thoughtful proportions. Each variety contributes its own dimension: Franc with aromatic lift, Merlot with mid-palate breadth, and Petit Verdot with richness. Together they create a cuvée that feels seamlessly layered and shaped by a winemaking vision grounded in precision.

In the cellar, the wine is guided with the same clarity of intent that defines the vineyard work: fermentation is kept exacting, oak is used to frame rather than dominate. What emerges is a wine that marries depth with refinement, with tannins firm yet polished and a finish that is long and resonant. Impressive now, the 2021 Winemaker’s Cuvée is crafted for the long view, promising years of unfolding nuance for those who choose to follow its evolution.

Lancaster Estate
Winemaker’s Cuvée
Alexander Valley 2021
Retails at: $125

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“The 2021 Winemaker’s Cuvee Red Blend is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. A saturated red color, it opens in the glass to reveal a luxurious and layered profile with notes of cassis, menthol, polished leather, and mocha. Full-bodied and velvety on the palate, it’s generous, offering a balanced and ripe feel without feeling weighty, and it has an elegantly rich and tapered finish. It’s going to age gracefully over the coming 10 years. 5000 cases were produced.”

94 Points

2019 Laird Jillians Blend Napa Valley

251230 2019 Laird Jillians Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50CalistogaCarnerosKevin VogtProprietary RedUSA

Laird

Jillian’s Blend
Napa Valley 2019

2019 Laird Jillians Blend Napa Valley

The Laird family’s name carries a certain weight in Napa Valley, with an unspoken authority earned over five decades of farming. Jillian’s Blend is a vivid expression of that legacy, drawing from the family’s deep roots and their instinct for growing exceptional fruit. It is a wine shaped by the land, and by generations of vision, risk-taking, and craftsmanship that have made the Lairds one of Napa’s most respected growers.

The wine’s foundation lies in the Lairds’ extraordinary vineyard holdings, stretching from Carneros to Calistoga and encompassing some of Napa’s most sought-after terroirs. Jillian’s Blend draws selectively from these parcels, weaving together fruit that reflects the Valley’s remarkable diversity. It is this mosaic of vineyard character that gives the wine its depth, its lift, and its unmistakable sense of place.

Crafted from this enviable palette of terroirs, the 2019 blend unfolds luxuriously. Cabernet anchors the wine with depth, while the supporting varietals add dimension. Each sip feels shaped by careful selection and seamless integration. It’s a style that mirrors the Laird approach: generous in expression, meticulous in execution.

Laird
Jillian’s Blend
Napa Valley 2019
Retails at: $55

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“Currants and dried berries with fresh flowers and spices. Medium to full body with round, juicy fruit and ripe, firm tannins. 62% cabernet sauvignon, 20% syrah, 12% merlot, 5% malbec and 1% petit verdot. Needs time to come together. Drink after 2025.”

92 points

2023 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Blend Napa County

2023 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Blend Napa County

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Hourglass

HGIII Proprietary Blend
Napa County 2023

2023 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Blend Napa County

Hourglass’s 2023 HGIII feels like a privilege to taste, crafted with the pedigree of a flagship wine yet offered with the generosity of an insider’s secret. Under the guidance of Tony Biagi, whose work at PlumpJack helped define modern Napa elegance, the 2023 HGIII brings together estate farming and meticulous blending in a way that feels both contemporary in its polish and classic in its depth.

The blend unfolds with Merlot’s plush density at the center, followed by Cabernet’s disciplined structure and Petite Sirah’s darker, savory character. These elements meet without competing, resulting in a wine that feels composed rather than constructed. It is a blend that moves with purpose, showing both restraint and confidence.

Hourglass gives the 2023 HGIII sixteen months of élevage to refine its edges without weighing it down. The oak adds dimension rather than dominance, keeping the fruit at the forefront. What emerges is a wine shaped by patience and intention, with a finish that is long, supple, and confidently restrained.

Hourglass
HGIII Proprietary Blend
Napa County 2023
Retails at: $53

Your Price: $49.99

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“The Hourglass 2023 HG III Napa Valley Red Blend opens with enticing aromas of blackberries, Bing cherries, pomegranate, peppercorn, fennel seed, and crushed rose petals. On the palate, the wine is plush yet structured, unfolding with flavors of crème de cassis, black cherries, and baker’s chocolate. The finish is long, harmonious, and finely textured, supported by polished tannins and balanced acidity.”

96 Points

2023 Steps Barrel Select Reserve Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

2023 Steps Barrel Select Reserve Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Steps

Barrel Select Reserve
Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Steps Barrel Select Reserve Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

Born from a vintage that winemakers dream of, the Steps 2023 Barrel Select captures the essence of Napa Valley at its purest. Selected from just three barrels, this wine reflects the singular vision of Grant Long, Jr., whose name has become synonymous with craftsmanship through his acclaimed work at Aonair, Reverie II, and James Joseph.

Grant’s vision for Steps Reserve has always centered on a balance between the valley’s plush generosity and its rugged, high-elevation edge. The 2023 vintage embodies that duality with striking clarity. Cabernet Sauvignon lends structure and power, while Merlot and Malbec add notes of supple fruit and lifted aromatics.

Aged for nineteen months in Sylvain and Darnajou barrels, the Steps Reserve Barrel Select emerges polished yet vibrant, its depth framed by the quiet luxury of fine French oak. Beneath its refinement lies a pulse of energy, a sign of its youth and promise. With time, this wine will evolve into something extraordinary: an elegant and enduring reflection of both the vintage and the vision.

Steps
Barrel Select Reserve
Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2023

Your Price: $49.99

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“The STEPS Reserve Barrel Select 2023 Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend begins with deep aromas of cassis, black cherries, ripe plums, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, clove, dried herbs, and cedar. On the palate, the wine is refined and silky, with a seamless mouthfeel and bright acidity, which enhances the complexity of flavors ranging from plush black fruits and spices, keeping the profile fresh and poised. Fine-grained tannins lend structure, and the elegant finish lingers for a harmonious and polished expression of Napa Valley.”

96 Points

2023 Icon The Beau Vigne Collection Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2023 Icon The Beau Vigne Collection Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedUSA

Icon

The Beau Vigne Collection
Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Icon The Beau Vigne Collection Proprietary Red Napa Valley

In Napa Valley, where power often takes precedence, Icon by the Beau Vigne Collection stands apart for its precision. Crafted by Julien Fayard, a winemaker with a pedigree spanning Château Lafite Rothschild to Quintessa, this 2023 release transforms raw potential into sculpted elegance. Every detail, from vineyard selection to barrel aging, speaks to an exacting vision: to create a wine that embodies both the strength of Napa and the finesse of Bordeaux.

Fayard builds Icon as a study in equilibrium, drawing from a network of Napa Valley vineyards that range from rocky benchlands to sun-drenched valley floors. The foundation is Cabernet Sauvignon, lending structure and drive, while Merlot and Petit Verdot add suppleness, fragrance, and a quiet depth of color. The result is a red of quiet confidence: concentrated yet agile, bold yet impeccably balanced.

The 2023 Icon feels like the future of Napa, a wine that honors its lineage while rewriting the script. It carries the valley’s trademark depth and plushness, yet moves with the precision of a Bordeaux. The mouthfeel is textural and complete. It stands as liquid proof that restraint and richness can coexist in perfect harmony.

Icon
The Beau Vigne Collection
Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2023
Retails at: $80

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“A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Petit Verdot, it shows a firm grip. The wine directs your attention to iron-ore and espresso, slowly allowing its streamlined structure to open up. Dried lavender and black plum texturize the palate; tannins firm and muscular.”

94 Points

2022 Saracina Soul of Mendocino Red Wine Blend Mendocino County

2022 Saracina Soul of Mendocino Red Wine Blend Mendocino County

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMendocinoProprietary RedUSA

Saracina

Soul of Mendocino
Red Wine Blend 2022
Mendocino County

2022 Saracina Soul of Mendocino Red Wine Blend Mendocino County

Drawn from organically farmed vineyards rooted in Mendocino’s rugged, ancient soils, Saracina’s 2022 Soul of Mendocino Red honors both the land and the people who bring it to life. The estate’s roots run deep into the Mayacamas foothills, where this wine emerges as both homage and evolution: a seamless blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, old-vine Grenache, and Carignan that transforms the region’s rustic soul into something quietly profound and elegantly refined.

At Saracina, craftsmanship begins below ground. The team studies the mineral threads of each parcel, nurturing vines whose roots dive deep through fractured sandstone and clay. That dedication to detail yields fruit of rare vibrancy, marked by sunlight and tension. It’s viticulture as quiet artistry, where science and soul work in concert.

In the glass, the Soul of Mendocino Red captures everything Saracina stands for: vibrancy without excess, texture without weight. Zinfandel lends warmth, Petite Sirah depth, Grenache grace, and Carignan lift, composing a symphony of balance and quiet confidence. It stands as both a reflection of its landscape and a reminder that elegance needs no excess. 

Saracina
Soul of Mendocino
Red Wine Blend 2022
Mendocino County

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“The Saracina ‘Soul of Mendocino’ 2022 Mendocino County Red Wine Blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Carignane begins with bright, ripe aromas of strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries, black tea leaves, anise, and sweet tobacco. On the palate, the wine has flavors of juicy, wild berry bramble, chocolate covered cherries, and marjoram in a smooth, supple texture. This wine is both expressive and effortlessly drinkable, creating an inviting blend that celebrates Mendocino fruit with a refined finish.”

94 Points

2022 Ovid Experiment No. N7.2 Napa Valley

2022 Ovid Experiment No. N7.2 Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Ovid

Experiment No. N7.2
Napa Valley, 2022

2022 Ovid Experiment No. N7.2 Napa Valley

At OVID, winemaking has always existed on the edge of science and poetry. The 2022 Experiment No. N7.2 embodies that balance, translating raw mountain intensity into fluid grace. Crafted from fruit grown on Pritchard Hill, this wine channels volcanic soils, unrelenting sun, and meticulous viticultural precision into a Cabernet blend that feels both sculpted and spontaneous, bringing a rare equilibrium of intellect and instinct.

Winemaker Austin Peterson, drawing on mentorship from Andy Erickson and Michel Rolland, explores how subtle variations in elevation and canopy height can reshape a wine’s voice. The wine spent 20 months in French oak, allowing the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon to merge gracefully with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The blend reveals OVID’s signature balance between extraction and elegance, where intensity never overshadows finesse.

Inspired by the Roman poet Ovid, celebrated for his transformative “Metamorphoses,” the winery embraces a philosophy of innovative exploration. Every vintage from OVID is a conversation with nature, and N7.2 feels like its most eloquent reply yet. This is OVID at its most articulate: bold, cerebral, and effortlessly beautiful.

Ovid
Experiment No. N7.2
Napa Valley, 2022
Retails at: $225

Your Price: $190

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“The 2022 Ovid Experiment No. N7.2 is a compelling Napa Valley red, blending Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc and lower percentages of Merlot and Petit Verdot, sourced from high-elevation Pritchard Hill vineyards. On the nose, it blooms with precise layers of red currants and spiced black plum, supported by cedar, warm baking spices, wet-stone minerality, cocoa powder, and a dusting of white pepper, revealing an intricate aromatic profile. The palate delivers sweet blackberries with bright, intensely flavored fruit that maintains a very linear, focused foundation. Firm yet satiny tannins provide structure without aggression, leading to a long, elegant finish that echoes the nose’s complexity. This wine possesses genuine depth and balance, promising evolution over the next 15+ years, gaining further complexity.”

95 points

2021 The Mascot Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2021 The Mascot Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

The Mascot

Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2021

2021 The Mascot Proprietary Red Napa Valley

Few wines manage to balance prestige with accessibility as seamlessly as Will Harlan’s The Mascot. Born from the younger vines of Napa’s most revered estates, it offers a glimpse into the extraordinary and a rare opportunity to taste the DNA of Harlan, BOND, and Promontory in a form that’s vivid, expressive, and alive.

Every detail of The Mascot is shaped by its remarkable provenance. The fruit is drawn from parcels that, while younger, share the same meticulous farming, low yields, and uncompromising standards as their iconic parent estates. It is at once a reflection of its iconic lineage and a celebration of potential, capturing the raw energy of terroir before it matures into legend.

With its seamless integration of fruit, structure, and nuance, The Mascot achieves a level of refinement that belies its price. The 2021 vintage captures the essence of the year: vibrant yet composed, generous yet finely etched, offering an experience that is both intellectually engaging and deeply pleasurable. It’s a wine that doesn’t simply hint at greatness, but delivers it. 

The Mascot
Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $190

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“The 2021 Mascot Proprietary Red from Napa Valley emerges as a compelling blend, showcasing the estate’s younger vines with remarkable depth and precision. On the nose, it unfolds layers of blackberry pie and red currants, accented by violets, crushed rocks, menthol, and a hint of cocoa powder, all integrated seamlessly. The palate mirrors this intensity, dominated by black currants, chocolate-covered cherries, and kirsch, with silky tannins framing a supple mouthfeel and sweet fruit. Concentration defines the core, yet opulent fruit finds equilibrium through firm tension, avoiding heaviness. This wine’s structure suggests seamless evolution, with bright acidity carrying through a persistent finish marked by mineral notes and subtle spice. Drink now for its vibrancy or cellar through 2035-2040 for added complexity. A standout effort from the Harlan family.”

95 Points

2021 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Valle De Apalta

2021 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Valle De Apalta

with No Comment $50-$60ChileKevin VogtProprietary Red

Clos Apalta

Le Petit Clos 2021
Valle De Apalta

2021 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Valle De Apalta

When Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle, heiress to the Grand Marnier legacy, rooted her family’s vision in Chile’s Apalta Valley, she sought to craft a wine that could stand among the world’s finest, blending Bordeaux’s artistry with the wild elegance of Apalta. Guided by the renowned Michel Rolland from the inaugural vintage, these wines bear a hallmark of sophistication and depth, each bottle reflecting the family’s French lineage.

The vineyard is a marvel of nature, a steep amphitheater etched into the Apalta hills, where granitic soils, sunlit slopes, and cooling river breezes converge to yield fruit of extraordinary balance. Here, Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc ripen gradually under the valley’s distinctive conditions, capturing a purity of flavor and vibrancy unique to this terroir.

The final impression is one of poise and drama: Carmenère’s velvet depths intertwined with Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, Merlot’s gentle charm, and Cabernet Franc’s aromatic lift. Together they create a blend that resonates with power and harmony, a vivid portrait of one of Chile’s most iconic vineyards.

Clos Apalta
Le Petit Clos 2021
Valle De Apalta
Retails at: $65

Your Price: $55

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“A nice touch of baked cherries and dark chocolate to the deep blackberry fruit. Ink and a touch of graphite and dried herbs. Full-bodied and pretty powerful with fine-grained tannins and a long, extensive finish. 68% carmenere, 16% cabernet sauvignon,15% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. Give it two more years to let the fruit settle more. Drink or hold.”

96 Points