2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $90-$100Kevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedUSA

Bevan Cellars

Ontogeny Red
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

Bevan’s Ontogeny is swiftly becoming a paragon of exceptional Napa Valley wine. Just last year, the 2021 vintage claimed the top spot on Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 10 Napa Bordeaux Blends Under $125 list, following a similar accolade for the 2019 vintage, which was #1 in Dunnuck’s Top Ten Values for Valley Cabernet. The takeaway? You’ll want to secure the 2022 vintage before more scores come out, as it’s poised to continue this remarkable trend.

The 2022 Ontogeny draws its strength primarily from the esteemed Tench Vineyard across from Screaming Eagle in Oakville. Russell crafts a single-vineyard Cabernet from Tench that retails for over $200, but Ontogeny, as the most accessible of his flagship reds, offers an unparalleled entry into the Bevan experience. Despite being the least expensive Red in his portfolio, it’s a wine that never compromises on the depth, power, and intensity that have become Bevan’s trademark.

Russell Bevan, alongside his partner Victoria De Crescenzo, launched Bevan Cellars in 2005, seizing the opportunity to create wines that stunned the Napa Valley scene. Under Russell’s visionary leadership, Bevan Cellars has consistently delivered extraordinary wines. The 2022 Ontogeny Red Blend stands out for its brilliance, cementing its place as a must-have in any serious collector’s cellar.

Bevan Cellars
Ontogeny Red
Napa Valley 2022

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“The Bevan Cellars 2022 Ontogeny Napa Valley Red Wine is rich and supple, opening with notes of violets, rocky minerality, blackberries, dark chocolate, and blueberry pie. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and penetrating with flavors of black plums, blueberries, toasted baking spices, black tea leaves, and hazelnuts. The wine evolves in the glass as it opens up and its long lingering finish is complex and warms the soul.”

95 Points

2021 Harvey & Harriet Red Blend San Luis Obispo

2021 Harvey & Harriet Red Blend San Luis Obispo

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedUSA

HARVEY & HARRIET

RED BLEND 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO

2021 Harvey & Harriet Red Blend San Luis Obispo

In each vintage since its creation, the Harvey & Harriet Red from Paso Robles impresses critics and consumers alike with its remarkable depth of flavor and harmonious marriage of classic varieties at a very modest price. Eric Jensen, Booker Vineyard’s founder and winemaker, was named the 2022 Paso Robles Wine Industry Person of the Year for his years of passionate winemaking, outstanding leadership, and vision.

The Harvey and Harriet brand is a tribute to Eric’s parents, who loved wine but most likely couldn’t afford today’s upper-echelon wines. Still, this bottling consistently offers superior quality at an incredible value. 

The 2021 release delivers depth of flavor, balanced tannins, and a rich tapestry of fruit and earthy notes, and its complex yet approachable profile makes it a standout.

HARVEY & HARRIET
RED BLEND 2021
SAN LUIS OBISPO

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“…a smoking good blend based on Bordeaux varieties that tastes like it costs three times the price. Cassis, graphite, violets, and classy oak define the aromatics, and it’s beautifully balanced, medium to full-bodied, has a ripe, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. Don’t miss this crazy value in Bordeaux blends from California!”

93 Points

2019 Pope Valley Winery Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2019 Pope Valley Winery Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaPope ValleyProprietary RedUSA

POPE VALLEY WINERY

PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Pope Valley Winery Proprietary Red Napa Valley

Nestled in the northeastern hills beyond Howell Mountain in a quiet part of Napa Valley, Pope Valley Winery owns and farms eighty acres of premium vines. The winery’s pair of estate vineyards yield outstanding wines that embody the distinct qualities of the Pope Valley AVA. Each meticulously crafted wine adheres to the highest standards of winemaking excellence, placing them in a league that would typically command triple-digit prices among other Napa Valley wines.

The Director of Winemaking, Jean Hoefliger, works closely with Winemaker Greg Fitzgerald, combining their extensive expertise, passion, and inherent skill to craft top-tier wines, elevating the winery to a world-class standard. 

The 2019 Proprietary Red Wine is 84% Merlot and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, both sourced from the Eakle Ranch Estate, giving the vineyard’s signature complexity from its Pleasanton loam and Bressa-Dibble soils that produce wines with distinctive, expressive character.

POPE VALLEY WINERY
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $48

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“The Pope Valley Vineyards Proprietary Red 2019 begins with a ripe nose of dark fruits, chocolate, sweet florals, and a touch of pie spice. The palate continues with wild blackberries, ripe cherries, a hint of vanilla, pencil lead, and dried herbs. The balance of sweet, ripe fruits balances savory characteristics that add to the complexity and depth. This wine finishes with a moderately long finish that will pair beautifully with smoked or grilled meats.

92 Points

 

2018 Blankiet Prince Of Hearts Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2018 Blankiet Prince Of Hearts Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSAYountville

BLANKIET

PRINCE OF HEARTS 
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2018

2018 Blankiet Prince Of Hearts Proprietary Red Napa Valley

Blankiet Estate was established in 1996 after Claude and Katherine Blankiet seized the opportunity to acquire an untouched hillside parcel behind Dominus’ Napanook vineyard in Yountville. The location boasts a cooler-climate terroir compared to other areas in Napa Valley, thanks to its eastward orientation, featuring radiant sunny mornings and refreshing, shaded afternoons, preserving the natural acidity and resulting in impeccably balanced, concentrated fruit.

The Prince of Hearts features a Bordeaux-style blend composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, referred to by Antonio Galloni and Robert Parker as one of Napa Valley’s top “Super-Seconds,” listed in the same category as Screaming Eagle’s “Second Flight” and Harlan’s “The Maiden.” 

All estate fruit, the 2018 release epitomizes the glorious vintage as it’s beginning to show off some seriously sophisticated character and super-premium fruit quality. The wine is showing so good right now; it’ll make you feel like royalty when you taste it. 

BLANKIET
PRINCE OF HEARTS 
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2018

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“Checking in as close to an even split of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with around 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2018 Prince Of Hearts Red offers a stunning, Bordeaux-like nose of red and black currants, new leather, lead pencil, graphite, and bouquet garni. With medium to full-bodied richness, a seamless, elegant texture, classy background oak, and a great finish, this head turner has plenty of richness, yet it’s the balance, purity, and texture that keep you coming back to the glass. Bravo!”

97 Points

2021 Vista Atlas Peak Reserve Red Blend

2021 Vista Atlas Peak Reserve Red Blend

with No Comment $30 and underAtlas PeakKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

VISTA

ATLAS PEAK RESERVE
RED BLEND 2021

2021 Vista Atlas Peak Reserve Red Blend

Back and better than ever before, Vista’s 2021 Atlas Peak Reserve Red Blend is another paradigm-shifter for superior quality, value-priced Mountain wines. This stunner has the concentration, depth, complexity, and balance you’d expect from an exceptional $50+ Napa wine, but at $25, it’s almost unfathomable how great it is for this low price.

Harvested at 2,000 feet elevation on Atlas Peak, Vista’s 2021 Reserve Blend was wrought from the rocky red Aiken soils that perfectly display the deep, concentrated flavors that make this region famous.

Predominately Cabernet Sauvignon at 61%, balanced with Merlot and Malbec, the 2021 vintage has the power of a thoroughbred, tamed by the skilled hand of winemaker Grant Long Jr, whom you might know from Aonair, Reverie II, Steps, and James Joseph. If you’re looking for a fabulous wine that tastes like it should be double or triple the price, look no further.

VISTA
ATLAS PEAK RESERVE
RED BLEND 2021

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“Unparalleled in their ability to create rich, powerful, high-quality Napa Valley wines at an exceptionally low price, Vista continues to raise the bar with the release of their 2021 Reserve Atlas Peak Red Blend. This beautiful creation begins with a vibrant nose, including crushed Blackberries, blueberry cobbler, lavender, and hints of wood spice. The powerful palate continues with concentrated red currants, mixed berry compote, Bing cherries, pipe tobacco, saline minerality, and cocoa powder. The firm volcanic mountain structure beautifully balances the intense fruit with a style, grace, and energy, leading to a long finish that simply satisfies.”

95 Points

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSouth Africa

RUSTENBERG 

JOHN X MERRIMAN 
RED BLEND 2019
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

2019 Rustenberg John X Merriman Red Blend Simonsberg South Africa

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

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

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

RUSTENBERG 
JOHN X MERRIMAN 
RED BLEND 2019
SIMONSBERG, SOUTH AFRICA

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

92 Points

2019 Rubia Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2019 Rubia Proprietary Red Napa Valley

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

RUBIA

PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Rubia Proprietary Red Napa Valley

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

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

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

RUBIA
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $85

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

92 Points

2021 Arietta Quartet Napa Valley Red

2021 Arietta Quartet Napa Valley Red

with No Comment $80-$90Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

ARIETTA

QUARTET 2021
NAPA VALLEY RED

2021 Arietta Quartet Napa Valley Red

Powerhouse Napa Valley Winery, Arietta, specializes in Bordeaux-style blends from carefully chosen cooler-climate vineyards. In 2005, the winery enlisted Andy Erickson as their winemaker to further the quality of their wines. Andy is known for his expertise in producing some of Napa Valley’s finest wines, including Screaming Eagle, Staglin, Mayacamas, and Harlan Estate.

The 2021 vintage ushered in a temperate growing season with stable weather that allowed the grapes to ripen to perfection with fully developed flavors and tannins. 

Arietta’s wines are known for their finesse, balance, and prototypical Napa style, celebrated by wine lovers worldwide, and this flagship Quartet red blend continues that legacy.

ARIETTA

QUARTET 2021

NAPA VALLEY RED

 

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“The 2021 Quartet wonderfully captures the vibrancy and depth of the 2021 vintage… The wine is a blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, and it exhibits the full range of aromas and flavors that the blend implies. The Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from the cooler climes of Napa Valley, drives the profile of the wine, with dark, savory tones of graphite, sage, mocha, and mint underpinning a core of black and red fruits. The Cabernet Franc provides the perfect level of spice and aromatic interest, showing notes of lavender, cardomom, and subtle fennel seed. Merlot adds a juicy blue-fruited element, and a small dose of Petit Verdot grounds the wine with earth tones and a hint of wood extract.”

2015 Coplan The Chairman Red Blend Sonoma Valley

2015 Coplan The Chairman Red Blend Sonoma Valley

with No Comment $30-$40CarnerosKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

COPLAN 

THE CHAIRMAN
RED BLEND 2015
SONOMA VALLEY

2015 Coplan The Chairman Red Blend Sonoma Valley

Coplan is a limited-production, boutique winery in Sonoma, with an estate vineyard boasting Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in the Sonoma side of the Carneros region in the 1940s. The Chairman is their flagship red blend that pays homage to the founder’s father, representing the layers of flavors and aromas encountered when opening a beautiful, balanced bottle of wine.

Winemaker Jacqueline Yoakum, known for her past work at Littorai, Amaranthe, and Schramsberg and currently the lead winemaker for Keller Estate, expertly blends each vintage to capture the elements of the growing season and quality of the fruit. 

Drinking beautifully right now, the 2015 Chairman comprises 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, with a portion of the fruit harvested from 70-year-old vines, and 58% Merlot, aged in French oak for 24 months and producing a minuscule release of just 100 cases.

COPLAN 
THE CHAIRMAN
RED BLEND 2015
SONOMA VALLEY
Retails at: $55

Your Price: $35

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“The 2015 Coplan The Chairman Sonoma Valley Red Wine Blend 2015 begins with a supple, seamless nose with red and black currants, ripe blueberries, elegant lavender, sweet vanilla, cardamom, and Spring florals. The palate continues with smooth, deep, rich black and red berries, tart cherry, and black plum with light kitchen spices, coffee hints, saline, and more floral elements. The rich, round fruits are balanced beautifully with just enough bright freshness to keep the opulence from feeling heavy. Tasted in November of 2023, and is perfectly ready to drink now.”

93 Points

2018 Sosie Red Blend Stagecoach Vineyard Atlas Peak

2018 Sosie Red Blend Stagecoach Vineyard Atlas Peak

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

SOSIE

RED BLEND 2018
STAGECOACH VINEYARD
ATLAS PEAK

2018 Sosie Red Blend Stagecoach Vineyard Atlas Peak

Sosie’s wines are sourced from celebrated vineyards in Sonoma and Napa Valley, chosen for exceptional farming practices that ensure perfectly ripened, well-balanced fruit, leading to minimal intervention in the winery. The winery focuses on blends, exploring various barrels, vineyards, appellations, and varietals, creating food-friendly wines with impeccable balance.

Perched at the top of Atlas Peak, the renowned Stagecoach Vineyard was planted in 1991 after a water witch discovered a viable water source. Today, the vineyard is prized for its volcanic soils, rocky terrain, and high elevation. 

This red blend from the superb 2018 vintage combines 56% Cabernet Franc and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petit Verdot, fermented with native yeasts and matured 21 months in French oak, enhancing the purity and complexity of the finished wine.

SOSIE
RED BLEND 2018
STAGECOACH VINEYARD
ATLAS PEAK
Retails at: $90

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“The Sosie 2018 Stagecoach Vineyard Blocks K1 & K4 Red Blend begins with notes of violet, cassis, blackberry, clove, a hint of black pepper, and volcanic minerality. On the palate, the wine has firm, silky tannins and flavors of black plum, black currant, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and orange zest. This wine has well-structured elegance, and coats the mouth offering a delightful finish.”

93 Points