2015 Waterfall Old Vine Proprietary Red

2015 Waterfall Old Vine Napa | Sonoma Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSonomaUSA

WATERFALL 2015 Waterfall Old Vine Proprietary Red

2015 PROPRIETARY RED
OLD VINE, NAPA | SONOMA

 
You might recognize winemaker Helen Keplinger from when she was featured on the front page of the Wine Spectator, or from her work at Bryant Family, Kenzo, Grace Family, Carte Blanche or from her own label Keplinger, but most people probably haven’t heard of Waterfall… Of course, with 140 cases made of their Proprietary Blend, it’s no surprise.  At a small fraction of the price of the above mentioned wines, I couldn’t wait to taste this wine and it absolutely did not disappoint.  The wine combines equal quantities of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and arose from old, dry farmed vines.  On the palate the wine is deeply concentrated, focused and finely detailed.  At $40, a wine of this caliber would make anyone do a double take… At $35, the quality is overflowing. 
 
Cascading in from the remarkable 2015 vintage, which was the fourth straight drought influenced growing season and one that produced stunningly high quality fruit, but incredibly low yields.  The 2015 spent an impressive 21 months in oak barrels and now with a couple years in the bottle, it’s really starting to flow.  
 
WATERFALL
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
OLD VINE, NAPA | SONOMA
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “Nose of purple flowers, tobacco, cedar and campfire. Mouth coating, dense and chewy, with flavors of black plum, black cherry, cocoa. Great grip and texture, with fine tannins. A fantastic blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc, from a single vineyard in Sonoma Valley, is from 80 year old, head trained, dry farmed vines. Aged 21 months in 30% new French oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.” 140 cases made.
 
Customers who enjoy Waterfall Proprietary Red may also enjoy these two stunning Blends… 
2015 Tobias Formation Proprietary Red 2017 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietary Red
TOBIAS 
2015 FORMATION
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $50/btl
 
Your Price: $33/btl 

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From Wine Enthusiast: “Hearty and full bodied, this wine is loaded with blackberry, dark chocolate and beef flavors and structured with moderate tannins and a rich mouthfeel. Blended from Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, it has good concentration, ripeness and length, and it’s easy to enjoy.” 90 Points
CHAPPELLET
2017 MOUNTAIN CUVEE
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $33/btl 

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Winery Notes: “This lush and layered Bordeaux blend begins with alluring fruit-driven aromas of cherry, currant and plum, as well as sophisticated undercurrents of graphite, cedar, clove and nutmeg. The berry and spice notes are echoed on the round, mouth- coating palate, where they mingle with hints of black tea, vanilla and savory herbs. An underpinning of tannins provides weight, structure and impressive length to the finish.“
2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets Vacqueyras

2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets Vacqueyras

with No Comment $30 and underFranceKevin VogtProprietary RedRhone ValleyRhone ValleyUncategorized

DELAS 2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets Vacqueyras

2013 VACQUEYRAS
DOMAINE DES GENETS

 
As much as I love the innovative and forward styles of New World GSM blends (Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre), I’m equally drawn to the complexity, depth and character found in Old World GSM’s, which originated in the Rhone region in Southern France as early as 600BC.  With trials and tribulations spanning hundreds of years, many of the best wines in the Old World give you that feeling of antiquity and historical relevance when you taste them.  Vacqueyras is located in the Southern Rhone Valley of France, just a few kilometers from Gigondas.  Many consider it to be the younger and more affordable brother to the iconic region of Chateanuef-du-Pape.  The wines from Vacqueryas are revered for their power and when you find one that’s been perfectly cellared and is ready to drink like this one, they can offer some of the greatest value in the Rhone Valley.
 
The region shares similar soils and climate to neighboring Gigondas, and like Gigondas their reds are often built around a core of Grenache.  Winemakers in Vacqueyras tend to use more Syrah than in Gigondas, and in turn the wines can be deeper, richer and even more powerful.  The 2013 Delas Domaine Des Genets is a prime example and with a few extra years of bottle age, the 2013 is absolutely stunning.  In fact, we bought every bottle available before our glasses were emptied… It’s that good and at $23, this could go fast…
 
DELAS
2013 VACQUEYRAS
DOMAINE DES GENETS
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
 
From Vinous: “Vivid ruby. Lively red berry and cherry aromas pick up hints of lavender and peppery spices with air. Silky, gently sweet and focused on the palate, offering juicy raspberry and spicecake flavors and a touch of smokiness. Dusty tannins come up slowly, adding shape to a long, fruit-driven finish.” 90 Points
From Richard Jennings: “Bricking dark red violet color; mature, ginger cake, dried berry, licorice, dried fig nose; tasty, black fig, licorice, ginger cake palate with good balancing acidity; medium-plus finish (blend of Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre)”  93+ points

Customers that enjoy a beautiful Vacqueyras may also enjoy these two terrific Rhone Wines…

2014 Lavau Gigondas 2013 Paul Jaboulet Aine Gigondas
LAVAU
2014 GIGONDAS
RHONE VALLEY, FRANCE
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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From Vinous, “Youthful violet. Aromas of fresh black and blue fruits are complemented by suggestions of peppery spices and pungent flowers. Sweet and open-knit, offering jammy blueberry and cherry compote flavors that tighten up slowly in the glass. Finishes smoky and long, with harmonious tannins coming in late.” 90 Points
PAUL JABOULET AINÉ
2013 GIGONDAS
PIERRE AIGUILLE
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl

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From Vinous, “Limpid ruby. Perfumed aromas of ripe red berries, peppery spices and potpourri, complicated by a woodsmoke nuance. Silky, expansive and gently sweet, offering concentrated raspberry liqueur and lavender pastille flavors and an allspice quality that builds on the back half. Finishes sweet, sappy and persistent, with firming fine-grained tannins adding grip.”  90 Points
2014 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

2014 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

with No Comment Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

J. GREGORY 2014 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

2014 EXTOL
PROPRIETARY RED

 
Do you ever look back at an iconic wineries first release price and kick yourself for not loading up?  Just think, when OPUS ONE released their inaugural 1979 vintage and it was $50, and the most expensive California wine at the time.  Now, 36 successful vintages later and it’s $350/btl and still ranks among the most expensive wines in Napa Valley.  You’re not going to find OPUS ONE at $50 ever again, but we just found the next best thing… J Gregory’s is made by Mark Jessup who was on the original winemaking team at OPUS ONE from 1979 through 1987.  His “Extol” Proprietary Red is his version of OPUS ONE, and at $95 it’s indescribably great. 
 
The 2014 is build around a solid core of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and dressed with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot.  The favors are penetrating yet supple, and the wine has a regal presence on the palate that takes you to a happy place. The 2014 spent 22 months developing in french Oak and it envelopes your taste buds in muddled berries, wild mint, and bakers chocolate.  At our price, you might need someone to pinch you to make sure you’re not dreaming of a time when OPUS ONE was around the same.
 
J GREGORY
2014 EXTOL
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $95/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “A prodigious offering that is pure, penetrating and powerful with a delightful center-core of fruit on the palate.  Exceptional concentrations of black cherry, red currant and blackberry, intertwine with tobacco leaf, sage, hints of black pepper and a touch of sweet vanilla spice.The beautifully integrated tannins and perfect balance of red and black fruits carry the concentrations of flavors to an extraordinary finish.  This is a sensationally pure, amazingly balanced wine that has everything I look for in an ultra-premium red.”  96 Points
2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red

2017 The Prisoner Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSt HelenaUncategorizedUSAYountville

THE PRISONER 2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red

PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY

 
Electric, jubillant, infectiously charming, the 2017 Prisoner unshackles a jailbreak of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and that become even more complex once it escapes the bottle and opens in the glass. The 2017 has shocking levels of intensity and permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral. A single sip condemns your taste buds to a sentence filled with provocative red fruits, sweet tannins and elaborate flavors that even the toughest restraints couldn’t contain.  This is regularly the first bottle emptied at ANY celebration and it’s pairs particularly great with summer fun and barbecues.
 
This captivating concoction contains a glass-staining, deep, dense ruby/purple color, and is from a gang of top vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley, including Korte Ranch in St. Helena and Tiedemann Ranch in Yountville.  Each distinct vineyard block adds its own unique dimension, helping to complete the uniquely complex flavors that we have come to love and expect from The Prisoner.  I strongly recommend stowing some of this away… You’ll be glad you did.
 
THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl
YOU SAVE 14%
 
Winery Notes: “Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla linger harmoniously, for a smooth and luscious finish.”
 
Customers that enjoy The Prisoner may also enjoy these two terrific wines from Prisoner Wine Company…
2017 Prisoner Wine Co Saldo Zinfandel 2016 Prisoner Wine Co Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon
SALDO
2017 ZINFANDEL
PRISONER WINE CO.
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $27.99/btl 

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Winemaker’s Notes: “Dark ruby color with bold aromas of black licorice, black pepper, cherry, and baking spice. The entry is rich, full, and scintillating. The palate is mouthwatering and smooth with a hint of chocolate. The finish is voluptuous with soft, velvety tannins.” Blend: 85% Zinfandel; 15% Petite Sirah and Syrah
CUTTINGS
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
PRISONER WINE CO.
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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The 2016 Cuttings is a larger-than-life Cabernet Sauvignon that always makes an indomitable entrance with a spectacular display of unbridled richness, voluptuous textures and satin layers. The wine was thoughtfully inspired by steep, hillside vineyards and expert blending, and the 2016 was built around a core of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel.
2016 Crane Assembly Disciples Proprietary Red

2016 The Crane Assembly ‘Disciples’ Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordSt HelenaUSA

THE CRANE ASSEMBLY 2016 Crane Assembly Disciples Proprietary Red

2016 DISCIPLES
PROPRIETARY RED

  
Forged from ancient vines dating back to the 1880’s, and including the iconic Morisoli and Milat vineyards in Rutherford and St. Helena, Crane Assembly Disciples was named for these vineyards which can be considered “disciples” of the ancient vines of G.B. Crane, which the winery owns.  The G.B. Crane vineyard was originally planted around 1885, making it one of the oldest vineyards in the Napa Valley… The 2016 release is incredibly appealing and comes layered with wild raspberries, black cherries, clove and incense.  The wine was masterfully blended by winemaker Kevin Fox and consulting winemaker Dave Phinney, and with a 93 Point score from Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, I wouldn’t wait too long to assemble your case.  
 
Absolutely thrilling to swirl and taste, this wine has every quality that I look for in an ancient vine Zinfandel Blend.  The final blend includes bits of Charbono, Grenache and Petite Sirah which enhance color, depth and structure.  The 2016 is bursting with pristinely focused, seductive fruit and is incredibly hedonistic on the palate as flavors continue to expand throughout the extremely long finish. 
 
THE CRANE ASSEMBLY
2016 DISCIPLES
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $44.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “A blend of 76% Zinfandel, 13% Charbono, 6% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah, the 2016 Disciples is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with gorgeous notions of hoisin, Black Forest cake, prunes and potpourri with hints of black pepper, unsmoked cigars and cloves. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and oh-so-spicy, it fills the palate with decadent fruit and a plush texture, finishing with a lively lift.” 93 Points
 
2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red
 2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Alluring aromas of ripe blackberries, red plums, sweet floral notes and a touch of vanilla spice seduce your nose. A compact core of perfectly balanced cherry preserves, muddled blueberries, wild blackberries and a touch of black pepper unfurl and expand across your palate.  Opulent without being inky, the supple fruit tannins combine with a very long finish to simply make you smile. Drink right now, or you can hold until 2025.“
THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

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Electric, jubilant, infectiously charming, the new 2017  Prisoner
 unshackles a posse of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and become even more complex with aeration. Having jail-break level intensity, the 2017 permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral.  
2012 Rudius Fion Bainise Proprietary Red

2012 Rudius Fion Bainise Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNorth CoastProprietary RedUSA

RUDIUS

2012 Rudius Fion Bainise Proprietary Red

2012 FION BAINISE
PROPRIETARY RED

 
What do you get when you combine one of Napa’s most talented winemakers, whose day job is crafting the high-scoring TOR wines, with ancient Mourvedre from Bedrock, Syrah from Hudson and nearly century old Grenache vines from Sceales Vineyard?  The net result is a wine so outrageously good, that at thirty bucks it’s not even fair…  Of course, I wouldn’t expect anything less from Jeff Ames, who mentored under Thomas River Brown at Schrader, Maybach, Outpost and TOR before becoming head winemaker at TOR in 2005.  At TOR he’s made crafting high-90’s rated wines look easy, and with his own label Rudius, he’s applied that same skill-set to creating value wines with unrestrained character and profound hedonism.  Words can’t express how brilliant this wine is showing right now, but maybe actions can?  We bought every single bottle available just after we tasted it.
 
How do you take a wine like this and make it even better?  You allow it to blossom for 5 years in the bottle… The Fion Bainise blend is build around a core of 57% ancient vine Grenache and enhanced with 130 year old Mourvedre vines from Morgan Twain Peterson’s Iconic Bedrock Vineyard. It’s then amplified with 7% Syrah from Hudson Vineyard.  A wine this great, likely won’t last the day…
 
RUDIUS
2012 FION BAINISE
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $38.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl
YOU SAVE 21%
 
Winery Notes: “Jeff always allows this wine to take on a life of its own, letting the brilliance of the vintage guide his blend, and in 2012 the Grenache is the shining star. Head-trained, 84 year- old Grenache gives the wine a deep ruby color and commands your attention from the first whiff with spicy aromas, sweetened by lush raspberry and subtle lavender undertones. On the palate, the Grenache dominates the entry with bright acidity and tannins that demand a little time in the cellar (or at least 30 minutes to breath once you pop the cork). The minerality of the 126 year-old Mourvédre wows you in the end, filling out the finish with flavors of silky ripe elderberry. And as the 2012 vintage would dictate, this is a bigger wine than previous incarnations, but fans of this bottling will recognize the bright acidity and appreciate its incredible ability to go with almost any food.“
 
Customers that enjoy Rudius Fion Bainise may also enjoy these two stunning blends…
2016 Clos Du Caillou Cotes Du Rhone Cuvee VV Unique 2016 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red
CLOS Du CAILLOU
2016 COTES Du RHONE
CUVEE UNIQUE VV
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Robert Parker’s Review on the Regular Cotes to Rhone (The VV is Even Better)…  “The estate’s entry-level wine, the 2016 Cotes du Rhone Le Caillou is a stunning value, offering gluggable cherry and blueberry fruit, ample weight and a velvety texture. This Grenache-dominated blend should drink well for the next 5 years.” 90 Points
SANS LIEGE
2016 THE OFFERING
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $29/btl

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From The Wine Spectator: “Distinctive, refined and well-built, offeringexpressive black cherry, cigar box, green olive and cured meat accents that build richness on the long finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Drink now through 2026.” 94 Points
0215 Reynolds Persistence Proprietary Red

2015 Reynolds Persistence Proprietary Blend

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaOak KnollProprietary RedUSA

REYNOLDS 0215 Reynolds Persistence Proprietary Red

2015 PERSISTENCE
PROPRIETARY BLEND

 
Have you ever tasted a wine so inspiring that you felt as if you could taste the passion, hard-work and persistence that went into creating it? Steve Reynolds wines, and in particular his 2015 Persistence Blend completely embodies every little attention to detail.  Steve’s passion for wine came from his father who was an avid wine collector, so in 1995 Steve bought an old chicken ranch on Silverado Trail, bordering the iconic Stags Leap AVA.  Through hard-work and persistence, Steve became a self-taught winemaker who’s now one of Napa’s most respected in the valley. He was recently featured in the Netflix documentary Decanted where he gives insight into his winemaking techniques, and his 2015 Persistence perfectly shows off his skills. BTW, it took no small amount persistence on our part to be able to negotiate this special price…
 
Conjured from Steve’s Persistence Vineyard located in Oak Knoll, the 2015 marries 56% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Petit Verdot, and makes an entrance from one of Napa Valley’s greatest vintages.  Jeb Dunnuck, formerly with Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, wrote the 2015’s “are rich, powerful, and concentrated wines. At their best, the 2015’s share similarities to the 2013’s, yet with the intensity turned up, slightly more exuberance to their fruit, and a more open, exotic style.” Don’t miss this opportunity to try one of the best in the under $100 range.
 
REYNOLDS
2015 PERSISTENCE
PROPRIETARY BLEND
Retails at:  $59.00/btl
 
 
 
Tasting Notes: “The intriguing nose of this Reynolds Persistence 2015 begins with black cherry, pomegranate and red currants, followed by mild aromas of violets, sweet vanilla, fresh sage, herbs de Provence and baking spices.  The palate starts with a beautiful balance of concentrated red and black fruits that are very focused and penetrate your palate with depth and intensity.  The finish is long and elegant and leave you wanting more. 93 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2013 Anarchist Philosopher Proprietary Red

2013 Anarchist Wine Co The Philosopher Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedUSA

ANARCHIST WINE CO. 2013 Anarchist Philosopher Proprietary Red

THE PHILOSOPHER
2013 PROPRIETARY RED

 
When tasting Anarchist’s 2013 Proprietary Red The Philosopher, we knew it would be easy to theorize about how it’s a wine with wide appeal, and based on the steady stream of re-orders, we were right.  The rich, supple mouthfeel and silky smooth layers make the wine really easy to love… It wasn’t a big surprise to read that this wine earned 97 Points and a Double Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, and another Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.  For a wine to receive a Double Gold, it needs to first earn unanimous Gold medals from every professional judge on the panel… Next the rare Double Gold earners are then reviewed by the panel and this one scored 97 Points. At $38/btl it not only has a big score, but it is a big score… from Cherry Picked Wines it’s a complete steal…
 
Built around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon and blended with Merlot, Petite Sirah and Syrah, the 2013 transcends from a vintage unanimously recognized for its unrivaled quality.  The quality was so apparent when this wine was in barrel the winemaker advocated for no label at all since the wine speaks for itself.  That wasn’t legal, so lo and behold they did label it…
 
ANARCHIST WINE CO.
THE PHILOSOPHER
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $38/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “…Classic Cabernet aromas of black cherry, plum, and violets, along with toffee, anise and hints of soy. Mouth-filling palate with ripe cherry, vanilla, cigar box and a bit of graphite. Nicely balanced acidity in a full-bodied wine, with well-integrated tannins...”
2015 Hill Family Estate Origin Proprietary Red

2015 Hill Family Origin Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

HILL FAMILY  2015 Hill Family Estate Origin Proprietary Red

2015 ORIGIN
PROPRIETARY RED

 
If you’re a fan of California red blends, you’ve likely heard many being described as Bordeaux-styled.  It’s most commonly used a reference to the varietal makeup of the blend, and most often refers to Bordeaux’s “Top Five” which includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.  Hill Family’s 2015 Origin Estate Blend is absolutely stunning and includes 4 of Top Five, but it’s completely Californian in style.  It’s purposefully created in a plush, enchanting style, with lavish, extracted flavors, ranging from intense dark fruits, complex spices and sweet vanilla.  The wine was crafted by talented winemaker Alison Green Doran who worked under legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff at her father’s Simi winery, and was also the winemaker at Lewis Cellars.  Fans of rich, voluptuous Red Blends should be all over this one.
 
Rising from a blockbuster vintage in Napa Valley, and one Vinous describes as producing “opulent, voluptuous wines with real personality…” Hill Family’s 2015 Origin is a stunning specimen of the vintage.  Composed using fruit from seven vineyards, and ranging 4 appellations, the 2015 blend is built around a core of 47% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with Malbec and Petit Verdot.  The wine was kept for 16 months in barrel and around 2 full years in bottle before release.  I highly recommend a case while supplies last.
 
HILL FAMILY
2015 ORIGIN
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “The 2015 Origin has lovely aromas of blackberry and raspberry fruit with dark roses. The broad entry has a big mouthful of berries and crunchy cherry. The ripe and intense mid palate rolls into more sweet fruit – blueberry, red currant, and plum, with some chewy tannins hanging around the edges.”
 
Customers who enjoy Hill Family Origin may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
2015 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red 2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red
STEPS
BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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Arising from Mountainous Vineyards, including Mount Veeder and Altas Peak, the 2015 is built around a core of nearly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, heightened with Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Simply stunning to swirl and taste, the 2015 was cave aged for nearly 24 months in high quality oak barrels.  Dramatic, thrilling and hedonistic are all excellent descriptors for the 2015StepsReserve and with a total production of only 150 cases, don’t let this one walk on by.
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.
2014 Anantaah Bella's Blend Spring Mountain District

2014 Anantaah Bella’s Blend Spring Mountain District

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

ANANTAAH2014 Anantaah Bella's Blend Spring Mountain District

2014 BELLA’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

 

From a mountainous area where the bottle prices are generally as steep as the terrain, it’s extremely rare to find a Cabernet Blend that drinks as great as this one. It’s no surprise that Anantaah is one of our most requested wines and that’s about to increase exponentially once you taste the 2014…  It’s created in an enchanting style that unwinds with decadent blue fruits, cocoa dusted blackberries, wild plums and complex spices.  The winery produces less than 500 cases annually between all of their wines and there’s never enough of this wine to match demand.

Originating from the Madrone Vineyard located at 1,900 feet in elevation, this deep, velvety red possesses a multitude 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 2 1/2 years of development in the bottle, this wine is gorgeous right now and has the structure to go another decade. 

 

ANANTAAH 
2014 BELLA’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “The nose of this Anantaah Bella’s blend 2014 is rich, elegant and opulent with deep black fruits, crushed blackberries and black plum, followed ripe blueberry, fresh tobacco leaf, crushed rocks, cocoa powder and cigar box.  The palate begins with deeply penetrating, focused flavors of concentrated black cherries, supple black currants and cassis, followed by a hint of sweet vanilla spice.  It is very long on the finish and immensely pleasurable to drink.  94 Points