2021 Lombardi Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2021 Lombardi Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Lombardi

Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Coast

2021 Lombardi Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Lombardi’s Sonoma Coast Chardonnay leaves a lasting impression—a glimpse of the exceptional 2021 vintage and the expert farmers who tended the vines. The Lombardi family has been a proud steward of Sonoma County’s winemaking heritage since settling in the region in 1947. With a deep respect for the land and a passion for crafting exceptional wines, Lombardi specializes in small-lot wines that capture the essence of the Sonoma Coast. 

The 2021 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a shining example of Lombardi’s meticulous approach to winemaking. Sourced from Benovia’s celebrated Martaella Vineyard—renowned for its connection to icons like Williams Selyem and Gary Farrell—this Chardonnay carries the legacy of one of Sonoma’s most coveted sites. 

Barrel-fermented, the wine seamlessly integrates flavors, with the oak serving as a delicate frame rather than a defining feature. The 2021 vintage offers a striking balance of power and finesse, showcasing depth and concentration from an exceptional growing season. Bright acidity and coastal freshness dance harmoniously with its rich texture, delivering a vibrant and compelling Chardonnay.

Lombardi
Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $52

Your Price: $38

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“A bright straw/yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is ripe with aromas of candied apple, lemon candies, and a savory saline. It boasts fantastic brightness on the palate, and it’s ripe and juicy but never feels over-ripe. Its really enjoyable and is going to show its best over the next 6-8 years.”

93 Points

2017 Greg Linn Grand Cru Champagne Blanc de Blancs

2017 Greg Linn Grand Cru Champagne Blanc de Blancs

with No Comment $100 and overChampagneChampagne/SparklingFranceKevin Vogt

Greg Linn

Grand Cru Champagne
Blanc de Blancs
Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger
Vintage Ammonite 2017

2017 Greg Linn Grand Cru Champagne Blanc de Blancs

Greg Linn is an unconventional winemaker, a true globetrotter who describes his brand as “a négociant meets world-traveling rock band.” After years of exploring the world’s most revered wine regions, he found his muse in the hallowed soils of Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger. The result? The extraordinary 2017 ‘Vintage Ammonite’ Grand Cru Champagne.

Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger is a legendary village renowned for its chalky terroir, which yields some of the world’s finest Chardonnay. It’s the birthplace of iconic wines like Salon Le Mesnil and Krug Clos du Mesnil—wines that fetch four-figure price tags and stand as benchmarks of luxury. The purity and prestige of this terroir are the foundation of Greg Linn’s 2017 ‘Vintage Ammonite.’

This exceptional Champagne captures the essence of a singular year, showcasing the ethereal brilliance of Le Mesnil’s Grand Cru vineyards. Each sip is a harmonious blend of minerality, precision, and elegance, a testament to the terroir and the vintage.

Greg Linn
Grand Cru Champagne
Blanc de Blancs
Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger
Vintage Ammonite 2017

Your Price: $125

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“The Greg Linn Vintage Ammonite Grand Cru Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2017 begins with a rich nose of baked apples, toasted walnuts, red roses, and toasted brioche. The exquisite, crisp, dry palate is beautifully constructed, with concentrated flavors of citrus, apples, and almond pastry intertwined with a mouth-quenching saline quality, adding even more nuanced characteristics. The incredible finish is as lingering and penetrating as you could ever wish for, making this offering one of the top Champagnes available at any price.” 

98 Points

2021 Heir Apparent Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

2021 Heir Apparent Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaRutherfordSaint HelenaUSA

Heir Apparent

Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley

2021 Heir Apparent Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

Winemaker Dwight Bonwell describes Heir Apparent’s 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon as a wine of captivating elegance, a testament to its unique character. Crafted with precision, Dwight showcases his exceptional blending prowess, sourcing from premier vineyards in Rutherford, St. Helena, and Calistoga. The result is a multi-faceted wine that beautifully captures the distinctive personality of Napa Valley, making it a standout choice for wine enthusiasts.

Crafted from the winery’s most expressive barrels, the 2021 vintage, inspired by Bordeaux’s left bank, showcases 80% Cabernet Sauvignon complemented by Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot to enhance the mid-palate and maintain balance. 

Aged for 22 months in Oak, the 2021 vintage already flaunts concentrated red and black fruits, intricate complexity, and impeccable balance. Priced at $125, it has garnered impressive scores and glowing reviews. At $45, its greatness awaits your verdict.

Heir Apparent
Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley
Retails at: $125

Your Price: $45

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“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve rolls out with ready-to-go notes of creme de cassis, baked plums, and Morello cherries plus wafts of dried Provence herbs and crushed rocks. The full-bodied palate is rich and plush, with bags of black fruit preserves and seamless freshness, finishing with a peppery lift.”

92 Points

2022 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve Napa Valley

2022 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn’s Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

James Joseph

Cabernet Sauvignon
Kathryn’s Reserve
Napa Valley 2022

2022 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve Napa Valley

James Joseph has cultivated a legacy of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon for over two decades, sourcing grapes from Napa Valley’s most esteemed vineyards. Each vintage is a testament to the artistry of Grant Long Jr., a renowned winemaker with a distinguished history at Aonair, Reverie, and Steps.

Grant’s unwavering dedication to excellence is evident in Kathryn’s Reserve, a wine that balances power and elegance. His meticulous approach captures the essence of Napa Valley’s diverse terroir, transforming each vintage into a masterpiece of complexity and depth. The 2022 Kathryn’s Reserve is a prime example, offering a captivating blend of charm and sophistication that belies its modest price point.

The 2022 Kathryn’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is more than a wine—it’s an experience crafted to captivate today and age gracefully into the future. With its irresistible expression of Napa Valley’s finest terroir and winemaking mastery, this is a bottle that promises to leave a lasting impression.

James Joseph
Cabernet Sauvignon
Kathryn’s Reserve
Napa Valley 2022

Your Price: $49.99

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“The James Joseph 2022 Kathryn’s Reserve begins with ripe, juicy fruit aromas of plum, black cherry, blackberry, Marionberry pie, baking spices, and dark chocolate, with a hint of crushed rock minerality. On the palate, flavors of dark fruits, baking spices, cocoa powder, balsamic reduction, freshly baked brownies, and savory notes. This wine offers a harmonious blend of ripe fruit, spice, minerality, well-integrated tannins, and bright acidity, making it a pleasure to drink now and suitable for aging.”

94 Points

2021 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

La Sirena

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 La Sirena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The 2021 La Sirena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon encapsulates the mastery, dedication, and heart that only small, family-driven winemaking can achieve. Crafted by legendary winemaker Heidi Peterson Barrett, this wine carries a story of tradition, artistry, and ambition. Heidi’s journey started in her early years alongside her father, Dick Peterson, where she first fell in love with winemaking. After studying Fermentation Science at UC Davis, she quickly rose to fame in the 1980s with stints at prestigious names like Dalla Valle and Screaming Eagle, where her talent earned multiple perfect 100-point scores.

La Sirena began in 1994 with an unexpected twist when Heidi, while creating a Sangiovese for a client, was left with a beautiful wine the client could no longer take. She recognized its quality and bought the wine, launching La Sirena within a month.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a remarkable product of a low-yield, intensely concentrated vintage sourced from Heidi’s meticulously farmed Calistoga vineyards and vinified with the same finesse she brought to Screaming Eagle. With a lush, velvety profile, this Cabernet is purposefully crafted to captivate collectors and enthusiasts alike, embodying a rich heritage of Napa winemaking artistry.

La Sirena
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $185

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“The La Sirena 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with elegant aromas of violets, ripe black cherry, blackberry, and plum, with subtle undertones of dark chocolate, vanilla, and earthy notes. On the palate, the wine has soft tannins and balanced acidity, with pronounced flavors of dark fruits, including black currant and cherry, baking spices, cocoa, and cigar box. A hint of toast adds to the complexity with spice notes and a long lingering finish.”

96 Points

2021 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapa

Le Pich

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon captures the essence of Napa Valley, infused with the refined touch of French winemaking. At the heart of this small-batch winery lies Julien Fayard, a visionary winemaker shaped by his Provençal roots and honed at the legendary Châteaux Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte.

After a distinguished career as Director of Winemaking under Philippe Melka, crafting wines for iconic labels like Lail, Gemstone, Mastery, and Hundred Acre, Fayard embarked on his own journey with Le Pich. His meticulous approach to winemaking is rooted in a deep understanding of Napa Valley’s premier vineyards. By sourcing from exceptional sites, he balances the New World’s opulent fruit with the Old World’s elegant restraint.

Crafted at a state-of-the-art winery, the 2021 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to Fayard’s unwavering commitment to quality. Every step of the winemaking process, from vineyard to bottle, is overseen with meticulous care. The result is a wine that embodies the timeless allure of Napa Valley Cabernet, reimagined for the modern palate.

Le Pich
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

Your Price: $55

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“The 2021 Le Pich Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning expression of Napa Valley’s finest. A deep, inky hue precedes a captivating nose of ripe blackberries, black currants, and blueberry compote, all interwoven with delicate floral notes of violets and a subtle waft of elegant vanilla. On the palate, the wine unfolds with rich, velvety tannins and a core of concentrated black cherry and cassis flavors. The fruit is both penetrating and opulent, showcasing the ripe, juicy character of the vintage. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lingering impression of dark fruit and a touch of spice. This is a wine of exceptional quality and balance, offering a truly memorable drinking experience, as usual for this wine.”

95 Points

2020 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Alexander Valley

2020 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Alexander Valley

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

Eco Terreno

Cuvée Tierra 2020
Alexander Valley

2020 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Alexander Valley

Eco Terreno’s 2020 Cuvée Tierra is a testament to sustainable winemaking, a harmonious blend of quality, value, and environmental consciousness. Rooted in the rich terroir of Alexander Valley, this wine embodies the essence of biodynamic farming, where the vineyard’s health and ecosystem take precedence.

Founded by renowned winemaker Mark Lyon, formerly of Sebastiani Vineyards, Eco Terreno brings decades of expertise to crafting exceptional wines. The 2020 Cuvée Tierra, a Bordeaux-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, showcases the estate’s commitment to producing wines of depth and character.

Crafted from estate-grown fruit, the 2020 Cuvée Tierra captures the rustic elegance and earthy undertones of its Alexander Valley origin. Each taste reveals layers of dark fruit, subtle spice, and the hallmark dustiness of the valley’s terroir, offering an experience that’s rarely found in this value range.

Eco Terreno
Cuvée Tierra 2020
Alexander Valley

Your Price: $27

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“The Eco Terreno 2020 Cuvée Tierra opens with a complex and inviting bouquet of rose petals, dried thyme, black raspberry, plum, a hint of pie crust, hot chocolate, and a subtle earthy undertone. On the palate, there are flavors of black cherry, hot chocolate, and espresso beans, adding a comforting dimension with savory undertones. The wine has soft, velvety tannins and supple fruits, leading to a long and satisfying finish of harmonious fruit, spice, and earth unique to Alexander Valley.”

94 Points

2020 Galius Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France

2020 Galius Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin VogtSaint Emilion

Galius

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France 2020

2020 Galius Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux France

In the heart of Saint-Émilion lies Château Galius, named for a legendary Roman soldier who left the battlefield to cultivate the land he received as a war bounty. In this region where Gallo-Roman culture first took root, Galius exchanged his weapons for farming tools, helping to sow the earliest vines that would shape Saint-Émilion’s winemaking legacy. 

Château Galius continues this legacy across eleven hectares of sustainably farmed vineyards. Rooted in the famed clay-limestone soils that have birthed some of the world’s most coveted wines, these half-century-old vines thrive, producing exceptional grapes year after year.

The 2020 vintage, a testament to nature’s balance and the winemaker’s artistry, emerged from a challenging year. Early rains nurtured the vines, preparing them for the intense summer heat. This delicate equilibrium resulted in an extraordinary wine.

A masterful blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this wine offers a harmonious interplay of power and elegance. Rich, concentrated fruit flavors unfold on the palate, balanced by a refreshing acidity that leaves a lasting impression. This impressive Saint-Émilion value is a tribute to Galius’s past, with a promise for the future.

Galius
Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France 2020

Your Price: $35

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“Dark plums, blueberries, violets, loganberries and bay leaves on the nose. Full-bodied with firm, polished tannins. I like the intense and persistent bitter chocolate and dark berry fruit. Better from 2025.”

92 Points

2021 Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

2021 Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSpring MountainUSA

Barnett Vineyards

Rattlesnake 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Spring Mountain

2021 Barnett Vineyards Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

A former number one wine-of-the-year on our top five list, Barnett’s Rattlesnake Hill Cabernet Sauvignon traces its illustrious journey back to 1991, when its debut vintage earned a heartfelt, handwritten letter from Robert Parker. Parker, compelled to write only for the third time in his career, enclosed a personal check for two cases for his cellar, an unprecedented gesture that signaled a bright future for this wine.

Perched on a rugged knoll at 2,050 feet, this Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the most cherished parcel of Barnett’s Spring Mountain estate. Each bottle tells the story of an intense selection process, as winemaker David Tate meticulously chooses only the finest barrels from their estate fruit to craft a wine that is, above all, a celebration of purity and intensity.

The Barnett team’s dedication to traditional winemaking techniques and close attention to every production detail has anchored them as a true icon of Spring Mountain for over three decades. This Cabernet Sauvignon represents the pinnacle of their work, a testament to their vision and a showcase of their expertise on every level.

Barnett Vineyards
Rattlesnake 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Spring Mountain
Retails at: $250

Your Price: $225

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“Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Rattlesnake Cabernet Sauvignon erupts from the glass with powerful notes of creme de cassis, blackberry preserves, and plum pudding giving way to wafts of lavender oil, crushed rocks, Chinese five spice, and tar. The full-bodied palate is jam packed with black fruit preserves and exotic spice flavors, framed by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and opulent.”

96+ Points

2020 Giulia Negri Cru Borolo La Tartufaia La Morra Piedmont Italy

2020 Giulia Negri Cru Borolo La Tartufaia La Morra Piedmont Italy

with No Comment $70-$80BaroloItalyKevin VogtPiedmont

Giulia Negri

Cru Barolo 2020
La Tartufaia, La Morra
Piedmont, Italy

2020 Giulia Negri Cru Borolo La Tartufaia La Morra Piedmont Italy

Since the 1880s, the Diatto-Negri family has crafted exceptional Barolo from the renown slopes of Serradenari. Today, Giulia Negri carries on this noble tradition, producing wines embodying this celebrated terroir’s depth, complexity, and finesse.

Serradenari, the highest Cru of La Morra, is known for its expressive, elegant Nebbiolo. This unique microclimate, characterized by high altitude and Tortonian soils rich in clay, loam, and sand, imparts remarkable acidity and elegance to the wines. The vineyard’s proximity to Alba’s white truffle grounds adds an intriguing earthy dimension.

Giulia’s 2020 La Tartufaia Barolo is a testament to this terroir and its truffle-laden heritage. Each vine is meticulously tended, and the grapes are harvested at the peak of ripeness. The wine is crafted with a gentle touch, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and aged for 24 months in traditional Slavonian oak barrels. The result is a harmonious blend of power and refinement, with layers of red fruit, spice, and earthy truffle notes.

Giulia Negri
Cru Barolo 2020
La Tartufaia, La Morra
Piedmont, Italy
Retails at: $80

Your Price: $75

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“This wine is deeply rooted in terroir, exuding a tapestry of forest floor, tar, earthy clay, and a range of medicinal herbs. Crushed cherries and raspberries move between the more savory note gently lifting the wine. Structured with vibrant acidity that lifts the tart red fruit flavors across the palate as fresh herbs and pine needle accents add to the complex nature of this wine. Drink 2026 – 2045”

94 Points