2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red

BLIND TASTING 2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red

PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY

 
One of the fastest growing categories in our shop is New World style red blends that are built around a core of high-quality Zinfandel.  This type of blend is always a crowd-favorite because they’re brimming with lush fruits, attractive spice, deep, succulent flavors and when everything is in perfect balance, they’re completely irresistible.  A perfect example is the 2015 Blind Tasting which is unabashedly Californian.  It has a core of Howell Mountain Zinfandel, amplified with ancient vine Petite Sirah, then ratcheted up even more with Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain.  Fans of The Prisoner Red and Venge’s Scout’s Honor should not miss this wine and if you haven’t experienced a California Style Red blend, here’s a great opportunity to do so, but don’t wait too long because there were only 6 barrels produced.
 
The 2015 vintage lights up your palate with penetrating red and black fruits that come interwoven with wild rose, Mountain blueberries, hints of cinnamon and crushed granite.  A deeply powerful wine with focused intensity that’s perfectly balanced by finely grained tannins.  I strongly recommend you jump at the chance to secure a case.  You’ll thank me later…
 
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
 
 
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.”  94 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
Customers who enjoy Blind Tasting Proprietary Red may also enjoy these two terrific Blends…
2016 Venge Scout's Honor Proprietary Red
2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red
VENGE
2016 SCOUT’S HONOR
PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $37.99/btl 

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THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl
 
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.  
2015 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon

ROBERT CRAIG 2015 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 AFFINITY 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
Since its debut in the early 1990’s, Robert Craig’s Affinity gained the attention of many of the world’s top wine critics, sommeliers and collectors.  In the September 2001 Issue of Decanter titled “Cult Cabernets the Next Generation” Affinity was predicted to potentially emerge as one of Napa Valley’s next cult Cabernets.  More than two decades since its inception, the new 2015 is stunningly compelling and crafted in a deep, supple style that glides across your palate with attractive blueberry and penetrating blackberry, interwoven with creme de cassis, graphite, dried violets and milk chocolate.  At under $100/btl this is an easy “go-to” for a top-quality Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
Carved from the La Londe Vineyard nestled in the Mt. George Foothills of Coombsville, the 30 year old vines bear fruit of remarkable qualities.  Ascending from 18 months in French oak and more than a year in the bottle, this wine caresses your palate in supple tannins and inherent purity, perfectly complimented by its muscular extraction and regal authority.  I strongly recommend a case of this iconic Napa Valley wine for your cellar.
 
ROBERT CRAIG
2015 AFFINITY 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $70.00/btl
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl

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From James Suckling: “Very pretty stones, oyster shell, blueberries and underbrush character. The palate is very composed with lots of bright, tangy fruit, grainy tannins and a minerally yet at the same time fruit-driven finish. A unique wine. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Drink in 2020 even if delicious now. 94 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Robert Craig’s Affinity Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabernets…
2015 Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2014 Silverado GEO Cabernet Sauvignon
DUCKHORN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Beginning with a gorgeous nose of boysenberry, cherry, strawberry, cedar, sage and licorice, this lush and lively Cabernet captures the rich diversity of Napa Valley. On the palate, the alluring fruit flavors are underscored by bright acidity, firm polished tannins and notes of fig, licorice and cinnamon that linger on the well-structured finish.”
SILVERADO
2014 GEO 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
 
Your Price: $74.99/btl 

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From James Suckling:Vibrant aromas of blueberries and blackcurrants follow through to a full body, a tight and dense center palate and a long and silky finish. So beautiful. Polished and refined…” 95 Points

2017 Vista Atlas Peak Red Blend

VISTA 

2017 RED BLEND
ATLAS PEAK

How do you get an incredible Atlas Peak Cabernet Blend for $23? Quite honestly, you don’t, unless something very unusual  occurs… Originally intended to be single vineyard Cabernets, a winemaking  miscommunication led to a portion of two separate high-end projects getting accidentally blended into the wrong tanks.  The result is two absolutely stunning blends that became the Vista wines… and both batches were originally slated to sell for $95/btl, had the original concept gone smoothly.  We knew when we previously offered Vista Rutherford Blend, we would make some die-hard fans… and we were right. We bought everything that they made and in a relatively short time, we sold-out of all 728 cases of the Rutherford… Our single biggest seller of all time.
 
Luckily, but almost miraculously so, there is this Atlas Peak version of Vista, and it is even better than the Rutherford… Atlas Peak is an area long celebrated for its concentrated flavors and rocky terroir, and this wine embodies many of  the hallmarks that I look for in Atlas Peak Cabernet. Predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2017 saturates your palate in seductively deep black berries laced with dried lavender, red currants, iron, and crushed rock.  If you like the idea of a top quality Napa Cabernet blend at an incredible value, I highly recommend loading up on this one before it also sells out all too soon… 
 
VISTA 
2017 RED BLEND
ATLAS PEAK
 
Your Price: $23/btl
 
Tasting Notes:Capturing a depth and richness that is completely unheard of at this price, Vista Atlas Peak unfurls aromas of muddled blackberries, black plum, crushed granite, graphite  and hints of vanilla.  The palate is powerfully concentrated with a stunning array of flavors including deep black cherries, blackberry tart, blueberry syrup, with hints of tobacco and chocolate.  Powerful mountain fruit created a wine that is focused and linear in style, yet richly structured with balanced fruit tannins and a palate staining mid palate that leads to a long, intense finish.”  94 – 96 Points

2014 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

SILVER OAK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 NAPA VALLEY

When it comes to high quality domestic Cabernet Sauvignon, I can’t think of any brand that’s defined the space as dominantly as Silver Oak has over the past 4 decades.  Silver Oak is one of the most recognizable names across the globe in premium level Cabernet Sauvignon from the New World.  The upcoming release of the 2014 Napa Valley is an absolute classic that’s made in the distinctive Silver Oak style, divulging extravagant levels of sweet black fruits, camphor and vanilla.  2014 was another Blockbuster vintage, and this release displays the year’s amazing rich mouthfeel, weighty palate and dense core.  The Wine Spectator rated the overall vintage for Napa Valley Cab 96 Points, rivaling the 2012 and 2013 vintages and they note that it produced many dense, charming, cellar-worthy wines.
 
Revealing beautiful focus and concentration, and supported by supple tannins that slowly reveal layer after layer of crushed blackberry, creamy black currants, rosemary, chocolates and hints of truffle.  If you would like to add some of this classic Napa Valley Cabernet to your cellar, please do so right away and take advantage of special pre-release pricing and ground shipping included on all full or mixed 15 bottle cases to most States.
 
Release Date: February 2nd, 2019
 
SILVER OAK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:     $125.00/btl
 
Pre Release: $114.99/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “Our 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has an opaque crimson color with a purplish hue. The alluring nose draws you in with notes of cassis, black cherry, pipe tobacco, salted caramel, cocoa beans and fresh strawberry. This full-bodied wine enters with a depth of flavor and offers mouth-coating, velvety tannins and flavors of cream soda and red fruit. Black currant and vanilla notes crescendo through the palate to the lengthy finish. This wine is drinkable upon release, but given proper cellaring conditions can be enjoyed through 2040.
2016 Skryne Road Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2016 Skryne Road Napa Valley Proprietary Red

SKRYNE ROAD

PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY

2016 Skryne Road Napa Valley Proprietary Red
Looking at the varietal makeup of Skryne Road’s 2016 Proprietary Red you might think you’re contemplating a Super Tuscan Blend with 70% Cabernet Sauvignon met with Merlot, Sangiovese and Petite Sirah.  Of course, the moment this wine hits your palate you’ll know it’s entirely New World in style with a rich, voluptuous texture, laced in holiday spices, sweet oak, sassafras, supple berries and black chocolates.  When we first offered this wine last Fall, we know it would make a lot of friends, and especially at this incredible price.  Now there are just a handful of cases left, so if you’ve been on the fence about this one, or you want to re-order before it’s too late, don’t wait too long to hit the order button.
 
The name Skryne (pronounced screen)  Road pays tribute to the winery owners routes and family home on Skryne Road in Ireland.  After arriving in Napa Valley in 1994 they embarked on the path towards producing a wine.  The first descriptors that come to mind when tasting this wine are riveting, deep and enchanting and you simply won’t believe how great this wine is…
 
SKRYNE ROAD
PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $62/btl
 
 
Winery Notes:Our 2016 Blend is bright with flavors of bramble-berry and black cherry combined with vanilla bean. The palate is round and supple, with fruity characteristics of raspberry jam and soft, silky tannins. Culminating with hints of peppercorn and baking spices” 
 
Customers who enjoy Skryne Road Proprietary Red may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2014 Blind Tasting Proprietary Red
2015 Hoopla The Mutt Napa Valley Proprietary Red
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2014 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $36/btl

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Tasting Notes: “Seductive aromas of ripe black plum, crushed blackberries, white Spring flowers and a touch of sweet vanilla jump from the glass. A dense core of perfectly balanced black cherry, crushed blueberries, blackberry preserves with a touch of black pepper unfurl and expand across your palate.  Opulent without being too heavy, the supple fruit tannins combine with a very long finish to make your mouth water and beg for the next sip.  Absolutely delicious and ready to drink right now, or you can hold until 2024.”  94 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier

 

HOOPLA
2015 THE MUTT
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $23/btl

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2014 Witchery Oakville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

WITCHERY 

2014 OAKVILLE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
It is an absolute thrill to find an upper-echelon Cabernet from a boutique winery with a couple extra years of age built in.  In this particular case, it took an unusual circumstance for this one to still be available.  Witchery uncovered a handful of cases of their flagship Oakville Reserve Cabernet from the heralded 2014 vintage, stowed away unnoticed in their warehouse for years.  We opened a bottle at our last tasting and the bouquet alone was so intensely hedonistic that it rocked me to the core.  This wine screams top-tier Oakville Cabernet and was hewn from a vineyard that sits directly South of Opus One.  At under $100/btl, grab what you can, because once you taste how great the 2014 is right now, you’ll likely be on a witch-hunt for more.
 
Witchery’s 2014 Oakville Reserve flaunts a haunting perfume laced with crushed black fruits, camphor, burning embers that come intertwined with black chocolates, dried violets and roasted espresso. Those of you who tasted any of the previous vintages of Witchery know what this wine is capable of…  Multiply that hedonism by two extra years in the bottle, and, well you get the picture…
 
WITCHERY
2014 OAKVILLE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $110.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl 

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Tasting Notes:Profound, intoxicating aromas aromas of majestic blue and black fruits, white chocolate, and cassis soar from the glass. Extravagant layers of chocolate covered blueberry, plum, roasted coffee, and black-cherry completely wrap your palate.  The pure, fine grain tannins are gently woven throughout and carry the wine effortlessly through the long voluptuous finish…” 
 
Customers who enjoy Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, may also enjoy these Oakville Cabernets…


CABAUD
2013 BENEDICTIONS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $150/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “An intense, glass-staining purple color combines beautifully with flavors of blueberry pie filling, with muddled blackberries, red currant, bramble, white flowers and bakers chocolate. The supple, full-bodied opulence, sweet tannin, and rich, dense center core intermingle with the powerful fruit to seduce you with the first sip. The finish is long, powerful and supple with just enough fruit tannins to allow this one to age for a decade or so.  Kudos to Luke Morlet for crafting such a stunning wine.”  96 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
MISC.
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 OAKVILLE
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION
 
Your Price: $95/btl

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Misc. is an abbreviation of the word Miscellaneous, a term defined as “having various qualities, aspects, or subjects.”  Well, trust me, there is nothing abbreviated about this wine…  Winery Notes: “Located on the eastern side of this infamous appellation, the vineyard provides a great combination of terroir that serves as the backbone of this wine. Notes of blueberry and cola are enriched by undertones of crushed herbs and lavender. Meanwhile hints of roasted fig and mulberry land on the palate as luscious tannins offer a relentless finish.”

2014 Enos Totem Ridge Vineyard Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

ENOS 

2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
TOTEM RIDGE VINEYARD
KNIGHTS VALLEY

 
How great can a wine really be at this price? Anybody that’s tasted VISTA and JOSEPH JEWELL knows first-hand the quality of wines that we’ve been able to find at that price.  The new 2014 ENOS Cabernet is in the same category.  The vintage brought a fuller, richer and more structured wine, which is exactly what this wine needed to become something you are going to think about for a long time.  When you taste it for the first time you’ll be shocked by the level of quality, which is amplified in all the right places… The vineyard is located on the Southern edge of the Knight’s Valley, which is an appellation shared with icons like Peter Michael and Anakota and at $60/btl this Cabernet would likely make you very happy.  At our price it’s one of the best wines that I’ve ever tasted.
 
Commanding a presence from one of Napa Valley’s best vintages, one that the Wine Spectator describes as producing “dense, charming, cellar-worthy wines,” the 2014 bursts from the glass with intense dark fruits, beautifully intertwined with vivid red currants, veins of minerals, lavender, chocolates, and slate.  On the palate the wine is deep and rich with intriguing, expansive flavors that bring you back for more.  This wine is only produced in exceptional vintages, so don’t wait for the next one to secure yours… 
 
ENOS 
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
TOTEM RIDGE VINEYARD
KNIGHTS VALLEY
Retails at:  $60/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: An enticing wine that has a beautifully pungent nose of bright red fruits, fresh black currants, green sage and cracked black pepper.  The approach is rich, concentrated and envelopes your palate with focused pressed blackberries, graphite, crème de cassis and cigar box.  The wine is vibrant and intense with impressive balance and brimming with crushed blueberries and ripe blackberry fruit followed by tobacco leaf and vanilla spice box.  The finish is long, and expansive with slightly dusty tannins… Unbelievable for the price”  93 Points 
2015 Philip Togni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Philip Togni Spring Mountain, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

PHILIP TOGNI 2015 Philip Togni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPRING MOUNTAIN, ESTATE

 
The true mark of quality in a wine is not how great it is immediately, but how long it’s great over time.  One of the best examples in the New World is Philip Togni’s legendary Spring Mountain Estate Cabernet.  The wine has a proven track record to last 30 years and is utterly breathtaking upon release…  Chock full of hedonistic aromas spanning from pulverized mountain berries and roasted coffee beans to graphite and cigar box, and it will simply light up your senses.  At a recent tasting event in Brussels, Togni’s 1990 Cabernet outperformed iconic Bordeaux producers, Château Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion and Mouton to list a few…  The 2015 vintage has already earned two separate 96 Point scores from both Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, as well as The Wine Spectator, so don’t wait too long to secure yours. 
 
A pinnacle on Spring Mountain, Philip Togni’s Estate vineyard is perched at 2,000 feet in elevation and produces fruit of stunning qualities.  Immensely complex, layers of blackberries, pressed mulberries, sage, and cassis are intertwined with veins of iron and volcanic minerals.  Solidly braced with flavors that glide to a seemingly endless finish, the 2015 is an absolute classic and shouldn’t be missed.  
 
PHILIP TOGNI
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPRING MOUNTAIN, ESTATE
 
Your Price: $135/btl
 

 

A focused, tannic style, featuring tobacco and sage notes intermixed liberally with steeped currant and blackberry fruit flavors. Terrific cast iron and graphite hints flow underneath. This has loads of character and range, showing very vigorous, savory-edged cut. Youthfully rugged, with brambleedged grip to burn. Cellaring will let all the elements meld. Best from 2021 through 2040.” 96 Points
Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has a very classic nose of cassis, warm plums and crushed blackberries with notions of cigar box, garrigue, damp soil and truffles plus wafts of menthol and underbrush. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and minerally.” 96 Points
 
 
Customers that enjoy Philip Togni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon may also enjoy these two terrific Cabs… 
2015 Larkmead Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 BV Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
LARKMEAD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $119.99/btl 

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From Wine Enthusiast:With a tiny 3% addition of Cabernet Franc, this wine is defined by aromas of violet and crushed rock. Oak, clove and graphite dot a landscape of bold structure on the palate, with bright acidity balancing the concentration and grip. Enjoy 2025 – 2030.”  97 Points, Cellar Selection 
BEAULIEU VINEYARDS
GEORGES DE LATOUR
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $119.99/btl 

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “…very deep purple-black in color and reveals bags of crushed blackberries, black cherries and warm cassis notes with mocha, Sichuan pepper and hoisin plus unsmoked cigars and cedar chest hints. Full-bodied and absolutely laden with layers of black fruits and spices, it has a firm, grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing very long…” 96+ Points

 

2016 Heir Apparent Cellar Selection Oakville Red

HEIR APPARENT

2016 OAKVILLE RED
CELLAR SELECTION

Have you ever wondered what makes the Oakville AVA so revered for producing Bordeaux Varietals? Over many thousands of years sediment has washed down from the hillsides creating notoriously complex earth.  On the Western side of Oakville where icons Harlan, Martha’s Vineyard and Beckstoffer ToKalon Vineyards lie, the soils are sandy and gravelly, which result in exceptional drainage, which helps produce large root systems and healthy vines.  On the Eastern side, near Screaming Eagle, Rudd and Plumpjack, the soils are red in color and loaded with minerals and volcanic composites. Some of the best wines produced in Napa Valley have Oakville origins and the average price per bottle is likely higher than any other AVA in the Valley.  It’s rare to find an Oakville wine under $100/btl.  Make sure to join our Insider’s Club (it’s free) to unlock special offers ~ or use the Click to Order button and see your price in the cart.
 
Heir Apparent’s 2016 Oakville Red seduces your senses with intense aromas of dark berries, exotic florals, minerals and hints of graphite.  Calling on Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot all sourced exclusively from Oakville, the 2016 Cellar Selection offers stunning levels of pleasure, and should drink well over the next 12-15 years.  I highly recommend locking up a case… You’ll be glad you did. 
 
HEIR APPARENT
2016 OAKVILLE RED
CELLAR SELECTION
Retails at:  $110/btl
 

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Winery Notes:Coming from the prestigious Oakville appellation, this carefully selected of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a dash of Merlot shows firm tannins, a compact structure along with hits of black cherry, currant, plum and dark toast.
2017 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay

2017 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay

FAR NIENTE

2017 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY

2017 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay
When making a list of Napa Valley’s most paradigmatic and historically significant Chardonnay producers, the name Far Niente is carved in stone, quite literally. The winery was established in 1885 and prospered until prohibition in 1919.  In 1979 wine country pioneer Gil Nickel purchased the Estate and during the three year restoration, the name Far Niente was found carved in stone in front of the winery where it still remains today.  Nearly forty years later, their Chardonnay is considered by many to be a Benchmark for Napa Valley Chardonnay.  I’ve enjoyed their Chardonnay for years and for me the 2017 stands out for it’s remarkable balance, penetrating fruit and brilliant details.
 
Composed from superlative vineyard sources located in Napa Valley’s idyllic Coombsville region, the 2017 Chardonnay holds true to the Far Niente style of rich opulence and lavish detail.  It reveals mystical elements that come with finely laced tropical notes, liquid floral and toasted almond.  Fans of top-quality California Chardonnay shouldn’t miss this stunning release.
 
FAR NIENTE
2017 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $70.00/btl
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl

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YOU SAVE 21% 
 
Winery Notes:Aromas of melon, sweet citrus and white blossom floral layered with notes of flint, yeast and sweetly toasted oak. A smooth and focused entry is followed by a silky midpalate with ripe flavors of honeydew and lemon, supported by just of touch of wet stone, yeast and toasted hazelnuts. The finish is long and structured with citrus rind and mouthwatering acid.
 
Customers who enjoy Far Niente Chardonnay may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
 
2014 Ramey Platt Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay
RAMEY
2014 CHARDONNAY
PLATT VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl 

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PAHLMEYER
2016 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $79.99/btl 

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate:The 2016  Chardonnay has a lovely savory, yeasty/toasty nose over a core of warm grapefruit, fresh apricots and allspice with a touch of candied ginger. Medium to full-bodied, the palate delivers mouth-filling stone fruit and spicy layers, supported by great freshness and finishing long and creamy.” 95 Points