2023 Le Clos du Caillou Cotes-du-Rhone Cuvee Unique France

2023 Le Clos du Caillou Cotes-du-Rhone Cuvee Unique France

with No Comment $30 and underCotes du RhoneFranceKevin VogtRhone ValleyRhone Valley

Le Clos du Caillou

Côtes-du-Rhône
Cuvée Unique Vieilles Vignes
Rhône Valley, France 2023

2023 Le Clos du Caillou Cotes-du-Rhone Cuvee Unique France

Le Clos de Caillou’s 2023 Cuvée Unique emerges from a domaine synonymous with perfection, revealing that excellence is measured not by appellation but by the integrity of its terroir and the hands that bring it to life. With ‘Cuvée Unique,’ the estate channels its mastery into a red of remarkable elegance, offered at a fraction of its more famous counterparts.

Its tale is as compelling as its character. In 1936, surveyors seeking to include Le Clos de Caillou in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC faced armed opposition, leaving an enigmatic void on the map that persists to this day. Only in the 1950s did vines take root, allowing this singular terroir nestled within the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to flourish under the Côtes-du-Rhône banner.

The 2023′ Cuvée Unique’ is a symphonic blend of 70% Grenache, harmonized with Syrah, Carignan, and Counoise, drawn from vines rooted in ancient, mineral-rich soils. In it, there’s a quiet power and earnest confidence. For lovers of Rhône wines, this is not just a hidden gem but a compelling testament to place, heritage, and vision.

Le Clos du Caillou
Côtes-du-Rhône
Cuvée Unique Vieilles Vignes
Rhône Valley, France 2023

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“The 2023 Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Unique is a strong performer from this appellation, reflecting a vintage of balance and consistency. It combines elegance with freshness and moderate ripeness, avoiding excess weight or overextraction. The nose opens with clear notes of pomegranate, backed by iron minerals, violets, and a touch of scorched earth that adds complexity without heaviness. On the palate, it delivers fresh cranberries and spicy minerals, integrated with vibrant, fresh, and penetrating red fruits. The acidity provides lift and focus, supporting a medium-bodied structure that feels precise and well-proportioned. Tannins are fine-grained, contributing to a clean, persistent finish. This is a versatile Côtes du Rhône that drinks well now, or that will age gracefully for 5-10 years, gaining further nuance. A standout value at this level.”

95 points

2022 Recoltant Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2022 Recoltant Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Recoltant

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Recoltant Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Born from the heart of Napa Valley and shaped by one of its most skilled hands, the 2022 Récoltant Cabernet Sauvignon is a study in elegance, restraint, and quiet confidence. Crafted by acclaimed winemaker Julien Fayard, whose artistry was honed at legendary estates like Château Lafite Rothschild and Quintessa, this Cabernet radiates the meticulous precision and refined elegance that have defined his distinguished career. 

Committed to capturing Napa’s purest expression, Récoltant partners with some of the region’s most respected growers. The result is a Cabernet that gracefully avoids extravagance, instead embracing a poised and elegant demeanor. 

Nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 vintage invites immediate enjoyment while holding the promise of a captivating evolution in the cellar. Elegant yet grounded, this wine speaks not with flash but with quiet conviction. For those who appreciate nuance over opulence, the 2022 Récoltant offers a soulful reflection of Napa Valley, one that rewards both contemplation and celebration.

Recoltant
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022
Retails at: $40

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“The Recoltant Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 displays a deep ruby color with good concentration. The nose offers ripe blueberries, sweet lavender notes, subtle vanilla, dusty minerals, and juicy blue and black fruits. On the palate, it delivers blackberries and red currants upfront, with ripe, smooth fruits that provide a generous core. The tannins are supple and integrated, supporting the big fruit profile without overwhelming it. Full-bodied and easy to drink, it finishes with medium-long length, showing balanced acidity and a touch of oak influence. Approachable now, it should evolve well over the next 5-7 years.”

93 Points

2021 Guthrie Electric Syrah Mendocino County

2021 Guthrie Electric Syrah Mendocino County

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMendocinoSyrahUSA

Guthrie

Electric Syrah
Mendocino County 2021

2021 Guthrie Electric Syrah Mendocino County

Guthrie’s 2021 Mendocino County ‘Electric’ Syrah radiates with energy from the dramatic, volcanic slopes of Eagle Point Vineyard. Set high amid Mendocino’s rugged terrain, this site’s red soils instill a distinctive intensity into the grapes, translating directly into a wine that pulses with mineral character and savory depth. 

The visionary behind this electric expression is Blair Guthrie, a winemaker whose journey has traversed both hemispheres. Born in New Zealand, Blair absorbed lessons from some of the world’s most revered wine regions before settling into California’s embrace. At Guthrie Wines, he champions an ethos rooted in sustainable farming and minimal intervention, allowing the vineyards to express themselves with authenticity. 

Blair’s meticulous craftsmanship finds its ultimate expression in this pure, organically farmed Syrah, vinified with care and respect through whole-cluster fermentation. Ten months in French oak impart a subtle polish without overshadowing the wine’s vibrant character. The resulting Syrah balances beautifully on the palate: texturally rich, elegantly structured, and irresistibly nuanced.

Guthrie
Electric Syrah
Mendocino County 2021

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“The Guthrie Family 2021 Mendocino County Syrah gives a captivating expression of cool-climate Syrah with vibrancy and elegance, presenting blooming notes of lavender, violets, fresh roses, dried herbs, juicy blackberries, boysenberries, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, the wine is balanced with a bright acidity enhancing the wine’s stony minerality, complemented by black tea leaves, sweet tobacco, and black fruits that unfold gradually with fresh energy and complexity.”

96 Points

NV Gimonnet Gonet L'Origine Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

NV Gimonnet Gonet L’Origine Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

with No Comment $60-$70ChampagneChampagne/SparklingFranceKevin Vogt

Gimonnet-Gonet

L’Origine Grand Cru
Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Le Mesnil Sur Oger NV

NV Gimonnet Gonet L'Origine Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Champagne

High on the chalky slopes of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Champagne’s most revered village, Gimonnet-Gonet’s L’Origine Blanc de Blancs delivers a portrait of purity and precision that belies its price. This wine reflects its legendary terroir with crystalline clarity. From its electric minerality to its tensile backbone of acidity, L’Origine channels the distinctive tension and elegance for which Le Mesnil is famed.

Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay and drawn from vines averaging 35 to 40 years in age, the wine gains quiet authority and layered depth. The cuvée is composed of a reserve of multiple vintages, assembled to maintain house character and amplify nuance. 

Fermented in stainless steel and kept deliberately free from malolactic conversion, L’Origine preserves a lifted, stony brightness. It then rests 22 to 36 months on the lees, gaining volume and creamy texture without sacrificing its driving core. Disgorged just six months before release, the wine retains its precision and vibrancy. This is Blanc de Blancs in its purest form: linear, luminous, and deeply evocative of place.

Gimonnet-Gonet
L’Origine Grand Cru
Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Le Mesnil Sur Oger NV

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“The Champagne Gimonnet Gonet L’Origine Blanc de Blancs from Le Mesnil Sur Oger is nothing short of extraordinary. The nose begins with notes of chalky minerality, and the cold, crisp essence of winter’s first snowfall. Aromas unfold with elegant layers of lemon zest, apple, quince, pear, and raw almonds that transfer to the palate, with a burst of vivacious acidity, and a hint of a slightly glazed, flaky pastry lending a delicate richness and balance to match the wine’s innate brightness and finesse.”

97 Points

2022 Wentworth Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

2022 Wentworth Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Anderson ValleyKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

Wentworth

Pinot Noir 2022
Anderson Valley

2022 Wentworth Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

From the mist-shrouded hills of Anderson Valley, Wentworth’s 2022 Pinot Noir weaves a vibrant melody, blending Burgundian finesse with a distinctly Californian spirit. Cultivated at Wentworth’s organically farmed Nash Mill Vineyard, nestled in the cool-climate “Deep End” of Anderson Valley, this Pinot Noir exudes authenticity and refinement.

Guided by a Burgundian philosophy, the winemaking team deftly employs partial whole-cluster fermentation and native yeasts, allowing the wine’s truest character to emerge. Matured in French oak barrels, this Pinot Noir embodies the vineyard’s essence, delivering a textured, layered, and deeply natural experience.

Vibrant, layered, and irresistibly nuanced, the Wentworth 2022 Pinot Noir offers a sensory journey that lingers long after the final sip. A harmonious dance of acidity, fruit, and finely textured tannins, it vividly exemplifies the meticulous artistry that defines Wentworth’s winemaking.

Wentworth
Pinot Noir 2022
Anderson Valley

Your Price: $55

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“This lively wine offers aromas of youthful berries, red plums, dried herbs, florals and sea breeze. Flavors are of fresh strawberry, raspberry, yellow plum, sea salt and black tea, interwoven with pink grapefruit zest, dried sage and a dry, supple finish. Decant and pair with grilled lamb loin and seasonal berry relish.”

94 Points

2022 Ty Caton Proprietary Red Moon Mountain District

2022 Ty Caton Proprietary Red Moon Mountain District

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMoon MountainNapaProprietary RedUSA

Ty Caton

Proprietary Red
Upper Bench Block Three
Moon Mountain District 2022

2022 Ty Caton Proprietary Red Moon Mountain District

From a vineyard carved into the volcanic ridges of Moon Mountain, the Upper Bench Block Three Red emerges with striking poise and presence. This is Ty Caton’s crown jewel, sourced from the vineyard’s highest, most expressive block, where red clay and fractured basalt yield fruit of uncommon depth. The resulting wine is dense yet lifted, shaped as much by the rugged mountain elements as by Ty’s intuitive hand in the cellar.

The wine unfurls as a masterful Bordeaux-style blend: roughly two-thirds Merlot for its plush texture and expressive fruit, rounded out by one-third Cabernet Sauvignon that brings tension, depth, and structure. Together, they create a wine that’s supple yet focused, dark-fruited and lifted, with just enough muscle to command attention and enough polish to leave a lasting impression.

Crafted with restraint and a clear vision, the 2022 vintage embodies both place and philosophy. Its supple power, lifted aromatics, and finely etched tannins are born of thoughtful farming and minimalist winemaking. For lovers of site-driven blends, this wine delivers rare authenticity at a price that makes it even more compelling.

Ty Caton
Proprietary Red
Upper Bench Block Three
Moon Mountain District 2022
Retails at: $48

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“The 2022 Red Wine Caton Vineyard Upper Bench Block Three Red Wine includes 10% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend and is a deeper shade of ruby red. It’s very pretty on the nose, with cassis shining through as well as some red-fruited highlights and notes of pine, pressed flowers, and forest earth. It’s generous on the palate and has a kiss of sweet fruit, with pliant, ripe tannins and a creamy texture. It’s a charming wine to drink over the coming 7-8 years.”

92 Points

2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

with No Comment $30-$40CalistogaKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

Hourglass

Sauvignon Blanc
Napa/Sonoma 2023

2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

With dazzling clarity and a harmonious touch of Semillon, the 2023 Hourglass Napa/Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc expresses a vibrant dialogue between tradition and innovation. Striking a perfect balance between Old-World structure and New-World exuberance, this wine reveals a luminous purity of fruit and compelling textural finesse, making it an irresistible expression of classic varietals.

Guided by renowned winemaker Tony Biagi, whose transformative decade at Plumpjack Winery set new standards of excellence, this blend masterfully unites grapes from the acclaimed Hourglass Estate Vineyard in Calistoga with select Sonoma sites. This deliberate selection crafts a richer, more nuanced regional portrayal of Sauvignon Blanc, beautifully highlighting its diverse terroir.

Through meticulous fermentation split between stainless steel and French oak, and skillful aging on lees, the wine achieves remarkable depth and a luxurious, layered texture. Vibrantly fresh yet gracefully structured, each sip invites a deeper exploration into its harmonious complexity, bringing a true celebration for fans of exceptional Sauvignon Blanc.

Hourglass
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa/Sonoma 2023
Retails at: $45

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“The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is bright and crystalline. Lemon peel, crushed rocks, mint, sage and slate are all finely delineated in this nervy, taut white. There’s a bit less new oak in the 2023, which further amplifies that tension.”

90 Points

2023 Domaine De La Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley France

2023 Domaine De La Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley France

with No Comment $50-$60Chateauneuf-Du-PapeFranceKevin VogtRhone ValleyRhone Valley

Domaine De La Solitude

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Rhone Valley, France 2023

2023 Domaine De La Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley France

The 2023 vintage from Domaine de la Solitude delivers a Châteauneuf-du-Pape that balances its muscular frame with breathtaking nuance. Anchored in deep tradition but lifted by a modern sense of elegance, it’s a wine that leaves a lasting impression: vivid, authentic, and unmistakably alive.

The estate carries a rich legacy that stretches back to the 15th century, through the venerable Barberini-Martin family. The label itself bears witness to this ancestry with three bishops’ hats symbolizing the family’s connection to Pope Urban VIII and his cardinal nephews, a lineage that echoes through every sip.

Their 2023 vintage, built on the classic triumvirate of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, includes trace amounts of all other permitted Rhône varietals, organically farmed and co-fermented, bringing this storied region to life. The wine is opulent without excess, layered yet precise, feeling both rooted and refined. It’s an articulation of place, and a vivid reminder of what makes this corner of the Rhône Valley so enduringly magnetic.

Domaine De La Solitude
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Rhone Valley, France 2023

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“Very rich and spicy, with impressive concentration and stacks of fine, soft tannins on the full-bodied palate. There’s licorice and meaty intensity in the crescendo finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% each counoise and cinsault. From biodynamically grown grapes. A small crop due to hail damage in May. Matured mostly in concrete tanks with a small number of oak casks. Drink or hold.”

95 Points

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $40-$50BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

La Rasina

Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2019

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

From one of Brunello’s most celebrated vintages emerges La Rasina, a captivating synthesis of meticulous craftsmanship, organic stewardship, and authentic expression of terroir. With a stellar 95-point score, and from a vintage recognized by Wine Spectator for its remarkable blend of elegance and intensity, La Rasina stands as a luminous example, delivering exceptional quality and compelling value.

Set upon the northeastern slopes of Montalcino, La Rasina’s vineyards have been carefully tended by the Mantengoli family through three generations. Committed to organic farming and minimal intervention, their efforts allow the vineyard’s unique character and vivid fruit purity to resonate profoundly in every sip.

La Rasina’s Brunello spends over two years in large oak, carefully harnessing the elegance of tradition to deliver a wine that’s vibrantly alive. Its remarkable architecture promises decades of evolution, yet its lush complexity and elegant depth invite you to experience it right away.

La Rasina
Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2019

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“A firm, velvety-textured wine and not overbearing, offering red cherries and hints of cedar and mushrooms. Chewy and structured. Excellent structure and a savory finish. Cool, structured red. From organically grown grapes. Best in three to four years and beyond. Try in 2026.”

95 Points

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Merus

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

With striking intensity and a captivating balance between muscle and finesse, the 2021 Merus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is unapologetically bold and commands attention. Once a cult garage label founded by Mark Herold, Merus rose swiftly in the late 1990s, earning a reputation for producing Cabernets with both swagger and substance. Now under the stewardship of Bill Foley, Merus reclaims its place among Napa’s elite with stunning authority.

At the helm of the 2021 vintage is Eric Baugher, a scientist turned artisan who, during his 27-year tenure at Ridge Vineyards, crafted two 100-point Monte Bello vintages. Known for his precision, restraint, and deep respect for structure, Baugher brings an exacting lens to Merus, elevating the brand with a style that marries power with poise.

Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine is both muscular and magnetic. Aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, it’s a wine of immense presence, but also one of clarity and control, bringing a commanding expression of modern Napa Valley.

Merus
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $225

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“Beautiful plum and blue fruits, sappy herbs, violets, and sandalwood notes all emerge from Merus’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, a deep purple-hued, ripe, sexy 2021. Despite all its upfront baby fat, it has a rock-solid underlying structure and is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and should be long-lived.”

97 Points