2013 Valadorna by Tenuta di Arceno Super Tuscan Tuscany

2013 Valadorna by Tenuta di Arceno Super Tuscan Tuscany

with No Comment $50-$60ChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Valadorna

by Tenuta di Arceno
Super Tuscan
Tuscany 20132013 Valadorna by Tenuta di Arceno Super Tuscan Tuscany

Some wines age gracefully, and others seem to defy time altogether. The 2013 Valadorna belongs firmly to the latter. It’s a luminous example of how meticulous craftsmanship and patient cellaring can sculpt a wine into a timeless masterpiece. More than a decade after harvest, it remains astonishingly vibrant, capturing the essence of Tuscany with grace, poise, and authenticity.

Behind this remarkable longevity stands Pierre Seillan, the Bordeaux-born master whose touch defines some of the world’s most revered wines. His deep understanding of micro-crus, perfected at Vérité, finds a new voice here in Tuscany. In Valadorna, Seillan channels Merlot’s supple depth and marries it to the verve of Cabernet Franc, the backbone of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the finesse of Petit Verdot.

Drawn from the estate’s cooler Valadorna and Capraia parcels, where sandy-clay soils meet morning mists, the 2013 unfolds with haunting precision. Firm yet silken, expansive yet composed, it culminates in a finish that lingers like memory itself. The 2013 Valadorna is a rare alignment of time, terroir, and talent: a wine not merely crafted, but composed, into something enduringly profound.

Valadorna
by Tenuta di Arceno
Super Tuscan
Tuscany 2013
Retails at: $75

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“The 2013 Valadorna (mostly Merlot with Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot) is yet another home run in this blockbuster collection of new releases from Tenuta di Arceno in the southern part of Chianti Classico (Castelnuovo Berardegna). This is a firm and tightly knit expression that is packed tight with black fruit, tobacco, tar and dark chocolate. The wine shows enormous aromatic intensity, but then it slims down just a touch in the mouth to offer an elegantly tapered finish.”

95 Points

2022 Facets Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2022 Facets Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSAYountville

Facets

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 20222022 Facets Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Precision is the language Julien Fayard speaks fluently, and in Facets 2022, he’s written a love letter to Napa’s diversity. The wine captures the essence of Napa Valley, standing as a polished reflection of the region’s diverse terroirs, revealing balance over excess. It’s a wine that captures the power of California sun and the restraint of French discipline in perfect, seamless motion.

For Fayard, crafting Facets is less about blending fruit than sculpting dimension. Sourced from the cool precision of Oak Knoll and the structured gravitas of Yountville, the 2022 vintage draws on contrasting terroirs to create harmony. His training at Château Lafite Rothschild and Quintessa informs a philosophy of finding an equilibrium between opulence and restraint, ripeness and poise.

Aged for 20 months in French oak, the 2022 Facets reveals depth without heaviness. It is a modern Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that’s refined, confident, and enduring. For collectors and casual enthusiasts alike, it’s a wine that defines where Napa Cabernet is headed: elegant, deliberate, and undeniably world-class.

Facets
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022

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“The Gemstone estate vineyard spans 6.5 hectares (16 acres) on the western benches of Yountville. Still, Facets is Gemstone’s non-estate wine, crafted from carefully selected vineyards in Yountville and Oak Knoll by winemaker Julien Fayard, who took the helm in 2021. The 2022 Facets is a crowd-pleaser with upfront appeal, offering heady aromas of violets, rose petals, sweet candied red berry fruit, and dusty minerals. The velvety, fine-grained tannins are seamlessly integrated on the palate, giving the wine a polished texture. Full-bodied and rich, it features expressive, balanced cedarwood sweetness and finishes with notes of crushed cacao nibs. Grapes are gently pressed directly into barrels for fermentation and aged up to 18 months in 40% new French oak. The 2022 vintage is approachable now and perfect for drinking, while the more structured 2021s continue to develop, delivering a harmonious balance of richness, elegance, and immediate gratification.”

95 Points

2020 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

2020 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $40-$50ChiantiChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Bibbiano

Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico
Vigna del Capannino
Tuscany, Italy 2020

2020 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Tuscany Italy

From a mere seven hectares of the storied 19th-century estate of Bibbiano rises the 2020 Vigna del Capannino: an extraordinary expression of Tuscany’s soul. Perched atop a compact, clay-rich plateau, this vineyard captures the drama of one of Italy’s most revered terroirs. The naturally dense soils lend the wine profound structure and a chiseled mineral backbone, while the west-facing exposure coaxes the depth and intensity that define this vintage.

The power of Vigna del Capannino begins with its singular focus: 100% Sangiovese Grosso. This clone, selected and refined over decades, produces fruit that embodies both the energy of the vintage and the elegance of its lineage. In 2020, the grapes achieved perfect balance, allowing the wine to capture a full spectrum of flavor.

After harvest, the wine underwent a patient élevage of 24 months, divided between neutral cement and fine French and Slavonian oak, followed by a half-year of bottle rest. This unhurried maturation refined the wine’s natural intensity into harmony. The result is a Chianti Classico of rare depth, with tannins that are taut yet silken, framing a finish that lingers with quiet authority.

Bibbiano
Gran Selezione
Chianti Classico
Vigna del Capannino
Tuscany, Italy 2020

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“Ripe strawberries, raspberries, red licorice, moist bark and wet stones on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, tense and juicy with crunchy tannins and chalky texture. Vivid acidity keeps the wine nervy. Racy finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

94 Points

2018 Laird Malbec Flat Rock Vineyard Napa Valley

2018 Laird Malbec Flat Rock Vineyard Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtMalbecNapaUSAYountville

Laird

Malbec 2018
Flat Rock Vineyard
Napa Valley

2018 Laird Malbec Flat Rock Vineyard Napa Valley

A showstopper at our recent tasting, Laird’s 2018 Flat Rock Vineyard Malbec captures the rare moment when power and precision meet in perfect harmony. Drawn from the volcanic soils of Yountville’s eastern edge, this wine channels its pristine origins. It’s a wine that reflects not only the essence of place but also the discipline of a family that’s been perfecting the art of balance for generations.

From vineyard to cellar, every step of this wine’s creation reflects intent. The fruit was harvested at optimal ripeness, then aged for 21 months in French oak. What emerges is Malbec reimagined through a Napa lens: concentrated and full-bodied, yet balanced by refinement and lift. It’s the kind of craftsmanship that transforms a varietal curiosity into something enduring.

Now fully realized after five years in bottle, the 2018 Flat Rock Vineyard Malbec shows the seamless integration of time and terroir. The structure is commanding, yet the fruit remains luminous and pure, framed by fine French oak and a finish that lingers with mineral precision. Every element is in perfect balance, as if the wine has settled into its natural rhythm after years of quiet evolution.

Laird
Malbec 2018
Flat Rock Vineyard
Napa Valley
Retails at: $65

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“The 2018 Laird Flat Rock Ranch Malbec from Napa Valley is a beautiful domestic Malbec, showing excellent concentration and balance. The nose reveals aromas of wild berry cobbler, English rose petals, Chambord liqueur, and dried herbs. On the palate, it delivers juicy, sweet black raspberries and cassis, supported by satiny tannins and black tea on the back-end. The finish is long and mouth-quenching, with bright acidity. The intense fruit and balanced structure will allow this wine to evolve well over the next decade, though it’s approachable now.”

94 points

2024 Picayune Sauvignon Blanc Napa & Sonoma

2024 Picayune Sauvignon Blanc Napa & Sonoma

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

Picayune

Sauvignon Blanc
Napa & Sonoma 2024

2024 Picayune Sauvignon Blanc Napa & Sonoma

Some wines make an entrance, while this one makes an impression. The 2024 Picayune Napa/Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t need power to command attention; it draws you in with precision. Its charm lies in contrast: clarity rather than flash, texture instead of weight. This is California fruit expressed with European poise: subtle, shimmering, and unforgettable.

Behind that calm exterior lies remarkable intent. Winemaker Claire Ducrocq Weinkauf harvests early, capturing the brightness of dawn before the valley’s heat softens the fruit. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that thrives on energy rather than ripeness: crisp and finely tuned, with an alcohol level of just 13.1%. Every decision reflects restraint, transforming potential exuberance into elegance.

Fermentation was split between stainless steel for clarity and neutral French oak for subtle weight, a decision that defines the wine’s remarkable balance. The oak imparts no overt flavor, only a silken texture that frames its crystalline acidity. The wine feels both poised and refreshing: proof that restraint, when executed with this kind of technical precision, can be as thrilling as opulence.

Picayune
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa & Sonoma 2024

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“The Picayune 2024 Sauvignon Blanc bursts from the glass with vivid aromas of gooseberry, lime zest, and passion fruit, balanced by subtle notes of fresh-cut grass and green herbs. On the palate, the wine is pure, bright, and zesty, showcasing crisp acidity that complements flavors of tropical fruit, citrus, and green melon. A touch of minerality and a hint of grapefruit pith lend structure and lift, creating a style reminiscent of New Zealand’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, but with California’s hallmark of sun-kissed, ripe fruit. The finish is clean, refreshing, and vibrant, leaving a lingering impression.”

94 Points

2021 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

2021 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMt VeederNapaUSA

Anthem

Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2021

2021 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

Perched on the rugged slopes of Mount Veeder, where vines cling to fractured rock, Anthem’s 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was born in defiance of gravity. It’s a wine forged by extremes: sunlight and shadow, warmth and wind, precision and power. What emerges is a wine of profound beauty, with dark and muscular yet polished to a fine sheen, its elegance revealed through structure, harmony, and quiet confidence.

Under the direction of acclaimed winemaker Jeff Ames, every decision at Anthem is made with confidence and patience. Having honed his craft alongside icons like Thomas Brown, Ames channels that experience into a style defined by purity and restraint, revealing a wine that feels sculpted, as though every contour has been carved by intent. 

For the 2021 vintage, Jeff coaxed out the vineyard’s most expressive fruit: dense yet detailed, layered with mountain spice, graphite, and violets. Already earning high praise, it drinks beautifully now, but its real magic will unfold over a decade or more. Whether savored tonight or cellared for tomorrow, this is Cabernet that carries the voice of the mountain and the patience of the ages.

Anthem
Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2021
Retails at: $130

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“The 2021 Anthem Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon opens with inviting aromas of black cherries and ripe currants, layered with hints of crushed graphite, violets before folding in subtle hints of loamy earth and warm spices which add wonderful complexity. The palate is medium to full and finely structured, with firm tannins supporting a core of dark fruit and mocha nuances which lingers through the finish Excellent today, but also offers a promising graceful evolution with cellaring.”

94 Points

2022 Saracina Soul of Mendocino Red Wine Blend Mendocino County

2022 Saracina Soul of Mendocino Red Wine Blend Mendocino County

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMendocinoProprietary RedUSA

Saracina

Soul of Mendocino
Red Wine Blend 2022
Mendocino County

2022 Saracina Soul of Mendocino Red Wine Blend Mendocino County

Drawn from organically farmed vineyards rooted in Mendocino’s rugged, ancient soils, Saracina’s 2022 Soul of Mendocino Red honors both the land and the people who bring it to life. The estate’s roots run deep into the Mayacamas foothills, where this wine emerges as both homage and evolution: a seamless blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, old-vine Grenache, and Carignan that transforms the region’s rustic soul into something quietly profound and elegantly refined.

At Saracina, craftsmanship begins below ground. The team studies the mineral threads of each parcel, nurturing vines whose roots dive deep through fractured sandstone and clay. That dedication to detail yields fruit of rare vibrancy, marked by sunlight and tension. It’s viticulture as quiet artistry, where science and soul work in concert.

In the glass, the Soul of Mendocino Red captures everything Saracina stands for: vibrancy without excess, texture without weight. Zinfandel lends warmth, Petite Sirah depth, Grenache grace, and Carignan lift, composing a symphony of balance and quiet confidence. It stands as both a reflection of its landscape and a reminder that elegance needs no excess. 

Saracina
Soul of Mendocino
Red Wine Blend 2022
Mendocino County

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“The Saracina ‘Soul of Mendocino’ 2022 Mendocino County Red Wine Blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Carignane begins with bright, ripe aromas of strawberries, raspberries, boysenberries, black tea leaves, anise, and sweet tobacco. On the palate, the wine has flavors of juicy, wild berry bramble, chocolate covered cherries, and marjoram in a smooth, supple texture. This wine is both expressive and effortlessly drinkable, creating an inviting blend that celebrates Mendocino fruit with a refined finish.”

94 Points

2022 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2022 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaPinot NoirSonoma CoastUSA

Aston

Pinot Noir 
Sonoma Coast 2022

2022 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Perched on the remote ridgelines of Annapolis, where redwoods meet ocean fog, Aston Estate has long stood as one of the Sonoma Coast’s wild frontiers. Two decades after its founding, Aston Estate feels reborn. Once a collaboration between three of Napa’s most revered figures, it now thrives under the singular vision of Thomas Rivers Brown. His 2022 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir channels the wisdom of maturity and the freshness of rediscovery. 

Drawn entirely from the estate’s 12-acre vineyard in the far western reaches of Sonoma, the 2022 vintage captures the essence of Annapolis itself: cool air, fractured soils, and relentless wind. Here, vines root deep into ancient marine sediment, yielding fruit of uncommon purity and tension. 

What emerges in 2022 is not merely a reflection of the site but of stewardship. Brown’s approach favors patience over intervention, allowing the wine to unfold in graceful precision. Each element from fruit, spice, and structure moves in balance, revealing a Pinot Noir that feels as timeless as the land it comes from. 

Aston
Pinot Noir 
Sonoma Coast 2022

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“A nearly opaque red color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is flush with aromas of black cherries, a bit of plum, eucalyptus, sweet tobacco, and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, it has more structure but is light on its feet for the vintage, with a ripe, sunny feel and a long finish. Drink 2026-2046.”

96 Points

2022 Laird Chardonnay Cold Creek Vineyard Los Carneros Sonoma

2022 Laird Chardonnay Cold Creek Vineyard Los Carneros Sonoma

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Laird

Chardonnay 2022
Cold Creek Vineyard
Los Carneros, Sonoma

2022 Laird Chardonnay Cold Creek Vineyard Los Carneros Sonoma

Laird’s 2022 Cold Creek Ranch Chardonnay is not just another expression of Carneros; it displays how restraint can yield brilliance in the glass. Here, Ken Laird’s fifty years of farming mastery align with winemaker Brian Mox’s measured touch in the cellar, resulting in a wine that hums with energy and poise, shaped by the marriage of persistence and place.

The Cold Creek Ranch vineyard rests on the Sonoma side of Los Carneros, where cool marine winds and fog slow the ripening process to a patient rhythm. Planted to Burgundian Clones 15 and 95, the vines produce remarkably balanced fruit. In the cellar, partial malolactic fermentation adds a gentle creaminess, while ten months in French oak lend structure and depth.

What distinguishes this Chardonnay is its composure. Every step, from vineyard to barrel, reflects the intent and confidence that come only with experience. The 2022 Cold Creek Ranch Chardonnay offers a harmony of brightness, texture, and length that lingers gracefully on the palate. It is a wine of elegance and clarity, timeless in its refinement and distinctly Californian in spirit.

Laird
Chardonnay 2022
Cold Creek Vineyard
Los Carneros, Sonoma

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“Spiced and nutty on the nose, this offers ripe orchard fruit, sliced pineapple and honeysuckle nuances. Full and creamy with densely packed flavors and a firm, lingering finish. Long and delicious. Drink or hold.”

92 Points

2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMt VeederNapaUSA

Mt. Brave

Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2019

2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

After years of quiet evolution in the cellar, the 2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon is finally revealing the full measure of its power and grace. What was once tightly coiled and brooding has unfurled into a symphony of mountain fruit, fine tannin, and haunting perfume. The wine offers a mesmerizing reminder of what patience can achieve in the hands of a master.

100pt winemaker Chris Carpenter has spent more than two decades decoding the language of Napa’s mountain vineyards, and Mt. Brave is among his most eloquent expressions. From the steep, fractured slopes of Mt. Veeder, he coaxes fruit that balances density with lift, structure with purity. The 2019 reveals that duality: a wine of formidable strength that moves with the grace of a dancer.

Now, with time having sculpted its edges to perfection, the 2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet stands at its pinnacle. It opens with an arresting purity, unfolding in layers before settling into a finish that seems to stretch toward the horizon. Mt. Brave’s 2019 vintage is mountain Cabernet at its most complete: soulful, sophisticated, and utterly compelling.  

Mt. Brave
Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2019
Retails at: $125

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“Showcasing the lovely freshness of high-elevation Mt Veeder grapes. Vivid boysenberry and mulberry fruits give way to mountain herbs, dusty minerals and rich toasty cedar. A compact wine revealing black-fruited flavours and savoury herbal nuances alongside sculpted tannins that are pixelated and mouthcoating. An impressively long finish of iron shavings, baked agave and dried chaparral.”

97 Points