2014 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountains Pinot Noir

2014 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir

ORRIN-SAGE

2014 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN

2014 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountains Pinot Noir
Anytime a new customer walks into our shop in Yountville, they’re always surprised by the number of great Pinot Noirs that we feature.  Our roots go back more than 2 decades in Sonoma County, where outside of Burgundy, Pinot Noir reigns king… Over the years we’ve discovered some truly stunning Pinots that have delivered exceptional quality and value with characteristics classic to the varietal.  Orrin-Sage just set a new bar…This is truly the best Pinot at this price that we’ve ever featured, and with 6 barrels produced, don’t wait… 
Arising from the rugged Sonoma Mountain AVA, a unique area which gains some of the cooling influence from the Petaluma Gap and produces brilliant Pinot Noir fruit.  Bevan, Siduri and Flowers are just a few of the wineries that have crafted Pinots from this unique area. This wine was expertly made by Justin Harmon who gained valuable experience as an intern under Russell Bevan.  It has an undeniable meaty character coupled with remarkable weight and perfect balance making it a wine that I truly can’t get enough of…
 
ORRIN-SAGE
2014 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $49.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “One glance and the brilliantly shimmering transparent cherry red color starts pulling you in. Then comes the enticing nose with ripe black cherries, bright pomegranate, allspice, nutmeg, wet leather, fragrant dried lavender and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, a mesmerizing cascade of flavors including crushed black raspberries, tart cherry, fresh sage leaf, candied lime peel and hints of Asian spices.  It’s so alluring that your instinct to swallow will override your will to allow it to linger longer on your palate… and when you do, you’ll be left with a penetrating, long, highly pleasurable finish that absolutely begs for another sip.” 
 
96 Points and where have you been all my life…
Kevin M Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
Customers that enjoy the Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot,  may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
2014 Daniel Laguna Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 Black Kite Kite's Rest Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
DANIEL
2014 PINOT NOIR
LAGUNA VINEYARD
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
 Winery Notes:  “This Daniel Pinot Noir is brilliant ruby red in color. The bouquet opens with Huckleberry coulis and black cherry, followed by charcuterie and cedar. This pinot boasts incredibly concentrated red and dark fruit that lingers with a silky texture on the palate. A wine capable of long term aging, every sip offers new nuance.”
 

This profound Pinot was composed by accomplished winemaker Dan Fitzgerald, who got his start working at Williams-Selyem…

BLACK KITE
2014 PINOT NOIR
KITE’S REST VINEYARD
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
Your Price: $44.99/btl 
 
 
From The Wine Enthusiast: “Great fruit concentration and grace make this wine a winner. It feels medium-bodied despite its high degree of ripeness, showing that balance is attainable with significant power. It has ripe, plummy aromas, fresh red cherry and cranberry flavors, supportive tannins and excellent acidity.” 
 93 Points, Editor’s Choice
2013 Mount Eden Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Mount Eden Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

MOUNT EDEN

2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

 2013 Mount Eden Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon
Outside of Napa and Sonoma, there’s really only one other California wine region that comes to mind for producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon…  The Santa Cruz Mountains is home to the iconic Ridge Monte Bello Vineyard as well as Mount Eden Estate, which have both produced countless high 90’s rated wines, competing with many of the best wines in Napa Valley.  Founded in 1945, the historic Mount Eden Estate Vineyard is perched at 2,000 feet elevation and produces fruit of remarkable detail and stunning complexity.  Their 2013 Estate Cabernet has already earned three 94-95 point scores and it was absolutely rocking when we tasted it last week….
Created in a style that perfectly balances all the elements necessary to age gracefully for 40 years, and yet it will also knock your socks off if you enjoy it this week.  The Estate Cabernet Vineyard yields just 1.5 tons of fruit per acre, producing a wine of unparalleled complexity and definition.  Kept for 23 months in barrel, the 2013 has reaped the rewards of around 2 1/2 years in the bottle and it’s brilliant right now… 
 
MOUNT EDEN
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
Retails at:  $70.00/btl
 
A True classic, bursting with red and black fruit vine smoke and pencil shavings; structured fine tannins and bracing Santa Cruz acidity. Consistently one of the most age worthy Cabernets in California, gaining in volume and expansiveness with time in the cellar, always vibrant and intense.” 
 
95 Points
“….Blackberry jam, grilled herbs, smoke and plum all resonate on the palate. Inky, deep and plush… I will not be surprised at all if the 2013 develops into an even better wine with time. That said, the 2013 is positively striking today, with compelling inner sweetness, tons of perfume and exceptional balance…” 
 
94+ Points
There’s an unparalleled woody intensity on the nose of this offering, with cigar box, myrrh, incense and bay leaf decorating the black peppercorn, herb-laced salt, dark chocolate and black plum aromas. The palate’s leathery flavors are woven into fine-grained tannins, revealing flashes of elderberry, violet and gravel.” Cellar Selection
95 Points
Customers who enjoy Mount Eden’s Estate Cabernet may also enjoy these two outstanding wines…
AMAPOLA CREEK
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
ESTATE, SONOMA VALLEY
Retails at:  $90.00/btl
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “…offering glimpses at blackberry and black plum notes over pencil shavings, garrigue, lavender and Mediterranean herbs. Full-bodied and packed with black fruits and earthy flavors, it is built like a brick house with a solid frame of firm, ripe tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.”
93-95 Points
MOUNT EDEN
2014 CHARDONNAY
ESTATE, SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
Your Price: $63.99/btl
 
From The Wine Enthusiast:An oil-like shade of yellow in the glass, this is still a baby, showing aromas of walnut, seared lemon, yogurt, white flowers, oak and smoke. The acidity is pure and strong, cutting through the nutty flavors and savory richness. Sea salt, browned butter, Meyer lemon peels and orange marmalade flavors will only grow more cohesive with time.”   94 Points
2012 Anantaah Bella's Blend Proprietary Red

2012 Anantaah Bella’s Blend Spring Mountain District Proprietary Red

ANANTAAH

2012 BELLA’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

2012 Anantaah Bella's Blend Proprietary Red 
From a mountainous area where the bottle prices are generally as steep as the terrain, it’s extremely rare to come across a killer Bordeaux Style Blend at under $80/btl.  Anantaah’s 2012 Bella’s Blend lassoed my brain and refused to let go… Created in a rich, layered style, unfurling decadent blue and black fruits, chocolate covered plum and savory spices.  The winery produces less than 500 cases a year, between all of their wines and there’s simply never enough of this wine to match demand. Words can hardly express how great this 2012 is drinking…
 
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 3 1/2 years of development in the bottle, this wine is gorgeous right now and has the structure to go another decade.
 
ANANTAAH
2012 BELLA’S BLEND
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
  
Winery Notes: “… Deep dark purple in color, with the initial aromatics of blackberries. After you roll it around on your palette the dark plum, blackberries and dark cherries open up with a touch of minerality; the finish is long and lingering as the flavors continue to unravel. Wait for the finish….is that a bit of spice...”

2014 Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvingnons

HUNDRED ACRE

2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNONS
ARK | KAYLI MORGAN | FEW & FAR BETWEEN

2014 Hundred Acre Cabernet Sauvignon Mixed 3 Pack
 
Anybody who has met Jayson Woodbridge, owner of Hundred Acre, knows there are untold numbers of superlatives that describe him.  Terms like Character, Irreverent, Flamboyant, Opinionated, and ‘Type A’ come to mind.  These characteristics and more combine in Jayson to fuel a relentless pursuit of perfection in everything he does… The results simply cannot be denied, and the countless Hundred Point wines left in his dominating wake are an absolute joy to behold, but nearly impossible to acquire… Imagine a wine so deep and bold that each sip gives you goose-bumps… Sounds great right? You simply have to experience them to understand…
 
 Your Price: $1,499.97
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Hundred Acre 'Ark' Cabernet Sauvignon

HUNDRED ACRE
2014 ARK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Your Price: $499.99/btl
2014 Hundred Acre 'Kayli Morgan' Cabernet Sauvignon

HUNDRED ACRE
2014 KAYLI MORGAN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Your Price: $499.99/btl
2014 Hundred Acre 'Few & Far Between' Cabernet Sauvignon

HUNDRED ACRE
2014 FEW & FAR BETWEEN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Your Price: $499.99/btl
From Howell Mountain, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Ark reveals the mulberry, chocolate, graphite and an incredibly dense bluish black color, massive fruit extract and richness, but without a hard edge to be found. All three of these are extraordinary wines, which is what we’ve come to expect from Jayson Woodbridge.” 
 
98-100 Points
 
The 2014s also look sensational… This wine has great fruit, an opaque purple color, beautiful crème de cassis, blueberry and floral notes in a sexy, opulent, forward style that will be more flattering and flamboyant than its 2013 counterpart, at least in its youth.”
 
 
 
 

96-99 Points

“… Slightly softer, and perhaps more dramatic and flamboyant at present because it is a barrel sample, it has staggering richness, great blue and black fruits intermixed with truffle, camphor, and sweet loamy soil and earthy nuances. The wine is full-bodied, gorgeously pure, rich and not showing any evidence of oak aging.
 
96-98 Parker
2015 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

2015 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

STEPS RESERVE

BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED

2015 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red
Created in a style that mirrors many ultra high-end Napa Valley Cabernet based wines, with 24 months in oak, premium vineyard sources and an intense, deeply compelling style that lets you know you’re tasting something special. The only thing not mirrored is the high price tag… Upon entry the 2015 Reserve Blend penetrates your taste buds with dreamlike intensity and all of the scrumptiously thrilling qualities and unforgettable flavors and aromas that make Steps Reserve so wondrous.  Only available at $45 per bottle through March 31st, 2018, we wanted to give you one final shot to secure a case or two of this remarkable wine before the price increases…
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 2015 Steps Reserve and with a total production of only 150 cases, don’t let this one walk on by.
 
STEPS RESERVE 
BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $50/btl
Your Price: $45/btl 
YOU SAVE 10% (through March 31, 2018)
 
 
Tasting Notes: “Rich, opulent aromas emerge laced with fresh black raspberries, chocolate covered cherries, espresso roast and a touch of sweet vanilla oak.  Penetrating, velvety flavors of crushed blackberries, black plum, minerals, kirsch and hints of roasted coffee expand across your palate as layer upon layer of complexity unfolds.  The supple yet slightly dusty tannins beautifully frame the plush fruit as it elegantly caresses your palate through the long pleasurable finish…”  Delicious now, this wine will cellar for at least 12 years.”
Cabernet Sauvignon 68% | Cabernet Franc 21% | Malbec 11%

 

Customers who enjoy the Steps Barrel Select may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds… 
2015 James Joseph Reserve Cabernet Franc 2014 Steps Winemaker's Reserve Proprietary Blend
JAMES JOSEPH
2015 CABERNET FRANC
RESERVE, NAPA VALLEY
Your Price: $49.99/btl 
With a total production of only 4 barrels, this rarely bottled varietal from James Joseph grabs you right from the start.  Showing surreal-like tension between Atlas Peak and Diamond Mountain terroirs, the 2015 is locked and loaded with crushed black fruits, camphor, burning embers, and black cherries, laced with volcanic minerals, graphite and crushed rock
STEPS 
WINEMAKER’S RESERVE 
2014 PROPRIETARY BLEND
Your Price: $49.99/btl
 
The 6 barrel production  Winemaker’s Reserve is heavily based in Atlas Peak, and made transparent by its striking crushed rock minerality and dusty tannins that make the area so desired.  The final blend has a solid core of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak, magnified by 14% Cabernet Franc from Kenefick Palisades Vineyard, 9% Malbec from Oakville and 5% Petit Verdot from Coombsville.
2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

VELLICHOR

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CHALK HILL 2015

 2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

We love it when a new wine has an attractive label, a powerful name, famous winemaker and a big score…  When the above elements are in short supply, we have to rely solely on the quality of what’s inside the bottle, and if anything, the wine has that much more to prove. Our biggest challenge is getting you to try wines like this…  In many cases they offer the greatest value.  In the case of Vellichor, our panel tasted this wine twice and on both occasions the wine provided a surreal sense of value and we knew we had to share it to you.


Arising from Chalk Hill, an area recognized for it’s unique micro-climate and volcanic, chalky, white ash soil, which furnishes fruit of remarkable power and delineated flavors so distinctive, the area was was established as an AVA in 1983. Aged for 18 months in oak, the 2015 shines bright with chocolate dusted cherries, wild raspberry, crème de cassis, graphite and of course, chalky undertones…   If you’re searching for a great bottle of Cab priced to be your daily drinker…this is it! 
 
VELLICHOR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CHALK HILL 2015
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “...this Cabernet exemplifies the Chalk Hill appellation. Raspberries and blackberries dominate the mid palate with a soft and succulent finish. This wine invites you to savor the moment and seize your own playful spirit!”
Customers that would enjoy Vellichor’s Chalk Hill Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
2015 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 
Some of my favorite wine discoveries are those that naturally go on to sell hundreds of cases in just a couple vintages.  It’s a concrete affirmation proving that what we felt when we first tasted the wine resonated and was felt by almost everyone who tries it.  Sailor’s Grave’s Napa Valley Cabernet did just that.  And with its origins in Yountville, Oakville and Chiles Valley, combined with a price-point that makes you smile, it was the quality of the wine that propelled constant re-orders… to the tune of several hundred cases sold in only 2 vintages. 
FISTICUFFS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
One of my favorite results that comes from tasting a new wine, is one that makes me do a double-take simply because the taste exceeds my expectations for the price.  The 2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet made me do just that.  Performing well above its weight class for value Napa Cabernet, this undisputed champion hailing from Napa Valley dances inside a tightly wound core, threaded with chocolate covered cherries, blackcurrants, unground coffee bean and cedar spice.
2015 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietary Red

2013 Titus Napa Valley Malbec

TITUS 

2013 MALBEC
NAPA VALLEY

 
There are a handful of California winemakers whom many would refer to as legendary or iconic, and whose triumphs and experience are so profound that their very name rings with excellence.  Philip Titus is etched permanently onto that list…  Revered for his work authoring Chappellet’s Pritchard Hill wines for nearly three decades, leaving countless World Class wines in his wake.  When our panel first tasted his 2013 Malbec, it was one of those wines that compels you to say “WOW that’s good…” So, we bought every bottle that we could…this wine defines value. 
Forged from the Titus family vineyard located just North of Saint Helena, this stunning Malbec is kept for nearly two full years in barrel before bottling.  And from a vintage unanimously recognized for its unrivaled quality… One that Robert Parker alerted readers that it “...may turn out to be the finest vintage I have experienced in tasting North Coast varietals over the last 37 years,”  this exemplary Malbec leaves everything in the glass.  Deep, penetrating, intense and with plenty of substance, this 2013 is really drinking beautifully now and promises another several years of improvement.  
 
TITUS 
2013 MALBEC
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “The 2013 Malbec bouquet offers dark cherry, plum, bittersweet chocolate and baking spices. The mouthfeel is lush, with balanced tannins and bright acidity that give the wine a plush mouthfeel and long finish. Flavors of bing cherry, plum jam, clove, vanilla and warm cedar dominate the palate.”
Malbec 85% | Petit Verdot 7% | Cabernet Sauvignon 5% | Merlot 3%

 

Customers who enjoy the Titus 2013 Malbec may also enjoy 
these two terrific Reds…
2015 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietary Red

 
Wagner Family Schooner Malbec Voyage 5

 
CHAPPELLET
2015 MOUNTAIN CUVEE
PROPRIETARY RED
Your Price: $31.99/btl 
Chappellet’s Iconic Pritchard Hill Vineyards have been hailed by some as “Napa’s Grand Cru,” and particularly with Bordeaux Varietals.  Following the advice of renowned winemaker André Tchelistcheff, by planting on the rocky, high-elevation slopes, Chappellet became one of the first wineries in Napa Valley to plant vineyards on the lofty hillsides…
WAGNER FAMILY
RED SCHOONER
MALBEC, VOYAGE 5
Your Price: $49.99/btl  
 
2014 Hollywood & Vine 2480 Napa Valley Chardonnay

2014 Hollywood & Vine 2480 Napa Valley Chardonnay

HOLLYWOOD & VINE

“2480” CHARDONNAY
2014 NAPA VALLEY

2014 Hollywood & Vine 2480 Napa Valley Chardonnay
If you asked an expert how to make it in Hollywood, they would likely tell you that you have to stand out above the crowd and have some compelling qualities about you that are unique to you.  The same holds true for wine, and Hollywood & Vine’s 2480 Chardonnay is unique.  For starters it’s sourced from a high-elevation vineyard in Napa Valley’s coveted Atlas Peak AVA.  Even more unique is the wine is crafted entirely from the Harold Weimer Chardonnay clone, which is known for producing exotic and wildly individualistic flavors.  This Chardonnay delights your taste buds with detailed reflections of underripe pineapple, jasmine, orange zest and delicate tropical notes.  
And like a great actor, a great wine also need a talented coach to highlight the best qualities and pull all of the right pieces together… This Chardonnay was authored by Celia Welch, (Scarecrow, D.R. Stephens, Barbour, Dalla Valle…)  And just in case you may not be familiar with Celia’s artistry, just know that she made 5 cases of 2012 Scarecrow that sold for a record $260,000 at the Premiere Napa Valley Wine Auction… If you’re looking for a Chardonnay that stands out above the rest, this one’s for you… 
 
HOLLYWOOD & VINE
“2480” CHARDONNAY
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Your Price: $39.99/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “The cool-climate origins of this crisp, fruit-driven Chardonnay are evidenced in the aromas that add notes of wet granite and a touch of sweet lemongrass to the jasmine, green apple and bright orange zest notes. This ripe, aromatic Chardonnay was fermented in a combination of new and once-used French oak barrels plus a few barrels of steel, and kept sur-lie with biweekly battonage, so the floral notes are supported by a few deep base notes of toasty vanilla and fresh lees. On the palate, the wine shows integrated, complex flavors of green apple, apricot, a touch of mineral character and a bright, crisp finish which highlights the citrus notes.”
 
Customers who enjoy Hollywood & Vine’s 2480 Chardonnay may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
2014 SilverPoint Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
2014 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
SILVERPOINT
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
If the best wines were like a puzzle, this wine would have every piece laid out perfectly.  With everything from an accomplished winemaker, iconic vineyard, blockbuster vintage and a terrific price, this wine truly has it all.  It was authored by Don Van Staaveren who’s responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines from ’85-’97, and even made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was recognized as the #1 wine on the 1999 Wine Spectator Top 100 list.  It was the first Sonoma wine to receive the honor of being the #1 Wine in the World…
RED MARE
2014 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
A luminous interpretation of Dutton Ranch fruit, the 2014 washes over your palate with classic Granny Smith apple, spiced pear, juicy yellow melon and subtle lemon bar.  Big and full across the palate and crafted in a plump, round style, if you’re searching for a top-level California Chardonnay without the high price tag that usually comes with one, I would saddle up and secure a case of Red Mare before this one rides off into the sunset


Matias Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

2014 Matias Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

MATIAS

2014 PINOT NOIR
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS

 Matias Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
Everybody loves an amazing value and particularly when it comes to Pinot Noir.  This 92 point Pinot bears origins from two of the Santa Lucia Highlands most acclaimed vineyards.  A blend of Soberanes and Sierra Mar Vineyards, Robert Parker alerts his readers, “it’s a rock solid example of the high quality Pinot Noirs coming from the Santa Lucia Highlands.”  Both vineyards are well-known for producing wines of notable character, intriguing flavors and compelling qualities, and finding a Pinot from both of these sites pushes the absolute limits of exceptionally high quality for an amazingly low price.  This wine retails at $40/btl at the winery.
 
Authored by talented winemaking-duo Dan Fitzgerald, who worked at Williams-Selyem and John Harley, who worked at Donum Estate, this 2014 is brimming with candied cherry, black raspberry, cola and Asian spices.  At under thirty per bottle, we’re certain this wine will have your taste buds salivating for another sip… and glass… and second glass. Don’t be fooled by the low price, this is a superb Pinot Noir that competes with iconic Pinots at a much higher price.  
 
MATIAS
2014 PINOT NOIR
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $40/btl
 
 
From Wine Enthusiast:Dark and concentrated pomegranate and rosebud aromas meet with juniper and sweet pine needle on the nose of this bottling. The attack is a clean and flavorful, mixing dried cranberry and tangy cherry with thyme, marjoram and peppercorn, culminating in a camphor-like finish.” 92 Points
2014 Gandona Encosta Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Gandona Encosta Cabernet Sauvignon

GANDONA 2014 Gandona Encosta Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 ENCOSTA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
When considering a list of the most noble terroirs in Napa Valley, Pritchard Hill is always near the top of my list.  Composed of compacted volcanic rock, with iron-red soils, the area has been hailed by some as as Napa’s Grand Cru.  Apex producers Chappellet, Bryant Family, Colgin, Continuum and David Arthur all call the area home.  A rapidly rising producer on Pritchard Hill is Gandona Estate.  The wines are expertly made by Philippe Melka, whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus… 
 
Encosta Cabernet remains a stunning value for Pritchard Hill. Carved into the steep terrain, the Estate vineyard was planted in small blocks, each with its own distinct personality.  The vineyard was planted by Jim Barbour, one of the absolute top viticulturists, who’s list of clients include icons like Hundred Acre, Grace Family and Barbour to list a few… The best Pritchard Hill wines are memorable with profound sense of place, balance and primal intensity.  Gandona’s Encosta has all of this and more, and it’s a fraction of the price of what you’d expect to pay for a great wine from this Iconic area.  
 
GANDONA
2014 ENCOSTA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Your Price: $89.99/btl
 
 
From Vinous:Gandona’s 2014 Encosta is a gorgeous second wine. Bright, aromatic and intense, the Encosta possesses striking purity in its flavors. Dark cherry, chocolate, mocha and licorice infuse the super-expressive finish. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha and espresso. The Encosta clearly offers the pedigree of many top labels, but perhaps just not the depth. This is an impressive showing.” 91 Points
From James Suckling, “Aromas of dark berries and basil follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Builds nice at the end with some raspberry character...” 92 Points
Customers who enjoy Gandona’s Encosta may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds… 
2013 Jones Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Keever Inspirado Napa Valley Proprietary Red
JONES FAMILY 
2013 THE SISTERS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $85.00/btl

Click to Order

 
With nearly two dozen perfect 100 Point wines, Thomas Brown is a dominating force in Cabernet Sauvignon and he’s truly at the top of his game Packed with supple, concentrated red cherry, deep black raspberry, pomegranate, graphite and a touch of sweet vanilla oak, this absolutely ready to drink Cabernet will thrill you from first sip to last. The vineyard is managed by Jim Barbour, one of the absolute top viticulturists, who’s list of clients include icons like  Hundred Acre, Grace Family and Barbour to list a few… 
KEEVER
2013 INSPIRADO
PROPRIETARY RED
Your Price: $74.99/btl