2019 Martin Ray Pinot Noir Coast Grade Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains

2019 Martin Ray Pinot Noir Coast Grade Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMontereyPinot NoirSanta CruzSanta Cruz MountainsUSA

MARTIN RAY

2019 PINOT NOIR
COAST GRADE VINEYARD
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS

2019 Martin Ray Pinot Noir Coast Grade Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains
Martin Ray’s winemaking is Burgundian-influenced, focused on single varietal wines representative of their terroir. Courtney Benham, the owner of Martin Ray, selected the Coast Grade Vineyard on the ocean side of the Santa Cruz Mountains for the cooling effects of the morning and evening fog from the San Francisco Bay and the vineyard’s ability to produce Pinot Noir with exceptional clarity, focus and natural acidity. 
 
Delicately refined, Pinot Noir grown along the Santa Cruz Mountains benefits from coastal fog and cooler temperatures preserving the natural acidity allowing the grapes to ripen slowly, producing fresher fruit character. The Coast Grade Vineyard’s steeply sloped terroir near the Pacific Ocean gives a seashell-like salinity and a distinct earthiness that marries perfectly with the fruit for a heightened balance and regional typicality. 
 
MARTIN RAY
2019 PINOT NOIR
COAST GRADE VINEYARD
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“A pinot with very fresh and aromatic, primary-fruit character with lightly under-ripe strawberry and citrus undertones. Fine tannins. Crisp finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
92 Points
2015 Daniel Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah

2015 Daniel Soberanes Vineyard Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSanta CruzSanta Lucia HighlandsSyrahUncategorizedUSA

DANIEL 2015 Daniel Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah

2015 SYRAH
SOBERANES VINEYARD

 
One of the fastest growing categories in our shop is high-quality California Syrah at value prices.  Many would argue that in the New World, Americans are a little behind the curve in the appreciation of Syrah and because of this, that you can occasionally find a ridiculous deal on a fantastic wine.  A perfect example is the 2015 DANIEL Syrah from the iconic Soberanes Vineyard.  This two barrel production Syrah opens up to sweet violets, pulverized blackberries, compact black cherries, smoked meats, white pepper and charcuterie.  And while you might expect to pay around $50-$70/btl for a single vineyard Syrah from Soberanes, you might just want to grab 2.5% of their entire production… Which in this case is a 15-pack.
 
Some of the greatest California Syrah comes from the Santa Lucia Highlands, and one of the best spots there is the Soberanes Vineyard.  The 2015 perfectly illustrates the best qualities from this vineyard which were brought to life by winemaker Dan Fitzgerald, who got his start working at Williams-Selyem.  As the wine unfolds in the glass, rich and inviting flavors envelope your palate in pure elegance, and become increasingly compelling as the wine opens up.  At this price, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours…
 
DANIEL
2015 SYRAH
SOBERANES VINEYARD
Retails at:  $50/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “Deep plum red in color, the nose is fragrant with crushed peppercorns, wildflowers and rhubarb. The palate is full bodied with lovely, fine tannins, finishes with blackberry reduction, gamey toffee notes, wet clay and violets.”
 
Customers who enjoy DANIEL Soberanes Vineyard Syrah may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2013 Anarchist Conspiracy Theory Proprietary Red
 2015 Cornerstone Ram's Horn Vineyard Syrah
ANARCHIST WINE CO.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $36/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “This unique blend begins with a compact nose of Bing cherry, wet slate, cotton candy and a touch of sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate, it begins with focused black plum, penetrating wild red and black berries and Ibarra Chocolate. The finish is mouth-filling without being cloying, with just the right amount of dusty tannin, cocoa powder and a touch of baking spices.”

 
CORNERSTONE
2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD
Retails at:  $85/btl
 
 

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Winery Notes: “French by heritage, California in spirit. These head trained 
Syrah grapes were lovingly grown high on a steep hillside at 1,800 feet… The aromas are a complex combination of ripe black berries, boysenberry and earthy sage. You’ll also likely find typical Syrah notes of smoked bacon, tar and black pepper…”
Best In Class | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
2013 Mount Eden Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Mount Eden Estate Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSanta CruzSanta Cruz MountainsUSA

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