2019 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2019 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Fort Ross SeaviewKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

FLOWERS

2019 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 

2019 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Flowers Vineyards and Winery founders were among the Fort Ross-Seaview AVA early pioneers recognizing the potential of growing cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay on the rugged, isolated Sonoma Coast. Their organic and biodynamic approach to farming is part of their continued commitment to respect the environment and cultivate healthier vines for higher quality wines.
 
The 2019 vintage started quite cool with some snow on the estate that helped oxygenate the soils, bringing vital nutrients to the vines. The cool coastal temperatures throughout the summer allowed for slow ripening and intricate flavor development that is unforgettably irresistible, resulting in this remarkable expression of coastal Pinot Noir.
 
FLOWERS
2019 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“Aromas of ripe strawberries, red cherries and colored flowers. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, well-integrated tannins. Fresh acidity and bright, juicy fruit on the palate. Well balanced. Drink now.”
93 Points
 
“…The 2019 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is deeper ruby-hued and has pure, classic, textbook notes of ripe cherries, raspberries, spring flowers, and underbrush. The balance is spot on, it has ripe, present tannins, good freshness, and a great finish.”
92 Points
2017 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Duttin Ranch Vineyard

2017 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Duttin Ranch Vineyard

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

PATZ & HALL

2017 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD

2017 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Duttin Ranch Vineyard
James Hall and Donald Patz were colleagues at Flora Springs Winery before realizing they had shared passion for wines with a sense of place and character, and so they built a friendship around their love for small lot wine production. In 1988 Patz & Hall was founded by Donald and Heather Patz, James Hall, and Anne Moses, and has since maintained a solid reputation of excellence, consistently producing brilliant wines from some of Sonoma’s most well-renowned vineyards and growers.
 
The Dutton Ranch vineyard is home to some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in western Sonoma County, with partial dry farming producing intensely concentrated berries. The 2017 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is a blend of five clones- Hyde-Wente, Robert Young, Rued, UC Davis Clone 4, and Spring Mountain, aged in 35% new Burgundian French oak giving the wine some spice while allowing the fruit shine.
 
PATZ & HALL
2017 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
Retails at: $48
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
 
“From the Russian River, the 2017 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is a step up and has more intensity and depth, with a rocking bouquet of honey stone fruits, brioche, toasted hazelnuts, and crushed stone. Rich, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully balanced, with bright acidity, it has a kiss of background oak but is a seriously good, layered effort that will cruise for 5-7 years, probably longer.”
96 Points
2019 Raen Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert Cuvee Sonoma Coast

2019 Raen Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert Cuvee Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $60-$70Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

RAEN

2019 PINOT NOIR 
ROYAL ST. ROBERT CUVEE
SONOMA COAST

2019 Raen Pinot Noir Royal St. Robert Cuvee Sonoma Coast
Carlo and Dante Mondavi grew up at their grandfather’s OPUS ONE Winery and further sharpened their winemaking skills at their father Tim’s cult brand Continuum, so it’s no surprise that the cult and culture of wine runs deep in their veins. The Mondavi family has a keen talent for selecting vineyards capable of producing premium wines and has been one of American wine’s most influential families.
 
RAEN Royal St. Robert Cuvée Pinot Noir is a tribute to their grandfather, who taught them the art of winemaking and commitment to excellence. The 2019 bottling is a selection of their finest barrels from Freestone, Occidental, Bodega, and Fort Ross Seaview Sea Field Vineyards, showcasing the cool-climate Pinot Noir coming from the rugged coastal hills and now scoring a whopping 97 points from James Suckling.
 
RAEN
2019 PINOT NOIR 
ROYAL ST. ROBERT CUVEE
SONOMA COAST
 
Your Price: $65
 
 
“The aromas of strawberry and raspberry with conifer and hints of bark are impressive. Full-bodied, but so reserved and linear with super long, tightened tannins that melt into the wine. 100% whole cluster. Drinkable now, but much better to wait a year or three.”
97 Points
2020 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2020 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

LIMERICK LANE

2020 ZINFANDEL
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2020 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley
Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Winery is the third steward of the historic property since the Del Fava family planted the estate vineyard in 1910. The Del Favas saw the potential of the land early on, even before modern science that is commonly used today in the New World to determine the best soils, plots, and which rootstock and clones will thrive to the fullest.
 
Limerick Lane’s Russian River Zinfandel is a field blend including ancient Zinfandel vines co-planted with Peloursin, Negrette, and Syrah. The winery is proud of its “hands-off, eyes on” approach that continues to lead to uniquely rich and powerful wines with brightness and elegance that earned the 2018 and 2019 vintages scores in the mid-90s. The newly released 2020 vintage is just as glorious, offering substantial value at forty bucks.
 
LIMERICK LANE
2020 ZINFANDEL
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The 2020 Limerick Lane Zinfandel begins with fresh aromas of cranberry, raspberry, boysenberry jam, and spicy notes of cinnamon, cloves, pepperwood, cedar, mushrooms. The sweet baking spices linger into a long and pleasant finish that enhances the fresh acidity and bright fruit character. This wine is charming on its own but is a lovely complement to a variety of dishes.”
93 Points
2018 Castalia Pinot Noir Rochioli Vineyard

2018 Castalia Pinot Noir Rochioli Vineyard

with No Comment $60-$70Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

CASTALIA

2018 PINOT NOIR
ROCHIOLI VINEYARD

2018 Castalia Pinot Noir Rochioli Vineyard
Castalia’s 2018 Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir earned the #2 spot on my top 5 list this year, not for just one, but all reasons; the wine masterfully combines focused, fresh, powerful fruit with intricate detail, length, and balance. This supreme example of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir accentuates the region’s vibrant cherry essence in a rich, sultry style, delineating Rochioli Vineyard’s most remarkable qualities.
 
Rochioli Vineyard produces unforgettably distinct, powerful fruit that’s both riveting and enchanting. Few people know the vineyard as intimately as Terry Bering, Cellar Master of J. Rochioli Vineyards, since 1990. Terry started Castalia Wines in 1992, producing a tiny bit of Pinot Noir from grapes he purchased from a hillside block of Rochioli Vineyard, known for small yields of intensely concentrated fruit. 
 
CASTALIA
2018 PINOT NOIR
ROCHIOLI VINEYARD
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“The Castalia Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018 explodes from the glass with a powerful nose of sweet red cherries, deep black plums, strawberry preserves, exotic cola bean, herbs de Provence, white pepper, and dried rose petals. It’s one of those wines that grabs you from the first whiff and won’t let you go. A gorgeous palate follows with concentrated wild berries, bright red currants, rich cherries, kitchen spices, black tea, and hints of Kalamata olives. It is a very complex, dynamic wine that is exceptionally concentrated, delightfully long, and a thrill to enjoy.” 
96 Points, #2 WCC Top 5 Wines of 2021
2019 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2019 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

FLOWERS

2019 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST

2019 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
The heart of the winemaking philosophy at Flowers is for the wine to express its origin and promote the unique flavors of the rough, rugged, and remote coastal ridges of the Sonoma Coast. Three distinct qualities define the vineyards used to source their Chardonnay: extreme elevation, coastal influence, and sustainable farming practices that together create a haven for growing cool-climate varieties.
 
Winemaker Chantal Forthun believes in low intervention and uses a natural yeast strain from the skin of the grapes for fermentation, giving Flowers wines their particular characteristics. The 2019 vintage saw a cold, wet winter, followed by a mild spring and summer, resulting in moderate to slow ripening for delicate but complex layers of flavor with bright acidity and a pleasantly lingering finish. Our panel was thrilled with the quality of their 2019 Chardonnay, marking one of their best vintages yet, offering a stratospherically high level of quality for its value price.
 
FLOWERS
2019 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $50
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“I love the Chardonnay from this estate, and their appellation 2019 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is well worth seeking out, revealing a lighter gold hue as well as a crisp, nicely defined bouquet of poached pear, citrus, spice, and hazelnuts. Beautiful on the palate as well, it’s medium-bodied and has nicely integrated acidity, notable balance, and a great finish.”
94 Points
 
“Rich and finely textured, with concentrated white fruit flavors that show buttery hints. The spicy finish lingers with minerally snap and creamy accents. Drink now through 2025.”
92 Points
2017 Peter Mathis Grenache Sonoma Valley

2017 Peter Mathis Grenache Sonoma Valley

with No Comment $30-$40GrenacheKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

PETER MATHIS

2017 GRENACHE
SONOMA VALLEY

2017 Peter Mathis Grenache Sonoma Valley
Peter Mathis made wine for over 20 years at Ravenswood while simultaneously working on a side project clearing land in the hills above Sonoma Valley, below the famed Monte Rosso Vineyard. He planted the vineyard himself, carved into Southern-facing slopes, using cuttings from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, achieving his long-held dream of growing premium Grenache in California. 
 
Grown in low vigor volcanic soils, Mathis Vineyard is planted to Grenache vines primarily, but includes a small amount of Petite Sirah, Carigñan, and Alicanté Bouschet, which make up a small percentage of the blend each year. Peter’s clonal selection yields tiny berries with great color and a tannic backbone with extra spice representing European roots with American flair. Our panel was thrilled with the wine’s penetrating fruit, site expression, and stunning balance, and it is a remarkable value at $32.
 
PETER MATHIS
2017 GRENACHE
SONOMA VALLEY 
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“Among the most dark-fruited examples from the Mathis Vineyard, the 2017 Grenache rivals the 2007 and 2015 for lush blackberry and plum fruit, pepper spice, fresh acidity, firm grip and power—all balanced with the typical sweet, red fruit of all Grenache wines. These past vintages have been some of my favorites: they pair spectacularly with food, age well, and have a “seriousness” about them that I adore. I expect the 2017 to be an absolute top year for Mathis Grenache—highly recommended.”
2019 Edict Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

2019 Edict Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

with No Comment $30 and underAnderson ValleyKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

EDICT

2019 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY

2019 Edict Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
Edict creates varietally and regionally sound, hand-crafted wines based on “truth, generosity, and love,” a motto that guides them each vintage. They source their Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, an area that saw the arrival of viticulture during the Gold Rush in 1849; however, the region’s geographic isolation made it difficult to settle until a more effective implementation of roads in the 1960s and 1970s.
 
Anderson Valley is the coolest grape-growing appellation in California, encouraging lower natural sugars and higher acidity, resulting in fresher, more nuanced Pinot Noir. Rich and ethereal with ripe cherry and baking spice flavors evenly balanced with refreshing acidity, this wine is a classic example of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, offering a level of sophistication you’d expect of wines at twice our price. 
 
EDICT
2019 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY
Retails at: $54
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“Super aromatic with a perfume of cherry vanilla and cedar earth. Grown on gravelly soils in Mendocino County, north of Boonville, and aged 10 months in 41% new French oak. Notes of black cherry, a pinch of salt on a tobacco leaf, and an earthy, sandalwood vibe throughout. Round and plump, it delivers a savory side of black olive and anise.”
95 Points
2019 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate Russian River

2019 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate Russian River

with No Comment $80-$90Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

ROCHIOLI 

2019 PINOT NOIR
ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER

2019 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate Russian River
The Rochioli’s understood the potential of their land from very early on, deciding to put their family’s name on their product, selling their first estate-bottled Pinot Noir in 1985. The wine was immediately honored as the Best Pinot Noir in America by Wine Spectator and is one of the few wineries in California to have consistently scored above 90 points since that first vintage.
 
Tom believes that if America were to adopt a Grand Cru system similar to Burgundy’s, his vineyard would fall into the same prestigious status because of the several different soil types and varying elevation levels. He ferments each block separately, capturing every aspect of what defines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in an expression that is pure Rochioli. 
 
ROCHIOLI 
2019 PINOT NOIR
ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER
 
Your Price: $89.99
 
 
“This is a blend of several single-vineyard designates, predominantly Little Hill (53%) and Big Hill (15%), with additions from West Block, East Block and Sweetwater as well. Dark plum and raspberry accent a lively and expansive palate framed by rounded tannins and easy oak accents. Enjoy from 2029–2034.”
96 Points, Top 100 Cellar Selection
 
“Delicate and refined, this is filled with concentrated raspberry tart flavors that are laced together by plenty of cedary and underbrush accents. The fresh, juicy finish shows touches of ripe minerality and hints of white pepper. Drink now through 2027.”
94 Points
2014 The Owl & The Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley

2014 The Owl & The Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonDry Creek ValleyKevin VogtSonomaUSA

THE OWL & THE OAK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 DRY CREEK VALLEY 

2014 The Owl & The Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley
Michelle Mercer and her husband Bruce Golden spent 15 years living abroad, giving them priceless opportunities to visit some of the best vineyards in the world. Upon returning to the US, they searched to find the perfect location for growing premium Cabernet Sauvignon in an old-world style with subtle beauty and grace, like a new blossom slowly opening its petals and revealing its inner depth of character.
 
A small plot of 9 acres in Dry Creek Valley proved to be the best location because of the cooler microclimate than neighboring vineyards, allowing the grapes to mature at a slower rate, increasing hang time for deep flavor development while retaining the grape’s natural acidity. The 2014 vintage of The Owl & The Oak is captivating in its vast range of flavors and immaculate structure that coats the palate and continues into an ethereal finish.
 
THE OWL & THE OAK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at: $60
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The Oak & The Owl Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of violets, sage, crushed blueberries, wet stones, white truffles, and cocoa powder. The palate is seductive with its velvety tannins and bright acidity, allowing sultry, savory flavors to coat the mouth with a persistent finish. This wine is an old-world wine lover’s dream in the new world with its depth of fresh aromas and flavors, pure from start to finish without being flashy or flabby, and suitable for aging up to 15 years or more.”
95 Points