2022 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2022 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnaySonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Patz & Hall

Chardonnay 2022
Sonoma Coast

2022 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Patz & Hall’s 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay meets the high bar set by California’s finest labels, captivating those who cherish Chardonnay in its most polished form. Known in culinary circles for its vibrant acidity, intricate layers, and flawless balance, Patz & Hall has earned a loyal following among wine enthusiasts for over thirty years, delighting them with its unique expression.

Central to Patz & Hall’s lasting prestige is a rich network of relationships with California’s top grape growers. This distinguished group includes luminaries like Lee and George Martinelli, Charlie Chenoweth, the Dutton family, Larry Hyde, and the renowned Pisonis. These collaborations allow the winery to source exceptional fruit, ensuring every bottle upholds its exacting standards of quality and authenticity.

The 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay vividly embodies Patz & Hall’s unwavering commitment to excellence—a memorable reflection of its origins that resonates long after the final sip.

Patz & Hall
Chardonnay 2022
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $40

Your Price: $32

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“The Patz & Hall 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay opens with clean, vibrant aromas of ripe lemons, apricots, melon, and subtle notes of vanilla, Werther’s Original caramels, and freshly baked pie crust. On the palate, the wine displays a beautiful balance and structure with a rounded, supple mouthfeel, flavors of bright citrus and stone fruit fruits, lemon curd, cream, warm croissants, and a minerality reminiscent of wet stones. The wine finishes with a core of lively acidity that perfectly complements the creamy texture with a compelling interplay of fruit, spice, and coastal minerality.”

94 Points

2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District Sonoma County

2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District Sonoma County

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMoon MountainSonomaUSA

Kamen

Cabernet Sauvignon
Moon Mountain District
Sonoma County 2021

2021 Kamen Cabernet Sauvignon Moon Mountain District Sonoma County

Kamen’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a cinematic masterpiece—an epic of power and precision, written by the land and directed by a man who knows storytelling like few others. When screenwriter Robert Kamen first encountered the wild slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains in 1980, he saw a story waiting to unfold. With volcanic soils and wind-swept ridgelines, it was a rugged, high-altitude stage destined for greatness. Partnering with legendary viticulturist Phil Coturri, Kamen began shaping the vineyard like a screenplay—layer by layer—where the struggle of the vines yields fruit of striking intensity.

Since its debut in 1999, Kamen’s Estate Cabernet has become a defining voice in the Moon Mountain AVA—a district that whispers of the wild and rewards the bold. With each passing vintage, the wine has grown more nuanced, more layered—like the best kind of protagonist: complex, charismatic, unforgettable.

In 2021, winemaker Mark Herold crafts a pure Cabernet Sauvignon as expressive as a finely tuned monologue. It moves with structure and grace, revealing scene after scene of black fruit, crushed rock, violets, and spice—each sip a nod to the mountain’s raw beauty and Kamen’s relentless pursuit of excellence. 

Kamen
Cabernet Sauvignon
Moon Mountain District
Sonoma County 2021

Your Price: $125

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“A richly fruited red, with lush flavors of plum and blackberry compote, this cruises steadily, offering flashes of warm earth, sweet bay, tobacco and licorice root. The fruit is polished, and the other elements show a little growl, creating a nice contrast throughout. Best from 2025 through 2036.”

93 Points

2023 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2023 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Black Pine

Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Black Pine’s 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir captures California fruit’s sophistication with a deft balance of depth and subtlety. It embodies the spirit of Sonoma Coast grapes—lush and sun-warmed, yet tempered by coastal winds that lend it structure and finesse. For years, Black Pine has remained a standout among value Pinot Noirs, drawing in seasoned collectors and intrigued novices alike with its consistent quality and appeal.

Drawn from a mosaic of thoughtfully chosen vineyards, this Pinot Noir reflects a winemaker’s distinct perspective. Each parcel is crafted with care, letting the unique traits of every site emerge. The outcome is a harmonious portrayal of the region—rich in layers, textured, and effortlessly refined.

The 2023 vintage achieves a subtle victory—a wine that doesn’t clamor for notice but secures it with each taste. It invites dialogue, reflection, and those fleeting moments that resonate long after. Beyond the glass, it carries a sense of connection, a gentle nudge that life’s most enduring impressions often arrive with quiet clarity.

Black Pine
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $38

Your Price: $29.99

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“The 2023 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir offers a compelling value in quality Pinot Noir. On the nose, it delivers ripe black cherries and dried cranberries, with hints of cola bean, Darjeeling tea, and violets adding floral elements. The palate brings juicy black raspberries and vibrant pomegranate, showing a ripe yet fuller-bodied profile that remains fresh and lively. A thread of liquid minerals runs through it, and the fruit intensity exceeds expectations for the price point. Well-balanced and approachable now, with a long, satisfying finish.”

93+ Points

2023 Ernest Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Ernest

Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Ernest continues to raise the bar with each vintage, and the 2023 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir may be their most impressive yet. Building on the success of the 2022—one of my top five wines of the year in 2024—the new release radiates precision, elegance, and coastal allure. Where Burgundian finesse meets the wild beauty of the Sonoma Coast, this wine delivers concentrated fruit, vivid acidity, and a striking sense of place.

Sourced from the fog-draped Freestone Valley and neighboring coastal vineyards, the wine owes its vibrancy to the region’s cool, ocean-tempered climate. Winemaker Joseph Ryan has embraced a low-intervention, site-driven approach, coaxing purity and nuance from every vintage. His attention to detail and deft touch allow the terroir to speak, with each bottling reflecting a distinct moment in time.

The 2023 Pinot Noir is the clearest expression yet of that vision. A blend of estate-grown fruit and select heritage sites, it pulses with energy—bright red berries, wild herbs, coastal salinity, all wrapped in silky tannins and a crystalline finish. At $38, it offers a rare combination of poise, purity, and pedigree—an exceptional discovery in this price tier.

Ernest
Pinot Noir 2023
Sonoma Coast

Your Price: $38

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“The 2023 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is terrific. Rich and generous in the glass, with tons of savory nuance, the 2023 is a wonderfully complete wine. Cedar, dried herbs, new leather, tobacco and incense wrap around the palate. A healthy dose of stems (33%) adds complexity, but it’s the wine’s balance I admire most.”

92 Points

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyCabernet FrancKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Schema

Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley 2023

2023 Schema Cabernet Franc Alexander Valley

Schema Cabernet Franc 2023 debuts Madelyn Hille’s distinct winemaking perspective, honed through years of dedication at renowned houses such as Pax, Merry Edwards, and Arnot Roberts. With a careful, reflective approach, she’s shaped a wine that reflects her expertise and innate connection to Cabernet Franc. The result is a vivid, unadulterated expression—polished yet seemingly effortless in its clarity and precision.

Sourced from the biodynamically farmed Cisne Vineyard in Alexander Valley, this wine radiates vibrant finesse. Its mineral-threaded fruit, paired with bright acidity, ignites a lively, energetic palate. At a modest 12% alcohol, it strikes an uncommon harmony—airy and agile yet rich with intricate layers—delivering instant delight while hinting at a graceful evolution over time.

Picked by hand and fermented with native yeasts, this Cabernet Franc matured for 14 months in neutral oak, safeguarding the vineyard’s essence and allowing the grape’s delicate traits to emerge. Departing from the lush, fruit-forward profiles common in many New World renditions, it echoes the lifted, fragrant restraint of the Loire Valley. This wine captures a sense of place, poise, and unembellished purity, weaving together thoughtful farming and masterful winemaking.

Schema
Cabernet Franc
Alexander Valley 2023
Retails at: $42

Your Price: $38

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“The Schema 2023 Cabernet Franc from the Cisne Vineyard in Alexander Valley opens with bright notes of lilac, lavender, raspberry, orange zest, chai tea, earth, and a wet stone minerality. On the palate, the wine has a silky texture with flavors of red cherry, marionberry, pomegranate, white pepper, and aniseed. The wine’s low alcohol level is in a delicate balance with the light to medium body and concentration of flavors, ending in an elegant finish.”

95 Points

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Bruliam 

Chardonnay 2022
Heintz Vineyard
Sonoma Coast

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Tucked seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, Bruliam Chardonnay shines as a vivid expression of the Heintz Vineyard, a standout treasure along the Sonoma Coast. Perched at 1,000 feet, this site channels the cool, coastal ocean breeze, locking in the fruit’s vibrant freshness. For more than forty years, the Heintz family has tended this remarkable vineyard, its grapes gracing the cellars of California’s most admired winemakers—names like Williams Selyem, DuMOL, and Littorai among them.

Guiding Bruliam Wines is Kerith Overstreet, a physician who traded medicine for the art of winemaking. Her sharp intellect and precise hand in the cellar bring a lively clarity to every bottle. In this Chardonnay, the Heintz Vineyard speaks with striking purity, leaving a lasting echo that resonates with each sip.

Awarded an impressive 96 points, this Chardonnay captures the Sonoma Coast’s character—bright fruit woven with intricate, alluring layers. It reveals the profound possibilities of the region’s Chardonnays, reaching heights that command attention and invite appreciation.

Bruliam
Chardonnay 2022
Heintz Vineyard
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $65

Your Price: $49.99

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“The 2022 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay slowly unfurls to offer evocative notes of grapefruit, fresh pineapple, white peaches, and chalk dust plus touches of Marcona almonds and nutmeg. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound at this youthful stage, delivering great tension with mineral-laced stone and tropical fruit layers, finishing with great length.”

96 Points

2023 Rochioli Estate Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

2023 Rochioli Estate Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

Rochioli

Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Rochioli Estate Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley

Rochioli’s Estate Sauvignon Blanc embodies the essence of one of California’s most celebrated vineyards, enticing the palate with its stunning concentration, precise linear focus, and enchanting freshness. Emerging from one of California’s most outstanding vintages, this release is a wine that inspires genuine excitement.

For over 85 years, the Rochioli family has been the proud steward of their cool-climate estate—a site revered as one of California’s Grand Cru vineyards. Rochioli’s pedigree is undeniable; each bottle stands as a testament to the masterful craftsmanship of winemaker Tom Rochioli, whose profound connection with the land resonates through every captivating expression.

Sauvignon Blanc is acclaimed for its luminous character, buoyant acidity, and effortlessly approachable drinkability. The exceptionally high-scoring 2023 release from Rochioli brings these cherished qualities to life with a sculpted clarity that leaves the palate yearning for another sip.

Rochioli
Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Russian River Valley 2023

Your Price: $49.99

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“A bright silver/straw color, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is a single vineyard blend with 64% Old Vine Selection, 23% Clone 376, and the rest Hillside planting. Coming from other-worldly looking old vines, Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t get much better than this in California. Lovely flinty reduction frames this wine with a gorgeous, refined, floral perfume of wet stone, white currants, white pepper, grapefruit, and delicate baking spice. Medium-bodied, it has fantastic concentration, driving, mouthwatering, fresh acidity with a linear feel, and a fantastic, long finish with a chalky mineral texture. Exceptional and age-worthy, it deserves another couple of years in bottle to show its best. Drink 2026-2038.”

96 Points

2023 Pont Neuf Royal Chardonnay Russian River Valley

2023 Pont Neuf Royal Chardonnay Russian River Valley

with No Comment $60-$70ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

Pont Neuf

Pont Royal Chardonnay
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Pont Neuf Royal Chardonnay Russian River Valley

Pont Neuf’s Pont Royal Chardonnay is a masterful expression of Russian River Valley terroir, seamlessly marrying California’s opulent fruit with the restraint of great Burgundian wines. This Chardonnay doesn’t simply impress—it enchants, leaving an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to experience it.

At the helm of this artistry is Douglas Danielak, a winemaker whose deep reverence for Burgundian tradition shapes every nuance of his craft. A graduate of UC Davis with further training at the Lycée Agricole et Viticole de Beaune, Danielak employs a low-intervention philosophy, allowing the vineyard’s voice to shine. Native yeasts, meticulous bâtonnage, and a slow, deliberate malolactic fermentation yield a wine that is both texturally sumptuous and vibrantly pure.

The 2023 vintage is a radiant testament to this vision. It unfolds in layers of golden-hued complexity, where Meyer lemon, white peach, and toasted hazelnut intertwine with hints of crushed rock and delicate spice. A luminous thread of acidity lends tension and precision, balancing the wine’s sumptuous depth with an elegance that lingers long on the palate. Pont Royal Chardonnay delivers a harmonious interplay of richness and restraint, destined to captivate all who discover it.

Pont Neuf
Pont Royal Chardonnay
Russian River Valley 2023
Retails at: $70

Your Price: $65

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“The Pont Neuf 2023 “Pont Royal” Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley elegantly balances the finesse of French Burgundy with the richness of California fruit. Aromas of ripe apricot and nectarine intertwine with white blossoms, a touch of orange zest, and a refined mineral character reminiscent of wet stones. On the palate, subtle nuances of golden apples, toast, vanilla, chantilly, and crème brûlée add layers of depth. The wine’s concentrated flavors unfold gracefully on the palate, leading to a long, silky finish.”

95 Points

2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon Geyserville

2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon Geyserville

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Zialena

Cabernet Sauvignon
Geyserville 2021

2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon Geyserville

Zialena redefines the expectations of California Cabernet Sauvignon with wines that radiate purity, precision, and elegance. Known for their bright, concentrated fruit and impeccable balance, Zialena’s Cabernets have quickly become a favorite among enthusiasts. In fact, the 2019 Zialena Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the most re-ordered wines last year, a testament to its universal appeal and extraordinary craftsmanship.

Rooted in legacy, the Mazzoni family has been stewards of their Geyserville property since 1931. Now led by fourth-generation siblings Mark and Lisa Mazzoni, the winery blends history and innovation. Mark’s expertise as a viticulturist—honed through work at prestigious vineyards like Bacchus and Vino Farms—ensures exceptional fruit. His winemaking skills, refined under the mentorship of renowned winemaker Philippe Melka at Vineyard 29, bring an artisan’s touch to every bottle.

Nestled on a historic 120-acre estate in the heart of Alexander Valley, Zialena thrives in a landscape shaped by diverse soils, varied microclimates, and gentle elevations. These natural advantages are masterfully harnessed to produce wines of remarkable character and depth. At an extraordinary value of $32, the 2021 Zialena Cabernet Sauvignon is a must-have for any wine lover, offering a true taste of Alexander Valley in every pour.

Zialena
Cabernet Sauvignon
Geyserville 2021
Retails at: $76

Your Price: $32

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“The Zialena 2021 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the winery’s estate gives aromas of red currants, red and black cherries, a hint of mint, graphite, and forest floor. On the palate, the wine has an elegant balance of acidity and tannins resulting in bright fruit flavors of cranberry, cassis, blackberries, earthy minerality, mocha, and spice. This wine finishes beautifully with layers of eloquence and reminds us why Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in Alexander Valley.”

94 Points

2021 La Follette Los Primeros Pinot Noir Sonoma County

2021 La Follette Los Primeros Pinot Noir Sonoma County

with No Comment $30 and underAnderson ValleyKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

La Follette

Los Primeros Pinot Noir
Sonoma County 2021

2021 La Follette Los Primeros Pinot Noir Sonoma County

La Follette’s Los Primeros Pinot Noir is a masterful expression of Greg La Follette’s decades of winemaking expertise and dedication to crafting wines of purity and place. Greg, a visionary winemaker and former biochemist mentored by the legendary André Tchelistcheff, has long been celebrated for his ability to unlock the soul of a vineyard, transforming its unique character into wines of exceptional depth and elegance. 

La Follette’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that every vineyard holds a distinct identity, and he collaborates exclusively with growers who share his passion for authenticity. This meticulous approach ensures that each vintage is a testament to the unique terroir of Sonoma County. The 2021 Los Primeros Pinot Noir, sourced from declassified barrels of premier single-vineyard lots, reflects this ethos—a wine that marries accessibility with complexity.

The 2021 vintage underwent fermentation in stainless steel to preserve its vibrant aromatics. The wine was aged for ten months in French oak barriques, where subtle spice notes were delicately woven into its structure, enhancing the wine’s bright red fruit profile and silky texture. The result is a beautifully balanced Pinot Noir with a finish that lingers like a well-told story—elevating Los Primeros from a value-driven offering to a celebration of Sonoma’s rich winemaking heritage.

La Follette
Los Primeros Pinot Noir
Sonoma County 2021

Your Price: $29.99

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“Savory, tea-like aromas and flavors dominate this charming, lighter-style wine as fresh acidity and light tannins give a slight, mouth-watering grip on the palate. Perfect for a roast chicken, sauteed mushrooms or sauteed salmon.”

92 Points