2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

with No Comment $30-$40CalistogaKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

Hourglass

Sauvignon Blanc
Napa/Sonoma 2023

2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc Napa-Sonoma

With dazzling clarity and a harmonious touch of Semillon, the 2023 Hourglass Napa/Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc expresses a vibrant dialogue between tradition and innovation. Striking a perfect balance between Old-World structure and New-World exuberance, this wine reveals a luminous purity of fruit and compelling textural finesse, making it an irresistible expression of classic varietals.

Guided by renowned winemaker Tony Biagi, whose transformative decade at Plumpjack Winery set new standards of excellence, this blend masterfully unites grapes from the acclaimed Hourglass Estate Vineyard in Calistoga with select Sonoma sites. This deliberate selection crafts a richer, more nuanced regional portrayal of Sauvignon Blanc, beautifully highlighting its diverse terroir.

Through meticulous fermentation split between stainless steel and French oak, and skillful aging on lees, the wine achieves remarkable depth and a luxurious, layered texture. Vibrantly fresh yet gracefully structured, each sip invites a deeper exploration into its harmonious complexity, bringing a true celebration for fans of exceptional Sauvignon Blanc.

Hourglass
Sauvignon Blanc
Napa/Sonoma 2023
Retails at: $45

Your Price: $39.99

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“The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is bright and crystalline. Lemon peel, crushed rocks, mint, sage and slate are all finely delineated in this nervy, taut white. There’s a bit less new oak in the 2023, which further amplifies that tension.”

90 Points

2023 Domaine De La Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley France

2023 Domaine De La Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley France

with No Comment $50-$60Chateauneuf-Du-PapeFranceKevin VogtRhone ValleyRhone Valley

Domaine De La Solitude

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Rhone Valley, France 2023

2023 Domaine De La Solitude Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone Valley France

The 2023 vintage from Domaine de la Solitude delivers a Châteauneuf-du-Pape that balances its muscular frame with breathtaking nuance. Anchored in deep tradition but lifted by a modern sense of elegance, it’s a wine that leaves a lasting impression: vivid, authentic, and unmistakably alive.

The estate carries a rich legacy that stretches back to the 15th century, through the venerable Barberini-Martin family. The label itself bears witness to this ancestry with three bishops’ hats symbolizing the family’s connection to Pope Urban VIII and his cardinal nephews, a lineage that echoes through every sip.

Their 2023 vintage, built on the classic triumvirate of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, includes trace amounts of all other permitted Rhône varietals, organically farmed and co-fermented, bringing this storied region to life. The wine is opulent without excess, layered yet precise, feeling both rooted and refined. It’s an articulation of place, and a vivid reminder of what makes this corner of the Rhône Valley so enduringly magnetic.

Domaine De La Solitude
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Rhone Valley, France 2023

Your Price: $55

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“Very rich and spicy, with impressive concentration and stacks of fine, soft tannins on the full-bodied palate. There’s licorice and meaty intensity in the crescendo finish. A cuvee of 60% grenache, 20% syrah, 10% mourvedre and 5% each counoise and cinsault. From biodynamically grown grapes. A small crop due to hail damage in May. Matured mostly in concrete tanks with a small number of oak casks. Drink or hold.”

95 Points

2023 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvahrinho & Pinot Noir Portugal

2023 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvahrinho & Pinot Noir Portugal

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPortugalRosé

Soalheiro

Mineral Rosé
Alvarinho & Pinot Noir
Portugal, 2023

2023 Soalheiro Mineral Rose Alvahrinho & Pinot Noir Portugal

Soalheiro’s 2023 Mineral Rosé flows like poetry from Portugal’s northernmost vineyards, a vibrant expression of precision and grace. Rooted in the sub-region of Monção and Melgaço, these vines thrive in a microclimate where gentle rains, abundant sunlight, and pronounced daily temperature shifts converge to shape grapes of remarkable purity and bright acidity.

Crafted from 70% Alvarinho and 30% Pinot Noir, the 2023 Mineral Rosé echoes the elegance of Provençal rosés while remaining distinctly Portuguese in character. Each variety ferments separately before blending seamlessly in this thoughtfully composed wine, which matures on fine lees for six months in stainless steel, lending subtle complexity and a refined texture.

In the glass, this rosé reveals itself as both ethereal and compelling. Its bright, vivacious palate dances effortlessly, presenting a captivating portrait of its origins and an irresistible invitation to savor the sublime.

Soalheiro
Mineral Rosé
Alvarinho & Pinot Noir
Portugal, 2023

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“The Soalheiro 2023 Rosé of Alvarinho and Pinot Noir from the Minho region in Portugal delivers a vivacious character with notes of lime zest, pink grapefruit, peach, nectarine, white strawberries, and a presence of wet stone minerality and marine salinity with a cool, coastal freshness. On the palate, the wine has flavors of fresh raspberries and tropical touches of melon and mango, and finishes refreshingly crisp and light, making each sip even more enjoyable than the last. Though this wine is an excellent choice during summer, it has a delectable thirst-quenching quality that lends itself to any occasion, any time of the year.”

95 Points

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $40-$50BrunelloBrunelloItalyKevin VogtTuscany

La Rasina

Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2019

2019 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany Italy

From one of Brunello’s most celebrated vintages emerges La Rasina, a captivating synthesis of meticulous craftsmanship, organic stewardship, and authentic expression of terroir. With a stellar 95-point score, and from a vintage recognized by Wine Spectator for its remarkable blend of elegance and intensity, La Rasina stands as a luminous example, delivering exceptional quality and compelling value.

Set upon the northeastern slopes of Montalcino, La Rasina’s vineyards have been carefully tended by the Mantengoli family through three generations. Committed to organic farming and minimal intervention, their efforts allow the vineyard’s unique character and vivid fruit purity to resonate profoundly in every sip.

La Rasina’s Brunello spends over two years in large oak, carefully harnessing the elegance of tradition to deliver a wine that’s vibrantly alive. Its remarkable architecture promises decades of evolution, yet its lush complexity and elegant depth invite you to experience it right away.

La Rasina
Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy, 2019

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“A firm, velvety-textured wine and not overbearing, offering red cherries and hints of cedar and mushrooms. Chewy and structured. Excellent structure and a savory finish. Cool, structured red. From organically grown grapes. Best in three to four years and beyond. Try in 2026.”

95 Points

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Merus

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Merus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

With striking intensity and a captivating balance between muscle and finesse, the 2021 Merus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is unapologetically bold and commands attention. Once a cult garage label founded by Mark Herold, Merus rose swiftly in the late 1990s, earning a reputation for producing Cabernets with both swagger and substance. Now under the stewardship of Bill Foley, Merus reclaims its place among Napa’s elite with stunning authority.

At the helm of the 2021 vintage is Eric Baugher, a scientist turned artisan who, during his 27-year tenure at Ridge Vineyards, crafted two 100-point Monte Bello vintages. Known for his precision, restraint, and deep respect for structure, Baugher brings an exacting lens to Merus, elevating the brand with a style that marries power with poise.

Composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, this wine is both muscular and magnetic. Aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak, it’s a wine of immense presence, but also one of clarity and control, bringing a commanding expression of modern Napa Valley.

Merus
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $225

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“Beautiful plum and blue fruits, sappy herbs, violets, and sandalwood notes all emerge from Merus’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, a deep purple-hued, ripe, sexy 2021. Despite all its upfront baby fat, it has a rock-solid underlying structure and is going to benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and should be long-lived.”

97 Points

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Ernest

Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast

2023 Ernest Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

The 2023 Ernest Sonoma Coast Chardonnay pulses with coastal energy: brilliantly chiseled, refreshingly pure, and seamlessly composed, it stands shoulder to shoulder with the region’s most esteemed bottlings. Garnering a sensational 95-point rating, this Chardonnay effortlessly captures the elegance, minerality, and nuanced restraint synonymous with the region’s most coveted wines.

Ernest Vineyards, founded in 2012 by Erin Brooks, draws inspiration from Sonoma County’s rugged hillsides and rolling fog, giving a perfect setting for exceptional Chardonnay. With the arrival of winemaker Joseph Ryan in 2018, Ernest adopted a meticulous, minimal-intervention approach, celebrating the land’s unique voice and allowing its purest expression to illuminate every bottle.

Artfully crafted from the prized Old Wente clone, this Chardonnay boasts an alluring silkiness interwoven with crisp citrus notes. The 2023 vintage, fermented naturally with native yeasts and aged for ten months on lees in 25% new French oak, strikes a harmonious balance: beautifully textured yet vibrantly fresh. It is a wine that speaks eloquently of place, seamlessly blending depth, finesse, and unforgettable charm.

Ernest
Chardonnay 2023
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $38

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“A super lean, racy, mineral-driven wine, so fresh and linear and full of energy. Crisp green apples and lemon pith. Light-bodied and refreshing. At just 12% alcohol it’s easy to sip and enjoy multiple glasses. Fermented in oak barrels with native yeast and native malolactic for a slightly smoother texture. Drink now.”

95 Points

2020 Marques De Murrieta Reserva Rioja Spain

2020 Marques De Murrieta Reserva Rioja Spain

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRiojaSpainTempranillo

Marqués De Murrieta

Reserva Rioja
Rioja, Spain 2020

2020 Marques De Murrieta Reserva Rioja Spain

Marqués de Murrieta 2020 Finca Ygay Rioja Reserva is a wine of exceptional quality, setting a benchmark rarely matched in its category. From a historic winery founded by Luciano de Murrieta in 1852, this remarkable Rioja Reserva embodies the visionary spirit that transformed Rioja into one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions. Rich in tradition yet embracing modern refinement, the wine captures the timeless essence of its origin.

Luciano Murrieta’s pioneering journey, inspired by his studies in Bordeaux, gave rise to a style of Rioja that gained global acclaim for its power, complexity, and elegance. The Rioja Reserva is crafted predominantly from Tempranillo grapes grown in the distinguished vineyards of Rioja Alta, an area where history meets innovation to produce fruit of remarkable purity and depth.

With its graceful aging and clarity of expression, this Reserva speaks fluently in the language of Rioja: balanced, timeless, and resonant with place. At its price, few wines offer such pedigree, making it a compelling invitation to experience the soul of Rioja.

Marqués De Murrieta
Reserva Rioja
Rioja, Spain 2020

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“Subtle rusticity paired with assertive elegance, in a wine that marries subtle minerality with chalky tannins and poised, crunchy fruit. It’s vibrant throughout, with acid verve holding the rich, robust black fruit at the core. Long finish, with a spicy lining.”

95 Points

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

Gamba

MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023

2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Born from one of California’s oldest dry-farmed vineyards, the 2023 Gamba MCM Estate Zinfandel delivers a striking tribute to a century of continuous heritage. Rooted in a delicate balance of soil and climate, Gamba’s Estate Vineyard stands as a benchmark for sustainable viticulture, producing intensely concentrated Zinfandel from impossibly small yields.

With the 2023 MCM Zinfandel, Gamba masterfully celebrates a vineyard that has become a cherished symbol of Russian River Valley viticulture. Known for producing grapes brimming with lively, succulent fruit, this historic site imparts layers of complexity accentuated through indigenous yeast fermentation.

Aged gracefully in American and French oak, the 2023 vintage exemplifies Gamba’s signature style: richly textured yet impeccably balanced. Carefully crafted, it reveals astonishing depth, intricate detail, and a lingering finish that echoes its remarkable lineage, offering an homage to one of Sonoma’s oldest vineyards.

Gamba
MCM Estate Zinfandel
Russian River Valley 2023
Retails at: $69

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“The Gamba 2023 MCM Russian River Valley Old Vine Zinfandel opens with vibrant notes of juicy cherries, cranberries, and wild blackberries with underlying notes of Christmas spices and toast. On the palate, the wine has a silky smooth approach with flavors of bramble fruit, dark cherry, and boysenberry compote, complemented with savory undertones of tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The wine has supple tannins and finishes with a finely textured, velvety mouthfeel.”

94 Points

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Lorenzi Estate

Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley

2021 Lorenzi Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley

At once bold and impeccably refined, the 2021 Lorenzi Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon channels the raw intensity of Howell Mountain into something transcendent. Crafted from meticulously selected fruit by Julien Fayard and shaped with quiet precision by Don Lorenzi, this wine is a singular expression of place, pedigree, and purpose.

Aging for thirty-two months in new French oak has sculpted the wine into something both majestic and deeply harmonious. Plush yet restrained, it glides across the palate with a velvet intensity. The confident yet composed tannins promise a graceful arc of evolution, while its inner tension suggests decades of potential.

It is built on a foundation of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, subtly elevated by Merlot’s plushness, Petit Verdot’s depth, and Malbec’s intrigue. The result is a wine of striking clarity and dimension. With only 250 cases produced, its scarcity is as real as its brilliance. 

Lorenzi Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
Reserve 2021
Napa Valley
Retails at: $125

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“With the addition of some Merlot and Petit Verdot, this is a 28-month, 100% French-oaked aged Cabernet Sauvignon with chewy, but approachable suede tannins. Dusted with cocoa and blueberry. The wine comes on like a heavyweight, but broadens across the palate, reining in its powerful message. A sprinkle of white pepper, graphite, licorice, and soy sauce drench the palate on the finish.”

95 Points

2019 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Campania Italy

2019 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Campania Italy

with No Comment $50-$60ItalyKevin VogtProprietary Red

Mastroberardino

Radici Taurasi
Campania, Italy 2019

2019 Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi Campania Italy

Mastroberardino’s Radici Taurasi embodies Campania’s volcanic terroir and centuries of heritage. Cultivated in the volcanic hills of Irpinia, it reflects the enduring commitment of one of Italy’s most historically significant wine families. After World War II, Mastroberardino spearheaded the revival of Campania’s indigenous varieties, with Aglianico at the center. ‘Radici’ represents the peak of what this classic varietal can be.

First released in 1986, the wine emerged from meticulous research into clonal selection, site elevation, and the precise pairing of vine to soil. The vineyard’s rugged volcanic soils and cool mountain breezes produce fruit with depth, restraint, and tension. Every detail of the farming and winemaking is carefully considered, allowing the character of the place to emerge clearly and confidently.

The 2019 vintage captivates with its harmony and intensity. After two years in French oak and large Slavonian casks, followed by extended bottle aging, the tannins are now firm but polished, the acidity bright, and the finish long and composed. Vinous called it “impossible to ignore.” For those drawn to authenticity, structure, and a deep connection to place, this is one of the most compelling wines in Southern Italy.

Mastroberardino
Radici Taurasi
Campania, Italy 2019

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“The 2019 Taurasi Radici is impossible to ignore, mixing cloves with incense, crushed stones and dried black cherries. This is saturating and intense, with a silken textural wave that ushers in masses of tart wild berry fruits and spices, all carried by a stream of vibrant acidity. It finishes long and youthfully tense, with a mineral tinge that lingers along with notes of black licorice and a sour cranberry crunch. In 2019, the Taurasi Radici is back to form.”

95 Points