2019 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red Sonoma County

2019 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red Sonoma County

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

WESTWOOD

LEGEND PROPRIETARY RED
SONOMA COUNTY 2019

2019 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red Sonoma County
Sustainability is the heart and soul of Westwood’s philosophy, centered around sourcing fruit from vineyards farmed organically or biodynamically, becoming one of just a few Demeter-certified Biodynamic vineyards in North America. Famed winemakers Philippe Melka and Maayan Koschitzky are the vintner team at the helm of Westwood wines, bringing forth their knowledge and experience gained at top wineries, including Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Screaming Eagle, and Dalla Valle.
 
Like the three previous releases, the 2019 Proprietary Red Wine Legend blends the biodynamically farmed Westwood Estate Annadel Gap Vineyard fruit with specially selected organic, sustainable fruit from Sonoma County and Napa Valley. This rich, sultry red wine is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon enhanced with Syrah and with small amounts of Counoise, Grenache, and Tannat that spent twenty months in French oak, giving a divine drinking pleasure for at least the next seven to eight years.
 
WESTWOOD
LEGEND PROPRIETARY RED
SONOMA COUNTY 2019
Retails at: $55
 
 
 
“With 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Syrah, this 20-month French oak barrel-aged blend has a dep, opaque purple hue. Notes of spiced blackberry, licorice, and new leather. Creamy, with heather and soy sauce – it’s penetrating and concentrated – but generous in its juicy, floral nature. Dark chocolate lingers on the juicy finish.”
95 Points
2019 P. Ferraud & Fils Moulin A Vent Cru Beaujolais L'Eolienne

2019 P. Ferraud & Fils Moulin A Vent Cru Beaujolais L’Eolienne

with No Comment $30 and underBurgenlandFranceKevin Vogt

P. FERRAUD & FILS

MOULIN-A-VENT
CRU BEAUJOLAIS
L’EOLIENNE 2019

2019 P. Ferraud & Fils Moulin A Vent Cru Beaujolais L'Eolienne

Maison P. Ferraud & Fils was founded in 1882 and has been family owned for the last five generations, passing down valuable winemaking expertise and cultural values. The family has always placed high regard on traditional and regional practices in the vineyard and winery but also listens to today’s market, keeping a mindful eye on consumer preferences.
 
Moulin à Vent is known as the “King of Beaujolais” because it produces the most full-bodied, tannic, age-worthy wines of Beaujolais’ ten Cru Vineyards. This particular bottling comes from a unique plot named L’Eolienne, deliberately released up to two years later than other regional producers to ensure the right amount of age, creating a Pinot Noir-like profile at a very approachable price.
 
P. FERRAUD & FILS
MOULIN-A-VENT
CRU BEAUJOLAIS
L’EOLIENNE 2019
 
 
 
“The Ferraud & Fils 2019 “L’Eolienne” Moulin-a-Vent begins with aromas of fresh rose petals, cranberries, red cherries, bramble, white pepper, truffle, and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine has bright acidity that balances and highlights savory notes and earthy flavors with meaty undertones. This wine is at a prime drinking stage and will continue to develop for the next decade or so.”
94 Points
2019 Rubia Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

2019 Rubia Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

RUBIA

CHARDONNAY 2019
RITCHIE VINEYARD

2019 Rubia Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard
Margaret and Joe Valenzuela founded Rubia Wine Cellars as a tribute to their love and a deep desire to become a part of the winemaking world. They built strong friendships throughout Napa and Sonoma, allowing them access to renowned vineyards like Kent Ritchie’s Vineyard. Considered one of the top locations for Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley, Ritchie Vineyard fruit produces award-winning wines from Aubert, Ramey, DuMOL, and Paul Hobbs.
 
Furthering their dream, Margaret and Joe hired Julien Fayard as their winemaker. Julien worked for Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte in France before moving to the US, then became the Director of Winemaking for Philippe Melka. Rubia’s 2019 vintage Chardonnay was fermented in new French oak and kept on the lees for 16 months with a monthly batonnage creating a round, creamy mouthfeel and a long, flavorful finish.
 
RUBIA
CHARDONNAY 2019
RITCHIE VINEYARD
Retails at: $65
 
 
 
“The Rubia 2019 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay begins with notes of chamomile and honeysuckle with ripe peaches, apricots, marzipan, and vanilla custard. On the palate, the wine has a rich texture and creamy mouthfeel with flavors of honeydew, pear, baking spices, and toasted brioche. The roundness on the palate rolls into a smooth yet bright finish.”
93-94 Points
2016 Chateau Musar Lebanon Rouge Bekaa Valley

2016 Chateau Musar Lebanon Rouge Bekaa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Kevin VogtProprietary Red

CHATEAU MUSAR

LEBANON ROUGE
BEKAA VALLEY 2016

2016 Chateau Musar Lebanon Rouge Bekaa Valley
Gaston Hochar planted his first vineyards in Bekka Valley, Lebanon, in 1930 after returning from Bordeaux. He named his new winery after an Arabic word that translates to “a place of extraordinary beauty.” Just over ten years later, Major Ronald Barton of Château Langoa-Barton and Leoville-Barton was stationed in Lebanon and befriended Gaston, giving him the insight and knowledge that has driven Musar’s Bordeaux-styled wines for several decades.
 
Chateau Musar’s Rouge blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Carignan changes slightly year after year to reflect the growing season of that vintage. The wines are fermented in concrete, aged for at least 12 months in a small percentage of French oak, and blended and bottled at the end of the third year following the harvest. The bottles matured in deep, stone cellars for an additional four years, released in their seventh year, and have a reputation worldwide for drinking for up to 20 years or more. 
 
CHATEAU MUSAR
LEBANON ROUGE
BEKAA VALLEY 2016
 
 
 
“The 2016 Chateau Musar Rouge opens with a kaleidoscope of aromas such as violets, forest floor, red cherries, truffle, baking spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the wine has firm yet gentle tannins, like rounded corners, that glide into flavors of dried red fruits, nutmeg, earthy spice, and vanilla. The finish is long, dynamic, and mesmerizing. This wine has the structure to age in the cellar but has already reached a very sophisticated level of drinkability that’s just sublime.”
96-97 Points
2021 Edict Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2021 Edict Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaSonoma CoastUSA

EDICT.

PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021

2021 Edict Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
“Truth, generosity, and love” are the three words that guide Edict’s winemaking approach, led by ardor and attention to detail that begins in the vineyard and is transferred to the winery, ensuring premium quality in every bottle. Edict’s Vineyard Manager has over 30 years of grape-growing wisdom. He collaborates with some of Napa Valley’s and Sonoma County’s foremost growers, overseeing that only top-quality fruit is selected and vinified.
 
The meticulous selection of fruit with the purest varietal expressions gives their winemaker the ingredients to craft memorable wines. The 2021 Sonoma County Pinot Noir was sourced from vineyards in the Sonoma Coast AVA and the Russian River Valley AVA and matured in 50% new French oak, creating an intrinsic balance between Sonoma’s bright fruit character and Pinot Noir’s innate spice rack.
 
EDICT.
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2021
Retails at: $54
 
 
 
“The Edict 2021 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has juicy fruit aromatics with ripe cherries, strawberries, and plums balanced by sweet baking spices, earthy undertones, and savory mushrooms. On the palate, the wine has flavors of cherry cola, ripe berries, cinnamon, and toast. The wine’s ultra-smooth texture and friendly approachability make this wine pretty easy to enjoy any night of the week.”
92 Points
2018 MaCo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 MaCo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak Knoll

MaCo

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2018

2018 MaCo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Expert viticulturist Roberto Corona and wine aficionado Jesus Maciel created a dynamic equilibrium when they founded MaCo Vineyards in 2009. They’ve since developed a standard of excellence for Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District. The vineyards are located on the western side of Silverado Trail near Soda Canyon Road, facing east, receiving copious amounts of California sunshine before being cooled nightly by the region’s breezes from the San Pablo Bay, helping retain a bright acidity.
 
The second generation of MaCo Vineyards, Alvaro Camacho, pulled up to our tasting in his farm truck to present his family’s wines to our tasting panel, making it evident that he was serious about the MaCo Vineyards legacy. We knew the moment we tasted his Cabernet that his wines were the real deal, and based on the numerous requests for reorders, our customers agreed. We recently re-tasted his 2018 vintage Cabernet, and it’s developed beautifully in the bottle, so we jumped at the opportunity to share it with you again before the 2019 vintage is released.
 
MaCo
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2018
Retails at: $100
 
 
 
“The 2018 MaCo Cabernet Sauvignon opens with notes of lavender, blueberry, blackberry jam, black currants, wet stones, cloves, and earth. On the palate, flavors of black raspberry, marionberry pie, and cocoa are concentrated and balanced by fresh acidity. This wine’s fine-grained tannic structure and intensity promise longevity and the ability to evolve in the cellar if you have the patience to do so.
94-95 Points
2019 Justin Isosceles Red Blend Paso Robles

2019 Justin Isosceles Red Blend Paso Robles

with No Comment $50-$60Central CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedUSA

JUSTIN

ISOSCELES RED BLEND
PASO ROBLES 2019 

2019 Justin Isosceles Red Blend Paso Robles
Justin Winery’s founders planted their first vineyard in 1981, releasing the first commercial vintage in 1987, a richly layered, intense Bordeaux-styled blend predicated on the fossilized limestone soils in Paso Robles. These unique soils are also found in Bordeaux and are a part of the terroir of many of the world’s most distinct and memorable wines. 
 
For over 30 years, Isosceles has been the flagship wine of Justin and shows exactly why this little part of the world has massive potential for viticulture. The 2019 Isosceles comprises nearly 80% Cabernet Sauvignon married with Cabernet Franc and Merlot, aged in new French oak for 21 months, resulting in a full-bodied red wine with a seductively long finish. 
 
JUSTIN
ISOSCELES RED BLEND
PASO ROBLES 2019 
Retails at: $85
 
 
 
“Deep ruby/purple core with black secondary color, lighter toward the rim with moderate plus viscosity and slow forming, moderately stained tears. Very aromatic and complex with ripe black cherry and cassis fruit, vanilla, cinnamon and licorice spice with sweet tobacco, cedar, leather and camphor notes.  Full-bodied with ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit complemented with baking spice and oak notes on entry. Sustained fruit and spice are joined by savory autumn leaf, cedar and leather on the mid-palate with mouth filling, fine tannins that lead into a long, complex and balanced finish with attractive fruit, spice, cedar and subtle camphor notes.”
2022 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

2022 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

ALMA de CATTLEYA

SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2022 

2022 Alma de Cattleya Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County
Bibiana González Rave puts her heart and soul into each wine she vinifies and branded her company accordingly, as ‘alma’ translates to ‘soul’ in Spanish. Bibiana grew up in Colombia, where the national flower is the Cattleya (Orchid,) and now produces wines with highly transparent varietal purity from Sonoma County and Napa Valley.
 
She has an impressive repertoire of experience making wine in Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley, and South Africa. When she came to California, industry leaders immediately recognized her talents, hiring her to create fabulous wines at Peay, Lynmar, and Pahlmeyer. The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc came from five different hillside vineyards in Sonoma County, resulting in a dynamic drinking experience. The wine was aged six months on its lees in neutral barrels before bottling, giving an added complexity that’s seriously enjoyable.
 
ALMA de CATTLEYA
SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2022 
 
 
 
“The Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc 2022 opens with a dynamic range of aromas, including white peach, passionfruit, Key lime, English rose petals and ripe guava. The wine has fresh, bright citrus on the palate with exotic tropicals, pomelo juice, and chamomile tea. The long, crisp finish cuts a swath across your palate, leaving your mouth watering and wanting more.”
93 Points
2021 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley

2021 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley

with No Comment $50-$60ChardonnayCoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSA

FAR NIENTE

CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY

2021 Far Niente Chardonnay Napa Valley
John Benson founded Far Niente in 1885, and the winery was a notable stronghold in Napa Valley until Prohibition closed the gates in 1919. Sixty years later, Gil Nickel purchased and restored the property with a vision to create a quintessential Napa Valley Chardonnay of sophistication, balance, and stature. He released the first vintage of Far Niente in the modern era, an estate-bottled 1979 Napa Valley Chardonnay that has been a namesake of the winery for over four decades.
 
The fruit for the Estate Chardonnay is grown in Coombsville, which has a similar climate to Carneros, but with less wind and well-drained gravelly loam and volcanic soils that give the wine its signature stone and tropical fruit flavors with a distinct minerality. Malolactic fermentation is avoided in the winemaking process to preserve the malic acid for a fresher sensation on the palate, increased longevity in the bottle, and a celebrated style long associated with the winery.
 
FAR NIENTE
CHARDONNAY 2021
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $73
 
 
 
“The Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay 2021 opens with concentrated notes of green apple, ripe pear, exotic tropical fruits, and spring florals. The palate follows suit, bringing vibrant acidity, levity, and intense, ripe flavors. This wine blends the perfect balance of power and elegance in a way that brings you back for sip after sip. It’s an outstanding Chardonnay, thrilling to drink now and over the next decade.”
95 Points
2019 Bruliam Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Roberts Road Sonoma County

2019 Bruliam Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Roberts Road Sonoma County

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPetaluma GapPinot NoirSonomaUSA

BRULIAM

PINOT NOIR 2019
SANGIACOMO ROBERTS ROAD
PETALUMA GAP, SONOMA COUNTY

2019 Bruliam Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Roberts Road Sonoma County
After completing medical school, Kerith Overstreet decided winemaking sounded more exciting and enrolled to study enology at UC Davis leading to her first harvest in 2008. Launching Bruliam with a single barrel, Kerith now produces around 1000 cases annually of primarily single-vineyard Pinot Noir from cherished grower relationships in Sonoma County, Santa Lucia Highlands, and her own Torrey Hill vineyard in the Russian River Valley.
 
The Sangiacomo Roberts Road Vineyard was planted in 1998 and is the first area to receive fog in the Petaluma Gap and the last to burn it off, extending the growing season. This cool microclimate ripens about two weeks later than Gap’s Crown, giving fully ripe fruit without raising sugar levels and preserving crisp acidity, which the 2019 vintage represents beautifully with dynamic precision and elegantly nuanced flavors.
 
BRULIAM
PINOT NOIR 2019
SANGIACOMO ROBERTS ROAD
PETALUMA GAP, SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“This wine wowed me from the first sip, starting with an elegant nose including bright red fruits, holiday baking spices, light florals, and minerals. The vibrant palate starts with tart cranberries, pomegranate, red cherries, and spice box character combined with an intriguing saline quality. This medium-bodied Pinot Noir has beautifully concentrated, crunchy red fruit combined with elegance, grace, and length that is ultimately satisfying. Bravo!”
94 Points