2016 Prisoner Wine Co Blindfold Proprietary White

2016 Prisoner Wine Co ‘Blindfold’ Proprietary White

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary WhiteUSA

PRISONER WINE CO.

2016 BLINDFOLD
PROPRIETARY WHITE

2016 Prisoner Wine Co Blindfold Proprietary White
In the wine world, thinking outside the box, creativity, experimentation and innovation is the best way to create something that people will remember. Prisoner Wine Company embodies all of these qualities.  As the sister version to the popular Prisoner Red, the Blindfold White projects what feels like Cirque du Soleil performance on your palate and the wine encompasses a truly unique varietal combination, built around a core of Chardonnay and enhanced with Rhone varietals that add energy, lift and a myriad of complex nuances.   This wine is surprisingly delicate and nuanced, and simply fascinating to swirl and taste, and even better, finding a wine of this level, at under thirty per bottle is enough to make even red wine only drinkers smile with delight.
 
Formulated from dozens of distinguished vineyard sites throughout California, Prisoner Wine Company’s  Blindfold the 2016 leaps enthusiastically from the glass with apricot preserves, yellow orchard fruits, mineral-infused pear, and notions of honeysuckle. Resting for 10 months in a combination of fermentation vessels, the new Prisoner white casts a tremendous amount of enjoyment and simply has to be experienced to truly be appreciated.
 
PRISONER WINE CO.
2016 BLINDFOLD
PROPRIETARY WHITE
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $26.99/btl
YOU SAVE 15%
 
From The Wine Spectator: “Opens with a smoky, buttery brioche note, which lingers in the background as a spicy accent to the vanilla pudding and lemon curd flavors and opulent core of apricot preserves. Not a shy wine, but has a supple texture and plenty of expression on the long finish. Chardonnay, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Chenin Blanc. Drink now.”  89 pts
 
2015 Prisoner Wine Co 'Cuttings' Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Prisoner Wine Co 'The Prisoner' Proprietary Red
PRISONER WINE CO.
2015 CUTTINGS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
PRISONER WINE CO.
2016 THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY BLEND
Retails at:  $47.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl  

Click to Order

A wine of unrestrained jubilance and infectious charm, the new 2016 Prisoner unshackles a bounty of deliciously elaborate flavors, and with even more vibrancy and determination. Having jail-break level intensity, the 2016 escapes powerfully from the glass, permeating with beautifully focused ripe cherries, wild strawberry, chocolate, and crushed violets.
2015 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

2015 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

GOLDENEYE

2015 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY

2015 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
Duckhorn Wine Company has always had an eye for discovering premium vineyard sites.  Just look at Three Palms Vineyard in Calistoga or their recent purchase of Calera Vineyards on Mount Harlan.  In 1996 Dan Duckhorn recognized the potential for world-class Pinot Noir in California’s Anderson Valley AVA.  Perfectly positioned near the Pacific Ocean and with a wide diurnal temperature variation, spanning 40-50 degrees, Duckhorn seized the opportunity to create a Pinot Noir that would stand on its own as one of California’s finest.  They now produce a handful of Pinots under the Goldeneye label, and with the top level ranging $80-$125, their Anderson Valley Pinot at $45/btl is delightful.
 
Combining fruit from both warm and cool portions of the Valley, the tension created from the contrast of styles and flavors gives this Pinot a classic portrayal of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir. Housed for 10 months in oak, the 2015 is rich, wonderfully textured and bursts from the glass with soaring dark fruits, forest floor, Columbian coffee and holiday spices.    I’ve enjoyed Goldeneye for years and the 2015 ranks among my favorite vintages of this revered Anderson Valley Pinot.   
 
GOLDENEYE
2015 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY
Retails at:  $58/btl
 
Your Price: $45/btl
YOU SAVE 22%
 
From Wine Enthusiast, “This is a full-bodied, ripe and mouthfilling wine that offers generous black-plum and black-cherry flavors, a smooth texture and a lingering finish. The aroma is nicely spiced in new oak accents that meld well with the black fruits on the palate.” 91 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific wines…

 

2014 Black Kite Kite's Rest Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir  2014 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot
BLACK KITE
2014 PINOT NOIR
KITE’S REST VINEYARD
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $44.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
 
From The Wine Enthusiast, “Great fruit concentration and grace make this wine a winner. It feels medium-bodied despite its high degree of ripeness, showing that balance is attainable with significant power. It has ripe, plummy aromas, fresh red cherry and cranberry flavors, supportive tannins and excellent acidity.” 93 Points Editor’s Choice
DUCKHORN
2015 MERLOT
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $56/btl
 
Your Price: $45/btl 

Click to Order

The consensus in the wine industry points to Merlot being back and with serious vigor. The varietal took a hit in 2004 with the debut of the movie Sideways which besmirched Merlot causing US Merlot sales to crater. A study by Vineyard Financial Associates estimates that it cost Merlot farmers over 400M in lost revenue in the decade following the movie.  Of course none of that made Duckhorn blink, in fact they’ve been climbing to new heights, and recently went on to become the #1 Wine in the World on the 2017 Wine Spectator Top 100 list with their 2014 Three Palms Merlot. 
Giornata Mixed 15 Pack

Giornata

with No Comment $30 and under$30-$40$40-$50Central CoastKevin VogtNebbioloUSA

GIORNATA

Giornata Mixed 15 Pack
Proving that Italian varietals can produce stunning wines outside of Italy… Winemaker Brian Terrizzi is on a mission to give these varietals a voice, from an area that he found perfectly suited for Italian grape varieties.  With cuttings from some of Italy’s top wine Estate’s planted in the similar soils of Paso Robles, his wines are gaining world-wide acclaim.  After honing his skills at Rosenblum Cellars, winemaker Brian Terrizzi gained more valuable first-hand experience with Italian varietals, working for Paolo DeMarchi at Isole e Olena in Tuscany.  Each of his new releases has stunning purity, balance and delineation, and each one simply put a smile on my face.  If you haven’t experienced these sacred Italian varietals grown in the perfect California climate, you’ll want to try a mixed case.  You’ll be surprised by how profound each wine is.
 
You may order each wine individually below, or click on the 3 bottle image above to order a mixed 15-Pack which includes 5 bottles of each.  His production is tiny with just 2 to 6 barrels of each of the below wines produced.  I strongly recommend securing some before they run out… 
 

Click to Order Mixed 15 Pack

2017 Giornata Coyote Glen Vineyard Vermintino

50 Cases Produced
 2015 Giornata Luna Matta Vineyard Anglianico

50 Cases Produced
 2014 Giornata Luna Mata Vineyard Nebbiolo

145 Cases Produced
GIORNATA
2017 VERMENTINO
COYOTE GLEN VINEYARD
Retails at: $30.00/btl
 
Your Price: $26.99/btl

Click to Order

 
Notes: “Sourced from Vermentino in the 30 year old Coyote Glen vineyard. The fruit is destemmed and placed directly in unlined terra-cotta amphora and fermented on the skins for three weeks with native yeasts. Elevage continues in the same vessel for about eight months where it racked to tank and then bottled by hand and labeled by Brian and Stephy’s 12 year old twin daughters.”
GIORNATA 
2015 AGLIANICO
LUNA MATTA VINEYARD
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Aglianico Luna Matta Vineyard offers up an attractive bouquet of ripe cherries, dried herbs, sweet soil and pencil shavings. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with a chewy chassis of tannin and more weight and body than its sibling from the French Camp Vineyard. It’s a more complete wine.”  91 Points
GIORNATA 
2014 NEBBIOLO
LUNA MATTA VINEYARD
 
 
Your Price: $44.99/btl

Click to Order

 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Nebbiolo has expressive baked cherries, black raspberries and red currants on the nose with hints of black soil, charcoal and dried roses. Medium to full-bodied, with a racy acid backbone lifting the intense red berry flavors, it has a chewy frame and long, fragrant earth-laced finish.” 
90+ Points
 
2013 Von Strasser Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Von Strasser Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonDiamond MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

VON STRASSER

2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN

2013 Von Strasser Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
When I look back at my top-selling wine of all time, which was the 2007 Ascent Diamond Mountain Cabernet, I can’t help but to find similarities in Von Strasser’s 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was also created exclusively from Diamond Mountain fruit.  An idyllic expression of the areas distinct volcanic terroir, this stunningly elegant and penetrating wine saturates your taste buds with an abundance of blackberry cassis, mineral laced raspberry, Ghirardelli chocolate and roasted coffee. The overall texture, is both deep and elegant and foreshadows the long and expansive finish.  It’s rare to find a Diamond Mountain Cabernet that we can offer you , and this is the first time since Ascent that we’ve found one for you…
 
Von Strasser was a fixture on Diamond Mountain for more than two decades and while they sold the vineyard in 2015, they kept the brand, and purchased a new winery on Silverado Trail where the wines are now being made. Von Strasser gained valuable experience at Trefethen and Newton wineries and he has extensive experience working with Diamond Mountain fruit.  His 2013 Cabernet is drinking so beautifully right now, it was astonishing how elegantly this wine hits your palate and it continues to impress all the way through the finish.
 
VON STRASSER
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “Immediate nose is pleasing with dark fruit of blueberry, blackberry and leather layered with flavors of licorice, coffee, pomegranate and subtle earthy undertones.  Wrap it up with supple tannins to enjoy now or up to 10 years.”
2014 Barlow Calistoga Napa Valley Merlot

2014 Barlow Calistoga Merlot

with No Comment $30-$40CalistogaKevin VogtMerlotNapaUSA

BARLOW

2014 MERLOT
CALISTOGA

2014 Barlow Calistoga Napa Valley Merlot
Many of California’s best Merlots come from the sleepy town of Calistoga, on the Northern-most end of Napa Valley.  The area is distinguished by volcanic soils and the largest diurnal temperature variation in Napa Valley.  Daytime highs and night time lows span up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and while the hot daytime temperatures allow the grapes to develop deep and compelling flavors, the cool nights help to maintain acidity and structure.  With all of the contributing factors working in unison, this area has proven that it can produce some of the best Merlot in California… Just look at last year’s #1 wine in the Wine Spectator.  Interestingly, Duckhorn’s iconic 3 Palms Vineyard is just a short distance from Barlow’s Estate Vineyard and I believe the micro-climate on the South-Eastern edge of Calistoga where both of these Merlots originate is perfectly suited to produce some of Napa’s best Merlot.
 
Barlow’s Estate Vineyard is farmed by father and son team and you can literally taste the care that goes into each bottle.  They produce just over 300 cases of their Merlot and at $35/btl the level of quality is literally shocking when you taste it.  The 2014 was housed for 22 months in oak and has blossomed for 2 years in the bottle.  You simply have to try this…  
 
BARLOW
2014 MERLOT
CALISTOGA
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl
 
Winery Notes: “The 2014 Barlow Merlot has a deep, concentrated violet-purple color with aromas of rich raspberry, ripe red cherry with an essence of sweet French vanilla. The palate is highly concentrated with deep and generous flavors of currants, blueberries and Bing cherries. The tannins are soft and luxurious and are a great counterpart to the sweet flavors of toasty oak.” 
308 Cases Produced 
 
Customers who enjoy Barlow’s Calistoga Merlot, may also enjoy these two terrific Merlots…

 

2015 Duckhorn Napa Valley Merlot 2014 Frostwatch Bennett Valley Merlot
DUCKHORN
2015 MERLOT
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $56/btl
 
Your Price: $45/btl 

Click to Order

The consensus in the wine industry points to Merlot being back and with serious vigor. The varietal took a hit in 2004 with the debut of the movie Sideways which besmirched Merlot causing US Merlot sales to crater. A study by Vineyard Financial Associates estimates that it cost Merlot farmers over 400M in lost revenue in the decade following the movie.  Of course none of that made Duckhorn blink, in fact they’ve been climbing to new heights, and recently went on to become the #1 Wine in the World on the 2017 Wine Spectator Top 100 list with their 2014 Three Palms Merlot.  
FROSTWATCH
2014 MERLOT
BENNETT VALLEY 
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl 

Click to Order

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Merlot is scented of red and black plums, dried Mediterranean herbs, vanilla and spice box. Full-bodied in the mouth, it has a relatively tannic backbone dominating the fruit and drying out the finish slightly, but there is a lot of expressive fruit to love and it should reward another 3-5 years in bottle.”  90+ Points
2015 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay

2015 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtNapaUSA

CHATEAU MONTELENA 

2015 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay2015 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY

 
The best wines evoke memories, intellectual thoughts and feelings when you taste them, and every time I taste Chateau Montelena’s Chardonnay, thoughts of Independence and patriotism come to mind.  Two hundred years after the Declaration of Independence was signed, Chateau Montelena made a pivotal statement at the 1976 Judgement in Paris when their 1973 Chardonnay came in 1st place.  It eclipsed all other French and California Chardonnays at the historic tasting, as depicted in the movie Bottle Shock…  Continuing their legacy of producing enchanting, brightly focused Chardonnays, the 2015 is remarkably tropical this year with bright, freshly picked kumquat, nectarine, lemon oil and candied ginger.  Symbolizing the American dream, hard work and independence, here’s a chance to own the most celebrated Chardonnay in US history…
 
Remaining true to their roots and focusing on the pure expression of fruit, crisp acidity and mineral finish, Chateau Montelena is unlike many California Chardonnay producers that have adopted a creamy, buttery, profile with a heavier oak influence.  Kept for just 10 months in neutral French oak barrels, the 2015 is bright and focused with vivid Island fruits, candied lemon, shaved almonds and tangerine oil. I strongly recommend a case of this iconic Napa Valley Chardonnay for your cellar.  
 
CHATEAU MONTELENA 
2015 CHARDONNAY
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $58.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 13%
 
From Vinous: “Just bottled, the 2015 Chardonnay is shaping up to be a gorgeous wine. The warmer vintage has resulted in a slightly richer style of Chardonnay, although the house style built on energy and tension is still very much in evidence. Candied lemon, white flowers and mint are nicely textured. Soft, enveloping and gracious, the 2015 will drink well with minimal cellaring.” 92 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Chateau Montelena Chardonnay may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…

 

2014 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015 Failla Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
RED MARE
2014 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
A luminous interpretation of Dutton Ranch fruit, the 2014 washes over your palate with classic Granny Smith apple, spiced pear, juicy yellow melon and subtle lemon bar.  Big and full across the palate and crafted in a plump, round style, if you’re searching for a top-level California Chardonnay without the high price tag that usually comes with one, I would saddle up and secure a case of Red Mare before this one rides off into the sunset
FAILLA
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl 

Click to Order

 
After dominating one varietal for nearly two decades as winemaker at Turley Wine Cellars, the natural progression is to start a new challenge, create something fresh, then conquer that too… Ehren Jordan’s viticultural training in France greatly influenced his farming and winemaking choices, which are evident in this sensational Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.  
2014 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir

2014 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma MountainUSA

ORRIN-SAGE

2014 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN

2014 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir

When we introduced the Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir in April, we genuinely felt it was WAY too good to be priced where it was.  Of course that’s exactly what we strive to bring you, and it simply defines what our tasting panel looks for.  Of course, over the years we’ve discovered some truly stunning Pinots that have delivered exceptional quality, but Orrin-Sage set a new bar… This was and still is the best Pinot at this price that we’ve ever featured.  It sold out the day that we sent out the offer back in April, but as luck would have it, the winery had a distributor that did not take an order and we grabbed it immediately.
 
Arising from the rugged Sonoma Mountain AVA, a unique area which gains some of the cooling influence from the Petaluma Gap and produces brilliant Pinot Noir fruit.  Bevan, Siduri and Flowers are just a few of the wineries that have crafted Pinots from this unique area. This wine was expertly made by Justin Harmon who gained valuable experience as an intern under Russell Bevan.  It has an undeniable meaty character coupled with remarkable weight and perfect balance making it a wine that I truly can’t get enough of…  Of course with just 6 barrels produced, don’t wait… 
 
ORRIN-SAGE
2014 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $49.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “One glance and the brilliantly shimmering transparent cherry red color starts pulling you in. Then comes the enticing nose with ripe black cherries, bright pomegranate, allspice, nutmeg, wet leather, fragrant dried lavender and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, a mesmerizing cascade of flavors including crushed black raspberries, tart cherry, fresh sage leaf, candied lime peel and hints of Asian spices.  It’s so alluring that your instinct to swallow will override your will to allow it to linger longer on your palate… and when you do, you’ll be left with a penetrating, long, highly pleasurable finish that absolutely begs for another sip.” 
96 Points and where have you been all my life…
Kevin M Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
Customers that enjoy the Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two stunning wines…

 

2015 Cosa Obra Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay
COSA OBRA
2015 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 
It’s telling when any one wine is still requested and praised months or even years post offering…  When this happens, some might call it storied or legendary, but when a value Pinot Noir makes this list, it simply speaks to the above average quality of the wine.  For those of you who tasted, loved and are still talking about 2013 Cosa  Obra Pinot, all I can say is, wait until you taste the 2015…
ORRIN-SAGE
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
There’s something mystical about a wine so under-the-radar that all of the information available is written on the bottle… But, etched in your mind are the flavors which write a story of its origins, and the care that went into creating it.  That’s the feeling that washed over me when I tasted Orrin-Sage’s 2015 Chardonnay, and it was met with a feeling of blissful disbelief when I found out what we could offer this wine for. 
2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma MountainUSA

WESTWOOD

2015 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED

2015 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red
In a conversation about the most recognizable blends in the world, it’s rare for the composition of varietals to come up. These wines are branded solely on taste and the location of the grapes. The components that make up the wine are eclipsed by the overall flavors and style.  Before we tell you what’s in Westwood’s Legend, we should tell you who’s behind it. The legend was made by Ben Cane who spent 6 years on the winemaking team at Twomey, and David Ramey, one of California’s most legendary winemakers, who helped put many iconic wineries get on the map including Dominus, Rudd Estate and Jericho Canyon…  The feeling that I had when tasting this wine was one of euphoria and sheer contentment.  When I found out I could offer this wine to you I jumped at the chance.
 
This legend arose from the bio-dynamically farmed Annadel Gap Estate Vineyard located between Mt Hood and Sonoma Mountain.  The area is heavily influenced by morning fog and high-winds, and the variety of soil types lend to the wines vast complexity.  The flavors are intriguing and balanced and introduce themselves in a silky and enchanting style that make this wine as unique as it is delicious.  It’s already earned 95 points from Tasting Panel Magazine, don’t hesitate to secure your case.   
 
WESTWOOD
2015 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $44.00/btl
 
 
From Tasting Panel: “This proprietary red blend (25% Syrah, 25% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 15% Zinfandel and 10% Tannat) is sourced [mostly from] the estate vineyard, situated between Mt. Hood and the Sonoma Mountains. The perfume is primarily floral: gardenia, red rose petals – with accents on red plum and an echo of black pepper. The palate is a silk road with gritty chocolate tannins. But the ruby slippers that carry you down the path bursts with red plum, dark chocolate cherries, exotic jasmine and grilled meat with soy sauce. The finish is pleasurable with a creamy cedar note.” 95 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Westwood’s Legend may also enjoy these two terrific Reds… 
2014 Horse & Plow Blockhouse Vineyard Napa Valley Grenache 2015 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red
HORSE & PLOW
2014 GRENACHE 
BLOCKHOUSE VINEYARD
Retails at:  $34.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Horse & Plow’s single vineyard Grenache is from Yountville, just a stone’s throw from our shop, and it completely rocked my world when I tasted it.  This beautifully proportioned and profoundly pleasing red should be the wikipedia reference for California Grenache.  With a round, velvet lined core, the 2014 envelopes your palate in a bumper crop of plump, juicy flavors with red plum, wild berries, mineral, cocoa and subtle spice.  
SANS LIEGE
2015 THE OFFERING
PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $29/btl 

Click to Order

 

Made in a magnetic style that draws you in with lavish aromas that become increasingly compelling with aeration, Sans Liege’s Southern Rhone inspired blend The Offering is wine that I simply love.  A remarkable fusion of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, the 2015 saturates your taste buds with a velvety texture, intermixed with vibrant red fruits, crème de cassis, juicy blackberries, and savory spices that you coming back for more.
2106 Calculated Risk Santa Barbara Chardonnay

2016 Calculated Risk Santa Barbara Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtSanta BarbaraUSA

CALCULATED RISK

2106 Calculated Risk Santa Barbara Chardonnay

2016 CHARDONNAY
SANTA BARBARA 

 
What makes Santa Barbara Chardonnay unique? For starters, Chardonnay is Santa Barbara County’s most widely planted grape, surpassing Pinot Noir by more than 25%.  The varietal thrives in the cooler climate, caused by the transverse nature of the two Mountain ranges that sandwich this viticultural region.  Limestone soils also help maintain acidity, which helps create an exotic tropical fruit character, which is one of the signatures that I love about Santa Barbara Chardonnay.  I find many of my favorite Santa Barbara Chardonnays show bountiful yet delicate orchard fruits, exotic tropical fruits, vibrant acidity, and are laced in minerality.  Calculated Risk’s 2016 Chardonnay caught me by surprise. Not only did it showcase everything that I love about Santa Barbara Chardonnay, but I simply couldn’t believe how good it was at its $38 retail price.  At $23/btl, I jumped at the opportunity to share it with you.  
 
A non-disclosure agreement prevents us from telling you the vineyard source, but the 2016 leaps from the glass with green & yellow apple, passionfruit, toasted pear and lemon blossoms, then carrying through on the palate with an elegant depth and pristine style.   At $23/btl your only risk will be not buying enough.  
 
CALCULATED RISK
2016 CHARDONNAY
SANTA BARBARA
Retails at:  $37.99/btl
 
Your Price: $23.00/btl 
YOU SAVE 39%
 
Winery Notes: “A brilliant, golden yellow look with hints of pineapple, white peach, pear and pomelo on the nose. The palate offers lime leaf, honeysuckle, lemon and a hint of subtle lavender.”
 
Customers who enjoy Calculated Risk Chardonnay may also enjoy these two outstanding wines…
2014 Matias Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay
 2014 Calculated Risk Mount Veeder Proprietary Red
MATIAS
2014 CHARDONNAY
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $35/btl
 
Your Price: $23/btl 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “… Clean, straight and focused, with bright acidity, medium-bodied richness and notes of citrus blossom, crushed rock and white peach, this beauty is elegant, beautifully fresh and crisp on the palate. It’s a great value and one to drink over the coming 2-3 years.”  90 Points 
CALCULATED RISK
PROPRIETARY RED
2014 MOUNT VEEDER
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
 

I’ve always found a mystical element in Mount Veeder fruit that always draws me in.  It’s the largest AVA within Napa Valley but the rugged terrain limits production to just 1.3% of Napa Valley grapes.  Yielding small, powerful berries, the sandstone and shale soils set this Mountain apart from all others in Napa.  It’s also the coolest Mountain which allows the grapes to have a longer hang-time so they can develop into something majestic.  
2015 Cru9 Stop Talking Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Cru9 Stop Talking Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

CRU9

2015 Cru9 Stop Talking Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
STOP TALKING…
2015 NAPA VALLEY 

 
When we first introduced CRU9’s 2014 Cabernet, everybody that tried it couldn’t stop talking about how great it was for the price.  All I can say about the 2015 is that you may want to keep your lips sealed on our little secret here… It’s even better than the 2014 and with a complete production of just 4 barrels or 100 cases, be sure to secure yours before the word gets out… The 2015 bears a powerful yet inviting voice and cascades across the palate with stunning clarity.   At the winery retail of $60/btl I’m all in… At $39.99/btl, we bought every bottle that we could… If you choose to place your order on our website, you will need code cru920 to unlock this low price. 
 
Carved from a secret vineyard sources in Oakville, St. Helena and Rutherford, the 2015 exhibits all the best traits of the vintage.  On the palate, waves of concentrated black cherry, velvety cassis, espresso roast and chocolate raspberry mousse circulate and add new dimensions as the wine opens up.  Notably, CRU9 also gives back and helps support two nonprofit women shelters, Ruby’s Place in CA and House of Hope in IA (read more).  Every time you buy a bottle of CRU9, you also help level the playing field for survivors of human trafficking, domestic abuse, and homelessness.
 
CRU9
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
STOP TALKING…
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “Cru 9 Stop Talking Cabernet 2015 has a deep purple color offering a penetrating nose of crushed blackberries, bing cherry, deep black currants scorched minerally earth and hints of cinnamon spice box.  A stunning example that is penetrating and focused with a taught, broad shouldered structure and linear style, balanced with concentrated red and black fruits and dusty tannins that cut a swath across your palate and lingers on and on.  Drink now through 2028.” 
95 Points Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier

 

Customers that enjoy Cru9’s Cabernet Sauvignon, may also enjoy these two terrific wines from Cru9…
2015 Cru9 See You In Your Dreams Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2016 Cru9 Russian River Valley Chardonnay
CRU 9
2015 PINOT NOIR
SEE YOU IN YOUR DREAMS
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes: “A sweetly perfumed Pinot Noir with a compellingly sultry nose of dried violets, ripe raspberries, tart red cherries, spiced cola beans and dried green tea.  On the palate, it is supple and lush with crushed blueberries, tart cranberry, candied lime peel and an exceptionally long finish that lasts for over a minute.  An exceptional effort that drinks great now, but will age gracefully for years… Drink now through 2024.”  94+ Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
CRU9 
2016 CHARDONNAY
As Ever…
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $38.00/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes: “This lovely, graciously styled Chardonnay has a beautiful nose of orange marmalade, lemon blossom,  citrus oil, wild flowers and chamomile tea. The palate follows through with a mouth watering array of ripe pear, toasted hazelnut, butter cream, subtle toasted oak notes, combined with lively acidity. Nuanced, sumptuous and nicely layered, it has a beautifully soft-textured finish. Drink this classically styled Russian River Chardonnay now and over the next few years…” 93 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier