2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Proprietary Reserve

2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Proprietary Red

with No Comment $50-$60Howell MountainKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

DANCING HARES

2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Proprietary Reserve2016 MAD HATTER
PROPRIETARY RED

 
In the wine world, if your last name is Beckstoffer you likely have an arsenal of the best vineyard resources available to make a world-class Napa Valley wine.  One taste of the new 2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter is all the proof you’ll need.  2016 is the first vintage of this renowned wine that was produced entirely by Tuck and his team after purchasing Dancing Hares in 2016. Tuck Beckstoffer is the son of renowned grape grower Andy Beckstoffer, whose company is one of the largest independent vineyard owners in Northern California. Tuck enlisted the talents of Shawn Johnson, who previously made wine at Merus, to help make the Mad Hatter one of Napa Valley’s foremost second wines, and at about 1/2 the price of the Dancing Hares, Mad Hatter offers an excellent value.  
 
Located at the foot of Howell Mountain, the winery produces two limited-production wines, which include their Dancing Hares Red (retails for around $150/btl,) and the Mad Hatter which retails at $75/btl. The 2016 Mad Hatter is powerful and seductive and is loaded with candied red berries, incense, wild raspberries, espresso roast, and dried violets.  Don’t let this vintage escape down the rabbit hole before you’re able to secure your case. 
 
DANCING HARES
2016 MAD HATTER
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl 

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YOU SAVE 20%
 
Winery Notes: “...expresses aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate and toasted almonds. In the mouth, flavors of blackberry, licorice and plum come forth to enhance a full mouthfeel and silky finish.“
Cabernet Sauvignon 48% | Merlot 40% | Petite Sirah 12%
 
Customers who enjoy Dancing Hares Mad Hatter may also enjoy these two terrific Reds…  
2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red 2014 Steps Winemaker's Reserve Proprietary Blend
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 

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When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.  
STEPS 
WINEMAKER’S RESERVE 
2014 PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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The 6 barrel production  Winemaker’s  Reserve is heavily based in Atlas Peak, and made transparent by its striking crushed rock minerality and dusty tannins that make the area so desired.  The final blend has a solid core of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak, magnified by 14% Cabernet Franc from Kenefick Palisades Vineyard, 9% Malbec from Oakville and 5% Petit Verdot from Coombsville.
2014 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir

2014 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir

with No Comment $60-$70Kevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSAWillamette Valley

DOMAINE SERENE

2014 PINOT NOIR
EVENSTAD RESERVE

2014 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir
I’m often asked about wineries to visit in Willamette Valley, and for as long as I can remember Domaine Serene has topped my list.  It’s simply my favorite producer of classic, profound and hedonistic Oregon Pinot Noir.  When the winery went up against Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (one of the most expensive Pinot Noirs in the world) in a blind tasting of 3 wines from each producer in vintages 1998,  1999, and 2000, Domaine Serene placed first, second and third with the 1998 and 1999 vintages and first and second with their 2000…  Domaine Serene’s Evanstad Reserve is an undeniable reference standard for Oregon Pinot Noir and with the 94 and 95 point scores, it simply won’t be available for long…
 
One of the keys to the wineries success is the diversity of soils, clones and microclimates found on their 240 acres of dry farmed, Estate Vineyards.  The diversity in their vineyards allow them to create the best representation of the vintage, every year… With accolades like #1 Pinot in the world on the Wine Spectator top 100 for 2013, this is one you don’t want to miss. 
 
DOMAINE SERENE
2014 PINOT NOIR
EVENSTAD RESERVE 
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 13%
 
“A soft and silky pinot with beautiful dried strawberries, blueberries and hints of vanilla to close. Medium to full body, ultra-fine tannins and a fruity finish. This is all about subtlety and freshness.”  95 Points
“There is a darker fruit spectrum evident in the reserve, with notes of coffee, smoke, black fruits, a touch of charred wood all worked through, and without damping the core fruit flavors. Those bright flavors spotlight raspberry, plum and black cherry...”  94 Points, Editors’ Choice

 

Customers who would enjoy Domaine Serene’s Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir, may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
 
2013 Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015 Three Sticks PFV Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
WILLIAMS SELYEM
2013 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COUNTY
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl 

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THREE STICKS
2015 “PFV” PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST, ESTATE
Retails at:  $64.99/btl
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl 

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2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red

2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

SEBASTIANI 

GRAVEL BED RED
2016 SONOMA COUNTY  

2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red
To many of you, Gravel Bed Red needs no introduction, primarily because it’s got such a following and reputation along with ridiculously high scores for its price, that it sells out regardless of vintage.  Sebastiani is certainly established, but at under thirty per bottle, it tops the list of wines that don’t need any introduction. “This stuff is ridiculous!”  “Are you kidding me?”  “This wine is amazing…”   These quotes represent just a few of the many comments I’ve received about Gravel Bed Red.  Sebastiani’s 2013 Gravel Bed Red was my number one pick on my top 10 list in 2015, and three months later went on to receive a near perfect 97 Point Score from Robert Parker.   The following for their wines has snowballed and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
 
Named for the gravelly soils that are key components in this exciting Cabernet Blend, the 2016 blankets your taste buds in a velvety embrace that comes threaded with mineraly red and black fruits, pipe tobacco, pencil lead and vanilla.  With fruit sourced from famed sites such as the iconic Cherryblock Vineyard, this wine delivers serious bang for your buck and with the growing following, I wouldn’t wait to secure yours.   
 
SEBASTIANI 
GRAVEL BED RED
2016 SONOMA COUNTY 
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $26.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 32%
 
Winery Notes: “Our 2016 Gravel Bed Red is a harmonious expression of gravely vineyard sites from a moderately warm vintage. Its deep ruby red color leads into forward aromas of cherry liquor, tobacco leaf, wet stone minerality and a hint of oak. Dark fruit flavors attack the palate predominated by blackberry, black cherry, herbs de Provence and dried leaves. The impressive palate offers enough tannin and acidity to reign in the generous fruit. This wine is showing well in its youth, but will only gain in complexity over the next 2-4 years.”
Cabernet Sauvignon 44% | Merlot 33% | Malbec 10% | Petit Verdot 9% | Syrah 3% | Zinfandel 1% 

 

Customers who enjoy Sebastiani’s Gravel Bed Red may also enjoy these two outstanding blends…
2015 B Sharp Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2014 Blind Tasting Proprietary Red
B. SHARP
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “With an attractive dark inky hue, the wine features sultry aromas of black and blue fruits, licorice, smoke, and spice. On the palate, the flavors expand with generous notes of briary blackberry, ripe boysenberry, cranberry, cassis, dark chocolate truffle, blood orange peel, and a kiss of oak. The plush texture is elevated with a burst of lively acidity leading to a long, dry finish that makes you want more! Outstanding.” 
92 Points, Christopher Sawyer, Sommelier to the Stars.
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2014 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $36/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Intoxicating aromas of crushed blue fruits, blackberry cobbler, violets, raspberry compote and a touch of vanilla, erupt from the glass. Ripe, round tannins and a core of perfectly woven flavors of dark cherry, blueberry pie, crushed blackberries and a hint pepper spice unwind in a continuous loop.  Soft, voluptuous tannins caress your taste buds with a long, luxurious finish that just wont quit.”
2015 Walter Hansel Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay

2015 Walter Hansel Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

WALTER HANSEL

2015 CHARDONNAY
CUVEE ALYCE

2015 Walter Hansel Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay
When Walter Hansel Winery comes up in a conversation, it’s easy to reminisce about how they’re a model of consistency, and how their wines continually outshine the vast majority in their category.  Then comes the reviews, and they’re second to none.  Robert Parker writes that they’re “… consistently terrific wines… realistically priced… consumers couldn’t have a better friend than proprietor Stephen Hansel.”  When your brand sets a standard of undeviating quality and exceptionally high scores, it can be tough to stand out among your own vast accomplishments.  Walter Hansel has done just that with their flagship Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay…
 
Alyce is named after Stephen’s mother and makes her entrance from an elevated section of the vineyard that’s planted to a mix of Kistler clones brought over from Hudson and Hyde Vineyards.  Having yields of just 2 tons per acre Alyce always has remarkable power and intensity.  It’s also kept for around 3-4 months longer on the lees and is regarded for being the biggest and most opulent of all of the single vineyard Chardonnays.  With that, it also sells out the quickest… Here’s a chance to secure yours.  
 
WALTER HANSEL
2015 CHARDONNAY 
CUVEE ALYCE
 
Your Price: $36/btl 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce (named after his mother ) is produced from a field blend of Hyde and Hudson Wente selections. This is a big Chardonnay made from tiny berries. Orange marmalade, tangerine oil, honeysuckle and citrus are all present in this beautifully textured, full-bodied Chardonnay that shows little evidence of oak. It should drink well for at least a decade.” 93-95 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Walter Hansel’s Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay may also enjoy these two stunning Walter Hansel Releases… 
 
2014 Walter Hansel North Slope Chardonnay
 2015 Walter Hansel South Slope Pinot Noir
WALTER HANSEL 
2014 CHARDONNAY
NORTH SLOPE
 
Your Price: $34.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “…The 2014 Chardonnay The North Slope comes from sandy, rich and fertile Goldridge soils. This wine exhibits plenty of honeyed brioche, with a greenish hue to its light-gold color, followed by notes of buttery hazelnuts, poached pear, pineapple and citrus oil. This is French in style as well, but with an almost lavish richness like a top-flight French Bâtard-Montrachet. It should drink well for 5-6 years. Some of the best values in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir emerge from Stephen Hansel’s winery in the Russian River Valley.”    93 Points
WALTER HANSEL 
2015 PINOT NOIR 
SOUTH SLOPE
 
Your Price: $42/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “… The deepest color of many of these Pinot Noirs, the wine has loads of damp earth, spice box and forest floor, this is a deep blue-fruited Pinot with a lovely texture, plenty of body, surprising concentration and richness. This is a stunner from 18-year-old vines. Drink it over the next decade or more…. This wine has a dense purple color, a gorgeously compelling nose of forest floor, spring flowers, blue, red and black fruits, followed by a full-bodied, layered and concentrated Pinot Noir that is as light as a ballerina on the palate, but at the same time, intense and rich. The finish just goes on and on. Drink it over the next decade or more.”   94-96 Points
2016 Heir Apparent Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2016 Heir Apparent Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordSt HelenaUSA

HEIR APPARENT

PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY

2016 Heir Apparent Napa Valley Proprietary Red
Ever wonder how we are able to offer these amazingly high-quality wines with such dramatic discounts? It comes down to patience, confidence and buying power. We have the patience for our tasting panel to taste through over 80 wines each week, looking for only the best wines available. Then, our panel’s consensus gives us the confidence that we’ve made the right choices on which wines to work with.  Finally, we have the buying power to commit to, and purchase large quantities in advance, so we can negotiate the best deals. It is somewhat risky on our part, but frankly, we are pretty darn good at it, and the quality and value shows through in each incredible bottle we offer.
 
Case in point, this Heir Apparent Proprietary Red seduces you with intense aromas of floral infused red fruits, minerals and chocolaty espresso, the 2016 wraps your palate in a velvety embrace and leaves your taste buds yearning for another sip.  Combining fruit from St Helena and Rutherford, the tension created between the two distinct areas lends greatly to the complexity. Calling on all five Bordeaux Varietals, the 2016 spent 16 month in oak and it’s already providing enormous levels of pleasure, and should drink well over the next 10-12 years. Another winner!
 
HEIR  APPARENT
PROPRIETARY RED
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $69.99/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes: “With a beautiful dark red hue, the wine opens up with seductive aromas of fresh violets, dried rose petals, ripe tree fruits, wild berries, licorice and spice. On the palate, lively notes of fresh baked dark cherry pie, red plum and ripe raspberry are layered with zesty notes of pepper, cloves, ginger, roasted walnuts, and the gentle use of oak which allow the flavors to pop. As the wine opens up, these flavors are balanced with soft tannins, tangy acidity, and (a) long finish...” 92 Points “Sommelier to the Stars” Christopher Sawyer
2015 Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Witchery Oakville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

WITCHERY

2015 OAKVILLE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

 

2015 Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become an elite Cabernet producer in Napa Valley?  Topping the list are: a vineyard location capable of producing world-class fruit; an experienced and exceptionally gifted winemaker; then a proprietor that has a laser-like focus targeted to his goals without ever sacrificing quality.  The last piece of the puzzle is beautiful packaging and an intriguing name that matches what’s in the bottle… Witchery checks off every box on this list with their Oakville fruit sourced from a vineyard that sits directly South of Opus One. 
 
Winemaker Grant Long Jr, whose growing list of accomplishments is absolutely undeniable, and is a valuable piece to this puzzle.  In 2015, Witchery’s proprietors steadfast focus led them to scale back production by nearly two thirds, focusing on their top vineyards.  And the packaging, I think it speaks for itself.  
 
Witchery’s 2015 Oakville Reserve flaunts a vivid perfume, accented by majestic levels of blackberry fruit, intertwined with white chocolate, crushed rock, violets and black coffee. This brooding charm was imprisoned for nearly two years in 100% new French oak barrels.  With a mere 6 barrels produced, add some of this remarkable wine to your cellar right away.
 
WITCHERY
2015 OAKVILLE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
Retails at: $110/btl
 
Your Price: $89/btl 
YOU SAVE 19%
 
Tasting Notes: “An intoxicating perfume of majestic dark fruits, white chocolate and cassis escape from the glass.  The 2015 has a deep, concentrated core that opens up with layers of chocolate covered blueberry, cassis, roasted espresso, and subtle sage. The voluptuous mouthfeel is supported by fine grain tannins, gently woven throughout and the long pleasurable finish…” 
 
Customers who enjoy Witchery’s Oakville Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning wines… 
2015 MISC Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Witchery Howell Mountain Napa Valley Proprietary Red
MISC
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION
 
Your Price: $94.99/btl 
 
This two barrel production of Diamond Mountain Cabernet, arising from the highest vineyard on Diamond Mountain, oozes with majestic dark berries, roasted coffee, volcanic minerals and black chocolates.  An idyllic expression of DiamondMountain with an unbelievable presence that saturates your palate in a profusion of blackberry cassis, crushed raspberries, and espresso roast.
WITCHERY RESERVE
2015 HOWELL MOUNTAIN
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $125/btl
Your Price: $89/btl 

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2016 DuMOL Mixed 3 Pack

2016 DuMOL Russian River Valley Pinot, Chardonnay & Syrah

with No Comment $50-$60$60-$70ChardonnayKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaSyrahUSA

DuMOL 

2016 RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
WESTER REACH PINOT & CHARDONNAY
WILD MOUNTAINSIDE SYRAH

2016 DuMOL Mixed 3 Pack

When your brand sets the standard for the types of wine you produce, you have two options…  Keep doing exactly what you’ve been doing, or strive to get even better… In the quest to up their game even more, in 2016 DuMOL honed in on their top vineyard sources, and utilized the best-of-the-best fruit for their previously named Russian River Valley wines.  Coinciding with the move, they also re-named the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Wester Reach and the Syrah Wild Mountainside.  The 2016’s are simply stunning and each wine elegantly expresses the best qualities for each of their origins.
 
Quantities are incredibly limited and orders will be taken until we are sold out of each one. I welcome you to mix and match a case however you would like, or you may order each one individually and in any quantity below… 
 

Click to Order Mixed 15 Pack

2016 DuMOL Wester Reach Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2016 DuMOL Wild Mountainside Russian River Valley Syrah 2016 DuMOL Wester Reach Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
DuMOL 
2016 CHARDONNAY
WESTER REACH
 
Your Price: $56.99/btl
 
The 2016 Wester Reach Chardonnay combines fruit from Ritchie, Lorenzo and DuMOL’s Estate Vineyard… 
 
Winery Notes:
“Orange zest, white flower, sweet sage and hay aromas yield to softer peach and apricot. The palate is full of energy and vigor with clear-cut fruit intensity and savory character. Ripe stone fruits dominate with an underscore of oatmeal and marzipan. Texture builds with a core of old vine extract balanced with vibrant lime and oyster shell freshness. The finish is long, cleansing, and refined. Drink between 2018 and 2022.” 
DuMOL
2016 SYRAH
WILD MOUNTAINSIDE
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl

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The 2016 Wild Mountainside Syrah combines fruit from Timbervine, Greywacke and Hoppe-Kelly Vineyards (source for the Eddie’s Patch Syrah between 2000-2013). 
 

Winery Notes:

“…inky and concentrated. Blackberry, boysenberry and blueberry fruit characters dominate both aromas and palate. There’s vibrant grapefruit zest, floral lilac, wild thyme and roasted meat characters. The fruit is plush and deep, but there’s always a sense of mountain precision and detail. A savory ferrous note adds intrigue to the full-bodied, chewy palate but the wine remains fine and polished throughout. It holds 15 years of aging potential in a cool cellar.”  
DuMOL
2016 PINOT NOIR
WESTER REACH 
 
Your Price: $69.99/btl

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The 2016 Wester Reach Pinot intertwines fruit from Ritchie, Occidental Road, Dutton-Upp Road and Widdoes Vineyards. 
 
 

Winery Notes:

“Complex, layered aromas – red cherry, black pepper, hibiscus and orange peel – are wonderfully bright and fresh while cranberry and pomegranate, wild thyme and underbrush lend fine detail. The broad fruit entry possesses great lift – juicy and vibrant, then immediately deep and layered. The mid-palate is succulent and round with cherry liqueur and rhubarb flavors which extend on fresh acidity through the long, black peppercorn-infused finish. Drink between 2018 and 2026.” 
2015 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay

2015 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma MountainUSA

ORRIN-SAGE

2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA MOUNTAIN

2015 Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay
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 we could offer this wine.  I was reminded a little bit of Walter Hansel and even Paul Hobbs when tasting it, and as I read further into it, the story became more detailed and full of lavish characters, with notes of ripe nectarines, Island pineapples, French Bistro creme brûlée and fresh baked lemon Meringue cookies.   You simply can’t put this one down…
 
The publicist did let slide that this is a limited edition of only 160 cases produced.  It gets really interesting when you learn that this story was originally destined to be penned by a different world renowned author, but somehow as luck would have it, this narrative made its way to Orrin Sage, and now, luck falls on anybody fortunate enough to take it all in. 
 
ORRIN-SAGE
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA MOUNTAIN
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
 
Tasting Notes: “This gorgeous Chardonnay is a marvelous bottling that was sired from an incredible vineyard source. The wine begins with aromatics of poached pear, ripe nectarines, heavy whipping cream and a touch of sweet vanilla. There are dense flavors of candied citrus, ripe pineapple, lemon meringue and crème brulee that toy with the subtle minerality. This is just an awesome value at this price “
 
Customers who enjoy the Orrin-Sage Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…

 

2015 Silverpoint Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2014 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
SILVERPOINT
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
 
If the best wines were like a puzzle, this wine would have every piece laid out perfectly.  With everything from an accomplished winemaker, iconic vineyard, blockbuster vintage and a terrific price, this wine truly has it all.  It was authored by Don Van Staaveren who’s responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines from ’85-’97, and even made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was recognized as the #1 wine on the 1999 Wine Spectator Top 100 list.  It was the first Sonoma wine to receive the honor of being the #1 Wine in the World…
RED MARE
2014 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
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
2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage

2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON

2014 MERITAGE
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE  

2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage
Victory is a thousand times sweeter when you’re the underdog… Just ask Bill Foley who’s Las Vegas Golden Knights just shocked the world by making it to the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season. And scoring yet another goal, Bill’s 2014 Rutherford Estate Meritage pulls a hat trick with its mouth puckeringly good, deep, velvety flavors and scores a power play goal with thundering authority.  With an entry price significantly lower than others in its division you could say that this Meritage is an underdog story of it’s own.  In this case the victory will be yours, when you score this wine for less than forty bucks.
 
Carved from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, as conveyed by Andre Tchelistcheff, legendary winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyards, “Cabernets need a touch of that Rutherford dust,” and this one grabbed my full attention. These players are made up of all five Bordeaux varietals and bursts onto the scene with pulverized dark berries, dried violets dusted with cocoa, pipe tobacco and subtle cedar.  At $45/btl this wine cross-checks every box… At $39.99/btl, you’ll want to clear some serious room in the wine cellar…
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
2014 MERITAGE
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE  
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
YOU SAVE 11%
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Their 2014 Proprietary Red Meritage is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec and Cabernet Franc. It is another striking value among the stratospherically priced wines of Napa. More floral than its counterpart, with more uplifted aromatics, but similar weight and richness, this full-bodied, pure, ripe, delicious and complex wine has attractive aromatics, medium to full body and velvety tannins. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.”  92 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Foley Johnson’s Meritage may also enjoy these two terrific Reds… 
2016 Chappellet Mountain Cuvee Proprietary Red
 2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Reserve
CHAPPELLET
2016 MOUNTAIN CUVEE
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
 
Your Price: $31.99/btl 

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An absolute crowd-pleaser, and those of you who’ve enjoyed this blend each vintage might notice the 2016 exploits a greater percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than their previous 6 vintages.  With Cabernet as the dominant grape, the 2016 is nicely concentrated, and on the palate, the wine’s hallmark velvety embrace comes dressed with provocative black cherries, blueberries, dried violets and cocoa. 
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price:
 
When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality.  We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.  


2015 Two Sisters Lindsay's Vineyard Pinot Noir

2015 Two Sisters Lindsay’s Vineyard Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSanta BarbaraSanta Rita HillsUSA

TWO SISTERS

2015 Two Sisters Lindsay's Vineyard Pinot Noir2015 PINOT NOIR
LINDSAY’S VINEYARD

 
Everybody loves rooting for the winning team and when your team is performing at the top of their game, contagious levels of jubilation fill the room.  Likewise, the bouquet on the Two Sisters Lindsay’s Vineyard Pinot filled our tasting room and induced similar feelings of excitement.  After all, this is another winner brought to us by Bill Foley who’s winning streak of wine and hockey has no limits. Charging from the glass like his Golden Knights on a break-away play, with crushed candied fruits, wild rose, spice box and white pepper that weave in and out in perfect formation.  Big, powerful and complex, like a dominant starting line-up, but with as much brawn as this Pinot displays, it has a feminine touch of detail, balance and finesse which makes it incredibly appealing.  This wine will have your friends and family cheering for another sip.
 
Emerging from the Lindsay’s Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills AVA, an area that’s revered for producing Pinot Noirs with exceptional aromatics, terrific acidity and remarkable focus, this Pinot made me want to grab my stick and get in the game.  With a 93 Point Score and a price that leave you pounding the glass, you’ll want to make a power-play on this one… 
 
TWO SISTERS
2015 PINOT NOIR
LINDSAY’S VINEYARD
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
From Wine Enthusiast, “Plump red cherry, rust, dried sage, wild thyme and baking spices show on the nose of this top-end regional wine from Bill Foley. The palate shows cohesive well-woven flavors of strong red fruits, turned earth, brown spice, cracked pepper and a menthol-like finish. The acidity is perfect, the tannins soft but structural.” 93 Points
 
Customers that enjoy the Two Sisters Lindsay’s Vineyard Pinot,  may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
2014 Daniel Laguna Vineyard Pinot Noir
 2014 Solamente Terra Blanca Vineyard Pinot Noir
DANIEL
2014 PINOT NOIR
LAGUNA VINEYARD
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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Winery Notes:  “This Daniel Pinot Noir is brilliant ruby red in color. The bouquet opens with Huckleberry coulis and black cherry, followed by charcuterie and cedar. This pinot boasts incredibly concentrated red and dark fruit that lingers with a silky texture on the palate. A wine capable of long term aging, every sip offers new nuance.”
SOLAMENTE
2014 PINOT NOIR
TERRA BLANCA VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
 
Cellar Tracker Tasting Notes: “This deep ruby wine flaunts bright aromas of cranberries, black cherries, raspberries, pickling spice and violets. Medium-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with medium-weight but grippy tannins, it has impressive presence on the mid-palate. The medium length finish concludes with a wisp of oak. This is an outstanding Pinot…”