2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Chardonnay

2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Sonoma County Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underBennett ValleyChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaUSA

LETO CELLARS 2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Chardonnay

2017 CHARDONNAY
BENNETT VALLEY
SONOMA COUNTY

 
Many of the greatest wines that we evaluate at our weekly tastings are tasted without knowing the retail price, along with little to no information about them other than what’s printed on the bottle.  With Leto Cellars’ 2017 Chardonnay, we knew from first-hand experience how great their Cabernets have performed for the price, and we also knew the wine was made by a seasoned winemaker with more than 50 vintages under his belt…  On the palate the wine had remarkable structure, ample acidity, and detailed poached pear, granny smith apple and white peach.  It absolutely shatters expectations at this price.
 
This incredibly small 110 case production Chardonnay was forged from the newly formed Bennett Valley Appellation in Sonoma County.  Bennett Valley is unique in that it’s surrounded on three sides by the Sonoma Mountain range, and receives cooling from the Pacific Ocean flowing through Crane Canyon, which runs the length of the gap between Sonoma and Taylor Mountains.  The cooling plays a large role in allowing the grapes to maintain a firm acidity and structure, and Leto’s 2017 Chardonnay is the perfect example…
 
LETO CELLARS
2017 CHARDONNAY
BENNETT VALLEY
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $30/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “The 2017 Leto Cellars Bennett Valley Chardonnay has a bright, floral nose along with an amazing freshness on the palate, showcasing crisp green apples, ripe pear, and balanced, integrated sweet vanilla oak.  It is lively on the palate and not in the least bit cloying or heavy, and beautifully displays this wonderfully fresh style.”
2012 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Anderson Valley Brut Sparkling Wine

2012 Roederer Estate L’Ermitage Brut Sparkling Wine

with No Comment $40-$50Anderson ValleyChampagne/SparklingKevin VogtSonomaUSA

ROEDERER ESTATE 2012 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Anderson Valley Brut Sparkling Wine

2012 L’ERMITAGE
BRUT SPARKLING WINE

 
Did you know that Roederer Estate in Anderson Valley is the sister winery of Louis Roederer in France?  In France, their top Champagne is Cristal, but in California their flagship Sparkling wine is their L’Ermitage, which they only make in exceptional vintages.  Their winemaking style helping guide their success is based upon two very important elements; complete ownership of their vineyards with meticulous farming, along with oak-aging their Reserve wines.  L’Ermitage spends and impressive 5 years in oak casks, which lends to their style of body, finesse and depth of flavor.   With 95 and 97 Point scores from two of the Country’s top critics, this is a truly stunning vintage of L’Ermitage.
 
Louis Roederer is one of the most iconic names in Champagne with more than 200 years of traditional winemaking.  In the early 1980’s they discovered that the Anderson Valley, just North of Sonoma, was ideally suited for grapes used to make sparkling wines.  The area has a cooler climate with well-drained soils, and the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean provides a gentle cycle of warm days and cool nights, allowing the grapes to slowly mature and develop full flavors.  At under $50, this is simply one of the greatest sparkling wines produced in the New World.
 
ROEDERER ESTATE
2012 L’ERMITAGE
BRUT SPARKLING WINE
Retails at:  $50/btl
 
Your Price: $45/btl

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“Extravagant, yet balanced and refined, with lush, crisp brioche, fresh ginger and spice, roasted hazelnut and Asian pear flavors that fan out on the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2020.”  95 Points
“Luxurious and layered, this nicely mature wine has a broad range of complex aromas and flavors, from fig to mushroom to butter and baking spices that ride a supple texture and linger for a long finish. The very fine bead, plush texture and a creamy richness that verges on sweetness are practically irresistible. Best through 2025.”  97 Points, Cellar Selection
2015 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

2015 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

with No Comment $40-$50CarnerosChardonnayHaroKevin VogtNapaUSA

PATZ & HALL 2015 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay

2015 CHARDONNAY
HYDE VINEYARD 

 
What does it really mean to be considered one of California’s Grand Cru Chardonnay Vineyards?  To me, the single most important quality is the level of vivid distinction that the site is able to produce year after year.  It’s these vineyards that can produce the most clear-cut examples of their individualistic terroir that will attract many of the greatest Chardonnay producers to make wine from it.  Larry Hyde’s Vineyard in Carneros makes the short-list of California Chardonnay Vineyards that have reached that status and it’s been a long-time source for icons Pahlmeyer, Ramey, Aubert, Kistler, & TOR, to name just a few… Patz & Hall‘s 2015 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay perfectly expresses the Vineyards profound power, elegance and vivid complexity that have made it so preferred.
 
Founded in 1988 by Donald & Heather Patz, James Hall, and Anne Moses, Patz & Hall built a solid reputation of excellence, and has consistently produced brilliant wines with no shortage of character and overall balance.  Their 2015 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay was barrel fermented after relentless fruit sorting and attention to every detail.  The winery has been working with Hyde fruit since 1990, and in fact it’s their longest grape purchase relationship which began in just their 3rd year of production.  Over the past nearly 30 years, they’ve produced some of my favorite interpretations of this in-arguably renowned site. 
 
PATZ & HALL
2015 CHARDONNAY
HYDE VINEYARD 
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl  
YOU SAVE 23%
 

 
“Restraint in the use of oak paid off here. Distant smoke mingles with sea air on the nose. It’s on the palate that the ripeness and richness of the wine becomes apparent – there is bundled force and warmth at the centre of this, radiating outward with finessed power. A big but elegant wine. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030″  93 Points

 
 
“Rich in green apple and fig, this wine offers medium-bodied weight and breadth and grainy acidity. From the famous site planted to densely concentrated berries, it’s fleshy and textured, with plenty of complexity from spice and oak.“ 92 Points

 
“…offering subtle glimpses at lemon peel, white peach and orange blossom scents with hints of oyster shells, shaved almonds and coriander seed. Medium bodied with a lovely satiny texture, it offers plenty of mineral and citrus flavors with a long, refreshing finish.” 91 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay  may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
2016 Lobo Wulf Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 Montagu Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
LOBO 
2016 CHARDONNAY
WULF VINEYARD
Retails at:  $60/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “This gorgeous wine highlights a full, intense palate of rich, yet balanced flavors, loaded with Golden Delicious apple, exotic tropical fruit, ripe pear and pineapple flavors. These intriguing characteristics all intermingle on the palate, then slowly taper off with a satisfying sweet vanilla/toasty oak finish. Drink now through 2021.“
93 Points, Kevin M Vogt, Master Sommelier
MONTAGU
2017 CHARDONNAY
DURELL VINEYARD
Retails at:  $55/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “This Chardonnay hails exclusively from the Durell Vineyard in Sonoma Coast. The Chardonnay is bright, powerful, and driven by a flinty minerality balanced with tropical fruit notes of white peach, honeyed apricots, and lemon curd with hints of mint and citrus. This wine was fermented in French barrels and spent one year in barrel leading to wonderfully balanced oak integration while sur lee aging developed rich complexity.“
2018 Domaine Ott Chateau de Selle Provence Rose

2018 Domiane Ott Chateau de Selle Provence Rosé

with No Comment $40-$50FranceKevin VogtProvenceProvenceRoséUncategorized

DOMAINE OTT 2018 Domaine Ott Chateau de Selle Provence Rose

2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CHATEAU DE SELLE

 
Every different kind of wine has at least one brand that sets a prescience of quality, and act as a reference-standard for the category. When it comes to dry Rosé from Southern France, Domaine Ott reigns supreme. They’re one of the most iconic producers of Rosé wines, and they’re consistently high-scoring, and they always sell out.  Château de Selle was the first estate acquired by Marcel Ott in 1912 and they’ve continued to create some of the most detailed and intellectually profound Rosé on the market.  Emerging from Provence, France where greater than 50% of the wine output is Rosé, Domaines Ott’s Chateau de Selle will win you over with detailed mandarine orange, lime peal, striking minerality and crystalline structure.  This is simply one of the best Rosés in the world and with Labor Day weekend coming up fast, now is the time to stock up.
 
With attention to every minute detail under consideration, beginning with the terroir, and finishing with the stunning perfume bottle like packaging, Domaines Ott is the epitome of classic Provençal Rosé.  While there might be a lot of Rosés available in the $20-$30 range that are easy to love, Domaines Ott will have you infatuated from the moment it touches your lips. Rosé simply doesn’t get any better…
 
DOMAINE OTT
2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CHATEAU DE SELLE
Retails at:  $54.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl 
 
From Wine & Spirits: “De Selle was Marcel Ott’s first estate, an imposingly rocky slope of gypsum, red clay, dolomite, gravel and sandstone in Taradeau that he purchased in 1912. The rosé it produced in 2018-a blend of grenache with cinsault, syrah and mourvèdre-is more open than the Clos Mireille: De Selle is immediately inviting in its fresh, floral scents of melon and rosemary. The urge to drink it becomes only more immediate when the tangy wine hits the palate, delivering seashell minerality like a jolt of electricity. Bright and energetic, it would make short work of a dozen oysters.“ 93 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Rosé, may also enjoy these two outstanding Provence Rosés…
2017 Chateau des Garcinieres Cotes du Provence Rose
 2018 Domaine Ott Clos Mireille Provence Rose
CHÂTEAU DES GARCINIÈRES
2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE
 
Your Price: $23/btl

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Importers Tasting Notes: “... This biodynamic Rosé is vibrant and fresh; aromas of white peach and passion fruit emerge from the glass with a hint of lavender to remind us of its home by the sea. As with previous vintages, the mouth is filled with delicate raspberry and wild strawberry. The hallmark minerality of the wine is persistent thru the lively finish. Crisp and lovely, the striking acidity makes it a perfect example of why all others try to imitate the Rosés’ of Provence!”
 
DOMAINE OTT
2018 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CLOS MIREILLE
Retails at:  $54.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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From Wine & Spirits: “Clos Mireille sits close to the sea, a patch of schist and clay in La Londe Les Maures. Planted to grenache, with some cinsault, rolle and syrah, and farmed organically, it produced a tight rosé in 2018, succulent and strong. It tastes vividly of sea spray, powered by Meyer lemon-like acidity, while herbal notes play at the edges, like an echo of the scrub that grows between the vines. For all its power, this is a quiet wine, a rosé that demands close attention over a leisurely fish dinner.”  94 Points
2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

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

LA FOLLETTE 2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay

2016 CHARDONNAY
LORENZO VINEYARD

 
There are several key qualities that I look for in absolutely top-quality Chardonnay.  First I look at color intensity, and evaluate it for a golden hue that’s both striking and pure.  Next, is aroma, and I want to smell both complexity and precision detail. On the palate, the most important thing that I seek is balance.  A great Chardonnay can be rich, and opulent, but it needs to be finely threaded with enough acidity to be refreshing, and to not fall flat.  I found all of the above in a glass of 2016 La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay, and it turns out I wasn’t alone… With 94-95 Point scores from Robert Parker and Jeb Dunnuck, this micro-produced Chardonnay is screaming for your attention.  At under $40, it’s truly one of the best examples California Chardonnays that I’ve tasted in years.
 
La Follette is all about showcasing terroir, and their goal is to create a wine that is transparent to the individual site from which it was hewn.  The Lorenzo Vineyard lies in the middle of Sonoma’s Iconic Russian River Valley AVA and the vineyard gets plenty of cooling fog in the mornings and evenings which help the grapes maintain acidity throughout their lifecycle.  The 10 acre vineyard is planted to Old Wente Clone, which is a classic Chardonnay clone preferred for producing wines with intense aromatics, and rich textures.  With just 128 cases produced, I wouldn’t wait to secure yours.
 
LA FOLLETTE
2016 CHARDONNAY
LORENZO VINEYARD
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl  
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“A step up, the 2016 Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard comes from a vineyard in the Russian River and spent ten months in 20% new French oak. It has riveting notes of caramelized lemons, white flowers, salty minerality, and toasted bread. Clean, pure, medium to full-bodied, with integrated acidity and a great finish, it has a racy, vibrant style that’s backed up by terrific intensity and depth. It’s a beauty.“  95 Points
“The 2016 Chardonnay Lorenzo Vineyard has gregarious scents of honeycomb, pink grapefruit, green mango and nectarines with touches of croissant and apple blossom. Medium-bodied, it fills the palate with great tension and tightly wound mineral and tropical layers, finishing with great length and depth. 128 cases produced.” 94 Points
 
Customers who enjoy La Follette Lorenzo Vineyard Chardonnay  may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
2017 Vine Cliff Los Carneros Chardonnay
 2017 Montagu Durell Vineyard Chardonnay
VINE CLIFF
2017 CHARDONNAY
LOS CARNEROS 
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “.. opens up with inviting citrus notes of Meyer lemon and mandarin orange, followed by floral notes of honey suckle, and jasmine. A second breath of wine takes you to a place of minerals, with hints of flint and wet stones. The gentle kiss of oak seems to seep through the fruit ever so slowly. The beauty of this vintage is reflected by the perfect balance between fruit, oak, and acid. The palate exhibits a depth of fruit flavors ranging from golden delicious apple, tangelo, and nectarine. On the finish the wine ends with a medley of honey, citrus, and floral notes.”
MONTAGU
2017 CHARDONNAY
DURELL VINEYARD
Retails at:  $55/btl
 

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Winery Notes: “This Chardonnay hails exclusively from the DurellVineyard in Sonoma Coast. The Chardonnay is bright, powerful, and driven by a flinty minerality balanced with tropical fruit notes of white peach, honeyed apricots, and lemon curd with hints of mint and citrus. This wine was fermented in French barrels and spent one year in barrel leading to wonderfully balanced oak integration while sur lee aging developed rich complexity.”
2015 Delgado Rodgers Creek Vineyard Sonoma County Chardonnay

2015 Delgado Rogers Creek Vineyard Sonoma Coast Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtPetaluma GapSonomaUSA

DELGADO 2015 Delgado Rodgers Creek Vineyard Sonoma County Chardonnay

2015 CHARDONNAY
RODGERS CREEK VINEYARD 
SONOMA COAST

 
Value wines don’t usually come from iconic vineyards and they’re not always made by renowned winemakers, but this case, this one absolutely did.  Delgado’s 2015 Chardonnay was authored  by Don Van Staaveren…  Don is responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines from ’85-’97, and made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was recognized as the #1 wine of the year on the 1999 Wine Spectator Top 100.  The wine arose from the iconic Rodgers Creek Vineyard located within the revered Petaluma Gap AVA of the Sonoma Coast.  Icons like David Ramey, Sojourn and Cherry Pie all recognized this site’s ability to produce world class wine, and they’ve all crafted single vineyard bottling from it.  The Wine Enthusiast rated this spectacular effort 93 Points and at $35/btl it’s clearly at terrific value.  Join our email list for a special offer and you’ll feel like you hit the jackpot when you taste it… 
 
Most people probably haven’t heard of Delgado, and with their tiny production, there’s no surprise…  There are just a handful of barrels produced of their 2015 Chardonnay from Rodgers Creek Vineyard… The wine has wonderful weight, delicate texture, remarkable balance and it simply drinks like a white wine that I’d expect to pay about double for…
 
DELGADO
2015 CHARDONNAY
ROGERS CREEK VINEAYRD 
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $35/btl
 
 
 
From Wine Enthusiast: “With a crisp entry of green apple and wet stone, this impressive, small-production offering is effusive in floral highlights of jasmine and orange blossom. Buoyantly fresh in the glass, it has substantial body weight and texture that finishes in a cohesive whole.” 93 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Delgado Chardonnay may also enjoy these two great value Chardonnays…
2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2015 Matias Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnay
JOSEPH JEWELL 
2014 CHARDONNAY
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $35/btl
 
Your Price: $23/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Yellow straw color in the glass, this beauty has classic aromas of lemon curd, ripe apple, spring flowers and toast. Elegant and bright on the palate with succulent flavors of mixed citrus and apple with a supple opulence. It is beautifully constructed, impeccably balanced and finishes long and smooth with all of the elements integrated in a seamless, beautiful wine.”
MATIAS
2015 CHARDONNAY
ROSELLA’S VINEYARD
Retails at:  $55/btl
 

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From Wine Enthusiast: “Toasted almond, lemon peel, grapefruit pith, ash and a waft of smoke show on the nose of this single-vineyard expression from the Brack Mountain Winery family. The palate is broad with lemon, pluot and hazelnut flavors, proving equal parts fresh, fruity and savory with every touch point needed in a Chardonnay.”  93 Points
2017 Domaine Barat Vaillons Premier Cru Chablis

2017 Domaine Barat Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons

with No Comment $30-$40BurgandyChablisFranceKevin VogtUncategorized

DOMAINE BARAT 2017 Domaine Barat Vaillons Premier Cru Chablis

PREMIER CRU CHABLIS
2017 VAILLONS

 
While there’s never a bad time for a glass of White Burgundy, I begin to crave Chablis even more as the weather warms up.  A classically styled Chablis is clean and linear with bright citrus fruits, minerals, refreshing acidity and little to no buttery or oaky characteristics.  One of my favorites is Domaine Barat’s Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons.  The Estate dates back to 1795, and has a reputation for producing some of the most compelling, absolutely brilliant Chablis, and fortunately for us, they do so at a wonderfully realistic price. The only problem is with the minuscule number of cases imported into the US, there’s simply never enough of this wonderful White Burgundy to satisfy demand.
 
Chablis suffered greatly from frost in 2017 which resulted in lower grape yields, however those that survived were of extraordinary quality.  Domaine Barat’s 2017 Premier Cru Vaillons was carved from half-century old Chardonnay vines, grown in soils rich in clay and limestone and the wine is stunningly brilliant.  I strongly recommend securing your case, before it’s too late.
 
DOMAINE BARAT
PREMIER CRU CHABLIS
2017 VAILLONS
 
Your Price: $33/btl

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Tasting Notes: “This flashy Chablis is linear and focused with penetrating flavors that cut a swath across your tongue.  The palate has beautiful key lime tart, ripe peach and dried apricot flavors.  It has beautiful complexity with a flinty minerality and hints of crushed oyster shells.  The brilliant acidity carries the balanced flavors through a very long, concentrated finish.”
 
Customers that enjoy Domaine Barat Chablis may also enjoy these two terrific White Burgundies…
2017 Domain La Croix Sancerre Domain Du Grand Pre Macon-Lugny Les Charmes White Burgandy
DOMAINE LA CROIX
SAINT-LAURENT
2018 SANCERRE
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Importer’s Tasting Notes: “Great nose, very expressive, stones and flowers. Explosive right from the start, bright, fresh, energetic, structured, focused, with great flavors of orange citrus, green citrus and green melon. Wonderful tension and balance, beautiful mouthfeel and a long, complex, deliciously clean finish.”
DOMAINE du GRAND PRE
2017 MÂCON-LUGNY
LES CHARMES
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Great nose of minerals and white flowers. Nice richness, balance, acidity and structure in the mouth, with flavors of honeydew, pear, spice and a cleansing salinity on the finish. A harmonious, vibrant wine. ‘Les Charmes’, an 11 hectare vineyard with vines averaging 35 years of age, is located in the prime growing area of Mâcon on clay and limestone soils on east facing slopes, farmed organically…
50 cases imported.“

2017 Prisoner Wine Co Blindfold Proprietary White

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary WhiteUncategorizedUSA

PRISONER WINE CO.

2017 BLINDFOLD
PROPRIETARY WHITE

 
In the wine world, thinking outside-of-the-box, ingenuity, experimentation and innovation are the best ways 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.  The 2017 wears a cloak of bright yellow fruits, silky layers and stunning balance.  Finding a wine of this quality, 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, the 2017 Blindfold sings with honey drizzled pear, apricot preserves, yellow orchard fruits, and whisps of orange zest.  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.
2017 BLINDFOLD
PROPRIETARY WHITE
Retails at:  $32/btl
 
Your Price: $27/btl 
YOU SAVE 15%
 
From The Wine Spectator: “Offering a tropical fruit-cocktail mix of coconut, apricot, peach cobbler and pear flavors, this is ripe and round, with an edge of cream soda. Very smooth and juicy, showing good intensity on the finish...” 89 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Blindfold White may also enjoy these two terrific wines from Prisoner Wine Company…
 
2016 Prisoner Wine Co Cuttings Caberner Sauvignon 2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red
PRISONER WINE CO.
2016 CUTTINGS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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The 2016 Cuttings is a larger-than-life Cabernet Sauvignon that always makes an indomitable entrance with a spectacular display of unbridled richness, voluptuous textures and satin layers. The wine was thoughtfully inspired by steep, hillside vineyards and expert blending, and the 2016 was built around a core of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel.
THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

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Electric, jubilant, infectiously charming, the new 2017  Prisoner unshackles a posse of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and become even more complex with aeration. Having jail-break level intensity, the 2017 permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral.
2018 Crocker & Starr Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Crocker & Starr AVA Nap Valley Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaSauvignon BlancUSA

CROCKER & STARR 2018 Crocker & Starr Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
AVA NAPA VALLEY

 
Of all of the Sauvignon Blancs produced in California, some of the most sought after are those made by Pam Starr.  Through her work at Spottswoode and her own label Crocker & Starr, she built her reputation as one of California’s top winemakers, with an emphasis on high quality Sauvignon Blanc.  Her new AVA Napa Valley white blend of Sauvignon Blanc, (formerly named Bridesmaid,) is an entry-level version of Crocker & Starr’s pricier Sauvignon Blanc, and at $24, it’s absolutely one of the best we’ve tasted this year.  The 2018 blend includes 6% Semillon, which adds a candied lemon element and contributes to a richer, more opulent texture.
 
The 2018 was founded around a collection of secret vineyards in St Helena, Rutherford and Calistoga, and spent 8 months in a combination of barrels, cement eggs and stainless tanks. On the palate the 2018 has copious energy and brilliant focus, with a light richness, superb acidity and lingering complexity.  If you’re searching for a delicious palate refreshing white to share with your friends and family this summer, this is it.
 
CROCKER & STARR
2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
AVA NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $23.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Vibrant and forward aromas of nectarine and lime blossoms set the expectation for the juicy, round and fresh flavors which are very true to the aromas. The addition of the Semillon brings a roundness to the more austere and citrusy Sauvignon blanc. This wine is so good!“
 
Customers who enjoy Crocker & Starr AVA Sauvignon Blanc, may also enjoy these two Sauvignon Blancs…
2017 Grey Stack Rosemary's Block Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Laird Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc
GREY STACK
2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
DRY STACK VINEYARD
 
Your Price: $31.99/btl

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From The Wine Enthusiast:  “This block is home to a mysterious clone of Sauvignon Blanc that appears to be the only one of its kind in the region and thought to hail originally from Northern Italy. The resulting wine is citrus-driven on the nose and on the palate-a pure expression that shows complexity and rich layers of flavor, with an intensity of lemongrass.”  94 Points
LAIRD
2018 SAUVIGNON BLANC
NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $23/btl

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2018 Vandella La Femme Noren Rose

2018 Vandella La Femme Noren Rosé

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtRoséUSA

VANDELLA 2018 Vandella La Femme Noren Rose

2018 ROSÉ
LA FEMME NOREN

 
When describing Rosé, words like expansive, full-bodied, depth, and length are rarely used, but that’s only because there aren’t many Rosés quite like this one…  Vandella’s 100 case production of 2018 Rosé was created from 100% Touriga Nacional, which is widely considered to be Portugal’s finest grape variety.  Of course these vines were grown in California, and it’s a varietal that induces profound structure and terrific spice qualities.  Each individual grape was hand harvested by the winemaker and specifically chosen for the sensory attributes he knew would eventually translate into a wine that was truly intriguing and unlike any other rosé out there. The grapes were then pressed whole cluster, which contributed to the wines deep garnet color and full-bodied style.
 
Defined by a surreal presence on the palate and long, expansive flavors, the 2018 is laced with vivid red berries, detailed spices, and intense floral notes.  On the palate the mouthfeel is scrumptious and full, and as the flavors begin to expand, you’ll have one of those “where have you been all my life?” moments.  You can actually sense the care that went into producing this remarkable wine when you taste it, and at less than $30/btl you’ll want to grab a case or two before it vanishes.
 
VANDELLA
2018 ROSÉ
LA FEMME NOREN
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl
 Click to Order
 
Winemaker’s Notes: “A vivid, utterly distinctive rosé with intense floral aromatics and layers of scrumptious bright fruit notes: early spring strawberries, watermelon rind, passion fruit, cotton candy, and green banana. There is a lot of complexity sewn into the subtlety of the mid-palate- as spice notes work to compliment the zippy juiciness. Perhaps what makes this rosé so truly exceptional, is the surreal mouthfeel and profoundly long finish that are most uncommon in rosé, and of which showcases the true artistry and vision in the winemaking approach.”  100 Cases Produced
 
Customers that enjoy Vandella La Femme Noren Rosé may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
2016 Vandella Scarrow Paso Robles Proprietary Blend 0218 Flowers Sonoma Coast Rose of Pinot Noir
VANDELLA
2016 SCARROW
PROPRIETARY BLEND
Retails at: $48.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “The deepest, darkest, most brooding  Vandella to date.  Satsuma plums and vivid white pepper take the lead on this rendition of our flagship blend, bolstered by purple flowers, anise, cherry cola and razzleberry pie.  The bright juicy red stone-fruit characteristics remain dominant from start to finish, working to juxtapose the soft, velvety mid-palate.  Rounded tannins and delicate acid make this wine irresistible and dangerously easy to drink.“
FLOWERS
ROSÉ OF PINOT NOIR
2018 SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl
 

Winery Notes: “Elegant and distinct with aromas of strawberry, grapefruit and subtle hints of mint. Bursts of fresh citrus colorfully drive the palate and are delicately balanced with flavors of nectarine and stone fruit. A silky entrance coupled with fresh and uplifting acidity leaves you with our signature coastal expressiveness. Sourced from a small selection of family-owned coastal vineyards as well as our Sea View Ridge estate...”