2015 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

2015 Katherine Goldschmidt Crazy Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT 

2015 CRAZY CREEK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ALEXANDER VALLEY

2015 Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander ValleyAsk me “What’s the best Cab under $20?” and I can honestly say that I haven’t found one that I like better than Katherine Goldschmidt’s 2015 Crazy Creek. When you take a closer look at the vineyard, it’s easy to see why. For years, fruit from Crazy Creek went to Simi for their Reserve Cabernet ($75), and in 2016 Silver Oak recognized the significance of this site and added it to their holdings. The days of finding a Cabernet from Crazy Creek at under twenty bucks are soon to be a thing of the past, and with a 94 point score on top of everything else, you may want to double down, or better… 

Crazy Creek Vineyard got its name from the seasonal creeks that furcate the land, and the earth beneath results from hundreds of thousands of years of erosion. Before they replanted the vineyards in 2017 and 2018, the older, low vigor vines produced tiny yields of Cabernet with more power and depth than what’s typically found in the region.  
 
The 2015 vintage releases a dense core and remarkable palate presence and saturates your palate in an abundance of chocolate-covered cherries, roasted coffee, and black currants. This wine perfectly expresses just how inspiring Cabernet Sauvignon can be from Alexander Valley, and it does so at a price that will make you smile. 
 
KATHERINE GOLDSCHMIDT 
2015 CRAZY CREEK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ALEXANDER VALLEY
Retails at: $24
 
Your Price: $19.99
 
 
 
 
“Named for Goldschmidt’s middle daughter, the wine’s grapes hail from Crazy Creek, a vineyard known to produce some iconic wines. Big, bright, blue fruit notes on the nose are meaty, with a chocolate espresso twist and dry tannins showing on the palate. It’s a little masterpiece with a dark chocolate finish that way over delivers on price-to-quality.”  94 Points
 
 
 
 
“Rich and robust with aromas of black cherry, black tea, dark spices, and mocha. Bold and structured showing ripe black currant, cherry, and plum flavors. Very smooth, soft, and supple finish.”
2015 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

2015 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

BERINGER

2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

2015 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private ReserveAs much as I love tasting and discovering new, and as-of-yet undiscovered wine producers, there’s nothing like the feeling of historic significance, pride and antiquity that I get from tasting a wine that helped pave the way for Napa to become one of the greatest wine regions of the world. Beringer’s flagship Private Reserve Cabernet hasn’t skipped a beat either, and their 2015 ranked as the #24 Wine-Of-The-Year on James Sucklings Top 100 in 2018 with an outstanding 99 Point score. Here’s a chance to own it, and at a fantastic price… 

Beringer is one of Napa Valley’s most historically significant wineries. Period. After all, they’re California’s oldest continually operating winery, and they’re the only winery in history to have both a red and white wine honored as the #1 wine on the Wine Spectator Top 100. 
 
The 2015 Private Reserve was built on a core of 62% fruit from Bancroft and Steinhauer Ranches atop Howell Mountain, which provided enormous structure and richness. Made even better with fruit from the iron-rich Home and Chabot Vineyards in St. Helena and topped with fruit from Spring Mountain and Mount Veeder to round out the stunningly complex blend…
 
BERINGER
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $170
 
Your Price: $135
 
 
“The spice and walnut aromas are so enticing. Undertones of blackberries and black truffles. Full-bodied, dense and layered with fantastic tension and seamless tannins. It goes on for minutes. All about classic structure and beauty.”  99 Points, Top 100 Wines of 2018
 
 
“…This full-bodied, ripe, voluptuous beauty shows the vintage to a T, offering a blast of sweet blackcurrants, licorice, ground herbs, and graphite aromas and flavors. Blockbuster styled, with full body and an expansive, sexy texture, it has the depth and density to continue drinking brilliantly for 20+ years.” 97 Points
 
“… the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of plum preserves, baked blackberries and cassis with hints of menthol, sandalwood and chocolate box. Full-bodied with soft, seductive tannins and a lively backbone supporting the generous, ripe, opulent fruit, it has a decadent spiciness and great length.” 95+ Points
2015 Il Borro Toscana Tuscany, Italy

2015 Il Borro Toscana Tuscany, Italy

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonItalyKevin VogtMerlotTuscany

IL BORRO

2015 TOSCANA
TUSCANY, ITALY 

2015 Il Borro Toscana Tuscany, Italy

The Ferragamo’s are icons in the fashion industry with a heritage of creativity and utmost quality. They’ve carried those same hallmarks that brought them success in their luxury goods company over to wine, and the results speak for themselves. Their 2015 Il Borro is one of the highest-scoring Tuscan blends under $100, having earned high 90s scores from both James Suckling and Robert Parker. This wine is one of the least expensive ways to enjoy a piece of the Ferragamo lifestyle.
 
Moving another step closer to their goal of producing the best Bordeaux like blend outside of Bordeaux, and with a monster 97 Point score, Salvatore Ferragamo’s Il Borro comes from their family estate in Tuscany, and like their clothing line, it’s powerfully bold, yet gorgeously elegant and remarkably detailed. 
 
The 2015 laces together 50% Merlot, dressed with 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, then precisely threaded with other varietals. After meticulously hand sorting each grape, the wine is sent gravity flow into the tank where the wine team removes 10-20% of the juice to increase concentration.
 
IL BORRO
2015 TOSCANA
TUSCANY, ITALY
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $59.99
Click to Order
 
 
 
“This is the best Il Borro to date with fantastic blackberry, blueberry and sandalwood aromas that follow through to a full body with masses of fruit. Yet, it remains bright and linear down the center palate. A rich and toned wine. 50 per cent merlot, 35 per cent cabernet and 15 per cent syrah…”  97 Points
 
 
“This robust Tuscan blend of 50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah is Il Borro’s flagship wine. The 2015 Il Borro is an important and thickly enriched expression that shows ample power and muscle but remains elegantly modulated and contoured at the same time. The bouquet opens to dark fruit, blackberry, prune, spice, leather and tar. In the mouth, this wine is richly textured, velvety and concentrated, and it delivers balanced tannins and acidity. Il Borro has beautifully captured the warmth and exuberance of the terrific 2015 vintage.” 96 Points
2015 Heitz Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Heitz Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

HEITZ

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY

2015 Heitz Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet SauvignonHeitz is one of Napa Valley’s most historic wineries, and it’s their undeviating style of producing profoundly hedonistic and age-worthy Cabernets that have become a hallmark of their brand. The winery has reliably produced their unmistakably intense, savory, well-built Cabernets since the 1960s. Their 2015 Napa Cabernet perfectly expresses their timeless approach, and with a 95 Point Score and Editors’ Choice, I recommend going all-in… 

Joe Heitz had a keen eye for discovering vineyards capable of producing age-worthy wines. The winery has vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, St Helena, Howell Mountain, Oak Knoll, and Calistoga, and their Napa Valley Cabernet captures this diversity and is a pure representation of Napa Valley terroir. 
 
Each decision made at the winery, from when to pick, through the entire fermentation and aging process are purposefully made to guide the wine into a style that’s both stunning upon release and will stand the test of time, rather than be flashy and forward when consumed young.
 
HEITZ
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $63
 
Your Price: $59.99

Click to Order

 
“Woody, herbal and elegantly structured, this wine is high-toned and freshly layered in bold red fruit. Given time in the barrel and the bottle, it shows its graceful edges and nuanced elegance with ease, finishing in dusty crushed rock. It vastly overdelivers on its price point.” 95 Points, Editors’ Choice
 
 
 “The 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon immediately entices with notes of black cherry, sweet plum, fresh raspberries, currants, anise, and clove. These notes are complimented by savory elements, reminiscent of sweet tobacco and new leather. The mouthfeel on this wine has gentle power. It is light and bright with fresh acidity yet there is weight and length that extends long after the first sip of wine. The structure is balanced with soft and developed tannins, only achieved by allowing this wine to age for two full years in barrel and full year in bottle before release.”
CASTELLO ROMITORIO 2015 BRUNELLO MONTALCINO, ITALY

2015 Castello Romitorio Brunello Montalcino Italy

with No Comment $50-$60BrunelloItalyKevin VogtMontalcino

CASTELLO ROMITORIO

2015 BRUNELLO 
MONTALCINO, ITALY

CASTELLO ROMITORIO 2015 BRUNELLO MONTALCINO, ITALY

There are great wines that are made through decisions by the winemaker, and then there are great wines that are a result of the vintage, which is what Montalcino experienced in 2015. If you’ve read any of the vintage reports from winemakers and critics, the energy is contagious. Stefano Cinelli Colombini said, “the vintage saw textbook timing,” and James Suckling alerted his readers that it’s a vintage “nobody should miss”.  We agree, and here’s one of the best, and with triple 95 point scores.
 
Castello Romitorio has Italian history embedded in its DNA. The Estate dates back to the Middle Ages, and through time, transitioned from a temple to a fortress, a monastery, a castle, a Manor House, and now, lucky for us, a winery. 
 
Located in the northwest of the town of Montalcino, the vineyard has soils composed of clay and Albarese, from which fossils and shells emerge, evidence of an ancient coastal seabed. The 2015 vintage offers remarkable power, dynamic complexity, and a purity of fruit that’s spectacular.  
 
CASTELLO ROMITORIO
2015 BRUNELLO 
MONTALCINO, ITALY
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $59.99

Click to Order

 
“… a suave and supple expression that shows a slightly more opulent texture compared to many of its peers… You taste the natural richness and exuberance of the fruit, with variety-specific elements of wild cherry, blue flowers and soft earth…” 
95 Points
 
“… laced with spicy, dark red fruits, wild, sweet and spicy floral tones that give way to savory herbs, hints of animal musk and black earth. On the palate, it’s soft, enveloping, almost creamy in texture and offset by a mix of savory spice, fine tannin and saturating mineral tones as black cherry and sage seem to hover on the senses. The finish is spicy and long, structured, but also with vibrant primary fruits holding on strong, as a twang of savory herbs lingers long…” 95 Points
 
“A dense and rich Brunello with lots of ripe fruit, spices and hints of new wood. Full-bodied, chewy and rich. A muscular wine that needs time to come together. Better after 2022.” 95 Points
 
 
2015 Vik Milla Cala Proprietary Red

2015 Vik Milla Cala Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40ChileKevin VogtProprietary Red

VIK

2015 MILLA CALA
PROPRIETARY RED2015 Vik Milla Cala Proprietary Red

Picture a red wine with piercing fruit, riveting complexity, stunning power, and remarkable definition. You could be tasting a red blend from Chile. We introduced Vik’s 2012 Milla Cala Blend back in 2018, and a short time later, it went on to rank #22 on the Wine Spectator Top 100. Critics agree that this wine is extraordinary, and the 2015 vintage has high 92-94 point scores and has already earned a place on Wine Enthusiast’s 100 list. 

Vik produced their Milla Cala in their state-of-the-art winery, which is one of the preeminent wineries in the Southern Hemisphere. Milla Cala arose from an area South of Santiago that they secured after years of intense scientific research and more than 4,000 soil samples, in a relentless search for the best terroir in Chile. The final blend incorporates nearly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, accented with Carmeñere, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah.

The Vik wines are created by legendary winemaker Patrick Valette, who is responsible for crafting some of the most exceptional wines in Chile and Bordeaux, paired with Norwegian entrepreneur Alexander Vik. With literally no expense spared on this project, the grapes were meticulously sorted in the most modern grape selection line in Chile before being transported by gravity into individual fermentation tanks.

 

VIK
2015 MILLA CALA
PROPRIETARY RED

Your Price: Insider Club Members Only
Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“A rich and dense second wine of VIK. Lots of dried fruit with light prunes, plums and hints of burnt lemons. Spices, too. Full body, layered and rich. Juicy. Needs two or three years to soften. A blend of 66% cabernet sauvignon, 15% merlot, 7% cabernet franc, 7% syrah and 3% carmenere. Drink in 2020.”  94 Points

 

“Milla Cala is the most approachable of the VIK reds, made from an assemblage of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Fresh, bright and leafy, with undertones of aromatic Mediterranean herbs and silky, polished tannins. 2019-23.”  93 Points

 

“This Cabernet Sauvignon-led blend opens with aromas of root beer, baking spices and cocoa along with naturally spicy berry scents. A lively palate is tannic while showing a firm grip and some bumpiness. Mocha and herbal berry and plum flavors are lightly chocolaty prior to a flush finish that echoes with spice. There’s no mistaking this wine’s Chilean DNA. Drink through 2025.”  92 Points, #87 Top 100 Wines of 2019
2015 Mending Wall Proprietary Red Mortar & Stone

2015 Mending Wall Mortar & Stone Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Atlas PeakKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedReviewUSA

MENDING WALL

2015 PROPRIETARY RED
MORTAR & STONE

2015 Mending Wall Proprietary Red Mortar & StoneCombining the power of Mountain-grown Zinfandel with the voluptuous texture of Calistoga Petite Sirah can be magical. Mending Wall Mortar and Stone is a stunning example of this. The Zinfandel arose from the iconic Aida Vineyard atop Altas Peak, and the Petite Sirah comes from one of the most celebrated vineyards for that varietal in the New World, which was the former source for Carver Sutro. And on top of all that, Thomas Brown is the winemaker… 

Frank Dotzler, one of the co-owners of Mending Wall, was also one of the co-founders of Outpost Winery. Frank teamed up with Mark & Donna Walker (owners of the super-high scoring, Cult brand Pulido-Walker,) as well as his long-time winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown for this project. Thomas made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 point score from the Wine Spectator.

This tiny production, proprietary blend harnesses the power and intensely concentrated flavors of Atlas Peak Zinfandel with the showy, voluptuous textures of Petite Sirah in way that pulls on the best qualities of both varietals in total harmony. If you love big, lush, concentrated blends with copious charm, this is for you. 

MENDING WALL
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
MORTAR & STONE

Your Price: Insider Club Members Only
Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Zinfandel from high atop Atlas Peak (Aida Vyd, an original Turley source) is robust, showy mountain fruit. Vines in the historic Mountain Peak vineyard produce some of the most impressive berries we’ve seen in this varietal, nicely structured and spicy rather than super jammy. That spice component pairs beautifully with the final vintage of our estate Syrah. Once again, the venerable Palisades Vineyard Petite Sirah completes the blend, lending tannic backbone and deep, black color.It has a seductive appeal-dark, sultry, moody in the very best ways-with good balance between earthy inputs and luscious fruit notes.”

2015 Mazzei Philip Cabernet Sauvignon Tuscany

2015 Mazzei Philip Cabernet Sauvignon Tuscany

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonItalyKevin VogtReviewTuscany

MAZZEI PHILIP

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 TUSCANY

 

2015 Mazzei Philip Cabernet Sauvignon TuscanyWine can be profound, and deeply meaningful, and sometimes the story behind the wine can be of monumental proportions. Mazzei created their “Philip” Cabernet Sauvignon as an homage to Philip Mazzei, who wrote the beautiful phrase “all men are created equal” which was incorporated in the Declaration of Independence” by his friend Thomas Jefferson. And the wine? The wine is riveting, deeply hedonistic, and highly detailed. It’s also one of the coolest labels that I’ve seen. 

Mazzei created Philip from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, coming from two sites, Belguardo and Fonterutoli Estate. The 10-20-year-old vines were grown in limestone and sandstone soils and produce fruit of remarkable power and profound delineation. 

This stunning wine emerges from Tuscany’s best vintage in nearly two decades, and one the Wine Spectator rated 97 Points referencing “Long-lived, powerful and concentrated reds, yet the best have purity and elegance…” 

 

MAZZEI PHILIP
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 TUSCANY

Your Price: Insider Club Members Only
Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“A dark-fruited red that shows mulberries, blackberries, creme de cassis, vanilla and dark chocolate with a touch of fresh herbs and cedar. Full body, round yet structured tannins and a chewy finish. Drink in 2020.” 94 Points

“The 2015 Philip, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, is powerful and rich in the glass, with copious blackberry jam, chocolate, spice and chocolate notes. Deep, fleshy and bold, the Philip has a lot to offer….” 92 Points

2015 Skinner El Dorado Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underFair PlaySyrahUSA

SKINNER

2015 SYRAH
EL DORADO

One of the fastest-growing categories in our shop is high-quality California Syrah at value Prices, and when you read about who’s involved in this project, and then consider it’s less than $30 bucks, it should be an easy decision to try it. After all, the wine is made by Chris Pittenger, who gained valuable first-hand experience working at iconic wineries Marcassin and Williams-Selyem.
 
The sumptuous, silky Skinner Syrah was carved primarily from the winery’s Stoney Creek Estate Vineyard, perched at 2,740′ elevation in the tiny AVA of Fair Play, located inside the larger El Dorado and Sierra Foothill Appellations. The area produces Syrah with distinct elegance, remarkable delineation, and rustic appeal. 
 
The 2015 vintage is artfully composed of 88% Syrah and finished with other Rhone grape varieties for added lift and abundant layers. After spending 23 months in French oak barrels, it has evolved nicely in the bottle and is seamlessly balanced, profound, and absolutely delicious…
 
SKINNER
2015 SYRAH
EL DORADO
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $24
Click to Order


 “This wine tastes bold and assertive, pushing smoky oak and vanilla flavors close to the edge but rescuing them with attractive ripe flavors of blackberry and black cherry. The wine is full bodied, layered and mouthcoating, supported by moderate tannins that melt into the bold flavors.”93 Points
2015 Schwarz Sweigelt Burgenland Austria

2015 Schwarz Zweigelt Burgenland Austria

with No Comment $30 and underAustriaBurgenlandKevin VogtZweigelt

SCHWARZ 

2015 ZWEIGELT
BURGENLAND, AUSTRIA

2015 Schwarz Sweigelt Burgenland Austria
Picture a pristinely focused red wine with penetrating fruit, bracing acidity, depth, and wildly intriguing flavors. You could be tasting an Austrian Zweigelt, and if you’re seeking value, it pays to look outside of the box and try something fresh and new. When you consider who’s involved in this project, and take notice of more than 60 percent discount, this one should be a no brainer. It’s a project between Alois Kracher, one of Austria’s most iconic producers, and Manfred Krankl of Sine Qua Non.
 
Zweigelt is a cross between St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch, and the varietal hasn’t even been around 100 years and is already the most widely planted red wine grape in Austria. The grape is denser than Pinot Noir and is known for its penetrating fruit, exotic spice, and firm acidity. 
 
This brilliant interpretation of Zweigelt arose from Estate Vineyards in Burgenland, along the shore of Lake Neusiedl. The climate is hot during the day and is cooled by evening fog, which allows the grapes to ripen to their optimum potential. 
 
SCHWARZ 
2015 ZWEIGELT
BURGENLAND, AUSTRIA
Retails at: $70
 
Your Price: $25
 
Tasting Notes: “The 2015 Schwarz Zweigelt has a deep and enchanting nose of crushed blue violets, black raspberries, plum skins and hints of potpourri. The palate is lush, elegant and seamless, and opens with concentrated blueberry, black cherry, wild flowers and spice cake. The finish is smooth and pure with a bracing acidy, light toast and lingering spice.”