2016 Bodegas Burgo Viejo Licenciado Rioja Reserva

2016 Bodegas Burgo Viejo Licenciado Rioja Reserva

BODEGAS BURGO VIEJO

2016 LICENCIADO 
RIOJA RESERVA

2016 Bodegas Burgo Viejo Licenciado Rioja Reserva
A guiding principle at Bodegas Burgo Viejo is that only the best wines will gain complexity during contact with oak. To achieve this, they source their Licenciado Reserva from a single vineyard that also produces Gran Reserva wine. The 35-year-old vines yield powerful Tempranillo fruit capable of gaining complexity over the 18 months in French and American oak barrels, and the results are brilliant. Decanter calls it “beautifully balanced, very classy, effortless,” and with a 95 point score and $25 price point, don’t miss it. 
 
Bodegas Burgo Viejo embodies the pride of old-world tradition and enhances it with innovation. Six farming families founded this property, and they work together to ensure they harvest the fruit at the pinnacle of ripeness. 
 
Licenciado blends 100% Tempranillo, which is Spain’s signature grape. At the winery, the grapes are destemmed and lightly crushed and fermented in concrete tanks. The wine spends 18 months in French and American oak before bottling, resulting in a balanced wine with power, depth, and intriguing complexity.
 
BODEGAS BURGO VIEJO
2016 LICENCIADO 
RIOJA RESERVA
 
Your Price: $25
 
 
“Bodegas Burgo Viejo is the property of six farming families and comprises more than 200ha of vineyards in the Rioja Oriental region, from where the more full-bodied styles of Rioja are produced )…. Sarah Jane Evans MW: Distinctly pure, vivid reserva, precise style: limpid fruit, brisk acidity, notable but well balanced oak. Classic. Simon Field MW: Intense colour, powerful aromas of tar and blue fruit; minty savoury, rich, lifted and long; an impressive reserva statement of intent. Pierre Mansour: Classy, spicy black fruit, full, round, generous – depth yet beautifully balanced, very classy, effortless. Drinking Window 2020 – 2026.”
95 Points
2016 Maroon Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville

2016 Maroon Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville

MAROON

SPECIAL RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 COOMBSVILLE 

2016 Maroon Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville
Fueled by unparalleled quality and extreme scarcity, the following for Maroon’s Special Reserve Cabernet grows stronger with each vintage. Patronage is furthered by winemaker Chris Corley’s ability to harness Coombsville fruit’s power and deliver it with finesse and elegance. The Special Reserve is created from the top-performing blocks in the vineyard and priced in line with Coombsville greats Favia, Merus, and Meteor at $160 retail; As you can imagine, at less than 1/3 of the retail price, we have great difficulty keeping it stocked. 
 
Deeper and more defined than Maroon’s other bottlings, winemaker Chris Corley introduced as little manipulation as possible during the winemaking process, allowing the remarkable terroir of Maroon’s best Vineyard Blocks to shine.
 
The 2016 Special Reserve is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and aged for a full 24 months in oak before bottling. If you’re looking for an elegant but powerful Cabernet with plenty of definition and complexity, this is it.
 
MAROON
SPECIAL RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2016 COOMBSVILLE
Retails at: $160
 
 
 
“The 2016 vintage of Maroon Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has a rich, intense nose with briary wild berries, graphite, fresh sage, and hints of vanilla. The palate is concentrated, with penetrating crushed blackberries, dense black plum, decadent cassis, and an ethereal mouthfeel. It is a concentrated and focused wine with a finish that is elegant, powerful, refined, and long. It is a gift for your mouth now and will continue to drink beautifully for another decade or more.”
97 points
2016 Zuidema Grenache McGah Vineyard Rutherfor

2016 Zuidema Grenache McGah Vineyard Rutherford

ZUIDEMA

2016 GRENACHE
MCGAH VINEYARD
RUTHERFORD

2016 Zuidema Grenache McGah Vineyard Rutherfor
Freed from a one-acre block of gnarly head-trained Grenache vines that were nearly re-planted to Cabernet, Zuidema Grenache was 30 years in the making and is a passion project by one of Napa’s most respected winemakers. Rudy Zuidema is the winemaker for Mastery and has held winemaking positions at Robert Craig, Honig, and Ehlers Estate, to name a few. His pensive winemaking style results in balanced, complex wines, deep with individuality and varietal truth. At $38, the value is unmistakable. 
 
Sourced from the McGah Vineyard in Eastern Rutherford, Zuidema Grenache powerfully reflects the area’s nutrient-rich, rocky soils and ideal microclimate. The Gobelet trained vines yield various ripeness levels, and that lack of perfect consistency is what Rudy looks for to create the naturally rustic complexity in his wine.
 
Analytically hand-harvesting, de-stemming, native yeast fermenting, and three times daily punch overs for 10-12 days, Rudy’s cumulative knowledge over the past 30 years is commanding in this wine. If you’re looking for something a little different from one of Napa Valley’s greatest terroirs, this is it. 
 
ZUIDEMA
2016 GRENACHE
MCGAH VINEYARD
RUTHERFORD
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“The 2016 expresses incredible fruit purity and opens with aromas of cherry blossom, ripe plum, cinnamon spice, fresh strawberries, and vanilla bean. Flavors of cherry pie, wild berry jam, licorice, and orange zest, layer with subtle herbal nuances. The well-knit tannins are juicy and rustic, integrating with a clean, crisp acid profile. The wine finishes with rolling waves of black raspberry, new leather, dark spice, and graham cracker piecrust.
131 cases produced. 100% Grenache”
2016 Keever Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2016 Keever Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

KEEVER

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY

2016 Keever Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Marked by an alliance of elegance, intensity, and balance, Keever Vineyards is a small family estate located on a 6-acre rock-laden hillside Southwest of Yountville. Planted and farmed by renowned viticulturist Jim Barbour, the vineyard sits at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains, where the earth has eroded from the slopes over millennia. Guided by taste, not laboratory numbers, the fruit is harvested at the full physiological ripeness and under the guidance of Celia Welch, whom you might recognize from Scarecrow, Barbour, and Dalla Valle. 
 
At Keever, each vineyard block ferments separately and with individual attention, ensuring absolute quality. In the cellar, gentle handling is foremost, supported by gravity flow and vibrating sorting tables where the wine team meticulously inspects every grape, removing any that are less than perfect. 
 
Created with resolute intent on highlighting the best features of each vineyard block and seamlessly blended to represent the highest quality wine possible each year, every decision made at Keever executed with the highest regards to quality. At around $100, this is one of the most undervalued Napa Cabernets. 
 
KEEVER
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $135
 
Your Price: $99.99
 
 
“…even better, with an awesome bouquet of sweet cassis, cedarwood, incense, and dried flowers. As with all the wines from Celia Welch, this beauty is impeccably balanced, has medium to full-bodied richness and depth, subtle background oak, and a great finish. It shines for its purity and elegance as well as its depth of fruit and intensity. Drink it over the coming two decades or more.”
95 Points
2016 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

2016 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

INGLENOOK 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 RUTHERFORD

2016 Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
Inglenook’s first harvest was in 1882, and they created one of Napa Valley’s earliest gravity-flow wineries in 1887. Recognized for producing richly captivating, classically styled, and texturally pleasing wines, they’re the 5th oldest winery in Napa Valley. Located on the Rutherford Bench, their vineyards neighbor sites like Morisoli, Scarecrow, and BV. Vinous writes that the wine “impresses in the way it balances intensity and detail,” which is a signature of some of the world’s best wines. 
 
Francis Ford Coppola made vital enhancements to the Estate in the late 1970s when he purchased the property, propelling the winemaking to new heights. Frances hired André Tchelistcheff, one of America’s most influential winemakers, to consult at the Estate. 
 
Cut from Chateau, Cohn, Red Barn, Creek, Small Block, and Walnut Vineyards, this wine is classically Rutherford and embodies the perfect mix of drama, charisma, and antiquity. The main character is Cabernet Sauvignon at 82%, supported by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Malbec.
 
INGLENOOK 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 RUTHERFORD
Retails at: $100
 
Your Price: $65
 
 
“Inglenook’s 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has turned out beautifully. Savory and exquisitely layered, with striking aromatic nuance, the 2016 has so much to offer. Dark black cherry, tobacco, cedar, grilled herbs and licorice are finely sketched. More than anything else, the 2016 impresses in the way it balances intensity and detail. And of course, it is absolutely delicious…”
95 Points
 
“…It has a classic, Saint Julien-like bouquet of crème de cassis, tobacco lead, damp earth, and spice that gives way to a full-bodied, concentrated, textured Cabernet that hits all the right marks… Drink this stunner any time over the coming 20 years or more.”
94 Points
 
“Beautiful aromas of ripe cabernet sauvignon with blackcurrants and perfume that follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a pretty long finish. Shows poise and polish. Drink in 2021.”
94 Points
2016 Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

2016 Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate

SULLIVAN

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
RUTHERFORD ESTATE 

2016 Sullivan Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Estate
Sullivan Estate combines a prime Rutherford location with a dedicated team that constantly scrutinizes every detail of production for insights that can take the wine to the next level. Their vineyard is under the guidance of Mike Wolf, one of the leading viticulture experts in Napa Valley, whose past and present clients include Bond, Scarecrow, and Lewis. Their 2016 Estate Cabernet has “an old school, complex, textbook Cabernet character,” as described by Jeb Dunnuck. At $110, it’s outstanding, but at our price of $65, it’s one you’ll write home about. 
 
The vineyard is located on Galleron Road, just North of BV and behind Franciscan Estate. The vineyard architect planted it over an ancient riverbed with soil types ranging from clay loam to sandy gravel. Both have excellent drainage, which assists in producing intensely flavored berries.
 
This wine is from the epic 2016 vintage, which the Wine Spectator ranks as the highest-rated vintage for Napa Cabernet since 1997. If you’re looking for a classic Rutherford Cabernet, that’s awesome now and will cellar gracefully for another decade, this is the one. 
 
SULLIVAN
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
RUTHERFORD ESTATE
Retails at: $110
 
 
 
“Rich ruby color; plum and vanilla nose; silky texture, toasty and refined; long and elegant with notes of coffee, spice and mocha; plum, berry and deep flavors.”
94 Points, Anthony Dias Blue
 
“… a blend of 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Petit Verdot, brought up in 50% new oak. This is classic Cabernet all the way and offers lots of cassis, green tobacco, cedar, and dark chocolate. These carry to a medium to full-bodied 2016 that has ripe, present tannins, good purity, and an old school, complex, textbook Cabernet character. Give it 3-4 years and enjoy over the following two decades.”
92+ Points
2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino

2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino

BIBBIANO

GRAN SELEZIONE
2016 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO 

2016 Bibbiano Gran Selezione Chianti Classico Vigna Del Capannino
Bibbiano cemented its spot on my top 5 wines-of-the-year list in 2020 with its explosive richness, deep-seated power, and captivating elegance. A month later, it earned a monstrous 95 point score in the Wine Spectator, which referenced the wine’s escalating power. Each time I taste it, the wine not only stands up to Italian, French and American producers, but it dominates just about everything in its path. If you want to taste an exceptionally high-quality Chianti at a great price, this is it. 
 
Making a dramatic entrance from one of Tuscany’s best vintages in nearly two decades, this stunning wine was created from 100% Sangiovese Grosso and aged for 30 months before bottling. On the palate, the wine is intensely captivating and with a satin texture and long resonant finish. 
 
Production requirements for Gran Selezione wines insist on sourcing the grapes from 100% Estate grown fruit or selecting the Estate’s best parcels. It also has higher extract restrictions and extended oak aging requirements. Gran Selezione, which means Great Selection, is the pinnacle of quality for Chianti Classico.
 
BIBBIANO
GRAN SELEZIONE
2016 CHIANTI CLASSICO
VIGNA DEL CAPANNINO
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“This red starts out smooth, displaying ripe black cherry and plum flavors, along with earth, iron and woodsy elements. Gains power as this builds on the palate, ending in an extended aftertaste of loam, iron and wild herb accents… 250 cases imported.”
95 Points
 
“Restrained, fresh pomegranate fruit with slightly nutty character, earthy-strawberry depth and minerality. Bright acidity and savoury character, firm and chalky, with natural and integrated freshness. Andrew Jefford: A gorgeously teased, poised aromatic ripeness here: subtle incense spice just hidden behind the refined, perfumed plums; a hint of orange peel. Shapely, fresh, vivid and vigorous: super purity, admirable finesse.” 
95 Points
 
“…shows classic lines and balanced intensity with a nice spot of acidity and plenty of dark berry fruit to soften it out. The 2016 vintage is a classic one in Tuscany, and that’s why you get so much cooling cherry, forest berry and cassis on this versatile Gran Selezione wine. Drink 2021-2032”
94 Points
2016 Simon Di Brazzan Cabernet Franc Friuli, Italy

2016 Simon Di Brazzan Cabernet Franc Friuli, Italy

SIMON DI BRAZZAN

2016 CABERNET FRANC
FRIULI, ITALY

2016 Simon Di Brazzan Cabernet Franc Friuli, Italy
Winemaker Daniele Drius of Simon de Brazzan crafts his Cabernet Franc in a captivating style that beckons thoughts of neighborhood bistros, porch swings, and conversation. The wine captures classic varietal traits, like herb-laced red fruits, subtle peppery characteristics, delivering them in a refreshingly easy-to-drink manner that’s reminiscent of Pinot Noir. 
 
Daniele protects the authenticity of his vines through organic farming practices. His thirteen hectares of vines project the sea influence, benefits of the Alps, and alluvial soils. The composition of the land and soils determine the division of each unique parcel. 
 
Tradition does not hinder innovation at Simon di Brazzan. Daniele harvests the fruit by hand and meticulously de-stems the berries before fermenting on the skins and lees for enriched depth and color. The resulting wine is a delicious drinker with a sense of place, balance, and suppleness that’s highly enjoyable.
 
SIMON DI BRAZZAN
2016 CABERNET FRANC
FRIULI, ITALY
 
Your Price: $26
 
 
“Intense ruby red color with purple shades; Distinctive herbaceous scent, elegant and spicy; Velvety flavor, soft, slightly bitter, young but full.”
2016 Badia Di Morrona I Sodi Del Parentaio Chianti Riserva

2016 Badia Di Morrona I Sodi Del Parentaio Chianti Riserva

BADIA DI MORRONA 

I SODI DEL PARETAIO
2016 CHIANTI RISERVA

2016 Badia Di Morrona I Sodi Del Parentaio Chianti Riserva
Badia di Morrono is an historic Estate in Tuscany dedicated to farming their land and balancing technology with traditional techniques. Their land near the village of Morrona was once undersea, and is now rich in marine nutrients. The vines are grown in well-drained clay, minerally and sandy soils that make their wines recognizable with a clear sense of place. Their 2016 Chianti Riserva is classically styled, harmoniously balanced, and at $26, it’s a stunning value. 
 
This 2016 enters from one of Tuscany’s greatest vintages in the last two decades, and one the Wine Spectator rates 97 points and describes as producing, “Vibrant, elegant wines; grapes harvested under ideal conditions”
 
The winemaking team fermented the Riserva for ten months in concrete and stainless steel tank, preserving the natural flavors of the fruit. The blend is predominantly Sangiovese, balanced with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, and was aged for 18 months in oak.
 
BADIA DI MORRONA 
I SODI DEL PARETAIO
2016 CHIANTI RISERVA 
 
Your Price: $26
 
 
“Quite reductive at first, but this later opens up with notes of brambleberries, red cherries, oranges and herbs. Medium body, firm tannins and a nutmeg-flavored finish. Drink now.”
91 Points
 
“Ruby red with garnet colored undertones when aged. Bouquet: scent of balm and with more finesse as it ages; Harmonious, savory, slightly tannic; soft and velvety. Pleasing and versatile to the palate with a well-balanced acidity and soft, mature tannins.”
2016 Crowley Vineyard Cabernet Spring Mountain District

2016 Crowley Vineyard Cabernet Spring Mountain District

CROWLEY VINEYARD

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

2016 Crowley Vineyard Cabernet Spring Mountain District
Crowley Vineyard Cabernet checks every box from top-level winemaking to a pedigreed vineyard and a passionate proprietor. Wineries like Barnett, Behrens Family, Sherwin, and Robert Craig have all sourced their grapes because of the fruit quality and biodynamic viticulture. Stephen Tebb makes their wine, and he spent the last ten years as Director of Winemaking for Robert Craig and specializes in Mountain Terroir. 
 
The vineyard is at the top of Spring Mountain, where rocky, well-drained, red volcanic Aiken loam produces densely concentrated fruit. Stephen pulls from superior blocks and clones within the vineyard, and at the winery price of $95, it’s stunning. Of course, at our price, we can hardly keep it on the shelf. The previous vintage sold out in a single day.
 
Stephen crafts this wine using gentle and minimal handling, resulting in Crowley’s Spring Mountain Vineyard’s pure expression of the land. The 2016 release is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and spent 18 months developing French oak barrels. The wine is rocking now and will also go the distance in the cellar.
 
CROWLEY VINEYARD
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
SPRING MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $95
 
 
 
“The Crowley Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 begins with a beautifully elegant nose including red cherries, ripe blackberries, crushed rock, spring flowers, with hints of pencil lead and gunpowder. The palate is intensely concentrated, with penetrating cassis, muddled berries, red currants, dried plums, and baking spices. It finishes with firm, dusty fruit tannins, intense focus, and great length. Drink now through 2035.”
95 Points