2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros Chardonnay

2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros Chardonnay

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosChardonnayKevin VogtNapaUSA

BALDACCI

SORELLE CHARDONNAY
2017 CARNEROS

 
2017 Baldacci Sorelle Carneros ChardonnayRevered for their lively acidity, Carneros Chardonnays also have big fruit, and plenty of structure. It’s the cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay that funnel through the Coastal Mountain ranges, and allow the grapes a long growing season, with temperatures cool enough to maintain acidity and structure. A great example is Baldacci’s Sorelle Chardonnay, which captivated our tasting panel with tangible value. 
 
Michael Baldacci works closely with Ricardo Herrera to craft balanced wines with sense of place, and that are varietally sound. Ricardo gained invaluable experience over the years at icons Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Dominus, and Screaming Eagle…
 
The 2017 vintage arose from Baldacci’s Honey B Vineyard in Carneros, which is farmed by Josh Clark, one of wine country’s most sought after viticulturists whose clients include icons Outpost, Hourglass, and Kinsella. The wine was barrel-aged, and is rich and inviting, with stunning natural acidity and a mouth-quenching freshness.
 
BALDACCI
SORELLE CHARDONNAY
2017 CARNEROS
Retails at: $40
 
 
“Tango. In perfect unison, the oak and fruit support each other without either dominating. Aromas of honey, tangerine peel, fresh oak and pineapple complement the taste of caramel-covered apple, slight hints of cool rock and a beautiful finish of vanilla. The weight of this Chardonnay matches well with full orchestra salads!”
2017 Hunter Glenn Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2017 Hunter Glenn Napa Valley Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

HUNTER GLENN

PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 Hunter Glenn Napa Valley Proprietary RedWith roots in Sonoma County and a shop in Yountville, we meet our fair share of farmers that produce a small amount of their own wine… So when Jeffrey Shifflett, Jr. pulled up to our weekly tasting in his farm truck, we were looking forward to trying the wines. When he placed them on the table, the sleek packaging was a bit of a surprise, but when the wines hit the glass, we realized that he wasn’t just a farmer, but an incredibly gifted winemaker.

The Shifflett family’s ranch neighbors icons Dominus and Trethefen, and the vines lie in the shadow the Mayacamas Mountain range, in an area that has a micro-climate that’s cooler than further up Valley. The 2017 proprietary red was built around a core of Cabernet Sauvignon that’s enhanced with Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Based on the sheer quality of the wine, we knew Jeff must have mentored under some outstanding winemakers. As it turns out, Jeff worked harvest in Australia before spending time at both Cakebread and Elyse wineries. At $40, I guarantee you’ll be stunned by the quality…

HUNTER GLENN
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $45

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“In the glass the wine showcases our signature color, dark ruby, like polished Garnet. Aromas of cedar, baking spices and vanilla hint at the restrained use of oak, followed by cherries and sarsaparilla. The first sip bursts with red fruit, cherry cola, and hints of violet. Subtle tannins integrate with fruit on the palate, leading to a long and pleasing finish.” 90 Cases Produced

2017 Gamba Starr Ranch Road Zinfandel

2017 Gamba Starr Road Ranch Zinfandel

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

GAMBA 

2017 ZINFANDEL
STARR ROAD RANCH

2017 Gamba Starr Ranch Road Zinfandel
Over the years, We’ve offered some of the best brands out there, but few have developed the kind of love affair that Gamba has. It’s their undeviating style of matching fruit intensity with old vine depth and balance, and then delivering it all with immaculate detail that’s made them so beloved. Each release is a joy to behold…
 
Gamba birthed the Starr Road Ranch Zin from an organically farmed vineyard planted in 1920. The ancient vines have relied on winter rains as their sole source of irrigation for over 95 years, and they yield just 1.5 tons per acre of strikingly intense, concentrated, pristinely focused fruit. 
 
The 2017 is hugely appealing, with intense raspberry, sweet plum, briery cherry, and cracked black pepper. This vintage is rocking right now and will continue to provide copious amounts of enjoyment over the next decade.
 
GAMBA 
2017 ZINFANDEL
STARR ROAD RANCH
Retails at: $52
 
 
 
 “…. the 2017 Zinfandel Starr Road Ranch Old Vine is similarly colored and offers a sweet plum, blueberries, sandalwood, and spice-driven bouquet. This carries to a medium-bodied, elegant, silky Zinfandel that has loads of character, as well as length. Aged 16 months in 40% new American oak, it’s going to keep nicely for upwards of a decade.” 91 Points
2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red Blend

2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red Blend

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedRutherfordUSA

VISTA

2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED

 
2017 Vista Rutherford Proprietary Red Blend
Being part of a wine brand that’s shattering records and has everybody talking is a great feeling, and VISTA has inspired more gushing comments and endless re-orders than any wine that we’ve featured, period. This wine is a $23 Rutherford Blend that tastes like it should cost many times its price, and if you haven’t opened one lately, I bet you’ll be shocked by how great it is now. We bought every bottle available and we’re now nearly out of the 2017 vintage, so this will likely be the last opportunity to stock up on this record-setting red.  
 
The 2017 originates from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this wine embodies many of the hallmarks that I look for in Rutherford Cabernet. The blend is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, heightened with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, and the 2017 vintage saturates your palate in seductive red berries laced with dried lavender, red currants, iron, and Rutherford dust. 
 
The unparalleled value and unrestrained demand for this wine has been solely due to its vastly overdelivering and mimicking many of the same qualities that you’d expect in much higher-end Rutherford wines. The focused, penetrating red fruits, superb richness and classic Rutherford dust characteristics make it irresistible, and unexpectedly great for this modest price.
 

VISTA
2017 RUTHERFORD
PROPRIETARY RED

Your Price: $23
 
 
“Scintillating aromas of fresh blackberries, tart red currants, cocoa powder and vanilla spice. The palate is dense, rich and powerful with a beautiful combination of bright red fruit characteristics that perfectly intertwine with deep black fruits including blueberry compote, crushed black raspberries, ripe red plum, baking spices and bittersweet chocolate. Intense and penetrating, this wine displays concentrated, powerful fruit with a gorgeous center core that finishes with a long, focused finish and slightly dusty tannins.”  92-95 Points Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2015 Laird Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir

2017 Laird Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir

with No Comment $40-$50CarnerosKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaUSA

LAIRD 

2017 PINOT NOIR
GHOST RANCH 

2015 Laird Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is remarkably versatile, and stylistically it can be crafted in more ways than just about any other varietal, ranging from light, bright and elegant, to deep, rich and opulent, and of course, everything in-between. Laird’s Single-Vineyard Pinot from Ghost Ranch definitely lives on the full-bodied end of the spectrum, and beautifully reflects that style.
 
Ghost Ranch is a stunning 9 acre vineyard located on the Sonoma side of Carneros. The site got its name from vineyard workers that had reported seeing children between the rows of vines, and when approached, they would vanish.
 
The winery has always attracted expert winemakers, and they’re currently made by Brian Mox whom previously consulted for both Lewis and Etude.
 
The 2017 is an idyllic example of a deep, full-bodied, and lavish Pinot Noir that doesn’t give an inch in terms of balance. So, if you enjoy Big Pinots, the scariest thing about Laird’s Ghost Ranch Pinot would be missing out on a case.   
 
LAIRD 
2017 PINOT NOIR
GHOST RANCH
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $43/btl
 
Tasting Notes: “The Laird Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir 2017 is a rich, supple wine with bright acidity along with a lush, satiny mouthfeel. It begins with ripe boysenberry, cherry cola and baking spices, with a hint of sweet vanilla. The finish is penetrating and long, with an overall balance that draws you back in, sip after sip…” 93 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
2017 Prisoner Wine Company Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Prisoner Wine Company ‘Cuttings’ Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUncategorizedUSA

PRISONER WINE CO. 2017 Prisoner Wine Company Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 CUTTINGS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
Birthed from high-elevation, steep, hillside vineyards that traverse through some of Napa Valley’s most sought after growing districts, Prisoner Wine Company’s Cuttings Cabernet can be described as the bigger more masculine brother to the popular Prisoner Red blend.  The wine is thoughtfully created from a diverse variety of clones and terroirs, which all lend to the wines vast complexity and infectious charm.  The newly released 2017 bursts from the glass with intense mulberries, wild plum, melted dark chocolate, black currants and vanilla bean.  Cuttings makes a powerful statement on what can be achieved at this price point…
 
Hailing from high-elevation vineyards including Bella Vista, Obsidian Ridge, and the York Creek Vineyard on Spring Mountain, the 2017 Cuttings was built around a core of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. The wine models extravagance and offers deep, rich, hedonistic flavors, just like we’ve come to expect from Cuttings.  The wine is always made in an irresistibly plump, velvety style with plush tannins that make it impossible to resist diving in for another sip… another glass and then another.
 
PRISONER WINE CO.
2017 CUTTINGS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $55.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl   
YOU SAVE 27%
 
Winery Notes: “Cuttings combines the deep, intense flavor of Cabernet Sauvignon with the structure and richness of Petite Sirah and Syrah. A small amount of Zinfandel adds a nice layer of complexity and spiciness.  Deliciously smooth with flavors of blueberry, dark cherry, and cocoa. Aromas of fresh roasted coffee, black currant, vanilla bean, brown spice, and wild berries.” 
 
 
2017 Montagu Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2017 Montagu Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtNorth CoastUSA

MONTAGU 2017 Montagu Ritchie Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay

2017 CHARDONNAY
RITCHIE VINEYARD

 
Chosen for its profound sense of place, brilliant details and irresistible opulence, Montagu’s singe-vineyard Ritchie Chardonnay stands tall as our #4 Wine in 2019.  Ritchie Vineyard has an epic history of producing some of California’s most distinguished Chardonnays, and it’s a site celebrated by powerhouses Aubert, DuMOL, Ramey, Patz & Hall, and the list goes on…  Kent Ritchie planted his vineyard in the early 1970’s… now fast-forward nearly 50 years, the Old Wente Clone vines now have gnarly trunks and produce tiny quantities of choice grapes. The only problem is the average price of Chardonnay from Ritchie is North of $60/btl… That’s where we come in, and Montagu’s Ritchie Chardonnay is an amazing value at their $55 price.  At our price, you won’t believe your taste buds…  
 
The Ritchie Vineyard is centered in the iconic Russian River Valley, and the soils are pure sandy Goldridge loam, which originates from the bed of an inland sea.  It enjoys the cooling fog from the Pacific, and the grapes are able to achieve optimum ripeness and maintain brilliant acidity.  This gorgeous Chardonnay was created by Weston Eidson who gained valuable winemaking knowledge from mentors Jason Moore and Russell Bevan.  You won’t find a better Chardonnay at a lower price.  
 
MONTAGU
2017 CHARDONNAY
RITCHIE VINEYARD
Retails at:  $55/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “Shimmering in the glass like freshly polished brass, every other element in this wine shines as brightly too.  The nose is deep, supple, and rich with ripe apples, honeysuckle and baking spices.  The palate spans a full and opulent array of flavors, combining butter baked pear, violets and hints of ginger, along with a gorgeous mouth-coating intensity, all without being too heavy.  Then comes the finish, which wraps you in a warm, comforting blanket, lingering on and on, then putting you in a very happy place.” 94 Points
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.”
2017 Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel

2017 Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

MARTINELLI 2017 Martinelli Giuseppe & Luisa Zinfandel

2017 ZINFANDEL
GIUSEPPE & LUISA

 
The only thing stretching deeper than the root systems of the ancient Zinfandel vines of Jackass Hill, are Martinelli’s roots in the Russian River Valley, which go back to the 1880’s.  Giuseppe and Luisa Martinelli planted their iconic Jackass Hill Vineyard in 1899 on a 60 degree slope, which remains the steepest non-terraced hillside vineyard in Sonoma County.  In 1994 Lee Martinelli grafted budwood from the centurion vines of Jackass Hill and planted them on a rocky knoll above the winery which became the Giuseppe & Luisa Vineyard.  This wine is the liquid definition of a huge California-style Zinfandel with unending depth, penetrating wild raspberry compote, boysenberry jam and mouthwatering acidity.  Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate proclaims, “This is just what Zinfandel should be…” and at about 1/2 the price of Jackass Vineyard Zin, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
Martinelli was one of the early leaders back in the early 1990’s producing cult level Zinfandels that were nearly impossible to acquire. Their 2017 was brought to life by winemakers Courtney Wagoner and Erin Green. Erin worked alongside Helen Turley in the early ’90’s on some of her projects, including at Bryant Family & Martinelli and also was director of winemaking at Pahlmeyer.  If you love huge, California style Zinfandel, this one shouldn’t be missed.
 
MARTINELLI
2017 ZINFANDEL
GIUSEPPE & LUISA
 
Your Price: $58/btl  
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Zinfandel Giuseppe and Luisa has a wonderful nose of yellow peach preserves, apricot, boysenberry jam, cinnamon stick and warm black fruits-there are loads of fruity and spicy layers here. In the mouth, it’s medium to full-bodied with intense tricolored fruits, firm, grainy tannins and very juicy acidity, finishing long and peachy. This is just what Zinfandel should be!” 96 Points
2017 Foley Johnson Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

FOLEY JOHNSON  2017 Foley Johnson Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 ESTATE CABERNET
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY

 
Napa Valley’s Iconic Rutherford appellation is one of the most revered regions for Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s celebrated for producing wines with palpable and distinct character, superior elegance and of course classic Rutherford dusty tannins.  Paragons Quintessa, BV and Scarecrow all set a precedence for quality in Rutherford.  The best Rutherford Cabernets will fuse elegance, complexity and dusty tannins in a way that makes you want to enjoy them on a regular basis.  Of course with an average retail price of well over $100 per bottle for Rutherford Cabernet, it can be tough to find one at a modest price. Foley Johnson’s Rutherford Estate Cab is absolutely one of the best values in Rutherford, with a name that’s synonymous quality.
 
Arising from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, this exemplary Cabernet Sauvignon shines with all of the hallmarks that I love most about Rutherford.  It’s supremely focused and brims with concentrated red fruits, wild violets, cherry pipe tobacco, crushed graphite and of course, beautiful Rutherford dust.  Their Rutherford Estate Cabernet competes favorably with the best in the Valley…
 
FOLEY JOHNSON
2017 ESTATE CABERNET
RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
 
 
Winery Notes: “Our 2017 Estate Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon displays inviting aromas of huckleberry, cedar, black pepper and a hint of dried sage. On the palate, bold tannins are balanced with flavors of black currant and dark cherry with savory notes of tobacco and graphite. Well structured and full bodied, our Cabernet Sauvignon is approachable now, but will age beautifully over the next 5-10