2018 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red Paso Robles

2018 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red Paso Robles

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedUSA

HARVEY & HARRIET

PROPRIETARY RED 
2018 PASO ROBLES

2018 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red Paso Robles
Designed for wine lovers seeking elegant, collector-worthy wines that are accessibly priced, Eric Jensen created Harvey & Harriet as a homage to his parents, who could never afford most of the top-level Cabernet blends today. He diligently creates this wine from premier sites in Paso Robles, blending it to showcase the depth, intensity, charisma, and character expected from much higher-end wines. With mid-90s scores, this is, as Jeb Dunnuck writes, a “polished, elegant beauty,” and at $32, you can’t go wrong with a case. 
 
Gaining experience from neighbors Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure, and friend Justin Smith of Saxum, Eric Jensen’s wines make a powerful statement of quality, value and do so without pretension. 
 
Eric thoughtfully crafts Harvey and Harriet in a rich, showy style by blending 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with Syrah, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. This unique blend walks a tightrope of elegance and intensity, delivering a high level of enjoyment at a realistic price.
 
HARVEY & HARRIET
PROPRIETARY RED 
2018 PASO ROBLES
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“Deep ruby-black in color, it has a very layered nose with aromas of exotic spices, crème de cassis, blackcurrant bud, tar and tilled black soil with hints of violet, lilac, cardamom and baking spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is silky and has a great interplay of fruit and spice. It has a firm, pleasantly chalky frame and just enough freshness, finishing long with a youthful cloaking of oak spice.”
93-95+ Points
 
“…the entry-level Harvey and Harriet is always made in a richer, softer style compared to the classic My Favorite Neighbor cuvée. The 2018 offers a big, juicy bouquet of crème de cassis and jammy blackberries interwoven with lots of tobacco, cedar pencil, and earthy, foresty aromas and flavors. This ripe yet medium to full-bodied, polished, elegant beauty will drink nicely for at least a decade.”
94 Points
2018 Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley

2018 Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50CalistogaCarnerosKevin VogtMerlotNapaOak KnollUSAYountville

DUCKHORN 

2018 MERLOT
NAPA VALLEY

2018 Duckhorn Merlot Napa Valley
Inspired by Bordeaux and a foundational focus of Duckhorn Winery since 1978, Merlot’s mesmeric identity and profound elegance were recognized by Dan Duckhorn as underappreciated in North America, and he set out to fix it. Having unwavering consistency and exemplary varietal character, Duckhorn dominates California Merlot. The 2018 release is a consummate example of the winery’s cumulative growth over the past four decades, and at $45, this deserves a spot on the table. 
 
Duckhorn’s Napa Valley Merlot reflects the diversity of Napa Valley terroir, enriched by Estate Vineyards and other top sites in Carneros, Oak Knoll, Calistoga, and Yountville. A quarter of the blend is harvested from the winery’s Three Palms, Rector Creek, Stout, Monitor Ledge, Patzimaro, and Cork Tree Vineyards, balanced with other renowned sites like Stagecoach, Hyde, and Hudson. 
 
A hallmark of Duckhorn’s Napa Merlot is the inclusion of Cabernet Sauvignon for added depth, structure, and signature black cherry, plum, and spice characteristics. Quality was propelled even further by the 2018 vintage, and after resting for 15 months in barrel, this wine is ready to delight.
 
DUCKHORN 
2018 MERLOT
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $56
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“From its tempting aromas of ripe cherry and black raspberry to its sweet, dusty tannins and supple texture, this a lush and expansive expression of Napa Valley Merlot. Luxurious flavors of black plum, rhubarb crumble and chocolate-covered raspberry mingle with hints of graphite and clove on the long, vibrant finish.”
2018 Peter Paul Pinot Noir Mille Freres Sonoma Coast

2018 Peter Paul Pinot Noir Mille Freres Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

PETER PAUL

2018 PINOT NOIR
MILLE FRERES
SONOMA COAST

2018 Peter Paul Pinot Noir Mille Freres Sonoma Coast
Performing an equilibrium of New World luxurious fruit and refined Old World heritage, Peter Paul Pinot Noir strikes a counterpoise of ripeness, structure, density, and richness that manifests in the virtuosity of their team led by Master of Wine Martin Reyes. Their flagship Mille Freres Pinot Noir comes from Terra de Promissio Vineyard, a site frequented by prestigious producers Kistler, Hanzell, Gary Ferrell, Williams-Selyem, and Kosta Browne. At around $40, don’t miss out on this pedigreed Pinot Noir. 
 
Embraced by some of California’s best producers, Terra de Promissio is the most vineyard-designated Pinot Noir plot in Sonoma County, most famously playing a significant role in Kosta Browne’s 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot, which ranked as the #1 Wine of the year in 2011. 
 
Earning an overall vintage rating of 93-96 Points in 2018, Mother Nature issued “Nearly perfect conditions; full-flavored wines backed by crisp acidity, especially from coastal vineyards,” as noted by the Wine Spectator.
 
PETER PAUL
2018 PINOT NOIR
MILLE FRERES
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $48
 
Your Price: $36
 
 
“Mille Freres commands attention the way luxury Pinot Noir should, with heavenly red and black fruits, knee-weakening florals, savory yumminess, and an underlying warming spice note, a bit like a glorious Christmas celebration. Richly textured, this wine plays like a symphony on the palate with pure flavors of red berry preserve, sweet fresh herbs, hints of mushroom & licorice, perfectly framed by mouth-coating tannins that remain pliant even in their persistence. Fans of the 2016 vintage character will be especially pleased. This is a chiseled, compelling, and (yes) age-worthy Pinot Noir.”
2018 Arrived Proprietary White Paso Robles

2018 Arrived Proprietary White Paso Robles

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary WhiteUSA

ARRIVED

PROPRIETARY WHITE
2018 PASO ROBLES 

2018 Arrived Proprietary White Paso Robles
Chateauneuf-du-Pape white wines are a rare delicacy, often created by combining Grenache Blanc and Clairette Blanche. There are less than 175 total acres of Clairette Blanche planted in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and in California, it’s almost non-existent. Arrived arose from the Dusi Family’s Paper Street Vineyard in Paso Robles and is a near equal blend of both grapes. The wine is mesmeric, offering finely etched details, graceful opulence, and wildly intriguing nuances.
 
Arrived was cut from chalky, limestone-rich white soils that produce vibrant wines with remarkable clarity, intricacy, depth, and balance. The vineyard, located in the Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, is owned and farmed by the Dusi family. 
 
The whole grape clusters were pressed and fermented in stainless steel before spending just nine months in neutral barrels. The 2019 Arrived has incredible energy and offers various tropical fruits, honeysuckle, and stony minerals. With a total production of 75 cases, don’t wait to secure yours.
 
ARRIVED
PROPRIETARY WHITE
2018 PASO ROBLES
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $25
 
 
“Gravenstein apple, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemon zest, asian pear, and a core of minerality that continues to develop in the glass. Lifted, concentrated, showing a bright purity of fruit. Succulent. Balanced. Refreshing.”
2018 Sor Ugo Super Tuscan Bolgheri Rosso Superiore

2018 Sor Ugo Super Tuscan Bolgheri Rosso Superiore

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSangioveseUSA

SOR UGO

2018 SUPER TUSCAN
BOLGHERI ROSSO SUPERIORE
AIA VECCHIA WINERY

2018 Sor Ugo Super Tuscan Bolgheri Rosso Superiore
Aia Vecchia’s determination to express the most natural characteristics of their land, along with their undeterred attention to detail, manifests profoundly in their wines. The wine’s commanding intensity, supreme richness, and arrant focus effortlessly combine, making it feel like the only wine in the room. Vinous writes, “the purity of the flavors is striking,” and with a 94 point score and price far lower than what you’d expect from Bolgheri, it’s easy to see why this is our most popular Tuscan wine year after year. 
 
Sor Ugo boldly reflects Castagneto Carducci terroir and the Estate’s proximity to the Tyrrhenian coast. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, embellished with Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot, the 2018 vintage is super-concentrated with crystalline focus enriched with minerality and divinely saturating intensity. 
 
Aia Vecchia’s winemaking team has a precisely detailed approach; Meticulously hand-sorting each berry, vinifying, fermenting and aging each varietal separately before creating the blend, which spends a year in the bottle before release.
 
SOR UGO
2018 SUPER TUSCAN
BOLGHERI ROSSO SUPERIORE
AIA VECCHIA WINERY
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 

“The 2018 Sor Ugo is a superb Bolgheri red. Pliant, succulent and so expressive, the 2018 offers plenty of richness, but with terrific energy, too. Black cherry, mocha, spice, licorice and chocolate all build as the 2018 fills out over time. The purity of the flavors is striking.” 

94 Points

2018 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2018 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

JOSEPH JEWELL

2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2018 Joseph Jewell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Striking a delicate balance of character and approachability, Joseph Jewell’s Russian Valley Pinot Noir embodies the region’s spirit, calling on the best qualities of three renowned vineyards. This wine is winemaker Adrian Jewell’s best representation of the Russian River Valley, mindfully created from a barrel selection of Bucher, Starscape, and Hallberg Vineyards. The wine is a perennial favorite that will make you wonder how a Pinot Noir can be this good for this low of a price. 
 
Gaining lush fruits and earthy undertones from Bucher, brighter red fruit and supple tannins from Starscape, and structure with darker berries from Hallberg, Joseph Jewell’s Russian River Pinot Noir is a complete wine of charisma and balance. 
 
This intriguing release is ebullient and beautifully knit with a flirtatious mix of red and black fruits, wild rose, and classic cola and spice characteristics. Like the previous vintages, the fleshy, rich textures are sublime and are a hallmark of this brand. 
 
JOSEPH JEWELL
2018 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $40
 
 
 
“Luscious and inviting, with aromas of bing cherry, cola, and orange blossom, this wine follows fast with striking aromatics of candied cherries, vanilla, fresh mint, and hibiscus. On the palate, the medley of fresh cherries, cranberries, and red plum is accented with an elegant herbaceousness and a lasting floral finish. Soft tannins support a lush mouthfeel that will keep you coming back for more.”
2018 Ilaria Malbec Napa Valley

2018 Ilaria Malbec Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40CoombsvilleKevin VogtMalbecNapaUSA

ILARIA

2018 MALBEC
NAPA VALLEY

2018 Ilaria Malbec Napa Valley
Brazenly expressing their heritage, Ilaria wines are strategically crafted in small lots to showcase their unique identity. The wines highlight the convergence of exceptional Napa Valley terroir and the farming expertise of UC Davis grads Anna and Mario Monticelli. Their Malbec embodies the soul of Napa Valley and builds on Anna and Mario’s accumulative experience, including Chateau Cheval-Blanc, Bryant, Pina, Antinori, and Trinchero. As Jeb Dunnuck writes, “I’d happily drink bottles any time over the coming decade,” and here’s your chance to make it happen. 
 
Ilaria’s Malbec balances the interplay of Coombsville fruit’s elegance and concentrated Atlas Peak flavors. 15% Cabernet Sauvignon adds strength to Malbec’s supple nature, resulting in a harmoniously textured, full-bodied red. 
 
Born from a combination of volcanic and loam soils, this 2018 Malbec highlights the vintage’s power, along with the vast skillset of Anna and Mario and their ability to produce expressive wines that are terroir-transparent and mindfully balanced. 
 
ILARIA
2018 MALBEC
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“…. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, bouquet garni, and peppered meat-like nuances emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a fresh, elegant texture, terrific tannins, and a great finish. I’d happily drink bottles any time over the coming decade.”
92 Points
 
“…. the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Malbec gives up exuberant notes of plum preserves, blueberry pie and Morello cherries with hints of Sichuan pepper, cardamom and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has lovely freshness cutting through the intense black fruit flavors, finishing with a plush texture and great harmony. 414 cases were made.”
91+ Points
2018 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

2018 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

with No Comment $30-$40BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin VogtSaint Emilion

CHÂTEAU MOULIN DE

LA GRANGERE
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU 
2018 BORDEAUX  

2018 Chateau Moulin De La Grangere Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux
Neighboring Château Pavie, one of Saint-Émilion’s most revered producers, Château Moulin de la Grangère has founders passionate about organic viticulture, land stewardship, and producing wines with a sense of place from their small yet privileged location. Their wines benefit from consulting winemaker Michel Rolland’s global experience, including hundreds of A-list clients spanning 13 countries. The exceptional 2018 vintage furthers quality, and at $33, their Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux is a tangible value worth owning. 
 
Château Moulin de la Grangère sits at the foot of the finest slopes of Saint-Émilion, where they planted their certified organic vines in clay-limestone soils. Like Château Pétrus, the wine is 100% Merlot, and Moulin de la Grangère is made in a story-telling style guided by the vintage and marked with elegance. 
 
Pursuing excellence, the wine team uses vibrating shaker tables to sort the fruit, keeping only the most pristine berries. Aged for around 18 months in 30% new French oak, the 2018 release captures the spirit of the Saint-Emilion, presented with confidence, enchantment, and signature balance.
 
CHÂTEAU MOULIN DE
LA GRANGERE
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU 
2018 BORDEAUX
 
Your Price: $33
 
 
“On the nose we discover concentrated notes of red berries, rose, peony and roasted almonds. Beautiful structure without being imposing with silky tannins and very finely woven.”
2018 Hoopla Cabernet Sauvignon California

2018 Hoopla Cabernet Sauvignon California

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

HOOPLA

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 CALIFORNIA 

2018 Hoopla Cabernet Sauvignon California
A howling value, Hoopla’s California Cabernet is a mixed breed born from doggone good stock. Proprietor Lindsay Hoopes owns 35 prime acres in Oakville, and her 2018 California Cabernet includes fruit from Paso Robles’ top sites and other meticulously chosen vineyards in Monterey and Napa Valley. Raised by Anne Vawter, whose experience includes working alongside Heidi Barrett as the assistant winemaker at Paradigm for years, at $24, this Cab could become man’s second-best friend. 
 
Hoopla is a cross-breed that includes barrels that didn’t go into Hoopes purebred bottlings from Napa Valley, Oakville, and Howell Mountain. The wine offers a lush coat of smooth red and black fruits, intriguing spice and floral characteristics, toasty oak, and absolutely no bite. 
 
Kenneled for 20 months in French oak, the 2018 release is Cabernet Sauvignon, harnessed with other Bordeaux varieties, offering a rare breed of concentrated, focused fruit, uncommon at this value price. Keep this one on a short leash.
 
HOOPLA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 CALIFORNIA
 
Your Price: $24
 
 
“The 2018 Hoopla California Cabernet is a ruby red, juicy Cabernet that sings with fresh aromas of blackberries, black plum, and roasted coffee. In the mouth, dense flavors of blackberries, black cherry, and cocoa powder mingle with broad, mouth- filling tannins. The lengthy finish is perfumed with vanilla bean.”
2018 Freeman Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2018 Freeman Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

FREEMAN

2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2018 Freeman Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Defined by strength, balance, and inherent complexity, Freeman Pinot Noir embodies the soul of the Sonoma Coast. Setting out to prove domestic Pinot Noir can be both as complex and compelling as Burgundy, proprietors Ken and Akiko Freeman toured hundreds of properties before settling on the western edges of Sonoma County. They hired Pinot-maestro Ed Kurtzman to help bring their dream to fruition. Ed’s ability to shape Pinot Noirs with refinement, balance, and inherent sense of place, was matched with an uncompromising commitment to quality, resulting in exemplary coastal Pinot. 
 
A marriage of 79% grapes from Yu-Ki Estate Vineyard at 1000 feet elevation and 5 miles from the Pacific, and 21% fruit from Campbell Ranch near Annapolis in the northernmost reaches of Sonoma County, this Pinot Noir transparently reflects Ocean influence, Sonoma Coast geography, and soils. 
 
The winery notes that 2018 produced the highest quality fruit that they’ve encountered in their seventeen vintages at Freeman. Ed’s winemaking technique preserves the fruit’s natural expression by aging the wine for just 11 months in mostly neutral barrels. The resulting wine is exquisitely balanced, supple, and intriguing.
 
FREEMAN
2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $45
 
Your Price: $42
 
 
“This bold and distinctive wine impresses with its focused flavors, vivid balance and excellent depth. From a haunting aroma of rosemary, violet and black cherry to vibrant sour-cherry and black-tea flavors, it tastes powerful and pure. Best through 2026”
94 Points “Cellar Selection”