2019 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2019 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

DUCKHORN

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 NAPA VALLEY

2019 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Duckhorn made their first Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in 1978 and has only missed one vintage in over 40 years. Their Cabernet consistently delivers a lush, rich, eclectic taste of Napa because it’s a blend of many of their estate properties, including Rector Creek in Yountville, Monitor Ledge in Calistoga, Stout on Howell Mountain, and even their historic Three Palms Vineyard.
 
The 2019 vintage saw an ideal summer without any significant heatwaves, ensuring an even ripening of the grapes and more complex flavor development. The blend consists of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot aged 16 months in 100% French oak (50% new and 50% neutral), creating a soulful balance between the fruit and the oak.
 
DUCKHORN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2019 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at: $78
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“The Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a rich, powerful wine with deep concentration and firm structure. The nose and palate are in sync with wild mountain blackberries, ripe Bing cherries, cedar, pie spices, dried herbs, and vanilla hints. Although compact and firm now, the intensity of sweet fruit on the palate blooms from under the youthful, slightly gripping fruit tannins, after a little time in the glass. The intensity of fruit combined with the foundational structure tells me this one has a couple of decades of good living ahead of it.”
94 Points
2019 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red

2019 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red

SANS LIEGE

2019 THE OFFERING
PROPRIETARY RED

2019 Sans Liege The Offering Proprietary Red
Inspired by the kaleidoscope of complex aromas and flavors found in the Southern Rhône wines, winemaker Curt Schalchlin seeks vineyards with finesse, distinct terroir, and unrestrained character. He relies on his intuition, carefully monitoring each microclimate from Paso Robles to Solvang, creating some of the Central Coast’s best examples of Southern Rhone-inspired wines with New World fruit and flair. 
 
The winery describes The Offering as a quest for independence, giving an homage to the Southern Rhone but made with the freedoms of New World winemaking. The 2019 vintage includes 30% whole cluster Grenache fermentation, then destemmed Syrah with 25% of stems returned, along with 100% destemmed Mourvèdre, giving a firm structure with a juicy body and a vast range of complexity.
 
SANS LIEGE
2019 THE OFFERING
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“Coming from throughout the Central Coast and a blend of 42% Grenache, 38% Syrah, and 20% Mourvèdre, the 2019 Offering delivers a delicious, Côtes du Rhône-like vibe in its peppery red and black fruits as well as leafy herbs, earth, and subtle meaty, spicy aromas and flavors. It’s nicely textured, medium-bodied, and has the depth to keep for 4-5 years.” 
90 Points
2019 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond District

2019 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond District

MARTIN RAY

2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN

2019 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond District
There is an intrigue behind estate-grown and bottled wines, but the most critical piece of the puzzle is the site where the grapes are grown. Martin Ray has continuously operated under the “wines of place” philosophy, and quite frankly, they’re nailing it, producing wines that showcase the best each region has to offer.
 
Their Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in the Andrew Geoffrey Vineyard located on the lower foothills of the mountain with a powdery mix of volcanic ash and porous tufa rock with some sprinkles of obsidian. The majority of the small lots are fermented in upright French oak puncheons, with a small portion in open-top stainless-steel vessels, followed by about 30 days on the skins after fermentation, giving a silky mouthfeel and a seamless integration between the fruit and the oak. 
 
MARTIN RAY
2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
Retails at: $85
 
Your Price: $59.99
 
 
“Complex aromas of dark plums, blackcurrants, dried herbs, cedar and spice box. Some tar. Pine needles. Full-bodied with creamy tannins. Firm and polished with a velvety texture. Flavorful and long…”
95 Points
2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

STEPS

RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red
Each year STEPS is re-birthed as it’s formed from declassified grapes from some of Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards and meticulously blended by winemaker Grant Long, Jr, whom you might know from Aonair, Witchery, and James Joseph. Grant makes the blend with an unwavering goal of producing a showy, opulent red, guided by the vintage and the varietals that performed best. The 2019 release reflects the vintage’s knockout power and blanketing intensity, and at $50, the value is nearly inconceivable.
 
Steps 2019 Barrel Select draws on Diamond Mountain’s concentrated fruit and expressive flavors, then brings Rutherford elegance and Oakville complexity into play with absolute grandiosity. The final blend is more than 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, crafted in a richly layered, lavish, hedonistic style. The wine is a steal at $50, and at $45, a single case won’t be enough.
 
STEPS
RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“The 2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select is beautifully aromatic with violets, ripe black plums and black raspberries, dark chocolate, and wet stones. On the palate, flavors of blueberry pie, cocoa power, and a savory mushroom component add additional layers of complexity. The tannins are fine-grained, giving the wine a velvety texture felt throughout the long and opulent finish that slowly fades away on the palate, revealing its complexity one layer at a time.”
95 Points
2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red

STEPS

RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED

2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red
Each year STEPS is re-birthed as it’s formed from declassified grapes from some of Napa Valley’s most coveted vineyards and meticulously blended by winemaker Grant Long, Jr, whom you might know from Aonair, Witchery, and James Joseph. Grant makes the blend with an unwavering goal of producing a showy, opulent red, guided by the vintage and the varietals that performed best. The 2019 release reflects the vintage’s knockout power and blanketing intensity, and at our price, the value is nearly inconceivable.
 
Steps 2019 Barrel Select draws on Diamond Mountain’s concentrated fruit and expressive flavors, then brings Rutherford elegance and Oakville complexity into play with absolute grandiosity. The final blend is more than 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, elevated with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, crafted in a richly layered, lavish, hedonistic style. The wine is a steal at $50, and at $45, a single case won’t be enough.
 
STEPS
RESERVE BARREL SELECT
2019 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $50
 
 
 
“The 2019 Steps Reserve Barrel Select is beautifully aromatic with violets, ripe black plums and black raspberries, dark chocolate, and wet stones. On the palate, flavors of blueberry pie, cocoa power, and a savory mushroom component add additional layers of complexity. The tannins are fine-grained, giving the wine a velvety texture felt throughout the long and opulent finish that slowly fades away on the palate, revealing its complexity one layer at a time.”
95 Points
2019 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2019 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

SILVER GHOST 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2019 NAPA VALLEY

2019 Silver Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Named after Weston Eidson’s great-grandfather’s love for the legendary automobile of the same name- the 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet embodies the same precision, power, and class. Weston’s winemaking parallels in quality, gaining much of his experience from mentors Jason Moore and Russell Bevan.
 
Crafted from a selection of high-quality grapes from Rutherford, Calistoga, and Yountville, Silver Ghost is bold and expressive with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, and 5% Petite Verdot aged 22 months in 50% new French oak barriques. This value-driven wine compares to other Napa Valley Cabernets that are double and triple the price and thoroughly impressed our tasting panel when it stood out in a lineup of a few dozen respected producers within Napa Valley.
 
SILVER GHOST 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2019 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at $40
 
Your Price: $35
 
 
“I’m always impressed by the quality to value this producer offers in his wines, and this new release is another absolute winner. The 2019 Silver Ghost Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a nose including black cherries, pink peppercorns, dried sage, bay leaf, and violets. The palate showcases red currants, wild red berries, fresh tobacco leaf, cardamom, delicate mint, and oak spice. While this bottle will certainly benefit from a few extra years of aging, it is drinking beautifully now and will continue to for another decade.”
92 Points
2019 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2019 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

FLOWERS

2019 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST

2019 Flowers Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
The heart of the winemaking philosophy at Flowers is for the wine to express its origin and promote the unique flavors of the rough, rugged, and remote coastal ridges of the Sonoma Coast. Three distinct qualities define the vineyards used to source their Chardonnay: extreme elevation, coastal influence, and sustainable farming practices that together create a haven for growing cool-climate varieties.
 
Winemaker Chantal Forthun believes in low intervention and uses a natural yeast strain from the skin of the grapes for fermentation, giving Flowers wines their particular characteristics. The 2019 vintage saw a cold, wet winter, followed by a mild spring and summer, resulting in moderate to slow ripening for delicate but complex layers of flavor with bright acidity and a pleasantly lingering finish. Our panel was thrilled with the quality of their 2019 Chardonnay, marking one of their best vintages yet, offering a stratospherically high level of quality for its value price.
 
FLOWERS
2019 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $50
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“I love the Chardonnay from this estate, and their appellation 2019 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is well worth seeking out, revealing a lighter gold hue as well as a crisp, nicely defined bouquet of poached pear, citrus, spice, and hazelnuts. Beautiful on the palate as well, it’s medium-bodied and has nicely integrated acidity, notable balance, and a great finish.”
94 Points
 
“Rich and finely textured, with concentrated white fruit flavors that show buttery hints. The spicy finish lingers with minerally snap and creamy accents. Drink now through 2025.”
92 Points
2019 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red San Luis Obispo

2019 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red San Luis Obispo

HARVEY & HARRIET

PROPRIETARY RED 
2019 SAN LUIS OBISPO

2019 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red San Luis Obispo
Luxuriously designed to emulate high-end Cabernet Blends’ most hedonistic qualities, Harvey & Harriett creator Eric Jensen’s inspiration for this wine derived from his hardworking parents, Harvey and Harriet, who couldn’t afford the expensive, top-level Cabernet blends produced today. This wine is a “smoking value,” as Jeb Dunnuck alerts, embodying the satisfaction of a hard day’s work through exceptional quality, but without the high price tag.
 
Eric Jensen of Booker Vineyard is dedicated to growing fruit for some of the best wineries in Paso Robles, gaining winemaking experience along the way from neighbors Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure, and friend Justin Smith of Saxum. The fruit for Harvey & Harriet is sourced from premier sites, blended to showcase the intensity, depth, and character expected from cult-style wines. 
 
HARVEY & HARRIET
PROPRIETARY RED 
2019 SAN LUIS OBISPO
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“…the 2019 Harvey and Harriet can be thought of as the more approachable, lush red in the lineup, and it always seems more black fruit-driven than the straight Cabernet Sauvignon. Blackberries, sweet tobacco, cedar, and some floral violet nuances define the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful texture and silky tannins. It’s a smoking value, and while it has plenty of up-front charm, it certainly has a decade or more of overall longevity.”
94 Points
2019 Aniello 006 Malbec Riverside Estate

2019 Aniello 006 Malbec Riverside Estate

ANIELLO

2019 006 MALBEC
RIVERSIDE ESTATE
PATAGONIA ARGENTINA

2019 Aniello 006 Malbec Riverside Estate
Vines have been growing in Patagonia for over 100 years, and today a large number of low-yielding, old vines are thriving and producing some of the most exciting wines in Argentina. The latitude in Patagonia ranges from 38 to 42 degrees South, providing one more hour of sunshine each day and lower temperatures during the vegetative cycle, slowly ripening the grapes and resulting in complex, elegant flavors, and profound aromatic intensity.
 
The grapes retain their natural acidity due to the wide diurnal temperature range in the region, and the windy, desert climate forces the development of thick skins that give more tannic structure, deeper colors, and more concentrated flavors. Destined to become a new favorite, Bodega Aniello’s 006 Malbec has intriguing aromas, juicy fruit, spicy undertones, and a refined finish that vastly over-delivers at its modest $20 price.
 
ANIELLO
2019 006 MALBEC
RIVERSIDE ESTATE
PATAGONIA ARGENTINA
 
Your Price: $19.99
 
 
“A rich, ripe wine that shows dried berries and hints of figs and spice. Medium body, medium-chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Juicy blackberry finish that’s really fresh and zesty.”
92 Points
 
“Grown at an estate vineyard in Mainque, this malbec fermented in concrete tanks and a third of it aged for 12 months in oak barrels. It needs air to settle down, the cinnamon spice taking a backseat to an orange zest volatility. Wild and meaty. Best Buy” 
91 Points
2019 Fabien Coche Bourgogne Cote D'Or Pinot Noir

2019 Fabien Coche Bourgogne Cote D’Or Pinot Noir

FABIEN COCHE

BOURGOGNE COTE D’OR
2019 PINOT NOIR

2019 Fabien Coche Bourgogne Cote D'Or Pinot Noir
Fabien Coche is a fourth-generation winemaker with exceptional familial ties to the Côte d’Or, coming from one of Burgundy’s renowned winemaking families, Coche-Dury. Fabien took over his family’s Domaine in 2005 and has quickly become the Coche to keep an eye on with wines that are neither flashy nor dramatic but poised, powerful, and seductive.
 
The Pinot Noir for his Bourgogne Rouge comes from two parcels; One in Meursault and the other in Pommard, where roots have grown deep into the earth for the last 30 to 60 years, extracting the remarkable terroir. Fabien’s minimalistic approach focuses on expressing the site in each wine he creates without the use of pump-overs or punch-downs, ensuring a fruit purity that speaks of the terroir it was grown on, providing a sensation you won’t want to miss!
 
Our entire tasting panel wanted to buy a case for themselves after tasting this… 
 
FABIEN COCHE
BOURGOGNE COTE D’OR
2019 PINOT NOIR
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The 2019 Fabien Coche Bourgogne Côte d’Or Pinot Noir is everything you’re looking for in a Pinot Noir. This stunning wine has profound complexity opening with rose petals, cranberries, red cherries, wild strawberries, cloves, mushrooms, and forest floor. The wine has a silky mouthfeel on the palate with beautifully balanced fruity and savory flavors that gracefully linger on the finish.”
94 points