2019 Chapellet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

CHAPPELLET

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019

Donn Chappellet dreamed of making Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that would rival First Growths of Bordeaux. In 1967, with the advice of André Tchelistcheff, he and his wife Molly established Chappellet and were some of the first to plant vines on Pritchard Hill. Their vineyard ranges 800 to 1,800 feet in elevation and reaps critical acclaim, even being called “Napa Valley’s Rodeo Drive” and “Napa Valley’s Grand Cru.”
 
The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon has been their flagship wine for over 50 years, laying a foundation for structured, mountain fruit with concentrated varietal character lending years of longevity. The 2019 growing season yielded Cabernet Sauvignon with seductive aromatics, radiant energy, and supple tannins that glide into a long finish and a lasting impression.
 
CHAPPELLET
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019
 
Your Price: $89.99
 
 
“This is very complex, with blackcurrants, tobacco and cedar. Some sandalwood and terra-cotta, too. Medium-to full-bodied with ultra-fine tannins that are creamy-textured and so long and pure. Attractive and complex. 77% cabernet sauvignon with petit verdot, malbec and merlot. So good now to drink, but will age beautifully. Drink or hold.”
95 Points
2019 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Red Blend Alexander Valley

2019 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Red Blend Alexander Valley

with No Comment $30 and underAlexander ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

ECO TERRENO

CUVEE TIERRA RED BLEND  
ALEXANDER VALLEY 2019

2019 Eco Terreno Cuvee Tierra Red Blend Alexander Valley
Eco Terreno Wines are at the forefront of sustainable farming and a leader in biodynamics, placing a high importance on the health of the vineyard and the environment to grow the highest quality fruit. Founder and winemaker Mark Lyon, the former lead winemaker at Sebastiani Vineyards, draws from his years of experience with Alexander Valley fruit and focus on finding harmony with nature.
 
The winery is located within a small hamlet of the Russian River in Alexander Valley, experiencing coastal fog from the Petaluma Gap, blanketing the vineyards each morning, preserving acidity and freshness. The ideal growing season in 2019 allowed Mark to dial into each plot for the Cuvée Tierra blend consisting of 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 24% Merlot, and 10% Petit Verdot that delivers serious quality for this value price.
 
ECO TERRENO
CUVEE TIERRA RED BLEND  
ALEXANDER VALLEY 2019
 
Your Price: $27
 
 
“The Eco Terreno 2019 Cuvée Tierra Alexander Valley Red Blend opens with violets, earth, dried herbs, chocolate-covered strawberries, black cherries, and cloves. On the palate, the wine has ripe, chalky tannins and beautifully balanced flavors of blackberries, red plums, cinnamon, vanilla bean, savory spice, and black olives. The wine has a soft texture that is easy to drink right now with enough intensity to age a few years in the cellar.”
94-95 Points
2019 Acumen Cabernet Sauvignon Mountainside Napa Valley

2019 Acumen Cabernet Sauvignon Mountainside Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

ACUMEN

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MOUNTAINSIDE 2019
NAPA VALLEY

2019 Acumen Cabernet Sauvignon Mountainside Napa Valley
Acumen Estate sits high above the fog line on top of Atlas Peak, where sunshine slowly ripens the fruit, and volcanic soils give distinctive minerality. One hundred sixteen acres of sustainably farmed vines make up two vineyards from which a small portfolio of estate-grown wines are born under renowned winemaker Phillip Titus.
 
Acumen sells a large portion of their estate-grown mountain fruit to other top wineries in Napa Valley, allowing Philip to focus on his favorite small blocks within the vineyards. The 2019 growing season was similar to the fantastic 2018 vintage, with cooler-than-average summer temperatures that ensured a slower development, giving Cabernet Sauvignon deeper, more complex flavors and fine-grained tannins for structure and ageability.
 
ACUMEN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MOUNTAINSIDE 2019
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $75
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“A blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountainside has a deep garnet-purple color, bursting with bold scents of black cherries, mulberries and warm cassis, plus hints of fragrant earth and cedar. Full-bodied, intense and possessing bags of fresh, lively black fruits, it has a firm structure of grainy tannins, finishing long with a spicy kick.”
91+ Points
2019 Eleven Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon X I Estate Napa Valley

2019 Eleven Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon X I Estate Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

ELEVEN ELEVEN

X∙I ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Eleven Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon X I Estate Napa Valley
Inspired by the Greek word “Parea,” which refers to the power of friends coming together to share their values, philosophies, ideas, and life experiences, Eleven Eleven is a boutique winery producing impressive wines from their state-of-the-art facility near downtown Napa. Director of Operations Brett Weis and Consulting Winemaker Kirk Venge craft powerfully expressive wines that remain elegant and balanced.
 
Fruit for the X∙I Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in Oak Knoll AVA, an excellent location for Bordeaux varieties due to the combination of the clay loam soils and cooling influences from San Pablo Bay that are ideal for ripening and maintaining freshness in the grapes. The 2019 vintage is the second debut of the X∙I, a predominately Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend accompanied with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec to provide elegance, balance, and nuanced character.
 
ELEVEN ELEVEN
X∙I ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $85
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
 
“Soft and dusty in lush red fruit, with a compelling backbone of acidity, this estate wine is enjoyable in its youth, with approachable tannins and well-integrated oak. Cassis and cherry notes are seasoned in hints of vanilla and baking spice.”
93 Points
2019 Sojourn Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2019 Sojourn Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

SOJOURN

CHARDONNAY 2019
SONOMA COAST

2019 Sojourn Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 as a first-class artisanal winery with a competitive drive to make limited bottlings from some of California’s most expressive and distinctive vineyards. The winery produces highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, and Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa and Sonoma counties that seamlessly showcase the brilliance of each specially selected location.
 
The Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a blend of Sangiacomo Vella Ranch, Durell Vineyard, Sangiacomo Roberts Road, and Gap’s Crown Vineyards, all known for their laser-focused expression of cool-climate characteristics. The 2019 growing season was similar to 2018, with mild weather, but yields were lower, which increased the overall concentration of the fruit, creating wines with impressive depth and complexity.
 
SOJOURN
CHARDONNAY 2019
SONOMA COAST
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“The 2019 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is a beauty that gives up a fresh, lively, medium-bodied style as well as textbook Chardonnay ripe orchard fruits, white flowers, and honeyed toast. I like its overall balance on the palate, it has good acidity, and outstanding length.”
93 Points
2019 Mike and Molly Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard

2019 Mike and Molly Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard

with No Comment $30-$40CoombsvilleKevin VogtNapaUSAZinfandel

MIKE AND MOLLY

ZINFANDEL 2019
R.W. MOORE VINEYARD

2019 Mike and Molly Zinfandel R.W. Moore Vineyard
Mike and Molly Hendry’s connections to Napa Valley grape-growing run as deep as the roots of the ancient Zinfandel vines of the R.W. Moore Vineyard, initially planted in 1905 in what is now the Coombsville AVA. Molly’s uncle Bill owns the historic vineyard, a member of the U.C. Davis Heritage project, where genetic material from the vineyard is studied and preserved.
 
This field blend of approximately 95% Zinfandel, with small amounts of Petite Sirah, Carignan, Mourvedre, and Mourtaou, displays the unique microclimate and its cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean, maintaining freshness and overall balance. Mike and Molly have been producing wines from this legacy vineyard since 2009, and their 2019 vintage is the beginning of a new decade of Zinfandel excellence with this full-bodied yet graceful wine.
 
MIKE AND MOLLY
ZINFANDEL 2019
R.W. MOORE VINEYARD
Retails at: $42
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The Mike & Molly Hendry 2019 Coombsville R.W. Moore Vineyard Zinfandel has a bright, fresh nose with aromas of ripe red plum, cranberry, cloves, black tea, and cigar box. The wine has flavors of red cherry, strawberry, and sweet baking spices, with soft, smooth tannins and a velvety finish. This wine has a concentration and fruit intensity for age-ability, and an inviting youthful drinkability with spice notes will pair perfectly with the holidays.”
94-95 Points
2019 Henri De Villamont Corton Grand Cru Les Renardes

2019 Henri De Villamont Corton Grand Cru Les Renardes

with No Comment $100 and overBurgandyFranceKevin VogtPinot Noir

HENRI DE VILLAMONT

CORTON GRAND CRU
LES RENARDES 2019

2019 Henri De Villamont Corton Grand Cru Les Renardes
Pinot Noir exists on the famous Hill of Corton because of the Roman Emperor Charlemagne, who enjoyed drinking it daily and ordered planting the vines. Legend has it that in his later years, Charlemagne spilled a fair amount of Pinot Noir into his beard, staining his clothes and annoying his wife, who in turn demanded he quit drinking wine. Instead, Charlemagne switched to white wine and replanted part of the hill with Chardonnay, so he could continue drinking wine to his heart’s content.
 
Les Renardes is a climat within the renowned Corton Grand Cru AOC planted with Pinot Noir, and the wines produced there are still as prized as they were during Charlemagne’s reign. The 2019 vintage was barrel aged in 50% new French oak for 15 months and exudes a generous aromatic expression and impressively mouth-filling, sensual wine.
 
HENRI DE VILLAMONT
CORTON GRAND CRU
LES RENARDES 2019
 
Your Price: $135
 
 
“While subtle and smoky on the nose, this wine has rich, ripe flavors of blackberry and plum that are densely packed on the palate. Matured 15 months in 50% new oak, the spicy, firmly structured wine is shaded by hints of licorice and black walnut. Taut tannins will ease with a few more years of cellaring. Best approach from 2025–2035.”
93 Points
2019 Chateau De Pez Saint-Estephe Bordeaux

2019 Chateau De Pez Saint-Estephe Bordeaux

with No Comment $40-$50BordeauxBordeauxFranceKevin Vogt

CHÂTEAU DE PEZ

SAINT-ESTÈPHE
BORDEAUX 2019

2019 Chateau De Pez Saint-Estephe Bordeaux
Chateau de Pez is the oldest estate in Saint-Estèphe, founded in the 15th century, making it one of the oldest estates on the Left Bank of Bordeaux. The Pontac family, then owners of Chateau Haut-Brion, established the vineyards of Pez and held onto the property until the French Revolution.
 
Champagne producer Louis Roederer purchased Château de Pez in 1995 and was reclassified as a Cru Bourgeois in 2003 in recognition of their continued delivery of premier quality wine. The 2019 growing season was dry and sunny, resulting in wines with focused vibrance, mineral tension, and a delicate balance between power and elegance. Chateau de Pez is an outstanding example of the vintage’s best attributes.
 
CHÂTEAU DE PEZ
SAINT-ESTÈPHE
BORDEAUX 2019
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“This year’s blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 de Pez comes tumbling out of the glass with an astonishingly beautiful perfume of lilacs, black cherries and black raspberries over a core of stewed plums, clove oil, dark chocolate and Sichuan pepper. The medium-bodied palate is jam-packed with energetic black fruits, supported by a firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and perfumed. I love where this once-malingering château is headed—bravo to winemaker Nicolas Glumineau from Pichon Lalande!”
92-94+ Points
2019 Famiglia Bianchi Gran Corte Valle De Uco

2019 Famiglia Bianchi Gran Corte Valle De Uco

with No Comment $30 and underArgentinaKevin VogtProprietary Red

FAMIGLIA BIANCHI

GRAN CORTE
VALLE DE UCO 2019

2019 Famiglia Bianchi Gran Corte Valle De Uco
Bodegas Bianchi’s family heritage dates back to 1928, when Valentin Bianchi acquired his vineyard, fulfilling one of his greatest dreams. Valentin’s son Enzo was a visionary and winemaker at the estate for over 50 years. His deep passion and determination set a precedent for the legacy of Argentine wines that continues today.
 
The Gran Famiglia Bianchi line celebrates the 90th anniversary of the founding of the winery and the ongoing dedication to keeping the family values and high standards alive in their wines. The 2019 Gran Corte is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Malbec, 10% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc, aged ten months in French oak barrels and proudly delivers the superior essence of the Uco Valley terroir.
 
FAMIGLIA BIANCHI
GRAN CORTE
VALLE DE UCO 2019
Retails at: $30
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“Notes of mulberries, dark plums, chocolate, toasted hazelnuts and baking spices. Full-bodied with fine tannins. Fruity and layered with a rich, flavorful finish. Malbec, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Drink or hold.”
92 Points
2019 Scarlett Cabernet Sauvignon Mcgah Family Vineyard

2019 Scarlett Cabernet Sauvignon Mcgah Family Vineyard Rutherford Estate

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

SCARLETT

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MCGAH FAMILY VINEYARD
RUTHERFORD ESTATE 2019

2019 Scarlett Cabernet Sauvignon Mcgah Family Vineyard
Scarlett Wines comprises four generations of wine growers working their family vineyards in Rutherford. The McGah family owns and operates the winery, formerly known as McGah Family Cellars, which rebranded in 2015 to celebrate its flagship wine named after the founder’s daughter— Scarlett. The winemaking philosophy encourages “equal parts heart and soul, art and science,” resulting in supremely balanced, classically styled, and delightfully approachable wines that are unique and compelling.
 
Award-winning winemaker Mike Smith began learning his craft by working for free for three harvests with Thomas Rivers Brown before being offered a full-time position as a winemaking assistant and later working with a collection of brands, including Maybach Family, Tamber Bey, Carter, and Rivers Marie. The beautiful 2019 vintage is another fantastic growing season for Napa, and this indulgent estate Cabernet Sauvignon proudly represents its Rutherford heritage.
 
SCARLETT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
MCGAH FAMILY VINEYARD
RUTHERFORD ESTATE 2019
Retails at: $74
 
Your Price: $65
 
 
“Beautiful, sweet cassis and blue fruits as well as lots of violet and floral notions emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied, rich, concentrated barrel sample with wonderful purity of fruit, a good sense of freshness, and serious length on the finish. This promising, elegant yet powerful wine is going to shine with short-term bottle age and keep for two decades.”
93-95 Points