2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSanta BarbaraSanta Rita HillsUSA

LULI

SANTA RITA HILLS
PINOT NOIR 2020

2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
Pursuing a new line of handcrafted wines from top fruit sources at affordable prices, Luli was launched in 2007 and propelled by the combined knowledge, skills, and experience of Master Sommelier Sara Floyd, vineyard manager Mark Pisoni, and winemaker Jeff Pisoni. The Pisoni brothers grew up farming in the Santa Lucia Highlands with their father Gary, one of California’s most respected growers, sourcing fruit for Luli from vineyards in or near the same land they call home.
 
Wine is life for Sara and the Pisoni brothers, so the desire to bring family and friends together to swirl a glass of fine wine for a reasonable price is a passion for all three. Possibly one of the best winemaking teams in history, this successful partnership illustrates the talents and strengths of three different masterminds, causing many Pinot Noir lovers to reconsider how great Pinot Noir can be at this price level.
 
LULI
SANTA RITA HILLS
PINOT NOIR 2020
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The 2020 Luli Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir begins with an intriguing nose that includes fresh strawberries, English rose petals, cotton candy, and Autumn baking spices. The palate mimics these traits, adding cherry cola, red plums, liquid minerals, and a bright freshness combined with a supple texture that beautifully rounds this wine out. Drink it now, and over the next six to eight years.”
92 Points
2020 Tablas Creek Patelin De Tablas Rouge Paso Robles

2020 Tablas Creek Patelin De Tablas Rouge Paso Robles

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedUSA

TABLAS CREEK

PATELIN DE TABLAS ROUGE
PASO ROBLES 2020

2020 Tablas Creek Patelin De Tablas Rouge Paso Robles
The founders of Tablas Creek include the Perrin family, the proprietors of the renowned Château de Beaucastel in Chäteauneuf-du-Pape, and the Haas family of the legendary American importing company Vineyard Brands. The property is in the remarkably Rhône-like climate of Paso Robles, where the shallow, rocky, limestone soils are of similar geologic origin as the soils found in the vineyards of Beaucastel.
 
They imported clones of Mourvédre, Grenache Noir, Syrah, Counoise, Roussanne, Viognier, Marsanne, Grenache Blanc, and Picpoul Blanc to ensure the highest quality and allow Tablas Creek to replicate the clonal selection of an established vineyard. The Patelin de Tablas is an homage to the classic blends of the Southern Rhône with Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Tannat, and Counoise in a pleasantly bright and spicy, easy-to-drink wine with a range of complexity and depth of character.
 
TABLAS CREEK
PATELIN DE TABLAS ROUGE
PASO ROBLES 2020
 
Your Price: $27.99
 
 
“The Tablas Creek 2020 Patelin de Tablas opens with notes of rose petals, lavender, rosemary, red cherries, white pepper, and smoked meat. The palate bursts with fresh juicy flavors of red plums and cranberries with hints of sarsaparilla and wet stones after a rainstorm. The wine’s ripe fruit flavors are intricately balanced by fresh acidity, and spicy undertones provide ultimate complexity and exciting drinkability.”
93 Points
2020 My Favorite Neighbor Blanc Chardonnay Blend San Luis Obispo

2020 My Favorite Neighbor Blanc Chardonnay Blend San Luis Obispo

with No Comment $40-$50Central CoastChardonnayKevin VogtPaso RoblesUSA

MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR

BLANC [CHARDONNAY-BLEND]
SAN LUIS OBISPO 2020

2020 My Favorite Neighbor Blanc Chardonnay Blend San Luis Obispo
Farming is life for Eric Jensen, so he works exclusively with farmers who share the common goal of growing the best fruit possible using organic or biodynamic practices, coaxing the vines to perform at their apex. Gaining experience from neighbors Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure, and friend Justin Smith of Saxum, Eric’s wines make a bold statement of quality with an ideal balance of opulence, intensity, and richness.
 
Eric designs his wines to capture high-quality wine’s most intriguing qualities but with a value price to be shared with friends, family, and your favorite neighbors any day of the week. This Chardonnay-based blend is sourced from select vineyard sites in San Luis Obispo and is rich, sleek, and ready to drink now or in five to six years for aged complexity.
 
MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR
BLANC [CHARDONNAY-BLEND]
SAN LUIS OBISPO 2020
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The Chardonnay-based 2020 Blanc has lush tropical fruits on the nose with accents of toast, almonds and sweet spice. The palate offers generous fruits, a sleek, polished texture, youthful new oak spices and expansive flavors on the long finish. Super classy!”
95 Points
2020 Kindred Rose Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Vineyard

2020 Kindred Rose Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Vineyard

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtRoséSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

KINDRED

SONOMA COAST ROSÉ
SANGIACOMO VINEYARD 2020

2020 Kindred Rose Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Vineyard
Kindred Rosé celebrates the deep spiritual connection established over a glass of wine, bringing people from all walks of life into the same time and place. Proprietor Kevin Jones and winemaker Mike Smith met at a summer party over wine samples provided by Mike that instantly ignited their partnership, resulting in this glorious Rosé.
 
Mike is an innovative genius who’s made wine for Myriad, Quivet, Ancillary, and Carter, to name a few. Regardless of current trends, he follows his instincts, year after year, turning out killer wines scoring 95 points and above. This opulent, concentrated rosé is 100% Tallgrass Clone 113 Pinot Noir from the remarkable Sangiacomo Vineyard and was the Gold Medal winner at the AFW International Rosé competition.
 
KINDRED
SONOMA COAST ROSÉ
SANGIACOMO VINEYARD 2020
 
Your Price: $35
 
 
“The 2020 Kindred Rosé is like a flower just before bloom, with each petal adding an additional layer of complexity. The wine opens with aromas of orange blossoms, rose petals, strawberry yogurt, raspberries, white peaches, and seashells. The palate brings additional fruit flavors such as ripe cranberries, watermelon, and nectarines that add to the repertoire of diversity and accent the medium to full-bodied rosé in all the right places.”
95 Points
2020 Bodegas Pinea 12 by Pinea Ribera del Duero

2020 Bodegas Pinea 12 by Pinea Ribera del Duero

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtSpainTempranillo

BODEGAS PINEA 

“12” by PINEA
RIBERA del DUERO 2020

2020 Bodegas Pinea 12 by Pinea Ribera del Duero
Located at an average elevation over 3,000 feet, Bodegas Pinea cultivates some of Spain’s most outstanding examples of Tempranillo. The harsh continental climate of the Ribera del Duero region forced Tempranillo vines to adapt to frigid winters and blistering summers, causing a thicker skin that contributes to a boost of tannins and deeper color that Rioja fans seek.
 
The “12” is a collaboration between Bodegas Pinea and Texas A&M Athletics devoted to creating a luxury product for an everyday price. The 2020 vintage experienced ideal conditions with a typical rainy spring, perfectly sunny summer days, and cool nights resulting in a perfect balance between flavors, acidity, and tannins that complement anything from pizza to a ribeye steak for under $20.
 
BODEGAS PINEA 
“12” by PINEA
RIBERA del DUERO 2020
 
Your Price: $19.99
 
 
“The Bodegas Pinea “12” Ribera del Duero 2020 is an unbelievably powerful value that delivers concentration and complexity at a meager price. It begins with an intense nose of red and black fruits, dried tea leaves, subtle earth, and baking spices. The palate is juicy and rich, with balanced, ripe flavors, depth, and complexity. It is nearly impossible to find a wine that delivers so much for such a low price.”
94 Points
2020 Black Pine Pinot Sonoma Coast

2020 Black Pine Pinot Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPetaluma GapPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

BLACK PINE

PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2020

2020 Black Pine Pinot Sonoma Coast
Roger Roessler’s Black Pine exemplifies the essence of California Pinot Noir by blending opulent Russian River Valley fruit with earthier Petaluma Gap grapes while maintaining a value price, setting it apart from all others. Their method of blending also allows for a more consistent wine vintage to vintage as Roger hand-selects each site, showcasing the talents of the winery’s grower partners deliciously in your glass.
 
This wine has a permanent section on the rack in our shop as it hits the sweet spot with the perfect balance of juicy fruits, minerality, and earth. Passionate Pinot Noir enthusiasts made this fantastic value Pinot Noir for Pinot-lovers to enjoy any day of the week, and the 2020 vintage is one of their best yet.
 
BLACK PINE
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2020
Retails at: $38
 
Your Price: $26
 
 
“The Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020 opens with red cherries, cola, nutmeg, dried oregano, forest floor, and coffee. The palate is enhanced with deeper fruit flavors of black raspberries, pomegranate, and berry bramble with accents of mushrooms and cocoa powder. This medium-bodied wine is refreshingly easy to drink, with or without food, and a pleasure to enjoy on any occasion.”
92 Points
2020 Domaine Maison Cheverny Rogue Loire Valley

2020 Domaine Maison Cheverny Rogue Loire Valley

with No Comment $30 and underFranceKevin VogtLoire ValleyPinot Noir

DOMAINE MAISON

CHEVERNY ROUGE
LOIRE VALLEY 2020

2020 Domaine Maison Cheverny Rogue Loire Valley
Domaine Maison is in the heart of the Loire Valley in the Touraine region sandwiched between the Loire and the Cher rivers, benefiting from moderated climatic conditions protecting the vines from frost and excessive heat. The vineyards consist of 20 – 45-year-old vines planted on clay-limestone and slightly gravelly soils, maintained to decrease yields and heighten the overall quality of the fruit.
 
The grapes are fermented in stainless steel vessels preserving the fruit’s energetic vibrance and encouraging a style of wine ready to drink immediately and even slightly chilled. This Pinot Noir and Gamay blend with a splash of Malbec, locally known as Côt, is a remarkable value and a rare find with a fresh floral character, bright red fruits, and gentle tannins. We introduced the previous vintage last Fall, and it rapidly developed devotees in and around Yountville due to its incredible quality, delicious nature, and unbeatable value.
 
DOMAINE MAISON
CHEVERNY ROUGE
LOIRE VALLEY 2020
 
Your Price: $22
 
 
“The 2020 Domaine Maison Cheverny Rouge is yet another stunning wine, full of energy, opening with notes of jasmine, peonies, rose petals, cranberries, dried oregano, and crushed rocks. The wine is lively on the palate with flavors of raspberries, wild strawberries, nutmeg, and white pepper and displays an impressive depth divinely balanced by bright acidity. The best serving temperature for this style of wine is around 62 degrees, which really brings out the wine’s vivid character.”
96 Points
ORIN SWIFT 8 YEARS IN THE DESERT ZINFANDEL BLEND 2020 In 2000, Dave Phinney made his first vintage of The Prisoner, a Zinfandel-based red blend that went “viral” and is now a household name after captivating audiences worldwide, offering something different but seriously delicious. In 2008, Dave sold The Prisoner to Huneeus Vintners with an eight-year non-compete agreement to not produce Zinfandel blends under his brand, Orin Swift. 8 Years in the Desert represents the dry spell that Dave agreed to, lasting until 2016 when he proudly introduced his new splendor. Sourcing fruit from a vast collection of top-of-the-line vineyards from California’s most ideal growing regions, this wine is a bold, approachable style layered with complexity and hedonistic fruits. ORIN SWIFT 8 YEARS IN THE DESERT ZINFANDEL BLEND 2020 Retails at: $50 Your Price: $45

2020 Orin Swift 8 Years In The Desert Zinfandel Blend

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtUSAZinfandel

ORIN SWIFT

8 YEARS IN THE DESERT
ZINFANDEL BLEND 2020

ORIN SWIFT 8 YEARS IN THE DESERT ZINFANDEL BLEND 2020 In 2000, Dave Phinney made his first vintage of The Prisoner, a Zinfandel-based red blend that went “viral” and is now a household name after captivating audiences worldwide, offering something different but seriously delicious. In 2008, Dave sold The Prisoner to Huneeus Vintners with an eight-year non-compete agreement to not produce Zinfandel blends under his brand, Orin Swift. 8 Years in the Desert represents the dry spell that Dave agreed to, lasting until 2016 when he proudly introduced his new splendor. Sourcing fruit from a vast collection of top-of-the-line vineyards from California’s most ideal growing regions, this wine is a bold, approachable style layered with complexity and hedonistic fruits. ORIN SWIFT 8 YEARS IN THE DESERT ZINFANDEL BLEND 2020 Retails at: $50 Your Price: $45
In 2000, Dave Phinney made his first vintage of The Prisoner, a Zinfandel-based red blend that went “viral” and is now a household name after captivating audiences worldwide, offering something different but seriously delicious. In 2008, Dave sold The Prisoner to Huneeus Vintners with an eight-year non-compete agreement to not produce Zinfandel blends under his brand, Orin Swift.
 
8 Years in the Desert represents the dry spell that Dave agreed to, lasting until 2016 when he proudly introduced his new splendor. Sourcing fruit from a vast collection of top-of-the-line vineyards from California’s most ideal growing regions, this wine is a bold, approachable style layered with complexity and hedonistic fruits.
 
ORIN SWIFT
8 YEARS IN THE DESERT
ZINFANDEL BLEND 2020
Retails at: $50
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“Bright violet in the glass, the 2020 8 Years in the Desert is the epitome of our style, the reason we are even here in the first place. As it’s being poured, the aromatics hit squarely on the nose with a perception of sweetness: pure brambly raspberry juice and blueberry preserves with a hint of white pepper and High Sierra forest floor. Yet, the perceived sweetness on the nose is just that, perceived, and doesn’t carry through to the palate. Lush and enveloping with a beam of acidity, notes of blackberry pie, plum and kirsch flourish. Ultra-round tannins and lingering raspberry, the wine finishes in slow-motion.”
2020 Domaines Ott Chateau De Selle Rose Cotes De Provence

2020 Domaines Ott Chateau De Selle Rose Cotes De Provence

with No Comment $40-$50FranceKevin VogtProvenceProvenceRosé

DOMAINES OTT

CHÂTEAU DE SELLE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE 2020

2020 Domaines Ott Chateau De Selle Rose Cotes De Provence
Provence is the oldest winemaking region in France and the only in the world dedicated to rosé. Marcel Ott purchased several acres in the late 1800s, and 125 years later, the family estates are still run by the Ott family, with each Domaine producing wines of definition and allegiance to each vineyard’s unique terroir.
 
Chateau de Selle’s Vineyard sits on gypsum, red clay, dolomite, and sandstone mixed with gravel and large stones nestled high into the limestone slopes sheltered from winter frosts and harsh weather. The vines are grown on terraced vineyards that procure nuances from the diverse soils influenced by the sea, giving the 2020 vintage laser definition, making it “another gorgeous Ott,” as written by James Suckling.
 
DOMAINES OTT
CHÂTEAU DE SELLE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE 2020
Retails at: $54
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“…Ott’s 2020 Cotes de Provence Rose Chateau de Selle boasts restrained aromas of peach, melon and citrus underscored by hints of crushed stone. In the mouth, it’s medium-bodied and concentrated, with ample intensity, a slightly creamy texture and a long, mouthwatering finish. Like the other top rosés of Domaines Ott, this is a wine that is often better in its second year.”
93 Points
 
“This is big on drinkability with light cherry, strawberry and peach aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, creamy and minerally with fresh, stony character. Vivid at the end. Another gorgeous Ott. Drink now.”
93 Points
2020 Emeritus Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2020 Emeritus Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

EMERITUS

PINOT NOIR 2020
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2020 Emeritus Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Emeritus proprietors favor wines with balance and vineyard character over those with intensity and varietal character alone, following a Burgundian philosophy where the grape acts as a vector for translating the terroir in a glass. It is essential to Emeritus to be an estate winery because they believe that winemaking begins in the vineyard, and having complete control over their land is ideal for cultivating the vines to their pinnacle of potential.
 
All vineyards are dry-farmed, forcing the vines to dig deep into the earth, searching for nutrients and water and enhancing the overall complexity and minerality of the wines. The 2020 Emeritus Russian River Pinot Noir is a blend of Emeritus’ estate vineyards planted in coveted the Goldridge soils of the Green and Russian River Valleys, and at $40 is a serious contender of ultimate quality.
 
EMERITUS
PINOT NOIR 2020
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The Emeritus Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2020 begins with a deep, rich nose of ripe boysenberries, cola bean, violets, and fresh mushrooms. The palate is bright, fresh, and concentrated, with complementary flavors of medium intensity. It has mouth-quenching acidity and an elegant, long finish. This bottling drinks beautifully now but will put on even more weight and body over the next couple of years.”
92 Points