2021 Stanton Petite Sirah St. Helena

2021 Stanton Petite Sirah St. Helena

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaPetite SirahSaint HelenaUSA

Stanton

Petite Sirah
St. Helena 2021

2021 Stanton Petite Sirah St. Helena

Doug Stanton’s Petite Sirah is a gem of Napa Valley, embodying the Stanton family’s legacy of exceptional winemaking. Their journey began in 1947 when Jesse Stanton purchased a 100-acre vineyard in Napa Valley, laying the foundation for a generational story rooted in the land. In 1999, the family took a bold step forward, launching their label to showcase the fruits of their labor. Today, they tend three vineyards—Oakville, Mills Lane, and J.B. Ranch in St. Helena. Their grapes are so coveted that they supply top producers like Merryvale, Del Dotto, Orin Swift, and Groth. 

Doug Stanton, Jesse’s grandson and the current steward of this winemaking legacy, has an affinity for Petite Sirah. In 2004, inspired by the varietal’s bold character, Doug crafted a 100% Petite Sirah, marking a milestone for the winery. This decision gave rise to one of Stanton Vineyards’ hallmark wines, celebrated for its robust structure, velvety tannins, and vibrant fruit. 

Aged for 20 months in premium oak, this wine reveals layers of spice that meld seamlessly with its dark berry core, creating an irresistible symphony of flavors. Bright acidity provides lift and energy, while the tannins promise longevity, making this wine equally captivating now or after years in the cellar.

Stanton
Petite Sirah
St. Helena 2021

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“Spicy and earthy character with dark berries, cloves and hints of undergrowth. Full-bodied, rich and fruit-forward, with a deep core of succulent berry fruit and creamy tannins. Long and intense. Drink or hold.”

91 Points

2021 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

2021 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

Martin Ray

Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford 2021

2021 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford

Steeped in history and unwavering in its commitment to terroir, Martin Ray has been crafting memorable wines since 1943. Their acclaimed 2021 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is a shining reflection of their mastery—here’s what makes it truly extraordinary.

Few regions hold the allure of Napa Valley’s Rutherford AVA, a landscape revered for its famed ‘Rutherford dust,’ a hallmark minerality that elevates its wines to legendary status. Home to storied vineyards like BV Georges de Latour, Inglenook, and Scarecrow, this hallowed ground is where the 2021 Martin Ray Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon takes root, embodying the AVA’s timeless prestige.

Sourced from coveted vineyards on the eastern slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, this wine benefits from volcanic soils and ideal sun exposure, imbuing it with vibrant energy and depth. The 2021 vintage is a masterclass in Rutherford Cabernet—a bold yet elegant symphony of flavors with layers of dark fruit, subtle spice, and velvety tannins. Its complexity promises years of evolution, making it as wonderful for savoring now as it is for the cellar. 

Martin Ray
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford 2021
Retails at: $80

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“Aromas of spices and currants with some graphite that follow through to a medium body with integrated tannins and a flavorful finish. Subtle and polished. A reserved character to this appellation for cabernet. Drinkable now, but better in three or four years.”

94 Points

2021 Sans Liege The Offering Red Blend Central Coast

2021 Sans Liege The Offering Red Blend Central Coast

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtPaso RoblesProprietary RedUSA

Sans Liege

The Offering
Red Blend 2021
Central Coast

2021 Sans Liege The Offering Red Blend Central Coast

Sans Liege wines capture the vibrant spirit of California’s Central Coast, drawing inspiration from the esteemed Rhône Valley. Winemaker Curt Schalchlin, influenced by his experiences in France, set out to cultivate Rhône varietals in California’s sun-drenched terroir. Each vintage showcases his dedication to sourcing exceptional fruit from across Paso Robles to Solvang—a diverse landscape that distinctly shapes each wine.

The Offering is Sans Liege’s nuanced take on the classic GSM blend. It begins with 30% whole-cluster Grenache, lending a lively energy, complemented by Syrah’s deep intensity and Mourvèdre’s grounding earthiness. The result is a compelling, textured wine that gracefully unfolds with every sip.

The 2021 vintage is remarkably complex. A bright, fresh acidity balances velvety tannins, enhancing the wine’s layered flavors while maintaining perfect harmony. It truly reflects Curt’s unwavering passion and artistry, with each bottle expressing not only his craftsmanship but also a connection—to the land, to tradition, and to those who share in its story.

Sans Liege
The Offering
Red Blend 2021
Central Coast
Retails at: $33

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“Sans Liege 2021 The Offering from the Central Coast is a Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre blend and has complex aromas of lavender, rose petals, white pepper, ripe raspberries, maraschino cherries, and a graphite minerality. On the palate, the wine has a soft texture with supple tannins, juicy red fruits, wild blackberries, dark chocolate, cloves, and red licorice. The wine’s concentrated flavors are balanced by refreshing acidity and carried into a pleasant, long finish. This wine has a friendly approachability and nuanced layers that make it enjoyable from beginning to end.”

93 Points

2021 Vigerons Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

2021 Vigerons Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtPinot NoirSanta BarbaraUSA

Vignerons

Pinot Noir 2021
Santa Barbara County

2021 Vigerons Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

A standout value from Santa Barbara County, the 2021 Vignerons Pinot Noir encapsulates the essence of the Central Coast with grace and vibrancy. Bursting with wildflowers and fresh cherry aromas, its bright raspberry flavors unfold alongside whispers of forest floor and delicate spice. The fruit comes from the celebrated North Canyon and Bien Nacido Vineyards, where fog-draped mornings and brisk ocean breezes sculpt a wine of remarkable clarity and structure.

Santa Barbara County’s unique microclimates, shaped by cool Pacific winds, infuse the grapes with a refreshing acidity and complexity, making each sip a balanced, food-friendly delight. From the sunlit hills to the maritime mornings, the land whispers into the glass, creating a Pinot Noir that’s as versatile as it is memorable and distinct.

This exceptional value wine spent ten months in French oak barrels, where its vibrant fruit and fresh acidity came together, resulting in a Pinot Noir that celebrates Santa Barbara’s signature style—bright, refined, and irresistibly inviting. Whether paired with your favorite meal or enjoyed on its own, this wine is a shining example of why Santa Barbara remains a hallmark for Pinot lovers everywhere.

Vignerons
Pinot Noir 2021
Santa Barbara County
Retails at: $38

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“This value Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir delivers a captivating performance, elegantly presenting the region’s vibrant fruit expression with finesse and complexity. The nose is a farm basket of red raspberries, ripe black cherries, and lavender potpourri, all woven together in layers of alluring aromas. The palate is a vibrant expression of medium-bodied fruit dominated by red raspberry and wild strawberry notes with youthful fruit tannins. A refreshing crispness and zesty acidity enliven the palate, while subtle earthy elements and a saline minerality add complexity. This captivating Pinot Noir lingers on the palate, leaving a lasting impression of elegance and poise.”

92 Points

2021 Raoul Gautherin Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Burgundy France

2021 Raoul Gautherin Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Burgundy France

with No Comment $50-$60BurgandyChardonnayFranceKevin Vogt

Raoul Gautherin

Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons
Burgundy, France 2021

2021 Raoul Gautherin Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons Burgundy France

For centuries, the Gautherin family has been an integral part of Chablis’ winemaking history, their lineage tracing back to 1585. Each bottle of Raoul Gautherin carries this legacy, a testament to generations of expertise. Today, the father-son duo continues this proud tradition, cultivating Chablis’ most prized hillside vineyards with a deep respect for the land and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

The Vaillons Premier Cru vineyard is a gem of Chablis, renowned for its limestone-rich soils and exceptional sun exposure. Here, the vines yield wines of remarkable purity, a harmonious blend of vibrant minerality, and delicate white fruit aromas. The Gautherins’ meticulous approach—both in the vineyard and the cellar—allows the true essence of this extraordinary terroir to shine through, creating a wine that reflects its origins and a triumph of craftsmanship.

The 2021 vintage is exceptional, showcasing a seamless balance of tropical fruit richness and crystalline acidity. In this Vaillons 1er Cru, the vintage’s brilliance is fully expressed, capturing the very essence of Chablis—elegant, expressive, and deeply rooted in tradition. This wine not only tells the story of its origins but invites you to become a part of it.

Raoul Gautherin
Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons
Burgundy, France 2021

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“This 2021 Chablis 1er Cru Vaillons from Raoul Gautherin is a truly exceptional wine. The nose is captivating, with a compelling interplay of steely minerals, a whisper of buttery richness, ripe pear, and a vibrant Meyer lemon zest. A flinty note adds a layer of complexity, hinting at the terroir of the Vaillons vineyard. The wine is focused and linear on the palate, showcasing concentrated fruit with an elegant and refined structure. The balance is exquisite, with pristine harmony between citrus and stone fruit flavors. The finish is remarkably long, leaving a lingering impression of minerality and fruit. This is a Chablis of exceptional quality that will undoubtedly age gracefully.”

95 Points

2021 Lewis Cellars Mason's Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Lewis Cellars Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaOak KnollRutherfordSaint HelenaUSA

Lewis Cellars

Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Lewis Cellars Mason's Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Randy Lewis’s journey to winemaking is as captivating as his former life on the racetrack. A professional race car driver, passionate about speed and precision, Randy’s trajectory took a dramatic turn following a life-altering crash during the 1991 Indianapolis 500 qualifiers. This near-fatal incident ignited a new passion, inspiring him to craft world-class wines.

In 1992, Randy and his wife, Debbie, founded Lewis Cellars. They brought the same focus and dedication to winemaking that once propelled him to success on the track. Over the past three decades, Lewis Cellars has become synonymous with excellence, garnering numerous 90+ point scores and achieving the prestigious title of Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year in 2016.

The 2021 Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the winery’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to sourcing from Napa Valley’s premier vineyard sites, including Calistoga, St. Helena, Rutherford, and Oak Knoll. This wine reflects a vintage characterized by intensity and concentration, offering ripe blackberry, cassis, and subtle spice aromas. With its robust structure and refined tannins, Mason’s balances power and elegance, delivering a sensory experience that deepens with each sip.

Lewis Cellars
Mason’s Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

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“The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Mason’s Cabernet is a smoking value offering a big, rich, mouthful of ripe black fruit as well as full-bodied richness, ripe, velvety tannins, no hard edges, and classic Cabernet tobacco, spice, and chocolate nuances.”

94 Points

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSAZinfandel

Limerick Lane

Zinfandel 2021
Russian River Valley

2021 Limerick Lane Zinfandel Russian River Valley

Limerick Lane stands as a beacon for classic American Zinfandel, where tradition meets innovation to honor the soul of this noble varietal. Renowned for crafting fresh, focused, and impeccably balanced wines, Limerick Lane brings Zinfandel’s unique character to life, showcasing vibrant fruit, complex layers, and a profound sense of place.

This historic estate has remained deeply rooted in its heritage for over a century, committed to sustainable farming practices and a thoughtful approach to viticulture. By relying on minimal, strategic irrigation, their vineyards produce fruit of unparalleled concentration and aromatic depth, reflecting their harmonious relationship between land and vine.

Winemaker Chris Pittenger intentionally curates the vineyard composition of each vintage, seeking out fruit to create the most balanced wine possible. The 2021 vintage embodies the spirit of the Russian River Valley, with perfectly ripe, bright fruit accented by refreshing acidity and an ideal balance of flavors.

Limerick Lane
Zinfandel 2021
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $46

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“A bright saturated ruby, the 2021 Zinfandel Russian River Valley is lifted with fresh aromas of candied peach, grenadine, and pressed red flowers. Medium to full-bodied, with great energy in its notes of fresh mixed berries, gravelly earth, and mocha, it’s an elegant wine with fine tannins, a stony texture, and a good, clean finish. It’s a fantastic entry to the wines from Limerick Lane to drink over the next several years.”

93 Points

2021 Facets Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Facets Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSAYountville

FACETS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2021

2021 Facets Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The second label from the esteemed Yountville producer Gemstone, Facets, embodies exceptional quality at a more approachable price point. Crafted under Julian Fayard’s expertise, his philosophy emphasizes the importance of expressing the unique characteristics of each vineyard site and grape variety. His notable work and expertise from his past began with his education at the University of Bordeaux, where he studied Viticulture and Enology, leading to his work at wineries including Château Lafite Rothschild and Quintessa.

Facets fruit is sourced from sustainably farmed vineyards in Yountville, Calistoga, and cooler sites in the southern part of the Valley, ensuring a precise balance of fruit, body, and spice. 

Gemstone aged the 2021 vintage for 20 months in French oak, and in its youth, the wine’s depth, intensity, and structure hint at a long and beautiful journey for this delightful Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.

FACETS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2021

Your Price: $65

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“The Facets 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet opens with floral and spicy notes, including anise, bergamot, violets, plush black fruits, and backing spices. On the palate, the wine has flavors of black plums, black currants, toast, and coffee ice cream. The tannins are powdery and coat the mouth as the flavors coalesce with bright acidity into a long, soft finish.”

96 Points

2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

with No Comment $100 and overChiantiItalyKevin VogtTuscany

Antinori 

Tignanello 2021
Tuscany, Italy

2021 Antinori Tignanello Tuscany Italy

Tenuta Tignanello, a pioneer of the Super Tuscan movement, has redefined Italian winemaking with its bold innovations. The estate’s pioneering spirit, evident in its early adoption of barrique aging for Sangiovese and its masterful blending of Bordeaux varieties, has shaped the future of Italian viticulture.

Tignanello and Solaia, the estate’s iconic wines, stand as benchmarks of Italian excellence. The 2021 Tignanello, recently ranked #3 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list, beautifully reflects this legacy.

The 2021 vintage is a masterpiece of balance and complexity, born from an extended growing season that allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. This wine offers a harmonious blend of power and finesse, with deep, layered flavors and a polished structure. Aged for 16 months in a combination of French and Hungarian oak, the wine showcases the estate’s signature Sangiovese-dominant blend, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

With exceptional critical acclaim and immense aging potential, the 2021 Tignanello is a must-have for collectors and showcases Tenuta Tignanello’s enduring vision.

Antinori 
Tignanello 2021
Tuscany, Italy

Your Price: $169.99

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“Laced with pure cherry, strawberry, graphite and tobacco aromas and flavors, this red is beautifully supported by a backbone of vibrant acidity and taut, refined tannins. Everything is framed by vanilla and toasty oak in the best sense, revealing harmony, with a long, orange-tinged finish and, yes, even drinkability at this stage. Best to give this a few more years in the bottle. Best from 2027 through 2045.”

97 Points, #3 Top 100 Wines of 2024

2021 Lombardi Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2021 Lombardi Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Lombardi

Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Coast

2021 Lombardi Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Lombardi’s Sonoma Coast Chardonnay leaves a lasting impression—a glimpse of the exceptional 2021 vintage and the expert farmers who tended the vines. The Lombardi family has been a proud steward of Sonoma County’s winemaking heritage since settling in the region in 1947. With a deep respect for the land and a passion for crafting exceptional wines, Lombardi specializes in small-lot wines that capture the essence of the Sonoma Coast. 

The 2021 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is a shining example of Lombardi’s meticulous approach to winemaking. Sourced from Benovia’s celebrated Martaella Vineyard—renowned for its connection to icons like Williams Selyem and Gary Farrell—this Chardonnay carries the legacy of one of Sonoma’s most coveted sites. 

Barrel-fermented, the wine seamlessly integrates flavors, with the oak serving as a delicate frame rather than a defining feature. The 2021 vintage offers a striking balance of power and finesse, showcasing depth and concentration from an exceptional growing season. Bright acidity and coastal freshness dance harmoniously with its rich texture, delivering a vibrant and compelling Chardonnay.

Lombardi
Chardonnay 2021
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $52

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“A bright straw/yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast is ripe with aromas of candied apple, lemon candies, and a savory saline. It boasts fantastic brightness on the palate, and it’s ripe and juicy but never feels over-ripe. Its really enjoyable and is going to show its best over the next 6-8 years.”

93 Points