2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Alexander ValleyKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUSA

Lancaster Estate

Winemaker’s Cuvée
Alexander Valley 2021

2021 Lancaster Estate Winemakers Cuvee Alexander Valley

High above the valley floor, where gravelly loam and warm afternoons shape Cabernet into something both powerful and poised, Lancaster’s Winemaker’s Cuvée takes root. This wine is the purest expression of the estate’s hillside benches, sites where vines dig deep into fractured soils and the fruit emerges with remarkable concentration, lift, and unmistakable character.

At the core of the 2021 blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, commanding in both presence and structure, supported by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot in thoughtful proportions. Each variety contributes its own dimension: Franc with aromatic lift, Merlot with mid-palate breadth, and Petit Verdot with richness. Together they create a cuvée that feels seamlessly layered and shaped by a winemaking vision grounded in precision.

In the cellar, the wine is guided with the same clarity of intent that defines the vineyard work: fermentation is kept exacting, oak is used to frame rather than dominate. What emerges is a wine that marries depth with refinement, with tannins firm yet polished and a finish that is long and resonant. Impressive now, the 2021 Winemaker’s Cuvée is crafted for the long view, promising years of unfolding nuance for those who choose to follow its evolution.

Lancaster Estate
Winemaker’s Cuvée
Alexander Valley 2021
Retails at: $125

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“The 2021 Winemaker’s Cuvee Red Blend is composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. A saturated red color, it opens in the glass to reveal a luxurious and layered profile with notes of cassis, menthol, polished leather, and mocha. Full-bodied and velvety on the palate, it’s generous, offering a balanced and ripe feel without feeling weighty, and it has an elegantly rich and tapered finish. It’s going to age gracefully over the coming 10 years. 5000 cases were produced.”

94 Points

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonHowell MountainKevin VogtNapaUSA

Adamvs

Téres Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, 2021

2021 Adamvs Teres Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain

High on the volcanic spine of Howell Mountain, ADAMVS shapes Cabernet with precision, under the steady hand of winemaker Alberto Bianchi, supported by the seasoned insight of Philippe Melka. The 2021 Téres is the estate at its most expressive: an elevated Cabernet that channels Howell Mountain’s raw power into something remarkably refined.

This evolution begins in the vineyard, where ADAMVS farms its estate as a fully certified Organic and Biodynamic® ecosystem. Each of the five vineyard sites contributes its own voice to the wine, shaped by iron-rich red soils and rugged hillside exposures. Rather than force uniformity, the team leans into this mosaic, allowing the diversity of clones, soils, and elevations to create a Cabernet defined by nuance rather than density.

That rich diversity of vineyard character met its ideal match in the 2021 growing season. Conditions favored small berries with concentrated flavor, vibrant acidity, and exceptional aromatic lift. In the cellar, the team preserved that energy through restrained extraction and meticulous aging. The result is a Cabernet deeply rooted in Howell Mountain power, yet carried by a brightness and refinement that lingers long after each sip.

Adamvs
Téres Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain, 2021

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“Opaque ruby-coloured core, leading to a dark ruby rim. A robust, broad-shouldered, muscular Cabernet Sauvignon from Howell Mountain. The Téres is a field blend of grapes from their 32.37ha estate. Black cherry, mulberry, and blueberry fruit frame wild herbs, toasty oak and graphite. Full-bodied with chewy dark fruit and tannins framed by palate-coating chalky minerals and nuanced by a pop of capsicum. Dried floral notes and ironstone infuse the refreshing finish. Proprietors Denise and Stephen Adams work with Philippe Melka, Alberto Bianchi, and viticulturist Michael Wolf to craft their wines.”

97 Points

2021 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

2021 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtMt VeederNapaUSA

Anthem

Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2021

2021 Anthem Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder

Perched on the rugged slopes of Mount Veeder, where vines cling to fractured rock, Anthem’s 2021 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon was born in defiance of gravity. It’s a wine forged by extremes: sunlight and shadow, warmth and wind, precision and power. What emerges is a wine of profound beauty, with dark and muscular yet polished to a fine sheen, its elegance revealed through structure, harmony, and quiet confidence.

Under the direction of acclaimed winemaker Jeff Ames, every decision at Anthem is made with confidence and patience. Having honed his craft alongside icons like Thomas Brown, Ames channels that experience into a style defined by purity and restraint, revealing a wine that feels sculpted, as though every contour has been carved by intent. 

For the 2021 vintage, Jeff coaxed out the vineyard’s most expressive fruit: dense yet detailed, layered with mountain spice, graphite, and violets. Already earning high praise, it drinks beautifully now, but its real magic will unfold over a decade or more. Whether savored tonight or cellared for tomorrow, this is Cabernet that carries the voice of the mountain and the patience of the ages.

Anthem
Cabernet Sauvignon
Mt. Veeder 2021
Retails at: $130

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“The 2021 Anthem Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon opens with inviting aromas of black cherries and ripe currants, layered with hints of crushed graphite, violets before folding in subtle hints of loamy earth and warm spices which add wonderful complexity. The palate is medium to full and finely structured, with firm tannins supporting a core of dark fruit and mocha nuances which lingers through the finish Excellent today, but also offers a promising graceful evolution with cellaring.”

94 Points

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSAZinfandel

Florence

Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2021
Sonoma County

2021 Florence Reserve Zinfandel Rockpile Sonoma County

Few places challenge a vine like Rockpile. Perched on a ridge above Lake Sonoma, where the wind never rests and the soil fractures like ancient bone, the Florence Vineyard defines what it means for a vine to struggle and to triumph. From this unforgiving terrain emerges the 2021 Florence Vineyard Reserve Rockpile Zinfandel, a wine that channels its hardship into strength. The result is a Zinfandel that captures both the wildness of altitude and the refinement of mastery.

Long before Rockpile was recognized as an appellation, Jack Florence Jr. saw its promise. He carved his vineyard into the rocky hillsides with the conviction that hardship breeds distinction. Decades later, his 2021 Florence Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel affirms that vision: a wine of intensity and grace, rooted in heritage cuttings from the storied St. Peter’s Church clone and elevated by the restless energy of the mountain.

Only 235 cases were produced, each bottle an unfiltered glimpse into one of Sonoma’s most demanding landscapes. The 2021 vintage speaks in layers of blackberry, cracked pepper, and wild herbs framed by minerality and tension. It’s a wine that feels alive, pulsing with the elevation that shaped it, the craftsmanship that guided it, and the patience that allowed it to find its voice.

Florence
Reserve Zinfandel
Rockpile 2021
Sonoma County
Retails at: $60

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“Lush, almost creamy in texture, this complex, high powered and deeply fruity wine boasts distinctive black pepper and singed sage flavors atop its deep black cherries and blackberries. Moderate to full tannins give it a good backbone for pairing with big proteins. Best from 2025–2035.”

94 Points

2021 Grand Napa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2021 Grand Napa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30-$40Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

Grand Napa

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021

2021 Grand Napa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Grand Napa’s 2021 Reserve Cabernet is a reminder that power, when guided by grace, leaves the most profound impression. The wine embodies the quiet confidence of a classic vintage, defined by clarity, energy, and poise. Its core of Cabernet Sauvignon delivers precision and depth, while Cabernet Franc contributes lifted florals, and Merlot softens the edges with its signature plushness, resulting in a wine that feels sculpted rather than forced.

 

Drawn from premier sites across Rutherford, Calistoga, and the broader Napa Valley, the 2021 Reserve captures the essence of each terroir in a single, harmonized voice. Under Stéphane Vivier’s steady hand, these elements are woven together with restraint and precision, creating a wine that reflects both the diversity of Napa and the unity of a master’s touch.

Aged twenty-two months in fine French oak, the 2021 Reserve reveals both pedigree and purpose. The texture is silken yet structured, the finish long and deliberate. Vivier’s craftsmanship ensures it will age with poise, deepening in nuance and complexity over time. For collectors seeking the intersection of authenticity, longevity, and value, few Cabernets express Napa’s modern elegance as confidently as this one.

Grand Napa
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2021
Retails at: $110

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“Winemaker Stéphane Vivier matures this Cabernet in 50% new French oak for 22 months. Fragrant dusty earth minerals, cranberry fruit laced with cinnamon spices, and hints of dried rosemary and sage. Medium-bodied with gentle tannins that glide to a spicy finish with blood orange acidity and hints of clove and cassis.”

92 Points

2021 M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine Rhone Valley

2021 M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine Rhone Valley France

with No Comment $60-$70Chateauneuf-Du-PapeFranceKevin VogtRhone ValleyRhone Valley

M. Chapoutier

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
La Bernardine 2021
Rhone Valley, France

2021 M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine Rhone Valley

At the intersection of tradition and innovation, Chapoutier’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine captures over a century of expertise in a single glass. Guided by Michel Chapoutier’s visionary approach and commitment to biodynamics, the 2021 vintage achieves a rare balance: power without heaviness, purity without austerity.

The wine draws its character from the Rhône’s storied terroir: ancient quaternary soils strewn with massive pebbles, remnants of a long-lost glacial river. These galets, mingled with clay and sand, form a natural oven by day and a cool haven by night, yielding fruit of remarkable intensity and elegance unique to Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The 2021 vintage is a masterclass in restraint and clarity. A Grenache-driven blend rounded out with Syrah and Mourvèdre, and raised for fifteen months in concrete, preserving purity of fruit and the unadorned voice of the vineyard. Elegant, concentrated, and profoundly expressive, La Bernardine 2021 is an eloquent reminder of why Châteauneuf-du-Pape remains one of the world’s great red wines.

M. Chapoutier
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
La Bernardine 2021
Rhone Valley, France

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“A textural, refined and velvety Chateauneuf-du-Pape with aromas of forest berries, wet stones, roasted meat, wild herbs and some bark. It’s medium- to full-bodied with fine, firm tannins. There is a refined texture here, silky at the center, with a delicate core of dark cherries challenged by an intense array of spices that provide verve and energy. Lively and focused finish with length. Try after 2026.”

93 Points

2021 The Mascot Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2021 The Mascot Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

The Mascot

Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2021

2021 The Mascot Proprietary Red Napa Valley

Few wines manage to balance prestige with accessibility as seamlessly as Will Harlan’s The Mascot. Born from the younger vines of Napa’s most revered estates, it offers a glimpse into the extraordinary and a rare opportunity to taste the DNA of Harlan, BOND, and Promontory in a form that’s vivid, expressive, and alive.

Every detail of The Mascot is shaped by its remarkable provenance. The fruit is drawn from parcels that, while younger, share the same meticulous farming, low yields, and uncompromising standards as their iconic parent estates. It is at once a reflection of its iconic lineage and a celebration of potential, capturing the raw energy of terroir before it matures into legend.

With its seamless integration of fruit, structure, and nuance, The Mascot achieves a level of refinement that belies its price. The 2021 vintage captures the essence of the year: vibrant yet composed, generous yet finely etched, offering an experience that is both intellectually engaging and deeply pleasurable. It’s a wine that doesn’t simply hint at greatness, but delivers it. 

The Mascot
Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2021

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“The 2021 Mascot Proprietary Red from Napa Valley emerges as a compelling blend, showcasing the estate’s younger vines with remarkable depth and precision. On the nose, it unfolds layers of blackberry pie and red currants, accented by violets, crushed rocks, menthol, and a hint of cocoa powder, all integrated seamlessly. The palate mirrors this intensity, dominated by black currants, chocolate-covered cherries, and kirsch, with silky tannins framing a supple mouthfeel and sweet fruit. Concentration defines the core, yet opulent fruit finds equilibrium through firm tension, avoiding heaviness. This wine’s structure suggests seamless evolution, with bright acidity carrying through a persistent finish marked by mineral notes and subtle spice. Drink now for its vibrancy or cellar through 2035-2040 for added complexity. A standout effort from the Harlan family.”

95 Points

2021 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2021 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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

Patz & Hall

Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast 2021

2021 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Named one of Wine Spectator’s Top 100, the 2021 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a benchmark for what California Pinot can achieve when precision, heritage, and terroir converge. For more than three decades, Patz & Hall has earned a place at the table of collectors and sommeliers, crafting wines defined by their vibrant acidity, graceful structure, and seamless balance.

The secret to its depth lies in the mosaic of vineyards woven into the final blend. From the cool, wind-swept ridges near the Pacific to the fog-kissed valleys further inland, each of the sixteen individual sites contributes a distinct layer of character: vibrant red fruit from sandy soils, savory spice from clay-rich slopes, and a saline edge from marine-influenced pockets. 

Winemaker James Hall brings this raw potential to life with uncompromising attention to detail. Partial whole-cluster fermentations add aromatic complexity, while full malolactic fermentation in barrel lends texture and depth. The result is a Pinot Noir that shimmers with energy, and with a 96-point score from Decanter, this is a wine to be remembered, celebrated, and cellared.

Patz & Hall
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast 2021
Retails at: $45

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“Delightful, extra juicy red and black fruits give graciously and generously with a mouth-filling texture and soft, silky tannins. The coolness of the Sonoma Coast takes the salty sea air and places it squarely on the grapes to give this wine a lovely saline finish. The great structural envelope will protect this wine for the future. It will last and last.”

96 Points

2021 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

2021 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Alexander ValleyCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

Silver Oak

Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley 2021

2021 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

With a commanding 96-point score, the 2021 Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a continuation of a legacy nearly five decades in the making. Since its founding in 1972, Silver Oak has pursued a singular vision: to craft world-class Cabernet Sauvignon aged exclusively in American oak, a commitment that has defined its unmistakable style. 

Alexander Valley provides the perfect stage for this vision. Cradled by the Mayacamas mountains and influenced by cooling fog from the Russian River Valley, the region balances warm days with dramatic nighttime temperature swings, ensuring fruit that achieves full ripeness while retaining vibrancy and lift. Beneath the vines lie ancient alluvial soils, imparting depth, freshness, and a mineral clarity that defines the best expressions of this AVA.  

The beauty of this wine lies in its duality: supple enough to enchant now, yet structured to evolve gracefully over decades. Aged for two years in Silver Oak’s signature American oak barrels, this is a wine that honors tradition while showcasing innovation. It is a wine that reaffirms why Silver Oak remains one of California’s most iconic names in Cabernet Sauvignon.

Silver Oak
Cabernet Sauvignon
Alexander Valley 2021
Retails at: $100

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“The 2021 Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley was harvested between 4 September and 8 October. The blend comprises 96% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot and 1% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. After blending, it was barrel-aged for 24 months in American oak, 50% of which was new, followed by 14 months of bottle ageing prior to release. The wine is beautifully layered and highly fragrant, with remarkable precision and focus in this vintage. Medium- to full-bodied, it integrates the hallmark Silver Oak American spice character through cedarwood aromatics, elegant whispers of vanilla bean, and nuances of fresh fennel (from more refined American oak barrels crafted after precision trials of both seasoning and toasting from the American oak cooperage they own in Higbee, Missouri). Supple dark-cherry and blackberry fruit are framed by graphite minerality, violets and clove, building in richness and complexity across the palate. Suave and silken, the dark-berry fruit is wrapped in a tapestry of velvety tannins, gliding to a focused finish of brown baking spices and crisp, clean acidity.”

96 Points

2021 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Valle De Apalta

2021 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Valle De Apalta

with No Comment $50-$60ChileKevin VogtProprietary Red

Clos Apalta

Le Petit Clos 2021
Valle De Apalta

2021 Clos Apalta Le Petit Clos Valle De Apalta

When Alexandra Marnier-Lapostolle, heiress to the Grand Marnier legacy, rooted her family’s vision in Chile’s Apalta Valley, she sought to craft a wine that could stand among the world’s finest, blending Bordeaux’s artistry with the wild elegance of Apalta. Guided by the renowned Michel Rolland from the inaugural vintage, these wines bear a hallmark of sophistication and depth, each bottle reflecting the family’s French lineage.

The vineyard is a marvel of nature, a steep amphitheater etched into the Apalta hills, where granitic soils, sunlit slopes, and cooling river breezes converge to yield fruit of extraordinary balance. Here, Carmenère, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc ripen gradually under the valley’s distinctive conditions, capturing a purity of flavor and vibrancy unique to this terroir.

The final impression is one of poise and drama: Carmenère’s velvet depths intertwined with Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, Merlot’s gentle charm, and Cabernet Franc’s aromatic lift. Together they create a blend that resonates with power and harmony, a vivid portrait of one of Chile’s most iconic vineyards.

Clos Apalta
Le Petit Clos 2021
Valle De Apalta
Retails at: $65

Your Price: $55

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“A nice touch of baked cherries and dark chocolate to the deep blackberry fruit. Ink and a touch of graphite and dried herbs. Full-bodied and pretty powerful with fine-grained tannins and a long, extensive finish. 68% carmenere, 16% cabernet sauvignon,15% merlot and 1% cabernet franc. Give it two more years to let the fruit settle more. Drink or hold.”

96 Points