2022 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve Napa Valley

2022 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn’s Reserve Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

James Joseph

Cabernet Sauvignon
Kathryn’s Reserve
Napa Valley 2022

2022 James Joseph Cabernet Sauvignon Kathryn's Reserve Napa Valley

James Joseph has cultivated a legacy of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon for over two decades, sourcing grapes from Napa Valley’s most esteemed vineyards. Each vintage is a testament to the artistry of Grant Long Jr., a renowned winemaker with a distinguished history at Aonair, Reverie, and Steps.

Grant’s unwavering dedication to excellence is evident in Kathryn’s Reserve, a wine that balances power and elegance. His meticulous approach captures the essence of Napa Valley’s diverse terroir, transforming each vintage into a masterpiece of complexity and depth. The 2022 Kathryn’s Reserve is a prime example, offering a captivating blend of charm and sophistication that belies its modest price point.

The 2022 Kathryn’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is more than a wine—it’s an experience crafted to captivate today and age gracefully into the future. With its irresistible expression of Napa Valley’s finest terroir and winemaking mastery, this is a bottle that promises to leave a lasting impression.

James Joseph
Cabernet Sauvignon
Kathryn’s Reserve
Napa Valley 2022

Your Price: $49.99

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“The James Joseph 2022 Kathryn’s Reserve begins with ripe, juicy fruit aromas of plum, black cherry, blackberry, Marionberry pie, baking spices, and dark chocolate, with a hint of crushed rock minerality. On the palate, flavors of dark fruits, baking spices, cocoa powder, balsamic reduction, freshly baked brownies, and savory notes. This wine offers a harmonious blend of ripe fruit, spice, minerality, well-integrated tannins, and bright acidity, making it a pleasure to drink now and suitable for aging.”

94 Points

2022 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

2022 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSAWillamette Valley

Beaux Frères

Pinot Noir 2022
Beaux Frères Vineyard
Willamette Valley

2022 Beaux Freres Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Discover the epitome of Oregon Pinot Noir with the 2022 Beaux Frères, ‘The Beaux Frères Vineyard.’ This exquisite and super high-scoring wine, sourced from the heart of the Willamette Valley’s renowned Ribbon Ridge AVA, is a testament to the estate’s unwavering commitment to quality.

This wine hails from the winery’s flagship vineyard—a jewel in the region. This single-vineyard expression showcases the unique character of the region’s marine sedimentary soils and a legacy of meticulous viticulture and winemaking.

Founded by Michael G. Etzel, with the support of his sister, Pat, and her husband, Robert J. Parker, the estate has transformed a former pig farm into a world-class vineyard. Planted at a remarkably dense 2,200 vines per acre, the vineyard maximizes the potential of its exceptional site.

The 2022 vintage produced a remarkably concentrated and age-worthy wine. The grapes reached peak ripeness with reduced yields, resulting in a wine of exceptional complexity and depth. As the years pass, this Pinot Noir will continue evolving, revealing layers of flavor and structure that will delight discerning palates.

Beaux Frères
Pinot Noir 2022
Beaux Frères Vineyard
Willamette Valley

Your Price: $125

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“A jeweled, youthful ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir The Beaux Freres Vineyard is fantastically layered with bright red fruit, preserved cranberries, lifted spice, and crushed stones, and the palate is elegant and refined, with fine tannins and a great harmonious and tapered finish. It’s very well-detailed, with a chiseled structure that makes itself known, and it’s only going to improve with time in the bottle. Drink 2026-2046.”

98 Points

2022 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2022 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

Walter Hansel

Pinot Noir 2022
The South Slope Vineyard
Russian River Valley

2022 Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

With every vintage, Walter Hansel sets a new standard for California Pinot Noir, offering the kind of elegance and complexity typically reserved for California’s most prestigious producers—yet at a refreshingly accessible price. The 2022 South Slope Pinot Noir is no exception, capturing the essence of the Russian River Valley with layers of vibrant fruit, seamless texture, and remarkable balance.

The story of Walter Hansel Winery is rooted in a deep passion for the land. Driven by a lifelong love for agriculture, Walter Hansel planted the first vines on their family estate with the help of his son, Stephen. What began as a father-son project in the 1980s evolved into a pursuit of winemaking excellence.

The Estate spans 80 acres of contiguous vineyards, with the South Slope at the highest elevation and furthest southern point. This plot, planted to the prized Clone 777, produces wines known for their complex earthiness and depth. The 2022 South Slope Pinot Noir was aged in oak, allowing it to develop a rich, layered profile. Earning 94 points from Jeb Dunnuck, this wine is a shining example of the meticulous craftsmanship behind each bottle.

Walter Hansel
Pinot Noir 2022
The South Slope Vineyard
Russian River Valley

Your Price: $48

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“The 2022 Pinot Noir The South Slope Vineyard is made entirely from the Dijon clone 777 and pours a deep magenta hue. In the glass, it gives off a more floral perfume, with notes of violets, black raspberry coulis, sweet cedar, and mossy forest floor, and brighter fresh red fruit comes through on the palate. Medium-bodied, it reveals more focus on the palate, with a mouthwatering feel, and it has fine tannins and a light, salty finish. A very lovely wine, it’s going to reach its tenth birthday with ease if stored properly. 405 cases were produced.”

94 Points

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $90-$100Kevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedUSA

Bevan Cellars

Ontogeny Red
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Bevan Cellars Ontogeny Red Napa Valley

Bevan’s Ontogeny is swiftly becoming a paragon of exceptional Napa Valley wine. Just last year, the 2021 vintage claimed the top spot on Jeb Dunnuck’s Top 10 Napa Bordeaux Blends Under $125 list, following a similar accolade for the 2019 vintage, which was #1 in Dunnuck’s Top Ten Values for Valley Cabernet. The takeaway? You’ll want to secure the 2022 vintage before more scores come out, as it’s poised to continue this remarkable trend.

The 2022 Ontogeny draws its strength primarily from the esteemed Tench Vineyard across from Screaming Eagle in Oakville. Russell crafts a single-vineyard Cabernet from Tench that retails for over $200, but Ontogeny, as the most accessible of his flagship reds, offers an unparalleled entry into the Bevan experience. Despite being the least expensive Red in his portfolio, it’s a wine that never compromises on the depth, power, and intensity that have become Bevan’s trademark.

Russell Bevan, alongside his partner Victoria De Crescenzo, launched Bevan Cellars in 2005, seizing the opportunity to create wines that stunned the Napa Valley scene. Under Russell’s visionary leadership, Bevan Cellars has consistently delivered extraordinary wines. The 2022 Ontogeny Red Blend stands out for its brilliance, cementing its place as a must-have in any serious collector’s cellar.

Bevan Cellars
Ontogeny Red
Napa Valley 2022

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“The Bevan Cellars 2022 Ontogeny Napa Valley Red Wine is rich and supple, opening with notes of violets, rocky minerality, blackberries, dark chocolate, and blueberry pie. On the palate, the wine is concentrated and penetrating with flavors of black plums, blueberries, toasted baking spices, black tea leaves, and hazelnuts. The wine evolves in the glass as it opens up and its long lingering finish is complex and warms the soul.”

95 Points

2022 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Lands Edge Vineyards Sonoma Coast

2022 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Lands Edge Vineyards Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Hartford Court

Pinot Noir 2022
Land’s Edge Vineyards
Sonoma Coast

2022 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Lands Edge Vineyards Sonoma Coast

Poised within the picturesque town of Forestville, just a brief drive from the rugged Sonoma Coast, Hartford Court Winery has established a reputation for producing captivating wines from meticulously selected, single-vineyard sites. With a profound devotion to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, they curate an extensive portfolio of over two dozen bottlings, each sourced from low-yielding vineyards. Each vineyard imparts its own distinctive character, showcasing the remarkable diversity of the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and beyond. Hartford Court’s meticulous approach transforms their admiration for Pinot Noir into wines embodying their origins’ beauty and nuance.

The 2022 Land’s Edge Vineyards Pinot Noir originates from two estate vineyards perched on the Sonoma Coast—Far Coast and Seascape—where the land meets the untamed Pacific Ocean. This proximity to the ocean imparts a unique character to the wine, harmoniously blending the bright, red fruit typical of California Pinot Noir with the coastal influence of oceanic salinity and wet stone minerality. With its vibrant acidity and lingering freshness, the 2022 vintage is a testament to the dramatic landscape from which it comes, capturing the essence of Sonoma’s coastal terroir.

Hartford Court
Pinot Noir 2022
Land’s Edge Vineyards
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $55

Your Price: $45

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“From the far Sonoma Coast, the 2022 Pinot Noir Land’s Edge Vineyards was aged for 9 months in 32% new French oak barrels. In the glass, it displays a medium ruby color and offers expressive notes of red berries, cranberries, and juniper. There’s a good bit of reduction initially that benefits from a little air at this stage, but it starts to reveal darker notes as it opens, so I would recommend decanting if opening it on the young side. The palate has a wonderful, compact feel, with refreshing lift, fine tannins, and a snappy finish. I personally enjoy the bright and coiled energy that comes through in this one. It’s a lovely wine that is going to drink well over the next 15 years.”

94 Points

2022 Caymus Cabernet Napa Valley

2022 Caymus Cabernet Napa Valley

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Caymus

Cabernet Sauvignon
50th Anniversary, One Liters
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Caymus Cabernet Napa Valley

Founded in 1971 by the visionary Wagner family, Caymus Vineyards has become an iconic name in Napa Valley winemaking. Their inaugural vintage in 1972, born from 55 acres of carefully tended vines, set the stage for a legacy of excellence that continues today.

Under the stewardship of the Wagner family’s second and third generations, Caymus Vineyards remains committed to producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of Napa Valley. The 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a milestone marking the winery’s 50th anniversary, is a testament to this enduring passion.

This exceptional vintage was shaped by a season of challenging conditions characterized by low crop yields and minimal irrigation. These factors allowed the grapes to develop intense flavors and aromas, resulting in a wine of extraordinary depth and complexity.

Harvested at their peak ripeness, the 2022 release delivers the signature richness that defines the Caymus style. Full-bodied and bold, it stands as a tribute to half a century of dedication, and the Wagner family’s enduring love for the art of winemaking.

Caymus
Cabernet Sauvignon
50th Anniversary, One Liters
Napa Valley 2022
Retails at: $110

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“A creamy, forward style, with a core of warmed raspberry and boysenberry preserves infused liberally with mocha and melted licorice. Shows a late flicker of chaparral. This is meant for near-term hedonism. Drink now through 2034.”

91 Points

2022 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2022 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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

Flowers

Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast 2022

2022 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

For over three decades, Flowers Winery has been crafting exceptional Pinot Noirs that epitomize the rugged beauty and charm of the Sonoma Coast. The 2022 vintage, a testament to this enduring legacy, showcases the vibrant fruit and signature finesse that have made Flowers a benchmark of excellence.

Cultivated through organic and biodynamic farming practices, this Pinot Noir’s grapes are sourced from the Estate Seaview Ridge Vineyard and select sustainably farmed family-owned vineyards. The harmonious blend of old and new French oak adds depth and structure, complementing the wine’s natural elegance.

As Decanter aptly described, the 2022 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is “lively and delicious,” a captivating expression of the region’s unique terroir. This wine invites you to savor the essence of the Sonoma Coast, a truly unforgettable experience for Pinot Noir enthusiasts.

Flowers
Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast 2022
Retails at: $60

Your Price: $48

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“Less thought about clones and more about sites, the nooks and crannies of Sonoma Coast and long relationships. Lots of Sebastopol, Freestone and Fort Ross areas. Wind tightens the skins in the Pinot Noir; there’s a Sonoma aroma to the wine, herbs and umami elements with crunchy red fruit aromas and a squeeze of blood orange with mint. The palate is lively and delicious with candied raspberry, tomato leaf flavours and wintergreen.”

93 Points

2022 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2022 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

BLACK PINE

PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2022

2022 Black Pine Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

For over four decades, Roger Roessler honed his craft in fine dining. Yet, amidst the delectable plates and discerning palates, a deeper passion blossomed – a love for wine. This passion is now bottled in the exceptional Roger Roessler Black Pine Pinot Noir.

Black Pine is more than just a wine; it’s a testament to Roger’s dedication to producing value Pinot Noir. Crafted from meticulously hand-selected vineyards along the Sonoma Coast, this Pinot Noir offers remarkable consistency across vintages. Each bottle reflects the artistry of his cherished grower partnerships, culminating in a symphony of flavors sure to impress.

The 2022 release is a vibrant expression of this dedication. Its silky texture caresses the palate while brilliant notes of fruit and spice dance on the tongue. This Pinot Noir transcends expectations, offering an unparalleled experience at a truly inviting price point.

BLACK PINE
PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST 2022
Retails at: $38

Your Price: $28

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“The 2022 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir opens projecting a captivating nose with red cherries leading the way, mingling with baking spices. A hint of dried mushrooms adds an earthy complexity, while a floral lilac note infuses elegance. On the palate, the wine is a delightful dance between bright fruit and subtle earthiness. Tart cranberries and juicy pomegranate dance with cola bean, creating a dynamic flavor profile. A liquid mineral element adds complexity, complementing the lush texture and keeping the wine fresh. The vibrant, supple fruit combines with a lush palate, creating a smooth, harmonious drinking experience. It offers a complex, intriguing aromatic profile and a juicy, vibrant palate. The combination of bright fruit, subtle earthiness, and a touch of minerality makes this a truly enjoyable Pinot Noir.”

94 Points

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

with No Comment $30-$40Alexander ValleyKevin VogtSauvignon BlancSonomaUSA

ZIALENA

SAUVIGNON BLANC
GEYSERVILLE 2022

2022 Zialena Sauvignon Blanc Geyserville

Our tasting panel was immediately enamored by this wine and wondered how we’d never heard of it before. The winery sits on a 120-acre property in Alexander Valley that dates back to the early 1900s when Giuseppe Mazzoni immigrated from Carrara, Italy, and became a grape farmer and winemaker after joining the Italian Swiss Colony. 

The vineyards are situated in a prime location with exceptional terroir, including a combination of soil types, microclimates, and elevation changes that contribute to the unique characteristics found in Zialena wines.

The Winery is committed to sustainable farming practices and employs environmentally friendly methods in the vineyards, focusing on handcrafted, small-lot production wines. The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc is the second vintage fermented in custom concrete eggs using the egg’s natural convection to stir the lees and create an elegant structure with a soft texture and ultimate concentrated flavor complexity.

ZIALENA
SAUVIGNON BLANC
GEYSERVILLE 2022

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“The Zialena 2022 Geyserville Sauvignon Blanc opens with beautiful aromatics, including elderflower, gardenia, ripe citrus and tropical fruits, and a creamy lemon custard. On the palate, the wine has zippy acidity balanced with concentrated flavors of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, passion fruit, melon, and wet stone minerality. The wine has a touch of creaminess on the mouthfeel and a long, dynamic finish.”

94 Point