2022 Jett Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

2022 Jett Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtUSAWashington State

Jett

Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley 2022

2022 Jett Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley

Few wines arrive with the profound poise of the 2022 Jett Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon—a masterpiece born from visionary artistry and remarkable terroir. Guiding its creation are two prodigious talents: Chris Carpenter, Napa Valley’s revered craftsman behind Lokoya and Cardinale, and Gianna Ghilarducci, a rising talent whose skills were honed at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars and through collaboration with Carpenter at Mt. Brave and Lokoya.

The Jett Cabernet Sauvignon is an evocative portrait of Skysill Vineyard, nestled within the elevated folds of Walla Walla’s Upper Mill Creek district, not far from Leonetti. Perched between 1,200 and 1,600 feet, the vines thrive amidst cool mountain breezes and Aeolian soils, rich with ancient volcanic and sedimentary deposits.

After twenty months in French oak, the wine emerges with captivating finesse and structured depth. Pouring forth in an alluring cascade, it weaves together deep, rich intensity with intricate notes of graphite, crushed herbs, and aromatic spices. It leaves a lasting memory on the palate and a quiet conviction that something truly special is unfolding in the Walla Walla Valley.

Jett
Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla Valley 2022

Your Price: $79.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Jett 2022 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon brings together complex, powerful, yet elegant aromas of violets, blackberries, cassis, forest floor, dried herbs, dark chocolate, and a pencil-lead-like minerality. On the palate, the wine has fine-grained, chalky tannins with bright acidity, enhancing flavors of baking spices alongside black and blue fruits, balanced by subtle savory notes. This wine is penetrating and concentrated at the moment and will age gracefully with time.”

97 Points

2022 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2022 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

Kanzler

Pinot Noir 2022
Russian River Valley

2022 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

With the 2022 vintage, Kanzler presents a Pinot Noir that unfolds like a dialogue between vineyard and winemaker—intimate, expressive, and unmistakably Russian River Valley. Each sip tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship, echoing Kanzler’s uncompromising dedication to producing Pinot Noir that surpasses anticipation, embodying vibrant fruit and layered character.

Kanzler Vineyard’s fruit is cherished, forming the backbone of some of California’s most celebrated Pinot Noirs for over two decades. When renowned producers like Kosta Browne, Lynmar, and Rivers-Marie consistently return vintage after vintage, it underscores the confidence inspired by extraordinary terroir and meticulous farming practices.

Winemaker Alex Kanzler skillfully blends estate-grown grapes with carefully selected fruit from four neighboring vineyards, each chosen for its unique contribution to the wine’s refined complexity. His intuitive approach to winemaking is gentle, precise, and thoughtful, resulting in a Pinot Noir of striking elegance and lasting presence. A wine that genuinely captures the heart and soul of the Russian River Valley.

Kanzler
Pinot Noir 2022
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $69

Your Price: $59.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“Aromas of toasty barrel spice and cherry lollipop waft from the nose of this medium bodied wine. The palate is saturated with flavors of raspberry candy, menthol, caramel and black tea. Pair this with miso glazed salmon. Best from 2026-2035.”

91 Points

2022 Maquis Revela Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley

2022 Maquis Revela Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonChileKevin Vogt

Maquis

Revela Gran Reserva
Cabernet Sauvignon
Colchagua Valley 2022

2022 Maquis Revela Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley

The 2022 Maquis Revela Colchagua Valley Cabernet Sauvignon captivates with its bold, intricate, and elegantly crafted profile. Viña Maquis, rooted in one of Chile’s oldest estates, traces its origins to the 18th century, when Jesuit priests produced sacramental wine on this storied land. Since 1916, the Hurtado family has upheld this heritage, refining the vineyards and embracing a meticulous, hands-on approach to winemaking that vividly captures the essence of the terroir.

In 2022, a cool growing season followed a dry winter, yielding fruit of remarkable balance—crisp acidity, vibrant aromatics, and rich concentration. Sourced primarily from a rare 1997 block planted on ungrafted European rootstock, the Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Chile’s phylloxera-free soils, safeguarded by the Andes’ natural barrier. The result is a wine of exceptional purity and character, rarely matched elsewhere.

Blended with Cabernet Franc, Carménère, and Petit Verdot, this wine evokes a Left Bank Bordeaux spirit while distinctly reflecting its Chilean roots. Lively spice, refined structure, and elegance unite in a wine that narrates a compelling story of heritage, resilience, and place—far surpassing its price.

Maquis
Revela Gran Reserva
Cabernet Sauvignon
Colchagua Valley 2022

Your Price: $24

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“I like the restraint of this cabernet sauvignon, which almost delivers a Bordelais touch with its lead-pencil and graphite character. Structured and medium-bodied with firm, creamy tannins and a tight finish. Sustainable. Better from 2025.”

92 Points

2022 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

2022 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $30-$40ChardonnaySonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Patz & Hall

Chardonnay 2022
Sonoma Coast

2022 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast

Patz & Hall’s 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay meets the high bar set by California’s finest labels, captivating those who cherish Chardonnay in its most polished form. Known in culinary circles for its vibrant acidity, intricate layers, and flawless balance, Patz & Hall has earned a loyal following among wine enthusiasts for over thirty years, delighting them with its unique expression.

Central to Patz & Hall’s lasting prestige is a rich network of relationships with California’s top grape growers. This distinguished group includes luminaries like Lee and George Martinelli, Charlie Chenoweth, the Dutton family, Larry Hyde, and the renowned Pisonis. These collaborations allow the winery to source exceptional fruit, ensuring every bottle upholds its exacting standards of quality and authenticity.

The 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay vividly embodies Patz & Hall’s unwavering commitment to excellence—a memorable reflection of its origins that resonates long after the final sip.

Patz & Hall
Chardonnay 2022
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $40

Your Price: $32

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Patz & Hall 2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay opens with clean, vibrant aromas of ripe lemons, apricots, melon, and subtle notes of vanilla, Werther’s Original caramels, and freshly baked pie crust. On the palate, the wine displays a beautiful balance and structure with a rounded, supple mouthfeel, flavors of bright citrus and stone fruit fruits, lemon curd, cream, warm croissants, and a minerality reminiscent of wet stones. The wine finishes with a core of lively acidity that perfectly complements the creamy texture with a compelling interplay of fruit, spice, and coastal minerality.”

94 Points

2022 Brewer Clifton 3D Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills

2022 Brewer Clifton 3D Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills

with No Comment $60-$70Central CoastChardonnayKevin VogtSanta BarbaraSanta Rita HillsUSA

Brewer Clifton

3D Chardonnay
2022 Sta. Rita Hills

2022 Brewer Clifton 3D Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills

Brewer-Clifton’s 2022 3D Chardonnay offers a profound portrayal of its origins—an articulate dialogue between power and precision, drawn from a ten-acre vineyard of sandy soils and five unique clones. This distinctive Sta. Rita Hills site produces a wine marked by intensity and poise, brimming with energy and a clear sense of place. It doesn’t simply reflect its origin—it radiates it.

Greg Brewer launched Brewer-Clifton in 1996, driven by a focused ambition: to reveal the essence of the Sta. Rita Hills through uncompromising craftsmanship. His journey began in 1991 at Santa Barbara Winery, and his celebrated tenure at Brewer-Clifton, Melville, and Diatom played a key role in shaping the region’s identity. In 2020, that dedication earned him the title of Wine Enthusiast’s Winemaker of the Year.

Sta. Rita Hills, one of the coolest winegrowing regions on the West Coast, yields fruit of remarkable purity and structure—qualities central to Brewer-Clifton’s approach. In 2022, Greg captured that tension with elegant restraint, whole-cluster pressing the Chardonnay into neutral barrels to maintain its clarity and focus. The outcome is a wine of crystalline precision, where vibrant citrus, saline minerality, and energy converge in a single, unforgettable experience.

Brewer Clifton
3D Chardonnay
2022 Sta. Rita Hills
Retails at: $75

Your Price: $65

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“A very tensile, fresh and mineral-laden wine that’s tangy in acidity and has an almost crunchy, lively texture. Made from a singular section of the 3-D vineyard planted with Wente and Mt. Eden clone grapevines. Lemon pith, limestone, crisp green apples. So intense and taut, it is sure to age and improve. Drinkable now but best from 2029.”

97 Points

2022 Thistle & Thorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2022 Thistle & Thorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Thistle & Thorn

Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022

2022 Thistle & Thorn Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Exceptional wines often emerge from careful intent, yet occasionally, they owe their existence to the whims of chance. The tale of Thistle & Thorn unfolds as a fortunate twist of fate—a wine that almost slipped through the cracks. When a coveted batch of Napa Valley grapes found itself without a home, winemaker Blair Guthrie faced a pivotal decision: let the fruit wither on the vine or embrace the opportunity to shape something remarkable. Guided by intuition, he chose to act.

Blair Guthrie’s path is as captivating as the bottles he produces. Hailing from Christchurch, New Zealand, he pursued the study of enology and viticulture with a steady resolve that would eventually lead him across continents. His formative years under the tutelage of Paul Hobbs refined a winemaking approach centered on the purity of fruit, harmonic balance, and a vivid sense of origin.

Drawn from the organically tended Juliana Vineyard, this wine embodies Napa Valley’s finest qualities. It unfolds with rich, dark fruit, finely woven tannins, and a poised intricacy that elevates its allure—an inviting portrait of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, born not by chance but from the vision of a winemaker who recognized possibility amid uncertainty.

Thistle & Thorn
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley 2022
Retails at: $50

Your Price: $25

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Thistle & Thorn 2022 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon begins with aromas of green peppercorns, sweet rose, black currants, blackberries, black tea leaves, and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine has penetrative flavors of black fruits, balsamic reduction, and baking spices with a warm, inviting character and a pleasant finish. This wine has an excellent concentration of fruit and spice notes, adding layered complexity and extra enjoyment.”

92 Points

2022 Le Clos du Caillou Cotes-du-Rhone Cuvee Unique

2022 Le Clos du Caillou Cotes-du-Rhone Cuvee Unique

with No Comment $30 and underChateauneuf-Du-PapeFranceKevin VogtRhone ValleyRhone Valley

Le Clos du Caillou

Côtes-du-Rhône
Cuvée Unique Vieilles Vignes
Rhône Valley, France 2022

2022 Le Clos du Caillou Cotes-du-Rhone Cuvee Unique

Le Clos de Caillou, celebrated for its flawless 100-point Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines, reveals that true distinction need not carry an extravagant price. The 2022 Côtes-du-Rhône Vieilles Vignes (Old Vines) ‘Cuvée Unique’ emerged as the highlight of our recent tasting, a vivid demonstration of this estate’s remarkable skill in crafting wines that surpass all anticipation.

Its tale is as compelling as its character. In 1936, surveyors seeking to include Le Clos de Caillou in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC faced armed opposition, leaving an enigmatic void on the map that persists to this day. Only in the 1950s did vines take root, allowing this singular terroir nestled within the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape to flourish under the Côtes-du-Rhône banner.

The 2022 ‘Cuvée Unique’ weaves together 70% Grenache with Syrah, Carignan, and Counoise, drawn from vineyards echoing the iconic Châteauneuf-du-Pape landscape. This wine unfolds with grace, its focused intensity reflecting the meticulous artistry behind it.

If one Rhône wine deserves your attention this year, let it be this striking and memorable Cuvée Unique.

Le Clos du Caillou
Côtes-du-Rhône
Cuvée Unique Vieilles Vignes
Rhône Valley, France 2022

Your Price: $29.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Le Clos du Caillou Côtes du Rhône Vieilles Vignes Cuvée Unique 2022 unfurls with an inviting and nuanced bouquet, where crushed cranberries and ripe red cherries intertwine seamlessly with hints of lavender. A subtle iron note lends complexity, while delicate pie spices round out the aromas. This wine is a vibrant tapestry of mixed juicy red and black berries on the palate, their brightness amplified by a liquid mineral component that elevates each sip. Concentrated yet lively, the flavors penetrate with precision, revealing a black tea character that lingers. It’s a wine of remarkable energy—mouth-wateringly delicious, with a vitality that dances across the tongue, leaving a vivid and refined impression.”

95 Points

2022 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

2022 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtPinot NoirUSAWashington StateWillamette Valley

Bethel Heights

Estate Pinot Noir
Eola-Amity Hills 2022

2022 Bethel Heights Estate Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills

The 2022 Pinot Noir from Bethel Heights reveals the Willamette Valley’s distinctive terroir with striking clarity and allure. This exceptional vintage unfolds with vibrant complexity, showcasing flawlessly ripened fruit and a layered depth that delights. As one of the valley’s original trailblazers, Bethel Heights played a key role in shaping the region’s worldwide acclaim, channeling the intricate nature of its hillside soils and the subtle pull of cool ocean breezes into every bottle.

Rooted in family ownership since its founding, Bethel Heights remains devoted to sustainable stewardship of the land. Through organic and biodynamic practices, they nurture wines of remarkable character. The winery’s 80 acres of estate vineyards—Bethel Heights, Justice, and Lewman—stretch across a diverse terrain, sculpted over time by ancient volcanic activity and lava flows. This rich foundation yields wines with a rare and compelling nuance.

The Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir unites fruit from these three vineyards, blending their individual traits into a harmonious whole. What emerges is a wine that captures a fleeting convergence—of the season, the soil, and the artistry that singularly defines Bethel Heights.

Bethel Heights
Estate Pinot Noir
Eola-Amity Hills 2022

Your Price: $36

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“A delightful wine that punches so far above its price point. Black tea aromatics are married to freshly churned topsoil, dried lavender and sun-baked blackberries. The palate is distinguished in this well-priced wine. Chinese five spice, black tea and white pepper make room for ripe black bramble fruits and red plum skin. This wine is distinguished and complex, so refreshing to see such deference paid to a wine priced under $40.”

94 Points

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Bruliam 

Chardonnay 2022
Heintz Vineyard
Sonoma Coast

2022 Bruliam Chardonnay Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Tucked seven miles from the Pacific Ocean, Bruliam Chardonnay shines as a vivid expression of the Heintz Vineyard, a standout treasure along the Sonoma Coast. Perched at 1,000 feet, this site channels the cool, coastal ocean breeze, locking in the fruit’s vibrant freshness. For more than forty years, the Heintz family has tended this remarkable vineyard, its grapes gracing the cellars of California’s most admired winemakers—names like Williams Selyem, DuMOL, and Littorai among them.

Guiding Bruliam Wines is Kerith Overstreet, a physician who traded medicine for the art of winemaking. Her sharp intellect and precise hand in the cellar bring a lively clarity to every bottle. In this Chardonnay, the Heintz Vineyard speaks with striking purity, leaving a lasting echo that resonates with each sip.

Awarded an impressive 96 points, this Chardonnay captures the Sonoma Coast’s character—bright fruit woven with intricate, alluring layers. It reveals the profound possibilities of the region’s Chardonnays, reaching heights that command attention and invite appreciation.

Bruliam
Chardonnay 2022
Heintz Vineyard
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $65

Your Price: $49.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The 2022 Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay slowly unfurls to offer evocative notes of grapefruit, fresh pineapple, white peaches, and chalk dust plus touches of Marcona almonds and nutmeg. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound at this youthful stage, delivering great tension with mineral-laced stone and tropical fruit layers, finishing with great length.”

96 Points

2022 Claudio Family Cellars Merlot Mt. Veeder

2022 Claudio Family Cellars Merlot Mt. Veeder

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtMerlotMt VeederNapaUSA

Claudio Family Cellars

Merlot 2022
Mt. Veeder

2022 Claudio Family Cellars Merlot Mt. Veeder

Claudio Family Cellars’ 2022 Merlot captures the vivid essence of mountain viticulture, blending intensity and grace into a wine of striking harmony. Grown on the rugged slopes of Mount Veeder, it reveals Merlot’s potential for depth and distinction when shaped by such untamed terroir. Winemaker Chris Jones has deftly crafted a wine that echoes the mountain’s raw energy while delivering a refined vibrancy that distinguishes it from the ordinary.

Jones’ journey to this creation is as compelling as the wine itself. Beginning as a home winemaker in Minnesota, his curiosity and drive carried him to Napa and Sonoma. There, he refined his craft through an internship at Sojourn Cellars before founding Claudio Family Cellars. His 2022 Mount Veeder Merlot reflects this arc—bold yet poised, it channels the mountain’s strength with clarity and elegance.

Mount Veeder, a scarce source of Napa’s output at under two percent, yields wines of rare concentration from its steep inclines and ancient, mineral-rich soils. The 2022 Merlot embodies this duality—rich yet precise, with layers of black cherry, violet, and wild sage unfolding alongside dark fruit and earthy nuance, culminating in a smooth, lingering finish. It’s a vivid example of Merlot’s ability to flourish in the high, wild reaches of the mountains.

Claudio Family Cellars
Merlot 2022
Mt. Veeder
Retails at: $40

Your Price: $29.99

Click Here to Join Our (Free) Insider’s Club & Unlock Special Offers

Click to Order

 

“The Claudio Family Cellars 2022 Merlot from Mt Veeder opens with fresh aromas of lavender, subtle herbal notes, cherry, raspberry, cloves, white pepper, and a graphite minerality. On the palate, the wine has a plush texture balanced with mountain fruit characteristics and flavors of red plum, vanilla, baking spices, and mocha. Mt Veeder is one of Napa Valley’s cooler growing environments, giving this wine elegance but with an excellent structure from this mountainside location.”

94 Points