2016 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2016 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSAYountville

KEEVER

2016 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY 

2016 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Keever Vineyard’s motto is that great wine should tell a story, and theirs is an inspiring tale written by a passionate family of proprietors and some of the most talented winemaking and farming in the industry. It takes place on a 6-acre rock-laden hillside Southwest of Yountville, nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains where the earth has eroded from the slopes over millennia. Then add in Jim Barbour, one of the absolute top grape growers, and Celia Welch, a legendary winemaker. We’ve had the Inspirado on our best seller’s list for years, and the 2016 vintage is among their very best yet. 
 
Appropriately named Inspirado, which translates to Inspired, this release was penned with 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, and drafted with Merlot and Petite Verdot. It envelopes your taste buds with rich, scrumptious textures, and intermixed are fine details of rocky minerals, cocoa dusted black fruits, and vanilla bean. 
 
The wine was authored by Celia Welch, whom you might recognize from Scarecrow, D.R. Stephens, Barbour, Dalla Valle, and at under $100/btl, this is one of the best wines in the shop, period.
 
KEEVER
2016 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $80
 
Your Price: $75
 
“… It has an exotic, complex bouquet of black raspberry and cassis fruits intermixed with some forest floor, dried flowers, and cedar. This carries to a medium to full-bodied red that has sweet tannin, a rounded, approachable style, and loads to love.”  93 points
“Once in a handful of years, Mother Nature serves up a growing season in which every detail is just exactly right. A Spring full of enough rainfall but not too much, a Summer of enough heat but not too much, and an Autumn with warm days and cool nights. The 2016 Inspirado captures this season beautifully, showing warm blueberry, spiced plum, and dark cherry notes, all floating atop more subtle base notes of vanilla and toasty oak. The palate impression reflects the aromas, with ripe fruit, a touch of spice, and a finish that showcases the soft, satiny texture of this beautiful blend.”

2015 Cornerstone Ram’s Horn Vineyard Syrah

with No Comment $30 and underMendocinoMendocino RidgeSyrahUncategorized

CORNERSTONE

2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD

 
Some of the greatest values in red wines can be found in American Syrah.  It’s one of the classic varietals of the world, and was made famous in the Northern Rhone valley of France with the world-class wines from Cote Rotie and Hermitage.  Many would argue that in the New World, Americans are a little behind the curve in the appreciation of Syrah and it’s because of this, that you can occasionally find a ridiculous deal on a fantastic wine.  There’s no better example than Cornerstone’s 2015 single vineyard Syrah which is a stunning bottle of wine at it’s $85 retail price… Make sure to join our Insider’s Club mailing list (it’s free) to unlock special offers and see one of the best values that I’ve come across in my career.
 
This remarkable expression of California Syrah was authored by talented winemaking duo Kari Auringer and Charles Thomas. Kari worked under Celia Welch at Cornerstone as well as contributing to the fame of some of the Napa Valley’s most luminous names including Scarecrow, Keever, Kelly Fleming and Corra. Charles has more than 30 years winemaking experience including crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, and his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  This beauty also defeated EVERY wine in the Syrah & Shiraz over $41/btl category at the SF Chronicle Competition, and was named “Best of Class.” You may want to grab all you can…
 
CORNERSTONE
2015 SYRAH
RAM’S HORN VINEYARD
Retails at:  $85/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “French by heritage, California in spirit. These head trained Syrah grapes were lovingly grown high on a steep hillside at 1,800 feet, overlooking the little town of Hopland in Mendocino. Small berries on petite clusters struggle on this dry farmed ranch, which gives this wine a dark and concentrated color. The aromas are a complex combination of ripe black berries, boysenberry and earthy sage. You’ll also likely find typical Syrah notes of smoked bacon, tar and black pepper. Lush and fleshy on the palate, this wine is ripe from long sun-drenched days. More new world in style than old world, but there is plenty of backbone that Syrah is known for. The finish lingers with a melody of mocha, licorice and a hint of allspice wrapped up in silky integrated tannins.“
Best In Class | San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition 
 
Customers who enjoy Cornerstone Ram’s Horn Vineyard Syrah may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2014 Valdez Sonoma Coast Zinfandel
 2013 Anarchist Wine Co Conspiracy Theory Proprietary Red
VALDEZ
2014 ZINFANDEL
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at:  $30/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Winery Notes: “Aromas and flavors of juicy blackberries and currants are expressed in the 2014ValdezZinfandel. This wine has fresh acidity and light tannins that are in harmonious balance while hints of licorice and spice linger on the finish. Fruit for this wine is sourced from 3 different Sonoma County AVAs: Dry creek, Russian River Valley, and Alexander Valley.”
ANARCHIST WINE CO.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
2013 PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $36/btl
 

Click to Order

 
Tasting Notes, “This unique blend begins with a compact nose of Bing cherry, wet slate, cotton candy and a touch of sweet vanilla spice.  On the palate, it begins with focused black plum, penetrating wild red and black berries and Ibarra Chocolate. The finish is mouth-filling without being cloying, with just the right amount of dusty tannin, cocoa powder and a touch of baking spices.”
2014 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red

2014 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUncategorizedUSA

KEEVER  2014 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red

2014 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED 

 
Occasionally, we offer a wine so great that it becomes an object of legend, and Keever Inspirado is at the top of that list.  Appropriately named Inspirado, which translates to Inspired, the wine was carefully constructed by Celia Welch who’s an absolute legend.  You might recognize her artistry from Scarecrow, D.R. Stephens, Barbour, Dalla Valle… The 2014 Inspirado is even richer and more opulent than the 2013, opening up to a basket of ripe berries intermixed with holiday spices, black chocolate and vanilla bean. The long and expansive finish is a hallmark of this wine, and it’s so compelling, that it always leaves me thinking about the wine long after tasting it.  At under $100/btl, this is absolutely stunning… 
 
A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon that’s inspired with additions of Merlot and Malbec, the 2014 Inspirado envelops your taste buds with rich, scrumptious textures that come layered in sweet blackberries, espresso roast, scorched earth and dried cherry. This is, without a doubt, one of the best bottles in the shop under $100/btl right now…
 
KEEVER 
2014 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $74.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “This Bordeaux-style blend shows all the complexity that one would expect, ranging from dark juicy blueberry aromas to mocha, dried cherry, and faint hints of vanilla. The aromas promise great things to come, and the palate impression delivers the same, opening with dark purple fruit tones wrapped in an expansive, velvety texture, then transitioning into darker and more savory notes but with the same rich, very polished tannins. The combination of Cabernet clones as well as the other Bordeaux-based varieties in this blend lend to the wine a sense of completeness and of density from entry to finish.” 
 
Customers who enjoy Keever Inspirado may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
2016 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Red
 2013 Cabaud Benedictions Cabernet Sauvignon
HOURGLASS
2016 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $53.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl 

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The Hourglass HGII Blend was authored by legendary winemaker Toni Biagi. Tony spent nearly 10 years crafting the high-scoring  Plumpjack wines, which rank among the best in Napa Valley, and their top Estate wines can go for around $200/btl and garner 100 point scores…  At under fifty, the HG III is a low price of admission for wine of this outstanding pedigree.  
CABAUD
2013 BENEDICTIONS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $150/btl
 
 
What do you get when you combine the highest level of winemaking with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from one of Andy Beckstoffer’s heritage vineyards in Oakville?  You get a wine that competes with the best in the world… Many of you know winemaker Luc Morlet from his work at Newton Cellars, Peter Michael, or from his own label Morlet which is raking in 100 point scores… 
 
2014 Cornerstone Cellars Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Cornerstone ‘Calistoga’ Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

CORNERSTONE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 CALISTOGA

2014 Cornerstone Cellars Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
When a wine has literally every component necessary to be a world-class expression of it’s varietal, it’s difficult to find just one high-point to talk about because there are so many attributes that make it special.  Cornerstone’s 2014 Calistoga Cabernet is that wine.  You could start by mentioning winemaker Kari Auringer who worked under Celia Welch at Cornerstone as well as contributing to the fame of some of the Napa Valley’s most luminous names including Scarecrow, Keever, Kelly Fleming and Corra… to name a few.  Or you could talk about winemaker Charles Thomas who has more than 30 years winemaking experience crafting Robert Mondavi’s Reserve Cabernets, the first twelve vintages of OPUS ONE, or his work at Cardinale, Lokoya, Verité and Rudd.  And then there’s the vineyard… 
 
Arising from a single vineyard perched high on Calistoga Palisades, not far from Araujo where the areas well-drained volcanic soils and unique microclimates project fruit of remarkable quality.  The 2014 checks in at 100% Cabernet Sauvignon with extraordinary extraction and deep, expressive flavors that unwind methodically and tell a story of the areas extraordinary terroir.  At $75/btl you’d be thrilled by the quality. At $49, you’ll want to make room in the cellar, and go deep…    
 
CORNERSTONE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 CALISTOGA
Retails at:  $75/btl
 
Your Price: $49/btl
 
Winery Notes: “Dark, rich and ripe. This wine offers classic Cabernet aromas of blackberry, plum, boysenberry, cassis, mocha and smoky toasted vanilla. Round, rich and creamy on entry, with explosive flavors of ripe fruit that only comes with a near-perfect growing season in the warmer part of the valley. As the wine opens up, the fruit flavors give way to a seductive core, classic cassis, licorice and a hint of leather. The tannins are sturdy but integrated. It is opulent and plush on release but it has the backbone and structure to age beautifully. This wine will reward those with the patience to give it a little more time.” 
2013 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red

2013 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

KEEVER 

2013 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED

2013 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red
Occasionally, we offer a wine so great that it becomes an object of legend, and this one is at the top of that list.  You who were able to get some, loved it so much that many of you immediately ordered more once you tasted it.  We then try to secure enough to remind you how spectacular it is  and offer it one last time…  As I’ve tasted this wine over and over again since it’s release, I’ve fallen even more in love with it and based on the comments and re-orders that we’ve received so have you.  With a resonant finish and expansive flavors so deep and compelling, they leave you thinking about the wine for days after tasting it, so this is a wine that you simply shouldn’t miss…  It’s authored by Celia Welch, (Scarecrow, D.R. Stephens, Barbour, Dalla Valle…) 
Checking in at 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, inspired by additions of Merlot and Malbec, the 2013 Inspirado saturates your taste buds in otherworldly levels of opulence. And while there are a lot of great Napa Valley Cabernet based wines available at under $100/btl, few approach this level of quality.  This is simply the best red blend we’ve had at this price point in quite some time. 
 
KEEVER 
2013 INSPIRADO 
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $74.99/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “Aromas of dark purple berries, mulling spices, toasted hazelnuts and wild anise waft from the glass when one swirls this ripe, complex Bordeaux-style blend.  On the palate, the wine shows a texture of dark chocolate; thick and rich with just enough textural grip to add a sense of youth to the finish.  Multi-layered sensations of toast, vanilla, ripe fruit and mineral notes weave themselves through the palate impression, with a lingering sense of ripe, intense cassis.“
Cabernet Sauvignon 87% | Merlot 11% | Malbec 2%
 
Customers who enjoy Keever’s Inspirado may also enjoy these two outstanding wines…
 
2014 Steps Winemakers Reserve Proprietary Red 2014 Amapola Creek Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
STEPS 
WINEMAKER’S RESERVE 
2014 PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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The 6 barrel production Winemaker’s  Reserve is heavily based in Atlas Peak, and made transparent by its striking crushed rock minerality and dusty tannins that make the area so desired.  The final blend has a solid core of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak, magnified by 14% Cabernet Franc from Kenefick Palisades Vineyard, 9% Malbec from Oakville and 5% Petit Verdot from Coombsville.
AMAPOLA CREEK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 ESTATE, SONOMA VALLEY
Retails at:  $90.00/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, “…offering glimpses at blackberry and black plum notes over pencil shavings, garrigue, lavender and Mediterranean herbs. Full-bodied and packed with black fruits and earthy flavors, it is built like a brick house with a solid frame of firm, ripe tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long.” 93-95 Points
2014 Hollywood & Vine 2480 Napa Valley Chardonnay

2014 Hollywood & Vine 2480 Napa Valley Chardonnay

with No Comment $30-$40Atlas PeakChardonnayKevin VogtNapaUSA

HOLLYWOOD & VINE

“2480” CHARDONNAY
2014 NAPA VALLEY

2014 Hollywood & Vine 2480 Napa Valley Chardonnay
If you asked an expert how to make it in Hollywood, they would likely tell you that you have to stand out above the crowd and have some compelling qualities about you that are unique to you.  The same holds true for wine, and Hollywood & Vine’s 2480 Chardonnay is unique.  For starters it’s sourced from a high-elevation vineyard in Napa Valley’s coveted Atlas Peak AVA.  Even more unique is the wine is crafted entirely from the Harold Weimer Chardonnay clone, which is known for producing exotic and wildly individualistic flavors.  This Chardonnay delights your taste buds with detailed reflections of underripe pineapple, jasmine, orange zest and delicate tropical notes.  
And like a great actor, a great wine also need a talented coach to highlight the best qualities and pull all of the right pieces together… This Chardonnay was authored by Celia Welch, (Scarecrow, D.R. Stephens, Barbour, Dalla Valle…)  And just in case you may not be familiar with Celia’s artistry, just know that she made 5 cases of 2012 Scarecrow that sold for a record $260,000 at the Premiere Napa Valley Wine Auction… If you’re looking for a Chardonnay that stands out above the rest, this one’s for you… 
 
HOLLYWOOD & VINE
“2480” CHARDONNAY
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Your Price: $39.99/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “The cool-climate origins of this crisp, fruit-driven Chardonnay are evidenced in the aromas that add notes of wet granite and a touch of sweet lemongrass to the jasmine, green apple and bright orange zest notes. This ripe, aromatic Chardonnay was fermented in a combination of new and once-used French oak barrels plus a few barrels of steel, and kept sur-lie with biweekly battonage, so the floral notes are supported by a few deep base notes of toasty vanilla and fresh lees. On the palate, the wine shows integrated, complex flavors of green apple, apricot, a touch of mineral character and a bright, crisp finish which highlights the citrus notes.”
 
Customers who enjoy Hollywood & Vine’s 2480 Chardonnay may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
2014 SilverPoint Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
 2014 Red Mare Dutton Ranch Vineyard Russian River Valley Chardonnay
SILVERPOINT
2015 CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
If the best wines were like a puzzle, this wine would have every piece laid out perfectly.  With everything from an accomplished winemaker, iconic vineyard, blockbuster vintage and a terrific price, this wine truly has it all.  It was authored by Don Van Staaveren who’s responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines from ’85-’97, and even made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was recognized as the #1 wine on the 1999 Wine Spectator Top 100 list.  It was the first Sonoma wine to receive the honor of being the #1 Wine in the World…
RED MARE
2014 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
A luminous interpretation of Dutton Ranch fruit, the 2014 washes over your palate with classic Granny Smith apple, spiced pear, juicy yellow melon and subtle lemon bar.  Big and full across the palate and crafted in a plump, round style, if you’re searching for a top-level California Chardonnay without the high price tag that usually comes with one, I would saddle up and secure a case of Red Mare before this one rides off into the sunset
2015 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red

2015 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

KEEVER

2015 Keever Inspirado Proprietary Red2013 INSPIRADO
PROPRIETARY RED

When I first tasted Keever’s 2013 Inspirado (Inspired) for the first time, to say that I was inspired by the quality would be an incredible understatement.  A better name would have been Infatuated, because that’s exactly how I felt after trying this wine.  With a resonant finish that lasts longer than nearly any wine that I’ve ever tasted at this price point, and expansive flavors so deep and compelling, that they leave you thinking about the wine for days after tasting it, this is a wine that you simply shouldn’t miss…  It’s authored by Celia Welch, (Scarecrow, D.R. Stephens, Barbour, Dalla Valle…)  And just in case you may not be familiar with Celia’s artistry, a testament to Celia’s winemaking ability is the fact that she made 5 cases of 2012 Scarecrow that sold for a record $260,000 at the Premiere Napa Valley Wine Auction… 
 
Checking in at 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, inspired by additions of Merlot and Malbec, the 2013 Inspirado saturates your taste buds in otherworldly levels of opulence. And while there are a lot of great Napa Valley Cabernet based wines available at under $100/btl, few approach this level of quality.  I have a strong suspicion that the critic’s will feel the same, and I simply wouldn’t wait for the scores to come out…  It will be too late… 
 
KEEVER
2013 INSPIRADO
PROPRIETARY RED
Your Price: $74.99/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “Aromas of dark purple berries, mulling spices, toasted hazelnuts and wild anise waft from the glass when one swirls this ripe, complex Bordeaux-style blend.  On the palate, the wine shows a texture of dark chocolate; thick and rich with just enough textural grip to add a sense of youth to the finish.  Multi-layered sensations of toast, vanilla, ripe fruit and mineral notes weave themselves through the palate impression, with a lingering sense of ripe, intense cassis.”
Cabernet Sauvignon 87% | Merlot 11% | Malbec 2%
 
Customers who enjoy Keever’s Inspirado may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds…
2013 Jones Family The Sisters Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Dancing Hares Napa Valley Mad Hatter Proprietary Red
JONES FAMILY 
2013 THE SISTERS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $85.00/btl
 
 
With nearly two dozen perfect 100 Point wines, Thomas Brown is a dominating force in Cabernet Sauvignon and he’s truly at the top of his game Packed with supple, concentrated red cherry, deep black raspberry, pomegranate, graphite and a touch of sweet vanilla oak, this absolutely ready to drink Cabernet will thrill you from first sip to last. The vineyard is managed by Jim Barbour, one of the absolute top viticulturists, who’s list of clients include icons like  Hundred Acre, Grace Family and Barbour to list a few…  
DANCING HARES
2015 MAD HATTER
PROPRIETARY RED
Your Price: $59.99/btl