2015 Paradigm Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Paradigm Oakville Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $70-$80 Cabernet Sauvignon Kevin Vogt Napa Oakville USA

PARADIGM

2015 OAKVILLE ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

If I were to choose one wine that perfectly expresses Oakville’s notorious complexity, Paradigm would be my first choice. This absolutely stunning wine made by Heidi Barrett comes from the Western side of Oakville, just South of Beckstoffer’s Iconic To-Kalon Vineyard in an area widely considered the epicenter of Grand Cru quality Cabernet Sauvignon. Paradigm’s neighbors include icons, Dominus, Harlan Estate, Opus One, and Martha’s Vineyard… The average price of wine from those vineyards is likely well over $200 per bottle and at $79.99/btl Paradigm tips the scales with groundbreaking levels of quality.

A perpetual favorite, the 2015 is made in a style that’s both compact and lush and opens up to cocoa dusted blackberries, dark chocolate, plum and cigar box. Supple tannins wrap effortlessly around your palate in all directions, as a parade of vivid black fruits, black currants, minerals and vanilla bean seduce your senses. Spending around 18 months in French oak barrels, Paradigm remains one of the best values in the coveted Oakville Appellation. Here’s a fantastic opportunity to taste a Heidi Barrett made Cabernet, sourced from one of Napa Valley’s crown jewel growing regions, and at a fraction of the price of many of its neighbors…

PARADIGM

2015 OAKVILLE ESTATE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Retails at: $84.00/btl

Your Price: $79.99/btl

Winery Notes: “The 2015 vintage produced delicious concentrated wines in smaller quantity than normal. This black raspberry colored Cabernet has lovely open aromatics of black cherry, berry, and plum layered with a perfect balance of new and used French Oak. Our blend uses several blocks of Cabernet, Merlot, and Cab Franc from our Estate vineyard in Oakville. The effect is one of layered complete flavors and a delicious expression of how beautiful Oakville wine can be. Flavors match the aromas. Tannins are moderate yet add a nice chewy texture and the length goes on several seconds. This is a beautiful wine that will age surely for decades but is delish now.“

Customers who enjoy Paradigm Oakville Cabernet may also enjoy these two Heidi Barrett made wines...

2014 La Sirena Pirate Treasured Proprietary Red

2016 Vin Perdu Napa Valley Proprietary Red

LA SIRENA

PIRATE TREASURED

2014 PROPRIETARY RED

Your Price: $64.99/btl

Winery Notes: “The fabulous 2014 vintage delivers a deep black-ruby colored wine with open aromatics of sweet ripe fruit layered with toasty French oak and hints of caramel. Layers of flavor coat the palate with broad appeal, wonderful cherry texture and seamless tannins. Fruit is dense berry with a slightly more pronounced oak note than last year, giving a beautiful vanilla impression. These flavors persist a long time in a lengthy and powerful finish. A great example of the magic of blending!”

VIN PERDU

PROPRIETARY RED

2016 NAPA VALLEY

Retails at: $95/btl

Your Price: $75/btl

From Vinous: “… absolutely gorgeous. In 2016, Vin Perdu is once again based on a core of Cabernet Sauvignon. Rich, ample and beautifully layered in the glass, the 2016 has a lot to recommend it. Mocha, plum, bittersweet chocolate, leather and spice meld together in a super-expressive, resonant wine from John Schwartz and Heidi Barrett. The Vin Perdu is technically the second wine of Amuse Bouche, but in many vintages I prefer it. At $75 a bottle, it is one of the great values in Napa Valley wine.” 94 Points

2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

2013 Peterson Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel

with No Comment $30 and under Dry Creek Valley Sonoma Uncategorized USA Whites Zinfandel

PETERSON

2013 ESTATE ZINFANDEL
BRADFORD MOUNTAIN

Many of the best wines go well beyond flavors and aromas, and some can even evoke feelings of nostalgia, like when I tasted Fred Peterson’s wines. They are a perfect example of a classic style that many would call traditional and non-interventional. Fred calls it their zero manipulation style of winemaking, which just as it sounds, is the philosophy of doing as little as possible to the wine in the cellar, resulting in the in the best expression of the vineyard. It’s rare to come across a New World winery with a steadfast approach to this winemaking approach, and to celebrate it, we thought we would offer the wine at a “historic” price to boot…

Zero manipulation winemaking always begins in the vineyard, and that’s why we picked the 2013 Bradford Mountain Estate Zinfandel. Perched at 1,000 feet in elevation, overlooking Dry Creek Valley, the well-drained, red-clay soils produce exceptional fruit. The 2013 has a sturdy frame and concentrated center core of fruit that opens up to classic mulberry, white pepper and hints of saddle leather and wild rose. At this price, you simply can’t afford to miss this…

PETERSON

2013 ESTATE ZINFANDEL

BRADFORD MOUNTAIN

Retails at: $38/btl

Your Price: Insider Club Members Only
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Winery Notes: “A rich blend of ripe dark berries with traces of toasty oak provides an inviting entry. The luscious mouthfeel releases layers of concentrated fruit-plum, deep blackberry and dark cherry-punctuated by hints of spice and pepper. The Bradford Mountain terroir influences are evident in the threads of minerality that weave through this opulent wine, adding to its depth and complexity.”

Customers who enjoy Peterson Estate Zinfandel may also enjoy these two outstanding Zins…

2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

2014 Valdez Sonoma County Zinfadel

MAURITSON

2016 ZINFANDEL

DRY CREEK VALLEY

Retails at: $39.00/btl

Your Price: $29.99/btl

Winery Notes: “Perfumed aromas of black boysenberry cobbler with graham cracker crust waft from the glass. Hints of anise, fresh fig, and earthiness beautifully complement the fruit profile. The entry is full but inviting, exhibiting flavors of mocha, wet gravel, and black cherry. The mouthfeel is seamless from start to finish, indicative of perfectly integrated tannin and acid. Please enjoy this wine for the next 7-10 years.”

VALDEZ

2014 ZINFANDEL

SONOMA COUNTY

Retails at: $30/btl

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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.“

2015 Staglin Salus Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Staglin Salus Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $90-$100 Cabernet Sauvignon Kevin Vogt Napa Rutherford Uncategorized USA

STAGLIN

2015 SALUS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE

Raising a staggering number approaching a Billion Dollars in charitable support, Staglin is known for much more than just terrific wines… At Auction Napa Valley last year, their joint lot with Antinori brought in $1.5 million. They’ve spared absolutely no expense in their relentless pursuit of perfection, and their Rutherford Cabernets are some of the most distinct and powerfully compelling wines produced in Napa Valley. Winemaker Fredrik Johansson works closely with one of the world’s most influential winemakers Michel Rolland, as well as renowned viticulturist David Abreu, who’s planted vineyards for Harlan Estate, Colgin and Screaming Eagle to list a few… Johansson gained invaluable experience working alongside Thomas River Brown at Outpost, as well as helping with Schrader and Maybach…

Composed from Staglin’s Estate vineyard located on the Southwestern rim of Napa Valley’s renowned Rutherford AVA, this vineyard’s ideal soils and microclimate produce pristine, complex fruit. In fact, the top wines produced at the Estate go for around $285 to $335/btl… Salus represents a stupendous value for Staglin, and if you’re searching for a world-class Cabernet Sauvignon at an obtainable price… This is it.

STAGLIN

2015 SALUS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

RUTHERFORD, ESTATE

Retails at: $115.00/btl

Your Price: $99.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “The nose of focused and driven dark red and black fruits is made complex and intriguing by an overlay of earth and herbs – think tilled soil and wet, leafless wintertime trees with a sprinkle of freshly torn tobacco, pinched camphor leaves and Tellicherry peppercorns. The crystalline and concentrated palate of ripe cherries and bursting black raspberries cascades along a chiseled path of fine granulated tannins given texture and touch by notes of espresso, cocoa nibs and hazelnut butter. A bit tightly wound at present, this fine-grained gem will appreciate a brief stint in your cellar, or your decanter.”

Customers who enjoy Staglin Salus Cabernet may also enjoy these two terrific Rutherford wines…

2015 Beaulieu Vineyards Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Quintessa Proprietary Red

BEAULIEU VINEYARDS

GEORGES DE LATOUR

2015 PRIVATE RESERVE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Your Price: $119.99/btl

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “...very deep purple-black in color and reveals bags of crushed blackberries, black cherries and warm cassis notes with mocha, Sichuan pepper and hoisin plus unsmoked cigars and cedar chest hints. Full-bodied and absolutely laden with layers of black fruits and spices, it has a firm, grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing very long…” 96+ Points

QUINTESSA

2015 PROPRIETARY RED

RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY

Your Price: $174.99/btl

From James Suckling: “Aromas of blue fruits, blackberries, tile and lead pencil. Full body, firm tannins and a fresh, bright finish. Layered and intense with white-pepper and salt undertones. Love the finish to this racy young wine. Beautiful blue fruits! Drink in 2020 and onwards. From biodynamic grapes.” 97 Points

2014 Enos Estate Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvingon

2014 Enos Estate Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

February 23, 2019

with No Comment $30 and under Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley Kevin Vogt Sonoma Uncategorized USA

ENOS

2014 ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DRY CREEK VALLEY

We know that we’ve done our job when we introduce a wine that performs so far beyond its modest price level, that it immediately generates an avalanche of re-order requests that begin nearly simultaneous with the delivery notices. That’s exactly what happened when we offered Enos’s Knight’s Valley Cabernet in January, and the demand was so vast that there wasn’t nearly enough wine to satisfy it. Fortunately the winery’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is even better, and comes from a 5 acre hillside vineyard in Sonoma County that’s perfectly suited for Bordeaux varietals. At $60 this is a memorable Cabernet that delights even the most particular wine aficionado… It’s unfathomably great and competes with many of the best wines in the shop for greatest ever value wine.

Commanding a presence from one of the valley’s best vintages, one that the Wine Spectator describes as producing “dense, charming, cellar-worthy wines,” the 2014 vintage brought a fuller, richer and more structured wine. When you taste it for the first time you’ll be shocked by the level of quality, which is amplified in all the right places… A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that’s densely compact and opens up to a melody of pulverized berries laced with crushed granite, dried spices and mixed chocolates. I recommend doubling up on the 2014 Estate… You’ll be glad you did…

ENOS

2014 ESTATE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

DRY CREEK VALLEY

Retails at: $60/btl

Your Price: Insider’s Club Member’s Only

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Tasting Notes: “This intriguing Cabernet begins with a compelling nose of black cherries, red currants and cocoa powder, followed by pipe tobacco, toasted hazelnuts and sweet vanilla spice. On the palate, focused blackberry and chocolate covered cherries intertwine beautifully with a complex, earthy wet clay character along with slightly dusty tannins. The finish is detailed, long and fresh, without be heavy or cloying. A delight to enjoy now and will age beautifully for a decade or so. Serious wine at a not-so-serious price…” 93+ Points

2015 Philip Togni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Philip Togni Spring Mountain, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

January 4, 2019

with No Comment $100 and over Cabernet Sauvignon Kevin Vogt Napa Uncategorized USA

PHILIP TOGNI

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SPRING MOUNTAIN, ESTATE

The true mark of quality in a wine is not how great it is immediately, but how long it’s great over time. One of the best examples in the New World is Philip Togni’s legendary Spring Mountain Estate Cabernet. The wine has a proven track record to last 30 years and is utterly breathtaking upon release… Chock full of hedonistic aromas spanning from pulverized mountain berries and roasted coffee beans to graphite and cigar box, and it will simply light up your senses. At a recent tasting event in Brussels, Togni’s 1990 Cabernet outperformed iconic Bordeaux producers, Château Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion and Mouton to list a few… The 2015 vintage has already earned two separate 96 Point scores from both Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, as well as The Wine Spectator, so don’t wait too long to secure yours.

A pinnacle on Spring Mountain, Philip Togni’s Estate vineyard is perched at 2,000 feet in elevation and produces fruit of stunning qualities. Immensely complex, layers of blackberries, pressed mulberries, sage, and cassis are intertwined with veins of iron and volcanic minerals. Solidly braced with flavors that glide to a seemingly endless finish, the 2015 is an absolute classic and shouldn’t be missed.

PHILIP TOGNI

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

SPRING MOUNTAIN, ESTATE

Your Price: $135/btl

“A focused, tannic style, featuring tobacco and sage notes intermixed liberally with steeped currant and blackberry fruit flavors. Terrific cast iron and graphite hints flow underneath. This has loads of character and range, showing very vigorous, savory-edged cut. Youthfully rugged, with brambleedged grip to burn. Cellaring will let all the elements meld. Best from 2021 through 2040.” 96 Points

“Medium garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has a very classic nose of cassis, warm plums and crushed blackberries with notions of cigar box, garrigue, damp soil and truffles plus wafts of menthol and underbrush. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a firm frame of grainy tannins and wonderful freshness, finishing long and minerally.” 96 Points

Customers that enjoy Philip Togni Estate Cabernet Sauvignon may also enjoy these two terrific Cabs…

2015 Larkmead Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 BV Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

LARKMEAD

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2015 NAPA VALLEY

Your Price: $119.99/btl

From Wine Enthusiast: “With a tiny 3% addition of Cabernet Franc, this wine is defined by aromas of violet and crushed rock. Oak, clove and graphite dot a landscape of bold structure on the palate, with bright acidity balancing the concentration and grip. Enjoy 2025 – 2030.” 97 Points, Cellar Selection

BEAULIEU VINEYARDS

GEORGES DE LATOUR

2015 PRIVATE RESERVE

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Your Price: $119.99/btl

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “…very deep purple-black in color and reveals bags of crushed blackberries, black cherries and warm cassis notes with mocha, Sichuan pepper and hoisin plus unsmoked cigars and cedar chest hints. Full-bodied and absolutely laden with layers of black fruits and spices, it has a firm, grainy frame and seamless freshness, finishing very long…” 96+ Points

2014 Leto Exceptional Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

October 13, 2018

with No Comment $90-$100 Cabernet Sauvignon Kevin Vogt Napa St Helena USA

LETO

EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2014 Leto Exceptional Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Have you ever tasted a “reserve level” wine from a given winery and thought that it was very similar to the winery’s standard offering? Me too, but this wine is the polar opposite of that scenario… Leto only produces their Exceptional Selection when the wine is “unusually excellent” and dramatically differs from their other bottling of Cabernet. This wine is deeper, richer and more powerful and fulfills every desire that one would have in an upper echelon Cabernet Sauvignon. The Exceptional Selection comes from a micro-block of 1/2 century old vines in the heart of St Helena. The vineyard has been farmed by the same family for over 100 years… At $150/btl this wine oozes majestic flavors and superior quality… It’s quite simply one of the best Napa Cabernets that I’ve come across at our price.

Brad Warner, owner and winemaker has been making wine for over a 1/2 century, and it shows in this classically styled, deep and hauntingly penetrating wine. A mere 3 barrels of Exceptional Selection were produced and after developing for 24 months in oak, the wine is marked by hauntingly intense aromas, intertwined with pressed blackberries, black expresso beans, vivid floral and Baker’s chocolate. With 70 cases produced in total, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure a case.

LETO

EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION

2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Retails at: $150/btl

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Tasting Notes: “It always amazes me when a wine can be both deep and brooding, yet light on its feet, without being heavy or overly sweet on the palate. The depth on the nose starts immediately with fresh crushed blackberries, exotic black currants, toasty oak, pipe tobacco, a hint of fresh green herbs and spring flowers. The deep palate begins with sweet black raspberries and ripe black plum, followed by secondary characteristics that include cocoa dusted chocolate, combined with sweet fruit tannins that perfectly balance the fruit. Absolutely stunning to drink now, but this will gorgeous for a decade or more to come.” 97 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier

2017 Farella La Luce Estate Coombsville Sauvignon Blanc

2017 Farella La Luce, Estate, Coombsville Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and under Coombsville Kevin Vogt Napa Sauvignon Blanc USA

FARELLA

SAUVIGNON BLANC
2017 LA LUCE, ESTATE
COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

2017 Farella La Luce Estate Coombsville Sauvignon Blanc

In a world where clarity is hard to find, I will say with absolute clarity that you’d be hard pressed to find a better Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc at anywhere near this price. Tom Farella’s 2017 Estate Sauvignon Blanc has mesmerizing nuances of Loire Valley-like honeydew melon, ripe tangerine and light tropical notes that flow from the glass. One of the most balanced domestic Sauvignon Blancs that I’ve ever tasted, the 2017 reveals wonderful energy, freshness and profound purity. The 2016 was our most loved Sauvignon Blancs on our tasting menu in Yountville, and the 2017 is even better…

Keeping only 15-20% of their single-block Sauvignon Blanc grapes, the balance goes to high powered producers like Lail and Realm for their award winning Sauvignon Blancs. The 2017 is dreamlike, with remarkable balance, focused fruit and a long, palate refreshing finish. The wine was fermented in stainless steel to preserve freshness, the wine’s uplifted aromatics and fabulous notes of citrus oil, crushed rock, white flowers, honeyed melon and tangerine are generous and frankly hard to resist. If you’re in pursuit of a Sauvignon Blanc that will be a palpable stand-out at Summer and Fall festivities, you’ll want to pick this beauty up by the case.

FARELLA

SAUVIGNON BLANC

2017 LA LUCE, ESTATE

COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY

Your Price: $25.99/btl

Tasting Notes: “Aromas of light tropical fruits, white flowers and bright citrus, lead to vivid flavors of honeydew melon, Island mango, blood orange and minerals culminating in crisp lively finish.”

Customers who enjoy Farella Estate Sauvignon Blanc, may also enjoy these two Sauvignon Blancs…

2016 Picayun Napa County Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

2017 Grey Stack Rosemary's Block Sauvignon Blanc

PICAYUNE

2016 SAUVIGNON BLANC

NAPA COUNTY &

SONOMA COUNTY

Your Price: $20.99/btl

Taking things to the next level with their 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Picayune’s 2016 comes alive in the glass with remarkable clarity, focus and penetrating fruit. Picayune is a stand-out in affordable, premium quality Sauvignon Blanc, and originates from declassified barrels from top Sauvignon Blanc producers around Napa and Sonoma Counties, and retails for just a fraction of the price.

GREY STACK

2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC

DRY STACK VINEYARD

ROSEMARY’S BLOCK

Your Price: $31.99/btl

From The Wine Enthusiast: “This block is home to a mysterious clone of Sauvignon Blanc that appears to be the only one of its kind in the region and thought to hail originally from Northern Italy. The resulting wine is citrus-driven on the nose and on the palate-a pure expression that shows complexity and rich layers of flavor, with an intensity of lemongrass.” 94 Points

2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage

2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage

with No Comment $30-$40 Kevin Vogt Napa Proprietary Red Rutherford USA

FOLEY JOHNSON

2014 MERITAGE
RUTHERFORD, ESTATE

2014 Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate Meritage

Victory is a thousand times sweeter when you’re the underdog… Just ask Bill Foley who’s Las Vegas Golden Knights just shocked the world by making it to the Stanley Cup finals in their inaugural season. And scoring yet another goal, Bill’s 2014 Rutherford Estate Meritage pulls a hat trick with its mouth puckeringly good, deep, velvety flavors and scores a power play goal with thundering authority. With an entry price significantly lower than others in its division you could say that this Meritage is an underdog story of it’s own. In this case the victory will be yours, when you score this wine for less than forty bucks.

Carved from Rutherford, an area long celebrated for its exceptional terroir and dusty tannins, as conveyed by Andre Tchelistcheff, legendary winemaker at Beaulieu Vineyards, “Cabernets need a touch of that Rutherford dust,” and this one grabbed my full attention. These players are made up of all five Bordeaux varietals and bursts onto the scene with pulverized dark berries, dried violets dusted with cocoa, pipe tobacco and subtle cedar. At $45/btl this wine cross-checks every box… At $39.99/btl, you’ll want to clear some serious room in the wine cellar…

FOLEY JOHNSON

2014 MERITAGE

RUTHERFORD, ESTATE

Retails at: $45.00/btl

Your Price: $39.99/btl

YOU SAVE 11%

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Their 2014 Proprietary Red Meritage is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot, and the rest Malbec and Cabernet Franc. It is another striking value among the stratospherically priced wines of Napa. More floral than its counterpart, with more uplifted aromatics, but similar weight and richness, this full-bodied, pure, ripe, delicious and complex wine has attractive aromatics, medium to full body and velvety tannins. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.” 92 Points

Customers that enjoy Foley Johnson’s Meritage may also enjoy these two terrific Reds…

CHAPPELLET

2016 MOUNTAIN CUVEE

PROPRIETARY RED

Retails at: $35.00/btl

Your Price: $31.99/btl

An absolute crowd-pleaser, and those of you who’ve enjoyed this blend each vintage might notice the 2016 exploits a greater percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than their previous 6 vintages. With Cabernet as the dominant grape, the 2016 is nicely concentrated, and on the palate, the wine’s hallmark velvety embrace comes dressed with provocative black cherries, blueberries, dried violets and cocoa.

LAIRD

JILLIAN’S BLEND

2014 NAPA VALLEY

Retails at: $48.00/btl

Your Price:

When Napa Valley’s preeminent farming family uses just 3% of their grapes to produce their own wine, they’re able to hand select the absolute best grapes, producing wines of unrivaled quality. We’ve always loved Laird’s Jillian’s Blend, but our affection was further solidified when we tasted the new vintage side-by-side another Napa Cab Blend that we love, which retails at $70/btl. We unanimously agreed that the Laird eclipsed it by a healthy margin.