2017 Calistoga Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Soteros Vineyard Napa Valley

2017 Calistoga Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Sotero’s Vineyard Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

Calistoga Ranch

Cabernet Sauvignon
Sotero’s Vineyard
Napa Valley 2017

2017 Calistoga Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon Soteros Vineyard Napa Valley

High above Calistoga’s quiet hillsides once stood a hidden vineyard known only to a privileged few. Sotero’s Vineyard was the crown jewel of Calistoga Ranch, its fruit reserved exclusively for members who understood that rarity often exists in silence. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon captures that lost world with haunting clarity, bringing a wine of profound purity and poise, now serving as the final voice of a place the wildfires took, but time could not erase.

Kirk Venge, one of Napa Valley’s most respected craftsmen, shaped this wine with his signature mix of intuition and precision. A third-generation vintner raised among vines and schooled in both science and soil, Venge brings a deep understanding of how to translate vineyard character into emotion. His work here reveals the full range of his skill, harnessing the natural intensity of mountain fruit and refining it with gentle patience.

Crafted exclusively from Cabernet Sauvignon and matured for two full years in French oak, the 2017 vintage achieves an elegant equilibrium of power and finesse. Cellared to perfection, it offers a soulful glimpse into a vineyard that no longer exists, yet speaks through every glass.

Calistoga Ranch
Cabernet Sauvignon
Sotero’s Vineyard
Napa Valley 2017
Retails at: $185

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“The Calistoga Ranch 2017 Napa Valley Sotero’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromatic depth and complexity, showing aromas of violets, blackberries, cherries, red currants, earth, nutmeg, and a hint of menthol. On the palate, the wine is beginning to show signs of graceful evolution with flavors of dark chocolate, graham cracker crust, mixed berry pie, and balsamic reduction. This wine balances richness with refinement, showcasing the classic generosity and structure of Calistoga Cabernet with fine, integrated tannins and a dusty, mineral finish.”

95 Points

2022 Venge Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard Atlas Peak

2022 Venge Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard Atlas Peak

with No Comment $40-$50Atlas PeakCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

Venge

Cabernet Sauvignon
Stagecoach Vineyard
Atlas Peak 2022

2022 Venge Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard Atlas Peak

From one of Napa’s most iconic mountain vineyards, the 2022 Venge Stagecoach Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterclass in tension and terroir. Sourced from the steep, volcanic F3 block and shaped by Kirk Venge’s precise winemaking, this wine delivers depth, minerality, and unapologetic power without sacrificing elegance.

The vineyard’s high-altitude terrain, with its red volcanic soils and dramatic temperature shifts, coaxes a remarkable balance between power and finesse. The 2022 vintage is composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Malbec, a marriage that adds dimension, aromatic lift, and a seamless mouthfeel that never overreaches.

The 2022 vintage is beautifully sculpted, dynamic, and unmistakably Stagecoach. From its inky concentration to its mineral backbone, this wine is a paragon of mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. For collectors and connoisseurs drawn to site-driven expression and cellar-worthy depth, this is a wine that delivers not just bold flavor but a vivid sense of place.

Venge
Cabernet Sauvignon
Stagecoach Vineyard
Atlas Peak 2022
Retails at: $110

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“Sourced from three blocks of Stagecoach Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Clone 685, Clone 4, and Clone 337, aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Brimming with ripe cherry fruit, sweet spice, sandalwood nuances, and sagebrush character, this wine offers a medium- to full-bodied palate filled with a spectrum of crunchy red and blue fruit. While mountain tannins from this site are typically powerful and robust, they are beautifully balanced in 2022, making this incredibly approachable and ready to drink now and often. Nils Venge founded the brand in 1992 with the first vintage of Venge Vineyards. His son, Kirk Venge, began making the wines in 2003 and took over the brand in 2008.”

95 Points

2022 Venge Scouts Honor Proprietary Red Napa & Sonoma

2022 Venge Scouts Honor Proprietary Red Napa & Sonoma

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedSonomaUSA

Venge

Scout’s Honor
Proprietary Red
Napa/Sonoma 2022

2022 Venge Scouts Honor Proprietary Red Napa & Sonoma

Venge’s Scout’s Honor has captivated wine enthusiasts for years with its bold character and irresistible charm. This Zinfandel-driven blend embodies the essence of California, marrying rich depth with vibrant, intense fruit. Seamlessly balancing opulence, structure, and approachability, it has garnered a loyal following.

Each vintage of Scout’s Honor is a tribute to the Venge family’s beloved family dog while showcasing the artistry of acclaimed winemaker Kirk Venge. Known for his work with esteemed wineries like Eleven Eleven, Macauley, and B. Cellars, Venge crafts the 2022 vintage with approximately 70% Old Vine Zinfandel, complemented by Charbono, 

Petite Sirah and Syrah. This blend offers remarkable depth and complexity, with each varietal contributing its unique voice to a harmonious symphony of flavor and structure.

Unapologetically bold yet effortlessly drinkable, the 2022 Scout’s Honor is ready to enjoy now or age gracefully. It invites you on a sensory journey through high-quality North Coast vineyards, capturing the region’s heritage and Venge’s signature winemaking finesse.

Venge
Scout’s Honor
Proprietary Red
Napa/Sonoma 2022

Your Price: $39.99

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“The Venge Vineyards 2022 Scout’s Honor Red opens with supple aromas of blackberries, raspberries, toast, cloves, hot chocolate, and balsamic reduction. On the palate, the wine has concentrated flavors of ripe fruits, fudge brownies, candied walnuts, and Christmas spices. This wine has a nice, smooth mouthfeel and seamlessly combines the best traits of rich California Zinfandel.”

92 Points

2021 Bacio Divino Pazzo Red Blend Sonoma County

2021 Bacio Divino Pazzo Red Blend Sonoma County

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

BACIO DIVINO

PAZZO RED BLEND
SONOMA COUNTY 2021

2021 Bacio Divino Pazzo Red Blend Sonoma County
Sourcing fruit from some of Napa and Sonoma’s best vineyards, Bacio Divino produces superior quality wines under the guidance of Kirk Venge, one of California’s most in-demand winemakers, whom you might recognize from Eleven Eleven, Macauley, and Venge wines. A combination of exceptional terroir, expert winemaking, and excellent fruit quality is their recipe for success, and the wines are phenomenal.
 
Pazzo was created in 1999 as a sister label to Bacio Divino and translates to “crazy” in Italian and perfectly depicts the wine’s crazy-good value. The 2021 vintage comprises 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Petite Sirah, 19% Merlot, 11% Sagrantino, and 4% Malbec aged 14 months in once-used French oak barrels that provide a hint of spice but maintain the fruit’s integrity and complex flavor profile. It’s a big, juicy, crowd-pleasing wine at a modest price point.
 
BACIO DIVINO
PAZZO RED BLEND
SONOMA COUNTY 2021
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
“The Bacio Divino 2021 Sonoma County Red has intense, rich aromas of ripe plum, bramble, licorice, and Fig Newton cookies. On the palate, the wine has a smooth mouth-coating texture that lingers throughout the finish with flavors of raspberry jelly, black cherry, Marionberry pie, and fresh mint. The flavor concentration and tannic structure will give this wine longevity but don’t hesitate to drink it now.”
93 Points
2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

JANZEN

BECKSTOFFER TO-KALON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019

2019 Janzen Beckstoffer To-Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon
The renowned Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard, initially planted by Hamilton Crabb in 1868, is widely regarded as a Napa Valley First Growth. With a rich heritage of producing exceptional wines that consistently receive high scores, its fruit draws some of Napa Valley’s most distinguished winemakers. Kirk Venge, one of Napa’s most in-demand winemakers, whom you might recognize from Eleven Eleven, Macauley, B Cellars, and Venge wines, crafted this remarkable expression. 
 
The detail-oriented viticultural team keeps the vineyard in optimum health, ensuring the vines grow deep into the well-drained soils in search of nutrients that aid in the fruit’s distinguished flavors and robust structure. Janzen’s 2019 Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon unabashedly displays the signature characteristics that have made the legendary piece of land incredibly valuable.
 
JANZEN
BECKSTOFFER TO-KALON
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019
 
 
 
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard comes from one of the greatest sites in the valley and is all varietal. Its ruby/purple color is followed by a perfumed, expressive bouquet of red and black currants, flowery incense, leather, chocolate, and baking spices. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate and nicely balanced, with velvety tannins, a round, supple mouthfeel, and a great finish. It’s drinking nicely already, but I see no need to delay gratification either. Nevertheless, it should have 15 years of prime drinking.”
95 Points
2019 Eleven Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon X I Estate Napa Valley

2019 Eleven Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon X I Estate Napa Valley

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

ELEVEN ELEVEN

X∙I ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Eleven Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon X I Estate Napa Valley
Inspired by the Greek word “Parea,” which refers to the power of friends coming together to share their values, philosophies, ideas, and life experiences, Eleven Eleven is a boutique winery producing impressive wines from their state-of-the-art facility near downtown Napa. Director of Operations Brett Weis and Consulting Winemaker Kirk Venge craft powerfully expressive wines that remain elegant and balanced.
 
Fruit for the X∙I Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in Oak Knoll AVA, an excellent location for Bordeaux varieties due to the combination of the clay loam soils and cooling influences from San Pablo Bay that are ideal for ripening and maintaining freshness in the grapes. The 2019 vintage is the second debut of the X∙I, a predominately Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend accompanied with small amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec to provide elegance, balance, and nuanced character.
 
ELEVEN ELEVEN
X∙I ESTATE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $85
 
Your Price: $79.99
 
 
“Soft and dusty in lush red fruit, with a compelling backbone of acidity, this estate wine is enjoyable in its youth, with approachable tannins and well-integrated oak. Cassis and cherry notes are seasoned in hints of vanilla and baking spice.”
93 Points
2020 Macauley Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard Russian River Valley

2020 Macauley Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard Russian River Valley

with No Comment $40-$50ChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

MACAULEY

CHARDONNAY 2020
BACIGALUPI VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2020 Macauley Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard Russian River Valley
Macauley Vineyard was founded in 1980 by Ann Macauley Watson and today is owned and operated by her son Mac. Mac began his love affair in the wine industry after crushing his first vintage in 2001 while working for Rudd Estate. He works closely with his childhood friend Kirk Venge, son of the renowned winemaker Nils Venge, to craft wines representing the next generation of exceptional winemaking.
 
Mac and Kirk share the same goal of producing wines with depth, brilliance, and a range of complexity directly related to each site’s specific terroir. Their Chardonnay beautifully depicts the historic Bacigalupi vineyard, coming from the same block that went into the famed 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, winner at the iconic Judgement of Paris tasting. The wine indulges the senses with its Burgundian finesse, balance, and bright acidity from equal treatments of concrete, oak, and stainless steel, producing a mere 315 cases.
 
MACAULEY
CHARDONNAY 2020
BACIGALUPI VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
 
Your Price: $48
 
 
“The Macauley 2020 Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay opens with rich aromas of apricot, nectarine, honeydew melon, cinnamon apple strudel, toast, and wet rocks. On the palate, the wine has opulent flavors of peach, lemon yogurt, and a hint of vanilla extract with a long, pleasant finish. This wine is ready to drink now and has a structure suitable for aging.”
93 Points
2018 Eleven Eleven X-I Estate Cabernet Oak Knoll District

2018 Eleven Eleven X-I Estate Cabernet Oak Knoll District

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

ELEVEN ELEVEN

X∙I ESTATE CABERNET
2018 OAK KNOLL DISTRICT 

2018 Eleven Eleven X-I Estate Cabernet Oak Knoll District
Eleven Eleven is a new winery producing exciting wines out of their state-of-the-art production facility near downtown Napa. Winemaker Kirk Venge creates them in a powerfully captivating style that’s elegantly balanced and enriched with nuance. Their 2018 X∙I Estate Cabernet perfectly reflects the winery’s drive to make the best wines possible, and at $85, don’t miss this high-scoring Cab. 
 
The 2018 release is nearly 90% Cabernet Sauvignon heightened with the other four most classic Bordeaux varieties; Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The wine spent almost two years developing in French oak barrels, and it’s rocking now. 
 
The X∙I Estate Vineyard is in the Oak Knoll AVA, where the clay loam soils, combined with the San Pablo Bay cooling influences, are ideal for ripening Bordeaux varieties. The resulting wine is, as Vinous writes, “spectacularly rich” and “gorgeous in its style,” and at $85, it’s a stupendous value for top-quality Napa Cab.
 
ELEVEN ELEVEN
X∙I ESTATE CABERNET
2018 OAK KNOLL DISTRICT
 
Your Price: $85
 
 
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate will thrill readers who enjoy opulent Napa Valley wines. Inky dark fruit, dark chocolate, menthol, licorice and spice blast out of the glass. Unctuous and spectacularly rich, the 2018 is a gorgeous wine in its style. Plush, silky tannins round out the luxurious finish.”
94 Points
 
“Black garnet color. Aromas and flavors of boysenberry, eclairs, sassafras, sage, and licorice with a lightly tannic, vibrant, dryish full body and a warming, complex, long finish with moderate oak flavor. A dense and brooding Oak Knoll Cabernet for fabulous steaks; drink now through 2035.”
Gold Medal, Exceptional, Cellar Selection
94 Points
 
“I haven’t been this excited about unveiling a new wine in years. Finally, the secret is out! A true 5 varietal Estate Bordeaux Blend. Having the viticulture at your fingers to guide each of these plantings with just the right inputs and be blessed with a nearly perfect vintage like 2018 was a combination for success. I love the dark fruit and young tightly laced tannin feel. As young as these plantings are, I predict outstanding things in future years stemming from this, the XI inaugural release!”
Winemaker Kirk Venge
2017 Venge Silencieux Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2017 Venge Silencieux Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

VENGE

2017 SILENCIEUX
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY

2017 Venge Silencieux Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Silencieux means quiet, but there’s absolutely nothing silent about Venge’s Cabernet Silencieux, other than it could leave you speechless when you try it. It’s made by Kirk Venge, whom you might recognize from high-scoring Janzen and Bacio Divino wines, as well as several other cult brands. Kirk made it in a larger-than-life style that’s deep, inky, and highly-extracted. Of course, at under fifty bucks, you might want to keep Silencieux about it until you get your case… 
 
Silencieux was given a voice from the winery’s Estate Vineyard in Oakville, their Bone Ash Vineyard in Calistoga, and includes fruit from Rentaria’s Oakville 88, Kenefick Ranch, and Star in Rutherford.  
 
Kirk created it using a 100% gravity-flow method and a state-of-the-art Pellenc optical sorter, which sorts the fruit berry-by-berry, leaving you with what Kirk calls his fruit caviar. The wine spends around 30 days on the skins extracting color and then aged 18 months in barrel. 
 
VENGE
2017 SILENCIEUX
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $60
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
“This hearty wine is blended with 4% Petit Verdot. Grippy, rich and viscous, it has intense fruit flavors of plum and cassis, with supple, integrated tannins. The whole is a testament to good grapes and great winemaking, blending together seven sites across the valley.” 94 Points
2018 Venge Scout's Honor Proprietary Red

2018 Venge Scout’s Honor Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

VENGE

2018 SCOUT’S HONOR
PROPRIETARY RED2018 Venge Scout's Honor Proprietary Red

Venge’s Scout’s Honor is anything but your average Zinfandel blend. Kirk Venge mastered the art of enhancing the blend with Charbono and Petite Sirah to create a concentrated, extracted red that balances the jammy characteristics from the Zinfandel. It’s that delicious combination that inspired more poetic comments than any other blend that I’ve offered, and here’s a chance to try their 2018, which is classic to their hallmark style. 

Created using a state-of-the-art, 100% gravity-flow method, the 2018 Scout’s Honor is concocted from at 63% Zinfandel, 16% Charbono, 12% Petite Sirah and 9% Sirah. The wine was created from old-vines and was made in a deep, rich, extracted style and offers oodles of blueberry cobbler, crushed herbs, and spices. 

This iconic blend was authored by Kirk Venge, who was named “One of the Top 20 New Winemakers in the World” by Food & Wine Magazine. Kirk also makes the high-scoring Janzen and Bacio Divino wines, as well as several other cult brands.

VENGE
2018 SCOUT’S HONOR
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $39

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Wine Country Connection Reveiw

“The 2018 Scout’s Honor has a deep nose of blueberry cobbler, roasted coffee beans, dried violets and hints of vanilla. On the pallet the wine has a dense core of black cherry fruit, intense blueberry, blue herbs, black pepper, strawberry and hints of cherry pipe tobacco. The wine is absolutely delicious, so-much-so that my glass was emptied before I could finish my tasting notes, so I had to go back for a second.”