2017 Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2017 Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overKevin VogtNapaOakvilleProprietary RedUSA

OPUS ONE 

PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 Opus One Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Opus One began in 1979 with a powerful partnership between two titans of the industry, Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild. They shared dream of producing a single Napa wine dedicated to the pursuit of uncompromising quality. The wine is a blend of Bordeaux varieties that’s often centered around a core of approximately 80% Cabernet Sauvignon. Their winemaking team strives to capture each vintage’s character and perfectly balances power, finesse, structure, and texture. Their 2017 vintage does just that, and with a string of 95-96 point reviews, it may not be available for long. 
 
The winery’s Estate vineyards are centered in the Western portion of Oakville and include 100 acres inside the highly celebrated To-Kalon Vineyard. They complement the To-Kalon fruit with two other parcels that surround the winery. 
 
The 2017 vintage blends four of Bordeaux’s top five varietals with 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. The wine spent 17 months in barrel and was cellared for an additional 15 months in bottle before release. 
 
OPUS ONE 
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $360
 
“A fist of late summer cherries, raspberry and bilberry fruits set out their stall, all with the juicy character that confirms, even in a hot vintage like 2017, Opus can deliver balance and sculpted elegance. Beautiful grip, creamy texture with a strikingly powerful tannic frame. As the wine stays in the glass the floral aromatics begin to bloom up. A brilliant Opus. 20 days maceration – around half what it would have been a decade ago. 54% native yeast, as part of their native yeast project. 5% Merlot and 1% Malbec complete the blend. Harvest spread out over September 5 to October 8, just before the fires… Drinking Window 2023 – 2045”
96 Points
 
“A remarkable wine for the year, the 2017 Opus One is a dense, full-throttle beauty. Plush fruit and soft, silky contours give the 2017 its racy personality. Exotic, beautifully perfumed and impeccable in its balance, Opus One is one of the most complete wines of the vintage. In 2017, Opus One has a distinctly red-toned fruit profile that distinguishes it from the surrounding vintages.”
95+ Points
 
“… Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it slowly grows on the nose, revealing compelling notes of baked black cherries, mulberries, black raspberries, warm cassis and blackberry pie with nuances of spice cake, yeast extract, tapenade, licorice and dusty soil with a waft of wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a lively skip in its step, featuring bags of juicy raspberry and cassis-laced fruit and a refreshing line, supported by ripe, plush tannins, finishing long and graceful. Drink 2021 – 2036”
95 Points
 
“Lots of currant and floral notes on the nose. Hints of mint and spice. Medium-to full-bodied, round and savory with creamy, juicy tannins. Hints of citrus underneath. Bright, fresh and delicious. Drink or hold.”
95 points
2013 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

2013 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

with No Comment $50-$60Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

J. GREGORY 2013 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

2013 EXTOL
PROPRIETARY RED

 
On occasion, we’ll offer a wine with a narrative so enthralling that it seems like just about everybody wants to try it… Likewise, those are the wines that disappear the fastest, which is exactly what happened when we wrote about J. Gregory’s 2014 Extol Blend.  As luck would have it, we uncovered some of their 2013, so multiply that compelling story by an extra year of bottle development.  What’s the story? J Gregory’s is made by Mark Jessup who was on the original winemaking team at OPUS ONE from 1979 through 1987, and his flagship “Extol” Proprietary Red is his version of OPUS ONE.  The 2013 has a magnetic bouquet that pulls you in and on the palate, the wine is incredibly layered and powerful, yet supple and balanced.  At the winery price of $115, believe me, it’s an incredible bargain (Join our Insiders Club for special offers).  I recommend going big, because this one is going to fly.
 
The 2013 is built around a solid core of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and dressed with Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and Merlot.  The flavors are profoundly stunning, pure and supple.  Like the 2014, the wine has a regal presence on the palate that’s impossible to miss. The 2013 spent 22 months developing in French oak and it envelopes your taste buds in perfectly ripened wild berries, dried herbs, bakers chocolate and pipe tobacco.  You might need someone to pinch you to make sure you’re not dreaming of a time when OPUS ONE was around the same price.
 
J. GREGORY
2013 EXTOL
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $115/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “You just know from the moment this wine kisses your lips… it’s really something special. This brilliant expression has an exquisite nose of wild crushed ripe blackberries, alluring red currants, dried herbs and smoke. Impressively structured with a beautifully supple approach, the rich, viscous, velvety texture perfectly frames the opulent layers of bing cherry, brooding mountain berries and cassis.  Then comes a breath of sweet pipe tobacco, green herbs and sweet vanilla oak. The supple fruit tannins perfectly balance a mesmerizing flow of precisely orchestrated fruits, then ending with a long, elegant, mouth watering finish.” 97 Points
2014 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

2014 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

with No Comment Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

J. GREGORY 2014 J Gregory Extol Proprietary Red

2014 EXTOL
PROPRIETARY RED

 
Do you ever look back at an iconic wineries first release price and kick yourself for not loading up?  Just think, when OPUS ONE released their inaugural 1979 vintage and it was $50, and the most expensive California wine at the time.  Now, 36 successful vintages later and it’s $350/btl and still ranks among the most expensive wines in Napa Valley.  You’re not going to find OPUS ONE at $50 ever again, but we just found the next best thing… J Gregory’s is made by Mark Jessup who was on the original winemaking team at OPUS ONE from 1979 through 1987.  His “Extol” Proprietary Red is his version of OPUS ONE, and at $95 it’s indescribably great. 
 
The 2014 is build around a solid core of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and dressed with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot.  The favors are penetrating yet supple, and the wine has a regal presence on the palate that takes you to a happy place. The 2014 spent 22 months developing in french Oak and it envelopes your taste buds in muddled berries, wild mint, and bakers chocolate.  At our price, you might need someone to pinch you to make sure you’re not dreaming of a time when OPUS ONE was around the same.
 
J GREGORY
2014 EXTOL
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $95/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “A prodigious offering that is pure, penetrating and powerful with a delightful center-core of fruit on the palate.  Exceptional concentrations of black cherry, red currant and blackberry, intertwine with tobacco leaf, sage, hints of black pepper and a touch of sweet vanilla spice.The beautifully integrated tannins and perfect balance of red and black fruits carry the concentrations of flavors to an extraordinary finish.  This is a sensationally pure, amazingly balanced wine that has everything I look for in an ultra-premium red.”  96 Points
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.” 
2015 Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Witchery Oakville Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

WITCHERY

2015 OAKVILLE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

 

2015 Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon
Have you ever wondered what it takes to become an elite Cabernet producer in Napa Valley?  Topping the list are: a vineyard location capable of producing world-class fruit; an experienced and exceptionally gifted winemaker; then a proprietor that has a laser-like focus targeted to his goals without ever sacrificing quality.  The last piece of the puzzle is beautiful packaging and an intriguing name that matches what’s in the bottle… Witchery checks off every box on this list with their Oakville fruit sourced from a vineyard that sits directly South of Opus One. 
 
Winemaker Grant Long Jr, whose growing list of accomplishments is absolutely undeniable, and is a valuable piece to this puzzle.  In 2015, Witchery’s proprietors steadfast focus led them to scale back production by nearly two thirds, focusing on their top vineyards.  And the packaging, I think it speaks for itself.  
 
Witchery’s 2015 Oakville Reserve flaunts a vivid perfume, accented by majestic levels of blackberry fruit, intertwined with white chocolate, crushed rock, violets and black coffee. This brooding charm was imprisoned for nearly two years in 100% new French oak barrels.  With a mere 6 barrels produced, add some of this remarkable wine to your cellar right away.
 
WITCHERY
2015 OAKVILLE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
Retails at: $110/btl
 
Your Price: $89/btl 
YOU SAVE 19%
 
Tasting Notes: “An intoxicating perfume of majestic dark fruits, white chocolate and cassis escape from the glass.  The 2015 has a deep, concentrated core that opens up with layers of chocolate covered blueberry, cassis, roasted espresso, and subtle sage. The voluptuous mouthfeel is supported by fine grain tannins, gently woven throughout and the long pleasurable finish…” 
 
Customers who enjoy Witchery’s Oakville Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning wines… 
2015 MISC Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Witchery Howell Mountain Napa Valley Proprietary Red
MISC
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION
 
Your Price: $94.99/btl 
 
This two barrel production of Diamond Mountain Cabernet, arising from the highest vineyard on Diamond Mountain, oozes with majestic dark berries, roasted coffee, volcanic minerals and black chocolates.  An idyllic expression of DiamondMountain with an unbelievable presence that saturates your palate in a profusion of blackberry cassis, crushed raspberries, and espresso roast.
WITCHERY RESERVE
2015 HOWELL MOUNTAIN
TWO BARREL PRODUCTION
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $125/btl
Your Price: $89/btl 

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