2015 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles Proprietary Red

2015 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles Proprietary Red

with No Comment $50-$60Central CoastKevin VogtProprietary RedSanta Lucia HighlandsUSA

JUSTIN 2015 Justin Isosceles Paso Robles Proprietary Red

2015 ISOSCELES
PROPRIETARY RED
PASO ROBLES

 
As much as we love discovering up-and-coming boutique producers, there’s always room in our shop for the established trendsetters, and brands that are Benchmarks in their field.  Justin’s flagship Isosceles Blend is named for the three Bordeaux varietals that go into it and the winery pioneered this style of blend in Paso Robles, which they began more than thirty years ago.  When they first planted Cabernet vines in the Santa Lucia Mountains back in 1981, Paso Robles wasn’t even on the map as far as a wine region and particularly for Bordeaux varietals.  Lucky for us, the fossilized limestone soils and large diurnal temperature swings are perfectly suited for ripening Bordeaux grapes and the Isosceles has proven over and over again how compelling this type of blend can be from Paso.  At $59.99, I recommend clearing some space in the cellar.
 
The 2015 vintage of Isosceles combines 76% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc and Merlot that’s aged in 100% new French oak barrels for an impressive 21 months.  2015 was a cooler vintage for Paso which is transparent in the wines tremendous structure.  The wine is incredibly aromatic and loaded with complexity.  At this price it simply should not be missed.
 
JUSTIN
2015 ISOSCELES
PROPRIETARY RED
PASO ROBLES
Retails at:  $76.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl 
YOU SAVE 21%
 
From Wine Enthusiast, “Snappy aromas of boysenberry and black raspberry mark a somewhat lighter, brighter spin on this classic blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 11% Merlot. Smashed plums and berries run into tobacco and herbs on the palate, where bright acidity pushes into the finish.” 91 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Justin Isosceles may also enjoy these two stunning wines…
2015 Steps Barrel Select Proprietary Red 2016 Booker My Favorite Neighbor Proprietary Red
STEPS
BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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Arising from Mountainous Vineyards, including Mount Veeder and Altas Peak, the 2015 is built around a core of nearly 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, heightened with Cabernet Franc and Malbec.  Simply stunning to swirl and taste, the 2015 was cave aged for nearly 24 months in high quality oak barrels.  Dramatic, thrilling and hedonistic are all excellent descriptors for the 2015StepsReserve and with a total production of only 150 cases, don’t let this one walk on by.
BOOKER
MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR
2016 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $79.99/btl
 
From Jeb Dunnuck: “Still in barrel, the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated 2016 My Favorite Neighbor offers smokin’ notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, licorice, smoke tobacco, and hints of violets. With full-bodied are still fresh, chalky, moderately tannic, elegant and lengthy red. One of the leaders of the Paso wine scene is undoubtedly Eric Jensen’s Booker Vineyard..” 95-97 Points
2017 Malene Central Coast Rose

2017 Malene Central Coast Rosé

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastKevin VogtRoséUncategorizedUSA

MALENE 2017 Malene Central Coast Rose

2017 ROSÉ
CENTRAL COAST

 
When a winery combines Old World thought with new world fruit, the results can be absolutely inspiring.  With Malene’s 2017 Rosé from the Central Coast, the fruit is sourced from top vineyards the Santa Ynez Valley and Paso Robles, where the climate is similar to Southern France.  Many would argue that it’s the best area in California for growing Rhone varietals like Grenache, Cinsault, and Mourvedre which are three of the main grapes used to make Provence Rosé wines.  Malene embodies many of the qualities that I love about Provence Rosé and adds an element of new world plump, juicy fruit. Our panel wasn’t the only one’s that liked it… It also earned an impressive 91 points and Editor’s Choice from the Wine Enthusiast.
 
One sip of Malene’s 2017 Rosé and you might think you’re in Provence, France, transporting your mind with underripe-raspberry, delicate rose, lime peel, rock minerals and hints of lavender.  It was fermented using three different types of vessels to add even more complexity.  At $19.99/btl, I’m planning on enjoying this beauty all Spring and Summer long, and I invite you to do the same…
 
MALENE
2017 ROSÉ
CENTRAL COAST
Retails at:  $22.00/btl
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl

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From Wine Enthusiast: “This rosé, by the team at Chamisal, is a superstar in the category, offering a little bit of everything for all palate preferences. Perfumed aromas of peach, strawberry and wet gravel combine fruit with minerality, while the palate is framed by a compelling texture. Flavors of red apple and plum sail into the finish.” 91 Points Editors’ Choice
 
Customers who enjoy Malene Rosé, may also enjoy these two outstanding Rosés…
2017 Chateau Des Garcinieres Provence Rose
 2017 Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
CHÂTEAU DES GARCINIÈRES
2017 PROVENCE ROSÉ
CÔTES DE PROVENCE
 
Your Price: $23/btl

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Importers Tasting Notes: “Blessed by the same sun and sea breezes as Tahiti Beach, Cap 21, and the memory of Voile Rouge, it embodies the delicate, romantic taste of 45% Grenache, 45% Cinsault and 10% Rolle, marrying the refreshing flavors of strawberry and cherry, mixed with mineral nuances into one glass...”
FLOWERS
ROSÉ OF PINOT NOIR
2017 SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $32.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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From California Wine Review: “Layered aromatics of strawberry, raspberry, starfruit and rose petal highlight the complex palate, driven by orange marmalade countered with fresh citrus peels, and balanced by the signature coastal mineralogy and defined salinity.“
95 Points
Giornata Mixed 15 Pack

Giornata

with No Comment $30 and under$30-$40$40-$50Central CoastKevin VogtNebbioloUSA

GIORNATA

Giornata Mixed 15 Pack
Proving that Italian varietals can produce stunning wines outside of Italy… Winemaker Brian Terrizzi is on a mission to give these varietals a voice, from an area that he found perfectly suited for Italian grape varieties.  With cuttings from some of Italy’s top wine Estate’s planted in the similar soils of Paso Robles, his wines are gaining world-wide acclaim.  After honing his skills at Rosenblum Cellars, winemaker Brian Terrizzi gained more valuable first-hand experience with Italian varietals, working for Paolo DeMarchi at Isole e Olena in Tuscany.  Each of his new releases has stunning purity, balance and delineation, and each one simply put a smile on my face.  If you haven’t experienced these sacred Italian varietals grown in the perfect California climate, you’ll want to try a mixed case.  You’ll be surprised by how profound each wine is.
 
You may order each wine individually below, or click on the 3 bottle image above to order a mixed 15-Pack which includes 5 bottles of each.  His production is tiny with just 2 to 6 barrels of each of the below wines produced.  I strongly recommend securing some before they run out… 
 

Click to Order Mixed 15 Pack

2017 Giornata Coyote Glen Vineyard Vermintino

50 Cases Produced
 2015 Giornata Luna Matta Vineyard Anglianico

50 Cases Produced
 2014 Giornata Luna Mata Vineyard Nebbiolo

145 Cases Produced
GIORNATA
2017 VERMENTINO
COYOTE GLEN VINEYARD
Retails at: $30.00/btl
 
Your Price: $26.99/btl

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Notes: “Sourced from Vermentino in the 30 year old Coyote Glen vineyard. The fruit is destemmed and placed directly in unlined terra-cotta amphora and fermented on the skins for three weeks with native yeasts. Elevage continues in the same vessel for about eight months where it racked to tank and then bottled by hand and labeled by Brian and Stephy’s 12 year old twin daughters.”
GIORNATA 
2015 AGLIANICO
LUNA MATTA VINEYARD
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Aglianico Luna Matta Vineyard offers up an attractive bouquet of ripe cherries, dried herbs, sweet soil and pencil shavings. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with a chewy chassis of tannin and more weight and body than its sibling from the French Camp Vineyard. It’s a more complete wine.”  91 Points
GIORNATA 
2014 NEBBIOLO
LUNA MATTA VINEYARD
 
 
Your Price: $44.99/btl

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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Nebbiolo has expressive baked cherries, black raspberries and red currants on the nose with hints of black soil, charcoal and dried roses. Medium to full-bodied, with a racy acid backbone lifting the intense red berry flavors, it has a chewy frame and long, fragrant earth-laced finish.” 
90+ Points