2018 Beau Vigne Juliet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Beau Vigne Juliet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

BEAU VIGNE

JULIET CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 NAPA VALLEY

2018 Beau Vigne Juliet Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
With over two decades of experience, Julien Fayard began making wine at his family’s winery in Provence, then spent valuable time in Bordeaux at Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, and ultimately relocated to Napa Valley. Julien worked as the Director of Winemaking for Philippe Melka and now oversees small projects of his own, including Beau Vigne, whose signature style centers on Atlas Peak’s bold, multidimensional mountain fruit and Julien’s French finesse. 
 
Just like Juliet Capulet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, my first impression of this wine is soft-spoken and shy, setting the stage for escalating depth of character and intensity that develops into a powerful, independent core. Beau Vigne proudly produces only a few thousand cases per year, and the 2018 vintage is quickly becoming prized for its delicate complexity that will continue to develop for years to come.
 
BEAU VIGNE
JULIET CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $120
 
 
 
“…Juliet is a savory beauty romanced by a sonnet of cigar leaf, black pepper, and sandalwood. Plummy flavors cling to dry, chalky tannins, delivering a complex mouthfeel as notes of soy sauce and dark cherry paint the palate.”
97 Points
2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma MountainUSA

WESTWOOD

2018 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED

2018 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red
Legends of biodynamic viticulture, Westwood spares no expense raising the highest quality wines possible from their Estate. Their vineyard is one of a handful of Demeter-certified Biodynamic vineyards in North America. Westwood’s winemaker is Philippe Melka, named by the Wine Advocate as “one of the Top 10 Winemakers in the World,” and whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Mastery, and Dominus. Jeb Dunnuck writes, this wine has a “notable sense of class and balance,” and simply put, you don’t want to miss it. 
 
Westwood Legend arose from the cool, wind-swept Annadel Gap Vineyard, located between Mt. Hood and Sonoma Mountain, and includes specially sourced organic grapes from Sonoma and Napa Valleys. Formatted to bring out the best qualities of the Estate, the 2018 blend is exquisite.
 
Meticulously made, Philippe and his winemaking team harvest each clone at the pinnacle of ripeness before being carefully sorted by hand and fermented in individual lots. The wine was gravity-fed into French oak barrels, where it spent the next 20 months. The result is stunning.
 
WESTWOOD
2018 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The 2018 Legend Proprietary Red is an interesting blend of 45% Syrah, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Tannat, and a splash of Petit Verdot. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by loads of blackberry and blueberries fruit intermixed with plenty of peppery herbs, menthol, and graphite. This rich, full-bodied effort has a delicious juiciness, polished tannins, and a notable sense of class and balance.”
92 Points
2018 Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $60-$70Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaSt. HelenaUSA

VINEYARD 29

CRU CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY

2018 Vineyard 29 Cru Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Vineyard 29 utilizes a combination of Old-World techniques and the most advanced methods available in their constant pursuit of perfection. These processes include everything from gravity flow tanks, an optical sorter that can be programmed algorithmically, to a control room that monitors the conditions inside the vineyards, caves, and winery. They center their philosophy on Elevage, which translates to raising the wine from grape to bottle. The 2018 Cru Cabernet perfectly portrays the character of the Napa Valley terroir, and as Jeb Dunnuck writes, it does so with “notable purity, balance, and length.”
 
The wine team thoughtfully constructed the 2018 release from fourteen vineyards, with their core composed of parcels surrounding the winery’s Estate in St Helena. The winemaking team hand-selects the balance of fruit from different parts of the Valley, creating a well-rounded and richly layered Cabernet that’s effortlessly balanced. 
 
Vineyard 29 Winemaker Keith Emerson has crafted this wine since the inaugural vintage in 2005. He gained invaluable experience while working alongside Philippe Melka on the winery’s high-scoring Estate wines through 2017, while Philippe was consulting winemaker. At under $100, this is a steal in terms of the sheer quality of what’s inside the bottle.
 
VINEYARD 29
CRU CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2018 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $75
 
Your Price: $69.99
 
 
“Plums, Asian spices, tobacco, and lead pencil notes emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Cru, which hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a beautifully polished, elegant texture, and outstanding length. This is another gorgeous 2018 displaying notable purity, balance, and length as well as richness. It can be drunk any time over the coming 15+ years.”
94 Points
#28 Top Napa Cabernet Under $100
 
“The 2018 CRU Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon holds nothing back upon opening. Grilled meat, cocoa and Bing cherry perfume a beautifully expressive nose. Pulling from multiple vineyards throughout Napa Valley, this wine truly encompasses the incredible diversity that our valley has to offer. Firm tannins and structure house notes of cassis, plums, black peppercorns and fresh tobacco leaf. This wine finishes with a long, weighty finish that never loses its focus and remains pure throughout.”
2016 Westwood Annadel Gap Estate Syrah

2016 Westwood Annadel Gap Vineyard Estate Syrah

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtSonomaSyrahUSA

WESTWOOD

2016 ESTATE SYRAH
ANNADEL GAP VINEYARD

2016 Westwood Annadel Gap Estate Syrah
Westwood spares no expense in both farming and winemaking, and the level of care is obvious in their wines. Their vineyard is one of a handful of Demeter-certified Biodynamic vineyards in North America, and Philippe Coderey, a legend in organic and biodynamic viticulture, farms it. Westwood’s winemaker is Philippe Melka, whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus. In a word, their Syrah is riveting, so don’t miss it. 
 
Westwood’s Estate Syrah arose from the cool, wind-swept Annadel Gap, located between Mt. Hood and Sonoma Mountain. The 2016 vintage is deep, rich, and profoundly layered with classic notes of smoked meats, bacon fat, ripe berries, and wildflowers. 
 
Philippe and his winemaking team paid attention to every detail and picked each clone at the pinnacle of ripeness, before being carefully sorted by hand and fermented in individual lots. The wine was gravity-fed into French oak barrels, where it spent the next 16 months developing on the lees.
 
WESTWOOD
2016 ESTATE SYRAH
ANNADEL GAP VINEYARD
Retails at: $82
 
 
 
“Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Syrah Annadel Gap Vineyard has evocative scents of warm black plums, wild blueberries, Sichuan pepper, smoked meats and violets. Full-bodied and packed with rich, ripe black fruit flavors, it has a firm backbone of rounded tannins and just enough freshness, culminating in a long peppery finish.” 91 Points
 
 
 
“Outstanding Syrah in a rich, complex style. It is full bodied, supple in texture, and intensely flavored (blackberry, black licorice, cedar, pepper, violet, cassis, toasty oak), with good balance and a very long finish. Lightly tannic, warrants aging. Great Value. ” Exceptional | Very Highly Recommended 5 Stars
 
 
 
“2016 was truly a phenomenal vintage and it delivered everything we love in a great Syrah from the Annadel Gap. With gorgeous notes of blackberries, freeze-dried blueberries, smoked meat, and a core of cherry liqueur. As the 2016 Westwood Estate Syrah continues to open, a juicy wash of salted violets, black pepper, and blueberry cedar linger for a long and complex finish.”
2017 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2017 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaRutherfordUSA

PARALLEL

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 NAPA VALLEY

2017 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
I’ll be honest, we’re always looking for top quality Cabernet, and sometimes the devil is in the details. For instance, Parallel’s 2017 Napa Cabernet includes more than 60% fruit from Andy Beckstoffer’s iconic Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford, one of the best in Napa Valley. It’s balanced with fruit from Renteria’s stunning Oakville Vineyard on Skellenger Lane, near Plumpjack and Turnbull’s Fortuna Vineyards. Then add that the wine is made by Philippe Melka, whose experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus, and at around $100, this is one of the best values in upper echelon Napa Cabernet. 
 
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, and Parallel’s 2017 is a stunning portrayal of the best qualities of the vintage. The fruit achieved optimal ripeness, and they harvested on 9/28 and 10/2, which is about a week before the wildfires. 
 
The 2017 vintage has an intensely captivating style that draws you in with a powerful bouquet of dark fruits, blue violets, dried herbs, and espresso. The Oakville fruit contributes the dark and supple berries, and intense black currants, while the Rutherford grapes offer the floral characteristics and signature dusty tannins. 
 
PARALLEL
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $110
 
 
 
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon displays notes of prunes, spice cake, plum pudding and blueberry preserves with touches of red currant jelly, dried herbs, tobacco and olives. Full-bodied, firm and chewy and with tons of fruit at the core, it finished long and spicy.”  92 Points
 
 
 
“Savory, herbal and thick in brawny concentration, this powerful wine is darkly layered in blackberry, black currant and wild raspberry. Clove, dried herb and a twist of sage figure into the midpalate, adding complexity and welcome intrigue as generous oak layers throughout.”  92 Points
2016 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

2016 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma MountainUncategorizedUSA

WESTWOOD 2016 Westwood Legend Proprietary Red

2016 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED

 
Legend is defined by an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field, and this wine absolutely lives up to its name.  The 2016 was expertly crafted by Philippe Melka, whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus… He’s undeniably one of Napa Valley’s most sought after and accomplished winemakers and is an absolute legend at his craft.  After tasting the wine, I wasn’t at all surprised to find out that it’s already earned double 96 Point scores.  The wine is powerfully dramatic and glides seamlessly across your palate with precision and absolute elegance.  At fifty bucks per bottle it absolutely should not be missed.
 
This legend arose from the biodynamically farmed Annadel Gap Estate Vineyard located between Mt Hood and Sonoma Mountain.  The area is heavily influenced by morning fog and high-winds, and the variety of soil types lend to the wines vast complexity.  The final blend includes 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and was enhanced with Rhone Varieties.  The flavors are incredibly individualistic, intense and well-balanced and introduce themselves in a silky and enchanting style that make this wine as unique as it is delicious.
 
WESTWOOD
2016 LEGEND
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl 

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“… Aromas of sweet, savory soil are primed with rich tones of blueberry preserves. Generous and a true extrovert, this red gives wide berth on the palate to creamy boysenberry and luscious, ripe plum. Red floral and graphite strike an accord with high-energy acidity...” 96 Points 
From Wine Enthusiast, “This red is brightly layered in fresh blue fruit, meat and garrigue, showing plenty of density and complexity. It has a wild character that’s intriguing and energetic, with lasting threads of white and black pepper on the finish.”  96 Points, Editor’s Choice
 
Customers who enjoy Westwood Legend may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds…
2015 Steps Reserve Barrel Select Proprietary Red 2017 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red
STEPS
BARREL SELECT
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99/btl

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Tasting Notes: “Rich, opulent aromas emerge laced with fresh black raspberries, chocolate covered cherries, espresso roast and a touch of sweet vanilla oak.  Penetrating, velvety flavors of crushed blackberries, black plum, minerals, kirsch and hints of roasted coffee expand across your palate as layer upon layer of complexity unfolds.  The supple yet slightly dusty tannins beautifully frame the plush fruit as it elegantly caresses your palate through the long pleasurable finish...” 95 Points
HOURGLASS
2017 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $54.99/btl

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From Jeb Dunnuck: “Moving to the barrel samples, the 2017 HG3 is a fruity, forward, total charmer that gives up medium to full-bodied notes of blue and black fruits and leafy herbs. It’s well-made and already hard to resist, yet I suspect it will keep for more than a decade.” 91-93 Points
2014 Gandona Encosta Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Gandona Encosta Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $80-$90Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaPritchard HillUSA

GANDONA 2014 Gandona Encosta Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 ENCOSTA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
When considering a list of the most noble terroirs in Napa Valley, Pritchard Hill is always near the top of my list.  Composed of compacted volcanic rock, with iron-red soils, the area has been hailed by some as as Napa’s Grand Cru.  Apex producers Chappellet, Bryant Family, Colgin, Continuum and David Arthur all call the area home.  A rapidly rising producer on Pritchard Hill is Gandona Estate.  The wines are expertly made by Philippe Melka, whose vast experience includes winemaking at Bryant Family, Quintessa, Hundred Acre, and Dominus… 
 
Encosta Cabernet remains a stunning value for Pritchard Hill. Carved into the steep terrain, the Estate vineyard was planted in small blocks, each with its own distinct personality.  The vineyard was planted 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… The best Pritchard Hill wines are memorable with profound sense of place, balance and primal intensity.  Gandona’s Encosta has all of this and more, and it’s a fraction of the price of what you’d expect to pay for a great wine from this Iconic area.  
 
GANDONA
2014 ENCOSTA 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Your Price: $89.99/btl
 
 
From Vinous: “Gandona’s 2014 Encosta is a gorgeous second wine. Bright, aromatic and intense, the Encosta possesses striking purity in its flavors. Dark cherry, chocolate, mocha and licorice infuse the super-expressive finish. Dark red cherry, plum, mocha and espresso. The Encosta clearly offers the pedigree of many top labels, but perhaps just not the depth. This is an impressive showing.” 91 Points
From James Suckling, “Aromas of dark berries and basil follow through to a full body, chewy tannins and a medium finish. Builds nice at the end with some raspberry character...” 92 Points
Customers who enjoy Gandona’s Encosta may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds… 
2013 Jones Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Keever Inspirado Napa Valley Proprietary Red
JONES FAMILY 
2013 THE SISTERS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $85.00/btl

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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… 
KEEVER
2013 INSPIRADO
PROPRIETARY RED
Your Price: $74.99/btl