2014 Bucher Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 Bucher Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUncategorizedUSA

BUCHER 2014 Bucher Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

It’s always all about the vineyard, and Bucher has attracted luminaries like Williams Selyem, Merry Edwards and Siduri to craft single-vineyard Pinot Noirs bearing their vineyard name. When a vineyard like this becomes a thing of legend, I always seek out wines produced by the Estate that owns and farms the land too.  Bucher’s Vineyard is extraordinarily special, located on Westside Road in Healdsburg, and originally planted in 1997 with the assistance of Bob Cabral, former winemaker at Williams Selyem.  Numerous high-scoring and memorable wines are rising from this site, and the 2014 Bucher Russian River Estate Pinot Noir is no exception.  Even at the winery’s $40 retail price, this is a wine worth hoarding…
 
Thoughtfully constructed from seven different blocks inside the Bucher Estate, and orchestrated from a labyrinth of revered Pinot Noir clones including Swan, Mt Eden, Pommard and Dijon, the 2014 Bucher exhibits the depth and complexity that you would expect from a high end Pinot Noir.  The wine was made by Pinot artist Adam Lee whom you might recognize from Siduri, and with just a handful of cases left of the 2014, don’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
BUCHER
2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $40/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “Fragrant aromatics of tart cherry and cranberry, along with hints of baking spices and sandalwood, introduce this classic Russian River Valley Pinot. From the smooth entry and mouthfeel to the broad, lingering finish, this wine offers a full complement of flavors with depth, richness, and varietal purity. Wild berry, plum, and black cherry mingle with traces of earth, anise, spice box, and a mineral essence. The tannin and oak structure will continue to integrate with additional bottle aging...”
 
Customers that enjoy Bucher’s 2014 Russian River Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Pinots…
2017 Black Pine Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
BLACK PINE
2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $30/btl
 
Your Price: $23/btl

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Brought to life by Drew Huffine, whose experience includes working with many elite Pinot Noir producers including Kosta Browne, DuMOL, Auteur, Copain and Donum, the 2017 was conceived from carefully chosen vineyards located in the Petaluma Gap, Russian River and Sonoma Coast.  If you’ve tasted any of the earlier vintages of Black Pine, you already know what to expect…
JOSEPH JEWELL
2014 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $38/btl
 
 
The 2014 Joseph Jewell Russian River Pinot combines fruit from Hallberg, Floodgate and Bucher Vineyards… Williams Selyem and Gary Farrell fans likely recognize these sites.  The 2014 washes over your palate with stunning balance, detail and length, and it perfectly portrays everything that I look for in cool climate California Pinot Noir.
2015 Chalk Hill Estate Proprietary Red

2015 Chalk Hill Estate Proprietary Red

with No Comment $40-$50$50-$60Chalk HillKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaUncategorizedUSA

CHALK HILL

2015 ESTATE RED
PROPRIETARY RED

2015 Chalk Hill Estate Proprietary Red
Named for it’s unique volcanic soils composed of chalky white ash, the Chalk Hill AVA produces stunning wines, and in my mind, this one reigns supreme.  This wine makes absolutely no excuses at it’s $70 retail price…  A paragon of Northern Sonoma County, and especially when it comes to Bordeaux varietals, this towering, ostentatious effort from Chalk Hill Winery is brimming with super-concentrated dark berries, black chocolates, pipe tobacco, and creme de cassis. The 2015 has superb presence on the palate with great intensity, depth and balance.  Unsurprisingly, it’s already earned 94 Points from Robert Parker.
 
A fusion of nearly 60% Cabernet Sauvignon enhanced with Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot, the wine‘s deep, concentrated core is complex and extracted, carving out layers of vivid dark berries, black tea, sweet vanilla and cigar box.  After evolving for 20 months in oak and kept for over a year in the bottle, this compelling wine is drinking beautifully now and will cellar effortlessly for two decades…
 
CHALK HILL
2015 ESTATE RED
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $70.00/btl
 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “The 2015 Estate Red is deep garnet-purple colored and delivers a good amount of oak-inspired notions to begin over a core of blackcurrant cordial, blackberry pie, preserved plums and chocolate box with hints of vanilla pod and cigar box. Big, concentrated and full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with black fruit preserves, framed by ripe, firm, grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing on a woody note. Forget it for 5-6 years and drink it over the next 20.“ 94 Points 
 
Customers who enjoy Chalk Hill Estate Red may also enjoy these two terrific Reds…
2014 Laird Jillian's Blend Proprietary Red 2016 Dancing Hares Mad Hatter Proprietary Red
LAIRD
JILLIAN’S BLEND
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
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.
DANCING HARES
2016 MAD HATTER
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at:  $75.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl

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2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red

2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

SEBASTIANI 

GRAVEL BED RED
2016 SONOMA COUNTY  

2016 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red Sonoma County Proprietary Red
To many of you, Gravel Bed Red needs no introduction, primarily because it’s got such a following and reputation along with ridiculously high scores for its price, that it sells out regardless of vintage.  Sebastiani is certainly established, but at under thirty per bottle, it tops the list of wines that don’t need any introduction. “This stuff is ridiculous!”  “Are you kidding me?”  “This wine is amazing…”   These quotes represent just a few of the many comments I’ve received about Gravel Bed Red.  Sebastiani’s 2013 Gravel Bed Red was my number one pick on my top 10 list in 2015, and three months later went on to receive a near perfect 97 Point Score from Robert Parker.   The following for their wines has snowballed and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
 
Named for the gravelly soils that are key components in this exciting Cabernet Blend, the 2016 blankets your taste buds in a velvety embrace that comes threaded with mineraly red and black fruits, pipe tobacco, pencil lead and vanilla.  With fruit sourced from famed sites such as the iconic Cherryblock Vineyard, this wine delivers serious bang for your buck and with the growing following, I wouldn’t wait to secure yours.   
 
SEBASTIANI 
GRAVEL BED RED
2016 SONOMA COUNTY 
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
Your Price: $26.99/btl 
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Winery Notes: “Our 2016 Gravel Bed Red is a harmonious expression of gravely vineyard sites from a moderately warm vintage. Its deep ruby red color leads into forward aromas of cherry liquor, tobacco leaf, wet stone minerality and a hint of oak. Dark fruit flavors attack the palate predominated by blackberry, black cherry, herbs de Provence and dried leaves. The impressive palate offers enough tannin and acidity to reign in the generous fruit. This wine is showing well in its youth, but will only gain in complexity over the next 2-4 years.”
Cabernet Sauvignon 44% | Merlot 33% | Malbec 10% | Petit Verdot 9% | Syrah 3% | Zinfandel 1% 

 

Customers who enjoy Sebastiani’s Gravel Bed Red may also enjoy these two outstanding blends…
2015 B Sharp Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2014 Blind Tasting Proprietary Red
B. SHARP
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 

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Tasting Notes: “With an attractive dark inky hue, the wine features sultry aromas of black and blue fruits, licorice, smoke, and spice. On the palate, the flavors expand with generous notes of briary blackberry, ripe boysenberry, cranberry, cassis, dark chocolate truffle, blood orange peel, and a kiss of oak. The plush texture is elevated with a burst of lively acidity leading to a long, dry finish that makes you want more! Outstanding.” 
92 Points, Christopher Sawyer, Sommelier to the Stars.
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2014 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $36/btl 

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Tasting Notes: “Intoxicating aromas of crushed blue fruits, blackberry cobbler, violets, raspberry compote and a touch of vanilla, erupt from the glass. Ripe, round tannins and a core of perfectly woven flavors of dark cherry, blueberry pie, crushed blackberries and a hint pepper spice unwind in a continuous loop.  Soft, voluptuous tannins caress your taste buds with a long, luxurious finish that just wont quit.”
2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $30 and underCabernet SauvignonChalk HillKevin VogtSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

VELLICHOR

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CHALK HILL 2015

 2015 Vellichor Chalk Hill Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

We love it when a new wine has an attractive label, a powerful name, famous winemaker and a big score…  When the above elements are in short supply, we have to rely solely on the quality of what’s inside the bottle, and if anything, the wine has that much more to prove. Our biggest challenge is getting you to try wines like this…  In many cases they offer the greatest value.  In the case of Vellichor, our panel tasted this wine twice and on both occasions the wine provided a surreal sense of value and we knew we had to share it to you.


Arising from Chalk Hill, an area recognized for it’s unique micro-climate and volcanic, chalky, white ash soil, which furnishes fruit of remarkable power and delineated flavors so distinctive, the area was was established as an AVA in 1983. Aged for 18 months in oak, the 2015 shines bright with chocolate dusted cherries, wild raspberry, crème de cassis, graphite and of course, chalky undertones…   If you’re searching for a great bottle of Cab priced to be your daily drinker…this is it! 
 
VELLICHOR
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
CHALK HILL 2015
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “...this Cabernet exemplifies the Chalk Hill appellation. Raspberries and blackberries dominate the mid palate with a soft and succulent finish. This wine invites you to savor the moment and seize your own playful spirit!”
Customers that would enjoy Vellichor’s Chalk Hill Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabs…
2015 Sailor's Grave Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
SAILOR’S GRAVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $40.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 
 
Some of my favorite wine discoveries are those that naturally go on to sell hundreds of cases in just a couple vintages.  It’s a concrete affirmation proving that what we felt when we first tasted the wine resonated and was felt by almost everyone who tries it.  Sailor’s Grave’s Napa Valley Cabernet did just that.  And with its origins in Yountville, Oakville and Chiles Valley, combined with a price-point that makes you smile, it was the quality of the wine that propelled constant re-orders… to the tune of several hundred cases sold in only 2 vintages. 
FISTICUFFS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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One of my favorite results that comes from tasting a new wine, is one that makes me do a double-take simply because the taste exceeds my expectations for the price.  The 2015 Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet made me do just that.  Performing well above its weight class for value Napa Cabernet, this undisputed champion hailing from Napa Valley dances inside a tightly wound core, threaded with chocolate covered cherries, blackcurrants, unground coffee bean and cedar spice.
2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtRussian River ValleySauvignon BlancSonomaSonoma ValleyUSA

ALMA de CATTLEYA

2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 

Immeasurable talent… gifted… Midas touch… These would all be fitting descriptors of winemaker Bibiana Gonzalez Rave.  Her artistry has allowed her to climb the ranks and become winemaker at Pahlmeyer… She’s also made wines at Lynmar and has extensive experience making wine in France.  Bibiana applies her vast skill-set and remarkable abilities and crafts wines that exceed all expectations… This Sauvignon Blanc Leaps feverishly from the glass with a spectacular aromatic display of exotic mangos, lime leaves, caramelized grapefruit and honeyed pear and is absolutely stunning. Her new Alma de Cattleya label is rapidly increasing in popularity with each cork pulled, setting the bar for what can be achieved at this realistic price level. 
 
Arising from methodically selected vineyards centered primarily in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast, this beautiful interpretation of cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc was authored using the same exacting standards as the Cattleya single vineyard wines, which retail for around $70/btl.  Fermented on it’s lees for six months, the 2017 graces your palate with energy and absolute focus.  If you’re on the lookout for a fresh, clean and energized Sauvignon Blanc, perfect for Spring and Summer… Time to stock up.
 
ALMA de CATTLEYA
2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY
Your Price: $19.99/btl
 
Tasting Notes: “This Sauvignon Blanc is a true expression of the influence of the Pacific Ocean breezes in Sonoma County’s grape growing region. Zesty and bright, the exceptional intensity of lemon zest, grapefruit, verbena, lemongrass and citrus blossoms aromatics are an impressive aperture to a gorgeous mouthfeel with centered acidity and a luscious finish. Enjoy now until 2022.”
 
Customers who enjoy Alma de Cattleya’s Sauvignon Blanc, may also enjoy these two Sauvignon Blancs…

  

2017 Picayune Napa County Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Farella Coombsville Napa Valley 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.
FARELLA
2016 SAUVIGNON BLANC
LA LUCE, ESTATE
COOMBSVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
Your Price: $23.99/btl 
 
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 2016 Estate La Luce Sauvignon Blanc has mesmerizing nuances of almost Loire Valley-like honeydew melon, tangerine and honeyed grapefruit that flow from the glass in an exquisite perfume. 
2014 Red Mare Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Russian River Valley Sonoma County

2014 Red Mare Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Russian River Valley Sonoma County

with No Comment $30 and underChardonnayKevin VogtRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

RED MARE

2014 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

2014 Red Mare Chardonnay Dutton Ranch Russian River Valley Sonoma County
With everything you would want in a world-class California Chardonnay, Red Mare’s 2014 emerges from the famed Dutton Ranch Vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley. Fruit from Dutton Ranch has gone to top producers like Kistler, Patz & Hall, & DuMOL…  This one was expertly guided from grape to bottle by Anne Vawter, who’s experience includes assistant winemaker at Paradigm Winery in Oakville for four years, under the leadership of legendary winemaker Heidi Barrett. 
 
A luminous interpretation of Dutton Ranch fruit, the 2014 washes over your palate with classic Granny Smith apple, spiced pear, juicy yellow melon and subtle lemon bar.  Big and full across the palate and crafted in a plump, round style, if you’re searching for a top-level California Chardonnay without the high price tag that usually comes with one, I would saddle up and secure a case of Red Mare before this one rides off into the sunset.  
 
RED MARE
2014 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH VINEYARD
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
 
Winery Notes: “True to the vintage with intense aromatic notes of ripe pear, rose petals, tropical flowers and warm honeycomb. This wine is a complex interplay of rich and warm contrasting with bright and fresh showing vanilla wafer, white cake, nougat along with lemon peel and asian pear. In the mouth, a long, slow, malolactic fermentation, lees stirring and barrel aging in small french oak barrels brings a rich and complex mouthfeel balanced with classic Russian River Valley acids to carry through to a warm, creamy finish.”