2018 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2018 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

ASTON

2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2018 Aston Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Co-founded two decades earlier by industry leaders Fred Schrader, Chuck Sweeney, and Thomas Rivers Brown, Aston arose from 14 acres of prime coastal vineyards near Annapolis. The winery is now under the sole ownership of Brown, and with the vines coming into age, the quality of the wine produced is at an even higher level, and the brand is ready to claim its throne as one of the Sonoma Coast’s top players. Brown describes Annapolis Pinots as having a savage quality, yielding a more significant, structured style of this Burgundian variety. 
 
Aston Vineyard is located along the Northern reaches of the Sonoma Coast and planted to Dijon clones 115, 667, and 777, which together produce a complete wine with outstanding depth and floral lift. As the vines have aged over the last two decades, Brown has noticed the fruit characteristics have become more interesting, and the 2018 release shows off the site’s capabilities. 
 
This wine enters from a vintage the Wine Spectator describes as “Nearly perfect conditions; full-flavored wines backed by crisp acidity, especially from coastal vineyards,” then was aged in 100% new French oak barrels. Fans of BIG, rustic, full-bodied, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs should scoop this up by the case.
 
ASTON
2018 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $75
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“2018 was a winegrower’s dream come true. We had every available advantage leading into harvest and ample hang time for the fruit to fully mature. While still made up of all Estate fruit, this bottling comes from its own block in the vineyard. The result in the glass is a balanced, expressive Pinot Noir that resonates with all the hallmark notes of the Estate vineyard. The wine displays a red-purple hue in the glass. Aromas suggest blackberry jam, cranberry, plum, orange pith, and nutmeg. The sleek, structured palate resonates with notes of raspberry, pomegranate pulp, river rock, and lavender. This wine possesses vivacious energy and shows extremely well today.”
2015 Mending Wall Proprietary Red Mortar & Stone

2015 Mending Wall Mortar & Stone Proprietary Red

with No Comment $30-$40Atlas PeakKevin VogtNapaProprietary RedReviewUSA

MENDING WALL

2015 PROPRIETARY RED
MORTAR & STONE

2015 Mending Wall Proprietary Red Mortar & StoneCombining the power of Mountain-grown Zinfandel with the voluptuous texture of Calistoga Petite Sirah can be magical. Mending Wall Mortar and Stone is a stunning example of this. The Zinfandel arose from the iconic Aida Vineyard atop Altas Peak, and the Petite Sirah comes from one of the most celebrated vineyards for that varietal in the New World, which was the former source for Carver Sutro. And on top of all that, Thomas Brown is the winemaker… 

Frank Dotzler, one of the co-owners of Mending Wall, was also one of the co-founders of Outpost Winery. Frank teamed up with Mark & Donna Walker (owners of the super-high scoring, Cult brand Pulido-Walker,) as well as his long-time winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown for this project. Thomas made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 point score from the Wine Spectator.

This tiny production, proprietary blend harnesses the power and intensely concentrated flavors of Atlas Peak Zinfandel with the showy, voluptuous textures of Petite Sirah in way that pulls on the best qualities of both varietals in total harmony. If you love big, lush, concentrated blends with copious charm, this is for you. 

MENDING WALL
2015 PROPRIETARY RED
MORTAR & STONE

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“The Zinfandel from high atop Atlas Peak (Aida Vyd, an original Turley source) is robust, showy mountain fruit. Vines in the historic Mountain Peak vineyard produce some of the most impressive berries we’ve seen in this varietal, nicely structured and spicy rather than super jammy. That spice component pairs beautifully with the final vintage of our estate Syrah. Once again, the venerable Palisades Vineyard Petite Sirah completes the blend, lending tannic backbone and deep, black color.It has a seductive appeal-dark, sultry, moody in the very best ways-with good balance between earthy inputs and luscious fruit notes.”

2016 Revana Terrior Series Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaOak KnollSt HelenaUncategorizedUSA

REVANA  2016 Revana Terrior Series Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 TERROIR SERIES

 
Some of my favorite winemakers have a signature style that’s detectable across multiple brands that they make.  For my palate, Thomas Brown’s Cabernets often combine a velvety mouthfeel with well-integrated oak and soft tannins that make them immediately enjoyable upon release and a gem behold.  Revana’s 2016 Terroir Selection Cabernet is a perfect example and even though it’s a massive Cabernet, the flavors unwind in supple layers and uncover remarkable complexity that’s complimented by perfectly integrated toasty oak.  Brown is absolutely at the top of his game and is one of the dominating forces in Cabernet Sauvignon…  He made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 Point score from the Wine Spectator, and he’s also the winemaker at Revana, Maybach, Gemstone and Outpost to name a few.
 
Arising from carefully selected vineyard sites in St Helena, Oak Knoll and Calistoga, the 2016 is packed with concentrated blackberry, supple cherries, graphite and a touch of sweet vanilla. Housed for 14 months in French oak barrels and a full year in the bottle before release, this Cabernet will thrill you from first sip to last.
 
REVANA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2016 TERROIR SERIES
Retails at: $105.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl 
 
“This has a very suave, supple and fleshy style to it with aromas of poached blueberries and plums that lead to a soft, fleshy and seamlessly honed palate that’s easygoing, even and balanced. Drink or hold.” 92 Points
“…a deep garnet-purple color and oak to begin, giving way to a red and black currant core with blueberries, warm plums, earth and mocha plus a tobacco waft. The palate is medium to full-bodied, firm and grainy with good concentration and an earthy finish.” 92 Points
 

Customers who enjoy Revana Terroir Series Cabernet may also enjoy these two outstanding Cabs…

2016 Witchery Oakville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Morlet Les Petits Morlet Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
WITCHERY
2016 OAKVILLE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $110.00/btl
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl

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Tasting Notes: “Some Cabernets are styled more elegantly with laser like precision, while others are monstrous, bold and powerfully inky. Somewhere in the middle lies the perfect balance of power & grace and I’ve found it in this wine.  The Witchery Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is a picture of balance with a nose that actually smells satiny with fresh black plums, crushed blueberries, sweet vanilla and delicate floral notes.  The palate is lush and beautifully balanced with black cherry, red currants, ever so slightly dusty tannins and beautifully integrated toasty oak...”  96 Points
MORLET
2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
LES PETITS MORLET
 
Your Price: $95/btl

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Winemaker Notes: “Displaying a very intense bouquet of black currant, candied red and black cherries and mocha, intermixed with hints of blond tobacco leaves and earthy notes of leather and toasted red pepper. This wine possesses youthful, yet sweet tannins and is characterized by its overall richness, suave character and approachability.“
2015 Kinsella Spencer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Kinsella Spencer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtSonomaUSA

KINSELLA 2015 Kinsella Spencer Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 SPENCER VINEYARD

 
I love tasting a new wine that is so compelling, it reminds me just how stunning a varietal can be. Meticulous farming practices, vineyard source, clonal selection and winemaking all combine to make the sum of the parts much greater than the individual pieces.  I experienced this excitement in a bottle of Kinsella Spencer Vineyard Cabernet, which is absolutely one of the finest examples of Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s made by Thomas Rivers Brown, whom you may recognize from Schrader, Revana, Maybach, and Outpost…  The 2015 Cabernet from Spencer Vineyard is stunningly elegant, rich and extracted, offering pulverized dark berries intertwined with graphite, dried violets and black currant… The previous vintage scored 95 points from Robert Parker, and I think the new vintage is even better. 
 
With clones hand-picked by Thomas River Brown, Kinsella’s organically farmed vineyard is composed of three separate blocks.  Heirloom, Jersey Boy and Spencer.  The 2015 Spencer stole the show with our panel and we were captivated by the wine’s elegance and authoritative flavors that unwind methodically across the palate. The 2015 was built for the cellar and will effortlessly go for 15+ years, but if opened now, it will surely put on a performance of a lifetime.
 
KINSELLA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 SPENCER VINEYARD
 
Your Price: $99.99/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “This vintage certainly picks up where the 2014 left off. Engaging right out of the bottle, this bright cuvee is chock full of notes of ripe black currant, graphite and clove. Cigar box and violet mesh wonderfully with this higher acid cabernet and would be smashing with a dry aged ribeye!” Cabernet Sauvignon 92% | Petit Verdot 8% 
 
Customers that enjoy Kinsella Spencer Cabernet Sauvignon, may also enjoy these two fantastic Cabs.
2015 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Kinsella Jersey Boy Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
REVANA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2015 TERROIR SERIES
 
Your Price: $105/btl 

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From The Wine Spectator: “Strikingly vibrant, featuring complex flavors, innate balance and pure dark berry, spice, licorice and light oak shadings, with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2030...”  93 Points
KINSELLA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2012 JERSEY BOY
 
Retails at: $124.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “The 2012 Jersey Boys Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunner. The wine possesses a very aromatic nose of orange blossoms, fennel, and freshly picked raspberries. This gorgeous, heady fragrance leads into a juicy mouth-feel with flavors of bright red raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and mocha. A full-bodied pallet with fine, precise and well-integrated tannins is followed by a long finish.”
2015 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaSt HelenaUncategorizedUSA

REVANA

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 TERROIR SERIES

2015 Revana Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon
What does it take to make one of Napa Valley’s Top Cabernets? Choosing the right winemaker that not only has proven abilities to create some of the best wines in the world, but one who is an expert in terroir selection and can carefully choose the right vineyard(s) to shape a monumental wine.
 
Dr. Revana selected Thomas Rivers Brown to take his wine to the next level.  Brown is at the top of his game and is one of the dominating forces in Napa Valley Cabernet.  He made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 Point score from the Wine Spectator, and he’s also the winemaker at Schrader, Maybach, Gemstone and Outpost to name a few.
 
Arising from carefully selected vineyard sites in St Helena, Oak Knoll and Calistoga, this stunning effort immediately gives you a feeling of greatness the moment you taste it… Having already earned a stellar 93 point score in the Wine Spectator, I strongly recommend securing a case, before it’s to late.
 
REVANA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 TERROIR SERIES
 
Your Price: $105/btl
 
From The Wine Spectator: “Strikingly vibrant, featuring complex flavors, innate balance and pure dark berry, spice, licorice and light oak shadings, with a long, lingering finish. Drink now through 2030...” 93 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Revana Terroir Series Cabernet enjoy these two terrific Cabs…
 
2015 BV Georges De Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Schrader Double Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon
BEAULIEU VINEYARDS
GEORGES DE LATOUR
2015 PRIVATE RESERVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $119.99/btl
 
With Napa Valley history embedded deep into it’s DNA, Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve is a timeless classic that embodies every quality that makes Rutherford so wondrous.  The vineyard blocks that go into this wine were planed in the early 1900’s, with the first vintage of 1936 Georges de Latour Private Reserve released in 1940 in honor of the winery founder’s passing.  Under the guidance of one of the world’s most iconic winemakers, Andre Tchelistcheff, BV built on a reputation of excellence and achievements.  Now, nearly 80 vintages later Georges de Latour is still turning heads and after the previous vintage earned 97 Points from Robert Parker, I wouldn’t wait for the scores to come out on the 2015 vintage before securing yours…
DOUBLE DIAMOND
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $69.99/btl

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2013 Jones Family The Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 Jones Family The Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon

with No Comment $70-$80Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaUSA

JONES FAMILY 2013 Jones Family The Sisters Cabernet Sauvignon

2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
THE SISTERS

 
Almost as common as the name Jones, is the number of times Thomas Brown comes up in my emails.  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. He made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 Point score from the Wine Spectator, and he’s also the winemaker at Schrader, Revana, Maybach, Gemstone and Outpost to name a few.  It’s also not uncommon for Brown’s wines to trade for several hundred dollars per bottle and at under $100, the Jones Family The Sisters Cabernet got my attention…
 
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…  At under $100/btl this pedigreed Cab deserves a spot in your cellar and on your table…
JONES FAMILY
2013 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
THE SISTERS
 
 
Winery Notes: “The supple mouth feel and red-fruit core of the 2013 The Sisters makes it incredibly approachable early.  The color of this wine is a translucent deep garnet and aromas of rose oil, lavender, and mint emanate from the glass.  On the palate the wine is very round and fully reminiscent of a soft flower petal in feel and shape.  Notes of dark cherry, river stone, and jasmine are finely layered and framed by light tannin profile that provides just the right amount of structure.  This wine should be showing well for the next 5-7 years.”
 
Customers that enjoy the Jone’s The Sisters Cabernet, may also enjoy these two terrific Cabs…
2014 Post Parade Stretch Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Harris Estate Vineyards Jake's Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
POST PARADE
2014 STRETCH DRIVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
Your Price: $59.99/btl 
Stretching the boundaries in just the third vintage, you’ll find this rising-star wine company and soon to be cult-classic producer in the winner’s circle after every race.  The Post Parade wines have gotten more profound with each vintage.  A pacesetter in the under seventy price bracket, Stretch Drive is the second wine produced at Post Parade, and oozes with provocative dark berries laced with crushed rock, cocoa and baking spices. 
HARRIS ESTATE
2010 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
JAKE’S CREEK VINEYARD
Retails at:  $140.00/btl
Your Price: $119.99/btl 
 
From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “Dark cherries, plums, menthol, licorice and flowers all come together in the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Jake’s Creek Vineyard. There is plenty of intensity in the glass as this full-bodied, opulent wine shows off its considerable personality. Sweet floral and spiced notes add lift on the finish. Readers will have to be patient with the 2010 Jake’s Creek, but it is striking, even today. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030.” 94 Points
 
Tamber Bey 2014 Rabicano

Tamber Bey 2014 Rabicano Deux Chevaux Vineyard

with No Comment $50-$60Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapaOakvilleUSA

TAMBER BEY

2014 RABICANO
DEUX CHEVAUX VINEYARD

Tamber Bey 2014 Rabicano
I always focus on the location when describing a new wine, because the origin of the grapes can be the single most important factor giving it a chance at greatness.  Tamber Bey’s Deux Chevaux Vineyard in Yountville is in a prime location and lies just across the Napa River from the 100 Point producing Kapcsandy Estate Vineyards, and with the iconic Ghost Block Vineyard just a stone’s throw away, this vineyard is definitely in the right neighborhood.  This fruit was then given a voice by winemaker Andy Jones, who began working alongside winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown in 2008 at Black Sears Winery, and Brown continues as the consulting winemaker at Tamber Bey.
 
A stunning display of class and depth, the 2014 Rabicano is built around a core of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and incorporates all five Bordeaux Varietals.  Kept for 18 months in French oak barrels, the 2014 possesses a velvety richness  swelling with sweet blackberries, plum, white chocolate, espresso and toffee notes.  If you tasted this wine blind you’d think you’re tasting a $100 Yountville Cab…
 
 TAMBER BEY
2014 RABICANO
DEUX CHEVAUX VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl
 
Winery Notes: “The nose is full of plum and blackberry, with an undertone of dry figs and a hint of clay. The mouth-feel is fleshy and consistent, with black currant and blackberry, as well as hints of rosemary, ripe nectarine and flowers. The finish is long, with dark chocolate, cherry and slate notes.“
Customers who enjoy Tamber Bey’s Rabicano may also enjoy these stunning Cabernets…
GRASSI
2014 SHINER SERIES
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $50/btl
Your Price: $45/btl
Grassi’s 6 barrel production of their 2014 Shiner Series  Cabernet is incredibly fabulous and lucky for consumers, it also comes in at around $30/btl below their Estate Cabernet… It’s brought to life by Robbie Meyer, whose experience includes 5 vintages at the iconic Peter Michael Winery, as well as time at Lewis Cellars, Jericho Canyon and Del Dotto to list a few…
LAIRD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2013 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:  $60.00/btl
Your Price: $52.99/btl
 
Laird’s 2013 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is built from almost equal parts Mast Ranch and Flat Rock vineyards.  The winery produces single vineyard Cabernets from both of these sites which retail for $80 to $90 per bottle…  It’s a brand that I love, and in fact we featured their 2012 vintage as one of our top 5 wines of the year in 2017.
2010 Harris Estate Jakes Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

HARRIS ESTATE 2010 CABERNET SAUVIGNON JAKE’S CREEK VINEYARD

with No Comment $100 and overCabernet SauvignonCalistogaKevin VogtNapaUSA

HARRIS ESTATE

2010 Harris Estate Jakes Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2010 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
JAKE’S CREEK VINEYARD

 
How can you top a 94 point Thomas Rivers Brown Cab? Simple, you let it rest for 5-6 years at the winery, just like this 2010 Harris Jake’s Creek Cabernet Sauvignon… Sourced from lower slopes of Diamond Mountain, this wine is indescribably profound and rocks you to the core with a spectacular display of intense wild berries, graphite, liquid violets and chocolaty expresso.  It’s everything you’d expect from a blockbuster TRB wine and is amplified by 5-6 years of bottle development so that it is perfectly ready to drink.  Brown made history as the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 Point score from the Wine Spectator, and has had more than a dozen 100 Point wines in his career.  He’s also the winemaker at Schrader, Revana, Maybach, Gemstone and Outpost to name a few…
 
Need more?  The vineyard is managed by Josh Clark, one of wine country’s most sought after viticulturists, who’s list of clients include icons like Outpost, Hourglass, Kinsella and Pulido Walker to list a few…  A tantalizing interpretation of Diamond Mountain terroir that ignites a vivid display of blackberry preserves, dark spices and chocolate dipped raspberries.  With just a handful of cases of the 2010 available, I strongly recommend securing yours before it’s too late… You’ll be glad you did.
 
HARRIS ESTATE
2010 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
JAKE’S CREEK VINEYARD
Retails at:  $140.00/btl
 
Your Price: $119.99/btl
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From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate, “Dark cherries, plums, menthol, licorice and flowers all come together in the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Jake’s Creek Vineyard. There is plenty of intensity in the glass as this full-bodied, opulent wine shows off its considerable personality. Sweet floral and spiced notes add lift on the finish. Readers will have to be patient with the 2010 Jake’s Creek, but it is striking, even today. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2030.” 94 Points

 
Customers that enjoy the Harris Jake’s Creek Cabernet, may also enjoy these two terrific Cabs…
2104 Post Parade Stretch Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Revana Cabernet Sauvignon
POST PARADE
2014 STRETCH DRIVE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $59.99/btl

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Stretching the boundaries in just the third vintage, you’ll find this rising-star wine company and soon to be cult-classic producer in the winner’s circle after every race.  The Post Parade wines have gotten more profound with each vintage.  A pacesetter in the under seventy price bracket, Stretch Drive is the second wine produced at Post Parade, and oozes with provocative dark berries laced with crushed rock, cocoa and baking spices.
REVANA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 TERROIR SERIES
(Also made by Thomas Brown)
 
Your Price: $105/btl

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Revana solidified themselves as one of the top producers in Napa Valley in 2010 when they secured the #4 spot on the prestigious Wine Spectator top 100 List… amazingly, it was also the #1 Cabernet… From The Wine Spectator, “Pure, rich, dense and driven by extracted blackberry, boysenberry, licorice, currant, cedar and cigar box nuances. Most impressive for the direct and authoritative presence. Best from 2020 through 2038…” 95 Points