2017 Ten Acre Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

2017 Ten Acre Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

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TEN ACRE

2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

2017 Ten Acre Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
The wine team at Ten Acre believes that they should make wine with respect for the land’s character from which they celebrate. Their 2017 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir celebrates three remarkable cool-climate vineyards farmed by passionate growers. They choose each specific block for its defined sense of location, and then carefully blended it so all three vineyards shine through.
 
This Pinot Noir strategically combines fruit from Three Perch, Stephens, and Jenkins Vineyards, producing tiny-yields of powerfully expressive Pinot Noir berries. Each site is grown in Goldridge soils, highly regarded for producing premium Pinot Noir fruit. 
 
Michael Zardo, the winemaker at Ten Acre, was previously the assistant winemaker at Pisoni Vineyards. He crafts balanced, expressive, terroir-driven wines, which he achieves through gentle winemaking, and fermenting with native yeast. The quality of fruit, skilled craftsmanship and balance of this wine is very distinctive and worth every cent.
 
TEN ACRE
2017 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $38
 
 
“… Moderate garnet color in the glass. Very appealing aromas of darker red and purple fruits with hints of spice and white pepper. More concentrated than the Russian River Valley bottling, featuring a mid weight array of blue and purple fruits along with a touch of oak and licorice. Nicely integrated tannins and some finishing persistence.”
90 Points

“Embodying the character and quality of the three vineyards it comes from, this dynamic Pinot Noir combines luxurious fruit with layered complexity. On the nose, aromas of plum, black cherry, rhubarb and sweet baking spices mingle with sophisticated hints of sage, graphite and crunchy fall leaves. The red and black fruits is echoed on the palate, where lively underling acidity frames the blackberry, cherry and pomegranate flavors, while drawing the wine to a long, bright finish.”
2017 Luke Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

2017 Luke Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

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LUKE GOLDSCHMIDT

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 ALEXANDER VALLEY

2017 Luke Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley
Goldschmidt wines highlight a region’s most distinct characteristics and present them in an intense, well-balanced style. Some of their best examples come from Alexander Valley, where Nick Goldschmidt has extensive experience. Nick’s son Luke also has experience making wine worldwide, from Chile, France, Spain, and Argentina to New Zealand. Together, they crafted this wine which at $22 perfectly reflects Alexander Valley’s rich terroir.
 
The 2017 vintage is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from low-vigor vines, yielding just 3.5 tons per acre of highly concentrated berries. The wine is deep and rich on the palate, layered with red and black fruits, cocoa, cherry pipe tobacco, and dried herbs. 
 
Nick and Luke fermented this release in a combination of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels, which added compelling spice notes and vexations of toasty oak. Just like in previous Goldschmidt Cabernets, this beauty out-performs others at double its price.
 
LUKE GOLDSCHMIDT
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2017 ALEXANDER VALLEY
Retails at: $25
 
Your Price: $22
 
 
“Nicely focused red cherry and red raspberry aromas. Loaded with red berry fruit flavors with a touch of caramel, dark chocolate, and toasty oak. Full and well-structured from the long hang time. The texture is smooth and the mouth medium bodied. White pepper and spice in the finish with long and supple tannins.”
2019 Barnett Vineyards Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard

2019 Barnett Vineyards Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard

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BARNETT VINEYARDS

2019 CHARDONNAY
SANGIACOMO VINEYARD 

2019 Barnett Vineyards Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard
Barnett produces supremely balanced wines that are varietally appropriate and locationally transparent. They achieve this through selecting the right location and taking a hands-on, attentive approach to winemaking. Winemaker David Tate regularly samples juice from each barrel during fermentation, stopping malolactic fermentation on a barrel-by-barrel basis to preserve balance. Their 2019 Sangiacomo Vineyard Chardonnay is sensational and perfectly reflects the winery’s commitment to producing world-class wine.
 
The winery has produced Chardonnay from Sangiacomo for 28 vintages; thus, they can access some of the best blocks. Their 2019 combines El Novillero, Vella, and Catarina blocks. Each block is fermented separately in small batches before aging Sur Lie for ten months in French oak. 
 
Winemaker David Tate has crafted Barnett since 2007, and he previously spent five years at Ridge, where he helped make their iconic Monte Bello Cabernet. His years at Ridge laid the groundwork for his commitment to quality and understanding what it takes to produce world-class wine with a sense of place.
 
BARNETT VINEYARDS
2019 CHARDONNAY
SANGIACOMO VINEYARD
 
Your Price: $37.99
 
 
“The 2019 Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard opens with a gorgeous nose of spice cake, candied ginger, lemon butter and marzipan over a core of apricots, Bosc pears and apple pie. Medium-bodied, the palate bursts with intense citrus and apple flavors plus loads of spicy accents with a racy backbone and satiny texture, finishing long with beautiful savoriness.”
93+ Points
2014 Immortal Estate Slope Cabernet Sauvignon

2014 Immortal Estate Slope Cabernet Sauvignon

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IMMORTAL ESTATE

2014 SLOPE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

2014 Immortal Estate Slope Cabernet Sauvignon
On the West side of Spring Mountain, Immortal Estate is planted on a staggering 55-degree slope, making it one of the steepest hillside-vineyards in California. Initially named Hidden Ridge, the property produced 100 point wines under Tim Milos’ guidance. Tim gained invaluable experience while crafting stellar vintages of Opus One, Stag’s Leap, and Cliff Lede, and he’s the winemaker at Immortal Estate.
 
Vines grown on steep slopes can experience better air-flow, water drainage, and more sunlight, which combine to produce fully-developed and complexly flavored grapes. Immortal Estate is a perfect example and has more than 20 separate blocks with an elevation range of 1200-1700 feet, near Pride Mountain Vineyards. 
 
Tim selected harvest dates for each block based on taste, and the team meticulously sorted the grapes at the winery. They fermented the juice on the grape skins for up to 50 days, extracting depth, structure, and deep color. They then aged the wine for 28 months in French oak, and now with several years in the bottle, it’s rocking.
 
IMMORTAL ESTATE
2014 SLOPE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $75
 
 
“…the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Slope from the Hidden Ridge vineyard does not suffer in comparison with the extraordinary efforts of 2013. Still a barrel sample, its riveting richness, concentration, texture and density represent another legend in the making. Crème de cassis, licorice, blackberry, earthiness and spice are all present in this magnificent example of Cabernet Sauvignon that should age beautifully for 25-30+ years.”
95-97+ Points
 
“The Slope represents the many aspects, elevations and exposures of this remarkable hillside vineyard. Individual lots from across the property were selected and blended to produce this august cuvée. The wine is dense, ripe and powerful, an effusive vortex of blackberry, toast, brown sugar, allspice, cassis, dark chocolate, earl grey tea, mint, anise, sugar cookie, chai, and tarragon. The palate is massive, but the fruit is sweet, supple and creamy. It is an experience that will bring you to our mountain, for there is no other place like it.”
2018 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate, Russian River

2018 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate, Russian River

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ROCHIOLI 

2018 PINOT NOIR 
ESTATE, RUSSIAN RIVER

2018 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate, Russian River
Rochioli is one of the most distinguished vineyards in North America, and it’s revered for producing powerful and vividly distinct berries. The family recognized the potential to grow world-class Burgundian varieties on their property early on. Their first release was named The Best Pinot Noir in America by the Wine Spectator, and decades later, the following for their brand is more robust than ever.
 
The 2018 Russian River Pinot Noir represents the essence and character of the entire Estate by intricately combining five of the winery’s coveted single-vineyards; Sweetwater, Little Hill, Big Hill, West Block, and East Block. 
 
Tom Rochioli’s winemaking philosophy of producing terroir-driven wines made with minimal intervention, and built on a foundation of superb fruit, helped make them one of the top producers in North America. The 2018 release is supremely balanced, concentrated, and powerfully focused.
 
ROCHIOLI 
2018 PINOT NOIR 
ESTATE, RUSSIAN RIVER
 
Your Price: $89.99
 
 
“This blockbuster wine is a single-vineyard blend of the winery’s best blocks, including 40% Sweetwater, 39% Little Hill, 12% Big Hill, 6% West Block and 3% East Block. Together, they find unison in spicy, woody and earthy tones of white pepper and tingling acidity. It delivers a powerful freshness followed by forest notes, black tea and baked strawberry.”
97 Points
 
“A good value in world-class Pinot Noir, the 2018 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley comes from a mix of the estate’s single vineyard and was 95% destemmed and brought up in French oak. It has a great red fruit-driven core as well as lots of floral and spice notes, medium body, great acidity, and no shortage of length on the finish. It’s great today and will shine for 7-8 years.”
94 Points
 
“The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate is such a pretty wine. Crushed red berries, rose petal, mint, spice and blood orange infuse the 2018 with tremendous character, especially at this level. A Pinot of precision and nuance, the 2018 Estate brilliantly shows the direction Tom Rochioli has taken his wines in recent years. Readers will find an especially compelling edition of the Estate in 2018.”
93 Points
 
“Powerful and pure-tasting, with underbrush accents and hints of white pepper to the dark currant and dried raspberry flavors. Cedary in the midpalate, with a long finish of dried beef and loamy notes. Drink now through 2025.”
93 Points
2018 Florian Mollet Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

2018 Florian Mollet Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France

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FLORIAN MOLLET

2018 POUILLY-FUME
LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE

2018 Florian Mollet Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley, France
Florian Mollet is fervent about his viticulture and winemaking. He’s also not afraid to combine tradition with modern advancements like using multiple small stainless-steel tanks for vinifying each of his parcels separately. His winery is Domaine du Clos du Roc, one of the top houses in Sancerre, formerly the Saint-Satur Abbey, founded in 1450. Their Pouilly-Fume comes from a tiny 6ha parcel across the river near the wine-growing hamlet of Boisgibault, and it produces fruit with remarkable character, clarity, and balance.
 
Domaine du Clos du Roc’s parcel in Pouilly-Fume is grown in silex soils and planted to 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The flint terroir gives the wine a unique personality, and the hallmark a subtle smoky, gunflint note which rises from the glass. 
 
Florian ferments his Pouilly-Fume in stainless steel tanks for three weeks without malolactic fermentation to preserve the wine’s natural brightness. He also ages the wine for six months on the fine lees, contributing to the intriguing textures and overall balance.
 
FLORIAN MOLLET
2018 POUILLY-FUME
LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
 
Your Price: $34
 
 
“Wonderful aromas of dried flowers to the cooked apple and some lime. Green papaya too. Medium to full body. Fruity and minerally finish. Drink now.” 
94 Points
 
Winery Notes: “Golden green. The nose opens up to notes of wild flowers backed by subtle citrus fruit. Expressive attack on the palate exuding exotic fruit with refreshing exuberance and delicate balance.”
2018 Prisoner Wine Co. Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Prisoner Wine Co. Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon

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PRISONER WINE CO.

2018 CUTTINGS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

2018 Prisoner Wine Co. Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon
The inspiration for Cuttings Cabernet Sauvignon is grapevine cuttings cultivated on high-elevation vineyards transversing through some of California’s most sought-after regions. Revered for crafting unique blends unrestricted by tradition, Cuttings ownership, along with winemaker Chrissy Wittmann, built Cuttings around 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Zinfandel. The richly layered 2018 release has supple dark fruits, intriguing complexity, and at less than $50, is a substantial value.
 
Prisoner winemaker Chrissy Wittmann called on a diverse variety of clones and terroirs, primarily from hillside vineyards in Napa Valley, Sonoma, and Red Hills Appellation to create this masterpiece. She combined the deep, intense flavor of Cabernet Sauvignon with Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Zin’s structure and richness. 
 
This wine is the bigger, more masculine brother to the popular Prisoner Red blend, and Chrissy made it in an irresistibly plump, velvety style. The 2018 vintage spent 18 months in 40% new French oak barrels, and it’s stunning now… Right out of the bottle.
 
PRISONER WINE CO.
2018 CUTTINGS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“Deliciously smooth with flavors of blueberry, dark cherry, and cocoa. Aromas of fresh roasted coffee, black currant, vanilla bean, brown spice, and wild berries.”
2017 Balletto Zinfandel Russian River Valley

2017 Balletto Zinfandel Russian River Valley

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BALLETTO 

2017 ZINFANDEL 
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 

2017 Balletto Zinfandel Russian River Valley
Balletto Vineyards has intimate knowledge of their land, which stems from hand-tending each vine throughout the year. Their team has complete control of the vineyard and in the cellar, and they’re meticulous in every aspect. The fact that they own 700 acres of vines in Sonoma County and only keep the top 10% of their grapes for their Estate wines is palpable in your glass. At less than $30, their Russian River Zinfandel is bright, balanced, elegant in style. It drinks beautifully and is a serious value.
 
The 2017 Zinfandel was forged exclusively from the winery’s own BCD Vineyard located in the rolling hills leading up the Coastal mountain range. The vineyard’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows the fruit to develop slowly, resulting in full, complex flavors that perfectly reflect their origin. 
 
The winemaking team looks for the perfect balance of bright, forward fruit, along with deep, rich flavors of bigger-styled Zins. To achieve their signature style, they harvest at the pinnacle of ripeness and age the Zin for ten months in French and American oak barrels, which lend spice and structure to the wine, matching the inherent characteristics of the varietal.
 
BALLETTO 
2017 ZINFANDEL 
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“Each year, Balletto produces a distinctly bright and aromatic Zinfandel. It’s part floral, part mixed black berry and part earth and savory spices that fill the background. It’s distinct and delicious and makes a solid statement about Zinfandel that’s grown in a cooler climate and made with the fine touch associated with Pinot Noir producers. The wine is rich with an integrated mid-palate weight that’s balanced with crisp acidity on the front and fine, cocoa-like tannins on the finish. The resulting wine is complete and balanced with the vibrant aromatic profile melding nicely with the flavors and texture of the wine.”
2019 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley One Liter Bottles

2019 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley One Liter Bottles

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CAYMUS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2019 NAPA VALLEY
ONE LITER BOTTLES

2019 Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley One Liter Bottles
Caymus Vineyards pioneered the art of crafting beautifully ripe Cabernet Sauvignon with velvety tannins that are almost impossible to detect. They achieve this through extended hang-time, a technique where the fruit is kept on the vine unusually long, allowing the berries to develop an attractive suppleness and perfectly mature flavors. At around $100, their Napa Cabernet in special 1-liter bottles delivers immense satisfaction.
 
The 2019 vintage was born from a compilation of strategically selected sites throughout Napa Valley. This wine remains a consistent model for the Caymus signature style because of the winery’s relationships and collaboration with their growers. 
 
The winery excelled in 2019, and this new release asserts enormous extract, followed by a compelling crescendo of sweet blue fruits, dark chocolate, and cassis. The best news is the 1 Liter Bottles contain 33% more wine than 750ML, which are a necessity in a vintage as great as this one.
 
CAYMUS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
2019 NAPA VALLEY
ONE LITER BOTTLES
 
Your Price: $99.99
 
 
“Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe, velvety tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. We farm Cabernet grapes in eight of Napa’s 16 sub-appellations, with diversification enabling us to make the best possible wine in a given year. This Cabernet offers layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe dark berries.”
2018 Domaine Jessiaume Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres Red Burgundy

2018 Domaine Jessiaume Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres Red Burgundy

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DOMAINE JESSIAUME

SANTENAY 1er CRU
LES GRAVIÈRES
2018 RED BURGUNDY 

2018 Domaine Jessiaume Santenay 1er Cru Les Gravieres Red Burgundy
Santenay is an appellation of Côte de Beaune that’s best known for its Pinot Noir production. The region includes a dozen Premier Cru Vineyards, and Les Gravières is classically in the best part of the appellation. It’s located near the border of Chassagne and considered by many the top Cru Vineyard in Santenay. At less than $50, Domaine Jessiaume’s Premier Cru Red Burgundy from Les Gravières shows off the remarkable power, beauty, and complexity for which the site is known.
 
Les Gravières has highly-porous oolitic limestone, marls, and white oolite soils. Domaine Jessiaume sources from 60 years old vines have deep root systems that extract minerals and other composites, beautifully expressing the vineyard’s distinct terroir. 
 
Maison Jessiaume values organic viticulture and a gentle touch to winemaking. Their team intervenes as little as possible during the winemaking processes, ferments with natural yeasts, and relies on gravity to transfer the wine into tanks. The cumulative result is a pure and balanced interpretation of the varietal, location, and vintage.
 
DOMAINE JESSIAUME
SANTENAY 1er CRU
LES GRAVIÈRES
2018 RED BURGUNDY
 
Your Price: $49
 
 
“Floral and fresh on the nose, very inviting. Nice mouthfeel, bright, supple, with verve and tension. Complex flavor profile, red stone fruits, clove, cinnamon, nice balance and structure, expansive across the palate. Chewy tannins, very pure. Nice spice on the finish, with blood orange acidity. From vines with an average age of 60 years, aged 14 months in 350L barrels (30% new) before bottling.”