2016 Shannon Ridge Reserve Zinfandel Two Bud Block

2016 Shannon Ridge Reserve Zinfandel Two Bud Block

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SHANNON RIDGE

2016 RESERVE ZINFANDEL
TWO BUD BLOCK

2016 Shannon Ridge Reserve Zinfandel Two Bud Block
Zinfandel grown at high elevations can be positively affected by extreme conditions, such as more concentrated sunlight and dramatic diurnal temperature shifts. These factors create more stress on the vines, resulting in smaller, more concentrated berries. Translated onto your taste buds, Mountain-grown Zinfandel expresses greater power, more savory intensity, richness, and depth. Lucky for us, not all of them are expensive. At our price, Shannon Ridge’s 2016 Two Bud Block Reserve Zin is extraordinarily delicious. 
 
Shannon Ridge’s Home Ranch Vineyard is sustainably farmed, perched at 2,400 feet in the recently formed High Valley Appellation in Lake County. The site’s lean volcanic soils combine with cool marine breezes that flow across the valley and produce exceptional fruit. 
 
The winery sources their reserve wines from the best blocks in the vineyard, and they barrel-age them for around 24 months, resulting in age-worthy wines that are intensely powerful and well-balanced. 
 
SHANNON RIDGE
2016 RESERVE ZINFANDEL
TWO BUD BLOCK
Retails at: $38
 
 
 
“The fruit flavors in this full-bodied and luxurious wine go very deep, offering blackberry and cherry-syrup impressions on the layered and velvety texture. Baking spices like cinnamon, vanilla and clove dress up the aroma and finish.”
90 Points
 
“The aromas are reminiscent of late summer dusty roads, blackberry pie, and vanilla oak. The flavors are true to the terrior; complex with milk chocolate, grilled meats and an integrated dark fruit and oak finish.”
2018 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red

2018 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red

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HOURGLASS 

2018 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED

2018 Hourglass HG III Proprietary Red
Hourglass HG III is strategically blended with the restaurant environment in mind and crafted in an approachable and expressive style that doesn’t require decanting. The winery describes it as a study in the art of blending. They make it with declassified Blueline Estate fruit and other meticulously selected sites that lend to the full spectrum of fruit and rich textures that make this wine so delightful. 
 
HG III beautifully intertwines Merlot, Petit Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot contributes sleek textures and elegant bright red fruit components. Simultaneously, the Petite Sirah provides the anchoring deep dark blue and black fruits, while the Cabernet weaves these together with structural framing and elegant refinement. 
 
Hourglass is made by Toni Biagi, who spent nearly ten years crafting the high-scoring Plumpjack wines, which rank among the best in Napa Valley. HG III offers a superb pedigree, and at around $50, the value is unrivaled. 
 
HOURGLASS 
2018 HG III
PROPRIETARY RED
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“Rich, textural layers define HG III. The 2018 greets with lifted aromatics of bright Bing cherry, dark plum, and cedar box, with subtle hints of herbs de Provence, cocoa powder and hoisin. A medley of saturated black cherry, crushed blueberry and cola root burst forth on the palate, providing broad-shouldered, sumptuous texture. Rich and concentrated, yet balanced by lively acidity, a refined structure and well-integrated tannins, HG III delivers and eminently drinkable wine at cork-pull.”
2017 Silverpoint Chardonnay Petaluma Gap

2017 Silverpoint Chardonnay Petaluma Gap

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SILVERPOINT

2017 CHARDONNAY
PETALUMA GAP

2017 Silverpoint Chardonnay Petaluma Gap
Silverpoint’s master plan is to remain small and focused on producing tiny quantities of meticulously made wines. Their strategy parallels winemaker Don Van Staaveren’s patient and minimal intervention approach of winemaking. Don is a seasoned winemaker responsible for authoring the Chateau St. Jean wines that made history when his 1996 Cinq Cepages was the #1 wine on the Spectator Top 100 list. This wine proves that when a winemaker perfectly aligns his style with the proprietor’s goals, great things happen, and with a mere 91 cases made, don’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
Silverpoint Cellars sources their Chardonnay fruit from the renowned Rodgers Creek Vineyard, which sits in the heart of the cool-climate Petaluma Gap AVA. The site has maritime winds and heavy fog influences, along with chalky volcanic ash soils, which create an ideal environment for Chardonnay to develop expressive flavors and maintain natural acidity.  
 
Don barrel-aged the 2017 release for nine months sur lie, which played a crucial role in contributing to the wine’s creamy mouthfeel and opulent textures. With just 91 cases made, this pedigreed and micro-produced Chardonnay guarantees to impress.
 
SILVERPOINT
2017 CHARDONNAY
PETALUMA GAP
Retails at: $45
 
 
 
“Rich and pale gold color with a creamy texture balanced by a lively acidity. Hints of melon and white peach. Voluptuous. A long juicy finish lets you linger with this Chardonnay. 91 cases produced”
2015 Maroon Reserve Merlot Single Vineyard Napa Valley

2015 Maroon Reserve Merlot Single Vineyard Napa Valley

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MAROON

RESERVE MERLOT
SINGLE VINEYARD
2015 NAPA VALLEY

2015 Maroon Reserve Merlot Single Vineyard Napa Valley
One of the leading factors in Maroon Winery’s success is its ability to identify properties capable of producing world-class grapes. They chose the historic Nichelini property for their Reserve Merlot. Nichelini is the oldest family-owned winery in Napa Valley and is not far from Kuleto Estate, Chappellet, Continuum, and Gandona. The wine perfectly balances power and elegance, and at our price, I recommend loading up. 
 
Nichelini’s vineyard sits at around 1,000′ in elevation, and the temperatures there are cooler than the Valley floor, providing ideal conditions for Merlot grapes to retain their natural acidity. Paul Maroon chose this site because he believed the vineyard’s unique climate was similar to Bordeaux.
 
This stunning Merlot emerges from one of Napa Valley’s top vintages, which the Wine Spectator describes as producing “Small crop… with deep dark fruit and spice flavors.” If you’re looking for a powerful yet elegant Merlot that you probably won’t find in your neighbor’s cellar, this is it. There were just 130 cases produced.
 
MAROON
RESERVE MERLOT
SINGLE VINEYARD
2015 NAPA VALLEY 
Retails at: $60
 
 
 
“Smooth, supple and elegant, this beautiful Merlot from Maroon has aromas of cassis, cherry pie, sage, violets, glove leather, spearmint, and sweet vanilla spice. On the palate, a seamless blend of black plums, crushed cherries, and fresh herbs lead to a balanced and lush finish with bright cherries right at the end.”
92 Points
 
“This delightful Merlot has aromas of fully ripened black cherry and plum intermingled with an appealing ray of slight spice and vanilla. The texture of the wine is very smooth from front to finish with a well-rounded texture on the midpalate. The tannins evolve and soften, resulting in a long, soft finale.”
130 cases produced
2017 Altagracia Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Altagracia Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

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ALTAGRACIA

2017 EISELE VINEYARD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

2017 Altagracia Eisele Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
The Eisele Vineyard dates back to the 1880s and is one of the New World’s great terroirs. The site was made famous by the Araujos in the 1990s through 2013 when Chateau Latour purchased it. Today, they farm the vineyard organically and biodynamically, and the new owners aim to make singular wines of the highest caliber. The wines invariably express remarkable depth, elegance, longevity, and balance. At around a quarter of their top Eisele Vineyard Cabernet’s price, Altagracia offers a beautiful introduction to this magical Estate.
 
At Eisele Vineyard, winemaking takes a back seat to terroir, allowing the vineyard to express its most clear voice. There is no signature style to their winemaking, yet their team is precise, uncompromising, natural, and honest in their approach, and all of this is highly transparent in their wines. 
 
The vineyard sits at the Eastern edge of Calistoga, at the Palisade Mountain Range base, where an ancient creekbed that bisects the Estate spread an alluvial fan of cobbly volcanic soils that make this site unique. The vines there produce small berries of thick-skinned, intensely flavored grapes. 
 
ALTAGRACIA
2017 EISELE VINEYARD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
 
Your Price: $135
 
 
“Blackberry and tile aromas with tobacco and spice. Some chocolate, too. Medium to full body and firm, velvety tannins that show a juicy finish. Fine yet dusty tannins. Rich for the vintage. Delicious now or hold.”
94 Points
 
“… Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia leaps from the glass, offering bold, expressive notes of blackberry pie, Black Forest cake and warm cassis with hints of garrigue, mossy tree bark, dusty soil and black pepper plus a fragrant waft of cinnamon stick. Medium to full-bodied, the palate offers a great core of rich, spicy black fruit preserves, framed with firm, chewy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing earthy.”
93 Points
 
“The 2017 Altagracia is closer to its brother the Eisele Vineyard Cabernet than ever. The nose is floral and delicate at first, opening with a whiff of laurel, musk and patchouli. The mouthfeel is generous and ample with spicy notes of cumin and turmeric. The tannins are fine and chiseled, revealed by a gentle hand on extraction in the cellar. Notes of mocha, espresso and graphite linger on the palate while the fruit breaks out in the finish with fresh fig and black currant, reminding us of the tiny berries that were the signature of the 2017 vintage.”
2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena

2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena Napa Valley

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LETO CELLARS

EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ST HELENA, NAPA VALLEY

2016 Leto Cellars Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena
The pinnacle wine produced by Leto Cellars is their Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, and it accurately lives up to its name. The wine is exceptional in terms of extract, power, and finesse. The only problem is with 72 cases produced, very few will get to experience this exceptional effort. 
 
The Exceptional Selection is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon drawn from a micro-block of half-century-old vines in the heart of St Helena. The low-yielding, dry-farmed vines have deep root systems that provide a vivid portrayal of their unique terroir, which delivers with powerful intensity, grace, and balance.  
 
After developing for 21 months in oak, the wine has enticing aromas of rich black fruits, roasted espresso, dark chocolate, and rocky minerals. With 3 barrels made and a savings of nearly $50/btl, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure a case.
 
LETO CELLARS
EXCEPTIONAL SELECTION
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
ST HELENA, NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $125
 
 
 
“The precisely shaped and exquisitely balanced Leto Exceptional Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 begins with an elegant nose filled with black plums, black currants, smooth blue fruits, baking spices, rose petals and sweet vanilla oak. There is a seamless combination of freshly crushed mountain blackberries, kirsch, and light tobacco notes on the palate. The finish is focused, penetrating, balanced, and long, making this wine a truly exceptional selection.”
94 Points
2016 Peter Franus Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard Mount Veeder

2016 Peter Franus Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard Mount Veeder

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PETER FRANUS

2016 ZINFANDEL
BRANDLIN VINEYARD
MOUNT VEEDER

2016 Peter Franus Zinfandel Brandlin Vineyard Mount Veeder
Zinfandels’ most distinct characteristics shine at high elevations. The altitude contributes to the vine’s ability to produce more concentrated fruit with amplified structure, savory intensity, and richness. Peter Franus, whom Robert Parker wrote has “the Midas touch when it comes to Zinfandel,” has sourced his Zin from the Brandlin Vineyard at 1200 feet elevation on Mount Veeder since the early ’90s. The 2016 release is a stunning example of Mountain grown Zinfandel, and at our price, the value is abundant.
 
Brandlin was planted in the 1920s and is one of the oldest vineyards on Mountain Veeder. The family planted the hillside vineyard to a field blend with multiple varietals, and the head-trained vines rely on winter rains as their sole source of irrigation. This dry-farming practice creates a deep root system that perfectly articulates the terroir of the Mountain. 
 
Peter ferments his Zinfandel at a cooler temperature to accentuate the zesty and forward fruit. He also ages exclusively in Burgundian French oak barrels, which adds complexity and increases refinement. 
 
PETER FRANUS
2016 ZINFANDEL
BRANDLIN VINEYARD
MOUNT VEEDER
Retails at: $40
 
 
 
“My immediate impression of the 2016 vintage—classic Brandlin! Brilliant medium ruby with an array of aromatic notes—bramble fruits, white pepper, basil, rose petal, and a touch of sweet oak. The palate entry is gentle, leading to flavors of anise and strawberry. The wine embraces that PF goal of a structure that is elegant, balanced, lively and refreshing. The lengthy finish will return to remind you how much you are enjoying this wine.”
2017 Vin Perdu Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2017 Vin Perdu Proprietary Red Napa Valley

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VIN PERDU

PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY 

2017 Vin Perdu Proprietary Red Napa Valley
Vin Perdu is blended to emphasize each premium vineyard component’s unique characteristics, maximize the potential of the vintage, and then articulate it with elegance. In 2017 the wine arose from La Sirena, Amuse Bouche, and Fantesca vineyards and was crafted by Heidi Barrett. Heidi is a world-class winemaker whose past and present clients include Amuse Bouche, Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Grace Family, and many others. At under $100, this is, as Vinous writes, “an absolutely joyous wine.”
 
For the 2017 Blend, Heidi selected 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc from some of Napa Valley’s most premier sites. The wine highlights the vintage’s elegance, with stunning balance, enthralling complexity, and plush textures. 
 
Vin Perdu is the delicious result of a powerful partnership between Heidi Barrett and John Schwartz. In 2002 they created Amuse Bouche, a Pomerol-inspired Merlot that’s arguably the best in the Valley. With super-premium fruit from Amuse Bouche and several of Heidi’s other projects, Vin Perdu was born. 
 
VIN PERDU
PROPRIETARY RED
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $95
 
 
“The 2017 Vin Perdu is racy and voluptuous, not to mention incredibly delicious. Succulent red cherry, rose petal, mocha, plum and spice are all given an extra kick of textural richness in the 2017, a wine that benefits from the addition of fruit that would have gone into some of the higher end wines in a more typical vintage. Plush, opulent and creamy, the 2017 is an absolutely joyous wine to enjoy over the next decade or so.” 
93 Points
 
“A pure and fruity red with lovely raspberries and dark chocolate. Medium to full body, round and fine tannins and flavorful finish. 80% cabernet sauvignon and 20% cabernet franc. Drink now or hold.” 
93 Points
 
“The fruit for this was harvested on October 2nd and 3rd, just before the 2017 fires… Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a little coaxing to reveal notes of plum preserves, crème de cassis and Black Forest cake with underlying hints of candied violets, forest floor, cigar box and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with black fruits and savory layers, framed by firm, grainy tannins and bright freshness, finishing long.”
92 Points
2013 Villa Trasqua Trasgaia Toscana IGT

2013 Villa Trasqua Trasgaia Toscana IGT

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VILLA TRASQUA

2013 TRASGAIA 
TOSCANA IGT

2013 Villa Trasqua Trasgaia Toscana IGT
Villa Trasqua has a 1000 year history in Castellina, Chianti, rooted in viticulture and innovation. Their wines perfectly balance tradition and modernity and are enriched with old-world antiquity and enhanced with new world styled fruit. Over the years, their Trasgaia Super Tuscan has graced the shelves in our shop and has generated a devoted following due to its remarkable quality and realistic price.
 
The winery is on an ancient plateau in the town Castellina, and they cultivate their vineyards organically, perfectly expressing the site’s specific terroir. The estate shined in 2013, which was a vintage that the Wine Spectator noted as producing, “Sleek, vibrant wines with bright, focused fruit flavors.”
 
The 2013 vintage combined 50% Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and matured for 24 months in oak and five years of development inside the bottle. The 2013 release is powerful, beautifully defined and is perfectly ready to enjoy now.
 
VILLA TRASQUA
2013 TRASGAIA 
TOSCANA IGT 
 
Your Price: $28
 
 
“Fresh and aromatic red with blackberries, cherries and hints of flowers. Medium body, firm and silky tannins and a fresh finish. Linear and bright. A blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Drink now.”
91 Points
 
“Deep ruby red with very light garnet hues. The aroma is fruity with nuances of sour cherry in syrup, black currant and lemon jelly. Then vanilla, liquorice and nutmeg notes with balsamic reminiscences of eucalyptus and toasted Arabica coffee and gianduja chocolate. The nose opens up to black pepper and star anis. The taste is round with a warmth that makes it pleasant, tasty and well-balanced. The tannins are completely integrated. The long aftertaste is polite and measured with blackberry, currant and liquorice aromas.”
2015 Larry Hyde Pinot Noir Hyde Estate Vineyard

2015 Larry Hyde Pinot Noir Hyde Estate Vineyard

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LARRY HYDE

2015 PINOT NOIR
HYDE ESTATE VINEYARD

2015 Larry Hyde Pinot Noir Hyde Estate Vineyard
Napa Valley Grower-of-the-Year for 2020 Larry Hyde of Hyde Vineyard produces powerfully expressive, profound fruit, which is why he’s attracted many of California’s top producers, including Paul Hobbs, Aubert, Kistler, and DuMOL, to make wine from his vineyard. Larry planted the vineyard in the heart of Carneros in 1979, and in 2009 he decided to craft wine under his own label. Larry created this one from some of the best blocks in the vineyard, and this 2015 Estate Pinot is massive but delivers the regal elegance you’d expect from a top Pinot Noir producer. 
 
Larry and his team continually strive to produce the best wine possible from the Estate, and in doing so, they aren’t afraid to take risks. Much of his success resulted from Larry’s experimenting with new clones and planting methods. 
 
Hyde Vineyard benefits from cooling influences from the Pacific Ocean and the San Pablo Bay that funnel through the Coastal Mountain ranges and allow the grapes a long growing season. These geographical conditions keep Carneros cool enough to maintain acidity and structure in the grapes. If you want a mind-blowing Pinot Noir that drinks fantastic now and provides nearly endless delight, this is it.
 
LARRY HYDE
2015 PINOT NOIR
HYDE ESTATE VINEYARD
 
Your Price: $69.99
 
 
“Powerfully juicy and rich-tasting, with concentrated dried berry and dark cherry flavors that are backed by firm acidity and tannins. Cream and chocolate details show on the savory finish. Drink now through 2022…”
92 Points
 
“… intense and complex with deep aromas of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, spice and earthy notes. On the palate, it is rich and powerful capturing an elegant style while offering tiers of dark berry flavors and soft tannins.”