2016 Alexana Terroir Series Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2016 Alexana Terroir Series Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

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ALEXANA2016 Alexana Terroir Series Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

2016 PINOT NOIR
TERROIR SERIES
WILLAMETTE VALLEY

 
It’s not easy making a killer 94 Point Pinot that’s not only a great value, but one that is also complex, balanced and jam-packed with character.  Alexana’s Terroir Series Pinot was created from a diverse clonal selection, and encompasses fruit from five of Willamette Valley’s top AVA’s which lend volume to the wines complexity.  At the winery, the fruit is triple-hand-sorted allowing only the best berries through.  The wine was crafted by Bryan Weil who previously worked at Domaine Serene. On the palate the wine is exceedingly sensual and satiny-smooth, and at under forty per bottle, this Pinot has everything I look for in top-quality Oregon Pinot.  But with the recent 94 Point score, I wouldn’t wait to secure yours.
 
As the sister winery to Revana in St. Helena, Alexana is quickly building it’s own stellar reputation of excellence… In 2013 their Dundee Hills Pinot earned the #17 spot on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised to see their 2016 Terroir Series make the list this year too. It glides seamlessly across your palate leaving impressions of Morello cherries, pressed boysenberries, violets and dark chocolates. This absolutely brilliant interpretation of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir is simply one of my favorite Pinots that I’ve tasted this year, in this wonderfully realistic price range.
 
ALEXANA
2016 PINOT NOIR
TERROIR SERIES
WILLAMETTE VALLEY
 
Your Price: $36/btl

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From The Wine Spectator:“Precise and harmonious, offering layered raspberry and cherry flavors laced with smoky anise and spice notes, building richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2025.” 94 Points, Highly Recommended
 
 
Customers who enjoy Alexana Terroir Series Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two stunning Pinots…
 
2013 Fort Ross FRV Pinot Noir
ELOUAN 
RESERVE PINOT NOIR
KLAMATH’S KETTLE
2016 OREGON
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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From Wine Enthusiast: “One of a pair of reserves from Joe Wagner’s new Oregon project, this full-bodied wine carries a liquorous, bourbon-like scent. Its rich and soft berry and cherry flavors show a streak of licorice and a light touch of toast. Big, round and almost voluptuous, it’s ready to drink now and into the early 2020s.“90 Points
FORT ROSS
2013 PINOT NOIR
FRV, SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $52.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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From Jeb Dunnuck: “The  2013 Pinot Noir FRV Fort Ross  Vineyard sports a ruby color as well as an open knit, ready-to-go bouquet of dried cherries, tobacco, menthol, and dried herbs. It’s pretty, medium-bodied, rounded, and supple, with an evolved style ideal for drinking over the coming 4-5 years.” 90 Points
2014 Charles Heintz Searby Vineyard Chardonnay

2014 Charles Heintz Searby Vineyard Chardonnay

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CHARLES HEINTZ 2014 Charles Heintz Searby Vineyard Chardonnay

2014 CHARDONNAY
SEARBY VINEYARD

 
In a conversation about Russian River Valley’s most renowned vineyards, the name Charles Henitz never goes without mention.  Many recognize Heintz Vineyard from luminaries like Williams Selyem, DuMOL and Pierson Meyer that have all purchased their revered grapes.  Charles Heintz also produces a small amount of wine under their own label and under the guidance of Hugh Chappelle, former winemaker at Flowers and Lynmar to name a few… Their 2014 Chardonnay sourced from the Searby Vineyard bears striking balance, precision, detail, and exceptionally delicious complexity.  This wine makes absolutely no excuses at it’s $48 retail price… At $39.99, it’s one of the greatest Chardonnays that I’ve tasted in a long time.
 
Brought to life from the Searby Vineyard which you might recognize from Kosta Browne, Nickel & Nickel and Duckhorn Migration who have all made Chardonnays from this remarkable hillside vineyard.  This Chardonnay screams cool-climate, impeccably well-made Russian River Valley Chardonnay with penetrating flavors of lemon meringue, Bosc pear, tropical fruits and butterscotch. It’s perfectly balanced and leaves your taste buds yearning for another sip.
 
CHARLES HEINTZ
2014 CHARDONNAY
SEARBY VINEYARD
Retails at:  $48.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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Winery notes: “Intense stone fruit and tropical fruit aroma are prominent; followed by subtle ripe apple, orange blossom, white flower stoniness.  The aromatics continue on the palate with complex notes of pastry and candied citrus.  Acidity is brisk and racy, with a refreshing juiciness.  A good match with boldly flavored international cuisines, this wine will show best from late 2018 through 2023.“
 
Customers who enjoy Charles Heintz Searby Vineyard Chardonnay may also enjoy these two outstanding wines…
2014 Black Cordon Laguna Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2015 Charles Heintz Swan Selection Pinot Noir
BLACK CORDON
2014 CHARDONNAY
LAGUNA ROAD VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 

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(use code bc40)
 
Tasting Notes: “Rich, decadent and inviting, the 2014  Black Cordon Laguna Road Chardonnay is bursting with Meyer Lemond, almond shavings, tangerine and honeyed apple.  Wildflowers, nutmeg and orange rind add to it’s deep complexity.  On the palate the wine is sensual and balanced with terrific weight and structure”  93 Cases Produced 
CHARLES HEINTZ
2015 PINOT NOIR
SWAN SELECTION
Retails at:  $50.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Shows deep, dark and inviting appearance and the concentration of the vintage.  Abundant fresh red fruit aromatics including bing cherry, blackberry, black raspberry and ripe Santa Rosa plum.  Subtle notes of Asian spice, cardamom, coriander and subtle clove show underneath the fruit-driven nose.  The texture is expansive and young with youthful tannins.  Consistently our longest-lived Pinot Noir, we expect the 2015 vintage to age beautifully through 2023-2025 with ideal storage conditions.”
20116 Shottesbrooke Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Shottesbrooke Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

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SHOTTESBROOKE 20116 Shottesbrooke Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
LANGHORNE CREEK, AUSTRALIA

 
Some of the most complex, hedonistic and individualist Cabernet Sauvignon for your dollar, can be found down under.  The grape, which is a cross between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc has a long history in Australia dating back to the mid 1800’s.  Luminaries Penfolds, Leeuwin and Cape Mentelle have helped to canonize Australian grown Cabernet as a serious contender on the world stage.  Shottesbrooke’s 2016 reminded me how great these can be at our tasting, with classic and profound notes of eucalyptus, blue plums, juniper berry and baking spices.  As the wine opened in my glass it became increasingly complex with layers of dark berries, sandalwood, black licorice. It wasn’t a big surprise to learn this beauty earned 95 Points from Australia’s leading wine critic and author James Halliday.
 
Created from the Langhorne Creek AVA located inside the Fleurieu zone, which is also home to the McLaren Vale region.  The area is well-known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, and Shottesbrooke’s 2016 perfectly expresses the area’s rich terroir.  The 2016 is deeply aromatic, wildly complex and very approachable and at $19.99 offers extraordinary value.
 
SHOTTESBROOKE
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
LANGHORNE CREEK, AUSTRALIA
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl 

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From James Halliday: “While not particularly deep, the hue is youthful, and the fragrant eucalypt nuances that accompany the fresh cassis of the palate are regional (and shared with Coonawarra). The finely spun tannins are a feature of a medium-bodied cabernet made to be drunk whenever the idea pleases you. Screwcap. 14.5% alc. To 2030″  95 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Shottesbrooke Langhorne Creek Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Reds…
2016 Famiglia Bianchi Cabernet Sauvignon
 2017 Vista Atlas Peak Proprietary Red
FAMIGLIA BIANCHI
2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
MENDOZA, ARGENTINA
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl

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Famiglia Bianchi is our number one selling International brand of all time, by far… So much so, that it may never be surpassed. When you taste them, each wine in the brand offers a palpable sense of value that’s absolutely unmistakable, and we were recently reminded of that in a glass of their new 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine offers luscious dark fruits, followed by a cavalcade of dark spices, black chocolates, slate and minerals that unwind methodically across your palate.  Their 2012 Malbec won the Grand Trophee, for the “World’s Best Red Wine” at the prestigious 2014 Vinalies Internationales Wine Competition in Paris, France, where it outperformed 3,500 wines from 41 countries. 
VISTA
2017 RED BLEND
ATLAS PEAK
 
Your Price: $23/btl

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Tasting Notes: “Capturing a depth and richness that is completely unheard of at this price, Vista  Atlas Peak unfurls aromas of muddled blackberries, black plum, crushed granite, graphite  and hints of vanilla.  The palate is powerfully concentrated with a stunning array of flavors including deep black cherries, blackberry tart, blueberry syrup, with hints of tobacco and chocolate.  Powerful mountain fruit created a wine that is focused and linear in style, yet richly structured with balanced fruit tannins and a palate staining mid palate that leads to a long, intense finish.” 94 – 96 Points
2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel

2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel

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MAURITSON 2016 Mauritson Dry Creek Vineyard Zinfandel

2016 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY

 
When asked why I love Zinfandel so much, the answer is simple…  Although the grape allegedly originated in Croatia, Zinfandel thrives in California and nobody produces better Zin than California, period.  One of the best illustrations of classic California Zinfandel is Mauritson’s Dry Creek Valley.  With perfectly balanced, expressive, inviting fruit, the 2016 escapes from the glass with floral infused raspberry, black cherry, baking spices and incense.  With substantial vineyard holdings in Sonoma’s iconic Rockpile AVA, the Mauritson’s were influential in helping Rockpile become an AVA in 2002.  The family has been farming for more than 140 years, and at around forty bucks, their Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel completes with the best of the best… At $29.99/btl, it’s a steal…
 
A blend of Block 5, Rockpile Ridge, Madrone Spring and Cemetery vineyards, the 2016 perfectly expresses Dry Creek Valley terroir, emphasized by the gravelly nuance, firm tannins and a rich mouthfeel.  Peeling back layers of boysenberry, black raspberry and plum reveals wild flowers, truffle, and cracked pepper.  Our veteran tasting panel unanimously agreed that this wine drinks well beyond it’s modest price. Don’t wait too long to secure yours.
 
MAURITSON
2016 ZINFANDEL
DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at:  $39.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl

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Winery Notes: “Perfumed aromas of black boysenberry cobbler with graham cracker crust waft from the glass. Hints of anise, fresh fig, and earthiness beautifully complement the fruit profile. The entry is full but inviting, exhibiting flavors of mocha, wet gravel, and black cherry. The mouthfeel is seamless from start to finish, indicative of perfectly integrated tannin and acid. Please enjoy this wine for the next 7-10 years.”
 
Customers that enjoy Mauritson Zinfandel, may also enjoy these two terrific Zins…
2016 Gamba Family Ranches Zinfandel 2013 Valdez St Peter's Church Zinfandel
GAMBA
2016 ZINFANDEL
FAMILY RANCHES
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: Insiders Club Members Only

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Winery Notes: “... a bold, well structured wine with an aromatic nose of ripe berries, brown spice, and black licorice. The color is a beautiful and vibrant dark crimson. The wine is deftly balanced, with flavors that burst on the palate, offering well defined dark cherry, raspberry and blueberry that give way to dark chocolate, spicy pepper and a hint of nutty oak. The frame is firm yet round without harsh edges, with an appealing, weighty, yet buoyant mid palate, and a refreshing lift on the lengthy, enjoyable, toasty finish.”
VALDEZ
2013 ZINFANDEL
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: Insiders Club Members Only

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Tasting Notes: “This impeccably balanced zinfandel flaunts energizing flavors and aromas of ripe black cherries, concentrated pomegranate, and crushed blackberries with hints of white rose petals, cocoa powder and pipe tobacco. The perfect balance shines through with an amazing brightness that elegantly supports the richly focused flavors.  Simply stunning!”  94 Points
2014 Chateau de Haute-Serre Malbec

2014 Château De Haute-Serre Malbec

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CHÂTEAU DE HAUTE-SERRE 2014 Chateau de Haute-Serre Malbec

2014 MALBEC
CAHORS, FRANCE

 
Did you know the Malbec grape originates in France, and thrives in the Cahors region in the South of France, but today, around 70% of the Malbec planted worldwide is in Argentina… However, Château de Haute-Serre’s Vineyards in Cahors, France date back to middle ages… In 2009, Haute-Serre got a little help from the Master of Malbec Paul Hobbs, who’s been pushing the boundaries of Malbec on multiple continents for decades.  With Paul  as consulting winemaker, their 2010 went on to earn a place on the Spectator Top 100.  Most are familiar with the style of Argentine Malbecs, which are known for their fruit-forward, plummy/blackberry and velvety texture. For those looking for a more densely packed, concentrated Malbec with savory undertones, firm tannins and meaty character, Old-World Malbec from Cahors may be just what they’re looking for. 
 
Malbec is a thick-skinned grape that needs more sun than Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to mature and Château de Haute-Serre’s parcel has excellent Southwest and Southeast exposure allowing the grapes to reach optimum maturity.  They’ve been making news long before earning a spot on the WS Top 100 list…  Back in 1889 their Malbec was honored by being placed on a Gala menu in line with the famous Château Margaux and Pommard wines.  I strongly recommend trying a case… you’ll be really glad you did.  
 
CHÂTEAU DE HAUTE-SERRE
2014 MALBEC
CAHORS, FRANCE
 
Your Price: $25/btl 
 
 

  
 
“On some of the highest vineyards in Cahors, this estate has a history reaching back to the Middle Ages. This latest vintage from this major estate has a firm structure and cool texture. Allied to acidity and dark tannins, the rich black fruits are going to need time to mature. Drink from 2020.” 90 Points

 
 “A concentrated red, building ripe cherry, plum pudding and licorice drop flavors that are detailed with floral, cocoa powder and raspberry accents. Fresh acidity and mineral elements give focus through the orange peel-tinged finish. Drink now through 2022...” 90 Points

 

 

Customers who enjoy Chateau De Haute-Serre Malbec may also enjoy these two outstanding Reds…
RICCITELLIhttp://bit.ly/2014RiccitelliMalbec
2014 MALBEC
THE APPLE DOESN’T FALL 
FAR FROM THE TREE
Retails at:  $30.00/btl
 
Your Price: $19.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Deep purple in color, with beautiful aromas of wild dark fruits, vanilla and chocolate in the nose. This is a complex and rich vine with smooth ripe tannins and a long finish…”  95 Points, Decanter
CATENA
2014 CABERNET FRANC
SAN CARLOS
APPELLATION SERIES
Retails at:  $30.00/btl
 
Your Price: $22.99/btl 

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From Vinous: “Enticing aromatic lift to the aromas of purple fruits, violet and brown spices. Suaver than the Agrelo Cabernet Sauvignon, offering exhilarating cut and penetration and an ideal balance between sweetness and suppleness of fruit and acidity. Savory, plush and ripe for all its energy…”  91 Points
2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red

2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red

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BLIND TASTING 2015 Blind Tasting Napa Valley Proprietary Red

PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY

 
One of the fastest growing categories in our shop is New World style red blends that are built around a core of high-quality Zinfandel.  This type of blend is always a crowd-favorite because they’re brimming with lush fruits, attractive spice, deep, succulent flavors and when everything is in perfect balance, they’re completely irresistible.  A perfect example is the 2015 Blind Tasting which is unabashedly Californian.  It has a core of Howell Mountain Zinfandel, amplified with ancient vine Petite Sirah, then ratcheted up even more with Cabernet Sauvignon from Spring Mountain.  Fans of The Prisoner Red and Venge’s Scout’s Honor should not miss this wine and if you haven’t experienced a California Style Red blend, here’s a great opportunity to do so, but don’t wait too long because there were only 6 barrels produced.
 
The 2015 vintage lights up your palate with penetrating red and black fruits that come interwoven with wild rose, Mountain blueberries, hints of cinnamon and crushed granite.  A deeply powerful wine with focused intensity that’s perfectly balanced by finely grained tannins.  I strongly recommend you jump at the chance to secure a case.  You’ll thank me later…
 
BLIND TASTING
PROPRIETARY RED
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl
 
 
Tasting Notes: “Alluring aromas of ripe blackberries, red plums, sweet floral notes and a touch of vanilla spice seduce your nose. A compact core of perfectly balanced cherry preserves, muddled blueberries, wild blackberries and a touch of black pepper unfurl and expand across your palate.  Opulent without being inky, the supple fruit tannins combine with a very long finish to simply make you smile. Drink right now, or you can hold until 2025.”  94 Points, Kevin M. Vogt, Master Sommelier
 
Customers who enjoy Blind Tasting Proprietary Red may also enjoy these two terrific Blends…
2016 Venge Scout's Honor Proprietary Red
 2017 The Prisoner Proprietary Red
VENGE
2016 SCOUT’S HONOR
PROPRIETARY BLEND
 
Your Price: $37.99/btl 

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THE PRISONER
PROPRIETARY RED 
2017 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl
 
Electric, jubilant, infectiously charming, the new 2017  Prisoner unshackles a posse of vibrant and elaborate flavors that are both intense and broadening, and become even more complex with aeration. Having jail-break level intensity, the 2017  permeates with unsweetened cherry cobbler, wild strawberries, chocolate dipped blueberries and liquid floral.  
2015 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon

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ROBERT CRAIG 2015 Robert Craig Affinity Cabernet Sauvignon

2015 AFFINITY 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON

 
Since its debut in the early 1990’s, Robert Craig’s Affinity gained the attention of many of the world’s top wine critics, sommeliers and collectors.  In the September 2001 Issue of Decanter titled “Cult Cabernets the Next Generation” Affinity was predicted to potentially emerge as one of Napa Valley’s next cult Cabernets.  More than two decades since its inception, the new 2015 is stunningly compelling and crafted in a deep, supple style that glides across your palate with attractive blueberry and penetrating blackberry, interwoven with creme de cassis, graphite, dried violets and milk chocolate.  At under $100/btl this is an easy “go-to” for a top-quality Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
 
Carved from the La Londe Vineyard nestled in the Mt. George Foothills of Coombsville, the 30 year old vines bear fruit of remarkable qualities.  Ascending from 18 months in French oak and more than a year in the bottle, this wine caresses your palate in supple tannins and inherent purity, perfectly complimented by its muscular extraction and regal authority.  I strongly recommend a case of this iconic Napa Valley wine for your cellar.
 
ROBERT CRAIG
2015 AFFINITY 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Retails at:  $70.00/btl
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl

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From James Suckling: “Very pretty stones, oyster shell, blueberries and underbrush character. The palate is very composed with lots of bright, tangy fruit, grainy tannins and a minerally yet at the same time fruit-driven finish. A unique wine. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Drink in 2020 even if delicious now.“ 94 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Robert Craig’s Affinity Cabernet may also enjoy these two stunning Cabernets…
2015 Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
 2014 Silverado GEO Cabernet Sauvignon
DUCKHORN
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2015 NAPA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $64.99/btl 

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Winery Notes: “Beginning with a gorgeous nose of boysenberry, cherry, strawberry, cedar, sage and licorice, this lush and lively Cabernet captures the rich diversity of Napa Valley. On the palate, the alluring fruit flavors are underscored by bright acidity, firm polished tannins and notes of fig, licorice and cinnamon that linger on the well-structured finish.”
SILVERADO
2014 GEO 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
 
Your Price: $74.99/btl 

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From James Suckling: “Vibrant aromas of blueberries and blackcurrants follow through to a full body, a tight and dense center palate and a long and silky finish. So beautiful. Polished and refined…” 95 Points
2014 Martinelli Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2014 Martinelli Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

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MARTINELLI  2014 Martinelli Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

2014 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST

 
Some of the best wines have a style of their own that’s so recognizable that they literally carve out their own category, and in turn change the entire industry for the better.  Martinelli’s larger-than-life style of producing weighty, plump and full bodied wines has become a hallmark of their brand and over the years they’ve amassed a large following, along with a string of stellar reviews for them.  Their 2014 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is an absolute classic and has earned a monster 95 Point score from Wine Enthusiast.  At under $40, the level of quality/value is made abundantly clear the moment this wine splashes into your glass, as the bouquet grabs you and doesn’t let go.  By the time it’s hits your palate, you’ll wish you had ordered more…
 
Composed of fruit from Blue Slide Ridge, Three Sister’s and a touch of Bondi Ranch, their 2014 Sonoma Coast bottling embodies Martinelli’s signature style, which has made them one of the Russian River Valley’s most beloved producers.  With the help of consulting winemaker Erin Green, whom worked alongside Helen Turley in the early ’90’s on some of her projects, the winery has remained a paragon of the Russian River Valley.  If you love BIG, rich, California Pinot Noirs, you’ll want to secure a case of this one, yesterday.
 
MARTINELLI
2014 PINOT NOIR
SONOMA COAST
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $39.99/btl 
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From Wine Enthusiast: “This wine is memorable and impressive-a ripe exploration of earthy goodness that’s rich and velvety smooth. Spicy red fruit seduces amidst a well-developed core of complex orange peel and cardamom highlights, the oak well-integrated and supportive.” 95 Points
 
Customers who enjoy Martinelli’s Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two outstanding Pinots…
2016 Laird Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir 2016 Martinelli Bella Vigna Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
LAIRD
2016 PINOT NOIR
GHOST RANCH
 
Your Price: $42.99/btl

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I love it when a wine has flavors are so deep and penetrating, that it might be described as chilling, spine-tingling and scary good.  All three of these descriptors came time mind when I tasted Laird’s 2016 Ghost Ranch Pinot Noir. Made in a deep, velvety style that I love, Laird’s 2016  Ghost Ranch is haunted by spine-tingling allure, laced with shades of wild blueberries, black cherries, vanilla and spices.  If you like your Pinot Noirs a little fuller bodied, deep, and rich, I strongly recommend a case of this limited release.
MARTINELLI
2016 PINOT NOIR
BELLA VIGNA
 
Your Price: $45/btl

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The 2016 combines fruit from several of the winery’s top sites including Bondi, Lolita and Zio Tony Ranches, with the largest share being from Bondi.  They produce single vineyard Pinots  from each of these incredible vineyards which sell for around $70/btl.  At $45 the Bella Vigna offers a stunning value..  The level of quality/value is made abundantly clear the moment this wine splashes into your glass as the bouquet grabs ahold of you and doesn’t let go.

2017 Vista Atlas Peak Red Blend

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VISTA 

2017 RED BLEND
ATLAS PEAK

How do you get an incredible Atlas Peak Cabernet Blend for $23? Quite honestly, you don’t, unless something very unusual  occurs… Originally intended to be single vineyard Cabernets, a winemaking  miscommunication led to a portion of two separate high-end projects getting accidentally blended into the wrong tanks.  The result is two absolutely stunning blends that became the Vista wines… and both batches were originally slated to sell for $95/btl, had the original concept gone smoothly.  We knew when we previously offered Vista Rutherford Blend, we would make some die-hard fans… and we were right. We bought everything that they made and in a relatively short time, we sold-out of all 728 cases of the Rutherford… Our single biggest seller of all time.
 
Luckily, but almost miraculously so, there is this Atlas Peak version of Vista, and it is even better than the Rutherford… Atlas Peak is an area long celebrated for its concentrated flavors and rocky terroir, and this wine embodies many of  the hallmarks that I look for in Atlas Peak Cabernet. Predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, balanced with Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the 2017 saturates your palate in seductively deep black berries laced with dried lavender, red currants, iron, and crushed rock.  If you like the idea of a top quality Napa Cabernet blend at an incredible value, I highly recommend loading up on this one before it also sells out all too soon… 
 
VISTA 
2017 RED BLEND
ATLAS PEAK
 
Your Price: $23/btl
 
Tasting Notes: “Capturing a depth and richness that is completely unheard of at this price, Vista Atlas Peak unfurls aromas of muddled blackberries, black plum, crushed granite, graphite  and hints of vanilla.  The palate is powerfully concentrated with a stunning array of flavors including deep black cherries, blackberry tart, blueberry syrup, with hints of tobacco and chocolate.  Powerful mountain fruit created a wine that is focused and linear in style, yet richly structured with balanced fruit tannins and a palate staining mid palate that leads to a long, intense finish.”  94 – 96 Points

2014 Silver Oak Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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SILVER OAK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 NAPA VALLEY

When it comes to high quality domestic Cabernet Sauvignon, I can’t think of any brand that’s defined the space as dominantly as Silver Oak has over the past 4 decades.  Silver Oak is one of the most recognizable names across the globe in premium level Cabernet Sauvignon from the New World.  The upcoming release of the 2014 Napa Valley is an absolute classic that’s made in the distinctive Silver Oak style, divulging extravagant levels of sweet black fruits, camphor and vanilla.  2014 was another Blockbuster vintage, and this release displays the year’s amazing rich mouthfeel, weighty palate and dense core.  The Wine Spectator rated the overall vintage for Napa Valley Cab 96 Points, rivaling the 2012 and 2013 vintages and they note that it produced many dense, charming, cellar-worthy wines.
 
Revealing beautiful focus and concentration, and supported by supple tannins that slowly reveal layer after layer of crushed blackberry, creamy black currants, rosemary, chocolates and hints of truffle.  If you would like to add some of this classic Napa Valley Cabernet to your cellar, please do so right away and take advantage of special pre-release pricing and ground shipping included on all full or mixed 15 bottle cases to most States.
 
Release Date: February 2nd, 2019
 
SILVER OAK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 NAPA VALLEY
Retails at:     $125.00/btl
 
Pre Release: $114.99/btl 
 
Winery Notes: “Our 2014 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has an opaque crimson color with a purplish hue. The alluring nose draws you in with notes of cassis, black cherry, pipe tobacco, salted caramel, cocoa beans and fresh strawberry. This full-bodied wine enters with a depth of flavor and offers mouth-coating, velvety tannins and flavors of cream soda and red fruit. Black currant and vanilla notes crescendo through the palate to the lengthy finish. This wine is drinkable upon release, but given proper cellaring conditions can be enjoyed through 2040.“