2011 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Dakota Vineyard Helena

2011 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Dakota Vineyard Helena

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ANAKOTA 

HELENA DAKOTA VINEYARD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011

2011 Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon Dakota Vineyard Helena
Patience is a virtue when aging the right wines, and Anakota’s 2011 Helena Dakota Vineyard Cabernet, crafted by legendary 100-point winemaker Pierre Seillan, proves it. After nearly a decade in the bottle, this wine from the challenging 2011 growing season is indescribably brilliant. Like many 2011 vintage wines from world-class producers, time in the bottle has transformed them into magnificent, collector-worthy wines.
 
Helena Dakota Vineyard is a sloping 12-acre parcel that has for decades produced powerful yet sophisticated wines marked by structure and elegance and their ability to stand the test of time. Pierre says the Cabernet Sauvignon from Helena Dakota reminds him of Pauillac or Saint-Estèphe. Their 2011 vintage will rock you to your core when you taste it and is a joy to behold. For transparency, we added the old reviews from 2014 below that don’t represent how great this perfectly ready-to-drink beauty is showing now. 
 
ANAKOTA 
HELENA DAKOTA VINEYARD
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2011
 
Your Price: $119.99
 
 
“The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard is slightly softer and rounder, and is civilized for a young Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon. Its deep ruby/purple hue is followed by sweet blackcurrant fruit intermixed with hints of wet rocks and gravel. Dense, ripe, and approachable, it should be consumed over the next decade or more.”
91+ Points
 
“Smoke, tobacco, iron and a host of ferrous notes emerge from the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Dakota Vineyard. A wine of gorgeous complexity and personality, the 2011 is going to need at least a few years to fully unwind. There is a lot going on in the glass. Next to the Montana, the Dakota is more savory and also shows a bit more structure. Both are beautiful.”
91+ Points
2015 Chateau Trapaud Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

2015 Chateau Trapaud Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux

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CHÂTEAU TRAPAUD

SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
BORDEAUX 2015

2015 Chateau Trapaud Saint Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux
Beatrice Larribiere is the fourth generation owner and winemaker of Château Trapaud, located just a few hundred meters from Château Valandraud and a close neighbor to the renowned Château Pavie. Beatrice’s winemaking style reveals the intricate balance between fruit, tannic structure, and expression of terroir from her vines organically farmed since 2009. She achieved this balance in the glorious 2015 vintage Saint-Emilion Grand Cru.
 
Saint Emilion Grand Cru AOC adheres to strict yields, a minimum alcohol level, and must be estate-bottled, ensuring a higher quality product. 2015 vintage is considered an excellent growing season for the region, which produced concentrated wines with soft tannins that are ready to drink now but likely have many years of potential in the cellar. At under $40, this remarkable Bordeaux is a staple in our shop, and the 2015 vintage is among their best yet.
 
CHÂTEAU TRAPAUD
SAINT-EMILION GRAND CRU
BORDEAUX 2015
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“Impressive concentration here; this smells of dark-berry pastries, plums and fresh cedary wood. Slick and flavor-packed palate with blueberry and deep-set plum-fruit flavors. Drink or hold.” 
92 Points
2018 Kracher Trocken Zweigelt Burgenland

2018 Kracher Trocken Zweigelt Burgenland

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KRACHER

TROCKEN ZWEIGELT
BURGENLAND 2018

2018 Kracher Trocken Zweigelt Burgenland
Alois Kracher of Kracher Winery was one of the greatest visionaries in Austrian winemaking, being honored as the “Wine Maker of the Year” by Britain’s highly regarded Wine Magazine seven separate times between 1994 and 2008. After Alois’s passing in 2007, his son Gerhard realized he had big shoes to fill, so he stepped up as the winemaker and continued his father’s legacy ensuring only the best quality.
 
Zweigelt, the most widely planted red wine grape in Austria, is a cross between St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch, sharing similarities with Pinot Noir in body and acidity levels but with more black fruits and exotic spices. Only about a century old, Zweigelt is a very young variety that has quickly risen to the top of Austrian red wines, so if you’re pining to try something new and seeking value, look no further!
 
KRACHER
TROCKEN ZWEIGELT
BURGENLAND 2018
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The 2018 Kracher Zweigelt Trocken is a very interesting wine that begins with a complex nose of wild red and black berries, exotic spices, and light florals. On the palate, loganberries and black currants combine with white pepper, hints of cardamom, white flowers, and liquid minerals. The fruit is lighter bodied, but with a firmer structure, giving it slightly a dusty mouthfeel. This is a very fun, unique wine that offers a lot of complexity at a very modest price.”
91 Points
2017 Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montachet Rouge Mes Vieilles Vignes

2017 Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montachet Rouge Mes Vieilles Vignes

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JEAN-MARC PILLOT

CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET ROUGE
MES VIEILLES VIGNES 2017

2017 Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montachet Rouge Mes Vieilles Vignes
Jean-Marc is the fourth generation of the Pillot family to tend to the family’s vineyards in the esteemed village of Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune. The Pillot’s several vineyard holdings are spread throughout the village, enabling the winery to produce a diverse range of terroir-driven Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
 
Mes Vielles Vignes comes from various plots of Pinot Noir planted in 1960 at a high density, forcing the vines to compete for water and nutrients, helping to reduce yields and concentrate the berries. The wine spends 12 months softening in neutral 228-liter barrels and another three to six months in stainless steel tanks without filtration before bottling, preserving every distinct flavor characteristic of the prized Chassagne-Montrachet terroir. 
 
JEAN-MARC PILLOT
CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET ROUGE
MES VIEILLES VIGNES 2017
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Mes Vieilles Vignes Rouge 2017 comes from this village that is much more famous for Chardonnay than Pinot Noir, which begs the question of why this vineyard is not Chardonnay. This wine boldly answers that question because it is simply a masterful, artistic expression of old-vine Pinot Noir. It is powerful on the nose and palate, with beautifully concentrated tart red cherries, wild mountain raspberries, cola bean, dried wild mushrooms, saline, and subtle earth. The flavors and complexity are wonderfully balanced and perfectly expressed in a wine that drinks well beyond its meager price for this quality level. I absolutely love this wine.”
94 Points
2021 Leto Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

2021 Leto Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County

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LETO CELLARS

SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2021

2021 Leto Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County
Brad and Lisa Warner share more than 80 years of experience in the wine industry, taking everything they’ve picked up along the way and pouring it into their boutique brand. Brad began his career at Charles Krug, leading him to a full-time position and nearly 30-year tenure as the Vice President of Production at Robert Mondavi Winery. Lisa, also at Mondavi, was in charge of all aspects of wine production for over 30 years, and together they have the skills and expertise needed to produce wines of outstanding merit.
 
Leto is Greek for “the hidden one” and also expresses the goals of Brad and Lisa’s newest endeavor as they source fruit from single, small, family-owned vineyards. Their 2021 Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Norte Vue Sonoma Coast AVA, where the vines are grown in well-drained, cobbled clay or stony decomposed volcanic soils. This wine is the perfect way to kick off Spring with its vibrant freshness that will liven any occasion!
 
LETO CELLARS
SAUVIGNON BLANC
SONOMA COUNTY 2021
 
Your Price: $22
 
 
“The 2021 Leto Sauvignon Blanc is a breath of fresh air in the California sun with aromas of white blossoms, golden hay, gooseberries, lime zest, and lychee. The flavors are even fruitier, adding green apples and passion fruit with a fresh burst of acidity and a lengthy finish. This wine couldn’t be more perfect for the soon-to-be summer months to keep you cool and refreshed whenever and wherever.”
94 Points
2017 Keever Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2017 Keever Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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KEEVER

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2017

2017 Keever Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Keever Vineyards is a small family estate with six and a half acres of vines planted on rocky hillsides at the foot of the Mayacamas mountain range. The gravelly clay loam soils contain softball-sized chunks of rock left behind from millions of years of erosion, forcing the vines to work harder and produce intensely concentrated flavors.
 
Keever’s winemaker Celia Welch, whom you might recognize from Barbour, Dalla Valle, and Scarecrow, uses her tuned-in senses, harvesting the grapes at full physiological ripeness based on flavor instead of numbers. Each vineyard block is treated separately, with fruit gently transferred by gravity flow into the fermentation tanks, followed by maturation in French oak selected and approved by Celia, allowing the wines to express their personality with seamless integration.
 
KEEVER
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2017
Retails at: $135
 
 
 
“Made form 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon gives a deep garnet-purple and has quite a serious, slightly closed nose of warm blackcurrants, black cherry compote, baked plums and espresso with hints of forest floor, truffles and tar. Medium to full bodied, the palate is packed with black fruit preserves and savory layers, with a chewy texture and plenty of freshness on the long, earthy finish…”
93+ Points
 
“Primarily from estate fruit in Yountville, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is all Cabernet aged in 70% new French oak. It just screams Cabernet with its red, black, and blue fruits as well as tobacco, spice, lead pencil, and cedary aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and with fine tannins, it’s another brilliant 2017 from Celia Welch.”
93 Points
 
“The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is soft, supple and inviting, with no hard edges and tons of near- to medium-term appeal. Sweet tobacco, mint, licorice, dried flowers and leather add aromatic nuance to a soft, open-knit Cabernet that will drink well right out of the gate. This is not terribly complex, but it is absolutely delicious; the 2017 is pure class. Sweet floral notes, rose petal and red cherry add lift on the close.”
92 Points
2019 Domaine De La Ville Rouge Crozes Hermitage Inspiration

2019 Domaine De La Ville Rouge Crozes Hermitage Inspiration

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DOMAINE DE LA VILLE ROUGE

CROZES-HERMITAGE
INSPIRATION 2019

2019 Domaine De La Ville Rouge Crozes Hermitage Inspiration
Established in 1919, Domaine de la Ville Rouge sits on the banks of the Rhône River in the Crozes-Hermitage AOC, an area famous for producing wine with explosive, complex flavor profiles. They’ve organically farmed the vineyards since 2009 and converted to biodynamic in 2013, which helps translate the region’s authentic aromas and flavors into your glass.
 
Inspiration is 100% Syrah crafted from 20-year-old vines that were cold-soaked for 3-4 days before fermentation to extract deeper color without accumulating harsh tannins. The wine team fermented the wine with natural yeasts followed by 18 months in stainless steel for a serenely idyllic wine that’s impossible to forget as it proudly speaks of its origin with each sip.
 
DOMAINE DE LA VILLE ROUGE
CROZES-HERMITAGE
INSPIRATION 2019
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The 2019 Domaine de la Ville Rouge, Crozes-Hermitage “Inspiration” opens with fresh notes of garrigue, anise, blackberries, smoked meat, and caramelized sugar. The bright acidity on the palate balances the flavors of black raspberries, plums, and freshly baked brownies. This wine is ready to drink now and great with barbecued meats but will gain a more earthy complexity with a few years in the cellar.”
93 Points
2019 Matias Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2019 Matias Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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MATIAS

CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2019

2019 Matias Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
For years, Matias was a paragon producer of value Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, beloved for their sophistication and balance, far exceeding their price level. Now entering the Cabernet Sauvignon market, Matias sources fruit from Yountville AVA, with a small portion coming from north of Calistoga, combining depth, concentration, and balance, making anyone do a double-take when they try it at this price.
 
The wine was aged in 66% new French oak from Saury and Taransaud, striking an optimal balance between the fruit and oak. This 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon has silky smooth tannins that make it easily drinkable at the moment but also has the depth and intensity of a wine that can easily lay down for a decade or so.
 
MATIAS
CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
NAPA VALLEY 2019
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“Rich boysenberry, opulent black plum, dark chocolate, and crushed granite combine with purple flowers and hints of vanilla spice. The satiny tannins and supple mouthfeel help make this an extraordinary value. It is rare to find a wine of this quality at this price.”
92 Points
2018 Beau Vigne Romeo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Beau Vigne Romeo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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BEAU VIGNE

ROMEO CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2018

2018 Beau Vigne Romeo Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
With over two decades of winemaking experience, Julien Fayard has earned respect among winemakers in Napa Valley. He began in his family’s Provençal winery, then spent valuable time in Bordeaux at Chateau Lafite Rothschild and Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. After relocating to Napa Valley, Julien worked as the Director of Winemaking for Philippe Melka and currently oversees small boutique wineries, including Beau Vigne, combining his elegant French winemaking style with bold California elements.
 
The Beau Vigne Romeo Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a charming blend of premier vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena that’s impossible not to love. Beau Vigne’s limited production is a prize to behold, especially in exceptional vintages such as 2018 that will continue to deliver with an elegant demeanor and complementary depth.
 
BEAU VIGNE
ROMEO CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY 2018
Retails at: $100
 
 
 
“Dark chocolate cherry and roasted coffee intensity glides in on a sleek mouthfeel. Seductive notes of blackberry and licorice rise up to a massive shouldered – yet balanced – red. In his youth, Romeo is cloaked in dark violet flowers that bloom as the wine opens up.”
97 Points
2019 Cherry Pie Pinot Noir San Pablo Bay Block

2019 Cherry Pie Pinot Noir San Pablo Bay Block

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CHERRY PIE

SAN PABLO BAY BLOCK
PINOT NOIR 2019

2019 Cherry Pie Pinot Noir San Pablo Bay Block
Jayson Woodbridge’s name is synonymous with quality, so when he approached the historic Stanly Ranch in Carneros with his sights set on producing premium Pinot Noir, he received access to some of the property’s finest blocks. Jayson is the proud founder of Hundred Acre Winery and has been awarded a remarkable twenty-two perfect 100-Point scores from Wine Advocate over the last two decades.
 
Jayson desired to add Pinot Noir to his repertoire, inspired by the juicy cherry pies his grandmother baked while he was growing up. He combined that with the simple, everyday American life artist T.R. Colletta whose art graces the label to complete his vision. Cherry Pie Pinot Noir is packed with decadent, perfectly ripe, concentrated fruit, balanced by fresh acidity, and is an absolute delight to swirl and taste.
 
CHERRY PIE
SAN PABLO BAY BLOCK
PINOT NOIR 2019
Retails at: $55
 
Your Price: $45
 
 
“Robust in body and pleasurable to sip, this French oak-aged Pinot Noir is distinctive, with smoky cedar, sage, black cherry, and black pepper. Round and earthy, with unexpected muscle.”
93 Points