2016 Gaja Brunello Di Montalcino Pive Santa Restituta

2016 Gaja Brunello Di Montalcino Pive Santa Restituta

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GAJA

BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
2016 PIEVE SANTA RESTITUTA

2016 Gaja Brunello Di Montalcino Pive Santa Restituta
Gaja is one of the biggest names in Italian wine, famous for a fusion of modern and traditional winemaking, continually impressing wine critics and collectors from all over the world since their early beginnings 250 years ago. In the 1960s and ’70s, Angelo Gaja was one of the first winemakers in Italy to begin experimenting with new French oak barriques that today contribute to Gaja’s signature house-style.
 
Brunello di Montalcino is famous for the Brunello clone of Sangiovese, known for more body, multiple layers of concentrated flavors, and impressive longevity that by law must be aged for a minimum of two years in barrel and four years total before release. Master of Wine Greg Sherwood has rated Gaja’s 2016 vintage of Brunello di Montalcino as one of the estate’s most outstanding vintages, with beautifully perfumed aromatics and intensely complex flavors that pleasantly linger into a long finish.
 
GAJA
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
2016 PIEVE SANTA RESTITUTA
 
Your Price: $89.99
 
 
“The 2016 Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino is intensely aromatic, beginning with violets, roses, potpourri, black cherries, leather, balsamic, and saffron. The palate is equally complex with flavors of black plums, cherry cola, cocoa, and earth. The depth of flavors and fine-grained tannins thoroughly coat the mouth leading into a long, decadent finish that can be enjoyed now or cellared to gracefully age for the next 12-15 years.”
95 Points
 
Vintage Report: 2016 Brunello di Montalcino
“Textbook growing season resulted in wines of finesse and elegance, balance and harmony, with mostly red fruit flavors…”
99 Points
2019 Edict Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

2019 Edict Pinot Noir Anderson Valley

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EDICT

2019 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY

2019 Edict Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
Edict creates varietally and regionally sound, hand-crafted wines based on “truth, generosity, and love,” a motto that guides them each vintage. They source their Pinot Noir from Anderson Valley, an area that saw the arrival of viticulture during the Gold Rush in 1849; however, the region’s geographic isolation made it difficult to settle until a more effective implementation of roads in the 1960s and 1970s.
 
Anderson Valley is the coolest grape-growing appellation in California, encouraging lower natural sugars and higher acidity, resulting in fresher, more nuanced Pinot Noir. Rich and ethereal with ripe cherry and baking spice flavors evenly balanced with refreshing acidity, this wine is a classic example of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, offering a level of sophistication you’d expect of wines at twice our price. 
 
EDICT
2019 PINOT NOIR
ANDERSON VALLEY
Retails at: $54
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“Super aromatic with a perfume of cherry vanilla and cedar earth. Grown on gravelly soils in Mendocino County, north of Boonville, and aged 10 months in 41% new French oak. Notes of black cherry, a pinch of salt on a tobacco leaf, and an earthy, sandalwood vibe throughout. Round and plump, it delivers a savory side of black olive and anise.”
95 Points
2019 Vista Atlas Peak Reserve Chardonnay

2019 Vista Atlas Peak Reserve Chardonnay

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VISTA

ATLAS PEAK RESERVE
2019 CHARDONNAY

2019 Vista Atlas Peak Reserve Chardonnay
Marked with superior concentration and uncanny value, the Vista brand is synonymous with a price-exceeding quality unmatched in its category. Their Reserve Chardonnay emerges from Atlas Peak, on the western slopes of the Vaca Mountain Range, where cool nighttime temps encourage exquisite aromas and flavors while maintaining fresh acidity.
 
For generations, Chardonnay has thrived on Atlas Peak; popularity furthered in the mid-90s when Antinori began producing Atlas Peak Chardonnay for Antica. Pahlmeyer also sourced Chardonnay from Atlas Peak, an area now well-known for producing expressive and profound Chardonnay with a clear sense of locality. At $25, this will take your “house” Chardonnay to an entirely new level.
 
VISTA
ATLAS PEAK RESERVE
2019 CHARDONNAY
 
Your Price: $25
 
 
“The 2019 Vista Atlas Peak Reserve Chardonnay begins with a fascinating nose that includes elegant honeysuckle, bright passionfruit, candied lemon, hints of vanilla bean, and white flowers. It smoothly traditions to a rich, supple mouthfeel that’s fleshy on the palate, combining honey-dipped Asian pears, and quince, with just enough bright acidity and tropical fruit character to keep it lively and fresh.”
93 Points
2018 Larkmead Firebelle Napa Valley

2018 Larkmead Firebelle Napa Valley

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LARKMEAD

2018 FIREBELLE
NAPA VALLEY

2018 Larkmead Firebelle Napa Valley
Strategically planted above two colluvial fans extending from the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges with 300 feet of ancient riverbed gravel beneath the topsoil, Larkmead’s 110-acre vineyard contains seven distinctive soil profiles, providing unique flavor characteristics in the fruit. The vineyard is planted with the most suitable varieties, clones, and rootstocks, creating the wide range of flavors and nuances that’s become a hallmark of Larkmead wines.
 
Merlot is grown in well-drained, rich loam soils full of clay and gravel, resulting in more plush density that enhances the softness of the wine. The winery’s super high-scoring Firebelle blend is based around a core of 75% Merlot, enriched with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, showing refined beauty, grace, and a substantial aging potential with its fine-grained tannins and exquisite balance.
 
LARKMEAD
2018 FIREBELLE
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $120
 
Your Price: $99.99
 
 
“Marrying 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is focused, soft and rounded in feel, with an underlying structure that should lend well to aging. It shows integrated notes of cedar, dried herb and slate that mix with a core of blueberry and plum. Lingering accents of nutmeg and cocoa nib mark the close….”
97 Points, #39 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2021
 
“Lovely aromas of tile, blackberries and plums with some lavender and violets, following through to a full body with chewy, round tannins that are layered into the pretty, not overly ripe fruit…”
96 Points
2019 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate Russian River

2019 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate Russian River

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ROCHIOLI 

2019 PINOT NOIR
ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER

2019 Rochiolo Pinot Noir Estate Russian River
The Rochioli’s understood the potential of their land from very early on, deciding to put their family’s name on their product, selling their first estate-bottled Pinot Noir in 1985. The wine was immediately honored as the Best Pinot Noir in America by Wine Spectator and is one of the few wineries in California to have consistently scored above 90 points since that first vintage.
 
Tom believes that if America were to adopt a Grand Cru system similar to Burgundy’s, his vineyard would fall into the same prestigious status because of the several different soil types and varying elevation levels. He ferments each block separately, capturing every aspect of what defines Russian River Valley Pinot Noir in an expression that is pure Rochioli. 
 
ROCHIOLI 
2019 PINOT NOIR
ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER
 
Your Price: $89.99
 
 
“This is a blend of several single-vineyard designates, predominantly Little Hill (53%) and Big Hill (15%), with additions from West Block, East Block and Sweetwater as well. Dark plum and raspberry accent a lively and expansive palate framed by rounded tannins and easy oak accents. Enjoy from 2029–2034.”
96 Points, Top 100 Cellar Selection
 
“Delicate and refined, this is filled with concentrated raspberry tart flavors that are laced together by plenty of cedary and underbrush accents. The fresh, juicy finish shows touches of ripe minerality and hints of white pepper. Drink now through 2027.”
94 Points
2018 Calculated Risk Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2018 Calculated Risk Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

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CALCULATED RISK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 OAKVILLE

2018 Calculated Risk Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
Dedicated to crafting wines that express their true sense of the land and natural varietal character, Calculated Risk’s Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon is a textbook example of the winery’s driving force. Oakville’s notorious complexity is powerfully bestowed and incarnated with robust intensity, keen focus, and lasting balance. 
 
Winemaker Dwight Bonewell added two Oakville Vineyards together; Money Road, near Oakville’s center, and a State Lane property bordering Yountville AVA, creating a broad interpretation of Oakville terroir, equaling a balanced, polished easy-drinking style. Priced in line with many Oakville neighbors at $120, at $46, it doesn’t take a calculus degree to sum up this deal… 
 
CALCULATED RISK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2018 OAKVILLE
Retails at: $120
 
Your Price: $46
 
 
“Plenty of ripe berries and cherries here with some chocolate and hazelnut undertones. It’s full-to medium-bodied with round tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows richness with balance…”
93 Points
2018 Sebright Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2018 Sebright Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

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SEBRIGHT

2018 RESERVE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY

2018 Sebright Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Named after the Silver Sebright bantam chickens that help maintain the biodiversity of their environmentally friendly farmed vineyards, Sebright Cellars quietly produces superior quality boutique Cabernet from their own single-acre Garnett Creek Vineyard in Calistoga. Double planted to clone 7, a clone also used by Screaming Eagle, Sebright’s vineyard produces concentrated fruit enriched with minerality and fresh acidy.
 
Veteran Calistoga winemaker Tom Eddy’s vast experience gives him the tools needed to lucidly reveal the vineyard’s site-specific terroir with singular focus, robust fruit character, and structure for aging. Their 2018 vintage is magnificent, and so if you haven’t tried Sebright before, and you’re looking for a wine that none of your friends have heard of but will rock them to their core when they try it, this is it.
 
SEBRIGHT
2018 RESERVE 
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
NAPA VALLEY
Retails at: $125
 
 
 
“The Sebright Reserve Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 begins with a deeply extensive, sultry nose that includes crushed blackberries, blueberry cobbler, black currants, baking spices, and violets. These aromas dance in unison with a concentrated palate of burgundy plums, bing cherries, crushed earthy minerals, and black tea, combined with a focused intensity to the fruit. The finish is balanced, with power, finesse, and satiny tannins that create a long, plush finish. This outstanding wine is delightful to drink now but will reward collectors with 15 or more years of enjoyment.”
96 Points
2018 Laird Chardonnay Red Hen Ranch

2018 Laird Chardonnay Red Hen Ranch

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LAIRD

2018 CHARDONNAY
RED HEN RANCH

2018 Laird Chardonnay Red Hen Ranch
With over 50 years of vineyard expertise farming some of Napa Valley’s most prime locations, the Laird family’s intimate knowledge of their vineyards is the foundation of their wines. Considered their “home vineyard,” Red Hen Ranch, located in the Oak Knoll District, is on the same property as the winery, allowing their team the ability to monitor it year-round closely. 
 
A stand-out in the Laird Family’s portfolio of vineyards, Red Hen Ranch vineyard is influenced by cool sea breezes from the San Pablo Bay, consistently producing a Chardonnay with pronounced fruit flavors and a refreshing balance of acidity. The winery’s philosophy centers on creating wines with unmasked identity, and winemaker Brian Mox beautifully translated the 2018 vintage into its distinctive vineyard voice with delectable opulence. 
 
LAIRD
2018 CHARDONNAY
RED HEN RANCH
Retails at: $35
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“A full-bodied white with aromas and flavors of buttered toast, praline, grilled peach and dried mango. Ripe and flavorful with salted-butter notes on the finish. Drink now.”
93 Points
2018 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve

2018 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve

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DOMAINE SERENE

2018 PINOT NOIR
EVENSTAD RESERVE 

2018 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve
Domaine Serene’s topmost level of expectations and commitment to incredibly high internal standards is evident in every aspect of their production, from their meticulous farming to their state-of-the-art tasting room and cellar. Since the inaugural 1990 vintage, Domaine Serene has been producing world-class wines and is the only winery in the world with a Top 3 rating in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the Year for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including the #3 Wine of 2013 for their 2010 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir.
 
The Evenstad’s are lovers of classic, Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir and struck gold when they purchased land in the rolling Dundee Hills of Oregon, one of the few places globally with the ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir grapes. The 2018 Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir represents the highest standards for Oregon Pinot Noir, and with its stratospheric 95 point score, this should be in every Pinot-lovers collection.
 
DOMAINE SERENE
2018 PINOT NOIR
EVENSTAD RESERVE 
 
Your Price: $84
 
 
“A ripe, spicy and glossy nose with biscuity aromas, as well as very vivid red and dark-cherry notes. The palate has a very plush and elegant feel with silky tannins that unfurl with rich, spiced red-fruit flavors. Holds fresh and precise. Drink or hold.”
95 Points
2016 Ehlers Estate Portrait Proprietary Red

2016 Ehlers Estate Portrait Proprietary Red

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EHLERS ESTATE

2016 PORTRAIT
PROPRIETARY RED

2016 Ehlers Estate Portrait Proprietary Red
Ehlers Estate in St. Helena is a historic winegrowing property initially established in the mid-1800s at Napa Valley’s narrowest point, where constant airflow brings morning fog and moderating sea breezes, ensuring a slow and even ripening. The estate’s old-world style layout, where the farthest point of the property is just 600 yards from the centrally located winery, is rare in California, naturally encouraging an increased focus on quality.
 
Ehlers’s vineyard, situated on 42 contiguous acres, is divided into five primary blocks defined by their unique soil types and 25 sub-blocks with varying combinations of clones and rootstocks, offering a remarkable diversity in their fruit. Designed to represent “the perfect picture” of the unique terroir of this classical estate, the 2016 Portrait is firm and confident, harmoniously displaying the vineyards and vintage’s most remarkable characteristics. 
 
EHLERS ESTATE
2016 PORTRAIT
PROPRIETARY RED
Retails at: $65
 
Your Price: $60
 
 
“Fresh, with a light savory streak amid the red currant and damson plum fruit, giving this a racy, focused profile. Shows a floral nuance in the background and a bright mineral edge on the finish. Relies on precision rather than bombast. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2020 through 2030.”
92 Points