2015 Dyer Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District

2015 Dyer Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District

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DYER

2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT 

2015 Dyer Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District
Diamond Mountain District is known for its upland volcanic soils formed during the Pliocene era, giving its fruit a distinctive minerality, firm tannic structure, and extensive suitability for aging. The mountain’s proximity to the cold Pacific Ocean causes a substantial moderating effect with up to 40-degree differences between nighttime and daytime temperatures, enhancing the freshness and acidity in the grapes.
 
Bill and Dawnine Dyer have over 80 years of combined experience in winemaking both in Napa Valley and around the world, evident in Dyer wines with a focus on the exceptional terroir of Diamond Mountain. The Dyers have moved towards dry farming their vineyard, creating an opportunity for the best possible quality to flourish, as is evident in this riveting expression of Diamond Mountain District Cabernet.
 
DYER
2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DIAMOND MOUNTAIN DISTRICT
Retails at: $95
 
Your Price: $89
 
 
“Translucent and super-expressive, Dyer’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is magnificent. Sweet plum, graphite, lavender and spice develop in the glass, but it is the wine’s exceptional balance and captivating beauty that stand out most. The richness of the vintage has filled out the wine’s classically built frame nicely. Even so, what comes through is a powerful, structured Diamond Mountain Cabernet that exudes class and polish from the first taste to the last. Don’t miss it.”
95 Points
 
“A blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain shows the more pretty, elegant side to this appellation. Cassis, blueberries, liquid violets and incense are just some of the nuances here. This beauty from winemaker Dawnine Dyer is full-bodied, has notable freshness, polished tannin, and again, a beautiful elegance. Drink it anytime over the coming 15-20 years.”
93+ Points
 
“Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain displays understated blackberries, black cherries, cedar and herbs notes with damp earth and black truffles nuances. Medium to full-bodied and built like a brick house, it is packed with restrained, muscular fruit, framed by grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long and earthy. Give it another year or two in bottle and drink it over the next 15-20+.”
93+ Points
2013 Villa Trasqua Nerento Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

2013 Villa Trasqua Nerento Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

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VILLA TRASQUA

NERENTO CHIANTI CLASSICO
2013 GRAN SELEZIONE 

2013 Villa Trasqua Nerento Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Trasqua is a historic estate mentioned in land registers and inheritances with intrinsic links to viticulture since 1000 AD. Their winemaking revolves around time and patience, guided by the rhythm of nature, sustainable vision, and trust in their land. Nerento is the oldest vineyard on the Estate, planted with 100% Sangiovese and known for its essence of terroir and celebrated Alberese (limestone) and Galestro (marl) soils.
 
Fermentation takes place in 5000-liter wooden barrels, followed by aging for 30 months in 500-liter French tonneaux, allowing the tannins to soften and become well-integrated without the oak masking the purity of the fruit. Their flagship Gran Selezione Chianti embodies the Estate’s 1000+ year history, patience, and time-honored tradition, offering a remarkable balance of power and finesse, exceeding all expectations at this value price. 
 
VILLA TRASQUA
NERENTO CHIANTI CLASSICO
2013 GRAN SELEZIONE 
 
Your Price: $36
 
 
“This shows a lovely balance between fresh orange peel and citrus and riper notes of treacle tart, tar, red licorice, tobacco and spices. Full body, a plush and velvety ball of tannins and a driven line of acidity, which carries this suave Chianti Classico through to a long, delightful finish. Drink in 2021.”
95 Points
2015 Marques De La Concordia Reserva Rioja, Spain

2015 Marques De La Concordia Reserva Rioja, Spain

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MARQUES DE LA CONCORDIA

2015 RESERVA RIOJA 
RIOJA, SPAIN

2015 Marques De La Concordia Reserva Rioja, Spain
Concordia is a Spanish word for an agreement, trust, or harmony between people or groups, in which the will and common goals of those involved become a reality. Marques de la Concordia’s dream to make the finest wines in Rioja is the “Concordia” the winery strives to achieve, exceeding expectations at their value price.
 
Located in the northern Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa, their vineyards are influenced by a higher elevation and closer proximity to the cold Atlantic Ocean, creating sophisticated wines with fresh acidity, lower alcohol levels, and promising aging potential. The 2015 Reserva was fermented in stainless steel for optimal temperature control and then aged in French and American barriques for 24 months, plus another year in bottle, producing a silky smooth, complex wine upon release.
 
MARQUES DE LA CONCORDIA
2015 RESERVA RIOJA 
RIOJA, SPAIN
 
Your Price: $24
 
 
Marques de la Concordia 2015
Reserva, Rioja, Spain
 
has been awarded a 
 
Gold Medal & 
95 Points
 
“The 2015 Marqués de la Concordia Reserva opens with a nose of incense, white pepper, and leather, followed by fruity notes of black raspberries, plums, wild strawberries, and a hint of milk chocolate. The palate is round but balanced by fresh acidity, smooth tannins, and flavors of black cherry, vanilla bean, and sweet spices. This wine is a classic, old-world style charmer that is enjoyable to drink now but has the structure to age for another decade.”
92 Points
2019 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red San Luis Obispo

2019 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red San Luis Obispo

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HARVEY & HARRIET

PROPRIETARY RED 
2019 SAN LUIS OBISPO

2019 Harvey & Harriet Proprietary Red San Luis Obispo
Luxuriously designed to emulate high-end Cabernet Blends’ most hedonistic qualities, Harvey & Harriett creator Eric Jensen’s inspiration for this wine derived from his hardworking parents, Harvey and Harriet, who couldn’t afford the expensive, top-level Cabernet blends produced today. This wine is a “smoking value,” as Jeb Dunnuck alerts, embodying the satisfaction of a hard day’s work through exceptional quality, but without the high price tag.
 
Eric Jensen of Booker Vineyard is dedicated to growing fruit for some of the best wineries in Paso Robles, gaining winemaking experience along the way from neighbors Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure, and friend Justin Smith of Saxum. The fruit for Harvey & Harriet is sourced from premier sites, blended to showcase the intensity, depth, and character expected from cult-style wines. 
 
HARVEY & HARRIET
PROPRIETARY RED 
2019 SAN LUIS OBISPO
 
Your Price: $32
 
 
“…the 2019 Harvey and Harriet can be thought of as the more approachable, lush red in the lineup, and it always seems more black fruit-driven than the straight Cabernet Sauvignon. Blackberries, sweet tobacco, cedar, and some floral violet nuances define the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful texture and silky tannins. It’s a smoking value, and while it has plenty of up-front charm, it certainly has a decade or more of overall longevity.”
94 Points
2018 Carr Pinot Noir Hilliard Bruce Vineyard

2018 Carr Pinot Noir Hilliard Bruce Vineyard

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CARR

2018 PINOT NOIR
HILLIARD BRUCE VINEYARD

2018 Carr Pinot Noir Hilliard Bruce Vineyard
Ryan Carr, the owner, grower, and winemaker for Carr Vineyards & Winery, never imagined himself in the wine industry until moving to Santa Ynez Valley, where he found himself working in the vineyards, and he hasn’t blinked since. In 1998 Ryan worked for Central Coast Wine Services, getting the chance to make wine with several different wineries, gleaning hands-on experience with some of the area’s best winemakers.
 
Partnering with his friend Andy Kahn, winemaker of Kahn, the two started a vineyard development company, allowing access to high-quality grapes. Ryan also became the assistant winemaker for Kahn and made the first commercial vintage of his Carr wine in 2004. Ryan’s involvement in the vineyard makes him a better winemaker because of his intimate knowledge of the growing conditions the grapes experienced before they got to the winery, which is fully evident in every drop of this gorgeous Pinot.
 
CARR
2018 PINOT NOIR
HILLIARD BRUCE VINEYARD
Retails at: $49
 
Your Price: Insider Club Members Only
 
 
“The 2018 Carr Hilliard Bruce Vineyard Pinot Noir is bright, ruby red in color, and begins with notes of rose petals, potpourri, wild strawberries, and cinnamon sticks. The palate has a smooth texture with refreshing acidity and flavors of raspberry, bramble, vanilla, and savory undertones that round out the balance. This wine is the type of Pinot Noir that everyone should have on hand for any and every kind of occasion.”
92 Points
2014 The Owl & The Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley

2014 The Owl & The Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley

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THE OWL & THE OAK

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 DRY CREEK VALLEY 

2014 The Owl & The Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Dry Creek Valley
Michelle Mercer and her husband Bruce Golden spent 15 years living abroad, giving them priceless opportunities to visit some of the best vineyards in the world. Upon returning to the US, they searched to find the perfect location for growing premium Cabernet Sauvignon in an old-world style with subtle beauty and grace, like a new blossom slowly opening its petals and revealing its inner depth of character.
 
A small plot of 9 acres in Dry Creek Valley proved to be the best location because of the cooler microclimate than neighboring vineyards, allowing the grapes to mature at a slower rate, increasing hang time for deep flavor development while retaining the grape’s natural acidity. The 2014 vintage of The Owl & The Oak is captivating in its vast range of flavors and immaculate structure that coats the palate and continues into an ethereal finish.
 
THE OWL & THE OAK
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
2014 DRY CREEK VALLEY
Retails at: $60
 
Your Price: $39.99
 
 
“The Oak & The Owl Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of violets, sage, crushed blueberries, wet stones, white truffles, and cocoa powder. The palate is seductive with its velvety tannins and bright acidity, allowing sultry, savory flavors to coat the mouth with a persistent finish. This wine is an old-world wine lover’s dream in the new world with its depth of fresh aromas and flavors, pure from start to finish without being flashy or flabby, and suitable for aging up to 15 years or more.”
95 Points
2018 Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon

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JANZEN

BECKSTOFFER TO KALON
2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 

2018 Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon
“To Kalon” is Greek for “highest good,” a name fitting for Andy Beckstoffer’s To Kalon Vineyard, which is one of the greatest Cabernet vineyards in the New World, described by many as Napa’s First Growth. Initially planted in 1868, the vineyard is located on the Oakville bench and has a rich history of producing powerful wines with depth, balance, and vast complexity. 
 
Beckstoffer To Kalon designated wines can easily top $500 per bottle, and the site consistently produces some of the highest-scoring Cabernets in the Valley. The viticulture crew impeccably farms this vineyard, and well-draining soils combine with evening shadows that preserve acidity and intense fruit flavors. Janzen’s 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Beckstoffer To Kalon is “head-turning,” as Jeb Dunnuck writes, and a stunning example of the vineyard’s paramount quality.
 
JANZEN
BECKSTOFFER TO KALON
2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 
 
Your Price: $225
 
 
“…the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Janzen Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard is more expressive and ready to go, offering a beautiful bouquet of cassis, blueberries, flowery incense, tobacco leaf, sandalwood, and violet-like nuances. Beautifully balanced and full-bodied, with that classic To Kalon sexiness as well as purity on the palate, this is another head-turning wine in this lineup that can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years.”
98 Points
2018 Heir Apparent Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

2018 Heir Apparent Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain

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HEIR APPARENT

2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SPRING MOUNTAIN

2018 Heir Apparent Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain
Heir Apparent winemaker Dwight Bonewell is known for his mastery of assemblage, creating luxury-style Napa Cabernet Sauvignons from some of the valley’s best vineyards. This wine hails from the Spring Mountain District, a region of small vineyards split by springs and streams, with 20 different soil types creating a patchwork of different terroirs, contributing to an extensive range of complexity in concentrated mountain fruit.
 
There are only 1000 acres planted within the Spring Mountain District appellation’s 8,600, but the wines from the area are recognized worldwide for their signature supple, balanced tannins and deeply pronounced flavors. 2018 was a cooler vintage, providing longer hang-time, allowing more significant flavor development that transformed this wine into a vast kaleidoscope of fruit, earth, spice, minerals, and much more that you don’t want to miss!
 
HEIR APPARENT
2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SPRING MOUNTAIN
Retails at: $165
 
 
 
The 2018 Heir Apparent Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon begins with aromas of Marionberry pie, mint, bay leaf, cassis, and brown sugar. On the palate, the wine is rich with flavors of blackberries, cassis, and hot cocoa with soft, delicate tannins that lead into a long, elegant finish. This wine is perfect for sipping in front of a warm fireplace with a special person.”
94 Points
2019 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon San Luis Obispo

2019 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon San Luis Obispo

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MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR

2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SAN LUIS OBISPO

2019 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon San Luis Obispo
Turning heads with consecutive vintages earning mid 90 point scores, Eric Jensen of My Favorite Neighbor created an ideal combination of perfectly ripe fruit, flavor intensity, and lavish textures, giving some of the best $50 Cabernets anywhere a run for their money. As a homage, he created this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend from exceptional vineyards around Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Edna Valley, crafted to deliver unreal quality and shake up domestic Cab in this price range.
 
Eric is dedicated to growing fruit for some of the best wineries in Paso Robles, gaining experience along the way from neighboring farmers and vintners, particularly from his original favorite neighbor, Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure Winery. Farming is life for him, and the farmers he works with all share the common goal of growing the best fruit possible using organic or biodynamic practices, coaxing the vines to perform at their ultimate best. The results are simply stunning, and with the new 95 point score, don’t hesitate to secure yours.
 
MY FAVORITE NEIGHBOR
2019 CABERNET SAUVIGNON
SAN LUIS OBISPO
 
Your Price: $49.99
 
 
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is more elegant and focused, with medium to full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, redcurrants, green tobacco, and cedary spice. I love its texture, it has ripe, polished tannins, plenty of sweet fruit, and a great, great finish, all while staying in a relatively compact, and again, elegant package. As I’ve written in the past, it would cost three to four times the price from Napa. It’s worth noting the change in appellation from Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo County, which probably allows for a wider range of fruit.”
95 Points
 
“2019 My Favorite Neighbor is deeply aromatic with incense, ripe black plums, blackcurrants, and chocolate-covered cherries. The wine has a rich, decadent mouthfeel with voluminous flavors of blueberry crumble, mocha, and butterscotch. The wine has an edgy minerality, like wet stones after a rainstorm, enhanced by the soft, chalky tannins, finishing with a succulent, velvety texture. Drink now until 2031.”
94 Points
2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

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LULI

2020 PINOT NOIR
SANTA RITA HILLS

2020 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
Seeking to create a new line of handcrafted wines from top-notch fruit at affordable prices, Luli was launched in 2007 by the combined knowledge, skills, and experience of Master Sommelier Sara Floyd, vineyard manager Mark Pisoni, and winemaker Jeff Pisoni. The Pisoni brothers grew up farming in the Santa Lucia Highlands with their father Gary, one of California’s most respected growers, sourcing fruit for Luli from vineyards in or near the same land they call home.
 
Wine is life for Sara and the Pisoni brothers, so the desire to bring family and friends together to swirl a glass of fine wine for a reasonable price is a passion for all three. Possibly one of the best winemaking teams in history, this successful partnership illustrates the talents and strengths of three different masterminds in each vintage and every glass poured.
 
LULI
2020 PINOT NOIR
SANTA RITA HILLS
 
Your Price: $29.99
 
 
“The 2020 Luli Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir begins with an intriguing nose that includes fresh strawberries, English rose petals, cotton candy, and Autumn baking spices. The palate mimics these traits, adding cherry cola, red plums, liquid minerals, and a bright freshness combined with a supple texture that beautifully rounds this wine out. Drink it now, and over the next six to eight years.”
92 Points