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California Red Wines
Shebang Eleventh Cuvee Red Blend, Sonoma Valley
$ 12.99
A fantastic red from Bedrock winemaker Morgan-Twain Peterson, one of the hottest young winemakers in California.
90 Points Robert Parker "Best Buy": "A Mediterranean blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Alicante Bouchet, Syrah and assorted mixed blacks fermented with native yeasts and aged in primarily neutral containers (15% in new French oak), it is a California version of a high-class Cotes du Rhone. Lots of berry fruit intermixed with lavender, pepper and meaty black cherry and black currant flavors emerge from this satisfying, round, expansive, generous red. An outstanding, killer value that should provide pleasure over the next 1-2 years. If there is a better value in California wine, I would like to know about it."
....Morgan Twain-Peterson is one of the most impressive young winemakers I have ever met, and it’s not just because he grew up the son of a famous producer. Making wines at this level requires talent, passion, hard work and a great palate, none of which is easily inherited. Along with Mike Officer of Carlisle, Twain-Peterson is on a mission to rediscover what he calls California’s old-vine “heritage” vineyards. These historic sites planted by California’s early immigrants, often home to unknown field blends, remain some of the most fascinating vineyards in California. Officer and Twain-Peterson were tired of seeing these old sites gobbled up by industrial-scale wineries, so they decided to do something about it. Bravo."
Delas Freres 2017 "Saint Esprit" Cotes du Rhone Rouge
$ 14.99
An amazing value from the South of France - hurry!
95 Points Decanter: "60% Syrah, 40% Grenache. Lovely rich opulent and floral, black berry and plum nose, the palate is big with well layered fruit, attractively firm but soft tannin and hints of oak, a big wine with a lovely finish. *Gold Medal Winner Decanter Asia Wine Awards.*
Robert Parker: "A blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache, the Cotes du Rhone Saint-Esprit is a screaming value. If offers bold black cherry and blueberry fruit aromas, lively fruit flavors, silky tannins and a crisp, lengthy mocha-tinged finish. Drink this fun, bouncy little wine over the next couple of years."
Orin Swift Locations F-4
$ 16.99
Introducing Orin Swift's delicious new red from France: Locations "F"!
F-4 is Orin Swift's French Red Wine made from the finest varietals and locations throughout France. Grenache from the Roussillon, Syrah from the Rhone, and assorted Bordeaux varietals have been sensibly blended in an original style that showcases the best of what this historic land has to offer. They come together to form yet another delicious red blend from this cult producer of The Prisoner red. Try this great new release while it's still available.
Tasting Notes: Opaque with ruby accents, the wine is intensely perfumed with aromas of vivid berry, warm spice, plum, kirsch, lavender and subtle oak nuances. The entry is juicy and penetrating with rich flavors of ripe blackberry, racy currant and blueberry that generously coat the palate. Easy drinking, the finish is long and clean with just the right amount of polished tannins to keep the fruit in focus. Extremely well-balanced, this delicious red is ready to open and drink now.
Orin Swift 2011 Locations "I"
$ 16.99
Introducing Orin Swift's delicious new red from Italy: Locations "I"!
2011 marks the first vintage of Orin Swift's Italian Red Wine made from the finest varietals and locations throughout Italy: a blend of Negroamaro, Nero D'Avolo, Barbera and native varietals from Puglia blended in an original style that showcases the best of what this historic land has to offer. They come together to form yet another delicious red blend from this cult producer of The Prisoner red. Try this great new release while it's still available.
Tasting Notes: Revealing an attractive color spectrum of crimson and scarlet with a slight magenta band on the rim, the wine explodes. with aromas of macerated raspberries, dried lavender, plum tart, and toasty accents. The palate is imediately hit with super lush flavors of lush berries and spice, supported with a dense core that has just the right amount of characteristic acidity. The tannins are already velvety and soft which provide for a lingering finish with hints of minerality and some herbal notes.
Orin Swift Locations E-5
$ 16.99
Introducing Orin Swift's delicious new red from Spain: Locations "E"!
The E-5 marks the fifth elease of Orin Swift's Spanish Red Wine made from the finest varietals and locations throughout Spain. Grenache from Priorat and Rioja, Tempranillo from Rioja and Carignan from Ribero del Duero. They come together to form yet another delicious red blend from this cult producer of The Prisoner red. Try this great new release while it's still available!
The wine has a vibrant ruby color with a scarletband on the rim. The aromas take a minute to awaken, then take off into a blend of ripe boysenberry, stone fruit, warm spice, and a hint of oak. A rich entry leads to a robust and savory mid palette that is intense and concentrated with a persistent finish of ripe, soft tannins. Extremely well-balanced, the wine is ready to open and drink now. Sante!
Buehler 2014 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 18.99
A perennial best buy in Napa Valley Zinfandel!
Beuhler 2014 Napa Valley Zinfandel is a mix of their estate vineyards and grapes from other select Napa Valley high quality, low-yielding vineyards. Dry-farmed for over 23 years, the 4.5 acre estate block consists of mature thirty-eight year old vines which typically give around 2.5 tons/acre of beautiful hillside Zinfandel fruit. Interspersed among the head-trained vines are a handful of Petite Sirah vines representing perhaps 5% of the total vines in this block. A traditional field companion to Zinfandel in pre-prohibition California vineyards, Petite Sirah contributes pepper, color, and tannin structure to the wine.
Klinker Brick 2014 Old Vines Zinfandel, Lodi
$ 19.00
One of the best value boutique Zinfandels in California! An intense, fruit-filled wine you expect to cost at least twice as much. If you have yet to try a Zin from Lodi, this is the one!
The Klinker Brick 2014 Old Vines Zinfandel is produced from an amalgam of 14 different vineyard blocks, ranging in age from 35 to 110 years old. This vintage saw lower yields than 2005, producing a wine that is both complex and bold. Showing typical Klinker Brick cherry/berry/plum fruit components with aromatic spices on the nose, this wine is incredibly well balanced with a silky smooth texture and a long lingering finish. One of their best!
Arbalest 2015 Red Bordeaux
$ 19.95
Best buy
From esteemed Napa Winemaker, Benoit Touquette, the 2015 Arbalest Bordeaux Rouge is one of the best buys in Red Bordeaux we've discovered! A fruit-forward wine oozing juiciness and deep, dark flavors. On the nose, the slight scent of cedar and truffle tell you it’s predominantly Merlot. Drink now through 2022.
91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Mostly Merlot blended with 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2015 Arbalest was brought up 16 months in tank and 30% new oak. It offers a perfumed, gorgeous bouquet of plums, incense, spice and hints of forest floor. Full-bodied, ripe and rounded, with a sexy, opulent style, lots of mid-palate depth, and a great finish, it's well worth your time and money and is a smoking deal at 20 bucks. This wine comes from a collaboration between winemaker Benoit Touquette and importer/distributor Kimberly Jones."
JaM 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 19.99
It's back! One of our fastest-selling $20 Cabernets has returned with a killer new vintage. Don't miss.
Our goal was to apply small lot high end winemaking practices in the production of this wine. To that end the Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Zinfandel were all harvested in mid to late September at 25.5-26.5 brix to ensure optimal ripeness. The fermentation was managed for maximum fruit extraction and to develop velvety tannins. The resulting wine is an amazingly rich and exceptionally smooth Cabernet Sauvignon. True to it’s name, the wine is full of rich fruit flavors blended with a nice dollop of oak.
Seventy Five Wine Co. 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
$ 19.99
The Seventy Five Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic $20 discovery in California Cabernet from the Beckstoffers who are synonmous with managing some of Napa Valley's most famous vineyards - this is their first wine from the up-and-coming Lake County area north of Napa. Don't miss!
The Seventy Five 2015 Cabernet is a blend of vineyards from Lake and Napa Counties. We find these diverse, high quality vineyards to compliment one another perfectly. The high altitude rocky vineyard sites in Lake County deliver angularity, complexity and austerity while the Napa Valley fruit provides deep concentration and focus. This wine is dense and tremendously focused, with a wonderful nose and palate of cedar, blueberry, saddle leather and white pepper. The finish showcases a perfect balance of acid, tannin and sweet toasted oak. Meticulous, detail oriented winemaking and complete attention to detail has produced a wine of tremendous presence and complexity that must be tasted to be believed.
Brix26 Inside Scoop: Since the inaugural vintage a few years ao, the Seventy Five Wine Co. Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be our most highly recommended $20 Cabernet on the site.
Twenty Bench 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 19.99
Don't miss this incredible value Cabernet produced by Regusci. Unlike their estate in Stag's Leap Cab, the Twenty Bench Cabernet sells for a song. An amazing value that tastes like it should cost 3 times the price.
The Twenty Bench 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon has concentrated currant fruit with undertones of cassis dominate the palate of the wine. Combined with its blackberry centered nose, French oak spice, and American oak lushness, this is one steal of a Cabernet.
Beckmen 2016 Cuvee Le Bec, Santa Barbara
$ 19.99
One of our favorite $20 red wine discoveries of the year! A delicious, juicy red blend that should be your house red.
Robert Parker: "One of the finest values in the Central Coast is their Cuvee Le Bec, a blend of 44% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 20% Mourvedre, and 8% Counoise, is one of the two great Cotes du Rhone look-alikes of the Central Coast. This is the type of wine that California can do so well, but rarely does. Part of the reason may be due to the difficulty of trying to convince consumers that a proprietary blend, available at a much lower price, can ultimately be better than some single varietal wines. The super Cuvee Le Bec is a sexy, delicious concoction of red and black cherries, black currants, pepper, spice box, and fruitcake. Medium to full-bodied and pure with supple tannins and a fleshy, lush personality, it will provide immense pleasure over the next 3-4 years...This winery, which has extensive holdings on one of Santa Ynez’s finest viticulture sites, Purisima Mountain, continues to build on an already impressive resume of wines. Kudos to Beckmen Vineyards for offering top-notch quality as well as plenty of enticing bargains."
Orin Swift Locations CA-4 California
$ 19.99
Introducing Orin Swift's delicious new red from California Locations "CA"!
2014 marks the fourth vintage of Orin Swift's Red made from the finest varietals and locations throughout California, called CA-4. California is a country unto itself and fittingly, an appropriate addition to the Locations family. Regions such as Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and the Sierra Foothills contributed to the wine. They come together to form yet another delicious red blend from this cult producer of The Prisoner red. A blend of Tempranillo, Barbera, Peite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache. Try this great new release while it's still available.
Tasting Notes: Opaque with ruby accents, the wine is intensely perfumed with aromas of vivid berry, warm spice, plum, kirsch, lavender and subtle oak nuances. The entry is juicy and penetrating with rich flavors of ripe blackberry, racy currant and blueberry that generously coat the palate. Easy drinking, the finish is long and clean with just the right amount of polished tannins to keep the fruit in focus. Extremely well-balanced, this delicious red is ready to open and drink now.
Tait 2013 "The Ball Buster" Proprietary Red, Barossa Valley
$ 19.99
New release of the Shiraz blend from Australia that's gaining a cult-like following! Get the new release before the ratings come out!
previous vintage 92 points Robert Parker: "The Ball Buster blend has been an annual Best Buy and, even at the current asking price, it is an awesome value (at least for hedonists). It is composed of 72% Shiraz, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 11% Merlot aged for 12 months in seasoned French and American oak. Opaque purple-colored, it has a nose of cedar, leather, spice box, and blueberry that leaps from the glass. This is followed by a plush, full-bodied wine with gobs of flavor and superior length. This easy-to-understand effort defines the meaning of over-delivering and will do so for another four years."
Parcel 41 2017 Merlot, North Coast
$ 20.00
A fantastic value in Napa Valley Merlot.
From the folks that brought you Twenty Bench Cabernet and owners of Napa Valley's Regusci Winery, the trio of Jim Gill, James Harder and Jim Regusci are proud to introduce Parcel 41 Merlot North Coast and they are going to change the way you think about Merlot. "Merlot is a grape that is very expressive of the terroir," says partner Jim Regusci. "It has to be planted in the right location and when it is, it can be every bit as complex and flavorful as Cabernet."
Field Recordings 2017 'Neverland' Cabernet Sauvigon, Santa Barbara
$ 22.00
Always on the lookout for great Cabernet bargains, we found a winner in this Santa Barbara gem. Highly recommended for everyday drinking.
Tasting Notes: Layered with notes of black currant, spearmint, bacon and smoked cedar planks, this wine seems to change almost by the second. It is plush, both in aromatics and in mouth-feel, with blueberry, violets, kirsch and creme de cassis joining notes of tobacco and cola. A truly Californian Claret.
About: Field Recordings is the moonlighting side project for up-and-coming young winemaker Andrew Jones, whose days are taken up with his job as a vine nursery field operative. Fortunately, his job takes Jones to vineyards all over California, where he helps growers decide the best grapes and clones to plant. Jones leverages his expertise, access and connections to buy choice fruit from treasured sites, especially in California’s Central Coast. In 2013, a perfect growing season and a little luck meant that Jones was able to pick the Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot for this wine at the same time and ferment them together. Petit Verdot is a traditional blending grape in Bordeaux, where it’s used to add inky color and fragrance to wines based on Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s rare that it ripens at the same time as Cabernet; usually the grapes are picked and fermented separately and then blended before aging. The fruit comes from the Grassini Vineyard, located in the tiny Happy Canyon wine region. Located on the eastern edge of Santa Barbara County, Happy Canyon’s relatively warm days make it a top spot for Bordeaux grapes.
Orin Swift 2016 "Shatter" Grenache
$ 22.00
Shatter is a delicious collaboration between Dave Phinney (Orin Swift Cellars) and Joel Gott. Highly recommended.
Shatter comes from the small town of Maury in the Roussillon region of France. The hillside grenache vines were planted over 60 years ago in black schist, a slate-like, rocky soil common to the area. Though nutrient-poor, it retains heat well, allowing the slow-ripening grenache to reach full maturity through cool nights. Tough soil, strong winds and hot days push the vines and cause shatter, or coulure, in the grape clusters, naturally thinning fruit from the vines and producing more intensely concentrated flavors. After harvest, the fruit was cold-soaked for 30 days to help further concentrate the wine, then fermented and aged at Dave's winery in Maury.
previous vintage 92 Points Robert Parker: "A collaboration between Napa's Joel Gott and Dave Phinney, the semi-opaque Cotes Catalanes Grenache is a smoking blend of 100% Grenache that comes from the singular, black schist soils located around the village of Maury, in the Agly Valley in the Roussillon. Aged in French oak (a small part being new) and hitting 15.6% natural alcohol, this sexy, full-bodied, pedal-to-the-metal effort bears plenty of resemblance to the old-vine, 100% Grenache efforts coming from Chateauneuf du Pape. Kirsch liqueur, blackberry, toasted spice, garrigue and hints of vanilla bean all flow nicely to a seamless, silky, yet decadently styled red that has fine tannin, and a blockbuster, heady finish. It will certainly not appease those looking for lightweight aromas and flavors, but count me a fan. The oak is still present, so give it a year in bottle; it will drink nicely for another 5-6 years."
Five Vintners 2013 Zinfandel, California
$ 22.00
Rockpile fruit help make Five Vintners of the best new California Zinfandels available. Grab this great small-produciton Zin while it lasts - Only 940 cases produced!
Five Vintner's Krisi Raymond of Napa's Raymond Family has struck out on her own with this fantastic new lablel. This Zinfandel blends some of the best fruit from Napa Valley and Sonoma. 42% comes from the Nichelini Vineyards in the Pope-Chiles area of Napa, 30% from Mauritson Vineyards in Dry Creek and 20% from their Rockpile Vineyard. 8% of the blend is made up of Syrah from Truchard Vineyards in Carneros. One of our best under $25 Zinfandel discoveries!
Black Slate 2015 Gratallops Red, Priorat
$ 22.00
One of the best buys from Spain we've discovered. Limited.
90 points Robert Parker: "The Black Slate series wines are produced by different producers from different villages of Priorat for US importer Eric Solomon, as is the case of the 2015 Black Slate Gratallops from Celler Cecilio. They want to show the character of the Priorat grapes in the different villages. It's a blend of Cariñena, Garnacha and Syrah from (guess what?) slate soils that fermented separately with indigenous yeasts and with 20% of the volume being raised in oak barrels for some eight or nine months. I noticed the Syrah here, combined with classical Gratallops sweet Garnacha and a pinch of spices. The palate is medium-bodied, with the fine slate texture, generous, warm and showy, but without excess, with the graphite holding it together. This is a Gratallops Vi de Villa."
Based in the village of Gratallops, Celler Cecilio blends Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cariñena, and Syrah, primarily from old vines planted to the region's famed llicorella (schist) soils. August Vicent is not only the proprietor Celler Cecilio, the oldest registered estate in Priorat (established in 1942), but he happens to be a neighbor of Daphne Glorian and Eric Solomon in the small village of Gratallops. He makes characterful, lush and exotically-spiced wines from his vineyards in the village and has been persuaded to sell us some for our Black Slate Gratallops. It is a blend of Garnatxa Negra, Carinyena, and Syrah from vines ranging in age from 20 to 65+ years old. Fermented entirely with indigenous yeasts, it is aged in a combination of concrete and French oak barrels
Black Slate 2015 La Vilella Alta, Priorat
$ 22.00
One of the best buys from Spain we've discovered. Limited.
94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Part of the Black Slate label that focused on the different villages of Priorat, the 2015 Black Slate La Vilella Alta is a blend of 39% Cariñena, 23% Garnacha, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Syrah and Merlot that spent 14 months in 30% new French oak, with a good portion of the blend brought up all in concrete. Incredible notes of blackcurrants, wood smoke, iris flowers, chocolate, and obvious minerality all emerge from this full-bodied, beautifully pure, elegant red that knocks it out of the park on the value front. You just don’t find this level of quality at this price point anywhere in the wine world today...readers should not miss this sensational wine.."
The inspiration for the Black Slate Project is a Burgundian concept of village nomenclature, applied to the Priorat. One region, nine historic villages, each with its distinct character, but all unmistakably Priorat. Sun-scorched vines cling to breathtakingly steep hillsides with their roots deeply plunged in the llicorella soils of this pristine, ancient region.
Bodegas Mas Alta is a joint project with renowned Rhone negociant and winemaker, Michel Tardieu, and noted French enologist, Philippe Cambie. It is located in the middle of D.O.C. Priorat, based in the village of Vilella Alta. The estate vineyards are high density plantings at approximately 1050 feet above sea level, in front of Serra del Montsant, a mountain range that reaches 3300 feet. Very steep and abrupt, the altitude, inclination, and slopes make a decisive influence on grape's maturity. The vineyards of La Viella Alta are situated on steep slopes of slates alongside of what once was the river of Escaladei. The heat of south-facing vineyards combing with the cooler north-facing parcels to create a well-balanced wine with ripe fruit and softness.
Domaine La Colliere 2011 Rasteau
$ 22.99
A fantastic small-production steal from France's Rhone Valley. An 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah blend. Highly recommended while we still have it.
90 Points Wine Spectator: "Very fleshy and silky in feel, with lovely crushed plum, anise and blackberry coulis notes gliding through the apple wood-framed finish. Drink now through 2014. 280 cases imported."
...This unheralded estate is making fabulous wines from their 62 acres of vines spread throughout Rasteau and the surrounding Cotes du Rhone appellation. Proprietor Georges Perot utilizes the services of the enormously talented Philippe Cambie, and, as one might expect, these are full-flavored, wonderfully pure, complex wines that respect their appellation."
Caymus 2016 Conundrum Red Blend
$ 22.99
New Conundrum Red from the folks at Caymus now available!
Winery Notes: Twenty-five years ago, we introduced Conundrum as an exotic, enticing white blend--now Conundrum Red continues this tradition, bending the rules in its own unique way. Serious yet down-to-earth, this wine knows no boundaries. Pair it with everything from pizza to tandoori to fajitas to BBQ. Its structure, richness and complexity make it great any time of the year--be bold and serve it chilled.
This dark red wine opens with the aromas of plums and rich berries, its earthiness overlaid with the subtle richness of cocoa. On the palate are concentrated flavors of dried, dark fruit, lush chocolate-covered cherries and a smokiness that makes this wine the perfect complement to many dishes. Sturdy tannins are rounded out by the ripeness of the berries for a texturous but smooth feel. The finish is long and serious, with a toasted quality of oak and layers of rich flavor that slowly trail off, enticing you back for another sip.
Girard 2015 Old Vines Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 24.00
A fantastic value in Old Vines Napa Valley Zin! The Girard 2015 Old Vines Zinfandel Napa Valley is a blend of 76% Zinfandel and 24% Petite Sirah. Sourcecd from mountain vineyards that provide a rich flavor extraction, fruit-forward palate and wonderful layers of complexity from multiple soil types. One of our favorite Napa Zins under $30.
90 Points Wine Spectator: "Plump and briary, with appealing black cherry and spice aromas and ripe, supple raspberry and licorice flavors. Drink now through 2024."
Sean Thackrey "Pleiades XXVI" Old Vine Red Blend
$ 24.99
New release of a California classic from the iconoclastic Sean Thackrey. The Pleiades might be the only super allocated, cult California wine for under $25, and it always sells out quickly.
92 points Wine Enthusiast "Editors' Choice": "How many ways can you say delicious? It’s impossible to exaggerate how appealing this light-hearted wine is. It’s vibrant with candied raspberries, pomegranates, orange zest, vanilla, brown sugar and cinnamon spice flavors, yet finishes dry and clean. The blend includes Sangiovese, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Mourvèdre."
If you try to find the exact varietals in this always-fantastic red blend, you might find yourself gazing up at the heavens for an answer, since you won't get one from the winemaker. From "One of California's most iconic and mystical winemakers," says Robert Parker, "Sean Thackrey has logged in 20 or more vintages of consistently stunning wines that perhaps say it all with the simple quote on his label: -Sean A. Thackrey, Vintner, Bolinas, California.
75 Wine Company "The Sum" 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon
$ 24.99
The Seventy Five Wine Co. "The Sum" Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a fantastic $20 discovery in California Cabernet from the Beckstoffers who are synonymous with managing some of Napa Valley's most famous vineyards. Don't miss!
This amazingly well endowed profoundly rich red wine must be smelled and tasted to be believed. The color is a rich, deep purple garnet and gives but a small hint as to what’s inside. The nose gives off soaring and wonderfully focused aromas of ripe stone fruit, vanilla, cherries, cedar cigar box, blackberries and cinnamon. In the mouth, there are layers upon layers of broad, sweet opulent fruit balanced by firm tannins, great acidity and oak. This wine truly showcases the potential of blending and is a must have.
Twenty Rows 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 24.99
The new Twenty Rows 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic value in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a highly recommended new release. A great discovery, this Cab has a richness and elegance that is rare to find at this price.
The secret on this one? This is a new label from Napa Valley producer Vinoce Cellars, know for their $60 Cabernets so this wine has fantastic pedigree! Sourced from Diamond Mountain and Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Chosen #1 by Food & Wine Magazine
Tasting Notes: Beautiful color with penetrating aromas that begin with a presence of black currant, graphite, hints of earth and undertones of espresso. Bright yet plush, with black cherry, blackberry, currant, licorice, chocolate and smoke flavors, all neatly layered for complexity. Firm, solid tannins provide good structure, weight and a great mid-palate grip. Long finish rounds out this wine.
Twenty Rows 2013 Merlot, Napa Valley
$ 24.99
The new Twenty Rows Merlot is a fantastic value in Napa Valley Merlot and a highly recommended new release. A great new discovery for us, this Merlot has a richness and elegance that is rare to find at this price.
The secret on this one? This is a new label from Napa Valley producer Vinoce Cellars, know for their $60 Cabernets so this wine has fantastic pedigree! Sourced from Diamond Mountain and Howell Mountain in Napa Valley. Chosen #1 by Food & Wine Magazine, October 2006.
Tasting Notes: This is a is a big dense wine with layers of cherry, blackberry plum & mocha with a hint of tobacco. Well balanced with exceptional length on the finish.
95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Atrea 2014 Old Soul Red, Mendocino
$ 24.99
A fantastic new Zinfandel blend! David Ramey is consulting winemaker for this new discovery reminds us of one our most popular wines, Orin Swift's The Prisoner. A fantastic value.
The Atrea Old Soul (a blend of 59% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Syrah, 14% Syrah and 7% Malbec) is sensational. This is a bistro wine on steroids. Deep ruby/plum-colored with sweet kirsch notes intermixed with licorice, pepper, and background toast, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fleshy, and displays vibrant, juicy, even succulent fruit, a nicely layered texture, and a crisp finish with light tannins. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Attractive wines are emerging from this Mendocino County winery, where none other than David Ramey is their consulting winemaker.
Paydirt 2017 'Going For Broke' Red Blend, Paso Robles
$ 24.99
Prisoner fans will love this!
Our friend Patrick McNeil makes this small-production gem sourced from some of Paso Roble's best vineyards with McPrice Meyers as winemaker.
94 Points Brix26: "The 2017 'Going For Broke' is bursting with freshness and ripe berry fruit. The Zinfandel provides a soft, round, and juicy base for the blend, and the Syrah is deep, spicy and saturated. The Petite Sirah, Grenache, and Mourvedre provide the perfect blend of aromatics: Dark fruit, leather, and the almighty spice rack. The tannins are well-defined and balanced by high natural acidity."
Robert Parker on winemaker McPrice Myers: “This is another Paso Robles producer who has consistently produced outstanding wines that remain more than reasonably priced given their quality. They merit serious attention.”
Pecchenino 2015 Dolcetto di Dolgliani San Luigi, Italy
$ 24.99
The Pecchenino Dolcetto di Dogliani San Luigi is his flagship bottling that James Suckling calls ‘one of the best Dolcettos around.’ More structure and volume, but a sleek, slippery texture, this simply takes the genre up a couple of notches.
90 point Wine Spectator: "Black cherry, boysenberry and violet candy flavors mark this pretty, juicy red. Shows excellent purity and intensity, with the emphasis on the fruit. Drink now.."
James Suckling: "A wine with a balance of spices and dark fruits with firm yet polished tannins. Muscular but agile. One of the best Dolcettos around."
St. Cosme 2015 Cotes du Rhones "Les Deux Albions", France
$ 24.99
St Cosme is one of the Rhone Valley's hot up-and-coming producers. The fantastic "Les Deux Albion" is basically declassified Gigondas at a fraction of the price. Dont miss.
90 points Robert Parker: "A blend of 50% to 60% Grenache and the balance Syrah, the 2015 Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions is, in the words of proprietor Louis Barruol, "A great success." I'd have to agree. Scents of fresh blueberries are immediately appealing, while the plump, medium to full-bodied palate ends in a light flurry of tannins. Give it another year in the cellar and drink it over the next 7-8 years."
Bedrock 2016 Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma
$ 24.99
An amazing value
Bedrock Winery is producing some of the most exciting new releases we've tasted in California and the Bedrock 2016 Old Vines Zinfandel is a fantastic wine and unbeatable value.
91 Points Wine Spectator: "Fun to drink, with expressive raspberry and violet aromas and zesty, vibrant cherry, toasted cinnamon and spice flavors that finish on a lively note. Drink now through 2021."
Antioni Galloni (Vinous): "Bedrock's 2016 Old Vine Zinfandel is soft, fruity and forward, all qualities that make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. There is good depth to the tobacco, cedar and cherry flavors. In many vintages, the Old Vine is an overachiever, but in 2016 it shows more like a wine at this price point should. Even so, it is absolutely delicious. This is an especially floral, restrained style for Bedrock. The 2016 is 88% Zinfandel and 12% mixed blacks from a variety of sites."
A blend of legendary Sonoma County vineyards dating back to the 1880s, Morgon-Peterson's Old Vines zin makes a strong case for the best overall Zinfandel available today. It delivers the exuberance we expect of this generous grape, but transcends any superficial tendencies with a layer or three of earth, tannin, baking spices, and tip-top French oak treatment. A Zin that benefits from a few years in the cellar to develop gravitas and wow factor, but truly drinks great right out of the gates. Bedrock Zinfandels are the best in the business (the single vineyard bottlings are now uber-allocated). This is your chance to drink Bedrock Zin all the time. Delicious but limited - hurry.
Beran 2012 Zinfandel, California
$ 24.99
Inaugural vintage from Joe Wagner, youngest son of Chuck Wagner, who founded Caymus Vineyards with his parents, Charlie and Lorna Wagner.
Oakville Winery 2011 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 24.99
Know for their Cabernet, Oakville Winery's Zinfandel is a real sleeper. A delicious Napa Valley Zinfandel we highly recommend from the winery that makes Ghost Block.
The Oakville Winery 2011 Zinfandel has developed a powerful structure that is sweet on the front palate and spicy on the back. Black currants, wild huckleberries, cherries and a melting essence of dark chocolate emerge from this full-bodied wine that finishes with a note of vanilla and cracked pepper. This wine makes a great companion to almost any meal.
Others 2014 Proprietary Red, Côtes Catalanes
$ 24.99
OTHERS is the new release from Dave Phinney's new winery and vineyards in Maury, France.
Others is a literal and figurative reference utilizing fruit beyond the D66 blend. Chosen for their unique signature, these vineyards are stylistically meant to be drunk earlier, thus resulting in a powerful yet approachable wine. As is the case with D66, small yields are the norm because of extremely rocky hillside sites with scarce water reserves. This dynamic creates small berried fruit with intense color and concentration. Situated in the foothills of the Pyrénées-Orientales, Others is made at the Department 66 winery.
The wine has a ruby, purple opaque hue with aromas of licorice, spring flowers, campfire, toast and sweet vanilla. On the palette there are abundant flavors of blackberry, wild berry, pepper and spice. Intense and concentrated with a persistent finish, the wine is ready to drink now and enjoy over the next 5 years.
A blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan
Piedrasassi 2016 "P.S." Syrah, Santa Barbara
$ 24.99
An under-the-radar cult Syrah from Santa Barbara - limited.
previous vintage 90 Points Robert Parker: "An outstanding Syrah, the Syrah P.S. offers up gorgeous purity of fruit with layered, complex notes of blackberries, olive, underbrush, pepper and hints of leather all emerging from the glass. Fermented with a large percentage of whole cluster, it has grippy, ripe tannin, good acidity and a delicious, hard-to-resist profile that is ideally suited for consuming over the coming handful of years. It’s a screaming value and readers need to latch onto a couple of these. Drink now-2016."
Sashi Moorman is best known for the wines he makes at Stolpman and Evening Land, but the wines from his own Piedrasassi label are just as impressive. I also tasted a few older wines, including the 2003 Syrah, which remains an infant and attests to the ageworthiness of Syrah from selected sites in Santa Barbara County. "
Olema 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
$ 24.99
92 points - Best Buy
The 2016 Olema Cabernet Sauvignon, made by Amici Cellars, is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes hand selected off premier vineyards in Alexander Valley, Dry Creek and Rockpile in Sonoma County.
92 Points James Suckling: "Lots of black currant and blackberry aromas with hints of wet earth and spice cake. Medium body with a solid center palate of ripe fruit and fine tannins. Soft and silky. Delicious finish."
90 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lastly, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County is outstanding and reveals a ruby/purple color, attractive notes of black cherry and blackberry fruits, plenty of tobacco leaf and graphite, medium body, and nicely integrated acidity. It’s a classic Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon that tastes like it cost 3-4 times the price. It will keep for a decade."
90 Points Robert Parker: "Blended of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot and 1% Petite Sirah aged 14 months in 50% new French oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Olema is deep garnet-purple colored and features textbook cassis, warm plums ad blackberries notions with hints of cedar, sandalwood and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it bursts in the mouth with juicy, crunchy fruit, framed by soft tannins and a lively line, finishing on a refreshing minty note."
Bedrock 2017 Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma
$ 24.99
An amazing value
Bedrock Winery is producing some of the most exciting new releases we've tasted in California and the Bedrock 2017 Old Vines Zinfandel is a fantastic wine and unbeatable value.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Old-school meets new in this Zinfandel, with just enough polish and plumpness to match the briary rusticity. Offers expressive black cherry, smoky anise and white pepper flavors. Drink now through 2024"
A blend of legendary Sonoma County vineyards dating back to the 1880s, Morgon-Peterson's Old Vines zin makes a strong case for the best overall Zinfandel available today. It delivers the exuberance we expect of this generous grape, but transcends any superficial tendencies with a layer or three of earth, tannin, baking spices, and tip-top French oak treatment. A Zin that benefits from a few years in the cellar to develop gravitas and wow factor, but truly drinks great right out of the gates. Bedrock Zinfandels are the best in the business (the single vineyard bottlings are now uber-allocated). This is your chance to drink Bedrock Zin all the time. Delicious but limited - hurry.
Mark Herold 2015 Collide Red Blend, California
$ 24.99
Amazing buy
One of the best buys of the year - a fantastic Red Blend that sells for a song from master winemaker Mark Herold. If you like Blends like The Prisoner you'll LOVE this!
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2015 Collide is outrageously beautiful. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, lavender, chocolate, menthol and creme de cassis infuse this bold, flavorful wine. This blend of 42% Petite Sirah, 30% Tempranillo, 25% Graciano and 3% Carignan will be impossible to resist over the next handful of years."
Daou Vineyards 2017 "Pessimist" Red Blend, Paso Robles
$ 24.99
A fantastic Red Blend from Paso Robles that we highly recommend! From Daou Vineyards, one of Paso's leading wineries.
92 Points Robert Parker: "A value-priced Rhône blend that usually contains some Zinfandel and Petite Syrah, the 2017 Pessimist offers up rich aromas of dark fruit, grilled meat, licorice and black olive. It's full-bodied, rich and spicy, with good balance and an intense, flavorful finish."
90 Points Jeb Dunnuck: " Moving to the 2017s, the already bottled 2017 Pessimist is a lot of wine for not much buck. This full-bodied, fleshy, sexy wine gives up lots of black fruits, chocolate, spice, and subtle vanilla notes and certainly put a smile on my face. It’s a pleasure bent, undeniably hedonistic wine to drink over the coming couple of years."
Spicerack Vineyards 2012 "Punchdown" Syrah, Sonoma Coast
$ 25.00
One of the best small-production Syrah's we've found at this price all year. Spicerack owners Jonathan and Susan Pey have crafted a real winner - deep, dark and delicious, try it while its still available.
"Exceptional. Blue and red berry fruit, elegant entry, perfectly honed tannins, and no new oak to contend with the superb cool-climate fruit. Another Pey wine of true style and potential." - Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences
"As pioneers in Marin County Riesling, Susan and Jonathan Pey thrive on the wine road less traveled. After an impressive Paso Robles Syrah last year, they turned their attention north. This new effort hails from two Sonoma Coast vineyards, including the site where David Ramey sources his Syrah. Now for the twist: The wine all went into neutral barrels, with the result a lean, focused Syrah that's hinged on savory pepper and tart berry, and no oak to speak of. At just over 13 percent alcohol, it's a rare breed for California Syrah, with bright fruit taking center stage." - San Francisco Chronicle, April 4, 2008
Seghesio 2016 Sonoma County Zinfandel
$ 25.99
93 Points WS
Always one of the favorite California Zins we carry.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "Plump and luscious, this is jam-packed with fruit. Lively blackberry, pepper and other spice box aromas lead to ripe and rich flavors of black raspberry, caramel and licorice. There are more complex Zinfandels, but few that are more enjoyable to drink. Drink now through 2022."
Wine Enthusiast: "You could use this as a teaching tool for classic Sonoma County Zinfandel. It's full-bodied, dry and spicy, with briary flavors of wild berries, mocha, tobacco, leather and exotic spices. More importantly, it's absolutely delicious. The grapes come from Seghesio's best vineyards in the Alexander and Dry Creek valleys. An astonishing value."
Buehler 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 26.99
An excellent value in Napa Valley Cabernet!
Robert Parker: "One of the great values in Napa Cabernet Sauvignon year-in, year-out is Buehler Vineyards. The Cabernet Sauvignon is dense ruby/purple with loads of cassis and spice box. The wine is beautifully pure, luscious, round, juicy and sexy. Drink it over the next 5-7 years, although I suspect it will keep longer. Wines like this are few and far between -- sadly -- in Napa Valley."
Comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Beuhler Vineyards Napa Valley Cabernet is crafted from grapes grown on Buehler's estate hillside vineyards along with grapes from other mature, high-quality, low-yielding Napa Valley cabernet vineyards located on the valley floor. The resulting blend produces a wine that displays a broad spectrum of aromas, flavors, and textures that Cabernet can show in the Napa Valley.
Owen Roe 2016 Sinister Hand, Columbia Valley
$ 26.99
A delicious red blend one one of Washington State's most innovative wineries.
The primary source for this intense and lovely wine is Dr. Steve Elerding's vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, where the proximity of the Columbia River is a vital part of the success of these traditional Rhone varietals. This wine is very dark with ripe stone fruit flavors, pepper and an excellent texture. The blend is 62% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre.
Ottimino 2014 Ottimino Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 26.99
One of our favorite small-production California Zins. Highly recommended.
The Ottimino Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley has intense aromas of blueberry, orange rind, and ripe raspberry aromas are laced with hints of white pepper bolstered by well-integrated notes of French oak. The palate entry has ample fruit, with bramble and ripe raspberry at its core. Balanced tannins support a great depth and concentration of flavor, making this Zinfandel an excellent wine to pair with your favorite dishes.
La Bastide Blanche 1009 Bandol Rouge, France
$ 27.00
A great new Bandol red from the south of France - limited.
93 Points Wine Spectator: "This is full of succulent dark currant, dried cherry, stewed meat and violet flavors that take on plenty of mocha and bittersweet chocolate notes. The tannic finish is muscular yet restrained, featuring white pepper and cedar overtones. Drink now through 2020. 250 cases imported."
Copain 2014 "Tous Ensemble" Syrah
$ 27.99
A fantastic young Syrah from Copain. Wells Guthrie, who has worked for Turley in California to the Rhone Valley in France, has produced a great value in this zesty, delicious Syrah.
Robert Parker: "One of Copain’s best values every year is the Saisons des Vins Syrah, Guthrie’s interpretation of a St.-Joseph or Crozes-Hermitage. Reveals hints of tapenade, pepper, red cherries, and cassis along with zesty acidity and a fruit-driven style. About 15% whole clusters were used in its upbringing. This delicious, fun Syrah should drink well for 3-4 years."
Mollydooker 2014 Two Left Feet, Australia
$ 27.99
Mollydooker is a hot new label from Australia - try this delicious red blend while its still available!
91 Points Robert Parker: "Ripe and fleshy, with appealing cherry and raspberry flavors that come gushing out, mingling with licorice, nutmeg and savory accents, lingering on the finish. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2030."
Mollydooker (the Australian equivalent of “Southpaw”– both Sparky and Sarah Marquis are left-handed) is the label of the renowned winemaking team of Sparky and Sarah Marquis.
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