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California Red Wines
The Whole Shebang Cuvee XIV 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."
New York Times: "This red blend is a perpetually excellent value from Bedrock Wine Company which makes a wide variety of terrific, unmanipulated wines from old California vineyards. The array of groups includes zinfandel, carignan, syrah and petite sirah, and vintages are mixed as well, a welcome tactic. The result is an easygoing, lively wine that is delicious and versatile. Too often, inexpensive California reds are inflated with oak flavorings and other enhancements intended to imitate the characteristics of more expensive wines. Not this one, and it makes you think about how good these humble wines could be if other producers would permit them the dignity of authenticity."
Delas Freres 2019 "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."
Celler de Capçanes 2017 "Mas Donis" Old Vines Red, Montsant
$ 14.99
Spain is a treasure trove of affordable, top quality wines. The Mas Donis from Capcanes if one of the best buys we've found.
91 Points Robert Parker: "The 2017 Mas Donis Old Vines is a blend of 50% Garnacha, 30% Cariñena and 20% Syrah fermented separately in stainless steel, and the Syrah and Cariñena matured in barrique until the components were blended before bottling in June 2019. It's a heady Mediterranean red blend—generous and round with a pretty floral nose and the aromatic power of the partial carbonic maceration. It has a juicy texture, clean, fruit-driven flavors and a textured mouthfeel. An incredible bargain."
From the D.O. of Montsant in Cataluña. The appellation and its 2,000 hectares of vineyard were designated in 2001 to highlight the superior quality of the region. Montsant actually wraps around the celebrated Priorat. While the soils generally contain less schist than Priorat, the measure of quality in the wines is perhaps more importantly enabled by their old vine status, highly calcareous parcels, and variety of mesoclimates, which are generally cooler than in Priorat.
Slam Dunk 2020 Red Blend, California
$ 14.99
Fantastic buy!
An amazing buy in a top California Red Blend. We highly recommend this little gem as your new house wine or Tuesday night pick! This is one to buy by the case.
91 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From the team at Royal Prince, the Slam Dunk Red Wine (55% Petit Verdot and 45% Zinfandel) has loads of red and blue fruits, flowery incense, and spice aromas and flavors. Ripe, sexy, textured, and balanced, it's a no-brainer purchase."
90 Points Robert Parker: "Composed of 55% Petite Sirah and 45% Zinfandel, the Slam Dunk Red Blend sports a deep garnet-purple color and flamboyant scents of blackberry preserves and black raspberries with hints of stewed plums, fragrant earth and hoisin. Full-bodied, the palate is chock-full of generous black fruit preserves, framed by a plush texture and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy. A bold, beautiful red with a lot of character and that's just plain delicious, it's a fantastic value! "
The Slam Dunk 2020 Red Blend has a dense purple hue opens with ripe blackberry, preserved plums with notes of shaved cocoaand black pepper. The mouthfeel is packed with sweet black cherry, cinnamon, and clove along with fresh sage and thyme. Long and persistent on the finish, the wine shows ripe tannins and elegant opulence with a focused core of soft vanilla oak.
Domaine Lafage 2018 "Bastide Miraflors" Cotes du Rousillon
$ 15.99
94 pts - best buy
One of the Best Buys of the year from France! A fantastic value.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Based on 74% Syrah and 26% Grenache brought up in in a combination of concrete tanks (for the Grenache) and one year old demi-muids (for the Syrah), the 2018 Cotes Du Roussillon Bastide Miraflors is a knockout bottle of wine. It offers loads of black fruits, roasted herbs, peppered meat, violets, and bacon fat as well as full-bodied richness, a round, opulent style, ripe tannins, and a blockbuster finish. It’s one of the finest values out there."
“A steal from Lafage is the Bastide Miraflors...This is one to buy by the case.”
-- Robert Parker
Jean-Marc Lafage has knocked it out of the park once again with this high-quality, low-cost stunner of a wine. Domaine Lafage is housed in their facility just outside the city of Perpignan. One of the most advanced wineries in the region, Jean-Marc and his wife Elaine are crafting "must buy" wines from the region of Roussillon. The Bastide Miraflors is a blend of Syrah and old-vine Grenache. The vineyards for this wine are practicing organic with an average vine age of 55 years. The last three years, this has been one of our ten best sellers of the year. We expect no less again.
Chateau Pesquié 2020 "Les Terrasses" Cotes du Ventoux
$ 16.99
94 Points
A fantastic discovery from the South of France that is also one of the best buys of the vintage.
91 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Longtime readers will know that I love this cuvée, which is year in, year out, one of the great value buys out there. The Ventoux Terrasses is a normal blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah that was mostly destemmed and brought up in a mix of concrete and stainless steel. It offers a rocking bouquet of black cherries, ground pepper, flowers, and violets, with almost marine- like hints in its minerality. Medium to full-bodied, fresh, focused, pure, and with fine tannins, it's another winner from this domaine...I continue to sing the praises of Château Pesquié, which is one of the leading estates in the Ventoux region and is run by the talented brothers, Alexandre and Frederic Chaudiere. Don’t let the prices fool you, these wines are the real deal.
91 Points Robert Parker: "A welcome return to form, the Ventoux Terrasses is a floral, herbal and red-fruited version of this unoaked cuvée. It's medium to full-bodied, with ample concentration, velvety tannins and lovely hints of tea and spice on the long finish. It should drink well through 2024 or so....Château Pesquié is one of the great estates of the Ventoux. For many consumers, this this be the entry point to Ventoux, so it's important that the wines represent the region well—thankfully, they do. With Frédéric recently being elected head of the appellation, expect more visibility for this underrated region. While Fred is the globetrotting marketer, his brother Alexandre handles the viticulture and winemaking at the estate, whose impressive chateau nestles in the bucolic countryside above the small village of Mormoiron. It should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with the geography of the southern Rhône that the soils in the shadow of Mont Ventoux are rich in limestone, or that the vineyards are located at a higher elevation than in the neighboring Rhône Valley, or that older vines produce more concentrated and complex fruit. At Château Pesquié all of the conditions combine to create wines that are rich in fruit with remarkable balance and purity.
Klinker Brick 2019 Old Vines Zinfandel, Lodi
$ 19.00
One of the best value boutique Zinfandels in California from Klinker Brick! 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 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, 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!
Twenty Bench 2018 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 2018 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.
Caymus 2020 Conundrum Red Blend
$ 19.99
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.
The Conundrum Red 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.
Orin Swift Locations F-6
$ 19.99
Introducing Orin Swift's delicious new red from France: Locations "F"!
F-6 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 Locations "I" - 6
$ 19.99
Introducing Orin Swift's delicious new red from Italy: Locations "I"!
Orin Swift's Italian Red Wine is 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 CA-7 California
$ 19.99
Introducing Orin Swift's delicious new red from California Locations "CA"!
Locations CA is made from the finest varietals and locations throughout California. 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, Petite 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.
Arbalest 2016 Red Bordeaux
$ 21.99
Best buy
From esteemed Napa Winemaker, Benoit Touquette, the 2016 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.
91 Points Robert Parker: "Here's a seriously fun Bordeaux wine that offers jaw-dropping great value, made by French native, Napa super-star winemaker Benoit Touquette. The 2016 Arbalest is a blend of 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. The Petit Verdot and the Cabernet Sauvignon come from the Left Bank. I’m not allowed to tell the name of the Château, but it’s in the Saint-Estèphe area. The Merlot and Cabernet Franc come from the Right Bank, where the soil is clay-limestone on limestone rock, with a southwest exposure. Medium garnet-purple colored, it charges out of the gate with notes of warm black plums, Black Forest cake, licorice and candied violets plus hints of fallen leaves and cedar chest. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam-packed with juicy black fruit, framed by ripe rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy."
91 points Jeb Dunnuck: "One of the best values in Bordeaux out there, the 2016 Arbalest comes from a mix of the Right and Left Banks and is 75% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% each of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Ripe, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it has classic notes of black cherries, leafy herbs, chocolate, and damp earth. With nicely integrated acidity, fine tannins, and a beautiful sense of purity paired with plenty of richness, it's a no-brainer purchase to enjoy over the coming decade."
Black Slate 2018 La Conreria d'Scala Dei Escaladei
$ 21.99
90 points - best buy
One of the best buys from Spain we've discovered. Limited.
Black Slate Escaladei, a blend of Garnatxa, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carinyena sourced from the foothills of the Montsant mountains. It stands out among its Black Slate siblings as the most elegant of the lineup being inclined more towards red fruit than black, with a high-toned minerality and spiciness. It is selected from fruit aged in foudre and French oak demi-muids.
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.
Raul Perez 2020 Ultreia Saint Jacques, Bierzo (Spain)
$ 22.99
A fantastic small-production gem from Spain's Bierzo region - limited.
Raúl Pérez Pereira is universally considered to be one of the world’s most visionary winemakers. Since he produced his first vintage for his family’s winery in 1994 at the age 22, he has been in the forefront of the conversation about what has been called “The New Spain”. Do yourself a favor and check his wines out today, we highly recommend.
94 Points Points Robert Parker: "They had not bottled the Raul Perez 2020 Ultreia Saint Jacques yet and were still waiting for the labels (and they label the day after they bottle), so I caught an unbottled sample that was very tender and fruit-driven, primary and quite open. He used more stems and full clusters in 2020, and since 2018, they have removed the percentage of white grapes that used to be included in the wine. It's a little more Mediterranean, with aromatic herbs and a more powerful palate
In addition to numerous other accolades, Raúl was named “Winemaker of the Year” by German publication Der Feinschmecker in 2014 and “Best Winemaker in the World” for 2015 by the French publication Bettane+Desseauve. In the February 2018 Decanter, Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros wrote, “Raúl Pérez is the archetype of the intuitive winemaking genius.” A picture of Raúl in that same article is captioned, “Is this the best winemaker in the world?”
75 Wine Co. 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California
$ 24.99
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 75 Wine Co. 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.
Saracina 2019 Old Soul Red, Mendocino County
$ 24.99
A fantastic new Zinfandel blend! David Ramey is consulting winemaker for this new discovery that could be your new house wine! A fantastic value.
91 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Based on Malbec, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah, the Saracina Old Soul Red By Saracina is another outstanding, sexy red from winemaker Alex MacGregor. Medium to full-bodied, it has lots of blue fruits, notes of peppery herbs and violets, and a balanced, delicious style. Enjoy bottles over the coming 2-4 years or so."
The Saracina Old Soul (Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Syrah) 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.
Orin Swift 2017 "Shatter" Les Galets Cotes-du-Rhone Villages
$ 24.99
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."
Seghesio 2020 Sonoma County Zinfandel
$ 24.99
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 2025."
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."
Others 2017 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 Others 2017 Proprietary Red 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
Olema 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
$ 24.99
92 points - Best Buy
The 2019 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 OLema 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 Olema 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 2020 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 Old Vines Zinfandel is a fantastic wine and unbeatable value.
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): “The Bedrock Zinfandel Old Vine is gorgeous. Bright acids and floral overtones perk up the red berry fruit in a Zinfandel that delivers the goods, and plenty more. Bright and beautifully layered, the 2019 hits all the right notes. Then again, it is a blend of stellar sites, including Bedrock, Nervo, Sodini, Evangelho, Katushas’, Teldeschi, Pagani Ranch and Old Hill. Because of the COVID pandemic and uncertain short-term economic outlook, the 2019 includes quite a bit of wine that in more normal times would he bottled in the vineyard designates. Stated simply: buy as much as you can.”
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.
Descendientes de J. Palacios 2020 Petalos de Bierzo, Spain
$ 24.99
93+ Points Parker
One of our favorite discoveries from Spain that sells for a song!
93+ Points Robert Parker: "The regional red 2020 Pétalos comes from 90 hectares of vineyards, mainly from Corullón and Villafranca del Bierzo and the districts of Viariz, Hornija, Valtuille de Abajo and Otero. It mixes expositions, altitudes and soils and wants to paint a picture of Bierzo in the warm 2020 vintage. They reckon it's 92% Mencía with 5% other red grapes (Alicante Bouschet, Gran Negro, Pan y Carne and Negreda) and 3% whites (Valenciana, Jerez and Godello) with an average yield of 26 hectoliters per hectare. The grapes were picked from August 28th to September 24th and fermented partly destemmed in stainless steel and oak vats with indigenous yeasts for 43 days with a slow malolactic fermentation that lasted two months. The wine matured in barrel for around eight months (malolactic was fast, and the wines were put in barrel early) and was bottled unclarified, unfiltered and non-stabilized with cold. It has good ripeness with 14% alcohol (their upper limit) and moderate acidity at 4.6 grams (of tartaric acid). It's a little more fruit-driven, a vintage of sun, jovial and juicy, approachable and round with very fine, slightly powdery tannins. The fruit is darker than in the 2019. This is still young, and, as it happens with even the most approachable wines from the region, it should be even better in a couple of years. I tasted it again in mid-December, and the wine is showing better and better; time in bottle has done it some good, and the wine has settled and is getting more balanced. I don't feel the sun now; it's harmonious and more serious, juicy and tasty. A little better than anticipated.
...This is the best collection from Descendientes de José Palacios they have produced since they set foot in Bierzo in 1999. And to understand my excitement, let me just summarize it as the best vintage ever for the most coherent, reliable and serious wine project in Spain. Simply breathtaking. Bravo!!"
McPrice Myers 'High On The Hog' 2020 Red Wine, Central Coast
$ 24.99
A fantastic red from one of our favorite Central Coast wineries, McPrice Myers.
90 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Another outstanding wine as well as a smoking value, the High On The Hog (40% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 22% Mourvèdre, 6% Petite Sirah, and the rest Viognier) offers earthy dark fruits, bouquet garni, pepper, and violets notes in a medium to full-bodied, pleasure-bent package. It’s California’s answer to a top-notch Côtes du Rhône."
High on the Hog is a wine you can drink for any occasion. Around the holiday dinner table in the Myers house, my grandmother would always look proudly around at her family all gathered round the dishes piled high with food, and say, “we are really living high on the hog, aren’t we?” This blend is in memory of Grandma and her joy at seeing the family doing well.
McPrice Myers 2020 'Bull By The Horns' Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
$ 24.99
A fantastic Paso Robles Cab from one of our favorite Central Coast wineries, McPrice Myers. A Best Buy!
McPrice Myers has long been a favorite winemaker who produces insanely delicious wines at more than reasonable prices. Knows for fantastic Central Coast Rhone Blends, you can now add Cabernet to his amazing lineup!
91 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Opaque maroon. Expressive blackberry and cherry liqueur scents take on a suble vanilla accent as the wine opens up. Juicy and seamless in texture, offering plush dark fruit and spice-cake flavors and a musky, sweetening touch of chewing tobacco. Finishes long and velvety, with well-knit, polished tannins making a late appearance.
"Bull By the Horns" continues to be Mac's only Bordeaux-centric wine. He blends Petite Sirah into the wine in an attempt to tame the structure of the Cabernet Sauvignon, and the result is juicy, full-bodied, and harmonious wine. The nose is riddled with cassis, violets, ripe black cherry, soy, cured meats, blackberries, and hints of cherry and raspberry. The flavors follow through to the palate, where the velvety tannins keep the ripeness of the fruit in balance. Full-bodied, with just a hint of a savory note, this is a wine that is sure to please any lover of California Cabernet!
Sean Thackrey "Pleiades XXIX" 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.
Sean Thackrey is one of the most influential and interesting people in the Bay Area Food and Wine community. Since 1980, he has been producing wines that are extraordinary: not only for quality and complexity, but also because he utilizes unique wine-making techniques, often drawing from historic, sometimes ancient, winemaking practices from all over the world. Sean sources grapes from many locations throughout California, and makes all his wines by hand (touching every grape) at his small Bolinas winery. Self-taught, and fully reliant on his intuition and senses, Sean is the antithesis of corporate wine-making. Indicative blend: Syrah, Sangiovese, Mourvedre, Barbera, Carignane, Petite Sirah, Viognier, among others. Each release is labeled with Roman numerals
Courier 2015 Red Blend, Cotes Catalanes France
$ 24.99
A fantastic tiny-production discovery from the South of France. One of the best buys under $30 we've found this year. Don't miss!
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2015 Courier checks in as normal blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Carignan, with the Grenache coming from 70-year-old vines and the Carignan from 100-year-old vines. Yields are on the order of an insanely low ¼ ton per acre. Aged three years in neutral, 500-liter barrels, it offers a similar weightless, elegant texture as well as beautiful notes of blackberries, currants, gamey garrigue, and olive tapenade. It’s more structured than the 2014 and I suspect will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for upwards of a decade. Hats off to Kimberly Jones for having the courage to follow her own path and creating a singular, unique wine."
Paydirt 2019 '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 2019 '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."
90 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Brambly herbs, plum, framboise, and violet notes emerge from the Paydirt Going For Broke, which is a Zinfandel-dominated blend that includes small amounts of Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Balanced and medium to full-bodied, with both richness and elegance, it’s a delicious drinker to enjoy over the coming 4-6 years or so."
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.”
No Brainer 2019 Merlot, Dry Creek Valley
$ 24.99
A fantastic Merlot from California and one of the best we've found under $30!
90 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming mostly from Dry Creek Valley and made by Anna Monticelli, the 2019 No Brainer Merlot has lots of plum and black cherry fruit, medium to full-bodied richness, a round, lush mouthfeel, and a great finish. It's a smoking value and should keep for 5-7 years, although there's no need to delay gratification."
From In Vino Felicitas, our goal is to produce amazing value driven wines from across California that over-deliver in quality. We want to make the decision of choosing your wine a clear and easy choice. A no brainer. The 2019 No Brainer California Merlot is our inaugural release. Stay tuned for more delicious wines from California.
Merlot can also make complex, full-bodied and concentrated wines with grippy tannins and aging potential. Many connoisseurs consider the best Merlot wine to come from Bordeaux’s Right Bank, where the varietal predominates in wines from St.-Émilion, Pomerol and other renowned appellations. Merlot is also blended to excellent effect with the other red Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
Jaffurs 2021 State Street Syrah, Central Coast
$ 24.99
A fantastic buy
A fantastic new release from one of our favorite boutique producers in Santa Barbara. Best Buy. This wine way out-punches it's weight class- a heavyweight wine for a featherweight price!
93 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This new, value-priced label from longtime Syrah master Jaffurs is a stunner, with loads of energy alongside ample complexity. Smashed plum, lilac, roasted meat and pepper make for an elegant nose. Young tannins grip the sip, framing penetrating flavors of purple fruit and peppery spice with zippy acidity from font to finish."
“State Street” is the winery’s new label for an appellation Central Coast blend. Bright purple in color, it offers fresh aromas of blueberries, blackberries, violets, and hints of black pepper. The palate is refreshing and polished with a firm tannic grip framing the flavors of black fruits, cloves, and cinnamon. Should be great with burgers, spare ribs, grilled veggies, or Mexican dishes.
Jaffurs Wine Cellars is dedicated to producing great Rhône varietal wines with a New World independence. Our wines - Syrah, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Viognier, and Roussanne – are among the best in the county. Founder Craig Jaffurs produced his first professional wines during the 1994 harvest. All of our wines are carefully made in small lots. Approximately 5,000 cases are produced each year. We work closely with our growers in the Santa Ynez, Ballard Canyon, Santa Rita Hills, Los Alamos, and Santa Maria regions. We limit vineyard yields and require that optimal farming practices are observed. All of our wines are crushed, pressed, cellared, and bottled in our Santa Barbara facility. Visit us for a glimpse of world class winemaking in the heart of the city. 2018 was our 25th harvest!
Miro 2020 Petite Sirah, Dry Creek Valley
$ 25.99
Miro Cellars makes one of the best Petite Sirahs that we've discovered in California!
The shortest way to describe the Miro Petite Sirah would be "dark and delicious." Undoubtedly Petite Sirah in its core, but with refined and balanced tannin and-surprising for Petite Sirah-softness. Loads of blueberry and blackberry on the nose followed by toasty oak, cinnamon, brown sugar and dark molasses. The mouth feel is big and juicy, extracted but not heavy, Finishing with fresh acidity and sense of balance. Cheers!
Miro Cellars searches the region for the nest grapes from a variety of vineyards to make his one-of-a-kind specialty wines. Award winning winemaker Miro Tcholakov considers the particular geology and seasonal climate variations of each vineyard when selecting the most interesting grapes the region has to offer. Because Miro has complete freedom to make precisely the wines he loves best, the results are a spectacular leap above the expected.
Gregory Graham 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County
$ 25.99
A fantastic Cab discovery under $30 from Gregory Graham!
The Gregory Graham Cabernet Sauvignon is from our Crimson Hill Vineyard in the Red Hills district of Lake County. The vineyard is at 2,000 feet elevation and overlooks the southern end of Clear Lake. This 13-acre block was planted in 1995 with clone 7 Cabernet on 110R rootstock. The crimson red, volcanic soil provides the perfect site for growing great red wines. The climate is ideal for late season reds because the vineyard receives daily full sun with warm temperatures which are tempered by daily afternoon mistrals. The majority of the vineyard is contracted to Napa Valley wineries.
Robert Biale 2021 "Party Line" Zinfandel, North Coast
$ 25.99
new!
A fantastic buy in California Zinfandel from Biale - delicious!
Party Line is a throwback to the old days of Zinfandel when California’s wine-growing families made wine for every-day consumption. The Biale Party Line Zinfandel is a fun and light hearted red wine that is made to enjoy now. Layered with aromatics of dusty strawberries, red licorice, black cherries and raspberry taffy. The entry is soft and weighty with succulent mid palate tannins that make for a long and juicy finish.
Perfecting the old California classics, Robert Biale Vineyards has become a revered standard of heritage Vineyard Zinfandel and Petite Sirah in Napa Valley. Napa natives, school chums, and winery Founders, Bob Biale and Dave Pramuk, cherish the tradition of historic old vines (some dating to the 1880s!) and prize the small quantity of concentrated and intense fruit that they produce. Diligent farming, expressive terroir, and superb elegance are the winery’s hallmarks. Among the winery’s portfolio of 20 wines that are crafted by winemaker Tres Goetting, Black Chicken Zinfandel is the flagship – and has become a benchmark for the varietal. It all started in the 1940’s when 14 year-old Aldo Biale helped his mother to make ends meet by selling to insider Napans – along with eggs and produce -some of the family’s homemade Zinfandel. Over the old “party line” phone system, the code words “a Black Chicken” signified a jug of bootleg wine…and kept nosy neighbors and the authorities from finding out about Aldo’s underground Zinfandel operation!"
Domaine de Bila Haut 2018 "L'Esquerda" Cotes du Roussillon-Villages
$ 26.99
94 points
A stunning value from the South of France! The Domaine de Bila Haut "L'Esquerda" Cotes du Roussillon-Villages now available - limited.
94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming from higher elevation granite soils and just about all Syrah, the 2018 Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde L'Esquerda offers stunning granite character with its cassis and black raspberry fruit intermixed with lots of wet stone, ground pepper, white flowers, and hints of truffle. Deep, medium to full-bodied, beautifully pure and elegant on the palate, with light tannins, it's going to keep for upwards of a decade."
93 Points Robert Parker: "A 60-40 blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 2018 Cotes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde l'Esquerda looks potentially outstanding. Crushed stone accents give this full-bodied red a sense of austerity, while the blueberry and cherry fruit is bold and muscular, yielding to a long, mouthwatering finish. Michel Chapoutier's Roussillon outpost is a worthy extension to his Rhône Valley operations. The emphasis is on the same varieties—Grenache and Syrah, in varying proportions depending on the terroir—and overall quality is very good, with the séléctions parcellaires particularly notable for their excellence and limited production volumes...I continue to be blown away by the quality coming from Domaine de la Bila Haut, which is run with the Chapoutier team."
Michel Chapoutier established Bila-Haut in 1999 when he determined he could make top notch wines in this region that rivaled his own from the Rhone. The winery, built in Latour de France, has vineyards throughout the region. All Domaine wines are farmed biodynamically. L'Esquerda comes from parcels in the granitic soils near the town of Lesquerde. Composed of primarily Syrah, this is another touchstone wine from this touchstone producer.
William Knuttel 2019 Biglieri Vineyard Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
$ 27.00
One of our favorite small-production California Zins. Highly recommended. This wine was formerly known as Ottimino.
Black plum and pomegranate interlace with white pepper and cedar from the French oak. The William Knuttel Biglieri Zinfandel entry introduces a complex array of flavors, adding boysenberry and vanilla to the mix. An expansive mid-palate leads to a lingering finish. The balance of this quintessential Zinfandel allows great versatility with food, and its deceptive heartiness will reward experiments with exotic pairings. 288 Cases produced. 55 year old vines. Wine aged 21 months in 34% new and 66% 2year old barrels.
Winemaker William Knuttel’s 25 years experience along with his creativity and intuition guide him as he transforms fruit from Ottimino Vineyards into unparalleled wine.
Octogenarian Pio Biglieri trusts his neighbor Harold Hoskins to tend the vines with a meticulous touch and hands-off approach. As the harvest date nears he thins the crop cluster by cluster, retaining only the most evenly colored and ripened fruit. On picking day, additional clusters are eliminated through hand sorting. Given Zinfandel’s propensity for uneven ripening, it is always incredible when Biglieri’s Zinfandel hits the crush pad looking better than everything else.
Antica 2019 "Mountain Select" Chardonnay, Napa Valley
$ 27.00
93 Points
Antica Chardonnay Napa Valley is made by one of the greatest Tuscan wineries: Antinori. Known for their Super Tuscans, this California estate wine lives up to their greatly deserved reputation with this lovely Burgundian style Chardonnay.
92 Points Robert Parker: "The Antica Chardonnay Mountain Select features fresh Bosc pears, ripe nectarines and lemon curd notes with touches of lime leaves and hay. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, it has a restrained, understated character and chalky finish."
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 2019 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.
St. Cosme 2019 Cotes du Rhones "Les Deux Albions", France
$ 27.99
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!
91 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This Syrah-dominant blend augmented by Grenache, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Clairette is sourced from three Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages communes of Plan de Dieu Saint Maurice and Cairanne. Vinified in wooden vats and matured in concrete, it offers decadent cassis and black-plum flavors accented by tar, charred sage and licorice. Supple and piercing, the wine is ready now but will hold through 2028."
90 Points Robert Parker: "Mainly Grenache, with smaller portions of Mourvèdre and Syrah, the St. Cosme 2018 Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albions matured in wooden and concrete vats. Black cherries and blueberries mark the nose, picking up hints of garrigue and black olives along the way. Medium to full-bodied, plush and expansive, it turns almost velvety on the finish. It's another terrific bargain from Barruol."
Daou Vineyards 2021 "Pessimist" Red Blend, Paso Robles
$ 27.99
A fantastic Red Blend from Paso Robles that we highly recommend! From Daou Vineyards, one of Paso's leading wineries.
92 Points Robert Parker: "Deep ruby-purple, the Pessimist from Daou is a blend of 62% Petite Sirah, 18% Syrah, 18% Zinfandel and 2% Lagrein, matured for 10 months in 60% new French oak. It's scented of black cherries with touches of purple flowers, graphite and grilled meats, and the medium-bodied palate is grainy and fresh with a long, perfumed finish. This offers fantastic quality for the price."
92 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Always a Petite Sirah-dominated wine, the Daou Pessimist sports an inky purple color as well as a great, full-bodied style carrying wonderful blue fruits, spring flowers, spice, and vanilla aromas and flavors. It's textured, has ripe tannins, loads of fruit, and is about as sexy and gulpable as they come. It's one heck of a steakhouse red to enjoy over the coming 2-4 years."
Marqués de Murrieta 2016 "Finca Ygay" Rioja Riserva
$ 27.99
94 Point Rioja
One of Rioja's finest Riservas from Marques de Murrieta.
94 Points James Suckling: "This is very structured and powerful with a dense and rich palate of ripe fruit and hints of toasted oak. Full and layered. Structured. Released February 2020. Needs a few years of bottle age.
94 Points Robert Parker: "I also tasted an unbottled sample of the Marques de Murietta 2016 Rioja Reserva, which should be bottled in a couple of months, before the summer. What I tasted was the final blend, and it represents the year—2016 was a cooler year, and the wine also goes in that direction. 2016 saw a large crop, and the grapes for this cuvée were harvested at the end of September, going toward more finesse and subtleness, combined with the natural power. There was a change in the winery in 2016 that was finalized in 2018 with the new winery. The wine is textured and fine, and it's more elegant than the 2015 I tasted next to it. The detail and texture on the palate is different, and the quality of the tannins is completely different. This should be released in early 2020."
Though it's one of the oldest Rioja bodegas, dating back to the mid-19th century, Marqués de Murrieta has not rested on its laurels. They continue to produce excellent wines that are big hits with their customers and critics alike. They farm all their own grapes on their large, contiguous vineyard just outside of Logroño, which boasts old vines, a variety of soils from chalky clay to very stony parcels, and a climate that particularly favors not only Tempranillo but some of the region's finest Mazuelo.
Bedrock 2021 Old Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma
$ 27.99
An amazing value
Bedrock Winery is producing some of the most exciting new releases we've tasted in California and the Bedrock Old Vines Zinfandel is a fantastic wine and unbeatable value.
94 Points Wine Spectator: "Spry and briary, this Zinfandel is fun to drink, with lively black cherry, licorice and dried sage flavors, which take on richness and cracked pepper accents toward zesty tannins. Drink now through 2031. 4,000 cases made (Tim Fish).
Winemaker Notes: ""This is one of the strongest Old Vine Zinfandel bottlings we have made to date. The blend leans more heavily into fruit from Sonoma and Contra Costa counties. Fruit from the great Teldeschi Ranch comprises just over 20% of the blend, followed by Beeson, Sodini, Nervo, Dommen, Pagani, Papera, Evangelho, Pato, Katushas’ and Bedrock—aka, a pretty sweet set of vineyards going into our most entry level bottling. The finished blend is 85% Zinfandel with 7% Carignan, 4% Cinsault and bits and bobs of Grand Noir, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet and other field-blended varieties. As usual, the average vine age is around 80 years old, making a truly an “old vine” cuvee. Our goal for this wine is always to make a Zinfandel that reflects what we love most about in California: to showcase great fruit but also spice, energy and freshness. Hailing from a drought year, this wine has an added degree of intensity that will make it great for early consumption or a little time sideways in the cellar.” Morgan Twain-Peterson
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.
Rusack 2018 Estate Syrah Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara County
$ 28.00
An amazing Syrah from one of our favorite producers in the Santa Barbara Wine Country! Rusack is on fire, and this Syrah is one of the best under $30 we've found this year.
91 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "There are two Syrah releases. The Rusack Syrah (which includes 9% Petite Sirah) reveals a deep ruby/purple color as well as a ripe, sexy, opulent style in its black raspberry, blackberry, olive, and bacon fat-laced aromas and flavors. It's ripe, medium to full-bodied, and balanced, with terrific purity of fruit. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years."
91 Points Wine Enthusiast: "Boysenberry-compote, roasted pork, dried beef, lavender and white-pepper aromas show on the nose of this estate bottling, which includes 15% Petite Sirah. Roasted meat and berry flavors are lifted by salt and pepper spice on the palate, with coffee and caramel emerging toward the finish."
The grapes for the Rusack Ballard Canyon Estate Syrah release are from the vineyards around the winery, located in beautiful Ballard Canyon. Situated in the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation, Ballard Canyon has its own nuances and micro-climates that make it a near-perfect place for Rhone grape varietals such as Syrah. This bottling contains classic Ballard Canyon aromas of cassis and blackberry, with hints of licorice. Concentrated flavors of dried cherries, blackberries and cocoa mix with velvety tannins that linger on the palate.
Sans Liege 2019 'The Offering' Red, Santa Barbara County
$ 28.00
94 pts WS - new release
Fantastic new discovery! The latest offering from Sans Liege's Curt Schalchlin, the "Offering" is a blend of 47% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 19% Mourvedre and 1% Viognier. Darkly stylish label art, darkly stylish Grenache blend in the bottle. Highly recommended.
previous vintage 94 Points Wine Spectator: "Distinctive, refined and well-built, offering expressive black cherry, cigar box, green olive and cured meat accents that build richness on the long finish. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Viognier. Drink now through 2026."
90 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving to the reds, The Offering checks in as a blend of 45% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 21% Mourvèdre, and 1% Viognier aged 17 months in 27% new oak. Its ruby/plum color gives way to a great nose of blackberries, ground pepper, herbes de Provence, and licorice. Medium-bodied, with plenty of fruit and good balance, it’s California's answer to an outstanding Côtes du Rhône."
Miro 2019 Coyote Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley
$ 29.95
Miro Cellars makes one of the best under-the-radar Cabernets from Sonoma that we've found. Limited.
Embodying the life and purity of the 1940 dry-farmed vines of Coyote Ridge Vineyard in Dry Creek Valley, Miro’s Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon manifests the site’s decomposed rocks and brick-red Manzanita-type soils, portrayed with definition beyond its price. Miro Tcholakov thoughtfully exposes the vineyard’s natural character through his meticulous grape selection, hand-sorting, and native yeast fermentation, resulting in a pure expression of the place.
Well-versed in the unique terroir of Coyote Ridge Vineyard, Miro has crafted Petite Sirah from the site for nearly 20 years; however, the Cabernet Sauvignon from the vineyard has been sold exclusively by the vineyard’s owners until the 2019 vintage. Lucky for us, Miro secured some of the Cabernet, crafting this remarkable 100% varietal wine, showcasing the essence of the site, and offered at a fantastic value. Hidden away near the famous Rafanelli Vineyard. The hillside location and unusual soil type reduce yields dramatically, producing something more similar to Rutherford or Stags Leap in terms of ripe opulence. The excellent oak gives this full-throated Cabernet a grandiose finish, layering in goosebump-raising accents of vanilla rum, cigar box and chocolate-covered espresso beans. This is perfect “turn off your brain and just enjoy” Cabernet from one of our favorite winemakers, A remarkable value.
Miro Cellars searches the region for the nest grapes from a variety of vineyards to make his one-of-a-kind specialty wines. Award winning winemaker Miro Tcholakov considers the particular geology and seasonal climate variations of each vineyard when selecting the most interesting grapes the region has to offer. Because Miro has complete freedom to make precisely the wines he loves best, the results are a spectacular leap above the expected.
Girard 2018 Petite Sirah, Napa Valley
$ 29.99
Petite Sirah is one of our favorite unheralded red varietals, and Girard consistently makes one of the best in Napa Valley.
On the nose of the Girard Petite Sirah we see blackberry compote, figs and toasted spices reminiscent of the holidays. The palate is starting to express its dark fruit character accented with notes of plum, cranberry and toasty oak notes and hints of hazelnuts. The wine will benefit with some cellar time allowing the bright acidity to integrate with the fruit & oak character.
Girard 2019 Old Vines Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 29.99
A fantastic value in Old Vines Napa Valley Zin! The Girard 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 2029."
Mollydooker 2019 The Boxer, Australia
$ 29.99
Mollydooker is one of Australia's hottest labels - try this delicious red blend while its still available!
previous vintage 93 Points Wine Spectator: "Opens with a grace note of fresh mint, featuring a mix of juicy wild blackberry and blueberry flavors at the core, showing dense tannins and toasted cumin accents. Finishes with some power. Drink now through 2025."
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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