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Top 5 Wines of 2019
Groth 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 149.99
★ 96 Points                   Â
Wine Spectator #4 wine of 2019!Â
One of the top Napa Cabernets of the vintage, the Groth Reserve Cab is a classic. Delicious now but a great cellar candidate as well. Limited.
96 Points Wine Spectator: "Groth owns 121 acres smack in the middle of Napa’s coveted Oakville AVA. Founded by Dennis and Judy Groth in 1982, the Oakville estate has endured some ups and downs, including a large-scale replant that resulted in the absence of a Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from its lineup from 2000 to 2004. The vineyard is now in its prime, and the reserve blocks total 27.5 acres, generating a focused and refined Cabernet with an intense, fruit-driven core. Winemaker Cameron Parry ferments in stainless steel and presses before full dryness, lending a sweet fruit quality to the wine. He then ages it in 100 percent new oak for 22 months.
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Westwood 2017 Legend Red Blend, Sonoma County
$ 64.99
96 points                                                   Â
A fantastic new discovery from Westwood Winery, one of our favorite new small-production wineries and winemaker Philippe Melka.
96 Point Wine Enthusiast *Editor's Choice*:Â "This red is brightly layered in fresh bluefruit, meat and garrigue, showing plenty of density and complexity. It has a wild character thats intriguing and energetic, with lasting threads of white and black pepper on the finish."
96 Points Decanter: "Winemaker Philippe Melka collaborated with Westwood Estate to create the inaugural release of this proprietary red. Melka blended in 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre from Westwood’s biodynamically farmed Annadel Gap Vineyard. The prestigious, cool climate site is located between two mountains in Sonoma County, and is influenced by the Pacific, 20 miles to the west. Aromas of sweet, savory soil are primed with rich tones of blueberry preserves. Generous and a true extrovert, this red gives wide berth on the palate to creamy boysenberry and luscious, ripe plum. Red floral and graphite strike an accord with high-energy acidity. Finely grained tannins grip like a professional golfer, firm, but not tight – confident and seamless. Finishes with a snip of cayenne, sparking an alignment with cinnamon oak as the blue fruit turns darker."
BLEND: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 7% Mourvèdre
Immortal Estate 2014 Slope Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
$ 74.99
97+ Points Parker                                              Â
New release from the former Hidden Ridge winery re-baptised Immortal Estate! Winemaker Tim Milos and proprietor Tim Martin, owner of Tusk Estates.
97+ Points Robert Parker: "As for the 2014s, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Slope from the Hidden Ridge vineyard does not suffer in comparison with the extraordinary efforts of 2013. Still a barrel sample, its riveting richness, concentration, texture and density represent another legend in the making. Crème de cassis, licorice, blackberry, earthiness and spice are all present in this magnificent example of Cabernet Sauvignon that should age beautifully for 25-30+ years...
...When I first started doing my centralized tastings of the many wineries that I could not possibly have time to visit, one of the remarkable standouts for Cabernet Sauvignon was Hidden Ridge. These are clearly world-class Cabernet Sauvignons and should be considered by any serious collector for their cellars."
The Crane Assembly 2018 'Disciples' Red, Napa Valley
$ 44.99
New release! Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The fifth vintage of Dave Phinney's Disciples Red under the Crane Assembly label, the 2018 has arrived. Â The new Prisoner! Â Limited.
previous vintage 93 Points Robert Parker:Â "A blend of 76% Zinfandel, 13% Charbono, 6% Grenache and 5% Petite Sirah, the Disciples is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with gorgeous notions of hoisin, Black Forest cake, prunes and potpourri with hints of black pepper, unsmoked cigars and cloves. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and oh-so-spicy, it fills the palate with decadent fruit and a plush texture, finishing with a lively lift."
From the new winery The Crane Assembly, the Disciples Red has quite a back story. In August of 2012, four friends (Dave Phinney, Darryl Browman, Kevin A. Fox and Bryan D. Sandoli) stood in the middle of a block of hundred year old Zinfandel. The vineyard was planted by George Beldon Crane in the late nineteenth century and is one of the icons of the Napa Valley. Hours earlier they had signed the paperwork to buy the vineyard and it was just in the nick of time...they picked the grapes the next morning.  Since that first year wines were made from our G.B. Crane Vineyard under the el Coco label and the GB Crane label.Â
Martinelli 2018 "Bella Vigna" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
$ 44.99
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Rare new release from Martinelli! The Bella Vigna Pinot Noir is sure to become your go-to wine. This approachable wine is bright and fresh, with wonderful aromas of plum, red apple and hibiscus tea. Flavors include juicy cherry pie, currants and hints of cinnamon and vanilla.
The Bella Vigna vineyard was planted to former winemaker Helen Turley's specifications and yields only 2-3 pounds of fruit, compared to the average vine that yields 20-30 pounds of fruit, creating more intense flavor, color, and uniformity. They are harvested only after current winemaker Brian Kvame tastes the fruit and is satisfied. The juice is fermented using indigenous yeasts and aged for 10 months in French oak barrels.The result is a dark burgundy/garnet-colored wine with aromas of almonds, cherries, spice and forest floor. This is not "old school" Pinot, as the rich flavors of black cherries and blueberries follow suit and lead to a long finish with supple tannins, gorgeous purity and a seamless texture.
Robert Parker: "...One of the great families of Northern California, and of course, one of the highest quality producers, the Martinellis – and rather remarkably so – only estate-bottle 15% of their production from over 300 acres of beautifully situated vineyards in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. No doubt Helen Turley, who worked at Martinelli and mentored its winemaking team, left a profound influence on the quality of the Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Syrahs and Zinfandels, a fact that can’t be overstated. The Chardonnays all go through full malolactic fermentation and tend to see about 50% new oak. The Pinot Noirs are always 100% destemmed and largely spend no longer than ten months in about 60% new French oak...As good as 2013 is for Pinot Noir in Sonoma, 2014 actually eclipses it."
Top 5 Wines of 2019 6-Pack
$ 399.00
Each 6-pack contains each of our Top 5 Wines of 2016 + our #6 pick that just missed the cut:
1. Groth 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - $149.99
2. Westwood 2017 Legend Red, Sonoma County - $54.99
3. Immortal Estate 2014 "Slope" Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County - $89.99
4. Disciples 2018 Red, Napa Valley - $44.99
5. Martinelli 2017 "Bella Vigna" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast - $44.99
6. Mark Herold 2017 "Collide" Red Blend, California - $24.99
Immortal Estate 2015 "Impassable Mountain" Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
$ 299.00
99 Points - limited                                                       Â
New release from the former Hidden Ridge winery re-baptised Immortal Estate! Winemaker Tim Milos and proprietor Tim Martin, owner of Tusk Estates.
97 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Immortal Estate 2015 Impassible Mountain is another magical wine. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 28 months in 75% new French oak, it has a more ripe, sexy style compared to the 2014 and offers awesome crème de cassis, plums, graphite, sweet earth, tobacco, and layers of spice. It's one of those wines that blends incredible richness and depth with a sense of minerality and savoriness, and this is another quintessential Sonoma Cabernet that's going to live for 2-3 decades."
95 Points Robert Parker: "The Immortal Estate 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Impassable Mountain (from the Hidden Ridge vineyard) is deep garnet-purple colored and scented of crème de cassis, plum preserves and wild blueberries with hints of cigar box, yeast extract, beef drippings and fertile loam. Full-bodied and chock-full of fragrant black fruits, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and savory. 342 cases produced....
...When I first started doing my centralized tastings of the many wineries that I could not possibly have time to visit, one of the remarkable standouts for Cabernet Sauvignon was Hidden Ridge (renamed Immortal Estate). These are clearly world-class Cabernet Sauvignons and should be considered by any serious collector for their cellars."
Martinelli 2017 "Three Sisters" Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma County
$ 68.00
   Â
Rare new release from Martinelli. The Three Sisters Vineyard Pinot Noir is their most rare and coveted Pinot Noir. Limited.
94 Points Robert Parker: "The 2017 Pinot Noir Three Sisters Vineyard is pale to medium ruby with a cool, broody nose of blueberries, smoke, dusty earth, wild blackberries, black tea leaves and orange peel. Light to medium-bodied with concentrated, spicy blue and black fruits in the mouth, it has very finely grained tannins and juicy freshness, finishing layered. A very different expression from the 2016, but arguably just as delicious. 148 cases were made...
...One of the great families of Northern California, and of course, one of the highest quality producers, the Martinellis – and rather remarkably so – only estate-bottle 15% of their production from over 300 acres of beautifully situated vineyards in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast. No doubt Helen Turley, who worked at Martinelli and mentored its winemaking team, left a profound influence on the quality of the Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, Syrahs and Zinfandels, a fact that can’t be overstated. The Chardonnays all go through full malolactic fermentation and tend to see about 50% new oak. The Pinot Noirs are always 100% destemmed and largely spend no longer than ten months in about 60% new French oak."
Top 5 Wines of 2020 6-Pack
$ 336.00
Each 6-pack contains each of our Top 5 Wines of 2020 + our #6 pick that just missed the cut:
1. Harvey & Harriet 2018 Proprietary Red, Paso Robles - $37.99
2. Ridge 2018 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah. Dry Creek Valley - $34.99
3. Limerick Lane 2019 Estate Zinfandel Russian River Valley - $39.99
4. Villa Creek 2017 Avenger Red, Paso Robles - $59.99
5. Arista 2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley - $65
6. Caterwaul 2017 Regusci Vineyard Cabernet Sauvigon Napa Valley - $99.00
Immortal Estate 2015 Slope Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
$ 74.99
96 Points Parker                                              Â
New release from the former Hidden Ridge winery re-baptised Immortal Estate! Winemaker Tim Milos and proprietor Tim Martin, owner of Tusk Estates.
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Immortal Estate 2015 Slope is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot, and it’s not far off the flagship with its awesome bouquet of blackcurrants, crushed rocks, graphite, and tobacco. It's deep, concentrated, has beautiful sweetness of fruit, and the classic earthiness and minerality that common from the wines of this great estate. Aged 28 months in 75% new French oak, it can be drunk today with incredible pleasure or cellared for two decades."
...When I first started doing my centralized tastings of the many wineries that I could not possibly have time to visit, one of the remarkable standouts for Cabernet Sauvignon was Hidden Ridge. These are clearly world-class Cabernet Sauvignons and should be considered by any serious collector for their cellars."
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