Contact A Wine Expert: info@brix26.com | 866.427.4926
brix26
Blankiet 2017 Prince Of Hearts Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
$ 84.99
The much anticipated release of Blankiet Estate Prince of Hearts is here, and oh boy was it worth the wait. This wine is stunningly fine and elegant. Incredibly prefumed with red fruit, violet, cedar box and spices. Limited.
previous vintage 96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Prince of Hearts Red is based on 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Petit Verdot, all aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. It’s another seamless, elegant wine from the estate that has remarkable complexity in its sandalwood, spice box, chocolate, and cassis and blueberry-like fruits. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, a seamless texture, and ultra-fine tannins, it can be drunk today or cellared for 15+ years. It’s another beautiful wine from this team that has both power and finesse."
91 Points Antonio Galloni: "Blankiet's entry-level Prince of Hearts is gorgeous in 2017. Silky, perfumed and light on its feet, Prince of Hearts is a wine of understatement and nuance more than anything else. Sweet floral and spice notes add brightness and lift to a core of sweet red berry fruit. I would prefer to drink it over the next decade or so."
Bonaccorsi 2017 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills
$ 44.99
Brand new release from one of Santa Barbara's finest small producers Bonaccorsi - highly recommended but limited.
From our original vineyard sites. Dark matte ruby color, with a flash of brick at the rim. Clear and medium bright. Very fragrant and exotically spiced; full of freshly crushed, deep and dusky red plum, strawberry and raspberry, dried flowers, black tea, cracked black pepper, and savory cured meat.
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From a vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and all destemmed and aged two years in 25% new French oak, the Bonaccorsi 2017 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard reveals a medium ruby color as well as beautiful notes of mulberries, cherries, spring flowers, forest floor, and California bay leaf. Seamless, medium-bodied, and elegant on the palate, it's a beautiful wine from this estate to enjoy over the coming decade."
The Bonaccorsi Wine Company began in 1999, when Master Sommelier, Michael Bonaccorsi, set out to produce high quality Burgundian and Rhone styled wines in California’s Central Coast. Mike was a visionary, perfectionist, and a collaborative member of the Central Coast winemaking community and was recognized as one of the top Master Sommeliers in the world. Mike’s first vintages were some of the highest rated Pinot Noir and Syrah wines. His wines have been served at the White House and some of the finest restaurants in the United States.
Booker 2017 "Oublie" Red, Paso Robles
$ 79.99
96 pts - rare release
New release from Paso cult producer Booker Vineyards. As always, limited.
96 Points Jed Dunnuck: "Starting with the Booker Oublie cuvée, this is the GSM blend from the estate that’s more Grenache-dominated. The 2018 Oublie checks in as 40% Grenache and 30% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre brought up in a mix of new and used French oak. Its vivid purple hue is followed by a gorgeous perfume of sweet black raspberries, white flowers, candied orange, and violets. This beauty is rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, yet has incredible purity of fruit, silky tannins, and an incredible sense of freshness. It makes you salivate on the finish and is already impossible to resist."
previous vintage 95 Points Wine Spectator: "Expressive and impressively structured, with savory blackberry aromas and accents of rosemary, thyme and crushed stone, opening to complex, densely layered flavors of currant, pepper and espresso. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Counoise. Best from 2018 through 2028...54% Grenache, 29% Mourvèdre, 17% Counoise. Arguably the biggest and most concentrated Oublie ever, this wine reminds me one a Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes from Marcoux or Janasse. Lots of ripe red fruit characteristics but a gorgeously proportioned mid-palate that you don't usually get from Grenache and Mourvèdre. Feel free to crack this wine anytime."
Booker 2020 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles
$ 59.99
97 pts - rare
New release from Paso cult producer Booker Vineyards. As always, limited.
96+ Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon is similarly deep purple/ruby-hued and has slightly more red fruits with lots of black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, unsmoked tobacco, and incense aromas and flavors. It almost has a Margaux-like perfume and is medium to full-bodied, seamless, and wonderfully balanced on the palate. Some chalky minerality comes through with time in the glass, and it has plenty of tannins and a great finish. It’s not an over-the-top blockbuster and impresses just as much for its elegance as its richness"
96 points Robert Parker: "Blended with a bit of Syrah and Petit Verdot, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep ruby-purple color and an alluring fragrance of cassis, violet, aniseed, bitter chocolate and coffee beans. It's notable this vintage for Goldilocks ripeness and seamless lift, offering a chocolate-like texture and very long finish...As I've commented in the past,the wines from Eric Jensen at Booker are some of the most impressive releases coming out of California. While in the past, they relied on pure fruit and texture to impress, today they possess layered, elegant and complex characters paired with serious depth, richness and structure."
The 2019 My Favorite Neighbor features a complex nose of red cherry, current and raspberry along with wild herbs, violets, and just a hint of toasted marshmallow. On the palate, generous flavors of black cherry, ripe plum, and fig compote is joined by notes of medium roast coffee and creme brulee. The extremely long and mineral finish is characterized by a hefty structure and luxurious, silky tannins.
An homage to Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure Winery became an obsession. Sourced from exceptional vineyard sites around Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and south to Edna Valley, this wine is cultivated meticulously by the farmers who have become My Favorite Neighbors. With their dedication to the land, we are able to craft a world class wine without any shortcuts or compromises. Welcome to our Neighborhood. 2019’s abundant winter rain and a long, moderate growing season allowed for extended hang times and exceptional fruit quality.
Booker 2020 My Favorite Neighbor MFN Blanc, Paso Robles
$ 59.99
95 pts
New white release from Paso cult producer Booker Vineyards.
Estate Notes: A deep and rich hue of golden straw gives the first clue that this is a serious Chardonnay. Aromas of pear, green apple, and lime peel jump out of the glass followed by more nuanced fragrances of orange blossom, ginger root, and brioche. The sensation on the palate casually demonstrates both broad depth and laser like focus. An assertive core of acid and saline minerality rests completely ensconced in rich flavors of pie crust, clotted cream, and burnt caramel. Drink now for fresh vibrance, or in ten years for wild complexity.
An homage to Stephan Asseo of L’Aventure Winery became an obsession. Sourced from exceptional vineyard sites around Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and south to Edna Valley, this wine is cultivated meticulously by the farmers who have become My Favorite Neighbors. With their dedication to the land, we are able to craft a world class wine without any shortcuts or compromises. Welcome to our Neighborhood. 2019’s abundant winter rain and a long, moderate growing season allowed for extended hang times and exceptional fruit quality.
Booker Vineyard 2017 Fracture, Paso Robles
$ 99.99
98 pts - rare
New release from Paso cult producer Booker Vineyards. As always, limited.
Fracture is one of the world’s great Syrahs, averaging 98-100 points annually with Robert Parker and Jeb Dunnuck. Only the softest barrels of Syrah make the cut for this dense and powerful wine. In 2013 this wine was ranked #68 on Wine Spectator’s top 100 with a score of 100 points; in 2010 this wine was ranked #19 on Wine Spectator’s top 100; the last ten Robert Parker scores for this wine average 98 points, and Jeb Dunnuck scores for this wine average 98 points.
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Notes of crème de cassis, ground pepper, and crushed flowers emerge from the 2017 Fracture, which, as always, is all Syrah and was brought up in 65% new French oak barrels. Full-bodied, beautifully layered and textured, it has classic Booker power and richness yet shows the pretty, elegant style of the vintage as well.
96 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Shimmering purple. Mineral- and spice-accented black raspberry, boysenberry and candied violet on the highly perfumed nose. Shows superb depth as well as energy to the alluringly sweet red and blue fruit preserve, vanilla, fruitcake and candied violet flavors, which are complemented by smoky bacon and cracked pepper flourishes. Finishes smoky, broad and extremely long, displaying repeating florality and youthful tannic grip. Two-thirds new French oak."
Robert Parker: "...As I've commented in the past, the wines from Eric Jensen at Booker are some of the most impressive releases coming out of California. While in the past, they relied on pure fruit and texture to impress, today they possess layered, elegant and complex characters paired with serious depth, richness and structure. While 2013 -2015 are all great vintages at this estate, the 2014s have more noticeable tannic grip and really deserve 2-3 years or more of cellaring."
Boutique Napa Cabernet Mixed 6-Pack
$ 289.00
We've done the picking for you! Each Cabernet Sampler contains one bottle of 6 of our favorite small-production Napa Cabernets so you can't go wrong. We've already built a 10% discount into the final price. Each 6-pack contains one bottle each of:
1) Hall 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $52 - 95 Points Wine Spectator
2) Stephanie 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $49.99 - new vintage of a favorite
3) Stuhlmuller 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley - $45
4) Blackbird 2018 "Arise" Cabernet, Napa Valley -$49.99 - great new release
5) Grassi 201 Cabernet Sauvigon, Napa Valley - $65 - 95
6) Hollis 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley - $39.99 - our best find under $40
*gift card available at checkout
Brilliant Mistake 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 159.95
96 pts
New release from former Screaming Eagle winemaker. Limited.
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Winemaker Maayan Koschitzky is the talent behind these Brilliant Mistake wines, and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is beautiful, with full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco leaf, violets, and baking spices. Ripe, exuberant, and expansive on the palate, this sexy, balanced 2019 can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years if you’re so inclined."
95 Points Robert Parker: 'A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored Brilliant Mistake 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is redolent of exotic spices, vanilla pod and chocolate box, over a core of warm cassis and blackberries, plus a fragrant waft of violets. The full-bodied, rich, soft and seductive palate has a lively backbone and tons of energy in the long finish."
For Maayan Koschitzky making wine was a fine idea at the time, but now it's just a Brilliant Mistake. Now, he didn't stumble into this brilliance, he spent a decade honing his skills in his native Israel before coming to the states to work as the winemaker for Screaming Eagle. A decade later, as Director of Winemaking for Atelier Melka he pushes the buttons on several projects. Brilliant Mistake is 100% Cabernet and aged for 21 months in 65% new oak. Produced in tiny quantities (300 cases) Jeb Dunnuck raves that this wine "reveals pretty, nuanced notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil, spice box, and flowers." A wine that will last a couple of decades, don't miss out on its beauty, purity and expressiveness.
Brix26 E-Giftcard
$ 50.00
Brix26 Gift cards make outstanding gifts for friends, family or loved ones and can be redeemed for any product on our website. After purchase, your gift card will be directly emailed to you. It's instant gift-ification.
For larger denominations, please contact our customer service department directly at 1-866-427-4926 or email us at info@brix26.com.
Buccella 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley MAGNUM (1.5L)
$ 469.95
*this is a rare MAGNUM (1.5L) bottle*
A fantastic small-production Cab from Scarecrow winemaker Celia Welch - try it while this gem is still available!
94 Points James Suckling: "Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant and raspberry character with walnut, hazelnut and hints of stones. It's full-bodied with a pretty tannin structure and a chewy finish. Pleasant austerity. Try after 2023."
The Buccella 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from small vineyards located mainly in the mid to southern parts (cooler regions) of Napa Valley, which only adds multiple layers and nuances that showcase the diversity of what Napa Valley has to offer. An enticing nose of luxurious red fruit, plum and raspberry leaps from the glass. Complemented by darker notes of coco powder, blueberry and creamy vanilla makes this a multifaceted wine. The signature crimson dark red color makes this a visually stunning wine. Silky smooth tannins enhance the wine's vibrancy and energy allowing immediate pleasure upon release but assure the potential for the development of aged complexity for the next 20+ years. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 3% Merlot
Buccella 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
$ 229.95
A fantastic small-production Cab from Scarecrow winemaker Celia Welch - try it while this gem is still available!
94 Points James Suckling: "Lots of blackberry, blackcurrant and raspberry character with walnut, hazelnut and hints of stones. It's full-bodied with a pretty tannin structure and a chewy finish. Pleasant austerity. Try after 2023."
The Buccella 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from small vineyards located mainly in the mid to southern parts (cooler regions) of Napa Valley, which only adds multiple layers and nuances that showcase the diversity of what Napa Valley has to offer. An enticing nose of luxurious red fruit, plum and raspberry leaps from the glass. Complemented by darker notes of coco powder, blueberry and creamy vanilla makes this a multifaceted wine. The signature crimson dark red color makes this a visually stunning wine. Silky smooth tannins enhance the wine's vibrancy and energy allowing immediate pleasure upon release but assure the potential for the development of aged complexity for the next 20+ years. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec, 3% Merlot
Buehler 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 44.99
An excellent value in Napa Valley Cabernet from Buehler!
94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The Buehler 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is ample, bold and creamy. Graphite, dried herbs, lavender, blackberry and mocha infuse the 2018 with striking layers of nuance. Medium in body yet full of flavor, the 2018 hits all the right notes...Buehler is another estate in Napa Valley that doesn't anywhere near the recognition it deserves. The striking property is perchexd atop Conn Valley in one of the most idyllic spots in all of Napa. There are three cabernets, all of them notable."
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.
Buoncristiani 2010 Artistico Syrah, Napa Valley
$ 59.00
Buoncristiani is one of our favorite small family-owned wineries and their Syrah is off-the-charts delicious.
The Buoncristiani 2010 Syrah blend was handcrafted from small lots harvested exclusively from the Caldwell, Stagecoach and Hyde Vineyards. The Buoncristiani brothers created the series “Artistico” to fuse winemaking passion with other forms of art expression. The label features original artwork to complement the blend for each vintage. Easily one of our favorite California Syrahs.
Cain Cuvee NV17 Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
$ 36.00
Cain Cuvee NV17 is an outstanding Cabernet blend of different vintages from Napa' Spring Mountain producer Cain. Limited!
People ask, why blend vintages? We ask, why not? The benefits of blending vintages can work similarly to blending varieties. A wine with layers of complexity, wrapped around a balanced and flowing core is our quest. We also want a wine with individuality, a specific personality, so we have found that working with just two vintages is best.
Today, with the exception of Champagne, the blending of vintages has been nearly forgotten and lost, except with Cain Cuvée. Though the vineyards are the same, no two vintages are ever identical. Certainly a thoughtful blend of two vintages will always be more balanced, more complex, and more interesting than either could be by itself.
The whole principle of the Cain Cuvée project is to deliver wines that you can take seriously, and also that you can enjoy with or without a special occasion. Even so, if you have a bottle or two left, the NV17 will easily run for another decade.
Cain Five 2017 Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
$ 124.99
The legendary Cain Five is one of the flagship wines from Napa' Spring Mountain District. Limited!
95 Points James Suckling: "A juicy yet subtle red with spices, walnuts, chocolate and hints of currants. Complex. Medium to full body. Creamy and polished tannins span out on the palate. Flavorful and beautiful finish."
If the Cain Five is utterly unique, distinctive in both aroma and taste, this can only reflect the Cain Vineyard, which gives birth to this wine and is both spectacular and idiosyncratic. Composed of the five classic varieties—Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot—Cain Five epitomizes the benefits of blending to achieve a complex wine. It is supple and rich of texture, combining a full, firm structure with a long and subtle finish.
From the winery: Some three decades ago, in 1989, we offered to the world the first vintage of Cain Five—the 1985. Now, thirty years later, we’re thrilled to release the 2017 Cain Five. Coming off the last of a series of drought years, 2015 gave us the lowest yield since 1990—yields of less than one ton per acre—almost unheard-of throughout the world of wine. A low yield is traditionally associated with high quality. This case is no exception.
In 2017 the result is a generous, dense, focused wine, with the sun-drenched herbal and savory notes of our wild mountain Cain Vineyard, and satisfying and mouth-filling on the palate. The 2016 Cain Five drinks beautifully today, and will continue to do so for twenty years.
Calafia 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 74.99
One of the best small Cabs we've found!
One of the best "under the radar" Napa Cabernets we've discovered!
Randle Johnson has been working in Napa Valley for 35 years, and is currently a winemaker at Hess Collection. Calafia Cellars is the personal brand of Randle and his wife MaryLee. Made from their own estate grapes blended with small quantities of grapes from other vineyards, Randle uses his extensive experience and knowledge to create a fine example of what Napa Valley, and St. Helena in particular, have to offer. A tiny 125 cases were produced.
The Calafia Cellars 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley shows deep and concentrated aromas of blackberry, licorice and cassis, with a second layer of pepper, clove, and allspice. Flavors follow through with dark chocolate, and spice with slight nuances of oak. This wine exhibits depth, concentration, fine grain tannins and is seamless, from flavors through the long rich finish. Very elegant for current drinking, it will also age gracefully. Enjoy!
California Insider Wine Gift Sets
$ 50.00
California Wine Gifts, our finest hand-selected, small-production wines from California's best small "insider" wineries.
Our wine selections come from small-production wineries that believe in quality first. We taste through dozens of wines every month to personally select the wines for our gifts, so you can be sure you are sending something truly unique, distinguished and delicious. Many of the wines are only available through winery mailing lists and not found in many retail shops.
All wines are delivered tastefully wrapped and accompanied by a complete Winery Profile with history, tasting notes and food pairing suggestions making it an exceptional and educational experience for the recipient.
(gift cards also available)
Cardinale 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 325.00
99 Points - rare
Rare release of one of Napa's most sought-after collector Cabs. Limited.
97 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "A resounding success for the year, the 2017 Cardinale is truly impressive. It is also one of the most refined young wines I have tasted here. In most vintages, Cardinale is predominantly made from mountain sites, but the 2017 is roughly equal parts mountain and valley floor fruit. Inky blue/purplish fruit, white flowers, lavender and mint all build in the glass. Lifted and beautifully perfumed, the 2017 is exceptionally polished."
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blend of 96% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot from throughout the valley that was brought up in 80% new French oak, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is dominated by its Stags Leap fruit (which is 30% of the blend) and has the classic elegance and spicy character of that district as well as great red and blue fruits, a seamless, building mid-palate, ripe yet present tannins, and ample tobacco, earth, and spice aromas and flavors. It's plush and textured on the palate yet has the structure to evolve for two decades."
96 Point Robert Parker: "There was no Wallis vineyard fruit used this vintage. Very deep purple-black colored, the 2017 Cardinale charges out of the glass with notes of fresh blackcurrants, blackberries and Black Forest cake plus hints of menthol, cardamom, baking spices and lilacs plus a waft of cigar box. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house with firm, grainy, ripe tannins and fantastic freshness supporting the taut, muscular black fruits, finishing long and mineral laced."
The Cardinale Estate is situated on its own knoll in the heart of Napa Valley's renowned Oakville District. It consists of a striking stone winery, which features a spacious tasting room with expansive views overlooking the valley. Cardinale creates a single wine from each vintage. The wine is a limited production Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend made from distinct and diverse mountain vineyards situated in the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges surrounding the Napa Valley.
Carver Sutro 2012 'Palisades Vineyard' Petite Sirah, Napa Valley
$ 55.00
95+ points
A fantastic tiny-production Petite Sirah from Carver Sutro. Limited.
95+ Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2012 Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Silky, polished and utterly impeccable, the 2012 will redefine what Petite Syrah is and can be in Napa Valley. Layers of blue and black fruit, ink, white flowers, cloves and sweet spices all flow across the palate with superb grace and complexity. The 2012 is so delicious, it could actually be enjoyed today, but it won't be bottled until August 2014. This is a striking wine from Carver-Sutro."
94 Points Robert Parker: "The 2012 Petite Sirah Palisades Vineyard, which is still in barrel, reveals peppery, meaty, blackberry and blueberry fruit notes intermixed with a hint of barbecue smoke. The relatively civilized tannins are no doubt attributable to this vintage that has produced such sweet, velvety, fruit-forward wines. Nevertheless, this full-bodied, polished 2012 Petite Sirah is capable of lasting 20 years after its release later this year."
Cavus 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 114.99
Small-production Dave Phinney cab!
Winemaker Dave Phinney, well known for crafting The Prisoner and Mercury Head Cabernet, has done it again with a small-production Napa Cabernet for Cavus, a family run vineyard nestled in the hillside of the Stag’s Leap appellation.
Cavus is a family run vineyard nestled in the hillside of the Stag’s Leap appellation in Napa Valley, neighboring the famed Shafer Hillside vineyard. Owner Darryl Browman named the winery for the snow “cave” he and a few friends built to survive the night when trapped on a mountain in Argentina.
He has certainly gone all out with Cavus, hiring winemaker extraordinaire Dave Phinney, and vineyard manager Jim Barbour. Jim is one of the best viticulturists there is having previously worked with Hundred Acre, Grace Family, Checkerboard, Gandona Estate, Pride, Celia Welch, Philippe Melka, Thomas Brown, Heidi Barrett, Andy Erickson, and many more.
This is the type of wine you would expect from this All-Star team: Rich, concentrated, powerful, and balanced. This wine squares you up with juicy cassis and blackberry then finishes with soft supple and ever so delicious tannins. This wine is rarely found outside the winery, lucky for you we are on the inside.
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.
Chalk Hill 2017 Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma
$ 38.99
California Chardonnay lovers rejoice! Chalk Hill's new release has it all.
91 Points Robert Parker: "The 2017 Chardonnay Estate opens with notes of toast, cream, lemon pith and hay over a core of Red Delicious apple and banana chips. The medium-bodied palate is rounded and creamy with toasty spice and honey notions, finishing long and lifted with juicy acidity."
92 Points Wine Spectator: "Strikes a balance between rich, spicy oak and an intense core of fruit, echoing pear, apple and melon flavors. Maintains equilibrium, ending with creamy, vanilla-scented oak notes. Drink now. "
Chalk Hill's potential for great Chardonnay was discovered early and it became one of the initial plantings. The oldest, Founder's Block dates back to the establishment of the winery, in 1972, and remains a keystone in the estate's Chardonnay program. the Estate Bottled Chardonnay is assembled from vineyard blocks that each provides an individual lot of finished wine— 100% Chardonnay, but from a variety of clonal selections— and from a variety of sites on the estate. Get the new release before the ratings come out!
Robert Parker: "This estate is now owned by William Foley, who purchased it from the Firth family that founded the vineyard. Chalk Hill is one of Northern California's older AVAs, established in 1985."
Chateau Cos D'Estournel 2018 St. Estephe (Bordeaux), France
$ 319.00
100 Points - top Bordeaux
A rare 100 Point Bordeaux from the heralded 2016 vintage. Extremely limited.
99 Points James Suckling: "The richness and beauty of this wine is impressive with blackcurrant, cherry, berry and fresh cloves. The fruit is so pure here. Full-bodied with tannins that are so integrated and refined that you don’t feel them, yet they are there! Very creamy and layered with great length and beauty. It turns to tar and licorice at the finish. Tight now, but the texture is special. Try after 2027."
98+ Points Jeb Dunnuck: "An incredible wine from this estate that's as good as anything in the vintage, the 2018 Château Cos D'Estournel checks in as 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot that was brought up in 50% new French oak. While some 2018s are going to offer pleasure right out of the gate, this isn't one of them, but rather it's a backward, tannic powerhouse of a wine that has flawless balance as well as a level of purity that's off the charts. Thrilling crème de cassis fruit, notes of lead pencil, damp earth, cedarwood, violets, and acacia flowers, full-bodied richness, masses of ultra-fine tannins, and a great, great finish all make for a legendary Saint-Estèphe that will need a good decade of bottle age yet evolve for 50 years or more. If you are tempted to try a bottle in its youth, it needs lots of air."
98 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Cos d'Estournel is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc, aged in 50% new oak barriques. The alcohol weighs in at just over 14.5%. Sporting a deep purple-black color, it needs a lot of swirling to begin to unlock a powerful nose of crème de cassis, stewed plums, wild blueberries and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by nuances of Sichuan pepper, star anise, tree and clove oil, plus a waft of charcoal. The full-bodied palate is densely packed with taut, muscular black fruits and earthy layers, framed by super firm, ripe, grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing very long and wonderfully earthy. A very impressive behemoth, this is going to need a good seven to 10 years to truly show its stuff and should drink for a good 40 years and beyond."
Chateau d'Yquem 2019 Sauternes (375ml bottle)
$ 359.99
98 points
Chateau D'Yquem is perhaps the world's most sough-after wine. Each vintage is near perfection. This is a 375ml bottle.
98 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Tasting the 2019, I noticed that it has a slightly paler hue compared to recent vintages (though I never read too much into the colour of young Sauternes.) For certain, it has a highly-aromatic bouquet that is beguiling in purity, enticing aromas of honeysuckle and saffron, soon joined by camomile, white flowers and orange blossom. It has wonderful delineation and gains intensity with aeration. The palate is supremely well-balanced with fine bead of acidity. Very harmonious and armed with just the right amount of viscosity, this Yquem is surprisingly understated at first but gains presence, offering irresistible flavours of layers of honey, lemongrass, lemon thyme and orange pith. Yquem is so tempting in its youth, but I feel that this vintage will repay those with the nous to cellar for at least a decade
97 Points Decanter: " The 2019 vintage of Château d'Yquem has the highest proportion (45%) of Sauvignon Blanc in any modern Yquem. The Sauvignon Blanc adds to the freshness, acting as a great balance to the succulent, sweet and voluptuous palate. Intense peach and apricot, combined with lemon and orange zest, make this highly appealing to drink right away - an ideal vintage with which to start Yquem’s ‘lighthouse’ project. However, it would be a shame not to give this 10+ years maturation to see how it develops. Very well, I suspect."
97 Points Wine Spectator: "A special wine right from the start, this glistens with pure papaya, mango, white peach and mirabelle plum, joined by elderflower honey, toasted macadamia nut and orange blossom notes. Ends with a remarkably long finish. Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. Drink now through 2050."
Chateau de Beaucastel 2019 'Hommage a Jacques Perrin' Chateauneuf-du-Pape
$ 479.00
100 Points
One of the top-rated Chateauneufs from the vintage - limited.
100 Points Robert Parker: "Marvelously complex, deeply fruited and massively concentrated yet wonderfully drinkable, the 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Hommage à Jacques Perrin challenges the number of superlatives that can be thrown at it. Scents of violets, tree bark, truffle, purple raspberries and blackberries all appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, dense and velvety, and the finish shows enormous richness and length. Breathtaking stuff.
Always one of the highlights of my visits in Chateaneuf du Pape, the cellars at Beaucastel were a bit dusty when I arrived, as the long-awaited expansion had just gotten underway. Built using the latest practices in sustainability and conservation, it's expected to be completed in 2024. The 2021 Syrah had just been picked, and the expectation was that the Grenache would be harvested beginning the following day. Something worth noting, although the family doesn't actively promote it, is that Beaucastel's farming has been certified organic since 1966, and the vineyards have been farmed along biodynamic principles since 1974 (although not certified as such)."
99 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The tiny production 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape Hommage A Jacques Perrin is the customary blend of roughly 60% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache, and the rest Syrah and Cinsault that’s brought up in foudre. One sexy, powerful, full-bodied Southern Rhône, it sports a dense purple hue as well as a kaleidoscope-like array of blueberry, scorched earth, candied violets, pepper, and some almost northern Rhône-like meaty, smoky nuances. Full-bodied and incredibly pure, with a stacked mid-palate and ripe, supple tannins, it’s another vintage of this cuvée that will undoubtedly offer pleasure in it youth yet won’t hit prime time for a solid 7-8 years, and it should see its 30th birthday in fine form."
98 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): " Opaque ruby. Powerful dark berry, cherry cola, incense, potpourri, musky earth and spicecake aromas show outstanding clarity and pick up a smoky mineral nuance with aeration. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated but energetic black raspberry, cherry preserve, five-spice powder and lavender pastille flavors given lift and spine by a core of juicy acidity. Blends richness and finesse with a deft hand and finishes incredibly long and precise, with youthfully firm tannins adding shape and final grip."
Chateau de Beaucastel 2020 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge
$ 109.00
One of the top-rated Chateauneufs from the vintage - limited.
97 Points Robert Parker: "Beaucastel's 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape is shaping up as a blend of 30% each Grenache and Mourvèdre, with 10% each Counoise and Syrah, plus 20% other permitted varieties, including a healthy proportion of white grapes. Complex and red-fruited, with hints of flowers and garrigue, it's expansive and richly textured on the palate, finishing long and silky."
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Chateau de Beaucastel 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape was scheduled to be bottled the week after this tasting, and it's the usual blend of 35% Mourvedre, 25% Grenache, and the rest Syrah, Counoise, and other permitted varieties. While the estate compares this to their 2016, it reminds me slightly of their 1990 and has a wonderful perfume of red, blue, and black fruits, as well as sappy garrigue, saddle leather, and ground pepper. It's beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, has a good sense of freshness, and fine tannins, as well as a tight, focused style on the palate that bodes well for longevity. It deserves 7-8 years of bottle age and should be long-lived."
Chateau de Pez 2018 St. Estephe, Bordeaux
$ 55.95
One of the best buys in 2018 Bordeaux we've found. Limited.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From the team of Nicolas Glumineau at Pichon Comtesse de Lalande, the 2018 Château De Pez is a gorgeous 2018 that should be on every Bordeaux lover's radar (and should be a great value as well). Notes of blackcurrants, blueberries, candied violets, and graphite define the bouquet, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, rockingly polished tannins, terrific purity, and a great finish. It's terrific and is going to have 15-20 years or more of longevity. The blend is 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 49% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc."
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 de Pez is even more impressive from bottle than it was from barrel. Time has given the Pez gorgeous finesse, softening the contours, to match the natural radiance of the year. Silky tannins wrap around a core of inky red/purplish fruit, pipe tobacco, cedar, mint, spice and leather. The en primeur sample was decidedly flashier, but, then again, that wine was presented in 100% new oak. The finished wine, with one-third each new, one year-old and two year-old barrels, is wonderfully refined and poised. "
Founded in the 15th century, Pez is the oldest domaine in Saint-Estèphe. The Pontac family, then-owners of Château Haut-Brion, gave Pez its vineyards. The property remained in the hands of descendants until the French Revolution. Sold as a property of the state, the domaine belonged to a succession of families until 1995, when it was purchased by Champagne Louis Roedererer. Château de Pez is one of the oldest properties in Bordeaux’s Left Bank and consists of 118 continuous acres with 103 acres planted to prime grape varieties, mainly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Thanks to the quality of its production, Château de Pez is counted among the most highly reputed crus of the Médoc and was reclassified as a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in 2003.
Chateau La Graviere Tirecul 2012 Cuvee Chateau Montbazillac
$ 29.99
rare
A fantastic dessert wine from France. Montbazillac is known as a 'stunt double' for the much more expensive Sauternes. The rare "Madame" is only made in the finest of vintages and a tiny amount is produced - only 50 cases imported to the US. This a 500ml bottle.
Robert Parker: "... These wines will be nearly impossible to find, but I hope those few lucky enough to latch onto a few 500 ml bottles will lay some away and taste them against the greatest vintages of Chateau d'Yquem or Climens. An astonishing discovery!"
Brix26 Inside Scoop: Sauternes lies to the south of Bordeaux, while Montbazillac lies just East of this famous winegrowing center. While Sauternes is widely know as producing some of the world's finest and most expensive sweet white wines, Montbazillac produces wines that offer an almost identical taste and flavor experience but at a fraction of the price. The Chateau Tirecul La Graviere "Madame" 2003 is one of the highest-scoring wines to come out of the region at an unreal price. Not much gets imported to the US market however.
Chateau La Graviere Tirecul 2013 Cuvee Chateau Montbazillac
$ 29.99
rare
A fantastic dessert wine from France. Montbazillac is known as a 'stunt double' for the much more expensive Sauternes. The rare "Madame" is only made in the finest of vintages and a tiny amount is produced - only 50 cases imported to the US. This a 500ml bottle.
Robert Parker: "... These wines will be nearly impossible to find, but I hope those few lucky enough to latch onto a few 500 ml bottles will lay some away and taste them against the greatest vintages of Chateau d'Yquem or Climens. An astonishing discovery!"
Brix26 Inside Scoop: Sauternes lies to the south of Bordeaux, while Montbazillac lies just East of this famous winegrowing center. While Sauternes is widely know as producing some of the world's finest and most expensive sweet white wines, Montbazillac produces wines that offer an almost identical taste and flavor experience but at a fraction of the price. The Chateau Tirecul La Graviere "Madame" 2003 is one of the highest-scoring wines to come out of the region at an unreal price. Not much gets imported to the US market however.
Chateau Montrose 2018 St. Estephe, Bordeaux
$ 299.99
One of the top-scoring Bordeaux of the vintage. Limited.
100 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "A full-bodied powerhouse as well as a perfect wine, the 2018 Château Montrose is a final blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 60% new French oak. Boasting a deep purple hue as well as awesome levels of crème de cassis and smoky blackberry fruits and notes of tobacco, lead pencil, scorched earth, and chocolate, it's deep, opulent, and incredibly concentrated on the palate, with no shortage of mid-palate depth, tannins, or length. It reminds me a little of a fresher version of the 2003, although there's more Cabernet Sauvignon in 2018 as well as less Merlot. It has that classic Montrose minerality and backward, mineral-laced style, yet I suspect this will be drinkable in just 5-6 years and should evolve into a modern-day legend from this terroir."
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Purity and beauty on the nose with blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, crushed-stone and violet character. A full-bodied red with masses of polished tannins and intense flavors of currants and blackberries. Juicy finish. Super depth to this. Goes on for minutes. Try after 2027."
Château Montrose is one of the leading wine properties of St.Estéphe, and produces some of the longest-lived wines in the Médoc. Montrose had been owned by Jean-Louis Charmolue from 1962 until 2006, when it was sold to Martin and Olivier Bouygues, owner of the eponymously named construction firm Bouygues, is located in the east of the appellation, just north of the hamlet of Marbuzet, on a gravel knoll only 800 metres from the Gironde estuary. The proximity of the estuary ensures a microclimate that protects against frost, and the vines, which lie on deep clay-gravel soils, benefit from a south-easterly aspect.
Chateau Peby Faugeres 2010 St. Emilion, Bordeaux
$ 199.99
97 Points Parker
One of the top-rated 2010 Bordeaux - limited.
97 points Robert Parker: "A very limited production cuvee, the 2010 Peby Faugeres is sold in a specially designed bottle from Silvio Denz, who also owns Lalique Crystal. It comes from the oldest portion of the Faugeres vineyard, which is actually more of a completely separate entity under Denz than it was under the previous owners. The 2010 is 100% Merlot and again 15% natural alcohol. The vines were cropped at 20 hectoliters per hectare, but harvested about a week before the harvest finished for the main Faugeres vineyard. Most observers would tend to look at this wine as a modern-style, massive, intense St.-Emilion, with an opaque purple color, a floral nose shaded by notes of blueberry liqueur intermixed with black raspberries, vanillin, subtle smoke and barrique smells. It is full-bodied and built for two decades of longevity, but should be reasonably drinkable in 5-6 years because of the 100% Merlot content. This is a thrilling wine, as it has been in nearly every vintage where it has been produced...
...Acquired by Swiss native Silvio Denz a number of years ago, this property continues to overachieve in virtually every vintage. Behind the scenes, Stephan von Neipperg, the proprietor of La Mondotte, Clos de l’Oratoire, and a number of other properties, consults on viticultural matters, while harvesting, winemaking and elevage are guided by Michel Rolland." ."
Checkerboard 2018 'Aurora' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 325.00
The Checkerboard label has, in just one year, become one of the more sought-after wines for collectors and consumers! The property is located on Diamond Mountain, in the western hills of the Napa Valley, and the wines are made by the exceptionally talented Martha McClellan (also of Sloan and Levy & McClellan). What makes the Checkerboard wines rise above others at this price point is the shear intensity, harmony, balance, and individuality, along with that je ne sais quoi. We feel this wine is of the same quality as other superstars like Caymus Special Selection, Continuum, Dalla Valle, Lewis, or even Peter Michael.
Aurora Vineyard is nestled in a small valley midway up Diamond Mountain on a large knoll located at an elevation of 1,200 feet. The knoll projects off the mountainside, giving the vineyard full Southern exposure and open light from the East and West and protection from Napa Valley's summer fog. Six acres of the vineyard are planted in the knoll's rich, volcanic soils that are riddled with basalt cobble in a loamy red clay. The remaining six acres are planted in a deep gravely mix of white volcanic ash and chips of decomposed Rhyolite that were washed down from the steep, rocky crags of Diamond Mountain above.
Chimney Rock 2018 Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 99.99
A classic Stags Leap District Cabernet!
Chimney Rock's 134-acre estate lies in the heart of the Stags Leap District, the first viticultural area in the United States to be approved based on the distinctiveness of its soils. With 28 distinctive vineyard blocks showing an array of different aspects, soil types, clones and rootstocks, the vineyard provides a diversity of flavors that are artfully blended to capture the holistic representation of the estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
91 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): “The Chimney Rock 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is plump, juicy and absolutely delicious. Floral, spice and savory notes add brightness to a core of succulent dark cherry and plum fruit. Fresh and inviting with mid-weight structure, the 2018 has a lot to offer in an easygoing style that will require minimal cellaring."
Clos des Papes 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape
$ 145.00
98 Points Wine Spectator
One of the highest-rated Châteaneufs from the stellar 2015 vintage! Limited.
98 Points Robert Parker: "Proprietor Paul-Vincent Avril expects to bottle 100,000 bottles of something approximating this "final blend," tasted out of foudre. A blend of 55% Grenache, 35% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah and other permitted varieties, the 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape looked exceptional on this day, offering up scents of framboise and kirsch alongside dried flowers and Asian spices. Full-bodied yet weightless, silky and long, this is special stuff, complex and balanced."
97 Points Wine Spectator: "Beguiling, with a plume of black tea and incense leading off, followed by black cherry reduction, cassis, melted black licorice, warm earth, singed tobacco and garrigue accents. Offers breadth and depth with a seamless feel, capped by a subtle mineral edge that lingers lengthily amid the beautiful fruit. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Best from 2024 through 2040. 8,000 cases made, 800 cases imported."
Cobb 2016 Monticue Vineyard Pinot Noir,Sonoma Coast
$ 74.99
96 Points - limited
New release from Cobb, one of California's most sough-after new Pinot producers. Only 150 cases made.
96 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "A new wine in this range, the 2016 Monticue Vineyard shows more of a red-toned profile and more overt ripeness than most of the other wines in the range. Bright red cherry fruit, blood orange, hard candy, mint and high-toned aromatics from the 50% whole clusters are some of the signatures. Best of all, the 2016 should drink well with minimal cellaring."
Just three miles from Bodega Bay, at an elevation of 1,200 feet, Coastlands hangs high above the Pacific. It’s a challenging site, with tiny yields year after year, but it has also emerged as a benchmark for what can be achieved with Pinot Noir on the far coast. The 2012 Coastlands Vineyard Pinot was honored as “Top 100 Wines” by Jon Bonné and the San Francisco Chronicle, while the 2007 vintage named one of the “Top 10 Sonoma Coast Pinots” by Forbes.
Cobb 2017 Emmaline Ann Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
$ 74.99
96 Points - limited
New release from Cobb, one of California's most sough-after new Pinot producers. Only 150 cases made.
96 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Pinot Noir Emmaline-Ann Vineyard is another stellar wine in this range. Bold, rich and explosive, the 2017 possesses tremendous depth and nuance. Black cherry, plum, menthol, licorice and sage infuse the 2017 with tons of character. The 2017 is marked by a real sense of vertical energy and statuesque beauty. The 50% whole clusters are not especially evident. What a wine!"
Planted by David Cobb in 1989, the Emmaline Ann Vineyard was one of the first vineyards on the far Sonoma Coast. Just three miles from Bodega Bay, at an elevation of 1,200 feet, Coastlands hangs high above the Pacific. It’s a challenging site, with tiny yields year after year, but it has also emerged as a benchmark for what can be achieved with Pinot Noir on the far coast. The 2012 Coastlands Vineyard Pinot was honored as “Top 100 Wines” by Jon Bonné and the San Francisco Chronicle, while the 2007 vintage named one of the “Top 10 Sonoma Coast Pinots” by Forbes.
Cockburn's 2016 Vintage Port
$ 89.99
97 Points - limited
The 2016 vintage was phenomenal for the Port houses of Portugal and the Cockburn's is one of the highest-rated of the vintage. Limited.
96 Points Wine Spectator: “This is quite primal, with lush waves of plum, blackberry and açai berry reduction rolling through, pushed by warm licorice and Black Forest cake notes. A substantial bass line thumps on the finish, showing plenty of sparkly spice and incense details hitting the top range. Best from 2030 through 2050."
Colgin 2018 'Cariad' Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
$ 899.00
Limited Colgin Cabernet available.
98+ points Robert Parker: "Blended of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, the 2018 Cariad Proprietary Red Wine has a deep purple-black color and slips out of the glass with the most seductive black fruit preserves notions of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and baked plums plus hints of Indian spices, lavender, mocha and licorice with a waft of cardamom. Full-bodied, rich, opulent and spicy, it delivers a wonderfully powerful expression of this vintage with firm yet plush tannins, finishing very long and hedonic...Colgin knocks it out of the park again in 2018. The wines beautifully represent the vineyards and the vintage. Tychson Hill, in particular, blew my mind. With the main 2.5-acre part of the vineyard, planted in 1997, now in full swing, some of the newer 2014 plantings on the next-door slope have started to come on board, and the effect is WOW. The new section is also a tiny plot of 2.5 acres, but this more sloped block has a northern aspect and a gravelly loam profile. The combination makes for a truly magic, ethereal, wonderfully fragrant style."
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Cariad isn’t far off and has a wealth of blue fruits, musky earth, spice, and floral notes as well as a deep, rich, layered style on the palate. As with all the 2018s here, the tannin quality is incredible, and it has a plush, sexy, already complex style that’s hard to resist. It’s going to evolve for 25+ years. The blend is 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Cabernet Franc, 8% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot....
There are a lot of magnificent estates with Shangri-La-like beauty spread throughout California, and the Colgin property is in the top ten list for spectacular views as well as top quality. Sitting atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views of Lake Hennessey and the surrounding mountains, their IX Estate Vineyard is on a steep, intimidating hillside. It is one of the must-see attractions in Northern California, if not the entire state. The longstanding winemaking team of Ann Colgin, Allison Tauziet and Bordeaux consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud has produced some magnificent wines over the years (the 2001s, 2002s, 2005s, 2007s and 2008s) as well as amazing efforts in 2009, 2010 and 2012. There are three Bordeaux blend offerings, one from their Tychson Hill estate vineyard off Highway 29, north of St. Helena, and the second, the IX Estate blend. The Cariad is fashioned from a blend of grapes purchased from a number of David Abreu-s well-known and highly respected vineyards. There is also a fourth wine, the IX Estate Syrah, which is often a dead-ringer for a great Northern Rhone.
Colgin 2018 Tychson Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 899.00
100 points
Limited Colgin Cabernet available.
100 points, Robert Parker: "Opaque purple-black in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill Vineyard jumps from the glass with bold, gregarious scents of blueberry compote, black cherry preserves and warm cassis plus nuances of roses, star anise and candied violets with gentle wafts of dark chocolate and cinnamon. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is super intense with a whole fireworks display of floral sparks going off among the red and black fruits, framed by exquisitely ripe, finely pixilated tannins, finishing long and mineral laced. This edifying beauty takes Napa Valley elegance and grace to a whole new level....Colgin knocks it out of the park again in 2018. The wines beautifully represent the vineyards and the vintage. Tychson Hill, in particular, blew my mind. With the main 2.5-acre part of the vineyard, planted in 1997, now in full swing, some of the newer 2014 plantings on the next-door slope have started to come on board, and the effect is WOW. The new section is also a tiny plot of 2.5 acres, but this more sloped block has a northern aspect and a gravelly loam profile. The combination makes for a truly magic, ethereal, wonderfully fragrant style."
100 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Tychson Hill is straight-up off-the-charts and one of the true gems in the vintage. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as extraordinary notes of crème de cassis, white flowers, spice, tobacco, and classy oak, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, no hard edges, and just perfect integration of its fruit, tannins, and acidity. I’d happily enjoy a bottle today, but smart money would give these a solid 4-5 years in the cellar and it should keep for 30-40 years.
There are a lot of magnificent estates with Shangri-La-like beauty spread throughout California, and the Colgin property is in the top ten list for spectacular views as well as top quality. Sitting atop Pritchard Hill with stunning views of Lake Hennessey and the surrounding mountains, their IX Estate Vineyard is on a steep, intimidating hillside. It is one of the must-see attractions in Northern California, if not the entire state. The longstanding winemaking team of Ann Colgin, Allison Tauziet and Bordeaux consultant Dr. Alain Raynaud has produced some magnificent wines over the years (the 2001s, 2002s, 2005s, 2007s and 2008s) as well as amazing efforts in 2009, 2010 and 2012. There are three Bordeaux blend offerings, one from their Tychson Hill estate vineyard off Highway 29, north of St. Helena, and the second, the IX Estate blend. The Cariad is fashioned from a blend of grapes purchased from a number of David Abreu-s well-known and highly respected vineyards. There is also a fourth wine, the IX Estate Syrah, which is often a dead-ringer for a great Northern Rhone. In 2010, March and early April were very cold, but normal conditions persisted over the summer with no heat spikes, and September and October were ideally warm. The results include some spectacular wines that are among the finest I have ever tasted from Colgin.
Colgin 2019 IX Estate Napa Valley Red
$ 825.00
100 Points
Limited Colgin cabernet available.
100 Points Robert Parker: "2019 was a late-ripening vintage at Colgin’s IX Estate on Pritchard Hill. Much was picked during the third week of October, allowing winemaker Allison Tauzier to perform a little more co-fermentation. The 2019 IX Estate is opaque purple-black in color, needing a little coaxing to unlock notions of blackberry preserves, baked plums and crème de cassis, plus hints of pencil lead, star anise, wild sage and Indian spices, leading to a fragrant waft of lavender. Built like a brick house, the opulent, full-bodied palate is perfectly framed by super firm, exquisitely ripe tannins and a fantastic acid line to give lift throughout the long earthy finish. So finely knit together, this multi-layered, seamless beauty is just breathtaking."
"Colgin knocks it out of the park again in 2019. The wines beautifully represent the vineyards and the vintage. Tychson Hill, in particular, blew my mind. With the main 2.5-acre part of the vineyard, planted in 1997, now in full swing, some of the newer 2014 plantings on the next-door slope have started to come on board, and the effect is WOW. The new section is also a tiny plot of 2.5 acres, but this more sloped block has a northern aspect and a gravelly loam profile. The combination makes for a truly magic, ethereal, wonderfully fragrant style."
Collector California Wine Gift Sets
$ 150.00
Collector wine gift sets from our finest hand-selected, small-production Collector-level wines ($75-$90/bottle) from California's best "insider" wineries.
Our wine selections come from small-production wineries that believe in quality first. We taste through dozens of wines every month to personally select the wines for our gifts, so you can be sure you are sending something truly unique, distinguished and delicious. Many of the wines are only available through winery mailing lists and not found in many retail shops.
All wines are delivered tastefully wrapped and accompanied by a complete Winery Profile with history, tasting notes and food pairing suggestions making it an exceptional and educational experience for the recipient.
*photo is a representation only - wine selections are made depending on latest inventory and subject to change
Collector Napa Cabernets 6-Pack
$ 455.00
We've made choosing a gift for Cabernet lovers easy with our 6-Pack featuring Napa Valley's top Collectible Cabernets. A must for any Cabernet-lover! 10% discount already built into price.
Each 6-pack includes one bottle of the following wines:
Silver Oak 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Joseph Phelps 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Cakebread 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Duckhorn 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Shafer 2018 One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Pahlmeyer 2018 "Jayson" Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
All bottles come wrapped in tissue paper with complete tasting notes on each wine. Gift Card available at checkout
Continuum 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley MAGNUM (1.5L)
$ 550.00
99 points
Continuum is the new tiny production Cabernet from the Mondavi Family. Very Limited. *Rare 1.5 Magnum bottle*
98 Points Robert Parker: "Blended of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, the 2013 Proprietary Red is deep garnet-purple colored and displays a bold, rock-star nose of crème de cassis, Chinese five spice, iron ore, sage and bay leaves with grilled meat and tilled soil nuances plus a waft of wood smoke. Full, super concentrated, rich and powerful, this opulent beauty is built like a brick house with a solid frame and a long, mineral-laced finish.
Robert Parker: "..I was super-impressed with the wines I tasted from Continuum Estate, Tim Mondavi’s new venture on Pritchard Hill, not far from Chappellet and Bryant Family. Mondavi is gradually moving towards 100% estate fruit, but these early vintages include some fruit from vineyards in Oakville and Stags Leap. Continuum is distinguished by a fairly large presence of Cabernet Franc. This is one of the most exciting new properties in Napa Valley."
Brix26 Inside Scoop: After the sale of the Robert Mondavi winery, winemaker Tim Mondavi chose to focus on one wine and one varietal: Continuum is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from Continuum's Estate vineyard on Napa Valley's Pritchard Hill, one of the priciest Cabernet regions in all of California with neighbors like Colgin, Bryant Family and Chappellet. It's a beautiful site and judging from the Continuum 2010 Cabernet will be among Napa's most coveted collector wines.
Continuum 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 299.95
99 Points - limited
Continuum is the new tiny production Cabernet from the Mondavi Family. Extremely limited.
99 Points James Suckling: "Blackberries, dark wet soil and blackcurrants. Graphite, too. So aromatic. Pure fruit. Full-bodied with superbly polished, fine tannins that draw you down through the center of palate. Extremely layered and the texture is so curated, giving wonderful persistence. Real plushness and fine, velvety texture. 50% cabernet sauvignon, 37% cabernet franc, 7% petit verdot and 6% merlot."
98 Points Robert Parker: "Continuum's 2019 Proprietary Red is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Cabernet Franc, 7% Petit Verdot and 6% Merlot, all from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill. Aged in two-thirds new French oak, with the balance in second or third-use barrels and a single concrete amphora, it's remarkably dark in hue, a deep, saturated purple in the glass. On the nose, it's floral and herbal yet fruit-driven, with violets, sage and bay leaf adding nuance to black cherries, while the palate is full-bodied, plush and silky. There's an enticing yin-yang to the interplay between high-toned herbals and bass notes of dark chocolate in this dense, concentrated effort that finishes lush and long. It's a magnificent wine that should drink well for at least two decades."
..I was super-impressed with the wines I tasted from Continuum Estate, Tim Mondavi’s new venture on Pritchard Hill, not far from Chappellet and Bryant Family. Mondavi is gradually moving towards 100% estate fruit, but these early vintages include some fruit from vineyards in Oakville and Stags Leap. Continuum is distinguished by a fairly large presence of Cabernet Franc. This is one of the most exciting new properties in Napa Valley."
Brix26 Inside Scoop: After the sale of the Robert Mondavi winery, winemaker Tim Mondavi chose to focus on one wine and one varietal: Continuum is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from Continuum's Estate vineyard on Napa Valley's Pritchard Hill, one of the priciest Cabernet regions in all of California with neighbors like Colgin, Bryant Family and Chappellet. It's a beautiful site and judging from the Continuum 2013 Cabernet will be among Napa's most coveted collector wines.
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."
Corison 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 109.99
Cathy Corison makes one of our favorite "true" Napa Cabernets from great benchland vineyards between Rutherford and St. Helena. If you haven't tried her Corison Cabs yet do yourself a favor and discover them now.
97 Points Wine Enthusiast *Cellar Selection*: "This understated, elegant study in the variety opens in beguiling aromas of floral rose before opening into a finely made, structured and gracefully constructed wine that's fully in balance. Leather, black cherry and dark chocolate highlight a midpalate of finely polished, tamed tannin and integrated oak."
Cornerstone Cellars 2016 Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 59.99
A fantastic new discovery predominately sourced from both Oakville and Rutherford sub-AVA’s.
Cornerstone Cellars 2016 Benchlands Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from four outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard sites, each adding a unique personality. This wine highlights the complexity and diversity of winegrowing in the Napa Valley which is the secret to its silky textures and rich balance. From the vibrant sophistication and refined clarity of South Napa and Yountville which seamlessly blend with the bold, earthy aromatics and tannic structure of Oakville, to the muscular, dense and concentrated fruit of Howell Mountain.
Tasting Notes: "A gentle and harmonious wine exhibiting a fresh, vibrant nose, generously laced with rich red and black berry fruit, subtle barrel spices with a touch of savory dried herbs to add further nuance and complexity. A youthful, energetic, high-toned palate reveals a deep core of layered berry fruits, broadening further to uncover depth and velvety tannins that flow seamlessly, growing in volume as the wine flows to a lingering finish with a vibrantly balanced acidity. Drinking beautifully now with all its elegance and finesse this enthusiastic wine will grow and evolve and become even more delicious."
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot
Crocker & Starr 2018 Cabernet Franc Blend, Napa Valley
$ 54.99
95 Points
For years, Pam Starr (Crocker & Starr, Adastra) and Drew Neiman (previously assistant winemaker at Kongsgaard and Arietta) have been crafting exceptional wines under their own labels. Now they have joined together for the new release previously known as Bridesmaid.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving to the reds and another insane value, the Cabernet Franc A.V.A Red Blend checks in as 60% Cabernet Franc, 34% Merlot, and 6% Malbec that spent 22 months in 50% new barrels. Black cherries, savory earth, currants, and forest floor notes all flow to a medium to full-bodied, beautifully balanced, elegant red blend that should be snatched up by readers. It’s going to keep for over a decade."
Robert Parker: "This is a brilliant project putting together blends that are declassified from other wineries…These are impressively put together wines.”
© 2023 Brix26 Wines | San Francisco, CA 94103 | (415) 409-4295 | info@brix26.com
Legal Disclaimer
Title to, and ownership of, all wine passes from seller to buyer in the State of California, and buyer takes all responsibility for shipping the wine from California to his or her home state. By placing an order, buyer authorizes seller to act on buyer’s behalf in arranging for transportation of the wine at buyer’s direction. Alternatively, buyer may choose to pick up the wine at seller’s location, or make independent shipping arrangements. For all wine sales, sales tax will be applied based on the selling retailer’s location. Seller makes no representation as to the legal rights of anyone to ship or import any wines, alcoholic beverages or other goods into any state. The buyer is solely responsible for the shipment of wine and other goods purchased and for determining the legality and the tax/duty consequences of having the wine and other goods shipped to the applicable destination.
