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Cruse Wine Co. "Tradition Rosé" California Sparkling Wine
$ 69.99
Rare release from California's newcult spraklign wine producer. Limited.
The Cruse Wine Co. Tradition Rosé Sparkling Wine is 68% Pinot Noir approx 7% still Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay. The grapes were pressed using a traditional Champagne cycle and press cut. The vineyards were fermented separately in barrel with native yeasts, natural malolactic fermentation, and no sulfur added. In the late spring, the wines were blended and tirage bottled. After nearly two years on lees, the bottles were riddled and disgorged with 6 g/L dosage. Pressure: 5.5 bar. Sourced from several sites including Rorick Heritage Vineyard high in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Alder Springs from Mendocino County, Keefer Ranch in Sonoma, and a small amount of wine for Linda Vista in Napa
96 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Tradition Sparkling Rosé is a new cuvée from Cruse Wine Co. Made using the traditional method, it is composed of 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay from several vineyards including Rorick Heritage in Sierra Foothills, Alder Springs in Mendocino, Keefer Ranch in Sonoma and Linda Vista in Napa. "Vins clairs don't often taste great," notes winemaker Michael Cruse. "But the 2018 rosé tasted incredible from barrel." Cruse Wine Co.'s sparklings are technically non-vintage—you won't find the vintage listed on the label—but this first iteration is composed entirely of fruit from the 2018 vintage. Grapes were fermented in barrel and disgorged with six grams per liter dosage after two years on the lees. About 7% red wine was added to the blend to produce its medium cherry-pink color, and it has 5.5 bars of pressure. The nose offers a layered, singular perfume of warm peaches and strawberries, biscuit, spring butter and toast, expertly balancing ripe California fruit and savory autolytic character. Medium-bodied and dry, the palate is intense and savory, with biscuit-laced flavors and bright bursts of pure raspberry character. It has a fine, creamy texture, a long finish and loads of personality! 565 cases were made."
Michael Cruse might no longer be the new kid on the block but his wines are still the freshest around. The wines of Cruse Wine Co. are crushable homages to modern Californian cuisine and culture. Cruse helped revolutionize the image of what California wines can be and was one of the first proponents of a more balanced and delicate style. In 2016, he was recognized by the SF Chronicle and named Winemaker of the Year. Sadly, since the secret is out, his wines don’t stay on the shelves too long. Now is your chance to get your hands on some of the best locally made wines around that push the envelope! What makes Cruse wines a must for your wine rack is that these are wines made for the type of local and ethnically diverse food we’re actually eating, and for the outdoor park-chilling life we will one day get back to. These aren’t stodgy extracted Cabs and Chards of yesteryear that demand big hunks of meat or floods of butter and heavy cream. These are light, energetic wines that know how to move with the spice of a Baja fish taco and are down to take a bit of chill for a refreshing glass al fresco.
Custom Wine Club
$ 130.00
Monthly delivery our finest Collector selections delivered to you every month. For the true connoisseur.
Since we are located at the Crossroads of the California wine country, most of our selections are the best California wines we can find, but we will come across some great small-production wines from around the world to send you if we know you will love it.
Personalize your Club Membership: After signing up for the club, you will be contacted by one of our wine consultants to find out if there are any varietals you particularly enjoy or may not like to receive. We'll make a note of that in your profile and make sure to send you wines we think you will love.
All Wine Clubs are billed on a monthly basis and you may cancel at anytime.
Dancing Hares 2019 "Mad Hatter" Proprietary Red, Napa Valley
$ 49.99
New release from former Screaming Eagle winemaker Andy Erickson and an all-star team. Fantastic find!
previous vintage 94 Points Robert Parker: "The Proprietary Red Mad Hatter, 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot, is a big-time winner. It has a gorgeously deep ruby/purple color, a sweet kiss of licorice, blackcurrants, black cherries, camphor and incense. The wine is fragrant, with supple tannins, an opulent lushness and a total hedonistic and intellectual turn-on. Drink it over the next 10-12 years."
This fantastic blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot is another outstanding wine crafted by winemaker favorite, Andy Erickson, consulted by Michel Rolland and vineyard manager David Abreu. Paula Brooks and Bob Cook are the proprietors of Dancing Hares and the stewards of the land that so thoughtfully produces the significantly poised vines at the foot of Howell Mountain.
Darioush 2018 Signature Shiraz, Napa Valley
$ 79.99
Rare release of the famous Darioush Shiraz - limited. Crafted to showcase the remarkable dynamism, fruit complexity, structure and age-worthiness of this ancient varietal, Darioush Signature Shiraz continues to thrive in the cooler climate locales our estate vineyards in southern Napa Valley.
95 Points Wine Enthusiast: "Full-bodied and exuberant in lush tannins, this black Shiraz is concentrated and rich in hearty leather, espresso and black tea yet buoyed by lively acidity and beautiful streaks of black and white pepper. Enjoy now or through 2021."
Tasting Notes: The Darioush 2018 Signature Shiraz's fruit complexity broadens on the palate with blackberry jam and licorice deftly balanced with hints of baker’s cocoa, espresso and sweet oak. The wine’s exquisite sense of proportion connotes careful vinification techniques, and its supple tannins and lingering finish will reward extended cellaring.
Delamotte Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
$ 74.99
This is 100% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, rich, with a surprisingly delicate quality, round yet mineral. It features a rose-like nose with citrus and ginger, and in the mouth hints of biscuit and breadcrust. Fantastic with rich, creamy seafood dishes especially.
91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar: (made from fruit grown in the grand crus Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant and Avize): "Light, green-tinged gold. High-pitched lemon, lime, talc and quinine aromas show very good clarity. Very dry, but there's impressive heft and body to its juicy orchard fruit and bitter citrus zest flavors. The dry finish displays very good energy and mineral-driven persistence."
Diamond Creek 2018 Gravelly Meadow Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 284.99
Among the original Cult Cabernets, Diamond Creek continues to amaze in 2010 with a trio of wines that must be included in any serious collector's stash as one of the most ageable Cabs in California. Red Rock Terrace is a warm microclimate, 7 acres of north facing vineyard. The red tinted soil is high in iron content. The wine from Red Rock Terrace is the most accessible and earliest to be really drinkable of all Diamond Creek releases. This Cabernet boasts velvety tannins, rich and well balanced, medium dark ruby color with cherry, mint and black currant flavors.
97 Points Robert Parker: "The Diamond Creek 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is a blend of 78.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8.4% Merlot, 8% Malbec and 5.1% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, it slips effortlessly from the glass, singing of ripe black cherries, black raspberries and cassis, plus hints of red currants, roses, cinnamon stick and garrigue. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers lovely freshness, offering bags of perfumed black fruits in the mouth, beautifully supported by fine-grained tannins, finishing long with lots of soft-spoken floral and mineral whispers. This perfumed beauty wears the 2018 vintage stamp well, presenting a more delicate expression of this vineyard—one that I love! 647 cases were made."
"You couldn't script it much better, in terms of weather and climate," said Diamond Creek's new winemaker Graham Wehmeier, speaking about the 2018 vintage. "The only issue for a lot of winemakers in Napa Valley was tank space."
Dievole Petrignano Chianti Classico 2019
$ 26.00
Gambero Rosso - Best Red Wine of the Year (2023): "Our Red of the Year goes to an extremely elegant Chianti Classico, the Petrignano 2019 produced by Alejandro Bulgheroni's Dievole, a wine that literally enchanted us."
91 Points Wine Enthusiast: "Aromas of licorice, menthol and ripe dark-skinned berry carry over to the linear, savory palate along with orange zest before an almost salty finish. It's polished, with fine-grained tannins. Drink through 2028."
90 Points James Suckling: "A bright, easygoing CC with aromas and flavors of sour cherries and flowers. Barely medium-bodied with some racy, grapefruit freshness on the palate. Turns a little firm at the end, but remains bright and fresh. From organically grown grapes. Drink now."
The Chianti Classico Docg Petrignano was born from the desire to enhance the identity characteristics of particularly suitable vineyards, leading to always different expressions of Sangiovese. Petrignano, as the name suggests, is an area with highly stony and highly mineral soils, where there are outcrops of limestone rocks typical of the Geological Formation of Monte Morello.
Dolce 2013 Late Harvest (375ml half bottle)
$ 79.99
Napa Valley's Dolce Winery, owned by the folks at Far Niente, is the only winery in North America that is solely devoted to producing a single, late harvest wine. It is one of the few wineries in the world willing to make such a commitment, sharing a common philosophy with the great Sauternes producers of Bordeaux. 375ml "half bottle".
98 Points Wine Enthusiast: "With this wine, Dolce cements its status as California's most consistently great dessert wine. This year's blend is 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, and the grapes were infected with teh botrytis, resultikng in the fantastic sweetness. Devastating in apricot, orange, pear,honey, vanilla, and creme brulee flavors, in an unctuous, viscous texture, with wonderfully clean acidity, it's certainly one of the greatest sweet California wines in recent memory."
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.
Domaine des Bosquets 2017 Gigondas, France
$ 39.99
93 Points - Great New Discovery
A great new discovery from the Southern Rhone! One of the top wines of the vintage.
94 Points Wine Enthusiast "Editors Choice": "Traditional Rhône varieties like Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault are augmented by a small proportion of Petite Syrah in the Domaine des Bousquets Gigondas. Seductive on the nose, it offers perfumes of rose petal and crème de cassis accented by clove and thyme. Glossy blackberry flavor broods on the palate and finishes on ripe, velvety tannins. Lovely already, the wine should improve through 2030."
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Leading off the reds from this terrific estate, the Domaines des Bosquets 2017 Gigondas checks in as an unusual blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre, and the rest Cinsault that was brought up in a mix of vessels (the Grenache is in demi-muids, the Syrah in barrel) for 18 months. Its deep purple-tinged color is followed by a great bouquet of kirsch and black raspberry fruits intermixed with lots of spicy, peppery, and garrigue. It’s soft, sexy, and rounded on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness. Drink it over the coming decade or more."
Robert Parker: "...Owned by the Brechet family (of Chateau Vaudieu in Chateauneuf du Pape) Domaine des Bosquets covers 75 acres (65 of which are in Gigondas) and is run by the young, yet incredibly talented, Julien Brechet. Philippe Cambie also consults here, and while the style emphasizes fruit and texture, these never lose their southern Rhone style. This is an estate that needs to be on every reader’s radar!"
This 26 hectare estate is one of the top Domaines in Gigondas. The winemaker here is Laurent Brechet who displays the same attention to detail and emphasis on quality as he does for the wines he makes at Château de Vaudieu in Châteauneuf du Pape. Located at the south west of the appelation, the ‘Lieu Dit‘ lies on exceptional sandy soils which give the Grenache its fine tannins, airy flavours and wonderful acidity which balances its power so well.
Domaine des Bosquets 2018 Gigondas, France
Sold Out
Sorry we have sold out - but we do have a small amount of the 2017 vintage available while its lasts.
95 Points Robert Parker: "Smart money will be chasing the Bosquets 2018 Gigondas, which is nearly as stunning as the special cuvées this year. A blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, it boasts complex aromas of garrigue, cola, blood orange and raspberries. Full-bodied, silky-textured and long on the finish, it should drink well on release and for at least a decade thereafter...The wines emanating from this meticulously run estate must now be considered at or near the very top of the heap within Gigondas. This is an estate that needs to be on every reader’s radar!"
95 Points Decanter: "The original blended Domaine des Bosquets Gigondas is now available in two cuvées: Font des Bosquets (young vines, shorter ageing, no oak) and Réserve (older vines, 14 plots vinified separately including fruit from the top single vineyard sites, maturation in different types of oak for 18 months depending on the variety). The result is an extraordinary exercise in elegance, beautifully silky tannins and deeply vinous fruit. This is long, shapely and tapered with depth, freshness, elegance, and a seamless character. It's quite an expressive, almost showy wine, but it will be excellent when it's ready. Not as strongly characterful as each of the single vineyard expressions, but better balanced, and more quintessentially Gigondas. In organic conversion."
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Leading off the 2018s from bottle, the Domaine des Bosquets 2018 Gigondas Réserve is a mix of Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah, and can be thought of as the classic cuvée of the domaine. It’s beautifully done and shows the style of the domaine in its full-bodied, rich, yet also elegant profile. Offering a mix of red and black fruits, herbes de Provence, peppery garrigue, and flowers, this beauty is flawlessly balanced, has a round, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and just tons of character. Drink this little gem anytime over the coming decade."
This 26 hectare estate is one of the top Domaines in Gigondas. The winemaker here is Laurent Brechet who displays the same attention to detail and emphasis on quality as he does for the wines he makes at Château de Vaudieu in Châteauneuf du Pape. Located at the south west of the appelation, the ‘Lieu Dit‘ lies on exceptional sandy soils which give the Grenache its fine tannins, airy flavours and wonderful acidity which balances its power so well.
Domaine Drouhin 2019 Pinot Noir "Laurène" Dundee Hills, Oregon
$ 74.99
96 Points
One of Oregon's top Pinot Noirs from Domaine Drouhin, the Laurène is always limited.
Named after Véronique Boss-Drouhin’s elder daughter, Laurène is our flagship wine and is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown on the family’s estate in the Dundee Hills. The fruit is handpicked into small totes, destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and then placed into French Oak barrels. Once the vintage is safely in the cellar, Véronique begins the process of selecting barrels which have an extra complexity, length, and depth — barrels which will work together as Laurène.
In many ways, the 2019 Laurène embodies what we love most about wines from the Dundee Hills. Offering beautiful clarity and a garnet color on approach, the aromatics brim with notes of dried red cherry, spice, wild herbs, earth, and subtle oak. Characteristically elegant, the wine evolves on the palate, moving seamlessly from its pomegranate welcome into its detailed lines of clove, white pepper, and cranberry. As always, cellaring the Laurène over the next 5-15 years will be well rewarded.
Domaine du Grapillon d'Or 2018 Gigondas 1806, France
$ 36.99
Small production beauty from the Southern Rhone not to miss - very little makes it to the US!
Domaine Du Grapillon D'or 2018 is an 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah red wine blend from the Gigondas wine region sourced from both old and youthful vines.
92 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Kirsch, blackberries, ground pepper, saddle leather, and floral notes all emerge from the Grapillon d'Or 2018 Gigondas Cuvée 1806, a medium to full-bodied, supple, incredibly Provençal Gigondas that's already drinking brilliantly. I don't think it's going to be the longest-lived vintage of this cuvée, yet its beautifully balanced and will certainly shine for another 8-10 years.
91 Points Robert Parker: "As noted during my visit to the estate last year, there is no separate Excellence bottling this vintage, so the 2018 Gigondas includes the fruit from those old vines. It's slightly less concentrated than the 2019 or previous vintages, but don't discount it because it's more approachable and less of a long-term proposition—it's still a solid effort, with attractive spice and herb notes layered over ripe, silky fruit that recalls raspberries and blackberries, finishing fresh and vibrant."
Le Domaine du Grapillon d’Or evokes an authentic and beautiful family history. Created in 1806, the property has always remained in the hands of the Chauvet family. In 1893, the Chauvet family received the first gold medal at the Concours Général Agricole in Paris. This wine has a brilliant deep ruby red color with intense aromas of red fruits, pepper, spice and licorice. It’s a full bodied and powerful wine, well balanced soft tannins with a very long finish. It’s a rich and elegant wine.
Domaine du Vieux-Télégraphe 2019 Chateauneuf-du-Pape "La Crau", France
$ 104.99
96 Points
The Domaine du Vieuxe Télégraphe 'La Crau' is one of the iconic, classic red Chateauneuf-du-Papes. The best vintages will age for 25 years and more. It is a dark fruited, brooding, and iron rich red, full of aromatic garrigue and red-fruited freshness. This famous wine will not last long.
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Looking at the flagship 2019 Châteauneuf Du Pape from this benchmark estate, it reveals a denser ruby/purple color as well as stunning notes of smoked red and black fruits, crushed rocks, peppery garrigue, and truffly earth. Hitting the palate with full-bodied richness, it stays tight and compact on the palate, with terrific mid-palate depth, a focused, structured mouthfeel, and one great finish. This is a brilliant Châteauneuf du Pape from the Brunier family that’s going to benefit from upwards of 5-7 years of bottle age and have 30+ years of overall longevity."
96+ Points Robert Parker: "The 2019 Chateauneuf du Pape La Crau is a hugely successful vintage, marked by scents of sun-warmed stones, garrigue, black cherries and black olives. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, it finishes with tremendous length and softly dusty tannins, which should help ensure a long, positive evolution."
Domaine Grand Veneur 2019 Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge Vielles Vignes
$ 134.99
99 Points
A great new discovery from Chateauneuf-du-Pape. One of the best wines of the great 2019 vintage from Domaine Grand Veneur.
99 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Grand Veneur Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is based on 45% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with the balance Syrah, all destemmed and raised in 55% new French oak. Gorgeous cassis, violet, graphite, fruitcake, and peppery herbs define this brilliant effort, and it's full-bodied, with a pure, seamless texture, wonderful tannins, and one heck of a great finish. This magical 2019 is going to benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age (it's brilliant even today) yet keep for 20 years or more. Châteauneuf du Pape lovers need to have this in their cellar!"
95 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): 'A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red/blue fruits, vanilla and candied flowers, along with Moroccan spice and smoky mineral nuances. Sweet and pliant in the mouth, offering assertive Chambord, boysenberry, lavender and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily through the back half. Plush tannins come in slowly, adding shape to a very long, blue-fruit- and floral-dominated finish."
Located in the Orange commune of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the Jaume family has been dedicated to the art of wine growing since 1826. Since 1979, the domaine has been run by 5th generation Alain Jaume, who is now helped by his children Christophe, Sébastien, and Hélène. The 225-acre estate covers several AOCs and 13 grape types. The Grand Veneur and Clos de Sixte vineyards are certified organic. Plots are located in the northern part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where the soil is marked by the violence wrought by the Rhône River. It consists of a layer of marine morass of the Miocene period covered by alpine alluvium. The presence of a great number of rounded stones known as "galets" in the earth is evidence of the time when the Rhône, then a torrent, tore fragments of rock from the Alps and deposited them on the plain.
Domaine Jerome Gradassi 2018 Chateauneuf -du-Pape
$ 54.99
An exclusive Chateauneuf-du-Pape that is one of our favorite discoveries from the Rhone Valley. Tiny producer, great price and delicious bottle of wine make this a real winner.
The new Jerome Gradassi Chateauneuf du Pape 2018 was rated by the Revue du Vin de France (France’s most respected wine publication) as one of the 4 best Châteauneuf du Pape of the vintage – alongside Rayas, Capo de Pegau and Clos du Mont Olivet (at a price far less than those)!
We continue to hunt in the Rhône Valley for exciting emerging talent, and in Jérôme Gradassi we have struck the jackpot. Jérôme, 50 years old, was the boss and chef of a Michelin starred restaurant, L’Isle Sonnant in Avignon, until he sold it in 2003 to take up a mere 3½ hectares of vines left to him by his grandfather. In the cellar it’s all very traditional - into old stone tanks for the vinification, then a short ageing in old barrels. 75% Grenache. Scented, perfumed - very herbal and sweet on the nose - and with well-integrated fruits with a hint of cumin and white pepper. Much more accessible than most young Châteauneufs. This has the freshness of the vintage and is really a very accessible example. No rough edges. This has come on very nicely in bottle. Well done!
Domaine Serene 2018 Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
$ 59.99
One of Oregon's most coveted producers of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley's rare Reserve Pinot Noir.
This cuvée is billed as the "little sister" to the winery's Evenstad Reserve. Yamhill Cuvée has an aroma profile that consists of red fruits, minerals, spice, earth, and hint of French Oak. The palate offers youthful tannins and balanced acidity which lead to a smooth and graceful finish. It is approachable in its youth, while maintaining the elegance and finesse of a Domaine Serene Pinot Noir.
93 Points James Suckling: "The Domaine Serene 2018 Yamhill Cuvee Pinot Noir has innately complex style with a spicy edge and plenty of rich red-cherry aromas as well as earthy tones and forest wood. Some sappy undergrowth, too. The palate has neatly articulated tannins and flavors that run to quite deep, darker-fruit tones. Rich finish. This is convincing. Drink or hold."
91 Points Wine Spectator: "A lively, lithe and inviting red, offering an array of red fruit, floral and spice overtones that come together on the focused and deftly balanced finish. Drink now through 2028."
Domaine Serene 2019 "Evenstad Reserve" Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
$ 94.99
96 Points
One of Oregon's most coveted producers of Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley's rare Reserve Pinot Noir.
96 Points James Suckling: "So much spice is the first impression here, this blended expression is well established as a powerful and complex style of pinot. Fresh red-cherry, potpourri, orange-peel, dried-flower, pomegranate and red and dark-cherry aromas, to name a few. The palate has such concentrated and layered style with dense red-cherry, blueberry and black-cherry flavors, delivered in a seamless build that holds so long. Impressive quality here. Drink or hold."
94 Points Wine Spectator: "The Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir is a deep, brooding Pinot that slowly unfolds with expressive black cherry, dusty mocha, clove and other spice flavors that fan out on the long, savory finish. Drink now through 2030"
Wine Enthusiast: "Dark, full, generous and ripe to the far edge of elegance, the Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir is a powerful Pinot is saturated with black fruits, annoted with fennel, pepper, smoke and espresso, the rich and varied flavors rolling right through a lush midpalate and on into a gently fading finish. Retasted over 24-48 hours, it continued to evolve and develop additional nuances. A wine that can develop like a fine Burgundy to cellar for a decade or more."
Domaines Ott 2020 Chateau de Selle Rosé, France
$ 54.99 $ 55.00
96 pts
Domaines Ott is the king of French rosés. This is the wine The New York Times dubbed "the summer drink to be seen with!" Order while supplies last.
96 Points Wine & Spirits: "In the world of wine, rosé has it easy: If it’s pink and pretty, it’s already on its way to being well accepted. Rarely does a rosé jump out of the glass and demand attention. But this one seems to have packaged up a Mediterranean breeze along with the scents of strawberries and garrigue, unleashing it with every sip. Today, cousins Christian and Jean- François Ott tend the vines, working with the backing of parent company Louis Roederer, which funded the building of a new winery at the estate in 2017, designed by Carl Fredrik Svenstedt. All those elements came together in a rosé that channels the place it’s grown in an elegant and understated way, yet with a persistence that speaks to its structure and strength. Impressive now, this will be even better with a year or two in bottle."
Hand-picking, extremely selective sorting and delicate pressing of the grapes, and finally maturing in oak barrels, are just some of the reasons why Domaine Ott Rose has a reputation of being "the finest rose in the world." The 2019 Chateau de Selle is a delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Cinsault. Domaines Ott's winery is located on a former dwelling of the Counts of Provence, a superb 18th century country house in Provence. The surrounding estate, entirely carved into the rocky land by Marcel Ott, his children and grandchildren, has been remodelled and replanted several times over.
Domaines Ott 2020 Chateau Romassan Rosé, France
$ 49.99 $ 52.00
Domaines Ott is the king of French rosés. This is the wine The New York Times dubbed "the summer drink to be seen with!" Limited release of the 2020 Chateau Romassan rosé.
Hand-picking, extremely selective sorting and delicate pressing of the grapes, and finally maturing in oak barrels, are just some of the reasons why Domaine Ott 2020 Chateau Romassan Rosé has a reputation of being "the finest rose in the world." A delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Cinsault. Domaines Ott's winery is located on a former dwelling of the Counts of Provence, a superb 18th century country house in Provence. The surrounding estate, entirely carved into the rocky land by Marcel Ott, his children and grandchildren, has been remodelled and replanted several times over.
Domaines Ott 2021 "Etoile" Rosé, France
$ 179.99
Domaines Ott is the king of French rosés. The "Etoile" Is an exytremely limited reserve bottling available for a short time only.
Étoile is a rare wine that combines the very best of the three Domaines Ott properties in Provence. This blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Mourvedre is very Ott in style yet with its own unique perfection, its own distinctive character. It explores an unexpected and exciting side of Provence. The fruit is explosive, honest, bright and true to the Ott signature style, yet it pushes the aromatic depth further with its exquisite body and mouthfeel. The subtle signs of ageing integrate smoothly into the intensity of the fruit, with its fresh, crunchy notes, subtle salinity and perfect balance. Richness and power strike a new balance, united by their intensity, freshness and seductive opulence.
Hand-picking, extremely selective sorting and delicate pressing of the grapes, and finally maturing in oak barrels, are just some of the reasons why Domaine Ott Rose has a reputation of being "the finest rose in the world." The 2019 Chateau de Selle is a delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Cinsault. Domaines Ott's winery is located on a former dwelling of the Counts of Provence, a superb 18th century country house in Provence. The surrounding estate, entirely carved into the rocky land by Marcel Ott, his children and grandchildren, has been remodelled and replanted several times over.
Domaines Ott 2021 Chateau de Selle Rosé, France
$ 54.99
96 pts
Domaines Ott is the king of French rosés. This is the wine The New York Times dubbed "the summer drink to be seen with!" Order while supplies last.
96 Points Wine & Spirits: "In the world of wine, rosé has it easy: If it’s pink and pretty, it’s already on its way to being well accepted. Rarely does a rosé jump out of the glass and demand attention. But this one seems to have packaged up a Mediterranean breeze along with the scents of strawberries and garrigue, unleashing it with every sip. Today, cousins Christian and Jean- François Ott tend the vines, working with the backing of parent company Louis Roederer, which funded the building of a new winery at the estate in 2017, designed by Carl Fredrik Svenstedt. All those elements came together in a rosé that channels the place it’s grown in an elegant and understated way, yet with a persistence that speaks to its structure and strength. Impressive now, this will be even better with a year or two in bottle."
Hand-picking, extremely selective sorting and delicate pressing of the grapes, and finally maturing in oak barrels, are just some of the reasons why Domaine Ott Rose has a reputation of being "the finest rose in the world." The Chateau de Selle is a delicious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Cinsault. Domaines Ott's winery is located on a former dwelling of the Counts of Provence, a superb 18th century country house in Provence. The surrounding estate, entirely carved into the rocky land by Marcel Ott, his children and grandchildren, has been remodelled and replanted several times over.
Donum 2019 Estate Pinot Noir, Carneros
$ 69.99
93 Points - limited
Limited new release from one of California's hottest Pinot producers!
Anne Moller Racke planned and planted Donum's Russian River vineyard in the mid-1990s and has farmed the property ever since. The Donum Estate Pinot Noir Carneros is always a best barrel selection from the less vigorous blocks which consistently show something special.
93 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "From the southern end of Napa Valley in the cooler Carneros AVA, the Donum Pinot Noir Carneros Estate is a blend of both younger and older vines and spent 16 months in 55% new French oak. It’s another classic, balanced wine from this estate and has a beautiful array of spice, forest floor, black cherries, and black raspberries on the nose. Fully destemmed, it shines for its purity of fruit and overall classic style. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years."
Dutton-Goldfield 2017 Rued Vineyard Chardonnay
$ 59.99
95 Points - Limited
New release of one of our favorite Russian River Chardonnays!
95 Points Wine Enthusiast: "Rued Ranch consistently is the winery's top bottling. Like its predecessors, is modest in alcohol but vast in citrus, tropical fruit, honeysuckle and mineral flavors, and enriched with smoky oak and buttery notes. It has a delicate mouthfeel that makes it a joy to savor." Only 571 cases produced.
96 points/Gold ~ North Coast Wine Competition
Warren Dutton planted this Chardonnay vineyard on an east-facing hillside west of the town of Graton in 1969. The clone planted in the vineyard, which produces exceptionally exotic, highly identifiable fruit, has since been propagated across California and is now referred to as the "Rued Clone." This vineyard's old vines produce clusters with tiny golden translucent berries with incredibly enticing flavors, floral aromatics and tropical freshness.
Dutton-Goldfield 2019 Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
$ 42.00
Fantastic new Pinot from Sonoma's famed Dutton Ranch! After working closely together as winemaker and grape grower since 1990, Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield merged their talents to create Dutton-Goldfield Winery in 1998. Their mission is to produce vineyard-designated Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their home in the western Russian River Valley. The wines express the unique qualities of fruit from hand-selected vineyards and the work of an appreciative winemaker, and this brand new release certainly showcases that.
The Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir has deep black fruit character, while the nose greets you with lilacs, followed by black cherry, dark chocolate and a streak of blueberry. In the mouth, the black cherry dominates the core of sweetness, complemented by black tea, raspberry and fine-grained tannins. The richness of the wine makes it a perfect match for foie gras, glazed duck, barbecued shrimp, eggplant parmesan and Jarlsberg and Asiago cheeses.
Eisele Vineyard 2019 'Altagracia' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 169.99
97 points
Limited new Altagracia Red from cult producer Eisele Vineyard One of Napa Valley's cult producers this is always a limited release.
previous vintage 97 Points James Suckling: "Intense aromas of black fruit, cocoa powder, black olives, dried violets, tar and cigar box. Some black peppercorn, too. It’s full-bodied with firm, chalky tannins. Incredible intensity and purity of fruit with gorgeous breadth and depth. Superb, new-wave Napa red. 80% cabernet sauvignon, the rest mostly Cabernet Franc with a hit of Petit Verdot."
95+ points Robert Parker: "Deep purple-black colored, the Eisele Vineyard 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Altagracia comes bounding out of the glass with sit-up-and-beg notes of macerated black cherries, kirsch and boysenberries, giving way to fresh blackcurrants, menthol and crushed rocks with a waft of wild sage. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with rambunctious red and black fruit characters, framed by fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and vibrant....
...2019 is the 21st release of Altagracia. While the blend has evolved over the years, the 2019 vintage is a prime example of the "new" Altagracia, now representing the Eastern blocks of Eisele Vineyard (86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot). Reflecting a long and mild growing season, the wine is very refined and clearly built to age. This famous estate tucked away in northeastern Napa Valley in the foothills of the Vaca Mountains is now fully controlled, in both a viticultural and winemaking standpoint, by Château Latour’s François Pinault and his general manager Frédéric Engerer. The new releases include their second wine, the Altagracia."
Evening Land 2021 Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills
$ 42.00
94 Points - limited
The Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills. One of the top rated Pinots from Oregon.
94 Points Wine Spectator "Highly Recommended": "Elegant and refined in structure, this opens with vibrant rose petal and raspberry scents and leads to intriguing layers of black cherry, crushed stone and savory spice. Finishes with fine-grained tannins."
92 Points Robert Parker: " Medium ruby-purple, the Evening Land Pinot Noir Seven Springs Estate has aromas of crunchy cranberries, raspberries and blackberries with accents of fragrant earth, violets, peppercorn, saline and bitters. Medium-bodied and silky, it offers loads of ripe fruits tempered by earthy accents, with grainy tannins and sip-me-again acidity, finishing long. Grapes for this cuvée were mostly destemmed and come from both older and younger vines."
Failla 2019 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
$ 34.99
New Chardonnay release from the private label of Ehren Jordan, Turley's longtime winemaker. Limited.
The final blend of Failla's Sonoma Coast Chardonnay is composed of fruit from Keefer Ranch and the Floodgate Vineyard. The young vine block from the cooler Keefer Ranch site gives the wine blend verve and freshness while the Floodgate Vineyard adds depth and richness. Both vineyards are planted from the Dijon Clone 95 the "Old Wente" selection, which makes some of California's best Chardonnays. It posseses a layered texture accenting the wines natural fruit, minerality and floral character. A small-production gem to snap up while its available.
Failla 2019 Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills
$ 62.00
97 Points
New Pinot Noir release from the private label of Ehren Jordan, Turley's longtime winemaker. Limited.
97 Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard is a real head-turner. Deep, pliant and explosive, the 2019 possesses off the charts intensity and tons of pure character. Blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, spice, licorice and mocha infuse the 2019 with so much dimension. This is one of the most extroverted Pinots I have tasted from Ehren Jordan's Oregon range. Wow."
Failla 2021 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
$ 38.00
New Pinot Noir release from the private label of Ehren Jordan, Turley's longtime winemaker. Limited.
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The Failla Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is a fabulous wine at this level. Sweet spices, rose petal, mint and succulent cherry/plum notes all lift from the glass. Supple and beautifully layered throughout, the Sonoma Coast hits all the right notes. A final burst of fruit rushes across the palate on the refreshing, inviting wine. There is so much to like."
A juicy, bold and beautiful Pinot Noir from the SF Chronicle's 2008 Winemaker of the Year. The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is Failla's blend of young-vine blocks from their multiple Sonoma Coast appellation sources, but mostly from the famed Keefer Ranch vineyard. Only 500 cases produced.
Far Mountain 2019 Myrna Chardonnay, Sonoma Valley
$ 54.99
A fantastic debut vintage for newcomer Far Mountain.
94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Lemon oil, white flowers, chalk and mint give the 2019 a brilliant upper register that almost comes as a surprise once the wine shows its superb depth and persist ence. This highly expressive, nuanced Chardonnay has a lot going on and plenty to offer.”
94 Points Wine Enthusiast: "High-toned and floral, this wine offers a generous mouthfeel of salty oak, mineral and wet stone. The elegant fruit profile combines pear, apple and Meyer lemon with ease, complementing the body weight with ample acidity."
94 Points James Suckling: "A polished, minerally chardonnay with sliced apple, lemon rind and some stone and flint. Laurel and other herbs, too. It’s medium-to full-bodied with a creamy texture and balance. Phenolic texture. Lively and stony. From mountain vineyards in Sonoma and Mount Veeder. Nice debut wine. Drink or hold."
Far Mountain is based on the belief that some of the greatest potential for wine in California – and anywhere in the world – exists in remote pockets in the mountains of the Sonoma Valley. The growers the winery works with have taken decades of risks in both planting their vineyards and the farming choices they make today. The winery’s work is to channel the drama of these surroundings into wines that dazzle with energy and stand out immediately. Wines that bring a sheer pleasure in their flavors and textures, as well as unfold slowly, with never ending detail and fascination. It is a specific vision, literally chiseled by the landscape.
Faust 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 54.99
New Cab from Quintessa
The Faust vineyard is in the new Coombsville AVA, Napa Valley's newest appellation in the eastern hills. Agustin Huneeus, who created Quintessa, sources grapes from his Rutherford estate as well for this lush Cab.
95 Points James Suckling: "Blackberry, blackcurrant, graphite and tar aromas. Crushed stone, too. Full-bodied, yet firm, fresh and bright with a creamy, crunchy finish. One of the best values in Napa appellation designated reds."
95 Points Brix26: "Sophisticated and supple. Yes, the second label from Quintessa has done it yet again. The Faust Cabernet is pure and straightforward. Black currant, cassis and blackberry fruit on the nose, with just a wisp of toast. Fresh minerals and finely integrated tannins make this Napa classic very drinkable now or easily cellarable for the next 5+ years or so. One of the best 2018 cabs we've found at this price."
Behind every great wine stands a passionate vintner. Faust Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is the creation of Agustin Huneeus and it continues to satisfy his long held desire to produce a wine that embodies the most seductive characteristics of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fel 2019 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
$ 42.99
When Cliff Lede purchased the highly-regarded Breggo winery in Anderson Valley the name became Fel but the quality of the Pinot has stayed high. A great newcomer to try.
The FEL Anderson Valley Pinot Noir is packed with the hallmark aromatics of Anderson Valley Pinot – black cherry, wild mint and thyme, pomegranate, and cola. The mouth is rich with more dark flavors of black cherry, plum, licorice root, and fennel. True to its cool climate origins, the mouth feel is defined by the refreshing acidity that keeps the wine bright and elegant.
The grapes for the Fel 2019 Pinot Noir were sourced from some of the premier vineyards in the Anderson Valley, including the expressive Ferrington and Wendling vineyards, located at opposite ends of the valley, as well as our benchmark estate Savoy Vineyard. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir, made of a blend of select clones including Pommard, Mt. Eden, Martini and Dijon.
Fleur de Miraval ER2 Exclusivement Rosé Champagne
$ 349.99
Second release from the exclusive new rosé Champagne from Chateau Miraval owned by Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie and the legendary Pierre Peters in Champagne.
94 Points Wine Spectator: "A pale rosé Champagne lightly copper in color with an appealing nose of ripe fruit and spice. Lightly mouthwatering and satin-like on the palate a harmonious version that layers ripe notes of white cherry blood orange sorbet and nectarine with savory accents of salted almond oyster shell and saffron. Not a powerhouse but finely-detailed throughout and long on the well-cut finish. Drink now through 2028."
Champagne Fleur de Miraval is the first Champagne house dedicated exclusively to the production of Rosé. This project, five years in the making, is a collaboration between three families: iconic winemaking families Champagne Pierre Péters, in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Famille Perrin of Château de Beaucastel in the Rhône valley and Château de Miraval owners, the Jolie-Pitt family. Fleur de Miraval is singular in both its ethos — exclusively Rosé — and production. The house, located in Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, focuses solely on the Côte des Blancs. This first edition is 75% Grand Cru Chardonnay, from Cramant, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil, blended with 25% Pinot Noir from Vertus 1er Cru, made in the saignée method. The Chardonnay comes from a perpetual cuvée started in 2007, a system that winemaker Rodolphe Péters has perfected at his family Domaine.
Forman 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 115.00
96+ Points
One of the top-scoring Cabernets of the stellar 2016 vintage from Forman - limited.
96+ Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Forman's 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon offers notable, depth and structure. Today, the 2016 comes across as quite dark and brooding, but it was also racked about three weeks before this tasting, so that might partly explain the wine's showing today. Even so, the 2016 looks promising.. Best of all, Forman's Cabernet is probably the single greatest value in Napa Valley Cabernet."
Robert Parker: "Ric Forman is arguably Napa Valley’s first superstar winemaker. Although sometimes overlooked today, there is little question Forman has had a profound influence on a number of younger winemakers who still speak of him with great reverence. In 2012 Forman celebrated his 46th harvest. Today, Forman counts on the assistance of his son Toby, in running this small, family-owned jewel of an estate. As for the wines, they are superb, but, best of all, remain realistically priced for the consumer who wants to drink top-flight Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon without having to take out a second mortgage. Forman’s Cabernet is one of the classic masterpieces of Napa Valley, even if recent vintages come across as a bit riper than the norm. Still, it is impossible to go wrong with any of these wines."
Forman 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 114.99
96+ Points
One of the top-scoring Cabernets of the stellar 2016 vintage from Forman - limited.
96+ Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is silky and elegant, with lovely aromatic presence and impeccable balance. Sweet tobacco, cedar, dried flowers and mint all give this mid-weight Cabernet lovely complexity and nuance. The 2018 has shut down since I tasted it last year, but that is not surprising given the style here. Today, bright acids give the 2018 energy, tension and a good deal of precision. Those qualities should help the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon age well over the coming decades. Best of all, Forman's Cabernet is probably the single greatest value in Napa Valley Cabernet."
Robert Parker: "Ric Forman is arguably Napa Valley’s first superstar winemaker. Although sometimes overlooked today, there is little question Forman has had a profound influence on a number of younger winemakers who still speak of him with great reverence. In 2012 Forman celebrated his 46th harvest. Today, Forman counts on the assistance of his son Toby, in running this small, family-owned jewel of an estate. As for the wines, they are superb, but, best of all, remain realistically priced for the consumer who wants to drink top-flight Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon without having to take out a second mortgage. Forman’s Cabernet is one of the classic masterpieces of Napa Valley, even if recent vintages come across as a bit riper than the norm. Still, it is impossible to go wrong with any of these wines."
Foxen 2018 Bien Nacido Block 8 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
$ 74.99
98 Points
Beautiful New Pinot Noir release from Foxen - limited.
98 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This is stunningly delicious, structurally complex and layered in aromas and flavors that continue to evolve. Sultry baked-black raspberry, chai cream and purple flowers invite the nose while the palate's Luxardo cherry, lilac candy, tarragon and charred meat elements achieve attention-grabbing harmony." (Jul 2022).
95 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Foxen's 2018 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 is fabulous. Bright red/purplish fruit, lavender, rose petal mint and savory herbs literally jump out of the glass. The 2018 is deep, intense and full of character. All the elements meld together effortlessly in a sumptuous vibrant Pinot Noir from one of Santa Barbara's top sites."
94+ Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Foxen 2018 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 offers a more modern style nose with plenty of oak as well as ripe black fruits, licorice, smoked earth, and lots of minerality. The oak fades into the background on the palate, and this medium to full-bodied beauty has a powerful, concentrated mouthfeel, plenty of tannins, and a great finish. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age, but it’s a brilliant wine."
Robert Parker: ..I continue to be blown away by this estate, which is run by Dick Dore and Bill Wathen, with Bill taking the helm of the winemaking and viticulture. This terrific estate deserves more attention in the market!
Exclusively planted for Foxen in 1996 by Bien Nacido Vineyard, the eleven-acre Block 8 sits on the highest point and one of the steepest sections of this Santa Maria Bench vineyard. Upon harvest, the grapes are whole-berry destemmed into small, open-top fermenters as individual clonal lots, where they see a 2-day maceration. The wine ages for 16 months in French oak, of which 44% is new. The wine is bottled within fining or filtration. Alcohol By Volume: 14.2%
Foxen 2019 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
$ 69.99
95 Points
Beautiful New Pinot Noir release from Foxen - limited.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Foxen 2019 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is more elegant and finesse-driven, with a beautiful perfume of framboise, wild strawberries, violets, and sappy flowers. All about red fruits and flowers, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a seamless, flawlessly balanced mouthfeel, good acidity, and just a hint of classic Santa Maria salinity on the finish. Aged 16 months in 21% new French oak, this brilliant Pinot Noir is up with the crème de la crème in the vintage."
...I continue to be blown away by this estate, which is run by Dick Dore and Bill Wathen, with Bill taking the helm of the winemaking and viticulture. Their 2013 Pinot Noirs were standouts in my Santa Barbara Tasting, and their 2013 Rhone Blends, after struggling in ’11 and ’12, look to be back on track with beautiful richness and texture. However, I found most of the 2012 Bordeaux blends to be mid-weight and geared for early consumption. Nevertheless, this terrific estate deserves more attention in the market!
Freemark Abbey 2015 "Bosche Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 159.99
97 points Parker - limited
New Reserve Cabernet release from Freemark Abbey. Limited.
97 Points Robert Parker: "Blended of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Merlot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Bosche Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color and is scented of earthy nuances of truffles, dusty soil and underbrush with a core of crème de cassis, black cherry compote and blueberry pie plus hints of camphor and scorched earth. Full, concentrated, rich and densely packed with loads of earth and black fruit layers, it has a firm, ripe, grainy frame and oodles of freshness, finishing long."
...Freemark Abbey remains one of the legendary Napa Valley wineries. In spite of what many feared when it was acquired by the Jackson family of Kendall-Jackson, things have only gotten stronger and more consistent under their leadership, with the continuation of chief winemaker Ted Edwards. Since I have been tasting these wines over the last few years, this has been a consistent producer of high quality wines in both red and white. They have added a couple of new cuvées to the portfolio, but are still well-known for their non-malolactic style of Chardonnay."
Frog's Leap 2017 Rutherford Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 59.99
95 points
Frog's Leap Rutherford Cab comes entirely from estate-grown fruit. A blend of 92% Cab and 8% Cab Franc from the near-perfect 2017 vintage.
95 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is such a gorgeous wine. In 2017, the Frog's Leap Cabernet has a bit more depth and richness, as it often does in warmer years. Cedar, tobacco, mint and sweet red cherry are all pushed forward in a succulent Cabernet with tons of character that still retains its super-classic, mid-weight feel. Time in the glass brings out the wine's aromatic nuance and silkiness. The Frog's Leap Cabernet remains an under the radar gem in today's Napa Valley."
This Cabernet Sauvignon has all the hallmarks of the legendary Cabernets of Rutherford: the deep, cassis-currant aromas, the classic notes of 'Rutherford Dust,' and the earthen flavors of cedar and black olive. The mouthfeel is plush across the palate with velvety tannins, yet balanced by bright acidity and firm structure that hints at promising years to come. Pair it with rack of lamb, N.Y. Strip, or just another glass! This wine is destined to give decades of drinking pleasure."
Gamba 2019 MCM Old Vines Estate Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 49.99
New release of one of our favorite boutique California Zins! Only 650 cases produced, get this up-and-coming Cult Zin before its gone.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming all from the estate in the Russian River valley and all old vine Zinfandel, the Gamba Zinfandel Estate MCM is deeply hued with a beautiful bouquet of blueberries, wild strawberries, cedary spice, orange blossom, and exotic flowers. It’s beautifully balanced, has silky tannins, and just does everything right. It’s a rich, medium to full-bodied Zinfandel yet stays balanced and light on its feet. It’s a beauty.”"
Robert Parker: "These are pretty serious Zinfandels and certainly Gamba’s name is going to have to be included with some of the stars of Sonoma, such as Hartford Court, Carlisle, Bedrock and even the superstar Turley over in Napa."
If you love the BIG Zin style made famous by wineries such as Turley, Rosenblum and Ridge, you owe it to yourself to get on the Gamba Zinfandel bandwagon.
Gamba 2020 Old Vine Starr Road Ranch Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
$ 48.00
New release of one of our favorite boutique California Zins! Only 650 cases produced, get this up-and-coming Cult Zin before its gone.
previous vintage 96 Points Robert Parker: "The Zinfandel Starr Road Ranch Old Vine comes from a vineyard planted in 1920. A glorious level of licorice, black raspberry, blackberry, and cassis soars from the glass of this wine that wants to suggest old-vine material from a Mediterranean vineyard – but this is Russian River. Full-bodied, opulent, unctuous and a total decadent, hedonistic and intellectual turn-on, this wine should continue to offer great drinking for at least a decade....These are pretty serious Zinfandels and certainly Gamba’s name is going to have to be included with some of the stars of Sonoma, such as Hartford Court, Carlisle, Bedrock and even the superstar Turley over in Napa."
If you love the BIG Zin style made famous by wineries such as Turley, Rosenblum and Ridge, you owe it to yourself to get on the Gamba Zinfandel bandwagon.
Gemstone 2018 'Alluvial Selection' Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 149.99
Fantastic new release from superstar winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. Limited.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Alluvial Selection is terrific. A ripe, full-bodied, yet seamless profile as well as loads of classic Cabernet cassis and blue fruits, notes of spice and cedar notes, and silky tannins all define this beauty. Made in a pure, elegant, yet soft and fleshy style, it's already drinking nicely, and I see no need to delay gratification, although It certainly has 10-15 years of longevity ahead of it."
Green & Red 2015 Tip Top Vineyard Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 33.99
This great under the radar Red Zinfandel from Green & Red in Napa Valley is a beauty. Highly recommended.
Green & Red Vineyard, named for its red iron soils veined with green serpentine, is located in the steep hills on the east side of Napa Valley. The planting was started in 1972 on ground originally in vineyards in the 1890's. The vineyards are a small percentage of the 200-acre property, which ranges in elevation from 900 to 2,000 feet.The Tip Top Vineyard is located at 1700 ft in elevation and faces northeast. The soils are red and rocky. Red raspberry/currant/blackberry/laurel lead to a lively finish laced with ground black pepper.
Brix26 Inside Scoop: Green & Red Zinfandel has been on the wine list at Berkeley's famous Chez Panisse Restaurant since the inaugural vintage.
Grgich Hills 2019 Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley
$ 48.00
Grgich Hills has always been known for its outstanding Chardonnay, and the new Estate Chardonnay Napa Valley only bolsters that reputation.
Grgich Hills Chardonnay is estate grown, meaning they control everything from the vineyard to the bottle. The grapes were grown organically at their American Canyon and Carneros vineyards, where the coolness allows the grapes to develop complex flavors while maintaining a pleasing natural acidity. They do not allow the Chardonnay to undergo malolactic fermentation. This preserves the wine's crispness and acidity to balance its concentrated fruit. The full-bodied, elegant Grgich Hills Chardonnay has fresh aromas of acacia and citrus flowers, honey and a touch of mineral.
Hamilton Russell 2018 Pinot Noir, Walker Bay
$ 49.99
Stellar new release from South Africa's finest Pinot Noir producer! Limited.
previous vintage 92 Points Robert Parker: "The Pinot Noir was a season with a long hang time with an above-average size of crop – a season with no ups and downs," Hannes Storm explained. It has a perfumed, floral bouquet with wilted rose petals infusing the red cherries, bergamot and fresh strawberry scents. The palate is clean and pixelated on the entry, adorned with a satin-like texture, extremely well-judged acidity and superb poise on the finish. This has gained a little weight over the next 12 months and while I do not think it has the substance for serious long-term aging, it is absolute charmer at this stage."
Harvey & Harriet 2019 Proprietary Red, Paso Robles
$ 34.99
94 pts - best buy
New release from Paso cult producer Booker Vineyards. A fantastic value!
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "As to the reds, the 2019 Harvey and Harriet can be thought of as the more approachable, lush red in the lineup, and it always seems more black fruit-driven than the straight Cabernet Sauvignon. Blackberries, sweet tobacco, cedar, and some floral violet nuances define the nose, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a beautiful texture and silky tannins. It’s a smoking value, and while it has plenty of up-front charm, it certainly has a decade or more of overall longevity....the releases are made by Eric Jensen and there are two cuvees, the Harvey and Harriet and the flagship My Favorite Neighbor. Both are brilliant wines, and as I wrote in one of the reviews, they would cost 2-3 times their going rate if they were from Napa Valley."
94 points Robert Parker: "Deep ruby-purple, the 2019 Harvey & Harriet has beguiling crushed red and black cherries, tar, coffee beans and dark spicy and savory accents on the nose. Full-bodied but light on its feet and easy to drink, it offers a fine balance of powerful fruit intensity and seamless freshness, a style that will appeal to a wide range of red-wine drinkers, from lovers of Zinfandel to fans of Cabernet."
HDV Hyde de Villaine 2019 'Ygnacia' Pinot Noir, Carneros
$ 119.99
Limited
Hyde de Villaine in Calfornia's Carneros District and is a collaboration between the Hyde family (Hyde Vineyard) and the De Villaine family (DRC). The Ygnacia is one of the best small-production Pinot Noirs in California. Limited.
94 Points Wine Spectator: "Wonderfully rendered, with a lush and inviting wave of griotte, plum puree and raspberry coulis notes that stretch out, while notes of anise, wood spice and red tea fill in. The sleek mineral underpinning adds subtle contrast to the very expressive fruit. Lovely. Drink now through 2034. 411 cases made."
94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The HdV 2019 Pinot Noir Ygnacia Hyde Vineyard is stellar. Crushed red/purplish berry fruit, lavender, rose petal and spice all soar out of the glass. Effusive and silky, with tremendous presence, the Ygnacia is a real charmer. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine."
This lot was planted exclusively for Hyde de Villaine on an optimal eastern location on Hyde Vineyard, Ygnacia Pinot Noir grows with southern exposure roughly 50 feet above sea level upon beds of haire clay loam over clay hardpan. The wines are aged for 16 months in 15% New French Oak. No fining or filtering. Aromatically the wine is perfumed with dried rose petals and violets, with small tight berries and
earthy undertones. On the palate, the wine has notes of blueberries and confirmed floral flavors with bright acidity and minerality.
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