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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). They make one of the best Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in California. Extremely limited.
94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The HdV 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.
Hendry 2017 'Block 7 & 22' Zinfandel, Napa Valley
$ 34.99
94 points
Fantastic new Zinfandel from Hendry!
94 Points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a spicy, sublime and expansive wine, full bodied no doubt, yet brimming in freshness and complexity. It is red-fruit driven and dazzles in white and black pepper, accented by dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg. It has a long-lasting texture and richness."
The Hendry family has been farming in Napa since 1939. The Hendry Block 7 and Block 22 were planted in 1975 and 1995 respectively. All of the Hendry wines are made with estate fruit, and blocks 7 and 22 are located on the benchlands west of the city of Napa. Block 7 was planted in 1975 and block 22 was planted in 1995.
Henriot 2006 "Cuvee Hémera" Brut Champagne
$ 174.99
This is the top cuvée from Henriot, and is sourced from just six grand cru villages. It is composed of 50% Chardonnay from Avize, Chouilly, and Mesnil and 50% Pinot Noir, only from the northern grand crus of Mailly, Verzenay, and Verzy. This small-production Champagne is released very late, and justifies its price with the long ageing that has been lavished on it. If you are looking for something decadently rich, yet still bright and light on the finish, look no further. Limited.
96 Points: "The Cuvée Hemera is Henriot’s new name for their Tête de Cuvée bottling, which had previously been known as Cuvée Enchanteleurs. This is the first vintage of the house’s top of the line bottling that has been crafted from beginning to end by Cellar Master Laurent Fresnet. The wine is a fifty-fifty blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, as is the case with their Brut Millésime, but here, only grand cru vineyards are used for the cuvée. The 2005 Cuvée Hemera was aged twelve years sur latte prior to disgorgement and a finishing dosage of five grams per liter. The bouquet is deep, pure and stunning, offering up a very refined blend of pear, apple, a touch of hazelnut, gentle smokiness, a very complex base of soil tones, fresh-baked bread and just a whisper of caraway seed in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and rock solid at the core, with impeccable focus and grip, very refined mousse and outstanding length and grip on the poised, balanced and exquisite finish. This is simply outstanding!"
95 Points Wine Enthusiast: "Only produced in the top years, this wine, named apparently after the Greek goddess of daylight, has just achieved maturity. It is rich in notes of almonds and toast that meld together with the ripe white fruits. It's a great wine that is impressive and ready to drink, although it will also easily age further. *Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2018*
Herman Story 2019 On The Road Grenache, California
$ 58.00
Rare Grenache from one of our favorite Herman Story, one of our favorite Central Coast producers! Get some of this gem while it's still available.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 100% Grenache On the Road, which spent two years in 65% new barrels, offers a rocking nose of black raspberries, toasted spice, dried herbs, and earth. With medium to full body, a seamless, elegant, layered texture, and no hard edges, it’s the real deal and a thrilling Grenache to enjoy over the coming 6-7 years.
...Pulling from a number of sites spread throughout the Central Coast, Herman Story’s Russell From makes unabashedly Californian wines that make the most of the beautiful fruit that makes California so special. These are not for those craving tiny, mid-weight efforts and they have rocking textures, tons of fruit and most importantly, always remain a joy to drink. These are gorgeous wines. "
Herman Story 2019 One Hit Wonder Mourvédre, Paso Robles
$ 47.00
Another fantastic release from Herman Story - tiny production.
First produced in 2011 as a blend of Syrah and Grenache from a vineyard that Russell P. From had under contract for a single year, One Hit Wonder is reserved for those rare wines that soar to the top of the charts in the cellar. The 2013 vintage was the first single varietal Mourvédre Herman Story has released, the 2019 is the second - all from Paso Robles fruit.
Proprietor and winemaker Russell P. From began Herman Story Wines in 2001 with 7 barrels stashed in his employer’s cellar. What started as a modest homage to his rancher grandfather has become a beacon to those seeking opulent, structured Syrah and Grenache. To maintain balance while giving avor full stage, Russell works with 30 top-tier vineyards in over 7 distinct growing regions between Santa Barbara and Paso Robles. ese are no nonsense, balls to the walls wines that are not for the faint of heart or the pinky raising set.303 cases produced.
Herman Story 2020 First Time Caller Petite Sirah, Paso Robles
$ 58.00
Limited new release! A blockbuster Petite Sirah from Herman Story - get on the bandwagon while it's still available.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Also inky colored, the First Time Caller (100% Petite Sirah aged in 80% new French oak) boasts a deep, dense, massive style as well as backward notes of black fruits, scorched earth, road tar, and smoked meat. It's a powerful, full-bodied effort, yet it stays fresh and has a seamless texture, fabulous balance, and a great finish. It’s a steakhouse red done with class."
Robert Parker: "...Pulling from a number of sites spread throughout the Central Coast, Herman Story’s Russell From makes unabashedly Californian wines that make the most of the beautiful fruit that makes California so special. These are not for those craving tiny, mid-weight efforts and they have rocking textures, tons of fruit and most importantly, always remain a joy to drink. These are gorgeous wines."
Brix26 Inside Scoop: There are some fantastic small labels coming out of the Paso Robles wine country in California's Central Coast, and Herman Story winery is our latest "crush" (pun intended). The style of wines are full-throttle, fruit forward bombastic style while keeping things balanced and delicious. Like going right up to the point of over-the-top and stopping perfectly before it.
Herman Story 2020 Nuts & Bolts Syrah
$ 58.00
96 points
A blockbuster new red from new discovery Herman Story winery - get on the bandwagon now while it's still available.
previous vintage 96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Herman Story Nuts & Bolts checks in as 100% Syrah from a mix of vineyards that spent 18 months in 85% new French oak. This cuvée always delivers the goods. The 2018 sports a deep purple color, rocking Syrah notes of blackberries, ground pepper, smoked meat, and roasted meat, full-bodied richness, remarkable purity, and silky yet present tannins. This pleasure-bent, sexy, yet pure, balanced Syrah can be enjoyed any time over the coming 7-8 years. It's the finest vintage of this cuvée I've tasted".
95 Points Wine Enthusiast: "Incredibly dark in color and intense in aromas, this bottling is lush with concentrated blackberry, black currant, charred wood and a hint of coffee on the nose. On the palate, firm yet polished tannins uphold dense flavors of black cherry, roasted black currant and plum, cola, espresso bean and cracked pepper. Acid washes into the finish."
Robert Parker: "One of my favorite estates in the Central Coast is Russell From's Herman Story, who makes unapologetic rich, layered, flavor loaded wines that are a joy to drink."
Hestan 2014 Chardonnay, San Francisco Bay
$ 49.99
A fantastic new Chardonnay from Hestan by winemaker Thomas Brown (Shrader, Outpost)
Hestan's first wine produced by esteemed Napa Valley winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, the Hestan Chardonnay boasts an impeccable balance of flavor and structure. Bright fruit flavors with a round, full mouthfeel, the wine offers depth and a long, elegant finish. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Tremendous richness with a whopping 14.1% Alcohol yet so balanced that you hardly feel the sheer weight of it from start to end with its long lingering finish. Barrel fermented in French oak barrels. Planted in 1997, this vineyard is located 300 yards from the San Francisco Bay, at the very southern end of Highway 29, which runs north and south through Napa Valley. A tiny 350 cases were produced so hurry!
Hestan 2015 "Stephanie" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 49.99
★ 95 Points
A blockbuster new Cabernet blend from Hestan Vineyards. Usually only available to mailing list members we have a small amount of this tiny production Cabernet while our allocation lasts!
Brix26 Inside Scoop: "Stephanie Cabernet comes from relative Napa Valley newcomer Hestan Vineyards, who are turning out some great high-end wines. The Stephanie Cabernet has quietly become one of our top-selling Cabernets over the last 3 vintages for good reason: its got all the hallmarks of a "classic" California Cabernet: plenty of rich berry fruit and that dusty tannin; not a wimpy Cab and not a giant fruit bomb. If you're a Cab-lover, Stephanie should be next on your wish list. Every time a customer calls and asks what new Cabernet we recommend, we'll send them Stephanie and 9 times out of ten they reorder a case!"
Hestan 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 139.99
Hestan Vineyards winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown is one of Napa's most accomplished Cabernet specialists, having garnered multiple 100 point scores from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. His limited Hestan Cabernet release now available.
previous vintage 96 Points Robert Parker: "Hestan Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, which emanates from their 56 acres of Bordeaux varietals, is aged 20 months in new French oak and bottled without fining or filtration by proprietors Stanley and Helen Cheng. A beautiful set of aromatics consisting of white flowers, blueberries, blackcurrants and black cherries emerge from this opaque ruby/purple wine. The palate is flawless, with a seamless integration of acidity, alcohol, tannin and wood. It is full-bodied, rich and impressive. Add to that its thrilling purity and length, and this is a top-notch, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Hestan. Drink it over the next 20-30 years."
Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown: "On the nose you will find notes of anise and black pepper. With intense mid-palette structure and vitality, this wine is loaded with blackberry, currant, rich maple and cassis. The long lasting finish holds savory flavors of plum, dark chocolate and toasted oak. In terms of color, structure and concentration, this is arguably the biggest Hestan Vineyards wine I have ever made. The flavor on this vintage has a much darker fruit profile than its predecessors and for me it is a vintage to cellar.”
Hewitt 2016 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 129.99
97 Points
Hewitt is an up-and-coming Cult Cabernet from Napa Valley's Rutherford Bench. From Tom Rinaldi, former winemaker at Duckhorm, this should be on every Napa Cab collector's short list. Get the new release while it's available!
97 Points James Suckling: " I love the character of crushed berries, dried dirt and sliced raw meat. Decadent. Full body. Round and creamy tannins in texture. So polished and beautiful. It goes on for minutes. 96% cabernet sauvignon with petit verdot. Give this two or three years to come together. Better after 2021."
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Starting with the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, this ripe, sexy red comes all from Rutherford and has a big nose of sweet blueberries, plums, dark chocolate, tobacco, and spice. It's not for those looking for lightweight aromas and flavors, yet it wears its ripe fruit well, showing full-bodied richness, good purity, and a lively feel on the palate. Drink this hedonistic blockbuster over the coming 10-15 years."
Hirsch Vineyards 2019 "San Andreas Fault" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
$ 64.99
Sourced by the likes of Kistler, Williams Selyem, Flowers and Littorai-among other top California Pinot producers - the growers of the famed Hirsch Vineyard on Sonoma's Coast have been making their own Pinot Noir since 2002. Limited.
96 Points James Suckling: "Wonderful purity of fruit to this with ripe-strawberry, citrus and raspberry aromas that follow through to a medium to full body with very intense, powerful tannins that show strength and structure. Vibrant acidity."
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Lots of pure fruit here with crushed strawberries, flowers, dried mushrooms and bark on the nose, following through to a full body with loads of ripe fruit and chewy tannins. It’s an intense red with lots of fruit-driven character but, it’s got freshness and energy. Give it another two or three years of bottle age. Try after 2022."
Talk about aromatics! The Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir offers up cranberries, rich, ripe cherries, orange peel with a hint of gunflint provide a nose so intoxicating you are captured by tendrils of aroma. With air, the nose broadens to even deeper autumnal notes. Those who can free themselves from this spell are rewarded with an intense core of bing cherries and ripe plum with a firm acidic backbone. This is a wine built for the long haul. This big, broad, ripe but complex wine is a real rarity and a must for the complete Pinot collector.
Hollis 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 39.99 $ 45.00
New release!
One of the best $40 Nap Cabernets we've found this year! This is our must-have pick from the great 2018 Napa Cabs coming onto the market.
Hollis is the second label to Stewart Cellars and is perfect for Cabernet bargain shoppers. 100% Napa Valley Cabernet, sourced from such highly esteemed vineyards as Stagecoach, State Lane and Crystal Springs, made by Paul Hobbs, at an incredible price! The Hollis is accessible now with engaging and rich, fruit forward components dominated by cassis, black cherry and tobacco. It offers a muscular mid-palate full of soft tannins with notes of chocolate and coconut husk and it has a very long, lingering finish. Highly recommended.
Hourglass 2019 "Blueline Estate" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 149.95
97 pts
Well-known winemaker Bob Foley has been the consistent force behind these high quality wines from Hourglass. Extremely limited.
97 Points Robert Parker: "A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueline Estate reveals an opaque purple-black color, exploding from the glass with bombastic scents of crème de cassis, blackberry pie and chocolate-covered cherries, plus hints of Indian spices, menthol and licorice, with a touch of sandalwood. Full-bodied, concentrated and impressively opulent, the palate features layer upon layer of exotic spices intertwined with black and blue fruits, velvety tannins and just enough freshness, finishing long, long, long."
97 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2019 Blueline Cabernet Sauvignon is another stunning wine in the lineup. Revealing a deep purple hue as well as beautiful cassis and blue-tinged fruits, it has lots of violet and lead pencil notes, medium to full body, perfect balance, and incredible tannins."
96 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Blueline is the most elegant and nuanced of the three Cabernets in the range. Blueberry jam, crème de cassis, lavender, licorice and spice open first, framed by silky tannins that give the 2019 a feeling of finesse that is impossible to miss."
Hourglass 2019 Blueline Vineyard Merlot, Napa Valley
$ 75.00
Well-known winemaker Bob Foley has been the consistent force behind these high quality wines from Hourglass. Extremely limited.
94 Points Robert Parker: "A barrel sample blend of 86% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot, the medium to deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Merlot Blueline Estate has a very pretty perfume of candied violets, kirsch, warm black plums and star anise with hints of tobacco leaf and fallen leaves. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is so wonderfully juicy, plush and laden with exotic spices, possessing great freshness to boot, finishing long and perfumed...
...Tony Biagi, the winemaker at Hourglass, is one of my favorite personalities in the valley. I met him years ago when he was the winemaker at Plumpjack. He is now handling both Hourglass estates, which is somewhat confusing to the consumer, in that there is actually a Blueline Estate that is a 20-acre vineyard across from the Three Palms Duckhorn Merlot Vineyard and not far from the Switchback Vineyards. The other, the Hourglass Estate, is a little more than a dozen acres situated near Colgin’s Tychson Hill Vineyard off Route 29 north of St. Helena. It is important to note in the reviews that follow whether they contain the Hourglass Estate or the Blueline Estate designations."
Hourglass 2019 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 209.99
Well-known winemaker Bob Foley has been the consistent force behind these high quality wines from Hourglass. Extremely limited.
98 Points Robert Parker: "Composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has a deep purple-black color. It confidently strides out of the glass with classic cassis, plum preserves and cedar chest notes with hints of violets, graphite, unsmoked cigars and incense. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is built like a brick house, offering a firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and a lively backbone to support the finely nuanced layers, finishing very long and mineral laced.
98 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is another fabulous wine in this range from Hourglass. It possesses tremendous depth and gravitas. Dark fruit, graphite, spice, chocolate and new leather all build as this potent, extroverted wine shows off its personality. St. Helena's Northern Corridor is famous for big, dramatic Cabernets. The Hourglass Cabernet is a terrific example. I loved the 2019 from barrel and am every bit as enthusiastic today. What a wine!"
Immortal Estate 2015 "Impassable Mountain" Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
$ 299.00
99 Points - limited
New release from the former Hidden Ridge winery re-baptised Immortal Estate! Winemaker Tim Milos and proprietor Tim Martin, owner of Tusk Estates.
97 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Immortal Estate 2015 Impassible Mountain is another magical wine. Based on 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 28 months in 75% new French oak, it has a more ripe, sexy style compared to the 2014 and offers awesome crème de cassis, plums, graphite, sweet earth, tobacco, and layers of spice. It's one of those wines that blends incredible richness and depth with a sense of minerality and savoriness, and this is another quintessential Sonoma Cabernet that's going to live for 2-3 decades."
95 Points Robert Parker: "The Immortal Estate 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Impassable Mountain (from the Hidden Ridge vineyard) is deep garnet-purple colored and scented of crème de cassis, plum preserves and wild blueberries with hints of cigar box, yeast extract, beef drippings and fertile loam. Full-bodied and chock-full of fragrant black fruits, it has a solid frame of grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and savory. 342 cases produced....
...When I first started doing my centralized tastings of the many wineries that I could not possibly have time to visit, one of the remarkable standouts for Cabernet Sauvignon was Hidden Ridge (renamed Immortal Estate). These are clearly world-class Cabernet Sauvignons and should be considered by any serious collector for their cellars."
Immortal Estate 2017 Slope Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County
$ 87.00
96 Points Parker
New release from the former Hidden Ridge winery re-baptised Immortal Estate! Winemaker Tim Milos and proprietor Tim Martin, owner of Tusk Estates.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "A big beast of a wine, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Slope has loads of blackcurrant and blackberry-styled fruits as well as toasted spice, graphite, licorice, and crushed stone-like aromas and flavors. Structured, full-bodied, and tannic, it has masses of baby fat that will take at least 7-8 years to melt away, yet it's one satisfying mouthful of a Cabernet today."
...When I first started doing my centralized tastings of the many wineries that I could not possibly have time to visit, one of the remarkable standouts for Cabernet Sauvignon was Hidden Ridge. These are clearly world-class Cabernet Sauvignons and should be considered by any serious collector for their cellars."
Inglenook 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 85.00
Formerly Rubicon Estates, Francis Ford Coppola reacquired the rights to the "Inglenook" namesake in 2011 and has now restored the original name of this historic Napa Valley estate, founded in 1879, and is working to bring its reputation for high-quality Napa Valley wine out of retirement. To that end, Coppola brought in winemaker Philippe Bascaules, from Chateau Margaux.
94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): " The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is a powerful and dense in the glass. Sweet tobacco, menthol, licorice and grilled herbs give the wine its aromatic nuance. This is an especially savory style, with mid-weight structure and linear tannins that need time to soften. This is a super-classic Rutherford Cabernet."
Robert Parker: "...Looks like there’s completely new packaging for these wines from famous movie producer/director Francis Ford Coppola. They’ve owned Inglenook since 1975, which included the regional estate of 1,600 acres of land with several spectacular vineyards. What they call the “front vineyards” were acquired by Coppola in 1995."
Inglenook 2015 "Rubicon" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 199.00
97 points
Formerly Rubicon Estates, Francis Ford Coppola reacquired the rights to the "Inglenook" namesake in 2011 and has now restored the original name of this historic Napa Valley estate, founded in 1879, and is working to bring its reputation for high-quality Napa Valley wine out of retirement. To that end, Coppola brought in winemaker Philippe Bascaules, from Chateau Margaux. The Rubicon name remains the moniker of the signature estate wine.
97 Points James Suckling "Top 100 Napa and Sonoma Wines of 2017 #49": "Aromas of blackcurrants, dark chocolate and dried flowers. Very aromatic. Full body, velvety tannins and impressive intensity and richness. Opulent fruit, yet this is still lightly austere and velvety. A beauty every sense of the word. Harmonious, classic wine. Drink in 2019."
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the 2015 Rubicon is slightly deeper in color than the 2014 and offers a deeper, more concentrated, yet slightly compact style that's common in this vintage. Blackcurrants, scorched earth, cedary spice, leafy herbs and licorice all flow to a ripe, beautifully concentrated, deep wine that needs 5-7 years of cellaring and will make for incredible drinking over the following 15+ years."
Robert Parker: "...Looks like there’s completely new packaging for these wines from famous movie producer/director Francis Ford Coppola. They’ve owned Inglenook since 1975, which included the regional estate of 1,600 acres of land with several spectacular vineyards. What they call the “front vineyards” were acquired by Coppola in 1995."
Inglenook 2016 "Rubicon" Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 199.00
97 points
Formerly Rubicon Estates, Francis Ford Coppola reacquired the rights to the "Inglenook" namesake in 2011 and has now restored the original name of this historic Napa Valley estate, founded in 1879, and is working to bring its reputation for high-quality Napa Valley wine out of retirement. To that end, Coppola brought in winemaker Philippe Bascaules, from Chateau Margaux. The Rubicon name remains the moniker of the signature estate wine.
97 Points James Suckling: " This is a powerful and structured red with full body, focused and polished tannins and a long and flavorful finish. It’s very close to the great 2013."
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The flagship 2016 Rubicon checks in as 93% Cabernet Sauvignon and 7% Cabernet Franc. This deep purple-hued beauty boasts a stunning nose of blackcurrants, tobacco leaf, cedarwood, and lead pencil shavings as well as even a hint of iron. These carry to a full-bodied 2016 that has terrific dept of fruit, solid mid-palate concentration, building tannins, and a great finish. This is a classic, age-worthy Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that will benefit from 7-8 years of bottle age and keep for 3 decades."
Insider's Wine Club
$ 43.00
Monthly delivery of our finest latest discoveries delivered to you every month.
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.
Insider's Wine Club GIFT
$ 43.00
Monthly delivery of our finest latest discoveries delivered to you every month.
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.
Isole e Olena 2017 Cepparello, Toscana Rosso
$ 89.99
97 Points - limited Super-Tuscan
Cepparello is one of Italy's most iconic wines and a reflection of Paolo De Marchi's career. Today Cepparello, named after a small seasonal stream among the vineyards, is a selection of the estates best fruit. Soils primarily Galestro, vineyards orientated Southwest and are 400 meters above sea-level. Paolo believes that vintage is part of terrior and wines of origin reflect the vintage. Limited.
97 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Cepparello is another in a series of stunningly beautiful Cepparellos from Paolo de Marchi. Bright and beautifully focused in the glass, with tremendous depth, the 2017 is positively stellar from the very first taste. Succulent dark cherry, plum, licorice, spice, menthol and coffee all open up with a bit of air. Here, too, Paolo De Marchi has done a tremendous job in preserving freshness in the wine. Readers who can muster the patience will be rewarded with a spectacular wine."
95+ Points Robert Parker: "The Isole e Olena 2017 Cepparello is one of the great Sangiovese-based wines of the vintage. From a growing season that was challenging for almost everyone in Italy, this wine sails through, pushed by a profound sense of varietal purity. This dark, mid-weight red reveals lifted tones of cherry, wild rose, rosemary essence, toasted almond and potting soil. These components come together with seamless transitions and a polished finish. The tannins are elegant and integrated. The wine defies the expectations of the vintage."
Isole e Olena 2018 Chianti Classico, Italy
$ 33.00
A fantastic new Chiantico Classico from one of Italy's best producers, one of the best every vintage.
93 Points Decanter: "It is strange to see a bright red wine, and to smell ripe pinky-yellow peach. But I am told that peach is not such an unusual note for the Sangiovese from this hillcrest, along which the great estates Isole e Olena, Paneretta and Monsanto sit, looking out towards the Tyrrhenian sea. Winemaker Paolo de Marchi is a great fan of the native Canaiolo Nero and blends in 15%, contributing a black/violet colour, breadth, softness and spice to balance the austerity of Sangiovese. A consistently excellent wine."
91 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Chianti Classico is fabulous. Bright, punchy and so full of character, the 2017 is absolutely delicious. Sweet berry, cedar, tobacco, rose petal and subtle earthy notes all grace the 2017, an exquisite wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring. More than anything, I am so impressed with the wine's energy."
90 Points Decanter: 'While Isole e Olena was able to avoid frost damage in 2017, owner Paolo de Marchi estimates losing 40% of production due to drought conditions. He always picks as late as possible and vinifies gently to avoid rustic, green tannins. Aromas are restrained hinting at black currant, sage and spice with an undertow of espresso. On the palate there is a sumptuousness yet no lack of acidity and smart sophisticated tannin shore in ripe, generous fruit."
Isole e Olena Chianti is a wine of incredible finesse. Supple, elegant and perfumed, this blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo is the result of pristine quality fruit grown in high-density, naturally farmed vineyards. Year in, year out, winemaker Paolo de Marchi sets the highest standard for the wine of the region.
J. Davies 2016 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 119.99
Brand new boutique Cabernet release from Schramsberg from their Estate property on Napa's Diamond Mountain.
J. Davies Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% estate grown, produced, and bottled by Schramsbreg Vineyards. Two historic vineyards on the Diamond Mountain District property have been tested over a decade for their red wine potential. Winemaker Hugh Davies and Craig Roemer have been perfecting this vineyard for over 10 years and have produced an intensely fruity, beatifully balanced 2008 vintage.
93 Points Robert Parker: "A blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 2% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2015 J. Davies Diamond Mountain has a deep garnet-purple color and offers up classic black currant, black plum and mulberry scents with hints of cigar box, yeast extract and bay leaves. Medium to full-bodied with a great core of black berry and earthy layers, the fruit is supported by grainy tannins and just enough freshness, finishing with a pleasant herbal lift. This superb wine represents a perfect style between the elegance of Bordeaux and the ripeness and exuberance of a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink it over the next 20 years."
94 Points Antonio Galoni (Vinous): "The Cabernet Sauvignon J. Davies is the most powerful and tightly wound of the wines I saw. Firm Diamond Mountain tannins give the wines much of their distinctive personality. Graphite, smoke, licorice, black cherry, lavender and savory herbs develop in the glass, adding considerable complexity. Bright saline notes give the wine a final burst of energy on the close."
JAM Cellars 2019 "Butter" Chardonnay
$ 18.00
A phenomenal buy in California Chardonnay!
One of the fastest selling Chardonnays we have ever carried. This wine always sells out waaaay before the next vintage is released. If you have purchased Butter Chardonnay in the past, stock up while you can. Made by winemaker Rob Lloyd of Romabuer fame, this delivers on it promise of a rich, tropical fruit and buttery palate with a creamy texture and lots of toasty vanilla oak spice.
Owners John and Michelle (JaM) Truchard have created quite a following in a relatively short amount of time. With the name of their wine label being called JaM, they employed the help of winemaker Rob Lloyd (who spent 8 years at Rombauer) to produce a rich, jammy style of Cabernet. Well, that wine was a huge hit, and since Rob knew a thing or two about making Chardonnays, it only made sense that this white wine should be called "Butter". As the name implies, this is a rich, buttery style of Chardonnay laced with aromas of baked lemons and mandarin oranges mingle with a hint of spice and smoke. The palate begins with crisp pineapple, bright citrus and ripe melon while a soft creaminess rounds out the finish. This Chardonnay is ready for immediate enjoyment and is suited to a wide variety of foods including white fish, smoked salmon and creamy pasta dishes.
Jax 2016 Y3 Chardonnay, Napa Valley
$ 24.99
We're always on the lookout for fantastic Napa Chardonnays that sell for a song, and the Jax Y3 Chardonnay is one of the best we've found. Highly recommended.
Robert Parker: "An outstanding value is the Chardonnay Y3, which offers copious tropical fruit, orange blossom, and nectarine scents and flavors along with fresh acids and an endearing purity as well as texture. A sleeper of the vintage, it should drink nicely for several years."
Sourced from Atlas Peak and Oak Knoll district, the Y3 Chardonnay is fresh and floral with a light creamy accent. A melange of delicate pear, golden apple are underlied by a light vanilla oak. Complex and balanced with light malolactic fermentation.
Jelly Roll 2014 Rimrock Vineyard Syrah, San Luis Obispo
$ 34.99
There is precious little of this Rhone-style red, so if you are a lover of voluptuously fruity, rich, spicy black cherry liqueur-scented wine with pure flavors and the thickest most velvety tannins, grab some now. Only 200 cases produced.
94 Points Brix26: "An equal part blend of two great Central Coast vineyards, Larner and Stolpman, the Jelly Roll Syrah reveals a dense plum/purple color, a big, rich bouquet of black fruits (plums and cherries), black olives, pepper, and bouquet garni, luscious fruit, velvety tannins, and a medium to full-bodied, plush finish. Enjoy it over the next 4-5 years...The goal of this small artisanal project of winemaker Sashi Moorman and proprietor Jim Knight is to produce consumer-friendly, but seriously made Syrahs meant to be consumed during their first 5-6 years of life."
Jelly Roll Wines owner and winemaker Jim Knight got into the wine business when Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia died and he could no longer follow the band. Knight learned winemaking while working in the business and focuses on his love of Syrah. Jelly Roll's wines quickly gained recognition upon their release in 2001 and found their way to the lists of some of the finest Michelin-starred restaurants in California.
John Anthony 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 69.99 $ 74.99
94 Points
A fantastic Cabernet Sauvigon from a new boutique producer. The new John Anthony Cabernet, a brilliant successor to previous vintages, is on par with the best Napa Cabs but only a few hundred cases were made - try it before the ratings come out and its still available.
94 Points James Suckling: "Fascinating wine with a superb intensity of blackcurrant and blackberry character. Medium to full body, a dense center palate and fine and silky tannins. A beauty. Drink in 2018."
previous vintage 94 points Robert Parker: "John Anthony Vineyards has produced a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon with notes of plum, blueberry, black raspberry and the telltale blackcurrant. The wine exhibits a gentle and judicious use of oak, medium to full body, a lush suppleness, and a deep ruby/purple color. This is impeccably made, well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon with elegance yet authority. Drink it over the next 12-15 years"
Juan Gil 2019 Silver Label Jumilla Red, Spain
$ 19.99
A phenomenal value
A phenomenal red from Spain that sells for a song from Bodegas Juan Gil. Big and full-bodied, California wine lovers will take to this wine easily.
93 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Juan Gil (silver label), from a cooler and rainier, more continental vintage than the 2017 I tasted next to it. The origin is the same, Monastrell from their own old, non-irrigated vines fermented in stainless steel and matured in French oak barrels for around 12 months. This is the first vintage that is certified organic. There were some challenges, but they resulted in a fresh and balanced wine with integrated oak and a juicy and round palate. They have introduced optical sorting of the grapes, and perhaps that's why there is more precision and purity. They cannot do manual sorting at this price point, but optical sorting seems like a good alternative. 2018 is a more difficult vintage than the 2017, yet this wine is better, juicier and seems to absorb the oak better, with just a smoky touch that reminded me somehow of a Northern Rhône. Really impressive."
The Gil family from Jumilla have built a brand new winery that has 100% renewable energy, and all the waste is reused (water goes to humus, etc.). All of their vineyards are organically farmed even though they don't have a full certification in order to avoid bureaucracy. 2017 was a Mediterranean year in the style of 2015, and 2018 was cooler, more in the style of 2016, both very challenging harvests. The Juan Gil Silver Label Red is one of our favorite buys from Spain!
Justin 2018 Isosceles, Paso Robles
$ 79.99
The Isosceles Cabernet blend is one of Paso Robles most sought-after wines! Get the limited new release now.
The Justin 2018 Isosceles is bright with a deep ruby core, lighter with a bit of garnet toward the rim. Rich and aromatic with dark fruit of black cherry, cassis, exotic licorice, cinnamon, and subtle vanilla spice with sweet notes of tobacco, a little cocoa and subtle toasted cedar in the background. Full bodied with black cherry and classic black currant fruit, complex brown spice of star anise, licorice with cocoa and herbal notes of sweet tobacco and a hint of eucalyptus. The rest is classic Bordeaux cabernet sauvignon - fruit, complex spice, and mineral flavors balanced with guiding structural elements on a long, memorable finish. Drink on release or wait a dozen years, this one will be ready for you. Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 7% Merlot
ISOSCELES is the embodiment of our dream to produce a Paso Robles wine in the style of the classic chateaux of the Médoc area of Bordeaux. Each vintage of ISOSCELES drinks beautifully upon release, revealing its Paso roots, and after years in the cellar it shows the quality, complexity, and age-worthiness of the wines after which it is styled. Elegantly understated, but with impressive complexity on further examination, the new packaging for this twenty fifth vintage of ISOSCELES reflects the character of this iconic wine and continues its proud heritage.
Kale 2014 Heritage "McGah Vineyard" Red, Rutherford Napa Valley
$ 59.99
Kale Anderson is the winemaker at Pahlmeyer and his new red under his own label is stunning. A newcomer to discover now. Highly recommended
93 Points Robert Parker: "The 2014 Heritage McGah Vineyard from Rutherford, is 87% Grenache and the rest 8% Mourvèdre and 5% Syrah. This is another sexy wine, coming in at 15.5% natural alcohol. Peppery, Provençal herb and strawberry notes soar from the glass of this fragrant, intriguing wine. It is medium to full-bodied with loads of glycerin, a voluptuous texture and a long, pure finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years." Only 114 cases produced.
Kale 2015 Kick Ranch 'Home Run Cuvee' Red, Sonoma County
$ 44.99
Kale Anderson is the winemaker at Pahlmeyer and his new red under his own label is stunning. A newcomer to discover now.
The Kale 2015 Kick Ranch Home Run Cuvee is a fantastic blend of 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache and one of the best red discoveries of the year for us. Dark in color, tehg aromas brood just below threshhold. They unfold suddenly into dried tobacco leaf, plum and asphalt. With time, the aromas evolve to anise, cardamom and become more savory in nature. White pepper, blackberry compote and candied citrus peel are revealed in the mouth-watering mid-palette. The flavors culminate in tanned leather, tar and dark chocolate through the finish. Delicious now but can age another 10 years easily. Highly recommended.
Kanzler 2019 "Walker Station" Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
$ 58.00
Limited new Chardonnay from the owners of the legenday Kanzler Vineyard in the Russian River Valley.
Kanzler Vineyard’s 2019 Russian River Valley Chardonnay has a bouquet anchored by fig and nectarine with nuances of crème brûlée, papaya and cinnamon. Neither lean nor voluptuous on the palate, the wine strikes a deft balance with a silky texture and notes of peach, apricot and a kiss of toasty French oak on the mid-palate transitioning to citrus fruits as the wine glides along to finish with a soft and creamy acid backbone and pleasing flint and river stone minerality. Only 286 cases produced.
Kanzler Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
$ 58.95
New release
The owners of the famous Kanzler Vineyard (sourced by Kosta Browne) also make their own small-production Pinot. Get the new vintage before the ratings come out.
The Kanzler Vineyards 2019 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast is a superb expression of the vineyard and the appellation. The wine is characterized by ripe dark cherry, plum, and black raspberry fruit layered upon earthy undertones. The wine is well structured, with the lush fruit balanced by firm but soft tannins with notes of chocolate, cinnamon toast, allspice and fragrances of rose petal, lavender and a hint of citrus on the nose. Extremely small-production
Kapcsandy 2014 State Lane Vineyard "Grand Vin" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 425.00
100 Points - Limited
Limited release of Kapcsandy's top Cabernet. Perfect 100 Points.
100 Point Robert Parker: "Little can be added to the greatness of the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. The wine is truly stunning in its dense, crème de cassis and blackberry-scented nose with a hint of barbecue smoke and forest floor. Tasting like a ripe vintage of Château Latour from Pauillac, the wine has amazing richness and a savory, expansive mouthfeel, but tiptoes across the palate like a ballerina. A wine of magnificent richness and intensity, but vibrancy, purity and overall equilibrium, this is a staggeringly great wine and another tribute to the Kapcsándy family’s extraordinary professionalism and meticulous attention to detail in their vineyard. The Kapcsándy Family Winery, with their State Lane Vineyard on the Yountville crossroad, burst on the scene just over ten years ago and now has 20 acres planted, producing just four cuvées. The 2015s saw the earliest harvest ever at the estate, commencing and finishing before the end of September, and producing strikingly rich, intense wines that are open-knit and opulent, with sweet, well-integrated tannin."
99 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): " The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin opens with the most captivating, exquisite aromatics imaginable. A wine of arresting allure and total sensuality, the 2013 simply has it all. Today, the 2013 is a mere infant, but its personality, pedigree and overall class simply can't be denied. An exotic mélange of lavender, violet, sage, mint and wild flowers are laced into the finish. Kapcsándy moves from strength to strength with these current and upcoming releases. The 2012s continue to blossom in bottle, even though this is the lightest-bodied and most accessible vintage of the 2012-2013-2014 trio here. Things get more serious with the 2013s, wines that confirm the towering presence and profoundness they showed when I first tasted them in Spring 2014. (87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot)."
Kapcsandy 2018 Estate Cuvee State Lane Vineyard, Napa Valley
$ 134.99
One of the top-rated Cabernets of the vintage from Kapcsandy. Limited.
94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Estate Cuvée is silky and supremely elegant right from the very first taste. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Soaring Cabernet aromatics meld into a core of inky red/purplish berry fruit, with hints of spice, sweet tobacco and cedar. Simply put, the Estate Cuvée is a total knock-out."
93 Points Robert Parker: "Composed of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Merlot, the Kapcsandy 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Cuvée is deep garnet-purple colored. It was aged in 55% new French oak, 18% new Hungarian oak and 27% second fill French oak. It bursts from the glass with rambunctious black cherry compote, blueberry pie and crushed blackcurrant scents, plus hints of menthol, baker’s chocolate and cedar chest. Medium-bodied, the palate has a rock-solid structure of grainy tannins and fantastic freshness supporting the muscular fruit, finishing long with a red-fruited skip in its step. 425 cases were made....
...In all of my travels throughout the world I have met few producers who can match Lou Kapcsandy’s passion and total dedication to excellence. Along with his son Louis and consulting winemaker Denis Malbec, Lou Kapcsandy continues to craft exceptional wines loaded with class and pedigree. Every wine in this lineup, from the newly expanded selection of roses, to the flagship reds and the fortified wine is well worth your time."
Kapcsandy 2019 "Roberta's Reserve" Napa Valley
$ 369.99
100 points
One of the top-rated Cabernets of the vintage from Kapcsandy. Limited.
98-100 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Roberta's Reserve is another stunning wine from Kapcsándy. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, cloves, licorice and leather all race across the palate. In 2019, the Roberta's is a bit richer than it usually is, but that works just fine in amplifying all of its natural beauty. All of the fruit was sourced from one of the original blocks planted by Helen Turley and John Wetlaufer in 2002."
97 Points Robert Parker: "Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Roberta's Reserve State Lane Vineyard bursts with notions of juicy black plums, boysenberry preserves and chocolate-covered cherries, plus suggestions of licorice, cedar chest and charcuterie with an exotic waft of Indian spices. The lively, medium to full-bodied palate is completely filled with seductive, spicy fruit, framed by ripe, rounded tannins, finishing long and fragrant. Made from 100% Merlot, aged in 70% new French oak, the alcohol is 14.5%. 225 cases were made.
...In all of my travels throughout the world I have met few producers who can match Lou Kapcsandy’s passion and total dedication to excellence. Along with his son Louis and consulting winemaker Denis Malbec, Lou Kapcsandy continues to craft exceptional wines loaded with class and pedigree. Every wine in this lineup, from the newly expanded selection of roses, to the flagship reds and the fortified wine is well worth your time."
Kapcsandy 2019 State Lane Vineyard "Grand Vin" Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
$ 590.00
100 Points - Limited
Limited release of Kapcsandy's top Cabernet. Perfect 100 Points.
100 Point Robert Parker: "Deep purple-black, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin State Lane Vineyard rockets out of the glass with intense notes of blackcurrant cordial, plum preserves and blueberry pie, plus hints of Chinese five spice, dusty soil, menthol, tar and black truffles, with a waft of roses. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is an exercise in poise, delivering layer upon layer of vibrant black and blue fruits with a rock-solid backbone of super ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long and just plain delicious. Pure, seemingly effortless, seamless perfection. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in 80% new French oak, the alcohol is a relatively modest 14.3%. 300 cases were made...
. The Kapcsándy Family Winery, with their State Lane Vineyard on the Yountville crossroad, burst on the scene just over ten years ago and now has 20 acres planted, producing just four cuvées. The 2015s saw the earliest harvest ever at the estate, commencing and finishing before the end of September, and producing strikingly rich, intense wines that are open-knit and opulent, with sweet, well-integrated tannin."
100 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Vin has the potential to match the 2010 as one of the greatest wines ever made at this Yountville property. The tension, energy and overall vibrancy are similar to the 2010, but the 2019 is less bombastic and more finessed. Seamless and beautifully proportioned, the 2019 Grand Vin simply has it all. Inky dark fruit, lavender, graphite, crushed rocks and licorice linger."
Keever 2016 Inspirado Cabernet Blend, Napa Valley
$ 74.99
Winemaker Celia Welch (Scarecrow, Corra) is the winemaker at Keever and produced this beautiful Bordeaux meets Napa Valley Cabernet blend. Highly recommended.
Tasting Notes: "The aromas of this rich, fully ripe Bordeaux-blend style wine are as complex as they are intense. Bright blueberries, floral notes of violets and jasmine, a touch of cedar, and just a hint of caramel all combine to create a remarkably integrated impression. On the palate, the entry is driven by flavors of boysenberry, blueberry, and fresh raspberries, with the darker notes of mocha, vanilla and cedar a dding weight to the mid-palate. Bright and soft at the finish, the lasting impressions of ripe fruit echo the aromas. As the wine sits in the glass it gains complexity and intrigue. This classically composed blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 12% Petit Verdot shows plenty of fruit and complexity now but will improve, no doubt,with additional cellaring time
Kelleher 2018 "Block 21" Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley
$ 34.00
Great new small-production white from a boutique Napa producer.
90 Points Wine Enthusiast, "Editor's Choice": "Showing how fine Sauvignon Blanc can be in Napa Valley, this has citrus, melon and honey flavors. It's dry, creamy and rich in vanilla flavor, with a bright edge of acidity. A touch of oak adds a note of smoke."
Kendall-Jackson 2018 Grande Reserve Chardonnay
$ 23.99
The rare Reserve version of Kendall-Jackson's bestselling Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay. Limited.
Handcrafted from the top 5% of all the Kendall-Jackson lots, a delicious blend of Monterey and Santa Barbara fruit. Sur lie aged with lees stirred twice monthly to integrate fruit and oak and promote a creamy mouthfeel.
Klinker Brick 2017 Old Vines Zinfandel, Lodi
$ 19.00
One of the best value boutique Zinfandels in California from Klinker Brick! An intense, fruit-filled wine you expect to cost at least twice as much. If you have yet to try a Zin from Lodi, this is the one!
The Klinker Brick 2017 Old Vines Zinfandel is produced from an amalgam of 14 different vineyard blocks, ranging in age from 35 to 110 years old. This vintage saw lower yields, producing a wine that is both complex and bold. Showing typical Klinker Brick cherry/berry/plum fruit components with aromatic spices on the nose, this wine is incredibly well balanced with a silky smooth texture and a long lingering finish. One of their best!
L'Aventure 2017 Estate Cuvee Proprietary Red, Paso Robles
$ 119.99
94 Points - limited
Limited new blockbuster release from one of Paso Robles hottest wineries. Don't miss.
98 Points Jeb Dunnuck "The flagship 2017 Estate Cuvée (49% Syrah, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Petit Verdot) spent 15 months in 90% new French oak, and I certainly blew the barrel review on this wine. It offers a brilliant bouquet of crème de cassis, crushed violets, lead pencil, chocolate, and a rocking sense of minerality. Deep, full-bodied, concentrated, and seamless on the palate, it's about as polished and sexy as they come in the vintage...I certainly blew the call on some of the Bordeaux blends from l’Aventure last year, and their Estate Cuvée and Côte a Côte are much better wines than my barrel reviews suggested."
Robert Parker: "...Consistently thrilling wines come from l’Aventure, which is run with incredible talent and passion by St. Emilion native Stephan Asseo. His 2016s are incredible efforts, and the 2017 more Rhône blends are certainly in the same ballpark. Due to the heat spikes at harvest, Bordeaux varieties were much more difficult and hit or miss."
L'Aventure 2019 Cote a Cote Estate Red, Paso Robles
$ 119.99
100 points
Limited new blockbuster release from one of Paso Robles hottest wineries. Don't miss.
100 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "Another magical wine from this estate is the 2019 Côte à Côte, a blend of 34% each of Grenache and Mourvèdre, with the balance Syrah. Brought up in 29% new French oak, it boasts a dense purple color as well as incredible aromatics of blue fruits, smoked game, violets, black pepper, and spring flowers. One of those incredibly complex, nuanced wines that still brings depth and richness on the palate, it’s perfectly balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It’s the finest vintage of Côte à Côte ever produced. Drink it over the coming 15+ years.
...Stephan Asseo, who’s assisted more and more by assistant winemaker Patrick Davies, continues to keep his L’Aventure estate near the top of the pyramid in Paso Robles. This report looks at the 2019s and 2020s, and both appear to be beautiful vintages. The 2019s are some of the finest wines I’ve tasted at this estate and have a rare mix of power and vibrancy, with incredible aromatics and sensational purity and precision on the palate."
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