7081786376274
$ 199.99
Rare new release from Paso Robles Cult Winery Saxum. Limited.
previous vintage 98 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Saxum 2018 James Berry Vineyard White is straight-up stunning stuff and showed even better from bottle than barrel. Based on 66% Grenache Blanc, 28% Roussanne, and – wait for it – 6% Chenin Blanc, it boasts a medium gold hue as well as a rocking nose of caramelized citrus, apricots, honeyed flowers, and toasted bread. Rich, full-bodied, and concentrated, it has a terrific sense of freshness, flawless balance, and a great, great finish. It's up with the finest whites I've tasted from Paso Robles and will easily stand up to anything coming out of the Rhône Valley today!"
One of California’s unquestionably superstar estates is Heather and Justin Smith’s Saxum Vineyards, and you won’t find any finer examples of Rhône variety wines anywhere in the world. The proprietors of James Berry Vineyard, located in the cooler Willow Creek District of Paso Robles, the Smiths have seen incredible changes over the past decade, and they’ve traded their small, old-fashioned, yet perfectly adequate cellar for a brand-new cave and state of the art winemaking facility.
$ 26.99
One of California's finest Viogniers from the Master John Alban. Very limited.
93 points Robert Parker: "I continue to think John's Central Coast Viognier is one of the best values out there. The Alban Viognier has a wonderful, classic perfume: honeysuckle and quince with an intense core of peachy fruit plus accents of honeyed oats, baker’s yeast and citrus peel. The palate is medium-bodied, intensely flavored and extraordinarily fresh, finishing very long. So lovely!"
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Pale green-hued yellow. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of mineral-accented white peach, Anjou pear, melon and orange zest carry a bright floral overtone that gains strength with air. Juicy, fresh and densely packed, displaying a suave interplay of richness and vivacity to the orchard and pit fruit flavors. Shows impressive power and definition on the strikingly long finish, which strongly echoes the peach and floral qualities."
91 Points Jeb Dunnuck: "The Alban Viognier Central Coast and is a serious winner. Possessing an elegant, medium to full-bodied, ultra-pure profile as well as classic notes of caramelized citrus, white flowers, and hints of orange marmalade, it’s well worth a multi-bottle purchase and will keep for 2-3 years."
John Alban is a pioneering central coast master of Rhône varietals, and his Alban Vineyards label is one of the most sought-out sources for what many consider the pinnacle expressions of these grapes in California. His Viognier wines are routinely hailed as top examples of the varietal, and not just from his neighbors, but from many of the top players in Condrieu as well. From the winery: "We make two Viogniers: A Central Coast bottling that is often more than 75% from our own vineyard, and an Estate bottling. The former showcases the forward heady stone fruit of this variety. It is fermented and aged entirely in stainless steel and bottled early."
$ 69.99
$ 22.99
Another great new release from Bedrock - limited. A delicious perfectly dry rose.
previous vintage 91 Points Robert Parker: "Clearly one of the greatest roses I have tasted over the last few years, Bedrock’s Ode to Lulu ranks alongside some of the fabulous dry roses made by Domaine de la Mordoree in Chateauneuf du Pape. With this offering, Bedrock’s owner/winemaker Morgan Twain-Peterson has paid homage to Lulu Peyraud of Domaine Tempier, an estate that fashions great Bandol roses. This blend of 50% old vine Mourvedre, 30% old vine Carignan and 20% Grenache from vines planted between 1888 and 1922 is a killer rose. Whole cluster pressed and aged in stainless steel with no malolactic, 600 cases of this full-bodied, strikingly Provencal-styled rose were produced. It possesses a light pink color, crisp acids, medium to full-bodied flavors, and tremendous intensity as well as character. Superb winemaking, great vineyard sources and old Mediterranean grape varieties planted in California are the keys to producing this sensational rose. Don’t miss it! It should drink well for several years."
Winemaker Morgan Twain Peterson: "2021 Ode to Lulu is simply one of our favorite renditions to date. From dry farmed, truly old vines planted between the 1880s and 1921. From Contra Costa County and Sonoma County, the backbone of this wine is ancient Mataro (Mourvedre) that lends concentration and density of fruit (surprisingly so, given the pale hue). The 2021 features 70% Mataro along with Ode to Lulu’s typical Grenache and touch of Cinsault. All fruit was whole cluster pressed with native yeasts fermentation and bone dry. As always, we aim for a balance between ethereal lightness combined with straight-up delicious fruit qualities….feel like we succeeded with this wine!”