Just what you'd hope for in a top California Merlot, including ripe currant and berry fruit, a whiff of wild herb and a soft, supple, finish. Wine Enthusiast describes it well in their 90 point review, Lively lavender aromas... Read More
As the winery writes, Andrew Murray has been singularly and nearly maniacally focused on crafting Syrah for 25 years. His Everyday (in French Syrah “Tous les Jours”) Syrah from Santa Ynez gives you a good idea of how... Read More
Easy drinking, check. Sophisticated, check. Wines that hold to the French dogma of site-specific, nuanced wines, check. 80% Pinot Gris and 20% Pinot Blanc, the wines expressive fruit and subtle minerality is a testament to the... Read More
Lower ABV Absurdly delicious cool-climate, California, Syrah that delivers layers of savory complexity, whole cluster (50%) grip, and still has enough fruit to just drink sexy. Double 95 point reviews for the 2019 will be repreated... Read More
Morgan Twain-Peterson crafts this bold, gutsy, California red from a mixture of vines growing in some of the country's most famed old-vine sites. The base is Bedrock Vineyard (planted 1888), Nervo (1896), and Sodini (1905)... Read More
A big snoot- and mouth-ful of crushed berries and cherries with some cocoa dust, a touch of acidic/tannic bite, and a “I dare you to stop drinking me” finish that keeps you coming back for more. Like an Italian Chianti... Read More
At once rich and juicy, this is a terrifically drinkable Russian River Chardonnay with a definite luxury feel. Barrel fermented and aged (33% new oak), it delivers intense peach, apricot and tropical fruit aromas and flavors with... Read More
One of the longest-running high-quality “value” Pinots we know of. As Robert Parker said of the 2013 edition: An authentic tasting Pinot Noir that sells for a song. Aromas of sweet red and black cherry fruit intermixed... Read More
Pinot from Carneros, at the southern end of Napa/Sonoma, gives a distinctive blend of freshness (from the cold bay nearby) and heft (from the clay-rich soils). This is a great example, serving up bold black cherry and blackberry... Read More
From a California Sparkling wine specialist, this is elegant, nicely textured, Chardonnay of fine freshness and length. In 2023, it’s all Russian River fruit from a vineyard next door to Kistler and Ritchie Vineyards and... Read More
Cade’s Estate Cabernet shows Howell Mountain power and grip in a softer, more accessible, style. As Jeb Dunnuck says in his 93 point review, “The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain comes almost all from the estate... Read More
Winemaker Neil Koch has worked with superstar Philippe Melka at benchmark Napa Cab houses like Seavey Vineyards, Bryant Family and Vineyard 29 and helped make the bold whites and Chardonnays of Lewis Cellars as assistant winemaker... Read More
A rich, creamy, smooth, Napa Cabernet crafted from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Petite Verdot and 7% Cabernet Franc grown across Napa and aged 16 months in French oak. Black cherry and currant fruit in a chocolate wrapper is given... Read More
All the ripe fruit you love about California Chardonnay with an almost silky mouthfeel and mouthwatering and lightly chalky finish. A terrific party/solo sipping white and even better with crab or something creamy like mushroom... Read More
While brother Tim has gone the artisanal route with his Continuum project, Michael Mondavi has focused more on making plenty of good-drinking, well-made, Napa-typical selections. Like this which showcases plenty of deep Napa Cab... Read More
Look, we’ve yet to find a Zin that was both satisfyingly ripe (i.e., not toughly tannic and herbal) and under 14.5% alcohol. The grape needs hang time and that means alcohol. But it turns out you can make 15% abv Zin that... Read More
Year-in, year-out, one of the best Chards of the Central Coast is also one of the finest values. Rich but balanced, it's as delicious with and without food. As Vinous says in the 94 point rave, A regal, elegant wine. Citrus,... Read More
Lower ABV
A pretty style of Central Coast Pinot Noir with a nice depth to the ripe red and black fruits and then an elegant, refined, texture and structure. The aromas are especially nice, although there's plenty of flavor... Read More
Critic Antinio Galloni drank this at dinner in July 2024; his 96 point review: Foxen is one of my favorite producers in Santa Barbara. Their 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 is stellar. What a wine. Deep and wonderfully... Read More
From one of the best Cabernet sites in Happy Canyon, inland of Santa Barbara, this 2019 leans into a prettier style of California Cab. As Vinous says in the 92 point review, a very pretty wine from this well-known site in Happy... Read More
These guys make just one wine, a Lodi blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Sirah and Merlot brought in rich and ripe at 13.5% alcohol and given plenty of French oak spice and toast. It’s richer and more ripe than the modest... Read More
Hartford Court is easily one of the top “traditional” California Chard houses working today in the <$100 price point and this “village” bottling shows off their skill and ethic to a “T”.... Read More
From folks who aspire to make good Napa wine at affordable prices, this is Cabernet for sipping and sharing with all kinds of food. It’s a blend of 82% Cabernet, 8% Malbec and 5% each Zinfandel and Petite Sirah with loads... Read More
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