VINEYARDS MAKE GREATNESS

A vintage that showcased your talent as a winemaker, if you didn't take the easy way out that is! The Hossfeld Coliseum Block is one of the most unique sites in Napa Valley, couple the unique site with the talent of Arkenstone's winemaking philosophy and you have this magical 2011.

A few superstar Wine Lab Panelists agreed, one of the top 3 wines from the challenging vintage!

( V Wine Cellar Exclusive )

~ The Wine Lab

2011 ARKENSTONE

HOSSFELD COLISEUM BLOCK

Hossfeld's Coliseum Block always delivers layers and levels of dynamic wine intensity. Full-bodied with lots of minerality and floral notes intermixed with blackberry and cassis fruit, this is very impressive.

The classic nuances of cassis, blueberry, white flowers, and earth are ever-present.

WA 98+ "Back in 2014, Salon's president Didier Depond was quoted in the press as saying that “since 2008, there has been no genuinely great vintage in Champagne" and that a 2012 from Salon wouldn't be released. But the just-released 2012 Brut Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil shows that he had good reason to change his mind, as to my palate this is, after the 2008, the finest Salon produced this millennium. Unwinding in the glass with notes of citrus oil, wet stones, freshly baked bread, white currants and oyster shell, it's full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a tightly wound core of fruit, racy acids and an elegant pinpoint mousse. Concluding with a long and resonant finish, this is a structured and powerful Salon that's a lot more incisive than, for example, the 2002 at the same stage, but which also carries more muscle and substance than a leaner vintage such as 2007. For readers that have balked at the pricing of the magnum-only 2008, the 2012 isn't far off the latter's level in quality, and will presumably be distributed more conventionally. (09/2021)" (WK)

If You've Ever Wondered Where I Get My Inspiration From, Here's A Hint ~ My Beautiful Regal Star & The Idea Behind The Quality & Imagery Of SQN!

Are But A Few Major Points.

I drank most of my 2012s during the pandemic, I often had both bottles open in a span of 3-4 days and I played winemaker with one of my favorite brands. You only live once, time to ignite the sensations of moving at lightspeed while the flavors explode and penetrate your wine Psi Chi.

~ The Only SQN Wine Lab

BADASS DOUBLE 100 POINT ENSEMBLE

Jeb Dunnuck While With The Wine Advocate

2012 11 CONFESSIONS

Syrah Touche ~ 3 Bottles

Lastly, the utterly perfect 2012 Syrah Touche reminds me of a great vintage of Guigal’s Cote Rotie La Landonne. A blend of 93% Syrah, 5% Petite Sirah and 2% Viognier, all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, it spent 40 months in 78% new French oak. Deep, concentrated, full-bodied and layered, with a multidimensional texture and to-die-for notes of camphor, cured meats, violets, smoke and assorted dark fruits, this beauty has fine, perfectly ripe tannin and blockbuster length. Give it 3-4 years and drink over the following two decades.

Grenache Rattrapante ~ 3 Bottles

A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start - and end - with “Wow.” Giving up tons of black raspberries, peppery herbs, licorice, dried flowers and cured meats, it’s a massively concentrated, rich and layered Grenache that somehow manages to stay graceful, lively and fresh on the palate. There are roughly 800 cases of this elixir and any Grenache lover should do their best to latch onto a bottle (or two). It’s also worth noting that this cuvee saw 26% whole clusters, which is a small change from past vintages.

SPECIAL TIMES SPECIAL PEOPLE WORLD-CLASS PAIRINGS THAT ELEVATE ALL THINGS PASSION

Took part in a Special Club dinner last night and it was amazing. The quality and textures of these fine-crafted wines are exceptional, and their versatility in food pairing is a lavish sensation for the senses. You too will feel as I do, you want it to go on Sine Fine

If texture is what you seek, this Champagne delivers!

The sublime characteristic of this cuvée is from one single plot, Clos Saint-Hélène, which is a 100% Pinot Noir vintage reflecting the village of Cumières.

~ The Champagne Lab

Song To Take In The Texture: Pink Floyd

~ Welcome To The Machine / Make Sure You're One Glass In

2014 SANCHEZ - LE - GUÉDARD

SPECIAL CLUB

Some people see the Special Club of Champagne as yet another form of exclusivity in the wine world. Hélène is a vineyard site in Cumières in the Vallée de la Marne farmed by Jose and Sebastian Sanchez. Their resulting Special Club bottling is powerful and dense, with an alluring textural richness and pleasantly caressing bubbles. Clean and appley on the palate, this is a Champagne for people who crave mouthfeel in their wines. 

AS EXOTIC AS WHAT YOU DESIRE MOST

The pleasures are so authentically good it's almost as if they were created for the self!

~ Le Labo Du Vin

98 Points The Wine Advocate

2015 Péby Faugères 

Produced from 100% Merlot and matured for 18 months in 65% new and 35% one-year-old French oak barrels, the 2015 Peby Faugeres is medium to deep garnet-purple in color with a strikingly gorgeous nose of exotic spices, baked blackberries, plum preserves, cherry cordial and fragrant earth with smoked meats, lavender, licorice and tapenade hints. The boldly fruited, full-bodied palate features opulent, totally decadent spiced black and blue fruits with a very firm yet ripe structure and finishes with incredible depth and length. Stefan von Neipperg consults on the vineyard management here, while Michel Rolland focuses on harvest dates, winemaking, aging and the final blend - a big "bravo" to them both on this 2015!

SHOWCASING WINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, IN MANY LANGUAGES....

El Terroir Es Una Garnacha Especial!

The aromatics draw you in with a seduction you would surely confuse for a bottle of wine 5 times the price!

Grenache is my weakness, ok I have a few, but this particular one ~ she is beautiful!

~ The Wine Lab

95 The Wine Advocate

2016 DOMAINES LUPIER

EL TERROIR

The 2016 El Terroir comes from a selection of their organic and biodynamically farmed plots, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured between 11 and 13 months, depending on the plot, in mostly used and mostly 500- and 600-liter oak barrels. They now only replace around 8% of the barrels each vintage, so they are quite well seasoned and neutral, and the wines don't have any oak aromas or flavors. It has crunchy fruit, red rather than black fruit, and the wine is super fresh. The oak is much better integrated than the initial vintages—it's transparent with the wine, and you feel the fresh fruit, the rain, the soil—as a result, the wine is relaxed, harmonious and has light. This is a more complete and deeper version of the 2013, with the freshness and acidity with long life ahead. The wines show incremental improvements year after year, and the 2016 has probably helped to obtain the most complete vintage to date. It's long, tasty, has fine chalky tannins and impressive balance. 

It's What We Will Continue To Do! ~ Drink Well!

Finding the time to celebrate should become easier as we traverse through time, quality wines elevate our rhythm as we proceed into the future.

~ The Champagne Lab

2016 Paul Bara Grand Millesime

Grand Cru Brut

Champagne lovers like to talk about how great Champagne pairs with food. Not all bottlings from this revered region fit that bill. Non-vintage, entry level Champagne tends to sing best all by itself, or perhaps with just some simple appetizers. Vintage bottles on the other hand have more grip and a bit of weight than their blended counterparts and often have their best moments at table. The 2016 Brut Grand Cru from Bara is one such wine. Don’t just pair with classic white wine dishes, but stretch your imagination and try with lighter red wine pairings—roasted bird, pork chops or tenderloin, or hearty vegetable dishes. 

=PNEU=

Going back in time with a wine that has been on the Napa Valley restaurant scene for well over a decade. A rare Pinot Noir wine emanating from the Coombsville AVA made by legendary grower/winemaker Tom Farella. This wine has the power of effortlessly fusing an array of worldly flavors of cuisine.

~ The Wine Lab

2017 =PNEU= 

HAYNES VINEYARD, COOMBSVILLE

Expressive aromas are of strawberry, raspberry and spices of white pepper, clove and fennel. The wine evolves with every sip revealing balance and structure with additional flavors of sandalwood and forest floor. The long finish is of black tea, cherry and a touch of vanilla.

A Little Music Inspiration For After You Read This!

Scorpions: Wind Of Change

What hasn't changed is the spectacular bottling that is Behrens Cemetery Cabernet Sauvignon, a dense stratifying Napa Valley wine coming from a vineyard ( not sure if I can mention it ) that is well established for world-class fruit. Many legendary wines have had origins from the source! This wine is one such effort.

~ The Wine Lab

96 The Wine Advocate

2018 BEHRENS

CEMETERY

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Cemetery rolls effortlessly out of the glass with open-knit scents of fresh black and red currants, ripe blackberries and black raspberries, giving way to nuances of red roses, cedar chest, pencil lead and clove oil. Full-bodied, the palate delivers tightly wound layers of black fruit preserves and baking spices, framed by firm, grainy tannins and tons of freshness, finishing long and with great purity.

BEEN EYING THIS WINE FOR A WHILE

We've had Dunnuck on the mind as his recent reviews were unveiled this past week. Congratulations to our winery partners on their continued success. This 2018 Cardano 1913 Cabernet Sauvignon delivers some sensations well above its price point, even better, shipping is included on 3 or more.

~ The Value Wine Lab

92 Point Jeb Dunnuck

2018 CARDANO 1913

NAPA VALLEY

Cabernet Sauvignon

A new project from Ed Snider at Beau Vigne, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon 1913 checks in as 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. A smoking value, it gives up lots of chocolaty dark fruits, cassis, tobacco, and cedary spice notes to go with full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. It will compete with wines three times the cost.

A Little Less High-End Wine Saturated Today

( Not Yet Released )

Yet the recall is always crisp! I met Scott Dalecio 5 years ago at the Melka PNV event and ever since then we've been rocking the brand in many a fashion. The quality is insanely great and Scott Dalecio is the definition of Mr. Hospitality.

A V Wine Cellar exclusive ~ the 2018 Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon was one of the best wines in the room!

~ The Wine Lab

2018 DALECIO CABERNET SAUVIGNON

94+ Points The Wine Advocate

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville is composed of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot and was aged 19 months in 70% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little coaxing to reveal fragrant notions of wild blueberries, ripe black cherries and fresh blackberries with hints of camphor, dark chocolate, cassis and black olives. Full-bodied, the palate is packed with densely laden black fruit layers, supported by firm, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long with a minty kick. 250 cases were made.

READY FOR THE BRIGHT LIGHTS

We've always been open to giving small producers a chance to illustrate their passion for crafting small-production wines, especially family-owned and operated brands.

This unique Pinot Noir possesses accents of elevation

( 900 Feet ) that gives it a uniqueness all to its own. Definitely, a Pinot Noir that embraces the cooler climate of the San Pablo Bay thus giving the vineyard the power to develop complexity in Pinot Noir.

~ The Small Producer Advocating Wine Lab

2018 ELKHORN PEAK

PINOT NOIR

NAPA VALLEY

The nose is soft, earthy soil with red cherry, pomegranate and black tea. On the palate, it’s a pop of mixed red fruits predominantly strawberry and pomegranate with a delayed sense of cherry and rose hips. Very mild tannins come in next followed by a bright sense of acidity while holding the fruit notes; the wine is light to medium-bodied. The finish is medium-long with a sense of dusty soil and sous-bois; a light hint of clove is detectable but the wine holds strong to its fruit forward nature through to the end.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL, WHO'S THE FAIREST CREATURE OF THEM ALL?

In this case, all 4 wines in this ensemble are amazingly beautiful. The only brand that has assembled 4 of the top winemakers under one brand, these wines are fuel for finding enlightenment.

Years ago I began to hear rumors of a wine super project, from chatting with the man behind this vision, to finally hosting a superstar pop-up here in-store has been interesting. Our hedonistic wine-craving clients from across the globe have been feasting on the luxurious expressions that have been so meticulously crafted by contemporary wine legends.

This one here has been created by the 100 Point King!

~ The 100 Point Wine Lab

Music To Vibe With: Wu-Tang Clan ~ Triumph

100 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2018 FAIREST CREATURE

PERIHELIOS

One of two perfect wines in the lineup of 2018s, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Perihelios comes from Thomas Rivers Brown and is another seamless, elegant, yet powerful wine that’s just a joy to taste. Cassis, blackberries, tobacco, graphite, licorice, and a kiss of iron define this incredible beauty, and it's full-bodied, with a multi-dimensional, layered mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and an incredible finish. Coming mostly from the Upper Range Vineyard and brought up in new barrels, it has ample up-front appeal given its balance, purity, and texture, yet there's no shortage of tannins, and it's going to evolve gracefully for 20-25 years or more.

Lastly, there are a tiny 532 magnums of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Triniceros, a blend put together by famed consultant Michel Rolland. It's possibly closest in style to the Plyspline release and has incredible dark fruits (cassis, currants) as well as notes of graphite, toasted spice, chocolate, white flowers, and lead pencil shavings. A wine that builds incrementally on the palate, it has ripe, velvety tannins, an expansive texture, fabulous mid-palate depth, and the balance and class to drink well today yet also evolve for 20-30 years.

SEMPRE UN PIACERE RIVEDERTI

La stessa cosa mi dà passione, Italian wines have a place and time that inspires being rustic and true. Family time, love affairs, ingenuity in the arts as seen through time have all had a sense of Italian influence. The 2018 Produttori del Barbaresco, ignites a euphoria to doing things with a deep respect to the old ways. The wine business is heading into a shift of reflection. The time has come to revisit classic winemaking by fusing old techniques with the terroir we've been blessed with here in California.

~ The Italian Wine Lab

2018 PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO

Intense nose of spices, pepper and black cherries. Powerful, firm, elegant sip with ethereal flavor.

( Mangia Bene )

Pairs well with egg pastas, risottos, white meats, poultry, red meats, game, venison and aged cheeses.

DEPENDS ON HOW YOU VIEW THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF THE ELEMENTS (Label Art)

Fire is an element that can stimulate growth, can sharpen your will to continue by recalibrating and refocusing. Once one is in a transitional flow, it's a very good idea to only focus on quality. Quality people, quality time, and most importantly quality wine. Allow this 2018 11 Confessions Syrah to engulf you in a state of elemental greatness.

~ The SQN Infused Lab

100 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2018 SINE QUA NON

11 CONFESSIONS SYRAH

The 2018 Syrah Eleven Confessions Vineyard is pure gold and Syrah doesn't get any better, no matter what region you're talking about. Incredible notes of ripe cherries, currants, ground black and white pepper, cured meats, and saddle leather all soar from the glass, and it's full-bodied, deep, and concentrated on the palate. Opening up with time in the glass, it certainly offers pleasure today yet warrants 2-4 years of bottle age and will have two decades of overall longevity. Hats off to the Krankl family for another utterly magical wine.

MUSICAL INSPIRATION: Dr. Hook

When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman

I was inside my reserve room wondering what to promote, then this song came on and my mind raced to an SQN-fueled sensorial lapse in time ~ the feeling is endless!

You'll want to have the imprint left by the 2018 SQN 11 Confessions Grenache on repeat mode.

~ The SQN Lab

100 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2018 SQN GRENACHE

11 CONFESSIONS VINEYARD

The 2018 Grenache Eleven Confessions Vineyard comes all from the estate vineyard located on the eastern side of the Sta. Rita Hills and is even more Grenache-dominated, checking in at close to 84% Grenache with 9% Syrah, 6% Petite Sirah, and the rest Viognier. Aged a whopping 38 months in 52% new barrels, it has an insane bouquet of black raspberries, herbes de Provence, violets, mulled cherries, sandalwood, and new leather. As complex and nuanced as they come, this full-bodied beauty has awesome purity of fruit, a layered, balanced mouthfeel, sweet, fine-grained tannins, and a great, great finish. It's one of those wines that makes you run out of adjectives. One of the finest examples of Grenache to pass my lips, give it 2-3 years and enjoy over the following two decades.

As You've Noticed I Promote Wines In Different Forms ~ Depends On The Rhythm Of The Wine And Its Effect...A Rose In The Winter Time?

(( YES )) This Rose Impacts Different!

~ The California Rhone Lab

2019 ANDREMILY ROSE

MOURVEDRE

The Rose is textured with a light creaminess, bright poached strawberry with accents of light cream of orange meringue. Pair it with the latest music of choice and bleed into an adventure seldom experienced.

These Are The Notes For The

100 Point

MOURVEDRE

The 2019 Mourvedre is heavenly juice and you're not going to find a better example of this variety. Thrilling notes of white pepper, red and black fruits, cured meats, sandalwood, and leather all soar from the glass, and it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, perfect balance, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. The mouthfeel, balance, and length on this are straight-up stunning, and you should beg, borrow, or steal to try this.

A CULT CLUB SMASH HIT IN 2022

One of the most interesting wines I've come across from the Amoenus Vineyard in St. Helena, rarefied air indeed.

I love putting winemakers to the test, rapid recall of the senses allows for quick added layering to the past vintages through comparison. Sam " The Man " Kaplan has crafted another classic Amoenus.

( V Wine Cellar Exclusive )

~ The Wine Lab

2019 ARKENSTONE

AMOENUS

Up there in rarefied air, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Amoenus Vineyard has tons of minerality as well as awesome notes of crème de cassis, graphite, and background oak. All Cabernet Sauvignon aged 22 months in 90% new French oak, it’s pure, flawlessly balanced, and as seamless as they come. This beauty will evolve for over two decades.

WE'VE BEEN ATOP THE SWEET MOUNTAIN FOR A WHILE!

Ever since the introductions were made about 7 years ago we've continued to stock the Bevan arsenal of wines on our shelves. A Cult Club sensation then and today this wine continues to showcase a masterful blend inspired by old-world giants.

 ~ The Wine Lab

97 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 BEVAN CELLARS

Huge blue fruits, cassis, violets, and leafy herbs notes emerge from Bevan’s 2019 Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, a full-bodied, fresh, lively Cabernet that has silky yet building tannins, good acidity, and one heck of a finish. As with all of the 2019s here, it already offers pleasure, yet I suspect a few years of bottle age are warranted here.

JD

MISTAKES THAT CONTINUE TO INSPIRE CREATIVITY

&

ELEGANCE

Not only is the winemaker for Brilliant Mistake wines a silent stealth assassin killing palates with greatness, but he is also a friend as well. It makes me happy to see people shine on and on, if The Wine Lab existed when we met, he would surely be a panelist.

~ The Wine Lab

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 BRILLIANT MISTAKE

Winemaker Maayan Koschitzky is the talent behind these Brilliant Mistake wines, and the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is beautiful, with full-bodied aromas and flavors of cassis, tobacco leaf, violets, and baking spices. Ripe, exuberant, and expansive on the palate, this sexy, balanced 2019 can be drunk today or cellared for 15-20 years if you’re so inclined.

95 Points The Wine Advocate

A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot, the deep garnet-purple colored 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is redolent of exotic spices, vanilla pod and chocolate box, over a core of warm cassis and blackberries, plus a fragrant waft of violets. The full-bodied, rich, soft and seductive palate has a lively backbone and tons of energy in the long finish.

DI VERE VINO CON TE

I might just be at French Bistro just the same, fusing wine and various cuisine styles from around the world is an entertainingly delicious game.

~

A hearty arrabiata bolognese with a cheesy garlic bread is calling your name! Dig In!

~ IL LABORATORIO ENOLOGICO

2019 BRUNO GIACOSA

NEBBIOLO D'ALBA

 Dusty red cherries, crushed flowers and sweet spices are some of the notes that linger on the palate. The tannins are firm, yet beautifully balanced.

UNDER THE CALIFORNIA BIG TOP

The refresh has been constant for Michael Browne, the new-look winery is open and ready to showcase some of the latest adventures in Pinot Noir from California. The 2019 CIRQ is a versatile center-ring seductive entertainer for sure!

~ The Pinot Noir Wine Lab

96+ Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 CIRQ

RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY

A medley and a strong presence of freshly picked red berries, with hints of anise flowers, freshly turned earth, and wafts of ocean breeze.  Ripe red raspberries and brambly fruits, bursting with lush red cherry and cranberry tart, nuanced with subtle citrus notes and light orange peel. A supple and silky texture with vibrant acidity and commanding structure. Noticeable grip yet well-integrated tannins that create movement in the palate and a long energetic finish.

NOTHING LIKE ALWAYS BEING IN THE MOMENT

"When you expect greatness and you are overcome with sensations of limitless pleasure ~ now that is what I call living. We simply have no time to settle for ordinary anything. We demand sense of place, quality, textures and flavors that can on be delivered through precession in production.

~ The Wine Lab

UNANIMOUS

100

2019 DALLA VALLE MAYA

THE WINE ADVOCATE REVIEW

As fans know, Maya comes from a very special section of the estate vineyard, situated in the valley's eastern foothills, below Pritchard Hill and in the above the Oakville floor, overlooking Screaming Eagle. The blend is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Maya slowly unfurls to reveal a firework display of redcurrant preserves, kirsch, boysenberries and wild blueberries, followed by iron ore, red roses, cardamom, fallen leaves and crushed rocks, with a waft of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is stunningly graceful and refined, featuring exhilarating mineral sparks among the red and black fruits, finishing with so much brightness and energy. Breathtaking!

JEB DUNNUCK REVIEW

One of the finest wines in the vintage is the 2019 Maya Proprietary Red Wine, and red wine doesn’t get any better. The usual blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc, its deep purple hue is followed by an incredible bouquet of blackcurrants, tobacco, dark chocolate, and crushed stone, which turns more floral, pretty, and complex with time in the glass. Full-bodied on the palate, it marries a rare sense of elegance and finesse with incredible intensity. It’s impossible to resist today yet merits at least 5-7 years of bottle age, and I have no doubt this beauty will still be enjoyable at age 50. Bravo!

A WINE LAB TASTING PANEL STANDOUT

A unique site created in the early eighties, the future vision to employ dynamite in order to fracture the bedrock was visionary.  The result is continued production of world class highly coveted Bordeaux varieties for which legendary winemakers for continue to line up. The history of the site is framed by innovative farming taking place at the iconic family owned vineyard.

These wines express a sense of place and are designed for enjoyment now and show characteristics of aging nicely well into the future.

~ The Wine Lab

Jeb Dunnuck ( A ) Rated

2019 HOSSFELD ESTATE BLEND

The 2019 Red Blend checks in as a blend of 40% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, with the balance Merlot, that spent 20 months in French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by an up-front, exuberant red offering lots of candied red and black fruits, notes of violets, tobacco, and flowery incense, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink this solid, impeccably made blend over the coming decade or more.

UN ALTRO GRANDE GIORNO

Thanks to the kindness of our clients we have been indulging in some of Italy's most iconic producers.  The Lab is constantly enhancing to point that the palate has become microscopic with precision!

THREE ICONS IN ONE SET, DON'T MISS OUT

~ Il Laboratorio Del Vino

2019 MASSETO 

98 Points The Wine Advocate

This bottle opens a new chapter for one of Italy's most celebrated and collected wines. The first vintage made entirely in its dedicated state-of-the-art winery (and the first vintage with a 10% dabble of Cabernet Franc added to what has historically aways been a pure expression of Merlot), the Masseto 2019 Masseto has two main themes at heart: concentration and elegance. And managing those two seemingly contrasting elements requires a little bit of magic. That's the Masseto magic we look for. The 2019 vintage delivers it in spades with lovely concentrated fruit, blackberry, integrated spice, tobacco, crushed slate, pencil shaving and lots of texture and fiber to push a lasting mouthfeel. The wine's richness translates into density and power to the palate, meanwhile the bouquet reveals fluidity and new sides as the wine opens in the glass. The finish is tapered and focused.

2019 TENUTA SAN GUIDO

BOLGHERI SASSICAIA

98 Points The Wine Advocate

The latest release from Tenuta San Guido is the 2019 Bolgheri Sassicaia. The bouquet is up front and very expressive from the get-go. It offers a generous display of crunchy, dark cherry that hints at the extra concentration and fruit weight obtained in the 2019 growing season. This vintage will be remembered for the crisp richness of the fruit and its important textural imprint. It also shows fine elegance, bordering on the ethereal, with berry aromas, tarry earth and brushes of balsam herb or grilled rosemary. Sassicaia always shows an almost-glossy finely knit quality to the polished mouthfeel, and I find it again here next to fresh acidity and firm tannins. Mouthfeel in 2019 is the wine's strongest suit. The 2019 is one of the prettiest and most balanced editions of Sassicaia we've seen this past decade, along with the back-to-back duo of 2016 and 2015. The 2019 marries the precision of the 2016 with the rich fruit weight of the 2015.

2019 ORNELLAIA BOLGHERI SUPERIORE

ORNELLAIA

97 Points The Wine Advocate

This is a beautiful expression of coastal Tuscany and the sunny Mediterranean. The Ornellaia 2019 Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia (a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot) pours from the bottle with a specific darkness that has elements of both inky saturation and ruby highlights. The wine is saturated and rich—this is something you notice off the bat—but it also reveals a pleasing lightness or grace that is transmitted to both the bouquet and the palate. Dark fruit, pressed blackberry and plum mingle with more substantial aromas of spice, leather and sweetly cured tobacco. The tannins are beautifully managed, and the wine sports considerable heft and density on the palate that drives a very long and pleasurable mouthfeel.

THIRTY-ONE YEARS AFTER THEIR INITIAL PERFECT SCORE

Key observation moving forward, the brands that own and control their own vineyard(s) and farming practices are the ones that will lead the revolution of quality as we head into the age of artistry in winemaking. Several newer producers that are surging higher than ever or the classics that have maintained their quality will be at the forefront. When others are worried about the new demographic, legendary vision, and history will always maintain their timeless appeal.

~ The Wine Lab

2019 DALLA VALLE

MAYA

PROPRIETARY RED WINE

100 Points The Wine Advocate

As fans know, Maya comes from a very special section of the estate vineyard, situated in the valley's eastern foothills, below Pritchard Hill and in the above the Oakville floor, overlooking Screaming Eagle. The blend is two-thirds Cabernet Sauvignon and one-third Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2019 Maya slowly unfurls to reveal a firework display of redcurrant preserves, kirsch, boysenberries and wild blueberries, followed by iron ore, red roses, cardamom, fallen leaves and crushed rocks, with a waft of pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is stunningly graceful and refined, featuring exhilarating mineral sparks among the red and black fruits, finishing with so much brightness and energy. Breathtaking!

100 Points Jeb Dunnuck

One of the finest wines in the vintage is the 2019 Maya Proprietary Red Wine, and red wine doesn’t get any better. The usual blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Cabernet Franc, its deep purple hue is followed by an incredible bouquet of blackcurrants, tobacco, dark chocolate, and crushed stone, which turns more floral, pretty, and complex with time in the glass. Full-bodied on the palate, it marries a rare sense of elegance and finesse with incredible intensity. It’s impossible to resist today yet merits at least 5-7 years of bottle age, and I have no doubt this beauty will still be enjoyable at age 50. Bravo!

" We've known Jason Moore for a long time, I know the story, the collaborations in the past and all that goes into staying relevant in this wine game.  Recently he brought in his 2019s and he showed great pride in his wines, most importantly the Sage Ridge that has the highest printed final score.  Numbers are numbers until you go into the wine memory bank and his statements proved to be true, I found it challenging to recall a bottling that outshined what was showing in glass!

" FANTASTIC WINE "

From here on, it's life in the fast lane. We can all fuel up and continue reaching for never ending greatness! "

~ The Wine Lab

96+ Points The Wine Advocate 

2019 MODUS OPERANDI CELLARS

SAGE RIDGE VINEYARD

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge Vineyard soars out of the glass with intense scents of blackcurrants, black cherries and fragrant earth, plus wafts of cedar, rose oil and espresso, with just a hint of Provence herbs. Full-bodied, the firm, taut and muscular palate has seamless freshness, finishing long and earthy. Give it a good 3-5 years before broaching, and drink it over the next 20 years+.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST WANT TO NOT THINK.

The folks behind this wine are doing a great job with quality vs price point, most of all they are kind people. I'll leave it at that! A solid wine lab win win!

~ The Wine Lab 

2019 NO BRAINER

Offering beautiful aromas of ripe black currant, blackberry liqueur, black cherry and raspberry compote. Layers of purple flowers, mocha, underbrush and loamy soil round out the fruit forward nose. The palate showcases layered texture and finesse. The dark fruit and sweet toasty oak coat the palate with a gorgeous enduring finish.

OAKVILLE IS SYNONYMOUS WITH SHOW-STOPPING, TREND-SETTING WINES THAT INSPIRE INTRIGUE!

The 2019 rendition has been crafted to illustrate the vivacity of legendary winemaking and the most premium of premium fruit source combinations available.

Each bottle is etched and numbered, the Cuvee possesses a unique tapestry of Oakville's finest vineyards.

Wine is ART, imagine having the freedom to blend as you wish and craft a super blend that has no parallel. As the founding member of the Wine Lab, I would love to take part in such an illustrative construction of greatness!

~ The Wine Lab

2019 OAKVILLE

WINEGROWERS CUVEE

The 2019 Cuvée announces itself with vibrant aromas that immediately engage and invite you to experience more. The nose offers depth, with brown spice and toasted almonds, yet it is also beautifully floral, redolent with violets and red cassis tones that are fresh and exhilarating. The wine is velvet on the palate, with both bright red and dark fruits that spill over the solid tannin structure, bringing forth plums, cherries, cassis and huckleberry. This wine is drinking beautifully now and decanting further enhances the gorgeous aromas and opens the wine to greater complexity.

REMEMBERING THE DAYS OF WORKING AT OPUS ONE....I've been drinking Opus One since the mid 90's, worked many a lavish dinner at the winery in the early 2000's as well. Sensory recall allows me to say that this is the best Overture I've ever tasted. The prices might be a little different than the early days of The Wine Lab mind yet the quality has sky rocketed for this iconic wine that continues to posses global recognition.

~ The Wine Lab

2019 OPUS ONE OVERTURE

( Every Vintage In The Blend Is Blockbuster )

A timeless expression of our estate vineyards, Overture is full bodied but approachable in its youth. Overture shows generous dark fruit aromas and flavors with a soft, supple mid-palate. The freshness and soft glow of acidity parallel the subtle tension with dark fruit flavors, savory herbs, espresso, and cocoa.

WORDS & LETTERS ARE POWERFUL, WHEN THEY EMANATE FROM POSITIVITY, THEY ARE CELESTIAL

We've all written something that was fueled by the passion for someone we love. Perhaps you delivered it or simply projected it, either way, it added to the positive cosmos.

Paul Lato was here this past week and joined my wine-tasting panel, we shared connections that have led us all to this point in time. Appreciation for quality wine, time, and positive people was the focus!

Paul's Letters To Europe delivers.

~ The California Rhone Lab

96 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 PAUL LATO

LETTERS TO EUROPE

An even split of Grenache and Syrah from Bien Nacido and Larner Vineyards, the 2019 Letters to Europe offers a big, boisterous, Grenache-driven bouquet of raspberry and strawberry fruits supported by ground pepper, cured meats, and gamey nuances. Rich, full-bodied, and seamless on the palate, it's another rocking wine boasting incredible richness and depth while staying weightless, elegant, and seamless.

PERFECTION IS ALWAYS IN THE EYE ... 

of the beholder. It's always good to get a little more access to some modern day legendary wines made by wine icons.

The foundation has been set, let's see where the continued focus takes us along the REALM To Kalon road of classic Napa Valley Power House Cabernet Sauvignon.

~ The Wine Lab 

2019 REALM

BECKSTOFFER TO KALON

99 POINTS THE WINE ADVOCATE

Composed of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard has a deep garnet-purple color, requiring a little coaxing before it spills out of the glass with fantastically showy blackberry preserves, boysenberries and cassis notes, plus hints of black raspberries, clove oil and potpourri, with a touch of tobacco leaf. The decadent, full-bodied palate sports a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins with beautiful freshness. All that generous black fruit melds seamlessly into a very long, mineral-laced finish.

A Project That Made A Huge Splash... within our Cult Club is back in its 2019 version. With two of the valley's most connected winemakers making this project a continuing success, it's no surprise the 2019 has picked up where the 2018 left off. Quality continues to radiate a wine with texture & depth.

~ The Wine Lab

94 Points The Wine Advocate, Joe Czerwinski

2019 REFLECTIONIST

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Personally, I find it pleasantly lifted and perfumed, with more floral and herbal nuances to go alongside raspberry-tinged fruit. It's still full-bodied and velvety in feel, but it's brighter and juicier on the lengthy finish.

LET'S JUST SAY THIS

When I tasted the 1st vintage of the Royal Prince Cabernet several years back, time flies, the wine blew the doors off several wines that were well over $100 in pricing withing the tasting line up.  The reason behind these wine revelations is strategic and precise composition in assembly. 

This is the BEST SUB $100 wine I've come across in a long while, enjoy some right away.

Texture, Balance & Freshness All Intact!

~ The Wine Lab

2019 ROYAL PRINCE RESERVE 

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

93 Points Jeb Dunnuck

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is rock star stuff and delivers a classic Napa level of richness and depth while staying pure, clean, and beautifully balanced. Lots of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, spice, and hints of tobacco all emerge from the glass, and it's full-bodied, with a rich, fleshy, opulent mouthfeel, good tannins, and a great finish. Don't miss this sexy, concentrated, impeccably made Cabernet!

WHEN YOU'VE ALWAYS HAD A VIBE WITH HEART, IT SHOWS

Since 2003 Scarecrow wines have continued to push toward the stratosphere of brand recognition and quality. The core of this iconic brand is pressurized by ancient Cabernet Sauvignon plantings that average well over 50+ years in existence! Intertwine a little Rutherford dust to mix so well in tune with current popular winemaking styles and you have a Tin Man that has love for the masses!

~ The Wine Lab

Song To Vibe With: America " Tin Man "

96+ Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 SCARECROW M' ETAIN

While the Grand Vin gets all the attention, don’t miss the 2019 M. Étain. This cuvee offers so much pleasure, and it also has a unique style all its own. Based on 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 1% Petit Verdot, its deep purple color is followed by a great bouquet of cassis, violets, leafy herbs, black olive, and crushed stone. Full-bodied, it has a terrific mix of richness and freshness, ripe tannins, and a great finish. While it’s a second wine at this address, it’s as good as just about everyone else’s top cuvée.

I'VE BEEN CRAVING TO KNOW MORE...Finally, It's here.

Even for us, it was as illusive as illusive gets. The winery has great hospitality, great wines, beautiful architecture etc. My only experience was at a local chop house last year and curiosity set in, I always get what I want, so here it is...Enjoy.

~ The Wine Lab

Winemaker: Andy Erickson

98+ Point The Wine Advocate

2019 SEVEN APART

EXPEDITION

This is the second vintage from Seven Apart—a blend coming from Stag's Ridge vineyard, located up on Atlas Peak, and Base Camp vineyard, located seven miles down the mountain (hence the name). The winemaker here is Andy Erickson, formerly at Screaming Eagle and Harlan Estate and currently also consulting winemaker at Dalla Valle (among others). The upper vineyard (Stag's Ridge) is planted to mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Seven miles down the road, where Soda Canyon Road meets the Silverado Trail, is the four-acre Base Camp vineyard, planted in the mid-1990s to Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Base Camp was planted in 1994 and 1998.

Opaque purple-black in color, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Expedition erupts from the glass with explosive scents of boysenberry preserves, blueberry pie and Black Forest cake, plus suggestions of molten chocolate, licorice, tar and violets, with a waft of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate is full-on rich and decadent, exuding layer upon layer of opulent black and blue fruit preserves with bags of exotic spice accents and a long, fragrant finish. Pure hedonism. It is tantalizingly delicious right now, but give it 3-4 years in bottle to blow off that puppy fat, and drink it over the next 25 years+.

LOVING WHAT YOU DO SHOWS

I love selling/promoting wines in ways that are different from most, making you happy is all that matters. Elias Fernandez is a walking almanac of winemaking spanning 40 years in Napa Valley, simply legendary.

I had the luxury to visit Shafer Vineyards and sat down with the legend himself, we appreciate and respect each other as we work hard for you the consumer.

We walked the "minimalist winery set up", as everything is set up to deliver wines of the highest integrity from start to bottle.

I sat there in appreciation as he welcomed me and some of my dearest friends, we drank some of the best vintages of Hillside and saw why the ONE POINT FIVE is a bonafide winner. Think shavings off the Hillside as you would enjoy fine truffles onto your favorite pasta, that's the 2019 1.5.

I was fortunate to try the 2023 PNV Lot as well, and I'm going with my prediction of Top Lot 3 years running so far I'm 2/3 for predictions. PNV's success is decided by our wine professional peers from around the globe that see beyond trends, we know wine from around the globe, and it's no surprise Mr. Fernandez has a surprise for the winemaking community, he truly is a man driven by his passion! .... My mentor in the Wine Lab!

~ The New Wine Lab

96 POINTS JEB DUNNUCK

2019 SHAFER ONE POINT FIVE

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is a gem of a wine that readers will love to have in their cellars. Sweet cassis, violets, and graphite define the bulk of the aromas, and it’s a classic Napa Valley Cabernet on the palate with its full-bodied richness, velvety tannins, and opulent yet balanced style. A blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, and the rest Malbec and Petit Verdot, raised 20 months in new barrels, it’s going to keep for a solid two decades. There are 9,000 cases of this beauty made.

PRESSING THE EASY BUTTON ....

... With a classic Napa Valley producer on a cloudy day here in the Napa Valley.  The light rain has passed and it's time to start enjoying some of these classic 2019s. This latest bottling is singing songs of a change of season, much welcomed as harvest is in progress!

~ The Wine Lab

2019 SPOTTSWOODE LYNDENHURST

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is composed of 77.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9.4% Cabernet Franc, 4.1% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot and 3.8% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it skips out of the glass with lively blueberries, redcurrants and kirsch scents, plus hints of cedar chest, fragrant earth and rose hip tea. Medium-bodied, elegant and lively in the mouth, the palate is chock-full of bright and crunchy red and black fruits, finishing long and earthy.

YOUR INSPIRATION SHOULD BE POETIC, MINE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LUMINESCENCE

Continuing with PNV current legends. I remember tasting this then new project from John & Stacy Reinert at PNV 2020. I bought 5 future cases on the spot, as I saw then that the evolution of Brilliant Mistake wines had shifted into the realm of artistic allure of sensuality. A most definite seductive wine!

~ The Poetic Wine Lab

98 Points Jeb Dunnuck

2019 THE POET & THE MUSE

Another brilliant vintage for the cuvée, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve The Poet & The Muse is a tiny production release that’s a barrel selection of the best in the vintage. Its deep purple hue is followed by awesome aromatics of ripe blue and black fruits, new leather, tobacco, flowery incense, and chocolaty oak. With full-bodied richness, a layered, opulent mouthfeel, sweet tannins, and a great finish, it’s a classic, gorgeous Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon to drink any time over the coming 20-25 years.

We Were Most Definitely Vibing During PNV 2023

When you allow this wine to open up for over 18 hours plus, it begins to show you a side of Oakville that is seldom seen in wines at this price point. Luxurious textures with an integrated oak sensation that is pretty legendary. The vineyard this wine is coming from is in the heart of the valley floor in Oakville and has since been replanted. So I'd get a decent amount of this wine while you can.

A Stand-Out At The Atelier Melka Tasting.

~ The Wine Lab

V Wine Cellar Exclusive

5 STARS THE WINE LAB

2019 WESTWOOD LEGEND

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Legend is up-front and expressive, with a perfumed, medium to full-bodied, exuberant vibe as well as lots of Oakville style in its darker currant and cassis fruits, spicy oak, black olive, and floral notes. It’s fruit-forward and I don’t see it making terribly old bones, but it’s drinking brilliantly today and should easily keep for 10-12 years, and probably longer.

Located west of the town of Oakville at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains. Part of the historic To-Kalon Vineyard. Farmed Organically by Graeme Macdonald. The vines are head-trained and 47 years old. This Cabernet Sauvignon was natively fermented in stainless steel, and aged for 20 months in 65% new French oak.

Caymus has a signature style that is dark in color, with rich fruit and ripe tannins – as approachable in youth as in maturity. Since its founding in 1972, Caymus has become renowned as a consistent leader in the production of Napa Valley Cabernet. Grapes for this wine are farmed in a range of Napa’s sub-appellations – from Coombsville to Calistoga – with fruit from the valley floor creating lushness and the hillsides providing backbone. Diversification enables us to make the best possible wine in a given year, featuring layered, lush aromas and flavors, including cocoa, cassis and ripe berries.

IT'S LIFESTYLE WINES & THEIR ALLURE, THAT'S ALL I CRAVE ~ WINES THAT ELEVATE THE SENSES

One of my Wine Lab panelists said the other day, "we can only consume X number of bottles, so we choose wisely". The 2020 Janasse Old Vine has stories of history in every ounce dating back more than 50 Years. An old-world wine that illustrates the best philosophies in modern-day world winemaking ~ the 2020 has a commanding presence that transcends regions and palates alike.

~ The Rhone Lab

97+ Jeb Dunnuck

2020 DOMAINE DE LA JANASSE

CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE

VIELLES VIGNES

Much more powerful and intense, the 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes more from the La Crau and La Janasse lieux-dits and is the usual blend of mostly Grenache with a touch of Syrah. Blackberries, graphite, scorched earth, pepper, and sappy garrigue all emerge on the nose, and it's full-bodied, has beautiful concentration, polished tannins, and a great finish. Nothing is out of place, and this perfectly balanced, authoritative, powerful, and incredibly impressive 2020 will benefit from 3-4 years of bottle age and evolve for 15-20 years in cold cellars.

WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS CHARDONNAY FOR OVER A YEAR....

Our tasting panel consists of ( Legendary Winemakers, Renowned Growers, Worldly Gentlemen, A Super Palate Promoter & random guests that matter feedback wise ) Kale David Anderson has merged into the fast track of high-end single vineyard Chardonnay production and is taking us along to experience affordable supreme quality.

A must have for the holiday table and well beyond.

A V Wine Cellar Exclusive!

Don't Miss Out.

~ The Wine Lab

2020 KALE DAVID

A18-ATLAS PEAK

5 Stars The Wine Lab

The beautifully bright gold appearance is alluring. Pineapple, pear, apricot, and lemon curd are blended with toast, white flowers, and honey on the nose. The medium body palate is simultaneously rich and linear.Additional fruits joining the nose are green apple, kiwi, and lime. Accompanying the fruit are flinty notes of wetstone and chalk. All of this gives way to a medium plus mouthwatering finish of sweet and sour lemon-lime candy. The acid in this wine makes it a natural pairing with seafood and would be exceptional with lobster and clarified butter. Drink now and over the next 10 years.

MA FLEUR M'INSPIRE

These white flowers will inspire you too. I'm always in red SQN mode, as at that point in time white wines are usually in the rear view.

The white wines, the elusive rose wine from SQN are so well made they provide a lift of the senses. I suppose you wont know until you try, don't miss out.

 ~ The SQN Infused Wine Lab

Song On While Creating This: Santana~ Samba Pa Ti

2020 SINE QUA NON

DISTENTA II

WHITE BLEND

100 point? SQN 2020 Distenta II White – Newly Released Distenta White!

"I know Krankl's reds get all the attention, but he continues to produce brilliant, brilliant dry whites"

- Jeb Dunnuck August 2022

Insight From Jeb Dunnuck Below

The newly released Sine Qua Non 2020 Distenta II White!

So NEW, Not Yet Rated and there are few in stock anywhere in the world. The 2019 is a 100 Pointer, but what do you think the 2020 Distenta II White will score? And what will happen to the price? Collect and enjoy them now with 10% Off, the lowest price in the WORLD!

Remember what happened to the price of the 2019 Distenta I White? It got 100 Points and the price moved in the directions that collectors and investors LOVE to see!

Jeb Dunnuck speaking of Sine Qua Non Whites:

"I never cease to be amazed at the quality consistently coming from this address. In addition, Krankl somehow manages to deliver brilliance with just about any variety out there, you can expect a truly riveting wine, as well as a wine with singular characteristics. And these latest releases from Sine Qua Non are great wines."

SINE QUA NON

Def: ( Latin )

an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely necessary.

My all-time favorite wines continue to push and feed into the brands meaning! I only desire quality, vision, the arts and sounds that define my day to day life!

~ The Wine Lab

((( Arriving Mid February )))

2020 Sine Qua Non

Syrah Distenta 11

99 Points The Wine Advocate / 99 Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Syrah Distenta 11 is a blend of 82.9% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, 3.9% Mourvèdre, 3.4% Petite Sirah and 2.3% white (1.5% Muskat and 0.8% Petit Manseng, to be precise). It comes entirely from estate vineyards: The Third Twin (43%), Eleven Confessions (32%), Cumulus (21%) and Molly Aïda (3%). It was fermented with 16% whole clusters and matured for about 23 months in 66% new French oak. "I like whole cluster less on Syrah," Manfred Krankl explains. "It can be more herbal. But these 2020s are much more fleshy and unctuous, so it shows better." Opaque purple black in color, it features aromas of cassis and blueberries, charcuterie, lavender and coffee beans, changing continually as it spends time in the glass. The full-bodied palate boasts tremendous floral perfume, a frame of rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and fragrant. 

JD

Tons of red, blue, and black fruits as well as peppery herbs and liquid violet-like nuances emerge from the 2020 Syrah Distenta II, a full-bodied, concentrated, remarkably balanced barrel sample that's based on 83% Syrah, 7.5% Grenache, and the rest Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, Muscat, and Petit Manseng. I love its mid-palate, it has ripe, sweet tannins, and a gorgeous finish. It's unquestionably a brilliant wine in the making.

OLD VINE CENTRAL COAST PHENOMENA

Your senses will place you onto a plane of textures and flavors you never expected, old vine single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that will take you to the edge of hedonistic expansion!

~ The Wine Lab

5 Stars The Wine Lab

2020 STEREOPHONIC

Old Bailey Vineyard, Adelaida District

Complexity is Sabretooth's calling card - the wine evolves through phase after phase of spice and floral characteristics, the whole time being supported by beautiful old vine fruit. Sourced from a prestigious 60-year-old vineyard in Paso Robles, it's one of the region's most prized plantings. International superstar winemaker Santiago Achaval had these wines until recently when Stereophonic took over the best block. Still alive and thriving on its original roots atop a limestone hill, Sabretooth is a revelation in high-end Cabernet Sauvignon.

OUT THE BLUE YOU CAME TO ME

It's no surprise these wines are so climate and varietally precise with enduring elegance, Anne-Moller-Racke's rich history in California continues to gain texture. Her Burgundian-inspired wines continue to thrive in local Michelin Starred restaurants with captivating flare.

~ The Wine Lab

2021 BLUE FARM

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

This wine is supple, black raspberry, pomegranate and dusty plum. The integrated but firm tannins are softened by great extract. This is a delicious Pinot Noir from the coast. Enjoy! –Anne-Moller-Racke 

I read today that control is only an illusion, well it's time to get a little out of control in a controlled environment. Enter the freshly released Domaine Tempier Rose to kiss Summer goodbye in luxurious fashion. September is a month of celebration, celebrate your sparkle with love always!

~ The Wine Lab

A Rated The Wine Advocate 

2021 DOMAINE TEMPIER

BANDOL ROSE

The Bandol Tempier Rosé offers a unique blend of complexity and freshness. It has a fine structure, with no tannin. The high-quality care given to the vines and the diversity of the terroirs produce a flavorful intensity and a strong typicity.

Mourvèdre with Grenache and Cinsault.

Advocate Review Below

Not included in the blind tasting at the Local Syndicat, Tempier's 2021 Bandol Rose nevertheless looked good when I tasted it at the estate. It's a very fine, elegant example of Bandol rosé, with notes of passion fruit and pink grapefruit leading the way in a tightly knit, medium-bodied package that adds promising hints of white peach and anise on the lingering finish.

DELICIOSUM

MAXEM DELIVERS IN ANY LANGUAGE

A true passion project from one of Napa valley's most creative winemakers, Sam Kaplan. We recently caught up with the latest MAXEM releases and they were all something to look forward to, unique expressions from the various single vineyards in bottle.

2021 MAXEM CHARDONNAY

LUCKY WELL VINEYARD

Our first foray with this heralded block, the infamous Wente clone benefits from its south/southwestern

exposure and whiter, Goldridge soils. This golden liquid prism erupts out of the glass with a seductive

opulence of white flowers, crushed stones, apple skins, sea spray and kaffir limes that grabs your senses

from the moment you engage the glass. A rounder and more developed palate in its youth, layers of

confit peach, acacia blossoms and crushed slate spotlight a unique depth and dimension that will evolve

magnificently with time in the bottle. Another whole cluster marvel aged in 80% new French oak from the

Sonoma Coast, the 2019 ‘Lucky Well’ highlights a different lens into the special landscape of our take on

California Chardonnay.

IL PIACERE RITORNA

It's been a while.

But remember, everything can change in a New York minute. The big city has the power to wield flux, adjust and keep loving fine wine all the time...With your beautiful Queen or whatever you're into.

~ The Don Vino Wine Lab

94+Points The Wine Advocate

A Wine Lab All Time Favorite Italian White Wine

2021 QUINTODECIMO

FIANO DI AVELLINO EXULTE

This gorgeous wine draws its fruit from a seven-hectare vineyard near the village of Lapio. The Quintodecimo 2021 Fiano di Avellino Exultet is layered with minty apple, poached pear and wild fennel, or finocchietto in Italian. The aromas are delivered with elegant and discreet intensity, and you can count on a lasting end note of salinity or crushed mineral that gives framing and contouring to the pretty primary fruit. Thanks to careful aging on the lees, the wine offers a naked and faithful portrait of the Fiano grape. Distant powdering of crushed white pepper or licorice root appear on the extremely silky, medium-textured finish.

ALWAYS FUN TO RIDE HARD

Produced since 2019, I first accessed the brand in its 2020 rendition with great success. The 2021 Ride Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most elegant over-delivering wines for the price point I've come across in a good while. Growing up on a milk farm, little Don Carlitos rode many wild little ponies in a custom can't get the kid hurt setup. This bottling fuses my passion for adventure and wine all in one cleverly illustrated kick-ass bottle of wine.

~ THE WINE LAB

5 STARS THE WINE LAB

2021 RIDE CABERNET SAUVIGNON

PASO ROBLES

 Ride Paso Robles Cabernet showcases a deep ruby/purple core with shaved cocoa, black fruit, cinnamon, and sweet tobacco aromas. The mouthfeel has great density and polish in the texture with incredible length. The 2021 is a rare mix of boldness and finesse.

THE TIDE IS GAINING A SWELL OF WELL DESERVED MOMENTUM

The Fait ~ Main & Teeter Totter family of wines continue to grow in production while in unison increasing quality and precision. I recently tasted the 2021 vintage wines, the textures and flavors were intensely profound. The newly released single vineyard wines as well as the Napa Valley blends are very impressive!

~ The Wine Lab

5 Stars The Wine Lab

2021 TEETER TOTTER

NAPA VALLEY

The vintage is powerful, well-balanced, and carries beautiful aromatics. Fresh raspberries, blackcurrants, floral notes and spice get swaddled in ripe, polished tannins for some rich and full-bodied satisfaction. Balanced acid gives it incredible length and a killer finish. The perfect plus one for any occasion. This is a phenomenal vintage, don’t wait - open it up...now!

SCOTT'S LATEST BURGUNDY WAVE

Meet the man that does it all, makes his wine and hits the territories to promote it, Stephane Vivier is a Burgundian dynamo. We recently tasted with him and his wines were fantastic, the Van Der Kamp Vineyard Pinot Noir was a show stopper.

~ Scott's Wine Spotlight

2021 VIVIER

VAN DER KAMP VINEYARD

PINOT NOIR

The color is bright, clear with deep ruby tone. Penetrating and rich to smell: earthy and intensely fruity, with light licorice and subtle spice. On the palate, you find a brightly fresh and energetic, firm wine, with enough fruit richness, a dollop of licorice unique to Van der Kamp and an ethereal, persistent and refreshing red and black fruit finish. Drink now or cellar for the next two decades.

TWO OF OUR HOTTEST WINES DELIVERED

BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS

( Wines & Shipping Included In Pricing )

These two bottles deliver pleasure, texture, and above all smiles to the soul. I'm demanding sense of place more often than not and these two elevation vineyard sites take you to the Eastern slopes above the Stag's Leap district.

~ Santa Los' Wine Lab

Each Set Is Delivered With Tasting Notes In Addition To Your Personal Message.

2019 HOSSFELD RED BLEND

The 2019 Red Blend checks in as a blend of 40% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, with the balance Merlot, that spent 20 months in French oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by an up-front, exuberant red offering lots of candied red and black fruits, notes of violets, tobacco, and flowery incense, medium to full body, ripe tannins, and a great finish. Drink this solid, impeccably made blend over the coming decade or more.

2020 KALE DAVID

A18 CHARDONNAY

The beautifully bright gold appearance is alluring. Pineapple, pear, apricot, and lemon curd are blended with toast, white flowers, and honey on the nose. The medium body palate is simultaneously rich and linear. Additional fruits joining the nose are green apple, kiwi, and lime. Accompanying the fruit are flinty notes of wet stone and chalk. All of this gives way to a medium plus mouthwatering finish of sweet and sour lemon-lime candy. The acid in this wine makes it a natural pairing with seafood and would be exceptional with lobster and clarified butter.