Jan
21
2019
Rewa is the latest venture of ace winemaker extraordinaire Celia Welch. The Rewa vineyard is located in the Coombsville appellation in the South Eastern part of the Napa Valley. The vineyard is planted on shallow rocky white volcanic ash in the slightly cooler growing area of the Napa Valley. Rewa Vineyards represents a significant project from perhaps the best terroir in the budding Coombsville AVA. Only 300 cases of this “gem” were produced. I highly recommend you jump on this now before the press gets a hold of it!
Rewa 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon “Estate” Coombsville, Napa Valley
GGWC 229.99
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The second release from Rewa is an even more intense and focused wine compared to the 2015 vintage! The 2016 Rewa Estate offers up a barrage of aromas and flavors that jump out of the glass on impact. Loads of bright dark stone fruit, a touch of anise and cassis and a whiff of spice on the nose are followed by a very full bodied, intense yet extremely well-balanced bold and structured Cabernet. The palate is loaded with vibrant black stone fruit, a touch of Coombsville minerality and an array of bright, complex fruit that are harmoniously balanced. The wine finishes long ith fine grain tannins and long incredible flavors.
Another A+ for Celia Welch!
Also check out – REWA 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC “ESTATE” COOMBSVILLE NAPA VALLEY
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Jan
20
2019
Ilaria 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
– SPECIAL PRICING –
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(NOW $56.00 per bottle INSTEAD OF $70.00)
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– SPECIAL PRICING –
20% OFF & FREE SHIPPING on FULL CASE
(NOW $56.00 per bottle INSTEAD OF $70.00)
Use code SHIPFREE12 during checkout
The 2015 Ilaria Cabernet Sauvignon possesses gorgeous aromas of black current liqueur, blackberries and huckleberry compote and is complemented by notes of scorched volcanic earth, roasted herbs and charcoal. This wine coats the palate with seductive viscosity. The velvety tannins dance on the palate and contribute to the enduring finish. The wine is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon 12% Cabernet Franc 6% Merlot
Jeb Dunnuck 93 Points: ” Checking in as a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot, from a mix of Atlas Peak, Howell Mountain and St. Helena, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley from Anna Monticelli is a rich, full-bodied, opulent 2015 that shows the sexy, ripe, sweet character of the vintage beautifully. Cassis, tobacco leaf, graphite, and hints of minerality all emerge from this beauty and it’s balanced, pure, and long. Drink it over the coming 15+ years.”
Robert Parker 92+ Points: “Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 6% Merlot coming mainly from the Atlas Peak foothills with some Howell Mountain and St. Helena fruit) gives up notes of crème de cassis, dried herbs and black soil with hints of cardamom and rare beef. Full-bodied and packed with plenty of expressive black fruits and herbal accents, it has nice, ripe, approachable tannins and a spicy finish.”
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Jan
20
2019
With still lower than normal production levels this vintage will sell out in no time! The 2016 DuMol releases are turning out to be quite spectacular! I would say that several of these may the best ever from this winery. Look for some rave reviews from the wine critics! As you know DuMOL is always in high-demand, you can bet that this means the allocation will sell out quickly.
DuMOL 2016 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard “Chloe” Russian River Valley – 97 Points
GGWC 71.99
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Jeb Dunnuck (formerly with Robert Parker) 97 Points: “The 2016 Chardonnay Ritchie Vineyard comes from one of the top terroirs in the Russian River, and Andy has been working with two parcels from this vineyard since 2001. David Ramey and Mark Aubert also source fruit from these same parcels. This crazy good effort is a match for a Grand Cru White Burgundy and has a reductive, complex, layered style as well as sensational minerality, spice, white flowers, and orchard fruits. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age (I’m not sure bottles would last that long at my house) and will keep for 10-15 years.”
Winemaker Andy Smith: “Certainly, the richest and most forward Chardonnay of the vintage, this is the designate to drink first; sometime in late 2018 is a good start date. The wine brims with yellow peach, nectarine and honeysuckle flavors, offset by more savory mint leaf, fresh thyme and sweet hay characters. While possessing a restrained power at its core, it is fruit-driven and layered with a broad textural range perfectly balanced by a lively acidic backbone that provides an element of tension to buffer all the natural richness. Drink between 2019 and 2022.”
DuMOL 2016 Chardonnay Charles Heintz “Isobel” Sonoma Coast – 96 Points
GGWC 71.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points: “From a cooler, foggy site just east of Occidental, on the edge of the Green Valley portion of the Russian River, the 2016 Chardonnay Charles Heintz comes from 35-year-old vines, was barrel fermented and aged, and bottled unfined. This deeper, richer, more powerful Chardonnay boasts sensational notes of honeyed orchard fruits, brioche, and salty minerality. With integrated acidity, a big, rich mid-palate and a great finish, it’s a quintessential Sonoma Coast Chardonnay to drink over the coming decade or more.
Winemaker Andy Smith: ” This Chardonnay is infused with incredibly intense lemongrass and citrus oil notes that extend to the very final echo of flavor. Deeply pitched, it has broad viscosity, carrying honeycomb and truffle notes, offset by vibrant coastal acidity. The wine possesses so many changing dimensions that, each time you return to the glass, there’s something new to discover. I recommend you wait to drink until after Spring 2019 to give the wine time to unfold its many nuances. Drink between 2019 and 2023.”
DuMol 2016 Syrah Greywacke Vineyard “Eddie’s Patch” – 96+ Points
GGWC 94.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 96+ Points: “From the Greywacke Vineyard (this is a new vineyard for this cuvée), the 2016 Syrah Greywacke Vineyard Eddie’s Patch is reminiscent of a release from the Côte Brune side of Côte-Rôtie. Ample crushed rocks, smoked meats, ozone, pepper, and ripe back fruits give way to a full-bodied, seamless and elegant Syrah that continued to gain in stature and depth as it sat in the glass. Perfectly ripe, impeccably balanced, and long, give it a year or two and enjoy over the following decade or more.
Winemaker Andy Smith: “Greywacke’s iron-rich soils confer an extremely ferrous character to the wine that we see every vintage (terroir!), a trait I describe as mineral/red vapor. This distinctly ferrous note interweaves with spicy dark fruits (tart and savory), mint and a soy-like meatiness. On the palate, the wine is immediately fruit-driven—a slight surprise given the savory nature of its aromatics—with a sense of tiny wild berries, intense, potent and spicy. The wine possesses prodigious structure and deep texture from ultra-low yields due to such unforgiving soils. While you can sample your allocation soon after release (frankly, this wine could outlive most of us), I think it will be best enjoyed between 2020 and 2030. Our finest Eddie’s Patch since the 2013 vintage, and one of our greatest efforts ever.”
DuMOL 2016 Pinot Noir Widdoes Vineyard “Ryan” Russian RIver Valley – 95 Points
GGWC 94.99
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Vinous 95 Points: “The 2016 Pinot Noir Ryan Widdoes Vineyard is one of the highlights in this range of Pinots. Bright, floral notes and punch, red-toned fruit give the 2016 presence and vivacity. A rush of pomegranate, red cherry, blood orange and star anise build into the voluptuous, racy finish. There is so much to like here. The Widdoes emerges from a dry farmed parcel planted with Martini clone Pinot, which is always so distinctive.”
Winemaker Andy Smith: “Vivid flavors of tiny wild berry fruits, bursting with intensity, are supported by vibrant pinpoint acidity that ensures all elements flow to the last lingering echo of flavor. Black pepper and cedar box aromas co-mingle with pure dark cherry compote flavors as beautiful floral notes are found throughout, the texture deep and layered. For me, the quality and personality align with the 2015 vintage, a wine I particularly love. I’m also reminded of the 2012 vintage, a deep, showy wine that is drinking wonderfully right now. Drink between 2019 and 2026.”
DuMOL 2016 Pinot Noir Estate Russian River Valley 95 Points
GGWC 99.99
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Galloni 95 Points: “The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard is a potent, brooding wine that expresses all the natural structural intensity of this site. Black cherry, plum, gravel, graphite, smoke and dark spice notes add to the wine’s virile personality. The 2016 is not at all subtle, but it packs a serious punch. It should also age nicely for a number of years. Today, the tannins definitely make themselves felt.”
Winemaker Andy Smith: “We harvested a strict selection from our three favorite micro-parcels within the wider Estate Vineyard: higher-elevation areas where the soils transition from fluffy/sandy to richer clay. As such, the wine balances sandy soil aromatic intensity—tart fruits, floral and spice notes, and an herbal vein—with richer, deeper clay-derived body and depth—cherry compote, dark fruits and obvious texture. There’s gorgeous elemental Pinot flavor throughout: zesty, linear and focused with a long granular structure that offers extended aging potential of 10 to 12 years. Start drinking your allocation sometime in mid-2019 but know the wine’s fullest expression will likely emerge between 2020 and 2024.”
SMALL AMOUNTS OF THE 2016 WESTER REACH WINES ARE STILL AVAILABLE
DUMOL 2016 “WESTER REACH” PINOT NOIR “RUSSIAN RIVER” 93 POINTS
DUMOL 2016 “WILD MOUNTAIN SIDE” SYRAH “RUSSIAN RIVER” 95 POINTS
DUMOL 2016 “WESTER REACH” CHARDONNAY, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY – 93 POINTS
Jan
18
2019
For 3 generations the Holtermann Family has been one of the premier importers of wines, varying from hard-to-find, leading wineries to very large producers from all over the world. Their longtime relationships with growers, enolgists, winemakers and vineyard managers provided them with a unique perspective of the wine industry. So the next step was panting their own vineyards, which they did in the remote ridge tops of Annapolis on the Sonoma Coast. Add winemaker Carroll Kemp to the mix and you’ll wind up with great quality estate-grown wines at a great price point!
Alma Fria 2016 “Plural” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
GGWC 44.99
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The 2016 Alma Fria “Plural” Pinot Noir is a blend of the best barrels from three amazing West Sonoma Coast vineyards – Holtermann, Dona Margarita and Zephyr Farms.
The wine offers up gorgeous black raspberry and wild plum flavors, combined with highlights of Gravenstein apple peel, clay, and a hint of spice to form a medium-bodied wine with refreshing acidity and smooth texture. Aged in 10% new French oak. 13.4% alcohol. Only 195 cases were produced.
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Jan
17
2019
What do the French Laundry & Golden Gate Wine Cellars have in common… Hudson Chardonnay.
The French Laundry pours the Hudson Chardonnay by the glass and pairs it with a butter-poached Lobster Tail – mouthwatering, delectable, scrumptious – MUST HAVE!
Winemakers John Kongsgaard and Christopher Vandendriesche did it again! Only a few hundred cases of the stunning, very Burgundian-like Hudson Chardonnay were produced! If this vineyard would be in Burgundy, it would have the Premier-Cru designation! Lee Hudson is probably one of the best winegrowers in the valley. Many great wineries (Kongsgaard, Kistler, etc.) have been sourcing from this vineyard for decades!
Hudson 2016 Chardonnay “Estate” Carneros Napa Valley
GGWC 69.99
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96+ Points Robert Parker: “Produced from the “Shot Wente” heritage selection clone and all naturally fermented in French oak, 85% new, where it was aged for 12 months, the Chardonnay Hudson Vineyardreveals intense grapefruit, pineapple and honeysuckle notes with hints of brioche, ginger and shaved almonds. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is bursting with spicy, tropical fruit flavors, framed by plenty of freshness and a satiny texture, finishing with great length and depth…This famous vineyard in Carneros was first started by the Hudson family in 1981. These are some of the strongest wines I have yet tasted from them, thanks to winemaker Christopher Vandendriessche and Ace consultant John Kongsgaard.”
Winemaker Notes: “We experienced ideal growing conditions for our Chardonnay block. Cool summer temperatures extended the growing season culminating in exceptional phenolic ripeness. A total of 5 blocks were independently harvested from late August into early September. Upon arriving to the winery, the lots are individually whole cluster pressed and barreled down for fermentation. Our standard Chardonnay protocol employs a slow primary fermentation process that uses only native yeasts and lasts 12 to 14 months. This extended fermentation process produces cerebral Chardonnay that stands up to our naturally concentrated shot-Wente selections. The barrels are topped and stirred once a week during élevage and racked for the first time after 16 months.”
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Jan
16
2019
The 2014 growing season was easygoing. Grapevines found their happy place quickly, as warm spring soils brought an early budbreak, and the rest of the season was mild and relaxed, with high temperatures dancing in the mid 80’s. The vines and grapes developed smoothly, soaking up the dreamy vacation-like weather. Wine country got a little shaken in late August by an impressive earthquake, but the vineyards only felt a tickle on their roots and harvest proceeded with the same mellow vibe as the rest of the vintage.
REMEMBER ONLY 125 CASES PRODUCED OF THIS LITTLE GEM!!
Linked 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon “Estate” Knight’s Valley
GGWC 124.99
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Robert Parker wrote: “Luc Morlet is not only a fabulous winemaking talent, he knows how to bring the French savoir faire of complexity, elegance and precision to the ripe, concentrated, intense fruit of California.” No sense arguing with Bob, he captured this vintage to a tee. A swirl of the glass reveals aromatics of red and black cherries mingled with cedar. The palate is teased by impeccable tannins, round and soft, with notes of blackberry, leather and cocoa, and the finish boasts a captivating yet laid back character.”
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Jan
15
2019
The crown jewel of La Sirena, Cabernet Sauvignon is Heidi’s favorite varietal to work with, and the wine she is best-known for throughout her career. This Cabernet has all the makings of Heidi’s classic, elegant and balanced style, produced from some of the finest vineyards in Napa Valley.
La Sirena 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
GGWC 179.99
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The 2015 Cabernet is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga/St. Helena, blended with 9% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cab Franc and 3% Malbec. Only 388 cases were produced
Suggested drinking range: Delicious upon release, cellaring for 5-10 years is great, but also has potential to last 20+ years stored properly. This wine ages beautifully.
Suggested pairings: Filet Mignon, Prime Rib, Kobe/Wagyu beef (any high quality red meat), roast duck with pomegranate sauce, ribs, veal chops, portobello mushrooms, grilled summer vegetables, Caprese salad.
Heidi Barrett Notes: “This gorgeous 2015 Cabernet is dense and concentrated, starting with very dark ruby color in the glass. Aromas are Napa Valley at its best – layers of ripe berries, cherries, red currants, and toasty refined French oak accents. Open and expressive, with velvety and explosive flavors across the palate. Blackberry-like ripe Cab flavors with amazing silky textural tannins and a persistent long finish. Power packed concentration from this low production vintage. Already delicious upon release, and will surely be an appealing wine for collectors – its powerful structure and rich flavors ensure this wine will be a favorite for years to come.”
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Jan
14
2019
In one of our last tasting group meetings we blind tasted Domestic Rhone Varietal and Rhone Blends. The lineup included:
- Booker “Fracture” Syrah (95+WA/96-100 Jeb Dunnuck)
- Hudson Syrah (97+WA)
- DuMOL Eddie’s Patch Syrah (97 Vinous/96+ Jeb Dunnuck)
- Turley Petite Sirah “Rattlesnake” (95+WA)
- Halcón “Elevación” (95+WA)
- Kongsgaard Syrah (96-99 Vinous/96-98 WA)
- Plumpjack Syrah (96 WA/95 Jeb Dunnuck)
- Carlisle “Papa’s Block” (95 WA/96 Vinous)
- Keplinger “Sumo” (94+ WA)
- Keplinger “Lithic” (94 WA)
The WINNER Was Keplinger “SUMO”, followed by DUMOL “Eddie’s Patch” Halcon “Elevación” and Keplinger “LITHIC” – Our tasting group of 15 tasters voted as follows:
Keplinger Sumo 8 first, 3 second and 3 third place votes
Dumol “Eddie’s Patch” 2 first, 5 second, 2 third place votes
Halcon “Elevación” 2 first, 3 second, 2 third place votes
Keplinger Lithic 2 first, 2 second, 2 third place votes
Keplinger 2016 “Sumo”
Retail 80.00 – GGWC 76.99
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Parker: “The 2016 Sumo is blended of 93% Petite Sirah and 7% Viognier, aged 16 months in 66% new French oak. It is very deep purple-black in color and a little closed, revealing notes of crushed raspberries, black cherries and warm plums plus hints of wild blueberries, spice box and roses. The palate is full-bodied with a firm frame of very ripe, plush tannins and oodles of freshness lifting the red and black berry flavors to a long perfumed finish. 295 cases produced.”
Winemaker: “The aromatics are incredibly vibrant, with layers of candied red fruit, lavender, gunmetal, garrigue, French violet candy, blackberry, and dried thyme. Broad, plush tannins frame the palate; savory notes laced with brambly blue and red fruit, dried herbs and heady floral notes carry the finish. 280 cases produced.”
Keplinger 2016 “Lithic”
Retail 80.00 – GGWC 76.99
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Parker: “The 2016 Lithic is a blend of 41% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre and 27% Syrah aged 16 months in 30% new French oak. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it delivers compelling lilacs, kirsch and redcurrant jelly notes with red licorice and hints of anise, cinnamon stick, tar and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, firm and with wonderful freshness, it has a fine-grained texture and very long, spicy finish. 280 cases produced.”
Winemaker: “The 16 Lithic has a complex, thrilling evolution. The aromatics are incredibly vibrant, with layers of candied red fruit, lavender, gunmetal, garrigue, French violet candy, blackberry & dried thyme. Broad, plush tannins frame the palate; savory notes laced with brambly blue & red fruit, dried herbs & heady floral notes carry the finish. 280 cases produced.”
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Jan
12
2019
 Located 1400 feet above sea level on the western slopes of Sonoma Mountain, the Sun Chase vineyard is one of the first to emerge from the daily intrusion of fog in the Petaulma Gap, allowing it to capture ample sunlight throughout the growing season. this translates into a pure, fruit driven wine that is densely packed, unctuous, and powerfully rich – the trademark of a great Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Its crimson color is an entry into aromas of dark red cherry, bittersweet chocolate, and graphite. Integrated sweet strawberry jam, plum, barrel spice and hints of lavender flowers meld together to form an opulent and juicy wine. Dark spices lace into a supple and pliant mid-palate, leading to silky yet open knit flowing finish. while this wine is definitely approachable now, a couple years of bottle age will unveil hidden layers and additional complexity |
Ancillary by Carter Cellars 2016 Pinot Noir “Sun Chase” Sonoma Coast
GGWC 54.99
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Jeb Dunnuck 95 Points: “I loved the 2016 Pinot Noir Sun Chase Vineyard and it comes from higher elevation site located above the Gap’s Crown vineyard in the Petaluma Gap. Destemmed and aged in 40% new oak, it offers a darker edge to its cherry and framboise fruits, forest floor, earth and spicy aromas and flavors. It’s ripe, textured, and nicely concentrated and has bright acidity and clean, chiseled finish, all pointing to it evolve gracefully for at least a decade.”
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Jan
11
2019
TODAY ONLY!!
Limited words needed on these highly rated, limited production wines.
They are great, hard to come by, and I feel generous – so take advantage of our 15% off TODAY ONLY OFFER
Use code LATO15OFF at checkout to receive your 15 % OFF
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