A “wine” Message in a bottle = Amazing Quality & Value

 
Bibiana González Rave is the founder and winemaker of Cattleya Wines. She is also the wife of star winemaker Jeff Pisoni. Born and raised in Colombia and trained as a winemaker in France, she moved to California in 2007 to settle into making extraordinary wines. In her words: “Since my early teenage years, my dream has been to make wine. At a very young age I was fortunate enough to begin learning how to make wine in France. I trained myself while working with some amazing winemakers who showed me the importance of loving the land, how to respect the farming itself, and to focus on the many details that go into making each drop of wine in each and every bottle.” She also made the wines at Pahlmeyer, and produces “Shared Notes” wines with husband Jeff Pisoni. All those ingredients together and you have one of the best winemakers in the country!

Alma de Cattleya 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County
GGWC 28.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code ALMA during checkout


The wine is sourced from a few vineyards in the Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. If offers medium intensity, light yellow with a greenish hue. Complex nose of kiwi and guava with wet stone and gunpowder after tones. A touch of champagne-like yeastiness finishing with nuances of exotic tropical fruit. Pure and intense on the pallet with a little flinty touch. Fully dry with a medium body. Diamond-like purity and intensity. The finish is zesty and full of minerals. 

Winemaker Notes: “Bursting with notes of ripe melon, Key lime, and grapefruit, this wine is bright, refreshingly crisp, possesses ample texture, and begs for a second glass. This Sauvignon Blanc is a true expression of the influence of the Pacific Ocean breezes in Sonoma County’s grape-growing region. Zesty and bright, the exceptional intensity of lemon zest, grapefruit, verbena and citrus blossoms aromatics are an impressive aperture to a gorgeous mouthfeel with centered acidity and a luscious finish. Enjoy now and for years to come.”
 
Wine Spectator 93 Points: “Aromatic, intense, and, distinctive, delivering mouthwatering lemongrass, Meyer lemon, pomelo, and white grapefruit flavors, with an intriguing touch of litsea oil that lingers on the fresh finish. Drink now.”

Food Pairing Suggestions
*Cow’s-milk cheeses flavored with garlic and herbs such as Le Roulé and Boursin, and goat cheeses such as Humboldt Fog and Tomme de Chèvre Aydius.
*Grilled fish, especially oily fish such as sardines and mackerel; garlicky prawns and chargrilled squid.
*Grilled chicken or lamb with bold marinades or creamy sauces.
*International cuisine including Japanese, Mexican, and Mediterranean.

Make sure to check out these other Bibiana made wines (they assort for FREE SHIPPING too)
Cattleya 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee Number Eight Sonoma Coast Inaugural Release
Cattleya 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee Number One, Russian River Valley
Cattleya 2019 “Call to Adventure” Chardonnay Russian River Valley 95 Points
Cattleya 2019 Syrah “Initiation” Santa Lucia Highlands – 95 POINTS!
Shared Notes 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Les Leçons des Maîtres, Russian River Valley VERY LIMITED
Shared Notes 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Les Pierres qui Décident, Russian River Valley VERY LIMITED
Cattleya 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Meeting With The Mentor” 98 Points EXREMELY LIMITED
Cattleya 2021 Chardonnay Cuvee # 5 – Sonoma Coast 95 Points

Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!

Last Call 4 the Very Highly Rated Bevan Cabernets & his STUNNING 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Bevan Cellars Outdoor Lifestyle
 

Russell Bevan and Victoria De Crescenzo knew they were on to something special way back in the late 90′s when impromptu blind tastings with friends and trips to Napa became a regular part of their life. Over the next several years, they met with and were inspired by some of the greatest winemakers and viticulturists of the time. Robert Foley, Phil Togni, Greg La Follette, and others imparted bits of wisdom and wine lore that shaped their approach even before the first batch of wine was an idea. It was not long before they acquired eight acres of land in the Bennett Valley and with a ton of grapes from the best block in Kal Showket’s vineyard, Bevan Cellars was born.

The Bevan legacy continues to this day and every year continues to impress. Multiple 95-100 point ratings are a testament to the quality, dedication, and attention that they give to each one of their wines.  

There will be NO 2020 Cabernet or Cab blends from Russell released this year, so jump on this now, as the 2021 wines will not be released until late 2024/early 2025.

Bevan 2019 Ontogeny Proprietary Red, Napa Valley – 99 Points

Bevan 2019 Tench EE Red (Cabernet Blend) Napa Valley – 99 Points

Bevan 2019 Tench Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ~ 99+ Points

Bevan 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Sugarloaf Napa Valley – 100 Points

Bevan 2021 Sauvignon Blanc “Dry Stack” Bennett Valley Sonoma 96 Points (his best SB to date!)

Bevan Cellars 2021 Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap, Sonoma

Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!

A MUST-HAVE in your cellar, this powerful 96 Point Syrah

 

Matthias Pippig is not your everyday mainstream winemaker. He’s an “artist” in the true sense of the word. A creator, a dreamer, a visionary, a poet, a chef, and a scientist. Mix this all together and you have Sanguis. Matthias moved here from Germany some 30 years ago with plans to make it big in the Rock & Roll scene. Life took a different turn, as he had to make a living and he eventually stumbled onto the L.A. food scene. He worked as a waiter, and in time met Manfred Krankl, of La Brea Bakery fame, with whom he’d partnered and worked for several years. Krankl, created the infamous Sine-Qua-Non label and that inspired Matthias to go a similar route and the rest is history. Sanguis is not a quaffing wine, but complex and sophisticated.

Sanguis 2019 Bossman Syrah-based Blend
GGWC 94.99
FREE SHIPPING on 8 or more
Use code SANGUIS during checkout


Robert Parker 96 Points: “The 2019 Bossman is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Viognier vinified with 30% whole clusters and matured for 27 months in 70% new and 30% seasoned 400-, 500- and 600-liter French puncheons. Medium ruby, it opens with graphite and cedar that give way to black cherries, pipe tobacco, mushroom, and potpourri. Medium to full-bodied, it balances concentrated fruits with a bright freshness, has a supple frame, and finishes with great length and earthy accents. It's more powerful than the other reds in this lineup of 2019s and will benefit from another 3-5 years in bottle.”

Vinous 95 Points: “The 2019 Bossman is sleek, elegant, and refined in a way that is quite recent for these wines. Silky tannins wrap around a core of dark red fruit, mocha, blood orange, cinnamon, pomegranate, and sweet spice.  Generous dollops of Grenache, Cabernet, and Viognier add notable brightness and aromatic presence to the Syrah fruit.


Winemaker Notes: “A character of force with an uncompromising resolve for individualism and a passion for all things beautiful. If you were to walk on the asphalt paths that lead into the Portland Rose Garden after a hot summer afternoon’s brief cloudburst and took a deep breath, you would be inhaling two of the major components of this wine…further good news is that there are so many other olfactory layers as to make continuous inhalations irresistible. The wine is a blend of 75%  Syrah, 12% Grenache, 8%, Viognier, and 5%, Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Food: Red meat seems the go-to for substantial reds but I’d steer you toward more plant-based choices, especially earth-toned dishes involving mushrooms, beans, roasted beets…

Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!

Quality of Champagne from a Philosophical Perspective

 
Quality of Champagne from a Philosophical Perspective
Contributed by Glass of Bubbly
 
When we speak about Champagne we almost always tell each other about the supreme quality of this elixir. But what do we actually mean if we speak about quality? What IS the quality of Champagne? Maybe philosophy can give us the answer.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
(Margaret Wolfe Hungerford)

If we go to the Oxford Dictionary we find two definitions of ‘quality’: “the standard of something as measured against other things of a similar kind” and “a distinctive attribute possessed by something”. The first definition doesn’t bring us really further if we want to understand the inherent quality of Champagne. It only states that it is a relative position, for example, compared to other drinks or other Champagnes. So the one with the highest quality can still be undrinkable, which doesn’t resonate with the idea of quality as such. This is because in this way quality doesn’t say anything about any inherent aspects of Champagne. The second definition is in that respect more useful: having a distinctive attribute. But the key question is then: what is the attribute or inherent aspect of Champagne which makes it something with a supreme quality? So let’s use the second definition of quality in our search for the deeper meaning of the quality of Champagne.

In general, there are three major approaches to identifying the quality of something: the product-based approach, the user-based approach and the value-based approach.

If we look at the product-based approach we focus on the physical features of the Champagne. This could be the taste, the smell, the looks, the sound, or the touch. And as such a specific Champagne has undoubtedly distinctive physical characteristics if you compare it with other similar drinks like still wines, sparkling wines or even other Champagnes. But is any specific characteristic or mix of those inherently supreme? What should be the benchmark for that? When we take the user-based approach we look at the extent to which it satisfies consumer expectations. As such it depends on subjective sensory experiences like taste, smell, and tactile perceptions. And as we all have our own subjective experiences they can only be personal and not objective facts. So the usefulness of it is only very relative. What does it mean then for anyone else?

The value-based approach is about economic or financial worth. This may be of interest when you buy it or invest in it but isn’t inherent to the Champagne we drink. So a high value may be cool, but as such, it hasn’t anything to do anymore with the supremacy of the drinking experience. This means that all three approaches to identifying the quality of Champagne give their own relative perspective. This applies to the physical product, the personal experience, and the economic worth. But it doesn’t objectify any inherent elements which constitute its supreme quality of it. So philosophically speaking quality isn’t objectifiable nor a separable element of Champagne. “A bottle of Champagne contains more philosophical thoughts than all the books in the world.”

Does this mean that philosophically speaking quality is an irrelevant concept? Of course not! Because we can’t deny the experience of the supreme elixir we almost all have when drinking Champagne. This brings in the essential view we need to have on any experience. As humans, we all are programmed to name all the things we experience. We name by discriminating or to put it in another way, by distinguishing things. We do this by using forms like objects or specific impressions. But forms typically have boundaries and make things limited and as such make them separate. The problem is that this is useful from a theoretical point of view, but from a practical point of view it is impossible. The experience of a sparkling drink or the notes of brioche might be distinguished, but cannot be separated from the Champagne. It’s all interconnected. So that what makes Champagne a supreme elixir might not be physically separable as such, but it surely exists as a characteristic experience.

Another typicality about the idea of supreme quality is the fact that ultimately we don’t really know the inherent elements of Champagne itself. This is because at the most basic level physically we only experience the signals in our mind that we receive from the various receptors involved in drinking Champagne. All we see, smell, feel and hear when drinking Champagne is only the result of simple electromagnetic changes in our minds. Each nip we take will activate receptors in our mouth, nose, eyes, and ears that translate the various types of contact into signals in our mind. So what we call supreme quality is in the end just an electromagnetic potential difference in our mind. This means that supreme quality is just another potential difference, like any other experience. So how supreme is this?
 
“A Champagne tasting is a sensual mind sport.”
(Corné van Nijhuis)

So we still haven’t found the essence of what we call the supreme quality. Would it, if we look at it from a philosophical perspective, be a fake concept then? Maybe we should first go back to what philosophy is. Philosophy is an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about existence. Essential is then the concept of truth. For me, truth is any perception that is consistent with the perceptions already accepted by me, which I have defined as truth in the form of an idea. So going back to supreme quality we can accept this as a truth for Champagne when the experience of drinking Champagne is consistent with prior accepted other supreme quality perceptions. Personally speaking, this is the case for me. If you don’t have this truth yet, I surely suggest you create as many situations as possible to find out your truth. I’m quite confident we will share the idea of the supreme quality of Champagne. Cheers!

Make sure to check out these great bubblies we have in stock:
A. Margaine Champagne Premier Cru “Le Brut” 93 Points

Adrien Renoir “Grand Cru Le Terroir” Champagne – Verzy, France 95 Points

Andre Robert Champagne “Extra Brut” Grand Cru, Blanc de Blancs, Le Mesnil

Billecart Salmon “Brut Nature” ChampagneBillecart Salmon 2009 Extra Brut Champagne 95 Points

Billecart Salmon Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne

Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve Champagne 95 Points 375 ml

Billecart Salmon Brut Réserve Champagne 95 Points

Billecart Salmon Brut Sous Bois 94 Points Champagne (750 ml)

Billecart Salmon Brut Sous Bois Champagne 94 Points IN MAGNUM

Carboniste 2020 Rose of Pinot Sparkling

Cazals 2009 Champagne Millesime 94 Points

Clotilde Brut “Grand-Cru” Champagne, France

Colin 2012 Grand Cru Champagne

Crocker Starr 2018 Brut Sparkling Wine, Carneros Napa Valley  
EXTREMELY LIMITED

Dosnon Rose Brut Recolte, Champagne France

En Tirage 2010 Blanc de Blancs “Beckstoffer” Carneros, Napa Valley – Recently Disgorged
EXTREMELY LIMITED

Henri Billiot Rosé Champagne NV, Reims France  

Henri Dosnon Brut Rosé Champagne NV Cotes de Bar

La Sirena 2016 “Aviatrix” Methode Champenoise Blanc de Noir, Napa Valley EXTREMELY LIMITED

Maison Jussiame 2018 Brut Blanc de Blanc, Rogue Valley  EXTREMELY LIMITED

Monthuys Champagne NV Brut, 750ml

Monthuys Champagne Brut NV in MAGNUM

Moussé Fils, Champagne Brut Blanc de Noirs Perpetuelle L’Or d’Eugéne (NV) France 94 Points

Thienot Rose Champagne NV Reims, France
 
 

Visit us at GoldenGateWineCellars.com!
As always, don't hesitate to call us at 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for selection advice or assistance!

 

LAST CALL 4 Melis Family Reserve Cabernet



I am starting off with some very exciting and some less exciting news…The 2019 Melis Family Reserve Cabernet is one of my best efforts to date, sadly… there is not much of it! Then the real bad news…There is NO 2020 vintage due to the Napa fire. That said, this release will sell very quickly!

Melis Family 2019 Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford Napa Valley
GGWC 125.00 – THIS WEEK ONLY 109.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more
Use code MELISFAMILY during checkout


Our Melis Family 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a deep purple color. It leaps from the glass with intense blackcurrant and blackberry notes. On the palate, this youngster offers intense aromatic notes of chocolate, mocha, hints of anise, and loads of black stone fruit. The wine is full in body and offers gorgeous fruit and intense concentration. The wine is lively and well-balanced with the right amount of acid/fruit ratios, which leads to a beautiful, long, and intense but silky finish. The 2019 Reserve is a blend of 96.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet  Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Merlot.

ONLY 25 CASES WERE PRODUCED, SO THIS WILL GO VERY FAST!

Also, check out the Melis Family 2021 Rose of Pinot (by Paul Lato) Santa Rita Hills (OK to mix & match for FREE SHIPPING)

Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

Thomas Rivers Brown’s Pinot & Chardonnay “Of The Year” are here!



Senses Wines is the dream of three childhood friends. Chris, Max, and Myles partnered with celebrity winemaker, Thomas Rivers Brown, to produce world-class wines from renowned vineyards owned by their families. Since its founding, Senses production has grown to include many coveted vineyard sites throughout Sonoma County.

Senses 2021 Chardonnay “Charles Heintz Vineyard” Sonoma Coast
GGWC 89.99 
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code SENSES during checkout (mix & match with other Senses OK)


Vintage Notes: The Heintz family has owned the ranch for over 100 years. Ideal Goldridge soil, healthy, mature vines, warm days balanced with cool nights, and a grower who has been working the land since 1982 all contribute to Robert Parker’s assessment of the vineyard as “…one of the great grand cru Chardonnay sites in California.”

TWI 95 Points: “The 2019 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay was aged for 14 months in French oak, 30% of it new. It pops with gregarious notes of peach preserves, grapefruit oil, and lime blossom with hints of coriander seed and honeysuckle. Medium to full-bodied, it is super intense and zippy with lots of citrusy sparks and insane intensity, finishing with fantastic length. Coming from this famous family-owned Sonoma Coast vineyard and ranch, the Chardonnay here is clone 4, first planted in 1982.”

Senses 2021 Pinot Noir “Kanzler Vineyard” Russian River Valley
GGWC 89.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code SENSES during checkout (mix & match with other Senses OK)


Vineyard Notes: When it was planted in 1996, Kanzler was one of the first vineyards in the rolling hills southwest of the small picturesque town of Sebastopol in western Sonoma County. Only eight miles from the Pacific Ocean, the area was long thought to be too cool and foggy for grape growing.  

FMW 96 Points: “This 2021 release is awesome! The wine has a very supple mouthfeel and lush flavors of fresh blueberries and cherries with a hint of exotic spices. A medium to full-bodied wine with fresh and bright flavors that are extremely well-balanced. The tannins are fine-grained and silky and the finish is long and pleasant. This youngster will not disappoint!”

Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

Jump on this UNDER $40 Napa “Diamond in the Rough” 


The Story: Byron Kosuge has been making wine for over 3 decades now. He honed his skills at various great wineries in California and France. While working in Carneros he befriended two guys who ran a vineyard management company. When they planted a small vineyard next to their workshop, Byron came up with the name “The Shop” and the rest (almost 20 years later) is history. Byron has created a good following for his brand, and so have many of my customers. The 2020 Pinot Noir is truly amazing and a great wine for your Buck!

B Kosuge 2020 Pinot Noir The Shop, Carneros
Retail 40.00 – GGWC 37.99 
FREE SHIPPING on 12 or more
Use shipping code SHOP during check out


The wine emerges from the glass with dark red stone fruit a hint of spice, nuttiness, and licorice. This is a lush and fleshy, Pinot Noir that is loaded with class and pedigree. The wine is medium to full in body and flavor and finishes long and strong.

Winemaker Notes: The 2020 “The Shop” Carneros Pinot Noir is in some ways a throwback to the riper, juicier style of the early Shop wines, but that is a product of this great vintage, rather than a change in style. I continue to pursue a fresher, more vibrant style for this wine in particular, and 2020 was no exception. Aged in a combination of concrete and neutral oak.

Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

Amazing 95 Point & UNDER $65 Napa Cab


Kenefick Ranch Winery and Vineyard is owned by retired San Francisco neurosurgeon Dr. Thomas P. Kenefick, and his two children Caitlin and Chris Kenefick. In 1978 Dr. Kenefick acquired a 125-acre vineyard property next door to the Eisele Estate (Araujo, now owned by Chateau Latour). This vineyard was head pruned and dry farmed with old Italian varietals. Over the next 20 years these were replaced with Bordeaux varietals on vertical shoot positioning and drip irrigating for higher quality grapes. 95% of the grapes are sold to various wineries and only small quantities are produced from the estate. Many great wineries source from this vineyard with great reviews!

​Kenefick 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Chris’s Cuvée” Estate Napa Valley
GGWC 64.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code KENEFICK during checkout


Vinous 95 Points: “The Kenefick Cabernet Sauvignon Chris’s Cuvée captures all of the intensity of this Calistoga site. Black fruit, leather, licorice, smoke, grilled herbs, and chocolate  all built in the glass. Ample and resonant, with tremendous richness the wine is positively stellar. Give the firm yet well-integrated tannins a bit of time to soften.” 

Wine Enthusiast 95 Points: ”This powerful, concentrated wine is also straightforward and no-nonsense in style, as deep and delicious black currant and blueberry flavors are firmly wrapped in fine-grained tannins, waiting for time to bring out further nuances. Hints of mint, cedar, and cocoa suggest the complexity that will develop. Best from 2028–2040. “


Winery Notes: “Heavier crop loads and a very cool growing season allowed for some ideal extended hang time. Perfect fall weather gave way to even ripeness patiently brought in throughout the valley. Baker’s chocolate, fine tobacco leaf, and a brooding dark fruit profile form an intense nose. Balanced tannin-to-oak ratios support the jammy and refined fresh berry profile. The wine is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon 7% Malbec 6% Petit Verdot”

Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

21st Vintage, is a real Black Jack for the Karate Kid Writer turned First Class Winery Owner!


March 21, marks the 21st Vintage release of Robert’s Kamen Estate Cabernet. I figured, the 21 vintage, on the 21st, a real Black Jack type of day! Screenplay writer turned Vineyard and Winery owner Robert Kamen has done it again. His ace winemaker Mark Herold has been making consistent 95+ Point rated wine from their Sonoma property. For 15 straight vintages the wine has received 94-99 Points, this is the most solid A rating ever.

Talking about “A” ratings, check out Robert’s movie portfolio: Taps, The Karate Kid (1,2 & 3), The Punisher, Lethal Weapon 3, A Walk in the Clouds, The Fifth Element, Kiss of the Dragon, The Transporter (1,2 & 3), Bandidos, Taken (1 & 2) and many others. Robert Kamen purchased his 280 acre property in 1980 with the proceeds of his first screenplay, and the rest is history. The certified biodynamic vineyards were planted by another vineyard entrepreneur, Phillip Coturri. Mark Herold (Merus, Kobalt, Herold etc.) has been his winemaker since 2001.

Robert Kamen and I go back to the very first vintage (1999), so I am proud to be a part of this great run of 21 vintages!!!

Kamen 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “Estate” Moon Mountain, Sonoma
GGWC 124.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more
Use code KAMEN during checkout


Winemaker Notes: “The 2019 Kamen Estate Cabernet offers a dazzling array of aromatics. Raspberry pie, strawberry compote, espresso bean, candied cherries and marzipan are at the forefront. As the wine evolves in the glass, beautiful notes of violets and lavender pop, elevating the opulent fruit. Notes of new suede, black cardamom and dark chocolate add complexity to the layers. The flavors are sumptuous and wrapped in an envelope of mouthwatering minerality. A framework of seamless tannins complete this incredibly balanced wine and the finish is layered and savory.

Vinous 95 Points: “The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is mostly Martini clone from the core of the estate. A heady, ample wine, the 2019 is endowed with striking opulence. Blackberry jam, chocolate, spice, new leather, licorice and mocha shows tremendous depth. Attractive floral notes emerge with a bit of aeration, adding brightness. The contours are remarkably soft for a young mountain Cabernet. These wines age beautifully, their youthful opulence notwithstanding, so I would not be in a rush here.”

WS 94 Points: “Alluring, with steeped plum and cassis notes cruising through, backed by lively licorice snap, bramble and sweet tobacco accents. A long echo of singed alder permeates on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2034”


Also check out these other great Kamen wines (assort for FREE SHIPPING)
Kamen 2018 Cabernet “Lava Block” Estate
Kamen 2018 Syrah Estate
Kamen 2018 “Kashmir” Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Sonoma 97 Points


Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

Winemaker of the Year releases one of the VERY BEST Chardonnays EVER


Bibiana González Rave is the founder and winemaker of Cattleya Wines. She is also the wife of star winemaker Jeff Pisoni. Born and raised in Colombia and trained as a winemaker in France, she moved to California in 2007 to settle into making extraordinary wines. In her words: “Since my early teenage years, my dream has been to make wine. At a very young age I was fortunate enough to begin learning how to make wine in France. I trained myself while working with some amazing winemakers who showed me the importance of loving the land, how to respect the farming itself, and to focus on the many details that go into making each drop of wine in each and every bottle.” She also made the wines at Pahlmeyer, and produces “Shared Notes” wines with husband Jeff Pisoni. All those ingredients together and you have one of the best winemakers in the country!

Cattleya 2021 Chardonnay Cuvee # 5 – Sonoma Coast
GGWC 59.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code CATTLEYA during checkout


James Suckling 95 Points: “Attractive aromas of yellow apples, ripe stone fruit and glazed lemons. together with toffee, vanilla and crushed stones. Full and rich with a dense, waxy palate. Textured and creamy. Lingering finish.”

Bibiana’s Tasting Notes: ”As if a portal to the fog-laden and wind-swept hillsides of the Sonoma Coast, this powerful Chardonnay transports the senses with classic aromas of pear tart, green apple, Meyer lemon, and an unmistakable salinity. Bold flavors of baked apple, toasted vanilla, and honeysuckle create a richly complex and layered mouthfeel that is harnessed by the vibrant acidity this AVA is known for.”

The meaning of # 5: “After five years of making my own label, this blend was born. Number Five is the most dynamic and energetic of all the numerical cuvées. It is unpredictable, always in-motion, and a wine that challenges as much as it delights. I have always seen the coastal maritime influence present in the appellation as giving the region an ever-changing, constantly in motion quality. My hope is to capture the region’s mercurial nature in this single bottling.”

Also check out these other Bibiana made wines (They all assort for FREE SHIPPING): 
Cattleya 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee Number Eight Sonoma Coast Inaugural Release
Cattleya 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee Number One, Russian River Valley
Cattleya 2019 “Call to Adventure” Chardonnay Russian River Valley 95 Points
Cattleya 2019 Syrah “Initiation” Santa Lucia Highlands – 95 POINTS!
Shared Notes 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Les Leçons des maîtres, Russian River Valley 
Shared Notes 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Les Pierres qui Décident, Russian River Valley 
Cattleya 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon “Meeting With The Mentor” 98 Points
Alma de Cattleya 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County 93 Points


Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

With wine tasting, remember our tastes aren’t stable

 
With wine tasting, remember our tastes aren’t stable

Contributed by Jamie Goode
 
Our tastes aren’t stable: when it comes to tasting wine, don’t forget intra-individual differences

We are familiar with the idea that people differ in their taste biology, and this means that they could be experiencing different things when it comes to tasting the same wine together. We call these inter-individual differences. [In truth, even if we all had the same subset of taste and smell receptors, the same salivary flow rates, and the same levels of salivary glycosidases, then we’d still experience the same wine differently, because our prior experience affects our perception.]
But we differ in our own tastes with time: our tastes aren’t stable, and this is even when we rule out the role of experience. This is because we are biologically programmed to acquire new tastes. There is a subset of taste preferences that are more-or-less held in common among all people. These are preferences for foods that contain a lot of what we need. For example, fat, protein, sugar, and salt. These are pre-programmed, universal tastes.

But then there’s this ability we have to acquire new tastes, even those that we initially find aversive.

We find some tastes aversive for a reason. We shy away from bitterness because many plant toxins taste bitter. Tannins taste bitter and astringent, for example, and plants make them to stop animals from eating them. Because tannins are good at binding proteins, and digestive enzymes are proteins, if we eat too many tannins, we can’t digest them. And some poisons are bitter, too.

But some of these aversive compounds might be masking valuable energy resources, so we have this ability to investigate foods that don’t taste very nice, and then if they don’t make us sick (the smell is closely tied to memory for this reason) we have this ability to grow to like things – to acquire novel tastes.

Another example might be cheese. It’s a way of preserving milk, creating an energy-rich, protein-rich food that can last. But the smell of microbial activity is initially off-putting, and so the cheese is one of those things that many people have to grow to like.

In seasonal climates, preserving food from a season of abundance is an important practice, and sometimes the results of pickling, salting, and fermentation can be a little off-putting at first. But we have the ability to grow to love these challenging flavors. Likewise, one way of saving energy into the winter is by growing animals and then killing them in times when otherwise food is scarce. The ability to eat all of the animals is important, so we are able to grow to love food made from otherwise unpleasant bits of the carcass.

What about wine? Certainly, when I first started drinking wine, I found it a bit of a challenge. Some wines were more suitable as beginner wines, and others were quite hard to like. But this ability to acquire flavors kicks in and suddenly you find yourself drawn to wines that initially were a bit more challenging. Tannins help preserve wine, but they also make it challenging to drink for novices. Hops do the same thing for beers.

This dynamic nature of our tastes certainly comes into play when it comes to wine appreciation, and our intra-individual variation needs to be taken into account. It makes an already complicated subject just a bit more complicated.
 

Visit us at GoldenGateWineCellars.com!
As always, don't hesitate to call us at 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for selection advice or assistance!

 

MUST HAVE OLD-VINE ZIN



The Hendry family has been farming the same vineyard in Napa since 1939. The lessons learned in almost 80 harvests provides them with a high level of knowledge and a unique connection to the land. The Hendry Ranch is composed of 203 acres situated in the hills north west of Napa, which include 114 acres of vineyard. This latitude and location in the valley experiences substantial marine influence, and allows them to grow 11 different varietals, each carefully distributed among the many vineyard blocks. Value and great quality has been paramount for the Hendrys.

Hendry Blocks 7 & 22 2019 Zinfandel Napa Valley
Retail 44.99 – GGWC 41.99 
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code HENDRY during checkout


James Suckling 93 Points: “Rather inviting aromas of cracked black and white pepper, clove and baked plum. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Spicy. Lots happening here. Very savory, but with nice, juicy red and black fruit. Good length, too. Shows restraint. Drink or hold.”

Winery Notes: “Medium ruby. On the nose, it’s soft at first, then surprisingly floral, transitioning to mouth-watering berry and notes of orange rind. Fruit and acid are in balance on the palate, with moderate levels of each. Tannins build up slowly with each sip, but are never overwhelming. Finishes with a bright tang. This wine has always been fascinating in its versatility. Different foods will enhance the savory aspects, bringing out soy and lime flavors, while others highlight the fresh, sweet cherry fruit in the mid-palate. Pair with seasoned lamb chops on the grill, lean steaks, aged sheep or goat’s milk cheeses, pasta with a braised meat ragu. Balanced and versatile. 

Vineyard: Both Block 7 and Block 22 are located on benchlands west of the town of Napa. The nine acres are between 230 and 300 feet above sea level and have thin, stony soils. The maritime climate is moderated by morning fog and strong afternoon breezes from San Pablo Bay. Block 7 was planted in 1975 to clone 2 Zinfandel. Block 22 was planted in 1995, also to clone 2

Also, check out these other Hendry Family Wines (They all assort for FREE SHIPPING)
Hendry 2018 Bordeaux Blend “Red” Estate Napa Valley 95 Points
Hendry 2019 Merlot Block 13 Estate, Napa Valley
Hendry 2019 Malbec Block 14 Estate Napa Valley
Mike and Molly 2019 “R.W. Moore” Zinfandel, Coombsville Napa Valley 93 Points


Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

LAST CALL 4  Jeff Pisoni’s “FINEST” Pinot EVER


The Pisoni family has been farming Monterey County soil since the turn of the 19th century, when their ancestors immigrated to California. In 1951, Eddie and Jane Pisoni founded Pisoni Farms, a commercial produce operation in the Salinas Valley. They purchased land in 1979 high above the valley floor to graze cattle. At the time, this seemed all it was suited for. But their son Gary had other ambitions for the highland property. He wanted to make wine.

His parents said he was nuts for wanting to plant grapes and that people go broke looking for water. This all may have been partly true. In 1982, with no water source, Gary planted his first five-acre vineyard block on an east-facing slope at 1,300 feet. After eight years of searching, he finally discovered groundwater beneath hundreds of feet of granite. He planted another seventeen acres to Pinot Noir, and it wasn’t long before California artisan winemakers started lining up to buy his grapes.

The first vintage of Lucia debuted in 2000 with the Lucia Pinot Noir from the Garys’ Vineyard. It was the beginning of a new chapter for the Pisoni family, with Mark and Jeff Pisoni joining their father Gary to pursue a shared dream of building the family wine business and adding winemaking to grape growing.

Today, with Mark as grower and Jeff as winemaker, Lucia wines are considered among the finest in California. In the Wine Advocate, Jeb Dunnuck wrote: “The Pisoni Family’s Lucia label continues to be a source of incredible wines that always over-deliver.”

Lucia 2021 Pinot Noir “SLH” Santa Lucia Highlands 
GGW $59.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
use code LUCIA21 during checkout


The Vineyard: Grown exclusively from the Pisoni, Garys’, and Soberanes vineyards, the Santa Lucia-Highlands appellation-based wines are a wonderful representation of their estate vineyards, of which each block is cultivated to the same high standards. These wines offer excellent value and Jeb Dunnuck has previously described these AVA blends as “a perfect example of the incredible quality that’s consistently coming from this estate.”

Jeff Pisoni Notes: “Entirely estate-farmed and sourced from these premier vineyard sites within the Santa Lucia Highlands, the 2021 Lucia Estate Cuvée of Pinot Noir represents our continued dedication to excellence in farming and winemaking. A sumptuous blend of 60% Pisoni Vineyard, 23% Garys’ Vineyard, and 17% Soberanes Vineyard, this wine offers up enticing aromas of strawberry compote, juicy cranberry, sandalwood, and black tea leaves, all contained within the embrace of its deep ruby hue. Carefully monitored fermentation temperatures and methodical extraction techniques have produced a wine of remarkable depth, concentration, and complexity. Layers of black cherry, Mission fig, spiced plum, and berry crumble provide a stepping stone for more subtle hints of fresh sage, clove, and vanilla bean to make their voices heard. A true snapshot of these wind-swept vines, this Pinot Noir finishes with vibrant acidity and a distinct, yet noticeably approachable structure. Don’t be surprised to see this wine continuing to amaze for years to come.”

WE 95 Points Cellar Selection: "This bottling manages to be both lush and bright at once, starting with aromas of crisp cherry compote, fresh raspberry, mace and elegant French toast spices. A sprightly energy dances across the palate, where juicy dark red fruit flavors are lifted by lavender, carnation and rose petal elements."

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Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

A Sexy UNDER $55 Big Red by Thomas Rivers Brown


Mending Wall Winery is a partnership between three owners: Frank Dotzler (one of the co-founders of Outpost Winery), Mark Pulido and Donna Walker (owners of Pulido-Walker Wine) and well-regarded winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. That said, this venture continues to deliver “must-have” wines!

Mending Wall NV Mortar & Stone Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 
Retail 54.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12 bottles or more
Use code MENDING during checkout


This latest “Mortar & Stone” release is a real revelation. The wine is a blend of two vintages (70%) 2019 and (30%) 2020 vintage (that is all they were able to harvest before the fires), but the fruit quality was amazing, with dense flavors and heightened tannic expression. The Zinfandel from high atop Atlas Peak is robust, showy mountain fruit. Vines in the historic Mountain Peak vineyard produce some of the most impressive berries we’ve seen in this varietal, nicely structured and spicy rather than super jammy. That spice component pairs beautifully with the final vintage of our estate Syrah. Once again, the venerable Palisades Vineyard Petite Sirah completes the blend, lending tannic backbone and deep, black color.

Robert Parker deemed this wine “sexy”, and we heartily agree. It has a seductive appeal—dark, sultry, moody in the very best ways—with good balance between earthy inputs and luscious fruit notes. The wine also has enormous aging potential. Those who drink it young will want to decant it for a few hours. Putting a few bottles away to revisit in five or ten years will reward those who can wait.

Winemaker Notes: “This wine expresses layers of concentrated fruit, and exotic spice notes, displaying a deep purple in color in the glass. A wave of aromatic notes suggest blackberry reduction, black licorice, cinnamon and spearmint. The palate has a satin-like mouth-feel with finely integrated tannins. Vivid notes of bramble, savory meat, rosemary and white pepper come to life and fan out across the elongated trajectory. This wine is approachable now and will drink well for the next decade.”

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Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

The Disciples of Bacchus bring us an amazing under $50 Red


The Story: In August of 2012, Dave Phinney and his friends stood in the middle of a block of hundred-year-old Zinfandel. The vineyard was planted by George Beldon Crane in the late nineteenth century and is one of the icons of the Napa Valley. Hours earlier they had signed the paperwork to buy the vineyard and it was just in the nick of time… they picked the grapes the next morning.

GB Crane 2019 Disciples Proprietary Red Napa Valley
GGWC 49.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12 or more
Use code GBCRANE during checkout


Dark crimson in color, the strong, classic Zinfandel aromas of briar fruit and wild strawberries jump out of the glass and are complemented by hints of wet forest floor and high mountain forest. The entry gives way to a rich and textured mid-palate of Mexican chocolate, brambly raspberry, and a lengthy, caramelized crème Anglaise finish. This wine is a unique expression of old vine Zinfandel grown in the gravel-rich alluvial soils at the base of the Mayacamas mountain range.
 
Vineyard Notes: Sourced from heritage vineyards in the Napa Valley, the 2019 Disciples is bold, extroverted, and unabashedly Californian. Inspired by field blends of the past, the 2019 vintage is a blend of 45% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, 14% Charbono, 10% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. 
 
Winemaker Notes: “Pouring a vivid cardinal into the glass, the 2019 Disciples is replete with aromas of cranberry compote, Rainier cherry, Staedtler graphite pencil and Mendocino forest floor – the combination of redwoods, sorels, sun, and ocean spray. Upon entry, the wine exudes a bright and lively character with notes of ripe raspberry, red fruits and subtle toasted aok. The wine closes at length with soft fine tannins and an inviting hint of vanilla.”

Also check out: 
GB CRANE 2019 “EL COCO” PROPRIETARY RED, NAPA VALLEY (95 POINTS) OK to mix & match for free shipping


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Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation

The smallest Napa Valley Vineyard produces a must-have 97+ Point Cabernet gem!


The Depiction winery is owned by Sebastian and Estelle Lane. Sebastian is a seasoned barrel cooper and well-regarded real estate agent in the Napa Valley, with wine industry connections going back several decades. Estelle has been the Guest Relations Coordinator at Opus One since 2002. So you can say, Napa Valley is in their blood. The first Depiction Cabernet release was in 2012.  Sadly, with only 1 acre under vine, they only produce 100 cases of Cabernet each year.

The Vineyard: The Depiction Vineyard was planted in 2000. The site is just over one acre and is densely planted with only three feet between the vines. 92% of the vineyard is comprised of three different clones of Cabernet, and the other 8% is planted to Petit Verdot. The site is surrounded by some of the most amazing and sought-after Napa Valley vineyards. The Depiction vineyard is contiguous to Hayne and Anomaly and in the immediate vicinity of Beckstoffer Bourne and Las Piedras, Levensohn, and Marciano located on the West side of St Helena.

Depiction 2019 “Estate” Cabernet Sauvignon St. Helena
GGWC 139.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more
Use code DEPICTION during checkout


FMW 97+ Points: "The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is an amazing wine, that is loaded with black stone fruit flavors and high-spirited nuances of complexity. The 2019 Cabernet offers up an intense structure, showcasing a beautifully silky and inviting texture. This youngster has everything in the right place, and the wine continues to grow on the palate. Although the wine can be appreciated now, it could certainly benefit from a year or two in the cellar,  and will surely age gracefully for decades."

Winemaker Notes: “The 2019 depiction possesses more copious freshness than any recent depiction, owing to the cooler nights of the 2019 growing season. This is an exuberant wine that has a long life ahead of it. Delicious with a  decant now, it will reward the patient in the coming years. Lifted plummy aromatics give way to mixed berry compote, kirsch, and shortbread notes on the palate. Telltale talc tannins and black cherry overtones confirm the pedigree and typicity of the vintage in the lineage of depiction releases.“

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Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!

97 Point, Screaming Eagle of Pinot Noir is here


This is a venture by 3 partners, Matt Dees, Michael Palmer and Ron Piazza. A very limited release of Santa Barbara's new Cult Pinot Noir. The winemaker is Matt Dees, known for his amazing winemaking skills at Jonata & The Hilt (two wineries owned by Screaming Eagle winery)

Mail Road 2019 Mount Carmel Santa Rita Hills
Retail 129.99 – GGWC 124.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6  
Use code MAILROAD during checkout


Vineyard: Planted in 1988, Mt. Carmel straddles the saddle of an exposed, two-tiered mountain, just north of the Santa Ynez River, at the geographic center of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. In its 35 years, Mt. Carmel has secured its reputation as a world-class site for chardonnay and pinot noir. In that time, the vineyard has consistently produced many of The Sta. Rita Hills’ most highly coveted, single vineyard wines. Wines that are remarkable for their expression of site, marked by deep concentration, exceptional depth, textural complexity and laser-like acidity.

Antonio Galloni (Vinous) 97 Points: "A dazzling wine, the Mail Road Pinot Noir Mt. Carmel Vineyard possesses magnificent richness to match its statuesque personality. The flavors are rich, bold and ample, and yet the 2018 retains so much nuance and vibrancy. Inky red/purplish fruit, lavender, graphite and spice build into the huge, resonant finish. What a wine. It was done with 6% whole clusters and was aged in a combination of one and two-year-old barrels…Ronald Piazza and Michal Palmer own Mail Road and the Mt. Carmel Vineyard, one of the top sites in California for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Winemaker Matt Dees sure knows how to get the most out of this fruit. The wines I tasted are off the charts."

Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points: “The 2019 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard is more floral and exotic, with a thrilling core of black raspberry and wild strawberry fruits supported by candied orange, violet, flowery incense, and assorted spices. These all carry to a vibrant, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with a classic, focused spine of acidity, a more rounded mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. It's another gorgeous wine. Drink bottles any time over the coming 10-12 years or so."


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Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!

How neuroscience can make your wine taste better

 
How neuroscience can make your wine taste better

Contributed by Libby Brodie
Our environment can change the way we perceive taste

Neuroscience and wine may not seem like immediate bedfellows, but some producers are putting the time in to find out how drinkers are affected by things like our surroundings and assumptions. This in turn offers some insights into how to make the wine you serve taste better.

Dr. Qian Janice Wang, on behalf of Ramón Bilbao’s Spanish Wine Academy, says: “All our senses go into drinking wine and all of them can be tricked”. People drinking the same wine rated it as tastier when listening to the sound of a cork being popped than when they heard a screwcap. A sound is a useful tool for wine bars and restaurants as people tend to eat and drink more in noisier surroundings and are willing to pay more at a restaurant playing jazz or classical music than somewhere playing pop.

I was part of a neuroscience experiment led by Wang in which we were given two wines and asked to describe what they smelled like while two different pieces of music were played. At the risk of putting us wine communicators out of a job, everyone in the room described different scents when listening to alternate pieces of music, despite the wine being exactly the same.
The way we perceive wine can change depending on our environment


Thankfully, when it came to actually tasting the wine, I realized they were identical, but it does show how the mind can be manipulated. Touch also has a huge impact on our perception of a drink. There is an old study in which people were asked to stroke velvet and then sandpaper and those with the velvet described drinking smoother, more luxurious wines. This may be why members' clubs in London plump for soft and velvety furnishings. Note to self, as I dash to pick out velvet-covered dining room chairs.

Maison Mumm has led several tests regarding sight and the weight of glasses involving neuroscience. Visibly pouring the same wine into different glasses, for example, did nothing to stop our senses from being tricked. When sipping from a dark-tinted, heavy glass the bubbles seemed to disappear, as if we were drinking a deeper, almost red wine. In a frosted, light aluminum glass, the wine’s acidity came to the fore. Interestingly, the heavier glass made wines seem older and richer, while the spindly glass made them taste younger and fresher.

Fascinatingly, different cultures prefer their wines in different glasses. In South Africa a heavier glass was found to be better, echoing the riper, full-bodied styles of the region, whereas in Japan, the preference was for wines served in a lighter glass.

In London, we like the feeling a weightier vessel gives, so perhaps bear that in mind when purchasing glassware. Are weighted stems and bases the way forward for the savvy host? It works with cutlery too, says Wang. “People feel their food looks better and are willing to pay more when eating with a heavier knife and fork,” she says with a smile. “I believe the Fat Duck has the heaviest cutlery in the UK”.
 

Visit us at GoldenGateWineCellars.com!
As always, don't hesitate to call us at 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for selection advice or assistance!

 

LAST CALL  A MUST-HAVE “Rose” – Proceeds go to the Melis’ Sisters college fund…

 

The Melis 2021 Rosé is not an afterthought, but a serious contender. The Melis Family Rosé of Pinot Noir (a blend of 2 great Santa Rita Hills vineyards) offers up ample and layered fruit on both nose and palate. On the nose, you’ll encounter crushed flowers, cranberry, and bright red cherry notes which continue on the pleasant palate laced with a touch of bright acidity champagne like. The wine is nicely polished and finishing gorgeously (my winemaker, Paul Lato would not have it any other way). A crowd-pleasing limited production Rosé!! 

Melis Family 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir by Paul Lato
GGWC 32.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code MELISROSE during checkout


Notes by Paul Lato: “Delightfully pink in color, this lively and vivacious Rosé opens with aromas of lilac, cranberry, and pomegranate. Dry on the palate with champagne-like acidity, it exhibits a unique balance of grapefruit zest, light spice, and a smooth raspberry finish. Rosé of Pinot Noir is one of the most versatile food wines. It pairs well with a variety of vegetarian dishes, as well as pasta, chicken, and fresh Californian cuisine. This is a great wine for celebrations like birthdays, weddings, sipping on a nice Spring or Summer day, and especially on the Fourth of July.”

Also, check out:
Melis Family 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford Napa Valley


Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!

LAST CALL for this Must have 95 Point, UNDER $50 Napa Bordeaux Blend

 
The Hendry family has been farming the same vineyard in Napa since 1939. The lessons learned in almost 80 harvests provides them with a high level of knowledge and a unique connection to the land. The Hendry Ranch is composed of 203 acres situated in the hills north west of Napa, which include 114 acres of vineyard. This latitude and location in the valley experiences substantial marine influence, and allows them to grow 11 different varietals, each carefully distributed among the many vineyard blocks. Value and great quality has been paramount for the Hendrys.

Hendry 2018 Bordeaux Blend, Estate Napa Valley
GGWC 49.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code HENDRY during checkout


Winery Notes: ”These wines were aged for a total of 18 months in French oak barrels, approximately 70-75% of which were new. In a reversal of his typical strategy, George Hendry relied on Cabernet for the base of this blend, at 48%, with the remaining varieties in equal percentages at 13% each. Opaque purple-ruby. Cabernet is prominent in the pleasant aromatics, as expected, leaning toward dark fruit, with the spice, smoke, and cedar of the oak underpinnings just detectable behind round, dried-blueberry-like purple fruit. On the palate, tannins are soft at first, gradually building.

Varietals: All Estate-grown – 48% Cabernet Sauvignon (Block 8) 13% Petit Verdot (Block 15) 13% Cabernet Franc (Block 26) 13% Malbec (Block 14) 13% Merlot (Block 13)

FMW 95 Points: “Dazzling black stone fruit and chocolate aromas jump out of the glass on impact. This Bordeaux blend offers a deep dark color, with intense aromatics and concentration. The fruit is 100%  sourced from the Hendry Estate in the Napa Valley. This Cabernet-based blend is concentrated, powerful, yet silky smooth, with a lush and creamy texture on the mid-palate offering up cacao, blueberries, and anise flavors, and its loaded flavors show intense depth,  that leads to a long but silky finish with fine-grained tannins. This wine is drinking well now and should do so for a decade.

Food Suggestions: Pair with cheeses and meats, moderately rich braised dishes, such as pot roast, braised short-ribs or a hearty beef and mushroom stew. Retains its flavor and structure with rich, meaty foods, and shows its softer, fruitier side with full-flavored cheeses. It will pair with almost anything you like with red wine. A strong candidate for the cellar, the structure of this wine should allow it to age with grace and become even more lovely and nuanced over time

Also check out these other Hendry Family wines (OK to mix & match for FREE SHIPPING)
Hendry Blocks 7 and 22 2019 Zinfandel Napa Valley
Mike and Molly (Hendry) 2019 “R.W. Moore” Zinfandel, Coombsville Napa Valley
Hendry 2019 Malbec Block 14 Estate Napa Valley


Click here or on the links above to order!
Call 415-337-4083 or email frank@goldengatewinecellars.com for availability and priority allocation!