Tasting Notes

Tiny producer wins blind tasting

Posted on by Frank Melis
Our Tasting Group lined up an amazing lineup of hard-to-find Grenaches:

  • Carlisle (Rossi) 93 WS
  • Keplinger 93 WS
  • Saxum (James Berry) 93 WS
  • Outpost 93 Galloni
  • Alban 94 Galloni
  • Sanguis (Verve) 93 Galloni
  • Limerick Lane 94 Galloni
  • Samsara 93 Galloni
  • A Tribute to Grace 93 Galloni
  • Draognette (Sebastiano)

The Winner DRAGONETTE!

Two brothers (John & Steve Dragonette) teamed up with their good buddy Brandon Sparks-Gillis to pursue their live-long dream to make wine.  They gained valuable experiences at wineries like Sine Qua Non, Torbreck, Fiddlehead Cellars before they started this awesome venture.  Over the past couple of years the press has been (rightfully so) generous to these three great guys.  They source from some of the most sought after vineyards in Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills & Santa Ynez. This bottling was sourced 100% from John Sebastiano’s vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills.

Dragonette 2013 Grenache “John Sebastiano” Santa Rita Hills
Retail 44.00 – GGWC 39.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code DRAG13GREN upon checkout

On the nose, this Grenache displays its cool climate origins, with high-register red fruits, such as ripe raspberry, strawberry and loganberry mingling with complex smoky earth notes, pine and herbal notes of fresh thyme, rosemary, mint, and oregano.  On the palate the wine is energetic and lively, as red fruits (strawberries, pomegranate) mingle with citrus notes of blood orange, orange peel and fresh herbs (thyme), anise and tar.  The wine has great lift from fresh tannins and ample, mouth-watering acidity and minerality (stones and seashells), and it finishes with great length and freshness.

Tasting Notes

Superb Pinot Noir

Posted on by Frank Melis
Originally making wines on California’s Central Coast, Ken Wright saw the unique potential for winemaking in Oregon’s Willamette Valley while visiting friends in the 1980s. The different terroirs reminded him of Burgundy, and he packed up his family, belongings and 10 barrels of wine, and moved there in 1986 to focus on vineyard designate bottling. Ken’s pioneering spirit led him to open Ken Wright Cellars in historic Carlton, Oregon, in the 1990s, where he produces many different single-vineyard Pinot Noirs to best convey the distinct characteristics of each location. His deep understanding and appreciation of the Oregonian geology have earned him a cult following.

Ken Wright 2014 Pinot Noir “Savoya” Yamhill/Carlton, Willamette Valley
Retail 63.00 – GGWC 59.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code KENWRIGHT upon checkout.

This is a big, burly yet extremely elegant Pinot Noir.  Bold, bright deep red and black exotic aromas jump out of the glass. Reminding me of some Russian River DuMol wines.  This Savoya greats you with hints of spicy aromas of ripe blackberry, raspberry and strawberry jam notes on the lush palate. This youngster is loaded with bright fruit, good acid and a touch of subtle oak spices and a whiff of espresso beans and tobacco.  This wine evolves with time in the glass with even greater intensity on the long finish.

Click here or on the links above or call 415-337-4083 to order!
Tasting Notes

CAB FRANC OF THE MONTH

Posted on by Frank Melis
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.

Kenefick Ranch 2012 Cabernet Franc “Caitlin’s Select” Estate
Retail 55.00 – GGWC 49.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6, use code KEN12CF upon checkout

Notes of dark cherry, underlining baker’s chocolate and strong currant notes greet the nose out of the glass. Raspberry preserve, custard and creamy notes are supported by a well rounded tannin profile and finished by integrated red cherry notes mingling with the French Oak spicy notes. Only 350 cases produced.

Click here or on the links above or call 415-337-4083 to order!
Tasting Notes

A 2 Barrel Napa Cab Gem

Posted on by Frank Melis
Milange is my own label, so I am of course very partial to the wine.  Milange is named after my two daughters, MIL(ayna) and ANGE(lina).  Our award winning winemaker sourced fruit from two of Napa Valley’s most famous contiguous vineyard sites and the resulting wine is flat out amazing. We introduced the 2013 Milange Cabernet at our 10th Anniversary Tasting in New York, and it was a big hit! We sold almost ½ of our inventory in one evening!Milange 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Retail 85.00 – GGWC 79.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more bottles
Use code MILANGE upon checkout

The 2013 Milange Cabernet was aged for 18 months in high quality French Oak barrels.  Offering striking aromas of black stone fruit, plums and espresso beans jump out of the glass. The wine is full in body, yet very elegant from start to finish. The 2013 Milange Cabernet offers up gobs of black currant, crème de cassis, chocolate and espresso bean flavors leading into a long complex but silky tannin finish. I suggest decanting this youngster  2 hours prior to imbibing.  I am very positive this wine will cellar nicely for a good 7-9 years. Only 600 bottles produced, so hurry, as this will move very fast!

Click here or on the links above or call 415-337-4083 to order!
Tasting Notes

Wishing You a Joyous New Year!

Posted on by Frank Melis

The calendar has turned a new leaf over and 2016 has arrived. So before you dive into your new resolutions, let me take a moment out to wish you a joyous and prosperous New Year.

Thank you for including me in the past year of your life and may your next be a year of wonderful happiness, a year of good health, a year of great success, a year of incredibly good luck, a year of continuous fun, a year of world peace, a year of everything you wish.

Happy New Year 2015!

Tasting Notes

AMAZING Paul Hobbs 4 barrel Chardonnay

Posted on by Frank Melis
Only 97 cases (4 barrels) of this “Original Chardonnay” were produced by ace winemaker Paul Hobbs.  This old Wente Clone, grown in Goldridge clay-sandy soil yields only a few tons per acre, but the fruit is remiscent of a Grand-Cru White Burgundy.  Harry Walker planted his first grapes on this estate in 1968 and named it Walker Station after a little town in Kentucky where he grew up.

Walker Station 2013 Chardonnay “Original” Estate, Sonoma Coast
Retail 75.00 – GGWC 69.99
FREE SHIPPING ON 6+
Use code WALKER upon check out

Sourced from Harry Walker’s “Walker Station” estate this wine offers up amazing aromatics and flavors.  Lively aromas of lemon custard, quince, citrus blossom and peaches jump out of the glass.  The wine is very complex, yet extremely elegant.  Full in body with subtle richness and the right touch of acidity. The wine finishes long with a slight nuttiness.  I’d say enjoy this youngster between 2015-2022.

Tasting Notes

A 94 Point wine to take on the road!

Posted on by Frank Melis

Herman Story is the “story” of tall tales, Wrangler Jeans, and bold wines crafted by Russell P. From. This winery has become a real head-turner since it was created just a decade ago. Russell is a real “Rhone Ranger” and that has not escaped the notice of numerous publications. Herman Story regularly scores 93 – 96 points from Robert Parker and Wine Spectator, and has an amazing “cult” following with thousands of people trying to get on his mailing list. The 2013 vintage Spring releases are spectacular but very limited!   

Herman Story 2013  “On The Road” Grenache – 94 Points! 
Retail 53.00 – GGWC 48.99 ~ FREE SHIPPING on 6+
Use coupon code HERMAN during checkout
Can mix and match with other Herman Story Wines!

More than any other varietal I work with Grenache reminds me of myself. It can be elegant and refined, or just as easily it can be a raucous party animal. Some people try to make it one or the other, but I think it’s best when you can get it to have a little of each. This year’s On the Road is just that, it’s got class and will doff its cap for the ladies, but won’t hesitate to start a brawl if needed. The wine’s got some serious muscle under that tucked in cowboy shirt. Smells like a fourth of July party by the pool: raspberry sorbet, fresh orange zest, licorice, fresh rubber rafts, chocolate brownie batter and vanilla whipped cream. On the palate the 2013 On the Road does a cannonball off the high dive, bringing an explosion of brambly blackberry, pomegranate, oiled leather, cherry cola and charcoal briquettes all with teeth staining color, it’ll leave you soaked and smiling.

Anthony Galloni 94 Points: “The Herman Story Grenache On the Road is a drop-dead gorgeous beauty. Fresh, vibrant and chiseled, the OTR is laced with bright red cherries, plums, crushed rocks, mint and cinnamon. The flavors are a bit on the dark side for Grenache, but all the elements are in the right place. Sweet floral notes, cinnamon and mint add nuance on the seriously beautiful, vivid finish. The OTR is a great example of winemaker Russell From’s very personal approach”

Make sure to check out the other AMAZING:
HERMAN STORY 2013 “NUTS AND BOLTS” SYRAH – 95 POINTS
HERMAN STORY 2013 “CASUAL ENCOUNTER” GSM

Tasting Notes

6 Barrel Pinot Sensation

Posted on by Frank Melis
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 2013 Pinot Noir Dona Margarita, Sonoma Coast
Retail 64.00 – GGWC 59.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more
Use code ALMAPN upon checkout

This 6 barrel sensation offers up a very expressive floral and bright fruit aroma with hints of rose petals, bright cherries, violets and mint that jump out of the glass. A well-balanced, well-crafted single vineyard Pinot Noir that has amazing bright red stone fruit and the right touch of acidity that is explosive on the mid-palate with a very appealing fruit purity. Notes of raspberry, cherry, violet and a subtle pepperiness. The wine finishes with a long but silky finish. Only 143 cases produced. Alc. 13.2%

Tasting Notes

Last Call for this Winning Grenache

Posted on by Frank Melis
Two brothers (John & Steve Dragonette) teamed up with their good buddy Brandon Sparks-Gillis to pursue their live-long dream to make wine.  They gained valuable experiences at wineries like Sine Qua Non, Torbreck, Fiddlehead Cellars before they started this awesome venture.  Over the past couple of years the press has been (rightfully so) generous to these three great guys.  They source from some of the most sought after vineyards in Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills & Santa Ynez. This bottling was sourced 100% from John Sebastiano’s vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills.

Dragonette 2013 Grenache “John Sebastiano” Santa Rita Hills
Retail 44.00 – GGWC 39.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code DRAG13GREN upon checkout

On the nose, this Grenache displays its cool climate origins, with high-register red fruits, such as ripe raspberry, strawberry and loganberry mingling with complex smoky earth notes, pine and herbal notes of fresh thyme, rosemary, mint, and oregano.  On the palate the wine is energetic and lively, as red fruits (strawberries, pomegranate) mingle with citrus notes of blood orange, orange peel and fresh herbs (thyme), anise and tar.  The wine has great lift from fresh tannins and ample, mouth-watering acidity and minerality (stones and seashells), and it finishes with great length and freshness.

Tasting Notes

Frank’s Holliday Champagne Suggestions

Posted on by Frank Melis

As the holiday season is in full swing, I needed to make sure there will be some SPARKS in your end-of-the-year festivities so I put together a few “bubbly” suggestions for you to choose from. And for those of you who like to make a bigger bang into the New Year, I also have a some large format bottles!

Click on the links below for the tasting notes and pricing:
Use the code BUBBLY on checkout for FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more of ANY of the following!

My best selling Champagne below $35.00

MONTHUYS CHAMPAGNE NV BRUT, CHAMPAGNE FRANCE

My best selling Rose Champagne

DIEBOLT VALLOIS CHAMPAGNE NV BRUT ROSE

My best selling Champagne below $45.00

GONET-MEDEVILLE 1ER CRU CUVEE TRADITION

Also check out these other bubbly suggestions:

DUVAL LEROY NV 750 ML CHAMPAGNE

PIERRE MORLET “GRANDE RESERVE” CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE

This is Luc Morlet, the infamous Napa Valley winemaker’s family in Champagne!
STEPHANE COQUILLETTE CARTE D’OR BRUT CHAMPAGNE
BROCARD PIERRE 1ER CUVEE “BLANC DE NOIRS” BRUT CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE

Sparkling Wines:

ALLIMANT LAUGNER CREMANT ROSE LOIRE VALLEY

CLOS DE LA BRIDERIE CUVEE SILEX

LARGE FORMAT:

MONTHUYS CHAMPAGNE BRUT NV IN MAGNUM

MONTHUYS CHAMPAGNE NV BRUT, 3 LITER

I know that making a selection from this many choices can be intimidating, so as always, don’t hesitate to give me a call if you need any assistance!
Tasting Notes

100 case Chardonnay Gem!

Posted on by Frank Melis

For three 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 2013 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
Retail 45.00 – GGWC 42.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6+
Use code ALMA13 upon checkout 

This is one of the most pleasant Chardonnays I have tasted in a long time.  The aromas of clementine, citrus and green apple jump out of the glass.  The wine is very well crafted with exquisite fruit and flavor on the mid-palate.  The wine is well-balanced with bright white peaches, lemon zest, quince and a whiff of wet stone minerality.  No new oak was used on this wine so it retains its pristine flavors throughout, and even with malolactic fermentation it retains its bright upfront fruit leading into an elegant finish.  Unfortunately only 100 cases produced!

Tasting Notes

LAST CALL FOR STUNNING 2 BARREL NAPA CABERNET

Posted on by Frank Melis
The Best under the Radar Cab in Napa!
The inaugural release was the 2007 vintage and as of today this winery still floats under the radar, which is great for you and me!  Only 2 barrels (50 cases) of this amazing gem are produced.  This is exactly why I wake up early every day to find gems like this.  You will not be disappointed.  I put this wine in the range of the big names at a fraction the price! This is the fourth vintage, and it already created a following among my clients and you will not find it in the big box and discount stores!

Mapson 2012 “Left Lane” Cabernet, Napa Valley 
Retail 80.00 – GGWC 75.00
FREE SHIPPING on 6 or more
Use discount shipping code MAP12LL upon checkout

The Mapson 2012 Left Lane is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance  Merlot and Petit Verdot, so very left-bankish!  This wine is amazingly lush and rich in style, yet very composed and well-balanced.   This youngster offers up a gorgeous bouquet of black stone fruit, chocolate, licorice, jammy fruit with subtly hints of plums, a whiff of underbrush.  This full-bodied and luscious wine is one of the best wines of the year.  Loaded from start to finish with stunning fruit that leads into an equally amazingly long finish.

Tasting Notes

A Garys’ Pinot Noir for the ages, includes FREE SHIPPING!

Posted on by Frank Melis
The vineyard is collaboration between the two Garys, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni thus the Garys’ vineyard.  Gary Franscioni has deep roots in the valley, going back 100 years.  After he studies at Cal Poly he took over the family farming business and swiftly turned it into a vineyard project.  He owns the famed Rosella vineyard (names after his wife) and with partner Gary Pisoni he created the Garys’ vineyard in 1997, and the rest as they say… is history.

Brian Loring is a rocket scientist turned winemaker, and he told me that he does not regret the move one day! He told me years ago, that one day (he was 40) he was called “pops” by the younger generation and that was his queue to leave and follow this true passion – winemaking!  He had been a home winemaker for years, and it was an easy transition.  The rest is history, as well as some great scores from the various publications!

Loring “Garys’ Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands
Retail 55.00 – GGWC 51.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code LORING upon checkout

On the nose you’ll be greeted by explosive berry fruit and hints of lavender and anise.  On the palate, this bold youngster will wow you with gorgeous red and black stone fruit, strawberry liqueur and a whiff of acidity balance out the smooth unctuous palate.  The boldness of the mid-palate leads into a gorgeous, but long silky tannin finish.  The wine is stunning and the finish lasts for a good 30 seconds.

Tasting Notes

95 Points – 175 case Grenache Surprise

Posted on by Frank Melis
Matthias Pippig is not your everyday mainstream winemaker. He’s an “artist” in the true sense of the worth.  A creator, a dreamer, a visionary, a poet, a chef, 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, which whom he’d partner and work 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 2012 Grenache “Verve” Santa Barbara
Retail 80.00 – GGWC 76.99
FREE SHIPPING on 4 or more
Use code SANGUIS upon checkout.

Winery Notes:  “Here’s what the dictionary says this about “Verve“: noun: enthusiasm, energy, spirit, life, force, punch (informal), dash, pep, sparkle, zip (not code), vitality, animation, vigor, zeal, gusto, welly(slang), get-up-and-go (informal), elan, brio, vivacity, liveliness, vim.

Composition: Grenache, co-fermented with small amounts of Syrah and Viognier with about 21% whole cluster inclusion, raised for 23 months in a combination of new and ‘certified self-pre-used’TM500, 300 and 228L French oak barrels. (Sadly) only 175 cases bottled.  Unfined and, unfiltered.

Galloni 95 Points: “The 2012 Verve (Grenache) opens with super-expressive aromatics and bright, punchy fruit. Varietal elements are amped up in an intense, racy Grenache that delivers outstanding intensity. The fruit sources are John Sebastiano and Watch Hill, a winning combination in my book. What a gorgeous wine this is.”

Click here or on the links above or call 415-337-4083 to order!
Tasting Notes

Under $30 REALLY ~ 94 Point Rated GEMSTER!

Posted on by Frank Melis
A British couple settled in the hills of Mendocino where they found  land with schist-like Cote–Rotie soils on a windblown cool mountaintop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which would become their “estate” vineyard.   With the assistance of Justin Smith (Saxum), Crole Meredith  & Steve Lagier (Lagier-Meredith), Mike Officer (Carlisle) and Wells Guthrie (Copain) they set out to plant what has become a much regarded Rhone-varietal vineyard.  Wells helped develop and maintain the vineyard.  Under the tutelage of the great Roar winemaker (Scott Shapley) they have put some very good quality and well-priced wines on the wine map!

Halcon 2014 Equisito – Estate Mendocino
Retail 33.00 – GGWC 29.99
FREE SHIPPING on 12
Use code HALCON upon checkout

The 2014 Esquisto is a co-ferment of two thirds Grenache and one third Mourvedre, blended with 5% Syrah prior to bottling.  Lots of crunchy Grenache red stone fruit, the Mourvedre provides the funk and peppery spice, and that splash of Syrah brings an earthy darkness and a touch of dark chocolate notes.. This blend offers up a good more punch, structure (the whole-cluster) and depth. A clean version of an old-school Chateauneuf du Pape. 235 cases bottled unfined, unfiltered.

Robert Parker 94 Points: “The 2014 Esquisto is a more Grenache-dominated blend that checks in as two-thirds Grenache and one-third Mourvedre. It’s a step up over the 2013 and offers beautiful kirsch and black raspberry fruits, spice-box, licorice and chalky minerality in a full-bodied, voluptuous and textured personality. Staying fresh and lively, it has a great mid-palate, tons of sweet fruit and a clean, focused finish. It should drink nicely on release and have 10-12 years of longevity.”

Click here or on the links above or call 415-337-4083 to order!
Tasting Notes

FREE WINE, NO CATCH! 94-96 POINT RATED NAPA CABERNET

Posted on by Frank Melis
Encosta (“slope”) Cabernet Sauvignon originates from the steeply terraced hillsides ofGandona Estate and its terra cotta-colored, volcanic soil.  The 2012 vintage is a wine celebrating the very soul of hillside fruit capturing the essence of the vine’s interaction with earth and sun. It opens with aromas of bright red cherry and cranberry with underlying notes of cassis and tobacco.  On the palate, the wine shows a juicy, full mouth feel reminiscent of fresh black and ripe cherries. Rounding out the mid-palate are finely grained, sweet mountain tannins that reveal a beautiful marriage between them and well integrated oak.  The lingering finish is laced with nuances of rich cocoa powder and supported by a strong acid backbone demonstrating a wine worthy of aging.

Gandona 2012 “Encosta” Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Napa Valley
Retail 98.00 – GGWC 94.99
FREE SHIPPING on 5+ BOTTLES
Use shipping code ENCOSTA12 upon checkout
BUY 5 get 1 FREE (automatically, till supplies last)

Robert Parker 94-96 Points: “The finest wine to date appears to be the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill, a sensational example of Pritchard Hill Cabernet. Its opaque purple color is followed by notes of pen ink, camphor, charcoal, blackberries and black currants. Dense, rich and built like a skyscraper with a terrific mouthfeel and purity as well as a full-bodied, moderately tannic, exuberant and convincing finish, it should age effortlessly for 20-30 years”

Click here or on the links above or call 415-337-4083 to order!

Don’t forget about your THANKSGIVING GIFT CASE!
Thanksgiving 2015 Six Bottle Gift Case – $239.99 Includes FREE GROUND SHIPPING*
FREE SHIPPING, use code THANKS15 upon checkout

Tasting Notes

Tiny producer wins blind tasting

Posted on by Frank Melis
Our Tasting Group lined up an amazing lineup of hard-to-find Grenaches:
  • Carlisle (Rossi) 93 WS
  • Keplinger 93 WS
  • Saxum (James Berry) 93 WS
  • Outpost 93 Galloni
  • Alban 94 Galloni
  • Sanguis (Verve) 93 Galloni
  • Limerick Lane 94 Galloni
  • Samsara 93 Galloni
  • A Tribute to Grace 93 Galloni
  • Draognette (Sebastiano)
The Winner DRAGONETTE!

Two brothers (John & Steve Dragonette) teamed up with their good buddy Brandon Sparks-Gillis to pursue their live-long dream to make wine.  They gained valuable experiences at wineries like Sine Qua Non, Torbreck, Fiddlehead Cellars before they started this awesome venture.  Over the past couple of years the press has been (rightfully so) generous to these three great guys.  They source from some of the most sought after vineyards in Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills & Santa Ynez. This bottling was sourced 100% from John Sebastiano’s vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills.

Dragonette 2013 Grenache “John Sebastiano” Santa Rita Hills
Retail 44.00 – GGWC 39.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code DRAG13GREN upon checkout

On the nose, this Grenache displays its cool climate origins, with high-register red fruits, such as ripe raspberry, strawberry and loganberry mingling with complex smoky earth notes, pine and herbal notes of fresh thyme, rosemary, mint, and oregano.  On the palate the wine is energetic and lively, as red fruits (strawberries, pomegranate) mingle with citrus notes of blood orange, orange peel and fresh herbs (thyme), anise and tar.  The wine has great lift from fresh tannins and ample, mouth-watering acidity and minerality (stones and seashells), and it finishes with great length and freshness.

Click here or on the links above to purchase.

Tasting Notes

Cult Cabernet 98 Points again?

Posted on by Frank Melis
Beau Vigne (Bo-Veenya) was founded in 2002 by Ed and Trish Snider. Their vineyard goes by the name of Stags Ridge and is the benchmark and centerpiece of Beau Vigne. Stags Ridge Vineyard & Ranch is located on the Eastern edge of Napa, situated in the Atlas Peak appellation at the very top of Soda Canyon Road overlooking Pritchard Gap, Haystack, and Stagecoach Vineyards. The wines are made by Kirk Venge, and as you know many of their releases have released big scores, so don’t wait too long to jump on this latest release!

Beau Vigne 2013 “CULT” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Retail $110.00 – GGWC $104.99
FREE SHIPPING on 6
Use code CULT upon checkout

The 2013 is in my humble opinion as good, if not a better wine compared to the very good 2012! An opaque color greets you followed by a gorgeos nose offering up stunning aromas of chocolate, black currant and a touch tobacco and licorice. On the palate, this full bodied youngster is loaded with dense, concentrated and lush black stone fruit that is full and complex and extremely well-balanced offering up layers upon layers of amazing fruit and the right touch of acidity where needed.  The finish is longlasting with modest tannins.

Robert Parker 2012 review 98+ Points: “As great as all these wines are, Beau Vigne’s top wine is the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Cult. From a dry-farmed vineyard, it exhibits an inky/blue/black color as well as beautiful, sweet kirsch liqueur notes intermixed with creme de cassis, unsmoked cigar tobacco, underbrush and loamy soil notes. The complex aromatics are followed by a fabulously rich, full-bodied, voluptuously textured wine revealing terrific purity as well as depth. This stunning 2012 should continue to drink well for 15-20+ years.”

Also, check out these very limited productions:
Beau Vigne 2013 “Juliet” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Milange 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon “Frank-Perry Estate” Napa Valley

Click here or on the links above to purchase.

Tasting Notes

97 Point Rated Heidi Barrett Cabernet

Posted on by Frank Melis

Two of Napa’s best known faces, Heidi Barrett (Screaming Eagle, La Sirena, Amuse Bouche, etc) and Bo Barrett (Chateau Montelena) have been married for 26 years, but it took them almost that long before they put their winemaking heads together and created Barrett & Barrett.

BARRETT & BARRETT 2012 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY
97 POINTS!!
GGWC Price $299.99
FREE SHIPPING on 3 or more
Use code BB12CS upon checkout

10/30/15 by Heidi Peterson Barrett: “This 2012is a blockbuster powerhouse wine from this vintage. Aromas are deep, ripe, and intense with pure berry jam, lush black cherry, and layers of toasty sweet French oak. Explosive flavors follow the amazing aromatics. Just a delicious big lush mouth-coating wine. Our early ripening Calistoga vineyards served us well once again since the Barrett and Barrett blocks carry such a light crop. The typically low yielding vines produce tiny concentrated berries which result in this very cool dense and delicious Cab. It’s the best possible combination blend of balance and finesse, purity of character, amazing length, and age worthiness. Don’t miss it!”
 
 10/30/15 by Bo Barrett: “The wine is opaque dark color, almost black to the very edge; The aroma is concentrated earthy-berry, smoked spices, like a block of fancy black tea coated with black cherry and cassis syrup. An instant mouthful of fat fruit, lush throughout and a solid enduring richness and balance. Lots of good tannin grip and superbly acid balanced. A very classic “sun grown” Cabernet. Impressive palate focus and authority with rich fine polished structure.”

Anthony Galloni 97 Points: “The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is fabulous. Rich, racy, and totally voluptuous in the glass, the 2012 flows with seemingly endless layers of fruit. This is a decidedly dark, powerful brooding 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon endowed with real class. Dark cherry jam, wild flowers,gravel, mint and dark spice meld into the unctuous, riveting finish.”

Click here or on the links above to purchase.