Sparkling

Bollinger Brut Rose The Champage House of Bollinger was established in 1829 by Jacques Bollinger and Paul Renaudin. Their expansion and wild success can be credited to the stewardship of the legendary Lily Bollinger, who ran the estate from 1941 to 1977 and will go down in history as one of the most interesting women in . Seventy percent of the grapes are sourced from Bollinger’s own . Bollinger champagnes are famous for a rather muscular, powerful structure. The color of the beautiful Brut Rosé comes from allowing the grape juice to rest on their skins before being pressed off into barrel-fermented lots. It’s a rich, savory rosé full of brioche and acacia notes. Its floral flirtatiousness pairs beautifully with salty foods—a little paté fois gras or a bit of manchego.

Cristal 2008 Cristal is the crown jewel of the Louis Roederer family-owned Chamapgne house. Founded in 1776, The Roederer House has remained an independent, family-owned company which is now managed by the seventh generation of the lineage. Cristal was first produced in 1876 at the request of Alexander II. It’s one of the most luscious, deeply flavored champagnes available in the world. A 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and , the 2008 comes from thirty-six different plots within seven grand crus. Twenty-five percent of the wine is fermented in oak to soften the edges of a fresh vintage. It was only released after eight and a half years on lees—the longest aging of any Cristal in history. It’s like drinking carbonated cream.

Dom Perignon 2009 Named for the 17th century Benedictine monk who “invented” Champagne, Dom Perignon is overseen by Moët & Chandon. The first prestige cuvee was released in 1937. A rigorous selection process in both and winery ensure that only the best grapes go into Dom Perignon wines. They are generally equally parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and exhibit creamy fruit and toast equaled by very few of the other Grandes Marques. The 2009 is a very seductive drink, with riper apricot and peach blossom notes. It’s mineral, graceful, and lifted with extremely fine mousse. You’ll smell a little honey and grapefruit now that will soften with more time in bottle.

Krug Grand Cuvee Krug was established in 1843 and has since specialized in only prestige and specialized Champagnes. It’s the only house still producing all of its wines in small oak barrels, a secret element essential for developing Krug’s signature bouquet and complex flavors. The Grand Cuvee is indisputably the most majestic non-vintage house cuvee. It’s blended from ten different and forty-seven wines from twenty-five different villages. The cuvee spends five to seven years aging on the lees building body. The final product is famous for a delicate nose of honey and toasted nuts.

New World Whites

Aubert Vineyards Lauren 2013 Mark Aubert has distinguished himself by the company that he has kept—Colgin, Sloan, Bryant and Peter Michael—to name a few—the latter of which he spent twelve years with, as the successor to Helen Turley. Since its first release, with the 2000 vintage, his own vineyard-designate wines— Lauren, Reuling, Quarry, Ritchie and UV—are helping to redefine Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Mark’s love of farming comes from a childhood of growing up in Saint Helena—then a very rural farming community. His obsession with the detail of growing grapes means every single wine bears an unmistakable mark of quality. This wine is made from 30-year-old vines planted in a rare type of soil. It features a surprising richness for a white, with plenty of time in oak to balance the quince, apricot, and butterscotch flavors.

Aubert Vineyards Lauren 2015 Mark Aubert has distinguished himself by the company that he has kept—Colgin, Sloan, Bryant and Peter Michael—to name a few—the latter of which he spent twelve years with, as the successor to Helen Turley. Since its first release, with the 2000 vintage, his own vineyard-designate wines— Lauren, Reuling, Quarry, Ritchie and UV—are helping to redefine Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Mark’s love of farming comes from a childhood of growing up in Saint Helena—then a very rural farming community. His obsession with the detail of growing grapes means every single wine bears an unmistakable mark of quality. The 2015 vintage—the hottest year on record—brought the fourth consecutive drought year to Sonoma County; harvest commenced in mid-August, two weeks early, and concluded by the month’s end, having delivered a some of the smallest yields in a decade, but some of the most remarkable fruit in that time. This is a classic Aubert Chardonnay, a little shy at first but a few minutes open reveals dense honey, pear, and brioche notes. It has plush texture but a refreshing finish, with a little lemongrass and stone.

Aubert Vineyards Larry Hyde & Sons 2015 Mark Aubert has distinguished himself by the company that he has kept—Colgin, Sloan, Bryant and Peter Michael—to name a few—the latter of which he spent twelve years with, as the successor to Helen Turley. Since its first release, with the 2000 vintage, his own vineyard-designate wines— Lauren, Reuling, Quarry, Ritchie and UV—are helping to redefine Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Mark’s love of farming comes from a childhood of growing up in Saint Helena—then a very rural farming community. His obsession with the detail of growing grapes means every single wine bears an unmistakable mark of quality. The 2015 vintage—the hottest year on record—brought the fourth consecutive drought year to Sonoma County; harvest commenced in mid-August, two weeks early, and concluded by the month’s end, having delivered a some of the smallest yields in a decade, but some of the most remarkable fruit in that time. This Carneros AVA Chardonnay is charmingly firm, almost like green tea. There’s bright acidity and a really tangy mineral quality that will make your mouth water for minutes afterward.

Old World Whites

Bonneau du Martray 2015 One of the greatest producers of Burgundy in the World, Bonneau du Martray is based in the Cote de Beaune wine-growing region. They’ve gently been integrating more biodynamic farming practices for the only two wines in production: the Charlemagne Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir from Corton. Bonneau du Martray’s Corton-Charlemagne is a very difficult wine to describe, particularly while young. Its inherent stoniness is almost austere—a laser beam in liquid form. It’s a wine that teaches about texture: it gives the sensation of heaviness without actually having any weight. Indubitably, it’s one of the greatest Chardonnays ever created. The 2015 vintage will need a lot of patience. The green apple core is softened by brioche and a heady dose of Parmesan and hazelnut. It’s almost salty, with a discreet tropicality. This is a Chardonnay that demands food and maybe even a bit of decanting.

New World Reds

Cabernet Dominant

Peter Michael Les Pavots Magnum 2006 Peter Michael produces fifteen different bottlings, each meticulously crafted in the traditional method. All but one are estate-grown on mountainside vineyards. Peter Michaels “Les Pavots” is a blend of seventy-seven percent with thirteen percent Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. It’s a beautiful Knights Valley Bordeaux style blend, exhibiting one of the nicest colors we’ve ever seen, almost like staring through stained-glass. It features a velvety, dense texture and a surprisingly tight finish—mostly licorice and flowers. The wood is the dominant flavor, with the earthiness of that fine boned Merlot coming through as currant and clay. The magnums have added longevity, and can be enjoyed now or in the next fifteen years.

Opus One 2012 Opus One is the collaboration between Napa patriarch Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux. Both brought their respective sensibilities to a single wine—the perfect expression of Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon’s powerful yet supple tannins. Smaller quantities of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot add complexity and creaminess to create a dense, blue-fruited wine reminiscent of Opus’ halcyon days in the early ‘90s. 2012 featured a long, sunny growing season tempered by the perfect crisp fall and made for large quantities of flawless fruit. Drink now or enjoy on a special occasion in the next fifteen years.

Overture by Opus One Overture is the only other wine made by Opus One. It’s a remarkable concept: a “timeless wine” displaying no vintage, simply a reflection of the winemaker’s artistry and the quality of the grapes themselves. Five traditional Bordeaux grape varieties are grown in different soil types and then married together over multiple vintages. This is a softer, rounder expression of the Opus One estate, which can sometimes take an infinitely long time to soften. It’s a deep ruby wine with a pale rim. There’s a surprising depth of sweetness with a penetrating nose that screams Napa Valley. It’s a classic blend drinking beautifully right now.

Continuum 2011 Continuum is the columniation of the Mondavi family’s four generations of making wine in the Napa Valley. Tim Mondavi takes the helm here, farming high on the slopes of Pritchard Hill. Red volcanic soils impel lower vigor; the vines struggle to produce gorgeously concentrated fruit at a higher elevation than most estates in the valley. Older vines redouble their efforts and the result is vinous, supple, and tactile. Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, Continuum is also comprised of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet Franc adds an aromatic note of balsamic soaked berries, while the richness of volcanic Cabernet makes for a traditional core of blackcurrant and sweet tobacco. Enjoy this wine now.

Quintessa 2007 Nestled in the heart of Rutherford, Quintessa produces age-worthy Bordeaux blends from a gorgeous undulating property surrounded by one hundred acres of raw Napa wilderness. Each small plot is designated based on elevation, aspect, and soil type and then farmed, harvest, and vinified individually. The sum of these plots is truly greater than its parts—an elegant blend that encapsulates our favorite “Rutherford Dust” texture without overwhelming the palate. 2007 has been lauded as one of their strongest efforts, featuring very silky tannins, ripe bramble fruit, and hot chocolate notes. The vintage was textbook—a dry winter with cold nights and early budbreak. Lower rainfall meant less fruit of a higher concentration of flavor, all good news for this perfect Napa red, drinking beautifully right now.

2011 Napa Valley Reserve The Napa Valley Reserve is one of several Harlan Family projects within the Napa Valley—a lineage that can only mean unparalleled quality and attention to detail. The Reserve vineyards are overseen by the Harlan Estate viticultural team and meticulously farmed with time-honored traditions and new techniques alike. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted multiple times by the cellar team before undergoing small-lot fermentations. The Reserve’s custom blends are created in a state of the art facility, matured in French oak and shepherded through their aging by a dedicated year-round team. The resulting red blend consistently rivals Napa’s best—deep and plummy, perfectly integrated vanilla bean and wood smoke balanced by signature freshness. Uncharacteristically cool, wet conditions tempered California’s signature warm summers in 2011. Greener notes emerge in the wines as a result—you can almost taste the cool earthiness of an early fall. Bright acidity makes for a lighter, more food-friendly version of a beloved Napa classic.

2012 Napa Valley Reserve The Napa Valley Reserve is one of several Harlan Family projects within the Napa Valley—a lineage that can only mean unparalleled quality and attention to detail. The Reserve vineyards are overseen by the Harlan Estate viticultural team and meticulously farmed with time-honored traditions and new techniques alike. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted multiple times by the cellar team before undergoing small-lot fermentations. The Reserve’s custom blends are created in a state of the art facility, matured in French oak and shepherded through their aging by a dedicated year-round team. The resulting red blend consistently rivals Napa’s best—deep and plummy, perfectly integrated vanilla bean and wood smoke balanced by signature freshness. 2012 featured a long, sunny growing season tempered by the perfect crisp fall and made for large quantities of flawless fruit. These are slightly fuller, fresher, and less tannic than the 2013s—drink them while you wait!

2013 Napa Valley Reserve The Napa Valley Reserve is one of several Harlan Family projects within the Napa Valley—a lineage that can only mean unparalleled quality and attention to detail. The Reserve vineyards are overseen by the Harlan Estate viticultural team and meticulously farmed with time-honored traditions and new techniques alike. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted multiple times by the cellar team before undergoing small-lot fermentations. The Reserve’s custom blends are created in a state of the art facility, matured in French oak and shepherded through their aging by a dedicated year-round team. The resulting red blend consistently rivals Napa’s best—deep and plummy, perfectly integrated vanilla bean and wood smoke balanced by signature freshness. 2013 was the finest in most Napa vinters’ memories—a life-changing year. A second consecutive year of drought meant unusually small berries and a high concentration of juice-to-solids. The resulting wines have firm, fine-boned tannins that need time to soften. Thankfully, a warm, long summer meant well- developed fruit flavors to balance the structure of the Napa Valley Reserve wines. We are enjoying this vintage now and for the next twenty years.

2014 Napa Valley Reserve The Napa Valley Reserve is one of several Harlan Family projects within the Napa Valley—a lineage that can only mean unparalleled quality and attention to detail. The Reserve vineyards are overseen by the Harlan Estate viticultural team and meticulously farmed with time-honored traditions and new techniques alike. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted multiple times by the cellar team before undergoing small-lot fermentations. The Reserve’s custom blends are created in a state of the art facility, matured in French oak and shepherded through their aging by a dedicated year-round team. The resulting red blend consistently rivals Napa’s best—deep and plummy, perfectly integrated vanilla bean and wood smoke balanced by signature freshness. The 2014 has wonderful historical context, being the year the earthquake rocked Napa in late August. Thankfully, the Reserve was unharmed and a drought year coupled with a cooler climate made for perfect brightness in a beloved Napa staple.

Dominus 1991 In 1982, Christian Moueix went to the Napa Valley with a vision of making wines that expressed the pure essence of its fruit. The first time he visited California—in 1968, when he attended U.C. Davis—he was welcomed by André Tchelistcheff who opened a bottle of Beaulieu Vineyards 1946. More impressive than the fact that ’46 is his birth year, Moueix was amazed by the purity of the fruit; he went on to taste many great, old California wines, inspired to make his own someday. Since 1982, Moueix has been fulfilling his dream. The 1991 vintage brought a cold, dry winter; spring came early, relieved by rains before the onset of bud break; an Indian summer paved the way for an ideal harvest. The Dominus ’91 is seamlessly integrated with ripe, vibrant cherries, blackberries, cedar, cassis and spice.

Rudd Oakville Estate Red 2004 Rudd understand their role as stewards of exceptional land. Each wine is designed to be the ultimate expression of their world-class terroir. Their team members work together to ensure the Oakville Estate is the healthiest, most timeless property possible, passing down expertise and commitment through generations. Their proprietary red blend is an authentic expression of their land, transcending grape varieties with an emphasis on vintage and site. The 2004 growing season was warm in the beginning and end, punctuated by cooler than normal nights and an unexpected June hailstorm. Its predominant Cabernet Sauvignon shows through with beautiful transparency, ripe black fruit and silky tannins make for a long, lush finish.

Heitz ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Heitz Vineyards is a legend in Napa Valley Cabernet. They are certified organic by CCOF and up until very recently—family owned. The property itself is simple and gorgeous—the emphasis is always on the vines and the quality of the wines rather than the pageantry indigenous to Napa. The 2004 is notable for very balanced alcohol and beautifully integrated wood. It is definitely one of the subtler Napa Cabernets, choosing to feature perfectly ripened fruit and natural acidity over sweetness and power. This specific vineyard is well known for delivering a signature touch of eucalyptus. Theories abound as to why, but it’s an instantly recognizable (and deeply pleasurable) signature. The chocolate mint, cherry, and currant flavors will soften and develop over the next twenty years. Truly one of the greatest Napa wines.

Caymus Special Selection 2006 Established in 1972, is a Napa benchmark for Cabernet Sauvignon. They have a fantastic track record of creating some of wine critics’ favorite bold Cabernets full of sweet tobacco and velvety tannins. Their influence has shaped an entire region’s worth of wine. The “Special Selection” Caberent Sauvignon is one of the most highly collected wines in the world, crafted from the most outstanding barrels in any given vintage. The 2006 is marked by unabashed ripeness is balanced by a wealth of sweet oak and cocoa powder. It is drinking beautifully right now.

Quilceda Creek Palengat 2009 Quilceda Creek makes its home in Snohomish, Washington State. They have been single-mindedly focused on premium Cabernet Sauvignons since their founding in 1978.The 2009 Palengat Proprietary Red Wine perfectly encapsulates the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The vines were planted in 1997 on deep, consistent soils that encourage healthy, deep root systems to work hard in fruit production. There are only eight and a half acres of vine with most planted at a higher density to eke out more flavor. The blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon bolstered by a touch of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. One hundred percent French oak is used for aging. The wine has plenty of violet and toast notes with a fig jam core infused with Asian spices. The 2009 should be enjoyed now through 2026.

O’Shaughnessy Howell Mountain 2008 O’Shaughnessy Estate winery sits at 1,800feet about sea level and encompasses a gorgeous one hundred and twenty five acres. It was founded in 1996, one of the first Howell Mountain estates to bring notoriety to the AVA. Winemaker Sean Capiaux cherry-picked numerous clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and all seven of the history Bordeaux for the acreage. Their modern equipment is used in traditional ways: non-interventionist strategies result in wines that are unfined and unfiltered. This accentuates the indigenous character and terroir of the O’Shaughnessy vineyards. The Howell Mountain property is the core of their program. The 2008 is a blend of three different vineyards: The Amphitheatre Vineyard, Rancho del Oso (named for a black bear who visits for a snack from time to time) and the Osprey’s Nest Vineyard. The 2008 vintage brought about firm tannins, but Capiaux has done a fantastic job of integrating them with toasty oak for a very pleasant silky texture. Black cherry, graphite, and chocolate mint unfurl luxuriously. This wine is drinking well now but will benefit from another ten years of aging.

O’Shaughnessy Mount Veeder 2008 O’Shaughnessy Estate winery sits at 1,800feet about sea level and encompasses a gorgeous one hundred and twenty five acres. It was founded in 1996, one of the first Howell Mountain estates to bring notoriety to the AVA. Winemaker Sean Capiaux cherry-picked numerous clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and all seven of the history Bordeaux varietals for the acreage. Their modern winemaking equipement is used in traditional ways: non-interventionist strategies result in wines that are unfined and unfiltered. This accentuates the indigenous character and terroir of the O’Shaughnessy vineyards. The Mount Veeder is one hundred percent Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s slightly greener than the Howell Mountain offering, with a little more blueberry liquor and blackberry at its center. O’Shaughnessy’s signature purity of fruit is balanced by a surprising spicy florality—like a nosegay of pansies.

Kapcsandy Roberta’s Reserve 2013 When Lou Kapcsandy immigrated to the US from his native Hungary in 1956, he never dreamt he’d be creating his own wines. A trip to France in 1998 ignited a flicker of curiosity, however, and Lou decided to retire in the Napa Valley to pursue is dream. He and his son, Louis Jr., purchased a twenty-acre parcel in Yountville. There were no vines on the property as the vineyard was destroyed by Phylloxera the year before. Lou planted vines with a vision in mind: to consistently produce wines of “First Growth” quality to rival any region in the world. Today, the Roberta’s Reserve 2013 does his vision justice. 2013 was the second year of the drought, and the Merlot vines in Roberta’s Reserve thrived in the heat. The fruit is soft and red, plum skin and cherry juice. Lavender, sage, and menthol keep it bright and alive. Tannins have softened slightly since release, but the wine will benefit from another ten years of age. It is the first triple point American Merlot in history.

Grace Family Vineyards 2010 Dick Grace founded Grace Family Vineyards in 1976. An old rundown Victorian provided the centerpiece for what would become a beautiful boutique winery. At the time, however, the winery was more of an agricultural endeavor. The Bosché vineyard not far away was planted with cuttings from Caymus. The Caberent Sauvignon produced subsequently became one of Napa’s first “cult wines”. The Grace Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 is slightly medicinal, with beautiful minty and eucalyptus aromas complimenting black cherry and a little graphite. The tannins are very firm, but nine years in bottle have worked wonders for its pliancy. It’s drinking well now or within the next five years.

Turnbull Reserve Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Turnbull is a multi-generational family business guided by the principle of sustainability. Each of their wines is estate grown and means that they have a hand in every step of the winemaking process. Their emphasis is on balanced, restrained Cabernets that still exhibit the depth of flavor Napa has to offer. The 2015 bottling of the Oakville Reserve was hailed by winemaker Peter Heitz as the pinnacle of what Oakville represents. This is a barrel selection of the finest parcels of estate vineyards, crafted in a very classic Napa style to speak to the truest expression of their Oakville parcel. There’s dynamic black fruit—huckleberries and pencil shavings and a touch of spicy clove to balance the warm baking spice of new French oak. It’s a wine that makes your mouth water long after you put down the glass.

Turnbull Leopoldina 2014 Turnbull is a multi-generational family business guided by the principle of sustainability. Each of their wines is estate grown and means that they have a hand in every step of the winemaking process. Their emphasis is on balanced, restrained Cabernets that still exhibit the depth of flavor Napa has to offer. The Leopoldina is a fun divergence from their traditional emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignon. This single- Cabernet Franc is only produced in outstanding vintages. This particular clone is called “Goddess Clone” and originates from their own Leopldina Vineyard on top of the Oakville Bench. This is an inimitable crop, full of lively acidity and freshness. The first note is rose petal and bright cherry, closely followed by a wonderful sap and raspberry character that will pair beautifully with everything from roasted chicken to venison sausage.

Vine Hill Ranch “VHR” Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 The Phillips family has been part of a long line of independent growers who have farmed the Vine Hill Ranch for the past century. The long term sustainability of their vineyard and forest land has been paramount, and all of their farming efforts take into account the future quality of both the land and vines. The 2010 comes from the Western Hills of Oakville; the same source of Bond’s “Vecina” bottling. The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon brings together some incredible fruit density— enough to literally burst out of the glass with orange rind, sweet cigarillo wrapper and an incredible density of red fruit. Its explosive aromas are carefully balanced by a suave chain of silky tannins which make for a very luxurious, full mouth feel. This is a Napa classic, with a little more purity and verve than you might expect.

Diamond Creek Gravelly Meadows 2013 Diamond Creek was California’s first “Cabernet only” estate vineyard. It was founded in 1968 by visionary Al Brounstein, defying modern convention and planting Cabernet on the secluded slopes of Diamond Mountain. The three distinct soil types birth three distinctive wines. Diamond Creek’s second coolest micro-climate is their famous Gravelly Meadow vineyard. This was once a river bed, and the pebbled soils drain rapidly, encouraging the vines to plunge up to thirty feet in the ground looking for moisture. The wines are dense and jammy, a result of the lowest yield across all of Diamond Creek’s parcels. This is the most refined of the bottlings, with those prehistoric river rocks imparting an incredible minerality, pencil lead, and velvety tannin.

Staglin Family 2013 The Staglin Family Vineyard was founded in 1985 by Shari, Garen, Brandon, and Shannon. Their family ownership and participation is a cornerstone of their winemaking philosophy, and you can feel the continuity of a family’s driving viewpoint in their collection. They are solar powered and produce each wine in a state-of-the-art underground production facility on the Rutherford Bench. The 2013 Staglin Cabernet has controlled power and demands your own control—it needs time to resolve those silky, fine-grained tannins in bottle. This was an outstanding wine from an outstanding vintage, full of black currant and just a touch of refined oak barrels. A smokey hint of prosciutto and balsamic make for added depth and deliciousness.

Kamen “Kashmir” Cuvée 2014 Kamen Estate Wines produces pure, estate-grown wines from a rugged mountain-top in Sonoma. Owner, viticulturist, and winemaker Robert Kamen grows the fruit on his property with the utmost attention to detail. Once a screenwriter, Robert became a true farmer after a fire destroyed the vines he used to sell fruit to other wineries. Coming from certified organic fruit from the Moon Mountain AVA, the Kamen “Kashmir” is a perfect example of Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 vintage marked the second year of the drought, an unseasonably warm winter which made for added lushness and balance once we received a little spring rain. This is a seductive Cabernet, very ripe and featuring the classic “cassis” note balanced by a little black tea and cardamom. With just 174 cases in existence, this one-hundred percent Cabernet has a cult following for a good reason.

HARUMPH Wines 2011 Harumph defines itself by having a fun label but making a very serious product. They source from only the best vineyards in the Napa Valley, which gives them the luxury and freedom of experimenting year after year. The first wine was bottled without picking out a name, but a dinner party provided inspiration when someone did not pass down a bottle upon being asked and the host said, “Give the Governor a HARUMPH!”—a direct quote from Mel Brooks in Blazing Saddles. Selectively distributed in Los Angeles, Harumph Cabernet Sauvignons are well known for bright aromatics and a little spicy character. 2011 is an auspicious year—the first vintage of Harumph made in only 120 cases.

Casa Piena 2011 Casa Piena is founded on the philosophy of old-world farming practices—careful farming will make beautiful wines. Owner Carmen Policy’s Italian-American heritage provided inspiration for the brand, as his family would make their own “basement wine” to share with their community in Youngstown, Ohio. Upon Policy’s move to the Napa valley, he was determined to find a beautiful valley floor site where they could concentrate their experience and passion. Yountville became home for their wines. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is developing beautifully—savory herbs melting into a little leather and cedar, all underpinned by some bright, salty fruit. This wine is famous for having a creamy texture and 2011 does not disappoint. 2011 was a famously difficult vintage that forced winemakers to come up with very creative and effective farming practices. The 2011 Casa Piena is a triumph, and tells a good story about the resiliency of intelligent in addition to being delicious.

Tom Eddy Manchester Ridge 2010 Tom Eddy Winery is a boutique, family owned winery with a miniscule 5,000 case production size. They’re based in Calistoga, where twenty-two acres of unspoiled landscape surround a nest of premium Cabernet Sauvignon. The nine hundred acres surrounding the property itself are protected by the Sonoma Land Trust, which means their winemaking exists in a beautiful hermetically sealed bubble of biodiversity. The Manchester Ridge parcel comes from Mendocino County; it’s not unusual to run into a black bear up there. The elevation of 2,000 feet flattens out for a small vineyard, if rugged. Of course, this produces fantastic grapes as they work harder to root in the rocky ground. The small tonnage means concentrated flavors, and the varietal intensity of Mendocino Pinot gives Burgundy a run for their money. There’s a lot of sweet spice and strawberry with a little minty coolness from those colder mountain nights.

David Arthur Elevation Magnum 1147 2003 The original parcel for David Arthur Vineyards was purchased by David’s father in the 1960s. It’s a gorgeous slice along the Eastern ridge of the Napa valley, high up on Prichard Hill. In 1978 David Arthur received permission to convert the small barn into a winery. Their first commercial release was 1985. Every year the winery has the opportunity to pull out all the stops and make the purest, densest expression of Cabernet possible from David’s vineyard. The numbers in the name refer to the elevation of the vineyard. It’s a varietally pure one hundred percent Caberent Sauvignon with a lot of power thanks to a barrel program of one hundred percent new French oak selected from coopers with the tightes grain possible. The intensity of the inky color gives you a hint as to the quality of the wine. It smells a bit like raw brown sugar, black tea and roasted pecans. There’s a little cocoa-nib bitterness indigenous to Cabernet grapes that balances the riper fruit. It is just starting to open up now, and can be enjoyed with a beautiful bone-in ribeye and some scalloped potatoes.

Shafer 25th Sunspot Vineyard Magnum 2001 The Shafer team has been making wines in Stag’s Leap since the late 1970s. Their emphasis on creating wines that are as distinctly Napa as possible has earned them a reputation for very high quality fruit from the healthiest vineyards. The 25th Sunspot Vineyard wines are only available to members of the Hillside Select list. Only twenty-five barrels are made from the twenty-five year old Sunspot vines. This has a little buttery, toasty oak quality that feels like sucking on a Werther’s caramel. It has an almost slippery texture before the ripe, fleshy tannins become more evident. All of this is balanced with a ripeness like chocolate covered cherries.

Fairchild Sigaro 2012 The Fairchild Napa Valley winery produces small lots of collectable wine to a specific group of members. They specifically seek out vineyards with excellent reputations, employing meticulous care in the winery to ensure that each and every bottle represents its home terroir as honestly as possible. The Sigaro vineyard is located in Saint Helena and features entirely Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous “Clone 7”. This is a sensual, full-bodied Cab featuring the opulence you’d expect from a warmer AVA. It delivers chocolate syrup, hot espresso , and a basket of dark blackberries. The touch of new French oak does not overwhelm the topnotes of iron and sage. Remember that 2012 was the beginning of the drought, and you feel a lovely intensity to the fleshy open-knit fruit.

Fairchild G-III 2012 The Fairchild Napa Valley winery produces small lots of collectable wine to a specific group of members. They specifically seek out vineyards with excellent reputations, employing meticulous care in the winery to ensure that each and every bottle represents its home terroir as honestly as possible. The Georges-III vineyard is famous for producing intense, well-structured wines with a lot of aging potential. There’s a lot of dark blue fruit to this wine, mostly blueberry and black raspberry. A slightly spicy, raisined note is reminiscent of Christmas fruitcake. This wine will be developing for the next ten years.

Gargiulo G Major 7 2012 The Gargiulo family had always harbored a dream of building a premier wine estate. It came to fruition in the early 1980s under the delicate coaching of Napa legends Barney and Belle Rhodes. Both helped Jeff and Valerie Gargiulo to purchase their first vineyard in Oakville in 1992. Their goal was simple: take care of the land in such a way that it’s impossible to grow bad grapes. Today, winemaker Kristof Anderson favors a patient, viticulture heavy approach. 40 separate vineyard blocks are divided up into individual ferments in French oak barrels. The final blend is carefully crafted by a dedicated team including winemaking consultant Andy Erickson and viticultural master Dr. Paul Skinner. The G Major 7 Cabernet Sauvignon is blended from fruit selected off the 575 OVX vineyard and named after a classic jazz guitar chord. It’s eighty five percent Cabernet Sauvignon that showcases the complexity and earthiness of Oakville. The 2012 vintage was fantastic—the first year of drought without putting the vines under duress. Fruit is concentrated and smells like crushed raspberries and warm terracotta.

Gargiulo G Major 7 2013 The Gargiulo family had always harbored a dream of building a premier wine estate. It came to fruition in the early 1980s under the delicate coaching of Napa legends Barney and Belle Rhodes. Both helped Jeff and Valerie Gargiulo to purchase their first vineyard in Oakville in 1992. Their goal was simple: take care of the land in such a way that it’s impossible to grow bad grapes. Today, winemaker Kristof Anderson favors a patient, viticulture heavy approach. 40 separate vineyard blocks are divided up into individual ferments in French oak barrels. The final blend is carefully crafted by a dedicated team including winemaking consultant Andy Erickson and viticultural master Dr. Paul Skinner. The G Major 7 Cabernet Sauvignon is blended from fruit selected off the 575 OVX vineyard and named after a classic jazz guitar chord. It’s eighty five percent Cabernet Sauvignon that showcases the complexity and earthiness of Oakville. 2013 is even more concentrated, as the second year of drought pushed the vines to produce fruit with a stunning concentration and complexity. The G Major 7 smells like warm clay and darker, more concentrated blackberry jam.

Gargiulo Money Road Ranch 2012 The Gargiulo family had always harbored a dream of building a premier wine estate. It came to fruition in the early 1980s under the delicate coaching of Napa legends Barney and Belle Rhodes. Both helped Jeff and Valerie Gargiulo to purchase their first vineyard in Oakville in 1992. Their goal was simple: take care of the land in such a way that it’s impossible to grow bad grapes. Today, winemaker Kristof Anderson favors a patient, viticulture heavy approach. 40 separate vineyard blocks are divided up into individual ferments in French oak barrels. The final blend is carefully crafted by a dedicated team including winemaking consultant Andy Erickson and viticultural master Dr. Paul Skinner. The Money Road Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon typifies the classic wine profile that put Oakville on the map. It’s all mocha and tobacco, dark cherries and a finely balanced sweetness. The one hundred percent Cabernet fruit is aged for twenty months in French barrels.

Gargiulo Money Road Ranch 2013 The Gargiulo family had always harbored a dream of building a premier wine estate. It came to fruition in the early 1980s under the delicate coaching of Napa legends Barney and Belle Rhodes. Both helped Jeff and Valerie Gargiulo to purchase their first vineyard in Oakville in 1992. Their goal was simple: take care of the land in such a way that it’s impossible to grow bad grapes. Today, winemaker Kristof Anderson favors a patient, viticulture heavy approach. 40 separate vineyard blocks are divided up into individual ferments in French oak barrels. The final blend is carefully

crafted by a dedicated team including winemaking consultant Andy Erickson and viticultural master Dr. Paul Skinner. The Money Road Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon typifies the classic wine profile that put Oakville on the map. The 2013 is further concentrated, as Oakville vines produced less fruit of higher quality. It has beautiful texture, with fine Oakville tannins that make your mouth water for a minute afterward. Fruit is darker—classic slate and mocha balanced by blackberry and cedar.

Colgin IX Estate 2014 Colgin vinifies single vineyard wines from a portfolio of properties within the Napa Valley, each chosen for its exceptional soil and microclimate. Founded by Ann Colgin in 1992, the eponymous collection of wines has been a crown jewel in Napa’s pantheon of luxury wines ever since. The IX Estate vineyard is a twenty-acre parcel that varies drastically in slope with elevations ranging from 1150 to 1350 feet above sea level. Perched above Lake Hennesey on a secluded mountain top, the IX vineyard features a brightness of acidity that can only be a result of those cooler mountain mornings in the fog. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the IX Estate red has a rustic top-note of herbs—rosemary and a hint of tarragon. It’s balanced by huge, ripe flavors of black fruit and clay. The 2014 vintage is especially dark and delicious, with a little more graphite and violets than might be expected this side of the Atlantic. Drink now with a full meal or patiently wait for the next fifteen to twenty years.

Colgin Cariad 2014 Colgin vinifies single vineyard wines from a portfolio of properties within the Napa Valley, each chosen for its exceptional soil and microclimate. Founded by Ann Colgin in 1992, the eponymous collection of wines has been a crown jewel in Napa’s pantheon of luxury wines ever since. “Cariad” is the Welsh word for “love”. This Bordeaux-style red wine is blended from three separate vineyards, each owned and managed by the famous David Abreu. Howell Mountain fruit brings a fresh backbone while Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Madrona Ranch offer a heady perfume of blackberries, mulberries and ripe blueberries. The tannins are sweet, soft, thick, and silky. Still, Colgin’s signature balance carries the 2015 Cariad with enough poise for the next twenty years.

Colgin Tychson Hill 2014 Colgin vinifies single vineyard wines from a portfolio of properties within the Napa Valley, each chosen for its exceptional soil and microclimate. Founded by Ann Colgin in 1992, the eponymous collection of wines has been a crown jewel in Napa’s pantheon of luxury wines ever since. Originally planted in 1881 by another great napa matriarch, Josephine Tychson, the Tychson Hill vineyard consists of four acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, with a few rows of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The rocky, east-facing slope contains some of the rarest volcanic soil in the Napa Valley: Aiken Very Stony Loam. It’s famous for imparting distinctive floral notes to the traditional muscular fruit of Caberent Sauvignon. As a result, the wine smells like rose petals and crème de cassis. The body is rich and smooth but still a little lighter than other Colgin offerings, with a surprising note of polished citrus. You’re going to want to drink this one now, although it is built for long cellaring.

Pinot Noir

Sea Smoke Ten 2012

For years, the Santa Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County has produced some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California—Bob Davids began developing what would become Sea Smoke Vineyard in 1999. The one hundred acre estate, situated on a south-facing hillside above Fiddlestix Vineyard, enjoys diverse altitudes, exposures and soil types, in which ten clones are planted in multiple blocks. While Kris Curran made the first wines, Don Schroeder—of Ampelos Cellars—has been winemaker since 2008. The 2012 vintage delivered ideal growing conditions, with perfect weather from spring through fall, resulting in an exceptionally abundant crop, which was among the greatest in decades. The 2012 features 65% new French oak and a lot of spicy red fruit: think raspberries and mulberries highlighted by dried lavender. The firmer tannins of the 2012 has softened impeccably leaving a beautiful dusty texture with a blueberry finish.

Sea Smoke Ten 2013 For years, the Santa Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County has produced some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California—Bob Davids began developing what would become Sea Smoke Vineyard in 1999. The one hundred acre estate, situated on a south-facing hillside above Fiddlestix Vineyard, enjoys diverse altitudes, exposures and soil types, in which ten clones are planted in multiple blocks. While Kris Curran made the first wines, Don Schroeder—of Ampelos Cellars—has been winemaker since 2008. The 2013 vintage delivered the second consecutive year of a near perfect growing season, with a dry winter, early bud-break and drought like conditions through an early harvest. 2013 is a little dustier than its sisters, more sage and mint complimented by red plum. As always, a deeply layered wine full of minerality.

Sea Smoke Ten 2014 For years, the Santa Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County has produced some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California—Bob Davids began developing what would become Sea Smoke Vineyard in 1999. The one hundred acre estate, situated on a south-facing hillside above Fiddlestix Vineyard, enjoys diverse altitudes, exposures and soil types, in which ten clones are planted in multiple blocks. While Kris Curran made the first wines, Don Schroeder—of Ampelos Cellars—has been winemaker since 2008. The 2014 vintage was the third in a string of consecutive successes, having delivered temperate, dry weather from winter through summer, leading to an early, successful harvest. It’s a richer expression of pinot noir, with a little cherry coulis and purple flowers balanced their classic chipped-slate minerality.

Sea Smoke Ten 2015 For years, the Santa Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County has produced some of the most sought-after Pinot Noir in California—Bob Davids began developing what would become Sea Smoke Vineyard in 1999. The one hundred acre estate, situated on a south-facing hillside above Fiddlestix Vineyard, enjoys diverse altitudes, exposures and soil types, in which ten clones are planted in multiple blocks. While Kris Curran made the first wines, Don Schroeder—of Ampelos Cellars—has been winemaker since 2008. The 2015 vintage—the hottest calendar year in recorded history—delivered one of the earliest seasons on record; while yields were diminished, the crop was spectacular. Fruit is concentrated and elegant, featuring coca cola syrupiness and a hint of Asian five-spice.

William Selyem Russian River Pinot Noir 2012 Willam Selyem produces cult Pinot Noirs in Sonoma County. The founding idea is twofold: craft wines that set a standard for excellence, and come to know and serve their customers personally. Small production means a spot on the wine list can take years, but every bottle is worth the wait. Everything is done by hand and processed with mineral interference, no pumping of filtration that could compromise the quality of the wine. They are one of the last wineries to consistently foot tread grapes in the old style. This is completely dry, tart Pinot Noir—the opposite of a Sea Smoke or Aubert. It’s highly perfumed fresh berries and minerals, with a little smokiness and white pepper. The flavors are classic and complex: a must for Burgundy lovers.

DuMol Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Three Liter 2012 DuMol produces some of the infest examples of Californian Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. They were established in 1996 by Kerry Murphy and Michael Verlander. Their quest to make balanced wines have lead them to source fruit from a variety of different vineyards ranging from Carneros to the Sonoma Coast. For the majority of the wineries existence they’ve sold directly to clients or restaurants. It’s a treat to find larger formats, especially with a little bit of age. The 2012 is just beginning to open up. The Russian River Pinot comes from seven different vineyards and perfectly encapsulates the woody freshness that the region is known for. The brighter notes are wild strawberry and red currant, but this wine is lovely and dark at its core. Notes of forest floor and roasted quail make it a succulent, restrained drink.

Aubert Vineyards UV-SL Vineyard 2014 Mark Aubert has distinguished himself by the company that he has kept—Colgin, Sloan, Bryant and Peter Michael—to name a few—the latter of which he spent twelve years with, as the successor to Helen Turley. Since its first release, with the 2000 vintage, his own vineyard-designate wines— Lauren, Reuling, Quarry, Ritchie and UV—are helping to redefine Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Mark’s love of farming comes from a childhood of growing up in Saint Helena—then a very rural farming community. His obsession with the detail of growing grapes means every single wine bears an unmistakable mark of quality. The 2014 vintage delivered an early, warm and long growing season; while continued drought conditions diminished yields, harvest came in under perfect conditions. The fruit for the UV-SL wine is sourced directly from the Sonoma coast, the most extroverted and opulent Pinot Noir you’ll ever have. Fruit is inky and juicy, full of pure black cherry aromatics and the classic forest floor mushroominess that defines Pinot around the world.

Syrah & Petite Syrah

Colgin IX Estate Syrah 2014 Colgin vinifies single vineyard wines from a portfolio of properties within the Napa Valley, each chosen for its exceptional soil and microclimate. Founded by Ann Colgin in 1992, the eponymous collection of wines has been a crown jewel in Napa’s pantheon of luxury wines ever since. The IX Estate vineyard is a twenty-acre parcel that varies drastically in slope with elevations ranging from 1150 to 1350 feet above sea level. Perched above Lake Hennesey on a secluded mountain top, the IX vineyard features a brightness of acidity that can only be a result of those cooler mountain mornings in the fog. The Syrah comes from a low yielding clone from the Cote-Rotie and Hermitage regions of France. It’s got those Old World aromatics: a little prosciutto, cracked pepper, and a hot shot of espresso. The elevation imparts a slightly floral uplift: think Acacia in bloom. It’s an irresistibly inky, smooth take on one of our favorite varietals.

Turley Hayne Vineyard Petite Sirah 2006 Larry Turley founded Turley Wine Cellars in 1993 with the intent of crafting the best Californian Zinfandel and Petite Syrah humanely possible. Today their specialty remains in old-vines from single vineyards, showcasing California’s unique winemaking heritage. Their vineyards are either certified organic or in the process of becoming so, and Turley adheres to many non-interventionist winemaking techniques such as using natural yeast in all fermentations. The Hayne Petite Syrah was planted in 1953—gorgeous head-trained, dry-farmed vines that become lighter bodied and refined in age. The 2006 is all plum jam with wilder, redder fruit than following vintages. There’s wonderful acidity to support the density of Petite Sirah’s charcoal and black raspberry aromas. This is a slightly more dialed back, sophisticated iteration of the vineyard. Drink now.

Turley Hayne Vineyard Petite Sirah 2007 Larry Turley founded Turley Wine Cellars in 1993 with the intent of crafting the best Californian Zinfandel and Petite Syrah humanely possible. Today their specialty remains in old-vines from single vineyards, showcasing California’s unique winemaking heritage. Their vineyards are either certified organic or in the process of becoming so, and Turley adheres to many non-interventionist winemaking techniques such as using natural yeast in all fermentations. The Hayne Petite Syrah was planted in 1953—gorgeous head-trained, dry-farmed vines that become lighter bodied and refined in age. The heat of 2007 means this is one of the higher alcohol offerings from Turley—but it sits well with superripe aromas of blackberry and German chocolate cake. This is a rare example of actually being able to smell tannins. They are fine and dusty but seamlessly integrated. Enjoy this wine now with some of your favorite barbecue.

Turley Hayne Vineyard Petite Sirah 2010 Larry Turley founded Turley Wine Cellars in 1993 with the intent of crafting the best Californian Zinfandel and Petite Syrah humanely possible. Today their specialty remains in old-vines from single vineyards, showcasing California’s unique winemaking heritage. Their vineyards are either certified organic or in the process of becoming so, and Turley adheres to many non-interventionist winemaking techniques such as using natural yeast in all fermentations. The Hayne Petite Syrah was planted in 1953—gorgeous head-trained, dry-farmed vines that become lighter bodied and refined in age. 2010 was a cooler vintage, and in turn this wine is intensely saline and mineral driven; much more cool and inward that the following vintages. The wine expresses richness but not heaviness, never overripe despite packing smokey jam and bacon flavors. Drink anywhere from now until 2025.

Turley Hayne Vineyard Petite Sirah 2012 Larry Turley founded Turley Wine Cellars in 1993 with the intent of crafting the best Californian Zinfandel and Petite Syrah humanely possible. Today their specialty remains in old-vines from single vineyards, showcasing California’s unique winemaking heritage. Their vineyards are either certified organic or in the process of becoming so, and Turley adheres to many non-interventionist winemaking techniques such as using natural yeast in all fermentations. The Hayne Petite Syrah was planted in 1953—gorgeous head-trained, dry-farmed vines that become lighter bodied and refined in age. The 2012 vintage is a flirtatious, opaque homage to the unusual grape. It’s saturated with dark chocolate and eucalyptus with the deepest raspberry jam note imaginable. We recommend another five years before opening the bottle.

Turley Hayne Vineyard Petite Sirah 2013 Larry Turley founded Turley Wine Cellars in 1993 with the intent of crafting the best Californian Zinfandel and Petite Syrah humanely possible. Today their specialty remains in old-vines from single vineyards, showcasing California’s unique winemaking heritage. Their vineyards are either certified organic or in the process of becoming so, and Turley adheres to many non-interventionist winemaking techniques such as using natural yeast in all fermentations. The Hayne Petite Syrah was planted in 1953—gorgeous head-trained, dry-farmed vines that become lighter bodied and refined in age. It’s all syrupy blueberry, blackberry and gravel without any sugar. The flavors are explosive, but a refreshing menthol note lingers on the palate after the spice and fruit has disappeared. 2013 was a particularly dense and delicious vintage as the dry-farmed vines worked overtime to produce fruit.

Behrens Family Vineyard Kick Ranch Petite Sirah 2010 The Beherens Family produces boutique wines, only six of seven wines a year at their beautiful jewel box facility perched high on Spring Mountain. The wines are punched down by hand and gently transferred to bottle without being fined or filtered. The Kick Ranch Petite Sirah is a blend of ninenty-six percent Petite and four percent Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s an incredible powerhouse of a wine, so inky you can’t see through it. It tastes like liquid blackberry pie and bacon fat, with incredible spine in the form of burnt sugar tannins and a little tar aftertaste. Drink this now with Korean barbecue.

Eisele Vineyard Syrah 2013 For nearly four decades, the legendary Eisele vineyard— celebrated for its epic Cabernet—brought many spectacular wines to bear. The vineyard, originally planted to Cabernet in 1964, enjoys warm days and cool nights in well-drained, mineral-rich soil. Bart and Daphne Araujo purchased the hundred-twenty-year-old, forty-acre vineyard in 1990; early adopters of organic and biodynamic practices in the Napa Valley, they humbly took Eisele to new heights. The Pinault family, of Château Latour renown, acquired Araujo in 2013. Their unwavering commitment to quality and terroir-driven wines means their Syrah is one of the purest expressions of the grape in the Napa Valley. Dense and blue-fruited, with the concentration indigenous to the 2013 drought vintage, it pairs beautifully with barbecue or mole. The fruit feels like a yard of blue velvet on your palate, always balanced by Eisele’s signature acidity, cooled by the Chalk Hill Gap.

William Cole Vineyards Ten A beautiful experiment, William Cole “Ten” is actually ten separate vintages combined into a single parcel. Each vintage was barrel aged upon harvest, and then blended seamlessly together to celebrate the distinct traits of each vintage while creating a harmonious whole. With only 243 cases produced in such an unusual fashion, this is one of the most interesting wines of the Napa Valley, a “Vertical in a Bottle”. The wine features a lot of ripe cherries and toasted vanilla from the wood, but is balanced by the tartness of dried cranberries and a little orange peel. This wine represents a unique philosophy of winemaking in the Napa Valley—definitely worth a try since it will be difficult to find its equal.

Kleinood Tamboerskloof Syrah 2010 The Kleinood wines are family made deep in the hills between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. The property is beautiful, moutains, rivers, ad a pristine tract of indigenous forest provide biodiversity for meticulously crafted wines in the old South African style. The warm days and cool nights the area is famous for makes for good tension in the wines, particularly the Tamboerskloof label that makes two different Syrahs and a gorgeous Viogner. For the 2010 vintage of Syrah, the wines were fermented in stainless steel before being transferred to 500 liter French oak barrels. The Syrah is ruby red in color with dark spices on the nose. Still, there’s an aromatic levity that reminds you of rose hips and Turkish delight. It’s a dense and concentrated sip with an earthy finish and the classic lush tannin you’d expect from Syrah with a few years of age. A wonderful introduction to South Africa.

Other Varietals

Kapscandy Rapszodia 2013 When Lou Kapcsandy immigrated to the US from his native Hungary in 1956, he never dreamt he’d be creating his own wines. A trip to France in 1998 ignited a seed of passion, however, and Lou decided to retire in the Napa Valley to pursue is dream. He and his son, Louis Jr., purchased a twenty-acre parcel in Yountville. There were no vines, as the vineyard was destroyed by Phylloxera the year before. Lou planted vines with a vision in mind: to consistently produce wines of “First Growth” quality to rival any region in the world. Today, the Roberta’s Reserve 2013 does his vision justice. The Rapszodia is predominantly Cabernet Franc—a very rare thing in Napa. It’s the wineries smallest production wine, and named in homage of their Hungarian heritage. The 2013 is particularly powerful, dark and well structured with incredible tannin. The gravel character jumps out of the glass with a little carbonic strawberry top note. This is a magnificent wine that needs time to age.

Old World Reds

Bordeaux

Domaine de Chevalier 2009 Domaine de Chevalier is a Grand Cru Classé in Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux. Right in the middle of a clear-cut forest clearing, Chevalier has been creating outstanding wines since the 19th century from a single block of vines. Their focus is on sustainable agro-ecology, relying on the surrounding forest to provide biodiversity and terroir for singular wines. The majority of the 40 hectare vineyard is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, which in turn dominates the final blend. Grapes are sorted three times and gravity fed into a vat to prevent the skins of the berries from breaking open. The wines age entirely in barrel with the proportion of new oak varying from vintage to vintage. 2009 features an intense and classical sandalwood nose, redolent of crushed blueberries and blackberries. There is richness and length thanks to a warm, even summer although crops were depleted by heavy hail earlier in the year. 50 more hours of sunshine than average make for a truly generous wine drinking well now.

Petrus 1981 Far from the illustrious châteaux of the left bank, situated on a plateau in the eastern portion of Pomerol sits the jewel of the appellation—and one of the most beloved wines on earth—Pétrus. A modest country house is flanked by some eleven hectares of Merlot and Cabernet Franc vines, with an average age of forty-five years. Dating back to the mid-eighteenth century, Pétrus has long been renowned for innovation—among the first in Bordeaux to implement green-harvesting and re- grafting. Its production is a mere twenty-five hundred cases. The 1981 Petrus is an island of elegance in an otherwise difficult vintage. It escaped unscathed with gorgeous, sophisticated fruit tightly coiled in a dense crimson wine. It’s medium weight for a Petrus and very velvety. This wine is drinking beautifully now.

Chateau Montrose 1989 Situated in the Saint-Estèphe appellation, the northernmost of the Médoc communes, Château Montrose was classified as one of fifteen Deuxièmes Crus in the original Bordeaux Classification of 1855. The estate’s one hundred sixty-eight acres are planted—amid a unique terroir of gravel, sand and clay—predominantly to Cabernet Sauvignon, with the addition of Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. Traditionally, the wines were incredibly tannic, requiring decades of cellaring—though younger vintages are now showing earlier appeal. The 1989 vintage brought the hottest summer in four decades and the earliest harvest in nearly a century. The Montrose ‘89 reveals distinctive notes of cedar, graphite, cassis, smoke, blackcurrants, tobacco and spice, with layers of ripe cherries and plums.

Château Cheval-Blanc 2001 Château Cheval-Blanc is unquestionably the leading estate in St. Emilion. Their wines are unusual in that they are Cabernet Franc dominant and bolstered with a good portion of Merlot. They are, in fact, the most famous Cabernet Franc based wines in the world—made more so by a cameo in the movie Sideways. The wines require a minimum ten years in bottle, and the 2001 is beginning to reach its peak drinkability. Expect a wonderful perfume of balsamic strawberry with a lot of fresh cedar wood. The 2001 has gained a little truffle and cigar-wrapper with age, but the bright red aromas of Cabernet Franc still keep it on the fresher side. As always, expect good acidity to balance the softness of the earth flavors.

Château Margaux 1996 Châteaux Margaux has been the pinnacle of Left Bank Bordeaux for several hundred years. Their emphasis on blending classical winemaking practices such as using draft horses to plow vineyards with more modern winemaking techniques (the more delicate use of oak) means a visionary wine firmly rooted in tradition. The 1996 Chateaux Margaux is undoubtedly one of the most classic wines ever produced. The wine is dark purple from its core of eighty-five percent Cabernet Sauvignon. It has a toasty nose and a little sweetness that makes you think of blackcurrant jam on brioche. There’s very fine tannin, somewhat unusual for a Margaux, which is a wonderful opportunity to explore the lighter side of the famous Left Bank estate. It is drinking perfectly right now, and will continue to do so for the five years.

Château Duhart-Milon 2005 Château Duhart-Milon is a Pauillac estate owned by Domaines Barons de Rothschilde. The actual barrel chais are located within the Pauillac town and the property has a similar climate to the Médoc: maritime freshness carried by the Gironde estuary. This means that the climate is regulated, and the coastal pine forests shelter vines from tricky westerly winds. The wines are Cabernet Sauvignon dominant, bolstered by Merlot and Cabernet Franc in the classic Bordeaux style. The 2005 vintage has that magic top-quality oak nose—sleek and classy and ripe. The ruby color suggests a brighter palate; the big chocolatey mouthfeel is a pleasant surprise. The slight chewiness of younger tannins are beginning to soften without losing any of the perfume: enjoy now or save for the next five or so years.

Rhone

Château de Nalys Grand Vin 2016 Château de Nalys is an extention of the Guigal family of wines. It sits smack-dab in the enter of Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Rhône region of France. The château is one of the oldest properties on the appellation and features all thirteen of the famous grape varieties that are allowed in the CDP blends. Their exacting methods of sustainable agriculture are overseen by Marcel and Phillippe Guigal, both passionately involved in making Naly’s wines. Most obvious in the 2016 is the purity of Grenache. It has wonderful red-fruit quality like strawberries macerated with pepper and mint. There’s a clay-like texture and the nose initially hints of fennel. This spectacular wine will shine to the fullest of its potential in the next five to ten years.

Italy

Antinori Tignanello 2012 Antinori is the most famous name in Italian wine. Their flagship, Tignanello, was first released in 1971 and caused an uproar because of it’s Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese blend. It was one of the first of the “Super-Tuscans”, aged in small French barriques to extract more smokey vanilla opulence from the wine. Unlike many modern Super-Tuscans, Tignanello still holds on to a rustic authenticity. It’s not pretending to be a Bordeaux, and the unmistakable Sangiovese character feels both rich and fresh at the same time. Tannins have softened over the past few years, and there’s a nice hint of summer herbs and licorice. Decanting is essential, but the wine is drinking beautifully now with a rack of lamb.

Luce delle Vite 2014 Luce is the physical embodiment of an international partnership between Robert Mondavi of Napa acclaim and Vittorio Frescobaldi of Tuscany. The name literally translates to “light of the vine” and is meant to reference the way morning sunlight reflects off the vineyards in Montalcino. This is a blend of Sangiovese and Merlot from the region just South of Siena. The elevation ranges from 1300 to 1500 feet, and clocks in as the highest vineyard site in Montalcino. Sustainable agriculture is key, and the wines reflect the unique slate and rocky limestone of the region. The 2014 vintage is a wonderful ruby. It balances treacle with forest floor, but packs in some tight classic Sangiovese tannins. James Suckling once recommended it be drunk in 2019—it’s time to try it.