As the snow melts away and the flowers begin to bloom, wine enthusiasts can look forward to the arrival of new wine releases in the spring. This time of year is always exciting as winemakers unveil their latest creations, showcasing the unique flavors and aromas of the new vintage. Below are some of the top wine releases to watch out for this spring from our recent findings throughout the west coast, including Oregon with our California Classics.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular luxury wines, known for its rich flavor and full-bodied taste.

Pinot Noir is another classic wine that has a loyal following among wine connoisseurs. Pinot Noir is known for its delicate, yet complex flavor, and is often aged in French oak barrels to enhance its unique taste.

Chardonnay is the white wine that is perfect for springtime sipping. This year, many wineries are releasing their 2021 and 2022 vintages, which have been carefully crafted to showcase the delicate flavors and aromas of the grape.

In addition to the classic luxury wines, there are also several lesser-known varieties that are worth exploring this spring. Here are three wines to add to your list:

Tempranillo is a red wine that is native to Spain and is becoming increasingly popular among wine enthusiasts. This wine is often aged for several years, giving it a complex and sophisticated flavor. Tempranillo pairs well with hearty meat dishes, such as roasted lamb or beef stew.

Petite Sirah is a bold and full-bodied red wine that is perfect for those who love a strong and robust flavor. This wine is often aged in oak barrels, which adds hints of vanilla and spice to its flavor profile. Petite Sirah pairs well with rich, flavorful foods such as barbecue or grilled steak.

Zinfandel is a classic California wine that is known for its bold and fruity flavor. Zinfandel is often aged in American oak barrels, which gives it a unique flavor profile that includes hints of vanilla and cinnamon. This wine can pair well with spicy foods, such as Cajun or Mexican cuisine.

March 2023 Wine Features

2018 Sodaro ‘Felicity’ Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville, Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

Luxury wines are the result of elaborate artistry, an unending dedication to the winemaking craft. They are tales of age-old soil, lilting hillside and a tender breeze. To capture the novel of nature’s harmony inside a glass…this is what it means to make luxury wine.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Jeb Dunnuck called this a great value at full price – imagine what he’d think about this deal! 91% Cabernet Sauvignon meets 9% Petit Verdot for an impressive, Bordeaux-like red. It opens with blackcurrants, dark chocolate, scorched earth and graphite aromas. The palate is full-bodied and rich, with the signature purity of the vintage and terrific depth. As Dunnuck says, “It’s certainly a serious, outstanding wine.” Coombsville’s reputation as the next great Napa Valley sub-appellation rests on thoughtfully crafted, premium gems like this one.

2018 Hyde Merlot, Carneros Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

Located in the heart of Carneros, Hyde Vineyards sits in the coolest region of Napa Valley influenced by the cooling effect of the Petaluma Gap. Morning fog and cool breezes in the afternoons allow for warm days and cool nights resulting in a long growing season. Through years of extensive research and experimentation, Larry Hyde has planted a unique variety of clones while carefully orienting the row directions to suit the rolling hills. His tireless work has resulted in a tapestry of vineyard blocks with over ten different varietals planted covering the unique terroir of Hyde Vineyards.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Dark and concentrated with aromas of blackberry, black currant, ripe fig, cocoa, and tobacco leaves. Pure complexity, vibrant, and focus with layers of lush dark fruit, the finish is juicy and succulent, the refine young tannins ensure long healthy aging.

This was a cooler year with abundant rain in February followed by endless sunny days which produced bud break in the first and second week of March. The mild temperatures allowed for slow ripening-perhaps the longest duration we’ve had in a long time. This factor helped encourage even cluster development, strong yields, complex flavors, high acidity and excellent quality that will help contribute to the longevity of this vintage.

2016 Fisher Vineyards Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Following more than four decades planting vineyards and adapting farming practices to the mountain climate and terrain around the winery, we launched our Mountain Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon. The core of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on steep, west facing terraces that rise above the winery, reaching a towering elevation of 1,400 feet. Other contiguous vineyard blocks yielding fruit of mature character and balance incorporate a great diversity of soils and exposures, providing additional complexity and unmistakable mountain terroir.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Estate Vineyard is a dark, brooding wine. A terrific example of Sonoma Cabernet, the 2016 possesses superb textural richness and intensity to match its dark, somber profile. An infusion of inky dark fruit, gravel, smoke, iron, game, dark spice, leather and licorice runs through this super expressive, rugged Cabernet Sauvignon from the Fisher family’s Mountain estate.

In conclusion, while the classic luxury wines are always a great choice, it’s also worth exploring some of the lesser-known varieties this spring. Whether you’re in the mood for a bold and robust wine like Petite Sirah, or a fruity and refreshing option like Zinfandel, there is sure to be a wine that suits your taste. Don’t be afraid to try something new and discover your new favorite luxury wine this season.

As the snow melts away and the flowers begin to bloom, wine enthusiasts can look forward to the arrival of new wine releases in the spring. This time of year is always exciting as winemakers unveil their latest creations, showcasing the unique flavors and aromas of the new vintage. Below are some of the top wine releases to watch out for this spring from our recent findings throughout the west coast, including Oregon with our California Classics.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular luxury wines, known for its rich flavor and full-bodied taste.

Pinot Noir is another classic wine that has a loyal following among wine connoisseurs. Pinot Noir is known for its delicate, yet complex flavor, and is often aged in French oak barrels to enhance its unique taste.

Chardonnay is the white wine that is perfect for springtime sipping. This year, many wineries are releasing their 2021 and 2022 vintages, which have been carefully crafted to showcase the delicate flavors and aromas of the grape.

In addition to the classic luxury wines, there are also several lesser-known varieties that are worth exploring this spring. Here are three wines to add to your list:

Tempranillo is a red wine that is native to Spain and is becoming increasingly popular among wine enthusiasts. This wine is often aged for several years, giving it a complex and sophisticated flavor. Tempranillo pairs well with hearty meat dishes, such as roasted lamb or beef stew.

Petite Sirah is a bold and full-bodied red wine that is perfect for those who love a strong and robust flavor. This wine is often aged in oak barrels, which adds hints of vanilla and spice to its flavor profile. Petite Sirah pairs well with rich, flavorful foods such as barbecue or grilled steak.

Zinfandel is a classic California wine that is known for its bold and fruity flavor. Zinfandel is often aged in American oak barrels, which gives it a unique flavor profile that includes hints of vanilla and cinnamon. This wine can pair well with spicy foods, such as Cajun or Mexican cuisine.

March 2023 Wine Features

2018 Sodaro ‘Felicity’ Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville, Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

Luxury wines are the result of elaborate artistry, an unending dedication to the winemaking craft. They are tales of age-old soil, lilting hillside and a tender breeze. To capture the novel of nature’s harmony inside a glass…this is what it means to make luxury wine.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Jeb Dunnuck called this a great value at full price – imagine what he’d think about this deal! 91% Cabernet Sauvignon meets 9% Petit Verdot for an impressive, Bordeaux-like red. It opens with blackcurrants, dark chocolate, scorched earth and graphite aromas. The palate is full-bodied and rich, with the signature purity of the vintage and terrific depth. As Dunnuck says, “It’s certainly a serious, outstanding wine.” Coombsville’s reputation as the next great Napa Valley sub-appellation rests on thoughtfully crafted, premium gems like this one.

2018 Hyde Merlot, Carneros Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

Located in the heart of Carneros, Hyde Vineyards sits in the coolest region of Napa Valley influenced by the cooling effect of the Petaluma Gap. Morning fog and cool breezes in the afternoons allow for warm days and cool nights resulting in a long growing season. Through years of extensive research and experimentation, Larry Hyde has planted a unique variety of clones while carefully orienting the row directions to suit the rolling hills. His tireless work has resulted in a tapestry of vineyard blocks with over ten different varietals planted covering the unique terroir of Hyde Vineyards.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Dark and concentrated with aromas of blackberry, black currant, ripe fig, cocoa, and tobacco leaves. Pure complexity, vibrant, and focus with layers of lush dark fruit, the finish is juicy and succulent, the refine young tannins ensure long healthy aging.

This was a cooler year with abundant rain in February followed by endless sunny days which produced bud break in the first and second week of March. The mild temperatures allowed for slow ripening-perhaps the longest duration we’ve had in a long time. This factor helped encourage even cluster development, strong yields, complex flavors, high acidity and excellent quality that will help contribute to the longevity of this vintage.

2016 Fisher Vineyards Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Following more than four decades planting vineyards and adapting farming practices to the mountain climate and terrain around the winery, we launched our Mountain Estate Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon. The core of this wine is Cabernet Sauvignon grown on steep, west facing terraces that rise above the winery, reaching a towering elevation of 1,400 feet. Other contiguous vineyard blocks yielding fruit of mature character and balance incorporate a great diversity of soils and exposures, providing additional complexity and unmistakable mountain terroir.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mountain Estate Vineyard is a dark, brooding wine. A terrific example of Sonoma Cabernet, the 2016 possesses superb textural richness and intensity to match its dark, somber profile. An infusion of inky dark fruit, gravel, smoke, iron, game, dark spice, leather and licorice runs through this super expressive, rugged Cabernet Sauvignon from the Fisher family’s Mountain estate.

In conclusion, while the classic luxury wines are always a great choice, it’s also worth exploring some of the lesser-known varieties this spring. Whether you’re in the mood for a bold and robust wine like Petite Sirah, or a fruity and refreshing option like Zinfandel, there is sure to be a wine that suits your taste. Don’t be afraid to try something new and discover your new favorite luxury wine this season.

As the snow melts away and the flowers begin to bloom, wine enthusiasts can look forward to the arrival of new wine releases in the spring. This time of year is always exciting as winemakers unveil their latest creations, showcasing the unique flavors and aromas of the new vintage. Below are some of the top wine releases to watch out for this spring from our recent findings throughout the west coast, including Oregon with our California Classics.

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most popular luxury wines, known for its rich flavor and full-bodied taste.

Pinot Noir is another classic wine that has a loyal following among wine connoisseurs. Pinot Noir is known for its delicate, yet complex flavor, and is often aged in French oak barrels to enhance its unique taste.

Chardonnay is the white wine that is perfect for springtime sipping. This year, many wineries are releasing their 2021 and 2022 vintages, which have been carefully crafted to showcase the delicate flavors and aromas of the grape.

In addition to the classic luxury wines, there are also several lesser-known varieties that are worth exploring this spring. Here are three wines to add to your list:

Tempranillo is a red wine that is native to Spain and is becoming increasingly popular among wine enthusiasts. This wine is often aged for several years, giving it a complex and sophisticated flavor. Tempranillo pairs well with hearty meat dishes, such as roasted lamb or beef stew.

Petite Sirah is a bold and full-bodied red wine that is perfect for those who love a strong and robust flavor. This wine is often aged in oak barrels, which adds hints of vanilla and spice to its flavor profile. Petite Sirah pairs well with rich, flavorful foods such as barbecue or grilled steak.

Zinfandel is a classic California wine that is known for its bold and fruity flavor. Zinfandel is often aged in American oak barrels, which gives it a unique flavor profile that includes hints of vanilla and cinnamon. This wine can pair well with spicy foods, such as Cajun or Mexican cuisine.

In conclusion, while the classic luxury wines are always a great choice, it’s also worth exploring some of the lesser-known varieties this spring. Whether you’re in the mood for a bold and robust wine like Petite Sirah, or a fruity and refreshing option like Zinfandel, there is sure to be a wine that suits your taste. Don’t be afraid to try something new and discover your new favorite luxury wine this season.

March 2023 Wine Features

2020 Keller Estate Oro de Plata Chardonnay, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma county

Why We Love This Wine:

Arturo and Deborah Keller first fell in love in the early eighties with the site while driving a vintage car through the meandering Sonoma roads and selected the property for its potential as a site for a world-class vineyard. Our founder’s focus was to create a winery where the best wine could be made in an artistically majestic environment.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Fresh in anise, peach and stone, this wine has a nuanced texture and crisp, mineral-driven steeliness that keeps it lively and vibrant in the glass. Stainless-steel fermented and aged in neutral oak, it is a lovely take on the cool-climate appellation.

2019 Ballentine Zinfandel, Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

Ballentine Vineyards has been dedicated to farming their land sustainably for over 100 years. Their family’s focus is on producing the highest quality grapes and wines from their vineyards and sustaining our Napa Valley traditions for generations to come. They strive to make intelligent choices that maximize quality while minimizing their impact on the land. With the building of our winery, the family has had a dedication to the preservation of their farming traditions. The winery was designed to collect the rainwater from our rooftop and be used for both frost protection and irrigation, solar-powered winery for over a decade, and added a treatment plan that allows them to recycle every drop of water used in the winery and place it back into the field to irrigate their vineyard.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

The winery looks for flavors of blueberry and raspberry syrup in the Zinfandel grapes to indicate ripeness. When squeezed the berries leave the fingers sticky from all of the sugar. Picking at this ripeness they feel this brings out the blue fruits and floral notes in this wine and leads to great balance overall. They leave 15% whole berry in our fermentations and ferment the wine using a special selection of yeast aiming at gentle extraction of tannin while maximizing our fruit concentration and color intensity. This vintage was pressed off at dryness and barrel aged for 17 months. The wine is a blend of two Zinfandel clones and is meant to show purity of fruit.

Red apples with cherry and raspberry flavors create a vibrancy on the palate that makes this wine fruit-forward. Figs, toasted nuts, holiday spices, and mocha come forth on the finish. This is a medium-bodied red, that can be enjoyed now or rested for a few years. 

2020 Norris Estate McKinley Vineyard Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Oregon

Why We Love This Wine:

A Southern California native, Robert Mckinley fell in love with wine while traveling in Europe at a young age. His family purchased property on Ribbon Ridge almost 20 years ago, though he never imagined he’d be farming vines and making wine there one day. Robert graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in wine and viticulture, then worked in vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms at Williams Selyem, Jonata/The Hilt, Trisaetum, Craggy Range (Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand), and Torbreck (Barossa Valley, Australia).

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

The 2020 Norris Estate Pinot Noir is an extremely rare single vineyard Pinot Noir which is from one of the most exclusive clubs of the Willamette Valley, the Ribbon Ridge AVA. It’s a magical strip of land that is well suited for the cultivation of high-end Pinot Noir. This has 30% whole cluster fermentation and was aged for 12 months in French oak barrel.

Tasting Notes of bramble, bing cherry, black tea, wild violets, lilac, licorice, dark cherry cola, exotic spices

2014 Brooklyn West Tempranillo, Amador County California

Why We Love This Wine:

Brooklyn West specializes in handcrafted, small lot winemaking. With production based in Sonoma’s  Alexander Valley, they source grapes from some of the best vineyards in Northern California. Winemakers Stew Epstein and Jeffrey Fiegel chose to follow a winemaking philosophy of minimalist intervention, relying upon what is naturally available on the grapes and from nature to inform the journey of their wines.

As one of the first American wineries to specialize in Tempranillo, they learned to combine Old World artisanal winemaking techniques with New World fruit-forwardness, crafting wines that are intense and deeply concentrated, yet elegant at the same time. They went on to perfect that signature winemaking approach with all of our wines – from our Sauvignon Blancs to our old vine Zinfandels.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Tempranillo is the signature wine of Brooklyn West. Vines planted in 1993. Aged in French oak barrels for 3 years, then bottle-aged an additional year before release. 

Full-bodied with bright red cherries, earthy and toffee notes. Superbly balanced. This is Spain’s answer to Pinot – very versatile with food.

2016 DeNovo Reserve Zen Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley California

Why We Love This Wine:

Their vision is to create a wine community inspired by the concept of new beginnings(De Novo is latin and means new beginnings) and the respect of nature. Their mission is to respect the terroir and history of the vineyards we partner with to bring to life amazing wines created in the spirit of sustainability.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Part of the Zen collection, this Cab hails from the hills at the western end of Alexander Valley, an area that enjoys long, sunny days and cool nights, ideal for properly ripening Cabernet Sauvignon barrels.

This wine is a concentrated, classic Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose offers up hints of oak, leather and dark berries. The palate continues with flavors of plum, dark berries and finishes off with fine tannins. Enjoy now or cellar through 2033.

2017 Aratas Petite Sirah, Shake Ridge Ranch Amador County California

Why We Love This Wine:

The unique brand is a partnership founded on decades of experience in our country’s food and wine culture. Founding Vintner Stephanie Douglas and Co-Proprietors, John and Mickey Chohany established Aratas Wine in the Napa Valley in 2008. They have a committed focus on Petite Sirah but produce other wines which reflects single vineyard sites from diverse AVAs in the valley. About that name… Aratas, by definition means a “harvest of gold” and was chosen to honor the Chohany’s Hungarian heritage.

The single vineyard “Shake Ridge Ranch” Petite Sirah is grown on the high ridge lands of the Sierra Foothills. Shake Ridge Ranch is Amador County’s most sought after vineyard; planted to vine between 1800-2100′ elevation in ancient volcanic and granitic soils. 100% Petite Sirah.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Rich and structured, this wine has expressive aromas of current, blackberry, Aleppo and black pepper., braised pork and a hint of aromatic sweetness of roast duckling and cigar box. The juicy nature on the palate is reminiscent of a baked rhubarb pie and sun ripened raspberries plucked from the vine in the heat of summer. Subtle spice notes of cardamom, red licorice and sandalwood linger on the finish.

First and foremost, let me start by saying how grateful we are at Top Flight Wine Club. Our wineries and our consumers alike, we appreciate all the support throughout the last two years. Without each, we wouldn’t be here today and we’re thankful.

Alright, the wines. We had a lot of fun selecting these and had a jam packed tasting schedule this fall. The wine selections come from a wide range of producers in this business and we are fortunate to get our hands on these wines. The selections were tough and the outcome was exactly what we were looking for when putting together the December shipment.

We tasted a TON of wines and are quite pleased with the selections for this quarterly shipment. Enjoy the wines and thank you for the ongoing support.

Purchase these wines on our website or join the club to secure this selection.

2014 Buselli Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

The Buselli Family’s vineyard is nestled on the oak studded eastern slopes of the Vaca Mountain range.  Here, the vines draw their essence from the rocky, volcanic soils, long sunny days, and the gentle, fog-infused mornings. The wines that come from this micro-region above the Silverado Trail show unique flavors and distinct characteristics.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

The 2014 vintage was an exceptional year in Napa Valley and at our Oakville vineyard. This wine, produced from Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 8 grown on 110R rootstock, is sourced exclusively from the Buselli Vineyard on the eastern slopes of the Oakville appellation. Sustainable farming practices, low yields, and minimalist winemaking, by Tim Milos, have allowed the voice of this vineyard to shine through. The wine is round with rich black fruit flavors of plum, blackberry, currant and hints of spice leading to an elegant finish. The wine is finely balanced and approachable now.

Producer: Buselli Family

2019 Montagne Russe Claire-Obscure Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

They specialize in small-production wines from in northern California, typically cooler climate locations.  They hand-pick relatively tiny vineyards that truly specialize in their craft and produce exceptional grapes.  Their simple philosophy… Great Vineyards. Great Winemaking. Great Wines. 

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

This Cabernet opens up with blueberries, cedar, rum, and brown sugar. On the palate – Bing cherry, cassis, espresso, cedar and cocoa powder. It’s big and rich, yet has tamed tannins with a berried acidity to keep you coming back for more.

Producer: Montagne Russe

2018 Patel Red Wine, Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

PATEL Wines’ first release was 100 cases of a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate reviewed the wine, scoring it a 95, and The Wine Advocate has scored the subsequent vintages at 94 or above. A successful follow up was the introduction of a Right Bank Bordeaux-style red wine in 2008.

After years of research and cultivating relationships with growers, PATEL was able to add limited-production wines to the brand, including a Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon, a Atlas Peak Malbec, and a Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc. Current total production is around 1,000 cases and sells out each year. One common thread… unrelenting attention to detail.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

The 2018 Red Wine, composed predominantly of Merlot from Atlas Peak, is consistent with previous years bottlings.  Merlot brings forward elegant texture and red fruit characteristics including Bing cherry, and red plum.  Cabernet Sauvignon reinforces the tannin structure.  The blend between the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon creates balanced concentration and drinkability.

Producer: PATEL Wines

The selections here come from our recent Spring and Summer wine tastings and visits with some under-the-radar wineries and winemakers. The results of those conversations? Three amazing wines in this wine club selection.

We tasted a TON of wines and are quite pleased with the selections for this quarterly shipment. Enjoy the wines and thank you for the ongoing support.

Purchase these wines on our website or join the club to secure this selection.

2019 Jax Cellars Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

JAX Vineyard’s Block 3 has always produced the best fruit of our JAX Estate in northern Calistoga. This is an intense expression of our unique red rock, alluvial soil at the base of Mount Saint Helena. Making it’s debut in the 2013 vintage, this wine has repeatedly scored 94 to 97pts from numerous critics. This wine will be a treasure to anyones private cellar.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

The fruit was hand picked and gently processed using our state-of-the-art Pellenc sorting and destemming system. The pristine, whole berry fruit was fermented in a concrete tank fermenter. Time on skins lasted 15-30 days. All Jax wines are produced using 100% native spontaneous yeast. This wine will drink well for 15+ years. 

Producer: Jax Cellars

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Mushroom Rissotto, Braised Short Ribs with root vegetables.

2017 Ehret Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Bavarian Lion Vineyard, Knights Valley California

Why We Love This Wine:

They have been farming top quality Bordeaux varietals since 1996, selling much of their fruit to prestigious wineries in the Napa Valley. In 2005, they decided to reserve their highest quality grapes for their own brand, Ehret. While they sell many of their grapes to prestigious producers, they reserve specific blocks that go into their own brand. We were fortunate to be able to capture some of their top Cabernet Sauvignon

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon brings you in with a nose of freshly muddled blueberries and huckleberries. While a linear nose and lighter entry on the mid-palate are reminiscent of a stuffy headmaster, a slight sweetness reveals itself as the wine evolves on the palate and gives way to some decent density. Wreathed in a dank cedar note, the wine evolves to reveal an interesting intermingling of flavors such as cranberries, cereal grains and cocoa powder.

Producer: Ehret Wines

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Well, this went with a cheese board and loved every minute of it.

2018 Kukeri Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder, Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

The unique terroir of the Mount Veeder produces wines that are typically powerful in structure. The grapes for our signature 2018 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon is coming from the Hillwalker vineyard located within 1000 feet elevation. The steep slopes, sedimentary clay and volcanic soils of this dry farmed vineyard is producing grapes with small berries and intensely concentrated mountain fruit flavors.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

True to the Mount Veeder appellation, this 2018 Kukeri Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits dark concentrated fruit flavors of wild blueberries, black currants and cigar box and well-integrated fine-grained tannins with excellent lingering acidity. Big, bold with inky purple-black color, packed with black plumps, accented by exotic spices and earthy accents. A hint of forest, cedar, and dark roast espresso flavors also combine these aromatics to create this massively rich full-bodied mountain Cabernet Sauvignon finishing with epic length and beautifully lifted.

Producer: Kukeri Wines

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

We paired it with a flank steak lightly salted.

Coming across hidden gems requires some patience and a lot of conversations. This offering has the most variety we’ve ever offered in one single shipment. The common thread? The wines are outregously underpriced for their quality. That’s not our problem, but don’t go sharing this too much with others, the wines are limited in production and are bound to sell out.

We tasted a TON of wines and are quite pleased with the selections for this quarterly shipment. Enjoy the wines and thank you for the ongoing support.

Purchase these wines on our website or join the club to secure this selection.

2021 Meadowcroft Chardonnay, Carneros Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

The winery proudly focuses on a wide array of beautiful varietals, from Cabernet Sauvignon grown on their estate vineyard property located on the esteemed Mount Veeder in Napa, to Bordeaux grapes scrupulously sourced from sustainable vineyards around Dry Creek, Carneros, and Alexander Valley, they happily direct a global dialogue into their winemaking process. Their hope is to create wines with a Sonoma pulse that express the complexity found in European varietals. 

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

A lush and aromatic wine, our 2021 vintage of our Carneros Chardonnay is delightfully complex, with notes of melon and stone fruit framed by primary flavors of apple and lemon peel. Secondary suggestions of grilled bread cheese, mustard seed, pear, and white pepper follow. The finish is rich and extended, with hints of toasted marshmallows.

Producer: Meadowcroft

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

This wine will carry you through pairings for elegant entertaining, weeknight dinners, and everything in between.  Seafood is always an easy pairing with this wine. Try also with a selection of cheeses with higher acidity like goat cheese or Jarlsberg. In general, choose to serve with foods that are light and a tad rich. 

2020 Limerick Lane Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

Why We Love This Wine:

Maybe the rocks, the dirt, the morning fog and the afternoon sun come together in this place a little different than anywhere else.  It may even be all of these special characteristics combined, but the Zinfandel grown at the end of this little lane is undeniably special, undeniably unique, and undeniably “Limerick Lane.”

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

While seamless and with an unparalleled clarity of flavor and aromas, there is also an undeniable gravity that Limerick Lane Zinfandel seems to exude. On those you capture the blackberry, dark cherry and tobacco leaf. The mouth follows with strawberries, raspberrys, hints of gravel. Top it all off with a polished, medium bodied wine with a lingering finish.

Producer: Limerick Lane.

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Fire up the grill and load up burgers or lamb chops. This wine pairs will with more casual meals and a second glass after dinner.

2018 Medlock Ames Estate Red blend, Alexander Valley California

Why We Love This Wine:

The alchemy and artistry of blending is something that challenges and motivates us as winemakers. Taking individual varietal components and then blending them into a seamless whole while ensuring that their characteristics are well represented. Not to mention that these wines consistently score in the mid-90s each year, Medlock Ames makes incredible wines.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

A full bodied red blend domiated by Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate, this wines brings classic bordeaux characteristics and abundant california fruit. Red Cherry, white pepper, subtle oak, blueberry, cassis. A balanced finish and a wine worth aging if you’re patient for 5-7 years.

Producer:

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Gamey Meats, slow cooked and braised meats.

2012 Hand of God Syrah, Uco Valley, Argentina

Why We Love This Wine:

A boutique winery from Argentina’s most highly-rated and acclaimed winemaker, Santiago Achaval and Seattle Entrepreneur Jon Staenberg, formed by a shared passion for unique wines of extraordinary quality.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Syrah comes in many shapes and styles, from jammy and fruity to the other extreme of earthy and lean. This Syrah splits the difference, with a vibrant spiciness that is contrasted with a ripeness and depth that gives the wine a few different layers of character. Subtle notes of black coffee and 85% dark chocolate lurk in the background. After an hour of decanting expect to notice a creamier texture with more apparent notes of vanilla and cinnamon. 

Producer: Hand of God Cellars

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

We paired it with a flank steak lightly salted.

2017 Vezer Family Vineyard Cassie Petite Sirah, Suisun Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

A family run business just outside of Napa Valley, these guys produce great wines and are consistently getting positive reviews from critics all around the country. Slightly different varietals from regions flanking Napa and Sonoma offer great value and consistentcy vintage after vintage.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Deep in color and potent in aromas, this full bodied and firmly tannic wine shows complex cedar, tobacco and violet aromas, has a good core of blackberries and black plums and mouth coating texture.

Producer: Vezer Family Vineyard

2017 Ehret Family Bellarina Cabernet Sauvignon, Knights Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

Winemaker is Erin Green who was the Director of Winemaking at Pahlmeyer from 2000-2012. Prior to that she worked alongside Helen Turley at Bryant Family and Colgin Cellars.  Owner, Pierre Ehret, is a race car driver and has competed in 10 years of the Le Mans.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

2017 was another drought year, though the effects on Knights Valley were mostly beneficial. It was another early year throughout – early bud break, fruit set, veraison, and harvest – with a warm spring and hot summer. The evenings cooled off greatly, allowing for the grapes to ripen steadily. The early harvest produced a big crop of dense, charming, cellar-worthy wines including our 2017 Bellarina Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley. It blends 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc, to create an accessible, rich, full-flavored red wine. The wine is smooth and medium-bodied, and has notes of black plum, mocha, and elderberry. The soft, silky tannins make it easy to enjoy right now and for the next 5-6 years.

Producer: Ehret Family Vineyards

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

A fantastic wine to pair with a slightly smokey gouda, herbaceous genoa salami, and slow roasted pork shoulder and beef tenderloin. A hearty stew or Osso Buco are some other favorite dishes Michael Muscardini highly recommends pairing this robust blend with.

Honestly, it takes a lot of time to find hidden gems in California these days. Our team has the experience and spent years forming relationships with our winery partners to find the right mix of wines to offer in each quarters wine club.

We tasted a BUNCH of wines for the June selections and we came to a general concensus of these six offerings to represent the Cadet Club in 2022. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did while sampling them. Purchase these wines on our website or join the club to secure this selection.

2020 Sullivan Estate Rose, Rutherford Napa Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

An artist at heart, he began to make wine at home and a new passion began. As his winemaking skills grew, so did his passion for the vine. For the next two decades, he explored California to find the finest area to grow Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1972, the winery was established and Jim moved his family permanently to the Rutherford Estate.

Bringing their artistic vision to the heart of the valley, the Sullivans collaborated with rising star architect John Marsh Davis, chefs and musicians from all over the world to build an Estate that would bring together creative visionaries

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

This vibrant, lively rose is outstanding! With bright generous fruit and long lean acidity, knitted together with a juicy concentrated core, this wine hits all the notes. The play between fresh strawberry and lime zest provides the ultimate quench.

Producer: Sullivan Family Vineyards

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

 Enjoy the versatility of this wine by pairing it with a nice light meal or simply on its own. 

2017 Idle Cellars Grenache, Kick Ranch Vineyard, Sonoma County

Why We Love This Wine:

“Wrapped in silk pajamas on the fin of a gnarwhal as the glow of the midnight sun radiates the essence of your being.” Idle cellars website. Honestly, we couldn’t pass this wine up with a description like this on their website. The brand is playful. The one thing these guys take seriously is their dedication to making great wines in a more approachable fashion.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Herbal notes combined with fruit forward aromatics echo a sense of cinnamon, raspberries, black cherry, anise, and tobacco. Medium tannins and soft acidity create a balanced medium weight in taste. A lighter color plays with the eyes causing a reminiscence of sexy images from days past.

Producer: Idle Cellars

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Spicier foods pair well with this exotic beauty.

2017 Stanton Barrett Syrah Reserve, Paso Robles California

Why We Love This Wine:

Stanton Barrett Family Wines is built upon a pursuit of life with passion. The simplicity of passion fuels the most complex burning desire that drives the efforts of those here whom strive for excellence without compromise. A daily endeavor with each detail considered, having one goal and expectation in mind that creates an everlasting impression of exquisite pleasure for one’s palate. Also, its very rare with only three barrels produced in 2016.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

This Syrah is a delightful, full-bodied wine that exemplifies the style. Aged in fine-grained Nadalié Pennsylvania Oak barrels gifts this varietal with soft tannins that cleverly enhance your food pairings. On the palate, dark berries, red berries, plum, and black pepper with soft tannins, minerals, smoke, and a lingering toasted finish.

Producer: Barrett Family Wines

Region: Paso Robles, California

Grape Varietals: Syrah

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Gamey Meats, slow cooked and braised meats.

2015 Byrd Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino California

Why We Love This Wine:

Completely under the radar wine we are lucky to get our hands on. This wine provides extremely high value. When our tasting panel tasted this wine, we had to look at our notes multiple times to make sur we didn’t mix up the wines in the blind tastings.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Very deep ruby in color with a reddish rim. Not showing much age. Fruity nose with blueberries, black plums, black cherries, raspberries, earth, light oak, licorice, spices, light herbs, black pepper and pencil lead. Full bodied and elegant, with medium-plus acidity and long legs. Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, red currants, oak, tobacco, earth, cherries, spices, peppercorn and coffee.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon from Mendocino County in California. Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Very enjoyable by itself, as a sipping wine by the porch.

Producer: Byrd Vineyard

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

We paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

2013 Canihan Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California

Why We Love This Wine:

We are suckers for aged Pinot Noir. Previous club releases featured great wines from the 2012-2015 vintages with “ready to drink” red wines.

The Canihan vineyards are ideally located in Sonoma, on the border of the Sonoma Coast and Carneros Appellations. The vineyards receive the cool evening breezes and frequent fog from the San Francisco Bay that provide perfect grape growing conditions.

It started with a dream in 1920 when a young man named August Siegrist came to America. Born in Switzerland in a village outside of Zurich, August and his mother Anna worked the vineyards as a way of life, and as a way of survival. While working the hillside vineyards planted with Pinot Noir and other cool climate varietals, August cultivated a passion for wine.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

 Red cherry, bright nose and nothing jammy about this Pinot. Cooler climate drives the fruit and refreshing acidity. Clonal selections of Dijon Clones 115, 667 & 777, Swan, Pommard all dry farmed from their estate in Sonoma Coast. 

Producer: Canihan Estate

2019 Muscardini Tesoro Red Blend, Sonoma Valley

Why We Love This Wine:

The producers are a small, family run business with a love for food and wine. The entire portfolio highlights wines aimed to please the entire dinner table and offers our wine collectors a wine they’ll be asking “where’s the corkscrew, we need another.”

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Tesoro (a treasure) is a proprietary blend consisting of 52% Sangiovese, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 22% Syrah. Led by its striking dark crimson hue, this Super Tuscan style wine opens with aromas of ripe berries and black fruits, interwoven with hints of vanilla, caramel, raw tobacco, leather, clove, blood orange peel, and roasted walnuts.

On the palate, the rich and generous flavors of briary blackberry, dark cherry, ripe plum, cassis, and red pear are enhanced with nuances of wild sage, cinnamon, black pepper, dark chocolate, and a kiss of fine oak. As the wine opens in the glass, the smooth velvety texture is balanced with bright acidity, supple tannins, and firm structure.

The result is a stylish proprietary blend that is robust, elegant, and showy in its youth, and strengthened by layers of complexity, natural richness, and backbone that will allow the personality of the wine to expand in the cellar.

Producer: Muscardini Cellars

Winemaker: Michael Muscardini

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

A fantastic wine to pair with a slightly smokey gouda, herbaceous genoa salami, and slow roasted pork shoulder and beef tenderloin. A hearty stew or Osso Buco are some other favorite dishes Michael Muscardini highly recommends pairing this robust blend with.

We outdid ourselves here with the wine selections in this quarter’s club offerings. These ultra rare wines from the elite Napa cult producers were a no brainer to add to this club set. Honestly, we were suprised we were able to get our hands on these wines.

The scores quickly came in and our Tasting Panel was able to assemble a really fun and unique wine club shipment for our members. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did while sampling together. Purchase these wines on our website or join the club to secure this selection.

Club Allocation:

Club Elite will receive TWO of each wine.

Club Flight will receive ONE of each wine.

2019 Lamborn Cabernet Blend 2200′, Howell Mountain Napa Valley

Winery Price: $79.00
Winemaker: Heidi Barrett

Why We Love This Wine:

100% estate and organically grown Howell Mountain, Napa Valley Cabernet and Zinfandel blend. This environment produces Howell Mountain Zinfandels and Cabernet Sauvignons of the highest quality and intensity, with all winemaking by Heidi Barrett of Screaming Eagle fame.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Like a fragrant country summer evening, the nose offers attractive cherry, raspberry, and blueberry notes with an underlying hint of orange zest. Accentuated with an oak regimen from both French and American cooperage, the rich fruit aromas are complemented with subtle river rock and dust nuances. Similar to the nose, rich and silky layers of vine-ripened berries and tart cherry give way to dark chocolate and a luscious mouthfeel with moderate tannins. Now that these Cabernet vines are fully mature they are producing some very dense and concentrated fruit, so evident in this scintillating wine are producing some very dense and concentrated fruit, so evident in this scintillating wine.

2015 Schweiger Vineyards Dedication Red Blend, Napa Valley

Winery Price: $115.00 (allocation members only)
Winemaker: ANDY SCHWEIGER

Why We Love This Wine:

Schweiger Vineyards is proud to remain independent and family owned. Their Proprietors Fred & Sally Schweiger have lived and worked on this land since the 1960s; it’s not uncommon for visitors to be welcomed by both in their tasting room. They are one of the distinguished multi-generation wineries with a father/son grower/winemaker team who have been working together for over 20 years. Their winery is located 2,000 feet above the Napa Valley, a 15-minute drive from downtown St. Helena.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

Dedication® is a testament to Andy’s winemaking skill and passion. Each year, this blend evolves to represent the best fruit from our various blocks, creating a true “cream of the crop” wine. The valley saw 45% less fruit in 2015, making this wine even more limited production than usual. On the nose, the 2015 Dedication is earthy like damp woods in the morning, with waves of strawberry licorice, chocolate raspberries, and cedar.

2015 David Arthur Vineyards Proprietary Red, Pritchard Hill Napa Valley

Winery Price: $80.00
Winemaker: Nile Zacherel

Why We Love This Wine:

The origins of David Arthur Vineyards and the Long Family Ranch date back to when the Long family started visiting the Napa Valley in the 1950’s. Don Long, a butcher by trade owned a small grocery store in Portola Valley, near Stanford University and had long been interested in the California wine country. With a keen eye for business opportunities, Don began steadily investing in Napa Valley real estate leading to the acquisition of nearly 1,000 acres atop Pritchard Hill in St. Helena, California. Don’s youngest son, David Arthur, founded the winery with his then wife, Joye Dale, in 1985 with the purchase of 30 French oak barrels. David and Joye’s daughter, Laura Long, now works side by side with her father running the day-to-day operations of the winery and vineyards.

Sommelier Tasting Notes:

This Bordeaux-style blend allows their team to weave together the rich, concentrated elegance and power of their mountain-grown Bordeaux varietals as well as the best of surrounding vineyards within the Napa Valley. The wine is aged an average of 20 months in French oak barrels, blended with meticulous care and bottled at their vineyard estate. The result is a complex array of aromas and flavors that deliver plush, mouth-filling structure with soft, elegant tannins.

A dark cerise color offering an array of fruit and spice aromas; bright cherry, red raspberry, baked cassis, and plum followed by notes of anise, baking spices, garrigue and cherry cola. The palate is soft and plush with fine-grained tannins offering beautiful acidity and structure. The finish is long and silky with flavors of candied plum, tamarind, brown sugar and molasses.

Learn more about these wines on our website.

Spring is just around the corner and we are quickly gearing up for the next round of wines for our wine club. We met with dozens of producers over the last few months and came to the final conclusion and selected 9 amazing wines for our wine club! These six wines in the cadet selections have an amazing variety behind them and offer members a special treat with a glimpse into our Elite Club with the Okapi library offering.

The scores quickly came in and our Tasting Panel was able to assemble a really fun and unique wine club shipment for our members. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did while sampling together. Purchase these wines on our website or join the club to secure this selection.

Club Allocation:

Club Elite will receive TWO of each wine.

Club Flight will receive ONE of each wine.

2013 Mathew Bruno Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Winery Price: $120
What We Love: Up-and-comer Mathew Bruno just opened their tasting room in 2022, the wines are highly respected by critics, and over-deliver for their price point.

Tasting notes: The 2013 Mathew Bruno Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding example of fine Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. The stylistic target and subtle adjustments in production are expressed in the most complementary fashion for a complex, structured and luscious tasting experience. The bright aromas will linger on your mind as you savor the occasion. Our Cabernet Sauvignon is an intense wine with complex layers of black cherry, currant, sweet spice and mocha. The mouthfeel is supple, with soft, toasty oak flavors balanced by firm tannins and structured by bright acidity.

Mathew Bruno is distinguished in the Napa Valley as one of the few wineries who produce a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Driven by the desire to make fruit-driven, approachable Cabernet Sauvignon true to the varietal’s attributes and superior quality, Mathew Bruno Wines proudly offers a flawless wine exhibiting the essence of what a Cabernet Sauvignon should be. This Cabernet Sauvignon is enjoyable today and will age for many years to come as we all fondly recall the superiority of the vintage 2013.

2018 Keplinger Sumo Red Blend, Amador County

Winery Price: $80
Winemaker Helen Keplinger; Kenzo, Bryant, Sarocka
What We Love:  Amazing winemaker pedigree, elegant wine, classical twist on modern varietals.

Tasting notes: Sumo is a Cote Rotie twist on Petite Sirah – Petite Sirah co-fermented with Viognier and blended with a small amount of Syrah. The 2019 Sumo is a blend of 83% Petite Sirah, 11% Syrah, and 6% Viognier, all from Shake Ridge Vineyard. It has a “deep, dark nose of brambly blackberry, blueberry jam, black licorice, black cherry stones, violets, cassis bud, cedar, and a hint of white pepper. The palate has a silky entry with seamless, velvet-textured tannins throughout to the finish, subtly framing the blue and black fruit, asphalt, cherry blossom, dried herb and spice flavors on the palate.” 300 cases were produced. 

This 2019 is delicious, rich, and just the perfect pairing with food or on its own. Helen Keplinger has been making great wine from her days at Paradigm, Kenzo, Bryant Estate and Grace Family Vineyard. But it is her own wines, Keplinger, that we think are expressive and of the highest quality at prices that over deliver.

2018 Mersenne Wines Merlot, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

Winery Price: $79
What We Love: Howell mountain fruit always pleases, juicy wine with depth, brand is very selective in the vineyards

Tasting notes: This Merlot is rich, vibrant, and flavorful with loads of depth and complexity. There are flavors of black cherry, cocoa, plum, and raspberries complimented by a lush and velvety tannin structure. Aromas of warm fruit, vanilla, cocoa, and a hints of graphite. Definitely not a boring wine!  

The White Cottage vineyard is located at an elevation of 1500 feet on the western slopes of the iconic Howell Mountain appellation in the Napa Valley.  

All great wines start with the careful management of the vineyard. Winemaking begins long before the fruit is harvested. The process of guiding the vine to produce perfectly ripe fruit takes skill and dedication. We work closely with our growers and help guide each step throughout the year. We have been building relationships with experienced growers for over 20 years. Our focus is producing the finest grapes so that we can turn them into amazing wines.

Learn more about these wines on our website.