New & Noteworthy

J Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir V21 750ML

92

pts

J Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir V21 750ML

Crafted from up to 100 individual small lots, the appealing 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir captures the classic characteristics of this renowned variety and region. Deeply layered and velvet-smooth, offering notes of perfectly ripe blackberry, black cherry, dark plum and cranberry that blend with hints of toast, spice, lavender and rose. Rich oak sweetness characteristics feature on the midpalate, while soft tannins add intriguing texture. Bright and refreshing on the finish.

91

pts

Tornatore Etna Rosso DOC V19 750ML

Tornatore Etna Rosso is ruby red with faint purple color, a typical trait of the Nerello Mascalese variety, which is not known for rich color. The wine has notes of macerated strawberries and raspberries, morello cherries and black plum, which blend with subtle hints of herbs and earth. Surprisingly full in structure, fine tannins and bright acidity give the wine richness, complexity and persistence.

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Red V21 750ML

94

pts

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Red V21 750ML

The 2021 Jayson Red Wine is rich and fleshy, with our mountain-grown Merlot at its core. Expressive aromas of crushed black cherry, mushroom, and leather lead to a ripe, focused palate of black cherry and black currant laced with mocha and toasty spice. The mid-palate is mouth-filling and plush with caressing polished tannins that guide the interlaid flavors long through a pure, persistent finish. – Katie Vogt

Hahn Founder's Merlot V22 750ML

This wine expresses aromas of black cherry, red ripe plum, with hints of vanilla and spice. The palate mimics those fruits with a touch of blackberry, mocha and velvety tannins, while a rich and luscious mouthfeel tie the whole package together

92

pts

Hahn Arroyo Seco Chardonnay V21 750ML

Our 2021 Hahn Appellation Series Arroyo Seco Chardonnay is light gold in appearance with aromas of tropical fruit, citrus peel and vanilla. On the palate, vibrant flavors of pineapple, stone fruit, citrus and notes of honeysuckle and butter, followed by a nuanced toasty spice on the finish. VINEYARDS Grapes for this wine are sourced from Ste. Nicolaus Vineyard & Mission Ranch– certified sustainable vineyards in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County. Located south of the Santa Lucia Highlands, both vineyards enjoy generous morning sun, with soils that are rocky and well-drained. These soils challenge the vines to yield grapes of depth, character and intensity. The AVA’s extended growing season allows fruit to ripen slowly and leads to well-balanced, flavorful wines. WINEMAKING Picked at the peak of ripeness and flavor, the Chardonnay grapes were destemmed and sent to small French oak barrels for fermentation, of which, 100% underwent a secondary malolactic fermentation to give the wine a soft and creamy texture. The wine aged on the lees in French oak barrels for 11 months

93

pts

Talbott Kali Hart Pinot Noir V21 750ML

Our 2021 Kali Hart Pinot Noir is a fruit-forward expression of our coastal influenced vineyards in Santa Lucia Highlands, California. Aromas of ripe black cherry and plum greet the nose with inviting notes of toasted vanilla and warm clove. Soft, silky tannins reveal layers of crushed blackberry and strawberry with a hint of savory herbs. The finish is long and luscious with a touch of minerality.

91

pts

Orin Swift Papillon 750ML 2021

It's rare to find a wine from the Napa Valley composed of all five Bordeaux-style varietals, but for many years, that has been Papillon's focus. The raw strength and prestige of Cabernet Sauvignon buttressed by the opulence of Merlot, the spiciness of Cabernet Franc, the depth of Malbec and the sheer unctuousness of Petit Verdot come together seamlessly. The 2021 Papillon is sourced from Napa Valley growers we've worked with for decades-Stagecoach Vineyard, Indian Joe, Morisoli Vineyard and even a touch from the Monte Rosso Vineyard over on Moon Mountain, just to name a few. Our good friend and fellow winemaker, Greg Gorman, photographed the label. The 2021 Papillon fills the glass with an unmistakable dark crimson, a flash of neon purple and a ruby rim. Tears move glacially and the wine opens with aromatics of boysenberry jam, violets, chocolate covered blueberry and hints of Cara Cara rind, graphite and brioche. The entry and mid-palate are bright throughout with considerable weight-tones of cassis, blackberry and baking spices flourish. Enveloping texture, chalky, drying tannins and an enduring finish bows out the wine.

Whitehaven Windward Sauvignon Blanc V22 750ML

91

pts

Whitehaven Windward Sauvignon Blanc V22 750ML

Our top expression of Sauvignon Blanc, Windward delivers wonderful aromatic intensity, a generous, layered taste profile and classic Marlborough style. Aromas of white peach, kiwi and lemongrass carry through to the silky palate, blending seamlessly with hints of passion fruit, citrus and crushed fresh green herbs. An attractive mineral backbone and suggestions of sea spray add appealing texture, finishing long and bright. This memorable, food-friendly Sauvignon Blanc can be paired with creamy cheeses, green salads, fresh seafood or grilled chicken. VITICULTURE NOTES Grown in four exclusive vineyard sites across Marlborough, 55% from three sub-regions within the Wairau Valley (22% Renwick, 22% Spring Creek, 11% Lower Wairau) and 45% from two separate blocks of a single vineyard in Awatere Valley. The 2022 growing season was cool and long, offering optimal conditions for ripening while preserving excellent acidity. A wet winter gave soils ample water resources for the season ahead. Spring arrived with ideal conditions, giving us wonderful fruit set and healthy yields. Summer was dry and lengthy, allowing fruit to hang on the vines while ripening slowly. Grapes were harvested later than usual, delivering fruit with flavor maturity and concentration while retaining pure fruit expression. WINEMAKING NOTES Windward Sauvignon Blanc is a blend of our five best lots of Sauvignon Blanc from the 2022 vintage. Both in the vineyards and in our cellar, these standout blocks stood out above the rest for their aromatic intensity, layered flavor development and incredible structure. Sauvignon Blanc grapes were harvested in cool conditions, then pressed immediately with minimal skin contact. After cold settling, the clear juice was fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks at very low temperatures with selected yeast strains to preserve inherent varietal characteristics and classic Marlborough flavors. These lots sat on light yeast lees in tank for up to six weeks prior to blending

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay V21 750ML

93

pts

Jayson by Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Chardonnay V21 750ML

Our 2021 Jayson Chardonnay offers a captivating interplay of richness and finesse, with a soulful complexity revealing itself with each sip. The nose is greeted with aromas of orange blossom and honeysuckle, lemon oil, and crushed Marcona almond. Notes of preserved Meyer lemon introduce the bright, finely detailed palate, the integrated oak profile lending a complementing mid-palate richness. Interwoven notes of butterscotch, marzipan, and grilled pineapple slowly emerge and sustain through a long, layered finish.

Mirassou Pinot Grigio V23 750ML

Our Mirassou California Pinot Grigio is a refreshing, medium-bodied white wine. Aromas of fresh citrus and white peach greet the nose while layers of stone fruit impart crisp layers of pear and green apple on the palate. Pair this wine with soft cheeses, light pastas and roasted vegetables.

Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir V22 750ML

At Edna Valley Vineyard, we craft balanced and elegant expressions of California. The cooling coastal influence extends our growing season, creating concentrated flavors. Our luscious and complex Pinot Noir has notes of plum and pomegranate that are nicely complemented by hints of spicy oak.

92

pts

Pieropan Soave Classico V22 750ML

Our liveliest and most youthful style from Soave Classico, the Pieropan family has been producing this wine since the early 1900’s. Generous, pleasingly fresh and versatile, it is made from the traditional varieties of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grown in family-owned vineyards situated in the Soave Classico region. The 2022 vintage was characterized by a winter without significant rainfall, both snowy and rainy, and mild temperatures that led to an early but always dry spring. The temperatures of the first spring months were above average and this situation of scarcity, almost no rainfall and high temperatures lasted until the month of August. In the summer months we then witnessed prolonged waves of extreme heat which exacerbated the evo-transpiration rates of the plant. This has led to a situation of water stress, mainly in hilly areas, where both the scarcity of substrate and the drainage capacity of the soil have made irrigation vital. The budding was slow due to the shortage of water in the spring, partial in some cases. The setting was poor, with sparse bunches, which accentuates a lack of product and weight. This is more marked in early varieties such as Trebbiano, which was affected by the vintage. The Garganega, thanks to the rains of August and September, only partially recovered as the rains were not such as to make up for the water deficit. The plants finish the final stages of grape ripening in water suffering In our Valpolicella, on the other hand, the situation is a bit different, undoubtedly due to a more favorable climatic condition. The grapes are ripe, with low yields but in any case the position of the vineyard and its altitude have meant that the product is optimal from the point of view of the ripening parameters. We report an optimal state from a phytosanitary point of view of the grapes. As far as the finished product is concerned, it is still premature to say anything, it will certainly be slightly scarcer in terms of quantity.

94

pts

J Brut Rosé 750ML

J Brut Rosé opens with layered characteristics of ripe raspberries, rose petals and a savory note of slivered almonds. The palate is elegant and flavorful, with notes of fresh mandarin orange, roasted strawberries and crème fraîche. Lively acidity and steely minerality frame a crisp, lingering finish. Pair this elegant sparkling rosé with traditional Spanish seafood paella, salmon tartare or camembert with candied kumquats and lavender almonds.

Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio V23 750ML

Our Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio is a bright white wine with a refreshing mouthfeel. Silvery straw in color, this wine opens with aromas of Meyer lemon, ripe pear and honey. The palate features pear, honeydew melon and white peaches and notes of citrus zest. The finish is clean with accents of stone fruit.

90

pts

Hahn SLH Chardonnay V21 750ML

Lively aromas of lemon citrus, pineapple and orange blossom with hints of tropical fruit, caramelized honey and toasty vanilla. On the palate, this wine has an refined texture with a silky, smooth mouthfeel and medium acidity. Notes of Meyer lemon, golden apple and fresh cut pear, combined with delicate notes of toasty oak and creamy minerality, lead to an elegant long finish. The winter rainfall was slightly below average, but we were able to compensate with early spring irrigation to fill soil profiles before budbreak. Warm spring temperatures aided vine growth and they were able to reach max canopy height. Summer temperatures heated up and slowed down vine growth as vines transitioned into fruit development. Weather leading into harvest was relatively cool and uneventful, which allowed for gradual ripening of the fruit. It was another remarkable growing season in the Santa Lucia Highlands, resulting in wines with beautiful color, concentrated flavors, great structure and naturally balanced acidity. After being carefully picked and precisely sorted for quality, the fruit was destemmed, sent direct to press and fermented entirely in small French oak barrels. The wine was hand-stirred on its lees every three weeks for the 10 months it aged in barrel. When the wine was ready to be blended, our winemaker selected only the finest barrels that best express the aromas and flavors of the Santa Lucia Highlands

Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon V21 750ML

Aromas of bing cherry, blackberry and cassis with hints of chocolate mocha and caramel. The palate is full-bodied and rich with flavors of ripe berries and dark fruit, supported by silky tannins and notes of vanilla marshmallow and layers of spice on a complex, long finish. While below average winter rainfall led to some light early spring irrigation, the 2021 growing season continued with favorable warm spring weather that aided vines to reach max canopy height. Summer temperatures heated up and slowed down vine growth as vines transitioned into fruit development. Weather leading into harvest was relatively cool and uneventful. Moderate day temperatures and cool nights ensured extended hang times, which resulted in wines with great structure, round mouthfeel, and balanced flavors

Chateau Souverain Chardonnay V22 750ML

Our 2022 Chateau Souverain Chardonnay is a lightly oaked, full-bodied wine from California. Our Chardonnay opens with aromas of light honeysuckle, baked apple and freshly baked brioche. The palate offers layers of pear and lemon curd. The silky mouthfeel finishes with just a hint of crisp apple on the lengthy finish.

94

pts

Orin Swift Mercury Head 750ML 2021

When we decided not to make Mercury Head in 2020, the anticipation for the next release was palpable. In the cellar, we were giddy, ready to assemble a blend worthy of the famed dimes. The 2021 vintage was fortuitous in both yield and quality, giving us a lot of components to make trial blends with. We’re very excited to bring back Mercury Head as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from both the Stagecoach and Warnock Vineyards on Atlas Peak, the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and the Taplin Vineyard in St. Helena. WINEMAKER’S NOTES An almost-black, opaque garnet core sit s in the glass with slow-moving tears falling down the sides. Immediate aromatic notes of ripe cassis, charred ribeye, sandalwood and freshly cut oak pilfer—breathe deeper for more. The first sip is a complex, layered conundrum of blackberry, black plum, fennel, licorice and dark chocolate. More sips peel back the layers to reveal a rich and balanced wine with a deep cassis core. A sweet linger on the finish closes the wine with softly textured chalky tannins.

Wild Horse Cabernet Sauvignon V22 750ML

Dark cherry and dark plum aromas with hints of vanilla bean, caramel and warm spice. Full bodied wine with sweet black fruit flavors, toasted oak, coconut and a hint of dried sweet tobacco. It has fine tannins and a pleasant astringency. The finish is long and smooth. Winemaking Notes: We let the fruit hang as long as needed to achieve optimal flavors. The grapes were harvested in early morning, at the coolest time of the day. The grapes were destemmed and crushed to tank where they fermented on skins until the ideal amount of tannin and flavor had been extracted. The wine was then pressed off of skins and aged in oak until the perfect flavors were extracted before proceeding to being blended. Viticultural Notes: We choose the El Pomar and San Miguel Districts as the source for our Cabernet Sauvignon, as they are the best sub-AVAs Paso Robles offers for this variety. Sunnybrook Vineyard’s predominantly Arbuckle Complex soils are composed of well-drained clay and are ideal for Cabernet. A former cattle ranch situated on rolling, golden hills among ancient oak trees, Sunnybrook is planted to various clones and rootstocks and possesses a unique blend of terroir within the ranch itself. The balance of the fruit was sourced from our smaller San Miguel Vineyard, situated near the Salinas River. Wide-open and flat, San Miguel provided an excellent juxtaposition to Sunnybrook, with loamy, sandy soils from the Hanford and Greenfield series.

J Vineyards California Pinot Gris V23 750ML

Our California Pinot Gris is delightfully aromatic, approachable and bright. Generous aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle offer a fragrant, floral introduction, while the crisp and inviting palate is highlighted by layered hints of white peach, pear, kiwifruit and lime zest. A fleshy mid-palate with vibrant citrus and mango characteristics adds depth before the crisp, mouth-watering finish. The wine’s lively acidity makes it an ideal partner for food. Try this alongside a green mango salad, Thai chicken kabobs or spicy grilled shrimp.

Ratti Langhe Nebbiolo DOC V22 750ML

A juicy and aromatic Nebbiolo from a single vineyard in Roero. The fruit has been purchased from the same handshake contracted grower for 50 years. 100% Nebbiolo from sandy soils. 300m asl. 30 year old vines. Aged for less than a year in neutral Slavonian oak.

Jermann Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC V22 750ML

92

pts

Jermann Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC V22 750ML

Pinot Grigio is a grape particularly at home in northeast Italy. Aromatic, layered and bright, this 100% Pinot Grigio opens with a tropical flourish on the nose and a striking straw yellow color. Full, smooth and very well balanced, notes of green apple, juicy Bartlett pear and fresh-cut citrus fill the palate, with a crisp mineral edge and hints of honey and melon on the long finish.

Storypoint Cabernet Sauvignon V21 750ML

Characterized by expressive notes of dark fruit and fragrant baking spices, Storypoint Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the best aromatic, character and textural elements California wine regions have to offer. Our robust Cabernet Sauvignon reveals rich layers of blackberry, dark cherry, mint, sage and black tea and finishes with unique oak signatures of cocoa, molasses and gingerbread.

J Vineyards Cuvée 20 750ML

Refreshingly crisp and wonderfully layered, J Cuvée 20 Brut expertly balances bright fruit notes, rich brioche toast characteristics and a lively, memorable finish. Hints of fresh-picked pear, white peach and citrus at first taste evolve into richer, deeper notes of baked apple, lemon curd, crème brûlée and spice. A subtle touch of toasted pastry crust at the finish is an indication of the years this sparkling spent aging in our cellars before release.

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New & Noteworthy