New & Noteworthy

94

pts

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.

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

Edna Valley Reserve Syrah V20 750ML

Our 2020 Reserve Syrah is a dry, full-bodied red wine with rustic tones of dark fruit and savory spice. Aromas of dark plum and earthy notes of toasted wood and leather rise from the glass with hints of cracked pepper and anise. Rich notes of blackcurrant balance on the palate with chewy tannins while aromas of crushed violet, black tea and espresso garnish the finish.

Edna Valley Central Coast Pinot Noir V21 750ML

Our 2021 Central Coast Pinot Noir is a medium-bodied, fruit-forward wine grown with a coastal influence. Bright fruit aromatics greet the nose with hints of black tea leaf and leather. The mouthfeel fills with notes of ripe raspberry and tart pomegranate. On the finish, the fruit notes are underscored with accents of pepper and toasted caramel.

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.

90

pts

Hahn Founder's Merlot V21 750ML

Our 2021 Hahn Founder's Merlot 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.

MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir V21 750ML

Our 2021 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a full-bodied wine with pronounced notes of luscious dark fruit. On the nose, aromas of dark cherries rise first, followed by dusts of cocoa and toasted oak. A silky mouthfeel leads to layers of dark raspberry and ripe strawberry with hints of vanilla. The finish is long and lingering with a vibrant pop of cherry at the end.

Edna Valley Reserve Pinot Noir V21 750ML

Our 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir is a classic Central Coast, cool climate Pinot Noir. Rich aromas of the creamy vanilla and cracked sugar of creme brulee meet plump baked cherries in this wine. Beautiful layers of raspberry, cherry and pomegranate give the wine a plush, round mouthfeel accented with taps of allspice and pepper. The finish is lingering with a dollop of caramel at the end.

Edna Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon V20 750ML

Our 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a dry, full-bodied wine with aromatics of baked raspberry preserves, sweet black licorice and peppercorns. The notes of raspberry carry through on the palate with layers of chocolate-covered cherry and a bit of cassis. The tannin structure creates chewy characteristics and the finish is long with nicely balanced fruit notes straight through.

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.

Orin Swift Slander 750ML 2022

A focus on geographic diversity has been a principle of ours or many years. Sourcing grapes from across California gives us the flexibility to produce wines when some regions are affected by forces outside of our control. But when the entire state experiences a great vintage, the diversity can sometimes be a problem…a good problem. Extensive tastings of trial blends are difficult when each blend is great for specific reasons. But in the end, we all agreed on the blend in front of you, comprised of fruit from across California — Sonoma Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta. Rita Hills and many more. WINEMAKER’S NOTES Crisp crimson in the glass, the 2021 Slander opens with notes of wild strawberry, pomegranate, Bing cherry and cedar. Secondary aromatics abound, with hints of redwood grove underbrush, white pepper and earth. Delicate on entry, the palate is flooding with red plum, cherry cola, rhubarb and spices. A touch of cocoa powder on the finish, the wine closes with confident acidity and length.

Talbott Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay V21 750ML

Our 2021 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay is an elegant expression of the fog-cloaked vines of our legendary Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. Wisps of lemon zest and Tahitian vanilla conjure hints of meringue clouds dotted with lemon curd. The mouthfeel is silky with touches of salinity. Bright layers of sliced apple and pear supported by toasted brioche lift the fruit, leading to a long, lingering finish with a touch of rich caramel.

90

pts

Mark West Pinot Noir Black V21 750ML

Mark West Black Pinot Noir sources grapes from the premier regions of the Central Coast in California. Dark, plush and rich in flavor, each glass has intense notes of black cherry, mocha, vanilla and caramel. Our full-bodied Pinot Noir pairs perfectly with grilled lamb chops and filet mignon.

Mirassou Moscato V21 750ML

Mirassou Moscato is a refreshing, easy to enjoy wine. On the nose, light floral and fresh fruit aromas lead to a lively palate of juicy peach, ripe pineapple, lychees and bright citrus accentuated by notes of honey and mandarin oranges. These luscious flavors culminate in a crisp, bright finish.

91

pts

Hahn SLH Pinot Noir V21 750ML

Vivid red ruby in the glass, this wine opens with aromas of red fruit, cherry, blackberry and hints of earthiness, delicate toast and vanilla spice. The palate is rich, with refined silky tannins, medium acidity and flavors of cherry, red plums, raspberry and subtle notes of allspice on a long elegant 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. The 2021 vintage was crafted using small-lot winemaking techniques to capture a true expression of each vineyard block. Only estate vineyard lots with consistent superior characteristics were selected to ensure exceptional quality of this blend. The grapes were harvested during cool mornings, brought to the winery, destemmed into open-top stainless-steel tanks, cold-soaked and fermented on the skins for 10 days. The wine was then pressed off, settled and racked into a selection of small 60-gallon French oak barrels where it was aged for 14 months. When the wine was ready to be blended, our winemaker selected only the finest barrels that exemplify the aromas and flavors of the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Prati by Louis M. Martini Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon V21 750ML

Our 2021 Prati Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant expression of Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. The lively nose boasts aromas of blackberry, plum, and black cherry with hints of vanilla. Layers of blackberry jam, black cherry and toasted vanilla on the palate are complimented by soft notes of cedar. Beautifully balanced, this wine offers an acidic structure that holds up nicely to the abundant fruit.

Hahn Founder's Pinot Noir V22 750ML

Vibrant aromas of red and dark cherry, raspberry and plum with subtle touches of vanilla and toasted oak. On the palate, silky tannins and excellent acid balance are joined by delicate flavors of red cherry and raspberry, culminating with notes of earthiness on a long and lingering finish. Our Pinot Noir grapes were primarily grown in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County, which sits on a gravelly alluvial plain beneath the Santa Lucia Mountains. Cool winds from Monterey Bay ensure gradual ripening and development of vibrant flavors. The rocky soils allow excellent drainage, enhancing intensity and promoting balanced ripeness and acidity

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT V20 750ML

95

pts

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT V20 750ML

Allegrini’s Palazzo della Torre wine comes from the eponymous cru in the Valpolicella Classico subzone of Fumane, adjacent to the Renaissance-era Villa della Torre, where Allegrini hosts hospitality and events. About 30% of this wine undergoes the appassimento process; in this way it is similar to a Ripasso wine, but distinct in that no re-fermentation takes place. Rather than add “fresh” wine to leftover grape must - as is traditional - Allegrini blends a finished appassimento wine (in effect, an Amarone) with a finished "fresh" wine. A small percentage of Sangioveto - a local clone of Sangiovese - adds lift. The result is a broad, round, and versatile expression of the region and a calling card expression of the estate.

Chateau Souverain Chardonnay V21 750ML

Our 2021 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. Viticulture Notes: California’s 2021  vintage experienced a cool, mild growing season with an accelerated heat spell in August, resulting in early ripening. Vintage 2021 in California shows vibrant acidity and concentrated flavor characteristics.  Winemaking Notes After harvest, the fruit was gently pressed and allowed to settle before being racked to fermenters. The juice was slowly fermented at cool temperature and after fermentation it was left on lees which were stirred up to four times a month through January. This helps to build richness and achieve the smooth mouthfeel that is the hallmark of the Chateau Souverain style.

92

pts

Fleur de Mer Rosé V22 750ML

Invitingly flavorful and refreshingly crisp, 2022 Fleur de Mer Rosé captures the serene artistry of Provence’s idyllic, sun-washed coastal shores and fragrant, floral hillsides. This versatile, food-friendly Rosé opens with generously aromatic notes of white peach, strawberry and melon. In classic Provençal style, notes of raspberry, cherry and apple layer on the bright palate with nectarine, citrus and a subtle touch of honeysuckle. Hints of sea spray and minerality add balance and attractive texture before a delightfully crisp finish. Enjoy Fleur de Mer on its own or alongside creamy goat cheeses, green salads, sushi or fresh seafood dishes, citrus or herb-roasted chicken or a charcuterie board. Viticulture Notes The world’s best-known region for Rosé, AOP Côtes de Provence enjoys a refreshing Mediterranean climate of warm days and cool, brisk nights. Here, vine roots plunge deep below the dry clay soils and limestone gravel, called gravoches, to reach water. Vintage 2022 was outstanding, delivering concentrated, high-quality fruit. An ideal dry spring resulted in a wonderful fruit set, followed by a warm, dry growing season. Careful canopy management allowed clusters to develop bright, expressive flavors, intense aromatics and the crisp structure of Provençal Rosé. Winemaking Notes The grapes selected for our 2022 Fleur de Mer Rosé were harvested at ideal maturity, ensuring layered flavors and delicate structure. Grapes were picked in the cool early morning hours to preserve aromas and acidity, then crushed, immediately pressed and cold settled to maintain the bright, concentrated fruit characteristics and attractive pale-coral hue. Lots were fermented in cool, temperature-controlled tanks. Winemaker Florian Lacroux selected Cinsault, Grenache and Carignan to form the core of the blend, supported by other extraordinary Provençal grapes in a beautifully harmonious, layered Rosé wine.

91

pts

Hahn Arroyo Seco GSM V21 750ML

Our 2021 Hahn Appellation Series Arroyo Seco GSM is ruby red in color, this wine bursts with aromas of strawberry and blueberry with a touch of lavender and white pepper. On the palate, layers of cherry, blueberry, blackberry and warm spice are complemented by a round mouthfeel and velvety tannins. VINEYARDS Grapes for this wine are sourced from vineyards in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County. Located south of the Santa Lucia Highlands, these vineyards sit on a gravelly alluvial plain with rocky soils that foster excellent drainage. Arroyo Seco, one of the smallest AVAs in California, is a hidden gem, boasting one of the longest growing seasons in the state. Cool winds channeling South from Monterey Bay through the Salinas Valley ensure gradual ripening, full development of vibrant fruit flavors and bright acidity. WINEMAKING Picked late in the evening, the grapes were destemmed into stainless steel tanks for fermentation. The wine was pumped over several times a day for maximum color, aromatics and flavor extraction. After about two weeks the wine was pressed off the skins, settled and racked into French oak barrels to age for 11 months.

90

pts

Ratti Langhe Nebbiolo DOC V21 750ML

Renato Ratti founded his winery in 1965 and was the first to map the region of Barolo, paving the way for the commercial idea of terroir in Italy. After Renato’s death in 1988, his son Pietro carried on his father’s legacy. Ratti’s ‘Nebbiolo’ was first released in 1969 and has been sourced from the same single vineyard for more than 50 years. 2021 was an erratic vintage throughout Italy. A cold and snowy Winter was followed by heavy rains and frost in Spring, which limited production in the region. The Summer was very hot and dry, which brought the grapes into disease-free ripeness and concentrated fruit. Harvest occurred in September and despite the lower yield, quality is very high.

J Vineyards Russian River Valley Chardonnay V22 750ML

Our smooth and inviting Russian River Valley Chardonnay showcases the best of this classic cool-climate region. Appealing aromas of florals and citrus open at first pour, while the layered, flavorful palate adds notes of white peach, pear, pineapple and fresh-cut Meyer lemon. Subtle accents of toasted hazelnut, vanilla and gingersnap add rich complexity and depth, a hallmark of the wine’s French oak aging. Try this beautifully balanced, food-friendly Chardonnay with wild mushroom pasta in a light cream sauce or Dungeness crab cake in a candied ginger hollandaise, topped with fresh green herbs. A versatile wine for cheese pairings, enjoy this with any mild or alpine style cheese alongside apples or peaches.

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New & Noteworthy