Wines

Winemaker's Note:
Do you dare an exploration into the dark unknown? This sinfully delicious Red Wine just might set you down a path of gluttonous pleasure. Crafted from the diverse and hallowed soils of the Lodi Appellation, where greedy winemakers hunger to craft not just wine, but also a lifestyle of sin. Here for six generations, we’ve tempted evil’s wrath and are eternally damned to deliver decadent wines like our Seven Deadly Red.

#50 on The Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023
91 points Wine Spectator
This zesty red is generous with sleekly layered cherry and raspberry flavors that are laced with notes of cinnamon and pepper and finish with lively tannins. Drink now through 2029

Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold red wine with an impossibly smooth profile. Layers of blackberries and black currant reveal a dark fruit presence while aromas of vanilla deliver a silky texture that rolls across the palate, smooth as silk."

-Winery Notes:
"The first taste entices, stimulating the senses. The next taste ignites, arousing the passion. The limited release blends Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir to create luscious aromas of caramel and chocolate, with a velvety smooth mouthfeel."

Winemaker Notes:
"Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry, complemented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouthfeel and the smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend."

Inspired by the "Apotheca", a mysterious place where wine was blended and stored in 13th century Europe, Apothic Red offers a truly unique wine experience.

The brambly spice of Zinfandel, dark fruit flavors of Syrah, the bold notes of Cabernet Sauvignon and the smooth elegance of Merlot unite to create this captivating red blend.

The 2022 is just a touch sweet with 5.7g/L residual sugar and a little bit of malic acid left too. Weather was a bit extreme in 2022, but the Gewurz came in at the end of August before the heat wave or the rains. They are really happy with Rick's! Acid is present, but the wine is not overly lean or austere, the fruit is savory and the aromatics are a little more pronounced than the last few vintages. The end result is still a relatively subtle, but distinctly aromatic wine that is true to the variety.

Winemaker Notes:
Bonterra was founded on a philosophy that farming organically produces the purest, most flavorful fruit. This holistic approach balances the land and surrounding habitat of wasps, birds and wildlife to produce wines of unmatched flavor and distinction. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon offers hints of black pepper, vanilla spice and rich berry-plum flavors.

Winemaker Notes:
"There is no mistaking the New World style of this wine. Intense aromas of grapefruit, citrus, kiwi and fresh cut grass greet the nose. As you drink, the crisp acidity gives the wine a fresh vibrant feel with flavors of grapefruit, lime zest and grass. It closes with flavors of melon and a nice tart finish."

Our Sauvignon Blanc celebrates the fresh lively spirit of organic viticulture and the crafting of this wine truly begins in the vineyards. This fruit comes from exceptional organic growers who share our philosophy and care deeply about the land they farm. For each vintage, we blend fruit from two distinctive, yet complimentary, growing regions in Mendocino and Lake counties. We pick fruit at a variety of sugar levels and add a touch of Muscat and Chardonnay to get a complex layering of flavors, then cold ferment in stainless steel to preserve the crisp fruit aromas.

Pronounced aromas of blackberry, plum, cedar, and sexy toasted oak. A me´lange of black fruits on the palate wrapped in a cherry pie filling core. Melting tannins leave the impression of bittersweet chocolate in the back of the mouth. There’s a solid seam of acidity that suspends the flavors well into the finish.

Winery Notes:
Butter Chardonnay is rich, bold and luscious. Made in the tradition of qualityCalifornian winemaking, the grapes we select are juicy, ripe and bursting withflavor. We cold ferment this easy-to-love Chardonnay to a lush creaminess andage it in our unique blend of oak. Butter brims with stone fruit and baked-lemonnotes and has a lovely, long, vanilla finish.

Organic

The various lots were fermented in a combination of stainless steel tanks and neutral French oak barrels, then racked to all older French oak barrels and left sur lies until the completion of the malolactic fermentation, and finally brought back to stainless for the complete blend and bottling.

Well-integrated flavors of Gala apple and ripe Bosc pear are swathed with creamy richness in this broad-textured style, with cooking spice accents lingering on the mouthwatering finish

Rich and intense, with complex pear, ginger and spicy apple scents. Turns rich and fruity on the palate. - WS88

Owned by footbal great Charles Woodson.

Owned by footbal great Charles Woodson.

Winemaking Notes:
The pinot grapes that go into the Cherry Pie Tri-County Pinot Noir are harvested at night to keep them cool, which creates stable sugar levels and better levels of acidity, as well as ensuring the fruit is less bruised in transport to the winery. The grapes are then fermented in individual county lots and brought together in the blending process. Cherry picking the best lots from the various counties, the wines selected are those that best exemplify the characteristics of each county’s terroir.

Tasting Notes:
The 2017 Cherry Pie Tri-County Pinot Noir jumps from the glass with aromas of sweet toasty oak with macerated cherries, cranberries and a hint of strawberry. On the palate, this wine is a juicy attack of Rainier cherries, well-balanced with a long, silky smooth finish.

Winemaker Notes:
Cline Old Vine Zinfandel is a challenging and rewarding wine to make. Amazing old vine fruit, detailed selection criteria and master blending show in the final wine. A wide array of jammy strawberry and plum aromas followed by black cherry, strawberry and vanilla flavors lead to a smooth and lengthy finish.

A silky, lilac and red berry scented bouquet with flavorful layers of raspberry, dark chocolate, and hints of vanilla and toasted oak.

This varietal comes to us from the Northern Rhone Valley in France. Presumed to have arrived from Dalmatia and transported to the Rhone 1,700 years ago by Romans. There are only 2,000 acres of this variety in California at this time. - WINEMAKER’S NOTES

Deep, inky red in color, this wine offers up seductive scents of cassis, licorice, ripe plum and blackberry intermingled with hints of toasty oak and nutmeg spice. Concentrated fruit envelops the palate, with deep, luscious flavors that echo the nose. It has a rich, full-bodied structure, hints of sweet oak, and a long, pleasing finish. - PJ

"Conundrum Red is both bold and mysterious, opening up with aromas of dark fruit, plums, and rich berries that are layered with a subtle smokiness and the whiff of BBQ. The wine has a round, full-bodied entry on the palate, delivering an extravagance of fruit that leads into a lingering finish. An evocative quality of brown spice combines with a serious red wine texture to leave a strong yet nuanced final impression, one that entices rather than reveals the mystery." Winemaker notes

Always a Petite Sirah-dominated wine, the Pessimist sports an inky purple color as well as a great, full-bodied style carrying wonderful blue fruits, spring flowers, spice, and vanilla aromas and flavors. It's textured, has ripe tannins, loads of fruit, and is about as sexy and gulpable as they come

Decoy Featherweight is a refreshing lower-in-calorie and lower-in-alcohol Sauvignon Blanc, delivering delicate citrus notes of Meyer lemon, grapefruit, and lime; complemented by lush, tropical fruit flavors and a long, crisp finish. With uncompromising quality, Decoy Featherweight is crafted from the current vintage of Decoy Sauvignon Blanc, utilizing the same premium California fruit sourcing. 9% abv - Winemaker Notes

"This lush and inviting Merlot displays flavors of ripe blackberry, black cherry and cassis, underscored by hints of sweet spice, cocoa and leather. On the palate, balanced acidity adds poise and elegance, while silky, refined tannins carry the wine to a fruitful and concentrated finish." Winemaker notes

88% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 4% Cabernet Franc Cooperage 10 months 100% French Oak 40% New, 60% Neutral.

For more than three decades, Duckhorn Vineyards has been crafting exceptional Napa Valley Merlot reflecting the rich diversity of the valley’s many appellations Drawing on our winemaking team’s expertise working with this varietal, Decoy Sonoma County Merlot is a lush and inviting wine highlighting the elegance of the varietal from another exceptional growing region.

Winemaker Notes:
"The Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay is bright and delightful with aromas of crisp green apple and hints of lemon zest. On the palate, layers of white peach and hints of apricot seamlessly blend with notes of baked apple and subtle hints of oak. A vibrant acidity and supple, generous mouthfeel create a perfectly balanced expression of Chardonnay."

Organic

Write up is on the 2019 vintage:
I’m pretty picky about sauvignon blancs from California. Too often, I find, they are heavy and just sweet enough to make them fatiguing. But this bottle, made from organically grown grapes, is well-balanced, lively, dry and pungent, almost in a New Zealand style. - Eric Asimov of The New York Times

Winemaker Notes:
Indicative of its cool-climate origins, with bright acidity beneath notes of pear, apple, pineapple, apricot, nutmeg and vanilla-all framed by a richly textured palate.

Organic

The 2022 is a blend of Grenache from Mangels Ranch in Suisun Valley, Cedar Lane in Arroyo Seco, and Waddington Ranch in Mendocino, Carignane from Lolonis, Maria Martinson, and Casta??on all in Organic

Mendocino, and Syrah from Vecino in Potter Valley. There is a good amount of whole cluster and carbonic maceration through the lots keeping everything fresh and fun. As always, the blend was made immediately after harvest and the wine was aged in a combination of French oak foudres and stainless steel tanks. 12.4% abv

92-94 points Jeb Dunnuck
The only barrel sample I was able to taste, the 2021 GSM Santa Barbara County showed beautifully, and if this wine is any indication, this estate didn’t miss a beat in 2021. Giving up pretty blue fruits, peppery herbs, and sappy flower nuances, it’s medium to full-bodied, has terrific tannins, and an elegant yet textured style that will drink nicely right out of the gate.

92 points Wine Spectator
Plush and savory, with sleek raspberry, orange-tinged mocha and smoked pepper flavors that build richness and structure toward refined tannins. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Drink now through 2030. 1,350 cases made.

91-93 points Vinous
The 2021 GSM is a promising wine. Deep and beautifully layered in the glass, with terrific vibrancy, the GSM is marked by gorgeous purity in its red/purplish fruit and terrific balance. It is the only 2021 that had been racked at the time of my visit, but also a wine that portends well for the vintage if its representative of quality across the range.

Tasting Notes:
Dark fruits, hints of dried herbs and mocha on the nose. The dense palate see's sour red fruits balance out the sweet with a chocolate tannin finish. A fine choice for discerning gent.

Tasting Notes:
Hints of dark fruits dance with a long oak bourbon finish, to complete this delightful blend. You'll notice caramel, char, and sweet bourbon oak aromas. Gentlemen, enjoy.

"Ghost Pines knows no boundaries. Tradition and expectations suggest wine crafted from a singular vineyard site within a singular growing region yields the best results. The adventurous spirit of Ghost Pines means moving beyond this definition to pursue, harvest and blend remarkable grapes selected solely for their quality and flavor from several of California’s best winegrowing regions. Our no boundaries philosophy delivers a unique portfolio of wines that could never be mistaken for ordinary. - Winery

Winemaker Notes:
A rich, dark garnet color in the glass with vibrant purple shimmer, this Merlot displays aromas of ripe plum, rich cocoa, blueberry, and violet with hints of juicy black cherry. A luscious mouthfeel full of dark fruit, hints of sweet spice, and restrained astringency lead into a delicious, lingering finish filled with toasty oak undertones.

Pair with Italian style sausages, jambalaya, seared blackened salmon.

Features juicy plum and black cherry flavors, with a weave of anise and earth details. Falters a bit on the finish, where the wood plays a more prominent role. A very appealing Pinot. Drink now.

The Hanging Vine pinot noir packs a lot of varietal purity for the price-tag. It's got lots of that special bright red cherry note that is almost always lacking in the budget category. There's a nice full-feeling to the finish and should pair well with lighter meats, salmon, and snacks. For the money, there is almost nothing else in this category with this much pinot character. - PJ

Winemaker Notes:
This rich Chardonnay exhibits a classic profile of tropical fruit and Bosc pear alongside warm oak aromatics. The luscious palate suggests creme brulee and buttered toast, and finishes with fresh acidity.

Pair with cantaloupe with prosciutto, seared white fish over herbed farro.

Winemaker Notes:
This Lion is the emblem of the Hess Family and symbolizes the bold and persevering character of the winery's founder Donald Hess. In his honor, Hess strives to make the very best wines that elevate you every day. This Sauvignon Blanc is full of refreshing grapefruit, lemon zest and lime balanced by citrus aromas.
The bright acidity of this wine pairs well with salty and sweet combinations such as prosciutto-wrapped grilled peaches, fresh basil and tomatoes, chopped raw vegetable salads and fresh goat cheese.

In a word... Ripe. Dense purple in color, this wine opens with aromas of ripe red fruits, cherries, anise, cedar, savory spice, roasted coffee, and tobacco. The wine is velvety and lush presenting delicious flavors of raspberry, cherry and plum with warm baking spice, earthy undertones, and a hint of vanilla. The flavors are complemented by lively acidity and fine tannins that lift the wine suggesting a long life. The finish is long, supple and mouthwatering. This Paso Robles Cabernet is the perfect match for local almond wood grilled chicken with a side of stone ground grits, roasted poblano chiles and pepper jack cheese

Winemaker Notes:
"The J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon is dark and dense in color to the rim of the glass. Layered aromas of black cherry, currant and blueberry are accented by an authentic barrel-aged bouquet of dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and roasted coffee. The palate peaks with high-toned red berry fruit, and follows with bright acidity and a full structure that is both dense and soft at once. "

The 2021 vintage was The Wine Enthusiast's Top 100 Best Buys of 2023 First Place Winner!
93 points
This is a very satisfying Syrah for a rather stunning price. Lush and generous aromas of baked berry, hot spice cake and a touch of crushed rock show on the nose. The palate is brooding in cassis, boysenberry pudding and baking spice flavors, framed by impressively deep tannins. Best Buy.

Deeply colored with vibrant purple and magenta hues. Varietal aromas of black cherry and fresh blueberry are accented by black tea, bergamot, and lilac. The juicy and spicy structure of this northern Rhone cultivar is lengthened and lifted by the inclusion of Grenache, Mourvedre, Roussanne, and Viognier. Try with spicy chicken fajitas or oven-baked baby back ribs. (Winery)