Wines

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.

#33 on The Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2023!

93 points Wine Spectator
Alluring for its sleek polish and precision, this sparkler has tiers of Asian pear, strawberry, fresh almond and ginger flavors that unfurl slowly. Drink now

91 points Wine Spectator
A briar patch in a bottle, this hearty red abounds with bold raspberry, roasted anise and smoky black pepper flavors that build tension and structure toward broad-shouldered tannins. Drink now through 2031

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

Organic / Natural / No Sulfites Added

Lot # 1 ????? Direct press of destemmed grapes to tank for 24h settling off gross lees, transfer to neutral burgundy for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation over 30 days.(50% of final blend)

Lot # 2 ????? Destemmed to holding tank, 48h of skin maceration in reductive environment and cooling, press to racking tank for 24h settling off gross lees, transfer to neutral burgundy for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation over 30+ days (20% of final blend)

Lot # 3 ????? Destemmed to stainless tank, full fermentation over 8 days with full skin contact and punch down protocol, kept very reductive, press directly to neutral burgundy for ageing. (30% of final blend)

All lots aged for 11 months in neutral burgundy with regular topping on full lees and reductive environment.

Unfiltered w/o sulfur addition. 10% abv

This has nice tension and tannic framing. Full-bodied, firm and lightly chewy with freshness, and spicy character to the ripe strawberry and cherry on the finish. Drink or hold.

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.

93 points Vinous
The 2021 Graciano Portico Hills shows the darker, weightier side of Graciano. Black cherry, plum, gravel, menthol, crushed rocks, dried herbs and incense are all dialed up in this brooding, potent Graciano. The 2021 is going to need some time to soften. (7/2023) Drinking Window 2023-2031

Zac Wasserman is now on his own after a number of years working alongside Joey Tensley.

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
"On the nose, delicate pear and floral notes are backed by toasty almond. On the palate, one finds lively citrus, toast and apple flavors overlaid with persistent effervescence, a creamy mid-palate and a toasty finish."

The Sonoma Brut has been carefully crafted entirely from hand-harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. This brut is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to brut cuvees. Sonoma Brut shows the quality and diversity of our vineyards that allow us to consistently produce cuvees with complexity and clear fruit expression. Aged for a minimum of 18 months, this wine shows delicate pear and floral notes with persistent effervescence and an effortless finish, making it a tremendously versatile sparkling wine.

Intensely ripe, jammy and toasty aromas and equally effusive fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine easy to enjoy. It seems to overflow with boysenberry and blackberry, and has a touch of wood smoke from oak.

Winemaker's Notes:
"Our Sauvignon Blanc is produced from grapes grown in various microclimates of the Napa Valley. The warmer Napa Valley microclimate gives us grapes with melon and citrus characteristics in both aroma and flavor. The cooler areas of Napa Valley provide fruit with a solid, crisp backbone that gives the wine an exciting liveliness and balances the rich creaminess from "sur lie" aging."

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

"This "crazy value" Napa Cab was sourced from a couple of top "Cult" wineries in the Valley (SHHH...their wines sell for between $75-150/bot!). Deep, rich and plush with classic Napa Cab fruit, it drinks like a wine costing 2-3 times as much! The Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon is a combination of top valley floor and hillside sites, it's a blend of 98 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 Cabernet Franc aged in French oak (20 new) for about 22 months. A wine that displays the outright richness and power of the vintage. Deep, intense, plum, dark cherry and spice are prevelant right away on the nose and palate. But the signature of the vintage is then on full display with minerality, balancing structure and a vibrant, fresh core that lifts the fruit and carries the wine. A classic Napa Cab that will drink well for many years."~Distributor Notes

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.

92 points James Suckling
A very aromatic red, offering baking spices, such as cinnamon, cloves and anisette, as well as notes of ripe blackcurrants, plums and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with soft tannins and a ripe yet vibrant and juicy fruit core. Long, warming finish. Drinkable now, but better in a few years.

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)

#31 on The Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2023!

91 points Wine Spectator
Aromatic, juicy and fragrant, with Key lime pie, tangerine, lime sherbet, fresh-cut green apple and fresh-grated ginger all singing on a mouthwatering frame. Ends with a long, expressive finish. Drink now.

Winemaker Notes:
Cabernet Sauvignon was the first wine Josh Cellars made. This is the wine that started it all, setting the exacting standards that they hold themselves to for all of their varietals. Round and juicy, our Cabernet Sauvignon has flavors of blackberry, toasted hazelnut and cinnamon.

Winemaker Notes:
Aromatic blue fruits and brown spices delight the nose, yielding fresh plum and blackberry fruit. The wine is juicy with the plum and blackberry flavors prominent, layered with smoky roasted almonds and hazelnuts, finishing long with fine, elegant tannins and white stone fruits that linger, finishing with a fresh and clean acidity. A rich, red wine crafted in honor of Josh. Pairs well with his favorite meal: a thick, juicy steak and potatoes. 45% Merlot, 45% Zinfandel, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah.

Winery Notes:
"The bouquet is rich with dark fruits, cinnamon, clove and subtle oak aromas. The wine is juicy on the palate with bright red cherries and blackberry flavors prominent, accented by delicate vanilla flavors and toasty oak, finishing long with round, soft tannins. The complex flavor of this wine complements just about any well-seasoned meat such as beef, pork, or lamb, followed by an indulgent dessert or espresso."

Winery Notes:
" Steep hillside vineyards present the ultimate challenge, but the results are extraordinary. The harsh conditions yield fewer clusters and smaller berries. The intensely flavored grapes are aged in new French oak barrels that creates a wine with luxurious flavor and texture. rich, ripe, and delicious. "

Winemaker's Notes:
"Dark purple ruby core, slightly lighter at the rim showing light staining on the glass. Aromatic with bright ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, baking spice, savory dried autumn leaves, subtle violet floral notes with a hint of caramelized barrel sweetness.
Dry, moderate plus bodied, with ripe red and black cherry, and blackcurrant fruit joined by vanilla and cinnamon spice notes on the entry. The mid-palate is fresh with sustained ripe fruit, toasty oak notes, and softly textured tannins. The finish is moderately long with notes of cherry candy and blackcurrant fruit matched with subtle classic Cabernet savory elements."

Winemaker Notes:
"Our 2009 estate grown Cabernet Sauvignon has a deep dark ruby color with gorgeous aromas of Bing Cherry. Aged for 24 months in 50% new and 50% once used French Oak Barrels, our Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, fruit forward and suitable for aging. Look for a hint of chocolate and a dash of spice on the palate. The well-structured yet smooth tannins are present throughout the lingering finish and you can count on enjoying this wine for many years to come."

Aging takes place in 50% new and 50% once used French Oak for 24 months

Winemaker Notes:
Aromas of lush, bright black cherry, blackberry and cassis draw you in. Round, rich, seamless tannins provide a robust backbone and supple mid-palate. Notes of cedar, vanilla and a hint of mocha linger on the finish.

Intricate layers of black cherry, plum, currant, and wild berry mingle with a hint of spice. The soft, delicate, elegant tannins of this Bordeaux varietal carry these aromas and flavors to a long, silky and lingering finish.~Winery Notes
Blend: 89% Merlot, 8% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot