Winemaker Notes It offers compelling aromas of black cherries, warm black berries, and crème de cassis, with hints of plum pudding, mincemeat pie, and exotic spices. The wine is full-bodied, rich, and opulent, with a long, spicy finish. Some critics have noted it's a layered and nuanced wine, with a sexy texture, and power from the To Kalon Vineyard. It is considered a fabulous wine and the finest vintage of this release to date. One reviewer noted the wine has a sweet nose of sugar plum and powdered sugar, and suggests a two-hour decant before serving.  About Winery The origins of Carter Cellars began in the mid 1980's when the historic Carter House Victorian was built. When this small bed and breakfast became too popular for the crowd from the cities up and down the west coast the Hotel Carter was added and a restaurant (the highly regarded Restaurant 301) was needed for the guests. For the guests at the restaurant Mark Carter began compiling what has become (since 1998) a Wine Spectator Grand Award winning wine list. He began sourcing the best wines the world had to offer from first growth Bordeaux to the top Napa Cabernet and even the high quality, little-known gems that helped the wine list stand out. Because of the great recognition of the restaurant and its wine list Mark was able to host winemaker dinners with the likes of Dan Duckhorn and Nils Venge. Mark and Nils became fast friends at these dinners while sharing their all encompassing passion for great wines. Mark wanted to expand his love of wines and start a new age wine label devoid of a brick and mortar facility but sourcing only the best fruit from the most renowned vineyard in Napa. His goal was to create the best Napa Cabernet that could be made. Nils Venge, the superstar winemaker responsible for receiving the first "perfect score" on a domestic wine from Robert M. Parker Jr. while at Groth in 1985, seemed like the perfect match on this quest for perfection. Carter Cellars first vintage was in 1998 sourcing grapes from the steeply terraced Coliseum Block of the Hossfeld Vineyard. In continuing to source wine from top Napa vineyards Mark and Nils made a svelte Fortuna Block Cabernet from the ancient red volcanic soils of the Fortuna Vineyard in 1999. In 2000 Carter Cellars began a long and deeply rewarding relationship with the most iconic vineyard in the western hemisphere: the Beckstoffer portion of the original To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. Thus began the rise of the famed and highly rated Carter Cellars Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet, a wine that to this day continues to receive top scores from critics worldwide. In 2001 Carter Cellars deviated from solely making large and powerful Cabernet when they acquired Merlot fruit from the Truchard Vineyard in Carneros. This vineyard has varied soils and a marine-influenced climate which makes the ripe and rounded fruit which goes into our lush and ultra-premium Merlot. In 2004 Carter Cellars expanded again when they began sourcing Cabernet fruit from the Revilo Vineyard in St Helena right next door to some of the highest rated Napa Cabernet and farmed by Reg Oliver of El Molino. The Revilo Vineyard fruit makes for large and austere Cabernet with incredibly smooth tannins which benefit from some bottle age and will greatly reward those with the patience for fine wines. Mark and Nils began looking for a permanent home for Carter Cellars and for a small Napa Winery at which they could produce wines from estate grown fruit. In 2006 they founded Envy Winery on Tubbs Lane in Calistoga. This 17 acre property would specialize in Estate grown Merlot, Cabernet and Petite Sirah and would become the new home of Carter Cellars. In 2006 Carter Cellars expanded again. Still with an extremely small case production they made the Hossfeld Red Blend also from the Hossfeld Vineyard in Soda Canyon. This Predominately Merlot blend contains Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot and is modeled on one of Mark's Favorites: Chateau Petrus with a uniquely Californian side. In 2012 Carter Cellars added two additional exciting Cabernets vineyards to the portofilo: the Weitz Vineyard and Beckstofffer Las Piedras Vineyard. Long considered one of the gems of Turnbull Wine Cellars vineyard holdings, the Weitz Vineyard, also known as the Leopoldina Vineyard, sits on 62 glorious acres high on the Oakville Bench. The fruit from the vineyard is renowned for its profound structure, elegant rich texture and lingering acidity and minerality. The Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is a historic vineyard in the St. Helena AVA. Roughly translated to the stones or little pebbles, the vineyard sits at the base of Sulfur Creek on the southwest outskirts of St. Helena. Riddled with rocks, the soil is porous and provides ideal support for the vines and when matched with excellent farming techniques, the result is remarkable dense and concentrated fruit.

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Winemaker Notes This low production 100% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from hand selected fruit out of our best vineyards. This is a powerfully concentrated Napa Cabernet, that can be consumed immediately or can be cellared to reveal hidden nuances. This wine has as it all - a deep black purple color and virtually everything you would want in a great Cabernet Sauvignon, including dense flavors of blackberries, graphite and mocha all dressed in well-integrated oak profile. Immediately there is a blast of fresh lively fruit that dances with minerality and spices, matched with a rich sumptuous finish - in other words, Carter Cellar's signature profile, a wine that has showcases both finesse and verve. About Winery The origins of Carter Cellars began in the mid 1980's when the historic Carter House Victorian was built. When this small bed and breakfast became too popular for the crowd from the cities up and down the west coast the Hotel Carter was added and a restaurant (the highly regarded Restaurant 301) was needed for the guests. For the guests at the restaurant Mark Carter began compiling what has become (since 1998) a Wine Spectator Grand Award winning wine list. He began sourcing the best wines the world had to offer from first growth Bordeaux to the top Napa Cabernet and even the high quality, little-known gems that helped the wine list stand out. Because of the great recognition of the restaurant and its wine list Mark was able to host winemaker dinners with the likes of Dan Duckhorn and Nils Venge. Mark and Nils became fast friends at these dinners while sharing their all encompassing passion for great wines. Mark wanted to expand his love of wines and start a new age wine label devoid of a brick and mortar facility but sourcing only the best fruit from the most renowned vineyard in Napa. His goal was to create the best Napa Cabernet that could be made. Nils Venge, the superstar winemaker responsible for receiving the first "perfect score" on a domestic wine from Robert M. Parker Jr. while at Groth in 1985, seemed like the perfect match on this quest for perfection. Carter Cellars first vintage was in 1998 sourcing grapes from the steeply terraced Coliseum Block of the Hossfeld Vineyard. In continuing to source wine from top Napa vineyards Mark and Nils made a svelte Fortuna Block Cabernet from the ancient red volcanic soils of the Fortuna Vineyard in 1999. In 2000 Carter Cellars began a long and deeply rewarding relationship with the most iconic vineyard in the western hemisphere: the Beckstoffer portion of the original To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville. Thus began the rise of the famed and highly rated Carter Cellars Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet, a wine that to this day continues to receive top scores from critics worldwide. In 2001 Carter Cellars deviated from solely making large and powerful Cabernet when they acquired Merlot fruit from the Truchard Vineyard in Carneros. This vineyard has varied soils and a marine-influenced climate which makes the ripe and rounded fruit which goes into our lush and ultra-premium Merlot. In 2004 Carter Cellars expanded again when they began sourcing Cabernet fruit from the Revilo Vineyard in St Helena right next door to some of the highest rated Napa Cabernet and farmed by Reg Oliver of El Molino. The Revilo Vineyard fruit makes for large and austere Cabernet with incredibly smooth tannins which benefit from some bottle age and will greatly reward those with the patience for fine wines. Mark and Nils began looking for a permanent home for Carter Cellars and for a small Napa Winery at which they could produce wines from estate grown fruit. In 2006 they founded Envy Winery on Tubbs Lane in Calistoga. This 17 acre property would specialize in Estate grown Merlot, Cabernet and Petite Sirah and would become the new home of Carter Cellars.  

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Winemaker Notes The 2016 Cimarossa Rian Cabernet Sauvignon Highlight the wine's powerful structure, depth, and potential for aging, emphasizing that it's not meant for immediate consumption but rather to be savored with time and good company. It offers a complex profile of blackberry, dark fruit, and earthy notes, with hints of spice and a long, elegant finish.  About Winery Located at 2100 feet in elevation on the Vaca range in Napa Valley, the Cimarossa “red hilltop” Vineyard flourishes in its native and natural setting. What might seem like a simple score given the farm plots that are available in the wine country, in reality, took Dino and Corry over 10 years to locate. One visit will confirm—it was worth the wait, with unrivaled 360 degree views of mountains, wilderness, and the valley floor below. The vineyard build-out adhered to one driving force principle—to leave the property’s natural surroundings in their most native state. This philosophy became a way of life and a constant reminder of the true fruits that the mountain can bear when left to its own devices.

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2016 Dr. Frank Konstantin Salmon Run Chardonnay Riesling A vibrant blend of Chardonnay and Riesling from Dr. Konstantin Frank, offering floral notes, honeydew, citrus, and lychee. Crafted using Méthode Champenoise on Keuka Lake

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The 2016 Fisher Unity Cabernet Sauvignon is a standout choice. Discover an array of rare, premium wines specially curated for collectors and enthusiasts. 1976 Wine Hours provides fine wine delivery with sophistication and expertise. Fisher Vineyards Unity Cabernet Sauvignon blends select Napa and Sonoma fruit into a rich, approachable red with dark berry flavors, balanced tannins, and elegant structure

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Winemaker Notes The 2016 Insignia is fresh and focused on entry with expressive cocoa powder, graphite and earthy spices. Elegant and complex with a supple, creamy texture and bold tannins, this latest vintage offers luscious ripe plum and blackberry character with hints of roasted coffee and dark cherry throughout the palate to a long, velvety finish. About Winery Joseph Phelps Vineyards is a family-owned and operated wine estate with vineyards and wineries in Napa Valley and on the western Sonoma Coast. The winery was founded in 1973 by Joseph Phelps, a successful construction executive and entrepreneur whose early interest in wine led him to establish vineyards on a 670-acre former cattle ranch in Napa Valley. Over the next 42 years Joe became one of the most respected figures in the California wine industry, building Joseph Phelps Vineyards into a critically-acclaimed winery internationally known for its iconic wines and unwavering commitment to quality. Joe’s son, Bill Phelps, joined the family business in 1998 after a successful career in law, and as Executive Chairman now oversees Joseph Phelps Vineyards with a continued dedication to excellence. Family owns and farms 425 acres of vines in Napa Valley on nine estate vineyards in St. Helena, Rutherford, Oakville, Stags Leap District, Oak Knoll District, South Napa and Carneros, as well as 100 acres over two vineyards on the western Sonoma Coast. Strategically chosen over many decades, each vineyard has its own personality and brings a different characteristic to our wines. Our commitment to an estate-based model is our way of ensuring consistency and the highest quality we can possibly achieve. Our estate vineyards, paired with select long-term grower relationships, give our winemaking teams unparalleled depth and diversity when it comes to producing Joseph Phelps wines.

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Winemaker Notes Very deep dark royal purple color. Classic Bordeaux style nose with tobacco leaf herb notes and dark brooding black berry aromas plus hints of cherry cream candies. Ideal amounts of subtle creamy oak barrel influences. Soft ripe plums, vanilla cream and loamy earth notes are complex and very inviting. Fresh but rich in the mouth (like so many wines of 2016), lithe and elegant mouth-feel leads to cranberry, minerals and dark cocoa flavors. Tannins are still youthful and acid balance portends well for cellar development; This is a bigger style of LATERAL to be enjoyed now and over a longer period of years. About Winery Inspiration for LATERAL’s blend came from tasting the Premier Crus of Bordeaux labels such as Chateau Chevel Blanc and Chateau Ausone.  Merlot and Cabernet Franc are the dominant grapes that make St. Emillion wine.  Merlot gives the wine lush textures, richness and concentration with flavors of plums, blackberry, licorice, chocolate and black cherry.  The Cabernet Franc adds aromatic qualities like flowers and spice as well as tannin and structure. It’s really the interplay of the two grapes that originally caught my interest, they come together to fill each others void and create a harmony that’s has an approachability uncommon among clarets.  A style so friendly and plush in fact, St Emillion has been described as “The Burgundy of Bordeaux”. The interplay of these two grapes is what gives Lateral a complexity unlike most California blends.

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Winemaker Notes Emily’s is our eponymous offering in remembrance of Emily Miner, co-founder of Miner Family Winery. This blend is as expressive and elegant as our muse. We honor her by crafting a decadent and rich wine layered with aromas of black fruit and hints of mocha, espresso and toasted oak. Truly iconic Napa Valley for a truly iconic woman. About Winery Founded in 1988 by Dave Miner, president of Oakville Ranch Vineyards, along with his wife Emily and his parents, Ed and Norma, Miner Family Vineyards produces small lot, handcrafted wines using fruit from Oakville Ranch, Ed and Norma's vineyard and other carefully selected California vineyards. Best known for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, they also produce limited quantities of other varietals using a combination of old world winemaking techniques and modern technology. Their focus is on producing high end, reserve-style wines that reflect the unique characteristics of individual vineyards or terrior where those specific varietals grow best.

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Winemaker Notes The 2016 Opus One is remarkably elegant and bright offering sumptuous aromas of fresh red and blue fruit, baking spices and vanilla, and a delicate fragrance of spring florals. The initial bouquet is augmented by more nuanced notes of sage, rosemary, and black olive. Juicy flavors of black cherry, blackberry and cassis flood the palate and creamy, fine-grained tannins deliver a delightfully round structure. Harmonious and lively, the flavors linger to create an enduring finish with touches of dark chocolate and espresso. About Winery Rising gracefully from the vineyards, Opus One winery stands in subtle celebration of the land and the open space that surrounds the estate. It remains an ongoing testament to the founders’ vision of a singular wine that transcends generations. The estate vineyards of Opus One, comprised of four parcels, sit in the western portion of the famed Oakville AVA in Napa Valley. Two parcels, totaling 100 acres, are within the renowned To Kalon Vineyard. These are complemented by the combined 70 acres of the Ballestra and River parcels, which envelop the winery. In the vineyards, hand-harvesting and other traditional approaches are taken wherever they work best. When modern techniques benefit the winegrowing process, they are researched, evaluated and integrated into practice.

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Winemaker Notes 2018 vintage began late, due to a cool and dry winter – conditions that persisted through the entirety of the growing season. The moderate heat throughout the summer and early fall provided optimal conditions for the steady ripening of the key color, tannin, and flavor compounds. A long hangtime was possible this year because there were none of the major heat spikes we have become accustomed to in recent decades. This provided optimal maturity of the essential phenolics while Brix accumulated slowly, and yielded perfectly healthy, fresh grapes at harvest. In the cellar, our grapes were treated gently, given extended maceration times to extract the lovely flavors and texture present in the grapes, and we incorporated a large percentage of native fermentations this year. The resulting wines made from this vintage are extraordinarily refined, exuding aromatic and textural depth that is immediately apparent in the glass. About Winery Skipstone is tucked between two stunning hillsides in the mountains above Alexander Valley. We aspire to perfection in every aspect of our wine growing and estate farming, drawing inspiration from the unparalleled potential and promise of the earth. Uncompromising in our standards of sustainability and treatment of the land, we are committed to nurturing the precious resource that is our 200 acre estate. Blessed by nature, we listen intently to the terroir of our vineyards, and in turn, our wines speak eloquently of their origin.

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Winemaker Notes Our 2016 bottling of the Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot noir continues to affirm this vineyard as one of the brightest stars in California. After the 2014’s #35 ranking on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 wines of 2016, and the 2015’s 95-point score from Robert Parker, the 2016 follows strongly with robust flavors and excellent structure. Much of this wine’s concentration derives from the site’s steep slopes and rocky soils, complemented by severe drought conditions and the tiny berries that resulted. The wine’s signature dark cherry aroma is enhanced by 10% whole cluster fermentation, adding depth and texture for a long complex finish. About Winery Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 by two tennis friends, Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley, who shared a passion for great wine and tennis. They started with small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from exceptional vineyard sources. Over the years, Sojourn Cellars has grown into a boutique winery producing highly acclaimed Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Their hands-off winemaking style allows the character of the vineyard sites to shine through in the wines.

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Winemaker Notes Explosion of cassis, peaches, cherries, raspberry jam, violet, lavender, vanilla beans, and cotton candy. Soft entrance evolving on a lush but full-bodied midpalate, lingering on dense but granular tannins with a touch of tulip, plum, cassis, elderberry, cherry liquor finishing with iris, pomegranate About Winery Established in 2006, Alpha Omega’s mission is to create artisanal wines drawing on Old World vineyard handcrafted practices and emphasis on unique terroir driven characteristics that reveal a sense of place combined with New World technology and science. The winery, located on the Rutherford Bench in the heart of Napa Valley, exudes the utmost experience of hospitality in an authentic place reflective of the Napa Valley farming community. Presenting world-class wines in a convivial setting remains just as paramount to vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett today as when they opened the winery’s doors on July 1, 2006. Alpha Omega boasts a picturesque setting, highlighted by views of its landmark water fountains and reflecting pond, stunning vineyards and the statuesque Mayacamas Mountains. The breathtaking scenery makes for the perfect backdrop to enjoy the handcrafted wines made with grapes from prized, historic vineyards by Alpha Omega’s talented winemaking team. A warm staff of well-trained wine educators, the postcard-worthy setting and the modern farm-style architecture of the winery on Napa Valley’s famous Highway 29, paired with beautiful wines was the intentional vision the Baggetts conceived when they toured the valley in 2005 searching for a property to purchase to open their first winery together. To create an estate comparable to the finest in the valley, the Baggetts took on the project in the same fashion that helped them achieve success in other fields — Robin as an attorney, grape grower and vintner in San Luis Obispo and Michelle as an international hotel interior designer later becoming a hospitality marketing and communication professional and branding whiz. Creating the brand name Alpha Omega in 2005 predestined their ambition to craft the ultimate winery experience from beginning to end. Today, Alpha Omega is honored that its estate is considered one of the top wineries in the region. When it came to building its brand, Alpha Omega spared no expense. There were no limits for the starry-eyed vintners who aimed to bring their vision to fruition. Several months into negotiations for the property, Sir Peter Newton of Newton Vineyards suggested to the Baggetts that they talk to his winemaker and assistant winemaker about joining their new winery project. This team together had excelled at making award-winning wines for Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley and left to do the same for Alpha Omega. The Baggetts’ relationships in the valley afforded them the opportunity to procure the best grapes from prized vineyards throughout the top AVAs of Napa Valley — most notably Thomas Vineyard in Rutherford, Beckstoffer To Kalon in Oakville, Beckstoffer Georges III in Rutherford, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Beckstoffer Las Piedras in St. Helena, Stagecoach in Atlas Peak, Drew Vineyard in Mount Veeder and Sunshine Valley in the Oak Knoll District.

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Winemaker Notes 2017 started out with record precipitation providing vines with sufficient water tables to safely get them through several heat spikes that began as early as June. Temperatures up to 110 degrees in early September prompted several winemakers to begin harvesting red varietals. Our winemaking team held steadfast and patiently waited until end of September before bringing in the first red varietals. Rewarded then with more moderate temperatures, the resulting wines express themselves as both full-bodied and greatly structured. The 2017 Alpha Omega Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense and very structured wine that is crafted and blended to be enjoyed for decades. About Winery Established in 2006, Alpha Omega’s mission is to create artisanal wines drawing on Old World vineyard handcrafted practices and emphasis on unique terroir driven characteristics that reveal a sense of place combined with New World technology and science. The winery, located on the Rutherford Bench in the heart of Napa Valley, exudes the utmost experience of hospitality in an authentic place reflective of the Napa Valley farming community. Presenting world-class wines in a convivial setting remains just as paramount to vintners Robin and Michelle Baggett today as when they opened the winery’s doors on July 1, 2006. Alpha Omega boasts a picturesque setting, highlighted by views of its landmark water fountains and reflecting pond, stunning vineyards and the statuesque Mayacamas Mountains. The breathtaking scenery makes for the perfect backdrop to enjoy the handcrafted wines made with grapes from prized, historic vineyards by Alpha Omega’s talented winemaking team. A warm staff of well-trained wine educators, the postcard-worthy setting and the modern farm-style architecture of the winery on Napa Valley’s famous Highway 29, paired with beautiful wines was the intentional vision the Baggetts conceived when they toured the valley in 2005 searching for a property to purchase to open their first winery together. To create an estate comparable to the finest in the valley, the Baggetts took on the project in the same fashion that helped them achieve success in other fields — Robin as an attorney, grape grower and vintner in San Luis Obispo and Michelle as an international hotel interior designer later becoming a hospitality marketing and communication professional and branding whiz. Creating the brand name Alpha Omega in 2005 predestined their ambition to craft the ultimate winery experience from beginning to end. Today, Alpha Omega is honored that its estate is considered one of the top wineries in the region. When it came to building its brand, Alpha Omega spared no expense. There were no limits for the starry-eyed vintners who aimed to bring their vision to fruition. Several months into negotiations for the property, Sir Peter Newton of Newton Vineyards suggested to the Baggetts that they talk to his winemaker and assistant winemaker about joining their new winery project. This team together had excelled at making award-winning wines for Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley and left to do the same for Alpha Omega. The Baggetts’ relationships in the valley afforded them the opportunity to procure the best grapes from prized vineyards throughout the top AVAs of Napa Valley — most notably Thomas Vineyard in Rutherford, Beckstoffer To Kalon in Oakville, Beckstoffer Georges III in Rutherford, Beckstoffer Dr. Crane and Beckstoffer Las Piedras in St. Helena, Stagecoach in Atlas Peak, Drew Vineyard in Mount Veeder and Sunshine Valley in the Oak Knoll District.

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Winemaker Notes The 2017 Cakebread Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California, USA) is a deeply expressive wine with a very dark purple-black hue. It opens slowly in the glass, revealing layered aromas of baked black cherries, stewed black plums, and warm cassis, complemented by savory notes of aged meat, dark chocolate, bay leaf, and pencil shavings. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, packed with concentrated black fruit flavors, supported by vibrant freshness and a firm, grainy tannin structure. The finish is long, energetic, and complex, showcasing both power and refinement. About Winery  Cakebread Cellars was founded in 1973 by Jack and Dolores Cakebread in Rutherford, Napa Valley, California. Their journey began when Jack, originally a photographer, visited Napa to shoot images for a wine book and ended up purchasing a small ranch. From those modest beginnings, the family built a winery that quickly gained recognition for its Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, later expanding into Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other varietals. Over the decades, Cakebread Cellars has grown into one of Napa Valley’s most respected family-owned wineries, known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and hospitality, with wines now distributed internationally.

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Winemaker Notes Bright ruby-red. Penetrating aromas of black cherry, dried flowers and brown spices. Not as silky as the 2004 through 2007 vintages but boasts noteworthy refinement and savory intensity, with fresh, harmonious acidity giving the wine good focus and finesse. Excellent depth here if not quite the flavor development of vintages like '07 and '04. Still, this conveys a thickness of texture and a faintly exotic quality and finishes with very suave tannins. The summer was rather cool but steady, and there was enough warmth in September to ensure ripe tannins without burning off needed acidity, noted Bo Barrett. A fairly elegantly styled Montelena Estate.  About Winery Château Montelena, founded in 1882 by San Francisco entrepreneur Alfred L. Tubbs in Calistoga, Napa Valley, became world-famous after its Chardonnay won the 1976 “Judgment of Paris” tasting, where California wines triumphed over top French competitors. Originally built as a grand stone château with vineyards planted on rugged land, the estate went through periods of decline before being revitalized in the 1970s under Jim Barrett and winemaker Miljenko “Mike” Grgich. That historic victory put Napa Valley on the global wine map, and today Château Montelena continues to produce acclaimed Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon while preserving its legacy as a pioneer of California’s rise in fine wine.

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Winemaker Notes The 2017 Cimarossa Rian Cabernet Sauvignon, Highlight its powerful structure, deep black fruit flavors (like blackberry), and a long, luxurious finish. The wine also exhibits notes of dark roasted coffee, cocoa, cinnamon, and hints of maple syrup and dry grass.  About Winery Located at 2100 feet in elevation on the Vaca range in Napa Valley, the Cimarossa “red hilltop” Vineyard flourishes in its native and natural setting. What might seem like a simple score given the farm plots that are available in the wine country, in reality, took Dino and Corry over 10 years to locate. One visit will confirm—it was worth the wait, with unrivaled 360 degree views of mountains, wilderness, and the valley floor below. The vineyard build-out adhered to one driving force principle—to leave the property’s natural surroundings in their most native state. This philosophy became a way of life and a constant reminder of the true fruits that the mountain can bear when left to its own devices.

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Winemaker Notes The 2017 DAOU Soul of a Lion is a highly-regarded red wine from DAOU Vineyards, known for its rich, elegant, and balanced character. It's a Bordeaux-style blend, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine is celebrated for its deep, complex aromas and flavors, smooth tannins, and age-worthy structure.  About Winery In the golden, oak-studded hills of Paso Robles' fabled west side, not far from William Randolph Hearst's magnificent castle, there is a man with a Homeric vision. His name is Daniel Daou and he is devoting his life and every imaginable resource to creating, first and foremost, a Cabernet Sauvignon that rivals the very best in the world. Gracefully perched atop a stunning promontory at 2,200 feet, the DAOU Spanish Colonial style winery is embraced by a tangible serenity. Hawks wheel and bank while the all-day sun caresses close planted rows of lush, emerald green vines. The 100 percent calcareous soil makes no sound as it passes out nourishment and only a gentle breeze flows up through the Templeton Gap from the Pacific. The quiet is bewitching; you want to lay down roots here, just as the four-year-old vines have done. But the sense of peace belies the serious industry at work on this 100 acre estate. No effort is spared to create the luscious varietals and blends that flow from this limited production winery. This kind of synergy happens rarely: superlative climate and terroir, super intensive vineyard culture, and cutting edge viticultural practice. You're more likely to find it in Bordeaux than Central California. Coupled with the infectious passion and gracious, family style hospitality of the Daou brothers, Georges and Daniel, the result is pure magic. The kind of magic that comes in a bottle.

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Winemaker Notes The historic Napanook Vineyard, a 124-acre site west of Yountville, was planted in 1838. This vineyard was the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines. Estate-bottled in the spirit of the Bordeaux châteaux, Dominus Estate is dry-farmed to allow natural stress and good concentration of fruit. Grape clusters are crop-thinned to allow sun and air to pass in between, helping to achieve full maturation and soften the tannins. Only 20% to 40% new French oak barrels are used in order to limit the extraction of oak notes. To express the unique terroir, the classic Bordeaux grape varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot are planted with different root stocks best suited for the varying soil composition of gravel, heavy clay and loam. About Winery The vineyards of Dominus Estate have connections to the original history of the Napa Valley as they date back to the mid 1850’s, or even earlier, when it was first cultivated. At the time, it was known as the Napanook vineyard.  In the late 1960s, while attending the University of California at Davis, Christian Moueix fell in love with the Napa Valley and its wines. Son of Jean-Pierre Moueix, the famed wine merchant and producer from Libourne, France, Moueix returned home in 1970 to manage the family vineyards, including Chateaux Petrus, La Fleur-Petrus, Trotanoy in Pomerol and Magdelaine in St. Emilion. His love of Napa Valley lingered and in 1981, he discovered the historic Napanook vineyard, a 124-acre site west of Yountville that had been the source of fruit for some of the finest Napa Valley wines of the 1940s and 1950s. In 1982, Moueix entered into a partnership with Robin Lail and Marcia Smith, the daughters of John Daniels who owned the vineyard. In 1995, he became the sole owner of the estate and chose the name Dominus, or “Lord of the Estate” in Latin to underscore his longstanding commitment to stewardship of the land. One of the most respected wine producers in the world, Christian Moueix is on a personal quest for perfection in grape growing and winemaking. It is a journey that began in Bordeaux and continues today at Dominus Estate.

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Winemaker Notes The 2017 Duckhorn Merlot Three Palms is a full-bodied, elegant Merlot with luxurious aromas of black cherry, plum, and cedar, complemented by notes of chocolate and spice. The palate is rich with red and black fruit, fig, and earthy iron notes, supported by a dense core of super-fine tannins and a long, complex finish. The rocky soil of the Three Palms Vineyard contributes a signature minerality and concentrated fruit, while the warm 2017 vintage provided ideal conditions for flavor and tannin development, resulting in a deeply flavored and sophisticated wine with a plush, round texture.  About Winery Duckhorn Vineyards was founded in Napa Valley by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn in 1976, releasing their first vintage, including a pioneering Merlot, in 1978. The winery established a tradition of quality and excellence, particularly known for its Merlots, with its Three Palms Vineyard Merlot becoming an iconic wine. Duckhorn Vineyards is now part of The Duckhorn Portfolio, a company that has grown significantly through vineyard acquisitions and the launch of other brands like Decoy, before being acquired by private equity firms, most recently Butterfly Equity in 2024.

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Winemaker Notes This wine is so integrated, even from an early age, that you will never guess it is a blend of five different varieties off of our Paderewski and Catapult Vineyards. The entry is full and lush leading to an über long and velvety midpalate which encircles the mouth. While we revel in its plushness, it never feels too heavy or thick as the cohesive acid weaves its way through the sensations of black licorice, black cherry and raspberry, grilled meats and herbs, candied lavender, rose oil, warm underbrush, and vanilla bean. About Winery Founded in 2004 by geologists, Bill and Liz Armstrong, Epoch has quickly developed a big reputation for handcrafted, small-production wines with abundant personalities. Under the careful care of Winemaker, Jordan Fiorentini, Epoch is committed to producing world-class wines from Rhône, Zinfandel, and Tempranillo varieties grown on their three west Paso Robles vineyards – Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain. Epoch’s Tasting Room and Winery are located on the storied York Mountain which was once home to the first bonded winery on the central coast. Preserving the rich history found on this property as well as Paderewski Vineyard, a sight once owned and cherished by the late Polish Prime Minister and pianist, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Epoch strives to carry on these legacies through their wines and the unique Epoch experience. Through carefully managed, non-invasive farming, Epoch aims to bring the complex character of their vineyards into each bottle of wine they craft. All of Epoch's fruit comes from their three specific and unique sites: Paderewski, Catapult, and York Mountain Vineyard.

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