Beringer Luminus Chardonnay 2016

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~~$29.99~~

Save $6.00 (20%)

$23.99

SKU 10403

750ml

Meaning “light” in Latin, Luminus naturally represents the radiance of this Chardonnay. Like the brightness and purity that the name conjures, Chardonnay from the Oak Knoll district is known for its focus. The Chardonnay fruit from the Big Ranch Vineyard is known for its elegance and balance and Chief Winemaker Mark Beringer has always gravitated towards this acid-driven, food-friendly style of Chardonnay.

Category	White Wine
Varietal	Chardonnay
Region	California, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll
Brand	Beringer

VinousBeringer’s Chardonnay Luminus is done in a relatively fresh style that emphasizes more citrus notes, with only a touch of new oak. Partially blocked malolactic fermentation keeps the flavors bright. Even with this more restrained approach, there is a good bit of weight and depth.

Antonio Galloni, May 2018

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James SucklingAttractive freshness and gently flinty citrus fruits. Aromas of melon and hazelnut nougat follow and lead to a palate with lemon, grapefruit, grilled peaches and nectarines. Layered and textural. Some pithy grip to close. This has attractive freshness and composure.

May 2018

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Wine SpectatorRich and plush, this has plenty of buttery notes to the ripe apple, pear and dried ginger flavors. Creamy finish. Drink now through 2020. 12,000 cases made.

Kim Marcus, October 2018

2020 Blowout Sale

Château-La-Mondotte Saint Emilion 1998

Proprietor Stephan von Neipperg continues to produce outstanding benchmark wines of Bordeaux to compete with the most elite wines in the world. La Mondotte's 4.5-hectares of vines grow on the clay-limestone plateau east of Saint-Emilion planted to 75 % Merlot and 25 % Cabernet Franc. This small gem of a vineyard has all the natural attributes of a Premier Grand Cru Classé. The terroir consists of very silty clay overlaying a rocky subsoil. This shallow, meagre soil induces excellent water regulation and is propitious to deep rooting. Fine natural drainage combined with outstanding sunshine make for early and complete ripening. The grapes, especially Merlot, are picked under ideal conditions every year. Dating from the 19th century, La Mondotte has been certified organic since 2014. The quality of La Mondotte's clay and the age of the vines (60 years on average) result in a wine that is profoundly marked by its terroir. It is silky, powerful, incomparably elegant, and has enormous minerality.

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~~$399.00~~$249.00

Château-La-Mondotte Saint Emilion 2003

La Mondotte's 4.5-hectares of vines grow on the clay-limestone plateau east of Saint-Emilion planted to 75 % Merlot and 25 % Cabernet Franc. This small gem of a vineyard has all the natural attributes of a Premier Grand Cru Classé. The terroir consists of very silty clay overlaying a rocky subsoil. This shallow, meagre soil induces excellent water regulation and is propitious to deep rooting. Fine natural drainage combined with outstanding sunshine make for early and complete ripening. The grapes, especially Merlot, are picked under ideal conditions every year. Dating from the 19th century, La Mondotte has been certified organic since 2014. The quality of La Mondotte's clay and the age of the vines (60 years on average) result in a wine that is profoundly marked by its terroir. It is silky, powerful, incomparably elegant, and has enormous minerality. Proprietor Stephan von Neipperg continues to produce outstanding benchmark wines of Bordeaux to compete with the most elite wines in the world.

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~~$349.00~~$225.00

Chateau Valandraud Saint-Émilion 2005

'Valandraud is one of the most interesting stories in Bordeaux. The wine is made from an unheralded terroir owned by the young, obsessive/compulsive, exuberantly passionate Monsieur Thunevin. He produces a Bordeaux from tiny yields and ripe fruit, ages it in 100% new oak, and refuses to fine or filter prior to bottling. Valandraud has become the darling of speculators, largely because of (1) its fabulous quality, and (2) its limited production.' - Robert Parker Valandraud is the home property of Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud. Before they became Bordeaux winemakers, Jean-Luc was a successful Bordeaux wine merchan t. That all changed in 1989. That was the year when he and Murielle bought a small, 0.6 hectare plot of vines situated close to Chateau Pavie Macquin and Chateau La Clotte in St. Emilion. This was soon followed by another purchase further east, in St. Suplice, where they obtained 1.2 additional hectares of vines. Valandraud takes its name from a combination of its location and from something more personal. The Val comes from Vallon de Fongaban, where the vines are planted. The second part is from Andraud, the last name of Murielle. Today, all their wine is made entirely by Murielle, who is also one of the finest chefs in the Right Bank. Jean-Luc Thunevin earned the reputation of the Bad Boy of St. Emilion for doing things his way, what he thought was right. For the 2002 vintage, Jean-Luc covered 2 hectares of the Valandraud and Clos Badon Thunevin vineyards with plastic sheets to prevent potential water damage from the expected rain before harvest. IN return, t he INAO forbade the wine to be sold under the St. Emilion Grand-Cru appellation banner. The entire harvest was declassified as Table Wine and the original wine name could not be used on these bottles. Jean-Luc renamed them L’Interdit de V…D and L’Interdit de B…N T…N. The forbidden wine of… Of course, the wines produced from the parcels which were not covered were allowed to be sold with the Valandraud name and appellation. Valandraud started off as a small St. Emilion winery. In fact, their debut vintage produced only 100 cases of wine. This was the birth of the “Garage Wine” movement. Having almost no money, and not owning a cellar of their own, the wine was made in a borrowed garage. Things have changed since those early days. They own a winery, in the village of St. Emilion. Over the years, Jean Luc and Murielle have increased holdings due to continued purchases of vineyard land. Valandraud has 10 hectares of vines planted to 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon and small portions of Malbec and Carmenere. 2 of those hectares are devoted to the production of white Bordeaux wine grapes, which are planted as follows: 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 35% Semillon and 15% Sauvignon Gris. The parcels are located in various areas in Saint Emilion. Valandraud produces red and white wine. For the red wine, the terroir varies, but the best soils consist of clay and limestone. At Valandraud, they are one of the few Saint Emilion estates to include some plantings of all five, Bordeaux grape varieties; Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Carmenere. By 1995, Valandraud was well on its way, as they were now producing world class wine, with a price to match. For the red wines, there are a few different wines that come from Thunevin. The red wines are; Valandraud, Virginie de Valandraud, (which made its debut in 1992) and 3 de Valandraud. 3 de Valandraud is produced from declassified fruit from Valandraud and Virginie de Valandraud.

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~~$399.00~~$275.00

Chateau Leoville Las Cases Saint Julien 2007

This stellar estate is planted to 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot and 13% Cabernet Franc, with an average age of 35+ year vines. Located next to Chateau Latour, the wines produced here are majestic, ageworthy, and traditional. A Second Growth of Saint Julien since the classification of 1855, Leoville Las Cases not only deserves this status, it is thought by many critics and collectors to be of the highest First Growth quality. It is also considered one of the longest lived wines in virtually every vintage, including 2007.

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~~$225.00~~$149.99

Bryant Family Bettina Proprietary Red 2009

One of California's most sought after, cult wines, Bryant Family Vineyards is known for their luxury Cabernets. Located in the heart of the Napa Valley overlooking Lake Hennessey on Sage Canyon Road, Bryant Family Vineyards makes Cabernet Sauvignon from fruit up on Pritchard Hill in the Napa Valley. David Abreu is their esteemed vineyard manager and Mark Aubert is the winemaker.

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~~$599.00~~$349.00

Chateau Lanessan Haut Médoc 2010

Château Lanessan in the Haut-Médoc dates back to 1793 when it was founded by Jean Delbos. The classic château, with its Tudor-inspired influences was constructed in 1878. Eight generations later, Château Lanessan remains in the hands of the Bouteiller family, which are direct descendants of the founder. The 80 hectare, Haut Medoc vineyard of Château Lanessan has 45 hectares cultivated with vines. The vineyard is close to the St. Julien appellation. In fact, it’s just a bit south, as you drive up the D2, the Route de Medoc. The terroir is mostly gravel-based soils. The vineyard is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. On average, the vines are 30 years of age. To produce the wine of Château Lanessan, vinification takes place in traditional, concrete vats. Malolactic fermentation takes place in vat. The wine is aged in a combination of 33% new, French barrels, 33% one year old, French oak barrels and 33% two year old, French oak barrels for an average of 12 months.

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~~$29.99~~$21.99

Araujo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Since 1971, some of California's most ageworthy and intensely flavored Cabernet Sauvignons have been made from grapes grown at the Eisele Vineyard, located on an alluvial fan near the northern end of the Napa Valley, just east of Calistoga. Protected by the Palisades Mountains to the north and cooled by westerly breezes from the Chalk Hill Gap, this 38-acre vineyard is planted on well-drained cobbly soils that produce a low yielding crop of exceptionally concentrated fruit. The wines produced in this remarkable place have a rare combination of forthright character with precisely defined flavors and fine textures, deep concentration without any sense of heaviness, and the capacity to develop profound complexity with age. The Eisele Vineyard was originally planted in the 1880's to Zinfandel and Riesling, and has been under vine continuously since then. The first Cabernet was planted in 1964. Robert Parker reports: 'One of the most extraordinary vineyards of Napa Valley is the Eisele Vineyard, which boasts a 40+ year history of producing compelling wines. It is hard to argue with the track record of this hallowed ground in the northeastern sector just southeast of the old cowboy town of Calistoga.'

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~~$599.00~~$299.00

Vice Versa Le Petit Vice Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

Made by famed winemaker Philippe Melka, from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from acclaimed vineyards in the Napa Valley, the 2015 Le Petit Vice is a true testament to the 2015 vintage; full-bodied, layered and refined. Offering complex aromatics of plum, red cherry and cassis, with subtle hints of licorice, black tea and thyme. Its rich mouthfeel excites the palate while maintaining a beautiful balance of ripe fruit and acidity. With integrated fine tannins, the 2015 Le Petit Vice rolls like a wave into a seemingly never-ending finish. This is a wine to treasure and share for years to come.

~~$89.99~~$69.99

Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay 2016 375ml

Please note these are Half Bottles or 375 ML : Bright, creamy, golden apple, white peach, pear and melon aromas, with hints of mineral, yeast and oak spice, introduce rich, full-bodied, apple, pear and melon flavors that persist throughout a lingering finish refreshed by vibrant citrus and mineral tones. With a round, supple texture, good concentration and depth, and balanced acidity, the Napa Valley Chardonnay drinks well upon release and will age for a few years. Cakebread Cellars has been a Napa Green Certified Winery since 2008—only the second winery ever to receive the distinction. In 2010, the winery’s team reduced total waste by 12 percent and recycled 81 percent of its total waste. All of its vineyards have been certified in the Napa Green Land program, promoting sustainable farming practices, restoring fish and wildlife habitats, and improving water quality in local streams. In 2010, Cakebread Cellars’ Suscol Springs Vineyard was the first vineyard presented with a sustainability award by the Napa County Resource Conservation District and received recognition as a model hillside vineyard development.

~~$29.99~~$23.99

Chateau Larrivet Haut Brion Pessac Leognan 2015

In 1840, the vineyard of Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion was first mentioned among the first growths of the Pessac-Léognan region. Located adjacent to the illustrious Haut-Bailly, this estate has an excellent terroir of pure gravelly soil in the southern section of Graves. Larrivet-Haut-Brion is well known in European wine circles but only recently has been seen more often here in America. Michel Rolland has advised the owners in winemaking and instituted a strict selection process in the vineyard as well as recommending later harvesting for riper fruit character.

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~~$44.99~~$36.99

Chateau La Tour de Bessan Margaux 2015

The origin of this property can be found in a 13th century tower situated in Soussans, where you can still see the ruins of this old fortified site that was designed to protect the Lord Jehan Colomb. This edifice remained in the Colomb family until 1390 and then several illustrious local families followed suit; the Durforts and Garros families, then the Lords of Mons in 1488. Their last beneficiary, Thérèse, married the son of the great writer Montesquieu in 1740. The title of Lord of Soussans was kept by their descendants until the French Revolution. It was in 1972 that Lucien Lurton bought the tower and vineyards from the Clauzel family. As the new owner he pulled out all the stops to rebuild this wine estate, all the while managing his other properties. In 1992, his daughter, Marie-Laure took over. With a winemaking degree in hand and 6 years experience under her wing working on her father’s other domains, she knew all the blocks that made up the domaine like the back of her hand. The first investments she made were in the vineyard: heightening the trellising in order to increase the leaf canopy, replacing, ripping up and planting new vines. In 1999, Emilie Roullé, an agronomist, became the vineyard manager. Her work showed results quickly: the 2003 vintage earned the Terra Vitis certification. This consolidates the viticultural choices made that respect the environment. The classification of the 2003 Crus Bourgeois in June finally gave Château La Tour de Bessan the official status of Cru Bourgeois. The investments also included the cellars: in 1999 we renovated a building dating back to 1934. It now houses an ergonomic cellar, the barrel maturation cellar and a tasting room. This contemporary building tastefully designed by the architect Vincent Defos du Rau from Toulouse is evidence of the domain’s dynamic spirit and its constant striving for higher quality. Grape varieties: 43% Cabernet sauvignon, 55% Merlot, 2% Cabernet-Franc, and 1% Petit Verdot. Production: - 60 à 110 000 bottles of first label wine depending on the vintage - 20 à 40 000 bottles of second label wine (Page de La Tour de Bessan) Soils: deep quaternary gravel Vine Density: 6.666 to 7.692 vines/ha Average age of vines: 24 years Rootstocks: 101-14, 3309, Riparia Gloire Average yield: 48 hl/ha Maturation: French oak barrels for the first label (10 to 14 months depending on the vintages), in tanks for the second label. Bottled at the Château Eco friendly vineyard practices: Certified "Terra Vitis" since 2003

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~~$34.99~~$24.99

Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2016

The Kosta Browne Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a blend of eight vineyards: Gap’s Crown, Griffin’s Lair, Kanzler, Pfendler, Spring Hill, Terra de Promissio, Thorn Ridge and Walala. Most of these are located in the southern portion of the Sonoma Coast appellation and lie directly in the path of the Petaluma Wind Gap’s Pacific Ocean cooling and the maritime influence of the San Pablo Bay. The outlier, Walala Vineyard, is located in the northwestern coastal reaches near Annapolis. The wines from the Petaluma Gap region are rich, voluptuous and structured with dark black and blue fruit, deep texture and broad structure. The wines from Walala are red fruit driven with clean earth, a slight spice, elegant structure and a complex core. Kosta Browne began as a dream shared by Dan Kosta and Michael Browne. In the summer of 1997, while working at John Ash & Co. restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, Dan and Michael decided to venture into winemaking. They saved tip money and eventually had enough to buy a half ton of Pinot Noir, a used barrel and an old hand-crank stemmer-crusher, a purchase that marks the beginning of Kosta Browne. Since that vintage, they have nurtured relationships with the best growers and honed their winemaking skills, making sure to focus on the vision and values with which they began. In 2001, Dan and Michael partnered with Chris Costello and his family, who collectively provided the business experience and relationships that gave Kosta Browne the necessary resources to grow. Chris was able to craft a business plan that conveyed the appeal of the Kosta Browne story and sensibly described its future, helping to convince many wary family members and friends that investing in the vision would be worth it. Today, Dan, Michael and Chris work very closely to maintain the quality and consistency of the entire Kosta Browne experience.

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~~$135.00~~$95.00

Château d'Arsac Margaux 2015

Chateau d’Arsac is one of the oldest properties in the Medoc with a history dating back almost 1,000 years to the 12th century. The previous chateau was destroyed during the French Revolution. The current chateau was built in the 1830’s. The estate takes its name from the commune of Arsac, where the vineyards are located. The modern era for Chateau d’Arsac could be said to begin in 1986 when the large estate was purchased by Philippe Raoux. Once the purchase was finalized, Philippe Raoux began an extensive renovation and modernization of Chateau d’Arsac from top to bottom. He brought in Patrick Hernandez as the architect who in his redesign brought in modern elements and a lot of bright, cobalt blue paint into the design, while retaining the chateau’s true, old French charms. The modern sculpture garden is famous in region. The vineyard of Chateau d’Arsac is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. 4 hectares of vines are used for Sauvignon Blanc. In total, Chateau d’Arsac has 112 hectares under vine. But as of 1995, 54 hectares of their vines became classified as being part of the Margaux appellation. The 2015 D'Arsac is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon and 31% Merlot from the Margaux appellation. This purple-tinted red Chateau d'Arsac is fragranced with red berry, toast and smoky notes due to aging process. On the palate, the attack is smooth though full-bodied with a precise, silky and balanced structure. The finish is generous, giving the sensation to crunch the grape. It is a well-produced Margaux.

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~~$34.99~~$28.99

Peter Michael Le Caprice Pinot Noir 2016

'Peter Michael is an impeccably run, world-class winery, and there's nothing that the Peter Michael winery does that is not admirable. Consider that they work with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, they produce world-class wines from all of these varietals, and they do it from Knight's Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Of course, they have had some fabulous winemakers pass through, including the likes of Helen Turley and Mark Aubert, Luc Morlet and now his brother, Nicolas Morlet. Nevertheless, much of the credit has to go to Sir Peter Michael, the owner, who gives these people carte blanche, and expects their very best.' Robert M. Parker Jr.

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~~$175.00~~$119.00

Hahn SLH Estate Pinot Noir 2017

The California appellation known as Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey County has a long, interesting history of grape growing, which has come full circle in the last few years. In the 1790's, Spanish missionaries thought the soils and climate of the Santa Lucia Highlands would be ideal for growing wine grapes so they planted grapevines there. Yet two hundred years later, instead of vineyards, there were cattle, sheep and horses grazing the hills and acting as the primary industry of the area. In the late 1970's, Nicky and Gaby Hahn saw the potential to re-establish grape growing in the SLH. They purchased hundreds of acres of land (at a fraction of the cost they would now) and in 1980, the Hahns released their first wine from SLH. Eight years later, Nicky led the charge to establish SLH as an American Viticultural Area, a dream he saw realized in 1991. Today, Hahn Family Wines, is run by Nicky and Gaby’s son Philip, and the estate is comprised of 650 acres of sustainably farmed estate vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Santa Lucia Highlands has become well-known for producing excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate-bottled Hahn SLH Pinot Noir is one of the best buys from here on the market. Aged in French oak barrels for 11 months, this opens with alluring aromas of black cherry and dark currant. What follows are intense black fruit flavors balanced by ripe red plums and a hint of allspice. A slight acidity beautifully highlights the supple tannins and persistent finish. Serve with grilled chicken, lamb, salmon or cheeses. The 2014 vintage of this wine was a TOP 100 WINE OF THE YEAR 2016

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~~$23.99~~$19.99

Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Merry Edwards approaches life with graceful intensity. Now in the fifth decade of her winemaking career, Merry has earned the universal respect of winemaking peers, grape growers and academicians. A self-described perfectionist, she has constantly refined her vineyard practices, wines and techniques. Food was Merry’s gateway to wine. She recalls, “When I was a teenager, my mother had cookbooks produced by the California Wine Advisory Board. Wine was an ingredient in every recipe, so I started cooking with wine.” The unusual style of her Sauvignon Blanc has been created by a confluence of factors. A key component of this wine is the highly floral Sauvignon Musqué selection from Sancerre, which comprises one-third of the blend. The Shenandoah clone balances this out nicely with its classic herbal, somewhat grassy character. For the first time, a substantial proportion of grapes were harvested from their own young estate vineyards — nearly 30 percent. Full fermentation in barrels crafted by Tonnellerie Cadus, 18 percent new, moderates green flavors. Elevage in barrel also allows for our biweekly lees-stirring protocol, vital to developing rich mouthfeel. The bright, shimmering, green-gold hue of this Sauvignon Blanc is a visual overture to a striking personality. Its enticing aroma is highly perfumed with honeysuckle, citrus blossom, white rose and gardenia. Honeydew melon, nectarine, ripe Rainier cherry, tangerine, Kaffir lime and summer hay add complexity, along with hints of sweet oak and toasted hazelnut. On the palate, vibrant acidity is finely balanced with a rich, creamy mouthfeel creating a unique textural experience — reminiscent of a refreshing blood orange sorbet. The finish is broad and lingers with sweet pink grapefruit and Meyer lemon zest. Merry's good friend Ann Marie Montecuowas inspired by an original Sam Sifton recipe to devise a delicious Roast Chicken Provençal. The sweet Meyer lemons and the herbs make it a perfect pairing with our Sauvignon Blanc. Serve with brown rice, crusty French bread and a green salad. Enjoy!!!

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~~$49.99~~$39.99

Skyside Chardonnay 2017

Newton 'Red Label' Chardonnay is all about lively character and purity of fruit. A fresh expression of the varietal, delicate aromas of white flowers, crisp apple, and toasted bread translate to rich fruit flavor on the palate. A burst of freshness unfolds with flavors of citrus, pear, and apricot. A subtle presence of oak evolves on the finish. Sourced from Newton's estate vineyards and other Napa, Sonoma and coastal vineyards these wines are made in the Newton tradition to showcase the purity of fruit. Robert Parker reports: 'One of the most spectacularly beautiful vineyards, high on the lower slopes of Spring Mountain, is Newton Vineyards. Organically farmed and impeccably manicured, this was one of the first outposts to which famed Bordeaux consultant Michel Rolland came, and an entire generation of winemakers formed by his brilliance have emerged from Newton. The overall style of the wines is one built on European elegance and longevity.'

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~~$19.99~~$16.99

Juggernaut Pinot Noir 2016

Juggernaut has become known for rich, full-bodied California reds. Their Pinot Noir is from the Russian River Valley, which is known for high quality Pinots, and it has been aged 14 months in French Oak Barrels. Silky and sumptuous with violets, wild strawberry and ripe raspberry on the nose and in the mouth, accentuated by licorice, toasty oak, waffle cone, and mocha on the finish, this has a rich, velvety mouthfeel.

~~$24.99~~$16.99

Peter Michael Le Caprice Pinot Noir 2017

To the eye, the 2017 Le Caprice offers a red ruby color with bright crimson highlights. The wine shows intense aromas of raspberry liqueur, red cherry and blackberry mixed with leather, violet and graphite. The palate is expressive and delivers Griotte cherry, sandalwood, raspberry, wild strawberry, forest floor, hazelnut, and leather, with a background of raspberry liqueur. The texture is fresh, round, and mineral driven. The wine is already expressive and will continue to develop for at least a decade. 'Peter Michael is an impeccably run, world-class winery, and there's nothing that the Peter Michael winery does that is not admirable. Consider that they work with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, they produce world-class wines from all of these varietals, and they do it from Knight's Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Of course, they have had some fabulous winemakers pass through, including the likes of Helen Turley and Mark Aubert, Luc Morlet and now his brother, Nicolas Morlet. Nevertheless, much of the credit has to go to Sir Peter Michael, the owner, who gives these people carte blanche, and expects their very best.' Robert M. Parker Jr.

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~~$175.00~~$119.00

Faustini Money Road Chardonnay 2016

The 2016 Faustini Money Road is a luxurious small batch Napa Chardonnay, with only about 300 cases produced. Made of 98% Chardonnay 2% Roussanne , it was aged for 20 months in neutral French oak. This is a concentrated and youthful wine, on the nose, with classic notes of pear and apples, subtle tropical and peach aromas. On the palate, the integrated oak compliments the lifted acidity beautifully, with a layered and full bodied palate profile, all leading to a refreshing, vibrant and balanced finish. Faustini is the Napa Valley passion project of our dear friends Anthony and Michelle Faustini. After much research during the summer of 2005, this enthusiastic couple started their first Cabernet project with fruit sourced from the illustrious Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard in St. Helena, and never looked back. Their winemaker Kian Tavakoli worked at both Opus One and Clos du Val, and is a graduate of UC Davis. With Faustini wines, it's all about using prime vineyard sites and crafting rich, balanced, elegant wines. In addition to sourcing Beckstoffer Dr. Crane, they use fruit from Galleron Road Vineyard in Rutherford, Howell Mountain and Coombsville Vineyard in Napa Valley.

~~$49.99~~$34.99

Nadia Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Far from the windswept coastal foothills of Laetitia Vineyard & Winery lies a land of elevated, quiet grace. Framed by chalky cliffs and planted to vines that are drenched in sun by day and chilled by the cover of night – this is the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard, the home of NADIA. It was on this stretch of remote earth that, several years ago, the Laetitia Vineyard & Winery team decided to take a chance. Owner Selim Zilkha asked himself and several others 'Could this be the place?' And after tireless examination, the answer came back an unqualified yes. The soil, the sun, the altitude; every scrap of evidence announced definitively that Rhône and Bordeaux varietals would find their truest expression in such a place as this – and even rival the finest in the world. With Lino Bozzano and Eric Hickey rising to the challenge in the vineyard and the cellar, respectively, thus was the concept of NADIA born: a limited collection of Rhône and Bordeaux-varietal wines whose sole purpose is to champion the secluded beauty and inexhaustible potential of the Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard. Armed with a top-shelf estate vineyard, a purpose, and a collaborative vineyard and winemaking team, Lino and Eric went about the work of creating these special wines from the ground up – ground whose uncannily amenable growing conditions are fundamental to the depth, complexity and value of NADIA wines. NADIA, which translates to mean “hope” in Russian and “delicate” in Arabic, is a Bordeaux blend made of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, with Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Look for rich aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, spice, toast and chocolate. Balanced and pure, with medium to full-bodied richness and sweet tannin, it is approachable and delicious in its youth. Serve with steaks, burgers, grilled vegetables, and cheeses; especially Cheddars from Canada, Ireland and England, Comte Gruyere from France and Cotswold from England. The Laetitia Estate Vineyards were first planted to grapes in 1982 when French viticulturists found ideal growing conditions in the Arroyo Grande Valley for producing wines of similar character to those of their homeland in Epernay, France. Nineteen years later, the property would be acquired by Selim Zilkha, founder of a successful wind power development company and champion of environmental sustainability. Between his qualifications in renewable energy solutions and his passion for the pleasures of the harvest, Selim has developed Laetitia into the home of some of California’s highest quality, sustainably-produced wines.

~~$27.99~~$19.99

Lola Wines Chardonnay 2017

Founded by winemaker Seth Cripe in 2008, Lola Wines offers incredible value wines with classic California style. Based in Napa Valley, the goal at Lola is to create high quality, approachable wines for a broad audience. The winemaking approach pays tribute to the old-world tradition with carefully selected vineyards with handcrafting in small batches. Lola’s portfolio consists of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Dry Riesling from Russian River, Sonoma Coast, Mendocino and Santa Lucia Highlands. At Lola, Seth does not believe in reinventing the wheel—he makes lovely California wines that are genuinely good, honestly priced, and simply delicious. Lola Chardonnay is made from fruit sourced in the Occidental and Bloomfield vineyards with Goldridge Loam soils, and the grapes are s ustainably farmed. Fermented in cement, 20% malolactic fermention; 20% 2nd year French oak, 80% Stainless Steel. Only 1400 cases produced.

~~$23.99~~$19.99

Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2018

In 1870 Jacob Beringer arrived in California from his homeland in Germany to pursue his dream of making fine wine to rival the best wines of Europe. Today the winery is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley and founder Jacob Beringer's great, great grandson Mark Beringer is Chief Winemaker, while 20+ year winemaker Laurie Hook transitioned to Beringer's Winemaker Emeritus. Beringer's northernmost Chardonnay vineyard and the primary source of Private Reserve Chardonnay, Gamble Ranch, is located near the town of Yountville where daytime temperatures slowly climb as the cooling morning fog recedes south to San Pablo Bay. This significant diurnal shift allows the grapes to maintain their acidity, which is essential to balancing the ripe, rich flavors they develop during warm afternoons. Each Chardonnay lot was kept separate throughout the aging process. After sending the fruit directly to press, the juice is fermented in French oak barrels (76% new) to enhance the natural richness in the wine. Weekly lees stirring enhanced the toasty notes, and integrated the oak flavors for an overall balance. All of the wines were put through malolactic fermentation to encourage a lush creaminess. After 9-10 months aging, the most expressive lots are blended to create a richly layered wine with aromas of crème brulee and rich citrus and fruit flavors. Wine Advocate on the 2017 vintage : 'The 2017 Chardonnay Private Reserve aged for ten months in 100% new French oak. It opens with beautiful crème brûlée and candied ginger notes over a core of pineapple and green mango with a waft of brioche. Medium-bodied, satiny and with fantastic freshness, it delivers loads of tropical layers and great length. 8,100 cases produced, to be released in March 2019.'

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Beringer Luminus Chardonnay 2016

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