Wine & Spirits

As for the 2006 Chardonnay Marcassin Estate, it is a more mineral-dominated wine displaying a liqueur of crushed rocks/wet stones, pears, and subtle smoky, honeysuckle, quince, and citrus oil notes. It also possesses exceptional length and richness as well as a full-bodied mouthfeel. Given the history of the vintage and the challenging conditions for Chardonnay, I would suspect these wines will evolve quickly by Marcassin's standards, meaning they are probably best drunk in their first decade of life. 96+points At once bold, rich and layered, with a measure of delicacy and finesse, unfolding to tiers of fig, melon, bubble gum, spice and honeysuckle. Finishes with a dash of cedary oak. Drink now through 2017.

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Winemaker Notes Each year, they set aside the best barrels of their Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley to produce Special Selection. Distinguished by extremely fine, velvety tannins and enjoyable upon release or with aging. A wine of structure with intense concentration of supple flavors and dark fruits. Critical Acclaim WW94 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com COMMENTARY: The 2018 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is powerful and lasting on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers aromas and flavors of bold black fruit and complementary oaky nuances. (Tasted: December 11, 2022, San Francisco, CA)

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FROM THE CELLAR “Panthera Pinot Noir showcases dynamic tension in winestyle as this wine displays both a vibrant purity of fruit and a confident oak profile. Expansive and silky on palate, notes of red plum, raspberry compote and Bing cherry work in harmony with elegant tannins, supported by a signature backbone of acidity nurtured on the Sonoma Coast. The deft baseline of toasted oak introduces hints of clove and baking spice to round out the perfectly balanced, lingering finish.” – Stephanie Pope, Winemaker

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The 2019 estate-grown Cabernet provides an exemplary expression of the sophistication, complexity, and structure that we’ve come to expect from their mountain fruit. The Cabernet Sauvignon produces aromas of ripe, wild, mountain raspberry, along with gentle notes of vanilla caramel. The subtle touch of Malbec adds a soft, mouth-filling texture on the palate. Enticing flavors of dark plum, licorice, cocoa and vanilla oak spice unite to create a supple wine that lingers for a pleasing finish. Blend: 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot Critical Acclaim JS92 James Suckling A very soft and friendly red with plum and blackberry character. Medium body with medium firm tannins and a delicious finish.

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Imperial purple in color with ruby edges, slow long legs; aromas of vanilla, oak, ripe plum, baking spices & leather on the nose with a hint of licorice; flavors of blackberry, cassis, damp forest floor, cherry & chocolate on the palate with a kiss of mint; bold, off-dry, medium acidity, moderately semi-smooth silky tannins, medium earthy finish; patiently decanted 4 hours which opened it up, starts with big juicy dark fruits, just the right amount of Malbec added to this CS helps make it silky smooth, lovin’ it! --Waylan J

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Winemaker Notes The 2018 growing season started with late winter rains then a spring marked with intermittent cloudy skies likely delayed bud-break and flowering, which was then followed by ideal fruit set conditions, driving up overall volumes by 20 – 30%.Steady summer heat accumulation with only a couple of short hike spikes combined with a near-perfect fall season created great phenolic accumulation without high sugar concentration. Grown on the rocky slopes of Mt. Veeder, the 2018 is mountain Cabernet at its finest. Aromas of blue and red fruits intermingle with a touch of baking spice. The tannins are firm yet refined while the weight on the palate is dense and lush. Compelling now, one can only imagine its true cellaring potential. Critical Acclaim Vinous The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Brave is fabulous. Inky, rich and explosive, the 2018 possesses tremendous depth and tons of personality. Graphite, blue/purplish fruit, blackberry jam, bittersweet chocolate, sage, lavender, menthol give the 2018 tons of character to match its explosive feel. The brooding, backward wine is going to need quite a bit of time to unwind, but boy is it gorgeous. Jeb Dunnuck Lots of cassis and black raspberry fruits as well as classic Mount Veeder notes of lavender, violets, bouquet garni, and rocky, mineral-like notes emerge from the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. A deep, full-bodied mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, it has a plush, layered texture, beautiful tannins, a deep, concentrated mid-palate, and a great finish. Another head-turning wine from this label, it’s a candidate for the best Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon out there at the price point.

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Tasting Notes This vintage was a winemaker's dream come true; beautiful, ripe fruit making gorgeous rich, supple, and intense wine. Aromatics of black currant, tobacco, and mushroom lead into notes of fennel, plum, violet, blackberry fruit leather, and earth on the palate. Pair with smoked meats and hard cheeses. Accolades 92 points, Seal of Approval - Blue Lifestyle, Anthony Dias Blue “Shimmering red. Ripe, spice-tinged cherry and raspberry aromas are complicated by suggestions of candied flowers, musky earth and licorice. Palate-coating red and blue fruit flavors show fine definition and an exotic spice flourish on the back half. At once powerful and lively in style, offering impressive depth and thrust as well as mineral and spice qualities on a very long, subtly tannic finish. 17% new oak.” - Vinous, Josh Raynolds, 92 points: “Aromas of plum, cherry, mushroom and vanilla with cedar undertones. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and fresh acidity. Spicy and vibrant with juicy, slightly sweet character on the palate. Supple finish.” - James Suckling, 91 points

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99 points James Suckling  Incredibly spicy and aromatic with pumice and cloves. Pops out of the glass. Cedar, too. Full-bodied with soft, polished tannins adding tension and creaminess. Long and beautiful. All about class and breeding.  (4/2022) 97 points Jeb Dunnuck  The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Helena Montana, from chalk soils with western-facing exposition, is the most exuberant in terms of its aromatics, with candied flowers, cherry liqueur, sweet tobacco, and graphite. The fruit fills the palate up front and through the mid-palate, with a refreshing spine of acidity and great mineral texture. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated. This is a delicious wine out of the gate and will be worth holding onto and checking in on over the next 20 years.  (8/2022)

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The 2020 El Jabali Chardonnay has a pretty, bright gold color. In the glass, it has notes off mellow jasmine, white flowers and a hint of herbs. On the palate, refreshing notes of lemon cream, soft minerality, and white flowers are followed by expressive bright acidity that gives an appealing long finish. 

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The 2020 El Jabali Pinot Noir presents a dark ruby color in the glass and showcases the expressiveterroir of our estate vineyard. This stunning wine has complex aromas, with notes of rose petals,lilac, black tea and rhubarb, followed by strong notes of red fruit, tart dark cherries, raspberries,a hint of cocoa and white pepper. Chalky tannins are well integrated and balanced, giving this gorgeous Pinot Noir a long, mouthwatering finish.

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Rated 93The 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills, from the El Jabalí vineyard and matured in 30% new French oak, is scented of baked apples, honey and hay. The medium-bodied palate is fresh and bright with concentrated apple fruit and a long, spicy finish. Drink 2022-2027.Wine Tasting NotesAlma Rosa Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay has a light gold color in the glass and a bouquet of verbena, lemon peel, melon and sea breeze that suggest a refreshing, enjoyable wine. On the palate, bright, mouthwatering acid is highlighted by notes of salinity and continues through to an inviting, smooth finish. Minerally flavors of wet stone and ocean gravel blend well with mouthwatering bright citrus flavors. This wine with pair well with light seafood, such as ceviche, fish tacos, grilled lobster, clams, mussels, and some delicious salty feta.

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Description After inspecting the wine’s deep ruby hues, one is quickly drawn to its alluring aromatics of bold mountain fruit, redolent with black cherry, plum and hints of earth and savory sage. The attack does not demur, expounding with notes of crushed blackberries, cassis, graphite, cedar and baking spices in an arcing narrative that announces the fabled story of Howell Mountain itself, from which the rich history and great traditions of Napa Valley winemaking originate. Aged 22 months in 42% new French Oak, the wine divulges a delicious dialectic of depth, density, and dimension; striking, and strident upon introduction; knowingly forthright with grainy tannins through the mid-palate, only to finish satisfyingly in wizened and soulful repose.

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