New products

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. 

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

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.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes: “Boasting a garnet hue, the 2019 Morgan’s Way Vineyard entices with notes of black cherry, warm black currants, rich soil, and lots of smoked meats. is wine is powerful, full-bodied and layered with texture. e solid frame showcases the long, spiced finish.”

Read more less

94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Pinot Noir is racy and exuberant right out of the glass. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, blood orange, rose petal, mocha and spice abound. Racy and ripe, yet also understated the Pinot is absolutely joyous in 2019. Drink: 2021-2027. (Jan 2022)"94 points James Suckling: "This is really beautiful and balanced with bright fruit and hints of orange peel. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Bright acidity. Best ever. Such finesse and brightness. Drink now. (Nov 2021)"

Read more less

98 points Wine Enthusiast  Lightly baked and hinting at raisin and fine herbs, the bouquet on this benchmark Spanish red enfolds aromas of tobacco, moss and ripe tomato. In the mouth, it's elegant and silky but also full and expansive. Flavors of baked berry fruits, baking spices, herbs and cocoa finish with a light coating of toast. This is an amazingly complete, exemplary wine that's just entering its prime. *Editors' Choice* (MS)    97 points Decanter  Recommended by Jasper Morris MW for a tasting we held together, this just jumped out of the glass. I am giving a drinking date from now, as it is getting on towards 17 years old, but it is still extremely young and has decades ahead of it, with bright black cherry and brambled autumnal fruits in the foreground, with tertiary leather and cigar just beginning to spiral upwards. Voluptuous, powerful, layered, complex, with all the subtle toast, tar, chocolate shavings and smoke hints that you would expect from a wine with such a slow and subtle ageing process (in this case 15 months in 20,000-litre vats, 25 month in new barrels, 17 months in older barrels and a further 26 months in large-sized oak vats). I love it when a legendary wine lives up to the hype, and this more than did so. (JA) 

Read more less

96 points James Suckling  The oak makes plenty of impact on the nose with some tarry notes across ripe-blue-plum, ccassis and chocolate aromas. Tannins are assertive. An essay in tannin structure and power, this has balance with impressive core strength. Flavors are in the purple-cherry, cassis and blackberry zone. Needs time. Great wine.  (10/2016) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate  Since the 2010 harvest, they ferment plot by plot, and it shows. This Valbuena has almost 100 components in it, smaller lots, all of them corresponding to a plot of vines. It has all the signs of being one of the best vintages ever for this second wine from Vega Sicilia, mostly Tempranillo but with 5% Merlot that matured five months in 20,000-liter oak vats, 18 months in new barriques (equal parts French and American oak), three months in used barrels and then five months in the vats again before being bottled in May 2013. 2010 seems to have the exuberance of the 2011 and the seriousness and elegance of 2009. It has the Burgundian philosophy of terroir, with all plots fermented and aged separately, giving each vineyard what it needs in terms of vinification and elevage resulting in something like 40 separate lots to blend. This wine has gained in precision and sharpness, and is very pure with delineated aromas and flavors. It is a world-class wine, possibly the best Valbuena ever. (LG)  (8/2014)

Read more less

Jeb Dunnuck I was blown away by the 2018 Côte Rôtie Château D'Ampuis, which is certainly in the same league as the famed La Las. Coming from seven single vineyards and seeing the same upbringing as the flagship releases, this reveals a vivid purple hue as well as stunning aromatics of cassis, smoked game, spring flowers, and subtle smoke. It has background espresso-laced oak that’s perfectly integrated, it’s full-bodied, and it has ripe, polished tannins and a great finish.Barrel Sample: 97-99 James Suckling The very deep, smoky and spicy nose pulls you into this very concentrated, focused and elegant Cote-Rotie, with delicate notes of coconut and pomegranate adding to the very complex picture. Very long, polished finish with delicate sweetness and underplayed power. Drink or hold.

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Straw yellow. Aromas including hints of pear, pineapple, acacia, hazelnuts, and citrus fruits, with some hawthorn and floral notes. Balanced acidity and soft on the palate, with white peach and grapefruit leading to dried fruits. Pair with seafood salad, fresh, young cheeses and baked or grilled fish. Critical Acclaim James Suckling Lots going on on the nose, with ripe cedro and lemon together with notes of mild ginger, dried white flowers and a streak of dry mineral. Medium- to full-bodied with the same cornucopia of flavors, the lemon and mineral elements showing more and more and sustaining the long finish. This is quite a punchy fiano, and irresistible. Drink or hold.

Read more less

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 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)

Read more less

Winemaker Notes Super structured and with minerality to spare, this Cabernet Sauvignon offers a real presence on the palate from start to finish. Generous notes of dark chocolate balance beautifully with a blue and black fruit flavor explosion, finishing with a subtle whisper of rose petal. Blend: 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot Critical Acclaim James Suckling So much crushed lead pencil, tile and dried flowers, together with blackberries and brambleberries. Full-bodied with round, polished tannins. Layered and so delicious. Black olives and graphite at the end. This potpourri of Napa cabernet character takes your palate on a tour of so many of the regions, including all the mountains, such as Howell, Veeder and Spring Mountain, as well as Atlas Peak, Stags Leap, Yountville and St. Helena. Precision and polish to the wine. Drinkable now, but better to hold. Jeb Dunnuck Pure, classic California notes of crème de cassis, spicy oak, chalky minerality, graphite, and spring flowers emerge from the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Merlot that's sourced from multiple mountain AVAs in the valley. Full-bodied and powerful on the palate, it has a deep, rich mid-palate, beautiful tannins, notable acidity, and a great, great finish. It's another brilliant wine from Carpenter that can offer pleasure today yet also evolve for 20-25 years or more.

Read more less