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Wine

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2024

Dovecote

Thompson Vineyard Estate Grenache Blanc

This 2024 Dovecote Estate Grenache Blanc from the Thompson Vineyard in Alisos Canyon, crafted in a limited run of just 52 cases, is a beautifully fragrant and vivid expression. On the nose, it’s lemon-bright and citrus-driven, layered with delicate white flowers and subtle orchard fruit with cherry pit and white plum nuances. On the palate, the wine unfolds into a lush core of silky citrus and orchard fruit notes, accented by hints of tropical fruit and a whisper of crushed almonds. It has an incredible textural grip, almost a chalky, saline acid tension that lends the wine a compelling mineral-driven finish. Think wet river stones and a beautifully lingering chalkiness that makes each sip memorable.

White

2024

Dragonette

Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon

Dragonette continues to produce some of California’s most compelling Sauvignon Blancs. This entry-level bottling serves as the precursor to their trio of single-vineyard SBs, offering a vivid preview of the house style. Sourced from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, it’s a dynamic wine driven by orchard and tropical fruit, zesty sea grass, and prairie herbs. A kiss of vanilla and creamy oak spice mingles with lime oil, saffron, and quince, all carried on a long finish laced with crushed almonds and fine sea salt.

White

2024

Dry Creek Vineyard

Fumé Blanc

Entirely fermented and aged in stainless steel, this wine bursts with vibrant tropical fruit notes of lychee and white peach, underpinned by a flinty minerality. Crisp, crunchy, and racy acidity drives the palate, leading to a bright, chalky mineral finish. Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is led by second-generation owner & President Kim Stare Wallace and oversees 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards.

White

2024

Dry Creek Vineyard

Sauvignon Blanc

A blend of stainless steel–fermented and partially barrel-aged lots, this wine is fragrant and lively, driven by notes of lemon-lime, lime blossom, honeysuckle, and white peach. Crisp acidity provides tension and lift, balancing the fleshier fruit profile. The finish is bone dry, clean, and refreshing. Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is led by second-generation owner & President Kim Stare Wallace and oversees 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards.

White

2024

Dutcher Crossing

Sauvignon Blanc

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Russian River Valley was fermented for four months in a mix of 15% new French oak, 29% neutral barrel, and 56% stainless steel. Exotic aromas of lychee, white peach, and a hint of vanilla create an enticing bouquet, while the more restrained palate reveals underripe pineapple, lemon, and lime. Bright, citrus-driven acidity and a chalky mineral edge give the wine tension and focus from start to finish. Debra Mathay purchased Dutcher Crossing in 2007, and it now produces more than thirty wines from Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino counties, farming 75 acres of estate vineyards.

White

2024

Dutton-Goldfield

Dutton Ranch, Shop Block, Pinot Blanc

Fermented entirely in stainless steel, this white is fresh but nicely rounded on the edges of the palate, sporting just a hint of pleasing astringent structure in its texture. Aromas and flavors of honeydew, nectarine, grapefruit, yellow apple, and lemon pie make this nearly irresistible. – J.R.

White

2024

Dutton-Goldfield

Rosé of Pinot Noir

A perky, vibrant, jubilant pink, this rose is sourced from Docker Hill (Mendocino County) and Ruxton Vineyard (Russian River Valley), as well as other sites in Green Valley. Hints of roses, hibiscus, underripe melon, wild strawberry, and candied watermelon mingle with flavors of citrus. Everything resolves into a wonderfully mineral, herbal finish. – J.R.

Rosé

2024

Ehret Winery

Bavarian Lion Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc from the Bavarian Lion Vineyard in Knights Valley, Sonoma County, was made entirely in stainless steel with no oak influence. Lush and tropical, it offers aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle alongside ripe tropical fruit. Zippy, zesty acidity enlivens the palate, balancing the wine’s richness and leading to a long, spicy, mineral-driven finish. The Ehret family has been farming their Knights Valley estate for three generations, reserving their best fruit since 2005 for their own small production (handled in the cellar by winemaker Erin Green).

White

2024

Ferrari-Carano

Chardonnay

The Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged 10 months sur lie in 20% new French oak. Grapes are sourced from 60 different lots across Sonoma County. For the past decade, the wines at Ferrari-Carano have been made by winemaker Natalie West. There’s a lavish aromatic pop of rich, toasty, graham-cracker sweet oak that carries straight onto the palate, where the wine shows super-expressive character—lemon curd, lemon meringue, grilled pineapple. Despite all that richness, the wine stays balanced thanks to a vein of salinity that brings real freshness. The oak is beautifully integrated: never cloying, just vivid and tasty. You have to love this style to love this wine—and if you do, at $27 it’s a terrific value.

White

2024

Ferrari-Carano

Dry Sangiovese Rosé

The fruit for this rosé goes directly to press—it’s made intentionally as rosé from all estate-grown fruit. It’s a fine, tasty wine featuring mixed red-berry notes, a touch of sea spray, and hints of crushed wild thyme and rosemary. White peach, apricot, and a honeysuckle lift round out the palate, leading to a lengthy, crisp, acid-driven finish.

Rosé

2024

Folded Hills

Estate Grenache 'Cluster'

Talk about an aromatic and spicy wine—no surprise given the name Cluster. This Grenache is fermented with whole clusters and undergoes carbonic maceration, a process where the juice ferments inside the intact berries. The result? A vividly expressive wine bursting with bright, juicy fruit. It’s succulent and energetic, with textured, grippy tannins that resolve beautifully into juicy acidity. Layers of purple violets and the fresh-cut stem of a rose weave through the mid-palate, while the super long and expressive finish is lifted by granular tannins and a flourish of rose petal.

Red

2024

Folded Hills

Estate Lilly Rosé

A graceful, richly scented rosé offering raspberry, strawberry, and watermelon fruit notes, with a subtle whisper of mango on the creamy, medium-bodied palate. All that succulent fruit seems to have taken the scenic route to your glass—ripe, relaxed, and perfectly poised—until a crisp wave of acidity sweeps through, lifting the finish with a flourish of dried lavender and violet petals.

Rosé

2024

Garre Vineyard and Winery

Chardonnay

100% Chardonnay from the Estate Vineyard, fermented at 53°F in stainless steel. Winemaker Aaron Luna, who joined the winery in 2016, crafts a bright, focused expression. The winery was established in the late 1990s and is owned today by Gina Carderra. Lemon-bright and refreshing, with white flowers and a hint of honeysuckle, lifted by tangerine oil and a crisp, crunchy acid grip. Clean, energetic, and easygoing.

White

2024

Innumero

Barrel Select 'Family Reserve' Pinot Noir

This is 100% Pommard from Bootlegger’s Hill — a robust, rich, and powerful Pinot Noir with classic Pommard character. Darker blue and black fruits lead the way, supported by elegant cedarwood notes and a full-bodied richness that builds across the velvety palate. There’s excellent energy and tension here, balancing the inherently richer nature of the Pommard clone, with a broad-shouldered tannin profile that signals real aging potential. Definitely one for the cellar.

Red

2024

Innumero

Bootlegger's Hill Vineyard Chardonnay

From Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard, this wine shows high-toned citrus fruit, cool stony minerality, and crushed sea-salt notes. It’s medium-bodied with absolutely racy acidity, offering lemon-peel freshness on the palate and a saline–acid richness. Cedarwood spice is well integrated, building into a subtle beeswax character, all carried by excellent freshness. Sourced from the Green Valley, where fog influence is strong and consistent.

White

2024

Innumero

Bootlegger's Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir

This is 100% Pommard from Bootlegger’s Hill—a robust, rich and powerful red wine with classic Pommard character. Dark blue and black fruits lead, layered with elegant cedarwood notes and a full-bodied richness that builds across a velvety palate. There’s good energy and tension supporting the clone’s naturally richer profile, framed by a broad-shouldered tannin structure. Definitely one for the cellar.

Red

2024

Innumero

Ellen Lane Vineyard Chardonnay

Ellen Lane Vineyard is surrounded by forest, and the wine from this site shows a richer, rounder profile — toasty oak spices, ripe orchard and stone fruits, and a creamy generosity. Juicy, ripe pear and white-floral notes carry through on the finish. Entirely Hudson clone. Sheree and Brian Thornsberry are the co-founders who launched the brand in 2021, sourcing fruit from prime sites throughout the Russian River Valley. Both come from finance backgrounds, and their focus is on single-vineyard, single-clone bottlings. They hired Ashley Herzberg as winemaker from day one; she also makes wine for the Bacigalupi family, CAST, and Amista. Sheree tells me that she and her husband have traveled to wine regions around the world and fell in love with the lifestyle. Innumero is Latin for “above and beyond the number.” They produce just under 1,000 cases annually. The wines are sold almost entirely DTC, with a handful of placements in Healdsburg restaurants.

White

2024

J Vineyards & Winery

Lot #32. 'Decennial' Sparkling Wine - Chardonnay, Multi-Vintage Blend (2014-2024)

TASTING NOTE: Lot #32. Barrel Sample: OMG, yum. Are we in Champagne? Absolutely not. But does this wine make a strong case that J Vineyards can produce serious bubbly—serious enough to fool most WSET Level 3 students into thinking it’s the real thing? Absolutely. Bright biscuit and baking spice aromatics lead into a rich, building mousse layered with chalky minerality, toasted almond, and French pastry. Dosage is 5.5 g/L. Exceptionally well built, deeply pleasing, and poised to age gracefully for at least a decade. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: “Decennial” represents the essence of a decade’s worth of vintages, skillfully blended to create the perfect dosage for this wine. For this special bottling, the 2015 vintage Blanc de Blancs was enhanced with a dosage blend of 10 years of vintage Blanc de Blancs from the winery’s library. The blend of wines, ranging from 2014 to 2024, beautifully complements the 2015 vintage and highlights the unique characteristics brought by age and singularity. Each sip captures the unique characteristics and complexities of ten years of winemaking excellence. J Vineyards & Winery was founded by Judy Jordan as a sparkling wine house in 1986, one of the first to focus on the incredible fruit grown in the Russian River Valley. The winery adheres closely to the traditional method process, but the winery’s style and vineyard sites give their sparkling wines a modern California perspective. “Decennial” showcases the exquisite depth and quality of sparkling Russian River Valley Chardonnay. A bead of fine bubbles rises to form a lively, delicate mousse, lifting aromas of fresh green apple and orange blossom from the glass. Notes of Asian pear, nectarine and lemon curd evolve on the palate to richer, more savory baked apple pie and toasted pine nut characteristics. Beautifully crisp and dry, it finishes with bright, refreshing hints of sea spray. WINEMAKER(S): Laura Fontaine, Nicole Hitchcock ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: December 2025 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: June 2026 National Distribution: Includes all 50 states and Washington, DC

White

2024

Jax Vineyards

Sebastopol Vineyard Dutton Ranch Chardonnay

From the Sebastopol Vineyard. Fermented in barrel with 40% new French oak and partial malolactic fermentation; five barrels produced. The wine is light and bright, full of crunchy orchard-fruit character — white peach and apricot — with great mid-palate richness and a chalky mineral note that lingers on the lengthy finish.

White

2024

JMC Cellars

Reserve Sauvignon Blanc

100% Sauvignon Blanc from Nella Terra Vineyard, fermented entirely in stainless steel. Super bright and super zesty, with lime citrus, lemon blossom, and a hint of jasmine layering in a spicy, expressive nuance. Medium-bodied on the palate with building tropical fruit intensity, balanced by all that zippy citrus and vibrant acid tension.

White

2024

Kobler Estate Winery

Bacigalupi Vineyard Chardonnay

The use of a white Burgundy yeast helps to bring out more crème brûlée notes. Fermented in barrel and aged sur lie with bâtonnage for 10 months in 25% new French oak. The wine is rich, with a buttery profile and notes of banana panna cotta and pineapple on the nose, along with vanilla, butterscotch, and candied ginger spice. Lemon-oil richness adds to the silky, buttery texture. And while it’s undeniably opulent, it still carries some brighter fruit on the palate to keep it lifted.

White

2024

Kobler Estate Winery

Kobler Family Vineyards, Rose of Syrah

This rosé comes from the coldest spot on the property, between Forestville and Graton along Highway 116 in West Sonoma County—about ten miles west of Santa Rosa, perched on the ridge of the Green Valley. An old Victorian farmhouse sits on the site. The fruit is direct-pressed and fermented in stainless steel, and Mike Kobler took over winemaking in 2022. It’s a robust, full-throttle rosé—not for the faint of heart—with rich aromas of apricot and tangerine peel and a faint hint of bacon fat. The palate is fragrant and mid-weight, offering red-berry fruit layered with savory nuances. There’s good tension and energy, along with a long, deeply fruited finish. Mike’s grandfather retired to Dry Creek Valley in the early 1980s. An engineer by trade, he spent weekends putting young Mike to work in the vineyard whenever he came to visit. Mike went on to study economics and graduated in 2007—just in time for the 2008 market crash—so he pivoted into wine. Despite swearing he’d never enter the industry, he realized he liked the lifestyle, and his network of growers and winemakers proved invaluable. With help from his father, he built a business plan, and they dove in. They launched with a négociant model, and in 2011 produced their first wine from the family property. As Mike began asking around for grape contracts, the business grew steadily. His older brother, Brian Kobler, who had been a winemaker for 20 years, eventually came on board as well.

Rosé

2024

Kobler Estate Winery

Viognier

100% stainless-steel fermented and aged. This is the same fruit that once went to Donelan for their Viognier. Super aromatic, with white florals, jasmine, and honeysuckle, plus a hint of flinty minerality. The wine offers lemony accents, more florality, and a saline–acid brightness. It’s a bit leaner and racier than the Donelan versions, if you’re familiar with those. But this is exactly Mike Kobler’s focus — bringing more racy, focused, linear wines into the family’s portfolio — and this is a great example of that effort.

White

2024

Koehler Wine Estate

Portico Hills Gamay Noir

From Portico Hills Vineyard and aged for 6 months in neutral oak, this is a bright, zingy, and zesty red that crackles with energy. Tangy blood orange acidity drives the palate, while grippy tannins add structure to the medium-bodied frame. Notes of brown baking spices and a hint of incense lend complexity to the finish. Serve this slightly chilled alongside BBQ or pizza.

Red

2024

Koehler Winery

FiddleStix Gruner Veltliner

Sourced from the Fiddlestix Vineyard, fermented in stainless steel, and aged in 500L Austrian oak barrels. The aromatics are strikingly exotic, bursting with beeswax and honeycomb, a touch of spiced sea salt, citrus peel, flint, and wet river stone. The mid-palate is creamy, showing pear and apple framed by crisp acidity and firm stony minerality. It’s certainly an oyster wine, but it also pairs beautifully with sheep’s milk and goat cheeses—especially those wrapped in cedar or dusted with herbs—thanks to the wine’s savory beeswax, honeycomb, and dried white-floral character.

White

2024

Koehler Winery

Grenache Blanc

A tropical-fruited, savory white that builds with notes of white peach, honeydew melon, and apricot, along with subtle poached-pear nuances that come into focus at mid-palate. The finish is marked by savory dried straw, almonds, and a touch of sea-spray minerality. Sourced from the steep, organically farmed hillside block of the Coteau de Clair Vineyard. Fermented with native yeasts, split between neutral oak and stainless steel, then aged on lees for eight months to enhance mouthfeel and complexity. Malolactic fermentation was inhibited to preserve the wine’s natural acidity and freshness.

White

2024

Kokomo

Peters Vineyard Chardonnay

There’s a lot to love in this Chardonnay—it’s both generous in fruit and spice yet focused and racy on the palate, the best of both worlds for this variety. Rich lemon, lemon oil, and sea salt combine with a fleshy texture balanced by saline-driven acidity that sharpens the focus and brings tension. The finish deepens with sweet oak spice and candied lemon peel. Quite the compelling sipper from these folks. Owner and Winemaker Erik Miller founded Kokomo Winery in 2004 (named after his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana). Miller partnered with fourth-generation grower Randy Peters to craft wines from the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys.

White

2024

Kokomo

Timber Crest Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is barrel-fermented in Acacia wood using natural yeast, with weekly lees stirring to enhance mid-palate creaminess. Bright and lemony with lime zest accents, white floral notes, and zesty acidity balanced by river stone minerality. A touch of fragrant baking spice adds subtle complexity. Easy-drinking and best enjoyed while preparing a big meal. Owner and Winemaker Erik Miller founded Kokomo Winery in 2004 (named after his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana). Miller partnered with fourth-generation grower Randy Peters to craft wines from the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys.

White

2024

Kosta Browne

Lot #46. 'Terra & Tempus' Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTE: Lot #46. Barrel Sample: Although neither Dan Kosta nor Michael Browne has anything to do with this wine anymore, you can keep telling yourself they do—if that helps justify drinking this entire auction lot yourself (which I highly recommend). The winemaker today is Julien Howsepian, who may hate describing wines in tasting note videos, but makes damn good wine you will want to describe to your Friday night poker buddies—or whatever club you belong to on Friday nights. Sourced from 5 Wells Vineyard (Clone 943), Gap’s Crown (Swan clone, all concrete), and Thorn Ridge (Clone 115, submerged cap ferment in concrete). Aged in two-thirds light-toast new French oak. Aromatics are all early summer berries, rose petals, and brown baking spice, with firm, mineral-rich tannins and impressive length. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: “Terra & Tempus” pays homage to the land and the passage of time, capturing the essence of a singular harvest. A bespoke Pinot Noir, it unites the elegance of the Russian River Valley and the coastal influence of the Sonoma Coast, offering a seamless interplay of fruit, earth, and structure. It is a true reflection of its origins. At its heart, this singular Pinot Noir celebrates the balance of strength and finesse, a testament to both its vineyard sources and Kosta Browne’s winemaking artistry. Crafted in limited quantities and available exclusively through the Sonoma County Barrel Auction, “Terra & Tempus” is a one-of-a-kind expression-never to be replicated. Winemaker Julien Howsepian set out to craft a wine that tells the story of the 2024 vintage, a year defined by a dynamic growing season, where warmth and cool coastal breezes worked in harmony to shape expressive, layered fruit. Notes of wild berries, forest floor, and delicate spice emerge, framed by refined acidity and silky tannins, ensuring a wine that captivates now and will evolve beautifully over time. WINEMAKER(S): Julien Howsepian ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: February 2026 ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: May 2026 National Distribution: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, Washington, DC International Distribution: Includes Canada, Denmark, Japan; please inquire for additional countries.

Red

2024

Landmark Vineyards

Pinot Gris

The 2024 Pinot Gris is sourced entirely from the winery’s Hop Kiln Estate Vineyard on Westside Road. Whole-cluster-pressed and cold-fermented in stainless steel, it bursts forth with tropical fruit notes of white peach and lychee, while a creamier mid-palate brings balance to the chalky mineral finish.

White

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Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2023

Producer

Name

This red comes from the Chalk Hill Estate, a 1,300-acre property with 300 acres under vine. “The site is pretty cold for Bordeaux varieties within Sonoma County,” notes Mari Wells Coyle, VP of winemaking. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged 20 months in 52% new French oak. The 2023 is exceptionally elegant, with ultra-fine tannins that coat the palate like cashmere. There’s excellent fruit depth, delivering rich, ripe black-fruit flavors that remain crisp and bright, layered with tobacco and pops of blue fruit on the vivid finish. Full-bodied, full-flavored, and beautifully layered—a gorgeous expression of the estate.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 6% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, aged 20 months in 75% new French oak. Fruit is sourced from iconic sites including Vadasz in Sonoma Valley, Cherryblock, vineyards in Knights Valley and Alexander Valley, Lancaster, LookOut, Magnolia Ranch, the Chateau St. Jean Estate, and portions of Rancho Salina. The Foley family’s goal has been to restore this winery’s reputation, and with winemaker Mari Wells Coyle, it’s clearly on that path. I tasted the 2022 vintage and scored it 96 points—a remarkable wine from a challenging year. Here in 2023, a cooler and more forgiving growing season has produced another beautifully polished expression. The aromatics are classic Sonoma: bright, fresh red-cherry and forest-berry character, accented by fragrant sagebrush and white pepper. The wine is beautifully crafted and medium-bodied, with loads of energy. The tannins are refined and elegant, and the flavors are bright, lifted, and graceful. Such a delicious, high-toned, expressive wine.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This Rosé is 70% Grenache and 30% Pinot Noir, fermented and aged in stainless steel. It’s bright, clean, crisp, and lightly salty — incredibly easy to drink. Subtle aromatics of baking spice and earthy minerality show on the nose, and the palate brings building richness and a pleasantly medium-weight feel. The Chenoweth family has farmed in Sonoma County for 170 years. Charlie and Amy Chenoweth launched their vineyard management company in 1999 and their wine brand in 2010. From 2010 to 2015, they produced just one Pinot Noir before shifting to vineyard-designate bottlings. In 2017, they expanded the lineup to include a Chardonnay and a Rosé.

Rosé

2023

Producer

Name

“We’re aiming for a Montrachet or Meursault style,” says Michael Browne—and this gets remarkably close. It’s electric on the palate, driven by terrific salinity and a fantastic, saline-acid grip. Lemony brightness cuts through layers of crushed Marcona almonds, green apple, and crunchy pear. There’s wonderful weight and richness, yet it stays precise, focused, and energetic throughout—totally vibrant and full of tension. That juicy acidity settles on the palate the way a good Montrachet does, but with its own lively edge. Wente clone; 12 months in concrete followed by 3 months in stainless steel, then 15 months in 38% new French oak barrels.

White

2023

Producer

Name

Hitting all the classic Russian River Valley markers, this opens with a deep baseline of dark berry fruit, cola spices, cocoa powder, and blood-orange richness. There’s wonderful freshness throughout, with juicy dark berry flavors and fine cedarwood spice. Crisp, crunchy red berry notes layer seamlessly with clove and warm baking spices. This is Michael Browne’s 29th vintage, and it’s one you’ll want to hold and revisit many times over. Clones: Pommard, 667, 777, 828, 115, Mt. Eden, 23, and Swan. Aged 15 months in 45% new French oak, 18% once-used French oak, and 33% neutral French oak.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This wine is incredibly precise in 2023, showing that characteristic full-bodied, satiny palate feel with layers of cherry and plum fruit. A saline-acid freshness runs through it, accented by blood orange, tangerine peel, and cocoa-powder tannins that frame this classic Michael Browne expression. I’d hold it for a few years and start pulling corks in late 2026 or early 2027. Clones: Pisoni, Pommard, Calera, Mariafeld, 667. Aged 15 months in 40% new French oak, 15% once-used French oak, and 45% neutral French oak.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

From a high-elevation site with mixed aspects forming a bit of an amphitheater, rooted in diatomaceous earth and clay. Michael Browne loves the energy and movement of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir—“it travels the palate,” he says—and winemaker Cabell Coursey adds that “there’s a nervous energy to Sta. Rita Hills.” This wine has that in spades. It’s nervy, yet plush through the mid-palate, with crunchy, candied red berry fruit and warm baking spice. Juicy blood-orange acidity brings real tension and lift, carrying that signature nervy energy from start to finish. Clones: 667, 777, 115, Pommard. Aged 15 months in 41% new French oak, 17% once-used French oak, and 42% neutral French oak.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

Michael Browne’s 2023 CIRQ is absolute dynamite. It’s super complex and ultra-delicious—about as satisfying as watching your kid’s soccer team crush the other side in penalty kicks to win the championship. It’s as electric as the first time you rode in someone’s Aston Martin—and as enviable as you felt toward the owner. If you own the Aston Martin, this wine deserves a permanent spot in the glove compartment. If you drive a Honda Insight Hybrid like me (my first car after leaving NYC, still going strong), you need this wine to remind you of the better things in life. Now, onto the wine: 2023 is a sleeper vintage. This is Sonoma perfection for Michael Browne—his ripe, lusher, full-flavored, fruit-forward style, but with the structure to age gracefully for years. It’s a high-wire act, balancing fabulously ripe, crunchy red berry fruit and spice with elegant cedarwood notes and a pine-forest freshness that glides across the palate like perfectly smooth wet slate. Coiled, energetic, and full of tension, it delivers gorgeous, pure red and black fruit character with plenty of structure to go the distance.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

This estate Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, vivid white that showcases fragrant stony minerality alongside notes of lemon-lime, lime zest, and seagrass, with a subtle hint of vanilla in the background. Focused and linear, it delivers expressive acidity and a tactile, apple-skin texture that gives grip and definition to the clean, refreshing finish.

White

2023

Producer

Name

This Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir is a spectacular wine, offering beautifully subtle red berry fruit—cherry and raspberry—interwoven with elegant cedarwood smoke and clove. Light to medium-bodied, it unfolds with layers of juicy red fruit, exotic Asian spice, and a sweet-salty minerality that adds both tension and allure. Graceful yet vibrant, it’s the kind of wine that’s nearly impossible to put down.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

Aged for 20 months in French oak and sourced entirely from estate-grown fruit in Block 15 of the Concannon Vineyard and Lemmons Vineyard. The wine shows brighter fruit tones and warm baking spice, wrapped in elegant cedarwood notes that encompass the palate. Nuances of rose petal and rose stem emerge, along with a subtle hint of grilled red pepper—like a light pepper char—on the firm, satisfying finish. This is a structured Cabernet Franc with the depth and balance to cellar comfortably for a decade; keep enough on hand to enjoy its evolution over time.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

A blend of 58% Sémillon and 42% Sauvignon Blanc, this estate-grown white hails from Block 20 along the Arroyo Mocho, just east of Concannon Blvd and South Livermore Ave. The site’s well-drained, gravelly silt loam—formed from ancient river sediments—provide good conditions for stressing these Bordeaux variety vines. Fermented and aged in stainless steel, the wine offers an appealing nose of melon, citrus peel, just-ripe tropical fruit, and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate shows lovely breadth and balance. A real crowd-pleaser. -JR

White

2023

Producer

Name

The grapes are sourced entirely from Lemmons Vineyard, planted to French Clone 331, also known as Clone 5 at UC Davis. This clone is naturally dark-fruited and delivers classic Cabernet Franc character, with broad shoulders and excellent phenolic structure. Dark berry fruit lifts out of the glass, accented by juniper bush spice, wild bright sage, and smoked paprika. The tannins are supple yet firm and elliptical, carrying the dark berry profile through the palate and building toward a fresh, inviting finish marked by unsweetened cocoa powder richness.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

The old casks in the Concannon winery—large-format barrels from Demptos and Seguin Moreau dating back to the early 1970s—were originally intended for ageing Petite Sirah. This wine was aged for 16 months in French and Hungarian oak and comes entirely from Concannon’s estate: Block 11 and the head-trained vines of Block 1. It’s a power-packed wine with a real freshness factor. All that classic Petite Sirah character is here—earthy, rich, and plummy fruit layered with mocha and warm Indian spice. The tannins are big, rich, and hearty, with a granular, brambly quality that builds across the mineral-driven finish. Notes of violets, graphite, and pressed florals burst through, giving the wine lift and dimension.

Red

2023

Producer

Name

Sourced from Block 16 of the Concannon estate, this Chardonnay was crafted under the direction of winemaker Brett Fikse—who officially stepped into the role in 2023 after more than a decade working in the cellar and lab since 2012. Fermentations were split between barrel and stainless steel: the barrel lots underwent malolactic fermentation and sur lie aging for about 3 months, while the stainless steel lots did not. The components were blended after 9 months. The result is a vibrant, well-balanced Chardonnay with bright citrus fruit and rich, toasty caramel aromas. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers silky baked apple and pear flavors, accented by a hint of candied ginger on the long, refreshing finish.

White

2023

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Aged for 20 months in French and American oak, this wine is sourced entirely from estate fruit in Block 7, Clone 7, drawn from the Mother Vine blocks that include both iconic old vines and some younger plantings. The Mother Vine itself is now in its fifth decade. Originally brought to California from Château Margaux in 1893, it was re-propagated across the region in the 1970s and later became the foundational material used to replant much of Napa Valley in the latter half of the 1990s. The 2023 growing season in Livermore was notably cool, with no significant heat spikes, and the wine reflects the precision of the vintage. It’s bold and robust, beautifully constructed, with mixed berry fruit—raspberry, black cherry, spiced plum, and blackberry—wrapped in a velvety texture. Rich tannins frame a ripe, plush center, while dark-fruited depth mingles with espresso-bean spice, mocha richness, and graphite nuances on the finish. Profoundly layered in this vintage—one of the best examples I’ve tasted from Concannon.