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Brightly aromatic, showing expressive white flowers and lemon verbena. Full malolactic fermentation and aging in 30% new French oak add richness to the citrus, apple, and pear fruit, while a hint of well-integrated cedarwood spice comes across more like salted Marcona almonds. The finish builds with a lovely lemon-oil richness. From Bootlegger’s Hill, with three rows of Montrachet clone from Little Boot Vineyard blended in.
This red-fruited, spice-driven Grenache from Ballard Canyon AVA offers plenty of intrigue and structure. Juicy strawberry and dusty rose lead on the nose, while the palate is framed by firm, meaty tannins that etch themselves into every crevice. Sweet paprika and rose stem emerge on the long, savory finish. A compelling wine—ideal alongside hard cheeses and herb-laced pastas.

A lovely expression of Syrah, this wine offers elegant layers of black cherry, blackberry, and plum, lifted by rose petal and rhubarb aromatics. Cherry pit and crushed violet notes emerge on the medium-bodied palate, framed by velvety tannins laced with floral nuance. Dark salted chocolate rises on the juicy, lingering finish, adding depth and savor to this polished and expressive red.

“Colluvial” refers to the rugged, rocky soil found in the world’s great vineyards, and this savory-spiced Pinot Noir certainly reflects that terroir-driven intensity. At this stage of development, the wine leans into its earthier side: notes of black tea, tobacco leaf, sage, and spearmint take the lead, while the once-vivid red berry fruit has mellowed into something subtler and more contemplative—like the woody pit of a cherry or apricot, with just a whisper of its former juiciness. There’s a convergence of mineral tension and spice here that feels deeply grounded, quietly seductive. If I’m being honest, this is my favorite moment in a wine’s life—when it sheds its youthful brightness and enters a more soulful, savory phase. Enjoy this now and over the next 4-7 years.

“Colluvial” refers to the rugged, rocky soil found in many of the world’s great vineyards, and this decadent Chardonnay lives up to its name. It’s a study in minerality, offering the tactile impression of smooth river stone and the bracing tension of freshly squeezed lemon meeting a bite of salted, candied lemon rind. Fragrant notes of toasty oak and buttered croissant weave through the mid-palate, joined by a flicker of fresh ginger. All of it builds to a focused, acid-driven finish.
Captain Joe’s Petite Sirah was harvested from Concannon’s estate Block 11 and Block 12, located on the north side of South Livermore Avenue where it intersects with Concannon Boulevard. These blocks feature austere, gravelly, and rocky topsoil that allows for excellent drainage and low water retention, encouraging vine roots to dive deep into nutrient-rich subsoils. The wine is bold, focused, and expressive, with fireworks on the nose—red berries and black cherry interlaced with mahogany wood accents. The palate is more subdued and elegant, showcasing Concannon’s long history with this variety in its suave tannins, and chalky mineral intensity. Crushed cocoa nib marks the finish, alongside cherry pit nuances. It has great length and the energy to carry a hearty meal.

This 100% Clone 7 Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from Concannon’s historic estate Block 7 vineyard. As of 2018, 80% of California Cabernet Sauvignon is derived from Concannon Clones 7, 8, and 11—making this both a classic producer and a benchmark expression of the variety. This wine leans into the more savory side of Cabernet, showing refined black currant and spiced plum notes rather than ultra-ripe blackberry. Cigar box nuances build alongside dark chocolate tones on the medium- to full-bodied on the palate, with soaring tannins that have a superfine, pixelated texture. The dark berry fruit is deeply savory, intermixed with pressed flowers and loamy earth. There’s gravitas, tension, and energy driving this richly expressive Cabernet Sauvignon.

Polished, poised, and deeply expressive, this red delivers layers of blackberry and black cherry fruit, underscored by graphite, tobacco leaf, and sagebrush nuances. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in 26% new American oak, 16% new French oak, and the remainder neutral, it builds beautifully on the medium-bodied palate. Broad-shouldered, muscular tannins frame a deep core of dark fruit and savory spice that carries through the finish.

Named in honor of James Concannon, a first-generation family member and former stampmaker, The Stampmaker is a bold, expressive red blend. Each of the three grape varieties is fermented separately in stainless steel and open-top fermenters, with punchdowns and pumpovers for optimal extraction. The wine is then aged for 16 months in a mix of 44% new French oak and neutral barrels. Extremely fruit-driven, it opens with ripe red and dark berry fruit layered with baking spices, graham cracker, and cocoa nibs. Medium-bodied on the palate, it features plump, satiny tannins and a generous, lingering finish.

Julien Fayard’s 2021 Covert Cabernet from the Coombsville AVA is a full-bodied, silky, super-enticing wine with heady boysenberry fruit, dark cacao, and sweet oak spices. Plush, velvety tannins form a solid foundation, framing gobs of dark berry fruit, cassis, graphite, wild herbs, and cedar spices. All too easy to drink, and at 14.9% alcohol, balanced as it is, this is a wine to savor with a burger and fries, roast chicken and potatoes, or braised meats and hearty stews.

The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. The nose is elegant and expressive, with dark cassis, blackberry, and black cherry fruit layered with gorgeous tobacco spice, dried sage, thyme, and beautifully integrated cedarwood notes. Full-bodied on the palate, it shows crushed cocoa nib tannins—super fine and powdery—framing juicy dark berry fruit and refined graphite accents. A poised, polished expression with both power and finesse.

The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. It opens with beautiful dark fruit, sagebrush, and perfumed rose petal florals, all building on the palate into a full-bodied expression with richness and density. The tannins are robust, fine-grained, and focused, leading to a bright, lifted finish marked by saline-acid tension.

Relevant is intentionally crafted as a more fruit-forward wine from the estate, says winemaker Simon Faury. It’s sourced from lower parts of the vineyard where loamy soils dominate and there’s less rock. Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 20 months. The nose is rich and dark-fruited, with notes of sage, graphite, and loamy earth, while pretty ironstone minerality lifts the aromatic profile. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers layers of cassis and black cherry, tobacco leaf, and cigar box, with beautifully supple, fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and polished, echoing with dark chocolate and earthy depth.

Aged for 30 months in 62% new French oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend showcases fruit from three standout sites: Cabernet Sauvignon from Galles Vineyard (elevation about 1,100 ft), Cabernet Franc from White Cat Vineyard, and Petit Verdot from Smith Ranch. The result is a deeply expressive wine with alluring aromatics of bay laurel, sage, and tobacco leaf, layered with black and red currant fruit. Medium-bodied on the palate, it reveals firm structure and a rich, black truffle charcuterie quality, with a subtle thread of incense on the long, savory finish. Zesty, layered acidity lends freshness and lift, making this an super food-friendly red.

Sourced from the Casa de Viñas Vineyard in central Livermore, this Clone 3 Carménère is planted on 5BB rootstock and trained on a VSP trellis system (planted in 2015 on clay loam soils). The site delivers a deeply expressive, spice-laced red. The variety’s inherent savory character is beautifully integrated, weaving seamlessly with the high-quality French oak used for aging. Red and black currant fruit lead the aromatics, joined by bay leaf, tobacco, and leather. The palate shows leathery tannins and a meaty mid-palate richness, finishing with iron-scented mineral tension and a grippy, satisfying close.

Aged for 30 months in French and American oak, this estate-grown Petit Verdot is a polished, poised, and seductive red, offering refined mulberry and black currant fruit, hints of fig paste, and dried violet aromas. Medium- to full-bodied, with silky fruit and satiny, elongated tannins, this is a stylish and delicious wine—well worth savoring over a long meal of braised meats and roasted vegetables.

This is one of Larry Dino’s more fruit-forward expressions of Carménère, sourced from the Insel Vineyard in Pleasanton, where vines are rooted in sandy loam soils. Aged for 18 months in French oak, the wine opens with aromas of spiced plum and dried currant. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it delivers supple, juicy tannins and generous fruit character—plum, espresso, dark chocolate, and a touch of crushed clove.

Medium- to full-bodied, this red delivers juicy plum, brambly black cherry, and currant fruit layered over wet slate minerality. Intense, robust tannins provide a solid foundation for the vibrant fruit and savory spice notes to shine—think black licorice, cocoa nibs, crushed clove, and a hint of smoked paprika. The finish is long, structured, and full of tension.

Aged for 20 months in 30% new European oak, this Cabernet Franc from Garre Vineyard is savory, meaty, and zesty. It opens with crunchy currant fruit, tobacco, loamy earth, and crushed violets. Medium-bodied on the palate, with more juicy, ripe currant, smoked paprika, and black sea salt, all framed by superfine tannins and a succulent black truffle and charcuterie finish.

From the Drum Canyon Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, this 2021 Pinot Noir carries a graceful, almost ephemeral quality. Delicate red berry fruit and warm spice tones lead the way, lifted by subtle cedarwood nuances. The palate is medium-bodied, framed by chunky, textural tannins that gradually soften into notes of fig, crushed cocoa nibs, and tangy apricot.

Ulysses Valdez, the late and legendary grape grower, is the reason the Bedrosians have access to this fruit. Valdez replanted the site and was adamant that they take Block D—the steepest section of the vineyard. It’s a two-acre parcel they began working with in 2018, located 3.4 miles north of East Side Road on uplifted riverbed soils composed of rocky, gravelly silt. The block is entirely planted to the Montrachet clone. Winemaker Kale Anderson explains that the clone holds its acidity regardless of ripeness. It’s also susceptible to shatter, much like Old Wente, and is naturally low-yielding. The selection was isolated from a remarkable site in Montrachet in Burgundy. At Flora Marie Vineyard, this block sits at the very top of the hillside with excellent row orientation. Grapes are picked at night, whole-cluster pressed, and sent straight to a mix of barrel and stainless steel, with one-third new French oak. Fermentation is native, and in this vintage the wine went through full malolactic with lees stirring. It was aged 11 months before bottling. The wine is super bright, marked by a lovely sea-spray minerality and subtle citrus and orchard-fruit tones. A silky texture carries elegant baking-spice notes that linger across the mid-palate, offering warmth, generosity, and a clean, vibrant finish.
A blend of Mt. Eden and Swan clones, this is the second release from the Heritage Block. These clones yield very little, says winemaker Kale Anderson. He loves the Mt. Eden clone in particular, noting that it takes time to evolve because of its perfumed character. The wine shows gorgeous violet and rose-petal aromas—white rose and purple-blue violets—supported by a firm spine of generous acidity and wonderful black-tea notes, bergamot, and orange peel. Delicate cherry and raspberry fruit carry through alongside rich baking spice, white pepper, smoked paprika, loamy earth, and a wet-stone minerality on the finish. A beautifully constructed wine with the structure and detail to age for many years.

This wine is wonderfully rich and layered, with lovely textures drawn from each of the sites that feed into the blend. The Middle Reach Vineyard contributes Pommard, Vosne-Romanée, Swan, and Mt. Eden clones, while additional fruit comes from Starr Ridge, El Diablo, and the estate Vineyard Eleven. Winemaker Kale Anderson harvests at night, bringing the fruit into the winery cold and fermenting in open-top tanks. He uses as much whole cluster as the vintage allows, gives the fruit a five-day cold soak, then ferments fairly warm with a combination of punchdowns before pressing at dryness to barrel for malolactic fermentation. The wine ages 11 months in roughly 25% new French oak before bottling. The result is bright, crunchy red fruit layered with clove and warm spice. The purity of the fruit really comes through, building richness across the palate with strawberry and raspberry tones, touches of leather, tobacco, and blood orange, and a thread of brown baking spices that linger on the finish. Velvety, satiny textures frame this wonderfully tasty wine, which is considered the entry-level offering.

In 2021, this marked the first year the estate produced this wine. The fruit is wonderfully bright, pure, and crunchy, with lifted white-pepper aromatics and a burst of rose-petal fragrance. It builds across the palate with juicy blood-orange acidity and perfectly integrated cocoa-powder tannins. The blend is 49% UV-VR clone, 34% Pommard, and 17% Swan. It’s an absolutely fabulous wine—the kind you want to enjoy throughout an entire meal for its bright acidity and tension supporting such beautifully pure fruit. Aged 11 months in roughly one-third new French oak.

A blend of owner Jeff Bedrosian’s two favorite clones, Pommard and Swan. I love the concentration and freshness here—it’s packed with lush fruit and velvety textures, and it’s absolutely delicious on its own, full-flavored and generous. The wine was aged 11 months in 37% new French oak before bottling. The name refers to the two clones and the forces they represent: Pommard, with its darker fruit and earth-driven depth, and Swan, which brings a more feminine profile of spice and brighter fruit tones. Think of them as yin and yang. They complement each other beautifully in this blend, which shows lovely high-toned spice and that wonderful Pommard richness on the palate. I’d happily drink this on its own, but it would also pair well with braised meats or a salad scattered with pomegranate seeds to echo its juicy, earthy pop.

From the Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon AVA comes this unfiltered 2021 Syrah—just 72 cases made. It’s a vivid, layered, and beautifully perfumed expression of the variety, laced with rose petal and violet pastille aromatics that leap from the glass. The palate offers deep mid-palate concentration, with ironstone minerality at its core, accented by spearmint, wild sage, and savory spice. Firm, taut tannins carry a mineral edge, perfectly balanced by saline-acid tension that extends through the long, focused finish.

A full-throttle, ripe, and boldly expressive Petite Sirah, this wine delivers a rush of blue and black cherry fruit layered with spiced plum, all wrapped in firm, robust tannins. The palate is richly textured, with cedarwood, walnut husk, and cherry pit nuances adding savory depth. Earthy undertones and wet slate minerality drive the long, spicy finish, accented by dried rose petals and violets. A rollercoaster of power and nuance.

Dosage is 8 g/L. Wonderfully expressive, elegant, and precise, with a creamy, articulate mousse and lovely baking spice notes interwoven with bright orchard and zesty citrus fruit character. Builds with layers of white flowers and almonds on a tart, racy, mineral-driven finish.
An elegant blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier made in the traditional method. Citrus and orchard fruit take center stage, framed by saline minerality that anchors the bright, crunchy fruit. The mousse is frothy, assertive, and focused. Super clean, fresh, and inviting.
Dr. Konstantin Frank began producing still wine in 1962, but it wasn’t until 1985 that his son, Willy Frank, introduced the winery’s first sparkling wine—carving out a new niche that Konstantin himself never pursued. With German-engineered equipment designed for méthode champenoise, the Franks laid the foundation for one of the Finger Lakes’ most respected sparkling programs. This bone-dry Riesling Nature—with no dosage and nearly three years en tirage—is like lightning in a bottle. Delicate orchard fruit, lemon, and lime thread through the aromatics and palate, framed by a frothy, airy mousse. Medium-bodied and expressive, it finishes with striking chalky mineral tension and precision.
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The 2021 Brander Reserve is a savory, layered Cabernet Sauvignon, medium- to full-bodied, with red and black fruit woven throughout. A host of savory notes—walnut husk, tobacco leaf, and cigar box—intermingle with dried sage, finishing on a deep, earthy register of loamy soil, black olive, and licorice. Super savory and best enjoyed alongside herb-dusted pork loin or espresso-rubbed roasted meats.

This Cabernet Franc from the Blackwater Draw Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is a heady, floral-scented red with vibrant red fruit flavors. The wine is framed by blood orange acidity and crunchy apple skin tannins, which build on the finish and culminate in a burst of sweet Indian spices.

Brennan Vineyards’ 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Newburg Vineyard in Comanche County is a well-balanced, unfussy, and easy-drinking red. Packed with vibrant strawberry and raspberry fruit, it’s complemented by notes of fruit leather, panna cotta, and coriander cream. The wine’s full-bodied expression of Cabernet is supported by robust tannins, adding structure while maintaining a smooth and approachable character.

This Mourvèdre from the Blackwater Draw Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is like strawberry fruit leather in a glass. Medium-bodied, it shows velvety tannins complemented by nuances of white pepper, charcuterie, and agave nectar. The tannins assert themselves, framing a dry finish while the mid-palate maintains a juicy character. Lingering notes of currants and cassis add complexity.

This Cabernet Franc comes from the rain-soaked 2021 vintage—a challenging year when July rains arrived early and lingered. As is typical of the vintage, the wine is on the lighter side, with owner David Pittard noting it reflects the Finger Lakes’ acid-driven, leaner style. Red cherry and plum fruit lead the nose, accented by coriander, cumin, and cedarwood spice. On the palate, ripe, firm tannins support notes of crunchy pomegranate seed and a fresh, elegant frame. Fermented in stainless steel and open-top one-ton bins (inoculated), then aged in mostly neutral French oak barrels.

Aged for 32–34 months in 70–80% new French oak. This is a bold, powerful, and intense Cabernet, with lovely high-toned notes of wild sage and scrub brush, layered over black cherry, spiced plum, kirsch, and dark chocolate. Hints of graham cracker crust emerge on the long, polished, and expressive finish.

The Carménère is picked slightly earlier than Counoise but after Cabernet Sauvignon, and is very low-yielding yet remarkably hardy, according to Ben Calais. Medium- to full-bodied, it offers a solid base of acidity, with high-toned, spicy, herbaceous notes of sagebrush. Inky dark berry fruit layers in alongside meaty nuances and black pepper, all carried through to a mineral-driven finish that brings freshness and balance to the supple tannins. Aged for up to 34 months in 60% new French oak.

Sourced from two sites—Family Vineyards and Bolen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains—the 2021 vintage saw reduced Merlot yields due to a spring cold spell. Aged for 32 months in 80% once-used and 20% new French oak, this wine offers striking aromatic richness and impressive mid-palate breadth. Supple-textured tannins frame spiced plum and black raspberry flavors, layered with notes of bright sagebrush, green tobacco, and cola nut that carry through a long, expressive finish.

Kærskov Vineyard, located in the center of the Los Olivos District AVA, is a high-density site planted 6’ x 3’ on clay-loam and river-stone soils. Ryan Carr planted the vineyard in 2014 and continues to farm it today. This Syrah was aged for 20 months in one-year-old French oak. Dark berry fruit is interwoven with anise, fennel seed, and cedarwood spice, all building across the full-bodied palate with chalky tannins and a lingering charcuterie-and-dried-violet finish.

This Sangiovese comes from two vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley—Woodstock Vineyard and Open Gate Vineyard—both farmed by Carr’s winemaker and owner, Ryan Carr. The wine was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. It’s an immensely pleasing, full-flavored, and fairly robust Sangiovese, with powerful, crisp tannins and plenty of inky dark fruit, loamy earth, black truffle umami, and tobacco notes leading to a long, earthy, and spicy finish.

An atypical Chianti expression, with lots of earth and very deep dark cherry fruit, dark spice, and plush, velvety character. – J.R.

This 100% Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in 50% new Hungarian and French oak. Sourced entirely from Clone 1 vines at White Cat Vineyard in the Livermore Valley AVA. A pretty and elegant expression of Cabernet Franc, offering a refined nose of currant fruit, tobacco, turned earth, and dried wildflowers. Medium-bodied on entry, with a wealth of juicy currant and spiced plum fruit, layered with fine tobacco, hints of vanilla, and pops of new cedarwood, all framed by expressive acidity on the refreshing finish.

Diamond is a historic American hybrid white grape, once prized over a century ago for sparkling wine production. This bottling channels that legacy with a vinous, green apple character layered with hints of honeydew melon and wildflower honey. The palate bursts with a full squeeze of lime juice—bright, grippy, and crunchy—with a tactile, super-expressive finish. Fascinating and distinctive. Just 168 cases made.
This wine is part of a separate label from the Gatlin family, made entirely from A-grade ENTAV clones—meticulously sourced and planted in Texas by Dan Gatlin himself. Grown in Gillespie County within the Texas Hill Country AVA, each clone yields an average of 1 ton per acre. Fermented in open bins with cooling plates and hand punchdowns over 7–10 days, the wine is aged for 12 months in 20% new French oak followed by another 12 months in neutral barrels. The texture here is fabulous—silky yet structured—with tannins that carry a saline, Earl Grey tea-like character. Juicy, mouthwatering acidity lifts flavors of currant, spearmint, and crushed cacao nibs, layered with subtle tobacco leaf and cigar box nuances.

Brightly aromatic, showing expressive white flowers and lemon verbena. Full malolactic fermentation and aging in 30% new French oak add richness to the citrus, apple, and pear fruit, while a hint of well-integrated cedarwood spice comes across more like salted Marcona almonds. The finish builds with a lovely lemon-oil richness. From Bootlegger’s Hill, with three rows of Montrachet clone from Little Boot Vineyard blended in.
This red-fruited, spice-driven Grenache from Ballard Canyon AVA offers plenty of intrigue and structure. Juicy strawberry and dusty rose lead on the nose, while the palate is framed by firm, meaty tannins that etch themselves into every crevice. Sweet paprika and rose stem emerge on the long, savory finish. A compelling wine—ideal alongside hard cheeses and herb-laced pastas.

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