Specials

92 Points! The 2018 Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard has aged really nicely, painting a picture of where Jeff Gaffner's style leads with time in bottle. A velvety, plush. mouthfeel is the highlight today. Rich cherry fruit has softened with time, leaving behind echoes of turned earth, cedar and tobacco leaf. This is in a fine place to drink now and over the next couple of years. - Billy Norris, Vinous, 2026

93 Points! The cooler temperatures seemed to benefit the Calistoga source of Coup de Foudre's 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon. Dominated by ripe cherries, it still has some of the herbal streaks found in the 2022 but fewer of them, morphing them into attractive tomato or tobacco-leaf nuances. It's full-bodied and reasonably silky in feel, with ample length and a dusting of fine-grained tannins on the finish. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

94 Points! A firm, structured and intense red with potent black fruits wrapped in muscular tannins. Iron, floral, black-cherry and star-anise flavors. Very focused and powerful yet poised, ready for extended aging for those with patience. - JamesSuckling.com

92 Points! An archetypal Alsace dry riesling with a wide spectrum of aromas ranging from lemon and crisp pear to fresh pineapple and candied orange. Very crisp and focused palate with a wonderful freshness that’s hard to resist. Long, ample finish that’s very clean. From organically grown grapes. Drink from release. - JamesSuckling.com

96 Points! The 2023 Gemellaia, a varietal Merlot in this vintage, is dusty and floral, enticing with an array of crushed violets, white pepper, cedar shavings and wild blueberries. It is seamless and supple, with a savory mix of red and blue fruits underscored by crisp mineral tones, as an air of lavender gathers toward the close. It is dramatically long, staining and structured, with a web of fine tannins, yet maintains excellent freshness and verve. The 2023 Gemellaia is simply stunning. No fan of Merlot should be without it. – Eric Guido, Vinous

96 Points! A fresh and perfumed wine with aromas of sandstone, roses and lavender. Silky tannins and refreshing acidity with a long finish that carries flavors of wild blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate. – JamesSuckling.com

95+ Points! A dramatic departure from the history of this wine, the 2023 Gemellaia is composed of 100% Merlot and is an absolutely transcendent expression of the variety. Bounding from the glass with a sophisticated, red- and black-fruited nose with sandalwood, turned earth, underbrush and dark chocolate aromas, the palate is rich and saturated yet equal parts slender and spry. It culminates with a lifted, savory finish that lingers with refined, chalky tannins and remarkable length. This is the only thing like it in the Central Coast, and I look forward to following its evolution. – Matthew Luczy, robertparker.com

92 Points! A sleek and flavorful red with aromas of dark raspberries, licorice, orange peel, toasted hazelnuts and bay leaves. Full-bodied with a fine-tannin frame. Excellent balance. 92% merlot, 7% cabernet sauvignon and 1% cabernet franc. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! The 2021 Red Blend Estate opens with a dark and brooding blend of crushed ashen stones, grilled herbs, violet pastille and blackberries. This is juicy and round in feel, with vibrant acidity and masses of ripe red and blue fruits. It finishes long and finely structured with dusty tannins, leaving hints of licorice and confectionary spice to fade. - Eric Guido, Vinous

91 Points! A ripe nose of blackberries, dark cherries, dried violets, potpourri and sweet spices. Full-bodied with powdery tannins. Textured and creamy. Supple, chocolatey finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

90 Points! The ripe and juicy 2019 Casar Mencía has a fruit-driven nose with notes of ripe berries and some flowers. It's at the higher end of ripeness on the Mencía spectrum and has 14.5% alcohol. It matured in 500- and 700-liter oak barrels for one year. - Luis Gutierrez, robertparker.com

92 Points! An appetizing sense of restraint comes with vibrant red and black fruit in this vivid and well-balanced wine. It's medium-bodied, slightly tannic, supporting complex red cherry, sour cherry, bay leaf and savory tea notes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

Gorgeous now! What a screaming bargain...

90 Points! Fresh verbena and lime lend zip to white grapefruit and peach in this juicy blend of Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Bourboulenc. Bright in fruit and thirst quenching, it's an easy-drinking, fruity dry white with crowd appeal. - Wine Enthusiast

93 Points! Supple and harmonious, this red delivers cherry, raspberry, rose and mineral flavors on an elegant frame. Balanced and fresh, with a lingering aftertaste echoing the fruit and mineral elements. - Wine Spectator

90 Points! Brimming with fresh black-cherry fruit, this light and crisp Julienas has a very engaging balance of full fruit, gentle tannin and lively acidity. Good length, thanks to those tannins!  - JamesSuckling.com

Old cherry trees are planted in this plot of 60 year old vines giving to the wine distinct note of cherries, stone fruits, pepper and kirsch every year. 

95 Points! From a vineyard with old vines and schistic galestro soils, the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino Poggiarelli opens to a deep and unique sense of aromatic layering, starting with dark fruit, sweet tobacco leaf, flavored cigarette and spice. The wine is rich with dense fruit flavors and ripe tannins. You taste Sangiovese's skins with a hint of bitterness. However, the truly distinguishing factor of Poggiarelli is the etched mineral notes. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

95 Points! Magnificent black cherry, tea leaf, cocoa and violet perfume. Elegant, round and silky on the palate, with ripe polished tannins, amazing structure and nicely-integrated oak. Fruit-driven and persistent finish. - Decanter World Wine Awards

93 Points! Sleek yet well-structured, with expressive flavors of raspberry and pomegranate accented by crushed stone, rose petal and black tea as this builds tension and polish toward refined tannins. - Wine Spectator

93 Points! Perfumed nose of red currants, sour cherries, frozen raspberries, crushed stone and wild herbs. Medium-bodied with bright acidity. Precise, agile and seductive, with a vibrant core of succulent berries and a lift of white pepper toward the persistent finish. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! The 2017 Pinot Noir (Sonoma County) is a gorgeous wine, especially in its peer group. Effusive aromatics and bright red/purplish berry fruit all race out of the glass. This mid-weight, translucent Pinot has so much to offer. The 2017 is stellar. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

96 Points! Very focused, pure and well balanced, showing great poise and freshness for a full-bodied Napa red. This cabernet sauvignon-dominant blend is bold and packed with dark fruit, toasted oak and dark spices. Black cherries, dried blueberries, blackberries, black pepper and chocolate mint. Well concentrated and delicious. Drink now or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! One of the valley's great, great values, the 2022 The Bard is based on 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 4% Franc, and the rest a mix of varieties. It has a killer nose of bright red and blue fruits intermixed with spring flowers, graphite, baking spices, and incense. This carries to a beautifully balanced, full-bodied red that has a lively, elegant mouthfeel and fine tannins. It competes with wines at 2-3 times its going rate, especially in a vintage like 2022. - Jeb Dunnuck

91 Points! A fresh, balsamic-tinged version, with a core of cherry, raspberry and black pepper notes. Firm, revealing sweet fruit in the end. A good steak or pasta with ragù will provide a good match. - Wine Spectator

95 Points! This is a step up, with lushly textured flavors of crushed plum, currant preserves and mulled black cherry driving along nicely, underscored by licorice, black tea and warm earth. Even with the earthy flash, this stays refined and focused, with latent energy on the finish as well. No rush here, either. Drink now through 2040. - Wine Spectator, 2023

92 Points! Cherry, cassis and pine notes mark the nose of the 2018 Andosol, a blend of 80% Zinfandel and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Matured largely in tank and foudre, it's medium to full-bodied on the palate, framed by silky tannins, then finishes long and bright, with plenty of red fruit and mouthwatering acids. - Joe Czerwinski, robertparker.com

93 Points! A firm and polished red with cranberry, blackberry and crushed stone character. It’s clear and bright with a darkness and tension. Shows flowers and spices at the end with some dried potpourri and peppercorn. From vineyards in Howell Mountain. Aged three years in cask. A blend of Zinfandel, 20% cabernet sauvignon, and 5% merlot. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

91 Points! The 2013 Dubrul Vineyard Carriage House is another outstanding wine, and in 2013 it’s 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and the rest Cabernet Franc. Brambly herbs, red and black fruits, spice and a touch of graphite all emerge from this rich, beautifully textured, elegant red from winemaker Kerry Shiels. And while it's already hard to resist, it should easily keep for 5-6 years, if not longer. - Jeb Dunnuck, robertparker.com

96 Points! Dark and brooding in bearing, the 2021 Pichon Baron is a somber, mysterious wine. It is every bit as impressive as it was en primeur. Graphite, leather, spice, mocha and dried herbs meld together in a wine of power, precision and contemporary classicism. It's one of my early favorites in this vintage. I won't be too surprised if it turns out even better than this note suggests. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

95 Points! The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron is showing very well in bottle, unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, sweet berries and violets mingled with subtle hints of orange zest and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with good depth at the core, bright acids and sweet tannins that assert themselves on the gently structured finish, its serious, slightly reserved profile reflects the unusually high (89%) percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 concluded its élevage in large wooden vats for a month and a half, saw a touch less racking than normal, and was only fined with a small amount of gelatin, not egg white, as has been the rule at this address for several years now. - William Kelley, robertparker.com

95 Points! Black currant, violet, lemon blossom and black berry aromas. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins and tobacco, black fruit and cedar undertones. It’s tight and chewy, suggesting it needs some bottle age. Some iodine. Oyster shell. 88% cabernet sauvignon. Give this four to five years. Try after 2027. - JamesSuckling.com