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Staff Favorites - Kaj Stromer

Kaj Stromer

Reviews

2018 Hendry "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 12-07-2022
You can make a strong argument that this is the greatest Cabernet value from Napa Valley. But that would be selling the wine short. For those in-the-know, the pedigree and reputation of this wine is without question. I first fell in love with this bottling with the release of the 1997 vintage. I was surprised to learn that both Opus One and Robert Mondavi were regular customers for this fruit. But it totally made sense. Once, while visiting the estate many years ago I observed just how meticulously they defined every single block of their vineyards in order to understand and capture every unique nuance. Few wineries are run as scrupulously as Hendry Estate. Fewer yet make classic "old school" Napa Cab as rewarding as this and almost nobody does it for $60! As my colleageau Ryan Woodhouse aptly declares, "I'm making this my #1 wine recommendation for the holiday season...", I'll add that you'll make it your go-to cab year round! Cab lovers...do not miss out on this offer!
Price: $59.95 Add To Cart
WE: 95
JS: 93
2014 Joseph Swan "Great Oak Vineyard" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Review Date: 11-29-2022
This is one of the most iconic and historical wineries in California. These wines continue to be fashioned in that classic “old school” style that made them famous in the first place. There’s elegance, grace, and just a touch of evolution on this ’14 vintage single-vineyard wine. With nearly 6+ years of bottle age, this is drinking particularly well right now. We’ve got an amazing price on this at just under $30!
Price: $29.95 Add To Cart
2020 Hard Working Wines "Bull By The Horns" Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
Review Date: 09-10-2022
McPrice "Mac" Myers makes a variety of boldy flavored wines under the "Hard Working Wines" label from Paso Robles. He's got a long history of working in the area and has a great feel for the land. With "Bull by the Horns" Cabernet Sauvignon, he's making a bold and flavorful Cab that over-delivers for the price. Bang for the buck, these wines are hard to beat. On the nose, the wine pours up fresh red and black fresh crushed berries. Inky dark purple in color, these wines will stain the dental work! But you'll have a great time knocking back some of the most unapologetically flavorful reds from California's central coast.
Price: Hidden View Price
RP: 90
2021 Sandhi Central Coast Chardonnay
Review Date: 09-09-2022
For 2021 Sandhi decided to expand their sourcing for their entry level Chardonnay. So, instead of being sourced entirely from the Sta. Rita Hills, they now augment their estate vineyards with some purchased fruit from top vineyards in Santa Barbara County. But the quality remains high as this is one of the most balanced and complex Chardonnay's I've come across in that mid $20 range. The wine is bright and fresh with plenty of juicy pear and apple flavor. There's a fair amount of zesty acidity to keep the refreshing and energetic. I can see myself enjoying this on a Sunday afternoon while grilling marinated oversized shrimp.
Price: $24.95 Add To Cart
2021 Evening Land "Seven Springs Vineyard" Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
Review Date: 09-09-2022
The Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir has become a benchmark wine from Oregon. After a challenging vintage in 2020 where they made the surprising delicious "de Mure" bottling, for 2021 they were blessed with a memorable vintage. This has all the stuffing you'd expect for a wine of this pedigree and will go head-to-head with the great Pinot Noir's of the world. There's great purity of fruit here with plenty of dark red cherry character assisted by a splurge of forest floor. The finish is long and flavorful. I can see this one truly strutting its stuff in another 3 to 5 years. This wine will anchor the finest meal.
Price: $39.95 Add To Cart
WS: 94
2021 Accenti Contra Costa County Verdelho
Review Date: 09-01-2022
I was immediately taken by the aromatics of this wine. Floral notes, ocean breezes, and a hint of citrus rise from the glass. Verdelho is often associated with with the dry wines of Madiera. This wine captures that spirit but in a modern California way. The wine sees some skin contact during fermentation which adds a textural and sensual feel unique to it. James and Lorenza Allen brings a fresh perspective to California winemaking as they seek out neglected vineyards and off the beaten paths varietals. Their Verdelho will pair well with salads, scallops, and would be smashing with a seafood paella.
Price: Hidden View Price
2021 Tatomer "Hinter der Mauer" Central Coast White Blend
Review Date: 07-07-2022
Graham's newest creation might have been a one-off in order to sell wine during the pandemic driven restaurant closure. But the reception was so positive that he decided to make another batch. This engaging white is a positively delicious blend of Gruner Veltliner (80%) and Riesling (20%). It's bone dry, crisp, and refreshing. There's plenty of green leaf, white pepper, and spice from the Gruner with penetrating fruit character from the Riesling. Basically, this is declassified single-vineyard wine bottled at an insanely low price. Huge fan!
Price: $15.99 Add To Cart
VN: 92
WE: 91
Banshee "10 of Cups" California Brut Sparkling Wine
Review Date: 07-07-2022
It's no surprise that Banshee makes one of the best-value multi-vintage Methode Champenoise sparklers I've tasted in a while. The Banshee wines have been some of our top sellers for over a decade. Founded in 2009, the team has a knack for sourcing great fruit and turning out world class wines friendly to everyones wallet. It's a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, aged on the leesa for 24 months before bottling. It's bright, crisp and refreshing with fresh apple, pear and spice notes on the palate. A full mousse only adds to the pleasure.
Price: $24.95 Add To Cart
WE: 91
2019 Brendel "Noble One - Unoaked" Napa Valley Chardonnay
Review Date: 07-07-2021
Brendel is the newest winery creation by the venerable Heitz Estate. Ever since the Lawrence family took over in 2018 they've been pouring a ton of energy in the property. This refreshing style Chardonnay is sourced from 100% organically farmed vineyards in the cooler Oak Knoll district of Napa Valley. The wine is aged 8 months in stainless steel tanks to retain the freshness of fruit and vibrant acidity. There's plenty of zesty citrus and green apple notes yet there's good texture on the palate. I strongly recommend this Chardonnay made in the style of Chablis. An excellent inaugural release. The wine clocks in at a sleek 12.5 alcohol
Price: Hidden View Price
W&S: 92
Inverroche "Classic" Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 06-12-2019
This dead ringer for a dry London gin is actually from South Africa. The particular blend of local botanicals creates a near-perfect gin that leaves the drinker with the envious challenge of deciding whether to make a refreshing G&T or a classic martini. While the olive will work fine, I would recommend you go with the cocktail onion. Ultimately, either choice will serve you well. This bottle will be featured in my liquor cabinet for the summer. Gin & Tonics or martinis anyone?
Price: $44.99 Add To Cart
Brockmans Gin (750ml)
Review Date: 06-12-2019
This particular gin really caught me off guard. It’s not your typical juniper-driven martini gin. There’s a entire panoply of tropical fruits and red berries in the glass. This would be a workhorse for countless cocktails, though I imagine some might just like it on ice, or with a splash of soda and a twist. This is fun in a glass.
Price: Hidden View Price
WE: 91