Insider's Advantage

This is a fascinating showcase of how graceful Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon can age. Now 15 years old, this bottling still shows complex aromas of roasted strawberry, ashy wood, mashed olive, espresso bean and damp mushroom. The palate remains as fresh as many new Cabs, with polished tannins offering dark fruit, dried porcini and bittersweet cocoa flavors. *Editors' Choice* (MK)

I initially hoped this wine would be bottled under our Anonymous Wine Collective label. When I was presented with this incredible parcel resting in barrel, I could hardly believe the pedigree of the vineyard source, the quality of the wine, and the exceptional pricing. Alas, the wine needed to find a home more quickly than the process of creating and approving a new Anonymous bottling would allow. Rather than miss the opportunity, I decided to utilize a label design the winery already had ready to go: Root & Stone. As it turns out, the name couldn't be more fitting. This Chardonnay draws incredible mineral intensity from mature vines rooted in the extraordinary rocky, marine shale soils that define this site. The fruit comes from one of the most iconic vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and is crafted by a winemaker with decades of experience. Under its regular label, this wine sells for $50 per bottle and has a long history of glowing critical acclaim, routinely earning 92-95 points from top publications. Stylistically, this is a leaner, mineral-driven, almost Chablis-like expression of Chardonnay, with racy acidity, bright floral and citrus notes, salty, stony minerality, hints of toasted rye and golden barley, and just a subtle framing of oak. On the palate, the wine has wonderful tension and a beautifully linear feel, carrying through to a mouthwatering finish of rock salt and citrus zest. I'm super stoked on this wine. For anyone who loves taut, mineral-driven Chardonnay rather than a richer, more opulent style, I truly think Root & Stone delivers unbeatable value.

As ever, rock solid Margaret River cabernet, ticking the boxes for all the right regional and varietal qualities as it goes along. Just on the full side of medium-bodied, the flavours of cassis and cedar build on the palate, escorted along by the fine but firmish tannin that rolls on through the finish to linger in the aftertaste. Enjoyable now or for years to come. (SC)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Radius is a gorgeous wine from a favorable growing season. Velvety berry fruit and elegant structure are the orders of the day. Supple and focused, it is supremely clear and precise, with beautiful curves. Tea leaves, blood orange and sweet black cherry flesh out, expanding like a peacock's tail on the epically long finish. What a beautiful wine. (BN)

From the first pour of this vibrant purple-hued Pinot, you'll know you're in for an extraordinary ride. This estate bottling blends Pinot from Eyrie’s 5 certified-organic estate vineyards, where the Willamette Valley's iconic variety got its start. This sophisticated, well-balanced, and highly aromatic wine offers notes of candied strawberries, orange peel, pink peppercorns, and a bouquet of florals, highlighted by the distinct scent of rose petals. On the palate, the grippy tannins and vibrant acidity hint at a promising ageing journey. (CP)

Ah, a breath of fresh air, as this vivid, appetizing and mouthwatering wine counters the prevailing Napa trend of rich, full-bodied whites. An almost electric feel and vibrant citrus light up the palate. Flavors of grapefruit, lemon zest, green-apple skin and flint keep you coming back for more. Drink now.

This wine delivers a benchmark Anderson Valley flavor profile at a price point that is simply unbeatable. Over-delivering on value has always been at the core of the Anonymous Wine Collective, and I'm certain this wine does that and then some. I'm thrilled with the end result of this bottling that I was able to compose from barrel samples dialing in the exact character I wanted to capture from this top quality vintage and great but (top secret) vineyard source. The wine is loaded is pure forest berry fruit, dusty, earthy spices, brambles, Redwood grove, and alpine herbs. Elegant and silky, but full of flavor and layered nuance. For $20 I challenge you to find a more complete bottle of Pinot Noir that delivers the goods so emphatically! Enjoy!

Right now we have by far the best price in the country on this Napa Valley classic! In fact we're $15 a bottle lower than the next best competitor. Thanks to some exceptionally sharp pricing, you can stock up on benchmark Napa Cabernet for literally half the regular price. Yep, $25 for legitimate Napa Valley Cabernet from the team at Louis Martini. As one of the most historic producers in the valley, Louis Martini has long been a stalwart of classically styled, structured Napa Cabernet. I’ve been lucky enough to taste Martini Cabernets going all the way back to the 1960s, and these wines helped define the very character of Napa Valley Cabernet as we know it today. The winery is state of the art, and the team is committed to the legacy of this incredible property and their role in resuscitating the domestic wine industry after prohibition. The 2022 is drinking beautifully, with the warmth of the vintage giving the fruit profile a little more generosity and immediate appeal. There’s a gorgeous mix of crushed redcurrant, ripe plum, blackberry, loamy earth, charred spice, and subtle leather. The ample fruit is nicely framed by grainy, structured tannins (perhaps from a component of mountain-grown fruit) that carry the wine through a long, satisfying finish. This has the substance and structure to drink beautifully over the next 5–6 years and likely beyond. Louis Martini's Napa Cab is already a very solid buy at its $50 SRP. At 50% off, this is one of those no-brainer Napa Cab deals you simply don’t want to miss. Buy a few for now and a few for the cellar. Cheers!

The 2024 Chardonnay Muir-Hanna Vineyard was aged entirely in neutral oak for 10 months. It pops from the glass with bold notes of fresh white peaches and green guava, opening out to nuances of baking spices, orange blossoms, and chalk dust. The medium-bodied palate delivers vivacious orchard-fruit and spicy layers with a racy backbone and a suggestion of oiliness to the texture, finishing with a cheeky lemon-peel lift.

This brand-new bottling under The Anonymous Wine Collective is just beginning to come into its own. Bottled only a few months ago, it’s really starting to shine! The wine comes from two famous, highly regarded vineyard sites in the Petaluma Gap AVA, part of the broader Sonoma Coast. This is a truly special growing region thanks to the constant cooling breezes that funnel in from the Pacific through a gap in the coastal ranges. That relentless wind plays a fundamental role in producing world-class grapes: it naturally reduces yields and concentrates flavor, slows ripening to build greater complexity while preserving natural acidity, and encourages thicker grape skins that contribute texture and structure to the finished wine. Combine all of that with the region’s rocky volcanic soils, which lend a lively mineral character, and you have the magic of Petaluma Gap. This wine had so much natural flavor and concentration that we decided nine months in mostly neutral French oak was more than enough to frame the fruit. It simply didn’t need any additional “makeup.” The quality of the vineyards and the fruit speak for themselves. The result is a classic coastal California Chardonnay, with beautifully crystalline golden orchard fruit, fresh, stony minerality, vibrant acidity, and subtle, seamlessly integrated oak nuances. Fruit from these vineyards typically goes into single-vineyard-designate wines selling for $60-$80 a bottle. By keeping the source Anonymous, we can bring it to you for just $20. Cheers!

Our latest Pinot Noir from the Anonymous Wine Collective comes from the newly minted SLO Coast AVA. This ultra-cool-climate growing region on California’s Central Coast has long been renowned for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other aromatic white varieties, but has now been formally recognized with the creation of an AVA defined by its immediate proximity to the Pacific Ocean. We partnered with one of the region’s most celebrated and critically acclaimed producers to craft this entirely estate-grown and produced Pinot Noir from vineyards located just a few miles from the coast. The fruit was hand-harvested and meticulously sorted before undergoing open-top, native fermentation with 10% whole-cluster inclusion. Each block was handled separately until the final barrel selections were made, bringing together our favorite components into one seamless expression of the SLO Coast. The wine is effusively aromatic and pure - a silky, highly perfumed expression of Pinot Noir that is drinking beautifully right out of the gate. Yet, knowing the reputation of this estate, it should also age gracefully for many years to come. Once again, our commitment to preserving the anonymity of our winery partners allows us to offer this wine at a fraction of the price it would command under the regular label. I hope you enjoy it. Cheers!

The Doc's Ranch is east-facing 1150-1200ft of elevation, and according to Cobb, it is pummeled with fog. The slope is southeast facing, and Ross uses 50% whole cluster to make this wine—aromas of red flowers and mint, white pepper and wild green strawberries. The palate shows sweet red berries, lightly spiced with notes of white pepper and an elegantly textured mouthfeel. This Pinot dances across the palate with zippy, savoury white pepper and a fresh note of evergreen sap and lithe pine needles lingering on through the finish. (CP)

The 2019 Clendenen Family Vineyards “The Pip” Santa Maria Valley Nebbiolo (Winery Direct Library Release) is absolutely lovely to sip. As I write this, it’s late at night, and I’m having it with crackers and some cold leftover steak after receiving it as a reward from an esteemed K&L colleague for catching (and later releasing in the wooded area of my backyard) a massive wolf spider in her bathroom. I wasn’t planning on drinking wine or even eating dinner, but I couldn’t resist opening this bottle as soon as I got home. After the first sip, I felt more than fairly compensated for my efforts. Black plum, juicy berries, dried rose petals, lemon balm, rooibos tea, and a subtle tarry note unfold across the palate, with a stony mineral quality adding another layer of complexity. It’s light on its feet, with food-friendly acidity and the kind of easygoing character that makes it just as enjoyable with a few casual snacks as it is at the dinner table. At full price, it’s an excellent value. At more than 45% off right now, it’s a screaming deal. Buy this for dinner with friends who know and love wine, particularly fans of the late, great Jim Clendenen and Au Bon Climat. As a library release from such a storied producer, it’s the kind of bottle your host or fellow guests will appreciate without ever knowing how little you paid for it. True to Italian tradition, “The Pip” spent three years aging in large 500-liter Hungarian oak puncheons, followed by another year in bottle before its original release. It has now had an additional seven years to rest and is still going strong, a thoughtful and elegantly rendered expression of Nebbiolo. Dog lovers may also get a kick out of the fact that the Pip series is named for Jim’s beloved late Border Collie, Pip. I can’t help smiling at the thought of the two of them being together again. I like to think that all dogs and great winemakers go to heaven.

Aromas of blood plums, violets, licorice, spices and dried herbs. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with a generous mouthfeel framed by finely extracted tannins and bright acidity. There’s tension to the wine and persistent purity of fruit in the finish. California's nod to the northern Rhone at the highest level. 100% whole-cluster fermentation. Drink or hold.

A complex and smooth-honed pinot that has aromas of violets and blueberries and sappy, leafy notes. There’s a gently meaty element, too, with spicy notes dealt into the fresh, ripe fruit. This has such integral fruit presence and a seamless, silky palate, infused with supple and glossy tannins. Very even, this holds cherry and blueberry flavors so long and so pure. Impressive concentration here. Drink or hold.

The Hillfighter, a “second label” from WeatherEye, is mostly Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 24% Syrah and 7% Tempranillo. I loved how its dried blueberry, worn saddle leather and graphite aromas reminded me of a mature Bordeaux. The wine's flavors of black cherry are ably backed by fine-grained tannins. *Editors' Choice*

An absolute classic rendition of Zinfandel this legendary, historic site. There tons of rich, brambly fruit from the old vine Zin, but also real substance and complexity from the inclusion of Alicante Bouchet and a Primitivo clone brought here by Italian immigrants over a century ago. The wine shows a real sense of place with a crushed rock and ferrous mineral tone from red iron-rich loam and volcanic cobblestones that define the soils of the site. The picture perfect growing season in 2023 gave this wine lots of vibrancy and focus to balance all that old vine concentration and potency. The subtle use of both French and American oak is a well known signature when combined with this beautiful fruit. The value here, as with all the Anonymous wines is simply outstanding! Enjoy!

Utterly clean and delicious aromas of lemon meringue, chiseled chalk and chipped flint show on the attention-grabbing nose of this bottling. There's a lively acidity and chalky grip to the palate, where tight Asian pear and jicama flavors align. (MK)

An exceptional sense of detail and precision on the nose of this with fine, red-berry and sous-bois notes and blue fruit in behind. The palate delivers scintillatingly fine, fresh and very elegant tannins that carve a long, linear shape and leave fresh raspberries and cherries on point. Excellent pinot from this elevated, coastal site. Drink or hold.

The 2023 Chardonnay Campbell Ranch has a distinctive coastal signature. Split pine, sea spray and lime zest tingle on the palate. Scintillating acids keep things moving in a linear fashion, sprinting through the finish with great precision and focus. West Sonoma Coast in a glass. Beautiful. (BN)

The nose is intensely aromatic and floral, with piercing notes of crushed strawberries, potpourri and orange rind. The palate is medium-bodied with seamless tannins and bright acidity, showing red currants, forest floor, cassia bark and mulberries. Very balanced and pure, with 40% whole cluster. Drink or hold.

Still very youthful and quite yeasty, this needs some aeration to open up, but the spectrum of fruit aromas goes right through the range of citrus and stone fruits, plus delicate notes of exotic fruit. Stunning concentration, racy acidity and wet-stone minerality on the incredibly focused palate. Literally breathtaking brilliance at the finish. This took more than two years to finish fermentation, but that long walk along a knife edge worked spectacularly well. *Top 10 Wines in the USA*

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2023 Cabernet Franc Muir-Hanna Vineyard is 100% Cabernet Franc, aged 22 months in French oak (22% new). It strolls confidently out of the glass with gregarious notes of raspberry coulis, violets, dark chocolate, and pencil lead, leading to hints of wild sage and wild blueberries. The medium- to full-bodied palate has a fine-grained and refreshing backbone supporting the perfumed red-berry and savory layers, finishing long and fragrant.

The 2021 Puzzle is Newton's mountain Cabernet blend at its most generous, dense and dark. It pours rich and dark, chocolate and mocha lifting out of the glass, before turning soft and fabulously friendly on the palate. Chalky dark fruit abounds, with a generous, almost decadent finish. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon from Newton's high volcanic sites, filled out with the a supporting cast of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Cranberry, cherry and earthy rhubarb aromas meet with bold chai spice on the nose of this bottling. The palate is rounded with warm baking spices that are wrapped in lush, creamy tannins, proving easy to quaff.

The latest Cabernet from the Anonymous Wine Collective is a truly special wine with an incredible backstory. I was lucky enough to walk among the vines with the winemaker and hand-pick barrels in the cellar to put together the final blend. It has been an absolute joy to help create this tiny, 200-case bottling from a historic block of vines that played an instrumental role in putting Napa Cabernet on the global map. The block of vines from which this wine originates was planted in 1974. It sits above the valley floor on a perfect alluvial bench at the base of the Mayacamas Mountains, along the western edge of the valley. The vines, an old heritage clone of Cabernet grafted onto St. George rootstock, grow in extremely rocky soils composed of weathered basalt and compressed volcanic ash, or tuff. From the late 1970s through the 1980s, fruit from this very block was a component of early Opus One bottlings and was blended into Robert Mondavi’s iconic Reserve Cabernet alongside To Kalon fruit (apparently to add structure!) My initial dream was to bottle a pure Cabernet Sauvignon from these 50-plus-year-old vines. However, while tasting barrels, I fell in love with some Merlot and Petit Verdot from a neighboring block planted in the mid-1990s. After trying several renditions of a Bordeaux-style blend, I decided to add equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot to the cuvée, as they beautifully complemented the dense, brooding old-vine Cabernet. The final blend was literally scribbled on the back of a napkin and sealed with a handshake. Once the components were racked together, the finished wine went back into barrel (Taransaud barrels, no less) for several more months, allowing everything to marry before bottling. Even though this wine is still an absolute baby, the quality is already clear to see. It is inky, brooding, and powerful, with an uncommon depth of black fruit, crushed rock, savory graphite, cedar, bay laurel, and beautifully integrated barrel spice. Please decant the wine for at least an hour if drinking it anytime soon, allowing it time to open up. I think it will be in fine form by this coming autumn and should have more than 20 years of aging potential. This is a wine I am incredibly proud of and one I will be enjoying on special occasions for many years to come!

A fabulous wine of focus and polish with very fine tannins that caress your palate and give great length to the finish. Medium to full body. The aromas of violets and currants are so beautiful. Dreamy. Best ever? A blend of 92% cabernet sauvignon, 4% cabernet franc, 2% merlot, 1% malbec and 1% petit verdot.

A remarkable blend sourced from Montagna Vineyard and from sites in Oak Knoll and Calistoga. Montagna Vineyard is located on Pritchard Hill in the eastern hills of Napa Valley. This full-bodied wine features notes of cardamom, black liquorice, and black cherry, complemented by a perfumed bouquet of wild herbs. Crafted by the talented winemaker Maayan Koschitzky, it is a lovely and sophisticated wine. (JC)

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a rich, heady wine. Even though it was just bottled, the 2019 possesses remarkable textural intensity. A whole range of floral and savory notes open as this statuesque Cabernet shows off its personality. This is an especially rich, bombastic Cabernet from Ric Forman. (AG)

Bright and lifted red-fruit aromas of wild strawberries, confit cherry, rose petals and citrus peel. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity, finishing with an earthy undertone. Well balanced and pure. Drink or hold.

This newer producer really starting hitting its stride in the 2023 vintage, as viticultural improvements on the older vines began to take hold. Juicy yet earthy aromas of blackberry, damp sage and mossy soils lead from the nose into a palate that sizzles with nearly prickly acidity. Flavors of sage, olive and brisk fruit ride across leathery tannins, making an mouthwateringly savory sip.

This is the best wine I've ever tasted from Trois Noix. It’s full-flavoured, complex, and rich without ever feeling heavy, framed by gorgeously polished tannins with a cocoa powder quality. The wine is supremely fresh and inviting, with minty eucalyptus and sagebrush notes lifting cassis, cherry, and white pepper-infused plum fruit, all supported by a spine of crisp acidity. Really hitting all the marks in 2023.

Our team found another outstanding value! This Napa Chardonnay offers ripe tropical fruit, a touch of creaminess, and a beautiful flinty character. Vibrant and well-balanced, it captures the warmth of Napa while remaining fresh and never heavy-handed.

The 2022 GSM from Justin Willett is fleshy and floral, with great inner sweetness and lovely freshness. It's nicely lifted and full of spiced character, with blue fruit, green peppercorn, lavender, blood orange, iron and inky seaweed notes fleshing out in the glass. At only 13.5%, the 2022 has a surprising amount of textural heft. This is a lot of wine for $25. (BN)

Polished boysenberry aromas are ripe and accessible but pleasantly smooth on the nose of this bottling. The wine lands with more serious flavors of soy, pepper and light lavender, as that baked boysenberry tone lingers in the background. (MK)

This is the second edition of Anonymous that we’ve produced with this incredible, world-renowned winery, and it takes the quality to an entirely new level. I’m proud to say I worked hand in hand with the winemaking team to craft this custom blend from the crème de la crème of single-vineyard components sourced from some of the region’s most sought-after sites. At the core of the wine are three Grand Cru–caliber vineyards, including old Wente clone vines planted in 1974. Most of the fruit comes from the far western edge of the Russian River Valley, where the AVA meets the West Sonoma Coast. The ultra–cool climate, Goldridge soils, and meticulous viticulture ensure that only the finest fruit makes it through the doors of this esteemed estate. The fruit was gently pressed, and the juice was racked to top-quality French oak (30% new), where it fermented with native yeasts and aged on its lees for 15 months. The final blend is composed of 12 carefully selected barrels, chosen not only for their exceptional individual character but also for their seamless integration as a whole. I couldn’t be more proud of this wine. Working with this team is a true joy. With decades of winemaking pedigree and multiple 100-point wines to their credit, this partnership embodies everything the Anonymous Wine Project is about. Under its original label, this wine typically retails for $75–$90. The value delivered through anonymity is simply sensational.

A softer, more aromatic energy surrounds this Pinot. Whispers of flowers, fresh cut herbs and cranberries swirl on the nose, while the palate brings flavors of dried cherry, anise, and some nice crunchy tannin to balance the dancing acidity.

A compelling, brooding, muscular rendition of Cabernet from Alexander Valley with gorgeous boysenberry notes, black currants, and rose petals laced with vanillin notes and toasty oak. Medium to full-bodied with black currants, ripe blackberry and black cherry notes framed by velvety tannins laced with that irresistible vanillin note. Toasty oak spices lend a hint of sweetness, balanced by grippy acidity. Long and complex, revealing umami, garrigue, and crushed slatestone on the finish. It's a terrific wine from the Alexander Valley. (JC)

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is silky and elegant, with lovely aromatic presence and impeccable balance. Sweet tobacco, cedar, dried flowers and mint all give this mid-weight Cabernet lovely complexity and nuance. The 2018 has shut down since I tasted it last year, but that is not surprising given the style here. Today, bright acids give the 2018 energy, tension and a good deal of precision. (AG) 96+

The 2022 Pinot Noir Francesca Vineyard comes from a site in the Sta. Rita Hills and was fermented with plenty of stems (60%) and aged in 25% new French oak. It has a little Dujac-like vibe in its stemmy red and black fruits as well as complex notes of underbrush, leather, and leafy herbs. This carries to a medium-bodied Pinot Noir that's beautifully balanced, has fine, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's one hell of a classy Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir to drink over the coming decade.

Rich, dark-fruited character with dried berries, plums and hints of mocha, chocolate and grilled herbs. Full-bodied with a velvety, though slightly chewy texture and plush fruit. Long and broad finish.

A depth of brambly black and blue fruit dazzles on the well-structured palate of the 2024 Pinot Noir, layered in light bolts of baking spice, forest, and black tea. Balanced acidity keeps it fresh and lively and inviting in its youth. Drink now through 2032.

This is the second edition of Anonymous that we’ve produced in partnership with this incredible, world-renowned winery—a relationship that dates back to earlier editions of our emeritus house label, Kalinda. The last release was a single-vineyard, single-block wine. This time, working hand in hand with the winemaking team, we felt the synergy of multiple components created something even more compelling than any one individual element. The blend brings together estate-grown fruit with several barrels sourced from highly renowned, Grand Cru–level single vineyards. The wine is composed primarily of heritage clones—Hyde (Calera selection), Swan, and Pommard—with smaller portions of Dijon clones. The fruit was fermented in small, open-top tanks with native yeast and approximately 20% whole-cluster inclusion. After fermentation, the wine was aged for 15 months in French oak (30% new) before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Working with this team is a true pleasure. With decades of winemaking pedigree and multiple 100-point wines to their credit, this partnership embodies everything the Anonymous Wine Project stands for. Under its own label, this wine typically retails for $80–$100. The value made possible through anonymity is simply sensational.

Deep purple/plum-hued and based on 80% Syrah, 15% Grenache, and 5% Carignan, aged 22 months in 300-liter French oak barrels (50% new), the 2022 Centauri reveals darker berries, juicy plum, ground pepper, and chalky minerality. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, and concentrated, it has building, polished tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. This beautifully done, classy Syrah will drink well over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035.

***No. 1 Best Buy of 2025*** Aromatics of deep, regal, dark fruits, with hints of baking and savory spices, leap out of the glass. The palate promises rich, dense blackberry, Olallieberry, cardamom, tobacco, chocolate cocoa nibs, and a lip-smacking finish. Decant and Enjoy. Pair with grilled bone-in rib-eye, rosemary herbed butter, creamer potatoes. *Best Buy*

Stone fruits, honeysuckle, blanched almonds, and white flowers define the 2022 Chardonnay Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard, with comes from a great site in Carneros and was raised in 70% new barrels. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shows impressive concentration and a layered style that has tons to love. Enjoy this beauty over the coming 4-6 years.

So much purity to the fresh, concentrated beam of cherries, raspberries and red plum preserves, all lifted by flowers and mouthwatering acidity. A kiss of spices and Mediterranean scrub sweeps in, while elegantly long, approachable tannins promise a rewarding life ahead. Drink or hold.

Fine and mineral with a floral scent to the lemons and sour cream. Fresh, gastronomic and bone-dry on the palate with a medium body and an elegant, lightly saline finish. Excellent length here. Drink now. (ZS)