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Awesome levels of blackcurrants, darker cherries, roasted herbs, chocolate, and scorched earth all emerge from the 2022 Château Malartic-Lagravière, an incredibly concentrated, rich, layered beauty that has velvety tannins, a deep, layered mid-palate, and a blockbuster finish. It's easily the finest I've tasted from this château and is a riveting 2022 that deserves 4-6 years in the cellar and will keep for two decades or more. The 2022 is based on 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, with the élevage spanning 20 months in 60% new French oak. There are a little over 8,000 cases of this brilliant wine.

Masotti Napa Cab - back again and bigger and bolder than ever! Last year when we introduced the Masotti wines to our customers there was a scramble to snatch them up at the crazy prices we secured and we expect the same this time around, too! If you missed the 2021 Masotti Cab here's the scoop - These wines are crafted by Mitchell Masotti whose day job is making wines at Bevan Cellars! Mitchel has worked alongside luminary Russel Bevan for more than a decade and works with some of the finest fruit around the valley. Clocking up more than a dozen 100-point wines under the Bevan label, this guy knows how to make rich, powerful, crowd-pleasing wines! The 2022 Napa Cab shows the forward and decadent style of the vintage with ripe dark fruits, blackberry, plum, boysenberry hints, too. Dark roast espresso beans, hints of sweet oak spice, new leather, hot stone. Soft, round tannins meld with lush fruit, it's a real mouthful of of easy drinking Napa goodness. As even sub-$50 Napa Cabs become ever scarcer, we backed up the truck at this super sharp price. However, once folks start buying it by the case there's no telling how long it will last.

Refined and earth-driven, showing tightly wound black-fruit aromas with underlying notes of graphite, bitter chocolate and cured meats. The palate is focused and pure with finely tuned tannins and a generous yet precise palate. A lovely wine to drink now or to cellar. Drink or hold.

The 2022 Château Tronquoy is the finest vintage of this cuvée ever produced, offering fabulous aromatics of cassis, graphite, violets, flowers, chocolate, and earthy nuances. Full-bodied and beautifully rich and textured on the palate, with sweet tannins and a seamless, concentrated mouthfeel, it’s already hard to resist, and as I said from barrel, it shows the ripeness of the vintage while staying pure, balanced, and seamless. It’s going to benefit from just 4-6 years in the cellar and drink well for 25+ years.

Elegant and spicy, with a silky texture and mouthwatering acidity and tannins. Red and black tea, savory mountain herbs, tobacco and crushed roses on the palate. Really good. Drink or hold.

Capacious blackcurrant, blueberry and dark cherry fruit cradled in a coffee, cacao richness which fortifies the weighty structure and strident tannins. Oozing substance and charisma. (DWWA)

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)

After tasting the Petaluma Gap chardonnay and the Anderson Valley pinot noir, this (also) brand-new cabernet was my last stop for the day. With the other two being outstanding, especially for the $, I had high expectations for this one. This one was quite the change! The other two leaned more into brightness and acidity. This lil monster looked very deep and brooding in the glass. It almost looked unfiltered. I'm not sure if it is but, it kind of appears that way. For me, that is a very good thing. After letting it breathe, out came the black currant, tobacco, cedar and chocolate cherry scents. In the mouth, quite formidable with mouth-coating fruit of more currants, dusty red cherries, earth, clean wood and milk chocolate. Initially the finish starts smoothly, gathers speed and become tart with the clean (and fresh) wood dominating. A very, very light bit of smooth chalk also comes into play, if there is such a thing. Like the other two Anonymous wines that I tried today, this one is a bargain, and it will certainly age for quite a few more years.

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 2016 Paradigm is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. This is a stunning wine, currently in a phase of compact fruit and impressive density that highlights its remarkable potential. Notes of black currant pressed violets and rose petals dominate the profile, underpinned by a deep vein of electric acidity, black truffle, and loamy earth. The full-bodied richness builds beautifully on the palate, showcasing a seamless integration of superfine tannins already beautifully polished at this stage. This wine is a testament to patience—please hold onto this as long as you can, as it promises to evolve into something extraordinary over time—a masterpiece of balance, density, and elegance. I find myself shaking my head over the lack of critical praise for these wines over the years and applaud the consumers who have locked into a spot on the mailing list at Paradigm because they are world-class wines from pedigreed vines, ageworthy, and offer just about the best QPR (quality-to-price ratio) in Napa these days. (JC)

For my money (and I have some in the cellar), the 1998 Haut-Brion is the finest vintage from this estate between 1989 and 2000, surpassing the 1990. While it remains decidedly youthful at age 25, it is beginning to stir, unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berry fruit, cigar wrapper, loamy soil, pencil shavings and burning embers. Medium-bodied, deep and concentrated, it's layered and elegant, with refined tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish. Exemplifying the ideal of intensity without weight, it enjoys a slight edge over La Mission Haut-Brion in this banner year for both properties. (WK)

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.

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!

Juicy and drinkable, mint leaf, tobacco, savoury blue fruit, cumin and incense, creamy as it opens up. This kept on delivering, really holding up over several hours of being open and enjoyed. No Malbec in rhe more ecent blends of Gruaud Larose, but this was during the beginning of vineyard restructuring under Suntory (owners since 1989) and a reminder of the 19th century years when this was the dominant grape of the Médoc. Tasted out of magnum, Philippe Carmaigac cellar master, 35% new oak.

Spottswoode’s 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly a strong effort, even for this benchmark producer, featuring layers of dark, dense cassis, blackberry and blueberry fruit. The new oak component has been completely subsumed by the fruit in this medium- to full-bodied wine. Greater density and concentration somehow come without weight, supported by silky tannins. Featuring a lovely, elegant mouthfeel and tremendous length on the finish, it should stand tall among the many legends produced at this estate. (JC)

This is a very classically structured Bordeaux with blackcurrant, walnut, cedar and hints of toasted oak. It’s reserved now, but shows very serious, polished tannins. Persistent and powerful with fantastic length. Very precise.

Big rich, powerful wine with pencil lead precision. This is a brilliant wine, I loved it En Primeur and it is delivering on expectations. It's big, as is Langoa in this vintage, with damson and black cherry fruits, and tons of gourmet notes from brioche to bacon rind to chocolate shavings. The tannins are going to need a good decade to soften, but when it is ready, this is going to be such a fun wine to share with friends.

The precision, hewn and cut tannins, wet stones, black tea, anis, liquorice root, bilberry and blackcurrant fruit, juicy tannins, understated power, settling in to itself at 10 years old, a superb wine that captures Margaux finesse with the more blunt power and concentration of the year.

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.

***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*

Our Discovery Series has arrived! At the core of this program is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not just placing a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep, trusted network of sources. Each wine must rise above its peers, often outperforming bottles at multiples of the price. Only those that meet this high bar make it into the lineup. For many, including myself, 2016 is the “Goldilocks” vintage in Bordeaux—everything in just the right proportions. It will long be remembered as one of the great reference-point vintages for the region, but perhaps even more distinctly in the Northern Médoc, where nearly every top château produced an epic bottling. That is one of the many reasons I fell so deeply for this wine. The other is its source: a producer we’ve long admired, making a wine I would happily feature at full price. As part of our Discovery Series, it stands out as an extraordinary value. Now, at nearly ten years past the vintage, the wine is in full voice. Aromatically, it shows a floral and mineral lift surrounding layers of dark red fruit. On the palate, it is textured and generous, with enough structure to express the typicité of St-Estèphe, while remaining open and approachable. With striking precision, impressive depth of flavor, and a vivid expressiveness right from the first sip, this is a brilliant expression of Bordeaux—and still a bargain at twice the price. I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

Another of the cru classé properties outside the big-name appellations, but rather better-known, and a long-term reliable source of good left-bank Bordeaux. The nose has real interest, with notes of grilled currant, leather, freshly pressed tea leaves and tobacco leaves, fragrant and perfumed. It does not suggest great concentration or richness here, perhaps a little surprising for the vintage, but it nevertheless has undeniable appeal. Texturally it feels very relaxed, yet precisely defined, lightly peppery, with evident threads of cigar box and tobacco running alongside the maturing fruit. A rather cool style, especially for this vintage, with a tightly grained structure of ripe and finely grained tannins, which sits within a finessed and delineated substance. The tannins only really show through after the finish, but they are there. Charming and fresh, full of tobacco and leather complexity, draped over a slow fade of tannins, this has a lot going for it, now and into the future.

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 appellation 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is terrific and well worth seeking out. Coming from 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and tiny amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, it reveals a ruby/purple hue as well as a Graves-like nose of darker currants, scorched earth, leafy tobacco, and iron. Ripe, round, and seamless on the palate, with medium-bodied richness, it has beautiful tannins and outstanding length. This beauty is well worth seeking out and can be drunk any time over the coming 15 years.

It is hard to call Petrus a “sleeper of the vintage,” but the 2008 will merit more attention than most consumers would think. Low yields of 30 hectoliters per hectare resulted in only 25,000 bottles of this beauty. A wine of great intensity (possibly the most concentrated wine of the vintage), this 100% Merlot boasts a dark purple color as well as a sweet perfume of mocha, caramel, black cherries, black currants, earth and forest floor. Deep, unctuously textured, full-bodied and pure, it will benefit from 4-5 years of cellaring and should drink well for 25-30+ years. (RP)

This is the essence of Le Pin with incredible silk texture and beautiful fruit. A berry, sweet-tobacco, chocolate and dusty undertone. It reminds me of many wonderful and underrated Le Pins of the 1980s like 1985 or 1986. What a wine. Better in 2018. But who can wait? Cystal clear. It’s like the 2001 that was always better than 2000.

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.

Ridge made a Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet from 1978 through the late 1980s, before changing the naming to ‘Estate.’ With the 2023 vintage, Ridge had the opportunity to purchase fruit from along Montebello Road, as well as other sites throughout the Santa Cruz AVA. Made just like all the Ridge wines. The well-known Monte Bello structure leaps out at you, taut and lean, salty, but backed by ample cherry fruit and a touch of oak spice. This wine has concentrated and dark fruit, Bright and spicy, a mountain Cabernet through and through. There’s an approachability here, and that is the role of this Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet in the library of ageable Ridge wines. Elegance married to approachability. (CP)

Leave it to an orange wine specialist to chart a new future for Paso Robles Cab. This lower alcohol bottling, which seamlessly integrated the 30% new oak treatment, shows blackberry fruit aroma set against a chalky, slate-like minerality on the nose. The palate is tightly wound, offering a core of dark red fruit spiced in cocoa and dried mint, with an olive kick on the lingering acidity of the finish. *Editors' Choice* (MK)

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.

Coming from a vintage compared to 2016 and 2019 by the château, the 2020 Château Tronquoy-Lalande checks in as 52% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Petit Verdot, hitting 13.5% alcohol. Beautiful cassis, plums, damp earth, and chocolate notes all emerge from this beauty, which is a layered, medium to full-bodied, gorgeously textured Saint-Estèphe. The tannins are present yet polished, and it has a great mid-palate and outstanding length. I'd wager this is one of the finest vintages of this cuvée to date. It has the purity of fruit and opulence to shine even today, yet I suspect it won't hit prime time for 7-8 years, and it should have 20 years of prime drinking at that point.

Bright, lifted, so clean and smooth, silky almost but creamy too with a nice weight and texture to the fine, softly powdery tannins. Generous and well controlled with some savoury liquorice and wet stone tang that gives accent and nuance. Lovely acidity and just an excellent expression with delicacy, control and appeal. Really very drinkable, floral, fruity with a gentle salty, savoury undercurrent. A top buy. (GH)

The debut label of our Discovery Series continues to impress. At the core of this program is a mission to showcase wines of impeccable quality, unmistakable regional typicité, and exceptional value. As I often say, we’re not just placing a label on someone’s latest release—we’re curating standout selections from our deep, trusted network of sources. Each wine must rise above its peers, often outperforming bottles at multiples of the price. Only those that meet this high bar make it into the lineup. Such is the case with our 2019 Pauillac, crafted by a classified growth—though the name must remain a secret, thanks to a special arrangement secured for the Discovery Series. This wine captures the triumph, accessibility, and layered depth of the 2019 vintage. It’s a vivid expression of Pauillac—unforgettable in its elegance and authenticity. I especially adore its character and how clearly it reflects the region’s typicité. On the nose, a vibrant mélange of red and black fruits takes center stage—cassis, blackberry, and black plum—woven with a hint of graphite and pencil lead. The palate delivers a beautifully refined texture, with bright, energetic red fruit at the core and a structured finish layered with black fruit. A subtle richness plays off the wine’s firm structure, while fresh acidity brings lift and balance. The signature Pauillac tannins are present, yet softened by the generosity of the 2019 vintage, offering a wine that is both serious and remarkably approachable. Now seven years past the vintage, some of the edges are beginning to soften, and it appears poised for a long, broad drinking window. For a quintessential Pauillac—and a top-notch Bordeaux value—this is one to stock up on and revisit time and time again.

Ripe and seriously fragranced on the nose, heady and inviting. A bit more strict and tight than the 2015, plenty of juice, but this has tension and is constricted a little bit by the frame and the saltiness. 2015 is more expressive, this is quiet and still hiding a little. Lovely form and structure, you can feel the sinew and the construction, graceful and shining. It's absolutely gorgeous, the clarity and the purity really transport you, beautiful, impressive, charming and characterful. Needs more time but with a good airing you could enjoy this today. I like the delicacy to the tannins, the integration with the fruit and the edges of sweet and savoury spice as well as the estate minerality underneath. Feels compelling. A fabulous wine. 5% Petit Verdot completes the blend. (GH)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2016 Ridge Vineyards "Monte Bello" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon (100VN, 98IWR, 97JD, 96RP, 96W&S, 96WS, 95DC, 95JS). Vinous: "The 2016 Monte Bello is a masterful expression of this lauded site in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It’s powerful, broad and infinitely layered, but it also possesses an incredibly finessed tannin structure that speaks clearly and forcefully but yields dutifully. Saturated blueberry, gravel, eucalyptus, charcoal, cedar and India ink build gradually and steadily through the long and sizzling finish. Just beginning to soften and develop beyond the primary stage, it wouldn’t be a crime to open a bottle now, but this has many, many lives left to live and should be even better (if you can fathom) in a few more years. This is what Monte Bello is all about. (BN)" (09/2024)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2016 Clos du Marquis, St-Julien (95JD, 95JS, 94RP, 94VN, 94WS, 93WE, 92DC), 1-bottle of 2016 Marquis d'Alesme, Margaux (96JD, 96RP, (93-95CK), 95JA, 94VN, 93DC, 93JS), and 1-bottle of 2016 Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan (98JS, 97JA, 97JD, 96DC, 96IWR, 96RP, 96TWI, 96WS, 95VN, 95WE). Of the 2016 Pape Clément, Pessac-Léognan, James Suckling writes: "Stunning concentration of perfectly ripe blackcurrants here with a delicate whiff of vanilla oak and extremely fine tannins that are almost perfectly integrated on the seductive and delicate palate, right through the almost literally breathtaking, super-long and very polished finish." (01/2019)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 1999 Allegrini Valpolicella Classico.

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2016 Bellevue, St-Emilion (97JS, 95TWI, 94JD, 93DC, 93VN, 93WS, 92WE), 1-bottle of 2016 Fonplégade, St-Émilion (96DC, 96RP, 95JS, 94JD, 94VN, 92WS), and 1-bottle of 2016 Tour St-Christophe, St-Emilion (96JS, 94JD, 94RP, 93VN, 92DC). Of the 2016 Bellevue, St-Emilion, James Suckling writes: "A dense and layered red with ripe plums and blueberries, as well as hints of wet earth and moss. Full-bodied, velvety and layered with fantastic fruit and creamy, velvety tannins. Plush and deep. Great wine. " (02/2019)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2016 Fonbadet, Pauillac (94WE, 93VN, 92CK, 92JD, 92JS, 91DC, 91RP). Wine Enthusiast: "This 50-acre, family-owned property is surrounded by some of the most famous names in Pauillac. The wine shares some of the same fine Cabernet Sauvignon flavors, ripe with intense black-currant fruitiness that partners with dusty tannins and acidity. It's a wine for aging. *Editors' Choice* (RV)" (05/2019)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1989 Pichon-Lalande, Pauillac (95JG, 95WS, 94JA, 94VN, 93JD, 93RP). Wine Spectator: "This has entered its secondary phase, with alluring notes of black tea, steeped plum, mulled spice and warm pain d'épices emerging from the core of supple plum, cassis and black cherry fruit. The long, fine-grained finish lets a perfumy singed cedar accent linger. A beauty. (JM)" (11/2014)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2019 Ridge Vineyards "Monte Bello" Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon (99JS, 98DC, 98VN, 97RP, 95JD, 95WE, 95WS). James Suckling: "This is a very powerful Monte Bello with currants and blackberry, black licorice and smoked meat. Mint. Some sesame seed, too. It's full-bodied with incredible darkness and saltiness like volcanic salt. Umami. Grilled seaweed. Flavorful and captivating. It goes on for minutes. " (09/2022)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2019 Vérité "La Joie" Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend (100TWI, 99JD, 98DC, 98JS, 98RP, 95JA), 1-bottle of 2019 Vérité "La Muse" Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend (99JS, 98JD, 97RP, 95DC, 94JA), and 1-bottle of 2019 Vérité "Le Désir" Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend (100JS, 100RP, 100TWI, 98JD, 97JA, 96DC). Of the 2019 Vérité "La Joie" Sonoma County Bordeaux Blend, The Wine Independent writes: "A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, the 2019 La Joie is deep garnet-purple in color. It has a wonderfully flashy and flamboyant nose of blackcurrant cordial, redcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and potpourri with hints of chocolate mint, tilled soil, chalk dust, and forest floor. The medium to full-bodied palate is very taut and muscular with tons of bright, crunchy black fruits and wonderful tension, finishing with tons of earthy nuances. (LPB)" (06/2022)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2016 To Kalon Vineyard Co. "Highest Beauty" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon (99JS, 97JD, 97WS). James Suckling: "This pure Cabernet Sauvignon is the real deal with redcurrant and terracotta character on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied, yet really reserved and ultra-refined. The quality of the tannins is super with such fine grain, yet it continues on for minutes. This is the first release and it shows beautiful classicism. Shows the essence of the place. Needs four or five years to come around." (12/2020)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2009 Dana Estates "Lotus Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (OWC - 97RP, 95ST, 93WS) in original wood. Wine Advocate: "A rich, sensual wine, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard captures the best qualities of the vintage. Layers of dark red fruit, kirsch, sweet spices, tobacco and herbs saturate the palate as this large-scaled, voluptuous wine opens up in the glass. There is a purity and centeredness to the 2009 that is striking. At the same time, the tannins aren’t quite as polished as they are in the very best wines here. Overall, though, that is a pretty small critique for a wine that delivers so much pure pleasure. Exotic spice and kirsch notes reappear on the finish. The 2009 was fermented in a combination of 45% oak uprights, 45% cement and 10% barriques. It spent 26 months in 100% new French oak barrels. (AG)" (12/2012)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1976 Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac (96JS, 93JG, 93RP, 92VN). James Suckling: "This is the wine of the vintage. I love the rosewater, currants and citrus character to this now. It's still full body yet so ethereal. It goes on and on in the finish turning creamy and citrusy." (10/2016)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1987 Robert Mondavi "Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (95RP) and 1-bottle of 1990 Robert Mondavi "Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (94RP, 90VN). Of the 1987 Robert Mondavi "Reserve" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Wine Advocate writes: "This has a wonderful lifted minty nose that actually reminds me of a great Mouton-Rothschild. Sublime definition and purity with scents of blackberry, black plum and just a touch of prune. Very intense and beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied, very svelte and supple, beautiful balance and poise, notes of blackberry, cedar, black plum and just a touch of iodine. Elegant finish. Superb. (NM)" (11/2009)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Bevan "Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard" St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon (100IWR, 100JD, 100RP, 96VN). Wine Advocate: "The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard was aged for 19 months in French oak barrels, 100% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sashays out of the glass with flamboyant scents of redcurrant jelly, Black Forest cake, blackcurrant pastilles and rose oil with suggestions of cast-iron pan, pencil lead and tilled soil plus a waft of fragrant earth. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated with firm, exquisitely ripe, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, it delivers an incredible mineral and perfumed red fruit firework display finish. Fans of Dr. Crane are going to LOVE this expression, masterfully crafted by Russell Bevan—an absolute must-try! (LPB) " (02/2021)

Bid on this bottle of 2021 Vice Versa "Mysterons" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (98JD, 96RP, 95DC). Jeb Dunnuck: "Coming just about all from the Ecotone Vineyard (there's a splash of Georges III in here), the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Mysterons is deep purple-hued, with an insanely good bouquet of red and black fruits, iron, bloody meat, and graphite, and it turns slightly more floral and violet-tinged with air. Classic, quintessential 2021 Napa Valley magic, it's full-bodied and has tons of obvious minerality, a stacked mid-palate, and enough tannins to warrant 5-7 years of bottle age. It will most likely merit a perfect rating at maturity. (JD) 98+" (02/2024)