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J Lohr Signature Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Cabernet Franc 6% Saint Macaire 4% Petit Verdot 4% Malbec.

1,600 three-bottle cases, bottled June 201

J. Lohr Signature Cabernet Sauvignon was first produced to honor the 80th birthday of founder Jerry Lohr. This limited release was specially selected and blended from the exceptional 2016 vintage in Paso Robles. It is both a tribute to Jerry's pioneering efforts in the region and our red wine portfolio's ultimate expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. VINEYARDS & CELLAR Beck Vineyard, in the Creston District of Paso Robles, is a unique, high elevation site that sits at 1,700 feet above the early morning fog line. Its calcareous soils and cooling afternoon winds are perfect for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet from this vineyard ripens early with excellent color, purity of fruit, and phenolic maturity. Incorporation of Cabernet Franc brings freshness to the blend, while the rare Bordeaux variety, Saint Macaire, brings density and a savory character. Petit Verdot and Malbec add structure, color, and a component of bright fruit. The hand-harvested grapes were held separate at harvest and berry-sorted into six-ton open top tanks for fermentation. Maceration took place on the skins for five days, before early pressing to achieve ideal tannin extraction. Aged 19 months in 100% new French oak from coopers Nadalie and Sylvain.

Review:

"Dense in the glass, this top-tier Cabernet Sauvignon includes small additions of Saint-Macaire, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Elegant layers of black currant, black cherry, milk chocolate and cappuccino show on the nose. An expertly chiseled structure is immediately apparent on the palate, where rich and deep yet balanced flavors of black cherry cream and mocha latte prove luxurious." - Wine Enthusiast 97 Points

Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2020

Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras Rouge is made from 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre.

Ages in 30% Aged in oak, 70% concrete vats.

Medium-bodied, pure and elegant. It offers plenty of plum, blueberry, spring flowers and peppery notes. Beautifully textured, enjoy it over the coming 6-7 years.

Pair with with duck (roasted or grilled) as well as any grilled vegetables (eggplant, zucchini).

Soil types
The vineyard stretches over the plateau of scrubland that is ideally located between the terraces of the Ouvèze (tributary of the Rhone) and Dentelles de Montmirail, and constitutes pebbles soil debris of Dentelles de Montmirail and clay.

Winemaking
Traditional winemaking, temperature controlled fermentation.

Review:

"Mostly Grenache (there’s 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre), the 2017 Vacqueyras Château Mazane offers classic ripe cherry and darker berry fruits as well as plenty of garrigue, pepper, violets, and earthy aromas and flavors. It stays straight and focused on the palate, with plenty of concentration and structure, and is going to keep for 8-10 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (September 2019, Southern Rhône Part 2: 2017 & 2018 from Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Cairanne, and Rasteau), 91+ pts

Wolfberger Alsace Gewurztraminer is made from 100 percent Gewurztraminer 

Very aromatic, with rose petal, peach and honeysuckle aromas. Full bodied, bright, zesty and crisp, this wine is extravagant and extroverted.
This wine has been awarded with silver and gold medal on a regular basis for the last decade.

Alain Jaume Crozes Hermitage La Butte d'Or is made from 100 percent Syrah.

The wine comes from vineyards planted on well drained soils that are composed of gravels deposited by the Isere and Rhone Rivers. They store heat and bring a beautiful expression of Syrah.

The nose offers intense aromas of violet, blueberry and blackcurrant that mingle with subtle notes of mint and black pepper. In the mouth, the wine is juicy and pleasant with a velvety texture.

Hand-picked grapes, vinification in stainless steel vats. Total destemming. Cold pre-fermentation maceration.

Review:

"The 2019 Crozes-Hermitage La Butte D'Or is incredibly spicy and peppery, with a medium-bodied, elegant, nicely balanced style. Delivering silky yet present tannins as well as good acidity, it’s just about as gulpable and delicious as they come. Enjoy bottles over the coming 4-6 years."

- Jeb Dunnuck (November 2020), 89-91 pts

Alain Jaume Cairanne Les Travees is made from 65% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre.

Our selected vines for this cuvée are on slopes facing south.

The wine delivers an intensive nose, with loads of black fruits.
Starting full and concentrated, with silky tannins, the mouth reveals blackcurrant and a cherry fruit typicity.
It finishes with typical notes of pepper and earth.
Enjoy with roasted lamb or braised or BBQed pork. gpoes also very well with mild cheese, such as brie or camenbert.

Ponzac Malbec Cahors is made from 100 percent Malbec.

The wine is produced from vineyards planted on a mineral and fresh terroir - the chalky plateau of Carnac - which produces unique wines.
The nose shows notes of fresh black fruits (blackberries) with candied fruits and spices. The texture is dense and velvety and the wine is crisp and tense all the way to the finish.

This wine will pair very well with beef tartare, meat in sauce, curries and grilled meat.

Review:

"A finely balanced, rich wine, this both dense and elegant. Spice and a dry core of tannins are both very much in evidence at this stage, although both will soften in time. It has power and concentration, and aging potential. Drink from 2022. - ROGER VOSS"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (November 2020), 90 pts

The Siegel Special Reserve Viognier has a pale yellow color with green tones. The nose is quite intense with superb notes of white peach, grapefruit and floral expression. On the palate, the wine is balanced, persistent and it has an excellent acidity.

The Siegel Special Reserve Viognier is a blend of Viognier aged in French Oak barrels for 3 months and Viognier aged on the lees in stainless steel tanks. The wine didn't go through a Malolactic fermentation in order to keep it lively and fresh.

It was bottled right after a slight filtration.

The Siegel Special Reserve Viognier goes well with thai food or fish cooked in sauce.

Wolfberger Alsace Grand Cru Riesling Rangen de Thann is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

 Mineral, spicy, minty with some eucalyptus notes, tropical fruits, grapefruit. Balanced and exotic in the finish, with long lasting flavors.

The Rangen Grand Cru is located in Thann, deep in the south of Alsace. Its particular soil is made of volcano-clastic rocks that drink up the heat of the day and send it back out again at night. The composition of the soil allows the roots of the vines to drink deeply from the mineral-rich sub-soil. Its southern exposure has the advantage of refreshing, drying winds in case of dampness. The high slopes are quite steep, reaching 68% in some places, requiring that the harvest be done by abseiling or roping down. Perfect for aging, these wines will reveal even more qualities after several years in the cellar.

Pair with Serve with fish, seafood, sushi, sashimi, goat cheese, vegetarian food.

Trione Cabernet Sauvignon Block 21 is made from 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc.

Aged 18 Months in French oak barrels (45% new)

Our Block 21 Cabernet is a single vineyard selection from the Trione Cloverdale Ranch, located on the western flank of the Mayacamas Mountains, in the northern portion of Alexander Valley. The vines, planted in 2001 with Bordeaux clone 337, grow in clay and sandy loam soils underlain with a high percentage of gravel. Cabernet Sauvignon grown in this ideal terroir develops deep, concentrated flavors and fine, smooth tannins.

Aromatic entry filled with hints of clove, allspice and nutmeg. The impression on the palate is soft, with silky tannins and lingering hints of mocha and cedar cigar box. Also present are the fruit profiles of plum, currant, blueberries and boysenberry. The finish is long and persistent which shows the beautiful balance of tannin/acidity/oak in the structure. This wine is showing the benefit of barrel and bottle age and is drinking perfectly now and will age gracefully for the next 5-10 years.

Review:

"The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Block 21 has a medium ruby color and ripe red and black fruits on the nose accented by vanilla, tobacco, dried herbs and pencil shavings. The medium-bodied palate has well-managed ripeness and mineral-laced fruits in a grainy, fresh frame and with a long finish. This is a fresh style that's approachable right out of the gate. - Erin Brooks"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (August 2020), 91 pts

Freemark Abbey Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque with dark ruby color. The aroma is very rich with blackberry and dark currant fruit. With great depth of fruit, the oak adds a spicy edge, yielding nuances of aromatic cedar, cinnamon, clove, cigar box, black pepper and dark chocolate coco powder. This is a very big wine, the body is very full, balanced with black fruit flavors, coupled with a good acidity and resolved tannins. This will give a Cabernet lover goose bumps.

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) is powerful, dense and savory, not to mention incredibly expressive. Sweet tobacco, grilled herbs, leather, licorice, chocolate and dried flowers develop in this characterful Cabernet; there is plenty of Rutherford dirt personality as well. This is very nicely done.

-- Antonio Galloni 93 Points

Castello Di Fonterutoli Toscana Mazzei Mix 36 is made from 100 percent 100% Sangiovese.

Castello di Fonterutoli, source of some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, is an historic property embracing an entire tranquil, centuries-old hamlet just south of Castellina in Chianti, in the heart of Chianti Classico. The estate has been in the hands of the Mazzei family for 26 generations. The Mazzei’s have been producing wine at Castello di Fonterutoli since 1435. This dynamic family has carefully safeguarded the inherent beauty and rich heritage of Fonterutoli, while simultaneously implementing measures to ensure cutting-edge quality in the vineyards and cellars.

At Fonterutoli, there are 36 Sangiovese biotypes grown, including 18 massal selections exclusive to the estate. To preserve the unique qualities of each type, the Mazzei family micro-vinifies each separately, then blends them into their Mix 36 cuvée, an arduous, technically challenging process that produces breathtaking results.

TERROIR & VINTAGE NOTES

The Mazzei’s believe the name “Fonterutoli” derives from Latin origin, ‘Fons Rutolae’ or ‘Fons Rutilant,’ meaning clear spring. The area was chosen by the Etruscans to build villages near the water springs. An incredibly diverse area, Fonterutoli covers five main vineyard sites of different terroirs: Fonterutoli, Siepi, Le Ripe, Caggio and Belvedere.

Sangiovese finds itself particularly at home in these areas, which are planted at altitudes varying between 750 and 1,800 feet above sea level, at south and southwest exposure. The rocky limestone and sandstone soil structure, high density planting ( avg. 7,000 plants per hectare) and low yields of less than 40 hectoliters per hectare result in the production of complex, elegant and powerful wines.

WINEMAKING

A mix of 36 distinct Sangiovese biotypes. Grapes were hand harvested beginning of October, then fermented in temperature-controlled tanks at 79-82˚F. The wine underwent 15 days of maceration.

AGEING

Aged for 18 months in French Oak barrels (500lt), then placed in concrete tanks for a final 4 months. The wine is bottle aged for 11 months before release.

TASTING NOTES

The wine takes on a deep ruby color. On the nose, complex aromas of fresh red berries. On the palate, extremely elegant with red fruit notes and a persistent finish.

Review:

A red that is extremely polished and refined with blackberry and cherry character. Hints of cedar and dried flowers. Medium body. Juicy fruit. Hard not to drink this now but better in 2019. - James Suckling 94 Points

 Siegel Special Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda is made from 100 percent Sauvignon Blanc

The Special Reserve wines represent the union of tradition and innovation in two generations. The grapes are sourced through careful selection of their best vineyards in the cool coastal Leyda Valley region. Siegel Special Reserve Sauvignon Blanc offers a pale yellow color with green hues and reveals intense and complex aromas of grapefruit and pear accented by mineral notes. The palate is balanced and juicy with a vibrant acidity and a soft, lingering finish. 

Viña Siegel is a family operated winery with a well-established tradition and long history. For generations we have been dedicated to the art of crafting wines with strong identities.
Our Special Reserve wines represent the union of tradition and innovation in two generations. The grapes are sourced through careful selection of our best vineyards in the cool coastal Leyda Valley region. Siegel Special Reserve Sauvignon Blanc has a pale yellow color with green hues with an intense and complex aroma of grapefruit and pear accented by mineral notes. The palate is balanced and juicy with a vibrant acidity and a soft, lingering finish.

The grapes are harvested very early in the morning to maintain freshness, the alcoholic fermentation occurs at 14-15°C. When the alcoholic fermentation finishes, one part of the wine is kept on a pump-over programme. Once the wine has been blended it is clarified, then undergoes cold stabilization and then later filtered through soil. On the bottling line it is filtered again through a sterile sheet and a membrane to ensure that it is micro-biologically stable.

Serve with shellfish, fish and sushi.

Siegel Crucero Collection Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.

Siegel Crucero Chardonnay has an attractive yellow color with some green tones. Its intense varietal character evokes ripe citrus fruits, with floral and honeyed tones along with well integrated wood. In the mouth it is rich, round and fruity with some creamy notes.

Maipe Malbec Rose is 100 Malbec.

Intense pink color with violet hints.
Fresh red fruit bouquet, strawberry and cherry flavors, balanced acidity, dry and lingering finish.

Excellent with tuna or green salad, pasta, spicy Asian dishes.

Winzer von Erbach Riesling Eiswein is made from 100 percent Riesling. 

The Eiswein has aromas of concentrated yellow fruit and a fruity sweetness. It's a high end product with a very long aging potential.
The grapes were picked frozen which resulted in a concentration of sugar, acidity and aromas and a low yield.

Pairs with blue cheese, fois gras, French apple cake.

Palacio del Burgo Rioja Reserva is made from 85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha & 5% Carignan.

Red ruby color; black pepper and vanilla flavors and some mature black fruit taste too. Well-balanced, well-structured and elegant in mouth displaying some splendid taste of fruit and bouquet too.

  - James Suckling (October 2020), 91 pts

A deep powerful Gran Reserva from one of Rioja Alavesa’s most enduring family run wineries. The hillside terraced vineyards are sheltered by the Sierra Cantabria Mountains to the north from harsh weather extremes. Small plot production is utilized in this region of infertile chalky clay soil to produce clusters of excellent quality. Almost 900 plots are needed to complete the approximately 400 hectares of estate-owned or cellar-controlled vineyards, some with vines more than 100 years in age.

Tasting notes
Ruby red color with earthy tones. The wine shows finesse, elegance and complexity with good concentration of black fruit, thyme and rosemary with secondary aromas of leather and tobacco leaves. In the palate it is polished and rounded, making it pleasant and easy to drink. Fleshy with both elegance and power. It has touches of black fruit jam and liquorice. A long, delicious and persistent finish.

Suitable for pairing with a long, copious meal where it can accommodate braised vegetables, cold cuts, peppers stuffed with hake and shrimp, mushroom omelettes, cod Rioja style, both red and white meat... and so on.

Pago de Carraovejas El Anejon is made from 88% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Merlot.

El Anejon vineyard is a terraced plot on a steep slope, oriented toward the sun and with great views of the Castle of Peñafiel. The soil of the narrow terraces has a compact, loamy limestone texture. The presence of the white-colored limestone calcium salts contributes to a distinctive minerality in this wine. Only made in exceptional vintages.

Deep red purple color. Complex nose, suggestive of red berries, flowers, toast and spice. Fresh and vibrant; powerful and elegant; well-structured and balanced.

Review:

Very different in style from the more powerful 2015 release, although this 2016 still has 15.5% alcohol, the latest bottling of El Anejón also has a much higher percentage of Tempranillo, with 4% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon making up the balance. Sourced from a single parcel on limestone at 850 metres, it's wonderfully floral and fresh, with violet and black cherry notes, fine new wood and a hint of stony reduction. 2023-35 - Tim Atkin 96 Points

Avennia Arnaut Syrah is made of 100% Syrah

For our taste, no one grows finer Syrah in the state than Dick Boushey. We named this wine after the Provencal Troubadour Arnaut Daniel, who invented the Sestina poem form, thus creating a connection between our two flagship efforts.

"Deep, dark Syrah notes on the nose, with dark blackberry, blueberry reduction, grilled meat, crushed olive, black licorice, camphor, pen ink, and cracked black pepper. The palate is super concentrated and dense, tightly focused, and deeply complex. Savory blueberry, pan drippings, a hint of orange essence, and hand-rubbed sage come through on the extremely long and nuanced finish. A compelling wine that will age for a couple decades at least." - Chris Peterson, Winemaker

We make this wine with minimal manipulation, using native yeasts and bottling unfined and unfiltered, to allow the "place" to shine through.

AVA: Yakima Valley
Blend: 100% Boushey Vineyard Syrah
Winemaking: 15% whole cluster, native yeast, 15% new French oak, aged 16 months, bottled unfined & unfiltered.

Review:

Tasting like the essence of Syrah with its smoky, meaty, bacon fat nuances, the 2018 Syrah Arnaut Boushey Vineyard is medium to full-bodied, has a pure, balanced mouthfeel, plenty of building tannins, and a great, great finish. My money is on this being up with the top Syrahs in the vintage.

-Jeb Dunnuck 95-97 Points

My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Syrah .

What started as an homage to Stephan Asseo of L'Aventure Winery and his Bordeaux roots quickly became an obsession. Stretching wide across the Westside Hills of Paso Robles is clay soil amazingly similar to those found in Napa and Bordeaux. Today, these special sites are farmed meticulously by the farmers who have become My Favorite Neighbors. With their dedication to the land, we are able to craft a world class wine without any shortcuts or compromises. Welcome to the Neighborhood.

Review:

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is similarly deep purple/ruby-hued and has slightly more red fruits with lots of black raspberry, cassis, toasted spice, unsmoked tobacco, and incense aromas and flavors. It almost has a Margaux-like perfume and is medium to full-bodied, seamless, and wonderfully balanced on the palate. Some chalky minerality comes through with time in the glass, and it has plenty of tannins and a great finish. It’s not an over-the-top blockbuster and impresses just as much for its elegance as its richness.  -Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points

Avennia Justine Red Blend  61% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, and 18% Syrah. 

Justine reflects our belief that Washington is capable of producing world class blends of grape varieties traditional to the Southern Rhone region of France. The name is inspired by one of the great heroines of recent literature, who also sprung from the imagination of the Mediterranean. Dark, seductive, complex, with a chasm of depth: The Justine is a great reflection of Avennia's mission of expression, and Washington's generous terroir.

 Tasting Note: Big black cherry, blackberry, hints of orange peel, fresh herbs and loam on the nose. Plush and round on the palate. Dark earthy fruits from the Mourvedre, along with citrus high notes, mountain flowers, jasmine, and savory herbs. Balanced and complex without forgetting its hedonistic roots in the Southern Rhone.

Review:

"The Southern Rhone-inspired wine is the 2018 Justine, which is 61% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, and 18% Syrah that saw a small amount of stems and mostly neutral oak. Lots of spice, herbes de Provence, and peppery incense notes dominate the bouquet, and it has a great core of red fruits, medium-bodied richness, and a silky, expansive mouthfeel. It’s a beautiful looking Rhone blend from Washington State."
- Jeb Dunnuck (April 2020), 93-95+ pts