Selection
Larkmead Vineyards 2016 The Lark Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Gravel, smoke and dark fruit lead into a powerful, tightly focused Cabernet. Licorice, tobacco and game bring savoury depth, while lavender, menthol, spice and new leather add lift and complexity. The palate is vertical and mineral-driven, with impressive intensity held in check by a firm structure and a long, layered finish.
Union Sacré 2021 Cabernet Franc Paso Robles
Fresh pepper opens with blueberry, plum and violet, followed by a quiet earthy note. The fruit remains clear and unforced, while floral lift and peppery detail bring definition through the centre. Savoury tones settle beneath the berries, carrying the wine into a clean, measured and gently persistent finish.
Château Montelena 2013 The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Black cherry, cassis and black pepper lead, layered with tomato leaf, meat and soy for a distinctly savoury profile. The palate is dense yet seamless, with grippy tannins supporting deep fruit and a long, composed finish. Elegant rather than flashy, it rewards decanting and suits roast lamb, grilled beef, braised short ribs, porcini dishes or aged hard cheese.
Stolpman Vineyards 2021 Uni White
Cantaloupe, white flowers and Asian pear lead, followed by golden pineapple and tangerine. The palate is full and textural but held in balance by crisp acidity, with lime pith, melon and a cool mineral line through the finish. A polished white for shellfish, sushi, roast chicken or richer vegetable dishes.
Carlisle 2020 Zinfandel Sonoma County
Black cherry and black raspberry lead a bright, deep-garnet profile, joined by char and a brambly savoury edge. The palate is medium to full-bodied, open and smoothly textured, with fresh acidity keeping the generous fruit lively. A persistent finish gathers dark berries, subtle smoke and gently earthy spice into a polished close.
Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon 1996 Napa Valley
Silky and deeply concentrated, with black raspberry, cassis, ripe black cherry and dark plum lifted by licorice, marzipan, honeysuckle and gentle floral spice. The palate is rich but never heavy, balancing pure fruit with fresh acidity, fine tannins and seamless texture. Clean and lingering on the finish, it benefits from air and pairs beautifully with roast beef or lamb.
Radio-Coteau 2015 Lemorel Zinfandel Sonoma Coast
Fresh red fruit leads with blood orange, rose petal, pomegranate and a cooling lift of mint. Racy and supple on the palate, the Zinfandel balances vivid fruit with floral and citrus detail rather than sheer weight. Fine energy carries the wine through a bright, expressive finish with excellent clarity and poise.
Jonata 2016 Todos Proprietary Red Santa Ynez Valley
Blackberry and black cherry meet mesquite, black truffle, violet, pepper and five-spice in a richly aromatic red blend. The palate is smoky, generous and full-bodied, with a broad core of black fruit shaped by dusty, chewy tannins. Graphite, crushed rock and earthy detail add definition, leading to a long, chalky and balanced finish.
Ashes & Diamonds 2016 Mountain Peak Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak
Dark cherry and cassis open with fresh herbs, delicate florals, graphite and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied and silky, combining high-elevation concentration with precise structure and bright acidity. Savoury dried sage and a subtle cocoa note deepen the fruit, while fine balance and mineral freshness carry the wine into a refined, persistent finish.
Lewis Cellars 2017 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Ripe black fruit and blueberry compote lead an intense, compact Cabernet, lifted by sultry spice, clove and dark chocolate. The palate opens broadly, with crushed rock and toffee adding savoury depth beneath the generous fruit. Polished tannins bring control and definition, guiding the wine through a powerful, structured and lingering close.
Klinker Brick Winery 2019 Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi
Mulberry and cranberry lead with blood orange, dark fruit and a savoury lift of black pepper. Medium to full-bodied, the Zinfandel feels lighter on its feet than its ripe profile suggests, with ample acidity sharpening the fruit. Citrus brightness and peppery detail carry through the balanced palate into a clean, medium-length finish.
Dana Estates 2015 VASO Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Redcurrant and plum lead with sage, loam, tobacco box and warm spice. The palate opens on Bing cherry and dried herbs, then broadens through supple hillside tannins and a structured mid-palate. Ripe strawberry, forest floor and light mineral detail linger, giving the rich fruit a composed, savoury and persistent finish.
Eisele Vineyard 2016 Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Rose petal and sandalwood open with dark cherry, blackberry, liquorice and tobacco. The palate is generous and ample, with sweet, racy tannins shaping black fruit, cassis and wild blueberry. Cinnamon, clove, violet and dusty earth add complexity, while iron-like mineral detail carries the long, perfumed finish with elegance and restraint.
Harlan Estate 2014 Proprietary Red Oakville Napa Valley
Blackcurrant, black cherry and crushed blackberry open with violet, graphite and rose petal. The full-bodied Cabernet blend is dense yet finely balanced, layering plum, mocha and liquorice over ultra-fine tannins. Forest floor, charcoal, dried herbs and warm spice add savoury depth, while mineral tension carries the rich fruit into a long, focused finish.
Wilson Foreigner 2017 Rancho Chimiles Valdiguié Napa Valley
Cranberry and tart cherry lead, lifted by white pepper and freshly cut tarragon, sage and rosemary. Concrete and neutral oak keep the fruit direct while adding gentle texture rather than overt wood. Bright natural acidity gives the palate a lively, thirst-quenching shape and carries the savoury herbs into a crisp finish.
Lindstrom Wines 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Cherry, cola and fresh earth lead with bright cranberry and a light touch of baking spice. Broad and silky on the palate, the Pinot Noir brings fresh cherry juice, celery leaf and a fine mineral-saline note. Coastal freshness keeps the texture lively, carrying crisp cranberry and gentle spice into a clean, refreshing finish.
Lake Sonoma Winery 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Black cherry and blueberry lead with earthy depth and a light brush of dried herbs. The Pinot Noir palate is rustic and savoury, with dry tannins framing the dark fruit and a measured touch of oak adding structure. Fresh enough to stay composed, it closes with lingering berry fruit, herbs and gentle earthy detail.
Opus One 2013 Napa Valley
Concentrated and aromatic, with blueberry, cassis, blackberry and black cherry lifted by rose, anise, baking spice, graphite and cedar. A creamy entry gives way to vibrant freshness, velvety tannins and impressive mid-palate depth. Rich but precisely balanced, it finishes very long and perfumed; allow generous air and serve with prime rib, grilled lamb or wild mushrooms.
Frias 2014 Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Blueberry, blackberry and cassis lead, joined by crushed violet, licorice and a graphite-like mineral note. The palate is full-bodied and concentrated, with supple tannins carrying the dark fruit through a long, composed finish. Savoury herbs and measured oak add depth without crowding the fruit. Decant before serving with roast beef or lamb.
PlumpJack 2013 Syrah Napa Valley
Blackberry, mocha and liquorice open with bold, savoury depth. The palate layers smoky raspberry, grilled herbs and cracked pepper over a rich, structured frame. Ripe, generous tannins give the Syrah weight without hardening its edges, while balanced acidity keeps the dark fruit and spice focused through a long, confidently shaped finish.