Monthly Newsletter - Featuring Domestic Wines

Featuring wines from Chappellet, Wines of Substance, Orin Swift, and many more... Monday Jul 16th, 2018 [View in Browser]( the United States abounds with excellent winegrowing regions, California, Oregon, and Washington still very much constitute the backbone of the American wine scene. The range and diversity of wines from these three states is nothing short of staggering. From the mineral driven reds of Washington’s [Red Mountain]( to the fragrant [Pinot Noirs of Willamette Valley]( to the richly complex [Chardonnays of the Central Coast]( there’s a wine for every personality and every palate. Experimentation and innovation are central components to the continued success of these regions with winemakers constantly pushing the boundaries. More now than ever, producers are beginning to embrace the French notion of "terroir," which has everything to do with where the wine is grown: soil, climate, altitude, etc. It's as important to the identity and value of the wine as is the wine-making process. This has, in turn, led to a scaling back of heavy-handed winemaking practices and, we would argue, the wines are all the better for it. This is but one aspect of the shifting attitudes towards winemaking in the United States. This month’s newsletter delves into these topics (and more) in an attempt to convey the splendorous bounty of American wine. In these pages, you’ll find old familiar names like [Frog’s Leap]( [Chateau Montelena]( and [Chappellet]( but you’ll also encounter some great off-the-beaten path finds from [I. Brand]( [Clementine Carter]( and [Ordaz](. The landscape of American winemaking is constantly changing which makes it challenging to keep up, but with this guide in hand we’ll lead you to the best of the best. [Click Here to View Our Electronic Newsletter]( Domestic Highlights: Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2016 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay 93 $23.95 [View]( 2015 Martin Ray Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 91 $25.99 [View]( 2016 Halcón "Alturas" Yorkville Highlands Syrah 95 $29.99 [View]( 2015 Walter Hansel "Cuvee Alyce" Russian River Valley Chardonnay 94 $34.95 [View]( 2016 Prisoner Wine Co. "The Prisoner" Napa Valley Red Blend $39.99 [View]( 2014 Varner "Upper Picnic Block - Spring Ridge Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 95 $44.95 [View]( 2015 K Vintners "The Creator" Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah 97 $54.99 [View]( 2015 Long Shadows "Feather" Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $59.95 [View]( 2013 Heitz "Martha's Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $224.99 [View]( 2015 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 100 $299.00 [View]( [2016 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay]( [2016 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay]( ($23.95) 93 points Vinous: "Bright, fresh and nuanced, the 2016 Chardonnay (Russian River) has so much to offer. The Russian River Chardonnay is a distinctly mid-weight wine built on expressive citrus and floral character. It also happens to be the hidden gem in this range. (AG)" 91 points James Suckling: "A soft and juicy chardonnay with lots of pralines, cooked apples and toasted oak character. Full body, lots of flavor and a slightly oily finish. Full style. Drink now." K&L Notes: Winemaker's Notes: "The 2016 Hartford Court Russian River Valley Chardonnay offers subtle aromas of jasmine flower, citrus oil, green apple and pear. The elegant aromatics are complemented by fresh kiwi, lemon drop and Pippin apple flavors. The fruit-focused mid-palate is followed by subtle mineral notes and a hint of crystallized ginger in the finish." --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Martin Ray Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2015 Martin Ray Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($25.99) 91 points James Suckling: "Aromas of currants, crushed stones, cedar, hazelnuts, and hints of ripe berries. Full body, round and soft tannins and a juicy finish. Chewy and rich. A little old-school. Drink or hold." (05/2018) K&L Notes: The name Martin Ray resonates deeply in the history of California Winemaking. Martin Ray was a pioneer, dedicated to crafting single varietal, region specific wine from 1943 through 1972 in Saratoga, and developed what is now one of the most historical properties in California. Nearly twenty years later, Courtney Benham purchased the brand, and has been committed to the production of artisanal wines worthy of the Martin Ray name. The wine is sourced heavily from Coombsville and Rutherford with carefully selected pieces from some of their most revered premium Napa Vineyard sites. The overall crop was lighter than usual resulting in outstanding quality fruit. Aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels. If you want outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, you go to Napa Valley. The famed valley and its surrounding mountains and hillsides are the source for their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons. Key vineyard sites on Diamond Mountain (Constant and Andrew Geoffrey) and the Stags Leap District AVA are the source for this classically styled wine. Stromer]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 04, 2018 The Martin Ray winery has been turning out some of the best-value, high-quality California wines every vintage. This particular Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a great example. By sourcing from select vineyard sites throughout Napa Valley, theyre able to craft amazingly delicious Cabernet that have all the hallmarks of much more expensive wines. The fruit for this bottling comes from various valley floor vineyard sites as well as some choice hillside selections on Diamond Mountain. Ive long been a fan of the Martin Ray wines. My first introduction was the 1997 vintage Saratoga Cuvée which turned out to be one of the best selling Cabernets of the year. The quality, price, and value were without peer. The 2014 vintage was one of our top selling Cabernets of last year. The 2015 is its worthy successor. The wine possesses all that dark cassis, black berry, and floral notes youd expect from wines costing well above $50. Layers of ripe Mulberry, wild violets and spice are framed by well-structured tannins and just a dusting of French oak. Mabry]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 26, 2018 Oozing with juicy blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, the Martin Ray is a truly satisfying rendition of a Napa Valley Cabernet. It lands firmly on the side of modern but never quite goes over-the-top and retains its regional character. Fleshy and warm fruit compote on the palate and a sweet lingering finish lead me to one of my favorite drink now styles. It has the advantage of accessibility and drinks like many other Napa Cabs that would be priced twice as much. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Halcón "Alturas" Yorkville Highlands Syrah]( [2016 Halcón "Alturas" Yorkville Highlands Syrah]( ($29.99) 93-95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "I tasted two samples of the 2016 Syrah Alturas, one fermented with 100% whole clusters, and one with 50% whole clusters. Both were serious barrel samples possessing terrific notes of blackcurrants, cracked black peppercorns, meat and olives, full-bodied richness, solid density and ripe, yet certainly present, tannin. Its loaded with potential, and is reminiscent of Côte Rôtie from the northern part of the appellation." (07/2017) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Syrah Alturas is a wonderful wine, offering up a youthful but superb bouquet of violets, cracked pepper, grilled meat and crunchy cassis. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, concentrated and tensile, with fine-grained tannins, a deep core of crunchy fruit and a long, sapid finish. While this is already delicious, it's emphatically a young wine, and the real fireworks will begin when it has five years on the clock. Cropped at 1.25-tons per acre and fermented with 50% whole clusters, this lovely Syrah from Halcón wouldn't be out of place in a flight of great Cornas. It's also shockingly good value. (WK)" (04/2018) K&L Notes: From Wine Advocate: "Perched high in the Yorkville Highlands at 2,500 feet, Halcón vineyard is one of the highest vineyards in California, its thin topsoil covering fractured shale and schist bedrock. Densely planted and subject to strong oceanic breezes, in Paul Gordon's hands this site naturally produces fabulous Syrahs with tension, energy and character that recall the Northern Rhône's best. Winemaking features significant percentages of whole cluster fermentation and low percentages of new oak—a regimen that will be familiar to anyone who follows producers such as Allemand, Gonon or Jamet. Note that it wouldn't be possible to produce super-ripe, dramatic Syrah in this site, so while these wines offer plenty of crunchy upfront fruit and don't lack any concentration, this isn't the address to come to in search of unctuousness and weight." Boyce]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 17, 2018 We couldn't be happier seeing these delicious Halcon wines net some solid press recognition recently! Their wines have continued to impress since the first 2009 vintage graced the K&L shelves. This 2016 shows gorgeous aromatics of violets, blue fruits, and fresh grilled meats. Brambly black and blue fruits, bacon fat, black pepper, an broad tanin finish stand out on an incredibly structured palate that, while rich, never goes overboard into too ripe or cloying territory. There is a ton of aging potential in this wine if you can hold off. Vidales]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 17, 2018 The previous vintage of this Syrah from Halcon was stunning, but this 2016 is even better. This Syrah has 50% stem inclusion, and also has 3% of Viognier co-fermented to give it a beautiful floral lift. There's complexity and balance in this wine with expressed notes of violets, red and black fruit, exotic spice and dried herbs. It's full-bodied with nice structure, so there's definitely aging potential in this Syrah. All this for 30 bucks? You can't go wrong. Woodhouse]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 16, 2018 One of the finest examples of this varietal to grace our shelves here at K&L. This is a truly spectacular expression of Syrah regardless of place or price point. The purest nose of crushed violets, mulberry, seared steak and ground spices. On the palate the wine is beautifully focused, elegant and vibrant. The tannins are notable but not at all aggressive or astringent, instead they are perfectly refined to give length and grip that will assure a long life. With time in the glass the wine unfurls showing off layer after layer of black and blue fruits, exotic spices, floral high tones and meaty, smokey bass notes. The real deal. I'm so glad to see the folks at Halcon getting the critical acclaim they have long deserved. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Walter Hansel "Cuvee Alyce" Russian River Valley Chardonnay]( [2015 Walter Hansel "Cuvee Alyce" Russian River Valley Chardonnay]( ($34.95) 94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2015 Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce features lovely lemon curd, pink grapefruit and underripe pineapple with touches of toasted almonds, fresh ginger and honey toast. Medium-bodied and super intense in the mouth, it has a racy line cutting through the electrically charged fruit, finishing very long and minerally. 1,100 cases produced. (LPB) 94+" (06/2018) 93 points Vinous: "The 2015 Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce is the richest and most exotic of these wines. A classic Russian River Chardonnay, the Cuvée Alyce is laced with the essence of tangerine, honey, roasted almonds and butter. This open-knit, inviting Chardonnay will drink well right out of the gate. (AG)" (04/2018) St. Clair]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 10, 2018 I tasted this wine a few times and I'll suggest that the best way to drink and experience this wine is when it is less chilled. At this temperature the toasty nose was more faceted and offered more complexity, when cold it was just woody. Yet at a mid 60's temperature it really has more intrigue and shows it is a more complete wine. On the palate the wine has good weight to add to the wine's supple nature but it does have good balance and I really enjoyed the palate presence. The finish was full of complex barrel spice that really was complexity, not just woody. This is a perfect cocktail chardonnay or for a meatier fish like Halibut or Swordfish. Juelsgaard]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 10, 2018 Fans of rich, opulent California Chardonnay will go gaga over this wine. It shows lush, toasty, vanilla and cream notes with an unexpected lift from green apple acid. Walter Hansel has become a go-to for this style for very good reason, they do it right there. This is a good example of the style Russian River is producing and is showing brilliantly right now. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2016 Prisoner Wine Co. "The Prisoner" Napa Valley Red Blend]( [2016 Prisoner Wine Co. "The Prisoner" Napa Valley Red Blend]( ($39.99) The wine-making team at Prisoner Wine Co. work with a family of growers to source diverse grape varieties from some of the best vineyards in California. Inspired by "mixed blacks", which were first made by the Italian immigrants who settled in the Napa Valley area, The Prisoner is now one of the most recognized Napa Valley red blends. The Prisoner is a blend of: Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono. Winery notes: "Features enticing aromas of Bing cherry, dark chocolate, clove, and roasted fig. Persistent flavors of ripe raspberry, boysenberry, pomegranate, and vanilla linger harmoniously, for a smooth and luscious finish." --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Varner "Upper Picnic Block - Spring Ridge Vineyard" Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir]( ($44.95) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Wafting from the glass with notes of ripe red cherries, cassis, dried flowers and subtle hints of pencil shavings, the 2014 Pinot Noir Upper Picnic Block is beautifully supple, satiny and medium to full-bodied on the palate, with an ample and expansive core of sweet, ripe fruit that's balanced by succulent acids and plenty of incipient savory complexity. It's a beautifully balanced, giving wine and a superb valedictory vintage for the Varner brothers. Drink it now or over the next decade. (WK)" (05/2018) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 K Vintners "The Creator" Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah]( [2015 K Vintners "The Creator" Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah]( ($54.99) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2015 The Creator is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Syrah, but even though its in the minority, the Syrah seems to define the wines personality. The bouquet wafts from the glass with notes of grilled meat, bay leaf and ripe blackberries and mulberries. On the palate, its full-bodied, rich and layered, with immense depth and concentration, its ample core of fruit largely concealing an abundant endowment of fine-grained, ripe tannins. Despite its scale, it eschews extractive excess, and it should be well worth following for the next 15-20 years. (WK)" (06/2018) 95 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A blend of 80/20 Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the 2015 Cabernet / Syrah The Creator Powerline Vineyard offers a perfumed, singular bouquet of blackcurrants, ripe black cherries, tobacco, peat, and olive tapenade. This ripe, sexy, opulent effort has sweet tannin, a layered, rounded, sexy style, and a great finish. It's a pure, sexy red to drink over the coming decade." (04/2018) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Long Shadows "Feather" Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2015 Long Shadows "Feather" Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($59.95) 97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The 2015 Feather Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that was brought up in 90% new French oak barrels. Its inky purple color is followed by a seamless, pure, impeccable balanced Cabernet that has loads of currants, scorched earth, graphite, and espresso aromas and flavors. Deep, rich, gorgeously pure and polished, with building tannin, it's a heavenly Cabernet Sauvignon that has everything you could want. Its the finest vintage to date of this cuvée and is capable of lasting for 20-25 years." (04/2018) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Feather is lovely, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, blackberries, petroleum jelly and burning embers. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ripe and powerful, with an expansive attack and an ample core of dark berry fruit, underpinned by a fine-grained, stony chassis of ripe tannins. This wine is made by Howell Mountain veteran Randy Dunn, and its profile - while marked by the torrid 2015 vintage - will be familiar to followers of the wines he produces there. (WK)" (06/2018) 93 points James Suckling: "Beautiful aromas of blackberries, black olives and flowers follow through to a full body.Round, silky tannins and a delicious finish. Shows tension and focus. Try in 2020." (05/2018) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Heitz "Martha's Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Heitz "Martha's Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($224.99) 96 points Wine Enthusiast: "From Tom and Martha Mays famous, organically farmed site in the heart of the appellation, this is a blockbuster vintage of the 100% varietal wine, immaculately structured and full of fresh acidity. The menthol is there, subtle, heightened by delicate, silky layerings of orange peel, red currant and cinnamon. *Cellar Selection* (VB)" (09/2018) K&L Notes: Just released in February, 2018, the latest iteration of Napa Valley's original "cult" Cabernet. According to the winery: "Proof that good things come to those who wait, our 2013 Martha's Vineyard is a masterpiece of cabernet fruit aged in French oak at an incredibly slow pace. Hailed by many as the best vintage in decades, the 2013 growing season in Napa Valley was long, dry and sun-soaked. In the glass, this translates into a deep, rich color. Slowly swirling reveals layer upon layer of complexity and that distinctive Martha’s mint character reaffirms why this cabernet is so celebrated. On the palate, this is a wine of monumental proportions that is nonetheless elegant. Explosions of dark fruit flavor are beautifully balanced with silky tannins. This has all the hallmarks of being one of the great vintages to come from this historic vineyard. It is ready to be enjoyed now and will thrive with proper cellaring for many years of pleasure." --------------------------------------------------------------- [2015 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( [2015 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( ($299.00) 100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Bottled in July 2017 and composed of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the Dominus 2015 Proprietary Red Wine leaps from the glass with notes of fresh wild blueberries, crushed blackberries and black currant juice with touches of wild thyme, underbrush, iron ore and aniseed with wafts of lavender and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has incredible energy and vivacity, with the firm, pixelated tannins and lively backbone skillfully framing the muscular fruit, finishing with wonderful length and depth. (LPB)" (10/2017) 97 points Vinous: "The 2015 Dominus is fabulous. Explosive and alluring on the palate, the 2015 possesses stunning texture and intensity. Blueberry jam, cloves, menthol, licorice and graphite are some of the many nuances that develop over time. In 2015 Dominus artfully balances the richness of the year with the classic structural elements that are such a signature of this wine. (AG)" (03/2018) K&L Notes: Robert Parker on Dominus 2015: "The 2015 Dominus is a blockbuster...A wine of great body, purity and richness, but the balance of a ballerina, this gorgeously lush, voluptuously textured Dominus should drink effortlessly when released and evolve 30 more years, as his older vintages are proving so well...The 2015s are certainly going to be one of his all-time great vintages, rivaling 2013, 2012, 2007, 2002, 2001 and his earliest classics, such as 1994 and 1991." Bohorfoush]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 30, 2018 Dominus continues to set the benchmark as one of CAs finest Bordeaux blends. The first thing I noticed about the 2015 Dominus was the finesse, balance, and drive. The fruit, body, texture, tannins, and acids are all in complete harmony. There is incredible tension that keeps the wine fresh and penetrating. Deep, brooding, and complex nose with black and red fruits, wild herbs, light earth, and dark spices. Only hinting at the potential here, there is so much material here yet to develop. Outstanding. Moses]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 11, 2018 Tasted at the property after a three hour decant. As usual, it is much more brooding and compact than the Napanook next to it. It makes Dominus more challenging, but all the better for it. Gentle aromas of black/blue fruit and tobacco lead to a cool, poised, and polished palate filled with deep red fruit (plum, cherry, currant) and balanced acidity. This incredibly dynamic wine is crafted with only 40% new oak and shows none of it. It keeps providing nuance and layers as it opens up in the glass. Although it is not as dense as the '13 or open as the '12, it should be in the conversation among those greats as a wonderful Dominus of the highest regard - different for sure, but all the more interesting for it. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Follow us on: Check Out Our Blog: [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [On the Trail (K&L Blog)]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [My Account]( | [Wine Clubs]( | [Events]( |[Gift Cards]( | [Accessories]( | [Shipping]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Missed an offer? Check out recent opportunities at our [Email Archive]( page. 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