K&L Monthly Newsletter - Featuring Napa Valley

Now Available From K&L Wine Merchants... Monday Jun 26th, 2017 [View in Browser]( [Special Napa Feature]( Napa is on a tremendous run of late, with nearly too many great vintages to mention. 2014 is our current favorite as we're quickly discovering that it has so much to offer, even as a follow-up to the ageworthy 2013 and flamboyant 2012. Some say it is a perfect mix of the two, while we like to think of it more akin to 2012 with a bit more balance and focus. For those that adore everything Napa, they are wines not to be missed. In our newsletter this month, we delve into some of our most noteworthy, reliable, and over-performing finds from a recent trip to Napa Valley and it is hard to contain all that is going on in the region with just four pages. We take a look at a true classic in a modern era with Heitz, some unique and masterful bottlings from Ehlers Estate, the always reliable Cab and Pinot from Joseph Phelps, and a trio of dependable go-to wines in Turnbull, Freemark Abbey, and Duckhorn. Check out the detail for these wines in the newsletter, and discover another handful of top selections that line our shelves at K&L, detailed below. [View our electronic newsletter!]( Highlights this month include... Vintage Item Name Score Retail Link 2015 Jax Vineyard "Y3" Napa Valley Chardonnay 93 $19.99 [View]( 2013 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 92 $39.99 [View]( 2014 Turnbull Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 92 $42.99 [View]( 2010 Anderson's Conn Valley "Eloge" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (Elsewhere $85) 93 Price: Hidden [View]( 2014 Dominus "Napanook" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 95 $69.99 [View]( 2014 Shafer "One Point Five" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 93 $89.99 [View]( 2013 Paul Hobbs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $111+) 93 $99.99 [View]( 2014 Philip Togni "Estate" Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon 97 $119.99 [View]( 2013 Robert Mondavi "To Kalon Vineyard Reserve" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 96 $139.99 [View]( 2013 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $149.99 [View]( 2013 Ulysses Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 98 $169.99 [View]( 2014 Continuum Oakville Bordeaux Blend 99 $219.99 [View]( 2014 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 98 $229.00 [View]( 2013 Caymus "Special Selection" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L) 95 $324.99 [View]( 2013 Bond "Pluribus" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend 100 $649.99 [View]( [2015 Jax Vineyard "Y3" Napa Valley Chardonnay]( Jax Vineyard "Y3" Napa Valley Chardonnay]( ($19.99) 93 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is a remarkable effort at the price, the wine sourced from Beckstoffer-owned sites in Carneros. Apple, peach and lemon highlight an integrated, vibrantly fresh experience on the palate, which lingers and impresses long after the finish." (06/2017) Driscoll]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 17, 2017 Jax is our local winemaker of choice here at K&L with the owners living nearby our Redwood City store and the tasting bar just down the street from our SF store. The wines have always represented top quality for the money, and the Y3 Chardonnay is another example of how Jax is sourcing serious fruit, making serious wine, and turning up the heat on other California producers in this price point with knock-out expressions. The 2015 is a perfect balance between classic CA richness and the fresher, cleaner style foodies tend to look for today. There's a ripeness of fruit, but a clean and refreshing finish. I'm so happy to see these guys taking off because no one deserves it more. Vidales]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 16, 2017 This is a great Napa Chardonnay in the $20 range that falls in the middle of buttery/oaky and crisper styles. 100% Chardonnay aged in concrete tanks with complex flavors of lemon zest, caramel, tropical notes, apple and minerality that's full-bodied but with a lovely freshness. There is a lengthy finish that will keep you going back for more. Stanley]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 16, 2017 This is a real beauty of a Napa Chardonnay, with a lovely bright lemon hue, and a nose reminiscent of buttery brioche and delicate Spring wildflowers. The palate is rich, clean and well balanced, and though it is full bodied, it is not dominated by oak, and notes of light citrus and orange blossom come through with a mineral finish. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($39.99) 92 points James Suckling: "Intense ripe berries, stones and fresh leather on the nose. Full body, chewy tannins and a powerful finish. A little extracted. Needs three to four years to soften. Try in 2021." (05/2017) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Freemark Abbeys generic bottling from Napa, is a brilliant example, and at $50, a heck of a value. It is also one of their larger cuvées at 24,332 cases. A blend of 75.1% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10.9% Merlot and the rest Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, this wine spent nearly 26 months in oak. Opaque purple in color, it exhibits beautiful blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with hints of white chocolate, allspice and tobacco leaf. It is rich, full-bodied, seriously concentrated, and has 2013's relatively serious structure and tannic clout. Give it 3-4 years of cellaring and drink it over the following 25-30 years.Freemark Abbey remains one of the legendary Napa Valley wineries. In spite of what many feared when it was acquired by the Jackson family of Kendall-Jackson, things have only gotten stronger and more consistent under their leadership, with the continuation of chief winemaker Ted Edwards. Since I have been tasting these wines over the last few years, this has been a consistent producer of high quality wines in both red and white. (RP)" (10/2016) Brick]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 20, 2017 Another massive valuein a land where those are about as common as free tastings! I was blown away at how much this wine has already formed up and eased into its body and power. Dark, black-fruited notes dominate the nose, with pitchy dried meat, wet blacktop and driving concentration. The palate becomes more plush and juicy, with a pleasing core of both red and black currants, sweet oak, tangy olive and laurel notes. Large-scaled and full of umami savor, this is what the 2013 vintage is all about in Napa. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Turnbull Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2014 Turnbull Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($42.99) 92 points James Suckling: "A soft and velvety red with plum, chocolate and almond character. Full-bodied, round and friendly in a slightly old-school style. Hints of tobacco and fresh herbs. Drink now. Why wait? Yum." (01/2017) K&L Notes: Made from all estate fruit from the Fortuna, Leopoldina, and Amoenus Vineyards, this Napa Valley Cab is a great introduction to the Turnbull Winery. Winemaker Peter Heitz is garnering great acclaim for the work he's been doing at this small production facility, and it shows in this bottle. Of the vintage, Heitz says: "This wine captures the essence of where we farm in the Napa Valley. A wine of integrity, it’s a blend that we make to share at our own family table. A quintessential dirt to bottle wine that’s approachable at release and downright delicious." Brick]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 20, 2017 One of the truly stunning wines we tasted on our 2017 Napa trip, this dense, ripe and powerfully built Cab has it all, with massive fruit complexity and a modern and generous frame. The boisterous aromas of cut sage, boysenberry and bakers cocoa meld wonderfully with the layered palate, chock-full of star anise, whole blueberry and the polished earth that comes so frequently from Oakville-based fruit. Add a fun finish full of vanilla-laden oak and a brighter turn of red fruit and tobacco, and this is really a steal for the price. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2010 Anderson's Conn Valley "Eloge" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (Elsewhere $85)]( [2010 Anderson's Conn Valley "Eloge" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend (Elsewhere $85)]( Price: Hidden 93 points Vinous: "Grilled herbs, tobacco, menthol, licorice and plums all take shape in the 2010 Eloge. Rich, layered and expressive, the 2010 is resonant and deeply expressive throughout. Gently spiced notes appear on the finish, adding dimensions of complexity and nuance. Today the 2010 is a bit closed in on itself and a touch compact, while the aromatics aren't quite as precise as they could be. I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted at Conn Valley this year. The wines are often terrific, but at the same time, they have also occasionally suffered from the presence of brett, something that can add character up to a certain point when it starts to mask the fruit. Under the guidance of new winemaker Robert Hunt the Conn Valley wines seem cleaner, purer and much more expressive, all great things for those of us who love these wines. Conn Valley fans will note an addition to the range with 2012, the Merlot Signature, which now sits next to the Cabernet Sauvignon Signature at the top of the lineup. It is going to be exciting to see how things develop at Conn Valley over the next few years. We may very well be at the beginning of a new chapter for this distinguished, Napa Valley estate. 93+ (AG)" (11/2013) K&L Notes: Wines at the apex of their drinkability, this sort of hallowed idea is talked about sort of like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster, there is a lot of people that think they have seen it but there is no way to prove it one way or another. Well, add me to that list because I felt exactly that way when I tried the 2010 Anderson's Conn Valley "Eloge" recently. This blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot was just singing, so much so that we bought all that was left in the state. We simply could not pass up letting you know about this special wine and the even better opportunity that our new price allows. (Bryan Brick, K&L) Turk]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 14, 2017 Subtle eucalyptus on the nose, with darker berry and plum fruit balanced by just enough acidity and structure, the 2010 Eloge is a sophisticated blend, as classically Bordeaux as Napa gets. Spicy with tobacco and pepper notes, plus elegant tannins through the finish, this is a beauty from Conn Creek at a killer price. Kelly]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 14, 2017 I love the nose on this wine, with all of its ripe figs, black raspberries, violet and herbs. The palate reflects more restraint than the nose and I find myself pondering what's in the glass a lot longer than normal. This is a good thing. Velvety, great supporting acidity and a lingering finish. Run, don't walk to the store because this will not last long. Keilman]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: March 14, 2017 Anderson's Conn Valley has always been a Napa favorite of mine but for some reason unbeknownst to me, they fell off my radar for a brief moment. But the second I tasted the 2010 Eloge Bordeaux Blend, all those warm fuzzy feelings I had about Anderson's Conn Valley came rushing back to me. This wine is freakin' amazing and is such a classic example of what makes this winery so fabulous! I was instantly hit with explosive aromatics of dark cassis, tobacco, savory spice, celery root and hints of garrigue on the nose. The palate is surprisingly chock full of a lifted saltiness and umami driven flavors that are a test to how beautifully these wines age. This wine is a must have! --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Dominus "Napanook" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( [2014 Dominus "Napanook" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( ($69.99) 95 points James Suckling: "Gorgeous aromas of sweet tobacco, iodine and oysters. Blackcurrants, too. Subtle. Medium to full body, elegant and refined tannins, and yet there's also delicious, understated complexity. Savory. A joy to drink now, but this will improve with age." (01/2017) 93 points Vinous: "The 2014 Napanook is, once again, a very serious wine. Dark, powerful and brooding, the 2014 possesses remarkable intensity packed into its mid-weight frame. Smoke, scorched earth, tobacco, graphite, savory herbs and menthol add to an impression of gravitas. The 2014 doesn't quite have the depth or power of the 2013, but it leans in that direction. I would give it a few years in bottle to settle down. This is an impressive showing." (12/2016) 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2014s, where the production of Napanook was only 2,200 cases and Dominus slightly more than the 2015 at 4,000 cases, was another early harvest, although somewhat later than 2015. The 2014 Napanook is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc and 9% Petit Verdot, showing notes of loamy earth, Christmas fruitcake, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit and underbrush in a supple, fragrant and lush heady style. It is another successful wine that should drink beautifully young and age nicely for up to 20 years." (10/2016) [Anthony Russo]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 20, 2017 I wasn't sure I wanted to jump onto the bandwagon, but I'm definitely on board now... Elegant aromas of some sort of violet-y-black-olive-marmalade give this wine a sophisticated sense right upon pulling the cork. Full bodied, but balanced, flavors of blueberry, plums, blackcurrant, and coffee align with a perfectly ripened core. Awesome now, even better in years to come. Jones]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 19, 2017 An excellent and seductive Napa red wine. It has nice fruit and structure but what is the most important is that it is packaged together with elegance and finesse. It is full bodied and delicious and should please anyone who wants a Napa red that will go well with food. Keilman]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 18, 2017 It's impossible to believe that the Napanook is a second wine because most first wines aren't this good! And it's impossible to believe that Dominus was able to pull off another amazing showing after their stellar, critically acclaimed year in 2013. Few wineries are able to achieve such critical success two vintages in a row but Dominus is able to pull it off vintage after vintage. The '14 Napanook is classic Bordeaux style. Quintessential aromatics of savory herb, sweet tobacco, graphite and black currants are amply supported by a supple, silky texture that screams finesse. Add a ripe, medium to full body mid-palate and a persistently long finish of black raspberries and violets and you can easily understand why Dominus deserves the respect it gets. Haase]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: May 18, 2017 I love it when wine surprises me! I went in thinking the Napanook was going to be this BIG, RICH, FULL-bodied monster. What I got was an elegant, medium-bodied wine. With wonderful savory and mineral notes, with a host of graphite, floral and dark berry fruit that open up in the glass. Graceful acidity, which is a good indicator that this wine is in for the long hall! So if you can give it a couple of years you will be rewarded. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Shafer "One Point Five" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2014 Shafer "One Point Five" Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($89.99) 93 points Vinous: "The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five offers up scents of lavender, cloves, menthol, licorice, spice and graphite. Savory, delineated and tightly wound, the 2014 is a picture perfect example of the vintage. Winemaker Elias Fernandez adds that the drought was more severe in 2014 than it was in 2013. This is another strong showing from Shafer." (12/2016) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five shows beautiful purity, not the weight, profound depth and structure of the 2013, but it is still medium to full-bodied, elegant, graceful and a classic example of the Stags Leap appellation. (RP)" (10/2016) K&L Notes: "A big success for Shafer has been their Stags Leap One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon. They make between 6,000-7,000 cases of this wine in any vintage. About one-third of their famous Hillside Vineyard, which represents 100% of their flagship wine Hillside Select, goes into this cuvée. -Robert Parker; "Shafer is one of Napa Valley's best oiled machines. Year after year the wines deliver the goods in a rich, sumptuous style that defines the very essence of contemporary Napa Valley at its very best. The 2012s are terrific, but Shafer really shines in 2013 and 2014" -Antonio Galloni --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Paul Hobbs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $111+)]( [2013 Paul Hobbs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $111+)]( ($99.99) 93 points James Suckling: "A fresh and clean Cabernet with lots of blueberry, mineral and stone aromas and flavors. Full body, firm tannins and a lively finish. Tight. Well made. Showing the Coombsville character." (01/2016) 93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Hobbs has hit the bulls-eye with his selection of 2013 Cabernet Sauvignons. There are 5,800+ cases of the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa, which has some Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Merlot in the blend. About 40% of this comes from their estate vineyard in Coombsville. This is just beautiful, an earthy, graphite-laden, crème de cassis-scented wine with plenty of depth, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long, opulent finish. This wine hasnt been priced yet, but this is a beauty, and really over-delivers for a generic Napa cuvée. (RP)" (05/2016) 93 points Vinous: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon is rich and explosive, with layers of dark blue and black fruit, graphite, smoke and licorice. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2013 Napa Cabernet is going to need time to settle down. This is a terrific showing. Lavender, mint and smoke add the final shades of nuance. Today, the 2013 is powerful, unctuous and structured, all at the same time. Drops of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot round out the blend. (AG)" (10/2015) Keilman]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 29, 2017 While producers try to tout the more noteworthy and smaller AVAs like Oakville and Yountville in an attempt to elevate their status, Paul Hobbs' Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is a true testament that he makes great wines even from the largest and most overarching AVA by blending from some of the best vineyards in Napa. 40% of the fruit comes from their Coombsville estate (with the '14 Nathan Coombs Cab receiving 99 points from Wine Advocate), with the underlying minerality and soft yet present tannins being a nod to the moderate yet long ripening period of the Coombsville terroir. The remaining vineyards from the surrounding Napa Valley (one being the famed Beckstoffer Dr. Crane) flesh out and balance the NV Cab with a concentrated and dense core loaded with black currants, boysenberry, and copious amounts of cocoa. And while the finish is long and persistent with spice and cassis tones, there is also an alarming amount of acidity and finesse. [Anthony Russo]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 29, 2017 Oh yeah, this is the good stuff... Cocoa, vanilla, crème de cassis, and full-bodied, all with the elegance and structure expected out of Paul Hobbs. The aromas alone are worth the price! Ragni]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 28, 2017 On the nose are alluring notes of black currants, cassis and sweet cocoa along with hints of fresh vanilla. The intense dark, concentrated fruit on the mouth-coating mid-palate misleads you into thinking that this wine is going to be massive and extracted but this Cab is exquisitely balanced. The intensity, focus and concentration of fruit is what takes this Napa Valley Cabernet from being simple AVA wine to excelling over those that are even single vineyard expressions. Just grab a steak and a wine glass and you're ready for a great evening. --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Philip Togni "Estate" Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2014 Philip Togni "Estate" Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($119.99) 97 points Vinous: "Togni's 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is quite dark and powerful, but also very much medium in body. Graphite, smoke, savory herbs, mint, leather and a core of inky dark red and purplish fruit infuse this deep, beautifully layered Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2014 is a wine built on energy and aromatics that won't hit its stride until at least age ten. (AG)" (10/2015) 94+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The flagship wine, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate from his vineyard high on Spring Mountain is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It seems slightly more approachable and civilized for a young Togni wine, with a dense ruby/purple color, loads of blackcurrant, licorice, and graphite, some earth and spice, but very subtle earth nuances. It is full-bodied and rich, but the tannins are well-integrated and dont scream as loudly as some vintages of Togni can. For Togni, this is probably one of his more forward and precociously styled Cabernets. It will probably approach drinkability in several years, but dont discount its aging potential, as this easily has 20-25 years of cellaring potential.I have Philip Togni's vintages going back to the mid-1980s, and these are truly long-lived classics of Napa Valley. As I have written many times, one of the greatest Napa Cabernet Sauvignons I have ever tasted was one made by Philip Togni while working at Chappellet, the 1969 Chappellet. His wines definitely stand the test of time, although sometimes they are a bit rugged and unapproachable in their youth. (RP)" (12/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Robert Mondavi "To Kalon Vineyard Reserve" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Robert Mondavi "To Kalon Vineyard Reserve" Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($139.99) 96 points James Suckling: "Aromas of black currants, violets, lavender, and stone follow through a full body, chewy tannins and toned muscular structure. This is a Mondavi reserve that harkens back to the great years of the 1970s. A tribute to the 50th anniversary of the winery. Try in 2022." (05/2016) 95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from the To Kalon Vineyard celebrates the 50th anniversary of the great Robert Mondavi and his extraordinary vision to create something special in the heart of Napa Valley. A beautifully polished wine, with a dense ruby/purple color, it is still tightly knit and showing high-quality oak. The wine is full-bodied and rich, with outstanding depth, ripeness and purity. There is plenty of backbone and tannin for 25-30 years of cellaring. The wine shows notes of chocolate and plenty of blackcurrant fruit and blackberry. This is a beauty and certainly a great reserve and worthy homage to the legendary Robert Mondavi. Give it another 2-4 years of cellaring, and drink it over the following 30 years. 95+ (RP)" (12/2015) 95 points Vinous: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve comes across as quite restrained today, with most of its power lurking in the background. There is no shortage of depth or intensity, though. Hints of iron, smoke, leather and savory herbs open up gradually, but the 2013 needs at least a few years to uncoil and will drink well for another two decades or so beyond that. This is an especially refined expression of the famed To-Kalon vineyard. The Cabernets are the stars in this lineup from Robert Mondavi Winery. (AG)" (10/2015) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Dunn Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($149.99) 98 points Vinous: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain is a towering majestic wine. Rich, powerful and yet massively tannic, the 2013 possesses a stunning combination of super-ripe fruit, bright acids and plenty of supporting structure. In the early going, the Howell Mountain is a bit reticent, especially next to the Trailer, but after several hours, the vibrancy of the Howell Mountain bottling dazzles. Dunn's Howell Mountain Cabernet is without question one of the wines of the great 2013 vintage.Randy and Mike Dunn's 2013s are off the charts. The Napa Valley Cabernet will give readers a good idea of the vintage, while the two Howell Mountain wines are even more intense. In 2013, the Dunns bottled their Trailer Cabernet alone for the second time (the first was 2012) before redeveloping the vineyard. The Trailer is made in a riper style than the flagship Howell Mountain Cabernet, with more oak influence as well. At the outset, it is more immediate than the Howell Mountain, but as I followed the wines over hours and then days, the Howell showed more energy and overall intensity. 98+ (AG)" (09/2016) 95-97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain boasts an opaque color, abundant notes of blackberries, spring flowers and blueberries, fabulous richness and a distinctive, singular smell of pen ink. With great intensity, formidable body, sweet tannin and a long finish, it should drink well for 25+ years.This is a strong line-up from this producer, one of the first (1979) to exploit the Howell Mountain terroir. The current releases include the 2010s. The barrel samples of the 2012s appear to be the strongest efforts Dunn Vineyards has made since the early 1990s. (RP)" (10/2014) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Ulysses Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( [2013 Ulysses Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon]( ($169.99) 98 points James Suckling: "Fabulous subtle aromas of black currants, violets and lilacs with a hot stone undertone. Full-bodied and dense, it shows such wonderful energy and synergy that delivers a firm yet gentle tannin backbone and complex mouthfeel that seduces you. Evolves wonderfully. Second wine from this new estate, which is owned by Christian Moueix of Dominus and Bordeaux." (01/2016) 97 points Decanter: "Wild notes of briary blackberry, red plum and elderberry are complemented by rich earth and herbs in the bouquet of the 2013 Ulysses, the second vintage for Christian Mouiex's new project in south-western Oakville. On the palate the wine is dense, juicy and firmly structured, with a compelling sense of balance and tension. Contrasting this with the 2013 Dominus over the coming decades will be fascinating.Drinking Window 2023 - 2060" (04/2017) 96 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2013 Ulysses is absolutely mind-boggling, as so many wines from this vintage are. Gorgeous blueberry and blackberry fruit, along with the telltale cassis and floral notes, jump from the glass. Again, this is Pauillac-like, with some cedar wood and subtle barrique smells. Again produced nearly all from Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is full-bodied, powerful, rich and long, with slightly sweeter tannins than the 2012. Production in 2013 was 960 cases, and Moueix told me that the entire growing season averaged about two and half weeks ahead of schedule from bloom break to harvest. This is a prodigious effort and will certainly stand as the great Ulysses of the first trio to be released. I suspect it will be drinkable in 3-4 years and keep for 30 or more, given the Moueix track record. (RP)" (12/2015) 95 points Vinous: "Gravel, smoke, graphite, savory herbs, tobacco and iron are some of the signatures in the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon. A typical wine from the eastern sector of Oakville on the border with Yountville, the 2013 is loaded with feral, savory notes, while the expression of blue/blackish fruit lies a bit more in the background. In 2013, the main signature is an expression of structure that is both vertical but also incredibly insistent through to the finish. In other words, this is a super-classic 2013 built for the cellar. 95+ (AG)" (02/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Continuum Oakville Bordeaux Blend]( [2014 Continuum Oakville Bordeaux Blend]( ($219.99) 99 points James Suckling: "Fabulous aromas of blueberries, blackcurrants, sage and mint. Lead pencil and graphite, too. Full body and ultra-fine tannins that are slowly transformed to ripe and beautiful fruit. Super polished and textured. Great finish. Drink in 2022, but it's hard not to drink now. This harkens back to the great Mondavi reserves of the 1970s in texture and construction." (01/2017) 93-96 points Vinous: "A raw, intense wine, the 2014 Continuum reveals serious intensity. Next to some of the more recent vintages, the 2014 is a bit more lithe and linear in feel, but like the 2013, it shows darker tonalities of fruit and terrific energy. Mocha, black cherries, graphite and cloves add the final shades of nuance. Although it is early, the 2014 is shaping up very nicely.The bonds of family run deep at Continuum, where Tim and Marcia Mondavi have created a world-class estate in just a few years. Here, high up on the Vaca Mountains, nestled between Ovid and Stagecoach, the Mondavis are making wines of pedigree and class. Tim Mondavi's daughter, Chiara, runs day to day winemaking, but no detail is too small to escape Tim Mondavi's attention. An increasing emphasis on Cabernet Franc, co-fermentations and less new oak are some of the more recent developments at Continuum. The attention to detail is equaled at only a handful of properties across the valley. Since 2012 Continuum is a 100% estate wine, so it is very much early days. Needless to say, it will be fascinating to watch this latest chapter in the Mondavi family history unfold over the coming years and decades. (AG)" (10/2015) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2014 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( [2014 Dominus Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( ($229.00) 98 points James Suckling: "Loads of dark tobacco aromas with blackcurrants and black olives. Boysenberries, too. Full to medium body, ultra-fine tannins and lots of flavors of smoke, dried roasted chillis, black truffles, mushrooms and fruit. Bright acidity on the finish. Sexy and subtle austerity. Alluring. Very approachable now but better in 2021." (01/2017) 97 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2014s, where the production of Napanook was only 2,200 cases and Dominus slightly more than the 2015 at 4,000 cases, was another early harvest, although somewhat later than 2015. The 2014 Dominus, which is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot really struts its stuff. Moueixs belief in dry farming seems to be paying off with stronger and stronger vintages, each successive year, and the 2014 is a sexy, opulent, layered, multidimensional wine with notes of red and blackcurrant, cedar wood, tobacco leaf , spice box and licorice. The color is a dense plum/ruby/purple, much like the Napanook. This is a beauty that is already drinking gorgeously as most 2014s are and will continue to evolve for 25 or so years. (RP)" (10/2016) 96 points Vinous: "The 2014 Dominus is endowed with tons of depth, power and muscle. Black cherry, plum, smoke, menthol, licorice, chocolate, dried herbs and dark spices are all pushed forward. Deep, pliant and exquisitely layered, the 2014 possesses tons of concentration and mid-palate depth. Like so many wines in this vintage, the 2014 comes across as a hybrid of 2013 and 2012. I very much like the energy and focus in this wine. This is a fabulous wine in every way. With time in the glass, the flavors gain in brightness and focus. There is certainly much to look forward to. (AG)" (12/2016) --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Caymus "Special Selection" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L)]( [2013 Caymus "Special Selection" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L)]( ($324.99) 95 points Wine Spectator: "*Top 100 Wines of 2016, Collectibles* Zeroes in on a rich, hedonistic core of wild berry, blackberry, plum and currant, with a graceful, elegant mouthfeel and supple, caressing tannins leading to a long, powerful and refined aftertaste that keeps reverberating while maintaining a strong personality. (JL)" (07/2016) 92 points James Suckling: "The full-throttle character is here as expected with lots of ripe fruit and toasted oak. Sage and mint. Silky tannins; the ripe fruit dominates. But it shows form and juiciness." (05/2016) K&L Notes: According to Robert Parker: "I am old enough to remember Chuck Wagner and his father, who I first met at Caymus in the late seventies. This is clearly one of Napa Valley’s iconic wineries, as well as one that, amazingly, never went through a bad patch. Obviously, no matter which generation is in the driver’s seat (or should I say tractor’s seat), Caymus Vineyard knows how to deliver flavor and deliciousness." --------------------------------------------------------------- [2013 Bond "Pluribus" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( [2013 Bond "Pluribus" Napa Valley Bordeaux Blend]( - 5 available ($649.99) 100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2013 Pluribus is the finest wine Ive tasted from this vineyard to date, capturing the vintages extraordinary purity and richness, with a multidimensional mouthfeel and incredible notes of blue and black fruits, charcoal, graphite and white flowers. This profound effort should hit its prime in another 5-10 years and evolve for 30-40 or more.The five separate single vineyards that Bill Harlan has under long-term contract continue to perform at first growth quality levels. They generate between 500 and 600 cases of these single-vineyard wines that all represent distinctive and separate micro-climates of Napa Valley. The culled out barrels that dont make the cut are blended together for a wine called Matriarch, which in itself is a terrific offering. Last year I touted the brilliance and drama of the 2012s, which are strikingly beautiful, and the otherworldly 2013s, but now we have the fruit-forward and luscious 2014s, and although I didnt taste them, I suspect the 2015s will reach a new qualitative pinnacle for this extraordinary visionary project of Bill Harlan and his winemaking team, led by Bob Levy. (RP)" (10/2016) 99 points James Suckling: "Dark wet earth and dark fruits such as blackberries and black licorice. Smokey. Full body. This young red takes off and shows incredible length and depth. Chewy yet fresh and intense. It goes on for minutes. What a mouthfeel. Can't wait to see how it evolves in the coming years." (01/2016) 96 points Vinous: "The 2013 Pluribus is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Today, the tannins are forbidding, but there is plenty of fruit lurking in the background just waiting to emerge. A host of purplish-toned fruit, lavender, mint and violet infuse the finish. The Pluribus is the wine that feels the most marked by the natural structure of this vintage.This is a dazzling set of wines from BOND and the team headed by Cory Empting. The 2014s continue to develop positively. I remember tasting those wines from barrel, before they were racked and being impressed by the energy of the wines. Today, the 2014s have all of that energy, plus striking finesse. The malos were quite long in 2014, but today, the wines are very complete. The 2013s are just as impressive, or more, than they were from barrel. Readers will find plenty of vintage 2013 magic in these exceptionally beautiful, vivid Napa Valley Cabernets. (AG)" (10/2016) Moses]( | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: April 25, 2017 One of the most unique wines of the set, Pluribus feels like a bit of an outlier. Still, it captured the adoration of many at the tasting for just that. This is their Spring Mountain property that made its debut in 2003. Lined with bright red fruit, it is wild, cool, and elegant. It has a serious tannic structure that melts into the wine and gives it more of a focused, linear approach. If theres a rendition here for the old-school Napa crowd, it is Pluribus without a doubt. Give this one a few years to settle out and follow over the following fifteen. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Phone: (877) KL-WINES (Toll Free 877.559.4637) Email: wine@klwines.com K&L Wine Merchants 3005 El Camino Real Redwood City, CA 94061 USA San Francisco, Redwood City, Hollywood CA Click here to manage your e-mail settings with K&L Wine Merchants or alternatively, [click here to unsubscribe from all mailings]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [K&L](