Cape Charles Cabernet

Easily our most popular product the last 3 years has been Cape Charles Cabernet. A label developed with Baron Ziegler (he’s a big deal) to take advantage of the high end bulk wine market, the results have been unreal. The label itself was lent to the project by artist Peter Curling (he’s also a big deal) We started with Kamen Moon Mountain juice which sold out in just a few weeks. We then doubled down with 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Leonetti in Washington State. After the Leonetti success we told Baron the next one had to be huge…and he delivered. This 100% Cassata Vineyard Cabernet is the best wine he’s released yet, and I’m not sure it’s even close. As for prices - you’ll find Cassata Vineyard Cabernet anywhere from $53 to $105 per bottle. As far as I can tell, NEVER has this vineyard ever had wine in the 21st century that has been priced under $25.00.

Cape Charles Chardonnay

When it comes to Carneros, it’s the proximity to San Pablo Bay that matters. Every time it heats up in central Napa or even in the Central Valley, the air rises and is replaced by the cold, foggy stuff flowing under and through the Golden Gate Bridge and all along San Pablo Bay. The sun burns it off each morning and grapes that require acidity for balance (like Chardonnay) thrive in it.

Cape Charles Sauvignon Blanc

After killing it with the AVERÆN project in Oregon, the Banshee gang is hard at work again in France. They’ve grabbed some vineyards in Gascony and we’re smart enough to snag some of their early efforts. There’s a lot of Sauvignon Blanc grown in these spots, but what these guys excel at are wines like this one: poised, more bright melon and citrus - just the way it should be.

Carmita

Centuries ago the DO of Almansa produced high quality wines, albeit at that time they were sweet ones. The locals used Alicante Bouschet, but today they call it Garnacha Tintorera, and for the most part all the producers have nixed the sweet part of the equation. In the case of Carmita,Bodegas Lo Nuevo mixes the Garnacha with 30% Monastrell to make this wickedly powerful red wine.

Cary Potet Bourgogne

Though this domaine’s claim to fame is Montagny, they have traditionally produced Pinot Noir as well, and the new owners have applied their centuries’ long experience to craft delicate, gentle red Burgundy. They are organic, hand-harvested and the wine sees mostly used oak with long settling in tanks to preserve those delicacies: roses, strawberries, bing cherries and mushrooms.

Cassandre

Within Cabardès, a prime site in the ocean of vines that is Languedoc-Roussillon, the Ramés are growing many of the same grapes as their neighbors but using them to sometimes unusual ends. They call some of these wines “les Dissidents” which are “delicate blends concocted in jars of 150 or 500 litres, and in casks of 2,000 litres.” This one is 100% Vermentino (they call it Rolle there) and it has layers and layers.

Castelet Saint Peyran

We like the Vellas family; we buy a lot of their wines. Why? Because they have 100s of acres at their disposal in southern France? Yes, true. Is it because they consistently offer us wines that reflect their place (places like Pic-Saint-Loup)? Sure, that too. But, actually, it’s because value in French wine can be hard to find and the Vellas family just keeps bringing it to us. Rich, expansive Syrah for this kind of money? Yeah, yeah, that’s why.

Castellare Chianti Classico

Castellare was one of the first of the “modern” estates in Chianti, established in the 1970s when Chiantis were becoming wines with freshness when then were known for funk, earth and cheap prices. Castellare brought in some of the brightest minds of the time. They implemented the first true scientific selection of Sangiovese clones, and introduced new French barriques. Yep, we have an emotional relationship with Castellare.

Caymus Cabernet

What really needs to be said...??? Chuck Wagner has been producing delicious Cabernet at Caymus for over 30 years (he's got a pretty solid track record)...all things considered, I'd say this is a buy.

Caymus California Cabernet