Highland Falls

"Mountain-grown, it’s the richest kind,” as coffee commercials used to say, but it’s also true of Cabernet. Foley Family's pedigree doesn’t hurt either: the guys who bring you Merus, Chalone and Chalk Hill Wines are behind the powerhouse Highland Falls lineup too.

Kingstree Cabernet

This is a tasty little gem unearthed by the pros at Banshee Wines. Banshee, started by three guys who just happened to like wine and wanted an excuse to be out west, hasn't been around long but they sure have kicked off righteously during their short career. They’ve always been focused upon cooler climate sites, especially with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and at the prices they offer their wines, it’s no surprise that things have gone swimmingly well.

Kingstree Proprietary Red

The first rule of Pays d’Oc is: there is no rulebook. The second rule of Pays d’Oc is: see above. While the rest of France legislates which grapes go where down to the centimeter, this stretch of the Languedoc lets Cabernet Sauvignon do whatever it wants, including hanging out with grapes it technically shouldn’t. The result is dark, ripped, and a little dangerous: think Tyler Durden, if Tyler Durden had firm tannins instead of abs. (Honestly, might have both.)

La Hermandad De La Uva Cabernet Franc

Les Peyrautins Pinot Noir

You have been told that Pinot Noir is the most finicky of grapes; indeed, it’s supposed to be the “heartbreak grape.” The statement is not false but it’s also not completely true. To make great Pinot noir is bloody difficult and to do it consistently is virtually impossible, unless you’re in some famous place. But that’s true of most grapes. It’s true that Pinot noir grown in the wrong place is pretty dreadful, maybe more dreadful than most other grapes. But the middle ground has plenty of wealth to it – you need a friendly place for grape growing but not too friendly. With France’s Pays d’Oc, there are places where it’s easy to ripen grapes and areas that offer just enough challenge to coax Pinot Noir into showing its friendly and compelling side. This is an ideal example.

Maison De Rue 37

Aside from sounding like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Midnight Cowboy, Rasteau is one of the genuine values in red wine. More or less baby Chateauneuf, Rasteau these days mimics the blend that has evolved in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and now extends to other critical areas of the Southern Rhone: 70% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, 10% Syrah, 5% other (in this case, Cinsault).

Malluso Rosso

Momentum Solare

Grenache is juicy and full, Syrah is mouth-filling and peppery and the two of them, more often than not, need the indescribable weirdness of Mourvedre to complete a picture with chiaroscuro depth. The Cellier d’Eole is a cooperative based in Rieux Minervois (one of the best areas in the Languedoc-Roussillon) with 205 members that cultivate 3800 acres.

Montcharme Malbec

Malbec may turn out to be an excellent tool for Languedoc Roussillon winemakers. Is it for sure? Not at all. Malbec is a southwestern France grape and a tertiary grape at that; Mediterranean France has little experience with it. But the region has elevation, so maybe we’re going to see more like this tasty little thing. let’s be clear about this: Malbec likes altitude. Why? No one really knows.

Overbrook Cabernet

In the world of sub- $15 wine, Overbrook Cabernet is a revelation. I guess this is what happens when you put world class vineyard sites in a partnership with world class winemaking team and an extreme focus on quality and value. We need more of these in the world!!

Pocapita

Pocapita is a great example of how much the Rioja region has upped its game in the last decade. Like many of their wines of late, this 100% Tempranillo is rich, powerful, intense, heady and every bit a modern version of concentrated Rioja, but one that nevertheless still tastes like Rioja.

Prisoner Cabernet