Longboard Vineyards Merlot 2017, Dakine Vineyard, Russian River Valley

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  Chateau Trapaud St Emilion Grand Cru 2015

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  $39.00

  Written by a former buyer for K&L Wines, “When I was an assistant Bordeaux buyer at K&L many years ago, I was so fortunate to learn from the best, Clyde Beffa.

  My friends would say, “you call tasting Bordeaux work?” Yes, it was — we’d taste 50+ samples in a day. Finding a Bordeaux that met Clyde’s standards for quality and price was like finding a needle in a haystack.

  So when I started importing, I knew I was lucky to find Ch. Trapaud St.-Emilion Grand Cru. This is one of those rare needles-in-a-haystack, offering head-turning quality for only $39.00. And the 2015 vintage, which just landed, is their best yet.

  The French have recognized Trapaud’s quality for many years — you’ll see some of the French retailers on wine-searcher with library vintages going back to ’64.

  Reviewers are starting to notice, too. James Suckling rated Trapaud ’15 on par with Ch. Les Grandes Murailles, Ch. La Clotte, and Ch. Grand-Mayne, each of which retails for roughly double.
  Behind Trapaud’s rising stardom is the extraordinarily talented and quietly persistent Beatrice Larrabiere, who has been winemaker since winning her father’s confidence in 1997.

  She’d worked in Australia and Napa before coming home, and brought a conviction for organic farming even though it was rarely practiced in Bordeaux.

  Finally after 10 years as Trapaud’s winemaker, she convinced her father that organic conversion was the right thing to do and she did it. (Certified in 2012 vintage.) That makes Trapaud all the more compelling — being woman-led and organic in Bordeaux’s ultra conservative community is a big deal.

  The estate is in the hilly, south-eastern section of St-Emilion, just a mile from Valandraud. Estate plots are all contiguous, a huge farming advantage and somewhat rare in Bordeaux.
  So there we have it: Women-led, organic, famous neighbors and incredible value.”

  Chateau Trapaud St. Emilion Grand Cru 2015 is 65% Merlot, 25% Cab Franc, 10% Cab Sauv;
  25% vinified in cement, 75% in stainless;
  unfined and filtered with clay; Vegan

  “Impressive concentration here; this smells of dark-berry pastries, plums and fresh cedary wood. Slick and flavor-packed palate with blueberry and deep set plum fruit flavors. Drink or hold.” James Suckling – 92 Points

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  LaStoria Reserve Merlot 2017

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  $32.00

  The 2017 La Storia Reserve Merlot is a fine example of the ability of this classic Bordeaux variety to make solid, tasty and age worthy wines. The main aromas and flavors are of dark cherry, plums, a bit of black licorice and herbs. The new oak barrels contribute a touch of vanilla, brown sugar, cocoa dust and toast. On the mouth the wine is soft and viscous, balancing the acidity and the tannins well for such a young wine. The finish is long and soft with suggestion of sweetness backed by ripe tannins. This wine will age well and will reward your patience if stored well in the next 3-6 years.

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  Woodenhead Zinfandel 2017, Guido Venturi Vineyard, Mendocino County, USA

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  $38.00

  The winemaking at Woodenhead is pure and simple. Their wine is handcrafted from a hard labor of love in tune to the natural rhythm of the land, the water, the air, and the seasons. No mechanical pumping is employed. Inoculated yeast and malolactic cultures, hand punching, basket pressing, French oak, and California fruit is what you get. Small and unique lots are their goal, ultra premium wine is the result. Dark, dense, ruby red in color. Bouquet of brandied cherries, raspberries, plums, vine bark, violets and a prune drying shed. Really something as only very old vines can be. Flavors of really ripe boysenberries, red plums, brown sugar and some spice. Full, round and robust. Medium tannins, with a good acidity to balance this wine. A mouthful. Powerful with a big statement but not hot. Will cellar many years given the pH and acidity levels. Amazing that at this stage of the vineyards’ life it has so much to give fruit wise. Perhaps the care of the grower’s hand is the magic. Wood fired anything, chicken, beef, pork or lamb. Simply an awesome Zinfandel. Enjoy it you Zin Dogs!

  80+ year old vines!

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