Thursday, May 3, 2018

Kistler's Second Act

FOR PINOT NOIR LOVERS!
 
For the second act in his brilliant and distinguished career, Steve Kistler is choosing to work with coastal Pinot sites that achieve full ripeness at lower sugars than those in the Russian River Valley and other parts of Sonoma. For now, there are four wines in the range, although Kistler told me he expects to add at least two more vineyard designates in the coming years. Kistler's Occidental Pinot Noirs are off the charts and, again, very limited.  Reserve yours by stopping by or contacting us.

KISTLER VINEYARDS 2016 "FREESTONE-OCCIDENTAL" Sonoma Coast PINOT NOIR...REG. $45, Special $38.95

Captivating aromas of high-toned raspberry and red currant, rose petal, and spice. Possesses the energy, precision, and purity of flavor that gives all the Occidental wines lift and perfume, along with the deeper soil tones that contribute to complexity. Remarkably vivid and beautifully layered, this wine shows elegance and great overall balance."

Amizetta's 'Tradition'

FOR a LIMITED TIME ONLY!
We have always focused on those very small, boutique wines that express some of the best quality available.  Unfortunately, they are usually produced in minute quantities and only available during a small window of time. By the time many of our customers have a chance to experience certain wines, they are sold out and have to 
wait up to a year for the next release.

This is one of those wines.  We fielded call after call to order more only to be disappointed to find out it was sold out...UNTIL NOW. We were able to procure a small amount from the winery's library and can offer it at the same incredible price that we offered during the Jolidays.

AMIZETTA 2014 "TRADITION" Napa RED BLEND
The Clark brothers grew up making cult wines on the slopes of Howell Mountain with their father at Amizetta Estate Winery. Utilizing their family's forty-year history of winemaking knowledge in Napa Valley, the brothers are now embarking on their own adventure. The Tradition philosophy is to create the best possible blends representing unique terroirs and microclimates of select vineyards in Napa. 

A dark wine with aromas of chocolate, blueberry pie and spices. Medium-to-full bodied with notes of French oak and vanilla bean. A rich finish with chewy tannins and moderate oak create a delicate balance between fruit and body. This vibrant red blend reflects another excellent vintage in the Napa Valley. 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot, 21% Syrah, 16% Petite Sirah

This wine retails for $50, but you won't believe the Capitol Cellars price...call today!

WoW - Winery of the Week: Hourglass

WINERY of the WEEK
Hourglass Wines has built a steadfast following and affirmed their status as one of Napa's most sought-after wine for collectors. Hourglass's inaugural release came with the 1997 vintage and the new brand was catapulted to instant renown at a tasting held just before the 2001 Napa Valley Wine Auction featuring a flight of 1997 vintage Cabernets that critic Robert Parker, Jr. had scored 100 points: Screaming Eagle, Harlan Estate, and Bryant Family. Hourglass held its own alongside the cult giants and ever since then sold out immediately upon release. 

HOURGLASS 2016 "HGIII" Napa RED BLEND
HGIII, a Bordeaux based blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and a touch of Petite Sirah was developed to provide a wine from this great estate that loyal followers could enjoy without breaking the bank.

Bounding aromas of fresh vibrant fruit-black and Bing cherry, blackberries, and pomegranate-mingle with elevated notes of chocolate, roasted hazelnut and toasted vanilla bean to create an explosive and compelling aromatic. Layers of fruit, crossing a spectrum of red and black berries, incorporate the finest elements of blending Cabernet, Merlot, and Petit Sirah (the secret sauce).

HOURGLASS 2017 Estate Napa  SAUVIGNON BLANC
Primary aromas of lemon and lime zest, orange blossom and Granny Smith apples open to flavors of limeade, cut hay, white peach, pineapple and vanilla bean. Wet stone minerality from the Larkmead fruit provides a wonderful counterbalance and tension to the pure fruit expressions from the Varozza and Gamble vineyards.

These wines retail for $60 and $42, respectively.  We are honored to offer them at amazing prices...too amazing to list here, so please contact us to reserve!

New Arrivals for May 3, 2018


NEW ARRIVALS to CAPITOL CELLARS

GHOST BLOCK
With the extraordinary vintages that California has experienced since 2012 the 2015 has captured our attention even more. It's as close to perfection that a vintage can attain and our favorite wineries like Ghost Block make this recent release memorable. For our customers that were fortunate to get on the allocation list the wine is here for pickup.  However, as the exclusive retailer in the area, we are allowed to offer a small amount to those who have never experienced such a beautiful wine. Call or email to reserve your wine.

Nestled on a gently sloping knoll, Ghost Block vineyard is named in honor of Napa's pioneer winemakers who rest in a tiny 150-year-old cemetery on the north edge of Yountville - the epicenter of Napa Valley. Graced with perfect drainage and sunny exposure, Ghost Block Vineyard is a jewel, an heirloom, passed down through
a single family for over 100 years. Coveted by celebrity winemakers, the fruit from this and nearby vineyards has been the cornerstone of many of Napa's 'cult wines'.

GHOST BLOCK 2015 "OAKVILLE ESTATE" Napa Cabernet Sauvignon...REG. $72, Special $62.95
The fruit comes from the Rock Cairn vineyard, a 30-year-old vineyard in Oakville, Napa Valley that is 100% certified organic.  Finesse oriented with an elegant balance and structure. Bright floral aromatics, such as rose petals and tobacco. A full-bodied Cabernet that attacks with loads of dark berry fruits, cocoa and nutmeg. The palate is supported by the lasting finish of black cherries and coffee.
 
McGAH FAMILY VINEYARDS "SCARLETT"
Mike Smith is an award-winning winemaker who started his career under the direction of Thomas Brown and worked with a vast array of wine labels including Schrader, Maybach Family, Tamber Bey and Rivers Marie & Carter Cellars. It was during this period that he developed his own philosophies on winemaking, based on the strong foundation he built while working with these established labels.The award-winning Scarlett Cabernet Sauvignon, named after the founder's daughter, is crafted exclusively from fruit grown on their magnificent 64-acre Rutherford vineyard estates.

MCGAH 2015 "SCARLETT" Rutherford Napa Cabernet Sauvignon... REG. $70, Special $59.95
The 2015 vintage was the last of the drought years, which offered bold and classic characteristics to the finished wines.  Violet in color, with a clarity that shows the overall vibrancy of this wine.  Aromas of high-toned black currant, dark cherry, and anise dance on the palate. Dark ripe berries, cassis, light spice notes with hints of earthy notes yield a rich and smooth mid-palate. The finish is loaded with ripe and opulent fruit that is framed by firm, but supple tannins, gaining length and grace along the way. 

MCGAH 2016 "SCARLETT" Rutherford Napa Zinfandel...REG. $45, Special $38.95
This is a Zin for Cab lovers! Old vine, a real stunner.  It possesses amazing aromatics and flavors and is full of charisma.  On the nose large gobs of black stone fruit and pomegranate jump out of the glass!  This youngster is full-bodied and extremely well-balanced.  The palate is loaded with bright black currants, black cherries, chocolate, spice and a touch of tobacco.  The finish is long and intense and does not seem to end.