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Here's what the dictionary says this about 'Verve:' noun—enthusiasm, energy, spirit, life, force, punch (informal), dash, pep, sparkle, zip (not code), vitality, animation, vigor, zeal, gusto, welly (slang), get-up-and-go (informal), elan, brio, vivacity, liveliness, vim Learn More

This wine is so sexy and seductive! Just a pure, feminine wine that is true to its variety. At its best from Booker, Ripper is from a North facing block and is not a massive, dark, heavy wine. It is a bowl full of red fruits with the perfect amount of acid and a generous amount of mid-palate weight. Learn More

Fulldraw is new to the line-up with fruit sourced from the vineyard immediately adjoining Booker. The soils are pure white calcareous shale, and getting a crop is almost impossible. Thus making it both a widely unique site as well as borderline unsustainable due to the miniscule yields. Learn More

Smoky potpourri, white pepper, and violet fragrances mark the nose of this Larner Vineyard Grenache. The mouthfeel is seamless, even as it moves from earthy notes of sage and pine sap at the attack to juicy dark red tones of redcurrant and flambéed cherries towards the finish. Learn More

Vertigo aims to be a traditional Rhone blend, a “G-S-M”. Booker ferments a portion of this wine whole cluster and uses stem inclusion to add a bit to its character in terms of tannin and spice. Booker named this wine ‘Vertigo’ in jest for one of Booker's steepest hillsides that grows Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Learn More

This wine has a bouquet of gardenias and white pepper. On the palate, it has ample weight (thanks to the Roussanne), but does not feel heavy or cloying and finishes cleanly with a hint of spice. It’s clean and refreshing enough to drink in Spring and Summer, but certainly robust enough to compliment any autumn meal. Learn More

For the first 15 years of Alban Vineyards, John couldn’t afford to keep more than 20% of the fruit he raised. Chardonnay was an easy sell and suited to a broad spectrum of soils. As Alban Vineyards progressed and the contracts for the Chardonnay and Pinot lapsed, we were in a position to keep the blocks. They were methodically grafted and became the foundation for Patrina. Learn More

The Layer Cake Pinot Noir has expressive notes of Raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry, are supported by dried tea leaf and tobacco on the nose. The palate is layered texturally and has rich, pronounced blackberries and ripe plum. Soft, fine grained tannins and smoky dark chocolate stay through the finish. Learn More

A deft balancing act between luscious black fruit and herbal notes of black olive and fresh mint—the two sides of merlot. Currently the softest and most expansive on the palate with loads of blackberry leading the way. Velvet. Remarkably long finish that echoes the depth of fruit. Textured for immediate drinking pleasure, but structured also to reward a decade in the cellar. Such a pleasure to be able to offer this special wine after a long absence.

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Defined by exuberant fruit, both red and black. Also shaped by familiar Jonata notes of smoked sausage, black pepper, and black plum skin. Fruit sweetness and power also mixed with fennel and Indian spices. Plush fruit on the attack, remaining pure throughout the attack and mid-palate. Tremendous depth from the seemingly endless 2012 summer. Truly a pleasure to drink today. Perfectly balanced and evolved tannins. By no means a shrinking violet, managing to retain exceptional overall balance. Learn More

From the winery's experience of tasting the finest wines from around the world, all the greatest wines possess authenticity, harmony, and elegance. These are the qualities I constantly try to capture in their wines. The ultimate goal is to create wines that are seamless and textural with enough structure and balance to complement fine cuisine. Learn More

From the glass, the wine immediately sings of black cherry and plum interlaced with creamy notes of vanilla, nutmeg and hoisin sauce. A prototypical mineral, or crushed oyster shell, component is prominent in both the aromatic and palate profiles. Zingy and refreshing on the palate with notes of clove and star anise giving way to the minerals and orange pith elements. The long finish is punctuated with hints of cocoa. A truly electric offering from Vista Verde! Learn More

San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon offers bright aromas of raspberry and black cherry. Ripe flavors of spicy plum, wild-berry notes, and currant are complemented by nuances of cocoa and cedary oak from barrel aging. Structured tannins provide texture and depth with a lengthy finish. A small percentage of Petit Verdot was added for additional complexity. It pairs well with grilled meats, firm cheeses, or chocolates. Learn More

There is serious weight to this powerful wine, yet it remains distinctly balanced with a ripe red fruit component that is grounded and structured by muscular tannins. As evinced by its popularity in my portfolio, the pleasures of this wine are immediate, but there is much to admire behind the scenes. Learn More

The ruby-red color of this wine is lovely in the glass, as are the aromas of framboise, sweet jerky, and flint. Hints of redcurrant and blackberry emerge towards a finish that envelops the palate. Velvety, expansive, and brightly textured. Learn More