No-Brainers
Showing 28–36 of 765 results
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Austin Hope 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
$39.99Paso Robles California
Wine Enthusiast 97 Rating
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Vintner Austin Hope, whose family is intertwined in the rise of Paso Robles, spent years working to release a wine of this caliber. Dark and thick in the glass, aromas of black currant and blueberry meet with roasted coffee, chocolate syrup and baked plum on the wondrous nose. The palate is soft and extremely expressive, with blueberry, black pepper, firm mid-palate tannins and a finish that's redolent of cappuccino candies.. -
Auteur 2013 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard
$49.99Sonoma Coast California
Wine Advocate 94 Rating
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The 2013 Chardonnay Durell Vineyard saw 30% new oak but again no malolactic fermentation. This is a brilliant Chardonnay with full-bodied intensity, plenty of minerality, some subtle tropical fruits such as tangerine and mango, but more quince, white currants and citrus oil. It has the ability to last 5-7 years, if not longer. MH-1 -
Auteur 2013 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir
$49.99Yamhill-Carlton District Oregon
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From one of the most prestigious vineyards in New World Pinot Noir, placing it squarely among the elite terroirs, Shea Vineyards consists of 140 dry farmed hillside acres located in Oregon’s sub-appellation, Yamhill-Carlton. Yamhill-Carlton is situated in a rainshadow where storms often miss, leaving excellent dry conditions for Pinot Noir. The soil is characterized by shallow sedimentary Willakenzie topsoil over fractured sandstone subsoil. These soils tend to display darker fruit with concentrated blackberry and plum highlighted with notes of earth, pepper and minerals. MH-3 -
Auteur 2014 Chardonnay
$44.99Sonoma Coast California
Wine Advocate 91 Rating
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The 2014 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, largely originating from the Durell and Sangiacomo Green Acres vineyards, is sourced from 100% Old Wente clone. It sees 25% new French oak but, again, no malolactic. This is a beautiful wine with a Corton-Charlemagne-like nose of honeysuckle, tangerine oil, melon, white currants and a subtle almond-paste characteristic. It is full-bodied, has great fruit, wonderful freshness, energy and a long, zesty finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. MH-1 -
Auteur 2014 Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard
$49.99 -
Auteur 2014 Pinot Noir Labyrinth Vineyard
$59.99Green Valley Sonoma County California
Wine Advocate 95 Rating
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Lastly, the 2014 Pinot Noir Labyrinth Vineyard is from an organically farmed Green Valley site planted in Goldridge soils in 1999. It is made 100% from the Pommard selection and saw 75% new French oak for 16 months prior to bottling. The wine is terrific, rich, full-bodied and could easily pass for a Premier Cru Pommard with its notes of apple skin, pomegranate, black cherries and blackberry. There is some earth, spice, cove and plum as well. This is a big, complex, muscular style of Pinot Noir to drink over the next 10-15 years. MH-4 -
Auteur 2014 Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge Vineyard
$59.99Mendocino County California
Wine Advocate 92+ Rating
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The 2014 Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge Vineyard comes from a high elevation of 2,200 feet in Mendocino and is sourced from Dijon clones 115 and 777. Ten percent stems were used in the making of this wine that saw 60% new French barrels. Dense ruby/purple (one of the darkest of the Auteur Pinot Noirs) with plenty of forest floor, damp earth, new saddle leather, blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, this is a decidedly more primordial, masculine and backward style of Pinot Noir, but with big structure and terrific concentration and energy. Look for this wine to improve for 2-3 years and drink well for 15 or more. MH-4 -
Auteur 2014 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
$59.99Anderson Valley California
Wine Advocate 92 Rating
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The 2014 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard comes from 85% Pommard and 15% Wadensville selections in the cool Anderson Valley. This wine has a more masculine character, no doubt because of the high percentage of Pommard. Loads of dark cherry and raspberry notes with a hint of pomegranate, cedar wood, allspice and background wood. Interesting that 70% French cooperage was utilized and the wine aged 16 months prior to being bottled. This wine should age nicely for ten or more years. MH-5 -
Auteur 2015 Chardonnay
$44.99Sonoma Coast California
Jeb Dunnuck 94 Rating
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The entry-level Chardonnay is the 2015 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast, which is all Wente clone aged in 25% new French oak, with its malolactic fermentation blocked. It’s a smoking good base cuvee that offers lots of caramelized citrus, white flowers and hints of toasty oak in a layered, clean, crisp and vibrant style. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years. MH-1
