Free Wood Wine Boxes-Part II

Randy Smith-The Wine Write 92 Points
Bruce Patch 2014 Harris Kratka Zinfandel

This is a Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah blend. Drank over 2 nights, no decant. Deep, rich black cherry aromas. Massive fruit on the palate, right from the get-go. Soft texture, nice finish. Delicious, decadent wine, and a terrific value. $35 Our Price $19.99 (Rombauer Zinfandel fans will love this wine)

Antonio Galloni, Vinous 93 pts
Shafer Vineyards 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon One Point Five is a fabulous example of the year at its best. Super-ripe red cherry, pomegranate, mint, rose petal and spice infuse this voluptuous, racy Cabernet Sauvignon. Readers looking for a wine to drink with minimal cellaring will find much to admire in this sexy, racy Cabernet. Even with all of its up-front fruit, the 2015 has quite a bit of depth and tannin to support at least a handful of years of fine drinking. 2018 – 2030. $95 Our Price TBD (Arrives 3/21/18)

Wine Spectator 92
SAGET LA PERRIÈRE Vouvray Marie de Beauregard 2015

Juicy and ripe, with pear, quince and fig flavors laced with light ginger and honeysuckle notes. Shows a flash of hazelnut through the finish. On the hedonistic side, but has the freshness for balance. Drink now through 2024.—J.M. $18 Our Price $14.95 (Arrives 3/21/18)

2016 The Florist Russian River Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes, Jessica Boone: The FLORIST wines are all about aromatics and this is why Pinot Noir was my first choice for this new project. Nothing can stop you in your tracks, and make you pause for thought, like the aroma of a great Pinot. This arrangement of Russian River fruit gave me the aromatic complexity I was looking for, while still delivering for you the dark fruits, great density and richness and length we all search for in a great Pinot Noir.

After making Pinot Noir in the Russian River Valley for over 10 years, I have gotten to know some amazing vineyards that are working with wineries making wines that receive the very highest accolades. I am able to take small quantities from some of these revered vineyards, each bringing deliberate components to the final Florist blend. The commonality of these vineyards is the cooling effect of the Russian River. Bringing in the coastal temperatures in the evening, and allowing the fog to settle in, lingering through the late morning, the river brings the grapevines a break from the heat of the day. This process slows down the ripening, lengthening time on the vine, and deepening flavors.

When creating the Florist blend I am looking for intensity of aromatics, and palate, while maintaining balance and life on the finish. For this Russian River gem, I wanted to showcase the depth and weight that exists in this valley. This is a satisfyingly dense Pinot, with briary dark fruit, black plum, and cherry cola on the nose. The palate brings richness and length but has some vivaciousness in the background and finish. This wine has all of the components that I love in Pinot Noir, I hope you love our inaugural release as much as I do! $52 Our Price TBD (Arrives 3/22/18 )

In Stock!
Wine Spectator 93
SEGHESIO Zinfandel Sonoma
County Sonoma 2016

Plump and loaded with rich, jammy fruit, this Zinfandel is a pleasure to drink. Bold accents of wild berry, spicy cinnamon and licorice glide dynamically toward plush tannins. Drink now through 2025.—T.F $26 Our Price $19.99

Wine Spectator 90
STÉPHANE AVIRON Morgon Côte du Py Vieilles Vignes 2014

Floral and peach aromas line the ripe strawberry and cherry flavors in this concentrated, harmonious red. Backed by plenty of spice and juicy acidity, this eases into a lingering, spice- and mineral-infused finish. Drink now through 2018. 250 cases imported. –GS $24 Liquidation Price $15.95 (Limited to stock on hand)

Wine Spectator 92
BOOKWALTER Protagonist Conner-Lee Vineyard Columbia Valley 2014

Rich and polished, defined by a core of refined tannins, wrapped in textured flavors of black cherry, espresso and toasty spice that glide through the long finish. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. Drink now through 2021. 1,400 cases made. –TF $60 Our Price $44.99 (Grape Tray insider price $24.99)

Wine Spectator 93
JUSTIN Isosceles Paso Robles 2014

Shows a measure of finesse and restraint given the size, which is big and expressive, offering notes of plum, blackberry, baking spices and cedary oak. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Best from 2020 through 2032.—J.L $72 Our Price $64.99

2015 J. Lohr Hilltop Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker Notes: The 2015 J. Lohr Hilltop is a great example of the J. Lohr house style of dense but soft Cabernet Sauvignon. Effusive blackberry and currant aromas are integrated with a bouquet of toasted hazelnut and cocoa powder from 18 months of French oak barrel age. Bright fruit on the mid-palate finishes clean and invigorates the appetite for an array of rich menu items. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. $34 Our Price $26.75

2014 Pine Ridge Dijon Clone Chardonnay

Winemaker Notes: Gleaming radiant gold, our 2014 Dijon Clones Chardonnay sings from the glass with enticing aromas of lemon peel, fresh white flowers and citrus blossom, interlaced with subtle notes of lemon tart, ground nutmeg and honeyed graham cracker. The wine exhibits a rounded mouthfeel with refreshing acidity, opening with bright flavors of pineapple juice, sweet candied lemon and creamy lemon curd, leading into hints of white nectarine, yellow pear and vanilla bean that linger through the clean, lasting finish. $38 Liquidation Price $16.95 (Limited to stock on hand)

Wine Advocate 94-96
2015 Booker Vineyard Jada Vineyard Syrah/Grenache

From a hillside vineyard just off of Vineyard Drive road (near Denner) that has lots of clay soils (so more water retention and better canopy development, which is very different from Booker Vineyard), the 2015 Jada Vineyard checks in as a mix of 55% Syrah and 45% Grenache that saw 25% stems and aging all in barrel. Full-bodied, rich, unctuous and downright sexy, with lots of jammy blackberry, cassis, roasted herbs and melted licorice (there are some floral notes hiding in there as well), it's another stacked red from Jensen that readers shouldn't miss. $60 (Arrives 3/21/18)

Wine Advocate 97
2014 Rudd Estate Oakville Estate
Proprietary Red Wine

There are two reds wines from the estate, the proprietary red wine, which is a Bordeaux blend, and Samantha’s Cabernet Sauvignon. The Rudd Estate Proprietary Red starts off life relatively slowly, and that probably works against it, but the color of the 2013, 2014 and 2015 is an inky purple. The wines display notes of scorched earth, blackberry and cassis, the with 2013 and 2014 both showing more up-front forwardness and a more approachable style, but they are still dramatic, flamboyant and full-bodied. The epic 2013 is not ready for drinking for at least another 4-5 years, but the 2014 can be approached already. Both wines are full-bodied, classic Oakville corridor wines, but made with almost a Bordeaux inspiration, but without sacrificing the extraordinarily rich, concentrated fruit of Napa. The 2013 is a 35-year wine and the 2014 probably a 25- to 30- year wine. The 2013 is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Petit Verdot. The 2014 has 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, and the balance Malbec and Petit Verdot. $260 Limited