California
California is one of the most renowned wine regions in the world, known for producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique character of the region.
One of the most famous vineyards in California is the Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi Winery, which produces a range of high-quality red and white wines, including the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, the Fumé Blanc Reserve, and the Chardonnay Reserve. The estate is committed to sustainable farming practices and is known for its focus on traditional winemaking techniques.
In California, there is also a strong focus on producing organic and biodynamic wines, with vineyards such as the Frog's Leap Winery and the Benziger Family Winery using these practices to produce exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.
Overall, California is a region known for producing exceptional wines, with famous vineyards such as Harlan Estate, Dominus, Opus One, Screaming Eagle, Robert Mondavi and many others. With a focus on sustainable and organic farming practices, and a commitment to traditional winemaking techniques, wines from California are gaining increasing recognition and popularity among wine enthusiasts worldwide.
California
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Just about pure perfection, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard comes from vines around the estate, just outside of Rutherford, which were planted in 1997. Sensational notes of crème de cassis, burning embers, bay leaf, and graphite all flow to a full-bodied 2015 that has a deep, layered, multi-dimensional texture that’s hard to describe. With building structure and a beautiful floral character that emerges with time in the glass, perfect balance, and a huge finish, this quintessential Napa Cabernet will benefit from a few years of bottle age and cruise for 3-4 decades. Bravo!Inc. VAT£1,612.25 -
(3x75cl) 2017Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96+)
A regal, soaring wine, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is all finesse. Dried cherry, cinnamon, star anise and blood orange add an exotic flair that adds to the wine's beguiling personality. In 2017, the Helms is a bit understated and medium in body, with less of the breadth of the very best years. Even so, it is a gorgeous Cabernet full of allure and potential. I won't be surprised if it is even more compelling in another few years' time.Inc. VAT£1,393.02 -
James Suckling (99)
Sweet white chocolate with currant, plum and subtle hazelnut on the nose. Some other spices, such as nutmeg and cloves. Floral. Full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that go on and on. Beautiful center plate that is dense yet polished and fine and continues on. Exceptional. Fantastic finish. Drinkable now, but needs four or five years to show it’s true greatness.Inc. VAT£1,105.19 -
(1x150cl) 2014Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is in a fine place for drinking today. Hints of espresso, spice, lavender, mocha and dried herbs give the 2014 lovely aromatic presence to match its mid-weight personality. There is a bit of firmness in the tannins, but that is the signature of the year. The linear intensity here is impressive.Inc. VAT£1,132.33 -
(1x150cl) 2015Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is a dark, mysterious wine. Black cherry, new leather, incense, mocha, licorice, lavender and espresso fill out the layers. There is a bit more oak influence here, but it works quite well with the style and character of Howell Mountain. This dark, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon is superb. What a gorgeous wine. This is the best showing yet for the 2015 Hershey since I tasted it in barrel nearly ten years ago.Inc. VAT£1,056.49 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is a dark, mysterious wine. Black cherry, new leather, incense, mocha, licorice, lavender and espresso fill out the layers. There is a bit more oak influence here, but it works quite well with the style and character of Howell Mountain. This dark, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon is superb. What a gorgeous wine. This is the best showing yet for the 2015 Hershey since I tasted it in barrel nearly ten years ago.Inc. VAT£1,115.54 -
(3x75cl) 2014Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is a heady, exuberant wine. Succulent black cherry, plum, blood orange, sweet spice, menthol and espresso build beautifully in the glass, framed by soft, silky contours that add to the wine's racy, open-knit personality. This has come along so well.Inc. VAT£1,855.94 -
Inc. VAT£1,739.33 -
Matthew Jukes (18+)
The Fifty Finest Wines 2020 I tasted a large number of Californian wines this autumn and I found many of the wines (whites and reds) over-oaked, sweet, far too high in alcohol and generally out of balance. So, when successful wines put their hands up it was very encouraging. This amazing Cabernet had the very traits I associate with exceptionally expensive Californian red wines and yet, when I discovered its price, I couldn’t believe it. I far prefer this cuvée to the ‘Reserve’, which is £55. The key to this wine’s success is its balance. Every element is in perfect harmony. The fruit is pure and resonant, the tannins are classy and there is no weird-tasting oak whatsoever. Profound balance + a delicious flavour = a mention in the Finest FiftyInc. VAT£490.75 -
Matthew Jukes (18+)
The Fifty Finest Wines 2020 I tasted a large number of Californian wines this autumn and I found many of the wines (whites and reds) over-oaked, sweet, far too high in alcohol and generally out of balance. So, when successful wines put their hands up it was very encouraging. This amazing Cabernet had the very traits I associate with exceptionally expensive Californian red wines and yet, when I discovered its price, I couldn’t believe it. I far prefer this cuvée to the ‘Reserve’, which is £55. The key to this wine’s success is its balance. Every element is in perfect harmony. The fruit is pure and resonant, the tannins are classy and there is no weird-tasting oak whatsoever. Profound balance + a delicious flavour = a mention in the Finest FiftyInc. VAT£377.98 -
(6x75cl) 2019Wine Advocate (98)
The 2019 Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon was made with free-run juice and matured for 30 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep ruby color and alluring tones of truffle, brown sugar and coffee to begin, opening with time to very pure cassis, boysenberry, tobacco, garrigue and aniseed. The palate is supple and fresh with surprisingly restrained, mineral-laced fruits and a fan of spicy accents across the long finish. This ultra sleek, elegant Cabernet evolves continually in the glass and has the harmonious structure it needs to go the distance in the cellar.Inc. VAT£1,547.21 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2018 Pessimist is a barrel sample blend of 62% Petite Sirah, 19% Zinfandel, 17% Syrah and 2% Lagrein. It is expected to age for 11 months in 50% new French oak. Opaque ruby-purple, it offers up tar, chargrill, turned black earth and blackcurrants with wafts of blackcurrant bud, dark chocolate, smoked meats and crushed red cherries. The medium to full-bodied palate has lifted flavor layers, a firm, grainy frame and long, spicy, fresh finish.Inc. VAT£533.21 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2018 Chardonnay opens with apple pie, baked quince, lemon curd and melon touches with notes of guava, dried hay, toast and a lovely underlying spiciness. Medium to full-bodied and rounded in the mouth, it has intense, ripe, savory fruits with honey-nut accents, lifted by mouthwatering freshness and finishing long.Inc. VAT£442.96 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Also bottled the week before this tasting, the 2016 Soul of a Lion includes more Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2014 and 2015 and is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. It’s an incredible achievement and has sensational notes of crème de cassis, graphite, violets, and lead pencil shavings. Made in a pure California, pedal-to-the-metal style, with full body and loads of fruit, it stays balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, and a layered, seamless style that just glides over the palate. Don’t think Paso Robles can make world-class Cabernet Sauvignon? Try this wine.Inc. VAT£534.16 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2017 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep ruby-purple color and wonderfully unique expression, with scents of forest floor, underbrush, English breakfast tea, espresso, blackcurrant bud, dark chocolate and exotic flowers mingling over a core of perfectly ripe wild blackberries and Morello cherries, all complemented by a classy framing of new oak spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is slow to unfurl, with a frame like liquid silk and a very long finish that gives up layer after layer of nuanced flavors. Wow!Inc. VAT£855.59 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2017 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep ruby-purple color and wonderfully unique expression, with scents of forest floor, underbrush, English breakfast tea, espresso, blackcurrant bud, dark chocolate and exotic flowers mingling over a core of perfectly ripe wild blackberries and Morello cherries, all complemented by a classy framing of new oak spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is slow to unfurl, with a frame like liquid silk and a very long finish that gives up layer after layer of nuanced flavors. Wow!Inc. VAT£1,007.98 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
The 2018 Soul Of A Lion is an incredible Cabernet Sauvignon, made exclusively from free-run juice, blended with 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot and aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby-purple in color, the nose opens slowly, segueing from graphite and tobacco leaves, to violets and blue fruit preserves, to cinnamon, potpourri and dark spices. The palate is seamless and cashmere-like, with expansive, pure, mineral-laced fruits enlivened by a burst of freshness that highlights the perfectly ripe fruit character this vintage. The finish is very long, offering violet perfume and iron tones that linger in the mouth. This is a gorgeous wine that combines unique personality with expert craftsmanship. It drinks well now but has all it needs for a long life in the cellar.Inc. VAT£480.40 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
The 2019 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of free-run Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Cabernet Franc (14%), and Petit Verdot (9%), aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby in color, it offers aromatic contrast between dark, savory cherry fruit, chargrill and graphite, and top notes of green pepper and rose petals. The palate explodes with detailed flavors and its tannins are already resolved and chocolaty, with seamless acidity and exotic spicy layers emerging on the extended finish. Wow!Inc. VAT£1,150.07 -
Experience the exquisite di Costanzo Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard 2018, produced in the iconic Montecillo Vineyard, a jewel in California's famed Sonoma Valley. This meticulously crafted wine encapsulates the winemaker’s commitment to honouring terroir, reflecting Moon Mountain's unique rocky soil and singular microclimate. Winemaker Massimo di Costanzo—renowned for his minimalist approach—employs indigenous yeasts and whole-berry fermentation in concrete, nurturing the wine's wild, authentic character. It’s the essence of the Montecillo Vineyard’s 50-year-old dry-farmed Cabernet vines, aged in French oak for its deep, velvety texture. Balanced tannins, vivid dark fruit, and a distinct minerality demonstrate its undoubted quality. Artisanal in nature, limited in production, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a true expression of singular, site-specific winemaking at its best. The di Costanzo Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard 2018 will no doubt elevate any collection, standing as a testament to the unparalleled terroir it embodies.
Inc. VAT£1,697.29 -
(12x75cl) 2018Produced by the distinguished winemaker, Massimo di Costanzo, the di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2018 stands as an epitome of artisanal mastery. Sourced from the prized terroirs of Napa Valley, California, one is immediately taken by the balance of opulent dark fruit flavours and polished, understated earthiness. Each vineyard block was hand-harvested separately, meticulously allowing for the expression of individuality and nuance. Subsequently, the winemaking process, taking place in 100% French oak barrels, further underscores the wine's exceptional finesse.
The di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2018 exudes deep intense garnet hues, encapsulating assertive flavours of blackberry, plum, and mocha, underpinned by hints of graphite and sage. The medium-bodied palate couples refined tannins with a vital acidity, leading to a long invigorating finish. This accomplished blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc epitomises the very spirit of its revered producer.
Inc. VAT£871.06 -
Experience the splendour of the di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2019, a superb representation of Californian artistry in viticulture. This Cabernet Sauvignon shines with a captivating purity of ripe black and blue fruits. The grapes, sourced from premium vineyards located in the gusty cool-climate region of Napa Valley, are hand-harvested and fermented with wild yeasts. The wine matures for 20 months in gently toasted, high-quality French oak barrels, lending it extraordinary complexity and structure.
Producer Massimo Di Costanzo's minimalist intervention approach in the winery allows the terroir's true narrative to unfurl in each bottle. Possessing a rich, silky palate, this 2019 vintage evokes the wild beauty of its origins, along with the quintessential elegance attributed to di Costanzo's craftsmanship. The di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2019 can undoubtedly be held as a crowning jewel in any discerning connoisseur’s collection.
Inc. VAT£894.41 -
Indulge in the exceptional character of di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2020. Born in the idyllic valleys of Napa, this rare vintage is created by a passion for authenticity and a respect for tradition. Di Costanzo wines, led by winemaker Massimo di Costanzo, are known to have a steadfast commitment to expressing pure, specific terroir. The di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2020 is a testament to this truth.
This exquisite blend is meticulously produced via native yeast fermentation in concrete, coupled with an extended maceration process that enhances the age-worthy structure. It showcases an elegant melange of dark fruit, rugged earthy notes, interwoven with fine-grained tannins that eloquently promise potential for splendid maturity. A bottle of di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2020 provides an enchanting embodiment of site and vintage, making a memorable addition to any fine wine collection. Enjoy a boulevard of sensory indulgence with di Costanzo's proud emblem of Napa artistry.
Inc. VAT£894.41 -
(1x75cl) 2017Vinous (94)
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is ample and full in feel. Dark fruit, scorched earth, licorice, chocolate, spice, leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Somber and brooding, the Gravelly Meadow has a lot going on. It clearly needs time to be at its best. Firm hillside tannins add to a feeling of gravitas. There is real weight and substance here.Inc. VAT£226.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace opens with a striking bouquet redolent of crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, blood orange and mint. Medium in body and silky, with tremendous fruit purity, the 2019 impresses with its finesse and open-knit personality. There's good energy and tension, but the Red Rock in 2019 is, unusually, a wine of total sensuality. I loved it.Inc. VAT£250.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2022 Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic conversion and matured in stainless steel, opens with inviting aromas of quince, white peaches, toasted meringue and citrus blossom streaked with hints of matchstick and saline. The medium-bodied palate balances ripe, floral fruit with focused acidity, and a touch of textural breadth lengthens the finish. It combines the verve of Chablis with the ripeness of California. It deserves 2-3 years in bottle to unwind.Inc. VAT£149.98 -
(6x75cl) 2022Wine Advocate (94+)
The 2022 Pinot Noir Bloom's Field is the most red-fruited and floral of the roster, opening on a reserved note but ceaselessly escalating in intensity. The palate takes a dramatically powerful, saturated turn into a slow-moving, opulent yet classy finish that ceaselessly builds tannic power without adding an ounce of weight. Serious and unyielding despite its deceptively delicate framing, this merits time in the cellar to unwind but should evolve wonderfully over the next decade.Inc. VAT£541.55 -
(6x75cl) 2015Wine Advocate (96)
The 2015 Pinot Noir La Côte is fabulous, and probably the greatest offering Domaine de la Côte has released to date—although the 2016 rendition will give it a run for its money in due course. The wine soars from the glass with a bouquet of kaleidoscopic complexity featuring notes of raspberries, red cherries, potpourri, rose hip and sweet spices. On the palate, the La Côte is medium-bodied and expansive, framed by incredibly fine-grained tannins and boasting stunning inner-mouth perfume. The concentration and depth that have been packed into this decidedly elegant, even delicate wine are incredible. This is compelling testimony to what can be achieved in an extreme mesoclimate if one's willing to accept the tiny yields that are essential to achieving full phenolic maturity.Inc. VAT£1,088.29 -
(6x75cl) 2018Vinous (96+)
The 2018 Pinot Noir La Côte is a dark, somber wine. Huge swaths of tannin wrap around a core of blue and purplish fruit. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is not at all forthcoming. This is an especially brooding, potent style. Time in the glass brings out hints of lavender, sage and dried herbs, but the 2018 is in no mood of showing all its cards right now.Inc. VAT£1,472.99 -
(6x75cl) 2014The Domaine de la Cote Memorious Pinot Noir 2014 is an exquisite product of the Santa Rita Hills, California. This fine wine is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, embodying the purest essence of the transitional climate and diatomaceous soil unique to the region. With clusters hand-harvested and fermented whole, this wine is made in the true tradition of small, artisanal producers.
Rajat Parr, the legendary sommelier and winemaker, along with his partners Sashi Moorman and Pablo de Soto, masterfully craft the Domaine de la Cote wines. These Pinot Noir vines are carefully rooted to the earth on the unique geologically-complex southern slope, catching optimal sunlight, resulting in harmoniously matured grapes that gift this wine its differentiated character.
The Domaine de la Cote Memorious Pinot Noir 2014 yields layers of rich, deep, red berry flavour, perfectly balanced acidity and a finish of silky tannins. An elegant fine wine displaying the confluence of passion, environment, and craft.
Inc. VAT£555.49 -
(1x75cl) 1989Vinous (89)
Deep red-ruby. Initially rather mute nose hinted at roasted plum with aeration. Supple and ripe in the mouth, with Graves-like notes of hot bricks, tar and roasted plum. A wine of very good but not outstanding depth. Finishes with chewy, slightly drying tannins. May be at its best now, but should hold at this level for a few years.Inc. VAT£337.73
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Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Just about pure perfection, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard comes from vines around the estate, just outside of Rutherford, which were planted in 1997. Sensational notes of crème de cassis, burning embers, bay leaf, and graphite all flow to a full-bodied 2015 that has a deep, layered, multi-dimensional texture that’s hard to describe. With building structure and a beautiful floral character that emerges with time in the glass, perfect balance, and a huge finish, this quintessential Napa Cabernet will benefit from a few years of bottle age and cruise for 3-4 decades. Bravo!In Bond£1,333.00 -
(3x75cl) 2017
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96+)
A regal, soaring wine, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Helms Vineyard is all finesse. Dried cherry, cinnamon, star anise and blood orange add an exotic flair that adds to the wine's beguiling personality. In 2017, the Helms is a bit understated and medium in body, with less of the breadth of the very best years. Even so, it is a gorgeous Cabernet full of allure and potential. I won't be surprised if it is even more compelling in another few years' time.In Bond£1,150.52 -
James Suckling (99)
Sweet white chocolate with currant, plum and subtle hazelnut on the nose. Some other spices, such as nutmeg and cloves. Floral. Full-bodied with extremely fine tannins that go on and on. Beautiful center plate that is dense yet polished and fine and continues on. Exceptional. Fantastic finish. Drinkable now, but needs four or five years to show it’s true greatness.In Bond£911.00 -
(1x150cl) 2014
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is in a fine place for drinking today. Hints of espresso, spice, lavender, mocha and dried herbs give the 2014 lovely aromatic presence to match its mid-weight personality. There is a bit of firmness in the tannins, but that is the signature of the year. The linear intensity here is impressive.In Bond£937.11 -
(1x150cl) 2015
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is a dark, mysterious wine. Black cherry, new leather, incense, mocha, licorice, lavender and espresso fill out the layers. There is a bit more oak influence here, but it works quite well with the style and character of Howell Mountain. This dark, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon is superb. What a gorgeous wine. This is the best showing yet for the 2015 Hershey since I tasted it in barrel nearly ten years ago.In Bond£874.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Hershey Vineyard is a dark, mysterious wine. Black cherry, new leather, incense, mocha, licorice, lavender and espresso fill out the layers. There is a bit more oak influence here, but it works quite well with the style and character of Howell Mountain. This dark, sumptuous Cabernet Sauvignon is superb. What a gorgeous wine. This is the best showing yet for the 2015 Hershey since I tasted it in barrel nearly ten years ago.In Bond£920.00 -
(3x75cl) 2014
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Lotus Vineyard is a heady, exuberant wine. Succulent black cherry, plum, blood orange, sweet spice, menthol and espresso build beautifully in the glass, framed by soft, silky contours that add to the wine's racy, open-knit personality. This has come along so well.In Bond£1,537.00 -
In Bond£1,446.00
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Matthew Jukes (18+)
The Fifty Finest Wines 2020 I tasted a large number of Californian wines this autumn and I found many of the wines (whites and reds) over-oaked, sweet, far too high in alcohol and generally out of balance. So, when successful wines put their hands up it was very encouraging. This amazing Cabernet had the very traits I associate with exceptionally expensive Californian red wines and yet, when I discovered its price, I couldn’t believe it. I far prefer this cuvée to the ‘Reserve’, which is £55. The key to this wine’s success is its balance. Every element is in perfect harmony. The fruit is pure and resonant, the tannins are classy and there is no weird-tasting oak whatsoever. Profound balance + a delicious flavour = a mention in the Finest FiftyIn Bond£369.00 -
Matthew Jukes (18+)
The Fifty Finest Wines 2020 I tasted a large number of Californian wines this autumn and I found many of the wines (whites and reds) over-oaked, sweet, far too high in alcohol and generally out of balance. So, when successful wines put their hands up it was very encouraging. This amazing Cabernet had the very traits I associate with exceptionally expensive Californian red wines and yet, when I discovered its price, I couldn’t believe it. I far prefer this cuvée to the ‘Reserve’, which is £55. The key to this wine’s success is its balance. Every element is in perfect harmony. The fruit is pure and resonant, the tannins are classy and there is no weird-tasting oak whatsoever. Profound balance + a delicious flavour = a mention in the Finest FiftyIn Bond£295.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019
Wine Advocate (98)
The 2019 Patrimony Cabernet Sauvignon was made with free-run juice and matured for 30 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep ruby color and alluring tones of truffle, brown sugar and coffee to begin, opening with time to very pure cassis, boysenberry, tobacco, garrigue and aniseed. The palate is supple and fresh with surprisingly restrained, mineral-laced fruits and a fan of spicy accents across the long finish. This ultra sleek, elegant Cabernet evolves continually in the glass and has the harmonious structure it needs to go the distance in the cellar.In Bond£1,270.10 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2018 Pessimist is a barrel sample blend of 62% Petite Sirah, 19% Zinfandel, 17% Syrah and 2% Lagrein. It is expected to age for 11 months in 50% new French oak. Opaque ruby-purple, it offers up tar, chargrill, turned black earth and blackcurrants with wafts of blackcurrant bud, dark chocolate, smoked meats and crushed red cherries. The medium to full-bodied palate has lifted flavor layers, a firm, grainy frame and long, spicy, fresh finish.In Bond£403.00 -
Wine Advocate (92)
The 2018 Chardonnay opens with apple pie, baked quince, lemon curd and melon touches with notes of guava, dried hay, toast and a lovely underlying spiciness. Medium to full-bodied and rounded in the mouth, it has intense, ripe, savory fruits with honey-nut accents, lifted by mouthwatering freshness and finishing long.In Bond£330.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (98)
Also bottled the week before this tasting, the 2016 Soul of a Lion includes more Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2014 and 2015 and is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. It’s an incredible achievement and has sensational notes of crème de cassis, graphite, violets, and lead pencil shavings. Made in a pure California, pedal-to-the-metal style, with full body and loads of fruit, it stays balanced, has ultra-fine tannins, and a layered, seamless style that just glides over the palate. Don’t think Paso Robles can make world-class Cabernet Sauvignon? Try this wine.In Bond£435.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2017 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep ruby-purple color and wonderfully unique expression, with scents of forest floor, underbrush, English breakfast tea, espresso, blackcurrant bud, dark chocolate and exotic flowers mingling over a core of perfectly ripe wild blackberries and Morello cherries, all complemented by a classy framing of new oak spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is slow to unfurl, with a frame like liquid silk and a very long finish that gives up layer after layer of nuanced flavors. Wow!In Bond£703.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
The 2017 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Petit Verdot aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. It has a deep ruby-purple color and wonderfully unique expression, with scents of forest floor, underbrush, English breakfast tea, espresso, blackcurrant bud, dark chocolate and exotic flowers mingling over a core of perfectly ripe wild blackberries and Morello cherries, all complemented by a classy framing of new oak spices. The medium to full-bodied palate is slow to unfurl, with a frame like liquid silk and a very long finish that gives up layer after layer of nuanced flavors. Wow!In Bond£820.00 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
The 2018 Soul Of A Lion is an incredible Cabernet Sauvignon, made exclusively from free-run juice, blended with 15% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot and aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby-purple in color, the nose opens slowly, segueing from graphite and tobacco leaves, to violets and blue fruit preserves, to cinnamon, potpourri and dark spices. The palate is seamless and cashmere-like, with expansive, pure, mineral-laced fruits enlivened by a burst of freshness that highlights the perfectly ripe fruit character this vintage. The finish is very long, offering violet perfume and iron tones that linger in the mouth. This is a gorgeous wine that combines unique personality with expert craftsmanship. It drinks well now but has all it needs for a long life in the cellar.In Bond£390.00 -
Wine Advocate (97+)
The 2019 Soul Of A Lion is a blend of free-run Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Cabernet Franc (14%), and Petit Verdot (9%), aged 22 months in 100% new French oak. Opaque ruby in color, it offers aromatic contrast between dark, savory cherry fruit, chargrill and graphite, and top notes of green pepper and rose petals. The palate explodes with detailed flavors and its tannins are already resolved and chocolaty, with seamless acidity and exotic spicy layers emerging on the extended finish. Wow!In Bond£938.00 -
Experience the exquisite di Costanzo Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard 2018, produced in the iconic Montecillo Vineyard, a jewel in California's famed Sonoma Valley. This meticulously crafted wine encapsulates the winemaker’s commitment to honouring terroir, reflecting Moon Mountain's unique rocky soil and singular microclimate. Winemaker Massimo di Costanzo—renowned for his minimalist approach—employs indigenous yeasts and whole-berry fermentation in concrete, nurturing the wine's wild, authentic character. It’s the essence of the Montecillo Vineyard’s 50-year-old dry-farmed Cabernet vines, aged in French oak for its deep, velvety texture. Balanced tannins, vivid dark fruit, and a distinct minerality demonstrate its undoubted quality. Artisanal in nature, limited in production, this Cabernet Sauvignon is a true expression of singular, site-specific winemaking at its best. The di Costanzo Moon Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard 2018 will no doubt elevate any collection, standing as a testament to the unparalleled terroir it embodies.
In Bond£1,375.00 -
(12x75cl) 2018
Produced by the distinguished winemaker, Massimo di Costanzo, the di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2018 stands as an epitome of artisanal mastery. Sourced from the prized terroirs of Napa Valley, California, one is immediately taken by the balance of opulent dark fruit flavours and polished, understated earthiness. Each vineyard block was hand-harvested separately, meticulously allowing for the expression of individuality and nuance. Subsequently, the winemaking process, taking place in 100% French oak barrels, further underscores the wine's exceptional finesse.
The di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2018 exudes deep intense garnet hues, encapsulating assertive flavours of blackberry, plum, and mocha, underpinned by hints of graphite and sage. The medium-bodied palate couples refined tannins with a vital acidity, leading to a long invigorating finish. This accomplished blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc epitomises the very spirit of its revered producer.
In Bond£684.54 -
Experience the splendour of the di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2019, a superb representation of Californian artistry in viticulture. This Cabernet Sauvignon shines with a captivating purity of ripe black and blue fruits. The grapes, sourced from premium vineyards located in the gusty cool-climate region of Napa Valley, are hand-harvested and fermented with wild yeasts. The wine matures for 20 months in gently toasted, high-quality French oak barrels, lending it extraordinary complexity and structure.
Producer Massimo Di Costanzo's minimalist intervention approach in the winery allows the terroir's true narrative to unfurl in each bottle. Possessing a rich, silky palate, this 2019 vintage evokes the wild beauty of its origins, along with the quintessential elegance attributed to di Costanzo's craftsmanship. The di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2019 can undoubtedly be held as a crowning jewel in any discerning connoisseur’s collection.
In Bond£704.00 -
Indulge in the exceptional character of di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2020. Born in the idyllic valleys of Napa, this rare vintage is created by a passion for authenticity and a respect for tradition. Di Costanzo wines, led by winemaker Massimo di Costanzo, are known to have a steadfast commitment to expressing pure, specific terroir. The di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2020 is a testament to this truth.
This exquisite blend is meticulously produced via native yeast fermentation in concrete, coupled with an extended maceration process that enhances the age-worthy structure. It showcases an elegant melange of dark fruit, rugged earthy notes, interwoven with fine-grained tannins that eloquently promise potential for splendid maturity. A bottle of di Costanzo Napa Valley Di Co 2020 provides an enchanting embodiment of site and vintage, making a memorable addition to any fine wine collection. Enjoy a boulevard of sensory indulgence with di Costanzo's proud emblem of Napa artistry.
In Bond£704.00 -
(1x75cl) 2017
Vinous (94)
The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow is ample and full in feel. Dark fruit, scorched earth, licorice, chocolate, spice, leather and menthol fill out the layers effortlessly. Somber and brooding, the Gravelly Meadow has a lot going on. It clearly needs time to be at its best. Firm hillside tannins add to a feeling of gravitas. There is real weight and substance here.In Bond£185.00 -
Vinous (97)
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Red Rock Terrace opens with a striking bouquet redolent of crushed red berry fruit, cinnamon, blood orange and mint. Medium in body and silky, with tremendous fruit purity, the 2019 impresses with its finesse and open-knit personality. There's good energy and tension, but the Red Rock in 2019 is, unusually, a wine of total sensuality. I loved it.In Bond£205.00 -
Wine Advocate (93)
The 2022 Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic conversion and matured in stainless steel, opens with inviting aromas of quince, white peaches, toasted meringue and citrus blossom streaked with hints of matchstick and saline. The medium-bodied palate balances ripe, floral fruit with focused acidity, and a touch of textural breadth lengthens the finish. It combines the verve of Chablis with the ripeness of California. It deserves 2-3 years in bottle to unwind.In Bond£105.00 -
(6x75cl) 2022
Wine Advocate (94+)
The 2022 Pinot Noir Bloom's Field is the most red-fruited and floral of the roster, opening on a reserved note but ceaselessly escalating in intensity. The palate takes a dramatically powerful, saturated turn into a slow-moving, opulent yet classy finish that ceaselessly builds tannic power without adding an ounce of weight. Serious and unyielding despite its deceptively delicate framing, this merits time in the cellar to unwind but should evolve wonderfully over the next decade.In Bond£432.00 -
(6x75cl) 2015
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2015 Pinot Noir La Côte is fabulous, and probably the greatest offering Domaine de la Côte has released to date—although the 2016 rendition will give it a run for its money in due course. The wine soars from the glass with a bouquet of kaleidoscopic complexity featuring notes of raspberries, red cherries, potpourri, rose hip and sweet spices. On the palate, the La Côte is medium-bodied and expansive, framed by incredibly fine-grained tannins and boasting stunning inner-mouth perfume. The concentration and depth that have been packed into this decidedly elegant, even delicate wine are incredible. This is compelling testimony to what can be achieved in an extreme mesoclimate if one's willing to accept the tiny yields that are essential to achieving full phenolic maturity.In Bond£889.00 -
(6x75cl) 2018
Vinous (96+)
The 2018 Pinot Noir La Côte is a dark, somber wine. Huge swaths of tannin wrap around a core of blue and purplish fruit. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2018 is not at all forthcoming. This is an especially brooding, potent style. Time in the glass brings out hints of lavender, sage and dried herbs, but the 2018 is in no mood of showing all its cards right now.In Bond£1,208.25 -
(6x75cl) 2014
The Domaine de la Cote Memorious Pinot Noir 2014 is an exquisite product of the Santa Rita Hills, California. This fine wine is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, embodying the purest essence of the transitional climate and diatomaceous soil unique to the region. With clusters hand-harvested and fermented whole, this wine is made in the true tradition of small, artisanal producers.
Rajat Parr, the legendary sommelier and winemaker, along with his partners Sashi Moorman and Pablo de Soto, masterfully craft the Domaine de la Cote wines. These Pinot Noir vines are carefully rooted to the earth on the unique geologically-complex southern slope, catching optimal sunlight, resulting in harmoniously matured grapes that gift this wine its differentiated character.
The Domaine de la Cote Memorious Pinot Noir 2014 yields layers of rich, deep, red berry flavour, perfectly balanced acidity and a finish of silky tannins. An elegant fine wine displaying the confluence of passion, environment, and craft.
In Bond£445.00 -
(1x75cl) 1989
Vinous (89)
Deep red-ruby. Initially rather mute nose hinted at roasted plum with aeration. Supple and ripe in the mouth, with Graves-like notes of hot bricks, tar and roasted plum. A wine of very good but not outstanding depth. Finishes with chewy, slightly drying tannins. May be at its best now, but should hold at this level for a few years.In Bond£278.00
