California Wine Advisors

This is simply hypnotic in its grandeur! Winemaker extraordinaire John Kongsgaard’s touch is immediately evident with its sheer richness, intensity and concentration of sumptuous, refreshing flavors: Citrus oil, nectarine, golden pineapple, cinnamon spice and toasted hazelnut all delight the palate with superb balance and gorgeous creamy vanilla accents that wrap the lengthy finish with the...

This silky smooth + refreshing nectar is another example of the consistently superb quality from one of California’s true Grand Cru level Chardonnay sources. We felt ecstatic about the sumptuous, refreshing notes of citrus oil, nectarine, golden pineapple, cinnamon spice and toasted hazelnut. We noted the deft balance and creamy vanilla accents that wrap the...

In a word, YUM! Consulting winemaker extraordinaire John Kongsgaard’s influence shines through brilliantly with its sheer richness, intensity and concentration of sumptuous, refreshing flavors: Aromas of freshly baked bread pudding introduce notes of citrus oil, nectarine, golden pineapple, cinnamon spice and toasted hazelnut all delight across the silky smooth texture with superb balance and gorgeous...

One of Napa Valley’s finest values year in, year out, the Baby Insignia returns in full form with the oh so lovable 2016 vintage. A classy nose and the silky palate are rich in dark fruits and sexy new oak, black cherry, plum, cassis, sage, blackberry, baking cocoa, exotic sweet spices, graphite and pencil lead,...

This gem ranks atop the short list of Napa’s finest values under $100 once again. The ‘Baby Insignia’ 2019 boasts an ultra-velvety texture (‘smooth as butter’ commented one team member) plus deeply delicious notes of dark fruit and cocoa nibs on the satisfying finish. Our panel was intrigued by the distinguished mélange of exotic herbs...

Another impressive vintage of the Phelps Cabernet, which continues to ascend to the top of the heap of Napa reds at this price point. Seamless and elegantly-balanced, with a richness to the jammy fruit that makes this a lot of fun. It’s loaded with blueberry, currant and lavender and supported by beautiful mineral notes and...

A thrilling new Sauvignon Blanc of remarkable polish and pedigree, this wine opens with a gorgeous bouquet of lemon drop, grapefruit, passionfruit, lime zest, green apple, crushed slate, fresh grass, and a subtle lift of spearmint. On the palate, it is beautifully balanced, marrying tropical fruit intensity with crystalline minerality, creamy vanilla-kissed oak, and a...

Another remarkable vintage that impresses above its weight (& price) class, the 2021 Karl Lawrence Pocai Vineyard Cabernet allures from the start with bold and ripe fruit flavors including blackberry, cherry, and plum with an inviting mélange of sweet tobacco leaf, espresso bean and creamy caramel. These flashy flavors are deftly balanced with silky tannins...

This 100% Cabernet delivers pure elegance, offering terrifically balanced notes of dark fruit, blackberries, chocolate-covered cherries and cassis, with a perfumed scent of violets. The mouthfeel is velvety, refined with well integrated tannins showing spicy oak accents on the delightfully long finish. A terrific Cabernet to savor now (decanting recommended prior to 2022) and savvy...

This 100% Cabernet is powerful now and promises to impress for the next 7 – 10 years. The bold tannins introduce a silky smooth mouthfeel offering tremendous finesse and grace at this early stage. This new release offers a solid core of juicy dark fruit, blackberries, chocolate-covered cherries, crème de cassis, with baking spices and...