50% Off Boutique Duo: 94-Pointers from Napa and Sta Rita Hills

2021 Stringer Cellars "John Sebastiano Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay (Elsewhere $55) $19.95

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 10, 2024

A fairly rare bottling of Chardonnay from this extremely highly regarded site in the Sta. Rita Hills. John Sebastiano Vineyard is known as one of the premier vineyards in the region and is meticulously farmed using organic principles. The vines grow on a west facing hillside in diatomaceous earth and sandy loam soils from an ancient seabed. The site is constantly buffeted by cold winds funneled down the valley creating very small bunches of grapes with thick skinned berries and immense concentration of flavor.

Known more widely for it's Pinot Noir and even Rhone varietal plantings, the Chardonnay from John Sebastiano is truly special and not to be missed. This beauty of a Chardonnay from Stringer really shows off the natural character of the site. A really flavorful, dynamic wine. Punchy citrus fruit, preserved lemon, fresh squeezed pomelo, stony mineral tinges, dusty white flowers, salt crusted bread. Racy, mouthwatering and tingling with freshness and acidity. Such a lovely wine that really speaks of its terroir. Simply AMAZING pricing on our Insider Advantage program, you snooze, you lose!

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "The mineral-driven nose on this excellent bottling recalls apples splashed in lemon being crunched on the side of a cool creek, with the aroma of wet stone in the air. The palate offers lemon-glazed nectarine and cherimoya flavors, as that chalky texture and rocky edge hold firm. (MK)" (12/2024)

2021 Stringer Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Elsewhere $85) $39.95

Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: December 10, 2024

Oh yeah, this one really hits the spot as we free-fall into the holiday season! A rich, powerful, polished Napa Cab with incredible pedigree of fruit sourcing and winemaking. Combining top-tier fruit from Howell Mountain, Pritchard Hill, Oakville, Yountville and Calistoga, esteemed winemaking veteran Kristi Koford has woven a fantastic bottle of Napa Cab that at our Insider's Advantage pricing blows away just about anything in the price point! Kristi's career in wine started back in the 1970's at Robert Mondavi where she worked alongside Zelma Long and ran the cellar and lab at Mondavi for 10 years. She also worked as Assistant Winemaker at St Supery Winery for over a decade. I think it's safe to say that she's forgotten more about making Napa Cab than most folks will ever know!

This wine is very opulent and rich, tons of black fruit, black currant, mulberry, creme de cassis, cherry liqueur and baking chocolate. Under the lush, ripe fruit the tannis are ample yet nicely polished. Some crushed rock and graphite notes (perhaps from the Howell Mountain and Pritchard Hill fruit) give a nice underpinning of savory, rocky mineral. Hedonistic and crowd-pleasing, but with plenty of stuffing and structure to go another 8-10 years in the cellar.

94 points Int'l Wine Review: "This 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterfully crafted blend, featuring fruit sourced from the renowned regions of Oakville, Howell Mountain, Yountville, Calistoga, and Pritchard Hill. The wine opens with captivating aromas of black fruits, dark cherry, and subtle floral notes, followed by layers of ripe black plum, raspberry, and wild berry bramble. Complex undertones of black pepper, mocha, and smoky oak further elevate the aromatic profile. On the palate, velvety tannins provide structure and elegance, seamlessly integrating with the rich fruit flavors. The well-balanced acidity adds vibrancy, leading to a long, polished finish with lingering notes of dark fruit, spice, and a hint of toasted oak. This Cabernet is both powerful and refined, offering depth and sophistication with the potential for graceful aging."

93 points Wine Enthusiast: "Aromatics of tobacco and leather spin into flavors of bursting fresh berries, cherries, and plums. A lengthy finish reveals graphite and dark chocolate. Palate coating while silken tannins balance with brightening acidity for a satisfying Cabernet. (ECB)" (12/2024)