Super Premium Wine Tasting

 

 

1-Sea Smoke 2023 Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills California
Vinous Media 95 Rating
The 2023 Chardonnay is vibrant and resonant, a superb New World expression of Sta. Rita Hills. Ripe stone fruit, white flowers and baking spices saturate the palate in plush, velvety textures. Concentrated and powerful, yet harmonious and complete, the 2023 is a gorgeous wine of depth and presence.

 

2-Sea Smoke 2023 Pinot Noir Ten Santa Rita Hills California
Vivino 4.6 Rating
Composed of 100% estate-grown destemmed Pinot Noir that aged 16 months in 56% new French oak barrels and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Tasting notes from the producer: "A brooding and intense wine. The aromas begin with notes of blueberry, cassis, a hint of lavender followed by a myriad of exotic spices, some hazelnut, thyme and an element of licorice. Firm, mature tannins—evidence of Ten’s ageability—are followed by a long, velvety finish.

 

3-Sea Smoke 2023 Pinot Noir Southing Santa Rita Hills California
Vivino 4.5 Rating
The Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir 2023 is one of California’s most sought-after estate-grown wines, produced from the organically farmed Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County. The name “Ten” refers to the ten distinct Pinot Noir clones grown on the property, all hand-harvested and fermented separately before blending to achieve a harmonious balance of richness, depth, and elegance.Fermentation occurs using native yeasts with minimal intervention, followed by extended aging in 100% French oak barrels, of which roughly 65% are new. The result is a wine that captures the coastal terroir’s signature cool-climate character — combining vibrant fruit intensity with earthy sophistication.

 

4-To Kalon Vineyard Company 2021 H.W.C. Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Napa Valley
James Suckling 99 Rating
Massive concentration and dense tannins make this wine imposing to taste now, but it has so much potential for improvement with age. Made from 100% Mondavi Heritage Clone 31 that gives tiny yields from small grape bunches. Intense blueberry, dark chocolate, graphite and tobacco leaf flavors are tightly wrapped in fine-grained tannins. A memorable wine that will drink best from 2030.

 

5-Schrader Cellars 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon TKS To Kalon Vineyard Oakville Napa Valley California
Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 Rating
From the southernmost parcels in the To Kalon Vineyard and a new cuvée, the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard TKS is inky hued and has a sensational nose of cassis, currants, crushed violets, graphite, and crushed stone. It’s massive on the palate, with full-bodied richness, a huge amount of polished tannins, and flawless overall balance. The entire lineup of 2023s from Schrader are truly special, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one be the crème de la crème.

 

6-Schrader Cellars 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon Monastery Block To Kalon Vineyard Oakville Napa Valley
Jeb Dunnuck 97-100 Rating
The 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block comes from a smaller parcel of this block and is a region that Thomas feels is clearly superior dirt. Deep purple-hued, with an absolutely insane nose of blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, lead pencil, and crushed stone, it has a First Growth Pauillac-like stature on the palate and is full-bodied, with building tannins and flawless balance. This brilliant Cabernet Sauvignon is going to require patience, but it’s worth it.