Next Tastings
April 18
Cameron Hughes CAM X Chardonnay Lot 11, Russian River Valley, 2023 ($19.99) – Cameron Hughes built a very successful niche business 20 years ago, buying excess California grapes from good, mid-tier sources and bottling quality wines at everyday prices under his own name. They were fine values and sold incredibly well for us. Cam got into trouble when he thought he could expand and compete at the lowest level with huge bulk producers like Constellation Brands, The Wine Group and Gallo, where quality comes second (last?), and price comes first. He overextended himself, couldn’t compete at that level, and lost his business. He had to sell his name off and has been quiet since, but now he’s back with something like the original concept, only much more limited in scope.
This Chardonnay is the first of his wines that we will be carrying. They are limited releases, a few hundred cases per wine, so they won’t be available all the time. Because of the smaller production, he is able to source superior grapes. The Chardonnay is special for the price. We’re not huge fans of James Suckling (we usually subtract two points from his number), but his review of this wine is spot on: 92 “Aromas of citrus, stone fruit, and nuts with a saline edge. The palate is nicely balanced, with fine acidity and a rounded, generous mouthfeel. Great value. Drink now.”
Fulcrum Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, 2023 ($34.99) – We have never had a red wine from David Rossi that we didn’t absolutely LOVE! His Cloisonné Cab and Pinot Noir, Madman Red, mid-level On Point Pinot Noir, and high-end Fulcrum single vineyard Pinot Noirs all transcend their price points. We dearly miss his Knight’s Valley Cab, which customers couldn’t get enough of. We kept reordering it, eventually selling 14 cases, until there was no more. David only makes these special Cabs when he can find the highest quality grapes at the right price.
We’ve been looking forward to this wine since he told us about it back in November.
This blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Malbec fermented in small, closed-top tanks with twice-daily pump-overs, then aged 22 months in barrique (80% French, 20% American, 44% new). David bottled it in mid-August, 2025, but didn’t feel it was ready for release until this year. Only 151 cases were made, and it sports the new Fulcrum label. This is a special wine and a great value. The bouquet of cassis and cedar is followed by a rich, dark berry flavor with blackberry and mocha at the center. It’s full-bodied (14.8% alcohol), but nicely balanced, and it ends with supple tannins and a long finish. It’s slightly lighter than the KV Cab was, but there’s still plenty of delicious Napa Cabernet fruit, and it’s surprisingly ready to drink.
Recent Tastings
April 11
Rapaura Springs Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, Marlborough-New Zealand, 2023 ($17.99)
Domaine de Fidélité Menetou Salon Rouge, 2023 ($26.99)
April 4
Izadi Larrosa Rosé, Rioja, 2024 ($18.99)
Château Beauchêne Châteauneuf du Pape Grande Réserve, 2015 ($37.99)
March 28
Murgo Etna Bianco, 2024 ($22.99)
Argiano Non Confunditur, Toscana Rosso IGT, 2023 ($21.99)
March 21
Domaine de Villargeau Côteaux du Giennois Blanc, 2023 ($19.99)
Bodegas Muga Rioja Riserva, 2021 ($34.99)
March 14
Izadi Rioja Riserva, 2020 ($19.99)
Pietrantonj Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2022 ($19.99)
March 7
Man Family Chenin Blanc, Cape Coast-South Africa, 2025 ($14.99)
Chateau Pont de Pierre, Lussac St. Emilion, 2018 ($16.89)
February 28
Terres Dorees Morgon, 2018 ($25.99)
Department 66 Côtes Catalanes “Others,” 2015 ($29.99)
February 21
Francis Berwyn Chardonnay, Willamette Valley-OR, 2023 ($24.99)
Paul Jaboulet Aine Gigondas Pierre Aiguille, 2017 ($25.99)
February 14
Höpler Grüner Veltliner, Burgenland-Austria, 2024
Petit Bécot, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, 2019 ($36.49)
February 7
Jermann Pinot Grigio, Friuli, 2024 ($24.99)
Sojourn Cellars Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 2023 ($39.99)
January 3 1
Familia Torres Clos Ancestral Forcada, Penèdes-Spain, 2024 ($26.59)
Catena Malbec “Lunlunta,” Old Vines, 2023 Mendoza-Argentina ($26.99)
January 24
Ken Forrester Vineyards Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch-South Africa, 2024 ($19.99)
Robert Foley Red Blend “The Griffin,” California, 2016 ($49.99)
January 17
Levendi Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2023 ($39.99)
Barrel Bomb Red Table Wine, 2017 ($19.99)
January 10
Levendi Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville-Napa, 2024 ($29.99)
Château d’Issan Moulin d’Issan, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2022 ($23.99)
January 3
Lobster Reef Sauv Blanc, Marlborough-New Zealand, 2024 ($15.95)
Le Ragnaie Troncone, 2023 ($23.99)
December 27
Madame Veuve Point Bourgogne Rouge, 2023 ($29.99)
The Messenger Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 ($49.99
Paul Goerg Blanc de Blancs Brut Premier Cru À Vertus, NV ($56.99)
December 20
Château Graville Lacoste Graves Blanc, 2024 ($22.49)
Shelter Winery Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Baden-Germany, 2023 ($29.99)
Champagne Pierre Boëver Des Dames de France GRAND CRU, Non-Vintage ($54.99)
December 13
Shelter Winery Lovely Lilly Chardonnay, Baden-Germany, 2024 ($19.99)
La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Rioja Reserva, 2016 ($45.99)
December 6
Shelter Winery Lovely Lilly “Psychedelic” Pinot Noir, Baden-Germany, 2023 ($20.99)
Trefethen Eshcol Red, Napa Valley, 2022 ($22.99)
November 29
Niepoort Douro Redoma Branco, Portugal, 2024 ($25.99)
Bodegas Teso La Monja Almirez, Toro-Spain, 2020 ($36.99)
November 22
Ponzi Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley-Oregon, 2023 ($19.99)
Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Dopp Creek, Willamette-Oregon, 2022 ($37.49)
Lionel Osmin & Cie Chambre d’Amour ($16.99)
November 15
Cloisonne Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2023 ($20.99)
Cloisonne Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2022 ($24.99)
Fulcrum Pinot Noir Brousseau Vineyard, Chalone Appellation-Monterey, 2021 ($59.99)
Fulcrum Petite Verdot, Alexander Valley-Sonoma, 2022 ($29.99
November 8
Karl Fritsch Grüner Veltliner Ried Steinberg, 2023 ($27.75)
Domaine Lafage Narassa IGP, Cotes Catalanes-France, 2020 ($23.99)
November 1
Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne, 2021 ($44.99)
Legras & Haas Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Chouilly ($62.99)
October 25
Costers del Priorat Blanc de Pissarres, 2021 ($36.99)
Chateau Prieuré Jehanne, St.-Estephe, 2017 ($29.99
October 18
Tenuta Ca’ Bolani Pinot Grigio, Friuli, 2024 ($15.95)
Château Teyssier, St.-Emilion Grand Cru, 2015 ($29.99)
October 11
Fess Parker Winery Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, 2023 ($19.99)
Château Pierre 1er, St.- Emilion Grand Cru, 2018 ($27.99)
Oct 4
Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills-Oregon, 2022 ($39.99
Château Pierre 1er, St.- Emilion Grand Cru, 2016 ($27.99)
Sept 27
Kaikén Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon, Argentina, 2023 ($14.99)
Château Franc Laporte, St.-Emilion, 2017 ($22.99)
Sept 20
Domaine Vocoret & Fils Chablis, 2023 ($33.99)
Âmevive Ravie (GSM), Santa Barbara, 2022 ($39.99)
Sept 13
Château Moulin Noir, Lussac-St. Emilion, 2016 ($19.99)
Chateau Hanteillan, Haut-Medoc, 2014 ($19.99)
Sept 6
Man Family Chenin Blanc, Cape Coast – South Africa, 2024 ($14.99)
Zephyr Wells Pinot Noir La Carbonique, 2024, Willamette-OR ($19.99)
August 30
Ninety Plus Cellars Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Lot 193, 2024 ($21.99)
Matthew Fritz Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, 2023 ($17.99)
August 23
Three Wine Company Old Vine Field Blend, Contra Costa County, 2019 ($24.59
Cave de Ribeauville Gewürztraminer, Alsace, 2016 ($19.99
August 16
La Colline aux Fossiles Chardonnay, Languedoc-Roussillon, 2023 ($19.99)
Louis Tête Morgon “Les Charmeuses,” Beaujolais-Burgundy, 2018 ($21.49)
August 9
Novellum Chardonnay, 2023 ($15.95)
Château Martignac, Graves, 2019 ($20.99