Red
2021 Vice Versa, Spinning Plates Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 6x75cl
Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc
Vintage production: 1,500 cases
The Cabernet Sauvignons of Vice Versa have become a phenomenon, selling out in just a few... days at release each year. Spinning Plates is a the gateway to these remarkable wines, and is a true modern Napa classic.
Spinning Plates is a masterful blend of predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from some exceptional sites: the Ecotone Vineyard (formerly Abreu's Thorevilos) on the slopes of Howell Mountain above St. Helena, and the Estate Vineyard in the far north of Calistoga. These are combined with Cabernet from a handful of 'top-secret' vineyards that remain a closely guarded secret! A dash of Cabernet Franc comes from the prized vines of the Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard.
Each release is wrapped in a stunning, unique label that was specially commissioned by owner Patrice Breton, adding to Vice Versa's striking blend of art and wine. For the 2021, the commission went to Montreal street artist “Tone”. Iinspired by Patrice’s passion for music, modern art, culture, and history, the 2021 label artwork is a retro-modern collage poster.
Napa Cabs of this pedigree for under £150 are like gold dust. Patrice's characteristic, hyper-refined style has garnered multiple 100-point scores to date, and Spinning Plates is an essential for the vintage.
Patrice Breton, Winemaker & Proprietor:
"Our 2021 Spinning Plates offers a stunning bouquet of ripe blue and black berries, graphite, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, and herbs. Complex and concentrated with abundant fine tannins, this full bodied wine showcases extraordinary balance, fine ripe structure, pliancy, and a long mineral and
juicy finish. Delicious."
£970 / Case£161.67 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,183.22 / Case, £197.20 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2016 he-li-an-thus, Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 6x75cl
Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Vintage production: 255 cases
Vintner Tom Futo and his winemaker Jason Exposto have a nose for 'Grand Cru' terroir,... with FUTO's Oakville Estate and 5500 Stags Leap District Estate Vineyards renowned for producing stunning Cabernet-blends. There is a third site, the Red Head Vineyard, dedicated to their rarest label, He-li-an-thus. This miniscule production is reserved for the winery's mailing list, making it the hardest of Tom and Jason's wines to find. The reward is more than worth it!
It bears all the hallmarks of FUTO - elegance, purity, intensity and finesse. It stands apart for its expression of the rocky, cooler-climate site in Soda Canyon at the base of Atlas Peak, boasting some of the most alluring aromatics we've ever experienced. In the winery, Jason uses a combination of custom-made large oak barrels and clay amphorae.
£840 / Case£140 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,027.22 / Case, £171.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2016 he-li-an-thus, Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 1x75cl
Blend: 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Vintage production: 255 cases
Vintner Tom Futo and his winemaker Jason Exposto have a nose for 'Grand Cru' terroir,... with FUTO's Oakville Estate and 5500 Stags Leap District Estate Vineyards renowned for producing stunning Cabernet-blends. There is a third site, the Red Head Vineyard, dedicated to their rarest label, He-li-an-thus. This miniscule production is reserved for the winery's mailing list, making it the hardest of Tom and Jason's wines to find. The reward is more than worth it!
It bears all the hallmarks of FUTO - elegance, purity, intensity and finesse. It stands apart for its expression of the rocky, cooler-climate site in Soda Canyon at the base of Atlas Peak, boasting some of the most alluring aromatics we've ever experienced. In the winery, Jason uses a combination of custom-made large oak barrels and clay amphorae.
£140 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £171.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Slacker Wines, Computer Geek, Paso Robles 12x75cl
Blend: 40% Syrah, 40% Grenache, 10% Graciano, 10% Carignan
Vintage production: 260 cases
The 2020 Computer Geek comes from three estate vineyards farmed by winemaker Matt Trevisan in the Willow... Creek District. The driving element is Syrah from the Perch Block at Stonethrower Vineyard, located just 10 miles from the ocean at an elevation of 1,350 feet. The Syrah component is rounded out by fruit from the Estrella Block at Stonethrower Vineyard and the Cold Shoulder Block at the Linne Calodo estate. The Grenache, Graciano and Carignan hail from a mix of blocks at Stonethrower, Linne Calodo and Oakdale vineyards.
£410 / Case£34.17 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £539.66 / Case, £44.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Linne Calodo, Cherry Red, Central Coast 1x75cl
Blend 68% Zinfandel, 18% Syrah, 12% Mourvedre, 2% Tempranillo
Vintage production: 436 cases
Cherry Vineyard spans 2.5 acres on slopes reaching up to 40 degrees in the Willow Creek District. The... goblet-style vines are nearly 50 years old and yield just a half-ton per acre. Every trick in the book is employed to hand-pick these grapes and wheel them out safely. Nothing is easy here, and that is the point. The fruit makes it all worth it with its cherry-forward flavors, bright acidity and dry-farmed character: a fitting homage to the heritage variety of Paso Robles. Into this mix we add Syrah, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo from the Linne Calodo estate, accentuating and drawing out the best in the Cherry Vineyard Zinfandel.
£80 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £99.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Linne Calodo, Rising Tides, Paso Robles 1x75cl
Blend 69% Grenache, 31% Syrah
Vintage production: 600 cases
The 2020 Rising Tides comes from a kaleidoscope of micro-blocks at the Linne Calodo Estate and Stonethrower Vineyard, including 13 total... blocks of Grenache alone. Each block contributes different
nuances of clone, aspect and soil composition. The main estate is planted to calcareous Linne Calodo and Linne Zakme soils, as well as Cropley clay loam along the lower blocks. Stonethrower is
distinguished by its rocky mudstone soils and multifaceted exposures. Together, these sites provide an array of expressions that interconnect and augment each other into a seamless whole.
£80 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £100.02 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2021 Lail Vineyards, Blueprint Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 6x75cl
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon-based
Vintage production: 2,815 cases
While Lail's J. Daniel Cuvée is one of Napa's elite Cabs, their most complete expression of the Valley is the Blueprint Cabernet... Sauvignon. This is a refined, inviting, and highly complex wine that will never fail to impress.
Like the J. Daniel, the fruit is sourced from a hand-picked selection of Vineyards, combining their favourite sites from Diamond Creek in the north to Coombsville in the south. It is a highly personal look at what 'Napa Cabernet' means to Robin and Philippe, and demonstrates why it is one of the most exciting regions in the world.
£435 / Case£72.50 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £545.04 / Case, £90.84 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Crown Point, Relevant Cabernet Sauvignon, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara 6x75cl
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
Vintage production: n/a
Santa Barbara County is the new frontier for West Coast Cabernet Sauvignon, with the cooling influence of... the Pacific Ocean brining a level of elegance and refinement that make the wines stand out. By far, the leading winery is Crown Point Vineyards in Happy Canyon at the most easterly part of the region. Here, another young and uber-talented talented French winemaker, Simon Faury, has made his home under the Californian sunshine, and is taking this remarkable Estate into the big leagues of Cabernet producers.
Crown Point's calling card wine is their sublime Relevant Cabernet Sauvignon. It paints the complete picture of the Estate with around 80% Cabernet Sauvignon complimented by 10% Merlot, and a splash each of Petit Verdot and Malbec. The classic 'Bordeaux blend'.
£450 / Case£75 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £563.83 / Case, £93.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Soliste, L’Esperance Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 12x75cl
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Vintage production: 143 cases
The fruit for L'Esperance come from Soliste's 'founding' Sonatera Vineyard. It is one of those unique vineyard sites that truly exemplifies the... Soliste philosophy and style. The hilltop site has three different exposures, north, south, and west. This geography funnels brisk marine winds over the vines reducing vigour, extending the ripening period of the grapes, and allowing distinctive aromatics to develop.
£770 / Case£64.17 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £962.45 / Case, £80.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Soliste, Forêt Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 12x75cl
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Vintage Production: 117 cases
Forêt comes from a magnificent secluded vineyard near Occidental. The hillside vineyard has a northeastern exposure, a very steep slope, and is... in the middle of a spectacular redwood forest. Just 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean on the western coastal range, is perhaps the most visually stunning vineyard which Soliste uses – the depth of aromatics and spice in Forêt are a pure reflection of this truly unique vineyard’s site, slope, climate, and clone.
Don Plumley & Claude Koeberle: "Deep hues of dark plums, cassis, boysenberries with brilliant amethyst gemstone, showing specs of skin pulp and minerals, which denotes whole cluster press extraction. Forêt’s alluring nose is a complex bouquet of blackcurrants, graphite mineral, black pepper, plums, Bing cherries, interlaced redwood pine needles. As the wines open up, profound aromas of dark fruit compote, licorice, spiked with Alpine forest smells, burnt orange peel, elevate the wine to an Amaro like infusion. Decanting is a must for this wine to appreciate all of its subtilities. The front palate is exceptionally voluptuous and textural, with pure concentration of blackberries, dark cherries, boysenberries, and candied violets, all lifted by dried herbal and evergreen forest. The mid-palate possesses an immensely concentrated core of dark fruit compote, framed by the rich structuring tannins created by our commitment to the whole cluster press. As the wine opens up, the luscious, exotic dark fruit elixir is layered with pulpy tannins adding earthy tones, gaminess, exotic spices, mint, and black pepper, all in perfect harmony. The finish is impressive in its length, focus and complexity. The whole clusters are definitely present, chewy, grippy, pulling the richness of the fruit into an aristocratic elegance. Bright acidity of red tart cherries, cranberry, and violet, infused with wet stone minerals lift the mid-palate fruit density, elongating the wine into a perpetual finish."
£770 / Case£64.17 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £962.45 / Case, £80.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Soliste, Renaissance Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 12x75cl
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Vintage production: 167 cases
Renaissance comes from one of those unique vineyard sites that truly exemplifies the Soliste philosophy and style. The hilltop vineyard has three... different exposures, facing north, south, and west. This geography funnels brisk marine winds over the vines reducing vigor, extending the ripening period of the grapes, and allowing distinctive aromatics to develop. Once you have tasted Renaissance Pinot Noir, you will always be able to identify its origins.
£770 / Case£64.17 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £962.45 / Case, £80.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2016 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 76% Zinfandel, 8% Syrah, 6% Mataró, 6% Petite Sirah, 4% Tempranillo
Production: 230 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of Saxum Vineyards owner and... winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,200 / Case£240 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,460.64 / Case, £292.13 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2017 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 60% Zinfandel, 15% Mourvèdre, 9% Grenache, 7% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah, 2% Tannat, 1% Viognier
Production: 560 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of Saxum... Vineyards owner and winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,100 / Case£220 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,340.64 / Case, £268.13 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Downstream Box Set (3x75cl + 1x150cl), Paso Robles 5x75cl
Blend: 38% Zinfandel, 30% Mataro, 16% Grenache, 6% Counoise, 6% Graciano, 3% Syrah, 1% Petite Sirah
Vintage production: 600 cases
Founded in 2016, Downstream Wines is the collective brainchild of... Saxum Vineyards owner and winemaker Justin Smith, the late-great oenologist Philippe Cambie, and their mutual friend, the visionary Sasha Verhage. Together, they crafted a wine that will be remembered forever as watershed moment in Paso Robles, and California as a whole.
When it comes to pushing the boundaries of greatness, their jaw-dropping Downstream is a magical wine. In the running as the greatest expression of Zinfandel ever produced, it's a peerless example of Cambie's unrivalled blending skills and Smith's rockstar winemaking. It also carries a real poignance as to honour the legacy of Cambie, following his passing in 2021, production was ended.
Cambie's work in Châteauneuf-du-Pape is legendary, none more so than his multiple 100-point scores at Clos St. Jean. He had long desired to work with Justin in Paso Robles, focusing on 'heritage' Zinfandel. They chose the old vines of the Dusi Vineyard, planted in 1945, complimenting them with a carefully selected blend of varietals from sites including Saxum's own James Berry Vineyard.
The result is a taste and style that can only come from California: rich, intense, hedonistic, with an underlying elegance and energy. It's indicative of the forward thinking and ground breaking approach that's at its strongest in Paso Robles.
Downstream is already a highly desirable and ultra-rare gem, and will be a treasured prize among collectors of California's finest wines who are lucky enough to find some.
£1,150 / Case£230 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,399.86 / Case, £279.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2020 Fingers Crossed, Assortment Case 6x75cl
'Head Held High' Case contains: 2x75cl White 2020, 2x75cl Syrah 2020, 2x75cl Grenache 2020
£1,575 / Case£262.50 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,909.22 / Case, £318.20 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2018 Law, Beguiling, Paso Robles 12x75cl
Blend: 85% Grenache, 15% Syrah
Vintage production: 1,103 cases
Beguiling is Law's is a celebration of Grenache, always dominated by 80+% of this varietal which is in the midst of an astonishing... revolution in Paso Robles. The vines are on a complex blend of Calodo, Los Osos, Nacamiento and Linne soils that run through the Estate Vineyard, between 490m and 590m above sea level. The fruit is hravested by hand and undergoes native fermentation in open top concrete fermenters. It is aged for 19 months in French oak (30% new) before14 months in bottle prior to release.
£755 / Case£62.92 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £954.82 / Case, £79.57 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2016 Amuse Bouche, Vin Perdu, Napa Valley 1x75cl
Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Vintage production: < 1000 cases
£61 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £76.40 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2016 Amuse Bouche, Vin Perdu, Napa Valley 6x75cl
Blend: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc
Vintage production: < 1000 cases
£360 / Case£60 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £451.22 / Case, £75.20 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2019 OVID, Red Wine, Napa Valley 3x75cl
Blend: 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot
Production: 925 cases
OVID is located on the western boundary of Pritchard Hill, a stone’s throw from Colgin IX Estate and Realm’s... Houyi Vineyard. It’s an incredibly consistent site, yet 2019 may be the best yet with their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon-based OVID Napa Valley and Cabernet Franc-dominated Hexameter both hitting the perfect 100 point score with Jeb Dunnuck.
£1,140 / Case£380 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,379.38 / Case, £459.79 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2021 Myriad, Beckstoffer Georges III ‘Empyrean’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 6x75cl
£1,200 / Case£200 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,463.18 / Case, £243.86 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2021 Myriad, Beckstoffer Georges III ‘Empyrean’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 1x75cl
£202 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £246.26 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2021 Myriad, Beckstoffer Georges III ‘Empyrean’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 12x75cl
£2,400 / Case£200 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £2,926.37 / Case, £243.86 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2019 Alejandro Bulgheroni, Lithology Beckstoffer To Kalon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley 3x75cl
Blend: 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Cabernet Franc
£795 / Case£265 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £965.92 / Case, £321.97 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days