VM-98
2019 Dana Estates, Helms Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 1x150cl
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage production: 451 cases
Surrounding the winery in western Rutherford, this gently sloping site is relatively cool, and is protected from the intensity of the... late afternoon heat during the height of the growing season. The gravelly loam soils provide excellent drainage and wonderful fruit purity. Helms Vineyard Cabernet displays the classic profile of the Rutherford Bench: dark fruit, richly layered with a touch of spice and earth. The finely grained ‘dusty’ tannins so prevalent in the appellation are integrated and harmonious, producing a wine of sophistication and depth.
£1,285 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,548.41 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2019 Dana Estates, Helms Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford 3x75cl
Blend: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage production: 451 cases
Surrounding the winery in western Rutherford, this gently sloping site is relatively cool, and is protected from the intensity of the... late afternoon heat during the height of the growing season. The gravelly loam soils provide excellent drainage and wonderful fruit purity. Helms Vineyard Cabernet displays the classic profile of the Rutherford Bench: dark fruit, richly layered with a touch of spice and earth. The finely grained ‘dusty’ tannins so prevalent in the appellation are integrated and harmonious, producing a wine of sophistication and depth.
£1,750 / Case£583.33 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £2,111.38 / Case, £703.79 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
2016 Blankiet Estate, Paradise Hills Vineyard Proprietary Red, Napa Valley 6x75cl
Blend: 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot
Vintage production: 605 cases
Blankiet Estate is nestled above Yountville on the western foothills of the Mayacamas... Mountains. ?The Paradise Hills Vineyard is carved on steep hillsides just above the famed Dominus Estate Napanook parcel that was originally planted in 1838 by Yountville’s founder, George C. Yount.
With an ideal eastern exposure, the land is bathed with morning sun and benefits from natural shade in the hot afternoons, and cool breezes from the San Pablo Bay flow constantly across the land. It's located on three volcanic knolls where soil profiles vary from deeply fractured rocks and volcanic ash, to thick clay deposits, meaning each parcel is distinguished by a unique subsoil and microclimate.
At just 6.5 hectares in size it's a remarkably small site, yet the incredible complexity of the terroir allows for three distinct wines, each of a singular style. This is an Estate at the top of its game. Combined with the very talented winemaker Graeme MacDonald and owner Claude Blankiet's attention to detail, is truly worthy of an exploration.
£1,320 / Case£220 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,603.22 / Case, £267.20 / BottleAvailability: Future Arrival ⋅ Please contact us to know more
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
2018 Realm Cellars, The Bard, Napa Valley 6x75cl
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Petite Sirah
Vintage production: n/a
Realm Cellars The Bard needs little introduction - it's one of the... definitive modern Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, masterfully blending hand-picked vineyards from Realm's portfolio throughout the Valley.
Realm Cellars The Bard is the complete expression of Napa Valley, using only the finest parcels of fruit from Coombsville in the south, to Calistoga in the north, up to the heights of Pritchard Hill. Outstanding vineyards such as Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Blair, Houyi, Larkmead, Realm SLD Estate, Farella, Orchard and Bettinelli Upper Range have all found a place in the wine.
Its precision, complexity and unique personality have made it a perennial favourite among the top critics and collectors alike, with demand on the secondary market reflecting this more powerfully than ever.
£775 / Case£129.17 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £952.46 / Case, £158.74 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Realm Cellars, The Bard, Napa Valley 3x150cl
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Petite Sirah
Vintage production: n/a
Realm Cellars The Bard needs little introduction - it's one of the... definitive modern Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, masterfully blending hand-picked vineyards from Realm's portfolio throughout the Valley.
Realm Cellars The Bard is the complete expression of Napa Valley, using only the finest parcels of fruit from Coombsville in the south, to Calistoga in the north, up to the heights of Pritchard Hill. Outstanding vineyards such as Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Blair, Houyi, Larkmead, Realm SLD Estate, Farella, Orchard and Bettinelli Upper Range have all found a place in the wine.
Its precision, complexity and unique personality have made it a perennial favourite among the top critics and collectors alike, with demand on the secondary market reflecting this more powerfully than ever.
£835 / Case£278.33 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £1,024.46 / Case, £341.49 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days
2018 Realm Cellars, The Bard, Napa Valley 1x150cl
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Petite Sirah
Vintage production: n/a
Realm Cellars The Bard needs little introduction - it's one of the... definitive modern Napa Cabernet Sauvignons, masterfully blending hand-picked vineyards from Realm's portfolio throughout the Valley.
Realm Cellars The Bard is the complete expression of Napa Valley, using only the finest parcels of fruit from Coombsville in the south, to Calistoga in the north, up to the heights of Pritchard Hill. Outstanding vineyards such as Beckstoffer To Kalon, Beckstoffer Bourn, Blair, Houyi, Larkmead, Realm SLD Estate, Farella, Orchard and Bettinelli Upper Range have all found a place in the wine.
Its precision, complexity and unique personality have made it a perennial favourite among the top critics and collectors alike, with demand on the secondary market reflecting this more powerfully than ever.
£280 / BottleDuty Status: In Bond ⋅ Price incl. of Duty & VAT: £343.49 / BottleAvailability: Immediate ⋅ ETA to UK address: 2-4 days