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Known as “The King of Cabernet,” legendary winemaker and owner of Saddleback Cellars, Nils Venge, makes stellar wines that not only reflect the character of the Napa Valley region, but also seem to reflect Nils’ personality—bold, yet approachable, with layers of complexities. With this lot, you will have the chance to explore those complexities to the fullest. This vertical collection of the signature Saddleback Cabernet Sauvignon includes the 2006, a full-bodied wine with opulent, jammy, black fruit flavors layered over silky and supple tannins and an amazingly smooth lingering finish, making it a perfect accompaniment for grilled steak or short ribs. The 2007 vintage, given 93 points by The Wine Advocate, displays provocative aromatics of ripe berries layered over rich velvety tannins, producing an impeccable multi-layered mouthfeel. It elegantly complements grilled steak, braised short ribs, rack of lamb, and aged cheeses. And last but not least, the 2008 was awarded 91 points by The Wine Advocate, offering up “plums, black cherries, licorice, and grilled herbs in a somewhat compact, midweight style best suited to near-term drinking with anticipated maturity in 2012-2016.” These are three wines not to be missed!
OPENING BID
$400
INCLUDES
Three 1.5-Liter Bottles
DONOR
Saddleback Cellars, Oakville, California
Perched high atop the cool Santa Cruz Mountains, overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the Ridge Monte Bello estate is an ideal site for the winery’s Bordeaux varietals. These low-yielding vines produce two complementary Cabernet blends. An impressive Imperial of one of those, the Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon from 2008, could be yours this evening. Year after year, Monte Bello proves to be a consistently outstanding wine with great structure, complexity and balance. And, in terms of ageability, it has been known to lay down for several decades with elegance and ease. This is a wine with amazing depth, and according to the winemaker, its complex secondary characteristics will develop over the next 10 to 25 years. The longer this one sleeps in the cellar, the better it will be. Oh, the anticipation!
OPENING BID
$1,600
INCLUDES
One 6-Liter Bottle
DONOR
Ridge Vineyards, Healdsburg, California
Lokoya Winery specializes in premium small-lot wines (100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon) exclusively from Napa-grown hillside fruit from select locations. The Lokoya name honors the Native American tribe who lived on Mount Veeder in the western mountains of the Napa Valley prior to the arrival of viticulture in the 19th century. Paying tribute to those who farmed these Napa soils originally, Lokoya Cabernets reflect the soils and microclimates of the Napa Valley. This special Magnum of 2011 Cardinale Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, made by Lokoya’s winemaker Christopher Carpenter, received 91 points from Robert Parker at The Wine Advocate, who mused about its qualities and called it “an opaque ruby/purple-colored 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon offering notes of black cherries, black currants and spicy oak, a medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, low acidity and light but sweet tannins. Another strong effort in this challenging vintage, it should drink well for 10 to 12 years.” Definitely one for the collection, don’t you agree?
OPENING BID
$450
INCLUDES
One 1.5-Liter Bottle
Tour & Tasting
for Four
DONOR
Cardinale Winery, Oakville, California
The flagship wine at Joseph Phelps, Insignia, is recognized as one of the world’s great wines, and the 2011 vintage is the first of three Magnums in this impressive lot. Tasting notes for the Insignia call it an elegant wine, fresh and lively, boasting bright berry and espresso flavors throughout the palate with supple tannins. It received 90-93 points from The Wine Advocate, which also noted its “surprisingly intense, full-bodied mouthfeel with richness and intensity.” Next comes the 2012 Quartet Moon Vineyard Pinot Noir with 91+ points from The Wine Advocate, describing it as “earthy and ruby-colored as well as crisp and fresh.” Finally, the 2012 Pastorale Vineyard Pinot Noir is richly textured with a lingering finish and 93 points from The Wine Advocate, which sang its praises as “a promising, high-quality, complex” wine. These bottles will continue to evolve and develop gracefully over time.
OPENING BID
$600
INCLUDES
Three 1.5-Liter Bottles
DONOR
Joseph Phelps Vineyards, St. Helena, California
Heitz Wine Cellars has earned countless accolades for its dazzling wines every year since 1961. Their renowned vineyard-designated wines—Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon—are the highlight of the winery’s distinguished resumé. The 2009 vintage has proven to be an excellent year for the Heitz portfolio of Cabernet Sauvignons, and the Trailside Vineyard is outstanding as well. Opulent hues of ruby and garnet draw you headlong into the glass; rich aromas of blackberry and a hint of nutmeg invite you to stay. With just the right amount of French oak there is a subtle sweetness that lifts and enhances the dark fruit characters on the palate. Balanced against the more savory, earthy notes of coffee and cedar, this wine has all the hallmarks of a classic Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Tonight, six Magnums of the 2009 Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon can become yours. Don’t waste any time…make it happen!
OPENING BID
$800
INCLUDES
Six 1.5-Liter Bottles
DONOR
Heitz Wine Cellars, St. Helena, California
The 100-acre Martin Stelling Vineyard, behind the Far Niente Winery in Oakville, is the cornerstone of its Cabernet Sauvignon, uniformly producing wines with supple tannins, bright, forward fruit and beautiful structure. This Double Magnum of the 2012 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon could be yours for the taking tonight, with its flavorful aromas of berries and toasted oak. This is a focused wine, silky and smooth through the palate, building to a finish with broad tannins.
OPENING BID
$1,200
INCLUDES
One 3-Liter Bottle
Tour & Tasting for Four
DONOR
Far Niente Winery, Oakville, California
Erath wines are an expression of the land that the winery has cultivated for more than 40 years in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. The rich soils and marine climate have bestowed upon Dundee a terroir of note, giving rise to the handcrafting phenomenon and the art of Pinot. Under the vigilance of winemaker Gary Horner, Erath Pinot is as it was over 40 years ago. Only better. These special Erath bottlings are crafted to evolve and will gain additional complexity and sophistication when cellared. This outstanding collection includes three magnificent Magnums: a 2010 Leland Pinot Noir, a 2011 Leland Hill Pinot Noir and a 2012 Leland Pinot Noir.
OPENING BID
$200
INCLUDES
Three 1.5-Liter Bottles
DONOR
Erath Winery, Dundee, Oregon
Dunham Cellars has established an award-winning reputation for their wines using grapes from some of the finest vineyards in the Walla Walla, Yakima and Columbia Valleys. Its first vintage, a 1995 Cabernet Sauvignon, was deemed one of the finest wines made in Washington by Wine Enthusiast. This lot includes two distinctive Magnum bottles from the 2011 harvest—the Cabernet Sauvignon XVII, a full and robust wine that is deliciously balanced with an elegant finish, and the Columbia Valley Syrah, lush and vibrant with a silky mouthfeel. These wines are truly works of art!
OPENING BID
$250
INCLUDES
Two 1.5-Liter Bottles
DONOR
Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla, Washington
Col Solare, Italian for “shining hill,” is the internationally-styled red wine born of a unique partnership between Washington’s Chateau Ste. Michelle and Tuscany’s Antinori. Together, their winemakers have created a wine of great structure and character, styled for aging elegantly over time, from the Red Mountain AVA. The 2002 Col Solare Columbia Valley Red Blend is full-bodied and rich, with flavors of raspberry and spices and supple and refined tannins that lead to a seductive, lingering finish. Tonight’s lucky winning bidder will take home this beautiful limited edition silk-screened Double Magnum bottle.
OPENING BID
$250
INCLUDES
One 3-Liter Bottle
DONOR
Col Solare Winery, Benton City, Washington
In 1943, Cesare and Rosa Mondavi purchased Charles Krug, the oldest winery in the Napa Valley, dating back to 1861. Today, the winery fuses modern winemaking techniques with traditional French methods to craft ultra-premium wines. The focus is on Bordeaux-style wine brimming with great fruit, amazing balance and food-friendly compatibility. No wonder the critics are singing its praises. Tonight, you can sing the praises for a Magnum of the 2011 Charles Krug Family Reserve Napa Valley Generations Blend. The flagship Cabernet Sauvignon was first produced in 1944, the year after the family purchased the winery. The finest fruit of the 2011 vintage was hand-picked during night harvests and truly expresses the terroir of select blocks in the Yountville vineyards. With a dark garnet color, cassis and cherry aromas, the wine is supple with flavors of blackberry, brown sugar and red currant. The velvety tannins and fine balance create a long, silky finish with a hint of luscious dark chocolate. Let this wine be a part of your future.
OPENING BID
$180
INCLUDES
One 1.5-Liter Bottle
DONOR
Charles Krug Winery, St. Helena, California