WineRelease
This email was sent to you by WineRelease.com. To ensure delivery to your inbox please add "nmonnens@WineRelease.com" to your address book or safe list.
View in Browser.



WineRelease.com's December 15, 2023 Monthly Newsletter.

This month we had 175 winery updates and 67 wineries releasing wine.

Since the last newsletter, I had the pleasure of participating in two exceptional wine gatherings, one featuring small producers “Salon des Vins des Vignerons Independants Paris” and the renowned Paris Grand Tasting.


Producers bring their inventory the hope to sell
What sets the Salon des Vins des Vignerons Independants Paris wine show apart is the opportunity to both taste and purchase wines on-site. Producers bring the inventory they hope to sell.

Attendees make use of bags, hand trucks and even carts to transport their selected wines.
Attendees make use of bags, hand trucks and even carts to transport their selected wines.

The crowd at The Paris Grand Tasting
This was the Paris Grand Tasting crowd on Friday which was substantial, but Saturday's turnout was immense.

President Clinton at L'Ami Jean with our family
Laure Brunel, hailing from Chateau de la Gardine in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, is the great-granddaughter of Gaston Brunel, the visionary who acquired the winery in 1945.

Oysters at Sapiens
Just last night, I enjoyed a delightful experience at my preferred Parisian wine shop and bar, Sapiens. The venue played host to a local fishmonger, who presented delectable oysters perfectly paired with a White Burgundy wine.

White Burgundy
The 2022 Le Vendange Masque Chablis was a perfect pairing with the oysters.

And now, onto the wine releases...

December 2023 Wine Releases
  • Aaron Wines; 2020 Citizen Syrah/Petite Sirah (241 cases, $56)
  • Airfield Estates Winery; 2020 Yakima Valley Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon (75 cases, $80), 2022 Yakima Valley Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc (62 cases, $40),
  • Aptos Vineyard; 2021 Reserve Pinot Noir
  • Argot Wines; 2019 Napa Valley Babel Cabernet Sauvignon ($250)
  • Avennia Winery; 2021 Horse Heaven Hills Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Franc ($60), 2021 Columbia Valley Gravura Bordeaux Blend ($45)
  • Ballentine Vineyards; 2021 Napa Valley Betty's Vineyard Sparkling Malvasia Bianca (150 cases, $55)
  • Bartholomew Winery; 2020 Columbia Valley Reserve Carmenere (97 cases, $60)
  • Benessere Vineyards; 2021 Napa Valley Sparkling Pinot Grigio (200 cases, $65)
  • Big Basin Vineyards; 2021 Santa Cruz Mountains Betchart Vineyard Odeon Cabernet Sauvignon (55 cases, $72)
  • Birichino; 2023 Mokelumne River Car Car Glou Glou Akashita OV Carignane ($25)
  • Bonterra Vineyards; 2022 Mendocino County Limited Release Estate Red Blend ($22)
  • Brue Skok Cellars; 2021 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay ($55), 2018 Sonoma Valley Herman Vineyard Sid’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon ($70), 2021 Dry Creek Valley Mill Creek Block Vallicaia ($65), 2018 Petaluma Gap Stony Point Vineyard Pinot Noir ($60), 2017 Bennett Valley Judge Vineyard Judge’s Verdict ($65), NV Sonoma County Mistelle Grenache
  • Bryn Mawr Vineyards; 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Estate Chardonnay (125 cases, $50), 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Estate Pinot Noir (900 cases, $50), 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Jeffrey's Block Pinot Noir (100 cases, $60), 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Krista's Block Pinot Noir (100 cases, $60), 2021 Eola-Amity Hills Reserve Pinot Noir (325 cases, $75)
  • Cakebread Cellars; 2020 Napa Valley Howell Mountain Dancing Bear Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($190)
  • Calcareous Vineyard; 2022 Paso Robles Estate Vineyard Chardonnay (513 cases, $38), 2021 Paso Robles York Mountain Caver Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (923 cases, $60), 2021 Paso Robles Lloyd Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Malbec/Merlot/Petit Verdot (834 cases, $65), 2021 Paso Robles Devil's Canyon Vineyard Syrah (569 cases, $70)
  • Cameron Winery; 2021 Dundee Hills Friulano (25 cases, $40), 2022 Dundee Hills Chardonnay (175 cases, $25)
  • Cellars 33; 2019 Sonoma Coast Hummingbird Hill Pinot Noir ($45), 2019 Sonoma Coast Suacci Vineyard Pinot Noir ($45)
  • Chappellet Vineyard; 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc ($115)
  • Covington Cellars; 2020 Rio Ronde Tempranillo/Syrah ($49)
  • Croix Estate; 2021 Russian River Valley Green Valley Dutton-Manzana Vineyard Ol' Manzana Pinot Noir (155 cases, $95)
  • Cuvaison Winery; 2020 Napa Valley Los Carneros Méthode Champenoise Brut Cuvee ($60), 2022 Napa Valley Los Carneros En Cigare Sauvignon Blanc ($50), 2021 Napa Valley Los Carneros Arcilla Merlot ($70), 2021 Napa Valley Mount Veeder Estate Cuvee Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot ($75), 2019 Napa Valley Mount Veeder Brandlin Estate Henry's Keep Proprietary Red Wine ($135)
  • Day Wines; 2023 Applegate Valley Mamacita White Blend Vermentino/Muscat ($26)
  • Di Arie Vineyard & Winery; 2020 Sierra Foothills Break Away Estate Grown & Bottled Zinfandel (287 cases, $25), 2020 El Dorado Estate Grown & Bottled Barbera (296 cases, $30), 2020 Shenandoah Valley Estate Grown Petite Sirah (148 cases, $30), 2019 El Dorado Estate Grown & Bottled Tempranillo (242 cases, $30)
  • DK Grail; 2021 The Approach Pinot Noir (46 1.5L cases)
  • Dracaena Wines; 2021 Reserve Cabernet Franc ($55)
  • Dragonette Cellars; 2021 Santa Barbara County Sta Rita Hills Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir (500 cases, $75), 2021 Santa Barbara County Sta Rita Hills Black Label Pinot Noir (360 cases, $105)
  • Dunstan; 2021 Sonoma County Durell Vineyard Syrah ($85)
  • Dusted Valley; 2020 Walla Walla Valley Breezy Slope Vineyard Falx Blanc de Noir Pinot Noir (108 cases, $65)
  • Eleven Winery; 2022 Bubbly Gris Pinot Grigio (20 cases, $40)
  • Equality Vines; 2020 Sonoma County Dry Creek Valley Burnett Vineyards Stonewall Old Vine Zinfandel ($55)
  • Euclid Wines; 2021 Napa Valley Carneros Mia Louise Chardonnay ($55)
  • FiftyRow; NV Sonoma Valley Mallard Vineyard En Vie Cabernet Sauvignon ($48)
  • Folded Hills; 2020 Santa Barbara County Santa Ynez Valley Sparkling Lilly Grenache Rose ($75)
  • Galante Vineyards; 2021 Monterey County Carmel Valley Big Little Wine Red Blend (440 cases, $65)
  • Gilbert Cellars; 2023 Columbia Valley Peach Ten Vineyard Pét-Nat Chardonnay (260 cases, $28), 2023 Horse Heaven Hills Nouveau Pinot Noir ($22)
  • Gondak Cellars; 2022 Sonoma County Russian River Valley Campbell Mckinney Vineyard Grenache Noir ($33), 2022 Sonoma County Russian River Valley Catie’s Corner Vineyard Grenache Blanc ($29)
  • Grand Napa Vineyards; 2021 Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($135)
  • Halter Ranch; 2021 Paso Robles Adelaida District El Pecado Estate Bottled Dessert Blend Tannat/Grenache ($60)
  • Heir Apparent Winery; 2021 Napa Valley Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon ($165), 2021 Napa Valley Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon ($165)
  • K Vintners; 2021 Oldfield-Boushey Vineyard Motor City Kitty MCK Syrah ($40)
  • Kaz Vineyard & Winery; 2021 Diver Kaz Red Wine, 2022 Lakeport Winery Label Syrah
  • Keever Vineyards; 2019 Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (50 cases)
  • L'Ecole No. 41 Winery; 2021 Columbia Valley Frenchtown Red Wine (6,350 cases, $23)
  • Lakewood Vineyards; 2020 Finger Lakes Seneca Lake Blanc De Noir Sparkling Pinot Noir ($35)
  • Las Jaras Wines; 2020 Mendocino County Ricetti Vineyard Sparkling Wine Carignan ($42), 2021 Sta Rita Hills Sanford and Benedict Vineyard Viognier (60 cases, $52)
  • Left Coast Cellars; 2020 Estate Field of Dreams Viognier (131 cases, $33)
  • Longevity Wines; 2023 Zinfandel Rose, 2020 GSM Grenache/Syrah/Mourvedre ($38), 2020 Phil-Osophy Cabernet Sauvignon ($42)
  • MacRostie Winery; 2020 Sonoma Coast Thale’s Estate Vineyard Blanc de Noirs Pinot Noir ($52)
  • Madrona Vineyards; 2023 El Dorado Hillside Riesling (120 cases, $20), 2023 Enye Vineyards Fiore Moscato Giallo (146 cases, $14)
  • Massican; 2022 Dry Creek Valley Idlewild White Wine Tocai/Ribolla Gialla/Sauvignon Blanc/Malvasia (141 cases, $35), 2022 California Maryam + Company Muscat/Sauvignon Blanc (76 cases, $35), 2022 Santa Barbara County Star Lane Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay (149 cases, $35), 2022 Willamette Valley Walter Scott Pinot Bianco/Pinot Grigio/Gamay Blanc (150 cases, $35)
  • McHenry Vineyard; 2021 McHenry Vineyard Swan Clone Estate Grown Pinot Noir (100 cases, $48), 2021 McHenry Vineyard Estate Grown Pinot Noir (200 cases, $44), McHenry Vineyard, 2020 Christie Vineyard Pinot Noir (150 cases, $40)
  • Montagne Russe; 2021 Sonoma Coast Black Knight Vineyard Dragon's Back Pinot Noir ($56), 2021 Petaluma Gap Roberts Road Vineyard Pinot Noir ($60), 2021 Santa Lucia Highlands Tondre Grapefield BirchBark Pinot Noir ($46), 2021 Sonoma Coast Terra de Promissio Pinot Noir ($68), 2021 Santa Rita Hills John Sebastiano Vineyard Quatre Cinq Un Pinot Noir ($50), 2021 Gap's Crown Pinot Noir ($75), 2022 Santa Rita Hills Peake Ranch Vineyard Quatre Cinq Un Pinot Noir ($55), 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Franc (35 cases, $120)
  • Nichol Vineyard; 2018 Naramata Bench RD Brut Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier (35 cases, $45)
  • Oak Mountain Winery; 2022 Temecula Valley Chardonnay, 2022 Temecula Valley Sueno White Wine
  • Ojai Vineyard; 2022 Puerta Del Mar Special Bottling Chardonnay
  • Paris Valley Road Estate Winery; 2019 Paso Robles Tres Bien Cabernet Sauvignon ($95)
  • Quady Winery; 2020 Ox Block Viognier
  • Salvestrin Wine Company; 2021 Napa Valley St. Helena Dr. Crane Vineyard Zinfandel ($75)
  • Silver Wines; 2014 Santa Barbara County Oak Savanna Vineyard Sangiovese (148 cases, $35), 2017 Santa Barbara County Oak Savanna Vineyard Sangiovese (238 cases, $38)
  • Tank Garage Winery; 2022 California Drying Red Wine ($55)
  • The Grange of Prince Edward Estate Winery; 2022 VQA Prince Edward County Farmer's Serices Gamay ($31), 2022 VQA Prince Edward County Farmer's Serices Chardonnay ($31), 2022 VQA Prince Edward County Farmer's Serices Pinot Noir ($34)
  • Three Monkeys Wines; 2016 Sonoma County Russian River Valley Pinot Line Pinot Noir ($50), 2016 Sonoma County Russian River Valley Empress Pinot Noir (191 cases, $50), 2016 Sonoma Coast Hellenthal Vineyard Maru Pinot Noir ($50), 2016 Sonoma County Russian River Valley Illume Chardonnay ($40)
  • Titus Vineyards; 2021 Napa Valley Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard Imperatus Cabernet Sauvignon (160 cases, $245)
  • Tranche Cellars; 2022 Walla Walla Valley Blue Mountain Estate Vineyard Ice Wine Viognier/Roussanne ($45 per 375ml)
  • Turning Tide Wines; NV Willamette Valley Brut Chardonnay/Pinot Blanc/Pinot Noir ($60), 2022 Paso Robles Avec Moi Rose ($20), 2021 Santa Barbara County Happy Canyon Picpoul (147 cases, $25), 2022 Willamette Valley Rare North Pinot Noir ($29)
  • Varnum Vintners; 2020 Namaste Vineyard Blanc de Blanc Chardonnay (10 cases, $50)
  • Wayne Family Estate; 2019 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($95); 2019 Reserve 26 Bar Chardonnay ($56), NV Napa Valley The Duke Reserve Blanc de Noirs Méthode Champenoise ($85)

2024 Wine Releases

January 2024 Wine Releases
  • Arcudi Wines; 2021 Napa Valley Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Beckmen Vineyards; 2021 Santa Barbara County Los Olivos District Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($78), 2021 Santa Barbara County Los Olivos District TLB Red Wine Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah ($86)
  • Cameron Winery; 2023 Giovanni Pinot Bianco (450 cases, $20)
  • Haber Family Vineyards; 2021 Foreplay Red Wine
  • J Dusi Wines; 2023 Rose
  • Kanpai Wines; 2022 Sonoma Valley Armor Plate Vineyard Zinfandel (150 cases)
  • Longboard Vineyards; 2021 Point Break Red Blend ($29)
  • Thomas George Estates; 2017 Starr Ridge Estate Single Vineyard Grenache (250 cases, $65), 2020 Sons and Daughters Ranch Estate Single Vineyard Take 5 (241 cases, $95)
  • Triple Seven Cellars; 2019 Napa Valley Atlas Rock Red Blend (435 cases, $90)



The following 175 winery information pages have been updated since November 15, 2023:

Wine Quote of the Month: "The smack of California earth shall linger on the palate of your grandson. Robert Louis Stevenson


Till next month.

Neil Monnens


Special thanks to the following sponsors of WineRelease.com: Bacio Divino, Bonaccorsi Wine Company, Cellars33, Gamba Vineyards and Winery, Lucia Vineyards, Rocca Family Vineyards, School House Vineyard, Snowden Vineyards, Seven Stones Winery, Steltzner Vineyards and VIADER Vineyards & Winery. They help make WineRelease possible.



About this newsletter: This is the monthly WineRelease email newsletter published on the 15th of every month by WineRelease.com listing wine releases for this and next month.
Privacy Policy: Your privacy is safe. Your email will never be sold, rented or bartered to anyone without your consent.
Copyright: We welcome and appreciate forwarding WineRelease publications in their entirety or in part with proper attribution: Source: 2023 WineRelease.com https://www.WineRelease.com
Legal Notices: While WineRelease.com used its best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein, WineRelease.com does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident or other causes.
Free Subscription: Subscriptions are free and sign-up is easy, just visit our home page.
Archives: Past newsletters can be found here: https://www.WineRelease.com/Past_Newsletters/Previous_newsletters.html
Contact: Email nmonnensATWineRelease.com and replace "AT" with"@".
Unsubscribe: If you no longer wish to receive this monthly Email, reply with the word "Remove" in the subject and you will be promptly removed from our mailing list. Alternatively you can write:
WineRelease.com
1592 Union St. #232
San Francisco, CA 94123
Copyright 2023 WineRelease.com All Rights Reserved.
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our user agreement. To contact WineRelease, email mailATWineRelease.com and replace "AT" with"@".