LOTS CLOSING AT 6:15PM

SILENT LOT 101

One bottle [750ml] Bedrock Wine Company 2018 “The Bedrock” Heritage Red Wine, Sonoma Valley

 The Bedrock Wine Company decided it would be a great year to turn out a relatively small crop of delicious and dense fruit with these wines turning 131 years old in 2018.  Like the other Sonoma Valley “Grand Cru” sites, this will definitely reward time in the decanter or a few years on its side to start showing all of its secrets. The 2018 should be another classic.  Rated 94 points by each of the following: Robert Parker, Wine Spectator, and Wine Enthusiast.

Donor: Penny Lynch and Kimbro Maguire

 

SILENT LOT 102

Two bottles [750ml] Ayoub 2013 Cabernet Franc, Pelkan Ranch Vineyard, Knights Valley, Somona County.

Mo Ayoub has been dedicated to producing wines of balance and complexity since 2004 in Dundee, Oregon.  Starting in 2009, Ayoub sourced additional fruit from some of the best vineyards in the valley to expand his production, and in 2010, he built a small winery on the Estate property.  Ayoub winemaking reflects a combination of tradition and innovation. Ever evolving, like the wines, his winemaking approach includes experimentation with a commitment to bottling only the most successful, elegant lots among the barrels.

Donor: Maribeth and Fred Ergen

 

SILENT LOT 103

A Dopo “Trust Fall” Dinner for 4

Enjoy a multi-course meal for four to be chosen by the talented team at A Dopo. The restaurant is known for its wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza with bubbly, charred, sour dough crust.

Dinner will include two appetizers, four pizzas, two gelatos, and two bottles of wine.

Donor: A Dopo

 

SILENT LOT 104

One magnum [1.5L] Quilceda Creek Winery 2018 “CVR” Bordeaux Blend Red, Columbia Valley

This vintage is very special as it marks the 40th year of producing Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon!  The 2018 “CVR” is a combination of all their vineyard sites and a great vintage.  Lush black, blue, and red fruits are found in the wine and nuances of cocoa nib, vanilla bean, tobacco, and spice.  It is the best “CVR” to date and will be best enjoyed over the next 15 years.  It is a gorgeous wine that was showing brilliantly even at its two-year mark.  The nose shows wonderful florals with violets and red rose petals, combining with sagebrush and a deep core of dark fruits with underlying blueberry cobbler.  The palate is fresh and viscous with a wonderful veil of tension.  Ripe blackberries and blueberry compote flavors mingle with cassis tones and light tannins.  Drink 2020-2032.

Donor: Penny Lynch and Kimbro Maguire

 

SILENT LOT 105

One magnum [1.5L] Rochioli Estate 2018 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

This Rochioli Estate Pinot Noir is a precise blend of several different single vineyard sites on their property.  Each single vineyard that is blended into the Estate wines are carefully selected to represent the unique quality of Rochioli Vineyards.  This full-bodied wine is complex and rich with the typical Rochioli character and the Classic Russian River Valley charm.  Aged in French oak for 15 months, the wine displays a full body and silky texture finish with a balanced structure.  Deep ruby color with ripe cherry, vanilla aromas, and a hint of savory herbs.  Juicy and refined on the palate.  A rich, concentrated mouthfeel with silky tannins and a long finish.  Ratings include 97 points by Wine Enthusiast, 94 points by Jeb Dunnuck, 93 points by Wine Spectator, and 92 points by Wine Advocate.

Donor: Rochioli Winery

 

SILENT LOT 106

Two bottles [750mL] Pride Mountain Vineyards 2013 Syrah, Sonoma County

Previously named “Summit Ranch” for its mountainous surroundings, Pride Mountain Vineyards is a 235-acre estate located in the Mayacamas Mountains at an elevation of 2,100 feet in St. Helena. The prime elevation delivers the vines the sunshine and warmth they need to mature during the day, while allowing them to rest in the cooler evenings. Their vineyards spread across 83-acres of land in six different soil variations, giving their vines the proper vitamins and minerals to grow ripe, flavorful grapes. A two-time L’Amour du Vin featured winery, this sold-out Pride Mountain 2013 Syrah is a must have. It features a full body with a deep purple color and dense tannins that meld into the creamy, rich texture of the palate. Aromas of boysenberry, blackberry, black tea, and white pep-per supplement flavors of plum, blackberry, and faint pepper notes. Antonio Galloni rated it 92+ and noted, “A deep, inky wine, the 2013 Syrah offers tons of density and pure power. Black pepper, plums, smoke, licorice and dark spices all meld together in the glass. This is an especially ripe, sumptuous Syrah built on bold fruit and textural creaminess.”

Donor: Friend of the KMA

 

SILENT LOT 107

Stock the Bar with Post Modern Spirits! PLUS, Distillery Tour & Tasting with Stanton Webster

Take home a full-line-up of spirits from Knoxville’s award-winning PostModern Spirits! Located in this historic Jackson Terminal, PostModern Spirits has a team with a wealth of experience devoted to their wide range of products. From gin and chamomile liqueur to vodka and single malt whiskey, there is truly something for everyone. This lot includes an assortment of American (Single) Malt Whiskey, (Up)Root Gin, Empirical Dry Gin, Giniferous Gin, Kore Vodka, Cacao Liquer, Amaro Arancia, Elderberry Gin Liqueur, and Chamomile Liqueur. PLUS, this lot invites up to eight guests on a tour and tasting of the Old City’s creative distillery. To them, craft distilling doesn’t mean small or hand-made; it means challenging the traditions and staleness of mainstream spirits. Craft distilling is about using flavors and colors from real ingredients and botanicals that were grown and not made in a laboratory. It’s about putting your own unique mark in the spirits world that is filled with copycats. It’s about working with local makers who are just as passionate as us about creating something new and refreshing. Mutually decided date; expires March 6, 2022.

Donor: PostModern Spirits – Stanton Webster

 

SILENT LOT 108

Double magnum [3L] Ridge Vineyards 2014 Zinfandel, Geyserville Vineyard, Alexander Valley

Ridge Vineyards was our 2019 L’Amour du Vin featured winery with winemaker Eric Baugher in attendance to introduce the wines.  Ridge calls their approach to winemaking “pre-industrial.” They believe that for anyone attempting to make fine wine, modern additives and industrial processing limit true quality. Relying on the natural yeast, they let the terroir define the wine and make their winemaking decisions based upon taste, not a recipe. They believe in transparency and as a result, they include a list of ingredients on every wine they make. They are committed to sustainability and organic farming and are the largest grower of organically certified grapes in Sonoma County and the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation.

Ridge has made the Geyserville, as a single-site zinfandel in every year since 1966.  The grapes are grown in three adjoining vineyards on a defined stretch of gravelly soil on the western edge of the Alexander Valley.  The superb 2014 vintage boasts sensuous flavors that support a rich tannin structure.  It was rated 93 points by all of the following: Jed Dunnuck, Wine Advocate, International Wine Report and Vinous Media, with Antonio Galloni writing, “The 2014 Zinfandel Geyserville is just as beautiful from bottle as it was from bar-rel. Rich, textured and dense on the palate, the 2014 exudes depth, but in the mid-weight style of the year. The complexity of the Zinfandel-based field blend comes through in spades. The 2014 is creamy and persistent, but also graced with a mid-weight, finessed personality that is impossible to resist.”

Donor: RIDGE VINEYARD, INC.

 

SILENT LOT 109

One magnum [1.5L] Alban Vineyards 2005 Reva Estate Syrah, Edna Valley

When John Alban began Alban Vineyards over thirty years ago, the premise was simply naïve: that people were ready to drink wines that tasted delicious regardless the variety or blend, irrespective of whether they’d heard of the producer and with no concern for appellation. This change in attitude – looking at wine as a source of pleasure, not a testament to breeding, birthright, or a beverage with any responsibility beyond making the drinker happy – completely changed the way the world perceives wine. The door opened for the countless varieties, regions, and flavors we all enjoy today, such as this Reva Es-tate Syrah vintage, named after John’s mother.

“The intense, inky, ruby- and purple-tinged 2005 Syrah Reva Vineyard boasts gorgeous notes of graphite, smoke, roasted meat, herbs, and oodles of blackberries and creme de cassis. This full-bodied, fabulously rich Syrah is a superb success for the vintage.” – Robert M. Parker, Jr. Rated 96 by Robert Parker.

Donor: John Alban

 

SILENT LOT 110

ACF Rough Diamond Slice Necklace 14K-Gold Fill

ACF Jewelry is known for unique, handmade jewelry and other wares by Tennessean and Metalsmith Amanda “Caroline” Farris. For the lucky winning bidder, this one-of-a-kind rough diamond slice necklace with 14k-gold fill – you’ll feel stylish no matter what when you are wearing this staple piece.

Donor: ACF Jewelry by Caroline Farris

 

SILENT LOT 111

A VinGardeValise® Grande wine suitcase

VinGardeValise® is the ultimate travel solution for wine lovers to safely transport wines, and even fine spirits, artisanal olive oils, and other bottled treasures.

Travel confidently knowing even your favorite special vintages are safely cradled in specially designed covered foam inserts to ensure maximum safety against breakage.

The removable inserts allow for flexible and customized travel for packing wine accessories or personal clothing and travel items.

• 12-Bottle capacity
• An enhanced proprietary polymer blend exterior shell material with a ribbed design for durability and optimal performance
• Asymmetrical Hinomoto wheels for maximum ease in maneuvering
• A TSA compliant lock is flush mounted and integrated into the VGV®
• The standard 35cm inserts accommodate longer neck bottles
• Proudly backed by a 10-year Manufacturer’s Limited Warranty

Don’t leave for your next trip to Napa or abroad without it!

Donor: VinGardeValise®

 

SILENT LOT 112

An overnight stay for the family in a two bedroom/one bath luxury treehouse at the Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek. 

Enjoy a mountain getaway in the trees with you family: a night spent in one of eight treehouses designed by “Treehouse Master” Pete Nelson and located on the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg.  Pete, famously known for his hit TV show “Treehouse Masters” on Animal Planet, quickly developed his passion for the this Norton Creek treehouse project in the Smoky Mountains and this passion carried over into his carefully selecting specific trees, location, and design of each treehouse.  It’s the kind of escape you dream about, a secluded environment that’s somehow close to it all.  A place you wish existed as a child, but one you can share with your own children now.  A stay unlike any you’ve had before, the neatest of ways to relax, recharge, reconnect with nature, and take in views more beautiful than you thought possible.  You will be away from it all, yet in the middle.  These treehouses are exclusive, secluded, private, and have easy access to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Reservations are based on availability and must be made in advance.  Expiration March 31, 2022.

Donor: Treehouse Grove at Norton Creek

 

SILENT LOT 113

Riedel “Superleggero” crystal decanter

Innovative and ever-evolving, Riedel continues to lead the charge on modern, functional barware.  This tall and slender “Superleggero” decanter is hand-formed and freely mouth blown. It includes a recess in the base to ensure easy handling and also features a special seal with an engraved Riedel logo.  The design of this stunning decanter is sure to elevate your wine experience.

Donor: Glass Bazaar

 

SILENT LOT 114

One bottle [750mL] Caymus Vineyards 2014 Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Caymus Vineyards was born in 1971, when Lorna and Charlie Wagner asked their son Chuck, who had just graduated from high school, if he would be interested in joining them in starting up a winery. If Chuck declined the offer, Charlie and Lorna were planning to sell out of their ranch in Napa Valley and move to Australia. Instead, Chuck accepted his parents’ offer to launch the winery, Caymus Vineyards. Consistently scored 90+ for decades.  The 2014 has brawny tannins that meet mild acidity in this powerful, rich wine that’s full-bodied and decadent. Chocolate, mocha and caramel notes are etched into its soft, rounded layers of generous red fruit. Having previously been named Wine Spectator Wine of the Year on TWO separate occasions, Caymus Special Selection is synonymous with luxury Napa Cabernet Sauvignon!  Caymus Special Selection never fails to deliver.

Donor: Bob and Margaret Petrone

 

SILENT LOT 115

ACF Girls Night Out for 3

You and two friends or relatives will experience a unique and coveted service offered by metalsmith Caroline Farris at her studio, shop, and hideaway in the Old City area of downtown Knoxville where she will be your host for an evening of wine, light bites, and jewelry. Each guest will leave adorning her own “Endless Chain,” a unique, semi-permanent bracelet service. Caroline will fit and solder a dainty, yet resilient bracelet to you and yours. Great for mothers and daughters, best friends, and even couples. Whether forever or just for now, this service is ACF’s most popular service. Should you ever need to take the bracelet off ACF will always re-soder it for free. Includes wine, light bites, and Silver Endless Chain for 3 people (one each). Additional fees for metal upgrades, charms, or add-ons may apply. Mutually agreeable date; expires 3/6/2022.
Donor: ACF Jewelry by Caroline Farris

SILENT LOT 116

One magnum [1.5L] Carter Cellars The Three Kings 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, To Kalon Vineyard, Napa Valley.

Another killer effort, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard The Three Kings. It’s splitting hairs at this level of quality, but this cuvée achieved 14.8% natural alcohol compared to its siblings’ 14.9%. You certainly can’t tell that in the glass. In fact, you would be hard pressed to believe it was over 13% given the wealth of fruit and layered texture. Abundant blue and black fruit, licorice, graphite and spice notes are present in this beautiful Pauillac-like Napa Valley wine. Full-bodied and opulent, this is another big-time winner from Carter Cellars. Robert Parker – 96. Wine Spectator – 93. Drink it over the next 12-15+ years.

Donor: Carter Cellars

 

SILENT LOT 117

Six bottles [750ml] Au Bon Climat Winery–three Chardonnays and three Pinot Noirs–PLUS, wine tasting for four in their Santa Barbara tasting room with 25% off all wine purchases on the day of visit.

Jim Clendenen, the “Mind Behind” Au Bon Climat since 1982, creates internationally acclaimed Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of balance and intrigue.  An homage to Burgundy, Au Bon Climat features many renditions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with balance and character, critical elements in every wine. These wines age beautifully because of their balance and restraint.

Wines include: 2018 Chardonnay, Los Alamos Vineyard, rated 93 points by Wine Enthusiast; 2017 Chardonnay, “Nuits-Blanches au Bouge”, rated 93 points by Wine Advocate, 94 points by Wine Enthusiast, and 96 points by Vinous; 2017 Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, rated 93 points by Wine & Spirits, 94 points by both Jeb Dunnuck and Vineous; 2017 Pinot Noir “Isabella”, rated 92 points by Wine & Spirits and 96 points by Wine Enthusiast; 2017 Pinot Noir Runaway Vineyard, rated 91 points by Vineous, 93 points by Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits, and 96 points by Wine Advocate; and 2017 Pinot Noir “Knox Alexander.” Wine tasting for four will be in the Au Bon Climate Tasting Room in Santa Barbara, CA.

Donor: Au Bon Climat Winery

 

SILENT LOT 118

Two magnums [1.5L] Bergström 2013 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon; one each: Bergström Vineyard and Gregory Ranch.

This lot includes two excellent wines from Bergström Winery located in the captivating Willamette Valley, Oregon. When John and Karen Bergström began Bergström Wines, they wanted to start a business that would become a legacy for their children and pay tribute to John’s agricultural Swedish upbringing. With these dreams in mind, the couple moved from to Dundee, Oregon, where they planted the Bergström Vineyard on a gentle thirteen-acre, south-facing slope overlooking the wide expanses of the Willamette Valley. Today, the winery is run by John and Karen’s son Josh and his wife Caroline, creating the legacy that was the original vision when the winery was established.

The 2013 Pinot Noir Bergström Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1999 on basalt soils and is 100% whole cluster, not that you can tell on the nose because the stem addition is very discrete. Instead, one finds dark berry fruit, wild mint and wilted rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a slightly savory, almost biscuity opening, plenty of leafy red berry fruit with a balanced and harmonious finish. Drink over the next eight to ten years.” – Neal Martin, Robert Parker. Rated 90 by Robert Parker.

On the other hand, the 2013 Pinot Noir Gregory Ranch Vineyard is 100% biodynamic, the vineyard with four unique exposures that are harvested and fermented separated. It is also Bergström’s coolest vineyard at 425-foot elevation, and it was one of the wines picked after the rains. It has a more mineral-driven nose compared to Bergström’s other 2013s: quite tensile with cold stone aromas infusing the cranberry and wild strawberry. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, plenty of dark berry fruit, the 50% whole cluster fruit lending some undergrowth and spicy aromas towards the finish. This is a very commendable Pinot Noir from Bergström. Rated 90 by Robert Parker.

Donor: Jim Mason

 

 

SILENT LOT 119

Six-bottle [750ml] vertical (2008-2013) of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley.

Modeled after a First Growth Bordeaux, Jordan is a classic California Cabernet Sauvignon that has been considered one of Sonoma’s best Cabernet Sauvignons for four decades due to an unwavering commitment to food-friendly wines of balance and elegance.

Every vintage of Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted with a focus on striking a perfect balance between beautiful fruit, silky tannins and a lingering finish. It is this delicate balance—all done by taste—that allows for the gradual, graceful evolution of Jordan’s Cabernet Sauvignon in bottle. Renowned for our consistency of quality vintage after vintage, this classic California Cabernet Sauvignon has remained one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon brands on the best U.S. restaurant wine lists for decades.

The three vintages rated by Wine Enthusiast are the 2010 vintage at 90 points, 2012 vintage at 91 points, and the 2013 vintage at 92 points.

Donor: Jordan Vineyard & Winery

 

SILENT LOT 120

One double magnum [3L] Ramey Wine Cellars 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Larkmead Vineyard, Napa Valley

One of Northern California’s most successful winemakers/consultants, David Ramey’s personal winery continues to go from strength to strength. Ramey has had the best of both worlds, working in Bordeaux for the Moueix family, and in California at Dominus, Chalk Hill, and Rudd Estate. Ramey has two hierarchies of Chardonnays, his generic appellations as well as his single vineyard cuvees.

This 2006 offering of Larkmead Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 93 points by Stephen Tanzer and 92+ by Robert Parker – inky/ruby/purple color followed by a gorgeous perfume of smoke herbs, graphite, creme de cassis, coffee beans, and toasty oak. With sensational fruit on the attack and mid-palate, and a finish filled with power, glycerin, depth, and impressive structure. Drink between 2010 and 2030.

Donor: Wendy and Dale Wortham

 

SILENT LOT 121

One handmade custom orange and white Mamba crystal decanter by Riedel.

The alluring Mamba decanter channels the vigor of the famous Black Mamba, the world’s fastest snake. Its poised upright stance and coiled design creates a series of air pockets which “double decants” the wine. As the wine makes its journey through the curvaceous glass, adorned with a custom color known to all Knoxvillians, the Mamba emits a gurgle: an aural reminder of the vigorous decanting as a result of its design. The Mamba decanter is recommended for young wines and is designed for a single bottle of wine.

Donor: Wendy and Dale Wortham

 

SILENT LOT 122

Two bottles [750mL] Chateau Lafite Rothschild ‘Carruades de Lafite’ Bordeaux Blend Red, Pauillac, one each: 2000 and 1996.

The Second Wine of the prestigious Premier Grand Cru Classe – Château Lafite-Rothschild – the Carruades de Lafite reflects the identity of the great terroirs of Pauillac, France, presenting similar characteristics to the Grand Vin, but with its own personality linked to a higher proportion of Merlot and specific to its namesake the Carruades plateau, a group of plots acquired in 1845 just next to the vines on the Château hilltop.

The 1996 and 2000 vintages stand as “classic” Bordeaux years. The 1996 vintage possesses Aromas of currant and cigar box. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a medium finish. The 2000, deemed a candidate for the finest Carruades de Lafite ever made by Robert Parker – (a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc) is deep, fat, plush, and layered with concentration and depth. A wine of tremendous purity, medium body, and the tell-tale Lafite elegance. RP – 93 and WS – 90.

Donor: Wendy and Dale Wortham

 

SILENT LOT 123

Four-magnum [1.5L] vertical of Schug Cabernet Sauvignon, Heritage Reserve: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016.

From 1973 to 1982 Walter Schug crafted some of California’s most memorable Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux-style blends as the founding winemaker for Joseph Phelps Vineyards.  In this legacy, Schug crafts their Heritage Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon to exhibit the same finesse, intensity, and ability to age that have made his earlier wines valuable collector’s wines.

The 2013 vintage shows dense color and structure, bright aromas of violets and blueberries, and ripe fruit flavors reminiscent of cherries, chocolate, and cassis.  Well integrated tannins, oak, and acidity give it a rich texture and a long, elegant finish.  Rated 93 points by Wine & Spirits.

The 2014 vintage has a medium to deep garnet-purple color.  It gives up pronounced cassis, Black Forest cake, earth and herbs on the nose with touches of cigar box and cedar chest.  The medium-bodied palate gives good intensity and depth in the lively mouth with firm, grainy tannins and a long finish.  Robert Parker rated the 2014 vintage 91 points.

The 2015 vintage has a deep ruby color.  The nose begins with notions of gravel dust and graphite over dried blackcurrants, wild blackberries, cinnamon stick, and allspice with nuances of dried leaves and warm earth.  It’s medium to full-bodied and earthy in the mouth with a grainy texture and good freshness, finishing with oak spice.  Robert Parker rated the 2015 vintage 90 points.

The recently released 2016 vintage is not yet rated but will undoubtedly deliver alongside the consistently high marks of past vintages.

Donor: Schug Carneros Estate

 

SILENT LOT 124

One magnum [1.5L] Vineyard 29 2017 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard 29 sits on a hillside just at the “pinch” of Napa Valley’s hourglass shape. Excellent airflow provides natural frost protection, while the fertile clay loam soils encourage deeply rooted vines, yielding powerfully concentrated cabernet sauvignon tempered by markedly floral, velvet elegance and explosive aromatic.

The 2017 vintage offers black cassis, violet, classic dark chocolate with hints of spearmint and sweet cocoa. A combination of blocks 3, 4, South 6, South 7, and South 8, this Cabernet Sauvignon represents the relatively earlier ripening blocks from the estate. True to this tremendous vineyard, this wine is concentrated and polished with rich velvety texture. It’s classic firm tannin profile provides structure and endless aging potential. Rated 91+ by Robert Parker.

Donor: Vineyard 29

 

SILENT LOT 125

Four bottles [750mL] Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, one each: 2015 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst, 2005 PlumpJack, 2013 Spottswoode, 2013 Pride Mountain Vineyards.

Established in 1882, Spottswoode Estate is distinguished by the pre-Prohibition Victorian home depicted on our wine label. Spottswoode was christened by Mrs. Spotts in 1910 and later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972. Mary released Spottswoode’s first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate’s founding. Today, Mary’s daughter Beth Novak Milliken manages the winery, and daughter Lindy Novak serves as the winery’s Marketing Ambassador. Every year Spottswoode releases an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc. In addition, Spottswoode produces a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Lyndenhurst, a dual-appellation Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, and a limited-production Field Book Syrah. Committed to producing wines with integrity that faithfully reflect their grape origins, Spottswoode wines are especial-ly known for their refined elegance, balance, and classic structure. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Lyndenhurst is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) with 12% Merlot and splashes of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, it delivers bold, enticing black cherries, mulberries and warm plums scents with touches of cassis, fragrant earth, unsmoked cigars and menthol plus a waft of bay leaves. Medium-bodied, the earth-laced black fruit dances on the palate, supported by plush tannins and finishing on an allspice-laced note. Rated 91 by Robert Parker, Antonio Galloni and Jeb Dunnuck.

The 2013 Spottswoode is a real super star, earing 99 points from Robert Parker, deep garnet with a touch of purple and exudes pure black truffles on the nose to begin, slowly unfurling to reveal a core of black cherries, warm blackcurrants and plum preserves with suggestions of eucalyptus, tilled soil, chargrill and new leather. Medium-bodied with a great intensity of earth-tinged black fruits, it has a firm frame of grainy tannins and a long truffle-laced finish.

Before the inception of PlumpJack Estate Winery, there was just a humble wine store, opened in 1992 in the Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco, called PlumpJack Wines.  Based on a mutual love and passion for wine, California Governor Gavin New-som and composer/philanthropist Gordon Getty opened the wine store with a mission of creating an approachable environment for people to learn about and purchase wine. Newsom and Getty were inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters, Sir John “PlumpJack” Falstaff. A down-to-earth, fun-loving, irreverent character, rivaled only by his fierce loyalty to Prince Hal (Henry V), with whom he shares more than a few goblets of sack (wine) at the local tavern.  With this philosophy in mind and an opportuni-ty to create their own winery, Newsom and Getty acquired a century-old 42-acre vine-yard in the Napa Valley and created PlumpJack Estate Winery. The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a full-bodied, chewy effort displaying copious aromas of lead pencil shavings, black currants, blueberries, licorice, charcoal, and spice box along with a hint of new oak. Rated 92 by Robert Parker. Drink now through 2027.

Finally, the 2013 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cab from the top of Spring Mountain and probably their biggest cuvée at 5,728 cases. The wine has a terrific nose of blackberry, chocolate, licorice and cassis. Some toast is in the background, but clearly, the fruit is dominant in this full-bodied, voluptuously textured and opulent, dramatic, flamboyant Cabernet Sauvignon. Unlike most 2013s, it is open and delicious and shows no signs of closing down any time soon. Awarded 94 points.

Donor: Bob and Margaret Petrone, Spottswoode, Pride Mountain Vineyards

 

SILENT LOT 126

Three bottles [750mL] Brand Napa Valley, one each: 2019 White Wine, 2017 Proprietary Blend, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

In 2005, Ed and Deb Fitts purchased land on Pritchard Hill from the long time Pritchard Hill family. Three acres were already planted on site; their first wine was made from this small vineyard. The inaugural vintage was from 2009 and the wines were produced at Vineyard 29 until the Brand physical winery was built. Ed’s vision for the property widened as he came to know the land and his neighbors. This is prime terroir for grow-ing Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa. Later he acquired several other acres from a nearby vintner. Today the property is 110 acres of which twelve acres are planted to grapes.

Coming from blocks located at 1,300 feet elevation in a protected saddle on Pritchard Hill, the 2017 Proprietary Blend is blended of 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and was fermented in stainless steel. It aged twenty-two months in French oak and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep garnet-purple colored, it prances out of the glass with notes of kirsch, redcurrant jelly, mulberries and wild blueberries with touches of rose hip tea, star anise, candied violets and pencil shavings. Medium to full-bodied, the palate features an impressively plush texture and seamless freshness, finishing long with gorgeous fragrant earth scents. Rated 95 by Robert Parker. Drink now through 2044.

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of the best barrels from the vintage and is comprised of fruit from the highest elevation at their Pritchard Hill estate. It fermented half in French oak, half in stainless steel and aged twenty-two months in French oak. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) is deep garnet-purple colored and bursts from the glass with ripe, expressive crème de cassis, freshly crushed black berries and plum preserves notes with touches of menthol, cinnamon stick, cedar chest and spice box. Medium-bodied, the palate has a firm, grainy texture and oodles of freshness sup-porting the expressive black fruit preserves, finishing on a lingering spicy note. Rated 94 by Robert Parker. Drink now through 2038.

Donor: Christine O’Sullivan & Jim Bean Proprietors of Brand Napa Valley

 

SILENT LOT 127

Six bottles [750mL] Frank Family Vineyards RHF 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford

Named in honor of Frank Family’s owner and founder Richard Harvey Frank, the second vintage of RHF is a complex and savory wine that comes from their estate vineyards in the heart of the Rutherford appellation.  The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon RHF is soft, supple and easygoing – all qualities that make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next 20 years. Sweet red cherry, cedar, tobacco, crushed flowers and licorice give the 2017 lovely aromatic presence to match its mid-weight, understated personality. This is a beautifully balanced and elegant wine with nicely integrated acidity and fine tannins.  The palate offers bright freshness, finishing long and layered.  It shines in toasted oak, blackberries, with punches of cinnamon and classic Rutherford dust. Dark chocolate lingers around ripe currant and a subtle hint of vanilla on the endless finish.  Rated 92 Points by Wine Advocate and Jeb Dunnuck, and 91 Points by Antonio Galloni.

Donor: Frank Family Vineyards, Liam Gearity

 

SILENT LOT 128

Five bottles [750mL] W.L. Weller Collection:

• One bottle [750mL] W.L Weller C.Y.P.B
• One bottle [750mL] W.L Weller Full Proof
• One bottle [750mL] W.L Weller 12 Year
• One bottle [750mL] W.L Weller Antique
• One bottle [750mL] W.L Weller Special Reserve

Bourbon lovers the world over know how incredibly popular the spirit has become over the past 10 years, with many of the most sought after brands and bottles nearly impossible to find.  W.L. Weller is a bourbon squarely at the top of that list.  While many other bourbon recipes use rye, William Larue Weller did things a little differently and used wheat.  Weller himself developed the recipe, believing wheat produced a softer, sweeter flavor profile than rye’s spicy one.  In fact, it has the same exact mash recipe as another cult bourbon producer, Pappy Van Winkle.  It should be noted that W.L. Weller hired Julian Van Winkle in 1893 giving him his first job in the whiskey industry.  Finding any W.L. Weller bourbons is almost impossible these day, with many going for as much as ten times their retail price on the secondary markets.  Finding this collection of W.L. Weller bottlings all in one place is absolutely astounding.

The lot contains one bottle each from the W.L. Weller Collection.  The C.Y.P.B (Craft Your Perfect Bourbon) may be the rarest of them all, as this limited edition whiskey is the result of an overwhelming online consensus – a wheated bourbon, aged on the highest warehouse floors for eight years and bottle at 95 proof.  Next we have the Full Proof, the original Weller recipe bottled at the same 114 proof the spirit was when it entered the barrel, and forgoes chill filtration to preserve the naturally occurring flavors that occur during the distillation and aging process.   The Weller 12-Year, the original bottling that made him famous, is aged far longer than most wheated bourbons for a smooth, balanced taste with a beautiful deep bronze color.  The Antique is bottled at 107 proof offering a complex taste and bold finish with its own unique characteristics to complement its high proof.  Last but not least, the Special Reserve, the Original Wheated Bourbon Whiskey.  It features exceptionally smooth taste bottled at 90 proof, making this softer bourbon great for sipping or making cocktails.

If you or someone you love enjoys fine bourbons, do not miss the chance to add these extremely rare and highly coveted bottles to your collection.

Donor: Pop’s Wine and Liquor

 

 

 

SILENT LOT 129

Six bottles [750mL] of assorted French wines, one each:

• Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chateau d’Armailhac 1995
• Domaine Denis Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin “En Motrot” 2000
• Domaine Tortochot Gevrey-Chambertin Les Jeunes Rois 2005
• Domaine de la Mordorée “Cuvée de la Reine du Bois” Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2000
• Pierre Gaillard, Côte Rôtie 1999
• Domaine de Vallouit “Les Greffieres”, Hermitage, Syrah 1998
• Baron Philippe de Rothschild Chateau d’Armailhac 1995

The 1995 Chatea d’Armailhac is a Bordeaux red wine from the Pauillac appellation, a blend of 53% Cabernet, 34% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot.  Chateau Mouton Baron Philippe is a quality Grand Cru producing renowned wines with excellent value for money.  The 1995 Chatea d’Armailhac is a fine wine which will delightBordeaux lovers!

Domaine Denis Mortet Gevrey-Chambertin “En Motrot” 2000

Stephen Tanzer wrote, “Good bright red. Redcurrant, smoke and tobacco on the perfumed nose. Supple, smooth and sweet, with moderate complexity but lovely vinosity for the year. Finishes with fine tannins and very good length.”

Domaine Tortochot Gevrey-Chambertin Les Jeunes Rois 2005

The most respected Pinot Noir wines from Gevrey-Chambertin are robust and powerful but at the same time, velvety and expressive: black fruit, black liquorice and chocolate come into play. After some time in the bottle, the wines are harmonious with bright and sometimes candied fruit, and aromas of musk, truffle and forest floor. These have staying power.

Domaine de la Mordorée “Cuvée de la Reine du Bois” Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2000

Robet Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded this spectacular wine 97 points and wrote, “A wine that always does it for me, the 2000 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee de La Reine des Bois is open for business and has a sexy, voluptuous texture to go with classic Mordoree spice, licorice, graphite and black cherry and currant-styled fruit. Beautifully complex, full-bodied and with brilliant purity of fruit, drink it over the coming 3-5 years.”

Pierre Gaillard, Côte Rôtie, Syrah, 1999

“Full deep ruby. Perfumed aromas of black raspberry, violet and bacon fat; distinct suggestion of surmaturite Thick and dense, but also fresh and primary, with good backbone and firm acidity. Plenty of material here.” –Stephen Tanzer

Domaine de Vallouit “Les Greffieres”, Hermitage, Syrah 1998

Awarded 94 points by both Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator, Parker wrote, “The spectacular 1998 Hermitage Les Greffieres Cuvee Speciale was produced from yields of only 23 hectoliters per hectare, from old vines situated in the Greffieux lieu-dit of Hermitage. The wine boasts an opaque black/purple color as well as a sweet nose of minerals, licorice, blackberry liqueur, and cassis. Extremely full-bodied, powerful, concentrated, and dense, with huge tannin and great ripeness and length, this is a superb wine that merits considerable interest. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030.”

Donor: Peggy and Jerry Faerber

 

SILENT LOT 130

Chef’s Five-Course Tasting Dinner with Wine Pairings for six guests at Northshore Brasserie. 

An epicurean delight awaits you and your guests for a special evening of French-Belgium cuisine with wine pairings at  Northshore Brasserie.  Specializing in brasserie classics, such as steak frites, mussels, roast chicken, fresh seafood, and handmade pastas, Northshore Brasserie takes advantage of local produce, meats, and ingredients to create the finest quality of seasonal spe-cials.  The unpretentious atmosphere at Northshore is both relaxed and sophisticated and is a Knoxville favorite bar and restaurant!  The Northshore Brasserie has been distinguished by a 2017 Open Table Diners’ Choice Award by a “REAL Certified” designation from Responsible Epi-curean and Agricultural Leadership.  The restaurant’s local owners will ensure this evening will be a special one to remember.  Some date restrictions may apply based on availability.  Gratuity is not included.  Expires March 31, 2022.

Donor: Northshore Brasserie; Brian and Stephanie Balest

 

SILENT LOT 131

Three-year magnum [1.5L] vertical of Paul Hobbs Winery (2014-2016) Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Paul Hobbs Winery was our featured winery in 2007, our fourth year of L’Amour du Vin, and continues to be a strong supporter of the auction.  In the fall of 2018, Matthew Hobbs, one of Paul’s younger brothers, hosted our first ever Vintner’s Dinner at JC Holdway and poured a plethora of great Paul Hobbs wines.

The 2014 vintage displays great depth and complexity from diverse terroirs, including fruit from their Nathan Coombs Estate and other pedigreed Napa Valley vineyards.  Dark crimson in color, the nose is perfumed with aromas of red currant, boysenberry, cedar box, and herbs.  The palate excites with flavors of cassis, graphite, blueberries, and sage, woven seamlessly together with savory, velvety tannins.  The finish is long and pure, a perfect harmony of richness and elegance.  Rated 95 points by James Suckling and 94 points by Jeb Dunnuck.

With the 2015 vintage, you will find on the nose wild elderberry, black currant, and tobacco.  Pure, delineated flavors of ripe blueberry, graphite, olive, sage, thyme, and sea salt provide for an ever evolving experience on the palate.  Fine-grained tannins, balanced acidity, and a rich intense texture persist through the very long finish.  Rated 92 points by James Suckling and 92 points by Wine Advocate.

The 2016 vintage, from its alluring deep garnet to its engaging aromas of wild blackberry, cocoa, and dried sage, the wine is endowed with refinement and definition by sourcing from first-rate sites within the region.  A core of succulent dark plum and black currant envelope the palate with delineated accents of lavender, tobacco, and crushed graphite that hold through the long finish across fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity.  Rated 94 points by James Suckling and 93 points by Wine Advocate.

Donor: Paul Hobbs Winery

 

SILENT LOT 132

Double magnum [3L] Paolo Scavino Bric dël Fiasc 2001 Nebbiolo, Barolo, Italy

Paolo Scavino is an historical winery in the Barolo region of northern Italy. It was founded in 1921 in Castiglione Falletto by Lorenzo Scavino and his son Paolo. Farming has al-ways been a family tradition and passion. Enrico Scavino, together with his daughters Enrica and Elisa, run the family estate. Enrico started to work full time in the winery in 1951 when he was ten years old. He became a young winemaker who inherited the pas-sion and devotion for the land he belongs to. Through over sixty years of experience his focus has been to invest on important cru of Nebbiolo to show the uniqueness of each terroir. Their work is inspired by the love and respect they have for their territory and they pursue purity of expression, complexity and elegance for their wines from the three local grapes: Dolcetto, Barbera and Nebbiolo. The 2001 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a gor-geous wine laced with smoke, tar, licorice and menthol. The 2001 remains powerful and authoritative, with more than enough fruit to balance its huge tannins. Rated 96 by Rob-ert Parker. Drink now through 2031.

Donor: Bob and Margaret Petrone

 

SILENT LOT 133

Three bottles [750ml] plus three half-bottle vertical [375mL] of Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon Sauternes

• One bottle [750mL] Chateau Rieussec 2005 Sauternes
• One bottle [750mL] Chateau Rieussec 2003 Sauternes
• One bottle [750mL] Chateau Raymond-Lafon 2003 Sauternes
• One half-bottle [375mL] Chateau d’Yquem 2003 Sauternes
• One half-bottle [375mL] Chateau d’Yquem 2004 Sauternes
• One half-bottle [375mL] Chateau Raymond-Lafon 2003 Sauternes

France undoubtedly produces some of the finest wines in the world, but none may be as unique and have as much mystique as the sweet wine from Sauternes.  Among the producers of these Bordelaise white wines, none is as mythical as the world famous Premier Cru Superieur, Chateau d’Yquem.  This lot includes 2 half-bottles [375mL] from the legendary producer.  From and epic vintage, the 2003 Yquem was rated 98, 97, and 96 points by James Suckling, Wine Spectator and Robert Parker respectively.  Suckling wrote “A massive Yquem, full and very sweet, with notes of dried apricot, pineapple, and papaya on the palate.  Long, with a vanilla-coconut tart finish.  What a wine, voluptuous, sexy and luscious.”  The 2004 earned 96 points from Wine Enthusiast and 94 points from Wine Spectator saying “This is a beautiful Yquem, with crispness, honey and freshness, very expressive of the year.”  Not to be outdone, Chateau Rieussec has been a leading name in Sauternes for generations, and most critics agree it produces wines very similar to Yquem.  From an exceptional vintage, the 2005 was awarded 96 points by both Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate, a splendid wine in its own right.  Maybe even better, the 2003 was just as spectacular, with 98 points from James Suckling, 96 points by Robert Parker and 95 points by Wine Spectator.  Finally, Chateau Raymond-Lafon is ideally located right next to Sauterne royalty Chateau d’Yquem, and the 2003 earned 92 points by Robert Parker.

Donor: Peggy and Jerry Faerber

 

SILENT LOT 134

Experience the new Babalu!

Dinner with wine pairings for up to six guests at Babalu. Yes, Babalu on Gay Street! The restaurant reopened this past month unveiling a completely new concept and menu including a freshly renovated space. Grand panels by local woodworker Alex Jaynes suspend from the ceiling and frame the new bar design, comfortable new seating has been installed plus semi-private pods tables offer an innovative, dynamic dining experience! The new and improved concept also boasts the addition of wine-focused staff and an impressive portfolio and wine program that is rumored to continue to grow! This lot includes dinner from the new latin-inspired menu with wine pairings at Babalu’s innovative pod table for up to six people. Babalu’s pod tables house multiple wine options making enjoying and trying different sips seamless, safe, enjoyable and fun! Mutually agreed upon date. Expires March 6, 2022.

Donor: Babalu Knoxville

 

SILENT LOT 135
TOP NOTCH magnum [1.5L] Plumpjack Winery 2007 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley. Signed by the winemaker and in a wooden box – 100 point review by Robert Parker!

Before the inception of PlumpJack Estate Winery, there was just a humble wine store, opened in 1992 in the Fillmore neighborhood of San Francisco, called PlumpJack Wines.  Based on a mutual love and passion for wine, California Governor Gavin Newsom and composer/philanthropist Gordon Getty opened the wine store with a mission of creating an approachable environment for people to learn about and purchase wine. Newsom and Getty were inspired by one of Shakespeare’s most memorable characters, Sir John “PlumpJack” Falstaff. A down-to-earth, fun-loving, irreverent character, rivaled only by his fierce loyalty to Prince Hal (Henry V), with whom he shares more than a few goblets of sack (wine) at the local tavern.  With this philosophy in mind and an opportunity to create their own winery, Newsom and Getty acquired a century-old 42-acre vineyard in the Napa Valley and created PlumpJack Estate Winery.

Very deep purple-black colored, the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve leaps from the glass with exuberant crème de cassis, blueberry preserves, warm mulberries and spice cake notions, followed up by hints of sandalwood, cigar box, licorice, yeast extract, beef drippings, cardamom and violets. Full-bodied yet wonderfully harmonious in the mouth, the layer upon layer of black fruit preserves and spicy and savory flavors are perfectly knit with the solid frame of super ripe, finely grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with incredible persistence. Rated 100 by Robert Parker. Drink now through 2050.

Donor: Thad Cox and Ashe’s Wines & Spirits

 

SILENT LOT 136

A mountain get-away for two couples at RT Lodge in the quaint town of Maryville, TN. Includes an overnight stay, a multi course wine-pairing dinner the evening of arrival, and breakfast the morning of departure.

RT Lodge is top-notch and tucked away in the lush quiet woods on the edge of Maryville College, and this elegant yet cozy inn offers a combination of comfort, style, and seclusion.  It is the perfect place to unwind and relax.  All guest rooms at RT Lodge are furnished with a king or two single beds, each topped with cozy comforters and made up with the elegant, country-house comfort of luxury linens. The custom-crafted furniture, rendered in classic lodge style, gives it unique charm.  The private baths in each room are stocked with amenities that include plush robes, blow dryers, and Aveda lotions, shampoo, and soaps.  If you need to connect with the outside world, complimentary high-speed wireless internet connection allows you to stay in touch.

The Restaurant at RT Lodge, under the direction of Chef Trevor Stockton, shapes their menu on the changing bounty of each season, with the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms and the best providers.  Wine will be paired with each course of the dinner.  After dinner, enjoy coffee and s’mores around the fire pit while being surrounded by gorgeous landscape and all the quiet sounds of the woods.  A full breakfast is available the morning of departure.

Reservations are based on availability and must be made in advance.  Expires March 31, 2022

Donor: RT Lodge

 

SILENT LOT 137

Two magnums [1.5L] Rocca Family Vineyards 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from two estate vineyards, one each: Grigsby Vineyard, Yountville and Collinetta Vineyard, Coombsville; PLUS, an a guided walk for four guests by Eric Grigsby, sip-ping wines through each of the vineyards.

The 2012 Grigsby Vineyard is an elegant expression of Cabernet.  The dark red and purple fruit characteristics are layered with floral, spice, cocoa, and cedar for a seductive and luscious finish.  Rated 93 points by James Suckling.  The 2012 Collinetta Vineyard has the ad-vantage of the morning frog from the Bay that creates longer, even ripening, resulting in a complex and well-balanced wine.  Deep, dark, and intense, this wine offers layers of flavors with each sip.  Rated 93 points by James Suckling.

Enjoy a private excursion to Rocca Family Vineyards’ two estate vineyards in Napa Valley for four guests.  Begin the adventure with a guided walk through the Grigsby Vineyard in the heart of Yountville, hosted by its namesake, co-owner and Knoxville native, Dr. Eric Grigsby.  Sip the Grigsby Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon while trekking through the vines from which it is made.  The tour will end at the Collinetta Vineyard, overlooking the beautiful Coombsville region, from the rounded hilltop vineyard.  Finish the day tasting the Collinetta Cabernet Sauvignon while surveying the terraced vine rows and stunning vistas.

The Rocca Private Excursion must be scheduled at least 3 months in advance.  Dates are subject to Rocca’s availability and vineyard farming schedule.  Expires June 30, 2022.

Donor: Rocca Family Vineyards

 

SILENT LOT 138

One magnum [1.5L] VGS Chateau Potelle 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Wildcat Mountain Vineyard, Mount Veeder; PLUS a VGS Epicurean Garden Lunch & Tasting for 4 at their Tasting House & Garden in St. Helena featuring the cuisine of the Michelin Starred La Toque Restaurant. 

The 2017 vintage is a tale of two stories.  Grapes picked before October 8th of fantastic quality, and those picked after….but there was no after.  VGS Chateau Potelle did not harvest any grapes after the terrible 2017 wildfires began.  Therefore, the resulting wine was stunning, with great complexity, finesse, and concentration.  There is just not that much of it as mother-nature cut their yield in half.

A deep ruby red color immediately shines from the glass.  The bouquet is so impressive!  It is loaded with every type of cherry you could imagine, even chocolate covered cherry cordials.  The wine is a total crowd pleaser.  The immense fruit flavors evolve into warm notes of brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, allspice, and cardamom.  The finish is long and smooth.  You will love this wine!

Enjoy a VGS Epicurean Garden Lunch & Tasting for 4 guests at their Tasting House & Garden in St. Helena featuring the cuisine of the Michelin Starred La Toque Restaurant.  This private 5-course lunch will be paired with the wines of VGS Chateau Potelle.

Donor: VGS Chateau Potelle

 

SILENT LOT 139

Four-course private dinner for 10 at The Club at Gettysvue, featuring wines from Duckhorn Vineyards with each course.

The exquisite English-style clubhouse at The Club at Gettysvue is a welcoming focal point for this special Duckhorn Vineyards wine dinner. Featuring spectacular views of the golf course and stately decor, the clubhouse offers a picturesque setting to enjoy this perfectly curated four-course private dinner showcasing the culinary talents of Gettysvue’s new executive chef, Chris Saffles!

Duckhorn Vineyards is a Napa Valley classic and an American icon.  Founded by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, it is one of the first 40 Napa Valley wineries.  Duckhorn Vineyards has spent over forty years establishing itself as one of North America’s premier producers of Napa Valley wines. From its modest inaugural vintage of 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, to its addition of Sauvignon Blanc in 1982, Duckhorn Vineyards has crafted a tradition of quality and excellence that continues today.

Duckhorn’s Napa Valley Estate Vineyard portfolio is now comprised of seven unique properties (Three Palms Vineyard, Marlee’s Vineyard, Stout Vineyard, Monitor Ledge Vineyard, Rector Creek Vineyard, Patzimaro Vineyard, and Cork Tree Vineyard). Each site produces grapes with distinct attributes that reflect the variations in soil, terrain, microclimate, and exposure. These Estate Vineyards convey a special sense of place and a growing tradition, and Duckhorn takes immense pride in their cultivation. The carefully selected and dedicated team manages the Estate properties and there is an in-house farming crew comprised of full-time and part-time employees who farm all of the Estates.

Donor: The Club at Gettysvue/Todd and Kim Foehle

 

SILENT LOT 140

Pulido~Walker Experience in Napa Valley for 4 guests! Includes dinner at Bottega Restaurant hosted by the Pu-lido~Walker team and private tasting of single vineyard wines at Mending Wall Winery; PLUS one magnum [1.5L] Pu-lido~Walker 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Melanson Vineyard.

This lot includes a can’t-be-missed Napa experience! Join the world class Pulido-Walker team at Bottega Restaurant, located in the heart of Yountville. Bottega offers an unmistakably Italian sense of style in Napa Valley.  Inside, you’ll find a warm, rustic setting adorned with Venetian plaster, Murano glass chandeliers, soft leather chairs, and ample tables — the perfect atmosphere for a meal and an experience to remember. Chef, owner, and Emmy-winning TV host Michael Chiarello combines his passion for seasonal, global flavors and sustainable living with his southern Italian roots to create dishes that have inspired thousands.

Also included in this lot is a wine tasting at Mending Wall Winery, a winery formed from a partnership between Mark Pulido, Donna Walker, Frank Dotzler of Outpost Winery, and famed winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown. The Mending Wall name comes from a Robert Frost poem of the same name about two neighbors who meet once a year to restore the boundary that separates them—the same boundary that simultaneously brings them together. Mending Wall’s winemaking philosophy follows a similar path; it’s about coming together to explore and question the es-tablished boundaries of their craft. They pull from vineyards all over the Napa Valley – usually from small family-owned producers and take the best of both valley floor and hillside fruit to craft small production pre-mium wines.

Pulido-Walker proprietors Mark Pulido and Donna Walker have a long history in the Napa Valley, building relationships and putting down roots in the community. In the early 1980s, Donna and Mark began making regular trips to the Valley, meeting vintners at iconic cellars where they often tasted from the barrel. They were drawn into tasting room discus-sions about harvest and the rhythms of crafting wine. Pulido-Walker is a natural outgrowth of the couple’s passion for the place and its promise. Their Mt. Veeder Estate is a testament to the family’s long-term com-mitment to Napa Valley and the addition of the Policy Estate in Yountville extends their view toward the future.

This 2018 Melanson scored a perfect 100 points by Jeb Dunnuck and 99 points by Antonio Galloni of Vinous, with Jeb writing, “pure Napa Valley genious”!  Growing conditions were ideal across Napa Valley in 2018. Ample spring rains gave way to sunny and mild summer days with no major heat spikes, allowing fruit to hang on the vine for one of the long-est stretches in recent memory. After the challenges of 2017, with its bru-tal Labor Day heat wave and October wildfires, 2018 will likely go down as one of those highly memorable Napa Valley vintages born of an en-tirely unmemorable growing season.

“Thanks to an excellent set, early fruit stability, and true ripeness, the 2018 Pulido-Walker Melanson Vineyard Cabernet is an exemplary wine. It is intensely colored, with framing acidity and tons of structure. This vineyard does best with a long hang time—the longer we get to ripen the tannin, the better the result. 2018 is a prime example of what we’re aim-ing for with well-integrated tannins, including a somewhat expansive mid palate and no clipping of the finish. All the flavor hallmarks of the vine-yard are on display here, from deeply saturated black fruits to crushed rock to even more of the high-toned white flower component we’ve come to expect in Napa Valley wines from top-tier mountain sites. We’re pleased to follow the tiny 2017 vintage with a more generous offering of what is bound to be a benchmark vintage of this wine. Enjoy it any time over the next three decades.” – Thomas Rivers Brown, Winemaker. Brown, one of the most highly sought-after consulting winemakers in Napa Valley, was named Winemaker of the Year in 2010 by Food & Wine Magazine. Additionally, he is one of only a handful of winemakers globally to have received multiple 100-point wine scores from both The Wine Spectator and The Wine Advocate.

Donor: Donna Walker & Mark Pulido

 

SILENT LOT 141

Dinner for up to 6 guests at the home of Carter and Flynt Griffin prepared by Chef Preston Williams with wine pairings provided by Downtown Wine & Spirits

The setting for this intimate dinner party will be the beautiful and traditional home of Carter and Flynt Griffin situated on the Tennessee River in Sequoyah Hills.  Guests will enjoy spectacular views of both the river and cityscape from every room!

Enjoy gastronomical delights prepared by Chef Preston Williams whose name you may recognize from past residences at Emilia, Rebel Kitchen, and Old City Wine Bar. A North Carolina native, Preston lived and worked in New York City’s culinary scene for ten years rising to Sous Chef and then Chef de Cuisine at Joe Bastianich’s Manzon and Birreria, both facets of the renowned food haven Eataly. Wine pairings will be expertly chosen for each dinner course and provided by the Downtown Wine & Spirits team. The atmosphere, the cuisine, the wine parings – perfecto!

Mutually agreeable date; expires March 6, 2022.

Donor: Carter and Flynt Griffin, Chef Preston Williams and DL Bergmeier / Downtown Wine & Spirits

 

SILENT LOT 142

Long Meadow Ranch Winery Experience for Four! Includes private tour and tasting, dinner featuring a variety of LMR wines in their Farmstead Restaurant, and a take-away gift for each couple of a magnum [1.5L] of LMR Cabernet Sauvignon, extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar grown on the property, plus other provisions from their ranch.

Explore exquisite mountain vineyards and wine caves at Long Meadow Ranch’s Mountain Estate nestled high above Napa Valley. You and your guests will enjoy a guided tasting experience through a selection of their single vineyard and single estate wines. In addition, you will also see the frantoio where their estate organic extra virgin olive oil is produced, and of course you will taste it too.

The Farmstead Restaurant at Long Meadow Ranch is an authentic farm-to-table Napa experience.

Join Long Meadow Ranch for a special, all-inclusive dining experience at their acclaimed and wildly popular restaurant Farmstead. Long Meadow Ranch’s celebrated American farmhouse cuisine is rooted in the Hall family tradition of showcasing fruits and vegetables fresh from their farm, grass-fed beef and lamb from their ranch, and olive oil from their grove, and wines from their vineyards. At their restaurant, the connection to rugged mountain terrain, mineral-rich riverbed benchland, and the cool coastal air is tangible through the dishes and ambiance carefully curated by the Halls and their artisans. The talents of chefs, farmers, cattle ranchers, wine-makers, and restaurant managers create a Napa Valley experience like no other. The evening will start with a personal guided walk through the culinary garden, with a glass of wine in hand, for a sneak peek at what’s growing and on your plate. Dinner will feature a variety of Long Meadow Ranch wines.

Departing gifts from Long Meadow Ranch after the visit (1 set per couple) includes:

• 1.5L bottle LMR Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
• 1 bottle LMR Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Napa Valley
• 1 bottle LMR Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine Vinegar
• Assorted LMR provisions

Advance reservations are required for all experiences in this auction lot and subject to Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions.  Expiration March 31, 2022.

Donor: Long Meadow Ranch

 

SILENT LOT 143

COVID Recovery Lot

The road to health and happiness in 2021 begins with a stimulus package sure to uplift your spirits! Engage your olfactory system with 11 bottles thoughtfully curated by our very own L’Amour du Vin Leadership Team. No need for a rapid test. These wines have all the lingering wino-symptoms: watering of the mouth, bulging of the eyes, smacking of the lips and curling of the mouth. Ready for a better year? Let’s get started with a jaw-dropping, hard to get syrah.

This 2017 Cayuse “Bionic Frog” Walla Walla Valley Syrah has the MAGIC of a vaccine. Opaque with neon purple edges without being inky and massive, this syrah is wonderfully complex, layered, and nuanced. Arguably some of most coveted wines from Washington, Christophe Baron’s Cayuse is a collector’s dream! Even Dr. Fauci would drool over this Bionic Frog. Do not let it hop away!

Next up is 7 heavy hitting cabs. You won’t be able to keep your friends 6 feet apart with names like: Spottswoode, Caymus, Larkmead, Lewis Cellars, Coup de Foudre, The Mascot, Mayacamas. Is your mouth watering yet? #wereallinthistogether with these cabs.

To round out this lot we’ve got a delicious viognier from Northern Rhone, a classically balanced pinot noir, and a fun and uplifting malvasia.

Do not miss this chance to rediscover your taste and smell! Your 2021 self will thank you.

 

• 2017 Syrah Bionic Frog – 98 Jeb Dunnuck, 96 Stephen Tanzer, 94 Wine Spectator
• 2014 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – 96 Antonio Galloni, 95 Jeb Dunnuck
• 2015 Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon – 95 Wine Spectator
• 2015 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon, Dr. Olmo – 97 Antonio Galloni, 96 Jeb Dunnuck
• 2005 Lewis Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – 93 Wine Spectator
• 2012 Coup de Foudre Lightning Bolt Napa Cabernet Sauvignon – 93 Antonio Galloni
• 2015 The Mascot Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2016 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon – 99 Antonio Galloni
• 2017 Condrieu l’Arbuel, Xavier Gerard
• 2016 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir – 96 Decanter, 92 Wine Advocate
• 2018 Benandants Malvasia from Arbe Garbe

Donors: ~LDV 2021 Leadership Team~ Caroline Farris, Matt and Caty Kaye, Courtney and Fletcher Lee, June and Rob Heller, Susan and Lee Hyde, Claire and Mark Speight, Simonne and Taylor Wortham (chairs)