Capitol Cellars supports social distancing

With school closures, work challenges and social adjustments, we know this is a trying time for many.  It is for us, too, and we want to be part of the solution and support social distancing while local health officials advise us to do so.
Rest assured, we are doing our part to maintain a very clean and safe environment and hope to see you in very soon.  We are limiting seating at the tasting bar and maintaining safe distances between customers.  But we also understand that, for many, a trip to the store may not be advisable.
We have so many wonderful wines and exceptional values in stock, we don’t want you to miss out!  Which is why we are offering FREE DELIVERY on any case purchase to our customers in Granite Bay, Roseville, Rocklin, Loomis and Folsom.
For those in other areas, please get in touch to see what options are available where you live.
Deliveries can be scheduled at your convenience. Call 916-780-9030 or email anytime to make arrangements.
As a reminder, our website and Facebook page are great sources of information for new releases and current specials.  Marcus can also help you put together a mixed case to share with neighbors.
Stay healthy!
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2018 STANDARD DEVIATION Sauvignon Blanc XL

What isn’t special about this wine?
Appellation: Sonoma Mountain is a tiny yet extraordinary area with multiple elevations, exposures, soils, temperatures and humidity – all combining for complexity beyond compare.  When viewed from the west, Sonoma Mountain isn’t a particularly dramatic peak. Comprised of a lumpy series of hills piled on top of each other, briefly green and mostly golden and dotted with groves of live oak, its western flank meets cool winds and fog from the Petaluma Gap.
Winemaking: Why XL? It’s very rare to find a wine aged in what’s known as a French cigar barrel – one extended in length to provide more surface area to maximize lees exposure and impart richer, more complex flavors and aromas.
Aromatics: This is truly one of the brightest, most magical white wines I’ve experienced in a while.  The Thai passionfruit and bright acidity will dazzle you.
Be sure to contact us for our special pricing. Reg. $64.95.
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KEEVER 2015 “Yountville” Napa Valley CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Keever Vineyards is nestled in the western slopes of Yountville, California in the Napa Valley. It is a family-owned and operated winery, producing exquisite Cabernet Sauvignon from the family’s six acres of rocky, hillside vineyards

The stony, loamy soils there are well-drained and well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines are crafted by Celia Welch Masyczek, also known for her winemaking at Scarecrow, Buccella, Lindstrom and Vine Cliff.

When you put Celia and Vineyard Manager Jim Barbour on one team, it is like seeing Joe Montana and Jerry Rice connect for some of the best plays (wines) ever.  Celia’s portfolio is well-known as is Jim’s so it is not surprise that the latest Keever is probably the best one to date!

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon from Keever Vineyards is an excellent showing which is already quite impressive. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon begins with inviting aromatics of crème de cassis, red currants and ripe plums woven together with intense florals, spices, anise, pipe tobacco and hints of dusted cocoa, which all develop in the glass. On the palate this medium to full-bodied Cabernet delivers beautifully concentrated flavors of ripe plums, spices, mocha and dusty minerals. It continues to thoroughly impress as it displays remarkable balance and finesse, with gorgeous round, polished tannins which are well-integrated, resulting in a seamless quality that makes it nearly impossible to resist. Classy and sophisticated.  Contact us for special pricing!

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TAPLIN 2016 “Terra 9” Napa Valley CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Seeking new opportunities, John Orange Taplin came west to San Francisco during the Gold Rush, where he did what he knew best: raising cows. By 1871, San Francisco became too crowded for him, and he moved to St. Helena. The logo is based on his handwriting, taken from the logbook of his deliveries around town. Their family moved across the valley from Taplin Road to Lewelling Lane when their grandfather, Albert Taplin, married their grandmother, Ethel Lewelling.

Stephen and Bill Taplin, the fifth generation of Taplins in the Napa Valley, are now in charge of Taplin Cellars.

Taplin’s winemaker Julien Fayard gained his knowledge and defined his core winemaking style from working at grand Chateaux in France such as Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Laffite. In Napa Valley, he’s worked alongside renowned winemaker Philippe Melka. He has come to be a Napa Valley veteran after more than a decade of working with some of the most highly acclaimed and sought-after wines from the Napa Valley.  With many of Julien’s wines going to $250+ a bottle, this is a great wine for an exceptional price!

The 2016 vintage was another drought year for Napa Valley, producing small yields of exceptionally rich, structured fruit. This lithe, dynamic wine opens with a wild bouquet of brambly berries, freshly turned earth and licorice root. Sweet red fruits explode on the palate, with juicy pomegranate and Bing cherry soaring into ripe plum, allspice, mocha and milk chocolate notes. Fine, well-integrated tannins give wonderful grace and texture to the sleek fruit core, which arcs into lingering, mouthwatering finish of bright berry, black tea, and sweet oak spice.  Special price of $64.95

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BRAVE & MAIDEN 2016 “Union” Red Blend

Every patch of earth has a story rooted deep in its soil – an evolving, unfolding story. The story of Brave & Maiden began in 2011, with their very first vintage. Although the vineyard was planted in the mid-1990s, its grapes had never been produced as a single vineyard wine. That changed when Rizal Risjad acquired the property in 2010 and, along with friend and business partner Jason Djang, developed a vision of producing the finest estate-grown wines they could from this singular estate. With that first 2011 vintage, these two families, the Risjads and Djangs, established Brave & Maiden Estate.

Brave & Maiden wines are thoughtfully crafted under the direction of veteran winemaker Paul Hobbs. Paul is highly regarded for his ability to identify exceptional vineyards and for his pioneering spirit in working with new and historical sites and regions. He’s been twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, Jr. and is considered one of the world’s preeminent winemakers.

In their portfolio of wines, you’ll find exquisite Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.  They have also taken on a particular goal of producing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Ynez.

Union is a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, sourced exclusively from Brave & Maiden’s singular estate in Santa Barbara Wine Country.

A deep red in the glass, the bouquet is reminiscent of dark, red fruits with hints of caramel, baking spice and sweet fruit with a hint of eucalyptus. The dense and structured palate is balanced with supple tannins, blackberry, and finishes with allspice and a touch of warmth that sports a long, elegant finish.  Now just $29.95.

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Beauties from BRULIAM

When Owner/Winemaker Kerith Overstreet was small, her dad used to say, “You can be whatever you want after medical school.”  So she did.  After completing medical school (U. of Rochester), residency, and two fellowships (UCSD), she thought winemaking sounded more fun.  So she enrolled at UC Davis to study enology and catapulted into the 2008 harvest.

Starting with a single barrel, Kerith has grown Bruliam Wines to 1,000 cases a year, mostly single vineyard Pinot Noir with a smidge of Rockpile Zinfandel. With delight and an “OK” from the CF-NO (aka the hubby), she added Chardonnay in 2017.  Cherishing her grower relationships, Kerith has aligned herself with top vineyards and growers to supply her fruit.  Today she cherry-picks her fruit from the top vineyards in Sonoma County, Santa Lucia Highlands, and her own Torrey Hill Vineyard in the Russian River Valley.

Although her deepest passion is for making wine, Kerith manages all of the day-to-day winery operations.   She also holds the following titles: Chief of Grower Relations, Head of Marketing, Director of Sales, and Go-to Tank Sanitizer.  So yeah, one could say that she basically holds every winery position herself, with the exception of spreadsheets.  (The CF-NO handles Excel.)

I have to say her wines are stunning!!  After tasting her Chardonnay from one of the most famous vineyards in California, I was sold.  I generally don’t care for Chardonnay but hers was a game changer…bright, fresh, lemonhead candies, citrus and stone fruit with just the right touch of minerality of river rock that is beautifully balanced.

The next wine I tried was her “Gap’s Crown” Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noirt..the palate is a plush expanse of black cherry and boysenberry.  With smooth tannins and fulfilling richness, the finish is long and flavorful.  Another famous vineyard, Gap’s Crown delivers extraordinary depth and Kerith’s ability to bring all the components into perfect harmony…again, a stunning wine. And with our special price, you will not be able to resist it!

Lastly, I was introduced to her “Rockpile” Vineyard Zinfandel.  You have to give Kerith a lot of credit to be able to procure grapes that have a long list of clients standing in line to purchase.  She’s a special person with enormous talents as a winemaker and as a person! A mouthwatering wine with juiciness you know and love.  Black plum and exotic spices co-exist with sandalwood and rich star anise.  Crushed French herbs linger in the background, and a mouthful of dark fruit offers terrific length.  That trademark Rockpile minerality keeps the wine focused and taut.  This is a food-friendly Zin with soft tannins that invite sip after sip after sip.

CALL OR EMAIL FOR SPECIAL PRICING!!

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CULT WINERIES RELEASE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THEIR WINES

It’s no secret that a few wineries that are in cult status make other wines that are much less expensive but nonetheless from the same vineyard and winemaker.  This is their opportunity to connect with customers that enjoy great wines but do not want to necessarily spend hundreds per bottle.  Due to the limited production only a select number of retailers in the country have access to these wines and we are honored to be one of those few.

CHECKERBOARD 2016 “IMPETUOUS” Diamond Mountain Napa Valley CABERNET SAUVIGNON

The source of Impetuous is Checkerboard Vineyards, a 300-acre wine estate in Napa Valley that spans one entire, undivided mountainside. The estate and its four small vineyards, planted among the woods and at varying elevations, are the inspiration for a singular wine that represents the mountain and its soils. Impetuous is handmade at Checkerboard from the same wine lots of the three single vineyard wines that sell for over $300 each and produced for their acclaimed portfolio and blended to be enjoyed without the need for decanting or aging.
Less than 300 cases produced. The winemaker is Martha McClellan of Harlan, Sloan, Blankiet, Levy & McClellan and Vineyard 7 & 8 fame.

2016 Impetuous is the color of summer-ripened cherries and boysenberries and smells of deep red fruits, vanilla, cocoa powder, violets, and cinnamon. On the palate, the wine has a silky texture and is equally packed with power and finesse. It is balanced without effort and rewards with an ample finish. Give yourself permission to open a bottle on Taco Tuesday as a reminder that more time should be spent being this spontaneous. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot & 5% Cabernet Franc.  SPECIAL PRICING $79.95…while it lasts.

COVERT ESTATE 2017 Napa Valley CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Tucked away on a steep hillside in the heart of Coombsville, Napa Valley, Covert Estate is a unique terroir perfect for winemaking. They believe in leaving a minimal footprint out of respect for the environment and the land that creates their one-of-a-kind Covert wines.  With such incredible attention to detail and having one of the best winemakers in the world, Julien Fayard, Covert wines are several hundreds of dollars each.  But what if you were able to purchase a Covert Cabernet for a fraction…wouldn’t that pique your interest??  AND you cannot even purchase this wine at COVERT!!

This 2017 Cabernet displays the depth and balance that you expect from Julien.  Deep flavors of black fruits and dark chocolate mocha just seems to go on and on.  Tannins are silky and lush making you want more!!  SPECIAL PRICING $84.95…while it lasts.

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