Agent Rhone

Chief Marketing Officer

“Navigating vineyards and danger with equal finesse.”

Living in Napa you sort of learn about wine through osmosis - and also your liver. But I also traveled to Italy and the Rhone Valley and experienced a huge variety of wines from outside Napa Valley. I especially loved the Southern Rhone wines, hence my Agent Name, and particularly enjoy Grenache in all its forms.

For 15+ years I’ve worked in various positions in the wine industry. From . now and the last five have been with Wine Spies. Although, is working at Wine Spies really considered “work”? In 2009 my wife took a teaching job in the Bay Area, and we drove across the country from Massachusetts to California. We landed in Napa, and at the time I knew nothing about wine. That changed quickly as we started visiting tasting rooms and making friends in the industry.

If I’m not hanging out with wife, two kids, and two cats I’m probably on the street running and training for the next marathon. In the winter I love to find steep and deep untracked powder. And while I do enjoy a great bottle of red, a crisp kolsch or juicy, hazy IPA always makes a fine choice.

Top Varietals

Cabernet Sauvignon
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Pinot Noir
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Red Blend
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Top Regions

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
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Napa Valley
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Sonoma County
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Recent Picks

Well, the legend is back. WAYFARER!! With 96 points, it’s everything you want and then some in a Chardonnay.

Wayfarer 2022 'The Estate' Fort Ross-Seaview Chardonnay 750ml Wine Bottle
From Burgundy to Sonoma you'd be had pressed to find a better Chardonnay. This has everything - loads of bright fruit, acidity, perfectly woven with oak, slightly malo and just breathtakingly well done. — Agent Rhone

Powerful, rock steady Reserve Mountain Cabernet made by an incredibly talented world-class winemaker…

Viluko Vineyards 2014 Sonoma County Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml Wine Bottle
One of the first wineries I visited when I moved to Napa in 2009. Every wine they make delivers, up and down the lineup and their base Napa Cab is a steal at this price. — Agent Rhone
Convene by Dan Kosta
2019 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Wait a minute dear Operatives… if attractive at the full $62, what about today? PLAIN OLE HOT while it lasts!

Convene by Dan Kosta 2019 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 750ml Wine Bottle
It's like Kosta Browne. Except for the price. What more do you want? Full-bodied, full throttle, fruit bomb with enough acid to keep it bright and flowing. Loads of new oak. — Agent Rhone

95-pt Pinot Powerhouse from what is now Oregon’s newest AVA, made by Paul Hobbs’ protégé!

Guarachi 2021 Fern Creek Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 750ml Wine Bottle
We've had a lot of great Pinots so it's hard to pick one. But this was one that stood out because I usually don't *love* your run of the mill Oregon Pinot. The cult stuff, sure, but this one, for the price delivered in a big way. Extremely juicy, but also great acidity and nicely integrated and spiced oak. — Agent Rhone
Domaine de la Vieille Julienne
2020 'Réservé' Châteauneuf-du-Pape

“Few wines I’d rather have in my cellar (or better yet, on my dinner table), than Vieille Julienne.”Jeb Dunnuck

Domaine de la Vieille Julienne 2020 'Réservé' Châteauneuf-du-Pape 750ml Wine Bottle
Beautiful Chateauneuf. One of my favorite wines I've had period. Loads of red whips, garrique, and silky smooth texture. — Agent Rhone

With a healthy double 92 points and a near 60% OFF we are 100% here for it. Trust your agents of wine with this!

Le Vigne 2019 'Nikiara' Paso Robles Estate Cabernet Blend 750ml Wine Bottle
lush fruit bomb from Paso with everything you want - juicy fruit, a little cardamom/clove spice thing going on, good acidity and best part the price. It was a smashing good value that I kept returning to for more. — Agent Rhone
Elio Altare
2022 Langhe Nebbiolo

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous calls it “a fabulous entry-level wine from Altare” since his Barolos go for $200-300.

Elio Altare 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo 750ml Wine Bottle
I have trouble with a lot of Barolo - they're too tannic, not enough fruit and just too "dirty" and old world for me. This had all the complexity of a great Sangio, with some French oak and modern influence that really pumped it up a bit on the bottom end. Loved this stuff. Drinks way above it's price. — Agent Rhone

You like art as much as we do? And Pinot? Well, what’s better than art or Pinot? Art AND Pinot!

Eric Kent 2016 'Sascha Marie' Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 750ml Wine Bottle
Nostalgia. One of my first WS buys when I began. Lush, forward and full throttle SLH Pinot. — Agent Rhone

They call it “bold, extroverted, and unabashedly Californian” and comparing it to The Prisoner is a disservice.

The Crane Assembly 2019 'Disciples' Napa Valley Zinfandel Blend 750ml Wine Bottle
One of my all time favorite wines. It's the perfect kitchen sink (field) blend made from very old vines in GB Crane Vineyard. With Dave Phinney style thrown on top, it's lavish, hedonistic, and unconventional. Super smashable but also wildly complex enough to impress most traditional wine people. — Agent Rhone

More than 50% off of historically epic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the Valley’s hidden treasures.

Ehlers Estate 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml Wine Bottle
With 10+ years age this has hardly moved, and still had a ton of fruit, with extra complexity from the age. From Opus Winemaker, it's a sleeper hit for me. — Agent Rhone

From the humble $40s to the $400+ elsewhere, there’s something for every budget.

Domaine de la Janasse 2020 'Cuvée Tradition' Châteauneuf-du-Pape 750ml Wine Bottle
It's Janasse. You drink it. You love it. You want more of it. — Agent Rhone

94 (plus 93) points and made from a master in the Pinot game! A name any Pinot Noir enthusiast should know…

Phone Booth 2023 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 750ml Wine Bottle
I kept going back to the well on this one. If you want a full-bodied, lush, fruit-bomb with loads of new French oak, this is what you're looking for. Very much a crowd pleaser Pinot. A Burgundy lover would be ashamed to have this in their glass, but I love it. — Agent Rhone