2023 Lateral Red Wine
Regular price $42.98
The 2023 Lateral Red Wine is a refined, Right Bank-inspired Bordeaux blend that continues the Kathryn Kennedy tradition of producing elegant, food-friendly Napa Valley reds. Composed of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the wine emphasizes finesse and freshness over sheer power, drawing inspiration from the graceful wines of Saint-Émilion rather than the more muscular style often associated with Napa Valley.
The nose is immediately inviting, offering aromas of ripe Bing cherry, red plum, and raspberry, accented by subtle notes of fresh herbs, incense, teakwood, cocoa, and sweet baking spice. Gentle French oak contributes hints of vanilla and cream without overshadowing the purity of the fruit, creating a bouquet that is layered yet understated.
On the palate, the 2023 vintage is remarkably supple and energetic. Bright red cherry and plum flavors are joined by nuances of dark chocolate, tree bark, graphite, and savory herbs, all carried by silky tannins and refreshing acidity. This is the lightest-bodied Lateral in recent years, but that restraint is precisely its charm, giving the wine exceptional balance, elegance, and versatility at the table. The finish is long, polished, and subtly mineral, inviting another sip rather than overwhelming the palate.
With its graceful structure and Bordeaux sensibility, the 2023 Lateral is a natural companion to roast chicken, grilled pork tenderloin, duck breast, mushroom dishes, or herb-crusted lamb. While approachable immediately, its balance and fine structure should allow it to evolve beautifully over the next 5–8 years, developing additional earthy and cedar-laced complexity while maintaining its vibrant core of fruit.
Shipping Policy
- Unless your delivery address is on the West Coast, we strongly discourage you from selecting “Ground Service” as your shipping method. During the winter and summer months, weather conditions (temperature) and longer delivery times can often result in the spoilage of your order. It doesn’t make sense to invest in fine wines and then take the chance of ruining them due environmental factors during transit (faster and safer delivery generally isn’t much more expensive). We don’t make an additional profit on accelerated delivery, but we frequently recommend faster shipping options to our customers outside the West Coast.
- You must be 21 years of age to order or receive alcoholic beverages. Any shipments containing alcoholic beverages are sent with an “Adult Signature Required” sticker, and the common carrier that delivers our merchandise is required to ask and check for identification upon delivery. This means that an adult will have to be present at the time of delivery. Please consider shipping to an office address.
- During periods of extreme weather, we attempt to ship wines at the beginning of each week in order to get shipments to you before the weekend. This is because we have no control over the temperature conditions at our freight carriers’ warehouses. The result may be that your shipment doesn’t go out the day that you place an order.
- We ship by Fedex or Fedex Ground. Our prices include packaging materials. Insurance may be available for an additional charge.
- Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. will arrange for shipment on behalf of the buyer, to an address specified by the buyer, provided that Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. in its sole judgment believes that such shipment will not subject Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. to the risk of any sort of legal action or other harm. If a buyer lives in a state where the direct shipment of wine by Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. violates the law, we suggest that the buyer provide an alternative address in another state or have their wine shipped to a third-party storage facility in a direct shipping-friendly state.
- Various states impose limitations on the quantity of alcoholic beverages that may be purchased and brought into their jurisdiction by a purchaser from another state without requiring the purchaser, a seller or shipper to possess certain licenses or permits. Vintage Wine Merchants, Inc. does not, as a condition of sale, assume any obligation nor bear any responsibility whatsoever for applying or obtaining any permits or licenses. Therefore, we recommend that you investigate the possibility of such limitations, and determine the manner in which alcoholic beverages shall be brought into your state from California, so as to comply with all of your state’s requirements.
- Wine shipping rules in the United States are controlled by the state you live in. We do not ship wine to the following states at this time:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Delaware
Kansas - Kentucky
Louisiana - Maine
Maryland - Massachusetts
Michigan - Mississippi
Montana - Nevada
New York - North Dakota
Oklahoma - Pennsylvania
Rhode Island - South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
List Updated 2/1/2023
Please inquire about international shipping.
Vintage Wine Merchants
377 Santana Row, Suite 1135
San Jose, CA 95128
408-260-1115
