New wines: J. Lohr Signature, Vinod labels honoring NASA programs

New year, new wines: here are the latest bottles to be excited about in 2017.

J. Lohr Signature: In celebration of founder Jerry Lohr’s 80th, J. Lohr is releasing its first ultra-premium wine. Signature is 79% Cabernet Sauvignon hand-harvested from J. Lohr’s best Paso Robles vineyards, along with 18% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot sourced from its Napa Valley sites. Expect this one to go quickly — it retails at $100 with only 966 half-cases produced. [Photo: J. Lohr]

Vidon Vineyards: When launching satellites and rockets into space isn’t enough of an accomplishment, try making wines named after those projects. Vidon Vineyards founder and NASA veteran Don Hagge has just launched three new wines named after some of its most iconic programs — which he also happened to work on. APOLLO Chardonnay, SATURN Syrah, and Explorer Tempranillo are available online and from the winery’s tasting room. “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make good wine, but it doesn’t hurt if you are,” says Hagge.

Beaulieu Vineyards Rarity: The latest from Beaulieu Vineyards is based off of the epic 2013 Napa Valley vintage and has already received 99 points from Robert Parker. Check out their video here. [Luxury Insider]