Smith-Madrone

One of the unique wineries in Napa, Smith-Madrone produces outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling wines. The source from their dry-farmed estate vineyards surrounding the winery on top of Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley. Stuart Smith chose specific slopes with different exposures for specific varietals when planting the vineyards: eastern exposure for Riesling, southern and western exposures across flat stretches for the Cabernet Sauvignon and the coolest north-facing slopes for the Chardonnay. The soil is mostly deep-red Aiken Stoney Clay loam, and is primarily volcanic-based, well-drained and deep for mountain soils. The estate is a 200 acre ranch, partly planted as vineyard over a century ago. California black bears and other wildlife once thrived here as did 120-year-old Picholine olive trees which frame a path and view down to the floor of the Napa Valley. 

Check out the outstanding 2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which is concentrated and highly complex. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://www.smithmadrone.com Here are the great new releases from Smith-Madrone.

2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon— Coming from their estate in the Spring Mountain District, the 2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon is polished and round from this hot vintage. Tar, tobacco leaf and black currants all combine on the palate, with bright acidity. This is a great accomplishment from this tough vintage. Drink 2026-2036- 93

Gorman

One of the outstanding wineries of Washington, Gorman is founded by Chris Gorman who began his winery shortly after graduating from college in 1991. He has a world-palate as a former Italian importer and has travelled extensively in the wine areas of Italy, Spain and Germany. He finally started his winery in 2002. The winery has been a small operation, crafting consistently good wines from the Columbia Valley. Chris focuses on the terroir from Red Mountain and works with great vineyards such as Kiona, Shaw and many others. They make world-class Chardonnay called their ‘Big Sissy’ and also under his Ashan label. This label has Chardonnays that showcase some of the state’s top vineyards. He makes world-class Chardonnay under the Ashan label.

The best Chardonnay yet from him, the 2025 Gorman ‘Big Sissy’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) is heavily-weighted and is a massive uppercut of tropical fruits and melon in the glass. It is not for the weary but it is sinfully good right now. The best wine I tried was the  Gorman ‘The Albatross’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is a remarkable achievement from this slightly cooler vintage. Learn more about these outstanding wines at gormanwinery.com. Here are the great new wines by Chris Gorman and his Gorman Winery. 

2025 Leave The Gun Take The Cannoli Vermentino- All sourced from the Boushey Vineyard, this shows green melon and lemon rind on the nose alongside shades of walnut. The palate is fresh and lively with loads of mouth-watering acidity and a soft texture. Tank fermented, this was partially aged in neural oak. Delicious! Drink 2026-2031- 91

2025 Leave The Gun Take The Cannoli Rose- Made from Sangiovese grapes, the 2025 Rose is also sourced from the Boushey Vineyard. This offers damp earthy tones on the nose with pretty red florals and guava fruit. The palate is lithe and fresh with a terrific texture and finesse. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2025 Gorman ‘The Devil Wears Pink’ Rose- A blend of Syrah and Grenache, this wine has been made for roughly eight years. Pretty red rose petals combine with orange rind and shades of bergamot on the nose. The palate is neatly-textured with good freshness and a delightful core of red fruits. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2025 Ashan Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, the 2025 Ashan Rose shows off wet stone, cranberry and shades of red licorice on the nose. The palate is seamless and elegant, with serious nuance. Highly delicate red fruits combine with salted rocks and shades of orange peel on the palate. Drink 2026-2033- 92

2025 Ashan ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Connor Lee Vineyrd as well as the Cold Creek Vineyards, the 2025 ‘Columbia Valley’ underwent partial malolactic fermentation and was stored in all natural oak. White peach, and white florals mark the nose alongside shades of juicy pear on the nose. The palate is plush and lively with bright acidity. This is seriously good stuff that drinks beautifully now. Drink 2026-2033- 92

2025 Gorman ‘Big Sissy’ Chardonnay- The 2025 Gorman ‘Big Sissy’ Chardonnay is from both the Cold Creek and Connor Lee Vineyards. Unabashedly big, this is not for the weary. It is a dense and delicious wine that comes up unctuous on the mouth. Roasted pineapple and papaya with salted macadamia nut all combine on the palate. The weight and length on the palate is astonishingly good. Drink 2026-2035- 95

2023 Gorman ‘A Bad Penny Always Turns Up’ Grenache- The 2023 Gorman ‘A Bad Penny Always Turns Up’ Grenache is named after Rory Gallagher’s song. Ripe red fruits combine with red licorice and shades of orange blossom on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with serious texture and weight. A lush core of red fruits greet you on the palate with orange zest and tobacco leaf. This is seriously good stuff that is already neatly-evolved. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2023 Gorman Winery ‘Leave The Gun Take The Cannoli Part 1’ Red Wine- Made in homage to the Long Shadows ‘Saggi’ and is a Sangiovese-dominant blend (65%) with Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Petit Verdot. This is dense and rich with terrific volume and texture. Showing loads of mouth-watering acidity, this has great flavor complexity with orange peel and bergamot alongside ripe blackberry and chocolate notes. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Gorman Winery ‘Leave The Gun Take The Cannoli Part 2’ Red Wine- All Barbera from the Boushey Vineyard, the 2023 Gorman Winery ‘Leave The Gun Take The Cannoli Part 2’ Red Wine offers blue fruits on the nose alongside shades of grapefruit blossom and shades of molten chocolate. The palate is dense and delicious with a refined texture and great sense of weight. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2024 Gorman Winery ‘Leave The Gun Take The Cannoli Part 3’ Nebbiolo- The 2024 Gorman Winery ‘Leave The Gun Take The Cannoli Part 3’ Nebbiolo comes from the Corfu Crossing Vineyard. Aged in DRC barrels, this shows pretty red florals that combine with kumquat zest and shades of red licorice. The palate is elegant and refined with loads of mouth-watering acidity and finesse. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Gorman Winery ‘Sinner’s Punch’ Red Wine- Just bottled in 2026, the 2023 ‘Sinner’s Punch’ combines Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) with smaller parts Merlot, Malbec and the remainder Petit Verdot. Stored in roughly 25% new French oak, this delivers  cassis, mocha, tar and black licorice on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with serious texture and weight. Black currants combine with creme de violette, and a graphic edge on the palate. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2022 Gorman Winery ‘Zachary’s Ladder’ Red Wine- The 2022 Gorman Winery ‘Zachary’s Ladder’ Red Wine is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) with smaller parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. Dried herbs and chocolate combine with black currants on the nose. The palate is refined and elegant with a smooth mouthfeel and generous core of dark fruits with a chocolate and graphite edge. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2022 Gorman Winery ‘Pixie’ Syrah- Sourced from the Red Haven and Stanton Vineyards, the 2022 ‘Pixie’ is inky in the glass. Black and red florals combine with shades of violets and anise seed. The palate shows loads of mouth-watering acidity with chocolate, espresso grounds and heady dark fruits. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2022 Gorman Winery ‘Evil Twin’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Evil Twin’ combines 75% Syrah with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. This has amazing volume and texture with terrific freshness. Black cherry compote, dark chocolate shavings and black licorice flavors combine with dried herbs on the palate. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2022 Gorman Winery ‘Bully’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Bully’ was sourced from Red Mountain. Fresh sage and black cherry mark the nose alongside shades of creme de cassis. The palate is deep and concentrated with terrific texture and weight. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2022 Gorman Winery ‘The Albatross’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Mainly sourced from the Oblesco Vineyard, the 2022 ‘The Albatross’ is a barrel selection wine was stored in all new French oak before bottling. This is refined, elegant and concentrated wine. Dark kirsch and black raspberry flavors combine with dark chocolate shavings, and graphite all combine on the palate. Drink 2026-2042- 96

2023 Gorman Winery ‘The F.O.G.’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Named ‘Friends of Gorman’ the 2023 ‘F.O.G.’ is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Cold Creek Vineyard. This wine has been made since 2008. Black currant jelly, tar and shades of black licorice all combine with sagebrush accents on the nose. The palate is plush and refined with a silky mouthfeel and loads of freshness. Drink 2026-2043- 95

2009 Gorman Winery ‘Cry Baby’ Late Harvest Chenin Blanc- The 2009 Gorman Winery ‘Cry Baby’ Late Harvest Chenin Blanc stands golden in the glass. It is sinfully good on the palate. Roasted pineapple and papaya alongside passion fruits and shades of nutmeg drenched pear on the palate. This is magical to consume now. Drink 2026-2036- 96

Januik, Novelty Hill and Andrew Januik

A gorgeous winery in Woodinville, Januik and Novelty Hill is a must-visit or any lover of Washington wine. Winemaker Andrew Januik trained under his father, Washington wine icon Mike Januik, who was formerly head winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle and Col Solare before starting his own winery. Mike is a master of crafting great wines from literally any varietal. For years I have admired his Chardonnay wines that show insanely good aging potential — even from hot sites like the Cold Creek Vineyard. These guys are also crafting some of the greatest values wines in the state.

My family loves visiting this gorgeous facility in Woodinville. The food quality at Januik just keeps on getting better. I had such a nice visit with Andrew and Mike, as we talked Washington wine and the state of the industry. They have been doing really well despite the economic downturn in wine.

I love the 2024 Januik ‘Sagemoor’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which is a killer value buy Even better is the 2023 Januik ‘Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is one of the finest wines I have ever tasted from this house.  Learn more about these great wines at  https://www.noveltyhilljanuik.com/ and here are my reviews of the great new wines by Januik/Novelty Hill.

2025 Januik ‘Cerulean’ White Wine- A Rhone-inspired blend from the Les Collines Vineyard, the 2025 Januik ‘Cerulean’ White Wine is smooth and juicy on the mouth with vibrant acidity. Bright pear and starfruit combine with shades of sourdough bread on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Januik ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2024 Januik ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc offers white peach and lilac on the nose alongside pink grapefruit blossom. This shows a smooth mouthfeel with loads of mouth0watering acidity. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Novelty Hill ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2024 Novelty Hill ‘Sagemoor Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc offers sweet gooseberry and kiwi on the nose with freshly cut grass. The palate shows vibrant minerality with a smooth mouthfeel. This is a seriously good value. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2025 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Viognier- The 2025 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Viognier shows honeysuckle and gardenia on the nos alongside roasted peaches. The palate is fresh and refined with a smooth texture and bright acidity. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Roussanne- Green melon and starfruit mark the nose alongside brioche tones. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2023 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay shows off its creamy texture with excellent weight from this warm vintage. The palate is rich and refined with a sterling tension with salty nuances. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Januik ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2024 Januik ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from this historic site. Toasty brioche, juicy peach and ripe pineapple all mark the nose. The palate is plush and round with a terrific mouthfeel and comes off seamless throughout the drinking experience. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2025 Spring Run Rose- A superb GSM-style Rose, the 2025 Spring Run Rose offers juicy pear, strawberry and guava flavors. Showing excellent tension and salty nuances, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2022 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2022 Novelty Hill ‘Stillwater Creek Vineyard’ Grenache offers pure red fruits with a dusting of orange peel and bergamot notes on the palate. Soft and round, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Januik ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2023 Januik ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Grenache is juicy and delicious to enjoy right now. Intense red fruits combine with a silky mouthfeel and kumquat zest notes. Fat and round, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2022 Novelty Hill Sangiovese- The 2022 Novelty Hill Sangiovese offers cloves, tar and blood orange zest on the nose. The palate is refined and elegant with a silky texture and generous red fruits with garrigue and salty minerals. Drink 2026-2033- 92

2022 Andrew Januik ‘Los Molinos’ Red Wine- A GSM-inspired blend, the 2022 ‘Los Molinos’ offers tar, sandalwood and dried herbs on the nose with dense dark fruits. The palate is refined and juicy with vibrant red fruits alongside orange rind and bergamot notes. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2022 Novelty Hill ‘Il Corvo’ Red Wine- The 2022 Novelty Hill ‘Il Corvo’ Red Wine is well-structured, juicy and delightful wine. Bright red and dark fruits parade with sandalwood and chocolate notes on the palate. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2023 Andrew Januik ‘Doppelganger’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Doppelganger’ offers a great structure and weight, with lovely acidity. Dense dark fruits mingle well with copious minerals and fresh sage on the palate. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2023 Januik ‘Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2023 Januik ‘Reserve’ is a barrel selection wine that is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Discovery and Quintessence Vineyards. Inky in the glass, this delivers a seamless texture on the mouth. Heady dark fruits pared with dark chocolate shavings, sandalwood and shades of black currant jelly. The combination of flavor density, weight and freshness here is simply outstanding. Drink 2026-2046- 95

2023 Andrew Januik ‘Baba Jaga’ Cabernet Sauivgnon- An amazing wine sourced from the Southwind Vineyard, the 2023 ‘Baba Jaga’ stands inky in the glass, offers dried herbs and dark currants n the nose with tar and anise notes. The palate is seamless and refined as this glides through the mid-palate with terrific depth and concentration. Drink 2026-2039- 94

Brooks

Today we share one of the great producers of Riesling on the West Coast. Jimi Brooks, a Portland native who came to wine through his passion for history and philosophy. Jimi previously worked in Beaujolais, and eventually returned to Oregon to focus on crafting great Riesling and Pinot Noir. Brooks farms twenty acres in the Eola-Amity Hills, a sub-region of the Willamette Valley characterized by higher altitudes and the ocean winds that blow through the Van Duzer Corridor. Claire Jarreau serves as head winemaker. She has done an amazing job with the latest round of releases.

Do not miss out on the 2019 Brooks ‘Extended Tirage’ Riesling Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) which is a world-class wine with sensational flavor range. I adore the 2024 Brooks ‘Ara’ Riesling (OB, 94), which is very nervy and dense. Learn about this fantastic new lineup at https://www.brookswine.com/ Here are the outstanding new wines by Brooks. 

2019 Brooks ‘Extended Tirage’ Riesling- Another spectacular edition of this wine, the truly novel 2019 Brooks ‘Extended Tirage’ Riesling comes from this slightly cooler vintage in the Willamette Valley. Once on the nose this takes on dense honeydew melon and salted Macadamia nut notes alongside shades of lychee. The palate is fresh, viscous and refined with plenty of earthy elegance and a bright salinity that rips through the core of the wine. Seriously good to enjoy right now, savor this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2024 Brooks ‘Willamette Valley’ Riesling- The 2024 ‘Willamette Valley’ Riesling is dense and tension-filled on the mouth, with loads of bright acidity. Juicy pear and green apple combine with green papaya notes on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2025 Brooks Pinot Blanc- The 2025 Brooks Pinot Blanc comes off fat and round on the mouth, wth juicy melon tones. Medium-weighted, with good underling finesse, and a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Brooks ‘Ara’ Riesling- A limited production bottling, the 2024 ‘Ara’ is made in the Trocken style. Bone dry, this exudes class with its silky texture and refined mouthfeel. Dense citrus and melon fruits combine with shades of salted French bread. The lingering finish is astonishingly good. This has both the freshness and flavor density to go for another decade. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2024 Brooks ‘Bois Joli Vineyard’ Riesling- Coming from this location in the Eola-Amity Hills, the 2024 Brooks ‘Bois Joli Vineyard’ Riesling this offers petrol and honeysuckle’s on the nose with hints of cloves. The palate is lush and ripe with terrific tension and richness. This tension-filled beauty has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2024 Brooks ‘Brooks Esate Vineyard’ Riesling- The 2024 ‘Brooks Estate Riesling’ stands golden in the glass. Cardamom drenched peaches, kerosene and shades of honeyed walnut all mark the nose. The palate is vibrant and tension-filled, with brisk acidity and excellent weight and length. Showing just the slightest kiss of sweetness, this is best consumed now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Brooks ‘Sweet P’ Riesling- The 2024 ‘Sweet P’ is made in the Kabinett style that is pushing Spatlase sweetness. Ripe nectarine and juicy Japanese pear combines with ginger and hints of sweetened gooseberry on the palate. Really good now, watch this evolve over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2025 Brooks ‘Pinot Noir’ Rose- The 2025 Brooks ‘Pinot Noir’ Rose delivers a smooth texture, showing delicate red fruits and citrus rind accents. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2024 Brooks ‘Noble Select’ Riesling- Coming from the Hyland Vineyard, the 2024 ‘Noble Select’ offers candied ginger, honeysuckle and shades of sweet peach on the nose. The combination of weight and freshness is outstanding. Made in the Auslese style, this is concentrated, neatly-textured stuff that has a long life in front of it. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2024 Brooks ‘Janus’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Janus’ Pinot Noir comes from several locations across the Willamette Valley. It shows perfumed red florals that combine with thyme and wild strawberry notes on the nose. The palate is juicy and delicious with loads of freshness and a core of bright red fruits, with orange peel and bergamot accents. Drink 2026-2033- 92

2023 Brooks ‘Old Vine Pommard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Old Vine Pommard’ Pinot Noir comes from this eastern-facing location in the Brooks Estate Vineyard. Once on the nose this takes on wafts of black truffle, alongside peat moss, black cherry and shades of red licorice. The palate is unmistakably earthy with bright acidity and a fleshy texture. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2024 Brooks ‘Rastaban’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Rastaban’ comes from the Brooks Estate Vineyard, first planted in 1973. This comes off mineral-laden and lush with a refined mouthfeel. Loads of red and dark fruits fill the palate, with damp earth and rocky soil nuances. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2024 Brooks ‘Cashiers’ Pinot Noir- An outstanding Pinot Noir in the Brooks lineup, the 2024 Brooks ‘Cashiers’ Pinot Noir has depth, weight and great finesse.  A fabulous core of red and dark fruits gets you on the palate, while dried herbs and stony minerals mingle well with kumquat zest notes. Medium to full bodied, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2039- 94

Upchurch Vineyard

It is my pleasure to share the incredible wines of Chris Upchurch and Upchurch Vineyard. This is one of the greats on Red Mountain and really one of the most gorgeous spots to taste in all of the Pacific Northwest. Chris Upchurch is a legendary winemaker, having crafted an incredible range of wines for DeLille Cellars before starting his first outpost more than a decade ago. He now has an outpost in Woodinvlle that is right in the town center, near the new Somm Hotel. I tasted there with him for several hours and we chatted wine and soccer. He is one of the icons of Washington wine.

I adore the new 2025 Upchurch Vineyard Rose (OB, 93) which is one of the best Rose wines from Washington that I have tasted this year. Learn more about this fantastic winery at https://upchurchvineyard.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Upchurch Vineyard.

2025 Upchurch Vineyard Rose- The incredible 2025 Upchurch Rose comes from Candy Mountain and is all Grenache that was stored in concrete before bottling. Strawberry, guava and orange blossom all combine on the nose. This is heady and dense, yet is seamless throughout the drinking experience. This has amazing push/pull between tension and richness. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2024 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Southwest Facing’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2024 ‘Southwest Facing’ comes from the Boushey Vineyard. The nose is downright killer with green herbs that combine with peach, lychee and shades of green melon. The palate is refined and elegant with a seamless mouthfeel and great concentration with salty minerals. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Candy Mountain’ Merlot- The 2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Candy Mountain’ Merlot comes from this location that neighbors Red Mountain. Cocoa powder and scorched earth combine with blackberry compote on the nose. The palate is lush and ripe with terrific flavor density and loads of salty minerals. This is already neatly-defined stuff that will drink brilliantly over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Counterpart’ Merlot- All Merlot from the Upchurch Vineyard, the 2023 ‘Counterpart’ offers violets, rocky soils and shades of anise with black licorice on the nose. The palate is velvety and soft with amazing volume and flavor density. The weight and length is outstanding. Drink 2026-2044- 95

2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘LTL’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘LTL’ is ai killer value by Chris Upchurch. Violets, tar and black currants mark the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture and excellent sense of weight. This is already beautifully-evolved stuff that is best enjoyed over the next six plus years. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Quintessence Block 51’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Quintessence Block 51’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers beautiful black florals on the nose with scorched earth and tar notes with dark chocolate shavings. The palate is lush and refined with a great sense of flavor density and underlying finesse. Drink 2026-2042- 94

2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Heart of the Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Heart of the Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon is refined and elegant on the palate. Concentrated boysenberry and black currant flavors combine with tar and anise seed on the palate. A delightful bottling that is drinking marvelously now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2023 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- What is possibly the finest release of this wine, and certainly 2018 and 2021, the 2023 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a decadent, delicious bottling that is already beautifully evolved. Blackberry compote and black fliraosl combine wth shades of Hoisin sauce and black licorice. The palate is seamless throughout the drinking experience with loads of salty minerality. An outstanding wine that has tons of cellaring potential, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2044- 97

Founding of Academie Wines

Founding of Academie Wines

We have some big news out of the Willamette Valley today with the founding of Academie Wines. This is a really enticing project founded by legends Thomas Savre of Lingua Franca fame, as well Dominique Lafon and Bertrand de Villaine.

The idea is not to make Oregon wines just like Burgundy wines. They will have two levels of wines -- one that is more for the collector (Academie) and the other for everyday consumption (Ostia Tempore). Their top wine will be named La Grande Comète which is in homage to the comet, Tsuchinshan‑ATLAS, that graced the Willamette Valley skies in October 2024.

Having followed Savre's career for more than a decade, I am thrilled to check out these wines and see what is produced by this new electric project.

Learn more at academiewine.us

Cheers,

Owen

Pinstripe

Sitting with Amy Andrews, we talked about her brand and emotional story about her inspiring uncle.  It was only fitting that I shared mine of my uncle, eye surgeon Dr. Brian Lueth, who is suffering from Parkinson’s. We both shared this incredible connection about our uncles who have suffered tragedy — yet we look back at their lives with peace and an adoration of their accomplishments. Pinstripe Wines is a story about persevering through tragedy. The story honors co-founder Amy Andrews’s uncle, an artist, who was diagnosed with AIDS in the beginning of the crisis and he used blood lines to make his art. His partner was a doctor and he had to give blood regularly. He would come home and over his art he put his bloodlines across each piece of his art. He did that to show how his life was affected by diseases and facing death — going through a hard time. It was obvious that this became a pinstriped type of art. This beautiful mark on each sparkling wine bottle is influenced by a piece of his art. Pinstripe is a 100% women-owned, LGBTQ-owned brand.

Some of the best, most kind-hearted people in Pacific Northwest wine, Amy and Jeri Andrews, donate 100% of the proceeds to the Seattle Children’s Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund. I have known Amy and Jeri for years now and they are highly passionate about sparkling wines having great knowledge of the great champagnes of the world.

Pinstripe has produced two new wines made by acclaimed winemaker Kate Payne Brown, who is also head winemaker at Argyle. I adore the 2015 Pinstripe ‘Bright Knight’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) which is a dizzying effort with incredible weight and flavor range from this warm vintage in Oregon. Learn more about the wines at https://www.pinstripewines.com/ and here are my reviews of the inaugural wines by Pinstripe Wines.

2022 Pinstripe ‘Lumiere’ Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2022 ‘Lumiere’ checks in at 6.5G/L dosage and was disgorged recently in April 2026 after spending more than three years on the lees. A brilliant salmon hue, this opens with teaberry and shades of red licorice on the nose with spicy pear and loganberry notes. The palate is very refined, showing a kiss of sweetness alongside brilliant melon and red fruits. Enticing and lively, with a soft mousse, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2015 Pinstripe ‘Bright Knight’ Sparkling Wine- The totally dazzling 2015 ‘Bright Knight’ is a limited edition, fitting tribute the original Batman actor, Adam West. This is both a decadent and delicious bottling with a cause as all proceeds from this wine go to Seattle Children’s Hospital Uncompensated Care Fund. This is a fully-mature wine from a warm vintage in Oregon. Ripe and round on the tongue, this combines heady melon and citrus fruits with nutty and damp earthy notes on the palate. Given more and more air, this keeps getting better, showing even deeper flavor complexity, weight and refinement. Drinking marvelously now, enjoy over the next eight years to come. Drink 2026-2034- 95

Domaine Roy & Fils

An exciting Willamette Valley house, Domaine Roy & Fils was founded in 2012 by Marc-Andre Roy and Jared Etzel, sons of the pioneering winegrowers who established the renowned Beaux Frères. The estate spans 42 acres across two acclaimed sites in the Dundee Hills and Yamhill-Carlton appellations. Thirty-two acres are planted to Pinot Noir and ten to Chardonnay, with each block cultivated and harvested with an exacting approach. In 2023 Domaine Roy & Fils was purchased by the Frescobaldi family—whose winemaking legacy dates back over seven centuries.

I love the new wines which were remarkably consistent. Check out the very salty and stony 2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Quartz Acorn’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is neatly texture and has a wonderful sense of tension. Learn more at https://domaineroy.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Domaine Roy & Fils wines.

2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Incline’ Chardonnay- The 2024 ‘Incline’ comes from a range of locations throughout the Willamette Valley. On the nose this takes on poached pear and brioche notes alongside yellow plum. The palate is well-structured, with good freshness and a smooth texture. The mouth-watering acidity here is outstanding, as this is best enjoyed over the next eight years to come. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Quartz Acorn’ Chardonnay- The 2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Quartz Acorn’ Chardonnay is an outstanding wine that checks in well over the 100 dollar mark. Stored for ten months in mainly neutral oak, this Yamhill-Carlton AVA site set on marine sedimentary  soils, with a novel presence of crystalline quartz. It is bright and very laden with story minerals. Rich citrus and melon fruits parade with wet gravel and shades of cardamom laced pastry crust. The Chabliesque-like rocky and almost chalky presence makes this particularly enticing. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir offers red rose petals with wild strawberry and shades of Yakima cherry on the nose. The palate is dense and soft with a refined mouthfeel and great melange of black and red fruits. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Quartz Acorn’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2024 Domaine Roy & Fils ‘Quartz Acorn’ Pinot Noir comes from this site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA site set on ancient marine sedimentary soils. The palate is brimming with tension alongside rocky and salty nuances with Bing cherry, tobacco leaf and shades of blood orange zest. Complex and delicious, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2040- 94

Goldeneye Pinot Noir Vertical Tasting

I have loved the Pinot Noirs by Goldeneye for years. A Duckhorn venture located in Philo, California, Goldeneye is. led by winemaker Kristin McMcMahan. Originally from California's Central Valley, in 2012, Kristen moved to Sonoma County to dedicate herself to wine full time. In addition to joining the winemaking team at Korbel, where she spent six years honing her skills working with sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, she began studying at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she earned an Associate of Science degree in enology. Kristen also gained invaluable experience with cool-climate Pinot Noir working for Joseph Phelps’s Freestone Winery on the Sonoma Coast.

I had a chance to taste vintages 2019-2023. The vintages are very different but I was most surprised with the 20202 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which was a wine that came off very clean and rich. No reason to cellar this beauty. The 2019 ‘Anderson Valley’ (OB, 93) was mineral laden and impressively finesse-driven, with a pretty core of red fruits. This one is really coming into its own right now. And the new wine, coming from a slightly cooler vintage, the 2023 ‘Anderson Valley’ (OB, 93) was just as good and alined most closely with the ’19 in the tasting. Overall the tasting showed the incredible consistency of Goldeneye wines. There is good reason why the wines are so popular — they taste delicious and are well-made, age worthy Pinots. Learn more about these outstanding Pinot Noirs at https://www.goldeneyewinery.com Here are the great new releases by Goldeneye.

2019 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir by Goldeneye is primarily estate fruit that was stored in 51% new French oak before bottling. Red currants combine with salty soils and Mandarin orange peel on the nose. The palate is lush and also mineral-laden with loads of bright red fruits and shades of loamy soils. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2020 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2020 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir is a resounding success from this tough vintage. This displays good power with salty tension on the palate, with a killer melange of red and dark fruits, with damp clay soil notes. Beautifully-textured, this is nicely evolved stuff that is drinking at peak right now. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2021 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The dense and delicious 2021 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir is composed of roughly half estate fruit. This Pinot Noir was stored for 16 months in 100% French oak (42% new) before bottling. This is very seamless throughout the drinking experience as medium-bodied kirsch and red raspberry notes combine with provencal herbs and shades of tobacco leaf with sous bois. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2022 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from this exceedingly hot vintage that saw heat spikes at harvest. This shows good mid-palate depth with Linzer torte and loganberry notes that combine with salty minerals on the palate. Drink 2026-2033- 92

2023 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir comes off smooth and mineral-laden on the mouth, coming from several sites from this region. Forest floor, peat moss and damp earthy tones collide with bright red and dark fruits, with citrus zest accents on the palate. This is very well-done. Drink 2026-2034- 93

Gran Moraine

Today we share the wines from an outstanding Oregon house. Gran Moraine is named after the cataclysmic floods that descended on the northern Willamette Valley of Oregon during the last ice age. As the flood waters receded, they impacted the region, leaving small indentations or mini valleys (moraines), similar to those in the the Côte ’Or in Burgundy. Located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Gran Moraine has 220 acres planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Shane Moore is an Idaho native who has been at the helm for years. In 2011 Shane began working for Jackson Family Wines winemaking team as an enologist, crafting cool climate California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Shane helped build the Gran Moraine winemaking team and was named winemaker in 2016.  A killer value is the 2023 ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which has loads of texture and flavor range. Learn more about this fantastic winery at https://www.granmoraine.com Here are the great new releases by Gran Moraine. 

2023 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay- A delightful edition of this wine, the nicely poised and weighted ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay offers dense melon and citrus fruits that combine with loads of salty minerals. The combination of weight and mouth-watering acidity really shines. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Gran Moraine ‘Dropstone’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Dropstone’ Chardonnay comes from blocks 109 and 330 in the state vineyard. Stored in a small amount of new French oak this shows off Key lime and cantaloupe favors that combine with shades of yellow plum and salted French bread on the palate. Deep and rich, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2022 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. It is soft, juicy and delicious with delightful guava and red raspberry fruits alongside garrigue and salty soils. Great to enjoy now, savor this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- Fresh and neatly-textured, the 2023 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir offers bright strawberry and loganberry fruits that meld with Satsuma orange zest and shades of cardamom with rocky nuances. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Gran Moraine ‘Cascade’ Pinot Noir-The 2023 ‘Cascade’ utilizes clone 115 and 667 Pinot Noir. The wine was aged for 10 months in 44% new French oak barrels and it is fat and deeply concentrated stuff. Loaded with black and red fruits, with thyme, bay leaf and fresh sage notes, alongside salty soils, this beauty has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2026-2042- 96

2023 Gran Moraine ‘Telluric’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Gran Moraine ‘Telluric’ Pinot Noir utilizes clones 4, 667 and 777 Pinot Noir. Aged in mainly new French oak (66%) for 10 months, this delivers citrus blossom and bright guava fruits on the nose alongside rocky soils. The palate is lush and refined with terrific weight, mouthfeel and salty minerality. Drink 2026-2042- 95

Kopke

Today we share the new 2024 release from the oldest Port house on the planet. Kopke has declared that they have made a vintage port from 2024. The year was a warm vintage in the Douro with cool nights, with a milder September allowed for a steady ripening period. Master Blender Carlos Alves has created a world-class vintage port here. It is hard to resist this wine now but it really does need another five to ten years in the cellar to fully evolve.

Learn more at https://kopke1638.com/store/category/port-wines/ and here is my review of the 2024 vintage Port by Kopke.

2024 Kopke Port- Jet black in the glass, this 2024 vintage Port delivers heady black plum and Hoisin sauce on the nose alongside molten chocolate. Silky and refined with a terrific texture and bright acidity, enjoy this beauty after about five plus more years of bottle age. Drink 2033-2055- 96

Continuum

The Mondavis have been innovators in the Napa Valley for more than 100 years.

A great winery in Napa, Continuum is the Mondavi family vision to produce world-class Cabernet as they have for decades. The Mondavis have a storied past in Napa. Cesare Mondavi brought the family to America, to wine, and to the Napa Valley. His son Robert, a visionary, possessed a passion for excellence and tireless ambition which transformed not only his family but the entire world of wine. Tim Mondavi, a virtuoso, from a young age came into the family business and blazed trails globally, developing wines of world-class quality. Now, he and his sister Marcia Mondavi Borger, along with their adult children, have created Continuum, They now produce a new wine, their ‘Sentium’ is a Sauvignon Blanc that is inspired by the Mondavi Fume Blanc. Winegrower, Chiara Mondavi, is leading this fourth-generation wine project.

The wines were really good. I love the 2024 ‘Sentium’ (OB, 94) which is dense and heady with serious weight and texture. Learn more at https://www.continuumestate.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Continuum wines.

2022 Continuum Cabernet Sauvignon- A sensational wine considering the heat of the vintage, the 2022 Continuum Cabernet Sauvignon offers a loaded core of molten chocolate, tar, fig and shades of black licorice. It is full-bodied and deeply textured stuff with a beautiful bouquet of black rose petals. Already beautifully-evolved, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2038- 95

2024 Continuum ‘Sentium’ Sauvignon Blanc- Made from almost all Sauvignon Blanc grapes from primarily from older, organically farmed vineyards in Mendocino's Redwood Valley, the 2024 ‘Sentium’ offers rich mango and papaya flavors that meld well with green melon notes on the palate, alongside nutty and salty nuances. It is nicely weighted and textured stuff that will live on for at least another eight years. Drink 2026-2033- 94

Echolands

Today we share the wines founded by Doug Frost MW. Frost is remarkably one of three individuals in the world to hold simultaneously the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles, achieving his MS in 1991 and MW in 1993. He also authored ‘The Spanish Wine Guide (third edition 2009’) and is a contributing editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails.

I loved the wines made by Brian Rudin when he was at Canvasback. He has wines that captivate the senses with a beginning, middle and an end with a great focus on texture. These were wines that beautifully personified Red Mountain.

The wines are getting better and better. This is a fun, playful, yet very serious lineup. The wines are made with a ton of intention and background. I love the 2025 Echolands Rose of Grenache (OB, 92) which is very pretty and nuanced, with outstanding flavor range. Learn more about this fantastic new project at echolandswinery.com Here are my reviews of he beautiful new wines that I tasted from Echolands.

2025 Echolands Rose of Grenache- Coming from the esteemed Blue Mountain Vineyard, the 2025 Echolands Rose was stored in concrete and saw no oak treatment. The combination of texture and tension is outstanding, as loads of mouth-watering acidity fill the palate alongside delicate red fruits, bitter orange and shades of damp soils. Light on its feet, this is the best edition of this wine yet. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2025 Echolands ‘Angiolina Vineyard’ Albarino- Best served on the slightly warmer side, the 2025 ‘Angiolina Farm’ Albarino was was stored in concrete and neutral oak for five months before bottling. This is also texturally outstanding, as freshly cut kiwi and limes parade with salty minerals and hints of green papaya on the palate. Medium-bodied, with excellent weight and freshness, enjoy now and over the next few years. 240 cases made this year. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2025 Echolands ‘Albus’ White Wine- The 2025 ‘Albus’ is a Bordeaux-inspired blend of 86% Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder Semillon. Lychee, ginger and starfruit flavors meld well with lemon water tones on the palate. The flavor complexity with its nutty and salty nuances really make this shine. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Echolands ‘Semi-Carbonic’ Cinsault- The very novel 2024 ‘Semi-Carbonic’ Cinsault was stored for five months in a combination of new and neutral oak before bottling. It comes off very bright and juicy on the tongue, loaded with underlying finesse. A smooth mouthfeel greets you, as bright red fruits parade with salty minerals and kumquat rind notes on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2025 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cinsault- The 2025 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cinsault has 10% Grenache and 9& Syrah blended in. It comes off playful, juicy and delicious, with bright underlying finesse. Guava and red cherry fruits combine with Mandarin orange peel, and shades of cran-pomegranate, with loamy soil nuances on the palate. This is best served on the slightly cooler side — but don’t serve cold! Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Echolands ‘Rocksy Music’ Grenache- A wine from the Rocks District made with almost all Grenache, with 10% Syrah, the 2024 ‘Rocksy Music’ was stored for ten months in Foudre, concrete eggs and neutral oak before bottling. This comes off very pretty and laden with finesse, while the rich texture entices. Juicy red fruits meld well with smoldering stones, tobacco leaf and charcuterie notes. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2023 Echolands ‘Groundswell’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Groundswell’ is a Right Bank-inspired blend from the Taggart Estate Vineyard. Primarily Cabernet Franc (64%) this shows off baking spice laced black fruits on the nose with loamy soils, milk chocolate and lighter red florals on the nose. The palate is smooth and viscous with terrific flavor density. This is drinking considerably better for my palate than the ’22, embodying more weight, texture and decadence — yet maintaining great herbal varietal character. Enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93

Duckhorn 'Three Palms Vineyard' Vertical Tasting

Today we share the famed wines from the Three Palms Vineyard by Duckhorn. One of Napa’s historic vineyards, the Three Palms Vineyard is a 73-acre estate in Calistoga. Named for the three palm trees planted in the 1890s, the site was planted in 1967 by Sloan Upton and his brother. The location is set on rocky, volcanic stone soils and the inaugural release from this site was Duckhorn’s Merlot from the 1978 vintage.

At the time no other wineries were making single vineyard Merlots but Dan and Margaret Duckhorn saw this vision to create single site wines from a single vintage in Napa. Today Duckhorn has Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon primarily planted at this location.

I have loved these wines over the years. They are typically dense and opulent but have good poise and rocky/loamy soil character. Three Palms Merlot is typically aged in 50% or more new French oak. The oak character in the wine gently caresses the fruit and non-fruit elements.

I am enamored by the new release which celebrates 50 years of Duckhorn. The 2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot (OB, 95) is pillowy and soft with amazing flavor density. Learn more about these social wines at duckhorn.com and here are my reviews of the Three Palm Vineyard wines by Duckhorn.

2021 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- A thrilling bottle of wine to enjoy right now, the 2021 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot has 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Franc blended in. Roasted fig, dates, and black currants combine on the palate with loamy soils and terrific texture and flavor density. Finishing long, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2022 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2022 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot comes from this warm vintage in Napa. It is full-bodied, velvety and soft with a refined mouthfeel. Mocha, espresso grounds and loamy soils all combine on the palate. This is already beautifully-evolved stuff that will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A great wine from a slightly cooler vintage, the 2022 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 10% Merlot and 4% Malbec blended in. Inky in the glass, this shows off exotic spices with dark currants, huckleberry and shades of violets on the nose. The palate is lush and refined with serious weight and length. This is a resounding success from this year that saw a very late harvest. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- A world-class wine, the 2023 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot is the 50th anniversary edition of this historic wine. Nearly all Merlot with 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec blended in, this opens with a gorgeous bouquet of black florals with roasted meats, creme de cassis and Turkish coffee notes that all take shape in the glass. The palate is lush and refined with great weight and length, with salty mineral notes. While marvelous now, this clearly has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2043- 95

Review: The Lindy Renaissance Charleston -- Disappointment After Disappointment

I don’t always expect a four star hotel delivering four star quality. But my stay at The Lindy Charleston was closer to a two star than a four star for a hotel that unfortunately advertises as a four star hotel. Service was not good. We had one day where they failed to clean our room even when we called down and asked several times. You leave this place feeling like you were ripped off, considering its price tag. Somehow this place is getting 4.3 stars on TripAdvisor.com

The Lindy Renaissance Charleston Hotel is a supposedly upscale, 166-room hotel located at 68 Wentworth Street in the heart of Charleston, SC. It was chosen by me because of its saltwater outdoor pool, as well as on-site dining at Lenoir Restaurant. It is steps away from King Street. I chose the hotel for one main reason — so my 3 year old would have a pool to play in. Other four star hotels in the are do not have pools.

I had a special surprise waiting for me at check-in. . . I was informed that the pool was closed and there was no timetable about it reopening. I told them that the only reason why I chose to stay at The Lindy was because it had a pool. I asked them at check-in if we could use another property’s pool and they told me that we could not.

Ironically, I asked again about this the following morning and they said that we could use the pool at The Courtyard hotel which was roughly a 15 minute walk from The Lindy. This was better than nothing, although it was quite a trek for our three year old to get to the pool and then get back home.

This was the hallway leading to our room, 402. I had purchased a fancier room, the nicest that they had available. It was 1 King Bed, Executive Guest Room which was a ‘larger’ room than the other room choice.

This was our ‘larger’ room. It had to be less than 300 square feet. This was going to house myself, my wife and kid for four nights. And the price you are probably wondering? If I told you that this room costs over 500 dollars per night, you would think I was joking, right?

Well, unfortunately I am not joking. This room costs OVER 500 dollars per night. I told the manager that it is not acceptable to charge this much for what you are marketing as a larger room. That is pure deception.

The bathroom was tiny. It was the size of a Motel 6 or Ramada bathroom from the 1980s. This picture doesn't do justice how small the bathroom was, but it did have a small vanity to the right of the toilet.

The bed itself was adequate but nothing like the Westin Heavenly bed. It was very firm so if you do not like a firm mattress you are going to be very uncomfortable.

Here is a photo of the pool that was closed throughout our four night stay. They had chairs outside that you could use. The treadmills were fortunately not all out of order.

The gym is functional but somewhat crammed. This is not typically what you expect from a four star hotel to have something this crammed. When there were a lot of people using the gym it felt particularly crammed.

The room was very noisy. We were awoken several times by people making noise upstairs. The rooms also were not good with sealing out outside noise. We heard people cleaning in the mornings. The noise awoke our 3 year old several times and made it difficult for her to get her nap during the day.

Food at Lenoir, their hotel restaurant, was adequate American cuisine. They made a decent breakfast that was decently priced. Coffee at their coffee shop, Handy & Hot, was weirdly bitter. Fortunately there was a coffee shop across the street.

Service was inadequate here. I did not like that they initially told us that we cannot use another property’s pool and then said that we can. They did not try very hard to recover when I complained on how small the room was which was advertised as ‘larger.’ It is clearly not a large room as they advertise. The photos in the Mariott page for The Lindy, also show a balcony which the room does not have. This is weirdly deceptive. We left the room for three hours and came back and the room was not cleaned. We called downstairs and they promised to clean the room. When we came back from dinner the room was still not cleaned. This is a really poor standard for a hotel that says that they are four star. I could stay at a one star Holiday Inn and still have a clean room each night.

BOTTOM LINE:

The Lindy Renaissance Charleston has a good location and is close to King Street. It is not at all a four star hotel as advertised. Rooms are small, dated, flooring was cracked and the construction quality is very poor. For over 500 dollars a night, this is not good value for your money.

Trisaetum

Today we share one of the outstanding producers of the Willamette Valley. Trisaetum utilizes the talents of fellow Arsenal supporter James Frey. Wines are well-balanced and speak to the AVAs. I love the wines by Frey. He has a tremendous range of wines that he produces and they are all of exceedingly good quality.

The new Trisaetum lineup was amazing. I love the 2024 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot noir (OB, 95) which is another gorgeous rendition of this wine from a warm vintage.  Learn more about this fantastic Willamette Valley winery at http://www.trisaetum.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Trisaetum. 

2024 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- A great edition of this wine, the 2024 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir comes off forward and juicy on the palate. Soft on the mouth, with lively acidity, this offers guava and red raspberry notes alongside shades of dried herbs on the palate. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2024 Trisaetum ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2024 ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir comes from this site set on marine sandstone and planted back in 2007. The wine was aged in 20% new oak and underwent 60% whole cluster fermentation. It comes off round and soft on the mouth, with terrific texture, weight and length. A core of ultra-pure red fruits greets you alongside damp soils and orange peel notes. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2024 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Coast Range Estate’ was sourced from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA as this vineyard has both volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. The palate is plush and laden with minerality. A glorious core of red and dark fruits greets you alongside pine needles, salty minerals and fresh sage. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2024 Trisaetum ‘Wichmann Dundee’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Wichmann Dundee’ comes from this location set on Jory soils in the Dundee Hills AVA. Wafts of smoldering stone and boysenberry compote combine on the nose with heady black florals. The palate has amazing salty and stony tension, as this screams terroir with its rocky profile alongside peat moss and forest floor undertones. This is really well-done stuff that will cellar well for decades. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2024 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot Noir-The 2024 ‘Estates Reserve’ was sourced from the three Trisaetum properties and needs an hour or two of air before enjoying. Red florals combine with red currants on the nose, with cloves, damp rocky soils and shades of red licorice. The palate is lush and inviting with bright acidity and a seamless texture. This is really good stuff that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2024 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir- Another sensational bottling by James Frey, the 2024 ’Family Reserve’ is a complex, refined and delicious wine that will power on for two decades. On the nose this shows wafts of black truffle shavings and shades of iodine and charcuterie alongside rich dark fruits and stony accents. The palate is seamless throughout the drinking experience, with exceptional weight and underlying verve. A joy to savor now, watch this ridiculously complex Pinot Noir evolve over the next twenty years. Drink 2026-2046- 97

Fidelitas

Today we share the great wines of Fidelitas and founder Charlie Hoppes. Former winemaker at both Col Solare and Chateau Ste. Michelle, Hoppes has been crafting his own wines on Red Mountain for nearly two decades. I love how he has attention to detail on white wines from Red Mountain.

Do not miss out on the sensational 2023 ‘Red Mountain’ Semillon (OB, 93) which has to be one of the best wines of its kind that you will taste in Washington. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.

2023 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Semillon- The 2023 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Semillon shows off a great core of macadamia nut, lychee and green melon on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with excellent volume and underlying verve, enjoy now and over the next eight years. This will build nutty and earthy nuances as it ages gracefully. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2023 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 ‘Red Mountain’ Sauvignon Blanc comes off dense and delicious on the mouth. Loaded with tropical and citrus fruits, with nutty nuances, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next six plus years to come. This is best enjoyed on the slightly warmer side. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2022 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon’ Malbec- Inky in the glass, the 2022 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon’ Malbec offers violets, tar and tobacco leaf with rocky soil notes on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with a soft mouthfeel and bright underlying acidity, with good mid-palate depth. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2022 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Malbec- Inky in the glass, the 2022 ‘Red Mountain’ Malbec is loaded with black and blue fruits on the palate, with a chocolate edge. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific volume and underlying freshness, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2022 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 Fidelitas ‘Blackwood Canyon’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense and delicious bottling that is already showing its stride. Once on the nose this takes on shades of dark currants, mocha, tar and sweet pipe tobacco that all meld in the glass. The palate is beautifully-balanced and soft with a refined mouthfeel and good sense of length. Drink 2026-2038- 94

DeLille Cellars

Today we share the beautiful wines of DeLille Cellars. I have known their director of winemaking, Jason Gorski, for more than a decade. His team makes one of the best overall lineups in Washington. DeLille sources from their estate, 20-acre vineyard in Red Mountain as well as premier vineyards in the Yakima Valley. I love visiting their Woodivinlle winery that even has views of Mt. Ranier. It has an awesome restaurant that is adjacent their tasting room with great bites to pair with their beautiful wines.

They recently opened a tasting room in University Village that is a gorgeous spot to enjoy their lineup. Gorski and his team did a great job navigating 2022. They have been making what is consistently one of the finest Rose wines in the state. I adore the 2025 DeLille Cellars Rose (OB, 93) which has amazing flavor range and comes off dense and generous. Learn more about this fantastic winery at www.delillecellars.com Here are the great new release wines from DeLille.

2025 DeLillle Roussanne- The amazing 2025 DeLille Cellars Roussanne comes from the famed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. The wine was aged in a combination of neutral oak, concrete and stainless steel. The nose is powerful and intense, showing honeysuckle and mango notes on the nose alongside shades of cantalope. The palate is lush, round and generous with a sensational texture and great sense of weight, with bright underlying acidity. This is dense and bold Roussanne that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2033- 94

2025 DeLille Cellars Rose- This 2025 DeLille Cellars Rose is a complex blend of near equal parts Grenache and Mourvèdre and 13% Cinsault. This saw some lees contact in stainless steel tanks. This comes off fat and round on the tongue, with loads of salty tension. Bright guava and red raspberry fruits parade with blood orange zest and shades of damp, loamy soils on the palate. This is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2023 DeLille Cellars ‘Marguerite’ Sauvignon Blanc- Another gorgeous rendition of this wine, the 2023 ‘Marguerite’ is a world-class Sauvignon Blanc that was stored in mainly cigar-shaped barrels. This comes off fat, rich and unctuous on the mouth, with bright underlying finesse. Loaded with stony minerals, this exudes class with its papaya, citrus fruit and nutty core on the plate. Finishing long with walnut, and vanilla cream, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 95

Corliss

One of the great Washington wineries, Corliss is an ultra-premium producer of red wines founded in 1999 by Michael and Lori Corliss. Over the years Mike Corliss has bought vineyard land throughout the state, including more holdings on Red Mountain. Corliss has been met with some serious critical acclaim since their first release in 2008. It has been such a pleasure seeing how well these beautiful wines age. Corliss is also well-known for performing exceptionally well with tough vintages. I have had some of their older wines from my cellar and they have some massive cellaring potential.
Corliss did a great job in 2019 which was not the easiest year for Bordeaux varietals. They made some beautiful 2020 wines from this tough vintage.

The wines have less oak impact over time. I adore the 2021 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which has incredible flavor density and is a stunning edition of this wine that is a must-buy for any collector of top Washington wine. Learn more about these incredible wines at corlissestate.com and here are my notes on the pre-release wines by Corliss.

2021 Corliss Red Wine- The 2021 Corliss Red Wine is quite different than the ’19 with considerably more Cabernet Franc (84%), as this blends in smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Stored for 22 months in 60% new French oak barrels, this will be released in September 2026. Mainly coming from their estate on Red Mountain, this comes off silky and refined on the mouth with a pillowy texture. Heady black and blue fruits parade with dried herbs and copious herbs with espresso ground accents. A stunner and total head-turner, enjoy now and over the next two decades to come. Drink 2026-2046- 99

2021 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon- An opulent and downright stunning rendition of this wine, the 2021 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in nearly all new French oak before bottling. It offers alluring aromatics of black rose, creme de violette, tar and anise seed alongside suggestions of oud and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is dense and delicious with serious tension that combines with Arabica bean, rocky soils, scorched earth and a glorious melange of black and blue fruits. Full-bodied, with terrific salty minerality, enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 99

2021 Corliss Syrah- The stunning 2021 Corliss Syrah comes from several sites in the Columbia Valley and was aged for 22 months in 23% new French oak before bottling. This spent an additional three years in bottle before release. It is a dense, massive and highly hedonistic effort that beautifully showcases this warm vintage. Jet black in the glass, this offers sagebrush and black currants with violets on the nose. The palate is powerful and also well-structured, with serious concentration and underlying finesse. Quite simply a joy to drink now, give this an hour or two in the decanter if savoring in its heady youth. Drink 2026-2040- 98

Malibu Wine Company

Today we share the story of Malibu Wine Company. Psychiatrist Dr. Steve Ruths studied viticulture and enology, completing the UC Davis winemaking certificate program in 2008. 2009 was his first crush as a home winemaker starting with a half-ton of Syrah from the Estelle Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. Since then, he has made wine with Alta Colina Grenache and Roll Ranch Syrah. In 2016, Dr. Ruths purchased a 6-acre property in the Malibu Coast AVA. In 2017, preparing the land for planting began and in 2018 the first vines were planted. Additional plantings continued yearly through 2024 with approximately 6500 vines over 3 acres.  Varietals include 3 clones of Syrah, 2 clones of Grenache, Durif/Petite Sirah, Touriga Nacional, Viognier, and Roussanne. Vines are spaced either at 4x6 or 3x5 feet. The vineyard was planted and is farmed by Martin Ramirez of the Ojai Vineyards. 2023 was their first commercial vintage with Nick Elliott making our wines at his winery Nicora in Tin City.

This is now the second time that I have tasted Dr. Ruths’s wines. The wines are big and bold, with terrific texture and good underlying finesse. The wines from the Malibu Coast in particular are really novel and unique. This location clearly has some serious potential.

I love the 2024 ‘The Monk’ Syrah (OB, 94) which has amazing flavor density and is irresistible to enjoy now. Learn more at https://www.malibuwinecompany.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Dr. Steve Ruths and Malibu Wine Company.

2024 Malibu Wine Company ‘The Jungfrau’ Red Wine- The 2024 ‘The Jungfrau’ is different than the ’23 as this edition is all Grenache from the Dr. Ruths Vineyard on the Malibu Coast. Damp earth and red rose petals mark the nose alongside cranberry and orange peel notes. The palate is fresh and viscous with amazing texture and depth. A stunning edition of this wine that is hugely novel and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Malibu Wine Company ‘The Monk’ Syrah- Sourced from Paso Robles, the 2024 ‘Frogtown Vineyard’ Syrah is a dense, intense and highly hedonistic bottling that is not for the weary. Black currant compote, damp earth, white pepper dusted brisket and shades of creme de violette all combine on the palate. Loaded with richness and texture, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2024 Malibu Wine Company ‘The Eiger’ Petite Sirah- A truly unique wine sourced from the Malibu Coast, the 2024 ‘The Eiger’ Petite Sirah is a gorgeous rendition of this bottling. Once on the nose this takes on green peppercorns, dense black and blue fruits alongside shades of milk chocolate covered pastry crust. The palate is filled with both verve and flavor density, with serious texture and mouth-watering acidity. Glorious in its heady youth, watch this evolve over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93