The 10 Best Wines That I Tasted in 2025

It is such a pleasure sharing great wines with family and friends. It has been a hard time in the wine industry. Traffic remains down on the West Coast and we all need to do our best to support the wine community. I have had the great fortune to taste many top champagnes, Rhones and Bordeauxs this year. Today I share some of my favorite world wine choices that I tasted in 2025.

What were some of your favorite wines that you tasted this year? Here are mine:

10) 1988 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Bordeaux- We were at one of the great wine restaurants in the world, Noble Rot in London and I noticed this great ’88 on the menu. It took actually a bit of time to unwind but what evolved was a seamless melange of grave, dark currants and tobacco that was simply unforgettable.

9) 2018 Hors Categorie Syrah- drinking right at its peak right now this was a massive and dense wine, filled with heady dark fruits and iodine/stony nuances. The color was just incredible. I was blown away with the florals from this wine as well which have evolved since its release four years ago.

8) 2006 Dom Perignon- Not a great vintage in Champagne, the 2006 wine right now are really singing. They are dense and heady, and won’t improve but this was such hedonistic and delicious stuff with loads of citrus and melon fruits, alongside musty wild mushroom notes.

7) MV Laurent Perrier ‘Grand Siècle No. 26’ Champagne- Top champagne on an airplane can’t be beat. On my first class flight to Doha I savored this beauty, loaded with chalky minerality that is finally really coming around, with a 2012 base. It is intense with a silky mousse and a finish that doesn’t want to end.

6) 2013 Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Champagne- In my mind not the best vintage but this wine is second to none. It has so much intense lemon oil flavor and diatom that it can only come from one source. It is honestly a shame to enjoy this so young but what a pleasurable experience. The length and concentration was incredible.

5) 1998 Chateau Haut-Brion- This vintage seems to really be peaking right now. It was such a pleasure to revisit this very earthy and impeccably balanced Pessac wine. The gravel character was astonishingly good. I would not cellar this anymore, given the balance right now.

4) 2019 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon- In the Mayan tradition the Hero Twins was the story of the genesis of the Sun and the Moon. This wine is made entirely from Clone 2 Cabernet Sauvignon at Upchurch Vineyard, and it was even more fun enjoying this with proprietors Chris and Thea Upchurch. We all marveled at the power and floral notes of this beautiful wine that is really coming into its own right now. It quite simply flirts with perfection.

3) 2005 Chateau Climens Sauternes- One of my all-time favorite Sauternes, the 2005 Climens is a sensational joyride throughout the drinking experience. It is not overly sweet but has such incredible power, finesse and stony character. I savored every sip.

2) 2017 Chateau Mouton-Rothchild- I have now tasted this several times and it is just such a joy to enjoy right now. For those who do not like 2017, I think that you really need to taste a top example of the vintage. This is plush, loaded with heady dark fruits, but also has such nice stony and damp earth nuances. Make sure to open several hours beforehand.

1) 1995 Krug Champagne- Sometimes wine notes are best shortened. Perfection in a bottle. Perfect time to drink this beauty.

Owen Bargreen Top 100 of 2025

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to wish you seasons greetings from Owen Bargreen. We very much appreciate your ongoing support and our wine community in the United States also needs your support. Wines have never been better with wine quality literally soaring as wine sales go down. I will do my best to continue to support this incredible wine community.  In 2024 I published more than 150 articles for for OwenBargreen.com. You should expect more of the same in 2025.

It was a very hard decision to come up with our latest #1. For me, this came down to vintage challenges. Winemakers Jesse Katz and Hillary Sjolund pulled a rabbit out of their hat in their 2022 bottlings. 2022 was not at all an easy vintage in Sonoma. Their 2022 ‘Farrow Ranch’ Malbec (OB, 100) is unlike any wine in its category. The depth and tension, as well as flavor density from this wine is exquisite and was extremely difficult to achieve in 2022. There is nobody producing Malbec quite like this in the world. Devil Proof fended off formidable challengers from Quilceda Creek, Cayuse, Horsepower, Hors Categorie, Booker and Saxum.

I sincerely hope that you are able to try some of the beautiful wines on this list. I wish you my deepest gratitude for all of your support, and wish you all fruitful and safe holiday season. Happy Holidays and hope that 2026 brings you all great joy and prosperity, with beautiful wines in your glass.

1) 2022 Devil Proof ‘Farrow Ranch’ Malbec

California | Sonoma | $275.00 | 100 Points

The 2022 ‘Farrow Ranch’ Malbec comes from tiny berries at Block 17 in this dry-farmed site set on volcanic soils with some loamy character. Stored in 90% new French before bottling this is ultra-seamless and opulent stuff on the approach. Creme de violette, tar, sweet pipe tobacco leaf and blueberry compote all combine on the palate. Heady and intense, yet showing remarkable freshness despite the heat of the vintage, this is lifted, highly aromatic Malbec that is truly a one of a kind bottling. Drink 2025-2045- 100

2) 2022 Hors Catégorie Syrah

Oregon | Walla Walla Valley | $250.00 | 100 Points

Every bit a world-class wine, the 2022 Hors Categorie Syrah is reminiscent of the gorgeous 2017 edition. The aromatics are mind-numbing in terms of range from menthol, sweet pipe tobacco, Nori and bulls blood alongside shades of compost and black truffle shavings with black florals that all meld in the glass. The palate has formidable power considering the coolness of the vintage. Very flinty and soft on the mouth, this is seamless throughout the drinking experience. The amalgamation of tension and mouth-watering acidity alongside heady stony essence makes this impossible to put down. One of the few prefect wines made in 2022, savor this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 100

3) 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Columbia Valley | $250.00 | 100 Points

The 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon mirrors the blend from ’22, with 90% coming from the Champoux Vineyard and the remainder sourced from the Mach One Vineyard. Stored in all new French oak barrels once on the nose this takes on creme de violette, and graphite notes alongside beautiful purple rose petals, walnut and shades of Black Forest cake. The palate is weightless and seamless throughout the drinking experience, as this has immense depth, and flavor complexity and flavor density with serious verve and length. A complete wine, enjoy this mesmerizing Cabernet Sauvignon over the next twenty years. If savoring now be sure to give this several hours in the decanter. Drink 2026-2046- 100

4) 2021 Saxum ‘Bone Rock’ Syrah-

California | Paso Robles | $250.00 | 99 Points

One of the finest wines of the vintage, the '21 ‘Bone Rock’ comes from vines that date back to 1990, which were originally planted for Wild Horse winery. This is a very steep location that is exceedingly challenging to farm and whale bones were unearthed. The first edition was in 1999 and this is now the 22nd version of this wine from the 2021 vintage. Sourced from a warm, southern-facing location, the chalky minerality is incredible here, offering a very pure combination of red and dark fruits that mingle well with Black Forest cake, cardamom, shades of garrigue, white pepper dusted bacon and shades of cloves on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy this highly complex wine now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 99

5) 2023 Kobayashi ‘Mizunara’ Cabernet Franc

Washington | Columbia Valley | $200.00 | 100 Points

The 2023 ‘Mizunara’ comes from old plantings at the Red Willow Vineyard. This wine was made in the third use barrel. Sandalwood notes combine with potpourri, anise and creme de cassis notes. The palate is plush and smooth with a seamless texture and sensational viscosity. This is unbelievable wine that has so much life ahead of it. Only 500 bottles made. Drink 2025-2050- 100

6) 2016 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve Late Disgorged’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine

California | Carneros | $145.00 | 98 Points

A total masterclass by this storied house, the 2016 ‘Le Reve Late Disgorged’ saw nearly ten years on the lees before disgorgement. The nose is sensational with candied ginger and lemon rind that combines with suggestions of basil leaf, and salted French bread. The palate takes on a silky mousse that glides throughout the drinking experience. The finish will last for an entire minute as this is undeniably one of the finest sparkling wines from North America that I have tasted in the past year. A joy to savor now, enjoy this impeccably balanced sparkling wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 98

7) 2022 Booker ‘Ones’ Syrah

California | Paso Robles | $150.00 | 99 Points

The 2022 ‘Ones’ is a barrel selection wine that comes from their estate vineyard. Stored in 50% new French oak before bottling, this is inky in the glass, embodying class with iodine, bulls blood, beef drippings and shades of Kalamata olives with tar notes. The palate is dense and heady, with marvelous chalky soil character that runs through a massive core of black and blue fruits. A total stunner, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 99

8) 2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine

Oregon | Walla Walla Valley | $115.00 | 99 Points

This 2022 edition of this famed bottling stands considerably more translucent than the ’21. A small amount of Syrah has been added to the otherworldly 2022 ‘Gold Only Knows’ Red Wine. Stored for 21 months in neutral French oak, this comes from vines planted all the way back in 2001. The nose is marvelously floral with pink and red rose petals that parade with Satsuma orange zest, white truffle shavings, strawberry Starburst candy and suggestions of Oyster sauce that all meld in the glass. The heady aromatics bring you back for more enjoyment. The palate is quite different than the ’21, being considerably more nervy — more reminiscent of the 2017. Without a doubt this edition flirts with perfection, as this beautiful bottling is arguably the finest Grenache made in North America. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. But why wait? Drink 2025-2033- 99

9) 2023 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $80.00 | 95 Points

A glorious and dense bottling from this slightly warmer vintage, the 2023 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Chardonnay was stored for 14 months in mainly neutral French oak barrels before bottling. Brioche and lemon rind flavors combine with suggestions of salty and stony soils alongside hints of gingerbread on the palate. A delight to savor in its heady youth, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

10) 2021 Verite ‘Le Desir’ Cabernet Franc

California | Sonoma | $350.00 | 100 Points

The 2021 ‘Le Desir’ is nearly all Cabernet Franc (87%) with the remainder Merlot and Malbec. The Cabernet Franc comes from the estate vineyard in Chalk Hill as well as their Alexander Mountain Estate and other sites in Bennett Valley. The nose is downright seductive and sexy, offering gorgeous violet rose petals that perfume the glass, alongside toasted walnut, green bell pepper, anise, dark currants and shades of graphite with dark chocolate shavings. The palate is voluptuous and soft offering sheer class and elegance. 2026-2050- 100

11) 2021 Prophet & Poet ‘Ghost Cat’ Upper Barn Chardonnay

California | Sonoma | $250.00 | 100 Points

Coming from this famed site farmed by Stonestreet, the 2021 ‘Ghost Cat’ Upper Barn offers dense pineapple and mango on the nose alongside citrus rind and baking spice laced pastry crust on the nose. The palate is utterly ethereal, lush, round and generous as this comes off absolutely weightless. It is amongst the finest new world Chardonnays that I have ever tasted. Drink 2025-2035- 100

12) 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay

Oregon  | Willamette Valley | $125.00 | 97 Points

The 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay is a stunning wine that was stored in roughly 33% new French oak before bottling. Bright white florals mark the nose alongside pineapple and shades of backing spice laced brioche. The palate is super seamless with serious texture and a weightless mouthfeel. Glorious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 97

13) 2023 Passing Time ‘Block 1311’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Columbia Valley | $120.00 | 100 Points

The 2023 ‘Block 1311’ is a barrel-selection wine that was entirely sourced for the Wallula Vineyard. Stored in all new French oak. A beautiful bouquet greets you as toasted hazelnuts mingle well with violets, tar, sagebrush and shades of huckleberry compote. This is impeccably balanced stuff, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. The palate is singular and plush as this can only come from one site — the famed Wallula Vineyard with its incredible veil of decadent blue fruits. Gorgeous to consume now, enjoy this total stunner now and over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2025-2050- 100

14) 2023 Bergstrom ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $150.00 | 97 Points

The otherworldly 2023 Bergstrom ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was sourced from this Dundee Hills AVA location planted more than 20 years back. The tension and mouth-watering acidity really entices, as volcanic soils, pomegranate seed and guava puree all meld together on the palate, offering kumquat rind accents. Full and fleshy, this is a terrific edition of this wine that speaks to the vintage and site. Enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2025-2045- 97

15) 2023 Reyvaan ‘In The Rocks Vineyard’ Viognier

Oregon | Walla Walla Valley | $75.00 | 97 Points

A total masterclass, the 2023 Reynvaan ‘In The Rocks Vineyard’ Viognier is one of the great new world wines of its kind. It possess a Condrieu-esque mouthfeel and buttery texture, with loads of underlying grip and tension. The combination of weight and mouth-watering acidity really shines here, offering dense honeysuckle water, papaya, honeydew melon and shades of roasted pineapple on the palate. Unctuous and dense, showing slightly less nerve but better overall weight than the ’22, enjoy this total stunner now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 97

16) 2023 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Tablas’ Red Wine

California | Paso Robles | $75.00 | 96 Points

Another stunning edition of this wine, the 2023 ‘Espirit de Tablas’ combines 33% Mourvèdre (compared to 40% in 2022) and 31% Syrah (compared to 22% in 2022) alongside 26% Grenache and small parts Cinsault, Vaccarese and Counoise. The heady aromatics entice as herbs de Provence, orange peel, white pepper dusted beef, and shades of oyster sauce all parade on the nose. The palate is fresh and rich with a terrific sense of texture and underlying verve. This might not be the most dense or heady edition of this wine, but the flavor complexity and freshness makes this simply irresistible to enjoy right now. Simply put, the novelty is astonishingly good as there might not be another wine quite like this in the world. Be sure to give this about an hour in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2025-2040- 96

17) 2022 Revana ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Napa Valley | $300.00 | 100 Points

Coming from this famed Oakville property, this wine is sourced from the To Kalon Vineyard which was first planted in the 1860s. This is dense, hedonistic and seamless with silky tannins that frame a gorgeous array of black and blue fruits. Elegant considering the heat of the vintage and obviously quite broad-shouldered and muscular, this has a marvelous push-pull in terms of weight, flavor density and freshness. Everyone remembers their first To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet and this brings everything right back for me in terms of loamy soil character, depth, richness and cassis character. What a wine! Drink 2025-2040- 100

18) 2022 Cobb ‘Coastlands Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

California | Sonoma Coast | $95.00 | 97 Points

The stunning 2022 Cobb ‘Coastlands Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was partly planted back in 1989 with the rest planted back in 1998 to a range of clonal selections. The nose is stunning with pine needles, soy sauce, black truffle shavings, tart red fruits and shades of blood orange zest. The palate is dazzling in terms of tension, as this shows serious weight from the warmth of the vintage. This is a total heavyhitter that is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2025-2040- 97

19) 2022 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Cellar Selection Estate Ferguson Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Walla Walla | $125.00 | 98 Points

Quite arguably the finest wine I have ever had from this estate, the ebullient 2022 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Cellar Selection Estate Ferguson Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an otherworldly effort from this vineyard that has magical flavor density and intensity. On the palate this takes on a concentrated melange of black and blue fruits alongside shades of Turkish, coffee, tar scorched, earth, and sweet pipe, tobacco that all seamlessly meld together in the mouth. A stunning wine that is built to age, enjoy now and over the next 20 years. Try to resist this beauty for at least another year. Drink 2027-2050- 98

20) 2022 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Napa Valley | $150.00 | 100 Points

The 2022 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon has slightly less Petit Verdot than the ’21. The wine comes from this Oakville site that is near Screaming Eagle. Gorgeous red and dark florals with red bell pepper mark the nose alongside chocolate and stony minerals. The palate is seamless and beautifully structured, as this is very pretty and stony. It is a remarkable achievement from this hot vintage. Drink 2025-2042- 100

21) 2007 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Brut Sparkling Wine

California | Anderson Valley | $150.00 | 98 Points

The mind-bending 2007 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Brut Sparkling Wine is a late released bottling that is showing right at its peak right now. Disgorged in November 2024, this is packed wth poached pear and roasted pineapple on the nose alongside salted praline and shades of ripe mango. The palate is equally exotic with loads of texture, tension and salty minerality. A complete masterclass, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 98

22) 2022 L’Aventure ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine

California | Paso Robles | $150.00 | 98 Points

This 2022 edition of the ‘Estate Reserve’ is mainly Syrah (55%) with 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Petit Verdot. This is an inky, tannic monster of a wine that opens with dark and black currant cordial alongside creme de violette and shades of green bell pepper. The palate is world-class in terms of flavor density, depth and concentration. This is a world-class wine from a tough vintage. Drink 2025-2040- 98

23) 2022 FIGGINS ‘Caves’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Walla Walla | $250.00 | 100 Points

The 2022 ‘Caves’ is a new wine made by winemaker Chris Figgins that utilizes a mere three barrels from two blocks at his estate vineyard. Inky and dark in the glass, the wine was stored for 22 months in all new French oak before bottling. Scorched earth and cuban cigar mark the nose alongside suggestions of Black Forest cake. The palate is lush and inviting with a sinfully good, pillowy texture, as this weightless beauty glides throughout the drinking experience. This just keeps building and building with each texturally opulent sip, offering a soaring combination of decadence, tension and flavor complexity. A world-class wine that is built to age, this is just a stunning accomplishment in what was a somewhat difficult vintage for Bordeaux varietals. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2028-2054- 100

24) 2023 Ramey ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay

California | Russian River Valley | $40.00 | 94 Points

The downright delicious 2023 Ramey ‘Russian River Valley’ Chardonnay is forward and juicy on the mouth. Caramel and poached pear mingle well with buttered French bread and roasted pineapple, and copious stony minerals. The texture and sense of freshness here is just sensational. This has to be up there with the finest Ramey ‘Russian River Valley’ that I have tasted. Drink 2025-2033- 94

25) 2024 Holocene ‘Aureolin’ Chardonnay

Oregon | Eola-Amity Hills | $65.00 | 97 Points

A world-class wine, the 2024 Holocene ‘Aureolin’ Chardonnay was sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Made in a reductive style, this was stored for 9 months in 50% new oak, stainless and neutral oak, including feuillettes. Freshly cut limes and salted nectarine skin fill the palate alongside suggestions of baking spice laced pastry crust and crushed seashells on the palate. Very salty and savory, with a seamless texture, this glides throughout the drinking experience. A total beauty, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 97

26) 2023 Walter Scott ‘X Novo Vineyard’ Chardonnay

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $75.00 | 97 Points

One of the finest Chardonnays you will taste in Oregon, the very flinty 2023 ‘X Novo Vineyard’ Chardonnay is a total head-turner that has a long way to go in the cellar. On the nose this shows orange blossom and lemon rind tones that combine with rich melon fruits, nutty accents and shades of wet pavement. Very reductive and fat on the mouth, with a dazzling sense of tension and great mid-palate weight, it has some serious power that would make you shocked that it comes from a cooler vintage. Drink 2025-2040- 97

27) 2023 TOR ‘Vine Hill Ranch’ Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Napa Valley | $300.00 | 100 Points

An utter joy to consume right now, the ethereal 2023 TOR ‘Vine Hill Ranch’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this Oakville location first planted back in 1978. It is now farmed by Bruce Phillips, as TOR sources from two blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon at this historic location. It is ultra-dark in the glass, offering loamy soils and pencil lead that collide with Black Forest cake, anise, and suggestions of Asian spices. The palate is utterly pillowy and seamless throughout the drinking experience. This is powerful, very eye-catching stuff that has a finish that won’t stop. Rocky, and loaded with dense dark and blue fruits, with savory herbal accents on the palate, do not miss out on this total stunner. It is an unforgettable wine that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2025-2050- 100

28) 2023 Merry Edwards ‘Coopersmith’ Pinot Noir

California | Russian River Valley | $120.00 | 97 Points

The 2023 ‘Coopersmith’ Pinot Noir is sourced from this 6-acre site that is the winery’s home ranch and was purchased by Merry Edwards in 1999. Salted red fruits parade with bergamot, Asian spices, and Satsuma orange on the palate. Round and generous, with a seamless texture, this is a total head-turner that is amongst the finest I have tasted from this estate in the past fifteen years. Drink 2025-2042- 97

29) 2023 Ridge ‘Estate’ Chardonnay

California | Santa Cruz Mountains | $65.00 | 95 Points

The 2023 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay is entirely sourced from the famed Monte Bello Vineyard. Coming from this cooler vintage, the wine was stored in a combination of American oak, French oak and Amphorae before bottling. Challah bread and vanilla creme brûlée all mark the nose alongside banana and hints of ripe mango. The palate is plush, ripe and laden with minerality. Very seamless throughout the drinking experience, with a light dusting of salinity and fat mouthfeel, this combination of richness and freshness really makes it sing. Glorious now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

30) 2023 Rochioli ‘River Block’ Pinot Noir

California | Russian River Valley | $125.00 | 98 Points

The stunning 2023 Rochioli ‘River Block’ Pinot Noir is another world-class effort by Sonoma legend Tom Rochioli. Once on the nose this offers cran-cola tones that combine with bitter orange, loganberry preserves and Goldridge soils. The palate is plush, round and generous with an inviting mouthfeel and plenty of flavor range. The combination of pretty red fruits and cola really makes this work wonders, as the mouth-watering acidity brings you back to the glass for more hedonistic enjoyment. Very complex and delicious, enjoy this beautiful Pinot Noir now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 98

31) 2023 Sphaerics ‘If And Only If’ Chardonnay

California | Sonoma | $100.00 | 97 Points

The 2023 ‘If And Only If’ comes from the famed Upper Barn Vineyard in the Alexander Valley. The wine comes from original plantings from 1982. A golden color in the glass, this was stored in roughly 60% new French oak prior to bottling. This is very nervy and tense wine that has beautiful opulence, texture and flavor density. Gorgeous melon and tropical fruits parade with citrus zest, vanilla cream and pie crust notes. This is somehow even better than the ’22, with more nerve and sensational richness. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 97

32) 2023 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah

Washington | Columbia Valley | $60.00 | 96 Points

The totally dazzling 2023 ‘Arnaut’ Syrah comes from the Boushey Vineyard and is 100% varietal and native yeast fermented. The wine was stored in nearly all neutral French oak before bottling. It can benefit from a one hour decant and once aroused this exudes class with bacon fat and green peppercorns on the nose alongside tar, Cuban cigar and shades of black licorice. The palate is silky and refined with serious texture and underlying verve. Dense and rich, as well as very savory, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 96

33) 2022 Jett ‘Skysill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Walla Walla Valley | $150.00 | 99 Points- The gorgeous 2022 Jett ‘Skysill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 20 months in 77% new French oak before bottling. This is a silky, refined and luxurious wine that has gobs of freshness and flavor density. Heady black fruits mingle well with pencil lead, anise, dried herbs and shades of black licorice. This is the quintessential iron fist in a velvet glove. Drink 2027-2050- 99

34) 2021 Abeja ‘Skysill’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Walla Walla Valley | $275.00 | 100 Points

Once again made 100% varietal, the otherworldly 2021 Abeja ‘Skysill Estate Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon originates from this high-elevation, highly windy site in the Walla Walla Valley. Stored in mainly new French oak before bottling this has crazy good weight, length. and seamless character throughout the drinking experience.  Loaded with power, this bursts out of the glass with heady loganberry compote, creme de violette, Turkish coffee, graphite and Middle-Eastern spices. The mid-palate is highly concentrated and intense, with refined tannins, as this comes off opulent and refined, loaded with black and blue fruits, with cocoa powder, iodine and graphite accents. Pillowy, soft and decadent, this is a perfect wine made in a great vintage. Only 184 cases made. Tasted over two days with consistent notes. Drink 2026-2050- 100

35) 2024 Clarice Wine Company ‘Gary’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

California | Santa Lucia Highlands | $75.00 | 96 Points

The ‘Gary’s Vineyard’ is an older site that is planted to 30 year old Pinot Noir vines, named after owners Gary Franscioni and Gary Pisoni. On the nose this delivers purple rose petals with shades of marionberry, red currants, and salted Mandarin orange zest. The palate is powerful and concentrated, with great acidity and salty/stony nuances. A joy ton consume now, enjoy over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 96

36) 2023 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Chardonnay

California | Sonoma | $70.00 | 96 Points

A downright killer wine, the 2023 ’Bob’s Ranch’ Chardonnay was sourced from this location in the Sonoma Coast AVA and owned by the HALL family.  This is loaded with richness and texture upon entry. Baking spice laced pastry crust, roasted pineapple and banana aromatics fill the nose alongside roasted fig and walnut accents. The palate is drenched with salinity and verve, with a terrific sense of richness, weight and length. This is nothing short of a complete wine that will cellar well for decades. Drink 2025-2040- 96

37) 2023 Cimento ‘Tenuta Bianca’ White Wine

Oregon | Walla Walla Valley | $95.00 | 97 Points

The 2023 ‘Tenuta Bianca’ is quite simply unlike anything that you will taste in the Pacific Northwest. Sourced from sites in The Rocks District (55% Orselli, 45% San Tomasso) the wine was stored in all neural French oak barks for 16 months before bottling. It is composed of mainly Piquepoul and Clairette Blanche with 16% Rousssanne, 5% Viognier and 3% Bourbelenc. It is intense and golden in the glass, offering honeysuckle water, and mango notes alongside wet stone, cantaloupe and suggestions of salted cashew nut on the palate. Rich and unctuous, with serious verve and texture, this is absolutely amongst the greats that you will taste on the west coast. Drink 2025-2035- 97

38) 2024 DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Blanc’ White Wine

Washington | Columbia Valley | $45.00 | 94 Points

Another gorgeous edition of this wine, the 2024 ’Chaleur Blanc’ is a beautiful blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder Semillon. Gooseberry and star jasmine mark the nose alongside salted nuts and suggestions of nectarine on the nose. The palate is big and bold with terrific underlying freshness and nutty nuances from the Semillon. Drink 2025-2035- 94

39) 2023 Siduri ‘Hapgood’ Pinot Noir

California | Santa Rita Hills | $75.00 | 96 Points

The ‘Hapgood Vineyard’ is located near Melville winery. The wine is comprised of selections 459 and Mt. Eden. This 2023 Pinot Noir was given a small amount of whole cluster fermentation having amazing weight and freshness, with ultra-pure red fruits alongside orange peel and rose water notes. This is pure Santa Rita Hills. Drink 2025-2038- 96

40) 2023 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine

Washington | Walla Walla Valley | $225.00 | 99 Points

The 2023 ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine combines fruit from the Schafer Vineyard (48%), in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, as well as a large portion from the McQueen Vineyard (45%), with the remainder coming from their estate in the Rocks District. Nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petite Verdot blended in, this delvers ultra-dark black rose petals on the nose with violets, black tea and Asian spices that mingle well with green bell pepper, dark chocolate shavings and shades of scorched earth on this intoxicating bouquet. The palate is dense, dark and brooding, with crazy good acidity and finesse, as well as a pillowy texture. A world-class made in a somewhat difficult, cooler vintage, enjoy this total stunner now and over the next twenty plus years. Give it another year in the bottle if you can. Drink 2026-2049- 99

41) 2021 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ Red Wine

Washington | Columbia Valley | $85.00 | 98 Points

The otherworldly 2021 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ Red Wine is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 36% Merlot and the remainder Malbec and Petit Verdot. Very dark in the glass, this offers alluring black florals on the nose wth tar, tobacco leaf, mocha, anise and shades of dark chocolate shavings. The stunning aromatics are simply head-turning. The palate is ultra-refined offering a seamless drinking experience. This is the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted since its inception back in 2003. Drink 2025-2045- 98

42) 2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir

California | Santa Rita Hills | $35.00 | 93 Points

The brilliant 2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a brilliant wine from winemaker Chad Melville. A whiff of cola marks the nos alongside deep pomegranate seed, Bing cherry and shades of Mandarin orange rind. Soft and approachable, loaded with dense red fruits and copious salty minerals, it is hard to find a better California Pinot Noir at this price point. Enjoy now and over the next eight years or so. Drink 2025-2033- 93

43) 2023 Lingua Franca ‘Novo Vino’ Pinot Noir

Oregon | Eola-Amity Hills | $150.00 | 97 Points

A stunning new edition of this wine, the 2023 ‘Novo Vino’ is a barrel selection wine coming from the Lingua Franca estate vineyard. The reduction and aromatic complexity from the whole cluster fermentation, this wine utilizes clone 943 that was stored in 50% new French oak before bottling. This is powerful, very seamless stuff that is built to age. Drink 2025-2042- 97

44) 2023 WeatherEye Roussanne

Washington | Columbia Valley | $85.00 | 97 Points

The 2023 Roussanne was also stored in a combination of amphora and oak before bottling.  Very golden in the glass, this offers sinfully good aromatics of lemon peel, candied apricot and suggestions of papaya on the nose. The palate comes off weightless, offering supreme concentration and depth without coming off heavy. Opulent and dense, enjoy this electric wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 97

45) 2022 Caliza ‘Azimuth’ Red Wine

California | Paso Robles | $85.00 | 96 Points

The 2022 ‘Azimuth’ combines mainly Mourvedre and Grenache with 19% Syrah and a touch of Mataro. Stored for 18 months in 60% new French oak, this offers lovely smoked meats and black olives on the nose alongside shades of wild blackberry and white truffle shavings. The palate showing beautiful texture and freshness with a great push-pull incorporating fruit and non-fruit flavors. Very earthy and complex, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2039- 96

46) 2022 Diamond Creek ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Napa Valley | $250.00 | 98 Points

The stunning 2022 ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon can benefit from an hour or two in the decanter. It is silky and refined stuff with fabulous stony character. It comes off lush and rich on the mouth, with blueberry compote, wild blackberry and freshly tilled rocky soils on the palate, alongside mocha notes. Showing great depth and poise considering the heat of the vintage, this will live on for another several decades — but is flat out fabulous to enjoy in its full-throttle youth. Drink 2025-2042- 98

47) 2024 Dossier Sauvignon Blanc

Washington | Columbia Valley | $42.00 | 94 Points

The 2024 Dosser Sauvignon Blanc has the Equis Vineyard added to the other sources (Lonesome Spring Ranch, Corfu Crossing and Connor Lee). Lychee, green herbs and shades of white peach all mark the nose. The palate is lush and round with terrific mouthfeel and tension. Salty and delicious, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Malolactic fermented and don’t serve too cold! Drink 2025-2033- 94

48) 2023 Sleight of Hand ‘The Psychedelic’ Syrah

Oregon | Walla Walla Valley | $75.00 | 96 Points

Another classy edition of this wine, the 2023 Sleight of Hand ‘The Psychedelic’ Syrah was sourced from the famed Stoney Vine Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks District. Stored for 16 months in natural oak, this opens with red raspberry and green olives alongside shades of white truffle shavings and wild herbs. The palate is both fresh and viscous with a fabulous texture and loads of mouth-watering acidity. This is made more akin to the ’22 bottling in terms of underlying finesse. Watch this beauty evolve over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 96

49) 2022 Cote Nicault Red Wine

Washington | Columbia Valley | $85.00 | 97 Points

The 2022 Cote Nicault Red Wine is sourced from mainly the Red Haven Vineyard on Red Mountain. 38% Mourvèdre with 31% Grenache with the remainder Syrah. Inky in the glass, this shows off smoked brisket and tar notes alongside violets, dark currants and shades of Kalamata olive tapenade. The palate is impeccably balanced with plenty of mid-palate depth and viscosity. Drink 2025-2035- 97

50) 2022 Haynes Vineyard ‘Corazon’ Chardonnay

California | Napa Valley | $250.00 | 95 Points

Coming from a south-facing portion of the vineyard, the 2022 Haynes Vineyard ‘Corazon’ Chardonnay offers great flavor density and weight. Roasted pineapple and mango notes combine wth salted nectarine and shades of honeydew melon and wet rock on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 95

51) 2024 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $32.00 | 93 Points

The 2024 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris offers loads of texture and tension. Bright melon and starfruit tones combine with Japanese pear, baking spice laced pastry crust and lemon curd notes on the palate. Very complex and delicious, enjoy this fabulous Gris now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93

52) 2023 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling

Washington | Columbia Valley | $25.00 | 93 Points

The 2023 ‘Eroica’ Riesling is made in the Kabinette style. This comes off fat on the tongue. Nectarine, oyster shell and passion fruit tones combine with lemon rind and kerosene on the palate. This is really good stuff that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2032- 93

53) 2022 Matthews ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Red Mountain | $85.00 | 96 Points

The outstanding 2022 Matthews ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers Turkish coffee and tar notes on the nose alongside creme de violette. The palate is deep and rich with terrific flavor density and marvelous weight and depth. This is a steal at this price point. Drink 2025-2037- 96

54) 2023 Brooks ‘Bois Joli Vineyard’ Riesling

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $45.00 | 94 Points

The 2023 ‘Bois Joli’ Riesling comes from this location set on Willakenzie soils. Refreshing and neatly-textured, this offers loads of nectarine and pineapple flavors on the palate, with petrol and stony accents. Impossible to put down once opened, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 94

55) 2023 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $30.00 | 94 Points

Mark Vlossak has been one of Oregon’s great champions for this Alsatian varietal for more than a decade now. This bottling comes from the famed Freedom Hill Vineyard, from vines planted back in 1993 and 2008. It is silky, refined and elegant, showing beautiful peach and Japanese pear flavors that meld well with shortbread, cashew nut and shades of ripe papaya on the palate. A stunning bottling that is a killer value, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 94

56) 2022 Darioush Cabernet Franc

California | Napa Valley | $150.00 | 96 Points

A stunning and generous rendition of this wine, the 2022 Cabernet Franc is 100% varietal that was stood in 75% new French oak barrels before bottling. This is highly polished, concentrated stuff, with a fabulous acid backbone. Deep black and blue fruits march on with pencil lead, anise, and shades of creme de violette and tar on the palate. Complex and hedonistic, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 96

57) 2023 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $100.00 | 96 Points

The 2023 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir is a lush, generous and also very nervy wine that has a long way to go in the cellar. On the nose this takes on gorgeous red florals that combines with orange zest, scorched earth and shades of bergamot. The palate is dense and refined as this glides throughout the drinking experience. A gorgeous wine from a great vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 96

58) 2021 Daou ‘Patrimony’ Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Paso Robles | $300.00 | 99 Points

The stunning 2021 ‘Patrimony’ is all Cabernet Sauvignon from the Daou estate vineyard that was stored in new French oak for 30 months before bottling. This is a decadent, monster of a wine that flirts with perfection. Black and blue fruits seamlessly parade alongside copious minerals, chalky soils, tar, anise seed and suggestions of creme de violette. Complex, hedonistic and unbridled in terms of depth and finesse, this will easily go for another twenty plus years. Drink 2025-2045- 99

59) 2020 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington | Red Mountain | $150.00 | 99 Points

Sourced from all three estate vineyards, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 22 months in 65% new French oak before bottling. Very inky in the glass, this offers sandalwood and shades of cassis that combine with boysenberry compote and black licorice on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with a refined sense of weight. Very fresh and fragrant, with a concentrated core of black currants, creme de cassis and scorched earth, with herbal accents, this is a gorgeous, very generous bottling that is already really nicely defined at the five year mark. Drink 2026-2037- 99

60) 2021 K Vintners ‘Royal City’ Syrah

Washington | Royal Slope | $125.00 | 96 Points

Truly one of the iconic Washington wines, the 2021 ‘Royal City’ Syrah is sourced from the ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ in the Royal Slope AVA. This site has a wide range of soil types, including salty loam and sand. Right away the Syrah impresses with heady green peppercorn and Kalamatta olive tapenade aromatics that combine with beef drippings, Mandarin orange zest and suggestions of wet stone. The palate is dense and heady, with serious texture and good underlying verve. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Give it 30 minutes of air if consuming now. Purchased bottle. Drink 2025-2035- 96

61) 2022 Clos Solene ‘L’Insolent’ Red Wine

California | Paso Robles | $125.00 | 96 Points

This 2022 ‘L’Insolent’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Petit Verdot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. Inky in the glass, this shows green bell pepper and fresh herbs on the nose alongside pencil lead, dark currant compote and shades of black licorice. The palate is beautiful structured and powerful, offering serious texture and weight. Drinking marvelously now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. This is a totally different animal than the ’21 — but equally as delicious. What it might not have in terms of refinement and elegance, this makes up in well-structured hedonistic decadence. Drink 2025-2038- 96

62) 2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Malbec

Washington | Red Mountain | $85.00 | 95 Points

Also 100% varietal, the 2021 ‘Estate’ Malbec’ was stored in 25% new American oak barrels for 18 months prior to bottling. Brooding in the glass, this delivers plenty of rich dark fruits on the palate, alongside huckleberry compote, dark chocolate shavings and a graphite edge. Every bit outstanding, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 95

63) 2014 Argyle ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $95.00 | 96 Points

The 2014 ‘Extended Tirage’ was disgorged in July 2023. Given 3 G/L dosage, this shows off baking spice dusted pastry crust, Pink Lady apple, and juicy peach notes with shades of diatomaceous earth on this luxurious nose. The mousse is super refined and elegant, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. 60% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay. This is ethereal stuff that is only starting to hit its stride. Drink 2024-2038- 96

64) 2023 Audeant Rose

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $50.00 | 93 Points

The 2023 Audeant Rose comes from both the Cherry Grove and Luminous Hills Vineyards. The wine was de-stemmed and then sat on the skins for six days before fermentation. The wine then was stored on the lees for 11 months before bottling. This comes off very a la Big Table Farm in terms of flavor density, weight, viscosity and flavor range. Mandarin orange zest combines with guava puree, wild strawberry and walnut alongside shades of peat moss on the palate. Very complex and delicious, don’t serve this beauty too cold! This is not cheap at 50 bucks, but it is every bit a thrilling joyride to consume. Drink 2025-2033- 93

65) 2023 Alexana ‘Mosaic’ Pinot Noir

Oregon | Dundee Hills | $55.00 | 95 Points

The 2023 ‘Mosaic’ comes from a whopping 22 soil types and utilizes Pommard, Wadenswil, La Tache and a range of clones. This comes off fresh and marvelously earthy, with sea salt and stony accents that collide with a fresh Satsuma orange zest and a glorious core of red and dark fruits. Big, bold and sumptuous on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 95

66) 2022 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine

Washington | Columbia Valley | $35.00 | 93 Points

This stellar edition of Trutina was stored in mainly natural oak barrels (30% new French oak) before bottling.Mocha, tar and anise flavors mingle well with dark currants and chocolate on the palate. A killer value, with good mouthfeel and mid-palate depth and complexity, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

67) 2024 Spottswoode ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc

California | Napa Valley | $55.00 | 95 Points

A dazzling rendition of this wine, the 2024 Spottswoode ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc offers plump gooseberry and kiwi notes on the nose with lemongrass and dried green herbal accents. The palate is fresh and lively with bright acidity and a seamless sense of texture. Very mineral-laden, each sip offers lip-smacking minerality and great flavor density. Glorious now, this will evolve well for another eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

68) 2024 Big Table Farm ‘Laughing Pig’ Rose

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $45.00 | 94 Points

Another sensational edition of this wine, the highly nuanced 2024 Laughing Pig’ Rose was stored in all neural oak barrels before bottling.  A beautiful watermelon color, this offers white rose water and orange peel notes on the nose with salty soils and shades of cranberry. The palate is beautifully astringent and intense, with serious texture and minerality, showing some fabulous earthy tones with peat moss and damp hay. The length impresses, as this lasts for a near-minute on the mouth. This is once again an incredibly showing in its mineral-laden youth. Drink 2025-2031- 94

69) 2021 Hill of Tara ‘Maeve The Warrior’ Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Sonoma | $85.00 | 97 Points

The 2021 Hill of Tara ‘Maeve The Warrior’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes entirely from the Monte Rosso Vineyard. At this site there are 20 year old vines of clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon as vines here are set on a bench at 800 feet. Volcanic soils mingle well with suggestions of Asian spices, blackberry compote, black rose petals and shades of violets. The palate is dense and fresh with serious tension and richness. Totally stunning, heady and full of viscosity, enjoy now and over the next twenty years. Drink 2026-2045- 97

70) 2023 PerUs ‘Armaan’ Red Wine

California | Napa Valley | $425.00 | 97 Points

The stunning 2023 ‘Armaan’ is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Tench Vineyard with a touch of Sage Ridge Vineyard. It is a decadent and rich journey throughout the drinking experience with scorched earth and stony minerals that collide with dense dark and blue fruits on the palate. The chocolate edge from the Merlot is absolutely gorgeous. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2025-2042- 97

71) 2022 Open Claim Chardonnay

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $75.00 | 95 Points

Rich, sultry and gorgeous from this slightly cooler vintage, the 2022 Open Claim Chardonnay is best served on the warmer side. Rich buttered French bread combines with Meyer lemon oil, mango, kumquat rind and suggestions of shortbread on the palate. Dense and also very nervy, with serious length and texture, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

72) 2022 Corison ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Napa Valley | $125.00 | 95 Points

A downright killer wine from a challenging vintage, the 2022 Corison ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking beautifully now. Round and generous on the tongue, with good freshness, this offers a dense core of dark cherry and roasted fig flavors alongside espresso bean, loamy soils and shades of menthol on the palate. This is just a sensational effort in ’22. Drink 2025-2038- 95

73) 2022 Sea Smoke ‘Ten’ Pinot Noir

California | Santa Rita Hills | $120.00 | 95 Points

The 2022 ‘Ten’ Pinot Noir is a stunning effort that is already beautifully evolved from this slightly warmer vintage. This is made from its 10 "clones" of Pinot Noir. The palate is deep, fresh and fragrant with serious weight, texture and tension. Red rose petal water combines with bright cranberry and red cherry fruits alongside salty soils on the palate. Full-bodied and absolutely delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

74) 2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Devil’s Gulch Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

California | Marin County | $95.00 | 96 Points

The brilliant 2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Devil’s Gulch Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location in western Marin County, planted to Dijon clone Pinot Noir. Translucent in the glass, this show aromatics of red currants and red rose petals alongside citrus blossom notes. The palate is fleshy and viscous with terrific mouthfeel and length. A stunning rendition of this wine that is both gratifying and very pure, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 96

75) 2023 Granville ‘O’Della Reserve’ Chardonnay

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $125.00 | 97 Points

The outstanding 2023 ‘O’Della Reserve’ is named after Jackson Holstein’s daughter. The Chardonnay comes from a range of sites throughout the Willamette Valley including their new Nova Ridge Vineyard (70%). It is a dense and heady effort that was stored in 40% new French oak for 11 months prior to bottling. Golden in the glass, this delivers incredible seamless character on the palate. Weightless and intense melon, citrus and tropical fruits greet you on the palate, with copious stony minerals, alongside nutty nuances. Complex, highly novel and delicious, this is a mind-bending wine that will surely appeal to any lover of Oregon Chardonnay. Drink 2025-2040- 97

77) 2022 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir

California | Anderson Valley | $150.00 | 96 Points

The scintillating 2022 ‘Ten Degrees’ is a barrel selection wine by Goldeneye.  It is dense, heady and has marvelous richness and texture. Decadent loganberry and strawberry fruit flavors collide with sandy/salty soils, wet rock, menthol and shades of cardamom on the palate. Fresh and lively with serious flavor density, enjoy now and over the next fifteen to twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 96

78) 2023 Echolands ‘Resurgent Vineyard’ Syrah

Oregon | Walla Walla Valley | $75.00 | 95 Points

The 2023 ‘Resurgent’ Syrah comes from this site set on basalt cobblestones. This is wonderfully stony no the nose with wet gravel, tar, bay leaf and shades of Hoisin sauce with dark raspberry notes. The palate is silky smooth with a great sense of tension that runs through the core of milk chocolate, crushed wet rock and stony minerals. Seriously good, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Absolutely no reason to cellar this beauty. Drink 2025-2033- 95

79) 2021 Masalto ‘Facade’ White Pinot Noir

Washington | Royal Slope | $75.00 | 95 Points

Coming from the Solaksen Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA, this spent 22 months in 30% new French oak before bottling. Salted peach, pie crust, kumquat zest and Yakima cherry flavors mingle well with nutty and stony accents on the palate. Dense and rich with an unctuous texture, this is absolutely stunning that has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

80) 2021 Gramercy Cellars ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah

Washington | Walla Walla Valley | $65.00 | 95 Points

The 2021 ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah is a knockout wine from this storied site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. The Syrah was entirely whole cluster fermented with some Viognier. Dark in the glass, this offers classic dried herbs on the nose with wet stone, iodine, wild blackberry compote and shades of dark licorice. The palate is round and generous with a smooth mouthfeel and great sense of finesse. Very refined and elegant throughout the drinking experience, showing no rough edges, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 95

81) 2022 Fe Wines Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Napa Valley | $225.00 | 96 Points

The outstanding 2022 Fe Wines Cabernet Sauvignon has small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Malbec blended in. Very inky in the glass, this opens with gorgeous violet rose petals that parade with espresso grounds, creosote, blackberry compote and shades of black licorice. The palate is silky and refined with great texture and good verve considering the heat at harvest. This is already beautifully evolved stuff that will cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2037- 96

82) 2022 Single Barrel ‘Conner Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay

Washington | Columbia Valley | $65.00 | 95 Points

Sourced from vines planted all the way back in the late 1980s, the 2022 Single Barrel ‘Conner Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay delivers serious weight and texture with beautiful flavor density. Rich honeydew melon and Japanese pear combine with baking spice laced shortbread and roasted pineapple on the palate. This is astonishingly good. Drink 2025-2033- 95

83) 2023 Pinstripe Pinot Meunier ‘Ne Jamais Abandonner’ Sparkling Wine

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $85.00 | 93 Points

The 2023 Pinstripe Pinot Meunier ‘Ne Jamais Abandonner’ Sparkling Wine was given 4G/L dosage.offers tart red fruits on the nose. The palate offers beautiful guava and strawberry fruits alongside baked apple and shades of kumquat zest. Beautiful now, watch this evolve over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

84) 2023 Royer ‘548’ Chardonnay

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $85.00 | 96 Points

The 2023 ‘548’ focuses on single clone Chardonnay set on Nekia soils. This comes off seamless and also very stony throughout the drinking experience, as copious minerals and lip-smacking acidity both greet you on the palate. Kumquat zest, persimmon and shades of bergamot all fill the palate, alongside crushed wet rock and walnut accents. The terroir imparted here is astonishingly good. Very complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 96

85) 2023 Januik ‘Sagemoor Vineyards’ Sauvignon Blanc

Washington | Columbia Valley | $20.00 | 92 Points

The really good 2023 Januik ‘Sagemoor Vineyards’ Sauvignon Blanc offers gooseberry and pear notes on the palate alongside nectarine skin notes. Rich and viscous, this is absolutely singing right now. Drink 2025-2031- 92

86) 2023 Two Vintners ‘O.G.’ Gewurtztraminer

Washington | Columbia Valley | $20.00 | 93 Points

This 2023 Gewurtztraminer was sourced from the esteemed Olsen Vineyard and saw extended maceration (8 weeks) in clay amphorae before bottling. Golden in the glass, this offers beautiful honeysuckle and white peach note alongside star jasmine and shades of gardenia. This is another sensational edition of this wine with great depth, flavor density and underlying tension that totally over-delivers for the price. Drink 2025-2031- 93

87) 2022 Denner ‘Cirrus’ Red Wine

California | Paso Robles | $75.00 | 96 Points

Mostly Grenache, the 2022 ‘Cirrus’ offers wonderful herbal and savory notes on the nose alongside dense red fruits, black currants and tar accents. The palate is juicy and shows great weight and length. Delightful to enjoy now, savor this beauty now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 96

88) 2022 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $125.00 | 96 Points

The stunning 2023 ‘Family Reserve’ is a wine that has such a long life ahead of it. Silky and refined on the mouth, this shows amazing depth, power and concentration. A glorious core of red fruits surrounded by salty and stony soils all combine on the palate, with peat moss and shades of menthol on the palate. Try to resist this beauty for at least another year. Drink 2026-2044- 96

89) 2023 DuMol ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay

California | Carneros | $95.00 | 96 Points

A truly sensational new release, the 2023 DuMol ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay stands golden in the glass. Flint and juicy peach mark the nose alongside shades of poached pear and vanilla creme brûlée on the nose. The palate is elegant and refined with serious verve and weight. This is marvelously salty and nutty on the palate, with a seamless mouthfeel and glorious sense of length. DuMol has been sourcing from this site since 2001 — and we are very glad that they do. Drink 2025-2037- 96

90) 2024 Groth ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc

California | Napa Valley | $50.00 | 93 Points

The 2023 ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc is an outstanding wine now in its second edition. It has a touch of Semillon blended in, as this was stored in neutral French oak before bottling. It has deep melon fruits that parade with shades of passion fruit, white peach, salted Macadamia nut and copious minerals on the palate. This is complex stuff, as the Semillon really adds to the equation here. Drink 2025-2033- 93

91) 2023 Ram’s Gate ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

California | Sonoma Coast | $85.00 | 95 Points

The beautiful 2023 Ram’s Gate ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this famed location that neighbors the Pacific Ocean. This shows beautiful red rose petals on the nose with tangerine peel, damp salty soils and shades of red raspberry preserves. The palate is rich and dense with amazing tension and refined tannins. Mainly whole cluster fermented. Drink 2025-2035- 95

92) 2023 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah

California | Santa Barbara County | $75.00 | 96 Points

The sensational 2023 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah opens with a beautiful bouquet of black florals alongside dark currants and loganberry cordial.  The palate is fleshy and ripe with good tension and a marvelous core of black and blue fruits. Full-bodied and showing a light saline streak, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 96

93) 2021 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Patriarch’ Cabernet Sauvignon

California | Napa Valley | $250.00 | 98 Points

Another amazing rendition of this wine, the 2021’Patriarch’ was aged for 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels prior bottling. It is up there with the ’19 as the finest renditions of this wine that I have tasted. Ultra-dark in the glass, this shows off creme de cassis, dusty soils, violets, tar and black licorice notes on the nose. The palate is silky and refined as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Very well-structured, with copious minerals and refined tannins, this really needs another year in the cellar for everything to come together. Your patience will be rewarded. Drink 2026-2050- 98

94) 2023 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $40.00 | 94 Points

Another stellar edition of this wine, the 2023 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris makes its case for one of the best wines of its kind in the United States. It comes off rich and fat on the tongue, with outstanding texture and minerality. Heady papaya, mango and starfruit flavors collide with gobs of flinty tension Finishing very long, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

95) 2021 The Walls ‘Wonderful Nightmare’ Red Wine

Washington | Columbia Valley | $65.00 | 94 Points

The 2022 ‘Wonderful Nightmare’ is a gorgeous bottling that is rich, dense and heady. Mainly Tempranillo, this is very stony and rich on the palate, with roasted figs, wet rock and pipe tobacco alongside dark currant notes. Fresh and neatly textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

96) 2023 Pott Wines ‘Stacked’ Red Wine

California | Napa Valley | $150.00 | 97 Points

The 2023 ‘Stacked’ Red Wine comes from the Remedium Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Inky in the glass, this offers amazing flavor density with black currants, tar, anise and creme de cassis on the palate. Full-boded and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 97

97) 2022 ROCO ‘RMS’ Brut Sparkling Wine

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $75.00 | 95 Points

The seriously good 2022 ‘RMS’ is equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It has outstanding weight and flavor density, with plenty of flinty and salty nuance. Juicy peach, freshly cut Key lime and saline drenched pear combine with pastry crust and nutty accents line the palate. A stunning rendition of this bottling, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2035- 95

98) 2022 Ambar ‘Lustral’ Chardonnay

Oregon | Willamette Valley | $95.00 | 96 Points

The 2023 ‘Lustral’ is a barrel selection Chardonnay that was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. This comes off dense, rich and fat on the mouth with a terrific mouthfeel and gobs of minerality. This comes off seamless throughout the drinking experience. Salty minerals combine with rich citrus and orchard fruits on the palate. This is somehow even better than the ’22 edition. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 96

99) 2023 Kanzler ‘Kanzler Estate Reserve’ Pinot Noir

California | Sonoma | $125.00 | 96 Points

The 2023 Kanzler ‘Kanzler Estate Reserve’ Pinot Noir is a barrel selection wine from their estate vineyard the Russian River Valley. Given 23% whole cluster fermentation. The nose is gorgeous with bright red rose petals that mingle well with exotic spices, cola, Mandarin orange peel and shades of black truffle shavings. The palate is ultra-refined, fresh and gorgeous in terms of texture and verve. A world-class wine made from this slightly cooler vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2025-2042- 96

100) 2024 Amavi Rose

Washington | Walla Walla Valley | $30.00 | 93 Points

A stunning new edition of this wine, the 2024 Amavi Rose is made from Cabernet Franc grapes and then was stored in stainless steel with some lees stirring before bottling. Damp earth collide with fresh strawberry, guava and shades of blood orange zest. This is ultra-fresh with a superb texture and great mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2031- 93

Castello di Amorosa

One of the most beautiful spots in Napa, Castello di Amorosa is a must visit for anyone interested in Tuscan history. The history dates back many years with Dario Stattui, who is is the great grandson of pioneering vintner Vittorio Sattui, an Italian immigrant who founded St. Helena Wine Cellars in 1885. The Sattui family lived at the winery, even after Prohibition closed the business in 1920.  Dario returned to the U.S. in 1972, with plans to re-open the family winery that had been dormant for more than 50 years. In 1975, he launched V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena. Then in 1993, and after decades of searching Dario finally found the ideal parcel — 171 acres near Calistoga where Colonel William Nash had planted one of California's first vineyards in 1846. Dario bought the property, which had acres of beautiful forest and hills, a stream and a lake, and a great Victorian home where he decided to settle. And the rest has been history.

It is incredible how this was built. The Castello was finally born using more than 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled local stone and nearly one million antique bricks imported from Europe to complete the construction. More than 200 containers of old materials and furnishings were shipped over from Europe to decorate the interior. The construction took 15 years and opened to the public on April 7, 2007.

I love the 2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Rubino’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which is juicy and delicious Pinot Noir from this warm vintage. Learn more about this beautiful winery at https://castellodiamorosa.com and here are my reviews of the outstanding new Castello di Amorosa wines.

2024 Castello di Amorosa ‘Cresta D’Oro Vineyard’Chardonnay- The 2024 Castello di Amorosa ‘Cresta D’Oro Vineyard’Chardonnay offers great flavor density with poached pear and salted French bread flavors alongside shades of roasted pineapple. Full-bodied, with great poise, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2023 Castello di Amorosa ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Reserve’ comes from a range of sites throughout the Napa Valley. Once on the nose it offers buttered popcorn, Japanese pear and starfruit tones alongside baking spice laced hazelnut. The palate is soft and seamless throughout the drinking experience, with outstanding weight and length. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2024 Castello di Amorosa ‘Rosato di Pinot Noir’ Rose- The dense and intense 2024 Castello di Amorosa ‘Rosato di Pinot Noir’ Rose offers copies minerals on the palate, with tart cranberry and Yakma cherry fruits that combine with a smooth mouthfeel. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Rubino’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Il Rubino’ offers cola and Bing cherry with cranberry fruits that combine with sassafras and a smooth mouthfeel on the palate. Showing good tension considering the heat of the vintage, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2023 Castello di Amorosa ‘Morning Dew Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The generous and mineral-laden 2023 ‘Morning Dew Ranch’ comes from this cooler location in the Anderson Valley. This is loaded with rich dark fruits and cola tones on the palate, with damp earthy notes. Dense and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2024 Castello di Amorosa ‘Cresta D’Oro Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Cresta D’Oro Vineyard’ is set in the Green Valley and combines 115, 777 and Pommard 4 clonal selections.

This is heady and well-structured with a refined mouthfeel. Cran-cola and pomegranate seed flavors combine with Mandarin orange zest, damp soils and fresh sage. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Voyager Vineyard’ Sangiovese- The 2022 ‘Voyager Vineyard’ Sangiovese offers dusty soils with red currants, red cherry candy and shades of sagebrush. Juicy and delicious, with bright acidity, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Zingaro’ Zinfandel- The 2020 ‘Zingaro’ comes from old vine Zinfandel vineyards that neighbor the Pacific Ocean. This is jammy and delicious wine with a great melange of red and dark fruits alongside Arabica bean and salty soils. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2021 Castello di Amorosa ‘Quattro’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Quattro’ was sourced from four locations across the Napa Valley. This comes off well-structured with black currants, blackberry pie, tar and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied and well-structured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 92

2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of sites in Napa. Stored in new French oak barrels, this delivers creme de cassis and loganberry notes on the nose alongside espresso grounds, loamy soils and shades of dark chocolate. The palate is refined and elegant with a seamless mouthfeel and great sense of Napa character. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Diamond Mountain District’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Diamond Mountain District’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this hot vintage in the Napa Valley. It is soft and approachable with medium-bodied black fruits with tar, scorched earth and wintergreen. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Barone’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous 2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Barone’ is inky in the glass. It opens with opulent aromatics of creme de cassis, anise, tar, blackberry compote and violets. The palate is dense and well-structured with refined tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘La Castellana’ Red Wine- A Super Tuscan-inspired wine, the 2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘La Castellana’ Red Wine combines 70% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot and Sangiovese. Very dark in the glass, this delivers heady aromatics of black rose petals, tobacco leaf and loamy soils alongside shades of pencil lead. The palate is well-structured with serious texture and verve. The balance and moving parts here is incredibly good. Drink 2025-2038- 94

Chateau Montelena

Today we share one of the historic wineries not only from Napa, but the entire west coast. Chateau Montelena was first founded in 1888 and named A.L. Tubbs winery after its founder Alfred Tubbs. Nearly 100 years later in 1976 the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was judged against four white Burgundy wines. The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the Judgement of Paris, being voted the top wine of the tasting. This was a landmark achievement for California wines, as French wines were typically viewed as considerably superior to California wines. I love the new 2022 ‘The Montelena Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is powerful and deep with terrific texture. Learn more at http://montelena.com Here are the outstanding new Cabernet release by Chateau Montelena.

2022 Chateau Montelena ‘The Montelena Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The stunning 2022 Chateau Montelena ‘The Montelena Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a world-class wine from a tough vintage. Loamy soils line the palate alongside blackberry compote, dark currants, creme de violette and rocky nuances. Dense and delicious, with great soil and non-fruit character, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

ROCO

Happy Sunday to you all. We share the brilliant wines of ROCO, the brainchild of famed winemaker Rollin Soles. Rollin is one of the great people in wine to chat with. I’ve been fortunate to have tasted his Argyle wines back to the late 1990s, as the ‘Extended Tirage’ wines that he made were some of the finest bubbles you will find in North America. These ‘Extended Tirage’ wines are part of the reason why I am so obsessed with top bubbles of the world.

With the 2013 vintage Rollin was able to craft his first sparkling wine for his label, the ‘RMS.’ RMS wines are aged for 2.5 years before being disgorged. Rollin has had great success with his ROCO wines as he and his wife sold their winery to Santa Margarita winery in 2022. There is very good reason why these giants of Italy took interest in this winery that has been consistently producing great wines.

I visited the winery this summer with friends and family. They have a huge space and are very family friendly. Come visit them. I am enamored by the 2022 ROCO ’RMS’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) which is rich, dense and refined. Learn more about these incredible wines at rocowinery.com and here are my notes from the new release wines by ROCO.

2022 ROCO ‘RMS Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- Another gorgeous bottling, the 2022 ROCO ‘RMS Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine comes from Chardonnay vineyard sites throughout the Willamette Valley and chosen by winemaker Rollin Soles. Salted mixed nuts combine with lemon rind, and buttered French bread on the palate. A generous, beautifully-textured wine, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 ROCO ‘RMS’ Brut Sparkling Wine- The seriously good 2022 ‘RMS’ is equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It has outstanding weight and flavor density, with plenty of flinty and salty nuance. Juicy peach, freshly cut Key lime and saline drenched pear combine with pastry crust and nutty accents line the palate. A stunning rendition of this bottling, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 ROCO ‘RMS Rose’ Brut Sparkling Wine- The stunning  2022‘RMS’ sparkling Rose is a dense and highly flavorful follow up from the outstanding 2021 edition. This Blanc de Noirs shows off its pretty salmon hue, yielding delicate strawberry and cranberry fruits that mingle with sweetened gooseberry, salted green melon and a refined mousse on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 ROCO ‘Marsh Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ROCO ‘Marsh Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous new bottling by associate winemaker Jared Sleet and winemaker Rollin Soles. On the nose this takes on layers of fragrant red florals with cranberry, orange zest and suggestions of cardamom. This is both fresh and viscous with outstanding verve and texture. Considering the coolness of the vintage, the weight really shines here. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 ROCO ‘Knudsen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ROCO ‘Knudsen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this acclaimed site in the Dundee Hills. Bright red fruits parade with kumquat zest and rocky/salty soils on the palate. Refined and elegant, this is drinking beautifully now and will cellar well over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 ROCO ‘Private Stash No. 19’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ROCO ‘Private Stash No. 19’ Pinot Noir is a barrel selection wine that is now in its nineteenth edition, first started in 2003. This is entirely sourced from Rollin Soles’s 2 acre vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA set on Marine Sedimentary soils. The flavor density is outstanding here, as is the sense of depth and poise. Rich, salty red fruits parade with kumquat rind, bergamot and black rose water on the palate. Finishing very long, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Dutton Goldfield

A standout from Sonoma County, I have enjoyed Dutton-Goldfield wines from my personal collection for many years. They make a brilliant range including Riesling and even Pinot Blanc to Syrah. For years I have enjoyed visiting this top notch producer located in the Russian River Valley. Dutton Goldfield dates back to 1998 when colleagues Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield decided to start a winery together. Steve Dutton is a 5th generation farmer while Dan has a background in chemistry and later completed the illustrious UC Davis program in winemaking. Dan previously worked at Robert Mondavi Winery and even made wine in Portugal for two years before coming back to California and starting Dutton-Goldfield

I adored the 2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Renwood Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is loaded with texture and tension with a great melange of red and dark fruits Learn more about Dutton Goldfield at http://www.duttongoldfield.com. Here are the great new releases from Dutton Goldfield.

2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch-Walker Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch-Walker Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from this Green Valley location. It comes off lush and mineral-laden on the mouth with Meyer lemon cream and meringue notes alongside mango and shades of buttered French bread. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘5 Wells Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 5 Wells Vineyard is set in the Russian River Valley, on well-drained Goldridge Sandy Loam soils. Aged in 40% new French oak this shows off wild blackberry and dried herbal notes on the nose alongside shades of damp, sandy soils. The palate is fresh and refined with serious elegance and freshness. A great melange of red and dark fruits greet you on the palate alongside orange peel, with plenty of salty nuance. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Redwood Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The amazing 2023 ‘Redwood Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location in the Sonoma Coast strongly impacted by coastal fog. This is neatly textured and wonderfully salty on the palate, with outstanding concentration. Tart red and dark fruits mingle well with kumquat peel and shades of rocky souls on the palate. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Azaya Ranch Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Azaya Ranch Vineyard is one of the few older vineyards left in Marin County as this 18 acre location is largely planted to Dijon clone Pinot Noir. Dark truffle shavings mingle well with green herbs, dark cherry and cola accents on the palate. Very fresh and soft on the mouth, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Fox Den Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from the Green Valley, the Fox Den Vineyard sits on a ridge, as vines are set on low vigor soils. Stored n mainly neutral oak, this beautiful 2023 Pinot Noir delivers sassafras and cran-cola notes on the palate alongside Satsuma orange zest and plenty of salty/stony accents. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific freshness, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Devil’s Gulch Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant 2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Devil’s Gulch Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location in western Marin County, planted to Dijon clone Pinot Noir. Translucent in the glass, this show aromatics of red currants and red rose petals alongside citrus blossom notes. The palate is fleshy and viscous with terrific mouthfeel and length. A stunning rendition of this wine that is both gratifying and very pure, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 96

Frank Family Vineyards

Year after year Frank Family Vineyards is one of the great overall lineups of wine that you will taste in the Napa Valley, first founded back in 1992 by Rich and Leslie Frank. Rich Frank is former President of Disney Studios. A world-traveller, Frank time he knew that Napa Valley was the perfect setting to start a winery. Rich had an incredibly successful career and under his leadership, television and movie properties such as Cheers, Entertainment Tonight, Golden Girls, Ellen, Dead Poet’s Society, Pretty Woman, Aladdin, and The Lion King achieved worldwide acclaim. Rich also is the longest serving President of The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys).

Leslie also had an incredibly successful career, spending more than 25 years covering news stories, and the last nine years of her TV news career reporting and anchoring at the number-one-rated station, KABC in Los Angeles. Prior to Los Angeles, Leslie was the main anchor at KCPQ, the FOX affiliate in Seattle, where she helped launch its 10 pm newscast, taking it to number one in its time slot and receiving an Emmy for Outstanding News Anchor. Rich and Leslie are fully invested in Frank Family Vineyards' as they manage everything from vineyard purchases, to sales and marketing.

For years I have been so impressed by the wines made by winemaker Todd Graff who started with Frank Family back in 2003.  He has done an immense job by helping put Napa Chardonnay on the national stage with the wines that he crafts.  In 2022 there were heat spikes at harvest. Speaking with winemaker Todd Graff he stated “I had never experienced heat spikes like that and the length of it was crazy. We didn’t have the color and any damage that the skins got we tried to bypass as much as possible. Do the whole cluster pressing. Carneros has really nice acidity and we were able to maintain those. I am very pleasured with how they turned out.”

The 2021 reds were amongst the finest I have tasted from this house. “2021 was a drought years and the crops were small and concentrated. Benefited from less production and a winemaker’s year, not a bankers year. Really concentrated fruit. The 2021 Patriarch in particular was a knockout bottling that was amongst the finest I have ever had. “This wine comes from this volcanic rocky soils going up to the Silverado Trail, up a bit. Naturally terraced over time. A little more similar to like Pritchard Hill, closer to that than anything that would be Rutherford. More black fruit with intensity and concentration. It is a great vineyard and I am lucky to have worked with it over 23 years. My tasting group last year we did the 2013 wines and I put the Winston Hill in that. We loved them all!”

He looks to 2023 being another “great year.” He stated “2023 and 2024 and now 2025 we are all excited about this vintage. 2023 looks really good and I am actually opening those for some tasting on Monday. That vineyard is pretty consistent with that black, dark concentrated fruit. 2023 was a late harvest.”

Do not miss out on his new 2023 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Napa Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is a killer wine for the price. Learn more about these brilliant new wines at  https://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com Here are my reviews of the great new wines by Frank Family Vineyards.

2023 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay is another outstanding effort by winemaker Todd Graff. Generous and rich, this delivers rich marzipan, pastry crust and Japanese pear flavors with salted kumquat on the palate. Rich and viscous with an inviting mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard Reserve’ Chardonnay- The heady 2022 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard Reserve’ Chardonnay is a gorgeous bottling that shows off the heat of the vintage. It is rich, unctuous and round on the mouth with buttered French bread and shortbread notes alongside saline drenched pears and shades of vanilla bean. This is already really nicely defined. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Lewis Vineyard Reserve’ Chardonnay- The Lewis Vineyard is located in the Carneros appellation. Once on the nose this takes on ripe pineapple and mango notes alongside salted praline. The palate is dense and heady with serious viscosity and weight — and is showing glorious length with loads of salty minerals. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard’ Chardonnay- A dense and hedonistic bottling, the 2022 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard’ Chardonnay exudes class with baking spice laced pie crust, toasted walnut and shades of white peach on the palate. Full-bodied with serious texture and weight, this is already drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2021 Frank Family Vineyards ‘RHF’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘RHF’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning wine that is drinking marvelously right now. Inky in the glass, this shows vivid dark currants, pencil lead and loamy soils on the nose. The palate is concentrated and seamless with outstanding verve and viscosity, loaded with rich dark fruits with chocolate and espresso bean accents. Gorgeous to consume now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2021 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Winston Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The stunning 2021 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Winston Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a killer melange of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with a splash of Petit Verdot. Stored in 75% new French oak this offers blueberry pie, mocha, tar and anise notes on the nose alongside suggestions of Arabica bean. The palate is lush and round with velvety tannins a terrific texture and sense of mouthfeel. Finishing long with dark fruits, and loamy/rocky soils, alongside sweet pipe tobacco accents, enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2045- 96

2021 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Patriarch’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another amazing rendition of this wine, the 2021’Patriarch’ was aged for 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels prior bottling. It is up there with the ’19 as the finest renditions of this wine that I have tasted. Ultra-dark in the glass, this shows off creme de cassis, dusty soils, violets, tar and black licorice notes on the nose. The palate is silky and refined as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Very well-structured, with copious minerals and refined tannins, this really needs another year in the cellar for everything to come together. Your patience will be rewarded. Drink 2026-2050- 98

Granville Wine Co.

I’m dating myself a bit but I have now tasted wines from the famed Holstein Vineyard for 20 years. “This has been a good year for us and putting out some wines that we are excited about it” said Jackson Holstein as I tasted virtually with him yesterday. Holstein has been very bullish about the slightly warmer 2023 vintage in Oregon. “If you want savory and textural wines, lean on the ‘22s, and these ‘23s are kind of a middle man between ’21 and ’22. But they have this energy that is comparable to the ‘21s. A bit softer on the approach compared to the 2021s. For us this vintage, April was cold and then boom, May had more 80 degree days than ever. That degree of heat lit things off and the disparity that we are seeing just wasn’t there. It makes for a compressed vintage, we saw a quick bud break to bloom. It was a tough growing season but a tough harvest from a logistical standpoint. For us in that window of ripening we had to cancel the late August vacation this was coming in for bubbles.” He explained “It was paramount that you stay diligent with the numerical numbers. I remember checking around July 4th and thinking that we are right there. It was not lagging and was a wake up call to see how fast things are moving around” he said.

Former head winemaker at Argyle, Nate Klostermans has been also working at Granville. He and Jackson make a knockout team. I loved the wines from 2023. These are deep, textural wines that have Jackson’s signature beginning, middle and end, with gorgeous body and depth. I love the 2023 Granville ‘Temperance Hill’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which has amazing nuance, depth and character from these old plantings. Learn more at https://www.granvillewines.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Granville wines.

2023 Granville ‘Holstein’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Holstein’ comes from this slightly warmer vintage in the Dundee Hills and was stored in 20% new French oak for 11 months before bottling. Coming from this famed site, this shows black and red florals on the nose alongside red currants, orange zest and shades of baking spices. This is concentrated, beautifully-textured, refined and elegant with serious tension and salty/stony nuance. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2023 Granville ‘Temperance Hill’ Pinot Noir- One of the oldest sites in Oregon, the Temperance Hill Vineyard was planted back in 1981. Granville sourced from the North Block location in the Eola-Amity Hills which is all Pommard clone Pinot Noir. This was 30% whole cluster fermented and opens with a bright bouquet of black truffle shavings, orange peel, loganberry and shades of cloves on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous with loads of finesse and rocky character. Drink 2025-2039- 95

2023 Granville ‘Koosah’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Koosah’ comes from this steep, high elevation location in the Eola-Amity Hills, sold to Jadot in 2022. The wine underwent 40% whole cluster fermentation and shows off beautiful red rose petals and lavender notes alongside shades of Linzer torte. The palate is concentrated and poised, with loads of lip-smacking acidity and freshness. Very earthy and dense, with great lift and length, this is a downright stunning wine that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2023 Granville ‘Louie Reserve’ Pinot Noir- A stunning wine from this warmer vintage, the 2023 ‘Louie’ comes from the Holstein Vineyard and is a barrel selection wine made by Jackson Holstein. This shows smoldering stones on the nose with wild blackberry, cardamom spice and shades of Satsuma orange zest. This is ultra-refined stuff that is very textural and earthy with an Umami and savory herbal edge. This is super seamless throughout the drinking experience and will entice for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2025-2043- 97

2023 Granville ‘O’Della Reserve’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2023 ‘O’Della Reserve’ is named after Jackson Holstein’s daughter. The Chardonnay comes from a range of sites throughout the Willamette Valley including their new Nova Ridge Vineyard (70%). It is a dense and heady effort that was stored in 40% new French oak for 11 months prior to bottling. Golden in the glass, this delivers incredible seamless character on the palate. Weightless and intense melon, citrus and tropical fruits greet you on the palate, with copious stony minerals, alongside nutty nuances. Complex, highly novel and delicious, this is a mind-bending wine that will surely appeal to any lover of Oregon Chardonnay. Drink 2025-2040- 97

2023 Granville ‘Latchkey’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Latchkey’ comes from a location neighboring the Holstein Vineyard in the Dundee Hills, set on Jory soils. This bottling utilizes Dijon clonal selections and this was fermented in puncheons and then underwent partial malolactic fermentation in both large and small format barrels. Lemon oil, sourdough bread, baking spices and shades of mango on the nose. This oily and unctuous on the mouth with a sinfully good texture. Still light on its feet, with beautiful length, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2038- 95

Dossier

Today we present an electric wine brand out of Washington. Dossier is a partnership between former NFL star Sidney Rice and businessman and fellow Whitman grad Tim Lenihan. One of the great talents on the west coast, master of wine, Billo Naravane, makes incredible wines for his Rasa Vineyards. Each bottling has incredible intension and attention to detail. Longtime Washington wine industry veteran Brandon Kubrock serves as general manager, formerly owning his own Ardor Cellars label. Brandon has a vast wealth of experience in the wine industry and has been honing his craft for more than 20 years.

Dossier is making one of the great Sauvignon Blancs in the state. The 2024 Dossier Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 94) has stunning flavor range at the entry level. Even better is their 2023 ‘Halo’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 96) which is a stunning rendition of this wine — up there with anything I have tasted this year from Napa. Learn more about this project at dossierwine.com and here are my reviews of the new Dossier wines.

2024 Dossier Sauvignon Blanc- The 2024 Dosser Sauvignon Blanc has the Equis Vineyard added to the other sources (Lonesome Spring Ranch, Corfu Crossing and Connor Lee). Lychee, green herbs and shades of white peach all mark the nose. The palate is lush and round with terrific mouthfeel and tension. Salty and delicious, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Malolactic fermented and don’t serve too cold! Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Dossier ‘Halo’ Sauvignon Blanc- Entirely sourced from the Connor Lee Vineyard, this 100& varietal Sauvignon Blanc was stored for 15 months in new oak barrels and underwent full malolactic fermentation. This offers lovely nutty tones on the nose with roasted pineapple, orange blossom and shades of salted sourdough bread. The palate is dense and viscous with serious depth, flavor density and complexity. The length and flavor density of this wine is insanely good as this is amongst the finest Sauvignon Blanc you will find on the West Coast. This has both the viscosity and the verve to cellar well for at least another ten years. Drink 2025-2038- 96

2023 Dossier ‘Portfolio’ Cabernet Franc- Sourced from several sources, the 2023 ‘Portfolio’ Cabernet Franc was stored in 50% new French oak for 18 months before bottling. On the nose this takes on fresh sage and red currants alongside shades of cassis and anise seed. The palate is plush and soft with a refined mouthfeel and great sense of texture, as chocolate and pipe tobacco tones collide with blackberry compote. This is complex and rich Cabernet Franc that has a long life ahead of it. Enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2023 Dossier ‘Flagship Index Blend’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Flagship Index Blend’ is a 45% Cabernet Sauvignon dominant wine with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot blended in. Stored for 21 months in 65% new French oak, this offers pencil lead, anise and black currants fill the nose alongside shades of chocolate pie. The palate is dense and delicious with a silky texture and wonderful depth, richness and concentration. The blending components are shining brightly. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2022 Dossier ‘Halo Reserve Dissertation’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Halo Reserve Dissertation’ 49% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Cabernet Franc with 16% Merlot and the remainder Malbec and Petit Verdot. This was stored in all new French oak for two years and then saw 18 months bottle age before being released. Dried herbs and tobacco leaf all fill the nose alongside dark chocolate shavings, graphite and shades of green bell pepper. The herbal accents here really beautifully compliment the dense dark fruits. This is very nervy and intense, with serious concentration considering the coolness of the vintage. This is seamless throughout the drinking experience. A total stunner, enjoy this glorious bottling now and over the next twenty years. Drink 2025-2045- 98

2023 Dossier ‘Flagship’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Flagship’ was stored in 70% new French oak for 21 months before bottling. This is mainly sourced from Goose Mountain Vineyard. This is dense and heady stuff with a sensational mouthfeel and great sense of weight and length. Black and blue fruits collide with Arabica bean and light green herbal accents on the palate. Well-structured, dense and plush, this is drinking marvelously right now Drink 2025-2038- 96

2022 Dossier ‘Halo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 100% varietal 2022 ‘Halo’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Firethorn, Summit View and Goose Mountain Vineyards. Stored in 100% new French oak for two years, this was then stored in bottle for 16 months before release. Beautiful red florals mark the nose alongside shades of dark chocolate, kirsch cordial, sweet pipe tobacco and suggestions of creme de cassis. The palate is impeccably balanced, with incredible weight, length and depth. Fresh sage and espresso bean accents line this beautiful wine that is only a slight step off the otherworldly 2021. Enjoy this beauty over the next two decades. Drink 2025-2045- 99

Davis Bynum

Today we share one of the outstanding Sonoma producers who is celebrating 50 years in the industry. Back in 1973  Davis Bynum began their journey using Rochioli Vineyard grapes and helping establish the Russian River Valley as a world-class location for Pinot. Davis Bynum was later sold to the Klein family who run Rodney Strong in 2007.

Winemaker Greg Morthole started working for Rodney Strong Vineyards in 2005, when he accepted a job as lab director. He has been Davis Bynum winemaker for two decades now. I loved the new wines. Check out a killer value, the 2023 ‘River West Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is sensational and easy to find as over 8K cases are made. Learn more at https://www.davisbynum.com and here are my reviews of the new Davis Bynum wines.

2023 Davis Bynum ‘River West Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Located in the Middle Reach, the River West Vineyard neighbors Flowers. Stored in 35% new French oak, this offers a gorgeous nose of honeysuckle and shades of poached pear alongside suggestions of wet stone. The palate is rich and dense with a terrific mouthfeel and great sense of weight and length. Amazing there is 12K cases of this wine — what a wine! Drink 2025-2033- 92

2023 Davis Bynum ‘Dutton Origin Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Dutton Origin Vineyard’ comes from this location in southern Sonoma set on Goldridge soils and clay. Vines here were planted in the 1970s.  Stored in 65% new French oak, this deliver marzipan and toasty oak alongside shades of papaya and white peach. The palate is dense and delicious with serious texture and verve, with outstanding length. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Davis Bynum ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Davis Bynum ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir was stored in roughly 35% new French oak and comes from eight different vineyards. The nose shows off red florals with cola, cranberry and shades of cardamom. This has amazing Sonoma character with the cran-cola and orange zest notes on the palate. Well-done! Drink 2025-2033- 92

2023 Davis Bynum ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2023 Davis Bynum ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous wine that shows off red rose petals and scorched earth notes alongside shades of salty soils and wet rock. The palate is rich and viscous with great concentration and underlying tension. Rich and viscous, enjoy this downright delicious bottling now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 95

2023 Davis Bynum ‘Bacigalupi’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Pinot Noir was puncheon fermented and shows gorgeous dark florals on the nose with cola, sassafras and shades of orange peel. The palate is plush and concentrated with serious texture, weight and verve. Dense and delicious, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2037- 94

Chosen Family Wines

Today we share one of the outstanding houses in Oregon. Chosen Family is great brand that started with former NBA star Channing Frye. Frye has utilized the winemaking skills of top winemakers such as Jackson Holstein, Chase Renton and Thomas Savre. NBA all-star Kevin Love joined the business a few years back. Love is an Oregon basketball legend, who is still playing for the Miami Heat. Frye is deeply passionate about wine and has a great knowledge of Oregon wine.

I love the new Chosen Family wines.  Check out the 2023 ‘C&K Select’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is neatly textured and shows outstanding flavor density from this warm vintage. Learn more about these great new wines at chosenfamilywines.com Here are my reviews of the new Chosen Family wines.

2023 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Chardonnay- The excellent 2023 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Chardonnay comes from the Ladd Hill and Hollis Vineyards in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It is wonderfully nervy with Meyer lemon zest, shortbread and mango flavors alongside copious minerals. The combination of finesse and flavor density really makes this sing. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2023 Chosen Family ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A stunning new wine made by Jackson Holstein of Granville Wine Company, the 2023 Chosen Family ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ has amazing earthy accents with tilled salty soils and shades of black truffle shavings that frame a beautiful core of black and red fruits. Enjoy this complex and delicious bottling now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the Dundee Hills and Chehalem Mountain AVAs. It offers beautiful red florals alongside cran-orange notes on the nose, with hints of fresh sage and wet rock. The palate is fresh and finesse-driven with plenty of salty minerals. Drink 2025-2034- 93

J. Lohr

Today we share a California house that is synonymous with value. J. Lohr has a great history in the wine industry. Starting in the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began searching for a great location plant his first vineyard. Originally raised on a South Dakota farm, Jerry had a background in agriculture and chose the Central Coast, which was an experimental region at the time. Jerry has created an amazing success story with his winery, J. Lohr. While J. Lohr has gained a nationwide reputation for rich red wines, their white wine portfolio is also has some outstanding values.

The red wines by J. Lohr were also excellent and displayed wonderful depth and concentration. An outstanding Petite Sirah release is their 2018 J. Lohr ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 92) which is a dense and burly effort that is nearly impossible to resist right now. Even better was the 2016 J. Lohr ‘Cuvee St. E’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is muscular showing blue fruits and espresso bean notes. Learn more about this outstanding lineup at https://www.jlohr.com Here are the outstanding new wines by J. Lohr. 

2023 J. Lohr ‘Hilltop Paso Robles’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Brooding in the glass, the 2023 ‘Paso Robles’ offers espresso bean and blackberry compote on the nose alongside shades of black licorice. This comes off juicy and delicious with forward red and dark fruits alongside scorched earth notes. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2023 J. Lohr ‘Tower Road’ Petite Sirah- The 2023 ‘Tower Road’ Petite Sirah is a glass-staining purple. Tar, huckleberry pie and shades of dark chocolate shavings with graphite all combine on the palate. Delicious and showing excellent viscosity, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2017 J.Lohr ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Inky once in the glass, the ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows a downright opulent mouthfeel. Firm tannins hold in a massive core of dark fruits alongside tobacco leaf, graphite and espresso bean tones. Gorgeous in its youth, this dense and inky effort will provide drinking enjoyment over the next decade or more. Drink 2021-2032- 92

2023 J. Lohr ‘Cuvee Pau’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Cuvee Pau’ is inspired by the wines of Pauillac and is Cabernet Sauvignon dominant. It is refined and elegant with red bell pepper, anise, dark currants and pencil lead notes alongside sandalwood tones. Rich and layered, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 J. Lorh ‘Cuvee St. E’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘Cuvee St. E’ is a beautiful rendition of this wine that is inspired by the greats from Saint-Emillion. Very dark and perfumed,  this delivers dark florals with anise, cassis and shades of creme de violette. The palate is plush and elegant, with great herbal accents alongside a generous core of black and blue fruits. This is seriously good to enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 J. Lohr ‘Cuvee Pom’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Cuvee Pom’ is a gorgeous rendition of this wine, loaded with bright red florals, espresso bean and milk chocolate. The palate is lush and elegant with a great sense of richness, texture and underlying tension. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 92

Maison Jussiaume

Today we share one of the great houses in Southern Oregon. Did you know that great Oregon bubbles comes from this area? Maison Jussiaume was founded back in 2005 by Jean-Michel Jussiaume. The founder grew up farming Muscadet and migrated to Southern Oregon to make wines for Del Rio Vineyards. He saw the potential of making excellent sparkling wines from this vineyard that had old vine Chardonnay planted. Wines from his house come from massive, 320 acre vineyard that I have visited. The location is nestled between the mountains and the Rogue River, with elevations ranging from 700 feet to 1700 feet. The soils are mostly alluvial and well-drained, and the high elevation leads to incredible diurnal shifts.

2020 was a very hot vintage so I have no idea how Jussiaume was able to craft these wines with serious nerve. I love the 2020 Maison Jussaiume ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which is seriously good with a refined mousse and great sense of body. Learn more at https://www.maisonjussiaume.com and here are my reviews of the new Maison Jussiaume wines.

2020 Maison Jussiaume ‘Brut Nature’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2020 ‘Brut Nature’ was picked before the fires of the vintage. It is a killer bottling with seashell and freshly cut limes alongside copious minerals and a refined mousse on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2020 Maison Jussiaume Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine-An awesome wine from 2020, the 2020 Blanc de Blancs comes off rich and fat on the tongue. Diatomaceous earth and copious salty minerals fill the palate alongside kumquat rind and Japanese pear. This is seriously good right now — and has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2033- 92

Quilceda Creek

Yesterday I had the great opportunity to come back to Quilceda Creek and taste their pre-release 2023 wines. I arrived and tasted all of their Cabernets as well as their incredible 2023 ‘CVR’ Red Wine that has to be up there with the finest ‘CVRs’ made.

2023 was a warm vintage that had few major heat spikes. So far the wines I have tasted from 2023 have great depth and concentration, with more body and less tension than the ‘22s. 2023 is clearly a better overall vintage for Bordeaux style wines in Washington than ’22 — a cooler, later-ripening vintage that has a lot more variation in terms of overall quality for Bordeaux varietals.

No Merlot was made at Quilceda Creek in 2023 as they felt that no stand alone Merlot could be made. The instead blended Merlot into their ‘CVR’ as the Merlot and the ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc add to the impressive floral character in this wine.

I’ve tried every vintage of these wines and I can confidently say that these are the best wines that have ever been made at this historic Washington house. The overall quality was nothing short of insanely good. In terms of flavor density, flavor complexity and varietal character Quilceda Creek stands alone in this state for Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the first time I have ever awarded perfect 100 point scores for four or more wines at any house in North America. The four Cabernets are actually quite different and would make for a thrilling side by side for a collector to see the similarities and differences between them.

There is little question that Paul Golitzin is one of the great North American winemakers. Golitzin took over winemaking for Quilceda more than two decades ago. I have been fortunate enough to taste every vintage of Quilceda Creek. Golitzin got his start in wine when he was very young, and was particularly inspired following a trip to France at age 15. Mentored by his father Alex Golitzin and his great Uncle Andre Tchelistcheff, Paul took what he had learned and developed his own style that has been the most consistently great Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington State. The hiring of Mark Kaigas in 2022 has shown to be a great move for Golitzin and his team. Formerly the winemaker at Colgin, Kaigas works closely with President and Director of Winemaking Paul Golitzin and Vineyard Manager Dan Nickolaus.

I think you are going to be blown away with the 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is every bit as good as the ’22 and ’21. It is a show-stopping wine that is velvety and smooth, with a killer floral profile. Every Cabernet lover is going to be enamored by the scintillating 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is a hedonistic beast of a wine that really does need another year or two in the cellar. Your patience will be rewarded! Learn more about these incredible wines at quilcedacreek.com and here are my reviews of the sensational 2023 pre-release Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Quilceda Creek.

2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon mirrors the blend from ’22, with 90% coming from the Champoux Vineyard and the remainder sourced from the Mach One Vineyard. Stored in all new French oak barrels once on the nose this takes on creme de violette, and graphite notes alongside beautiful purple rose petals, walnut and shades of Black Forest cake. The palate is weightless and seamless throughout the drinking experience, as this has immense depth, and flavor complexity and flavor density with serious verve and length. A complete wine, enjoy this mesmerizing Cabernet Sauvignon over the next twenty years. If savoring now be sure to give this several hours in the decanter. Drink 2026-2046- 100

2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Palengat’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Palengat’ comes from the Mach One Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. This 100% variety wine utilizes clone 685. The nose is uniquely floral with black rose and shades of black licorice, sandalwood and tar notes alongside wafts of Arabica bean and dark chocolate shavings. The palate is impeccably balanced and elegant with refined tannins that frame a glorious core of black and blue fruits alongside espresso bean, beef drippings and rocky nuances. This has to be the finest edition of this wine ever crafted. Explore this beauty over the next two decades. Drink 2026-2046- 100

2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The spellbinding 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Mach One Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. Stored in all new French oak, this delivers a concentrated melange of cassis, Oud, anise and ripe fig notes with bay leaf, salted wet rock and shades of blueberry pie on the palate. This comes off ultra-refined on the tongue, seamlessly gliding throughout the drinking experience. With good tension and nerve, enjoy this heady, viscous gem now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 100

2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerful, massive and muscular edition of this wine that is up there with the finest ‘Galitzine’ bottlings in my memory. Incredibly intense on the nose this shows off a cornucopia of dark florals that combine with fresh sage, scorched earth and blueberry compote. The plate leaves you breathless as this is both elegant and insanely powerful — your velvet glove in an iron first. A total heavyhitter, enjoy this mesmerizing bottling over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2026-2050- 100

Cellar Selection: 2017 FIGGINS Red Wine

Sunday was a big day for sports for me as I was able to watch both the Seahawks and Arsenal. This meant that I needed a proper wine to take in all that television. I reached in my cellar and pulled out a 2017 FIGGINS Red Wine, which comes from what was generally a good vintage for red wines.

This was a strange year that had a lot of high level smoke. The smoke didn’t always impact wines but did impact some. But the great mitigating factor in 2017 was that the high smoke in the air actually kept the sunlight from damaging the vines. 90 degree days could have easily been 100 degree days without the high smoke.

In the end, 2017 was really great for whites and was generally good for reds — particularly top producers like FIGGINS. The FIGGINS Red Wine is a proprietary red blend that changes each year. It comes from the Figgins Estate Vineyardwhich is a high elevation site planted to Bordeaux varieties. The wine usually is quite tanninc and needs several years in the cellar to unwind. It is a deep and concentrated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

Over the years the Petit Verdot has been increasing in the blend. That is because the PV from this vineyard is arguably the finest in the Northwest. PV from this site has amazing chocolate and coffee ground flavors with green herbal accents.

Learn more about this special winery at https://www.figginswine.com/2022-estate-red-wine and here is my review of the cinredible 2017 FIGGINS Red Wine.

2017 FIGGINS Red Wine- The 2017 FIGGINS Red Wine is a sumptuous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. It was stored in mostly new French oak barrels for 22 months before bottling. It comes off marvelously herbal on the nose with green peppercorns, green bell pepper and bay leaf notes alongside deep cassis and Black Forest cake accents. The palate really needs about 30 minutes in the glass to fully extend its viscosity. Concentrated black and blue fruits parade with a graphite and Arabica bean edge on the palate. This is a total stunner that is not only delicious but highly novel stuff to enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 97

Grapes of Spain

Founded back in 2001, Grapes of Spain, Inc. imports wines exclusively from Spain and currently represents a huge range of producers with a portfolio of more than 100 wines from all corners of Spain. All of the wines are new to the U.S. market and are from family winegrowers and that focus only on high quality and limited production. 

Aurelio Cabestrero, owner, is originally from Madrid, Spain. He worked at Madrid's Cafe de Oriente Restaurant for three years before coming to the US to work as Sommelier for Taberna del Alabardero in Washington DC. He worked at Taberna del Alabardero for three years and also worked as Sommelier at Marcel's in Washington DC before pursuing his passion to import Spanish wines 

Aurelio has also won the Ruinart 1993 prize as the Best Sommelier in Spain, Best young Sommelier in 1994 by Wine and Gastronomic Magazine and came in second place at the National Sopexa Competition of French Wines and Spirits 1994. He is also founding member of Madrid Association of Sommeliers.

They have the amazing wines of San Roman and check out the sensational 2021 Bodegas San Roman Toro (OB, 95) which is Toro at its finest. Learn more at grapesofspain.com and here are my notes on the new wines by Grapes of Spain. 

Adegas Gran Vinum

2024 Esencia Divina Albarino- Another amazing and broad-shouldered edition of this wine, the 2024 Esencia Divina comes from Albariño vines roughly 50 years of age. This was aged in stainless steel tanks and spent time on the lees, offering amazing sea salt character with rich melon and tropical fruits. A lengthy finish completes this beauty that will cellar well for another eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2024 Gran Vinum ‘Selección Especial’ Albarino- The outstanding 2024 Gran Vinum ‘Selección Especial’ Albarino comes from old vines from the Miranda Aurosa estate vineyard. On the nose this has beautiful gardenia flowers and shades of Japanese pear that combine with dense melon and kiwi notes. The palate is full-bodied and wonderfully salty with great length. Enjoy this beauty over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2025-2034- 93

Alvarez y Diez

2024 Mantel ‘Sobre Lilas’ Verdejo- Golden in the glass, this 2024 Verdejo opens with white flowers, cantalope and nutty nuances on the nose. The palate os soft and round with a good sense of minerality, with plenty of salty accents. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2024 Mantel Sauvignon Blanc- A usual wine from this region, the 2024 Mantel Sauvignon Blanc shows diatom and salted peach and gooseberry tones on the palate with a smooth mouthfeel. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

Luna Beberide

2024 Luna Beberide Godello- Sourced from old vine Godello set on clay and slate, this opens with salted nectarine and pear notes alongside cashew nut on the nose. The wine is salty and savory with a smooth mouthfeel and gobs of minerality. Finishing clean with melon fruits and salty minerals, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2024 Luna Beberide Mencia- The 2024 Mencia shows light to medium boded red currant and red cherry notes on the palate, with a soft mouthfeel and spicy nuanced. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 90

San Roman

2021 San Roman ‘San Roman’ Toro- The 2021 ‘San Roman’ comes from 60-100 year old vines, as this has 5% Garnacha blended in. This is dense, rich and chocolate, needing about an hour in the decanter to fully unwind. The weight and length here is really outstanding, as broad-shouldered dark fruits parade with cuban cigar and shades of dark chocolate shavings and a graphite edge all combine harmoniously. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2020 San Roman ‘Cartago Paraje del Pozo’ Toro- The absolutely scintillating 2020 ‘Cartago Paraje del Pozo’ comes from 45 year old vines set on sandy soils. Inky in the glass, this really benefits from a two hour decant before consuming. Worn leather, Arabica bean, blueberry compote and shades of rocky soils all combine on the nose, with dark rose petal notes. The palate is heady and intense with serious power and poise, loaded with lip-smacking minerality. Showing glorious length, enjoy this stunning wine now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2045- 97

Garmon

2021 Garmon Continental Ribera del Duero- The 2021 Garmon Ribera del Duero is dense and concentrated stuff, loaded with tension and salty minerality. Coming from old vines from 30-100 years of age, this was stored in all French oak for 22 months before bottling. A heady core of dark fruits and chocolate pie greet you alongside sagebrush and rocky soil accents. Drink 2025-2034- 93

Isaac Fernandez Selección

2021 Isaac Fernandez ‘Reserva’ Ribera del Duero- The brilliant 2021 Isaac Fernandez ‘Reserva’ comes from 100% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), fro 80 year old vines planted in Gobelet. This is complex and delicious with mocha, tar and black licorice notes alongside smoky and salty nuances on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 92

Bodegas Penalba Herraiz

2021 Bodegas Penalba Herraiz ‘Aptus’ Ribera del Duero- This intriguing 2021 Ribera del Duero has 5% Grenache blended in. Coming from vines set on clay, sand and gravel, this is wonderfully earthy with good concentration. Dark cherry and black raspberry notes combine with rocky soils and shades of garrigue on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 90

Bodegas Caudalia

2019 Bodeas Caudalia ‘Xi’Ipal “La Bajadas’ Garnacha- The 2019 Xi’Ipal “La Bajadas’  is soft and refined on the mouth, loaded with salted red fruits, pipe tobacco and wet gravel notes. Juicy and brimming with freshness, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next several years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2019 Bodeas Caudalia ‘Xi’Ipal’ Tempranillo- Coming from the “ La Abejera” vineyard, set at 750 meters, this opens with a ripe bouquet of scorched earth and smoky nuances alongside black cherry compote on the nose. The palate is juicy and fresh with good tension, showing both stony and salty nuances. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2021 Bodeas Caudalia ‘Xi’Ipal Gracia Vid’ Graciano- This 100% Graciano wine comes from limestone soils. This is wonderfully salty and rocky on the mouth with loads of tension. Ripe red and dark fruits parade with black licorice, anise seed and shades of chalky soils. Delicious and ripe, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

Pago de la Jaraba

2024 Pago de la Jaraba Sauvignon Blanc- The really good 2024 Pago de la Jaraba Sauvignon Blanc comes from vines set on sandy soils. This shows good salty character alongside ripe melon and pink grapefruit fruits alongside kiwi notes. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2019 Pago de la Jaraba ‘Vina Jaraba Crianza’ Red Wine- A blend of mainly Tempranillo (80%) with equal portions Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the 2019 Vina Jaraba Crianza’ shows medium-bodied red and dark fruits with chocolate and fresh sage notes. This is really good for the price. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2021 Pago de la Jaraba ‘Vina Jaraba Seleccion Especial’ Red Wine- Another terrific value, the 2021 Pago de la Jaraba ‘Vina Jaraba Seleccion Especial is manly Tempranillo (70%) with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Plush red and dark fruits parade with sweet pipe tobacco, sea salt and orange zest on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

Elias Mora

2023 Elias Mora Toro- Coming from 25 year old Tinta de Toro vines, this 2023 Elias Mora opens with a beautiful bouquet of dark rose petals with damp earth and shades of dark currants. The palate is earthy and filled with chocolate, tar, and tobacco leaf notes. Drink 2025-2031- 91

Vina Otano

2021 Vina Otano ‘Barrel Fermented’ White Wine- The ‘Barrel Fermented’ combines mainly Viura (75%) with the remainder White Tempranillo. This offers rich honeydew and cantalope fruits with pink grapefruit blossom and suggestions of honeysuckle water. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2016 Vina Otano ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja Blanco- A knockout edition of this wine, the 2016 Vina Otano ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja Blanco combines 85% Viura with 10% Garnacha Blanca and 5% Matura Blanca from 95-year-old vines. It is dense, hedonistic and delicious, with tons of salty character and depth. Heady melon and citrus fruits mingle well with shades of salted papaya and wet rock. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2020 Vina Otano ‘Crianza’ Rioja- The 2020 ‘Crianza’ has 10% Mazuelo blended in. It is nicely rocky with dense red and dark fruits that parade with dark fig, citrus rind and wintergreen on the palate. Complex and delicious, this is already nicely evolved stuff that will cellar well over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2018 Vina Otano ‘Reserva’ Rioja- The outstanding 2018 ‘Reserva’ was stored for 18 months in a combination of both French and American oak barrels before bottling. It combines 85% Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. It comes off elegant, with rich dark fruits that mingle well with chocolate, fresh sage and rocky nuances. Drink 2025-2034- 93

Legado Del Moncayo

2023 Legado Del Moncayo ‘Vendima Seleccionada’ Garnacha- Another really good edition of this wine, the 2023 Legado Del Moncayo ‘Vendima Seleccionada’ Garnacha comes from 40-60 year old bush vines set at 700-750 meters. A steal at this price, this offers concentrated red fruits, with smoky and salty nuances, with Satsuma orange zest and damp, rocky soils. Drink 2025-2032- 92

Spottswoode

It is my pleasure to share the wines of Spottswoode — one of Napa’s historic properties that dates all the way back to 1882. Founded by Mrs. Albert Spotts in 1910 and was later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972, Mary released Spottswoode’s first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate’s founding. The wines are well-structured, with gobs of aging potential. I have enjoyed the early ‘90s Spottswoode wines that seem to be timeless.

Today Mary’s daughter Beth Novak manages the winery, and daughter Lindsay Novak serves as the winery’s Marketing Ambassador. Every year Spottswoode produces an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc in honor of their founder, Mary Novak. Spottswoode also crafts a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Lyndenhurst, a dual-appellation Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, and two limited-production wines for club members only (Spottswoode Estate “Mary’s Block” Sauvignon Blanc and Field Book Syrah). Their Lyndenhurst wines are beautiful values.

Set on the western edge of St. Helena at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains, estate vines are planted on alluvial clay loam while a strong wartime influence runs through Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas range. The estate has forty acres of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc which have been organically farmed since 1985.

I was so impressed with the 2022 Spottswoode ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is a sensational effort despite the obvious challenges of the vintage. Powerful and showing good elegance, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Learn more about this famed Napa winery at https://www.spottswoode.com Here is my review of the new Spottswoode wine.

2022 Spottswoode ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another sensational edition of this wine, the 2022 Spottswoode ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes form this challenging vintage that saw very high temperatures towards harvest. On the nose this takes on rich dark fruits with chocolate and shades of menthol and stony accents. The palate has great power and also excellent finesse. Rich dark currants parade with iron, Black Forest cake and suggestions of wild herbs. Very complex and also delicious, this is drinking unlike many of their releases — sinfully good in its youth. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Sea Smoke

It is my pleasure to share the Sea Smoke wines, first founded in 1999 by Bob Davids in Santa Barbara County, California. The winery is named after the cooling fog that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean. After great success and acquiring Rita’s Crown Vineyard, Sea Smoke was sold to Constellation in 2024. Over the years that wines have been consistently great and certainly helped put Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir on the map. They continue to farm 80 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plantings.

They make a rare, rich and dense sparkling wine. I love the new I adored the 2023 Sea Smoke ‘Southing’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is loaded with crunchy red fruits. Learn more about these outstanding wines at seasmoke.com and here is my review of the new releases by Sea Smoke.

2020 Sea Smoke ‘Sea Spray’ Sparkling Wine- Sourced from their estate vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills, this 2020 ‘Sea Spray’ spent 12 months in neutral French oak before disgorgement. This is wonderfully salty with pear and nectarine notes alongside suggestions of ginger and starfruit. Neatly-textured and showing plenty of tension, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Sea Smoke ‘Southing’ Pinot Noir- The gorgeous 2023 ‘Southing’ is wonderfully nervy and refined, with a smooth mouthfeel. It is loaded with salty and tart red fruits with menthol and rocky edges. The plump richness of the wine makes this really sing alongside good tension. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Latta

“I love the wines from ’22” said Andrew Latta as we tasted together. “2022 was kind of the opposite of 2021. We have native yeasts with native ML and we don’t describe ourselves as natural wines but we do traditional Rhone winemaking. Stems, hand punchdowns and not much new French oak” he explained. The wines reflected those with beautiful texture, without a lot of oak impact or toasty oak character.

“I like both 2021 and 2022. The vintages reflect the weather. Tannins and mouthfeel are a hallmark of what I do and I think about a lot of that in the maceration and pressing. My style is more rounded and developed rather than being really aggressive early and so ‘21s reflect a more tannic vintage but 2022s are fresher.”

Andrew Latta is making some of the best Grenache Blanc in the state. Check out his 2023 ‘Frankie’ Grenache Blanc (OB, 95) which comes from the famed WeatherEye Vineyard and has amazing flavor density and flavor range. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.lattawines.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Andrew Latta.

2023 Lucius ‘Concrete’ Albarino- Aged in concrete, this 2023 Albarino saw a day of skin contact and comes form the Lawrence Vineyard. This is rich, neatly-textured and unctuous and concentrated with serious tension and salty nuances, with heady melon fruits. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2023 Lucius ‘Skin Contact’ Viognier- The 2023 ‘Skin Contact’ Viognier saw four days on the skins an then was pressed into neutral oak barrels. Golden in the glass, this deliverers star jasmine water and dense papaya and unctuous melons on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous with great underlying tension. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2024 Lucius ‘Chillable’ Mourvedre- The 2024 Lucius ‘Chillable’ Mourvedre saw a heavy press and was sealed in the tank for ten days in the carbonic style. This is fresh and nervy with a great texture and loads of bright red fruits with citrus zest notes. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2023 Lucius ‘Carbonic’ Syrah- The 2023 Lucius ‘Carbonic’ Syrah is 100% varietal coming from the Upland Vineyard. Green olives and bacon fat fill the nose with white pepper dusted pork shoulder. The palate is fresh and fragrant with loads of juicy black and red fruits. Enjoy now and over the next six plus years. 100% whole cluster fermented. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2023 Latta ‘Latta Latta’ White Wine- A blend of Grenache Blanc and Roussanne coming from the Lawrence Vineyard. The wine was stored in natural oak (barriques and puncheons). The palate is rich and viscous with terrific texture. Rich melon fruits mingle well with salted cashew nut and green papaya on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Latta Roussanne- Also coming from the Lawrence Vineyard, the 2023 Roussane was stored in 15% new French oak before bottling with some lees stirring. The palate is unbelievably good with serious weight and texture. Honeydew melon and walnut flavors combine with shades of mango on the palate. Unctuous and rich, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Latta ‘Frankie’ Grenache Blanc- The stunning 2023 ‘Frankie’ was sourced from the north site of the WeatherEye Vineyard, this 2023 Grenache Blanc is dense, rich and loaded with tension. Japanese pear and juicy nectarine combine with hints of passion fruit on the palate. This is amazing, dense Grenache Blanc that is amongst the finest of its kind in the Northwest. Drink 2025-2032- 95

2022 Latta ‘Latta Latta’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Latta Latta’ is an amazing value that combines 57% Grenache with 28% Syrah and the remainder Mourvèdre. Mainly coming from the Upland Vineyard, this delivers smoldering stones alongside crushed red fruits with green olive tapenade. The palate is fresh and loaded with mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2022 Latta ‘Upland Vineyard’ Grenache- Andrew Latta has been working with this vineyard since 2010. This is the oldest vineyard in Washington, planted in the 1910s. This exudes class with its beautiful red florals and high-toned red fruits alongside baking spices and blood orange zest. The palate is deep, concentrated and loaded with finesse. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2022 Latta ‘Upland Vineyard’ Mourvedre- The 2022 ‘Upland Vineyard’ Mourvèdre offers iodine and bulls blood alongside shades of wild strawberry and smoked meats on the nose. Mostly whole-cluster fermented, this delivers stony and salty nuances alongside bright red fruits with orange peel notes. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Latta ‘Mayor Bill’ Red Wine- All coming from the Upland Vineyard, the ‘Mayor Bill’ combines Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Stored in all neutral oak white pepper and crushed gravel alongside pretty red fruits and red rose petals on the nose. The palate is beautifully-structured, with loads of salty and stony character. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Latta ‘Upland Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Upland Vineyard’ Syrah is a limited production bottling that was stored in all neutral oak before bottling. The palate is nicely textured with loads of salty and stony red and dark fruits alongside green peppercorns and smoked pork shoulder. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Latta ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 Latta ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ Syrah combines both Joseph Phelps and Tablas Creek clonal selections, as this was stored in neutral oak barrels before bottling. White pepper dusted bacon and black florals mark the nose with Hoisin sauce and wild blackberry. The palate is fresh and loaded with mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Latta ‘Dana’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Dana’ has 2% Viognier that was co-fermented. Sourced from the Freewater Rocks Vineyard, this delivers iodine and bulls blood alongside Unami and wintergreen notes. The palate is incredibly stony and mineral-laden with great freshness and texture. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2022 Latta ‘Piece’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Piece’ is named after Andrew Latta’s first born child. Coming from the WeatherEye Vineyard, this has 5% Viognier blended in. Yarrow and fresh sage mingle well with pretty red florals and crunchy red fruits on the nose. The palate is fresh and loaded with finesse, as your mouth waters with each sip. This is outstanding stuff that is best enjoyed now and over the next decade. 50% whole cluster fermented. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Latta ‘Cabernet/Syrah’ Red Wine- Coming from the Freewater Rocks Vineyard in the Rocks District, this 2022 Provence-inspired blend offers huckleberry and crushed wet rock alongside oyster sauce notes. The palate is dense and mineral-laden with terrific freshness and great stony essence. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Latta ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Malbec- The 2022 Latta ‘Weinbau Vineyard’ Malbec comes from 30 year old plantings at this historic site. This comes off very fresh and is loaded with black and blue fruits alongside Christmas spice and hints of chocolate pie. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Latta ‘Gants de Suede’ Red Wine- A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec that was co-fermented from the Solaksen Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Rich cassis and anise notes combine with exotic spices on the nose. This has terrific power and finesse, with great freshness as heady dark fruits parade with pipe tobacco and stony nuances on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Latta ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers sagebrush, dark currants and tobacco leaf on the nose with shades of wet rock. The palate is beautifully-structured with serious texture and finesse. A great core of dark fruits greets you, alongside wet rocky nuances. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Delmas

It has now been the first time in several years that I have reviewed the wines by Delmas — one of the greats from The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. Delmas was born by the watchful eyes of Mary and Steve Robertson who founded this winery more than a decade ago. Steve has a background in real estate development and business management and was previously in Napa before planting vines in his very special SJR Vineyard, in the Walla Walla Rocks District. If you have never been to this vineyard, it is a must visit for oenophiles and lovers of Walla Walla Syrah. Steve hit a home run when he hired Billo Naravane, MW, to serve as his winemaker. Steve’s daughter, Brooke, has been running their viticulture program for years and now serves as head winemaker.

I first blind tasted this wine back in 2015 and reviewed their 2013 Delmas, giving the wine 95 points. The new wines were remarkably consistent and rich with great texture and freshness. I love the new 2023 Delmas Syrah (OB, 96) which is deep, concentrated and powerful, with serious finesse. Learn more about these very special wines at https://delmaswines.com Here are the gorgeous new Delmas Syrahs.

2023 Delmas ‘Estate’ Viognier- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Viognier comes from the famed SJR Vineyard in the Rocks District. The nose shows gorgeous honeysuckle tones alongside shades of gardenia, wet rock and bright green papaya. The palate is dense and unctuous with serious texture and weight, with glorious length. Incredible wine, the saw extensive lees contact. What a beauty! Drink 2025-2031- 95

2023 Delmas Grenache- This 2023 Grenache was all de-stemmed and saw no whole cluster fermentation. 100% varietal, this delivers beautiful red florals with cinnamon and cloves on the nose alongside orange blossom water. The palate is plush and deep with a great melange of red and dark fruits, with tobacco leaf and rocky undertones. Complex and delicious, watch this beauty evolve over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2023 Delmas ‘BDR’ Red Wine- A blend of 82% Syrah with the remainder Grenache with a dash of Cinsault and Viognier. This saw 75% whole cluster fermentation. Red rose petals mark the nose alongside green peppercorns, white pepper dusted brisket and shades of oyster sauce. The palate is lush and fresh with a terrific texture and great sense of underlying verve. Salty, stony and very savory, this is a knockout blend that still has a lot of life ahead of it. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Delas Syrah- The stunning 2023 Delmas Syrah has 7% Viognier co-fermented, as this edition 25% whole cluster fermentation, on the lower side for this wine. The wine was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. Opening with exotic spices, this exudes class with Hoisin sauce and charcuterie notes alongside suggestions of boysenberry compote. The palate is fresh and impeccably balanced, with serious poise considering the heat of the vintage. Drink 2025-2034- 96