2026 Paso Robles Report

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Heat It, Cool It: Paso Robles in 2023 and 2024

I had a marvelous March visit to Paso Robles. We had some warm weather and there was green everywhere from the winter rains. Crop cover looked really intense for the second straight years. The last day of my visit it was nearly 80 degrees!

2022 was not an easy year for Paso wines, but there were many great wines made. The September 2022 heat dome clearly did not have the same impact in Paso as it did in Napa. Those who were patient made really great wines that are slightly more on the hedonistic side. This is a vintage to drink early.

2023 was a polar opposite vintage and shows strong aging potential. It was an extremely long harvest with some picking their fruit all the way in November. 2023 wines have impeccable balance. Jordan Fiorentini of Epoch, explained that her ‘23s are arguably the best wines I have made.” Her lineup has a hallmark beginning, middle and an end. Similarly, Booker winemaker Pete Turrone sees 2023 as “a great vintage and one that will age for decades.”

Rhys Vineyard

We share today an incredible winery that utilizes some extreme farming. Slopes at these locations reach 40% grade The founder of Rhys Vineayrds, Kevin Harvey, had a successful software career prior to stating his winery. He began planting Pinot Noir in his backyard near the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA and has had his first vintage in 2004. The new release wines by Rhys from the slightly cooler 2023 vintage. They are not quite the level of their single vineyards but are completely outstanding, with a beginning, middle and an end.

Check out the outstanding 2023 Rhys ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 96) which is dense, salty and highly nuanced.  Learn more about this incredible new lineup of wines at https://rhysvineyards.com Here are the exciting new wines by Rhys Vineyards

2023 Rhys Vineyards ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc- A sensational Chenin Blanc bottling, the 2023 ‘Mt. Pajaro’ shows off its oily mouthfeel. Rich melon fruits collide with stony minerals and diatom notes on the palate. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2023 Rhys Vineyards ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The salty and highly nuanced 2023 ‘Mt. Parajo’ Chardonnay  is loaded with minerality and tension. Rich tropical fruits parade with shades of crushed seashells, lemon oil and sage undertones. Complex and highly delicious enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Rhys Vineyards ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Coming from this slightly cooler vintage, the 2023 Rhys Vineyards ‘Mt. Pajaro Vineyard’ Pinot Noir offers shades of black truffle shavings on the palate, with a glorious melange of red and dark fruits, alongside chocolate and wintergreen notes. Dense and mineral-laden with fabulous freshness, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 96

Massican

Today we share the brilliant wines of Massican. This is a brand that was started by Dan Petroski back in 2009.  The idea is genius — seeking to create old-world inspired white wines in the Napa Valley where Cabernet is unabashedly king. These wines continue to be affordably priced, where entry level Chardonnays in Napa command 100 dollars and sometimes more. For years Dan made world-class wines at Larkmead which rivaled some of the finest wines of the region — at a fraction of the price of cult competitors.

These wines have been impressive regardless of vintage. It is no surprise that Dan sold his winery to Gallo in September 2023. I’m totally enamored by the 2025 Massican ‘Gemina’ White Wine (OB, 94) which is a marvelous rendition of Napa Greco. You won’t find a wine just like this anywhere in the world. Learn more about these novel, one of a kind wines at massican.com Here are my reviews of the gorgeous new Massican wines.

2025 Massican Pinot Grigio- A really good wine, the 2025 Massican Pinot Grigio comes off very mineral-laden and fresh with a smooth mouthfeel. Kiwi, wet stone and pink grapefruit flavors collide on the palate, with a great salty tension. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2025 Massican Sauvignon Blanc- The 2025 Sauvignon Blanc comes from several sites in Sonoma and Napa. It is fresh and vibrant with orange peel and Meyer lemon zest alongside wet rock and serious verve on the palate. Light to medium-bodied, with a smooth mouthfeel, enjoy now. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2025 Massican ‘Gemina’ White Wine- The 2025 ‘Gemina’ combines Greco and Falanghina with a touch of Fiano. The name is inspired by an ancient varietal that dates back to the first century AD, called Aminea Gemina. This is fat, heady and rich with terrific flavor range. Citrus and tropical fruits mingle well with salty and stony minerals on the palate, with beeswax nuances. Drink 2026-2033- 94

2024 Massican ‘Annia’ White WIne- The 2023 ‘Annia’ primarily Tocai Friulano  and Ribolla Gialla showing smaller parts Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco. Soft on the mouth, this delivers loads of melon fruits that mingle well with lemon oil, roasted pineapple and sea salt dusted French bread. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2025 Massican ‘Hyde’ Chardonnay- A great new wine from this famed site, the 2025 ‘Hyde’ Chardonnay comes from this historic location in the Carneros district. It is loaded with salty minerality on the palate. Mango and pineapple notes combine with nutty and earthy nuances on the palates with shades of wet rock. The combination of weight, length and finesse is outstanding. Drink 2026-2034- 94

Chappellet

Today we share the beautiful wines of Chappellet. It all began with Donn Chappellet who his collected Bordeaux wines while in college. He later ran Interstate United Corporation, a coffee-vending distributorship he co-founded in the mid-1950s, which he helped turn into the third-largest such business in the United States, with more than 7,000 employees and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

Over time he shared his shares of Interstate United in 1966 and guided by the legendary winemaker Andre Tchelistcheff of Beaulieu Vineyards bought 320 acres of rocky mountain terrain at the eastern edge of the Napa Valley. Donn saw this terroir as one which would connect with the great wines of Bordeaux. He saw the potential for Pritchard Hill and initially planted Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon which was met with great critical acclaim. Sadly passing in 2016, Donn became a legend of this great site in the Napa Valley.

An amazing winemaker, Phillip Corallo-Titus has been at Chappellet remarkably since 1990. A graduate of UC Davis, Phillip spent time traveling to both Bordeaux and Burgundy to learn about these esteemed regions. In 1981, Phillip joined the Chappellet team as assistant winemaker, and then in1990, Donn Chappellet invited Phillip to return to the winery as Chappellet’s winemaker, a position he has held ever since.

I was blown away with the 2022 Chappelllet ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon  (OB, 97) which is a marvelous effort from this tough vintage. Learn more about this famed Napa estate at chappellet.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Chappellet. 

2022 Chappellet ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Pritchard Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 6% Petit Verdot blended in. Stored for 22 months in all new French oak this offers alluring black florals and Black Forest cake tones on the nose with rocky soils and shades of sweet pipe tobacco. As fragrant as the wine comes off, it exudes class with depth and poise from this exceedingly hot vintage. Heady black and blue fruits parade with shades of creme de violette and creosote on the palate. Very complex and delicious, give this a year or two for tannins to mellow. Drink 2026-2042- 97

2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense and delicious bottling that is drinking marvelously now. Wet gravel and tar notes combine with shades of black licorice on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with a silky mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc- Stored for 22 months in mainly new French oak (60%), the 2023 Chappellet ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc shows off sandalwood notes on the nose with dried herbs, yellow bell pepper and cassis notes. The palate is lush and mineral-laden with great rocky soil character. This beauty is going to cellar really well. Drink 2026-2042- 95

Appassionata

It has now been several years since I have tasted the wines from one of the most electric projects in Oregon wine. An ingenious idea Appassionata is the dream of Ernie Loosen to age Oregon wines properly and then release them later than other estates. This winery project has involved two decades of planning and investment that began in 2005 with a limited bottling of Appassionata Pinot Noir, a collaboration with J. Christopher Wines. The full Appassionata range of wines now includes three Pinot Noirs of varying age, a barrel-fermented Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc produced in acacia barrels, and a dry Riesling made in the German Grosses Gewächs (GG) style.

The wines are beautiful.  I was totally blown away by the 2023 Appasssionata ‘Uber’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 94). This makes its case for the best Sauvignon Blanc made in Oregon. Learn more about these great wines at jcristopherwines.com and here are my reviews of the new Appassionata wines.

2023 Appasssionata ‘Uber’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 Appasssionata ‘Uber’ Sauvignon Blanc  is an amazing wine that was aged in large format acacia wood before bottling. It is dense, delicious and neatly-textured stuff with terrific weight and length. Loaded with lemon and mango fruits, with shades of crushed gravel and pink grapefruit water, this is a stunning rendition of this wine that is big, burly and unabashedly bold. It is hard to find an Oregon wine quite like this. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2021 Appasssionata ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- The sleek and delicious 2021 Appasssionata ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay was stored in large oak casks before bottling. It shows off the heat of the vintage with walnut and salted pear nuances that combine with rich tropical fruits on the palate. Heady and delicious, with a near minute-long finish, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2018 Appasssionata ‘GG’ Riesling- An incredible new Riesling, the 2018 Appasssionata ‘GG’ Riesling is a GG-inspired wine which was stored in 3,000 liter German oak casks and then stored for 12 months on the lees and then 4 years in the bottle before release. Kumquat rind and orange blossom notes fill the nose alongside cardamom dusted French bread and candied ginger. The palate is heady and powerful with serious weight and texture. A dazzling wine that is unlike anything you find in Oregon, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2021 Appasssionata ‘Allegro’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Allegro’ Pinot Noir was sourced from several sites in the Willamette Valley. Aged in barrel for 20 months and then 16 months in bottle, this opens with a bright bouquet of rose petals and kumquat zest alongside suggestions of white tea and strawberry. The palate is soft and neatly-textured with loads of bright red fruits alongside salty and stony accents. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2019 Appassionata ‘Andante’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Andante’ is the second movement in the Apppassionata collection of Pinot Noirs. This wine was released after spending 19 months in barrel and 3.5 years in the bottle. Saline drenched red fruits fill the nose with shades of bergamot and white truffle shavings. The palate is silky and refined — perfectly mature, and beautifully weighted. A gorgeous wine from a relatively tough vintage, enjoy now. Drink 2026-2032- 94

2013 Appassionata ‘Fortissimo’ Pinot Noir- The 2013 ‘Fortissimo’ comes from a more than challenge vintage, marred by torrential rains at harvest. Sourced from the Chehalem Mountains AVA, this is marvelous effort despite the obvious challenges of the vintage. Pine needles and peat moss tones combine with amazing earthy elegance and excellent weight, with good nerve. Delicate red fruits mingle well with stony minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2032- 94

Wines of Substance

Just as it is important to share the wines of Quilted Creek and Cayuse, I have always sought to focus my reviews on wines that exude value. It is not the job of a wine critic to write every article on Opus One level wines — wines that most people can’t actually drink. One of the most recognizable wine brands in Washington State, Wines of Substance was founded back in 2015 by winemaker Charles Smith. Wines of Substance began producing high-quality, value-priced Cabernet Sauvignon and other varietals, characterized by a "periodic table" style label. It was acquired by O'Neill Vintners & Distillers in July 2024.

The new wines were really nice for the price. I highly enjoyed the 025 Wines of Substance ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Rose (OB, 90) which is light on its feet and mineral-laden with plenty of red fruit nuance. Learn more at https://substancewines.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Wines of Substance.

2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc offers juicy kiwi and flinty tones on the palate with good freshness. Medium-bodied, enjoy now. Drink 2026-2030- 88

2025 Wines of Substance ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Riesling- A really nice effort, the 2025 Wines of Substance ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Riesling delivers just a kiss of sweetness alongside peach and flinty nuances on the palate, with petrol undertones. Drink 2026-2031- 90

2025 Wines of Substance ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Rose- A delicious and crisp bottling, the 2025 Wines of Substance ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Rose shows delicate red raspberry and Yakima cherry flavors alongside red rose water notes. Drink 2026-2030- 90

2023 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- A well-balanced white, the 2023 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay shows a creamy texture with lychee and pineapple notes alongside baked bread. Drink 2026-2031- 90

2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Pinot Noir is brimming with bright red fruits, alongside salty soils and burnt orange notes on the palate. Drink 2026-2031- 90

2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Red Blend- The 2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Red Blend comes off soft and chewy on the palate. Refined tannins frame a light to medium-bodied dark cherry and blackberry core alongside hints of Arabica bean.  Drink 2026-2031- 90

2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Wines of Substance ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows bay leaf, black currants and sweet pipe tobacco notes on the nose. The palate is fresh and soft with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2031- 90

Lundeen

Today we share the wines of Oregon native Michael Lundeen. I have probably enjoyed these wines for well over a decade. My feeling is they continue to improve and certainly do with their bubbles program.

Michael’s son adds a fourth generation of farmers! For years Michael was honing his skill with Pinot Noir luminaries at Willakenzie, Belle Pente and Domaine Serene, before becoming founding winemaker at Illahe Vineyards back in 2007.
Michael joined Walnut City Wineworks as Winemaker in late 2010. Just a short hop from his own estate vineyard, the McMinnville-based winery was where his career would enter the next and most exciting phase. The once brick-red winery and custom crush facility now carries the Lundeen name and colors after he formally took ownership in 2022.
Michael is making some fantastic Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines. He directs the farming of nearly 40 acres utilizing no-till and Organic practices and maintains the LIVE sustainability certification. The new wines were seriously good across the board. I love the new 2018 Lundeen ‘Blanc de Noirs La Cantera Vineyard’ Sparkling WineOB, 93) which is tense and nervy with really good flavor range. Just as good is the 2021 Lundeen ‘La Cantera Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is delicious to enjoy now and fully mature. Learn more about this great winery at lundeenwines.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Lundeen.

2022 Lundeen ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- All Pinot Noir, the 2022 ‘Brut Rose’ is a really excellent wine that shows off its silky mousse and salty minerality. Delicate red fruits combine with Satsuma orange zest and bergamot accents on the palate. The earthy undertones entice, as this is best consumed now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 92

2021 Lundeen ‘Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut’ Sparkling Wine- Coming from this warmer vintage the 2021 Lundeen ‘Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut’ Sparkling Wine is big, round and generous on the mouth, with terrific texture and weight. Sea salt dusted citrus fruits combine with sourdough bread and yeasty accents on the palate.Tasted several times with consistent notes. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2018 Lundeen ‘Blanc de Noirs La Cantera Vineyard’ Sparkling Wine- All coming from this location in the Chehalem Mountains AVA, the 2018 Lundeen ‘Blanc de Noirs La Cantera Vineyard’ Sparkling Wine is a delicious, mature bottling that is great to consume now. Orange blossom and white peach alongside ginger notes and brioche all fill the nose. The palate is filled with weight and tension, alongside rocky nuances. Drink 2026-2033- 93

Fairsing Vineyard

Today we share the great values of Fairsing Vineyard. This family owned site is well-known for their outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs. Stewards of their land, Mary Ann and Mike McNally purchased Fairsing Vineyard in the summer of 2005, with the purchase of approximately 200 acres of harvested forestland.  Then in October 2006 eighteen acres of vines were successfully planted and trellised with the assistance of Oregon’s collegial winegrower community. Vineyard development continued at roughly five acres per year, with a total of thirty-eight acres of Pinot noir and five acres of Chardonnay currently under vine. Vines at Fairsing are nestled among one-hundred acres of forest, and seventy acres have been reforested with 18,000 conifers, 3,000 deciduous trees, and more than 6,000 native shrubs. This is a stunning location in the Willamette Valley.

The wines are made by famed vintner Robert Brittan who has made some seriously consistent wines for Fairsing Vineyard as well as his namesake wine. Check out the delicious 2023 ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which packs a punch from this warm vintage. I love the 2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Dardis’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which has loads of salty character and a generous core. Learn more about these outstanding wines at fairsingvineyard.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Fairsing Vineyard.

2022 Fairsing Vineyard ‘VIntage Blanc de Blanc’ Sparkling Wine- The 2022 Fairsing Vineyard ‘VIntage Blanc de Blanc’ Sparkling Wine shows green apple and mango notes on the palate with nutty and salty nuances. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay is delicious, beautifully-textured stuff with is loaded with salty tension. Ripe pineapple and buttered French bread combines with shades of banana on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- A really nice showing, the 2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir shows loganberry and red rose petals on the nose alongside citrus rind notes. The palate is soft and inviting with refined tannins and a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Sullivan’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Sullivan’ comes from several Pinot Noir clonal selections, as this was stored in 30% new French oak for ten months before bottling. This is lush on the mouth with terrific volume and weight. Wild mushroom notes combine with loads of red and dark fruits and shades of red licorice on the palate. The texture and salty nuances are outstanding. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Dardis’ Pinot Noir- The beautiful 2023 Fairsing Vineyard ‘Dardis’ Pinot Noir offers shows lingonberry and black tea notes on the nose alongside shades of

white pepper and blackberry compote. The palate is elegant and rich with terrific viscosity and salty tension. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2023 Fairing Vineyard ‘Kenney’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Kenney’ was sourced from vines set on marine sedimentary soils. Rose petals and shades of black licorice combine with black truffle notes on the nose. The palate is dense and concrzeratied with some good verve and weight. A generous core of red and dark fruits greet you alongside salty minerality. Drink 2026-2040- 93

Tranche

One of the jewels of the Walla Walla Valley, Tranche makes an amazing range of wines from their estate vineyards. They are also making one of the great Rose wines in Washington. I think that the quality of these wines continue to improve. They are now wines of serious power and finesse. Tranche is a great winery to visit with a super outdoor space where they have concerts on the weekend. It is a great place to unwind after a long week of work!

I love the overall range here. Check out the brilliant 2025 Tranche ‘Pink Pape’ Rose (OB, 93) which is filled with flavor range and freshness. I am enamored by the 2023 Tranche ‘Pape’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is a world-class Rhone blend. Learn more about these beautiful wines athttps://www.tranche.wine Here are the awesome new wines by Tranche.

2025 Tranche ‘Pink Pape’ Rose- Composed of 52% Grenache with 31% Mourvèdre and smaller parts Counoise and Cinsault, this beauty was stored in stainless steel for only four months before bottling. It is mineral-laden and dense with a silky texture and marvelous brightness that produces a mouth-watering effect. Delicate red fruits parade with damp earth, hay and green apple undertones on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 93

2025 Tranche ‘Estate’ Pinot Gris- Sourced from the famed ‘Celilo Vineyard’ in the Columbia Gorge AVA, the Tranche ‘Estate’ Pinot Gris offers loads of power and flavor density, as this is made as an orange wine and was left on the skins for eight days. Rocky and salty nuances fill the palate alongside serious texture and verve, with a juicy core of melon and papaya fruits. The execution here is outstanding as this is nothing short of seriously complex and delicious stuff that is built to age. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2023 Tranche ‘Pape Blanc’ White Wine- The brilliant 2023 Tranche ‘Pape Blanc’ White Wine combines Grenache Blanc (44%) and Roussane (18%) with smaller portions Clairette Blanche, Viognier, Picpoul and Marsanne. It comes off dense, viscous and exceedingly delicious. Honeydew melon and freshly cut grass combine with honeysuckle water, and Pink Lady apple flavors on the palate. Showing great finesse and concentration, enjoy now and over the next decade. This has to be the finest edition of this wine yet. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2023 Tranche ‘Pape’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Pape’ Red Wine was sourced from their Blue Mountain Vineyard, owned by the Corliss family. Mainly Grenache and Syrah with small parts Cinsault and Mourvèdre, this opens with a dense bouquet of black rose petals, beef brisket and tar notes alongside shades of garrigue that all meld in the glass. The palate is fresh and heady with terrific weight, length and verve. A stunning rendition where the purity of red fruits from the Grenache seems to be playing first fiddle right now, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 95

San Juan Vineyard

For a long time I recall fondly visiting San Juan Vineyard, one of the historic locations in the Puget Sound AVA. At this site they have old vine Siegerrebe and Madeleine Angevine planted that are really serious wines. Having tasted there before, you are greeted at their 1895 remodeled school house and stunning estate-grown wines. It is a must-visit spot if going to San Juan Island. This house is now owned by the Corliss family.

I really enjoyed the 2024 San Juan Vineyard Madeline Angevine (OB, 92) which has loads of texture and freshness. Learn more at https://www.sanjuanvineyard.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by San Juan Vineyard.

2023 San Juan Vineyard Madeline Angevine- The delightful 2024 San Juan Vineyard Madeline Angevine shows plenty of texture and vibrant acidity on the palate. Kiwi and wet stone notes parade with kumquat zest and green apple on the palate. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2023 San Juan Vineyard Siegerrebe- The outstanding 2024 San Juan Vineyard Siegerrebe shows off its soft mouthfeel with a smooth texture. Layers of honeydew melon and Meyer lemon zest collide with copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2025 San Juan Vineyard ‘Afterglow’ Rose- The 2025 ‘Afterglow’ is comprised of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault vines from the Walla Walla Valley. It is vibrant and soft on the approach with delicate red fruits that combine with red rose water and hints of Satsuma orange zest. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 San Juan Vineyard ‘Barren Rock Red’ Red Wine- The 2024 ’Barren Rock Red’ is composed of near equal parts Grenache and Syrah with 17% Mourvèdre. It is brimming with juicy red and dark fruits with fresh sage and chocolate accents on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 San Juan Vineyard ‘Cattle Point Red’ Red Wine- The 2024 ‘Cattle Point Red’ is made of 55% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and a dash of Petit Verdot from the Columba Valley. Ash, black currants, tar and red licorice all fill the nose alongside black florals. The palate is juicy and bright, with refined tannins that frame a generous core of black fruits alongside cigar box and volcanic soil notes. Drink 2026-2036- 93

Avennia

Today we share the brilliant wines of Avennia — a joint venture between former Microsoft exec Marty Taucher and winemaker Chris Peterson. These wines are incredibly consistent and extremely well-made. They show texture, varietal character and brilliant tension. I have been so impressed with the white wine program and their rose wine that is consistently one of the best you find in the Pacific Northwest.

Former DeLille Cellars Winemaker Chris Peterson stands tall at the helm. He is probably best known for his reds, but he has a magnificent touch with his whites. Check out the dazzling 2024 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine (OB, 95) which is quite simply one to purchase by the case. Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the new Avennia wines. 

2024 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2024 ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Boushet and Red Willow vineyards in the Yakima Valley. Once on the nose this takes on kiwi and green melon notes alongside shades if white grapefruit blossom. The palate is flush with texture and vibrant minerality. Wet rocky accents accentuate this beautiful wine that needs to be served on the warmer side. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2025 Avennia ‘L’Egerie’ Rosę- The 2025 L’Egerie Rose is a brilliant combination of mainly Grenache (70%) with the remainder Mourvèdre. A light kiss of sweetness greets you on the palate, as bright strawberry, cranberry and guava fruits parade with cantalope and copious minerals.Beautiflly-textured, with terrific weight and salty tension, and damp earthy accents, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine- The 2024 ‘La Perle’ is a stunning wine made from 72% Roussanne with the remainder Marsanne all sourced from the Columbia Valley. Once on the nose this takes on layers of beeswax and honeydew melon alongside salted walnut and hints of mango aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate has tremendous weight and volume that consumes the mouth, as well as loads of mouth-watering acidity. A gorgeous bottling by winemaker Chris Peterson, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 95

Bouchaine

For years when I was in graduate school I admired the drinkability of Bochaine wines. A winery with serious history, set in the southern end of the Napa Valley, Bouchaine Vineyards is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Carneros district. Land here was first cultivated in the 1880s, and later transformed Gerret and Tatiana Copeland in 1981, evolving into a  sustainably farmed producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 

The wines were really good across the board. I love the 2024 ‘Carneros’ Gewurtztraminer (OB, 92) which is viscous with great flavor range. Learn more at https://bouchaine.com/ and here are my reviews of the new releases by Bouchaine.

2024 Bouchaine ‘Carneros’ Gewurtztraminer- The 2024 Bouchaine ‘Carneros’ Gewurtztraminer is fragrant and beautifully-textured stuff. Pink grapefruit and papaya flavors mingle well with green melon notes on the palate. Drink 2026-2032-  92

2024 Bouchaine ‘Alsatian Blend’ White Wine- The 2024 Bouchaine ‘Alsatian Blend’ White Wine shows star jasmine and white peach on the nose with hints of gooseberry. The palate is soft and fat with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2024 Bouchaine ‘Vin Gris of Pinot Noir’ Rose- The 2024 Bouchaine ‘Vin Gris of Pinot Noir’ Rose shows orange blossom on the nose alongside delicate red fruits and hints of red rose petals. The palate is fresh and smooth with a terrific texture and tension. Drink 2026-2030- 91

2023 Bouchaine ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Carneros district, the 2023 Bouchaine ‘Estate’ Chardonnay offers brioche and pineapple notes that combine with stony minerals on the palate. Medium-bodied and fresh, enjoy now and over the next six plus years. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2023 Bouchaine ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- Showing slightly more depth than the ‘Estate’ the 2023 Bouchaine ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay shows off juicy peach and pear flavors alongside salty nuances on the palate. Medium-bodied with nice diatom nuances, enjoy now and over the next six plus years. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2023 Bouchaine ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Bouchaine ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir offers cola and red rose petals on the nose alongside tart cranberry notes. The palate is lithe and smooth on the mouth with a terrific mouthfeel, with medium-bodied, tart red fruits. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2023 Bouchaine ‘Swan Clone’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Swan Clone’ comes from the estate vineyard in Carneros. Cloves and cardamom combine with shades of white pepper and wild blackberry on the nose. The palate is elegant and lifted with a great tension and light to medium-bodied red fruits with salty minerals. Drink 2026-2034- 91

2023 Bouchaine “Dijon Clone’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Dijon Clone’ shows better concentration than the ‘Swan’ offering dense black fruits with sea salt dusted cola flavors alongside rocky nuances. Medium-bodied with a lush mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2023 Bouchaine ‘Pommard Clone’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Pommard Clone’ shows wild mushroom and red florals on the nose with Mandarin orange zest. The palate is fresh and neatly-textured with cola accents. Already nicely evolved, enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2026-2033- 92

2022 Bouchaine ‘Estate’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Estate’ Syrah shows off white pepper and brisket flavors that mingle well with wild blackberry compote flavors. Fresh and nicely-textured, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2033- 92

Big Table Farm

One of the jewels of the Willamette Valley, Big Table Farm was founded by Clare Carver and Brian Marcy — two of the great people in Oregon wine. Marcy has a longstanding history in the wine industry, formerly serving as winemaker for Neyers prior to moving north and settling in the Willamette Valley. Wines are exceptionally good year in and year out. They have been making wines that have great flavor density and range, with terrific texture.

Once again, Carver and Marcy have crafted one of the finest Rose wines you will taste in North America. Check out the 2025 Big Table Farm ‘Laughing Pig’ Rose (OB, 94) which is a hard to beat combination of weight, finesse and flavor range Learn more about Big Table Farm at http://www.bigtablefarm.com/ Here are the fantastic new release wines by Big Table Farm.

2025 Big Table Farm ‘Laughing Pig’ Rose- The utterly fabulous 2025 Laughing Pig’ Rose is a powerful, concentrated effort that was was stored in all neural oak barrels before bottling.  Right away this entices with its beautiful raspberry color, offering bergamot and satsuma orange zest notes on the nose alongside red rose petals and shades of candied strawberry. The palate is lithe and polished with brisk acidity and serious weight, as the silky texture really entices. Drinking marvelously right now, watch this evolve over the next six to eight years to come. Drink 2026-2033- 94

2023 Big Table Farm ‘The Wild Bee’ Chardonnay- The 2024 ‘The Wild Bee’ showcases a range of locations throughout the Willamette Valley. It comes off polished with a smooth mouthfeel. This is rich and viscous stuff with nutty nuances that combine with heady melon and Meyer lemon fruits with cardamom dusted sourdough bread accents on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2023 Big Table Farm ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay- Sourced from several locations in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, this 2023 Chardonnay offers mango and walnut nuances on the nose with wet gravel and hay accents. The palate is fleshy and filled with bright acidity. Dense melon and citrus fruits collide with stony minerals on the palate. This clearly has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2023 Big Table Farm ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2023 Big Table Farm ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay offers loads of freshness and texture on the palate. Freshly cut key limes mingle well with rocky and salty nuances, with French bread notes. Very mineral-laden with good weight, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2024 Big Table Farm ‘Elusive Queen’ Chardonnay- Another sensational edition of this wine, the big and bold 2024 ’The Elusive Queen’ Chardonnay is a dense, opulent effort that is built to age. Once on the nose this has hazelnut and toasted brioche notes that combine with honeydew melon and Pink Lady apple notes. The palate is rich and viscous with tremendous texture and bright acidity that creates a mouth-watering effect. The flavor density and flavor complexity here is extraordinarily good. This will easily live on for another fifteen years. . . but why wait? Drink 2026-2040- 96

2024 Big Table Farm ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- A stunning rendition of this wine, the 2024 Big Table Farm ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir comes off big, bold and powerful on the palate. Salty and smoky nuances give way to a gorgeous melange of red and dark fruits, with wafts of dark truffle shavings. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Big Table Farm ‘Pelos-Sandberg Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ebullient 2024 Big Table Farm ‘Pelos-Sandberg Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this tiny vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA.On the nose this impresses Sith serious aromatic range. Dark roses and black currants collide with peat moss, and suggestions of kumquat rind on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with lively acidity and a fat mouthfeel. Glorious now, watch this evolve over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2023 Big Table Farm ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2023 Big Table Farm ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir offers forest floor and guava tones on the nose alongside damp salty soils and shades of orange blossom. The palate is fresh, viscous and beautifully-textured, with a great push/pull between finesse and opulence. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2023 Big Table Farm ‘Sunnyside Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Sunnyside Vineyard’ shows up translucent in the glass. It is loaded with bright red fruit aromatics that parade with damp soils, peat moss and shades of wild mushroom. The palate is loaded with freshness, with a seamless texture and marvelous length. Very pretty, with its downright sexy core of bright red fruits, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2023 Big Table Farm ‘The Funk Estate Vineyard’ Syrah- A really cool Rocks District wine, the 2023 ’The Funk Estate’ Syrah is a killer take on this warm vintage.Once on the nose this takes on smoldering stone aromatics that combine with shades of black olive tapenade, Hoisin sauce, wintergreen and charcuterie notes. The complex aromatics bring you back to the glass for more hedonistic enjoyment. Beautifully-textured, with serious poise and loads of finesse, enjoy this beauty now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2033- 95

2024 Big Table Farm ‘Earth’ Pinot Noir- An amazing wine from this warmer vintage, the 2024 ‘Earth’ is a stunning, dense and heady version of this wine that is already drinking beautifully right now. The nose shows off fabulous range from potpourri and damp rocky soils that combine with fresh sage, chocolate and black licorice. The palate is fat and round on the mouth with terrific weight and flavor density. The exceedingly long finish accentuates this cultured beauty that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2044- 96

Sojourn Cellars Vertical Tasting

Last Saturday I descended upon Sojourn Cellars in downtown Sonoma. It had been several years since I made my visit to taste some of the outstanding Pinots and Chards from this region. Sojourn Celalrs is under new ownership and we talked about the approach to wines.

The wines have been remarkably consistent and they show terrific aging potential. The winery dates back to 2001 when two tennis friends–Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley–who shared a passion for two things: great wine and tennis. With Erich’s experience as an Assistant Winemaker at Arrowood Winery, the two developed a plan to produce small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from outstanding vineyard sources. They began with a hundred cases of Cabernet Sauvignon that they sold to friends and family. Today they produce more than different wines and have customers worldwide.

It was fun to see how these age and I was enamored by the 2021 ‘Sangiacomo’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is rich and viscous with plenty of salty minerality. Learn more about these great wines at https://sojourncellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the beautiful new and library release wines by Sojourn Cellars.

2022 Sojourn Cellars ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- Sourced from the Sonoma Coast AVA, this spent three years on the lees prior to disgorgement in March 2026. This has lovely astringency with good weight. Lemon oil and ginger notes combine with shades of sourdough bread on the palate. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2025 Sojourn Cellars Rose- Made from Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir grapes, the 2025 Sojourn Rose shows beautifully now. Delicate red fruits parade with orange peel and shades of salty soils on the palate. Nicely-textured, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2023 Sojourn ‘Annapolis Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this location near the town of Anappolis, this high elevation site sits above the fog line. The palate is lush and round with serious flavor density and salty soil character. Bright pomegranate seed and orange peel notes combine with sea salt dusted cola flavors on the palate. Drink 2026-2041- 95

Sangiacomo Vineyard

2021 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- An amazing wine, the 2021 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is loaded with flavor density and richness. The red florals on then nose entice as does the seamless texture and smooth mouthfeel. Showing great wright and length, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2022 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- An amazing wine considering the vintage, the 2022 Sojourn ‘angiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes up fat and round on the mouth, loaded with salty red fruits alongside tobacco leaf and orange peel accents. Drink 2026-2032- 93

2023 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- More nervy than the other wines, the 2023 Sojourn ‘Sangiacomo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir opens with red rose petals and potpourri notes alongside guava and strawberry notes. Wafts of cola hit the palate, as this is just getting started and has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2026-2041- 95

Gap’s Crown Vineyard

2020 Sojourn Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- An amazing wine from a more than challenging vintage, the 2020 ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ opens with wintergreen notes that combine with salty peach and strawberry notes on the palate. Showing good viscosity and salty tension, enjoy now. Drink 2026-2030- 93

2022 Sojourn ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This beautiful wine comes up fresh despite the heat of the vintage. Ripe red fruits parade with rose water, orange zest and salty minerals. This has terrific viscosity and tension, as this lingers long on the tongue with sour red fruits. Drink 2026-2032- 94

2023 Sojourn Cellars ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Sojourn Cellars ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a stunning, salty and tension-filled bottling that has a long way to go in the cellar. This is texturally ethereal with plenty of depth and concentration, with fabulous finesse. Drink 2026-2040- 96

Whitman Hill

Today we share a newer producer from the Yakima Valley. Whitman Hill Vineyard sits at 1,200 feet on the south- and east-facing slopes above the Yakima Valley, where steady air movement, balanced sun exposure, and a natural cold-air drain create ideal conditions for even ripening and vineyard health. Beneath the surface, layers of sandy loam and fragments of caliche—a pale, porous rock unique to this area. Before establishing Whitman Hill, Scott and Denise Whitman co-owned a winery on Washington’s west side, sourcing grapes from the Yakima Valley and becoming deeply connected to the quality and character of its fruit. Their first wines for that project were made humbly in their garage. In 2020 the had the chance to acquire property in Zillah, which became Whitman Hill.

New wines were really good. I love the 2024 Whitman Hill Chardonnay (OB, 91) which is neatly textured stuff with good richness. Learn more about this project at https://whitmanhillwine.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Whitman Hill wines.

2024 Whitman Hill Chardonnay- Coming from the Yakima Valley, the 2024 Whitman Hill Chardonnay offers juicy pear and baked apple with starfruit and sourdough bread notes on the palate. Soft on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2023 Whitman Hill Syrah- A terrific new bottling, the 2023 Whitman Hill Syrah offers black pepper dusted bacon, violets and shades of black olive tapenade. The palate is fresh and also viscous with medium bodied dark fruits with chocolate and dried herbs. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2022 Whitman Hill Merlot- This 2022 Merlot offers chocolate and coffee grounds on the palate with a smooth mouthfeel and good structure. Medium-bodied, with salty minerals, enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2022 Whitman Hill ‘Departure’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Departure’ opens with dried herbs, dark chocolate shavings and boysenberry compote aromatics. The palate is soft and elegant with medium-bodied dark fruits and pencil lead notes, with sagebrush accents. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2022 Whitman Hill Cabernet Franc- The 2022 Whitman Hill Cabernet Franc offers a plush mouthfeel and good freshness on the palate. Layers of loganberry and dark currants combine with espresso grind notes on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2021 Whitman Hill Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from their Yakima Valley estate, the 2023 Whitman Hill Cabernet Sauvignon shows off sagebrush and Arabica bean notes on the palate, with salty minerals. Medium-bodied, enjoy now and over the next few years to come. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2021 Whitman Hill ‘Captain Block’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Whitman Hill ‘Captain Block’ Cabernet Sauvignon is slightly more hedonistic and dense than their ‘Estate’ bottling. Heady dark fruits combine with coffee grounds and shades of dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 92

Tsillan Cellars

It is my pleasure to share a really good producer in the Lake Chelan AVA. This scenic location has a beautiful setting with plenty of outdoor seating. The 127 acre estate is Chelan’s largest planted vineyard. They make an exceedingly long range of wines from Chardonnay to Syrah from this estate. Italian varietals are also planted at the estate vineyard.

Garrett Grubbs has been making great wines for Tsillan and joined the team in 2021. It is exceedingly difficult to grow many of these estate varietals in the heat that is accumulated in Lake Chelan. Grubbs did an excellent job with this lineup. I really love the 2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Malbec (OB, 91) which powerful and has great varietal character. Learn more at https://tsillancellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the new releases by Tsillan Cellars.

2024 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Viognier- The 2024 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Viognier offers lychee and melon notes on the nose alongside shades of Japanese pear. The palate is smooth and refined with nice earthy accents on the palate. Drink 2026-2030- 90

2024 Tsillan Cellars ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- Coming from their Estate vineyard in Lake Chelan, the 2024 ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay shows pastry crust and lemon rind notes on the nose with rich melon tones. Soft and approachable, enjoy now and over the next several years. Drink 2026-2031- 90

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Sangiovese- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Sangiovese is a terrific effort with bright red fruits that mingle well with salty soils and orange peel notes. Juicy and delciious, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Dolcetto- The excellent 2023 ‘Estate’ Dolcetto is round and soft on the mouth with great damp earthy character alongside tart red fruits with bergamot accents. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Barbera- The delicious 2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Barbera offers good power with richness. Refined tannins frame a core of bright red raspberry and Bing cherry fruits alongside dusty soils and worn leather notes. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Grenache- From this warm vintage, the 2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Grenache shows a core of pure red fruits with salted orange zest and damp soils on the palate. Inviting and round on the mouth, enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Syrah- The 2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Syrah offers tar and creosote on the nose with shades of black licorice. Juicy and bright, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Merlot- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Merlot delivers milk chocolate and black cherry notes on the palate alongside a smooth mouthfeel. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 90

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- The 2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc is smooth throughout the drinking experience with medium bodied dark fruits, graphite and pipe tobacco notes with light green herbal accents. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off medium-bodied dark fruits at its core, with pencil lead, sagebrush and damp soil notes on the palate. Elegant and soft on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 91

2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Malbec- A touch better than the ’22, the 2023 Tsillan Cellars ‘Estate’ Malbec has mocha, tar and black currant notes on the plate with good power and finesse. Drink 2026-2031- 91

St. Innocent

One of the great estates in Oregon, St. Innocent was founded by Oregon Wine Pioneer, Mark Vlossak. Mark has a longstanding history in the Oregon wine industry as the first single vineyard Pinot Noir made by Mark dates back to 1989 from the O’Connor Vineyard. In 2006 Mark set up his winery at that same site of his first single vineyard wine, which is now named the Zenith Vineyard. For years I have loved Mark’s Pinot Noirs which exude class in their elegance and flavor range. Vlossak makes some of the finest Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc in the state, as his wines have a knack for landing on my Top 100. I love the 2021 St. Innocent ‘Cremant d’Innocent’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which is entirely made from Freedom Hill Pinot Blanc grapes. Learn more about these awesome wines at https://stinnocentwine.com Here are the great new releases by St. Innocent. 

2021 St. Innocent ‘Crement’ Rose Sparkling Wine- Composed from mostly Pinot Blanc (89%) grapes, this was stored on the lees for 39 months prior to disgorgement in late 2025. This has a vibrant pink hue, offering nutty aromatics on the nose alongside suggestions of red raspberry and Bing cherry. The palate shows loads of mouth-watering acidity with a terrific melange of Satsuma orange zest, green melon and tart red fruits. Drink 2026-2036- 92

2021 St. Innocent ‘Cremant d’Innocent’ Sparkling Wine- Another sensational edition of this bottling, the 2021 St. Innocent ‘Cremant d’Innocent’ Sparkling Wine was made from all Pinot Blanc grapes grown at the Freedom Hill Vineyard. It is lush and mineral laden on the tongue, with a vibrant astringency. Salted walnut and Yakima cherry fruit flavors combine with dense melon notes on the palate. The soft mousse entices as this is best served slightly warmer. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2021 St. Innocent ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The 2021 ‘Blanc de Blancs’ comes from the famed Temperance Hill Vineyard and was stored on the lees for four years prior to disgorgement in December 2025. This is fresh, energetic and vibrant sparkling wine with sourdough bread flavors that meld well with cantalope and shades of beeswax with lemon oil notes. Fresh with a smooth mousse, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93

Aubaine

Today we share an outstanding producer of Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Aubaine focuses on single vineyard and estate only wines. One of the great people in Oregon wine, Andy Lytle has a love of Burgundy and Champagne, as he is half of Lytle-Barnett. An iconic winemaker, Isabelle Meunier, has made a range of wines for producers across the Willamette Valley. Meunier is native of Quebec, and she studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Dijon in Burgundy, as well as in New Zealand at Lincoln University. Following her eduction she worked at famed producers Felton Road in New Zealand, as well as Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon. She has a more than impressive resume and has worked with Evening Land as well as LAVINEA.

The new wines from 2024 were outstanding. I love the 2024 Aubaine ‘Windfall Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is beautifully textured stuff with a lush mouthfeel. Learn more about this outstanding producer at aubainewine.com and here are my reviews of the new Aubaine wines.

2024 Aubaine ‘Windfall Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2024 ‘Windfall Vineyard’ Chardonnay offers honeysuckle and lychee notes on the nose with nutty and baking spice nuances. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth mouthfeel and great sense of weight and salty minerality. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2024 Aubaine ‘Windfall Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this location in the Eola-Amity Hills, the 2024 ‘Windfall Vineyard’ Pinot Noir opens with a bright bouquet of red rose petals and exotic spices alongside hints of lavender and rocky soils. The palate is lush with serious texture, weight and stony character, as this is both broad-shouldered and quite nervy. A joy to consume right now, with terrific volume and texture, this is best enjoyed over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2024 Aubaine ‘L’Elu’ Pinot Noir- Also sourced from the Windfall Vineyard, the 2024 ‘L’Elu’ opens with beautiful red florals alongside wet gravel, orange peel and hints of bergamot with oud.The palate is lush, mineral-laden and refined with an earthy elegance in its peat moss accents alongside a terrific melange of red and dark fruits. This shows slightly more seamless character than the single vineyard bottling. Bravo! Drink 2026-2040- 94

Corison

Today we share one of Napa’s historic wineries. Cathy Corison seems to produce amazing wines in tough vintages. A California wine icon, Corison is a master’s degree graduate of the Enology program at UC Davis and has previously served as Chappellet winemaker prior to starting her own winery. For years Corison has implemented a trademark more Bordelaise, and restrained style to her Napa wines. The wines have precision, power and restraint. They age so gracefully.

I am so impressed with what she achieved in 2022. Her 2023 wines are even better. I adored the 2023 Corison ’St. Helena’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is vibrant and nervy with serious power and poise.  Learn more about these elegant Napa wines at https://corison.com/ Here is my review of her new Corison wines.

2023 Corison ‘St. Helena’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘St. Helena’ comes from several undisclosed sites in this district. This shows up inky in the glass, offering red raspberry and dried herbs on the nose with hints of milk chocolate and pencil lead. The palate is lush, seamless and filled with fabulous finesse, with serious volume. A total stunner, with a light dusting of salinity, and some serious finesse, enjoy over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 97

2023 Corison ‘Rutherford’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Rutherford’ is a one-time wine from a single location in the Rutherford AVA that has since been replanted. On the nose this takes on pipe tobacco notes alongside tar, anise and creme de cassis. The palate has amazing loamy and rocky soil character alongside heady dark fruits with vibrant tension that runs through the core of the wine. Finishing long with black fruits and copious stony minerals, enjoy now and over the next twenty plus years. Try to give this another year in the bottle. Drink 2027-2047- 97

Sign of the Dove

Today we share the utterly enchanting wines of Sign of the Dove. This Napa Valley brand comes from some of the famed vineyards in the region and are made by the world-class winemaking team of Jesse Katz and Hillary Sjolund. Sign of the Dove is led by a father-and-son team behind the brand, Marc and Jake Taub.

Their bottlings from Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III and Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard are some of the best wines from Napa that I have tasted in the past year. I scored all of the wines from 2022 and 2023 100 points which is nothing short of an epic achievement. This is truly cult Napa status.

Learn more about these incredible wines at https://signofthedove.com/ and here are my reviews of the 2022 and 2023 Sign of the Dove wines.

2022 Sign of the Dove ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Showing beautiful structure and concentration in this warm vintage, the extremely brooding 2022 Sign of the Dove ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers creme de violette, tar and sweet pipe tobacco notes on the nose with beautiful black florals. The palate is heady, dense and weightless, as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. A perfect wine made in a highly challenging vintage, this is a total stunner by the winemaking team of Jesse Katz and Hillary Sjolund. Absolutely no reason to cellar this beauty but enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 100

2022 Sign of the Dove ‘Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Highly intense and mesmerizing, the 2022 Sign of the Dove ‘Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon stands jet black in the glass. Amazing loamy soil character immediately gratifies on the palate, alongside refined tannins and wonderful salty minerality. Creme de cassis, anise and shades of Asian spices all fill the palate. A head-turning wine, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 100

2023 Sign of the Dove ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Sign of the Dove ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III’ Cabernet Sauvignon is the final vintage of this wine. Very deeply perfumed and inky, this offers amazing black florals that combine with creme de violette, creosote and rocky nuances. The palate is heady and dense but also weightless with a pillowy texture. Drink 2026-2042- 100

2023 Sign of the Dove ‘Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Sign of the Dove ‘Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 22 months in 100% new French oak before bottling. This comes from block B2 as this opens with black florals that combine with Asian spices, Turkish coffee and shades of black licorice. The palate is heady and dense but also pillowy and soft, with a refined mouthfeel. The loamy soil character here is exceptional. Drink 2026-2046- 100