• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources
Menu

Owen Bargreen

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources

Here are the great new wines by Benza.

Benza

January 15, 2024

A newer spot in the Willamette Valley, Benza is a 25 year old hilltop estate in the Laurelwood District AVA of the Willamette Valley. They produce estate Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Rose of Pinot Noir and traditional method sparkling brut. Located 35 minutes from Portland, they are now making a wine from the Walla Walla Rocks District as well that is fantastic.

This is the first time that I tasted the lineup of Benza wines. Located in the new Laurelwood District, the estate vineyard is set on deep Laurelwood soils on top of volcanic Jory soil. I loved the new 2022 Benza ‘Rocks District of Milton-Freewater’ Syrah (OB, 93) which has beautiful umami notes alongside fantastic flavor range. Learn more at https://www.benza.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Benza.

2019 Benza ‘Brut Cremant of Oregon’ Sparkling Wine- The brilliant 2019 Benza ‘Brut Cremant of Oregon’ Sparkling Wine is a delicious new wine made in this slightly cooler year. Granny Smith apple and pear with sour starfruit notes all combine with nutty accents on the palate. Tart and showing a good level of both astringency and richness, this would be a magical pairing for sushi. Only 80 cases made. Drink 2024-2031- 91

2022 Benza ‘Block 2 Reserve’ Pinot Gris- The 2022 ‘Block 2 Reserve’ is a rich and nicely textured new wine that is already showing beautifully. On the nose this shows salted Marcona almond and shades of citrus rind alongside starfruit and Bartlett pear. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture. Enjoy this great new Gris now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 91

2022 Benza ‘Rocks District of Milton-Freewater’ Syrah- The really good 2022 Benza ‘Rocks District of Milton-Freewater’ Syrah shows a smooth texture with umami and smoldering stone flavors alongside wild blackberry and shades of green olive tapenade. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next six years to come. Drink 2024-2030- 93

← Liberty LakeMark Ryan →
 

Latest Posts

Featured
Jul 30, 2025
Alain Chavy
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025
Echolands
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 30, 2025
Jul 28, 2025
Single Barrel
Jul 28, 2025
Jul 28, 2025
Jul 24, 2025
Chateau Batailley
Jul 24, 2025
Jul 24, 2025
Jul 22, 2025
Interview with Kate Payne Brown, Argyle Winemaker
Jul 22, 2025
Jul 22, 2025
Jul 22, 2025
Champagne Billecart-Salmon
Jul 22, 2025
Jul 22, 2025
Jul 19, 2025
Diamond Creek
Jul 19, 2025
Jul 19, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
DeLille Cellars
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
L'Ecole No. 41
Jul 16, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
2025 Sonoma Report:
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Cimento
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Holocene
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Corison
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Bodega Catena Zapata
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Altesino
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Fidelitas
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Lange
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Echolands
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Walter Scott
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Argyle
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025