Today we share a new winery that has really hit the ground running. Westborn is a collaboration between winemakers Russell Bevan, Weston Eidson, and Nathan Reeves. It focuses on traditional method sparkling wines from exclusive vineyards in Sonoma, Napa, and Mendocino. They are sourcing from top sites such as Ritchie, Gap’s Crown and Durell.
It isn’t everyday I am sent wines from a new winery and gush over them. You just can’t go wrong with these new releases. Westborn is a project with serious promise and I am very excited to see how this brand continues to develop. I loved the new lineup, especially the 2018 ‘Brut’ (OB, 95) which is rich and robust with great maturity. Learn more at https://www.westbornwine.com and here are my reviews of the new Westborn releases.
NV.01 Westborn ‘Perpetual Reserve’ Sparkling Wine- The NV.01 Westborn ‘Perpetual Reserve’ Sparkling Wine comes from half the 2020 vintage and the rest from the perpetual reserve. This comes off clean, offering oyster shell and green papaya flavors that meld well with tart citrus and melon fruits on the palate. Soft on the mouth and very nervy, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2043- 92
NV.02 Westborn ‘Perpetual Reserve’ Sparkling Wine- The NV.02 Westborn ‘Perpetual Reserve’ Sparkling Wine is a blend of near equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 7% Pinot Meunier. Stored on the less for 38 months, this was given 6G/L dosage and was disgorged in July 2025. This shows off a soft mousse with beautiful tension. Bright citrus fruits parade with sea salt dusted French bread on the palate, with kiwi and ginger nuances. This is really good stuff that is already nicely evolved. Drink 2026-2034- 92
2018 Westborn ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The best wine of the tasting, the 2018 ‘Brut’ combines 65% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay coming from a range of sites including Durell, Ritchie and Silver Eagle Vineyards. Given 5G/L dosage, this was stored on the lees for 74 months before disgorgement. Golden in the glass, this delivers damp rock, bergamot and shades of Japanese pear on the nose. The palate has really come together nicely, as this has excellent maturity but also good freshness alongside its silky mousse and salty character. Generous and broad-shouldered, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 95
2019 Westborn ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2019 ‘Brut’ is a blend of 59% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay. It was stored on the lees for 52 months before disgorgement and given only 2G/L dosage. The resultant wine comes off nervy, with plenty of diatomaceous earth character. Salted brioche and shortbread flavors combine with Key limes and cantaloupe notes. Medium-bodied with a soft mousse, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2019 Westborn ‘Rose’ Sparkling Wine- The 2019 ‘Rose’ is all Pinot Noir that was stored on the lees for 52 months before disgorgement. Sourced from the Gap’s Crown, Ferrington and Silver Eagle Vineyards, this opens with an evocative bouquet of orange blossom and shades of red currants alongside salted sourdough bread that all take shape in the glass. The palate is very heady and intense with great structure and nuanced red fruits. This is delightful Rose sparkling wine that still has a long life head of it. Drink 2026-2038- 94
2019 Westborn ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The 2019 Westborn ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine comes from the Ritchie, Silver Eagle and Manchester Ridge Vineyards. The wine was stored on the lees for 64 months before disgorgement. Salted peach and cashew nut fill the nose alongside baking spice laced pastry crust. The palate comes off fat and rich with great depth and tension, loaded with diatom character. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 93