It is my pleasure to share one of the jewels of Woodinville. Winemaker Erica Orr took over this program more than a decade ago and began in 1998, working her first harvest with eminent winemaker Cathy Corison in the Napa Valley. She immediately caught the wine bug and enrolled in the enology master’s degree program at UC Davis where she completed her master’s degree in 2003. Erica also has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from UC Berkeley and three years of research experience as a biochemistry lab technician for 2009 Nobel Laureate Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn at UC San Francisco. She is a great person to chat wine with.
The wines are really outstanding across the board. I love the 2024 Baer Rose (OB, 92) which is a stunning, beautifully-textured wine. I love the 2022 Baer ‘Ursa’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is smooth and silky stuff from this slightly cooler vintage. Learn more about this great Woodinville winery at at baerwinery.com Here are the great new releases by Baer
2025 Baer ‘Shard’ Chardonnay- The 2025 ‘Shard’ is another terrific edition of this wine that was aged in stainless steel before bottling. No doubt from lees stirring it brings serious texture and finesse, with honeysuckle water, beeswax, and dense melon fruits. 100% from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA, this is already enticing stuff that will show slightly more brightly served on the cooler side. Drink 2026-2032- 92
2025 Baer Rose- A delicious and nuanced edition of this wine, the 20245 Baer Rose is Cabernet Franc-based wine from the Royal Slope AVA.It shows some wild mushroom tones on the nose with red rose petals, red currants and shades of red licorice. Soft and inviting on the mouth, with lively acidity, and a smooth texture, this is best served not too warm. Drink 2026-2032- 92
2022 Baer ‘Star’ Merlot- The 2022 ‘Star’ is nearly all Merlot coming from the Royal Slope AVA. It comes off smooth and dense, with terrific viscosity. Ripe red fruits parade with chocolate, wet rock and shades of dried herbs on the palate. Smooth throughout the drinking experience, this is a great effort in a slightly cooler vintage. Drink 2026-2038- 93
2022 Baer ‘Ursa’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Ursa’ is a silky combination of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc with 12% Cabernet Sauvignon and small parts Petit Verdot and Malbec. It shows great aromatic and flavor range, offering roasted fig flavors that parade with milk chocolate, tar and pipe tobacco on the palate. Medium-bodied and fresh with a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 93
2022 Baer Malbec- Coming from the Royal Slope AVA, the 2022 Malbec has a large amount of Syrah blended in. Inky in the glass, this shows dried herbs and blueberry compote on the nose with shades of tar and wintergreen. The palate is well-structured and powerful, as this is very refined throughout the drinking experience. Sowing excellent freshness, alongside the viscosity, enjoy now and over the next twelve years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 94
2022 Baer ‘Callisto’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Callisto’ is composed of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Syrah with the remainder Petit Verdot all sourced from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Coffee ground and dark chocolate shavings combine with pencil lead and anise on the palate. Showing good poise and texture, with lively acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 93
2022 Baer ‘Arctos’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Arctos’ has a much smaller portion of Petit Verdot blended in than the ’21. Mainly aged in neutral oak barrels, this opens with a rich bouquet of potpourri and cassis notes that combine with suggestions of espresso grounds. The palate is smooth and nicely textured, with a seamless mouthfeel as this simply glides throughout the drinking experience. Dense and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 94
2022 Baer Cabernet Franc- The brilliant 2024 Baer Cabernet Franc is marvelously herbal, offering a smooth mouthfeel, with dense dark fruits that parade with tobacco leaf, worn leather, and sea salt dusted green bell pepper notes on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific varietal typicity, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 94