Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir Vertical Tasting

Sitting across from famed Argyle winemaker Nate Klostermann, I couldn’t help but notice the irony of tasting virtually rather than in person. Such is Covid-19 life, as we continue to socially distance from each other, yet yearn for human interaction which has been a tenet of my Instagram Live series. I have long been fond of the ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noirs by Argyle, truly one of the famed wines of its kind in Oregon. Legendary winemaker Rollin Soles paved the way for Argyle to become one of the famed houses in the state, and completely transformed the Oregon Sparkling Wine market with his consistently good sparkling wines while he was there. I had the great opportunity to taste a few of Rollin’s wines and Nate’s wines and I was so impressed how good each of them were. 

Nate served for many years as assistant winemaker to Rollin before being promoted as head winemaker. I found that in terms of style, Nate’s wines from 2014 and 2018 were very precise and razor focused despite them both coming from warm vintages. It was a great pleasure revisiting the 2005 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) now at fifteen years of age, this gorgeous bottling has incredible tertiary tones coming into play and has a long way to go in the cellar. Just starting to show its stuff, the 2008 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) is singing with the delicate red fruits and amazing flavor and aromatic range. ‘2008 is just starting to come into its own’ Nate remarked. I couldn’t agree more.

Nate’s wines from 2014 and 2018 were equally as good, although different in their respective developments. One thing that impressed me the most with the 2018 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) was the massive beam of minerality that hits you on the attack. This level of freshness from a hot vintage is seriously impressive. I love where the 2014 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) is at right now, just slowly creeping into tertiary tones. ‘Right about at the five or six year mark is where these wines really start to show their stuff,’ said Nate. He was right that the 2014 has plenty of primary fruit but the earthy tones are slowly beginning to develop. Needless to say, this was a thrilling tasting for me as this special vertical shows how brilliantly the ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir wines will age in your cellars. Here are my tasting notes from a sensational tasting of ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir. 

2005 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir- The 2005 ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir is a scintillating wine that is now really peaking at the fifteen year mark. You are immediately enticed by the lovely shades of white truffle follow layers of dark and red fruits, with peat moss tones also dominating the mix. The palate is seamlessly textured with gorgeous red currents that dance with black truffle crudo, exotic spices and peat moss tones. The length of this wine is very impressive. Fresh and layered, this gorgeous 2005 has a long way to go. Drink 2020-2030- 94

2008  Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir-- Considering the coolness of the vintage, it is no surprise to me that the 2008 is slightly more tightly wound aromatically, as this needs an hour decant to fully show its gorgeous range. Bright Bing cherry and cran-orange with first floor tones coming into the fray. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a great sense of acidity and texture. Bright red fruits dance with citrus rind tones and spicebox tones round out this beautiful flavor range. Fresh and really youthful despite being twelve years of age, the 2008 ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93

2014 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir- This is now the first opportunity for me to taste this brillaint, warm vintage wine, in several years. Bright pomegranate seed and Yakima cherry tones collide with suggestions of baking spices and wild mushroom on this gorgeous bouquet. The palate has great freshness and texture with a great sense of length and poise. Layers of bright red fruits meld with smoky and earthy tones on the palate. Only an infant now, the 2014 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 93

2018 Argyle ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir- Fresh, vibrant and seriously good, the 2018 ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous new release by the talented Nate Klostermann. Needing an hour decant to be fully aroused, after some air the bright red fruits develop with shades of blood orange zest, peat moss and shades of cardamom that take shape in the glass. The palate has a great sense of texture and weight, as this opulent wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate delivering a deep core of red currants, red cherry candy and forest floor tones that meld with shades of white truffle shavings. Round and generous in its youth, this great new wine will provide drinking enjoyment for decades to come. Drink 2020-2035- 93

Rudi Pichler

Today we journey to Austria and share one of the top producers in the Wachau region. Rudi Pichler primarily crafts Gruner Veltliner and Riesling under low yielding vineyards. All grapes are hand harvested and each wine is aged in stainless steel tanks as none of the wines undergo malolactic fermentation. The Rudi Pichler estate is a marvelously scenic spot that dates back to 1731 and is currently planted to mainly Grüner Veltliner (65%) and Riesling (30%), with the remaining 5% shared by Weissburgunder and Roter Veltliner The vines are set on loess soils which was deposed in the region from the most recent ice age, from 110,000–14,000 years ago. River sediments form the Danube River are sprinkled throughout the vineyard. 

I have been enchanted by these wines for many years and particularly the combination of fitness and texture that they are able to impart. For those who have never tried Rudi Pichler wines, it is a must-visit. A wonderful lineup across the board, look to the 2018 Rudi Pichler ‘RIed Hochrain Smaragd’ Riesling (WWB, 94) which is dense, seamless and impossible to resist in its youth. Just as good was the 2018 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen Smaragd’ Riesling (WWB, 94) which has gorgeous aromatics and great terroir with a silky elegance. Learn more about these sensational wines at https://www.rudipichler.at/en/ Here are the gorgeous new releases by Rudi Pichler.

2018 Rudi Pichler ‘Terrassen Smaragd’ Gruner Veltliner- The 2018 ‘Terrassen Smaragd’ was sourced from a low-yielding site set on granite and slate with vines averaging 22-40 years of age. Aromatically the petrol notes entice, alongside shades of white flowers and bright Bosc pear that all take shape in the glass. The palate has good weight and freshness with lighter orchard fruit flavors, with petrol and damp stone accents playing second fiddle. Enjoy this beautiful Gruner Veltliner over the next ten plus years. Drink 2020-2029- 92

2018 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Hochrain Smaragd’ Riesling- The ‘Ried Hochrain Smaragd’ Riesling is a spectacular effort by Rudi Pichler. The aromatic range is quite dramatic to brandy soaked peach to wet stone and shades of apricot with petrol accents that all mingle together in the glass. The freshness and verve of the wine is quite remarkable, as this seamless wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Even better is the near minute long finish. One thing is certain — this beautiful Riesling will be exceedingly long-lived. Drink 2020-2040- 94

2018 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Hochrain Smaragd’ Gruner Veltliner- The ‘Ried Hochrain Smaragd’ Gruner Veltliner is an exceptonal release by Pichler. Once on the nose this takes on bright green apple tones with lemon zest, kumqat and shades of wet stone and nectarine that all sing in harmony together. The palate has serious viscosity and weight, with a gorgeous mouthfeel and texture that continues to impress. Bright orange zest and melon tones combine with the wet stony terroir and suggestions of candied ginger that meld together effortlessly. Gorgeous in its youth, this beautiful wine will evolve well for the next two decades. Drink 2020-2040- 93

2018 Rudi Pichler ‘Ried Achleithen Smaragd’ Riesling- The ‘Ried Achleithen Smaragd’ Riesling is a spectacular old-vine Riesling from this storied estate first founded in 1904. The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for eight months and then another month in the bottle before release. Once on the nose the perfumed aromatics catch you off guard, showing formidable range from orange blossom to wet stone and green apple tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate has intense minerality and weight, with a silky mouthfeel. Showing marvelously right now, the 2018 ‘Ried Achleithen Smaragd’ Riesling will have a very long life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2045- 94

Instagram Live This Week

Instagram Live This Week

We have a truly sensational lineup for Instagram Live this week all times Pacific starting Wednesday June 24th at 4 with Erica Orr of Orr Wines, talking about her beautiful Chenin Blanc, followed by L’Ecole No. 41 at 5PM, talking Semillon and Merlot.

Thursday we have famed Champagne Billecart-Salmon at 4PM, sharing their NV Rose and 2006 Cuvée Nicolas François Billecart" Brut Champagne. At 5PM we have one of Oregon’s hidden gems, Open Claim, tasting their beautiful new Chardonnay and Pinot Noir releases.

Friday is action packed as we travel up and down the Pacific coast starting at 3PM with Walla Walla icon Jean-Francois Pellet of Pepper Bridge, followed by the talented Jordan Fiorentini at 4PM of Epoch and Hazelfern, one of Oregon’s exciting new wineries at 5PM. Don’t miss out on the action this week as we host a dazzling cast for our Instagram Live series. 🍷🔥

Miraval

In the midst of Rose season, we check in one one of the world’s most popular Rose wine out of Provence. A marvelous combination of Hollywood drama and great wine, Miraval, a 1,200 acre estate in Provence, was founded by acting icons Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Married at Miraval, Pitt and Jolie prior to their split lived there since 2008. The property boasts pine forests, olive groves, terraced hillsides, working vineyards, a private lake  as well as a moat. Much of the chateau dates back to 17th century, including 35 rooms in the main house as well as several tenant residences.The estate also contains remains of a Romanesque chapel, as well as the famed vineyard from which the Miraval Rose comes from. The recording studio at Miraval has housed some famous musicians including personal favorites Sting and The Cranberries (R.I.P. Dolores O’ Riordan). 

Purchased in 2012 for an estimated $60 million, records indicate that in 1252 philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas visited the Miraval estate. The vineyard itself is very large, Jean-Pierre and Francois Perrin are the iconic vintners behind this great Rose wine that produce white and rose wine from the 500 hectare property.  They produce a ton of Rose (roughly 200,000 bottles) and despite the quantity of wine produced, the quality of the wine has been apparently throughout the past five vintages. The latest vintage Rose, comes from the year of the Pitt/Jolie split and it is not clear who will own Miraval going forward. The 2019 Miraval Rose (WWB, 91) is a gorgeous effort that has a great sense of tension and terroir. While it is uncertain what will happen to Miraval following the Hollywood split, one thing is certain —Miraval releases continue to be steady as a skyscraper. Learn more about Miraval at http://miraval-provence.com/en/ Here is the new Miraval Rose review.

2019 Miraval Rose- The 2019 Miraval Rose is sourced from their 500 hectare vineyard that is set in valley in the ancient village of Correns in the center of Provence. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah, and Rolle, the vineyard is set on limestone and clay soils. A light dusting of salted damp earth combines with pretty rose water and melon tones on the nose. The palate is fresh and wonderfully textured, showing layers of bright melon and red fruit flavors with a great veil of tension. Fantastic now, this beautiful effort will cellar well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2020-2027- 91

Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling

I have long written about Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling but have yet to write only on the range of Riesling wines that they offer that are entirely unique to all of North America. I don't think you will find a better overall lineup of Riesling wines from any producer outside of Germany and France. Chateau Ste. Michelle sell a ton of Riesling, sometimes north of one million bottles, but they also have a premier line under their ‘Eroica’ label that is now celebrating their 20th anniversary.

I fondly recall when the first started their label which was highly revolutionary for the winery. Just around the time when eminent Chateau Ste. Michelle winemaker Bob Bertheau began working for them, he was introduced to Ernst Loosen from famed Mosel house Dr. Loosen. He and Ste. Michelle struck a deal for Ernst to help craft a Washington Riesling made in the Mosel tradition — and the rest has been history. David Rosenthal as white winemaker for Ste, Michelle presides over all of the Riesling wines that they craft.

I can confidently say that I have sampled every vintage of this wine. This is one of the benchmark Rieslings made in Washington and what has been most remarkable is the low cost of this wine made to consumers. When you consider the market for Riesling wines, even those from Germany or Alsace, the ‘Eroica’ Riesling consistently offers one of the best values of its kind on the planet. I loved the new 2018 Chateau Ste, Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling (WWB, 93) which has a massive degree of freshness and a wonderful vein of tension. Even better is the scintillating 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica XLC’ Riesling (WWB, 94) which is marvelously textured wine and has some massive aging potential. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.ste-michelle.com Here are my reviews of the Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling wines. 

2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Now at the ten year mark, the 2010 ‘Eroica’ Riesling is absolutely singing. Bright kiwi, nectarine and wet stone tones fill the nose. The palate has great freshness and vibrant tension which really impresses considering the age of this wine. Layers of kumquat zest and wet stone combine with wild mushroom and shades of green apple on the palate. It is hard to believe but this beautiful, cold vintage Riesling has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2020-2028- 93

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- A massive contrast to the 2010 bottling, the 2018 ‘Eroica’ Riesling is quite different but every bit as good. A vibrant sense of minerality races through the core of green apple, lemon zest and wet stone flavors. The outstanding sense of lip-smacking acidity literally makes your mouth-water. Energetic and full of life in its youth, this great new bottling will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica XLC’ Riesling- Years ago Chateau Ste. Michelle head winemaker Bob Bertheau and Ernst Loosen of Dr. Loosen were inspired to make a ‘GG’ style wine utilizing Washington grapes This is now the second edition of this wine and they have crafted nothing short of a head-turning Riesling that shows opulence, finesse and gobs of tension. The silky mouthfeel makes this effortlessly glide across the mid-palate. Layers of lemon peel and marzipan artfully combine with the earthy and wet stone undertones of this wine. Gorgeous to enjoy in its full beauty now, this gorgeous Riesling will enjoy at least another fifteen years of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2035- 94

2014 Chateau Ste Michelle ‘Eroica Gold’ Riesling- The 2014 ‘Eroica Gold’ Riesling by Chateau Ste. Michelle is a gorgeous new wine that shows great richness, texture and sense of weight. Wet stone and Pazazz apple combine with shades of cardamon and lemon rind on the nose. The palate is unctuous showing a soft texture and wonderful sense of mouthfeel. Layers of candied lemon, mango and ginger combine with earthy undertones and bright acidity on the palate. Rich and layered, with a seamless sense of texture, this beautiful new wine will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2040- 94

Duckhorn Vineyards

It is hard to believe that more than forty years ago Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards. What began with a mere 800 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 800 cases of Merlot in 1978, Duckhorn now has many arms of their dynasty including a winery in Washington (Canvasback) as well as Goldeneye out of the Anderson Valley, who is steadily producing a gorgeous lineup of Pinot Noirs. Duckhorn relies on seven estate vineyards for their wines and makes some of the most consistent Merlot in Napa Valley.

In early 2014, Renée Ary became the fourth head winemaker for Duckhorn Vineyards winemakers that began with Tom Rinaldi in 1978. Her promotion came after 11 years after serving as both assistant and associate winemaker. Born and raised on the East Coast, Renée moved to California to attend Saint Mary’s College, where she earned a degree in chemistry and art. Fascinated by the intersection between science and an art, winemaking quickly became Renée’s passion, career and way of life. Her first job was working in the lab at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, as she trained under famed winemakers Genevieve Janssens, Steve Leveque and Richard Sowalsky. During that time she took classes in winemaking and viticulture at UC Davis and Napa Valley College.

Renee is a top notch winemaker that has a consistently great lineup of wines. I was really impressed with her new lineup including her dazzling new 2018 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc (WWB, 91) which has great texture and poise. One of the great wines of its kind, the 2017 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot (WWB, 94) is dense and complex, with seriously good range. Learn more about this famed winery at duckhorn.com Here are the great new releases by Duckhorn. 

2018 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- The invigorating combination of lemon zest and gooseberry brilliantly mingle with wet stone and shades of cardamom on the nose. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured, showing a good sense of weight. Layers of Meyer lemon cream and mulberry combine with green apple tones on the palate. The length accentuates this great new release. Drink 2020-2025- 91

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Napa Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2017 Duckhorn Chardonnay opens with aromas of bright pear and lemon zest with vanilla cream that build in the glass. The palate shows a silky mouthfeel delivering bright orchard fruits with lemon cream and hints of butterscotch. Delightful now, this will cellar well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2019-2025- 91

2017 Duckhorn ‘Huichica Hills Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Carneros AVA the ‘Huichica Vineyard’ is set on clay loam soils. The freshness imparted here is really lovely as lemon zest, vanilla cream and minerals mingle with shades of nutmeg infused Gravenstein apple. Fantastic in its youth, this beautiful wine is showing great now but will continue to evolve well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 93

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot- A blend of 80% Merlot with 16% Cabernet Sauvignon and small portions Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, the 2017 Duckhorn Merlot was aged for fifteen months in 40% new French oak before bottling. This 2017 Merlot shows sandalwood tones that meld with cocoa powder and espresso bean aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate shows good weight and freshness with medium to full bodied dark fruit flavors with coffee ground and tar undertones. Drink 2020-2030- 91

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Carneros’ Merlot- The 2017 Duckhorn ‘Carneros’ Merlot (100%) was aged for sixteen months in 50% new French oak before bottling. Sour kirsch notes combine with shades of pipe tobacco and leather on the nose. The palate is plush and beautifully textured with saline drenched Bing cherry and cola tones that combine with sandalwood and a light cocoa powder. This is nuanced and seriously good stuff that will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2020-2035- 93

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Atlas Peak’ Merlot- Entirely Merlot based, this beautiful new wine was aged in 50% new French oak for sixteen months before bottling. Ripe blackberry aromatic tones mingle with shades of dark chocolate shavings and tar that all come together in the glass. The palate shows a wonderful sense of mouthfeel and weight, with great acidity that runs through the core of dark fruits, dark chocolate shavings and creosote flavors. Fresh, vibrant and full of life in its youth, this outstanding wine will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2038- 93

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- The ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot by Duckhorn has been consistently one of the great wines of its kind out of Napa and it is hard to fathom that this particular wine has been made now for nearly forty vintages. The fantastic new 2017 edition was aged in 75% new French oak before bottling. Ripe dark fruits combine with shades of cocoa powder and anise that meld in the glass. The palate is fresh and vibrant with layers of leather that combine with Black Forest Cake, mocha and tar tones that all impress. The combination of weight, freshness and texture here really entices. Sensational to enjoy right now in its youth, this great new wine will have a long life in the cellar. Drink 2020-2040- 94

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon is a great new wine that blends 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 12% Merlot, and just a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Aged for sixteen months in 50% new French oak, this shows herbal undertones that collide with bright red fruits and shades of milk chocolate that all meld in the glass. The palate has a nice sense of texture and balance, with ripe dark kirsch and wild blackberry flavors that combine with the herbal and coffee ground flavors. The soft texture really adds to the enjoyment as this beautiful wine will be best enjoyed over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 91

2016 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Rutherford’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Rutherford’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from a host of great estate vineyards in the Rutherford AVA. Toasty oak wraps around roasted figs with black currants on this expressive nose. The palate shows a good combination of weight and texture, with a seamless quality that glides across the mid-palate. Ripe blackberry pie and mocha flavors parade with shades of tar and sandalwood on the palate. Expressive now, this beautiful wine will continue to evolve well for the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2035- 93

2016 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2016 ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon leads with its black tea, Asian spice, black plum and dusty terroir aromatics that all sing together in the glass. The palate has wonderful power and balance, showing good purity of fruit. Cassis, anise, sandalwood, graphite and mocha flavors all marvelously combine — leading to the long and generous finish. Fantastic in its youth, enjoy this great Cabernet Sauvignon over the next two decades. Drink 2019-2038- 93

2016 Duckhorn Vineyards ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Howell Mountain;’ Cabernet Sauvignon is another fantastic release from this storied Napa house. On the nose this takes on dark chocolate shavings that combine with anise, damp earth and shades of blackberry pie that all mingle together. The palate has good weight and structure, showing off its boysenberry puree, Turkish coffee, and sweet pipe tobacco flavors. The combination of minerality and viscosity really impresses, as this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2035- 93

Gård Vintners

A fantastic producer of terroir-driven Washington red and white wines from the Royal Slope, Gård Vintners was founded by brothers Sandy and John Lawrence, who have farmed the Royal Slope for more than 50 years, along with John’s son Josh, who joined the operation in 2002. The winery is managed by Josh and his wife, Lisa, who oversees sales and marketing, while Josh oversees the vineyard and other farm and orchard operations. Currently Josh, Lisa and a host of others are petitioning to have the Royal Slope region become its own AVA as the wines from this terroir are quite different than those from nearby Wahluke Slope and other regions. Gård Vintners relies on the winemaking talents of Aryn Morell for their wines who has been at the helm since 2011. Aryn has a very methodical, scientific approach to his winemaking, as each wine has a beginning, middle and an end. He crafts some of the most consistently good wines in the state. 

I loved the new lineup for Gård Vintners across the board. Aryn has developed a sterling reputation for his Rose wines and his new 2019 Gård Vintners ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose (WWB, 91) shows wonderful texture and really good range as well. I loved his 2017 Gård Vintners ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine (WWB, 92) which is a classy wine at a great price, showing awesome terroir and smoky tones. Learn more about these great wines at gardvintners.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Gård Vintners.

2019 Gård Vintners ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose- The 2019 ‘Grand Klasse’ Rose delivers downright awesome rose water, melon and mineral tones on the palate. Beautifully textured with great tension and earthy undertones, this highly nuanced Rose will be best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2020-2023- 91

2019 Gård Vintners ‘Freyja’ White Wine- The 2019 ‘Freyja’ shows pretty honeysuckle tones that connect with shades of pear and nectarine rind and gooseberry on this expressive nose. The freshness is great, as is the silky texture that delivers bright peach and green apple flavors with vanilla cream accents. Enjoy this in its youth while the bright veil of tension remains. Drink 2020-2024- 91

2017 Gård Vintners ‘Vaucluse’ Red Wine- The ‘Vaucluse’ shows pretty thyme and lavender tones that combine with the bright red fruits, citrus rind and bulls blood tones on the nose. The palate is seriously good, with downright awesome range from citrus rind and smoke to Hoisin sauce and floral tones with smoky accents. Drink 2020-2027- 92

2017 Gård Vintners ‘The Don’ Red Wine- ‘The Don’ is a great value wine that shows great balance with medium-bodied chocolate and black fruit tones, with a light salinity. Forward and delicious, enjoy this in the short-term. Drink 2020-2025- 90

2017 Gård Vintners ‘Winemaker’s Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Lawrence Vineyard, the ‘Winemaker’s Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers heady blackberry compote and mocha tones with sagebrush accents on the nose. The palate offers good freshness with a seamless texture. Medium to full bodied dark fruits alongside refined tannins line this great new wine that will cellar well for a decade or more to come. Drink 2020-2032- 92

Rasa Vineyards

‘I think these are some of the best wines we have made,’ Billo Naravane, MW proudly proclaimed. I think he was right. One of the most talented winemakers on the west coast and also one of the nicest people you will meet,  Billo Naravane, MW is the brilliant mastermind behind all Rasa Vineyards bottlings. Alongside his brother, Pinto Naravane, Billo crafts very precise and singular expressions of Washington State terroir. His new lineup of wines is truly one of the best in the state — from crisp Rieslings to inky Syrahs.

Billo Naravane initially was inspired by wine while working in the computer world and living Austin, Texas. During that time Billo was exposed to some of the finest wines in the world and he fully caught the wine bug. Finally, he and his brother, Pinto, made the bold decision to start Rasa Vineyards in 2007. My first exposure to these great wines was many years back when I was served a 2007 Rasa Vineyards ‘QED’ Syrah blind. I was absolutely mesmerized by the seamless quality of the wine. With a bachelor’s degree from MIT and a master’s degree from Stanford, Billo then studied viticulture an enology at UC Davis. He is now one of the few masters of wine (MW) in the world. The wines he crafts show tremendous texture, richness, poise and terroir — and are only getting better by each vintage. 

I loved these wines, mostly from the warm 2016 vintage, across the board. Billo has said that “2016 we cut the canopy back to slow the ripening and get good acidity. Even though this was one of our warmest years, we were able to get some really good acidity in the wine. We didn’t want to add any acid to the wines because we handed things in the vineyard so well.” 

The Bordeaux style wines all showed bright acidity despite the obvious heat of the vintage. Billo noted “Around July 20th I was tracking the heat units and at that time I went to the vineyard managements and I hedged the canopy by 30%, and they were all surprised. I needed to slow down ripening and every leaf o the vine is a sugar producing factory so then I would be ripening too fast. But making that call was a bit risky because we didn’t know what the weather was going to do but in hind sight this was the right call. We were able to maintain the fresh acidity.” 

I was blown away once again by the 2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘The Composer’ Riesling (WWB, 93) which is amongst the best of its kind in North America. The Syrah wines by Billo were just incredible and I loved the 2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘Principia Reserve’ Syrah (WWB, 96) which is a masterful effort that shows incredible aromatic and flavor range. 2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘For the Love of the Game’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 96) which is one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Washington that I have sampled over the past year. Learn more about this fantastic Walla Walla winery at rasavineyards.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Rasa Vineyards. 

2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘The Composer’ Riesling- The 2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘The Composer’ shows marvelous acidity and texture that you want in a dry, one of a kind, Alsace style Riesling. Right out of the gate this Riesling shows petrol aromas with shades of Japanese pear and starfruit that mingle in the glass. The palate is bone dry with good freshness and texture. Lemon rind and unripe cantaloupe with baking spices dominate the palate. The exceedingly long finish lingers. While marvelous to enjoy in its youth, the combination of freshness and weight suggests this will cellar brilliantly for at least another eight years. Drink 2020-2028- 93

2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘Dream Deferred’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Dream Deferred’ Chardonnay was sourced from the Frenchman Hills Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope AVA. Mango and ripe pineapple combine with shades of nectarine rind, cloves and vanilla cream on the nose. The palate shows terrific verve, with great depth and concentration. Layers of vanilla cream and banana mingle with baking spice infused Challah bread and nutty as well as damp earth undertones and a faint dusting of salinity. A complete wine, this is sinfully good in its youth and will provide drinking enjoyment for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2019 Rasa Vineyards ‘Occam’s Razor’ White Wine- The 2019 ‘Occam’s Razor’ white wine is a new wine made by Rasa Vineyards. The Pinot Gris is slightly pink-hued as this wine saw extended skin contact and shows a great bouquet of Macadamia nut and cantaloupe with shades of saline drenched pear. The palate is wonderfully textured, as this is round and generous, revealing a silky mouthfeel. Ripe nectarine and baked apple flavors mingle with minerals and vanilla cream tones on the palate. This is seriously good stuff for the price. Drink 2020-2025- 92

2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘Occam’s Razor’ Red Wine-  This awesome value blend shows smoky and sagebrush tones that meld with the core of dark fruits on the nose. The freshness is impressive as the wine delivers medium-bodied layers of dark berries with chocolate and sagebrush undertones on the palate. While not the most complex, this is delicious wine to savor in the short-term. Drink 2020-2025- 90

2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘QED Convergence’ Red Wine- A blend of mainly Syrah (69%) with smaller portions Mourvedre, Grenache and Viognier, this shows orange blossom with ripe red and dark fruits with chocolate and sandalwood tones on the nose.The palate is silky smooth with a voluptuous mouthfeel but the wine maintains a good degree of freshness. A light dusting of salinity runs thorough the core of red and dark fruits, with orange rind undertones. The freshness and sense of mouthfeel is outstanding. You have to admire the high tones of this wine from the Viognier that really add to the experience. A complete wine, this scintillating new release will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 94

2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘QED Reductio ad Absurdum’ Syrah- This Columbia Valley bottling shows gorgeous underbrush undertones alongside smoked brisket, dark currants and kirsch cordial tones that all mingle in unison on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant, showing a great veil of tension that runs through the core of dark currants, blackberry compote, creosote and cocoa powder flavors, with saline accents rounding out this great Syrah. Delicious in its youth, the ‘QED Reductio ad Absurdum’ Syrah will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘QED Choice Function’ Cabernet Franc- Sourced from mainly the Weinbau Vineyard (roughly 75%) with the remainder Firethorn Vineyard, the ‘Choice Function’ opens with pretty, high toned red rose petal tones with shades of red currants, cocoa powder and a hint of red bell pepper. Silky smooth through the mid-palate, the Cabernet Franc reveals a seamless mid-palate with a light dusting of salinity. This is impeccably balanced wine, and while not showing a massive weight this has some seriously good right bank appeal. Fantastic to enjoy in its youth, I can see the ‘Choice Function’ providing drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2033- 93

2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘QED The Strong Law’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘QED The Strong Law’ is a downright awesome wine that was sourced from a host of vineyards including Bacchus, Dionysus, DuBrul, and the Kiona Vineyard. A blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon with the reminder Merlot, the 2016 ‘QED The Strong Law’ shows toasty oak with black currants, florals, blackberry compote and mocha aromatics that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush, showing elegant tannins that line the layers black fruits with cocoa powder alongside great freshness and richness. This has a seamless effect mid-palate that is truly inviting, as the long finish lingers. Great to enjoy right now, the 2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘QED The Strong Law’ will provide drinking enjoyment for more than a decade to come. Drink 2020-2035- 94

2018 Rasa Vineyards ‘Tilting At Windmills’ Red Wine- A truly great wine, the 2018 ‘Tilting at Windmills’ is superstar winemaker Billo Naravane, MW’s homage to the great wines of Priorat. Sourced from the ‘XL Vineyard’ this is a blend of mostly Grenache (54%) with the remainder near equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromatics jump out of the glass with pretty red rose petal tones that mingle with shades of with orange blossom and star jasmine that collide with the core of red and dark fruits. The palate is silky smooth with a soft mouthfeel and velvety texture. Layer of Bing cherry, cigar box and anise combine with the bright sense of minerality on the palate. The long finish lingers. Be sure to give this at least a one hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2035- 94

2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘Principia Reserve’ Syrah- Sourced from a core of old vine Bacchus, fruit with a touch coming from the Upland and SJR Vineyard, the 2016 ‘Principia Reserve’ is a barrel selection wine that saw extended barrel age before bottling. This was aged in 25% new French oak for 22 months before bottling and underwent 50% whole cluster fermentation.The nose is nearly intoxicating with its smoky and damp earth tones that combine with shades of black currant jelly and blackberry pie that all mingle in the glass. The palate is marvelously balanced, showing a silky texture and wonderful sense of mouthfeel. The mouth-watering acidity catches you off guard but in a good way. Fresh and vibrant, the weight here is also truly outstanding as this wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. This is Billo Naravane, MW, at his best. Drink 2020-2035- 96

2017 Rasa Vineyards ‘Veritas Sequitur’ Grenache/Syrah- This is the first year that Billo Naravane has made this incredible wine. The Grenache entirely aged in natural oak while the Syrah saw 20% new oak before bottling. The wine is a stunning blend of 71% Grenache with 29% Syrah which was entirely sourced from the ‘SJR Vineyard’ in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. Pretty red rose petals, red cherry candy and orange rind combine with shades of Hoisin sauce and Umami tones on this exotic nose. The palate is silky smooth with wonderful freshness and a great sense of elegance. The seamless effect on the mid-palate is nothing short of captivating, as is the exceedingly long finish that provides the crescendo. Vibrant and youthful, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade — but why wait? Drink 2020-2028- 96

2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘Veritas Sequitur’ Syrah- The 2016 ‘Veritas Sequitur’ is a stunning wine that is truly one of a kind Syrah from the famed ‘SJR Vineyard’ in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. Fermented in puncheons, the perfumed nose is snippy incredible with horse manure, white truffle, green olive tapenade, bacon fat and gobs of Umami that all sing in harmony in the glass. The aromatic range is truly profound and takes you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is silky smooth and seamless, as this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Showing great texture, verve, weight and elegance, this wine truly has it all. Smoky and damp earth tones combine with seaweed, blood orange zest, smoked pork shoulder, and a core of red and dark fruits on the palate. The aromatic and flavor range is nothing short of magical. Sinfully good in its youth, this beautiful wine will provide drinking enjoyment for another decade. This is ‘wow factor’ stuff. Drink 2020-2028- 97

2017 Rasa Vineyards ‘Plus One’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Rasa Vineyards ‘Pius One’ was entirely sourced from the Kiona Vineyard which was first planted in 1973. The wine was aged in 50% new oak and all four year stave barrels before bottling. Translucent in the glass, the nose shows highly perfumed aromatics with shades of potpourri and suggestions of baking spices that collide with a deep core of wild blackberry cobbler and mocha that all come together in the glass. Once on the mouth the wine is seamless, effortlessly gliding across the mid-palate. The palate shows refined tannins that line a deep core of dark fruit with loads of non-fruit flavors from herbal undertones to milk chocolate. This drinks like a great warm vintage left bank Bordeaux. With great length the gorgeous 2017 ‘Plus One’ has the potential to cellar well for decades. Drink 2020-2038- 95

2017 Rasa Vineyards ‘For The Love of the Game’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the ‘Wallula Vineyard’ this wine was aged in 60% new French oak prior to bottling. And after trying this beautiful wine I am somewhat surprised that this is translucent in color when you consider the great weight of the wine. Charcoal and anise with suggestions of baking spices, black currant jelly and Turkish coffee tones all entice on the nose. The wine has marvelous sense of balance and texture, creating a seamless effect. Full-bodied, yet elegant, the ‘For The Love of the Game’ shows pretty rose water undertones that meld with suggestions of pipe tobacco, Black Forest Cake, exotic spices and black currants. The length of the wine is truly exceptional. Seamless and simply magical to enjoy in its youth, the 2017 Rasa Vineyards ‘For The Love of the Game’ Cabernet Sauvignon will be extremely long lived. Be sure to give this at least a two hour decant if enjoying right now. Drink 2020-2040- 96

2016 Rasa Vineyards ‘Fianchetto’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the ‘XL Vineyard’ this is a massive, gorgeous wine by Billo Naravane. The wine is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon with 29% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc. Aged entirely in 100% new French oak barrels, this nose is hedonistic and downright intoxicating. Layers of creme de cassis, red rose petals, anise, blackberry compote and tar all collide on the nose. The palate is silky smooth as this creates a seamless effect mid-palate. Layers of cocoa powder and blackberry pie connect with gobs of mouth-watering acidity, a light salinity and tar tones. This has an impeccable sense of balance. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth this stunning wine will provide drinking enjoyment for decades to come. Be sure to give this a long decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2040- 95

Abeja

One of the most consistently producers of Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington State, I have long admired the wines of Abeja, founded by John Abbott. Set in the foothills of Walla Walla’s Blue Mountains, Abeja has seven luxury cottages, creeks, and gardens on the 32 acre property. Abeja relies on the winemaking talents of Dan Wampfler and Amy Alvarez-Wampfler. Both Dan and Amy have roughly a combined 30 years of winemaking experience. They work closely together on the wines and craft truly one of the great overall lineups of wine. 

An outstanding Chardonnay, the 2018 Abeja ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay (WWB, 93) shines with its great texture and a silky mouthfeel. This beautiful wine has some good cellaring potential. One of the outstanding Merlots made in Washington, the 2017 Abeja Merlot (WWB, 94) is dense, chewy and downright delicious right now, also having some massive cellaring potential. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://www.abeja.net/ Here are the great new wines by Abeja.

2018 Abeja ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay- Sourced from a host of vineyards, the 2018 ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay was aged for nine months in 100% new French oak before bottling. The nose is gorgeous with bright pear and citrus rind tones that mingle with vanilla cream and shades of baking spices that all march in unison in the glass. The palate is ripe and beautifully textured with layers of citrus zest, vanilla cream, baking spices and amazing length and tension. A light veil of salinity caps off what is truly an outstanding Chardonnay with some good aging potential. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2017 Abeja ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot- Sourced from a host of great vineyards this wine was aged in 48% new oak for nineteen months prior to bottling in May 2019. The tones of red bell pepper and milk chocolate covered Bing cherry sing with tobacco and sandalwood accents on this fantastic nose. The palate is silky smooth and remarkably textured, as this seamless wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Layers of red and dark fruits combine with coffee grounds and chocolate tones with sagebrush accents on the palate. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, the 2017 ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot is a spectacular wine by a very talented winemaking team at Abeja. Be sure to give this a one hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2035- 94

2016 Abeja ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon by the talented team of Amy and Dan Wampfler is a gorgeous effort from this warm vintage in Washington. The aromatic expression entices from pencil lead to mocha and sagebrush alongside a deep core of dark fruits on the nose. The palate is silky smooth, with a wonderfully soft texture. Rich cassis and mocha flavors collide with minerals and shades of anise on the palate. Round and generous, with great length, the 2016 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2040- 94

2017 Abeja ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous new wine by Dan and Amy Wampfler. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, this was aged in 45% new oak for 21 months before bottling. The palate is silky smooth, showing very refined tannins that line a deep core of dark fruits, chocolate fudge, baking spices and Turkish coffee flavors. While wonderfully balanced, this is deep, delicious wine that has plenty of hedonistic appeal. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this several hours of air. Drink 2021-2040- 94

Granville Wine Company

I love sharing new winery projects. A really exciting project out of Oregon, Granville Wine Company has its roots deeply rooted in Oregon viticulture. Jackson and Ayala Holstein founded their winery paying homage to Jackson’s father who was a viticulturist. As a child Jackson spent time pruning vines and washing bins and didn’t fall in love with Oregon wine until college when he and his wife found their calling. They began making wine as a hobby and also worked at wineries and traveled to international wine growing regions. 

They work with their father’s vineyard which they lease to craft really good wines. I was really impressed by their 2018 Granville Wine Company ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay (WWB, 92) which is a famed site that Argyle has sourced from for so many years. This wine has great nutty tones alongside a great veil of tension. The best wine I tried was the 2018 Granville Wine Company ‘Holstein Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which is deep and dark, showing a silky mouthfeel and wonderful tension. Learn more about these great new wines at http://www.granvillewines.com Here are the new wine releases by Granville Wine Company. 

2018 Granville Wine Company ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the famed ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard’ the 2018 Chardonnay shows buttercream and hazelnut tones alongside shades of Pink Lady apple on the nose. The freshness here is downright awesome as lemon vanilla cream and baked apple flavors combine with the nutty undertones. Drink 2020-2028- 92

2018 Granville Wine Company ‘Farmhouse Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- Layers of red fruits dance with peat moss and cardamom infused citrus rind tones on the nose. Fresh and nicely textured, this delivers a good range of bright red fruits with shades of peat moss and forest floor accents. Drink 2020-2025- 90

2018 Granville Wine Company ‘Murto Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Seaweed and bright red fruits fill the nose with shades of salted earth that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush and beautifully textured with delicate red fruits with great finesse and elegance. The fainter earthy tones add to the enjoyment. Drink 2020-2030- 92

2018 Granville Wine Company ‘Holstein Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Holstein Vineyard located in the Dundee Hills AVA, the day fruit tones really sing aromatically with damp volcanic earthy accents. The palate has gobs of mouth-watering acidity and freshness, showing deep layers of wild blackberry and huckleberry flavors with citrus rind and forest floor tones that entice. The silky mouthfeel accentuates this great new wine. Drink 2020-2030- 93

Corison

I love Napa with restraint. Talking a walk into the more elegant side of Napa, we bring you famed Corison Winery, founded in 1987 by legendary winemaker Cathy Corison. At that time Cathy Corison started purchasing Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from prime vineyards between Rutherford and St. Helena. Her first wines were made at other spaces that she rented out and she made the great decision to purchase the Kronos Vineyard in 1995 which was a historic property that had been a farm for over a century and she finally built her estate vineyard as well as the spot for her winery. She later purchased the Sunbasket Vineyard in 2015 which is located near the winery location.

Cathy’s wines have received a massive amount of critical acclaim over the years. A graduate of the masters in Enology program at UC Davis, Cathy previously served as Chappellet winemaker prior to starting her own winery. Corison is known for her classic style of creating a Bordelaise, more restrained style to Napa wines. If you have never had the opportunity to try these beautiful wines, you will find them to be highly elegant and a wonderful contrast to wines that simply focus on power or concentration. Her wines are highly age-worthy as the winery even has a program that releases their older wines and I have found these wines to age exceptionally well. Her new release Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2016 Corison ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 95) is highly elegant and has very soft tannins and a gorgeous sense of mouthfeel. Even better is her downright thrilling 2016 Corison ‘Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 97) which is silky smooth and shows glorious aromatic and flavor ange.. Learn more about these beautiful and elegant Napa wines at https://corison.com/ Here is my reviews of the new Corison wines. 

2016 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon is a thrilling, seamless wine that is both powerful and elegant. On the nose there are dark currants woven together with shades of graphite, tobacco leaf and silty soil that all meld in the glass. The palate has wonderful weight and depth, yet has a seamless factor that makes this effortlessly glide across the mid-palate. Layers of boysenberry preserves and coffee grounds come together with suggestions of creme de cassis and tar on the palate. Highly refined, this memorable effort will cellar well for decades to come. Drink 2020-2038- 95

2016 Corison ‘Helios Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Sourced from this famed St. Helena site, the 2016 ‘Helios Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc shows beautiful aromatics of violets and ripe red fruits that mingle with tar and shades of loamy terroir on the exotic bouquet. The palate is seamlessly textured and highly elegant as this wine effortlessly glides across the midpalate. Loganberry preserves, leather, damp earth and shades of red bell pepper and ripe blueberry flavors all come together on the palate. The flavor range imparted is insanely good, as this finishes with great length and finesse. I love the sense of elegance in this wine. Cathy Corison has crafted another masterpiece as her 2016 ‘Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc will  surely enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2038- 96

2016 Corison ‘Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- One of the wonderful wines that I have savored from Napa over the past year, the 2016 Corison ‘Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a scintillating new bottling my eminent producer Cathy Corison.  Needing a two hour decant to be fully aroused, once awoken you are greeted to an exquisite aromatic range — from red bell pepper to sagebrush and loamy terroir, chocolate and dense black fruits that all parade in the glass. The palate has good weight and structure, showing off the trademark seamless factor that Corison crafts. Layers of dark fruits are woven together with herbal undertones, pipe tobacco, damp earth and shades of dark chocolate covered espresso bean. This is nearly impossible to put down once opened. A delight to savor in its youth, the 2016 Corison ‘Sunbasket Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for many decades to come. Drink 2020-2040- 97

Instagram Live This Week

Instagram Live This Week

Friends, we have a spectacular lineup of winemakers and wineries this week, spanning the globe and all times Paciifc Standard Time. Join me Wednesday at 4PM as I share the great new Canvasback releases with winemaker Brian Rudin. Thursday is jam packed full of action starting at 3PM with famed winemaker Bob Bertheau talking his brilliant new set of Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling releases. At 4PM we check in with Mark Ryan himself, tasting a range of his wines from fresh Chardonnay to inky Cabernet Sauvignon. Finally at 5PM we check in with Ashley Trout of Vital Wines, talking about her awesome new lineup.

Friday we journey across the Atlantic to Spain and one of the great Cava producers, Mestres at 12:00 Pacific. At 2PM I taste with Nate Klostermann of Argle, as we revel in a vertical tasting of his famed ‘Nuthouse’ Pinot Noir. At 3PM Shannon Gustafson of Raptor Ridge joins me to taste a range of their beautiful white wines and Pinot Noir releases. Finally at 4PM I am joined by Matt Wengel of Lemelson as we taste their awesome new lineup of wines.

Please join us for this very special action packed week here at Washington Wine Blog from your smart phones, tablets or computers.

Chateau de Beaucastel

A famed house the southern Rhone region of France, Chateau de Beaucastel produces some of the finest Châteauneuf du Pape in the world. Everyone who has tried this famous wine can think back to their first bottle of Chateau de Beaucastel. I recall my first one while I was in college, enjoying the absolutely epic 1998 Chateau de Beaucastel. I remember the stunning combination of weight and tension in the bottle — one that literally begs you to enjoy more. I have very fond memories of a 1989 Chateau de Beaucastel, one of the famed vintages for this wine that I had the pleasure of enjoying with friends several years back. 

The region of Chateauneuf du Pape has an incredible history and was was first mentioned in 11th century historical records. The town of Avignon in this region was the previous site of the papacy, following a Roman invasion. Bertrand de Got, archbishop of Bordeaux, was elected pope in 1305, and took the name of Clement V as he transferred the papacy from Rome to Avignon in 1309. The register of pontifical letters reveals that Clement V visited Châteauneuf on several occasions, sometimes for long periods of time.

It is quite clear that wine had some influence in this region before the arrival of the papacy but there are no actual historical records of wine or vineyards prior to this time. We do know that most of the wine grown in this region prior to the 18th century was drunk within a year, which was true to the cultural times. It wasn’t until 1923 when local wine producers led the way to have their wines classified as Châteauneuf-du-Pape Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) was formed.

Chateau de Beaucastel has a longstanding history in Châteauneuf du Pape. The winery is named after the Beaucastel family which lived in this region in the 16th century. Records show a Pierre de Beaucastel buying a barn and some associated land at Coudoulet in 1549, and this land is still part of Château de Beaucastel's holdings. In the 19th century, when the Phylloxera epidemic struck the region, the owner decided not to replant the vineyards but rather to sell the property. In 1909, it was bought by Pierre Tramier, and the vineyards were rebuilt under his ownership. After him, his son-in-law Pierre Perrin took over management and expanded Château de Beaucastel's vineyard holdings considerably. The property has stayed in the Perrin family since.

In the past I have had the great fortune to sample some very old bottlings of this estate, back to the 1980s. These wines are extremely complex, acid driven and age-worthy. Chateau de Beaucastel is one of the few wineries that uses 13 different Rhone varietals in its Châteauneuf du Pape, and typically uses a high proportion of Mourvèdre. I was very impressed with the vertical tasting, as these wines show as well as any other estate in Châteauneuf du Pape. They also make highly sought after white blends that are absolutely some of the best of the region.

2017 was actually the driest vintage on record for Chateau de Beaucastel. What they have created is nothing short of a masterpiece. The 2017 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape (WWB, 95) is impeccably balanced and already shows very impressive aromatic and flavor range. This gorgeous wine will provide drinking enjoyment for fifteen to twenty years. Learn more about this famed estate at http://www.beaucastel.com Here is the gorgeous new Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape. 

2017 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape- The thrilling 2017 Chateau de Beaucastel Châteauneuf du Pape is a scintillating new wine by Marc Perrin. The final blend is 30% both Grenache and Mourvedre, 10% Counoise, 10% to varietals Vaccarèse, Terret Noir, Muscardin, Clairette, Picpoul, Picardan, Bourboulenc, Roussanne and 5% Cinsault. Needing a one hour decant to be fully aroused, the 2017 Chateau de Beaucastel shows nice stony and smoky tones with green olive tapenade, huckleberry, herbs de Provence, and shades of Umami. The palate shows amazing freshness and astringency, with a seamless texture and marvelous mouthfeel. Rich black fruits mingle with shades of saline dusted red currants, Kalmata olive tapenade, bulls blood, smoked pork shoulder and menthol tones that all sing in harmony on the palate. Lively, with a great veil of tension and showing great weight, this beautiful wine is only an infant at this juncture and will provide drinking enjoyment for decades to come. Drink 2020-2038- 95

Bledsoe-McDaniels

A brand new project by NFL Legend Drew Bledsoe and superstar wineamker, Josh McDaniels, Bledsoe-McDaniels is a new Oregon wine project from this Walla Walla mainstay. For many years Josh had been wanting to make great Oregon Pinot Noir. He explained “I love working with Pinot Noir- it forces you to be a great grower and a great winemaker. I feel like I have learned more about making Cabernet from making Pinot Noir in fact- being a thin skinned and generally delicate varietal, it shows everything and you have to be exact and pay great attention to detail.” He admitted to have some experience with the varietal while working for Figgins Family in 2011 and is excited about what he considers a ‘great vintage’ with the new 2018 release.

I have been very impressed with the red and white wines from the 2018 vintage in Oregon, one that saw severe heat spikes throughout the Willamette Valley, but also saw smooth sailing at harvest. The 2018 Bledsoe-McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) is a marvelous wine showing great length and aromatic/flavor range. It is thrilling stuff to enjoy now and will cellar well for more than a decade. Josh also made a killer new release from the ‘Lefore Vineyard’ in the Walla Walla Rocks District AVA. The 2018 Bledsoe-McDaniels ‘Lefore Vineyard’ Syrah (WWB, 94) underwent mostly whole-cluster fermentation and is only an infant in its youth. The aromatic range is gorgeous as this wine will need some air if enjoying right now. Learn more about this truly exciting new winery project at http://bledsoemcdaniels.com/#top Here are the beautiful new wines by Bledsoe-McDaniels. 

 2018 Bledsoe-McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Largely sourced from the Ridgecrest Vineyard with vines planted in the 1980s, the vineyard is a cooler site that is the oldest in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Right out of the gate the wine evokes a massive core of red fruits that mingle with peat moss, blood orange zest and exotic spices that take shape in the glass. The palate is silky smooth and elegant, showing a seamless effect. Gobs of mouth-watering acidity fill the palate, connecting with red currants, forest floor and black truffle crudo flavors alongside a silky mouthfeel. This has not only marvelous length but gorgeous texture. Soft, round and generous, this complete wine is fantastic to enjoy in its youth but will provide drinking enjoyment for many years to come. Give this a one hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2020-2035- 94

2018 Bledsoe-McDaniels ‘Lefore Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2018 Bledsoe-McDaniels Syrah is a head-turning wine made by superstar winemaker Josh McDaniels. The Syrah underwent 75% whole cluster fermentation and was aged in 33% new French oak barrels and mostly used 500L puncheons before bottling. Layers of red fruits combine with wet stone, iodine, green olive tapenade and bacon fat tones on the nose. The aromatic range is truly profound and takes you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The wine is beautifully textured and elegant with layers of cran-cherry, wild blackberry, Hoisin sauce and Umami all singing in unison on the palate. Gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, the 2018 ‘Lefore Vineyard’ Syrah will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 94

2013 Baer Retrospective

On some nights when I am not running through new wines I have the rare opportunity to dig through my personal collection and uncork something great. It has now been several years since I have had the chance to revisit the 2013 vintage by Baer, with superstar Erica Orr at the helm. She has graciously shared her thoughts about the 2013 vintage: 

“2013 was a hot summer with several heat spikes and then we had rain in September, looking back I think I waited a tick too long to pick in 13. The growing degree days for 2013 look to be pretty average but I am harvesting a week or more earlier now/in recent vintages than I did back then. We brought in the first Merlot for Baer on September 19, 2013 and started picking Cabernet Sauvignon in mid-October. Baer got a new de-stemmer in 2015 so I think that fewer jacks and stems in the fermenter together with my focus on picking with the intention to retain freshness has changed the style to be less tannic, with lower alcohol and more vibrancy in subsequent vintages. I'm also using a lower percentage of new French oak barrels these days…”

I chose two wines out of my cellar for this special tasting, the 2013 Baer ‘Ursa’ (42% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot) and the 2013 Baer ‘Arctos’ (84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot) which were both absolutely singing. All grapes for both wines are sourced from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard which is a cooler site for red wine in the Columbia Valley. One thing I noticed was how much better these wines showed following a double decant and several hours in the ideacnter. This is a tribute to Erica’s highly Bordelaise style of winemaking. 

I have always admired the red wines produced in 2013 which I felt were a touch better than white wines from that vintage overall. At times as wine reviewers we fall in the trap of vintages that follow great vintages. 2012 overall as a vintage in Washington assuredly was great, but 2013 was also seriously good. The red wines from 2013 were generally powerful with good tannin structure and phenolic ripeness. These wines were a touch more opulent than those from 2012 but there were also some marvelously balanced wines made in ’13 — none more so than the Baer wines that I tasted. Here are my tasting notes from my 2013 Baer retrospective. For more info on the wines please visit baerwinery.com

2013 Baer ‘Ursa’ Red Wine- The 2013 ‘Ursa’ is a compelling right bank style wine that is absolutely singing at now the seven year mark. The wine is a blend of 42% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot , as this shows pretty red rose petals that combine with shades of cocoa powder and black cherry cordial with sagebrush accents on this decadent nose. The palate is plush, showing not only a bright acidity but a soft, supple mouthfeel. Layers of deep dark fruits are artfully woven together with suggestions of coffee grounds, black tea, exotic spices and creme de cassis. This is a harmonious, beautifully balanced wine that has every working part moving together. Enjoy the gorgeous 2013 ‘Ursa’ Red Wine over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 93

2013 Baer ‘Arctos’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A blend of nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, the 2013 ‘Arctos’ shows anise and creme de cassis with Turkish coffee and shades of blueberry compote on this compelling nose. The palate has outstanding freshness and comes of very warm vintage left bank Bordeaux. Layers of creme de cassis and espresso bean collide with damp earth, black olive, and blackberry compote flavors. Gorgeous to enjoy right now, the 2013 ‘Arctos’ really has anther fifteen years to go. Drink 2020-2033- 93

Utopia Vineyard

Today we bring you a fantastic boutique winery in Oregon. It was quite a search for the right site for Dan Warnshuis. Originally from Napa, Dan did some careful research before finding his Utopia Vineyard in the center of the Ribbon Ridge AVA. The vineyard underwent three plantings in 2005, 2008 and 2010 and is composed of 16.8 acres of south-facing hillsides with vines set on Willakenzie soils. The vineyard is planted to twelve clones of Pinot Noir and three low-yielding Dijon Chardonnay clones., Daniel created his first vintage of Pinot Noir nearly fifteen years ago in 2006. He serves as not only owner but also Utopia Vineyard winemaker.

The vineyard utilizes Sustainable Organic Farming practices, and has been L.I.V.E. certified since 2008. I have had the chance to try these wines on several occasions and they have been consistently good. The new releases are both outstanding, coming from the warm 2017 vintage. They are both wines that have really great range, texture and weight. Both are highly recommended for any serious lover of Oregon Pinot Noir. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.utopiawine.com/ Here are my tasting notes of the great new 2017 releases from Utopia Vineyard.

2017 Utopia ‘The Utopia Vineyard’ Pinot Noir-Sourced from their Ribbon Ridge AVA estate, the ‘The Utopia Vineyard’ Pinot Noir shows rich red fruit flavors that collide with copious minerals, forest floor and shades of Mandarin orange rind on the palate. The combination of verve and texture really entices. A complete, wine, this glorious new release will provide drinking enjoyment for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92

2017 Utopia ‘Paradise Estate Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Paradise Estate Reserve’ is a silky new bottling from Utopia. On the nose this takes on lovely damp earth and peat moss tones that connect with the bright guava and strawberry tones that collect momentum in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, showing a soft texture and good sense of weight. Bright red fruits dance with shades of blood orange rind and forest floor tones on the palate. Fantastic to enjoy in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92

Tablas Creek Vertical Tasting

The pandemic has brought a series of massive challenges to most people. The widespread anxiety that I have seen in my clinical practice has been excruciating to see, as many jobs and even lives have been lost by this horrible disease. I’ve been doing my best to bring the wineries to people through a series of Instagram Live videos and a few weeks back it was a great honor to taste virtually with Jason Haas, General Manager of Tablas Creek . Jason has run a really fantastic and critically acclaimed Tablas Creek blog for many years. He is one of the foremost experts on his family winery, started by his father and California wine icon, Robert Haas, and the famed Perrin family of Chateau Beaucastel. Their first commercial vintage was 1997 and the rest has been history, as Tablas Creek has been one of the storied wineries not only in Paso Robles but in California.

I was first introduced to these wines while I was in graduate school in San Diego in 2003. Pretty soon there was a massive buzz about the Beaucastel influenced Tablas Creek wines as they were met with immediate critical acclaim from both Robert Parker and Wine Spectator. Jason has a great knowledge of the wines and vintages as I tasted with him and we talked about how the vintages were generally very consistent. Admittedly, there were a few surprises from my tasting. I was completely floored by the oldest wines that I tasted, both showing marvelous tertiary tones but in different ways. The 2000 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Beaucastel’ Red Wine (WWB, 93) is simply magical at now the twenty year mark. I was surprised how bright this wine is, and while it is best enjoyed over the next several years, the aromatic and flavor range is nothing short of thrilling. Similarly the 2001 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Beaucastel Blanc’ White Wine (WWB, 93) is still shining brightly. With 44% Roussanne, the nutty and beeswax tones are simply delightful, as the silky smooth mouthfeel delights. I was not surprised by their new release 2017 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Tablas’ Red Wine (WWB, 95) which was gorgeous right out of the gate, showing amazing freshness, tension and complexity. This is one for the cellar. Now at the eleven year mark, the 2009 Tablas creek ‘Espirit de Beaucastel’ Red Wine (WWB, 95) is every bit as good as the new release ’17 and I was floored with the degree of acidity and range in this very pretty wine. I can see this beautiful wine cellaring well for at least another ten years. 

Needless to say, this was a highly memorable tasting with Jason as we reveled in truly some of the great, age-worthy wines out of Paso Robles. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://tablascreek.com Here are my tasting notes from what was an incredible journey back into time with Tablas Creek. 

White Wines: 

2001 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Beaucastel Blanc’ White Wine- A brightly colored blend of 44% Roussanne with 22% Viognier, 18% Grenache Blanc and 16% Marsanne, the nutty and melon aromatics literally fly out of the glass, with shades of lychee and honeysuckle playing second fiddle. The palate is silky smooth, showing an unctuous err, no doubt from the high proportion of Roussanne. Layers of banana, Macadamia nut, cantaloupe and Pink Lady apple collide with minerals, brioche and beeswax tones on the seductive palate. This is silky smooth at this juncture with a decade of life to go. Enjoy this on the warmer side, where the full aromatic and flavor range can be fully on parade. Drink 2020-2028- 93

2016 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc’ White Wine- Truly one of the outstanding Rhone style wines made in California, the 2016 ‘Espirit Blanc’ is a compelling blend of mainly Roussanne (75%), with smaller portions Grenache Blanc and Picpoul Blanc. Ripe banana and lychee aromatics meld with shades of starfruit, sourdough and saline drenched pear all take shape in the glass. The palate shows not only a wonderful sense of astringency but a silky smooth texture and an exceedingly long finish that lingers long on the tongue. Showing a marvelous combination of weight and acidity, the 2016 ‘Espirit Blanc’ is truly one of a kind wine that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 95

Red Wines:

2000 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Beaucastel’ Red Wine- Taken from an even growing season and still hanging tough, now at the twenty year mark, the 2000 ‘Espirit de Beaucastel’ is a gorgeous blend of Mourvedre (35%), Syrah (26%), Grenache (25%) and Counoise (14%). Layers of kirsch cordial and smoky tones collide with baking spices and suggestions of Linzer torte that all meld together on the nose. The palate is silky smooth, offering a silky texture and downright delicious layers of black cherry compote, dried thyme, smoked brisket and black olive tapenade, with damp earth undertones. A complete wine at this stage, enjoy this over the next several years while the core of acidity remains. Drink 2020-2025- 93

2005 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Beaucastel’ Red Wine- 2005 was another moderately warm vintage that saw gradual ripening in the vineyards. The 2005 ‘Espirit’ is primarily Mouvedre (44%) with 26% Grenache, 25% Syrah and a touch of Counoise. The ripeness is evident on the nose with rich red and dark fruits that collide with shades of coffee grounds, smoked brisket and green olive tapenade accents. The palate shows a very soft mouthfeel and wonderful length, delivering ripe currants, red cherry candy, bulls blood, and shades of black tea and exotic spices that all meld brilliantly together. The combination of weight and tension makes this really thrive. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next decade. Drink 2020-2030- 94

2009 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Beaucastel’ Red Wine- One of my all-time favorite ‘Espirit’ bottlings, it has been several years since I have visited this beautiful wine. Running into the third consecutive year of regional drought, 2009 saw warm conditions but gradual ripening and lower than normal yields. The 2009 ‘Espirit de Beaucastel’ features mostly Mourvedre, Syrah and Grenache, with just a splash of Counoise. The high-toned perfumed aromatics from the Grenache really add to the enjoyment with potpourri and red rose petals that deftly combine with shades of red currants and red cherry candy alongside dusty terroir notes. The palate is seamless, effortlessly gliding across the mid-palate, delivering gorgeous layers of red fruits, creosote, green olive and baking spices. The extremely good length further accentuates this gorgeous bottling that has at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2030- 95

2013 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Tablas’ Red Wine- Sourced from another warm and drought vintage in Paso Robles, leading to slightly lower yields but excellent ripening. This wine is also mainly Mourvedre (40%) with smaller portions Syrah (28%), Grenache (22%) and Counoise (10%). Ripe red fruits dominate the nose with layers of bacon fat and green olive tapenade alongside dusty terroir on this evocative bouquet. The palate is layered and shows great acidity and weight, with an exceedingly long finish. Layers of bright red fruits dance with citrus rind, smoked brisket and shades of peat moss. Slightly more on the elegant side and fantastic to savor now, I can imagine this cellaring for a decade or more to come. Drink 2020-2032- 94

2017 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Tablas’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Espirit de Tablas’ Red Wine is another scintillating wine from this storied Paso Robles estate. This was for some a challenging vintage with severe heat spikes in August, which shut down vines in some sections of the region. The nose here is literally thrilling with high-toned red rose petals that collide with shades of guava puree, charcuterie and Black Forest Cake, creating seriously good range aromatically. The palate has wonderful depth and purity of fruit, with an err of elegance. Red cherry candy, guava puree, Mandarin orange rind and bulls blood flavors collide with minerals and smoky undertones on the palate. Only an infant right now, the 2017 ‘Espirit de Tablas’ red wine will be exceedingly long lived. Drink 2020-2035- 95

Quilceda Creek

It has been quite the year for Quilceda Creek. Whether it was being one of the only Washington wineries represented at Matter of Taste, Napa, joining me for 2020 Washington Wine Blog Critic’s Choice of Washington or being one of the lone featured Washington wineries in Decanter Magazine, Quilceda Creek has been crafting some thrilling new wines over the past several years. I had the honor of being the first person to taste the new Quilceda Creek wines from the 2017 vintage in December 2019 with superstar director of winemaking, Paul Golitzin. ‘We have good control of the vineyard now, which makes a huge difference especially in warm vintages, as we are able to cool things.’ Golitzin explained how he uses state of the art technology to monitor temperature at his Champoux Vineyard. Obviously from a hot site, as vintages become warmer and warmer, this technology becomes more paramount in helping create optimal conditions for phenolic ripening and ensuring that vines do not shut down. In April 2020 the Champoux Vineyard began a major replanting project which replaced aging Muscat, Chardonnay, Lemberger, and Marquette vines with specific clones of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Champoux will now be planted to 100% red Bordeaux varietals which benefits both the winery and the consumer.

Quilceda Creek also sources from top vineyards besides the Champoux, — the Galitzine, MachOne (formerly Lake Wallula), Palengat and Wallula Vineyards. More recently, Paul Golitzin has been adding some MachOne Vineyard fruit to his Galitzine Vineyard bottling. ‘That fruit [MachOne] seems to round things out nicely,’ Paul said. It was a great honor to revisit vintages 2004-2010 for my Decanter Magazine piece in March. As I slowly moved from wine to wine, the one thing struck me about the wines that were obviously very rich and dense was their elegance and pillowy texture. The new wines that I tasted come from the 2017 vintage, one that saw consistently warm temperatures in the summer, with few major heat spikes. Summer temperatures were consistently warm but the fall cooled considerably which led to consistent ripening. 

This is now my second soiree into the 2017 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ and ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ bottlings which are steadily becoming more and more divergent from each other. Both wines are amongst the best wines in North America that I have tasted over the past year. The 2017 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 99) has a massive core of dark fruits and a pillowy texture. Obviously rich and decadent, this has a great feeling of elegance and bright acidity that keeps everything in balance. Every bit as good and showing more of a muscular persona with its creosote and tar tones, the 2017 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 99) is a hedonistic treat to savor even at this juncture. This is massive and intense, truly one of the thrilling wines made in the state that is a Washington Cabernet lovers dream. Buy both of these wines with confidence. Learn more about these incredible wines at https://www.quilcedacreek.com Here are the gorgeous new releases by Quilceda Creek. 

2017 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- 

It has now been six months since I first visited the scintillating 2017 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that exudes both elegance and decadence. The wine spent 20 months in 100% new French oak and was sourced from the Champoux, MachOne, Palengat, and Wallula Vineyards. One remarkable thing that I continue to notice about this wine is despite its use of 100% new French oak, the oak influence in the wine is quite minor and is very well-integrated to the fruit and non-fruit flavors. Following a three hour decant, the wine shows high-toned violets with shades of sagebrush, milk chocolate covered Bing cherry, creme de cassis and anise tones that all sing in harmony in the glass. The palate is rich and layered, yet extremely polished, with a pillowy texture. Deep layers of espresso bean, Black Forest Cake, blueberry compote, graphite and sandalwood in this highly complex range of flavors. The length of this wine is truly outstanding, as is the silky texture which makes the wine effortlessly glide across the mid-palate. Generous and approachable at this juncture with a long decant, the 2017 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon will enjoy an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Try to resist this beautiful wine for at least two more years. Drink 2022-2040- 99

2017 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-

The Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon has become quite a different animal than its ‘Columbia Valley’ brother. The more that this vineyard ages, the more divergent this wine becomes in my mind. This 2017 edition is almost entirely sourced from the Galitzine Vineyard (95%) with the remainder sourced from the ‘MachOne’ Vineyard. Following a three hour decant, the wine slowly begins to unveil layers of deep dark fruits with fresh sage, blueberry cordial and creosote tones that meld in the glass. The palate its massive at its core, with a plush, opulent texture. A thrilling backing of acidity lifts this wine that reveals ripe blackberries with mocha, tar, pipe tobacco and suggestions of blueberry pie. While obviously quite hedonistic, the wine has a fantastic sense of poise and balance, evening out the massive fruit and non-fruit flavors. The exceedingly good finish accentuates this scintillating new wine that has a long life ahead of it. This is Red Mountain at its finest. Drink 2022-2040- 99

Instagram Live

Instagram Live This Week

Friends, we share our honored guests for Instagram Live this week, all times Pacific. Don’t miss out, as Dunham Cellars GM John Blair joins us at 4pm Thursday, followed by the talented Chris Peterson of Avennia at 5pm. Friday we have one of the jewels of the Willamette Valley, Panther Creek’s superstar winemaker Tony Rynders at 4pm followed by Tertulia Cellars and their maestro Ryan Raber at 5pm. Don’t miss all of the action here on Washington Wine Blog this week 🍷

Hamilton Russell Oregon

It isn’t every day that a South African winery makes wines from North America. Today I have the pleasure of sharing a really unique project by famed South African producer Hamilton Russell, as they now have a new line of wlnes, ‘Hamilton Russell Oregon.’ Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell consistently craft some of the best wines in South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. They are now producing two Oregon Wines: the 2018 Bramble Hill Pinot Noir and the 2018 Zena Crown Pinot Noir. These wines are cut from a similar vein as his Hemel-en-Aarde Pinots, as they will be similarly age worthy and also show a great combination of tension and terroir.

Hamilton Russell spans more than 40 vintages. One of the iconic figures in South African wines, Anthony Hamilton Russell crafts wines from over 400 acre estate which focuses on terroir-driven Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. For years Anthony was drawn to the wines of the Willamette Valley and he has now been able to source from two great vineyards that are quite diverse. Both wines are downright awesome. The 2018 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Bramble Hill’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) shows a beautiful red fruit profile that the region is known for, as well as earthy undertones. Even better is the 2018 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which is sourced from one of the great vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, as the wine has glorious tension and marvelous texture. Learn more about these fantastic wines at http://www.hamiltonrussellvineyards.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Hamilton Russell Oregon. 

2018 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Bramble Hill’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Bramble Hill’ Pinot Noir is sourced from the Ribbon Ridge AVA in the Willamette Valley. The wine is rich on the mid-palate with chewy tannins that line a deep core of red fruits and peat moss tones. This has a wonderful sense of elegance, freshness and length with a bright core of acidity that races through the palate. Drink 2020-2030- 92

2018 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir- One of the great sites for Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley, the ‘Zena Crown Vineyard’ is a dramatic setting in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The nose is seriously good as a light dusting of white pepper combines with shades of black truffle and peat moss that all take shape in the glass. The palate is beautifully textured with a good combination of ripeness, viscosity and tension. Downright juicy red fruits dance with citrus rind and peat moss tones on the palate. Gorgeous to savor right now, the 2018 ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir will enjoy a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2032- 93