Walter Scott

As we march on another beautiful Oregon Wine Month, we share one of the great family winery stories in Oregon wine. This began in 2008 with the leap of faith that Erica Landon and Ken Pahlow made following the recession, forming Walter Scott Wines. Many years in the making, the name Walter Scott honors two important men in Ken’s life: Walter, Ken's grandfather, was a flight engineer for Trans World Airlines and Scott, Ken's nephew who passed away young and reminded both Ken and Erica that life can be exceedingly short. Their first vintage was produced in 2009 at Patricia Green Cellars and in 2011, Walter Scott began making Chardonnay, which was met immediately with seriously good critical acclaim. The rest has been history.

Despite the challenges of the vintage, the wines show good depth, concentration and flavor density. Some Oregon wineries with creating wines with good richness due to the rains at harvest in 2019 but this was not an issue with Walter Scott. The 2018 and 2019 Walter Scott wines are quite divergent which is pretty impressive. The ’18 wines show broader shoulders overall and are more geared towards opulence. The 2019 wines have plenty of viscosity but are about as close to Burgundy that you can get out of the Willamette Valley. They are brighter, more linear wines, as the Pinots show gobs of crunchy and tart red fruits while the whites are filled with finesse. 

 An amazing value, their 2019 Walter Scott ‘Cuvee Anne’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) has good verve, with a very long finish. This has some marvelous cellaring potential. I am enamored once again by the 2019 Walter Scott ‘X Novo Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which drinks like a beautifully flinty top Chablis, minus the diatomaceous earthy aspect. Quite simply with its bright beam of salinity, this wine is all its own. Learn more at https://www.walterscottwine.com Here are my tasting notes from the beautiful new lineup of Walter Scott wines. 

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2019 Walter Scott ‘Cuvee Anne’ Chardonnay- The delightful 2019 ‘Cuvee Anne’ is a barrel select wine that was sourced from the Justice, Seven Springs, Sojeau and X Novo Vineyards. The wine is salty and savory on the palate with lovely Gravenstein apple lemon zest, ash and stony undertones on the palate. Fresh and layered, with a polished texture, this is gorgeous stuff to savor now. Drink 2021-2031- 92

2019 Walter Scott ‘Rock Salt’ Chardonnay- A new wine in the Walter Scott lineup, the ‘Rock Salt’ blends Freedom Hill, Justice, Seven Springs and Koosah Vineyards. True to its name, the wine comes off flinty and salty with gorgeous lemon/lime flavors alongside minerals, Japanese pear and unripe melon undertones. Fresh and vibrant, with a soft mouthfeel, this has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2019 Walter Scott ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay- One of the storied sites in the Willamette Valley, the famed ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ is the estate site for Evening Land. The resultant wine is very Montrachet meets Eola-Amity Hills. The nose shows smoke and flinty tones alongside bright Bartlett pear and honeydew melon. The palate is fresh and vibrant with an insanely good veil of tension. The wonderful length and sense of salinity add to the enjoyment as this stunning bottling will provide drinking enjoyment for the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 Walter Scott ‘Sojeau Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Sojeau Vineyard’ Chardonnay is sourced from the steepest and rockiest portion of this vineyard. The stony tones really impress, as Japanese pear and nutmeg tones mingle with shades of wild mushroom and forest floor on the nose. The palate is fresh and elegant with good weight and an almost oily texture. Salty orchard fruits greet you with wet stone, minerals and smoke on the palate. This is seriously refined stuff. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 Walter Scott ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2019 ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ shows off smoky and flinty tones that march on with pear, gooseberry and kiwi on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is beautifully textured with scintillating length and poise. Baking spices and white truffle dance with rich orchard fruits and wet stone on the palate. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 Walter Scott ‘X Novo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The gorgeous 2019 ‘X Novo Vineyard’ Chardonnay literally screams terroir with wet gravel, white truffle oil and lemon zest tones that all brilliantly come together on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a brilliant beam of tension. Lemon oil, kumquat, white peach and stony tones all collide on the palate. The extremely long finish lingers. Gorgeous to enjoy now, this captivating Chardonnay will provide drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen years or more. Drink 2021-2036- 95

2019 Walter Scott ‘Cuvee Ruth’ Pinot Noir- The gorgeous 2019 ‘Cuvee Ruth’ is a barrel select wine entirely sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills. Aged for ten months, this saw 20% whole cluster fermentation. The wine has good flavor density with tart red fruits that collide with baking spices, blood orange zest and suggestions of salted meats. I think this will become considerably earthier with time in the bottle. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2019 Walter Scott ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Founded by Oregon wine pioneer Mike Etzel, the ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ is located in the heart of the Ribbon Ridge AVA. The wine takes on great aromatic range from forest floor and wild mushroom to cran-cherry and wet stone in this evocative bouquet. The palate is elegant and rich with pretty red fruits and red rose water tones that collide with minerals, smoke and stony undertones. While not a particularly dense wine, the flavor range imparted is downright thrilling. Enjoy this fantastic new bottling over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 Walter Scott ‘Sojeau Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Sojeau Vineyard’ was planted by Denny and Thelma Peseau, and is set at 650 feet at the southern part of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Salted red fruits mingle with smoke, tilled soils and shades of cardamom on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is silky smooth, with an air of elegance. Loaded with tart red fruits, this has plenty of depth and flavor density, with peat moss, kumquat rind and flinty undertones. Complex and delightful to savor now, this will deliver plenty of drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 Walter Scott ‘X Novo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Also located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, the esteemed ‘X Novo Vineyard’ is set on rocky clay soils and set at 525 feet, located near the ‘Seven Springs Vineyard.’ A touch lighter in color than the ‘Sojeau’ bottling, this shows off more stony and flinty tones aromatically with shades of pine needles and ripe red cherry and red currant tones. The palate is not quite as dense as the ‘Sojeau’ but has even more elegance and earthy tones that connect with shades of wet gravel and white truffle shavings. Seriously good now, this has a long way to evolve in the cellar. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 Walter Scott ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ is one of the great older sites in the Eola-Amity Hills Vineyard, as Walter Scott sources from a vineyard site set on volcanic soils. One whiff and the dusting of volcanic earth is quite apparent, with tart red fruits and citrus rind accents rounding out this awesome nose. The palate is very elegant, as this would pass for a top class Burgundy. Very pretty red fruits collide with minerals, wet stone and smoky flavors. The range here is seriously good. Gorgeous to savor now, this has plenty of years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2036- 93

2019 Walter Scott ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ is set on ancient marine sedimentary soils and is located in a new sub-AVA, Mt. Pisgah. Intriguingly the nose comes off quite stony with flinty and earthy tones aca[tyivating alongside a good core of red fruits. The palate is silky and refined with elegant tannins that frame a core of wild strawberry, pomegranate seed and blood orange zest, and charcuterie alongside stony undertones. Drink 2021-2036- 94

Open Claim

It is once again Oregon Wine Month and we share one of the great new wineries that Oregon has to offer. It is hard to believe that this winery began back in 2014. Open Claim Vineyards focuses on single expression Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded by Marnie and Brett Wall, Open Claim Vineyards create wines that are highly cellar-worthy with their brilliant textures and flavor and aromatic ranges imparted. These are big and bold styles that showcase the warm 2018 vintage.

A man not needing any introduction, at the helm of Open Claim is one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest winemakers, Tony Rynders. Tony not only makes his wines under his Tendril label but consults for a plethora of great Oregon producers. I had the chance to speak to Tony a few weeks back about his Open Claim wines and he admitted that this is a project steeped in quality that will only get better. These wines, indeed, have an incredibly high ceiling.

The 2018 Open Claim ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) is downright hedonistic and concentrated with a silky texture, Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.openclaimvineyards.com/ Here are the brilliant 2018 releases by Open Claim. 

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2018 Open Claim Chardonnay-  The 2018 Chardonnay by Open Claim is just singing now at the three year mark. Featuring Dijon clone 95 and 76, this spent sixteen months in 33% new French oak prior to bottling. The bouquet shows downright killer with brioche and lemon zest alongside with nutmeg and shades of wild mushroom on this rich nose. The palate is silky and elegant with a nice richness and flavor density. Citrus and melon fruits collide with smoke, minerals and banana on the palate. The long and gratfying finish lingers on the tongue. Glorious in its youth, this seamless Chardonnay a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2035- 95

2018 Open Claim Pinot Noir- The 2018 Open Claim Pinot Noir is an upper echelon new bottling by superstar winemaker Tony Rynders. A combination of Wadenswil, Dijon 943, 777 and 667 clones, the wine was aged in 25% new French oak for sixteen months before bottling. Needing an hour in the decanter to be fully awoken, once aroused this unveils layers of teaberry and black raspberry that meld with smoke and peat moss tones on this highly complex and satisfying bouquet. The palate is deep and concentrated yet effortlessly glides. Silky tannins combine with a decadent combination of red and dark fruits with Mandarin orange zest and tilled soils on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has decades of life in front of it. Drink 2021-2038- 95

Corliss Estate

When I taste a group of wow factor release wines, I am compelled to post immediately on them. Such is the case with the utterly sensational new wines from Corliss Estate, coming from the warm 2016 vintage in Washington. Located right as you enter the downtown area of Walla Walla, Corliss is an ultra-premium producer of red and white wines founded by Michael and Lauri Corliss, in 1999. Corliss has been met with some serious critical acclaim since their first release in 2008. I love how these wines age, as I’ve had the chance to try their 2006 and 2008 red wines over the past year and I can absolutely say that they are still alive and kicking even now at fifteen years. Corliss has a great winemaking team that is helped by famed winemaking consultant Atelier Melka, one of the great winemaking consultants in North America. New director of winemaking Cameron Parry comes from some serious prestige with former winemaking stints at Chateau Montelena and also Groth before coming to Corliss this year.

The team did a phenomenal job with the 2016 Corliss wines. I adored the 2016 Corliss Estates Red Wine (OB, 96) which is one of the great wines made this vintage. The wine has an amazing feel of elegance, yet is dense and plush with brilliant drinkability even now at the five year mark. Even better is the intense yet weightless 2016 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which might be the best wine I have ever tasted from this famed estate. This is a glorious warm vintage effort that is sure to satisfy any seriously collector of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about these great wines at http://corlissestates.com Here are the outstanding new release wines from Corliss Estates.

2016 Corliss Estate Syrah- Sourced from the Columbia Valley, the 2016 Corliss Estate Syrah comes from their estate on Red Mountain as well as some fruit from the esteemed ‘Stillwater Creek VIneyard’ in the newly minted Royal Slope AVA. Mocha, cigar ash, huckleberry cordial and shades of smoked brisket all brilliantly combine on the nose. The palate is vibrant and dense, with chewy tannins. A massive wall of dark fruits greet you, with coffee grounds, scorched earth and suggestions of blueberry coilis with smoky undertones. Complex and magnificent in its unadulterated youth, this has fifteen years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2036- 95 

2016 Corliss Estate Red WIne- The 2016 Corliss Estate Red Wine combines a large portion of Cabernet Franc (69%) with 28% Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Petit Verdot. Needing a full in the decanter to be aroused, this slowly unveils layers of dark currants and sagebrush woven together with tar, graphite and anise tones that all build in the glass. I love the beautiful blueberry components on the palate, showing a brilliant combination of elegance and decadence. The weightless sensation mid-palate is particularly eye-catching. Nothing short of scintillating at the five year mark, I have little doubt this will be a twenty year wine. Drink 2021-2040- 96

2016 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Corliss Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the great wines made in this warm vintage. Entirely sourced from this estate vineyard on Red Mountain, this opens with a hedonistic bouquet of Turkish coffee, black tea, exotic spices and a knockout core of black and blue fruits that all sing in unison. The palate is silky, concentrated and shows a vibrant sensation of acidity. The wine effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Mocha, creosote, Black Forest Cake and blueberry cordial flavors all brilliantly combine. The gorgeous length adds to the enjoyment. Be sure to give this a one plus hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2021-2044- 97

CVNE (Compania Vinicola del Norte de Espana)

Happy Friday to you all. I adore the great houses of Rioja and can’t wait to visit later this year. One of the famed houses in Rioja, CVNE is one of the long-standing family-run businesses in the region. Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España is a family winery which was founded in 1879 in Haro, La Rioja, Spain. It belongs to the DOCa Rioja Rioja. Since 1879, CVNE has at all times belonged to the direct descendants of the Real de Asua family. 

Current brands include CVNE, Vina Real and Contino, all of which punch above their weight class. The wines that I sampled were gorgeous coming from the 2015 vintage that saw a hot and dry growing season. Rioja deemed this a ‘very good’ growing season. 

I loved the 2015 CUNE Rioja Reserve (OB, 92) which is dense, chewy and full of warm vintage red fruit character with lovely orange rind tones. Learn more about this famed house at 

2015 CUNE Rioja Reserva- The 2015 CUNE ‘Reserva’ is an outstanding value from this famed house founded back in 1879. A blend of 85% Tempranillo with the reminder Graciano and Mazuelo, this shows off pretty red cherry and red raspberry tones alongside minerals and blood orange zest on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has another decade or more to go. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2015 Vina Real Rioja Reserva- The gorgeous 2015 Vina Real ‘Reserva’ is also 85% Tempranillo with smaller parts Mazuelo and Graciano. Fresh and vibrant, with silky tannins, this has good weight but shows restraint as well. Ripe red fruits collide with damp earth, orange rind and shades of cardamom on the palate. This is just a glorious effort that will cellar well for more than a decade to come. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2015 Contino Rioja Reserva- The 2015 Contino ‘Reserva’ is dense and inky once in the glass. Sandalwood and wild mushroom tones mingle with minerals, smoke and black licorice on the palate. The length here is exceedingly good. Glorious in its youth, this both the weight and acidity to go for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 93

Orin Swift

An unabashedly big wine house that has gained an international reputation for bold Napa wines, Orin Swift was founded back in 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, and he later landed a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker. In 1998 he founded Orin Swift Cellars; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. Starting with two tons of Zinfandel and not much else, David spent the next decade making wine for others as well as himself and grew the company into a multinational brand. The winery also has a great tasting room in downtown Napa where you can try his brilliant range of wines.

David’s labels are highly evocative and show his brilliant marketing ability. But what inside the bottle is what impresses across the board. The new wines were really outstanding across the board. The 2019 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years in the Desert’ Red Wine (OB, 92) is a Zinfandel based blend that shows a beautiful texture, lovely mouthfeel and compelling complexity.A stunning effort which has consistently been on my Top 100 over the past several years, the 2019 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine (OB, 94) is dense and chewy with gobs of finesse. This is a stunning wine for the price. Learn more about these impressive wines at http://www.orinswift.com. Here are some of the gorgeous release wines by Orin Swift.

2019 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine- The 2019 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine is a proprietary blend of Grenache, Petite Sirah and Syrah. The wine matured for only eight moths in French and American oak (32% new). Rich red and dark fruits greet you on the nose with chocolate and espresso bean tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with plenty of richness and bright acidity. Layers of blueberry compote, mocha, tar and anise come together on the palate with red cherry cordial and a very gratifying finish. The dense mouthfeel adds to the enjoyment. Gorgeous now, this has another ten years to go. Drink 2021-2031- 94

2018 Orin Swift ‘Palermo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Palermo’ was aged for 12 months in 39% new French oak before bottling and includes some prized sites in the Napa Valley including the Stagecoach Vineyard. Rich creme de cassis, coffee grounds and chocolate cake tones all come together on the nose. The palate shows good acidity with dense creosote, cassis, blackberry cordial and graphite tones. This is really good even at the three year mark and will provide drinking enjoyment over the next decade or more. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2018 Orin Swift ‘Papillon’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Papillon’ is a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Aged for 15 months in 52% new French oak, this takes on black currants and spice box tones alongside anise, and shades of Black Forest Cake on the nose. The palate is silky smooth with plenty of stuffing and a massive core of dark fruits alongside tar, pencil lead and Turkish coffee. Gorgeous now, this has another fifteen plus years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2035- 93

2019 Orin Swift ‘8 Years In The Desert’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘8 Years In The Desert’ is a gorgeous blend of Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah that was aged for 8 months in French oak (63% new) prior to bottling. The palate is juicy and jam-packed full of red fruits, with good acidity and a soft mouthfeel. Great to savor now, enjoy this beautiful wine with some top class BBQ. Drink 2021-2028- 92

Gramercy Cellars

One of the outstanding producers of Washington wines based in Walla Walla, Gramercy Cellars was founded by master sommelier, Greg Harrington. The program focused on Rhone style wines initially but has been making some top class Bordeaux style wines in the past five or so years. They have been making what I consider to be one of the top Rose wines in North America over the past several years. Greg works closely with partner and co-winemaker, Brandon Moss, in crafting minimal intervention wines that are sourced from some of the great vineyards in the state.

The new Gramercy Cellars lineup was truly outstanding. The 2020 Gramercy Cellars Rose (OB, 93) is one of the best Rose wines in North America I have sampled in the past year. The wine has crazy good finesse, range, viscosity and texture. This is a must-buy for any serious Rose lover. I was enamored by the 2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘John Lewis Reserve’ Syrah (OB, 95) is entirely sourced from the Les Collines Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. This is herbal, smoky and savory Syrah that is highly nuanced and very Cote Rotie. Learn more about this fantastic new lineup at  gramercycellars.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Gramercy Cellars and the superstar winemaking team of Greg Harrington, MS and Brandon Moss.

2020 Gramercy Cellars Picpoul- The 2020 Gramercy Cellars Picpoul shows off a soft and inviting texture with layers of brioche and buttercream that mingle with honeydew melon and kumquat accents on the palate. The sense of minerality is outstanding, as this novel Washington white wine is a perfect foil for fresh Kussshi oysters. Drink 2021-2026- 92

2020 Gramercy Cellars Rose- Rich, beautifully textured and every bit outstanding, the 2020 Gramercy Cellars Rose is a silky blend of 50% Cinsault, 26% Grenache and 24% Syrah all sourced from the ‘Olsen Vineyard’ in the Yakima Valley. Pretty red raspberry and Bing cherry tones mingle with guava, orange zest and damp earthy tones on the nose. The palate is soft, round and very inviting. Silky and elegant, the palate delivers red rose water, stony minerals and a wealth of red fruits, with suggestions of wild mushroom. The long finish adds to the enjoyment. Sensational now, this has some good aging potential. Drink 2021-2026- 93

2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Lower East’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Lower East’ Cabernet Sauvignon might be declassified fruit but this packs a serious punch with its ripe red and dark fruits, as well as chocolate tones. Showing a soft mouthfeel, and showing plenty of finesse, this delicious and excellent value wine will deliver drinking enjoyment for the next eight plus years. Drink 2021-2028- 91

2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Gramercy Estates’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Gramercy Estates’ is a Merlot based wine that has been an awesome edition to their lineup. A whiff of bell pepper entices as ripe red and dark fruits collide with damp earthy tones and chocolate on the nose. The p[alate is silky and elegant with a great sense of texture and seamless experience mid-palate. The combination of minerality, dark fruits and earthy tones all mingle brilliantly together.  Gorgeous in its youth, this will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful and elegant wine that will have some serious aging potential.  Once on the nose this takes on layers of dark fruits and exotic spices with chocolate, sagebrush and tar undertones. The palate is plush and very elegant with silky tannins that frame the wine. The generous texture adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2021-2035- 93

2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A masterpiece by Brandon Moss and Greg Harrington, MS, the 2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon combines fruit from the Sagemoor and Phinny Hill Vineyards. The wine is silky and seamless, not big or brooding, just very Left Bank while obviously being Washington. Ripe dark currants and blackberry tones mingle with coffee grounds, sandalwood and dark chocolate shavings catch your eye, with firm tannins holding everything in place on the palate. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this a two hour decant. Drink 2021-2038- 94

2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘The Third Man’ Grenache- The 2018 ‘The Third Man’ combines 75% Grenache with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvedre. The nose is very pretty with its red rose petal tones that mingle with red currants, orange rind, damp earth and stony undertones. The palate is very soft and round with a seamless texture. Bright red fruits collide with shades of Hoisin sauce, white pepper and smoky undertones. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘L’Idiot du Village’ Mourvedre- The 2018 ‘L’Idiot du Village’ Mourvedre is another beautiful new release by the talented winemaking team at Gramercy Cellars. The intense smoky tones really impress aromatically with a great core of dark fruits and white pepper accents rounding out this outstanding bouquet. The palate is fresh, vibrant and beautifully textured. Ripe red cherry and black raspberry flavors mingle with smoked pork shoulder, Mandarin orange rind and coffee grounds on the palate. This shows excellent length and viscosity, as this great new Mourvedre will provide drinking enjoyment over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The 2018 Gramercy Cellars ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah is a beautiful new wine that shows a great stony edge. Wet stone and green peppercorns mingle with charcuterie and a dusting of white pepper on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, with a silky texture, enjoy this great new Syrah over the next eight years. Drink 2021-2029- 93

2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Syrah- Sourced from one of the hallowed sites in the Yakima Valley, this very pretty Syrah shows iodine and blood orange zest tones that mingle with a great core of red fruits on this great bouquet. The palate is very fresh with a great air of finesse. Ripe red currants and red cherry flavors mingle with tobacco leaf, orange zest and damp earthy tones on the palate. Delightful to savor in its youth, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 93

2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah shows great aromatic range from bulls blood to wet stone and dried herbs alongside a good wall of red and dark fruits. The palate has outstanding verve, with a silk texture. Ripe red fruits mingle with minerals, smoke, garrigue and stony undertones on the palate. Great to savor now, this terroir-driven Syrah has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2031- 94

2017 Gramercy Cellars ‘John Lewis’ Syrah- Singular, and truly something special, the 2017 ‘John Lewis’ Syrah is a sensational effort by Gramercy Cellars. The aromatic range is fantastic from Hoisin sauce to seaweed and damp stones, alongside huckleberry and suggestions of menthol that all take shape in the glass. The palate shows a dazzling sense of minerality, with serious tension. Layers of ripe red and dark fruits mingle with minerals, wet stone, dried herbs and soy sauce. Gobs of mouth-watering acidity and a seamless texture add to the enjoyment. Gorgeous now, be sure to give this beauty a two hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2021-2036- 95

Woodward Canyon

Walla Walla Wine Month might be over but that doesn’t stop us from sharing some of the world class wines from this special region. Incredibly, Woodward Canyon was founded back in 1981 when Rick and Darcy Small bet on planting grape vines in the southwestern edge of Walla Walla and founded Woodward Canyon. I have personally tasted at this winery since 2002. For years I have admired the quality of not only their red wines but their white wines that are very age-worthy. T

At the helm is Kevin Mott who first came to Woodward Canyon back in 2003 and has been a shareholder since 2011. Rafa Sifuentes who worked as cellar master for 16 years serves as his assistant winemaker. Woodward Canyon have a special reputation for deep and concentrated red wines with good balance. I was massively impressed with their new wines mainly from the 2018 vintage. Their 2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 94) is dense with amazing varietal character and herbal tones that make this distinctly Washington Cabernet Franc. I just love this wine. Even better is the incredible 2017 Woodward Canyon ‘40th Anniversary’ Cabernet Sauvignon  (OB, 95) which is intense and showing good richness from both the Champoux and Woodward Canyon Estate Vineyards. This gorgeous effort will cellar well for another twenty years. Learn more about this historic Washington winery at https://www.woodwardcanyon.com/ Here are the gorgeous new release wines by Woodward Canyon.

2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Red Wine- Made from Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache grapes, this unique wine for this producer shows flinty and smoky tones on the nose with a good core of red and dark fruits that all mingle together in the glass. The palate is soft and very generous with a terrific sense of mouthfeel. Red currant jelly, smoked pork shoulder and blackberry cobbler flavors all marvelously meld together, with a dusting of white pepper. This is really good stuff even at the three year mark. Drink. 2021-2031-93

2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The ‘Estate Reserve’ is a big wine that really needs some air to tame. Truly unique, the final blending was 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 8% Syrah and 5% Malbec. After a few hours the wine shows really good viscosity and freshness with dark currants, dried herbs and black cherry cordial tones, giving this an air of decadence. The beautiful length adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2022-2038- 94

2018 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- I completely adore the new 2018 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc. This shows amazing varietal character with red bell pepper, dried sage and red currants that march on with spicy undertones on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is fresh and viscous with a great sense of mouthfeel. This finishes exceedingly long. Gorgeous in its youth, this has another fifteen or twenty years to go. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2017 Woodward Canyon ‘40th Anniversary’ Cabernet Sauvignon- In honor of their 40th anniversary, Woodward Canyon founder Rick Small has chosen to make a limited production bottling that is equal parts Champoux Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Woodward Canyon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is gorgeous on the mouth with its silky texture and wonderful sense of verve and viscosity. Ripe dark currants collide with minerals, smoke, sagebrush and blackberry compote on the palate. Full-bodied and delightful even at the four year mark, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2038- 95

Louis M. Martini

One of the historic spots in the Napa Valley, Louis M. Martini winery was originally constructed in 1933 and one of the first in Napa Valley to open after the repeal of Prohibition. The winery was fully restored in 2019 and offers a range of tours and tasting experience. Head winemaker Michael Eddy is the fourth winemaker in Martini history. Originally from Southern California, Michael’s background includes stops at Trefethen Family Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyard and Rodney Strong Vineyards. Michael began his journey with Martini in 2005, focusing exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon. He would spend more than a decade learning from Michael Martini, grandson of founder Louis M. Martini.

I loved the new wines across the board which are stunning renditions of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2018 Louis M. Martini ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 91) is a seriously good value. This beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade. The best wine I tried was the 2016 Louis M. Martini ‘Lot No. 1’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is a barrel selection wine that is seriously refined and is drinking magically at now the five year mark. Learn more about this famed house at https://www.louismartini.com and here are my reviews of the new Louis M. Martini wines. 

2018 Louis M. Martini ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A good value, this is a dense and chewy bottling with violets and loamy terroir alongside a great core of dark fruits and chocolate. Enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2021-2028- 91

2017 Louis M. Martini ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Louis M. Martini ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous new 100% varietal bottling that will have an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Once on the nose this takes on loamy soils and espresso bean tones with black currants and blueberry compote, providing an exotic edge. The palate is dense, polished and loaded with dark and blue fruits with firm tannins holding everything in place. Gorgeous now, this will provide drinking enjoyment for another two decades. Give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2040- 94

2016 Louis M. Martini ‘Lot No. 1’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Also 100% varietal, the 2016 ‘Lot No. 1’ is a barrel select bottling that is absolutely singing now at the five year mark. This saw 21 months in barrel (100% French oak, 93% new) prior to bottling. On the nose this shows off rich cassis and cloves that mingle with espresso bean and tar aromatics that all build in the glass. The palate is deep, concentrated and highly refined. Rich cassis, dark chocolate and loamy soils all brilliantly combine with a great sense of minerality. Refined and gorgeous to savor now, this has another twenty years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2040- 95

Big Table Farm

One of the jewels of the Willamette Valley, featured today in Oregon Wine Month, Big Table Farm has been nothing short of a massive success since first starting more than a decade ago. I was blown away when I first tasted these wines many years back. They are wines that show incredible range and texture. Superstar winemaker Brian Marcy has a longstanding history in the wine industry, living in Napa and previously serving as winemaker for Neyers prior to moving north and settling in the Willamette Valley. His wines are rich, terroir driven and show dazzling minerality. It is very hard to find this degree of tension and viscosity in a glass of Oregon Pinot Noir.  Years ago I admired the wines he was crafting at Neyers and I even recently had the chance to try one of his older wines, a Chardonnay that was more than a decade old but was still holding well!

I adored the new releases were stunning across the board. I absolutely loved the new 2020 Big Table Farm ‘Laughing Pig’ Rose (OB, 92) which is one of the great Oregon Rose wines I have tasted so far this year. Even better is the scintillating 2019 Big Table Farm ‘Earth’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a barrel select wine that is downright thrilling and is one of the great wines produced this vintage. Learn more about Big Table Farm at http://www.bigtablefarm.com/ Here are the fantastic new release wines by Big Table Farm.

2020 Big Table Farm ‘Laughing Pig’ Rose- Big Table Farm have earned a reputation for consistently producing some of the best Rose that you’ll find in the Pacific Northwest over the past several years. This edition is a direct-press wine that had a long ferment and then saw all neutral oak barrel aging prior to bottling. Silky and smooth on the mid-palate, the wine shows off gorgeous red fruits that dance with orange rind, cinnamon and cloves. This finishes exceedingly long. Drink 2021-2027- 92

2019 Big Table Farm ‘The Elusive Queen’ Chardonnay- The 2019 Big Table Farm ‘The Elusive Queen’ Chardonnay is a gorgeous barrel select wine sourced from a host of Willamette Valley vineyards. Soft, refined and beautifully textured, this shows off layers of lemon oil, cardamom dusted Challah bread, kumquat and green apple flavors, alongside a brisk sense of minerality. The texture here is simply astounding. Gorgeous to savor in its youth, the 2019 ‘The Elusive Queen’ will cellar well for more than a decade to come. Drink 2021-2035- 95

2019 Big Table Farm ‘Earth’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Earth’ Pinot Noir is one of the great wines that I have tasted from this vintage thus far. This limited production bottling is a barrel selection that Brian Marcy and Clare Carver select to he their finest expressions of Pinot Noir. Really needing about an hour in the decanter to be fully expressive, the 2019 ‘Earth’ unveils red cherry candy and pomegranate seed tones alongside guava and damp earthy undertones on this evocative bouquet. The palate is soft, concentrated and very savory. Layers of ripe red fruits collide with wild mushroom, blood orange zest, beef blood and salted charcuterie. The savory aspects of the wine are particularly appealing, as this gorgeous new Pinot Noir will provide plenty of drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2036- 95

Benom

Today we share one of the outstanding producers in Paso Robles. It is so sad that Hospice du Rhone will be delayed once again due to COVID-19. And today we pay homage by sharing an outstanding new brand,. Benom Wines, founded by two Frenchmen, Arnaud and Guillaume Fabre. Benom is named after the phonetic translation of the French word binôme, which translates to "a project together." They are brothers, they are French, and for them making wine is a heritage. Guillaume, moved to California to pursue a career as a winemaker, and began making wine for one of the great brands of Paso Robles, L’Aventure. He then started Clos Selene which was met with serious critical acclaim.  it was his love of winemaking and farming without limit(s) that brought him to Paso Robles. Arnaud, on the other hand, moved to California to follow his beloved Chloe. 

Their wines are even named after each other, two brothers -‘Les Deux Freres,’ which is an intense blend made from Grenache, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Fabre family originates from both the Languedoc-Roussillon and Bordeaux regions in France, as the brothers have a longstanding family history in the wine industry. I was totally captivated by the new wines by Benom. Their new 2020 Benom ‘L’Essor’ Rose (OB, 93) is sensational and silky with incredible weight. I adored the 2018 Benom ‘Les Deux Freres’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is dense, chewy and has incredible mouthfeel. The Granache profile here is really pretty. Learn more about this great new winery project at https://www.benomwines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Benom.

2020 Benom ‘L’Essor’ Rose- Made from a combination of Grenache (65%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (35%) grapes, the ‘L’Essor’ shows really good freshness and finesse mid-palate. Green apple, kiwi and orange blossom tones fill the palate, with lighter red fruits and stony undertones making this highly irresistible. The weight here is fantastic, as is the bright senses of minerality. Drink 2021-2026- 93

2020 Benom ‘Contrast’ White Wine- A silky blend of mainly Chardonnay (69%) with the remainder Sauvignon Blanc, the 2020 ‘Contrast’ shows a round and generous sense of mouthfeel. Layers of banana and papaya mingle with wet stone, starfruit and gooseberry undertones. The freshness and finish here provides a wonderful drinking experience. Drink 2021-2028- 93

2018 Benom ‘Les Deux Freres’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Les Deux Freres’ combines mainly Grenache (59%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. The bright red fruit aromas create plenty of allure, as red rose petals, sandalwood and smoky tones all captivate aromatically. The palate is dense and plush with a soft sense of mouthfeel. Very pretty with its red rose water and red fruit profile, with chocolate, wet stone and garrigue undertones, this beautiful, harmonious blend will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 94

2018 Benom ‘Lapsus’ Red Wine- The truly unique striking ‘Lapsus’ combines Graciano (30%) with Mourvedre (30%) as well as Grenache (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) which nearly makes this a new world style Priorat. The core is massively inky with a deep wall of dark fruits and chocolate tones alongside garrigue, and creme de violette flavors that all sing in unison on the palate. The combination of weight and structure is outstanding. This is a wine that is quite simply all its own. With great length this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next ten plus years. Drink 2021-2033- 95

2018 Benom ‘Origin’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bottling shows rich blueberry compote, mocha, tar and leather aromatic tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is dense and refined, yet shows some herbal and red bell pepper tones no doubt from a slightly earlier picking decision. This has a killer combination of finesse, weight and viscosity. Great to enjoy right now, the 2018 Benom ‘Origin’ Cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2033- 94

84 Yesler: Seattle’s Great New Restaurant

For the first time in over a year I walked away from a restaurant feeling totally invigorated Sure, I had done some fine dining mostly outside of town that was fantastic. I might have walked away really satisfied but not as refreshed or inspired. At 84 Yesler, their tasting menu is just the right amount of food. A focus on seafood, dishes are rich but not heavy. The balance in the dishes is absolutely outstanding. Themes of texture and color play a major role in this feeling of dining in harmony. Seattle is a town definitely not known for top service. I can say without hesitation that the service at Yesler 84 is very detailed without being overbearing. Quite simply if you do not feel the same while dining for their spring tasting menu here I’m afraid you’re lacking a pulse.

General Manager Michael Don Rico has a wealth of experience ranging from the opening management team for El Gaucho, a partner at Branzino, as well as first Westerner to work with Chef Shiro Kashiba to open the acclaimed Sushi Kashiba. You will be impressed with the service that he has instilled.

Chef Shawn Applin was formerly chef de Cuisine for Seattle James Beard award winning Chef Christine Keff at both her ground breaking Flying Fish & Fandango locations. He was an amazing Executive Chef at Seattle’s RN 74 by Michael Mina Group before it closed during COVID-19.

Before the tasting menu began I started with a glass of champagne, the NV Liebart-Regnier Brut ($19.00) which beautifully balanced the meal and was very reasonably priced.

I was first served one of the standout dishes, Chef’s steak tartare which was rich, creamy and shared lots of textures with incredible balance. The presentation was about as good as it gets. Balance was the theme for the second course, local asparagus but traditional asparagus and white, with beautiful Ikura producing a salty edge and egg yolk shavings adding something more savory. This dish was delicious as it was beautiful. Each dish also came out with perfect cadence. 

The next dish was actually my favorite, it was a soft and beautifully cooked skate wing with lemon caper sauce. It melted in my mouth. For those who have never tried skate, it is a succulent fish. Sometimes it can get overly salty, but this was just cooked to perfection and the sauce didn’t overwhelm the dish.

There was a deconstructed bouillabaisse with fresh king crab pasta that was also perfectly cooked and a fried piece of bread that was so flavorful I had no idea how it was created but it was perfect for dipping in the sauce. The last two courses of pan fried halibut again was perfectly cooked. The dessert was also beautiful and I adored the homemade lemon gelato. 

After I was done, I got up from my table feeling really excited about fine dining in Seattle. It was truly a Michelin Star worthy performance to be remembered. 

Interview with John Elway, 7 Cellars Founder and NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback

Growing up I was a huge fan of John Elway. I always admired how he led his team to impossible comeback victories. I even had a chance to witness his first Super Bowl Victory in person back in 1998. That definitely was a day to remember. Throughout his career John has been involved in many successful business endeavors, including owning car dealerships, but he has only recently started his own wine business.

I recently had the chance to interview John who so graciously took time out of his busy schedule as he is preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft with his current position with the Denver Broncos. I think you will really enjoy hearing more about his story in wine. Here is my exclusive interview with John Elway.

OB: How did you get interested in wine? 

JE: About 7 years ago, I started enjoying wine more with dinner.  My Elway’s restaurants were doing well and were in business for about 10 years at the time. This sparked my curiosity in exploring it more as a business endeavor, as it seemed to be a natural complement to my restaurants, my lifestyle, and my brand. I then teamed up with my longtime sports agent and friend, Jeff Sperbeck, who lived near Napa, and began the process of researching options. We partnered with OneHope Wine on the business side, and then with Rob Mondavi Jr as our winemaker. This began our journey into the world of wine, which has now been going on for six years.

OB: What are some of the greatest wines that you have tried throughout your lifetime?  

JE: Chateau Lafite, Sassicaia, and Opus One. However, overall I prefer California wines the most which is why I started my family winery in CA.

OB: As a childhood Broncos fan I was able to see your first Super Bowl win in San Diego, a day I will never forget. What was it like winning your first Super Bowl? 

JE: Just like you, it was a day that I’ll never forget. At first, the feeling was one of relief, having lost my three previous tries. But after the relief came the joy. At the time, it was the culmination of my professional career to have accomplished that one goal that mattered most. So, it still ranks as my number one professional highlight.

OB: You have had many successful businesses and how did you decide to start your winery, 7Cellars? 

JE: I am selective about the businesses that I participate in, and even more so, the ones I associate my name with. The wine business came out of the success of my restaurants. Not only was I starting to enjoy wine more at the time, but I recognized the natural symbiotic relationship that exists between food and wine. So, when my longtime business manager, Jeff Sperbeck, came to me with the right opportunity and partnership with OneHope wine, we decided to pursue it. The results have been amazing thus far.

OB: I am sure you have a beautiful cellar and I'm wondering what are some of your favorite bottles? 

JE: Domaine Romane Conti (DRC) 98, Petrus 01, and Chateaux Margaux

OB: Any new wines or regions you have been enjoying lately? 

JE: It would be chic of me to point out other regions around the world, but to be honest, I’ve always been a fan of the Napa region. I’m sure it’s because of early exposure to it because of my Northern California ties to Stanford. I do enjoy Spanish red wines, and the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc in the warmer months. But for me, it’s tough to beat the diversity of the California wines.

SMAK Wines

I love the range of boutique and novel Washington wineries that push boundaries. Such is the case with Fiona Mak’s SMAK Wines that is solely focused on making a range of diverse Rose wines. Mak is a graduate of Syracuse University’s hospitality management program. Originally from Hong Kong, Fiona had a formidable career in the restaurant industry, making a host of great spots like Morimoto in Philadelphia, Haru Sushi in New York, and Quality Meats, in Manhattan. Fiona is also a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers.  

In 2013 she traveled across country to begin her wine education at the Walla Walla Community College Enology and Viticulture program. She then was employed as a lab manager at Artifex Wine Company. The wines are an ode to Provence, with very delicate and nuanced details. They are texturally very good and also killer matches for a range of delicate foods. I love her 2020 SMAK Wines ‘Summer’ Rose (OB, 91) which is vibrant and soft with really good finesse. Just as good is her 2020 SMAK Wines ‘Fall/Winter’ Rose (OB, 91) which is slightly more geared towards weight and ripe red fruits. Learn more about this great new winery at https://www.smakwines.com Here are the great new releases by SMAK Wines. 

2020 Smak Wines ‘Spring’ Rose- The 2020 ‘Spring Rose’ is a bright and inviting new 100% Sangiovese Rose release by Fiona Mak. The nose is nicely fragrant with honeysuckle and orange blossom tones that mingle with peach and wet stone undertones. The palate is restrained in terms of fruit flats but shows wonderful nuance especially once warmed up a bit. Wet gravel, green apple, unripe melon and very delicate red fruits greet you, with great acidity. Drink 2021-2025- 91

2020 Smak Wines ‘Summer’ Rose- The 2020 ‘Summer’ Rose is lighter than color than the other two bottlings, as this is 100% Pinot Gris sourced from the ‘Gamache Vineyard.’ This too shows considerable more complexity once warmed up a bit. The combination of weight and finesse is really nice as layers of honeydew melon, bright starfruit and wet stone come together with Japanese pear accents. Drink this delightful release over the next several years. Drink 2021-2025- 91 

2020 Smak Wines ‘Fall/Winter’ Rose- The 2020 ‘Fall/Winter’ Rose is 100% Syrah sourced from the ‘Gamache Vineyard’ in the Columbia Valley. This was aged in 100% neutral oak and was given considerable lees stirring prior to bottling. This Syrah Rose shows off a beautiful texture with layers of pretty red raspberry, strawberry and guava, with cantaloupe and damp stone undertones. In terms of texture and brightness, this shows closer to a bigger style of Bandol than the bunch. Drink 2021-2026- 91

Herman Story

I love wineries with a great story. Years ago I was tasting with my colleague Dr. Jae Hong in Paso Robles and we were both massively impressed with the Herman Story wines. These were unabashedly unctuous, full-bodied wines that still had marvelous poise. Russell P. From is the creative genius behind Herman Story wines. Russell grew up visiting his grandfather’s farm in eastern Missouri, driving a tractor and generally getting into whatever trouble he could find. Over time Russell grew very fond of the outdoors. Growing up in the East Bay of San Francisco, Russell attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, studying agricultural business, harkening back to his days visiting that Missouri farm.

He caught the wine bug at a very early age, interning at Lockwood Vineyards in his Freshman year of college he has never looked back, now working over 25 harvests. HIs winery, Herman Story, began in 2001 and has received great critical acclaim since its inception in 2002. Having tried these wines over the past decade, the style tends to be a bold, unbridled style of winemaking that full-throttle and hedonistic. 

I adored the new 2019 Herman Story wines. The new 2019 Herman Story ‘Tomboy’ Viognier (OB, 93) is unctuous and rich with a silky texture. Even better is the sinfully good 2019 Herman Story ‘Nuts & Bolts’ Syrah (OB, 95) which is dense, chewy and fully of life. The flavor density is everything you want from a great Paso Syrah. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.hermanstorywines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Russell P. From and his Herman Story winery.

2019 Herman Story ‘Tomboy’ Viognier- Sourced from Santa Barbara County, this has a fantastic bouquet of banana and honeysuckle alongside salted praline on this evocative nose. Sweetened peaches, starfruit and nectarine tones mingle with minerals and vanilla cream on the palate. Beautifully textured, this unabashedly bold style of Viognier will cellar well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2021-2027- 93

2019 Herman Story ‘On The Road’ Grenache- Super bold and loaded with flavor, the 2019 ‘On The Road’ doesn’t come off at 15.9% alcohol as the label might suggest. Boysenberry torte, espresso bean and graphite tones mingle with shades of mandarin orange rind on the palate. The length and texture here is sinfully good. This will cellar well for another decade, but why wait when it shows this well in its youth? Drink 2021-2031-  94

2019 Herman Story ‘Milk & Honey’ Red Wine- Always a unique blend, this vintage showcases 5`1% Tempranillo with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petit Verdot. The beam of salinity is particularly nice here, as is the bright sense of acidity. Red and dark fruits play along with black tea, black florals and a seamless texture. I can’t say there is anything quite like this delicious red blend that is best enjoyed over the next five plus years. Drink 2021-2029- 95

2019 Herman Story ‘Nuts & Bolts’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Nuts & Bolts’ is massively concentrated once in the glass. Creme de violette, Turkish coffee, dark rose petals and creosote all fill the nose. The palate is intense and viscous with good acidity and a massive core of black and blue fruits. Truly outstanding in its hedonistic splendor, the 2019 ‘Nuts & Bolts’ probably should be consumed more on the early side considering how delightful it shows right out of the bottle now. Drink 2021-2028- 95

2019 Herman Story ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Syrah- Sourced from this storied site in the Santa Maria Valley, this shows off roasted dates and black florals alongside coffee grounds and blueberry compote tones on the nose. The palate is silky, elegant and wonderfully textured. Because of its sheer weight, this is best enjoyed on the cooler side, as the bottle suggests, taming the downright decadent core of blue and black fruits. Drink 2021-2028- 95

2019 Herman Story ‘First Time Caller’ Petite Sirah- The ‘First Time Caller’ has been sourced from the French Camp and Shell Creek Vineyards out of Santa Barbara County. Once on the palate you greeted to a massive wall of blue and black fruits, with violets, and espresso grounds with firm tannins rounding out this sinfully good wine. Great now, don’t be afraid to grab this bottle from the cellar over the next several years. Drink 2021-2028- 95

W.T. Vintners

I love tasting with Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen. A wealth of knowledge and boasting some very extensive wine and wine service experience, I always know what I am going to get when speaking with him. For years I have loved these wines and purchased many for my personal collection. The wines that he makes are not surprisingly very somm-friendly with most serving as killer foils for a range of foods. Over the years the wines have gotten better and better, as the current releases show the highest degree of consistency that I can remember from this lineup. The wines are precise with a beginning, middle and an end. 

It is hard to believe that Jeff Lindsay-Thorsen co-founded W.T. Vintners back in 2007. An advanced sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Jeff also serves as wine director at what was one of Seattle’s finest restaurants, RN74. For years I have leaned on his vast wine knowledge while dining there, always looking to try new ideas from obscure regions from across the globe.

Jeff’s winemaking style tends to be non-interventional, as he sources from some of the great vineyards in Washington including the Boushey Vineyard and the Stoney Vine Vineyard. I adored his new 2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 94) which is fresh, vibrant and has gobs of Rocks character. Nearly as good was the 2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 93) whic his silky, earthy and highly refined. Learn more about these beautiful new wines at http://www.wtvintners.com Here are the great pre-release new wines by W.T. Vintners.

2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir underwent a 25% whole cluster fermentation before bottling. This was aged in less than 10% new oak as this reveals ripe red cherry tones that mingle with orange blossom, red florals and red currants all dazzle together on the nose. The palate is fleshy and fresh with a great veil of tension. Sour cherry and pomegranate seed flavors meld with salty earth with blood orange zest and shades of wild mushroom all angle on the palate. This is just sensational now and will provide drinking enjoyment for another decade or more. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah- Picked early and weighing in at only 12.1% alcohol, this shows gorgeous crushed wet rock aromas on the nose with green olives and smoked brisket on this outstanding nose. The palate is very refined with a silky mouthfeel and a fantastic beam of minerality. The Umami character her is fantastic with seaweed and soy sauce that mingle with venison, iron and blood orange zest. The sense of salinity here is outstanding, as this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next eight plus years. Drink 2021-2029- 94

2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Grand Cote’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Grand Cote’ is sourced from a vineyard roughly two miles of Dick Boushey’s house from Phelps Clone Syrah planted back in 1993. The vineyard is set on loamy soils. Ripe dark currants combine with black pepper, cigar ash and creosote tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is deep and bold with great fruit weight and concentration. Marionberry pie and Earl Grey tea and dark currants combine with tilled soils and violets on the palate. The wine is refined and bold yet has a very pretty character. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Mourvedre- This underwent 75% whole cluster fermentation as the wine saw a longer maceration period. The smoky tones are fantastic as white pepper and brisket tones mingle with blackberry compote and creosote tones on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity. Layers of wild blackberry and teaberry combine with orange rind, smoked Kielbasa and green peppercorns and stony undertones all deftly combine on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2018 W.T. Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- This has just a touch of Mourvedre and Grenache blended in. The wine opens with smoked meats dusted with white pepper, alongside violets and black tea. The palate is salty and savory with good freshness. At a mere 25 bucks, this is a steal. Drink 2021-2026- 92

TOR Chardonnay

Tor Kenward knows his Chardonnay. One of the architects of Beringer’s famed ‘Private Reserve’ Chardonnay, I had the great chance to chat about him during my Instagram Live with him a month back (https://www.instagram.com/tv/CLsZUPbld8M/). For years I have admired Tor and his accomplishments. He has been making some killer Chardonnay for years and I have adored his ‘Carneros’ bottlings. He is making some incredible single vineyard Chardonnay wines as well, sourced from the ‘Beresini’ and ‘Hyde’ Vineyards. 

Tor has crafted some of the best Chardonnays in North America here. I adored the 2019 TOR ‘Cuvee Torchiana’ Chardonnay (OB, 97) which is one of the top new world Chardonnay bottlings I have had over the past year. This is reminiscent of a top Mersault. Silky smooth throughout the drinking experience with insanely good texture, finesse and range, this beautiful wine will cellar well for at least another decade. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://torwines.com Here are the exceptional 2019 Chardonnay releases by TOR. 

2019 TOR ‘Cuvee Torchiana’ Chardonnay- The ‘Cuvee Torchiana’ is a barrel selection wine sourced from the thirty year old Beresini Vineyard. This wine is a homage to Tor’s mother and saw sixteen months in French oak prior to bottling. Golden once in the glass, the Chardonnay shows incredible aromatic complexity from salted melon fruits to lemon zest and baking spices, alongside suggestions of bergamot that all dance in unison. The palate is seamless and beautifully textured, reminiscent of a top Mersault. Layers of buttercream and Meyer lemon zest infused French bread combine with ripe banana and pineapple on the palate, giving this quite an exotic edge. Utterly sensational in its youth, this is up there with the best California Chardonnays I have savored in the past year. Drink 2021-2035- 97

2019 TOR ‘Cuvee Susan’ Chardonnay- Tor Kenward has crafted his ‘Cuvee Susan’ from the famed ‘Hyde Vineyard’ in the Carneros AVA. This barrel select wine opens with salted Macadamia nut aromatics that mingle with ripe pear and vanilla creme brûlée tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft, silky and beautifully textured. Layers of ginger, ripe pineapple, bananas foster and vanilla cream flavors all marvelously combine with wonderful tension and a bright sense of minerality. Gorgeous in its youth, this will evolve well for more than a decade to come. Drink 2021-2035- 96

MTR Productions

Today we have a special feature for you today out of Walla Walla. Matt Reynvaan is a man needing no introduction. Sadly,  the last time I had a chance to visit with Matt was our 2020 Washington Wine Blog Critic’s Choice of Washington.  The MTR Productions is a very limited production wine sourced from their ‘In The Rocks Vineyard’ in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA and underwent serious barrel and bottle aging prior to release. 

The 2017 ‘Memory Found’ is the best wine that I have tasted out of this collection. It is a  100% Syrah wine from the warm 2017 vintage. They have made less than 150 cases of this glorious wine. The Syrah was aged in French oak and 600L oak puncheons and then saw 36 months of bottle age. I can’t believe the combination of flavor and aromatic range here, as well as mouthfeel. This is very soft, elegant wine that is truly one of a kind. This wine needs air to show its full potential, so I recommend that you uncork the wine, let it sit for an hour or two and then enjoy over several hours. Learn more about this beautiful wine at http://www.mtr-productions.com Here is my review of the 2017 MTR Productions 'Memory Found' Syrah. 

2017 MTR Productions ‘Memory Found’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘Memory Found’ Syrah is nothing short of a masterclass by superstar winemaker Matt Reynvaan. It is hard to believe that this wine is now in its sixth vintage, started off by the spectacular 2012 bottling. The nose is smoky, stony and downright hedonistic with Kalamata tapenade and bulls blood accents. The palate is sinfully good and smooth, with a velvety sense of mouthfeel. The pillowy, opulent texture really captivates the senses. Layers of bacon fat, and red cherry Starburst candy are brilliantly woven together with cigar ash, seaweed, blackberry pie, smoldering stones and blood orange zest. After a few hours of air, the wine becomes even more silky and refined. Incredible now at the four year mark, why wait to consume this later? Drink 2021-20231- 98

Massican

Founded back in 2009, Massican is one of the truly unique wineries in the world. The brainchild of famed winemaker Dan Petroski, who sought to make old-world inspired white wines in the Napa Valley where Cabernet is king. The wines are ridiculously low priced for the quality that you get. Napa’s only white wine winery, once you’ve tried these wines I am pretty sure that you’ll admit that you’ve never tried anything quite like them.

These are high-acid wines that also are beautifully textured and are geared towards depth. They are very Italian inspired while keeping their Napa character. The new vintage from 2020 is every bit as good as the wines that I tried in 2019. Most winemakers will fully admit that making quality white wines is considerably more difficult than making great Cabernet Sauvingnon. The wines are quite beguiling and make you wonder how exactly did Dan do this?

Look to the gorgeous 2020 Massican ‘Annia’ White Wine (OB,94) which blends Tocai Fruliano, Ribolla Gialla and Chardonnay. There’s nothing quite like this wine. Try it, I don’t think you will be disappointed with its insanely good range, mouthfeel and long finish. Learn more about these novel, one of a kind wines at massican.com Here are my reviews of the gorgeous new Massican wines. 

2020 Massican Sauvignon Blanc- The 2020 edition of this wine is very old-world compared to the 2019 edition. The wine is inspired by the tension-filled Sauvignon Blancs of Northern Italy, and this 2020 Massican Sauvignon Blanc shows racy acidity with Granny Smith apple, kiwi, orange blossom and shades of pink grapefruit zest on the palate. This is very refined wine that shows off a silky mouthfeel and great veil of acidity. Gorgeous now, this will provide drinking enjoyment over the next seven years. Drink 2021-2027— 93

2020 Massican ‘Gemina’ White Wine- The 2020 ‘Gemina’ is truly incredible blend of 75% Pinot Bianco and the remainder Greco. The nose is sensational, showing wet stone and gooseberry tones alongside green melon, and suggestions of Macadamia nut that all dazzle in the glass. The palate has great freshness and weight, showing a silky mouthfeel. Ripe kiwi and white grapefruit tones mingle with damp earth, orange blossom water and lime zest. The combination of weight and freshness really makes this shine, as this finishes very long with cream and minerals.  Beautiful now, this outstanding new bottling will enjoy another eight years or more ahead of it. Drink 2021-2029- 94

2020 Massican ‘Annia’ White Wine- A blend of Tocai Friulano (61%) with Ribolla Gialla (27%) and a smaller portion of Chardonnay (12%), the 2020 ‘Annia’ is a striking, one of a kind wine that is sure to captivate. Aromatically quite intense, this unveils outstanding range from kiwi and honeydew melon to wet stone, pink grapefruit blossom and hazelnut tones that all march in unison. The palate is utterly seamless and shows great acidity and weight. Layers of baking spice infused challah bread and green papaya mingle with minerals, smoke and nutty undertones on the palate. This finishes very long. Gorgeous now to enjoy in its youth, this has another decade of life ahead of it. But why wait? Drink 2021-2029- 94

DeLille Cellars

For many years I have greatly enjoyed one of the outstanding wineries out of Woodinville, DeLille Cellars. DeLille rose to prominence under the guidance of eminent winemaker Chris Upchurch. They now rely on one or Washington’s greats, their director of winemaking Jason Gorski. DeLille Cellars was the first winery in Washington to focus on creating Bordeaux style wine blends and makes arguably the best Bordeaux style white wine in North America with its ‘Chaleur Blanc.’ This wine holds strong with any Bordeaux style wine that you will find in the new world. DeLille sources from their estate, 20-acre vineyard in Red Mountain as well as premier vineyards in the Yakima Valley. They have a gorgeous new winery built in what was formerly the Red Hook Brewery and even have a killer rooftop there with sweeping views of Mt. Ranier. My wife and I visited on a warm summer day and it was the perfect place to kick back and enjoy a glass of Rose.

I have been massively impressed with the quality of Jason’s Rose wines in over the years and the 2020 DeLille Cellars Rose (OB, 93) is one of the great Rose wines that I have tried so far this year. The texture and flavor range here is sinfully good, as is the outstanding finish. I adored the 2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Metier’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which shows fantastic range and is downright killer juice at this price point. Learn more about this fantastic winery at www.delillecellars.com Here are the great new release wines from DeLille.

2020 DeLille Cellars Rose- The 2020 Rose by DeLille Cellars has only slightly changed their blend, having 52% Mourvedre, and 43% Grenache with a splash of Cinsault. The nose is wonderfully earthy with melon, citrus blossom and watermelon tones that round out the nose. The mouthfeel and texture of the wine is seriously good. This is refreshing style of Rose with bright red fruits that shows a great sense of weight and length. Gratifying to drink now, this has some cellaring potential. Drink 2021-2028- 93

2020 DeLille Cellars Roussanne- The 2020 DeLille Cellars Roussanne is a beautiful new wine by the talented winemaking team. The nose shows great balance from banana and honeydew melon tones alongside starfruit and damp earth aromatics. The palate is fresh, vibrant and beautifully textured. The weight really entices as layers of melon and Yakima cherry mingle with minerals and earthy tones on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go. Drink 2021-2028- 93

2020 DeLille Cellars ‘Roofline White’ White Wine- A blend of mostly Chardonnay from Oregon, this shows green papaya, wet stone and melon tones on the nose. The palate is fresh with a soft texture. This easy drinking white wine shows banana and melon tones on the palate. Drink 2021-2025- 90

2020 DeLille Cellars Riesling- Sourced from an old block in the Bacchus Vineyard that has since been removed, this one of a kind, Trocken style wine shows petrol and yellow florals on the nose with shades of Japanese pear. The palate has great tension with a wonderful sense of minerality and just a kiss of sweetness. Drink 2021-2027- 92

2020 DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Estate Blanc’ White Wine- The 2020 ‘Chaleur Estate Blanc’ white wine is a gorgeous blend of 73% Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder Semillon. The Semillon really seems to be showing a lot here with banana and melon alongside wet stone and lemon blossom that all mingle in the glass. The palate shows good freshness and weight with a great sense of elegance and minerality. The length adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2021-2031- 94

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Marguarite’ White Wine- Made in cigar barrels, this special Sauvignon Blanc is a barrel-selection wine sourced from Block 5 in Sagemoor Vineyard, with vines dating back to 1972. The wine comes off big and burly with incredible texture and weight. Layers of buttercream and honeydew melon combine with baking spice infused Challah bread all impress on the palate. Drink 2021-2031- 94

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Roofline’ Red Wine- The ‘Roofline’ is a Pinot Noir wine made primarily for restaurants. The nose brings gobs of juicy red fruits with orange rind tones. The palate has good freshness and weight, with ripe red cherry and raspberry tones alongside a good sense of minerality. Drink 2021-2027- 90

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Metier’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Metier’ is a gorgeous blend of 42% Grenache and Mourvedre (36%) with smaller parts Syrah and Cinsault. The garrigue notes are gorgeous as bright red cherry and cigar box tones mingle with black olive that mingle on the nose. The palate shows good freshness with a great sense of mouthfeel. Layers of ripe red and dark fruits parade with stony and earthy tones, with sagebrush and creosote tones. This fantastic wine for the price. Drink 2021-2028- 93

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Signature’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Signature’ Syrah is a bold and decadent wine made from this somewhat cooler vintage. Once on the nose this takes on smoke and bacon fat tones alongside huckleberry and milk chocolate tones on this gorgeous nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity and mouthfeel. Layers of rich dark fruits collide with minerals, smoked brisket and scorched earth tones. This is delicious now and will continue to evolve for another decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Grand Ciel’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Grand Ciel’ Syrah is a beautiful effort that has some serious aging potential. Once on the nose this shows smoky tones a alongside black currants, tar and black olive tapenade. The palate is fresh and refined with great elegance and acidity. Ripe blackberry and black cherry tones collide with minerals, smoke and shades of dried herbs on the palate. Delightful in its youth, this has some great cellaring potential. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Doyenne’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Doyenne’ is a Provence inspired blend of 59% Syrah with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark chocolate shavings and tar tones mine with black olives and sagebrush undertones on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured with a great sense of minerality. Layers of bright dark fruits mingle with blackberry compote, tar and anise all combine on the palate. Great in its youth, this will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2021-2028- 93

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Minuit’ Red Wine- A blend of 68% Malbec with the reminder Cabernet Sauvignon, this shows chocolate and coffee ground tones alongside red cherry and sagebrush tones that all take shape in the glass. The wine shows generous viscosity and freshness with milk chocolate, blackberry cordial and tar flavors that mingle with salty undertones, giving this a savory edge. Drink 2021-2035- 93

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘D2’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘D2’ Red Wine is a blend of 61% Merlot with 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and small parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. On the nose this shows cherry tomato and red currants that mingle with sage and mocha tones that mingle in the glass. The palate has good power and freshness with ripe red and dark fruits with chocolate and salty tones. This is beautiful wine to savor now, as this will evolve well over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 92

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Le Colosse’ Red Wine- This is the second edition of this wine that is now 100% Merlot sourced from there vineyards: Boushey, DuBrul and Harrison Hill. The nose is very pretty with bright red fruits and red florals that combine with mocha and scorched earthy undertones. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured with a good sense of weight. Layers of ripe red currants and red cherry combine with chocolate, sagebrush and refined tannins. This has wonderful length despite its youth, as this outstanding new wine will c cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2021-2035- 94

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Red Willow’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Red Willow’ Red Wine combines 56% Cabernet Franc with 35% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is savory showing good herbal tones alongside red rose petals and red cherry. The palate is very pretty and shows good freshness with a beautiful texture. Ripe red fruits mingle with scorched earth, sagebrush and red bell pepper undertones. The length here is outstanding as this beautiful, very pretty Cabernet Franc dominant wine will show well for decades to come. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Discovery Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Discovery Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon wine is a limited production wine that is 100% varietal. The nose is beautifully perfumed with ripe red florals that mingle with garrigue, dark chocolate shavings and shades of red bell pepper that round out the sensational aromatics. The palate is refined, showing great weight and poise. The seamless texture adds to the enjoyment, with a gorgeous core of dark fruits, dried herbs and chocolate tones. Beautiful in its youth, this outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon will cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2036- 95

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Four Flags’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from four distinct growing regions, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine shows black currant aromatics and mocha tones that mingle with bayleaf and light red bell pepper tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is elegant round and refined, with firm tannins holding in a great core of dark fruits and chocolate cake tones. A light dusting of salinity adds to the refinement here. Drink 2021-2033- 94

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Shaw Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 “Shaw Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful wine by the DeLille winemaking team. On the nose this shows of Turkish coffee and creme de violette tones alongside tar and huckleberry cordial that all sing in unison. The palate takes on a seamless texture, effortlessly gliding across the drinking experience. The flavors range is also really great from a dense core of dark fruits, to coffee grounds, dried herbs and chocolate flavors. Gorgeous in its youth, this will have another two decades ahead of it. Drink 2021-2038- 95

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Klipsun Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Klipsun Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous offering by DeLille Cellars. This 100% varietal wine shows off rich red and dark fruits alongside Turkish coffee and creosote tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is big and bold with a seamless texture. Ripe dark currants are woven together with minerals, smoke and Black Forest cake on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Grand Ciel’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Grand Ciel’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a limited production, 100% varietal wine that was aged in 100% new French oak prior to bottling. The palate shows good flavor density and weight, with plenty of finesse. Rich creme de cassis and anise tones meld with Turkish coffee, salty undertones and firm tannins holding everything in place. The long finish lingers. Gorgeous in its youth, this has a long way to go. Drink 2021-2038- 95

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Chaleur Estare’ Red Wine is a blend of 65% Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot from Klipsun Vineyard and the reminder Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The chocolate and violet tones really impress aromatically with sagebrush and a deep wall of dark fruits. The wine is beautifully textured with a soft mouthfeel. Generous, with great length, this has some great cellaring potential. This is highly refined stuff. Drink 2021-2038- 95

2019 DeLille Cellars ‘Harrison Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- DeLille Cellars has been making this wine for 26 years now. Sagebrush, tar, black currant and black licorice tones all fill the nose. The palate is very elegant and refined with a soft sense of texture. Layers of cassis and anise mingle with sagebrush, milk chocolate and salty undertones on the palate. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to evolve. Drink 2021-2036- 94

Betz Family Wines ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah Vertical Tasting

Over the years I have been enamored by the great wines produced in the stony terroir of the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. Certainly it all started with Christophe Baron in the stones, as he planted these iconic sites that top winemakers have sought to emulate. A great story in its own right, Betz Family Wines years ago purchased a vineyard in this AVA that needed some tender loving care. The process of reviving this vineyard has been a challenge but has reaped some serious benefits. 

The Betz ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah is their lone wine from the Rocks AVA and it is a seriously good one. I have been captivated by this wine since it was first released. The wine has great stony character and marvelous flavor and aromatic range. It is silky, geared towards texture and length. I highly recommend you checking out this wine if you have never tried it.

I had the great opportunity a few weeks ago to sit down with Louis Skinner and taste through these glorious wines. I noticed that the 2016 ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah (OB, 95) had already been beautifully evolved and was really peaking at the five year mark. This wine was showing more non-fruit character and was seamless and elegant with outstanding range. The 2017 ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah (OB, 95) was quite different and showed a deeper core of dark fruits as did the 2018 ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah (OB, 96). The 2018 edition was the finest wine of this trio for my palate. It was very young and fresh but was sinfully good to enjoy even at the three year mark. Learn more about these exceptional wines at betzfamilywinery.com Here are my reviews of the outstanding ‘Domaine de Pierres’ vertical tasting. 

2016 Betz ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah- Interestingly enough, this shows some tones of a freshly baked cookie on the nose with smoked brisket, wet stone and green olives that all impress. The palate is round and generous with a silky mouthfeel and beautiful sense of texture while maintaining great acidity. Black tea and black olive tapenade mingle with a core of dark fruits, iodine and stony undertones on the palate. This has a seamless feeling throughout the drinking experience. Enjoy this great wine over the next eight years. Drink 2021-2027- 95

2017 Betz ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Surah shows quite a different bouquet than the 2016. Smoked pork shoulder and green peppercorns with summer sausage and a terrific core of dark fruits all mark the nose. The palate has a great sense of flavor density with blackberry and huckleberry flavors alongside dried herbs, wet stone and shows firm tannins. This is delicious now but the wine has some outstanding potential with its degree of weight and finesse. Drink 2021-2031- 95

2018 Betz ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Domaine de Pierres’ Syrah is showing beautifully at the three year mark. The aromatic range here is truly outstanding. The palate is more reminiscent of the 2016 bottling being more open and plush. Layers of charcuterie and allspice mingle with black olive tapenade, smoked meats and huckleberry tones with shades of iodine on the palate. The savory and salty tones produce a great sense of acidity. This is seriously refined stuff that is drinking even more beautifully than when I first tried it. Drink 2021-2029- 96