Sodhani Vineyards

Nestled just north of St. Helena, Sodhani Vineyards is a small, family run operation that is set on a 11 acre property which was purchased in 2013. Proprietors Arvind and Beverly Sodhani make a small amount of wine, utilizing the talents of Thomas Rivers Brown. Arvind has been interested in wine since his days studying in London. Over time be became a wine collector and even made his own wine from the famed ‘To Kalon Vineyard’ for several years at a custom crush facility before pulling the trigger on some hallowed land in St. Helena.

This hillside property was first planted back in 2000 and has some prestigious neighbors in Vineyard 29 as well as a Colgin owned vineyard next door. The wine that I tasted was their 2016 ‘Reserve’ which is a barrel selection of their finest lots. I adored the 2016 Sodhani ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is dense and complex, showing insanely good flavor range at even the five year mark. This beautiful wine will cellar well for decades to come. Learn more about this outstanding winery at sodhanivineyards.com and here is my review of the 2016 Sodhani ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon.  

2016 Sodhani ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The utterly fabulous 2016 ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Sodhani is a crazy good new wine by Thomas Rivers Brown. Aged for 20 months in new French oak, this takes on dark currant aromatics woven together with tobacco leaf, blackberry compote and mocha tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is plush, seamless and sinfully good. Rich dark fruits collide with creosote, leather, blueberry cordial and Turkish coffee. Highly complex, delicious and gratifying with its combination of verve and viscosity, this sensational new bottling will provide drinking enjoyment for another twenty years or more. But why wait? Drink 2021-2041- 96

DAMA Wines

Mary Tuuri Derby has a long history in the Washington wine industry. Back in 2000 Mary and her husband Devin Derby got their start in Washington wine by creating famed Spring Valley Vineyard. Devin’s unexpected death in 2004 was a huge shock to Mary’s life and left her wondering how best to support herself and her young son. Collaboration and community made the decision for her when nine Walla Walla wineries got together and donated a large quantity of wine, a “very large barrel of love,” says Mary, that ultimately became the beginnings of DAMA.  

Mary has been partnered at DAMA Wineswoth Judith Shulman over the last ten years. These are beautiful wines that I have particularly enjoyed over the past seven or so vintages. Mary’s wines have good tension and restraint — they are never overblown or over-extracted. She has been doing a fabulous job with her Rose wine over the years. The new 2020 DAMA Rose (OB, 90) is a fresh and vibrant effort made from Cabernet Franc grapes. Even better is the sensational 2018 DAMA ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 93) which has plenty of aromatic and flavor range with a seamless texture. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://damawines.com Here are the great new releases by DAMA.

2019 DAMA Wines Rose- Entirely made from Cabernet Franc grapes, the 2020 DAMA Rose shows bright green apple and kiwi with nectarine flavors, alongside a great veil of minerality. Brighter red fruits and orange rind undertones add to the complexity here, as this delicate and intricate style of Rose would be a marvelous combination with fresh Kusshi oysters. Drink 2021-2024- 90

2019 DAMA Wines ‘GSM’ Red WIne- The 2019 ‘GSM’ combines Grenache (46%) with Syrah (39%) and Mourvedre (15%). Red currants and garrigue tones mingle with sage and red cherry cordial on the nose. The palate is fresh and refined with lighter red fruits with citrus rind, bulls blood and creosote tones. Drink 2021-2029- 91

2018 DAMA Wines ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah- Sourced from this famed side in the Walla Walla Rocks District, the 2018 ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah shows black tea with Umami, beef fat, black licorice candy and black olive tapenade flavors. Medium-bodied and full of finesse, this beautifully textured effort will provide drinking enjoyment over the next eight years. Drink 2021-2029- 93

2018 DAMA Wines ‘Lonesome Spring Vineyard’ Syrah- Lighter in the glass than the ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah, this yields smoky tones that mingle with blackberry compote, tar and baking spices aromatically. The palate has gobs of mouth-watering acidity with medium-bodied dark fruit flavors that come together with shades of salted meats and orange rind undertones. Drink 2021-2029- 92

2017 DAMA Wines ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Merlot- Sourced from this great high elevation site in the Walla Walla Valley, the 2017 ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Merlot reveals a soft texture and light dusting of salinity on the palate. Ripe red cherry and black raspberry flavors mingle with minerals, and cocoa powder undertones on the palate. This beautiful wine has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2035- 91

2017 DAMA Wines ‘XL Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- I have really admired wines from this newer, high elevation vineyard. The 2018 ‘XL Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc shows pretty dark florals with cigar ash, blackberry compote and shades of dark chocolate cake on this beautiful bouquet. The palate is soft and generous with a silky texture. This comes off as highly elegant and seamless with ripe dark fruits that combine with shades of tobacco leaf, tar and coffee grounds. The pillowy texture and good length add to the enjoyment. Great and highly gratifying to enjoy in its youth, this has at least another decade ahead of it. Drink 2021-2032- 92 

2016 DAMA Wines Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Walla Walla Valley, the 2016 DAMA Wines Cabernet Sauvignon has layers of sagebrush and leather that are woven together with blackberry cobbler and tar on the nose. The palate has great elegance and restraint, yet yields a downright voluptuous mouthfeel. Layers of anise, cassis, blackberry compote and espresso bean flavors all collide with minerals on the palate. A joy to savor right now, the 2016 DAMA Wines Cabernet Sauvignon will enjoy another decade or more in the cellar. Drink 2021-2032- 92

Clos Solene

I love the inspired stories of Paso Robles. Such is the case with Clos Solene, a tale of romance and following the heart. Clos Solene is an inspired story fueled by the love of two people who founded this outstanding winery. Guillaume Fabre met the love of his life, Solene Fabre and they both eventually settled in Paso Robles. Fast forward to today, the Fabre Family is now a family of five: Clémentine (their oldest daughter), Jean (their middle son), and Juliette (their youngest daughter). Guillaume has named all his favorite wines after his children – Sweet Clémentine, Cuvée Jean and the arrival of Cuvée Juliette in 2019. After purchasing an estate in 2017, the family lives at the farmhouse on the property, as their boutique winery lies the west side of Paso Robles in the heart of the Willow Creek District.

The new wines were simply outstanding across the board. The 2020 Clos Solene ‘La Rose’ Rose (OB, 92) is fresh and beautifully textured with insanely good range. Even better is the sinfully good 2018 Clos Solene ‘Cuvee Jean’ Syrah (OB, 97) which takes you straight to Cornas with the crazy good aromatics and salty tones Learn more about these beautiful new wines at https://www.clossolene.com Here are the outstanding new release wines by Clos Solene.

2020 Clos Solene ‘La Rose’ Rose- A simply delightful blend of 61% Grenache with 20% Mourvedre, 17% Cinsault and a splash of Syrah, this shows off a beautiful pale hue with a silky texture and vibrant sense of verve. Sour red fruits collide with minerals, honeydew melon,  green papaya and wet stone on the palate. This is very Paso meets Provence. Drink 2021-2027- 92

2020 Clos Solene ‘Hommage Blanc’ White Wine- The 2018 ‘Hommage Blanc’ is a compelling blend of nearly all Roussanne (78%) with smaller portions Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Beautifully textured, this is super refined stuff with gooseberry, lemon zest, cantaloupe and stony undertones. The silky texture and wonderful sense of weight and finesse makes this stunning wine have some cellaring potential. Drink 2021-2028- 93

2018 Clos Solene ‘Harmonie’ Red Wine- The Grenache dominant ‘Harmonie’ has smaller parts Mourvedre and Syrah blended in, as this is very Paso meets CDP. Aromatically the Grenache really dominates with its high-toned red rose peatals, orange rind and red fruits, while smoky undertones also add to the enjoyment. The palate is seamless and beautifully textured, with a great combination of pomegranate seed, Yakima cherry cordial, cigar box, and blood orange zest with salty undertones. Focused and highly poised, with good richness, this outstanding wine is utterly sensational to savor now and will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2033- 95

2018 Clos Solene ‘Hommage A Nos Pairs’ Syrah- Inky and brooding once in the glass, with just a touch of Viognier and Grenache blended in, this Syrah wine saw 23 months of French oak before bottling. The palate is seamless with a massive wall of blackberry and huckleberry fruits, with creosote, black licorice and anise, as well as nectarine undertones from the Viognier. With a light dusting of salinity, this terroir-driven and dense Syrah will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 95

2018 Clos Solene ‘Cuvee Jean’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Cuvee Jean’ is a blend of nearly all Syrah with 3% Viognier co-fermented. Quite simply, this is one of the great California Syrah wines that I have tasted over the past year. The nose quite simply explodes out of the glass, unveiling deep layers of black olive tapenade, black tea and blackberry cordial, with a light dusting of white pepper encrusted smoked brisket. The palate is seamless and plush, with intense black fruits that collide with smoke, bacon fat and tar, as well as herbs de provence and green peppercorns. If smelled blind, I would go straight to Cornas. Rich and layered, yet showing insanely good tension, viscosity and terroir, this highly collectable wine will surely satisfy any serious collector of Paso Robles Syrah. Drink 2021-2038- 97

2018 Clos Solene ‘Fleur de Solene’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Fleur de Solene’ blends 51% Syrah with 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Grenache. The resultant wine is dense and highly perfumed from the Grenache with a silky texture. Red currants and roasted figs mingle with shades of dark chocolate and tobacco leaf on the palate. With good restraint and tension this outstanding and novel blend will cellar well over the next decade or more. Drink 2021-2035- 94

Passing Time

Yesterday I had the chance to taste with two legends in their respective fields — NFL legend Damon Huard and Washington Wine legend, Chris Peterson. Damon and Dan Marino had talking about owning a winery together for many years. They finally got the nerve to start a winery in Damon’s backyard and they have been crafting some seriously good Cabernet wines since their first release with the 2012 vintage. One of the great winemaking talents in the state, Chris Peterson was the first graduate of the Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture program and working at DeLille for eight years under legendary winemaker Chris Upchurch. 

I remember being excited when Peterson was hired to be head winemaker at Passing Time as this would be a quite different project than his Avennia wines. The new wines from the 2018 vintage were utterly fantastic across the board. I was enamored by his 2018 Passing Time Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is sourced from some of the great vineyards across Washington and has tremendous texture and length without heavy-handed oak treatment. I was enamored by their 2018 Passing Time ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is silky and elegant with very refined tannins and beautiful viscosity and length. This, like the other single appellation releases, has some outstanding cellaring potential.  Learn more about this fantastic  boutique winery at http://www.passingtime.com Here is my review of the new Passing Time wines.

2019 Passing Time Chardonnay- Sourced rom 1984 ‘Celilo Vineyard' plantings as well as Connor Lee, Boushey and Kenny Hill vineyards, this was aged for fifteen months in 50% new French oak prior to bottling. Right out of the gate this shows off toasty brioche with pear and marzipan tones all fill the nose. The palate is plush with a soft texture and wonderful brightness. Ripe Japanese pear and lemon zest dusted sourdough bread and a wonderfully long finish. This is incredibly well-balanced stuff that will cellar well over the next decade, picking up nutty and earthy tones as it ages. Drink 2021-2031- 94

2018 Passing Time ‘Columbia Valley’ Red Wine- The2018 ‘Red Wine’ is sourced from a host of great vineyards including Champoux and Wallula, and blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Petit Verdot that was aged for twenty months in 50% new French oak before bottling. The nose showcases a great core of black and blue fruits with coffee grounds and shades of green bell pepper aromatics that meld in the glass. The palate is silky and harmonious with a great core of blackberry liquor, black cherry compote, tar and anise tones alongside espresso bean undertones. This is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2018 Passing Time ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A blend of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon (1984 plantings from the Klipsun Vineyard and Red Mountain Vineyard fruit) with just a touch of Bacchus Vineyard Cabernet. Franc, this saw 75% new French oak before bottling. The nose is downright hedonistic yielding rich cassis and creme de violette tones alongs with scorched earth and mocha. The palate is plush with a scintillating texture and gorgeous sense of place. Rich dark and red fruits collide with minerals, smoke and tar undertones. The bright acidity and wonderful sensation of viscosity makes this absolutely sing. Be sure to give this a two hour decant if enjoying win its youth. Drink 2022-2040- 96

2018 Passing Time ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A blockbuster wine, the 2018 ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a downright stunning wine by Passing Time. This is the first time that they have added just a touch of Champoux Vineyard Merlot. Nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this shows off huckleberry compote and loganberry liquor on the nose with sagebrush and milk chocolate all combine on the nose. The palate shows great fruit weight and flavor density with a great wall of dark fruits that mingle with espresso bean and sagebrush tones. This is a dense but seamless expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. Still quite restrained and having massive potential, this outstanding wine really needs another year of bottle age before consuming. Drink 2022-2042- 96

2018 Passing Time ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards, this is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that saw 60% new French oak for 21 months before bottling. The nose is downright hedonistic with blueberry compote and mocha tones that combine with shades of tar and dried herbs. Refined tannins line a massive core of black and blue fruits with Turkish coffee and violets on the palate. Muscular and dense, with a massive aging potential, this will live on for decades to come. Drink 2022-2042- 95

2019 Passing Time ‘Block 1311’ Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Sample (95-97

Piolet Vintners

A Washington winery with a very high ceiling, Piolet is the brainchild of Andy Ferguson, who is a winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Andy crafts some very limited production bottlings and I have been really impressed with what I have tried so far. His latest set of release are even more outstanding than the last set of wines I tried roughly two years ago. These are wines that are geared towards texture and mouthfeel sourcing from some outstanding vineyard sites including La Reyna Blanca and Stoneridge. It is worth noting that Andy also worked on the ‘Single Barrel Select’ TBA style wine by Chateau Ste. Michelle which is one of the best wines that I have tasted over the past year.

I love the new 2019 Piolet Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which has amazing texture and depth from the oak barrel regimen, yet shows wonderful verve. Look to the truly sensational 2018 Piolet Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which completely overdelivers at under 50 bucks. This finesse driven wine shows good depth and concentration from this outstanding vintage. Learn more at pioletvintners.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Piolet.

2019 Piolet Sauvignon Blanc- This is sourced from a small block in the La Reyna Blanca vineyard which is a high elevation, windswept site that is southern facing. The wine was aged in natural oak and stainless steel prior to bottling. The wine is big and unctuous with grapefruit, lychee and passion fruit with lighter green herbs.. Drink 2021-2027- 92

2020 Piolet Sauvignon Blanc (barrel sample)- 89-91

2018 Piolet Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Piolet Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) is sourced from the Quintessence and Shaw Vineyards on Red Mountain as well as the Discovery Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills. The nose is very pretty with black rose and blackberry compote as well as tar, black licorice and cigar box tones meld in the glass. The palate is silky and elegant with good viscosity and finesse. Layers of black fruits collide with chocolate covered espresso bean, sagebrush and anise tones. The length and generous texture is outstanding. Drink 2021-2038- 94

2018 Piolet Syrah- The 2018 Piolet Syrah is sourced from the famed ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ as this is entirely Joseph Phelps clone Syrah from this south-facing site in the Royal Slope AVA. The wine his big and bold with good acidity and shows a beautiful texture. Roasted figs and red cherry puree collide with creosote, smoked pork shoulder and soy sauce undertones all impress. Showing good freshness and finesse, this will provide drinking enjoyment over the next decade. Drink 2021-2029- 93

Saint K Wines

I love new winery projects that impress. Such is the case with Saint K Wines, Founder Chris Kiranbay grew up in the Middle East and has a longstanding history in the wine industry. A trip to Napa inspired a move across country to California. Chris worked a harvest there and visited Paso Robles back in 2010. Working in fine dining, as well as a wine brokerage, he began working for Herman Story Wines in 2013, and subsequently began making some of his own wines.

I love the new 2020 Saint K ‘Around the Way’ Rose (OB, 91) which has gorgeous freshness and finesse with seriously good range. Even better is the sinfully good 2019 Saint K ‘Everything Is Under Control’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which like the name states, shows great freshness despite its full-throttle demeanor. Learn more about this fantastic boutique winery at https://www.burkewine.comHere are my reviews of the great new Saint K wines. 

2020 Saint K ‘Around the Way’ Rose- Made from Mourvedre grapes, this shows off a beautiful texture with great lift and vibrant acidity. Soft red fruits collide with rose water, melon and orange rind tones on the palate. This is seriously good, vibrant Rose. Drink 2021-2026- 91

2020 Saint K ‘Flower Bomb’ Malvasia Blanc- Extremely floral, just as the wine suggests, the honeysuckle and ripe peach tones aromatically impress. The palate is beautifully seamless with a silky texture and gobs of melon and citrus fruits that connect w int stony minerals. This will get more earthy with some age as the weight and acidity suggest some cellaring potential. Drink 2021-2029- 92

2019 Saint K ‘Like The Snows of Yesteryear’ Sangiovese- Truly a unique and outstanding Sangiovese wine that is sourced from the White Hawk Vineyard, this shows off roasted fig flavors alongside minerals, tar and shades of menthol on the palate. Firm tannins hold everything in place brilliantly. The bright acidity and citrus rind accents add to the enjoyment here, as this compelling new wine will cellar well over the next eight years. Drink 2021-2029- 93

2019 Saint K ‘Everything Is Under Control’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Rangeland Vineyard, this Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 33% New French oak for 18 months before bottling. It comes up inky in the glass, delivering rich cassis, anise and blackberry compote flavors with tar undertones. Full-throttle and delicious to savor now, with good freshness, this has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2032- 93

Duckhorn

An outstanding Napa house that made their name hedging their bet on top notch Merlot, Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Duckhorn Vineyards back in 1976.  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.

In August of 2003, Renée joined the Duckhorn Vineyards team under then winemaker, Mark Beringer. Throughout her first decade at Duckhorn Vineyards, Renée learned every detail of production moving from lab manager to enologist to assistant winemaker to associate winemaker in charge of Duckhorn’s Sauvignon Blanc and Monitor Ledge Vineyard wines. Renee has crafted some beautiful wines over the past few years. She has a gorgeous new release white wine, her 2020 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 90), which has great poise and a touch of buttery tones from the Semillon.  has great balance and a soft, beautiful texture. I was blown away with the 2018 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot (OB, 94) which is a show-stopping Merlot that is seamless and beautifully textured. This is one for any serious collector of new world Merlot. Learn more about this famed winery at duckhorn.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Duckhorn. 

2020 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvingon Blanc- The 2020 ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is a great blend of 84% Sauvignon Blanc with the remainder Semillon that was aged in mostly stainless steel (8% new French oak) before bottling. The palate is soft and fresh with kiwi, gooseberry and green apple tones alongside shades of toasty brioche. Drink 2021-2025- 90

2019 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc-The 2019 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc is all about a great combination of weight and freshness with bright acidity and really good poise. Layers of melon fruits and minerals combine with kiwi and starfruit tones on the palate. Really good now, this would be awesome on a sunny day. Drink 2021-2025- 91

2018 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot- The 2018 ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot has 16% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in with just a splash of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aged for fifteen months in 100% new French oak, this shows off black tea, exotic spices and black currants on the nose with milk chocolate undertones. The palate is silky, elegant and nicely concentrated as rich dark fruits parade with coffee grounds, Earl Grey tea and chocolate cake tones. Gorgeous now, this will continue to evolve well for the next decade or more. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2018 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Duckhorn Cabernet Sauvignon has a large portion of Merlot blended in (16%), as this saw 50% new French oak for sixteen months prior to bottling. Sagebrush and thyme fill the nose with cassis, anise and shades of espresso bean. The palate is ripe and generous with silky tannins. Layers of blackberry compote, tar and black licorice all meld together with a good sense of acidity. Drink 2021-2033- 91

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 2021-2035- 93

2018 Duckhorn ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ Merlot- Starting all the way back in 1978 Dan and Margaret Duckhorn decided to craft a single vineyard Merlot sourced from their ‘Three Palms Vineyard’ in Calistoga. A blend of nearly all Merlot with 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and small portions Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec, this shows off rich milk chocolate aromatics, woven together with blueberry pie, and cassis that all take shape in the glass. The palate is silky smooth and viscous with great poise and tension. Black currants dance with black licorice, mocha, tar and tilled soils on the palate. This is exceedingly good Merlot even at the three year mark, as this will provide drinking enjoyment for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2021-2038- 94

2017 Duckhorn ‘The Discussion’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘The Discussion’ is a gorgeous blend of near equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with a touch of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc added. This saw 26 months triage in mostly new French oak before bottling. The wine shows good power and density with rich dark fruits that combine with coffee grounds, tar and milk chocolate. Downright delicious to savor now, this has another fifteen years or more to go. Drink 2021-2038- 93

House of Bones

Who doesn’t love a great Washington Chardonnay? Some might see the wine as a bit of a cross between Napa and Oregon with wines that show good fleshy character seemingly regardless of vintage but also show slightly more cooler tones than Napa. House of Bones is a project winery by co-winemakers Sean Boyd and Kevin Masterman who have a passion for Burgundy. Kevin has had incredible opportunities to learn white wine making from top new world producers such as David Ramey, and Walla Walla’s own Griffin Frey and John Abbott. They source from a hallowed site in the Columbia Gorge, which creates wines that have seriously good poise with lovely citrus tones. For many years I have adored wines coming from the famed ‘Celilo Vineyard’ in the Columbia Gorge. I’ve had Woodward Canyon bottlings back to the early 1990s and have been really impressed with how wines from this site cellar.

The 2019 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) is fresh and highly energetic with gorgeous range. Even better is the sinfully good 2018 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is deeply concentrated with a wonderful sense of texture and minerality. Learn more about this fantastic project winery at https://www.properwines.com/House-of-Bones

Here are my notes on the the brilliant releases by House of Bones.

2019 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from this outstanding site, this weighs in at only 13.4% alcohol. The wine is incredibly textured with good length and weight. Layers of lemon oil, wild mushroom and papaya mingle with stony minerals on the palate. Outstanding now, this will provide drinking enjoyment over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 92

2018 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay-  Even more deep and concentrated than the 2019 edition, the 2018 House of Bones shows a wonderful sense of body and texture. Lemon oil and cardamom dusted brioche mingle with ripe pineapple and honeydew melon on the palate. The combination of verve, viscosity and minerality is gorgeous here. Drink 2021-2031- 93

2017 House of Bones ‘Celilo Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Silky and elegant, this 2017 Chardonnay is marvelously evolved now at the four year mark. Marzipan, lemon zest and Challah bread tones mingle with starfruit and kiwi on the palate. Deep and rich, with a great acid backbone, this has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2029- 93

Lingua Franca Pinot Noir Vertical Tasting

Talk about starting a winery with a boom. The first time I tried Lingua Franca wines I remember that it was a warm day, plus 90 degrees, in the Willamette Valley. Probably the worst thing to reach for was Pinot Noir but I cracked one of their ‘Avni’ Pinot Noirs and was simply amazed! The last time I saw Lingua Franca founder Larry Stone MS was at the last Wine Spectator event in New York. That was October 2019. The last time I saw Lingua franca winemaker Thomas Savre was at my favorite Champagne bar in Portland. That was December 2019. It has been a while. 

Each bottle was shipped from the winery, ensuring the best provenance. Thomas and I had talked about doing a vertical tasting together, but due to Covid, this was the best option. Over the course of several hours I sat with these wines and was truly blown away with the youthfulness and overall quality and terroir of each warm vintage wine. These were all sourced from the esteemed ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Vineyard, which is intriguingly set on Jory and Nekkia soils, which in many cases leads to a stony, volcanic profile in the red and white wines. 

2016 was a very warm vintage, as was 2018, while 2017 was slightly cooler but still warm to Oregon standards. 2018 saw the most severe heat spikes despite having a cooler fall which led to wines achieving beautiful freshness and finesse. The 2018 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) just ever so slightly eclipsed the other two bottlings in terms of depth, concentration, range and overall finesse. The plush and rather luxurious texture really added to the enjoyment. For those who have never tired the beautiful wines of Lingua Franca, I highly recommend that you do check out these highly collectible Oregon Pinot Noirs. And for more info go to lingua franca.com. Here are my notes from my incredible Lingua Franca Pinot Noir vertical tasting. 

2016 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir is a silky, rich effort from this warm vintage that is already shining very brightly. This was the first vintage of our Estate Pinot Noir sourced from a barrel selection of Pinot Noir from their 66-acre ‘LS Vineyard.’ Aged for twelve months in only 25% new French oak before bottling, this shows off gorgeous red rose petals and exotic spices alongside peat moss and smoldering rocks with a good core of pretty red fruits on the nose. The palate is seamless, round and generous with a great sense of mouthfeel an tension. Rich red currants and Yakima cherry tones mingle with minerals, wet stone and cran-orange flavors. While great now, this has a really long life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2017 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir- Outstanding now at the four year mark, the 2017 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir is sourced from this unique site set on Jory and Nekia soils. Citrus rind, guava and shades of damp earth all fill the nose. The palate its fresh and vibrant with a light dusting of salinity that runs through the core of bright red fruits, alongside kumquat, tilled earth and shades of wild mushroom. The juicy core of red fruits seems to be shining the most brightly and while primary, the secondary notes are really evolving nicely here. While a touch less dense than the ’16, the finesse suggests a really long life. I would anticipate another fifteen years with this beautiful, elegant Pinot Noir. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2018 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir- I adore the depth and concentration of the 2018 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir. Red and dark florals dawn the nose, with volcanic earth, peat moss and a great wall of red and dark fruits all greet you aromatically. The palate is deep, luxurious and beautifully textured. Rich huckleberry and black raspberry flavors mingle with forest floor, stony minerals and blood orange zest, with hints of charcuterie. The salty and savory edge here is really good. Gorgeous even at the three year mark, this will be a twenty year wine. Drink 2021-2028- 95

Sullivan Rutherford Estate

I’ll admit that it is quite a challenge to keep up with every Napa outpost. A winery that has some serious longevity, Sullivan began back in 1972. Jim Sullivan’s interest in wine was ignited in the 1950s with a simple grape arbor given to him and his new bride as a wedding gift and he began to make wine at home before moving his family to Rutherford and establishing Sullivan in 1972. The winery began new ownership in 2018 which involved investing in vineyard programs and plans are underway to build a state-of-the-art winery and hospitality facilities which was all led by entrepreneur Juan Pablo Torres-Padilla. 

The top ‘Founder’s Reserve’ wines from this estate were really impressive, as I tasted vintages 2013-2017. This line was formerly known as ‘James O’ Neil’ and I was quite honestly blown away with the latest 2017 release (OB, 95) which is dense and massive, with great poise. These are wines that are cellaring beautifully and the 2014 Sullivan ‘James O’ Neil Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) is still very youthful and shows an inclusion of blue fruits, adding to the enjoyment. I highly recommend these wines for any Napa lover if you have never had the chance to check them out. Learn more at https://sullivanwine.com Here are my tasting notes from Sullivan 2013-2017 Cabernet Sauvignon wines. 

2017 J.O. Sullivan ‘Founder’s Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from older vines on the property, this reveals graphite with anise and creme de cassis, with suggestions of Turkish coffee aromas that all meld in unison. The palate is deep, concentrated and nicely poised. Intense cassis, anise and black currant jelly flavors collide with loamy soils and chocolate covered espresso bean tones on the palate. This is seriously good stuff that will only get better with some time in the bottle. If enjoying in its youth, be sure to give this beauty a one to two hour decant. Drink 2022-2040- 95

2016 Sullivan ‘James O’ Neil’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from this warm vintage, the 2016 ‘James O’ Neil’ reveals exotic spices woven together with loamy soils, black currants and shades of chocolate cake on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured with great viscosity and tension. Rich dark fruits parade with mocha, tar and anise tones on the palate. With great length, this outstanding wine is just starting to hit its stride. Drink 2021-2038- 95

2015 Sullivan ‘James O’ Neil’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2015 ‘James O’ Neil’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic effort from this very warm vintage. Once on the nose this takes on mocha, tar and black currant tones that mingle with the damp soil accents. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity. While this might be a touch leaner in terms of mid-palate development, there is plenty of range here, from ripe dark fruits to coffee grounds, scorched earth and menthol undertones. Gorgeous now, this will continue to provide drinking enjoyment for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2033-  93

2014 Sullivan ‘James O’ Neil’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2014 ‘James O’ Neil’ shows off tar and sandalwood tones with a great wall of dark fruits and chocolate that all come together aromatically. The palate is soft and refined with firm tannins. Rich cassis and blueberry compote mingle with leather, damp tilled soil and espresso bean flavors. The wine comes off as quite elegant with good length. The inclusion of blue fruits gives this plenty of exotic appeal, as the 2014 ‘James O’ Neil’ is really hitting its sweet spot. Drink 2021-2035- 95

2013 Sullivan ‘James O’ Neil’ Cabernet Sauvignon-The 2013 ‘James O’ Neil Cabernet Sauvignon by Sullivan reveals anise and dried herbs alongside a great core of dark fruits and coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is soft, round and nicely evolved, showing a light dusting of salinity. Rich cocoa powder and cassis flavors collide with minerals, Turkish coffee and shades of Black Forest cake on the palate. This is quite seamless and polished mid-palate. Great now, this will continue to evolve well for another decade. Drink 2021-2031- 94

King Estate

King EstatAs we march on another great Oregon Wine Month we bring you what is truly one of the west coast’s most beautiful wineries, King Estate. Located in the southern end of the Willamette Valley. King Estate is one of the few wineries in North America (potentially the only one) where more vines of Pinot Gris are grown than any other varietal. There is a reason for this — year after year King Estate delivers two of the best Pinot Gris bottlings for the price in the state, with their entry level wine and their top of the line ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris. I have had every ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris back to 2011 and I have been pretty overwhelmed with the quality in this bottling which shows amazing texture and range. These also age marvelously as I did a retrospective on these wines a few years back and found them to be standout wines in even hot vintages.

Each year I visit the winery and chat with their winemaker, Brett Stone, who has been at the helm since 2011. Brett crafts some beautiful Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines. His ‘Willamette Valley’ collection of wines has been synonymous with value. I adore the fresh and vibrant 2019 King Estate Pinot Gris (OB, 90) which has great viscosity and tension. For many years I have admired their ‘Domaine’ series which is a barrel selection and more limited production than their ‘Willamette Valley’ bottlings. One of the outstanding Pinot Gris bottling I have had in the past year, their 2019 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris (OB, 93) has good poise and weight. This really has another ten years in front of it!  Learn more about this famed Oregon estate at https://www.kingestate.com

2016 King Estate ‘Brut Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- This spent extensive time aging in the bottle, as the 2016 ‘Brut Cuvee’ shows yeasty and sourdough bread tones aromatically with baking spices and lemon zest tones shining together in the glass. The palate shows good freshness with a light dusting of salinity across green apple, green papaya, smoky minerals and shades of  wild mushroom. The length and mouthfeel is really nice here as this great new wine will be best enjoyed over the next eight years. Drink 2020-2028- 91

2019 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Gris- Soft and beautifully textured, the 2019 Pinot Gris by King Estate shows gooseberry and kumquat tones alongside pear and shades of beeswax on the palate. The degree of tension and viscosity really makes this wine sing. Drink 2021-2026- 90

2019 King Estate. ‘Paradox’ Pinot Gris- The 2019 ‘Paradox’ is a new bottling that showcases barrel-aged Pinot Gris. It comes off very generous on the palate with ripe peach, Japanese pear and kiwi flavors that mingle with nutty undertones. Drink 2021-2027- 90

2019 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris- The 2019 ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris is a sensational bottling by the talented Brett Stone. The rich mouthfeel and vibrant sense of tension both impress, as layers of gooseberry, kiwi and Macadamia nut with tilled soil tones all brilliantly combine on the palate. Fantastic to enjoy now, this has another decade of life in front of it. Drink 2021-2031- 92

2019 King Estate ‘Oregon’ Sauvignon Blanc- Lemongrass and white grapefruit tones mingle with wet stone and minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2021-2024- 88

2019 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- Ripe pear and vanilla cream tones mingle with stony minerals on the palate. A touch lean, this is a fresher style that is best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2021-2025- 88

2020 King Estate Rose- The 2020 Rose by King Estate shows soft guava, strawberry, bubblegum and melon tones on the palate with plenty of acidity. The rich sense of texture adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2021-2025- 90

2019 King Estate ‘Inscription’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Inscription’ shows lighter tart red fruits with citrus rind and tobacco tones on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2021-2024-  88

2018 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir by King Estate shows off damp earth, cranberry and red currants on the nose. The palate is very fresh and vibrant considering the heat of the vintage. Bright red fruits collide with smoke, minerals and peat moss tones on the palate. Drink 2021-2029- 90

Owen Bargreen Concierge Tasting Services

Many years in the making, I wanted to share my exclusive concierge service in which I present some of the great wines of the Pacific Northwest and world in the comforts of your living room. Services can be either through Zoom or an outdoors in-person experience, following Covid-19 guidelines.

I’ll share my thoughts as we taste some of the prized wines of the region together, including those from Cayuse Vineyards, Horsepower Vineyards, Quilceda Creek, Reynvaan, Leonetti Cellar, Domaine Serene, Big Table Farm and many more. Interested in learning more about Champagne and Sparkling Wines? I can help you with that! Want to explore older Oregon wines? I can also do that.

Learn about vintages, varietals or how to taste like a pro, as I offer this exclusive one-on-one experience. Whether it is an afternoon with friends or a corporate tasting experience, I think you will revel in this unique opportunity.

If interested, please email me at owen@owenbargreen.com

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. 

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

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