MacRostie Vineyards

One of the beautiful properties in the Russian River Valley, MacRostie was founded by fellow Whitman College graduate, Steve MacRostie.The winery focuses on high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and for years I have been impressed what they deliver in the bottle for the price. MacRostie Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have quite frankly been a regional pillar in value. Winemaker Heidi Bridenhagen has a illustrious history in the wine industry having an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She has worked in the enology laboratory of Jackson Family Wines before working at Clos du Bois, Oyster Bay as well as Sonoma-Cutrer. She has a really good set of new release wines.

MacRostie sources from some great vineyards including Dutton Ranch, Sangiacomo, Martinelli and Bacigalupi, and from MacRostie’s Estate Wildcat Mountain Vineyard which was purchased decades back. I have always enjoyed wines from the ‘Wildcat Mountain Vineyard’ and this year’s rendition the 2020 MacRostie ‘Sonoma Coast’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is nicely textured and shows delicious orchard fruit flavors. I adore the new 2019 MacRostie ‘Thale’s Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which displays great depth and texture. Learn more about this great Sonoma winery at https://macrostiewinery.com/ Here are the great new wines by MacRostie.

2020 MacRostie ‘Sonoma Coast’ Chardonnay- Crafted from grapes from Carneros as well as the Petaluma Gap, this golden colored Chardonnay shows toasty oak with Macadamia nut tones alongside melon undercurrents. The palate is downright delicious, loaded with orchard and citrus fruits, with soft mouthfeel and wonderful length. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2019 MacRostie ‘Thale’s Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The really good Thale’s Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir was sourced from vines up to 30 years of age.The nose is very alluring with red rose petals, cranberry and cola tones alongside freshly tilled soils. The palate is lithe and polished with great flavor complexity and flavor density. The wonderful length and soft texture adds to the enjoyment and this beautiful wine is truly singing its high octave in its youth. Drink 2022-2034- 93

Sin Banderas

Made from a great team in Washington wine, Sin Banderas was founded by four friends from different parts of the world who all met in Yakima while working together at Owen Roe. The wine is made at the Owen Roe custom crush facility. Sin Banderas winemaker, Jacki Evans, is originally from Texas and studied Biology at the University of Texas in Austin. She has over 10 years of winemaking experience with 15 harvests around the world, including Napa Valley of California, Willamette Valley of Oregon, the Great Southern of Western Australia, Barossa Valley of South Australia, Burgenland, Austria, and Marlborough, New Zealand.  She's been in the Yakima Valley of Washington State making wine with Owen Roe Winery since the 2013 vintage. 

The new wines by Sin Banderas were the best I have tasted yet.  I adored her 2021 Sin Banderas Riesling (OB, 92) which is deftly textured and has insanely good flavor range. The same is true with they 2021 Sin Banderas Rose (OB, 91) which is the best they have produced and is meant to be consumed at a slightly warmer temperature. Learn more about this new wine project at https://www.sinbanderaswines.com Here is my review of the Sin Banderas wines. 

2021 Sin Banderas Riesling- This Yakima Valley bottling was entirely sourced from the famed DuBrul Vineyard. Bone dry this offers a silky smooth texture once on the palate. Green papaya and Gravenstein apple flavors combine with honeycomb and wet stone undertones. Complex and deliciosu, enjoy this beautiful wine with sushi or shellfish. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2021 Sin Banderas Rose- Sporting a lovely bright salmon hue, the 2021 Sin Banderas Rose reveals a very refined palate with a smooth texture. Layers of honeydew melon, bright starfruit, kiwi and wild strawberry all combine brilliantly. This really needs to be served at a warmer temperature to engage the full range of flavors. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2019 Sin Banderas Red WIne- Inky in the glass, the 2019 Sin Banderas Red Wine is a Yakima Valley blend of mostly Syrah (67%) with the remainder Mourvedre. Black tea, iodine, exotic spices and creme de violette all parade on the nose. The palate is medium to full-bodied and is filled with black fruits, salty tones and plenty of tension. Refined to consume now, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 91

Sojourn Cellars

A Sonoma producer that crafts a fantastic range of wines, Sojourn Cellars was founded in 2001 as a partnership between two tennis buddies who discovered a mutual passion for great wine. At Sojourn Craig and Ellen Haserot work together with winemaker Erich Bradley, the former winemaker at Arrowood Winery in Sonoma. A native of Palo Alto, California, Erich has a degree in bio-chemistry from the esteemed University of Chicago and a degree in Philosophy and Modern European Intellectual History from the University of California at Irvine. Eric has crafted some consistently good Pinot Noir and Chardonnay over the past several years.

Erich has been mentored by eminent winemakers Arrowood and David Ramey and sources his wines from some fantastic California vineyards, including Gap’s Crown Vineyard and the Durell Vineyard. The new releases by Sojourn were really impressive considering the challenges of the 2020 vintage. Look to the 2020 Sojourn ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 90) which is nicely salty with good finesse. I adored the new 2019 Sojourn Cellars ‘Oakville Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is one of the finest wines I have tasted from this producer. This beauty will cellar well for decades to come and has amazing flavor density — a joy to drink right now. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.sojourncellars.com Here are the great new wines by Sojourn Cellars.

2021 Sojourn Cellars Rose-Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this excellent 2021 Rose was fermented in stainless steel tanks and then bottled in February 2022. Salty undertones combine with ripe guava and strawberry tones. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2022-2025- 90

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Produced from this famed vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA, this was aged in only 30% new French oak before bottling. Very salty, this reveals a soft texture with lighter pear and white peach flavors. Drink now. Drink 2022-2025- 90

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Durell Vineyard’ Chardonnay- An old Wente Clone Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA, the ‘Durell Vineyard’ Chardonnay is sourced from blocks planted back in the 1990s. The palate is soft and salty, showing medium-bodied Japanese pear flavors that mingle with salty minerals. This is done in a lighter, less intense style than other vintages. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Reuling Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Reuling Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from vines first planted back in 2000. Right away this unveils light to medium intensity brioche and toasty oak tones alongside shades of starfruit on the palate, with salty and peat moss undercurrents. Enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir shows cola and red currant flavors with a slightly bitter edge. Drink now. Drink 2022-2026- 89

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- An outstanding site for Pinot Noir, Sojourn sources their wine from a range of clonal selections. This wine shows really nice flavor density considering the vintage. Ripe red and black fruit parade with tar and pine needles, with salty undercurrents. Enjoy this over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Ridgetop Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The delicious 2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Ridgetop Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was stored in 50% new French oak prior to bottling. Red cherry and salted strawberry flavors mingle with loamy soils on the palate. Great now, consume this over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Walala Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This Sonoma Coast AVA Pinot Noir unveils nice salty character once on the palate. The soft mouthfeel entices as mouth-watering red fruits greet you, alongside a good beam of tension. Drink this soon. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Riddle Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 Sojourn Cellars ‘Riddle Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was stored in 50% new French oak before bottling. This Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir reveals a soft mouthfeel and good length with light red fruit flavors and citrus rind undertones. This is a commendable effort considering the challenges of the vintage. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2019 Sojourn Cellars ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Just a touch (2%) of Petit Verdot was added to this Cabernet Sauvignon which underwent native yeast fermentation and then was stored in 75% new French oak before bottling. Dark current cordial, coffee grounds and shades of mocha all fill the palate, with good concentration and length. Very nicely textured, with refined tannins, this beautiful wine will cellar well easily over the next fifteen years. But why wait? Drink 2022-2037- 93

2019 Sojourn Cellars ‘Oakville Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The seriously good 2019 Sojourn Cellars ‘Oakville Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning new wine that is built to age but also is appealing in its hedonistic youth. Stored in 75% new French oak, this gives off a touch of toasty wood, alongside blackberry pie and black forest cake tones on the nose, with loamy soil undercurrents. Once on the mouth this displays a beam of tension that plays well with refined tannins and a deep core of dark fruit flavors, with espresso ground accents. Give this at least an hour of air if consuming now. Drink 2022-2042- 95

Laurent Perrier 'Grand Siècle' Champagne

One of the famed wines in the world, the ‘Grand Siecle’ is Laurent Perrier’s tête de cuvée which is blended from a host of vintages and also crafted from only grand cru vineyards. Established in 1812, Laurent Perrier is located in the heart of Champagne, in Tours-sur-Marne. Vines are set on limestone soil, highly chalky and showing the distinctiveness of the region. The chalk subsoil holds sufficient water, during dry spells and due its porous nature also provides good drainage when it is wet to prevent roots of becoming water logged, acting a bit like a sponge.

To produce Laurent-Perrier's new Grand Siecle No. 25 chef du cave Michel Fauconnet has blended wines from the 2008, 2007, and 2006 vintages. This wine is truly one of the finest tête de cuvée wines in the world. This wine is irresistible to enjoy right now but will also provide drinking enjoyment for decades to come. Here is my review of the new Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle No. 25 Grand Siècle Champagne. Learn more about this historic Champagne house at http://www.laurent-perrier.com/en/the-wines/

Laurent Perrier ‘Grand Siecle No. 25’ Champagne- The ‘Grand Siecle’ No.25 is mostly from the 2008 vintage (65%) with smaller parts from the 2007 (25%) and 2006 (10%). A blend of 60% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir, this comes from a selection of 9 Grand Cru Vineyards. The nose is wonderfully complex with lemon zest dusted biscuit and shades of kumquat blossom and salted cashew. The palate is deep and concentrated with plenty of weight and finesse. Gorgeous now, this will easily age for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2038- 97

Caliza

Wines that seem to be getting better and better, Caliza, Spanish for "limestone", connects the name to the 20-acre Caliza vineyard located on the west side of Paso Robles. The vineyard is predominantly comprised of hillsides with south-facing slopes which leads to maximum sun exposure.. Set at 900-1200 feet above sea level in Templeton Gap area, the vineyard faces strong diurnal shifts which creates some nice tension in the wines. 

Caliza is spearheaded by Carl and Pam Bowker, who planted near L’Aventure and Booker. I had a great vineyard tour to this site and sat down with Carl Bowker, who graduated from Napa Valley College’s Viticulture and Enology associate program in 2004. One year later he purchased this exciting site and started the winery. The wines get better and better, as I have been so impressed with his winemaking style that is big and bold, with bright acidity. Check out the gorgeous 2019 Caliza ‘Sidekick’ White Wine (OB, 93) which is mostly Roussanne and shows a golden color and rich texture. I adored the new 2019 Caliza Grenache (OB, 94) which has serious freshness and a great acid backbone. The flavor range here is insanely good. Learn more about this great Paso Robles winery at https://www.calizawinery.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Caliza. 

2021 Caliza ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ white Wine- A blend of equal parts Viognier and Marsanne (37% each) with 26% Grenche Blanc, this unveils lychee with star jasmine and hints of white peach on the nose. The wine shows really good balance, as you can see the working parts moving marvelously together. Displaying plenty of finesse with good depth, the 2021 ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ will be providing drinking enjoyment over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2019 Caliza ‘Sidekick’ White Wine- Mainly Roussaanne (80%), this shows off a deep golden hue, this spent ten months in new and neutral oak and a considerable amount of time in the bottle prior to being released in fall 2021. Honeycomb and starfruit tones mingle on the nose with shades of baking spice dusted Challah bread. The salty character of the wine really strikes you, as this is deep and concentrated, yet produces gobs of mouth-watering acidity. Drink this beautiful wine over the next six plus year. Drink 2022-2028- 93

2021 Caliza ‘Pink’ Rose- Mostly Grenache (75%), with a smaller portion Mourvedre, this shows off a very pretty salmon color with bright strawberry, honeydew melon and shades of wild mushroom on the nose. With a kiss of sweetness, this unveils a wonderfully rich mouthfeel and really long finish. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2019 Caliza Grenache- This 100% varietal bottling by Carl Bowker unveils very pretty high-tones with the red rose petals that combine with orange blossom and red cherry cordial. The palate is deep and concentrated with a great core of red fruits that combine with loamy soils and shades of white pepper. The bright acidity holds everything together. This is outstanding wine to consume now, as the 2019 Caliza Grenache will drink well beyond the ten years mark. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2019 Caliza ‘Azimuth’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Azimuth’ combines 40% Mourvedre and 40% Grenache with the remainder Syrah. The Mourvedre was 60% whole cluster fermented. BBQ short ribs and green peppercorns mingle with garrigue notes and boysenberry tones on the nose. The palate is plush and beautifully textured, showing great poise and weight. The range of fruit quality from red to black fruits and even hints of black truffle all impress on the palate. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2019 Caliza Mourvedre- The Moruvedre for this wine underwent 60% whole cluster fermentation, as the wine was stored in 45% new French oak (mostly puncheons) prior to bottling. White pepper dusted bacon and menthol notes combine with freshly tilled soils on the nose, as this shows compelling aromatic range. The palate is fresh and inviting, showing off its pillowy texture. The combination of weight and finesse both meld beautifully together. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2017 Caliza ‘Cohort’ Red Wine- This wine is barrel aged for eighteen months in 45% new French oak  but then spent 1.5 years in the bottle before release. A bend of 58% Petite Syrah with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvedre, this 100% estate wine unveils blueberry pie with milk chocolate and dried herbs and shades of beef drippings. The palate is deeply concentrated but shows bright acidity. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2019 Caliza Primitivo- This has 10% Petit Sirah blended in with 5% Mourvedre, as the wine spent 18 months in all neutral French oak before bottling. This screams Zin on the nose with bramble and bright red fruits that combine with chocolate cake and dried herbal undercurrents. The palate shows great finesse and layers of rich red and dark fruits, with salty accents. Drinks 2022-2032- 93

2019 Calizsa ‘Sympatico’ Red Wine- Mostly Tempranillo (80%) with 14% Grenache and 6% Mourvedre, this unveils toasty oak with ripe red currants, red rose petals and tobacco leaf notes aromatically. The soft texture entices, as does the outstanding sense of length and rich core of red fruits. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2018 Caliza ‘Estate’ Syrah- This is their highest production wine, as the 2018 ‘Estate’ Syrah shows up deeply concentrated once in the glass, as this was aged in 60% new French oak pror to bottling. The nose comes off very smoky and savory with bacon fat and cigar box notes alongside shades of black currant cordial. The palate is plush and soft, as the concentration and finesse holds in place this beautiful black-fruit driven wine. Drink 2022-2032- 94

Beckmen Vineyards

Beckmen Vineyards 

A longstanding property in Santa Barbara wine country, I first visited Beckmen Vineyards more than ten years ago on a trip with friends. Beckmen was started by Tom and Judy Beckmen who were pioneers in the electronic music business as founders of Roland Corp, US. The winery began back in 1994 as their wines have even been served at the White House.

Their estate vineyard is located in the Bal­lard Canyon AVA and is a 365 acre (125 acres plant­ed), cer­ti­fied Bio­dy­nam­ic site named the Purisi­ma Moun­tain Vine­yard. Com­prised most­ly of clay and clay loam, with vary­ing amounts of grav­el, this site also has lime­stone sub­soil. The new wines by Beckmen were really good across the board. I love the new fresh, polished and soft 2019 Beckmen Grenache (OB, 91) which is already nicely evolved and has a nice light citrus component. The 2019 Beckmen Syrah (OB, 93) is dense and beautifully textured with seriously good range. Learn more about this great Santa Barbara County winery at beckmenvineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new Beckmen wines. 

2020 Ingredient Sauvignon Blanc- Sourced from the Pursima Mountain Vineyard, this was aged for ten months on the skins in amphora and then saw a year of bottle age prior to release. The wine comes off very sour and out of balance, with lemon pit, lime zest and white grapefruit, alongside some nutty undercurrents. Nicely textured, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2022-2026- 88

2019 Ingredient Syrah- The 2019 Ingredient Syrah also saw ten months of skin contact, as a touch of Viognier (2.5%) was blended in. The palate is soft, inviting and very nuanced. Red cherry candy, red licorice, white pepper and smoky undertones all combine nicely, as the smooth texture adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2022-2029- 90

2020 Beckmen ‘Purisima Mountain’ Viognier- This 2020 Viognier reveals light flinty and silty tones alongside gooseberry and sweetened pear flavors with shades of honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, enjoy now. Drink 2022-2025- 89

2019 Beckmen ‘Purisma Mountain’ Grenache- Aged in 37% new French oak, this 2019 Grenache unveils red cherry candy and red florals on the nose with shades of kumquat rind. The palate is neatly textured with loads of bright red fruits, with a strong acid backbone. This is already nicely evolved stuff. Drink 2022-2029- 91

2020 Beckmen ’Cuvee le Bee’ Red Wine- A blend of mostly Syrah (51%) and Grenache (38%), the 2020 ‘Cuvee le Bee’ reveals medium-bodied black fruit flavors with smoke, leather and shades of garrigue on the palate. The level of mouth-watering acidity adds to the enjoyment. Enjoy this delicious, hard to put down value wine over the next several years. Drink 2022-2028- 91

2019 Beckmen ‘Purisma Mountain’ Syrah-The really good 2019 Beckmen ‘Purisma Mountain’ Syrah was aged in 37% new French oak prior to bottling and immediate gratifies with crushed green peppercorns and smoked meats on the nose, with black currant undertones. The palate is beautifully textured and inviting, loaded with mouth-watering acidity, salty stones and rich dark fruit flavors. Enjoy this beautiful and novel expression of Syrah over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93

Copia Vineyards

One of the exciting newer properties that I have tasted over the past few months, Copia Vineyards relies on their estate vineyard on the westside of Paso Robles which was established in 2019. Currently 20 total acres are planted to Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Verdot. They also sourced from great outside vineyards such as Denner and Bien Naceido Vineyards. 

Founded by Varinder Sahi and Anita Kothari who both had separate careers prior to starting their winery, Copia has impressed with their latest set of releases which focus on the 2018 vintage. They crafted a beautiful new 2020 Rose (OB, 90) which has a touch of sweetness and beautiful texture and bright acidity. I love the 2018 Copia ‘The Source’ Syrah (OB, 93) which is dense and inky — downright delicious to consume right now. Learn more about this outstanding winery at https://www.copiavineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new wines from Copia. 

2020 Copia Rose- A mostly Grenache based blend (73%) with 25% Syrah and splash of Mourvedre, this fresh and lively Rose shows plenty of minerals with sweetened strawberry, orange zest and melon flavors. Drink 2022-2024- 90

2020 Copia ‘White’ White Wine- Sourced form 45% Chardonnay with 35% Roussanne and the remainder Viognier, this beautiful wine shows off a silky textured with buttercream and shortbread flavors alongside wet stone, cantaloupe and white peach. Drink 2022-2026- 91

2018 Copia ‘The Story’ Grenache- Soft, round and generous with its silky texture, the 2018 ‘The Story’ shows off sexy rose water flavors alongside red cherry preserves and raspberry coulis on the palate. Drink 2022-2028- 93

2019 Copia ‘The Story’ Grenache- A blend of 92% Grenache with the remainder Syrah, the 2019 ‘The Story’ shows. Off white pepper dusted bacon flavors alongside a brilliant core of red fruits and stony undertones on the palate. Full-bodied, fresh and voluptuous to consume in its youth, this has another eight to ten years of drinking enjoyment to go. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2018 Copia ‘The Cure’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘The Cure’ blends near equal parts Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. Soft and approachable now, with smoked pork shoulder, blackberry compote, tar and pretty red fruits with orange rind accents, this complex and delicious wine will drink well for another decade. Drink 2022-2031- 93

2019 Copia ‘The Cure’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘The Cure’ has 7% Grenache blended in to the remainder Syrah. Full-bodied with good structure and plenty of smoky and savory tones, this beautiful wine is drinking great now and has another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2018 Copia ‘The Source’ Syrah- Just a touch of Grenache is blended into this wine that is mainly sourced from the Jespersen Ranch Vineyard. The resultant wine is very smoky and savory with bright acidity and a soft mouthfeel. Layers of huckleberry and red currants combine with stony minerals and smoked meats on the palate. Drink 2022-2029- 93

2019 Copia ‘The Source’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘The Source’ displays ripe black cherry liquor, cigar ash and hints of beef brisket on the palate. Full-bodied, with a good acid backbone, this beautiful wine has another decade or more to go. Drink 2022-2031- 93

2019 Copia Cabernet Sauvignon- This limited production Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Willow Creek District. The palate reveals loads of black and blue fruits with Earl Grey tea, exotic spices and pencil lead alongside dusty earthy undertones. Gorgeous in its youth, this has another decade or more to go. Drink 2022-2031-92

Tablas Creek

Tasting across from Tablas Creek general manager Jason Haas, we both simultaneously grinned after tasting the first wine. “You won’t find this one anywhere else” said Haas. “Other than at Beaucastel.” Hass was referring to the near extinct Picardin varietal which he brought over from Chateau Beaucastel to revive its heritage. I’ll fully admit this was the first Picardin that I had tasted but there was something really exciting about its rich texture and nutty tones. “I don’t think I’ve had anything quite like this” I exclaimed. 

For those less familiar with Tablas Creek, they are a premier producer of Rhone varietals in Paso Robles. The winery started as an iconic partnership between Chateau Beaucastel and Robert Haas, owner of their United States importer, Vineyard Brands. I won’t forget my 2020 tasting with Haas over Zoom, tasting through a range of their spectacular ‘Espirit de Tablas.’ These wines can age well over fifteen years!

The Tablas Creek Vineyard began when Jean-Pierre and François Perrin and Robert Haas purchased a former alfalfa farm that is set on limestone soils in the Adelaida Hills. From the beginning they focused on Rhône-style wines made organically. The first plantings took place in1994 and the first Tablas Creek Vineyard wines produced in 1997. The winery has been an incredible success since that time, reaching worldwide acclaim particularly for their Rhone style red and white blends.

I loved the new 20201Tablas Creek ‘Patelin de Tablas’ Rose (OB, 91) which is fresh and filled of energy. It just could be the best ‘Patelin de Tablas’ Rose that I have tasted and it is a downright killer bottle.  Do not miss out on the bright and vibrant, as well as beautifully textured 2021 Tablas Creek ‘Dianthus’ Rose (OB, 93) which is up there with the finest Rose wines you will find in North America. The white wines from Tablas showed a great combination of power and finesse. Finesse might have been a bit more difficult to come by in 2020 but I loved the minerality impated in the 2020 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc (OB, 93) which is bright and shows gobs of mouth-watering acidity. The best wine I tasted and one of the finest Rhone style white wines I have tasted in California over the past year, the 2020 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc de Tablas’ White Wine (OB, 96) displays incredible flavor density, mouthfeel and complexity. It needs at least an hour of air if consuming now and will live on for at least another fifteen years. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://tablascreek.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Tablas Creek.  

2021 Tablas Creek ‘Patelin de Tablas’ Rose- Mostly Grenache (79%), this shows wild mushroom and bright red fruits with shades of orange blossom on the nose. The bright acidity brings you back to the glass for more. Vibrant red cherry, strawberry and guava favors combine with copious minerals on the palate. This displays wonderful finesse so drink up now! Drink 2022-2026- 91

2021 Tablas Creek ‘Dianthus’ Rose-  A blend of near equal parts Mourvedre (42%) and Grenache (42%), with smaller parts Counoise and Cinsault, this reveals very earthy tones with compost and Bing cherry with nectarine and cashew nut tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is deep and concentrated, as this is dense but comes off very weightless with its pretty red fruit profile. Drink 2022-2029- 93

2020 Tablas Creek Picardan- Tablas Creek has the most production of this varietal, as there is not much literature on the grape. Aged in stainless steel, this shows nutty and pear tones with plenty of minerals and a silky texture on the palate. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2019 Tablas Creek Clairette Blanc-This varietal has seen a revival in both Chateauneuf du Pape and North America, as this was aged for eight months in stainless steel before being bottled in June 2020. White flowers and citrus blossom combine with cashew nut and kiwi on the nose. The palate shows beautiful finesse and texture, as the wine comes off very seamless and pure. Salty undertones round out this sensational new wine. Drink 2022-2029- 94

2020 Tablas Creek Picpoul Blanc- The really good 2020 Tablas Creek Picpoul Blanc was stored for eight months in stainless steel prior to bottling. Sweetened gooseberry and nectarine combine with shades of green papaya on the nose. The mouthfeel and texture of this wine comes off velvety and soft, as this finishes very long. The bight acidity of thawing really impresses as this is beautiful to consume over the next six plus years. Drink 2022-2028- 93

2020 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc- The 2020 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc was stored in half half large format oak barrels and half stainless steel vats prior to bottling. The nose is complex with mixed nuts and star jasmine and bright Bartlett pear. The wine shows beautiful texture and minerality, with a lengthy finish. This gorgeous new wine will be sure to cellar well for another eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2020 Tablas Creek Viognier- The 2020 Tablas Creek Viognier was stored in half half large format oak barrels and half stainless steel vats prior to bottling. Honeysuckle, mango and starfruit tones all come together on the nose. The palate is soft and round, with lovely salty tones alongside melon and starfruit flavors. This has some incredible aging potential. Drink 2022-2030- 94

2020 Tablas Creek Marsanne- This was the last Rhone varietal for Tablas Creek to bottle as a single varietal. Aged in neutral oak puncheons prior to bottling, this unveils banana and salted Macadamia nut tones alongside shades of honeycomb. Fresh and beautifully textured, this has outstanding weight, length and finesse. Only 12% alcohol. Drink 2022-2030- 94

2020 Tablas Creek Roussanne- The 2020 Tablas Creek Roussanne was stored in roughly 10% new French oak prior to bottling. A golden hue, this reveals cantaloupe and white peach, alongside wild mushroom and Pink Lady apple on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a silky texture and length that doesn’t quit. This is blow your mind stuff that has terrific aging potential. Drink 2022-2033- 95

2020 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc de Tablas’ White Wine- This sensational southern Rhone style wine blends 46% Roussanne and 28% Grenache Blanc with smaller parts Picpoul, Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanche and Picardin. The aromatic range is off the charts with banana, honeydew melon, salted nuts and shades of kiwi. The thrilling 2020 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit Blanc de Tablas’ White Wine unveils a multitude of working pieces once on the palate, ranging from tropical fruits to melon and stone fruits. Salty and very savory, wait for the minute-long finish! This is hugely complex and also highly delicious Rhone style wine that will easily cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 96

ROCO RMS Vertical Tasting

During the heat of the pandemic in 2020 on Zoom I sat beside Rollin Soles, Oregon’s sparkling wine master. Rollin transformed the wine program at Argyle, putting them on the national stage before starting his own winery, ROCO. Rollin comes off as extremely kind-hearted and has a wonderful sense of humor. I’ve been fortunate to have tasted his Argyle wines back to the late 1990s, as the ‘Extended Tirage’ wines that he made were some of the finest bubbles you will find in North America. 

With the 2013 vintage Rollin was able to craft his first sparkling wine for his label, the ‘RMS.’ As a wine critic I was unabashedly licking my chops when I found out that Rollin was going to make aged sparkling wine. RMS wines are aged for 2.5 years before being disgorged. Rollin has had great success with his ROCO wines as he and his wife sold their winery to Santa Margarita winery earlier in 2022. There is very good reason why these giants of Italy took interest in this winery that has been consistently producing great wines.

Tasting through all of the vintages of ‘RMS’ I was floored with the overall quality of the wines, regardless of vintage. 2013 was a great year for early ripening varietals and was only marred from the rain event which happened after Chardonnay and grapes for sparkling wines were picked. The 2013 ‘RMS’ (OB, 95) is wonderfully nutty and salty, with beautiful finesse. Even more geared towards weight, but equally good, the 2014 ‘RMS’ (OB, 95) is massive especially at a warmer temperature and comes off as very Dom Perignon meets Oregon. The best wine I sampled was the 2015 ‘RMS’ (OB, 96) which is up there with the best sparkling wine in North America that I have tasted in the past year. This is also very bold and rich, but has a brilliant veil of tension that holds everything marvelously in place. What a wine! Learn more about these incredible wines at rocowinery.com and here are my notes from the brilliant ‘RMS’ sparkling wines by ROCO. 

2013 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine- The first vintage of this wine is now an immense success nearly a decade later in 2022. Looking at the golden hue, suggests this will be a rich and decadent effort, mainly comprised of Pinot Noir (65%). Now fully mature, this is brilliantly evolved stuff that moves into wild mushroom and peat moss flavors alongside shades of baking spice dusted starfruit, hazelnut and salty brioche. The tension and sense of salinity that runs though the core of the wine adds to the intrigue. Drink this beauty over the next six to eight years. Drink 2022-2028- 95

2014 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine- Deeply concentrated, the stunning 2014 ‘RMS’ builds with biscuit and ripe pear tones with cashew nut rounding out aromatically. The bubbles presence is very light. The power from the Pinot Noir (67%) is really shining, as the wine has very broad shoulders. The salinity and finesse captivates, leading to the exceedingly long finish. What a stunning warm vintage sparkling wine that is drinking right in its wheelhouse. Drink 2022-2029- 95

2015 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine- The really good 2015 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine blends 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. Intriguingly the Chardonnay is shining very brightly with its lemon oil, lychee, and toasted hazelnuts. The flavor density here is extraordinarily good as the light effervescence and flinty undercurrents round out this flamboyant, sensationally good bottling. Enjoy this stunning wine over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2031- 96

2016 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine- Unabashedly big, the 2016 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine is a knockout blend of 70% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay. Still very fresh, with serious finesse, with lemon zest dusted Challah bread, banana, marzipan and shades of pink grapefruit. Plump and round on the mouth, and finishing very long, this will easily cellar well for another ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 95

2017 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine- The 2017 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine is a stunning cooler vintage wine that is already beautifully evolved. Sourced from the Madrona Hill, Marsh Estate, Gran Moraine and Blossom Ridge Vineyards, this reveals Gravenstein apple and nutmeg infused Challah bread notes on the nose, with hints of salted praline. The palate reveals very refined bubbles and a soft mousse that impresses upon entry. A gorgeous range of citrus, and melon fruits combine with baking spice dusted Golden Delicious apple flavors. Refined, and rich, this highly memorable bottling will sure to satisfy over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2018 ROCO ‘RMS’ Sparkling Wine- Even more big and dense than the 2017 edition, but every bit as good, the gorgeous 2018 ROCO deftly showcases the wonderful weight and tension produced in this warm vintage. Once on the mouth, the soft sense of texture and refined mousse entices. Layers of buttered brioche and lemon rind combine with notes of cardamom, baked pear and light flinty undercurrents. Complex and delicious now, this has at least another fifteen years in front of it. Drink 2022-2037- 95

Toil Oregon

It was back a decade ago in 2012 when Toil Oregon was first released with a minuscule production of 200 cases. Then in 2016 Chris Figgins planted his estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. His first wine fully from his estate vineyard was the 2019 Rose. I think this property has tremendous potential.

The wines have been improving since the first vintage and I am very excited to see how these wines evolve as the vines grow in age. Chris’s Rose wines are very serious. These are stand-alone wines that liken the nuance of Domaine Ott, Domaine Tempier and other great Provencale bottlings that show not only ripe red fruits but gorgeous non-fruit tones and vibrant acidity. They need air and warmth.

Over the past five years Chris Figgins has crafted one of the finest Rose wines that you will find in the Pacific Northwest. This is nuanced, highly geeky Rose that improves with air and should be served at a warmer temperature to take in the sensational range of flavors and aromatics. I adored the new 2021 Toil Oregon Rose (OB, 93) is loaded with bright red fruits and seriously good finesse. Learn more about this great winery at toiloregon.com Here are the brilliant new wines by Toil Oregon. 

2021 Toil Oregon Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this 2021 Rose follows the long line of top Rose bottlings from Toil. Stored for four months in neutral French oak barrels, this shows off its vibrant pink color in the glass, steadily unveiling layers of watermelon and cantaloupe fruits that combine with white peach and stony undercurrents on the nose. The palate is soft and seamless, with just a kiss of sweetness. Showing insanely good range from strawberry and Yakima cherry to guava, lemon rind and wild mushroom, this is a Rose that stands tall amongst the best in the Pacific Northwest. Wait for the exceedingly long finish! Drink 2022-2029- 93

2020 Toil Oregon Chardonnay- The concentrated 2020 Toil Oregon Chardonnay spent ten months in 15% new French oak barrels and puncheons prior to bottling. Lemon zest and kiwi flavors meld with shades of buttercream on the palate. Give this at least an hour of air for everything to fully fill in, Enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2020 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir- The 2021 Toil Oregon Pinot Noir shows good stuffing and structure, with cranberry, orange rind and sour cherry flavors that combine with volcanic soils on the palate. This builds considerably after an hour in the decanter. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2022-2026- 91

Jackson Family Purchases First Vineyard in Washington State

Big news out of Santa Rosa, California today as Jackson Family Wines has acquired from Abeja Winery 61 acres of an existing 117-acre property located in Mill Creek in the eastern region of Washington’s Walla Walla Valley. Abeja will retain ownership of 56 unplanted acres and will plant new vines there next year. Jackson Family Wines and Abeja will jointly  announce a name for the vineyard at a later date.

This is the first acquisition in Washington for the Jackson family and complements the company’s existing holdings in the Pacific Northwest, namely in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Over the next several years the family plans to develop a Washington-based operation. Wines produced from the vineyard will be made by winemaker Chris Carpenter and his team as part of a new brand currently under development.

“We know Walla Walla Valley is an exceptional region in North America for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, and this particular site in Mill Creek possesses ideal conditions in terms of soils, elevation and climate,” says Christopher Jackson, second-generation proprietor of Jackson Family Wines. “We are thrilled by the opportunity to join an esteemed group of vintners in the Walla Walla Valley who have proven the incredible potential for wines from this region. Much like our previous ventures into great winegrowing regions like Willamette Valley in Oregon, Stellenbosch in South Africa, and McLaren Vale in Australia, we are humbled to be among an elite class of wineries and look forward to integrating ourselves into the community even more and producing wines of the highest caliber.”

Carpenter will oversee all winemaking and viticulture and Jackson Family Wines will assume all aspects of farming operations of the 61-acre property as he will be supported by winemaker Gianna Ghilarducci and vineyard manager Rafael Jimenez. We wanted to offer our heartfelt congratulations for Jackson Family on this new venture into Washington. 

Quilceda Creek Donates White Wine Proceeds To Charity

News out of Snohomish, Washington today, as Quilceda Creek has pledged to donate 100% of profits from their new 2020 Quilceda Creek Horse Heaven Hills Sauvignon Blanc (100%) and 2020 Quilceda Blanc Columbia Valley White Wine (66% Semillon, 34% Sauvignon Blanc) to World Central Kitchen. These sensational wines were recently rated 95 points and 97 points by myself, making them some of the top wines out of roughly 1K wines tasted in my Vinous Washington Report.

World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit founded by famed chef Jose Andres’ nonprofit World Central Kitchen, which began serving hot meals within hours of the initial invasion of Ukraine and quickly set up at the eight border crossings with Poland.

I wanted to offer my heartfelt congratulations for this incredible gesture by Quilceda Creek director of winemaking Paul Golitzin and his team.

Iron Horse

One of the most beautiful wineries in Sonoma County, Iron Horse is perched atop a hill in the Green Valley. Back in 2002 I knew little about wines but had a chance to visit this stunning location which is located roughly 13 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Iron Horse has roughly 160 acres set on Gold Ridge soils and planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and boasts an expansive high quality sparkling wine collection if you are a bubbles lover.

The winery was founded by Audrey and Barry Sterling in 1976 and gained international success for its Sparkling Wines, which have been served at the White House for five consecutive Presidential Administrations, beginning with the historic Reagan-Gorbachev Summit Meetings ending the Cold War. It has become one of the great sparkling wine houses in North America.

I loved the new wines by Iron Horse including the outstanding new ‘Wedding Cuvée’ which is aged on average three years. The 201 ‘Wedding Cuvee’ (OB, 92) is fresh and vibrant with a silky texture. This one also has some really good aging potential. Learn more about this great house for Sparkling Wine at ironhorsevineyards.com Here are my reviews of the ‘Wedding Cuvee’ wines by Iron Horse.

2018 Iron Horse ‘Wedding Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- The 2018 Iron Horse ‘Wedding Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine is mostly Pinot Noir (81%) and was aged on the lees for three years prior to disgorgement. Rich Japanese pear and kiwi flavors linger with salty minerals on the palate. Showing good length and weight, this has the potential to cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2019 Iron Horse ‘Audrey’ Chardonnay- Named after Iron Horse co-founder Audrey Sterling, the really good 2019 ‘Audrey’ Chardonnay is a limited production bottling from their Green Valley Estate which utilizes Rued clonal selection. Lemon zest dusted sourdough bread and cardamom fill the nose alongside shades of peat moss. The palate is very soft and elegant, with a silky texture and beautiful sense of length. Very seamless throughout the drinking experience, this is already nicely evolved Chardonnay that will cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2018 Iron Horse ‘Gold Ridge’ Pinot Noir- Named after the soil type at their estate Green Valley Vineyard, the 2018 ‘Gold Ridge’ exudes class with cran-pomegranate and Bing cherry aromas that collide with baking spices on this evocative bouquet. The palate is soft and elegant with a voluptuous texture, unveiling a great range of tart red fruits and citrus embers, alongside freely tilled soils. Finishing long, this is broad-shouldered and generous, yet nicely structured Pinot Noir that is built to age. Drink 2022-2036- 93

Joy Anne Sterling serves as Iron Horse CEO.

J. Lohr

One of the longstanding producers of value California wine, J. Lohr dates back to the 1960s, Jerry Lohr began searching for a great location plant his first vineyard. Originally raised on a South Dakota farm, Jerry had a background in agriculture and chose the Central Coast, which was an experimental region at the time. Jerry has created an amazing success story with his winery, J. Lohr. J. Lohr offers a unique range of really well-riced wines, from limited production wines to 8,000 case production wines. I love the current offerings by them which impress and offer seriously good value.

I love the new top Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings by J. Lohr. These are powerful wines with good acidity and aging potential. One of the best wines I have tasted from this winery, the 2018 J. Lohr ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) shows massive cellaring potential. This beautifully textured wine is not for the weary and has generous oak and deep dark fruit flavors. Check out more about this outstanding lineup at https://www.jlohr.com Here are the brilliant new top Cabernet wines by J. Lohr. 

2018 J. Lohr ‘Carol’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This deeply concentrated wine was sourced from the ‘Carol’s Vineyard’ which is located in Saint Helena. This has a touch of Petit Verdot blended in as the wine was stored in 60% new French oak before bottling. Black currant liquor and chocolate flavors mingle with shades of loamy soils and black tea on the palate. Not for the weary, this beautifully textured effort will live on for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2034- 92 

2018 J. Lohr ‘Signature’ Cabernet Sauvignon- First made in homage to Jerry Lohr’s 80th birthday, this new edition is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Beck Vineyard which is set at 1700 feet. Stored in 100% new French oak from coopers Sylvain, Nadalie, and Taransaud, this is quite inky in the glass with a massive wall of dark fruit flavors alongside espresso bean and loamy, salty soils. Complex and hedonistic to enjoy now, this has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another decade or more. But why wait?  Drink 2021-2033- 94

Lingua Franca Winery Sells to Constellation Brands

We have some massive news permeating out of the Willamette Valley today, as Lingua Franca, producer of some of Oregon's finest Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, has been sold to Constellation Brands. The winemaking team will remain the same, as the winery and land was included in the sale. Lingua Franca was originally founded by master sommelier Larry Stone who built the brand to an over 10K case production winery which is sold across the United States.
The sale was partly related to the smoke damage which was felt from the 2020 vintage where no Lingua Franca wine was made. Currently Lingua Franca produces roughly 12,000 cases each year. Huge congrats to Larry Stone on his sale.

Fe Wines

A Napa property that has terroir at heart, Fe (pronounced FEE) is the atomic symbol for iron, the mineral you will notice throughout the soils of their Spring Mountain Vineyard. It is quite remarkable that seven years of viticulture went into the first vintage of Fe Wines. This location sees a good amount of fog to moderate the summer heat. 

Aaron Pott, a fellow Arsenal supporter, achieved his undergraduate degree at University of California, Davis, and later a master’s degree in Viticulture, Wine, and Terroir from the Université de Bourgogne. He served as winemaker at famed property Château Troplong Mondot and also director of Château La Tour Figeac before coming to Napa. His namesake wines are also incredible.

Fe Wines have two wines in their collection — a near 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate site on Spring Mountain. I am enamored with the richness and finesse in the inky colored 2019 Fe Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which has easily another two decades in front of it. Learn more about these gorgeous wines at https://www.fewines.com and here are the fantastic new 2019 releases by Fe Wines. 

2019 Fe Wines Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous and sinfully good 2019 Fe Wines Cabernet Sauvignon is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (84%) with 10% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec. Graphite and boysenberry cordial flavors mingle with tar and pipe tobacco tones on the palate. Utterly seamless, this deftly walks the tightrope between power and finesse. Finishing very long, this outstanding new Cabernet Sauvignon will surely live on for two more decades to come. Drink 2022-2042- 97

Trisaetum

James Frey is a man of many talents. A former photographer from Santa Cruz, James always had a passion for wine. A fellow Arsenal supporter, James crafts some incredible wines for Trisaetum that speak to the region and terroir. His winemaking style focuses towards a brightness and freshness in the wines, regardless of vintage. I have been highly impressed with these wines over the past several years. His talents spread far as James also makes some outstanding sparkling wines under his Pashey label and I reviewed his wines sourced from the Walla Walla Valley, his 1841 label.

The new Trisaetum lineup was brilliant across the board. Look for their 2020 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which brilliantly navigated this vintage and shows really good richness andrange. Even better is the gorgeous 2019 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is one of the great wines that I have tasted from this vintage thus far. Just an infant, this has a really long way to go in the cellar. Learn more about this fantastic Willamette Valley winery at http://www.trisaetum.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Trisaetum. 

2020 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay-Fresh and chalk-filed with finesse, the 2020 ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay reveals ripe pear with apricot and lemon zest tones alongside plenty of tension. While not showing a lengthy finish this is a downright tasty bottling that is meant for early consumption. Drink 2021-2025- 90

2020 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Chardonnay- A barrel select wine sourced from two Trisaetum Estate Vineyards, this reveals medium-bodied Japanese pear, hazelnut and orange blossom tones alongside plenty of salty soil tones. Vibrant and delicious to consume now with its silky texture, enjoy this excellent effort over the next seven years. Drink 2021-2028- 92

2019 Trisaetum ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from vines first planted back in 2007, this outstanding Pinot Noir shows off its deep core with very pretty guava and red currant tones alongside red florals that all meld in the glass. The palate is silky and elegant with medium-bodied crunchy red fruits that collide with minerals and peat moss undertones. Complex and delicious to savor right now, this outstanding effort will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2019 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Coast Range Estate’ is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and is set at 700 feet, with a combination of volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. The palate is very salty and savory with dried herbs alongside sour kirsch, linzer torte and blood orange zest with tobacco undercurrents. Very elegant and restrained, this beautiful wine is already nicely evolved and will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2031- 92

2019 Trisaetum ‘Wichmann Dundee’ Pinot Noir- Trisaetum’s founder James Frey planted this estate vineyard back in 1999, as this sits on 700 feet elevation and is set on ancient Jory soils. The nose is tangibly quite volcanic with ash tones alongside wild blackberry and teaberry with orange rind undertones. The palate is silky and elegant, although the mid-palate ripeness hasn’t fully come together yet. With a bit more bottle age things will fully amalgamate. Try to give this at least a two hour decant if enjoying now. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2019 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot Noir-Sourced from the Yamhill-Carlton, Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills AVAs, the 2019 ‘Estates Reserve’ is a barrel select wine that is utterly captivating to consume right now. Beautifully textured with superb length, this shows off a dazzling array of bright red fruits with forest floor and copious minerals on the palate. Wait for the near minute-long finish! Enjoy this superb effort over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2019 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir- A barrel-select wine, the 2019 ‘Family Reserve’ is a stunning new bottling by James Frey. Once on the mouth this becomes completely weightless as you can really get a feel for the marine sedimentary salty soils as well as the Jory soil notes. Shades of anise and wild blackberry combine with red rose water, red currant and hints of cran-orange on the palate. Complex and delicious to consume now, this has yet to fully hit its stride. Give this at least a two hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2022-2040- 95

Ridge Vineyards

More than a decade ago I was a member of Ridge Vineyards ATP wine club program. The program focuses on limited quantity, very geeky and generally restrained wines that are often made from unusual varietals. I still have some of these beautiful wines in my personal collection and am always impressed how well they show when I feel the urge to open a bottle. 

Back in January 2022 Ridge made some big waves when they hired Tres Goetting, the esteemed former winemaker at Robert Biale. For more than a decade I have admired these wines and how he has crafted an incredible range of Zins. Tres quite simply. has an incredible hand on Zinfandel and I am very excited to see how he evolves the program at Ridge. Tres will be working in collaboration with Head Winemaker & COO John Olney, Goetting will take over all winemaking duties at Ridge Vineyards' Monte Bello winery that first made Zinfandel back in 1962.

The new wines for their ATP program are incredible. I adored the 2019 Ridge Vineyards Syrah Grenache Mataro (OB, 94) which has massive aging potential and is remarkably juicy and complex. Having tried several older vintages of this wine, I have little doubt this beauty will cellar well for another ten to fifteen years. Another excellent new release is the stunning 2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘San Lorenzo’ Zinfandel (OB, 94) which is dense and chewy with wonderful elegance and a deep core of dark fruits. Learn more about this famed estate at ridgevineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new ATP wines by Ridge Vineyards. 

2020 Ridge Vineyards ‘Halter Ranch’ Grenache Blanc- The 2020 ‘Halter Ranch’ Grenache Blanc has a high portion of Picpoul (20%) blended in. Sourced from this site in Paso Robles, and weighing in at only 12.9% alcohol, this unveils ripe cantaloupe with vanilla cream and minerals on the palate, with flinty undercurrents. This is gorgeous stuff for a hot summer day. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2019 Ridge Vineyards Syrah Grenache Mataro- This wine combines nearly all Syrah (86%) with small parts Grenache and Mataro that all come from the Lytton Estate Vineyard in the Dry Creek Valley. The nose is almost pure Sonoma Syrah with bacon fat, violets and a dusting of white pepper, with Earl Grey accents. The palate shows incredible poise and texture with medium-bodied red and dark fruits that combine with black licorice, tar and shades of creme de violette. The levels of mouth-watering acidity make this really difficult to put down. Complex and highly novel, if enjoying in its youth be sure to give this at least an hour in the decanter. Drink 2023-2035- 94

2020 Ridge Vineyard ‘Buchignani Ranch’ Carignane- Sourced from old vine Carignane vines that are over seventy five years of age, this novel bottling weighs in at only 13.6% alcohol. Bay leaf and red currant cordial mark the nose alongside tilled soils and smoky undercurrents. The palate shows a strong degree of astringency and acidity, with firm tannins holding in place a deep core of red fruits and menthol flavors. Enjoy this beautiful wine after a one to two hour decant. Drink 2023-2035- 93

2020 Ridge Vineyards ‘Blasi’ Zinfandel- Sourced from this vineyard in the Chalk Hill appellation of Sonoma County, this reveals bramble notes with bright Bing cherry, summer sausage and wintergreen tones on the nose. The texture imparted is insanely good as rich red fruit flavors collide with minerals, dusty soils and the seamless texture. Drink 2022-2035- 93

2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘San Lorenzo’ Zinfandel- The outstanding 2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘San Lorenzo’ Zinfandel is crafted from extremely old vines which were first planted in 1892. The wine is a unique blend of 65% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Syrah and the remainder Alicante Bouchet. The wine comes off very silky and elegant, with refined tannins that frame a rich core of boysenberry preserves, black currants, black licorice and pipe tobacco. Exceedingly good even to consume now at the three year mark, this surely has another fifteen years in front of it. If enjoying now be sure to give this an hour in the decanter. Drink 2022-2037- 94

2019 Ridge Vineyards ‘Boatman’ Zinfandel- The 2019 ‘Boatman’ Zinfandel is a sensational new effort that is nearly 100% varietal with just a splash of Petite Sirah added. Red plum, cigar ash and blood orange zest all mark the nose. The palate is silky and elegant, with refined tannins framing everything brilliantly. Ripe red and black fruits combine with bergamot, cardamom and tobacco leaf on the palate. This is utterly sensational, well-balanced Zinfandel that has both the stuffing and acidity to cellar for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2037- 95

Frank Family Vineyards

It might be hard to believe that Frank Family Vineyards has been around for nearly 30 years. As the former President of Disney Studios, Rich Frank traveled extensively across the globe, trying the great wines of the world. Over time he knew that Napa Valley was the perfect setting to start a winery. Leslie Frank also had an incredibly successful career, spending more than 25 years covering news stories, and the last nine years of her TV news career reporting and anchoring at the number-one-rated station, KABC in Los Angeles. Rich and Leslie manage everything from vineyard purchases, to sales and marketing. 

Todd Graff hs been with Frank Family scene 2003 and has totally transformed their lineup over his tenure there. His wines are known for their soft mouthfeel, and refined tannins, making a killer range of wines from Chardonnay to Sangiovese and even Zinfandel.

I loved the new 2018 Frank Family ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which has outstanding finesse and texture. Even better is the gorgeous 2018 Frank Family ‘Patriarch’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is dense and layered with serious aging potential. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/ Here are my tasting notes on the brilliant new wines by Frank Family Vineyards.

2019 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Carneros’ Chardonnay by Frank Family is another really good effort by the talented Todd Graff. Pear, brioche and baking spice dusted apple all fill the nose.The palate is silky and plush with a great sense of texture. The mineral undertones and the lengthy finish complete this wine that is right in balance and not overly heavy. Drink 2021-2031- 92

2019 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard’ Chardonnay by Frank Family Vineyards is clicking all of the right boxes right now. Ripe pear, bananas foster and juicy melon flavors all combine with outstanding acidity and verve. This finishes exceedingly long with vanilla cream. The combination of weight and finesse here is really impressive as this beautiful new 2019 Chardonnay will be exceedingly long lived. Drink 2020-2033- 94

2019 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Carneros’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 Frank Family ‘Carneros’ Pinot Noir is forward and juicy with ripe red fruits, orange rind and cigar box tones. Medium bodied and full of tension, this beautiful wine is best enjoyed over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 91

2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Napa Valley’ Zinfandel- Forward and delicious, the 2018 ‘Napa Valley’ Zinfandel reveals ripe plum, guava and red currant flavors with just a kiss of sweetness. Enjoy this beautiful new Zin over the next eight years. Drink 2021-2028- 91

2019 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Lewis Vineyard’ Pinot Noir-  The 2019 ‘Lewis Reserve’ shows very pretty guava and red cherry aromas combine with shades of white truffle and orange rind on this beautiful bouquet. This top class Pinot Noir shows a rich viscosity with rich red fruits that collide with minerals, wet stone and kumquat flavors. This is drinking beautifully now and has many years to continue to evolve. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2019 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Beckstoffer Carneros Lake Vineyard’ is a beautifully textured wine that is drinking great even now at the two year mark. Cran-cherry and cola flavors, as well as kumquat rind collide with minerals and smoky undertones on the palate. Drink 2021-2035- 93

2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Zinfandel- The 2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Reserve’ Zinfandel is a stunning new release that has poise and richness to age for more than a decade. Intense and loaded with bright red fruits and orange zest flavors, alongside a bright veil of tension, this is beautiful Zinfandel that will evolve gracefully in your cellar. Drink 2021-2033- 93

2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 “Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is loaded with rich dark fruits on the nose with chocolate and graphite undertones. The palate is fresh and full-bodied with a great veil of tension. Layers of mocha, tar and anise combine with a great core of dark fruits on the palate. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Rutherford Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Rutherford Reserve’ is highly elegant and refined with firm tannins that hold in a great core of huckleberry, smoke, black raspberry cordial and tar tones with menthol undertones. Full-bodied and rich with a great acid backbone this has another twenty years left. Drink 2021-2038- 94

2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘RHF’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘RHF’ Cabernet Sauvignon is deeply concentrated with velvety tannins that line the core of loamy soils, pipe tobacco, black cherry pie and mocha tones. Full-bodied and delicious now, this will surely provide drinking enjoyment fort another fifteen plus years. Drink 2021-2036- 94

2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Winston Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The sinfully good 2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Winston Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc with a splash of Petit Verdot. Tobacco leaf and sandy loam tones combine with shades of black currant jelly, Turkish coffee and exotic spices all impress on the palate. The wine shows beautiful length even so young, as this will deliver drinking enjoyment for many decades to come. Drink 2022-2045- 96

2018 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Patriarch’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A sensational new bottling, the 2018 Frank Family vineyards ‘Patriarch’ spent 21 months in 75% new French oak barrels before bottling. Once on the mouth, this shows off its silky texture, making this glide across the drinking experience. While obviously quite a big wine, this has good balance in terms of intense fruit and non-fruit flavors, with generous oak and firm tannins holding everything together beautifully. Anise, creme de cassis, Turkish coffee and sandalwood tones all sing in unison on the palate. Gorgeous now to enjoy in its powerful youth, this has at least another twenty years in front of it. Drink 2023-2045- 97

Stoller

One of the outstanding producers in the Willamette Valley, Stoller dates back to 1993 when Bill Stoller acquired a family property from his cousin. Immediately Stoller saw potential to grow world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Two years after the acquisition he planted 10 acres each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and fast forward to today the vineyard is now the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon's Dundee Hills. The property spans 400 acres, with 225 acres focused on growing vines at elevations ranging from 220 to 640 feet. Ten varietals are planted in this vineyard, including Viognier, Pinot Meunier and even Aligote. 

Winemaker Melissa Burr has been at Stoller for more than fifteen years, having helped grow production from 1,000 cases to 60,000. Burr crafted some outstanding wines across the board. I love the new 2021 Stoller Rose (OB, 91) which is polished with serious nuance and a beautiful sense of texture. and vibrant with good astringency. I adored the 2019 Stoller ‘Helen’s’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which has some brilliant cellaring potential with its sense of texture and finesse. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at https://www.stollerfamilyestate.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Stoller. 

2021 Stoller Rose- Made from estate Pinot Noir grapes, this weighs in at only 12.5% alcohol. Once on the nose this takes on layers of delicate red fruits that mingle with stony and earthy undercurrents. The palate is very fresh and vibrant with bright acidity and a soft texture. Shades of wild strawberry and Rainier cherry collide with copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2022-2026- 91

2020 Stoller ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- The 2020 Stoller ‘Estate’ Chardonnay saw twelvemonths in concrete cubes before being transferred to stainless steel tanks before bottling. The wine shows good finesse on the palate, with lemon curd, toasty oak and shades of Japanese pear flavors. With a lingering finish, enjoy this excellent new Chardonnay over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 91

2019 Stoller ‘Helen’s ’ Pinot Noir- Named after Bill Stoller’s aunt, the 2019 ‘Nancy’s’ is primarily Wadenswil clonal selection Pinot Noir which was aged in 18% new French oak prior to bottling in March 2021. Needing an hour in the decanter to be fully awoken, once aroused this takes the lead with beautiful red florals and red cherry with peat moss aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft and approachable with silky tannins that line a core of bright pomegranate seed and Yakima cherry flavors that collide with blood orange zest and pine needle accents. Highly enjoyable now, this has at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2022-2035- 93

2019 Stoller ‘Nancy’s’ Pinot Noir- Given slightly more new oak (27%) than the ‘Helen’s,’ the really good 2019 ‘Nancy’s’ Pinot Noir also underwent 35% whole cluster fermentation and is primarily Pommard clonal selection.  Showing much more of a darker fruit profile than the 2019 ‘Helen’s,’ this unveils black raspberry and black cherry flavors with roasted dates and baking spices. Finishing long, this is glorious wine to consume now following an hour in the decanter. Drink 2022-2035- 93