Cayuse Vineyards

You can’t explain terroir until you visit a vineyard and taste the fruits of its labor in the glass. Such is true with the wines by Walla Walla wine pioneer Christophe Baron and his resident vigneronne Elizabeth Bourcier. An amazing story in wine, famed vigneron, Christophe Baron, was the youngest heir of the famed Champagne house, Baron Albert and his ancestors had worked the land at Baron Albert since 1677. Christophe learned about harvests and wine as a young boy and eventually studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne. After some travels he was drawn to the Willamette Valley, and was set on making great Pinot Noir. One day he was outside of Walla Walla and saw terroir inspired by the stony galets of Chateauneuf du Pape. We are all thankful that he decided to plant his vineyard back in 1997 and the rest has been history. Christophe has had unparalleled success in the Walla Walla Valley since that time, crafting stony, one of a kind wines that embody an incredible combination of tension, range and terroir.

Each summer I sit down with Christophe and Elizabeth and taste through their lineup of wines. The wines this year come from the 2019 vintage which was slightly cooler and more challenging at harvest with freezes occurring in early October. Christophe, Elizabeth and their team brilliantly navigated this vintage, producing wines that show gobs of finesse, with good phenolic ripeness and flavor complexity. These are slightly more tension-filled bottlings and more akin to that produced in 2010, 2011 and 2017.

A stunning new Rose, the 2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Rose (OB, 94) is one of the finest Rose wines in the world that I have tasted in the past year including Domaines Ott and Tempier. Give this beauty some air and do not serve cold to take in the thrilling range and stony essence of the wine.

Truly one of the finest Grenache wines in North America, the 2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine (OB, 99) flirts with perfection with its utterly captivating flavor and aromatic range. I am enamored by the 2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah (OB, 98) which is deep and concentrated, really needing a few hours to fully show its potential. This is one for any serious collector of Cayuse wines. Learn more about these incredible wines at https://cayusevineyards.com Here are the dazzling new wines by Cayuse Vineyards.

2020 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Viognier- The 2020 Cayuse ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Viognier was made in small quantities from this famed stony site in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Entirely stored in concrete and stainless steel before being bottled, the wine shows off a seamless sense of mouthfeel upon entry. The tension is stunning here, as this Viognier shows the warmth of the vintage with ripe cantaloupe, poached pear, honeysuckle water and shades of mango on the palate. Finishing very long, this is delicious, already beautifully evolved wine to consume now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 94

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Rose- This very paled colored 2020 ‘Edith’ Rose was aged in both concrete and stainless steel.  Sourced from the ‘Armada Vineyard’ the wine takes on immediate appeal with tangerine peel aromas, alongside wet stone and suggestions of guava on the beautiful bouquet. The plate is rich with gobs of finesse and mouth-watering acidity. White rose water, cranberry and orange zest flavors all tantalizingly combine, with a silky texture and beautiful length. Enjoy this incredible new Rose over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 94

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine- One of the great Grenache wines of North America, the ebullient 2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine has a small portion of Syrah blended in, as this was entirely sourced from the Armada Vineyard. Showing a dark core once in the glass, the captivating aromatics bring you back to the glass. Mandarin orange rind dusted seaweed, flint, Yakima cherry puree and pretty strawberry tones combine with lighter red florals on the nose. The palate is utterly seamless and soft once on the mouth, with serious minerality. The combination of bright acidity and weight really adds pleasure. Very stony and finishing long with bright red fruits and kumquat rind accents, this dizzying Grenache is truly one of a kind. Enjoy this beauty over the next decade and give this at least 30 minutes of air if savoring now. Drink 2022-2031- 99

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Flying Pig’ Red Wine- The gorgeous new 2019 ‘Flying Pig’ is gorgeous blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot (45% each) with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc seems to be shining the most brightly, as red bell pepper and red rose petals combine with sagebrush, wet stone and suggestions of loganberry preserves. Upon entry the wine comes off very seamless and soft, with a smooth texture. Rich dark fruits and a dusting of white pepper parade with gravel, barberry and garrigue notes on the palate. This becomes even better after an hour of air, as more of the herbal tones dust off and the fruit character ripens. Finishing long, this outstanding wine is best consumed over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 95

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘The Lovers’ Red Wine- The gorgeous 2019 ‘The Lovers’ is a knockout blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with 15% Syrah. Ripe dark currants and red cherry compote combine with salted Kalmata olive and provencal herbal notes that all dazzle in the glass. The palate is plush, with a serious mineral backbone. Chewy with a soft mouthfeel, this delivers a gorgeous range of red and dark fruits with pipe tobacco, menthol and suggestions of wet stone and nori, displaying no rough edges. Enjoy this outstanding bottling over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 95

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Camaspelo’ Red Wine- Very deeply colored in the glass, the 2019 ‘Camaspelo’ is a gorgeous proprietary amalgamation of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with a splash ofTempranillo. Not needing any time to get going, this is immediately appealing with its black raspberry and black cherry compote tones alongside black rose petals and suggestions of wild herbs. The palate is very round and seamless with a dazzling veil of tension and plenty of mouth-watering acidity. Salted meats, Earl Grey tea and rich dark fruits combine with flinty undercurrents on the palate. Finishing long, this is beautifully evolved, well-balanced stuff that is absolutely killer to enjoy right now. Drink 2022-2032- 95

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A knockout effort in 2019, the Cayuse ‘Widowmaker’ is a rich and highly structured wine that is already drinking brilliantly. Once on the nose this takes on layers of black cherry compote, Shiitake mushroom, smoked brisket and suggestions of wet gravel. Bright and vibrant on the mouth, the feeling of weight and tension really impresses. The palate displays a gorgeous combination of red and dark fruits with Hoisin sauce, bacon fat and shades of huckleberry. Finishing long, enjoy this beautifully evolved Cabernet Sauvignon over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 95

2019 Cayuse ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Syrah- The stunning, finesse-driven, very stony 2019 ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Syrah has 5% Viognier co-fermented. Immediately you notice the high tones from the Viognier, with orange blossom and citrus rind tones that combine with soy sauce, black olive tapenade and pretty white pepper dusted red fruits. Very fragrant, you are drawn back to the glass for more aromatic enjoyment. The wine is vibrant and also very seamless, with a lengthy finish and a wonderful douse of salinity and stony undercurrents. Slightly less weighted and more linear than the 2018, this haas vibrant tension that will make this beautiful Syrah shine on for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 96

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘En Cerise Vineyard’ Syrah- A beautifully evolved wine to enjoy now, the 2019 ‘En Cerise Vineyard’ Syrah is a gorgeous effort that is already shining brightly at the three year mark. Coming from a ten acre site that was a former cherry orchard, this delivers a deeper array of aromas with black cherry, sea kelp, charcuterie, dark currants and stony undertones. With loads of minerality, the palate is ripe and rich, with serious finesse and a lengthy finish that doesn’t stop. Salty and savory, as well as very weightless, enjoy this stunning Syrah over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 96

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘En Chamberlin Vineyard’ Syrah- Seriously good right now, the 2019 ‘En Chamberlin Syrah’ was first produced in 2002, this is already beautifully evolved on the nose with burning cedar, cran-cherry, cigar box and Kalamata olives that all meld in the glass. Soft and downright delicious once on the mouth, this comes off exceedingly terroir-driven with its stony and salty profile. With loads of mouth-watering acidity, this shows dense wild blackberry, smoked meats, worn leather and gravel tones that make this impossible to resist right now. Give this about 30 minutes of air and watch it unwind. Drink 2022-2032- 96

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah- One of the great wines produced in this vintage, the scintillating 2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah shows deep concentration and flavor density that anyone would envy in this vintage. Stored in 20% new large format French oak prior to bottling, this coats the palate with a seamless sense of mouthfeel. Rich dark cherry syrup, wet gravel, pipe tobacco, prosciutto and salted meats all deftly come together on the palate. Wait for the spellbinding finish. Gratifying to consume now, with its mineral edge and salty/stony accents, give this at least 20-30 minutes of air prior to consuming and enjoy over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2033- 98

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah is a vibrant wine that shows great verve and concentration from this slightly cooler vintage. Right away the nose is very alluring with soy sauce, forest floor, white truffle and Mandarin orange rind with red cherry candy. The stunning range of aromatics bring you back to the glass. With loads of mouth-watering acidity, this is exceedingly difficult to put down. Concentrated red and dark fruits parade with stony minerals, and suggestions of white pepper dusted bacon on the palate. Complex and delicious, this is one of the great wines made in 2019. Drink 2022-2032- 97

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special Syrah #13- One of the outstanding Syrahs made in Washington, the  ‘Wallah Wallah Special #13’ is a rich and layered proprietary blend of Syrah, sourced from a range of Christophe Baron’s vineyards. Slightly lighter than the 2018 edition, this opens with damp chimney aromas alongside blackberry cordial, anise, black truffle shavings and shades of Earl Grey tea. Inviting and soft on the mouth, this shows sterling tension and a light dusting of salinity that runs through the core of medium to full-bodied dark fruits. The levels lip-smacking acidity makes you salivate as you savor this stony beauty. Enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 97

2019 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo- A virtuoso performance in this slightly cooler vintage, the very stony and delicious 2019 ‘Impulsivo’ is up there with the finest wines of its kind in North America. Deeply colored in the glass, this reveals wet rock, violets, black tea and exotic spices on the palate, with menthol and concentrated boysenberry flavors. Complex and delicious, with great weight, length and finesse, this beautiful wine will provide drinking enjoyment over the next decade. Drink 2022-2033- 97

Rotie Cellars

Sitting with friends at Rotie Cellars in SoDo we chatted casually about the wines that we were tasting. My friends had little experience in wine tasting but they were thoroughly enjoying every wine that was presented to them. When Rotie Cellars was first founded there was a Syrah boom going on in Washington State. Rotie founder and winemaker Sean Boyd saw this trend and was drawn to the Rhone style wines made in Walla Walla. A downright awesome guy to spend time with, Sean makes a fantastic range of Rhone style white and red wines for Rotie. He has a beautiful tasting room in Milton-Freewater right in the Rocks District. For those who live on the west side of Washington, you don't want to miss out on a visit to their tasting room in the SoDo District of Seattle.

Sean is originally from Tacoma, and began working at Waters Cellars before starting his own winery. I adored the new 2021 Rotie Cellars ‘Southern White’ White Wine (OB, 92) which is wonderfully flinty and shows a soft mouthfeel. All of the Rotie Cellars wines are reasonably priced and nearly all are available under fifty dollars. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.rotiecellars.com Here are my reviews of the beautiful white wine and rose new release wines by Rotie Cellars.

2021 Rotie Cellars ‘Southern White’ White Wine- A blend of 70% Viognier with the remainder Marsanne and Roussanne, this delivers plenty of wet stone characters with white peach and Bartlett pear flavors alongside serious texture and tension. Enjoy over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2021 Rotie Cellars ‘Northern White’ White Wine- Big and fleshy, with good finesse the 2021 Rotie Cellars ‘Northern White’ offers salted Macadamia nut, lychee and starfruit flavors that combine with a great sense of weight and lengthy finish. Gorgeous to consume now, this will cellar well over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2021 Rotie Cellars Rose- Crisp and inviting on the mouth, the 2021 Rotie Cellars Rose offers wet stone and ripe raspberry flavors alongside citrus rind and green papaya tones on the palate. Beautifully textured, enjoy over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2021 Rotie Cellars ‘Stonewall’ Rose- The 2021 Rotie Cellars ‘Stonewall’ Rose is a gorgeous blend of 80% Syrah and 20% Mourvedre. Soft on the mouth, the Rose shows red rose water, red cherry candy and kumquat flavors that mingle well with copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2022-2026- 91

2021 Rotie Cellars Grenache Blanc- Stony and very mineral-driven, the 2021 Rotie Cellars Grenache Blanc is a gorgeous effort from this exciting vintage for white wines. Green papaya and vanilla cream mingle well with stony minerals and green apple flavors on the palate. Finishing long, this is gorgeous wine that really needs to be served on the warmer side to take in the fantastic range of flavors and aromas. Drink 2022-2027- 92

Andrew Januik

It has now been many years since Andrew Januik started his own line of wines, focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon. Today he is making a range of wines which includes his fantastic ‘Southern Sojourn’ wine from Argentina. His ‘Stone Cairn’ is a Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon that is inky and intense, with beautiful texture and a good core of finesse. The wine is sourced from a host of Red Mountain AVA vineyards including Shaw, Obelisco, Quintessence, and Ciel du Cheval vineyards. Oak treatment is moderate, usually around 55% for roughly twenty months.

A year ago I visited Andrew at his winery and taste through a vertical of his ‘Stone Cairn’ Cabernet Sauvignon. These are wines that age marvelously and the same is true with his new release from the challenging 2019 vintage. The 2019 Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ (OB, 94) shows good richness and flavor density, as well as regional typicity. These wines are extremely reasonably priced under 50 dollars. Check out more about these beautiful wines at https://www.noveltyhilljanuik.com/wines/andrew-januik/ Here are my tasting notes from my Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ Retrospective tasting.

2019 Andrew Januik ’Lady Hawk’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the 2019 ’Lady Hawk’ is comprised of nearly all 96% Cabernet Sauvignon (96%) with 4% Merlot blended in. Seamless on the mouth, the wine shows really good range and flavor density, from sagebrush and tobacco leaf to creme de cassis, pencil lead and blackberry cobbler notes. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2019 Andrew Januik ‘Stone Cairn’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Stone Cairn’ was sourced from the Red Mountain AVA and was stored for 21 months in 55% new French oak before bottling. Scorched earth and smoked brisket notes combine with rich dark fruits and milk chocolate on the nose. The palate is soft and round with a seamless texture and good finesse. Layers of toasty oak and mocha combine with the herbal undertones, showing really nice flavor range. Finishing long, this is gorgeous, generous Cabernet Sauvignon that will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94

2019 Andrew Januik ‘Baba Yaga’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Southwind Vineyard, the 2019 ‘Baba Yaga’ delivers tar, allspice and rich dark fruits on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a lush texture. Boysenberry cordial, dark chocolate shavings and graphite flavors combine with light garrigue notes on the palate. Showing good weight and tension, this is beautiful wine to consume now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2022-2035- 93

FIGGINS

One of the top producers of red wine and riesling in Washington, FIGGINS was founded by Washington wine legend, Chris Figgins. Originally a wheat farm, the 32 acre Figgins Estate Vineyard was first planted in 2004 is set at 1750 feet. This site will soon have a full cave built that I can’t wait to check out. The first vintage of FIGGINS was 2008 and the wines from the vineyard just get better and better.

I was amazed with his 2018 FIGGINS Red Wine (OB, 97) which was one of the great wines from Washington that I tasted last year. The new 2019 FIGGINS Red Wine (OB, 95) might be a greater achievement considering the coolness of the vintage which was impacted by frosts in early October. I have little doubt that the high elevation of this site allowed the grapes to reach peak phenolic ripeness for this wine. The 2019 FIGGINS is complex and delicious with pillowy texture and incredible weight and range. Buy this beauty with confidence.

Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.figginswine.com and here is my review of the gorgeous new FIGGINS Red Wine.

2019 FIGGINS Red Wine- Brooding in the glass, the 2019 FIGGINS Red Wine is a gorgeous proprietary blend of Bordeaux varietals which was stored in mostly neutral oak for 22 months before bottling. The green herbal aromatics from the Petit Verdot are shining brightly now, as tar, Turkish coffee and blueberry compote tones all meld in the glass. The palate shows remarkable concentration considering the coolness of the vintage, as this does not come off as cool vintage Bordeaux style Washington wine. Silky tannins frame a gorgeous core of black and blue fruits with graphite and freshly tilled loamy soils mingling well together. Give this at least an hour of air if enjoying right now. Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot. Drink 2024-2045- 95

The Orcas Project

Cole Sisson is always exploring. Having just returned from Madeira he has shared his beautiful new wines with me from,  — his brand that takes the Long Shadows Vintners model of using great Pacific Northwest winemakers to craft unique, terroir-driven bottlings spanning Oregon and Washington. 

If you find yourself on Orcas Island, do not miss out on his fabulous and quaint wine shop, Doe Bay Wine Company, which marks Sisson’s wine journey full-circle. Growing up on Orcas Island, Cole who returned home after fifteen years to realize his dream, with an incredible wine shop and awesome winery project. An advanced sommelier, many years back I recall meeting Cole for the first time during a glorious meal at famed Las Vegas outpost Michael Mina. Cole was a somm at RN74 Seattle before becoming wine director at Michael Mina at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas. Cole has even sat for the Master Sommelier Exam. His Orcas Project wines are geared towards acidity and terroir and labels are crafted from local Orcas Island artists. 

Cole has an outstanding new lineup.I love the new 2021 The Orcas Project Albarino (OB, 91) which is fresh and vibrant, showing the potential of this varietal in Washington. Do not miss out on his gorgeous new 2019 The Orcas Project ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine (OB, 92) which is made by Washington winemaking icon Chris Peterson. This has a great melange of red and dark fruits with considerable nuance. Learn more about this fantastic winery project at https://www.theorcasproject.com Here are the great new wines by The Orcas Project.

2021 The Orcas Project Albarino- The 2021 Albarino by The Orcas Project was made by Javier Alfonso and was sourced from the Dutchman Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Pretty honeysuckle and lemon rind tones mingle with wet stone on the nose. The palate is bright with good verve and tension, as salty tones add to the high level of mouth-watering acidity. Enjoy now while the freshness remains. Drink 2022-2025- 91

2021 The Orcas Project Grenache Blanc- Made by Two Vintners winemaker Morgan Lee, this Grenache Blanc comes mainly from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley AVA. Once on the nose this takes on starfruit and baking spice dusted soudough bread tones alongside hay and damp earth. The palate is soft and round with a generous mouthfeel and plenty of finesse. Finishing long with cream and minerals, this is best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2022-2025- 91

2019 The Orcas Project Pinot Noir- Sourced from Brick House Vineyards, this is an electric new 2019 Pinot Noir by famed vigneron Doug Tunnell. Citrus rind and red cherry candy play well with freshly tilled soils and shades of wet stone on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with lighter to medium bodied red fruit flavors, with plenty of earthy undercurrents. Enjoy this beautiful, fresh and linear style of Oregon Pinot Noir with everything from salmon to game hens. Drink 2022-2032- 91

2019 The Orcas Project Tempranillo- For years Javier Alfonso has been flying the Tempranillo flag high in Washington State. This edition by Alfonso comes from the Dineen and Upland Vineyards and was stored in mostly once used oak (88%) prior to bottling. Wonderfully earthy on the nose, tobacco leaf and worn leather notes combine well with ripe dark fruits. The palate is smooth and refined with soft tannins that frame a good core of red and dark fruits with citrus rind and menthol undertones. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 The Orcas Project ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Red Blend’ is a GSM style wine made by Chris Peterson of Avennia fame. Mostly Grenache (46%) and Mourvedre (39%), this delivers smoked brisket, Asian spices and shades of bulls blood on the nose. The palate is smooth and inviting on the mouth, with layers of pretty red and dark fruits that collide well with smoky minerals and garrigue notes. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2020 The Orcas Project ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Red Blend’ combines 60% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot. It comes off soft with ripe black currants, violets and coffee ground flavors with sagebrush accents. Already nicely evolved, I see no reason to cellar this. Drink 2022-2027- 90

Groth Vineyards

A historic Napa property, Napa, Groth Vineyards was founded in 1982 by Judy and Dennis Groth. Prior to starting their winery they found financial success while working for Ernst and Young in the South Bay. Dennis became chief financial officer at Atari and in 1981 they both purchased a large 121 acre parcel of land in Oakville back in 1982. These vineyards are on the floor of Napa, right in the prime area for growing beautiful Chardonnay, and Bordeaux varietals. Today, second-generation family member Suzanne Groth leads the business. New winemaker Ted Henry has an impressive resume which includes former stints at jJarvis Estate and Clos du Val.

I was blown away with the new wines, which show excellent quality and value. A downright awesome value is the 2021 Groth Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92)  which is insanely good for the price with its soft mouthfeel and great range. The best wine that I tried was their 2018 Groth ‘Oakville Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is powerful and intense with black fruits yet shows good restraint. This ifs one for any serious collector of Napa Cabernet. Learn more about this great historic winery at https://www.grothwines.com Here are the fantastic new bottling by Groth. 

2021 Groth Sauvignon Blanc- A blend of 88% Sauvignon Blanc with 12% Semillon, this spent four months in neutral oak barrels before bottling. Remarkably this is now the 40th vintage of this wine. Freshly cut grass with green apple and lychee notes all mark the nose. With its nutty edge, the Semillon is shining brightly on the palate, as it also adds to the soft and generous texture of the wine. Highly enjoyable to consume now, savor this beautiful new wine over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2020 Groth ‘Estate White’ White Wine- The 2020 ‘Estate White’ is manly Sauvignon Blanc with nearly 20% Semillon blended in. Coming from vines that were planted in 1994, the wine was stored in second fill acacia, neutral oak barrels, concrete eggs and stainless steel before bottling. The palate is very seamless and soft with good viscosity and tension. Marcona almond and vanilla cream flavors mingle with bright Japanese pear on the palate. Seriously good now, enjoy over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2020 Groth ‘Hillview Estate Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This wine comes from the Hillview Vineyard which was planted back in 1996. This was aged for eight months sur lie (17% new French oak) before bottling. Golden in the glass, this reveals toasty oak and nutty nuances with baking spices on the nose. The palate is fresh and shows copious minerals with ripe nectarine and pineapple flavors alongside good minerality. Enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2018 Groth ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Groth ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic effort that blends in 9% Merlot. Stored in 40% new French oak for 18 months, this offers cassis, pencil lead and loamy soil flavors on the palate, with medium-bodied dark fruit flavors. Full of finesse, this really needs another 30 minutes to an hour to get going if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2037- 92

2018 Groth ‘Oakcross Proprietary Blend’ Red Wine- A newer wine to the Groth lineup, the 2018 Groth ‘Oakcross Proprietary Blend’ Red Wine was stored in 70% new French oak for 22 months before bottling. With 20% Merlot blended in, you can get the kirsch notes immediately with on the nose with graphite and red rose petals that meld seamlessly. The palate is soft and plush with light tannins that frame a rich core of red and dark fruits. Enjoy this delicious wine over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2018 Groth ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Really good even at the three year mark, the 2018 ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a glorious bottling that was stored in 100% new French oak for 22 months and also saw 14 months of bottle age before release. This is a magical wine that really needs an hour of air before consuming. Once aroused, this reveals ripe red currant and freshly tilled soils that combine with red rose petals and suggestions of Asian spices on the nose. The palate is plush and soft, with firm tannins holding everything together nicely. Seriously good even now at he three year mark, do your best to resist this beauty for another year or two — your patience will be rewarded. Drink 2024-2045- 95

Cairdeas

Chatting with Lacey Lybecker at Hospice du Rhone, she beamed with delight while pouring her wine to others. “These are wines that belong on this stage” I said. Tasting through the wines, I was definitely right. One of the finest wineries in Lake Chelan, Cairdeas is an ancient Gaelic word meaning friendship, goodwill or alliance. Founded by Charlie and Lacey Lybecker in 2009, Cairdeas is named after Charlie’s Irish heritage, Lacey’s goodwill (that is how we met), the alliance we have made with each other and those in our industry, and the friendships we have made along the way.

The winery sources from some great sites throughout Washington including the acclaimed ‘Boushey Vineyard’ in the Yakima Valley and the ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ in the new Royal Slope AVA. The winery is perched atop the lake with stunning views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding valley.

Don’t miss out on their new 2021 Cairdeas Rose (OB, 91) which is fresh and rich on the mouth with delicate red fruits. Even better is their 2021 Cairdeas ‘Nellie May’ White Wine (OB, 92) which has a soft sense of weight and seamless quality with melon fruits. These wines are all reasonably priced under 40 dollars. Learn more about this excellent Chelan outpost at https://cairdeaswinery.com/winery/about-us/ and here are my reviews of the new Cairdeas wines.

2021 Cairdeas Rose- Very light in color, this Yakima Valley bottling blends Syrah (63%) with Grenache (37%). Seriously soft on the mouth, this Rose offers kiwi and guava flavors that mingle well with stony minerals and suggestions of oyster mushroom on the palate. Enjoy this delicious new Rhone style Rose over the next several years. Drink 2022-2026- 91

2021 Cairdeas ‘Concrete Aged’ Grenache Blanc- Fresh and vibrant, the 2021 Cairdeas ‘Concrete Aged’ Grenache Blanc delivers ripe pear and lychee flavors with great tension and finesse. Wait for the exceedingly long finish with vanilla cream and minerals. Drink 2022-2026- 91

2021 Cairdeas ‘Amphora Aged’ Grenache Blanc- The delicious 2021 Cairdeas ‘Amphora Aged’ Grenache Blanc shows slightly less weight and more finesse than the ‘Concrete Aged’ edition. Salty and savory, with green apple and almandine tones, this brilliant new bottling is best enjoyed over the next five years while the freshness remains intact. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2021 Cairdeas ‘Nellie May’ White Wine- The 2021 ‘Nellie May’ is great blend of Viognier (60%) and Roussanne (40%) which was soured from the Lawrence Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. The palate is exceedingly well-balanced, with serious weight and tension. Cantalope, whipping cream, starfruit and copious minerals, with stony undertones all fill the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2022-2026- 92

2021 Cairdeas ‘Lake Chelan’ Picradin- A lesser known Rhone varietal made famous by Chateau Beaucastel, the 2021 Picardin is soft and round on the mouth. Forward melon flavors mingle well with baked apple and minerals on the palate. This is already nicely evolved stuff that will drink well over the next four plus years. Drink 2022-2026- 91

Austin Hope

The Hope family has farmed in Paso Robles for more than 30 years. When they arrived in this barely-discovered region, they planted apples and grapes. They had no idea of the potential of wines from this region. Today the apple vines are gone, as Hope Family focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Mourvedre and Grenache. Vine density has increased and each vine is asked to produce very little fruit. Hope Family Wines consists of five individual brands: Liberty School, Treana, Quest, Austin Hope, Troublemaker.

The new wines from Austin Hope and Treana were excellent. A great value, the 2021 Austin Hope Rose (OB, 90) is fresh and shows wonderful texture with pretty red fruits. I love the new 2020 Treana Red Wine (OB, 92), a wine that I have enjoyed over the past twelve years tasting. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, this is dense and inky juice that is fabulous to enjoy right now with a juicy ribeye. Learn more about this great Paso Robles brand at https://hopefamilywines.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Austin Hope.

2021 Austin Hope Rose- Showing a smooth texture, the 2021 Austin Hope Rose delivers light strawberry and guava flavors with a great sense of finesse and texture. Enjoy this delicious new Rose on a hot summer day. Drink 2022-2025- 90

2021 Austin Hope Sauvignon Blanc- The well-balanced Austin Hope Sauvignon Blanc shows ripe nectarine and pear flavors alongside a soft mouthfeel on the palate. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2021-2024- 89

2020 Austin Hope ‘Quest’ Red WIne- The 2020 ‘Quest’ was stored in 65% new American oak before being bottled in July 2021. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this offers heady dark currant, graphite and mocha tones on the nose with blackberry cordial. The palate is concentrated and rich with good finesse. Intense blue and black fruits greet you with a smooth texture. Enjoy over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 90

2020 Treana Cabernet Sauvignon- The decadent 2020 Treana Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in 75% neutral French and American oak before bottling. Rich dark figs, anise and creme de cassis flavors mingle with lighter graphite and toasty oak tones. Enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2027- 90

2020 Treana Red Wine- The 2020 Treana Red Wine is a proprietary blend that was stored for 16 months in French oak barrels, of which 25% were once used and 25% were twice used, before bottling. The smooth texture entrees as dark chocolate shavings and Linzer torte notes combine with pencil lead and baking spices on the palate. Decadent and delicious, enjoy this great new wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

Audeant

A winery started by Andrew Reichers, Audeant has quickly become one of Oregon’s hottest new wine brands. Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Reichers has a long-standing history in the wine industry, originally starting his career with helping with wine production in Santa Barbara at a bulk wine facility. Andrew was the first employee at Sanguis under epic winemaker Matthias Pippig and has also spent time in New Zealand, at Burn Cottage, and in Burgundy in the Haute Cote working for Claire Naudin at Domaine Naudin Ferrand. More recently Andrew has served for five years as the assistant winemaker at Antica Terra and Lillian with Maggie Harrison prior to joining and founding Audeant Wines with Proprietor, Teal Walker, in 2016. Andrew has a world-class wine resume.

I loved the new wines across the board. Check out the outstanding entry level Pinot their 2019 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which overdelivers for the price and would pair well for an incredible array of foods. which has a silky texture and impressive aromatic and flavor range. I love the rich and polished 2019 Audeant ‘Nysa Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93). This beauty shows great terroir and is already very nicely evolved. Learn more about this exciting new winery at https://www.audeant.com Here are the beautiful new wine releases by Audeant.

2019 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Bright on the nose, this takes on layers of tart red fruits alongside wintergreen tones and suggestions of pine needles. The palate is rich and beautifully textured, with cranberry, guava and pomegranate seed flavors that meld well with copious minerals and stony undercurrents. Enjoy this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 Audeant ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from this famed site in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, this reveals nectarine and flinty tones on the nose, with shades of peat moss and roasted hazelnut. The palate is seamless and sensational in terms of finesse, weight and length. The exceedingly long, Meyer lemon zest, wet stone and sourdough bread-driven finish really entices. Be sure to enjoy this beauty at a warmer temperature as the 2019 ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay will live on for at least another ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 94

2019 Audeant ‘Nysa Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The gorgeous 2019 Audeant ‘Nysa Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from 31-year-old, own rooted vines which are set on Jory soil at 650 feet elevation. The volcanic soil element is prominent on the nose, with red currants, cigar ash and shades of blood orange zest, with beef dripping undertones. The palate is finesse-driven but shows good stuffing with bright red fruits, citrus rind and stony accents. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2019 Audeant ‘Luminous Hills Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Deeply perfumed, the 2019 Audeant ‘Luminous Hills Vineyard’ Pinot Noir offers red rose petals alongside stony earth, menthol and shades of pine needles on the nose. The sense of poise is outstanding, as is the flavor range from stony minerals to peat moss and tart red fruit with orange blossom water. Enjoy this beauty over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 93

Jaine

A great new Washington brand started by the owners of Matthews, Jaine focuses on high quality white wines and Rose from some of the great vineyard sites in Washington State. They craft their Chardonnay from the cooler Evergreen Vineyard and use other exciting sites like the Thunderstone Vineyard. This new outpost which was formerly used by DeLille Cellars in central Woodinville is an awesome spot to sip their wines. The wines were gorgeous across the board.

This new brand has a lively, bright new set of wines. I was particularly impressed with the new 2021 Jaine Rose (OB, 92) which is fresh and beautifully textured. This wine will pair well with an unbelievable range of foods. Learn more about this great new project winery at https://jaine.co/ and here are my reviews of the great new wines by Jaine.

2021 Jaine ‘Laura Lee Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- Weighing in at 13.4% alcohol, the 2021 Jaine ‘Laura Lee Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Royal Slope AVA as this spent seven months in stainless steel before bottling. White peach, star jasmine and suggestions of baking spice dusted Challah bread fill the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a seamless mouthfeel and is loaded with pear, green apple and melon fruit flavors. This gets better and better with air. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2021 Jaine ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- The outstanding 2021 Jaine ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc offers salted gooseberry and orange blossom flavors alongside unripe cantaloupe and stony minerals on the palate. Round and generous on the mouth, with good tension, this is very hard to put down. Delicious now, this is seriously good stuff to enjoy over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2021 Jaine ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Chardonnay- For years the Evergreen Vineyard has been a prime, cooler spot for Washington Chardonnay. Golden once in the glass, the 2021 ‘Evergreen Vineyard’ Chardonnay opens with ripe nectarine alongside roasted pineapple and toasted hazelnuts. The palate is soft and elegant with a good viscosity and bright acidity holding everything together. With good length this is already beautifully evolved wine that will cellar well over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2021 Jaine ‘Laura Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Sourced from this site in the Royal Slope AVA, the wine delivers pear and apricot notes alongside baking spices on the nose. The palate is very soft and refined with baked apple, creme brûlée and copious minerals that mingle well with salty underpinnings. Enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2021 Jaine ‘Thunderstone Vineyard’ Rose- A very vibrant pink in the glass, the 2021 Jaine ‘Thunderstone Vineyard’ Rose is drinking beautifully now. 100% Grenache, this delivers a dazzling array of aromatics from wet stone and papaya to green melon, and strawberry tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is elegant and refined with a soft mouthfeel. Be sure to enjoy at a slightly warmer temperature. Drink 2022-2027- 92

Domaine Serene

I remember first visiting Domaine Serene in 2002. A lot has changed at the winery since then but consistency and overall quality of the wines have remained a signature feature of their brand. More than thirty years ago Domaine Serene was founded by Dundee Hills pioneers Grace and Ken Evenstad, One of the most beautiful wineries in the Pacific Northwest, Domaine Serene is an absolute must visit for any Oregon wine lover. I fondly recall my first visit to Domaine Serene in 2002 and was absolutely blown away not only with the sweeping views of the Willamette Valley but the stunning wines. I love how these wines age as well. I have tasted many of these wines from my personal collection from 2012,2013 and 2014. These wines are aging brilliantly right now.

Before coming to Domaine Serene, I admired the wines that Michael Fay made at Goldeneye. Michael has done a great job with his 2019 white wines and red wines. Don’t miss out on the Domaine Serene ‘M.V.2’ Rose Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) which is one of the finest wines of its kind that you will taste in Oregon.  A highly collectible wine, the 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) really needs a few more years of bottle age but you can feel the immense potential in this wine. Learn more about this famed Oregon estate at http://domaineserene.com/ Here are the incredible new release wines by Domaine Serene.

2014 Domaine Serene ‘Recolte Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- Quite simply a masterpiece in Oregon wine, the 2014 Domaine Serene ‘Recolte Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine may just be the finest 100% Chardonnay sparkling wine that I have tasted. Once on the nose this revels in its rich lemon rind dusted brioche tones alongside ripe pineapple and golden delicious apple. Seamless and soft throughout the drinking experience, this effortlessly glides, with a refined mousse and lovely, lengthy finish. Delicious and defined, and already nicely evolved, this is scintillating, deep and concentrated bubbles to enjoy right now and over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 96

Domaine Serene ‘M.V. 2 Rose’ Sparkling Wine- This is now the second time I have had the chance to taste the beautiful Domaine Serene ‘M.V. 2 Rose’ Sparkling Wine, which is mostly Pinot Noir (70%) with the remainder Chardonnay. Once on the attack the delicate bubbles entice, as this comes off refined with ripe strawberry, Yakima cherry and honeydew melon flavors with citrus blossom water and wet stone undercurrents. Gorgeous to enjoy now, consume this over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 95

Domaine Serene ‘Fleur de Vie M.V. 2’ Sparkling Wine- The fantastic Domaine Serene ‘Fleur de Vie M.V. 2’ Sparkling Wine is already drinking beautifully right now. Bright pear and sweet peach flavors combine with copious minerals and shades of salted macadamia nut on the palate. Refined, with a slight kiss of sweetness and plenty of mouth-watering acidity to back it up, this is gorgeous demi-sec style bubbles that will provide drinking enjoyment over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay-  The really good 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay comes from a southern and warmer portion of their estate vineyard. Highly enjoyable now, this offers shades of mango and cardamom on the nose with stony and salty undercurrents. The palate is ripe and viscous with serious tension that holds in place a deep core of melon and citrus rind tones, with hazelnut and peat moss undercurrents. Flinty and stony, with copious minerals, this is already nicely evolved Chardonnay that showcases the potential of this vintage. Drink 2022-2033- 95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Triple Crown’ Chardonnay- A phenomenal wine from this cooler vintage, the 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Triple Crown’ Chardonnay delivers ripe cantaloupe and roasted almond aromas alongside shades of gunpowder and wet stone. The palate is fresh and also very viscous with great concentration and finesse. Layers of toasty oak mingle well with kumquat dusted French bread and salty minerals. This finishes long with vanilla cream and baking spices, as the outstanding 2019 ‘Triple Crown’ Chardonnay is best savored over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 94

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Clos du Soleil’ Chardonnay- The polished 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Clos du Soleil’ Chardonnay is drinking very nicely right now at the three year mark. Taken from a slightly warmer part of the estate vineyard high atop the Dundee Hills, the wine leads with nutmeg infused French bread, with suggestions of roasted pineapple and banana on the nose. The palate is concentrated with plenty of mouth-watering acidity. Finishing long, this is gorgeous wine to consume over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Clos de Lune’ Chardonnay- A gorgeous and rather generous example of the vintage, the 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Clos de Lune’ Chardonnay comes off with saline drenched Granny Smith apple on the nose alongside lighter flinty and Macadamia nut undertones alongside suggestions of diatomaceous earth. The palate is viscous and mineral-driven with vanilla cream and baking spice dusted Challah bread flavors alongside shades of roasted pineapple. Give this an hour of air if consuming in its sultry youth. Drink 2022-2033- 95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Etoile’ Chardonnay- Set at 800 feet, the ’Etoile Vineyard’ is set on ancient volcanic soils. The 2o19 ‘Etoile’ offers  The freshness and sense of finesse is downright awesome with volcanic soils that meld well with starfruit, Japanese pear and brandy soaked honeydew melon tones, with nutty accents. With an exceedingly long finish this is highly refined and delicious chardonnay that really needs about 30 minutes if consuming young. Drink 2022-2033- 95

2018 Domaine Serene ‘Recolte Grand Cru’ Chardonnay- One of the finest Chardonnays from Oregon that I have tasted in the past year, the scintillating 2018 ‘Recolte Grand Cru’ is a masterclass by the winemaking team at Domaine Serene. Rich and viscous on the mouth, the volcanic minerals come together seamlessly with Pink Lady apple, vanilla creme brûlée, ripe pineapple and mango tones that combine with a great sense of tension and salinity. Finishing exceedingly long, this is an incredible wine that needs at least an hour of air if enjoying in its vibrant youth. Drink 2023-2040- 96

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Yamhill Cuvee’ Pinot Noir-The 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Yamhill Cuvee’ Pinot Noir offers juicy citrus zest aromas as well as pomegranate seed and red rose petals that all mingle in unison. The mouthfeel is soft and generous with a soft texture and vibrant acid backbone.  A light dusting of salinity falls over the core of plump red fruit flavors with stony minerals. Enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir- Commanding your attention from this slightly cooler vintage, the gorgeous 2019 Domaine Serene ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir was sourced from a host of estate vineyards. Strawberry and red raspberry coulis combine with a dusting of volcanic earth and forest floor tones on this fantastic bouquet. The palate is soft and round, with light tannins that frame a core of red fruits, with citrus rind, West African spices and pine needle undercurrents. Showing good weight and bright acidity, this is already beautiful evolved wine that will sure to satisfy over the next twelve plus years. Give this an hour of air if consuming now. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 Domine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ is a fanatic new single vineyard bottling that comes from a small site that is located in a southern facing slope. Translucent in the glass, this reveals toasty oak and teaberry aromas that meld with peat moss and a dusting of volcanic earth with freshly tilled soils. The palate is very fresh and refined with soft tannins that line a very pretty core of guava, strawberry and loganberry fruits alongside blood orange zest undertones. Soft tannins and a lengthy finish complete this outstanding new bottling that is already nicely evolved.  Drink 2022-2036- 95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Abbey Oaks is the lone property that Domaine Serene owns in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Set on Willakenzie soils, this is an earlier ripening site for Pinot Noir. Right away the wine shows a great combination of red and dark fruits that mingle with salty damp earth and peat moss aromatics. The palate is soft and beautifully textured with great length and a very pretty set of red fruits (think guava, pomegranate and Bing cherry). Full-bodied and delicious, this is great stuff to enjoy its youth, as the 2018 ‘Abbey Oaks’ will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2036- 95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Gold Eagle Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘’Gold Eagle Vineyard’ is a dry farmed, six acre site set on ancient volcanic soils. This 2019 edition offers black truffle shavings, loamy soils and tobacco combine with a core of red currant and pomegranate seeds on the nose. The palate displays good weight and a soft mouthfeel with good viscosity considering the coolness of the vintage. Finishing long, this would pair with an unlimited range of foods when you consider the combination of red fruits, Asian spices, damp earthy notes and bright acidity. Enjoy this beauty over the next twelve years, Drink 2022-2034- 95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Triple S Vineyard’ is owned by Sue and Steve Schneider and is exclusively farmed by Domaine Serene. Once on the nose this takes on stony undercurrents that mingle well with liner torte, cigar box and saline drenched marionberry. The palate is soft and plush upon entry with layers of tart red fruits and pine needle tones alongside a strong volcanic earthy backbone and bright acidity. Juicy and delicious to consume nowise enjoy over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Winery Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Winery Hill Vineyard’ is a 20 acre site is planted to several clonal selections of Pinot Noir and is set on Jory soils. Once on the mouth this comes off veer soft and inviting with a smooth texture and vibrant acidity. Ripe boysenberry and back cherry connive with loamy soils and shades of pipe tobacco on the palate. Finishing long, this is already nicely evolved wine that will be sure to satisfy over the next twelve plus years. Give this an hour of air if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2022-2035- 94

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Aspect’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Aspect’ is a stunning new wine by Domaine Serene winemaker Michael Fay. Very dark and brooding on the nose with rich wild blackberry and tar notes alongside volcanic soils that all entice. The palate is very fresh and soft, with a seamless drinking experience. Layered with a rich combination of red and dark fruits with truffle and forest floor notes, this is beautiful wine to consume over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2022-2037-95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Fleur de Lis Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Fleur de Lis Vineyard’ is a site set at slightly higher elevation in their estate vineyard and is a large part of their ‘Evenstad Reserve’ Pinot Noir. This really needs an hour of air to be fully expressive on the nose, as this slowly reveals potpourri aromas alongside tilled soils and boysenberry preserve tones that all dazzle in the glass. The palate is rich and concentrated with refined tannins that frame a core of rich red and dark fruit flavors with cigar ash and flinty accents. Be sure to give this a long decant if savoring in its vibrant youth. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir-  I adore the new 2019 ‘Grace Vineyard’ which really needs a few more years of bottle age to fulfill its potential. Needing an hour of air to fully express itself, the 2019 ‘Grace’ reveals in its stony accents that line ripe cranberry and cola notes alongside shades of wild herbs and peat moss accents. The palate is refined and elegant on the mouth, revealing juicy acidity and copious red and dark fruit flavors that collide with the faint white truffle undertones. This will surely become considerably more earthy as it ages. Having just tasted the 20016 ‘Grace’ I know how long these wines can last thin the cellar as this is easily a 20 year wine.  This might not be as big and bold as the 2018, but it shows slightly more nuance and I can assure you that it is every bit as good. Try to resist this beauty for another two years. Drink 2025-2042- 96

2019 Domaine Serene ‘Grand Cheval’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Grand Cheval’ is a one of a kind wine that was created by the late Ken Evenstad years ago in blending Seven Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon with Domaine Serene Estate Pinot Noir. This edition comes from cooler vintages both in Walla Walla and Oregon. It is very silky and soft upon entry with Black Forest Cake, exotic spices, and black currants that mingle with salty and silty soil undertones. The bright acidity and wonderful tannic structure as well as the weight suggests this will cellar well for another fifteen plus years. Drink 2022-2037- 95

King Estate

Oregon Wine Month might have been completed but at Owen Bargreen we continue to march on, sharing some of the top wines in the state. 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 bottling 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.

Over the years I have had the chance to visit and taste with their talented winemaker Brent Stone, who has been at the helm since 2011. He originally came to King Estate to serve as lab manager and moved his way up to head winemaker.  Brent 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 2021 King Estate Pinot Gris (OB, 90) which is fresh and shows serious texture and value. I adore the new 2018 King Estate ‘Brut Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which can easily cellar for another eight to ten years. This is highly defined Oregon bubbles.  Learn more about this famed Oregon estate at https://www.kingestate.com and here are my tasting notes from the new King Estate wines.

2021 King Estate ‘Oregon’ Sauvignon Blanc- 4% Semillon is blended into this wine which was mostly sourced from the Willig and Ramona Vineyards. Gooseberry, kiwi and orange blossom notes dominate the nose. The palate is very fresh with a smooth texture and just a kiss of sweetness. Really well-done and novel, enjoy with fresh oysters. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2021 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Gris- Mostly sourced from the King Estate Vineyard, this weighs in at 13.5% alcohol. Pear and mango notes with cashew nut tones mark the nose. Very fresh and vibrant, this shows good weight and finesse. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2018 King Estate ‘Brut Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- Taken from this warm vintage in the Willamette Valley, the 2018 ‘Brut Cuvee’ is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay that is an awesome effort by winemaker Brent Stone. Baked pear, cardamom dusted marzipan, green apple and pineapple mark the nose. The palate is refined and shows off the silky mousse that makes this even more refined on the mouth. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2021 King Estate Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this displays straightforward pear, bubblegum and guava flavors that come together with a light effervescence. Drink 2022-2025- 89

2020 King Estate ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Aged for ten months in French oak barrels, and mainly sourced from the Fern Hill and Croft vineyards, this opens with Yakima cherry, red raspberry and shades of teaberry and garrigue on the nose. The palate is very fresh and focused with medium-bodied red fruit and citrus rind flavors. This is a great effort considering the challenges of the vintage. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2018 North By Northwest ‘Red Blend’ Red Wine- A touch lean considering the vintage, this reveals black tea, blackberry and copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2022-2026- 89

Tooth + Nail

Paso Robles makes some wines that have great drinkability. A prime example is Tooth + Nail, a great value winery that is crafting some delicious wines. Rob Murray of Rob Murray Vineyards has been making wine since 2007. With 1,000 acres of grapes and four labels, Rob Murray along with Winemaker Jeremy Leffert select the top 5% of grapes for their wines. They also have an outstanding label from Santa Barbara County called Amor Fati.

I love the new 2021 Tooth + Nail Sauvignon Blanc (OB,91) which has a seamless texture and good richness. The best wine I tasted was the gorgeous 2019 Amor Fati ‘Murmur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which was rich and polished with serious salty terroir. Learn more at http://toothandnailwine.com/ and here are the great new wines by Tooth + Nail.

2021 Tooth + Nail Sauvignon Blanc- Very ripe, with good acidity, the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc by Tooth + Nail delivers kiwi, white grapefruit and nectarine flavors with stony minerals on the palate. This is best served at a warmer temperature to enjoy the full-throttle viscosity. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2019 Tooth + Nail ‘The Possessor’ Red Wine- Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (79%) with smaller parts Petite Sirah, Syrah & Malbec, this shows off ripe dark currant and coffee ground flavors with black cherry cordial on the palate. Enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2027- 90

2019 Tooth + Nail ‘The Stand’ Red Wine- Mainly Petite Sirah (92%), this was stored for 15 months in 34% new French oak barrels before bottling. Blueberry compote, black currant cordial and bright acidity greet you once on the mouth, with a silky mouthfeel. Enjoy this full-throttle effort over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 91

2019 Amor Fati ‘Murmur Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This Santa Maria Valley bottling offers seriously good viscosity and tension with plenty of salty tones on the palate. Ripe peach, sourdough bread and lemon zest all collide with suggestions of diatomaceous earth on the palate. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next decade. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2019 Amor Fati ‘Murmur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Rich and polished, the 2019 ‘Murmur Vineyaard’ Pinot Noir by Amor Fati unveils red rose petals that combine with cinnamon and cloves on the nose. The palate is seamless with a soft texture and a finish that won’t quit. Rich red fruit-driven with citrus rind accents and beautiful length, this is outstanding wine that will cellar well for at least another decade to come. Drink 2022-2033- 94

Child's Play

One of the killer value lineups in Oregon, Tony Rynders modeled his Child’s Play label after his children who drew original labels for this wine. Over the past five years Child’s Play is a label that has consistently over-delivered for the price. A man needing no introduction, Tony Rynders is one of the legendary Oregon winemakers who formerly was head winemaker at Hogue and Domaine Serene before starting his Tendril label.

Do not miss out on the scintillating 2021 Child’s Play Rose (OB, 91) which is amongst the best in the state for the price. I loved the new 2021 Child’s Play Chardonnay (OB, 91) which is a terrific case buy with its concentrated fruit and smooth texture. Learn more about this outstanding offshoot winery at https://tendrilwines.com/wines/childs-play/ Here are the great new wines by Child’s Play.

2021 Child’s Play Rose- Very dark pink once in the glass, the 2021 Child’s Play Rose offers a very refined sense of texture. With gobs of mouth-watering acidity and serious weight and poise, the wine delivers bright guava, red currant and red cherry candy flavors alongside citrus zest tones. Delicious now, enjoy over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 91

NV Child’s Play ‘Bubbles’ Sparkling Wine- With a touch of sweetness, the NV ‘Bubbles’ offers banana and toasty oak tones alongside ripe peach and suggestions of French bread on the palate. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2021 Child’s Play Chardonnay- Very ripe on the nose with baked apple and sourdough bread tones, the 2021 Child’s Play Chardonnay introduces a soft mouthfeel and smooth texture. Seriously good for the price, with good weight and verve, don’t miss out on this great wine to purchase by the case. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2021 Child’s Play Pinot Noir- The good value 2021 Child’s Play Pinot Noir offers bright red fruit flavors with tobacco leaf and stony undertones on the palate.The sense of mouthfeel and richness is really good, as this juicy 2021 Pinot Noir is going to be best consumed over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2028- 91

2019 Child’s Play ‘Columbia Valley’ Malbec- Coming from this cooler vintage, the 2019 Child’s Play ‘Columbia Valley’ Malbec shows off a smooth texture with creme de violette, anise, and tar flavors that collide with plenty of minerals on the palate. Enjoy this killer value over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

Acumen Wine

A story that Eric Yuan has dreamed of, his Napa winery, Acumen Wine, is guided by a team that includes legendary Winemaker Phillip Titus and renowned Viticulturist Garrett Buckland. Acumen Wines has established an estate that features 116 organically certified acres of vines, spread across two remarkable vineyards on Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak. The Acumen team makes a small portfolio of estate-grown wines, with a focus on mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Sauvignon Blanc.

In 2012, building on a love affair with wine that was first cultivated while studying in Paris, entrepreneur Eric Yuan came to Napa Valley to found Acumen. He sought to create wines that have the French style of balance and structure, creating a product from the high slopes of Atlas Peak. He used the talents of founding Winemaker Denis Malbec (a veteran of Château Latour) and acclaimed Viticulturist Garrett Buckland, to find a high-elevation site that is typically 10 degrees cooler than on the valley floor. 

Phillip Tutus calls this region “remote and extremely difficult to plant.” Acumen acquired its first vineyard on Atlas Peak in 2012. Originally planted in 1992, and featuring 32 acres of vines with a northeast exposure, the Attelas Vineyard was the ‘home vineyard’ of Dr. Jan Krupp, predating his famed Stagecoach Vineyard by three years. In 2014, Acumen expanded its estate program with the acquisition of the Edcora Vineyard, which features 84 acres of vines 350 feet higher up on Atlas Peak.

The new wines from Acumen come from the exciting 2019 vintage. They both were absolutely singing despite being only three years of age. I love the 2019 Acumen Wines ‘Edcora Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is highly nervy and structured, with gobs of dark fruits and non-fruit flavor that will be sure to satisfy any serious collector of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. Learn more about the new Acumen wines and learn more at https://www.acumenwine.com. Here are my reviews of the new Acumen Wines.

2019 Acumen Wines ‘Peak Attelas Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Acumen ‘Peak Attelas Vineyard’ blends nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (91%) with the remainder Malbec. An inky dark color once in the glass, this revels in wet grave and stony undertones alongside a great core of dark fruits with black florals on the nose. The palate is round and elegant with silky tannins that frame a deep core of dark currant, tobacco leaf, espresso grounds and smoky minerals. The wonderful sense of length and viscosity adds to the enjoyment, as this beautiful new Cabernet Sauvignon is best enjoyed over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 95

2019 Acumen Wines ‘Edcora Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ‘Edcora Vineyard’ is set roughly a half mile from the Atttelas Vineyard, as this site neighbors the famed ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ high up on Atlas Peak. This 2019 Acumen ‘Edcora Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is entirely comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, as this reveals Asian spice aromatics that collide with anise, cassis cordial, mocha and scorched earthy undertones. The palate is very refined and elegant with ripe dark fruit flavors that meld well with worn leather, graphite and Turkish coffee. Layered and rich, this is outstanding wine to enjoy now — and be sure to give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying in its full-throttle youth. Drink 2022–2040- 96

Champagne Christophe Baron

I love great champagne — especially great champagne in magnum. Champagne Christophe Baron are all zero dosage bottlings that showcase Pinot Meunier. You won’t find Pinot Meunier like this in the world. Very few producers utilize this varietal other than Charles Mignon, as well as MV Krug (usually has a high PM percentage), and Egly-Ouriet. The body and richness from this varietal, as well as earthy tones, really shines through.

Christophe Baron was born into an exceedingly long line of Champagne vignerons, with a history that dates back as far as 1677. He trained in Avize (Champagne) and Beaune before moving to the United States and founding one of North America’s iconic brands, Cayuse Vineyards. Baron’s estate in champagne includes 3 hectares (7.5 acres) surrounding the villages of Charly-sur-Marne, Crouttes-sur-Marne and the hamlet of Porteron, and its vineyard holdings are made up of only very old parcels of Pinot Meunier. These are a big and bold, beautifully textured style of champagne that are best captured in

A Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc glass, or a Riedel tasting glass.  They also need a lot of time when opened and I recommend letting them sit for at least 30 minutes prior to consuming. Finally, make sure to not serve these wines cold. They are best served at 42-45 degrees — or warmer!

I love the new 2017 wines which come from a vintage which started brilliantly and then had a series of dry and very hot weather during the summer which led to ripeness issues for some.  These are wines that are more on the flamboyant side, that show a gorgeous combination of texture and finesse. And they get much better with a little air. Here are my tasting notes of the glorious new 2017s champagnes by Champagne Christophe Baron and learn more at https://champagnechristophebaron.com/

2017 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Hauts Blanches Vignes’ Champagne- Deeply yellow with a gorgeous bouquet, the 2017 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Hauts Blanches’ Champagne comes from a very low-yielding crop in this vintage. Bergamot and marzipan tones dance on with honeydew melon on the nose. The palate is rich and concentrated with a silky mousse and seamless experience mid-palate. Finishing exceedingly long this is generous, gratifying Pinot Meunier champagne that has some serious cellaring potential. Give this about 30 minutes of air to take in the full range of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2022-2038- 96

2017 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Le Dessus Du Bois Marie’ Champagne- Just as richly hued, the 2017 ‘Le Dessus Du Bois Marie’ exudes class with baking spice dusted French bread, toasted hazelnuts and brandy soaked pear tones on the nose. Rich and powerful on the mouth, with a soft and inviting mousse, this displays outstanding length and tension, with wet gravel undercurrents. Tightly wound, with serious aging potential, give this at least 30 minutes to unwind prior to consuming. Drink 2022-2038- 95

2017 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Alouettes’ Champagne- The scintillating Brut Nature ‘Les Alouettes’ really needs about an hour of air to fully get going. Once on the nose this takes on bright orchard and citrus fruits that collide with shades of allspice and clove. Plump and round on the mouth, the dazzling minerality really impresses. White peach, ginger dusted pastry crust and salty/stony undercurrents round out this incredible new wine that will cellar well for decades to come. The combination of finesse, range and weight makes this exceedingly hard to put down once opened. Drink 2022-2038- 96

Bodega Beronia

In the early 2000s I admired tasting the wines of Beronia — particularly their Gran Reserva wines that came from the mid to late 1990s. Bodega Beronia has always been relatively easy to find in the United States and the continue that trend today as many of these wines can be found in Pacific Northwest wine shops and grocery stores. Bodega Beronia is surrounded by 25 hectares of estate vineyards and their team control a massive 870 hectares of vineyards situated within a 10km radius of the winery in the Rioja Alta region of La Rioja. The average age of these vineyards is 30 years and more than 50 hectares of their plantings exceed 60 years of age. Beronia winemaker Matias Calleja, has been at the winery for nearly 40 years. He has left a massive imprint on all of Rioja and I love his new range wines which all show really good value.

I love the new 2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja (OB, 90) which is an amazing value wine to buy by the case. For a decadent treat, look to the 2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja (OB, 93) which is deep and concentrated with beautiful finesse and a great range of red and dark fruit flavors. Learn more about this special estate at http://www.beronia.com Here are the great new wines by Bodega Beronia.

2019 Bodega Beronia ‘Tempranillo’ Rioja- The 2019 Bodega Beronia ‘Tempranillo’ Rioja delivers straightforward cranberry, red cherry and tobacco leaf flavors. A bit on the lighter side, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2022-2025- 88

2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja- Very soft on the mouth, the really good 2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja offers ripe red plum, cigar ash and red currant flavors with citrus rind accents on the palate. Lighter to medium-bodied, this shows great finesse and will be best enjoyed over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 90

2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Reserva’ Rioja- Serioiusly good, the 2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Reserva’ Rioja is an outstanding effort that has only begun to hit its stride. The palate shows very bright acidity with good length and texture. Rich red and dark fruits march on with pipe tobacco, worn leather and cinnamon and cloves. Gorgeous now, enjoy this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja- Stored in French oak barrels for more than five years, the 2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja opens with  black cherry compote, roasted figs and menthol tones on the palate. Showing seriously good viscosity and tension, with more air layers of black currants and Asian spices emerge, as this finishes exceedingly long. Enjoy this gorgeous effort over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037-  93

Hundred Suns

Years back Grand Coulter and Renee Saint-Amour left their jobs in California and moved to Oregon to focus on making Oregon wine and eventually building their own brand. Grant first worked as assistant winemaker at Hamacher wines and then spent the bulk of 10 years as assistant winemaker and then winemaker at Beaux Freres. Then in 2015 they both sold their Portland house and bought a house in the Willamette Valley to start their project, Hundred Suns. Grant became winemaker for Flaneur Wines and in 2018 they bought a 4.5 acre property in the Eola-Amity hills.

Hundred Suns wines have been remarkably consistent over the past several years and I love the style of winemaking that Grant employs.  He is making some sensational wines now from the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. I loved the new 2020 Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which shows sensational range and a smooth texture. Even better is the  incredible 2020 Hundred Suns ‘Cabernet Syrah’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is gorgeous to consume right now with a light effervescence and stony qualities. Learn more about these great wines at hundredsunswine.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Hundred Suns.

2020 Hundred Suns ‘Old Eight Cut’ Chardonnay- Sourced from mostly the Koosah and Three Cedars Vineyards, the 2020 ‘Old Eight Cut’ Chardonnay was aged in a small portion  (15%) of new oak barrels prior to bottling. Kumquat zest, vanilla cream and salted sourdough bread tones all brilliantly combine on the palate. Very smooth and opulent on the mouth, with loads of lip-smacking acidity. this is a spectacular effort considering the challenges of the vintage. Serve slightly warmer to take in the gorgeous range of flavors. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2019 Hundred Suns ‘Breaker Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Breaker Vineyard’ was planted back in 1972 as original cutting from this site came from Dick Erath. This is the last vintage from this site before a replant was made. Very stony and salty on thermos, this yields volcanic soils and peat moss tones alongside very pretty guava and cranberry accents. The palate is fresh and very fines-driven with layers of beautiful tart red fruits that meld well with shades of wet stone, menthol and garrigue. Delicious to consume now, this complex and delicious bottling will shine on for another fifteen years to come. Drink 2022-2037- 93

2020 Hundred Suns ‘The Rocks District’ Syrah- Sourced from the River Rock Vineyard, this was stored in a combination of terracotta amphora and neutral French oak before bottling in August 2021. Violets, smoked brisket and white pepper dusted bacon all fill the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with smooth tannins that line a core of ripe dark fruits with smoldering stones and garrigue notes. Drink 2022-2028- 94

2020 Hundred Suns ‘Cabernet Syrah’ Red Wine- A blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) with the remainder Syrah from the River Rock Vineyard, this comes off very stony on the nose with boysenberry compote, iodine and shades of red rose petals. The palate is push and voluptuous with a seamless texture and great sense of weight. Finishing long with stony tones and rich dark fruits, this gorgeous wine will provide drinking enjoyment for at least another six years. Drink 2022-2028- 94

Lingua Franca

One of the standout producers of Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Lingua Franca was founded by Larry Stone and David Honig. Earlier this year the winery was sold to Constellation Brands and this will be an exciting development for the future. At the helm is Thomas Savre who is one of the state’s finest winemakers. As this winery expands it will be very interesting to see how these wines develop. Savre crafts very age worthy wines that show good richness and tension. I’ve had the chance to taste some older wines and have been really impressed with their aging potential.

The new wines come from the very challenging 2020 vintage — one where many producers opted not to produce Pinot Noir due to smoke issues at harvest. The wines that Savre produced might not be the most ageworthy on the Pinot Noir side but are a stunning accomplishment — some of the best Pinot Noirs that I have tasted from this vintage. I would drink these 2020 Pinot Noirs over the next five years.

Check out the gorgeous 2020 Lingua Franca ‘Sisters’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is vibrant with a seamless sense of mouthfeel. Just as good is the 2020 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is rich and viscous with great range. Learn more about Lingua Franca at https://www.linguafranca.wine Here are the beautiful new releases by Lingua Franca.

2021 Lingua Franca Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes sourced in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, this fantastic new Rose offers kiwi, starfruit and wet stone with salty undertone on the palate. With more air this becomes more and more complex. Finishing long and beautifully textured, enjoy over the next six plus years. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2020 Lingua Franca ‘Chers Amis’ Chardonnay- The really good ‘Chers Amis’ was sourced from a selection of Clone 548 Chardonnay grown at the Lingua Franca Estate. This offers wet stone, white peach and starfruit tones aromatically, with shades of sourdough bread.

The palate is generous and round with plenty of tension and salty undertones. Complex and delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2020 Lingua Franca ‘Sisters’ Chardonnay- The wine is named after Larry Stone’s mother and aunt who both grew up on a farm and vineyard and remained close throughout their 90 years of life. Very flinty tones combine with ripe pear and shades of toasted French bread on the nose. The palate is lithe and polished with gobs of finesse and lovely Meyer lemon rind, baking spice dusted Challah bread and salty undertones. The terroir here is seriously good, as this beautiful wine is shining brightly now and will live on for another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2020 Lingua Franca ‘Inspiras’ Chardonnay- Coming from a neighboring vineyard of the Lingua Franca Estate, the 2020 Lingua Franca ‘Inspiras’ is a barrel selection wine in which nearly two thirds of their crop was removed. The 2020 Chardonnay delivers toasty oak with banana, marzipan and suggestions of white cherry on the nose. The palate shows good viscosity and richness, reveling in wonderful veil of tension and stony accents. The very lengthy finish complete this beautiful wine that is only now starting to come into its own. Give this a one hour decant if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2035- 94

2020 Lingua Franca ‘Novo Vino’ Pinot Noir- The bright 2020 Lingua Franca ‘Novo Vino’ Pinot Noir shows crunchy pomegranate and cranberry flavors with menthol and stony undertones. Nicely textured, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2022-2029- 91

2020 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir- Very complex and delicious to consume right now, the 2020 Lingua Franca ‘Lingua Franca Estate’ Pinot Noir is one of the finest Pinot Noir wines that I have tasted from this vintage. Beautifully textured, this shows wonderful smoldering stone tones alongside ripe Yakima cherry, orange blossom water, guava and cinnamon sticks. Round and generous, with a seamless mouthfeel, this is gorgeous wine to consume now and over the next five to seven years — no reason to wait on this beauty. Drink 2022-2030- 93

HALL White Wines and Rose

As temperatures begin to warm up I always look forward to Rose season. While you might know HALL for their glorious lineup of Cabernet Sauvignons, you might not know that they make some top notch white wines and Rose. HALL was created in1992 by Katheryn and Craig Hall, and over time they built one of Napa’s most beautiful, state of the art, wineries that is quite simply a must visit for any serious Napa enophile. HALL’s St. Helena estate is a must visit for anyone going to the Napa Valley. 

HALL also have two separate lines, WALT (focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and BACA (focusing on Zinfandel) that are seriously good in their own right. These brands have performed remarkably well since their inception. The BACA line in particular offers very serious value. Probably the best canned wine I have tasted in the past year is the really good 2021 BACA ‘Ring Around The Rose’ Rose (OB, 90) which is made from Zinfandel grapes and is beautifully textured. Don’t miss out on the new 2021 HALL ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 91) which shows gobs of finesse and really good flavor range. Check out more about these great wines at hallwines.com Here are the fantastic new release wines by HALL.

2021 HALL ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2021 ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is sourced from a host of Napa Valley vineyards, as this reveals bright kiwi, starfruit and orange blossom tones that all take shape in the glass. The palate is soft and inviting with a seamless texture and bright veil of tension. Great to enjoy now, serve slightly warmer to savor the really good range of flavors and aromas. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2021 WALT Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, the 2021 WALT Rose was sourced from a host of appellations in California, as this saignee method wine opens with white rose, wild strawberry and suggestions of nectarine on the nose. The palate is inviting with delicate red fruits, tangerine zest and honeydew melon flavors that mingle with the bright acidity. Enjoy this outstanding new Rose over the next several years. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2021 BACA ‘Ring Around The Rose’ Rose- The 2021 BACA ‘Ring Around The Rose’ Rose is uniquely crafted from Zinfandel grapes and was stored in natural oak before being canned. This is not your typical canned Rose, as this bursts out of the glass, revealing strawberry Starburst candy, watermelon and lemon blossom aromas. The palate shows a very soft texture with delicate red fruit flavors that mingle well with orange rind and bergamot undertones. Drink 2022-2025- 90