No Girls

One of the famed brands in the Pacific Northwest, No Girls was initially started by superstar vigneron, Christophe Baron as a project winery with Cayuse GM Trevor Dorland, following the success of Cayuse Vineyards. The style of winemaking focuses on the unique terroir of the ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’. The ‘La Paciencia (patience) Vineyard' was planted between 2003 and 2005, and is located near the Armada vineyard, as the first couple of vintages of wine from this vineyard were declassified. The name ‘No Girls’ is connected with the history of Walla Walla. Christophe purchased a building in 2002 that was a former brothel and inside the new building, he noticed the words ‘No Girls’ painted on the wall— and the wine label is an actual photograph of the former brothel. Their first vintage was in 2008 and No Girls has been a remarkable success since then.

Elizabeth Bourcier has been at the helm of this incredible project since 2011. She is crafting some of the best wines on the west coast. She makes one of the great Grenache wines in North America under this label from the ‘La Paciencia Vineyard,’ which  is truly one of a kind — it shows a remarkable purity and ranges from bacon fat to blood orange and everything in between. Sometimes these wines are available around 100 dollars at WineBid but typically only able to procure through the No Girls mailing list. The 2019 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache (OB, 97) is one of the most beautiful wines I have tasted in the past year. It is very pretty, with serious finesse, but shows good depth and concentration with insanely good flavor range. This is a collector’s item that will be sure to please any serious lover of this special region, set in ancient cobblestones. Learn more about this special boutique winery at https://nogirlswine.com/nogirls/

2019 No Girls ‘Double Lucky’ Red Wine- A beautiful proprietary blend of Grenache, Syrah and Tempranillo, which was mainly crafted from younger vines, the 2019 No Girls ‘Double Lucky’ Red Wine opens with red rose petals alongside green peppercorns, white truffle and shades of marionberry on the nose. Soft on the mouth, with good finesse, this very salty and savory wine is best consumed over the next few years. Drink 2022-2028- 93

2019 No Girls ‘La Pacencia Vineyard’ Grenache- The stunning 2019 No Girls ‘La Pacencia Vineyard’ Grenache is a spectacular effort by resident vigneronne Elizabeth Bourcier. Stored in neutral large-format oak barrels and Grenache was given more than 50% stem inclusion. Right away the head-turning umami tones entice aromatically, with white pepper, salt dusted red raspberry and shades of Kalamata olive that all meld in the glass. The palate is lithe and polished with a seamless texture and a finish that doesn’t quit. More focused and finesse-driven than the 2018 bottling, but equally good, this one of a kind Grenache really needs an hour of air if consuming right now. Drink 2022-2030- 97

2019 No Girls ‘La Pacencia Vineyard’ Syrah- Absolutely dazzling wine, the 2019 No Girls ‘La Pacencia Vineyard’ Syrah is a knockout effort from this cooler vintage. Translucent in color, this takes on soy sauce and charcuterie notes alongside white pepper dusted bacon and shades of green olives and citrus blossom on this complex nose. The soft texture and wonderful tension really drives this beautiful wine that shows a great melange of red fruits, blood orange zest as well as salty and stony accents on the palate. Finishing very long, with plenty of mouth-watering acidity, enjoy this great wine over the next eight years. Make sure to give this an hour of air if consuming in its finesse-filled youth. Drink 2022-2030- 96

2019 No Girls ’La Pacencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo- The glorious 2019 No Girls ’La Pacencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo was stored in 30% new French oak prior to bottling. On the bouquet this delivers wild blackberry and salted pork shoulder alongside violets and shades of hoisin sauce. The palate is deep and concentrated with rich dark plum, black currant and white pepper dusted smoked brisket tones with suggestions of creme de violette. With loads of mouth-watering acidity, this beautiful wine is really delicious to consume right now. Drink 2022-2030- 95

Aubaine

I love the outstanding micro-producers of Oregon. Aubaine focuses on single vineyard and estate only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Founder Andy Lytle has a love of Burgundy which shows in his brand. He connected with the talented Isabelle Meunier to produce these beautiful wines. A native of Quebec, she studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Dijon in Burgundy, as well as in New Zealand at Lincoln University. Following her eduction she worked at famed producers Felton Road in New Zealand, as well as Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon.

Isabelle moved to the Willamette Valley in 2007 to work with Evening Land and had incredible success with that program. She later started her own winery venture, LAVINEA, an artisan production of distinctive single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  She serves as Aubaine winemaker and has crafted some gorgeous new wines. I adored the 2020 Aubaine ‘Athas’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is viscous and mineral-driven, showing sensational aging potential. Learn more about this outstanding producer at aubainewine.com and here are my reviews of the new Aubaine wines.

2020 Aubaine ‘Anahata Vineyard’ Chardonnay- An outstanding new release, the 2020 Aubaine ‘Anahata Vineyard’ Chardonnay reveals kumquat blossom, green apple and sourdough bread tones on the nose. The palate is fresh and polished with a soft texture and seamless quality. Medium-bodied citrus and orchard fruits combine with shades of peat moss and wild mushroom flavors. Seriously good to consume now, enjoy over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2020 Aubaine ‘Athas’ Chardonnay- The 2020 ‘Athas’ opens with mango and ripe pineapple tones on the nose, with toasty oak and hints of lemon zest dusted marzipan. The palate is deep, layered and very fresh, producing a weightless effect once on the attack. Finishing very long with stony minerals and vanilla cream, this is a glorious effort that is just starting to hit its stride. Drink 2022-2033- 93

Goldeneye

One of the beautiful spots in the Anderson Valley, for years I have loved the wines by Goldeneye, a Duckhorn venture located in Philo, California. Michael Fay made some incredible wines for Goldeneye before winemaker, Katey Larwood, took over. There is now a new winemaker, Kristin McMcMahan. Originally from California's Central Valley, in 2012, Kristen moved to Sonoma County to dedicate herself to wine full time. In addition to joining the winemaking team at Korbel, where she spent six years honing her skills working with sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, she began studying at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she earned an Associate of Science degree in enology. Kristen also gained invaluable experience with cool-climate Pinot Noir working for Joseph Phelps’s Freestone Winery on the Sonoma Coast..
I love the new Goldeneye releases which come from the excellent 2019 vintage. Goldeneye has three estate vineyards (Confluence, Gowan Creek and The Narrows) in the Anderson Valley encompassing 200 vine acres and more than 20 Pinot Noir clones.
Check out the 2019 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which is rich and soft with great range. Do not miss out on the incredible 2019 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is intense and hedonistic with serious cellaring potential. Learn more about these outstanding Pinot Noirs at https://www.goldeneyewinery.com Here are the great new releases by Goldeneye.

2019 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2019 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir was sourced from a range of estate vineyards (72% estate) including Gowan Creek and Split Rail vineyards. Aged for sixteen months in 51% new French oak, this reveals peat moss and guava tones with shades of Yakima cherry and tobacco leaf. The palate is rich and beautifully textured, with good length and finesse. Drink this nicely evolved beautiful Pinot Noir over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 Goldeneye ‘Gowan Creek’ Pinot Noir- This 100% estate vineyard Pinot Noir was sourced from the ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ which is located in the slightly warmer end of the Anderson Valley. A mix of Pommard 5, Martini, 828, 667, Mt. Eden, Swan and 777 clonal selections, the wine bursts out of the glass, reveling in potpourri, ripe cherry and strawberry tones alongside shades of cardamom on the nose. The palate is dense and plush, creating a seamless effect that makes this glide though the red fruit-dominated drinking experience. This has really nice aging potential and is already beautifully evolved at the three year mark. Drink 2022-2035- 93

2019 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir- A stunning new wine, the 2019 Goldeneye ‘Ten Degrees’ Pinot Noir is up there with the finest Anderson Valley Pinot Noirs I have sampled in the past year. A barrel selection wine from estate vineyards, this dense Pinot Noir is loaded with intense dark fruits with exotic spices, loamy soils and shades of peat moss once on the nose. The palate is refined with very soft tannins that frame a core of loganberry, black tea and blackberry compote flavors. With more air suggestions of cola and sassafras enter, as this glorious wine really needs two hours of air if enjoying in its scintillating youth. Drink 2022-2038- 95

L'Ecole No. 41

Every time I visit L’Ecole No. 41 I get very nostalgic. I fondly recall my first visit back in 2002 while I was a senior at Whitman College. While I might have been a novice wine drinker then, I knew that they had a great range of wines. Nw winemaker Marcus Rafanelli has been on board for over a year and I sat down with him and founder Marty Clubb last summer to taste through some of their new wines.

I adored the new 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Old Vines’ Chenin Blanc (OB, 92) which at 18 dollars retail is a total steal. The same is true for the incredible new 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Alder Ridge Vineyard’ Rose (OB, 92) which is fresh and beautifully textured with delicate red fruits. Don’t miss out on the 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is an incredible achievement in this cooler vintage, showing very stony tones with some serious aging potential. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://lecole.com/ Here are the great new wines by L’Ecole No. 41.

2022 Summer/Fall Releases

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Old Vines’ Chenin Blanc- Very few Washington producers continue to make wine from this varietal, and the 2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Old Vines’ is about as good as it gets, particularly when you consider price. Sourced from the Willard Frams, Upland and Phil Church Vineyards, this offers a light effervescence and drinks considerably better at a warmer temperature. Shades of baking spice dusted marzipan, Bartlett pear and honeydew melon with stony undertones all collide in unison. Gorgeous to consume now, enjoy over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2021 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Alder Ridge Vineyard’ Rose- Sourced from Grenache vines planted this seep, south-facing site in the Horse Heaven Hills, the 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 Rose saw 12 hours of skin contact after a soft pressing.  A very pretty salmon hue, this opens with red rose water and orange blossom aromas that mingle with cranberry and unripe green melon notes. The palate is brilliantly textured, as this displays formidable weight and plenty of bright acidity to back it up. As a caveat, once opened this will be exceedingly difficult to put down. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot- The 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Merlot has a large portion of Cabernet Franc (13%) blended in. It comes off very soft on the mouth with garrigue and coffee ground undercurrents alongside a silky core of red fruit flavors. Medium-bodied, this is a delicious, well-priced bottling that is best enjoyed over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 91

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- Not 100% varietal, the 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah has 16% Grenache and a splash of Mourvedre blended in. Aged for eighteen months in mostly neutral oak barrels, this reveals exotic spices and black currant tones alongside tar and black licorice on the nose. The palate is very generous and rich with refined tannins that frame a generous core of black fruits, with milk chocolate and sagebrush accents. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows plenty of stuffing in this cooler vintage in the Columbia Valley. Once on the nose this takes on layer of dried herbs and scorched earth accents alongside chocolate covered espresso bean aromas. The palate is soft and inviting upon entry, as gentle tannins brilliantly frame the core of rich dark fruits, with creosote and shades of beef drippings. Delicious to consume now, this is outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon that will drink well for another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- The delicious 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot comes for the Seven Hills and Ferguson Vineyards. Just like the Columbia Valley bottling, a large portion (12%) of Cabernet Franc has seen its way into the blend. Beautiful red florals from the Cabernet Franc explode out of the glass, alongside Bing cherry compote, cigar box and freshly tilled stony soils. The palate is very refined, as silky tannins frame rich red currants, anise, wild blackberry flavors, with salty and stony undertones. Delicious to consume now, be sure to give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoy in its heady youth. Drink 2023-2040- 93

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah was sourced from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. 100% varietal, this spent eighteen months in 40% new French oak before bottling. Very soft and inviting on the attack, this delivers white peppered brisket, loganberry syrup, red currant jelly and shades of black licorice on the palate, with black olive and loamy soil undercurrents. Full-bodied, this is a wonderful achievement from this vintage. Drink 2022-2033- 93

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The very refined, 100% varietal 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from a range of vineyards and soil types that span the Walla Walla Valley. Very dark once in the glass, this revels in black currant and anise aromas alongside sandalwood and graphite notes that all meld in the glass. The palate is fresh, vibrant and refined, with silky tannins and a seamless texture. Showing great persistence, with no rough edges, this outstanding new cabernet Sauvignon will provide drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2023-2040- 94

2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine- The terroir-driven 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine is a stunning new wine by winemaker Marcus Rafanelli. A blend of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot and small parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, this was stored in 50% new French oak for 22 months before bottling. Very flinty on the nose, this opens with boysenberry and allspice aromas alongside pencil lead and creme de cassis notes. This is deep and concentrated once on the mouth and glides effortlessly across the mid-palate. Finishing long with rich dark fruits and stony tones, the 2019 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine will live on for another twenty years — and possibly more. Give this at least two hours in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2024-2044- 95

Diamond Creek

One of the famed older houses in Napa, Diamond Creek began back in 1967 with the creation of the first single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wine as well as the first $100 bottle of wine from Napa. This was very novel at the time and Diamond Creek proprietors the Brounsteins created three different wines to show each individual soil type in the vineyard which were all produced separately. At the time thee was nothing close to this made in the Napa Valley.

For years these wines have shied away from intense fruit flavors and have geared more towards terroir. I love the range of non-fruit qualities obtained in these wines over the years.  Last year I was enamored by the wines made in the 2018 vintage. I think they have done an even better job in 2019. I adored the new 2019 Diamond Creek ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which displays a terrific underlying freshness, with plenty of stony notes alongside cassis flavors.  These retail around $300 USD. They are collectors item that would be perfect for a special occasion. Learn more about this famed estate at https://www.diamondcreekvineyards.com and here are my notes on the new 2019 Diamond Creek releases.

2019 Diamond Creek ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous 2019 ‘Volcanic Hill’ Cabernet Sauvignon really needs about a two hour decant to fully hit its stride. It comes off very flinty and stony initially on the nose, with ripe cassis notes alongside tobacco leaf and tar undercurrents. The palate is incredibly vibrant and fresh, with firm tannins that meld with the espresso grounds, freshly tilled soils and blueberry compote flavors with a graphite edge. Sensational after air, you can just feel how well this will cellar. Try to avoid this beauty for a few more years. Drink 2024-2040- 97

2019 Diamond Creek ‘Gravelly Meadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Diamond Creek ‘Gravelly Meadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a slightly cooler site on their estate which was set on pebbly soils.  Once on the nose this exudes class with boysenberry syrup, cigar box, anise and shades of creosote with stony undertones that all meld in the glass. The palate is very fresh and refined with a seamless texture and great sense of length and weight. Utterly fabulous with more air, the underlying stony terroir and fantastic underlying acidity really impresses here. Be sure to give this at least two hours of air if enjoying in its scintillating youth. This is the upper echelon of harmonious Napa Cabernet. Drink 2024-2040- 98

2019 Diamond Creek ‘Red Rock Terrace’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Diamond Creek ‘Red Rock Terrace’ also is needing a very long decant prior to savoring. The nose comes off with great garrigue notes alongside wet stone, huckleberry compote and shades of worn leather. Very mineral-driven once on the attack, the seamless texture entices, as you can feel the incredible aging potential of this Cabernet Sauvignon. Finishing very long with dried herbs, black currants and copious minerals, this is an elegant and sleek finesse-driven Napa Cabernet that is built for the cellar. Like the other 2019 bottlings, it is best to resist temptation for a few more years. Drink 2022-2040- 96

Two Hands

One of the outstanding houses in South Australia, the tale of of Two Hands dates back to 1999 when founders Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz sat at a friend's engagement party and decided it was time to make their own wine and be judged by the world. We are all so glad that they did. Their Garden Series wines have been internationally known and immediately received critical acclaim as well as their ‘Angel’s Share’ Shiraz also getting great press. Two Hands’ first vintage was in 2000, after a modest $30k investment and starting with just 17 tonnes of fruit.  The journey had started. Michael’s wine contacts in the US and UK helped launch the brand and also helped Two Hands increase production to launch their full Garden Series with the 2003 vintage. The rest has been history.

I had the chance to visit with Michael during the pandemic and we talked about their success and new wines that offer seriously good value. Don’t miss out on the 2020 Two Hands ‘Gnarly Dudes’ Shiraz (OB, 92) which displays beautiful freshness alongside intense dark fruit flavors. Just as good was the 2020 Two Hands ‘Angel’s Share’ Shiraz (OB, 92) which is dense and shows great floral tones. Learn more about this iconic Aussie brand at https://www.twohandswines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Two Hands

2020 Two Hands ‘Gnarly Dudes’ Shiraz- The 2020 ‘Gnarly Dudes’ Shiraz was aged for 12 months in French oak (13%) prior to bottling. Heady boysenberry cordial, scorched earth and black olives combine with a good underlying freshness on the palate. Enjoy this outstanding value over the next eight years. Drink 2022-20230- 92

2020 Two Hands ‘Angels’ Share’ Shiraz- Sourced from McLaren Vale, the 2020 Angels’ Share was stored in 12% new French oak for 14 moths before bottling. The wine comes off very perfumed with red rose petals and chocolate cake tones alongside intense dark fruits. Very well-structured with espresso grounds, blackberry compote, and smoked brisket flavors, with beef dripping undertones, this is delicious Shiraz to consume now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

Upchurch Vineyard

One of the standout producers on Red Mountain, Upchurch Vineyard is a sight to be seen. Located in the southwestern part of the AVA, the winery has expansive views of the Columbia Valley from their estate create an incredible panoramic effect. For those who have never visited Upchurch Vineyard, I implore you to visit if nothing else for the beauty of the site.

Chris Upchurch is one of the great pioneers in Washington wine, having crafted the finest Bordeaux style white wine for DeLille, the ‘Chaleur Estate Blanc’ in the mid-1990s. This wine has achieved incredible acclaim since that time and not only is one of the great white wines made in Washington but it rivals any Bordeaux Blanc style wines made in the new world.

Chris crafts one of the great Sauvignon Blancs in Washington, his 2020 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Southwest Facing’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 93) has an amazing combination of finesse and texture. It is a steal at under 40 dollars. Equally good for the price at under 30 dollars is the new 2021 LTL Rose (OB, 92) which is made from Mourvedre grapes and is nearly impossible to put down. I am enamored by their new wine, the 2019 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is considerably more open than when I tasted the wine seven months ago. This is a massive beast of a wine that really needs another year of bottle age prior to consuming.  Learn more about this fantastic winery at https://upchurchvineyard.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Upchurch Vineyard.

2020 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Southwest Facing’ Sauvignon Blanc- This beautiful 2020 Sauvignon Blanc was sourced from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Stored for eighteen months in concrete egg tanks, this offers white peach, toasted cashew nut and saline drenched gooseberry notes that all sing in unison. The palate is rich and concentrated with a seamless texture and generous length. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 93

2021 LTL Rose- Made from Moruvedre grapes, the 2021 LTL Rose is a delightful new bottling that shows outstanding finesse and concentration. Once on the attack a kiss of sweetness greets you, as guava puree, cranberry, red rose water and flinty minerals combine with shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Outstanding to consume now, this will hold for at least another five years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2019 LTL Merlot- The 2019 LTL Merlot was sourced from the Upchurch Vineyard, and offers red plum, cigar ash and cocoa powder dusted red cherry on the nose. The palate is very pure and smooth with ripe red fruits that mingle with a fantastic sense of salinity. Drink this sensational value over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2019 LTL Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 LTL Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful new effort by the talented Chris Upchurch. Black cherry compote, scorched earth and black licorice all combine on the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with a silky texture. This shows excellent concentration and power, considering the coolness of the vintage. With no rough edges this beautiful wine is great to consume now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2020 LTL ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Very dense and dark once in the glass, the delicious 2020 LTL ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers Black Forest Cake tones alongside tar and anise on the nose. The palate is rich and refined with silky tannins that line the core of black and blue fruits with espresso grounds and scorched earthy undertones. Drink 2022-2033- 93

2019 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Counterpart’ Merlot- The 20219 ‘Counterpart’ is a silky and savory Merlot by Chris Upchurch. A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, this was stored in 100% new French Oak (Taransaud & Orion) prior to bottling. The nose is truly gorgeous with red rose petals, blackberry cordial, and mocha tones. The palate is polished and fresh with good verve and viscosity. Medium to full-bodied dark fruits collide with red bell pepper, garrigue, and chocolate covered espresso bean. Great to enjoy in its youth, enjoy this beautiful wine that will be shining brightly for the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93

2019 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- This is the tenth edition of this wine which is sourced from the southwestern part of Red Mountain. A blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon with the reminder Merlot, this opens with pencil lead and sandalwood notes alongside creme de cassis and hints of blackberry compote. The palate is fresh and polished with a silky texture and good length. Everything is beautifully in balance here. Enjoy this sensational new wine over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2019 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon- In the Mayan tradition the Hero Twins was the story of the genesis of the Sun and the Moon. Entirely Clone 2 Cabernet Sauvignon from Upchurch Vineyard, this was stored in a combination of new Seguin Moreau & Taransaud oak barrels prior to bottling. This really needs more than two hours in the decanter to be fully expressive. Once aroused this unveils beautiful red rose petals, freshly tilled loamy soils, red bell pepper and boysenberry preserves on the nose. The palate is hedonistic and very tannic as massive black and blue fruits greet you with the lovely potpourri and herbal undertones of the wine. With more air this becomes more elegant and refined. Only 50 cases made. Drink 2023-2040- 96

Lytle-Barnett

Lytle-Barnett

It has now been roughly a year since I have reviewed one of the outstanding Oregon producers of sparkling wine. Lytle-Barnett has offered some really impressive wines since I first tasted them back in 2020. Lytle-Barnett utilizes talent across the globe as they have commissioned sparkling wine Oregonian Andrew Davis, as well as South Africa’s sparkling winemaker Pieter Ferreirain making their méthode champenoise wines.

They command a fairly high price at around 75 dollars but they have been worth the splurge.  Sine I first tried these wines I have had other colleagues review the wines similarly. These wines have extended time in tirage before being released which adds to the complexity. I love the new 2018 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which is unabashedly big from this warm vintage. The combination of weight and finesse is really outstanding here.

Learn more at https://lytle-barnett.com/ and here are my reviews of the great new Lytle-Barnett wines.

2018 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine- This 2018 ‘Blanc de Noirs’ saw extended tirage and was sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Green melon and biscuit notes combine with suggestions of nectarine rind on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured with good weight and finesse. Showing the warmth of the vintage, this very rich and gratifying Pinot Noir sparking wine will be sure to hold well over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2017 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2017 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine offers kumquat zest, wet stone and copious minerals on the palate, with Gravenstein apple tones. Fresh, with a soft mousse and beautiful length, this is great sparkling wine to savor now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

Saint K

For years I have admired the boutique producers of Paso Robles. These are typically wines that are well-priced and offer considerable value. Saint K Wines proprietor and winemaker Chris Kiranbay grew up in the Middle East and has a longstanding history in the wine industry. A trip to Napa inspired a move across country to California. Chris worked a harvest there and visited Paso Robles back in 2010. Working in fine dining, as well as a wine brokerage, he began working for Herman Story Wines in 2013, and subsequently began making some of his own wines. His style echos that of Herman Story, as they are unabashedly big, with bright acidity holding everything in place.

I love the new 2021 Saint K ‘Around the Way’ Rose (OB, 92) which shows a sinfully good texture and seriously good weight. 2021 Saint K ‘Flower Bomb’ Malvasia Bianca (OB, 93) which is beautifully floral on the nose, with vibrant acidity and a soft mouthfeel. Learn more about this fantastic boutique winery at https://www.burkewine.com and here are my reviews of the great new Saint K wines. 

2021 Saint K ‘Flower Bomb’ Malvasia Bianca- The very fragrant ‘Flower Bomb’ shows off gorgeous star jasmine and lemon blossom tones that combine with honeycomb and melon fruits on the nose. The palate is polished and lithe with a generous mouthfeel. Finishing very long, with loads of mouth-watering acidity, this is gorgeous Malvasia to consume now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 93

2021 Saint K ‘Around The Way’ Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this vibrant Rose from the 2021 vintage opens with damp earthy tones alongside guava and cranberry notes. Very soft and inviting on the mouth, this shows gorgeous length and a gorgeous purity of red fruits on the palate. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2020 Saint K ‘Days Gone By’ Red Wine- The 2020 Saint K ‘Days Gone By’ is a blend of equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The red and black floral notes on the nose really entice, as creosote, leather and smoked meats all combine on the nose. Very fresh once on the mouth, the combination of bright acidity and weight really makes this beautiful wine sing. Gorgeous to consume now in its tension-filled youth, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2028- 93

Lost Blues

One of the really exciting projects in Paso Robles, Lost Blues is a tribute to the old times in this region where things moved very slowly. At a mere 19 years of age, Gio Grandinetti worked a harvest at Meridian Vineyards and he found his calling in wine. It wasn’t until 2012 when he started his own label, Lost Blues, and priced the wines at only $42.00.

This is now the third time I have tried these beautiful wines and I have been remarkably impressed with the consistency of both white and red bottlings. They are very well-priced wines for what you get at fifty dollars and less. Look to the beautiful 2020 Lost Blues ‘Luckpenny’ Malvasia Bianca (OB, 93) which is fresh and vibrant with serious flavor range. Even better is the sultry and sexy 2018 Lost Blues ‘High Horse’ Grenache (OB, 94) which shows a gorgeous purity of fruit at its core. Learn more about this fantastic boutique house at http://www.lostblues.us/shop and here are the new release wines by Lost Blues.

2020 Lost Blues ‘Luckpenny’ Malvasia Bianca- The really good 2020 Lost Blues ‘Luckpenny’ Malvasia Bianca is a fantastic new effort by vintner Giovanni Grandinetti. Orange blossom, white peach and shades of cardamom dusted biscotti all come together on the nose. The palate is very fresh and vibrant with a soft texture. Gorgeous to consume now, this will cellar well for another five plus years. Drink 2022-2028- 93

2018 Lost Blues ‘High Horse’ Grenache- The 2018 ‘High Horse’ is a gorgeous expression of Grenache. Pretty red rose petals, orange rind and shades of guava puree on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a seamless texture. The purity of fruit at play is outstanding. Rich red fruits parade with tar and garrigue notes on the palate. This is a knockout bottling that is best consumed young. Drink 2022-2030- 94

2018 Lost Blues ‘Good Fences’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Good Fences’ combines mostly Syrah (69%) with the remainder Grenache. Super inky once on the glass, this reveals smoked brisket, creosote, and rich dark currant tones on the nose. The palate comes off very herbal with hedonistic dark and blue fruit flavors that are held together with the great underlying tension. Drink 2022-2030- 94

Tendril

Sharing one of the great producers of Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Tendril is the brainchild of famed winemaker, Tony Rynders, who had a host of esteemed stops along his career before settling in Oregon. He has now made Oregon Pinot Noir for more than twenty years. A graduate of the esteemed master’s degree in Enology and Viticulture from UC Davis, Rynders served as former head winemaker for Domaine Serene Winery/Rockblock Cellars before starting Tendril. During his ten years as head head winemaker for Domaine Serene as head winemaker, Rynders obtained more 90+ point scores from the Wine Spectator magazine than any other winemaker during this period of time.

Tony has a tremendous palate and is a wonderfully down to earth guy who also makes great wines for other producers like Open Claim. His new wines are complete with a beginning, middle and end. Check out the gorgeous 2018 Tendril Pretender’ White Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is amongst the finest wines of its kind. The nuance in this wine is just insanely good. I love the has an incredible mouthfeel and vibrant acidity, as this delicious wine is showing really good range right now. Even better is the 2017 Tendril ‘Tightrope’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is rich and viscous, and is absolutely singing now at the five year mark. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.tendrilwines.com Here are the seriously good new wines by Tony Rynders and Tendril.

2018 Tendril ‘Enchanter’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Enchanter’ Chardonnay spent more than fifteen months in mostly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This comes off absolutely seamless on the mouth, with Meyer lemon zest dusted sourdough bread, cloves, peat moss and white rose water tones on the palate. Complex and delicious to consume now, this has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 94

2018 Tendril ‘Pretender’ White Pinot Noir- One of the great white pinot noirs that you will taste, the 2018 ‘Pretender’ offers honeysuckle and white peach aromas with lighter red raspberry and flinty accents on the nose. The palate is soft and provides a seamless drinking experience, with a wonderful veil of salinity that runs through the core of the wine. With more air macadamia nut and forest floor accents shape the palate, showing serious weight and verve. Finishing very long, this is generous, intense wine that is best enjoyed at a warmer temperature. Drink 2022-2034- 95

2017 Tendril ‘Tightrope’ Pinot Noir- A barrel selection wine, the 2017 ‘Tightrope’ is a thrilling new Pinot Noir by Tony Rynders that seen considerable bottle age. Showing a deep core, this dazzles once on the nose with red rose petals and potpourri alongside ripe guava and teaberry accents. The palate is deep and concentrated with a silky texture and wonderful sense of weight without coming off as heavy. Already beautifully evolved, and starting to show some black truffle and forest floor tertiary elements, enjoy the incredible 2017 ‘Tightrope’ over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 95

2017 Tendril ‘Extrovert’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2017 ‘Extrovert’ received 100% whole cluster fermentation and is Tony Rynders’s boldest expression of Pinot Noir. Ripe black fruits collide with copious minerals and shades of tar, anise and baking spices on the palate. With good viscosity and finesse, and a soft mouthfeel, this is only starting to hit its stride and can easily go for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 94

Ram's Gate

Founded back in 2011, Ram’s Gate is perched on a hillside where the San Francisco Bay meets the edges of Napa and Sonoma counties. It is a gorgeous spot that is a must visit if you have never been. I have really enjoyed these wines from the range of sites that they source from including the famed ‘Hyde’ and ‘Gap’s Crown’ Vineyards.

Winemaker Joe Nielsen spent ten years at Donelan Family Wines in Santa Rosa before becoming Director of Winemaking at Ram’s Gate in 2018. He loves making wines from his special estate vineyard that is extemely windy and produces very small, concentrated berries. The new wines come from the exciting 2019 vintage, which produced some world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Don’t miss the new 2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Estate’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which has tons of viscosity and wonderful salty tones. Just as good is the salty and savory 2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Gap’s Crown Viney. Learn more about this great estate at https://ramsgatewinery.com Here are the great new wines by Ram’s Gate.

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Cellar Note’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Cellar Note’ was sourced from the Sonoma Coast AVA, and comes off wonderfully salty and tangy with salted melon, lemon rind and sourdough bread flavors. Medium to full-bodied, with plenty of finesse, this beautiful wine is shining brightly in its youth and will produce drinking enjoyment over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- The 2019 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay is a gorgeous new effort that is mostly Wente clonal selection, with a smaller portion of Robert Young clone. Very round and soft in the mouth, this delivers rich buttercream and melon fruit flavor alongside a bright core of acidity and wonderful length. Sturdy and rich, this will cellar well for another eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant new 2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir saw a small portion of whole cluster fermentation as this was stored in nearly all neutral oak (roughly 30% new) before bottling. Verry salty and savoy, this unveils ripe red cherry and loganberry tones that combine with orange zest and suggestions of saline drenched white rose water. Complex and highly gratifying to consume in its youth, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2033- 93

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘El Diablo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this site located in the Russian River Valley, the 2019 ‘El Diablo Vineyard’ Pinot Noir offers salty soils and peat moss tones on the nose, with dark current accents. The palate is very soft and earthy with bright acidity and lovely range from the red and dark fruits as well as the citrus ember accents. Drink 2022-2033- 93

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous new bottling that is sourced from four different lots on the estate vineyard. Cola, sassafras and ripe cranberry tones combine with nutmeg and kumquat zest on the palate. With good depth and intensity, and a lengthy finish, this beautiful Pinot Noir is already nicely evolved and will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2033- 93

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Grenache Syrah’ Red Wine- Dark once in the glass, this Sonoma Coast blend comes off very salty, smoky and savory once on the mouth. Black olives, scorched earth and smoked brisket flavor all meld together nicely with a generous core of dark fruits. Novel and delightful to savor now, try this with some top class BBQ. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Syrah- This Carneros site has been making some delicious, under the radar, Syrah for many years. This 2019 edition offers white pepper dusted charcuterie, green olives and bacon fat aromatics with citrus blossom that all dazzle in the glass. The palate is fresh and lithe with great tension that races through the core of boysenberry cordial, tar and shades of coffee grounds. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2019 Ram’s Gate ‘Berler Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This single vineyard site is set at 1,600 feet in the northern portion of the Sonoma Valley. Anise, tar and mocha tones combine with rich kirsch notes on the palate. With more air salty and tilled soil undertones follow suit. Forward and delicious, consume this great new Cabernet Sauvignon over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 92

Baer Winery

Before I was a full time wine critic I have fond memories of visiting Baer Winery in Woodinville on the weekends and tasting their new wines. Sometimes Lisa would be there to chat about the vintages and what they had been doing at this small, exceptional, family-run winery. I have many of these wines in my cellar and have enjoyed opening the 2012s and 2013s over the past year — wines that are drinking exceptionally well right now. Baer was founded in 2000 by Lance Baer. Lance was known for crafting exceptional red wines as many of his wines were met with critical acclaim. 

Erica Orr took over this program many years back and originally got her start in the wine industry back in 1998, working her first harvest with eminent winemaker Cathy Corison in the Napa Valley. She immediately caught the wine bug and enrolled in the enology master’s degree program at UC Davis where she completed her master’s degree in 2003. Erica also has a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from UC Berkeley and three years of research experience as a biochemistry lab technician for 2009 Nobel Laureate Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn at UC San Francisco. 

Her background in chemistry gives her a very precise, scientific winemaking style that I have noticed over the years. She crafts wines that show serious finesse as her reds deftly show off the potential of the Stillwater Creek Vineyard which is located in the Royal Slope AVA.

I adored her 2018 Baer ‘Star’ Merlot (OB, 93) which is soft, elegant and has gobs of finesse, with good flavor density. This one has wonderful aging potential. Just as good is their flat out delicious 2018 Baer ‘Ursa’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is wonderfully herbal and captures the art of blending. Learn more about this great Woodinville winery at at baerwinery.com Here are the great new releases by Baer

2018 Baer ‘Star’ Merlot- The 100% varietal, 2018 ‘Star’ comes entirely from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard and spent 21 months in only 22% new French oak prior to bottling. Very smooth, with red plum, loganberry and baking spice flavors, this shows good viscosity and length. Fresh and lithe, enjoy this outstanding Merlot bottling over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2022-2035- 93

2018 Baer ‘Callisto’ Red Wine- Sourced entirely from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard, the 2018 ‘Callisto’ blends 41% Syrah with 37% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Petit Verdot. Stored in barrel for 18 months, this unveils aromas of black tea, blackberry compote and violet rose petals that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft and refined with a silky mouthfeel that makes this delicious wine glide throughout the drinking experience. Dense and chewy, this is delicious wine to consume now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2018 Baer ‘Ursa’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Ursa’ is a blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc with 22% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. This was aged for 21 months in roughly 50% new French oak barrels before bottling and unveils lovely bay leaf and red bell pepper aromatics from the Cabernet Franc. Vey soft and refined on the mouth, light tannins frame a core of chocolate cake, garrigue and rich dark fruit flavors. Finishing long, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93

2018 Baer Cabernet Franc- A blend of 80% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, this was stored in oak barrels for 21 months before bottling in July 2020. Potpourri and allspice notes combine with heady red and dark fruits aromas on the nose. Beautifully textured, with a soft mouthfeel, this shows both good concentration and length, with a core of herbal-infused red and dark fruits, with cocoa powder accents. Drink 2022-2037- 93

2018 Baer Malbec- Also sourced from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA,  this was aged for 21 months in only 20% French oak prior to bottling. Very inky once in the glass, this unveils black currant cordial, creme de violette and Turkish coffee aromas that bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is concentrated and shows off a lush mouthfeel, as this is loaded full of intense dark and blue fruit flavors. Enjoy this fantastic wine by Erica Orr over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2035- 93

2018 Baer ‘Arctos’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Arctos’ is a delicious and polished effort by Erica Orr that spent 21 months in a combination of Taransaud, Atelier and Sylvain oak barrels prior to bottling. Very smooth upon entry, this shows off black licorice, cigar ash and boysenberry preserve flavors alongside a great veil of tension and light dusting of salinity. Enjoy this refined style of Cabernet Sauvignon over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2022-2035- 93

Passing Time

A famed Woodinville house started by NFL legends Dan Marino, Damon Huard and their business partners, Passing Time utilizes the talents of winemaker Chris Peterson. Damon and Dan Marino had talking about owning a winery together for many years when they played together with the Miami Dolphins. They finally got the nerve to start a winery in Damon’s backyard and they have been crafting some seriously good Cabernet wines since their first release with the 2012 vintage. More recently they have been making some excellent Washington Chardonnay.

These new wines utilize fruit form the Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA. I loved the new Chardonnay wines which were made by eminent Washington winemaker Kendall Mix. The 2020  Passing The Time Chardonnay (OB, 92) is a steal at 30 dollars retail and is more mineral-driven and fresh with a long finish. Even better is the glorious 2020 Passing Time Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is big, rich and viscous with a great mouthfeel and exceptionally long finish.  Learn more about this fantastic boutique winery at http://www.passingtime.com Here are my reviews of the new Passing Time Chardonnay wines.

2020 Passing The Time Chardonnay- The outstanding value 2020 Passing The Time Chardonnay comes mostly from the Evergreen Vineyard (75%) in the Ancient Lakes AVA. Stored in 20% French oak with the remainder stainless steel aging, this opens with pear and green melon aromas alongside baking spice spiked sourdough bread accents on the nose. The palate is bright and beautifully textured with good viscosity and length. At $30.00 retail this is one to grab by the case. Drink 2022-2028-92

2020 Passing Time Chardonnay- The 2020 Passing Time Chardonnay is a glorious new wine by this Woodinville house that was mainly sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard (77%).  Stored in an equal combination of neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel, this opens with nectarine and starfruit aromatics alongside roasted hazelnut and saline drenched Japanese pear. The palate has a great veil of salinity that runs through the core of beautiful orchard and citrus fruits, with buttercream accents. Finishing very long, this comes off weightless and refined, as the 2020 Passing Time Chardonnay will cellar well or another eight to ten years, picking up nutty and earthy tones as it lies in the cellar. Only 100 cases produced. Drink 2022-2030- 94

Hors Catégorie

Today we share one of the most unique wines produced in North America. Loosely translated to ‘beyond categorization’ Hors Catégorie is a magnificent expression of terroir in a bottle — an enigmatic Syrah that has insanely good aromatic and flavor range. Sourced from a mere 2 acre vineyard hidden in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the Hors Catégorie Vineyard is a sight to be seen. This vineyard is so steep that you struggle to climb it. The last time there I was sweating running up the hill with Christophe. The views from the top are unbelievably beautiful.

The vineyard has incredibly tight spacing and Syrah clusters are cropped at less than a ton an acre. The terroir was largely stony with thick broken basalt sprinkled everywhere. When you are there you can truly feel the struggle of the vines in this stony terroir.

A few weeks ago I had the chance to taste the new wine from the 2019 vintage. This wine is more tension-filled than the decadent 2018 bottling. It is a magnificent expression of new world Syrah that comes off very Northern Rhone. The 2019 Hors Catégorie Syrah (OB, 99) is one of the great wines that I have tasted over the past year. I can’t help but think how magical this wine would be with a juicy steak. I think you will be blown away when you taste this gem. Learn more about this marvelous Syrah at https://horscategorievineyards.com/horscategorievineyards/ Here is the new review for the incredible 2019 Hors Catégorie Syrah. 

2019 Hors Catégorie Syrah- The very nervy and stony 2019 Hors Catégorie Syrah is a astounding achievement in this somewhat challenging vintage. 100% Syrah, this exudes class with bulls blood and iodine tones alongside wet gravel and Mandarin orange rind with beautiful red florals on the nose. The palate is astonishingly good, coming off very weightless and full of minerality. Ripe black currants, iodine and huckleberry tones mingle well with garrigue notes and stony minerals on the palate. Flirting with perfection, this unbelievable effort will shine on for another decade or more. Drink 2022-2037- 99

Bledsoe | McDaniels

A very exciting project by NFL Legend Drew Bledsoe and superstar winemaker, Josh McDaniels, Bledsoe-McDaniels is a new Oregon wine project from this Walla Walla mainstay. For many years McDaniels wanted to make Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In the past year there was a really exciting development with their purchasing of a new vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills which they have named their estate ‘Coulee Vineyard.’

This site has 29 acres planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, set on Saum-Parrett, Woodburn soils.

The new wines by McDaniels were beautiful across the board. I love the new 2021 Bledsoe-McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is fresh and very inviting with a seamless texture. Even better is the stunning 2019 Bledsoe-McDaniels ‘Lefore Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 95) which shows incredible flavor and aroma range, from this stony site in the Walla Walla Rocks District. You must join the allocation list to purchase the wines. Learn more about this outstanding winery project at http://bledsoemcdaniels.com/#top Here are the beautiful new wines by Bledsoe-McDaniels.

2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2021 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay offers lemon zest dusted brioche aromas alongside orange blossom and toasted hazelnuts. The palate is very soft and round with layers of toasty oak, white rose water and buttered sourdough bread. Finishing very long this beautiful wine will satisfy for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 94

2019 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- This is now the second time in six months that I have tasted this beautiful wine which was crafted from old vine Pommard Clone Pinot Noir from the Ridgecrest Vineyard as well as the Ellis Estate Vineyard. The aromas are mesmerizing with black tea and wild blackberry notes alongside earthy undertones. Soft and refined on the mouth, this shows plenty of dazzling acidity alongside ripe red and dark fruits with kumquat zest flavors. Enjoy this beauty over the next fifteen years.Drink 2022-2037- 95

2019 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Lefore Vineyards’ Syrah- This is another second run through for me on this outstanding Rocks Syrah which was sourced from the ‘LeFore Vineyard.’ This was stored in about 20% new French oak puncheons, the wine offers a cornucopia of aromas from Umami and Nori notes alongside fresh Satsuma orange zest, bacon fat, red cherry candy and suggestions of potpourri. Very smooth on the attack, this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Seamless and sensuous in its youth, enjoy this already beautifully evolved wine over the next eight years.  Drink 2022-2030- 95

Mollydooker

I fondly recall the massive buzz when Mollydooker started back in 2005. These wines were immediately met with critical praise but I hadn’t had the chance to try them quite yet. In a very short amount of time Sarah and Sparky Marquis created one of the iconic wine brands of Australia. Their first wine, the 2005 ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz was immediately awarded 99 points by Robert Parker and was sold out in five days. The following year, their Velvet Glove Shiraz became their fifth wine to be awarded 99 points by The Wine Advocate and the Carnival of Love has since been listed in Wine Spectator’s ‘Top Ten wines in the World’ three times. This was serious success very quickly.

The first time I tasted these wines was back with their 2007 vintage. I was amazed with the viscosity and acidity intact in the wines. Even in tough vintages like 2011 these wines seemed to thrive and display considerable richness. In 2017 Sarah took sole control of the winery and now has her son, Luke, the ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ is involved in the winery as well as he leads global sales. I sat down with Sarah a few years ago for an exciting interview.

The 2020 vintage in South Australia was one that had low yields but was incredible in quality for rich red varities. In many cases yields were down 50% or more. A very hot December led to cooler temperatures in January and February which slowed down berry development.

I adored the new Mollydooker lineup. Don’t miss out on the thrilling 2020 Mollydooker ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz (OB, 96) which is deep and concentrated with serious aging potential. One of the great wines I have tasted the past year is the downright thrilling  2019 Mollydooker ‘Velvet Glove’ Shiraz (OB, 99) which flirts with perfection and is utterly seamless, silky Shiraz. Learn more about this famed South Australian winery at https://www.mollydookerwines.com.au/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Mollydooker.

2021 Mollydooker ‘The Violinist’ Verdelho- Fresh and lithe, the 2021 ‘The Violinist’ offers pear, lime and kiwi flavors alongside a really great sense of mouthfeel. Delicious to savor now, enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2022-2025- 91

2020 Mollydooker ‘The Scooter’ Merlot- Very ripe and concentrated, the 2020 ‘The Scooter’ Merlot shows off plum and Hoisin sauce on the nose, with fresh blackberries. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture and good length, delivering rich black fruits with cocoa powder accents. Drink now. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2020 Mollydooker ‘Two Left Feet’ Red Wine- A blend of Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 ‘Two Left Feet’ delivers dark currant, cigar box, and black cherry flavors with plenty of bright acidity. Rich, and showing good length on the mouth, this is delicious wine to consume over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2020 Mollydooer ‘The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Very smooth upon entry, the 2020 ‘The Maitre D’ exudes class with its red bell pepper and red floral tones alongside blackberry compote, black licorice and allspice notes. Medium to full-bodied, this is delicious wine to consume right now. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2020 Mollydooker ‘The Boxer’ Shiraz- Very inky once in the glass, the delicious 2020 ‘The Boxer’ Shiraz starts off with tar and scorched earthy notes alongside Black Forest Cake on the nose. The palate is luxurious and inviting once on the mouth, with refined tannins and a loaded core of dark fruit and dark chocolate flavors. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next six years. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2020 Mollydooker ‘Gigglepot’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Mollydooker ‘Gigglepot’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a sensational new wine that was sourced from the Rivers Lane and McLaren Vale Vineyards. Grapes for this wine were picked March 27th, as this was aged in mostly American oak (81%) prior to bottling. Sandalwood and black currant cordial fill the nose, with suggestions of bay leaf and black rose petals that all sing in unison. The palate is beautifully balanced, with good weight and bright acidity. Rich dark fruits and chocolate cake tones combine with a seamless texture on the palate. This comes off very refined and weightless, as this beautiful wine will continue to drink well over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2020 Mollydooker ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ Shiraz- Another great bottling of this wine, the 2020 Mollydooker ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ Shiraz was stored in 100% new American oak (53% new) and was sourced from a range of vineyards including Molydooker Home and Coppermine Road Vineyards. Standing at a heady 16.5% alcohol, this shows beautiful weight and viscosity once on the mouth. Velvety tannins frame a core of creme de violette, black currants, espresso grounds and dark chocolate shavings, with light garrigue notes. Beautiful to savor now, enjoy this outstanding 2020 Shiraz over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 94

2020 Mollydooker ‘Enchanted Path’ Red Wine- The gorgeous 2020 Mollydooker ‘Enchanted Path’ Red Wine is a blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon that was sourced from the Gateway and Rivers Lane vineyards in McLaren Vale. Stored in 94% American and 6% French oak, (86% new), this opens with beautiful red and dark florals, woven together with crushed mint and suggestions of blueberry cobbler. The palate is well-structured with beautiful finesse and concentrated black and blue fruit flavor with chocolate fudge tones. Gorgeous in its heady youth, give this about an hour of air if consuming now. Drink 2022-2034- 95

2020 Mollydooker ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz- The seriously good 2020 Mollydooker ‘Carnival of Love’ Shiraz is a masterful rendition of this wine from this famed McClaren Vale house. Aged in 100% new American oak, this beautiful wine exudes class with its rich huckleberry compote, tar, black currant jelly and white pepper tones, showing emphatic range. The feeling of weight is gorgeous and while high alcohol (15.5%) the bright acidity brilliantly holds everything together. Be sure to give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2036- 96

2019 Mollydooker ‘Velvet Glove’ Shiraz- A mesmerizing wine that brings you back to the glass for more hedonistic enjoyment, the 2019 Mollydooker ‘Velvet Glove’ Shiraz is one of the great wines of its kind. Entirely sourced from the Gateway Vineyard in McLaren Vale, the wine was fermented and stored in 100% American oak (100% new) before bottling. Blueberry pie and loganberry preserve aromas combine with scorched earth, and fresh menthol notes on the nose. While obviously very big, this is weightless once on the attack. The palate is extremely concentrated, as the glass-staining color would suggest. Layers of intense black and blue fruits collide with copious minerals and a pillowy texture on the palate. If enjoying in its scintillating youth, be sure to give this at least an hour in the decanter. 600 bottles imported to the United States. Drink 2022-2038- 99

Alexana

Today we share a brilliant producer in the Willamette Valley, Alexana. This winey has been a pillar of consistency over the past five plus years. Founded many years back by Dr. Madaiah Revana, a famed cardiologist. Named after Dr. Revana’s daughter,  Alexana has a stunning setting in the Red Hills AVA. The winery utilizes both gravity flow and Gold LEED certification. These are wines made by the talented Bryan Weil who has served as head winemaker and has formerly worked Domaine Serene before heading back to Oregon State University, where in 2008 he graduated with a degree in Enology and Viticulture. Bryan then served as assistant winemaker at Hogue Cellars in Prosser, Washington, prior to being named Alexana winemaker in in 2012.

Alexana did a very good job in 2020 despite the issues with smoke. I love the 2020 Alexana ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir (OB, 91) which shows wonderful depth and verve — and truly is one of the best wines from this vintage that I have tasted. Don’t miss out on the gorgeous new 2019 Alexana ‘Signature’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is downright awesome considering the price, showing amazing range and texture. This new lineup has some awesome values and many new wines are priced at or under 50 dollars. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at http://www.alexanawinery.com Here are the great new release wines by Alexana. 

2021 Alexana Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this pale-colored Rose offers lemon blossom, cantaloupe and bright red fruits aromatically, with stony undertones. The palate is fresh and vibrant with plenty of mouth-watering acidity and beautiful guava, red currant and citrus zest flavors. Beautifully textured, enjoy this fantastic new Rose over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2021 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Gris- The very fresh 2021 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Gris was whole cluster pressed and then received considerable weekly battonage prior to bottling. Texturally round and emphatic, this offers generous kiwi, pink grapefruit and honeydew melon flavors with nutty and stony undertones. Utterly fabulous, this shows the weight and tension to age well for another seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 93

2019 Alexana ‘Signature’ Chardonnay- The deep and concentrated 2019 Alexana ‘Signature’ Chardonnay was stored for 11 months in a combination of stainless steel barrel and oak barrel before bottling. The nose comes off insanely good with buttered brioche, melon fruits and lemon meringue tones that all mingle in the glass. The palate has beautiful richness with baking spice dusted pastry, lemon rind, and stony minerals, with nutty and earthy accents. Round and plump on the mouth, this beautiful wine will shine on for another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2019 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2019 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Chardonnay was mainly sourced from the Dundee Hills AVA (54%), as this was aged in oak barrels for ten months before bottling. Ripe mango, melon and lemon zest tones all collide on the palate, with serious weight and length. Outstanding to enjoy now, this will cellar gracefully over the next decade, picking up earthy and nutty tones as it evolves. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Noir- Densely colored in the glass, the 2019 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Noir was mainly soured from the Revana Vineyard (54%) as well as small portions from the Fennwoodm Aegrina, Rain Dance, Zena Crown, Foothills and Crawford Beck Vineyards. Toasty oak and red currants mingle well with bright strawberry and menthol undercurrents on the nose. The palate is soft and generous with a beautiful texture and rich core of red fruit flavors with freshly tilled soils and wild mushroom accents. Gorgeous to consume now, give this an hour of air if enjoying over the next few years. Drink 2022-2034- 92

2019 Alexana ‘Pommard’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Pommard’ was sourced from the Revana Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA, as this saw ten months of oak barrel aging (23% new) before bottling. Medium-bodied, with plenty of finesse, this unveils ripe red cherry with rose water, orange rind and damp earth flavors. Forward and juicy, this is beautiful wine to consume right now — and will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2022-2034- 92

2019 Alexana ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir- The glorious 2019 ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir is a seriously good new wine by Bryan Weil. Once on the nose this exudes class with its rich combination of red and dark fruits alongside peat moss and black truffle undertones. The palate is soft, lithe and beautifully textured, as this seamlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Finishing very long, this classy is already nicely evolved and is sure to satisfy for at least another decade. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2019 Alexana ‘Block 8-Clone 777’ Pinot Noir- Aged in 50% new French oak, this wine utilizing clonal selection 777 was entirely sourced from the Revana Vineyard. The palate is dense, polished and plush, with a seamless sense of texture. Ripe dark currant, roasted figs and red raspberry flavors collide with garrigue and stony notes on the palate. Finishing long, this broad-shouldered and gratifying 2019 Pinot Noir surely has another fifteen plus years ahead of it. Drink 2022-2036- 94

2019 Alexana ‘Fennwood Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the ‘Fennwood Vineyard’ Pinot Noir unveils black tea and red florals that mingle with citrus embers aromatically. The palate unveils a rich core of red fruits alongside a bright beam of tension and salty undertones. Complex and delicious to savor now, enjoy this brilliant new wine over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2019 Alexana ‘Zena Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from one of the storied sites in the Eola-Amity Hills, the 2019 ‘Zena Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was aged in 42% new French oak and utilizes mainly clonal selection 777 vines. This is a big, bold and beautiful expression of Oregon Pinot Noir with a brilliant melange of red and dark fruits. With more air shades of white truffle, cigar box and peat moss tones all combine and add depth and complexity. Really good to enjoy right now, this has at least fifteen yeas in front of it. Drink 2022-2037-  94

2019 Alexana ‘Crawford Beck Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Aged in 33% new French oak, the 2019 Alexana ‘Crawford Beck Vineyard’ Pinot Noir unveils pretty red rose petal tones with Mandarin orange rind and suggestions of guava on the nose. The palate has good power with gobs of crunchy red fruits alongside tangerine peel and stony and salty undercurrents. Really good now enjoy this beautiful and fresh style of Pinot Noir over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2020 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2020 Alexana ‘Terroir Series’ Pinot Noir comes fom the Revana, Fennwood, Crawford Beck and Zena Crown Vineyards. Stored in 25% new French oak, this offers flint, cranberry and freshly tilled soils on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting with a silky texture and bright range of red fruit flavors. Drink over the next several years. Drink 2022-2025- 90

2020 Alexana ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir- The great new 2020 Alexana ‘Signature’ Pinot Noir was mostly stored in neutral oak prior to bottling. Very polished once on the mouth, this offers peat moss undertones that combine with rich red and dark fruit flavors on the palate. Considering the vintage, this is a standout Pinot Noir that is best to enjoy now and over the next four years, Drink 2022-2026- 91

2020 Alexana ‘Revana Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2020 Alexana ‘Revana Vineyard’ Pinot Noir offers smoldering stones, Bing cherry and red raspberry preserve flavors that mingle well with serious finesse. Enjoy now. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2019 Alexana ‘Fenwood Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Fenwood Vineyad is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and is set on ancient marine sedimentary soils. This 2019 Pinot Noir delivers a hearty core of red and dark fruits with pipe tobacco, worn leather and freshly tilled salty soils giving this a very Barolo meets Oregon feel. Light tannins frame everything beautifully, as this is best consumed over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2034- 93

La Rata

Today we share one of the most unique wines made in North America. Originally a trial project,  Elizabeth Bourcier’s La Rata Red Wine has become one of the outstanding cult wines out of the Pacific Northwest. Originally initially inspired by the insanely good Clos Erasmus wines of the Priorat region, Elizabeth made the bold decision blend both Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon together, since they wines tend to ripen at the similar times on the stony terroir of Milton-Freewater. Elizabeth chose to use Grenache from Armada Vineyard and Cabernet Sauvignon from En Cerise Vineyard. Now she has added a touch of Syrah to the equation. The wine was named “The Rat” and then Spanglish-cized: ‘La Rata’. The name ‘La Rata’ also connects with Elizabeth, as her zodiac sign which is the rat. This truly novel wine retails for under 100 dollars. 

The 2019 La Rata (OB, 96) remains very true to the vintage. It is done in a more minerality-based style than the 2019, slightly more akin to the gorgeous 2017 bottling. This 2019 edition shows insanely good finesse and head-turning flavor range.  Learn more at http://laratawines.com/wines.html Here is my review of the thrilling 2019 La Rata Red Wine by Elizabeth Bourcier of Cayuse Vineyards.

2019 La Rata Red Wine- Polished and lithe, the 2019 La Rata Red Wine is done in the slightly leaner, more mineral-driven style than the 2018 bottling. The aromatic range is downright thrilling with oyster sauce, white pepper dusted bacon, red cherry candy, green olives and shades of black truffle crudo. On the mouth this comes off as very weightless and soft, as the beautiful, pillowy texture captivates. Very elegant, nuanced and refined, the 2019 La Rata is already gorgeous Priorat-inspired wine to consume now and will cellar well for another eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 96

Kosta Browne

One of the famed California producers of Pinot Noir, Kosta Browne began with Dan Kosta and Michael Browne who started out working at a local restaurant in 1997. Short on funds, Michael developed relationships with key growers in Northern California, while Dan, along with the help of a third partner, Chris Costello, worked to market and sell the wines. In 2011 Kosta Browne jumped on the world stage as they were named Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year with their 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

I’ve loved these wines over the years and the new outstanding releases come from the highly challenging 2020 vintage. These are clean wines without any smoke impact. Take your time with the complex and delicious 2020 Kosta Browne ‘One-Sixteen’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which shows a soft texture and really good range. Even better is the terroir-driven 2020 Kosta Browne ‘Santa Rita Hills’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which has plenty of salty red fruits with stony undercurrents. All Pinots are $115.00 SRP. Learn more about this outstanding winery at kostabrowne.com and here are my reviews of the new Kosta Browne wines.

2020 Kosta Browne ‘One-Sixteen’ Chardonnay- Winemaker Julien Howsepian has sourced this wine from a range of famed Russian River sites including the Ritchie and Keefer Ranch Vineyards. Nectarine and green apple notes combine with baking spice dusted sourdough bread on the nose. The palate is ripe and plump with a seamless texture and wonderful length. The lingering mineral and brioche laced finish really entices, as this beautiful wine is drinking marvelously now and will continue to do so over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2020 Kosta Browne ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from mainly the Gap’s Crown Vineyard, this delicious new Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was stored for fifteen months in 34% new French oak before bottling. Salted red fruits and kumquat zest combine with toasty oak tones on the palate. Finishing very long, this is delicious, beautifully-textured Pinot Noir that is already nicely evolved. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2020 Kosta Browne ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 Kosta Browne ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir is a gorgeous new bottling that was stored in 32% new French oak for fifteen months before bottling. Sassafras and cola tones mingle well with cran-cherry and cloves on the nose. The palate is very refined and seamless with generous weight and a silky texture. Finishing very long, this gorgeous new bottling will satisfy over the next ten years or more. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2020 Kosta Browne ‘Santa Rita Hills’ Pinot Noir- Harvest for this Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir  came two weeks earlier than normal as this was aged in a small part American oak and 47% new French oak prior to bottling. Once on the mouth, the soft texture entices. Salty cran-raspberry and loganberry tones combine with citrus zest, and diatomaceous earth undertones on the palate.  This is very elegant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir that is best consumed over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2033- 94

2020 Kosta Browne ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2020 Kosta Browne ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir spent fifteen months in 38% new French oak before bottling, as this is the first year this wine has been sourced from The Narrows and Confluence Vineyards. The wine is soft and generous with plenty of peat moss and forest floor tones on the palate, with huckleberry and black cherry compote. Gorgeous to consume now, enjoy over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2034- 94