Interview with Leah Adint, Erath Winemaker

Friends, it is my pleasure to share this very special interview with you today. Leah Adint has recently taken over at Erath for longtime winemaker Gary Homer. Leah has a background with serious range, working in viticulture from Switzerland and Australia to France before settling down in the Willamette Valley.
In 2012 she achieved her master's degree from the University of Adelaide in Australia and has been helping the Ste. Michelle team since 2015. I think you will very much enjoy to hear her story in wine. Here is my interview with Leah Adint, winemaker at Erath.

OB: How did you decide to pursue your degree in wine from WSU?

LA: WSU was the perfect fit for me. I was looking at the usual suspects (UC Davis, Cornell, WSU, OSU) knowing I was ready to leave Alaska and WSU was closer to home, a smaller more intimate program than UCD, and the cost was far more reasonable. I received scholarships from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates that really started me on the path I find myself now. I also loved that it was a state school with the full college experience out in Pullman. I only wish the Wine Science Center was built back then.

OB: What are some things that you learned at some pretty epic winemaking stops at HALL, Dutton-Goldfield and Trinchero?

LA: HALL owned the most incredible vineyards across Alexander, Pope, and Napa Valleys at that time. It was such a pleasure to scout that fruit every day, I even got to live at one of the properties. They were also in the process of moving to Organic Certification, which was great to see and hear what changed, what worked, and what didn’t. Dutton-Goldfield is still one of my favorite harvests – this was back when they were making wine at the Balletto facility. It was great to see two different winemaking techniques under one roof. And it really felt like a family, I’m still friends with some winemakers I worked with there way back in 2008. Trinchero was my first big operation and it was so impressive. They had technology I’ve still never seen anywhere else.

OB: Erath consistently makes an excellent and very well-priced Pinot Noir that tends to over-deliver for the price. What are some of the things on the winery and vineyard side that you are able to do in crafting this wine?

LA: I think people often overlook the larger producers thinking it’s just recipe wine. I never expected to enjoy working for a big brand so much, but I really do. We get to work with the latest technology, and we are always experimenting. I get to pick apart our 120-acre Eola-Amity Hills property and set up all sorts of trials. This year that includes some leafing trials and compost applications, and in the winery I’ll be looking at different levels of whole cluster, clonal ripeness, and the latest yeast strains. I love the effects that different yeast strains have on wine. I may have thrown a yeast party or two in past vintages.

OB: Oregon winemakers I have spoken to seem very excited with the 2021 vintage on both the red and white wine side. What are some of your thoughts about this vintage?

LA: What a treat to get 2021 as my first Oregon vintage! We had great ripeness, higher acids, and a cooperating autumn without rain. A lot of the rosés I’ve tasted from 2021 have a beautiful watermelon intensity. I think that Oregon as a region makes some of the best rosé out there. We’ll have to wait and see about Pinot Noir, but the tannins are already really resolved in barrel. I think 2021 might be a year that can handle a little more new barrel influence.

OB: What are some of the best wines you have ever tasted?

LA: Oh boy, what a fun question. Before I left for my Masters program in Adelaide, my dad gave me a bottle of 2006 DRC Cuvée Duvault Blochet. Of course, I had no idea where or when I would ever open such a wine. That moment eventually came sitting in the living room with my three other winemaking roommates, almost at random. And it was incredible! It lived up to the hype and I’ve been really fortunate now to have tasted a few more from DRC, always incredible.
Another special Australian moment was when I was offered to join a friend’s family Christmas dinner (I wasn’t able to fly all the way home to Alaska from Adelaide). My friend is actually the granddaughter to Max Schubert and we drank a 1989 Grange and 1999 St. Henri from their personal cellar with Christmas supper.
One more… I grew a true fondness for fortified wines while I was working in Australia. After my harvest in Switzerland, I took a couple weeks to relax down the Portuguese coast. I ended up flying from Porto to Madeira. It was the scariest flight I’ve ever been on, but getting to drink 30, 40, 50-year-old fortified wines on a volcanic island in the middle of the ocean was such a treat. I have plenty more amazing wine stories, but I’ll stop there. OK one more! While I was working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, my previous boss used to come over from Woodinville during harvest. We both loved Pinot Noir and would often surprise each other with fun bottles. There was one that was just incredible. It was from the Willamette but had no website, wevcouldn’t find anything on it, where it was made, or who made it. It blew our minds. Since then, I’ve had the absolute pleasure to meet John Thomas, walk his vineyards and taste barrels with him. Definitely an unforgettable wine moment.

Foxen

Today we share one of the brilliant producers of Santa Barbara County. Set in the rolling hills, if you have never visited Foxen, you are in for a treat. Foxen has two distinct lines of wines – one that focuses on Bordeaux style wines and another that produces Burgundian styles, along with really impressive and novel single vineyard Syrah. Sideways decided to film one of their big scenes here but even after that exposure Foxen remains one of the hidden gems of the valley. 

I first tasted here in 2003 and has been immensely impressed with the overall quality of wines since that time. Foxen has gained a national reputation for world class Pinot Noir but their Bordeaux wines are also very impressive.  These wines are all priced under seventy dollars, making their lineup filled with killer values.

Don’t miss out on the 2020 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which shows thrilling flavor and aromatic range. Even better was the scintillating 2019 Foxen Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is wonderfully salty and earthy. Learn more about these outstanding wines at http://www.foxenvineyard.com/ Here are some of the fantastic new release wines from Foxen.

2020 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay- The ‘UU Block’ combines Clone 4 and RY17 selections, as this was stored in 29% new French oak before bottling. The wine comes off marvelously salty from the terroir. Toasty oak and marshmallow hints combine with lemon meringue, roasted almond and baked pear pastry notes. Utterly delicious now, consume this beautiful new Chardonnay over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 94

2019 Foxen ‘Santa Rita Valley’ Pinot Noir- An entry level bottling with serious class, the 2019 Foxen ‘Santa Rita Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from mostly the Riverbench Vineyard (75%) with the remainder from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. Very fresh and lithe, with a polished texture, the Pinot Noir reveals pretty cranberry and guava fruits that collide with smoky minerals on the palate. Enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 93

2019 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from Dijon clones, 113 and 115 as well as Mt. Eden, Pommard and Wadenswil clonal selections, the wine was stored for sixteen months in 228L French oak puncheons (30% new) prior to bottling. Very salty and earthy on the nose, this reveals sandy soils, peat moss and rich boysenberry tones. The palate is silky and elegant, as this dazzles on the mid-palate, showing good concentration and finesse. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2019 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 43’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2019 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 43’ Pinot Noir utilizes Dijon clonal selections 667 and 777. It is chalk-filled of finesse, with beautiful red and dark fruits that parade with cardamom, freshly tilled loamy soils and suggestions of soy sauce dusted oyster mushroom. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2019 Foxen ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 100% Pommard clone 2019 ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes form this site in the Santa Maria Valley. The nose is wonderfully fragrant with red rose petals and exotic spices that combine with tart red fruit tones. The palate shows good weight and tension, effortlessly gliding throughout the drinking experience. The pillowy texture entices, as this is best consumed over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2033- 95

2019 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this site in the Santa Rita Hills, the 2019 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir utilizes Dijon clone 667 and Swan clonal selections. A light whiff of black truffle really enthralls, as wild blackberry and shades of salmonberry all come together on the nose. The palate is soft and beautifully textured, showing excellent weight and bright acidity backing everything up. Drink this beauty over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2019 Foxen ‘Williamson-Dore Vineyard’ Syrah- Truly one of the great Syrahs made in this region, the 2019 Foxen ‘Williamson-Dore Vineyard’ Syrah has 5% Viognier co-fermented. Stored in French and Hungarian oak (33% new), this offers white pepper dusted bacon, lavender, and potpourri tones that combine with bulls blood accents. The palate shows serious weight and finesse, with a brilliant core of black fruits. Highly nuanced, and irresistible to consume now, enjoy over the next ten to twelve years. But why wait? Drink 2022-2033- 95

Interview with Heidi Bridenhagen, Winemaker at MacRostie Vineyards

Interview with Heidi Bridenhagen, Winemaker at MacRostie Vinyards

Today it is my delight to share one of the great winemakers in the Sonoma Valley. Heidi Bridenhagen. At the age of 29 Heidi Bridenhagen became only the third winemaker in the history of MacRostie Winery and Vineyards. Heidi has a background in biochemistry and crafts a beautiful range of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rose. I think you will really love hearing her story. Here is my interview with Heidi Brigenhagen, winemaker at MacRostie VIneyards.

OB: What brought you into winemaking? How did you decide to join MacRostie?

HB: I am a biochemist by training and when I fell into the wine world it was a great field to integrate biochemistry with something tangible, artistic, creative and fun. MacRostie was looking for an enologist that had experience working with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in regions outside of Carneros for their next exploration into Russian River Valley and beyond. I had just come from Sonoma-Cutrer and MacRostie seemed like a great fit, and a great opportunity to expand the winery’s portfolio of single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

OB: Talk about the wines you make from your estate Wildcat Mountain Vineyard? What characteristics do you notice in the Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs from that special site?

HB: Wildcat Mountain Vineyard sits at about 750 feet of elevation, just overlooking San Pablo Bay. The soils are a bright red volcanic soil that is fertile and rich in key nutrients that helps the vines grow. It is influenced heavily by the wind from the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Bay that physically toughens the skins of the grapes grown there. The Wildcat Mountain Chardonnay and Pinot Noir both have intense complexity. They also have a unique structure and tannin profile that comes from the wind influence.

OB: 2020 brought a host of challenges for winemakers with the fires -- yet you defied the odds and made some brilliant, smoke-free wines that I recently tasted. Talk about how you mitigated the challenges that mother nature brought in that vintage?

HB: I was able to do a lot of different press trials on our whites when they came into the winery, and I kept the press fractions separate in both the white grapes and red grapes that I used for our sparkling and rosé wines. I also had access to a lab that could generate data on smoke compounds in grapes/juice/wine very quickly. That armed me with the information I needed to create protocols on whether I could pick something at all and how to process it if we did harvest the fruit. It was definitely a harvest where my science background was utilized even more than usual.

OB: Most Sonoma winemakers that I have spoken to are thrilled with what they have tasted in barrel with the 2021 vintage? Talk a bit about the vintage and what we can expect with your MacRostie Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs?

HB: I have enjoyed a number of amazing Sonoma County vintages, but 2021 is definitely #1 right now. It was an incredibly consistent growing season. There were slightly reduced yields due to the drought, but that seemed to edge things toward concentration. Vines had stunted canopy growth, most likely due to the fires the year before, but combined with the lower yields they produced a vine balance that is not the norm in Sonoma County.

Our vintage 2021 wines are all opulent. The Chardonnays are complex and textured. The Pinot Noirs have intense color and structure. Across both varietals, the portfolio of single-vineyard wines we produced in 2021 are showing the unique, signature traits that speak to the vineyards that they come from in a way that makes this a true standout vintage. I am particularly excited about our debut 2021 vintage of Pinot Noir from our new Nightwing Estate Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap AVA. We began developing Nightwing in 2017. It reaches elevations of 1,300 feet and features numerous elevations, exposures and soils. We planted it as a mosaic of 35 blocks featuring nine clones of Pinot Noir and nine clones of Chardonnay—all of which I was able to personally select. Helping to design and plant Nightwing was one of the highlights of my career.

OB: What are some of your favorite wines of California and the world? Do you have an epiphany wine or wines?

HB: I have a love for a California (Sonoma County) cool-climate Syrah, which means high acid, bright fruit (not syrupy), slight herbaceous qualities, and enough tannin that you should really not open one that is younger than five years old. I am excited to have found a small parcel of Syrah in Bennett Valley that I will be playing with in the future. Fingers crossed!

I have no specific epiphany wine, more moments. I fell in love with what a wine can do to an experience. Something to share with a meal or at a picnic in the park. Something unique you can open for someone from a different part of the world. It brings a snapshot of a place and a time that you get to experience and the same wine can be different for each person that tries it. I wanted to be a part of that. Every time I get to bottling the wines I have made I think about all the people, stories, hours, days months that the wine has seen and who then will open one of those bottles and will they get that glimpse. I always tell my team that they should never be in the cellar working hands on with the grapes/juice/wine if they are in a bad mood or are just not themselves, because I think it can show in the finished product.

Vine Hill Ranch

One of the famed sites in the Napa Valley, Vine Hill Ranch produces legendary Cabernet Sauvignon that is for those who love Napa with balance. It was back in 1978 that Alex and Robert (Bob) Phillips, moved to the Napa Valley to raise their family on the ranch that their grandfather, Bruce Kelham, bought some twenty years earlier and christened Vine Hill Ranch. The ranch itself dates back to 1884, as the annual plantings of grapevines, plums, pears, and other crops are woven in history through hand-scribed reports.

Winemaker Francoise Peschon has an enology degree from UC Davis and then completed post-graduate work at the University of Bordeaux. She then served an apprenticeship at Château Haut-Brion, before returning to the Napa Valley. Peschon has been at Vine Hill Ranch since 2008 and collaborates closely with vineyard manager, Michael Wolf. The new 2019 Vine Hill Ranch ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 98) is an extraordinary wine. This beauty is powerful but shows incredible grace and elegance. I can imagine this will easily cellar for another twenty years. Learn more about this historic Napa house at vinehillranch.com and here is my review of the new 2019 Vine Hill Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.

2019 Vine Hill Ranch ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 Vine Hill Ranch ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is an inky, powerful western Oakville wine from this outstanding vintage. Dusty soils and tobacco leaf fill the nose with shades of anise and graphite, with ripe boysenberry cordial tones that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft and seamless with a weightless quality once on the mid-palate. Showing impeccable balance, this finishes exceedingly long with a great combination of black fruits, tar and worn leather, with freshly tilled soils. Drink 2022-2044- 98

Cayuse Vineyards

When new wines from Cayuse Vineyards are announced, then you listen. My ears perked up when I was speaking with famed vigneron Christophe Baron and he mentioned that he would be releasing some new wines from the 2015 vintage. For me, 2015 was a very challenging year for red wines — one that saw severe heat spikes which led to the earliest harvest in Washington wine history. It was even more difficult for white wines to achieve minerality and not come off as flabby or disjointed.

2015 left little doubt of being a producer vintage and the wines that have been released by Cayuse Vineyards from 2015 show very impressive poise when many wineries struggled with obtaining good tension in their red wins. I won’t lie to you in saying that these wines which scheduled to be released in October 2022 are some of the best of the vintage. I love the incredible range of flavor in the 2015 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which goes from salty and savory to beautiful dark fruit tones. Uncork a bottle, and watch it brilliantly evolve over an hour. I think you will be very impressed. Learn more about this famed Walla Walla house at cayusevineyards.com and here are the incredible October 2022 releases from the 2015 vintage by Christophe Baron and Cayuse Vineyards.

2015 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The very unique 2015 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in mostly neutral French oak (35% new) for eighteen months prior to bottling.  The nose is insanely good, with incredible complexity. Black olive tapenade, white pepper dusted bacon, seaweed and boysenberry aromas all march in place. The palate shows seriously good finesse despite the heat of the vintage. Ripe dark plum and exotic spices combine with Oyster sauce and salted pork shoulder. Complex and delicious, this is beautiful wine that is one of the great wines produced in this vintage. Already beautifully evolved, enjoy this beauty over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 95

2015 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special’ Tempranillo- Beautiful to consume right now, the 2015 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special’ Tempranillo comes from a range of vineyards owned by Christophe Baron. Aged for eighteen months in 35% new French oak barrels, this offers green olive tapenade, allspice, charcuterie and beautiful red rose petal aromas. The palate is very salty and savory, with fantastic finesse considering the heat of the vintage. Very weightless, with a generous core of dark fruits with soy sauce, pink peppercorn dusted brisket and suggestions of milk chocolate, this is novel, highly delicious Tempranillo that is best enjoyed over the next several years. Drink 2022-2027- 95

XOBC Cellars

One of the wonderful wineries with a cause, XOBC Cellars is one of the few LBGTQ-owned wineries in the Pacific Northwest. Started by four women, XOBC is named after co-founder and music icon Brandi Carlile. The wines support Brandi’s Looking Out Foundation which raises money for a range of charities. LGBTQ ownership in wine is incredibly under-represented which is a trend that is hopefully changing in the future. The founders are remarkable women who have achieved incredible success in their lives. I have really enjoyed sitting down with the owners, Jeri and Amy, and talking about their brand which is already iconic in the Pacific Northwest. They have created some consistently beautiful wines in their lineup.

At the helm is one of Walla Walla’s finest winemakers, Sean Boyd of Rotie Cellars. Sean provides beautiful finesse and tension, as well as richness in his wines. I adored all of the new wines and was particularly impressed with what he has done with his first ever sparkling wine, the NV XOBC Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which is fresh with a smooth texture and beautiful red fruit flavors. Learn more about this great new winery project at https://www.xobccellars.com Here is my review of the beautiful new sparkling wine by XOBC. 

NV XOBC Sparkling Rose Wine- The NV XOBC Sparkling Rose is a beautifully nuanced new effort by winemaker Sean Boyd that weighs in at a mere 11.8% alcohol. A blend of 90% Syrah with the remainder Grenache and Mourvedre, this unveils a soft mousse upon entry. With more air very pretty red rose petals collide with red currants, wild strawberry and undertones of sourdough bread and bergamot. Delicious to consume now, this has another five to seven years in front of it. Drink 2022-2028- 91

JM Cellars

For years I have admired the wines by JM Cellars, one of the most picturesque wineries in Western Washington. Founded in 1998, JM is perched on top of the hill just west of the many Woodinville tasting rooms. The parking situation there is somewhat tricky but they have valets on the weekend. The stylish and open tasting room spills into their beautiful outside area that is lush and wooded. Winemaker/owner John Bigelow has been crafting some excellent limited release red and white wines and has worked with some of the states best winemakers, such as Charlie Hoppes and Mike Januik. John makes a beautiful range of red and white wines.

For his new releases I tasted a wide range of reds which were well-structured and remarkably consistent. He makes a killer new Pinot Noir from Sonoma, his 2020 JM Cellars ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which is a wonderful success in this challenging vintage — showing very pretty red fruits and great salty terroir. I loved the new 2019 JM Cellars ‘III’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 92) which is a resounding success from this somewhat challenging vintage for Bordeaux style red wines. Learn more about this great family winery at jmcellars.com and here are my notes on the new JM Cellars wines.

2020 JM Cellars ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir- This displays the wonderful freshness and salinity from this famed AVA, reveling in salty red fruits that combine with blood orange zest, tobacco and stony undercurrents. Medium to full-bodied, this is lithe, nicely textured Pinot Noir that will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2020 JM Cellars ‘Ancora Imparo’ Grenache- This Shaw Ridge and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard bottling offers ripe red fruits that combine with wintergreen notes and a smooth texture. Drink now. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2019 JM Cellars Syrah- Iodine with blueberry pie, smoked brisket and white pepper all mark the nose. The ablate is fresh and beautifully textured with a polished mouthfeel. Showing good depth, this classy Syrah will drink well over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2019 JM Cellars ‘Faniculi’ Red Wine- Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (62%), with smaller parts Merlot and Syrah. Dark plum and red currant tones combine with baking spices on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2022-2029- 91

2019 JM Cellars ‘III” Cabernet Sauvignon- 100% varietal, this Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers sagebrush with cassis, anise and tilled soils on the nose. The palate is plush and refined with soft tannins and a lengthy finish. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 JM Cellars ‘Margaret’s Vineyard’ Malbec- Inky dark once in the glass, this 2019 Malbec delivers rich blue fruits that combine with chocolate covered Arabica bean flavors. Deep and concentrated, with good finesse, this is already beautifully evolved wine that will cellar well or another decade. Drink 2022-2030- 92

Scharffenberger

Scharffenberger

A historic site in the Anderson Valley, Scharffenberger Cellars was founded back in 1981 and is located only a few miles from Pacific Ocean. The brand was started by John Scharffenberger, and was bought by Louis Roederer in 2004. Winemaker Jeffrey Jindra crafts some beautiful value sparkling wines that are fresh and vibrant with great texture.

The tasting room is in a charming Mendocino country bungalow in downtown Philo. Behind it, the 35,000-square-foot winery sits to the north amid hillside vineyards. An old redwood grove has been carefully protected on the 160-acre property.

I loved the new wines, especially the NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Excellence’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which is vibrant and racy with a smooth texture. Learn more about this storied Anderson Valley house at https://scharffenbergercellars.com and here are my notes on the beautiful new sparkling wines.

NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Excellence’ Sparkling Wine- A delight to enjoy as an aperitif, the NV ‘Brut Excellence’ offers biscuit, green apple, white peach and ginger notes on the palate. This is texturally very elegant. Fresh and fragrant, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2029- 91

NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Rose Excellence’ Sparkling Wine- The beautiful, salmon-hued NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Rose Excellence’ Sparkling Wine is a killer value. Sour red fruit flavors collide with star jasmine water and citrus blossom notes on the palate.Very bright, with good tension and salinity, enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 90

Doubleback

A winery needing no introduction, Doubleback was founded by NFL star Drew Bledsoe who returned to his hometown of Walla Walla following his illustrious playing career. Over the past decade Doubleback has evolved into one of the finest producers of red and white wines in the state. Originally from Walla Walla, Bledsoe was a star at Walla Walla High School before his illustrious tenure at Washington State University. He had visions of starting his own winery for many years and going back to Walla Walla was the perfect choice for him. During his years in the NFL he continued to expand his palate, trying various wines of the world. But there was something special about wines from his home state, as he grew to love the balance of the wines of this region that weren’t old world but also weren’t Napa.

Drew returned to Walla Walla in 2007 to plant his estate vineyard, McQueen, on the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. Doubleback was born in 2008 which would focus on estate fruit to create world class Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla. Drew knew he needed a top class winemaker and connected with childhood friend and superstar winemaker, Chris Figgins, of Leonetti Cellar, who served as consulting winemaker until Josh McDaniels assumed the role in 2015. 

Josh is one of the finest winemakers of the Pacific Northwest and also makes a range of spectacular Oregon wines. Highly humble when talking about his successes, Josh is making some of the best Chardonnay in the Pacific Northwest. Do not miss out on the 2020 Doubleback Chardonnay (OB, 95) is the finest Washington Chardonnay I have tasted in the past year. This is very Kongsgaard meets Washington State. Learn more about these sensational new wines at http://www.doubleback.com/ Here are the gorgeous new 2022 release wines by Doubleback.

2020 Doubleback Chardonnay- Sourced from the McQueen, Flying B and Kenny Hill Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, this was stored for eighteen months in a combination of new and used French oak prior to bottling in January 2022. This is a layered, nearly impossible to put down Chardonnay with no smoke influence and no rough edges. Once poured it shows off its brilliant, golden hue in the glass. Seamless on the mouth, this delivers lovely salted Macadamia nut tones alongside buttered brioche, banana and roasted pineapple, with underlying tension. As stated before, Josh McDaniels is making quite possibly the finest Chardonnay in Washington. Try to get your hands on this incredible, very Kongsgaard vs. Washington Chardonnay if you can. Only 91 cases produced. Drink 2022-2030- 95

2019 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2019 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon is very inky once in the glass. Aged for 22 months in 57% new French oak, this Cabernet Sauvignon has 15% Merlot blended in with a dash of Malbec and Cabernet Fanc. Shades of sandalwood and allspice surround a core of ripe dark fruits, chocolate and sagebrush accents on the nose. The palate is very herbal but comes off with plenty of mouthfeel and texture. Showing good verve and concentration, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2020 Doubleback Merlot- The 100% varietal 2019 Doubleback Merlot comes from the Figgins, McQueen, LeFore and Flying B vineyards. Stored in new and neural oak barrels for seventeen months before batting in January 2022, this offers Earl Grey tea, cocoa powder dusted black cherry and roasted dates on the nose. The palate is soft and inviting, as this effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. Rich red and dark fruits collide with copious minerals and suggestions of chocolate cake. With no smoke influence, this shows bright acidity and refined tannins that hold everything brilliantly in place. This is quite simply a masterpiece in a vintage that was hard for many. Already beautifully evolved, give this an hour of air prior to consuming and enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 95

2019 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon- The beautiful new 2019 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the McQueen, LaFore, Bob Healy and Figgins vineyards. Stored for 23 months in a combination of new and neural French oak barrels before batting in August 2021, this Cabernet Sauvignon has small portions of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Malbec blended in. Needing some air to be fully aroused, this delivers sagebrush, mocha and scorched earth notes with heady dark fruits that sing in unison on the nose. The beautiful range of aromas brings you back to the glass for more. Very refined on the mouth, this comes off more herbal than other vintages, but has plenty of dense dark fruits to gratify. Arabica bean notes and creme de cassis notes meld well with firm tannins and good freshness that hold things in place. Finishing long, this is very refined and nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon that will surely hold well for another fifteen plus years. Give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2038- 95

2019 Doubleback ‘Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Reserve’ Red Wine has a very large portion of Petit Verdot (25%) added to 72% Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Merlot. Stored in a combination of Italian concrete vessels and new French oak for 23 months, this limited production red blend really needs an hour of air prior to enjoying. It comes off very dense and hedonistic with graphite, green bell pepper, anise, tobacco leaf and intense dark fruit flavors. The expression of Petit Verdot here is gorgeous. This shows really good weight and tension with beautiful length. Intense and very gratifying, this heady, red blend will hold well for another twenty years to come. Drink 2023-2040- 96

Roederer Estate

One of the storied California houses for sparkling wine. Roederer Estate dates back to 1982. At the time it was the vision of Jean-Claude Rouzaud, president of Louis Roederer, who saw  the cool climate and rolling fog of the Anderson Valley to craft some of the region’s finest sparkling wines. The 580 acre estate produces four sparkling wines: the multi-vintage Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut, debuted in 1988, the Brut Rosé and Roederer Estate's vintage tees de cuvee, L'Ermitage and L'Ermitage Rosé. 

Currently the house is under the leadership of Jean-Claude’s son, Frédéric Rouzaud. I loved the new wines. The outstanding NV Roederer Estate ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) is a steal at under 40 dollars. This shows very pretty florals and red fruits with great tension and salty undertones. which is fresh and beautifully textured with a very pretty red fruit profile. Dense, massive and possessing a magical sense of mouthfeel, the 2015 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) is a must buy for any serious collector of new world bubbles. Learn more about this outstanding sparkling wine house at https://roedererestate.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Roederer Estate.

NV Roederer Estate Sparkling Wine- A great value buy, the NV Roederer Estate Sparkling Wine is a blend of 60% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir that was aged on the lees for more than two years. Toasted sourdough bread and ripe banana notes combine with lemon rind on the nose. The wine comes off big but also very refined with soft bubbles that combine with the stony and salty nuances of the wine. At $30.00 USD this is a steal! Drink 2022-2029- 92

NV Roederer Estate Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Roederer Estate Rose Sparkling Wine was disgorged in August 2021 and blends 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay. Given 8 G/L dosage, this reveals its very pale salmon hue. Very salty and fresh with crunchy cranberry, red rose water, mulberry and walnut notes, this is both refined and delicious Rose sparking wine that is best consumed over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2015 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Sparkling Wine- Beautifully done, the 2015 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Sparkling Wine offers some seriously good value and is amongst the best of its kind in North America. A blend of 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir, this includes roughly 5% of reserve wine from the 2010, 2012 and 2014 vintages. Ripe starfruit and allspice dusted brioche tones combine with the silky mousse and wonderful mid-palate weight. Big and bright, with plenty of mouth-watering acidity, enjoy this wonderfully evolved ‘L’Ermitage’ sparkling wine over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 95

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