Cadence

For years I have admired the novel, age worthy Bordeaux style wines by Ben Smith (http://owenbargreen.com/benjamin-smith-cadence) Together with his wife Gaye McNutt now for over twenty years Cadence has been producing some great wines with good aging potential. Having recently tried some of these wines from the 1990s, it is incredible how they can cellar and retain their acidity. Their wines display rich dark fruits and a structure that affords decades of aging. These are wines that need a good deal of air upon release, and if enjoying in their youth a one to two hour decant is highly recommended. Ben and Gaye also both own their own vineyard in Red Mountain, the Cara Mia Vineyard, where most of their wines come from. I’ve enjoyed tasting these wines at the ten year mark where they seem to start collecting secondary characteristics.

I loved the new releases, from the somewhat challenging 2019 vintage that saw a major frost event in early October. Don’t miss out on the killer new 2020 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine (OB, 92) which is a downright killer value and is jam-packed with dark fruits. I adored the 2019 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Red Wine (OB, 96) which might be the fLearn more about this great winery at cadencewinery.com  and here are my reviews of the the beautiful new wines by Cadence.

2020 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Coda’ is a beautiful value red blend by Ben Smith. A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc with 45% Merlot and the remainder Petit Verdot all sourced from the Cara Mia Vineyard, this weighs in at 14.5% alcohol. Very clean and herbal on the nose with sagebrush and scorched earthy accents alongside ripe red cherry notes. The palate is soft and inviting with a silky texture and lovely depth and complexity. Let this outstanding value sit for 20 minutes in the decanter before serving. Drink 2022-20232- 92

2019 Cadence ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ Red Wine- The ‘Tapteil Vineyard’ is a site that will no longer be utilized by Cadence following the vineyard sale. Ben Smith has sourced from this site since 1998 and this is the final vintage of this storied Washington wine. For my palate this has to be one of the finest — if not the finest — renditions of this wine. A blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 28% Cabernet Franc and the remainder Merlot, this was stored in 40% new French oak prior to bottling. Black rose petals and toasty oak notes combine with tar, anise and shades of loganberry jelly. The palate is seamless and soft, showing an incredible elegance and the flavor density is outstanding considering the challenges of the vintage. Every moving part seems to fit just marvelously here, as the outstanding 2019 ‘Tapteil’ will cellar on for another two decades. Give this a one hour decant if enjoying in its youth. Drink 2022-2038- 95

2019 Cadence ‘Camerata’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Camerata’ blends 58% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Cabernet Franc and 17% Merlot all sourced from the Cara Mia Vineyard. Aged in 50% new French oak this offers Asian spices and blackberry compote on the nose with suggestions of freshly tilled volcanic soils and a light dusting of black pepper. The palate is silky smooth and refined, with light tannins that frame a gorgeous core of red and dark fruits. This is elegant Red Mountain that will sure to satisfy a wide range of critics and consumers alike. Be sure to give this at least one hour in the decanter before enjoying. Drink 2022-2038- 95

2019 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Bel Canto’ is a stunning new Right Bank-inspired red blend from Red Mountain. Utilizing 83% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot, this was stored in 50% new French oak (Taransaud, Darnajou and Gamba barrels) before bottling. The pretty red florals immediately capitative as potpourri and freshly picked red raspberry aromas combine with suggestions of creosote, black currants and allspice. The palate is soft and very inviting upon approach, showing very silky tannins. A glorious range of red and dark fruits, with cocoa powder and suggestions of pencil lead. Very seamless, this is a stunning new wine that is truly one of the best of its kind in the state. Enjoy this beauty over the next fifteen to twenty years and give it an hour in the decanter if savoring in its vibrant youth. Drink 2022-2040- 96

In Memoriam: A Washington Wine Visionary, Allen Shoup

A sad day in the Washington Wine Industry today as we mourn the loss of Washington wine visionary, Allen Shoup. For years Allen served as CEO for Chateau Ste. Michelle, helping start iconic projects such as Col Solare and Eroica, before leaving to start his own winery, Long Shadows Vintners in 2002. Allen died in his home of natural causes on November 7, 2022 at the age of 79.

I have had the great pleasure to interview this incredible man a few years back. His wit and intelligence were second to none. Allen was kind, pragmatic and an incredible innovator in our industry. He will be greatly be missed. Cheers to you, Allen, and your incredible life accomplishments.

Benom

One of the vibrant wine projects in Paso Robles, Benom focuses on a range of red wines, as well as a killer white and rose, that show great poise and depth from this warm region. Benom Wines was founded by two Frenchmen, Arnaud and Guillaume Fabre. Benom is named after the phonetic translation of the French word binôme, which translates to "a project together." They are brothers, they are French, and for them making wine is a heritage. Guillaume, moved to California to pursue a career as a winemaker, and began making wine for one of the great brands of Paso Robles, L’Aventure. He then started Clos Selene which was met with serious critical acclaim.  it was his love of winemaking and farming without limit(s) that brought him to Paso Robles. Arnaud, on the other hand, moved to California to follow his beloved Chloe. 

Their wines are even named after each other, two brothers -‘Les Deux Freres,’ which is an intense blend made from Grenache, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Fabre family originates from both the Languedoc-Roussillon and Bordeaux regions in France, as the brothers have a longstanding family history in the wine industry. I was enamored by the new wines by Benom. Their new 2021 Benom ‘Contrast’ White Wine (OB, 93) is a stunning blend of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. This oozes texture and has a wonderful mineral backbone as I am not sure you will find anything quite like this in North America! Do not sleep on the sinfully good and very novel 2020 Benom ‘Les Deux Freres’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is dense, chewy, and very bold, showing earthy accents from the Tempranillo. Check out more about this outstanding winery project at https://www.benomwines.com and here are my reviews of the beautiful new wines by Benom.

2021 Benom ‘Contrast’ White Wine- A very unusual blend for the region of 76% Chardonnay with the remainder Sauvignon Blanc, the 2021 ‘Contrast’ comes from the Santa Maria, Edna Valley, Adelaida AVAs. Stored for six months in a small portion of new French oak (30%) this unveils freshly cut grass with cantaloupe and pastry crust aromatics. The palate is very fresh and beautifully textured with a downright killer combination of weight and finesse. Finishing very long, enjoy this truly novel, outstanding white wine over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2029- 93

2021 Benom ‘L’Essor’ Rose- The 2021 ‘L’Essor’ is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache that was sourced from the John Wolf, Coakley, and Gateway Vineyards. Stored in stainless steel before bottling, this very Provence-colored Rose unveils delicate honeydew melon and green papaya notes alongside white rose and pomegranate seed tones. Soft and inviting on the mouth, this shows both a great veil of tension and light dusting of salinity that adds to the enjoyment. This is highly refined and gratifying Rose that is best consumed now and over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2020 Benom ‘Origin’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon bottling is a sensational new release from this somewhat challenging vintage. An inky core greets you, with chocolate covered coffee bean, black currants, creosote and very refined tannins. The underlying freshness is fantastic, as is the weight, as this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2020 Benom ‘Les Deux Freres’ Red Wine- The 2020 Benom ‘Les Deux Freres’ Red Wine is a compelling blend of Grenache (54%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. Very pretty red rose petals combine with dark currants and suggestions of baking spices. The palate is silky smooth and beautifully textured, with a great combination of weight and underly finesse, with earthy accents. Drink this beauty now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2022-2037- 94

2020 Benom ‘Lapsus’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Lapsus’ is a great blend of 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Graciano with the reminder Mourvèdre and Syrah. The beautiful black florals mark the nose with black tea and wild blackberries. The palate is soft and inviting with good richness and a soft mouthfeel. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94

Ashan

One of the premier producers of Washington Chardonnay, Ashan was built by Chris Gorman, who has now been in the industry for decades. Ashan is a deep and intense style of Chardonnay that is not made for the weary. These wines scream texture and weight — especially in warm vintages. They are also remarkably consistent. As a regional comparison, think Washington meets Sonoma.

For years I have admired wines from the Connor Lee and Cold Creek Vineyards. Both are old-vine plantings of Chardonnay and the Cold Creek was first established by Chateau Ste. Michelle back in the early 1970s. Wines from the Cold Creek and Connor Lee Vineyards seem to thrive both in cooler and warm vintages. I fondly remember the 2015 Cold Creek by Ste. Michelle, which is ripe and unctuous but had a great mineral backbone despite the heat of the vintages. Chris Gorman has crafted his new wines from the warm 2021 vintage — one that saw a very early harvest for Chardonnay. Do not miss out on the gorgeous new 2021 Ashan ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is very ripe and delicious, with serious flavor range. Learn more about these great wines at ashancellars.com and here are my reviews of the brand new 2021 Ashan wines.

2021 Ashan ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Ashan ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay offers intense peach and apricot flavors with shades of brioche and light flinty tones with a light mineral backbone. This is extremely ripe and will appeal to those who want a bigger style of Washington Chardonnay. Drink 2022-2026- 90

2021 Ashan ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Ripe and intense, the 2021 Ashan ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay delivers unctuous orchard and citrus fruits with butterscotch, toasty brioche on the palate. The flavor complexity here is exceedingly good. Finishing very long, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2021 Ashan ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The famed ‘Cold Creek Vineyard’ is a historic Washington famed site which was first planted in the 1970s. The palate is ripe and intense with layers of roasted hazelnuts, banana, roasted pineapple and mango. Finishing very long, this has a light salinity that adds to the enjoyment. This is about as close as you can get to Sonoma from this state. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 93

Clos Solene

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

I loved the range of wines that they produced. Dont miss out on the sinfully good 2020  Clos Solene ‘Cuvee Jean’ Syrah (OB, 96) which has a touch of Viognier blended in for lift. This inky, delicious wine is a stunning example of the flavor density but also bright acidity that Paso Robles can bring. Learn more about these beautiful new wines at https://www.clossolene.com Here are the outstanding new release wines by Clos Solene.

2020 Clos Solene ‘Fleur de Solene’ Red Wine- The 2020 Clos Solene ‘Fleur de Solene’ Red Wine blends mainly Syrah (52%) with smaller portions Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is very dense and decadent, with a great acid backbone. Layers of tar, garrigue, black currant jelly, and suggestions of loamy soils all brilliantly meld on the palate. Gratifying now in its full-bodied youth, savor this beauty over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 94

2020 Clos Solene ‘Harmonie’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Harmonie’ utilizes mostly Grenache (72%) with small portions Mourvèdre and Syrah. A ripe core of red fruits mingle with clove dusted Mandarin orange zest, green olives, and smoked pork shoulder notes on the palate. Finishing long, with good weight and verve, this brilliant GSM inspired wine will drink well for another decade. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2020 Clos Solene ‘Cuvee Jean’ Syrah- The deeply colored 2020 ‘Cuvee Jean’ has 3% Viognier blended in. Sourced from the Santa Maria Valley, this offers lemon blossom with black currant cordial, espresso grounds and scorched earth notes on the nose. The palate shows great underlying acidity with serious weight, displaying a massive wall of dark fruit flavors. Finishing long with loads of mouth-watering acidity, this beauty is already showing brilliantly. Drink 2022-2036- 96

2020 Clos Solene ‘L’Insolent’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘L’Insolent’ combines Cabernet Sauvignon (71%) and a large portion of Petit Verdot (20%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc. Coming all from Paso Robles, the wine shows green bell pepper notes with huckleberry compote, mocha and tar aromas. The palate is very fresh and lithe, with a polished texture and serious weight. While obviously big, the underlying finesse really drives this wine. Give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2037- 95

2020 Close Solene ‘Hommage A Nos Pairs Reserve’ Red Wine- The gorgeous, very inky’Hommage A Nos Pairs Reserve’ Red Wine is a stunning blend of nearly all Syrah (96%) with equal parts Viognier and Grenache. Extremely concentrated dark fruits greet you on the palate, with a silky mouthfeel. Mocha, tar, huckleberry compote, garrigue and stony undertones all round out this downright delicious Syrah-based wine that has a long life to go. Drink 2022-2036- 95

Domaine Carneros

Over the years, Domaine Carneros has been one of my all-time favorite spots to taste in the Napa Valley. Domaine Carneros towers over the valley, showcasing sweeping views and also an electric tasting menu to pair with their ebullient sparkling wines. It was back in the 1970s that Claude Taittinger, of famed Champagne house Taittinger, began his search for a good spot to make California Sparkling Wine. Finally in 1987 he selected a 138-acre parcel in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. The spot he selected is truly unique, as it has a massive maritime influence being perched near the bay. The vineyard is quite windy and produces highly concentrated berries that are very small in size.

A few years back Domaine Carneros hired Remi Cohen to serve as CEO and help with sparkling winemaker Zak Miller and Pinot Noir winemaker TJ Evans.. She took over Napa pioneer Eileen Crane, who had been crafting sensational, age-worthy sparkling wines in the Napa Valley for over 30 years. These are wines that age brilliantly as in the past year I have tried more than ten year old bottles of her ‘Le Reve’ which is one of the premier sparkling wines that you will find in North America.

I adored the new 2015 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 96) which is very dense and has a wonderful sense of nerve and salinity from this warm vintage. A stunning new Pinot Noir is their 2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ (OB, 94) which is very dense and might be the finest rendition of this wine that I have yet tasted. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.domainecarneros.com Here are the new sparkling wines by Domaine Carneros

2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- The gorgeous 2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine is made from mostly estate Pinot Noir (58%) with the remainder Chardonnay. Given .9G/L dosage, the ‘Brut Rose’ offers delicate pomegranate seed and lemon blossom notes with suggestions of bright pear. The palate reveals a very soft mousse, making this sumptuous on the attack. Warm this beautiful wine up a bit to savor the full gauntlet of red fruits and stony/salty nuances. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2015 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The brilliant new 2015 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine is a warm vintage masterpiece by winemaker Zak Miller. Given a small amount of dosage (.9G/L), this slowly unveils delicate white tea and lemon oil aromas with biscuit notes. The palate is deep and concentrated, with a silky mousse. Heady citrus oil flavors combine with cashew nut, juicy nectarine and Japanese pear notes, with lighter ginger accents. This is refined, highly nuanced, sparkling wine that also deftly reflects this warm vintage. With more and more air this becomes more intense and more complex. Enjoy this masterful effort now and over the next fifteen years and don’t serve too cold to take in the fabulous range of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2022-2037- 96

2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ comes from estate Pinot Noir vines (mostly Dijon 667) planted between 2002 and 2004. Once on the nose this shows off beautiful red rose petals and red currant aromas alongside salted cranberry and ripe red cherry. The palate is exceedingly soft and shows off serious weight and wonderful length. Complex and utterly delicious with its deep core of red fruits and blood orange zest accents, this is beautiful Pinot Noir to enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 94

2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir was stored for ten months in French oak prior to bottling. It is very juicy and approachable now with cherry cola, Linzer torte, and stony minerals that mingle with a light dusting of salinity. Enjoy now and over the next ten years.  Drink 2022-2032- 92

Merlots to Enjoy This Fall

October brings Merlot month and cooler weather calls for silky Merlot. I have hand-selected some outstanding Merlots that will surely bring pleasure to your dinner table or fireside chat. Merlot is staging a solid comeback post-Sideways. It was 2004 and I was sitting at a great restaurant in Seattle when my father ordered a 2000 Leonetti Cellar Merlot. As a graduate student I was slowly advancing my wine education and I was struck by the pillowy texture of this incredible wine. I won’t soon forget that seminal moment of exploring top notch Merlot.

Enjoy this list which offer wines all under 70 dollars. Regardless of budget, there are beautiful Merlot wines to savor for all.

California

2019 Cakebread Cellars Merlot ($60.00)- Soft and round, with a generous texture, the 2019 Cakebread Cellars Merlot can benefit from an hour in the decanter. Once aroused, this delivers worn leather and coffee ground flavors that combine with wild blackberry pie. Lightly tannic, with bright acidity, this has both the stuffing and finesse to cellar well for another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 Duckhorn ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot ($58.00)- A beautiful blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, this reveals sandalwood notes alongside black currants, exotic spices and dark chocolate shavings. The palate is ripe with a great mineral backbone. Showing good length with ripe dark fruits and tobacco leaf undercurrents, and copious minerals, this is drinking beautifully now and will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2019 Markham ‘Napa Valley’ Merlot- ($29.00) Juicy and ripe, the 2019 Markham Merlot shows off ripe red cherry with toasty oak, milk chocolate and red raspberry notes on the palate. Enjoy this great value now and over the next seven years. Drink 2022-2029- 91

2019 Rutherford Hill Merlot ($28.00)- Balanced and showing ripe red and dark currant flavors with tobacco leaf, the 2019 Rutherford Hill Merlot displays good value. Enjoy now and over the  next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 90

Washington

2019 Januik ‘Red Mountain’ Merlot- ($38.00) A limited case production (100 cases), the 2019 ‘Red Mountain’ Merlot has small portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec blended in. Very soft and approachable on the mouth, this delivers rich dark fruit flavors with tobacco leaf, scorched earth and dark chocolate shavings. Delicious now, this has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2018 Nine Hats Merlot ($25.00)- The 2018 Nine Hats Merlot is a killer value made by winemaker Gilles Nicault. Fresh sage and cocoa powder fill the nose with suggestions of baking spices and coffee grounds. The palate is soft and inviting with a silky texture. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2020 FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ Red Wine ($70.00)- The 2020 FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ Red Wine is a stunning blend of Petit Verdot and Merlot which was aged for 20 months in French oak (62% neutral) prior to bottling. Pencil lead and green herbs combine with blackberry compote and mocha tones on the nose. The palate is rich and volupuous with a silky texture and refined tannins. Very concentrated, with intense black and blue fruits, with herbal undertones, this is delicious and novel Bordeaux inspired wine to consume now and over the next fifteen years. Give this at least an hour in the decanter prior to enjoyment. Drink 2022-2038- 95

Liminal

It was exactly two years since I first tasted the Liminal lineup. For those who know me, I am crazy for novel terroir in wines — simply an unabashed terroir junkie. Over the course of two years Liminal have become one of the premier producers of Washington, sourcing all wines from the hallowed ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ (https://www.weathereyevineyard.com) one of the famed sites in Washington State viticulture. The vineyard itself is perched on the windswept ridgeline of Red Mountain in Washington State and is planted to 30 acres of Rhône, Bordeaux, and Spanish varieties. Quite diverse, the vineyard ranges from 950’ to 1410’ of elevation, and has extreme slopes and soils ranging from dune sand to fractured bedrock basalt. The talented Ryan Johnson serves as vineyard manager, having previously managed the esteemed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard for 15 years. Ryan farms this vineyard meticulously and wines from this site have a very wild appearance from the sagebrush, rabbitbrush and yarrow as well as many other native plants that can be found amongst the vines.

The goal for Liminal was to showcase wines from this special site, utilizing the talents of Chris Peterson. Owners Peterson and Marty Taucher have been very bullish on this site. It was a year ago that I first tasted their Liminal Cabernet Sauvignon out of barrel. I didn’t; score the wine but I was absolutely blown away.

The new wines come from the 2020 vintage which has been one that has shown mixed results throughout Washington. These are amongst the finest wines that I have tasted thus far from this vintage. I am enamored by the dense and beautifully textured 2020 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Viognier (OB, 95) which will live on for at least another eight years.  Don’t sleep on the novel and intense 2020 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Grenache (OB, 96) which displays a wonderful underlying acidity and mind-bending range, jam-packed with a great core of red and dark fruits. The best wine I tried, which is amongst the finest wines I have tasted from this vintage, the 2018 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 98) borders perfection and is absolutely scintillating in its full-throttle style. Very heady and intense, with a great mineral backbone, this beauty will surely live on for decades.The vision behind these wines is just incredible. Don’t sleep on these beauties. Learn more at https://www.liminalwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Liminal Wines.

2020 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Viognier- The gorgeous and also very generous 2020 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Viognier offers sweet honeysuckle, lychee, and roasted pineapple with suggestions oof ripe cantaloupe on the nose. The palate is very fresh and lively, with serious texture. The underlying salinity is truly outstanding here, as is the lip-smacking acidity that flows through the core of the Viognier. With more air this shows even wilder components of yarrow and white rose water. Enjoy at a slightly warmer temperature to take in the thrilling set of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2022-2030- 95

2020 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard GSM’ Red Wine- The 2020 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard GSM’ Red Wine blends 46% Grenache with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvèdre. The wine has a lot to admire with the immediately gratifying aromatics of red currants and potpourri with white pepper dusted bacon. The palate is dense and chewy with serious depth and concentration, with a light dusting of salinity and great veil of tension throughout the drinking experience. Very salty and savory, this is seriously good stuff that is built to age. Give this an hour of air prior to enjoying. Drink 2022-2034- 95

2020 Liminal Grenache- The 2020 Liminal Grenache is sourced from a .9 acre bush vine Grenache parcel at the top of the Northern slope on Red Mountain. This location produces very small, concentrated berries. The palate is rich and viscous with serious concentration and underlying finesse. The richness once on the mouth and its color is truly novel considering the varietal. Layers of bulls blood, iodine, white pepper, orange rind and generous red and dark fruits all parade on the palate. This is very gratifying and heady wine that will easily cellar for another decade — but is nearly impossible to put down in its full-throttle youth. Give this an hour of air prior to savoring. Drink 2022-2034- 96

2020 Liminal ‘High Canyon’ Syrah- Very intense, the outstanding 2020 Liminal ‘High Canyon’ Syrah comes from a site near the Viognier block at the WeatherEye Vineyard. Winemaker Chris Peterson chose to co-ferment the 2020 ‘High Canyon’ Syrah with 3% Viognier in a concrete egg. Right away this shows off violets with tar, tobacco leaf and blackberry cordial on the nose. There is the faintest high-toned honeysuckle notes from the Viognier that adds to the enjoyment. The palate is rich and deep, with light tannins that frame the core of hedonistic dark fruits, scorched earth and graphite undertones. This is nothing short of unbelievably good. Drink 2022-2036- 97

2020 Liminal ‘Block 16’ Syrah- Coming from a steep, northern facing slope at the WeatherEye Vineyard, the 100% varietal ’Block 16’ Syrah was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. Immediately this shows off bulls blood aromas with saline drenched charcuterie and dense dark fruits. The palate is very savory and salty, with a terrific mouthfeel and great depth and character. Gorgeous in its full-throttle youth, this will easily go for another decade. Drink 2022-2035- 96

2020 Liminal Cabernet Franc- Coming from a super steep block in the WeatherEye Vineyard, the 2020 Liminal Cabernet Franc is one of the great wines of its kind in Washington State.  This reveals stunning aromas of black rose petals and violets with red bell pepper, fresh sage, blackberry compote and mocha tones. The palate is rich and viscous with a light salinity. Beautifully textured, with great length, there is nothing quite like this in Washington State. Give this two hours in the decanter before enjoying. Drink 2022-2038- 95

2020 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The final number in this stunning lineup, the 2020 Liminal Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterclass that was sourced from a lower elevation block which is a one acre site, southwest facing with tight spacing in the WeatherEye Vineyard. The underlying acidity and salty of the character really make this sing. Very concentrated with huckleberry, Turkish coffee, dark chocolate shavings and black florals, this is singular, one of a kind wine that is already beautifully evolved. Get your hands on this beauty if you can and be sure to give it plenty of air prior to enjoyment. Drink 2022-2042- 98

Avennia

The Washington Wine Community is grateful that a partnership was made between former Microsoft executive Marty Taucher and superstar winemaker Chris Peterson. Together they formed Avennia — one of the great Washington wineries that produces nothing short of a stunning range of wines. One of the most consistently great producers of Rhone style wines and top class Bordeaux style reds, Chris Peterson formerly served as DeLille Cellars winemaker before starting this partnership with Taucher. The wines he makes for Avennia have beautiful structure, finesse and flavor density. There are no duds in this new lineup which comes from the 2020 and 2019 vintages — years that have produced mixed results for Washington wine.

Don’t miss out on the stunning 2020 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine (OB, 93) which improves with an hour of air and is beautifully textured Southern Rhone style wine. I was blown away with the 2019 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah (OB, 95) which is deep and concentrated with the wonderful Northern Rhone profile that this site produces. Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the two new Avennia wines. 

2020 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- Sourced from the Boushey (70%) and Red Willow (30%) Vineyards, the gorgeous tenth edition ‘Oliane’ is a rousing rendition that shows some good cellaring potential. Honeysuckle, white peach and kiwi tones all combine on the nose, with wet stone undercurrents. The palate is vibrant with a seamless texture and good depth and finesse. Finishing long, this is very refined Sauvignon Blanc that is best served a bit warmer for its full aromatic and flavor expression. Drink 2022-2029- 93

2020 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine- A Southern Rhone inspired blend of 65% Roussanne and 35% Marsanne, the really good 2020 ‘La Perle’ evokes fragrant star jasmine, lychee and Pink Lady apple aromas that all meld in the glass. Soft and seamless on the mouth, this glides throughout the drinking experience, finishing very long with vanilla cream and minerals. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2021 Avennia ‘L’Egerie’ Rose- This beautiful, salmon-colored 2021 Rose was sourced from the Columbia Valley, and blends 75% Grenache with the reminder Mourvedre. Very delicate aromas of teaberry and guava puree greet you, with red rose water and hints of tangerine peel. The palate is very fresh and focused, with pinpoint balance. Nectarine and cranberry notes mingle well with strawberry and suggestions of wet stone. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2020 Avennia ‘Justine’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Justine’ is sourced from the Upland, Kiona and Boushey Vineyards. A blend of 60% Grenache with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvèdre, this shows off asphalt with garrigue and shades of boysenberry. The palate is beautifully textured, with great underlying finesse and salty undercurrents. The purity of red fruits here is beautiful. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2020 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah- 100% varietal Boushey Vineyard Syrah coming from plantings bake in the 1990s. The 2020 ‘Arnaut’ shows gorgeous aromas of black olive tapenade, bulls blood, graphite and suggestions of blackberry cordial. The hedonistic bouquet brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is very elegant and beautifully textured, with serious underlying tension and a light dusting of salinity. Finishing very long and pure this is a more elegant version of ‘Arnaut’ that will easily cellar for another fifteen years. Drink 2022-2036- 95

2019 Avennia ‘Gravera’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Gravera’ Red Wine is a dense and chewy effort that is drinking marvelously now at the three year mark. Once on the nose this shows off graphite, black currants and anise tones that combine with beautiful black florals. The palate is soft and enticing with smooth tannins that frame a core of rich dark fruits with chocolate and coffee ground notes. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2019 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Valery’ is a blend of 88% Merlot (1986 Boushey Vineyard Planting) with the remainder Cabernet Franc (Champoux Vineyard). Very faint red florals and and red bell pepper notes combine with suggestions of fresh sage, dusty soils and black cherry compote. The palate is salty and savory with downright killer concentration and length. This is very elegant wine that shows good depth considering the vintage. Drink 2022-2036- 94

2019 Avennia ‘Sestina’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Sestina’ is a gorgeous blend of old vine 77% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. On the nose this takes on beautiful black florals with sagebrush, scorched earth and loamy soils. The palate is refined and elegant, with good concentration and a gorgeous purity of black fruits and serious length. This will age gracefully for two decades. Drink 2022-2038- 95

2019 Avennia ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from old plantings (1991) at the top of the hill at the Red Willow Vineyard, the 2019 ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off tar and pencil lead notes alongside dusty soils, cigar ash and black currant jelly. The palate is deep and refined with very elegant tannins. Intense dark fruits parade with espresso grounds, dried herbs and suggestions of creme de violette. Drink this beauty over then ext two decades. Drink 2022-2040- 96

Chosen Family Wines

One of the exciting new projects out of Oregon, Chosen Family Wines was founded by Jacob Gray, Chase Renton (L’Angolo Estate Winery) and former NBA star Channing Frye. More recently NBA all-star Kevin Love has joined the business, as Love is originally from Oregon and has come full-circle with his joint ownership.

Chosen Family works with a collective of up-and-coming winemakers throughout the West Coast and today’s releases of Willamette Valley wines were made by Jackson Holstein, accomplished winemaker from Granville Wines.

For years Channing Frye has been passionate for Oregon wine. He had a very successful 2007-08 season for the Portland Trailblazers, averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. His two seasons in Portland made him more and more enamored by great Oregon Pinot Noir. I have really enjoyed my conversations with owners Channing Frye and Jacob Gray, as their are building some big things with their brand.

Last year I tried the new lineup of Chosen Family Wines and was really impressed. This years new lineup is even more impressive as it will be exciting to see how this brand grows over the next few years. Check out the awesome new 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which has good freshness and a brilliant texture from this warm vintage. I also loved the 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 91) — a wine that at three years of age is already drinking marvelously. Learn more about these great new wines at chosenfamilywines.com Here are my reviews of the new Chosen Family wines.

2021 Chosen Family Wines Rose-  A brilliant salmon hue, the 2021 Chosen Family Wines Rose delivers seriously good range on the palate, from teaberry and cran-raspberry flavors to salted melon and suggestions of wild mushroom. A standout wine under 25 bucks, enjoy this beautiful new 2021 Rose over the next five years and don’t serve too cold. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- Only 12.9% alcohol, the outstanding 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay was stored in 15% new French oak (10% stainless steel) for 11 months prior to bottling. On the nose this shows roasted hazelnuts with suggestions of Japanese pear and ripe kumquat. The palate is ripe and downright delicious, delivering a range of orchard and citrus fruit flavors, with flinty undercurrents. Drink 2022-2030- 92

2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant  and serious value 2021 Chosen Family Wines ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir offers bright Bing cherry on the palate, with dusty soils, pomegranate seed and orange rind flavors. Medium bodied and fresh, this is delicious wine to consume now and over the next eight years. Drink 2022-2030- 91

Fidelitas

Charlie Hoppes, aka @wa_wineboss, is a Washington wine legend, having formerly served as former head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle. Prior to working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, he attended the world renowned Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis and in 1988 he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science and Management with a special emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. After a brief stint in Walla Walla in 1990 at Waterbrook Winery, he began working with superstar winemaker Mike Januik as a member of the winemaking team at Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. In 1993, he became the Head Red Winemaker and managed Ste. Michelle’s newest facility at the time, Canoe Ridge near Paterson, Washington. Hoppes had the pleasure of making the first vintages of Col Solare, from 1995-1998. At the time Col Solare was one of the world’s most inspired partnerships between the Antinori family and Chateau Ste. Michelle.

Hoppes was inspired to start his own project and got the nerve to purchase some land on Red Mountain, founding Fidelitas in 2000 -- and has produced fantastic reds and whites since that time. Fidelitas is known for their red and white Bordeaux blends, as well as their rich Cabernets. Hoppes’s son, Will, serves as Fidelitas GM. Tasting with Will, we were both really pleased with the results from the 2019 wines. These are wines that are clean and have a great underlying freshness that you don’t typically see from Red Mountain.

I loved the new wines coming from the 2019 vintage. Hoppes has done a great job by capturing the vintage, without producing lean or herbal reds. These are less power-packed than the 2018s but show beautiful underlying finesse. Don’t miss out on the gorgeous 2019 Fidelitas ’Estate’ Merlot (OB, 94) which is very classic in its dark fruit profile and is built to age gracefully which is very pretty on the nose and soft once on the attack, with lovely florals. I loved the new 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Malbec (OB, 94) which is jam-packed full of black and blue fruits, with a terrific acid backbone. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.

2021 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- 100% variétal, this was stored in egg shaped barrels (100% neutral) which gives extended lees contact. Gooseberry and white peach aromas combine with salted Marcona almond on the nose. The texture here is outstanding, as this shows beautiful length and underlying acidity. This is delicious wine to enjoy now. Drink 2022-2028- 92

2021 Fidelitas ‘Red Mountain’ Semillon- Entirely sourced from Artz Vineyard which is run by the Williams family. Fabulous freshness greets you with starfruit and bright pear with nutty and lychee notes. Beautifully textured, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Merlot- Coming from a 2015 planting, this is the first Merlot from this estate planting. 100% varietal and aged in a combination of French and American oak, this delivers toasty oak with black currants and chocolate tones that meld on the nose. The palate is soft and delicious with refined tannins and great structure. Generous and concentrated, this is silky Merlot that is built to age well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Merlot- This saw all stainless steel fermentation, this was stored in a combination of French and American oak before bottling. Cocoa powder dusted black cherry and black olives combine with espresso grounds on the nose. This is flat out delicious wine with its deep core of black cherry and black currants on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2022-2038- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Malbec- This is now the second vintage of this wine. Sourced from Block 9 of the Estate Vineyard, this was stored in a combination of new and used French and American oak. Utterly complex and delicious, this reveals black currants, blueberry pie, cigar box and shades of dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Sensational to savor now, this is generous, well-structured Malbec that is built to age. Drink 2022-2039- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec- 100% varietal, this was stored in a combination of 30% new French oak and 25% new American oak before bottling. Black tea and exotic spices combine with huckleberry pie on the nose. The palate is deep, brooding and wonderfully concentrated, with fantastic underlying finesse. Very round and open, with a plush texture, this has to be up there with the best of its kind in the state. Drink 2022-2038- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Red Wine- This is another wine that was made for the second vintage, as this blends 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Wonderfully herbal from the 25% Petit Verdot, this delivers intense blackberry and black cherry flavors with pipe tobacco, anise and cocoa powder with green bell pepper accents. Drink 2022-2039- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Red Wine- Equal parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc (31% each) and equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (19% each), this offers garrigue and tar notes that combine wth red florals and black currants on the nose. The palate is refined and elegant, with good concentration and firm tannins that connect with the brilliant core of dark fruits, green herbs and chocolate fudge, with a salty edge. Drink 2022-2038- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot- Complex, inky and hedonistic, the 2019 ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot by Fidelias shows beautiful green herbal tones on the nose with pencil lead, black currant jelly and creme de violette. The palate is dense and tannic, as this is a hedonistic beast of a wine that really needs another year of barrel age. Beautifully textured, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2039- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Outstanding now, the 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful new Red Mountain red that is built to age. Once on the nose this takes on creme de cassis, Earl Grey tea, milk chocolate covered black cherry and scorched earth notes. The palate is well-balanced and broad-shouldered, with firm tannins that hold in place a rich core of dark fruits, creosote and herbal accents. Consider giving this one more year in the bottle before consuming. Drink 2023-2039- 93

2019 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Also 100% varietal, Charlie Hoppes has made this wine since the 2012 vintage. Aged for 28 months in 70% new French oak, this delivers mocha, tar, anise and brisket notes on the nose. The palate is very deep and rich, yet elegant and has a beautiful tannic backbone. Complex and savory, with herbal undertones, this is delicious wine to consume now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2039- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 169- Tannic and massive, the 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 169 comes from a southern slope in the Estate Vineyard which sees a lot of sunshine. The wine is highly fragrant with violet rose petals and Cuban cigar, coffee grounds and shades of pencil lead. Big and burly, with great finesse and structure, with salty undertones, this is highly nuanced Cabernet Sauvignon that needs another year or two in the bottle to fully come together. Drink 2024-2040- 94

2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 412- The 2019 Fidelitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 412 comes from a new block in the 2015 ‘Estate’ planting. This saw extended barrel age of 28 months prior to bottling. Black florals and black olive notes mingle well with mocha and shades of cassis on the nose. The palate is very refined and dense with chewy tannins that combine with ripe huckleberry and blackberry flavors, with copious minerals. This is beautiful, layered, Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink 2023-2040- 94

Rocky Pond

A winery that keeps trending upwards, Rocky Pond is one of the excellent producers in the Chelan region. They have now formed their own AVA, Rocky Reach, as their estate vineyards are planted on very stony soils, in close proximity to the river. One of the great moves they made was hiring former Quileceda Creek GM John Ware to their team. Ware was a large part of  Quilceda Creek becoming one of the prominent houses of the Pacific Northwest.

A few years back I had a great visit to their Double D Vineyard,  which is lined with massive rocks that were taken from their site. Rocky Pond owner David Dufenhorst has huge ambitions with this site and has hired Steve Levesque to serve as consulting winemaker. For years Levesque made world class Cabernet Sauvignon at HALL. Rocky Pond has recently hired the former assistant winemaker at HALL, Elizabeth Keyser. At HALL she made wines for their three brands (HALL, Walt, and Baca) and also formerly worked for Cliff Lede in Yountville, and A to Z Wineworks in Oregon. I am very excited to see Keyser’s deft touch on the wines moving forward.

The new Rocky Pond wines were good across the board. I really enjoyed the 2021 Rocky Pond ‘Tumbled Granite’ White Wine (OB, 91) which is fresh and nicely textured stuff that shows excellent flavor range. I really enjoyed the 2020 Rocky Pond ‘Statastone’ Red Wine (OB, 91) which is dense and rich, with a nice red fruit profile. Learn more about this winery at https://rockypondwinery.com Here are the new release wines by Rocky Pond. 

2021 Rocky Pond ‘Tumbled Granite’ White Wine- Mostly Viognier (71%) with the remainder Roussanne, this offers ripe peach with kiwi and green papaya on the palate. The soft texture really entices, as this is best consumed now and over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2020 Rocky Pond ‘Tumbled Granite’ Red Wine- A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) with the remainder Syrah and Merlot, this offers ripe dark currant flavors with tobacco leaf, blackberry compote and black cherries on the palate. Very ripe, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 91

2020 Rocky Pond ‘Stratastone’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Stratastone’ combines Grenache (46%) with smaller portions Mourvèdre and Syrah. Very juicy with a soft texture and nice purity of red fruits with smoky and stony undertones, this is excellent wine to consume now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 91

2020 Rocky Pond ’11 Dams’ Red Wine-  Mostly Merlot (54%) this reveals ripe kirsch notes alongside cocoa powder and light underlying finesse on the palate. This is a touch out of balance. Enjoy now. Drink 2022-2028- 89

2020 Rocky Pond ‘Double D Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Rocky Pond ‘Double D Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off heady dark fruit with sweet pipe tobacco flavors on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2022-2027- 90

DeLille Cellars 'Chaleur Blanc' White Wine

A Washington State icon, DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Blanc’ was the brainchild of former DeLille winemaker Chris Upchurch, who was inspired by the great white wines of Bordeaux. DeLille Cellars was the first winery in Washington to focus on creating Bordeaux style wine blends and makes arguably the best Bordeaux style white wine in North America with its ‘Chaleur Blanc.’ This white wine has become one of the Pacific Northwest’s most popular and is smattered across great wine lists from the Edgewater Hotel to El Gaucho steakhouse. DeLille sources from their estate, 20-acre vineyard in Red Mountain as well as premier vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley. I have been really impressed with this winery and what they have produced over the past ten years. Their tasting room at the former Red Hook brewery in Woodinville is a must visit if you love wine tasting.

Director of winemaking Jason Gorski has been at the helm now for more than ten years. Taking over for Chris Peterson, he has done a masterful job with the DeLIlle wine program. The new 2021 DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Blanc’ White Wine (OB, 94) is deep and concentrated with fantastic underlying finesse. Its s a gorgeous rendition that will surely cellar well for another eight plus years. Learn more about this fantastic winery at www.delillecellars.com Here are the great new release wines from DeLille.

2021  DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Blanc’ White Wine- The fabulous DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Blanc’ White Wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc (67%) and Semillon (33%) sourced from a range of vineyards that span the Columbia Valley. Once on the nose this shows ripe papaya notes alongside mango, buttered brioche and suggestions of white grapefruit blossom. The palate is soft and beautifully textured, with a killer combination of weight and bright acidity. Right now the Semillon with its nutty and Don’t serve this too cool so you can take in the electric range of flavors and aromas. Gratifying in its bright youth, this beauty will easily go for another eight to ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 94

2020 DeLille Cellars ‘Maverick Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The Maverick Vineyard is owned and managed by Oregon wine legend Tony Rynders, as this Chardonnay comes from a single block set on marine sedimentary soils. Aged in 50% new French oak, this reveals flinty tones alongside Challah bread, Pink Lady apple and juicy white peach flavors. Very clean and fresh, this will no doubt pick up nutty and earthy tones as it lays in the cellar. Drink 2022-2030- 92

WALT

As my Microsoft Teams call began, HALL and WALT President Mike Reynolds offered his synopsis of the 2021 vintage.“The 2021 vintage had a lack of water and that was everywhere” he said. “From December to April we had very little rain in 2021 and as a general rule the vines struggled and the vigor of the properties was defined by how much water you had.” He continued “Across all varieties we saw smaller yields and smaller berries because of the limitations in water. But the converse of that I think that wine quality is great with color and very powerful.”

What I noticed during the tasting was a very serious level of concentration even in the non-single vineyard wines. These are wines that have remarkable stuffing and freshness across the board. For those less familiar with WALT, the brand focuses on producing world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from a range of sites across California and Oregon. The winery was named after Kathryn Hall’s parents, Bob and Dolores Walt who were originally vintners and were  a source of daily inspiration for her.  This unique winery project really showcases unique terroirs. I have loved these wines over the years and have always been especially fond of the wines made from from their estate vineyard, Bob’s Ranch, which is located in the Petaluma Wind Gap near Sebastapol. This site was purchased by the HALLs and has been producing some absolutely epic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that rivals anything out of Sonoma. The wines from this site are big, beautiful and full of bright acidity.

The new wines were sensational across the board. I absolutely loved their new 2020 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is big and bold, with great underlying freshness. I adored the 2020 WALT ‘Clos Pepe’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which shows terrific salty and stony character from this site near the Pacific Ocean. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.waltwines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by WALT.

2021 WALT ‘Blue Jay’ Pinot Noir- WALT has 80 acres in the Anderson Valley that they source from. Once on the nose this takes on wet gravel and Bing cherry notes alongside shades of cinnamon and cloves. Very approachable on the mouth, this delivers a seamless texture and is loaded with bright red and dark fruits with loamy soils. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2021 WALT ‘Santa Rita Hills’ Pinot Noir- Mainly sourced from the Clos Pepe Vineyard, the 2021 WALT ‘Santa Rita Hills’ Pinot Noir reveals salty red fruits with orange rind and baking spices on the nose. The palate is lithe and fresh with a great sense of underlying salinity. Plush and round with refined tannins, this is gratifying Pinot Noir to enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2021 WALT ‘Sierra Mar’ Pinot Noir- This Santa Lucia Highlands site, the ‘Sierra Mar Vineyard’ was planted back in 2007 which is south along this appellation and is a hillside location set at a high elevation. Wild red berries with garrigue and pomegranate seed with stony undertones all mark the nose.Very seamless on the mouth, this shows beautiful length and underlying tension. With plenty of mouth-watering acidity, this beauty is fantastic to savor now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 94

2021 WALT ‘Clos Pepe Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Steven and Kathy Pepe were pioneers in this region back in the 1980s. WALT has a long-term lease on this 25 acre property which is now 25 years in age. The nose is highly perfumed with red rose petal alongside kumquat rind, cigar box and beautifully pure red fruits. The palate is very salty and savory with red currants, tobacco leaf, wet and diatomaceous earth. Deep and concentrated, this is fantastic now and will bring drinking pleasure over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 94

2021 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The stunning 2021 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Pinot Noir is a masterclass by this winemaking team. This Sonoma Coast AVA property has a wide range of Pinot Noir selections and is in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Stored in roughly 30% new French oak, this shows off dense blackberry and black cherry notes on the nose with shades of cola. Very seamless on the mouth, this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. The salty and savory aspects, as well as the length, all add to the enjoyment. Drink 2022-2038- 95

BACA Wines

A relatively new project by HALL, BACA Wines focuses on high quality Zinfandel wines, with a good value white wine and the best canned Rose you will find. BACA sources from some of California’s most esteemed Zinfandel sites including some locations planted in the 1920s. The range of Zinfandel is really fun to taste, as the lineup reveals serious range from more restrained, acid-driven styles to rich and jammier renditions. All of the wines are splendid and beautifully showcase the terroir and climate that they are sourced from.

Do not miss on the killer value 2021 BACA ‘Stargazing’ White Wine (OB, 91) which is fresh and beautifully textured. The best wine I tasted was the delicious 2021 BACA ‘I Spy’ Zinfandel (OB, 94) which is concentrated with dense dark fruits but also shows lovely earthy undertones. Learn more about this great project at bacawines.com and here are my reviews of the new BACA wines.

2021 BACA ‘Stargazing’ White Wine- The outstanding 2021 BACA ‘Stargazing’ White Wine blends Marsanne and Rousanne from a late-ripening site located in Redwood Valley. Old vines here are set on an ancient seabed. Brioche and roasted almond combine with honeydew melon on the palate with a silky texture. Don’t serve too cold. Drink 2022-2027- 91

2021 BACA ‘Tug O’ War’ Zinfandel- Sourced from the Maffei Vineyard, this comes from the Russian River in Sonoma County. One of the plantings dates all the way back to 1929. This is a cooler site for Zinfandel, as this opens with red currants and dill notes alongside ripe red raspberry and potpourri on the nose. The palate is very fresh and polished with silky tannins. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2021 BACA ‘Cat’s Cradle’ Zinfandel- This comes form the Rockpile appellation which is northwest of Healdberg. Set near Lake Sonoma, in this rocky site, this reveals a wonderful aromatic intensity with deep dark fruit with dark florals alongside smoldering stones. Super-concentrated dark berries combine with light salinity and a beautiful astringency on the palate. Full-bodied, this is beautiful wine to consume now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2021 BACA ‘I Spy’ Zinfandel- The 2021 BACA ‘I Spy’ Zinfandel comes from the Black Sears Vineyard  which is located in Howell Mountain. This old vine site is located 1900 feet above Napa Valley. This shows beautiful red rose petals with wet stone, tobacco leaf and heady red fruits on the nose. The viscosity is terrific with concentrated wild blackberry and black cherry flavors that mingle well with loamy soils and suggestions of baking spices on the palate. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2021 BACA ‘Home Base’ Zinfandel- The outstanding 2021 BACA ‘Home Base Zinfandel comes from this Dry Creek site, set on diverse soil types. Once on the nose this shows pretty red cherry candy with cigar box, exotic spices, blackberry jam and orange rind notes. The palate shows good power and underlying freshness, jam packed full of red and dark fruits, with silty soils. Drink 2022-2032- 92

Raptor Ridge

One of the outstanding longtime producers in the Willamette Valley, Raptor Ridge got its start back in 1995 and almost immediately gained national acclaim for their Pinot Noirs. Founder and former winemaker, Scott Shull, first started making terroir driven wines in 1995. Originally from Missouri, Scott is a self-taught winemaker, having learned by doing, reading, and attending extension service courses on viticulture and enology offered by U.C. Davis and Oregon State University.

Shannon Gustafson has been winemaker now for many years. The wines she makes are consistently great, aiming for freshness and texture. I adored the new 2021 Raptor Ridge ‘Barrel Fermented’ Rose (OB, 91) which is rich and delicious — and would be a perfect foil for turkey at the Thanksgiving table. The best wine I tasted was the sensational 2019 Raptor Ridge

‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is rich and layered with a beautiful core of red fruits with lighter earthy tones. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at http://www.raptorridgewinery.com Here are the beautiful new releases by Raptor Ridge. 

2017 Raptor Ridge ‘Estate Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- An electric new bottle of 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine, the 2017 ‘Estate Cuvee’ is nuanced and refined — not made for the novice wine drinker. Bright salmonberry and red raspberry notes combine with copious minerals and wet stone on the palate. Very salty and refreshing, enjoy this already nicely evolved beauty with fresh oysters. Drink 2022-2029- 92

2021 Raptor Ridge ‘Vineyard Select’ Pinot Gris- The 2021 ‘Vineyard Select’ Pinot Gris comes from the Dion, Zenith and Logsdon Ridge Vineyards. Aged in stainless steel, this offers bright pear and starfruit tones on the nose, with shades of cardamom. The palate is fresh and nicely textured, showing both flavor density and finesse. Enjoy now while the brightness remains intact. Drink 2022-2025- 91

2021 Raptor Ridge ‘Tuscowallame Estate’ Gruner Veltliner- One of the rare sites in the Willamette Valley for Gruner Veltliner, this 18 acre site is planted on Laurelwood soils. The wine shows a beautiful veil of tension, with sour Gravenstein apple, kiwi and green papaya notes, with copious minerals. Enjoy now! Drink 2022-2026- 91

2021 Raptor Ridge ‘Barrel Fermented’ Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, the seriously good 2021 Raptor Ridge ‘Barrel Fermented’ Rose sat for four months in neutral barrels before bottling. The wine is downright delicious with soft red fruits that combine with citrus rind, wet stone and shades of cremini mushroom. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2022-2026- 91

2019 Raptor Ridge ‘Estate Whole Cluster’ Pinot Noir- A delicious wine by Shannon Gustafson, the 2019 ‘Estate Whole Cluster’ Pinot Noir comes from the 18 acre Tuscowallame Estate Vineyard. The nose is very fragrant with potpourri notes alongside white pepper and tangy red fruits, with kumquat accents. Very fresh and nicely textured on the mouth, this finishes long with ripe red fruits and creamy accents. Already nicely evolved, enjoy this medium-bodied effort over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 92

2019 Raptor Ridge ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The famed Temperance Hill Vineyard is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA and was first planted back in 1999. This bottling shows beautiful aromatic range from salted soils to wild mushroom and Bing cherry notes. The palate is very well-structured, showing gobs of mouth-watering acidity and a smooth mouthfeel upon entry. Loaded with bright red fruits, this beauty has only started getting going — so give it at least an hour in the decanter if consuming now. Drink 2022-2036- 93

Elentone

We are living in the golden age of Pacific Northwest Sparkling Wines. One winery that is limited production out of Washington — and only focusing on Sparkling Wines — Elentone is the brainchild of winemaker Chris Sherry. Sherry is originally from Brighton in England, actually not far from England’s premier sparkling wine country. Wines are made in the traditional Champagne method and are given a limited dosage (2G/L in both wines I tasted). You might not know that England and Champagne originally partnered to make sparkling wines and while Dom Perignon is often credited as inventing sparkling wine in 1697, the first documentation of the Traditional Method —where the winemaker deliberately adds sugar to create the bubbles in sparkling wine — was by the English physician Christopher Merrett in 1662.

I loved the new wines by Elentone. Don’t miss out on the gorgeous 2018 Elentone ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which is fresh and electric with a silky mousse and serious stuffing. Learn more about these beautiful wines at elentone.com and here are the outstanding new wines by Elentone.

2019 Elentone ‘Juno’ Rose Sparkling Wine- This is 100% Pinot Noir fruit from the Lake Chelan AVA. This was given 2G/L dosage and was aged for 20 months on the lees and then was disgorged in March 2022. Very delicate red cherry and pomegranate seed tones combine with shades of citrus rind on the nose. The soft mousse adds to the enjoyment, as bright red fruits combine with wild mushroom and suggestions of lime zest. This is very geeky, highly nuanced wine that will drink well over the next seven plus years. Drink 2022-2029- 91

2018 Elentone ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- Mainly Chardonnay (82%) from the Clos Cheval Vineyard, this was given 2G/L dosage and spent three years en tirage prior to disgorgement in August 2022. Very yeasty on the nose with baking spices and suggestions of white peach, Pazzaz apple and suggestions of toasted challah bread that all mingle on the nose. The palate is rich and very fresh with great underlying acidity. This is seriously good stuff that has gratifying weight and tension, with salty undertones. Drink 2022-2032- 92

Appassionata Estate

One of the truly thrilling new winery projects out of Oregon, Appassionata Estate is the dream of Ernie Loosen to age Oregon wines properly and then release them later than other estates. This winery project has involved two decades of planning and investment that began in 2005 with a limited bottling of Appassionata Pinot Noir, a collaboration with J. Christopher Wines. The full Appassionata range of wines now includes three Pinot Noirs of varying age, a barrel-fermented Chardonnay, a Sauvignon Blanc produced in acacia barrels, and a dry Riesling made in the German Grosses Gewächs (GG) style.

Timothy Malone serves as winemaker on this project. Malone was formerly an assistant winemaker from 2008 to 2015 at J. Christopher, and returned as head winemaker in 2020. The wines are seriously good across the board. I don’t think you will find a better Oregon Sauvignon Blanc than the 2021 Appasssionata ‘Uber’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB,93). This is big, deep and layered, showing great underlying freshness. I was blown away with the 2012 Appassionata ‘Fortissimo’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is very concentrated and shows gorgeous layers of red fruits with an opulent mouthfeel. This one will surely satisfy any lover of Oregon Pinot Noir. Learn more about these great wines at jcristopherwines.com and here are my reviews of the new Appassionata wines.

2021 Appasssionata ‘Uber’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2021 Appasssionata ‘Uber’ Sauvignon Blanc  was stored in large acacia barrels before bottling. The palate is deep and beautifully textured, showing almost an oily mouthfeel. Lemon rind and pink grapefruit zest combine with shades of sourdough bread and stony minerals on the palate. Refined, novel, sleek and elegant, this will pair with a dizzying array of foods — and is utterly delicious to savor on its on in its bright, vibrant youth. Drink 2022-2030- 93

2019 Appasssionata ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- The elegant 2019 Appasssionata ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay was barrel fermented in large oak casks and comes from a range of sites throughout this region. Rich and intense, with a seamless texture, this offers toasty oak with vanilla cream, roasted pineapple and suggestions of buttered brioche on the palate. Very Oregon meets Sonoma, this is delicious Chardonnay to savor now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2017 Appasssionata ‘GG’ Riesling- The gorgeous 2017 Appasssionata ‘GG’ Riesling is a dry-style wine which was stored in 3,000 liter German oak casks and then stored 3-5 years in the bottle prior to release. Lemon oil and kumquat zest combine with wet stones and suggestions of allspice dusted Japanese pear all combine on the palate. The unctuous mouthfeel and beautiful length really make this shine. As Ernie Loosen says — Riesling can age! Enjoy this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2019 Appasssionata ‘Allegro’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Allegro’ Pinot Noir comes was stored for eighteen months in oak barrels and released three years after the vintage. It is beautifully textured with a great combination of weight and finesse. Bright strawberry and bing cherry flavors combine with blood orange zest and cinnamon sticks on the palate. This is delightful Pinot Noir to enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2022-2034- 93

2017 Appassionata ‘Andante’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Andante’ is the second movement in the Apppassionata collection of Pinot Noirs. Released five years after the vintage, this cooler vintage Pinot Noir reveals white truffle with fresh sage, red currants and salted salmonberry notes on the nose. The palate is smooth and refined, with a soft mouthfeel. Layers of bright red fruits parade with stony minerals and kumquat zest accents on the palate. A seriously good wine, enjoy now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2022-2034- 94

2012 Appassionata ‘Fortissimo’ Pinot Noir- As the name suggests, this is the most full-throttle approached Pinot Noir of this collection. Coming from the outstanding 2012 vintage, the ‘Fortissimo’ is silky and elegant with generous Linzer torte, tangerine zest and suggestions of forest floor, with light salty accents. This shows not only the potential of cellaring great Oregon Pinot Noir but beautifully showcases this stunning vintage in the Willamette Valley. Drink 2022-2035- 95

The Granite Post

One of the really cool new wineries in Galacia, The Granite Post was founded by two individuals with really cool backgrounds in wine. Both founders have 35 years experience in the wine trade; Kim in senior financial management of large Northern Californian Wineries (Beringer, Clos du Bois & Sterling/Seagram Classics); Robert in UK retail (Oddbins & Bibendum), then winery work in CA (Saintsbury, Murphy Goode& Peter Michael Winery) and Burgundy (Meo-Camuzet, Clos des Epeneaux & Roulot in Meursault).

The Granite Post combines Rias Baixas’ vineyards and expressive grape varieties and the expertise and imagination of an Anglo-American couple with many years’ experiences of making wine in California, Burgundy and the Languedoc before moving to Galicia. They make two wines; an Albariño and a rosé.

I loved the new Granite Post wines and don’t miss on the highly nuanced 2017 The Granite Post Rosado (OB, 92) which is nuanced and highly complex Rose that will cellar well for another five plus years. Learn more about this fantastic boutique winery at https://granitepost.es and here are my reviews of the new wines by The Granite Post.

2017 The Granite Post Rosado- Very unique and novel, the 2017 The Granite Post Rosado is a wonderfully salty and terroir-driven blend of Caiño, Espadiero, and Mencia grapes. Salted peach, wet stone and green apple notes, with delicate red raspberry and red rose water tones all combine on the palate. The smooth texture and bright acidity add to the enjoyment as this outstanding Rosado will be best enjoyed now and over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 92

2021 The Granite Post Albarino- The brilliant 2017 The Granite Post Albarino spent considerable time in French oak barrels on the lees before bottling. Gooseberry and saline drenched pear combine with sourdough bread and Marcona almond on the nose. The palate is very seamless and polished, with great underlying finesse. The soft texture entices, as rich and salty melon and citrus fruit flavors combine with excellent length. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2022-2028- 93

Bodega Catena

Bodega Catena

One of the great stories in Argentinian wine, Catena was first founded in the 19th century by Nicola Catena who journeyed  from Italy to Argentina in 1898. Remarkably he is known for planting his first Malbec vineyard back in 1902. Malbec had previously been a blending grape in Bordeaux and Nicola and he saw its potential in high-elevation Mendoza.

Nicola’s grandson, Nicolas, took over the winery in the 1960s but was faced with inflation and political turmoil in Argentina, so he took a job as a visiting economics professor at UC Berkeley. He then came back to Argentina and wanted to focus on the winery, deciding to plant Chardonnay and Malbec at a 5,000 feet elevation. This was an unusual vineyard practice at the time but the risk paid off. Soon Nicolas was crafting incredible wines from these vines that became blind tasted ahead of epic wine projects like Chateau Latour and Opus One. 

In 2001 Nicolas' daughter Dr. Laura Catena took over the Research & Development program at Bodega Catena Zapata. An Emergency Room physician, with degrees from Harvard and Stanford, Dr. Laura Catena brought a very strong science background to the family winery's R&D project. She immediately set about working with the high altitude Malbec that her father had planted and has achieved incredible success at the winery since taking over. Dr. Catena is a wonderful person with an incredible mind. She has done wonders for her brand. The wines from Catena have been remarkably consistent since I first started tasting these back in 2003.

The new wines by Catena are incredible across the board. Look to their value driven 2019 Bodega Catena Zapata ‘Alta’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which shows great flavor density and polish, with a silky texture. I was blown away with the 2018 Bodega Catena Zapata ’White Bones’ Chardonnay (OB, 96). This was an absolutely epic Chardonnay that shows insanely good terroir with its salty and stony tones. Learn more about these wonderful wines at http://www.catenawines.com Here are the gorgeous new releases from Catena

2020 Catena Chardonnay- The 2020 Catena Chardonnay shows off plenty of underlying minerality, with brioche, green papaya and vanilla cream notes on the palate. Medium-bodied, enjoy this well-balanced effort now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 90

2019 Catena ‘Alta’ Chardonnay- A fabulous wine for the price, the 2019 Catena ‘Alta’ Chardonnay comes from nearly all (80%) the Adrianna Vineyards which is set at 5,000 feet elevation in the Andean foothills, and set on calcareous soils. Stored for 14 months in French oak, this opens with aromas of toasted French bread, salted macadamia nut and suggestions of praline. Finishing very long, this is refined Chardonnay that will refined palates that span the globe. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2018 Catena ‘White Stones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The complex and highly nuanced 2018 Catena ‘White Stones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from a select 27 rows within Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard which is set on small, oval white stones. Very flinty and salty once on the mouth, the sense of flavor density, viscosity and length really gratifies here. Flavors of salted wet rock, Japanese pear, and lemon rind dusted brioche all parade on the palate. With more air this Chardonnay becomes more and more Chablisesque and novel. Do not serve on the cold side to ensure enjoyment of the expansive range of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2022-2035- 96

2018 Catena ‘White Bones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2018 Catena ‘White Bones Adrianna Vineyard’ Chardonnay is a stunning effort by winemaker Alexander Vigil. The ‘White Bones’ is sourced from select rows in Block 1 of the Adrianna Vineyard, with its rows having calcareous deposits and limestone as well as fossilized animal bones. Once on the nose this takes on layers of diatomaceous earth, lemon meringue, white pepper and shades of cardamom dusted pastry. The finesse is really outstanding here, as is the flavor intensity with its diatomaceous tones and lemon oil notes.  Only 12.6% alcohol. Drink 2022-2035- 96

2019 Catena Malbec- Rich and concentrated, showing serious value, the 2019 Catena Malbec  delivers violets and black tea aromas with shades of espresso grounds. The palate is soft and beautifully textured, with good weight and a long, black fruit and mineral-driven finish. Drink 2022-2029- 91

2018 Catena ‘Alta’ Malbec- The really good 2018 Catena ‘Alta’ Malbec is a gorgeous, generous effort by winemaker Alexander Vigil. Sourced from from Lot 18 of the Angélica vineyard, Lot 4 of the La Pirámide vineyard, Lot 1 of the Nicasia vineyard, Lot 6 of the Angélica Sur vineyard and Lot 9 of the Adrianna vineyard, this shows off black rose petals with anise, creme de violette and suggestions of Turkish coffee on the nose. The palate shows a light dusting of white pepper alongside a great core of black and blue fruits, with underlying tension. This is just starting to get going and will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2022-2036- 93

2017 Catena ‘River Stones Adrianna Vineyard’ Malbec- Inky, dark and brooding, the highly concentrated 2017 Catena ‘River Stones Adrianna Vineyard’ Malbec is sourced from a highly stony site in the Adrianna Vineyard that was once an ancient riverbed. The palate is dense and hedonistic with its espresso grounds, black pepper and smoked meat notes alongside blueberry compote. This is rich yet highly refined, beautifully textured Malbec that will surely live on for another two decades. Drink 2022-2042- 97

2017 Catena ‘Mundis Bacillus Terrae Adrianna Vineyard’ Malbec- Coming from this high elevation site, the 2017 Catena ‘Mundis Bacillus Terrae Adrianna Vineyard’ Malbec comes from vines that are set in limestone layers are well-drained and particularly rich in rhizobacteria. The wine was stored for 18 months in French oak prior to bottling and displays a dizzying array of flavors, from blackberry pie and Arabica bean to dark chocolate shavings and scorched earth notes — with hints of wet gravel and blueberry cordial. Complex and delicious to consume now, this will live on for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2022-2040- 96

2017 Catena ‘Fortuna Terrae Adrianna Vineyard’ Malbec- The 2017 ‘Fortuna Terrae’ Malbec comes from vines set in the Adrianna Vineyard which is set on deep loamy soils and is home to many varieties of native grasses. There are light herbal tones on the nose that combine with violets, blackberry cordial and mocha tones. The palate is rich and complex, with great concentration and underlying finesse. Finishing long with boysenberry fruits, black currents and creosote notes, this is rich and highly-structured Malbec that will satisfy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2022-2038- 96