Viña Cobos

One of the premier wine brands out of Argentina, Viña Cobos is a project by famed vintner Paul Hobbs, who was the founding partner and winemaker which began in the late 1980s. In 1989, Paul Hobbs visited Mendoza for the first time. He drove over the Andes from Chile with his longstanding friend Jorge Catena, brother of the famous Nicolas Catena, and was in love with place, the people, but also with the potential to make great wine. He began experimenting with wild fermented Chardonnay and then with the variety that would become Argentina's calling card - Malbec. His first 10 barrel vintage of Malbec persuaded the American press of the potential of this grape. Paul sources for the most distinguished regions in Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco from sites that utilize sustainable farming methods.

I loved the new wines by Vina Cobos. Do not miss out on the incredible new 2020 Viña Cobos ‘Bramare Lujan de Cuyo’ Malbec (OB, 94) which is wonderfully concentrated and shows a hedonistic bent, with bright underlying tension. Learn more about these fantastic wines at vinacobos.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Vina Cobos.

2021 Viña Cobos ‘Vinculum’ Chardonnay- The 2021Viña Cobos‘Vinculum’ offers bright Japanese pear and starfruit tones on the nose with baking spice dusted sourdough bread. The palate shows nice flinty accents alongside a smooth mouthfeel. Finishing long, this is delicious Chardonnay that will cellar well over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2030- 91

2019 Viña Cobos ‘Bramare Valle de Uco’ Malbec-Coming from high elevation sites, the San Carlos and Tupungato vineyards, this was stored for 19 months in 30% new Oak (French and American) before bottling. This is intense and delicious Malbec with creosote, wet stone, wild blackberry and huckleberry notes on the palate. Generous and broad-shouldered, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2020 Viña Cobos ‘Bramare Lujan de Cuyo’ Malbec- This beuatiful new Cobos Malbec was stored for 18 months in French and American oak barrels (22% new) before bottling. This is dense, layered and wonderfully hedonistic on the palate. Blueberry compote, stony minerals, roasted venison and scorched earth flavors combine with the fantastic underlying verve. Full-bodied, this beauty will live on for a decade or more — but is impossible to resist now. Drink 2023-2035- 94

2018 Viña Cobos ‘Vinculum’ Malbec- Inky in the glass, the 2018 ‘Vinculum’ Malbec displays black raspberry and violets on the nose with shades of tar and milk chocolate. The palate is fresh and concentrated with loads of black and blue fruits alongside menthol and stony accents. Delicious now, this will cellar well over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93

Caliza

It brings me great pleasure to share one of the outstanding producers of Paso Robles. Caliza, Spanish for "limestone", connects the name to the 20-acre Caliza vineyard located on the west side of Paso Robles. The vineyard is predominantly comprised of hillsides with south-facing slopes which leads to maximum sun exposure. Set at 900-1200 feet above sea level in Templeton Gap area, the vineyard faces strong diurnal shifts which creates some nice tension in the wines. Having visited this spot last year, it is extremely windy which further stresses the vines, producing very concentrated grapes.

Proprietors Carl and Pam Bowker, purchased this land which is located near stalwarts L’Aventure and Booker. Bowker has a degree from Napa Valley College’s Viticulture and Enology associate program and his wines have improved with each year. I love the new Caliza ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ White Wine (OB, 93) which is smooth and viscous with fantastic flavor range. I adored the new 2020 Caliza Grenache (OB, 94) which is dense and smooth with a silky texture. Learn more about this great Paso Robles winery at https://www.calizawinery.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Caliza. 

2022 Caliza ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ White Wine- This edition of the ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ includes 38% Viognier and 32% Grenache Blanc with smaller parts Picpoul and Roussanne. It is viscous and marvelously textured with bright underlying acidity and good weight. Kiwi, sweetened gooseberry and green melon flavors combine with copious minerals and salted nut undercurrents on the palate. Enjoy this complex white wine now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2021 Caliza ‘Kankret’ Grenache- This 2021 edition was aged entirely in concrete tanks and utilizes Grenache clonal selection 362. Deep and concentrated on the palate, this shows Mandarin orange rind flavors that mingle well with ripe strawberry, red currants and shades of stony soils. Very juicy and delicious, this is already beautifully evolved stuff that will live on for at least another ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2020 Caliza ‘Azimuth’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Azimuth’ combine mostly Mourvèdre (44%) with smaller portions Grenache and Syrah. Smoked meats, lavender and dense dark fruits mark the nose. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured with a rich mouthfeel. Loaded with boysenberry and black cherry cordial flavors, with smoky and herbal accents, this is delicious wine that is already hit its stride. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2020 Caliza Syrah- Aged in mostly new French oak (70%), the 2021 Caliza Syrah offers black olives, blackberry jam, cigar ash and shades of citrus blossom on the palate. Neatly textured and dense, with a killer mouthfeel, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2019 Caliza ‘Cohort’ Red Wine- Always one of the unique wines of Paso Robles, this 2019 edition of ‘Cohort’ includes mostly Petite Sirah (65%) with smaller parts Mourvèdre and Syrah. Aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak, this delivers concentrated blueberry compote, mocha, tar and black licorice flavors, with salty and stony undertones. Very dense, yet showing bright underlying acidity, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 94

2020 Caliza ‘Companion’ Red Wine- A wine inspired by Provencale reds, the 2021 ‘Companion’ is equal parts Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that was stored for 18 months in new French oak before bottling. Rich dark currants collide with smoked brisket, black olive tapenade and copious minerals on the palate. Really fresh and lithe, with a smooth mouthfeel, this is outstanding to savor right now and over the next seven plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 93

Dom Perignon 'P2' Champagne

Today we share one of the great champagnes of the world, the ‘P2’ by Dom Perignon. An idea that was built over decades, the ‘P2’ or ‘second plentitude’ is a result of additional years on the lees and the wine is finally released when the Chef de Cave feels that it is ready. Dom Perignon also has a ‘P3’ wine which is released 20 years after the vintage, as the ‘P2’ is typically released 12-15 years post-vintage.

These wines are both rare and expensive. They have recently released a 2004 vintage ‘P2’ which comes from a warm year. The wine that I tasted came from the 2000 vintage, which was an exceptional year, considered to be on par with 2002 and 1996. The 2000 P2 was aged on the lees until May 2016 and then was released in April 2017. Richard Geoffroy, Dom Perignon’s Chef de Cave created an unbelievably complex wine. Here are my tasting notes from an unforgettable 2000 Dom Perignon ‘P2’ Champagne.

2000 Dom Perignon ‘P2’ Champagne- The 2000 ‘P2’ is a wine by Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy that is an unforgettable drinking experience. Aged on the lees for 16 years, this beautiful wine is now glowing at the 23 year mark. Toasty brioche, salted hazelnut, white peach and white truffle notes all brilliantly combine on the palate. Showing a silky mousse, and a light effervescence and well as exceptional depth and length, this is a complete wine that flirts with perfection. This beauty will easily go for another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 99

Lytle-Barnett

It always excites me when I have a chance to try a new Pacific Northwest winery. One that focuses on bubbles, Lytle-Barnett has produced some consistently great sparkling 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 Ferreira making their méthode champenoise wines.

I think that the wines offer good value considering their higher price. The wines are very nuanced and showing outstanding flavor complexity. Unlike some wines of this region, Lytle-Barnett sparkling wines spend extended time in tirage before being released which certainly adds depth to the flavors and aromatics. Check out the new 2019 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which has outstanding richness and depth, as well as beautiful flavor range. Learn more at https://lytle-barnett.com/ and here are my reviews of the great new Lytle-Barnett wines.

2019 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine- This outstanding 2019 ‘Blanc de Noirs’ hails from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. It is quite complex and rich on the nose with buttered sourdough bread, baking spices and shades of ripe red raspberry. The palate is round and generous with a great combination of weight and underling tension. Tart melon and citrus fruits mingle well with yeasty undertones on the palate. Great to enjoy now with serious nerve, this will easily cellar for another eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2018 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- Another great release, this 2018 Lytle-Barnett ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine beautifully showcases this warm vintage in the Willamette Valley. Once on the nose this shows off layers of pink grapefruit blossom, kumquat and shades of salted French bread. The palate is tart and crisp with fantastic verve and viscosity. This is even better than the 2017 edition, with glorious length and balance with its tree and citrus fruit core. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2016 Lytle-Barnett ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- A blend of nearly all Pinot Noir (68%) with the reminder Chardonnay, this 2016 bottling is showing marvelously at now seven years of age. It is beautifully textured, with great poise and weight. Layers of guava and citrus fruits combine with salty and stony minerals, with hazelnut undertones on the palate. Very complex, don’t serve this too warm to take in the great range of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2017 Lytle-Barnett ‘Brut Rose’ Spackling Wine- The 2017 ‘Brut Rose’ is composed of 70% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay all sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. A very delicate pink color, this offers bright marionberry and strawberry tones on the nose with plenty of citrus zest notes backing things up. The plate is fresh and viscous with a great sense of finesse. Showing a silky mousse, this offers excellent length and would be an awesome match for toro nigiri. Drink 2023-2031- 93

Chateau Musar

Today we share one of the great wine properties in the world, based in Lebanon. Chateau Musar is located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, and was founded in 1930 by Gaston Hochar. In 1959, after studying oenology at the University of Bordeaux, his son Serge became winemaker. Serge produced wines even through the Civil War (1975-90). The Hochar family continues to run this historic winery.  The vineyards of Chateau Musar are located in the Bekaa Valley and in Mount Barouk, around Kefraya and Aana, which is about a two-hour drive from the winery in Ghazir, just north of Beirut. Red wines are comprised of Cinsault, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah & Grenache while white wines are composed of indigenous varietals Obaideh (a native of Chardonnay) and Merwah (a native variant of Semillion), as well as Chardonnay, Viognier & Vermentino.

I love the new 2019 Chateau Musar ‘Hochar’ Red Wine (OB, 92) which is dense and chewy with a soft mouthfeel. This beautiful wine will cellar well for another ten years easily. Learn more about this famed winery at https://chateaumusar.com Here are the great new wines by Chateau Musar.

2021 Chateau Musar ‘Musar Jeaune’ Rose- Very fresh with a polished texture, the 2021 Chateau Musar ‘Musar Jeaune’ Rose offers ripe watermelon and cantaloupe flavors with tart red cherries on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2022-2025- 90

2020 Chateau Musar ‘Musar Jeaune’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Musar Jeaune’ comes from a range of young vines and blends 50% Cinsault with 35% Syrah and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Very smooth and vibrant with great underlying acidity, the wine shows worn leather and citrus zest notes alongside a core of tart red fruits. Drink 2022-2030- 90

2019 Chateau Musar ‘Hochar Pere et Fils’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Hochar Pere et Fils’ Red WIne is a gorgeous blend of 50% Cinsault with 40% Grenache and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon all sourced from vineyards near the village of Aana — which is set 1000 meters above sea level. Stored for 6 months in French Nevers oak barrels, this reveals garrigue and salted wet stone notes combine with ripe boysenberries and suggestions of white truffle on the nose. The palate is rich and refined with a soft texture. Enjoy now and over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2022-2032- 92

Chimney Rock

Today we share one of the jewels of the Stags Leap District. Chimney Rock Winery dates all the way back to 1989. At the time the property was owned by owned by Hack and Stella Wilson who purchased a 180-acre parcel on the east side of the Silverado Trail in 1980 (which included a golf course!) and planted a vineyard shortly thereafter. For years I have enjoyed visiting this scenic spot and the winery has a fantastic outdoors space for their guests.The talented Elizabeth Vianna has served as winemaker for many years. Vianna came to Chimney Rock as a harvest intern in 1999, while completing her Master’s degree in enology at U.C. Davis. Upon graduation, she became an enologist at Napa Wine Company and was soon named assistant winemaker there, where she worked directly with many of the region’s top winemakers including Heidi Barrett, Erin Green, Pam Starr, and Celia Masyczek. Elizabeth was elevated position of assistant winemaker at Chimney Rock in January 2002 and advanced to the position of winemaker in 2005. She knows this site exceedingly well.

I loved the new lineup which showcases the electric 2019 vintage. Don’t miss out on the beautiful red blend, the 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is soft and smooth with great flavor range. I added the new 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Tomahawk Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95)  which is dense, heady and delicious to savor even now. Learn more about this famed estate at https://www.chimneyrock.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Chimney Rock.

2021 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage Blanc’ White Wine- The 2021 ‘Elevage Blanc’ a sensational effort that is composed of mostly Sauvignon Gris comes off silky smooth on the mouth. Kiwi and pink grapefruit zest collide with shades of cantaloupe and nutty undercurrents on the palate. Very smooth throughout the drinking experience, with a lengthy finish, this beauty will age gracefully over the next decade to come. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2019 Chimney Rock ‘Elevage’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Elevage’ combines 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with 39% Merlot and smaller portions Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. It is wonderfully fresh and herbal from the 19% Petit Verdot. Dark chocolate shavings meld together with espresso grounds, scorched earth and granite notes on the palate. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2038- 93

2019 Chimney Rock ‘Stags Leap District’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Stags Leap District’ combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with 13% Merlot and very small parts Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Inky in the glass, this exudes class with mocha, tar and pencil shavings alongside scorched earthy notes on the nose. The palate is smooth and viscous with great underlying tension and a soft texture. Finishing long with black fruits, coffee grounds and minerals, this is delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2023-2038- 93

2019 Chimney Rock ‘Alpine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Alpine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a dense and polished wine that is built to age. Once on the nose this shows off dark rose petals alongside freshly tilled stony soils, cigar box and shades of anise. The palate is beautifully balanced and soft with great underlying finesse. Concentrated dark fruits parade with lavender, grilled venison and graphite notes on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2040- 94

2019 Chimney Rock ‘Ganymede Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The decadent 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Ganymede Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic bottling by winemaker Elizabeth Vianna. Aromatically quite heady, this offers violets, tar and Turkish coffee accents on the bouquet. The palate is deep and concentrated, with a soft mouthfeel and beautiful sense of length, with stony and salty soil accents. Fantastic to enjoy in its hedonistic and fleshy youth, this beautiful wine will live on for at least another fifteen years to come. Drink 2023-2040- 95

2019 Chimney Rock ‘Clone 4’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The very heady 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Clone 4’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers rich huckleberry, dark currant and dark chocolate shaving flavors on the palate. Full-bodied with good underlying verve, this is a stunning new wine that has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2023-2040- 94

2019 Chimney Rock ‘Tomahawk Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The beautiful 2019 Chimney Rock ‘Tomahawk Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this site that is located in the southern end of the estate. Aged for 18 months in roughly 70% new French oak, this delivers dark currants, allspice, espresso bean and shades of Black Forest Cake on the palate. Dense and decadent, with a great mineral edge, this beauty will live on for two decades to come. Drink 2023-2040- 95

EFESTE

It brings me great pleasure to share one of the outstanding producers in Woodinville. It has been more than a decade that EFESTĒ has produced consistently good wines for a reasonable price. I have really enjoyed their summer events which are lively and really well-attended. Winemaker Mark Fiore has been crafting some consistently great wines here. Mark is a shark on the golf course, a former PGA Professional who decided to work two harvest seasons at Beresan and Balboa wineries, eventually leading to a job at Charles Smith Wines in August of 2011. Mark began making wine for K Vintners and then worked on other projects such as Sixto, Latta Wines, Wines of Substance and B Leighton in Walla Walla and Seattle. He is a great dude who has made another beautiful lineup of wines for EFESTĒ.

Look to their gorgeous new 2022 EFESTĒ ‘Adrienne’ Chenin Blanc (OB, 92) which shows a soft mouthfeel and good sense of weight.  I adore the new 2020 EFESTĒ ‘James Vineyard’ Malbec (OB, 94) which is dense, heady and absolutely a joy to consume right now. Learn more about these outstanding new wines at https://efeste.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by EFESTĒ.

2022 EFESTE ‘Adrienne’ Chenin Blanc- Beautifully textured, this was stored in a concrete egg before bottling. Ripe pear and cantaloupe notes combine with stony and nutty undertones. Delicious now, this will easily hold for another five plus years. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2022 EFESTE ‘Feral’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 ‘Feral’ comes from the Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA and was stored in a combination of oak puncheons, stainless steel and concrete eggs. This shows pretty white rose and gooseberry notes alongside saline drenched pear. The palate is very fresh and nicely textured with bright acidity. This is a perfect foil for fresh Kusshi oysters. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2022 EFESTE ‘Evergreen’ Riesling- The 2022 ‘Evergreen’ is a bright and tension-filled bottling the was entirely stored in concrete. Bone-dry and done in the ‘Trocken’ style, this shows a smooth mouthfeel with plenty of stony minerality. Japanese pear, green papaya, Granny Smith apple and wet stones all brilliantly combine on the palate. This is seriously good stuff that needs spicy food. Drink 2023-2029- 93

2022 EFESTE ‘Oldfield Estate’ Rose- A blend of 65% Grenache with the remainder Mourvèdre that came from the Boushey Vineyard. The nose is highly complex with damp earth and guava that combine with citrus rind accents. The palate is brilliantly textured with a nice sense of weight. Well-balanced, don’t serve this too cold to take in the outstanding flavor and aromatic range. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2020 EFESTE ‘Angela’s Vineyard’ Grenache- Coming from their estate site on Red Mountain, this 2020 Grenache shows a smooth texture with plush kirsch and red raspberry notes alongside refined tannins and beautiful length on the palate. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2020 EFESTE ‘Paulie’ Red Wine- A blend of 49% Grenache with the remainder Syrah and Mourvèdre that comes from the Stonetree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA. The nose comes off beautifully with red rose petals and lavender alongside red currants and freshly tilled soils. This is clean on the palate with good finesse and a fantastic core of red and dark fruits. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2020 EFESTE ‘Ceidleigh’ Syrah- Coming from their estate vineyard on Red Mountain, this was fermented in stainless steel and underwent roughly 40% whole cluster fermentation. This comes off beautifully on the nose with brisket, green peppercorns and black olives. The palate is soft and inviting with a plush texture. This is loaded with bright red and dark fruits alongside salty and stony undertones. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2020 EFESTE ‘Jolie Bouche’ Syrah- The 2020 ‘Jolie Bouche’ Syrah underwent 100% whole cluster fermentation and comes form the Oldfield Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. The aromatic range is outstanding with Umami notes alongside white pepper black tea and blackberry cobbler. The palate is fresh and rich with serious texture and underlying verve. Drink 2023-2029- 94

2019 EFESTE ‘Knight Commander’ Syrah-‘Knight Commander’ is the highest ranking alter boy position that EFESTE founder Daniel Ferelli formerly held while he was growing up in Chicago. A blend of 95% Syrah with the remainder Viognier all sourced form the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, this unveils white flowers and apricots that combine with dense blackberry compote tones aromatically. The palate is very soft and generous with good depth and concentration, yet showing a brilliant core of acidity. Drink 2022-2032- 93

2019 EFESTE ‘Tough Guy’ Red Wine- An estate blend of 59% Merlot and 42% Syrah that was co-fermented, the ‘Tough Guy’ is a tribute to a five year old Leukemia survivor. This is a beautiful wine that really needs about an hour of air before enjoying. Red cherry cordial, garrigue and smoky as well as savory undertones from the Syrah really add to the enjoyment on the palate. Delicious now, this will live on for at least another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2020 EFESTE ‘Angela’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- The ‘Angela’s Vineyard is located at the southwestern corner of Red Mountain. This is beautifully textured stuff that shows fantastic flavor range. Creme de violette, coffee grounds, and dark currants all parade with copious minerals on the palate. Finishing long, this is brilliant stuff to enjoy now. Drink 2023-2029- 93

2020 EFESTE ‘James Vineyard’ Malbec- This comes from this site in the Wahluke Slope AVA. This shows serious nerve and concentration once on the mouth. Huckleberry and blueberry flavors collide with espresso grounds and shades of tar on the palate. The bright acidity really holds things together here. Drink 2023-2029- 94

Domaine Carneros

One of the most beautiful spots in Carneros, Domaine Carneros was founded by the Tattinger family years ago on this electric site with sweeping views of the valley. 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.

Remi Cohen to serves as CEO and director of winemaking, taking over for Napa pioneer Eileen Crane, who had been crafting sensational, age-worthy sparkling wines in the Napa Valley for over 30 years. They make one of the finest sparkling wines in North America, their ‘Le Reve’ which I have had the pleasure of tasting over the past decade. They also make a new Rose ‘Le Reve’ which is utterly fabulous.

I adored the new 2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Rose’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which is fresh with a beautiful core of red fruit flavors. Don’t miss out on the 2021 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which shows a smooth texture with many layers and nuanced flavors. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.domainecarneros.com Here are the new releases by Domaine Carneros

2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- Dense and heady, the 2018 ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine is an outstanding effort that delivers some serious value. Walnut and Japanese pear flavors mingle well with toasty sourdough bread and baking spices, with salty and nutty undertones on the palate. Showing a soft mouthfeel and beautiful texture, this is great stuff to savor right now. Drink 2023-2029-92

2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut Rose Sparkling Wine- Another great Rose release from this house, the 2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine is composed of mainly estate Pinot Noir with a smaller portion Chardonnay. Given .9G/L dosage, the ‘Brut Rose’ offers ripe tangerine zest, red raspberry and shades of Japanese pear on the palate. Showing a soft mouse and wonderful sense of verve and tension, this is beautiful Rose sparkling wine that is really hitting its stride at the four year mark. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next seven plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Ultra Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2018 ‘Ultra Brut’ is a zero dosage wine that is an outstanding showing from this warmer vintage. On the nose this takes on toasted brioche alongside white peach and salty mineral undertones. The palate is rich and concentrated with a soft mouthfeel and silky mousse. Very salty and savory, with kiwi, gooseberry and cashew nut flavors, this is delicious wine that will be best consumed over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2021 Domaine Carneros ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a resounding success in this exciting new vintage. Right away on the mouth this unveils a smooth texture with layers of ripe red cherry, guava and cranberry fruits, with salty soil accents. Medium-bodied and delicious, enjoy this outstanding new wine now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ was sourced from mostly Dijon 667 Pinot Noir vines which were first planted back in the early 2000s. The aromatics here are really lovely, as lavender and purple rose petals combine with shades of red currants and citrus blossom on the nose. The palate is silky smooth and very refined, showing good concentration and a seamless sense of texture. The combination of weight and bright acidity suggests this will age exceptionally well. Drink 2023-2038- 94

FIGGINS

A truly outstanding producer of red wine and Riesling in Washington, FIGGINS was founded by Washington wine legend, Chris Figgins. Originally a wheat farm, the 32 acre Figgins Estate Vineyard was first planted in 2004 is set at 1750 feet. They have been working on a full cave for their future winery at this site and it is going to be spectacular! The first vintage of FIGGINS was 2008 and the wines from the vineyard just get better and better. They are wines that need a lot of air after opening and I’ve found them to improve considerably with some bottle age.

I adored the 2020 FIGGINS Red Wine (OB, 97) which is one of the wines of the vintage. Deep and complex, with serious structure, weight and flavor range, this is a remarkable achievement considering the challenging conditions in September 2020. A total home-run, enjoy this beauty over the next seven years and give it a lot of time in the decanter before savoring. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.figginswine.com and here is my review of the incredible new FIGGINS Red Wine.

2020 FIGGINS ‘Estate’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Estate’ Red Wine is a powerful and beautiful effort considering the challenges of the vintage. The wine is a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot that was sourced from this site set on deep silty loam soils. This really needs an hour in the decanter to be fully expressive and once aroused it is a dream to consume. Black currants, green bell pepper, graphite, loamy soils, mocha, tar and Earl Grey tea flavors all magically combine on the palate, with very refined tannins. Showing great length and concentration, this beauty is good to go now — and will live on for at least another five to seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 97

Daou Vineyards

The story of Daou begins dates back to 1956 in Lebanon, as Joseph and Marie Daou married after a whirlwind romance. Years passed and the Daou family grew, as Joseph transformed his father’s small carpentry business, DAOU and Sons, into one of the most successful furnishing companies in the entire Middle East. Following the Lebanese Civil War, the family had to move to France and start all over. Living in Cannes in the south of France Joseph developed a passion for wine.

The sons, Georges and Daniel, followed in their family’s entrepreneurial footsteps and started their own company, DAOU Systems, a networking technology company that would revolutionize hospital computer systems. This company went public and was sold in 1998. Daniel had become a passionate garage winemaker, reading every book he could find on wine and he saw the potential for making great Cabernet Sauvignon in Paso Robles. The brothers are now proprietors of Daou Vineyards, with Daniel serving as winemaker.

I have been very pressed with these wines, especially their top Cabernet bottling, Soul of A Lion. I love the new 2022 Daou ‘Reserve’ Rose (OB, 92) which is vibrant and shows incredible texture. Learn more about these outstanding wines at daouvineyards.com and here are my new reviews of the new Daou Vineyards wines.

2021 Daou ‘Bodyguard’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Bodyguard’ is a fantastic bottling by Daou that shows some good aging potential. Ripe pear and pink grapefruit zest combines with shades of creme brûlée on the palate. Really good now, with some marzipan and nutty undertones, this will cellar well for another seven plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2022 Daou Rose- Juicy pear and strawberry fill the palate in this delicious Rose. Big, with broad shoulders and plenty of stuffing, this delicious bottling is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2028- 90

2022 Daou ‘Reserve’ Rose- Beautifully textured and ripe, the 2022 ‘Reserve’ Rose is a astonishingly good new Rose. Rich pear and kiwi flavors combine with a great core of citrus blossom water and bright guava and strawberry fruits on the palate. Finishing long this is delicious Rose that will cellar well over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 92

Amavi Cellars

Today we share a Walla Walla winery that represents significant value. Over the years I have particularly admired the wines of Amavi that show a marvelous combination of expert winemaking and terroir. I think that Amavi must visit for those who love fruit driven, yet poised red and white wines (and killer Rose!). And the sweeping views of the Walla Walla Valley are nearly as good as the wines! Amavi is a small, family owned winery that sources from great vineyards such as Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Les Collines to create their rich and ready to drink wines. Head winemaker Jean-François Pellet is a third-generation winemaker and grape grower. Pellet also makes wines for Amavi’s sister property, Pepper Bridge. Pellet is one of the great talents in the Walla Walla Valley and he is a downright awesome guy to grab a glass of wine with.

Tasting with Pellet, we tried the range of his wines and I was blown away with overall quality for the price.  For many years now Amavi has been crating a Semillon that rivals the best in North America. Their new 2022 Amavi Semillon (OB, 92) is beautifully textured and shows insanely good flavor range. He also makes some of the best Rose you will find in the Walla Walla Valley, as the 2022 Amavi Rose (OB, 92) is soft and approachable with serious complexity and great weight. Learn more about Amavi at http://www.amavicellars.com Here are the great new release wines from Amavi.

2022 Amavi Semillon- One of the great wines of its kind made in the state, the 2022 Amavi Semillon was stored in neutral oak barrels before bottling and has 13% Sauvignon Blanc blended in. Right away this shows off cantaloupe and ripe pear notes on the palate, with cashew nut and baking spices that all meld together beautifully. Rich and viscous with a serious underlying tension, this is a steal at under 30 bucks. Enjoy now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2022 Amavi Rose- Coming from Summit View, Seven Hills and Taggard Vineyard Cabernet Franc grapes, this was entirely aged in stainless steel before bottling. Warm this up a bit to take in the outstanding flavor range. Wild mushroom, red rose water, cranberry and guava fruits combine with copious minerals on the palate and a smooth texture. This is exceptionally good stuff. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2020 Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon mainly comes from the Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge Vineyards and has 15% Merlot blended in with small parts Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This is juicy and ripe wine with blackberry and black currant flavors that mingle with espresso grounds on the palate. Savory and rich, enjoy now and over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2020 Amavi Syrah- This 2020 Syrah has 9% Grenache blended in and was stored in only 18% new French oak before bottling. Kirsch and black raspberry flavors combine with shades of garrigue and scorched earth on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, this is delicious stuff to enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2020 Amavi ‘Stone Valley Vineard’ Syrah- A very refined and also highly-drinkable version of the Walla Walla Rocks, the 2020 Amavi ‘Stone Valley Vineyard’ Syrah is a really outstanding effort considering the challenges faced this vintage. Umami and green olive tapenade flavors combine with black tea, exotic spices and plump dark fruits on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 93

2020 Amavi ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- Another stellar bottling, the 2020 ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. Dried lavender and tar notes combine with freshly tilled soils, black currants and shades of charcuterie on the palate. Complex and delicious, showing stony and salty undertones, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 93

Leonetti Cellar Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Few Washington wineries have managed to produce the level of consistent greatness that Leonetti Cellar has achieved. Your first Leonetti Cellar wine was probably a seminal wine moment for you. Mine came roughly 20 years ago in college but I will never forget that bottle of 2000 Leonetti Cellar Merlot.

A few years back Leonetti decided to produce new wines to their lineup — all single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines from a range of sites throughout the Walla Walla Valley. I was amazed with the quality of their 2019s which was a vintage that could be very difficult for Bordeaux varietals with the early October freeze events. 2020 was another challenging vintage for most vintners. However, 2020 like 2019 is not a poor vintage but is instead a producer vintage where you must choose your wine purchases judiciously.

The 2020 single vineyard Cabernet wines by Leonetti are clean, not marred by any smoke influence. You can buy these with confidence. As with any great Washington wines produced in 2020, I recommend drinking them now. All of these new Leonetti wines benefit from an hour or more in the decanter. I absolutely adored the new high elevation 2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Loess Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is extremely concentrated and deep, with massive tannins right now. This is a stunning Washington Cabernet that will appeal to all collectors of Washington wines. Learn more at https://leonetticellar.com and here are my reviews of the incredible new single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Leonetti Cellar and winemaker Chris Figgins.

2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Holy Roller Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The beautiful 2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Holy Roller Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 17% Sangiovese blended in and comes from this very unique location in the Walla Walla Rocks District. The wine has a small portion of Sangiovese blended in, as this displays dark plum and tobacco leaf  alongside wet stone on the nose.  The palate is open and rich with a great core of black fruits alongside light stony and tilled soil undercurrents. This is a joy to drink right now. Drink 2023-2030- 96

2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Serra Pedace Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The Serra Peace Vineyard is located in the SeVein project in the southern part of the Walla Walla Valley that is set at 1200 feet.Very heady on the nose, this unveils layers of dark licorice, tar and tobacco leaf with shades of graphite. The palate is soft showing good concentration and underlying verve. Firm tannins hold together a deep core of black and blue fruits alongside stony undercurrents. This is fantastic stuff to savor now — and be sure to give this an hour in the decanter prior to consuming. Drink 2023-2030- 96

2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Loess Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Surely the most exotic of the single vineyard bottlings, the amazing 2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Loess Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from this high elevation site set at 1100 feet. This really needs an hour in the decanter before enjoying. Ripe huckleberry and blueberry fruits collide with copious minerals, wet rock and anise flavors on the palate. A show-stopper, this is a sensational wine that will be best enjoyed now and over the next seven years to come. Drink 2023-2030- 97

2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Mill Creek Upland Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Dense and massive, the outstanding 2020 Leonetti Cellar ‘Mill Creek Upland Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 8% Petit Verdot blended in and will surely satisfy any lover of Washington Cabernet Sauvignon. Sourced from this high-elevation location in the foothills of the Blueridge Mountains on the eastern side of the Walla Walla Valley, the wine shows off wintergreen notes alongside espresso grounds, dark chocolates shavings and shades of black licorice with stony undertones on the nose. The palate very smooth and concentrated with a seamless texture and wonderful stony/silty soil undertones. A deep core of dark fruits will greet you woven together with the pillowy mouthfeel. Give this an hour in the decanter before consuming. Drink 2023-2031- 96

DAMA Wines

Today we highlight one of the great female-owned wineries of the Pacific Northwest. Mary Tuuri Derby has a long history in the Washington wine industry. It was all the way back in 2000 that Mary and her husband, Devin Derby, got their start in Washington wine by creating famed Spring Valley Vineyard.

DAMA was the creation of a new brand and a new beginning for Derby. She has been partnered at DAMA with Judith Shulman over the last ten years. I really have enjoyed these wines. Derby’s winemaking style is with minimal intervention and a judicious use of oak. She sources from some of the finest vineyards in Washington State.

I love the new 2022 DAMA Rose (OB, 91) which is vibrant and very fresh with a top notch texture. Even better is the incredible new 2019 DAMA ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 94) which shows insanely good flavor range and is downright delicious stuff to savor right now. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://damawines.com Here are the great new releases by DAMA.

2022 DAMA Rose- Made from Cabernet Franc grapes, the beautifully textured and soft 2022 DAMA Rose is another killer new bottling by winemaker Mary Derby. This comes off very refined and elegant on the palate with plenty of stony minerals that combine with shades of kumquat zest, red raspberry and guava puree. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2022 DAMA Grenache Blanc- Fresh and vibrant, the 2022 Grenache Blanc displays loads of bright acidity once on the mouth. Kiwi and gooseberry flavors parade alongside copious minerals and shades of citrus blossom water on the palate. This is a really great wine for a hot summer day. Drink 2023-2027- 91

2021 DAMA ‘GSM’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘GSM’ is a killer Grenache-dominant Southern Rhone-inspired wine that is already nicely evolved with its pure red fruit flavors and silky mouthfeel. Layers of Bing cherry, cigar box, scorched earth and notes of menthol all come together wonderfully on the palate. Very fresh and vibrant, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2018 DAMA Cabernet Franc- The delicious 2018 DAMA Cabernet Franc was aged for 22 months in 100% French Oak (50% new) before bottling. Black plum and wild blackberry combine with violets on the palate. The sense of balance here is exceptionally good. Smooth throughout the drinking experience, this is beautiful Cabernet Franc that is already wonderfully evolved. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2019 DAMA ‘Stoney VIne Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from a cooler vintage, this 2019 ‘Stoney Vine Vineyard’ Syrah offers terrific flavor range. Iodine, boysenberry and black olive tapenade combine with Mandarin orange rind, white pepper dusted bacon and shades of charcuterie on the palate. There is nothing quite like this site and this is a beautiful expression that is drinking right in its sweet spot. Drink 2023-2030- 94

2021 DAMA ‘Lonesome Springs Ranch’ Syrah- Very complex the 2021 ‘Lonesome Springs Ranch’ Syrah shows beautiful range on the nose from red rose petals to smoked brisket alongside green olives and a great core of red fruits. Medium-bodied and plump once on the mouth, this shows loads of mouth-watering acidity that combines with a beautiful core of raspberry and cranberry fruits with tilled soil and pipe tobacco undertones. Drink 2023-2030- 92

Robert Biale Vineyards

You might not know that Zinfandel is one of the founding varietals of California. Long before Napa Cab hit its heyday,  Robert Biale has roots in the 1930s where Pietro Biale planted Zinfandel on the Napa Valley floor. HIs son, Aldo, took over making wine during the Prohibition, using the code name ‘Black Chicken.’ Aldo’s Vineyard still stands today in Napa and is one of the premium vineyard sites that Robert Biale sources from, as well as esteemed spots like the Monte Rosso Vineyard and the Stagecoach Vineyard. I lhave loved these wines for years that are truly one of a kind and a throwback to old-school Zinfandel that shows not only good concentration but fantastic, bright acidity.

Winemaker David Natali is a New York native, David graduated from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and developed a passion for winemaking after bottling at a friend’s small winery. He formerly served as cellar hand at Clos Pegase Winery and later studied at the University of Montpellier in France, where he received his master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology. After two and a half years of living and studying abroad in Montpellier, France, and Udine, Italy, David returned to California. He became the Assistant Winemaker for La Rochelle Winery, later taking the Assistant Winemaker position at Robert Biale Vineyards. He managed the cellar and lab’s daily operations to implement new winemaking techniques under the guidance of Winemaker Tres Goetting. In 2022, David was promoted to Head Winemaker.

I adored the 2021 Robert Biale ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel (OB, 92) which is superb for the price and shows great tension with lovely milk chocolate tones. One of the best Zinfandel wines I have tried this year, the  2021 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel (OB, 96) will go neck and neck with any Zinfandel made in California with its scintillating combination of flavor range, concentration and seamless mouthfeel. Learn more about this storied Napa property at http://biale.com Here are the great new wines by Robert Biale. 

2022 Robert Biale Vineyards ‘Clementina’ White Wine- A unique white wine from the Oak Knoll AVA, the 2022 ‘Clementina’ shows bright acidity and a smooth texture with peach, green apple and copious minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2021 Robert BIale Vineyards ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel- The 2020 ’Black Chicken’ comes from a range of vineyards in the Oak Knoll AVA. throughout Sonoma and Napa Valley. It is soft and refined on the mouth with juicy red and dark fruits that combine with shades of black tea on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2021 Robert Biale ‘Old Kraft Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The 2021 ‘Old Kraft’ is sourced from a St. Helena vineyard with vines planted in the 1890s. The wine comes off wonderfully smooth as it typically does throughout the experience. Sage, black currants, and dill notes combine with shades of milk chocolate on the palate. This shows wonderful poise and balance, with equally good concentration. Enjoy this beautiful Zin now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2021 Robert Biale ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The downright ancient ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ was planted back in1905. This is soft and elegant Zin that is simply impossible to resist right now. Roasted figs and dates combine with chocolate cake, loamy soils and shades of black licorice and baking spices on the palate. Dense and showing a smooth texture, without being heavy at all, this outstanding Zinfandel easily has another decade ahead of it. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2021 Robert Biale ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The famed ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ dates all the way back to 1850s and is currently owned by the Peterson family. The palate is concentrated with a fantastic combination of dense red and dark fruit flavors. With more air notes of menthol and red rose water emerge, making this not only rich and layered but especially complex Zinfandel. Quite simply a knockout wine, this beauty will last for a decade or more — but why wait? Drink 2023-2033- 95

2021 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel- Always what I consider to be one of the great Zinfandel wines made in California, the 2021 Varozza Vineard comes from this location  in Saint Helena which was planted over a century ago. The wine takes on an incredible elegance and great underlying verve. Red cherry candy, pipe tobacco, and red plum flavors combine with salty soil accents on the palate. Seamless, complex and delicious, this is a stunning bottling that is amongst the finest of its kind that I have tasted in the past year. Drink 2023-2035- 96

2021 Robert Biale ‘Morisoli Vineyard’ Zinfandel- This bottling comes from the Rutherford AVA and has Zinfandel vines that were planted back in 1985. The wine comes off very seamless and well-balanced. Loamy soils combine with red currants, black plum and tobacco leaf flavors on the palate, with baking spices. Showing a smooth texture and great sense of finesse and concentration, this is already singing. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2021 Robert Biale ‘Royal Punishers’ Petite Sirah- The 2021 Robert Biale ‘Royal Punishers’ Petite Sirah is another fantastic edition of this bottling that will go neck and neck with anyone for the price. This is concentrated and delicious Petite Sirah with huckleberry and blueberry flavors that combine with dark chocolates shavings and fantastic underling tension. Very concentrated, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93

L'Angolo Estate

L’Angelo Estate

Today we share one of the newer locations that is located in the Dundee Hills. L’Angolo Estate was founded by proprietors Holdings and Lou Renton, who purchased a 20 acre property in the Dundee Hills several years back. The estate vineyard is planted to 6 acres of Pinot Noir and 4 acres of Chardonnay, which were planted in two successive years. Vines are set in a combination of Jory and Nekia soils, as the site has four clones of Pinot Noir and two clones of Chardonnay across 13 clone-specific vineyard blocks. The last two releases of wines from this site have appeared as nicely concentrated and loaded with red and black fruit flavors, with great flinty and stony undertones.

At the helm is winemaker Chase Renton who has a background in wine sales and also studied at Apicius Wine Studies in 2011. He has led L’Angolo since 2012 and has formerly worked harvests in California and Burgundy before settling down in Oregon. The wines that he makes have a beginning, middle and end. I was very impressed wth the concentration, finesse and mouthfeel that he was able to achieve in his 2019 wines.

The new wines come from the warm 2021 vintage which has been somewhat of a home run for winemakers across the Willamette Valley. I love the new 2021 L’Angolo ‘Estate’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which shows good richness and flavor range.  The best wine that I tasted was the impossible to resist 2021 L’Anoelo ‘Il Terzo’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which comes from a single clone and is absolutely fabulous stuff even to consume in its heady youth. Learn more about this fantastic Dundee Hills outpost at https://www.langoloestate.com and here are my reviews of the new 2021 L’Angelo Estate wines.

2021 L’Angolo ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2021 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay displays the same flinty notes that I noticed in their 2020 bottling. Baking spice drenched pear, shades of nectarine and salty soils all combine on the nose, with sourdough bread notes. The palate is very soft and inviting with a smooth texture and good sense of weight. Layers of citrus and melon fruits combine nicely with copious minerals backing things up. Medium to full-bodied, this is delicious stuff to consume now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 L’Angolo ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir by L’Angolo is a beautifully rich showing from this slightly warmer vintage. Once on the nose this exudes class with red currants and wild mushroom notes alongside blood orange zest and freshly tilled soils. The palate shows both bright acidity and solid concentration, loaded with citrus rind and red fruit flavors. This is already beautifully evolved stuff that is best consumed over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 92

2019 L’Angolo ‘Il Terzo’ Pinot Noir- The best wine that I tasted from the new lineup, the 2021 ‘Il Terzo’ comes from a single block of Dijon clone 777 which was planted at the southern portion of the L’Angolo Estate vineyard. Right away the bouquet captivates with exotic spices and wild blackberry notes alongside damp basement and stony undercurrents. The palate is concentrated and very plush on the approach as this guides you through a terrific array of red and black fruit flavors, with damp earth and stony tones. This is a beautiful Pinot Noir to consume now that will also reward you down the road in the cellar. Drink 2023-2038- 94

2021 L’Angolo ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- A delicious new wine from this warm vintage, the 2021 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir is a fantastic new release that is already nicely evolved. Bright and heady on the nose, this offers tart cranberry and red currant jelly notes alongside shades of white pepper and black truffle shavings. The palate is refined and silky with smooth tannins and a soft mouthfeel. Loaded with black and red fruits, this is downright delicious Pinot Noir that has some great aging potential.  Drink 2023-2036- 93

Aridus

Arizona has some surprisingly good wineries. For years I have admired the wines by Aridus. The winery is family-owned and is located in southeastern Arizona. The winery opened back in 2012 after refurbishing an existing 28,000 square foot apple warehouse which had been built in 1982. It is one of the largest winery facilities in the state. They have a 40 acre site for their estate vineyard along Turkey Creek in Pearce, AZ which they have owned since 2009. At 5,200 feet in elevation, the site has warm days and cool nights. A range of varieties have been planted there including Viognier and Tempranillo.

Winemaker Lisa Strid is at the helm and makes a range of delicious and forward wines. I love the new 2020 Aridus Viognier (OB, 91) which is bright and juicy with a good underlying acidity. Learn more about these exciting wines at https://www.ariduswineco.com and here are the new releases by Aridus.

2020 Aridus Viognier- This comes off very smooth on the mouth with a silky texture. Layers of ripe peach and sweetened gooseberry greet you with some solid underlying tension. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 91

2019 Aridus Syrah- The 2019 Aridus Syrah is a seriously good wine that shows outstanding flavor range on the palate. Smoked brisket and bacon fat tones combine with bright black raspberry and wild blackberry tones, with loamy soils. Delicious and showing good underlying finesse, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2019 Aridus Tempranillo- Flinty and stony, the 2019 Tempranillo displays a delicious core of red and dark fruits on the palate, with hints of milk chocolate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

Elentone

There is little doubt that sparkling wines of the Pacific Northwest are here to stay. A very exciting limited production winery out of Washington, Elentone is the brainchild of winemaker Chris Sherry. Sherry hails from Brighton in southern England, which is somewhat of a stone’s throw from England’s premier sparkling wine country. Sherry is an avid Brighton football supporter and shares the same passion for sparkling wines.

All of his wines are made in the traditional Champagne method and are given a limited amount of dosage. Just as the last releases by Elentone, these are very fresh and show fantastic underlying acidity with a soft mousse. The latest releases both come from the exciting Rainmaker Vineyard which is producing some really outstanding Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Columbia Gorge AVA. The 2019 Elentone ‘Noa Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) shows amazing salty character with really good stuffing. Learn more about these beautiful wines at elentone.com and here are the outstanding new wines by Elentone.

2019 Elentone ‘Noa’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- The 2019 ‘Noa’ comes from the Rainmaker Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. This is very ripe and fleshy despite the coolness of the vintage. Ripe nectarine and green apple tones combine wth sallty minerals on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, this is downright awesome stuff to enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2019 Elentone ‘Shadow’ Rose Sparkling Wine- This Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine also is sourced from the Rainmaker Vineyard and was stored for 36 months en tirage before disgorgement. The wine shows a beautiful core of tart red fruits with blood orange zest, tilled salty soils and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Highly nuanced and downright geeky, this is a beautifully showing by winemaker Chris Sherry. Enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

Columbia Crest

It has now been more than 20 years that I started noticing the incredible value that Columbia Crest offers. Time after time I would go to the grocery store or wine shop and purchase these wines with continually over-delivered for the price. I also experimented with aging the wines, as they held marvelously for 8 plus years. One of the outstanding value Washington producers, Columbia Crest is the only Washington winery to have their wine appear at #1 on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list.

Founded in 1982, Columbia Crest is one of the longer-serving Washington wineries as their first wine release was back in 1987. Juan Munoz-Oca presided over these wines beginning in 2011 and then in 2018 Katie Nelson was named new Columbia Crest winemaker as she today serves as head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle. Katie did a marvelous work with her wines and today Will Wiles has been at the Columbia Crest helm since 2021. I have known Will for many years and admired his work as assistant winemaker at Col Solare. Will has a Washington State University degree in Horticulture with an emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. In his post-college years, he has worked for a range of wineries before being named as head winemaker in 2021.

His new wines were really outstanding across the board. Don’t sleep on the awesome new 2021 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Chardonnay (OB, 90) which is one of the best value Chardonnays out of Washington that you will find. I am enamored by the 2018 Columbia Crest ‘Walter Clore Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which has tremendous depth and concentration with a silky mouthfeel.Learn more about these outstanding values at columbiacrest.com Here are some of the great new wines by Columbia Crest.

2021 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Chardonnay- You would be hard-pressed to find a better domestic Chardonnay at this price. Very smooth upon entry, the 2021 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Chardonnay offers serious bang for the buck with buttered praline, juicy peach and kiwi tones alongside a smooth texture. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 90

2020 Columbia Crest ‘Red Blend Gold’ Red WIne- The 2020 ‘Red Blend Gold’ is smooth and soft on the mouth with juicy red currants, black raspberry and tar notes on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 90

2020 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another really good value, the 2020 Columbia Crest ‘Grand Estates’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows a soft texture with layers of loganberry, creosote and chocolate cake on the palate. Drink 2023-2027- 90

2018 Columbia Crest ‘Walter Clore Reserve’ Red Wine- Years ago I would purchase cases of this wine, particularly the incredible 2002 and 2004 editions. Flash forward now, this wine has been produced for more than 20 years. The 2018 edition is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (53%) with a large portion of Merlot (32%) and the remainder Cabernet Franc. It is poised, silky and elegant on the mouth, reveling in its black plum, cocoa dusted black cherry, dark currant and loamy soil flavors. An outstanding value, this is one to buy by the case for any lover of top Washington State Bordeaux blends. Drink 2023-2035- 93

2019 Columbia Crest ‘Reserve Heart of The Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This is the first edition of this wine that I have tasted from this site high atop on Red Mountain. The 2019 ‘Heart of The Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers good concentration and a smooth mouthfeel on the palate. Layers of kirsch cordial, scorched earth, black licorice, tar and creme de cassis all parade on the palate. Seriously good, this is a gorgeous effort in a somewhat challenging vintage for Bordeaux varietals. Drink 2023-2035- 94

Interview with Stephanie Cohen, Winemaker at Col Solare

Friends, today we have an exciting feature on Stephanie Cohen. Cohen took over for legendary Col Solare winemaker Darel Allwine roughly a year ago. She joined the Col Solare team in 2020 and has worked with some top winemakers across the globe and in the Chateau Ste. Michelle family. Her future is bright as I am really excited to see her hands in the Col Solare wines moving forward, as she tackles one of Washington’s great winery brands. Without further adieu here is my interview with Stephanie Cohen, Winemaker at Col Solare.

OB: How did you decide to come to Columbia Crest?

SC: I decided to work at Columbia Crest because I was at the point in my career that I was honestly looking to get my foot in the door in a winemaking position. I had already worked at 6 wineries in several different wine regions including Napa, Marlborough, Margaret River, and Willamette Valley at small to medium scale ultra-premium wineries. While my heart was in small wineries with ultra-premium wines, the Chemical Engineer in me wanted to experience a large winery. After interviewing at Columbia Crest, I felt it was the perfect fit for that stage in my career because I could work with large-scale wine production in every style imaginable and reserve cellar fermenters as small as 1 ton. Not only was I exposed to different scales of winemaking, but I also got to work with fruit from all over Washington State and really find the style of winemaking that works for me.   

OB: You were promoted to Col Solare winemaker roughly one year ago, taking over for eminent winemaker Darel Allwine. Can you talk about what you learned from him in crafting your wines?

SC: Prior to coming to Col Solare, I had 8 harvests under my belt where I learned from many talented winemakers including Marla Carrol, Josh Widaman, Matt Wengel, and Katie Nelson. Between these experiences and tasting as much as possible, I developed my own philosophy and style. Once I came to Col Solare, I was able to taste with and learn from Renzo Cotarella, Marcus Notaro, Darel Allwine and Juan Munoz Oca. Prior to taking over, I would say that Darel provided the space for me to grow. From those who came before me I began to truly understand the goal and identity of Col Solare established by the Antinoris which I carried with me into the 2022 vintage. 

OB: You joined the Col Solare team in 2020. What were some of the things that you did in the cellar to mitigate the smoke conditions that winemakers on Red Mountain were faced with?

SC: We did end up treating some lots with FPS Carbon, and ultimately put together the best wines to make our 2020 Col Solare Cabernet.

OB: Talking vintages, 2021 and 2022 seem to be very promising for Red Mountain red wines. Can you talk about what you are seeing in the cellar with these wines? How do you see the wines from these vintages being different?

SC: 2021 and 2022 could not have been more different. 2021 was the hottest vintage on Red Mountain producing very tiny berries with ultra-low yields for an early harvest. Due to the small berries, the 2021 wines are powerful, but the quality of the tannins is still quite nice.

 Meanwhile the 2022 growing season started off very cool and wet producing large canopies and big clusters. Fortunately, we experienced the most beautiful, warm October that allowed us to achieve full ripeness of flavor despite the late start. Though a bountiful harvest, the quality is outstanding and is shaping out to be one of the best vintages for Col Solare. The sheer intensity of fruit that continues to persist in barrel is matched by a creaminess and elegance that has rarely been seen here.

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

SC: I love trying wines from all over, but two wines that I had the pleasure of tasting in the last year that I keep thinking about are the 2019 Chateaux Margaux and the 2001 Silex. I love that these two wines have a strong sense of place and identity. I am also just completely blown away by how well the 2001 Silex aged as there was still an incredible freshness to it.

My epiphany wine was the 2012 O’Shaughnessy Mt Veeder Cab. Somehow near the end of my first harvest in Napa I wound up on a dinner boat cruise in the San Francisco Bay with some phenomenal Napa producers including O’Shaughnessy and Robert Craig. There were so many wonderful wines from Napa’s great 2012 vintage on the boat, but this one screamed out to me. It was the perfect expression of Mt Veeder with intense fruit, eucalyptus, and fine-grained, silky tannins. Whether it was that wine or that evening talking to passionate winemakers and winery owners, afterwards I knew that making high quality wine was what I wanted to do with my life.

Chateau L'Escarelle

Sitting in the beautiful and spacious tasting room last summer, I tasted through the latest offerings of Chateau L’Escarelle. There were no duds in this lineup. The wines brilliantly reflected the salty terroir that the vines thrive in. The house is located in the heart of Provence, and has 100 hectares of vines that flourish in their 1,000 hectares of beautiful countryside land. They even have world-class accommodations there that are a must visit for anyone who has never been to this remote and highly scenic part of Provence. I know I cannot wait to be back.

Current owner Yann Pineau has helped the property earn the highest level of agriculture certification (Level 3) in France.

The estate itself dates back to the early 18th century as in the 20th century the estate was purchased by François Joseph Fournier, a Belgian adventurer who made his fortune in Mexico and who already owned the island of Porquerolles. Then in 2014 the house was sold to current owner Yann Pineau who sought to make the land both biodiverse and organic. In 2016 the site was given a Level 3 (highest level) of agriculture certification by the French ministry.

I had a chance to taste the latest wines by this house and was once again amazed with the overall quality. Their entry level wine, the 2022 Chateau L’Escarelle Vin De Provence Rose (OB, 90) shows remarkable complexity a a downright killer price (under 20 dollars USD). Don’t miss out on the 2022 Chateau L’Escarelle ‘Les Deaux Anges’ Rose (OB, 92) which shows off a silky texture and is wonderfully rich on the mouth, with salty accents from this terroir. Learn more about this outstanding Provence house at https://www.escarelle.fr/?lang=en and here are my reviews of the beautiful Rose wines by Chateau L’Escarelle.

2022 Chateau L’Escarelle Vin De Provence Rose- Coming from this 1,000 hectare property with 100 hectacres of vines, this shows salted nectarine, wet stone and red raspberry flavors alongside a good sense of tension. Enjoy this seriously good value now. Drink 2023-2027- 90

2022 Chateau L’Escarelle ‘Rumeurs’ Rose- The outstanding 2022 Chateau L’Escarelle ‘Rumeurs’ Rose combines Cinsault with Grenache and Syrah. This shows a soft texture with layers of kiwi, Yakima cherry and shades of juicy peach. The underlying finesse and salty undertones really make this tick. Drink 2022-2028- 91

2022 Chateau L’Escarelle ‘Les Deux Anges’ Rose- The 2022 Chateau L’Escarelle ‘Les Deux Anges’ Rose is a fantastic blend of 60% Syrah, 25% Grenache, and 15% Cinsault. Coming from vines set on limestone soils, this was aged on the lees before bottling. This comes off wonderfully smooth throughout the drinking experience. A very pretty core of red fruits greet you with red rose water and shades of honeydew melon. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2022 Chateau L’Escarelle ‘Le Pacha’ Rose- Named after a rare form of butterfly found on the estate, the 2022 ‘Le Pacha’ blends Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah and is a collaboration between Alice Pelestor (Cellar master) & Patrick Lobier (Wine grower). It comes off very pretty with bright guava and strawberry fruit flavors alongside kumquat zest and wet limestone accents. This is beautiful wine to enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 92