Pepper Bridge

I fondly recall sitting on the back porch at Pepper Bridge and basking in the summer sun. They definitely have one of the great views that you will find in the Walla Walla Valley. For many years I have loved these wines that show serious tension and aging potential, which is a hallmark of Jean-Francois Pellet’s winemaking. Born and raised in Switzerland, Winemaker Jean-François Pellet is a third-generation wine grower. Working alongside his father, Pellet came to the Walla Walla Valley back in 1999 after working in the Napa Valley. He did not plan on staying in Walla Walla. However, Pepper Bridge founder Norm McKibbon saw the potential in Pellet and made him Pepper Bridge winemaker. The brand has been going strong ever since. In addition to being winemaker at both Pepper Bridge and Amavi, Pellet is a partner in Artifex, the largest custom crush facility in Walla Walla, as well as the Octave Vineyard.

Pellet does very well in challenging vintages like 2015 where his winemaking experience separates him from others. I though that he did marvelously in 2019 and his 2020 wines show good structure and flavor densityy, coming off very clean. I love the new 2020 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which is very fresh and fragrant with good structure. These wines start around 50 dollars in price, rising to 75 and up. Learn more at pepperbridge.com and here are the gorgeous new red wine releases by Pepper Bridge.

2022 Pepper Bridge Sauvignon Blanc- tThis beautiful wine has 10% Semillon blended in. The texture and weight from the Semillon is apparent, as this saw only 7% mew French oak before bottling. Ripe gooseberry and kiwi flavors collide with copious minerals and light nutty undertones on the palate. Fresh and viscous, with fantastic underlying finest, this is a outstanding effort that will cellar well over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Trine’ combines 36% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon and 19% Merlot with smaller portions Malbec and Petit Verdot. Mainly sourced from the Pepper Bridge and Wailer Vineyards, this offers beautiful violets and dark currants on the nose with shades of Arabica bean and green peppercorns. The palate is plush and soft with a silky texture and great sense of weight and length. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 92

2020 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2020 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon has 6% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended in. It is medium to full-bodied with great underlying acidity and texture. Layers of creme de violette, tar and mocha greet you alongside salty soil accents on the palate. This is delicious and generous Cabernet Sauvignon that is drinking brilliantly right now. Drink 2023-2029- 93

2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine- The really good 2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ combines Merlot (39%) and Malbec (30%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot — all coming from the famed Pepper Bridge Vineyard. This is juicy and is brimming with weight, tension and mouth-watering acidity. Layers of heady dark fruits parade with milk chocolate, green bell pepper and Turkish coffee notes. No need to cellar this beauty. Drink 2023-2029- 94

2020 Pepper Bridge ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot and small parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Aged in 46% new French oak, this offers huckleberry and loamy soil notes alongside shades of black licorice on the palate. Showing a bright underling acidity and nice overall balance, this is best enjoyed now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2023-2028- 93

Hamilton Russell Oregon

Today we share one of the exciting wine projects that merges talent from South Africa and Oregon. Hamilton Russell Oregon coms sfrom famed South African producer Hamilton Russell, and proprietors Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell. For years I have admired their wines from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. They are now producing two Oregon Wines: the 2021 Maple Grove Chardonnay and their Zena Crown Pinot Noir. There is a closeness to these wines compared to their Pinot and Chard that they make from very stony and salty South African terroir.

It is incredible that Hamilton Russell now spans more than 40 vintages. A famed player in South African wines, Anthony Hamilton Russell’s father, Tim, purchased over 400 acres near the coast to produce a range of wines which is now focused on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. Anthony and Olive Hamilton Russell have been drawn to the wines of the Willamette Valley for many years. Their new 2021 wines come from a warm vintage in Oregon and they’ve done a marvelous job creating wines that show good richness as well as underling finesse. I had such a nice time visiting with them over dinner last summer and discussing vintages and their Oregon project. They’ve done a really marvelous job capturing their style of winemaking in their Oregon series. These are wines that show really good nuance as well as stony and salty undertones — just as their South African coastal wines do.

Don’t miss out on the gorgeous 2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is sourced from one of the great vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, and this displays a beautiful core of red fruits with salty undercurrents. Learn more about these fantastic wines at www.HamiltonRussellOregon.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Hamilton Russell Oregon.

2022 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 Southern Right comes from this stony, low yielding site in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. This comes off beautifully textured, and is best served slightly on the warmer side to take in the outstanding range of flavors. Pink grapefruit zest, kiwi, gooseberry and stony minerals all come together on the palate. A stunning new wine, this is drinking marvelously now and will continue to cellar well based on its combination of weight and finesse. Drink 2023-2029- 93

2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Maple Grove’ Chardonnay- This outstanding new Chardonnay comes from the Maple Grove Vineyard which is a 655-acre former Christmas-tree farm located southwest of Monmouth, Oregon. This is very fresh and nicely textured with lemon rind, green melon and cashew nut flavors alongside salty undertones on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir- Smooth and polished, the 2021 Hamilton Russell Oregon ‘Zena Crown’ Pinot Noir shows off tart cranberry, guava and reed raspberry fruits alongside freshly tilled soils and shades of pomegranate seed with blood orange zest. Very fruity and lithe, this is outstanding Pinot Noir that has only started to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2035- 93

Chateau Miraval

Summer is now here which means that Rose season kicks in full gear. We share a great Hollywood stories that lands us in Provence. A marvelous combination of Hollywood drama and great wine, Chateau Miraval is a highly scenic 1,200 acre estate in Provence, which was founded by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Married at Miraval, Pitt and Jolie prior to their split lived there since 2008. The property boasts pine forests, olive groves, terraced hillsides, working vineyards, a private lake  as well as a moat. Much of the chateau dates back to 17th century, including 35 rooms in the main house as well as several tenant residences.The estate also contains remains of a Romanesque chapel, as well as the famed vineyard from which the Miraval Rose comes from. The recording studio at Miraval has housed some famous musicians including personal favorites Sting and The Cranberries (R.I.P. Dolores O’ Riordan). 

Pitt and Jolie purchased this famed land in 2012 for an estimated $60 million and records indicate that in 1252 philosopher and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas visited the Miraval estate. The vineyard itself is very large, Jean-Pierre and Francois Perrin are the iconic vintners behind this great Rose wine that produce white and rose wine from the 500 hectare property.  They produce a ton of Rose (roughly 200,000 bottles) and despite the quantity of wine produced, the quality of the wine has been apparently throughout the past five vintages.

I had such a marvelous visit to Miraval last August. Walking through this incredibly beautiful site, you can’t help but notice the immense stony quality of the vineyards. Massive limestone deposits are everywhere as you can see how the heat and stones lead to the struggle in the vines, resulting in extremely high quality grapes. The 2022 Miraval Rose (OB, 92) is a beautiful edition of this wine, showing gorgeous red fruit flavors alongside great finesse. This is a dazzling Rose with great nuance and texture. Learn more about Miraval at http://miraval-provence.com/en/ Here are the new Miraval wine reviews.

2022 Chateau Miraval ‘Studio by Miraval’ Rose- The 2022 Chateau Miraval ‘Studio by Miraval’ blends a combination of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Tibouren. It comes off very lean and mineral-driven with bright red raspberry, cranberry and shades of kiwi on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2026- 89

2021 Chateau Miraval Rose- The 2022 Chateau Miraval Rose comes from parcels located in Muriers, Longue, Romarin, as well as from sites neighboring Correns. This 2022 Miraval combines Cinsault, Rolle, Grenache and Syrah. Teeming with bright red fruits, the 2022 Chateau Miraval Rose offers a brilliant texture with guava, red currants and red cherry flavors alongside a beam of tension and blood orange rind accents. Fresh and rich on the mouth, enjoy this beautiful 2022 edition of the Miraval now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 92

En Garde

A very new world meets old world winery based in Sonoma, En Garde makes a beautiful range of wines from Sonoma Pinot to Napa Cabernet and even Petite Sirah. Founder and winemaker Csaba Szakál grew up on his family’s vineyards, learning winemaking and viticulture from family. He spent his summers helping tend the vineyards and quickly learned the value of working hard to achieve a goal. He saw first hand how disciplined you must be during harvest.

Csaba produces some beautiful Sonoma Pinots as well as high-elevation Cabernet Sauvignon from three Napa Valley mountaintop AVA’s. I was massively impressed with the Pinots that I tasted in my Sonoma Report earlier this year.

This set of tastings were every bit as good — if not better. Csaba has crafted some remarkably consistent bottlings from the really good 2019 vintage. I adored the new 2019 En Garde ‘Oak Knoll’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which shows beautiful depth and good underlying poise. The best wine I tasted was the 2019 En Garde ‘Touche Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which might not be the biggest ‘Reserve’ Cabernet you will taste but the wine shows amazing depth, flavor complexity and poise. It is quite simply a beauty! Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://www.engardewinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the new En Garde wines.

2019 En Garde ‘Oak Knoll’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2019 edition from the Oak Knoll region has just a dash of Petit Verdot blended in. Aged in a combination of French and Hungarian oak, this shows concentrated black licorice, blackberry, anise and chocolate flavors alongside bright minerality on the palate. This is seriously lifted, sexy Cab that would be a perfect foil for a juicy ribeye steak. Drink 2023-2038- 93

2019 En Garde ‘Atlas Peak’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from the Hendrickson Vineyard, this wine also has a touch of Petit Verdot as well as Cabernet Franc blended in. This shows a great veil of tension once on the mouth with a silky mouthfeel. Concentrated dark cherry and black raspberry flavors combine with salty soils and stony undertones on the palate. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2038- 92

2019 En Garde ‘Le Bijou du Roi’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 100% varietal 2019 En Garde ‘Le Bijou du Roi’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from the Sori Bricco Vineyard. This shows great poise on the palate with milk chocolate covered espresso bean, creme de violette, tar and anise notes alongside brilliant stony undercurrents. Medium to full-bodied, this is already nicely evolved stuff that will cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2023-2039- 94

2019 En Garde ‘Touche Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Touche Reserve’ comes from all three vineyard sites that En Garde sources from.  This might not be the most concentrated ‘Reserve’ Cabernet you will find in Napa — yet everything is absolutely singing in unison here. Espresso grounds, black currants, black tea and asian spices combine with hints of red rose water on the palate. Very complex, and showing good verve, this beauty will cellar well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2039- 95

Spottswoode

Today we share one of the historic properties of the Napa Valley that dates all the way back to 1882. Spottswoode was christened by Mrs. Albert Spotts in 1910 and was later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972. Mary released Spottswoode’s first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate’s founding.

Continuing the family lineage, Mary’s daughter Beth Novak Milliken manages the winery, and daughter Lindy Novak serves as the winery’s Marketing Ambassador. Every year Spottswoode produces an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc in honor of their founder, Mary Novak. Spottswoode also crafts a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Lyndenhurst, a dual-appellation Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, and two limited-production wines for club members only (Spottswoode Estate “Mary’s Block” Sauvignon Blanc and Field Book Syrah). Their Lyndenhurst wines are beautiful values.

The estate itself is located at western edge of St. Helena at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains, as vines are set on alluvial clay loam while a strong wartime influence runs through Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas range. The estate has forty acres of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc which have been organically farmed since 1985.

Don’t miss out on the 2022 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 94) which is nicely concentrated and shows beautiful texture and weight. Learn more about this famed Napa winery at https://www.spottswoode.com Here is my review of the new Spottswoode wine.

2022 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc has 2% Semillon blended in and comes from mainly vineyards in Napa County, with roughly 40% coming from Sonoma County sites. The nose is brilliant right now with pink grapefruit blossom, lime zest and salted cashew nut notes.The palate is fresh and viscous with a seamless texture and great sense of weight, as well as underlying tension. This is absolutely delicious stuff to consume now, as this 2022 bottling has some good aging potential as well.  Drink 2023-2031- 94

Raptor Ridge

Today we share an outstanding Willamette Valley producer that dates all the way back to 1995. It was a very fast process that Raptor Ridge gained national acclaim for their Pinot Noirs. I fondly recall enjoying their early 2000s bottlings with friends. Founder and self-taught winemaker Scott Shull made beautiful wines from the winery’s inception, having learned by doing, reading, and attending extension service courses on viticulture and enology offered by U.C. Davis and Oregon State University.

Head winemaker Shannon Gustafson has now been at the helm for several years. I love the wines that she craft, which focus on texture and minerality. Don’t miss out on the 2022 Raptor Ridge Rose (OB, 92) which is very fresh and fragrant. I adored the new2018 Raptor Ridge ‘Estate Cuvee Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which is 100% Pinot Noir showing a great nuance with salty and stony tones. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at http://www.raptorridgewinery.com Here are the beautiful new releases by Raptor Ridge.

2018 Raptor Ridge ‘Estate Cuvee Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- This beautiful Brut Rose as extensive time on the lees before disgorgement in January 2023. Coming from the Harbinger Vineyard, this utilizes fruit from Block 1 which is a slightly cooler location. Given 3G/L dosage, this 100% Pinot Noir offers sourdough bread and peaches on the nose alongside shades of red raspberry and damp salty soils. The palate is dense and also maintains a great underlying freshness with a very pure core of red fruits. This is impossible to resist now at the five year mark. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2022 Raptor Ridge Rose- The 2022 Raptor Ridge Rose comes from a range of sites across the Willamette Valley and saw three months in neutral oak before bottling. A vibrant pink color, this offers good density and richness from the barrel ferment. Suggestions of enoki mushroom collide with guava and Yakima cherry fruits on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy this outstanding Rose now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2022 Raptor Ridge Gruner Veltliner- One of the unique wines that you will find in the Willamette Valley, this 2022 Gruner Veltliner comes from the Tuscowallame Estate which was planted in three phases from 2000 to 2007. The underlying finesse is outstanding as green apple and green papaya flavors that mingle well with a smooth texture on the palate. You are going to love this wine that would pair marvelously with sushi. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2021 Raptor Ridge ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Coming mostly from the Atticus and Tuscowallame Estate Vineyards, the 2021 Raptor Ridge ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir offers a smooth texture with forward and juicy red fruits with citrus rind and cigar box flavors. Enjoy this excellent value now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

Ladera

Today we present the wines by Ladera, owned by the past two decades by the Stotesbery family. Based in Napa, Ladera focus on Napa mountain fruit for the Cabernet Sauvignon wines as well as their Russian River Valley Pillow Road Estate Vineyard for the excellent Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Having decades of experience as ranchers, Pat and Anne Stotesbery acquired their first Napa Valley mountain vineyard in 1996. A few years later in 1999 they founded Ladera, which means “hillside” in Spanish and Italian, and made their debut vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon.

I adored the new releases and am totally enamored by their 2018 Ladera ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is a massive wine that really has insanely good cellaring potential. Enjoy this beauty over the next twenty years. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://laderavineyards.com/ and here are my reviews of the brilliant new wines by Ladera.

2022 Ladera Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 Ladera Sauvignon Blanc has a large portion of Sauvignon Mosque (48%) blended in. Sourced from the Oak Knoll District, this offers good depth and concentration with nutty and salty undertones alongside ripe peach and pink lady apple flavors with sourdough bread undertones. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2018 Ladera ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A resounding success from this outstanding vintage, the very dense and heady ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning new bottling that is already beautifully evolved. Once on the nose this exudes class with sandalwood notes alongside huckleberry cordial, graphite and freshly tilled soils. The palate is dense and rich with a seamless mouthfeel and wonderful grip from the refined tannins. Layered with violets, blackberries, wet rock and copious minerals, this is really good to consume now and over the next twenty years. Give this an hour in the decanter before consuming. Drink 2023-2042- 95

HALL White and Rose Wines

You might not know that HALL makes some amazing white wines and Rose wines. HALL is synonymous with outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon but they have some other wines in their portfolio that are well-worth a look. HALL began back in 1992 by Katheryn and Craig Hall, and over time they built one of Napa’s most beautiful, state of the art, wineries that is quite simply a must visit for any serious Napa enophile. I always enjoy my visits to this special property. 

HALL also have two outstanding separate lines, WALT (focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay) and BACA (focusing on Zinfandel) that are seriously good in their own right. These brands have performed remarkably well since their inception. The BACA line in particular offers very serious value. I am always skeptical when I review canned wine but the 2022 BACA ‘Ring Around The Rose’ Rose (OB, 90) which is without a doubt the top canned wine that I have tasted in the past year. This shows great texture and weight with bright acidity. I adored the new 2021 HALL ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which shows amazing flavor range and vibrant tension. Learn more about these great wines at hallwines.com Here are the fantastic new release wines by HALL.

2022 HALL ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- The really good 2022 HALL ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc was entirely stored in stainless steel prior to bottling. It comes off very bright and juicy on the palate with ripe kiwi and pear flavors alongside copious minerals and cashew nut undertones. You’ll find this impossible to resist once opened. Drink 2023-2028- 92

2022 WALT Rose- Sourced from a range of Pinot Noir sites across California, the 2020 WALT Rose displays bright acidity with Mandarin orange zest, white peach and ripe strawberry flavors that mingle with plenty of minerals. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2022 BACA ‘Ring Around The Rose’ Rose- Made from Zinfandel grapes, this has consistently been one of the best canned wines that you will find each year.  This edition is neatly textured once on the mouth with layers of red raspberry, cantaloupe and Yakima cherry. Delicious, with bright underlying acidity this is best enjoyed now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2026- 90

Argyle

It was summer 2002 and my friend and I pulled up to a sleepy tasting room in Dundee, Oregon. At the time Argyle had nothing like their huge and modern tasting room that they do today. Tastings were set in a small house, with a rustic bar which was something out of the 1980s. Today they have an absolutely world-class facility located right in the heart of Dundee, Oregon, right off Highway 99.

I have long admired these wines and have bought many for my personal collection. Argyle has been a perennial champion of the screw cap enclosure and have proven that screw cap enclosures do not negatively impact a wine’s aging potential at all. At the helm is winemaker Nate Klostermann who is making some of the best bubbles in the Willamette Valley. Nate does an incredible job and makes a fantastic range of wines, including some great values that I recently tasted. Don’t miss out on the new 2022 Argyle Rose (OB, 91) which is made from Pinot Noir grapes and shows a very soft mouthfeel, as this beauty is loaded with bright acidity. This is just a killer Rose for summer. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.argylewinery.com Here are the outstanding new sparkling wine releases by Argyle.

2021 Argyle Chardonnay- The 2021 Argyle Chardonnay offers ripe pear and nectarine flavors alongside light toasty oak and copious minerals on the palate. Showing a soft texture, this is a really good value to enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 91

2022 Argyle Rose- The 2021 Rose by Argyle comes from Pinot Noir grapes throughout the Willamette Valley. It is very vibrant on the mouth, with loads of tension and finesse. Stony minerals combine with damp earth, bright raspberry and Yakima cherry notes on the palate. Drink 2023-2027- 91

2021 Argyle Pinot Noir- A killer value in this warm vintage, the 2021 Argyle Pinot Noir shows off a smooth mouthfeel with bing cherry, tobacco leaf and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2029- 90

Dutton-Goldfield

Today we share one of the outstanding producers of the Russian River Valley. For many years now Dutton Goldfield has crafted a killer range of wines from Riesling to Syrah. I have enjoyed visiting this top notch producer over the years and just visited them a few months back. Dutton Goldfield dates back to 1998 when colleagues Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield decided to start a winery together. Steve Dutton is a 5th generation farmer while Dan has a background in chemistry and later completed the illustrious UC Davis program in winemaking. Dan previously worked at Robert Mondavi Winery and even made wine in Portugal for two years before coming back to California and starting Dutton-Goldfield. I am thrilled for the winery who will be celebrating their 25th anniversary this summer.

The wines are remarkably consistent as I have enjoyed many of these from my personal cellar over the years. I love the new 2022 Dutton-Goldfield Rose (OB, 91) which is fresh and beautifully textured stuff. Don’t miss out on the new 2021 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which shows great depth and flavor complexity. Learn more about Dutton Goldfield at http://www.duttongoldfield.com. Here are the great new releases from Dutton Goldfield.

2022 Dutton-Goldfield ‘North Coast’ Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, this great new 2022 Rose offers a smooth mouthfeel with loads of ripe red fruit flavors alongside kumquat and bergamot notes. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2022 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch Shop Block’ Pinot Blanc- The 2022 ‘Dutton Ranch Shop Block’ Pinot Blanc shows off green papaya, cantaloupe and shades of baking spices on the palate with a smooth texture. This is really well-done and will age gracefully over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Devil’s Gulch’ Chardonnay- The Marin County-sourced 2021 ‘Devil’s Gulch’ is a beautiful new wine by winemaker Steve Dutton. On the nose this takes on layers of Meyer lemon and brioche alongside suggestions of salted macadamia nut. The palate is soft and round, with a smooth texture and glorious sense of length. Really showing beautifully now, enjoy the 2021 ‘Devil’s Gulch’ Chardonnay over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2021 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnay- For years I have admired this rich Chardonnay bottling that comes from this large but highly outstanding site in the Russian River Valley. The 2021 ‘Dutton Ranch’ Chardonnay displays outstanding depth with banana and ripe mango notes alongside buttered pastry crust and shades of hazelnut on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2021 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch’ Pinot Noir- This brilliant new 2021 Pinot Noir bottling shows salty and earthy tones on the palate, with hints of truffle, allspice and damp stone alongside a brilliant core of black fruits. Medium to full-bodied with a fantastic texture, this is delicious but also earthy and nuanced Pinot Noir that will cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 93

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