Holocene

Today we share one of the greats in Oregon wine. Holocene is the brainchild of superstar winemaker Todd Alexander who was formerly with Bryant Family before taking over as winemaker at Force Majeure. We all know how he took that wine program by storm. For years Todd  had a yearning to do something very different and produce Oregon Pinot Noir from diverse sites in the Willamette Valley. This winery was launched in 2015 and the new releases come from the warm 2021 vintage.

He makes two single vineyard Pinot Noirs which come from entirely different areas of the Willamette Valley, as well as diverse soils. These mirror those that were made in 2018 as the wines show a good core of freshness as well as very fleshy, nicely textured character throughout the drinking experience. They are not for the weary. I adored the new 2021 Holocene ‘Memoralis’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is very fresh and lithe, with a brilliant core of red fruits. For serious collectors of Oregon Pinot Noir, these are a must purchase. Learn more about this awesome Oregon outpost at http://holocenewines.com Here are the beautiful new 2021 release wines by Holocene. 

2021 Holocene ‘Memorialis’ Pinot Noir- This come from the Monk’s Gate Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, which is a small, 18 acre site set on Willakenzie soils. Coming from vines [planted back in the 1990s, this offers teaberry and ripe raspberry on the nose alongside shades of cardamom dusted hazelnut. This comes off rich and very polished on the mouth, with great weight and a deep concentration of red fruits. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2023-2038- 95

2021 Holocene ‘Apocrypha’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 Holocene ‘Apocrypha’ comes from the Antiquam Farm Vineyard as the wine underwent 100% whole cluster fermentation. The wine shows rich dark fruits on the nose with spicebox and salty soils. The palate is dense and shows a seamless texture on the mouth, with lovely bright acidity holding things up. The weight here is seriously good, as the combination of freshness and stuffing suggests this will age gracefully for fifteen plus years. Drink 2023-2038- 95

Mirror

Today we share the incredible journey of former Seattle Seahawk Rick Mirer. Mirer is easily one of the most illustrious high school quarterbacks in Indiana state history, and was awarded the Academy of Achievement Award as the top high school football player in the country in 1989, as well as the Atlanta Touchdown Club's Bobby Dodd Award as the nation's best high school quarterback. At Notre Dame, Mirer was just as good, winning three bowl games and accounting for more points running and throwing (350) than any other player in Notre Dame history. 

Mirer was drafted 2nd overall and joined a very poor Seattle Seahawks team. Yet Mirer finished his rookie season 5th in the AFC with 274 completions and 2833 yards and was AFC Rookie of the Year by United Press International. Mirer’s remaining seasons were not as successful in Seattle, being set behind an abysmal offensive line. Having gone to those games in the 1980s, all of us in the stands knew that Mirer was really not given a fair chance with such poor protection. Eventually traded to the Chicago Bears in 1997, Mirer continued to play as a backup quarterback until 2004. 

Very close friends with Drew Bledsoe, and drafted right behind him in 1993, Mirer admits that his friendship with Bledsoe helped lead him to start Mirror Napa Valley. Bledsoe and Mirer even took off-season­ vacation with their wives to Napa Valley. During the off-season they would also try to stump each other with wines from Port or Brunello di Montalcino. It made sense that both quarterbacks would start their wineries post-football. 

Rick became even more passionate for wine while playing for the Raiders and 49ers and it was then in 2008 that he started his own winery, utilizing the winemaking talents of Kirk Venge, formerly of Mumm Napa Valley. Kirk serves as winemaker for several great Napa wineries including B Cellars, Bacio Divino Cellars, Beau Vigne, Entrepreneur Wines, and Hunnicutt Wines.

Just as I loved last years releases, the new white wines by Mirror are simply outstanding. Don’t miss out on the new 2021 Mirror ‘Petaluma Gap’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which has beautiful flavor range and an incredible finish. For more about Rick Mirer’s great winery go to https://www.mirrorwine.com Here are the beautiful new white wines by Mirror Napa Valley.

2022 Mirror ‘Kick Ranch’ Sauvignon Blanc- Seriously good, the 2022 Mirror Sauvignon Blanc shows insanely good texture once on the mouth. Juicy pear and gooseberry flavors combine with bright verve and stony undertones on the palate. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2021 Mirror ‘Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Mirror Chardonnay comes from the Calesa Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap region. This is a rich and opulent style of Chardonnay with Meyer lemon cream, cantaloupe, brioche and shades of cardamom dusted creme brûlée on the palate. Very polished and smooth, this is absolutely delicious Chardonnay that should be served a touch on the warm side to take in the beautiful range of flavors. Drink 2023-2030- 93

Decoy

Today we share one of the outstanding value brands out of California. Decoy wines is the brainchild of Dan and Margaret Duckhorn who created this portfolio of wines to appeal to a wider range of customers. Not everyone can afford 80 dollar Merlot and the Duckhorns sought to place their product for the value-driven grocery store crowd that seeks an outstanding wine for any night of the week. Decoy as a brand began back in 1985 and then much later in 2007 the new label came out as the brand soon expanded to produce Zinfandel as well as a red blend. 2020 brought the Decoy Limited collection of wines which I recently reviewed.

For the past several years I have been impressed with the increase in quality in their entry level wines. These are wines that have become synonymous with value — which can be extremely difficult to find in California. I love the new 2021 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Chardonnay (OB, 91) which is very ripe but also shows good nuance from this salty climate. Learn more about these excellent values at decoywines.com and here are my reviews of the new Decoy wines.

NV Decoy ‘Limited’ Brut Rose- Crushed white wildflowers combine with kumquat rind, red currants and tart raspberry flavors on the palate. Showing a soft mousse this is a really good value at 35 bucks. Drink 2023-2029- 90

2021 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Pinot Noir- This is really forward and delicious stuff with bright cherry pie and cola notes on the palate alongside bright acidity. Drink 2023-2028- 90

2021 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Chardonnay- The really good 2021 Decoy ‘Sonoma Coast Limited’ Chardonnay is ripe with mango, buttered popcorn and juicy pear flavors, with light salty undertones. This is really good stuff for the price. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2021 Decoy ‘Alexander Valley Limited’ Merlot- A touch sweet, this 2021 Merlot shows ripe red cherry and black plum flavors that combine with bright acidity on the palate. Enjoy this good value now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 89

2021 Decoy ‘Alexander Valley Limited’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Really good for the price, the 2021 Decoy ‘Alexander Valley Limited’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers generous concentration on the mouth, with a smooth texture. Ripe blackberry and black cherry flavors mingle with hints of coffee grounds on the palate. Drink 2023-2028- 90

Beatus

Today we share one of the most exciting new wine brands that I have tasted in quite some time. For years I have chatted with winemaker Todd Alexander about making wines from the Southern Rhone. Like many in the wine industry, Alexander is enchanted by the glorious terroir of Chateauneuf du Pape. He has known Anne-Charlotte of Chateau de la Font Du Loup for many years and has decided to collaborate with her in making a wine from this unique terroir.

For those less familiar with Chateau de la Font Du Loup, proprietor Anne-Charlotte Mélia Bachas is the fourth generation winemaker in the Mélia family. Soils at this 20 hectare site are quite diverse, having a large portion of sand and also cobblestone material. The stones range considerably in size here, from small pebbles to larger cobblestones.

Ann-Charlotte’s wines are delicate and show a beautiful salty terroir. They are a must-try for any lover of this incredible region. Do not miss out on the 2020 Beatus Chateauneuf du Pope (OB, 97) which is rich and viscous with insanely good terroir. Learn more about these wines at https://beatuswine.com/ and here is my review of the 2020 Beatus Chateauneuf du Pape.

2020 Beatus Chateauneuf du Pape- Made in collaboration with Chateau de la Font Du Loup, the 2020 Beatus is an extraordinary bottling that rivals some of the top wines of this region. The nose is hugely perfumed with red rose petals, potpourri, sage and shades of red currants. The palate displays the same level of concentration as it does on the bouquet. Beautiful guava and ripe strawberry fruits parade with copious minerals and a sinfully good texture on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, this is just sensational stuff to enjoy in its heady youth. Drink 2023-2033- 97

Aubaine

Today we share a beautiful boutique producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. Aubaine focuses on single vineyard and estate only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.  Founder Andy Lytle has a love of Burgundy and Champagne, as he is half of Lytle-Barnett. For years I have admired the wines of Isabelle Meunier, who has made a range of wines for producers across the Willamette Valley.  Meunier is native of Quebec, and she studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Dijon in Burgundy, as well as in New Zealand at Lincoln University. Following her eduction she worked at famed producers Felton Road in New Zealand, as well as Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon.

Isabelle moved to the Willamette Valley in 2007 to work with Evening Land and had incredible success with that program. She later started her own winery venture, LAVINEA, an artisan production of distinctive single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  Since their inaugural vintage, Meunier has served as Aubaine winemaker. I love the new 2021 Aubaine ‘Joie’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which shows great richness, flavor density and length from this warm vintage. Learn more about this outstanding producer at aubainewine.com and here are my reviews of the new Aubaine wines.

2021 Aubaine Pinot Noir- Very smooth and polished, the 2021 Aubaine Pinot Noir shows off good concentration in this warm vintage. Tart red fruits parade with citrus blossom water, tobacco and shades of wet stone on the palate. Showing good depth and length, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 Aubaine ‘Joie’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Joie’ Pinot Noir is a beautiful bottling from the Anahata Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Rich rose petals combine with fresh sage, tangerine peel and shades of red cherry candy on the nose. The palate is packed with flavor and great underlying verve. Finishing long with red fruits and minerals, this is delicious Pinot Noir to savor now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93

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