Force Majeure

Winemaker Todd Alexander has taken the Washington wine scene by storm. He is even making a ridiculously good Chateauneuf du Pape. I first met Alexander when he moved up from California and was lured from the Napa Valley to craft wines from Red Mountain, the Force Majeure Vineyard. I can understand why he was interested in this partnership. Set at 960 to 1,230 feet, this special vineyard is planted to mainly Rhone and Bordeaux varietals and the fruit off this vineyard has been nothing short of incredible. It was Todd’s deft hand that have crafted world class wines for Force Majeure, putting them on the map with other Washington top producers. Todd formerly made wine at famed Bryant Family Vineyard in the Napa Valley where he worked with vineyard manager David Abreu as well as consultant extraordinaire, Michel Rolland. Since that partnership has started, I have been blown away with what Todd has produced across the board. His wines are seamless and show a wonderful combination of acidity, mouthfeel and dense fruit flavors. He is also making some of the finest Tempranillo in North America.

I absolutely adore the new 2020 Force Majeure ‘Paravata’ Red Wine (OB, 97) which might just be the finest Rhone inspired red blend made in Washington State. The flavor and aromatic range here is insanely good. Do not miss out on the 2020 Force Majeure Tempranillo (OB, 98) which is up there with the 2018 as the finest edition of this wine. Massive and heady with a brilliant core of acidity, this very dense and nervy wine is a must-purchase for any lover of Washington wine. is really singing with its massive concentration of dark fruits, with plenty of finesse and smoky tones. Finally, the finest wine of the new release has to be the 2020 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which is near perfection in a bottle. Considering the challenges of the vintage, this is a masterpiece. Learn more about these great wines at  https://forcemajeurevineyards.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Force Majeure. 

2020 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- 2020 marks the first vintage of the Parvata that is Grenache dominant (52%), as this edition includes a good portion of Mourvèdre  (30%) with 18% Syrah. The nose shows off white pepper, with Asian spices, brisket and shades of wild blackberry. The palate is very dense but also seamless and elegant on the mouth. Weightless with its rich core of roasted dates and boysenberry alongside menthol, scorched earth and salty undertones, this is rich and viscous Rhone inspired wine that will live on for another eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 97

2020 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla Estate’ Syrah- This vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley was purchased by Force Majeure in 2018, as this site is partially located in the Rocks District and has a portion of cobblestones and silty loam soils. Planted back in 1998, this vineyard has both Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine shows beautiful salty and stony tone on the palate, exuding class with its earthy elegance. Freshly tilled loamy soils combine with bacon fat, violets, Chinese five spice, and shades of oyster sauce on the palate. Right now this is really a joy to savor, as the 2020 ‘Walla Walla Estate’ is best consumed over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 97

2020 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah- The very heady new 2020 ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah bottling has a touch of Viognier blended in. Stored in 25% new French oak before bottling, this comes from 10 different blocks of Syrah which was planted on a steep, rocky hillside. This wine is absolutely seamless throughout the drinking experience. Iodine, white pepper, bulls blood, creme de violette and wet stone. Muscular and full-bodied, this is absolutely scintillating stuff that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2023-2031- 98

2020 Force Majeure ‘SJR Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2020 ‘SJR Vineyard’ Syrah is an insanely good bottling that truly speaks to this famed vineyard, set on ancient cobblestones. This wine absolutely pops right now on the nose displaying dizzying aromatic range. Wet stone, Nori, , boysenberry and violet rose petals combine with shades of menthol. The palate is soft and seamless, with incredible elegance. Very concentrated, with a brilliant core red and black fruits, alongside Hoisin sauce, smoked pork shoulder and stony tones, this is sensational Syrah that is drinking brilliantly right now. Drink 2023-2030- 98

2020 Parabellum ‘Coulee’ Red Wine- This Syrah dominant wine was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. This comes off wonderfully dense and soft on the mouth, with beef blood, iodine, black currants and brisket notes on the palate. Rich and viscous, this is a killer value that is already beautifully evolved. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2029- 93

2020 Force Majeure ‘Epinette’ Red Wine- This 2020 edition of the Epinette combines 52% Merlot with 26% Cabernet Franc and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of Petit Verdot. This is beautifully structured wine with plenty of power, evoking both a pillowy mouthfeel and beautiful underlying verve. Dark currants and milk chocolate flavors combine with dried herbs, loamy soils and wild blackberry tones on the palate. Elegant and delicious, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight plus years. Give this an hour in the decanter if consuming in its youth. Drink 2023-2033- 97

2020 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2020 ‘Walla Walla Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from vines set on loamy soils that was planted all the way back in 1998. Super seamless and elegant on the mouth, this comes off very soft and generous with loamy soils, tar, tobacco leaf and black licorice notes on the palate. This is fantastic stuff to consume now, as you can enjoy this beauty over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 97

2020 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning new bottling that is showing beautifully even so young. Right now the wine is unbelievably good, with a brilliant combination of weight, texture and bright underlying acidity. A fantastic melange of black and blue fruits greet you on the palate, with chocolate, creosote and espresso ground accents. Give this plenty of air before consuming, as this beauty is already signing its high octane. Drink 2023-2033- 99

2020 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Tempranillo- This astonishingly good 2020 Tempranillo was stored in mostly new French oak and has a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. This is seamless and massively concentrated wine that is already drinking beautifully right now. Black cherry compote, soy sauce, graphite, and juicy blackberry flavors all brilliantly combine with scorched earth undertones. Salty and savory, this is incredible, highly-extracted Tempranillo that will provide drinking enjoyment over the next decade. Only 80 cases made of this memorable wine, so grab some while you can. Drink 2023-2031- 98

2020 Parabellum ‘Alluvio’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Alluvio’ is a beautiful new wine that combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Ripe dark currants combine with mocha, tar and red bell pepper notes on the palate. Refined and elegant, with a silky texture, this is beautiful wine that is already nicely evolved. Drink 2023-2029- 92

Larkmead

For years I have been enamored by wines by Larkmead Vineyards, one of the oldest Napa wineries that began back in 1895. Over the years they have gained an international reputation for their world-class Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Their estate vineyard is located between Selby Creek and the Napa River at the conjunction point of two colluvial fans that extend from the Mayacamas and the Vaca mountain ranges. Vines are set on an ancient gravel riverbed gravel which lies directly beneath the topsoil.

Former winemaker Dan Petroski has crafted insanely good wines for Larkmead and in 2021 they hired a new winemaker as Dan began focusing on his Massican project. Larkmead Winemaker Avery Heelan was formerly Petroski’s assistant winemaker so she knows this program exceedingly well. Heelan has an M.S. degree in Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry, with a specialization in Viticulture & Enology at Davis. Her academic program included experience as a harvest cellar intern (in 2015) at CADE Estate Winery in St. Helena. After completing her degree, Avery worked harvest positions for two harvests in 2016, first at Capel Vale Winery in Western Australia as vintage assistant winemaker and then at Domaine Yves Boyer Martenot in Meursault, France as vintage enologist. She then served as cellar master at Screaming Eagle from 2017 to 2019 before joining the Larkmead Vineyards team in mid-2019.

2020 was the hottest vintage on record for Larkmead. Heelan noted “The worst thing was the nights were warmer and we usually have cooler nights which didn’t happen this vintage. We had 67 days over 105 degrees. We started to think about how to make one or two blends to optimize picks for some earlier components and later components. We ended picking everything by September 15th. Merlot and Cabernet started their picks in August and things have really moved up the pipeline.” In 2020 all of the Larkmead production fruit was brought in and yields were down that vintage roughly 50%. She stated “We laboriously studied the wine, we sent the numbers in and wanted to see what would be the best thing for the brand. Our wine didn’t have smoke, it tasted delicious and we didn’t want to make the reserve wine so our estate Cab had a lot of the best blocks. We felt we would regret not releasing the wine. I love the wine and I think that it has really good balance with some nice bright fruits and violets, some good tannin structure and good freshness.”

I absolutely love the new 2020 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which is a downright killer effort in a hard vintage. Learn more about this storied Napa estate at https://larkmead.com Here is the beautiful new wines by Larkmead Vineyards.

2021 Larkmead ‘Lillie’ Sauvignon Blanc- This 100% oak barrel fermented Clone 1 Sauvignon Blanc is a bright and beautiful effort from this exciting new vintage in the Napa Valley. Smooth and very soft texturally, the wine shows nectarine and juicy pear flavors that combine with shades of green melon on the palate. Nicely structured and balanced, this beautiful wine is already singing at the two year mark. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2020 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon- Nicely concentrated and very smooth, the 2020 Larkmead Cabernet Sauvignon combines 18% Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Franc. It is a downright awesome effort considering the challenges of the vintage. Violets and shades of Black Forest cake fill the nose with roasted dates and espresso grounds. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and beautiful sense of length. This is very clean and refined Napa Cab that is seamless throughout the drinking experience and will be best consumed now and over the near future. Drink 2023-2030- 94

Dom Perignon

It has now been more than 100 years since the first vintage of Dom Perignon Champagne was produced. Not long after its release, Moet & Chandon acquired the Dom Perignon brand name. For years I have admired the dedication put into these wines that seem to shine in even the most challenging vintages. I have a soft spot for the 2003 and 2009 Dom Perignon Champagnes — definitely a more burly style of wine but wines that come from hot vintages that were remarkably good.

The latest edition of this wine comes from the tough 2013 vintage. Cool weather prevailed throughout the spring which led vines to be two weeks behind but summer brought some warmer weather. Pinot Noir appeared to perform better than Chardonnay in many parts of this vintage. Havest was late at Dom Perignon, starting on September 28th. The 2013 Dom Perignon Champagne (OB, 94) is not quite as dense and racy as the incredible 2012 — however the wine is a remarkably good effort in a tough vintage. I think that this wine will go down as one of the finest from this year, and is certainly one of the best that I have tried yet from ’13. This beauty is already really nicely evolved.

improved, albeit involving a very deliberate unraveling process. Once aroused this evokes such a pretty red fruit profile alongside the incredible musty and earthy character of the wine. Refined bubbles make this such a delight to consume and at more than 400 USD, this is no cheap treat. Learn more about this very special wine at https://www.domperignon.com/product/vintage/2013 and here is my review of the outstanding 2013 Dom Perignon Champagne.

2013 Dom Perignon Champagne- The 2013 Dom Perignon Champagne is a monumental effort from a tough vintage that saw a very late harvest. A proprietary blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this offers brioche bread and baking spices on the palate alongside kumquat rind, and shades of Macadamia nut and star jasmine water. A complex wine, with its smooth texture and silky mousse, this 2013 is already wonderfully evolved. Enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 94

Dineen Vineyards

Beautiful photo of Dineen Vineyards by Richard Duval.

Today we highlight one of the great sides in the Yakima Valley. Dineen Vineyards was founded by Pat and Lanie Dineen who made an initial investment in a 12-acre apple orchard back in 2001. The trees were removed and the first Dineen vines were planted in what is now known as Catherine’s vineyard, named after Pat’s mother.

They made a much larger investment in 2002, acquiring a 80-acre parcel was purchased becoming the second vineyard in the portfolio and home to the Dineen Vineyards tasting room. All of the blocks at this site are named for members of our immediate family. I have admired the wines from Lauren Ashton for years that have showcased this site. Dineen wines are made by David Rodriguez who was trained as a lawyer prior to dedicating his life in wine. He has worked in Argentina before coming to Washington. Originally an intern at Dineen, he now serves as viticulturist and winemaker. The new wines were really good across the board. I love the 2022 Dineen Riesling (OB, 90) which is fresh and shows good tension. Even better is the 2022 Dineen Semillon (OB, 91) which is neatly textured and shows good flavor range. Learn more about theses wines at dineenvineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new Dineen wines.

2022 Dineen Riesling- This estate 2022 Riesling offers good freshness with peach and lychee flavors alongside stony undertones. Made in the dry, Trocken style, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 90

2022 Dineen Semillon- Dineen is one of the few vineyards in Washington that still has Semillon planted. This edition is neatly textured with nectarine, walnut and shades of brioche flavors that combine with a good sense of tension. Drink 2023-2029- 91

2022 Dineen ‘Condriesque’ White Wine- The ‘Condroesque’ is a great Rhone-inspired bottling. Showing a soft mouthfeel, this is loaded with peaches, Pink Lady apple and sourdough bread flavors alongside shades of green papaya. Drink 2023-2029- 91

2020 Dineen ‘Heritage Blend’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Heritage Blend’ offers black currants, tobacco leaf and anise flavors that mingle with creosote undertones. Showing a soft mouthfeel, this medium-bodied red sipper is drinking nicely now. Drink 2023-2028- 90

Caparzo

It was a brisk winter afternoon as I descended on the gates of Caparzo. Following the long driveway we came to an ancient structure where we started a brilliant tasting of their range of wines. Caparzo is easily one of Brunello’s most recognized brands in the United States. You can usually find this Brunello at Costco or many restaurants throughout the states. I have long admired these wines for their approachability young. When I visited the estate I had a chance to taste many older wines, as these are also really built to age.

The new wines from Caparzo came from the wam 2018 vintage. They are delicious to consume now after a long decant. Do not miss out on the incredible 2018 Caparzo ‘La Casa’ Brunello (OB, 95) which is dense and chewy, coming from this older vineyard. Everything is harmonious here with outstanding flavor range. Learn more about this storied Tuscan brand at  http://www.caparzo.it/mobile-eng.html and here are the outstanding new releases by Caparzo.  

2018 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino- The outstanding 2018 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino shows dusty tannins that collide with blood orange zest, white pepper and shades of black truffle on the nose. The palate is smooth and viscous with ripe red fruit flavors alongside bright acidity and kumquat zest fruits. Medium-bodied and well-structured, this will easily cellar well over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2035- 92

2018 Caparzo ‘La Casa’ Brunello di Montalcino- The amazing 2018 ‘La Casa’ comes from the Caparzo Estate Vineyard that was first bottled as such in the late 1970s. This is dense and beautifully-structured Brunello with charcuterie notes that mingle well with blood orange zest, menthol, Enoki mushroom and shades of ripe red raspberry on the palate. Deep and concentrated, yet showing firm tannins and bright acidity hold things marvelously in place, this is a show-stopping Brunello that will provide drinking enjoyment over the next few decades. Drink 2023-2043- 95

Marques de Caceres

It is my pleasure sharing one of the outstanding houses of Rioja that has been readily available throughout the United States. Marques de Caceres has made their name by providing beautiful value-driven Rioja wines since the 1990s. I was first enchanted by these Reserva and Gran Reserva wines more than fifteen years ago and was absolutely blown away with how the wines age. A few years back I visited the winery when I was in Spain which was a wonderful journey back into time. At the time they had no formal tasting room but it was a marvelous tour and a gorgeous valley setting.

Located in the Rioja Alta region, In 1970 Enrique Forner founded the winery which was an alliance between the the Cenicero region in the La Rioja Alta. This family had been focused on the wine trade for five generations, sourcing from some of the great growers and vineyards in the region in a Bordeaux like concept. Cristina Forner is the fourth generation owner of this wine family. They produce a great Grand Reserva, but their Reserva is also consistently good and commands a lower price tag. These wines have increasingly been available at Costco at a price that makes them one of the better wine buys in the retail market. I adore the 2015 Marques de Caceres ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja (OB, 95) which is dense and heady and absolutely a joy to consume right now. Learn more about these special Rioja wines at https://www.marquesdecaceres.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Marques de Caceres.

2021 Marques de Cacers ‘Made with Organic Grapes’ Rioja- This shows forward and juicy red fruit flavors with black tea and allspice notes. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2028- 88

2018 Marques de Caceres ‘Gaudium’ Rioja- The 2018 ‘Gaudium’ is a stunning new wine that is loaded with dense black fruits and tobacco. With more air this shows of wet stone, boysenberry and citrus rind accents that all wonderfully come together. Gorgeous to consume now, this has both the stuffing and bright acidity to cellar well over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2023-2038- 94

2015 Marques de Caceres ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja- The absolutely incredible 2015 Marques de Caceres ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja comes from this warm vintage in Rioja. On the mouth, this is plump and decadent, with silky tannins that frame a beautiful core of black and red currants, menthol, milk chocolate and freshly tilled salty soils. A total show-stopper, this is a stunning Gran Reserva that will live on for decades to come. Drink 2023-2038- 95

Hazelfern Cellars

It has now been roughly a year since I have tasted the outstanding wines of Hazelfern Cellars one of the outstanding producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir out of Oregon, Hazelfern Cellars has an inspired story by founders Brian and Laura Liang. Brian has been making wine since 2006 but in 2018 he finally departed from his corporate job to focus on winemaking and operations at Hazelfern, located in Newberg, Oregon. Brian’s wine education includes many hours watching YouTube videos on winemaking. Winemaking in their Portland basement wasn’t the easiest of tasks but over time Brian saw his winemaking style evolve. Laura also serves as co-winemaker and they have done a wonderful job with their wines over the past few years.

2021 was a warm vintage and the releases by Hazelfern have impeccable balance, despite the warmth of the vintage. The wines display wonderful texture. I love the new 2021 Hazelfern ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 92)  which is very fresh and vibrant with layers of citrus and orchard fruits. Don’t miss out on the 2021 Hazelfern ‘Prime Cut’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is a killer barrel selection wine that shows great stony and salty accents, with outstanding weight and verve.. Learn more about this outstanding winery at https://www.hazelfern.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Hazelfern.

2021 Hazelfern ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- This 2021 edition by Hazelfern was stored in a mere 15% new French oak for 11 months before bottling. It is brimming with bright acidity alongside wet stone, pink grapefruit and Pazzaz apple flavors, with sourdough bread undertones. Seriously good, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 Hazelfern ‘Rock Block’ Chardonnay- Always one of the unique wines made in Oregon, the Rock Block Chardonnay comes from a high elevation site that is extremely stony, as this was stored in 28% new French oak before bottling. Salty and stony on the mouth, this shows incredible terroir with its smooth and polished mouthfeel. Displaying excellent length and viscosity with rich orchard and citrus fruit flavors, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2021 Hazelfern ‘Stormy Morning Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This 2021 Chardonnay comes for this site in the Tualitin Hills AVA. Only 12.8% alcohol, this offers ripe pear, and brioche notes on the palate alongside salty and stony undercurrents. Seriously good, with a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2021 Hazelfern ‘Prime Cut’ Chardonnay- The deftly textured and still very nervy 2021 ‘Prime Cut’ is a stunning showing in this warm vintage. Once on the nose this takes on layers of salted peach, wet stone, pineapple and shades of cardamom dusted brioche. The palate is viscous and lithe with a smooth mouthfeel. Showing outstanding length and weight, this beauty is only starting to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2038- 95

2021 Hazelfern ‘The Hazelfern Vineyard’ Trousseau- The 2021 Trousseau offers black raspberry and teaberry flavors on the palate with a smooth texture. The shades of black truffle and loamy soils add to the intrigue, as this is already nicely evolved stuff. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2021 Hazelfern Gamay Noir- The outstanding new 2021 Gamay was aged for 12 months in all neutral oak before bottling. It comes off very soft and fresh with stony character alongside a brilliant core of red fruits with citrus rind and a waft of cola. Enjoy now and over the next few years while the outstanding finesse remains intact. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2021 Hazelfern ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Coming from a range of sites throughout the Willamette Valley, this 2021 Pinot Noir was stored in 18% new French oak before bottling. Very lithe and smooth once on the mouth, this delivers cran-pomegranate, blood orange rind, salty soils and Yakima cherry flavors woven together with copious minerals on the palate. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 Hazelfern ‘The Hazelfern Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant new 2021 ‘The Hazelfern Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is translucent in the glass and was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. Fresh and lithe, this displays a pretty core of strawberry and guava fruits on the palate, with light flinty undertones. This is already really nicely evolved stuff. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2021 Hazelfern ‘Three Cedars Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Three Cedars Vineyard, set on windblown Loess soils, is located in the Laurelwood District. This 2021 Pinot Noir was stored in 23% new French oak before bottling. Black tea and kumquat rind aromatics combine with shades of mountain gooseberry on the nose. The palate is smooth and polished with layers of very pretty red fruits that collide with citrus blossom water and salty undertones. Drink 2023-2035- 93

2021 Hazelfern ‘Stormy Morning Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This 2021 Pinot Nour is very lightly colored, showing guava, red raspberry and red cherry notes on the palate with flinty undercurrents. Medium-bodied, and displaying good length, this beautiful wine is already nicely evolved and will show marvelously on the Thanksgiving table. Drink 2023-2035- 93

2021 Hazelfern ‘Prime Cut’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Prime Cut’ is a barrel selection wine by the Hazelfern winemaking team. Texturally very good, this reveals tart Bing cherry notes alongside teaberry, sandalwood and shades of salty soils on the palate. Really good now, this will deliver drinking enjoyment over the next ten to fifteen years to come. Drink 2023-2037- 94

Valo Cellars

Valo Cellars

Today we share the outstanding wines of Valo Cellars, a relatively new winery which was started by Matias Kusulas and Michael Ruhland. For years Matias served as production winemaker at M&L Productions and has been Viticulturist for Lawrence Vineyards since 2017. Hailing from Chile, Kusulas has masters degrees in enology and viticulture from both Bordeaux and Montpelier. Kusulas has worked a range of jobs spanning the globe including stints in New Zealand and Chateauneuf-Du-Pape. Matias works with Taylor Ramsey, who handles Valo operations, as Taylor formerly served assistant winemaker at Sleight of Hand in Walla Walla.

These are beautiful new wines that showcase the Connor Lee Vineyard. I love the new 2022 Valo Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which his very fresh and beautifully textured. hails from the Connor Lee Vineyard and has really nice length. Just as good is the 2022 Valo Cellars ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is dense and rich with serious texture. Learn more about these excellent new wines at valocellars.com and here are my tasting notes from the new Valo Cellars wines.

2022 Valo Sauvignon Blanc- This comes from the Connor Lee Vineyard as this is Sauvignon Blanc which was grafted over Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged in stainless steel, this is highly perfumed with white peach, gooseberry and white grapefruit blossom on the nose. The palate is soft and round on the mouth with a smooth texture. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2022 Valo Rose- Made from Tempranillo grapes from the Desert Wind Vineyard, this shows nice earthy notes on the nose with freshly tilled soils, red raspberry and kiwi notes. Fresh and showing good verve, this is beautiful wine to enjoy on the cooler side on a hot summer day. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2020 Valo ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- Aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak, this was sourced from the famed Connor Lee Vineyard. Toasted hazelnut, brioche, roasted pineapple and shades of cardamom on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth texture and wonderful sense of length. Delicious and generous, enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2020 Valo ‘Laura Lee Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The Laura Lee Vineyard is located in the Royal Slope AVA as this was planted back in 2010 and set on sandy loam soils with a high stony content. The palate shows beautiful tropical fruit notes on the palate with salty soils, Pink Lady apple and shades of apricot. Drink 2023-2029- 93

2020 Valo ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 Valo ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a beautiful edition of this wine. On the nose this shows ripe red cherry and red raspberry notes in this forward wine. Fresh and lithe with a soft texture, enjoy this really good wine now. Drink 2023-2029- 91

2020 Valo ‘Right Bank’ Red Wine- Entirely sourced from the Connor Lee Vineyard, this an enticing blend of equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. Very smooth on the mouth with good viscosity. Salty and savory notes combine with a great core of black fruits, garrigue, espresso grounds and chocolate. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2020 Valo ‘Reserve’ Merlot- Coming from old vines from the Connor Lee Vineyard, the 2020 ‘Reserve’ Merlot is a stunning new edition of this wine. The mouthfeel is fantastic here with layers of espresso grounds, toasty oak, mix chocolate covered black cherry and shades of sage. Outstanding and dense, with serious tension underlying this is beautiful wine to enjoy right now. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2020 Valo ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Coming from these old 1990s plantings in the Connor Lee Vineyard, this offers beautiful herbal notes on the nose alongside dark chocolate shavings and pencil lead. The palate is soft and refined with silky tannins. A delight to savor now, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2020 Valo ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- Coming from a warmer site, the 2020 ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ shows wonderful herbal notes on the nose and on the palate. Showing concentrated blackberry and black cherry notes, with great finesse and salty undertones, this is showing beautifully now. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2020 Valo ‘Mono Uva’ Cabernet Franc- The 2020 ‘Mono Uva’ combines fruit from the Connor Lee and Bacchus Vineyards. Garrigue, black currants and potpourri notes all combine on the nose. The palate is plush with a smooth texture and wonderful sense of weight. Forward and showing dense dark fruits with pencil lead and sagebrush notes, this is drinking so well right now. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2020 Valo ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Seriously delicious, the 2020 ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was made by having two picks, one early and one late. Stored in a combination of barrel and concrete, this shows menthol and graphite notes alongside ripe boysenberry flavors on the palate. This is exceedingly well-balanced. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2020 Valo ‘In Temporal’ Red Wine- This is a blend of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Franc. Very smooth on the mouth, this shows a polished texture with iron and salty accents on the palate, with dark currants and coffee ground notes. Drink 2023-20230- 93

2020 Valo ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Syrah- Concentrated, heady and intense, the 2020 ‘Connor Lee Vineyard’ Syrah comes off as very Cote Rotie. The wine is an incredibly expression of Syrah. Juicy huckleberry combines with charcuterie, bulls blood, black olives, anise, violets and shades of soy sauce all meld brilliantly on the palate. Complex and delicious, this is unlike anything you will find in Washington State. Drink 2023-2031- 94

Chateau Miraval 'Muse de Miraval' Rose

I hope you all had a fun and safe July 4th celebration. Yesterday we opened one of the great wines of Provence. It was just under a year ago that my wife and I embarked on our journey to Chateau Miraval, one of the great properties in Provence. 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). 

For years they have made their Miraval wine which has been a really good value at around 25 USD. A few years back they have decided to release their top wine, the ‘Muse de Miraval’ which is a magnum only bottling that is not only in gorgeous packaging but is a joy to drink right now. Here is my review of the 2021 ‘Muse de Miraval’ Rose and learn more about this famed wine at https://www.miraval.com/en/home/

2021 Chateau Miraval ‘Muse de Miraval’ Rose- A very exciting new wine out of Provence, the 2021 Chateau Miraval ‘Muse de Miraval’ is a new wine that is magnum-only. It is the top wine produced at this historic estate, as the ‘Muse’ combines a combination of old vine Grenache and Rolle grapes. On the nose this shows off shades of flint and white peach alongside beautiful red fruits. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and glorious sense of length. This is just a joy to consume right now with its sinfully good combination of weight, length and flavor range. Drink 2023-2030- 93

Goldeneye

Today we share one of the jewels of the Anderson Valley. Truly one of the most beautiful spots in the Anderson Valley, for years I have loved the wines by Goldeneye, a Duckhorn venture located in Philo, California. Michael Fay made some incredible wines for Goldeneye before winemaker, Katey Larwood, took over. There is now a new winemaker, Kristin McMcMahan. Originally from California's Central Valley, in 2012, Kristen moved to Sonoma County to dedicate herself to wine full time. In addition to joining the winemaking team at Korbel, where she spent six years honing her skills working with sparkling wine and Pinot Noir, she began studying at Santa Rosa Junior College, where she earned an Associate of Science degree in enology. Kristen also gained invaluable experience with cool-climate Pinot Noir working for Joseph Phelps’s Freestone Winery on the Sonoma Coast.
I am really impressed with the new Goldeneye wines. A outstanding entry level wine, the 2021 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) is soft and inviting with outstanding flavor range. Learn more about these outstanding Pinot Noirs at https://www.goldeneyewinery.com Here are the great new releases by Goldeneye.

2021 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 Goldeneye ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from the Gowan Creek, Cerise, Confluence and The Narrows Vineyards, as this was stored for 16 months in 42% new French oak before bottling. Ripe red currants combine with salty soils, cranberry and orange zest flavors. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2020 Goldeneye ‘Gowan Creek Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Set on vines with southwestern exposure, the Gowan Creek Vineyard is located in the center of the Anderson Valley. Very dark in the glass, this 2020 Pinot Noir shows off a smooth texture with plenty of weight. Blackberry and black cherry flavors mingle well with cigar ash and shades of black truffle on the palate. Drink 2023-2031- 93

Avennia

For years I have admired this amazing Washington venture between Marty Taucher and Chris Peterson. Now spanning more than a decade, Avennia has been producing great wines that embody poise, terroir and good richness. Clearly one of the state’s great winemakers, Chris Peterson was formerly DeLille Cellars winemaker for many years prior to starting Avennia. I recently had the chance to meet up with him at a local release party and catch up. He was tasked with creating wines that have a beginning, middle and an end from the very difficult 2020 vintage. Chris has quite frankly knocked these wines out of the park. These are clean wines that you can buy with confidence.

Don’t miss out on the 2020 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is dense and chewy, showing amazing flavor range. Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the two new Avennia wines. 

2020 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine- A beautiful blend of 88% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Franc, this offers ripe dark currants with red florals on the nose with coffee grounds, scorched earth and shades of sagebrush on the nose. The palate is soft, seamless and very clean with no rough edges. Layers of red and dark fruits parade with milk chocolate, garrigue, red bell pepper and black currant jelly. This is seriously good considering the challenges of the vintage. Drink 2023-2030- 95

2020 Avennia ‘Senstina’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Sestina’ combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (77%) with the remainder Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The palate is soft and refined with silky tannins that frame a beautiful core of black cherry compote, mocha, tar and black licorice. Very polished wth good length, this is beautiful wine that will cellar well for another eight years. No reason to wait on this beauty. Drink 2023-2030- 94

Chateau Troplong Mondot

One of the great houses on the right bank, Chateau Troplong Mondot has an incredible history which dates back centuries. This property was originally part of the De Sèze estate in the 18th century, the vineyard situated on the crest of Mondot included what is today Chateau Pavie. It was in the mid1800s that the Modot family had purchased a good portion of their current estate and then in 1936 the property became owned by Alexandre Valette.For years Michel Rolland has served as winemaking consultant and famed Napa vintner, Aaron Pott, has formerly served as winemaker here before migrating to Napa to focus on his own wines. 2017 brought new ownership, as the company SCOR has been working on a renovation program which enhances vineyard biodiversity.  

For years I have been enamored by these wines that show impressive salty and stony soil character with beautiful texture and finesse. For the price these also have been some of my favorite wines to purchase. I recently had the chance to revisit the incredible 2016 Troplong Mondot which came from an exquisite vintage. This 2016 Troplong Mondot (OB, 97) is absolutely singing at now the seven year mark. It is a complete wine with beautiful texture and black fruits, with a seamless mouthfeel. If you have never had wines from this house, they are a must-try. Learn more at https://www.troplong-mondot.com and here is my review of the 2016 Troplong Mondot.

2016 Chateau Troplong Mondot- The 2016 Troplong Mondot is a world-class effort that is already beautifully evolved at the seven year mark. Once on the nose this takes on beautiful potpourri notes alongside damp salty soils, cigar ash and dense dark fruits. The palate is soft and refined with a seamless texture. While big and bold, the drinking experience makes this extremely elegant, as underlying freshness and firm tannins frame everything brilliantly. Beautiful red and dark fruits combine with freshly tilled soils on the palate. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next twenty years to come. 89% Merlot with 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Drink 2023-2043- 97

Paraduxx

The Napa Valley might be filled with Cabernet houses but it can also have some surprises. One of the most intriguing Napa projects, Paraduxx is located on the Silverado trail and was founded in 1994 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn as the only Napa Valley winery focused exclusively to making Napa Valley blends. Their first vintage was a unique blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Since that time there has been a surge in other blending projects, most notably the great Orin Swift wines.

Cardiff Scott-Robinson serves as Paraduxx winemaker. Cardiff grew up on a five-acre horse ranch in Winters, California, where he developed a deep love of the land. After graduating from Sonoma State University with a wine-focused degree in business marketing and management, Cardiff began his career at Harvest Moon Winery, before joining the Duckhorn Portfolio team in 2006. Cardiff was formerly the assistant winemaker at Paraduxx and I am so impressed with what he did in the 2020 vintage. The 2020 Paraduxx Red Wine (OB, 92) is a kitchen sink blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon. It comes off clean and beautifully.  Over the years I have really enjoyed these wines made from Zinfandel and Sangiovese as well. For a winery that is outside the box, check out these wines as they are really worth a look. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://www.paraduxx.com/ Here is the great new release by Paraduxx.

2020 Paraduxx Red Wine- The 2020 Paraduxx Red Wine is a kitchen sink combination of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with smattering of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Grenache and even some Malbec. This shows off very clean dark fruit flavors alongside sweet pipe tobacco, dark chocolate shavings and tar notes. This is really good considering the challenges of the vintage. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2029- 92

Two Hands

An Australian wine icon, Two Hands is one of the great houses in South Australia. Two Hands dates all the way back to 1999 when founders Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz sat at a friend's engagement party and decided it was time to make their own wine a nd be judged by the world. We are all so glad that they did.Their Garden Series wines have been internationally known and immediately received critical acclaim as well as their ‘Angel’s Share’ Shiraz also getting great press. Two Hands’ first vintage was in 2000, after a modest $30k investment and starting with just 17 tonnes of fruit.  The journey had started. Michael’s wine contacts in the US and UK helped launch the brand and also helped Two Hands increase production to launch their full Garden Series with the 2003 vintage. The rest has been history.

Michael was a great interview and I enjoyed time with him a few years back. I adored the new 2022 Two Hands ‘Angels’ Share’ Shiraz (OB, 93) which is deep and concentrated with fantastic underlying finesse. Even better is the scintillating 2019 Two Hands ‘Bella’s Garden’ Shiraz (OB, 96) which comes off very weightless and seamless with great concentration and Shiraz character.  Learn more about this famed Aussie wine brand at https://www.twohandswines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Two Hands

2022 Two Hands ‘Angels’ Share’ Shiraz- An outstanding value, the 2022 Two Hands ‘Angels’ Share’ comes off very inky in the glass, as this was stored in French oak before bottling. 13.9% alcohol, on the label, this has fantastic texture and underlying finesse. It comes off very dense and voluptuous on the palate, with blueberry and huckleberry fruits alongside cassis, tar and sandalwood notes. Delicious now, this will cellar well over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2022 Two Hands ‘Sexy Beast’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Sexy Beast’ has wonderful herbal notes on the nose with red bell pepper, cigar ash and shades of menthol alongside dense dark fruits. Full-bodied and full of life, this is drinking beautifully now with its chocolate,  creosote, black plum and Hoisin sauce notes alongside kirsch cordial. Showing fantastic viscosity and finesse, this beauty is absolutely singing right now. Drink 2023-2029- 93

2019 Two Hands ‘Bella’s Garden’ Shiraz- The sensational 2019 Two Hands ‘Bella’s Garden’ Shiraz is a seamless, incredibly elegant Shiraz that is drinking beautifully right now at the four year mark. Once on the nose this takes on red rose petals that combine with red cherry candy, guava, wild blackberry and chocolate cake notes. The palate is very soft and refined with a seamless texture. Quite literally a joy to drink right now, this irresistible wine will evolve well for another ten years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 96

2019 Two Hands ‘Lily’s Garden’ Shiraz- The 2019 ‘Lily’s Garden’ is named after Michael Twelftree’s daughter, Lily, born in 2001. Sourced from sites in Blewitt Springs, Clarendon, McLaren Flat, McLaren Vale, Seaview, Tatachilla, and Willunga Hills, this offers concentrated red currant and red cherry flavors alongside refined tannins and cloves on the palate. Full-bodied and dense, with a fantastic finish, this beauty is showing brilliantly now and will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 95

Domaine Serene and Rockblock Cellars

An Oregon winery needing no introduction, Domaine Serene consistently produces some of the finest wines that you will find in the Willamette Valley. They have a new addition to their portfolio which they have brought back, Rockblock Cellars, which I fondly recall from the early to mid 2000s. The new wines by Rockblock focus on stony terroir from both Washington and Oregon. At the helm is winemaker Michael Fay who is former Goldeneye winemaker and has now been at Domaine Serene for many years. I’ve been tracking his illustrious career for more than a decade.

The new wines were really good across the board. Don’t miss out on the 2020 Rockblock ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 93) which is rich and shows nice nuance from this highly challenging vintage. Learn more at domaineserene.com and here are my reviews of the new Rockblock Cellars wines.

NV Domaine Serene ‘XV’ Rose- This is now the fifteenth edition of this Rose wine that comes from Pinot Noir vines. This is fragrant rose with red rose petals that combine with ripe guava and red raspberry notes on the nose. The palate is nicely textured, with a smooth mouthfeel and good underlying acidity. Delicious now, don’t serve too warm to indulge in the full range of flavors and aromatics. Drink 2023-2029- 91

2022 Rockblock Cellars ‘Washington State’ Sauvignon Blanc- Fresh and lithe, the 2022 Rockblock Cellars ‘Washington State’ Sauvignon Blanc shows a smooth mouthfeel upon entry. Layers of sweetened gooseberry and Japanese pear with green papaya all greet you on the palate, with plenty of stony minerals. Drink 2023-20280 91

2020 Rockblock Cellars ‘Oregon’ Viognier- Coming from this challenging vintage, this 2020 Viognier displays a very smooth texture on the mouth, with layers of melon, sourdough bread and minerals, laden with good weight on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 91

2020 Rockblock Cellars ‘Southwind Vineyard’ Syrah- This 2020 Syrah comes from this site in the Walla Walla Valley that is set on windswept loess soils. The wine comes off smooth and savory with bright red raspberry and wild blackberry tones on the palate, showing good weight.  Enjoy this outstanding bottling now and over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 92

2020 Rockblock ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2020 Rockblock ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this difficult vintage in the Walla Walla Valley. The underlying finesse is really nice here, as this is loaded with black fruits and tar notes alongside shades of garrigue on the palate. Really nice considering the vintage, enjoy this awesome new Syrah over the next five years. Drink 2023-2028- 93

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