Liminal

Today we share one of the top producers of red wine in the Pacific Northwest. Liminal has taken the wine community by storm since its inception. All wines are sourced from the famed WeatherEye Vineyard (https://www.weathereyevineyard.com) which is set on a windswept ridgeline of Red Mountain in Washington State and is planted to 30 acres of Rhône, Bordeaux, and Spanish varieties. There is nothing like this in the state. The vineyard ranges from 950’ to 1410’ of elevation, and has extreme slopes and soils ranging from dune sand to fractured bedrock basalt. Ryan Johnson serves as vineyard manager, having previously managed the esteemed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard for 15 years. Ryan farms this vineyard meticulously and wines from this site have a very wild appearance from the sagebrush, rabbitbrush and yarrow as well as many other native plants that can be found amongst the vines.

The wines captivate the senses with the wild character from the underbrush and surrounding plants. I was enamored by the fall releases and the spring 2024 releases are nothing short of world-class. One of the outstanding Washington wines that I have tasted in the past year, the 2021 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 98) is burly and bold with a terrific feeling of tension with every sip. This is simply irresistible wine that will surely captivate you with its stunning power and precision. Learn more at https://www.liminalwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Liminal Wines.

2021 Liminal ‘Block 16’ Syrah- Coming from the WeatherEye Vineyard, this 2021 Syrah stands very inky once in the glass. The aromatic density is flat out fabulous with yarrow, black rose petals, smoked brisket and shades of creme de violette. The palate is deep and concentrated with serious verve and viscosity. A total joy to consume now, this should live on for another fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 96

2021 Liminal ‘The Mountain Tower’ Red WIne- A new wine to the Liminal lineup, the 2021 ‘The Mountain Tower’ is a Cabernet Franc dominant wine (52%) with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and the reminder Merlot. The result is totally head-turning with a seamless texture and refined tannins that line a massive wall of black fruit flavors alongside Turkish coffee grounds and bitter dark chocolate shavings with herbal accents. Complex and delicious, this is drinking marvelously now and will live on for another twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 96

2021 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Seriously good even now, the 2021 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterpiece made by winemaker Chris Peterson. On the nos this exudes class with outstanding aromatic complexity. Violets, sagebrush, loamy soils, espresso grounds and blueberry compote all mark the nose. The palate is big and burly with serious weight and underlying finesse. Loads of mouth-watering acidity greet you, as this is loaded with a opulent core of black and blue fruits, with graphite and Arabica bean flavors. A total stunner, give this about 30 minutes in the decanter if consuming now. Drink 2024-2046- 98

In Memoriam: Constance Savage, Former COO of L'Ecole No. 41

It brings me great sadness to share the passing of Connie (Constance) Savage-Frokic. Constance was a cherished friend, an astute business woman, a devoted wife and loving mother. She understood the strategic workings of the wine industry and cherished the relationships that she developed with all of you. Hired in 2018, I was fortunate to know Constance with her role as Chief Operating Officer at L’Ecole No. 41. Prior to that job Constance worked for Kobrand, being in charge of some of the finest wine brands of the world.

I had many phone calls and emails with Constance as well as some precious time tasting together. She had a tremendous palate, having tasted the finest wines of the world — many times over! She loved her top Italian wines in particular, having tasted vertical that would blow your mind. She had a kindness and presence that I will not soon forget.

Constance was a devoted mother and loved spending time at home with her family and particularly enjoyed gardening. The wine community welcomes you to attend her celebration of life in in Walla Walla on February 4th at L’Ecole’s Schoolhouse in Lowden, WA.

Please keep Connie’s family, husband Leopold, daughter Eleonora, son Luka, daughter Emilia, her parents, Thomas and Coleen Savage, her brother and his wife, Cory and Shelly Savage, her sister, Christa Mesz, and her husband, Bryan, as well as her sister, Carla Bleil in your hearts and prayers during this difficult time. May Constance’s memory be a blessing to all who knew her.

Cameron Parry Joins J. Bookwalter as Director of Winemaking and Viticulture

Today we have some big news out of the Tri-Cities. Cameron Parry has been hired as Director of Winemaking and Viticulture. Parry joins the winery’s senior leadership team and will oversee all grape growing and winemaking activities for the 50,000-case, Richland-based winery. He also will have a hand in winery operations and the company’s go-to-market strategies.

For years I have admired the wines that he made for Groth, one of Napa’s gems. The wines were well-structured and rich, as Cameron made an incredible range of wines from deep and inky Cabernet to bright and beautifully textured Sauvignon Blanc. Prior to that he was making beautiful wines for Chateau Montelena. Wishing Cameron the best and congratulations to J. Bookwalter for hiring one of the Pacific Northwest’s great winemaking talents.

Mt. Brave

Napa Valley is producing some of North America’s best Cabernet Franc — wines that deserve their place on the world stage. A winery that has truly beautiful and novel terroir, Mt. Brave pays homage to a the pioneering spirit of those who settled the rugged terrain of Mt. Veeder during the 1800s.

The majestic Mt. Brave Vineyard is a high elevation site that is set on gravelly loam with large rocks throughout. This is very labor intensive land to farm and the wines from this site show incredible density of fruit but also wonderful, earthy terroir. The elevation also adds to the freshness in the core of the wine.

For years I have admired the wines by Chris Carpenter who is one of Napa’s great maestros of red wine. Chris has crafted another stunning release, this coming from the 2019 vintage. The 2019 Mt. Brave ‘Mt. Veeder’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 96) shows serious concentration and verve with amazing flavor range. Find out more about this famed winery at mtbravewines.com Here is my review of the 2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Franc.

2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Franc- The 2019 Mt. Brave Cabernet Franc is a stunning new wine by Chris Carpenter. Very inky in the glass, this 100% varietal wine offers insanely good aromatic range from mulberry to huckleberry compote, espresso grounds, wet stone and shades of black licorice. The palate is soft and refined with a great underlying verve and beautiful texture. This is just sensational wine that is drinking beautifully now at the near four year mark. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2023-2040- 96

Ramey

It isn’t easy passing the torch to the new generation. One of the most celebrated winemakers in the United States, David Ramey and his wife Carla Ramey are proprietors of Ramey Wine Cellars, producer of some of the best Chardonnay on this planet. David and Carla have been together for 30 years and have helped transform the California wine scene. In 2022 David was given an lifetime achievement award from Sonoma County Vintners for his contributions to the industry. For many years he has crafted wines from some of the great vineyards in Sonoma, including the Hyde and Ritche Vineyards. The wines all have a beginning, middle and an end, and show beautiful harmony and depth. Over the years David has moved from natural corks to DIAM and also has dialed back the oak treatment in the wines, now at roughly 20-25%.

I’ve tasted several times with David and have seen how incredible these wines are with age. I have some of these wines in my personal cellar as well which is always fun to revisit and see how they are cellaring. We met less than a year ago and with a gleam in his wife he talked about his children, Claire and Alan Ramey and their contributions to the winery. Claire and Alan have assumed ownership of the winery and estate vineyard, Westside Farms.

The new wines were gorgeous across the board. I was amazed by the 2021 Ramey ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 96) which is amongst the finest wines of this kind that I have tasted from Ramey. Deep and rich, with tropical fruit notes, this could easily be a 15-20 year wine. Even better was the sinfully good 2017 Ramey ‘Pedregal Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is impeccably balanced and has beautiful herbal notes from the Petite Verdot. Sturdy and built like a brick house, this Cabernet is already shining brightly now. Learn more about these incredible wines at  http://www.rameywine.com Here are the great new releases by Ramey.

2021 Ramey ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Dense on the palate, the Woolsey Road Vineyard’ comes form a site that is located immediately south from the Martinelli winery. This 2021 Chardonnay was planted by the Martinellis for David Ramey back in the mid-2000s. This Wente Clonal selection Chardonnay was stored in 24% new French oak for 20 months before bottling. Big on the mouth, this offers ripe banana and suggestions of papaya flavors, with strong flinty underpinnings. Finishing exceedingly long, enjoy this beauty now and over the next decade. Drink 2022-2034- 95

2021 Ramey ‘Ritchie Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Talk about a world-class Chardonnay, the 2021 Ramey ‘Ritche Vineyard’ Chardonnay is a stunning bottling coming from the Russian River Valley. This location is planted to Old Wente selection, with a few scattered Musqué selection vines planted in 1972. The nose shows beautiful range from nutty and earthy tones alongside toasty oak, pastry crust, with cinnamon and cardamom notes. The palate has great weight and verve, laden with Meyer lemon zest, baking spice laced brioche, roasted pineapple and hazelnut flavors. Be sure to serve this on the warmer side to take in the thrilling flavor and aromatic range. Drink 2023-2036- 96

2021 Ramey ‘Woolsey Road’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Ramey ‘Woolsey Road’ Chardonnay is a stunning new wine by winemaker Claire Ramey. This wine comes from this site which is owned by the Martinelli family and was planted to our specifications in 2007. Stored for 20 months in 20% new French oak, this offers a soft mouthfeel with a vibrant underlying tension once on the mouth. Layers of beeswax and wild mushroom combine with rich melon fruits, with hints of marzipan and starfruit on the palate. Showing excellent weight and flavor density, this is really singing even so young. Drink 2023-2035- 95

2021 Ramey ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Coming from this Russian River site planted by Tom Rochioli, the 2021 Ramey ‘Rochioli Vineyard’ Chardonnay is comprised of 82% Mid-40 block vines and 18% River block vines. It is dazzling on the mouth, with serious verve as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Ripe banana and pineapple flavors offer an exotic edge, with nutmeg drenched French bread and Macadamia nut flavors add to the balance. Big and rich with plenty of depth, this is drinking great now at the two year mark. Drink 2023-2036- 96

2021 Ramey ‘Westside Farms’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2021 Ramey ‘Westside Farms’ Chardonnay (Clone 4) comes from this 75-acre ranch on Westside Road, has been in use as farmland since the middle 1800s. The Chardonnay was harvested and then cellared for 18 months in concrete eggs before bottling. The aromatics are beautiful with lemon curd, vanilla cream and shades of kumquat zest alongside brioche tones. The palate is soft and seamless with serious length and a dazzling underlying freshness. Finishing long with cream and copious minerals, this scintillating wine will easily go for another twelve plus years in the cellar. Drink 2023-2035- 96

2018 Ramey ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- This 2019 ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir mostly comes from the Shiloh Glen and 25% Dutton Goff Vineyards.Given 25% whole cluster fermentation, the wine was stored in 45% new French oak for 18 months before bottling. The palate is rich and viscous with great underlying tension, displaying bright cranberry, Bing cherry, and red raspberry fruit flavors alongside shades of cola, sassafras and freshly tilled salty soils. Complex and delicious, with great energy, this will be a long-ager. Drink 2023-2037- 94

2020 Ramey ‘Sonoma Coast’ Syrah- Entirely sourced from the Cole Creek Vineyard, the 2020 Ramey ‘Sonoma Coast’ Syrah comes from this location set on Felta clay loam, with some sections reaching up to 90% rock. It is rich and nicely textured once on the mouth, with creme de violette, asphalt, black currants and black cherry cordial flavors alongside a good underlying verve. Really good now, enjoy over the next seven plus years to come. Drink 2023-2030- 94

2017 Ramey ‘Rodgers Creek Vineyard’ Syrah- The outstanding 2017 Ramey ‘Rodgers Creek Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this location set on old, rocky volcanic soils that were planted to Syrah Clones 877 and 470, with three rows of Viognier. The Syrah has a large portion (12%) of Viognier blended in, and was 25% whole cluster fermented as this opens with heady aromatics of smoked pork shoulder, garrigue, white pepper dusted bacon and bright red fruits. The palate is seamless and neatly textured with great balance and high-tones from the Viognier. Showing good length and viscosity, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next twelve years to come. Drink 2023-2035- 95

2019 Ramey ‘Claret’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Claret’ by Ramey comes from the North Coast AVA. The wine combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (65%) with 10% Syrah, 9% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot, and smaller portions Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.Stored in 20% new French & American oak barrels prior to bottling. The wine shows Earl Grey tea and juicy dark fruits that mingle well with the soft mouthfeel and chocolate with coffee ground nuances. Medium-bodied, showing good balance, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 92

2018 Ramey ‘Template’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Template’ is a Merlot-dominant ode to the wines of the Right Bank of Bordeaux. Mostly sourced from the Mt. Veeder AVA, this wine combines Merlot (68%) with 26% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is rich and neatly textured stuff once on the mouth. Tar and espresso ground flavors combine with anise, black currants, and shades of Black Forest Cake on the palate. Delicious and nicely balanced, with good weight and structure, this beauty will go on to cellar well for another fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2023-2038- 94

2018 Ramey ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The fantastic 2018 Ramey ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon was mostly sourced from the Oak Knoll and Oakville AVAs. This has 7% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot, and 2% Cab Franc blended in. Dark in the glass, the wine delivers a smooth texture upon entry. Layers of rich dark fruits parade with violets, tar, espresso grinds and shades of dark chocolate shavings. Really good now, watch this beauty evolve over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2035- 93

2017 Ramey ‘Pedregal Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A joy to consume right now, the pulsating 2017 Ramey ‘Pedregal Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a world-class bottling from this Healdsburg house. The wine comes from this small, hillside vineyard in the Oakville AVA and has 15% Petit Verdot blended in. It is incredibly well-balanced, as you can really take in the lush herbal tones from the Petit Verdot. Rich mocha and tar flavors combine with creme de cassis, exotic spices and shades of wet gravel on the palate. A total masterclass, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next twenty plus years and give it an hour in the decanter before consuming. Drink 2023-2043- 97

AniChe Cellars

Today we share one of the outstanding outposts in the Columbia Gorge AVA. A small family winery AniChe focuses on varietal blends that include rarely planted Italian varietals like Dolcetto, Barbera and Zinfandel (Primativo). The wines all have good richness and a really good tension that runs through their veins. I have been so impressed with these wines since I first tasted them nearly a decade ago. They are now making some killer bubbles as well that are a must-taste.

Anais Mera, and Rachael Horn make some beautiful wines together. They have crafted some beautiful new wines which were seriously good across the board. I loved the new 2020 AniChe ‘Titania’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which is 100% Marsanne and is truly one of its kind. A standout white wine, the 2022 AniChe Cellars ‘No. 5’ White Wine (OB, 92) which is one of the really electric Bordeaux inspired white wines that I have tasted this year from Washington. Learn more about this exciting small Washington winery at http://anichecellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the new AniChe Cellars wines.

2020 AniChe Cellars ‘Titania’ Sparkling Wine- This 100% Marsanne sparkling wine has to be the only one of its kind in Washington State. This spent 20 months en tirage, as this shows a touch of sweetness on the palate. Yellow plum and brioche notes combine with quince and shades of Japanese pear on the palate. Don’t serve too cold to enjoy the great range here. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next several years. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2022 AniChe Cellars ‘Puck’ Sparkling Wine- The Charmat method produced 2022 ‘Puck’ combines 75% Pinot Gris and the remainder Riesling. This is wonderfully salty with pear and kiwi notes alongside saline drenched peach flavors and French bread accents. With light stony accents, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 90

2022 AniChe Cellars ‘Serafina’ Riesling- The 2022 ‘Serafina’ comes from the Hecate’s Key Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. It has a smooth texture, loaded with kiwi, Gravenstein apple, Brie cheese and wet stony accents on the palate. Enjoy this now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2028- 90

2022 AniChe Cellars ‘The Fool’ Gruner Veltliner- The 2022 ‘The Fool’ weights in at under 12% alcohol and also hails from the Columbia Gorge AVA. This is bright with plenty of mouth-watering acidity once on the entry. Layers of green papaya and gooseberry combine with hints of nectarine and wet gravel notes on the palate. Neatly textured, this is really going to rock with Thai food. Drink 2023-2030- 91

2022 AniChe Cellars ‘The Devil’ Gruner Veltliner- The 2022 ‘The Devil’ comes from the Hecate's Key Estate Vineyard and was picked midway through harvest. This has outstanding texture with a great sense of weight — yet comes off as very weightless. Kiwi, mango and Japanese pear flavors mingle with cashew crusted brioche bread notes on the palate. Don’t drink too cold to take in the outstanding flavor range. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2022 AniChe Cellars ‘The World’ Gruner Veltliner- The 2022 ‘The World’ was picked later in the season, also coming from the Hecate’s Key Estate Vineyard. It has a touch of sweetness and shows beautiful concentration, with walnut, buttered French bread, and Pizzaz apple flavors that mingle well with honeydew melon. Rich and dense, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next seven years to come. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2022 AniChe Cellars ‘No.5’ Chardonnay- The ‘No.5’ was fermented in clay amphorae and Italian cocciopresto. Coming from the their estate Hecate’s Key, this is very well-balanced, with a seamless texture and great sense of freshness. Buttered French bread flavors combine with shades of red delicious apple, kumquat zest, wet stone and suggestions of beeswax with marzipan accents. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years to come. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2021 AniChe Cellars ‘Three Witches’ Red Wine- The ‘Three Witches’ is a super unique blend of Carignan, Counoise and Mourvèdre from the Columbia Valley AVA. The end product is very juicy and delicious, delivering bright strawberry, guava zest, orange peel and red raspberry flavors alongside garriague and damp soil notes on the palate. Neatly textured and showing good freshness, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2021 AniChe Cellars ‘Arachne’ Nebbiolo- The 100% Nebbiolo ‘Arachne’ hails from the Red Mountain AVA. Soot and scorched earth notes combine with bright red fruits, and suggestions of garrigue on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth texture and great underlying freshness. Rich red fruit flavors parade with copious minerals and mouth-watering acidity on the palate. Totally novel and delicious, this is one of the most eye-catching red wines I have tasted from Washington this year. What a beauty! Drink 2023-2030- 93

2019 AniChe Cellars ‘Goat Boy’ Red Wine- A Bordeaux-inspired blend coming from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with smaller parts Malbec and Cabernet Franc. It has beautiful red florals, showing cocoa powder dusted red cherry flavors alongside freshly tilled soils, dark currants and tobacco leaf flavors. Really singing now at the four year mark, this beautiful red blend will hold on for another eight to ten years at least. Drink 2023-2031- 93

Walla Walla Vintners

I very fondly recall my first visit to Walla Walla Vintners. It was 2007 and we were just starting the financial crisis. I opened the door to a small tasting room and was flooded by people. The entire room was packed! These wines have been receiving some really good reviews and I seemed to know why. So did everyone else! Scott and Nici Haladay, were first introduced to Walla Walla Vintners in 2017. Already familiar with the historic winery, they are the new owners of this house and their Cut Bank Estate vineyard. Scott comes from a technology background and Nici is a licensed nurse. I can’t wait to see their new winery space which has been recently completed.

Winemaker Derrek Vipon is a is a native Washingtonian who started his career at Walla Walla Community College in the Enology and Viticulture program. After completing his education with a degree from Oregon State University in Fermentation Science, Derrek worked several harvests across the globe before eventually moving back to Walla Walla and joining Walla Walla Vintners in January 2019. He trained under Gilles Nicault and his wines are very structurally sound, with a beginning, middle and end.

I loved the last set of his wines and the new wines are brilliant. Don’t miss the 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese (OB, 92) which is one of the best wines of its kind in the state. I adored the new 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah (OB, 94) which s dense and heady with a terrific mouthfeel and feeling of richness. Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners. 

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese- The 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese was mainly sourced from Walla Walla vineyards, as this has smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blended in. Red rose petals combine with bright Bing cherry, orange rind and cigar box notes on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a great sense of verve and texture. Showing good length, with good depth, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2032- 92

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- This 2021 Merlot has 7% Cabernet Sauvignon with 5% Malbec and 3% Petit Verdot blended in. Stored for 18 months in mostly neutral oak barrels. Chocolate covered dark cherry combine with roasted figs and shades of espresso grounds on the nose. The palate is rich and juicy with bright underlying finesse. Rich red and dark fruit flavors collide with copious minerals and stony undertones on the palate. This is already beautifully evolved stuff. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc- The 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc has 10% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in, as this comes from some of the top spots along the Columbia Valley. The palate is juicy and vibrant with bright underlying verve. Rich creme de violette and mocha flavors mingle with pencil lead and suggestions of baking spice dusted blackberry fruit flavors. Really good, this will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2023-2035- 93

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon has a large portion of Malbec (12%) and Merlot (12%) blended in. The palate is medium to full-bodied, and is beautifully structured with refined tannins and a bright sense of minerality. Rich boysenberry and black plum fruits mingle well with bitter chocolate and scorched earth notes on the palate. Really well- defined, this has both the poise and density to cellar well for another fifteen years to come. Drink 2023-2038- 94

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah has a touch of Vioginer (3%) blended in. Stored for 18 months in mostly neutral oak, this offers clove and lavender aromatics that combine with dense smoked meats and black currants. The palate is nicely structured and loaded with black and blue fruit flavors, with good underlying tension. This is decadent and delicious Syrah that is best consumed now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2023-2035- 94

2009 Sauternes Retrospective

Every year I sift through my Sauternes collection and taste several wines from there. This gives me a feel with how the vintage is holding so I can be sure to have a good idea of when to open the rest of the wines. 2009 was a very warm vintage in Sauternes as it was through the rest of Bordeaux. This year produced opulent, fleshy wines that are more concentrated than those from 2006, 2008 or 2010. What I loved about 2009 was how the wines were showing right after release. They were seriously impressive with massive weight and depth. A warm and dry year doesn’t always yield this concentration in Sauternes.

For those who enjoy the flashy style of Sauternes, these ‘09s are right up your alley. These might not show the nuance of 2005 but they are all drinking marvelously right now as all are at peak when you consider the weight and their current levels of finesse. If you have any 2009 Sauternes in your cellar, do not be afraid to drink these wines, as their acidity is slowly starting to drop. The fifteen year mark will be right at their sweet spot. Learn more about these famed houses at https://www.sauternes-barsac.com/en/ and here are my reviews of the 2009 Sauternes wines.

2009 Chateau Coutet- The 2009 Chateau Coutet is a vibrant showing from this warm vintage. Ripe hazelnut and butterscotch notes combine with shades of triple creme cheese and vanilla creme brûlée. The palate shows beautiful viscosity and freshness with serious texture. Rich buttercream and marzipan notes combine with Ile flottant, and lime zest with stony accents mingle well on this complex palate. In perfect balance now, no reason to cellar this beautiful, downright sexy Sauternes this is best savored over the next few years to come. Drink 2023-2029- 95

2009 Chateau La Tour Blanche- The outstanding 2009 Chateau La Tour Blanche is a stunning, viscous example of the 2009 vintage. The wine shows honeycomb and quince notes on the nose alongside shades of ripe mango. The palate is plush and soft with a smooth mouthfeel and beautiful underlying freshness. Finishing very long with stony minerals, buttercream and shades of pineapple upside-down cake, this is an opulent, fantastic example of this warm vintage. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 95

2009 Chateau Guiraud- The 2009 Chateau Guiraud is a stunning showing that is immediately vibrant and bright, showing its honey-colored hue in the glass. Sinfully good aromas await, dizzying with honeysuckle and hint of butterscotch and toffee alongside ripe banana and cloves. The palate is rich and viscous with a seamless texture and displaying dazzling length. With a good underlying freshness, this is really peaking like the other 2009s right now. With its deep core of candied melon and tropical fruits, with creme brullee accents, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next six plus years. Drink 2023-2029- 95

2009 Chateau Rieussec- The 2009 Rieussec is really showing its stuff and has a tad bit more power than the rest. The viscosity mid-palate is opulent and really gratifying, offering an unctuous texture. Layers of golden honey and pineapple cream combine with cardamom dusted pie crust and caramel laced apple pie flavors. Showing good intensity, this beauty is absolutely singing now at the fourteen year mark. Enjoy now and over the next seven plus years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 96

Stonestreet

Today we share one of the beautiful Chardonnay producers of the Sonoma Valley. One of the more scenic locations in the region, Stonestreet sits on a 5500 acre mountain estate that towers high above the Alexander Valley in the Mayacamas Mountain Range. Jess Stonestreet Jackson and Barbara Banke established the estate in 1995, and their son Christopher Jackson and his wife Ariel continue the legacy today. I had a beautiful visit to this winery last spring and was once again reminded of the consistency of the Chardonnay wines that they produce. At the helm is winemaker Kristina Shideler, who has a longstanding history in the industry. She is former head winemaker at Arrowood before rejoining Stonestreet — first being a part of their winemaking team back in 2012.

I adored the 2021 Stonestreet ‘Broken Rock Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which has amazing depth and complexity. Even better was the stunning 2021 Stonestreet ‘Upper Barn’ Chardonnay (OB, 96) which is one of the great Chardonnay from Sonoma that I have tasted this year. Big and bold with beautiful poise and concentration, this could easily be a 15 year wine. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.stonestreetwines.com/ and here are my reviews of the beautiful new releases by Stonestreet.

2021 Stonestreet ‘Broken Rock Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The brilliant 2021 Stonestreet ‘Broken Rock Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from this high altitude site in the Alexander Valley. Beautifully textured and rich, this offers bright underlying finesse with ripe pineapple and mango fruit flavors alongside flinty accents on the palate. This is a joy to consume right now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 95

2021 Stonestreet ‘Upper Barn Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Upper Barn’ is a utterly fantastic new Chardonnay bottling by Stonestreet. Right away on the nose you are allured with layers of tropical fruits and butterscotch alongside juicy pear and suggestions of baking spice dusted pie crust. The palate is rich and dense with a heady concentration and beautiful underlying tension. Finishing exceedingly long, this is a head-turning bottling that will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 96

2018 Stonestreet ‘Alexander Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2018 Stonestreet ‘Alexander Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fantastic new bottling that is already beautifully evolved. This is neatly balanced stuff with cassis, black currants and shades of freshly tilled soils on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy this beautiful, well-structured Cabernet now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93

Clarice Wine Company

One of the famed producers of California Pinot Noir, Adam Lee has been making Pinot Noir for 25 years from Oregon to the Santa Rita Hills. A unique winery project, Clarice Wine Company has a membership of over 600 people. As part of their community members have the chance to interact with each other, sharing wine opinions and wine list guidance, as well as recommendations for wine travel, restaurants, hotels, events and more.

Adam Lee caught the wine bug while in Texas working in wine sales in the 1990s. Fast forward to 1994 he and his wife  founded Siduri which became one of the state’s top producers of Pinot Noir. Their brand grew from 107 cases in 1994 to 25,000 cases in 2015 when they sold to Jackson Family Wines.

Clarice Wine Company is named after Lee’s grandmother who was his closest friend growing up. The wines are sourced from top sites in the Santa Lucia Highlands. I adored the new 2022 Clarice Wine Company ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is rich and powerful with an incredible bouquet. Learn more about this exciting newer winery project at https://claricewinecompany.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Clarice and winemaker Adam Lee.

2022 Clarice ‘Santa Lucia Highlands’ Pinot Noir- Mostly from the Rosella’s Vineyard, this beautiful Pinot Noir is inky dark once in the glass. The texture and level of freshness is outstanding with juicy wild blackberry and loganberry fruit flavors that combine with salty soils and orange zest accents. Finishing long with bright red fruits and copious minerals, this is already drinking beautifully. Enjoy this seriously good stuff now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2022 Clarice ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This stunning Pinot Noir bottling was stored in 50% new French oak and weighs in at 13.7% alcohol. Unfined and unfiltered, this has a wonderfully salty nose with tart red currants and tobacco leaf notes alongside kumquat zest accents. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth mouthfeel. Finishing very long with bright, lip-smacking acidity, this is wonderful stuff even in its heady youth — and can easily go for another twelve plus years. The salty character throughout the drinking experience literally screams terroir. Drink 2023-2035- 95

2022 Clarice ‘Gary’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Like the 2022 ‘Rosella’s’ this comes off very deeply concentrated in the glass. The wine is soft and pillowy on the mouth, showing more of a stony than salty flavor profile. Boysenberry fruits combine with shades of Mandarin orange zest and cinnamon drenched pomegranate seed on the palate. Lithe and polished with a bright sense of underlying tension, enjoy this beautiful Pinot Noir now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2023-2035- 95

2022 Moret-Brealynn ‘Stray Dogs’ Pinot Noir- This beautiful 2022 bottling comes from two vineyards in the Sonoma Coast AVA. The wine saw 30% whole cluster fermentation and offers gobs of juicy pomegranate and guava fruits that collide with crushed seashells and suggestions of orange rind on the palate. This is already beautifully evolved. Drink 2023-2029- 92

2022 Moret-Brealynn ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Moret-Brealynn ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from the Lakeview and Sexton vineyards, as this was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. Beautiful red rose petals combine with damp soils, cigar ash and shades of red cherry compote on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a seamless texture. Juicy and ripe, brimming with heady red fruits, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2029- 92

Upsidedown Wine

Sitting on a call with Upsidedown Winemaker Seth Kitzke, we talked about the upcoming vintages. Seth was unabashedly bullish on the 2022 whites. “You get the fleshy aspects like 2021 but then you also get this stony character that is different” he said. Tasting through the wines I adored the wines texture. That is a hallmark from Kitzke who trained at K Vintners before starting his own project with his wife. “But I think that ’21 reds have great texture” he said. I totally agreed from what I have tried from the vintage thus far.

Upsidedown Wine has produced really great wine since its inception. KItze has a great palate and has tried the great wines of the world. Always attached to the Northern Rhone, he makes rich wines that utilize limited new oak and evoke beautiful nuance. The new wines I tasted came from the 2021 and 2022 vintages. I really loved the 2022 Upsidedown Wine ‘Konnowac Vineyard’ Viognier (OB, 94) which has amazing texture and flavor range, already picking up nutty tones. The best wine I tasted was the 2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Sage’s Wine’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is named after the Kizkes’ daughter and is a barrel select wine that has some beautiful aging potential. Learn more about these beautiful wines at upsidedownwine.com. Here are my reviews of the outstanding future releases by Upsidedown Wine.

2022 Upsidedown Wine ‘Konnowac and WeatherEye Vineyard’ Roussanne- The dense and outstanding 2021 2022 Upsidedown Wine ‘Konnowac and WeatherEye Vineyard’ Roussanne is already drinking beautifully at the one year mark. Macadamia nut and kiwi mark the nose alongside rich honeydew melon and shades of baking spice laced pastry crust on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a seamless texture and glorious sense of length. This is going to really impress you. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2022 Upsidedown Wine ‘Konnowac Vineyard’ Viognier- The 2022 Upsidedown Wine ‘Konnowac Vineyard’ Viognier is a native barrel fermented wine that is showing beautifully right now.  This has a touch of Marsanne and Roussanne added. Very soft and inviting on the mouth, this exudes class with its flavor complexity, displaying a ripe texture, and reveling in its poached pear, cantaloupe and starfruit flavors alongside hints of roasted pineapple and nutty accents on the palate. Drinking beautifully now, enjoy over the next eight years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 94

2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Birds + Flowers + Things’ Syrah- This 2021 Syrah was sourced from the high elevation Equus Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. This comes off very fresh and fragrant on the nose with red rose petals, cigar box, garrigue and smoky tones on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a gorgeous sense of texture. Finishing long, this is killer stuff for the price. Drink 2023-2030- 92

2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Dead Poplar Vineyard Gold Drop’ Mourvedre- Sourced from the ‘Dead Poplar Vineyard’ this saw roughly 40% whole cluster fermentation and was aged in some new 300L oak barrels before bottling. Right away this shows off mulberry and purple rose petal aromatics that collide with white pepper and bacon fat tones. The palate is soft and refined, showing beautiful savory and salty notes alongside venison, bulls blood, iodine, citrus rind and shades of pomegranate seed on the palate. Complex and delicious, the flavor range imparted here is seriously good. Enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 94

2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Dead Poplar Vineyard Gold Drop’ Red Wine- The 2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Dead Poplar Vineyard Gold Drop’ Red Wine is mostly Mourvèdre (59%) with smaller parts Grenache and Syrah, with a dash of Roussanne. While obviously not Grenache dominant, you get this beautiful purity of red fruits from the Grenache alongside tobacco leaf, kumquat zest and shades of smoked pork shoulder. Savory and complex, with a luscious mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2023-2031- 94

2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Sage’s Wine’ Red Wine- A GSM-inspired wine named after Seth and Audrey Kizke’s daughter who was born in 2021, the barrel-select and utterly gorgeous ‘Sage’s Wine’ has a splash of Viognier added in. Stored in roughly 60% new French oak, the wine comes off very elegant and well-balanced, as you can see each working part moving in unison together. Ripe red fruits and citrus rind accents connect well with smoked meats, and the salty/stony accents. Finishing long, this is drinking beautifully right now and will continue to impress for at least another ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 95

2021 Kitzke Sangiovese- This 100% Sangiovese wine comes from a site set on sandy loam, caliche, gravel and basalt soils. Stored in roughly al used oak, this shows off a smooth mouthfeel with layers of black tea, red currants and tobacco leaf with sage on the palate. Nicely textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2021 Kitzke Cabernet Franc- This outstanding 2021 Cabernet Franc opens with beautiful sagebrush and wet stone alongside menthol and cassis notes on the nose. Very soft and polished with a smooth texture, this is beautiful wine that shows good stony and salty accents alongside the core of milk chocolate and wild blackberry. Drink 2023-2033- 93

2020 Kitzke Cabernet Sauvignon- A really good wine made in a tough vintage, the 2020 Kitzke Cabernet Sauvignon offers bitter chocolate and allspice dusted black currant on the palate with wet stone accents on the palate. Drink now. Drink 2023-2027- 90

2021 Kitzke Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Kitzke Cabernet Sauvignon is very youthful and fresh at this point. Blackberries and black currants alongside dark chocolate shavings all mingle well on the palate. Drink 2023-2033- 92

2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Equus’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Equus’ comes from a high elevation site that was formerly a horse farm. Stored in new oak, this comes off inky dark in the glass, this offers lovely garrigue notes on the nose alongside purple rose petals, mocha, tar and allspice. The palate is soft and refined with a great texture. Showing good length and weight, this is beautiful wine that is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Equus’ Reserve Red Wine- The really good 2021 Upsidedown Wine ‘Equus’ Reserve Red Wine is a gorgeous blend that is already drinking beautifully. On the nose this takes on layers of sagebrush, creosote, dark currants and dark chocolate shavings. The palate is plush and refined with a great sense of weight and length. Drink 2023-2033- 94

Argyle Sparkling Wines

For those who know me, I have a longstanding history visiting Argyle Winery. I was a massive fan of the wines made by Oregon bubbles master, Rollin Soles, who was making some of the most electric wines you would find on the west coast. Argyle continues to make some of the most consistently great Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines, being guided now by winemaker Nate Klostermann. Nate is a delight to taste wine with. I won’t soon forget the dosage trials that he guided us on roughly a year ago. One of the great makers of Oregon sparkling wines, Nate creates sparkling wines that show a refined mousse, with serious body and texture.

I was totally blown away with the new 2013 Argyle ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 96) which spent 10 years on the lees and is absolutely brimming with bright acidity and texture. 2013 was a tough vintage for red wines but the sparkling wines from this vintage continue to shine brightly. I adored the 2012 Argyle ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95)  which has achieved greatness through this long aging process. The wine has lovely weight and really has a long way to go int the cellar.  Learn more about these outstanding wines at argylewinery.com and here are my tasting notes from a sensational tasting of Argyle Sparkling Wines.

2018 Argyle ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The 2018 ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine is a dazzling wine made by Nate Klostermann. Once on the nose this takes on layers of brioche and baking spice dusted pear alongside shades of kiwi on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a silky mousse. Rich and layered, this is a deeply concentrated sparkling wine that is best consumed at a warmer temperature. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2019 Argyle ‘Spirit Hill Vineyard Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine- The 2019 ‘Blanc de Noirs’ from the Spirt Hill Vineyard is a deeply concentrated sparkling wine from a cool vintage. This has 15% Pinot Meunier blended in. Rich and viscous, this displays rich Yakima cherry flavors that combine with shades of white peach, juicy pear and suggestions of walnut on the palate. This is refined bubbles that is drinking marvelously now at the near five year mark. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2013 Argyle ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine- The 2013 ‘Extended Tirage’ was disgorged in July 2023. Given 3 G/L dosage, The wine was picked before the rains of the 2013 vintage. On the nose this shows baking spice dusted pastry crust, Pink Lady apple, and juicy peach notes with shades of diatomaceous earth. The mousse is super refined and elegant, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. 60% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay. This is ethereal stuff that is only starting to hit its stride. Drink 2023-2038- 96

2012 Argyle ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine- The 2012 Argyle ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine is a brilliant showing, as this is 40% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay. Mostly sourced from the Knudsen Vineyard, this offers rich red plum and saline drenched nectarine flavors alongside shades of oyster shell. This beauty is really singing right now. Drink 2023-2036- 95

2019 Saint-Julien Second Growth Retrospective

A famed location on the left bank of Bordeaux, Saint-Julien has 11 cru houses and neighbors Pauillac. Soils in this region are largely composed of a top layer of gravel on clay and limestone soil with large rocks. This location has the largest concentration of cru houses in the Medoc. You can see historical roots dating back to the 13th century with a Saint-Julien de Rintrac, potentially Saint-Julien’s earliest name. However, it was the 17th century that led to the first bourgeois and aristocrats, locals and Bordelais starting to understand this terroir.

I recently had the chance to revisit five wines from second growth houses in this region. 2019 was a vintage that is sandwiched between the magnificent 2018 vintage and stunning 2020 vintage. I think this will be an incredibly underrated year. The wines might possess the flavor density of 2018 but have incredible freshness and cellaring potential. That level of undying freshness reminds me a bit of 2005.

Out of the five houses that I tasted, it was a marvelous showing for the 2019 Leoville-Poyferre (OB, 97) which seems to just get better and better in the past decade. This house has been totally transformed with the management of Didier Cuvelier and a brand new facility built in 2014. Look for this house to continue to impress. I was blown away with the dense and heady 2019 Chateau Ducru-Beaucailou (OB, 98) which celebrates its 300th vintage with this wine — a masterclass that has so much cellaring potential. Learn more about these historic second growth houses at https://www.bordeaux.com/us/Our-Terroir/The-Medoc/Saint-Julien and here are my reviews of the beautiful 2019 second growth wines from Saint-Julien.

2019 Chateau Gruaud Larose- The outstanding 2019 Chateau Guiraud Larose is a combination of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. This was stored in 80% new French oak before bottling. Plenty of toasty oak combines with sweet black plum, rich boysenberry and shades of coffee grounds. The palate is super refined and medium to full-bodied with good richness and underlying tension. Drinking marvelously now, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Give this several hours in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2025-2044- 95

2019 Chateau Leoville-Poyferre- The 2019 Leoville-Poyferre combines 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot with the remainder Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Stored in 80% new French oak, this offers graphite and garrigue notes on the nose alongside dark currants and shades of tobacco leaf. The palate shows a seamless texture with beautiful concentration and shades of creme de violette with cassis cordial. Dense and heady, this is a blockbuster wine that will live on for many decades to come. Try to resist this beautiful wine for at least a few more years. Drink 2026-2055- 97

2019 Chateau Ducru-Beaucailou- The brilliant 2019 Chateau Ducru-Beaucailou 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot, the wine celebrates the 300th vintage of this wine. Inky dark in the glass, this offers black rose petals that combine with gravel, black cherry compote and shades of creme de cassis. The palate is seamless and seductive. Medium to full-bodied, this is a stunning wine displaying dizzying black and blue fruits with a light stony and salty character. World-class, try to save this beauty for another four years. Drink 2028-2055- 98

2019 Chateau Leoville-Barton- The 2019 Leoville-Barton combines 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot. Heady aromatics greet you with violets, pencil lead, white pepper and dense dark fruits. The palate is soft and refined with great balance. Medium-bodied dark cherry and boysenberry fruits greet you alongside wet stone and shades of espresso grounds. Already expressing itself nicely, enjoy this beauty over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2044- 95

2019 Chateau Leoville Las-Cases- The stunning 2019 Las-Cases melds together 79% Cabernet Sauvignon with 11% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Franc. Black rose petals combine with cassis, Turkish coffee and shades of graphite. The palate is extremely refined with silky tannins that frame a beautiful core of black and blue fruits with wet gravel and sweet pipe tobacco accents. Sturdy and massive, give this incredible wine another several years to go in the cellar. Drink 2028-2055- 98

Eternal Wines

Today it is my pleasure to share the wines of Buffalo Bills fan Brad Binko. Years ago he graduated from the Walla Walla Community College’s enology and viticulture program,  and for years ran restaurant wine programs in Charleston before making the move to Walla Walla. He is making one of the best Port-inspired wines of the Pacific Northwest.

The winery is a great destination with fun parties in the summer and he has a deft touch with his white wines. I love the new 2019 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Patience’ Roussanne (OB, 91) which shows a soft mouthfeel, with excellent range of flavors. Even better is the spectacular 2020 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Bliss’ Fortified Syrah (OB, 92) which is amongst the finest wines of its kind that you will taste in the state. Decadent and rich with a terrific texture, this is fantastic stuff that really needs a Cohiba cigar! Learn more about these wines at https://eternalwine.com Here are the great new releases by Eternal Wine and Drink Washington State.

2022 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Lust’ Albarino- The 2022 ‘Eternal Lust’ does form the Otis Vineyard. This offers kiwi and green melon tones alongside a fantastic sense of verve, with copious minerals on the palate. Neatly textured, enjoy on a hot summer day. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2019 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Patience’ Roussanne- The 2019 ‘Eternal Patience’ also comes from the Otis Vineyard and saw extensive barrel age in mostly new French oak. Deeply colored in the glass, the Roussanne offers good richness with salted macadamia nut, honeydew melon, and allspice dusted pie crust. Medium to full-bodied, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2028- 91

2018 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Divinity’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from the Dionysus Vineyard in the Columbia Valley, this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a limited production bottling that was made from two barrels. The nose is alluring with tobacco leaf and dark currants that mingle well with graphite and dark chocolate shaving notes. Medium-bodied, this is neatly structured stuff that is already drinking well. Drink 2023-2030- 91

2020 Eternal Wines ‘Eternal Bliss’ Dessert Wine- This fortified wine has been consistently one of the great Port inspired wines of Washington. This 2020 edition has a seamless texture, with a great sense of weight. Dark currant cordial and creme de violette flavors play well with shades of creosote and Black Forest cake on the palate. This is seriously good right now. Drink 2023-2030- 92

NV Red White & Buffalo ‘Lets Go Buffalo’ Red Wine- Made by Buffalo Bills superfan, Brad Binko, this is inky in the glass with medium-bodied black fruit flavors alongside tar and black tea, with chocolate undertones. Nicely structured, enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 89

Epoch

Today we share one of the outstanding producers of Paso Robles. Winemaker Jordan Fiorentini crafts an incredible range of wines — including a world-class Zinfandel and Tempranillo. She has been at the helm for many years and has been producing beautifully consistent wines that show good depth, flavor range and fantastic underlying finesse.

Regardless of vintage these wines seem to shine even in tougher years like 2011. She makes beautiful Rose and whites. I love the new 2021 Epoch Viognier (OB, 94). This is silky and elegant wine that shows fantastic flavor range. Don’t miss out on the incredible 2019 Epoch Tempranillo (OB, 95) which is deep and hedonistic — up there with the finest Tempranillo bottlings you will taste in North America. Learn more about these outstanding wines at epochwines.com. Here are the great new wines by Epoch.

2022 Epoch ‘White’ White Wine- Made from mostly Grenache Blanc and Viognier grapes with a dash of Roussanne blended in. This offers kiwi and star jasmine aromatics on the nose alongside wet stone and cantaloupe tones. The palate is silky smooth and refined with a vibrant sense of verve. Finishing long, this beautiful textured wine is shining brightly even so young. Drink 2023-2030- 93

2021 Epoch Viognier- Coming from the York Mountain Vineyard, the 2021 Epoch Viognier comes off smooth and refined on the mouth. Sweetened gooseberry and starfruit flavors combine with copious minerals and stony accents on the palate. Really good now, showing excellent poise and weight, enjoy this beautiful Viognier now and over the next seven plus years. Drink 2023-2030- 94

2019 Epoch Grenache- The gorgeous 2019 Grenache by Epoch comes from the York Mountain Vineyard. Inky in the glass, you’d think this is Syrah rather than Grenache. Kirsch cordial, coffee grounds and red currant creme flavors all brilliantly combine with citrus rind and stony accents on the palate. Refined on the mouth, and very smooth, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2023-2033- 94

2019 Epoch Tempranillo- A one of a kind wine, the 2019 Epoch Tempranillo comes from the Paderewski Vineyard. The wine is a blend of 85% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano, 6% Syrah, and 3% Grenache, as this beauty was stored in 44% new French oak barrels for 30 months before bottling. It is jam-packed full of rich dark fruit flavors alongside Earl Grey tea, exotic spices and cloves. Full-bodied, with fantastic underling tension, this is drinking marvelously right now and will age gracefully over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2023-2035- 95

2019 Epoch Syrah- The 2019 Epoch Syrah is a generous, gorgeous showing from this vintage. Very dark in the glass, this comes off beautifully perfumed. Loganberry liquor, dark chocolate shavings and mocha tones mingle well with black rose petals on the nose. The palate is plush and refined with a seamless texture. Rich and layered, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2023-2035- 95

2019 Epoch ‘Authenticity’ Syrah- The 100% varietal ‘Authenticity’ comes from mainly the Paderewski Vineyard in the Willow Creek District. Very deeply colored, this offers rich black and blue fruit flavors with Asian spices, pie crust and shades of creosote on the palate. The stony and salty accents really make this tick, as this finishes very long. Decadent and rich, enjoy this heady Syrah now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2023-2035- 95

2019 Epoch ‘Block B’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Block B’ comes from an eastern facing site, Block 13, utilizing Syrah clone 174 vines. Extremely concentrated in its core, the wine shows off heady aromatics of beef drippings, graphite, black tea and huckleberry compote on the nose with black rose petals. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture. Showing a great combination of weight and finesse, this is outstanding Syrah to consume now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2023-2038- 96

2019 Epoch ‘Ingenuity’ Red Wine- Made mostly from Petite Sirah grapes, the heady and intense 2019 ‘Ingenuity’ is already drinking beautiful now at the four year mark. Coming from the Paderewski Vineyard, this beauty is extremely dark once in the glass, reveling in dark rose petal and violet notes alongside Turkish coffee and blueberry compote on the nose. Full-bodied and beautifully textured, this is seamless to consume now and will surely provide drinking enjoyment over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2023-2035- 95

C.L. Butaud

Today we share one of the unique wine stories out of Texas. Houston native Randy Hester knew he wanted to make wine after working in the fine wines division of a major distributor. Hester discovered it was more than just sales for him – he wanted to be in a profession where he could create with his own hands and share the fruits of his labor to elevate the wine drinking experience. In order to gain the right education, training and experience to achieve their goal of making a difference in the Texas wine industry, the couple moved to California in 2006.

After moving to Napa, Hester began as a 36-year-old intern at Cakebread Cellars, eventually working full-time, and coupled his training with viticulture and enology courses at Napa Valley College on nights and weekends. Though his formal education was essential to his growth in winemaking, Hester credits his craft to the world class winemakers that he was fortunate enough to work with, including highly acclaimed winemakers such as Andy Erickson, Michel Rolland, Mike Hirby, and Helen Keplinger, at various distinguished producers including Colgin Cellars, Caldwell Vineyard, Realm Cellars, and Marciano Estate. The Hesters launched Lightning Wines in 2011 and focused on making Grenache and other Rhone varietals. As the final step to the 10-year plan, C.L. Butaud Wines was created in 2014 with a focus on creating high-quality wines that proudly utilize 100-percent Texas grown grapes. Their first Texas harvest took place in 2014 before the couple moved to Austin, Texas in 2017.

C.L. Butaud is an homage to Randy’s great grandfather, named Clet Louis Butaud, who was known as Frenchy. The new wines are a beautiful homage and are consistently very good. I particularly enjoyed the 2021 C.L. Butaud Tempranillo (OB, 91) which shows a beautiful texture and really nice flavor range. Learn more about theses excellent wines at https://clbutaud.com/ and here are my reviews of the new C.L. Butaud wines.

2022 C.L. Butaud Wines ‘Blanc de Noir’ Rose- Made from Mourvèdre, this offers a soft mouthfeel with juicy melon and Yakima cherry notes alongside good tension on the palate. This is really good, nicely textured stuff. Drink 2023-2026- 90

2021 C.L. Butaid Mourvedre- The 2021 C.L. Butaid Mourvèdre is a really nice showing from this vintage. This is brimming with bright red fruit flavors alongside smoky accents and shades of citrus rind on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2023-2029- 90

2021 C.L. Butaud Tempranillo- This 2021 Tempranillo is neatly textured, displaying blood orange zest flavors alongside pulled pork, red currants and shades of white pepper on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2029- 91

2023 Winery of the Year: Quilceda Creek

Friends,

It is my great pleasure to reveal our Owen Bargreen 2023 Winery Of The Year. There were several challengers for the top position this year including HALL, Horsepower and Cayuse Vineyards. I would say that the decision this year was the most difficult out of any years to choose a winner.

The winner is Quilceda Creek, who produced three perfect wines in their 2021 vintage.Quilceda Creek is one of the premier producers for Cabernet in the world. First started by Alex Golitzin more than 20 years ago, Alex’s talented son, Paul, has assumed winemaking duties for many years now and is crafting arguably the finest new world Cabernet Sauvignon you will taste.

Congratulations to Quilceda Creek and their success!

FIGGINS 'Figlia' Vertical Tasting

I think that I blushed a little when I heard about a new FIGGINS wine. ‘This one is going to be Merlot and Petit Verdot” said Chris Figgins. Named after his daughters, I remember being in awe and wondering what ‘Figlia’ might taste like. The FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ is unlike any other wine of its kind. Full-bodied and loaded with fruit and non-fruit flavors, this wine is totally stunning coming from the high elevation FIGGINS estate vineyard, in the foothills of the Bluewood Mountains.

In my opinion the idea behind this wine was to showcase truly how great Petit Verdot is from this site. The PV just needed a good companion to have it play with. Merlot is an interesting blending agent here because it definitely has its own personality from this site. It is also very bold but also smooth and does not typically take on the rich herbal character of the Petit Verdot. The Petit Verdot from this site is truly a monster with massive tannins and loads of blue fruit flavors (think huckleberry and blueberry). Each wine is stored in a small portion of new oak barrels, as this utilizes mostly neutral oak.

Tasting with Chris we were both amazed how these wines had held. For years I have loved this novel wine which is unlike anything made in Washington State. About a month ago I had the great opportunity to taste through every vintage of ‘Figlia’ starting with the incredible 2016 ‘Figlia’ (OB, 96) which was round and generous — quite frankly a joy to consume now. I was absolutely blown away with the 2018 ‘Figlia’ (OB, 97) which was a massive joyride of a wine, with a smooth texture and glorious flavor density. The new wine coming from the 2020 vintage (OB, 96) is already beautifully evolved, with herbal tones and rich dark fruits. The key to these wines is they typically need a few hours of air before consuming. Open one and watch it evolve over several hours. I think you are going to be really impressed.

Consistency is key here as the wines showed well even in challenging vintages like 2019. There was no shortage of flavor density in the 2019. Learn more about these fantastic wines at figginswine.com. Here are my reviews of the incredible FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ wines.

2016 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine- The 2016 ‘Figlia’ is a proprietary blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot. Stored in French oak for 22 months, this offers bright red cherry and black raspberry notes on the nose alongside coffee grounds and green herbs on the nose. The texture is insanely good with beautiful freshness and viscosity. Super juicy and offering loads of mouth-watering acidity, this is simply outstanding. A joy to drink right now, this will cellar well over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2023-2038- 96

2017 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine- Slightly more rustic than the 2016, the 2017 ‘Figlia’ is a fantastic showing. Stored in French oak for 22 months, this offers concentrated red fruit flavors with perfumed aromatics of rose petals and potpourri. Fresh and lively with vibrant acidity and a smooth mouthfeel, this is a stunning wine that has rich power and refined tannins, with great underlying finesse. Give this an hour in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2023-2038- 96

2018 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine- The 2018 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine is a magnificent wine that is made for aging. Loads of chocolate and tobacco greet you on the nose alongside roasted dates and shades of coffee grounds. A total head-turner on the palate, this is seamless throughout they drinking experience with massive black and blue fruits alongside the herbal and stony tones. Refined tannins frame this beautiful wine. Give this at least two hours if opening now. Drink 2023-2040- 97

2019 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine- The elegant 2019 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine might not have the concentration of the ’18 but is drinking marvelously right now. A beautiful core of blackberry, tar and pipe tobacco greet you alongside chocolate and sagebrush notes. Very polished, this is great now but also has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2038- 95

2020 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine- An incredible nose greets you in this fantastic 2020 bottling that is one of the outstanding wines of the vintage. Dried herbs, sous bois, and rich huckleberry fruits combine with mocha and tar notes. The palate is plush and refined with silky tannins that combine with the massive core of black and blue fruits. Sultry and rich, this is beautiful stuff to consume even now. Drink 2023-2043- 96

Chateau Faugeres

One of the electric houses in Saint-Emilion, Chateau Faugeres lies supervision of Pierre-Bernard and his wife Corinne Guisez, Château Faugères' wines reached a pinnacle of quality. This property and Peby Faugères were purchased by the business man Silvio Denz, who also owns Lalique. In 2011 a new winery was inaugurated, designed by the architect Mario Botta.

The wines from this house have been seriously good. I recently had the chance to taste the 2014 Chateau Faugeres (OB, 94) from my cellar. Ripe and beautifully textured, this beauty is really singing right now. It’ll continue to evolve for at least another fifteen years. Learn more about this great right bank house at https://www.instagram.com/chateaufaugeres/ and here is my review of the beautiful 2014 Chateau Faugeres.

2014 Chateau Faugeres Saint-Emilion- This beautiful Saint-Emilion from 2014 combines mostly Merlot (85%) with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It is drinking marvelously now at nearly the ten year mark. Once on the nose this takes on layers of toasty oak with cassis, pencil lead and refined tannins that mingle well with a beautiful core of black fruits. Finishing very long, this plump and round bottling is already drinking right in its wheelhouse. Drink 2023-2038- 94

Elk Cove

I fondly recall roughly fifteen years ago sitting at a table in Maui. I noticed that on the wine menu they had an Elk Cove Pinot Gris. It was very warm and this was going to absolutely hit the spot for me. I love visiting this winery with its scenic location perched high on a hill, with sweeping views of the Willamette Valley. An Oregon wine brand that has been synonymous with consistency, Elk Cove is a five generation family owned and run winery. Back in 1974 Elk Cove was founded after the Campbell family came across an overgrown homestead in the foothills of the Coast Range Mountains.

The five Campbell children helped work in the vineyards at Elk Cove as a family affair.  Adam Campbell took a special interest and stayed close to home for college, attending Lewis & Clark and spending summers on the bottling line. Upon graduation he joined the business year-round to learn the craft of winemaking from his parents. Adam is now responsible for making Elk Cove’s wines. He now oversees six vineyard sites with 380 planted acres. I loved the new wines across the board. The 2021 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc (OB, 92) is fresh and beautifully textured stuff that would pair with a literal cornucopia of foods. Do not miss the 2021 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is deep and concentrated with beautiful red florals. Learn more about these outstanding wines at elkcove.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Elk Cove.

2019 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2019 ‘La Boheme Brut Rose’ is entirely composed of Pinot Noir grapes from the La Boheme estate vineyard. This spent three years en tirage, as the wine opens with a lovely bouquet of red florals alongside cranberry and red cherry candy. Soft and refined, with salty accents, this is drinking beautifully and shows beautiful poise and weight from this slightly cooler vintage. Drink 2023-2031- 93

2022 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc- The 2022 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc comes from old vines that are up to nearly 30 years of age. This was stored in stainless steel before bottling. Once on the nose this takes on delicious kiwi and starfruit tones that mingle well with stony accents. The palate is soft and inviting with a smooth texture and generous melon fruit flavors. This is really good in its mineral-driven youth. Drink 2023-2027- 91

2021 Elk Cove ‘Mount Richmond’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Mount Richmond’ comes from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and comes from younger vines which are roughly six years old. Stored in oak puncheons and concrete eggs for 12 months, this delivers good richness and flavor density. Bright pear and honeydew melon flavors combine with stony minerals, vanilla cream and pie crust flavors. Nicely balanced, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92

2021 Elk Cove ‘Five Mountain’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Five Mountain’ was sourced from this sit-in  the Chehalem Mountains AVA which was purchased by Elk Cove in 2005. The wine is brimming with juicy red fruit flavors with kumquat zest, damp earth and salty accents on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, this is juicy, delicious Pinot Noir that has some really good aging potential. Drink 2023-2037- 94

2021 Elk Cove ‘Clay Court Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 ‘Clay Court’ Pinot Noir spent ten months in 20% new French oak prior to bottling and comes from this hillside site on Parrett Mountain. Sourced from Dijon clonal selections 115, 777 as well as Pommard clone Pinot Noir, this delivers a smooth mouthfeel on the approach with juicy guava, red currant, salmonberry and sous bois notes on the palate. Finishing long, this is a beautiful example of Oregon Pinot Noir from a warm vintage. Drink 2023-2037- 94

2021 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ is a stunning wine made from Pommard clone Pinot Noir from their estate La Boheme Vineyard. Vines at this site are nearly 40 years old. This displays a sterling sense of tension in the mouth. Pretty guava and cran-pomegranate fruit flavors combine with salty soils, white truffle shavings and shades of orange zest. Full-bodied and delicious, watch this beautiful evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2023-2038- 94