Kopke

One of the historic Port houses founded all the way back in 1638, Kopke was founded by Nicolau Kopke and his son Cristiano who came to Portugal as representatives of the Hanseatic League. The House has been run through the generations by several representatives of the Kopke family. Today production is controlled by the Sogevinus Group is responsible for producing a total of 8.25 million bottles, with 7.05 million bottles of Port wine alone. Sogevinus exports 60% of its total wine production to more than 60 countries.

The winery is located in the the Upper Douro, in north-east Portugal, is considered the oldest demarcated and regulated wine growing region in the world and is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site. The Quinta de São Luiz was acquired in 1922 and it became the location where all Kopke’s DOC Douro wines are produced. This location is planted to Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão. There are also small plots of Tinta Barroca and Souzão.

The new vintage port came from the 2022 vintage. The 2022 Kopke ‘Quinta S. Luiz’ Vintage Port (OB, 97) is a heady, mesmerizing wine that has massive cellaring potential. It is nowhere near ready but is marvelous in its full-throttle youth. Learn more about this famed Port house at https://kopke1638.com/history/ and here is review of the new 2022 vintage port by Kopke.

2022 Kopke ‘Quinta S. Luiz’ Vintage Port- A stunning wine from 2022, the 2022 Kopke ‘Quinta S. Luiz’ Vintage Port is a heady, dense and stunning bottling that has a very long life in front of it. On the nose this shows huckleberry cordial and cassis notes alongside espresso grounds and tar. The palate is very dense and viscous with serious underlying tension. A complete wine, watch this evolve for the next thirty plus years. Drink 2035-2060- 97

Andrew Will 'Sorella' Red Wine

Today we present one of the outstanding wines of Washington State in celebration of Washington Wine Month. Andrew Will’s ‘Sorella’ was first made back in 1994. Meaning ‘sister’ in Italian, this was named after Chris Camarda late sister Jane Camarda. The wine is sourced from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. This acclaimed site is truly one of the state’s ‘grand cru’ vineyards. It is amazing that the first grapes from this site were planted back in 1972. Today the Cabernet Sauvignon vines from this original "Block One" site are among the oldest vines in Washington. In 1990, Paul and Judy Champoux began leasing the vineyard land from the original owners. This hot site is located roughly 35 miles from Sunnyside Washington and was originally part of the expansive, 6,600 Mercer Ranch owned by the family of Don Mercer.

Andrew Will is now in its second generation as Will Carmada has served as winemaker now for many years. He is making some incredible wines and makes some killer white wines as well. Learning from his father, Chris, he has wines that show depth and power as well as good poise, with moderate new oak. The wine comes from the 2019 vintage which was a moderate growing season with a cool fall that saw a freeze event halt the growing season. The wine is a knockout wine and truly one of the best produced in 2019. Learn more about this famed winery at andrewwill.com and here is my review of the 2019 ‘Sorella’ by Andrew Will

2019 Andrew Will ‘Sorella’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Sorella’ is a stunning blend of nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (80%) with smaller portions Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, sourced from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Beautiful potpourri notes mark the nose alongside anise, black currants, espresso grounds and suggestions of white pepper. The palate is soft and seamless with plenty of concentration despite the coolness of the vintage. Loaded with a core of red and dark fruits, alongside coffee grounds, dark chocolate shavings and graphite, this is a stunning rendition of this wine that is sure to satisfy for two decades or more. Drink 2024-2044- 97

Archery Summit

Today we share the wines of Archery Summit, one of the historic spots in the Dundee Hills. A gorgeous spot to visit with their cave experience, Archery Summit has sweeping views of the Willamette Valley and is a must visit for those who have never tasted these beautiful wines. Founded by Pine Ridge Winery legend Gary Andrus, Archery Summit sources from a host of vineyards across the valley, as well as estate fruit.

At the helm is winemaker Ian Burch who formerly made wine at Evening Land. He has been doing a really good job with this program. I love the 2023 Archery Summit ‘Vireton’ Pinot Gris (OB, 92) which is fresh with loads of texture and minerality. Even better is the 2022 Archery Summit ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is built to age and shows beautiful red fruits with copious minerals. Learn more about Archery Summit and their great lineup of wines at http://www.archerysummit.com. Here are the excellent new wines from Archery Summit.

2023 Archery Summit ‘Vireton’ Pinot Gris- Coming from a host of Willamette Valley sites, the 2023 ‘Vireton’ offers poached pear, marzipan and starfruit notes alongside a smooth texture with a bright sense of minerality. Medium-bodied, with good verve, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2022 Archery Summit ‘Dundee Hills’ Chardonnay- The beautiful ‘Dundee Hills’ Chardonnay offers brioche and salted peach notes on the nose alongside shades of Pink Lady apple. This is fresh, beautifully textured stuff that is drinking really well in its mineral-laden youth. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2022 Archery Summit ‘Vireton’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Vireton’ comes off more on the linear side with pretty red fruits that mingle well with stony minerals and sea salt dusted orange peel. Drink 2024-2029- 90

2022 Archery Summit ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir- A beautiful wine made in this slightly cooler vintage, the 2022 ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir delivers serious nerve with beautiful pomegranate seed, red currant and tobacco leaf flavors alongside salty minerals on the palate. Medium-bodied and showing good length, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

Groth

For years I have enjoyed tasting at Groth in their beautiful patio area amongst the vineyards.  One of Napa’s historic wineries, Groth Vineyards was founded in 1982 by Judy and Dennis Groth. Prior to starting their winery they found financial success while working for Ernst and Young in the South Bay. Dennis became chief financial officer at Atari and in 1981 they both purchased a large 121 acre parcel of land in Oakville back in m / 1982. These vineyards are on the floor of Napa, right in the prime area for growing beautiful Chardonnay, and Bordeaux varietals. Today, second-generation family member Suzanne Groth leads the business. New winemaker Ted Henry has an impressive resume which includes former stints at jJarvis Estate and Clos du Val. He is making some really beautiful wines. I was so impressed with the 2020 wines and the wines made in 2021 are seriously good.

Check out the beautiful 2023 Groth Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 93) which is dense and fresh with a smooth texture and nutty nuances from the 11% Semillon blended in.  I adored the 2021 Groth ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is amongst the finest editions of this wine that I have ever tasted. Learn more about this great historic winery at https://www.grothwines.com Here are the fantastic new bottling by Groth. 

2023 Groth ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc is an outstanding new wine made from this wine made with great conditions at harvest. The wine has 11% Semillon blended in as this was entirely aged in neutral oak barrels before bottling. Kiwi, gooseberry and shades of cantaloupe all combine on the palate, with nutty accents and beautiful underlying tension. This is seriously good stuff that is one of the finest editions of this wine that I have tasted. Drink 2024-2031- 93

2021 Groth ‘Oakcross’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Oakcross’ was named after Groth’s Oakville Estate that was first planted back in 1973. This edition has considerably less Cabernet Sauvignon than the 2020 bottling —as the 2021 is a silky combination of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 34% Merlot and the remainder Petit Verdot. Violets, tar and espresso grounds mark the nose alongside dense dark fruits. The palate is bright and beautifully textured, with fantastic verve and underlying tension and weight. Everything is in clockwork balance here. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2021 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding new wine that is now in its 40th edition. combines 83% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Merlot and a dash of Petit Verdot. Stored in 50% new French oak, this delivers good richness with loganberry and black currants that parade with stony minerals, coffee ground and shades of graphite on the palate, with loamy soil accents. Delicious now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 93

2021 Groth ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Reserve’ is a stunning new bottling by Groth that shows off its brooding core in the glass. On the nose this takes on layers of dark and blue fruits that mingle well with wet stone, freshly tilled damp soils and suggestions of violets. The palate is dazzling and dense as this effortless glides throughout the drinking experience. Truly delicious now in its heady youth, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next two decades. Drink 2024-2044- 97

Chateau Phelan-Segur

Over the years I have really enjoyed the wines of Chateau Phelan-Segur — one of Bordeaux’s great values for the price. Value might not be synonymous with many wines of the Medoc, but Phelan-Segur has the tendency to deliver regardless of vintage. Chateau Phelan-Segur has a long history, similar to many Bordeaux properties. The Irishman Bernard Phelan bought both Domaine Le Clos de Garamey in 1805 and Ségur de Cabarnac in 1810. Ironically while living in Ireland, Bernard Phelan was a neighbor and friend of Hugh Barton who started the famed Bordeaux estate, Chateau Leoville-Barton. 

After Phelan’s passing in 1841 the estate combined to form Château Ségur de Garamey, which passed on to his son Frank Phelan, who served as mayor of Saint-Estephe for 30 years.  From 1985 to the present,  Chateau Phelan-Segur has been owned by the Gardinier Group of Xavier Gardinier, and famed enologist, Michel Rolland is employed as their consulting enologist, first starting in 2006. Veronique Dausse has been at the helm now for more than a decade. She has really improved the quality of the wines, having had many of the older wines from the ‘00s. The property has a gorgeous setting right on the Gironde river and welcomes guests to taste, with a great culinary experience as well.

Chateau Phélan-Ségur's wine tends to vary in terms of varietal percentages. Typically it is somewhere in the range of near equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (usually slightly more Cabernet Sauvignon) with a small portion of Cabernet Franc. The grapes are initially fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and then aged in oak barriques (50% new) for 18 months prior to bottling. I have had the chance to revisit several of these wines recently from my personal collection and have found them to be showing beautifully. 2017 was a vintage that fell in between two goldilocks vintages, however I think that this is a much overlooked vintage. Tasting better than when I first tried the wine, the 2017 Phelan-Segur (OB, 94) is a dense and decadent wine that really needs about three hours in the decanter right now. Your patience will be rewarded! Learn more about this storied Bordeaux estate at https://www.phelansegur.com/en/ Here are my tasting notes from recent tastings of Chateau Phelan Segur. 

2017 Chateau Phelan-Segur- Very heady and dense in the glass, the 2017 Phelan-Segur really needs a three hour decant if consumed now. Pencil lead and anise mingle well with creme de cassis notes on the nose. The palate is medium to full-bodied and loaded with tension, gravel soils and dense dark fruits. Texturally very beautiful now, and still quite primary, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 94

2011 Chateau Phelan-Segur- Right at its sweet spot, the 2011 Phelan-Segur is a really good wine from a tough vintage. It is considerably more herbal now with medium-bodied cassis and black cherry flavors that mingle well with wet stones and shades of black licorice. This is a wine to consume now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2031- 91

Devona

A hidden gem of Walla Walla, Devona is a world-class producer of Washington and Oregon wines. What began back in college at Oregon State University, Devona is the brainchild of John and Molly Abbott who formerly founded famed Walla Walla house Abeja. Before starting his own winery John worked for famed sites including Pine Ridge as well as Acacia where he was exposed to making world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. He spent ten years with Canoe Ridge Vineyard and 13 years with Abeja, before founding Devona.

The winery sources from a range of famed sites throughout the Pacific Northwest. While at Abeja, John had a national reputation for crafting world-class Chardonnay. I love the new 2022 Devona ‘Rainmaker Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is salty and beautifully textured. Check out the soft and delightful 2020 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Merlot (OB, 94) which is an awesome wine from a tough vintage. Learn more about this fantastic brand of wines at http://www.devona.net and here are my tasting notes on the glorious new Devona wines.

2022 Devona ‘White Salmon Vineyard Chardonnay- A new wine for me in their portfolio, the 2022 ‘White Salmon Vineyard’ was sourced from this steep site ranging from 900-1200 feet. This is lithe, polished and neatly textured stuff that offers white grapefruit zest, cardamom dusted pie crust and shades of white peach on the palate. Juicy and round, enjoy this mineral-laden bottling now and over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2022 Devona ‘Rainmaker Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay is comes from the Rainmaker Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. This is a high elevation site that is a cool climate for the state. This is loaded with texture and salty minerals on the palate with citrus rind and rich pear and nectarine fruit flavors. Well-constructed, this has the weight and tension to cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2022 Devona ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir   is a mostly Pommard clonal selection bottling that is rich with lovely earthy nuance now. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this shows off cloves and red currants on the nose alongside menthol and dusty soil notes. The palate is rich and layered with serious concentration and verve. A glorious core of loganberry and cherry fruits greet you with kumquat zest and damp soils with suggestions of black truffle shavings. Complex and delicious, this is the best Oregon bottling that I have tasted yet from Devona — a total stunner! Drink 2024-2040- 95

2022 Devona ‘Mount Richmond Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Devona ‘Mount Richmond Vineyard’ Pinot Noir come form the Elk Cove estate vineyard. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this offers a gorgeous array of black fruit flavors, with refined tannins and excellent underlying verve. Medium to full0bodied, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years. Be sure to give this beauty an hour in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2024-2040- 94

2020 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2020 ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Merlot is an awesome wine made in a tough vintage. Dense and delicious, this comes off very clean and elegant once on the mouth. Loaded with mocha, tar, black cherry and milk chocolate flavors, the silky texture really makes this glide throughout the drinking experience. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 94

2018 Devona ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2018 Devona ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in mainly new French oak barrels before bottling. Once on the nose his takes on layers of creme de cassis, pencil lead, espresso grounds and violets that all take shape in the glass. The palate is plush and dense with a gorgeous melange of black and blue fruits alongside dusty soils and refined tannins. Full-bodied but also very elegant throughout the drinking experience, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95

2018 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another generous and delicious bottling, the 2018 Devona ‘Bacchus Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon plantings that yield very small berries. The wine begins very smooth on the approach, with soft tannins and a seamless texture. Black cherry compote, tar, menthol and fresh sage all combine on the palate. Showing some serious viscosity and flavor density, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95

2018 Devona ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon-The brilliant 2018 Devona ‘Heart of the Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this famed site that set on Red Mountain. This is an already beautifully evolved wine now at the six year mark. Coffee grounds and scorched earth notes mark the palate alongside graphite, black currants and shades of salty soils. Enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 95

Madeira Report

Madeira: One of the Wine World’s Great Wonders

I’m fully crazy for top notch Madeira. I think that the levels of flavor range achieved in top Madeira are arguably unparalleled. This is not a wine for everyone but it is one that you can learn about and develop a palate for. There is actually a Madeira for all occasions.

‘Madeira’ is a Portuguese name for a carpenter, from madeira ‘wood’ and is also named after the island of Madeira, which was named with Portuguese madeira ‘timber’ because of the timber that grew there. The island was colonized in the 15th century under the patronage of Prince Henry the Navigator, Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira who were all were driven by a storm to the island they called Porto Santo in 1419. Amazingly there is no record of anyone living on this island prior to that time.

Some have suggested that Africans may have voyaged to Madeira, just as the Vikings may have visited. In the fifteenth century the world of refining sugar came to the island to cater to the taste of the Europeans and through the seventeenth century sugarcane production became the island’s primary production.

We know that wine was once produced there but it was not not nearly as popular as their sugarcane production. There are records of of winemaking in Madeira back to the end of the 15th century and also records of preventing wines from spoiling using a neutral grape spirit. During long voyages the wines would be exposed to excessive heat and movement which changed the flavor of the wine. It is likely that this was a catalyst for the current standard of winemaking on Madeira which involves oxidizing the wine through a process of applying heat and also barrel aging the wine. Younger wines are typically crafted by using a method that accelerate the aging process by applying heat in tanks. and the aging potential while the top wines, the colheitas and frasqueiras are produced by the canteiro method. The word"canteiro" comes from the traditional supporting beams on which the oak casks are placed. This process involves the ageing of the wines in casks for a minimum period of 4 years stored under the rafters of warm attics, exposed to the natural warmth of the sun that gently heats the wine.

Wines made in the “canteiro” system are stored in casks by variety name and vintage under old rafters at the lodge. These casks are warmed by the tropical climate and evolve to be highly concentrated. The wines are slowly moved down from the top to cooler temperatures. Because of these methods of production these wines are very long lived and those produced by the canteiro method will survive for decades and even centuries, even after being opened. Wine are typically made in the style of being either dry, medium-dry, medium-rich and rich. All wines are typically between 17 and 21% alcohol. Some varietals used include Sercial, Verdelho, Terrantez, Bual, Malmsey, and Tinta Negra.

It was such a joy reviewing two top producers from Madeira and their beautiful range of wines. I adored the Cossart-Gordon 10 Year ‘Bual’ Madeira (OB, 92) which is a steal and shows intense and heady dark fruits. I love the 1975 Cossart-Gordon ‘Verdelho’ Madeira (OB, 99) which is one of the finest Madeira wines that I have ever tasted. Here are my tasting notes from the recent releases by Cosstart Gordon and Miles Madeira. Learn more about these wines and region at https://www.winesofportugal.com/

Miles

Miles ‘Rainwater’ Madeira- The Miles ‘Rainwater’ Madeira is a fresh and fruity edition of this wine showing red cherry, caramel, sea kelp and orange peel notes alongside shades of bergamot and a lengthy finish. Nutty and red fruit-driven, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

Miles ‘Seco Dry’ Madeira- The outstanding Miles ‘Seco Dry’ Madeira is very nutty with almond paste notes on the palate alongside marzipan, cinnamon and cloves alongside salted kumquat zest. Lively and neatly textured, enjoy over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 91

Miles ‘Finest Medium Rich’ Madeira- Deeply colored, the ‘Medium Rich’ comes off very savory and salty with soy sauce and rich orchard fruits alongside caramelized onion on the palate. Drink 2024-2029- 90

Miles ‘Finest Rich’ Madeira- The outstanding Miles ‘Finest Rich’ Madeira is dense on the nose with browned butter and hazelnuts alongside butterscotch notes. This is indeed very rich and layered with good flavors and flavor density. Drink 2024-2034- 91

Miles ‘5 Year Seco’ Dry Madeira- The really good Miles ‘5 Year Seco’ Dry Madeira is very nutty in its marzipan, praline and hazelnut profile on the nose alongside peaches and shades of Pink Lady apple. The palate is beautifully balanced with good freshness and texture. A joy to drink now, this offers some serious value and would pair well with thrilling range of foods. Drink 2024-2030- 91

Miles ‘5 Year Medio Seco Madeira- The Miles ‘5 Year Medio Seco Madeira is rich and layered stuff that is drinking marvelously right now. On the nose this takes on burnt caramel with banana, orange peel and cloves. This is wonderfully balanced stuff, nicely textured stuff that is great to consume now. Drink 2024-2030- 91

Miles 10 Year ‘Rich’ Madeira- The outstanding Miles 10 Year ‘Rich’ Madeira offers toffee and burnt orange on the nose alongside sandalwood notes. Complex, well-rounded and delicious, this is harmonious stuff that is drinking marvelous now. Enjoy over the next decade or potentially more. Drink 2024-2035- 93

Miles 15 Year ‘Meio Done’ Madeira- The brilliant Miles 15 Year ‘Meio Done’ Madeira is made from Tinta Negra grapes and comprised of 5 different wines blended together. Butterscotch and toasted hazelnuts with cardamom biscotti all mark the palate. Rich and generous, with a silky mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93

Miles 20 Year ‘Rich’ Madeira- The 20 year ‘Rich’ offers beautiful richness and is seamless throughout the drinking experience. Cardamom and orange rind dusted creme brûlée mingle well on the palate with roasted pineapple, dates, and and burnt brown sugar on the palate. This complex wine is drinking marvelously right now, showing really good viscosity and lip-smacking acidity. Drink 2024-2035- 94

2012 Miles ‘Medium Dry’ Tinta Negra Madeira- A brownish red hue, the 2012 Miles ‘Medium Dry’ Tinta Negra Madeira offers salted toffee, coffee grounds, and crem caramel on the nose with banana accents. The palate is soft, round and generous, with a kiss of sweetness from the Mashino cherry notes. Drink 2024-2036- 92

2000 Miles ‘Tinta Negra’ Madeira- The 2000 ‘Tinta Negra’ Madeira is a dense and fluid wine made form the millennium vintage. Dark brown and caramel colored, this offers heady red fruits on the nose alongside biscotti, espresso grounds and caramel sauce notes, with salted pralines. The palate is plush, filled with minerality, tension and depth. Lip-smacking acidity and serious weight mark this incredible wine that has decades of life ahead of it. A total stunner, enjoy now and over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2050- 98

Cossart-Gordon

Cossart-Gordon ‘Rainwater Medium Dry’ Madeira- The Cossart-Gordon ‘Rainwater Medium Dry’ Madeira offers macadamia nut and praline notes alongside white pepper and herbal accents on the nose. Fresh and beautifully poised, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Well-done! Drink 2024-2032- 92

Cossart-Gordon 5 Year ‘Sercial’ Madeira- Golden in the glass, the Cossart-Gordon 5 Year ‘Sercial’ Madeira offers white raisin and creme brûlée alongside candied walnut notes. This is fresh and soft, with salty and green apple accents. Drink 2024-2030- 91

Cossart-Gordon 5 Year ‘Bual’ Madeira- Deeply performed, the 5 Year ‘Bual’ offers honey, star jasmine, sea salt drenched orchard fruits and suggestions of crem caramel. The palate is fresh and beautifully balanced, with good underline tension. Delicious and dense, enjoy now and one the next ten years. This is a steal at around 30 bucks USD. Drink 2024-2034- 92

Cossart-Gordon 10 Year ‘Verdelho’ Madeira-The brilliant Cossart-Gordon 10 Year ‘Verdelho’ Madeira is very approachable with nutty and fruity notes showings seasoned red raspberry and Yakima cherry notes alongside shades of kiwi and Macadamia nut. Beautifully textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

Cossart-Gordon 10 year ‘Bual’ Madeira- Really nicely balanced, the Cossart-Gordon 10 year ‘Bual’ Madeira offers honey and white raisin on the palate alongside roasted dates, cinnamon and clove notes. Fresh and showing good depth, with lovely tension, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2024-2035- 92

Cossart-Gordon 10 Year ‘Malmsey’ Madeira- The incredible 10 year ‘Malmsey’ is made in the full-throttle, rich style, offering butterscotch and toffee notes alongside candied ginger, lemon peel and suggestions of cardamom dusted shortbread. Full-bodied, this is an absolute steal that is drinking beautifully now and will live on for another fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 93

Cossart-Gordon 15 year ‘Bual’ Madeira- This stunning 15 year Madeira opens with toasted hazelnuts alongside creme brûlée, roasted pineapple and suggestions of white raisin and mango on the nose. The palate is fresh and refined with serious tension and a silky mouthfeel. Dense and chewy, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to go. Drink 2024-2035- 93

2008 Cossart-Gordon ‘Single Harvest Malmsey’ Madeira- The outstanding 2008 Cossart-Gordon ‘Single Harvest’ Malmsey Madeira comes from the warmer, southern slopes of the island. This is fresh and vibrant with plenty of nuance, showing candied ginger, tobacco leaf, caramel candy and shades of pie crust on the palate, with delicate red fruits. The lengthy finish lingers. A joy to consume now, follow this over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2006 Cossart-Gordon ‘Single Harvest Bual’ Madeira- The world-class 2006 Cossart-Gordon ‘Single Harvest Bual’ Madeira is beautifully evolved right now. Peach, wet stone and toffee notes combine with shades of macadamia nut mark the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant,  a touch less viscous than the 2008 Malmsey. Light on its feet with its nutty and earthy nuance, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 93

1995 Cossart-Gordon ‘Malmsey’ Madeira- The stunning 1995 Cossart-Gordon ‘Malmsey’ Madeira was bottled in 2023 and was sourced from the São Jorge vineyard on the North Coast of the island. Very dense on the nose, this delivers cinnamon laced bananas foster and roasted dates on the nose alongside suggestions of toffee and espresso grounds. The palate is impeccably balanced with serious weight and underlying tension. This glides throughout the drinking experience. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2055- 97

1978 Cossart-Gordon ‘Bual’ Madeira- Now at more than forty years of age, the 1978 Cossart-Gordon ‘Bual’ Madeira is a simply magical wine that was originally trodden on using the traditional wooden lagares and then aged for more than 40 years in the “Canteiro” method. Tar, white pepper dusted bacon, and Cuban cigar notes mark the nose alongside toasted hazelnuts. The palate is refined and elegant with serious verve and texture. This seems to be drinking right at its peak with its beautiful concentration and balance, with nutty, herbal and light Yakima cherry fruit flavors. A stunning wine, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2038- 96

1975 Cossart-Gordon ‘Verdelho’ Madeira- This stunning wine is nearly fifty years old now., the wine was aged for 29 years in seasoned American oak casks in the traditional 'Canteiro' method. The wine offers firewood, burnt orange, diesel, salted caramel and suggestions of bergamot on the nose. The palate is massively viscous and dense with a near minute-long finish that won’t quit. The incredible finesse drives through the core of the wine, as this is loaded with mouth-watering acidity. Full-bodied and dense, with a silky texture and marvelous opulence, with its core of citrus and red fruits, enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. This is about as close to perfection as it comes for Madeira. Drink 2024-2050- 99

1975 Cossart-Gordon ‘Terrantez’ Madeira- Bottled back in 2020, this magnum bottling of Terrantez comes form this site located south of the island between Funchal and Câmara de Lobos, and in the north at São Vicente. Very deep and rich, this offers roasted pineapple, roasted dates, creosote, butterscotch, toasted hazelnuts, Marello cherry and dried mango all marvelously combine on the palate. Despite the scorched earthy elements, the body of the wine remains elegant, heady and seamless throughout the drinking experience., with serious viscosity. Obviously not for the weary, this is a mind-bending wine that is a joy to consume right now. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2024-2040- 98

Warre's

One of the famed Port houses of the world, Warre’s makes an incredible range of wines that are readily available in North America. Founded in 1670, Warre's is the first and the oldest British port company established in Portugal. By the end of the 18th century, Warre's had become one of the leading port companies, shipping 2,937 pipes in 1791, 10% of the total sold by 21 companies in that year. Andrew James ('AJ') Symington arrived in Porto in 1882 aged just 19. After a short stint working at Graham's Port and then running his own small port shipping operation, he became a partner of Warre & Co in 1905 and then became the sole owner in 1908.

Warre's sources its grapes from the Quinta da Cavadinha in the Pinhão Valley, as well as Quinta do Retiro, Quinta da Telhada, Quinta do Alvito and Quinta das Netas. The new wines were really enticing. I was particularly impressed with the Warre’s ‘Otima’ 20 Year Tawny Porto (OB, 93) which was dense and also showed beautiful freshness. The 2020 Warre’s Vintage Port (OB, 98) is a mesmerizing wine that is nowhere near ready but has massive cellaring potential. Learn more at https://www.symington.com/brand/warre-s-port and here are my reviews of the new wines by Warre’s.

NV Warre’s ‘Heritage’ Ruby Porto- Fruity in its red cherry and red raspberry profile, this is dense and rich but comes off hot. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2028- 88

NV Warre’s ‘King’s’ Tawny Port- The NV Warre’s ‘King’s’ Tawny Port also is quite fruity in its dense core of red fruits with cloves and caramel notes. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 89

NV Warre’s ‘Warrior’ Port- The NV ‘Warrior’ comes from Warrior comes from sites in the Pinho and Rio Torto valleys that produce Warre’s Vintage Ports. Right now this is highly approachable, loaded with dark fruits and chocolate flavors that mingle well with good tension and graphite notes. Drink now. Drink 2024-2028- 89

2010 Warre’s ‘Late Bottled Vintage’ Porto- This beautiful, ready to drink wine offers red cherry and red currant with Cuban cigar notes on the nose alongside sweet peach accents. The palate is dense and flavorful with loads of rich red fruits that parade with a light tension. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 90

NV Warre’s Fine White Porto- The NV Warre’s Fine White Porto shows off honeydew melon and lychee notes that combine with nutty accents on the palate. Smooth and nicely textured, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 89

Warre’s ‘Otima’ 10 Year Tawny Porto-A gorgeous bottling for the price, the Warre’s ‘Otima’ 10 Year Tawny Porto offers toffee, roasted dates and nutmeg drenched pie crust notes on the nose alongside coffee grounds. The palate is soft and elegant, as this is both rich and dense yet has a beautiful weightless appearance mid-plate. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

Warre’s ‘Otima’ 20 Year Tawny Porto- This 20 year tawny opens with white raisin, dates and rich red fruits with burnt orange on the nose. The palate is seamless and dense, loaded with richness and flavor density. Fabulous now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034-93

1992 Warre’s ‘Otima’ Colheita Port- The 1992 Warre’s ‘Otima’ Colheita Port is a marvelous showing that is right at its peak. Orange peel, cinnamon and cardamom dusted pastry and shades of caramel cake all combine on the palate. Fresh and viscous, with nutty accents, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2017 Warre’s Vintage Port- This beautiful vintage Port comes Cavadinha as well as the the two Touriga varieties which were sourced from the Quinta da Telhada. Violets, tar and Turkish coffee notes mark the nose alongside shades of creme de cassis. The palate is heady and also very elegant with depth and concentration — and a finish that doesn’t want to quit. A total head-turner, this will easily live on for three decades to come. Drink 2035-2055- 97

2020 Warre’s Vintage Port- A stunning wine that has more than a decade to hit its stride, the mesmerizing 2020 Warre’s Vintage Port is composed of a field blend of vines ranging from 80-100 years of age coming from the Quinta da Cavadinha (53%) and Quinta do Retiro (47%) vineyards. The wine takes on mocha, tar and anise alongside creme de violette notes on the nose. The palate comes off as weightless and complex, with bright tension that runs through a hedonistic core of black and blue fruits, alongside Turkish coffee grounds and shades of creosote. Leaving no doubt of its full-throttle and brooding nature, this needs at least another decade to evolve in the cellar — but the potential absolutely is there. Drink 2038-2060- 98

Toil Oregon 'Reserve' Pinot Noir

It has now been more than a decade that Toil Oregon began with a production of 200 cases. Chris Figgins always wanted a vineyard in the Willamette Valley. In 2016 he got the nerve to plant in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. His Toil wines have been met with incredible acclaim as the program makes a Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Rose that is one of the finest you will taste in the Pacific Northwest. For my palate these wines have improved over the years, becoming slightly smoother and weightless upon entry.

With the 2021 vintage Chris started a reserve program to highlight the finest barrels of his Pinot Noir. Last year’s edition was a gorgeous wine and this years is even better. The 2022 Toil ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) is taken from this cooler vintage than ’21 but is somehow showing more dense and also weightless than last year’s wine. This is one to satisfy any collector of great Oregon wine. Learn more about this great winery at toiloregon.com Here are the brilliant new wines by Toil Oregon. 

2022 Toil Oregon ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- This is now the second edition of this wine which is a barrel selection made by famed winemaker Chris Figgins. It is a dense, hedonistic and intense Oregon Pinot Noir bottling that is a notch better than last year’s edition. Once on the nose this takes on heady boysenberry notes alongside cloves, freshly tilled salty soils and suggestions of Hoisin sauce. The palate is rich and voluptuous with serious texture and good underlying tension. This seamless bottling is drinking marvelously right now and will surely live on for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2024-2042- 96

Willamette Valley Vineyards

It was a long journey from Seattle down to the cozy confines of Salem, Oregon. Located right off I-5 I was well-fed and well-caffeinated before I started my visit with Willamette Valley Vineyards and winemaker Terry Culton. Culton is a longtime veteran of the Willamette Valley. Initially inspired by his mentor Kenneth Volk, founder of Wild Horse Vineyard and Kenneth Volk Vineyards, Terry worked the “Pinot Trail” in California’s Anderson Valley and Oregon’s Willamette Valley. He first worked at Willamette in 1997 as Willamette Valley Vineyards Cellar Master, supervising the cellar crew and managing inventory as well as the bottling line.

From there, Terry went on to develop a 20-year career making acclaimed wines for several California wineries, including work at Calera in Hollister, California, where he worked with the pioneering Pinot Noir maker Josh Jensen. Terry left Calera to work with Hoffman Mountain Ranch’s vast plantings of Rhône Varietals. Terry had the itch to start his own winery in California. He eventually founded Culton Wines, which produced mainly Rhône varietals and blends in small lots from ultra-premium Central Coast grapes. He is very talented and experienced. . . and an absolute blast to chat wine with. Originally from Canada, we barrel-tasted as he shared stories from his celebrated career. We tasted through several of his top bottlings which were really outstanding. The best wine I tasted was the 2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Fuller’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is deep, fleshy and entirely delicious — an intense bottling from this warm vintage. I can’t wait to see what is next from Culton and the team. Learn more about these outstanding wines at wvv.com and here are my reviews of the premium wines by Willamette Valley Vineyards.

2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Vintage 48’ Chardonnay- This comes from vines planted back in 1973. The wine was stored in 25% new French oak for ten months before bottling. Poached pear and nutmeg laced brioche combine with banana on the nose. This shows beautiful texture and salty character on the palate, with a great core of citrus and melon fruits. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2018 Elton ‘Florine Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir- This 2018 is one of their library release offers red rose petals and orange peel with bergamot and shades of salty soils on the nose. The palate is silky smooth with serious texture and good weight and length, with plenty of salty minerals from the marine sedimentary soils. Drink 2024-2036- 93

2021 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Fuller’ Pinot Noir- This 2021 bottling is named after Bill Fuller who is the original founder of the Tualatin Estate Vineyard. He continues to consult with Willamette Valley Vineyards. Black truffle and black cherry combine with shades of boysenberry and volcanic soils on the nose. Fresh and beautifully textured, woven together with copious minerals, this is a gorgeous bottling that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2024-2040- 95

Cristom Vineyards

Today we share one of the greats of Oregon that is all about sustainability and servitude to the land. Cristom Vineyards hosted me for a visit and tour a week ago. This is one of the most gorgeous spots that you will find in the Willamette Valley. Over the years Cristom has gained world-wide acclaim for their single vineyard Pinot Noirs. More recently they have been really improving their Chardonnay program.  I have found that their  Mt. Jefferson Cuvee has been one of the great values out of Oregon.

This was now my second visit with winemaker Daniel Estrin who serves as both winemaker and vineyard manager, having formerly served at Red Car as well as Craggy Range in New Zealand before landing his position Littorai. He has made a wonderful impact to Cristom on the winemaking side. I love the 2022 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Viognier (OB, 94) which is arguably the finest Viognier that I have ever tasted from the Willamette Valley.

Even better is the 2022 Cristom Vineyards ‘Royer Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is concentrated and pure, with bright tension. Check out more about these outstanding wines at https://www.cristomvineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new releases by Cristom.

2023 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Gris- The 2023 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Gris was all fermented and aged in stainless steel with no lees stirring. Japanese pear and nutmeg drenched French bread mark the nose alongside white peach. The palate has a lush texture with outstanding texture and a brilliant sense of weight. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2022 Cristom ’Louise Vineyard’ Viognier- The 2022 ‘Louise Vineyard’ comes from this site set on Columbia River Basalt soils. Made from mainly estate fruit, this was stored in neutral oak, concrete and stainless steel vats before bottling. A vibrant color, this delivers lychee and nutty accents alongside shades of baking spices and honeysuckle. This is deep and concentrated wine that has great tension and finesse with salty nuances. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2022 Cristom ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay is a beautiful wine that was stored for 11 months in oak and then five months in stainless steel before bottling. The wine shows beautiful freshness and tension wit ha soft mouthfeel. Loads of Meyer lemon and orchard fruits combine with shades of salted green melon on the palate. Drink 2024-2031- 93

2022 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Louise Vineyard’ was stored for 11 months in only 22% new French oak before bottling. This utilizes clone 95 which was planted back in 1995 — and only one acre is planted. Golden in the glass, this delivers serious weight and texture with salted honeydew melon, white peach, starfruit and salty minerals. Finishing long, this is beautiful Chardonnay that is already showing really well. Drink 2024-2038- 95

2022 Cristom ‘Royer Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Royer Vineyard’ is located on the west side of the hills, looking down the Van Duzer Corridor and is a late ripening site. Stored in only 76% new French oak before bottling, this offers loads of mouth-watering acidity and finesse. Pear and juicy kumquat combine with stony minerals on the palate. A totally dazzling wine, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2038- 95

2022 Cristom ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- Stored in 22% new French oak for 11 monnths,, this undercut 52% whole cluster fermentation. A killer value, the Oregon, the 2022 ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ shows off teaberry and cranberry notes on the nose alongside wet gravel and suggestions of orange peel. The palate is juicy and round with loads of mouth-watering acidity and rich, tart red fruit flavors with orange peel, tobacco and salty soil accents. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2022 Cristom ‘Jesse Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Cristom ‘Jesse Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this very steep site (up to 30% grade) in the Eola-Amity Hills. This south-eastern aspect site has influence from the Van Duzer Corridor. This beautiful wine was given 30% new French oak before bottling, and given 58% whole cluster fermentation, the Pinot Noir shows off mandarin orange rind notes alongside fresh mint, wild blackberry and shades of damp soils. The palate is refined and elegant with a silky texture and good sense of weight. This is just a baby right now so give this beauty another year in the bottle. Unfined and unfiltered. Drink 2025-2044- 95

2022 Cristom ‘Marjorie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Marjorie Vineyard is right in the middle for the hillside, sitting on a portion of the bench. This was the only planted area that was there when the site was purchased in 1992. Stored in 36% new French oak for 17 months this offers  tart pomegranate seed and black truffle shavings alongside diatomaceous earth and shades of Linzer torte. The palate is plush and soft with copious minerals and salty soil accents. This world-class wine has some massive potential in the cellar. Drink 2025-2045- 96

2022 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Louise’ was given 58% whole cluster fermentation. The site is usually picked a touch on the earlier side to harness the tannins of the Pinot Noir at this eastern-aspect location. Black florals and seaweed combine with shades of black licorice on the nose. The palate is plush and refined with serious weight and tension. Rich and refined, with serious texture and mouth-watering acidity, this really needs another year of bottle age to come together — but you can see the potential! Drink 2025-2045- 95

2022 Cristom ‘Eileen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Cristom ‘Eileen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from the highest part of the estate where there is a strong influence from the Van Duzer Corridor which produces small berries and small clusters. Black florals combine with blackberry jam alongside Satsuma orange peel and shades of volcanic stones on the nose. The palate has serious flavor density and a juicy core of black and red fruit flavors. Delicious now, this could easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2022 Cristom ‘Paul Gerrie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A total knockout wine the 2022 Cristom ‘Paul Gerrie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was given 50% whole cluster fermentation and was stored in only 17% new French oak before bottling. This wine comes from the northern end at the Cristom Estate that was fist planted back in 2014. The nose is alluring with beautiful violets, menthol, wild blackberry and suggestions of cardamom. The palate is plush and soft wit ha refiled texture. Strangely this powerful wine is the most evolved of the single vineyards. A total stunner, enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2024-2045- 96

Dunham Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Retrospective

It was a meeting of the minds at Dunham on Draft Day 2024 as we eagerly awaited both a spectacular tasting and the Seahawks future draft selection. It has been several decades since I first tasted at this famed Walla Walla outpost. Dunham Cellars, one of Walla Walla’s iconic wineries, was founded by the Dunham family in 1995. Over the years I have found that Dunham crafts some of the most consistently good overall lineups in the state. These are wines that exude value and consistently overdeliver for the price.

Dunham relies on the talented hands of winemaker Rob Campisi, who was formerly assistant winemaker at Dunham. Rob trained under eminent Washington winemaker, Dan Wampfler and he crafts quite a wide range of wines including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Trutina (Bordeaux style blend), Three Legged Red (red table wine) and the "Shirley Mays" Chardonnay, a dedication to Eric's grandmother.  

We were tasting every vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon from 1998-2011 which was an unbelievable experience. There were a few surprises in terms of highlights. One of the biggest surprises was the 2000 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 92) which was amazingly good and flinty as some of the fruit came from the En Cerise Vineyard. A wine that was no surprise was the 2002 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 92) which is still shining brightly and showed deep concentration and texture from this brilliant vintage. The finest showing was the 2007 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which was deep and rich, showing similarly to my last tasting of it from a 3L.  We were also shocked how good the 2011 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 91) was showing. This was one of the better wines I have recently tasted from this vintage that had very difficult harvest conditions. Learn more about these beautiful wines at dunhamcellars.com Here are the great new wines by Dunham Cellars.

1998 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The 1998 shows damp earth and wild mushroom notes aromatically. Fresh and showing good richness, enjoy now and love the next few years. This is a really impressive effort. Drink 2024-2029- 90

1999 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The 1999 Cabernet Sauvignon stored in a combination of French and American oak, this offers layers of truffle, black currants and salty earth on the palate. Even more impressive than the ’98, with a tad more stuffing, enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 91

2000 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2000 is a really well-made wine from a tough vintage. Amazingly this has a high percentage of fruit that was sourced from the En Cerise Vineyard owned by Christophe Baron. Salty and savory with wild blackberry fruit character this is seriously good. Roughly 50% new French and American oak. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2001 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2022 Cabernet bottling also has a touch of En Cerise Vineyard involved. Dried sage and mint combine on the nose alongside wild blackberry. This shows good finesse with dark currants and coffee ground notes. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2002 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- Nicely textured this 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon has good finesse and lift, showing dark currants, chocolate and sagebrush notes. Tobacco notes really entice here as this is showing nicely now. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2004 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon shows good body with brace currant cordial, mocha, tar and creme de cassis notes on the palate. Soft and refined, enjoy now. Drink 2024-2028- 91

2005 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon offers garrigue alongside tar, pipe tobacco and marionberry compote on the nose. The palate is lithe and shows good freshness with lighter to medium bodied black fruits with herbal notes. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2006 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2006 Dunham Cabernet was sourced from the Lewis and Double River Vineyards and was stored in French and American oak. The nose is beautifully perfumed, as this shows good weight and finesse. Concentrated black currants and boysenberry fruit flavors combine with espresso grounds. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2007 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning wine that is showing beautifully right now. Mocha, tar and creme de cassis notes com bine with salty earth. Beautifully structured and plush on the mouth, enjoy now. I have formerly enjoyed a 3L of this wine and can attest that the wine still has a long way to go. Drink 2024-2032- 94

2008 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- Refined and delicious, this 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a deep core in the glass. This shows concentrated loganberry and black cherry concentrate alongside espresso grounds. Very refined with good structure, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2009 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2009 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous nose aromatically with sagebrush and shades of oregano alongside black cherry,  espresso grounds and tar. The palate is plush with a refined texture and serious texture on the palate. Right in its sweet spot, enjoy over the next seven years to come. Drink 2024-2031- 92

2010 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2010 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful wine that comes off a touch on the leaner side but will provide drinking enjoyment now. Once on the nose this takes on crushed sage and mint notes that combine with coffee grounds and wild blackberry. The palate is soft and refined with good structure. This is a bit lacking weight. Drink 2024-2027- 90

2011 Dunham Cabernet Sauvignon- One of the biggest surprises of the tasting, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon is nicely herbal with good structure. This shows good concentration considering the coolness of the vintage. Mocha, tar and sagebrush combines with coffee grounds. No reason to cellar this excellent 2011. Drink 2024-2029- 91

De Lancellotti

One of the bright houses in Oregon, De Lancellotti is a prime producer of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Over the years this house as emerged as a top class winery that has been incredibly consistent. Paul and Kendall de Lancellotti founded their own winery nearly two decades ago. They chose to plant their own vineyard in 2001 which was 16 acre Chehalem Mountain parcel focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It was 2005 when this house started, utilizing the winemaking talents of Robert Brittan who serves as consulting winemaker for de Lancellotti.

Sitting with Paul we tasted through the new lineup. 2022 was a crazy year that had warm temperatures at harvest that essentially saved the vintage. I adored the 2022 De Lancellotti ‘Estate’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is big, round and viscous. It is a dazzling Chardonnay that has the stability to cellar for another fifteen years to come. Learn more about these great wines at  http://www.delancellottifamilyvineyards.com/ Here are the great new wines by de Lancellotti.

2022 De Lancellotti ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. This shows bright pear and Meyer lemon blossom on the nose alongside toasted hazelnuts on the nose. The palate is viscous and rich with a silky texture and beautiful tense of underlying tension. A total stunner, enjoy this dense and tension-filled wine now and over the next decade. Drink 2024-2038- 95

2022 De Lancellotti ‘Famiglia’ Pinot Noir- Mainly Dijon clone 777, the 2022 ‘Famiglia’ was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. The nose shows off cranberry and red cherry notes alongside damp earth and suggestions of blood orange zest. The palate is round and generous with a silky texture and beautiful sense of salinity. Rich and dense, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 93

2022 De Lancellotti ‘Ornelia’ Pinot Noir- This bottling is always all 114 clonal selection Pinot Noir. All sourced from the estate vineyard, the wine was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. This shows wild blackberry and shades of white truffle on the nose alongside juicy black cherry on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture, loaded with rich red fruits. Salty and savory, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2038- 94

2022 De Lancellotti ‘La Corsia’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 De Lancellotti ‘La Corsia’ Pinot Noir was stored in mainly used French oak (25% new) before bottling as this utilizes 50% 667 and 115 clones that were fermented together. Beautiful red florals mark the nose alongside Lizer torte, red currants and salty soils. The palate is beautifully textured and soft with a great sense of length. Drink 2024-2038- 93

2022 De Lancellotti ‘La Sorella’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir comes from their estate and Sun Dog Vineyards in the Laurelwood AVA. This is juicy and delicious stuff offering a dense core of bright red fruits with citrus rind and salty accents on the palate. Drink 2024-2032- 92

Avennia 'Oliane' Vertical Tasting

Today we share one of the great wines of Washington that isn’t a red wine. The Avennia ‘Oliane’ was born to push the envelope for white wines made in Washington, crafting a world-class Sauvignon Blanc wine. The idea was focusing more on Sauvignon Blanc as winemaker Chris Peterson explained “Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. . . I feel like I had done that at DeLille Cellars. But aging in the oak and less gives you that texture and you don’t really need the Semillon. This was going to focus on Boushey Vineyard and then in 2012 there was not much there and I had to look into other sites. We had an acre at Red Willow from 2006 and we got that. Since the 2012 it has been this blend which changes depending on the vintage.”

Sauvignon Blanc from Red Willow and Boushey are very different according to Peterson as he stated “Red Willow is higher acid than Boushey. By itself Boushey can be bigger and more dense and more ripe than you might want. Red Willow has years where it can get tart and lean so by having the blend we don’t have to adjust anything. The minerality and kind of diatom character comes from Red Willow.” Today he has found that both sites beautifully compliment each other.

I tasted through the vintages of ‘Oliane’ and was massively impressed with how stable the wines were even in tough vintages for white wines. There is little doubt that 2015 was a massively difficult vintage for white wines. The grapes were picked on August 19th to start. Peterson explained “We picked at lower sugar and higher acid than 2014. I took a spreadsheet from the previous year and sorted it by pick date and we are looking at the order that things come in and I was kind of new then. We picked at lower brix in 2015 than in 2014. It seemed like it was ready.”

This program began with a small portion of new French oak and by 2016 they moved to just a tiny amount of new wood. 2016 was the first year when they did a concrete egg ferment and then they kept adding concrete eggs to the program. The best wine I tasted was the dazzling 2018 ‘Oliane’ (OB, 95) which is dense, viscous and full of life.  Learn more about this program at avennia.com and here are my reviews of the brilliant ‘Oliane’ vertical tasting.

2014 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- The beautiful 2014 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc is a dense and delicious wine that is showing brilliantly at the ten year mark. Honeydew melon and marzipan collide with smoky minerals and suggestions of kiwi on the nose. This is shockingly fresh with salty minerality. Drink 2024-2029- 93

2015 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- Soft and delicious, the 2015 ‘Oliane’ is a delicious wine that shows beautiful freshness and mouth-watering acidity from this tough vintage. Green apple, lemon rind and copious minerals on the palate. The diatom nuances really impress. Drink 2024-2029- 92

2016 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2016 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc is a stellar showing in this warm vintage. On the nose this takes on wet stone with kumquat blossom, green apple and pear notes. The palate is fresh with serious tension and verve, with plenty of stony minerals. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2017 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2017 ‘Oliane’ was stored in a tiny amount of new French oak prior to bottling. Nutmeg dusted pie crust, almond paste and shades of cantaloupe fill the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with serious tension — tasting essentially like a new release wine. A total knockout, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032- 94

2018 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2018 ‘Oliane’ offers honey, marzipan, Japanese pear and shades of peach on the palate, with serious tension and richness. Full-bodied, with plenty of nerve, this is a benchmark example of Washington Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2024-2031- 95

2019 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2019 ‘Oliane’ is a brilliant bottling made in a tough vintage that was considerably cooler than 2018. Cantaloupe, pear and shades of macadamia nut combine on the nose. This is salty and delicious stuff, with copious minerals and good length. No reason to cellar this beauty. Drink 2024-2030- 93

Review: The Nines Portland

Still one of the great places to stay in the Pacific Northwest, I remember my first visit to The Nines shortly after they opened back in 2008. Sixteen years later this is still a world-class spot to stay.

Check-in was a breeze as the lobby is located up an elevator to the 8th floor. Hospitality has been very good here over the last few stays and this was exemplary.

Since opening in downtown Portland back in 2008, The Nines has 331 rooms and 13 suites making it one of Portland’s largest hotels. It’s restaurant, Urban Farmer, is located on the 8th floor while it’s chic rooftop bar and Lounge, Departure, is on the top floor.

Room quality: The best rooms are the corner rooms which are larger and also feel larger. The rooms still appear as modern and chic. My room had a large couch that looked great in its hotel teal theme. I think that these are some of the best looking rooms in the Pacific Northwest region, on par with The Four Seasons, Hotel 1000 and The Thompson in Seattle. This blue theme is hip and glamorous almost akin to the famed Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.

Bathrooms are beautiful and large. They also have Byredo luxury products which are an incredible fragrance company out of Australia. You will smell very good after your shower as these products are align with what you would get at a Ritz-Carlton. Water pressure was normal to be expected. Carpet in the room is thick and the room was very clean with no dust. One of the most surprising things is the room has not been remodeled in over fifteen years but it is still very modern-looking. They were very future-forward with their design back in 2008.

Service was friendly and on-point. I called the front desk and they answered right away. The concierge was thoughtful and answered questions I had about the weekend and my stay.

The bar area is stylish and functional with better than average wine stems and also an espresso machine that came in handy for my early morning wakeup call. There is a ice machine on the floor if you want to chill drinks. There is also a small fridge in the room.

Arguably my favorite part of the room is the large and extremely comfy bed. I had two beautiful rests in my room. The room was quiet and is very sound-proof for light sleepers like me. Rooms in the middle of the floor are going to be slightly more noisy. The hotel did not seem very busy which is one of the great parts about staying here. You don’t wait for elevators, there are not long lines at the front desk and the lobby is expansive. These things make the hotel feel bigger than it actually is.

My room had a little view of the park. Generally the higher floor rooms are quieter and further from the riff raff that you will find on the ground floor in downtown Portland. The sofa was soft and functional and there is a little seating area. The high rooms even have a view of the mountains and river. Mine was on the 8th floor so it wasn’t quite high enough for that.

I like the little seating area in case you want to relax, read or have people over. This room was definitely large enough for entertaining several other people. The smaller rooms that The Nines have would not be large enough for that.

The rooftop bar, Departures, is a worth a visit, with sweeping views of the entire city. While I didn’t get a chance to visit this spot on my visit, I’ve really enjoyed relaxing up there.

After a great rest I went to their outstanding restaurant, Urban Farmer, for some breakfast. The restaurant is an expansive space that is located adjacent to the front desk on the 8th floor. I have eaten at this restaurant more than 20 times. I think this is one of the great hotel restaurants that you will find in the Pacific Northwest. The wine list is awesome here and they make some killer cocktails.

There is a great looking bar in the front where I have formerly indulged in several outstanding cocktails. This morning I was seated on a corner area where there was an outlet so I could charge my computer.

I ordered a coffee which was expensive but excellent and their crab omelette. At 30 bucks, this is a dish that has to be absolutely nailed — and it delivered for those 30 bucks! Shocking but true, it was huge and filled with delicious crab and wild mushroom. The hollandaise on top was fresh and perfectly balanced to connect with the rich, briny crab. Service was awesome here which is something that you rarely find in downtown Portland.

As you can see this was just an incredible dish. It is no exaggeration that this is the best breakfast that I have had all year.

After the meal I ran over to the gym which was located on the 7th floor. There was a professional soccer club from Mexico working out there but the space was large enough to accommodate them and me. I appreciate that they have free weights that go above 50 lbs as many hotels do not have this. As a larger man it is really gratifying to get a fantastic workout in pushing heavy weights before a long day.

Bottom Line: This is an expensive hotel. Staying here was $250 bucks plus over 60 dollars for parking. There are cheaper parking garages close to the hotel. That said, when you consider the other hotel options in downtown Portland, I think that this is arguably the best choice. The Ritz in Portland is new but commands a considerably higher price. I found my last stay at The Sentinel to be inferior to The Nines. Sixteen years in and The Nines for me is still where I want to stay in downtown Portland.

Hazelfern

As I sat across Hazelfern owners Bryan and Laura Liang, we talked about some winery nuances. We all agreed that one of the hardest things for a winery is dealing with patrons’ respective fragrances. A single person doused in cologne or perfume can permeate across an entire winery! Hazelfern is producing some of the most electric Chardonnay and Pinot Noir out of Oregon right now. Bryan and Laura Liang quit their corporate jobs 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.

The 2021 wines were amazing by them and so are the new wines from 2022 which was a vintage saved by a warm autumn. I adore the 2021 Hazelfern ‘Little Hells’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is dense and jam-packed full of orchard and citrus fruit flavors.  which is very fresh and vibrant with layers of citrus and orchard fruits.  I adore the 2022 Hazelfern ‘Prime Cut’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which has a serious combination of weight, tension and flavor complexity. Learn more about this outstanding winery at https://www.hazelfern.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Hazelfern.

2023 Hazelfern Rose- This 2023 Rose was stored in all stainless steel before bottling. Watermelon and bright peach mark the nose alongside red raspberry. This is soft and fresh with copious minerals on the palate with pretty red rose water notes. Drink 2024-2029- 91

2021 Hazelfern ‘Little Hells’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Little Hells’ Chardonnay comes from the Laurelwood District as this was stored in 30% new French oak before bottling. The wine features Dijon clones 76, 95 and 96. Very deeply colored in the glass, the wine opens with baking spice dusted brioche alongside pear and juicy nectarine notes. The palate shows beautiful viscosity and length with rich orchard and citrus fruits with vanilla cream accents. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2022 Hazelfern ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir was stored in 22% new French oak before bottling. It comes from a range of sites in the Willamette Valley. Rich loganberry and black cherry alongside black tea notes mark the nose. The palate is very bright and plush with a smooth texture, loaded with crunchy red fruits. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Hazelfern ‘Three Cedars Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This comes from a site farmed by Jessica Cortell, as the wine was stored in 25% new French oak before bottling. The offers beautiful red cherry and pomegranate seed notes on the nose alongside shades of bergamot and wet stone. Very fresh, this delivers loads of mouth-watering acidity on the palate, with very bright red fruits and citrus rind accents. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2022 Hazelfern ‘La Belle Promenade’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir comes from a volcanic soil site that is high elevation. Stored in 23% new French oak, this delivers rocky soils on the nose alongside tart red fruits, blood orange zest and shades of white truffle shavings. The palate is lithe and fresh with serious tension and loads of tension. Finesse-driven and bright, only 13.2% alcohol. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2022 Hazelferun ‘Prime Cut’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Prime Cut’ is a barrel selection wine that was stored in 35% new French oak before bottling. Wild blackberry and black currants with anise mark the nose alongside exotic spices. The wine shows beautiful flavor density and tension with loads of salty minerals and stony accents. Great now, enjoy this beauty over the next twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 95

2022 Hazelfern ‘Sea Ghost’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Sea Ghost’ comes from three locations set on Marine Sedimentary soils. Stored in 25% new French oak this offers diatomaceous earth and salty red fruits on the nose with kumquat rind notes. The palate is refined and loaded with bright acidity and juicy red fruits. A joy to consume now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 95

2022 Hazelfern Trousseau- Coming from the estate property, this 2022 Trousseau was stored in all neutral oak barrels before bottling. Loaded with Asian spices this offers tart red fruits on the nose with pink peppercorns. The palate is loaded with peat moss with bright red fruits. Outstanding now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

Open Claim

Today we share the outstanding wines of Open Claim. Open Claim has now for years been making some of the state’s premier Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Started in 2014 by Marnie and Brett Wall, Open Claim creates a bigger style of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are complete wines with a beginning, middle and end. They use a limited amount of new oak, despite their fleshy character.

Tony Rynders is easily one of the Pacific Northwest’s finest winemakers Formerly with Hogue and Domaine Serene, Tony crafts some incredible wines for his own label, Tendril. He has been the winemaker at Open Claim and is doing an incredible job with this site.

2021 was a seamless vintage throughout Oregon with warm temperatures and limited heat spikes. I adored the new 2021 wines. The 2021 Open Claim ‘Fauna’s Wood’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is a total stunner that will live on for wo more decades — and is beautiful now in its full-throttle mode. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.openclaimvineyards.com/ Here are the brilliant 2021 and older releases by Open Claim. 

2017 Open Claim ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- A world-class wine made by winemaker Tony Rynders, the 2017 Open Claim Chardonnay is loaded with texture and weight with good underlying tension. Brioche and Japanese pear flavors combine wth salted macadamia nut and lychee. Exotic, big and burly, don’t serve this beauty too cold! Highly enjoyable now, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 95

2017 Open Claim ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 Open Claim Pinot Noir offers black truffle and Mashino cherry on the nose alongside black raspberry notes. The palate is silky and refined with soft tannins that frame a generous core bf red and black fruits. Delicious and polished texturally, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 95

2022 Open Claim White Pinot Noir- A total knockout wine and truly one of the best of its kind that you will find, the burly and bold 2022 Open Claim White Pinot Noir was made without skin contact. Very golden in the glass, this offers deep cashew nut and strawberry notes on the palate alongside honeydew melon, and suggestions of salty soils. Full-bodied and dense, with a refined texture, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 95

2021 Open Claim ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- A dense wine made in a warm vintage, the 2021 Open Claim Pinot Noir opens with a beautiful bouquet of red rose petals, tar and tobacco leaf alongside black raspberry notes. The palate is heady and refined with serious weight, length and texture. Blackberry and black cheery notes mingle well with shades of freshly tilled loamy soils and cardamom dusted orange peel on the palate. Delicious now, watch this evolve over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2042- 95

2021 Open Claim ‘Fauna’s Wood’ Pinot Noir- This beautiful 2021 Pinot Noir is a heady, black-fruit driven wine that is already nicely evolve at the three year mark. On the nose this shows beautiful black florals woven together with shades of anise, wild blackberry and bing cherry. The palate is plush and soft, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Dense dark fruits parade with peat moss and stony minerals on the palate. A joy to consume now, enjoy this beauty over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2044- 96

Sattlerhof

A winery steeped in history, the Sattlerhof family have lived in Gamlitz, Austria, since the late 1880s. The winery began with Wilhelm Sattler Senior and his wife Aloisia laying the foundation for success beginning in the 1960s. Today the two Sattler brothers, Willi and Hannes, are leading the estate with the new generation by their side. The Sattlerhof winery is now responsible for 40 hectares (99 acres) of organically farmed vines in some of the region’s most famous vineyards, including “grand crus” Kranachberg and Pfarrweingarten.

The wines were sensational across the board, putting Austrian Sauvignon Blanc on the map as a spectacular varietal that is flourishing in this region. Wines were dense and heady with beautiful flavor range. I adored the 2020 Sattlerhof ‘Ried Kranachberg’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 93) which is beautifully textured stuff with bright acidity and tension. I was blown away with the 2021 Sattlerhof ‘Trockenbeerenauslese’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 100) which is the finest examples of the varietal that I have ever tasted. Learn more at https://sattlerhof.at/ and here are my reviews of the beautiful new Sattlerhof wines.

2023 Sattlerhof ‘Sudsteiermark’ Sauvignon Blanc- Under screw cap, the 2023 Sattlerhof ‘Sudsteiermark’ Sauvignon Blanc shows green apple and petrol notes alongside freshly cut grass on the palate. Drink 2024-2028- 88

2020 Sattlerhof ‘Ried Kapellenweingarten’ Sauvignon Blanc- The outstanding 2020 Sattlerhof ‘Ried Kapellenweingarten’ Sauvignon Blanc shows a smooth mouthfeel with serious weight and tension. Melon fruits mingle well with lemon oil and grassy notes on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2020 Sattlerhof ‘Ried Kranachberg’ Sauvignon Blanc- The really good 2020 Sattlerhof ‘Ried Kranachberg’ Sauvignon Blanc offers honey and rich cantaloupe flavors that mingle well with Japanese pear and copious minerals on the palate. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2022 Sattlerhof ‘Gamlitz’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2022 ‘Gamlitz’ shows off serious texture and tension once on the mouth. Juicy lime and green papaya combine with shades of walnut and orange peel accents. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2021 Sattlerhof ‘Auslese’ Sauvignon Blanc- The outstanding 2021 Sattlerhof ‘Auslese’ Sauvignon Blanc is golden in the glass, offering sweet peach, apricot and pie crust notes on the nose alongside suggestions of marzipan. The palate is hedonistic and complex with a bright acid backbone. Serious tension weaves through a palate of melon and tropical fruits, with a seamless texture. Enjoy this total stunner now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2039- 95

2021 Sattlerhof ‘Beerenauslese’ Sauvignon Blanc- Coming from their estate vineyard set on Sand, gravel, shell limestone, the 2021 Sattlerhof ‘Beerenauslese’ Sauvignon Blanc offers an insane array of aromatics from white peach, honeydew melon, roasted pineapple and gardenia blossom. The palate is dense and bold with serious tension and minerality with every sip. This is nearly impossible stuff to put down once opened. Dense and nervy, showing more tropical fruit flavors at this juncture, enjoy over the next twenty years to come. But why wait? Drink 2024-2044- 97

2022 Sattlerhof ‘Trockenbeerenauslese’ Sauvignon Blanc- Quite honestly the finest Sauvignon Blanc wine that I have ever tasted, the 2021 2021 Sattlerhof ‘Trockenbeerenauslese’ Suavignon Blanc is nothing short of perfection in a bottle. Dense, viscous and full of bright underlying finesse, this runs the gamut of flavors from tropical and melon fruits to deep citrus oil, creme brûlée and butterscotch notes. A sumptuous, deeply-concentrated bottling, this beauty will surely live on for another twenty plus years to come. A whopping 215 g/l residual sugar. Drink 2024-2050- 100

Fritz Wieninger

Austrian winemaker Fritz Wieninger grew up in the family heurigen (wine taverns), serving wines produced by his mother, who was one of the first female graduates from the Klosterneuburg - Enology Program. Today, Fritz Wieninger is the leading wine producer in the city of Vienna and is a champion of Gemischter Satz, a traditional field blend and a favorite wine in Vienna’s heurigen. Fritz concluded that biodynamic farming was essential to have the best possible wines. The basis of this decision was founded on the belief that healthy soil would promote natural vineyards that would allow flora and fauna to thrive. The Wieninger family cultivates their vineyards in the Bisamberg, in the 19th district, and the Nussberg, in the 21st district of Vienna, which is also where the Wieninger Winery is located. A wide range of wines results from these two areas, whose climates differ due to the separation created by the Danube River.
Here are my reviews of the new wines by Weninger.

2022 Fritz Wieninger‘Weiner’ Gruner Veltliner- The 2022 Fritz Wieninger ‘Weiner’ Gruner Veltliner offers good freshness with kumquat and peach notes alongside Gravenstein apples and wet stony accents on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 90

2022 Fritz Wieninger ‘Nussberg’ Riesling- Very nervy and a touch lean, this offers petrol notes alongside lemon and lime zest with stony minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 90

2021 Fritz Weininger ‘Ried Preussen’ Riesling- This is impressive and dense dry Riesling that offers a serious texture and depth on the mouth. Marzipan and honeydew melon combine with nutty and earthy accent on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2021 Fritz Wieninger ‘Ried Kaasgraben Sievering’ Gruner Veltliner- Golden in the glass, the 2021 Weninger ‘Ried Kaasgraben Sievering’ Gruner Veltliner delivers serious richness and flavor density on the mouth, as the unctuous texture coats the tongue. Yellow plum, brioche and shades of nectarine all combine with pink grapefruit blossom water on the palate. Showing good astringency and weight, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2021 Fritz Wieninger ‘Gemischter Satz’ White Wine- The 2021 Fritz Wieninger ‘Gemischter Satz’ White Wine offers beautiful texture with white peach and gooseberry notes alongside pear and green apple flavors with serious mineralality on the palate. Medium-bodied, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 91

2020 Fritz Wieninger ‘Select’ Chardonnay- Golden in the glass, the 2020 ‘Select’ Chardonnay shows off pear, baking spice dusted pie crust and vanilla cream on the palate, with good tension and density. This is seriously good stuff that will cellar well for another eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2021 Fritz Wieninger ‘Grand Select’ Chardonnay- More dense than the 2020 bottling, this outstanding wine shows peaches and rich pineapple on the palate alongside shades of pastry crust and baking slices on the palate. Dense and heady, with serious viscosity, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

2020 Fritz Wieninger ‘Select’ Pinot Noir- The 2020 Fritz Wieninger ‘Select’ Pinot Noir shows off damp earth, dried cranberry and sage notes on the nose. The palate is soft and fresh with plenty of earthy elegance and a gorgeous core of tart red fruits. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2021 Fritz Wieninger ‘Grand Select’ Pinot Noir- Intense nan beautifully fragrant, the 2020 ‘Grand Select’ Pinot Noir shows a glorious core of red fruits alongside tobacco leaf, orange peel and suggestions of loamy soils. Full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2018 Fritz Wieninger ‘Wiener Trilogie’ Red Wine- Very approachable now, this delivers a soft mouthfeel with menthol and Linzer torte flavors alongside shades of eucalyptus on the palate. Enjoyable now, savor over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 90

FIGGINS

Happy Washington Wine Month to you all. Today we share one of the truly outstanding Bordeaux style wines made in our state. FIGGINS is an iconic brand started more than a decade ago by Chris Figgins of Leonetti fame. This is a year to celebrate for Chris Figgins as he has now completed his new winery at the FIGGINS estate vineyard. This is a Napa level of hospitality at this scenic site, with its beautiful tasting room and elaborate caves underneath. A long time in the making, the winery is one of the great spots in the Pacific Northwest to taste, with expansive views of the entire valley.

Each year their Estate Red Wine is a combination of varietals year to year but focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon from this high elevation site set on loess soils. I know that they have been slowly adding more Petit Verdot into this blend as this site arguably produces the finest Petit in the state. This is always a proprietary blend that is stored now in almost half neutral barrels before bottling. The wine is extremely age worthy as I have tasted wines from ten years of age and they still have a long way to go in the cellar. They can be somewhat austere upon release and need a lot of air or time in the decanter if you don’t have the patience to cellar them.

The new fall 2024 release wine comes from the warm and outstanding 2021 vintage which was a show-stopper throughout the state. Very few boring or lean wines were made this vintage. This is a wine that beautifully showcases the warmth of the vintage. It is a deep, concentrated and bold blend that will easily cellar well for another two decades. Learn more about these fantastic wines at figginswine.com. Here are my review of the new 2024 fall release 2021 FIGGINS ‘Estate’ Red Wine.

2021 FIGGINS Red Wine-  A proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, the stunning 2021 FIGGINS Red Wine was stored in 57% new French oak prior to bottling and is entirely sourced from their estate vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. It shows off its sexy, inky core, reveling in violets, dark currants, sweet pipe tobacco and loamy soil notes on the nose. The palate is plush, deep and concentrated, with serious structure, tension, weight and depth as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Everything is in clockwork balance here, as the green herb, iron, dark chocolate shavings and graphite tones from the Petit Verdot mesmerize, alongside the dense dark fruits from the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A complete wine, this is truly one of the finest ever made by winemaker Chris Figgins. Try to cellar this beauty for another two years. Drink 2026-2046- 99