Alexana

Today we share one of the beautiful spots in Oregon. Alexana was founded many years back by Dr. Madaiah Revana, a famed cardiologist. Named after Dr. Revana’s daughter,  Alexana has a stunning setting in the Red Hills AVA. The winery utilizes both gravity flow and Gold LEED certification. Tresider Burns handles winemaking, formerly being head winemaker at White Rose. The wines have been consistently great for many years.

There were so many beautiful wines that I tasted and I love the 2022 Alexana ‘Signature’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is dense and has a terrific richness.  Check out the 2022 Alexana ‘Landslide Blocks’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a world-class wine that has beautiful salty and stony elements. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at http://www.alexanawinery.com Here are the great new release wines by Alexana. 

2023 Alexana ‘Hillsides’ Pinot Gris- The ‘Hillsides’ comes from their estate vineyard as well as a vineyard in West Linn that was planted back in 1980. The wine saw extended less contact which added texture to this bottling. Green apple and cashew nut alongside honeydew melon all combine on the palate. Elegant and silky with a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2022 Alexana ‘Signature’ Chardonnay- This 2022 ‘Signature’ Chardonnay is a stunning new bottling from this cooler vintage. The palate is refined and deep with concentrated melon and citrus fruits alongside pie crust accents. Delicious. Only stored in 30% new French oak but this has a very Montrachet feel. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2022 Alexana ‘Gran Moraine’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2022 Alexana ‘Gran Moraine’ Chardonnay delivers salted peach and Macadamia nut notes on the nose. The palate is refined and beautifully textured with great tension and weight. Delicious now, watch this evolve over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2022 Alexana ‘East Blocks Volcanic Soils’ Pinot Noir- The beautiful 2022 Alexana ‘East Blocks Volcanic Soils’ Pinot Noir comes from original 2003 plantings at the top of the vineyard. Smoldering stones and red currants combine with red raspberry and lavender notes on the nose. The palate is deep and concentrated with serious tension and good richness. Smooth throughout the drinking experience, this is a beautiful 2022 that is built to age — but is also delicious in its juicy youth. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2022 Alexana ‘Landslide Blocks’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Alexana ‘Landslide Blocks’ Pinot Noir is an undulated site which includes intermixing marine sedimentary and volcanic soils. This is both salty and rocky on the palate, with a beautiful core of guava, red cherry, and loamy soils with orange peel accents. Smooth and refined, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Only 7% new French oak. Drink 2024-2039- 95

2022 Alexana ‘West Blocks Sedimentary Soils’ Pinot Noir- A salty and savory wine, the 2022 Alexana ‘West Blocks Sedimentary Soils’ Pinot Noir. This comes off a bit reticent on the nose with pure red fruits with citrus blossom notes and loamy soils. The palate is fresh and very saline-driven with a beautiful purity of red fruits. Drink 2024-2036- 94

Ambassador Wines of Washington

An outstanding house on Red Mountain, Ambassador Wines of Washington began their journey twenty years ago back in 2004. Under the vineyard management of Dick Boushey, the Ambassador Vineyard is a warm site planted to a host of varietals, from Grenache to Cabernet Sauvignon. Ambassador has a tasting room in the Woodinville Warehouse District which is a wonderful spot to try their awesome range of wines. Winemaker consultant Tom Rinaldi, formerly with Provenance and Hewitt wineries in Napa, makes a brilliant range of wines from this estate vineyard. He did a great job with the 2020 vintage and the wines from 2021 are even better. Check out the 2021 Ambassador ‘Envoy’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is dense and soft wine with some good aging potential. Learn more about this great lineup of wines at http://www.ambassadorwinery.com Here are the new wines by Ambassador Wines of Washington

2023 Ambassador ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- This 2023 ‘Boushey Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc was stored in a small portion of oak, as well as concrete eggs and used oak before bottling. The nose shows nice nutty tones from the Semillon blended in alongside white florals and cantaloupe. The palate is soft and fresh with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2023 Ambassador Rose- Mostly Syrah, this 2023 Rose shows pretty red rose petals and cranberry tones alongside damp earthy notes. The palate is fresh and polished with a pretty core of tart and fruits with citrus rind accents. Drink 2024-2028- 91

2021 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Malbec- The 2021 Malbec by Ambassador is a beautiful wine that is showing beautifully right now. Violets and tar combine with anise and shades of blueberry compote on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with a refined sense of texture and verve. Layered with concentrated black fruits and espresso grounds with pencil lead, this is showing beautifully right now. Drink 2024-2038- 93

2021 Ambassador ‘Envoy’ Red Wine- This 2021 ‘Envoy’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (57%) with the remainder Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Anise, and cassis notes combine with green bell pepper, tar and black licorice on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with firm tannins that hold in a place a generous core of dark fruits. Drink 2024-2039- 93

2021 Ambassador ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon - The 2021 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 11% Malbec blended in. Stored in only 21% new French oak, this offers tobacco leaf, anise, dark currants and dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Showing good viscosity, with mouth-watering acidity, this is a great showing right now. Drink 2024-2039- 93

2021 Ambassador ‘Estate Plenipotentiary’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Ambassador ‘Estate Plenipotentiary’ Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% varietal that was stored in 86% new French oak before bottling. The palate is plush and soft with a seamless texture and good sense of weight and length. Tar, black licorice and blackberry compote combine with anise and pencil lead on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2021 Ambassador ‘Estate Plenipotentiary’ Syrah- The outstanding 2021 Ambassador ‘Estate Plenipotentiary’ Syrah is wonderfully smoky and savory on the nose alongside black currants, smoked meats and sour sauce notes on the nose. The palate is smooth and soft with a refined texture. Generous and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

Balboa

Today we share an excellent producer in the Walla Walla Valley. Balboa was founded in 2005 as the winery has spent the past 20 years maintaining a small production, sourcing 95% of their grapes from our estate vineyards, located in the “Rocks District” of Milton Freewater.

Wines range from fresh Gruner Veltliner to concentrated Carmenere. Tyler Grennan serves as winemaker and has been at the helm since 2019. The wines were excellent. I really enjoyed the 2023 Balboa Gruner Veltliner (OB, 91) which is fresh and vibrant with a soft mouthfeel. Learn more at balboawinery.com and here are my reviews of the new Balboa wines.

2023 Balboa Gruner Veltliner- Lime zest and orange peel combine with shades of kiwi on the nose. The palate is neatly structured with a smooth mouthfeel. Juicy melon fruits dominate this mineral-laden bottling. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2023 Balboa Sauvignon Blanc- Coming from the Walla Walla Valley, this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc delivers freshly cut grass and lemon zest notes on the palate with a smooth texture. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2021 Balboa Grenache- Red cherry candy and guava mark the nose on this 2023 Grenache. Juicy red fruits combine with orange zest on the palate and salty soils. Delicious now, enjoy over the next six plus years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2021 Balboa Carmenere- A unique bottling for the Walla Walla Valley, this 2021 Carmenere delivers green bell pepper and rich dark fruits on the palate, with shades of graphite and dark chocolate shavings. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032-92

2021 Balboa ‘Reserve’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Reserve’ Syrah is a limited production wine coming from the famed Stoney Vine Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks District. The wine screams terroir on the palate with smoldering cobblestones alongside Hoisin sauce and Umami alongside seaweed and wild blackberry notes. A complete wine, showing truly outstanding flavor range, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 94

2020 Balba ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘Reserve’ is sourced from the Walla Walla Valley and has only 148 cases made. Creosote and dense dark fruits combine with dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Despite the obvious challenges of the vintage, this is a really good effort. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 91

Roederer Estate

Today we share one of the greats of the Anderson Valley. The 580 acre estate produces range of sparkling wines including their top wines — L'Ermitage and L'Ermitage Rosé. The wines are constantly great. They also cellar remarkably well. Check out the great value NV Roederer Estate ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which over-delivers for under 50 bucks. This shows very pretty florals and red fruits with great tension and salty undertones. which is fresh and beautifully textured with a very pretty red fruit profile. Dense, massive and possessing a magical sense of mouthfeel, the 2017 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) is a must buy for any serious collector of new world bubbles. Learn more about this outstanding sparkling wine house at https://roedererestate.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Roederer Estate.

NV Roederer Estate Sparkling Wine- The delicious NV Roederer Estate Sparkling Wine is a blend of 60% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir that was aged on the lees for more than two years. Brioche and walnut notes combine with kumquat rind on the nose. The palate displays a refined mousse with plenty of tension and salty minerals. Drink 2024-2030- 92

NV Roederer Estate Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Roederer Estate Rose Sparkling Wine is an awesome value that combines Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.. Given 8 G/L dosage, this delivers delicate red fruits on the palate, with blood orange zest, copious minerals and wet stone. Medium-bodied with a soft mousse, enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2024-2031- 92

2020 Roederer Estate ‘Clark Road Vineyard’ Sparkling Wine- Coming from the Anderson Valley, the Clark Road Vineyard which is a cooler site of the valley. The blend is 76.8% Pinot Noir and 23.2% Chardonnay as this was given a relatively lower dosage at 5 g/L. Big and rich, this offers serious weight and beautiful verve. Plump melon and citrus fruits combine with shades of candied ginger and stony minerals on the palate. A stunning wine, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2036- 94

2017 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Sparkling Wine- A stunning wine, the 2017 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Sparkling Wine combines 52% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir with the remainder Pinot Meunier. About 5% of reserve wine from 2012 vintage was used. This is big and bold with a reined mousse and serious sense of weight. Loads of salty minerals combine with brilliant red raspberry and cantaloupe as well as brioche flavors. Finishing long with serious tension, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 96

2015 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2015 Roederer Estate ‘L’Ermitage’ Rose Sparkling Wine is a gorgeous bottling that still has a long way to go. Bright red fruits march on with mandarin orange zest and shades of wet stone on the palate. A joy to consume now, with serious weight and lift, enjoy over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 96

Domaine Anderson

2021 Domaine Anderson ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- Coming from several sites throughout the Anderson Valley, the 2021 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay was stored in nearly all neural oak prior to bottling. Nectarine and kiwi flavors mingle well with nutty accents on the palate and vanilla cream. Showing good length, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2020 Domaine Anderson ‘Walraven Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2020 ‘Walraven Vineyard’ offers flint and whipping cream on the palate alongside pears and juicy peach. Medium-bodied and fresh, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 91

2021 Domaine Anderson ‘Dach Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Dach Vineyard’ comes from this Anderson Valley site, and was mainly stored in neutral oak before bottling. Translucent in the glass, this offers tart red fruits on the palate alongside salty and loamy soils, tobacco leaf and shades of orange zest on the palate. Delicious and very mineral-laden now, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2036- 93

2018 Domaine Anderson ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. Cran-cola and raspberry notes mark the nose alongside damp soils. The palate is soft and loaded with juicy red fruits alongside shades of kumquat zest and salty minerals. Really enjoyable and lithe on the mouth, savor this over the next ten years. Drinks 2024-2034- 92

Grounded Wine Company

Josh Phelps has deep roots in the California wine community. Raised in a winemaking family, he was exposed to the industry from a young age. He continued to build his knowledge of the business through college, selling wine, working harvests, and creating wine for friends with his father, Chris Phelps.

He helped form Grounded Wine Company, a value wine brand that has been making some really nice wines. The new releases I tasted were from Napa and Paso Robles. I really enjoyed the Rhone style blend the 2022 Public Radio Red Wine (OB, 90) which is rich and filled with bright red fruits. Lear more at https://www.groundedwineco.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Grounded Wine Company.

2022 Steady State Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Steady state shows pencil lead and cassis on the nose alongside shades of blackberry compote. The palate is fresh and deep with good texture and richness. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 90

2022 Public Radio Red Wine- A Rhone-inspired blend, the 2022 Public Radio Red Wine delivers juicy red fruits on the palate with orange peel, salty soils and shades of smoked meats on the palate. Rich and slightly sweet, enjoy now. Drink 2024-2030- 90

Chateau Gazin

A house with a beautiful history on the Right Bank, Chateau Gazin Pomerol is an unclassified, property yet the estate is clearly one of the great properties in Pomerol. The estate has 26 hectares planted to nearly all Merlot (90%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Annual production averages 8,000 cases of the Grand vin Château Gazin, and 2,000 cases of l'Hospitalet de Gazin.

Early in the 20th century the estate became the property of the Bailliencourt dit Courcols family. The current proprietors are Nicolas, Christophe, Laure et Inès de Bailliencourt dit Courcol, and Mickaël Obert serves as winemaker. I tasted their 2017 wine which was pure Pomerol with its earthy expression of soil. Learn more about this fabulous Bordeaux house at https://www.gazin.com/en/ and here is my review of the 2017 Chateau Gazin.

2017 Chateau Gazin- Rich, layered and full of soil character, the 2017 Gazin really needs a few hours of air to get going. Once on the nose this takes on layers of black truffle and damp earthy soils alongside shades of blackberry compote and espresso grounds. Medium to full-bodied, with fabulous underlying verve, make sure to decant this for several hours if enjoying now. Drink 2024-2042- 94

Pepper Bridge and Amavi

Today we share one of the outstanding joint houses in Walla Walla — Pepper Bridge and Amavi. Born and raised in Switzerland, Winemaker Jean-François Pellet is a third-generation wine grower. He is an incredible talent that worked with his father before coming to the Walla Walla Valley back in 1999. Pepper Bridge founder Norm McKibbon saw the potential in Pellet and made him Pepper Bridge winemaker. The brand has been going strong ever since. In addition to being winemaker at both Pepper Bridge and Amavi, Pellet is a partner in Artifex, the largest custom crush facility in Walla Walla, as well as the Octave Vineyard.

I sat with Pellet and tasted his new wines in August. These were beautiful bottlings that were remarkably consistent. His Amavi brand offers some seriously good value. I love the 2023 Amavi Semillon (OB, 92) which is very fresh and vibrant with serious texture. He did amazing work with his Pepper Bridge program and I adored the 2021 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 94) which has a classic feel in terms of freshness, with good stuffing. These wines start around 50 dollars in price, rising to 75 and up. Learn more at pepperbridge.com and amavicellars.com and here are the gorgeous new red wine releases by Pepper Bridge.

2023 Amavi Semillon- This wine has 15% Sauvignon Blanc blended in. Nutty accents mark the palate with an oily texture. This has beautiful richness and poise with walnut and rich melon flavors with hints of Meyer lemon rind alongside outstanding tension. Mainly sourced from the Les Collines Vineyard, enjoy now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2023 Pepper Bridge Sauvignon Blanc- Stored in a small amount of new French oak, this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc saw constant lees stirring before bottling. Right away this offers honeysuckle and lemon blossom on the nose alongside shades of kiwi. The palate is soft and refined with serious tension and salty minerals on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2023 Amavi Rose- A gorgeous wine from this vintage, the 2023 Amavi Rose is made from Cabernet Franc grapes and then was stored in stainless steel with some lees stirring before bottling. Red currant and red cherry flavors mingle well with melon and citrus rind accents on the palate. Showing good depth, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2022 Amavi ‘Walla Walla’ Syrah- A blend of 89% Syrah with the remainder Grenache, this comes from mainly the Les Collines Vineyard in the Walla Walla valley. Stored in mainly neutral oak puncheons this offers juicy blackberry and black currant aromas alongside garrigue and wet stone on the nose. This comes off refined and juicy, loaded with citrus rind and dense dark fruits with lip-smacking acidity. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2021 Amavi ‘Les Collines’ Syrah- This 100% varietal wine comes from the Les Collines Vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Denselt colored in the glass, this offers black olive tapenade and bacon fat notes alongside violets and black tea notes. The palate has great poise and depth, loaded with dense dark fruit and herbal accents. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2021 Amavi ‘Stone Valley’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Stone Valley’ comes from the Walla Walla Rocks District ‘ and saw some stem inclusion (60%). Umami, oyster sauce and black truffle shavings all mingle well with wet stone on the nose. The palate is salty and savory with loads of freshness and great flavor density. This is a killer rendition of this wine that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2024-2031- 95

2021 Amavi ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Wallla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon has smaller portions of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec blended in. Dried sage and black currant jelly combines with coffee grounds on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with herbal accents alongside lush dark fruits with a silky mouthfeel. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2021 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine-  The 2021 Amavi ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine combines near equal parts Merlot and Malbec with 24% Cabernet Sauvignon and 9% Petit Verdot. This shows loaded of chocolate and dried herbs on the nose alongside dense blackberry and boysenberry fruit aromatics. This is seamless wine that is dense upon entry with beautiful length. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 95

2021 Pepper Bridge ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2021 Amavi ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Red Wine comes from this famed site in the Walla Walla Valley. A blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon with 14% Merlot and equal parts Malbec and Petit Verdot, this was stored in 46% new French oak before bottling. Rich cassis and espresso grounds mark the nose alongside soy sauce and dried sage. The palate offers velvety tannins that frame a core of generous dark fruits with graphite and herbal accents. Drink 2024-2039- 95

2021 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine- This beautiful wine combines 42% Cabernet Franc with 36% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Violets, tar and tobacco leaf mark the nose alongside heady black fruits. The palate is beautifully poised and dense with a silky texture and good sense of underlying tension. Elegant and bright, this will age gracefully for another twenty years to come. Drink 2024-2042- 95

2021 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of sites throughout the valley, mainly from the Seven Hills Vineyard. A combination of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with small parts Malbec, Merlot and Petit Verdot, this delivers beautiful dark fruits that parade with espresso grounds, sagebrush and shades of graphite on the palate. Refined and elegant, with firm tannins, enjoy this beautiful bottling over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 94

Heitz Cellar

One of the great historic sites in the Napa Valley, Heitz Cellar is under the leadership of Lawrence Wine Estates, as the winery was purchased in 2018. Tasting with Lawrence Wine Estates CEO Carlton McCoy, MS, was a treat as he shared the rich history of the property. McCoy, MS, became a Master Sommelier in 2013 at just 28 years old as he was one of the youngest people and the second African American to become a MS. Sharing his thoughts about Heitz, he talked about the importance of the winemaking team understanding the land. McCoy stated “Brittney Sherwood had been the winemaker at Heitz since 2012 and the winemaking at this location is so unique. We didn’t need to tweak a lot but we challenged Brittney to see how they can be better. For someone who really admired something we wanted them to be better and we have more knowledge now. A lot of the changes that we made were in the vineyard. Balancing yields better, managing canopies better and preserving more natural acidity in the fruit. Trying to get more length in the wines. We worked with our cooperage and reduced the new barrique.”

He has noted that the new winemaking style is a departure from the old wines made by David Heitz. McCoy explained “David Heitz really liked new oak more and his era of wines had more new. We brought back more large vessel aging and because of that the wines are more pure and less sweet and fat.” The wines now he explained focus on good structure and aging potential. McCoy stated “This is one of the great, iconic estates in the world and we were careful to change anything. Sometimes we went to 10 or 20 thousand liter oak casks and beaches of that journey I think that Brittney is connected more to the wines. Heitz doesn’t need much work, we invested into the facility and into the farming.”

We tasted through the new wines and I found that the ‘Cru’ bottlings to be leaps above the entry level wine. I love the new 2018 Heitz ‘Trailside Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which ash marvelous herbal notes and stony accents. This is a polished, highly-nuanced bottling. The best wine I tasted was the 2018 Heitz ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which is a stunning wine that has beautiful power, poise and aging potential. Learn more about this famed house at heitzcellar.com and here are my reviews of the new Heitz wines.

2019 Heitz Cellar ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2019 Heitz Cellar ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromatics of bay leaf and black currants that mingle well with salty soils and shades of boysenberry compote on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with good elegance and underlying verve. Soft and approachable now, enjoy over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 91

2019 Heitz Cellar ‘Lot C-91’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Lot C-91’ comes from sites in Western Oakville, Eastern Rutherford, Southeast Howell Mountain, as well as the foothills of St. Helena. 100% varietal, this opens with pencil lead and dark currants that parade with loamy soils and suggestions of wet stone on the nose. The palate is fresh, well-poised and neatly textured, reveling in its medium to full-bodied core of black fruits, eucalyptus, espresso grounds and tar notes. This is delicious stuff to enjoy now, and watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 93

2018 Heitz Cellar ‘Trailside Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Heitz Cellar ‘Trailside Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this gently sloped site in the Rutherford AVA, set on alluvial soils. This site was formerly owned by the Wildwood Ranch. The wine comes from one small block set on volcanic soils. Aged in 100% new French oak, this opens with an alluring bouquet of violet rose petals alongside crushed wet gravel, fresh thyme, cigar box and heady wild blackberry fruit tones. The herbal and rose petal aromatics really make this sing. Medium to full-bodied, with a seamless texture and good sense of length, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen to twenty yeas to come. Drink 2024-2040- 96

2018 Heitz Cellar ‘Linda Falls Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2018 Heitz Cellar ‘Linda Falls Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from their estate site on Howell Mountain. Provencale herbs  and cassis notes mark the nose alongside suggestions of asphalt and huckleberry — showing outstanding flavor range. Well-balanced, medium to full-bodied and delicious, this glides throughout the drinking experience. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2024-2040- 95

2018 Heitz Cellar ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Heitz Cellar ‘Martha’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning new edition of this wine that was aged in all new French oak before bottling. From the Oakville AVA, this reveals a lush mouthfeel and wonderful sense of salinity that makes your mouth water. Bright red and dark fruits mingle well with espresso grounds and wet gravel, alongside shades of menthol on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, and impeccably balanced, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2044- 97

Prospice

A great Walla Walla house founded by Jay Krutulis and Matt Reilly, Prospice is located in the Airport District. Jay and Matt both had successful careers before starting a winery together. I tasted with them earlier in the year and we talked about how they have been honing in on their winemaking style — one that produces highly structured wine, with some good aging potential.

They are also producing some killer values. I love the 2022 Prospice ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 94) which is beautifully textured and nuanced stuff from this cooler site in Walla Walla. Learn more at prospicewines.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Prospice.

2022 Prospice ‘Alder Ridge Vineyard’ Mourvedre- Coming from this site in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the 2022 ‘Alder Ridge Vineyard’ Mourvèdre offers white pepper dusted brisket and orange peel notes on the nose alongside bright red fruits. The palate is juicy and loaded with ripe pomegranate seed, Bing cherry and red raspberry flavors, with a savory edge. Fresh and lithe, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2022 Prospice ‘Knox Road Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2022 ‘Knox Road Vineyard’ comes form this site located five miles west of Red Mountain on Knox Road in Benton City. The palate is soft and loaded with bright red fruits that mingle well with salty minerals, kumquat zest and shades of pulled pork. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Prospice ‘Knox Road Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Knox Road Vineyard’ Syrah offers green peppercorns on the nose alongside soy sauce, wintergreen and smoked meats. The palate is neatly textured with good freshness and depth. Delicious in its stony and salty nuances, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2022 Prospice ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 Prospice ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this famed site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Savory notes mark the nose with pipe tobacco and wet stone alongside suggestions of clay soils and boysenberry aromas. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured, showing outstanding length and minerality. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2021 Prospice ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a delicious, beautifully structured bottling that is built to age. This is fresh and nicely textured stuff, reveling in its core of dark fruits with coffee grounds and dark chocolate shavings with a graphite edge. Enjoy now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2024-2036- 93

Sama Cellars

Today we share the vision of a first-generation Indian immigrant, Chaitanya Bangur (Chaz). Bangur is almost always going to be the smartest person in the room. A Northwest Wine Academy grad, he has a PhD in Biochemistry and an MBA in Technology Management. Sama produces Washington Rhône varietals from some really outstanding sites including the Naravane Vineyard in the Rocks District.

These are the first wines that I have tasted by Bangur and they are seriously good across the board. I adore the 2022 Sama Cellars ‘Bhumi’ Syrah (OB, 94) which is a notch better than the other bottlings and shows beautiful flavor and aromatic range. Learn more at samacellars.com and here are my reviews of the new Sama Cellars wines.

2022 Sama Cellars ‘Raga’ Cinsault- The 2022 ‘Raga’ Cinsault was aged in neutral oak barrels for 18 months before bottling and comes from the Charlotte’s Ridge Vineyard. Translucent in the glass, this offers orange peel and guava on the nose alongside salty soils. Soft and showing a smooth texture, this is delicious wine to enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Sama Cellars ‘Bhumi’ Grenache- The 2022 ‘Bhumi’ Grenache comes from the Sagemoor Vineyard in the White Bluffs AVA. Juicy red currants and red cherry combine with pomegranate seed and suggestions of blood orange zest. Showing plenty of depth, enjoy this delicious wine now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Sama Cellars ‘Khya’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Khya’ is mainly Grenache (55%) with small portions Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault. Elegant and smooth on the mouth, this shows a beautiful core of red fruits with sandalwood, anise, and tobacco leaf notes alongside bright orange zest. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Sama Cellars ‘Raga’ Syrah- Coming from the Yakima Valley AVA, the 2022 ‘Raga’ saw 25% whole cluster fermentation and was stored in neutral oak for 18 months before bottling. Juicy blackberry and black currants mingle well with good freshness and salty minerals on the palate. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Sama Cellars ‘Bhumi’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Bhumi’ comes from the Naravane Estate Vineyard that is owned by Billo and Pinto Naravane, proprietors of Rasa Vineyards. This is salty and stony with hoisin sauce and oyster sauce notes alongside wild blackberry and shades of Umami on the palate. Delicious and nicely textured, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 94

J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines

One of the great value producers of California, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines has a great history. Starting in the late 1960s, Jerry Lohr began searching for a great location plant his first vineyard. Originally raised on a South Dakota farm, Jerry had a background in agriculture and chose the Central Coast, which was an experimental region at the time. Jerry has created an amazing success story with his winery, J. Lohr. While J. Lohr has gained a nationwide reputation for rich red wines, their white wine portfolio is also has some outstanding values.

I really enjoyed the 2021 J. Lohr ‘Pure Paso’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 91) which is rich and decadent, showing some serious value. Learn more about this outstanding lineup at https://www.jlohr.com Here are the outstanding new wines by J. Lohr. 

2023 J. Lohr ‘Bay Mist’ Riesling- Coming from the Arroyo Seco region, this 2023 Riesling offers good tension with sweetened cantaloupe and gooseberry notes on the palate alongside juicy red delicious apple. Drink 2024-2028- 88

2022 J. Lohr ‘Riverstone’ Chardonnay- Also coming from the Arroyo Seco region, the 2022 ‘Riverstone’ Chardonnay shows off vanilla cream and shades of butterscotch notes that combine with bright pear an starfruit flavors. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next six plus years. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2023 J. Lohr ‘Windflower’ Valdiguie- A really obscure varietal planted in Monterrey County, this 2023 Valdiguie is brimming with juicy strawberry and pomegranate seed flavors that combine with citrus rind and shades of salty soils. Delicious and round, enjoy now and over the next few years. Serve slightly cold. Drink 2024-2030- 90

2022 J. Lohr ‘Paso Robles’ Merlot-  The 2022 J. Lohr ‘Paso Robles’ Merlot offers sweet red fruits with molten chocolate notes on the palate. Drink 2024-2028- 88

2022 J. Lohr ‘Paso Robles’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sweetened black fruits and baking spices mark the palate alongside shades of chocolate. Drink 2024-2028- 88

2021 J. Lohr ‘Pure Paso’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Pure Paso’ combines Cabernet Sauvignon and Petite Sirah. Inky in the glass, this offers a smooth mouthfeel with decadent espresso grounds and dark chocolate shavings with a smooth texture and refined sense of depth. Generous dark fruits collide on the palate, as this is best consumed now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2021 J. Lohr ‘Carols’s Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Carol’s Vineyard’ is sourced from this Napa Valley site in St. Helena. Stored for 18 months in French oak, this offers fresh sage and cassis on the nose alongside pencil lead and shades of anise. The palate is soft and generous with good structure. Herbal and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

2022 J. Lohr ‘Hilltop’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Hilltop’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a soft and refined effort that is drinking beautifully right now. Espresso grounds and creme de cassis notes combine with wet stone and shades of sandalwood on the palate. Drink 2024-2032- 91

Walla Walla Vintners

I very fondly recall my first visit to Walla Walla Vintners. Back in 2007 I came on a rain-filled day to the cozy and very busy tasting room at Walla Walla Vintners. Despite the weather the place was packed full of a boisterous crowd tasting wines. Current owners 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 visited the new space for their winery earlier in 2024 and it is a world-class facility. We even did a few blinds together during the visit!

Derrek Vipond 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. He is doing an amazing job as head winemaker, as these wines keep on getting better and better. I love the 2023 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which is very fresh and shows a soft mouthfeel. Even better is the incredible 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Alera’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which deftly captures the art of blending with plenty of poise and stuffing. Well-done to Derrek and his team! Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners. 

2023 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc is a beautiful new wine that shows good texture. Gooseberry and rich melon combine copious minerals and wet stone on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Bello Rosso’ Red Wine- The 2023 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Bello Rosso’ is a Tuscan-inspired blend of 59% Sangiovese with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Dusty tannins combine with tart red fruits, tar and tobacco leaf on the palate. Dense and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 93

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Alera’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Alera’ was sourced from the Les Collines Vineyard and combines mainly Merlot (52%) with smaller parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot. This is soft and plush stuff with cocoa powder and rich dark fruits that mingle well with salty soils. Refined and generous, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Old Vines’ comes from the Bacchus Vineyard with vines planted back in 1972. The wine is elegant nd savory Cabernet Sauvignon with fresh sage and thyme alongside layers of generous black fruits, tobacco leaf and coffee grounds. Fresh and lively, enjoy now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2024-2036- 94

Silverado Vineyards

A fabulous winery based in the Stags Leap District, Silverado Vineyards is now in its fourth decade of crafting estate-grown, produced, and bottled wines. One of the first four wineries in the Stags Leap District to plant Cabernet in the 1960s, and now Silverado has over 300 acres planted to vine.The winery has sites that span the Napa Valley — Miller Ranch in Yountville, Mt. George in Coombsville, and Soda Creek/Borreo Ranch within Napa Valley. The winery is now under the ownership of Bill and Carol Foley and leadership of Courtney Foley.

I loved the range of wines, none more so than the fabulous and dense 2022 Silverado ‘Solo’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) as this beauty will evolve well for two decades. Learn more about this historic winery at silveradovineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Silverado.

2022 Silverado Vineyards ‘Estate Grown’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Estate Grown’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers red bell pepper and blackberry with black currant notes on the nose. The palate is juicy and well-structured, loaded with heady dark fruits, coffee grounds and chocolate. Drink 2024-2031- 92

2022 Silverado Vineyards ‘Mt. George Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2022 ‘Mt. George Vineyard’ Merlot comes from this site east of Napa in Coombsville. The Mt. George Vineyard is the site of one of the first grape plantings in the valley in the 19th century. Milk chocolate and pipe tobacco notes combine with bay leaf and black currants on the nose. The palate is elegant with good structure and mid-palate depth, showing layers of bright red and dark fruits, with loamy soils and espresso grounds. Drink 2024-2034- 92

2022 Silverado ‘Geo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Geo’ was sourced from the Coombsville AVA. Plantings for this wine come from a site set on volcanic soils on the western part of Mt. George. The wine is nicely concentrated with creme de cassis and sweet pipe tobacco alongside red bell pepper and blackberry compote, with milk chocolate accents. Rich and polished, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2022 Silverado ‘Solo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Solo’ comes from the Stags Leap District and was stored in a range of French, American and Hungarian oak barrels before bottling. Inky in the glass, this slowly unveils aromatics of pencil lead and sandalwood alongside anise, huckleberry cordial and dark chocolate shavings. The palate is wonderfully stony, with serious depth and concentration. A joy to consume now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2039- 95

Meyye Wines

It is my pleasure to share the latest from Meyye Wines, founded by Rob Campbell who is a member of the Coastal Miwok/Southern Pomo tribe. The really delicious wines have individual birds which are honored on wine labels. I have now tasted several releases of these wines and have found them to show beautiful richness and texture.

Campbell served as Robert Story winemaker for 11 years, and wanted to start his own winery. The wines he made were seriously good, having a beginning, middle and an end. I adored the 2022 Meyye Wines ‘Kuluppis’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is loaded with richness from this warm vintage.  Learn more about these at meyyewines.com and here are my reviews of the new Meyye Wines.

2022 Mayye Wines ‘Kuluppis’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Carneros AVA, the 2022 Chardonnay delivers a beautiful mouthfeel upon entry. This speaks to the heat of the vintage, loaded with melon fruits and vanilla cream flavors, with a lengthy finish. Well-done! Drink 2024-2030- 92

2021 Meyye Wines ‘Omay’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Omay’ was sourced from the Petaluma Gap AVA and is named after the Brown Pelican in Coast Miwok. This is fresh and also nicely viscous on the mouth, loaded with pomegranate seed and red cherry flavors with hints of salty cola.  Drink 2024-2031- 91

2019 Mayye Wines ‘Sokootok’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Soootok’ is a blend of mainly Grenache and Syrah coming  from Amador County. Bright red fruits collide well with blood orange zest, seaweed and suggestions of salty soils. Really delicious and complex, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

2016 Meyye Wines ‘Palachchak’ Zinfandel- This 2016 Zinfandel has a small portion of Syrah blended in. This is silky smooth throughout the drinking experience, loaded with freshness and texture. Ripe red raspberry combines with garrigue, and salty soils with orange rind accents. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

Amos Rome

Today we share one of the outstanding producers of Chelan County. Amos Rome have an estate site which is planned to a wide range of varietals including Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They also utilize their High Blossom Vineyard located three miles from the tasting room and is set at 2000 feet. The location is planted to Riesling (planted in 2003), Grüner Veltliner (planted in 2019), and a block of Tempranillo & Albariño (planted in 2021). Wines show good body with texture and excellent acidity considering the heat of the region.

Owners Travis and Brianna Clark run the winery that has sweeping views of Lake Chelan. Travis serves as winemaker and has completed the WSU Viticulture Certificate program. The new wines were really good across the board. I love the 2021 Amos Rome ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 92) which is a beautiful expression of the variety in its herbal and neatly-textured glory. Learn more at https://www.amosrome.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Amos Rome wines.

2021 Bighorn Red Wine- The 2021 Bighorn Red Wine offers a soft mouthfeel with creosote, sweet red fruits and burnt orange on the palate. This is a bit out of balance. Drink 2024-2028- 88

2021 Amos Rome ‘Embers’ Red Wine- Primarily Merlot, the 2021 ‘Embers’ offers black cherry and loganberry flavors on the palate with milk chocolate and shades of coffee grounds. Medium-bodied and well-structured, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2021 Amos Rome ‘Six Generations Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2021 Amos Rome ‘Six Generations Vineyard’ Syrah was stored for 28 months in all neutral oak before bottling. Dried herbs and Umami notes combine with salty soil and a beautiful combination of red and dark fruits on the palate. Savory and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2021 Amos Rome ‘The Machine’ Red Wine- A Right Bank-inspired blend of mainly Merlot (74%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc, this shows scorched earth and red bell pepper alongside ripe red and dark fruits on the palate. Medium-bodied and nicely structured, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2021 Amos Rome ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- The 2021 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc comes from estate plantings that neighbor the tasting room. Lovely herbal tones mark the palate alongside good finesse and a medium-bodied core of dark fruits, with a graphite edge. While somewhat lacking in warm vintage typicity and viscosity this shows some seriously good flavor complexity. Only 95 cases made. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2021 Amos Rome ‘Estate’ Merlot- Coming from this warm vintage, the 2021 ‘Estate’ Merlot shows off a soft mouthfeel with red currants, tobacco leaf, molten chocolate and creosote notes. Medium-bodied and nicely structured, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2021 Amos Rome ‘Duo’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Duo’ combines equal parts Malbec and Cabernet Franc from their estate vineyard that neighbors their tasting room. This is soft, nicely structured wine that reveals cocoa powder and black cherry alongside red bell pepper and shades of fresh sage. The herbal notes really take the lead, as this is best consumed now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2021 Amos Rome ‘Foundation’ Red Wine- A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc with equal parts Merlot and Malbec, this delivers good finesse, with lighter red fruit and black currant flavors with scorched earth notes. Drink 2024-2030- 90

Ehret

Another year, another great set of wines by Ehret. A small winery based in Sonoma County Ehret is set on a family estate, the Bavarian Lion Vineyards, located in Knights Valle, in the northern end the county. The family has been farming Bordeaux varietals since 1996, selling much of their fruit to other wineries in the Napa and Sonoma Counties. Then in 2005 they decided to create their own brand, Ehret. The estate is exceedingly large, spanning 1800 acres. This massive amount of land includes both hillside terrain and valley floor. They have a whopping 500 acres planted to grapes.

Years ago I first tasted these wines and ws seriously impressed. They made some really good wines in the tough 2020 vintage. I adored 2021 Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is one of the great Cabernets from this region that I have tasted in the past year. Learn more about this outstanding smaller producer at ehretwinery.com and here are my reviews of the new Ehret wines.

2032 Ehret ‘Knights Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- A great new Sauvignon Blanc that was sourced from the Bavarian Lion Vineyards in the Knights Valley, this 2023 offers a smooth mouthfeel on the approach. Papaya and green melon flavors mingle well with shades of wet stone on the palate. Really well-done, don’t serve too cold. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2022 Ehret ‘Knights Valley’ Zinfandel- Sourced from their estate vineyard, the 2022 Zinfandel has good nerve with bramble and slightly sweet red fruits that mingle well with shades of chocolate. Medium-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 90

2020 Ehret ‘Knights Valley’ Merlot- The 2020 Ehret Merlot is a limited production wine from this challenging vintage. Right away this offers alluring aromatics of black cherry and raspberry alongside salty soils. The palate is brimming with juicy red fruits as this medium-bodied effort is best consumed in the short-term. Drink 2024-2029- 90

2020 Ehret ‘Knights Valley’ Merlot- Coming from this warm vintage, the 2021 ‘Knights Valley’ Merlot shows off slightly better flavor range and flavor density than the 2020 bottling. Black tea and exotic spices parade with a generous core of blackberry and cocoa powder dusted black cherry on the palate. Delicious now, consume over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2020 Ehret ‘Knights Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘Knights Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a really nice bottling that is already well-evolved. Black currants, tar and mocha flavors mingle well on the palate, with a smooth texture. Enjoy over the next five to seven years. Drink 2024-2030- 90

2021 Ehret ‘Knights Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2020 Ehret ‘Knights Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers really good freshness on the approach with plenty of minerality. Black fruits mingle well with coffee grounds and suggestions of anise on the palate. Medium-bodied, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2020 Ehret ‘Bella’s’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Bella’s’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 3% Merlot blended in. It is a great wine considering the vintage with chocolate fudge flavors that mingle well with black currants and creme de violette. Medium to full-bodied showing good freshness, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2021 Ehret ‘Bella’s’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Bella’s’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off black tea and pencil lead on the nose alongside dense dark fruits. The palate offers good freshness and acidity, showing medium to full-bodied blackberry and black cherry flavors alongside shades of stony soils. Really good now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2020 Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2020 Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Red Wine is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) with smaller portions Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The nose is hedonistic with pencil lead and pretty black florals that mingle well with chocolate and mountain huckleberry. Smooth and viscous throughout the drinking experience, this is a seriously good wine from a tough vintage. Enjoy now and over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2021 Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Hillside Reserve’ combines mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot as well as Malbec. This shows even better than the 2020 in terms of flavor range of viscosity, offering loaded pipe tobacco and black fruit flavors with shades of black licorice and chocolate pie. Very delicious now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 94

2020 Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A brilliant wine made in 2020, the Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is very delicious and approachable in its youth. Medium to full-bodied black cherry and blackberry notes mingle well with copious minerals, wet stone and espresso ground flavors on the palate. Viscous and delicious, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2021 Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The best wine of the tasting, the full-throttle 2021 Ehret ‘Hillside Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection wine that shows what is possible from their Knights Valley estate vineyard. Delicious black fruits combine with shades of violets, tar and tobacco leaf on the nose. The silky and refined texture really makes this sing. Once on the mouth the palate is loaded with black and blue fruits alongside graphite, salty soils and shades of tar. Give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoying in its hedonistic youth. Drink 2024-2040- 95

Jolete

It is hard to keep track of the never-ending range of new Oregon wineries. A new Oregon winery by the producers of Le Cadeau, Jolete makes a range of Pinot Noirs and even a Washington Cabernet. Joleté is owned and operated by Le Cadeau Vineyard and can be tasted in the Le Cadeau tasting room in Dundee, Oregon. For an inaugural release, the wines were seriously good. I loved the 2022 Jolete ‘Le Verre Cuvee’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which is elegant and soft with a beautiful texture. Learn more at joletewines.com and here are my reviews of the new Jolete wines.

2022 Jolete ‘Le Verre Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Jolete ‘Le Verre Cuvee’ Pinot Noir delivers white truffle and orange peel on the nos alongside lush red fruits. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth texture, showing ripe red raspberry and Yakima cherry fruit flavors. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Jolete ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir shows a beautiful range of red fruits alongside orange peel and salty soils on the palate. Medium-bodied, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2022 Jolete ‘Phinny Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Inky in the glass, the 2022 ‘Phinny Hill Vineyard’ offers a smooth texture with dense dark fruits that mingle well with coffee grounds, sea salt and shades of creme de violette. Drink 2024-2036- 92

Bledsoe | McDaniels

Today we share the wines of NFL Legend Drew Bledsoe and superstar winemaker, Josh McDaniels. Bledsoe-McDaniels was founded several years back and has become one of the premier producers of Pinot Noir that you will find in the Pacific Northwest. A huge development a few years back was Bledsoe and McDaniels purchasing the former Hope Wells Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills which they have named their estate ‘Coulee Vineyard.’ This site has 29 acres planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, set on Saum-Parrett, Woodburn soils.

I adored the new 2022 Bledsoe-McDaniels ‘LFG Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is absolutely singing in its pretty core of red fruits  and purity coming from both their estate and the Ribbon Ridge AVA.. Learn more about this outstanding winery project at http://bledsoemcdaniels.com/#top Here are the beautiful new wines by Bledsoe-McDaniels.

2022 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘LFG Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The fabulous ‘LFG’ is a deeply concentrated wine from this slightly cooler vintage. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels this mainly comes from their Eola-Amity Hills estate as well as the Ridgecrest Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Finishing long, this is a brilliant effort that will live on for at least another fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2022 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- Silky and elegant, the 2022 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir offers red currants, cranberry and teaberry notes on the nose alongside salty soils. The palate is smooth and elegant with good weight and underlying finesse. A total knockout from this year, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2036- 95

2022 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Coulee Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir- A really brilliant wine from this vintage, the 2022 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘Coulee Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir. A whiff of black truffle combines with black raspberry and orange zest on the nose. The palate is impeccably balanced, as this dazzles throughout the drinking experience. Silky tannins frame an ebullient core of black and red fruits. A total knockout, showing great poise, weight and length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2039- 96

2022 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Inky in the glass, the 2022 Bledsoe Family Wines ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows tar and violets on the nose alongside rich dark currants. The palate is medium bodied and fresh with a smooth texture. Loaded with minerality, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

Joseph Perrier

Today we share an incredible house in Champagne. Joseph Perrier dates back to the early 19th century. It was back in 1825 in Châlons-en-Champagne that the house was founded on a town that was formerly vineyards. The house is now in its sixth generation of ownership and leadership, run by Jean-Claude and Benjamin Fourmon. This house is probably is best known for its Brut Royal, a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The company also produces a beautiful Blanc de Blancs, and an outstanding Blanc de Noirs. Their tete de cuvee, the ‘La Cote A Bras’ comes from a small parcel of Pinot Noir vines and is made every vintage!

Joseph Perrier is the only winery still headquartered in Châlons-en-Champagne and the house manages 22 hectares of vineyards in Cumières and Hautvillers. In Joseph Perrier’s cellar in Chlons, a former chalk quarry which dates all the way back to the Gallo-Roman period. I adored the new 2015 Joseph Perrier ‘La Cote A Bras’ Champagne (OB, 95) which is a big, broad-shouldered wine that has some brilliant aging potential. Learn more about this beautiful house in Champagne at josephperrier.com and here are my reviews of the outstanding new wines by Joseph Perrier.

NV Joseph Perrier ‘Cuvee Royale’ Brut Champagne- The NV ‘Cuvee Royale’ has roughly 20% reserve wines blended in, as this wine combines Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Ripe pear and brioche notes combine with Yakima cherry notes and ripe peach on the palate. Enjoy this beauty over the next seven plus years. Drink 2024-20231- 91

2015 Joseph Perrier ‘La Cote A Bras’ Champagne- A round, generous and stunning wine from this warm vintage, the 100% Pinot Noir ‘La Cote A Bras’ comes from the single plot in Cumieres that was planted more than 40 years back. Rich buttered brioche and lemon zest flavors combine with cantaloupe and wet stone on the palate. Showing serious texture and weight, with quince notes and freshly cut limes, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 95

Giovanne Manzone

It is my pleasure to share one the jewels of Barolo. Giovanni Manzoni was founded back in 1925 when Giovanni Manzone purchased 'Ciabot del Preve' (the Parish Priest house) and he started the winemaking in Monforte d’Alba. Over decades the Manzone family purchased important vineyards on the historic hill of ‘Castelletto’ and ‘Gramolere’ two top crus in  Monforte d'Alba. In the last several years Mauro (2005) and Mirella Manzone (2012) joined their father Giovanni in the management of the winery. Mauro and Mirella are graduates from the famed Oenology School of Alba. Manzone estate is located in Monforte d’Alba, Piedmont, in the southeastern portion of the Langhe hills. Manzone owns 8.5 hectares (about 20 acres) of vineyards and uses estate-grown grapes only. The entire production is roughly 45,000 bottles per year.

For years I have purchased these wines for my personal collection. Particularly the well-priced ‘Bricat’ consistently over-delivers for the price. I have enjoyed these wines now for more than a decade and they have some terrific aging potential. Check out the stunning 2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo (OB, 94) which is stunning and round, from this warm vintage. This beauty is already nicely evolved at the five year mark. Learn more about this famed Barolo estate at http://www.manzonegiovanni.com Here are notes from the outstanding new wines by Manzone.

2021 Giovanni Manzone Rossese Bianco- The 2021 Rossese Bianco is an indigenous varietal that is rare and was rediscovered by Manzone. This wine has been made since 1982. This shows green herbal notes and stony accents alongside rich melon and mango fruit flavors. Delicious, be sure to serve slightly on the warmer side. Drink 2024-2028- 91

2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘La Marchesa’ Barbara D’Alba- The 2020 ‘La Marchesa’ Barbera comes from a vineyard set on red clay soils and is the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted yet. ‘La Marchesa’ is an historical farmhouse that used to belong to the Marchesa Scarampi and has been in the Manzone family since 1999. This really needs an hour or two of air to get fully aroused. Red rose petals and cigar ash notes combine with a gorgeous combination of red and dark fruits on the nose. The palate is jam-packed with flavor showing dark truffle shaving accents. Beautiful in terms of finesse and concentration, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2020 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere’ Barolo- The outstanding 2020 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere’ Barolo is a bit tightly wound at first, needing an hour in the decanter to get going. After some air this delivers tart teaberry and salmonberry notes on the nose alongside shades of wintergreen and pipe tobacco with blood orange zest accents. Beautifully textured and well-structured, this is going to have a long life ahead of it. Give it another year before uncorking. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Bricat’ Barolo- A heady and also nicely structured 2019, the ‘Bricat’ offers beautiful red florals on the nose with a dusting of white truffle and green peppercorn alongside tart red fruits. The palate is beautifully structured and dense with refined tannins, boasting a glorious core of guava, cranberry and pomegranate seed flavors alongside salty soil and orange peel nuances. Generous and fleshy, speaking to the warmth of the vintage, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 94

2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Castelletto’ Barolo- A great wine from a warm vintage, the 2019 Giovanni Manzone ‘Castelletto’ Barolo is already evolving nicely in the glass. Bergamot, rocky soils and worn leather notes mark the nose alongside white truffle shavings. The palate is rich and generous with a silky texture and loads of mouth-watering acidity. This is drinking remarkably well in its youth and comes off nearly impossible to put down. Drink 2024-2039- 93

2017 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere Riserva’ Barolo- A totally head-turning bottling the 2017 Giovanni Manzone ‘Gramolere Riserva’ was sourced from more than 50 year old vines which are located on the steep section of the vineyard. THis location is rich in fossils and rocky soils. Rich and unctuous on the mouth, this revels in its core of loganberry and red cherry flavors with black plum, wet rock and orange peel flavors that collide with the mouth-watering acidity. Totally amazing to enjoy now, this has a very long life ahead of it. Give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2025-2050— 96