Cellar Selection: 2004 Charles Heidseick 'Blanc de Millénaires' Champagne

Today I share a wine that I opened from my cellar. Truly one of the outstanding Champagnes of the world, the ‘Blanc de Millenaires’ is a Chardonnay wine that is aged for at least a decade before disgorgement. The house Charles Heidseick has an amazing history.  The founder Charles Camille Heidsieck worked as a French Champagne merchant and founded his namesake house back in 1851. He played a large part of growing Champagne in the United States and was known as "Champagne Charlie" for his influence. Amazingly during the Civil War he was placed in jail for a suspicion of being a spy and this was an international incident between France and the US known as the Heidseick Incident.

This house did not produce a tete de cuvee until 1993 when they launched their 1983 Blanc de Millenaires. My 2004 was a remarkable achievement at 20 years of age and a rare one at that as just over 1,000 standard-sized bottles of the Blanc des Millénaires 2004 were imported into the U.S.

This wine comes from five villages, one Premier Cru and four Grands Crus make up this champagne: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Avize and Cramant. This wine was disgorged in November 2017 after spending 13 years on the lees and is only the fifth edition of this wine (1983, 1985, 1990 and 1995). For a special occasion Champagne this would be an amazing wine — one at peak maturity. Learn more at https://charlesheidsieck.com/en and here is my review of the stunning 2004 Charles Heidseick ‘Blanc de Millenaires’ Champagne.

2004 Charles Heidseick ‘Blanc de Millenaires’ Champagne- A world-class wine, the incredible 2004 Charles Heidseick ‘Blanc de Millenaires’ Champagne is a remarkable achievement showing off the warmth of this vintage. It is rich and nutty now, with a seamless texture and deft effervescence that remains intact. Rich melon and kumquat fruits collide with flinty minerals and candied ginger on the palate. A total stunner, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 96

Review: British Airways First Class Seattle to London

Travel insiders always insist that British Airways First Class is the best Business Class flight in the sky. I’ve found that long haul on British Airways First Class to be consistently great and a better product than BA Business Class. British First service on my last four trips has been exemplary and food options also have been very good. Sure, there are some areas that deserve some improvement and I have had many flying friends complain about seat malfunctions. But for me, I have found British First to be consistently great.

Famed salt and pepper squid at Qantas First Lounge, LAX.

I began my journey in the posh Qantas First Lounge in LAX. I then travelled to Seattle and gate S10 there after some time in the relatively poor British Airways First Lounge in Seattle. Champagne selections in the Seattle BA First Lounge are not great [currently Piper Heidseick NV] but there are some decent wines available including Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay. Food in the lounge has also improved in terms of their a la carte menu.

Boarding was easy as I made my way to seat 2F. First Class was entirely full and I had caught a glimpse of the new champagne upon board, the 2015 Bollinger ‘La Grand Annee’ which retails for roughly 200 USD. The top champagne really did make this flight.

Many people are upset that the Laurent-Perrier ‘Grand Siecle’ Champagne is now gone. The edition that they were formerly pouring was their 24 ed. which was good but didn’t come from the best vintages. I really enjoy the three options that BA are currently pouring — truly one of the great champagne and sparkling wine options in the skies. The English sparkling wine by Haltingley is amazing as well which I enjoyed later in the flight.

BA seats in First are spacious, being wide for nearly all humans including 78 inches in length — which was a great cavernous confine for my 6’5’’ frame. Seats are easily adjusted to a lay flat bed that was extremely cozy with the classy bedding selected. The leather arm rests offer good support as does the back of the seat. This is going to be an extremely comfortable seat for someone tall or overweight.

Each seat boasts a small to medium-sized storage locker behind the seat where small personal belongings could be stowed. There is also a small wardrobe on the right side of this photo. The simple bathroom was offered rather spartan aesthetics but features their great-smelling Elemis products.

BA First does an excellent job with their pre-flight service and drinks. I received my 2015 Bollinger ‘La Grand Ainee’ Champagne immediately with some mixed nuts.

Each seat in first has easy to use screens which were added back in 2023. They have a fun interactive map, great for AV geeks. I had to watch Tulsa Kings again on television as there are loads of entertainment options for every class of travel flying. I am not impressed with the headphone quality in first which could be better. Charging stations were easy to use.

Throughout my flight I had marvelous, attentive service. Some of my flying friends have noted that British First does not always have exemplary service but I have found that in my past four First flights the service has been really top notch. All First flight attendants have additional training for their guests. We were given amenity kits, pajamas and slippers that are really nicely made by Temperly

We flew over my hometown of Everett, Washington. The monitor has decent resolution which has improved considerably over the past few years and is very easy to use.

It was a hard choice for my meal but there were some really nice selections. I was fortunate that despite the cabin being entirely full they had all of my food choices.

The smoked salmon selection was delicious and I really enjoyed the quail eggs. This was a lovely match for the top champagne. I also opted for the roasted carrot soup which was served piping hot and had some lovely chive oil blended in. This was a great healthy selection with no cream.

These were great starts to my experience. Service was excellent during the dining and cadence was not too rushed. I finished with the halibut which was a bit bland and well-cooked but extremely healthy. I was hoping for a bit more sauce and savory elements.

It is very hard to cook fish on a flight and this fish was actually quite moist. It was just missing a bit of sauce. Now it is time for the real star of the show, the cheese plate. These were absolutely delightful selections that paired magically with my aged Bordeaux from the tough 2011 vintage. This wine was now in its prime and was extremely mellow and earthy — perfect or some earthy cheeses.

I adore wines when they are served right at their peak. Such is the case with this wine. BA has really taken on excellent work with their wine program that has improved significantly in the past few years in terms of finding really good, aged Bordeauxs for their long-haul first flights. This is a touch that you won’t see in business class.

I happily enjoyed more of the 2015 ‘La Grand Annee’ Champagne. BA first does a fabulous turndown service which I indulged in. I also enjoyed a glass of the 250 USD retail Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch. I was able to get some good rest on the flight.

Upon waking I ordered an espresso and a full English breakfast which was generally good. Service prior to landing was very efficient. We prepared for landing and I was relatively well-rested after several hours of sleep. I eagerly awaited visiting with my friend in the famed Concorde Room at Terminal 5 in London Heathrow.

It isn’t a perfect product but British Airways has once again delivered a really solid First Class embodies which embodies excellent food and wine and really world-class service. Attendants are engaging and care about your needs. This was such a beautiful departure to service that I receive from other US airlines where flight attendants usually can’t seem to be bothered. I really look forward to my next First Class adventure aboard British Airways.

Liminal

Today we share a truly unique Washington house that utilizes grapes from the famed WeatherEye Vineyard (https://www.weathereyevineyard.com). This incredible site is set on the windswept ridgeline of Red Mountain in Washington State and is planted to 30 acres of Rhône, Bordeaux, and Spanish varieties. This is absolutely extreme terroir. The vineyard ranges from 950’ to 1410’ of elevation, and has extreme slopes and soils ranging from dune sand to fractured bedrock basalt. Ryan Johnson serves as vineyard manager, having previously managed the esteemed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard for 15 years. Ryan farms this vineyard meticulously and wines from this site have a very wild appearance from the sagebrush, rabbitbrush and yarrow as well as many other native plants that can be found amongst the vines. It is incredible how the nuances of these plants can come into the wines.

You are overwhelmed by the rustic and wild character from the underbrush and surrounding plants in the wines. I was enamored by the fall releases and the spring 2024 releases are nothing short of world-class. One of the outstanding Washington Viogniers on the retail market, the 2022 Liminal Viognier (OB, 95) is bold and dazzles with its depth and flavor range. Learn more at https://www.liminalwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Liminal Wines.

2022 Liminal Viognier- Coming from the WeatherEye Vineyard this beautiful new 2022 Viognier comes from a parcel of land high atop Red Mountain. This is wonderfully textured stuff with honeysuckle water and hints of rosemary alongside rich honeydew melon and shades of juicy nectarine on the palate. Fresh and lithe with a smooth texture and great underlying tension, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2024-2032- 95

2022 Liminal Grenache- The 2022 Liminal Grenache is a dense and burly style of this varietal reminiscent of some of the newer vintages of Chateauneuf du Pape. Red cherry cordial, dried yarrow and sage and suggestions of smoldering earth all combine on the nose with Linzer torte accents. The palate is ultra-refined and elegant with serious texture and underlying tension. Salty and rich, enjoy this beautiful now now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 96

2022 Liminal Syrah- The 2022 Liminal Syrah is a head-turning wine coming from the WeatherEye Vineyard. Once on the nose this takes on shades of boysenberry fruits drenched in oyster sauce with pulled pork shoulder alongside fresh thyme and beef drippings. The palate is beautifully balanced, in terms of depth, flavor range and texture, showing marvelous salty and savory character. A stunning wine to consume now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come.  Drink 2024-2036- 96

2022 Liminal ‘The Barbarous Heart’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘The Barbarous Heart’ is a Southern Rhone inspired blend of mainly Grenache (48%) and Mourvèdre (37%) with the remainder Syrah. Dried provencal herbs and crushed wildflowers mark the nose alongside heady dark fruits and smoked BBQ pork ribs. The palate is dense and finesse-laden with plenty of mouth-watering acidity. A total knockout, showcasing the pretty character of Grenache with the meaty essence of Mourvèdre, enjoy this beauty now and love the next twelve plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 96

Cellar Selection: 2012 King Estate 'Domaine' Pinot Gris

I have long had an affinity for great Oregon Pinot Gris. My love for this grape began more than twenty years ago, tasting the great wines of the Alsace and then also beautiful Oregon editions of this varietal. Great Gris will age well for decades and King Estate is a stalwart producer of this varietal — the largest producer in North America. Their entry level bottling is consistently good and their ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris is amongst the finest you will taste in Oregon. Visiting the estate in August I had the chance to check in with their stunning 2012 ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris.

2012 was a beautiful growing season after the more than challenging 2011 vintage. Ripening was rather slow in 2012 but this moderate year made beautifully astringent whites and reds that have been exceedingly age worthy. Learn more about these great Pinot Gris wines at kingestate.com and here is my review of the beautiful 2012 ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris.

2012 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris- Uncorked after being purchased at the winery, the 2012 King Estate ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris is a magical wine that shows the incredible aging potential of top-class Pinot Gris. Kiwi, cantaloupe and macadamia nut flavors combine with wonderful viscosity and underlying verve on the palate. This still has life ahead of it! Drink 2024-2030- 94

Burgess Cellars

It is my pleasure to share the story of Burgess Cellars — a Napa house with a fantastic history. This house began 1800s and then was purchased by Tom Burgess in the 1970s after the winery was with the Pillsbury company. For 42 harvests Bill Sorenson served as Burgess winemaker. The winery was then purchased in 2020 by Lawrence Wine Estates. Tasting with their CEO Carlton McCoy, MS, he explained “Loved the old Burgess wines that I really enjoyed. The winery came with a great library which was a blessing for us. We did a deep dive into the history and we learned about Bill and found out that he is still alive and works a few days a week for ETS. Nobody knew his pedigree and what he contributed to the valley. I met with Cathy Corrison and we peppered up a 1996 Magnum. Bill was an honest, quiet guy and we spent some time with him, learning about the vineyards and the Quartz Creek Vineyard.”

I found the new wines to be the best I had tasted from this house. Each were very black-fruit driven with good structure and refined tannins. McCoy and his team wanted to improve the overall quality of this house. He said “What does it look like to be a leader in Napa Valley viticulture right now? We own Chateau Lascombes and I don’t know if there is a region that coddles vines like we do here in the Napa Valley. The goal in viticulture is doing less and balancing things to diversity of plant material so it is naturally balanced each year. We took a deep dive into ancient farming techniques. Sometimes technology and science has pushed us away from the natural process of the vine.” He stated “We dug into the ancient viticulture on Arigultura Promiscua and this was a viticulture book written over a thousand years ago. How can we implement this? We are re-developing different blocks and how can we interplant different fruit trees and bring pollinators that can bring bio-diversity.”

The estate itself has roughly 150 different species of plants and trees. McCoy noted that the new vineyard plantings “Are thriving with the new work we are doing on the viticulture side.” I loved the 2021 Burgess ‘Quartz Creek’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which was very concentrated and nervy, showing plenty of power and flavor range. Learn more about this outstanding house at https://www.burgesscellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the new releases by Burgess.

2021 Burgess ‘Promiscua’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Promiscua’ comes from three separate sites and is a homage to the Ancient Roman practice of Agricultura Promiscua. The wine comes from both the Sorenson and Quartz Creek Vineyards. This comes off nicely structured with dense blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors alongside coffee grounds and shades of dried herbs on the palate. Great now, enjoy over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 93

2021 Burgess ‘Quartz Creek’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2021 Burgess ‘Quartz Creek’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this 50 acre parcel planted to Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in the Oak Knoll District. Stored for 22 months in only 30% new French oak, this delivers tar, tobacco leaf and anise on the nose alongside heady dark fruits and pencil lead accents. The palate is nicely structured and fresh but shows excellent flavor density from the heat of the vintage. Powerful and muscular, give this a year or two to shed its baby fat. A beauty! Drink 2025-2040- 95

Castello di Amorosa

Today we share one of the beautiful travel destinations in the Napa Valley. Castello di Amorosa is a must visit for anyone interested in Tuscan history. The history dates back many years with Dario Stattui, who is is the great grandson of pioneering vintner Vittorio Sattui, an Italian immigrant who founded St. Helena Wine Cellars in 1885. The Sattui family lived at the winery, even after Prohibition closed the business in 1920.  Dario returned to the U.S. in 1972, with plans to re-open the family winery that had been dormant for more than 50 years. In 1975, he launched V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena. Then in 1993, and after decades of searching Dario finally found the ideal parcel — 171 acres near Calistoga where Colonel William Nash had planted one of California's first vineyards in 1846. Dario bought the property, which had acres of beautiful forest and hills, a stream and a lake, and a great Victorian home where he decided to settle. And the rest has been history.

The property is expansive and very scenic. The Castello was finally born using more than 8,000 tons of hand-chiseled local stone and nearly one million antique bricks imported from Europe to complete the construction. More than 200 containers of old materials and furnishings were shipped over from Europe to decorate the interior. The construction took 15 years and opened to the public on April 7, 2007.

Brooks Painter has served as director of winemaking since 2005 and Peter Valleno has been winemaker since 2014. The new wines have been consistently great over the past five plus years. I love the 2021 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Rubino’ Pinot Noir (OB, 91) which is forward and juicy with good tension. Even better is the outstanding 2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Morning Dew Ranch’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which shows some nice cellaring potential and has marvelous damp earth tones. Learn more about this beautiful winery at https://castellodiamorosa.com and here are my reviews of the outstanding new Castello di Amorosa wines.

2021 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Rubino’ Pinot Noir- Forward and juicy, the 2021 ‘Il Rubino’ offers bright pomegranate seed and Bing cherry flavors alongside salty soils and orange peel notes. Medium bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2021 Castello di Amorosa ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir- Wonderfully earthy, the 2021 Castello di Amorosa ‘Anderson Valley’ Pinot Noir delivers a smooth texture with layers of boysenberry and wild blackberry fruit flavors that mingle well with salty soils and shades of peat moss. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Morning Dew Ranch’ Pinot Noir- A stunning wine that is deep, concentrated and finesse-laden, the 2022 ‘Morning Dew Ranch’ comes from this cool site in the Anderson Valley. Rich coffee grounds and cola notes combine with damp soils and suggestions of wild blackberry on the palate. Full-bodied and beautifully textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Terra de Promissio’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Castello di Amorosa ‘Terra de Promissio’ Pinot Noir-comes from this maritime influenced vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA. This is wonderfully salty Pinot Noir that offers cran-cola and black cherry flavors on the palate, bursting with underlying finesse and a smooth mouthfeel. Full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2023 Castello di Amorosa ‘Terra de Promissio’ Pinot Noir- Really young and lithe, the 2023 Castello di Amorosa ‘Terra de Promissio’ Pinot Noir shows some serious potential from this slightly colder vintage. The freshness is outstanding as layers of teaberry and cran-orange mark the palate alongside smoky accents. Very savory and salty, from this novel part of the world, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

2023 Castello di Amorosa ‘Cresta D’Oro Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Cresta D’Oro Vineyard’ is set in the Green Valley as this PINot Noir utilizes clone 115, 777 and Pommard 4 clonal selections. The palate is dense and decadent with a racy minerality. Cola and pomegranate seed flavors combine with shades of Yakima cherry and copious minerals on the palate. A joy to consume even now, watch this evolve over the next twelve years. Drink 2024-2036- 94

2020 Castello di Amorosa Sangiovese- The 2020 Castello di Amorosa Sangiovese offers a smooth mouthfeel with tart red fruits that mingle well with shades of worn leather and cardamom on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2029- 90

2021 Castello di Amorosa Sangiovese- A gorgeous wine from this warm vintage, the 2021 Sangiovese comes off bold and rich with refined tannins and a seamless sense of mouthfeel. Blood orange and pomegranate seed flavors combine with suggestions of dill and baking spices. Smooth and soft, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2020 Castello di Amorosa ‘Zingaro’ Zinfandel- The 2020 ‘Zingaro’ comes from old vine Zinfandel vineyards that neighbor the coast. This shows strawberry jam and red currants alongside salty soils on the palate. Drink 2024-2028- 89

2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Quattro’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Quattro’ comes from four sites across the Napa Valley. This is delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that shows off black cherry and bay leaf on the palate alongside red bell pepper and espresso grounds. Medium bodied, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

2015 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Barone’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Powerful and dense, the 2015 Castello di Amorosa ‘Il Barone’ shows decadent cassis, anise and dark chocolate flavors alongside soft tannins and graphite undertones. Full-bodied and intense, this has at least another decade of life in the cellar. Drink 2021-2033- 92

2018 Castello di Amorosa ‘Rutherford’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A beautiful wine from a really good vintage, the 2018 Castello di Amorosa ‘Rutherford’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a fabulous effort from winemaker Brooks Painter. On the nose this takes on cassis and molten chocolate notes alongside espresso grounds and shades of potpourri. The palate is plush and rich, loaded with a core of black fruit flavors. Generous and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 93

2019 Castello di Amorosa ‘Diamond Mountain District’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Diamond Mountain District’ has a small portion Petite Verdot and Malbec blended in. Stored for two months in French oak barrels this delivers dusty soils alongside wet stone, black currants and violet rose petals on the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with a silky texture and great sense of weight and balance. A glorious effort, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 94

Bibi Graetz

An iconic house in Tuscany, Bibi Graetz taken his region by storm since founding nearly twenty five years ago in 2000. Graetz has a storybook setting at their medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata, that is a sight to be seen. Bibi Graetz crafts each wine at this storied estate overlooking Florence. Bibi started his winery with a small, 5-acre vineyard on this hillside in Fiesole. Since his first release in 2000 Bibi has become one of Tuscany’s cult winemakers without having any formal training in winemaking. His famed Testamatta and Colore bottling have made him an international success as these wines have been revered by critics across the globe. Today Bibi source’s from old vines in Tuscany as well as old vines from the Isola del Giglio which is a remote island that has ancient indigenous vines planted. His wines are crafted from traditional varieties of Sangiovese, Colorino, and Canaiolo for the reds and the indigenous varieties of Ansonica and Vermentino for his whites wines.

The 2022 vintage was another year of drought, producing intense wines with plenty of stuffing. The 2022 Bibi Graetz ‘Testamatta’ Red Wine (OB, 96) which is a notch better than the ’21 and has tremendous aging potential. displays some rustic tannins and refined texture with seriously good aging potential. Even better was the stunning 2022 Bibi Graetz ‘Colore Bianco’ White Wine (OB, 98) which is the finest Italian white wine that I have tasted in several years. There is nothing quite like this wine in the world. You should not miss these sensational new wines that are perfect for any serious collector of Italian wines. Learn more about these gorgeous new wines at http://www.bibigraetz.com Here are the incredible new release wines by Bibi Graetz.

2022 Bibi Graetz ‘Testamatta’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Testamatta’ is a stunning Sangiovese wine made from vines that are roughly 40-50 years of age. On the nose this is very pretty with guava and red cherry notes alongside blood orange zest, worn leather and salty soils. The palate is soft and refined with silky tannins and good sense of weight and length. Inviting and broad-shouldered, with loads of structure, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 96

2022 Bibi Graetz ‘Colore’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Colore’ comes from old Sangiovese vines that are located in Lamole. This is an ethereal bottling that really is needing several hours in the decanter prior to enjoyment. A pillowy soft texture and beautiful red floral aromatics mark the start alongside deep red fruits. The palate is plush and refined as this seamless wine glides throughout the drinking experience. This is Sangiovese at its finest, showing an otherworldly purity of red fruits, with plenty of salty and savory nuances. A total knockout, enjoy this stunner now and over the next twenty plus years. Drink 2025-2050- 99

PerUs

I have long been a fan of the wines by Russell Bevan. Today we present PerUs which is is an ultra-premium producer of red wines out of Napa, sourcing from some great vineyards including Sugarloaf Mountain and Edcora Vineyard (high elevation site). PerUs was founded by Anmol Bhandari who was born and raised in New Delhi, immigrated to the United States and built a successful career in finance – initially at Goldman Sachs and later co-founding Cians Analytics based in New York – a company that provides research and analytical support to international financial institutions. Anmol was introduced to Dustin Wilson, Master Sommelier, and they both would travel to the Napa Valley to research both vineyards and winemakers. Dustin introduced Ammol to Russell Bevan, one of the world’s great winemakers. PerUs only made 30 cases in their first vintage, 2013. They make a great range of full-throttle wines.

The latest releases come from the 2022 vintage which had really difficult harvest conditions. Bevan did an amazing job managing these wines.  I love the new 2022 PerUs ‘Janeen’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is inky and bold, showing good tension despite the heat of the vintage. Learn more about this famed boutique winery at https://www.peruswine.com/pages/home.php Here are the stunning new releases by PerUs.

2022 PerUs ‘Janeen’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Janeen’ is a stunning wine coming from the Sage Ridge Vineyard. 100% varietal, this shows off pretty violet rose petals with boysenberry cordial, mocha and tar notes. Full-bodied and very dense, with good verve considering the heat of the vintage, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2040- 96

2022 PerUs ‘Lyla’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Lyla’ is a world-class blend that is showing beautifully in its heady youth. Asian spices, espresso bean and scorched earth all mark the nose alongside suggestions of Black Forest Cake. The palate is plush and dense with a soft mouthfeel and great sense of tension. Salty minerals mark the palate alongside a decadent core of black and blue fruits. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next twelve years. Drink 2024-2040- 96

2022 PerUs ‘Bryn’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Bryn’ is a total stunner coming from the Tench & Sage Ridge Vineyards. This is a massive wine that is showing beautifully right now with its core of mocha, tar, sweet pipe tobacco and molten chocolate alongside blackberry compote. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2036- 95

Koehler Family Wines

One of the really good houses of Santa Barbara County, Koehler farms a 40-acre property that includes 50-year-old estate vines.  Many serving their viticultural team have been with Koehler Winery for decades. Derek Koehler grew up on the estate and spent a semester in France studying international practices within the wine industry. Today he is in charge of the operations of the family winery. Wines are made by Trace Brueske and were seriously good across the board. I love the 2023 Koehler Viognier (OB, 92) which has great texture and weight. Just as good is the 2023 Koehler Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is rich and dense with good flavor range. Learn more about this outstanding house at https://www.koehlerwinery.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Koehler Family Wines.

2023 Koehler Sauvignon Blanc- Stored on the lees for six months, this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc delivers mango and white grapefruit aromatics alongside shades of ripe peach. The palate is juicy and nicely textured with good richness. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2023 Koehler Grenache Blanc- Coming from the Santa Ynez Valley, this 2023 Grenache Blanc was stored in all neutral wood before bottling. Kiwi and rich melon flavors combine with a smooth mouthfeel and good underlying tension on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2023 Koehler Chardonnay- A beautiful wine, the 2023 Chardonnay was stored in oak for ten months before bottling. This is rich and viscous stuff with buttercream and shades of poached pear with pineapple notes on the palate. Offering good length, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2023 Koehler Viognier- A beautiful bottling, the 2023 Koehler Viognier offers tangerine zest and star jasmine water on the plate alongside good verve and texture. Medium to full-bodied enjoy this delicious wine now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2023 Koehler Picpoul- A really novel wine from this region, the 2023 Picpoul shows off good texture and tension once on the mouth. Key limes and shades of cantaloupe combine on the palate, with copious minerals. Soft and round, enjoy now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2023 Koehler Rose- Made from Grenache grapes, as well as some Cinsault and Mourvèdre, this 2023 Rose delivers very pretty red rose water notes on the palate, alongside cranberry and Yakima cherry. Soft and refined, enjoy now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2023 Koehler Pinot Gris- A skin contact wine, the 2023 Pinot Gris shows off nutty tones on the nose alongside orange blossom, and delicate red fruits. The palate is juicy and beautifully textured, as this has impressive weight and saltily accents. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2030- 92

2023 Koehler Gamay- This may be the first Gamay from this region that I have tasted, as the 2023 Koehler Gamay was stored in neutral oak for six months before bottling. This is tension-filled stuff with bubblegum and bright red fruits that mingle well with salty soils and minerals on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 91

2022 Koehler Pinot Noir- The 2022 Pinot Noir was stored in 30% new French oak barrels before bottling. Coming from this warm vintage, this delivers salty soil character with cola, cran-orange and shades of ripe pomegranate seed. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy this delightful bottling now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Koehler Mencia- A truly unique wine, the 2022 Koehler Mencia was stored for 16 months in neutral oak before bottling. Inky in the glass this offers concentrated black and red fruits with a smooth texture and salty soils. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Koehler Grenache- This 2022 Grenache comes from the Peake Ranch in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. This comes off very pretty with a gorgeous core of red fruits that mingle well with orange peel, stony soils and shades of fresh sage. Medium-bodied, with good tension, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Koehler Cabernet Franc- Coming from the Peake Ranch Vineyard, the 2022 Cabernet Franc offers a lovely herbal edge on the nose alongside pencil lead and rich dark fruits. The palate takes on another layer of complexity with chocolate and salty soils alongside the herbal accents. Drink 2024-2034- 92

Quilceda Creek

Today we share one of the famed brands out of Washington. It is always a pleasure speaking with and tasting with Quilceda Creek’s Paul Golitzin. One of North America’s great winemakers, Golitzin took over winemaking for Quilceda more than two decades ago. I have been fortunate enough to taste every vintage of Quilceda Creek. Golitzin got his start in wine when he was very young, and was particularly inspired following a trip to France at age 15. Mentored by his father Alex Golitzin and his great Uncle Andre Tchelistcheff, Paul took what he had learned and developed his own style that has been the most consistently great Cabernet Sauvignon in Washington State. The wines are deep and concentrated regardless of vintage. I am amazed what they have accomplished in the most challenging of vintages — years like 2019 and 2020.

I am honored to be the first critic to taste the new 2022 Quilceda Creek wines. This vintage could have been disastrous for red varietals but a warm fall really stole the show and saved things from ripening issues. 2022 also marked the first vintage that new winemaker Mark Kaigas worked on the wines with Golitzin. Once again Quilceda Creek has crafted several 100 point wines. I adored the 2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is a show-stopping wine that will need more time to fully evolve than the 2021 edition. Make sure to give this beauty a few more years in the cellar. Similarly stunning but very divergent in terms of flavors and aromatics, the head-turning 2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) like the ’21 edition will easily cellar for twenty years. This is a dense, hedonistic beast that really needs a few more years in the cellar. Your patience will be rewarded! Learn more about these incredible wines at quilcedacreek.com and here are my reviews of the sensational 2022 pre-release Cabernet Sauvignon wines by Quilceda Creek.

2022 Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine- This 2022 edition of the CVR has 5% Cabernet Franc blended in from the Champoux Vineyard as well as 3% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot. Beautiful dark florals mark the nose alongside crème de cassis, Asian spices and shades of sagebrush. Silky and soft on the mouth, this shows good flavor density with its core of mocha and dark fruits. Despite the coolness of the vintage this has plenty of stuffing. Delicious now, enjoy over the next ten years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 94

2022 Quilceda Creek Merlot- The mesmerizing 2022 Quilceda Creek Merlot has a large portion of Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) blended in. In blending trials the winemaking team felt that Cabernet added depth to the wine. Jet black in the glass this delivers drop-dead gorgeous red and dark floral aromatics alongside espresso grounds and suggestions of tar and mountain huckleberry. The palate is a sensational expression of weight, depth and minerality, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. The finish just won’t quit. A total stunner, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2045- 99

2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The head-turning 2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 10% Mach One Vineyard fruit blended in, with the remainder coming from the famed Champoux Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. The nose is beyond alluring with toasted walnut and gorgeous purple rose petals that combine with boysenberry cordial, Turkish coffee and shades of dark licorice. The crazy complex aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Pillowy and opulent on the mouth, the seamless texture leads alongside outstanding weight and finesse.  This is a perfect wine in a vintage that shows what can be accomplished in a slightly cooler year. Savor this remarkable achievement over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2026-2050- 100

2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Palengat’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 100% Cabernet Sauvignon ‘Palengat’ is a single vineyard and single clone wine from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Violets and creosote with wet rock and wild blackberry compote mark the nose. The palate is plush with serious concentration and underlying finesse. Silky tannins line this stunning wine that is going to age so gracefully. The balance here is world-class. Enjoy over the next two decades. Drink 2026-2045- 100

2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The monumental 2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Tchelistcheff’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Mach One Vineyard utilizing clone 412 Cabernet Sauvignon. Very brooding in the glass, this shows off dense crème de violette, tar, Turkish coffee and heady black and purple fruits on the palate. A massive beast that really needs some air for taming, give this a few years in the cellar before uncorking. Drink 2026-2046- 100

2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Hailing from Red Mountain, this 2022 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a next level effort from this slightly cooler vintage. Once in the nose this takes on scorched earth and menthol notes alongside purple rose petals and suggestions of exotic spices. The palate is very powerful and dense with crazy food finesse and texture. Enjoy this world-class Cabernet Sauvignon bottling over the next twenty plus years. Drink 2026-2046- 100

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