2015 Cayuse Retrospective

“I have something really special for you to try” said Vigneron Christophe Baron as I answered the phone. Baron has been really excited about a special release of wines from the 2015 vintage that he has been planning. 2015 was not an easy vintage to say the least. Harvest was the earliest in history and he faced temperatures well over 130 degrees in some of his vineyards. However, Baron knew what to do on the vineyard management side. “No, it was not easy” he explained “But when you have world-class farming then you will have great wines” he explained. He mentioned that he enjoyed the challenge of the growing season. This was a year where clearly Baron made some of the finest wines of the vintage.

I have enjoyed many of his 2015 wines from my personal collection. The No Girls wines in particular were seriously good and drinking marvelously upon release. Having enjoyed many older wines from Baron’s cellar, it is remarkable how well these wines can age despite the heat of the vintage. I am enamored by the 2015 Cayuse ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine (OB, 97) which is a dense and hedonistic version of this wine, showing excellent tension despite the warmth of the vintage. I think you will be really impressed with how these 2015 wines are showing right now. They will be available for Cayuse customers later in 2025. Here are my reviews of the 2015 Cayuse wines.

2015 Cayuse ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah- It has now been several years since I have tasted the beautiful 2015 ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah by vigneron Christophe Baron. This wine comes from this site littered with basalt cobblestones as it was stored in 15% new French oak for 21 months prior to bottling. Wet stone and blood orange zest mark the nose alongside umami and seaweed notes. The palate is plush and seamless with a smooth texture and good sense of finesse despite the heat of the vintage. Fully mature, broad-shouldered and delicious, watch this evolve over the next six years. Drink 2025-2030- 96

2015 Cayuse ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine- The 2015 ‘God Only Knows’ was originally one of the highest scoring wines from the Northwest from this difficult, very hot vintage. Mainly made from Grenache vines, this was stored for 21 months in all neutral oak before bottling. This is fresh and fragrant wine that os loaded with dense red fruits alongside seaweed, orange peel, lavender and shades of white pepper on the palate. Beautifully textured and velvety on the mouth, enjoy this now and over the next several years. Drink 2025-2030- 97

2015 Cayuse ‘The Lovers’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2015 ‘The Lovers’ is a gorgeous combination of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Syrah. Stored in 30% new French oak for 21 months, this offers cedar and red bell pepper tones that combine with stony minerals and generous dark fruits on the palate. Subtle notes of garrigue and milk chocolate follow, as this is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2025-2031- 96

The Eyrie Vineyards

Today we share the outstanding wines of Jason Lett and The Eyrie Vineyards. One of the historic wineries in Oregon, Lett continues his father's legacy that began in the 1960s. David Lett is known for making the first Pinot Gris wines in North America and made his mark as one of Oregon’s premier vintners. Jason has continued his father’s legacy and is crafting one of the outstanding wine lineups in the Willamette Valley. These wines age incredibly well as I have tasted some from the 1980s that still have life.

The new wines come from the slightly cooler 2022 vintage. I love the 2023 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘The Eyrie’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is a killer value for the price. Even better is the new 2022 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘The Eyrie’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which has the depth, flavor density, and flavor complexity to cellar well for decades. Learn more about this fantastic and historic winery and their wines at http://www.eyrievineyards.com Here are the outstanding wines by The Eyrie Vineyards. 

2023 The Eyrie Vineyards Chasselas Dore- A unique wine from Oregon, the 2023 The Eyrie Vineyards Chasselas Dore delivers green apple and juicy melon notes on the nose with shades of pie crust and marzipan. The palate is fresh and shows a great mineral steak with a soft mouthfeel. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘The Eyrie’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2023 ‘The Eyrie’ is a dense and polished effort from this warmer vintage. Japanese pear and alongside marzipan and brioche notes that all mingle well with the beautiful tension in the wine. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Estate’ Pinot Gris- A world-class ‘Estate’ Gris, this 2023 edition offers serious texture and richness, with an oily mouthfeel once on the approach. Meyer lemon, cantaloupe and shades of baking spices all combine with bright starfruit and marzipan notes on the palate. Dense and approachable now, this has both the weight and structure to cellar well for another ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a world-class coming from this site first founded back in 1965. This is rich, layered and highly nervy stuff that is drinking remarkably well in its tension-filled youth. Once on the nose this takes on salty soils with wet rock, Mandarin orange rind and suggestions of cardamom with bright guava fruits. The palate is soft and refined, showing a silky texture and excellent minerality. Not big or burly but full on the mouth, with terrific flavor density, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Daphne’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Daphne’ comes from this 13 acre ‘Daphne Vineyard’ parcel in the Dundee Hills. The volcanic soil character is evident here, showing crushed wet rock, red rose petals, orange rind and shades of teaberry on the nose. The palate is smoky and wonderfully textured, with serious tension. Pure in terms of its ripe red fruit profile, enjoy now and over the next ten plays years. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2022 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Sisters’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Sisters’ comes from vines set on Jory and Marine Sedimentary soils. This is translucent in the glass, offering a silky texture with lovely weight and tension. Ripe guava and red raspberry fruit flavors mingle well with salty soils and cran-pomegranate. Gorgeous now, and wonderfully nervy, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Outcrop’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Outcrop’ Pinot Noir was sourced from this small site in the Dundee Hills AVA. This is already drinking beautifully right now, with rocky soils and red rose petals on the nos alongside orange rind and shades of white pepper. The palate is plush and round, with a generous mouthfeel and plenty of mouth-watering acidity. Bright and fresh, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘Rolland Green’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Rolland Green Vineyard’ comes from this small, 6-acre site set on ungrafted Wadenswil and Pommard clone Pinot Noir. This is fresh and lithe stuff, offering wet stone with orange peel, suggestions of forest floor and black truffle shavings that mingle well with tart red and dark fruits. Brimming with bright acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2022 The Eyrie Vineyards ‘The Eyrie’ Pinot Noir- The mesmerizing 2022 ‘The Eyrie’ comes from some of the older Pinot Noir vines found in the Willamette Valley. This is a classy, dense and beautifully nervy effort that has decades to go. Coming from this sixteen acre site, the wine is wonderfully earthy with forest floor and peat moss notes that mingle well with black tea, blackberry compete and red currants on the palate. Complex and delicious with serious tension and salty soil accents, enjoy now and one the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

En Garde

Today we share fabulous Sonoma producer, En Garde. This brand produces a beautiful range of wines from Sonoma Pinot to Napa Cabernet and even Petite Sirah. Founder and winemaker Csaba Szakál grew up on his family’s vineyards, learning winemaking and viticulture from family. He spent his summers helping tend the vineyards and quickly learned the value of working hard to achieve a goal. I have really enjoyed the Pinots by En Garde since I first tasted them several years back. The wines are really delicious across the board.

I found the 2022 En Garde ‘Touche Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) to be a stunning, complex Cabernet that speaks beautifully to this warm vintage. Similarly good, the 2023 ‘Pleasant Hill’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) is dense and complex stuff that has beautiful terroir character in the salty soil accents. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://www.engardewinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the new En Garde wines.

2023 En Garde ‘Pleasant Hill’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Pleasant Hill’ was sourced from this site in the Russian River Valley. Translucent in the glass, this delivers loads of texture with juicy strawberry, pomegranate seed and Bing cherry fruit flavors that meld well with salty soils on the palate. Jam-packed full of flavor, with great verve, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2023 En Garde ‘Hernandez Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 En Garde ‘Hernandez Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from the Los Carneros region. Soft and approachable, this delivers sea salt dusted red fruits that combine with blood orange zest and suggestions of loamy soils on the palate. A delight to enjoy now, savor this over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 En Garde ‘Grand Vin’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2022 ‘Grand Vin’ primarily Merlot (85%) with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot. On the nose this shows sweet pipe tobacco and chocolate notes alongside loganberry puree. The palate comes off fat and round on the mouth with a terrific mouthfeel. Broad-shouldered and generous, the toasty oak caresses the core of black fruits, with sandalwood and hints of Cuban cigar. Delightful now, enjoy this already neatly evolved wine over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 93

20212 En Garde ‘Hendrickson Vineyard Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 En Garde ‘Hendrickson Vineyard Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this location high atop Atlas Peak. The wine was aged in Hungarian and French oak barrels for 24 months before bottling, as this shows creme de cassis and tobacco leaf on the nose alongside pencil lead and suggestions of Black Forest Cake. Neatly textured and concentrated, with a smooth entry and lush core of black fruits, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 En Garde ‘Le Bijou du Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2022 En Garde ‘Le Bijou du Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Sori Bricco Vineyard in the Diamond Mountain District. Aged in nearly all new French oak for 24 months, this delivers beautiful power with strong finesse on the palate. Creme de violette, tar and tobacco leaf flavors mingle well with refined tannins and a graphite edge on the palate. Round and broad-shouldered, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2022 En Garde ‘Touche Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Touche Reserve’ is another stunning release of this wine. Stored in nearly all new French oak barrels, this opens with a gorgeous bouquet of violet rose petals, dark currents, pencil lead and suggestions of boysenberry coyote. The palate is complex and viscous with serious texture and good tension that frames this gorgeous bottling. Really complex and delicious now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 95

Sleight of Hand

Today we share a must read for lovers of Rock music and great Washington wine. Sleight of Hand is a beautiful Walla Walla-based winery and has tasting rooms also in SoDo (south Seattle) and Woodinville. The winery has grown exponentially since first being founded back in 2007. Trey Busch as well as Jerry and Sandy Solomon focused on producing wines from top sites like StoneyVine and Upland as well as WeatherEye and Lewis Vineyards. Keith Johnson joined the team in 2011 and has been a revelation as their production winemaker. Keith oversees the winery on a daily basis, and during harvest, while Trey and Jerry are in the vineyards making picking decisions, he is managing our harvest team, making sure everything is being taken care of in the cellar. Keith also makes some amazing wines under his Devium label that are incredible in their own right.

The new wines come from the slightly cooler 2022 vintage. This was a vintage that saw some variation across Washington wineries — however the new SOH releases really impressed. I adore the 2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Psychedelic’ Syrah (OB, 96) which is not quite as dense as the ’21 but has even more nerve and poise. Learn more about this outstanding winery at http://www.sofhcellars.com Here are the awesome new release wines from Sleight of Hand.

2023 Sleight of Hand ‘The Magician’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘The Magician’ Riesling is golden in the glass, as a whiff of petrol hits you initially. Sourced from the Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes AVA, this is made in the Trocken style, with baked apple and pear alongside stafruit and dense brioche notes on the palate, with a smooth mouthfeel. Really well-done, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2023 Sleight of Hand ‘The Enchantress’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘The Enchantress’ comes from the 40 year old French Creek Vineyard. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this delivers salted peach and Macadamia nut tones on the palate, alongside a smooth mouthfeel and bright underlying tension. Medium to full-bodied, this is another brilliant edition of this wine that is drinking marvelously in its youth. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Spellbinder’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘The Spellbinder’ was stored for ten months in neutral oak barrels prior to bottling. It is a juicy and delicious rendition of this Bordeaux-inspired blend, with red currants, damp soils, sagebrush and fresh thyme on the palate. Medium-bodied, enjoy now and over the next several years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Conjurer’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘The Conjurer’ combines primarily Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark in the glass, this delivers a soft mouthfeel with cedar and tar notes that combine with espresso bean and suggestions of milk chocolate, with medium to full bodied dark fruits. Soft and approachable now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 92

2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Illusionist’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Illusionist’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of sites throughout Washington State and was stored in 55% new French oak barrels for 20 months prior to bottling. It is smooth and delightfully concentrated on the palate, with blackberry and loganberry liquor, Black Forest Cake and Arabica bean flavors that meld with scorched earth accents. Medium to full-bodied and showing good nerve, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Archimage’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘The Archimage’ is a Right Bank-inspired blend of near equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Showing off an inky core in the glass, this offers black and red rose petals on the nose alongside dusty soils, black currants and shades of sweet pipe tobacco leaf that all meld in the glass. The palate is refined and elegant, with medium to full-bodied kirsch, graphite, boysenberry and chocolate pie flavors. Delightful to savor now, showing a strong herbal edge, enjoy over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Psychedelic’ Syrah- A stunning rendition of this wine that is dense and finesse-laden, the 2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Psychedelic’ Syrah comes from the acclaimed Stoney Vine Vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks District. Given some air this exudes class with its bacon fat and black olive tapenade notes on the nose alongside smoldering stones and suggestions of Morel mushroom. The palate is loaded with bright red and fruits, as the weightless drinking experience is very gratifying. This might be slightly less dense than the ’21 but possesses more underlying verve. Tension-filled and juicy, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 96

2021 Sleight of Hand ‘Spiders From Mars’ Syrah- An amazing new edition of this wine, the 2022 ‘Spiders From Mars’ comes from the ‘Ziggy Stardust Block’ set on broken basalt at the Elevation Vineyard. Stored in mainly neural oak barrels for 20 months, this delivers amazing aromatic range from black olive tapenade, smoked BBQ beef, boysenberry compote and suggestions of Mandarin orange zest that all take shape in the glass. The palate is elegant and refined, with serious tension and good richness with a beautiful melange of red and dark fruits. Very mineral-driven and soft on the mouth, this is drinking marvelously right now in its nervy youth. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2022 Sleight of Hand ‘Badlands’ Syrah- A new wine to the Sleight of Hands portfolio, the 2022 ‘Badlands’ comes from the Borderlands Vineyard, located in the Walla Walla Rocks District. This is wonderfully savory and smoky on the nose with bay leaf and soy sauce that combines with braised duck and shades of Kalamatta olive. The palate is smooth and refined with good tension and depth, showing mainly a core of black fruits alongside charcuterie, green olives, and plenty of rocky soil character. This is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2022 Sleight of Hand ‘The Funkadelic’ Syrah- A impressive follow-up to the ’21, the 2022 ‘The Funkadelic’ is a stunning wine that saw 20 months in neutral French oak prior to bottling. Black Forest cake flavors meld well with beef drippings, oyster sauce, wet gravel and suggestions of creme de violette on the palate. A complex and dense edition of this wine that is already nicely evolved, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. 150 cases made of this beauty. Drink 2025-2035- 96

Acumen

Today we share the wines of Eric Yuan and his Napa estate. He has utilized the talents of winemaker Phillip Titus and renowned Viticulturist Garrett Buckland. His brand, Acumen Wines, has established an estate that features 116 organically certified acres of vines, spread across two vineyards on Napa Valley’s Atlas Peak. The Acumen team makes a small portfolio of estate-grown wines, with a focus on mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc as well as Sauvignon Blanc.

It is no surprise that Phillip Tutus describes this region as “remote and extremely difficult to plant.” Acumen acquired its first vineyard on Atlas Peak in 2012. Originally planted in 1992, and featuring 32 acres of vines with a northeast exposure, the Attelas Vineyard was the ‘home vineyard’ of Dr. Jan Krupp, predating his famed Stagecoach Vineyard by three years. In 2014, Acumen expanded its estate program with the acquisition of the Edcora Vineyard, which features 84 acres of vines 350 feet higher up on Atlas Peak.

I adored both of the new release wines by Acumen, both coming from the somewhat challenging2022 vintage. The 2022 Acumen Wines ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 95) which is rich and viscous with serious tension and herbal accents.  I absolutely love these new wines and learn more at https://www.acumenwine.com. Here are my reviews of the new Acumen Wines.

2022 Acumen ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc- The 2022 ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Franc is a gorgeous edition of this wine by winemaker Phillip Titus that has small portions Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. This is plump and round on the mouth with red bell pepper and creosote tones that mingle well with garrigue, dark currants and good underlying verve considering the heat of the vintage. Full-bodied and already nicely evolved, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Acumen ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘PEAK’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers dense dark fruits that speak to the vintage. Chocolate, fresh sage and loamy soils complete this outstanding bottling that is already drinking beuaitfully. Drink 2025-2037- 93

Melville

It is my pleasure to share some of the best QPR wines you will find on the west coast. For years Chad Melville has been making his namesake winery’s wines. He studied under eminent winemaker Greg Brewer for years and his wines share a similar vein of texture, richness and mouthfeel.

Chad utilizes his family’s 82 acre property that produces marvelous, saline-drenched wines with beautiful texture and poise. It all started back in 1996 when the Melville vineyard was first planted by Chad’s father Ron Melville and his brothers. The vineyard was planted to 14 different clones of Pinot Noir and 4 different clones of Chardonnay, as well as Syrah and Viognier. The new releases by Chad Melville were simply gorgeous across the board, none more so than the 2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is dense and concentrated stuff with lovely salty character. I adore the 2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is a killer wine to buy by the case. Learn more about this outstanding producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah at http://melvillewinery.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Melville. 

2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Chardonnay Another year, another outstanding release of the ‘Estate’ Chardonnay as this edition comes from the 2023 vintage. Salted peach and juicy pears all mark the palate alongside shades of shortbread on the palate. Showing a smooth mouthfeel, with copious minerals, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2034- 93

2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant 2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a brilliant wine from winemaker Chad Melville. A whiff of cola marks the nos alongside deep pomegranate seed, Bing cherry and shades of Mandarin orange rind. Soft and approachable, loaded with dense red fruits and copious salty minerals, it is hard to find a better California Pinot Noir at this price point. Enjoy now and over the next eight years or so. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 Melville ‘Sandy’s Block’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Sandy’s Block’ Pinot Noir is a site in the estate vineyard which is named after Chad’s Aunt Sandy. This location is due north of the winery. This offers a beautiful nervy entrance, with loads of kumquat zest and Bing cherry flavors alongside sandy soils and wintergreen accents on the palate. Complex, mineral-laden and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2034- 94

2023 Melville ‘Terraces’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Terraces’ comes from a clay-rich loam and calcareous shale block in the estate vineyard. This is very intense and mineral-driven stuff, with bright red fruits that combine with satsuma orange zest, red clay and shades of wet stone. Medium-bodied, nicely viscous and showing good length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Melville ‘Anna’s Block’ Pinot Noir- Translucent in the glass, the 2023 ‘Anna’s Block’ comes vines location in the southern portion of the vineyard which were planted back more than 20 years ago in 2001. This is plump, round and generous on the mouth, despite its translucent color. Opulent guava, wild strawberry and red cherry flavors combine with rocky and salty soils on the palate, as the nerve and salty essence makes your mouth water. A joy to consume now, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-200- 96

2023 Melville ‘Block M’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Block M’ is another total stunner by Melville. Once on the nose this exudes class with its generous core of red fruits, with red rose petals, citrus rind and salty/rocky soils. The palate is rich and voluptuous with a gorgeous texture and good underlying sense of tension. The terroir is marvelous here, as this is drinking beautifully in its mineral-laden, heady youth. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Syrah- A stunning value, the 2023 Melville ‘Estate’ Syrah comes from this salty terroir at the Melville Estate Vineyard. Smoked meats and iodine mark the nose alongside a great melange of red and dark fruits, with menthol accents. The palate is beautifully textured with outstanding concentration. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Melville ‘Donna’s Block’ Syrah- The dazzling 2022 ‘Donna’s Block’ is a world-class wine that offers sensational aromatic range. Once on the nose this takes on violets and bacon fat aromatics that combine with black olive tapenade, oyster sauce and blackberry compote that meld in the glass. The palate is deep and concentrated, with refined tannins and excellent depth. Rich and fat on the tongue, with salty soil essence and great tension, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 97

REVIEW: BRITISH AIRWAYS CONCORDE ROOM LOUNGE LONDON HEATHROW TERMINAL 5

There is little question that the British Airways Concorde Room maintains its status as of the world’s great lounges. The exclusive Concorde Room is located at Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow Airport. The lounge is best known for its fantastic hospitality and service which remains to be very consistent to this day.

I had a fantastic visit to the Concorde Room which obviously is not the Emirates First Lounge in Dubai. But my visit reminded me of the great attention to detail that employees bring to work each day. I think this experience blows away any lounge experience in the United States.

ACCESS

Very exclusive, you can only access this illustrious lounge if you are flying First Class or have a British Airways Concorde Room card which grants you access to Concorde Room regardless of your ticket class.

SURROUNDINGS

As you enter the lounge there are many cozy seating options that have somewhat recently been refreshed. Some of these chairs and sofas have nearby charging stations. I always enjoy going to the bar for a glass of champagne. The bar surroundings are really beautiful and you can also eat here with their expansive lunch and breakfast menus.

While they are no longer serving the Laurent Perrier ‘Grand Siecle’ they have a top vintage champagne, the 2006 ‘Cuvee Louise’ by Pommery. The wine is served in an exclusive stem that is designed for this older, very Burgundian champagne. The lounge also serves an excellent espresso and expresso martini if you feel like you are in the mood for a cocktail.

The Concorde Room does not have a great selection of red and white wines, as there are cheaper Bordeaux options available. I think that the best wine they serve is the 2021 ‘Rock Angel’ which is a beautifully-aged Provence Rose.

The espresso martini is really well-made — not too sweet and beautifully balanced. Their bar lead has worked in the Concorde Room for more than five years and really has a deft touch to the drinks she makes. This was enjoyed with a fabulous breakfast which included Eggs Royale and transitional English breakfast. It was a lot of food but fun to taste. They did an excellent job with their fresh Hollandaise sauce.

The Concorde Room has an extensive liquor collection which includes Don Julio 1942 (USD $200). You can even have Johnny Walker Blue Label scotch if you fancy which retails for 250 USD. I think one of the lounge’s strong points is definitely these options as well as their list of sparkling wines. I think that their sparkling wines definitely rival the Emirates First Lounge. They serve beautiful vintage Hattingley Valley sparkling wine that you can taste alongside the 2006 Pommery ‘Cuvee Louise.’

BATHROOMS:

While very sanitary, the bathrooms in the Concorde Room are sadly outdated. One small perk is the Elemins products they carry for soap and lotion. The showering area is sterile. Some other Concorde Room patrons have complained about the bathrooms for years. Functional but not fancy would describe these. There is nonstop cleaning at the bathroom area which is great.

You never go hungry at the Concorde Room as you can dine and drink whenever you like. Service for me is really top class British hospitality. 

THE TERRACE:

Frequent fliers also complain about service around the Terrace. I have not found this to be an issue as waiters were refilling my champagne and water. I love the Terrace as it is the spot in Concorde Room where you can see all the happenings of Terminal 5. It is really entertaining to watch the other planes take off. The terrace has comfortable couches and a range of seating options with charging stations. The furniture was updated roughly a year ago and is a lovely improvement. I think this expansive part of the Concorde Room is rarely very busy and you are always going to find a comfortable seat here.

CONCORDE DINING

For sure one of the perks Concorde Room is the Concorde Dining, located in the heart of the Concorde Room. This is a very elegant setting which serves both breakfast and lunch. It is particularly fun if you have many friends with you.

They do a great job with the their pork terrine as well as the duck confit. Both were absolutely delicious and the duck literally fell off the bone. For me this is the finest entree that I have tasted here yet.

BOTTOM LINE

For years British Airways frequent fliers have been complaining about the Concorde Room. I think they should visit a lounge in the United States before they do that. For me there is absolutely no complaining about food quality, beverage quality or service here. As a One World Emerald there are certainly no US lounges that rival this level of service or dining experience. The American Airlines ‘First Dining’ comes close but has poor service consistently. The decor has improved in the Concorde Room.

While I would prefer it, I don’t need a fancy bathroom. If you want to be comfortable and sip world-class champagne or maybe enjoy a killer espresso martini — all with excellent service? Then I think you need to visit the Concorde Room.

Champagne Palmer & Co.

Champagne Palmer & Co began in 1947 as an association of seven well established winegrowers, all owners of Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the areas of the Montagne de Reims. Starting in 1959, the founders established themselves in Reims where they purchased cellars of a Champagne House. You can find their wines in the BA First Lounge in Terminal 5 currently.

Today the house owns 200 hectares (490 acres) classified as Grand and Premier Crus in the Reims area. Grapes from the Côte de Sézanne, Côte des Bars and Vallée de la Marne are also used in the wines. I really enjoyed their new wines including their NV Blanc de Blancs (OB, 93) which was a rich and beautifully textured of this wine that was stored for five years on the lees. Learn more about these great champagnes at https://www.champagne-palmer.fr/en/naturally-elegant/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Palmer & Co.

NV Champagne Palmer ‘La Reserve Nature’ Champagne- The really good NV Champagne Palmer ‘La Reserve Nature’ Champagne shows crushed seashell and yellow plum with lemon oil on the palate. Bright and tension-filled, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 91

NV Champagne Palmer ‘La Reserve’ Champagne- The delicious NV Champagne Palmer ‘La Reserve’ Champagne shows a soft mousse with brioche and citrus blossom water on the palate, with salty minerals. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

NV Champagne Palmer ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Champagne- The NV ‘Blanc de Blancs’ mainly comes from the vineyards of Trépail and Villers-Marmery. Given 6 G/L dosage, the wine was aged on the lees for five years prior to disgorgement. Salted Macadamia nut flavors combine with green melon and white grapefruit oil on the palate. Deep and concentrated, this is an awesome effort that is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2035- 93

NV Champagne Palmer ‘Rose Solera’ Rose Champagne- The NV Champagne Palmer ‘Rose Solera’ Rose Champagne is mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Meunier. Aged on the lees for three years, this has 30% Reserve wines blended in. An intriguing copper hue, this opens with kiwi and wild strawberry on the nose alongside diatomaceous earth and orange zest. The palate is delicious and very earthy, with a refined mousse. This is really well-done. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Leonetti Cellar

Everyone remembers an epiphany wine. For me, one of mine was back when I was in graduate school. My parents and I enjoyed a relatively young bottle of 2000 Leonetti Merlot and I was just amazed to see how beautifully done this wine was. It was a great example of benchmark North American Merlot.

Leonetti has always been a highly traditional winery, making several wines each year and not branching out to new projects.  For the past few years they are producing an amazing single vineyard project is a great chance for owner and winemaker Chris Figgins to show how different terroirs are reflected in his Cabernet Sauvignon. He makes the finest Aglianico you will taste in the Pacific Northwest.

I love the new 2019 Leonetti Cellar Aglianico (OB, 96) which is a stunning edition of this wine and is already drinking marvelously. I am enamored once again by the 2022 Leonetti Cellar Sangiovese (OB, 95) which is dense and heady stuff that has a long life to go in the cellar.  I adore the 2022 Leonetti Cellar ‘Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 99) which I tasted over several days. This is a total masterclass in terms of flavor density and texture. Learn more about these stunning new wines at http://leonetticellar.com/ Here are my reviews of the beautiful new future release Leonetti Cellar wines. 

2022 Leonetti Sangiovese- The 100% varietal 2022 Leonetti Sangiovese was stored for 22 months in new and once-filled French oak barrels and neutral oval Botti before bottling. This edition, like the 2021, was sourced from the Holy Roller, Loess, Seven Hills and Mill Creek Upland Vineyard Vineyards. Needing about 30 minutes in the decanter to fully get going, this emerges with menthol aromatics that combine with red florals, wild blackberry, loamy soils and shades of damp suede that all take shape in the glass. Offering a deep core considering the varietal, the palate is nicely concentrated and round, with a refined mouthfeel and good sense of weight despite the coolness of the vintage. You won’t find a finer example of this varietal in the Pacific Northwest. A dazzling wine to enjoy now, savor this beauty over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Leonetti Merlot- The 2023 Leonetti Merlot is a revelation and has a long way to go in the cellar. Like the ’22, the ’23 Merlot is a pure varietal wine that really needs about an hour in the decanter before enjoying. Coming from the Loess, Mill Creek Upland and Leonetti Old Block Vineyards, this opens with milk chocolate and black tea aromatics that combine with suggestions of boysenberry compote and sous bois alongside sweet pipe tobacco and milk chocolate dusted cherry with lifted red florals. The beautiful aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is dense and full-bodied, with a refined texture and good sense of weight. Try to resist this beauty for another year. Drink 2026-2045- 95

2022 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon- A gorgeous effort from this slightly cooler vintage, the opulent 2022 Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon has a long way to go in the cellar. Needing about an hour in the decanter to be fully expressive, this edition is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon with 6% Malbec blended in. Black currants and allspice combine on the nose with suggestions of cigar box, and Turkish coffee notes that all meld in the glass. The palate is generous and round with a terrific underlying verve. Gorgeous and mineral-laden, enjoy over the next twenty years. Tasted over several days. Drink 2026-2050- 97

2022 Leonetti ‘Reserve’ Red Wine- A stunning rendition of this wine, the 2022 Leonetti ‘Reserve’ is a world-class bottling that combines 75% Cabernet Sauvignon with 19% Malbec, and the remainder Petit Verdot. Arabica bean aromatics combine with shades of loamy soils, dark currant cordial, Cuban cigar and blackberry compote. The palate is viscous and concentrated with serious underlying tension that runs through the core of black and blue fruits. Broad-shouldered and full-bodied, this is a resounding success from a difficult vintage. Tasted over two days, try to resist this beauty for at least another two years. Drink 2027-2050- 99

2019 Leonetti Aglianico- An incredible wine from this cooler vintage, the 2019 Leonnetti Aglianico is once again 100% varietal, that had extended aging for 44 months in terracotta amphorae, as well as new and neutral French oak barrels prior to bottling. Flavors of tar and tobacco leaf combine with brilliant blue fruits on the palate. Dense and nervy, with refined tannins, this is already neatly evolved stuff that will drink well for decades to come. Give this about 30 minutes of air if enjoying now. Drink 2025-2042- 96

FIGGINS

I am always enamored by the great wines of Washington State. While I adore top Cabernet, I always have an affinity for something unique that is made beautifully. Case in point the FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ which is a world-class blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot from the high elevation FIGGINS estate vineyard. For my palate this is the finest PV being made in the state right now. It is wonderfully herbal, inky and concentrated, jam-packed with blue fruits.

Last year I did a vertical of these wines and was blown away with how well they are aging. They are remarkably stable and will last for decades. 2022 was not the easiest vintage for red wines. It was a vintage that had a miraculous warm fall that essentially saved the vintage. The 2022 FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ (OB, 96) is a world-class wine that has great depth, concentration and poise. Learn more about these fantastic wines at figginswine.com. Here are my reviews of the new 2022 FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ wine.

2022 FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ Red Wine- Another beautiful release of this wine, the 2022 ‘Figlia’ is a spellbinding amalgamation of equal parts Merlot and Petit Verdot. Over the years I have been enamored by the Petit Verdot coming from the Figgins Estate Vineyard. Simply put, this has to be the finest PV that I taste in Washington State. Stored in a very small portion of new French oak barrels (only 11% down from 26% in the ’21) this opens with green bell pepper, Turkish coffee and violet florals that mingle well with Black Forest Cake tones on the nose. The palate is soft, round and generous, as the seamless texture mingles brilliantly with a generous core of black and blue fruits. Showing good nerve from this slightly cooler vintage, there is not a wine quite like this in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy now and over the next twenty years. Give this at least an hour in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2025-2045- 96

Kobayashi

Last night tasting with winemaker Travis Allen we chatted about vintages in Washington. “’22 was about perfect weather for white wines” he said. “The coolness really kept the freshness intact.” He has been one vintage behind in his Viognier bottling as his latest dazzling edition came from the 2022 vintage — one that has proved to be exceedingly good for whites.

Last time I tasted their famed ‘Minzunera’ bottling I scored the wine 100 points. It was a perfect, seamless wine that needs a lot of time but showed no rough edges. The Mizunera comes from eight thousand dollar oak barrels that were made from trees foraged from an ancient Japanese forest. Travis and Mario Allen run Kobayashi on their own and have bene making some of the most electric wines in the Pacific Northwest. The wines exude class in their combination of weight, finesse and aromatic/flavor range.

I was floored by the 2022 Kobayashi Viognier (OB, 96) which is easily one of the best wines of its kind made in North America. Even better is the stunning 2023 Kobayashi Roussanne (OB, 98) which will rival any VV wine in Chateauneuf du Pape.  Learn more at https://kobayashiwinery.com and here are my reviews of the sensational new wines by Kobayashi winery. 

20222 Kobayashi Viognier- The 2022 Kobayashi Viognier was aged in all neutral oak barrels and comes from two separate picks from the WeatherEye Vineyard. This is seamless throughout the drinking experience with mango, peach and lychee flavors that combine with copious minerals and shades of papaya. Big and rich, with serious flavor density and good underlying verve. Beautifully textured and weightless, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2023 Kobayashi Roussanne- The brilliant 2023 Kobayashi Roussanne saw extended skin contact and comes from only one barrel. Golden in the glass, this was stored in a normal format barrel with all staves submerged under the ocean which led to more moisture in the wood. Peach and salted macadamia nut tones fill the nose alongside suggestions of cloves and apricot jelly. The palate is unctuous, rich and downright sensational in terms of texture, verve and underlying salinity. Oily and dense, with a seamless texture, this is a downright ethereal bottling that will be neck and neck with anything from Chateauneuf du Pape. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 98

K Vintners 'Royal City' Syrah

Today we share one of the great wines made in Washington. Nothing short of a sensational bottling, Charles Smith is most famous for crafting his wine from the ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ near the town of Royal City and at what is now the Royal Slope AVA. This is a really special salty and stony bottling that has amazing aromatic and flavor range.

The Stoneridge Vineyard sits in an alluvial fan gravel bed, above the flood plain of the Columbia River. Under the topsoil is a layer of caliche and basalt 6-12’’ deep, creating a calcium and iron rich media that forces roots to struggle. I love the new 2021 K Vintners ‘Royal City’ Syrah (OB, 96) which is a world-class new Syrah bottling with sensational range and terroir. It is magical to consume now but will cellar well over the next eight to ten years. Learn more about this great wine at https://houseofsmith.com/brands/kvintners-wines/ Here is my review of the beautiful new 2021 ‘Royal City’ Syrah.

2021 K Vintners ‘Royal City’ Syrah- Truly one of the iconic Washington wines, the 2017 ‘Royal City’ Syrah is sourced from the ‘Stoneridge Vineyard’ in the Royal Slope AVA. This site has a wide range of soil types, including salty loam and sand. Right away the Syrah impresses with heady green peppercorn and Kalamatta olive tapendate aromatics that combine with beef drippings, Mandarin orange zest and suggestions of wet stone. The palate is dense and heady, with serious texture and good underlying verve. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Give it 30 minutes of air if consuming now. Drink 2025-2035- 96

Hertelendy

Today we share a great story of the American dream. After his family immigrated from Hungary and settled down in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ralph Hertelendy started his wine education at a very young age — savoring French Grand Crus at the age of 5! Ralph was 15 when he created his first beer and then made his first wine in a basement at age 25. After getting his business degree from the University of San Francisco, Ralph became a sommelier and worked for several wineries in the Napa Valley as a Winemaker’s Assistant and in sales.

Ralph Hertelendy and Phillip Titus, one of Napa’s great winemakers, craft these wines to be big, dense and loaded with flavor complexity. A graduated of the famed UC Davis Enology and Viticulture program, Titus began his focus on viticulture and wine at the age of 12 when he began helping his father in the family vineyard.

2022 was not the easiest vintage in the Napa Valley, as major heat spikes made harvest conditions more than difficult. These are ’22 wines that you can buy with confidence. They are unabashedly bold and dense bottlings that are drinking beautifully in their heady youth.

Once again they have crafted one of the outstanding Napa Cabernet Francs I have enjoyed over the past year and the 2022 Hertelendy ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 96) is already beautifully evolved, showing brilliant flavor density. Learn more about this famed Napa house at https://hertelendy.com/ and here are the outstanding new wines by Hertelendy.

2023 Vinoville Sauvignon Blanc- The 2023 Vinoville comes from Sonoma and Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc grapes. Gooseberry and pink grapefruit blossom mark the nose with shades of kiwi. This is fresh, neatly-textured stuff that is drinking great in its vibrant youth. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2022 Hertelendy ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Woolsey Road Vineyard’ is sourced from this site in the Russian River Valley. This is dense, unctuous and delicious stuff that shows off the heat of the vintage. Buttered popcorn and saline drenched peaches combine with pie crust and shades of mango creme brûlée on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2022 Hertelendy ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir was stored in a combination of new and neutral oak barrels before bottling. Cola and cran-orange tones mark the nose with baking spices and shades of cedar. The plate is smooth and silky with a refined mouthfeel and good sense of length and weight. Generous and delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2022 Hertelendy ‘Audere’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Audere’ is an inky blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot and Malbec all coming from the Napa Valley. Blueberry compote and graphite tones mark the nose alongside suggestions of allspice dusted black currants. The palate is concentrated and juicy with a silky texture and great sense of weight. Delicious now, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Hertelendy ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc- Another sultry and delightful vintage of this wine, the 2022 Hertelendy ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Franc is an amazing hot-vintage wine by proprietor Ralph Hertelendy. The wine combines 75% Cabernet Franc with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Anise, pencil lead and red florals all combine on the nose with suggestions of fresh sage and creme de cassis. The palate is plush and refined with serious weight and glorious length. Smooth throughout the drinking experience, with well-defined tannins and a gracious core of black and blue fruits, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2022 Hertelendy ‘Signature Mountain Red Blend’ Red Wine- The 2022 Hertelendy ‘Signature Mountain Red Blend’ Red Wine was sourced from the Rockwell Ridge Estate on Howell Mountain. The wine combines Merlot and Cabernet Franc, offering pencil lead and blackberry compote on the nose alongside Turkish coffee notes. The palate is seamless and powerful with serious tension and richness. Generous and drinking marvelously now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2041- 96

2022 Hertelendy ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A stunning new edition of this wine, the 2022 Hertelendy ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a bit less initially reticent than the ’21 edition. Stored for 23 months in 90% New French and Hungarian Oak this is already beautifully evolved stuff, offering a great melange of black and blue fruits on the palate, showing chocolate pie, creme de violette and loamy soils. Full-bodied and opulent in terms of weight and overall texture, with bright tension that beams through the core, enjoy this not for the weary beauty over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2041- 96

2022 Hertelendy ‘Legend’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The beautiful 2022 Hertelendy ‘Legend’ is a stunning barrel selection Cabernet Sauvignon wine that is intense and opulent in the glass. Creme de cassis and black forest cake tones all mark the nose alongside graphite and shades of sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is gorgeous and dense with good underlying finesse. This is already evolved stuff that is impossible to enjoy in it is heady youth. Drink 2025-2041- 96

Force Majeure

It is my pleasure to share the great wines of Force Majeure Vineyard. For years I have admired the beautiful range of wines from this house that include tension-filled Viognier to inky Cabernet Sauvignon. At the helm is winemaker Todd Alexander whose deft hands are crafting easily some of the best wines you will taste in the Pacific Northwest. Alexander has worked formerly with names such as David Abreu and Michel Rolland. His wines exude class with depth, concentration, flavor range of pillowy texture.

I love the new Rhone-inspired wines from 2022. This was a vintage that saw mixed results, with a late harvest and cooler temperatures. The top producers from this vintage made extraordinarily good wines. Case in point, check out the world-class 2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah (OB, 99) which like the ’21 edition flirts with perfection. Don’t miss these beautiful new 2022 wines and check out more at https://forcemajeurevineyards.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Force Majeure. 

2022 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Grenache- The astonishingly good 2022 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Grenache comes from a middle portion of this estate vineyard on Red Mountain. The wine was aged in concrete for 18 months before bottling, and is sheer-class on the nose with its beautiful red florals on the nose alongside shades of bay leaf, menthol, seaweed and Mandarin orange peel. The aromatic range brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The palate is silky and refined, as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Slightly less dense albeit more nervy than the ’21 edition, enjoy this total stunner now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2050- 97

2022 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Parvata’ has considerably more Mourvèdre (50% v 39%) than the 2021 edition, with 29% Grenache and only 21% Syrah (compared to 46% in the ’21). This wine has gotten better and better since it was first made nearly ten years back. This CDP-inspired blend was stored in a limited amount of new French oak barrels prior to bottling. Smoked brisket and beef drippings with Umami all hit the nose alongside white pepper dusted blackberry and shades of wintergreen. The heady and complex aromatics are truly captivating. Silky and elegant throughout the drinking experience, this has to be the finest CDP-inspired blend made in Washington State.  A touch more elegant than the brooding ’21 edition, this might be a notch better — and certainly will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Bravo! Drink 2025-2042- 98

2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah- A dizzying follow up to the 2021, the 2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah was sourced from this 11 acre Red Mountain estate vineyard set on basalt deposits. The wine had 2% Viognier blended in and shows shades of creosote and beef drippings on the nose alongside suggestions of espresso grounds, black rose petals and suggestions of blueberry pie. The palate is rich, viscous and absolutely delicious, with sensational finesse and opulent concentration. This is next-level Syrah that will compete with the finest wines of its kind on the West Coast. Flirting with perfection, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 99

2022 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla Estate’ Syrah- A beautiful wine from their Walla Walla Estate in the stones of Milton-Freewater, the 2022 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla Estate’ Syrah spent 18 months in large format neutral French oak barrels prior to bottling. This is the finest edition of this wine that has been made. Nori, smoldering stones and bacon fat all fill the nose alongside lavender and shades of violets. The palate is dense and nicely concentrated, with good underlying verve. The flavor range is downright sensational, yielding blood orange zest, green peppercorns and Kalamata tapenade alongside BBQ brisket and suggestions of creme de violette. Deftly textured and very nervy, this is a world-class wine that is already beautifully evolved. Enjoy over the next decade or more. Drink 2025-2036- 99

Rare Champagne

It was back in 2018 that Rare Champagne became its own brand, formerly being the top wine of Piper-Hedseick. The house is owned by the EPI group. Rare Champagne is made in select vintages, and this is the latest edition from 2013 with the last Rare Champagne being produced with the epic 2008 vintage. Wines are aged at least ten years on the lees before disgorgement.  Cuvée Rare was first created by Piper-Heidsieck back in 1976. Rare Champagne has only declared 14 vintages, which is one of the most demanding producers in Champagne.  Rare is always a Chardonnay dominant prestige champagne, and utilizes grapes from Trépail and Villers-Marmery in the Montagne de Reims to play first fiddle in the blend instead of classic Côte des Blancs grands crus origins. The new wine was extraordinarily good and has a long life ahead of it.
Chef de caves Emilien Boutillat has crafted a world-class 2013 Rare (OB, 96) which is amongst the finest wines made in the vintage. The year itself was a challenging vintage that had a cold and wet winter and spring which delayed fruit set. This champagne is a monumental achievement of the vintage. Learn more about this incredible wine at https://www.foliowine.com/wine/rare-millesime-brut/ and here is my review of the 2013 Rare Champagne.

2013 Rare Champagne- The 2013 Rare Champagne is the first release of this wine since the outstanding ’08 edition. Composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, sourced from 11 cru villages throughout the region. Toasty brioche and banana mark the nose alongside honeydew melon and salted Macadamia nut. The palate is big and burly considering the vintage. Lemon oil and dense melon flavors combine with Japanese pear, star jasmine water and shades of shortbread. Delightful now, this has the stuffing and finesse to cellar well for another fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2052- 96

Walla Walla Vintners

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

Winemaker Derrek 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.

I loved the last set of his wines and the new wines are brilliant. Don’t miss the 2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese (OB, 91) which is one of the best Sangiovese wines from Washington that I have tasted in the past year. I adored the 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Syrah (OB, 94) which is dense and delicious wine that is drinking marvelously now. Learn more about these great new releases at https://wallawallavintners.com Here are my reviews of the new wines by Walla Walla Vintners. 

2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Woven Fields’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Woven Fields’ is mainly Merlot and Syrah with smaller portions Syrah and Malbec. Anise, black currants and pencil lead all mark the nose alongside shades of blackberry compote. The palate is well-balanced and poised with a smooth mouthfeel and good sense of tension. A killer value, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese- The 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Sangiovese is translucent in the glass with layers of white pepper and tobacco leaf that mingle well with shades of creosote and red raspberry. The palate is soft and delicious with juicy red fruits that mingle well with orange peel and herbal accents. Medium-bodied, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 91.

2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot- The outstanding 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Merlot  offers tar, sagebrush and tobacco leaf on the nose alongside shades of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is smooth and elegant with a refined texture and good depth. Generous and delicious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 93

2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc- The 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Franc shows beautiful black and red florals on the nose alongside espresso bean and shades of black licorice. The palate is plush and elegant with medium-bodied dark fruit flavors alongside chocolate pie and garrigue accents. Drink 2025-2037- 92

2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows anise and dark currants on the nose alongside wild blackberry and shades of milk chocolate. The palate is refined and elegant with medium-bodied dark fruits that parade with nutmeg, kirsch and coffee ground notes. Elegant and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 92

2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Walla Wlala Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers tar and sweet tobacco leaf on the nose alongside shades of cedar and creme de cassis. The palate is bold and concentrated with terrific tension and a smooth mouthfeel. Medium to full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2024-2036- 94

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Cut Bank Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Cut Bank Estate’ comes from this higher elevation site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Inky in the glass, this offers a beautiful melange of black and blue fruits on the nose with dark rose petals and shades of fresh sage. The palate is round and opulent with great tension and flavor density. Beautifully textured, with firm tannins holding things together, enjoy now and over the next twenty years. This is arguably the finest wine ever made at this estate. Drink 2024-2044- 95

2021 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Vottano’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Vottano’ comes from the Cut Bank Estate in the Walla Walla Valley.This blend is nearly all Sangiovese (89%) with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon. Anise and dried herbs mark the nose alongside suggestions of menthol and red currants. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth mouthfeel and good underlying finesse. Delicious now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Walla Walla Vintners ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from this famed site in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the 2022 ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah delivers good concentration and finesse, showing stony accents that meld well with blackberry compote and black cherry pie, with chocolate and coffee grounds. Decadent and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2038- 94

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Today we share a great historic Napa property. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is probably most famous for producing the Cabernet Sauvignon that won the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris. The winery was initially founded in 1970 and today the vineyard team is led by Guillermo Perez who works alongside head winemaker Marcus Notaro.

Notaro comes from an Italian family that had wine around the dinner table. He decided to work initially in the industry as a tour guide at Chateau Ste. Michelle. The rest has been history as he formerly was winemaker at Col Solare before taking over as head winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The new wines from him were beautiful and neatly-structured wines from the outstanding 2019 vintage. I was particularly enamored by the 2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘ARMILLARY’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is deep and concentrated stuff with good tension. Learn more about this famed site at https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the 2019 Cabernets by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘ARMILLARY’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘ARMILLARY’ is composed of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Cabernet Franc mainly coming from the FAY vineyard as well as the S.L.V. vineyard. Stored for 18 months in 100% new French oak barrels, this inky-colored Cabernet opens with black licorice and anise on the nose, with violets and shades of Turkish coffee. The palate is dense and rich with a glorious mouthfeel and beautiful underlying tension. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Rancho Chimiles Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2019 ‘Rancho Chimiles Vineyard’ is sourced from this site in the Wooden Valley, just northeast of the town of Napa. Stored for 20 months in 100% new French oak, this offers bay leaf and pipe tobacco notes on the nose alongside cassis and graphite tones. The palate is elegant and well-structured with refined tannins that frame a beautiful core of black fruits, with chocolate and espresso grounds. Fabulous now, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 93

Smith-Madrone

Today we share the outstanding wines of Smith-Madrone. One Napa house known for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling wines, Smith-Madrone sources from their dry-farmed estate vineyards surrounding the winery on top of Spring Mountain in the Napa Valley. Stuart Smith chose specific slopes with different exposures for specific varietals when planting the vineyards: eastern exposure for Riesling, southern and western exposures across flat stretches for the Cabernet Sauvignon and the coolest north-facing slopes for the Chardonnay. The soil is mostly deep-red Aiken Stoney Clay loam, and is primarily volcanic-based, well-drained and deep for mountain soils. The estate is a 200 acre ranch, partly planted as vineyard over a century ago. California black bears and other wildlife once thrived here as did 120-year-old Picholine olive trees which frame a path and view down to the floor of the Napa Valley. 

They have a beautiful new Cabernet, the 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet (OB, 93) is earthy and herbal with beautiful poise. This will age gracefully for at least another fifteen years. Learn more about these fantastic wines at https://www.smithmadrone.com Here are the great new releases from Smith-Madrone.

2019 Smith-Madrone Riesling- Coming from their estate vineyard, the 2019 Smith-Madrone Riesling checks in at 13.3% alcohol. Brilliant petrol fumes hit the nose alongside wet grass and straw alongside bright peach on the nose. The palate is beautifully textured and deep, with good richness and loads of mouth-watering acidity. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next eight plus years to come. What a beautiful foil for Thai food! Drink 2025-2032- 93

2021 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay- The 2021 Smith-Madrone Chardonnay was sourced from their estate on Spring Mountain set on Aiken Stoney Clay loam. Aged for 10 months in 50% new French oak, this offers butterscotch and pie crust on the nose alongside shades of Japanese pear. The palate is rich and viscous with serious nerve. Lemon curd, shortbread and shades of papaya all meld together on the palate. This is a stunning edition of this wine that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2021 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon is a brilliant, well-structured new wine that is built to age. Once on the nose this takes on anise and milk chocolate tones with wet stone, fresh thyme and shades of black currant cordial that all meld in the glass. The palate is refined and poised with a great core of black fruit flavors. Generous and delicious now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 93

Dr. Loosen

One of the famed Mosel estates, Ernst Loosen assumed ownership of Dr. Loosen in 1988, and since then has been wholly focused on producing world-class Riesling. He was the only one of his siblings interested in taking over the winery and Ernst focused on becoming one of the regions top winemakers, as he completed his studies at Germany’s renowned winemaking school in Geisenheim and then completed a self directed review of the great wines of the world including Austria, to Burgundy and Alsace, even to California. He wanted to visit these great winemaking regions and learn from other top winemakers.

Dr. Loosen collaborates with Chateau Ste. Michelle for more than a decade and helps produce what is year after year one of Washington’s top Rieslings, the Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling. His wines are a pillar of consistency, as you can find their top value ‘Blue Slate’ Kabinett in Costco warehouses across the United States.

For his wines Dr. Loosen sources from some of the Mosel’s top vineyards including the Wehlener Sonnenuhr and the Urziger Wurzgarten. The new wines were sensational and I love the 2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Blue Slate’ Riesling (OB, 91) which is vibrant with serious nerve. Run, don’t walk to find the 2022 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Wehlener Sonnenuhr’ Riesling (OB, 96) which is one of the great GG wines that I have tasted in the past year. This beauty will easily cellar for another twenty years. Learn more about this famed winery at https://drloosen.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Dr. Loosen

NV Dr. Lo Riesling (alcohol removed)- Green apple, peach and shades of lemon zest all combine on the palate with good minerality. Drink 2025-2028- 88

2023 Dr. Loosen Riesling- The 2023 Dr. Loosen Riesling offers peach and mango flavors that parade with good tension on the palate. A killer value, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 89

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Dry’ Riesling- Made in the ‘Trocken’ style, the 2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Dry’ Riesling offers white grapefruit zest, kiwi and wet stone on the palate. Enjoy this mineral-driven Riesling now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Red Slate’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Red Slate’ is tension-laden Riesling that delivers loads of minerality, alongside juicy green apple and pear flavors, with stony undertones. A killer value. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Blue Slate’ Kabinett Riesling- The 2023 ‘Blue Slate’ is an incredible wine for the price. Crushed wet rock and mango flavors parade with copious minerals, marzipan and baked apple notes. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Wehlener Sonnenuhr’ Riesling Kabinett- Translated as ‘sundial’ this location ice set on blue slate, as this 2023 Riesling Kabinett opens with a bueaitufl bouquet of star jasmine, wet gravel and Japanese pear with lemon blossom accents. The palate is beautifully tension-filled with good richness and a kiss of peach and pear sweetness. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Erdener Treppchen’ Kabinett Riesling- This 2023 ‘Kabinette’ delivers a terrific mouthfeel, with loads of minerals. Candied ginger and papaya notes mark the palate alongside dense melon fruits. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Erdener Treppchen’ Spatlase Riesling- This 2023 ‘Spatlase’ Riesling delivers sweet peach and apple flavors that combine with ginger and shades of pie crust on the palate. Stony and soft on the approach, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Urziger Wurzgarten’ Spatlase Riesling- The delicious 2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Urziger Wurzgarten’ Spatlase Riesling delvers Sprite and orange zest water flavors that cascade together with rich peach and copious minerals on the palate.

2022 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Erdener Treppchen’ Riesling- The brilliant 2022 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Erdener Treppchen’ Riesling offers a beautiful bouquet with kerosene, papaya, and shades of shortbread on the nose, with lemon rind accents. The palate is rich and viscous with serious weight and verve. A gorgeous wine now at the three year mark, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Wehlener Sonnenuhr’ Riesling- The outstanding 2022 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Wehlener Sonnenuhr’ Riesling offers white peach and juicy cantaloupe notes on the nose alongside heated oil, and white flowers. The palate is rich and spicy with terrific weight and tension that feeds the core of melon, orchard and citrus fruits. A total knockout to enjoy now, enjoy over the next twenty plus years. Drink 2025-2044- 96

2022 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Graacher Domprobst’ Riesling- The 2022 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Graacher Domprobst’ Riesling comes from the town of Graach, a picturesque site on the Mosel River. This edition is laden with minerality, offering loads of lemon/lime flavors that combine with green apple and shades of orange blossom water. A stunning wine now, watch this evolve over the next twenty years. Drink 2025-2044- 95

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Wehlener Sonnenuhr’ Auslese Riesling- Golden in the glass, the 2023 Dr. Loosen ‘GG Wehlener Sonnenuhr’ Auslese Riesling shows off juicy nectarine and orange marmalade on the nose alongside suggestions of lychee and Macadamia nut, with stony accents. The palate is dense and packed full of citrus and melon flavors, with lemon rind accents and copious minerals. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2023 Dr. Loosen ‘Urziger Wurzgarten’ Auslese Riesling- The 2023 Urziger Wurzgarten’ Auslese Riesling offers loads of juicy peach and pear flavors alongside shades of sweetened Sprite soda. Showing good density and nerve, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 93

Avennia

Today we share one of the great wineries of the Pacific Northwest. It was a few years back that Avennia acquired the Tapteil Vineyard on Red Mountain to be their estate vineyard. The 45-acre site was one of the first vineyards planted on Red Mountain, by longtime owners Larry and Jane Pearson. This has become the Avennia Estate Vineyard where Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are the dominant plantings, with some vines dating back to 1985. There is also a small amount of Cabernet Franc planted here which is the oldest of its kind on Red Mountain. The site is managed by Dick Boushey.

Winemaker Chris Peterson years back partnered with Marty Taucher to form Avennia. These have been knockout wines since their inception more than a decade ago. I adored the 2022 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is mostly Merlot and offers a pillowy texture, with excellent depth from this slightly cooler vintage. Learn more about Avennia at https://avennia.com and here are my reviews of the fantastic new ‘Estate Vineyard’ wines by Avennia.

2022 Avennia ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Red Mountain’ is a 100% varietal wine that comes from their estate vineyard as well as the Hedges Estate. This bottling was aged for 18 months in only 25% new French oak barrels before bottling. It is round and elegant on the mouth, showing good concentration. Creosote and black licorice flavors mingle well with blackberry compote and chocolate pie flavors on the palate. Very good now, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2022 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2022 Avennia ‘Valery’ combines 88% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Franc from the Boushey and Champoux Vineyards. This is one of the great wines of its kind in Washington State. Aged in 30% new French oak, this takes on layers of red currants, Arabica bean and black rose petals alongside red bell pepper and tobacco leaf on the nose. The palate is silky and elegant with good richness considering the coolness of the vintage. Medium to full-bodied, with terrific tension that connects with the damp soil character, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Avennia ‘Sestina’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Sestina’ is composed of nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Underbrush and dark currants mark the nose alongside suggestions of creme de violette and tar. The palate is elegant and shows off a refined texture, with plenty of underlying verve. Medium to full-bodied, with graphite, loamy soils and espresso ground accents that combine with the core of black fruits, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95