Domaine Carneros

It is my pleasure to share one of the jewels of west coast wine. Domaine Carneros is perched high on a hill, overlooking the valley. The winery has world-class food pairings including Kaluga to match with their outstanding wines. It is hard to believe that this house was started all the way back in the 1970s as Claude Taittinger, of famed Champagne house Taittinger, began his search for a good spot to make California Sparkling Wine. Finally in 1987 he selected a 138-acre parcel in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. The spot he selected is truly unique, as it has a massive maritime influence being perched near the bay. The vineyard is quite windy and produces highly concentrated berries that are very small in size. At the helm is Remi Cohen who serves as CEO and director of winemaking. She took over Napa pioneer Eileen Crane, who had been crafting sensational, age-worthy sparkling wines in the Napa Valley for over 30 years. Their top wine, the ‘Le Reve,’ is one of the finest sparkling wines made in North America.

I love their new lineup of wines. I’m amazed at their quality in the entry level, their 2020 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which is fresh, vibrant and wonderfully nuanced. They did remarkably well in 2020 so buy these wines with confidence. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.domainecarneros.com Here are the new sparkling wines by Domaine Carneros

2020 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2020 ‘Brut’ comes from this challenging vintage, as the wine combines 60% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir. This is wonderfully salty and offers a smooth mousse upon entry. Lime zest and nectarine skin combines with shades of salted pear and honeydew melon on the palate. This is just a killer value in sparkling wine. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Ultra Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2019 ‘Ultra Brut’ has zero dosage and saw extended less aging. This is marvelously fresh and nervy, with great richness. Layers of melon fruits and salty minerals combine with suggestions of roasted mango and Japanese pear on the palate. Very finesse-laden and nuanced, with lovely stony and nutty accents, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2021 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- The 2021 ‘Brut Rose’ comes from the warm 2021 vintage. The blend is exactly the same as the 2020 edition (57% Pinot Noir, 43% Chardonnay) with .9% dosage. Brioche and bright red raspberry tones mark the nose with red rose petals and dried cranberry notes. The palate is round and generous on the mouth, loaded with texture and salty minerals. A joy to drink now, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Late Disgorged Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Late Disgorged Brut’ Sparkling Wine is near equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay coming from their Carneros estate. This is round and generous stuff on the mouth, with buttered French bread, salted cashew nut, starfruit and shades of mango on the palate. Rich and voluptuous on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Sea Smoke

It is hard to fathom that Sea Smoke began all the way back in 1999 by Bob Davids in Santa Barbara County, California. The winery is named after the cooling fog that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean. After great success and acquiring Rita’s Crown Vineyard, Sea Smoke was sold to Constellation in 2024. Over the years that wines have been consistently great and certainly helped put Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir on the map. They now farm 80 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay plantings.

The new release comes from the warm 2022 vintage. I adored the 2022 Sea Smoke ‘Ten’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is round, generous and filled with beautiful red fruits. Learn more about these outstanding wines at seasmoke.com and here is my review of the new 2022 release by Sea Smoke.

2022 Sea Smoke ‘Ten’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Ten’ Pinot Noir is a stunning effort that is already beautifully evolved from this slightly warmer vintage. Winemaker Don Schroeder. makes this wine from its 10 "clones" of Pinot Noir. The palate is deep, fresh and fragrant with serious weight, texture and tension. Red rose petal water combines with bright cranberry and red cherry fruits alongside salty soils on the palate. Full-bodied and absolutely delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

Cellar Selection: 2009 Chateau d'Yquem

It isn’t every evening that you have a chance to enjoy a perfect wine. Such was the case last night with a friend. I decided to open one of my .375ML bottles of 2009 Chateau d’Yquem. This was my second visit to this wine in several years. The storied Sauternes estate was the only Sauternes property to be given the the Premier Cru Superior designation from the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855. The world wine community recognizes this estate as producing the best wines from Sauternes. The site itself is perfectly situated for achieving a high degree of botrytis in even the most challenging of vintages. 

I was absolutely blown away with the 2009 Chateau d’Yquem (OB, 100) which is nothing short of perfection in the bottle. My friend and I looked at each other dazed while drinking this beauty. It was too good for words! Enjoy this bottle with a friend, as I did. Learn more about the storied estate at http://yquem.fr/int-en/ Here is my review of the Sauternes wines from Chateau d’YQuem.

2009 Chateau d’Yquem Sauternes- Weightless and irresistibly good, the scintillating 2009 Chateau d’Yquem is one of the best wines that I have tasted in the past year. A beautiful golden hue, this opens with serious concentration and texture, yet effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. Rich roasted pineapple, vanilla creme brûlée and bananas foster all come to mind, with cardamom dusted shortbread and honeyed pear. Still quite fresh and elegant, this will easily go for another twenty years — but is completely irresistible now. Drink 2025-2035- 100

Cellar Selection: 2018 Bollinger 'PN AYC18' Champagne

When I was in Paso Robles I had the chance to visit one of my favorite restaurants in California, Les Petites Canailles which exemplifies top class French food. On their wine list I ordered a gorgeous wine by Bollinger, featuring the warm 2018 vintage, Bollinger ‘PN AYC18’ Champagne. I was really looking for a big and bold champagne and this did the trick — particularly pairing beautifully with a fresh oyster appetizer.

The ‘PN AyC18’ is a 100% Pinot Noir wine, predominantly from the Aÿ cru. It is blended with other villages on the Montage de Reims, such as Tauxières and Verzenay. I love great Pinot Noir champagnes and this is absolutely one of them. For those who enjoy a bigger style of champagne, I suggest you try this bottling. Check out my review of the 2018 Bollinger ‘PN AYC18’ Champagne

2018 Bollinger ‘PN AYC18’ Champagne- Big, broad-shouldered and sturdy, the 2018 Bollinger ‘PN AYC18’ Champagne is a world-class wine from this warmer year. Made from Pinot Noir grapes mainly from the Ay cru. It is a deep and rich bottling, loaded with bright red fruits that mingle well with orange zest, chalky soils and beautiful tension. Ripe and robust on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

Left Bend

Richard Hanke and Gary Robinson are lifelong friends that started Left Bent and Mashup WInery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. They wanted to do something different in the industry noting that most commercial wineries release wines quickly and before they are ready to drink. They came up with the idea to craft a multi-vintage blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah and in 2010 Left Bend was founded. Their winery uses a solar system that blends each year.

I had the chance to enjoy most of these wines that had been created since their inception. I love wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains and the overall theme of these wines was poise, structure and good flavor density. I particularly love the NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Seven’ Red Wine which is mainly Cabernet and Syrah. This is delicious stuff to enjoy now. Learn more at https://www.mashupwine.com/our-story and here are my reviews of the Left Bend wines.

NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version 3’ Red Wine- The ‘Version 3’ comes from the Solera established in 2010 and this version was bottled in 2017. Black tea and rich figs mark the palate alongside a silky texture and bright underlying acidity. Drink 2024-2030- 91

NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Five’ Red Wine-The ‘Version Five’ comes from the Solera and was bottled in 2019. This is rich and elegant wine with dense dark fruits, chocolate pie and shades of black licorice. Delicious now, enjoy over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2024-2031- 92

NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Six’ Red Wine- The NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Six’ Red Wine was bottled in May 2020 during the heat of the pandemic. This is fresh and smooth with a great combination of red and dark fruits, with shades of pencil lead and coffee grounds. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Drink 2024-2031- 92

NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Seven’ Red Wine- The really good NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Seven’ Red Wine combines 47% Cabernet Sauvignon with 40% Syrah and the remainder Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Dried herbs and red bell pepper mark the nose alongside dense dark fruits and pencil lead. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth texture. Enjoy this beautiful wine know and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

NV Left Bend Mashup Version Eight Red Wine- The NV Left Bend Version Eight was established with the 2010 vintage as this Santa Cruz Mountains wine offers blackberry and black currants with refined tannins, espresso grinds and suggestions of black tea on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Nine’ Red Wine- The really good NV Left Bend ‘Mashup Version Nine’ Red Wine is soft and approachable right now. Loganberry and black currants mark the palate alongside pencil lead and shades of coffee grounds. Great now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 92

Mirror Napa Valley

It is my pleasure to share the story of Mirror Napa Valley — the wines of NFL veterran Rick Mirer. Mirer is a former Seattle Seahawk quarterback who was also one of the famed high school quarterbacks in Indiana state history. At Notre Dame Mirer won three bowl games and accounted for more points running and throwing (350) than any other player in Notre Dame history. 

The Seattle Seahawks were struggling when they drafted Mirer in 1993. Still, Mirer finished his rookie season 5th in the AFC with 274 completions and 2833 yards and was AFC Rookie of the Year by United Press International. Mirer’s remaining seasons were not as successful in Seattle, being set behind an abysmal offensive line. Having gone to those games in the 1980s, all of us in the stands knew that Mirer was really not given a fair chance with such poor protection. Mirer continued to play as a backup quarterback until 2004. 

Close friends with Drew Bledsoe, and drafted right behind him in 1993, Mirer admits that his friendship with Bledsoe helped lead him to start Mirror Napa Valley. Bledsoe and Mirer even took off-season­ vacation with their wives to Napa Valley. During the off-season they would also try to stump each other with wines from Port or Brunello di Montalcino.They both have created world-class wineries post-football. While playing for the Raiders and 49ers Rick became even more passionate for wine, being so close to Napa Valley. Finally in 2008 Rick started Mirror Napa Valley, utilizing the winemaking talents of Kirk Venge, formerly of Mumm Napa Valley. Mirer also has an outstanding foundation that gives to a range of charities.

The wines have been consistently great over the last several years. I adored the 2022 Mirror ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is deep and concentrated, with some seriously good aging potential. This is a home run from a very hot vintage. For more about Rick Mirer’s great winery go to https://www.mirrorwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Mirror Napa Valley.

2022 Mirror ‘Napa Valley Calistoga’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Mirror ‘Napa Valley Calistoga’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes off big and deep from this ripe vintage. Creme de cassis, mocha and dark currants all fill the palate alongside sweet pipe tobacco and baking spices. Delicious, plump and full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Mirror ‘Napa Valley Rutherford’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A beautiful wine from this warm vintage, the 2022 Mirror ‘Napa Valley Rutherford’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers loamy soils and creme de cassis notes on the palate, alongside fresh herbs, chocolate pie and Turkish coffee notes. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Mirror ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ comes from this mountain location set on volcanic soils. Tar, violet rose petals and tobacco leaf fill the nose ealongside huckleberry fruit tones. The palate is heady and viscous with serious flavor density and verve. Decadent black and blue fruits greet you with chocolate cake and espresso bean tones. A delicious rendition of this wine, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Haden Fig

Today we share one of the outstanding value producers in the Willamette Valley. Haden Fig is the brainchild of Erin Nuccio. For years Nuccio worked for a wine retailer in Washington D.C. He later entered wine distrubitoon and later headed west to Northern California. It was there that he built his wine education by attending enology and viticulture school. After working in Napa he decided to move northwards to the Willamette Valley. He drove up to Evesham Wood and met Russ Raney who became a mentor and a good friend. It is from this relationship that Haden Fig was built. Nuccio is now at the helm of Evesham Wood.

The new Haden Fig wines were really good. I love the great value 2022 Haden Fig ‘Juliette’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is beautifully textured and rich. Learn more at https://eveshamwood.com/our-story-haden-fig/ and here are my reviews of the new Haden Fig wines.

2022 Haden Fig ‘Juliette’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Juliette’ Chardonnay comes from the Mahonia Vineyard. It is rich and creamy on the mouth, loaded with bright pear and peach flavrors, showing nutty accents. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2023 Haden Fig ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir is loaded with crunchy red raspberry, pomegranate and tart red cherry fruit flavors, showing damp earth and orange peel tones. Nicely textured, enjoy this great value now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2022 Haden Fig ‘Croft Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Croft Vineyard’ comes this cooler Willamette Valley location that has a sneaky good reputation for Sauvignon Blanc. This is medium-bodied and shows lovely damp earth notes on the palate with white truffle shavings and forest floor alongside a smooth texture and bright red and dark fruits. Nicely poised, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Haden Fig ‘Cancilla Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Cancilla Vineyard’ comes from the Tualatin Hills AVA. Translucent in the glass this shows off pretty red currant, strawberry and Bing cherry aromatics alongside salty soils. The palate is smooth and silky throughout the drinking experience. Soft and refined on the palate, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Haden Fig ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ has some  of the oldest plantings in Oregon for Pinot Noir. This is smoky and savory on the nose with bay leaf and flinty nuances that connect well with wild blackberry and boysenberry tones. The palate is refined and generous in terms of weight and freshness. A joy to drink now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Bergstrom

Today we share one of the west coast’s greats for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Bergström Wines was founded by John and Karen Bergström as they planted their Bergström Vineyard on a 13-acre, south-facing slope overlooking the Willamette Valley back in 1999. One of their sons, Josh Bergström, moved back to Oregon after completing a postgraduate program in Viticulture and Enology in Burgundy in 1999. That fall Bergström Wines harvested their first vintage of Pinot Noir from purchased fruit and the rest has been history. Josh serves as general manager, winemaker and vineyard manager at Bergström Wines, and has been rather quietly producing some of the top wines in Oregon.

The wines come from the 2023 vintage which was another warm year and excellent growing season. I loved these wines across the board which beautifully showcase the range of terroirs throughout the Willamette Valley. I am enamored by the thrilling 2023  Bergström ‘Bergström Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 97) which is one of the finest Oregon wines I have tasted this past year. Dense and showing gorgeous tension, this has the ability to cellar well for two decades. Learn more about these sensational wines at https://www.bergstromwines.com Here are the beautiful new wine releases by Bergström.

2023 Bergstrom ‘Cumberland Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Cumberland Reserve’ is a blend from the five estate vineyards owned by Bergstom. This is a medium-bodied beauty that offers pomegranate seed and salty minerals on the palate alongside shades of orange zest and black plum notes. Fresh and elegant, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Bergstrom ‘Le Pre Du Col Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Le Pre Du Col Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is sourced from this Ribbon Ridge Vineyard which is set on 60-million-year-old sandy sea-beds. This is marvelously salty, with ultra-pure saline-drenched red fruits that combine with blood orange zest and shades of pipe tobacco on the palate. Delightful now, with a smooth texture, good viscosity and weight. Savor over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Bergstrom ‘Silice Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2023 ‘Silice Vineyard’ comes from this Chehalem Mountains AVA site that was first planted back in 2001. Wet rock and wild strawberry mark the palate alongside a smooth viscosity and loads of salty minerals. Fresh and polished, this is already beautifully evolved stuff that will go on for decades. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2023 Bergstrom ‘La Spirale Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2023 Bergstrom ‘La Spirale Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the Ribbon Ridge AVA, as this location set on ancient marine sedimentary soils was planted back in 2005. This is marvelously salty stuff, loaded with pure red fruits with red rose water and shades of Satsuma orange zest on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with great underlying verve, and slight wafts of white truffle, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2023 Bergstrom ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The otherworldly 2023 Bergstrom ‘Bergstrom Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was sourced from this Dundee Hills AVA location planted more than 20 years back. The tension and mouth-watering acidity really entices, as volcanic soils, pomegranate seed and guava puree all meld together on the palate, offering kumquat rind accents. Full and fleshy, this is a terrific edition of this wine that speaks to the vintage and site. Enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2025-2045- 97

Tensley

One of the greats in Santa Barbara County, Tensley began all the way back in 1998. Joey Tensley linitially started Tensley Wines with a one hundred case production. He set out craft reasonably priced Syrah wines from great vineyards of Santa Barbara County. In 1993 Joey first began working as a “cellar rat” for Fess Parker Winery in Santa Barbara County. He later became assistant winemaker at Babcock Vineyards and in 1998 Joey moved on to become the assistant winemaker at Beckmen Vineyards where he first created his own label. Having visited the winery and tasting room on several occasions, I have been very impressed with Tensley releases for more than a decade as there are few California Syrah wines that offer this much value. 

The wines have been remarkably consistent. Do not miss out on the stunning 2023 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 96) which has fantastic range with a great salinity. Learn more about this amazing range of wines at  which is a massive yet structured wine that will cellar beautifully for a decade or more.

2022 Joey Tensley ‘Fundamental’ Chardonnay- The 2022 Joey Tensley ‘Fundamental’ Chardonnay offers juicy pear, papaya and apple flavors that mingle well with shortbread and shades of marzipan on the palate. Rich and polished with a smooth texture and plenty of salty minerals, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 Tensley Clairette Blanche- Golden in the glass, this 2023 Clairette Blanche offers good finesse with plenty of stuffing on the palate, showing toasty brioche and banana notes alongside rich melon flavors. A total knockout in terms of verve and richness, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2030- 93

2023 Tensley ‘Santa Barbara County’ Syrah- This outstanding 2023 Syrah offers serious bang for your buck. Smoke and beef drippings mark the nose alongside black raspberry coils and shades of iodine on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with good texture and tension. Salty and showing plenty of finesse, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2023 Tensley ‘Santa Barbara County’ Syrah Noir- The savory and sultry 2023 Tensley ‘Santa Barbar County’ Syrah Noirs shows a wonderful purity of red and dark fruits on the palate, alongside fennel seed, tobacco leaf and hints of chocolate. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2022 Tensley P2KV ‘Zaca Mesa Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Zach Mesa Vineyard’ Syrah comes from plantings that originated all the way back in 1978. This comes off inky and bold with dense dark fruits that parade with smoke, brisket and shades of black olive tapenade on the palate. Very meaty and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Tensley P2KV ‘Colston Canyon Vineyard’ Syrah/Grenache- The heady 2023 Tensley P2KV ‘Colston Canyon Vineyard’ Syrah/Grenache comes from vines planted back in 1997. It is beautifully textured stuff that offers menthol and scorched earth alongside bright red and dark fruits, with a chocolate edge on the palate. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Tensley ‘Noir’ Syrah- Inky in the glass, the 2022 ‘Noir’ Syrah is very smooth on the mouth, loaded with dense black fruits with bacon fat, cigar ash and salty nuances. Its full-bodied and hedonistic stuff that is drinking marvelous in its heady youth. Drink 2024-2032- 93

2023 Tensley ‘Colson Canyon Vineyard’ Syrah- This sensational 2023 Syrah comes from the Colsen Canyon Vineyard which is set at 1400 feet. There is marvelous flavor density and beautiful tension through the core of the wine. Creme de violette, tar, menthol and molten chocolate flavors all come together marvelously on the palate. Enjoy this beauty over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-235- 96

2023 Tensley ‘Turner Vineyard’ Syrah- The delightful 2023 Tensley ‘Turner Vineyard’ Syrah is sourced from this location in the Santa Rita Hills. This is a dense and heady effort with marvelous nerve. Boysenberry compote, and dark currants mingle well with bacon fat and violets on the palate. Delightful to consume now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2023 Tensley ‘Thompson Vineyard’ Syrah- The amazing 2023 Tensley ‘Thompson Vineyard’ Syrah is a killer wine from this hot vintage. On the nose this shows off red currant tones that mingle well with white pepper dusted brisket and fresh sage. The palate is lifed with serious freshens and finesse. Herbal and wondederully salty, this is showing beautifully now with an iodine and beef dripping edge, at the two year mark. Enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2023 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah- The sensational 2023 Tensley ‘Tensley Vineyard’ Syrah opens with a beautiful bouquet of black florals alongside dark currants and loganberry cordial.  The palate is fleshy and ripe with good tension and a marvelous core of black and blue fruits. Full-bodied and showing a light saline streak, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 96

2021 Joey Tensley ‘Fundamental’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Fundamental’ offers black tea and exotic spice on the nose alongside dark currants. The plate is rich and layered with good tension. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

Cairdeas

It is my pleasure to share one of the greats from Chelan. Cairdeas is an ancient Gaelic word meaning friendship, goodwill or alliance. Founded by Charlie and Lacey Lybecker in 2009, Cairdeas is named after Charlie’s Irish heritage and Lacey’s goodwill (that is how they met). Lacey and Charlie are some of the nicest people you will find in the Washington wine industry.

For many years now they have been sourcing their grapes from outstanding sites throughout Washington including the acclaimed ‘Boushey Vineyard’ in the Yakima Valley and the ‘Lawrence Vineyard’ in the new Royal Slope AVA. The winery is perched atop the lake with stunning views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding valley. It is a gorgeous spot to enjoy their fantastic Rose wine.

The new edition of their 2022 Cairdeas ‘Caiselan An Papa’ Red Wine (OB, 95) is a world-class Chateauneuf inspired bottling that has great freshness and flavor complexity. This one is all about balance and moving parts. Learn more about this excellent Chelan outpost at https://cairdeaswinery.com/winery/about-us/ and here are my reviews of the new Cairdeas wines.

2023 Cairdeas Viognier- The 2023 Cairdeas Viognier comes from the Boushey and Coyote Canyon vineyards. Stored in a range of vessels, this offers honeysuckle and white peach on the nose alongside sweetened gooseberry. The palate is fresh and elegant with a smooth texture, good sense of weight and vibrant underlying acidity. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2023 Cairdeas ‘Nellie May’ White Wine- The 2023 ‘Nellie May’ combines Viognier (64%) and Roussanne (36%). The wine was sourced from both the Lawrence and Coyote Canyon Vineyards.  This is lush and ripe on the palate, with beautiful texture, tension and vibrant acidity. Melon and citrus fruits parade with shades of salted macadamia nut on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2023 Cairdeas Grenache Noir- The 2023 Grenache Noir comes from the Thunderstone Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Red rose petals and orange peel with tobacco leaf and red currants all mark the nose. The palate is vibrant and downright sexy, showing lovely verve and texture that combine with a pure core of bright red fruits. Highly enjoyable now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Cairdeas ‘Concrete’ Syrah- Inky in the glass, the 2022 ‘Concrete’ Syrah comes from the Lawrence Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Dense dark fruits combine with iodine, tar, menthol and shades of pencil lead on the palate. Beautifully weighted and textured, this is already drinking beautifully in its heady and vibrant youth. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Cairdeas ‘Stone Ridge Vineyard’ Syrah- This 2022 Syrah comes from the acclaimed Stone Ridge Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. 2% Viognier has been blended in, as this is offering pretty white florals with tar, anise, black currants and shades of scorched earth. The palate shows loads of mouth-watering acidity, with a smooth mouthfeel. Loganberry preserves, espresso bean, graphite and wet stone all combine on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Cairdeas ‘Consonance’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Consonance’ combines mainly Petite Sirah and Syrah with a small amount of Mourvèdre blended in. Fresh and neat on the mouth, the wine delivers blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors alongside shades of wet rock, wintergreen and dark currant compete. Delicious now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Cairdeas ‘Tri’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Tri’ combines mainly Syrah (73%) with smaller portions Mourvèdre and Grenache.  Dried herbs and white pepper dusted bacon all mark the nose alongside beef drippings and suggestions of iodine, with blackberry compote. The palate is fresh and beautifully-textured showing good weight and acidity. Fabulous now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2022 Cairdeas ‘Caislean An Papa’ Red Wine- The 2022 Cairdeas ‘Caislean An Papa’ Red Wine is a gorgeous wine made from Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault and Counoise. The nose is highly complex, offering garrigue and white pepper dusted smoked meats alongside black olives, menthol and shades of huckleberry. The palate maintains beautiful freshness and softness, loaded with red and dark fruit flavors, alongside cigar ash, bacon fat and fresh thyme.  Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Cairdeas ‘Finial’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Finial’ combines mainly Syrah and Petite Sirah with smaller parts Mourvèdre and a dash of Viognier. It is a lush and dense red blend, showing black and blue fruits on the palate alongside tar, anise and sagebrush accents. Offering good freshness and texture, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Fullerton

Today we share the great Pinot Noir wines of Fullerton, founded back in 2012. Head winemaker and founder Alex Fullerton produces a wide range of wines that have now expanded into Washington State. Alex has a longstanding industry history, formerly working for Penner-Ash, as well as Drylands in New Zealand, Alex began making his own wine out of his garage in 2011.

I recently had the chance to sample the range of new wines by Fullerton and they were very good across the board. I love the new value driven 2022 Fullerton ‘Three Otters’ Pinot Gris (OB, 90) which offers fabulous wine for an inexpensive price. I adored the new 2022 Fullerton ‘Brvtvs’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is big and burly, 100% stem inclusion Pinot Noir. Learn more about these wines at http://www.fullertonwines.com Here are the great new releases from Fullerton Wines:

2022 Fullerton ‘Three Otters’ Pinot Gris- This is a bright and juicy edition of the 2023 ‘Three Otters’ Pinot Gris. Copious minerals combine well with green apple, sour kiwi and papaya notes on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2028- 90

2022 Fullerton ‘Hvid’ White Wine- This white blend combines 60% Sauvignon Blanc with 35% Pinot Blanc and the remainder Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is well-made and sturdy with a soft mouthfeel. Melon and citrus fruits combine with a nutty edge on the palate. Drink 2025-2029- 90

2022 Fullerton ‘Three Otters’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Three Otters’ Chardonnay comes from a range of sites throughout the Willamette Valley. This offers straightforward peach and apricot notes alongside shades of saline dusted apple on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2022 Fullerton ‘Lux’ Chardonnay- A barrel selection wine, the 2022 ‘Lux’ is drinking marvelously now at the three year mark. This comes off beautifully textured and wonderfully nervy, with loads of mouth-watering acidity. Salted wet rock combines with juicy pear, nectarine and brioche notes on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, showing good tension and aging potential, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Fullerton ‘Dupee Vineyard’ White Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Dupee Vineyard in the McMinnville AVA, this white Pinot Noir is both soft and mineral-laden on the mouth. Juicy orchard fruits mingle well with wild strawberry and shades of buttered French bread on the palate. Delightful now, enjoy over the next six to eight years to come. Drink 2025-2032- 91

2023 Fullerton ‘Three Otters’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Three Otters’ Pinot Noir is a really nice wine that is drinking well in its youth. Delicate red fruits combine with orange rind and tobacco leaf, with copious minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2022 Fullerton ‘Five Faces’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Five Faces’ is really well-done value from this slightly cooler vintage. Medium-bodied tart red fruits march on the palate, alongside bergamot and forest floor accents. Smooth and silky, with good minerality, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2022 Fullerton ‘Johan Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir was sourced from the Johan Vineyard which is located in the Van Duzer Corridor. Shades of black truffle mark the nose alongside tart black fruits and dusty soils. The palate is really enjoyable and fresh with a vibrant tension that runs through the core of red and dark fruits. Drink 2025-2037- 93

2022 Fullerton ‘Lichtenwalter Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Lichtenwalter Vineyard’ comes from the Ribbon Ridge AVA, as this location is set on ancient marine sedimentary soils. The palate comes off ver pretty with bright red raspberry and pomegranate seed flavors alongside red rose water and orange peel. Delightful now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 93

2022 Fullerton ‘Fir Crest Vineyard’ Pinot Noir-The 2022 ‘Fir Crest Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this site set on Willakenzie soils. It is generous, round and delicious on the mouth, with loads of finesse. Black and red fruits greet you with shades of bergamot and forest floor accents. Complex and delicious, this is drinking really well in its bright youth. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2022 Fullerton ‘Nemarniki Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2022 Fullerton ‘Nemarniki Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from the Laurelwood AVA, as this site is set on a setter western facing slope. Pretty guava and red currants mark the palate alongside salty soils and kumquat zest notes. Complex and delicious, with plenty of minerality, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Fullerton Bjornson Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Bjornson Vineyard is set on volcanic soils in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Wonderful rocky soils mark the palate, alongside a collection of black and red fruits, with good acidity and a soft texture. With more air orange zest and pine needle accents entice, as this is drinking really well already now at the three year mark. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Fullerton ‘Croft Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 ‘Croft Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from a slightly cooler location in the Coast Range region, utilizing Wadenswil clonal selection. The palate is vibrant with plenty of finesse, yielding juicy red cherry and red raspberry fruit flavors, with shades of blood orange zest and salty soils. Medium-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2036- 93

2022 Fullerton ‘Nicolas Family Vineyard - Bella Vida’ Pinot Noir- This wine comes from the Nicolas Family Vineyard in the Dundee Hills AVA. It is wonderfully rocky on the nose with wild mushroom, red currants, menthol and shades of orange peel. The palate is lithe and polished with excellent tension. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Fullerton ‘Brvtvs Pinot Noir- The 2022 ’Brvtvs’ was sourced from the Fir Crest Vineyard and is named after the rebel and leader that took down Julius Ceasar. A Pommard selection Pinot Noir, this saw 100% stem inclusion, opening with plenty of tart red fruits on the nose alongside peat moss and a dusting of white pepper. The palate is plush and refined with a soft texture and beautiful sense of verve. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Fullerton ‘Tenebris’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Tenebris’ is an outstanding wine crafted by Alex Fullerton. This is a barrel selection wine that has a range of clonal selections. It comes off elegant, silky and refined on the palate, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Red currants mingle well with salty and rocky soils alongside ripe strawberry and forest floor notes on the palate. Complex and delicious, this will be a two decade wine. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2022 Fullerton ‘Hallowed Stones Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from the Walla Walla Rocks District, the 2022 ‘Hallowed Stones Vineyard’ Syrah offers hoisin sauce and umami on the palate with wet rock, orange peel, red currants and shades of charcuterie. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2022 Fullerton ‘Yellowjacket Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Yellowjacket Vineyard’ Syrah is smooth and soft throughout the drinking experience. Concentrated black fruits mingle well with black rock, stony minerals and hints of flint with tobacco leaf on the palate. Neatly textured and round, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Fullerton ‘Summit View Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Summit View Vineyard which is a high elevation site in the Walla Walla Valley.  Nicely yxftqred, this offers medium bodied blackberry, cassis and black cherry fruit flavors alongside good freshness and herbal accents on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 92

2022 Fullerton ‘Gertrud’ Sauvignon Blanc- A brilliant late-harvest Sauvignon Blanc from the Columbia Gorge AVA, this delivers sweet peach and apricot jelly notes on the palate, with nutty and stony accents. Full-throttle and still showing some bright underlying acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Lavinea

I have been really impressed with Lavinea, an Oregon producer of world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery was founded by Greg Ralston and Isabelle Meunier. From 1988 to 2009 Greg worked closely with Jim Barrett at Chateau Montelena Winery, the last ten years as Managing Director. He then took on a role as Sr. VP of Strategic Initiatives with Wilson Daniels, collaborating with Jack Daniels and renowned Estates such as Castello di Volpaia and Ceretto from Italy, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Domaine Leflaive from Burgundy, Schramsberg from Napa Valley among others. Recruited to become President & CEO of Evening Land Vineyards in 2012, Greg oversaw related wineries in California, Burgundy and Oregon.

Isabelle Meunier is one of Oregon’s great winemakers. She formerly worked for Dominique Lafon to oversee winemaking at his then-new Oregon consulting project, Evening Land, in 2007. In a short amount of time she became one of Oregon’s most acclaimed winemakers. Isabelle has degrees in winemaking and viticulture from the University of Dijon in Burgundy, and in New Zealand at Lincoln University. Her new wines were spectacular. I adored the 2022 Lavinea ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is more about tension than the ’21 edition but has crazy good aromatic and flavor range. Learn more about these top class wines at lavinea.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Lavinea.

2023 Lavinea ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2023 Lavinea ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay delivers a smooth mouthfeel with good weight and length. This glides throughout the drinking experience with buttercream and shades of brioche bread that combine with lemon rind and green melon accents. With salty and stony accents and bright underlying acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2036- 94

2023 Lavinea ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir- The brilliant new 2023 ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir stands dark in the glass, offering aromatics of tar, wet stone and menthol alongside shades of wild blackberry. The palate is fresh and neatly textured, with a fleshy mouthfeel and great underlying verve. Very stony and rich, in terms of its black and red fruit core, for an entry-level Oregon Pinot this is nothing short of world-class. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2022 Lavinea ‘Tualatin Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Lavinea ‘Tualatin Estate’ Pinot Noir stands translucent in the glass, offering red currants and guava puree on the nose with mulberry and orange rind notes. The palate is beautifully textured with good weight and lip-smacking acidity. Glorious now in it vibrant youth, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Lavinea ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2022 Lavinea ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was stored in nearly all neutral French oak before bottling. Soft and supple upon entry, this shows boysenberry compote and black truffle shavings on the palate, alongside toasty oak, and bergamot tones, with forest floor accents. This is highly-complex and delicious stuff that is already nicely evolved. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Sparkman Cellars

One of the outstanding stops in Woodinville, Sparkman Cellars is a consistently good producer of a huge range of wines — from crisp Rose to deep and layered Cabernet Sauvignon. Chris and Kelly Sparkman founded their namesake winery many yeas back in 2004. Chris has a diverse background formerly working in the Peace Corps and then as well as some top fine dining restaurants in Seattle. Sparkman sources from some of the best vineyards in the state including the Boushey, Klipsun, Sagemoor and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards.

I really enjoyed tasting with their winemaker, Linn Scott, who has been doing a beautiful job for them. We talked vintages and tasted through most of his lineup. I adored the 2022 Sparkman Cellars ‘Wonderland’ Grenache (OB, 94) which is fresh and vibrant with beautiful texture and a pure core of red fruits. Even better is the world-class 2021 Sparkman Cellars ‘Evermore’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is built to go for decades. Learn more about this outstanding producer at http://www.sparkmancellars.com/. Here are the great new wines by Sparkman Cellars.

2023 Sparkman ‘As You Wish’ Sauvignon Blanc- Coming from the Gamache Vineyard, this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc was stored in neutral oak as well as stainless steel drums, this was stored on the less prior to bottling. Freshly cut limes and bay leaf mark the nose alongside orange blossom water. This comes off very lithe and polished with a smooth texture. Nicely concentrated, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2022 Sparkman ‘Lumiere’ Chardonnay- Coming from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard, the 2022 ‘Lumiere’ is a gorgeous effort from the Royal Slope AVA. Stored in 57% new French oak, this offers shades of poached pear and pastry crust all mark the nose alongside shades of vanilla cream. The palate is smooth and refined, with really nice tension and mid-palate richness. Delightful now, enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2018 Six Atmospheres Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- The 2018 ‘Blanc de Blancs’ was disgorged in November 2024.  Coming from the Bacchus Vineyard, this spent two years in tank and barrel as well as two years on the lees in bottle before disgorgement. This is marvelously yeasty with sweetened gooseberry and melon tones alongside salted peach. The palate is dense and ripe with serious finesse and good length. The silky mousse entices, as this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2020 Sparkman ‘Ethereal’ Sparkling Wine- The 2020 ‘Ethereal’ was stored for two years in the barrel and then 20 months in bottle before disgorgement. The palate is fresh and lithe with a soft mousse. Salty minerals combine with Japanese pear and starfruit notes on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2023 Sparkman ‘Salish Lodge & Spa’ Rose- The ‘Salish Lodge & Spa’ Rose combines 60% Syrah with the remainder Grenache. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this delivers wild mushroom and cantaloupe notes on the nose alongside shades of cranberry and salty soils. The palate is plush and soft, loaded with juicy red fruits. Drink 2025-2030- 92

2022 Sparkman ‘Wonderland’ Grenache- The 2022 ‘Wonderland’ has 12% Mourvedre blended in. Mainly coming form the Sagemoor and Boushey Vineyards, this was stored in 19% new French oak before bottling. This comes off very pure in terms of bright red fruits alongside orange blossom and shades of red rose petals. The palate is elegant and refined and elegant. This is nervy with good flavor density considering the vintage. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Sparkman ‘Greater Than Some’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Greater Than Some’ come from the Olsen Vineyards and is equal parts Syrah, Mourvedre and Grenache. Fresh sage and rich red and dark fruits parade with suggestions of chocolate. The palate is fresh and polished with medium to full-bodied red and dark fruits. Enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2021 Sparkman ‘Darkness’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Darkness’ comes from the Olsen and Boushey Vineyard and saw extensive whole cluster fermentation. This offers gorgeous aromatics of smoke and brisket tones alongside Kalamatta olive and shades of white pepper. The palate is rich and dense with fantastic finesse, showing espresso bean and chocolate notes. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2022 Sparkman ‘Untamed’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Untamed’ comes from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard as well as the Discovery and Boushey Vineyards. The wine saw a small amount of Viognier co-fermented, as this offers beef drippings and black raspberry tones on the nose with scorched earth and black olives. The palate is fresh and smooth with lovely texture. This is a killer value at only 35 bucks. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2022 Sparkman ‘Wilderness’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Wilderness’ is mainly Syrah with Grenache and Mourvedre. On the nose this takes on a beautiful melange of red and dark fruits, with sagebrush and milk chocolate tones. The palate is soft and juicy with good flavor density and richness. Enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2022 Sparkman ‘Rukus’ Red Wine- A near equal blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022’ Ruckus’ has evolved to being more like a Provence-inspired blend. The palate is fresh and smooth with serious texture and tension, showing loads of mouth-watering acidity. Heady dark fruits combine with espresso grounds and shades of scorched earth. Drink 2025-2037- 93

2022 Sparkman ‘Black Dragon’ Red Wine- A blend of Petite Verdot and Malbec, the 2022 ‘Black Dragon comes from the Sunset Bench, Dionysus and Red Willow Vineyards. Inky in the glass, this delivers smoke and tar notes alongside black currants, dark chocolate shavings and suggestions of pencil lead. Very luxurious on the mouth and textural, this is loaded with black and blue fruit flavors, as this hedonistic beauty is already drinking marvelously now. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2021 Sparkman ‘Preposterous’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Preposterous’ is mainly Malbec with 15% Syrah blended in. Stored in only 15% new French oak barrels, this delivers beautiful black florals that combine with cocoa powder, fresh thyme and suggestions of creme de violette. The palate is fresh and beautifully textured with a smooth mouthfeel. Medium to full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2021 Sparkman ‘Ruby Leigh’ Red Wine- The really good 2021 Sparkman ‘Ruby Leigh’ Red Wine is mainly Merlot (56%) with smaller parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Sagebrush and chocolate notes mingle well with wild blackberry and shades of black licorice on the nose. The palate is smooth and soft with a good sense of finesse. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2021 Sparkman ‘Stella Mae’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Stella Mae’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) with the remainder Malbec coming from the Columbia Valley. The palate is velvety and nervy with a refined texture and lovely sense of salinity. Elegant and showing great verve, with ripe wild blackberry and huckleberry fruit flavors, alongside salty soils and espresso bean, enjoy this now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2021 Sparkman ‘Rainmaker’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Sparkman ‘Rainmaker’ comes from the Olsen Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. It comes off very savory on the palate with bay leaf and garrigue notes alongside shades of black raspberry and copious minerals. Medium to full-bodied and full of mouth-watering acidity, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2021 Sparkman ‘Kingpin’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Kingpin’ comes from Red Mountain and has a touch of Petit Verdot blended in. A touch of green bell pepper marks the nose from the Petit Verdot alongside dark chocolate cake and shades of black licorice with scorched earth on the nose. The palate is smooth and generous with great minerality. A joy to consume now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2020 Sparkman ‘En Theos’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2020 ‘En These’ comes from the Stillwater Creek Vineyard. It is very inky in the glass, offering dark currants, pencil lead and shades of sweet pipe tobacco on the nose. The palate is dense and heady with a silky texture and great sense of weight. Coming off clean and loaded with dark fruits, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2025-2031- 94

2022 Sparkman ‘Holler’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Holler’ comes from a range of sites throughout the Columbia Valley and was aged in 48% new French oak before bottling. This is juicy and delicious stuff, loaded with black and red fruits alongside chocolate and tobacco leaf.  This is some serious value. Drink 2025-2035-93

2021 Sparkman ‘Evermore’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The ’21 Evermore old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon that comes from plantings that are more than 40 years of age from the Boushey and Dionysus Vineyards. Very complex and elegant with refined tannins, this is a stunning edition of this wine. Silky smooth throughout the drinking experience, this offers kirsch and tar notes that mingle well with red bell pepper, dark currants and dusty soils. A world-class bottling that shows excellent poise in this warm vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Benza

Winemaker Paden West has been at Benza since 2022 as he came in when they built the winery. He stated “Got here and it was a beautiful old barn being converted to a winery in August. Crush equipment came before I was picking for sparkling.”

His sparkling pick was late in 2022 as the vintage saw a spring event “Which was the first time we had dealt with this. We had frost the first week of bud break, right in the heart of it. Most Chardonnays were hit in the valley. But as we see the bigger issue was how to manage tannin levels.”

In 2022 West was worried that the fall was not going to warm up and have the grapes ripen. The warm temperatures “Saved the vintage but in some other interesting ways 2022 was more of an Oregon vintage in terms of having good acid and there is a lot of good tension that represents old-school Oregon.” West loves earth in the wine and uses different oak to complement the earthy aromatics of the wine. “Trying to find oak to compliment the earthy components of the wine” he said.

The new wines were really good across the board. I love the 2023 Benza ‘Block 2’ Pinot Gris (OB, 92) which is dense and heady, as well as the 2022 ‘Touch of Gold’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which has lovely richness and tension. Learn more at https://www.benza.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Benza wines.

2023 Benza ‘Block 2 Reserve’ Pinot Gris- The 2023 ‘Block 2 Reserve’ Pinot Gris was aged in 33% new French oak (cigar shaped barrels) before bottling. The palate is broad and rich with great tension and depth. Nutty tones combine with banana, lychee and shades of brioche on the palate. Full-bodied and delicious, with good freshness, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Benza ‘Touch of Gold’ Chardonnay- The really good 2022 Benza ‘Touch of Gold’ Chardonnay was stored in 33% new French oak before botting. Right away this has knockout aromatics of hay, gunpowder, golden delicious apple, peaches and nutty undertones, with buttered French bread. The palate is deep and concentrated with a refined texture and gorgeous sense of length. Delicious now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Benza ‘Three Tuxedos’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Benza ‘Three Tuxedos’ Pinot Noir entirely comes from the Benza Estate Vineyard. Stored in 45% new French oak before bottling, this opens with aromatics of wild blackberry and black cherry notes alongside shades of salty soils and baking spices. The palate is soft and elegant with medium-bodied black and red fruits that mingle well with exotic spice and oyster sauce accents. Drink 2024-2032- 92

2022 Benza ‘Symphony’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Symphony’ comes from several sites throughout the Willamette Valley. Stored in mainly neutral oak, this delivers juicy red fruits with red florals on the nose alongside damp soils. Medium bodied red fruits greet you on the palate, alongside a smooth texture and rocky undertones. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 91

2022 Benza ‘Le Soir’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Le Soir’ is an homage to Paden West’s mentor Isabelle Meunier. A barrel-selection wine, this offers shades of black truffle shavings and forest floor that meld well with dark raspberry and shades of milk chocolate on the nose. The palate is very earthy and salty with a beautiful melange of medium-bodied black and red fruits. Complex and delicious, with a smooth mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 93

2023 Benza ‘Borderlands Vineyard’ Syrah- The really good 2023 Benza ‘Borderlands Vineyard’ Syrah was stored in oak puncheons prior to bottling. This saw more than half whole cluster fermentation. Stored in 30% new French oak, this offers juicy raspberry and Bing cherry notes on the nose alongside shades of wet stone and soy sauce. The palate is juicy and delicious with a refined texture and lovely stony undertones. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

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