Ridge Vineyards

Today we focus our attention on one of the greats for the Santa Cruz Mountains. Not only fabulous in terms of its range of wines, Ridge is one of the oldest marquee producers in the state, producing everything from mineral-driven Chardonnay to inky Cabernet Sauvignon. Paul Draper helped put this winery on the map back in the 1960s. Draper saw the potential to make a range of varietals in the Santa Cruz Mountains as this high-elevation site is set at 2300. This is a must-visit for any lover of great California wine. Ridge Vineyard's 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon achieved international fame for its fifth-place finish in the 1976 “Judgement of Paris” wine tasting.

Don’t miss out on the 2023 Ridge ‘Estate’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is coming from the Monte Bello Vineyard and is a total stunner in terms of texture, flavor range and value. I am completely enamored by the 2022 Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which flirts with perfection and really needs another year or two of bottle age. This beauty will go for decades. Learn more about this historic winery at ridgewine.com Here are the amazing new release wines from Ridge Vineyards.

2023 Ridge ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay is entirely sourced from the famed Monte Bello Vineyard. Coming from this cooler vintage, the wine was stored in a combination of American oak, French oak and Amphorae before bottling. Challah bread and vanilla creme brûlée all mark the nose alongside banana and hints of ripe mango. The palate is plush, ripe and laden with minerality. Very seamless throughout the drinking experience, with a light dusting of salinity and fat mouthfeel, this combination of richness and freshness really makes it sing. Glorious now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2023 Ridge ‘Three Valleys’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Three Valleys’ is mainly Zinfandel (71%) with the remainder Carignane, Petite Sirah, Mataro and Alicante Bouschet. Bright red fruits and bramble notes with green herbs mark the nose alongside shades of milk chocolate. This is a fresher edition of this wine, showing great tension from this slightly cooler vintage, alongside salty and stony undertones and a dense core of red fruits. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 Ridge ‘Paso Robles’ Zinfandel- The 2023 ‘Paso Robles’ Zinfandel is sourced from the Dusi Vineyard, as this wine was first made by Ridge in the 1960s. 100% varietal, this offers graphite and dark chocolate shavings mingle well with cardamom dusted orange peel and menthol notes on the nose. The palate is very fresh and lithe on the mouth, with terrific tension and texture, as well as salty undertones. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Ridge ‘East Bench’ Zinfandel- The 2023 ‘East Bench’ Zinfandel is sourced from a small site in the Dry Creek Valley, the Funstein Ranch, set on volcanic iron rich soils. This is plush and rich Zin, offering a gorgeous body, salinity and core of red and dark fruits. Full-bodied and showing chocolate and graphite accents, with shades of sagebrush, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2023 Ridge ‘Pagani Ranch’ Zinfandel- Ultra-dark in the glass, the seriously impressive 2023 Ridge ‘Pagani Ranch’ Zinfandel is sourced from this location in Sonoma County that dates all the way back to the 1890s. This edition has a fairly large amount of Alicante Bouchet and Petite Sirah blended in. This is sumptuous stuff and very nervy on the mouth, offering cocoa powder dusted dark cherry and black licorice notes that combine with shades of blackberry cobbler, iron and lighter beef brisket notes. Very complex and nuanced, with serious density coming from the Alicante and Petite Sirah, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2022 Ridge ‘Lytton Estate’ Petite Sirah- The 2022 ‘Lytrton Estate’ Petite Sirah is 100% varietal and stands very brooding in the glass. Alluring dark rose petals mark the nose alongside pencil lead, creme de violette, tar and sweet pipe tobacco leaf aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is fresh and viscous, showing a great push-pull, loaded with black and blue fruits. A gorgeous wine that has some great aging potential, enjoy now and over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2023 Ridge ‘Geyserville’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Geyserville’ is a marvelous, silky blend of mainly Zinfandel (70%) with 18% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah and a touch of Alicante Boushet. Very dark in the glass, this delivers beautiful violet rose petals alongside mocha, tar, Cuban cigar and notes of garrigue with loganberry compote. The palate is fresh and refined, with an elegant mid-palate mouthfeel and light dusting of salinity. Well-structured and weighted, offering plenty of depth and flavor density, this is a marvelous effort that has yet to fully hit its stride —- but the incredible potential is there. The combination of weight and tension suggests this will be very long-lived. Give this another year in the cellar before uncorking. Drink 2026-2045- 96

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2023 Ridge ‘Lytton Springs’ Red Wine- The 2023 Ridge ‘Lytton Springs’ Red Wine combines manly Zinfandel (76%) with 14% Petite Sirah and the remainder Carignan, Mataro and Alicante Bouschet. The nose offers great potpourri notes with milk chocolate, fresh herbs and shades of ripe strawberry. The palate is smooth and silky with a refined mouthfeel and a great sense of tension and salinity that runs through the core of red and dark fruits. Every bit as gorgeous as the ’22, and slightly less burly and more mineral-driven, enjoy this beauty over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2022 Ridge ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The glorious 2022 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon has 9% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot blended in. Stored in American oak barrels, this delivers dark florals and red currants that parade with chocolate, pencil lead and suggestions of coconut dusted sandalwood aromatics. The palate is rich and viscous with a terrific sense of mouthfeel and tension. Smooth and refined, this really needs another year in the bottle to fully be aroused. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2022 Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A totally stunning wine from a warm vintage, the 2022 Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ combines nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (86%) with 10% Merlot and small parts Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from their estate vineyard high atop the Santa Cruz Mountains. Silky tannins frame a generous core of dark currants, roasted figs, dark chocolate shavings, anise seed and shades of black licorice on the palate. The remarkable power, intensity and minerality leads to a mouth-watering effect on the palate. A dazzling and dense wine that has some great cellaring potential, try to resist this beauty for another year. Drink 2026-2046- 99

Robert Biale

Today we share one of the great California Zinfandel producers. Robert Biale has a storied history in the Napa Valley. They source from some of the oldest Zinfandel sites in the area, producing wines with good ripeness but overall a focus on poise, flavor and aromatic range. These are a beautiful, restrained style of Zinfandel that would impress any Cabernet lover.

Winemaker David Natali is a New York native, David graduated from Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service and developed a passion for winemaking after bottling at a friend’s small winery. He formerly served as cellar hand at Clos Pegase Winery and later studied at the University of Montpellier in France, where he received his master’s degree in Viticulture and Enology. After two and a half years of living and studying abroad in Montpellier, France, and Udine, Italy, David returned to California. He became the Assistant Winemaker for La Rochelle Winery, later taking the Assistant Winemaker position at Robert Biale Vineyards. In 2022, David was promoted to Head Winemaker. While David replaced a world-class winemaker, he is making a name for himself at Biale. The last two sets of releases come from the difficult 2022 vintage which saw a heat dome at harvest which led to intense heat spikes and early picking decisions. Despite this David did an amazing job maintaining acidity in the wines. These are wines that are concentrated, plush and very enjoyable now.

I love the 2022 Robert Biale ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Zinfandel (OB, 95) which is a refined and very rocky effort from this location high atop the Napa Valley. Learn more about this storied Napa property at http://biale.com Here are the great new wines by Robert Biale. 

2023 Robert Biale ‘Black Chicken’ Zinfandel- The 2023 ‘Black Chicken’ was a code name for Zinfandel made by Aldo Biale during the Great Depression. This comes off beautifully performed with black florals that meld well with salty soils, orange peel and shades of wild blackberry. The palate is fresh and nicely textured with good minerality. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 Robert Biale ‘R.W. Moore Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The R.W. Moore Vineyard dates all the way back to 1905 when Zinfandel was first planted at this Coombsville location. Bright red rose petals combine with shades of bramble, loamy soils and hints of milk chocolate all follow on the nose. The palate is fresh and neatly textured, showing a great sense of tension, as this is loaded with texture and salty minerals alongside well-defined dark fruits and chocolate. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Robert Biale ‘Morisoli Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The brilliant 2023 ‘Morisoli Vineyard’ Zinfandel is sourced from this Napa location in the Rutherford appellation. Translucent in the glass, this offers potpourri and black plum notes on the nose alongside orange peel and shades of coffee grounds. The palate is silky and refined with soft tannins that frame a glorious core of black and red fruits — with no rough edges. A gorgeous, elegant bottling that is already showing well, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 95

2023 Robert Biale ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The 2023 ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ is sourced from this high elevation site that overlooks the Napa Valley. Zinfandel vines are set on rocky soils here, as the wine begins with black tea and exotic spices on the nose alongside black florals and fresh tobacco notes. The palate is refined and elegant, with great rocky soil character and a smooth mouthfeel. Great to savor in its heady youth, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2037- 95

2022 Robert Biale ‘Palisades Vineyard’ Petite Sirah- The 2022 ‘Palisades Vineyard’ Petite Sirah is a stunning edition of this wine coming from this rocky spot above Calistoga. Blueberry compote and huckleberry flavors collide with graphite, dark chocolate shavings and shades of creme de violette on the palate. Full-boded, powerful and muscular, with a silky texture, enjoy this brazen beauty now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2023 Robert Biale ‘Grande Vineyard’ Zinfandel- An ancient site for California Zinfandel, the Grande Vineyard was planted by an immigrant from Venice, Theodore Grande, back in 1920. This shows some nice herbal undertone alongside milk chocolate, a dusting of fresh sage, and wild blackberry on the palate. Rich and generous, with salty undertones and a bright acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Robert Biale ‘Varozza Vineyard’ Zinfandel- Consistently one of my favorite Zinfandel wines from California, the ‘Varozza Vineyard’ is set in St. Helena as this small site is farmed by Jack Varozza. This comes off seamless throughout the drinking experience, with a gorgeous melange of red and dark fruits alongside sweet pipe tobacco, baking spices, cocoa nibs and shades of coffee grounds on the palate. Silky and pillowy on the mouth, this is drinking marvelously now at the two year mark. Drink 2025-2037- 96

2023 Robert Biale ‘Aldo’s Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The historic 2023 ‘Aldo’s Vineyard’ comes from this tiny vineyard right outside the town of Napa in the Oak Knoll Vineyard. Zinfandel vines date back to 1937. Chocolate and oregano notes combine with fresh dill and loamy soils on the nose. The palate is plush and elegant with silky tannins that frame a great core of black and red fruits, with a chocolate edge. Juicy and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Robert Biale ‘Dickerson Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The Dickerson Vineyard wa splinted in the 1920s and is located in the St. Helena district. Translucent in the glass, this is silky throughout the drinking experience, with very pure red fruits that mingle well with chocolate, Arabica bean and copious minerals on the palate. Generous and loaded with freshness and texture, enjoy this beauty now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Robert Biale ‘Heminway Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The 2023 ‘Heminway Vineyard’ comes from this location right on the eastern edge of Napa Valley. Red florals meld alongside espresso grounds and shades of orange peel on the nose. The palate is elegant and lively with bright acidity that combines with the soft mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Robert Biale ‘Beatty Ranch’ Zinfandel- Coming from Howell Mountain, the 2023 ‘Beatty Ranch’ Zinfandel offers rich red currants and strawberry notes on the nose alongside satsuma orange zest and flinty undertones on the nose. The palate is soft and elegant showing off its smooth texture. Great now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Robert Biale ‘Royal Punishers’ Petite Sirah- The 2023 ‘Royal Punishers’ shows up inky in the glass. Mocha, tar and dark chocolate shavings mingle well with fresh blue fruits on the palate. Soft and savory with a seamless texture, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Robert Blale ‘Pagani Ranch’ Zinfandel- The 2023 ‘Pagani Ranch’ comes from this Sonoma site that was planted back in the 1920s. This is very seamless wine that shows great power and concentration in terms of black fruits. With more air layers of chocolate, fresh herbs and espresso bean notes all collide with copious minerals. A resounding success, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Robert Biale ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The famed ‘Bedrock Vineyard’ dates all the way back to the 1880s. This is concentrated stuff, showing great black florals on the nose with boysenberry compote, chocolate and shades of white pepper. This exceedingly delicious bottling offers a great combination of poise, richness and copious minerals, with excellent length on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Robert Biale ‘Old Kraft Vineyard’ Zinfandel- Located in St. Helena, the Old Kraft Vineyard dates all the way back to the 1860s. This is soft and plush on the mouth, loaded with rich red and dark fruits alongside pipe tobacco and chocolate. Seamless throughout the drinking experience, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Robert Biale ‘Party Line’ Zinfandel- The 2023 ‘Party Line’ is a blend from famed sites across California. It comes off soft and approachable, with mocha and scorched earth accents alongside heady dark fruits. Soft and supple on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Robert Biale ‘Monte Rosso Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The famed Monte Rosso Vineyard is located high atop the Sonoma Valley and is planted to old vine Zinfandel and other varietals. It is seamless and soft on the mouth with wonderful stony character, alongside fresh green herbs and a dusting of salinity. Full-bodied and broad-shouldered, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2038- 95

Vina Pedrosa

One of the coolest places to taste in the world, the Ribera del Duero is a mountainous, rustic location not too far outside Madrid. You will probably be the only people tasting at these wineries. There are also beautiful lodging options in this region known for earthy and rich Tempranillo wines. Many of the wines from this region are either 100% Tempranillo or have 10% or less of Cabernet Sauvignon blended in.

Bodega Hnos. Perez Pascuas is a historic site in the Ribera, crafting earthy and layered Tempranillo wines that will stand the test of time. I recently had the chance to visit this beautiful lineup and was completely blown away across the board. Look to the 2020 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa La Navilla Reserva’ Ribera del Duero (OB, 93) which is powerful and beautifully structured stuff. Learn more about these great Ribera del Duero wines at Here are the outstanding new release wines by Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas.

2022 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘El Pedrosal Crianza’ Ribera del Duero- The really hood 2022 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘El Pedrosal Crianza’ Ribera del Duero delivers concentrated dark fig and blackberry notes alongside chocolate and tobacco leaf accents on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 92

2022 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa Crianza’ Ribera del Duero- The 2022 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa Crianza’ Ribera del Duero is a powerful, beautifully-structured effort that needs about an hour in the decanter before enjoying. Kirsch and coffee ground flavors meld well with shades of garrigue and scorched earth on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 92

2020 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa La Navilla Reserva’ Ribera del Duero- The outsanding 2020 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa La Navilla Reserva’ Ribera del Duero delivers powerful tar and graphite aromatic notes on the glass, alongside red currants and dark rose petals. The palate is concentrated and structured, as refined tannins frame a brilliant core of black fruits. Drink 2025-2037- 93

Fidelitas

It has been many years since I first set foot at Fidelitas — a beacon of consistency on Red Mountain. Legendary Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes served as former head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle. Prior to working at Chateau Ste. Michelle, he attended the world renowned Viticulture and Enology program at the University of California, Davis and in 1988 he graduated with a degree in Agricultural Science and Management with a special emphasis in Viticulture and Enology. After a brief stint in Walla Walla in 1990 at Waterbrook Winery, he began working with superstar winemaker Mike Januik as a member of the winemaking team at Ste. Michelle in Woodinville. In 1993, he became the Head Red Winemaker and managed Ste. Michelle’s newest facility at the time, Canoe Ridge near Paterson, Washington. Hoppes had the pleasure of making the first vintages of Col Solare, from 1995-1998. Hoppes finally decided to purchase some land on Red Mountain, founding Fidelitas in 2000 -- and has produced fantastic reds and whites since that time. Fidelitas is known for their red and white Bordeaux blends, as well as their rich Cabernets. 

Hoppes made some great 2020 wines where many houses floundered. He did the same in the epic and very warm 2021 vintage. These are wines that are marvelously consistent with great structure, refined tannins and fabulous flavor density. I do not think you will be disappointed in the wines. Check out the gorgeous 2021 Fidelitas ’Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec (OB, 95) which is round and voluptuous, leaving little doubt that this is one of the finest Malbecs in the state. Learn more about the great Fidelitas lineup at http://www.fidelitaswines.com/ Here are the great new wine releases from Fidelitas.

2023 m100 Rosé- The 2023 m100 Rose comes from Merlot grapes rom the High River Vineyard. Stoed and aged in natural oak barrels, this offers copious minerals that combine wth strawberry and red currant flavors with orange zest notes. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2022 m100 Cabernet Sauvignon- 100% varietal, the 2022 m100 comes ro mainly the High River and Weinbau Vineyards. This is a delicious edition of this wine with mocha, tar and anise notes that combine with medium bodied dark fruits. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Merlot- A brilliant and juicy edition of Merlot from the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard, this was stored in 66% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. Inky in the glass this offers pencil lead and Black Forest Cake on the nose alongside shades of dark currants and anise. The palate is plush and full-bodied with a smooth mouthfeel and great underlying verve considering the heat of the vintage. Glorious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Malbec- Also 100% varietal, the 2021 ‘Estate’ Malbec’ was stored in 25 new American oak barrels for 18 months prior to bottling. Brooding in the glass, this delivers plenty of rich dark fruits on the palate, alongside huckleberry compote, dark chocolate shavings and a graphite edge. Every bit outstanding, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot- A dense, inky and hedonistic edition of this wine, the 2021 ‘Estate’ Petit Verdot was aged in mainly new American oak barrels before bottling. This is dense, heady and wonderfully earthy on the palate. Creme de cassis, tar, anise seed, fresh tobacco and shades of green bell pepper all combine with intense black and blue fruits on the palate. A total joy to drink now, this has some beautiful aging potential. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate' Red Wine- The outstanding 2021 Fidelitas Red Wine combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with 25% Petit Verdot, 20% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc that was stored in 70% new French oak for 18 months prior to bottling. This shows good poise and balance with medium bodied dark fruits that parade with espressos grounds and sagebrush notes. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2021 Fidélitas ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This gorgeous 100% varietal Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard on Red Mountain. Stored in mainly new French oak barrels, this delivers tar, anise seed, black currant jelly and espresso ground aromatics. The palate is refined and elegant with a smooth texture and generous mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2021 Fidélitas Estate ‘Clone 169’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A unique clonal bottling from 2021, this was stored in 25% new American oak for 28 months prior to bottling. This comes off wonderfully earthy on the palate with dusty soils that combine with dark cherry and boysenberry notes alongside dusty soils and shades of creme de violette. Delicious and lithe, with a polished texture and bright acidity, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2021 Fidélitas Estate ‘Clone 412’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 ‘Clone 412’ is 100% variety combing from the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard. Aged in 75% new French oak barrels, this offers a plush texture on the mouth. Walnut and cassis notes mingle with violet cream and shades of tar with black licorice on the palate. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2021 Fidelitas Quintessence Vineyard Merlot- A dense and heady, quintessential Merlot off Red Mountain, the 2021 Quintessence Vineyard Merlot was stored in a combination of mainly new French and American oak barrels prior to bottling. Black raspberry and violets mark the nose alongside shades of creosote and fresh sage. The palate is soft and refined with generous dark fruits that parade with chocolate and shades of Turkish coffee. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2021 Fidelitas 'Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec- The 2021 ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Malbec is 100% varietal coming from this site on Red Mountain. Very inky in the glass, this offers violets and scorched earthy notes that combine with graphite, and creme de cassis notes on the palate. Full-bodied and beautifully structured, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2021 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2021 Quintessence Red Wine combines 32% Petit Verdot and 32% Cabernet Franc with 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the remainder Merlot. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside thyme, black currants and damp soils. Each varietal is ticking is in clockwork balance here in terms of oak, herbal accents and dense dark fruits with scorched earthy accents. What a beautiful blend! Drink 2025-2040- 95

2021 Fidelitas ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The brilliant 2021 ‘Quintessence Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in mainly new French oak barrels before bottling. This is dense and heady with sandalwood and cassis notes on the palate alongside serious structure and refined tannins. Full-bodied and full of verve, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

Audeant

Happy Friday to you all. Somehow it has been over a year since I have written about the beautiful wines of Audeant. Founded by Andrew Reichers who studied under Santa Barbara great Matthias Pippig.,  Reichers applied his trade spending time learning winemaking in New Zealand, at Burn Cottage, and in Burgundy in the Haute Cote working for Claire Naudin at Domaine Naudin Ferrand. In Oregon he served for five years as the assistant winemaker at Antica Terra and Lillian with Maggie Harrison prior to joining and founding Audeant Wines with Proprietor, Teal Walker, in 2016. Reichers has a world-class wine resume and is even making some incredible bubbles for his Missoula Flood project with Pippig.

2022 was a cooler vintage in Oregon. Reichers made great wines from this year that show terrific depth and a touch more tension than the ‘21s. Check out the world-class  2022 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which totally overdelivers for the price. I adored the 2022 Audeant ‘Nysa Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which has a great volcanic character. Learn more about this exciting winery at https://www.audeant.com Here are the beautiful new wine releases by Audeant.

2022 Audeant 'Seven Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay- A deep, complex and concentrated Chardonnay, the 2022 ‘Seven Springs Vineyard’ was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. Right away alluring cloves and allspice dusted pastry crust fill the nose alongside Japanese pear and suggestions of freshly cut mango. The palate is rich and shows fantastic verve, with loads of mouth-watering acidity and a seamless texture. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Audeant Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, the 2022 Rose is a knockout bottling that is viscous, earthy and downright delicious. Concentrated red fruits collide with damp earth, juicy peach and shades of Yakima cherry on the palate. Neatly-textured, with great verve, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2022 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ is wonderfully nervy and tense, loaded with bright red fruits with plenty of mouth-watering acidity. Fresh and fragrant with red rose petal aromatics, and loads of salty/stony character, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Audeant ‘Foothills’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Foothills’ Pinot Noir offers beautiful potpourri notes alongside shades of guava, pomegranate seed and Satsuma orange zest. The palate is full of texture and freshness with great nerve. Complex and delicious, showing a very pure core of red fruits, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Audeant ‘Luminous Hills Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Luminous Hills’ Pinot Noir comes from this vineyard in the southwestern corner of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. This is a higher elevation site set on marine sedimentary soils. It is marvelously salty, offering a gorgeous core of bright red fruits alongside shades of white pepper, pine needles, menthol and shades of bergamot on the palate. This is a total knockout that is already drinking beautifully in its heady youth. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2022 Audeant ‘Nysa Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Nysa Vineyard’ comes from this dry-farmed location in the Dundee Hills AVA. It is loaded with volcanic soil character, alongside tart red fruits, orange peel, amaro, and shades of forest floor on the palate. Medium to full-bodied and very fresh and fragrant, enjoy now and over the next ten to twelve years to come. Drink 2025-2038- 94

Hambledon

Today we share the oldest sparkling wine producer in England. Hambledon Vineyard was originally planted back in 1952 by Major-General Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones. Hambledon is set in the 'Cradle of Cricket’ and vines are planted on chalky soils that resemble some found in champagne. In fact, the soils are the Newhaven Chalk formation that developed between the Santonian and Campanian eras of the Upper Cretaceous period (known as the Senonien period in Champagne). The same chalk, with the same Belemnite content, is found in some of the most famous Chardonnay areas of the Côtes des Blancs in Champagne. Hambedon has a very impressive winemaking team. Hervé Jestin has overseen the production of more than 200 million bottles of Champagne and sparkling wine during his career and was chef des caves at Champagne Duval Leroy for over 20 years.

The new wines by Jestin were really good and saw some extended less aging. I love the new NV Hambledon Rose Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which is fruity and fresh with a soft mouthfeel. Learn more about this historic winery at https://hambledonvineyard.co.uk/ and here are my reviews of the new Hambledon wines.

NV Hambledon ‘Classic Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- An amazing effort, the NV Hambedon ‘Classic Cuvee’ Sparking Wine is shining brightly right now. Aged on the lees for 35 months, this combines Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier sourced from South East facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon. Rich and generous on the mouth, the silky mousse entices. Ripe red raspberry and Pink Lady apple fruit flavors mingle well with lemon zest and chalky soils on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

NV Hambledon Rose Sparkling Wine- Loaded with crunchy red fruits, the NV Hambedon Rose offers bright cranberry, tart cherry and red raspberry notes alongside salty and stony minerals on the palate. With a soft mousse and gobs of great finesse, this is best enjoyed now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

Upchurch Vineyard

It my pleasure to share one of the great wineries of Washington on Red Mountain, Upchurch Vineyard. I think this is one of the most beautiful locations in the Pacific Northwest, with sweeping views of the Columbia Valley. Chris Upchurch is a legendary winemaker, having crafted an incredible range of wines for DeLille Cellars before starting his first outpost more than a decade ago.

For years Upchurch made some of the finest Bordeaux style white wines in Washington State and he has continued that trend with his own brand. I love the new 2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Southwest Facing’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 94) which is rich and viscous, with great tension and texture. I was absolutely blown away with their finest wine, the 2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which flirts with perfection and is a world-class wine that will cellar well over 20 years. Learn more about this fantastic winery at https://upchurchvineyard.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Upchurch Vineyard.

2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Southwest Facing’ Sauvignon Blanc- Sourced from the Boushey Vineyard this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc offers honeysuckle and white peach on the nose with pink grapefruit blossom. The palate offers great richness and grip from the underlying finesse. Showing great length, this is gorgeous stuff that is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Candy Mountain’ Merlot- The 2022 ‘Candy Mountain’ comes from this site set on clay soils. Inky in the glass, this offers dark currants alongside milk chocolate and shades of tobacco leaf and creosote notes. The palate is deep and viscous with serious tension and richness, showing salty nuances. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Counterpart’ Red Wine- 2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Counterpart’ is all Merlot from the Upchurch Estate Vineyard on Red Mountain. The nose is gorgeous with exotic spices and tar notes that combine with figs and shades of espresso grounds. The palate is big and broad-shouldered with serious verve, richness and underlying tension. Beautifully structured, brimming with acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Quintessence Block 51’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Quintessence Block 51’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this the furthest east block on this site in Red Mountain. Inky in the glass this offers scorched earth and loamy soils with tobacco leaf and dark chocolate shavings. The palate is beautifully concentrated and well-structured with serious depth and flavor density. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Heart of The Hill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This comes from the esteemed Heart of The Hill Vineyard. The wine shows beautiful tension and refined tannins that combine with shades of creosote, anise, dark currant cordial and shades of creme de violette. Complex and delicious, showing beautiful flavor density, this is showing some serious potential and could easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2022 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Upchurch Vineyard is is all Cabernet Sauvignon, clonal selections 191 and 8 coming from this site planted back in 2007. Black florals mark the nose alongside milk chocolate and espresso bean notes. The palate is plush and rich with serious viscosity and tension. Refined and generous, with broad shoulders, refined tannins and shades of anise seed, with scorched earth accents, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2045- 97

2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Upchurch Vineyard ‘Hero Twins’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel-select wine that is very inky in the glass. This is pillowy, soft and concentrated stuff that is nothing short of world-class. This gets better and better with more air,  showing a gorgeous array of huckleberry, scorched earth, blueberry compote, espresso grounds and refined tannins on the palate. With glorious length and weight, alongside bright underlying acidity, this flirts with perfection from this slightly cooler vintage. Try to give this beauty another year in the bottle. There is little doubt this will be exceedingly long-aged. Drink 2026-2049- 99

Time & Direction Retrospective

Steve Wells is unabashedly obsessed with the ‘80s. He has an '80s themed tasting room that is tons of fun to visit.  Wells makes a range of amazing mineral-driven wines that are well-priced and really easy to drink. The idea behind Time & Direction was inspired by his move from Manhattan to Walla Walla. This pilgrimage was made as Wells joined the winemaking program at Walla Walla Community College. “I wanted the name to be unique and individual. I didn’t want to use my name or the names ‘cellars’ or ‘vintners’ or ‘vineyards.’ It had to have meaning and be easy to pronounce. Let’s make it easy for the consumer to remember. I didn’t want to use any animals or anything geographic because it has been done a thousand times over. I look down at my forearms and designed the tattoos for myself. This tattoo is for my daughter, 1:02 in the morning is when she was born. I also like maps so the compass is not a direction it is initials. Time & Direction symbolizes my journey from New York City all the way out here to make wine.”

I have really enjoyed these wines since he first began making them in the 2016 vintage. The brand has expanded considerably since then. He is making some of the most delicate and highly nuanced Rose you will taste in Washington State. We tasted together last Friday and went all the way back to his first wines, which was so interesting to see how well they had aged.

His first wine, the 2016 ‘Old School’ Syrah (OB, 93) is gorgeous and plump on the mouth. It is drinking so well now. Similarly the 2017 ‘Old School’ (OB, 93) had a lot of depth and flavor complexity from this slightly cooler vintage. I love there the 2018 Time & Direction ‘Wellspring’ Syrah (OB, 95) is showing right now. This wine is a beautiful tribute to Wells’s parents.

Learn more about these amazing wines at https://www.timeanddirectionwines.com/ and here is my reviews of the older wines by Steve Wells and his Time & Direction brand.

2017 Time & Direction ‘Fretboard’ White Wine - This is the first vintage of the golden-hued ‘Fretboard’ white wine. A blend of 60% Roussanne and the remainder Viognier all coming from the Corfu Crossing Vineyard. Intense on the nose this delivers beeswax and honeysuckle alongside cantaloupe and shades of green papaya. Super fresh and lithe with a polished texture, what an outstanding bottling from a slightly cooler vintage. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2018 Time & Direction ‘Fretboard’ White Wine- This 2018 edition is 100% Viognier from the Corfu Crossing Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. Stored in all stainless steel, this offers lychee, white tea, lemongrass and shades of cashew nut on the nose. Super fresh and lively, brimming with bright acidity, this leads with rich orchard and citrus fruit flavors that mingle well with the smooth mouthfeel on the palate. 13.3% alcohol. Drink 2025-2030- 92

2018 Time & Direction ‘Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Select Start’ Rose- The pale colored 2018 Time & Direction ‘Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A Select Start’ Rose offers delicate red florals with honeydew melon, orange zest and suggestions of strawberry Starburst candy. The palate is smooth and delicate with gorgeous nuance and a refined texture. This is a gorgeous rendition of this wine that is aging gracefully. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2016 Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah- Very smoky and savory on the nose, the 2016 ‘Old School’ Syrah was the first wine that Steve Wells made on his own. This has a touch of Viognier co-fermented. Honeysuckle and smoked pork shoulder aromatics combine with soy sauce and stony minerals on the nose. The palate is plush and soft with a refined texture. Gorgeous now, with great texture and freshness considering its age, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2017 Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘Old School’ has 5% Viognier blended in. It is neatly floral alongside shades of white pepper dusted bacon, Oyster sauce and suggestions of wild blackberry with Mandarin orange zest. This is wonderfully fresh and vibrant with mouth-watering acidity. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2018 Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Old School’ is all Syrah and doesn’t have any Viognier blended in but has some Eritage Vineyard fruit blended in. This is a stunning edition of this wine and brings serious weight, poise and flavor density. Very savory with an herbal edge, this offers a great core of dark fruits that combine with suggestions of black plum. Vibrant and showing serious tension, with a great sense of salinity and stony essence, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2019 Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah- The 2019 is 100% Syrah from the Solaksen Vineyard. This is salty and savor  stuff with a smooth mouthfeel and good depth considering the coolness of the vintage. Bright and acid-driven, this offers great loganberry flavors that meld well with smoked meats and Earl Grey tea. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2020 Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah- The 2020 ‘Old School’ Syrah comes off remarkably clean with lighter bodied black fruits that mingle well with soldering stones and shades of black olives on the palate. Drink now. Drink 2025-2029- 91

2021 Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah- The sensational 2021 Time & Direction ‘Old School’ Syrah comes from the Corfu Crossings Vineyard. This edition has 7% Viognier blended in. Gorgeous white florals mark the nose alongside red currants, shades of black tea and exotic spices with smoked meats. The palate is plush and mineral-laden with serious freshness and texture. This still has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2017 Time & Direction ‘Bruce’s Island Reserve’ Syrah- The 2017 ‘Bruce’s Island Reserve’ comes from the Solaksen Vineyard and has 5% Viognier blended in. The florals pop with honeysuckle notes that combine with smoked brisket, tar and pipe tobacco leaf notes that all meld in the glass. The palate is rich and viscous with serious tension and smoky/savory with black olives, bacon fat and boysenberry preserves. Well-done! Drink 2025-2033- 95

2018 Time & Direction ‘Wellspring Reserve’ Syrah- The gorgeous 2018 ‘Wellspring’ Syrah was made for Steve Wells’s parents. The wine comes off very smoky and savory with bay leaf and shades of Kalamatta olive that mingle well with beef brisket and suggestions of wild blackberry. The palate is tension-filled, showing loads of mouth-watering acidity. A gorgeous wine from a great vintage, this is really hitting its stride now — and has a long way to go. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2019 Time & Direction ‘Sol’ Syrah- The 2019 ‘Sol’ Syrah has 5% Viognier blended in. The wine offers dense dark fruits with espresso bean, chocolate and shades of stony accents. The palate is plush with a smooth mouthfeel and great sense of flavor density. Generous and broad-shouldered, brimming with underlying acidity, this is a gorgeous wine made from a somewhat difficult vintage. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2020 Time & Direction ‘P&S Reserve’ Syrah- The ‘P&S Reserve’ comes entirely from the Eritage Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley. This is fresh and fragrant stuff, offering bright red fruits with tar, tobacco leaf and stony minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2029- 91

2023 Time & Direction ‘Sol’ Syrah- Coming from this warm vintage, the 2023 ‘Sol’ has 5% Viognier blended in. Very floral with red rose petals and orange blossom notes this combines with wet stone, Umami, and suggestions of white pepper dusted brisket. This is beautifully balanced and textured wine that has a ton of potential, with loads of salinity and minerality. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2018 Time & Direction ‘Diamond Cutter’ Syrah- This is nearly all Syrah with 5% Mourvèdre blended in. This offers a glorious combination of red and dark fruits on the nose alongside Hoisin sauce and suggestions of orange zest. This is wonderfully smoky and meaty, offering blood orange zest notes that combine wth salty minerals. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2023 Time & Direction ‘Tri Force’ Syrah- A blend of three different vineyards, the 2023 ‘Tri Force’ comes from the Eritage, Patina and Solaksen Vineyards. This is gorgeous, mineral-laden Syrah that has some killer cellaring potential. Lip-smacking acidity mingle with saline drenched tart dark fruits with chocolate and shades of dark raspberry. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Holocene

Today we share some of the finest wines of Oregon. Holocene began in 2015 and the new releases come from the warm 2023 vintage — one that was hot but had few major heat spikes. 2023 continues a long line of warmer vintages in Oregon, -- years like ’16, ’18, ’20 and now ’23. Regardless of vintage winemaker Todd Alexander has crafted consistently great wines for this brand. I’ve now tried every vintage of this wine and I have also found that the wines have gotten better and better.

I love the 2023 Holocene ‘Memorials’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which has terrific depth and flavor density from this site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Learn more about this awesome Oregon outpost at http://holocenewines.com Here are the beautiful new 2023 release wines by Holocene. 

2023 Holocene ‘Memorials’ Pinot Noir- Initially first made in 2015, the 2023 ‘Memorialis’ is a 360 case production wine from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It is 100% whole-cluster fermented and stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This is concentrated, gorgeous stuff, loaded with crunchy red fruits that parade with menthol, white pepper, exotic spices and shades of blood orange zest. Full-bodied and beautifully-textured, enjoy this beauty now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Give this 30 plus minutes in the decanter if enjoying in its heady youth. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2023 Holocene ‘Sidereal’ Pinot Noir- The astonishingly good and very pure 2023 ‘Sidereal’ is 100% Pommard clone Pinot Noir that was all whole-cluster fermented. It is sourced from a small, 7-acre parcel in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Guava puree and Yakima cherry notes mark the nose alongside suggestions of cardamom dusted orange peel and salty soils. A bright salinity bursts through the core of pure red fruits, alongside crushed wet rock, and peat moss accents on the palate. Showing really good length and viscosity, this is a marvelous warm-vintage showing that is already nicely evolved. Just give this about 30 minutes in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2025-2040- 96

Result of A Crush

Somehow it has been more than a year since I have written about some of Washington’s finest value wines. Result of A Crush was a project that was started more than a decade back to create a second tier of Reynvaan wines. Amanda Reynvaan and Angela Reynvaan Garratt, sisters of consulting winemaker Matt Reynvaan, sought to create wines that are more readily available and affordable than the Reynvaan wines. These wines totally over-deliver at the 20-30 dollar range. They are essentially ‘baby-Reynvaans.’

You don’t really find QPR like this anywhere in Washington State. I am blown away once again with the 2022 Result of A Crush ‘Christmas Cuvee’ Rose (OB, 93) which is without a doubt a wine to buy by the case. I don’t think there is any way you are going to be disappointed with these wines. Learn more about Result of A Crush at http://resultofacrush.com and here are my reviews of the great new wines by Result of A Crush.

2022 Result of A Crush ‘Christmas Cuvee’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Christmas Cuvee’ is loaded with garrigue, Hoisin sauce, black olives, charcuterie and black currant flavors on the palate, showing beautiful finesse and minerality. The flavor range is outstanding. It is medium-bodied and delicious stuff that is already beautifully evolved. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Result of A Crush ‘The Unnamed Series’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Unnamed Series’ has 3% Viognier blended in. Beautiful honeysuckle notes from the Viognier fill the glass, alongside bright red fruits, smoked pork shoulder, orange peel and shades of Umami. The palate is fresh and lithe with a polished mouthfeel. While on the leaner side, this is highly complex Syrah that is drinking well right now. Enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2021 Result of A Crush ‘Claret’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Claret’ comes from the Reyvaan ‘In The Rocks Vineyard’ in the Walla Walla Rocks AVA. Mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this offers smoldering stones and Earl Grey tea on the nose with menthol, sandalwood and shades of dark currants that all meld in the glass. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture and great sense of underlying verve and stony essence. You won’t find a Bordeaux style wine anywhere quite like this at this price. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Result of A Crush ‘Reserve’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Reserve’ Syrah is 100% varietal and seriously delicious. Dark in the glass, this delivers suggestions of bulls blood, oyster sauce and beef brisket on the nose with fresh sage and Mandarin orange zest accents. Salty and savory on the mouth, with a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93

Lange

I love Oregon wineries that continue to deliver year in and year out. Such is the case with Lange, one of Oregon’s historic wineries. It was back in 1987 that Don Lange took a chance by acquiring a large chunk of land that had sweeping views of the Willamette Valley. Don made his namesake wines for many years and over time his son Jesse transitioned into their head winemaker, taking over for his father. Jesse’s formal winemaking training occurred at New Zealand’s Lincoln University while on a student exchange scholarship from Oregon State in 1999. Jesse made world-class wines for years.

The new wines come from the warm 2023 vintage. I love the 2023 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is laden with minerality and nuance. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.langewinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the Lange wines.

2023 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2023 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir comes from a range of sites throughout the Willamette Valley. On the nose this shows off bright red florals with cranberry, black tea and salty soil accents. The palate is soft and beautifully textured, showing good weight and a great combination of black and red fruit flavors, with great tension and a light dusting of salinity. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Lange ‘Liberty Bell’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Liberty Bell’ was sourced from the Freedom Hill Vineyard, with Pinot Noir vines that date back to the 1980s. Orange peel and pipe tobacco fill the nose alongside wild strawberry and shades of loganberry puree. The palate is tension-filled and juicy, loaded with bright red fruits that mingle well with salty soil accents. This is already drinking beautifully in its heady youth. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Cayuse Vineyards

It is my distinct honor to share some of the finest wines in North America. Cayuse Vineyards was founded by vigneron Christophe Baron back in the 1990s. Baron was raised in Champagne and was was the youngest heir of the famed Champagne house, Baron Albert. His ancestors had worked the land at Baron Albert since 1677. As a young boy Christophe worked harvests and eventually studied viticulture in Burgundy and Champagne. After some travels he was drawn to the Willamette Valley, and was set on making great Pinot Noir. One day he was outside of Walla Walla and saw terroir inspired by the stony galets of Chateauneuf du Pape. He made the brilliant decision to plant his first vineyard back in 1997 on the cobblestone-laden lands outside of Milton-Freewater. Baron has had unparalleled success in the Walla Walla Valley since that time, crafting stony wines that show an incredible combination of tension, range and terroir.

It was such as pleasure taking an afternoon to taste through these wines. 2022 was somewhat of a miracle vintage that was very cool vintage that had a warm fall that really helped push ripeness levels. These were some of the most incredible wines that I have tasted from this vintage as they are quite simply an otherworldly range of wines. The 2023 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Rose (OB, 95) is the finest Rose wine that I have tasted in the past year. There is nothing quite like this in terms of texture, flavor range and stony terroir.

Don’t miss out on the perfect 2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine (OB, 100) which is arguably the finest Grenache wine in North America. There is quite honestly nothing like this wine in terms of flavor range, stony character and underlying finesse. Learn more about these incredible future release wines at https://cayusevineyards.com Here are the incredible wines by Cayuse Vineyards (release fall 2024).

2023 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Viognier- Sourced from the famed Cailloux Vineyard which was planted back in 1997, the sensational 2023 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Viognier was stored in a combination of stainless steel and concrete eggs before  bottling. Vibrant honeysuckle and freshly cut limes combine with shades of papaya, mango and baking spices on the nose. The palate is fresh and viscous, with serious texture and tension. Wait for the near-minute long finish! A total stunner, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 96

2023 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Rose- The dazzling 2023 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Edith’ Rose is entirely made from Grenache grapes sourced from the Armada Vineyard. The wine was aged for 10 months in a combination of stainless steel and concrete. A salmon hue greets you in the glass, as this delivers lifted red rose petals and orange blossom tones on the nose, alongside shades of nectarine skin and damp earthy accents. The palate is round and generous, yet maintains a sterling sense of tension throughout the drinking experience. Showing its true stony essence, with red florals and a rich core of melon and pretty red fruits, this may just be the finest Rose you will taste in North America. Enjoy while you can as only 163 cases were made. Drink 2025-2032- 95

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine- This 2022 edition of this famed bottling stands considerably more translucent than the ’21. A small amount of Syrah has been added to the otherworldly 2022 ‘Gold Only Knows’ Red Wine. Stored for 21 months in neutral French oak, this comes from vines planted all the way back in 2001. The nose is marvelously floral with pink and red rose petals that parade with Satsuma orange zest, white truffle shavings, strawberry Starburst candy and suggestions of Oyster sauce that all meld in the glass. The heady aromatics bring you back for more enjoyment. The palate is quite different than the ’21, being considerably more nervy — more reminiscent of the 2017. Without a doubt this edition flirts with perfection, as this beautiful bottling is arguably the finest Grenache made in North America. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. But why wait? Drink 2025-2033- 99

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Flying Pig’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Flying Pig’ has less Cabernet Franc (43%) than the ’21 edition with 48% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. Stored in mainly natural oak barrels for 18 months, this delivers wet stone and sweet pipe tobacco aromatics that combine with boysenberry compote, and smoked pork shoulder. The palate is soft and refined, showing marvelously stony essence that combines with bright red fruits, orange peel and shades of beef drippings on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. The novelty is there, as this is really unlike anything you will taste in North America. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2021 Cayuse Vineyards ‘The Lovers’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘The Lovers’ is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon (89%) with the remainder Syrah.  Stored for 21 months in 30% new French oak this delivers Provencale herbs and beef brisket notes on the nose with black cherry compote and suggestions of anise and black licorice that all combine in the glass. The palate is brimming with tension and bright acidity. Delightful to enjoy right now, with its smooth texture and beautiful length, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Camaspelo’ Red Wine- The astonishingly good 2022 ‘Camaspelo’ is a mouth-watering amalgamation of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions Cabernet Franc and Merlot that was stored for 18 months in roughly 30% new French oak. Umami and Nori combines with black truffle shavings, compost, orange peel and suggestions of bulls blood on the nos. The palate is silky smooth and refined, as this elegant bottling is already drinking beautifully. Enjoy over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 96

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Widowmaker En Chamberlin Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A world-class Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 ’Widowmaker’ was stored for 18 months in 30% new French oak prior to bottling. Alluring black rose petal aromas combine with beef tartare alongside umami, white pepper dusted orange peel and Middle-Eastern spices all meld in the glass. The palate is plush and beautifully structured, with marvelous stony undertones. Not as dense but marvelously nervy compared to the ’21, this is medium-bodied, very stony and beautifully-evolved stuff that has another eight to ten years to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2022 Cayuse ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Syrah- Another otherworldly bottling, the 2022 ’Cailloux Vineyard’ has 6% Viognier blended in (up from 3% in the ’21). This comes from 1997 Syrah and was aged for 18 months in mainly neutral oak puncheons. This bursts out of the glass with gorgeous high-tones from the Viognier, as alluring honeysuckle and pink grapefruit blossom notes mingle alongside shades of BBQ beef ribs, seaweed and rich roasted figs. The palate is plush and seamless with serious verve and texture. Very stony, floral and complex, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 98

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘En Cerise Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 ’En Cerise Vineyard’ Syrah comes from this site that was formerly a cherry orchard. Stored for 18 months in 15% new French oak, this delivers beautiful stony tones that combine with iodine, milk chocolate, horse manure and suggestions of black truffle that all take shape in the glass. The palate is utterly seamless and soft with a vibrant sense of tension that runs through a beautiful core of black fruits, black florals and Umami character. Medium to full-bodied, this is every bit as the 2021 edition — and a touch more mineral-laden. What a wine! Drink 2025-2035- 99

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘En Chamberlin Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 Cayuse ‘En Chamberlin’ comes from vines that were first planted back in 2000.Stored in mainly neural oak puncheons, this offers creosote and beef drippings on the nose alongside dark florals, fresh sage and suggestions of Oyster sauce. The palate is elegant and refined, with great tension and a good sense of weight. Delicious and dense, with an ebullient core of dark fruits, this is already beautifully evolved stuff that has a decade or more ahead of it. Drink 2025-2035- 98

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah- The glorious 2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ is a gorgeous wine that shows tremendous power, depth and tension. Stored for 18 months in only 15% new French oak, this delivers a beautiful melange of red and dark florals on the nose with Satsuma orange zest, wintergreen and shades of Hoisin sauce. Like the ’21 edition, there is a marvelous push-pull in terms of weight, depth and underlying nerve. Very stony and savory, this is nothing short of a perfect wine that will live on for at least another ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 100

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah- The world-class 2022 ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah come from this tight-spacing site that was planted at 1800 vines per acre. This location in the stones is now over 20 years of age. Green peppercorns and allspice dusted pork shoulder notes combine on the nose alongside Satsuma orange rind, soy sauce and shades of wild blackberry combine on this ultra-complex nose. The palate is refined and luxurious in terms of tension, depth and tension. Very rocky and mineral-laden, enjoy this beautifully bottling over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 99

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special #16 Syrah (1.5L)- A stunning wine from the ’22 vintage, the mag-only ‘Wallah Walla Special #16’ Syrah comes from a range of vineyards that were blended together to make this very special wine. Stored in a small amount of new French oak barrels, this offers seaweed, wet rock and boysenberry cordial on the nose alongside bright black florals. The palate is rich and vicious considering the coolness of the vintage. This is very stony, with loads of non-fruit in terms of its Umami and seaweed character. Round and generous, with serious mouth-watering acidity, this still has a long way to go in the bottle. If enjoying now, give this 30 plus minutes in the decanter prior to enjoying. Drink 2025-2040- 99

2022 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Impulsive’ Tempranillo- The 2022 ‘Impulsivo’ comes from the En Chamberlin Vineyard that was planted back in 2000. On the nose this takes on layers of soy sauce and Umami with wet stone, short-rib and black cherry compote that all take shape in the glass. The palate is silky and refined, with marvelous stony character and loads of freshness. Full-bodied and very nervy, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 98

REVIEW: Hotel 1000 Seattle, Another Top-Class Stay

I had another fabulous stay at Hotel 1000, roughly one year after my last stay. A really world-class boutique hotel in the heart of Seattle, Hotel 1000 began with a seamless check-in to our room on the 5th floor. Room 510 was located in the western edge of the hotel with a view looking west.

It was a normal sized guest room but had a street view of 1st Ave. I had stayed in a suite before and this was a normal sized room. For the square footage, everything was laid out perfectly and the bathroom felt particularly expansive

While not large, the room was functional and beautiful. As with my last stay they have thick carpet and a very modern take on a hotel that is more than ten years since the last remodel. There was a large, comfy king-sized bed, a large bath tub and small shower area. The room was clean and well-kept.

Like my last stay, they continue to utilize top class bathroom products by Le Labo The bathroom was also great looking with extremely fine products by Le Labo. I think that you would find a similar quality bathroom product at the Ritz Carlton. The bathtub is modern and sits in the center of the room which really sets the room off nicely.

Last stay we had eaten at their hotel restaurant, All Water, which specializes in oysters and other seafood items. This time we chose to grab a cocktail at their pop-up bar in their lobby, Rosebay. The bartender there has formerly been at Rob Roy, an iconic Seattle cocktail bar. He made a beautiful drink that was on their spring menu with a red wine float. It was the perfect ending to the night as we climbed into the cozy kingsized bed and called it a night.

The next day we arose after a great sleep and had to head out before we could grab breakfast. All Water does serve some really nice breakfast including an excellent lox bagel. Hotel 1000 service was excellent. People answer the phone when you call downstairs. I think in terms of room quality and overall experience with their cocktail bar and restaurant, there are few other Seattle hotels who deliver this level of quality for an overnight stay. I think they could probably charge less for valet parking ($70.00 plus fees). However, if you want to stay somewhere great, centrally located in Seattle, I think that Hotel 1000 for the price rivals anything including The Edgewater or The Thompson. I’ll really look forward to my next stay at Hotel 1000.

The Walls

Today we share the wines of The Walls, founded by former Microsoft executive Mike Martin. Martin has created an incredible space in Walla Walla for his winery with a scenic backyard feel and beautiful interior. A few years back he made a major purchase in acquiring the Rockgarden Vineyard from Nina Buty. The wines from this site are really exciting and stony. New executive winemaker Sally Johnson Blum and Associate Winemaker Peter Urian joined the team somewhat recently. Johnson Blum has a massive amount of experience, formerly being at St. Francis and Pride in Sonoma County. She also has served as winemaking consultant at Mullan Road under Dennis Cakebread. She is a great person to chat wine with. Urian has formerly been an integral part of the Devona winemaking team, making some downright killer wines over there.

Check out the outstanding 2022 The Walls ‘Wonderful Nightmare’ (OB, 94) which is delicious and dense, made from mostly Tempranillo grapes. I adore the 2022 ‘Curiositas’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 96) which is heady, and elegant stuff coming off Red Mountain, with lovely flavor density considering the coolness of the vintage. Learn more about these outstanding new wines at https://www.thewallsvineyards.com Here are the great new releases from The Walls. 

2023 The Walls ‘Lip Stinger’ Stanley Groovy White Wine- The 2023 ‘Lip Stinger’ offers marzipan with green apple, white peach and beautiful white flower florals on the nose. The plate is soft and mineral-laden with great freshness. Enjoy now and over the next five plus years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2022 The Walls ‘Stanley Groovy’ Red Wine- The really good 2022 The Walls ‘Stanley Groovy’ Red Wine combines mostly Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Tinta Roriz. Chocolate and kirsch cordial combine with espresso bean on the nose. Dense and polished with a smooth texture, this is already neatly evolved stuff that is drinking marvelously in its vibrant youth. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2021 The Walls ‘Mahana’ Red Wine- Mike Martin acquired the Rockgarden Vineyard back in 2020, as this wine coms from both the River Rock and Rockgarden sites in the Rocks AVA. Once on the nose this takes on layers of marionberry and wet stone alongside black currants and shades of black licorice. The palate is fresh and lithe considering the heat of the vintage. A beautiful melange of red and dark fruits combine with the stony character with charcuterie notes. Drink 2024-2032- 94

2021 The Walls ‘Wonderful Nightmare’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Wonderful Nightmare’ is a gorgeous bottling that is rich, dense and heady. Mainly Tempranillo, this is very stony and rich on the palate, with roasted figs, wet rock and pipe tobacco alongside dark currant notes. Fresh and neatly textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 The Walls ‘Bellamy’ Red Wine- The 2022 The Walls ‘Bellamy’ Red Wine is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the Rocks District. Soft and supple on the mouth, this offers medium-bodied roasted date and wild blackberry tones on the palate, with salty minerals and stony accents. Showing a nice herbal edge, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 The Walls ‘Curiositas’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The world-class 2022 The Walls ‘Curiositas’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Red Mountain. This is an impressive effort from this slightly cooler vintage, offering dark currants and pencil lead on the nose that meld well with molten chocolate and shades of roasted figs. The palate is powerful and beautifully structured, with great flavor density. Only a slight notch behind the stunning 2021, this edition has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2022 The Walls ‘French Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 The Walls ‘French Creek Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful edition of this wine that is sourced from 1990s plantings. Sagebrush and mocha notes hit the nose alongside shades of espresso grounds and violets. Nicely balanced, with good depth, poise and concentration, this is already beautifully evolved stuff that will cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 95

2022 The Walls ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The seriously good 2022 The Walls ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from this famed location in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Showing an inky core, this offers graphite and dark currants on the nose alongside boysenberry cordial. The palate is smooth and silky with a terrific tension and good richness. Refined tannins frame a beautiful core of black and blue fruits, with chocolate and Arabica bean accents. Delicious and dense, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2022 The Walls ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon his sourced from this Yakima Valley site that has Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted back in 1973. Lovely red florals mingle well with teaberry and shades of black licorice on the nose. The palate is soft, elegant and refined, with a silky texture. Seriously good now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to go. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2022 The Walls ‘Rockgarden Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Rockgarden Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a great edition of this wine coming from the Rocks District. Orange peel and red rose petals combine with red currents and shades of wet stone all combine on the nose. The palate is polished and concentrated, with lovely stony essence. The flavor range and texture are both outstanding, as this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2033- 95

Pasxa

Today we share an electric brand out of the Walla Walla Valley. Pášxa wines captures the essence of great fruit sourced from The Rocks District of Milton- Freewater. The Pášxa wines were a huge hit right out of the gate, and back in their inaugural 2018 vintage they focused on River Rock Vineyard fruit. They now have an estate program with the 2020 purchase of ‘Rockgarden Vineyard.’ This is a huge development for this program. Soon after additional blocks at the estate ‘Petros Vineyard’ in the Rocks AVA were planted and will continue to be added to this program.

I have absolutely loved the Pášxa wines. I was blown away with the 2022 Pasxa ‘White Blend’ White Wine (OB, 96) which is dense, unctuous and marvelously stony. Just as good is the incredible 2021 Pasxa ‘Rockgarden Estate’ Syrah (OB, 96) which has plenty of depth and a smooth texture. I love the flavor range in all of these wines. Learn more about this truly thrilling newer project at pasxa.com Here are the downright killer new wines by Pášxa.

2023 Pasxa ‘White Blend’ White Wine- The 2022 ‘White Blend’ combines near equal parts Marsanne and Roussanne. This takes on awesome aromatics of apricot and green papaya with pie crust and cantaloupe notes. The palate is dense and viscous with serious nerve and marvelous stony undertones. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy this heady Rhone-inspired wine now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 96

2022 Pasxa ‘Rockgarden Estate’ Grenache- A really good wine from this slightly cooler vintage, the 2022 Pasxa ‘Rockgarden Estate’ Grenache opens with bay leaf and gorgeous red fruits on the nose alongside red rose petals and shades of cardamom. The palate is loaded with bright red fruits with a silky texture and marvelous stony essence. With more air the Umami elements really begin to shine, as this is already drinking really well at the three year mark. Drink 2025-2032- 95

2022 Pasxa ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2022 ‘River Rock Vineyard’ Grenache stands translucent in the glass, opening with smoldering stones and ash notes on the nose alongside shades of linzer torte and cran-pomegranate. The palate is silky and refined with a smooth mouthfeel and great sense of tension, salinity and stony essence. Drinking marvelously right now, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Pasxa ‘Rockgarden Estate’ Mourvedre- Translucent in the glass, the gorgeous 2022 Pasxa ‘Rockgarden Estate’ Mourvedre is a great showing from this year that saw a relatively late harvest. A waft of smoldering stones greets you on the nose alongside black truffle shavings, Nori and bright red fruits. The palate is wonderfully stony and intense, with a smooth mouthfeel and beautiful tension that runs through a core of red and dark fruits, with bergamot accents. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2022 Pasxa ‘Rockgarden Estate’ Syrah- A great wine from 2022, the Pasxa ‘Rockgarden Estate’ Syrah opens with a delightful bouquet of Mandarin orange zest alongside wet rock, soy sauce and shades of red currant compote. The palate is marvelously stony and intense, with a silky mouthfeel throughout the drinking experience. Absolutely no need to cellar this beautiful wine. Drink 2025-2032- 96

Foxen

Today we share one of the greats out of Santa Barbara County. Foxen is a family-run winery that produces world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Set in the rolling hills, if you have never visited Foxen, you are in for a treat. Foxen has two distinct lines of wines – one that focuses on Bordeaux style wines and another that produces Burgundian styles, along with  some gorgeous single vineyard Syrah. Sideways decided to film one of their big scenes here but even after that exposure Foxen remains one of the hidden gems of the valley.

I first visited Foxen back in 2003 and I’ve been so impressed with the consistency of their wines. Don’t miss out on their brilliant new 2020 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which possesses marvelous salinity. Even better was the scintillating 2022 Foxen Block 8 Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is dense and heady from this warmer vintage. Learn more about these outstanding wines at http://www.foxenvineyard.com/ Here are some of the fantastic new release wines from Foxen.

2020 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard Block UU’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2022 ‘Block UU’ Chardonnay was stored for eight months in roughly 30% new French oak puncheons before bottling. This is gorgeous stuff with starfruit, salty diatomaceous earth, ripe nectarine and freshly cut limes. Smooth and silky, with great depth and concentration, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Foxen ‘Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc- The really good 2023 Foxen ‘Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard’ Chenin Blanc comes from vines planted many decades back. This shows copious minerals on the palate, with papaya and white grapefruit zest alongside kumquat rind flavors. Fresh, novel and wonderfully salty, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2022 Foxen ‘Santa Maria Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Santa Maria Valley’ was mainly sourced from the Bien Nacido Vineyard. The wine was aged for 10 months in neutral oak barrels, this shows a smooth mouthfeel, loaded with juicy strawberry and Bing cherry flavors with orange zest and salty minerals on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2022 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard- Block 8’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Foxen ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard- ‘Block 8’ Pinot Noir comes from a range of clonal selections. Stored for  16 months in 30% new French oak before bottling this is deep and concentrated stuff, loaded with bright red and dark fruits, with salty stones, menthol and shades of orange peel on the palate. Showing beautiful tension and depth, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Foxen ‘John Sebastiano Vineyard’ Pinot Noir utilizes Dijon 667, Swan and Pommard Pinot Noir. Rich and smooth, this delivers black cherry and black raspberry notes on the palate, with serious texture and verve. Big, bold and full-bodied, with beautiful salty nuance and excellent length, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Foxen ‘Tinaquaic VIneyard’ Syrah- The stunning 2022 Foxen ‘Tinaquaic VIneyard’ Syrah was mostly sourced from the Bajita Block of this vineyard which utilizes Syrah Clone 470. Inky in the glass, this reveals beautiful smoky and stony tones on the nose with Hoisin sauce, smoked brisket and wild blackberry puree flavors, with salty accents. This is going to cellar really well. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2021 Foxen ‘7200’ Cabernet Franc- Coming from the Tinaquaic Vineyard, this 2021 Cabernet Franc is rich and decadent on the palate, with loganberry liquor flavors that mingle well with salty soils, red bell pepper, dusty earth and milk chocolate notes. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next seven years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

Top Source

Today we share the gorgeous wines of Meredith Hyslop and her Top Source brand. A fellow Whitman grad and Washingtonian, Hyslop also has an importing company and stays very busy!

She has been in the wine business in Walla Walla Valley for many years and studied at the Enology and Viticulture program in Walla Walla before going to France to study wine in Dijon. She has a beautiful range of wines that she imports and Top Source are her wines from Washington State. They offer some serious value. Founded in 2020, Top Source has been a consistently great producer with wines that show marvelous stony character. Learn more about this new producer at https://www.skurnik.com/producer/top-source/ and here are my reviews of the outstanding new Top Source wines.

2022 Top Source ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah is like a baby Cayuse bottling. It comes off wonderfully flinty, showing bacon fat, dried herbs, anise and violets on the palate, alongside smoky undertones. Medium-bodied, showing beautiful tension and texture, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next few years. Given 50% whole cluster fermentation. Drink 2025-2031- 94

2022 Top Source ‘Columbia Valley’ Grenache/Syrah- An awesome new wine that is soft and approachable, the 2022 ‘Grenache/Syrah’ offers flinty tones alongside bright red fruits with tobacco leaf and shades of black plum on the palate. Juicy, forward and delicious, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2031- 93

Jachter

Today we share the vision of Dave Jachter who owned and operated several successful car dealerships in Oregon. Jachter cultivated a passion for wine, and a cellar to match. After selling his dealerships Dave has travelled to France, Italy, and California wine regions, and tasted wines from around the world.  He studied at UC Davis, completing a variety of viticultural courses as he and his wife, Karen, purchased 120 acres in the Chehalem Mountains AVA in the heart of the Willamette Valley.

These were the first releases that I have tasted from this estate and I was really impressed. I love the 2022 Jachter ‘The J. Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is a marvelous wine from this slightly cooler vintage. Learn more about this exciting new Oregon house at https://www.jachterwine.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Jachter.

2022 Jachter ‘Chehalem Mountains’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Chehalem Mountains’ Chardonnay is soft and elegant on the mouth, leading to lemon zest and lime flavors that mingle well with salty minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2021 Jachter ‘The J. Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘The J. Reserve’ is a barrel selection Chardonnay that was aged in roughly 50% new French oak before bottling. This is dense and mineral-laden stuff that is showing beautifully right now. Lemon curd and shades of honeydew melon collide with stony minerals on the palate. Quite nervy, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Jachter ‘Chehalem Mountains’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Chehalem Mountains’ Pinot Noir is a beautiful bottling by winemaker Jared Etzel. On the nose this takes on layers of red currants, menthol and salty soils with pine needle accents. The palate is fresh and very pure with bright red fruits that parade with orange zest and copious minerals. Medium-bodied and delicious, showing a soft mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2021 Jachter ‘Cuvee Karen Ann’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Cuvee Karen Ann’ is sourced from the Ribbon Ridge AVA and made from 25 year old Pommard clone Pinot Noir grapes. This is wonderfully earthy with black truffle shavings that meld well with pure red fruits, citrus zest and stony minerals on the palate. This is not big and bold but shows refinement and really speaks to the slight coolness of the vintage. Elegant and refined, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Hors Categorie

It has been rare for Washington wines to achieve perfection in the 2022 vintage. Translated to ‘beyond categorization’ Hors Catégorie is an ultra-pure expression of terroir in a bottle. Sourced from a very hilly, 2-acre vineyard hidden in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the Hors Catégorie Vineyard is a sight to be seen. The views from the top of the vineyard are otherworldly. The vineyard has incredibly tight spacing and Syrah clusters are cropped at less than a ton an acre. The terroir is largely stony with thick broken basalt sprinkled everywhere. When you are there you can truly feel the struggle of the vines in this stony terroir.

The 2022 vintage was difficult and was saved by a warm fall. Needless to say, without that warmth at the end of the season ’22 could have easily been a complete disaster. The wine by Hors Categorie falls nothing short of perfection in a bottle. I can’t wait for you to try this wine that shows a perfect push-pull in terms of richness and finesse. Learn more about this world-class Syrah at https://horscategorievineyards.com/horscategorievineyards/ Here is the new review for the incredible 2022 Hors Catégorie Syrah. 

2022 Hors Catégorie Syrah- Every bit a world-class wine, the 2022 Hors Categorie Syrah is reminiscent of the gorgeous 2017 edition. The aromatics are mind-numbing in terms of range from menthol, sweet pipe tobacco, Nori and bulls blood alongside shades of compost and black truffle shavings with black florals that all meld in the glass. The palate has formidable power considering the coolness of the vintage. Very flinty and soft on the mouth, this is seamless throughout the drinking experience. The amalgamation of tension and mouth-watering acidity alongside heady stony essence makes this impossible to put down. One of the few prefect wines made in 2022, savor this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 100

La Rata

Today we share one of the unique wines of the New World. Former Bionic Wines Director of Winemaking Elizabeth Bourcier’s La Rata Red Wine has a cult following in the Pacific Northwest. Elizabeth was inspired by the world-class Clos Erasmus wines of the Priorat region, and she made the bold decision blend both Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon together, since they wines tend to ripen at the similar times on the stony terroir of Milton-Freewater. Elizabeth chose to use Grenache from Armada Vineyard and Cabernet Sauvignon from En Cerise Vineyard. Now she has added a touch of Syrah to the equation. The wine was named “The Rat” and then Spanglish-cized: ‘La Rata’. The name ‘La Rata’ also connects with Elizabeth, as her zodiac sign which is the rat. This truly novel wine retails for under 100 dollars and is sold by Full Pull. I think it is a total steal.

The new 2022 edition of La Rata (OB, 96) is absolutely dazzling. This is fully ready to drink right now and is marvelous especially after about 20-30 minutes of air. Uncork this beauty and you are going to be so impressed. Learn more at http://laratawines.com/wines.html Here is my review of the thrilling 2022 La Rata Red Wine by Elizabeth Bourcier of Cayuse Vineyards.

2022 La Rata Red Wine- The 2022 La Rata has a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (39%) blended in, alongside 56% Grenache and the remainder Syrah. Stored for 21 months in natural oak barrels, only 147 cases of this beautiful wine were made this vintage. Coming from the En Cerise, Armada and La Paciencia Vineyards, this offers beautiful red rose petals on the nose with tar, sweet pipe tobacco, worn leather and shades of Kalamata olive tapenade. The palate is seamless and stony with serious verve and texture. Absolutely no reason to cellar this beauty as the 2022 La Rata is quite frankly a complete joy to consume now. Enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2032- 96