In Memoriam: Bill Stoller, Founder of Stoller Wine Group

Friends,

With great sadness I share the passing of Oregon wine legend Bill Stoller. Stoller left an indelible mark on the Oregon wine industry and is one of the pioneers in Pacific Northwest wine. Bill was very gracious to me, allowing me to interview him last year.

Bill had a 200-year vision through innovation, sustainable viticulture, and community building, founding Stoller in 1993. Bill was a global leader in wine and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oregon Wine Board and, most recently, received the prestigious Diploma of Honor from the Fédération Internationale des Confréries Bachiques. Beyond wine, he was a trailblazer in the staffing industry, co-founding Express Employment Professionals in 1983.

Bill Stoller was instrumental in helping Oregon wine be on the world stage and being in wine shops and supermarkets across the country — and in international markets abroad. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family.

Open Claim

It my pleasure to share the outstanding wines of Open Claim. Founded in 2014 by Marnie and Brett Wall, Open Claim creates a bigger style of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that are complete wines with a beginning, middle and end. They use a limited amount of new oak, despite their fleshy character. There is little doubt that Tony Rynders is of the Pacific Northwest’s great winemakers Formerly with Hogue and Domaine Serene, Tony crafts some incredible wines for his own label, Tendril. He has been the winemaker at Open Claim and is doing an incredible job with this site.

The wines come from the cooler 2022 vintage. I love the 2022 Open Claim ‘Flora’s Veil’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is amongst the finest I have tasted from this house. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.openclaimvineyards.com/ Here are the brilliant 2021 and older releases by Open Claim. 

2022 Open Claim Chardonnay- Rich, sultry and gorgeous from this slightly cooler vintage, the 2022 Open Claim Chardonnay is best served on the warmer side. Rich buttered French bread combines with Meyer lemon oil, mango, kumquat rind and suggestions of shortbread on the palate. Dense and also very nervy, with serious length and texture, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Open Claim ‘Flora’s Veil’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Flora’s Veil’ is a stunning Pinot Noir coming from the Mount Pisgah region of the Willamette Valley. Wafts of white truffle combine with salty minerals, wild blackberry compote and shades of menthol all mark the nose. The palate is deep and concentrated despite the coolness of the vintage. A total stunner, loaded with bright red and dark fruits, with a luxurious texture, this is drinking marvelously in its heady youth. Drink 2025-2045- 96

Champagne Lanson

My pleasure today as we share a historic Champagne house. Lanson was founded in 1760 by magistrate,  François Delamotte. He was succeeded by his son Nicholas-Louis in 1798 and formed a partnership with Jean-Baptiste Lanson, who gave the company the name of Lanson et Cie in 1837. The company focused, as it still does today, on exporting champagne to foreign markets. By the late 19th century, Lanson was supplying champagne by royal appointment to the courts of the UK, Sweden and Spain.

The new wines were glorious across the board. I love the new 2012 Lanson ‘Le Vintage’ Champagne (OB, 94) which is rich and dense stuff from this amazing vintage. Learn more at lanson.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Lanson

NV Lanson ‘Le Black-Creation 258’ Champagne- The really good NV Lanson ‘Le Black-Creation 258’ Champagne was given 8G/L dosage. They have utilized 32% reserve wines in this blend. A whiff of white truffle marks the nose alongside nectarine and pear tones with salted mixed nuts. The palate shows a soft mousse with good richness. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 91

NV Lanson ‘Le Rose Creation 67’ Rose Champagne- The NV Lanson ‘Le Rose Creation 67’ Rose Champagne utilizes a base from the 2019 vintage, as this was disgorged in November 2023. Delicate guava and cranberry aromatics combine with shades of salted melon. The palate is delicate and refined with a silky mousse and good sense of length. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

NV Lanson ‘Green Extra Brut’ Champagne-  The NV Lanson ‘Green Extra Brut’ Champagne is a Bio-Organic bottling that comes from the Lanson 16 hectare estate. Composed of 46% Pinot Noir and 36% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Meunier with the base coming from the 2018 vintage. Saline drenched peach and Macadamia nut aromatics fill the nose alongside suggestions of damp soils. The palate is rich and concentrated with a refined texture. Delightful now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2012 Lanson ‘Le Vintage’ Brut Champagne- The 2012 Lanson ‘Le Vintage’ Brut Champagne is composed of 52% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay coming from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. Given a 7g/L dosage, this was disgorged in July 2022. Deep melon fruits combine with suggestions of white truffle shavings, brioche and shades of lemon curd on the nose. The palate is rich and concentrated with good underling finesse. This has both the depth and tension to cellar marvelously over the next decade or more. Drink 2025-2037- 94

Doubleback

It is my great pleasure to introduce the beautiful wines of Doubleback, one of the jewels of the Walla Walla Valley. Doubleback was founded by NFL legend, Drew Bledsoe and his wife, Maura. The story completes itself as Drew circled back following his brilliant NFL career. Originally from Walla Walla, he was a star at Walla Walla High School before his illustrious tenure at Washington State University. For many years Drew had visions of starting his own winery for many years and going back to Walla Walla was the perfect choice for him. During his years in the NFL he continued to expand his palate, trying various wines of the world. But there was something special about wines from his home state, as he grew to love the balance of the wines of this region that weren’t old world but also weren’t Napa. It was back in 2007 that Drew returned to Walla Walla to plant his estate vineyard, McQueen on the southern end of the Walla Walla Valley AVA.

It was back in 2008 that Bledsoe began focusing on using top estate fruit to make incredible Cabernet Sauvignon from the Walla Walla Valley. He needed a top class winemaker and connected with childhood friend and superstar winemaker, Chris Figgins, of Leonetti Cellar, who served as consulting winemaker until Josh McDaniels assumed the role in 2015. Josh is one of the great people you will meet in Washington wine. He also makes some scintillating wines.

Do not miss out on the gorgeous 2023 Doubleback Merlot (OB, 96) which is up there with the best that I have had this year.  is a simply marvelous effort that is already drinking beautifully now. Somehow just as good as the ’21, the 2022 Doubleback ‘Reserve’ Red Wine (OB, 99) is a hedonistic beast that really needs some bottle age — but the potential is there. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.doubleback.com/ and here are my reviews of the gorgeous new 2024 spring release wines by Doubleback.

2023 Bledsoe | McDaniels ‘LFG’ Pinot Noir- A 2023 ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ bottling, the 2023 ‘LFG’ opens with a gorgeous bouquet of potpourri alongside white pepper dusted orange zest, red currants and shades of cardamom. The palate is plush and lithe with a gorgeous sense of texture and underlying verve. Very big and bold, coming up lush and fat on the tongue, enjoy this beauty over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Doubleback Merlot- The 2023 Doubleback Merlot mainly is sourced from the Schafer vineyard in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. 9% Cabernet Franc was blended in, as this was stored in 65% new French oak barrels before bottling. This is big, broad-shouldered and bold, with pencil lead notes that combine with Black Forest cake, espresso grounds and shades of black licorice on the palate. Terrific stuff to enjoy in its heady youth, savor this beauty now and over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2025-2042- 96

2022 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon- The dazzling 2022 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from near equal parts McQueen and LeFore vineyards. It was stored in roughly 70% new French oak barrels prior to bottling and comes off bold on the nose with rocky soils, violets, tar and sweet pipe tobacco aromatics that all meld in the glass. The palate is sinfully good in terms of weight, viscosity and concentration, with great herbal, chocolate, Arabica bean and green herbal accents. A complete wine that is truly one of the best Doublebacks that I have tasted since this winery’s inception, enjoy this heavyhitter now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2045- 97

2023 Doubleback ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine combines fruit from the Schafer Vineyard (48%), in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, as well as a large portion from the McQueen Vineyard (45%), with the remainder coming from their estate in the Rocks District. Nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon with 10% Petite Verdot blended in, this delvers ultra-dark black rose petals on the nose with violets, black tea and Asian spices that mingle well with green bell pepper, dark chocolate shavings and shades of scorched earth on this intoxicating bouquet. The palate is dense, dark and brooding, with crazy good acidity and finesse, as well as a pillowy texture. A world-class made in a somewhat difficult, cooler vintage, enjoy this total stunner now and over the next twenty plus years. Give it another year in the bottle if you can. Drink 2026-2049- 99

Revana

It is my pleasure to share the wines of eminent cardiologist Dr. Madaiah Revana. Dr. Revana also owns a world-class Oregon winery named after his daughter,  Alexana, as well as Corazon del Sol in Argentina. A big purchase was made in 1997 as Dr. Revana immediately sensed the property’s potential, with its gravelly soils, sloped pitch, and excellent exposures seemed perfect for growing grapes. Soil studies also confirmed that the property would be perfect for growing Bordeaux varieties. Then in 1998, Dr. Revana hired acclaimed vineyard manager Jim Barbour to plant and maintain the 9-acre estate vineyard. The first vintage of Revana in 2001, initially utilizing the winemaking talents of Heidi Barrett.

I am amazed by the new wines. They are deep and concentrated from this hot vintage as they navigated the heat remarkably well. Do not miss out on the 2022 Revana ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is a perfect wine that is a must-buy for any serious collector of Napa Cabernet. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.revanawine.com Here are the last two world-class releases by Revana.

2022 Revana ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A gorgeous new edition of this wine that is coming from several sites throughout the Napa Valley, this 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon stands inky in the glass, offering rich dark currant and tobacco leaf flavors that collide with loamy soils and dark chocolate shavings on the palate. The pillowy texture really entices. Full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Revana ‘Shifflett Ranch’ Red Wine- A blend of equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2022 ‘Shifflett Ranch comes from this site in the Oak Knoll region set on rock-laden loamy soils. Black tea and violet rose petals hit the nose alongside loamy soils and shades of baking spice laced cassis. This is very weightless throughout the drinking experience. The palate is plush and velvety as refined tannins frame a generous core of black fruits, and milk chocolate with outstanding loamy soil character. Really enjoyable now, enjoy this warm vintage beauty over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 97

2022 Revana ‘Stelzner Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 ‘Stelzner Vineyard’ comes from the Stag’s Leap District as vines are set on volcanic soils. Tar, mocha, allspice dusted pipe tobacco and shades of violet cream all come together on the palate. Rich and viscous with great salty and stony nuances and serious decadence, this is drinking marvelously in its heady youth. Enjoy now and over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 98

2022 Revana ‘Cold Springs Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The high-elevation Cold Springs vineyard is sourced from this site high atop Howell Mountain with vines set on volcanic soils. This is inky, concentrated and downright delicious wine to savor now. Creme de violette, creosote, graphite and cuban cigar flavors meld well with loganberry cordial and suggestions of fresh thyme on the palate. Complex, novel and showing good tension despite the heat of the vintage, enjoy this beauty over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 99

2022 Revana ‘Weitz Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Located in the Oakville AVA, the Weitz Vineyard sits on a slight slope on loamy soils. This is gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon from 2022, offering creme de cassis and pipe tobacco flavors with shades of loamy soils and Black Forest Cake on the palate. Deep, seductive and rich, with a good sense of minerality, this is nearly impossible to put down right now. Flirting with perfection, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 99

2022 Revana ‘Round Pond Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A famous site for both Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, the Round Pond Estate is located in the Rutherford district as vines are set on sand and gravely loam soils. Anise and creme de violette all mark the nose with tar and sweet pipe tobacco notes making up this memorable nose. The palate is heady and intense, as refined tannins frame a gorgeous core of black and blue fruits, alongside pencil lead and black licorice notes. Big, burly and not for the weary, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 97

2022 Revana ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Revana ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from their Saint Helena Estate that was first planted back in 1998 and set on Perkins gravelly loam soils. Stored in nearly all new French oak this offers dark chocolate shavings and freshly tilled soils on the nose alongside shades of sandalwood, tobacco leaf and violets. The palate is seamless and refined, showing the heat of the vintage, yet offering beautiful underlining finesse. Pillowy and soft, a silky smooth throughout the drinking experience, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 98

2022 Revana ‘Estate Block 6’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A stunning, limited production 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, this comes from Block 6 in the Estate Vineyard in the Saint Helena appellation. Freshly tilled soils and lavender mark the nose alongside dense blueberry compote, espresso grounds and shades of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is rich and viscous with serious verve and a silky mouthfeel. Deep and generous, with serious viscosity and good verve considering the heat of the vintage, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 99

2022 Revana ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from this famed Oakville property, this wine is sourced from the To Kalon Vineyard which was first planted in the 1860s. This is dense, hedonistic and seamless with silky tannins that frame a gorgeous array of black and blue fruits. Elegant considering the heat of the vintage and obviously quite broad-shouldered and muscular, this has a marvelous push-pull in terms of weight, flavor density and freshness. Everyone remembers their first To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet and this brings everything right back for me in terms of loamy soil character, depth, richness and cassis character. What a wine! Drink 2025-2040- 100

2022 Revana ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Block C1’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A total masterclass in this hot vintage, the 2022 Revana ‘Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard Block C1’ Cabernet Sauvignon is otherworldly and complex stuff that is already beautifully-defined at the three year mark. A perfect wine in terms of weight, poise, flavor density and flavor complexity, this offers a gorgeous amalgamation of dark currants and huckleberry fruits that combine with tar, pencil lead, sweet pipe tobacco and shades of creme de violette. While obviously big and broad-shouldered, the decadence is tapered by a beautiful freshness and light dusting of salinity that runs through the core of the wine. Both complex and hedonistic, enjoy this total heavyhitter of a wine now and over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 100

Bodega Hnos. Perez Pascuas

Today we share a rustic part of the world in Spain. The Ribera del Duero is a mountainous site that is not far from 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.

2018 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘El Pedrosal Reserva’ Ribera del Duero-The outstanding 2018 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘El Pedrosal Reserva’ Ribera del Duero delivers burn orange and salty soils alongside black currents, Arabica bean and roasted figs on the palate. This is drinking really well right now. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2020 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa Reserva’ Ribera del Duero- The 2020 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa Reserva’ Ribera del Duero’ s a generous, broad-shouldered bottling that is drinking marvelously now at the five year mark. Cuban cigar and anise combine with dark currants and shades of pencil lead on the palate. Drink 2025-2037- 93

2018 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa Gran Reserva’ Ribera del Duero- A downright stunning wine, the 2018 Bodegas Hnos. Perez Pascuas ‘Vina Pedrosa Gran Reserva’ Ribera del Duero offers serious power and poise from this warm vintage. Dense fig and cassis notes combine with espresso grounds, underbrush, blood orange zest and shades of roasted dates on the palate. Wonderfully stony and salty, with a seamless texture, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Soter

Today we share the famed wines of Tony and Michelle Soter. The Soter Vineyard is certified biodynamic and was planted to 15 acres of Pinot Noir in 2002 and 2003, and an additional 15 acres in 2006. Two acres of Chardonnay were included in the 2006 plantings which are used for their sparkling wine production. Small extension blocks have been added over the years to grow their total production to 40 acres.

I have loved the bubbles produced from this house that have been some of the consistently great wines of their kind in Oregon. Eminent winemaker Chris Fladwood has a fantastic career in wine. After serving our country in the US Army, Fladwood worked harvests in New Zealand as well as Bordeaux. He became Soter cellar master in 2009 and has worked his way to the winemaker position. I think that the wines he is making are incredibly balanced in terms of having a beginning, middle and an end. Don’t miss out on the stunning 2022 Soter ‘Estates’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is seamless throughout the drinking experience. Learn more about this famed Oregon producer at http://sotervineyards.com/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Soter Vineyards.

2022 Soter ‘Estates’ Chardonnay- Another outstanding release, the 2022 Soter ‘Estates’ Chardonnay was sourced from their Eola-Amity Hills estate as well as the Mineral Springs Vineyard. Aged for 12 months in oak barrels and 6 months in stainless steel, this is a seamless bottling that is drinking marvelously now at the three year mark. Poached pear and baking spice lace pastry crust flavors combine with lemon rind and shades of salty minerals on the palate. Fat and round on the mouth, with glorious length, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 95

2023 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir- The delicious 2023 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir is loaded with citrus rind and guava puree flavors alongside salty minerals on the palate. Medium-bodied and very fresh, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2023 Soter ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Soter ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir is beautiful new wine that was aged in roughly 30% new French oak barrels before bottling. This is big, lush and generous on the mouth, yet beautifully poised stuff. Concentrated red and dark fruits parade with refined tannins and great marine sedimentary soil character. Lithe and polished, enjoy this beautiful new wine now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2022 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir- A brilliant new release, the 2022 ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ was stored for 12 months in 45% new French oak barrels before bottling. This is lush and rich on the tongue, with copious minerals that combine with concentrated wild blackberry, raspberry and mulberry notes alongside a seamless texture. Showing great weight and length, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Raptor Ridge

I fondly recall the great Raptor Ridge wines of the 2000s. This is a historic brand in Oregon wine that I came to enamor for its consistency. Founded back in 1995, Raptor Ridge almost immediately gained national acclaim for their Pinot Noirs. Founder and co-winemaker, Scott Shull, first started making terroir driven wines in 1995. Originally from Missouri, Scott is a self-taught winemaker, having learned by doing, reading, and attending extension service courses on viticulture and enology offered by U.C. Davis and Oregon State University.

I loved the new wines that were consistently great. Check out the outstanding 2020 Raptor Ridge ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which is fresh and shows loaded of tension alongside pretty red fruits Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at http://www.raptorridgewinery.com Here are the great new releases by Raptor Ridge. 

2020 Raptor Ridge ‘Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2020 Raptor Ridge ‘Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut’ Sparkling Wine is entirely sourced from the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It is lifted, showing green apple and strawberry tones on the palate alongside its refined mousse on the palate. Juicy and delicious, with loads of tension, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2024 Raptor Ridge Rose- The 2024 Raptor Ridge Rose was sourced from several sites across the Willamette Valley and was stored in neutral oak before bottling. A pretty salmon hue, this offers tart red fruits that mingle well with green apple and shades of salty soils on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2024 Raptor Ridge Gruner Veltliner- The outstanding 2024 Gruner Veltliner comes from the Tuscowallame Estate. Kiwi and honeydew melon mingle well with bright pear flavors on the palate. Showing a smooth texture and great sense of salty minerality, enjoy now and over the next several years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 Raptor Ridge ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The really nice 2023 Raptor Ridge ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir is packed full of juicy red fruits that mingle well with orange peel and salty minerals on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2023 Raptor Ridge ‘Barrel Select’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Barrel Select’ Pinot Noir spans five of the Willamette Valley AVAs. Dusty soils mingle well with cranberry and red cherry compote on the nose. The palate is packed with guava and tart red fruits that collide with salty and stony soils. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Raptor Ridge ‘Tuscowallame Estate Whole Cluster’ Pinot Noir- Juicy and vibrant the 2022 Raptor Ridge ‘Tuscowallame Estate Whole Cluster’ Pinot Noir is packed full of crunchy red fruits on the palate, with forest floor, pine needles and blood orange zest notes. Fresh and refined, enjoy this elegant beauty now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Trisaetum

One of the great producers in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, Trisaetum utilizes the talents of fellow Arsenal supporter James Frey. Frey marks his Trisaetum that speak to the region and terroir. His winemaking style focuses towards a brightness and freshness in the wines, regardless of vintage. I have been highly impressed with these wines over the past several years. His talents spread far as James also makes some outstanding sparkling wines under his Pashey label and I reviewed his wines sourced from the Walla Walla Valley, his 1841 label. He makes some absolutely killer bubbles for the Pashey label. Frey also produces some of the finest Riesling you will taste in the Willamette Valley.

The new Trisaetum lineup was brilliant across the board. Look for their 2022 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is deep and concentrated with serious tension. Even better is the incredible  2022 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is one of the outstanding Oregon Pinot Noirs that I have tasted this year. This is a total slumbering giant with tons of aging potential. Learn more about this fantastic Willamette Valley winery at http://www.trisaetum.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Trisaetum. 

2022 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- This absolutely killer 2022 ‘Willamette Valley’ bottling was sourced from all three of the Trisaetum estate vineyards. This is juicy and lively Pinot Noir, offering cracked black pepper alongside crunchy red fruits, tobacco leaf and salty soils on the palate. Nicely textured, with outstanding finesse, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93

2021 Trisaetum ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir- A stunning wine from this vintage that ended very late in the season, the 2022 ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir is sourced from Pinot Noir vines first planted back in 2007. This is wonderfully nervy stuff with serious tension and finesse. Pretty red currant and guava fruits collide with salty minerals and red rose water notes on the palate. Very classic from this region, this is a silky, refined Pinot Noir that reminds me a bit of the 2019 — yet is more approachable than that bottling in its youth. For now give this beauty about an hour in the decanter and watch it unwind. Drink 2024-2038- 94

2022 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Coast Range Estate’ is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and is set at 700 feet, with a combination of volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. This comes off very tart and salty — but in a really good way. Rich loganberry and cranberry tones combine with salty kirsch and menthol notes on the palate. Refined and elegant, with pretty high red flower notes aromatically, this is showing really beautifully now even at two years of age. The terroir is evident in the glass and for my palate, this is the best ‘Coast Range’ bottling that winemaker James Frey has crafted yet. Drink 2024-2037- 94

2022 Trisaetum ‘Wichmann Dundee’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 ‘Wichmann Dundee’ bottling comes from a site that James Frey planted back in 1999 at 700 feet elevation. Coming from vines set on Jory soils, this offers a smooth texture with good weight and brightness. Citrus rind, black raspberry and shades of cardamom dusted blackberry all combine with the volcanic soil underpinnings. Refined, elegant and showing good weight and underlying verve, this is a stunning rendition of Dundee Hills Pinot Noir that is already drinking beautifully at the two year mark. Drink 2024-2040- 95

2022 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot Noir-A barrel selection wine sourced from the Yamhill-Carlton, Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills AVAs, the 2022 ‘Estates Reserve’ really needs about an hour to fully unwind. I think this is the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted in the past decade. After an hour of air this reveals pretty high-toned arromatics with citrus blossom and potpourri alongside a polished texture. Utterly seamless throughout the drinking experience this revels in its full-bodied red and dark fruit flavors, offering alluring pine needle, salty and stony soils and copious mineral accents. Finishing exceedingly long, this dense and decadent Oregon Pinot Noir is a marvelous effort that will easily age for another twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 95

2022 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The wine made from the winemaker’s choicest lots, the 2022 ‘Family Reserve’ is a wine that has so much cellaring potential and is a bit reticent right out of the gate. Needing several hours in the decanter, this shows aromatics of black truffle shavings, salty soils, volcanic rock, red currants and Cuban cigar notes once on the nose. The palate is dense and decadent with tremendous length and underlying tension. A totally stunning wine that is still tightly wound, rich and light on its feet, try to resist this beauty for a few more years — and your patience will be rewarded. Drink 2026-2045- 96

Amos Rome

Amos Rome has been impressing over the past few years with wines from the Columbia Valley and their estate site in Chelan County. Their estate vineyard has a wide range of varietals including Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They also utilize their High Blossom Vineyard located three miles from the tasting room and is set at 2000 feet. The location is planted to Riesling (planted in 2003), Grüner Veltliner (planted in 2019), and a block of Tempranillo & Albariño (planted in 2021). Wines show good body with texture and excellent acidity considering the heat of the region.

Owners Travis and Brianna Clark run the winery that has sweeping views of Lake Chelan. Travis serves as winemaker and has completed the WSU Viticulture Certificate program.  I love the new 2024 Bighorn Albarino (OB, 91) which is fresh and neatly textured stuff that is drinking beautifully now. Learn more at https://www.amosrome.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Amos Rome wines.

2024 Bighorn Albariño- The 2024 Bighorn Albarino offers a smooth mouthfeel with white grapefruit and orange rind flavors that mingle well with gooseberry and kiwi. This is mineral-laden stuff, with a smooth texture that is exceedingly well-done. Enjoy in its vibrant youth. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2024 Bighorn ‘Concrete’ Sauvignon Blanc- Sourced from the Yakima Valley, the 2024 Bighorn ‘Concrete’ Sauvignon Blanc offers juicy pear and peach flavors with a smooth mouthfeel and a brisk sense of minerality on the palate. Refined and fresh, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2024 Amos Rome ‘Estate’ Rose- The outstanding Amos Rome 2024 Rose is made from Cabernet Franc grapes grown in the Lake Chelan AVA. Copious minerals greet you on the palate, alongside a soft mouthfeel with juicy guava and starfruit flavors. Really well-done, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2023 Amos Rome ‘Estate’ White Pinot Noir- Now the second time I have tasted this great bottling, the 2023 Amos Rome ‘Estate’ White Pinot Noir is a juicy, beautifully-textured wine that is drinking great right now. Pear and peach flavors mingle well with passion fruit and strawberry undertones on the palate. Soft and round, showing a smooth mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

Stoller and Chehalem

It is my pleasure to share the wines of Stoller and Chehalem, founded by Oregon wine icon Bill Stoller. Stoller dates back to 1993 when Bill Stoller acquired a family property from his cousin. Immediately Stoller saw potential to grow world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Two years after the acquisition he planted 10 acres each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and fast forward to today the vineyard is now the largest contiguous vineyard in Oregon's Dundee Hills. The property spans 400 acres, with 225 acres focused on growing vines at elevations ranging from 220 to 640 feet. Ten varietals are planted in this vineyard, including Viognier, Pinot Meunier and even Aligote. 

I really enjoyed these new wines and check out the 2023 Stoller ‘Family Estate’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which has great salty/rocky soil character. Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at https://www.stollerfamilyestate.com and chehalemwines.com and here are my reviews of the the beautiful new wines by Stoller and Chehalem.

2024 Chehalem Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, the 2024 Chehalem Rose offers bright red fruits that combine with red rose water, orange rind and shades of damp earth on the palate. Smooth and refined, this is really well-done stuff that has better texture than previous vintages. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2023 Stoller ‘Family Estate’ Chardonnay- Sourced from their Dundee Hills Estate, this 2023 Chardonnay offers starfruit and melon tones alongside a smooth texture and good sense of tension on the palate. Ripe and generous on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2023 Stoller ‘Family Estate’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2023 Stoller ‘Family Estate’ Pinot Noir offers Christmas spice on the nose alongside tart red fruits and orange peel notes on the nose. The palate is generous and rich with a serious sense of verve and texture. Showing great salty and rocky soil character, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Cuvaison

I have had some fond visits to Cuvaison and have been enjoying their wines for more than twenty yeas. There is little doubt that they make world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that focuses on poise and texture. I have long admired these wines and fondly recall tasting some impressive early 2000s Chardonnay when I was in graduate school. It is hard to believe that this winery was first founded back in 1969. Then in 1979 they acquired 400 acres of highly prized land north of San Pablo Bay in the Los Carneros district of Napa Valley which is a site that is highly influenced by fog and cooler temperatures from the bay.

They have done really well even in difficult vintages. I love the 2024 Cuvaison Rose (OB, 91) which is juicy and loaded with bright acidity. Learn more about this outstanding producer at https://www.cuvaison.com and here are the killer sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir releases by Cuvaison.

2023 Cuvaison ‘Coeurtina’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2023 Cuvaison ‘Coeurtina’ Chardonnay comes from the Tia Vineyard in the Carneros region. It is thick, rich and concentrate stuff offering tropical fruits that mingle well with honeydew melon and nutty accents on the palate. Generous and full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2024 Cuvaison Rose- Made from Grenache grapes, the 2024 Rose delivers a smooth mouthfeel and copious minerals on the palate, as cranberry and blood orange zest combine with bright red raspberry and lemon blossom water on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 Cuvaison ‘Mariafeld’ Pinot Noir- The gorgeous 2023 Cuvaison ‘Mariafeld’ Pinot Noir delivers rocky soils and rich red and dark fruits on the palate, with a smooth mouthfeel. Full-bodied and voluptuous, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Avennia

Sometimes when wines are so good you just have to post on them immediately. Such seems to be consistently the case with Avennia, one of Washington’s great producer of Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. A match made in heaven, Avennia is a joint venture between former Microsoft exec Marty Taucher and winemaker Chris Peterson. These are some of the great wines being made in our state.

Former DeLille Cellars Winemaker Chris Peterson makes some killer wines for Avennia. They are wines that exude class in showing depth, richness and great tension. They age remarkably well. I love the new 2023 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine (OB, 95) which is a total knockout Rhone-inspired blend.  Learn more about these special wines at avennia.com Here are my reviews of the new Avennia wines. 

2023 Avennia ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc- The outstanding 2023 ‘Oliane’ Sauvignon Blanc comes mainly from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Once on the nose this offers kiwi and white grapefruit zest alongside shades of starfruit and lemon rind. The palate is lithe and polished with a sensational combination of weight and underlying acidity. Gorgeous now, watch this evolve over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Avennia ‘La Perle’ White Wine- The 2023 ‘La Perle’ is a marvelous blend of 60% Roussanne with the remainder Marsanne coming from the Columbia Valley. Beeswax and walnut tones combine with honeydew melon on the nose. The palate is soft and seductive with a smooth mouthfeel and seamless texture. Rich melon and tropical fruits combine with nutty underpinnings on the palate. A complete wine, this is up there with the upper echelon of Washington Rhone-inspired blends. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2024 Avennia ‘L’Egerie’ Rosę- The sensational 2023 ‘L’Egerie’ Rose is mainly Grenache (75%) with the remainder Mourvèdre. Very pale in the glass, this dazzles on the mid-palate with bright acidity and a fat mouthfeel. This comes off very pretty, with loads of mouth-watering acidity as tangerine zest, watermelon, strawberry and cantaloupe flavors collide with copious minerals on the palate. A total stunner, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Don’t serve too cold to take in the amazing range of flavors. Drink 2025-2033- 94

Passing Time

For years I have admired the wines by Passing Time — founded by NFL legends Dan Marino and Damon Huard. Longstanding winemaker Chris Peterson is one of the greats in the Northwest,  as he was the first graduate of the Walla Walla Community College’s Enology and Viticulture program and worked DeLille for eight years under legendary winemaker Chris Upchurch. His wines are big, bold and beautifully structured, with a beginning, middle and an end.

The new wines were incredible coming from the 2023 vintage. I tasted all from barrel and was amazed with the consistency and sense of place each wine possesses. I am enamored by the 2023 Passing Time ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which has great poise and richness. This is going to be enamored by any Chardonnay lover. Learn more about this fantastic  boutique winery at http://www.passingtime.com Here is my reviews of the new Passing Time wines.

2023 Passing Time ‘Columbia Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Columbia Valley’ comes from some outstanding locations in Washington including the Connor Lee and Boushey Vineyards.  Stored in 75% French oak this delivers a silky mouthfeel upon entry. Banana and roasted pineapple connect well with mango, poached pear and vanilla cream on the palate. This has a marvelous push-pull in terms of weight, texture and underlying freshness. Don’t serve too cold! Drink 2025-2033- 95

2023 Passing Time ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Sample- 96-99

2023 Passing Time ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Sample- 97-99

2023 Passing Time ‘Walla Walla' Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Sample- 96-99

Bodegas Valdemar

For years I would purchase the wines of Conde Valdemar ‘Reserva’ bottlings and fondly recall buying many of the 2005 and 2006 wines which clearly overdelivered for the price. Jesús Martínez Bujanda Mora now represents the fifth generation of his family’s 130-year-old wine business. Bodegas Valdemar represents a great past as In 1889, Joaquin Martínez Bujanda began the family winemaking tradition in Oyón, a small town in Northern Spain. His son, Marcelino, and his grandson, Jesús, followed in his footsteps. Jesús' son, Don Jesús Martínez Bujanda, created Bodegas Valdemar in the 1980s.

The new wines were excellent and were very well-structured. I really enjoy the 2015 Conde Valdemar ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja (OB, 93) which has some great aging potential and is currently displaying some really good flavor range. Learn more about this special winery project at https://www.valdemarestates.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Conde Valdemar.

2021 Conde Valdemar ‘Finca Alto Cantabria’ Viura- The really good 2021 Conde Valdemar ‘Finca Alto Cantabria’ Viura offers peach and nutmeg drenched French bread on the nose with shades of marzipan and stony minerals. The palate is plump, round and generous with great acidity and a smooth mouthfeel. Lovely salty and stony tones complete this outstanding Viura which is drinking in a great spot right now. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2017 Bodegas Valdemar ‘Reserva’ Rioja- The 2017 ‘Reserva’ by Bodegas Valdemar shows uo inky in the glass, offering an excellent combination of depth and poise. Black plum, soy sauce and wild blackberry tones mingle well with orange rind and sandalwood on the palate. Smooth and soft, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 92

2015 Bodegas Valdemar ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja- The 2015 ‘Gran Reserva’ was stored for 32 months in French oak before bottling. Coming from their estate vineyards, this delivers deep dark fruits that mingle well with refined tannins, Hoisin sauce, blood orange zest and salty minerals on the palate. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next decade or more. Drink 2025-2037- 93

Approachment

Today we share an electric brand out of Oregon. A few years back I got the chance to meet with Approachment founders Jessica and Paden West who have been in the industry for many years. Jessica started her wine path working in wine shops and tasting rooms. After learning the sales portion of the business, Jessica acquired an internship in 2013 at Bethel Heights Vineyard working directly with Winemaker Ben Casteel and viticulture master Mimi Casteel. Jessica then entered the NW Wine Studies program to earn her degree in Winemaking. Paden grew up in the Willamette Valley and began his path in wine just as Jessica did -by working in wine shops and tasting rooms. In 2010, Paden was offered an internship at Penner-Ash, managed by Winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash and Assistant Winemaker Brian Irvine. Paden serves as Benza head winemaker while Jessica makes the Approachment wines that show great poise and texture.

I love the new 2024 Approachment ‘Point of Contact’ (OB, 92) which shows serious texture and great flavor range. Learn more at https://www.approachmentwines.com/ and here are my reviews of the great Approachment wines.

2023 Approachment ‘Oregon’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2023 ‘Oregon’ Chardonnay offers a smooth mouthfeel with crisp apples and pears alongside buttercream accents and shades of apricot on the palate. Smooth, nicely textured and elegant, with brisk acidity, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2024 Approachment ‘Point of Contact’ Pinot Gris- The 2024 Approachment ‘Point of Contact’ Pinot Gris comes from the Benza Vineyard in the Laurelwood District AVA. This skin-contact Gris is loaded with texture and minerality, showing bright strawberry, cantaloupe and shades of watermelon flavors on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, this exceedingly delicious Gris is best enjoyed in its heady youth. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2024 Approachment ‘Take Up Space’ Gamay- The 2024 ‘Take Up Space’ comes from the Cynthian Vineyard which is located in the Van Duzer AVA. Translucent in the glass, this delivers pretty red rose petals and bubblegum on the nose alongside shades of Bing cherry. This is wonderfully nervy, with loads of mouth-watering acidity. Very Somm-friendly, I can’t imagine the range of foods this will pair beautifully with. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 92

Jett

It is my great pleasure to share an electric brand new brand in Washington State. As part of the Spire Collection of wines by Jackson Family, Jett focuses on hedonistic, yet well-structured wines from Washington, utilizing some top quality vineyard sites. Legendary winemaker Chris Carpenter serves as consulting winemaker alongside winemaker Gianna Ghilarducci.

Carpenter shared his thoughts about the new project. “We wanted to diversify our holdings and it was a climate hedge initially to look at Walla Walla as an alternative for grape growing. You think about great grape growing for Cabernet and Washington is up there” said Carpenter. He found that “we talked with some people who are influential up there, Chris Figgins and Josh McDaniels. Brandon Moss at Gramercy, Dick Shaw and Chris Upchurch. We got a feel for the place and were able to decide that this is where we wanted to be. We stayed at Abeja and talked with Dan and he showed me the site that we purchased, named Skysill. That is the onus for the project.”

They made the first few wines at Doubleback and Walla Walla Vintners. Winemaker Gianna Ghilarducci has made the picking choices in the wines and explained “with these wines we see the common thread between the brands. The Walla Walla fruit shows the savory side of Cabernet. I love comparing the wines from the different areas, making the wine in a similar way that we do in Napa but having a different expression.”

I loved all of the new wines. Check out the concentrated and powerful 2022 Jett ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which has excellent flavor density despite the coolness of the vintage. Just as good is the 2022 Jett ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 97) which comes from two top sites and has great polish and soil character. Learn more about these brilliant new wines at jettwines.com and here are my reviews of the inaugural releases by Jett.

2022 Jett Syrah- Coming from the Les Collines Vineyards, the 2022 Jett Syrah saw 33% whole cluster fermentation. The wine shows dried herbal aromatics alongside black currants and shades of blackberry compote. The palate is rich and viscous with great tension and verve alongside a silky mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2037- 95

2022 Jett ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 'Red Mountain’ comes from the Quintessence and Shaw Vineyards. Sweet pipe tobacco and anise mark the nos alongside shades of black currant compote. The palate is dense and delicious with serious verve and tension. Very nervy and heady with great concentration and finesse, this really needs about a year of bottle time to settle. Drink 2026-2045- 97

2022 Jett ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Gorgeous and silky, the 2022 Jett ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Andrews and Phinny Hill Vineyards. Jet black in the glass, this offers deep, concentrated black Frits that mingle well with blueberry compote, espresso grounds and shades of loamy soils on the palate. This has well-defined power and finesse. Drink 2025-2042- 97

2022 Jett ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2022 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Leonetti Estate as well as the Seven Hills and Skysill Vineyards. Inky in the glass this shows off great depth and concentration. Dense dark fruits parade with tobacco leaf, dried herbs and shades of graphite with great stony essence. Drink 2025-2044- 97

2022 Jett ‘Skysill Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2022 Merlot was stored in 60% new French oak for 20 months before bottling. The nose shows dense dark fruits with a gorgeous eucalyptus character. The palate is soft and elegant with refined mouthfeel and silky texture. The palate offers great body and freshness with refined tannins and great length. Elegant and rich, this is gorgeous from this slightly cooler vintage. Drink 2026-2042- 96

2022 Jett ‘Skysill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The gorgeous 2022 Jett ‘Skysill Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 20 months in 77% new French oak before bottling. This is a silky, refined and luxurious wine that has gobs of freshness and flavor density. Heady black fruits mingle well with pencil lead, anise, dried herbs and shades of black licorice. This is the quintessential iron fist in a velvet glove. Drink 2027-2050- 99

Resonance

Today we share the Oregon house which is led by the historic Maison Louis Jadot — first founded back in 1859. In 2013 Jadot purchased the old vine Résonance Vineyard, in the Yamhill-Carlton wine region. The vineyard was first planted in 1981 and is one of the older plantings of Pinot Noir in this AVA. The Résonance project was first led by eminent Jadot Winemaker, Jacques Lardière who has crafted Pinot Noir in Burgundy for 42 years. He works closely with winemaker Guillaume Large has been at Resonance since 2017.

I very much enjoyed the new wines by Large who has employed beautiful power and poise. Check out the beautiful 2022 Resonance ‘Decouverte Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is powerful and finesse-laden, with excellent flavor complexity.  Learn more about this outstanding house at https://resonancewines.com/ Here are my reviews of the beautiful new wines by Resonance.

2022 Resonance ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- Coming from a range of sites throughout the valley including estate vineyards, Résonance and Découverte. The 2022 ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay opens with brioche and toasty oak notes alongside hazelnuts and shades of salty soils. The palate is fresh and mineral-laden with excellent verve. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Resonance ‘Koosah Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2022 ‘Koosah Vineyard’ was stored in roughly 30% new French oak for 14 months before bottling. Coming from this esteemed site in the Eola-Amity Hills, this opens with salted French bread and apricot notes alongside lemon rind tones on the nose. The palate is dense and nervy with serious tension and salty/stony nuance. With a finish that just won’t quit, this is a glorious bottling that has a long life in front of it. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Resonance ‘Decouverte Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Decouverte Vineyard’ is a Dundee Hills Chardonnay that was stored in mainly natural French oak before bottling. There is a fabulous volcanic stone presence that runs through the core of rich orchard and citrus fruit flavors, with brioche and banana nuances. Complex and showing great verve, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Resonance ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The juicy 2022 Resonance ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir delivers guava puree and bright strawberry tones on the nose with Satsuma orange zest and baking spices. The palate is soft and refined, with good earthy elegance and a smooth texture. Enjoy now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2022 Resonance ‘Resonance Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Resonance ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir is sourced from ungrafted vines planted all the way back in 1981. Stored in 30% new French oak this delivers damp soils and shades of dark truffle shavings on the nose with marionberry and walnut accents. The palate is beautifully-structured, with excellent salinity and tension that runs through a core of bright red and dark fruits, with wild mushroom and peat moss accents. Complex and delicious, this is amongst the finest Pinot Noirs I have tasted from this estate so far. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Resonance ‘Koosah Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir comes from the Koosah Vineyard which is a dry-farmed location in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA set on steep rocky slopes, laden with basalt rock. This comes off neatly textured, with a good veil of minerality on the palate. Bright red fruits collide with salty stones and shades of cardamom dusted orange peel on the palate. Refined and elegant, with a smooth mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2022 Resonance ‘Decouverte Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Resonance ‘Decouverte Vineyard’ Pinot Noir really needs about 30 minutes of air before consuming. Stored in mainly neutral oak barrels, this offers a dash of white pepper on the nose with black truffle crudo, anise seed, red florals and shades of pomegranate seed. The palate is marvelously flinty and nicely textured, with good tension that runs through a core of tart red fruits, cigar ash and stony accents. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2022 Resonance ‘Founder’s Blocks’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Pinot Noir comes from the Joys Monts Vineyard, planted in 2017 as well as blocks from the Resonance Vineyard, first planted in 1981. This is a resounding success in terms of minerality and bright red fruits. As time elapses more Mandarin orange zest and stony mineral notes emerge alongside forest floor accents. Drink 2025-2038- 94

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

It is my pleasure to share a famed Napa property whose legacy has been defined by the famed1976 Judgment of Paris. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars was initially founded in 1970 and today the vineyard team is led by Guillermo Perez who works alongside head winemaker Marcus Notaro.

Notaro comes from an Italian family that had wine around the dinner table. He decided to work initially in the industry as a tour guide at Chateau Ste. Michelle. The rest has been history as he formerly was winemaker at Col Solare before taking over as head winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. The wines show excellent poise and depth. I was particularly enamored by the 2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Lot No. 1’ Merlot (OB, 93) which has a soft mouthfeel and great underlying acidity from this warm vintage. Learn more about this famed site at https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the 2019 Cabernets by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

2022 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Artemis’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Artemis’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes a range of sites throughout the Napa Valley. It is medium-boded and well-structured stuff with dark chocolate shavings, black licorice and coffee ground notes on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 91

2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Surber Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Surber Vineyard’ comes from this location in Calistoga that is farmed by the Surber family.  Inky in the glass, this delivers pencil lead, violets and tar aromatics that mingle well with loamy soils on the nose. The palate is plush and refined with a smooth mouthfeel and great depth and freshness. Gorgeous to consume now, watch this beauty evolved now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine-club only bottling that is a blend of several vineyard sites. This comes off juicy and delicious with a great melange of black fruits that mingle well with chocolate, mocha, tar and loamy soils on the palate. Medium to full-bodied and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Lot No. 1’ Merlot- The outstanding 2021 ‘Lot No. 1’ Merlot comes from the Arcadia Vineyard in Coomsville and has 8% Cabernet Franc, 1.5% Petit Verdot, and 1.5% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. It is bold and layered, showing pencil lead and anise notes alongside black cherry compote and cocoa powder on the palate. Fresh and neatly textured, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 93

2018 Washington Retrospective

Coming out of 2017, 2018 was a bit of a breeze. 2017 had strange conditions with smoke overhead for a large portion of the summer, while 2018 had near perfect warm vintage conditions which led to long hang time for fruit in the fall. There was some serious buzz when these wines were released and I was thrilled to share the results of this amazing year. 2018 is sandwiched between two more difficult years — 2019 being a freeze vintage which saw more mixed results for reds and better for whites and 2017 also being slightly better overall for whites than reds. 2018 was a year where red and whites both really impressed. This was a marvelous vintage and up there with the finest I have witnessed like 2002 and 2005. For me it eclipses anything of the 2010s.

Andrew Will’s Will Carmada sees the 2018 vintage as “wines that are drinking marvelous younger and seven years in they are very youthful but they all continue to really produce drinking enjoyment.” He mentioned that “The year does so well in this kind of vintage and you have full-bodied wines that are showing good ripeness and are not alcoholic at all.” He mentioned that his wines from this vintage “produced ripe and juicy fruit flavors that show the ripe vintage well. Now we have the more mushroom and cigar character in the wines when it was just mainly fruit tones to begin with upon release.”

Similarly, Delmas’s Brooke Robertson saw 2018 as “great vintage. Coming off ’17 with so many issues, 2018 we were in the first full year in the head-trained system and the vines were adjusting. Climactically things hit on all cylinders. We didn’t have extremes which was great. It was a slightly earlier pick for us, the ripeness was there. Alcohols are mid-range, 14-14.5%. It was a beautiful year.”

Quilceda Creek made some otherworldly wines in 2018. Director of winemaking Paul Golitzin described the vintage as “A bumper crop. Weather wise this was a great vintage for us and you don’t have to sit around waiting and worrying. If you hit the ripening parameters, that is what it is all about.” He mentioned that “We controlled the yields and the fruit was really pretty. Harvest lasted all the way to November so we had some great hang time.”

I selected the for this retrospective tasting and was amazed by the overall quality and drinkability of the wines right now. Seven years into their development, the wines are really singing. Tasting through the wines you are just blown away from the overall quality of the vintage.

Several perfect wines were made in 2018. I am totally enamored by the 2018 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is absolutely one of the wines of the vintage. with its pillowy mouthfeel and deep core of dark fruits. Vigneron Christophe Baron hit a home run with his bevy of terroir-driven Syrah and Grenache wines. I have been fortunate to try the stunning 2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Grenache (OB, 100) several times in the past year. There is nothing quite like this made in the Pacific Northwest in terms of purity of fruit and flavor range.

Christophe Baron’s 2018 Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache (OB, 100) and the 2018 Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 100) were perfect wines made this vintage. Truly scintillating in terms of intensity, tension and flavor density, these beauties are coming up still very primary and gradually moving into more earthy secondary characteristics.

There were many world-class wines made in 2018 as I initially reported for Vinous and Decanter. I adored the 2018 wines by Andrew Will Avennia, Corliss, Delmas, DeLille Cellars, Leonetti Cellar, Long Shadows, No Girls, Upchurch Vineyard and Reynvaan Family Vineyards. 2018 was a monumental vintage for Washington State and don't be afraid to open these beauties now. The top wines from this vintage show some serious aging potential with top class power and dazzling tension that assures they will cellar really well.

ANDREW WILL

2018 Andrew Will ‘Two Blondes’ Red Wine- The outstanding 2018 Andrew Will ‘Two Blondes’ Red Wine that was stored in roughly 33% new French oak before bottling. The blend is mainly Merlot (54%) with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Pencil lead and dark florals combine with espresso bean and bright red plum notes. This comes off very weightless and smooth throughout the drinking experience. With elegant tannins and a light dusting of salinity, this is drinking marvelously right now. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2018 Andrew Will ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Red Wine- This 2018 Horse Heaven Hills AVA bottling comes from the famed Champoux Vineyard. This combines 58% Merlot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Sandalwood notes combine with Arabica bean, blueberry compote and shades of tar and tobacco leaf. The palate is pillow and soft with a refined sense of structure and bright underlying acidity. Dense dark fruits parade with chocolate cake, sagebrush and anise seed on the palate. A glorious wine from a great vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen to twenty years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 96

2018 Andrew Will ‘Champoux Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- This is a one-time made wine that comes from the famed Champoux Vineyard. The 2018 Cabernet Franc was mainly stored in neutral French oak barrels before bottling. Juicy red plum and dark chocolate shavings combine with light red bell pepper tones and a dusting of white pepper on the palate. 100% varietal and completely delicious, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2040- 95

AQUILINI

2018 Aquilini ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 100% varietal 2018 ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is individually numbered on the back of the bottle. Tar, dark currants and kirsch cordial with scorched earth notes all mark the palate, alongside good structure and weight. Medium to full-bodied, and filled with beautiful tension and refined tannins, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2018 Aquilini ‘Eroe’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2018 ’Eroe’ is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain and was barrel aged for 28 Months in 90% new French Oak. This is round, generous and beautifully-structured stuff that is even now quite tannic. Chocolate and garrigue notes combine with mocha and creme de violette notes on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

AVENNIA

2018 Avennia ‘Gravura’ Red Wine- The really good 2018 ‘Gravura’ is a Cabernet-dominant blend, offering good concentration and verve. The smooth texture entices, with cassis and espresso ground flavors alongside black cherry compote and dried herbs. Fresh and at a great drinking window, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2018 Avennia ‘Sestina’ Red Wine- The gorgeous 2018 ‘Sestina’ is a sensational blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller portions Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Right away this offers fresh sage and black rose petals that meld well with cassis, tar and shades of espresso bean. The palate shows a great concentration of concentration and freshness as this glides throughout the drinking experience. With great length, this still has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2038- 96

2018 Avennia ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Red Willow Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this famed site that was planted all the way back in 1985. This is refined and highly herbal stuff that is drinking marvelously at the seven year mark. Sweet pipe tobacco, sagebrush and bay leaf all combine with a glorious core of dark fruits and cocoa powder on the palate. Neatly textured, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. . . but why wait? Drink 2025-2035- 96

2018 Avennia ‘Arnaut’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Arnaut’ is a glorious edition of this Syrah coming from the Boushey Vineyard in the Yakima Valley. Tar and Middle Eastern spices combine with shades of bulls blood, iodine, dark currants and beef drippings on the nose. The palate is plush and pure with a meaty edge and great core of dark fruits, with chocolate, garrigue and coffee ground accents. Complex and highly delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. What a great spot to enjoy this! Drink 2025-2033- 96


CAYUSE VINEYARDS

2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘God Only Knows’ Grenache- The 2018 ‘God Only Knows’ Red Wine is nothing short of a perfect wine from a great vintage. Now at the seven year mark it is really peaking. Coming from the famed ‘Armada Vineyard’ the Grenache has a small portion of Syrah blended in. Red currents, iodine and Umami combine with blood orange zest, anise, exotic spices and shades of red cherry candy on this incredible bouquet. The palate is mineral-laden and heady with a pillowy texture and great sense of opulence. Seamless and thrilling to enjoy in your glass, enjoy this head-turning Grenache now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 100

2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Armada Vineyard’ Syrah shows off its dark core in the glass. You are immediately drawn to the savory aromatics of fresh thyme and Provencale herbs that combine with black olive tapenade, beef drippings, and shades of boysenberry compote that all meld in the glass. This is weightless throughout the drinking experience. A literal kaleidoscope of flavors burst from the seams, delivering smoky and savory notes to wet stone, a beam of salinity, dark truffle crudo and Hoisin sauce accents. Full, round and generous on the mouth, enjoy this total stunner now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 98


2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Syrah- The stunning 2018 ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ was co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier. Beautiful red rose petals and honeysuckle notes combine on the nose alongside beef tartare, Middle Eastern spices, Cuban cigar and soy sauce notes. The palate is refined and elegant with a seamless texture that entices. Rich dark fruits parade with orange peel, white truffle shavings and cured meats on the palate. Highly novel and complex, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 98

2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ Syrah- A total stunner, the 2018 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Bionic Frog’ is the only Syrah in Christophe’s collection of wines that was stored in a 20% new large-format French oak prior to bottling. Pipe tobacco, soy sauce, venison and tar notes fill the nose alongside wild blackberry and shades of cardamom. The palate is seamless with no rough edges. Deep and concentrated in terms of its core of dark fruits, with gorgeous stony accents, this is very salty and savory wine that flirts with perfection. Enjoy this otherworldly bottling now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 99

2018 Cayuse ‘The Widowmaker’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the ‘En Chamberlin Vineyard’ the 2018 ‘Widowmaker’ is composed of all Cabernet Sauvignon from this stony location outside of Milton-Freewater. On the nose this takes on shades of black truffle shavings and soy sauce, alongside black plum and suggestions of white pepper dusted bacon. The aromatic range is incredible for the varietal. Elegant and sleek, this glides throughout the drinking experience which is weightless and beautifully poised. A joy to drink now, consume this outstanding bottling over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 96

COL SOLARE

2018 Col Solare Red Wine- The ebullient 2018 Col Solare Red Wine is a really great edition of this wine. Mocha, tar, anise and dark currants with scorched earth notes all fill the nose, alongside toasty oak. The palate is plush and rich with good texture and tension. Dense and delicious, with a great espresso ground and chocolate core, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

CORLISS

2018 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon- The incredible 2018 Corliss Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning edition of this wine that was stored in 70% new French oak before bottling. It is dense and delicious on the mouth, with serious tension and flavor density. A great melange of black and blue fruits greets you, alongside cocoa powder, scorched earth and dried herb notes. Give this beauty about an hour in the decanter prior to enjoyment. This is clearly one of the best wines made this vintage. Drink 2025-2045- 98

2018 Corliss Red Wine- The incredible 2018 Corliss Red Wine is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Stored in mainly new French oak barrels, this is inky in the glass, offering violets, tar and sweet pipe tobacco alongside shades of creme de cassis and dusty soils. The palate is plush, soft, lithe and generous, with a serious tension and flavor density. A world-class wine from this warm vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2043- 97

2018 Corliss Syrah- This is now the fourth time I have tasted this stunning Syrah from this great vintage. The 2018 Corliss Syrah is a hedonistic edition of tins wine coming from Red Mountain. This edition has a dash (3%) of Viognier blended in. Gorgeous red florals combine with coffee bean, iodine, kirsch cordial and shades of huckleberry compote on the nose. The palate is big, bold and downright delicious. This is voluptuous Red Mountain Syrah that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2037- 97


DELMAS

2018 Delmas Syrah- The drop-dead gorgeous 2018 Delmas Syrah was co-fermented with higher percentage of Viognier (9%). The wine saw some stem inclusion and is texturally gorgeous on the palate. Leafy greens and smoldering stones mark the nose with gorgeous red florals on the nose. The palate is wonderfully stony and salty with serious tension and depth, with soy sauce and seaweed accents. Complex, dense and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight. Drink 2025-2033- 96


DELILLE CELLARS

2018 DeLille Cellars ‘D2’ Red Wine- A really good showing from 2018, the ‘D2’ is dense, decadent and delicious right now. Black tea and Asian spices mark the nose alongside chocolate cake and shades of black licorice. The palate is big and bold with a gorgeous mouthfeel and lovely flavor density. This is one to enjoy now and over the next several years to come. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2018 DeLille Cellars ‘Chaleur Estate’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Chaleur Estate’ Red Wine is a gorgeous offering that maintains really good freshness and flavor density now at the seven year mark. Blackberry compote, dark chocolate shavings and tobacco leaf mingle well with shades of baking spices the palate. Medium to full-bodied, this is drinking beautifully now at the seven year mark. Drink 2025-2033- 94


DOUBLEBACK

2018 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon- It is a joy to revisit the beautiful 2018 Doubleback Cabernet Sauvignon which has 5% Malbec and 5% Merlot blended in. Sagebrush and black tea combine with dense dark fruits and graphite on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous, offering a silky texture and marvelous drinking experience throughout. Opened from my cellar, this is really getting into its sweet spot right now and offers some serious drinking enjoyment. Drink 2025-2035- 96

DUNHAM CELLARS

2018 Dunham Cellars ‘Trutina’ Red Wine- The fabulous 2018 ‘Trutina’ combines 52% Melrot with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and small parts Petit Verdot and Malbec. This leads with chocolate covered red cherry on the palate, alongside shades of tobacco leaf and tiled soil accents. Medium to full-bodied, you can really see each working part here. Enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2018 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon delivers beautiful balance between richness and verve. Rich date and sweet pipe tobacco flavors mingle well with blackberry cobbler and shades of dark chocolate shavings and pencil lead on the palate. Rich and viscous, with terrific tension, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. What a wine! Drink 2025-2040- 95

2018 Dunham Cellars ‘Columbia Valley’ Syrah- coming from the Lewis Vineyard in the Columbia Valley, the 2018 Dunham Cellars Syrah offers violets and tar on the nose with blackberry compote and chocolate. The palate is dense and decadent with a great underlying finesse. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 93

FIGGINS

2018 FIGGINS ‘Figlia’ Red Wine- The 2018 Figgins ‘Figlia’ Red Wine is a world-class wine that has a long way to go in the cellar. Chocolate covered date and black currants mark the nose with beautiful green herbs and violets. The palate is dense and rich with serious tension and firm tannins that hold in place a gorgeous core of black and blue fruits. Full-throttle and fully delicious, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 97

FORCE MAJEURE

2018 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- The dazzling 2018 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine is mainly Mourvedre (57%) with the remainder Syrah and Grenache. This is marvelously smoky and meaty with brisket and BBQ beef ribs alongside Hoisin sauce, blackberry compote and lavender essence notes on the palate. Showing good finesse and depth, with a silky mouthfeel, this has aged marvelously and will provide drinking enjoyment for another ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2018 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Estate’ Syrah is an inky, concentrated rendition of this wine that is built to age. Once on the nose this takes on concentrated black fruits that mingle well with suggestions of mountain huckleberry and cloves alongside scorched earth notes. The palate is rich and lithe with a silky texture, as this is seamless throughout the drinking experience. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. This is world-class Red Mountain. Drink 2025-2036- 98

2018 Force Majeure ‘Epinette’ Red Wine- A totally stunning edition of this wine, the 2018 ‘Epinette’ combines 79% Merlot, with small parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Coming from this small Red Mountain Vineyard, this is rich and viscous on the nose, showing black rose petals alongside tar and Cuban cigar notes on the nose, offering alluring red bell pepper accents. The palate is full-bodied and delicious with a silky texture and great sense of tension that runs through the core of black and blue fruits. Right now the Petit Verdot really seems to be shining in terms of its herbal character alongside blue fruit essence. Highly enjoyable now, no need to pull this beauty from the cellar immediately. Enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 98


HORS CATEGORIE

2018 Hors Categorie Syrah- This is now the fourth time I have tasted the world-class 2018 Hors Categorie. Translated as 'a place of its own,' this comes from a rocky hillside, two-acre plot at 1,400 feet of densely planted 11 years old Syrah vines. This a seamless colossus of a wine that is drinking marvelously right now. Smoked brisket, creme de violette, wintergreen and seaweed flavors beautifully meld together with a light dusting of salinity and smoldering stones on the palate. A perfect wine from 2018, enjoy this if you can find one. Drink 2025-2035- 100

HORSEPOWER VINEYARDS

2018 Horsepower Vineyards ‘Fiddleneck Vineyard’ Grenache- A very special wine, the 2018 ‘Fiddleneck Vineyard’ Grenache comes from this tightly spaced parcel just south of ‘En Chamberlin’ and ‘The Tribe’ vineyards which was planted back in 2015. ‘Fiddleneck’ is an ode to the Fiddleneck flowers that were growing on this land before planted to vines. The wine is so good that it is sheer alchemy that the Grenache from this site is in its fourth leaf. This takes on a completely different character than the ‘Sur Echalas’ as it offers extreme purity of red fruits on the palate. Guava puree, strawberry Starburst candy, and Bing cherry flavors all combine with salted Satsuma orange zest, Nori, and shades of prosciutto on the palate. Seamless throughout the drinking experience, this is nothing short of perfection in a great vintage. Enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 100

2018 Horsepower Vineyards ‘Sur Echalas Vineyard’ Grenache- A joy to consume right now, the world-class 2018 ‘Sur Echalas’ Grenache is amongst the finest wines of its kind that you will taste in North America. The Grenache saw 100% stem inclusion and was stored in used demi-muids before bottling botting. Umami and fresh wintergreen notes combine with red raspberry coulis, green olives and wet stone, with shades of pomegranate puree. The tension created here is otherworldly. The palate is salty and savory as this lands fat and viscous on the mouth. Wait for the extremely long finish, laden with stony minerals. A total heavyhitter of a wine, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 100

2018 Horsepower Vineyards ‘High Contrast Vineyard’ Syrah- Coming from the High Contrast Vineyard which was planted five years prior to this bottling, the site has diverse soil types including large cobblestones and also silky loam soils. This comes off very rocky on the nose, alongside Kalamatta olives, dark currants, espresso grounds and shades of violets on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a smooth mouthfeel, as this offers gobs of tension and loads of loamy/rocky soil character. Delicious now, this still has a decade of life in front of it. Drink 2025-2033- 96

L’ECOLE NO. 41

2018 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Apogee’ Red Wine- This edition of the ‘Apogee’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (56%) with 27% Merlot and smaller parts Malbec and Cabernet Franc. The wine was entirely sourced from the Pepper Bridge Vineyard and this bottling was first made all the way back in 1993. It shows off a dense core in the glass, exuding class with cigar box aromatics that parade with dark currants, coffee grounds and loganberry liquor notes. The palate is round, generous and refined, with serious structure still brimming through a core of deep dark fruits. Delicious and savory, with an herbal edge, enjoy this gorgeous bottling now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2018 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Perigee’ Red Wine- Another resounding success in 2018, the ‘Perigee’ combines 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with 16% Merlot and smaller parts Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Sandalwood and black florals mark the nose alongside a generous core of dark fruit tones. This is beautifully-structured stuff, showing good concentration and is loaded with espresso bean, black currant and cigar ash flavors that combine with refined tannins. Nervy and tense, this still has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2018 L’Ecole No. 41 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Ferguson Vineyard’ combines 55% Cabernet Sauvignon with 24% Merlot and smaller almonds of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Coming from this high-elevation, stony site, this exudes class with wet rock, scorched earth and blackberry compote flavors alongside shades of chocolate pie and creme de violette. Complex and loaded with beautiful terroir and finesse, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 96

LEONETTI CELLAR

2018 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon- A stunning wine from a great vintage the 2018 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon is a compelling blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon alongside small portions Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Stored in oak barrel and oval botti for 22 months prior to bottling, this offers creme de cassis and sweet pipe tobacco notes on the nose alongside chocolate pie and suggestions of blueberry compote. The palate is beautifully structured and still quite primary, showing velvety tannins and lovely espresso ground, fresh sage and tobacco leaf notes. A joy to consume now at the seven year mark, this has at least fifteen years ahead of it. Drink 2025-2040- 97

LONG SHADOWS

2018 Long Shadows ‘Pedestal’ Merlot- The 2018 ‘Pedestal’ is made by famed winemaking consultant Michel Rolland and Long Shadows winemaker Gilles Nicault. The wine combines Merlot with 14% Cabernet Savignon and a touch of Malbec. Inky dark in the glass, this was stored for 22 months in Sylvain and Millet French oak barrels (85% new), this delivers kirsch cordial, scorched earth and fresh thyme on the nose with bitter chocolate. The palate is round, generous and velvety, with refined tannins. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2018 Long Shadows ‘Pirouette’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Pirouette’ combines 68% Cabernet Sauvignon with 22% Merlot and the remainder Petit Verdot. This also stands inky dark in the glass, offering alluring aromatics of green bell pepper and pencil lead from the PV, alongside black florals, and shades of graphite with black currant cordial. The palate is impeccably balanced, with serious power and concentration as well as underlying tension, with salty nuances. A total stunner, enjoy this beautiful wine now and love the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 97

NO GIRLS

2018 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2018 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache is a totally dazzling wine that is thriving at the seven year mark. Aged in neutral large-format oak and given more than 50% stem inclusion, this opens brightly with pomegranate seed and Mandarin orange zest that mingles well with smoldering stones, charcuterie and shades of bulls blood. The palate is dazzling in terms of tension and weightless throughout the drinking experience. Drinking slightly better upon release, this wine could only be from one place and made by one producer. A total masterpiece, enjoy now and over the next few years. But why wait? Drink 2025-2032- 98

2018 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Syrah- A world-class Syrah the 2018 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ shows a scintillant range of aromatics and flavors. Stored in neutral oak puncheons, the wine saw roughly 70% stem inclusion. Right away beef drippings and fresh sage aromatics collide with kumquat rind, cigar ash and shades of clove dusted wild blackberry on the nose. The palate is elegant and refined with a smooth mouthfeel and bright sense of acidity and finesse. Round and generous, with good viscosity and a gorgeous core of dark fruits, with stony essence, this is drinking beautifully now at the seven year mark. Drink 2025-2032- 97

2018 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo- One of the great new world Tempranillos, the 2018 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo comes from this cobblestone-laden vineyard near the town of Milton-Freewater. Oyster sauce, umami dipped BBQ beef ribs and orange peel flavors combine with silky tannins and a pillowy texture on the palate. Very stony and savory, with loads of mouth-watering acidity, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 96

PEPPER BRIDGE

2018 Pepper Bridge ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 Pepper Bridge ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous edition of this wine that has  6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot blended in. Mainly coming from the Seven Hills Vineyard, this offers a deep core with Arabica bean and dark currants that combine with mocha, tar and wild blackberry on the nose. The palate is soft and seamless with beautiful structure to age. Complex and delicious now, with impeccable balance, enjoy over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2037- 95

2018 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ is a reined blend of 38% Merlot, 31% Malbec, and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Petit Verdot. This is beautifully structured stuff with refined tannins on the mid-palate. Tar, espresso grounds and shades of creme de cassis mingle well with sandalwood notes on the palate. Complex and delicious, with good weight and a light herbal accent that is intriguing considering the heat of the vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

QUILCEDA CREEK

2018 Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘CVR’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and offers gorgeous purple rose petals alongside dense black fruits and suggestions of Arabica bean. The palate is pillow-soft and excellent flavor density and good sense of weight. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Palengat’ Cabernet Sauvignon- This 2018 ‘Palengat’ comes mainly from the Champoux and Mach One Vineyard and is nearly all Cabernet Sauvignon with 3% Cabernet Franc blended in. Beautiful red rose petals and red bell pepper notes collide with boysenberry cordial and walnut accents on the nose. The palate is extremely velvety and weightless, with fabulous depth and concentration. Gorgeous and soft now, with a light dusting of salinity, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 99

2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A knockout wine from this outstanding vintage, the 2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a perfect wine from this benchmark producer. The palate is opulent and texturally luxurious as this is round and generous, full-throttle stuff that maintains beautiful freshness. A deep melange of black and blue fruits greets you, with serious flavor density. A wow-factor Cabernet Sauvignon, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 100

2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The brilliant 2018 Quilceda Creek ‘Galitzine Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a head-turning bottling from this incredible vintage. Once on the nose this takes on layers of scorched earth and sagebrush alongside heady black and blue fruits, with shades of creme de violette. This is nothing short of perfection in the glass. Drink 2025-2040- 100

REYNVAAN FAMILY VINEYARDS

2018 Reynvaan ‘Foothills Reserve’ Syrah- I have long admired this Syrah that comes from one of the great vintages that Washington has seen over the past two decades. The 2018 ‘Foothills Reserve’ Syrah offers a literal cornucopia of aromatics. Bulls blood, Mandarin orange blossom, Nori, white pepper dusted bacon and shades of creme de violette all collide on the nose. The palate is silky smooth and beautifully textured, with impeccable balance and weight. This is just marvelous stuff to savor right now. Find this wine, buy it and you will thank me later. Drink 2025-2033- 98

SAVIAH

2018 Saviah ‘The Stones Speak’ Syrah- Coming from this cobblestone-laden vineyard in the Walla Walla Rocks District, the 2018 Saviah ‘The Stones Speak’ Syrah offers smoldering stone notes on the nose with black tea, Asian spices, soy sauce and suggestions of bacon fat on the nose. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more decadence. Round, fat and generous on the mouth, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2032- 95

2018 Saviah ‘The Funk’ Syrah- Coming from the famed ‘The Funk Estate’ Vineyard in the Walla Wall Rocks District, this 2018 Syrah has 4% Viognier blended in. It offers beautiful white florals from the Vio, alongside seaweed, oyster sauce and shades of coppa ham. The palate is big, round and voluptuous in terms of weight and texture.  A total stunner, enjoy now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 96

2018 Saviah ‘Reserve’ Syrah- The stunning 2018 ‘Reserve’ Syrah is a dense and massive bottling that has fabulous push-pull in terms of richness and underlying finesse. The palate is brimming with bright acidity that connects with the generous core of red and dark fruits, with charcuterie and shades of milk chocolate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2018 Saviah ‘Hunt & Gather’ Red Wine- The 2018 ‘Hunt & Gather’ comes from the Rocks District, combining 60% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder Syrah. Smoked brisket and black olive tapenade mark the nose alongside violets and shades of lavender oil. The palate is round and fresh with good texture and tension. Enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2018 Saviah ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- inky in the glass, the 2018 ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers soy sauce and BBQ beef ribs on the nose alongside suggestions of Earl Grey tea and boysenberry cobbler. The palate is beautifully weighted and balanced, as this is really entering its prime right now. Drink 2025-2033- 95

TRANCHE

2018 Tranche ‘Estate’ Syrah- The 2018 ‘Estate’ Syrah comes from the high elevation Blue Mountain Vineyard. This has really good viscosity and verve, showing mountain huckleberry and black cherry compote flavors with smoke and shades of beef drippings on the palate. Flinty and herbal accents add to the intrigue, as this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2031- 94

2018 Tranche ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2018 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows black raspberry cordial and garrigue notes that mingle well with shades of pencil lead and light green bell pepper notes, with black rose petal accents. The palate is rich and layered with good freshness and tension that runs through the core of dense dark fruits, with chocolate and anise notes. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2018 Tranche ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- The 2018 ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc offers red bell pepper, dark chocolate shavings and red cherry compote that combine with red rose petals on the nose. The palate is plush and refined with good richness and verve. A delight to savor now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 95

UPCHURCH VINEYARD

2018 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- Pulled from my cellar, the 2018 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a massive, dense and heady effort that is amongst the best that you all find on Red Mountain. Blackberry compote, anise and scorched earth tones mark the nose alongside exotic spices and black licorice notes. The palate is loaded with texture and flavor density, as this seamlessly glides as you take in every delightful sip. Full-bodied and rich, this is really starting to come into its own. Initially a bit reticent upon release, don’t be afraid to uncork this beauty.  Drink 2025-2040- 96