Orin Swift

If you do not like big and bold California wine, this might not be for you. It all started back in 1995 when on a lark, David Swift Phinney took a friend up on an offer and went to Florence, Italy to spend a semester “studying”. During that time, he was introduced to wine, and he later landed a job at Robert Mondavi Winery in 1997 as a temporary harvest worker. In 1998 he founded Orin Swift Cellars; Orin is his father’s middle name and Swift is his mother’s maiden name. Starting with two tons of Zinfandel and not much else, David spent the next decade making wine for others as well as himself and grew the company into a multinational brand. The winery also has a great tasting room in downtown Napa where you can try his brilliant range of wines.

The wines are remarkably consistent. I love the 2023 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years in the Desert’ Red Wine (OB, 93) which is a killer Zinfandel based that is drinking beautifully now. Learn more about these great, intense wines at http://www.orinswift.com. Here are some of the gorgeous release wines by Orin Swift.

2023 Orin Swift ‘Mannequin’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Mannequin’ Chardonnay is a smooth and rich bottling that is drinking marvelously now. Brioche and poached pear flavors mingle well with dense honeydew melon on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 Orin Swift ‘Abstract’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Abstract’ is a beautiful proprietary combination of Petite Sirah, Grenache, Syrah, and Zinfandel that was aged seven months in 30% new oak prior to bottling. On the nose this delivers violet rose petals alongside Hoisin sauce, milk chocolate and green herbs. The palate is plush and rich with a terrific mouthfeel and and texture. Drink 2025-2034- 93

2023 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years In the Desert’ Zinfandel- An outstanding edition of Zinfandel, the 2023 Orin Swift ‘Eight Years In the Desert’ was storied in mainly neutral French oak for six months prior to bottling. This comes off round and generous, loaded with bright red and dark fruits that collide with chocolate cake and Arabica bean on the palate. Drink 2025-2034- 93

2022 Orin Swift ‘Palermo’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Palermo’ was aged for 12 months in French oak (31% new) before bottling. This is forward and juicy with fresh sage and black currants alongside dark chocolate shavings on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Orin Swift ‘Mercury Head’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Mercury Head’ is a heady and delicious Cabernet Sauvignon that was stored in mainly new French oak before bottling. Inky in the glass, this delivers cassis, wintergreen and black cherry compote on the nose alongside creme de cassis. This comes off velvety and silky with a refined mouthfeel and great concentration of elegance and depth. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2023 Orin Swift ‘Machete’ Red Wine- A truly unique bottling, the 2023 ‘Machete’ is a combination of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache that was stored in 35% new French oak prior to bottling. This is dense and ripe stuff with boysenberry compote, dark chocolate pie, smoked brisket and suggestions of Turkish coffee on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 93

Sign of The Dove

A brand new wine brand by Jake Taub, Sign of The Dove relates with Taub family’s surname, German for dove (taube). The brand’s emblem is inspired by a mosaic from a place where the Taub family gathered for special occasions. These stunning wines come from two of Napa’s greatest spots: the Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard in Oakville and the Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard in Rutherford.

Wines are silky, elegant and powerful. Taub has utilized the talents of Jesse Katz — one of the great winemakers on the West Coast. Katz utilizes an infrared optical sorter to make his wines and makes arguably the finest new world Malbec, his Devil Proof project which is otherworldly and incredibly consistent.

Sign of the Dove is an electric new brand that is modern Napa which will entice any serious collector of this region. Learn more at https://signofthedove.com/wines/ and here are my reviews of the new Sign of The Dove wines.

2021 Sign of the Dove ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Sign of the Dove ‘Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this block which is split with Schraeder. The palate is decadent but very well-structured, loaded with mouth-watering acidity and serious weight. Black and blue fruits combine with refined tannins and graphite tones. Drink 2025-2050- 100

2021 Sign of the Dove ‘Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Sign of the Dove ‘Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored for 22 months in 100% new French oak before bottling. The wine was stored in two different fermenters to build texture. Very inky in the glass, this delivers gorgeous black florals that parade with anise, exotic spices and shades of black licorice. The palate is seamless and opulent with a weightless character mid-palate. This is perfection in the glass. Drink 2025-2050- 100

Figgins

Today we share an icon in Washington wine, founded by eminent Leonetti proprietor Chris Figgisn. FIGGINS is an iconic brand started more than a decade ago and they have completed his new winery at the FIGGINS estate vineyard. This is a Napa level of hospitality at this scenic site, with its beautiful tasting room and elaborate caves underneath. A long time in the making, the winery is one of the great spots in the Pacific Northwest to taste, with expansive views of the entire valley. I love going there to taste and relax.

The quality in their Estate Red Wine has grown and grown in the past decade. The Estate Red is a combination of varietals year to year but focuses on Cabernet Sauvignon from this high elevation site set on loess soils. I know that they have been slowly adding more Petit Verdot into this blend as this site arguably produces the finest Petit in the state. This is always a proprietary blend that is stored now in almost half neutral barrels before bottling. The wine is extremely age worthy as I have tasted wines from ten years of age and they still have a long way to go in the cellar. They can be somewhat austere upon release and need a lot of air or time in the decanter if you don’t have the patience to cellar them.

The new wines come from the slightly cooler 2022 vintage which was more mixed in terms of overall quality for Bordeaux varietals. In this case, both of these wines can be bought with confidence. 2022 is a producer vintage for Bordeaux varietals and both of these wines have excellent power and poise. Quite simply a perfect wine, the 2022 ‘Caves’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) is a limited production wine that is going to sell out immediately. Only 75 cases made of this total stunner. Here are my reviews of the new 2025 fall releases by FIGGINS.

2022 FIGGINS Red Wine- The 2022 FIGGINS Red Wine is a proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot all coming from the Figgins Estate Vineyard. Stored in 70% new French oak, this delivers a knockout bouquet of graphite and tar alongside suggestions of huckleberry compote, mocha, and black licorice. The heady aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. While this comes off initially aromatically reticent, after an hour of air this really sings in its high octave. The palate is plush as velvety tannins frame a glorious core of black and blue fruits, with menthol, dark chocolate shavings and stony mineral accents. This really needs at least another year or two of bottle age — but shows massive aging potential. Drink 2027-2050- 98

2022 FIGGINS ‘Caves’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Caves’ is a new wine made by winemaker Chris Figgins that utilizes a mere three barrels from two blocks at his estate vineyard. Inky and dark in the glass, the wine was stored for 22 months in all new French oak before bottling. Scorched earth and cuban cigar mark the nose alongside suggestions of Black Forest cake. The palate is lush and inviting with a sinfully good, pillowy texture, as this weightless beauty glides throughout the drinking experience. This just keeps building and building with each texturally opulent sip, offering a soaring combination of decadence, tension and flavor complexity. A world-class wine that is built to age, this is just a stunning accomplishment in what was a somewhat difficult vintage for Bordeaux varietals. Tasted twice with consistent notes. Drink 2028-2054- 100

Cadence

Today we share the brilliant wines of Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt who for more than 25 years have been making exceptional bottlings from some of the state’s great sites. The wines age brilliantly even at the 20 year mark. Years back Cadence planted an estate vineyard on Red Mountain, the Cara Mia Vineyard, where most of their wines come from.

They did a really nice job in 2022 which was a slightly cooler vintage. I love the 2022 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Red Wine (OB, 96) which is impeccably balanced and shows amazing poise and power, with great herbal character from the Cabernet Franc. Learn more about this great winery at cadencewinery.com  and here are my reviews of the the beautiful new wines by Cadence.

2023 Cadence ‘Coda’ Red Wine- The really good ‘Coda’ shows off the warmth of the vintage from 2023. Mostly Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this delivers forward and juicy red and dark fruits with sweet pipe tobacco and milk chocolate notes on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Cadence ‘Camerata’ Red Wine- Hailing from the ‘Cara Mia Vineyard’ the 2022 ‘Camerata’ is a totally different blend than the ’21, with considerably more Merlot than last year’s bottling and no Cabernet Franc. It is marvelously herbal and well-structured stuff with medium-bodied red currants, wild blackberry and boysenberry notes that mingle well with salty soils and suggestions of Chinese black tea. Soft and refined, enjoy this elegant bottling now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2022 Cadence ‘Cara Mia Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Exuding class from this slightly cooler vintage, this bottling was entirely sourced from the Cara Mia Vineyard on Red Mountain, as this utilizes Cabernet Sauvignon clonal selections 191 and 8. The flavor density and richness of the wine really shines through, as this also comes off quite nervy. Scorched earth and black currants parade with dark chocolate shavings and pencil lead on the palate. This really needs several hours of air if enjoying now. Enjoy this gorgeous new wine over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Cadence ‘Bel Canto’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Bel Canto’ has even more Cabernet Franc (92%) than the ’21, this ha a small amount of Merlot blended in, with no Petit Verdot in this edition. Coming from their Cara Mia Estate Vineyard, this delivers red florals on the nose with orange bell pepper, black licorice, bay leaf and suggestions of tar on the nose. The palate is soft and seamless with slightly less flavor density than the ’21 but more elegance. This is a seamless, utterly gorgeous bottling that will surely live on for another ten to fifteen years. Be sure to give this several hours in the decanter if enjoying now. Tasted several times over two days with consistent notes. Drink 2025-2040- 96

WeatherEye

Today we present the glorious wines of WeatherEye Vineyard. Yesterday I had a phone call with owner of WeatherEye, Cam Myhrvold, as we tasted together. He is bullish on the upcoming vintage and they are now making their second production Rose [first one was not sold to public] which is going to be really cool to try. He feels that the 2023 vintage “was better than ’22. I think for the white it is better than the ’22 as well, texture and flavor density wise. We are now getting a better idea on how to make the wines. This year one of the big changes is we made the Roussanne with five days of skin contact and previously it didn’t have skin contact.” He stated that the 2023 wines “have really good richness” from this warmer vintage. “We want to add richness and ageability without distraction from the fruit” he said. He mentioned that it was not his initial intention to make so many white wines “but we did not come into this making four whites but here we are. We are glad we do this now.”

Over time the WeatherEye Vineyard has been one of the top vineyard sites in Washington. Wines from this site are wild, herbal, salty and stony. This remote, northern-facing location on Red Mountain is unlike anything that you see from Washington State. They have a new winemaker as Louis Skinner worked on the final blends of the 2023 whites and reds. The 2023 white wines from WeatherEye are just outstanding which deftly show off the warmth of the vintage. They show incredible richness and great varietal character. I am enamored by both the 2023 Marsanne and Roussane (OB, 97 & 97) both dense, nervy and showing insanely good flavor range. Learn more at https://www.weathereyevineyard.com/ and here are my reviews of the 2023 white wines by WeatherEye.

2023 WeatherEye Clairette- The 2023 Clairette was stored on the lees for 20 months in neutral oak barrels before bottling. This comes off marvelously nutty with rich melon and shades of papaya on the nose. The palate is rich and dense with serious tension and texture, with loads of salty and stony nuance, alongside white rose water accents. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2023 WeatherEye Marsanne- The 2023 Marsanne was fermented in a combination of amphora and oak, and then was stored on its lees 20 months until bottling in summer 2025. This offers Macadamia nut on the nose alongside cantaloupe, white peach and hints of ginger. The palate is beautifully-weighted with loads of sea salt and tension. A glorious wine to enjoy now, with serious depth and flavor density, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 97

 2023 WeatherEye Roussanne- The 2023 Roussanne was also stored in a combination of amphora and oak before bottling.  Very golden in the glass, this offers sinfully good aromatics of lemon peel, candied apricot and suggestions of papaya on the nose. The palate comes off weightless, offering supreme concentration and depth without coming off heavy. Opulent and dense, enjoy this electric wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 97

2023 WeatherEye ‘L’Atomique’ White Wine- The 2023 L’Atomique White combines 36% Viognier, with 32% Roussanne, 22% Grenache Blanc, and the remainder Clairette and Marsanne. Stored in a combination of one used 600L barrel and one new 228L barrel, this exudes class aromatically offering crushed seashell and nectarine on top of white florals and suggestions of lychee. The palate is powerful and dense with serious concentration and a great melange of citrus, melon and tropical fruits. Unfined and unfiltered, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 96

Review: British Airways Concorde Room

Some may disagree but I feel that the British Airways Concorde Room remains one of the world’s great lounges. Where else can you sip top vintage champagne with a special glass made for the wine? Not many lounges for sure. The famed Concorde Room can be found at Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow Airport. It is probably best known for its high level hospitality and service which remains excellent following my summer 2025 journey here.

Again, I am never saying that this lounge is equivalent with the Emirates First Lounge in Dubai. But it does serve better champagne than the Emirates First Lounge. There is serious attention to detail with regards to service and making their guests happy. The Concorde Room also crushes any guest experience that you will find in the United States, other than the equivalent Chelsea Lounge at JFK.

ACCESS

There is very limited access to this lounge.You can only visit the lounge if flying First Class or have a British Airways Concorde Room card which grants you access to Concorde Room regardless of your ticket class. Walking past First Check-In in Terminal 5 you will walk through the BA First Lounge and eventually make your way into the Concorde Room.

SURROUNDINGS AND AMBIENCE

The lounge was refreshed in the past year. I like what they have done with the color scheme and the many chargers that are now available. The lounge needed a refresh and they did so with style. I immediately went to the bar and ordered one of their amazing 2006 Pommary ‘Cuvee Louise’ Champagnes. This is one of the great champagnes from this challenging vintage. The bar has relaxing surroundings and you can enjoy lunch and breakfast here, ordering anything off their expansive menus.

The 2006 ‘Cuvee Louise’ by Pommery is served in an exclusive stem that is designed for this older, very Burgundian champagne. Bartenders here are also serving up great espresso martinis in case you are looking for a cocktail.

WINES AND SPIRITS

Other than the top Champagne, the wine list has seen several improvements in the past year. They now have a 2014 Chateau Olivier which is a great Bordeaux to enjoy right now. In case you would like a world-class California wine, they have the 2017 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Tablas’ which is one of the greats from Paso Robles. For whites and Rose wines they also serve the 2021 ‘Rock Angel’ which is a beautifully-aged Provence Rose. Again, their bar staff has loads of experience and they do make some really good cocktails. I recommend that you take advantage of the extensive liquor collection which includes Don Julio 1942 Tequila (USD $200) or the Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch which retails for 250 USD.

I was feeling hungry so I ordered a large breakfast which included Eggs Royale and traditional English breakfast. It was a lot of food but fun to taste. The hollandaise sauce was amazing and everything was perfectly cooked.

The Concorde Room is also a great spot for coffee lovers. They have some amazing Union coffee and I always order an espresso after my meal. They make a wide range of coffee drinks that you can enjoy.

BATHROOMS

You can see that not much has changed regarding the Concorde Room bathrooms. They are constantly cleaning these bathrooms but they are very outdated. I like how they continue to carry the Elemins products soap and lotion. I find the showering area to be sterile. I think there are other lounges that have better bathrooms, but I am not using a lounge based on how a bathroom looks. That one is very low on the totem pole for me.

THE TERRACE:

This is a big advantage of the lounge for me. The Terrace is a spacious area that is rarely busy. It has amazing lighting and you can see the planes take off and come in. I have long enjoyed sitting in the Terrace which has comfortable couches and a range of seating options with charging stations. The furniture was updated roughly a year ago and is a lovely improvement. I like what they have done with this area, boasting even the nose of a Concorde jet! You are always going to find a comfy seat here and in the afternoon they serve a killer tea service.

CONCORDE DINING

One of my favorite parts of the Concorde Room is the Concorde Dining, located in the heart of the Concorde Room. This is a very elegant setting which serves both breakfast and lunch. It is particularly fun if you have many friends with you. We dined at breakfast with friends and unfortunately did not have time to eat our lunch due to time constraints. They do have a great lunch menu and we ordered many of the food items for breakfast. Service is on-point here.

BOTTOM LINE

Everyone seems to want to complain about the British Airways Concorde Room. But I think they should consider visiting an airport lounge in the United States before they continuing ranting about how poor the Concorde Room is. It is quite simply a great lounge with great champagne, great food and service and a fun and relaxing way to chill before a flight. Tell me another lounge in the world that has a vintage Champagne glass designed for it? Having visited this lounge now tens of times, it remains one of the world’s great airport lounges in summer 2025.

Ink Grade

Launched in 2021, Ink Grade pays homage to Theron Ink, a Napa Valley pioneer who established a ranch on the remote eastern side of Howell Mountain in 1875. The seclusion and wildness of the Howell Mountain landscape became a place of retreat and respite for the Ink family. The vineyard spoke to Theron — set on volcanic soils and a scenic, mountain location.

The Ink Grade Estate Vineyard lies in the north-east corner of the Howell Mountain AVA in Napa Valley. At an elevation of about 1,500 feet, the estate vineyards boast beautiful views of forested pines and sequoia. The brand was founded by Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, Jr. and the Lawrence family to add to their already impressive portfolio.

The new wines were really good from the challenging 2022 vintage — one that saw severe heat spikes at harvest. These wines were obviously picked on the earlier side, showing seriously good freshness but also good mid-palate depth and power. I love the 2022 Ink Grade ‘Third Circle’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which has amazing soil and stony character throughout the drinking experience. Learn more at https://inkgrade.com/ and here are the beautiful new wines by Ink Grade.

2023 Ink Grade ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc- The really good 2023 Ink Grade ‘Napa Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc offers hay and honeydew melon notes on the nose alongside suggestions of papaya. The palate is rich and unctuous with a smooth mouthfeel and great sense of tension and weight. Enjoy this beautiful bottling now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2022 Ink Grade ‘Lost Clouds’ Merlot- The 2022 ‘Lost Clouds’ Merlot come from the very top of the ranch and is the highest elevation Merlot in Napa Valley. This shows off beautiful red florals on the nose alongside Hoisin sauce and shades of dark currants with milk chocolate. The palate is soft and fresh with great texture and good length. The volcanic character in the wine is really outstanding. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2022 Ink Grade ‘Third Circle’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from Howell Mountain, the ‘Third Circle’ comes from this east to north facing slope with vines set on gravelly loam and volcanic ash. The nose is wonderfully stony with red florals that combine with huckleberry and mountain blackberry notes. The palate is both fresh and viscous with great energy and flavor density. Drinking marvelously right now with some great stony character, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 Ink Grade ‘Prophet’s Water’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Ink Grade ‘Prophet’s Water’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a red, gravelly loam hillside on Howell Mountain. This is very fresh and mineral-laden on the palate, with medium bodied red and dark fruits that parade with rocky soils, copious minerals and shades of wintergreen on the palate. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Ink Grade ‘Buddha’s Belly’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The really good 2022 Ink Grade ‘Buddha’s Belly’ Cabernet Sauvignon is marvelously stony and salty on the mouth — loaded with nuance. Baking spices and thyme combine with crushed wet rock, anise seed, tobacco and shades of dark currants alongside yellow bell pepper on the palate. Round and soft on the mouth, with a refined texture, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Open Claim

Today we share the brilliant wines of Open Claim, founded back in 2014 by Marnie and Brett Wall. Open Claim is a large and in-charge style of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that have serious weight and nuance. 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. I love what he accomplished with the tougher 2022 vintage. Check out the 2022 Open Claim ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is generous and bold from this slightly cooler year.  Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.openclaimvineyards.com/ Here are the brilliant 2022 wines by Open Claim.

2022 Open Claim Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a dense, heady and delicious bottling that is built to age. Right away on the nose this impressed with lush red fruits that parade with salty soils, wet rock and shades of wild mushroom. The palate is dense and fresh, showing off the minerality achieved from this vintage.  Great now, enjoy over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Open Claim ‘Fauna’s Wood’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Fauna’s Wood’ is a gorgeous wine that has fantastic finesse and weight from this cooler vintage. Once on the nose this takes on crushed wet volcanic rock with peat moss and tart dark fruits. The palate is fresh and broad-shouldered, with serious underlying verve and salty/stony character. A joy to consume now, enjoy this beauty over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Domaine Drouhin

We present one of Oregon’s historic wineries today, set in the Dundee Hills. Domaine Drouhin Oregon began in in the 1980s, and was founded by eminent Burgundy producer, Domaine Drouhin. Robert Drouhin made the bold move to buy land at the top of the Dundee Hills. What was previously only Christmas trees and wheat, the Drouhin family began planting their first vineyards in Oregon. Robert’s daughter, Véronique, has served as DDO winemaker for many years, and her brother Philippe Drouhin took responsibility for viticulture. In 1988, DDO produced its first vintage, from purchased grapes, and in 1989 built the landmark, four-story gravity flow winery. A few weeks back I had another amazing visit to this historic site. They continue to produce some of the most consistently great wines in Oregon.

New releases are from the standout 2023 vintage. This was one that was consistently warm, with few excessively hot days. I am once again enamored by the 2023 Domaine Drouhin Oregon ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is a joy to consume now in its very primary youth. Learn more about this iconic Oregon winery  at http://www.domainedrouhin.com/ Here are the awesome new releases from Domaine Drouhin Oregon. 

2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay- Nearly all barrel fermented (20% new), the 2023 ‘Arthur’ offers honeysuckle and white peach on the nose alongside shades of pastry crust. The palate is round with a smooth texture and bright minerality. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay is a stunning wine that was stored in roughly 33% new French oak before bottling. Bright white florals mark the nose alongside pineapple and shades of backing spice laced brioche. The palate is super seamless with serious texture and a weightless mouthfeel. Glorious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 97

2023 RoseRock Chardonnay- The 2023 RoseRock Chardonnay is soft and inviting on the mouth, loaded with bright orchard fruits and lemon rind alongside sourdough bread on the palate. Filled with tension, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2023 RoseRock ‘Maigold’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Maigold’ is a rich and dense bottling that was stored in mainly netural French oak before bottlling. Mayer lemon zest alongside marzipan and toasted hazelnut combine with shades of white peach on the palate. This is dense and rich stuff that is already nicely defined. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Dundee Hills’ is entirely sourced from the estate vineyard. The wine was stored in roughly 25% new French oak and was not whole cluster fermented. Tart red fruits combine with shades of rocky soils and shades of bergamot on the nose. The palate has refined tannins with good flavor density. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Origine 36’ Pinot Noir- This is now the third release of the ‘Origine 36’ which was originally a tribute to the 36th vintage at Domaine Drouhin Oregon. This is refined and juicy stuff offering bright strawberry and pomegranate seed alongside Mandarin orange rind on the palate. Chewy and dense with a great sense of texture, this is brimming with bright red fruits and drinking nicely now. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir- A world-class bottling, the 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir is a block selection wine that was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. This wine was first crafted back in 1992. This is very seamless throughout the drinking experience. Blood orange zest combines with Bing cherry, black raspberry and stony essence. Complex and delicious, this has some seriously good aging potential. Drink 2025-2043- 96

2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir- The world-class 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir is a heady and intense edition of this wine,  The wine was stored in roughly 25% new French oak and given a small amount of whole cluster fermentation. White truffle shavings mingle well with Satsuma orange rind, red currants and tobacco leaf notes all combine on the nose. The palate is lush and soft with a refined mouthfeel and loads of salty nuance. Drink 2025-2045- 97

2023 RoseRock Pinot Noir- The 2023 RoseRock Pinot Noir offers red rose petals and potpourri on the nose alongside freshly tilled salty soils and orange rind. The palate is fresh and juicy, loaded with bright cherry,  strawberry and guava fruits. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 RoseRock ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir was aged 15 months in mainly neutral French oak before bottlng. The palate is concentrated and intense with a voluptuous texture and great stony character. Driven by heady red fruits, this has plenty of lip-smacking acidity and great wet stone accents. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Louise’ Pinot Noir- The stunning new 2023 ‘Louise’ Pinot Noir was given partial whole cluster fermentation and was stored in mainly natural oak before bottling. Beautiful red florals mark the nose alongside kumquat rind and crushed wet stone. The palate is dense and generous on the tongue with a sensational texture. This is just a baby and has decades of life in front of it. Drink 2025-2045- 97

Eden Rift

Today we share the wines from Eden Rift. This location is 20 miles from the Monterey Bay, and is the oldest continually producing vineyard in California. Planted in 1849 by Theophile Vache, the 120-acre estate rests on the San Andreas Faultline and is part of the Cienega Valley AVA. The winery is located just two miles from famed Pinot Noir producer Calera, whose founder Josh Jensen sought out the limestone and dolomite-rich soils. Before Josh, early vintners procured some of the first Pinot Noir planting in California at Eden Rift beginning in 1860. Post prohibition, the focus on Pinot Noir & Chardonnay was lost until Christian Pillsbury acquired the estate in 2016. Christian assembled a team of young industry professionals starting with winemaker Cory Waller.

The new wines were very good. I really like the salinity and texture in the 2022 Eden Rift Chardonnay (OB, 93). Learn more at edenrift.com and here are my reviews of the new Eden Rift wines.

2022 Eden Rift ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- The really good 2022 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay comes from this location that is in close proximity to the Monterrey Bay. Toasty oak and diatomaceous earth combine with freshly cut limes and shades of juicy peach on the palate. Viscous and delicious, enjoy now and over the next six plus years to come. Drink 2025-2031-93

2022 Eden Rift ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir offers toasty oak alongside rich red currants, tobacco leaf and suggestions of cola. Rich and layered with a smooth mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2025-2032- 92

Spottswoode

Today we share one of the jewels of the Napa Valley. Spottswoode is a historic property that dates all the way back to 1882. Spottswoode was christened by Mrs. Albert Spotts in 1910 and was later acquired by Mary and Jack Novak in 1972. Mary released Spottswoode’s first Cabernet Sauvignon in 1982, exactly one hundred years after the estate’s founding.

Today Mary’s daughter Beth Novak manages the winery, and daughter Lindy Novak serves as the winery’s Marketing Ambassador. Every year Spottswoode produces an Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and an Estate Sauvignon Blanc in honor of their founder, Mary Novak. Spottswoode also crafts a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon called Lyndenhurst, a dual-appellation Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, and two limited-production wines for club members only (Spottswoode Estate “Mary’s Block” Sauvignon Blanc and Field Book Syrah). Their Lyndenhurst wines are beautiful values.

The winery is set at the western edge of St. Helena at the foot of the Mayacamas mountains, as vines are set on alluvial clay loam while a strong wartime influence runs through Spring Mountain and the Mayacamas range. The estate has forty acres of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, with portions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc which have been organically farmed since 1985.

I love the new 2024 Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 95) which is wonderfully rich and viscous, with serious tension. Learn more about this famed Napa winery at https://www.spottswoode.com Here is my review of the new Spottswoode wine.

2024 Spottswoode ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc- A dazzling rendition of this wine from this cooler year, the 2024 Spottswoode ‘Estate’ Sauvignon Blanc offers plump gooseberry and kiwi notes on the nose with lemongrass and dried green herbal accents. The palate is fresh and lively with bright acidity and a seamless sense of texture. Very mineral-laden, each sip offers lip-smacking minerality and great flavor density. Glorious now, this will evolve well for another eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2022 Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon stands inky in the glass from this hot vintage. Red bell pepper notes mingle well with fresh sage, black currants, pencil lead and shades of mocha on the palate. Medium-bodied and approachable now, enjoy over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 91

Philipponnat

Philipponnat's remarkable history began in 1522 with Apvril le Philipponnat acquiring vines in the Champagne region. Over time the family became both winegrowers and merchants and eventually formed a namesake Champagne House, founded by Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat in 1910. In 1935 the famed Clos des Goisses vineyard was acquired and its use was adopted in a Solera system for non-vintage blends. Philipponnat focuses on high quality Pinot Noir and makes a range of vintage and non-vintage wines.

The new wines I tasted were really good. One of the wines was sent to me and another was bought. I really enjoy the NV Philipponnat 'Reserve Perpetuelle' Brut Champagne (OB, 92) which is rich and bold with a soft mouthfeel. Learn more about this famed house at https://www.philipponnat.com and here are my reviews of the new Philipponnat wines.

NV Philipponnat 'Reserve Perpetuelle' Brut Champagne- The really good NV Philipponnat 'Reserve Perpetuelle' Brut Champagne combines mainly Pinot Noir (67%) with a smaller part Chardonnay and a touch of Pinot Meunier. This is big and round on the mouth, drinking marvelously now with its refined mousse. Marzipan and gingerbread notes combine with hints of brioche and lemon rind on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 92

NV Philipponat 'Royal Rose' Brut Rose Champagne- Disgorged in March 2023, the NV Philipponat 'Royal Rose' Brut Rose Champagne is a beautiful wine, offering bright guava, starfruit and cranberry fruits from mainly Pinot Noir grapes. Delicate and showing good salty nuance, with a soft mousse, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

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

Notaro comes from an Italian family that had wine around the dinner table. He decided to work initially in the industry as a tour guide at Chateau Ste. Michelle. The rest has been history as he formerly was winemaker at Col Solare before taking over as head winemaker at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

This year I have tried a range of vintages, and the 2021 ‘Rancho Chimiles’ (OB, 95) is up there with the best that I have tasted from this house this year. The wine has great nerve and balance. It is not overblown with plenty of fruit but good nuance.  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.

2018 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Rancho Chimiles’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from this location in the Wooden Valley northeast of the town of Napa, the Rancho Chimiles vineyard has a strong impact from the nearby San Pablo Bay. Stored for 20 months in all new French oak, this 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon comes off round and generous with tar and anise notes alongside dark chocolate shavings and sweet pipe tobacco on the palate. Bold and rich, yet showing excellent restraint with its firm tannins and minerality, this is really drinking well right now. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Rancho Chimiles’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from this excellent vintage, the 2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Rancho Chimiles’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers pencil lead and violet rose petals on the nose alongside allspice dusted black currants. The palate has great power and poise with a terrific veil of tension that runs through the core of decadent dark fruits, with chocolate fudge and tobacco leaf accents. Glorious now in its heady youth, enjoy over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Brooks

Today we share all things Willamette Valley Riesling. Brooks producers some of the finest New World Riesling that can rival some of the greats out of Germany. One of the finest producers of Riesling in Oregon, Brooks was founded by Jimi Brooks, a Portland native who came to wine through his passion for history and philosophy. Jimi previously worked in Beaujolais, and eventually returned to Oregon to focus on crafting great Riesling and Pinot Noir. Brooks farms twenty acres in the Eola-Amity Hills, a sub-region of the Willamette Valley characterized by higher altitudes and the ocean winds that blow through the Van Duzer Corridor. Head winemaker Claire Jarreau took over for Chris Williams in 2024. Jarreau has been with Brooks since 2014.  I loved the new wines and they make a truly novel 2019 Brooks ‘Extended Tirage’ Riesling Sparkling Wine (OB, 93) which is rich and viscous with great tension and salty nuances. Check out the new 2023 Brooks ‘Ara’ Riesling (OB, 94) which is one of the great rReslings I have tasted from the Pacific Northwest in the past year. Learn about this fantastic new lineup at https://www.brookswine.com/ Here are the outstanding new wines by Brooks. 

2019 Brooks ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Riesling- Coming rom this slightly cooler vintage, the 2019 ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Riesling is a truly one of a kind wine that could only come from Oregon. Barrel fermented for 54 months before disgorgement, this stands golden in the glass, offering white tea and star jasmine aromatics that combine with ripe pear, honeydew melon and nutty accents. The palate is concentrated and very refined with serious weight and salinity, alongside loads of citrus and melon fruits. This is the real deal and the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted yet. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2024 Brooks ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Blanc- The 2024 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Blanc offers a fleshy texture and smooth sense of mouthfeel, with peaches and nectarines alongside bright pear and nutty accents on the palate. Silky and elegant, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2024 Brooks ‘Amycas’ White Wine- The 2024 ‘Amycas’ is a kitchen sink blend of mainly Riesling and Muscat, as well as Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc. This is fresh and lithe stuff with a gorgeous mouthfeel and loads of citrus and melon fruits. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 Brooks ‘Willamette Valley’ Riesling- A seriously good wine at the entry level, the 2023 ‘Willamette Valley’ Riesling offers baked pear and lychee notes alongside hints of kerosene. Neatly-textured, and made in the Trocken style, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 Brooks ‘Orchard Fold Vineyard’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Orchard Fold Vineyard’ comes off with a kiss of sweetness and is from this site planted back in 2007. Star jasmine water and Japanese pear flavors combine with shades of papaya on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2023 Brooks ‘Hyland Vineyard’ Riesling- Coming from this site planted on Jory soils, the 2023 Brooks ‘Hyland Vineyard’ Riesling is made in the Kabinette to Spatlase style. Dense peaches and juicy kiwi flavors combine with shades of white rose water on the palate.This is seriously good stuff, with loads of body and tension. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Brooks ‘Bois Joli Vineyard’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Bois Joli’ Riesling comes from this location set on Willakenzie soils. Refreshing and neatly-textured, this offers loads of nectarine and pineapple flavors on the palate, with petrol and stony accents. Impossible to put down once opened, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Brooks ‘Lone Star Vineyard’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Lone Star Vineyard’ comes from this location in the Eola-Amity Hills that is set on ancient volcanic soils. Green apple, green papaya and shades of sour mango all combine on the palate, with flinty accents. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 Brooks ‘Royer Vineyard’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Royer Vineyard’ Riesling comes from this acclaimed site in the Eola-Amity Hills, farmed by Mark Royer. Bone-dry and made in the trocken style, this offers green herbs and freshly cut limes on the palate, with wet stone accents with serious underlying freshness. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2023 Brooks ‘Ara’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Ara’ is a halb-trocken style bottling that comes from a range of soil types throughout the Willamette Valley. It is big, round and beautifully-textured stuff that has some serious cellaring potential. White peach and shades of guava parade alongside Meyer lemon zest and sourdough bread accents on the palate. A stunning wine, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Brooks ‘Cahiers’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Cahiers’ is French for Notebooks or Journals in remembrance and honor of Jimi Brooks, who loved to read and write. This is a beautifully-balanced riesling with plenty of verve and texture alongside citrus and orchard fruits. A touch of sweetness combines with copious minerals, creating a mouth-watering effect. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2024 Brooks ‘Willamette Valley’ Rose- The 2024 Brooks ‘Willamette Valley’ Rose is sourced from a range of sites utilizing Pinot Noir grapes. It is soft and very mineral-laden with delicate guava and strawberry fruit flavors alongside kumquat zest. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2024 Brooks ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir delivers a soft mouthfeel with straightforward and juicy red fruits alongside salty soils on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2023 Brooks ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Pinot Noir is a fresh and also nicely dense bottling. Red florals lift the nose alongside Mandarin orange rind and shades of guava puree. The palate is soft and wonderfully salty with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2023 Brooks ‘Temperance Hill’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Temperance Hill’ Pinot Noir comes from this location set on rocky soils. This is loaded with texture and bright red and dark fruits that parade with shades of sea salt dusted blood orange zest on the palate. Viscous and soft on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Brooks ‘Sunny Mountain’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Sunny Mountain’ comes from this location set on Bellpine and Ritner soils, planted in 2005. This is a generous and rich bottling, loaded with bright red fruits alongside citrus zest and stony minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Brooks ‘Crannell’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Crannell’ comes from this location set on Jory and Nekkia soils, farmed by Richard Crannell. This comes off wonderfully stony on the nose with beautiful red rose petals and potpourri notes alongside bright red fruits. The palate mirrors the nose and is also delicate and downright sexy in its core of red fruits. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2023 Brooks ‘Muska’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Muska’ come from this location in the Eola-Amity Hills, set on Gelderman and Jory soils and farmed by Carl Muska. Damp earth and wafts of dark truffle shavings mark the palate alongside peat moss, boysenberry compote and shades of stony minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2023 Brooks ‘Eola Springs’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Eola Springs’ Pinot Noir comes from this location planted back in 2006. This is dense and chewy on the mouth with a smooth mouthfeel. Loaded with bright citrus zest flavors, this combines salty nuances with bright cranberry and guava fruits. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Brooks ‘Janus’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Brooks ‘Janus’ Pinot Noir is a barrel selection wine from several sites in the Willamette Valley. Refined red and dark fruits mark the palate alongside fresh sage, wet rock and shades of damp earth on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Brooks ‘Cahiers’ Pinot Noir- Made in memory of Jimmy Brooks, the 2023 ‘Cahiers’ Pinot Noir is a choice, dense and elegant bottling from this warmer vintage. It comes off wonderfully rocky and salty, with a smooth mouthfeel and loads of texture. Smoldering stones combine with bright loganberry compote and red licorice notes alongside Satsuma orange zest. This is seriously good. Drink 2025-2038 -94

2023 Brooks ‘Rastaban’ Pinot Noir- Coming from the Brooks Estate Vineyard’ the 2023 ‘Rastaban’ offers great flavor density and a silky mouthfeel upon entry. Heady Bing cherry and nectarine flavors mingle well with black raspberry, peat moss and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Showing outstanding flavor range, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Soter

It was truly a pleasure to taste side by side with winemaker Chris Fladwood. Soter was founded by Tony and Michelle Soter more than a decade ago. 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. They are making some of the most elegant and nuanced sparkling wines that you will taste in North America.

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 try to make nuanced wine” said Fladwood. He certainly does, even in more overt vintages such as 2021. These are wines with excellent poise but also good mid-palate depth and concentration. They age exceedingly well.

I was totally enamored by the 2016 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Blanc de Noirs Micha’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 97) which is a tribute to the late Michelle Soter. This wine has so much flavor complexity and is the best Oregon Sparkling Wine I have tasted in the past year. Learn more about this famed Oregon producer at http://sotervineyards.com/ Here are the beautiful new wines by Soter Vineyard

2023 Planet Oregon Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2023 Planet Oregon Rose Sparkling Wine is a bit at only 23 bucks retail. Sourced from a range of organically farmed vineyards, this delivers salted red fruits alongside kumquat rind on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2023 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir- The 2023 Planet Oregon Pinot Noir is a forward and juicy wine with bright Bing cherry and strawberry notes alongside salty soils and light peat moss notes. Drink 2025-2030- 90

MV Soter ‘Estates Brut Reserve 1st edition’ Sparkling Wine- The MV Soter ‘Estates Brut Reserve 1st edition’ Sparkling Wine has some reserve wines from 2011 as well as 2012 and 2013 blended in. This is a big and dense edition of this wine, showing loads of orchard fruits alongside lemon rind and suggestions of pastry crust on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 94

MV Soter ‘Estates Brut Reserve 4th edition’ Sparkling Wine- This has a 202i0 vintage base, as well as reserve wines. This has a silky mousse, offering Meyer lemon rind and suggestions of white peach alongside salty nuances on the palate. Refined and elegant, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2017 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Blanc de Blancs’ Sparking Wine- The 2017 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Blanc de Blancs’ Sparking Wine is rich and layered, showing great kumquat and lemon rind flavors with salty/nutty nuance alongside green apple flavors. Elegant and smooth throughout the drinking experience, this is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2016 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Blanc de Noirs Micha’ Sparkling Wine- A totally dazzling wine that is amongst the finest you will taste in Oregon, the 2016 ‘Micha’ is a tribute wine to Oregon wine pioneer Michelle Soter. A mesmerizing wine, this sat on the less for eight years prior to disgorgement in February 2025. This is weightless and smooth throughout the drinking experience, with serious texture and yeasty character from the less exposure. Toasted walnut combines with orange zest and dense melon fruits. Drink 2025-2038- 97

2021 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Brut Rose- A crazy good new sparkling wine, the 2021 Soter ‘Mineral Springs’ Brut Rose is lush and rich on the mouth with a silky mousse. This is loaded with minerality, yet is silky on the mid-palate. Mandarin orange zest and shades of cranberry with Yakima cherry all combine on the palate. Very complex and delicious, with a bright sense of tension and salinity, this is a marvelous effort that has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2038- 95

2019 Soter ‘Estates’ Chardonnay- The brilliant 2019 Soter ‘Estates’ Chardonnay is a stunning wine that is showing brilliantly right now. Rich melon and citrus fruits combine with sourdough bread and suggestions of toasted hazelnut on the palate. Dense and rich with serous tension, this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Soter ‘Estates’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Estates’ has fruit from both the X Novo and Mineral Springs Ranch blended in. The reduction from the X Novo is really showing brilliantly right now. Crushed wet rock and rich melon fruits combine with shades of lemon rind on the nose. The palate is lush and rich on the tongue, with serious texture and underling tension. The wine has gobs of mouth-watering acidity and has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2021 Soter ‘Mineral Springs White Label’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Soter ‘Mineral Springs White Label’ Chardonnay is a rich and beautifully-textured wine that has a long life ahead of it. Key lime and salted nectarine flavors combine with nutty nuances on the palate. Very nuanced and geeky, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2018 Soter ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir- A library selection, the 2018 ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir is salty and savory — still quite primary in its evolution. Bright guava and raspberry notes combine with shades of salty soils and damp earth on the palate. Beautifully-textured, with plenty of tension and weight, this is in a great spot right now. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Soter ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from their three estate vineyards, the 2023 ‘Estates’ Pinot Noir opens with great red florals on the nose alongside kumquat zest and shades of cardamom. The palate is dense and lush with a silky mouthfeel and plenty of verve. This is going to age gracefully for decades. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Soter ‘Tarren’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2023 Soter ‘Tarren’ Pinot Noir comes from vines set on rocky Nekkia soils. This has marvelous non-fruit character wth crushed wet rock alongside wild blackberry and boysenberry notes. Beautifully-textured and stony, with loads of nuance and salinity, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2015 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir- A joy to consume now, the 2015 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir shows gorgeous red and dark florals on the nose. The flavor density is outstanding, as this is loaded with dense red and dark fruits alongside a bright sense of salinity and tension. Still quite primary despite its age, this has at least another decade in front of it. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Soter ‘Mineral Springs Ranch’ Pinot Noir is a lush, generous and also very nervy wine that has a long way to go in the cellar. On the nose this takes on gorgeous red florals that combines with orange zest, scorched earth and shades of bergamot. The palate is dense and refined as this glides throughout the drinking experience. A gorgeous wine from a great vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 96

Liberty Lake

One of the boutique wineries from Red Mountain, Liberty Lake has been producing some excellent wines since 2007. Mark and Sarah Lathrop took over the operation in January 2016 with the intent of focusing on full-bodied red wines. They did a really good job in the highly challenging 2020 vintage.

The owners met back in 2005 at Eastern Washington University’s MBA program and they both found a love of wine together. The new wines were very consistent. I really enjoy the 2022 Liberty Lake Cellars Petit Verdot (OB, 91) which has some really nice flavor density and weight. Learn more about this exciting winery at http://www.libertylakewinecellars.com Here are the new wines by Liberty Lake.

2024 Tahija Chardonnay-  Coming from Red Mountain, this 2024 Chardonnay offers sweet peach and buttercream notes, missing some mid-palate depth. Drink 2025-2029- 89

2023 Liberty Lake Gewurtztraminer- This 2023 Gewurtz is leaner, mineral-laden stuff with peach and pear notes. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2028- 88

2022 Tahija Sangiovese- Sourced from Candy Mountain Vineyard, this 2022 Sangiovese offers light juicy red fruits that mingle well with refined tannins and damp earth tones on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2024-2029- 89

2022 Liberty Lake Merlot- The 2022 Liberty Lake Merlot was sourced from Red Mountain and stored in 50% French-American hybrid barrels before bottling. It comes off soft and appealing on the mouth with a smooth texture. Medium bodied red fruits mingle with fresh sage and chocolate on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2022 Liberty Lake Tempranillo- Also coming from Red Mountain (Red Haven Vineyard) this 2022 Tempranillo delivers dusty soils on the palate with good earthy notes alongside red currants and shades of cassis. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2022 Liberty Lake Zinfandel- The 2022 Zinfandel comes from the Red Haven Vineyard on Red Mountain. Lighter bodied red fruits mingle well with herbal accents on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 89

2022 Liberty Lake Carmenere- The 2022 Carmenere comes from the acclaimed Heart of the Hill Vineyard, managed by Kiona. Dusty tannins mingle well with green herbs, black currants and shades of blackberry compote on the palate. This is delicious stuff that will impress over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 91

2022 Liberty Lake Cabernet Franc- The 2022 Liberty Lake Cabernet Franc offers red bell pepper alongside medium bodied red fruits and dusty soils on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2022 Liberty Lake Petit Verdot- A unique bottling and inky in the glass, this 2022 Petit Verdot delivers good concentration with pencil lead and anise notes alongside dark chocolate shavings and blackberry compote on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 91

2022 Liberty Lake Malbec- The 2022 Malbec comes off juicy with bright acidity on the mouth. Black and blue fruits combine with suggestions of chocolate pie on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Liberty Lake ‘Heritage’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Heritage’ is soft and approachable on the mouth. Medium bodied red and dark fruits parade with chocolate and sagebrush accents on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Liberty Lake ‘Reserve’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Reserve’ Syrah has nice smoky accents on the nose with sage and dark fruits. The palate is forward and approachable with black fruits and a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2022 Liberty Lake ‘Reserve’ Touriga Nacional- A unique wine from Red Mountain, the 2022 Liberty Lake ‘Reserve’ Touriga Nacional was stored in mainly new American-French hybrid barrels before bottling. This is soft and approachable on the mouth, brimming with juicy red and dark fruits on the palate alongside chocolate and green herbs. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Liberty Lake ‘Path of the Gods Reserve’ Red Wine- Coming from the Yakima Valley, the 2022 Liberty Lake ‘Path of the Gods Reserve’ Red Wine offers tobacco leaf with dark currents and shades of milk chocolate on the nose. This comes off a touch lean and angular with lighter black fruits. Drink 2025-2030- 89

2022 Liberty Lake ‘Somm Select Reserve’ Red Wine- Sourced from Red Mountain, the 2022 Liberty Lake ‘Somm Select Reserve’ Red Wine is soft on the mouth. Milk chocolate, sagebrush and dark cherry notes combine with shades of scorched earth on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next six plus years. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 Liberty Lake ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Liberty Lake ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes off approachable on the tongue with good freshness. Red and dark fruits collide with dusty tannins and a chocolate edge on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2031- 91

Lingua Franca

It was such a great time catching up in person a few days ago with Lingua Franca winemaker Thomas Savre.“2023 was a great vintage” said Savre. “It reminds me of 2019, I think the flavor profile and concentration as well as the pure acidity in the wine.” Lingua Franca is located in the Eola-Amity Hills which produces really hot days and cold nights. “What is very interesting is the shift of temperature because of the cold wind that comes from the ocean” said Savre. “Tonight is going to be 50, and it is almost 100 during the day. That has a huge impact in the acidity in the wines.”

Lingua Franca has long been one of the outstanding producers of Oregon wine. Founded by Larry Stone and David Honig, Lingua Franca crafts their wines from a highly acclaimed estate vineyard as well as a few choice sites in the Willamette Valley. This is one of the finest producers of Chardonnay on the West Coast and they have recently gotten their wine into the United Airlines First Class Cabin as well as the United Polaris Lounge. I think the 2023 wines have massive potential and they are also drinking beautifully now.

Check out the gorgeous 2023 Lingua Franca ‘Avni’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is such a steal at less than 40 bucks USD. Even better is the stunning 2023 Lingua Franca ‘Inspiras’ Chardonnay (OB, 97)  which is one of the great white wines from the Pacific Northwest that I have tasted this year. Learn more about Lingua Franca at https://www.linguafranca.wine Here are the beautiful new releases by Lingua Franca.

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Avni’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Avni’ comes from a range of vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA as well as the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Flinty tones alongside peaches and shades of lime zest on the nose. The palate is rich and layered with serious tension and a smooth texture. Drinking beautifully right now, watch this evolve over the next eight to ten years to come. Over ten thousand cases made! Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Lingua Franca ‘Estate’ Chardonnay comes from this location in the Eola-Amity Hills, set on Jory and Gelderman soils and planted back in 2012. West stone mark the nose alongside juicy nectarine, starfruit and shades of pineapple. The palate is super seamless with a silky mouthfeel and incredible sense of elegance and finesse. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Bunker Hill’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Bunker Hill’ comes from this site in south Salem that was planted in 1995. Serious reduction marks the nose alongside gunmetal and white florals alongside poached pear and pastry crust. The palate is dense and nervy with a waxy texture and a bright sense of minerality. Gorgeous now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Sisters’ Chardonnay- A barrel-selection wine, the 2023 ‘Sisters’ is named after Larry Stone’s sisters who were separated during a war. Beautiful reduction and white rose petals combine on the nose. The palate is silky and refined with serious weight and underlying finesse. Powerful citrus and lemon fruits combine with sea salt dusted French bread on the palate. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Inspiras’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Inspiras’ comes from one barrel of Bunker Hill and from their Lingua Franca Estate. This is dense, unctuous and very textural stuff with incredible weight and length. A stunning wine, offering pie crust and baking spices laced with mango and shades of white peach on the palate. This is amongst the finest you will taste on the West Coast. Drink 2025-2042- 97

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Avni’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Avni’ Pinot Noir comes from roughly 20 different sites throughout the Willamette Valley. This saw a small amount of whole cluster feermentation. Orange zest combines with salted cranberry and shades of volcanic soils on the nose. The palate is round and big on the mouth with serious texture and reminded tannins. Generous and round, enjoy this outstanding bottling over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir comes from this site set on both Jory and Gelderman soils. Crushed wet rock and tart red fruits mark the nose alongside Satsuma orange zest. The palate is lush and round on the mouth with serious texture and great stony/salty nuances. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Lingua Franca ‘The Plow’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Lingua Franca ‘The Plow’ Pinot Noir is all 777 clonal selection from the top of the estate vineyard. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth mouthfeel. Rich red fruits combine with stony essence and shades of kumquat rind on the palate. Ripe and fat on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Lingua Franca ‘La Belle’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Lingua Franca ‘La Belle’ Pinot Noir comes from the a parcel in the estate vineyard. Delicate red florals mark the nose alongside pretty strawberry and guava fruits. The palate is stony and salty with serious texture and a refined mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Petit Geant’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Lingua Franca ‘Petit Geant’ Pinot Noir is made in a bigger style. Dense red and dark fruits parade with stony accents and shades of black truffle shaving son the palate. Seriously heady with fabulous volume and salty nuances, enjoy over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Mimi’s Mind’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Mimi’s Mind’ is a stunning new edition of this wine that comes from the Lingua Franca Estate vineyard. The tension of this wine is stunning, as this has serious power and concentration, loaded with red and dark fruit flavors with gorgeous red florals. Complex and very nervy, with damp earthy accents, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2042- 96

2023 Lingua Franca ‘Novo Vino’ Pinot Noir- A stunning new edition of this wine, the 2023 ‘Novo Vino’ is a barrel selection wine coming from the Lingua Franca estate vineyard. The reduction and aromatic complexity from the whole cluster fermentation, this wine utilizes clone 943 that was stored in 50% new French oak before bottling. This is powerful, very seamless stuff that is built to age. Drink 2025-2042- 97

J. Bookwalter

A great house in Washington wine, the Bookwalter family spans ten generations in American agriculture. Jerry Bookwalter, generation nine and father of current company president John Bookwalter, decided to venture into viticulture. A UC-Davis grad, Jerry spent 13 years farming in California’s San Joaquin Valley before moving his family in 1976 to the Tri-Cities in Washington State. From 1976 through 1982, Jerry helped manage the plantings of three famed Washington vineyards – Sagemoor, Bacchus and Dionysus. He eventually became vineyard manager of the Conner Lee Vineyard and in 1982, he started J. Bookwalter Winery. John Bookwalter had a 10-year sales and marketing career with E&J Gallo, Winterbrook Beverage Group and Coors Brewing Co before returning to Richland in 1997 to focus on his family winery.

Winemaker Cameron Parry serves s director of winemaking and viticulture who has been formerly with Corliss and also was director of winemaking at famed Napa house Groth for many years. Prior to that he was winemaker at Chateau Montelena. Parry has been spending a lot of his time in the vineyards. Check out the glorious 2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Chapter 13’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is dense and delicious stuff from the esteemed Connor Lee Vineyard. Learn more about this historic Washington winery at https://www.bookwalterwines.com Here are my reviews of the beautiful new J. Bookwalter wines. 

2023 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Sauvignon Blanc- Stored in stainless steel, and sourced from the Yakima Valley, the 2023 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Sauvignon Blanc offers honeysuckle and kiwi notes alongside freshly cut limes on the nose. The texture is really nice as is the freshness as this saw some extended less stirring. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2024 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Riesling- Made in the Kabinette style, this 2024 Riesling saw 17G/L. Coming from a range of sites in the Yakima Valley and Horse Heaven Hills, this delivers serious texture with honeysuckle water and kiwi alongside bright peach on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2024 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Chardonnay- The 2024 ‘Readers’ Chardonnay has a touch of Viognier blended in and comes nearly all from the Gamache Vineyard. This is also nicely textured stuff with kiwi and pear notes alongside pastry crust on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Merlot- The 2022 ‘Readers’ Merlot has 10% Malbec and 5% Syrah blended in. Mainly stored in neutral oak barrels, this delivers black plum and a dusting of cocoa powder on the nose alongside blackberry compote. The palate is neatly structured, with good weight and balance. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Red Wine- The 2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Red Wine is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (68%) with 13% Syrah, 10% Malbec and the remainder Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This is soft and approachable wine that mainly comes from the 2021 vintage. Juicy black fruits and chocolate meld together with dried herbs on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Syrah- The 2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Syrah offers white peppercorns and shades of fresh sage alongside Black Forest cake on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with good richness. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Readers’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Readers’ Cabernet Sauvignon has a large amount of Syrah blended in. This is chewy and delicious stuff with black currants alongside tar and tobacco leaf on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2024 J. Bookwalter ‘Double Plot’ Chardonnay- Bottled in May 2025, the 2025 ‘Double Plot’ comes from the Connor Lee Vineyard. Stored in 21% new French oak this delivers cantaloupe and pie crust on the nose alongside shades of butterscotch and suggestions of white peach. The palate is big, round and generous with bright acidity and a smooth texture. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Foreshadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Foreshadow’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers black tea and Middle Eastern spice on the nose alongside heady dark fruits. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Conflict’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Conflict’ is a Merlot-dominant wine (67%) with the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and a splash of Malbec. Cocoa powder and garrigue notes mark the nose alongside espresso bean and shades of blackberry pie. The palate is silky and refined with good elegance, structure and richness. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 J. Bookwalter ‘Suspense’ Cabernet Franc- The 2023 J. Bookwalter ‘Suspense’ Cabernet Franc comes from this warmer vintage, as the wine has 17% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in.  Mainly coming from the Connor Lee Vineyard, this is fresh and rich stuff with lovely herbal notes on the nose alongside tar and black currants. Gorgeous now, with a savory edge, watch this evolve over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2023 J. Bookwalter ‘Antagonist’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Antagonist’ nearly all comes from the Connor Lee Vineyard. Very juicy and earthy, this has dark raspberry notes alongside dried herbs, orange peel and shades of bulls blood on the palate. Savory and rich, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Volume Twelve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from the Dionysus Vineyards in the White Bluffs AVA, this 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a barrel selection wine that spent 20 months in mainly new French oak before bottling. This is seamless, elegant and stunning wine that is a joy to drink right now. Dense dark fruits mingle well with chocolate pie, fresh sage and dusty earth on the palate. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2022 J. Bookwalter ‘Chapter 13’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from the Connor Lee Vineyard, the 2022 ‘Chapter 13’ has a little bit of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blended in. This is silky and refined stuff that is drinking marvelously now. Dense fig and cassis notes combine with savory herbs and chocolate on the palate. A stunning wine, this has a ton of stuffing and freshness to cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Domaine Serene 2012 Retrospective

Sitting across from winemaker Carl Formaker, we stared at our tasing — a really novel comparison between wines of 2012 and 2022. “2012 was a banner year, my second favorite vintage to 2005” said Formaker.  “It was like a second calling of 2005 and I can see it, it has the power and intensity of fruit without being overripe and pruny. Also this growing season reminds me much of what I see in 2025. Drier in the spring, not much rain this year but we had a warm flower and fruit set and that caused the berries to be smaller.”

Formaker said “I am looking at these clusters and we have all these small berries and big berries and we have a chance to have a very special vintage.” Good things to come based on what he is experiencing in the vineyard.

It was interesting revisiting wines from 2022 which is the current release for Domaine Serene. ‘22 was cool and needed no rain or no freeze in October in order for the grapes to reach phenolic ripeness. “They got a really warm October and got ripeness where they wanted. I think that the wines have a lush tenure and silkiness. Fruit is not desiccated or overripe. This was my first time blending and bottling here, learning about the vineyards and trying to capture that freshness” said Formaker.

The wines from 2012 really shined. I love the 2012 ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 98) which is a total masterclass from this vintage and is really only now starting to come into its own. As far as the new wines go, I love where the 2022 ‘Triple S Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) is showing right now. This is dense and chewy stuff that is downright delicious to enjoy now. Don’t be afraid to crack this beauty open. Learn more at domaineserene.com and here are my reviews from an unforgettable 2012 Retrospective tasting with Domaine Serene winemaker Carl Formaker.

2012 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S’ Pinot Noir- The 2012 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S’ Pinot Noir was stored for 11 months in 66% new French oak before bottling.  This site sits near the Grace Vineyard. The tertiary notes are rocking here with black truffle shavings and shades of peat moss that combine with wild blackberry. This is soft and seamless to enjoy right now, with great concentration and underlying finesse, with rocky nuances. This will easily cellar for another ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2022 Domaine Serene ‘Triple S Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Triple S Vineyard’ comes from this location owned by Sue and Steve Schneider that is set on a southern aspect, planted to Pommard and Dijon clonal selection Pinot Noir. Rocky aromatics fill the glass alongside beautiful red florals, citrus rind, tobacco and shades of Middle Eastern spices. The palate is deep and rich as this has a gorgeous core of red fruits that greet you alongside Satsuma orange zest and cardamom dusted pie crust on the palate. Full-bodied and very delicious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2012 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns’ Pinot Noir- Planted in 2000, the ‘Two Barns’ is a 35 acres planted to Pinot Noir on both marine sedimentary and Jory soils. The site was purchased by the Evenstads in the late 2000s. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside red currants and shades of menthol on the nose. The palate is dense and deep with remarkable concentration and underlying tension and salty nuance. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Domaine Serene ‘Two Barns’ Pinot Noir come from this location set on both volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. The palate is deep and polished with a refined mouthfeel and loads of texture. A glorious melange of red and dark fruits mingle well with freshly tilled soils on the palate. This has a long life in front of it. Drink 2025-2040- 96

2012 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2012 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a glorious showing now at the thirteen year mark. Red rose petals and tobacco leaf mark the nose alongside stony soils and shades of red licorice on the nose. The palate is utterly seamless throughout the drinking experience, with a massive amount of tension and flavor density. Drink 2025-2040- 98

2022 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The sensational 2022 Domaine Serene ‘Grace Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a total stunner that has a long life ahead of it. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside Satsuma orange zest, wet rock and a dusting of white pepper. The palate is dense and seamless, with concentrated red and dark fruits. This is a total stunner that is only slowly coming into its own. Give this at least another year or two in the cellar. Drink 2027-2050- 98

2012 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir- A bolder side of 2012, the 2012 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir comes from what is probably the warmest part of the estate vineyard. On the nose this takes on gorgeous red florals that combines with suggestions of Cuban cigar, tar, anise seed and suggestions of freshly tilled salty soils. This is silky, elegant and has absolutely sensational flavor density. Drink 2025-2033- 97

2022 Domaine Serene ‘Cote Sud’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Cote Sud’ is a rich and polished new Pinot Noir that was stored for 15 months in 55% new French oak before bottling. This is a heady edition of this wine from a slightly cooler vintage. The palate is dense and plush with refined tannins and a great sense of elegance. A generous core of volcanic soil dusted red fruits greet you alongside black raspberry, and hints of menthol on the palate. Drink 2025-2042- 96

Massalto

Today we share one of the bigger styles of winemaking that you will see in the Pacific Northwest, led by Chilean born winemaker Matias Kusulas. Michael Ruhland, and winemaker Kusulas have founded this project that is now has been running for several years. The first wines were not as good as what is currently released — these have improved considerably since the winery’s inception.

Matias sources from some top sites in the Royal Slope AVA, including the Thunderstone and Stoneridge Vineyards. The wines have big, bold flavors and loads of texture — yet maintain good underlying freshness.

I love the new 2021 ‘Facade’ White Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a stunning wine with loads of flavor range made from Pinot Noir grapes. Learn more about these beautiful new wines at massalto.com and here are my reviews of the new Massalto wines.

2021 Massalto ‘Sauvalanche’ White Wine- The 2021 Massalto ‘Sauvalanche’ White Wine is a decadent combination of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. Mango, passion fruit and creme brûlée notes combine with shades of juicy starfruit and baking spices on the nose. The palate is dense and layered with great sweetness and underlying finesse, with salty nuances. This is delicious. Drink 2025-2031- 94

2021 Massalto ‘Irreverant’ Viognier- 100% Viognier, the 2021 ‘Irreverant’ shows rich melon and tropical fruits on the nose alongside pie crust and cardamom. The palate is heady and rich with terrific mouthfeel and underlying tension. This is just a joy to drink right now. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2021 Masalto ‘Facade’ White Pinot Noir- Coming from the Solaksen Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA, this spent 22 months in 30% new French oak before bottling. Salted peach, pie crust, kumquat zest and Yakima cherry flavors mingle well with nutty and stony accents on the palate. Dense and rich with an unctuous texture, this is absolutely stunning that has both the weight and finesse to cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2021 Masalto ‘Interstellar’ Mourvedre- This 2021 Mourvèdre comes from the Thunderstone Vineyard and saw all whole cluster fermentation. This was carbonic macerated, offering orange peel and red currants alongside wild strawberry notes on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 92

2021 Massalto ‘System Instability’ Tempranillo- The 2021 Massalto ‘System Instability’ Tempranillo comes from the Stoneridge Vineyard in the Royal Slope AVA. This is rich, dark and layered with hoisin sauce, oyster mushrooms and shades of blackberry compote and black olives alongside smoked meats on the palate. A gorgeous wine that is showing brilliantly right now, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 94

2021 Massalto ‘Artisan’ Malbec- The 2021 ‘Artisan’ comes from the Royal Slope AVA and was stored in neutral oak barrels before bottling. Inky in the glass, this delivers juicy purple flowers and chocolate on the power with graphite, tar and cuban cigar. Dense and rich with good finesse, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 94

2021 Masalto ‘The Point of No Return’ Grenache- The 2021 ‘The Point of No Return’ was stored for 22 months in 30% new French oak and comes from the Thunderstone Vineyard. This is gorgeous and pleasurable wine with a terrific combination of red and dark fruits that mingle well with baking spices and Satsuma orange zest. This is just drinking brilliantly right now. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2021 Masalto ‘Side Effect’ Syrah- The 2021 ‘Side Effect’ Syrah is a dense, decadent and layered effort that is showing brilliantly right now. Black Forest cake mingles well with orange peel, sweet pipe tobacco and shades of blackberry compote on the palate. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94