Hors Categorie

Hors Catégorie

Today we share one of the Pacific Northwest’s most coveted wines. Translated to ‘beyond categorization’ Hors Catégorie is an ultra-pure expression of terroir in a bottle. Sourced from a very hilly, 2-acre vineyard hidden in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the Hors Catégorie Vineyard is a sight to be seen. It is one of the most scenic vineyards you will find in North America. The vineyard has incredibly tight spacing and Syrah clusters are cropped at less than a ton an acre. Fractured basalt lines the entire property. From the top of the hill you can even hear the river churning. It is one of the most unique spots I have ever visited.

2023 was a warm, generally easy-going vintage. There were few major heat spikes for this vintage that had a smaller crop load and incredibly high quality grapes.

The 2023 Hors Categorie Syrah (OB, 100) is a perfect wine that beautifully captures the warmth of the vintage. Learn more about this stunning, one of a kind Syrah at https://horscategorievineyards.com/horscategorievineyards/ Here is the new review for the incredible 2023 Hors Catégorie Syrah. 

2023 Hors Catégorie Syrah- A stunning edition of this wine and very different to the ’22 — more reminiscent to the ’21, the  2023 Hors Categorie Syrah is a total masterclass by vigneron Christophe Baron. It is seamless throughout the drinking experience with a fabulous stony profile. Loads of salty tension and mouth-watering acidity fill the palate. Menthol and Hoisin sauce combine with wintergreen, and smoked brisket notes on the palate. Gorgeous to consume now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 100

Cayuse 'Impulsivo' Tempranillo

A truly unique wine in North America, the Cayuse ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo comes from the En Chamberlin Vineyard, set on ancient cobblestones near the town of Milton-Freewater. This 8.5 acre location was planted all the way back in 2000. The site is planted to Bordeaux varietals, Syrah and Tempranillo.

Christophe Baron has always loved to have Tempranillo with steaks. He feels that it has the richness and stuffing to hold up to heavier meats and I would completely agree. The Cayuse ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo is always aged in slightly more new French oak than most of his other wines. In warmer years like the ’23, as well as the ’21 vintage, the wine can be heady, intense and powerful. This is a must-taste wine for any lover of Pacific Northwest wines. Here is my review of the stunning 2023 Cayuse ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo.

2023 Cayuse ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo- The 2023 Cayuse ‘Impulsivo’ Tempranillo stands inky in the glass, this opens with black rose petals, Umami and bacon fat notes that collide with dark currants and cardamom dusted roasted figs. The plush oak and inviting texture is simply magical. Heady dark fruits combine with soy sauce, dates, and cloves on the palate, with iodine and wet rock accents. A joy to consume now, this will hold up to anything of its kind that you will find in North America. Drink 2026-2039- 99

Hamilton Russell Oregon

Olive Hamilton Russell is the founder, owner and now winemaker of Hamilton Russell Oregon, a small producer of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. For years Olive had deep involvement in the production and marketing of famed producer Hamilton Russell out of South Africa.

Olive is based in the Willamette Valley and is responsible for every aspect of the business - vineyard partnerships to winemaking, management to marketing. Hamilton Russell Oregon has secured long-term relationships with LIVE Certified growers across the Valley.

The new wines were seriously good. I love the new Pinot Noir, her new 2023 (OB, 94) comes from the famed Zena Crown vineyard an is a total stunner, with outstanding flavor density. Learn more at https://www.vineyardbrands.com/producer.aspx?id=147 and here is my reviews of the outstanding new 2023 Olive Hamilton Russell wines.

2023 Olive Hamilton Russell Chardonnay- The really good 2023 Olive Hamilton Russell Chardonnay offers Key lime and kumquat zest on the palate, laden with stony minerals and green melon notes. Neatly-textured, with good length, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2023 Olive Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir- sourced from the famed Zena Crown Vineyard, this outstanding 2023 Pinot noir opens with a bouquet of freshly picked red raspberry and lavender notes alongside rocky soils. The palate is concentrated, with a glorious ménage of red and dark fruits alongside bergamot and orange zest accents. Drink 2026-2035- 94

Benza

Today we share one of the newer wine brands out of the Willamette Valley. Benza is a 25 year old hilltop estate in the Laurelwood District AVA of the Willamette Valley. They produce estate Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Rose of Pinot Noir and traditional method sparkling brut. Located 35 minutes from Portland, they are now making a wine from the Walla Walla Rocks District as well that is fantastic.

Set in the new Laurelwood District, the estate vineyard is set on deep Laurelwood soils on top of volcanic Jory soil. I loved the new 2023 Benza ‘Rocks District of Milton-Freewater’ Syrah (OB, 93) which has very refined Rocks character with Umami tones. Learn more at https://www.benza.com/ and here are my reviews of the new wines by Benza.

2022 Benza ‘Brut Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- Sourced from the Benza Estate Vineyard, this 2022 ‘Brut Cuvee’ offers white peach and juicy Japanese pear notes alongside wet rocks and rich melon notes. The palate is refined and elegant with a silky mousse and marvelous sense of weight and length. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2023 Benza ‘Touch of Gold’ Chardonnay- This 2023 Estate Chardonnay comes from the Laurelwood District and Chardonnay vines 28 years of age. This comes off bright, juicy and neatly-textured with salty nuances. Macadamia nut, lychee and pie crust notes combine with shades of honeydew melon on the palate. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2023 Benza ‘Three Tuxedos’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Three Tuxedos’ comes from the Benza Estate Vineyard. This comes off juicy and rich with layers of pretty red fruits with salted orange rind, and shades of bergamot on the palate. Lush and refined, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2023 Benza ‘Symphony’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Benza ‘Symphony’ Pinot Noir offers red rose petals and cardamom dusted cherry pie on the nose. The palate is fresh and nicely textured with loads of juicy red fruits. Drink 2026-2034- 91

2023 Benza ‘Le Soir’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Benza ‘Le Soir’ Pinot Noir is a dense, delicious and very earthy bottling that delivers terrific length. Black truffle shavings and blackberry compote combine with suggestions of black tea and peat moss accents on the palate. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2039- 94

2023 Benza Syrah- Sourced from the Rocks District, this 2023 Syrah offers crushed wet gravel, Hoisin sauce and orange zest flavors that combines with boysenberry compote on the palate. Medium-bodied and fresh, with a smooth mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2033- 93

Ridge

Today we share one of California’s great wineries, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Ridge is one of the outstanding producers in the state, producing everything from tension-filled Chardonnay to inky Cabernet Sauvignon. Paul Draper helped put this winery on the map back in the 1960s. Draper saw the potential to make a range of varietals in the Santa Cruz Mountains as this high-elevation site is set at 2300. This is a must-visit for any lover of great California wine. Ridge Vineyard's 1971 Monte Bello Cabernet Sauvignon achieved international fame for its fifth-place finish in the 1976 “Judgement of Paris” wine tasting.

I adored the 2024 Ridge ‘Estate’ Chardonnay (OB, 97) which comes from the famed Monte Bello Vineyard and is a dazzling wine that has a long way to go in the cellar. I adore the 2023 Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) which is a stunning wine that is built to age. Learn more about this historic winery at ridgewine.com Here are the amazing new release wines from Ridge Vineyards.

2025 Ridge ‘Lytton Springs’ Rose- Sourced from this single vineyard site in Sonoma, the 2025 Ridge Rose is primarily Grenache (40%) and Zinfandel (26%). Pale in the glass, this offers honeysuckle water on the nose alongside bright red raspberry and Yakima cherry notes on the nose. The palate is fresh and clean with a superb texture and nice sense of weight. Showing excellent flinty undertones, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2025 Ridge ‘Heringer’ Chenin Blanc- Nicely textured, this shows off nutty nuances around shades of ripe melon and white plum. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2024 Ridge ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the famed ‘Monte Bello Vineyard’ this incredible 2024 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay offers baking spice laced pastry crust and custard notes on the nose alongside shades of ripe banana and Japanese pear. The palate is dense and rich with sensational weight and length. This glides throughout the drinking experience, with a near minute-long finish. Extraordinary and very mineral-laden, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 97

2024 Ridge ‘Three Valleys’ Red Wine- The 2024 ‘Three Valleys’ is 67% Zinfandel with 17% Carignan and smaller parts Mataro and Petite Sirah. This is juicy, forward and delicious with layers of red and dark fruits alongside milk chocolate and fresh sage. This is incredible wine for the price. Drink 2026-2033- 92

2024 Ridge ‘East Bench’ Zinfandel- 100% varietal, the outstanding 2024 ‘East Bench’ offers molten chocolate, tar and briar notes on the nose alongside suggestions of tobacco leaf. The palate is dense and delicious with a refined mouthfeel and great sense of weight and tension, loaded with salty nuances. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2024 Ridge ‘Pagani Ranch’ Zinfandel- This 2024 Zinfandel has small parts Alicante Bouchet (9%), Petite Sirah (5%) and Mataro (4%) blended in. Inky in the glass, this is seamless throughout the drinking experience, with terrific freshness. Black and blue fruits collide with orange peel, wintergreen and shades of black licorice. Refined and luxurious on the mouth, with terrific length, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2026-2039- 96

2024 Ridge ‘Paso Robles’ Zinfandel- Sourced from the Benito Dusi Ranch, the 2024 ‘Paso Robles’ Zinfandel offers sweet sandalwood and loganberry notes on the nose alongside suggestions of coffee grounds.  The palate is plush and rich with terrific toffee and roasted fig notes alongside serious tension on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2024 Ridge ‘Lytton Springs’ Red Wine- The 2024 ‘Lytton Springs’ combines 78% Zinfandel with 13% Petite Sirah and small parts Carignane, Alicante and Grenache. Garrigue notes mark the nose alongside wild blackberry and suggestions of blood orange zest. This is elegant and fresh with a smooth mouthful and loads of salty/stony tension, with dried huckleberry fruit nuances. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2024 Ridge ‘Geyserville Vineyard’ Red Wine- The 2024 ‘Geyserville’ combines 71% Zinfandel with 19% Carignane and 8% Petite Sirah with a touch of Alicante. On the nose this takes on layers of milk chocolate and roasted dates alongside shades of espresso grounds with loganberry compote notes. The palate is plush, round and generous with a tremendous sense of salty tension and weight. Drink 2026-2042- 96

2023 Ridge ‘Santa Cruz Mountains’ Cabernet Sauvignon- All sourced from the famed ‘Monte Bello Vineyard’ this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon has 19% Merlot blended in with a touch of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Red bell pepper and fresh sage mark the nose alongside dark chocolate shavings, Arabica bean and creme de cassis. The palate is lush and tension-filled with terrific tension and verve with a smooth texture. The combination of weight, length and finesse is seriously good. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2023 Ridge ‘Lytton Estate’ Petite Sirah- Inky in the glass, the 2023 Ridge ‘Lytton Estate’ Petite Sirah offers rich huckleberry and graphite tones on the palate, with dark chocolate shavings. Full-bodied and also very finesse-driven, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2039- 94

No Girls

Today we share a famed winery founded by vigneron Christophe Baron and Cayuse GM Trevor Dorland. No Girls features the stony, novel terroir found at the ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’. The ‘La Paciencia (patience) Vineyard' was planted between 2003 and 2005, and is located near the Armada vineyard, as the first couple of vintages of wine from this vineyard were initially declassified. The name ‘No Girls’ is connected with the history of Walla Walla. Christophe purchased a building in 2002 that was a former brothel and inside the new building, he noticed the words ‘No Girls’ painted on the wall— and the wine label is an actual photograph of the former brothel. Their first vintage was in 2008 and No Girls has been a remarkable success since then. I have particularly been mesmerized by the Grenache from this site that is full-octane and beautifully textured, with serious stony essence.

Winemaking from this site captures very stony character with terrific finesse. The Grenache from this location is easily one of the best you will find in North America. These are only available to their wine list and are around 100 dollars, but are very well-priced when you consider the complexity of these brilliant wines. The 2023 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache (OB, 98) is one of the best editions of this wine that I have tasted. It comes of ultra-pure and complex with unforgettable flavor range. Learn more about this special boutique winery at https://nogirlswine.com/nogirls/

2023 No Girls ‘Double Lucky No. 8’ Red Wine- A stunning wine from this rather straightforward vintage, the 2023 ’Double Lucky No. 8’ Red Wine is a blend of younger vine fruit from several cobblestone-laden vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley. Umami and dark fig notes collide with boysenberry compote and coppa salume on the nose. The palate is smooth and viscous with loads of underlying finesse, as bright red fruits parade with Mandarin orange zest flavors, and smoldering stone accents. Totally delicious, enjoy this medium to full-bodied beauty now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 95

2023 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache- The 2023 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Grenache comes from this tightly spaced vineyard set on cobblestones. It immediately entices on the nose with potpourri and black truffle shavings alongside suggestions of charcuterie, Nori and saline drenched blood orange zest on the nose. The palate is ultra-pure and decadent, as this glides throughout the drinking experience and shows a sensational core of red fruits. Mineral-laden, fat on the tongue and generous, this has an alluring push/pull between weight and verve. A stunning, one of a kind wine, savor this beauty over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 98

2023 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Syrah- The alluring and wonderfully stony 2023 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Syrah shows unbelievably good flavor and aromatic range in its heady youth. Cloves and wet rock combine with oyster sauce and suggestions of beef drippings on the nose. The palate is fresh and lively with terrific tension and richness. Very non-fruit driven and complex, offering wintergreen, and fresh sage nuances, enjoy this stunning wine now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 97

2023 No Girls ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo- The world-class 2023 ‘La Paciencia Vineyard’ Tempranillo is a one of a kind bottling that comes from this stony location outside the town of Milton-Freewater. Once on the nose this takes on Hoisin sauce and Chinese five spice that combines with roasted dates and blackberry compote notes that all meld in the glass. The palate is big and bold with reined tannins and a terrific mouthfeel and underlying finesse. Light on its feet, and also very generous, enjoy this outstanding wine now and over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 96

Ridge 'Monte Bello' Cabernet Sauvignon

One of the most famous wines of North America, the Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ comes from this historic site in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The wine has a deep history and dates back to the nineteenth century. In 1959, four Stanford Research Institute engineers bought acreage on top of Monte Bello Ridge, a site that had first been planted to grape vines in the late 19th century. In the early years, Dave Bennion took the reigns as winemaker, and in 1962, after three years of producing small amounts of some of the finest wine in California of that era, the four owners re-bonded the winery and released the first commercial Ridge Monte Bello. Paul Draper joined Ridge as winemaker in 1969, making his first vintage of Monte Bello in that year. Production was then re-located to the old stone winery at the very top of the ridge, which was built by Dr. Osea Perrone in 1892 and eventually acquired from the Trentadue family. The ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon has long been admired as one of the most famous wines of the world.

The new wine comes entirely from the ‘Monte Bello’ Estate. This is one of the most scenic vineyards you will find in all of California. This version has 9% Merlot and 2% Petit Verdot added to the 2023 ‘Monte Bello’ (OB,  99) which flirts with perfection and is one of the finest new world Cabernets I have tasted in the past year. And now, without further adieu, here is my review of the scintillating new 2023 ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Ridge Vineyards.

2023 Ridge ‘Monte Bello’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A spellbinding Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2023 ‘Monte Bello’ was initially blended from 30 lots in the Monte Bello Vineyard. From a slightly cooler vintage, the 2023 has a slightly larger portion of Merlot (9%) added. It offers cool wintergreen notes on the nose alongside sandalwood, orange bell pepper, and fresh sage that combines with shades of boysenberry compote on this intoxicating nose. The palate is lush and round with a terrific mouthfeel and loads of mouth-watering finesse. Showing stunning length, this beauty really needs a year or two in the bottle before savoring. Drink 2028-2050- 99

Cayuse Vineyards 'Wallah Wallah' Syrah

Today we share what is one of the most special and unique magnum only wines made in North America. The Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah’ Syrah is now in its eighteenth edition. The wine  is the only Syrah in famed vigneron Christophe Baron’s Syrah lineup that comes from several of his biodynamically farmed vineyards. These locations are set on a mix of silty loam and basalt cobblestone topsoil with a layer of compacted cobblestones. The wine is stored for 18 months in a small portion of new French oak barrels. It is always a secret to the consumer which vineyards this wine comes from.

I have had nearly all editions of this wine and it is one of the most beguiling in the Cayuse lineup. It shows amazing bloody and iodine character typically, with amazing savory herb and Umami notes. This wine is made in every vintage.

Baron explained that this is one of his favorite wines to blend with the team. This is a wine that performs well even in tougher vintages like 2019 and 2020. If you can find this wine, it is a brilliant wine to share with friends. The new edition comes from the 2023 vintage. It is a perfect wine for my palate, with unprecedented flavor and aromatic range from this region. The wine has both stunning weight and finesse. It is a must-try wine for anyone in love with stony Syrah.

Learn more about this famed wine at https://cayusevineyards.com/static/ and here is my review of the 2023 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special #18’ Syrah

2023 Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special #18’ Syrah- A stunning wine from the 2023 vintage, the Cayuse Vineyards ‘Wallah Wallah Special #18’ Syrah is a fabulous, complex and delicious 1.5L bottling by famed vigneron Christophe Baron and resident vigneronne Karin Gasparotti. Once on the nose this takes on layers of Umami, seaweed and oyster sauce that combine with blood orange zest, iodine, green peppercorns and shades of prosciutto. The stunning aromatics bring you back to the glass for more hedonistic enjoyment. The palate is lush and refined with a silky mouthfeel, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. This offers both impeccable balance and weight as this total masterclass is best enjoyed now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 100

Beaux Freres

It is such a pleasure to share one of the jewels of the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Beaux Frères was founded by Michael Etzel more than twenty years ago. Vacationing in Oregon back in 1986, Michael came across an 88 acre pig farm. After some consideration he decided to purchase the land with his brother in law, Robert Parker — and the rest became Oregon wine history. We are all so glad that they purchased this very special land.

Michael focused on his job as vineyard manager by planting Pinot Noir in the Ribbon Ridge AVA and while planting his vineyard he interned at Ponzi Winery. It was all the way back in 1990, that Michael harvested his first estate fruit and sold the grapes winemakers Ken Wright and Dick Ponzi. Michael came to see that there was something exceptional about fruit from his vineyard and began making focused, mineral-driven Pinot Noirs from this special site. The wines were subsequently reviewed with incredible acclaim.

It is such a pleasure to taste these wines with some age. The Beaux Freres wines from 2000-2010 seem to be timeless, with no slowing down. These are wines that can easily go for 20 years. Old Beaux Freres wines will stand up to any Pinot Noir made in the new world.

I have been tasting through the 2023 vintage over the last year. The wines that I have tasted from 2023 seem to be really nicely poised. This was an even growing season where wines were typically concentrated and show excellent finesse. Overall quality seems to be slightly better than ’22. While the Beaux Freres ‘UT’ and ‘Beaux Freres Vineyards’ bottlings really need another year before consuming, I am amazed how well the 2023  Beaux Freres ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 97) is performing right now. It is dense, heady and loaded with salty minerality.

It is hard to find a better ‘entry level’ Oregon wine than the thrilling 2023 Beaux Frères ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a seamless, elegant and sensational wine to enjoy now. One of the best wines I have tasted from Oregon in the past year is the 2023 Beaux Freres ‘The Upper Terrace’ Pinot Noir (OB, 98) which has otherworldly flavor range and density. Learn more about this famed winery at beauxfreres.com and here are my reviews of the new Beaux Freres 2023 vintage wines.

2023 Beaux Frères ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- The dazzling 2023 Beaux Frères ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay was sourced from mainly the Doration Vineyard as well as 35% from their estate vineyard. Golden in the glass, this shows off a dense mouthfeel on the mouth. Loaded with citrus and melon fruits, this offers nutmeg dusted shortbread and salted macadamia nut nuances on the palate. A stunning rendition of this wine, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2023 Beaux Frères ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The seamless 2023 Beaux Freres ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir comes primarily from their estate holdings in the Ribbon Ridge AVA. It is deeply colored and perfumed, offering red rose petal and cloves on the nose with shades of sandalwood, orange zest and bergamot accents. The palate is elegant but also nicely concentrated, with a glorious core of ripe red fruits that greets you alongside kumquat zest and cedar notes that caress. Light on its feet, with serious finesse, enjoy this glorious bottling now and over the next fifteen years to come. This is as good at it comes for ‘entry level’ Oregon Pinot Noir. Drink 2026-2041- 95

2023 Beaux Frères ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A dizzying new bottling the 2023 Beaux Frères ‘Sequitur Vineyard’ was sourced from this acclaimed location planted in 2012 by Carey Critchlow and Michael Etzel. The wine is already complex and exceedingly delicious in its heady youth. A downright killer core of red and dark fruits parade with wild mushroom, green herbs, peat moss and salty/stony nuances on the palate. Lush and round on the mouth, with serious length, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 97

2023 Beaux Freres ‘The Beux Freres Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- One of the best Oregon Pinot Noirs that I have tasted in the past year, the 2023 Beaux Freres ‘The Beux Freres Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a knockout wine that really needs another year of bottle age before savoring. Stored in a small amount of new French oak (20%) this delivers an unbelievably good core of pure red fruits, with shades of yellow plum, exotic spices and salty soil nuances on the palate. Showing incredible tension and viscosity, this comes off fat and generous on the mouth. Finishing very long with bright pomegranate and strawberry fruits, enjoy now and over the next two decades to come. Drink 2027-2047- 98

2023 Beaux Frères ‘The Upper Terrace’ Pinot Noir- A total masterclass, the beguiling 2023 Beaux Frères ‘The Upper Terrace’ Pinot Noir was sourced from Dijon clone Pinot Noir plantings at this 9 acre location. Stored in only 23% new French oak and offering a brooding dark core, this opens with a heady melange of black and red florals on the nose, alongside pine needles, salted Mandarin orange zest and shades of soy sauce on the nose. The palate is rich and dense with serious refinement. This has lift, opulence and fabulous flavor density and range, finishing long with boysenberry notes and copious salty minerals. Flat out fabulous to enjoy in its full-throttle youth, watch this evolve over the next twenty plus years. Try to resist this head-turning beauty for at least another year. Drink 2027-2047- 98

Melville

Today we share the brilliant wines of Melville. Chad Melville has been making his namesake winery’s wine now for more than a decade. The wines show plenty of salty character from this incredible estate vineyard that is set on some unique soil types for the region — including some clay soils.

Melville’s 82 acre property produces marvelous, saline-drenched wines with beautiful texture and poise. It all started back in 1996 when the Melville vineyard was first planted by Chad’s father Ron Melville and his brothers. The vineyard was planted to 14 different clones of Pinot Noir and 4 different clones of Chardonnay, as well as Syrah and Viognier. The new wines come from the 2024 vintage that saw slightly more warmth than the ‘23s. Check out the stunning new 2024 Melville ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) that is another sensational release that packs a punch for under 40 bucks. This wine is a total steal, giving you loads of bright red fruits and salty character. Learn more about this outstanding producer of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah at http://melvillewinery.com Here are the gorgeous new wines by Melville. 

2024 Melville ‘Estate’ Chardonnay Each year, Chad Melville and his team is making some of the finest Chardonnay for the price in this region. This 2024 edition comes entirely from their estate vineyard, that has been dry-farmed now for three decades. Freshly cut limes and salted Japanese pear flavors combine with nutmeg dusted macadamia nut on the palate. Showing great length and underlying tension, with good salty and stony nuance, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Melville ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is another killer value from Melville. Once on the nose this offers salted Bing cherry and red raspberry notes alongside wafts of Mandarin orange zest and bergamot accents. The palate is loaded with minerality and salty minerals, with a great melange of red and dark fruits, with cran-cola accents. This shows such great regional typicity. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2024 Melville ‘Sandy’s Block’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Sandy’s Block’ Pinot Noir comes from this northern location in the estate vineyard named after Chad Melville’s Aunt Sandy. Bright red florals fill the nose alongside loganberry notes and shades of salty soils. The palate is wonderfully salty, offering copious minerals that parade alongside a bright core of red fruits with kumquat zest accents. Already fabulous to enjoy now, enjoy this beauty over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2024 Melville ‘Terraces’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Terraces’ Pinot Noir was sourced from a portion in the estate vineyard set on clay-rich loam and calcareous shale soils.  Right away this entices with potpourri notes on the nose with sous bois, cloves and suggestions of red currants. The palate is beautifully-textured and very nervy, with fabulous damp earth and salty underpinnings that meld with a great core of red and dark fruits. This is seriously fabulous stuff that has only started to hit its stride. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2024 Melville ‘Block M’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Block M’ Pinot Noir is a total masterclass by Chad Melville. On the nose this takes on heady dark and red fruits, alongside exotic spices, and purple rose petals, with wet rock undertones. The palate is refined and elegant as this glides throughout the drinking experience, with serious tension and stony/salty terroir. A joy to consume in its bright and heady youth, this will go the distance for two decades. But why wait? Drink 2026-2046- 96

2024 Melville ‘Estate’ Syrah- Another year, another fabulous value, the 2024 Melville ‘Estate’ Syrah shows very impressive flavor and aromatic range in the glass. This immediately gratifies with wafts of black truffle, Hoisin sauce and smoked pork shoulder notes that all take shape in the glass. The palate is mineral-laden with terrific freshness and texture, with a black fruit-driven core and plenty of stony/salty accents. Drink 2026-2035- 93

2023 Melville ‘Donna’s Block’ Syrah- The stunning 2023 ‘Donna’s Block’ is a total heavyhitter from this slightly cooler vintage. Soy sauce, charcuterie and shades of smoked brisket all combine with Kalamata olive on the nose. The palate is layered and smooth throughout the drinking experience, with slightly more tension and slightly less weight than the ’22. A total masterclass, enjoy this unique, highly expressive Syrah now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 96

Dutton Goldfield

Today we share the glorious wines of Dutton Goldfield. I have been enjoying these wines in my personal collection for two decades. Located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, Dutton Goldfield dates back to 1998 when colleagues Steve Dutton and Dan Goldfield decided to start a winery together. Steve Dutton is a 5th generation farmer while Dan has a background in chemistry and later completed the illustrious UC Davis program in winemaking. Dan previously worked at Robert Mondavi Winery and even made wine in Portugal for two years before coming back to California and starting Dutton-Goldfield

Check out the delicious 2023 Dutton-Goldfield ‘Docker Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is wonderfully salty and has a great sense of place. Learn more about Dutton Goldfield at http://www.duttongoldfield.com. Here are the great new releases from Dutton Goldfield.

2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Rued Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The really good 2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Rued Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from this acclaimed site in the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley. It is loaded with melon and tropical fruits with a refined texture and great sense of length. Big and dense on the mouth, enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch-Emerald Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch-Emerald Ridge Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes off wonderfully rocky, salty and savory. Bright red raspberry and teaberry flavors combine with shades of damp earth and kumquat zest on the palate. Seriously good, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Docker Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Docker Hill Vineyard’ comes from this site located near the Pacific Ocean. Translucent in the glass, this offers salted orange peel, pomegranate fruits and shades of wintergreen on the nose. The palate is salty and fresh with a great sense of place and elegance, loaded wth bright red fruits. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch-Snow Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Dutton Ranch-Snow Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location set on Goldridge soils. Very translucent in the glass, this offers red rose petals and red currants on the nose, as this comes off very lifted with bergamot accents. The palate is somewhat leaner than the prior two Pinot Noirs, showing a light to medium bodied core of red fruits, with damp soil notes. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘McDougall Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The McDougall Vineyard comes from this higher elevation location neighboring the Pacific Ocean. This 2023 Pinot Noir opens with beautiful potpourri notes alongside red cherry and wild strawberry. The palate comes off a touch on the linear side with lighter red fruits that parade with copious salty minerals. Drink 2026-2036- 91

2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Morelli Lane Vineyard’ Zinfandel- The 2023 Dutton Goldfield ‘Morelli Lane Vineyard’ Zinfandel come from a tiny, less than two acre parcel in the Russian River Valley. It is impeccably balanced with serious poise and a literal cornucopia of red fruits on the palate, with orange zest, cola and sassafras accents. Complex and absolutely delightful to enjoy now, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

Open Claim

Today we share the great 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. 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. I have long enjoyed these wines that showcase a beginning, middle and end.

I adored the 2023 Open Claim ‘Flora’s Veil’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is all about texture and flavor range. It is utterly delicious right now. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.openclaimvineyards.com/ Here are the brilliant 2021 and older releases by Open Claim. 

2023 Open Claim ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- Another stellar edition of this wine the 2023 ‘Estate’ Chardonnay is an epic bottling by Oregon wine legend Tony Rynders. Once on the nose this takes on buttercream and cardamom laced pastry crust notes that combine with ripe nectarine, and shades of Japanese pear. The palate is silky and inviting throughout the drinking experience, as this displays both beautiful poise and weight. A joy to consume now, watch this evolve over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2023 Open Claim ‘Estate’ White Pinot Noir- The utterly fabulous 2023 ‘Estate’ White Pinot Noir captures flat out fabulous flavor and aromatic range from this warm vintage in Oregon. Toasted hazelnut and wild mushroom tones combine with Yakima cherry notes on the nose. The palate is dense and viscous with serious weight and power. A gorgeous melange of citrus, melon and even wild strawberry fruit flavors greet you, alongside good tension. Enjoy this outstanding bottling now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 95

2023 Open Claim ‘Flora’s Veil’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Flora’s Veil’ is another outstanding edition of this wine which was sourced from the Mount Pisgah region of the Willamette Valley. Translucent in the glass, this shows off Linzer torte and red currants that combine with shades of Shitake mushroom on the nose. The palate is heady and dense with loads of salty minerals, exotic spices and a lush mouthfeel. Really good now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2021 Open Claim ‘Layer & Stitch’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 ‘Layer & Stitch’ was stored for 18 months in 35% new French oak and comes from the Open Claim Estate Vineyard. It is fresh and mineral-laden, showing off bright black raspberry and Bing cherry fruits alongside Mandarin orange zest and earthy underpinnings on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with a smooth texture, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

Chateau Ste. Michelle 'Eroica' Riesling Vertical Tasting

Today we share one of Washington’s most historic and famous wine partnerships, it was back in 1999 that Ernst Loosen of famed Dr. Loosen approached Chateau Ste. Michelle and their CEO Allen Shoup with the idea of joining forces after discovering the winery's Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling. The collaboration became one of the famed wine projects in the United States as ‘Eroica’ Riesling has been one of the benchmark Rieslings that you will find in North America.

Speaking with co-winemaker on ‘Eroica’, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s head winemaker Katie Nelson explained how much she enjoys working with Ernst Loosen. She explained “Ernst’s annual trip to Washington is always a highlight for us. It’s when we get to sit down together, taste and blend the next Eroica vintage, check in on our Eroica XLC tanks, and revisit some verticals. He always brings a fresh perspective and thoughtful feedback, which helps keep us sharp and moving the wines forward year after year. We love digging into the vintage, the vineyards, and what’s ahead… and honestly, his stories are always part of the fun.”

‘Eroica’ Riesling began with the 1999 vintage which is one of Nelson’s favorites. But she also explains a vastly different winemaking method than was utilized back in ’99. She explained “1999-the very first Eroica, still really stands out for me. It’s aged beautifully, especially when you think about how much our approach to growing Riesling has changed since then. Back in those early days, we were sourcing fruit from warmer Washington sites, reducing yields, and opening up canopies to get more sun exposure. Today, we do almost the opposite. We’re careful to avoid too much sun, focus on cooler, later‑ripening sites, and steer clear of anything that limits yield. That lets us extend hang time and ultimately make wines that are built to age.”

The new 2024 ‘Eroica’ Riesling (OB, 93) is a stellar, gorgeous edition of this wine that exudes class and value. Nelson explained that this new wine comes mainly from the Evergreen Vineyard which is a “cool, high‑elevation vineyard in the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley, right near the Columbia River. These moderating effects allow us to hang the Riesling longer on the vine and still get great balance, even in a warm growing season” she explained.

To Nelson, making this wine in 2024 was about “warm days paired with cool nights through the summer kept botrytis pressure very low. Harvest began in mid-October, which is typical timing for Eroica picks.”

I had the chance to taste many of the older ‘Eroica’ wines and was completely shocked how well they had held. Even the first vintage, the 1999 ‘Eroica’ (OB, 90) had good freshness and flavor range.  I was so impressed with the 2011 ‘Eroica’ (OB, 93) which has consistently been one of my favorite vintages of this wine, and is also one of Nelson’s favorite, along with the amazing 2010 ‘Eroica’ (OB, 92)

Congrats to Chateau Ste. Michelle and their amazing impact in Washington wine and helping put Washington Riesling on not only the national but international wine scene. Learn more about this special wine at and here are my reviews of this incredible vertical tasting of Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling.

1999 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’  Riesling- In 1999 Ernst Loosen approached Chateau Ste. Michelle with the idea of joining forces after discovering the winery's Cold Creek Vineyard Riesling. This is the inaugural edition of this wine that is still hanging on — showing that Washington Riesling can really cellar well for over 20 years if stored correctly. Light melon and citrus rind fruits collide with wet stone and kerosene accents on the palate. Drink 2026-2028- 90

2002 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Another beautifully evolved Riesling, the 2002 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ comes from one of the great vintages in Washington history. This is a remarkable showing, as plenty of melon fruit remains both aromatically and on the palate. White flowers and lychee notes combine with suggestions of green apple and flinty nuances on the palate. Drink 2026-2030- 92

2004 Chateau Ste. Michelle  ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Very evolved and showing well considering its age, the 2004 Chateau Ste. Michelle  ‘Eroica’ Riesling is starting to lose some fruit flavors but has great petrol and mineral-character alongside honeydew and lime zest flavors. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- An amazing rendition of this wine from a slightly cooler vintage, the 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling is showing remarkably well at the 16 year mark. It is elegant and nicely textured and weighted stuff, still loaded with citrus and melon fruit flavors alongside good tension. Enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- Always one of my favorite ‘Eroica’ bottlings, the 2011 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling is the lone very cold vintage wine amongst this tasting. It is more lean and linear but still packs plenty of mouth-watering acidity. Lemon/lime flavors combine with hints of starfruit and wet rocky accents on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 93

2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- A wine that has beautifully evolved, the 2014 ‘Eroica’ Riesling is an impressive showing now at the 12 year mark. Kiwi, freshly cut limes and stony minerals collide on the palate, as this still comes off quite fresh despite its age. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2032- 93

2024 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica’ Riesling- An amazing edition of this wine, the 2024 ‘Eroica’ Riesling sits fat and round on the mouth, with bright underlying acidity. Pear and sourdough bread flavors collide with wet rock and copious minerals on the palate. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2021 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica XLC Dry’ Riesling- Very nervy and incredibly-textured, the 2021 ‘Eroica XLC Dry’ Riesling is a stunning GG-inspired bottling by winemaker Katie Nelson. Once on the nose this shows off wet slate and petrol notes alongside Japanese pear and hints of star jasmine. The palate is dense and mineral-laden with incredible length. Gorgeous now, this is only starting to hit its stride. Drink 2026-2038- 95

2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle ‘Eroica Single Berry Select’ Riesling- From a tiny bottle a behemoth of a wine emerges as the 2017 ‘Eroica Single Berry Select’ Riesling is easily the best dessert wine made in Washington State. This TBA-inspired bottling oozes with honey, butterscotch, poached pear and candied apple flavors that all seamlessly combine with the silky texture. Weightless, dense and utterly sensational to enjoy now, this will easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2026-2046- 100

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars

Today we share one of the brilliant houses of Napa. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is one of the famed winners from the 1976 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. 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 love the 2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which has plenty of of power and poise and is seamless throughout the drinking experience. This is great stuff from this warm vintage. Learn more about this famed site at https://www.stagsleapwinecellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the latest by Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.

2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Soda Canyon Ranch (Atlas Peak), Moore Ranch (Hills East of St. Helena), and SLV Vineyards,  the 2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off violets, tar and tobacco leaf on the nose with heady dark fruits. The palate is rich and refined with great structure and underlying tension — loaded with great loamy and rocky soil character. This is powerful without coming off overly fruity. Drink 2026-2044- 95

2017 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A great wine to enjoy now, the 2017 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon is soft and approachable on the mouth. A delicious melange of red and dark fruits greets you on the palate, with milk chocolate and anise seed accents. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2016 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another sensational bottling, the 2016 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Cellarius Series’ Cabernet Sauvignon still has a long way to go in the cellar. Red and dark rose petals collide with wet gravel, mocha, and scorched earthy accents on the nose. The palate is fresh and lithe with a polished texture and good sense of length. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Coming from a sunny site with rocky, red volcanic soil, the 2021 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon has a touch of Cabernet Franc blended in. Inky in the glass, this offers gorgeous black tea and Middle Eastern spice aromatics in the glass, alongside boysenberry compote and hints of pencil lead. The palate is refined and elegant with a seamless mouthfeel and great sense of underlying tension, as salty and rocky soils add to the nuance. A beautiful wine from a great vintage, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 95

2020 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A delicious wine from a tough vintage, the 2020 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Soda Canyon Ranch Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon shows off medium bodied dark fruits with graphite and creosote notes. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2030- 90

2019 Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ‘Chase Creek’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2019 ‘Chase Creek’ comes from an offshoot of the Napa River, which flows along the western edge of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars S.L.V. and FAY vineyards. This is seamless and impeccably balanced on the mouth. Creme de violette and cassis flavors all combine with dark chocolate shavings, graphite, espresso grounds and shades of loamy soils on the palate. A totally dazzling bottling with terrific tension and opulence, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041- 95

Echolands

Today we share an electric wine brand out of Walla Walla. Founded by Brad Bergman and Doug Frost, MW, MS, Echolands has a stunning, must-visit new tasting room in Walla Walla. I was amazed when I visited there last year. Doug Frost has an illustrious wine career, and is one of three individuals in the world to hold simultaneously the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier titles, achieving his MS in 1991 and MW in 1993. He also authored ‘The Spanish Wine Guide (third edition 2009’) and is a contributing editor of the Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails.

Winemaker Brian Rudin has done an amazing job taking over the winemaking program. I love the wines he formerly made at  Canvasback, creating wines that have beautiful depth and flavor density — deftly showcasing the Red Mountain power and terroir.

Check out the outstanding 2024 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Grenache (OB, 93) which is drinking so beautifully in its heady, bright youth. Learn more about this fantastic new project at echolandswinery.com Here are my reviews of he beautiful new wines that I tasted from Echolands.

2024 Echolands ‘Frenchman Hills Vineyard’ Riesling- Coming from this historic site in Washington, this comes form Block 01 in the vineyard. This is made with the faintest hint of residual sugar. It is round, rich and beautifully-textured on the mouth. Green apple and cantaloupe flavors parade with suggestions of juicy peach and stony nuances on the palate. Really good from this warm vintage, enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2024 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Grenache- The 2024 ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Grenache shows up translucent in the glass. Wet rock and juicy strawberry tones fill the nose alongside wafts of red rose petal. The palate is rich and beautifully textured with sterling tension that runs through a core of very pretty red fruits. This is juicy and filled with minerality — and is drinking remarkably well in its youth. Drink 2026-2032- 93

2022 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Merlot- The 2022 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Merlot has 15% Cabernet Sauvignon blended in. Stored in a combination of neutral and new French oak this delivers a dark core in the glass. Fresh herbs and dark currants fill the nose alongside chocolate and shades of salty soils. The palate is beautifully balanced, round and generous on the mouth. This has good weight considering the coolness of the vintage. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard Block 03’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2023 Echolands ‘Seven Hills Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this site located in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Medium-bodied kirsch and black raspberry fruits mingle well with wet rock and herbal accents on the palate. Neatly-textured, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 92

2023 Echolands ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc- The 2023 ‘Blue Mountain Vineyard’ Cabernet Franc offers potpourri and fresh sage on the nose alongside suggestions of dark currants and tobacco leaf. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a silky texture and good depth and concentration. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93

Tamber Bey

The name Tamber Bey originates from Arabian horses at the estate. Founded in 1999, Tamber Bey a family-owned business, with Barry and Jennifer managing operations and marketing, and Barry's daughter, Kendra, managing the wine club. The winery is located in Calistoga and focuses on estate-grown wines at their Sundance Ranch, a functioning 22-acre equestrian facility.

I love the new lineup. They originally used winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, and now utilizes winemaker Sally Johnson Blum to craft its portfolio. Check out the beautiful 2023 ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is dense and viscous with plenty of tension. Learn more about these great wines at https://tamberbey.com/ and here are my reviews of the outstanding new Tamber Bey wines.

2023 Tamber Bey ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Tamber Bey ‘Bien Nacido Vineyard’ Chardonnay offers salted hazelnut, brioche and shades of creme brûlée on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous with good viscosity and underlying verve. Heady melon fruits combine with suggestions of roasted pineapple and mango on the palate, giving this an exotic edge. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2023 Tamber Bey ‘Mes Filles Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Cran-cherry marks the nose alongside freshly tilled soils and rocky nuances. The palate is concentrated and pure with classic cola notes alongside Mandarin orange zest and shades of red licorice. Juicy, vibrant and delicious enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2023 Tamber Bey ‘UV Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Tamber Bey ‘UV Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes fro this highly windy site in the Russian River Valley. Sassafras, orange peel and ripe strawberry all mark the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth mouthfeel and good underlying tension. Salty minerals complete this beauty that id best enjoyed over the next decade. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2024 Tamber Bey ‘Burnside Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Burnside Vineyard’ comes from this location in the Russian River Valley. Red cherry and loganberry notes mark the nose alongside shades of lavender. The palate is fresh and mineral-laden with medium-bodied red fruits alongside salty soil accents. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2023 Tamber Bey ‘Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Tamber Bey ‘Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon stands inky in the glass, offering beautiful dark florals alongside tar, tobacco leaf and loamy soils. The palate is a total knockout in terms of flavor density, richness and underlying salty finesse. A stunning wine to enjoy now — the consummate iron fist in a velvet glove — enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2026-2046- 97

Woodward Canyon

Today we share the amazing wines of Woodward Canyon — one of Washington’s oldest wineries. For years I have admired these wines as I have tasted at the property for more than 20 years. Rick Small is the original vintner and his children have taken over the business in the past five plus years. For several decades winemaker Kevin Mott has crafted a range of beautiful wines. Taking over in 2003, he made his mark as one of the bright talents of Washington. They have recently hired a new winemaker, Marcus Rafenlli who was formerly head winemaker at L’Ecole No. 41 and made some beautiful wines there.

Check out the stunning 2024 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is lush, concentrated and filled with flavor density. I adore the 2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc (OB, 95) which is an amazing follow-up to the gorgeous 2022. Learn more about these fantastic new wines at woodwardcanyon.com and here are my reviews of the beautiful new wines by Woodward Canyon.

2024 Woodward Canyon ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay- The 2024 ‘Washington State’ Chardonnay is a beautiful new bottling that was stored in a small portion of new French oak before bottling. Rich pear and peach flavors collide with copious minerals on the palate, with vanilla creme brûlée accents. This is totally dazzling stuff that is best enjoyed over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate Reserve’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Estate Reserve’ is mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (59%) with smaller portions Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Merlot. This is concentrated and wonderfully finesse- laden. Rich mocha and tar notes combine with bright red and dark fruits, with coffee ground accents on the palate. Seamless and elegant with good length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041- 95

2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series #32’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The outstanding 2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series #32’ Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in a combination of French and Hungarian oak before bottling. It is a rich and viscous rendition, loaded with kirsch and black raspberry flavors that meld well with milk chocolate and fresh sage. A gorgeous rendition, this is already beautifully defined stuff that will deliver drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 94

2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Estate’ Cabernet Franc- A glorious rendition of this wine, that is both herbal and highly gratifying in terms of flavor density, the 2023 ‘Estate’ cabernet Franc leads with green bell pepper and rabbitbrush notes on the nose alongside suggestions of Linzer torte. Lush and round on the mouth with terrific tension, this glides throughout the drinking experience, offering a generous core of red and dark fruits that parade with espresso grounds and herbal accents. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2023 Woodward Canyon ‘Old Vines’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Another stunning edition, the 2023 ‘Old Vines’ is a hedonistic and massive bottling that needs about 1-2 hours in the decanter before enjoying. Once aroused, this offers violet rose petals, scorched earth and wintergreen notes on the nose alongside heady dark fruits. The pallets is plush and refined with a sinfully good mouthfeel and bright underlying acidity. Glorious in its heady youth, watch this beauty evolve over the next two decades. Drink 2026-2046- 96

En Garde

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

He noted that he really enjoys the 2023 wines. “They have such an elegance” he said. “Might remind me of 2009, which was similar in elegance. More on the delicate side” he said. He found the vintage to be stressful “Because of the lack of heat. Pinots were lagging and were harvested a month later than normal. Cabs, we harvested them later but not as late comparatively. We got super lucky with the weather at the end if a big rain would have been devastating.”

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

2023 En Garde ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon has a large portion of Merlot (15%) blended in, along with 5% Cabernet Franc. Beautiful red florals mark the nose with black tea, exotic spice and shades of dark chocolate shavings. The palate is well-structured and medium-bodied with kirsch and red currants and alongside rocky and loamy soils. Drink 2026-2038- 92

2023 En Garde ‘Grand Vin’ Red Wine- The really good 2023‘Grand Vin’ is mostly Merlot (67%) with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a touch of Petit Verdot. Great red and dark florals mark the nose alongside tar and damp earth with bay leaf notes. The palate is soft and elegant with a seamless mouthfeel and is already drinking beautifully. Drink 2026-2042- 94

2023 En Garde ‘Cavedale Crest Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from a location high atop Mt. Veeder, the 2023 ‘Cavedale Crest’ has a small amount of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blended in. Stored in 50% new French oak barrels, this opens with violets, tar and volcanic soils. The palate is soft and refined with good concentration, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Very pure and elegant, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2042- 94

2023 En Garde ‘Hendrickson Vineyard Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 En Garde ‘Hendrickson Vineyard Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this location high atop Atlas Peak. This has a small amount of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended in, as this opens with orange bell pepper, wild blackberry and dark currants that all meld in the glass. The palate is smooth and viscous with medium-bodied dark fruits, refined tannins, excellent tension and salty nuances on the palate. Drink 2026-2042- 94

2023 En Garde ‘Le Bijou du Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The brilliant 2023 En Garde ‘Le Bijou du Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the Sori Bricco Vineyard in the Diamond Mountain District. En Garde began making this wine in 2011. This was stored in 80% new French oak barrels before bottling and begins with aromatics of purple flowers, green herbs, creme de cassis and shades of black licorice. The palate is rich and polished with serious finesse and length. This is glorious stuff that is seamless throughout the drinking experience. Drink 2026-2046- 96

2023 En Garde ‘Touche Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Touche Reserve’ comes mainly from the Diamond Mountain District and was stored in all new French oak prior to bottling. This is a barrel selection wine that stands out for the vintage. Cedar, anise and black currants mark the nose alongside purple rose petals. The palate is viscous and concentrated with serious verve and richness. A gorgeous, elegant bottling, with plenty of power and underlying finesse, enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 96

Willamette Valley Vineyards

Today we share one of the historic wineries in Oregon. Willamette Valley Vineyards founder, Jim Bernau, bought the estate back in 1983 and planted Pinot Noir (Pommard and Wadenswil clones), Chardonnay (Dijon and Espiguette) as well as Pinot Gris. He studied winemaking at UC Davis and then made his winery full time back in 1989. Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown considerably in the past 20 years, as they merged with Bill Fuller of Tualatin Vineyards (established in 1973), the O'Briens for Elton Vineyard (established in 1983) and Loeza Vineyard (planted in 2015). They make a fabulous range of wines.

They have a great bubbles house, Domaine Willamette. Check out the new 2022 ‘Blanc de Noirs’ (OB, 92) which is round and dense with plenty of flavor range.  I love the new 2024 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris (OB, 92) which is loaded with stuffing and nerve. Here are the new releases from Willamette Valley Vineyards and learn more at http://wvv.com

2024 Willamettte Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris- Loaded with both stuffing and nerve, the outstanding 2024 Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinot Gris starts off with honeysuckle water, lychee and nutty nuances on the nose. The palate is big and round on the tongue with a generous mouthfeel and plenty of citrus and melon fruit flavors. This is really well-done stuff that will cellar for at least another five years. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2022 Domaine Willaette ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine- The 2022 Domaine Willaette ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine spent more than 30 months en tirage prior to disgorgement. It is finesse-laden stuff that is already neatly evolved. Cashew nut flavors collide with honeydew melon and shades of juicy peach on the palate. 100% Pinot Noir and very well-done. Drink 2026-2035- 92

2022 Domaine Willamette ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- The 2022 ‘Blanc de Blancs’ is all estate Chardonnay that was aged on the lees for 30 months before disgorgement. This is loaded wth astringency and nerve, with rich lemon and Key lime fruits that combine with salted hazelnut and sourdough bread notes, with wafts of ginger. Gorgeous now, enjoy this saline-laden sparkling wine over the next eight plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2017 Domaine Willamette ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2017 Domaine Willamette ‘Extended Tirage’ Sparkling Wine is made from estate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes that were aged on the lees for seven years. This is a mature, complex sparkling wine that is really peaking right now. Golden in the glass, this shows off heady green melon and kiwi flavors that collide with Japanese pear and cardamom laced pastry crust on the palate. Fabulous now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2022 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Elton’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Elton’ comes from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA and utilizes Pinot Noir vines from both Jory volcanic soils. It comes off nicely rocky and polished on the mouth, with a smooth texture. Vibrant red cherry and pomegranate seed flavors combine with Mandarin orange zest and rocky soil nuances on the palate. Enjoy this beauty over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 93

Jachter

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

I love the new 2023 Jachter ‘The J. Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which shows off the richness of the ’23 vintage.  Learn more about this exciting new Oregon house at https://www.jachterwine.com and here are my reviews of the new Jachter wines.

2023 Jachter ‘Estate Chehalem Mountains’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Estate Chehalem Mountains’ Chardonnay comes up soft and mineral-laden with juicy pear and nectarine flavors alongside kiwi and wet stony accents. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2023 Jachter ‘The J. Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘The J. Reserve’ is a barrel selection wine that was stored in a portion of new French oak before bottling.It comes off slighter richer than the ‘Estate’ with lemon oil and pineapple flavors that parade with baking spice laced pastry crust on the palate. Seriously good, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Jachter ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- This 2023 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir comes from this location in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. This is rich and powerful Pinot Noir, loaded with orange peel notes alongside bergamot, pomegranate seed and tart red cherry notes. Loaded with flavor, enjoy now and over the next six plus years. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2023 Jachter ‘Cuvee Karen Ann’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Cuvee Karen Ann’ come from Wadenswil and Pommard clone Pinot Noir grapes. It is ripe and rich, showing beautiful red florals on the nose. The palate is loaded with bright red fruits with shades of kumquat rind and salty soil nuances. Drink 2026-2034- 92

2021 Jachter ‘Block 15 Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Block 15 Estate’ Pinot Noir comes from 5 different clones from their estate property. It comes off with good earthy elegance as wafts of black truffle shavings fill the nose alongside peat moss and boysenberry compote. The palate is rich and fleshy with a refined mouthfeel and good sense of richness from this warm vintage. Drink 2026-2038- 93