Review: The Somm Hotel: Fresh New 4.5 Star Hotel in Woodinville

It was a fabulous stay at the brand new Somm Hotel, located in the heart of Woodinville. This hotel has been now open for several months but this was my first chance to do a thorough review. Let’s just say that my visit did not disappoint. The stay left little doubt that this is the best hotel in Woodinville.
We checked in and then made our way to our room, located on the 3rd floor.

The room faced north and had a little view. I love the motif of the check-in area with bottle punts everywhere as an ingenious light feature. This is exactly the kind of thing that you would like to see in Woodinville Wine Country.

The room itself was a spacious corner suite with a pull-out bed that was perfect for our 3 year old. This room would be a great option of you are traveling with one or two kids. The main living room space leads into the bathroom and then the bedroom.

I loved the comfort of the bed. I slept like a baby and my wife did as well.

The room design makes sense for maximizing space. The bathroom was relatively smaller but had a large shower and really nice minimalist design. I decided to open up some fancy wine from my cellar, an older bottle of Cayuse ‘Cailloux Vineyard’ Viognier. It did not disappoint!

Cayuse shows here why they are making some of the best wines in North America. We decided to go downstairs and explore the bar area and eventually dine on the early side. There is a rather grand entrance to the bar with a long hallway leading to an exceptionally modern and well-appointed space. This place can get really busy and it was a Friday so it was already getting busy.

We sat down and ordered some chicken wings, This was now the second time that we had tried these and I can assure you that they were every bit as good as the photo depicts. They have homemade ranch that they serve it with as well that is lights out. The wings themselves are very large.

It was now time to head into the restaurant. I had brought a special wine from my collection, a 2017 Bordeaux from Chateau Phelan Segur. This wine had been opened for a day and was really singing by the time we had a chance to taste it.

Phelan Segur is consistently making some of the best wines from its area for the price and this one was in a great spot. It was also a terrific food wine as I didn’t want to order anything that wouldn’t match the food well.

These were very lightly coated with breading and were delicious. One of the best things I had was their Cesar salad which came a delicious homemade dressing. This was a lights out edition with a lot of textures.

We had ordered more foods and had a hard time deciding for our mains. Now would be a good time to mention the service at their restaurant, Bin 47.

They did such a good job managing everything and our kid as well. They were just delightful and things came out with clockwork cadence. I decided to try a great new wine from Rujaya. They have some impressive new wines that are featured at Bin 47.

The restaurant has an expensive wine list, so you are best staying away from champagne and sparkling wines. Washington wines are extensively featured but are also very expensive — in some cases like Dunham ‘Trutina’ having a 4X markup. They could improve this area.

Food quality was consistently great. We even had a visit from their chef, Chef Max, and it was great to see him. He has certainly done an amazing job curating the food program. Temperatures and portion sizes were great as well. The steak was extremely well-cooked and tender. This was one of the stars of the show for me and also a marvelous pairing with my 2017 Bordeaux.

BOTTOM LINE:

The Somm Hotel is an exceptional new hotel in Woodinville. There were very few quirks or things that I think they should have done better. The only one gripe would be the wine mark-up in the restaurant is exceedingly high. The restaurant easily makes up for that with food quality and you can easily bring your own wine.

The room was well-appointed and also a fun environment to stay. They were super accommodating to our 3 year old. We all had an amazing time and it was a stay to remember.

Iterum

Today we share the wines ofJoe Dobbes who has a longstanding history in the Oregon wine industry. Dobbes has a new brand that focuses on wines from his at his Orchard House estate the Eola-Amity Hills AVA as well as several other vineyards.

The Orchard House estate was purchased in 2018 and the site has Sauvignon Blanc which was first planted in 2021. The wines were seriously good across the board. I adored the new 2022 ‘Eola Bench’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is dense and fleshy stuff that is drinking marvelously right now. Learn more about this outstanding house at https://iterumwines.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Iterum wines.

2022 Iterum ‘Orchard House Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Rich and layered, the 2022 ‘Orchard House Vineyard’ Chardonnay offers pie crust, baking spices and peaches on the palate alongside a refined mouthfeel. Full-boided with terrific flavor density, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Symonette Vineyard’ Pinot Noir does from a location that is set on well-drained Nekia soils, as the wine combines equal parts Wadenswil and Pommard clonal selections. Red florals and shades of fresh sage and black truffles all mark the nose. The palate is round and generous, loaded with finesse and stony minerals, with outstanding flinty character and a deep core of loganberry and Bing cherry fruits. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2022 Iterum ‘Eola Bench’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Eola Bench’ comes from both the Orchard House and Symonette as well as the Eola Springs Vineyards. Soils at these sites vary greatly from Nekia to marine sedimentary. This is rich, powerful and complex Pinot Noir, offering loads of red and dark fruits on the palate, with cloves, peat moss and suggestions of wintergreen. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 94

2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Eola Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Eola Springs Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location planted back in 2011 and set on a range of soil types in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. This is powerful and seamless stuff throughout the drinking experience. A glorious core of red fruits greets you alongside exotic spice and salty soil nuances on the palate. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Arlyn Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Arlyn Vineyard’ Pinot Noir had a small about of whole cluster fermentation and comes fro this site planted in 2014 in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It is dense but also nervy on the tongue with racy acidity. Wild blackberry, black tea and Middle Eastern spice notes combine on the palate with salty soils and great nerve. Heady and delicious, with a great push/pull of stony/salty nuances, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2022 Iterum ‘Orchard House Estate Clone 114’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Iterum ‘Orchard House Estate Clone 114’ Pinot Noir is a single clonal selection that had a small amount of whole cluster fermentation. Vines from this location in the vineyard are set on primarily volcanic soils. The terroir here is evident with wet rock nuances that combine with vibrant red fruits, cardamom and shades of milk chocolate and sandalwood on the palate. A glorious wine from this slightly cooler vintage, this has the weight and nerve to cellar for two decades. Drink 2026-2043- 95

2022 Iterum ‘Orchard House Estate Clone 115’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Iterum ‘Orchard House Estate Clone 115’ Pinot Noir comes from this vineyard location set on Jory and Nekia soils. This is heady stuff with potpourri on the nose alongside cloves, peat moss and shades of red raspberry. The palate is lush and ripe with a refined texture and good sense of weight. A gorgeous wine that has a long way to go in the cellar, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Quailhurst Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Iterum ‘Old Friend Quailhurst Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is loaded with earthy character. Ripe and round on the mouth, this shows off damp earth and white truffle flavors that combine with rocky and salty nuances alongside a core of tart black fruits. Gorgeous now, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 94

De Lancellotti

For years I have admired the wines by De Lancellotti. This is an outstanding, remarkably consistent house that is producing pretty, beautifully textured Pinot Noir. Paul and Kendall de Lancellotti founded their own winery nearly two decades ago. They chose to plant their own vineyard in 2001 which was 16 acre Chehalem Mountain parcel focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It was 2005 when this house started, utilizing the winemaking talents of Robert Brittan who serves as consulting winemaker and works with Paul to craft the wines together.

The new wines come from the warmer 2024 vintage. They are round, generous and remarkably consistent. I love the 2024 De Lancellotti ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which has tons of cellaring potential and comes of pretty, round and generous. Learn more about these great wines at  http://www.delancellottifamilyvineyards.com/ Here are the great new wines by de Lancellotti.

2024 De Lancellotti ‘Famiglia’  Pinot Noir- Sourced from their estate vineyard on Calkins Lane, the 2024 ‘Famiglia’ was stored for 24 months in only 20% new French oak before bottling. It opens with red rose petals and potpourri notes alongside orange peel and shades of bergamot. The palate is lush and rich with a terrific mouthfeel and good sense of length, with bright underlying acidity. Fresh and viscous, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2024 De Lancellotti ‘Onelia’ Pinot Noir  The 2024 ‘Ornelia’ was named after Paul DeLancellotti’s Italian grandmother as this comes from the upper block at their estate vineyard. Also aged for 24 months in roughly 20% new French oak, this shows off kumquat rind and cigar box notes on the nose alongside bright red fruits and hints of dark florals. The palate is lush and shows plenty of freshness alongside excellent length and salinity. The push-pull between red and dark fruits grips you, as this viscous gem is already drinking beautifully in its heady youth. Drink 2026-2041- 94

2024 De Lancellotti ‘La Corsia’ Pinot Noir- Named after Calkins Lane, the 2024 ‘La Corsia’ utilizes clone 667 from their estate vineyard. This saw a touch more new French oak (30%) and is rich and layered on the mouth, with a good acid backbone. Red rose water combines with orange peel and salty minerals on the palate. The combination of red fruit core and salinity really drives this outstanding wine. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2024 De Lancellotti ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Estate’ is all clone 777 Pinot Noir from this location in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. It combines a glorious melange of red and dark fruits alongside flavors of peat moss, stony minerals and cedar. Medium to full-bodied with terrific weight and length, enjoy this texturally elegant Pinot Noir now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 94

2024 De Lancellotti ‘Elisabetta Reserve’ Chardonnay- A gorgeeous limited production bottling, the 2024 ‘Elisabetta Reserve’ comes from two clonal selections in the De Lancellotti Estate Vineyard. Stored in 40% new FRneech oak this opens with a beautiful bouquet of cloves, pastry crust and shades of lemon zest with nutty nuances. The palate is lush and mineral-laden with terrific freshness. Enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 94  

2025 De Lancellotti ‘Pinot Nero Bianco’ White Pinot Noir- A really good new wine, the 2025 ‘Pinot Nero Blanco’ comes from their estate vineyard and is all 777 Pinot Noir clone. This was stored in a small amount of new French oak (10%) and offers walnut and shades of damp earth on the palate alongside copious minerals and citrus as well as melon fruits. Quite complex and delicious, with a soft mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next six to eight years to come. Drink 2026-2032- 92

Lynmar Estate

Today we share an outstanding producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir out of Sonoma. Lynn Fritz was a youth swimming champion, and founder of an international logistics company, as well as the 40-year proprietor of Lynmar Estate. His wife Anisya Fritz is equally as impressive, moving to the United States from India to attend college at age seventeen. She earned her BA, MA and PhD in business strategy and was a business school professor at twenty five. Her academic research led to her work with Lynn on delivering international humanitarian aid, and then to her life at Lynmar.

The new wines are made by Pete Soergel, who is both winemaker and general manager. Soergel is a third-generation farmer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who grew up tending to apple orchards and working in all aspects of his family’s farm business. The wines he made were seriously good and I love the 2021 ‘Quail Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is opulent and rich with serious texture. Learn more at https://lynmarestate.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Lynmar wines.

2022 Lynmar Estate ‘Susanna’s Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Golden in the glass, the 2022 Lynmar Estate ‘Susanna’s Vineyard’ Chardonnay this location in the Green Valley, as this was stored in 42% new French oak for 16 months before bottling. It is layered and concentrated with butterscotch and lemon zest flavors alongside shades of mango on the palate. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2021 Lynmar Estate  ‘Quail Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The energetic and rich 2021 Lynmar Estate  ‘Quail Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location at their estate that encompasses 16 separate blocks. Deeply perfumed this starts off with loganberry preserves, black florals and shades of cran-cola on the nose. The palate is lush and rich with loads of salty soil character. A gorgeous wine that is powerful and concentrated, and loaded with black and red fruits. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 94

Rujaya

It isn’t everyday that I stumble upon world-class inaugural wines. Such is the case with the latest from Rujaya that are a seriously impressive new lineup — and the most impressive new winery from Washington that I have tasted in the past year.

At the helm is Benedict Almquist who has a longstanding history in the industry. For nearly a decade he worked alongside his cousin at Almquist Family Vintners in Seattle, and then in 2018 became their resident winemaker. Since spring of 2023, Benedict worked as assistant winemaker at Darby Winery in Woodinville, WA. He found his inspiration in a bottle of FX Pichler Riesling from the Wachau Valley, Austria and became infatuated with world-class Riesling. He has crafted a beauty, his 2023 ‘Dry’ Riesling (OB, 93) which comes from three storied sites in Washington. This is dense and layered stuff with serious texture. Learn more about this electric new winery at https://rujayawinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the inaugural wines from Rujaya.

2023 Rujaya ‘Dry’ Riesling- The 2023 Rujaya ‘Dry’ Riesling comes from the Red Willow, Olsen and Evergreen Vineyards. It was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels for 28 months prior to bottling, offering green tea and white rose aromatics that combine with shades of kumquat rind and green melon. The palate is dense and lush with a silky mouthfeel and great sense of weight and length. Stunning and delicious, make sure to not serve too warm. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2025 Rujaya Rose- Made from Grenache grapes, the 2025 Rujaya Rose shows off a soft mouthfeel on the tongue. This is both ripe and mineral-laden with delicate cranberry and pomegranate fruits that combine with Mandarin orange zest and copious stony minerals on the palate. A great Rose bottling, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2024 Rujaya ‘Chillable Red’ Red Wine- The 2024 ‘Chillable Red’ is made from equal parts Grenache and Riesling grapes. It comes off round and generous on the mouth and should not be served too cold to take in the beautiful textural elements. Layers of juicy red raspberry and Yakima cherry fruits combine with hints of star jasmine water on the palate. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2022 Rujaya ‘Apinya Royal Slope’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Apinya Royal Slope’ comes from the northwest corner of the Stillwater Creek in Block 2, set at 1500 feet elevation. Fresh sage, pulled pork shoulder and shades of orange peel and red licorice all collide on the nose. The palate is juicy and delicious with a refined mouthfeel and loads of red and black fruits with peppered bacon and green herbal accents. This is refined, elegant Syrah that has both the weight and structure to age well over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2022 Rujaya ‘Apinya Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah- The fabulous 2022 Rujaya ‘Apinya Walla Walla Valley’ Syrah was sourced from the Borderlands Vineyard which is set on cobbly loam soils. This is loaded with stony minerals and river rock on the palate alongside seaweed, soy sauce, tar and green herbs. Lush and medium to full-bodied, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Well-done to winemaker Benedict Almquist. Drink 2026-2034- 94

Holocene

Today we share an electric winery out of Oregon that was founded back in 2015. Holocene was started by Todd and Carrie Alexander to craft limited production and single vineyard bottlings out of Oregon. They work with some of the most enticing sites in the Willamette Valley. Todd Alexander has done a remarkable job with this program. The wines have beautiful texture and outstanding flavor range. They are rich and well-structured wines that are build to age for a decade or more. They have now added several new SKUs on their Pinot Noir program including a world-class wine from the Sonoma Coast AVA.

Check out the 2024 Holocene ‘Memoralis’ Pinot Noir (OB, 97) which is so pretty with its glorious core of red and dark fruits alongside salty nuances. Learn more about this awesome Oregon outpost at http://holocenewines.com Here are the beautiful new release wines by Holocene. 

2024 Holocene ‘Carson Phillips Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 Holocene ‘Carson Phillips Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this site in the Dundee Hills AVA owned by Grant Phillips. A range of clonal selection Pinot Noir combine here, as this was all whole-cluster fermented and then aged in 15% new French oak prior to bottling. A beautiful wall of dark fruits greets you on the palate, alongside terrific stony character. Showing excellent verve, and wafts of black truffle compote, enjoy this beautiful, heady Dundee Hills Pinot now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 96

2024 Holocene ‘Abigail’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 Holocene ‘Abigail’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is the first Sonoma Coast AVA bottling in this collection of wines. This site was planted back in 1992 to Martini clone and set on Goldridge soils. It is deep, perfumed and concentrated stuff with great salty character. Forward cran-cola and salted blood orange zest flavors combine with excellent freshness and a dense mouthfeel. The mouth-watering acidity brings you back to the glass, as this is best enjoyed now and over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 96

2024 Holocene ‘Memorialis’ Pinot Noir-A beautiful wine from a warm vintage, the 2024 Holocene ‘Memorialis’ Pinot Noir was entirely whole-cluster fermented, coming from this organically farmed, western-facing site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Aged in a small amount of new French oak barrels, this has five different clones blended in. Right away this opens with bright tangerine zest and potpourri notes on the nose alongside a dusting of white pepper and sandalwood accents. The palate is lush and fresh with a silky mouthfeel and great flavor density. Neatly-weighted, with outstanding length and a terrific melange of red and dark fruits, alongside damp earthy accents, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 97

2024 Holocene ‘Perigree’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Perigree’ is all 777 Pinot Noir clone from a single vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA planted back in 2000. Only 51 cases made, this location is set on Willakenzie soils and comes off wonderfully salty, loaded with texture and salty nuances. Bright pomegranate and Bing cherry fruits collide with salted orange peel and wintergreen accents on the palate. Round and generous with a terrific texture and loads of freshness, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 96

Chosen Family Wines

Today we share an electric brand out of Oregon, founded by NBA legends. Chosen Family is the brainchild of former NBA star Channing Frye. Frye has utilized the winemaking skills of top winemakers such as Jackson Holstein, Chase Renton and Thomas Savre. NBA all-star Kevin Love joined the business a few years back. Love is an Oregon basketball legend, who is still playing for the Utah Jazz. Frye is deeply passionate about wine and has a great knowledge of Oregon wine. I have really enjoyed talking basketball and wine with him.

I love the new Chosen Family wines.  I adored the new 2024 ‘C&K Select’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which is an amazing wine for the price. earn more about these great new wines at chosenfamilywines.com Here are my reviews of the new Chosen Family wines.

2024 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Chardonnay- The outstanding 2024 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Chardonnay was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. It shows up golden in the glass, offering a silky texture with good nerve. Pastry crust and shades of cardamom drenched peaches combine with salty minerals and kumquat rind on the palate. Complex and delicious with good length, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2022 Chosen Family ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay comes from the Chehalem Mountains AVA and was made by Jackson Holstein. It is heady and wonderfully reductive with its flinty notes on the palate. Layers of tropical, melon and citrus fruits all collide with copious minerals and a great push/pull between saline and stony nuances. This is a stunning new Chardonnay that is already beautifully evolved. Drink 2026-2034- 94

2022 Chosen Family ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- Another gorgeous edition of this wine, the 2022 ‘Reserve’ by Chosen Family exudes class in this slightly cooler vintage. Once on the nose this takes on layers of  exotic spices and pine needles that combine with a killer melange of red and dark fruits. The palate is lifted and refined with a seamless mouthfeel, as this is exceedingly smooth throughout the drinking experience. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2024 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 Chosen Family ‘C&K Select’ Pinot Noir opens with gorgeous red rose petals and potpourri notes alongside Linzer torte and shades of peat moss on the nose. The palate is lush and round with refined tannins and loads of bright red fruits with bergamot and forest floor accents. Beautifully weighted, it is complex and delicious stuff to enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2026-2034- 93

Kosta Browne

Today we share a legendary producer of California Pinot Noir. Kosta Browne began with Dan Kosta and Michael Browne who started out working at a local restaurant in 1997. Short on funds, Michael developed relationships with key growers in Northern California, while Dan, along with the help of a third partner, Chris Costello, worked to market and sell the wines. In 2011 Kosta Browne jumped on the world stage as they were named Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year with their 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.

Winemaker Julien Howsepian has been at the helm now for five years. I’ve loved these wines over the years and the new outstanding releases come from the slightly cooler 2023 vintage. I adore the 2023 ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which has plenty of salty red fruits with stony undercurrents. The Pinots start at $120.00 SRP. Learn more about this outstanding winery at kostabrowne.com and here are my reviews of the new Kosta Browne wines.

2023 Kosta Browne ‘Mt. Carmel’ Pinot Noir- Heady and delicious, with great rocky character the 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Mt. Carmel’ Pinot Noir offers potpourri and bay leaf notes that combine with kumquat zest and marionberry notes. The palate is rich and generous with serious nerve. Showing plenty of mouth-watering acidity and weight, as well as length, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 95

2023 Kosta Browne ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this location in the Santa Lucia Highlands as this utilizes clones 777, 828 and Pisoni. It offers aromatics of purple flowers and mandarin orange rind alongside sweet pipe tobacco and cola notes. The palate is lush and round on the mouth with great freshness and richness. Drink 2026-2041- 95

2023 Kosta Browne ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A show-stopping new Pinot Noir, the 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this site that neighbors the Pacific Ocean. This wine was sourced from ten vineyard blocks and it comes off plush and mineral-laden on the tongue. A gorgeous melange of red and dark fruits greets you alongside salty and rocky soils and plenty of mouth-watering acidity. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041- 96

2023 Kosta Browne ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir- Powerful and heady, with serious texture, the 2023 Kosta Browne ‘Sonoma Coast’ Pinot Noir comes from mainly the Gap’s Crown and Marshall Vineyards. It is loaded with sea salt dusted red fruits that mingle well with tobacco and orange peel notes. Showing outstanding weight and length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2041- 95

Phelps Creek

Today we share an outstanding producer of the Columbia Gorge AVA. Phlelps Creek founder Bob Morus serves as President and Director of Winegrowing. He moved to Hood River in 1989 with the expressed goal of raising both wine grapes and kids. The estate vineyard consists of 36 acres of vines planted mainly to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

I really enjoy the latest from Phelps Creek. Lauren O’Brien serves as winemaker, having formerly served as enologist at K Vintners. Check out the delicious 2023 Phelps Creek ‘Columbia Gorge’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is beautifully textured and weighted stuff. Learn more about these great new wines at https://www.phelpscreekvineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Phelps Creek.

2025 Phelps Creek ‘Gorge Crest’ Gewurtztraminer- The beautiful and nervy 2025 Phelps Creek ‘Gorge Crest’ Gewurtztraminer offers ripe nectarine and green melon notes alongside baking spices and papaya on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2023 Phelps Creek ‘Columbia Gorge’ Chardonnay- The really good 2023 Phelps Creek ‘Columbia Gorge’ Chardonnay comes off fat and round on the tongue. Loads of melon and tropical fruits fill the palate alongside a seamless texture and stony mineral accents. Drink 2026-2031- 92

2025 Phelps Creek ‘Fleur de Roy’ Pinot Noir Rose- The outstanding 2025 Phelps Creek ‘Fleur de Roy’ Pinot Noir Rose offers plenty of tension on the mouth with delicate red fruits and satsuma orange zest. Light and flinty, with a soft mouthfeel, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2031- 91

2024 Phelps Creek ‘Le Petit’ Pinot Noir- The 2025 ‘Le Petit’ is lean and linear with juicy red fruits alongside tar and orange peel accents. Drink now. Drink 2026-2030- 89

WeatherEye Vineyard

Today we share the wines from one of the unique sites in North America. The WeatherEye Vineyard has become one of the outstanding sites in Washington for Rhone and Bordeaux varietals. 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. Ryan Johnson meticulously farms this site that is filled with sage, yarrow and loads of herbs. The herbal character in the wine is outstanding.

The range of new wines is astonishingly good. Tasting with Skinner we were both so impressed with the white wines from both ’22 and ’23. These were a revisit and are some of the finest white wines you will taste in the Pacific Northwest. They are fleshy, dense and delicious bottlings with terrific freshness and great salty minerality. Learn more at https://www.weathereyevineyard.com/ and here are my reviews of the 2023 white wines by WeatherEye.

2022 WeatherEye Vineyard Clairette- Sourced from two sites in the vineyard, the 2022 WeatherEye Vineyard Clairette shows great florals with nutty nuances and ripe pear on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with a terrific mouthfeel and seamless texture with glorious length. A delicious bottling that has some great flavor density and nuance, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 96

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

2022 WeatherEye Roussanne- The 2022 Roussanne was stored in 30% new French oak with the remainder amphora and neutral oak for 10 months before bottling. Bright honeydew melon fruits combine with honeycomb, lychee and pineapple notes on the nose. The texture is insanely good with good freshness and beautiful sense of weight. Finishing exceedingly long, this is a heady, dense and delicious Roussane bottling that is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2026-2034- 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 2026-2035- 97

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 2026-2036- 97

l2022 WeatherEye ‘L’Atomique’ White Wine- The 2022 ‘L’Atomique’ combines Viognier (36%) with 32% Roussanne and the remainder Grenache Blanc, Clairette and Marsanne. This was unfined and unfiltered. This is a massive white wine that is gorgeous to consume right now. Tangerine zest, lemon curd, almond paste and shades of mango all combine on the palate. Refined and deep, with serious concentration, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2036- 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

2022 WeatherEye Grenache- The 2022 Grenache comes from several parcels in the estate, including one dramatic site near the top of the vineyard. Once on the nose this takes on red rose petals, kumquat rind, Middle Eastern spices, pulled pork and shades of Linzer torte. The palate is silky and refined with serious texture, weight and length. Dense and weightless, with bright underlying acidity, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 97

2022 WeatherEye Mourvedre- The 2022 WeatherEye Mourvedre comes from two separate parcels in the vineyard, as this is 100% varietal that was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. Inky in the glass, this exudes class on the nose with garrigue, Hoisin sauce and shades of black plum alongside wintergreen accents. The flavor range is simply sumptuous.The palate is lush and mineral-laden with terrific tension and a glorious mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2036- 96

2022 WeatherEye Syrah- The 2022 WeatherEye Syrah had some stems added and is 100% varietal. Dried sage, white pepper dusted bacon, Black Forest cake tar and tobacco leaf all combine on the nose. The palate is dense and delicious with a seamless texture and lovely red and dark fruits with a smoky and savory edge. Drinking beautifully now, watch this evolve over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 96

2022 WeatherEye ‘Raven’s Share’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Ravens Share’ stands inky in the glass. Primarily Cabernet Franc and Merlot, this offers violets, creosote and red bell pepper on the nose with shades of sandalwood and chocolate cake. The palate is heady and delicious with serious depth and concentration. A total stunner, with herbal, chocolate and graphite nuances, drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041- 97

2023 WeatherEye ‘Raven’s Share’ Red Wine- Dense, juicy and delicious, the 2023 WeatherEye ‘Raven’s Share’ Red Wine offers heady black fruits on the nose with scorched earth, wet rock and shades of sandalwood, with dried herbal accents. Full-bodied and delicious with a seamless texture, watch this evolve over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 97

2022 WeatherEye Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 WeatherEye Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning wine that has a long life ahead of it. On the nose this exudes class with mocha, tar and black licorice alongside light green herbs. The palate is plush and lush with a terrific tension and loads of stony minerals and dried herbs alongside heady black and blue fruits. Drink 2026-2040- 97

2023 WeatherEye Cabernet Sauvignon- The dazzling 2023 WeatherEye Cabernet Sauvignon is a spectacular showing from this warm vintage. Once on the nose this takes on tar and roasted fig notes alongside espresso grounds, blueberry compote and shades of black licorice. Full-bodied and fat on the mouth with terrific acidity and length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2042- 98

2022 WeatherEye Tempranillo- Coming from a highly windy site, the 2022 WeatherEye Tempranillo offers blue fruits on the nose alongside garrigue, tar and shades of smoked brisket. The palate is lush and refined with an amazing texture and gorgeous sense of weight. Dense and decadent with an amazing acid backbone, this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2026-2038- 97

2023 WeatherEye Tempranillo- Sourced from their estate vineyard high atop Red Mountain, the 2023 WeatherEye Tempranillo opens with a bouquet of black rose petals and tar alongside tobacco leaf and worn leather notes. The palate is round and generous with good underlying freshness. Very decadent in its glorious core of black and blue fruits, with milk chocolate dusted arabica bean and green herbal accents, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 97

Force Majeure

Force Majeure

Today we share the fabulous wines of Force Majeure Vineyard. For years I have admired the beautiful range of wines from this house that include tension-filled Viognier to inky Cabernet Sauvignon. The wines I tasted were from former winemaker Todd Alexander. They were dense, inky and bold wines with incredible structure and aging potential

Alexander made clearly some of the state’s finest Rhone-inspired wines from 2022 which was a year that saw mixed results, with a late harvest and cooler temperatures. The top producers from this vintage made extraordinarily good wines. 2023 on the other hand is a more seamless vintage and also one that saw few 100 degree days. It was a moderately warm year and Alexander made some stunning wines from ’23. One of the best wines from ’23, the 2023 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 99) is one of the finest wines I have tasted from this estate. It is dense, powerful and bold — quintessential Red Mountain Cabernet. Learn more at https://forcemajeurevineyards.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Force Majeure. 

2022 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Parvata’ has considerably more Mourvèdre (50% v 39%) than the 2021 edition, with 29% Grenache and only 21% Syrah (compared to 46% in the ’21). This wine has gotten better and better since it was first made nearly ten years back. This CDP-inspired blend was stored in a limited amount of new French oak barrels prior to bottling. Smoked brisket and beef drippings with Umami all hit the nose alongside white pepper dusted blackberry and shades of wintergreen. The heady and complex aromatics are truly captivating. Silky and elegant throughout the drinking experience, this has to be the finest CDP-inspired blend made in Washington State.  A touch more elegant than the brooding ’21 edition, this might be a notch better — and certainly will cellar well for at least another fifteen years. Bravo! Drink 2026-2042- 98

2023 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine- Another stellar edition of this wine, the 2023 Force Majeure ‘Parvata’ Red Wine combines Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache from their estate vineyard on Red Mountain. Tar, garrigue and shades of loganberry combine with scorched earth notes on the nose. The palate is round and generous with similar viscosity than the ’22 and a touch less finesse. It is a total joy ton consume now with its lush texture and depth, as each working part sings in unison. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2040- 97

2022 Force Majeure Grenache- 100% varietal, this had a touch of stem inclusion and was stored in mainly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This is seamless throughout the drinking experience with a weightless appearance. Bright red fruits parade with orange peel, bergamot, smoke and lavender notes on the palate. A gorgeous wine to consume now, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2036- 96

2023 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Syrah- Another year, another super edition of this wine from a slightly warmer vintage. The 2022 ‘Walla Walla’ Syrah is viscous and dense with a seamless mouthfeel and loads of rocky/loamy soil character alongside medium to full-bodied kirsch and black plum notes, alongside black pepper dusted beef brisket on the palate. Seriously good now, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 96

2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah- A dizzying follow up to the 2021, the 2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Syrah was sourced from this 11 acre Red Mountain estate vineyard set on basalt deposits. The wine had 2% Viognier blended in and shows shades of creosote and beef drippings on the nose alongside suggestions of espresso grounds, black rose petals and suggestions of blueberry pie. The palate is rich, viscous and absolutely delicious, with sensational finesse and opulent concentration. This is next-level Syrah that will compete with the finest wines of its kind on the West Coast. Flirting with perfection, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2042- 99

2023 Force Majeure ‘Estate’ Tempranillo- One of the unique wines in Washington, the inky, bold and utterly delicious 2023 ‘Estate’ Tempranillo tastes unlike anything you will find on Red Mountain. It is tightly wound and highly structured, with great opulence and depth on the mid-palate. Concentrated fig and blueberry compote flavors collide with chocolate and graphite on the palate, with a slight herbal edge. Slightly tannic and a touch backwards now, this has a very long life ahead of it. Give this beauty another year in the bottle before consuming. Drink 2027-2040- 97

2022 Force Majeure ‘Epinette’ Red Wine- Mainly Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon blended in, the 2022 ‘Epinette’ offers mocha, tar and anise notes alongside red bell pepper on the nose. The palate is heady and dense with great freshness and tension. A joy to consume now, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2043- 98

2023 Force Majeure ‘Epinette’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Epinette’ is a Right Bank-inspired beauty that has a long life in front of it. On the nose this takes on dried herbs, sandalwood and decadent dark chocolate shavings with espresso ground accents. It is hedonistic and rich with a soft mouthfeel as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2043- 98

2022 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from vines set on cobblestones, the 2022 ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers good freshness and texture with loads of stony character alongside soy sauce and dense dark fruits with good freshness. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2023 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Force Majeure ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific edition of this wine coming from old vines set on cobblestone soils. The rocky character on the mid-palate is seriously good, as soy sauce and beef dripping flavors combine with medium to full-bodied huckleberry and wild blackberry fruits. Delicious to consume now, enjoy over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 96

2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The stunning 2022 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is the best wine of the tasting. Once on the nose this takes on mocha, tar and tobacco leaf as well as creme de violette notes. The palate is plush and layered with tremendous acidity and freshness alongside granite and sandalwood notes. A world-class wine, enjoy now and overs the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2026-2043- 99

2023 Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- One of the great wines made in 2023, the Force Majeure ‘Red Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is heady and intense, slightly better weighted and less poised than the fabulous ’22 edition. Once on the nose this takes on marionberry and black cherry compote aromas that combine with creosote, and shades of milk chocolate with sagebrush accents. The complex and downright delightful aromatics bring you back to the glass for more enjoyment. This is bold and viscous with serious intensity, power and weight. Give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying in its full-throttle youth. Drink 2026-2044- 99

Stony Hill

Today we share the wines of one of California’s historic wineries. Stony Hill Vineyard dates back to1943 and was founded by Fred and Eleanor McCrea, is one of Napa Valley's oldest post-Prohibition wineries. This property was originally a168-acre goat ranch on the slopes of Spring Mountain, the estate was initially intended to be a summer retreat for the San Francisco-based couple.

The winery was built back in 1951 and the first wines they made were Chardonnay back in 1952. Against the advice of viticulture experts who recommended diversification, the McCreas focused on white varieties, primarily Chardonnay, which was rare in California at the time. They also planted Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Sémillon.

I love the new wines by Stony Hill. Check out the outstanding 2024 Stony Hill ‘SHV’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is marvelous and lush on the mouth with serious tension. Learn more about this historic site at https://www.stonyhillvineyard.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Stony Hill wines.

2024 Stony Hill ‘SHV’ Chardonnay- The 2024 Stony Hill ‘SHV’ Chardonnay comes from a three different sites throughout the Napa Valley. Right away this is alluring on the nose, offering pink grapefruit blossom and freshly cut limes alongside crushed wet rocky soils. The palate is soft and neatly textured with plenty of tension and a seamless mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2033- 94

2023 Stony Hill ‘Cote Rouge’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Stony Hill ‘Cote Rouge’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a location set on iron-rich volcanic soils which is uncommon for the area. Inky in the glass, dark currants combine with graphite and dark chocolate shavings on the nose. The palate is lush and inviting with serious texture and flavor range. A stunning wine, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2023 Stony Hill ‘Cotes des Pierres’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Stony Hill ‘Cotes des Pierres’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a stony site at the base of the vineyard. This location is set on shale and sandstone. On the nose this takes on violets, with tar, sweet pipe tobacco and shades of anise seed. The palate is lush and refined with serious texture, rocky soil character and comes off with serious flavor density. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2023 Stony Hill ‘Eleanor McCrea’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Stony Hill ‘Eleanor McCrea’ Cabernet Sauvignon is named after the proprietor of the estate, who ran the winery for many years. It is inky in the glass, offering alluring purple flowers with shades of mocha, tar and cassis. The wine is seamless and elegant, as this glides throughout the drinking experience. Drink 2026-2044- 95

Domaine Carneros

Today we share wines from one of the most beautiful estates in California. Domaine Carneros is a standout winery in Carneros, producing some of the best sparkling wines you will taste in North America. Not only do they have some of the best sparkling wines but the pairings they have for them are ingenious and very thoughtful.

This house was started all the way back in the 1970s as Claude Taittinger, of famed Champagne house Taittinger, began his search for a good spot to make California Sparkling Wine. Finally in 1987 he selected a 138-acre parcel in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. The spot he selected is truly unique, as it has a massive maritime influence being perched near the bay. The vineyard is quite windy and produces highly concentrated berries that are very small in size.

At the helm is Remi Cohen, CEO and director of winemaking. She took over Napa pioneer Eileen Crane, who had been crafting sensational, age-worthy sparkling wines in the Napa Valley for over 30 years. I had the chance to taste base wines with her last fall and I have been so impressed with her guidance of this program. There is little doubt that the ‘Le Reve’ is one of the finest sparkling wines made in North America.

Do not miss out on the 2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 96) which has to be one of the great wines of its kind, wth amazing texture and a soft mousse, Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.domainecarneros.com Here are the new sparkling wines by Domaine Carneros

2020 Domaine Carneros ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2022 ‘Brut’ is a marvelous blend of 60% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir. It is inviting with its soft, refined mousse. Salted Macadamia nut combines with nectarine skin, kiwi and shades of freshly cut limes on the palate. Rich and refined, with plenty of beautiful tension, this is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2026-2034- 93

2020 Domaine Carneros ‘Ultra Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The outstanding 2020 ‘Ultra Brut’ is made with zero dosage and saw extended less aging. This comes off very tense and nervy, with a rich mouthfeel and great sense of verve. Salty minerals combine with green papaya and cantaloupe flavors, with nutty nuances on the palate. This is going to be a sterling match for sushi. Drink 2026-2035- 93

NV Domaine Carneros ‘Cuvee de la Pompadour’ Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Domaine Carneros ‘Cuvee de la Pompadour’ Rose Sparkling Wine is a wine made in small amounts, that combines 62% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay from their estate vineyard. It is made in homage to Madame de la Pompadour, the paramour of French King Louis XV. Given .9% dosage this opens with nutty and damp earthy nuances on the nose with tart pomegranate seed, orange peel, with bergamot accents. This is lifted and soft on the palate with a refined mousse and good sense of length. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Late Disgorged Brut’ Sparkling Wine- The 2019 Domaine Carneros ‘Late Disgorged Brut’ Sparkling Wine is comprised of 61% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay coming from their Carneros estate. Toasted walnut, white peach and shades of salted sourdough bread all combine with lemon rind accents on the nose. This is ripe, fleshy and mineral-laden stuff that is drinking so beautifully now. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2018 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- A totally dazzling wine, the 2018 ‘Le Reve’ is all Chardonnay coming from their Carneros estate vineyard. Given .8% dosage, this opens with gardenia flower alongside citrus rind and shades of cardamom dusted pastry crust on the nose. The palate is loaded with power and tension with a silky mousse. Dense and delicious, enjoy this stunning sparkling wine now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 96

Elk Cove

Today we share one of the great wine brands out of Oregon. Elk Cove is now celebrating 50 years in Oregon wine. Growing up the five Campbell children helped work in the vineyards at Elk Cove. Adam Campbell took a special interest and stayed close to home for college, attending Lewis & Clark and spending summers on the bottling line. Upon graduation he joined the business year-round to learn the craft of winemaking from his parents. Adam is now responsible for making Elk Cove’s wines. He now oversees six vineyard sites with 380 planted acres. Check out the amazing 2023 Elk Cove Riesling (OB, 92) which is vibrant and neatly-textured.  I love the new 2023 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which will surely age for another two decades.  Learn more about these outstanding wines at elkcove.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Elk Cove.

2023 Elk Cove ‘Willlamette Valley’ Riesling- The 2023 Elk Cove ‘Willlamette Valley’ Riesling offers petrol and kiwi notes on the plate alongside electric tension and weight. This is inviting and alluring with its viscosity. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Elk Cove ‘Willlamette Valley’ Pinot Gris- The 2024 Elk Cove ‘Willlamette Valley’ Pinot Gris comes off rich and beautifully textured on the palate. Laden with minerality, this shows rich melon and Japanese pear flavors alongside stony minerals on the palate. A really great effort, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 92

2024 Elk Cove ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 Elk Cove ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir delivers a soft mouthfeel, with layers of ripe red currants, strawberry and Bing cherry fruit flavors. Medium-bodied, with good verve, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2026-2032- 90

2023 Elk Cove ‘Five Mountain’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Five Mountain’ comes from the Laurelwood District AVA. It comes off soft and refined on the mouth, with loads of salty soil character. Layers of marionberry and Black cherry combine with wafts of peat moss and black truffle shavigns on the palate. Seriously good, with terrific weight and finesse, enjoy now and over the next ten years to come. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2023 Elk Cove ‘Clay Court’ Pint Noir- The 2023 Elk Cove ‘Clay Court’ Pint Noir is a juicy and delicious bottling that shows ripe red fruits with red rose petals and exotic spices on the nose. It comes off medium to full-bodied, with a seamless texture and gorgeous sense of length and purity of its red and dark fruit core. Enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 93

2023 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ Pinot Noir- The dense and lush 2023 Elk Cove ‘La Boheme’ is a flat-out fabulous new edition of this wine that is sourced from their old-vine estate, the La Boheme Vineyard. This is complex, delicious and very savory stuff with its herbal edge. Hints of wintergreen and dried herbs combine with wet rock, red rose water, black raspberry and forest floor notes on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, with seriously good texture, and salty/stony character, enjoy this stunning wine now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2042- 96

Sojourn Cellars

Today we share the outstanding wines of Sojourn Cellars. The winery dates back to 2001 when two tennis friends–Craig Haserot and Erich Bradley–who shared a passion for two things: great wine and tennis. With Erich’s experience as an Assistant Winemaker at Arrowood Winery, the two developed a plan to produce small bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon from outstanding vineyard sources. They began with a hundred cases of Cabernet Sauvignon that they sold to our friends and family. Today they produce 21 different wines and have customers worldwide.The new wines by Sojourn were remarkably consistent. I love the 2024 Sojourn ‘UV Silver Eagle Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is salty and savory with a seamless texture. Learn more about these great wines at https://sojourncellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the beautiful new release wines by Sojourn Cellars.

2024 Sojourn ‘Durrell Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Golden in the glass, the 2024 Sojourn ‘Durrell Vineyard’ Chardonnay is rich and viscous with terrific tension. Sea salt dusted peaches combine with cardamom laced pastry crust, and roasted pineapple on the palate. Dense and heady with great viscosity, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2024 Sojourn ‘Ueberroth Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 Sojourn ‘Ueberroth Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from a windy portion of the Petaluma Gap. Tart red fruits mark the nose alongside shades of bergamot and orange rind on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous with terrific underlying verve, as a glorious core of red fruits greets you, alongside salty and stony nuances. Drink 2026-2038- 94

2024 Sojourn ‘UV Silver Eagle Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 Sojourn ‘UV Silver Eagle Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from a foggy, breezy location in the Sonoma Coast AVA. A terrific melange of red and dark fruits combine on the palate, alongside salted Mandarin orange zest and wet rock on the palate. Drink 2026-2039- 94

2023 Sojourn ‘Moon Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from two vineyard in the Moon Mountain District, the 2023 Sojourn ‘Moon Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers wet rock and tar on the nose with cassis and pencil lead. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth mouthfeel and wonderful feel of tension, as medium to full bodied red and dark fruits parade with rocky soils. Drink 2026-2040- 93

2023 Sojourn ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Sojourn ‘Oakville’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from several sites in this AVA. A dark core in the glass, this offers Turkish coffee and exotic spices notes that mingle well with bay leaf and shades of violets on the nose. The palate is rich and viscous with terrific tension and loamy soil character. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2041- 94

2023 Sojourn ‘Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 Sojourn ‘Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a massive and decadent bottling that is drinking marvelously in its heady youth. Once on the nose this shows off creme de cassis and loganberry preserves alongside graphite, tar and loamy soils. The palate is viscous and rich with great length and bright underlying acidity. Fresh and inviting from this slightly cooler vintage, with amazing flavor density, enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 97

Mercer Wine Estates Acquires Matthews, Tenor, Jaine and Single Barrel

Family-owned Mercer Wine Estates (a multi-generation family business with deep roots in Washington dating back to 1886) is acquiring four leading Washington wine brands from Avallé – Matthews, Tenor, Jaine, and Single Barrel. The deal was just signed and will expand the Mercer Wine Estates portfolio and winemaking capabilities.

As part of the acquisition, the winemaking team (Alex Stewart, Hal Iverson and Andy Ferguson) behind the Avallé brands will transition to Mercer Wine Estates, ensuring continuity in style, quality, and institutional knowledge. Their leadership and expertise will also elevate the quality and focus of the Mercer brand. In addition, Jen Bell will join Mercer Wine Estates as Vice President, leading the Wine Division and overseeing the expanded portfolio.

Avennia

Today we celebrate the wines of Avennia, which is a partnership between famed winemaker Chris Peterson and former Microsoft exec Marty Taucher. They now have two lines of wines, from their estate vineyard on Red Mountain as well as wines from choice sites throughout the Columbia Valley. They are making some of the best Sauvignon Blanc and Rose in Washington State.

Avennia have been producing world-class wines since their inception more than a decade ago. I adored the 2023 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is a beautiful rendition of Right Bank-inspired wine from Washington. Learn more about Avennia at https://avennia.com and here are my reviews of the fantastic new ‘Estate Vineyard’ wines by Avennia.

2023  Avennia ‘Estate Vineyard Red Mountain’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Estate Vineyard Red Mountain’ was stored in a small amount of new French oak barrels before bottling. Vey dark and perfumed this is brimming with dark currant flavors alongside pencil lead, anise, creme de violette and scorched earth on the palate. A tad better than the ’22, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2023 Avennia ‘Valery’ Red Wine- The really good 2023 Avennia ‘Valery’ is nearly all Merlot (90%) with the remainder Cabernet Franc. It is big and bold with terrific freshness and mid-palate depth. Black tea and exotic spices fill the nose with shades of orange bell pepper and heady dark fruits, with dark chocolate shavings. Lush and ripe on the mouth, this exhibits terrific length and underlying tension. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2023 Avennia ‘Sestina’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Sestina’ combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (78%) with smaller parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Sagebrush, mocha and tar notes combine with black florals and hints of graphite on the nose. The palate is lush and inviting with a silky texture and outstanding combination of weight and underlying verve. This is astonishingly good in its heady youth and will continue to evolve over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2026-2043-96

Liminal

It is a pleasure to share the wines of Liminal. Each bottling comes from the famed WeatherEye Vineyard (https://www.weathereyevineyard.com) which is set on a windswept ridgeline of Red Mountain in Washington State and is planted to 30 acres of Rhône, Bordeaux, and Spanish varieties. This is a highly novel and unique Pacific Northwest vineyard. The vineyard ranges from 950’ to 1410’ of elevation, and has extreme slopes and soils ranging from dune sand to fractured bedrock basalt. Ryan Johnson serves as vineyard manager, having previously managed the esteemed Ciel du Cheval Vineyard for 15 years. Ryan farms this vineyard meticulously and wines from this site have a very wild appearance from the sagebrush, rabbitbrush and yarrow as well as many other native plants that can be found amongst the vines.

The wild character in the wines is overt.  They did an amazing job with their ‘22s and their ‘23s are just as good. Check out the thrilling 2023 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 98) which shows stunning range and is impossible to resist in its heady youth. Learn more at https://www.liminalwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Liminal Wines.

2023 Liminal ‘The Aerialist’ White Wine- The 2023 ‘The Aerialist’ has a higher percentage of Roussanne (85%) than the ’22 bottling, with 15% Marsanne blended in. Sourced from the famed WeatherEye Vineyard, this opens with golden raisin, white pepper and peaches on the nose alongside dried wildflower. The palate is lush and inviting with a seamless texture and marvelous sense of salty minerality. Showing outstanding weight and length, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years to come. Drink 2026-2034- 96

2023 Liminal ‘Block 16’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Block 16’ Syrah stands inky in the glass, and shows amazing aromatic range with violets, tar and tobacco leaf alongside shades of blood orange zest and a heady melange of red and dark fruits. Full-bodied and neatly textured, with iodine and beef dripping accents, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 96

2023 Liminal ‘The Mountain Tower’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘The Mountain Tower’ combines Cabernet Franc (48%) with the remainder Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is study, well-structured wine with outstanding flavor and aromatic range. Tar, anise seed, dark chocolate shavings, red bell pepper and black rose petals all mark the nose. The palate is lush and soft on the tongue, with good underlying tension. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2038- 96

2023 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Jet black in the glass, the stunning 2023 Liminal ‘Block 47’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes entirely from the very wild and high elevation WeatherEye Vineyard. Creme de cassis, dark chocolate shavings, boysenberry compote and bulls blood all mark the nose. The palate is fresh and elegant with a sensational texture and great sense of weight and length. Initially a bit reticent, so try to give this at least an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2027-2045- 98

Aperture

Today we share the amazing wines of Aperture, founded by famed winemaker Jesse Katz. Of course we can’t talk Aperture wines without mentioning the best North American Malbec also produced by Katz and his team, Devil Proof. A chic and modern tasting facility, Aperture is a must-visit for anyone serious about California wine. The dream team of Jesse Katz and Hillary Sjolund have been making some of the best wines in Sonoma.

Katz has worked winemaking jobs spanning the globe including harvests at Pétrus in Bordeaux, as well as time on the winemaking teams at Screaming Eagle Winery and Robert Foley Winery in Napa Valley, and Viña Cobos and Bodega Noemia in Argentina. He was named head winemaker at Lancaster in 2010. Wine Enthusiast named Jesse one of its 40 Under 40 Tastemakers and he was also the first winemaker on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. He was Wine Enthusiast winemaker of the year last year!

The new wines I tasted were incredible. I adored the 2023 Aperture ‘Del Rio Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 100) which is a stunning, perfect wine made from this slightly cooler vintage. It is a must-taste for any lover of California Cab. Learn more at https://aperture-cellars.com/ and here are my reviews of the new Aperture ‘Collage’ wines.

2023 Aperture ‘Proterra’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Proterra’ is a similar blend to the ’22, with 82% Merlot and the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc from the Napa Valley. It comes off inky in the glass, exuding class with its gorgeous core of black currant and black rose petal aromatics that combine with fresh sage, and loamy soils. The palate is beautifully structured and nervy with a firm graphite backbone and refined tannins. Very delicious in its heady youth, enjoy now and over the next twelve plus years to come. Drink 2026-2038- 95

2023 Aperture ‘Oliver Ranch’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Oliver Ranch’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from this 3.5 acre location that is set on gravel soils. It is beautifully perfumed, with a serious dark core in the glass. Violets, tar and black licorice all mark the nose alongside suggestions of creme de cassis. The palate is pillowy and soft with a refined texture and glorious sense of weight and length. A complete wine that flirts with perfection and has gorgeous nerve  being more tension filled than the ’22 edition. Enjoy this beautiful wine over the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2026-2042- 99

2023 Aperture ‘SJ Ranch’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘SJ Ranch’ is located in the Chalk Hill AVA with vines set on clay loam soils. Stored in all new French oak, this opens with a gorgeous bouquet of mocha, scorched earth and shades of espresso grounds and black tea accents. The palate is thrilling throughout the drinking experience as the loamy soil character shines through an ebullient core of black and blue fruits. Showing amazing pillowy texture, decadence and nerve, this is a total stunner that is a must-try for any lover of Sonoma Cabernet. Enjoy this total heavyhitter over the next twenty years. Drink 2026-2046- 100

2023 Aperture ‘Del Rio Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2023 ‘Del Rio Vineyard’ comes  from this unique hillside location that is set on chalky soils, and neighboring famed winery Verite. 100% varietal, this is jet black in the glass, showing off Turkish coffee aromatics that parade with purple rose petals, anise and suggestions of creme de violette on the nose. The palate is seamless throughout the drinking experience, showing some sensational chalky soil undertones that sing in unison with its opulent dark and blue fruit profile. Head-turning and utterly mesmerizing to taste, enjoy now and over the next twenty years to come. Drink 2026-2046- 100

Alpha Omega

Today we share one of the most beautiful destinations in Napa, Alpha Omega. For many years now Alpha Omega has crafted a brilliant range of wines from sites throughout the Napa Valley. Founded back in in 2006, Alpha Omega has had a knack for producing great wines even in the toughest of vintages. Current winemaker Melissa Paris is the current winemaker and took over this position inJuly 2024 after joining in 2020. She leads blending, lab technology, and cellar operations. Notable past winemakers include Matt Brain (2020–2023), Jean Hoefliger (founding winemaker), and consultant Andy Erickson.

I love the 2021 Alpha Omega ‘Hyde Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is a total stunner with serious viscosity and tension.  Check out the incredible 2023 Alpha Omega ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is just an infant right now in its drinking but has so much aging potential. Learn more about these beautiful wines at http://www.aowinery.com Here are my reviews of the gorgeous new wines by Alpha Omega.

2021 Alpha Omega ‘Hyde’ Chardonnay- A brilliantly aged wine, the 2021 Alpha Omega ‘Hyde’ Chardonnay offers layers of melon and tropical fruits alongside baking spice laced pie crust on the palate. Rich and viscous, with serious tension, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2023 Alpha Omega ‘Napa Valley’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Alpha Omega ‘Napa Valley’ Chardonnay is loaded with tension and salty minerality. Salted peach and lemon rind flavors combine with pastry crust on the palate. This is exceedingly delicious with its brilliant finesse. Drink 2026-2033- 93

2023 Alpha Omega ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- A blend of choice lots, the 2023 Alpha Omega ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay is layered and delicious with loads of tropical fruits and melon. Buttercream and lemon zest accents combine with rich baking spices on the palate. Drink 2026-2036- 95

2021 Alpha Omega Proprietary Red Red Wine- The 2021 Proprietary Red combines 30% Cabernet Sauvignon with 27% Merlot, 26% Petit Verdot and small parts Malbec and Cabernet Franc. This is beautifully structured with dense dark fruits alongside graphite, molten chocolate and dried herbs. Drink 2026-2036- 93

2021 Alpha Omega ‘Proprietary Red Spring Mountain District’ Red Wine- All coming from the Spring Mountain District, this combines 55% Merlot with 40% Cabernet and the rest Petit Verdot. This is ultra-refined stuff with amazing structure and tension with refined tannins. Pencil lead, anise and creme de cassis flavors combine with mocha tones on the palate. This is a spectacular showing that has outstanding working parts. Drink 2026-2042- 95

2022 Alpha Omega ‘Atlas Peak’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Mocha, tar and anise mark the nose. The palace is beautifully structured with terrific tension and richness. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2026-2036- 94

2021 Alpha Omega ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Alpha Omega ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon offers sandalwood and cassis notes alongside tones of graphite and espresso grounds. The palate is refined and elegant with a terrific mouthfeel. Drink 2026-2040- 93

2022 Alpha Omega ‘Angel’s Vista’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from a site neighboring Pritchard Hill, this gorgeous 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon comes off rich and viscous with terrific tension. Mocha, tar and cassis tons combine with stony minerals on the palate. This is smooth and viscous stuff that is already neatly defined. Drink 2026-2045- 95

2021 Alpha Omega ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Highly structured, as well as dense and nervy, the 2022 Alpha Omega ‘Stagecoach Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a stunning wine that is showing brilliantly. Tension filled and nervy, this is loaded with stony minerals. Dense dark fruits coming with volcanic soils on the palate, with green herbal accents. A stunning wine, this is complex and delightful stuff that is built to age. Drink 2026-2046- 97

2022 Alpha Omega ‘Lamoreaux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from this location in the Oak Knoll AVA, the 2022 Alpha Omega ‘Lamoreaux Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is elegant and concentrated with great power. This is already neatly defined with mocha, black licorice and shades of creme de violette on the palate. Drink 2026-2040- 95

2021 Alpha Omega ‘Marston Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2021 Alpha Omega ‘Marston Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful, well-structured wine that has beautiful violets on the nose. Cassis, sandalwood and tar notes combine on the palate, with sweet pipe tobacco notes. A total stunner, loaded with loamy soil character, enjoy now and over the next twenty years. Drink 2026-2046- 97