Domaine Carneros

Today we share one of the great sparkling wine houses on the West Coast. Perched high on a hill, overlooking the valley., Domaine Carneros is one of my favorite wineries to visit. Founded back in 1987 by Claude Taittinger, of famed Champagne house Taittinger, the location is 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 who serves as 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. There is little doubt that their, ‘Le Reve,’ is one of the finest sparkling wines made in North America. They also have been steadily improving their Pinot Noir program and currently have a glorious range of still wines.

I love the new wines. The 2016 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve Late Disgorged’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 98) is arguably the best sparkling wine from North America I have tasted in the past year. It is a stunning, thrilling wine to consume now. Do not sleep on this beauty. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.domainecarneros.com Here are the new wines by Domaine Carneros

2016 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve Late Disgorged’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- A total masterclass by this storied house, the 2016 ‘Le Reve Late Disgorged’ saw nearly ten years on the lees before disgorgement. The nose is sensational with candied ginger and lemon rind that combines with suggestions of basil leaf, and salted French bread. The palate takes on a silky mousse that glides throughout the drinking experience. The finish will last for an entire minute as this is undeniably one of the finest sparkling wines from North America that I have tasted in the past year. A joy to savor now, enjoy this impeccably balanced sparkling wine now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 98

2023 Domaine Carneros ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir is a fresh and complex bottling from this storied estate in the Carneros district. It comes off soft and neatly-textured on the mouth with terrific freshness. A beautiful melange of red currants, guava and Yakima cherry combine with shades of salty soils on the palate. Viscous and fresh, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2023 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Ciel Serein’ Pinot Noir is a beautiful edition of this wine that is fresh, viscous and shows outstanding flavor range. Salted soils and shades of wild blackberry fill the nose alongside hints of cola, white pepper and Hoisin sauce. The palate is dense and rich with a lifted freshness and lovely floral accents. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Domaine Carneros ‘The Famous Gate’ Pinot Noir- Mainly Swan clonal selection Pinot Noir, the 2023 ‘The Famous Gate’ was stored for 16 months in 45% new French oak before bottling. This is a totally dazzling Pinot Noir in terms of weight, finesse and salty character. A killer melange of red and dark fruits combine with shades of black peppercorns, oyster sauce and shades of milk chocolate. This is highly complex, delicious stuff that beautifully displays the lift, tension and nuance from this vintage. Drink 2025-2040- 96

Votto Vines New Releases

Here are the outstanding new releases by Italian wine importer Votto Vines.

Nestore Bosco

2024 Nestore Bosco Pecorino- The really good 2024 Nestore Bosco Pecorino is nicely textured with Japanese pear and nectarine flavors alongside nutty nuances on the palate. Fresh and ripe, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2022 Nestore Bosco Montepulciano D’Abruzzo- The forward and juicy 2022 Nestore Bosco Montepulciano D’Abruzzo delivers chocolate and wild herbs on the palate, with damp soils and suggestions of cigar ash. Lightly tannic and delicious, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

Podere La Pace

2024 Podere La Pace ‘Prima Viola’ Bianco- This 2024 Maremma Bianco combines 60% Viognier with the remainder Chardonnay. This is tension-filled stuff with ripe melon and fig flavors alongside shades of cashew nut on the palate. Soft and inviting, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2020 Podere La Pace ‘Pittoresco’ Rosso- Made from mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes, this delicious 2020 Maremma Rosso shows off terrific flavor density and weight with a great melange of red and dark fruits that connect well with chocolate cake and dried herbal accents on the palate. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2021 Podere La Pace ‘Silvano’ Cabernet Franc- 100% varietal, the 2021 ‘Silvano’ is nicely concentrated and delicious stuff that is already drinking very well. Menthol and dusty soils combine with dark chocolate shavings, graphite and refined tannins on the palate. Deep and rich, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Tenuta Bellafonte

2024 Tenuta Bellafonte ‘Sperella’ Bianco- Made from estate-grown Trebbiano grapes, the 2024 Tenuta Bellafonte ‘Sperella’ Bianco offers copious minerals alongside green apple and herbal accents. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 89

2021 Tenuta Bellafonte ‘Pomontino’ Montefalco- The 2021 ‘Pomontino’ is a delicious, straightforward red, with red currants, dusty tannins and tobacco leaf flavors. Mineral-laden, this would be best savored now and over the next several years. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2015 Tenuta Bellafonte ‘Collenottolo’ Montefalco- The outstanding 2015 Tenuta Bellafonte ‘Collenottolo’ Montefalco offers green olive and sanguine notes on the nose alongside crushed red flowers and shades of black licorice. The palate is plush and inviting with refined tannins, wintergreen and a great melange of red and dark fruits. Enjoy this beauty now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

Terre Rubine

2021 Terre Rubine Langhe Nebbiolo- The 2021 Terre Rubine Langhe Nebbiolo shows sea salt dusted red fruits on the nose with shades of red florals and stony soils. The palate shows a smooth mouthfeel with good flavor density. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2020 Terre Rubine Barolo- A really nice effort from this excellent vintage, the 2020 Terre Rubine Barolo delivers black rtruffle shavings and damp earthy notes on the palate that combine with wild blackberry and black raspberry. Refined tannins and a silky mouthfeel push through this delicious and already well-defined Barolo. Drink 2025-2033- 92

Lorenzo Melani

2023 Lorenzo Melani Rosso di Montalcino- A really nice and youthful effort, the 2023 Lorenzo Melani Rosso di Montalcino pushes on juicy red currants and wild strawberry flavors on the palate with copious minerals and stony accents on the palate. Explore this good value now and over the next few years to come. Drink 2025-2031- 90

2020 Lorenzo Melani Brunello di Montalcino- A really good effort, the 2020 Lorenzo Melani Brunello di Montalcino is already drinking beautifully now at the five year mark. On the nose this takes on peat moss and stony soil notes alongside red currants, guava, and shades of sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is plush and elegant with a silky mouthfeel and great sense of weight and tension. Drink 2025-2033- 92

Ethos

What was formerly a line under the Ste. Michelle Portfolio, Ethos is Ste. Michelle Wine Estates new brand that focuses on high quality wines from the Columbia Valley. The program focuses on wines made from grapes grown at Ste Michelle’s estate’s vineyards and from grower partners across the Columbia Valley’s most notable AVAs. Winemaker Tristan Butterfield has a longstanding history in Washington wine, having a degree in physics from The University of Notre Dame before settling on Red Mountain working for Kiona Vineyards.

The new wine is outstanding, settling in nicely as the cool vintage 2022 Ethos (OB, 93) is glorious to consume now. Learn more at https://ethoswine.com/ and here is my review of the gorgeous new Ethos wine.

2022 Ethos Cabernet Sauvignon- A new release of the Ethos, this 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon was stored in new and neutral French and American oak barrels for 22 months before bottling and was sourced from Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, and Wahluke Slope appellations, as well as the famed Cold Creek Vineyard. It comes off inky in the glass, delivering tar, sandalwood and dark currants on the nose with shades of black licorice. The palate is smooth and viscous with a terrific mouthfeel and great length. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Nine Hats

One of the great Washington value wine brands that still seemingly sneaks under the radar, Nine Hats Nine Hats wines are essentially the second wines made by Long Shadows.  They are all handcrafted in Walla Walla by famed winemaker Gilles Nicault. They have made wines that totally overdeliver for the price, even in challenging vintages such as 2020.

Now they even have a terrific line of bubbles. It is fair to say that these wines punch considerably above their weight class and offer some of the best value in Washington wine. These are not one-off wines. The wines have good flavor density, good freshness and are all a downright killer glass pour.

Don’t miss out on the amazing 2021 Nine Hats Syrah (OB, 93) which is essentially a baby Sequel. The same is true for the 2021 Nine Hats Merlot (OB, 93) which is likely the best Merlot I have tasted all year for the price. Learn more about these outstanding wines at ninehatswines.com and here are my reviews of the new Nine Hats wines.

NV Nine Hats ‘Blanc de Blancs’ Sparkling Wine- This is the first sparkling wine made by Gilles Nicault that is a blend of several vintages. Mainly coming from locations in Zillah, this delivers oyster shell and nutmeg drenched French bread on the nose alongside suggestions of Japanese pear. This takes on the rich mousse with a beautiful sense of effervescence. The palate is fresh and fleshy with a terrific mouthfeel. This is seriously delicious stuff. Drink 2025-2031- 92

NV Nine Hats Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Nine Hats Rose Sparkling Wine is made from Malbec grapes. This comes off a touch sweet with pretty red cherry and strawberry fruit flavors alongside honeydew melon on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2024 Nine Hats Chardonnay- The outstanding  2024 Nine Hats Chardonnay comes from mainly the Gamache and Boushey vineyards. Stored in a combination of mainly neutral oak alongside concrete and a touch of new French oak barrels this delivers juicy pear and brioche notes alongside shades of toasted pineapple. This is super stuff for under 20 bucks. Bright, juicy and delicious, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2021 Nine Hats Sangiovese- The 2021 Sangiovese by Nine Hats is beautifully aromatic, offering black tea and worn leather notes with red rose petals and tart cranberry. This totally over-delivers for the price, offering a gorgeous range of red fruits and orange rind with good tension and mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2021 Nine Hats Merlot- The 2021 Nine Hats Merlot is essentially a baby Pedestal — loaded with chocolate cake, black currants and anise flavors that parade with copious minerals on the palate. Neatly textured, smooth and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2021 Nine Hats Syrah- This 2021 Nine Hats Syrah has a large amount of Grenache (10%) blended in. Inky in the glass, this shows off smoke and beef drippings alongside shades of underbrush on the nose. The palate is plush and rich with a great sense of decadence and underlying tension. At 25 bucks, this could easily be double the price. Enjoy this beauty while you can. Drink 2025-2032- 93

2021 Nine Hats Malbec- Inky in the glass, the 2021 Nine Hats Malbec mainly comes from the Weinbau Vineyard and has a large amount of Syrah blended in. Creosote, black licorice and creme de violette combines with shades of mountain huckleberry on the nose. The palate is seamless and beautifully-textured, showing serious weight and underlying freshness. Drink 2025-2033- 93

Ponzi

Today we present one of Oregon’s historic wineries. Ponzi Vineyards dates all the way back to the 1960s when Dick and Nancy Ponzi moved their young family to the Willamette Valley on a mission to make top notch Pinot Noir. After many research trips to Burgundy and an extensive search for the ideal location, Dick and Nancy bought 20 acres on a small farm just southwest of Portland, Oregon. There were only a few other farmers growing Pinot Noir back then but Dick and Nancy saw the potential for the varietal in the Northern Willamette Valley. For years Ponzi Vineyards was under their second generation with former President and Director of Sales and Marketing, Anna Maria Ponzi and former eminent Winemaker Luisa Ponzi. In May 2021, Groupe Bollinger acquired Ponzi Vineyards which was the family-owned company’s first property outside France. Max Bruening currently serves as winemaker.

The new wines come from the really delicious and approachable 2023 vintage. I loved the new 2023 Ponzi ‘Laurelwood District’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is drinking beautifully right now. The 2023 Ponzi ‘Avellana’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) is a stunning bottling that has some beautiful aging potential.  Learn more about these outstanding wines at ponzivineyards.com. Here are the great new wines by Ponzi.

2023 Ponzi ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Gris- Coming from a range of sites throughout the Willamette Valley, the 2023 Pinot Gris offers pear and star jasmine water alongside serious tension and stony minerals on the palate. Delicious now, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2023 Ponzi ‘Laurelwood District’ Chardonnay- The  2023 ‘Laurelwood District’ Chardonnay delivers a smooth mouthfeel with loads of melon fruits alongside orange rind, juicy starfruit and brioche tones on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Ponzi ‘Avellana’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Avellana’ comes from this location planted to Chardonnay Dijon Clonal selections 76 and 96. It is dense and unctuous on the tongue with a brisk feeling of verve. Dense honeydew melon and poached pear mingle well with roasted pineapple and freshly cut Key limes on the palate. Rich and decadent, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2036- 94

2023 Ponzi ‘Aurora’ Chardonnay- A really delicious new bottling, the 2023 ‘Aurora’ was sourced from a site planted in 1990 set on Laurelwood soils. Once on the nose this takes on honeysuckle and shades of white peach alongside wet stone and juicy kiwi. The palate is plush and refined with terrific volume, tension and texture. Offering great length, with plenty of salty minerals, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2023 Ponzi ‘Tavola’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Tavola’ offers forward and medium-bodied red fruits with salty soil nuances and shades of red licorice. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90

2023 Ponzi ‘Laurelwood District’ Pinot Noir- Great to savor now, the 2023 Ponzi ‘Laurelwood District’ Pinot Noir comes from this location set on northeastern facing slopes on the Chehalem Mountains. Cran-pomegranate and Bing cherry flavors meld well with salted orange zest on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2022 Ponzi ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- Needing a little time in the decanter to fully evolve, the outstanding 2022 ‘Reserve’ is a barrel selection Pinot Noir that was sourced from a range of locations spanning the Laurelwood District and Chehalem Mountains AVA. The wine takes on a dense amalgamation of beautiful texture with heady red fruits, Mandarin orange zest, and salty soil nuances. Fresh and rich on the mouth, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2037- 93

2023 Ponzi ‘Avellana’ Pinot Noir- The gorgeous 2023 ‘Avellana’ Pinot Noir comes from a northwestern facing site that sounds the winery and is a field blend of 20 different clones. This offers terrific volume and mouthfeel once on the tongue. Copious minerals fill the palate with blood orange zest and tobacco leaf alongside shades of cranberry and Asian spices. Enjoy this outstanding bottling now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Ponzi ‘Aurora’ Pinot Noir- One of the great wines of the new Ponzi lineup, the 2023 ‘Aurora’ comes from this location planted all the way back in 1990. Orange peel and forest floor notes fill the nose alongside exotic spices and shades of black plum. The palate is fresh and viscous with a great combination of weight and lip-smacking acidity. Generous red and dark fruits parade alongside with damp earthy accents on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Ponzi ‘Abetina’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Abetina’ was sourced from 1975 Pinot Noir plantings in the Laurelwood District. The nose comes off very pretty with red rose petals and potpourri notes alongside salty soils and suggestions of red raspberry compote. The palate is dense and delicious with bright acidity and serious weight and texture. A delightful bottling to consume now, this has both the weight and tension to cellar well for another fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Ponzi ‘Chehalem Crossing’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Chehalem Crossing’ Pinot Noir is sourced from this location on a southern facing slope in the Laurelwood District that is LIVE certified sustainable. Right away this delivers alluring aromatics of allspice dusted red fruits alongside Satsuma orange zest, damp earth and suggestions of bergamot. The palate completes a gorgeous melange of red and dark fruits alongside salty and stony nuances. A beautiful bottling to consume now, watch this evolve over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Ponzi ‘Madrona’ Pinot Noir- Another standout single vineyard, the 2023 ‘Madrona’ was sourced from a cooler, northern-facing location planted back in 1983. This offers terrific weight and freshness on the tongue, as this is brimming with bright red fruits alongside kumquat rind and salty soil nuances. Medium to full-bodied and delicious, watch this beauty evolve over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Ponzi ‘Paloma’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Paloma’ comes from a higher elevation site planted back in 2001. It offers a generous melange of red and dark fruits on the nose, combining with shades of peat moss, crushed wet rock and Shitake mushroom accents. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth texture. Great now, enjoy over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

Tablas Creek

It is my pleasure to share the brilliant wines of Paso Robles legend Tablas Creek. Founded by Jean-Pierre and François Perrin and Robert Haas on what was formerly an former alfalfa farm they struck gold planting vines on limestone soils in the Adelaida Hills. They saw immense potential to produce wines with stony minerality. From the beginning they focused on Rhône-style wines made organically. The first plantings took place in 1994 and the first Tablas Creek Vineyard wines produced in 1997. The winery has been an incredible success since that time, reaching worldwide acclaim particularly for their Rhone style red and white blends. I remember first tasting these beautiful wines more than twenty years ago.

I love visiting this historic Paso site. Earlier in the year I tasted with CEO Jason Haas who has incredible knowledge about the wines, region and estate vineyard. I am totally blown away with the 2023 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Tablas’ Red Wine (OB, 96) which needs a lot of air now but is a thrilling, highly complex wine to consume even in its bright, tension-filled youth  Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://tablascreek.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Tablas Creek. 

2024 Tablas Creek ‘Patelin de Tablas Blanc’ White Wine- This edition of ‘Patelin de Tablas Blanc’ is mostly Grenache Blanc (40%) and Viognier (29%). This is vibrant and juicy with pear and starfruit flavors alongside racy minerality on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 91

2024 Tablas Creek ‘Cotes de Tablas Blanc’ White Wine- The outstanding 2024 Tablas Creek ‘Cotes de Tablas Blanc’ White Wine is 41% Viognier and 26% Marsanne with smaller portions Grenache Blanc, Picardin and Clairette Blanche. This is round and generous, laden with tension. Orange zest and Key lime combine with suggestions of white peach and nutty underpinnings on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2024 Tablas Creek ‘Alouette’ Grenache- The 2024 Tablas Creek ‘Alouette’ Grenache is a unique, chillable Grenache that tastes terrific at a warmer temperature as well. Candied red fruits and cranberry notes combine with shades of exotic spice and stony soils on the palate. Delicious and tart, with lovely citrus fruit rounding things out, enjoy now. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Tablas Creek Syrah- The seriously good 2023 Tablas Creek Syrah shows off white pepper and iodine on the nose alongside beef brisket and mountain huckleberry on the nose. The palate is fresh and lithe with a great vein of tension. Medium-bodied dark and red fruits greet you alongside wild herbs on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 Tablas Creek Mourvedre- A leaner and more linear version of this varietal, the 2023 Tablas Creek Mourvedre offers considerable flavor complexity rather than flavor density. A killer melange of red and dark fruits greet you on the palate, alongside shades of Hoisin sauce and blood orange zest that produce a fabulous mouth-watering effect. While personally I would prefer a touch more weight, you can’t argue with the personality and beautiful range performed here. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Tablas Creek ‘Espirit de Tablas’ Red Wine- Another stunning edition of this wine, the 2023 ‘Espirit de Tablas’ combines 33% Mourvèdre (compared to 40% in 2022) and 31% Syrah (compared to 22% in 2022) alongside 26% Grenache and small parts Cinsault, Vaccarese and Counoise. The heady aromatics entice as herbs de Provence, orange peel, white pepper dusted beef, and shades of oyster sauce all parade on the nose. The palate is fresh and rich with a terrific sense of texture and underlying verve. This might not be the most dense or heady edition of this wine, but the flavor complexity and freshness makes this simply irresistible to enjoy right now. Simply put, the novelty is astonishingly good as there might not be another wine quite like this in the world. Be sure to give this about an hour in the decanter if savoring now. Drink 2025-2040- 96

Audeant

Today we share the beautiful wines of Audeant. Andrew Reichers has long been making great wines. He trained under eminent Santa Barbara producer Matthias Pippig of Sanguis fame. Reichers has made wine in New Zealand, at Burn Cottage, and in Burgundy in the Haute Cote working for Claire Naudin at Domaine Naudin Ferrand. In Oregon he served for five years as the assistant winemaker at Antica Terra and Lillian with Maggie Harrison prior to joining and founding Audeant Wines with Proprietor, Teal Walker, in 2016.

The wine sthat he make have a beginning, middle and end. They are well-structured and produce amazing flavor range Just as I loved the ‘22s, the ‘23s also have brilliant tension but show slightly more muscle. I love the value here with the 2023 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is a stunning wine for the price. Similarly, the 2023 Audeant Rose (OB, 93) is amongst the finest expressions of Oregon Rose that I have tasted this year. Learn more about this exciting winery at https://www.audeant.com Here are the beautiful new wine releases by Audeant.

2023 Audeant 'Seven Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The stunning 2023 Audeant 'Seven Springs Vineyard’ Chardonnay comes from a half-acre of this site that is set on the south ridge of the property. The wine was stored in 30% new French oak before bottling. Nutmeg and clove drenched French bread combines with apricot, white peach and shades of star jasmine on the nose. The palate is ripe, round and generous with a terrific mouthfeel and loads of mouth-watering acidity. A complete wine, enjoy this beauty now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Audeant Rose- The 2023 Audeant Rose comes from both the Cherry Groave and Luminous Hills Vineyards. The wine was destemmed and then sat on the skins for six days before fermentation. The wine then was stored on the lees for 11 months before bottling. This comes off very a la Big Table Farm in terms of flavor density, weight, viscosity and flavor range. Mandarin orange zest combines with guava puree, wild strawberry and walnut alongside shades of peat moss on the palate. Very complex and delicious, don’t serve this beauty too cold! This is not cheap at 50 bucks, but it is every bit a thrilling joyride to consume. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Audeant ‘Willamette Valley’ comes from mainly the Luminous Hills, Cortell-Rose and Cherry Grove Vineyards. This offers terrific weight and freshness with a fabulous melange of red and dark fruits alongside exotic spices and damp earthy undertones. A great wine to consume in its heady youth, enjoy over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2023 Audeant ‘Foothills’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Foothills’ Pinot Noir delivers gorgeous red rose petals on the nose with salty red fruits and a blast of blood orange zest, with bergamot accents. The palate takes on lovely leafy and also Amaro underpinnings alongside a generous core of red fruits and copious minerals. Enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2025-2037- 94

2023 Audeant ‘Luminous Hills Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Another sterling edition of this wine, the outstanding 2023 ‘Luminous Hills’ Pinot Noir comes from this site in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It is quite vibrant and nervy once on the mouth, showing loads of tension and salty minerality. Red cherry compote and red licorice flavors combine with cran-orange and shades of peat moss on the palate. This clearly has a long way to go in the cellar, showing slightly less nerve than the ’22, but more unbridled power. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Audeant ‘Stardance Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A new site for me, the ‘Stardance Vineyard’ is set in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, as they utilize Pommard clonal selection Pinot Noir set on Peavine soils. This is nicely rocky on the mouth, with damp wet stone alongside shades of wild blackberry, baking spices, and shades of tangerine peel, with light bay leaf accents. Elegant and smooth throughout the drinking experience, with good verve, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

2022 Audeant ‘Nysa Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Nysa Vineyard’ was sourced from this dry-farmed location in the Dundee Hills AVA. Volcanic soils and terrific tension fill the mid-palate, alongside pomegranate seed, wild blackberry and shades of wild mushroom on the palate. Complex and loaded with freshness, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2040- 94

Haynes Vineyard

Today we share one of the historic sites of Coombsville. Haynes Vineyard s a longtime producer of Pinot Noir, Syrah, and three tiers of Chardonnay from the oldest Chardonnay vines in Napa Valley. Lawrence Wine Estates acquired the Haynes Vineyard back in 2019 from Patricia Haynes. Her family had owned the property since the 1860s.

Speaking yesterday with Carlton McCoy, MS, he explained “this was originally a homestead and they grew animals. Then in the 1960s Patricia was approached by Louis Martini and Andre Tchelistcheff to convert their agricultural land to viticulture. Her response was she doesn’t know anything about growing grapes but if you want to plant it and manage it that is great. They did that in 1967. We bought it in 2019 and they had original Wente Clone planted in 1967. The Pinot Noir was also planted then, the Louis Martini clone.”

The vineyard has a gentle slope which is north-facing. Chardonnays come from three different locations which are very impacted by the wind. McCoy explained “What we found by tasting the fruit and making the wines is scientifically there are very different reactions with heavy wind. They dig deeper to stabilize the vines. That is true with wind drawn areas where the vines are super deep. Second, grapes naturally grow a thicker skin as a defense to the wind. We see this in the Ucco Valley in Mendoza where the skins become thicker. What this does is produce a Chardonnay that has much more phenolics and more depth than the other two Chardonnays.” The Chardonnay are given native yeast fermentation and are stored in large format barrels. They see no sulfur for a years and there is no battonage and racking. The wine stays on the lees for the entire time in unique Stockinger barrels. Wines are stored in barrel or 21 months before bottling.

I was enamored by the new Chardonnay bottlings. These by far surpass the wines that I tasted in the ‘00s from this site. I adore the 2022 ‘Corazon’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is rich, viscous and marvelously flinty. This is reminiscent of a world-class warm vintage Chablis. Learn more about these electric wines at https://haynesvineyard.com/ and here are the great newlines by Haynes Vineyard.

2022 Haynes Vineyard ‘Forgeron’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Forgeron’ Chardonnay delivers toasted hazelnut alongside Key Lime and shades of white peach. The palate is plush and rich with great flavor density and outstanding length. Delicious and mineral-laden, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Haynes Vineyard ‘Vigneron’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Vigneron’ Chardonnay offers brioche and lemon rind alongside suggestions of gingerbread. This is loaded with lemon rind, diatom and nutmeg alongside suggestions of freshly cut limes and sourdough bread on the palate. The length of the wine is really outstanding. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2022 Haynes Vineyard ‘Corazon’ Chardonnay- Coming from a south-facing portion of the vineyard, the 2022 Haynes Vineyard ‘Corazon’ Chardonnay offers great flavor density and weight. Roasted pineapple and mango notes combine wth salted nectarine and shades of honeydew melon and wet rock on the palate. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2023 Haynes Vineyard ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Haynes Vineyard ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir saw native fermentation and nearly 70% whole cluster fermentation. Stored in mainly natural oak, this delivers salted pomegranate and wild strawberry notes alongside dried herbs. The palate is loaded with freshness and mouth-watering acidity. Juicy and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

2023 Haynes Vineyard ‘Estate’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Estate’ saw all stem inclusion and was aged in all large format barrels before bottling. Blood orange zest and white pepper with beef drippings combine on the nose. The palate is concentrated and fresh with a fleshy texture and a marvelous core of black fruits and herbs. This is very Napa meets Cornas. Drink 2025-2035- 94

Abloom

Today we present one of the really killer new wine brands out of Napa. Abloom is a Rose project by three famed female winemakers: Molly Hill, Ashley Hepworth and Sally Johnson Blum. The wine is inspired by the great Grenache based rose wines of Provence and comes from a high elevation site atop the Napa Valley.

The wine is made in a very textural style, offering a very Domaine Tempier v Napa feel. It is pretty and complex wine that is gonna be astoundingly good at the Thanksgiving table or any Tuesday night. The 2024 Abloom (OB, 93) is one of the standout Rose wines I have tasted this year. It is pretty and downright sexy with its core of red fruits and flavor range. Learn more at https://www.abloomwine.com/ and her is my review of the inaugural release of Abloom Rose.

2024 Abloom Rose- Sourced from the Paras Vineyard on Mount Veeder, this is 100% Grenache Rose that was made by three female winemakers: Molly Hill, Ashley Hepworth and Saslly Johnson Blum. This is rich and beautifully-textured stuff, with good stuffing and verve. Pretty guava and strawberry fruits collide with Mandarin orange peel, alongside copious minerals on the palate. This is absolutely gorgeous stuff that will age gracefully for years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93

Liminal

One of the great wineries in Washington state, Liminal sources from the acclaimed WeatherEye Vineyard (https://www.weathereyevineyard.com). This incredible site is set on the windswept ridgeline of Red Mountain in Washington State and is planted to 30 acres of Rhône, Bordeaux, and Spanish varieties. This is absolutely extreme terroir. 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. It is incredible how the nuances of these plants can come into the wines.

The wines all share an incredible wild character from this herbal-laden terroir.  I was enamored by the fall releases and the spring 2024 releases are nothing short of world-class. I adored the new 2023 Liminal Viognier (OB, 95) is bold and dazzles with its depth and flavor range. Learn more at https://www.liminalwine.com Here are the beautiful new wines by Liminal Wines.

2023 Liminal Viognier- Sourced from the famed WeatherEye Vineyard the outstanding 2023 Viognier has less tension but better concentration than the ’22. Rich papaya and orange marmalade flavors combine wth honeydew melon and juicy kiwi on the palate. Viscous and dense, enjoy this stunning wine now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2023 Liminal Grenache- The 2023 Liminal Grenache is reminiscent of some of the greats from Chateauneuf. Blood orange zest and wild herbs fill the nose alongside red rose petals and shades of smoked pork shoulder all fill the nose. The palate has outstanding depth, poise and concentration, with salty and stony undertones and a great core of garrigue dusted red fruits. A stunning wine to enjoy now, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 96

2023 Liminal Syrah- The 2023 Liminal Syrah is a stunning wine from this warm vintage. This is dense, heady and concentrated stuff with loads of garrigue character. Arabica bean and fresh herbs combine with shades of black currants, Hoisin sauce and burnt ends on the palate. Very complex and delicious, this savory, stony and salty wine is already beautifully defined. Drink 2025-2038- 96

2023 Liminal ‘The Barbarous Heart’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘The Barbarous Heart’ is a GSM-style wine with mainly Grenache (48%) and Mourvèdre (30%) with a small part Syrah. Wet stone and provencal herbal tones mark the palate alongside suggestions of Mandarin orange zest and shades of pulled pork on the palate. Marvelously smoky, savory and meaty, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 96

2023 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Mourvèdre- The 2023 Liminal ‘WeatherEye Vineyard’ Mourvèdre delivers thyme and smoked brisket on the nose with orange rind tones. The palate is dense and heady with terrific weight and texture. Glorious now, with terrific nerve, watch this evolve over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 96

Bledoe Family Winery

Today we share one of the greats of Walla Walla. Doubleback was founded by NFL legend, Drew Bledsoe and his wife, Maura. The story completes itself as Drew circled back following his brilliant NFL career. He decided that he wanted to produce more of a value brand under his name — wines that offer serous class for a good price. Bledsoe Family Wines was born and they have a killer tasting room in downtown Walla Walla. Like Doubleback, the wines are made by one of Washington’s great winemaking talents, Josh McDaniels.

I love the new 2023 Bledsoe Family Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 93) which totally overdelivers for the price Learn more about these beautiful wines at www.bledsoefamilywinery.com and here is my review of the gorgeous new 2025 fall release wine by Bledsoe Family.

2023 Bledsoe Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Walla Walla Valley, this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon offers bitter chocolate, tar and tobacco leaf with fresh sage on the palate, alongside concentrated dark currants. This is seriously good for the price. Drink 2025-2033- 93

Echolands

Today we share the wines of Echolands, founded by Brad Bergman and Doug Frost, MW, MS. Echolands is an amazing tasting experience outside of the town of Walla Walla. They have built their new, gorgeous facility in the Mill Creek area, with sweeping views of the valley. 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.

I have long admired the wines by winemaker Brian Rudin who was hired roughly a year ago to take over the winemaking program. He did incredible work at Canvasback, creating wines that have beautiful depth and flavor density — deftly showcasing the Red Mountain power and terroir.

I loved the new wines. The 2023 ‘Resurgent Vineyard’ Syrah (OB, 95) is marvelously stony with insanely good flavor range. Learn more about this fantastic new project at echolandswinery.com Here are my reviews of he beautiful new wines that I tasted from Echolands.

2022 Echolands ‘Resound’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Resound’ combines mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (46%) with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a touch of Petit Verdot. This is soft and well-structured stuff with medium-bodied pipe tobacco and milk chocolate flavors that combine with fresh sage and kirsch notes on the palate. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2023 Echolands ‘Resurgent Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2023 ‘Resurgent’ Syrah comes from this site set on basalt cobblestones. This is wonderfully stony no the nose with wet gravel, tar, bay leaf and shades of Hoisin sauce with dark raspberry notes. The palate is silky smooth with a great sense of tension that runs through the core of milk chocolate, crushed wet rock and stony minerals. Seriously good, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Absolutely no reason to cellar this beauty. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2022 Echolands ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah- The 2022 Echolands ‘Les Collines Vineyard’ Syrah is based from Block 49 of the vineyard, as this has a touch of Viognier blended in. Lifted aromatics from the Viognier greet you with white flowers alongside red currants, menthol and shades of wet rock. The palate is very laden with texture and minerality. This is a resounding success in a cooler vintage. Drink 2025-2033- 94

2023 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Franc- The outstanding 2023 Echolands ‘Walla Walla Valley’ Cabernet Franc was stored in a small amount of new French oak barrels before bottling. This comes off neatly-textured with good tension. Blood orange zest and red raspberry mingles well with herbs de Provence and rocky accents on the palate. Complex and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

Trisaetum

Today we share one of the outstanding producers of the Willamette Valley. Trisaetum utilizes the talents of fellow Arsenal supporter James Frey. Wines are well-balanced and speak to the AVAs. They have amazing poise and power.  James also makes some outstanding sparkling wines under his Pashey label and I reviewed his wines sourced from the Walla Walla Valley, his 1841 label. He is making some of the best Riesling you will taste in the Willamette Valley.

The new Trisaetum lineup was amazing. I love the 2023 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot noir (OB, 95) which is a head-turning barrel selection wine that has a long way to go in the cellar. T Learn more about this fantastic Willamette Valley winery at http://www.trisaetum.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Trisaetum. 

2023 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2023 ‘Willamette Valley’ bottling comes from the three Trisaetum estate vineyards. This is beautifully textured stuff, offering loads of tart red fruits alongside blood orange zest, salty soils and suggestions of dried hers on the palate. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2023 Trisaetum ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir- A beautiful edition of this wine, the 2023 ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir comes from this location planted back in 2007, set on marine sandstones. It offers pure guava and red cherry flavors alongside wet stone, orange zest and copious stony minerals on the palate. Drink 2025-2036- 94

2023 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Coast Range Estate’ comes from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA at this location set on both volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. This is filled with tension and minerality on the tongue. Red rose water combines iwht salted orange and shades of pomegranate seed on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2023 Trisaetum ‘Wichmann Dundee’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Wichmann Dundee’ was sourced from vines set on Jory soils in the Dundee Hills AVA. Right away this offers crushed wet rock and orange peel notes on the nose alongside heady wild blackberry notes aromatically. The palate is fresh, concentrated and loaded with mouth-watering tension on the palate, alongside suggestions of wild mushroom. Comlex and elegant, with great texture and verve, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot Noir-A marvelous wine from all three Trisaetum properties, the 2023 ‘Estates Reserve’ can benefit from an hour in the decanter. This opens with outstanding and dense aromatics of bright red fruits, potpourri and light green herbs that combine with salty soils, bergamot and damp early accents. The palate is beautifully-textured and intense stuff with great tension and flavor density. Drink 2025-2040- 95

2023 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The stunning 2023 ‘Family Reserve’ is a wine that has such a long life ahead of it. Silky and refined on the mouth, this shows amazing depth, power and concentration. A glorious core of red fruits surrounded by salty and stony soils all combine on the palate, with peat moss and shades of menthol on the palate. Try to resist this beauty for at least another year. Drink 2026-2044- 96

Pepper Bridge and Amavi

Today we share the amazing wines of Swiss-born winemaker Jean-François Pellet. Pellet is a third-generation wine grower. He is an incredible talent that worked with his father before coming to the Walla Walla Valley back in 1999. Pepper Bridge founder Norm McKibbon saw the potential in Pellet and made him Pepper Bridge winemaker. The brand has been going strong ever since. In addition to being winemaker at both Pepper Bridge and Amavi, Pellet is a partner in Artifex, the largest custom crush facility in Walla Walla, as well as the Octave Vineyard.

In August I sat with Pellet and tasted his new wines which were amazing across the board. His Amavi brand continues to deliver good value. I love the 2024 Amavi Semillon (OB, 93) which is amongst the finest examples of this variety that you will taste in Washington. I love the 2024 Amavi Rose (OB, 93) which is another sterling example of this wine with amazing flavor range. Check out the incredible 2022 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine (OB, 95) which is amazingly poised and shows great depth and concentration from this cooler vintage.  Learn more at pepperbridge.com and here are the gorgeous new red wine releases by Pepper Bridge.

2024 Amavi Semillon- This 2024 Semillon wine has 16% Sauvignon Blanc blended in. This is marvelously nutty on the nose with apricot and pear notes. The palate is lithe and polished with a silky texture and refined sense of mouthfeel. This is seriously good, utilizing weight and acidity. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2024 Pepper Bridge Sauvignon Blanc- The 2024 Pepper Bridge Sauvignon has 6% Semillon blended in. Gooseberry and walnut mark the nose alongside shades of green apple all meld together. The palate is incredibly nervy and intense with heady finesse that meld together with citrus and orchard fruits. This is exceedingly well-done. Drink 2025-2032- 94

2024 Amavi Rose- A stunning new edition of this wine, the 2024 Amavi Rose is made from Cabernet Franc grapes and then was stored in stainless steel with some lees stirring before bottling. Damp earth collide with fresh strawberry, guava and shades of blood orange zest. This is ultra-fresh with a superb texture and great mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2031- 93

2022 Amavi ‘Walla Walla’ Syrah- This is an identical blend to the ’22, the 2023 Walla Walla Syrah is 89% Syrah with the remainder Grenache. The Walla Walla Rocks nose is really shining brightly here with the stony character alongside menthol and Hoisin sauce with bright black fruits. The palate is lithe and fresh with great texture and finesse. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2022 Amavi ‘Les Collines’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Les Collines’ is a 100% varietal wine that comes from this location near the Blue Mountains. Dried herbs and blueberry pie mark the nose alongside pencil lead and bacon fat notes. The palate has amazing freshness and underlying tension that collides with copious stony minerals and dense dark fruits. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2022 Amavi ‘Stone Valley’ Syrah- The 2022 ‘Stone Valley’ saw roughly half whole cluster fermentation. The wine was stored in only 17% new French oak before bottling. Seaweed and beef drippings mark the nose alongside black olive tapenade and charcuterie notes. This has really nice weight considering the vintage, as the flavor range really drives this beautiful wine. Drink 2025-2033- 95

2023 Amavi ‘Ceres’ Red Wine- The 2023 ‘Ceres’ combines Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Stored in 38% new French oak this delivers coffee grinds and dark currants on the nose alongside milk chocolate notes. This has a generous mouthfeel with fabulous texture and weight, as black and blue fruits combine with dark chocolate shavings and suggestions of dark fig. Drink 2025-2038- 94

2022 Amavi ‘Walla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 ‘Wallla Walla’ Cabernet Sauvignon has smaller portions of Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec blended in. This was entirely sourced from the Pepper Bridge and Summit View Vineyards. Anise and green herbs mark the nose alongside iodine and tar notes. The palate is refined and beautifully-textured with great flavor density and weight. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2022 Pepper Bridge ‘Walla Walla’ Merlot- The 2022 ‘Walla Walla’ Merlot has 12% Cabernet Franc and 6% Malbec blended in. Mainly coming from the Seven Hills vineyard, this offers a refined mouthfeel with great earthy elegance on the palate. Dark cherry and sagebrush tones combine with graphite and shades of loamy soils on the palate. Drink 2025-2042- 94

2022 Pepper Bridge ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine-  The 2022 ‘Pepper Bridge Vineyard’ Red Wine is mainly Merlot with 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Malbec with a touch of Petit Verdot. Loads of dark chocolate fill the glass alongside violet rose petals,  scorched earth and suggestions of bay leaf. The palate has fabulous weight and length with terrific viscosity. Drink 2025-2042- 95

2022 Pepper Bridge ‘Trine’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘Trine’ combines 38% Cabernet Franc with 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and the remainder Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. The herbal notes are gorgeous here as violets, tar and Cuban cigar notes combine with heady dark fruits. The palate shows beautiful freshness and structure, with vibrant acidity and a killer core of dark fruits. Drink 2026-2044- 95

2022 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2022 Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon has a small amount of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc blended in. Stored in 57% new French ask this delivers great volume and flavor density on the palate with gobs of finesse. Dark cherry and loganberry notes combine with shades of black licorice and tar on the palate. This is sophisticated, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that will live on for decades. Give this another year to develop. Drink 2026-2042- 94

Quilceda Creek

It is my pleasure to share the wines of Quilceda Creek. I visited the winery a few days back and was able to grab some awesome harvest footage. The fruit that they were processing looks impeccable from this vintage. Paul Golitzin is one of North America’s great winemakers, and has been in charge of Quilceda Creek winemaking now for decades. His winemaking style is pure class, crafting wines with his signature silky texture with serious viscosity and favor density captivates the senses.

I’m honored to be the first critic to taste the 2023 Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine. This has consistently been one of the top values in Washington wine. The new edition of this wine, the 2023 ‘CVR’ (OB, 95) is a notch better than the ’22, with a pillowy mouthfeel and loaded with dense dark fruits alongside plenty of nuance. You are gonna love this wine! Learn more about these incredible wines at quilcedacreek.com and here is my review of the amazing 2023 ‘CVR’ pre-release wine by Quilceda Creek.

2023 Quilceda Creek ‘CVR’ Red Wine- This 2023 edition of the ‘CVR’ is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Cabernet Franc blended in from the Champoux Vineyard with 5% Merlot and the remainder Petit Verdot. This benefited considerably from a long decant, offering black rose petal aromatics that combine with shades of anise, dark currants, pencil lead and sweet pipe tobacco. The palate is soft and elegant with a silky mouthfeel and great sense of weight — showing off the warmth of the vintage. This shows slightly better than the brilliant ’22. Drink 2025-2035- 95

Long Shadows

For years winemaker Gilles Nicault has been crafting some of the best wines in the Pacific Northwest.  I’ve spoken with Nicault many times about tough vintages like 2020. He did an amazing job with this year where many wineries suffered because of the conditions at harvest.  Long Shadows is one of Washington’s eminent wine brands, founded by visionary and Washington wine pioneer Allen Shoup. Shoup is a founding father of the Washington wine industry. He spent 20 years building Château Ste. Michelle and its affiliate wineries, serving as the company's CEO for 17 of those years before establishing Long Shadows in 2002. He had an incredible vision for Long Shadows and built a world-class wine brand from the ground up. The Nine Hats brand that he founded is consistently one of the better value lineups that you will find in Pacific Northwest wine. The Long Shadows tasting room in Woodinville has a world-class epicurean tasting that is a must visit for any lover of Pacific Northwest food and wine. Elegant and highly elevated, this special tasting is awesome experience for date night.

I love the new 2020 Long Shadows ‘Chester Kidder’ Red Wine (OB, 94) which is rich and bold from this tougher vintage. Learn more about these famed wines at longshadows.com and here are my reviews of the beautiful new Long Shadows and Nine Hats wines.

2020 Long Shadows ‘Chester Kidder’ Red Wine- The 2020 ‘Chester Kidder’ is a gorgeous, deep and concentrated combination of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon (57%) with 33% Syrah and the reminder Petit Verdot. Inky in the glass, this delivers green herbs, pencil lead and mocha flavors alongside creme de cassis flavors. This is decadent and delicious stuff that is best consumed now. Drink 2025-2031- 94

2025 Hampshire Report

Today we share my Hampshire Report from my visit there several months back. Hampshire is a budding wine region that continues to build. I have now been visiting Hampshire and tasting wines there for nearly ten years. The overall quality of this region continues to improve year after year. Hampshire is located roughly 50 miles southwest of London. If departing from central London you can take the train to Basingstoke, located roughly 50 or less minutes from many of the wineries. The region sees less rain than most other parts of England and vines are set on chalky and flinty soils that are similar to that in champagne. Soils in this region retains moisture and heat for the vines, and contributes to a vibrant sense of stony and chalky minerality in the wines which are predominantly planted to Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. 

There were many world-class wines that I tasted. I love the NV Hambledon ‘Premier Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 94) showing amazing weight and texture. Very complex and delicious, check out the 2015 Exton Park ‘Cuvee M. Isaac’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 95) which is singing at the ten year mark. And not to be outdone the 2017 Hattingley ‘King’s Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 96) was loaded with lemon oil and salty character. Learn more at https://www.vineyardsofhampshire.co.uk/ and here is my 2025 Hampshire Report.

BLACK CHALK

2021 Black Chalk Classic’ Brut Sparkling Wine- Made from 58% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this was given 5.4G/L dosage. Coming from this difficult vintage, this was stored in a small amount of new French oak and spent 22 months on the lees. This offers good freshness with pear and green apple flavors alongside cashew nut and light chalky character. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2021 Black Chalk ‘Wild Rose’ Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2021 Black Chalk ‘Wild Rose’ Rose Sparkling Wine is mainly Pinot Noir (55%) with the remainder Pinot Meunier and 14% Chardonnay. Given 5.3G/L dosage, this shows pretty red florals with strawberry and melon tone on the nose. The palate is very fresh and elegant with delicate red fruits alongside chalky soils. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2020 Black Chalk ‘Paragon’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- The really good 2020 Black Chalk ‘Paragon’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine was given 6 G/L. Lemon rind and sourdough bread combine with hints of honeycomb and white pepper on the nose. The palate is soft and elegant with great minerality and texture. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2020 Black Chalk ‘Inversion’ Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine- Based on the 777 Pinot Noir clone, the 2020 ‘Inversion’ is all Pinot Noir. Coming from this warm vintage, was stored in half neutral oak barrels prior to disgorgement. Flint and quince notes combine with pink grapefruit blossom on the nose. This offers good body and freshness, really coming alive at a warmer temperature. Drink 2025-2033- 92

2023 Black Chalk Rose- Made from mostly Pinot Noir (55%), this was stored in all stainless steel before bottling. Very earthy on the nose with damp soils that connect with faint red fruits. The palate is soft and elegant with light red fruits. Drink 2025-2030- 89

2023 Black Chalk ‘Rumor Has It’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Rumor Has It’ offers pear and pie crust on the nose alongside shades of starfruit. The palate is soft and juicy with a smooth mouthfeel. Drink 2025-2030- 90

EXTON PARK

NV Exton Park ‘RB 23’ Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Exton Park Rose is a blend of 23 individual wines and is mainly reserve wines. Mainly Pinot Noir (70%) wth the reminder Pinot Meunier, this was stored on the lees for three years before disgorgement. The gorgeous bouquet delivers red currants and hints of white pepper that combine with strawberry and orange peel. The palate is fresh and lithe with serious tension, showing great wild mushroom and damp earth tones from the reserve wines. This is going to age gracefully for another decade — or more. Drink 2025-2035- 93

NV Exton Park ‘RB 28’ Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine- The NV Exton Park ‘RB 28’ Blanc de Noir Sparkling Wine is a limited production wine that is composed of mainly reserve wines. Damp earth and flinty stones combine with shades of honeydew melon and wafts of white truffle shavings. This is dense and nervy stuff that spent four years on the lees, offering light red fruits that mingle brilliantly with the citrus and melon core, offering loads of mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2025-2035- 93

NV Exton Park ‘RB 32’ Brut Sparking Wine- The ‘RB 32’ is mainly Pinot Noir (60%) with the remainder Chardonnay that was stored for five years on the lees before disgorgement in 2024. Chalky soils mingle well with lemon rind, white peach and shades of kiwi on the nose. The palate is refined and very tense with great finesse and loads of chalky soil character. Drink 2025-2035- 93

NV Exton Park ‘RB 45’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- The NV Exton Park ‘RB 45’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine has a small amount of oak influence, as this was given 6 G/L dosage before disgorgement in 2024. Cashew nut combines with brioche and shades of cantaloupe with freshly cut limes on the nose. The palate is fresh and refined with a smooth texture and great sense of mousse. Gorgeous now, this will cellar well for another ten plus years. Drink 2025-2035- 93

2015 Exton Park ‘Cuvee M. Isaac’ Sparkling Wine- An ultra-complex wine, the 2015 Exton Park ‘Cuvee M. Isaac’ Sparkling Wine is big, burly and heady from this vintage. Very nutty and intense, this offers a great ore of melon and citrus fruits that meld with hints of guava, quince and sourdough bread. A gorgeous wine to consume on its own, enjoy over the next ten plus years to come. Drink 2025-2035- 95

HAMBLEDON

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

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

NV Hambledon ‘Premier Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- The NV ‘Premier Cuvee’ combines wines that are stored 7-8 years on the lees before disgorgement in 2022. Mainly Chardonnay from their estate vineyard, this has a base from 2014, and was given 2.5 G/L dosage. This is big and rich with a beautiful mouthfeel and finesse. Dense melon and citrus fruits combine with shades of cranberry and baking spice laced pastry crust. Gorgeous and very racy right now, with excellent weight and chalky character, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 94

NV Hambledon ‘Blanc de Blancs Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- The NV Hambledon ‘Blanc de Blancs Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine is a recent release and is the first Blanc de Blancs made from this house. With a base of 2018, and 3.2G/L dosage, this spent more than three years on the lees and a year on cork before release. Lemon blossom and shades of salted French bread mark the nose alongside kumquat zest. The palate is fresh and lithe, with great polish and a good sense of weight. Drink 2025-2032- 92

HATTINGLEY VALLEY

NV Hattingley Valley ‘Classic Reserve’ Sparkling Wine- The NV Hattingley Valley ‘Classic Reserve’ Sparkling Wine was given 5.5G/L dosage that utilizes roughly 30% reserves wines. This utilizes the base vintage of 2019 and is roughly 50% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This is soft and smooth on the mousse, loaded with melon and citrus fruits, with a touch of guava. Bright and silky, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2020 Hattingley Valley Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2020 Rose is mainly Pinot Noir (60%) with the remainder Pinot Meunier and a touch of Pinot Noir Precoce. Orange blossom and cranberry mark the nose alongside shades of Yakima cherry. The palate is mineral-laden and fresh with great damp earth and loads of freshness with tart red fruits. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2018 Hattingley Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- All Chardonnay, the 2018 Blanc de Blancs was given 6G/L dosage and was disgorged at the end of 2024. A small amount was fermented in French oak before aging on the lees for seven years. On the nose this takes on lemon curd and beautiful white rose petals alongside chalky soils. The palate is full and round with beautiful finesse and chalky character. Showing serious depth and concentration, this is a stunning wine from a great vintage. Drink 2025-2035- 95

2017 Hattingley ‘King’s Cuvee’ Sparkling Wine- The 2017 ‘King’s Cuvee’ combines 45% Chardonnay with 28% Pinot Meunier and the remainder Pinot Noir. The wine is a barrel selection blend that was given 4.4G/L dosage. Toasted hazelnuts and shades of salted peach combine with honeydew melon and pastry crust. This is a stunning wine that is very dense and nervy, with loads of lemon oil and salted nut character. This is going to age gracefully for over a decade. Drink 2025-2040- 96

LOUIS POMMERY ENGLAND

NV Louis Pommery England Brut Sparkling Wine- Sourced from their Pinglestone estate, this is primarily Chardonnay (55%) with smaller portions Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Aged on the lees for 18 months before disgorgement this was given 7G/L dosage. Brioche and toasted apple al fill the nose alongside shades of kumquat rind. The palate shows great salty and chalky soil character with serous tension. This is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2025-2031- 91

NV Louis Pommery England Rose Sparkling Wine- The NV Louis Pommery England Rose is mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their Pinglestone estate. Also given 7G/L this was aged on the lees for 18 months before bottling, this utilizes a base from 2022. This shows nice astringency, loaded with tart red fruits that connect well with orange peel, white grapefruit skin and suggestions of salted French bread. Drink 2025-2031- 91

2020 Louis Pommery England Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- Coming from the 2020 vintage, conditions were superb this vintage, with a frost in mid-May. Nutty accents combine with pie crust and baking spices alongside shades of guava on the nose. The palate is broad-shouldered and generous with great weight and underlying finesse. 7G/L dosage, aged on the lees for 42 months before bottling. Drink 2025-2033- 93

THE GRANGE

NV The Grange ‘Pink’ Rose Sparkling Wine- Based on the 2020 vintage, the NV The Grange ‘Pink’ Rose Sparkling Wine offers orange blossom and barberry on the nose alongside suggestions of pink rose petals. The palate is fresh, showing beautiful finesse and great sense of weight. Outstanding and elegant, this is drinking beautifully right now, loaded with mouth-watering acidity. Drink 2025-2032- 92

2018 The Grange ‘White From White’ Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine- This outstanding Blanc de Blanc bottling was made at Hambledon Vineyards and spent four years on the lees and a year on cork, given 12 G/L dosage. Soft on the mouth, this has a silky mousse. Ripe melon and starfruit tones combine with white flowers and suggestions of white peach on the palate. Fresh and vibrant, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2020 The Grange ‘White From Blanc’ Pinot Meunier Sparkling Wine- The gorgeous 2020 The Grange ‘White From Blanc’ Pinot Meunier Sparkling Wine was given 12G/L dosage. This shows marvelous poise, offering rich kumquat rind alongside suggestions of chalky soils, nectarine and shades of ginger. Loaded with freshness and length, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 93

2023 The Grange Chardonnay- One of the few still Chardonnays from this region, the 2023 Chardonnay offers baking spices alongside white peach and white flowers on the nose. The palate is soft and refined with good elegance. Drink 2025-2031- 90

Orin Swift

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sign of The Dove

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

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

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

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

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

Figgins

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

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

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

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

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