A blend of fruit from six vineyards, the 2023 Zinfandel (Russian River Valley) is all old-school cool. Rustic and savory, it charms with shades of cracked black pepper, garrigue, wild herbs and crunchy red raspberry, all put together in a deceptively mid-weight frame. There’s so much character here, not to mention freshness to burn.
The 2023 Zinfandel Winberrie Knolls Vineyard is brambly, open-knit and so vibrant. Century-old vines lend depth and complexity to a wine that is surprisingly elegant. Wild strawberry, white peach, white pepper and cedar build effortlessly in the glass, enveloping the palate in a soft embrace through a measured, juicy finish. What a lovely—not to mention super-drinkable—wine from the team at Hartford.
Deep rich colour in the glass, ripe and concentrated nose full of black fruit aromas with liquorice, dark chocolate and some spices. Juicy and succulent, this has power and thrust, really lively but also with muscle. Chewy tannins set the scene with fresh acidities - almost a sweet strawberry element - before the chalky fresh mint and aniseed spice comes in. It has richness for the vintage, really quite balanced with a lovely mineral, salty finish. Glossy and bright, but behind that there’s structure and tension. Nothing lacking here. I love this. 3.60pH. Ageing 60% new oak, 40% one use barrels.
A powerful wine with wonderful tension between acidity and tannins, minerals and tart red fruit. Compelling aromas of rose petals, violets, wild herbs, alpine botanicals, chalk, pine resin and tart red fruit. Well structured with fresh acidity, this wine will age nicely. Drink or hold.
full-bodied yet nuanced wine with aromas oflemon peel, white flowers, pine, pear blossoms, basil and limes. The palate is very juicy and satisfying, with chalky minerality and fine, fresh acidity. Mouth-filling and very fresh, with a long finish. Drink or hold.
An intriguing wine that is both luscious and savory, with aromas of fresh cheese and resinous herbs. The palate shows flavors of citrus and tropical fruit, both mouthwatering, mouth-filling and juicy. A full-bodied wine with incredible acidity. Very flavorful. Drink or hold.
A decadent and full-bodied wine with a plush texture and refreshing acidity. Aromas of ripe
yellow fruit and candied ginger, while the palate shows citrus and tart tropical fruit flavors.
An interesting play of sweet and tart. Drink or hold.
Coming mostly from Coombsville and Carneros and aged eight months in 43% new French oak, the 2024 Chardonnay Napa Valley is a beautiful, classy, rich, yet fresh and vibrant expression of Chardonnay. Stone and orchard fruits, honeyed white flowers, spice, and a kiss of classy wood all shine on the nose, and it's medium-bodied on the palate, with a pure, focused, vibrant mouthfeel, integrated acidity, and a great finish. There are 5,771 cases produced. Drink 2025-2030.
Ripe black fruits, spicy wood, graphite, savory tobacco, and chocolate nuances all emerge from the 2023 Cabernet Franc. It's medium to full-bodied, round, supple, and nicely textured on the palate, with plenty of tannins. Brought up in 74% new oak, with 440 cases produced, it will benefit from a few years of bottle age and keep for 15 years or so. Drink 2028-2043.
Semi-opaque ruby. Dark cherry, plum and a hint of sandalwood show on the nose. Lovely, silky texture with pretty, up front fruit but not as much depth as the Strada al Sasso. On the palate notes of earthy tobacco complement fresh, dark red fruit. Finishes dry. This is the inaugural release of this Gran Selezione. 95% Sangiovese and 5%Colorino sourced from 550m high estate vineyards. Matured in second use French oak barrels for 12 months.
Light salmon pink in color revealing intricate aromas of red berries, blood orange, rose petals and a hint of cardamon spice. In the mouth it’s energetic, full and focused with just the right level of creamy richness. Chalky mineral notes show on the long finish. 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Chardonnay with 10% Pinot Noir still wine.
Deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Lassegue opens with subtle notes of juicy red and black plums and mulberries before revealing a perfume of red roses, star anise, and dusty soil with a waft of powdered cinnamon. The medium to full-bodied palate has beautiful freshness and grace, with plush tannins and a spicy lift on the finish. The blend is 60% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 2018 L’Inattendue Blanc de Blancs is a one-plot, one-cuvée wine, not made every year. It is 100% Chardonnay all from a single Grand Cru site in Chouilly. It spent 4 years on lees and has 2 grams per liter dosage. It offers up fragrant scents of chamomile, fresh ginger, and almond croissant, leading to a core of green apples, lemongrass, and chalkboard. The palate is delicate yet intense, very dry and crisp with super-fine bubbles and a long chalky finish.
The 2015 Rosé Millésimé is a blend of 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Chardonnay, all from 1er Cru and Grand Cru vineyards. Ten percent of still red wine is included in the blend. It spent at least 8 years on lees and has 3 g/L of dosage. Pale salmon pink colored, wild strawberries, lavender, and lime leaf scents slowly emerge from the glass, with suggestions of white pepper and turmeric. The palate is light on its feet and refreshing with fascinating savory flavors and a fine-boned finish.
The 2022 Pinot Noir The Sum was matured for 17 months in 48% new French oak. It has inviting scents of bramble fruit, incense, lavender, mossy bark and bitters. The medium-bodied palate is dynamic and spicy with fine, chalky tannins, vibrant acidity and a long, layered finish. 987 cases were made.
The 2022 Chardonnay Desiderium matured for 17 months in 60% new French oak, plus an additional six months in stainless steel. Pure wafts of matchstick and crème brûlée give way to panna cotta, stone fruit and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate has a silky texture and combines power and energy. Its concentrated, spicy flavors are balanced by vibrant acidity, and it has a long, dynamic finish. It should be long lived in the cellar. 458 cases were made.
Matured for 17 months in 65% new French oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Conifer has layered scents of bramble fruit, bitters, mossy bark and damp earth. The full-bodied palate is powerfully styled with concentrated, savory flavors. It’s structured by fine-grained tannins and refreshing acidity and has a long, spicy finish. 629 cases were made.
The 2022 Pinot Noir Zena Crown Vineyard has nuanced aromas of raspberry, red cherry, bitters, mossy bark and mushrooms. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with crunchy, earth-laced flavors. It’s framed by fine, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, spicy finish.
Matured for 10 months in 33% new French oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Knudsen Vineyard has nuanced aromas of red cherry, raspberry, mixed tea leaves, peppercorn and wildflowers. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with concentrated, spicy flavors. It’s framed by fine, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, layered finish. 228 cases were made.
Matured for 10 months in 33% new French oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Ridgecrest Vineyard has intense aromas of dried cherry and cranberry, tea leaves, lilac, graphite and spicy undertones. The medium-bodied palate offers concentrated, nuanced flavors and well-integrated oak spice. It’s structured by powdery tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, layered finish. 276 cases were made.
The 2022 Pinot Noir Dropstone was matured for nine months in 30% new oak. It has slowly unfurling scents of blackberry, lavender, fennel, mushroom powder, damp earth and iron. The full-bodied palate is powerfully styled with highly concentrated yet nuanced flavors. It’s structured by muscular, grainy tannins and refreshing acidity and has a long, mineral-laced finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years in the cellar. 241 cases were made.
The 2022 Chardonnay Upland was matured for 20 months in used French oak. It has savory aromas of bruised apples, cheese rind, nori and saline. The medium-bodied palate is satiny and expansive with highly concentrated, mouth-coating flavors. It’s balanced by juicy acidity and has a long, savory finish. It’s unusual yet compelling. 154 cases were made.
Matured for 10 months in 50% new oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Cascade has layered scents of red cherry, cranberry, conifer, forest floor and nori. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated flavors, velvety tannins, fresh acidity and a long, latent finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the cellar. 210 cases were made.
The 2022 Pinot Noir Telluric is a new wine sourced from a single block within the Gran Moraine Vineyard. It has intense aromas of pomegranate, raspberry preserves, Earl Grey tea leaves, forest floor and nori. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled with mineral-laced flavors and silky tannins. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a long, fragrant finish. 154 cases were made.
Vivacious & fresh 2023 mostly Fijnbosch plus some Stellenbosch fruit. Kiwi, greengage & citrus, creamy lees & toast from intricate vinification in array of vessels: oak barrel, 30% new, foudre & ceramic pot. Linear, balanced & elegant, even more potential than 2022