Aromas of fresh blackberries, forest floor, trumpet mushrooms and violets. The mediumbodied palate is very lifted but darkly fruited, with long, silky tannins. Drink or hold.

A complex and graceful medium-bodied wine with aromas of pine resin, pine duff, rose garden, grilled herbs, ripe red cherries and golden raspberries. Silky and complete on the palate, with succulent acidity and a long finish. Delightful. Drink or hold.

Floral and red-fruited, showing aromas of spices and citrus peel. Nicely integrated tannins and acidity support a seamless medium body that carries flavors of tangerines and bing cherries. Bright and elegant. Drink or hold.

The first vintage of this wine, showing aromas of dark red fruit and ripe raspberries. The plush, medium-bodied palate reveals flavors of dried cranberries and fresh bing cherries with silky yet firm tannins. Delicious now, but can age. Drink or hold.

A layered and complex wine that’s earthy and minerally. Aromas of rose petals, lavender,
slate and pine forest. On the palate, bright and tart red fruit mingle with dark cherry and
tangerine flavors. Bergamot tea, pleasing bitter floral and unsweetened cocoa notes in the
finish. Medium-bodied. Drink or hold.

A showcase of Washington Merlot from Mill Creek, the all-varietal 2023 Merlot Skysill Vineyard is a Cab drinker’s Merlot, burly and powerful in iron, gravel, and savory, grippy tannins. Full-bodied, it needs time to unwind, the structure of the wine impressively complex after 20 months in 50% new French oak. Baked plum and cassis rise to the fore of an otherwise herbaceous, Old World canvas of leathery black pepper. Hold and drink 2030–2038.

From a 2,220-feet elevation site, the 2023 Chardonnay Skycrest Vineyard opens in earthy celery root that leads the way to medium-bodied layers of quenching peach, pear, and citrus. There's impressive length and balance to the wine, its herbaceousness compelling amidst balanced acidity and plenty of complexity. Drink now through 2035.

The 2022 WillaKenzie Estate Single Vineyard Pinot Noir from Yamhill-Carlton represents a comprehensive portrait of the property, utilizing a mosaic of fruit from across various vineyard blocks to capture the site's terroir. On the nose, bright scents of mountain raspberry and red currant intermingle with forest floor and a dash of dried sage. The palate is impressively concentrated, delivering a plush mouthful of ripe Bing cherries and marionberry accented by a distinct streak of wild mountain herbs. Fine-grained tannins provide a sturdy frame for the red-fruit core, leading to a clean, continuous finish.

The NV WillaKenzie Estate Eclatant, Yamhill-Carlton is a striking multi-vintage blend consisting of 48% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, with the remaining 12% rounded out by Pinot Meunier. This Oregon sparkling wine displays a concentrated core of tangerine custard and marzipan on the palate, highlighted by bursts of preserved lemon zest and a fine, silken mousse. Heady scents of toasted croissant and Meyer lemon curd emerge early on, underscored by an elegant white blossom perfume that adds significant aromatic depth. The finish is defined by a plush, velvety texture and remarkable richness that lingers with luxury.

The NV Gran Moraine Brut Rosé from Yamhill-Carlton represents a sophisticated bottling, spending four years en tirage to develop a remarkably creamy, fine-beaded texture. The aromatic profile shifts away from standard fare toward nuanced notes of yellow apple, white nectarine, and toasted brioche as delicate layers of peach and wild red currant lead the way. On the palate, a persistent mineral vein grounds the wine, while a modest 5 g/L dosage allows the natural brightness of pink grapefruit to define the long, refreshing finish alongside the delicate mousse.

The 2023 Penner-Ash Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir opens with a striking medium ruby hue accented by a vibrant, neon-red perimeter. Sourced from this iconic site, the wine delivers an aromatic profile defined by mountain strawberry, Bing cherry, crushed rose petals, and a smooch of spice, underpinned by a delicate dusting of allspice. The medium-bodied palate is remarkably seamless, where polished tannins and a bright acid line provide a sophisticated frame for flavors of tart raspberries and fresh mandarin orange zest. It concludes with an elegant, uplifted finish that emphasizes the refined character of the vintage.

Generous and expressive yet refined, this Pinot offers tiers of raspberry, cranberry, orange
peel and black tea that sail on the alluring finish. Drink now through 2035

Supple and alluring yet keenly structured, with fragrant raspberry and guava flavors layered
with rose petal, cinnamon and other dusky spices as this builds richness on the finish.
Drink now through 2035.

Robust yet refined, with detailed flavors of blueberry and raspberry framed by cinnamon,
clove and forest floor tones as this builds tension toward broad-shouldered tannins. Drink
now through 2035.

Rich and polished yet keenly structured, with deep flavors of black cherry and raspberry
accented by fresh violet, forest floor and cinnamon, finishing with fine-grained tannins.
Drink now through 2035.

A fragrant and compelling Pinot that’s richly structured, offering black raspberry and cherry
flavors highlighted by orange peel and cinnamon, plus hints of stony mineral. Finishes with
refined tannins. Drink now through 2035.

The Mt. Brave Vineyard sits on the high elevation site of Mt. Veeder — with vines planted at about 1,400 to 1,800 feet above sea level. High above the Napa Valley fog line, these vines enjoy one of the longest growing seasons in the region, leading to an elegant expression of Malbec. The nose is dominated by dark fruit and savory notes. Aged for 22 months in French oak barrels, the palate is rich and plush with blackberry jam and stewed strawberries. Soft, edgy tannins reflect the rugged mountain terroir.

From the rocky, windy and wild site, Sierra Mar, in the southern end of the appellation, with blocks coming from the upper blocks of Sierra Mar. It's a warmer pocket, says winemaker Matt Revelette. An interesting mix of clones, some Pisoni, a Swiss clone, with elegant notes of violets, seaspray, and blood orange. Salty and savoury to the fore on the palate, ripe berries, purple sage and wild thyme.

This vineyard is 12 miles from the coast, so it yields lively red berry and red plum fruit tinged by dried herbs. The palate has greater intensity, offering black tea, cardamom, and citrus zest, with delicacy on the finish. The wine has a long life ahead. Cellar until 2034 or aerate and enjoy the ride.

From a fogshrouded vineyard nearly 1,500 feet above sea level, this wine features lively stone fruit, citrus, and savory herbs on the nose. Subtle flavors convey apple, white nectarine, cinnamon, orange-vanilla cream, and racy acidity to finish.

From a high-elevation vineyard, this wine offers aromas of dark cherry, plum, citrus, and vanilla spice on the nose. The flavors on the palate are rich, evoking Bing cherry, black raspberry, orange zest, allspice, and cocoa, with a dry finish.

This wine is concentrated, with aromas of blueberry, dark cherry, and cardamom. It is full bodied in flavor, with black plum, violets, and allspice intertwined with orange vanilla cream, espresso, and bittersweet chocolate, leading to plush, silky tannins. Long ago, I created a story about this wine, imagining mythical sisters who lived in the forest.

This Chardonnay, crafted predominantly from Stellenbosch vineyards, offers a delicate
nose with notes of lime and spices. The textured palate offers a subtle mix of floral notes,
quince, and lemon, creating a pleasant, balanced character throughout. Sovereign Wine
Imports. —J.V.

2019 was a warm vintage in South Australia. It was a drought vintage as well, and the wine is so dark and dense. I was about to attribute this character the vintage, then winemaker Chris Carpenter reminded me that this was the year that the late Yangarra winemaker Pete Fraser made very specific winemaking decisions in the winery regarding his vision for the tannins. This is substantial, grainy and layered with black fruit and exotic spices. The 2019 The Peake Cabernet Shiraz comprises 53% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Shiraz. The 2019 was blended right on the cusp of the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

A gorgeous new vintage Champagne, the 2015 ‘Brut’ is near equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir coming from only premier cru and grand cru sites. This saw more than eight years on the lees prior to disgorgement, opening with honeysuckle, toasted almond and shades of baking spice laced shortbread on the nose. The palate is round and generous with terrific freshness, texture and overall balance. Delightful now, enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036-