A rich and satisfying, medium-bodied wine with a creamy midpalate and a bright, juicy finish. Aromas of toasted almonds and vanilla bean with flavors of golden and green apples. Drink now.
A medium-bodied wine with aromas of almond skin, green apples and popped rice on the nose with flavors of golden apples, caramel and vanilla. Bright acidity brings it to a fresh, dry finish. Drink now.
An impressive overview of the region, the 2023 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills offers a quintessential, refined and precise expression of the house style. It showcases a more polished, slightly honeyed side of Brewer-Clifton, concluding with a harmonious, succulent finish that lingers with the region's signature saline-laced minerality.
As with the Chardonnay iteration, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills encapsulates the region, house and vintage with admirable precision and crystal clarity. Red-fruited, herbal and crushed stone aromas introduce a lifted yet saturated palate, concluding with a similarly vibrant and pleasantly savory finish that lingers with marine nuances.
The 2023 Tourdion Cuvée Blanc is a blend of co-fermented Pinot Noir (46%), Pinot Gris (22%), Pinot Blanc (19%) and Pinot Meunier (13%) matured for 14 months in used French oak. It has pure aromas of peach, bread dough and chamomile. The medium-bodied palate features understated yet detailed flavors and a luxurious, creamy texture. It’s balanced by mouthwatering acidity and has a long, elegant finish. 280 cases were made.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is scented of wild cherry, blackberry, Earl Grey tea leaves, lilac and earth. The medium-bodied palate is open and inviting, with spicy flavors. It’s framed by grainy tannins and juicy acidity and has a long, flavorful finish. 4,065 cases produced.
Dark and brooding, but a thread of fresh acidity keeps this moving along, with blackberry, licorice and savory black pepper flavors that build toward broad-shouldered tannins. Best from 2026 through 2035. 245 cases made.
A young, floral wine with violets, fresh roses, bright red cherries and pomegranate with an earthy, slightly chocolaty element. Medium-bodied, crisp and crunchy with grainy tannins. Sweet in the finish with fresh acidity. Best after 2026.
Overt, generous fruit dominates this wine. Showing a fairly reductive style, it shines with fragrant violets and roses, red cherries and plums. Medium-bodied with firm, slightly dusty tannins, crisp acidity and a stern finish. Drink or hold
The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley was matured for 10
months in 30% new French oak. The nose is bursting with
scents of pomegranate, blackberry, oolong tea leaves, damp
earth and mushrooms. The full-bodied palate is powerfully
styled with concentrated, spicy flavors. It’s framed by dusty
tannins and fresh acidity and has a long, spicy finish. 1,975 cases
were made.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Gran Moraine Vineyard was matured for 14
months in 30% new French oak. It has layered aromas of black
cherry, orange peel, oolong tea leaves, forest floor and savory
undertones. The full-bodied palate is bursting with ripe yet
nuanced flavors. It’s structured by silky tannins and bright acidity
and has a long, flavorful finish.
Matured for 20 months in 34% new French oak, the 2019 Syrah Outer Limits is dark and herbal on the nose, releasing wafts of blackcurrant, olive tapenade, mint chocolate, coffee and meaty undertones. The full-bodied palate pairs savory flavors with soft, rounded tannins and mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, floral finish. It becomes more expressive as it airs in the glass, and it will benefit from time in a decanter. 143 cases were made.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is composed of fruit from Hartford Court's estate vineyards plus purchased fruit. Matured for nine months in 28% new French oak, it has layered aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, graham cracker, tobacco, tea leaves and forest floor. The full-bodied palate features concentrated, spicy flavors framed by grainy tannins and juicy acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish. 9,000 cases were made.
Black raspberry, sage and lavender aromas make for a complex and inviting nose on this countywide cuvée. The palate pairs floral elements with herbal nuances, as black and red plum flavors form the core.
This pure and focused Pinot delivers aromas of Bing cherry, crushed raspberry, cinnamon, orange, and black tea on the nose. The palate shows flavors of concentrated cranberry, juicy cherry, plum skin and shiitake before a finish with echoes of Darjeeling and nori.
There's a freshness to the nose of this Pinot, with aromas of raspberry coulis, spiced cherry and dark chocolate swirling in the glass. The palate delivers a punch of saturated Bing cherry flavor, with nuances of purple flowers, cinnamon and clove lingering on the finish.
Focused aromas of dusty black cherry, baked raspberry, and rose petals drive the nose of this Pinot Noir. The palate brings juicy berry acidity and a nice grip of tannin, with flavors of dark berries, roasted mushrooms, and cinnamon lingering through the finish.
Strawberry and raspberry aromas meet with uncracked peppercorn and shaved nutmeg elements on the nose of this bottling. There's a danky herb edge to the sip, which gives earthy depth to the cranberry and hibiscus flavors.
This winery has been producing grapes since 1977, and the wheelhouse has always been aromatic versions of Sauvignon Blanc. But I was so excited to hear and taste the new project featuring Chenin Blanc. I have long been a fan of the expressions from around the world. This selection is fresh, vibrant, with aromas of citrus peel, white flowers, apple, and notes of green papaya on the nose; the texture and flavors on the palate are flinty with layers of White peaches, melon, spiced orange, and mouth-watering acidity on the finish.
Rich aromas of black cherry and dark berries burst from the glass on the nose of this Grenache. The palate delivers a pop of pithy acid and grippy tannins, with lively kirsch, raspberry, cedar, and herbaceous potpourri flavors lingering through the finish.
Aromas of grilled pineapple, fresh apple and cinnamon crème jump from the glass on the nose of this Chardonnay. The palate is nervy and alive with flavors of nectarine, pineapple sage and Meyer lemon peel that vibrate through the finish.
Bright citrus and nectarine aromas highlight the nose of this lively Chardonnay. The palate displays flavors of fresh and roasted apple, with cinnamon, ginger and toasted hazelnut emerging through the middle, with pithy lemon acidity engaging at the finish.
Zena must have borrowed Thor's lightning bolt, because this Warrior Princess lights up the olfactory system with some rambunctious acidity. The Chardonnay show begins with ripe nectarine and mint aromas, followed by an ozone and smoky flint note that suggests the aftermath of a lightning strike. The wine's final act is a juicy peach flavor that is accented by bits of lemon zest and thyme.
This elegant Itata Chardonnay immediately captures attention with its delicate aromatic profile. Attractive notes of brioche emerge from the glass and prepare the senses for a buttery palate, offering flavors of lemon zest and sweet spices. This vintage is notably fresh and balanced. Dakél Wines. —J.V
This savory syrah has a sanguine core, fleshed out with brambleberries and black cherries. Sappy, steeped-tea tannins frame dark forest berries and toasty oak. A kick of sarsaparilla and scorched earth hums through the finish. Drink or hold.