Matured for 10 months in French oak, the 2020 Chardonnay Skycrest Vineyard has mineral-driven aromas of flint, cashew and Meyer lemon. The light-bodied palate is silky in texture and offers citrus and honey flavors, mouthwatering acidity and a long, layered finish. Drink it over the next year or two. 200 cases were made.

The 2020 Pinot Noir Edmeades Vineyard, matured in French oak for 20 months, unfurls slowly on the nose to reveal red cherry, raspberry, aniseed, tobacco and iodine aromas. The mediumbodied palate has generous, perfumed flavors, gently rustic tannins, mouthwatering acidity and a flavorful finish. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. 355 cases produced.

The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Pine Mountain comes from vines planted at 2,900 feet of elevation, and the wine was matured for 10 months in puncheons, stainless steel and amphorae. It has bright aromas of white peach, kiwi, lime peel, beeswax and candle smoke. The light-bodied palate is concentrated and textural with perfumed flavors, energetic acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish. Drink it now and over the next five years. 530 cases were made.

Zena Crowne is a fullerbodied Pinot Noir that leads with aromas of loamy soil and blackberry jam spread on toast. That theme continues on the palate, with brawny tannins standing tall with flavors like blackberries, espresso and figs so rich, you’ll look around for Newton.

My favorite Warrior Princess since Daenerys Targaryen leads with red apple and spicy zucchini bread aromas that I found quite appealing. The light and elegantly textured palate is a bit of a 180, with tart tangerine and not-quite-ripe pineapple flavors joined by a savory, saline and smoky note reminiscent of seared scallops. Look for acidity as crisp as dragon’s breath.

Tightly wound on the nose, almost like a Chab2023lis, this bottling pops with aromas of lemon sour cream, piney herb and toasted pine nut. The palate is firm and zippy, showing tangerine rind and baked lemon flavors that play against a warm pecan note.

This wine is clean and crisp, with aromas of apple, guava, citrus blossom and dried herbs. The flavors are papaya, kumquat, white grapefruit and chervil, with a savory dry finish. Pair with oysters.

The 2022 Ovitelli Blanc comprises 57% Grenache Blanc, 24% Roussanne, 8% Grenache Gris, 6% Bourboulenc, 5% Clairette. Portions of the Grenache Blanc and Roussanne were destemmed and crushed to ceramic egg for an extended 120 days on skins. This component is, as I see it, the defining factor of the finished wine, which has notes of crushed flowers, beeswax, cheesecloth, white tea, white pepper, ash and torched straw. It has taken me some time to get my mind and heart around this wine; I can't decide if I find it to be a work of genius or just deeply unexpected. It is textural and chewy, which I love. It is also spicy and edgy and even a little tart, which is the skin contact component, I am sure. It adds bitter almonds and saltbush to the mix. The wine is overly subdued and long, and yet what I know of the Yangarra vineyard practices and winery resources, there will be no stone left unturned in the making of this wine, from every possible angle. So, over to you. I can't quite put it down. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

A 50/50 cofermented blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, this light red is perfect for hotter weather. Fresh cherry and raspberry aromas dominate the nose, while a zippy citrus and mineral character gives the palate plenty of lift. More structured than a rosé but not clunky, this wine with a nice chill will beautifully handle barbecued salmon or pork.

For those of you who enjoy a stroll on the creamier side of Chardonnay life, here’s a wine to champion. The wine’s lemon curd and tangerine aromas are a nice mix of sweet and tang, while a puff of chalkboard dust floats in the background. Gentle acidity caresses flavors of lemon gelato and the caramel-drizzled goodness of a stroopwafel cookie.

Aromas of dried cherry, spiced raspberry compote and licorice waft from the glass of this Pinot. The palate some darker cherry, cola spice and cedar flavors in a medium-bodied frame with some chewy tannin at the close.

This wine is rich, with aromas of dark berries, savory spice, dried potpourri and vanilla on the nose. The flavors on the palate are black currant coulis, black plum and baking spices, morphing into fennel, citrus zest, green olive, earth and a dry finish.

Savory and floral, the 2022 Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) is every bit as composed as it is year after year, especially considering the stress of the growing season. Black raspberry, black sage and exotic spice tones introduce this neatly proportioned Pinot, finishing with a waft of dusty rose petals. There’s so much to like. It’s always exciting to pick up this much character in an appellation-level wine.

A smoky, flinty note adds complexity to the smooth, lush flavors of grilled lemon and peach, with spicy accents of clove and nutmeg, plus a touch of toasted brioche. A salted butter detail lingers. Drink now. 454 cases made.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Perilune is a tense, nervous wine. White pepper, slate, crushed rocks, orange peel, mint and dried flowers abound. The 2022 is an attractive wine, but the limits of this challenging season are evident, especially for these young vines planted in 2017.

The 2023 Viognier Tepusquet Vineyard is a very pretty wine endowed with lovely freshness and nuance. Tangerine peel, white flowers, apricot and mint are nicely lifted. Bright acids perk up the finish.

The 2023 Viognier Tepusquet Vineyard is a very pretty wine endowed with lovely freshness and nuance. Tangerine peel, white flowers, apricot and mint are nicely lifted. Bright acids perk up the finish.

A pretty shade of bright pink in the glass, this bottling offers potent aromas of strawberry, cherry and orange peel on the nose. There’s a bit of power to the palate, with juicy cherry flavors that would pair well with roasted chicken, grilled salmon and summer salads.

This vineyard sits at 400m in elevation, located only a few miles from the ocean. Due to its auspicious locale, it's mineral-driven all the time, with a hint of lemon curd thrown in for good measure. Has some textural weightness, though, that makes it interesting.

The 2021 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton opens with a delicate blend of white flowers, vanilla beans, wet stone and young peaches. This mixes saline minerals with ripe orchard fruits and sweet spice over a stream of brisk acidity. It finishes potent and with medium length, yet maintains fantastic energy as hints of almond paste and citrus remain.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée opens with a rich blend of crushed black cherries, grilled herbs, mocha and pine. It’s juicy and fruit-focused, with soft textures and depths of ripe wild berry and licorice tones that swirl throughout. This takes on a spicy tinge through the finish, leaving a hint of sour citrus and edgy tannins that frame the experience without slowing its momentum. The Estate Cuvée is refined in 49% new French oak for fifteen months.

The 2021 Chardonnay Estate Cuvée whisps up from the glass with an understated blend of fresh apples and pears accentuated by mint and lime zest. This is racy and spry with a tinge of saline minerality up front to contrast its ripe orchard fruits. It finishes with medium length and has a pleasantly tactile tinge, leaving sour citrus and kiwi to taper off slowly.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is spicy with a bouquet of crushed woodland berries and flowery underbrush complicated by shaved cedar. It’s soothingly round and energetic, with cool-toned acidity and fresh red and blue fruits that swirl throughout. It leaves a subtle tinge of licorice and blackberry, only gently tannic, along with a hint of citrus that adds lovely depth. This is a perfect introduction to the Penner-Ash style.

A vivid burst of crushed yellow apples and peaches, minty herbs, vanilla beans and sweet spice form an enticing bouquet as the 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley comes to life in the glass. This is fruit-focused and rich, with round and supple textures and a core of ripe orchard fruits. Juicy acidity keeps the mouth watering through the finish as candied lime notes linger on and on.

A bright silver straw hue, the nose of the 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley is very lifted with a vibrant energy on opening, offering notes of fresh green apples, lime leaf, linen, delicate sweet spices, and fresh white flowers. Medium-bodied, it has a kiss of sweet pear-noted fruit and a clean, easygoing feel. It’s very, very charming and drinking well now. I like this for the freshness, but it should hold on nicely over the coming 5-6 years.