Bright red. Cherry-cola, raspberry and vanilla bean on the nose. Smoky dark berry flavors are enlivened by zesty minerals and pick up a candied floral quality with air. This packs a lot of flavor, but needs time to stretch out. Becomes deeper and chewier with air and finishes with solid grip and powerful thrust.

Deep red with a bright rim. Intensely aromatic bouquet shows red berries, cherry jam, Indian spices and smoky minerals. Deep and juicy, with pliant, medium-bodied red berry flavors, silky texture and a strong jolt of red licorice on the close. Tannins slowly build on the long, sappy finish, but don't detract from the pure, sweet red fruit. The spiciness of this wine is compelling.

Dark red. Deep cherry and dark berry aromas show rooty, cola and herbal qualities reminiscent of a wine from Morey-Saint-Denis. Suave bitter cherry and blackcurrant flavors are framed and enlivened by juicy acidity. Fleshes out on the finish, with the cherry and cola qualities repeating. This is the most backward of this impressive set of pinots.

Dark red. Deep cherry and dark berry aromas show rooty, cola and herbal qualities reminiscent of a wine from Morey-Saint-Denis. Suave bitter cherry and blackcurrant flavors are framed and enlivened by juicy acidity. Fleshes out on the finish, with the cherry and cola qualities repeating. This is the most backward of this impressive set of pinots.

Enticing aromas of orange zest and minerals. Juicy, tightly wound and sharply delineated, with flavors of lemon drop and minerals firmed by ripe acids. Finishes vibrant and quite long. This should age nicely for five to seven years.

The NV Brut Souverain is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier. The dosage is less than 5 grams per liter, and it spends more than 3 years on lees. The base vintage for this iteration is 2020—Cellar Master Alice Tétienne’s first year. This was disgorged in 2024. It skips out with cheery notes of fresh yellow apples and crunchy pears with hints of chalk dust, honeysuckle, and baking bread. The palate is creamy and crisp with fine bubbles supporting the bright orchard fruit flavors, finishing on a compelling yeasty note.

The 2022 Riesling Hyland Vineyard Old Vines comes from own-rooted vines planted in 1972. It’s scented of bruised apple, pineapple, bread dough and honey with hints of petrol. The light-bodied palate is dry with concentrated, honeyed flavors. It’s balanced by vibrant, focused acidity and has a long, gently textural finish.

Matured for 10 months in 38% new French oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard has open-knit aromas of cranberry, red cherry, mossy bark, damp earth and spice. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, spicy flavors framed by silky tannins and vibrant acidity, and it has a long, spicy finish. 524 cases were made.

Itata is not typically linked with Chardonnay, but this producer focuses on Burgundian varieties, making delightful examples of both white wine and Pinot Noir. Subtle yet distinct notes of ripe pear mix with zesty aromas of lemon curd on the nose. The palate offers a rich blend of flavors, including golden apples, pear and hints of vanilla.

Light and fresh, with a pleasing mix of red fruit, chalk, roses and orange peel on the nose. A pretty and delicate wine to enjoy now.

This rich and concentrated blend bring a punch of blackberry, cinnamon, and black pepper aromas on the nose. The palate is velvety smooth, with generous tannic structure and flavors of black cherry, currant, barrel spice, and cedar resonating along the finish. Some time in the cellar will soften this nicely. Best 2030–2040.

Tightly woven on the nose, this bottling offers light aromas of honeysuckle, lemon candy, and delicate almond. The palate shows a more tart streak of pan-seared apple and lime juice, with steely minerality.

Aromas of tart berries, maraschino cherry, eucalyptus, and licorice dominate the nose of this wine. The palate brings pithy tannin and ripe flavors of raspberry, candied cherry, and herb mélange through the finish.

This vibrant wine delivers flavors of black cherry, tart raspberry, cinnamon, and orange peel on the nose. The palate is zippy and buoyant, with pithy texture, bright acid, and flavors of pomegranate, berry gastrique, cedar, and rose petals lingering through the finish.

Balanced and approachable with sweet aromas of red fruit and baking spices. The full body is round and complete with juicy acidity and integrated tannins. Drink now.

Black fruit, figs and toasty oak are building blocks for a full and decadent wine with a ripe palate and flavors of roasted cherries and plums. Creaminess and richness on the midpalate lead to sweet, chewy tannins. Drink now.

A vibrant white, with a juicy and tight mix of lime sherbet, pear and lemon flavors, plus notes of ginger and lemongrass, all on a sleek, mouthwatering frame. Lemon sorbet, lemon verbena and crunchy star fruit flavors sing on the finish. Drink now. 28,745 cases made.

An elegant white, showing a weightless mix of pear, apple and citrus flavors, with details of lime zest and pastry, plus green cardamom. Offers touches of almond toffee and honeysuckle on the finish. Drink now. 280 cases made.

The 2014 Far Coast Blanc de Blancs comes from a vineyard planted on uplifted seabed just four miles from the Pacific Ocean. Base wines were matured for 15 months in used French oak barrels, and it spent 88 months en tirage. Disgorged in August of 2024, it has rich, autolytic aromas accented by nuances of candle smoke, saline, orchard fruit and citrus peel. With just 0.2 grams per liter dosage, the light-bodied palate is dry with soft, creamy mousse and rich, savory, brioche-laced flavors. It’s balanced by firm, focused acidity and has a long, nutty finish. Only 90 cases were made.

Pouring a youthful ruby color, the 2022 Chianti Classico is a departure from the focus of
this report, with these wines coming from Castelnuovo Berardenga. The nose is supple and
inviting with aromas of candied berries, crushed flowers, and sweet herbs. It moves
seamlessly to the palate with refined tannins and an elegant lift of fresh acidity to close it
out. It’s a highly appealing red to drink over the next 5-7 years.

The 2023 Pinot Noir Zena Crown Vineyard has pretty aromas of
raspberry, blackberry, mixed tea leaves, dried flowers and earth.
The palate offers understated, crunchy flavors, silky tannins,
vibrant acidity and a perfumed finish. 235 cases were made.

The 2023 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is composed of fruit from Hartford Court's estate vineyards plus purchased fruit. Barrel-fermented and matured for eight months in 21% new oak, it has soaring scents of yellow peach, grapefruit, panna cotta, orange blossoms and honey. The full-bodied palate balances concentrated citrus and saline flavors with vibrant acidity, and it has a long, energetic finish. 21,000 cases were made.

Muddled plum, nutmeg and clove aromas make for a spicy nose on this bottling. The palate pops with pomegranate and hibiscus flavors that are a bit tart but warmed up with toasty sagebrush by the finish.

Aromas of baked cherry, salted plum, roasted mushroom and rose petals waft from the glass of this Pinot. The palate is a balance between rich tannins and orange peel acidity, with bright cherry, berry, spice and earth character coming into focus on the finale.

Plush aromas of cherry cordial and black cardamom rather rich and inviting on the nose of this bottling. The palate shows a more tart side, with light game flavors arising alongside red plum and sour cherry fruits.