Good bright, pale yellow. Bright, tight aromas of lemon, pear and brown spices. A bit aggressive on entry, then bigger and broader but less precise in the mid-palate than the Broken Road bottling. This more masculine, saline, tactile chardonnay will need some time to reveal itself.
Good medium ruby. Distinct medicinal cast to the aromas of black cherry, violet, licorice and menthol. Juicier, tighter and more imploded than the Keyes Vineyard example, with an element of fruity peppercorn giving lift to the middle palate. The substantial dusty tannins arrive late, allowing this very primary young wine to unwind a bit.
Good full ruby. More brooding, medicinal aromas of cassis, black cherry and mint. Then surprisingly sweet and fat in the mouth, with rather chunky flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, tobacco and cigar box. Here the tannins are a bit more rustic. I'd give this one three or four years in the bottle.
Good full ruby. Highly aromatic nose of blackberry, black cherry, leather and spices, with complicating mineral, herbal and earth notes. At once creamy and juicy on the palate, with black fruit, mint and earth flavors. Still a bit youthfully brutal on the end, finishing with building tannins.
(100% cabernet sauvignon) Good deep ruby. Cassis, violet and licorice aromas are complicated by oaky torrefaction and lifted by a peppery element; darker and more brooding than the basic bottling. A step up in depth and sweetness but this is still a baby today. This, too, has the stuffing to support its tannins. Finishes with very good energy and length.
Bright ruby. Aromas of blackberry, violet and licorice pastille, with a subtle meaty nuance. Juicy, minerally and penetrating but tightly coiled and on the youthful side, with medicinal red and dark fruit flavors showing a slightly bitter edge. Finishes on a note of licorice, with excellent clarity and serious grip.
Bright ruby. Seductive aromas of red and dark berry preserves, cola and smoky herbs. Sweet, sappy black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors are framed by velvety tannins and gain weight, spiciness and a licorice pastille quality with air. The spice and cola notes carry through a long, alluringly sweet, youthfully gripping finish. I'll bet this will be better with a few more years of aging.
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.
Sleek and dynamic, with zesty cherry and cranberry flavors highlighted by orange peel and fresh violet elements that finish on a snappy note. Drink now through 2033. 6,979 cases made.
Earthy and delicate, the light-bodied 2023 Pinot Noir Afleet offers tangy red fruit and Asian spice, with firm tannins and ample length to coat the midpalate to a broad finish. Blood orange flavors accentuate the crisp acidity at its core. Drink now through 2035.
Great aromatics of baked cherry pie and cardamom open the 2023 Pinot Noir, sourced from both of the producer’s high-elevation estate Skycrest and Sable vineyards and from a vineyard in the Deep End’s crisp, high-acidity climes. It’s light on its feet yet rounded, with some stemmy earthiness and a thread of dried herb. The textural approachability of supple tannins and inviting red berry fruit make it a crowd-pleasing wine that’s ready to go, drinking well now and for the next 5-7 years.
Sourced mostly from the producer’s estate Skycrest Vineyard, the core block for the 2023 Chardonnay is all Wente clone, low-yielding and known for its tiny berries and resulting intensity. The coolness of the vintage allowed for long hangtime, the grapes building up plushness and texture without losing freshness. There’s a viscosity to the wine, an unctuous ripe pineapple flavor that works well with the French oak, 34% new. In all, this is a medium-bodied, well-balanced white that should drink best now through 2033.
Cherry, pomegranate and hibiscus notes marry nicely, with juicy acidity and a flash of rose hip helping to lengthen the finish. A fan-friendly Pinot. Drink now through 2028. 235 cases made.
Crisp, with aromas of baked Golden Delicious apples, pears, and notes of cinnamon and vanilla bean are on the nose. The flavors on the palate are reminiscent of white peach, orange peel, hazelnut, sedimentary rock, and mineral notes.
Cinnamon, mace, and pomegranate syrup meet with a light oak spice on the nose of this clonal selection. The palate is soft with cherry flavors and a pinch of baking spice, proving clean and pleasant.
Toasted hazelnut, baked lemon and seared nectarine aromas converge on the nose of this bottling. The palate adds almond flake and cinnamon spice richness to the core of seared apple.
The nose on this bottling is expansive yet sharp, offering key lime pie and jasmine alongside flinty earthy aromas. Melon candy flavors make for a pleasant, easy-to-enjoy palate.
Effusive cherry and blackberry fruit leads the way, with singed anise, licorice snap and gently toasted vanilla notes filling in on the finish. Drink now through 2031. 219 cases made.
This unique blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris displays a joyful nose of fresh strawberry, black cherry, roses, and toasted spice aromas, while the palate shows flavors of crushed raspberry, orange peel, cinnamon, and rose petals in a light bodied frame. Give this a little chill and fire up the grill. —T.R.C.
Flinty reduction dances with aromas of tart pineapple, fresh Bosc pear, marzipan, ginger, and lemon peel on the nose of this Chard. The palate feels structured and intense, with mouthwatering acid and flavors of tangerine, lemon blossom, apple skin, toasted almond, and citrus blossoms blooming on a long finish. —T.R.C.
The 2022 Chardonnay Brosseau Vineyard is all about minerality. An intense array of crushed stones, limestone, resinous herbs and lemon peel settles with real heft. It’s a broad, rounded Chardonnay that really expresses terroir, even if it’s soft around the edges.