The 2022 Pinot Noir Edmeades Vineyard, from an estate site in Anderson Valley, is another wine in this range that shows mineral depth ahead of fruit expression, which makes for a complex translation of site. Rose petal, orange peel and white pepper tones pick up steam through the understated, chalky finish. Quite delicate.
The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Réserve Spéciale is a polished, rich, forward wine that impresses with its smoothness and supple curves before firm, powdery tannins perk up. Mocha, incense, blueberry preserves and espresso bean tones saturate deeply. Élevage was 32 months, on the long side, which lends the 2021 a slight sense of heaviness.
The 2024 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is a classically built, nicely rendered interpretation of the region. Elegant and decidedly mid-weight, the 2024 balances its inherent juicy red cherry fruit by way of gentle acidity and a fine coating of dusty tannin. Layers of spice and cocoa powder build in the glass. This is super approachable, pleasantly restrained and subtly complex. The 2024 is in fine form.
The 2022 Merlot Alexander Valley is a structured, decidedly mid-weight wine. Cocoa powder tannins are front and center, supporting the tart red/blue fruit, black olive and graphite minerality with a sense of intent. It’s a balanced wine that could use some time in the cellar to soften—certainly not a crowd-pleaser, but very much a serious, slightly rustic Merlot.
The 2024 Sauvignon Blanc Taylor Peak is floral and delicate. Slightly ethereal in its aromatics of crushed chalk, iodine and lemon oil, the 2024 has a tactile feeling of minerality in its structural build as well. It’s a wine more about texture than expressiveness, and that works well in this style. Flavors seem to gain cohesion and clarity on the finish. A bit cerebral, the 2024 is not an obvious wine.
The 2024 Chenin Blanc California, from sites in both Mendocino and Sonoma, is varietally pure and expressive. Chenin roundness and rich orchard fruit tones join with a chalky, steely sense of tension and a lift of white flowers. Though it’s very low in alcohol (around 11.5%), there’s a sense of textural generosity that works so well.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Warrior Princess Block comes from Zena Crown in the Eola-Amity Hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This is a decidedly plush, concentrated wine for the region. Dark cherry jam, pomegranate, baking spices and a kiss of sweet French oak all come together nicely. The 2023 has a decidedly warm-season feel, but there’s nice balance and elegance despite the wine’s inherent heft.
The 2023 Pinot Noir MacLean's Block is decidedly riper and more exuberant within the context of this range. Sweet dark cherry, red licorice, toasted spices and underbrush speak with confidence, leaving the mouth watering on the plush, enveloping finish. Ripeness is pushed right to the edge, but the 2023 holds itself together. It’s not a shy wine, that’s for sure.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Jennifer's comes from the Sebastopol Hills, a blend of Swan and 667 clone. Classic Russian River Valley signatures come through in spades—sassafras, wintergreen, cedar, cola and bright cherry fruit. The 2023 has an attractive mid-weight build, but the oak tannins and barrel signatures are a bit out in front today. That said, it's very nicely done.
The 2023 Chenin Blanc Jurassic Vineyard is plush, oily and unctuous. Apricot, orange curd, toasted spices and white flowers build through creamy, leesy mid-palate. It’s soft around the edges and delicate at the finish line. Lovely.
The 2025 Rosé of Pinot Noir is jubilant, aromatic, energetic and nicely weighted—everything Rosé should be. White cherry, green melon, pineapple and crushed rocks ride a wave of lime-like acidity, finishing with gentle roundness and a pleasant tinge of bitterness. Lovely.
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.