The 2022 Syrah is all from Perilune, done with 100% stems. Aromatic and gracious, the 2022 is a charmer. This is an especially floral, delicate Syrah, with lovely aromatics and a distinctly red-toned fruit profiles as opposed to the darker leanings of past releases, which reflects the shift to all Perilune fruit.

The 2022 Pinot Noir 459 emerges from blocks in Machado and Hapgood planted with Jura clone. It offers lovely aromatic presence to play off its generally lighter personality. I find the finish a bit short. Othervise, it’s nicely done.

The value-priced 2022 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard comes from a site in the Santa Maria Valley and was brought up in 22% new French oak. Its translucent ruby hue is followed impressive notes of ripe cherry and strawberry fruits supported by pretty spice, flora, and leafy herb-like aromas and flavors. A wine that would hand many a Village Burgundy its ass, it's well worth buying and drinking over the coming 3-5 years.

Offers a seamless mix of peach preserves, fresh apricot and lemon curd on a plush frame, with a touch of salted caramel, plus details of nutmeg, dried mango and lemon meringue on the long finish. Drink now. 750 cases made.

Remarkably balanced, with details of fresh, crisp apple, citrus and pear that mingle with salted butter pastry and touches of brown sugar on a supple, creamy frame. Reveals a touch of lemongrass on the finish. Drink now. 70,000 cases made. –MW

The 2021 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton is savory and sweet, with a blend of grilled herbs and flowery underbrush giving way to plum sauce and dark chocolate. It’s soft-textured and round, with lifting acidity and ripe wild berry fruits contrasted by hints of inner sage. The 2021 finishes with medium length and a subtle tinge of spice, ending with a trace of black currant.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Upland has intense aromas of red cherries, blood orange, cinnamon and autumn leaves. The light-bodied palate is soft and bright with crunchy fruits and a long, spicy finish. It's delicate, pretty and approachable.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard has autumnal aromas of cranberries, forest floor, dark spices and orange peel. The light-bodied palate is vibrant and transparent with crunchy fruit and a long, spicy finish.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley has very pretty scents of cranberry, blueberry, Earl Grey tea leaves and gravel dust. The light-bodied palate is refreshing and perfumed with grainy tannins and an easygoing finish.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Palmer Creek Vineyard has soft scents of red cherries, tea leaves, bitters and earth. The light-bodied palate offers an understated core of fragrant fruit structured by vibrant acidity and grainy tannins, and it has an easygoing finish. 298 cases produced.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard has soft scents of red cherries, cranberries, autumn leaves, mushrooms and bitters. The light-bodied palate is soft and juicy with a core of crisp red fruit and an easygoing finish. 443 cases produced.

Silver metal in 2024 Royal Queensland Wine Awards

Hartford Court has been making pinot noir from these blocks for nearly a decade, but this is their first vintage of chardonnay from the site. It’s crisp and tart, with scents of orange oil and salty lees. Firm if a bit shy in the middle palate, its lean finish to go up against blue crab. —P.J.C. (100 cases)

Dark and bold cherry, baked strawberry and rose-candy aromas draw the nose deeply into this bottling. There's a decent snap to the start of the palate before the richer red fruit, clove and nutmeg flavors arise.

Cranberry, black cherry and sage aromas waft from the glass of this Pinot. The palate is rich and plush, with flavors of kirsch, cola, black tea and tangerine zest, plus plenty of acidity to balance the tannin and the oak regime.

The 2017 Chardonnay Pas de Nom opens with touches of matchstick and candle smoke before revealing orchard fruit and hazelnut aromas. The medium-bodied palate offers expansive, savory fruit, fresh acidity and a long finish. It has plenty of life ahead.

The 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley has ringing scents of lemon, yellow apples, citrus blossoms, beeswax and almonds. The light-bodied palate balances a gently creamy texture with vibrant acidity, and it has a long, pure finish. 614 cases were made.

The 2015 Blanc de Blancs was disgorged in February of 2022 after about six years en tirage. Yellow apples, fresh bread and iodine waft from the glass. The light-bodied palate is dry and refreshing with pure apple fruit, luxuriously creamy mousse and a long finish. 150 cases were made.

A stylish version, with lightly mulled tea, red and black cherry, and iris notes that glide atop a silky structure. A warm sous-bois accent echoes through the finish. Drink now through 2029. 274 cases made.

A fragrant white, offering honeysuckle, peach cobbler and lemon bar notes on a tangy frame, with fresh ginger, lemongrass and lime zest details. Shows plenty of intensity on the juicy finish. Drink now. 130 cases made.

Ripe youthful ruby color, the 2022 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is from several sites anchored around Barbieri Vineyard and is aromatic of ripe red cherries, fresh roses, forest herbs, and cola spice. Pure, juicy, and medium-bodied, it has fine tannins and a clean feel with a lot of charm. Drink it now or over the next 4-5 years.

A brilliant silver/green-tinged hue, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma County comes from multiple sites in Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Dry Creek, and the Russian River Valley and is fermented both in barrel as well as in stainless steel. Aromatic with a fresh, tropical perfume of guava, melon, chive, and grapefruit, it offers an elegant and delicately rounded feel, with a kiss of candied citrus and its floral perfume lasting on the finish. It’s a very charming wine to enjoy over the next couple of years.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Sable Mountain Vineyard comes from the eastern slopes of the Anderson Valley and was aged for 8 months in 34% new French oak. In the glass, it pours a ripe red ruby color and offers expressive aromas of wild raspberries, candied roses, sweet earth, and sappy fresh herbs. Medium-bodied and juicy, it takes on an earthy spice note, with ripe tannins and a juicy, floral finish. It’s a charming, ripe wine to drink over the next 5 years.

Pouring an opaque purple/red hue, the 2019 Syrah Outer Limits spent 20 months in 34% new French oak and is very ripe in the glass, showing a touch of development in its notes of baked fig, tarry earth, leather, and black olive brine. It’s an opulent red, with sweet tannins, a rounded mouthfeel, and a dark, brooding, savory finish. It is showing well now, though I would prefer to drink this over the next few years. Drink 2024-2028.

Matanzas Creek Winery has been making Merlot in Alexander Valley, Sonoma since 1984. This wine is a testament to their experience. This bottle is a blend sourced from its higher elevation sites. The nose is a bit shy but shows some cherries and maybe a hint of cassis. The palate is soft and supple with great fruit depth.