The Eyrie Vineyards Spark NV
Dark salmon, with an ultra-fine mousse that washes over the palate like the tide coming in, Eyrie’s Spark NV is a poetic blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 37% Chasselas Doré, and 8% Pinot Blanc that’s aged for 12 months on the lees in neutral French oak. It’s bone dry with a core of bright red […]
Domaine Bousquet Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Domaine Bousquet’s 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is crafted from organically-grown estate fruit and fruit purchased in the Uco Valley. It’s a light, crisp style, ideal for those who don’t like fuller, fleshier examples of the varietal. Opens with lemon zest, meadow flowers, pear, and dried thyme. In the mouth snappy acidity and a profile that moves […]
Mt. Beautiful 10 Barrels Pinot Noir 2015
More expressive on the second day, Mt. Beautiful’s 2015 10 Barrels Pinot Noir opens with a wreath of foresty undertones—dried herbs, decaying leaves, climbing rose, and, lilac bush encircles blackberry and black cherry. In the mouth, the tannins are fine and supple, with high toned-red berries and a wiry acid spine that gives way to […]
Cristom Estate Pinot Gris 2018
From vines planted in 1993, Cristom’s 2018 Estate Pinot Gris is limpid sunbeam yellow, with lilting aromas of Asian pear, comice apple, granulated honey, pea tendril, and wet shell. In the mouth, there’s weight and flesh from full-malolactic fermentation combined with six months aging on fine lees—a taught vein of acidity wells up from the […]
Lange Estate Winery River Run Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
The 2018 Lange River Run Cuvée was slightly closed when I last reviewed it, I’m pleased to report that it’s showing beautifully now and will only continue to improve in time. Sporting a seductive floral edge, it opens with aromas of pie cherry, raspberry coulis, rose petal, violet, underbrush, and lichen. Tons of finesse on […]
Domaine Bobinet Hanami 2014
From the Saumur-Champigny region of the Loire, Domaine Bobinet’s 2014 Hanami is made from 100% Cabernet Franc, 30% of which is carbonically macerated. The nose unspools to reveal earthy barnyard funk, freshly turned tilth, and decomposing leaves along with pie cherries and Damson plum. In the mouth, it’s a touch astringent and drying, with a […]
Herdade do Esporão Colheita Tinto 2017
A delightful blend that features Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Touriga Franca, Esporão 2017 Colheita Tinto is made from organically-grown grapes from the winery’s estate. Pigéage is accomplished in large concrete vats. Plums, black cherries, and vanilla round out the nose. It’s quite dry on the palate, with structured, chewy tannins. Minerality resonates against a backdrop […]
Lange Estate Vineyard North Block Chardonnay 2014
The acid balance and focus is perhaps the loveliest element this Lange Estate single-vineyard bottling. The 2014 North Block Estate Chardonnay is particularly lovely—with beguiling aromas of clementine, quince, pastry cream, and warm spice—on the palate, there’s weight and weightlessness. A nimble mineral-infused spine crests and ebbs, leaving the impression of apricot pit, baking spice, […]
Lange Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2016
With nose is awash in raspberry coulis, cardamom, lilac, and forest floor, Lange Estate’s 2016 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir is taut and laser-focused. High-toned red berries flesh out the core—cranberry and alpine strawberry are neatly framed by fine tannins and bright acid spine. Attractive mineral-and-spice-infused finish surges on, adding length and persistence to this wine’s […]
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017
Cristom’s 2017 Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir is sourced from the winery’s steepest estate vineyard. Jessie’s blocks are planted in high-density and range in elevation from 320 ft to 550 ft—it unfurls slowly in the glass to reveal deeply perfumed aromas of red and blackberries, crushed lavender and rose petals, with a savory top note. It’s […]