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In last week's blog, I wrote about the differences between Champagne and other sparkling wines. Since then, we've been trying other sparkling wines from Europe and the U.S. Here are our finds.

N.V. Domaine Ste Michelle Brut Sparkling Rosé, Columbia Valley ($11.99 - Safeway) - This sparkler sports a light copper-pink color, frothy bubbles and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink cherry, blood orange, cherry and orange blossoms and pink lilac. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, mouth-filling, with red fruits that are accented by cherry stones, orange peel and minerals. The back enlivens with red fruit liqueurs, orange peel and CO2 on the way to a tangy nicely fruited finish. At $11.99, this is a steal. 18+/20 points.

2017 Argyle Vintage Sparkling Wine, Willamette Valley ($24.99 - Safeway) - This vintage is comprised of 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier. It displays an iridescent gold color, pinpoint bubbles and aromas of pear, peach, citrus, pear tree blossoms, white lilac, orange peel and white incense. The flavors are fresh and vibrant ("disgorged on demand") with white and yellow fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and minerals. The back picks up poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of lees and brioche, followed by a CO2 enlivened Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Chandon, Blanc de Pinot Noir Brut Sparkling Wine, California ($18.99 - Safeway) - This copper-tinged gold colored wine offers streaming bubbles and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink chewy, grapefruit, pink roses, cherry blossoms and wildflowers. The flavors are brisk yet well textured, with notes of grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The slightly leesy textured back picks up touches of toasted nuts, brioche and creme fraiche, followed by a true Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Chandon Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine, California ($18.99 - Safeway) - A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and fragrant aromas of strawberry, cherry, blood orange, cherry and orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are bright and vibrant, comprised of red and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and kirsch liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a nicely fruited Brut finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 La Marca Prosecco Rosé ($13.99 - Safeway) - La Marca is the best selling Italian Prosecco in the U.S., but is surprisingly good for a commercial brand. This vintage (check the date on the back) offers a copper-pink color, frothy bubbles and fresh aromas of strawberry pink cherry and orange peel. The flavors are brisk, enlivened by CO2 and accented by grape skins and cherry stones, followed on the back by strawberry liqueur and recurring orange peel on the crisp low alcohol (11%) finish. A Lynn favorite. 18+/20 points.

2020 Jeio "Bisol 1542"  Prosecco Brut Rosé ($18 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - Light copper colored, this possesses streaming bubbles and attractive aromas of strawberry, pink peach, Mandarin orange, pink roses, orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are nicely fruited, with notes of grape skins, peach stones and minerals. The appeal continues on the back with strawberry and peach liqueurs and recurring orange peel, enliven by CO2 on the crisp, juicy low alcohol (11%) finish. 18+/20 points.

N.V. Loosen Bros "Dr. L" Sparkling Riesling ($19 - The Thief) - This German Sekt shows a brilliant lemon-gold color, streaming bubbles and fragrant aromas of pear, peach, grapefruit, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, clover and white incense. The flavors are bright and crisp, with white and yellow fruits that are accented by grape and, pear skins, CO2 and steely minerals. On the back, the wine enlivens further with pear and peach liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a dry, persistently minerally finish. "This is delicious - has character," says Lynn. 18.5/20 points. 

N.V. Pierre Sparr Crémant d'Alsace, Brut Réserve ($19 - The Thief) - Brilliant gold colored, this emits streaming bubbles and enticing aromas of apple, pear, peach, citrus, apple blossoms, white lilac and wet stone. The flavors are bright and resonant, with notes of pear skins, peach stones and minerals. On the back, the wine enlivens further burgh poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of lemon custard and toast, followed by a lively Brut finish. "So delicious," says Lynn. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Louis Boulliot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Rosé, "Perle d'Aurore" ($23.99 - Safeway) - This is Pinot Noir with a bit of Gamay. It shows a brilliant copper-pink color, streaming bubbles, enticing aromas of fraises de bois, red currant, blood orange, rose petals, orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are nicely balanced, with pink fruits that are enlivened by grape skins and CO2. The back picks up fraise and cassis liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a true Brut finish. "So festively pretty," says Lynn. 18.5/20 points.

N.V. Laherte Frères Champagne Extra Brut ($52 - The Thief) - Here, Extra Brut means 4.5 g/L dosage instead of 6) Composed of 60% Pinot Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, it displays a light copper color, a frothy mousse and lovely aromas of Anjou pear, pink peach, blood orange, pear and orange tree blossoms and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are dramatic, with yellow and white fruits that are infused with grape and pear skins, peach stones and chalky minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs, recurring orange peel, lees and brioche, all counterpointed by CO2 on the dry, steely finish. 19/20 points.

New French Wines

Here are three Burgundies we've run across recently.

2021 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau ($19.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - Made in carbonic maceration "nouveau" style, this displays a crimson color and ripe, young aromas of strawberry, red red currant, pomegranate, red roses, purple lilac and whiffs of ground spices. The flavors are deliciously young and fresh, with copious red fruits that are accented by grape skins, pomegranate seeds and a bit of earth. The vibrancy continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs and a bit of toasted nuts on the juicy finish. 18/20 points. 

2020 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Village ($13.99 - Safeway) - This is an attractive new vintage. It offers a deep crimson color and engaging aromas of strawberry, cherry, red currant, rosebuds, purple lilac and whiffs of ground spices. The medium bodied flavors are bright and fresh, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cola and earth. The back picks up fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs in the way to a supple soft tannin finish. A tasty quaffable Beaujolais. 18/20 points.

2018 Justin Girardin Santenay Blanc, "Les Terrasses de Bievaux" ($32.99 - Esquin) - Santenay is situated at the southern end of the Côte d'Or. This Chardonnay presents a brilliant gold color and lovely aromas of Bosc pea, white peach, citrus, pear blossoms, acacia flowers and a hint of butternut. The flavors are vivid and true to variety, wish crisp yet viscous with white fruits that are imbued with grape skins, peach stones and granitic minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and recurring butternut, followed by a lingering, finely fruited finish. 18.5+/20 points.

 

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"Would you like some more Champagne?" says the host, even when pouring an American sparkling wine. There is a difference between Champagne from the Champagne district of France and other sparkling wines. Anything else is not Champagne, even if it is bottle fermented. This is a critical issue for the Comité Interprofessionel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC). Legally, in the European Union, sparkling wines from outside Champagne can only be called "methode traditionelle" or "methode classique." In 2006, the U.S. banned the use of the Champagne name except for wineries already using it, being "grandfathered" (so you see Cook's or Andre being called "Champagne"). In the U.S., "methode Champenoise" is still legal, a rankling point for the CIVC. But Champagne houses owning American sparkling wine producers never use that term, only methode traditiionelle. Petilliant Naturelle wines ("Pet Nats") are called "methode ancestrale," bottle fermented sparkling wines without disgorgement. 

In the December issue of the Review of Washington Wines, you will find several American sparkling wines that are designated as methode traditiionelle or (incorrectly) methode champenoise. They are well made sparkling wines, but they are not Champagnes. 

There is a shortage of Champagne in the U.S. due to shipping delays. Many containers of Champagne and other European sparkling wines (French Cremant, Italian Prosecco, Spainish CAVA and German Sekt) are waiting to be unloaded at American seaports. A couple of weeks ago, I ordered one of our favorite brands of Champagne from Esquin and found out that it was sold out. As substitutes, I got these two which we found to be outstanding. Both come from proprietares-manipulants - grower-producers - who grow and make their own Champagnes. Generally proprietaires-manipulants produced more interesting Champagnes than those from negociant-manipulants from the well-known houses.

N.V. R. Dumont & Fils Champagne Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature ($50.99 - Esquin) - This wine was aged 4 years on the lees (instead of 3) to give it extra richness to counterpoint the zero dosage. It displays a brilliant light copper color, streaming bubbles and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, nectarine, orange peel, pink roses, orange blossoms and whiffs of orange incense. The flavors are laser-like yet rich and expansive, with notes of grape skins, nectarine stone and distinct minerality. The resonance continues on the back with bracing fruit acids counterpointed by a leesy texture and fraise and Cointreau liqueurs, all followed by a lengthy, bone dry yet finely fruited finish. 19+/20 points.

N.V. Jean Vesselle Champagne Brut Reserve ($51.99 - Esquin) - From Bouzy, which grows mostly Pinot Noir, this is a striking Champagne. It exhibits a light copper color, fine streaming bubbles and lovely aromas of wild strawberry, peach, mandarin orange, cantaloupe and orange tree blossoms. The flavors are exquisitely wrought, with red and yellow fruits that are interwoven with grape skins, peach stones and saline minerals. On the back, the wine takes a tantalizing turn with fraise and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and recurring orange peel, followed by a lingering CO2 lifted, persistently minerally Brut finish. 19+/20 points.

Happy Thanksgiving

Once again, I have to say that Thanksgiving is a distinctly American Holiday and should be celebrated with American wines. My recommendation is to have a not too tannic wine (steer away from Cabernet Sauvignon) such as a Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir. A sparkling wine such as those in the December issue of the Review of Washington or a California one (Chandon is one our favorites) will also do nicely. Just don't call it Champagne. Enjoy your dinner with your favorite American wine!

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New French Wines

Here are our latest discoveries in exceptional yet affordable French wines.

2020 Nicolas Idiart Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc ($27.99 - Esquin) - This is the first Sancerre I've seen with Sauvignon Blanc on the front label. It is a fine rendition of the grape. Brilliant lemon-gold colored, it possesses floral aromas of Anjou pear, peach, quince, Casaba melon, grapefruit, pear blossoms, jasmine and wet stone. The flavors are fresh and brisk, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and chalky minerals. On the back the wine enlivens further with poire and pêche liqueurs, melon rind and grapefruit peel, followed by a persistently mineraly, crisp finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Régis Minet Pouilly Fumé, Vieilles Vignes ($30.99 - Esquin) - Pouilly-sur-Loire is across the river from Sancerre. This shows a brilliant light gold color and floral aromas of Bosc pear, white peach, Crenshaw melon, a hint of quince, with scents of pear blossoms, meadow flowers and wet stone. The flavors are vivid and refined, marked by grape and pear skins, cut grass and saline minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire William liqueur and hazelnut, followed by s crisp yet silky finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Perraud de la Grande Burette Mâcon-Villages, Vieilles Vignes ($18.99 - wine.com) - This offers a brilliant lemon-gold color and attractive aromas of pear, white peach, pear blossoms, acacia flowers (a trait of Mâconnais) and white incense. The flavors are pure Chardonnay, with bright white and yellow fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and slate minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and almond, followed by a crisp finish. A cut above the usual Mâcon Villages which gives it a plus. 18+/20 points.

2019 Jean-Marc Boillot Bourgogne Blanc ($26.99 - wine.com) - This comes from a grower in Pommard. It shows a brilliant gold color and enticing aromas of pear, white peach, citrus and wet stone, with scents of pear blossoms, acacia flowers and white incense. The flavors are mouth filling and resonate with notes of pear, peach stones and hillside minerals. On the back, the wine turns silky textured yet well delineated, with poire and pêche liqueurs, light oak (30% new) and a touch of creaminess (full malolactic) on the finish. 18.5/20 points.

2018 Justin Girardin Santenay Blanc, "Les Terrasses de Bienvaux" ($32.99 - Esquin) - Santenay is situated at the southern end of the Côte d'Or. This Chardonnay presents a brilliant gold color and lovely aromas of Bosc pear white peach, citrus, pear blossoms, wisteria and a hint of butternut. The flavors are vivid and true to variety, with crisp yet viscous white fruits that are imbued with peach stones and stony minerals. The resonance continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and recurring butternut, followed by a lingering, finely fruited finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Domaine de Chênepierre Chénas ($21.99 - Esquin) - Chénas is one of the least well known us of Beaujolais. This one received a Medaille d'Or at the Concours des Vins du Beaujolais. It offers a deep purplish-ruby color and engaging aromas of raspberry, black currant, black roses, purple lilac, rubbed sage and sweet incense. The flavors are generous and vigorous a fewous, with notes of red licorice, cocoa powder and schist minerals. On the back, the wine turns chewy yet silky textured, with pressed fruits, mocha, and framboise and creme de cassis liqueurs, followed by a pleasing moderate ripe tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

 

Affordable 2019 California Pinot Noirs

I read in winemag.com (the on-line publication of the Wine Enthusiast) that the 2019 Pinot Noirs from California were exceptional and included many excellent values. I picked up a few from wine.com and at supermarkets and found them to offer high quality for their prices.

2019 Bogle Vineyards Pinot Noir, California ($10.98 - Super 1) - This was one of the Best Buys in the winemag.com article (89 points). It shows a medium brick red color and aromas of red fruits - strawberry, cherry, currant - with scents of rosebuds, orange peel and whiffs of stick incense. The medium bodied flavors are generous and fruit driven, with notes of red licorice, cola and earth. The back picks up pressed fruits, strawberry and kirsch liqueurs, followed by s well fruited soft tannin finish. 17.5/20 points.

2019 La Crema Pinot Noir, Monterey ($16.99 - Safeway) - This shows a medium brick red color and attractive aromas of strawberry, cherry, red currant, rosebuds, orange peel and wafts of orange incense. The flavors are medium bodied and direct, with pleasing red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa powder, orange pekoe tea and Monterey wind-blown earth. The appeal continues on the back with gently pressed fruits, kirsch and recurring orange peel, followed by a plush soft tannin finish. 18/20 points.

2019 La Crema Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($21.99 - Safeway) - This is a fine example of cool climate Pinot Noir. I shows a brick red color and attractive aromas of raspberry, cherry, black currant, orange peel, forest carpet and incense. The flavors are generous yet substantial, with notes of red licorice, cola, orange pekoe tea and coastal wind blown earth. On the back, the focus increases with pressed fruits, framboise and cassis liqueurs, recurring orange peel and touches of nougat and cherry preserves, followed by a pleasing moderate tannin finish, lifted by bright fruit acids. 18.5/20 points.

2019 Hartford Court Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($34.99 - wine.com) - The Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is one of the best AVAs for Pinot Noir. This one shows a brick red color and engaging aromas of wild strawberries, black currants, crushed rose petals, sweet tobacco, forest carpet, orange peel and sweet incense. The flavors are simultaneously lavish and deep, with copious red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, Belgian chocolate, black tea and riverside minerals. On the back, the wine invigorates with macerated fruits, roasted pecans, recurring orange peel and soft charcoal, followed by a lingering sweetish tannin finish. The highest quality/price ratio of the Pinots tasted. 19/20 points.

2019 Hanzell "Sebella" Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($35.99 - wine.com) - Brick red colored, this wine possesses attractive aromas of fraises de bois, cherries, brambly currants, crushed roses, tobacco leaf, cedar, forest carpet and orange incense. The flavors are rich and chewy, with notes of licorice root, cola, black tea and gravel and loam. The back reveals macerated berries, roasted nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs and soft charcoal, followed by a slightly grainy ripe tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Melville Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills ($41.99 - wine.com) - The Santa Rita Hills of the Central Coast is another fine AVA for Pinot Noir. This one shows a medium brick red color and intriguing aromas of fraises de bois, cherries, red currants, crushed red roses, mulberry, pine needles and whiffs of stick incense. The flavors, as well, are distinctive, with tasty medium bodied red fruits that are imbued with red licorice, cocoa, orange pekoe tea and Santa Rita wind blown earth. On the back, the velvety texture is enlivened by bright fruit acids on the soft tannin finish. 19/20 points. 

2019 Twomey Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($49.99 - wine.com and Safeway) - Twomey is a part of the Family of Silver Oak. This is the priciest but best of the Pinots tasted. It shows a brick red color and a seductive nose of fraises de bois, red cherries, brambly currants, crushed rose petals, forest carpet, orange peel and whiffs of sweet incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with lavish yet focused red fruits that are infused with red licorice, cocoa powder, Earl Grey tea and Russian River gravelly loam. On the back, the wine takes an elegant turn with pressed fruits, fraise and cassis liqueur, recurring orange peel and charcoal stick, followed by a lengthy ripe moderate tannin finish, lifted by fruit acids. 19+/20 points.

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This year, Fall Release Weekend in Walla Walla was November 5-7. Many new wines were poured at most wineries. I had already tasted most of them before the first weekend of November (see last week's blog posting below for a preview of those wines. Here's what we did during Fall Release Weekend.

To kick off Fall Release on Thursday, November 4, we had our friends, Jeff Freude and Laurie Wolf from Iowa, Stu and Barb Vos from North Carolina, Josh and Jodi Roznowski of Walla Walla and Jan Roskelley and son, Kyle of Milton-Freewater to our house for a boeuf Bourguignon dinner, centered on a vertical of 2010, 2009 and 2007 Domaine Vieux Telegraphe Châteauneuf du Pape "La Crau." All three were impressive, with the 2010 a standout for its sheer depth and old vine calcareous complexity (19.5/20 points). Jeff and Laurie had visited Doubleback and brought the 2017 Cabernet which was highly impressive, deep, well-structured and classically styled (19.5/20 points). Our guests had raided the Roskelley's wine collection and brought over a 1999 Stag's Leap Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Cask 23. The cork broke up, but the wine came through okay, showing mature complexity. The 2005 Bunchgrass Walla Walla Valley Founder's Blend was past its' peach but still holding up.

On Friday, I took a friend, Bill Henry, to Reynvaan to taste the 2019 Syrahs and some library wines. The standouts were the 2018 In the Rocks Syrah (with 10% Viognier), an elegantly bold and graceful wine with tremendous depth and complexity (20/20 points) and the 2016 In the Rocks Syrah (also co-fermented with Viognier) which showed amazing depth and complexity (20/20 points). Also outstanding were the 2017 In the Rocks and 2015 In the Hills (19.5/20 points). Of the 2019's, the Stonessence from In the Rocks, was sensational from beginning to end, and the Foothills Reserve from the Foothills in the Sun Vineyard was also amazing, sultry and exotic, with superb balance (20/20 points). Also outstanding were the 2019 The Contender, In the Rocks and In the Hills Syrahs (19.5/20 points). Also poured was the 2019 Queen's Road Marsanne-Viognier from In the Rocks, rich and viscous yet steely and crisp (19.5/20 points).

On Saturday, Lynn and I went to the Foundry Gallery opening which exhibited art works from Mark and Patty Anderson's personal collection from artists who worked with the Foundry over the years. There, we had the tasty newly released 2018 Artisan Red Blend (19/20 points - full review to be in the December issue) whose label displayed Keiko Hara's "The Field and the Sky," a tribute to Mark Anderson who passed away in 2019. 

After the Foundry, we went over to the VUE where the Iowa and North Carolina visitors were staying for a lasagne dinner along with the Rozonowskis and Jan Roskelley. We started off with a preview of Josh's new Smoky Rose sparkling wine and 2004 Bollinger Grand Reserve Champagne. The centerpiece wines were the 2011, 2010 and 2009 Château Grand Pontet from Pauillac, a property that was upgraded in 2004 by Guy Tesseron, elevating the Third Growth to a wine of First Growth caliber. The 2010 and 2009 vintages were 100 point wines. They did not disappoint. The 2010 and 2009 were monumental wines (20/20 points) and the 2011 a near great wine (19.5/20 points). The Bordelais would look askance on serving a Grand Cru Bordeaux with lasagne, but it worked. To give the dinner an Italian touch, I opened a 2013 Ciacci di Piccolomini Pianrosso Brunello di Montalcino which was fabulous (19.5/20 points). The dinner was topped off by a 1997 Fonseca Vintage Port, just rounding out beautifully (19.5/20 points).

On Sunday, I stopped by DAMA wines to taste three new releases, a tasty 2019 GSM (19/20 points), a 2018 Seven Hills Vineyard Merlot (19/20 points) and an outstanding 2018 Cabernet from the Heather Hill Vineyard (19+/20 points) - full reviews to be in the December issue. Then on Monday, Lynn and I wrapped up at L'Ecole No 41 with a tasting of the new 2018 releases: Perigee (19.5/20 points), Apogee (19.5/20 points), Ferguson Vineyard Cabernet (20/20 points) and Erudite Estate Red fro the Ferguson and Seven Hills vineyards (20/20 points) - to be reviewed in the December issue. 

Details

This year, Fall Release Weekend will be November 5 - 7. In the past, before COVID 19, Fall Releases were big events with crowded tasting rooms. Not so much anymore. Appointments are required or recommended at many places. For those of you who are making the trek over here, here's a preview of wines in the December issue which will be poured next weekend. There will be a lot of outstanding wines: 12 scoring 19 or 19+/20 points, 8 scoring 19.5/20 points and 3 scoring 20/20 points. So there's a lot to look for this weekend.

Sleight of Hand Cellars has a lovely 2019 "Enchantress" Chardonnay from the French Creek Vineyard (19+/20 points), a charming 2019 "Sorceress" Reserve Grenache (19+/20 points) and a thick and true to variety 2019 "Levitation" Syrah from the Les Collines (67%) and Lewis (33%) vineyards (19+/20 points).

Saviah Cellars has a tasty young 2019 Grenache from the Dugger Creek Vineyard (19/20 points).

àMaurice Cellars has released a quartet of outstanding 2018 reds: the "ReRe" Artist Red Blend (19+/20 points), the "Amparo" Estate Malbec (19+/20 points). the "Night Owl" Red Wine (19+/20 points), and the 2018 "Owl & Crown" Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (19.5/20 points).

Valdemar Estates is presenting wonderfully balanced 2019 French Creek Chardonnay 19.5/20 points), a powerful 2019 Seven Hills Malbec, with 5% Syrah (19.5/20 points) and a dynamic 2019 Blue Mountain Syrah (19.5/20 points). 

Canvasback will be showcasing the new 2019 Red Mountain Syrah from the Red Heaven Vineyard (19+/20 points), an elegant, Pinot-like Walla Walla Valley Syrah (19+/20 points), a 2018 "GSM" Red Mountain Red Wine (19+/20 points), and three Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignons from distinct terroirs: Longwinds Vineyard (19.5/20 points), Klipsun Vineyard (19.5/20 points) and Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (19.5/20 points).

Rôtie Cellars has five highly recommended reds: 2019 "Little g" Grenache from the Devil's Gate Vineyard near Maryhill (19.5/20 points), 2019 "Dre" Mourvèdre (19.5/20 points), the monumental 2019 "Big G" Estate Grenache (20/20 points) and two clonal Syrahs, the 2019 "Love Rocks" ENTAV Clone 470 (20/20 points) and 2019 ENTAV Tablas Creek Clone (20/20 points).

Da Ma Wines has two new 2018 red from highly respected Walla Walla Valleyvineyards: the Seven Hills Merlot (19/20 points) and Heather Hill Cabernet Sa=uvignon (19+/20 points).

  1. A Tasting of French, Washington and Oregon Syrahs
  2. Harvest 2021 a Wrap / Some Interesting Wines
  3. The GSM Wines of the South Rhone and Washington
  4. The 2018 and 2019 Vintages Compared