Vinous (95+)

(13.4% alcohol): Explosive aromas and flavors of raspberry, smoked meat, woodsmoke, bacon fat, truffle and black olive, along with notes of minerals and bloody steak. Densely packed but juicy and almost magically light on its feet, with strong smoky minerality contributing to the impression of inner-mouth tension. Like a great Cote-Rotie in its sappiness and spicy lift. Finishes with a whiplash of flavor and subtle building length. Christophe Baron used just 10% new to age this wine as well as the En Cerise and Cailloux, letting his extraordinary sites speak for themselves.

Vinous (97)

The 2018 Tempranillo Impulsivo En Chamberlin Vineyard may be the best Tempranillo botting I have tasted from Cayuse Vineyards. The wine broods in the glass. Aromatically, you’re greeted by a brilliant core of dark fruits with tobacco leaf, black tea and tar tones. The palate is soft and generous with a sensuous mouthfeel. Even with 50% new large-format French oak, this doesn’t get close to being overly oaked. Silky and elegant to savor now, it has a really long life ahead of it. This is in a league all its own for North American Tempranillo.

Vinous (94)

Bright medium red. Knockout nose combines red cherry, pomegranate, mocha, white pepper and a sexy high-toned floral element. At once salty and juicy on the palate, savory but not particularly meaty, with a dominant flavor of crushed red cherry complicated by notes of garrigue and truffle. Finishes very long and subtly palate-staining, with terrific floral complexity. This wine struck me as a little darker in character than the No Girls Grenache made by Elizabeth Bourcier at Cayuse. And it's still tightly wound. (13.6% alcohol; vinified with 75% whole clusters; from a crop level of just 1.5 tons per acre)

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Colima, a blend from five different vineyards, pours a deep ruby hue and offers pure, layered, red-fruited aromas of fruit punch and framboise along with pine and pencil shaving. The palate reveals fine tannins, with outstanding refinement of structure, notes of ripe redcurrant, gravelly earth, and forest herbs, and fresh acidity throughout. This vibrant and high-toned, energetic wine captures what Cab from Sonoma can be all about.

The Ceritas Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2021 is an enlightened expression of complexity and class. Cultivated in Sonoma County, California, Ceritas focuses on delivering wines of character rooted in the region's unique climates and soils. The 2021 release of their Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir is testament to their artisanal practices. Each grape is handpicked and fermented naturally, showcasing great dedication to traditional techniques whilst employing modern understanding.

The minimalist intervention approach employed by Ceritas allows for the Pinot Noir's true character to shine. Deeply aromatic with notes of wild berries and ground spice, this wine cascades across the palate with exceptional balance and textured depth. Its lingering finish delivers an unforgettable impression.

Made by the widely respected winemaker, John Raytek, Ceritas Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2021 offers an absorbing insight into the expressive beauty of California Pinot Noir. A captivating ensemble of craftsmanship and terroir - this is a wine of unmistakable pedigree and charm.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Pinot Noir Elliott Vineyard is one of the more nervous, edgy wines in this lineup. Readers will want to give it a few years to soften, as it is reticent and tightly wound in the early going. Bright mineral and savory notes drive a core of sweet red berry fruit. When I taste the 2018 I think of a lyric tenor voice that, while maybe not big in size, has the resonance to be heard all the way in the cheap seats. The Elliot is a cool, introspective Pinot that will reward those who can spend some time with it.

Jeb Dunnuck (99)

The 2021 Pinot Noir Elliott is packed with layered aromas of gravelly mineral earth, framboise, and wild herbs. Profound and balanced, with outstanding structure and gripping ripe tannins, it reveals notes of crunchy cherry, fresh earth, and a refined, elegant perfume on the finish. It continuously evolves in the glass and is an absolutely stunning and singular wine.

Jeb Dunnuck (96)

The 2020 Pinot Noir Occidental Vineyard is savory with fresh mint and more masculine aromatics, including cherry fruit and dark minerality. The palate is structured and long, with a more iron-rich quality, pomegranate seed, red cherry, and spice. Hold 2-3 years and drink over the following 15 years.

Introducing the Ceritas Occidental Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, valuable addition to the cellar of any discerning oenophile. This radiant Pinot Noir is produced by Ceritas, maestros of viniculture with a predilection for crafting small batch wines reflective of their unique terroir. Nestled within the-aesthetic cool-climate of Sonoma Coast, California, the Occidental vineyard's maritime influence enhances the grape qualities, cultivating distinctive flavours.

The Ceritas Occidental Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 is an homage to artisan winemaking traditions - hand harvesting and indigenous fermentations lead to minimal intervention. This expression is marked by eloquent layers of red cherry, clove, wild herbs and orange peel, juxtaposed against a robust structure. The wine's finish is noted for its gripping minerality and liveliness, making it age-worthy and versatile.

Its precise balance between rustic charm and sophisticated depth presents the Ceritas Occidental Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 as a pure expression of its prestigious origin, ready to tantalise the palette of the patient connoisseur.

Fine wine connoisseurs believe the Ceritas Sonoma Coast Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2019 is a sublime testament to Californian viticulture. Famed producers at Ceritas have crafted this exquisite tipple from select Pinot Noir grapes, meticulously hand-picked from choice Sonoma Coast vineyards at the ideal maturity stage. Refined in French oak barrels, this intricately-made wine exhibits delicate, sustainable viticulture practices.

Destined to be a collector's gem, Ceritas Sonoma Coast Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2019 possesses an elegant allure. Its complex bouquet marries ripe red cherry notes with subtle undertones of oriental spices and wild herbs, suggesting a depth and richness befitting of its superb lineage.

Notably, the Ceritas winery is renowned for their cold-soaking harvest technique and natural fermentation processes—enhancing the wine's layered complexity. With a silky texture and impressive finish, the Ceritas Sonoma Coast Cuvee Chloe Pinot Noir 2019 stands as a peerless example of fine winemaking tradition.

Vinous (93)

The 2019 Pinot Noir Cincuenta y Cinco was fermented in whole bunches and half aged in used barrels and the rest in concrete. The aromas are a little murky with earth and a whiff of mushroom over fresh plum and cherry. With tangible grip from the stems, the expression is skinny but finely grained. The complexity lies in how the fruit is challenged by other flavors without getting overwhelmed. An interesting wine.

James Suckling (98)

Extremely perfumed and beautiful with ripe strawberries and citrus fruit, as well as aromatic flowers. Full-bodied with plenty of fruit and creamy, chewy tannins that are polished and very impressive. Long and linear. One of the best of this bottling. Drink after 2023, but already a gorgeous bottle.

James Suckling (98)

Perfumed and floral aromas of rose petals, rose hips, wild strawberries, raspberries, sliced mushrooms and orange zest. Bright and succulent with a medium body and very fine, firm tannins. Delightful citrus and crunchy red-fruit character with pretty rose-petal notes throughout. Drink from 2024. From biodynamically grown grapes.

James Suckling (98)

Perfumed and floral aromas of rose petals, rose hips, wild strawberries, raspberries, sliced mushrooms and orange zest. Bright and succulent with a medium body and very fine, firm tannins. Delightful citrus and crunchy red-fruit character with pretty rose-petal notes throughout. Drink from 2024. From biodynamically grown grapes.

James Suckling (96)

Fresh and floral nose with tiles, vibrant red berries and pomegranate. Stony, mineral verve. Pure and expressive with good tension on the medium-bodied palate. Silky, very nimble and elegant. Acidic red berries in the finish that cleanse the palate. So much drinkability. Drink or hold. From biodynamically grown grapes.

James Suckling (98)

Red cherries, strawberries, spiced plums, violets, cloves, dried herbs, undergrowth and a touch of smoke on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with firm, tight-grained tannins. Firm, mineral and tea-like tannin quality. Very focused and structured. Needs time. Try after 2025. From biodynamically grown grapes.

Vinous (94)

The 2020 Pinot Noir Sin Azufre is a wine that in the past I’ve found a little hard to put my fingers on. This time, however, I confess that it touched a nerve. The pure aromas and flavors paint a vivid picture of the open country. Fermented in 600-liter barrels and aged in used oak, it’s an ethereal purple in hue. The 2020 has a nose of vibrant rose and violet notes followed by sour cherry. On the palate, the flavors are profound, and flow relaxed, smooth and expressive. Anchored in well-integrated freshness that wraps itself around the other qualities, this is a wine whose energy is drawn from nature itself.

Vinous (94+)

The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is rich and explosive, with tons of concentration, depth and structure. Dark blue and black fruit, mocha, smoke, menthol, licorice and spices all burst from the glass as this huge, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon shows off its pure class. Readers will have to be patient with the 2012, a wine that will blow the roof off the house with its unbridled power.

Jeb Dunnuck (100)

Also inky colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill comes from the estate vineyard on Pritchard Hill and spent 22 months in new French oak. It has a similar level of purity, as well as incredible minerality, to go with notes of crème de cassis, scorched earth, crushed rock, and graphite. Reminiscent of liking a rock with its insane level of minerality, this full-bodied beauty is tight and closed on the palate, yet is just loaded with potential. It’s only for those with cold cellars and needs forgotten for 7-8 years, but will keep for 4-5 decades. Bravo!

Wine Advocate (98+)

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is composed of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. It was aged in 100% new French oak for 22 months. The alcohol weighed in at 14.5%. Deep garnet-purple in color, it charges out of the gate with bold expressions of warm cassis, wild blueberries and black raspberries, plus hints of chocolate box, menthol, tapenade, smoked meats and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is bursting with vibrant black fruits, framed by fantastically ripe, fine-grained tannins and lovely freshness, finishing long and mineral laced.

Decanter (96)

Heady and ripe, floral and open on the nose with aromas of cedar, sweet strawberries, spiced plum and herbal-edged raspberries. Crisp and juicy, tight and tense - the tannins have a firm aspect to them really giving this a coiled, concentrated, knitted texture and frame where the dark, ripe fruit drives through the centre but there's lots of liquorice, dark chocolate and clove spice giving the angles and nuance, almost overtaking the fruit. Still, it's well constructed, smooth and long with lovely integrity of juiciness. Lots of Petit Verdot character also gives the singularity and signature. A fine wine with lots to like. Stylish, sophisticated and suave. 3% Merlot completes the blend. Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus. 3.78pH.

Wine Advocate (94)

We finished the tasting with the two Bordeaux blends. About as sexy and voluptuous as they come in the vintage, the 2011 Merlot Northridge Vineyard gives up loads of plum, violets, cassis, graphite and hints of spring flowers to go with a full-bodied, hedonistically styled profile on the palate. Possessing no hard edges, yet solid concentration and sweet tannin, it will put a smile on anyone’s face over the coming 7-82years.

Vinous (95)

Dark ruby-red. Knockout nose combines black fruits, spices, volcanic minerality and earth, plus a sexy note of coffee torrefaction, all lifted by a violet topnote; reminded me of a ripe-year Pauillac. Wonderfully silky and concentrated on entry, then tactile and solid yet juicy as well in the middle palate, conveying terrific sweetness of sun-baked dark fruits complicated by licorice and exotic spices. This compellingly rich, deep wine displays the sappiness of a fruit reduction. The wine's saline minerality contributes to its impression of energy and a note of juicy cranberry enhances its current appeal. But this beauty is just embarking on what should be a multi-decade plane of peak drinkability. Uncommon flavor intensity here--and still just 30% new oak. Incidentally, this is the first year that Calistoga appeared on the front label, along with Napa Valley. (It was actually Bo Barrett who initially proposed AVA status for Calistoga, but it wasn't officially granted until 2009. (14.1% alcohol)

Vinous (94+)

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is dark, ample and totally seductive. Black cherry, mocha, plum, spice, new leather and tobacco all meld together. Pliant and supple, the 2016 is already incredibly delicious. This is an especially mid-weight wine and style. Accordingly, the 2016 Estate will drink well with minimal cellaring. The Estate was bottled just two months before this tasting. I imagine it will put on some weight with further time in bottle. All the elements appear to be in the right place for that to happen.

Vinous (94)

(60% malbec and 40% cabernet sauvignon; this wine is a joint venture between Cheval Blanc and Terrazas de los Andes): Bright, saturated medium ruby. Black fruits, tobacco, licorice, wild herbs and an intriguing balsamic note on the nose; as much Bordeaux Right Bank as Argentina in style. Plush, concentrated and sweet; full without any heaviness. Utterly seamless flavors of dark berries, herbs, flowers and earth, plus hints of dried fruits. Really urgent, dense fruit here, with terrific definition and energy. Finishes with noble tannins and outstanding rising length. A fully ripe, outstanding vintage for this consistently excellent bottling.

James Suckling (97)

One of the most complex and floral Chevals. Full to medium body, ultra-fine. How I tasted.

James Suckling (98)

Very perfumed aromas of crushed berries such as raspberries and lemon rind. Plenty of flowers and sandalwood, too. Full body, very fine tannins and focus with a lovely, ethereal sensibility, which gives it balance and freshness. I love the energy and precision. It's all about subtlety. Despite the slightly difficult weather, this is a masterpiece in harmony. Drink in 2020 and onwards.