Reviews

Deep sanguine in hue, this wine opens with ripe strawberry, baked rhubarb, pomegranate and quince with a pretty overlay of rose petals. Freshly picked mushrooms and thyme stems with a fine vein of vanilla appear with aeration. A stone layer first coats the palate, followed by perfectly ripe strawberries, which linger along the midpalate and grow juicier from its acidic lift. Fine tannins persist in its long finish and gives way to a soft peppercorn-clove finish that frames the fruit beautifully. — Anna-Christina Cabrales

This is a flavorful, substantive wine. Fully ripe berries and cherries fill up the aroma before a full body, dark chocolate and black cherries take over the palate, backed by moderate tannins.

Not yet bottled, the 2022 Vacqueyras is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the balance Mourvèdre that's aging all in tank. Red, blue, and black fruits, as well as peppery, floral, and minty garrigue notes, all define the aromatics, and it's medium-bodied, has plenty of fruit, and fine tannins.

Mulled black cherries, chocolaty herbs, licorice, and peppery notes all emerge from the 2021 Vacqueyras, another ripe, moderately concentrated, yet beautifully textured, charming, satisfying 2021 from this terrific appellation. A blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and 10% Mourvèdre that was brought up all in tank, it's perfect for drinking over the coming 5-7 years.

The 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape Crau Des Papes (60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, and the rest Mourvèdre) comes all from pebbly soils and is brought up entirely in concrete tank. It has classic darker berry and peppery herbs as well as some subtle iron and nori notes in its medium to full-bodied, nicely balanced, elegant profile. The tannins here are nicely integrated, and it has a beautiful sense of freshness as well as solid mid-palate depth.

Ripe red and black fruits, peppery herbs, and floral/violet notes all shine in the 2022 Châteauneuf Du Pape, which is an incredibly consistent cuvée that always has a classic, balanced, satisfying style. The 2022 is no different.

Rockingly pure black cherries, black raspberries, ground pepper, and floral notes all emerge from the 2022 Gigondas, another 2022 that will be a great value from this label. It's balanced, has terrific purity, ripe tannins, and outstanding length.

The single-varietal 2020 Chardonnay is made entirely from Carneros Sonoma fruit. Baked apples, spicy pears, and honeydew melon jump from the glass with wafts of honeycomb and allspice. The medium to full-bodied palate has a creamy texture and is chock full of baked apples and pears layers, finishing with a lively lift.

The 2021 Private Reserve Chardonnay gives up decadent scents of allspice, pineapple upside-down cake, and ripe apricots plus hints of marzipan and honeysuckle. The full-bodied palate delivers a creamy texture and mouth-coating tropical and stone fruit flavors, finishing long and spicy.

Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, the 2021 Private Reserve Pinot Noir charges out of the glass with rambunctious notes of Morello cherries, black raspberries, and mulberries leading to touches of rhubarb crumble, wild strawberries, and underbrush plus a hint of violets. The medium to full-bodied palate is bursting with electric red and black berry flavors, supported by fine-grained tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing long and minerally.