Wine Ratings

wines

The 2021 Chardonnay Zotovich Vineyard is a bright and focused from start to finish. Crushed rocks, lime, salt and white pepper are all beautifully delineated in this vibrant, intensely saline Chardonnay. All the elements are so nicely put together. This is another wonderfully translucent wine in the range.Vinous Media | 94 VMThis bottling sports a very pithy, citrus-rind-driven nose, with wet rock and tight apple flesh aromas also apparent. The palate is loaded with a rocky mineralitty, but also packed with citrus spray, Asian pear and mandarin flesh flavors.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WESamsara’s 2017 Zotovich Chardonnay is an excellent rendition of this top quality site. From the first vintage that Samsara produces white wines, it was fermented in all neutral oak and four barrels were produced. The nose is equal parts toasty, honeyed and saline, with aromas of cracker, coconut and sea spray. The palate is chiseled and linear, combining green apple, pineapple rind and salted caramel flavours. Chardonnay from this site seems to consistently marry weight and power with lift and focus, as is the case here.Decanter | 92 DEC

Layered, elegant, vivid and mineral-driven, this full-bodied wine paints a distinct picture of one of Sonoma County’s oldest, most iconic chardonnay vineyards. Stone, kiwi and crisp apple notes fill the aromas, while light accents of butter and vanilla bean highlight the vibrant green apple and lime flavors. It expands on the palate and echoes for minutes in the finish. This wine is known to age well, so drink or hold.James Suckling | 97 JSElegant and precise, this crisp expression offers plenty to admire -- apple, lemon zest and Sumo orange notes, plus an aromatic punch of yuzu, orange blossoms and sweet grass. A quiet toasted brioche detail lingers in the background, as does a savory thread of freshly grated ginger and toasted green tea hints. Drink now through 2032. 774 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WSThe 2021 Chardonnay Rochioli Vineyard is bright and focused, but also understated in feel. Sweet floral and citrus notes give the 2021 lovely aromatic presence to match the wine’s understated, mid-weight personality. Bright saline tones add energy and tension throughout. Lemon peel, white pepper and crushed rocks linger.Vinous Media | 93 VM

The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard brings a more concentrated, serious feel and offers ripe mulberry and cherry fruit as well as scorched earth, graphite, and minerality, with nicely integrated oak. It’s medium-bodied, concentrated, and focused, with a beautiful mouthfeel. It needs 2-3 years in the cellar (you’d be forgiven for enjoying a bottle today) and will evolve nicely over the following decade.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDHibiscus, crisp red fruit, fennel pollen and lemon peel aromas make for a fresh and lively nose on this single-vineyard expression. The palate lands in broad fashion, with lush flavors of strawberry, more citrus and a pinch of pepper dust. Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEThe 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard is bright and effusive. Crushed red berry fruit, flowers, dried herbs and a kiss of sweet French oak are nicely lifted. This racy, exuberant Pinot is quite the charmer. It, too, will benefit from a bit of cellaring.Vinous Media | 92 VMA flattering style, with a nice wave of plum sauce and blackberry preserves rolling through, flanked by singed toast, wood spice and licorice accents through the finish. Drink now through 2026. 643 cases made.Wine Spectator | 91 WS

Welcome to the dark side of the pinot noir force! Deep and dangerous with enormous concentration, this full-bodied pinot noir has stacks of damson-plum and blackberry fruit, but is also extraordinarily fresh and decisively dry. Enormously long, velvety finish in which violet, smoke and stony minerality are seamlessly interwoven. Drinkable now, but best from 2025.James Suckling | 97 JSMeaning "notebook" in French, the 2021 Pinot Noir Cahiers takes on more layers of lifted spices and ripe red fruit, with orange oil, white pepper, and sage. Medium to full-bodied, with rounded fruit on the mid-palate, fine tannins, and a good finish, it’s drinking well now, although it’s leaning toward its primary fruit. It will continue to improve over the next couple of years. Drink 2024-2034.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDI could fill a notebook with descriptions of this wine’s aromas. The list is longer, but aromas include marionberries, blackcurrants, beeswax, the saline of a fresh-shucked oyster and warm masala chai spices. The wine’s smooth texture, modest acidity and silky tannins match up with rose petal and raspberry flavors. Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE

The 2021 Sage Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has an opaque purple-black color. It comes barreling out of the glass with vivacious black raspberries, black currant jelly, and mulberries scents, leading to touches of rose oil, bay leaves, cedar chest, and graphite, with a hint of cardamom. The big, concentrated, full-on, full-bodied palate completely coats the mouth with decadent black fruit preserves layers, supported by firm yet plush tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with epic length.The Wine Independent | 97 TWIFrom a site north of Lake Hennessey, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Sage Ridge Vineyard (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) has more red and black fruits as well as a kiss of bloody, iron-like nuances in its tapenade, violets, and incense-driven aromatics. Brought up all in new barrels, it has a forward, layered, mouth-filling texture, nicely integrated tannins, and terrific overall balance. It has plenty of upfront appeal even today, yet I wouldn’t be surprised to see this close down slightly within a year or three of bottle age. It should have upwards of two decades of overall longevity.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDA showy version, with hibiscus and anise notes glistening atop a range of cassis, cherry and boysenberry puree flavors. The licorice-accented finish is long and focused. Drink now through 2036. 100 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WS

The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard brings more depth and richness, with racy citrus, toasted spice, honeyed mineral, and orange blossom notes that develop beautifully with time in the glass. Medium-bodied and balanced, with good concentration and awesome length, it’s a more mineral-driven, spicy, serious expression of Sauvignon Blanc that will evolve for 15+ years in cold cellars.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDThe 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard was barrel fermented and matured for 16 months in 21% new French oak. Recently bottled under Diam 30 corks, it’s shy on the nose at this stage yet layered and generous on the palate. It balances weightiness and textural breadth with focused acidity and boasts a deep core of stone fruit and citrus. It has youthful streaks of matchstick, and its generosity and texture help extend the finish. Treat it like a Bordeaux Blanc and allow it 2-3 years in bottle. 140 cases were made.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPThe 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Grimm’s Bluff Vineyard is intensely salty and mineral. Those notes lend tons of vibrancy throughout. Crushed rocks, lemon confit, mint, white pepper and slate all build as this vibrant, chiseled Sauvignon shows off its undeniable class. This is a great vintage for the Grimm’s Bluff.Vinous Media | 93 VM

This beautiful wine comes from this Rutherford site that was first planted in 1895 by Mrs. Thomas Rutherford. This 300-acre parcel first purchased by Beaulieu founder Georges de Latour in 1928 and called Beaulieu Vineyard Number 3. Inky in the glass, this offers an opulent texture once on the mouth. Layers of creme de cassis, anise, graphite, creme de violette, tar and allspice dusted black cherry all brilliantly combine on the palate, with loamy soil accents. A joy to drink now in its full-throttle youth, enjoy this brilliant new wine now and over the next twenty plus years to come. Drink 2024-2044Owen Bargreen | 96 OBSojourn gets Clone 337 from F Block in this historic vineyard, formerly known as Beaulieu Vineyard No. 3. The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Vineyard Georges III aged in 75% new French oak before being bottled in June 2023. It’s true to its Rutherford roots, showing dusty earth notes on the nose alongside bright cherries and deeper mocha and dried-spice undertones. It’s full-bodied but somehow seems less rich than its 14.7% alcohol implies, cruising across the mid-palate in a flurry of soft tannins and finishing long and firm, with hints of dark chocolate.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 94 RPRipe and juicy berries and plums are mixed through with nutmeg, cinnamon and cocoa for a lush, abundant palate of flavor. This richly present 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, from one of Napa’s iconic vineyards, combines layers of oak spice with a velvety texture and a mouthfilling finish.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WE

Like a majority of the Sojourn 2021 Pinot Noirs, the Gap’s Crown is also aged in 50% new French oak but sees approximately 15% whole cluster during fermentation. This Pinot Noir is always one of my favorites coming out of the Sonoma Coast, and the Sojourn 2021 is another beautiful example. A shimmering ruby-garnet core with a blueish rim in the glass, it assembles bountiful notes of dark cherry compote, fresh black raspberry, spiced blue plum skin, brown mushroom, salty sea breeze, liquid chocolate, and hints of dried lemongrass. Complex, engaging, and downright delicious, this should be a wine that everyone should seek out to try. 1025 cases were produced. Better in 2023 and then enjoy for the next 12–15 years. Highly recommended and editor’s choice.International Wine Report | 97 IWRThe 2021 Pinot Noir Gap’s Crown Vineyard brings forward significantly more freshness and outstanding purity, with notes of ripe black cherry, scorched earth, and crushed violets that move seamlessly to a full-bodied palate with a satin texture, fine tannins, and notes of ripe wild raspberry, pressed herbs, and baking spices. With a pleasing freshness on the finish, this is a very attractive wine to drink over the next 8-10 years.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDLots of sliced strawberry and hibiscus with some sea salt here, but not overpowering. The palate is firm and racy with sleek and energetic tannins that run the length of the wine. Fresh and crisp with a citrus undertone at the end. Drinkable but better in a year or two.James Suckling | 93 JSDelivers a lovely, pure streak of pomegranate, damson plum and cherry fruit, gilded with light floral and savory notes and tinged with a mineral edge through the finish. Shows a nice racy feel from start to finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,025 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Juicy and engaging, with heavy mulled raspberry and blood orange flavors coursing through, carried by a bright mineral edge and a flurry of red tea and savory notes. The long, lingering finish has nice latent tension. Drink now through 2030. 2,600 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WSWell balanced, tangy and lightly tannic, this lively wine will be versatile in food pairings. Its red cherry and dried cranberry notes are delicious and appetizing, while the influence of new French barrels stays nicely subtle.Wine Enthusiast | 93 WEA fresh and crunchy pinot with lovely cherry, hibiscus and light orange peel character with hints of earth and cedar. Medium body. Fine tannins and a delicious finish. Delicate is the word. Drink now or hold.James Suckling | 92 JS

This is quite the Chardonnay from Brianne Day and the renowned Eola Springs Vineyard in the best Chardonnay appellation in America. Winemaker Brianne Day chose three different blocks and three different clones: Hyde Wente, Mount Eden and Chardonnay 96 (a Dijon clone). She picked the Hyde Wente and Mount Eden early for structure and acid, and the Dijon 96 was picked later to flesh out the palate with riper fruits. Captivating lemon curd aromas and rich, honeyed apricots are followed by almond pastry cream.—dollops of rich lemon cream, ripe peach fuzz, and rich apricot flesh.Decanter | 96 DECDistinctly savory, the 2021 Chardonnay Eola Springs Vineyard bursts from the glass with an array of crushed rocks and flint giving way to dried apricots and nectarine. This displays silky textures, seamless and lifted, with crisp orchard fruits and mineral tones cascading across the palate. It finishes with staining length yet is incredibly fresh, leaving a hint of candied citrus and a salty tinge. Nicely done.Vinous Media | 93 VMRich, creamy and full-bodied yet surprisingly elegant, this Oregon chardonnay glides over the palate, but also has the structure to age for some years. The tannins from the generous toasty oak build at the long, imposing finish. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 93 JSThe 2021 Eola Springs Vineyard bottling of chardonnay from Breeana Day is a lovely wine. It offers up a beautifully complex bouquet of pear, nectarine, a touch of almond, a lovely base of soil tones, gently musky floral tones and a discreet framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is vibrant, focused and full-bodied, with a beautiful core of ripe fruit, lovely soil undertow and grip, zesty acids and a long, poised, seamlessly-balanced and complex finish. This is really lovely juice, coming in at thirteen percent octane and offering a lovely synthesis of perfectly ripe fruit and structural tension on the backend. It should age beautifully. (Drink between 2024 - 2040)John Gilman | 93 JG

Lastly, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville may be the finest wine I’ve tasted from this estate, although the 2016 might have something to say about that. Ripe blackcurrants, fresh blue fruits, huge minerality, full-bodied richness, a dense, concentrated mid-palate, and incredibly pure notes of chocolate, loamy earth, tobacco, and lead pencil all define this sensational Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon. The tannin quality as well as the overall balance are just about off the charts. This warrants 4-5 years in the cellar and will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.Jeb Dunnuck | 99 JDThe red fruit and tile aromas with terra-cotta come through clearly here. Then there’s sage and bark with cedar undertones. Leaves, too. Then turns to blue fruits. Full body with lovely tannins that are velvety and energetic from the underlying acid and earth character. Excellent finish. Drink after 2028.James Suckling | 99 JSThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville soars out of the glass. Inky dark cherry, gravel, licorice, graphite and chocolate saturate the palate. Vertical, dense and explosive, the 2021 is wonderfully deep and expressive. There’s plenty of Oakville Ranch tannin, but it is so well-balanced.Vinous Media | 98 VMJuicy and vibrant in feel, this bursts with exuberant notes of raspberry, mulberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit scored with roasted apple wood and licorice root accents. A lovely flurry of iris and hibiscus forms the backdrop, and there’s a late-running tug of loam to keep everything grounded through the finish. Hard to lay off now, but this shows the stuffing to cellar a bit. Drink now through 2040. 365 cases made.Wine Spectator | 95 WS

A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, and half a % each of Malbec and Merlot, aged 15 months in 33% new French oak. The bottling includes the following sources: 51% Atlas Peak District; 14% Battuello Vineyard in St. Helena, 12% Arcadia Vineyard in Coombsville and 5% Twin Creeks Vineyard in Wooden Valley (in Suisun Valley) and from sources in Stags Leap. Super approachable and fairly easy-drinking at the pull of the cork. Youthful blue fruit aromatics mingle with blackberry, graphite, and violet florals. Full-bodied with fine-grained satiny tannins and the same exuberant blue and black fruit, tinged with cinnamon and Mexican mocha through a lengthy slate-stone and cedarwood-rich finish.Decanter | 94 DECThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is a terrific introductory-level wine from Stags Leap Wine Cellars. Bright acids and floral aromatics lift a core of vibrant, red-toned fruit. Crushed raspberries, kirsch, flowers, cinnamon, mint and a touch of sweet oak lend energy. This is beautifully rendered. Fruit sources are Antica and Arcadia.Vinous Media | 93 VMDelivers a lovely burst of boysenberry and mulberry puree flavors that glide through, marrying well with judicious accents of glossy toast, anise, sweet tobacco and apple wood through the finish. Drink now through 2036. 87,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WSThis supple but structured wine is sourced from various parts of the valley, yet still has the gentle power of the Stags Leap District. Suave oak spices, rich dark fruit and a full body give a generous, broad feel that is nicely freshened by fine-grained tannins. Drink now or hold.James Suckling | 93 JSGenerous flavors of boysenberry, plum, spiced cocoa and vanilla bean are carried on a structure of succulent tannins and persistent, mouthwatering acidity that invites another sip. This wine includes hints of Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot to enhance aromatic freshness.Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE

Sourced from three Coombsville vineyards: Meteor, The Rabbit Hole, and Collinetta. A glass-staining ruby-purple colour. Intensely aromatic blackberry and cherry fruits are pure, precise, and layered with fragrant cedarwood notes, white pepper, and dark chocolate. Full-bodied with unctuous and concentrated dark berry fruits that have a satiny quality, framed by velvety fine-grained tannins and gobs of red liquorice, aromatic violets, and graphite. So dense and tightly packed and yet so fresh and inviting.Decanter | 98 DECDeep garnet-purple in color, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville explodes with bombastic notes of creme de cassis, black cherry preserves, and boysenberries giving way to nuances of cedar, graphite, and lavender oil. The full-bodied palate is jam packed with intense black and blue fruit layers supported by a solid line of firm grainy tannins and amazing tension, finishing long and with wonderful purity.The Wine Independent | 98 TWIThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, offers tons of nuance and Coombsville character. Savory and wonderfully deep, the 2021 captures all the pedigree of this great vintage. Lavender, crushed rocks, graphite and rose petals all run through this fleshy Cabernet Sauvignon.Vinous Media | 97 VMThis is full of aromas of lead pencil, black berries and black currants. Deep and dark. Full to medium body, with juicy and layered tannins and a flavorful finish. Very grapey. Precise and focused. Real Coombsville character. Drinkable and will age beautifully.James Suckling | 97 JSA gorgeous red, with a deep well of black currant preserves, steeped plum and blackberry reduction moving in lockstep, while warm earth, cast iron, sweet bay and tobacco elements flash throughout. Offers a lovely violet echo on the finish, which shows suave polish while staying grounded in its terroir. Best from 2026 through 2040. 710 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WSThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville is all varietal that, like all these latest 2021s, was brought up in 50% new French oak. It has more blue fruit as well as a full-bodied, incredibly layered style in its full-bodied aromas and flavors of graphite, scorched earth, tobacco, and obvious minerality. It’s a big, concentrated 2021, but it nevertheless holds onto a beautiful sense of freshness and balance, which is what I think sets this vintage apart. As with the La Magdalena, it’s not for the instant gratification crowd, since it probably won’t hit full maturity until a decade after the vintage, but I’d be shocked if it didn’t have 30 years of overall longevity.Jeb Dunnuck | 96+ JD

Mostly Cabernet Franc from a higher elevation site in Coombsville (there’s 34% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot), the 2021 Cerro Sur is a stunningly beautiful wine offering ripe red and black fruits supported by plenty of chocolate, ripe tobacco, and crushed stone-like minerality. It’s full-bodied and has remarkable concentration, ripe, building tannins, and a layered, majestic style that would give a top vintage of Cheval Blanc a run for its money. Give this incredible red blend 3-4 years in the cellar, and it will have over two decades of prime drinking.Jeb Dunnuck | 98 JDThe 2021 Cerro Sur is bright, aromatic and beautifully focused right out of the gate. Cabernet Franc drives the profile in this intensely aromatic, layered red. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, mocha, rose petals and blood orange lend notable vibrancy. The Cerro Sur is the most restrained of the Favia reds, but it has a ton of pure pedigree.Vinous Media | 97 VMBlack berry, black olive and bark as well as dark fruits. Some mint and crushed stone. Medium to full body, juicy and velvety texture with lovely layering and depth. A brightness and citrus character behind all the earth and fruit notions.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2021 Cerro Sur is a blend of 53% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Merlot from Rancho Chimiles Vineyard. Deep garnet-purple in color, it features evocative scents of black raspberries, wild blueberries, and redcurrant preserves leading to hints of pencil shavings, bay leaves, and red roses. The full-bodied palate vibrates with energetic black and red berry layers framed by fine-grained tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing long and perfumed. This is gorgeous!The Wine Independent | 97 TWI

Brianne Day shows her winemaking skillset when it comes to Chardonnay and this wine speaks to Oregon’s Chardonnay potential, and her deft hand. Gorgeous layered lemon curd aromatics, notes of honeyed apricot flesh, beeswax and yellow flower pollen. The palate balannces hedonistic ripe fruit complexity with a brilliant acidity and fillagreed mineral lift. Rich grilled peaches, ripe apricot flesh and wet stones all lead to rich lemon cream and a gorgeous honeyed mouthfeel.Decanter | 95 DECThe 2021 Chardonnay Belle Pente Vineyard is highly expressive and exotic, with tropical citrus and mango complemented by hints of mint and brioche. This is round and supple with a balanced inner sweetness and ripe orchard fruits that envelope the palate. A mineral trace adds savoriness through the medium-length finale, as the 2021 tapers off with hints of apricot and lime.Vinous Media | 92 VMThis medium-bodied Oregon chardonnay has an enticing nose of Meyer lemon custard, then a generous creamy and silky palate. Interesting tension between floral honey character and a touch of citrusy freshness at the surprisingly firm finish. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 91 JS

With a much higher proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon (91%, with 9% Cabernet Franc), the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is less floral than the Maya but more obviously fruity and up front. Bold black cherries and cassis lead the way, framed by gentle oak shadings of cedar and vanilla, backed by deep bass notes of rich loam and hints of tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, the tannins are wonderfully judged, supple and velvety in one sip, then fine and silky in the next, while the finish lingers effortlessly, even if it lacks some of the seamless elegance of its sister.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98 RPThe core blocks for the Cabernet come from those in front of the house (House Block) and from further down the west-facing hill and a block on the right-hand side of the driveway through the gate, which is typically a later ripening block that imparts good natural acidity, imparting focus and length to the wine. Those blocks are later blended with a barrel selection of the Cabernet Franc blocks from the property. The Cabernet Franc is roughly 30% of the entire vineyard. A towering wine in 2021, the estate’s Flagship is super compact, teeming with concentrated black-toned fruits and perfectly integrated cedarwood spices. The tannins are elliptical with a palate-coating pixelated quality that comes into focus as the wine opens to reveal scented rose petals and black cherry, Damson plums, and tobacco spices. Nuances of crushed cocoa nibs and fragrant graphite minerality add depth and intrigue. Extravagantly long on the finish, revealing even more dried floral notes, herbs, and subtle hints of Indian spices. Don’t even think of opening it until 2025 or 2026, and be sure to enjoy this wine, a bottle a year, at least for the next three decades or more. Maya Dalla Valle, the daughter of founder Naoko Dalla Valle, is the winemaker with Andy Erickson and Michel Rolland consulting, while Edgar Alfaro manages the vineyards.Decanter | 98 DECBased on 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc that was raised in 70% new oak, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon sports a deep purple hue as well as a captivating nose of ripe blueberries, pure cassis, spring flowers, and chocolate, with this beautiful sense of minerality. Deep, rich, and concentrated, with a full-bodied mouthfeel, it has flawless tannins and a great finish. I know all the attention here goes to the smaller production Maya release, but I continue to beat the drums regarding the incredible quality of the classic Cabernet Sauvignon from this brilliant estate.Jeb Dunnuck | 97-99 JDComposed of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Cabernet Franc, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is opaque purple-black in color, bursting from the glass with vibrant blackberries, black raspberries, and black cherries scents, followed by suggestions of violets, chocolate box, and cardamom. The medium to full-bodied palate is bright and energetic, with fine-grained tannins and a lively backbone supporting the intense black fruit flavors, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note. Approachable now, it will benefit greatly from a couple of years in bottle should cellar for 25 years+.The Wine Independent | 97 TWIThis just feels special, as a focused, velvety wave of boysenberry, mulberry and black cherry reduction notes moves through steadily, carried by a graphite spine and laced throughout with iris and ganache accents. A terrific tug of cast iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2025 through 2042. 1,100 cases made.Wine Spectator | 96 WSA full-bodied and refined cabernet sauvignon with notes of blackberries, dark plums, warm herbs and spice box. Serious, with fine yet firm tannins. Vivid core of spices on the velvety center-palate. The caressing touch of berries mingles harmoniously with the peppercorns and grilled herbs. Authentic and well-composed, with a focused, long and lively finish. Try after 2025.James Suckling | 95 JSThe 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon offers terrific density and power. Bright red-toned fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and rose petal are beautifully delineated. The 2020 is a bit lighter than usual, and the tannins are incisive, but at the same time all the elements are nicely balanced.Vinous Media | 92 VM

The textural component to this wine, and all of those from Rhys, is worth the price alone. The nose starts with aromas of lemon curd, baked orange and a light nutty tone before the palate’s chalky texture engages the entire mouth as citrus flavors abound.Wine Enthusiast | 95 WEThe 2021 Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains is a peek at the stellar produce of Rhys’s 2021 single-vineyard white wines. The nose opens with fresh, racy aromas of sea spray, lemon curd and Granny Smith apple. The mid-palate displays a level of creamy richness that takes substantial cellaring to unlock in the rest of the lineup. The signature tension and angularity of the Rhys style are present, albeit with a welcomed softness and generosity of texture. Readers holding this admirable array of wines should start here and hold off on the single-site wines for at least a few more years.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPI love the nose on the 2021 Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, which feels lifted and briny with aromas of wildflowers, white peaches, honeycomb, and candle smoke. A blend of three vineyards, it’s medium-bodied to full-bodied and rounded through the midpalate, with a silky mouthfeel and a long, savory finish. As with the Anderson Valley Chard, this is going to drink well now or over the coming 6-7 years, and it’s a great value.Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDThe 2021 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a gorgeous appellation level wine, and also a wine that will drink well with minimal cellaring, unlike most of the 2021s. Lemon confit, marzipan, dried flowers and chamomile all grace this soft, open-knit Chardonnay from Rhys. Bright saline notes extend the super-expressive finish. Terrific.Vinous Media | 92 VMBright and distinctive, with notes of tangerine, orange blossoms and lemon curd that show a hint of toasted sesame. Offers aromatic details of fennel, nutmeg and dried ginger, with a note of sea spray and a long, expressive finish. Drink now. 1,200 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WS

Tasted at the beginning of 2023, a reductive quality was still obscuring bright, penetrating green apple and kiwi flavours with a smoky, earthen veil. Still, it’s a gorgeously sleek, richly textured wine with a pulsating core of acidity and salty mineral intensity.Decanter | 95 DECLovely texture and density, showing dried apple, fresh ginger and pastry dough. Layered, with phenolic tension. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 94 JSThe 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills has alluring aromas of white peach, freshly baked bread, panna cotta and matchstick with savory undertones. The medium-bodied palate has dynamic flavors that range from ripe fruit to matchstick and saline. It has a focused spine of acidity, a pleasing touch of textural grip and a very long, layered finish. It’s complex yet delicious straight from the bottle.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 93 RPThe 2021 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is terrific. Citrus confit, white flowers, almond, chamomile and dried herbs all run through this super-expressive Chardonnay. There’s a touch of phenolic intensity, along with a kiss of reduction, that add character. Almost all of this fruit is now estate.Vinous Media | 92 VMComplex and seamless, there’s plenty to admire in this white wine. Shows spiced, poached pear, dried apple, grilled lemon and fresh tangerine flavors that are juicy and generous, with details of sage, white pepper and toasted sesame seed on the finish. Drink now. 4,536 cases made.Wine Spectator | 92 WSThere’s a strong streak of tarry minerality to the nose of this bottling, which shows brisk lemon peel and even petrol on the tightly wound nose. The palate is stony as well, with a potent acidity slicing through lemon-peel flavors. Wine Enthusiast | 91 WE

In the low-yielding 2021 vintage, Peju turned out a wonderfully vibrant, compact, and energetic Cabernet, which includes 5% Petit Verdot and was aged 18 months in 40% French and American oak. A solid wine, well-knit, with a firm baseline of taut, fine-grained tannins and loads of dark black and huckleberry fruits. All the elements are in harmony and it continues to be one of the best value Napa Cabernets on the market.Decanter | 93 DECAromas of ripe black and blue fruit with spicy undertones, hints of blue flowers and cocoa. Full-bodied, fruit-forward, creamy and layered with silky tannins on the sleek, even palate. Smooth and lingering. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 91 JSIn contrast to the tannic Cabernet Franc, Peju’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is more supple and approachable. Floral, mint, cassis and black cherry notes appear on the nose, while the medium to full-bodied palate even includes hints of mocha and dark chocolate. Soft, dusty tannins mark the finish, joined by hints of toasted coconut.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 90 RP

Such an attractive and alluring bouquet of violet florals, blue fruit aromatics, sagebrush, bay laurel, and toasty cedarwood. Medium to full-bodied with a wonderfully rich fruit-forward palate of succulent blackberry, plums, and black cherry, nuanced by an inviting minerality with an ironstone quality laced by dried sage. The tannins are palate-etching and crisp and resolve with a fineness that leaves an overall impression of total harmony. Best from 2025; ideally, you’d hold off until near 2030 and enjoy until 2050.Decanter | 99 DECThe 2021 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, with 5% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It leaps with vibrant scents of blackcurrant cordial, juicy black plums, and pencil lead giving way to hints of violets, charcoal, and iron ore. The full-bodied palate shimmers with vivacious black fruit flavors sparked by mineral and floral notes, supported by wonderfully velvety tannins and well-knit freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. This is stunning!The Wine Independent | 99 TWIA blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot, all aged in new French oak, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill appears destined to be another classic. Penetrating aromas of cassis and red berries are joined by hints of violets, dried sage, crushed stones and pencil shavings on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich and intensely concentrated, framed by dusty tannins that linger easily on the long, mouthwatering finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 98+ RPThe flagship 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is based on 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Dense purple-hued, with incredible aromatics of black and blue fruits, camphor, liquid violets, tobacco, and graphite, it has a remarkable sense of opulence in its aromas and flavors and delivers full-bodied richness, a massive mid-palate, building tannins, and a thrilling finish. It reminds me of an improved 2013. This heavenly Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon will evolve for 30-40 years in cold cellars and is another absolutely sensational wine from this estate. Don’t miss it.Jeb Dunnuck | 98+ JDNotes of crushed dark berries, chocolate black licorice, iodine, bark and graphite. Wide and encompassing on the palate with a full body and ultra-fine, almost weightless tannins. There is a fine, chalky minerality to it with sea shell, iron and cigar box undertones. Beautiful fruit. Firm and polished. Needs time. Try after 2026.James Suckling | 97 JSThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Pritchard Hill is another huge, brooding wine in this range. Today, the tannins are searing in their intensity. It’s hard to know if the fruit will ever emerge here. The 2021 is massively tannic and forbidding at this stage.Vinous Media | 91 VM

The deep ruby 2021 Pinot Noir St. Dolores Estate takes on a darker though approachable profile, with notes of lavender, fresh blackberry, wild cherry, and anise. Balanced with great energy and a more refined feel, it has fine tannins (although it has structure) and offers bright, even acidity and a long finish. This is already indicating that it’s going to be a remarkable wine with serious aging potential. Drink 2025-2040.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDDolores must be the patron saint of elegant Pinot Noir, as this beautiful wine will make you want to light a candle in her honor. The wine’s raspberry and strawberry aromas are punctuated by wisps of cedar, watermelon rind and almond roca. Frisky acidity and plush tannins back flavors of nectarines, cherries and saline. Amen.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEThe 2021 Pinot Noir Estate St. Dolores grumbles up from the glass with earth tones and exotic spice, paving the way for dusty dried strawberries. Racy and sleek, it opens with a saline tinge, giving way to dark red berry depths and inner herbal tones. Its zesty acidity refreshes the palate even as a combination of primary concentration and grippy tannins takes hold through the long and structured finale.Vinous Media | 93+ VMAttractive aromas of cherries and blueberries with hints of violets, cocoa and chalk. Medium-bodied, clean and pure with crunchy blue-fruited and polished, almost glossy texture. Vivid and flavorful with a firm finish. Better from 2025.James Suckling | 92 JS

All Cabernet Sauvignon from specific hillside blocks on the estate, Shafer’s 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select spent 28 months in 100% new French oak. It’s a big, ripe wine, weighing in at 15.5% alcohol, but it remains harmonious from front to back. Deep, intense aromas of black cherries and cassis are accented by dried spices on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich and textural, showing tremendous intensity and length on the finish. Based on how previous examples have aged, this vintage should drink well through 2050.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 99 RPAged 32 months in 100% new French oak. It is quintessentially Stags Leap, with grapes grown on Shafer’s famous Hillside estate vineyard, roughly 25ha, with very shallow volcanic tufa soils. It’s a barrel selection of the very best blocks. A total of 2,900 cases were produced. Such a beautifully balanced wine with tremendous staying power and expressive Stags Leap ironstone minerality with heady sagebrush and conifer notes with white pepper and walnut husk. The wine has an impressive depth of red-toned fruit on the mid-palate framed by tannins that practically dance across the palate, exuding length, tension, and power. Huckleberry and black cherry fruits, black truffle, dried violets, graphite, and salted dark chocolate are all framed by racy acidity, which keeps everything fresh and lifted. The 2021 releases mark Elias Fernandez’s 38th vintage as Shafer’s winemaker. He was hired by John Shafer in 1984, two weeks out of UC Davis.Decanter | 99 DECThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a lot of shaking to bring out notes of crème de cassis, blackberry pie, and kirsch, leading to nuances of dried roses, star anise and cardamom with a hint of cigar box. The full-bodied palate is decadently concentrated with firm grainy tannins and great tension, finishing long with loads of exotic spices and mineral sparks.The Wine Independent | 98As always, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon that will spend 28 months in new barrels. Its deep purple hue gives way to a behemoth of a wine that has incredible cassis, black raspberry, and even blue fruits to go with loads of camphor, minty herbs, graphite, and darker chocolate. It’s full-bodied, concentrated, yet pure, flawlessly balanced, and has a great finish.Jeb Dunnuck | 97-99 JDThe 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select is shaping up to be a jewel of a wine. Floral and vibrant, the 2021 sizzles with tension and a level of delineation I don’t remember seeing in the past. Like all the 2021s here, the Hillside Select possesses notable purity of fruit and exceptional balance. The tannins need to soften a touch, but time should take care of that. I don’t see the opulence or inner sweetness of most years, but that is not a negative at all.Vinous Media | 96-99 VMJuicy and direct, with a solidly built core of cassis and blackberry preserves lined with cocoa, singed tobacco and warm earth hints. Leans toward toasty on the finish, but there’s ample fruit. Best from 2025 through 2038. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2,900 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WS

This Patz & Hall Chardonnay immediately gives the scent of golden kiwis and sponge cake with a marshmallow topper. It’s medium—to full-bodied with a chalky finish and great acid backbone. The Chardonnay has surprising flavours that are seemingly unrelated but meld fantastically together. It’s a surprising juxtaposition that adds dimension.Decanter | 95 DECA youthful medium yellow hue, the 2021 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch is expressive on opening, with notes of toasted oak spice, bruléed pineapple, and preserved citrus. Medium to full-bodied, it brings forward fantastic balance and energy on the palate, with refreshing, ripe acidity and a long, chalky finish. It is a beautiful Chardonnay to enjoy over the coming 6-8 years and offers tremendous value. 2067 cases were produced.Jeb Dunnuck | 94 JDSilky and subdued at first, this elegant wine seduces you slowly with its subtle Meyer lemon, Bosc pear, mineral and ginger flavors lifted by tangy, appetizing acidity. As an alternative to the butter-bomb Chardonnays, this reasonably priced wine from the Patz & Hall portfolio is a breath of fresh air. Best through 2030.Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEVibrant and citrusy, with tangerine, lemon and yuzu notes on a sleek and juicy frame. A hint of pineapple emerges, showing lingering details of honeycomb, lemon thyme and vetiver on the finish alongside a mouthwatering grace note of sea salt. Drink now. 3,500 cases made.Wine Spectator | 93 WSThe 2021 Chardonnay Dutton Ranch was barrel fermented and matured for 16 months in 25% new French oak. Initial cedary tones give way to quince, tangerine peel and beeswax on the nose. The light-bodied palate is focused and energetic with creamy flavors, and the finish is driven by a touch of textural grip. 1,974 cases produced.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91 RP

One of the bigger, richer wines in the lineup, the 2021 Syrah Armada Vineyard comes from a high-density vineyard located just beside the cellar and was brought up all in demi-muids. This deeper ruby/plum-hued Syrah boasts a big, masculine bouquet of smoked red and black fruits, sauteed mushrooms, cured meats, iron, and cold fireplace nuances (it almost has a Graves-like character) that flows to a medium to full-bodied, rich, concentrated Syrah with terrific overall balance, ripe tannins, and a great finish. As with the other 2021s here, it needs lots of air to show at its best and will ideally be given 4-5 years in the cellar. It’s going to hit its 20th birthday in fine form.Jeb Dunnuck | 97+ JDDisplaying a lighter color with a medium ruby hue, the 2021 Syrah Armada Vineyard has a spicy, complex, broad and structured nose, with fresh aromas of black cherries, blackberry skin, violets and rose blossoms. The palate, firm and food friendly, features a distinctive tannic edge that’s meant for red meats. Unmistakably Syrah from Walla Walla Valley, this is a gorgeous beauty, and I’m going back to finish the glass. The wine spent 21 months aging in a combination of new and used French oak. 7,632 bottles were produced.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RPVery structured and firmly tannic, this muscular wine comes from tightly spaced vines that give a low yield and lots of concentration. Floral and spicy aromas lead to rich, dark cocoa, blackberry and baked blueberry flavors restrained by the sandy, full tannins. From biodynamically grown grapes. Best from 2029.James Suckling | 95 JSThe Armada sails into port behind a tailwind of black cherry, wet terra-cotta, cumin and smoked pork-belly aromas. The wine’s mouthfeel is seamless and slick, allowing dried cherry, espresso and roasted red-pepper flavors to glide along. Elevated acidity keeps everything lively. Wine Enthusiast | 95 WE

100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 30–32 months in ultra-tight grain French oak barriques. The wine displays a shimmering, lucid ruby colour. Gorgeous, dusty, dark berry fruit unfolds with an incredible panoply of mulled Christmas spices and warm berry pie compote. Full-bodied and texturally defined, framed by a core of ultra-fine tannins with added dark berry fruit depth. It is a meal unto itself but better paired with roasted meats drizzled in rich plum sauce and accompanied by prosciutto-wrapped figs.Decanter | 97 DEC