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Sonoma and Neighbors 2022 & 2023: Opposites Attract
United States: California, featured
, Jan 2025
It’s that time of year. New releases from Sonoma County and neighboring appellations are starting to hit the market. This report covers some of the most exciting wines I tasted on my recent trip to Sonoma. As is our custom, we will post frequent updates to this article in the coming weeks, which we feel is the best way to keep readers current, given the sheer volume of wines released this time of year. Readers can also look forward to a forthcoming report focused on the Moon Mountain AVA, where the wines are quite distinct from those made in the more central regions within Sonoma County.
Napa Valley’s 2022 & 2023 Cabernet Sauvignons
United States: California, featured
, Dec 2024
Napa Valley is very clearly at an inflection point of tremendous change on many levels. Shifting consumer preferences, vintages with markedly different and at times challenging conditions, and an evolving market are all topics that are front and center in any discussion of Napa Valley today. “May you live in interesting times,” the ancient proverb says. These are definitely interesting times. My annual report covers the bottled 2022 Cabernet Sauvignons and the nascent 2023s from barrel.
Dunn: Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 1985-2014
United States: California, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives, napa
, Dec 2024
I have always been drawn to archetypes. Reference points. Wines that are standard bearers for their variety, appellation and/or style. Perhaps that is a vestige of my musical training, but there is something about classics that has always spoken to me. In Napa Valley, few wines embody those qualities more fully than Dunn’s Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain. This tasting provided a fabulous opportunity to revisit a wide range of vintages going all the way back to the 1980s.
Cellar Favorite: 1973 Californian Cabernets
United States: California, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Oct 2024
A recent discussion about 1970s California wine on the Vinous forum prompted me to cleave away a couple of tasting notes from my round-up of mature wines.
Santa Cruz Mountains – The Chameleon
United States: California, featured
, Oct 2024
The Santa Cruz Mountains boasts a long and storied past that has given rise to some of the most legendary American wines of all time, but the region’s identity is still coming into focus. Zooming in, the 2022 vintage was quite challenging, with mixed results for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while the 2021 Cabernets are among the most compelling and characterful in California.
Morlet Family Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier 2007-2019
United States: California, featured, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Oct 2024
Knights Valley is one of the most fascinating regions in Northern California. The AVA lies just north of Calistoga and is nestled between Alexander Valley, Chalk Hill and Fountaingrove in a corner of Sonoma County that feels quite remote and pastoral. Knights Valley excels with red and white Bordeaux varieties. The reds are marked by distinctive savory and mineral notes that, at times, recall the great wines of Pessac-Léognan. Luc and Jodie Morlet’s Cabernet Sauvignon Mon Chevalier is a terrific example of what Knights Valley has to offer. This retrospective back to the inaugural 2007 provided a fascinating opportunity to see how the wine ages.
Vinous Table: Bar Le Côte, Los Olivos, CA
United States: California, Vinous Table
, Oct 2024
The food scene in Los Olivos has improved dramatically in recent years. I sensed a palpable increase in the quality of local restaurants on my most recent visit this past July. Perhaps the long-awaited re-opening of Mattei’s Tavern was a catalyst. I can’t say for sure. What does seem evident is that visitors today have unparalleled options when it comes to exploring the local dining scene. Bar Le Côte is one of the crown jewels in Santa Barbara wine country.
Cellar Favorite: 1984 Ridge Zinfandel Geyserville Trentadue
United States: California, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2024
The 1984 Zinfandel Geyserville Trentadue is one of Ridge’s more obscure single-vineyard bottlings. This cuvée is a blend of 95% Zinfandel and 5% Petit Sirah that came from a vineyard established by Evelyn and Leo Trentadue.
Book Excerpt: Common Ground – Charting the Future of Napa Valley
United States: California, featured, General Interest
, Sep 2024
Few people know Napa Valley better than Richard Mendelson. A practicing attorney based in Napa Valley, Mendelson has played a critical role in helping many appellations submit successful petitions for official recognition as AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). In his latest book, Common Ground – Charting the Future of Napa Valley, Mendelson shares his views on the importance of safeguarding Napa Valley’s historic vineyard sites. Common Ground is an essential read for wine lovers who want to delve further into some of the critical issues that are shaping Napa Valley today.
Santa Lucia Highlands: Steely and Steadfast in 2022
United States: California, featured
, Aug 2024
The Santa Lucia Highlands weathered the challenges of 2022 with grace and aplomb, managing to stave off the punishing heat that afflicted so many of the other wine-growing regions in California. The wines further solidify the SLH’s position as a bastion of quality and consistency in the Central Coast.