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Produced in the Méthode Champenoise style, this Oregon sparkling wine is exceptionally limited—just 70 cases, or roughly 1.5 barrels. Aged en tirage for 37 months, it opens with a bold nose of lavish French pastry and lemon pot de crème. The concentrated, hearty mousse reveals layers of cherry fruit, white plum, and saline-acid minerality, all carried by building tension. Juicy, focused, and impressively long on the finish.
The 2019 Brut Cuvée marks the second vintage of Irvine & Roberts’ Méthode Champenoise–style sparkling wine. A blend of 59% Chardonnay and 41% Pinot Noir, it was aged en tirage for 37 months. Winemaker Brian Gruber often conducts two separate picks—one to capture acidity and one for ripeness—with harvest typically spanning from late August to mid-October. The wine offers beautiful purity of orchard and citrus fruit, layered with French pastry notes, lemon peel, and chalky minerality. The mousse is assertive yet creamy, underscored by bracing acid tension. Fabulous, layered, and full of energy.
The 2019 Brut Cuvée Zero Dosage spent an additional six months en tirage and is crafted in the Méthode Champenoise from a blend of 59% Chardonnay and 41% Pinot Noir. Winemaker Brian Gruber often conducts two separate picks—one for acidity, one for ripeness—with harvest typically taking place between late August and mid-October. This release offers a beautifully natural sweetness that stretches the palate, balanced by bracing acid tension. Savory notes of white truffle and flaky croissant mingle with bright lemon, quince, and layered citrus, all carried by remarkable length and precision.
This Petite Sirah comes from 2012 plantings at Newsom Vineyards on Indian Hill in the Texas High Plains. The vineyard, located about 40 miles west of most sites in the High Plains, sits near the New Mexico border and features unique soils—shallow sandy clay loam transitioning to chalky limestone, with the Petite Sirah blocks on a knoll of iridescent red sand over fractured limestone. Bin-fermented with whole berries and ample oxygen exposure, this wine moves away from the typical inky and heavy style of Petite Sirah. Instead, it offers a balanced and elegant profile of dark currants, black cherry, and high-toned blue fruits, accented by cedarwood notes. The palate is medium-bodied, with spiced plums, brandied Morello cherries, and currants, layered with savory tobacco and leather. The fine, black tea-like tannins are beautifully integrated, enhancing the wine’s structure and depth, and adding a sense of sophistication.

The fruit for this traditional method sparkling wine was sourced from Clone 4 vines in our Terra West Vineyard, a 5-acre sustainably certified estate in the Seneca Lake AVA. Hand-harvested and whole cluster pressed, the base cuvée underwent primary fermentation in stainless steel before aging on the lees for 12 months. The wine was then aged en tirage for 4.5 years prior to disgorgement. It offers a fantastic mouthfeel with a rich, airy, frothy mousse and layers of tangerine peel, lime pith, and zesty lemon, with subtle baking spice notes on the bright, clean finish.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, this méthode champenoise sparkler is sourced from sustainably certified estate vineyards in the Seneca Lake AVA—Chardonnay Clone #4 from Terra West Vineyard and Pinot Noir from Round Rock Vineyard. Hand-harvested and whole cluster pressed, each variety was fermented separately and aged for 12 months in stainless steel before blending and spending 4.5 years en tirage. Steely mineral aromatics frame crunchy apple and pear notes, underpinned by saline-acid tension and an assertive yet focused mousse that resolves in a bone-dry, precise finish.
Dynamic and full of classic Riesling character, this traditional method sparkling wine delivers bright lemon-lime fruit, crunchy pear, and green apple carried by one of the frothiest, most lifted mousses that I encountered—ethereal and airy. Sourced from Clone 198 vines at the sustainably certified, two-acre Yellow Dog Vineyard in the Seneca Lake AVA, the wine was hand-harvested, whole cluster pressed, and left en tirage for four years before disgorgement. It finishes dry, with just a whisper of fruit sweetness, leaving a lasting, lovely impression.
Produced in the Méthode Champenoise style, the 2019 vintage is notably richer than the 2020 release, offering a flashier array of French pastry notes, buttered brioche, and baked orchard fruit. The mousse is beautifully rich and creamy, with the most delicate beading giving way to a fuller palate and a long, clean, and voluptuous finish.
This sparkling Riesling from Ravines (perched above the glacier-carved Finger Lakes of New York State) is made in the traditional method, with secondary fermentation in bottle and four years en tirage. Hand-riddled and disgorged in the spring of 2022, it’s a dynamic, expressive wine with a gorgeously enticing thread of saline-acid minerality. Layers of baked orchard fruit and toasty almond notes carry through the lengthy, satisfying finish.
Aged for up to two years in a combination of American and French oak, this Bordeaux-inspired blend is limited to just 350 cases. Dense, dark, and savory, the nose is rich with black olive and concentrated black fruit. The palate follows through with deep, almost syrupy layers of silky black fruit, delivering impressive concentration and power despite being under 14% abv. For fans of bold reds, this is a powerhouse pick. -JR

This may be Rodrigue Molyneaux’s final vintage of this particular red as a standalone varietal bottling from Thatcher Bay Vineyard—a real pity, because there’s so much to like. Juicy, spicy, and savory, this Merlot offers hints of violets, wood spice, and licorice on the nose. The full-bodied palate is plush with plummy fruit, yet maintains terrific tension thanks to its vibrant spice, bright lift, and a surprising amount of structure. A compelling farewell, if indeed it is the last. -JR

Ron Yates’ 2019 Amalgamation bursts out of the glass with aromas of dried strawberry fruit and balsamic reduction, with cherry pit and fruit leather emerging on the medium-bodied palate. Velvety, fine-grained tannins are beautifully integrated, providing a smooth texture. The finish is long, with dark cherry-infused cacao notes and a subtle hint of orange zest.

This Pinot Noir spent 17 months on the lees in 50% new French oak, and as of May 2025, it’s showing beautifully—squarely in its prime. Fragrant notes of black tea and Earl Grey mingle seamlessly with ripe cherry, dusty minerality, and undertones of tobacco and bay laurel. The tannins are sweet-sappy and glide effortlessly across the palate, resolving into a savory, mineral-laced finish accented by pink Himalayan sea salt and a lift of blood orange zest.

The Storm Breaker from Siboney Cellars is sourced from Newsom Vineyards and is 100% Merlot, aged in 20% new French oak. Just 125 cases were made. This was the last wine I tasted, and I was blown away by it. It’s spectacular—full of plummy and cherry fruit with bright, warming spices. Medium-bodied, it shows loamy earth, cassis, and currant, with fine, velvety tannins. Really quite delicious, and showing beautifully at this stage. Siboney Cellars was founded by Miguel and Barbara Lecuona, with Barbara enrolled in the viticulture programme at Texas Tech University and Miguel raised in Texas with deep roots in both wine and family heritage. The two met in 2007, spent time in France honing their craft, and launched Siboney in earnest with their first wine vintage in 2017. Located on a limestone-terraced site in the Texas Hill Country, they have 52 acres with just 4 acres planted (so far). From the outset their goal has been to test and champion this under-explored terroir, combining serious vineyard work with a spirited, personal vision for Texas wine.

Wow—this is spectacular. The palate is seamless and deeply impressionable, with an ultra-creamy, fine-beaded mousse that feels both focused and energized. The mid-palate richness is off the charts—pure baked orchard fruit layered with oyster shell minerality driving the long, tensile finish. There’s superb expressiveness and a clarity of flavour that makes this a standout. Sparkling Pointe wines are sustainably grown across three estate vineyard sites comprising forty acres within the North Fork of Long Island AVA. Completed in 2010, the winery is dedicated exclusively to the production of Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines and features a bladder press for gentle whole-cluster pressing, a 30,000-gallon tank room for temperature-controlled fermentations, a 3,000 bottle-per-hour bottling line, a 2,000 bottle gyro-pallet riddling machine, an automated disgorging line, and an on-site laboratory for daily wine analysis. A reserve room holds 1,700 gallons of base wines, aged in French oak and stored in stainless steel drums.
Head winemaker Gilles Martin was born near Champagne and trained at Champagne Deutz before serving as assistant winemaker at the acclaimed Roederer Estate in California from 1990 to 1996. Disgorged on 5.13.23 and again on 10.24.24 after three years sur lie, this Brut with 6 g/L dosage has impressive drive and energy. The mid-palate shows excellent chalky minerality and citrus-laced orchard fruit, underpinned by a savoury-saline tension and nutty richness. The finish is long, bone dry, and laced with lingering French pastry notes and wet stone precision.
Sustainably grown across three vineyard sites totaling forty acres on the North Fork of Long Island. This sparkling wine showcases rich cherry fruit layered with generous baking spice character and a fabulously creamy mousse that lingers beautifully on the midpalate. A lovely chalky mineral streak provides lift and structure to the luxurious texture.
From the 2022 vintage, this Cabernet Franc is a bright, spicy, medium-bodied red that offers notes of dried rose petals, crisp, crunchy acidity, and firm tannins. It’s quite expressive in its herbaceousness, which is well integrated and layered throughout. Balancing vibrancy with structure, this well-rounded red will appeal to fans of the variety.

The Terra Trails Winery Buena Suerte Vineyards Sangiovese from the Texas High Plains AVA presents a vibrant profile with crunchy, tart red cranberry and strawberry fruit, all laced with subtle vanilla and toffee notes. Medium-bodied, it features firm, taut tannins that are mineral-laced, adding structure and depth.

From Mark Snyder’s Red Hook Winery comes this Reserve red—a full-bodied, bold expression of Cabernet Franc crafted by Christopher Nicolson with consulting by Napa Valley luminary Robert Foley. Dark black and blue fruits lead the charge, framed by rich loamy earth, savory black olive, and dried violet notes. The tannins are textured and powerful, reminiscent of cinnamon-dusted cocoa powder, resolving in an earthy, lingering finish.

From Mark Snyder’s Red Hook Winery comes this single-vineyard Cabernet Franc, bursting with red cherry and raspberry fruit, rose petal florals, and savory tobacco nuances. The medium- to full-bodied palate layers in smoked paprika, blood orange acidity, and a touch of tangy grapefruit zest. Firm, mineral-laced tannins provide structure and length, ushering in a finish that’s both darkly earthy and brightly mineral. Produced and bottled at Red Hook Winery by Christopher Nicolson with consulting by Robert Foley.

A super frothy, expressive, and layered sparkling wine with savory notes of dried herbs and strawgrass layered over creamy citrus and baked orchard fruit. Everything builds beautifully on the medium-bodied palate, where hints of toasted almonds and French pastry add depth and texture to the long, elegant finish. The 2019 growing season was ideal for sparkling wine production—a cooler year that allowed Chardonnay to ripen slowly and evenly. Made using the méthode traditionnelle, the fruit was hand-picked and whole cluster pressed. Fermentation lasted 20 days at 51°F, followed by cold settling, cold stabilization, racking, and filtration.
This Reserve Mourvèdre presents a red-fruited, high-toned profile, with bright red berry fruits complemented by leather, spices, and assertive tannins that lead to a quite drying finish.

This is a full-bodied, fleshy Merlot framed by structured acidity that grips the palate with intent. Juicy plum and black cherry lead the charge, followed by notes of leather, tobacco, and walnut husk. The mid-palate is plush with ripe berry fruit, cocoa powder, and accents of blood orange and a flicker of grapefruit zest. Bold, expressive, and focused, this wine shows impressive width, depth, and energy. Sourced from the Lesley Alexander Vineyard, Christian’s Cuvée is named in honor of founder Christian Wölffer and produced only in exceptional vintages. The fruit comes from the estate’s oldest Merlot block. Aged for 20 months in barrel, racked off the lees three times, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Only 379 cases produced.

With only about 12 acres of this rare grape variety planted in California, Cabernet Pfeffer is a true curiosity. It may be named after 19th-century orchardist and winemaker William Pfeffer—or perhaps more fittingly, for its signature peppery aroma (“pfeffer” being the German word for “pepper”). True to its name, the nose is lifted and aromatic, offering a substantial black pepper note alongside floral hints and savory red fruit. The full-bodied palate delivers cranberry, even more peppery spice, and a firm, pronounced structure. A distinctive and memorable red—unlike anything else in the glass. -JR

A bold and decadent nose of baked cherry pie, mulled plums, and toffee spices, with earthy underbrush undertones. Medium-bodied on the palate, with well-knit tannins supporting ripe currant fruit and fig paste, leading to a lengthy, slightly chocolatey finish.

This Mourvèdre from Bilger Family Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, is sourced from vines grown on sandy, limestone soils. Red-toned fruits transition seamlessly into cool, limestone-driven minerality, with layers of espresso bean, charcuterie, and bright citrus notes of blood orange and grapefruit zest. A totally pleasing red, it strikes a perfect balance of richness and freshness, making it an excellent choice for pairing with smoked brisket or chicken dishes.

The 2020 Adega Vinho Estate Bilger Family Vineyards Tempranillo from Texas Hill Country is a medium-bodied red that opens with vibrant blue fruit and violet aromas, complemented by wonderful sweet spices and espresso bean notes. The fine-grained tannins provide good structure, leading to a long finish marked by savory herbs and mineral richness.

100% Dry Berry Selection TBA from handpicked fruit at Martini Family Vineyards. Intensely aromatic with lifted apricot, prickly pear, golden raisins, and lush dates, unfolding into layers of candied orange peel and dried apricot. The palate is rich yet remarkably bright, carried by a fine thread of acidity that balances the sweetness beautifully. A long, slightly salty finish underscores the wine’s tension and elegance.
The 2020 Becker Vineyards Barbera is a beautifully crafted, rich, and unctuous wine. It opens with aromas of crunchy red-toned fruit, spice, and rose petals, complemented by dusty minerals and toasty cedarwood notes interwoven with subtle hints of charcuterie. Full-bodied on the palate, it reveals mocha accents and silky, plump, well-integrated tannins, leading to a long and satisfying finish. The 2019 vintage earned the prestigious Texas Wine of the Year award from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Rodeo Uncorked International competition, and this 2020 vintage continues that tradition of excellence.

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The Meierstone Vineyards Reserve Malbec, sourced from Newsom Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, is a wonderfully easy-drinking and mild-mannered wine.Crunchy red-toned fruit character, with salty-sweet savory spice notes, lead to a medium-bodied palate. The wine is framed by fine-grained, gentle tannins that are well integrated, with hints of allspice, clove, and dried lilacs. The finish lingers with those same delicate floral and spice notes.

Sourced from the Ziganti Vineyard and aged in neutral oak, this is a savory, plum-driven expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose offers dried herbs alongside juicy red and black currants, while the palate delivers lifted notes of red plum and loganberry. A toasty, well-integrated finish rounds out this vibrant and approachable wine. -JR

Structured and savory, this Merlot opens with aromas of black olive, dark plum, and a deep, brooding complexity. The broad, full-bodied palate begins with rich plum fruit and reveals impressive tannic grip. The finish is long, earthy. -JR

Beautifully crisp and rich, with baked orchard fruit and a frothy, airy mousse that remains bright and focused. A long, lingering saline-acid tension brings nutty undertones to the forefront, melding into a Sherry-like aromatic richness with perfectly balanced energy on the extended finish. Absolutely fantastic—and a must-have with oysters and mignonette. 100% Chardonnay, sourced exclusively from Boisseau Vineyard, a 2.2-acre site located just a few miles east of the winery and tasting house. The base wine spent four months in demi-muid French oak barrels before bottling, adding subtle texture and nuance. Aged five years sur lie and disgorged on 12.6.23, this wine reveals refined complexity and depth. Dosage: 6 g/L.
This Pineau de Charentes–style wine is made from Cabernet Franc, originally fermented as a rosé before being fortified with grape brandy and aged in neutral American oak for seven years. The result is reminiscent of a Tawny Port, with bright hazelnut and red cherry notes, lifted by a vivid spine of acidity. Lush and complex, it also shows layers of bruised and baked apples, apricots, and honeycomb. Delcious—and rather exceiting.
A classic méthode Champenoise Riesling sparkler sourced from the Martini Family Vineyard, aged on the lees for two years before disgorgement. The vintage produced bright, acid-driven wines, and this bottling is no exception—youthful and crisp with crunchy apple fruit and absolutely bracing acidity. A subtle vinous character lingers through the long, mineral-laced finish. Positively made for oysters.
Grapes for this red are sourced from Canada Family Vineyard, located in the Texas High Plains, atop primarily limestone-based soils. Compared to the Wilmeth Vineyard, this wine exhibits a more structured profile with greater grip and intensity on the mid-palate. It bursts with red and blackberry fruit, cassis, and is supported by fashionable, polished tannins that build gracefully into a lengthy, mineral-driven finish. A truly complete and harmonious wine.

This blend of 90% Sémillon, 7% Chardonnay, and 3% Viognier was aged for an impressive 48 months in French oak, representing a bold experiment for the winery. The result is a wine that surprises consumers with its smooth, glossy texture and remarkable food-friendliness. It offers a rich array of aromas, including fragrant toasted nuttiness, lemon-drop, and butterscotch. Full-bodied and spicy on the palate, it delivers a wealth of toasted nut flavors and a luxurious finish. While thoroughly enjoyable now, this wine promises to evolve beautifully over the next decade, gaining even more richness, toasty complexity, and caramel-like depth.
The 2019 Becker Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, sourced from the Wilmeth Vineyard (also known as Diamante Doble) in the Texas High Plains, is a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 1.6% Petit Verdot, and 1.4% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 30 months in a combination of 70% American oak (35% new) and 30% French oak (20% new), this wine is juicy, approachable, and easy to drink. It features satiny, silky tannins and rich dark berry flavors, accented by ample brown baking spices. The palate carries a welcome lean elegance, leading to a long finish with fantastic slate and iron minerality and a touch of wild herbs. During the tasting, I also sampled a 2016 vintage, which showed remarkable evolution—fuller, richer, and with more intense tannins. Its truffle notes and loamy earth character were reminiscent of aged California Cabernet or Bordeaux Supérieur. Both vintages exemplify the vineyard’s exceptional potential and craftsmanship.

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a gorgeous Left Bank–inspired nose of blackberry, graphite, and expressive cedarwood, layered with rich tobacco nuances. Medium-bodied on the palate, it features fine, dusty tannins and vibrant black currant fruit, with notes of loamy earth, vanilla bean, and savory wild herbs framing the long, focused finish. A tremendously satisfying wine of elegance and mineral purity. Belle Fiore Winery is an estate in Oregon’s Rogue Valley, with 31 acres of planted vineyards.

This is a Caprettone, a grape variety from Coda di Volpe in the Vesuvio DOC in Campania, typically blended. Grown on the Belle Fiore estate, there is a bout an acre and a half and winemaker Rob Folin fermentes ina m ix of ss, acaica and French oak all neutral. It’s a bracing, refreshing, lemon-lime-bright wine with nice nutty notes in the nose and loads of canided citrus fruit and vivid acidity. Great tension.
Winemaker Rob Folin says he loves the sweetness and toastiness imparted by the Icon barrels used to age this wine—“it’s not just salt and pepper,” he notes, “it’s the steak and butter sauce, too.” The 2019 was fermented in open-top bins and aged in 40% new French oak Icon barrels. The result is a terrifically spicy wine with good density and width, dark cherry fruit dusted with cardamom and coriander, hints of wood smoke, clove, and allspice, and super-fine, sweet tannins that carry through a long, elegant finish.

Winemaker Rob Folin’s second vintage at Belle Fiore. This is a robust and bold Pinot Noir with a rich, dark-fruited profile, black cherry, and cherry coulis, rose petals and sgaebrush. Has a MB palate feel with firm tannins and notes of black tea on the finish. Fermented in open top bins, and aged 18 months in 30% nfr.

The Signature Series Syrah, was just two barrels, and fermented in open-tops and aged in 50% nfr for 22 months. Winemaker Rob Folin says this is the best barrel in the cellar in 2019 and the second barrel complements this Syrah. The aromastics are incredibly hedonistic with cinnamon and allspice, with asomeo f the meaty Syrah characterur shining through with red cherry, blackberry, and blue fruit with notes of dried violets

This Tannat from Bending Branch was finished in bourbon barrels, with flash detente and cryo-maceration, and fermented in half-ton open-top fermenters. Sourced from two vineyards, it offers intriguing aromas of brandied morello cherry fruit and leather spices, mingling with sappy tannins on the medium-bodied palate. Softer and fleshy in the mouth, the wine reveals nice baking spice character, with layers of toffee, espresso bean, and a hint of molasses on the finish.

This super savory, medium-bodied Merlot opens with crunchy cherry and dark berry fruits, complemented by underbrush and pastille notes. As the wine develops, it reveals layers of blue fruit jam and a touch of tobacco leaf. The finish is long and satisfying.

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