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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.

They don’t really consider these Bordeaux varieties as “foreign” at this point, given how long they’ve been established in the area. Blackcurrant, black cherry, and red plum waft from the glass, along with oak notes and plenty of fresh and dried, dusty herbal spice notes. The concentration is evident immediately in the mouth, with plenty of those dark red fruit flavors on a texturally complex presentation: the palate moves from plush and polished to structured and chewy, with the cherry skin tannins vying for attention against the orange zest acidity. Orange peel, dried herbs, and redcurrant spiral on the long finish. Despite having some age, this one is built for a longer haul and is still coming together; in a few more years, it’s going to be a knockout. The fruit comes from the Solatìo vineyard, where older vines—some dating back to the 1960s and rediscovered in the 1990s, now exceed forty years of age. The site is defined by lean, rocky soils with a strong clay component, conditions that tend to limit vigor and concentrate the fruit. The wine is aged in French oak barriques for roughly 18 to 24 months before release.

The Malbec from this Oregon-based winery is quite alluring, offering mixed berry fruit, fragrant toasty oak spices and chocolatey aromatics. The mid-palate is satisfying, driven by tart mixed berries and warm baking spices. The tannins are a bit brash, but an enticing herbal pop brightens the full-bodied 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.

Becker’s Reserve Chardonnay is crafted from grapes sourced from Canada Family Vineyards in Plains, Texas, near the New Mexico border, and Drew Tallent of Tallent Vineyards in Mason, within the Texas Hill Country AVA. Aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak, it displays both richness and freshness. The oak imparts a subtle sweetness, with hints of caramel and toffee spices seamlessly woven into the aromas of rich citrus and orchard fruits. Full-bodied on the palate, it offers flavors reminiscent of apple pie and warm baking spices. Its lush texture is counterbalanced by a vibrant spine of juicy acidity, creating a wine that is both indulgent and refreshing.
The Becker Vineyards 2020 Texas Hill Country Malbec Reserve, sourced from Tallent Vineyard, opens with a hint of funkiness, adding a touch of earthy underbrush and charcuterie, complemented by stewed plum character. Medium-bodied, the wine features grippy tannins that build throughout the palate, culminating in a drying finish. Pair this bold and flavorful Malbec with a nicely salted Ribeye, and you’ll be off to the races.

The Becker Vineyards Petite Sirah from the Texas Hill Country is an expressive, currant-rich red, with dark black fruits emerging on the medium- to full-bodied palate. Sappy tannins frame this power-packed wine, providing structure and depth. The finish is remarkably floral, with fine notes of rose petal, espresso bean, and crushed thyme.

This blend of 78% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Tannat, and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 36 months in 22% new American oak, resulting in a wine with impressive power and intensity. It features a savory mineral character and subtle nuances of pressed dried florals, which complement the rich barrel spices. The nose is further enriched with red berry fruits, mulberry, and a touch of molasses, likely influenced by the American oak. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it concludes with a long ironstone mineral finish, with hints of charcuterie adding complexity.

This Signature Series Cabernet Franc is sourced from Fort Miller Vineyard and was fermented as whole berries in a 5-ton open-top fermenter, then aged for 22 months in 30% new French oak. It’s a beautifully expressive wine with aromas of rose petal and rose stem, complemented by vibrant cherry and raspberry fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, it offers layered notes of tobacco leaf, allspice, and sage, all supported by powerful, grippy tannins that give it structure and age-worthy depth.

Fermented in stainless steel and aged in 30% new French oak, this wine opens with bright red cherry and raspberry aromatics layered with rose petal nuances. Medium-bodied on the palate, it features robust, chunky tannins, graphite, and expressive cedarwood, finishing long with crushed stone minerality. Bold, structured, and finely detailed.

Fermented in open-top bins and aged for 24 months in roughly 30% new French oak, this wine delivers classic tar and rose petal notes alongside black truffle, charcuterie, and a distinctive black sea salt character. Earthy and layered with underbrush, it’s medium-bodied with sinewy tannins, crunchy red fruit, and a touch of allspice on the lengthy, savory finish.

The 2020 Teroldego is a bold, supple, and juicy wine with notes of dark chocolate, black cherry, and blackberry, complemented by wet slate nuances and saline-acid tension on the medium-bodied palate. A total crowd-pleaser, it’s the perfect pairing for a juicy, medium-rare burger.

While the 2021 is a bold, savory red, the 2020 shows a softer, gentler, more elegant profile. It’s more fruit-driven, with fresher flavors and brighter baking-spice notes—white pepper, candied violets, and cherry fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, it carries gentle tannins that support a juicy, vibrant core framed by earthy redwood spice and limestone-driven mineral intensity. A lovely counterpoint to the more overtly savory vintages of this wine.

Whatever you think you know about Malbec, check it at the door with this Texas rendition from Camp Lucy Vineyard and the 2020 vintage. It’s a delicate, pretty wine—much like the world’s greatest Malbecs—driven by red cherry fruit and spice but softer in tannin, less muscular, and more elegant. White pepper and rose-stem nuances weave through the palate, carried by limestone mineral tension and a lift of tangerine oil on the finish.

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A New World–style Cabernet Sauvignon, this 100% Cab is sourced from 53% White Cat Vineyard and 47% Casa de Vinas Clone 30 Vineyard, and aged in a mix of French and American oak. It’s a fabulous wine, opening in the glass with red and black cherry fruit layered with toasty cedarwood and subtle sweet spice. The medium-bodied palate is juicy and expressive, supported by fine tannins with a black tea quality. For all its boldness, the wine remains remarkably approachable and refreshing, with a firm spine of juicy acidity that keeps it lively and buoyant.

Fermented in open-top half-ton bins with daily punchdowns, this Merlot-based blend was aged for 19 months in 55% new French oak. The Merlot comes from Thatcher Bay, the Carménère from the cooler-climate Insel Vineyard in Pleasanton, and the Malbec and Cabernet Franc from White Cat. The wine rises out of the glass with plum fruit, fresh herbs, and tobacco notes, supported by hints of leather and a white-truffle, charcuterie-like intensity. A firm baseline of ripe, bold tannins anchors the palate. Juicy and a bit spicy on the lasting finish.

The 2023 Cabernet Franc is sourced from vineyards on both the east and west sides of Seneca Lake. Each lot was vinified separately in one-ton bins, with 20% saignée prior to fermentation, 10% whole cluster inclusion, and native yeast fermentations. Aged for 12 months in neutral French oak, this red was bottled unfined and unfiltered. True to the region’s style, a savory through line connects the crunchy red berry fruit from nose to finish. Cherry, pomegranate, and raspberry notes mingle with cedarwood spice, while soaring tannins frame the medium-bodied palate. The finish carries rose stem and earthy nuances. One of the cleanest and most structured Cabernet Francs I tasted from the vintage.

Damiani’s 2023 Cabernet Franc Reserve takes everything great about their standard Cabernet Franc and elevates it—more polish, more juiciness, and a silkier expression across the palate. Sourced from a mix of three estate sites and two grower vineyards on both the east and west sides of Seneca Lake, the fruit was fermented in 1-ton bins with 20% saignée and 15% whole cluster inclusion, all with native yeast. Aged 16 months in neutral French oak, the wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bright red berry fruit and fine brown baking spices lead the aromatic charge, while cherry-skin tannins glide across the palate with a juicy, plump texture. The finish lingers with blood orange zest, rose oil, coriander seed, and finely etched cedar spice.

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins, this 100% Wädenswil 2A clone Pinot Noir was aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak. It’s an expressive and bright Pinot with vibrant blood orange acidity, fragrant cherry and rose petal nuances, and layers of crushed wild herbs. Dusty cocoa powder tannins frame the juicy, long, and spicy finish. Winemaker Chris Jiron believes this late-ripening clone is ideal for the region.

Super zesty, with sea spray–infused wild herb minerality and bright straw aromatics. Medium-bodied, it delivers beautiful purity of orchard fruit on a complex mid-palate, with lemony acid tension and crushed almonds on the finish. Bright, energetic, and focused—a tremendous value at this price.

Dijon and Wente clones fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels for six months. Bright and citrusy, with crunchy acidity and appealing notes of apple and pear. The finish is long, clean, and laced with baking spice—very lovely and beautifully balanced.

Sourced from Crater View Vineyard, just across the street from DANCIN, this Syrah was native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 17 months in 40% new French oak. It’s a beautifully multidimensional wine, showcasing pure blackberry and blue fruit nuances, candied violets, and white pepper. Medium-bodied on the palate with building tannins, exceptional length, and velvet-textured structure, it’s framed by Indian spices and layered with floral intensity on the long, energetic finish. An excellent wine.

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, this 100% Pommard clone Pinot Noir is spicy and expressive, with cocoa nib nuances and dusty cherry notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers juicy cherry and blackberry fruit, pomegranate seeds, and a touch of grapefruit zest. Rose petal florals and a hint of honeysuckle linger on the long finish. The wine has excellent grip and tension, offering both structure and elegance.

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, this Dijon 777 Pinot Noir offers cherry and strawberry fruit layered with fragrant Indian spices and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with a long, expressive finish, it’s both aromatic and finely structured.

Sourced from the Oregon State Extension Center in Jacksonville, OR, this Pinot Noir is made from fruit grown to support research efforts. It’s a more rustic expression, offering notes of black tea, black truffle, and candied cherry, with a savory wild herb finish.

Here’s a clonal soup for the true wine geeks: this Pinot Noir blend brings together Wadenswil 2A, Dijon clones 115, 667, 828, 777, 114, and Pommard, all aged in 30% new French oak. It’s bright and spicy, with red cherry fruit, bold tannins, and notes of underbrush and pine forest. The tannins build through the long finish, gradually softening as blood orange acidity emerges and mingles with elegant cedarwood character and deeper layers of dark cherry fruit.

This Dijon 777 Pinot Noir was whole cluster fermented and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak. Bold, rich, and spicy—yet light on its feet—it delivers black cherry, clove, blood orange, and grapefruit zest. The tannins are ripe and grippy, and the finish reveals crushed stone and wet slate minerality. A fantastically structured Pinot Noir with impressive grip and tension—give it another year or two in bottle and enjoy over the next decade.

Aged for 20 months in French oak and made entirely from estate-grown fruit; 235 cases produced. Crown Block is the original estate vineyard on Crane Ridge, planted on rocky clay bench soils with north–south–oriented vines and natural drainage on all four sides. Hungarian-born winemaker Julian Halasz notes that this is Clone 5 Merlot, which he prefers because it’s “more tannic and has great color and has a kind of Cabernet structure.” The team performs extensive sorting to ensure stems are almost entirely excluded. On the nose, it shows a distinctly Cabernet-like profile—dark fruit, rich spice, and cedarwood. Yet the palate reveals beautifully velvety Merlot tannins supporting bold, generous fruit, all carried by a racy spine of acidity.

Aged for 20 months in French oak and sourced entirely from estate-grown fruit; just 210 cases produced. Crown Block is the original estate vineyard block on Crane Ridge, planted north–south, with drainage on all four sides and rocky clay bench soils. The wine opens with a ripe, lifted cassis and black currant nose, layered with spiced plum fruit and subtle cola nut notes, interwoven with violets. Soaring, ripe tannins frame the palate, carrying savory wild herb, spice, and tobacco nuances, all grounded by rich, loamy earth tones.

Made in the traditional method and aged 19 months on tirage, this sparkling wine is 100% Grüner Veltliner grown in Lemmons Vineyard, the northernmost site on Crane Ridge. The vineyard experiences constant breezes and is blanketed in coastal fog each morning. It shows true Grüner character, swirling from the glass with beautifully subtle citrus notes, apple and pear skin aromatics, and a hint of pineapple core adding richness. There’s plenty of oyster shell minerality, salted citrus peel, and the faintest touch of baking spice—all supported by a lively, frothy, and zesty mousse. A thoroughly enjoyable bubbly for anytime sipping.

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