Author: Rich

The Willamette Valley is Oregon’s premier Pinot Noir appellation. And its wines are among the world’s finest. But it’s really its subregions that are most sought after, recognizing producers increasing skill at creating distinct expressions of the grape from those terroirs. 

This includes subregions such as Tualatin Hills, Laurelwood, Chehalem Mountains, Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton, McMinnville, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, Van Duzer Corridor, and Mount Pisgah. 

Oregon wineries also have been at the forefront of the international movement toward sustainability and responsible production in the wine industry. Nearly half of planted vineyard acreage is sustainably farmed. And many are pursuing certification of sustainable practices in their winemaking processes and facilities.

While prices have escalated with quality, any temptation to object melts away with each satisfying sip. The wines below show character and complexity reflecting the terroir of the subregion from where they are sourced.

2022 Alexana Revana Vineyard ($60) exciting red berries, hints of herbs and tea, structured but refined texture 

2023 Bledsoe McDaniels “LFG” ($65) stirring sweet-tart black and red berries, savory, woodsy, cinnamon accents, smooth texture

2021 Illahe Percheron Block ($50) special estate selection, tart, red fruits earth and mineral

Lemelson

• 2021 Stermer Vineyard ($65) tangy red berries, cinnamon, anise, sleek, 
• 2021 Meyer Vineyard ($65) vibrant red berries, baking spice, expressive 
• 2021 Jerome Reserve ($75) special estate selection, lively cherry, herbal accents, sleek, energetic 

McCollum Heritage 91 

• 2021 Pinot Noir Heritage 91 ($55) lively red berries, earthy, cinnamon 
• 2021 Pinot Noir Bryan Creek ($103) impressive red berries, complex, detailed and rich 

2023 Norris Black Barn ($45) McKinley Vineyard, wild berries, forest notes

Rose & Arrow Estate

• 2022 Stonecreek ($250) remarkable red and black fruits, herbal and leafy notes, elegant, yet animated and silky texture 
• 2022 Highland Close ($200) extraordinary blackberry, minerals, herbal, mushroom, chalky, crisp
• 2022 The Point ($150) outstanding aromatics, concentrated, vibrant red fruits, herbs, mineral, structured, velvety mouthfeel 

2023 Soter Estates ($60) exciting red berries and red fruits, well defined, savory herbs, cinnamon, fine-grained tannins 

Youngberg Hill 

• 2019 Pinot Noir Cuvee ($45) tart, dark berries, spice, tangy texture
• 2020 Pinot Noir Natasha ($65) sweet-tart cherry pie, mint, earth, juicy

For anyone who has tasted Oregon wines – especially Pinot Noir – the quality has never been better. New wineries and pioneers increasingly offer impressive bottlings from a variety of regions. And the Willamette Valley and its sub-appellations are most sought after. More and more, producers are creating beautiful expressions of pinot noir from the valley’s myriad terroirs.

The region benefits from a cool climate and free-draining sedimentary soils, both ideal for pinot noir to thrive. Stylistically, the wines could be described as balancing the energy of red Burgundy with the lushness of California Pinots. Specifically, Willamette Valley Pinot Noir often presents with cherry, raspberry and cranberry combined with herbal, forest and spice elements, finishing with refined palate texture.

Oregon also has become over the last 35 years a worldwide leader in sustainable, environmentally sensitive and fair business practices in the wine industry. 

While prices definitely have escalated in recent years (along with everything else), there are still many relative values worth seeking out, in this case at $40 or less but all from the Willamette Valley. 

Amity, a pioneer of Oregon wine, founded in 1974

2022 ($28) tart, cherry, raspberry, earthy, bitter herb, brisk, fresh finish 

Illahe, established in 1983, committed to sustainability, water conversation

2023 ($30) raspberry, strawberry, toast, cinnamon, silky

2021 Bon Sauvage ($40) cherry, cola, baking spice, sleek

Kings Ridge, dedicated to accessible, affordable wines

2022 ($22) tart cranberry, strawberry light, fresh, soft palate

Lemelson, organic and sustainable winemaking, philanthropy

2022 Thea’s Selection ($40) generous, vibrant cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, savory spice, fine texture

Soter Estates, biodynamic and regenerative farming, 

2023 Planet Oregon ($24) super value, snappy, vibrant raspberry, pomegranate, plum, velvety

Sweet Cheeks, dry farmed, organic estate grown

2022 Pinot Noir ($38) raspberries graceful, cherry 

Vireton, the everyday label of the highly praised Archery Summit winery 

2022 ($34) fine value, fresh, elegant, juicy, cherry, raspberry, cinnamon, toasty, spice

Willamette Valley Vineyards, founded in 1983, pioneer of Oregon’s environmentally sustainable leadership in the wine industry 

2022 Estate ($39) tart, raspberry, blackberry, boysenberry, herbal note, chalky texture, elevated acidity

WOMEN IN WINE 2025

When we take a sip of wine we usually aren’t thinking about who the winemaker was or who owns the winery. More and more that person is a woman. 

Today there are many winemakers who happen to be women. Women also are executives, work various jobs in the vineyard, the winery, in sales, in marketing and are sommeliers and Masters of Wine. 

But there is still much room for more progress. It’s no secret, at least not in the wine industry, that it has been and still is a male dominated industry. For example, only one of every seven head winemakers in California is a woman and most are paid less than male winemakers. Still, let’s celebrate a few of those and some of their production.

Founded in 1851, Charles Heidsieck Champagne is distinguished by the high proportion of reserve wines in its blends. Production of this prestigious brand is overseen by Cellar Master Elise Losfelt. The flagship Brut Reserve ($75), with 40% reserve wines averaging 10 years old) is vibrant with apples, citrus, toast, and mature richness. 

Sonoma-Cutrer’s all-female winemaking team is led by their Director of Winemaking Cara Morrison and Senior Winemaker Zidanelia Arcidiacono, joined by Associate Winemaker Saman Parsa. The team is responsible for some of the most popular Chardonnays (not to mention Pinot Noirs) in the country. These include the pear, apple, and spice of the 2023 Sonoma Coast ($25) and the fruit forward, citrusy 2023 Russian River Ranches ($31). 

Donnafugata was founded in Sicily in 1983 by Giacomo and Gabriella Rallo, the fourth generation of a representing 170 years of winemaking experience. Their daughter José Rallo now serves as CEO. The 2021 “Floramundi” Cerasuolo ($32), made from frappato and nero d’avolo, is fragrant, revealing floral notes, fresh plum, cherry, and a tangy finish. 

The iconic Tuscan estate, Castello Banfi,was founded in 1978 by Italian-American brothers John and Harry Mariani. Today, John’s daughter Cristina Mariani May is the CEO of Banfi Vintners, continuing a family legacy that began in 1919. The flagship wine the 2019 Brunello di Montalcino ($75) has notes of ethereal violet, vanilla, and licorice on the nose, with a full, soft, and velvety palate with warm spice notes.

Nebbiolo is the grape variety responsible for Italy’s revered Barolo and Barbaresco bottlings, while also thriving in the nearby region of Valtellina near the Swiss border. In the right hands and conditions, the finnicky grape produces wines that not only withstand the test of time but grow more complex and pronounced with age.

Curiously, nebbiolo reaches such heights only in Piemonte (Piedmont in English), specifically Barolo and Barbaresco from its Langhe subregion. There’s just something about this grape grown in this place as expressed in the resulting wines that testify to the synergy of grape and terroir. These wines, considered among Italy’s best, are always 100% the indigenous nebbiolo grape. 

Named after nearby towns, Barolo and Barbaresco are different expressions of nebbiolo. Still, both deftly exhibit a balancing act of elegance with substantial tannins. A typical flavor profile includes enticing cherry and raspberry fruit with pungent, smoky forest or tobacco and often menthol notes. There are many fine producers but good values are hard to find, as many of the wines approach and exceed $100 a bottle. But I found these excellent values. 

Barolo is characterized as more powerful, tannic, larger scaled, and somewhat austere but with dramatically intense fruit. 

2020 Coppo Comune di la Morra ($59) dark fruit, truffle, smooth tannins 

2019 Enrico Serafino Monclivio ($53) hillside estate vineyards; juicy, fresh, sleek texture

Barbaresco tends to be slightly less tannic but more balanced. 

2020 Marchesi di Grésy Martinenga ($70) single vineyard; vibrant fruit, earth, firm, refined tannins

For a taste at more affordable prices, wines labeled “Langhe Nebbiolo”, usually feature grapes from younger vines and multiple vineyard sources. The wines approximate their bigger siblings but with less intensity and softer palates.

2021 Vietti “Perbacco” ($32) vegan friendly; deep fruit, earth, smoke 

2020 Enrico Serafino “Picotener” ($30) sleek, charry, smoke, solid frame

Piemonte’s neighbor to the north, Lombardia is home to Valtellina, a mountainous subregion north of Milan, also sources fine examples, like these from Tenuta Scerscé. 

2021 Nettare Rosso di Valtellina ($30) crisp, bright, herbal, friendly tannins

2019 Valtellina Superiore Riserva Valgella ($60) single vineyard; roses, earth, sharp tannins

Cabernet Sauvignon is so popular it’s the world’s most planted red grape. But from its most sought after regions, Bordeaux and Napa, it is a challenge to find really good samples for less than $50. But if you still want a California Cab, Sonoma County and Paso Robles are the places to look. 

Cabernet has been planted in Sonoma County since the 1850s, now on about 12,000 acres in its warmer subregions. 

2019 Rodney Strong Alexander’s Crown ($90) single vineyard in Alexander Valley; juicy red fruits, complex notes of licorice, tobacco, cocoa, silky; the 2020 Sonoma County ($30) is a fine value

2020 Jordan Alexander Valley ($60) vibrant red berries, tobacco, crushed stone, elegant

2022 Ch. St. Jean Knights Valley ($53) blueberry, creamy, cocoa, caramel, mint, tannic 

2022 La Crema Sonoma County ($45) juicy red fruits, creamy, fresh, supple tannins 

2018 Crossbarn Sonoma County ($45) dark fruits, light wood note, fennel, very flavorful 

California’s fastest growing wine region and largest geographic appellation, Paso Robles encompasses more than 40,000 vineyard acres and 200+ wineries. Winemaking here can be traced to Franciscan missionaries in the late 1700s. Now known to many as a haven for Rhône-style wines, Paso actually grows more cabernet sauvignon. 

2020 Ancient Peaks “Pearl” ($72) 2020 “Oyster Ridge” ($60) from its Margarita Vineyard, the southernmost vineyard in the region; Pearl, from the estate’s top blocks, shows good grip to rich, ripe red and dark berries, with tight, soft tannins; Oyster Ridge’s Bordeaux-style blend shows tangy, peppery, earthy character with succulent red and blue fruits

2021 Daou Reserve ($60) DAOU’s almost singular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon has yielded some of Paso’s most expensive bottlings; this more affordable Bordeaux-style blend offers vivid red fruits, broad texture and complex menthol, tobacco, pepper

2021 J. Lohr Hilltop ($35) one of Paso’s pioneers (now tis largest producer) and an early proponent of Paso Cabernet; dark fruit, red licorice, toasty, caramel, coffee 

2022 Postmark Paso Robles ($30) part of Duckhorn portfolio; dark fruits, soil notes, touch of oak, soft palate, lifted finish

2022 Textbook Paso Robles ($27) family-owned producer also active in Napa; deep dark fruit, chocolate, fennel, good value

Cabernet sauvignon is the most planted red wine grape in California and most popular red wine. And the Napa Valley is its most revered source. Consequently, the average price of a ton cabernet grapes there is about $9,000 compared to just over $2000 statewide. 

What passes for value in Napa Valley Cabernet: these days it’s hard to find a good Napa Cab for less than $50. Each of these wines exhibit the characteristics, balance and acidity needed to develop the complexities that make Cabernet Sauvignon increasingly appealing given time. 

2022 Textbook “The Pey Family Reserve” ($46) solid fruit, firm but smooth texture 

2019 Sequoia Grove ($55) consistently flavorful, savory notes, solid tannins 

2019 Mount Veeder ($55) savory, fine texture, uplifting acidity 

2018 Gamble ($60) rich fruit, full-bodied style, creamy, plush texture, licorice

2022 Priest Ranch ($60) estate-grown, mountain fruit, lively, smooth tannins, depth 

2021 Frank Family ($60) alluring fruit, oaky spice, supple tannins

2021 Pine Ridge ($70) bold fruit, fuller-bodied, concentrated, good energy, supple mouthfeel

2019 Silverado ($72) bold fruit, oaky overlay, firm but fine-grained tannins 

2019 Rombauer ($75) rather direct, concentrated fruit, savory-herbal notes, silky 

2021 Trefethen Oak Knoll ($75) solid fruit, fresh herbs, tannic but lush texture

More wines are scaling $100 threshold: these are excellent examples of the elevated quality available, if you can afford it; depth of flavor, solid structure, distinctive characteristics, enjoyable now but will reward cellaring.

2021 Cliff Lede ($80) immediately appealing, juicy deep dark fruit, savory spices, tight but fine tannins, luscious 

2019 Goosecross State Lane ($90) harmonious mix of intense fruit, savory notes and firm but well-integrated tannins 

2021 Eleven Eleven XI Estate 11:11 & Destin Vineyards ($90) precise fruit, depth, oaky richness, graceful tannins

2021 Schrader “Double Diamond” Oakville ($90) excellent value considering Schrader’s other cabs reach several hundred dollars; mouthwatering, herbal notes, richly structured, polished tannins 

2021 Turnbull Oakville Reserve ($110) rich, deep fruited, impressive complexity with soil and herbal notes, eminently structured, plush, fresh finish 

2021 Ehlers Estate 1886 ($120) an assemblage of the best barrels; juicy concentrated fruit, complex savory elements, structured, lithe, refined tannins 

2021 Ehlers Estate Leducq ($160) only crafted in the best years; juicy, bright fruit, accented with mineral and mint, silky, fine-grained tannins

COASTAL ITALY’S RED WINES

Italy has over 1.73 million acres of vineyards and about 4900 miles of coastline. No surprise many of those vineyards are close to a coastline. The resulting maritime climate, sea breezes that mitigate the effects of hot days, generate excellent growing conditions for grapes.

The western coast of Tuscany, known as the Maremma, especially Bolgheri in the north coast, has emerged over the last several decades as a source of some of Italy’s most sought after (and most expensive) wines. Most of the wines are Super Tuscan blends with Bordeaux grape varieties. 

2021 San Felice Bell’Aja ($70) from a fine Chianti producer; mostly merlot

2021 Aia Vecchia Sor Ugo ($42) winery’s top wine; cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot 

2022 Sapaio Volpolo ($36) organic cabernet sauvignon, ith merlot, petit verdot 

2022 Le Volte dell’ Ornellaia ($34) entry level wine of the legendary Ornellaia; merlot, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese

2022 Argentiera Poggio Ai Ginepri ($31) estate grown cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot 

On the southern Maremma coast, similar conditions exist, prices are more reasonable, hence it’s the new frontier. Many wines also are Super Tuscan-style.

2019 Querciabella Turpino ($45) another fine Chianti producer; biodynamically grown cabernet franc, syrah, and merlot

2019 Lohsa “Mandrone di Lohsa” ($52) from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano winery Poliziano; cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, carignano

Lazio is not only home to Rome. There are numerous interesting, mostly white varieties but also interesting local red varieties. Though, I have become partial to the merlot-based wines produced by Cotarella. Like the2020 Cotarella “Tenuta Montiano” Sodale ($25).

Campania is best known for Naples, Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. Its most prestigious red wine is Taurasi, made from aglianico. The 2016 Feudi di San Gregorio “Piano di Montevergine” Taurasi Riserva ($76) is such a wine.

Puglia stretches down the southeast coast of Italy forming the “heel of the boot”. It is especially known for its numerous native grape varieties

2020 Masseria Li Veli “MLV” Primitivo ($50) Li Veli’s top wine; 15% cabernet sauvignon 

2020 Varvaglione “Papale Oro” Primitivo ($30) old vines; produced only in best vintages

2015 Torrevento Ottagono Riserva ($20) nero di troia; sustainability produced

2016 Torrevento Vigna Pedale Riserva ($14) nero di troia; similar to Ottagono but lighter 

Much of Abruzzo is national parks and the Apennine mountains. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the premier red wine produced from the montepulciano grape. 

2019 La Valentina “Bellovedere” Riserva ($64) organic, single vineyard; winery’s top wine, produced in the best years 

2019 Binomio Riserva ($52) joint venture between Veneto producer Inama and La Valentina; old vine, ancient clone 

2019 Masciarelli “Marina Cvetić” Martino Rosso Riserva ($38) sleek, easy drinking style 

2021 Cantina Zaccagnini Tralcetto ($17) solid entry level wine at a reasonable price

Le Marche vineyards stretch east from the Apennines to the Adriatic. Most red wines are made with montepulciano or sangiovese. The 2019 Garofoli Grosso Agontano ($30) top-tier montepulciano, sustainably farmed; made in exceptional years.

Chianti has long been the best-known Tuscan wine in the U.S. But there are many other fine Tuscan wines. And most of the best of these have sangiovese as their base.

Sangiovese typically yields medium bodied wines with lively red fruits, firm, dry structure, and silky tannins. Complexity is revealed in spice, earth, forest, and mineral notes. Traditionally, it has been blended with other native varieties, and more recently Bordeaux grapes, but in recent years, producers have been increasing its amount. 

Wines from Chianti usually are an exceptional value compared to wines of comparable quality. There are good everyday wines labeled simply Chianti. Wines labeled with a specific subzone should be a step up in quality (and price).

Chianti Classico indicates the wine comes the original production zone, which is widely considered to produce the best wines. The cherry flavored, earthy 2022 San Felice ($22) is a good example. Wines labeled Riserva – such as the organic, deep cherry and blackberry of the 2018 Coltibuono ($40) and the aromatic, structured 2019 Querciabella ($50) usually are selections of the producer’s finest fruit and receive extended time maturing in barrel and bottle before release.

The Chianti Rufina zone is generally considered the best sub-region after Chianti Classico. The elegant, juicy, earthy 2020 Nipozzano Reserva ($20) and organic, savory, nuanced 2020 Selvapiana Reserva “Bucerchiale” ($38) are proof why. 

There are other regions around Chianti that deserve your attention. Carmignano northwest of Florence has been prized since the 1700s. The powerful, tannic 2019 Capezzana Villa de Capezzana ($32) is emblematic of the ongoing quality.

Brunello di Montalcino, 100% local sangiovese clone grown around Montalcino, is even more prized than Chianti, also more expensive. These are some of the most muscular, concentrated, long-lived expressions of Sangiovese. As witnessed in the luscious red fruit and mixed spice and herb of the 2019 Il Poggione ($100) and the mixed berries and baking spice of the 2018 CastelGiocondo ($64) 

Montecucco is a small zone west of Montalcino in a area known as the Maremma. It is notable as a leader in sustainability, including organic production, fostering biodiversity, and employing environmentally harmonious practices.

2016 Montale La Casetta Reserva ($40) dense red fruits, cocoa and licorice

2018 Maciarine Montecucco Sangiovese ($26) loaded with red fruits and warm spices

2019 Le Pianore “Tiniatus” Montecucco Rosso ($20) softer, open ended

And then there are the so-called Super Tuscans. Not an official category, Super Tuscan indicates the use of nonindigenous grapes, particularly cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. Many of these wines are the most prized and expensive from Italy but a good starting point for you is the more affordable, lively, toasty, soft textured, 2021 Tenuta Luce “Lucente” ($29) 75% merlot, 25% sangiovese. 

While I drink all kinds of wine all year around, I do tend to drink much more red wine during the cold months. And I bet most of you do also. Below are several suggestions to start the year in style.

2021 Sullivan Rutherford Estate “Coeur de Vigne” Cabernet Sauvignon ($100)

Founded in 1972 during Napa’s boutique winery boom, this balances the best aspects of “New World” winemaking (finesse, ripeness, approachability) with those of “Old World” winemaking (elegance, tradition, acidity, sense of place). French for “Heart of the Vine” (cabernet sauvignon, with merlot, petit verdot) presents mouthwatering blue and black fruits, a firm structure, and fine tannins. 

2022 PlumpJack Syrah Napa Valley ($86) Founded 30 years ago on a property known for producing fine wines since 1881, this wine is sourced from estate vineyards in Carneros and Atlas Peak. The wine offers concentrated dark fruits, bright acidity, olive and meaty notes, white pepper and supple tannins. 

2016 Ramón Bilbao “Mirto” ($80) A pioneering Spanish winery founded in 1924 in Rioja; this wine’s fresh, fruit-forward style is the result of a century of exploration. Made only in exceptional years from the best old vine grapes sourced from estate vineyards, it is 100% tempranillo. Expect a complex mix of dark fruits, licorice, brown spices, chocolate, and coffee. 

2020 Darioush Signature Merlot Napa Valley ($74) Founded in 1997, Darioush has built a reputation for elite quality wines from Bordeaux varieties. A fine example of mountain-grown fruit (vineyards atop Mt. Veeder) providing energy and focus blended with valley floor fruit contributing lush, supple fruit and texture, resulting in complexity and concentration. 

2021 JONATA “Todos” Red Blend ($50) Set in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara County; meaning “everyone” in Spanish, Todos is a mosaic of grapes grown on the JONATA Estate. It features 2/3 syrah, with cabernet sauvignon, petite sirah, merlot for freshness, bold fruit, black pepper, minerality.

2022 Inman Family Wines G&T ($42) From a producer of superior Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, this is an intriguing blend of grenache and tempranillo sourced from Two Brothers Vineyard in the Clear Lake appellation of Lake County. It showcases bright red fruits with earth and spices, solid structure and hints of oak.

What’s better than a fine Port to warm one’s soul in the cold of winter? For me it’s 200 year-old Graham’s Trio Port pack ($55) with a 200 ml bottle of each of three delicious Ports: Six Grapes Reserve, a young, fresh Ruby Port but showing more intensity and richness than typical; 10 Year Old Tawny offering hints of nut, honey, fig with mature fruit flavors and a luscious finish; 20 Year Old Tawny, benefiting from long aging, is complex and enticing with almond, orange, pure berry fruits, and elegant finish.

So, maybe you got a gift card or some cash over the holidays and you decide to treat yourself to an exceptional wine – a bottle you’ve always wanted, for a special occasion, or maybe something that says, “good riddance 2024”. These are the best wines I tasted this year that I haven’t already reviewed.

Rhys Vineyards, based in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is an elite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer and these 2021 single vineyard wines prove it. As a group, they are vibrant, deeply fruited, clearly delineated, and reflective of their vineyards. Chardonnays show concentrated citrus, energy and focus. Pinot Noirs exclaim red fruit, especially cherry and raspberry with refined texture. These wines are sold primarily to their mailing list. But if you can get your hands on any of them, you won’t be disappointed.

Alpine Pinot Noir ($135) amazing expansive fruit, leather, firm acidity, fine texture
Horseshoe Pinot Noir ($135) impressive succulent fruit, floral, bright, minerality
Horseshoe Chardonnay ($125) outstanding luscious fruit, stoney notes, creamy rich
Mt. Pajaro Pinot Noir ($105) enticing floral, mouthwatering, herbs, welcoming tannins
Mt. Pajaro Chardonnay ($95) striking vibrancy, power, bright, minerality
Bearwallow Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($105) terrific juiciness, earthy, powdery tannins

2021 Skipkstone “Preface” Proprietary Red Alexander Valley ($85) Skipstone crafts limited-production Bordeaux-focused varietal wines and blends from its certified-organic Alexander Valley estate within the newly declared Pocket Peak appellation. This one is cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot, cabernet franc blended to be accessible now – with succulent black fruits, notes of coffee and fig.

2021 Black Kite Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($70) Black Kite is a small, family-owned winery dedicated to producing the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from prestigious vineyards in the Anderson Valley and Sonoma Coast. This stunning wine is generous and mouthfilling with vivid black cherry, vanilla, baking spice and a velvety finish.

Flora Springs 2023 “Soliloquy” White Blend ($70) and 2021 Trilogy Red Blend ($100) These are Flora Springs’ flagship wines. Soliloquy, primarily sauvignon blanc, with malvasia and chardonnay, offers green apple, citrus, honeydew mixed with vanilla and oak. Trilogy, cabernet sauvignon with dollops of petite verdot and malbec, is filled with concentrated dark fruits with mint and a luscious, refined texture.

2022 Odette Reserve Chardonnay Napa Valley ($80) Part of the PlumpJack Collection of Wineries, this was crafted from the famed Hudson Ranch in the Carneros appellation. Fresh stone fruit and tropical notes showcase sharp acidity with accents of nuts and custard.

Finally, a book recommendation: Rosé Revolution by Rasmus Emborg and Jens Honoré ($45). As Rosé wine popularity has grown significantly in recent years, this coffee-table homage to all wine pink is an ideal companion as you sip that from that glass. The authors take us around the world of Rosé with winemaker explanations, insights and stories, and dramatic photography.