Newsletter 1-20-25

 
 

 

Brad McLeroy had a dream but he also had a problem. While he and his wife owned a popular wine shop, what he really wanted was to be a winemaker. Unfortunately, their wine shop was in Kansas City… far from any wine regions of note. So they sold their business and moved west and moved out to the Willamette Valley. Brad got a job at working with Veronique Drouhin, one of the greatest winemakers in the world, and six years later opened his own winery.
 
While they may not receive the level of attention that some Oregon wineries get, they are beloved by industry vets and wine geeks alike. Coupled with their pure and transportative style, these wines are delicious and are truly fantastic values
 
Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 750ml $24 special, 35 bottles available
CS-12 Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2023 750ml $259 special, 3 cases available
Winemaker’s Note “The Ayres Willamette Valley Pinot is sourced from the Ayres Estate in Ribbon Ridge at 474 feet elevation, and the Oliver Vineyard in Yamhill Carlton at 600 feet elevation. Wines are fermented in open top, 2 ton fermenters using all indigenous yeasts for both primary and secondary fermentations. A small amount of whole clusters were used.”
 
Ayres Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot Noir 2022 750ml $39 special, 20 bottles available
Winemaker’s Note “Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot Noir. If our vineyard could speak, this bottle is what it would say! Every producing estate clone is represented here: 667, 777, 115, 113, and Pommard. Discover blueberry overtones, baking spices, cedar, tobacco, and a hint of oak.”
 
Ayres Perspective Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir 2023 750ml $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Winemaker’s Note “A true snapshot of the Ribbon Ridge AVA! Our estate vines pair perfectly with neighboring vines from Armstrong and Lichtenwalter vineyards. Enjoy notes of boysenberry, cinnamon, and dried tobacco.”
 
Ayres Pioneer Pinot Noir 2022 750ml $41.90 special, 20 bottles available
Winemaker’s Note “Single clone 667. Bold and beautiful – the darkest of our Pinot Noirs! Fans of Pioneer know it from the first taste. Appreciate dark blackberry fruit, forest floor, clove, and leather.”
 
Ayres Chehalem Mountains Gamay Noir 2023 750ml $21.90 special, 36+ bottles available

 

New Arrivals
 

 
Brick House Pinot Noir Select 2023 750ml $41.90 special, 12 bottles available
(not reviewed yet, 2022 vintage provided for reference)
Grapelive 93 Points “This 2022 Select is fresh and lively in the glass with loads of charm, character and a delicate earthiness, it shows off a vibrant array of black cherry, cranberry, wild berry, plum and tart red currant fruits, plus a light dusting of spices, sandalwood, mineral tones, crushed flowers, loamy underbrush, a touch of toasty vanilla, snappy herbs and blood orange tea. This vintage is silken and has fine grained ripe tannins that melt into this pretty medium bodied Pinot Noir, sourced from all organic grapes coming from the Ribbon Ridge’s ancient Willakenzie soils.”

  

 
Rochioli Vineyards

 
“Tom Rochioli consistently turns out some of the most compelling wines in the Russian River Valley, and all of California for that matter. Now in its third generation, Rochioli is not new, not trendy and not showy. Most of the focus is on old-school farming that showcases the various clones Tom Rochioli has sourced over the last few decades and propagated in his vineyards. Winemaking is minimalist by today’s standards. In 2023, harvest ran from September 11 through October 7, about three weeks later than normal. Yields were under three tons per acre, on the lower side at lower elevations, but better on upper blocks, more a reflection of denser plantings and better clonal material in those sections of the ranch. Chardonnays were bottled in summer 2024, while Pinots were bottled in early December 2024. The 2023s are terrific across the board.” -Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
 
J. Rochioli Vineyards Chardonnay 2023 750ml $61.90 special, 6 bottles available
Antonio Galloni Vinous “The 2023 Chardonnay Estate is a gorgeous entry-level wine in this range. Pear, spice, tangerine peel and light tropical accents all grace this understated oering from Tom Rochioli. This 2023 is a new edition of the Estate Chardonnay. Most of this fruit is Hanzell clone.”
Winery Note “With aromas of green apple, lemon and vanilla, this is a bright, crisp Chardonnay with just a touch of oak.  Bold and juicy on the palate, with a touch of minerality and firm acidity, we think this is a fine example of the unique characteristics of our property.”
 
J. Rochioli Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2023 750ml $51.90 special, 6 bottles available
Jeb Dunnuck 96 Points “A bright silver/straw color, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is a single vineyard blend with 64% Old Vine Selection, 23% Clone 376, and the rest Hillside planting. Coming from other-worldly looking old vines, Sauvignon Blanc doesn’t get much better than this in California. Lovely flinty reduction frames this wine with a gorgeous, refined, floral perfume of wet stone, white currants, white pepper, grapefruit, and delicate baking spice. Medium-bodied, it has fantastic concentration, driving, mouthwatering, fresh acidity with a linear feel, and a fantastic, long finish with a chalky mineral texture. Exceptional and age-worthy, it deserves another couple of years in bottle to show its best. Drink 2026-2038.”
 

 
Ridge Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley 2022 750ml $51.50 special, 12 bottles available
James Suckling 95 Points “This is the kingpin of Ridge’s Sonoma County heritage blends and it doesn’t disappoint. Equal parts fruity, spicy and savory on a full body braced by moderate tannins. Judicious oak spices like cedar and cigar box complement pure, ripe blackberries and raspberries and a dash of black pepper. Known to age well for decades. Drinkable now, but best from 2030.”
Erin Brooks-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The 2022 Lytton Springs 50th Anniversary is composed of 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 11% Carignane and 3% Alicante Bouschet. It opens with initial touches of glossy new American oak—dill and toasted coconut—and gives way to kaleidoscopic black and red plums, cherries and berries, plus accents of hibiscus and potpourri. The full-bodied palate features generous, spicy flavors. It’s structured by abundant, powdery tannins and lively acidity and has a long, detailed finish. Winemaker Shauna Rosenblum says this 2022 was crafted using only American oak, a shift from the blend of French and American oak used in the past. It has resulted in a particularly pure, transparent expression that opens dramatically with air, and this 2022 Lytton Springs will benefit from several years in the cellar.”
 

 
Alpha Omega Two Squared Red 2018 750ml $29 special, 24 bottles available
Winery Notes “Two Squared winemakers acquire fruit from younger Napa Valley vineyards that display a silky tannin profile and opulent texture which allow for early accessibility. We have unearthed a range of privately-owned boutique vineyards, hidden gems tucked in secret pockets of Napa Valley, that only Mother Nature and our winemaking team are fortunate enough to touch.”
 
Alpha Omega Two Squared Sauvignon Blanc 2019 750ml $16 special, 36 bottles available
Winery Notes “The 2020 Hudson Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc offers a sophisticated exploration of Napa Valley’s Carneros AVA. As the only Sauvignon Blanc produced from this prestigious vineyard, it reflects the vineyard’s unique character. Sourced from the esteemed Hudson Vineyard, which benefits from cool marine influences and sedimentary soils, this wine captures the essence of its terroir. Aromas of papaya, Fuji apple, and lime zest combine with floral notes of citrus blossom and hints of shortbread cookies. On the palate, flavors of lemon oil, nectarine, and nutmeg are complemented by a refreshing wet slate minerality and lively acidity. Aged for 16 months in a mix of French oak and stainless steel, this wine layers elegance and complexity, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a refined Sauvignon Blanc with character and depth.”
 

 
Bedrock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County 2023 750ml $24 special, 36 bottles available
(Not reviewed yet… 2022 review provided for context)
Jeb Dunnuck “All barrel fermented, the medium straw-colored 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma Valley is soft with tropical aromas as well as fresh herbs, mango skin, fresh peach, and wet stone. A medium bodied white, it boasts rounded fruit, a soft, stony texture, and fresh acidity without any harshness. A very attractive wine, it shows what great Sonoma Sauvignon can be all about. Drink 2023-2028.”
 

 
Turley Estate Vineyard Zinfandel 2022 750ml $44.50 special, 12 bottles available
Matthew Luczy Wine Advocate 95 Points “The 2022 Zinfandel Turley Estate is composed of three generations of plantings that commenced in 1996. Medium to deep ruby in the glass, it opens with pure, deep, characteristic aromas of grilled yellow peaches, red cherry, redcurrant, lavender, leather and angostura bitters, revealing finer detail as it spends time in the glass. The palate is massively rich, full-bodied and powerful, with a brooding density that melds with grainy tannins and mouthwatering acidity. The finish is layered, dramatic and perfumed, with an overarching youthful density that will take a few years in bottle to unwind. This is a lovely effort that combines modern density with a classically framed structure.”
 
 
Italy
 

 
Luigi Baudana Barolo Baudana 2020 750ml $89 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 95 Points “Subtle notes of cherries in their prime, thyme, star anise, incense, and warmed earth gradually emerge, over time, yielding a wine work the wait. On the palate, it is plush at first, but the tannins soon make their presence known, shaping the wine into a honed and chiseled example of classic Nebbiolo. The savory elements work in perfect harmony with the deep core of fruit and mouthwatering acidity, creating a Barolo that can be enjoyed now or cellared for decades. Drink Now – 2045.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 Points “With fruit from Serralunga d’Alba, the Luigi Baudana 2020 Barolo Baudana is a bold and ripe expression with dark currant, black cherry, sweet orange peel and crushed red rose. Soft, earthy layers appear on the mid-palate with hints of spicy licorice. All of that intensity, with soil, fruit and spice, swells over the palate, giving this wine an impactful character. It is almost ready to drink straight out of the gate.”
 
Luigi Baudana Barolo Cerretta 2020 750ml $89 special, 17 bottles available
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 94 Points “The Luigi Baudana 2020 Barolo Cerretta has bold lines and shows dominant dark fruit. You get all of that Serralunga d’Alba intensity with ferrous earth, dried apricot, blackcurrant, iron ore and crushed stone. The wine ends on a dry note that is reinforced by the tight nature of the fine chalky tannins, but there is enough fruit to soften out the effect. There is a hint of nutmeg or sweet spice on the palate.”
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points “This vintage’s Cerretta is a wine that commands attention. Drying cherries, red plum, and dried leaf aromas evoke the warmth of summer’s peak. Savory herbs add depth, hinting at the wine’s complexity. On the palate, this Barolo leans more toward savory than fruit, with dark forest berries ready to fall from the bush, working in harmony with wild herbs, pine, and pressed flowers. Firm tannins give the wine an unmistakable gravitas, letting you know it’s the boss. Drink 2025 – 2045.”
 
Luigi Baudana Barolo Serralunga 2020 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 94 Points “This Barolo exudes an alluring and enigmatic aroma highlighted by black cherry and warmed black currants accompanied by notes of black pepper, licorice root, anise, and fennel. The wine’s nose is a captivating kaleidoscope, with fruit, herbs and earthy notes each taking their turn with every swirl of the glass. On the palate, it is mouth-filling and rich, yet structured, with notes of plum and black raspberry enveloped by firm tannins and a pronounced earthy quality that begs to be paired with roasted meats, mushrooms, or umami-focused dishes. This wine is a true embodiment of the powerful and age-worthy Barolo wines that have made Serralunga d’Alba famous. Drink Now – 2045.”
 

 
Trediberri Barolo Berri 2020 750ml $59 special, 24 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 97 Points “This wine opens with aromas of dark cherries, as if they’ve been gently stewed in their own juice. This fruit core is subtly warmed by an infusion of mixed spices and the delicate astringency of tea leaves. Wildflowers weave through the profile, introducing a sweet, spicy floral aspect. The tannins are fine and well-integrated, providing structure without overwhelming the palate. Drink 2025 – 2045.”
 

 
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Spatlese 2023 750ml $59 special, 36 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 99 Points “Welcome to the Bladerunner of Nahe riesling Spatlese. This is also extremely fine and complex, with a cornucopia of stone fruit, exotic fruit and spices. Radical stony minerality and racy acidity, yet with a feather-light mouthfeel on the barely medium-bodied palate. Then you wonder if the wine will ever leave you, so long is the almost endless farewell. Drink or hold.”
 
Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Auslese GK 2023 750ml $119 special, 12 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 99 Points “Enormous finesse and subtlety make this sensational riesling Auslese stand out. There’s terrific concentration and power, but all this is underplayed. So graceful and delightful, this makes you want to linger and wander through its innumerable lanes and alleys. Just a hint of floral honey, but that wraps everything up in a glaze of ravishing beauty. Drink or hold.”
 
Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Auslese GK 2023 375ml $59 special, 6 bottles available
Stuart Pigott-JamesSuckling.com 99 Points “Auslese might sound cuddly to some, but this is a very radical wine with gigantic concentration of cool tropical fruit and mineral acidity. Electric glide on the medium- to full-bodied palate. The finish is all blue and green in spite of the extraordinary yellow fruit on the nose and front palate. And with that, only the most basic characteristics of this extraordinary wine are adequately described. Drink or hold.”