Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

2016 Upchurch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon by superstar winemaker Chris Upchurch is a revelation. On the nose this takes on gorgeous Cabernet character with red bell pepper, anise, brandy soaked red cherry and milk chocolate aromas that build in the glass. The texture to this wine borders ethereal. Mocha, crushed mint, blackberry cobbler and creme de cassis flavors all beautifully dance on the palate. The balance and richness is sumptuous here. Mineral-driven and rich, this gorgeous effort will cellar well for the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2019-2037- 95 — 2 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The ‘Domaine’ Pinot Gris is another outstanding wine made by the talented Brent Stone. On the nose this takes on bright pear and starfruit aromatics that mingle with nutmeg and wet stone undertones. The palate is lithe and mineral-driven with bright pear infused brioche, nutmeg and a creamy finish. The texture here is marvelous and completes this beautiful new wine by King Estate. Drink 2019-2025- 92 — 21 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The ‘Eddie’s Patch’ is a two-acre steep east-facing hillside parcel of vines that is set on rocky and gravel soils. rocks and gravel. A darker color than the ‘DuMol Estate’ Syrah, this shows really nice range from dark fruits to bacon fat to Umami on the nose. The palate has a good combination of weight and tension, showing downright delicious dark fruit and citrus rind flavors, with stony undertones. Lithe and delicious, this beautiful Syrah will continue to evolve well over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 23 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

2017 Frank Family Vineyards ‘Carneros’ Pinot Noir ($50.00)- Winemaker Todd Graff has crafted another beautiful wine with this new release Pinot Noir. The wine starts off with good range from orange rind to black tea to black cherry and cola accents on the nose. There is a beautiful texture to this wine that unveils rose water, red cherry candy, pomegranate seed and blood orange flavors. Delicious now, this has a slightly hedonistic bent that makes it nearly impossible to put down right now. This will continue to evolve for the next decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 93 — a month ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

The 2006 ‘Blewitt Springs’ by Clarendon Hills shows tremendous energy and verve despite being more than thirteen years of age. Brandy soaked red cherry, cigar box and bright guava puree aromatics fill the glass. Showing a seamless texture and a wonderful sense of minerality, this dazzles on the palate. Red fruits and rose water packed with mineral-driven flavors excite the senses. A long-ager, this will continue to beautifully evolve over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 93 — 4 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2008 Cayuse Vineyards ‘En Chamberlin Vineyard’ Syrah (WWB, 97) is a magical wine from one of the world’s great vignerons, Christophe Baron. The flavor range here is simply insane, from blood orange to Umami and seaweed to bacon fat and salted charcuterie. Showing a brilliant salinity and beautiful savory qualities, this is a perfect example of aged, stony Syrah. At ten years old, this is peaking and is simply impossibly to put down — 14 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The Baron Albert 'L'Enchanteresse' Rosé is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. This Rosé begins with aromas of white peach, mulberry and red currants, which all come together and burst from the glass. The palate reveals flavors of white cherries, teaberry and guava purée, which impress as they sit alongside lovely minerality. The astringency is gorgeous, as saline characteristics work their way into the finish. Overall, this is a wonderful effort from Baron Albert. Drink 2019-2025- 92 — 24 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.6

The latest release of the Grand Siècle from Laurent Perrier is a truly spectacular Champagne. Disgorged in October 2017 the wine is a blend of the top wines made from 2002, 2004 and 2006. The bouquet is simply intoxicating with amazing range, from honeydew lemon to citrus rind, brioche and Japanese pear. On the palate, this shows an excellent combination of viscosity and tension. Apricot, Challah bread, marzipan and kumquat zest flavors all marvelously combine togehter. While this is a marvelous Champagne that is built to age, it is simply impossible to resist right now. Drink 2019-2040- 96 — 6 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.3

Mocha and crushed mint with sagebrush and blackberry cobbler all combine on the nose in this beautiful Columbia Valley AVA Cabernet Sauvignon. The palate shows a wonderful elegance and purity of fruit. Red and dark fruits connect with chocolate and coffee flavors alongside earthy undertones. Downright delicious now, the combination of balance and weight suggests this will cellar well for the next fifteen to twenty years. Drink 2019-2033- 93 — 21 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.0

The 2013 ‘Cairanne Peyre Blanche’ by Familie Perrin is an excellent effort from a challenging vintage in the Rhone Valley. On the nose this starts off with white pepper, red cherry cordial and wild thyme aromas that impress in the glass. While not hugely complex, the palate is silky smooth, showing a soft mouthfeel. Herbs de Provence, roasted dates, and cran-cherry flavors all collide on the palate. Drinking marvelously now, this will continue to evolve over the next five plus years. Drink 2019-2025- 90 — 25 days ago