Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

Soft, round and generous, this massive Grenache wine shows deep layers of tar and tobacco leaf that dance with the rich core of red and dark fruits. Showing off a plush texture, this has serious length and richness. Not for the weary, this high octane Grenache will be best enjoyed over the next five to seven years. Drink 2020-2027- 92 — 17 hours ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

Located high atop the estate property located in the Dundee Hills, the 2017 ‘Cote Sud’ Chardonnay shows off lovely flinty aromatics that mingle with lemon zest, kumquat and green apple tones that all mingle together in the glass. The palate is plush, showing a seamless texture and a soft mouthfeel that melds marvelously with the bright minerality of the wine and deep core of citrus and orchard fruits. The length and generous finish of the wine truly accentuates the drinking enjoyment. Fantastic to savor now, this beautiful wine will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 94 — 12 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.0

The 2015 Matthews ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc is a really good effort from this highly challenging vintage for white wine that saw both heat spikes and a record early August harvest. Gooseberry and shades of green bell pepper with Japanese pear aromatics take shape in the glass. Showing good verve and a soft texture, the wine unveils nice nutty and damp earth tones that combine with the Gravenstein apple, kumquat and nutmeg infused sourdough bread flavors. Now at the five year mark the 2015 ‘Columbia Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc needs to be consumed over the next several years. Kudos to the talented Aryn Morell. Drink 2020-2023- 90 — a month ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.5

Dedicated to Chris Figgins’s two daughters, the ‘Figlia’ is a massive blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot that is unlike anything produced in the state. Aged for twenty three months in French oak, this pitch dark wine starts off with lighter green bell pepper and sage tones that combine with toasty oak and a deep core of dark fruits that all sing in unison. Marvelously textured, with a wonderful weight and intensity, the wine shows off layers of creme de cassis, black olive tapenade, black cherry cordial and shades of anise that all create a seamless effect once on the mouth. The long and generous finish accentuates this beautiful new bottling. While marvelous to savor in its youth, the 2017 ‘Figlia’ will have a long life ahead of it. Be sure to give this at least a two hour decant if you can’t resist this wine for a few years. Drink 2022-2040- 95 — 3 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

Sourced from this great Anderson Valley vineyard, this shows lovely damp soil with huckleberry compote and shades of cinnamon infused red cherry aromatics that take shape in the glass. The balance of the wine is really good as medium to full-bodied red and dark fruit flavors provide a lasting effect. While slightly less complex than the 2017 ‘Confluence Vineyard’ bottling, it is downright delicious to savor in its youth. Drink 2020-2030- 92 — 18 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2017 ‘Saggi’ by Long Shadows is a thrilling follow up to the gorgeous 2016 bottling. A blend of mainly Sangiovese (59%) with smaller portions Cabernet Sauvignon (24%) and Syrah (17%), the ‘Saggi’ is truly a one of a kind wine made by the talented Giles Nicault. Needing a one hour decant to be fully aroused, the ‘Saggi’ shows lovely smoky tones that meld with red cherry preserves, leather and underbrush aromatics that all build in the glass. The palate is silky and soft, with a bright sense of minerality and wonderful texture. You are greeted to a rich core of red fruits that dance with citrus rind accents, milk chocolate and damp stone tones on the palate. Showing wonderful length and elegance, the 2017 ‘Saggi’ is wonderful to enjoy in its youth and will provide drinking enjoyment over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 94 — a month ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

Sourced from the Moulds Vineyard & Stagecoach Vineyards, the 2016 Mirror Cabernet Sauvignon opens with cassis and red bell pepper tones, with flinty and smoky accents that entice. The palate has good freshness and verve, with a lovely viscosity. Blackberry cobbler, mocha and creme de cassis flavors all marvelously come together alongside the vibrant mineral backbone. Outstanding in its youth, this beautiful wine will cellar well for the next two decades. Drink 2020-2035- 92 — 9 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

The De Ponte Chardonnay opens with pear and nutmeg accents that combine with shades of salted Macadamia nut and brioche aromatics that take shape in the glass. The palate has great freshness and verve with juicy melon and Gala apple flavors that combine with the sourdough bread and greats sense of minerality. This is just an awesome effort by De Ponte. Drink 2020-2030- 92
— 13 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.2

A barrel selection wine, the 2016 ‘Thea’s Selection’ shows nice white truffle shavings and cinnamon stick aromatics that mingle with the core of dark fruits on the nose. The palate is round and generous with a delightful mouthfeel. Rich kirsch and peat moss tones combine with the bright sense of minerality and soft texture on the palate. Layered and downright sexy in its youth, the 2016 ‘Thea’s Selection’ will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 92
— 21 days ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.7

The 2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Chanpagne is a thrilling, dense new offering from this historic house. On the nose this takes on rich brioche and baked Pazzaz apple flavors that combine with lighter kumquat and marzipan tones that all meld in the glass. Fresh and vibrant, with a remarkably silky mousse, the weight and richness of this wine is impressive, while the bright character provides a wonderful foil. Rich layers of lemon zest dusted brioche with toasted hazelnut and Gravenstein apple with lighter vanilla cream and starfruit tones seamlessly combine on the palate. As several hours develop, the wine pieces itself together more magically with the intense citrus components melding with its weighty stature. Marvelous at this stage in its development, the 2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Chanpagne will have an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Try to give this at least another year of bottle development before savoring. Drink 2021-2040- 97 — a month ago