2023 Domaine Drouhin Laurene Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

2023 Domaine Drouhin Laurene Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

with No Comment $70-$80Kevin VogtOregonPinot NoirUSA

Domaine Drouhin

Laurène Pinot Noir 
Dundee Hills 2023

2023 Domaine Drouhin Laurene Pinot Noir Dundee Hills

The 2023 Laurène Pinot Noir arrives with the unmistakable grace of a wine shaped by generations of heritage. Every detail reflects a lineage of precision, from the volcanic soils of the Dundee Hills to the Burgundian hand that guides it, creating a Pinot Noir that feels both deeply rooted and endlessly expressive.

This harmony begins with Véronique Boss-Drouhin, who has spent decades refining the Drouhin family’s signature of elegance on both sides of the Atlantic. In Oregon, she channels that philosophy into Laurène with breathtaking focus, crafting a wine that carries Burgundy’s soul while speaking fluently in the language of the Dundee Hills.

Through meticulous sorting, gentle fermentations, and a discriminating approach to élevage, Laurène becomes a benchmark of purity and finesse. The 2023 vintage, already earning national acclaim, unfolds with depth, tension, and restrained power, promising decades of graceful evolution and reaffirming its place among the most compelling Pinot Noirs made in America.

Domaine Drouhin
Laurène Pinot Noir 
Dundee Hills 2023
Retails at: $80

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“Rich, powerful and gorgeous, drenched in fruity, savory, mushroomy flavors on a full body and super-smooth tannins. It is deep in black cherry, blackcurrant, cedar and pine character that expands on the palate and lingers in the finish. Drink or hold.”

97 Points, #11 Top 100 US Wines 2025

2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Napa Valley

2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underCarnerosChardonnayKevin VogtNapaOak KnollUSA

Sequoia Grove

Chardonnay
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay Napa Valley

In a region celebrated for its opulence, the 2023 Sequoia Grove Chardonnay stands out by choosing nuance as its compass. It’s a wine shaped by cool-climate discipline: mornings that delay ripeness, evenings that preserve acidity, and vineyards that favor elegance over indulgence. It shows a precision that feels rare for Napa, offering a Chardonnay shaped as much by restraint as by ripeness.

Much of that character comes from Carneros’ Haire Vineyard, where 30-year-old Wente and Robert Young clone vines deliver fruit with natural concentration. These old vines ripen slowly, holding onto acidity even in generous years, giving the wine its signature tension. Oak Knoll adds its own imprint, layering in structure and a subtle mineral thread that keeps the wine lifted and complete.

The winemaking team further amplifies that interplay of energy and richness. Native-yeast fermentation and extended lees contact build a creamy mid-palate, while the modest use of new French oak contributes subtle warmth rather than weight. The resulting Chardonnay is vibrant yet composed, delivering richness through texture rather than sweetness and finishing with a clarity that echoes its origins.

Sequoia Grove
Chardonnay
Napa Valley 2023
Retails at: $38

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“A nicely rich, suave and spicy white that blends luxurious poached apple and pear flavors with notes of marzipan, lemon meringue, toasted almonds, hazelnuts, brioche and butter. Full-bodied, broad in mouthfeel, well layered and plush. Drink now.”

93 Points

2023 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Blend Napa County

2023 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Blend Napa County

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Hourglass

HGIII Proprietary Blend
Napa County 2023

2023 Hourglass HGIII Proprietary Blend Napa County

Hourglass’s 2023 HGIII feels like a privilege to taste, crafted with the pedigree of a flagship wine yet offered with the generosity of an insider’s secret. Under the guidance of Tony Biagi, whose work at PlumpJack helped define modern Napa elegance, the 2023 HGIII brings together estate farming and meticulous blending in a way that feels both contemporary in its polish and classic in its depth.

The blend unfolds with Merlot’s plush density at the center, followed by Cabernet’s disciplined structure and Petite Sirah’s darker, savory character. These elements meet without competing, resulting in a wine that feels composed rather than constructed. It is a blend that moves with purpose, showing both restraint and confidence.

Hourglass gives the 2023 HGIII sixteen months of élevage to refine its edges without weighing it down. The oak adds dimension rather than dominance, keeping the fruit at the forefront. What emerges is a wine shaped by patience and intention, with a finish that is long, supple, and confidently restrained.

Hourglass
HGIII Proprietary Blend
Napa County 2023
Retails at: $53

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“The Hourglass 2023 HG III Napa Valley Red Blend opens with enticing aromas of blackberries, Bing cherries, pomegranate, peppercorn, fennel seed, and crushed rose petals. On the palate, the wine is plush yet structured, unfolding with flavors of crème de cassis, black cherries, and baker’s chocolate. The finish is long, harmonious, and finely textured, supported by polished tannins and balanced acidity.”

96 Points

2023 Gainey Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

2023 Gainey Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirSanta BarbaraSanta Rita HillsUSA

Gainey

Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills 2023

2023 Gainey Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

Every so often, vineyard and vintage fall into perfect rhythm. That’s exactly what happened for Gainey in 2023, when the cool, drawn-out growing season of the Santa Rita Hills gave their estate Pinot Noir the time it needed to develop exceptional aromatic detail and purity. The result was the revelation of our recent tasting: a wine that unfolded with understated confidence and left me wanting to revisit it the moment the glass was empty.

That vibrance is amplified by the diversity of clones planted across Gainey’s two estate ranches, each offering its own nuance of aroma and structure. Some bring lifted red fruit, others a darker, savory edge, and together they create a Pinot Noir whose layers reveal themselves gradually and with intention. This is fruit shaped by a landscape of varied soils and exposures, infused into a wine of uncommon balance.

All of this culminates in a Pinot Noir that speaks fluently of its origin—one of California’s most expressive cool-climate regions. The 2023 release doesn’t attempt to reinterpret Sta. Rita Hills; it embodies it, showing what’s possible when patience, precision, and pristine fruit converge. It’s a wine that reminds you why this appellation stands as one of the pinnacles of West Coast Pinot Noir.

Gainey
Pinot Noir
Sta. Rita Hills 2023
Retails at: $35

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“The 2023 Gainey Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir delivers a pure, cool-climate expression of the appellation. The nose opens with vivid strawberry-rhubarb pie, fresh raspberries, warm baking spices, root beer, and a touch of sandalwood. On the palate, it is mid-bodied and energetic, showing bright, fresh strawberry fruit, mandarin peel, and black tea notes, carried by vibrant mouth-watering acidity and a distinct liquid-mineral character that drives the finish. Seamless, focused, and refreshingly energetic, this is a textbook Sta. Rita Hills Pinot that drinks beautifully now yet possesses the balance and structure to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years.”

94 points

2023 Steps Barrel Select Reserve Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

2023 Steps Barrel Select Reserve Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtNapaProprietary RedUSA

Steps

Barrel Select Reserve
Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Steps Barrel Select Reserve Proprietary Red Blend Napa Valley

Born from a vintage that winemakers dream of, the Steps 2023 Barrel Select captures the essence of Napa Valley at its purest. Selected from just three barrels, this wine reflects the singular vision of Grant Long, Jr., whose name has become synonymous with craftsmanship through his acclaimed work at Aonair, Reverie II, and James Joseph.

Grant’s vision for Steps Reserve has always centered on a balance between the valley’s plush generosity and its rugged, high-elevation edge. The 2023 vintage embodies that duality with striking clarity. Cabernet Sauvignon lends structure and power, while Merlot and Malbec add notes of supple fruit and lifted aromatics.

Aged for nineteen months in Sylvain and Darnajou barrels, the Steps Reserve Barrel Select emerges polished yet vibrant, its depth framed by the quiet luxury of fine French oak. Beneath its refinement lies a pulse of energy, a sign of its youth and promise. With time, this wine will evolve into something extraordinary: an elegant and enduring reflection of both the vintage and the vision.

Steps
Barrel Select Reserve
Proprietary Red Blend
Napa Valley 2023

Your Price: $49.99

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“The STEPS Reserve Barrel Select 2023 Napa Valley Proprietary Red Blend begins with deep aromas of cassis, black cherries, ripe plums, dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, clove, dried herbs, and cedar. On the palate, the wine is refined and silky, with a seamless mouthfeel and bright acidity, which enhances the complexity of flavors ranging from plush black fruits and spices, keeping the profile fresh and poised. Fine-grained tannins lend structure, and the elegant finish lingers for a harmonious and polished expression of Napa Valley.”

96 Points

2023 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Price Family Estates Sonoma Coast

2023 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Price Family Estates Sonoma Coast

with No Comment $40-$50Kevin VogtPinot NoirSonomaSonoma CoastUSA

Three Sticks

Pinot Noir 2023
Price Family Estates
Sonoma Coast

2023 Three Sticks Pinot Noir Price Family Estates Sonoma Coast

Among the countless Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs, few capture the imagination like the 2023 Three Sticks Price Family Estates. The wine seamlessly weaves some of Sonoma Coast’s most distinguished voices, drawing from estate jewels such as Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala. Each vineyard contributes its character, culminating in a Pinot Noir that speaks eloquently.

Three Sticks has long been admired for crafting Pinot Noir of purity and grace, and the 2023 Price Family Estates bottling marks a thrilling new chapter. Guided by the foundation laid by Bob Cabral and carried forward by Ryan Prichard, it reflects not just winemaking skill but the seamless passing of a torch, ensuring continuity while unlocking new dimensions of expression.

 

The hallmark of the 2023 vintage is its ability to deliver depth without heaviness. Every detail of this wine reflects an estate committed to elevating Pinot Noir to its highest expression. Bright, aromatic, and texturally seamless, it delivers a complete expression of Sonoma’s coastal beauty, standing as a reminder that Pinot Noir, in the right hands, can be both delicate and profound. 

Three Sticks
Pinot Noir 2023
Price Family Estates
Sonoma Coast
Retails at: $55

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“From one of the latest harvests in the Sonoma Coast history, development of flavor had an advantage and this wine is proof. This wine is a blend of the estate’s six vineyards including the Heritage Vineyards of the Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala. The wine is delicate and feathery, with clear cut acid structure that illuminates cherries, pomegranate, and orange peel. Its dimension is notable, a down pillow of creamy blueberry, hibiscus, and mint chocolate chip with a dash of black pepper on the finish.”

97 Points

2023 Carter Cabernet Sauvignon The Haze Napa Valley

2023 Carter Cabernet Sauvignon The Haze Napa Valley

with No Comment $90-$100Cabernet SauvignonKevin VogtNapa

Carter

Cabernet Sauvignon
The Haze 2023
Napa Valley

2023 Carter Cabernet Sauvignon The Haze Napa Valley

In a region where reputation can precede reality, The Haze stands as proof that mastery needs no introduction. Crafted by a team responsible for more than a dozen perfect scores, the 2023 release reflects everything Carter Cellars has built its legacy upon: power without excess, detail without restraint, and a sense of place that whispers through every sip. 

Under the direction of winemaker Russell Bevan, the fifth vintage of The Haze emerges as a masterclass in controlled intensity. Bevan approaches texture the way a sculptor works with marble: patiently, precisely, revealing power without losing beauty. The 2023 vintage showcases his signature touch, with saturated fruit lifted by freshness, and tannins that glide smoothly.

Composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon, The Haze radiates with the hallmarks of the Carter Cellars house style: deep, concentrated fruit, seamless texture, and a finish that unfolds deliberately. It’s the kind of wine that reminds you why this valley remains at the heart of the world’s Cabernet conversation. A place where craft meets conviction, and where a producer like Carter Cellars continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the glass.

Carter
Cabernet Sauvignon
The Haze 2023
Napa Valley

Your Price: $95

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“There are 235 cases of the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon The Haze, a 100% varietal from a mix of sites. Cassis, graphite, smoky oak, and a Graves-like scorched earth and smoky character all shine here, and it’s full-bodied, has a pure, elegant, layered mouthfeel, sweet yet building tannins, and outstanding length.”

95-97 Points

2023 Icon The Beau Vigne Collection Proprietary Red Napa Valley

2023 Icon The Beau Vigne Collection Proprietary Red Napa Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtProprietary RedUSA

Icon

The Beau Vigne Collection
Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2023

2023 Icon The Beau Vigne Collection Proprietary Red Napa Valley

In Napa Valley, where power often takes precedence, Icon by the Beau Vigne Collection stands apart for its precision. Crafted by Julien Fayard, a winemaker with a pedigree spanning Château Lafite Rothschild to Quintessa, this 2023 release transforms raw potential into sculpted elegance. Every detail, from vineyard selection to barrel aging, speaks to an exacting vision: to create a wine that embodies both the strength of Napa and the finesse of Bordeaux.

Fayard builds Icon as a study in equilibrium, drawing from a network of Napa Valley vineyards that range from rocky benchlands to sun-drenched valley floors. The foundation is Cabernet Sauvignon, lending structure and drive, while Merlot and Petit Verdot add suppleness, fragrance, and a quiet depth of color. The result is a red of quiet confidence: concentrated yet agile, bold yet impeccably balanced.

The 2023 Icon feels like the future of Napa, a wine that honors its lineage while rewriting the script. It carries the valley’s trademark depth and plushness, yet moves with the precision of a Bordeaux. The mouthfeel is textural and complete. It stands as liquid proof that restraint and richness can coexist in perfect harmony.

Icon
The Beau Vigne Collection
Proprietary Red
Napa Valley 2023
Retails at: $80

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“A blend of 71% Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot and Petit Verdot, it shows a firm grip. The wine directs your attention to iron-ore and espresso, slowly allowing its streamlined structure to open up. Dried lavender and black plum texturize the palate; tannins firm and muscular.”

94 Points

2023 Vieux Telegraph Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau

2023 Vieux Telegraph Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau

with No Comment $100 and overChateauneuf-Du-PapeFranceKevin VogtRhone Valley

Vieux Télégraphe

Châteauneuf-du-Pape
La Crau 2023

2023 Vieux Telegraph Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau

High above the Rhône plain, on the stony expanse of La Crau, the Brunier family tends one of France’s most storied vineyards. Each vintage of Vieux Télégraphe distills a century of devotion to this harsh and beautiful place, where vines grow not in soil but among stones. The 2023 release captures that heritage at its purest: a wine of sculpted structure, radiant fruit, and the unmistakable clarity that only this plateau can impart.

From hand-harvest to slow fermentation in concrete, every step at Vieux Télégraphe reflects patience. The old vines, some planted before the Second World War, yield small, concentrated berries that speak not of abundance but of endurance. Matured in large, neutral foudres, the wine develops a strength and texture that feels carved rather than built.

Few wines so seamlessly capture the paradox of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the marriage of Mediterranean warmth and mountain freshness. The 2023 Vieux Télégraphe radiates both: the generosity of ripe Grenache framed by the cool austerity of limestone. It stands as proof that in the right hands, hardship becomes harmony, and from the stones of La Crau, true beauty is born.

Vieux Télégraphe
Châteauneuf-du-Pape
La Crau 2023

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“In spite of its extreme youth, this great Chateuneuf-du-Pape leaps out at you with its depth of wet-earth, ripe red-berry and dried-flower aromas. Rich and concentrated, but so suave and refined. Incredible length! Already delicous, but this has a great future ahead of it. Drink or hold.”

98 Points

2023 Synthesis Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2023 Synthesis Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

with No Comment $30 and underKevin VogtPinot NoirRussian River ValleySonomaUSA

Synthesis

Pinot Noir 2023
Russian River Valley

2023 Synthesis Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Born from Martin Ray’s estate vineyard along Laguna Road, the 2023 Synthesis Russian River Valley Pinot Noir captures the essence of its origin with striking clarity. The site sits in the heart of the valley’s cool corridor, where morning fog shapes firm but bright fruit. In the cellar, thoughtful intention takes the lead, resulting in a Pinot Noir that balances power and poise, each element reflecting the vineyard’s coastal charm.

The 2023 season unfolded slowly, each stage measured and guided. Yields were modest, canopies were managed for balance, and harvest came only when acidity and aromatics aligned perfectly. The result is a wine that feels sculpted and alive with detail, yet effortlessly composed.

Aged twelve months in French oak, the 2023 release finds its balance in texture and tone. On the palate, it’s silken yet vibrant. Fine-grained tannins guiding a line of vivid acidity through a finish that lingers with quiet confidence. This is Russian River Pinot Noir that’s expressive, graceful, and beautifully composed.

Synthesis
Pinot Noir 2023
Russian River Valley
Retails at: $50

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“A crisp and clean pinot with dried strawberries, cherries and hints of sandalwood on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm tannins and a juicy finish. It has all you need. Drink or hold.”

94 Points