94 Points – James Suckling
A silky and red-fruited wine with nice perfumed floral notes on the nose and finish. Flavors of Bing cherries, strawberries, violets and pomegranates. Seamless, with a clean, bright finish. Drink or hold.
A silky and red-fruited wine with nice perfumed floral notes on the nose and finish. Flavors of Bing cherries, strawberries, violets and pomegranates. Seamless, with a clean, bright finish. Drink or hold.
Aromas of cherry galette, strawberry fruit leather and spices. The medium-bodied palate is fresh and inviting, showing bright, juicy red-fruit flavors, rose petals and orange rind. Long, pretty finish. Drink or hold.
Aromas of grilled herbs, roasted cherries and toasted spices. The palate is equally spicy and smoky, showing savory undertones of soil and shiitake mushrooms. Medium-bodied and mouth-filling with espresso-like tannins. Drink after 2028.
Generous and flavorful with baked lemons, sappy white flowers, salted caramel and fresh pastry. Medium-bodied and round, showing hints of white and yellow peaches. Drink now.
Sleekly styled and tart, with fragrant cherry and cranberry flavors highlighted by orange peel, plus a hint of mint. Finishes with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2033. 527 cases made.
Graceful and elegantly detailed, with raspberry and cherry flavors laced with fresh violet, orange peel and zesty cinnamon as this glides along the rich finish. Drink now through 2033. 729 cases made.
Deeply structured and velvety in texture, with expressive raspberry flavors accented by cinnamon, orange peel and rose petal tones as this builds richness and tension on the finish. Drink now through 2033. 729 cases made.
Supple and expressive, with rich yet delicately layered flavors of raspberry, orange peel, cinnamon and toasty spices that linger on the plush finish. Drink now through 2033. 1,219 cases made.
The 2023 Elk Cove Vineyards Goodrich Pinot Noir, sourced from 16-year-old vines, was crafted with 30% whole clusters and spent 10 months aging in 26% new French oak, resulting in a wine that feels lifted and finely tuned. The nose unfolds with fresh-picked raspberry, tangerine zest, dried florals, and a woodland character that leans toward evergreen needles and umami. On the palate, the wine glides with precision, delivering spiced red fruit layered over savory undertones and subtle bitterness that adds intrigue rather than weight. Fine-grained, mineral-driven tannins shape the finish, while vibrant acidity keeps the expression focused and long. 527 cases were made.
The 2023 Elk Cove Vineyards Mount Richmond Pinot Noir spends 10 months resting in 26% new French oak, setting the stage for a wine that feels both commanding yet composed. Aromatically, it opens at a measured pace, revealing dark cherry compote, crushed marionberry, star anise, a touch of dried meatiness, and damp forest floor as the glass settles. The palate carries a broader, more forceful shape, layering dense fruit with earthy undertones and a pronounced savory streak. Firm, sand-textured tannins anchor the wine’s structure, while vibrant acidity threads through the core and propels a long finish marked by spice and tea leaf nuances. Pair this with slow-braised lamb shoulder finished with rosemary and black garlic, served over creamy polenta, where the wine’s depth, grip, and savory tones mirror the richness of the dish. 1,219 cases produced.
The 2023 Elk Cove Vineyards Clay Court Pinot Noir opens with lifted scents of crushed red raspberry, ripe cherry skin, dried rose petals, and a warm mix of baking spice that immediately signals depth. Drawn from old vines rooted in volcanic soils and raised for 10 months in 30% new French oak, the wine spreads across the palate with savory red fruit intensity and a subtle earthy edge. Fine, tactile tannins give the structure a slightly gritty feel while brisk acidity keeps everything focused and energetic. The finish lingers with spiced red fruit and gentle herbal tones that echo long after the sip fades. 729 cases were made.
The 2023 Elk Cove Vineyards Five Mountain Pinot Noir is drawn from old vines rooted in Laurelwood soils, then shaped over 10 months in 20% new French oak, resulting in a wine that feels both expansive and finely controlled. Aromatically, it lifts from the glass with crushed boysenberry, red raspberry preserves, and vivid blood orange peel, followed by savory notes of forest floor, hoisin, and a faint floral lift that adds elegance. The palate carries a broad, full-bodied presence, delivering layers of spiced berry fruit, subtle anise tones, and earthy complexity that unfold gradually rather than all at once. Texture plays a central role here, with supple, satin-like tannins providing structure without weight. Bright, mouthwatering acidity keeps the wine energized and prevents the richness from tipping too far. As it fades, the finish stretches long and multi-dimensional, revealing lingering spice, soil-driven nuance, and a quiet echo of citrus zest. 729 cases were made. Highly recommended.
The 2023 Riesling Estate segues from flint and candle smoke to stone fruit, honey and slate aromas. The medium-bodied palate features ripe, tropical, spicy flavors. About eight grams per liter residual sugar balance its linear acidity, and it has a long, textural finish.
The 2023 Pinot Noir Clay Court comes from 29-year-old vines planted in volcanic soil. Matured for 10 months in 30% new French oak, it has inviting aromas of pomegranate, red cherry, holiday spice, potpourri and bitters. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with concentrated, spicy fruit. It’s framed by grainy tannins and fresh acidity and has a long, spicy finish. 729 cases were made.
From vines planted in 1993, the 2023 Pinot Noir Roosevelt has intoxicating scents of raspberry jam, pomegranate juice, rosewater, charcuterie and well-integrated oak spice. The medium-bodied palate is brimming with layer after layer of ripe, spicy, fragrant fruit. It’s balanced by refreshing acidity and has a long, detailed finish.