Chardonnay
WINEMAKER: DAVID RAMEY
-
DETAILS
SCORES
James Suckling: 95 points
"A generous and expressive example of Russian River chardonnay, particularly for 2023. Aromas of confit lemon, salted nuts, sea salt, lanolin and flint. The palate is mid-weighted with a textural and rounded mouthfeel, yet with underlying tension brought by a focused, linear acidity. There's a great balance of power and freshness with a sophisticated touch coming from the winemaking craft of David Ramey. Drink or hold."
Owen Bargreen: 94 points
"A gorgeous wine made by famed winemaker David Ramey, the 2023 ‘Russian River Valley’ was stored in mostly neutral oak barrels before bottling. This comes off soft, mineral-laden and highly approachable. Crushed wet rock tones combine with yellow plum, juicy nectarine and kiwi flavors alongside hints of buttered French bread on the palate. A gorgeous rendition of Russian River Chardonnay, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033" -
DETAILS
SCORES
The Somm Journal - Meridith May: 95 points
"Sourced from five vineyards across the Russian River, it is matured in French oak and concrete egg. Unctuous and sumptuous, with a twist: acidity is well balanced and leans towards a thread of minerality so the richness of toasted bread and the ethereal nature of chamomile flowers pattern themselves with finesse. Vanilla and cinnamon caress baked apple, rounding out flavors and texture to a plump finish."
James Suckling: 95 points
"Fresh acidity and vivid, racy fruit flavors define this medium-bodied, super well-balanced wine. White peaches, green apples, kiwis and minerals give great tension and a linear feel. Concentrated but not heavy, it cleanses the palate and lingers with a tangy finish. Drink or hold."
Chardonnay
WINEMAKER: TOM ROCHIOLI
-
DETAILS
SCORES
James Suckling: 96 points
"Mineral and focused, with aromas of preserved lemons, yellow apples, grapefruit rind, salted nuts and baking spices. The palate features a minerality and focused acidity. The salty, textural mouthfeel has a slight oxidative touch, bringing an interesting third dimension. Drink or hold."
Owen Bargreen: 95 points
"Made by eminent vintner Tom Rochioli, this 2023 Chardonnay comes from the River Block section of the Rochioli Estate vineyard in the center of the Russian River Valley. The wine was whole cluster pressed, and then aged in mainly neutral French oak barrels before bottling. This is rich and intense stuff, with heady orchard and citrus fruits, that combine with stony minerals and glorious length on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035" -
DETAILS
-
DETAILS
SCORES
The Somm Journal - Meridith May: 96 points
"The wine spent six months in stainless steel before aging in neutral French oak. Settling on the palate are flavors of jasmine rice in saffron cream. Distinct in its textural appeal encourages flavors of baked apples, melon enveloped in chamomile, cashew brittle, and a twist of tangerine. Rich, brilliant and memorable."
James Suckling: 96 points
"Made from vines planted in 1989 in the River Block of the almost-legendary Rochioli Estate, with Tom Rochioli as the winemaker. It's full-flavored and full-bodied. yet with the stony, mineral-rich signature of this site. An almost tannic texture gives an inviting grip on the palate and meets vivid acidity and brioche, vanilla bean and crisp green apple flavors. Drink or hold for 10 years or more."
-
DETAILS
-
-
Sauvignon Blanc
WINEMAKER: JESSE KATZ
-
DETAILS
SCORES
International Wine Report - Jeremy Young: 96 points
"The 2023 Valette Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma County shimmers in the glass with a pale golden hue touched by green reflections. The aromatics are lifted and pure, opening with crushed seashell, lime blossom, and hints of honeydew, layered with subtle wisps of flint. On the palate, the wine glides with a supple texture, combining juicy pear and starfruit with accents of kaffir lime and herbal tea. The acidity is finely tuned, offering energy without sharpness, while the finish leaves behind traces of citrus oil and a gentle floral lift. Elegant and layered, this is a Sauvignon Blanc that balances vibrancy with poise. Highly recommended." -
DETAILS
SCORES
The Somm Journal - Meridith May: 94 points
"Winemaker Jesse Katz fermented the wine at a slow pace for 30 days and then aged 30% of it sur lie in new French oak. On impact, it is steely and tart. This salty, focused white storms in with grapefruit zest and striking minerality. Mid-way, notes of summer peach reach a climactic finish."
James Suckling: 92 points
"A pungent, herbaceous, almost smoky aroma leads to vivid, bracing grapefruit and green apple flavors with zingy acidity. Musque clone vines from Kick Ranch give a big aromatic profile and a touch of chalky grip like peach skin. Drink now."
-
Rosé of Pinot Noir
WINEMAKER: BOB CABRAL
-
DETAILS
-
DETAILS
SCORES
Wine Enthusiast: 90 points
"Made by Bob Cabral, the 2023 Rose Of Pinot Noir is a salmon-toned color and offers deeper citrus notes of orange oils, raspberries, fresh flowers, and salty earth. It's medium-bodied, with a bit more depth of texture to keep it a versatile and food-friendly expression. It was raised in a combination of stainless steel and neutral barrels. The palate has a nice white pepper spice and a pithy chalky texture to drink now or over the next couple of years."
-
DETAILS
SCORES
The Somm Journal - Meridith May: 93 points
"Left on the lees until bottling, Winemaker Bob Cabral leaves the wine longer in bottle, and the resulting flavors and crimson hue are soon revealed. A sea breeze fills the air with cranberry, wild strawberry, and underbrush. Prickly pear and hibiscus tea are highlights, with a zing of cinnamon on the finish."
James Suckling: 93 points
"Winemaker Bob Cabral uses saignee pinot noir juice to make this substantive, deep wine that's full of red cherry, tart cherry and red plum flavors. A dash of 3% riesling goes into the mix to lift the aromatics. Light to medium in body, rounded out a bit by partial malolactic. Drink now."
-
-
-
-
Cabernet Sauvignon
WINEMAKER: JESSE KATZ
-
DETAILS
SCORES
Owen Bargreen: 100 points
"The 2022 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon has slightly less Petit Verdot than the ’21. The wine comes from this Oakville site that is near Screaming Eagle. Gorgeous red and dark florals with red bell pepper mark the nose alongside chocolate and stony minerals. The palate is seamless and beautifully structured, as this is very pretty and stony. It is a remarkable achievement from this hot vintage. Drink 2025-2042" -
DETAILS
SCORES
The Somm Journal - Meridith May: 99 points
"With a kiss of Petit Verdot, this Jesse Fox Winemaker-created red is a glossy beauty, with concentration of fruit and an elegant mouthfeel. Taste the soil, the deep roasted coffee and sandalwood lathered with brown sugar and blackberry-anise. Chalky minerality licks the palate on the glorious finish."
Owen Bargreen: 100 points
"The 2021 Valette Cabernet Sauvignon has 19% Petit Verdot blended in. Coming from this Oakville site that neighbors Screaming Eagle. Creme de cassis, anise and violets mark the nose alongside stony minerals and a granite edge. The palate is elegant and shows bright underlying acidity with loamy soil accents. With silky tannins and a refined texture, this is a stunning rendition that is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2024-2045."
James Suckling: 96 points
"Wow. Packed with tobacco, bay leaf, loam and dark spice aromas, then a rich, broad texture of velvety tannins wrapped around cocoa, blueberry, blackcurrant and espresso crema flavors. Very rich in tannins that are broad, fine-grained and polished. Full-bodied, deep in the middle and long in the finish. It was held back for extra bottle age before release. Drink or hold."
-
-
DETAILS
-
-
DETAILS
-
Pinot Noir
WINEMAKER: BOB CABRAL
-
DETAILS
-
DETAILS
SCORES
James Suckling: 95 points
"Perfumed and expressive, with aromas of blackberries, cassis, baking spices, autumn leaves and violets. The palate has seamlessly integrated tannins, a textural and refined mouthfeel, earthy undertones and a spice-driven finish. Great balance of freshness and power. Delicious. Drink or hold." -
DETAILS
SCORES
The Somm Journal - Meridith May: 94 points
"A blend of three vineyards along the coast, this Bob Cabral-crafted red is deep and rich with satin-lined tannins and flavors of blueberry and vanilla cream. Almost indulgent in its generosity of fruit and acid, with salty salts of cinnamon stick and cherry skins."
James Suckling: 96 points
"A serious, sophisticated pinot noir from a difficult year when wildfire smoke was an issue for some wines. This is pure and beautiful, full-bodied, saturated in black cherries, sour cherries, star anise and subtle oak spices. Winemaker Bob Cabral used about 25% whole clusters, which adds savory, earthy tones and highlights fresh fruit. Drink or hold."
-
DETAILS
SCORES
The Somm Journal - Meridith May: 95 points"Earth and mushrooms transcend notes of wild strawberry, dotted by black pepper. High-toned acidity engages a freshness that lingers. Winemaker Bob Cabral ages this blackberry beauty for eight months in French oak."
James Suckling: 95 points
"A single-clone, single-vineyard wine made by Bob Cabral that's structured, moderately tannic and well balanced. Using Dijon clone 115, matured in 50% new French barrels. A tangy nip of acidity enhances savory mushroom and forest floor nuances over deep black cherries. Drink or hold."
-
DETAILS
-
DETAILS
-
-
Pinot Noir
WINEMAKER: MICHAEL BROWNE
-
DETAILS
SCORES
James Suckling: 95 points
"This is the first release of this wine. Perfumed and floral aromas of black cherries, cassis, cedar, autumn leaves and rose petals. The palate is mid-weighted with balanced, seamlessly integrated tannins and a textural and rounded mouthfeel. Nice freshness and structure, with a touch of class. Drink or hold."
Owen Bargreen: 95 points
"This brilliant 2023 Pinot Noir comes from the talented hands of winemaker Michael Browne. The nose is dense and heady, with cola, cranberry and sassafras notes alongside shades of cherries jubilee.Plush and soft on the mouth, this is gorgeous texturally, with outstanding weight and length. Enjoy over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2025-2040"
Champagne
-
DETAILS
SCORES
Owen Bargreen: 94 Points
"A world-class Pinot Noir champagne from the 2010 vintage, the amazing ‘Blanc de Noirs’ comes from a 14-hectare parcel in Arrentières in the Aube department of Champagne. This beauty was aged on the lees lees from tirage in May 2011 until disgorgement in April 2025. It is golden in the glass, loaded with salty minerals and coming up fat, round and generous. Green apple and custard flavors combine with persimmon and ginger on the palate. This is just a joy to consume right now. Drink 2025-2033"