Wines

94 Points! Powerful aromas of dark cherry, strawberry jam and crushed star anise make for a hedonistic nose on this bottling. The palate ranges from black cherry to baked berry, with cardamom and more star anise as well as a firm tannic frame standing in the background. - Wine Enthusiast

96 Points! Pale silver/yellow in hue and coming from Mount Pisgah Polk County, the 2023 Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard turns up the intensity with notes of lime oil, crushed flint, starfruit, and subtle spice. Medium-bodied and saturating on the palate, the acidity is present but even, offering a graceful tension. The finish carries elegant notes of white peach and candied lime. A beautiful, expressive wine to drink 2025-2040. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

96 Points! Yet another exhilarating and finely etched Chardonnay from Ken Pahlow, this one from the Freedom Hill Vineyard. Classic Walter Scott reduction on the nose, with serious salinity and smoky, chipped flint announcing this wine's mineral core, which buoys the intense grilled lemon wedge.The palate has verve and plays off the briny and smoky minerality. - Decanter Magazine

96 Points! The 2023 Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard from Mt. Pisgah Polk County pours a jeweled red hue and is pure and inviting, with elegant, layered notes of raspberry coulis, dark stones, pressed flowers, and fresh mossy earth. The palate is medium-bodied, with lovely elegance and a saturating feel, refined tannins, and a long finish. Drink 2025-2040. It’s made from Pommard and 115 clones that have been co-fermented. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

94 Points! A savoury showcase with pine, mint and fennel fronds highlighting the aromatics. Sourced from five different organically farmed vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills, including the iconic Temperance Hill and rising stars X Novo and Koosah sites. A wine of precision, with a razor's edge of minerality. Taut notes of currant and cranberry alongside crushed slate, sous bois and a soaringly bright finish. - Decanter Magazine

95 Points! This is a step up, with lushly textured flavors of crushed plum, currant preserves and mulled black cherry driving along nicely, underscored by licorice, black tea and warm earth. Even with the earthy flash, this stays refined and focused, with latent energy on the finish as well. No rush here, either. Drink now through 2040. - Wine Spectator, 2023

98 Points! The 2022 Pinot Noir The Traveler is captivating. It is also one of the most dense, powerful wines in this range. Blue/purplish fruit, menthol, lavender, mocha and licorice are all amplified. Time reveals more delicacy, while soft, silky contours wrap it all together. This is inky and plush, with seamless balance and mind-blowing intensity. What a wine! - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

98 Points! The 2022 Pinot Noir The Traveler is a deep magenta ruby hue and is entirely from a suitcase clone that is now referred to as the "Wayfarer Clone." In the glass, it reveals a complex and layered nose of ripe cherries, wildflowers, black raspberries, forest herbs, and blood orange. It’s driving on the palate, with refined tannins and coiled, bright acidity throughout, and it’s fully ripe but has a persistently long finish. Not a wine for the faint of heart, it’s built for the long haul and is going to show its best if given time in the cellar. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

97 Points! A bright red ruby hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir The Estate is lifted in the glass and has a lot of fresh, bright notes of rosy perfume, grenadine, rosemary, and sweet earth. Medium-bodied, it has a vibrant energy and savory drive on the palate, with notes of salty earth and tea leaf, a light umami richness, ripe tannins, and evenly balanced acidity. It is lovely all the way through and is going to show its best if given more time in bottle. Drink 2026-2040. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com

96 Points! The 2022 Pinot Noir The Estate is a wine of total class and understatement. Bright red-toned fruit and well-judged oak inform this sculpted, striking Pinot Noir. I especially admire the energy here. Blood orange, mint, crushed rocks, citrus and dried herbs open with a bit of time in the glass. This translucent, crystalline Pinot is, quite simply, magnificent. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

95 Points, Wine Spectator's #8 Wineof the Year 2025! Offers beautifully rendered notes of hibiscus, rose petal, damson plum and mulberry that stretch out lengthily thanks to the fine-beaded acidity and taut, precise tannins. The sapid finish lets in tea and incense hints amid the glistening fruit. Best from 2026 through 2036. - Wine Spectator

97 Points! Complex aromas of iron, iodine, raspberries, blue fruit, mussel shells, lemongrass and orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with crunchy fruit and a lightly chewy finish. A barrel selection of the best wines of the vintage. A little tight now, but it opens in the glass. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points, Wine Spectator's #8 Wineof the Year 2025! Offers beautifully rendered notes of hibiscus, rose petal, damson plum and mulberry that stretch out lengthily thanks to the fine-beaded acidity and taut, precise tannins. The sapid finish lets in tea and incense hints amid the glistening fruit. Best from 2026 through 2036. - Wine Spectator

97 Points! Complex aromas of iron, iodine, raspberries, blue fruit, mussel shells, lemongrass and orange peel. Medium- to full-bodied with crunchy fruit and a lightly chewy finish. A barrel selection of the best wines of the vintage. A little tight now, but it opens in the glass. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

Gorgeous, perfectly mature estate Riesling sourced from the Kerpen family and their mostly 'Grand Cru' vineyards in Graach, Bernkastel and Wehlen. Done in a lightly fruit style (feinherb) this wine is drinking so well right now. Only 48 bottles from their cellars, what a delight..

92 Points! Striking aromas of lemon blossom, passion fruit and tropical flowers are wrapped around racy acidity on the sleek and compact palate, and it is just beginning to open up! Long, refreshing finish with stacks of positive energy and excellent precision. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com

95 Points! Exuberant aromatics rise to the fore in the 2023 Pinot Noir Estate Grown, which blends estate grapes from the Nash Mill and Abel vineyards in Anderson Valley's Deep End into a heady concoction of smoky game, earthy floral intensity, and crisp, crunchy cranberry. Smooth and seductive, this small-production red is medium-bodied in mouthfeel but energetic in acidity. Drink now through 2033. - Virginie Boone, jebdunnuck.com

Michael Wenzel made a very small amount of this super fresh, floral and lively wine. Born from a conversation with his importer, this is 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Chardonnay grown on Quarz and Limestone respectively. The grapes are de-stemmed and then gently crushed with 5 days skin contact. Spontaneous native yeast fermentation, One third of the wine is then aged on the lees for 14 months in Terracotta Amphora, the rest in stainless steel to maintain its bright character. Minimal sulphur added. This fun, luscious take on a Fruilian style wine makes it perfect for sipping on its own or for pairing with a wide range of dishes.

We can tell you that the grapes for the Westerly Cabernet Sauvignon Happy Canyon Fletchers Reserve 2021 came from Happy Canyon and were crafted under the guidance of a top-flight, renowned winemaker. The nose has that opulent aroma of dark red fruits, cocoa, vanilla, and spice. The palate is plush and creamy offering that same profile of black cherry and cassis, spice, dark chocolate, vanilla, and maybe a hint of clove. This is deep, dark, plush Cabernet that has all the richness Cabernet fans crave and the kind of luxurious palate feel that elevates the experience. This wine showcases Happy Canyon at its best in the outstanding 2021 vintage, sexy stuff!

As the name implies. this is Westerly's BEST BARREL of Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2020 vintage and, after tasting it, we bought it...all of it (well, proprietor Michael Speakman kept a case or two for himself...)

A classic 'NDA' cuvee, meaning that Westerly signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the winery they bought this amazing Cabernet from. So, shhh...But what we can tell you that the grapes for the Westerly Cabernet Sauvignon Happy Canyon 'Single Barrel' 2022 came from Happy Canyon and were made under the guidance of a top-flight, renowned winemaker. The nose has that opulent aroma of dark red fruits, cocoa, vanilla, and spice. The palate is plush and creamy offering that same profile of black cherry and cassis, spice, dark chocolate, vanilla, and maybe a hint of clove. This is Cabernet that has all the richness Cabernet fans crave and the kind of luxurious palate feel that elevates the experience. This wine showcases Happy Canyon at its best in the perfect 2022 vintage.

His most expressive Cab yet. There have been bigger Westerlys but I don't believe there has been better. Plush mouthfeel here, excellent work on those firm Happy Canyon tannins, this stuff just tastes expensive...but it isn't...and the price this year is even lower!