The NV Blanc de Blancs Souverain represents all the crus of Henriot planted to Chardonnay. It is 100% Chardonnay with less than 5 g/L of dosage and at least 3 years on lees. The vintage base for this is 2018, disgorged in 2024. Notes of juicy grapefruit, lemon tart, and lime blossoms pop from the glass, plus nuances of crushed rocks, coriander seed, and baker’s yeast. The palate is tightly wound and energetic with very fine bubbles and a very crisp backbone. It has a bone-dry signature, finishing long and zesty.

The 2022 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton was matured for 16 months in 15% new French oak and an additional four months in stainless steel. “This vineyard got hit very hard with frost, and we got about one ton per acre,” winemaker Shane Moore says. “But the quality I thought was really, really high.” It has singular, arresting aromas of ripe stone fruit, honey, dried mushrooms and soft ripened cheese. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and mouth coating with powerful, honeyed flavors. It’s balanced by slowly building acidity and has a long, dynamic finish. 1,456 cases were made.

Matured in 43% new French oak, the 2022 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton has intense aromas of pomegranate, rhubarb, damp earth, mushrooms, tea leaves and spice. The medium-bodied palate is silky and seamless with layered, nuanced flavors, vibrant acidity and a long, spicy finish. 4,818 cases were made.

Base wines for the 2017 Blanc de Blancs were matured in barrels and stainless steel without malolactic conversion, and it spent six years en tirage. Disgorged in March of 2024, it has savory aromas of brioche, honey, roasted almonds and flint. The medium-bodied palate is dry and savory with a very fine, small-beaded mousse. Its energetic acidity is tempered by three grams per liter dosage, and it has a long, seamless finish. 201 cases were made.

The 2023 Grenache Flavorscape was fermented with 20% whole clusters and matured in around 50% new oak. It has a medium ruby color and gregarious aromas of raspberry, blueberry, cherry, powdered sugar and spicy undertones. Medium-bodied, it floods the mouth with elegant berry flavors and offers tempered ripeness. It’s framed by soft, chalky tannins and bright acidity and has a long, spicy finish.

Silene uses grapes from three comparatively cool sites in Stellenbosch and is the cheapest of Capensis' outstanding range of Chardonnays. Fermented in 30% new oak, as well as Austrian foudres, it has subtle wood spices, some cream from full malolactic, peach and citrus fruit flavours and a balanced finish. 2026-32

From Helderberg fruit, 2023 includes splashes merlot & cab franc. Masterclass in seamless integration of firm but lithe tannins into sumptuous core of dark fruit. Composed & fresh, 14 months in 30% new oak adding some dry cedar spicing to plush texture. Approachable, should give many more years drinking pleasure.

The 2018 Armoniza is a very pretty, appealing Knights Valley red. Dark plum fruit, mocha, incense, gravel and dried flowers all build in the glass. Persistent, sustained Knights Valley tannins lend shape and energy throughout. A closing burst of fruit punctuates the finish. The 2018 is impeccably done.

The 2021 Chardonnay Journey caresses the palate with tangerine oil, sweet spice, marzipan and a kiss of French oak. Understated and quite gracious, the 2021 emphasizes softness over textural richness. Floral and tropical overtones lend an exotic flair throughout.

The 2022 Pinot Noir is a delight. Forward, juicy and expressive, the 2022 offers tons of immediacy. Succulent red cherry fruit, rose petal, cinnamon, spice and new leather fill out the layers effortlessly. This is such a pretty and delicious wine.

While more golden in color than pink, this rosé bubbly, from one of England’s best-known producers, needs a bit of brief aeration in glass before those flinty reductive notes make room for the gentle citrus and strawberry and cream aromas. There’s a lovely ping of high-toned acidity and persistent fizz on the palate, those red fruit notes flowing to the finish.

This bright and juicy Chard shows aromas of fresh apple, lemon, pineapple, and white flowers on the nose. The palate is nimble and fresh, with flavors of Gala apple, citrus blossom, candied ginger, and Meyer lemon lingering on the finish.

The nose of this wine brings aromas of concentrated Bing cherry, orange peel, fried shiitake, and flowers. On the palate, flavors of black plum, pithy orange, and spice mélange join with focused acidity, weighty texture, and a long finish.

Gobs of juicy berry, cherry pie, and cinnamon aromas swirl on the nose of this wine. The palate is acid driven, with flavors of berry gastrique, pomegranate juice, orange peel, shiitake, and cola spice dancing in a light, approachable framework.

Broad, textural and medium-bodied with aromas of black cherries, red plums, earth, roses and savory herbs. Vibrant acidity and espresso-like tannins give the wine a lot of length. Drink or hold

A ripe, pretty, full-bodied wine, showing subtle aromas of citrus oil with flavors of spiced peaches, pears, Meyer lemons and salt. This has a fuzzy orchard-fruit feel with a plush palate and a long finish. Drink now.

This has exuberant stone and orchard fruits, including fresh pears, white peaches, chalk, salt and a touch of green mangoes. The medium-bodied palate is juicy and mouth-filling, showing delicious acidity with citrus and pear skin in the finish. Drink now.

A lovely range of aromas from dusty roses and bright red fruit to cinnamon, cloves and black pepper. Medium-bodied with plush tannins and crisp acidity. Juicy flavors and floral notes on the palate lead to a pleasing earthiness in the sour-cherry finish. Drink now.

Purple and blue fruits with dusty minerality on the nose as well as roses, violets and wild bramble. High-toned yet darkly fruited on the medium- to full-bodied palate with pine resin and an almost volcanic feel to the chalkiness. Drink or hold.

A dark, compelling and brooding nose of blue and purple fruits with bramble and subtle notes of cocoa. The long, lifted, medium-bodied palate feels very tense at this young age. Drink from 2027.

A mix of 48% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay and 4% Pinot Meunier from estate vineyards, this catches your attention with a lightly toasty nose that leads into a palate of tart red berry and cherry fruit at its focused core. The lasting flavors extend on through a brisk, fresh, palate-cleansing finish. I saw no indication of a vintage on the label so I’m assuming it’s a non-vintage blend.

The 2023 Chardonnay 3D is again the most glossy and opulent of the Chardonnays, although here it is rendered with the contained, classy and vibrant nature that defines the 2023 vintage. Aromas of pastry cream, hazelnuts and golden apples are followed by a creamy, suave palate with ample textural generosity before closing with a refreshingly classy and understated finish.

The 2023 Pinot Noir 3D is a lovely expression of the region, opening with a beamingly bright, purely red-fruited bouquet supplemented with warming spice tones, wet stones, dried herbs and a slight hint of camphor. The palate is equal parts punchy, silky and refined, bound at the core by a swirling savory layer that carries through the tense, structural finish. With time in the glass, the whole-cluster-induced savory side comes more to the fore, yet the wine retains the striking purity that defines the lineup.

The 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley comes from the Zena Crown, Willakenzie and Jory Hills vineyards. It has pretty aromas of stone fruit, beeswax, hazelnut, biscuit and wellintegrated oak spice from its maturation in 25% new French oak puncheons and foudres. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and silky with layered, honey-nut flavors. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a long, creamy finish. 1,067 cases were made.

The 2022 Chardonnay Willamette Valley comes from the Zena Crown, Willakenzie and Jory Hills vineyards. It has pretty aromas of stone fruit, beeswax, hazelnut, biscuit and wellintegrated oak spice from its maturation in 25% new French oak puncheons and foudres. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and silky with layered, honey-nut flavors. It’s balanced by vibrant acidity and has a long, creamy finish. 1,067 cases were made.