Usually on Fridays, I publish tasting notes for some of the wines that I receive as samples. That is true again today, as all the wines listed below landed on my doorstep for me to review. What makes these three producers a bit different than the “Random Samples” that normally populate my Friday posts? I can honestly say that these are some of my favorite producers. I have not belonged to a wine club in over a decade, but if I were to join one again, it might just be one of these.

2022 Alma de Cattleya Pinot Noir , Sonoma County, CA: Retail $35. Responsible Bottle (502g; 1lb 1.7oz). DIAM5 Closure. It has been several years now that I have been reviewing Bibiana González Rave’s wines and, well, wow. White, red, rosé, it does not matter, the wines are tasty, balanced, on point. As is this Pinot, which might be her best thus far. Bright, luscious fruit on the nose, mostly black cherry but also some black berry and maybe even cassis. Add some earth, clove, and verve. The palate? Pretty darned close to a whoa. Silky, sexy, and smooth this Pinot starts off with the fruit, but the tartness quickly asserts itself and the two remain in concert through the finish. A lovely wine. OK, Whoa. Outstanding. 93 Points. 

2022 Alma de Cattleya Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA: Retail $60. Responsible bottle. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. I have tasted several vintages of Bibiana’s wines, close to two cases in total, but this is only the second Cabernet Sauvignon (the other was way back in 2016). Given the appellation (Napa Valley), I had a preconceived notion; I assumed this would be big, overly fruity, and intense. Well. None of that. Sure, there is fruit, but it is balanced with a nice acidity and a very approachable “vibe” (I am not sure how many Napa Cabs are described using the word “vibe”). It all works, however, and this is a quaffable wine that is ready to enjoy now. Very Good. 89 Points.

2022 Covenant Chardonnay Lavan, Sonoma Mountain, CA: Retail $42. Responsible Bottle (595g; 1lb 5oz). Agglomerated stopper. This is the 14th vintage of this wine but the first that I have “officially” reviewed. I certainly hope it is not the last. The website proclaims that this “reminds us of what great white Burgundy tastes like!” While such statements about American Chardonnay are usually met with more than a modicum of disdain (particularly by the French, which vintner and francophile Jeff Morgan no doubt knows better than most), I have to admit that it is pretty apt here. While I struggle a bit to place it (is it more Chassagne or Puligny? Probably the latter as it is not Meursault), this wine, a light straw with lemon rind, hazelnut, and distinct salinity in the glass, is indeed fantastic and worthy of being in the conversation with its more renowned French cousins. Having spent 11 months in French oak (50% new), I would have thought the oak presence would have been heavier, more dominant. But clearly this Sonoma Mountain fruit can handle it; sure, the wood is there, but it is at it should be, a part of the whole. On the palate, this wine continues that theme as the fruit, the tartness, the weight, depth, and yes, oak all play roles, all in concert with one another. And for me, that is the key to Chardonnay; no facet should outshine (or worse, overpower) another. And that is what we have here. Wonderful. Outstanding. 94 Points. 

2021 Covenant Red C, Sonoma County, CA: etail $44. Responsible Bottle. Petite Sirah, Malbec, Zinfandel, Syrah. I have a bit of familiarity with Covenant wines and, in my opinion, far too much time is spent talking about the fact that the wines are Kosher. Yeah. Cool. So what? The only reason I bring that up is that so many people (read: non-Jews) hear that and think “Oh that’s not for me”. Well, that is BS. This wine (and all good Kosher wines–make no mistake, there are some bad ones) is good for anyone at any time. Well, almost. When I first opened this wine and poured a quick glass, it was a bit of a fruity mess: tons of fruit, not much direction, little depth (88 Points). But. With a bit of time open, this came around. Yes, still a ton of fruit (mostly dark) with a nice dose of tartness, and even some depth/intrigue. Still, more of a pizza/pasta wine with all of that fruit but those wines need loving, too. And I love this wine (90 Points). I then put a cork in the half-full wine. The following day? All my gripes were gone; this was fruity, tart, balanced, and earthy. I said all of my gripes were gone. Except one. The bottle emptied far too easily. Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Troon Vineyard Druid’s White, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $25. Very Responsible bottle (471g; 1lb 0.6oz). The exact blend is never revealed (rather cheeky of Troon), but the website lists “Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Picpoul Blanc, Clairette Blanche, Bourboulenc and Vermentino” as possible in the blend. Golden in color with a lovely nose of tropical fruit and lemon curd with even a touch of caramel. The palate is fantastic: great fruit, intense tartness, depth of flavors, and incredible character. All that for twenty-five bucks? Sign me up every day (and twice on Sunday). Excellent. 92 Points.

2022 Troon Vineyard Druid’s Red, Applegate Valley, OR: Retail $25. Very Responsible bottle (471g; 1lb 0.6oz). Under DIAM. “The 2022 Druid’s Red blend is composed primarily of grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre, along with a lagniappe of other varieties.” No longer called “Druid’s Fluid” but more simply “Druid’s Red”, this deep magenta wine is approachable from the first to last drop. Tons of fruit both on the nose and the palate, most of it dark with blackberry, blueberry, and even boysenberry floating around. There is also a bubblegum aspect that makes me think there is at least a touch of carbonic maceration going on. Fruity and fun with plenty of tartness; a fantastic burger, pizza kinda wine. Excellent. 90 Points.