This week, finally back in Houston after what seemed like three straight months on the road, I was able to start tackling the pile of samples that had amassed over the course of the spring.

At the top of the list were four bottles from Balverne, the sister winery of Notre Vue Estate, located in the tiny hamlet of Windsor in Sonoma County. The Notre Vue Estate is a massive 700 acre property that encompasses parts of both the Russian River Valley and Chalk Hill appellations, and half of the property has been set aside as a nature preserve (Forever Wild).

While I have never visited the winery, I have been evaluating the wines for several years now and I have been impressed with both brands. Here are the latest releases from Balverne.

2024 Balverne Pinot Noir Forever Wild Rosé, Russian River Valley, CA: This was part of The Ninth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American True Rosés (Houston, Texas) back in May. Retail $24. Light salmon/pink, even really light in the glass. We have another fantastic nose here, with lovely red fruit (strawberry, cherry) but certainly on the shy side. The palate is subtle, too, but fabulous, leaning more toward tart than fruity, but this is a really nice rosé. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2022 Balverne Chardonnay Estate Grown Forever Wild, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $35. Heavy Bottle (613g; 21.6oz). Agglomerated (non-DIAM) stopper. Of the four Balverne samples I received, this might be my favorite. Pale straw in the glass, with fruity notes of Bosc pear, lemon rind, and even a hint of pineapple. Add in some honeysuckle blossom, a touch of minerality, and hints of vanilla and oak (the 2021 was aged in French oak, 20% new–I couldn’t find the oak regimen for the 2022), and we are ready to taste. Great fruit up front on the palate, quickly joined by a zingy tartness that jumps to the forefront on the mid-palate. At the same time, there is a silky roundness (undoubtedly from the oak) that works really well as it creates a bit of tension in the wine. The finish is fruity and long, this is really a delightful wine. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2022 Balverne Pinot Noir Estate Grown Forever Wild, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $45. Heavy Bottle (612g; 21.5oz). I have sampled a few wines from Balverne over the years and they never disappoint, as is the case with this Russian River Pinot. Medium ruby color in the glass with considerable fruit: tart cherry, near-ripe strawberry, and plenty of red raspberry. The palate is equally exhilarating with all of the aforementioned fruit paired with a zingy tartness that pairs beautifully with all of that fruit. Vivacious, vibrant, and lively, this Pinot checks many a box, and would work well with just about any dish from roasted chicken to Neapolitan pizza and beyond. Delicious. Excellent. 92 Points.

2021 Balverne Zinfandel Estate Grown Forever Wild, Russian River Valley, CA: Retail $30. Responsible Bottle (582g; 20.5oz). Agglomerated stopper. Dark in color, on the verge of inky, with plenty of fruit in the glass, blackberry, cassis, even blueberry aromas cascade over the rim along with hints of violet and dark earth. The palate is fruity but perhaps falls short of a “typical” Zin fruit profile (whatever that is). The blueberry is at the fore here, with the more earthy blackberry and cassis somewhat hidden in the background (although still clearly there). The acidity here is impressive, particularly given the variety, as it joins the party fairly early on and goes toe-to-toe with the fruit. In the end, this is a delightful Zin, closer to an introspective wine than a fruit bomb, and I really love that in a Zin. Excellent. 92 Points.

2021 Balverne Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Grown Forever Wild, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $48. Heavy Bottle (696g; 24.5oz). 100% (?) Cabernet Sauvignon. Quite fruity in the glass with oodles of blueberry, plum, cassis, and blackberry. The fruit is so prevalent, in fact, it is next to impossible to pick up anything else on the nose. This theme continues on the palate, with wave after wave of juicy fruit, paired with some zesty acidity. Quite a fun quaff with a bit of spice and earth coming though on the mid-palate, carrying through to the finish. As I said, a fun quaff and likely a crowd-pleaser and likely should be consumed in the short-term. Excellent. 91 Points.