Wine Reviews

94

Brassfield Estate Winery 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, Block 14, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($65)

A bold entry, with teeth-grabbing notes of plum and plum pith, dried violets, and licorice. Minerality goes deep from volcanic soils, aligned with a fine acid structure and silky, but sturdy tannins.

93

Brassfield Estate Winery 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($35)

Licorice and espresso join up on a suede-lined path, with emerging notes of blackberry and graphite. Spiced tobacco and lavender are layered for more impact.

97

Brassfield Estate Winery 2022 Syrah, Perspective Vineyard, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($105)

This vineyard sits 3,000 feet above sea level, the winery’s highest elevation site. Planted with six different Syrah clones, it not only speaks to the volcanic terroir of High Valley but also brings a comparison to a fine Northern Rhône style red. The seamless integration of tannins offers a textural paradigm of firm and supple. Its velvet mouthfeel and chalky mineral tonality fields flavors of plum and violets, with a vivacious, palate-coating fennel-cedar finish.

93

Brassfield Estate Winery 2023 Eruption, Proprietary Red Wine, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($38)

Dynamic red that entertains the palate with licorice-washed blackberry and black-peppered tree bark. Volcanic soils are immediately apparent as the top of the palate engages with a surge of graphite and roasted dark coffee beans. A notable single-vineyard red blend from an austere site.

96

Brassfield Estate Winery 2023 Pinot Noir Reserve, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($105)

Mouth-filling flavors of wild berries, red tea, and sweet tobacco. Goose-down pillow mouthfeel is seductive and sparked with white pepper. It finishes with sweet soil and jasmine-enhanced cedar.

92

Brassfield Estate Winery 2023 Pinot Noir, High Valley Appellation, Lake County ($32)

A deep dive into a searing acidity with expressive notes of black tea, bittersweet dark chocolate, and black cherry liqueur.

93

Brassfield Estate Winery 2024 Pinot Gris, High Serenity Ranch, High Valley AVA, Lake County ($22)

Anjou pear aromas are fresh and mirrored on first sip. Leveling the field is a steely undertone, cleansing the palate and uplifting lemon verbena. Amped by a brisk acidity, this is reminiscent of a style from the Italian Alps.

92

Brassfield Estate Winery 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, High Serenity Ranch, High Valley Appellation, Lake County ($22)

Grapefruit, laurel, and honeysuckle leave salinity on the palate. Acidity is racy, creating an edgy, cutglass effect thanks to a foundation of stunning minerality.