"Odedi"

9.1

Holocene Wines Codex Pinot Noir 2023, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim.

Fruity nose of raspberries, cherries, currants, spices, tobacco leaf herbs and black pepper.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with plums, cherries, spices, light wood, tobacco, chocolates and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Pinot Noir from Williamette Valley in Oregon is starting to drink nicely now. Elegant and nicely balanced. Fruity, tangy and interesting.

Needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already enjoyable, even by itself.

A good quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 7 years.

Complex, and good by itself or with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 19 months in (20% new) French oak barrels. A small production of less than 3,500 bottles.

13.3% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$50. — a month ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Purple in color with medium intensity.

Fruity nose of red and blue fruits with spices, herbs, earth, light oak, chocolates and light barnyard.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, currants, strawberries, bing cherries, chocolates, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, spices, black tea and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cranberries.

This young Pinot Noir from Yamhill-Carlton in Oregon is already starting to drink beautifully. Needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, but already delicious.

Fruit forward and spicy. Smooth with good structure. Nicely balanced with a tangy finish. Already showing nice complexity.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years and see how it evolved.

Good right out of the bottle, and much better after 45 minutes of airtime. Really worth the wait. Felt like a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir at the beginning, but got earthier as it opened up.

A tasty wine to share with friends and talk about. Good by itself or with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were fermented whole Cluster, and aged in used French oak barrels. A small production of less than 5,000 bottles.

13.6% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$70. — 3 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

The Black Square — Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from this basalt-strewn, high-desert terroir shows a distinctly savory expression, structured, mineral-driven, and aromatic. Less plush Napa, more earth and place. A refined, terroir-forward Cab with tension and character.

Aromas & Flavors
Black Forest cake, ripe dark cherry, cassis, crushed rock, dried herbs, sagebrush, violet, subtle graphite.

Mouthfeel
Medium+ body, firm yet polished tannins, dry, lifted acidity, savory and linear rather than plush. Elegant grip with excellent balance.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb chops, rosemary steak, mushroom ragù, duck breast, aged Manchego.

Verdict
A Cabernet that speaks landscape more than oak. Complex, herbaceous, and harmonious, cerebral and refined rather than showy. Terroir lovers’ Cab.

🍷 Did You Know?
The Rocks District is famous for its cobblestone soils (ancient river stones), which often give wines a distinctive savory, herbal, and stony character rarely found in classic California Cabernet. — 2 months ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Purple in color with a wide purplish rim.

Fruity nose of currants, black cherries, sweet raspberries, chocolates, light herbs and spices.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with cherries, raspberry compote, plums, tobacco, chocolates, light oak, black tea and spices.

Nice finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This 3-year-old Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley is starting to drink very nicely now. Fruit forward and elegant. Rich and buttery.

Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years.

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Soft and smooth. Tangy and interesting. Feels like a California Pinot Noir.

Good right out of the bottle, and better after 90 minutes of airtime.

Good by itself or with food.

100% Pinot Noir grapes were aged for 19 months in (25% new) French oak barrels. A tiny production of only 1,800 bottles.

13.7% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$70. — 3 months ago

romo

9.1

Enjoying these new chards from @Todd Alexander almost as much as the Pinots. — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.1

Holocene — Aureolin Chardonnay 2024
Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Oregon, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A mineral-driven, cool-climate Chardonnay sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, shaped by persistent marine winds and long, slow ripening. The wine balances precision, freshness, and layered texture, delivering a distinctly non-California expression that leans toward tension, clarity, and terroir transparency.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh citrus peel, green apple, and pear skin lead the nose, followed by subtle white florals, crushed stone, and faint saline notes. On the palate, lemon zest, underripe peach, and chalky minerality dominate, supported by restrained orchard fruit and delicate savory undertones that build quietly with air.

Mouthfeel
Linear, vibrant, and tightly coiled with crisp acidity driving the structure. Texture is fine-grained and energetic rather than creamy or heavy, offering excellent lift and persistence through the finish. The balance between tension and finesse keeps the wine refreshing while maintaining depth.

Food Pairings
Oysters or crudo. Grilled halibut with citrus and herbs. Dungeness crab. Goat cheese salads. Light poultry with lemon and thyme.

Verdict
A beautifully precise Chardonnay that reframes expectations of American expressions. Fresh, mineral, and terroir-driven, this wine delivers clarity, elegance, and compelling drinkability with excellent balance and finesse.

Did You Know?
The Eola-Amity Hills sit directly in the path of the Van Duzer Corridor, where strong afternoon ocean winds naturally slow ripening, extend hang time, and concentrate flavor development. This cooling influence is a major driver behind the region’s signature tension, mineral edge, and vibrant natural acidity.

🍷 Personal Pick
This wine genuinely shifted my perception of Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay. Not plush or oak-driven, instead focused, energetic, and quietly complex. A bottle that rewards attention and keeps pulling you back for another sip. — 2 months ago

Courtney Bo

9.7

Thanksgiving 2025 — 3 months ago

with Cheryl