50+ wines reviewed below and in the database, including the latest from Avennia, Balsall Creek, Capital Call, Dunham, Echolands, Estival, La Rata, Left Coast, Luke, Mercer, Square the Circle, Top Source, and X Novo.

The wines include several debuts. The first is from X Novo. The winery was founded by Craig Williams and his family and has two estate vineyards in Willamette Valley’s Eola-Amity Hills. Williams spent 32 years at Joseph Phelps and was senior vice president of winegrowing from 1999 to 2008, in charge of all winemaking decisions.

As reviewed below, the X Novo wines are some of the highest quality offerings of their respective varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir – that I’ve had from the Pacific Northwest or frankly from anywhere. They bring a rare combination of complexity, intensity, textural richness, balance, length, and acidic verve. They are completely breathtaking. The wines are offered via the winery’s mailing list. Look for an upcoming article on X Novo.

The next is Square the Circle. This includes the 2024 Door to the Sky Albariño and 2024 The Universe Smiles Upon You Rosé. Both are delicious and highly recommended. The label designs are also beautiful.

Finally, there is ESTIVAL. This is a new project from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates with a focus on aromatic whites. The Sauvignon Blanc, reviewed below, is the first wine. The branding is gorgeous, and the wine is even better. An ESTIVAL Chenin Blanc from the 2025 vintage will follow.

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At Northwest Wine Report, all scores come from blind tastings in varietal/style sets. Read more about this site’s process for rating and reviewing wines. See the Northwest Wine Report rating system and special designations. Read about how to interpret scores. See a list of recently reviewed producers.

Note that access to reviews and ratings at Northwest Wine Report requires a subscription. Wineries submitting wines are under no obligation whatsoever to subscribe and can receive reviews freely after they have been published by contacting [email protected].

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