2023 Orr Wines Old Vines Chenin Blanc - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (11/30/2025)
Been a while since I have had WA St’s most famous Chenin, and that is a gross negligence on my part. This was simply great. At once powerful and structured, but also simultaneously round and voluptuous, imparting lemony citrus and chalk, great acidity, and closing wake of flaky sea salt. Kept improving all night so I might sit on my 2nd bottle for a few years, i can see this improving. Excellent.
Sorry for replying to such an old thread. I’m not on the board much anymore, but my wife and I relocated to PT about 18 months ago from LA. If any OlyPen folks want to meet up, we’d be interested
Concur wholeheartedly with your Orr Chenin Blanc assessment. Absolute fantastic year after year and every time I drink one I’m reminded that I need to buy more. Terrific wine made by a terrific winemaker. Thanks for the reminder!
I hopped into the way-back machine with this cheap auction bottle and am sure glad I did! Kestrel was one of the first handful of wineries I started visiting way back when learning about wine. They always made great Syrah. This was a treat and a trip down memory lane.
2002 Kestrel Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Edition Old Vine - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley (11/30/2025)
Considering its age, the vineyard pedigree is showing. Alive and well at 23, this shows dark plum and a pleasing minty undertone. Not porty or sloppy at all. Really tasty.
