:Nota Bene 2021 Heart of the Hill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – This pure varietal from a mid-mountain vineyard captures the classic style of Red Mountain Cabernet. It’s chewy and compact, with cassis and black cherry at the core. The tannins are ripe and lightly grainy, with a touch of the savory side of this variety to complement the fruit. It’s a balanced, solid effort with a decade or more of aging potential. 50 cases; 14.35%; $45 (Red Mountain) 91/100

:Nota Bene 2021 Arianses Vineyard Syrah – Despite the hefty abv this feels in some ways elegant. It opens with seamless, complex aromatics, and brings a full array of classic varietal Syrah flavors as it breathes open. Baking spices and Provençal herbs, clean earth and pastry fruits are here in abundant detail. The wine zips along clean and fresh, the lightly astringent tannins cascading down through a long finish. 50 cases; 15.2%; $35 (Wahluke Slope) 92/100