Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of May 31, 2026

Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I explore a selection of wine samples that have recently arrived at my doorstep.

This week featured new offerings from Rhys Vineyards, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. They generously provided three wines from their Mt. Pajaro Vineyard, a remarkable 18.6-acre site characterized by brown and black shale and sandstone. All three wines were impressive, with the Chardonnay standing out for its vibrant energy. The Chenin Blanc offered delightful flavors, while the Pinot Noir showcased a beautiful umami quality alongside its bright fruit flavors. While these wines are primarily available to mailing list customers, they can also be found on the secondary market.

I also tasted the final two wines from the collaboration between Aperture Cellars and Montage Resort, situated near Healdsburg. The Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon are both excellent representations of their varietals. However, these wines will primarily be offered to guests of the resort and its restaurant for the time being.

One of my favorite wine styles is white Pinot Noir, which refers to still white wines made from red Pinot Noir grapes. My first encounter with this unique style was with Domaine Serene in Oregon, where winemaker Tony Rynders helped popularize it. Recently, I’ve also discovered Adonna Wines in Sonoma, created by Donna Kato, a successful biotech executive and philanthropist. Their white Pinot Noir is notably vibrant and reminiscent of a vin clair from Champagne, perfectly aligning with my preference for higher acidity.

This week, I have several Portuguese white wines to recommend, including an Arinto from Quinta da Murta, a Dão Encruzado from Casa de Passarella, and a lovely Fernão Pires from Quinta do Casal Branco in the Tejo region. Among these, the standout was an old-vine white from Rui Roboredo Madeira, produced in the Beira Interior region of Portugal. This wine is a blend of various indigenous grape varieties, though specific details on the vineyard’s age and grape composition remain elusive.

To round out this week’s recommendations is a red wine from Portugal’s Taboadella project, owned by the Amorim family in the Dão region. This historically significant site dates back to before 1255 and has been producing wine since Roman times. The single-variety Touriga Nacional I recommend is aromatic, bright, and delicious.

Tasting Notes

2023 Rhys Vineyards “Mt. Pajaro Vineyard” Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
A light gold hue, exuding aromas of lemon oil, flint, and pink grapefruit. On the palate, it presents electric acidity with flavors of lemon peel and pomelo zest, complemented by a slight chalky texture. Score: 9.5 to 10. Cost: $70. click to buy.

2023 Rhys Vineyards “Mt. Pajaro Vineyard” Chenin Blanc, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Pale gold in color with notes of pear and ginger. It offers bright acidity and flavors of pear, grapefruit, and a touch of candied ginger. Score: 9 to 9.5. Cost: $59. click to buy.

2025 Aperture Cellars “Montage Estate Vineyard” Sauvignon Blanc, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California
Pale gold with aromas of gooseberries and green apple, leading to flavors of passionfruit. It remains crisp with a lively finish. Score: around 9. Cost: n/a.

2024 Adonna “White – Canfield Vineyard” Pinot Noir Blanc, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California
Light bronze color and aromas of cherries and orange peel. It is lean yet crisp, with a nice citrusy finish. Score: 8.5 to 9. Cost: $65.

2024 Quinta da Murta “The Wine of Shakespeare” Arinto, Bucelas, Lisboa, Portugal
Pale straw gold with floral and citrus notes. It is bright and juicy with a lingering finish. Score: 8.5 to 9. Cost: $??.

2024 Casa da Passarella Encruzado, Dão, Portugal
Light gold with floral aromas, it offers pear and citrus pith flavors and refreshing acidity. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $??.

2023 Quinta do Casal Branco “Falcoaria Vinhas Velhas” Fernão Pires, Tejo, Portugal
Light gold with notes of citrus and unripe apples. It is bright with a lovely texture. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $??.

2024 Rui Roboredo Madeira “Beyra Vinhas Velhas” White Blend, Beira Interior, Portugal
Light gold, showing white flowers and citrus flavors. It’s stony and bright with a hint of nuts. Score: 8.5 to 9. Cost: $18. click to buy.

2023 Rhys Vineyards “Mt. Pajaro Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Medium garnet, with raspberry and cola aromas. A well-balanced wine with excellent acidity and forest floor notes. Score: 9 to 9.5. Cost: $79. click to buy.

2023 Aperture Cellars “Montage Estate Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California
Dark garnet with black cherry and herbal notes, it offers a juicy palate with great acidity. Score: around 9. Cost: n/a.

2022 Taboadella Touriga Nacional, Dão, Portugal
Dark garnet with notes of black cherry and herbs. This wine has bright acidity and a beautiful finish. Score: 8.5 to 9. Cost: $28. click to buy.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!