Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of June 14, 2026

Welcome to the latest edition of Vinography Unboxed, where I showcase some interesting wine samples that recently arrived for tasting.

To kick off summer, I recommend the Sauvignon Blanc from Spottswoode Winery. Sourced from Napa and Sonoma Counties, this wine delivers a classic profile with bright tropical and green apple notes, plus a touch of salinity. It’s a crowd favorite in my home.

Another highlight is the inaugural white wine from Silver Oak Cellars, their 2025 Sauvignon Blanc. This marks a significant shift for Silver Oak, known for their robust reds. This wine has a pleasing profile that is likely to appeal, though I hope future iterations take on a more vibrant character.

I also sampled a Sauvignon Blanc from a relatively new winery, Balsall Creek, located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Founded in 2023 by Jon and Lesli Owens, their wine carries a lovely tropical essence, complemented by fresh oak hints. Notably, their Estate Chardonnay stood out with flavors of lemon and a dash of oak.

Moving on to Finite Cellars, a venture by Ben Eyer and Stephanie Bojarski, I tasted their Pinot Noirs and Chardonnay. Their Chardonnay impressed me most with its remarkable electric acidity.

To wrap up, I indulged in three captivating Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa, each showcasing unique characteristics. Far Niente offers a popular, full-bodied 2023 Cabernet with rich fruit and substantial oak. Taplin Cellars presents their Terra 9 Cabernet, notable for dark fruit and a lighter, environmentally conscious alcohol level. Lastly, I favored the 2022 Cabernet from Smith-Madrone, exhibiting elegance and balance from its hillside vineyards.

Tasting Notes

2025 Spottswoode Winery Sauvignon Blanc

• Color: Palest greenish-gold
• Nose: Green apple, cut grass, kiwifruit
• Palate: Green apple and kiwi with grassy notes, nice salinity, and excellent acidity
• Alcohol: 14%
• Score: 9 to 9.5
• Cost: $50

2025 Silver Oak Sauvignon Blanc

• Color: Palest gold
• Nose: Green and golden apples, lemon pith, vanilla
• Palate: Kiwi, passionfruit, saline green apple, hint of vanilla
• Alcohol: 14.2%
• Score: 8.5 to 9
• Cost: $40

2022 Balsall Creek Sauvignon Blanc

• Color: Palest greenish gold
• Nose: Candied green apples, passionfruit
• Palate: Tropical with guava, passionfruit, green apple, light chalky texture
• Alcohol: 13.1%
• Score: 8.5 to 9
• Cost: $45

2021 Balsall Creek “Estate” Chardonnay

• Color: Pale gold
• Nose: Candied lemon peel, buttered toast, orange peel
• Palate: Bright lemon flavors with hints of toasted nuts and oak
• Alcohol: 13.2%
• Score: Around 9
• Cost: $45

2024 Finite Cellars Chardonnay

• Color: Palest gold
• Nose: Lemon pith, white flowers
• Palate: Vibrant acidity, juicy lemon and pomelo flavors
• Alcohol: 12.9%
• Score: Around 9
• Cost: $45

2023 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon

• Color: Very dark garnet
• Nose: Black cherries, tobacco leaf
• Palate: Blackcurrant, blueberries with muscular tannins
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Score: Around 9
• Cost: $100

2023 Taplin Vineyards “Terra 9” Cabernet Sauvignon

• Color: Inky opaque garnet
• Nose: Black cherries, licorice
• Palate: Black cherries and herbs with supple tannins
• Alcohol: 13.9%
• Score: 8.5 to 9
• Cost: $75

2022 Smith-Madrone Cabernet Sauvignon

• Color: Dark garnet
• Nose: Black cherries, green herbs
• Palate: Core of black cherry, excellent acidity
• Alcohol: 14.2%
• Score: 9 to 9.5
• Cost: $65

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!