Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of June 21, 2026

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Vinography Unboxed! This week features several notable wine samples, including new releases from a Napa Valley project and some reflections on vineyard closures.

First up is Dôi Dá, an estate founded by Cuong Pham and his family, who are well-known for their Red Boat Fish Sauce. Under the guidance of winemaker Nova Cadamatre MW, they recently released a Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet from Yountville. While both wines are solid, they don’t quite reach the impressive heights of their earlier Cabernet bottling. Specifically, the Sauvignon Blanc could benefit from more acidity.

Next, I sampled several new wines from Big Table Farm, an Oregon producer admired for their organic, biodynamic practices in the Willamette Valley. I tasted their Wild Bee Chardonnay, a rosé, and the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, all of which were commendable choices.

A significant update came from Stuart Bewley, who announced that the 2026 vintage will mark the end of farming at Alder Springs Vineyard in Mendocino County. This vineyard has provided fruit for numerous respected producers over the years, making its closure a considerable loss. This week, I explored a few Syrahs from Alder Springs, including a selection from Six Cloves Wines, helmed by winemaker Sonoe Hirabayashi, and a mini vertical tasting from Quigley Family Wines. The standout was their 2021 Syrah. I also tasted an older 2007 Syrah from Arnot-Roberts, which is beautifully aged and complex.

Here’s a summary of the wines I reviewed this week:

Tasting Notes

2025 Dôi Dá Sauvignon Blanc, Carneros, Napa, California

• Score: 8.5
• Cost: $35
• Description: Pale greenish gold, with notes of white flowers, nuts, and apples. Silky with oak influence, but lacking acidity.

2024 Big Table Farm “The Wild Bee” Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon

• Score: 9
• Cost: $34
• Description: Pale gold; lemon, chamomile, and flower aromas; excellent acidity.

2024 Big Table Farm “Laughing Pig” Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

• Score: 9
• Cost: $35
• Description: Pale ruby with orange hints; flavors of raspberries and a touch of herbs.

2024 Big Table Farm Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

• Score: 8.5 to 9
• Cost: $50
• Description: Light garnet; aromas of berries and herbs with excellent acidity.

2024 Six Cloves “Alder Springs Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, California

• Score: 8.5
• Cost: $62
• Description: Dusty and herbal with good acidity.

2019 Quigley Family Wines “Alder Springs Vineyard” Syrah, Mendocino County, California

• Score: 8.5
• Cost: $45
• Description: A dark ruby wine with cocoa and cherry notes.

2021 Quigley Family Wines “Alder Springs Vineyard” Syrah, Mendocino County, California

• Score: 8.5 to 9
• Cost: $45
• Description: Dark garnet, meaty cherry flavors with a dusty finish.

2022 Quigley Family Wines “Alder Springs Vineyard” Syrah, Mendocino County, California

• Score: 8.5 to 9
• Cost: $45
• Description: Earthy and meaty with dried fruits.

2007 Arnot-Roberts “Alder Springs Vineyard” Syrah, Mendocino County, California

• Score: 9 to 9.5
• Description: Complex and aged with floral and meaty characteristics.

2024 Dôi Dá Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville, Napa, California

• Score: 8.5 to 9
• Cost: $50
• Description: Dark garnet with rich fruit and a well-structured tannin profile.

In summary, this week showcases both the excitement of new wine releases and the bittersweet news of vine closures that impact the broader wine community.

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!