Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of May 11, 2025

Hello and welcome to this week’s overview of intriguing wine samples that have recently arrived for tasting. In this installment of Vinography Unboxed, I’m excited to share some notable bottles from various vintners.

This week featured exciting new releases from Raventós i Blanc, a historic sparkling wine producer from Catalunya, Spain, which has recently departed from the Cava DO classification to pursue its own designation in the Conca del Riu Anoia. Their sparkling wines, crafted from biodynamically farmed blends, stood out. I sampled four of their offerings, including the $200 single site Mas de Serral and the standout, Manuel Raventós Negra, known for its exquisite butter-cracker toastiness and salinity.

Representing local wines, St. Supery, part of the Chanel luxury brand family, sent a selection including two Sauvignon Blancs, a rosé, and a Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate Sauvignon Blanc elicits flavors of green apple and passionfruit, whereas the Dollarhide Vineyard variant adds barrel fermentation notes, showcasing lemon and vanilla undertones. Their rosé delivers cherry and watermelon rind character, while the Cabernet from Dollarhide Vineyard combines sweet oak with black cherry but maintains a bright acidity.

I also tasted the latest Jurassic Park Chenin Blanc from Birichino, which showcases lovely flavors though appeared softer in acidity than desired. The notable Big Table Farm from Oregon offered its reliable Laughing Pig Rosé of Pinot Noir, crisp and refreshing as always.

The trend of light and chillable red wines continues with Copain Wines’s P2, a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, offering a crunchy texture and light grip that fits the current demand perfectly.

I was introduced to a new brand, Nestweaver, founded by Caren Frutig Hatton of Arietta fame. This personal Pinot Noir project aims for a luxury status with a $125 price tag for its second vintage. While it’s a nice wine, the high price point seems ambitious for such a young label.

From Washington State, the Trothe Winery also features a second label, Sagebreaker, presenting a Bordeaux blend that leans rich and bold, although I found it a bit heavy compared to my preferences but still flavorful.

Tasting Notes

2021 Raventos i Blanc “Textures de Pedra – Blanc de Negra Brut Nature”
A light gold bubbly with aromas of baked apples and lemon pith, delivering a smooth mousse with flavors of apple and wet stone. Zero dosage. Alcohol: 12.5%. Cost: $30.

2022 Raventos i Blanc “de la Finca”
This enticing wine offers notes of freshly cut apples and flavors of yellow plum with a crisp finish. Alcohol: 12%. Cost: $35. click to buy.

2018 Raventos i Blanc “Manuel Raventós Negra”
Sophisticated with layers of lemon and grapefruit pith, butter crackers, and dried herbs. Alcohol: 12%. Cost: $100. click to buy.

2014 Raventos i Blanc “Mas del Serral”
With a complex profile of baked apples and butterscotch, complemented by salinity in the finish. Cost: $195. click to buy.

2024 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc
Showcasing candied apple and passionfruit with good acidity. Alcohol: 13.5%. Cost: $21. click to buy.

2023 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery “Dollarhide” Sauvignon Blanc
This wine features lemon curd and vanilla notes with excellent brightness. Alcohol: 13.5%. Cost: $48. click to buy.

2024 Birichino “Old Vines – Jurassic Park Vineyard” Chenin Blanc
Displaying pear flavors with a hint of grapefruit pith, though softer acidity. Alcohol: 13.5%. Cost: $28. click to buy.

2024 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery Rosé
A nice coppery pink with cherry and watermelon flavors but hints at chalky texture in the finish. Alcohol: 13.5%. Cost: $28. click to buy.

2024 Big Table Farm “Laughing Pig” Rosé of Pinot Noir
Delivers bright berry flavors with excellent acidity. Alcohol: 13.9%. Cost: $36. click to buy.

2023 Copain “P2” Red Blend
This refreshing red mix of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris offers crisp flavors and a herbal finish. Alcohol: 12%. Cost: $38. click to buy.

2022 Nestweaver Pinot Noir
Bright raspberry combined with cherry and cranberry notes, maintaining good acidity. Alcohol: 14%. Cost: $125. click to buy.

2022 Sagebreaker “D-41-BDX” Red Blend
Rich flavors of cherry and chocolate. Alcohol: 14.5%. Cost: $84.

2021 St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery “Dollarhide” Cabernet Sauvignon
Includes deep black fruit flavors, balanced by good acidity. Alcohol: 14.5%. Cost: $134. 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!