Vinography Unboxed: The Week of October 18, 2026

This week’s tasting roundup features sparkling wine from Oregon and new releases from Washington and Napa Valley, including several notable bottles.

Banke Wines, a new sparkling-wine project from Jackson Family Wines, takes its name from company CEO Barbara Banke—though she says she did not choose it. Its Blanc de Blancs impressed with bright lemon zest and a balance of fresh fruit and the rounded character gained through extended aging on the lees.

Washington winemaker Erica Orr came to wine after working as a laboratory technician at UCSF and meeting winemaker Aaron Pott. Following internships, graduate study, and years as a consulting enologist, she began making her own wines. Her Old Vine Chenin Blanc and Salumeria Blend are approachable, tasty, and reasonably priced.

Napa’s Girard Winery has passed through several owners since its original Oakville winery and brand were sold in 1996. After Vintage Wine Estates went bankrupt in 2024, Girard and other brands were acquired by Jay Adair and brought together under Adair Family Wines. This week’s standouts include Girard’s bright Sauvignon Blanc and its dark, richly flavored Charbono and Mixed Blacks blend.

Hensel West is a new project from Will and Amanda Phelps. Will is part of the third generation of the Phelps family in Napa, following his grandfather Joseph, who founded Joseph Phelps Vineyards in 1973. The couple hired Ashley Hepworth, who spent 15 years making wine at Joseph Phelps. The new releases—Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and a Bordeaux-style blend—are all solid, with the red blend standing out for its refined texture and restrained fruit. The wines are allocated, and pricing was not provided.

Tasting notes

Sparkling and white wines

NV Banke Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon — $70
Pale gold, with fine bubbles and aromas of apple, sea air, and lemon peel. A soft mousse carries lemon, pomelo, and oyster-shell flavors, supported by lively acidity and a touch of salinity. Vanilla and crushed nuts linger on the finish. Barrel-fermented and aged 47 months on the lees; 12.5% alcohol. Score: 9–9.5.

2025 Orr Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley, Washington — $28
Pear and candied ginger lead the nose and palate, joined by white flowers, citrus pith, and a faint lanolin note. Acidity is moderate. Score: about 8.5.

2025 Girard Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California — $21
Aromas and flavors of green apple and passionfruit meet a hint of green bell pepper. Bright, with decent acidity. Score: about 8.5.

2025 Hensel West Riverbound Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California — price not provided
White flowers, oak, and apple appear on the nose. Juicy acidity brings out lemon pith, tart apple, and crushed nuts, while prominent oak makes the wine feel somewhat narrow at this stage. Score: about 8.5.

Red wines

2024 Orr Salumeria Blend, Columbia Valley, Washington — $30
A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, with cherry, cocoa, sawdust, and dried-herb notes. Faint, gauzy tannins and decent acidity. Score: about 8.5.

2022 Girard Charbono, Calistoga, Napa Valley, California — $75
Blueberry, woodsmoke, espresso, and licorice aromas lead to smoky blackberry and licorice flavors, framed by fine tannins. Score: about 8.5.

2022 Girard Mixed Blacks Red Blend, Napa Valley, California — $70
Blackberry, black cherry, earth, licorice, espresso, and sweet oak, with plush tannins. Oak is prominent, but acidity keeps the wine fresh. Score: about 8.5.

2024 Hensel West Hyde Vineyard Syrah, Napa Valley, California — price not provided
Smooth, taut flavors of black cherry and blueberry meet fine, powdery tannins, decent acidity, and a faint stony note. Score: about 8.5.

2024 Hensel West HWX Red Blend, Napa Valley, California — price not provided
A Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot blend aged for 19 months in mostly new French oak. Black cherry, blackberry, tobacco, and espresso are framed by fine-grained tannins and very good acidity. Best held for three to seven years. Score: about 9.

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!