Bethel Heights 2022 Pinot Noir “Casteel” Eola Amity Hills 97 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “Medium yellow with a light gold tinge, the 2022 Chardonnay Casteel has lovely light reductive and briny notes, a jasmine floral profile, and hints of fresh golden apples and lemon oils. Full-bodied, how could you not love this? It’s a lovely, outstanding wine with a fantastic, long finish. A true pleasure-packed wine, it taps into just joyful, hedonistic pleasure. Outstanding. Drink 2024-2040.”

Decanter 97 Points: “Concentrated aromatics of dusty rose petals, smoky hoisin sauce and notes of toasted sesame oil. The palate is intense, centered around opaque bramble fruits, there is a muddled strawberry freshness, further carried by spicy chicory root, tart pomegranate, and delicious notes of dried anise. A wine of elegance, certainly, but with concentration and structure to unwind beautifully over a decade.”

Robert Parker 96 Points: “Intoxicating scents of pomegranate liqueur, blackberry jam, Earl Grey tea leaves and earth. Concentrated and powerful! Fine, chalky tannins and mouthwatering acidity and a long, floral and spice-laced finish.”

Winemaker Notes: “The 2022 Casteel includes five blocks selected from Lewman Vineyard and the Western slopes of Bethel Heights, which unintentionally form a straight North-South line between the two vineyards. This was born of many blind tastings at the blending table, not a conscious choice to pull from a specific vein of the property. It’s comforting to know that the Casteel, in our view the best wine of the vintage, is coming not from our oldest vines, but from grafted vines ranging from 26 to 30 years of age. As we begin the bittersweet process of replanting the original vines at Bethel Heights, there is solace in knowing that we have tremendous material still at hand, and the promise of what is to come from replanting into the future.”