⏱ 1 min read
The Short Version
Jackson Family Wines is betting big on Oregon with Banke, a project utilizing nearly four years of lees aging for unparalleled complexity. Meanwhile, Napa’s luxury landscape shifts as the Phelps legacy evolves through the high-end debut of Hensel West.
Jackson Family Wines is betting heavily on Oregon with Banke Wines, a project named after CEO Barbara Banke. Their NV Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay from Willamette Valley shines through its 47 months of lees aging before an August 2026 disgorgement. This patience yields a brilliant lemony zing balanced by a sophisticated patina, delivering flavors of lemon peel, pomelo, and oyster shells alongside a hint of salinity and crushed nuts.
The HWX red blend is a standout, offering a refined texture and a nicely restrained expression of fruit.
Washington value meets Napa resurgence
In the Columbia Valley, Erica Orr proves high quality needn’t be expensive. Her 2025 “Old Vine” Chenin Blanc ($28) offers pear and candied ginger, while her 2024 Salumeria Blend ($30)—a Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot mix—brings cherry and cocoa wrapped in gauzy tannins. Meanwhile, Girard has been revived under Jay Adair’s Adair Family Wines following Vintage Wine Estates’ bankruptcy. The label remains approachable: try the $21 Sauvignon Blanc for bright passionfruit or the $75 Charbono for dark blueberries and woodsmoke.
High-end allocations in Napa
The luxury tier is shifting with Hensel West, a new project from Will and Amanda Phelps. As the third generation of the Phelps family to make wine in Napa, Will carries on the legacy established by his grandfather Joseph Phelps in 1973. To maintain that standard, they hired Ashley Hepworth, who spent 15 years making wines at Joseph Phelps. The HWX red blend is a standout, offering a refined texture and a nicely restrained expression of fruit. This Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot blend is aged for 19 months in 80% new French oak and carries a $200 price point. While the 2024 “Riverbound Vineyard” Sauvignon Blanc feels somewhat narrow due to its oak presence, these inaugural releases are must-watch names for those tracking the Napa Valley landscape.
When looking at emerging labels like Banke or Hensel West, do you prioritize established brand names or follow the specific winemakers behind the cellar door?
Questions & Answers
What are the flavor profiles of Banke Wines NV Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay?
Banke Wines NV Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay features a bright lemony zing balanced by a sophisticated patina. The wine delivers complex flavors of lemon peel, pomelo, and oyster shells alongside subtle notes of crushed nuts and a hint of salinity. This specific character is achieved through an extensive aging process of 47 months on the lees before its scheduled disgorgement in August 2026. This patient approach creates a refined sparkling experience from the Willamette Valley.
How much do Erica Orr's wines typically cost in the Columbia Valley?
Erica Orr offers high-quality wines in the Columbia Valley at accessible price points ranging from $28 to $30. Her 2025 Old Vine Chenin Blanc is priced at $28 and provides notes of pear and candied ginger. Alternatively, her 2024 Salumeria Blend costs $30 and consists of a Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot mix. These selections demonstrate that premium quality can be achieved without a high luxury price tag in the Washington wine region.
What makes the Hensel West HWX red blend a luxury contender in Napa?
The Hensel West HWX red blend is a high-end Napa wine characterized by its refined texture and restrained fruit expression. This premium blend is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. To achieve its sophisticated profile, the wine is aged for 19 months using 80% new French oak. With a price point of $200, it represents a significant new luxury project led by the third generation of the Phelps family.
Who is responsible for the new Hensel West winery project in Napa Valley?
Will and Amanda Phelps are the creators behind the new Hensel West winery project in Napa Valley. Will Phelps represents the third generation of his family to produce wine in the region, continuing the legacy started by his grandfather Joseph Phelps in 1973. To ensure the highest production standards, the duo hired Ashley Hepworth, an experienced winemaker who previously spent 15 years making wines at Joseph Phelps.
Originally reported by Vinography.
