2021 The Classic

Each year, a highlight of my trip is checking in with Matt Reynvaan to taste their Rhône-focused mix of wines from two distinctly different terroirs. The Reynvaan family farms two estate vineyards, the In The Rocks Vineyard (within The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater) and the Foothills in the Sun Vineyard (on the foothills of the Blue Mountains). I often speak about the terroir of the Rocks District, with its rounded river stones that run many meters deep. However, the differences are drastic when tasting those wines next to the wines from Foothills in the Sun. This site mixes deep silty loam and clay at elevations peaking at 1600 feet. Diurnal shifts can be as drastic as 40 degrees, which helps the wines retain acidity. This is a stunning portfolio of Rhône reds and whites that speak of the earth. The Syrahs alone are enough to fully satisfy a Northern-Rhône-lover—animalistic, deeply mineral and brimming with savory character. As for the whites, they are rich and racy yet pure. Most of what I tasted this year are 2021s, a vintage that brings a lot of power into the mix, but these wines maintain fantastic balance. It will be amazing to watch them age over the coming decades. Matt Reynvaan also poured some of his 2022 whites, which marry richness with freshness in a way that boggles the mind. These are deeply textural wines that are packed full of vividly ripe fruit. For lovers of Bordeaux varieties, check out Cabernet-Sauvignon-driven The Classic and the varietal Merlot. Reynvaan is a name for the bucket list.