At this point, I think that I’ve met most of the 5th generation of the Wente family (including jamming with Winegrower & Chief Land and Supply Officer Karl Wente at his then unfinished house several years ago, which is just the kind of thing that happens to people like me on wine travels, I guess).
Thanks to recent media tours, and working on the Cristaldi & Co. Livermore Valley 2025 tasting report, that list now includes Winegrower & Brand Manager of Murrieta’s Well Jordan Wente, as well as Winegrower & Director of Vineyard Operations Niki Wente.
Much has been penned about the history and historical significance of Wente’s multiple generations of wine production, so I won’t retell all of that again here. But during one of my visits, Jordan Wente described the Wente operation like this:
“We’re like the world’s oldest ‘startup’!”
I think that is about the best encapsulation of their endeavors that I have yet heard.
Of course, I also got to meet more of their wines, which is why we are here, after all. So… without further ado… let’s get drinkin’!
2024 Wente Niki’s Pinot Noir Rosé, Arroya Secco, $35
Niki was justifiably proud about how well this vintage of her rosé was tasting. Sourced from Arroyo Secco estate fruit, it’s floral and perky, with dominant aromas and flavors of red berries and just a hint of structure in the mouth. The watermelon-tinged finish is a legit closer.
2023 Wente Limited Edition Chardonnay, Central Coast, $45
Just six barrels of this Chardonnay were made, and it spent thirteen months in French oak and stainless steel. Peaches and cream abound, and they are balanced in assertiveness by aromas of white flowers, lemon meringue, and warm baking spices. The palate continues the balancing act of richness, verve, and roundness, with toast and apples bringing it all home.
2020 Wente Limited Edition Cabernet Franc, Livermore Valley, $50
Juicy dark red fruit action, herbal spices, savory dark tobacco… I immediately liked where this all was headed on the nose. The mouthfeel is great: silky on entry, then sultry in its red fruit flavor, and then jumping with potent acidity and ample tannins. Date night wine, all the way. By the way, I also tasted the 2022, and it’s smokin’—still young, but just as sultry and structured, and trending a bit more on the black cherry and oak side of things.
2020 Wente Nth Degree Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley, $120
Spending 22 months in all new French oak, this label remains Wente’s top-tier Cab Sauv, sourced from two different vineyards in this vintage. Wood and baking spices hit first, then rich cassis fruit and a metric ton of dark tobacco. It’s silky, but also mineral, and the finish hardly quits, bringing waves of dried herbs, sultry red berries, and savory black plums. By the way (again), the 2021 vintage of this label (sourced from five different vineyards) is just as kick-ass, but brings a bit more spice action in its black licorice, dark chocolate, and cocoa powder overtones, while remaining both chewy and sophisticated.
2020 Wente Nth Degree Syrah, Livermore Valley, $90
Game, smoke, black figs, black pepper, black raspberry, blueberries, plums… this one gets irresistible fast. The cellar calculation at Wente these days seems to be MEATY + MINERAL = 💪😋🤘 and that one is working out in spades here. It’s one of those reds that sneaks up on you in that it’s soooo easy to drink, but then you are continually surprised at its depth and complexity even though it’s supposed to be that deep and complex for that kind of coin.
2021 Wente Charles Wentmore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Livermore Valley, $NA
Very much a steakhouse red, there’s plenty to like on the nose: black olives, blackcurrants, plums, wood, cocoa, vanilla… all the stuff you’d expect from a Cali Cab. The palate is soft and spicy, occasionally seductive, and pretty much always tasty as hell.
2020 Wente Limited Release Meritage, Livermore Valley, $NA
Less than thirty barrels of this blend were made, and it spent a full two years in French oak. Savory to start, the word here is black: black olives, blackcurrant, black plums, black cherries, black licorice. Even the wood and baking spices feel dark. The mouthfeel is über-smooth, rich, and robust… BUT… the tannins come in hitting BIG just before the spicy finish kicks off.
Cheers!