Your Completely Independent Guide to Fine Wines. Wine Rating System

Transcription

1 Your Completely Independent Guide to Fine Wines Wine Rating System As good as It gets. These wines reach the peak of my personal scale of quality Outstanding. These wines are outstanding for their type and are worth the extra effort to seek out Very Good to Good. These offer real character and can be age worthy. The majority of my cellar and what I drink on a daily basis falls into this category. Good to Decent. While still good, these wines lack character or fail to show a significant number of positive traits. Quaffable to Undrinkable. Wines rated less than 80 points are not recommended. They will range from passable to flawed and undrinkable. I score wines on the above scale, and the bottle price, winery/wine reputation, and vintage have no bearing on the score. While a well-written note should not need a score, its inclusion allows a clear, easy to understand delineation of preferences. This allows a more concise note that can focus on the positive aspects of each wine as opposed to always having to explain why a wine rated 88 points isn't as good as one rated outstanding with 95 points. A precise score also forces the reviewer to make a hard decision and I will agonize over small differences in score. Having said that, and while I believe a reviewer should be as precise as possible (i.e. the old saying "aim small, miss small"), readers should interpret broadly and take any rating system with a grain of salt. The only difference between a wine I rate 89 points and one I rate 90 points (or one rated 100 points and one rated 97 points for that matter) is that I liked one a little more than the other. That's all a score tells you and a score represents the reviewer's opinion. While I use score ranges in the case of barrel samples, I will also use a range if I am unsure of a wine or if the tasting conditions do not allow enough time or focus on the wine. Wines are scored on their overall quality. The note should indicate my best guess at when the wine will be at maturity; however, drinking young, structured wines can provide just as much pleasure as drinking fully mature, completely integrated bottles. If you prefer the latter and don't like young, tannic wines or wines with primary fruit, don't open a newly released Châteauneuf-du-Pape and expect the same level of enjoyment that I get from it. While scores give you a clear idea of what I think of the wine, please realize that there are times when a less complex, easier drinking wine is actually the best wine for a given situation. I cringe every time I hear someone state that their cellar consists of only 90+ point wines (I'll ignore the source of the point rating) because I truly believe that person is missing out on a huge swath of interesting wines that deliver immense pleasure. Soft and easy are not always bad things and there are times when it doesn't get better than taking big gulps of a fresh, newly released Côtes-du-Rhône with a roast chicken or quaffing a delicious Rosé after work or with dinner. The style of the wine (described by the note) is every bit as important as the score. To me, any wine rated 85 points or higher is a wine I like, believe can be enjoyed, and has noteworthy qualities. In the case of barrel tastings, I use a range for the score. While I think it is possible to evaluate barrel samples (especially final blends), these notes should always be taken with a grain of salt. Scoring is a subjective portion of wine evaluation and as such, is simply my personal preference for a wine at a given point in time. Nothing more, nothing less. Any score or note in isolation is close to worthless and it is only after reading multiple notes and tasting multiple bottles that a reader can start to understand where the note taker is coming from. At the end of the day, the only opinion that matters is yours and my goal is to help you find a wine, either via a note or score (or both), that you will enjoy. JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 1

2 New Releases from Santa Barbara County This report looks at new releases from California s Santa Barbara County, with a focus on the newly bottled 2016s. The 2016 vintage is another terrific year for Santa Barbara County (and California in general) and the wines are layered and textured, yet also deep, concentrated, and balanced. While most are drinking nicely today, the top wines have the depth and structure as well as the overall balance and purity to evolve gracefully. The 2016s are unquestionably a step up over the more angular, foursquare 2015s. Readers can find the report, Santa Barbara County: The Classic 2014s and Variable 2015s, on the website. Looking at the 2016 growing season, the vintage presented few difficulties and the majority of winemakers I spoke with commented that the vintage was easy, if not perfect. The last year in a sequence of drought years, there were no dramatic weather events, the temperatures were warm but not overly hot, and a gradual Indian summer allowed winemakers to harvest at will. Rest assured, easy is not always best when speaking of wine, yet 2016 is certainly one of the standout vintages in the past decade, surpassing 2015, 2014, 2012, and The wines are supple, generous, and beautifully balanced, with both terrific purity of fruit and sound underlying structure. There are some similarities in style to 2014, which was a charming, forward vintage, yet the 2016s have another level of depth and richness, while still possessing plenty of upfront approachability. These are terrific wines that speak clearly of their region and site, and will evolve SANTA BARBARA COUNTY AVA Looking first at the high-level Santa Barbara County AVA, this is an all-encompassing AVA that consists of six smaller sub-avas: Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, Ballard Canyon, gracefully going forward. While the Pinot Noirs and Syrahs are standouts in the vintage, there is a bevy of brilliant Chardonnays and Bordeaux blends coming from the region as well. Thankfully, I m finding fewer and fewer enamel stripping, overly acidic Chardonnays today and winemakers have started to refine and settle in on a preferred style. The 2016s Chardonnays are rounded and beautifully textured, yet still show freshness and purity, with clearly defined site-specific characters. The top Chardonnays from Santa Barbara County are a match for the best of Burgundy, and at a tiny fraction of the price. The region is also seeing a huge influx of top talent and investment focused on making world-class Bordeaux blends, mostly from the Happy Canyon region. This is one of the most exciting new developments in the region and there are a bevy of incredible Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends in this report that are well worth your time and money. I wrote a summary of the different regions of Santa Barbara County last year, and I think it s worth repeating here. Santa Barbara County is a huge, diverse region that delivers everything from crisp, refreshing whites, savory Pinot Noirs, peppery Syrahs, and concentrated, structured Rhône and Bordeaux variety blends. Given this incredible diversity, it s critical that consumers understand the different regions and what each delivers. I do my best in the reviews to point out the vineyards and regions of each wine. Los Olivos District, and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. Each region has a distinct climate, driven mostly by its distance from the Pacific Ocean, as well as a focus on different varieties. Santa Barbara County AVA SANTA MARIA VALLEY The Santa Maria Valley AVA is in the northern part of Santa Barbara County and is a west to east-running valley influenced heavily by the Pacific Ocean. The prime grape varieties here are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, yet there s a number of brilliant Rhône variety blends as well. The key vineyards are Bien Nacido, Solomon Hills, and Sierra Madre, with other notables including Riverbench, Le Bon Climat, Dierberg and Cambria. While it doesn t have its own AVA, the Los Alamos Valley lies just to the south of the Santa Maria Valley, to the north of the Sta. Rita Hills, and has several notable vineyards. This region is slightly warmer than both Santa Maria Valley and Sta. Rita Hills, yet cooler than the Santa Ynez Valley. JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 2

3 Santa Maria Valley AVA STA RITA HILLS The Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies south of Santa Maria (and the Los Alamos Valley) and is a west to east-running valley open to the Pacific on its western edge. This is a cool, marine-influenced region that warms the further east and inland you go. It s primarily Pinot Noir and Chardonnay territory, yet it s possible to ripen Syrah (and even Grenache) on its eastern edge. In general, the Pinot Noirs from the Sta. Rita Hills show a savory, structured style (especially when compared to examples from the North Coast and Santa Lucia Highlands), with loads of spice, red fruits, and dried herbs character. Notable vineyard sites include: Babcock, Bentrock, Cargasacchi, Clos Pepe, Dierberg, Eleven Confessions Vineyard, Fe Ciega, Fiddlestix, Hilliard Bruce, John Sebastiano, La Encantada, La Rinconada, Melville, Mt Carmel, Radian, Rita s Crown, Sanford & Benedict, Sea Smoke, and Turner. Sta. Rita Hills AVA JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 3

4 BALLARD CANYON Located east of the Sta. Rita Hills is the Ballard Canyon AVA, a tiny appellation covering roughly 550 acres mostly planted to Rhône Varieties. This north to south-running valley starts at an elevation of just over 500 feet above sea level in the south and tops out at 1,165 feet at its northern border. The soils are limestone dominated near the bottom (Kimsey Vineyard) and become more and more sandy as you progress up the valley. Notable vineyard sites include: Jonata, Kimsey, Larner, Rusack, Harrison Clark, Tierra Alta, Purisima, and Stolpman. Ballard Canyon AVA LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT The Los Olivos District AVA is a newly created AVA that stretches from the eastern edge of Ballard Canyon to the western edge of Happy Canyon. It s slightly warmer than the Ballard Canyon AVA, and cooler than the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara region located to its east. This region specializes in the Rhône varietals of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre. The notable, rolling hillside vineyards include: Camp Four, Fox Family Vineyard, Honea, Tensley, and Williams-Dore. JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 4

5 Los Olivos District AVA HAPPY CANYON OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY Lastly, the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara County AVA is located on the eastern edge of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA and is the warmest sub-ava of the region. This is Bordeaux variety territory and is primarily planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, with a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc. Notable vineyard sites include: Dierberg Star Lane, Grimm, Grassini, McGinley and Vogelzang. All maps were provided by the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association and can be found at Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara County AVA JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 5

6 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2017 ROSE OF GRENACHE SANTA BARBARA HIGHLANDS VYD. SANTA BARBARA CO. $25 ROSE 92 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SANTA BARBARA CO. $30 RED 92 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE MURMUR VINEYARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $39 RED 93 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE % SANTA BARBARA HIGHLANDS VYD. MESA BLOCK SANTA BARBARA CO. $45 RED 90 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE VIE CAPRICE VINEYARD SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $47 RED 92 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE BESSON VINEYARD SANTA CLARA COUNTY $50 RED 92 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE MORRO VIEW VINEYARD EDNA VALLEY $55 RED 91 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE PROVISOR VINEYARD DRY CREEK VALLEY $55 RED 92 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE SPEAR VINEYARD STA. RITA HILLS $60 RED 93 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 GRENACHE SHAKE RIDGE RANCH AMADOR COUNTY $75 RED 93 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 LUKE NORTH COAST $55 RED 91 The 2017 Rosé of Grenache Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard is a screaming good rosé and one of the finest from California. Orange blossom, peach, salty minerality and spice notes all flow to a balanced, incredibly Provençal effort that has both texture and richness. Don t miss it. Based on 100% Grenache, the 2016 Grenache Santa Barbara County is another beautiful wine. Black cherries, strawberries, forest floor, and peppery herbs give way to a silky, medium-bodied, ethereally textured beauty that shines for its purity and finesse. This cuvée comes from a handful of vineyards (Santa Barbara Highlands, Vie Caprice, Jorian Hill, and Spear) and spent 11 months in neutral barrels. The 2016 Grenache Murmur Vineyard is slightly deeper colored and comes from a cooler site in Santa Maria Valley. Forest floor, peppery herbs, black cherries, and some olive tapenade give way to a medium-bodied, silky, awesomely textured, pure, elegant Grenache that has ripe tannin and a great finish. It shows the charming, silky, sexy style of the vintage beautifully. Lightly colored, the % Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard Mesa Block (100% Grenache aged 10 months in 10% new barrels) offers a more savory, dried fruit character yet it s not evolved or tired. Dried cherries, strawberries, loamy soil, and earthy notes all flow to a mediumbodied, silky, elegant wine. It has light tannin, a great texture, and is already hard to resist. One of the darker colored wines in the lineup, the 2016 Grenache Vie Caprice Vineyard is all Alban clone Grenache from a vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. Tart black cherries, mulberries, currants, crushed rocks, and underbrush notes all define the nose. It s juicy and youthful on the palate, with a crunchy feel in its fruit. With good acidity, fine, present tannin, and a great finish, it s another beautiful wine from this estate. Brought up in 25% new French oak (which is on the high side for Angela), the 2016 Grenache Besson Vineyard has a Burgundian-style bouquet of red and black fruits, leafy herbs, underbrush, and pepper. It s silky, has a charming, incredibly balanced style, and moderate tannins, and is going to evolve gracefully. Another juicy, lively effort, the 2016 Grenache Morro View Vineyard (100% Grenache aged 10 months in neutral oak) gives up ample tart cherry and blackberry fruits, spice, and dried earth aromas and flavors, medium body, bright acidity, and a vibrant, chiseled style. It s not a blockbuster but just shines for its elegance and purity, and it s incredibly drinkable. It s the Pinot Noir of Grenache. From the Dry Creek Valley, the light ruby-colored 2016 Grenache Provisor Vineyard gives up lots of sweet red fruits (strawberries, raspberries) as well as a medium-bodied, elegant, lightly textured style on the palate. It shows more minerality and loamy earth with time in the glass, has moderate density, sweet tannin, and beautiful balance. Drink it over the coming 5-6 years. Peanut brittle, toasted spices, peppery herbs, and assorted savory fruits emerge from the 2016 Grenache Spear Vineyard, which comes from a younger site in the Sta. Rita Hills. It gains depth and richness with time in the glass, has medium-bodied richness, a terrific core of sweet fruit, and a great finish, all making for an irresistible Grenache to drink over the coming 4-6 years. From a vineyard in Amador County, the 2016 Grenache Shake Ridge Ranch is another translucent ruby-colored red from Angela that was brought up all in neutral barrels. Cherries, strawberries, blackberries, dried herbs, some earth, and peppery notes all flow to a medium-bodied, ultrafine, finesse-driven beauty that shows the elegant style of this estate brilliantly. It has nicely integrated acidity, fine tannin, and loads of charm. A new wine from Angela based on 55% Graciano and 45% Grenache, the 2016 Luke comes from two vineyards in northern part of California, Shake Ridge and Provisor. Tart black cherries, currants, blueberries, crushed rocks and peppery herbs all dominate the nose. On the palate, it s mediumbodied, bright and racy, with plenty of sweet fruit, a light, elegant texture and a good finish. It s another beautiful wine from Angela that blossoms with air. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years. ADDENDUM ADDENDUM 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON SKELLENGER LANE RUTHERFORD, NAPA VALLEY $99 RED 90 ADDENDUM 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON STAGECOACH VINEYARD ATLAS PEAK, NAPA VALLEY $99 RED 93 ADDENDUM 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY NAPA VALLEY $90 RED 90 These Bordeaux blends are made by Blair Fox, and while they re from Napa Valley, I was able to taste the wines in the lineup from Blair and am happy to include them here. Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford in Napa Valley, aged two years in new oak, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Skellenger Lane offers a classic Bordeaux bouquet of blackcurrants, lead pencil, graphite, and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied, fresh and focused on the palate, with good acidity and building tannin, it s a classic, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon that s going to age gracefully. From a site on Atlas Peak (also in Napa), the deep purple-colored 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard gives up loads of blackcurrants, tobacco, Asian spices, and chocolate. Like the Skellenger Vineyard, it s classic and elegant on the palate, with beautiful density and depth, ripe tannins, and a beautiful finish. It s another impeccably made, complex, high quality Cabernet Sauvignon from this region that would cost twice this amount if it were from Napa. This cuvée also spent two years in new barrels. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley checks in as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, three quarters from sites in Rutherford and the other quarter from the Stagecoach Vineyard in the southern part of the valley. It has more blackberries, spice box, dried herbs, and earthy aromas and flavors, medium to full body, ripe tannin, and a charming, elegant style on the palate. It s slightly broader and more open-knit, and ideal for drinking over the coming decade. A-FRAME WINE COMPANY A-FRAME WINE COMPANY 2017 LA LA GRENACHE ROSÉE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $25 ROSE 88 A-FRAME WINE COMPANY 2017 G-TRAIN GRENACHE JOHN SEBASTIANO VINEYARD STA. RITA HILLS $40 RED 89 Made from 100% Grenache, the lightly colored 2017 La La Grenache Rosé has a Provençal bouquet of orange blossom, spice, and hints of peach in a light, deliciously quaffable style. From a great site in the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2017 G-Train Grenache John Sebastiano Vineyard (100% Grenache) sports a medium ruby color as well as a spice-filled, elegant, medium-bodied style on the palate. Notes of dried cherries, cranberries, peppery spice, and loamy earth all define the bouquet and it s a charming, balanced, elegant wine to drink over the coming 4-5 years. ALMA ROSA WINERY ALMA ROSA WINERY 2016 CHARDONNAY EL JABALI STA. RITA HILLS $45 WHITE 93 ALMA ROSA WINERY 2016 PINOT NOIR EL JABALI STA. RITA HILLS $62 RED 92 JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 6

7 ALMA ROSA WINERY 2016 PINOT NOIR RANCHO LA VINA STA. RITA HILLS $62 RED 91 ALMA ROSA WINERY 2016 PINOT NOIR BENTROCK STA. RITA HILLS $62 RED 94 From a site in the Sta. Rita Hills, the light-colored 2016 Chardonnay El Jabali gives up a beautiful perfume of white flowers, white peach, hints of pineapple cream, and toasted nuts. With medium body, building minerality, terrific acidity, and a balanced style, it s a beautiful Chardonnay from this estate to drink over the coming 4-5 years. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak, the 2016 Pinot Noir El Jabali has a Burgundian style in its ripe red and black fruits, spice box, earth, and forest floor aromas and flavors. These carry over to the palate as well, as this fruit-forward, rounded, impressively textured Pinot Noir has tons to love. It s already drinking nicely yet should easily keep for 7-8 years. The lighter colored 2016 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina is another Sta. Rita Hills effort from winemaker Nick de Luca. It s slightly straightforward compared to the other releases yet has impressive cherry and strawberry fruits, ample spice, medium body, and a charming, very drinkable style. Darker colored with loads of minerality in its smoky black cherry fruits, underbrush, and peppery herbs, the 2016 Pinot Noir Bentrock (16 months in 50% new French oak) is juicy and fresh on the palate, with integrated acidity, ample mid-palate, and a great finish. While it shows the charming nature of the vintage, it s going to benefit from a year or two in the cellar. almarosawinery.com ANDREMILY ANDREMILY 2015 NO. 4 CALIFORNIA $93 RED 99 ANDREMILY 2016 NO. 5 CALIFORNIA NA RED ANDREMILY 2015 MOURVEDRE CALIFORNIA NA RED 96+ ANDREMILY 2016 MOURVEDRE CALIFORNIA NA RED The 2015 No. 4 checks in as a blend of 90% Syrah, 6% Viognier, and 4% Mourvèdre that spent 22 months in 70% new French oak. Sporting an inky purple color, it offers a killer perfume of blackberries, blueberries, exotic flowers, orange marmalade, violets, Asian spices, and graphite. Getting a serious Wow in the notes for its sensational complexity, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, stunning purity of fruit, and a focused, chiseled yet voluptuous texture. This beauty has everything: complexity, depth, richness, purity, and elegance. Not yet bottled, the 2016 No. 5 is a similar blend and is 91% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre and 3% Viognier that will see just under two years in 70% new French oak. It offers slightly more stem characteristics with a La Moulinelike perfume of bacon fat, pepper, blackberries, earth, and chocolate. Deep, full-bodied, opulent and hedonistic, yet pure, elegant and structured, it s unquestionably another brilliant wine from Jim. The second vintage for the cuvée, the 2015 Mourvèdre (92% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah, and 3% Viognier) saw a big chunk of stems (73%) and 21 months in 50% new French oak. Currants, smoked herbs, chocolate, licorice, and truffle notes all flow to a big, rich, powerful Mourvèdre that has serious meatiness, density, and length. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will keep for years or more. The 2016 Mourvèdre shows slightly more fruit, with rocking levels of blueberries, blackberries, scorched earth, dried spices, and graphite. It s another full-bodied, powerful wine, with loads of focus and structure, but it also has remarkable purity of fruit. It s going to continue gaining weight over its élevage and be a rich, full-bodied, incredible expression of the variety. andremily.com ANDREW MURRAY VINEYARDS ANDREW MURRAY VYDS GRENACHE CURTIS VINEYARD SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $36 RED 89 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS MOURVEDRE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $36 RED 90 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS ESPERANCE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $30 RED 90 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH TOUS LES JOURS SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $20 RED 88 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH STOLPMAN BALLARD CANYON $40 RED 91+ ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH THOMPSON SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $40 RED 93 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH SLIDE HILL VINEYARD EDNA VALLEY $55 RED 91 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH THOMPSON SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $40 RED 91 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH ALISOS VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA CO. (LOS ALAMOS VLY.) $36 RED 94 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH ROASTED SLOPE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 94 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH WATCH HILL VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA CO. (LOS ALAMOS VLY.) $50 RED 96 ANDREW MURRAY VYDS SYRAH ESTATE GROWN SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $65 RED 95 Lighter ruby-colored, the 2016 Grenache Curtis Vineyard is 100% Grenache sourced from a site in the Santa Ynez Valley. It s an elegant, silky, perfumed Grenache that has loads of red and black fruits, peppery herbs, and crushed flower aromas, medium body, no hard edges, and a silky, balanced style. The overall impression is upfront and charming, but it has some tannin as well and should keep for 5-6 years. The 2016 Mourvèdre (100% Mourvèdre brought up in 10% new oak) sports a deeper ruby/purple color to go with a juicy, lively bouquet of black cherries, blueberries, crushed rocks, and peppery herbs. It s mediumbodied, juicy and vibrant on the palate, with a silky texture. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years. The 2016 Esperance checks in as 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre that was brought up mostly in neutral barrels. Deep ruby/purplecolored with complex notes of kirsch, blackberries, pepper, and leafy herbs, it hits the palate with medium-bodied depth and richness, sweet tannin, and a layered, balanced style. It s a delicious drink as well as a great value. The value-priced 2016 Syrah Tous les Jours is 100% Syrah from a handful of vineyards in the Santa Ynez Valley. It has classic Syrah notes of barbecue smoke, peppered meats, underbrush, and black and blue fruits. As with all of Andrew s wines, it s elegant and pure on the palate, with medium body, bright acidity, and a clean, crisp finish. From a vineyard on Ballard Canyon, the 2015 Syrah Stolpman was aged 18 months in 15% new French oak. It shows the firmer, more focused and angular style of the 2015 vintage and has ample black fruits, crushed rocklike minerality, medium to full body, and firm tannins. It needs time but is certainly an outstanding wine. The 2015 Syrah Thompson comes from an older block of the Thompson Vineyard (located off Alisos Canyon Road north of Los Olivos) and spent 18 months in 15% new French oak. It s another inky colored effort and has more flesh and depth than the 2015 Syrah Stolpman, offering loads of crème de cassis, smoked meats, pepper, and white chocolate aromas and flavors. This medium to full-bodied, rounded, concentrated beauty has ample fruit as well as the concentrated, focused style of the 2015 vintage. Drink it over the coming decade or more. Brought up in just 10% new barrels, the 2016 Syrah Slide Hill Vineyard comes from the cool-climate Edna Valley and reveals a vivid purple color as well as juicy notes of black cherries, red plums, mulberries, peppery herbs, and crushed rocks. It s medium-bodied, elegant and lively textured, with terrific balance, and is a delicious Syrah to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years. Mulberries, cassis, dried flowers, and loads of spice emerge from the 2016 Syrah Thompson, another impeccably balanced, fresh, elegant wine from Murray. Showing a touch more red fruits and floral tones with time in the glass, it s medium-bodied, silky, and polished, with bright yet integrated acidity. It s another wine that shows the house style nicely and should evolve gracefully. The 2016 Syrah Alisos Vineyard (98% Syrah and 2% Viognier) sports a vivid purple color as well as an Hermitage-like ozone character in its smoked black fruits, graphite, roasted plum, pepper, and violet aromas and flavors. It s deep, rich, and concentrated on the palate, with remarkable purity as well as building structure. Give this beauty 2-3 years of bottle age and it s going to shine for over a decade. The Syrah-dominated 2016 Syrah Roasted Slope incorporates a whopping 8% Viognier and was raised in 20% new French oak. Its deep ruby/purple color is followed by a ripe, sexy wine that has loads of black raspberry and currant fruits, bacon fat, and olive tapenade aromas and flavors, medium to full body, a rounded, silky texture, and ripe tannin. It s a beautiful, layered, elegant wine that can be drunk today with pleasure or cellared for a decade. From one of my favorite vineyards, the 2016 Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 7

8 is 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier that spent 18 months in 15% new French oak. Its saturated purple color is followed by a dense, rich Syrah that has classic notes of blackberries, smoked earth, pepper, and roasted herbs. With awesome purity of fruit, a smoky, meaty personality, full body, and a great finish, it s another brilliant example of this cuvée. Based on 100% Syrah, the 2016 Syrah Estate Grown comes from a site in the Santa Ynez Valley and spent 18 months in 50% new French oak. Deep ruby/purple-colored with a complex, nuanced style in its blackberries, kirsch, dried flowers, and spicy, gamey aromas and flavors, it s medium to full-bodied, silky and beautifully balanced on the palate. I like it today, yet it s going to evolve gracefully for a decade on its impeccable balance and elegance. AU BON CLIMAT AU BON CLIMAT 2016 HILDEGARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $35 WHITE 92 AU BON CLIMAT 2015 CHARDONNAY NUITS-BLANCHES AU BOUGE SANTA MARIA VALLEY $40 WHITE 92 AU BON CLIMAT 2015 PINOT NOIR KNOX ALEXANDER SANTA MARIA VALLEY $50 RED 91+ AU BON CLIMAT 2015 PINOT NOIR BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $40 RED 92 AU BON CLIMAT 2015 PINOT NOIR RUNWAY VINEYARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $50 RED 92 AU BON CLIMAT 2015 PINOT NOIR ISABELLE CALIFORNIA $50 RED 95 A blend of 55% Pinot Gris, 35% Pinot Blanc, and 10% Aligote, the 2016 Hildegard wafts from the glass with a Burgundian bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, buttered toast, pineapple, and spice. It s beautiful on the palate as well and has medium-bodied depth and richness, integrated acidity, some more toasty, nutty character, and a great finish. It s straight-up classy stuff. The 2015 Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge comes from the Bien Nacido and Le Bon Climat vineyards (both in the Santa Maria Valley) and spent 20 months in new barrels. Medium gold-colored, with vibrant, sautéed apple, peach, brioche, and spicy aromas and flavors, it has a tight, vibrant style on the palate, juicy acidity, and a great finish. Like all of Jim s wines, it has a classic, old school feel, yet this also shows the charming, rounded style of the 2016 vintage nicely. The 2015 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander is from the Bien Nacido and Le Bon Climat vineyards and spent 18 months in new oak. This light ruby/translucent colored effort is a dead ringer for a Côte du Nuits with its tart cherry, forest floor/mossy nuances, spice box, and earthy aromas and flavors. Vibrant, juicy and slightly tart on the palate, with good acidity and solid overall balance, it s not for those looking for new world aromas and textures but is going to appeal to the Burgundy lovers out there, and it should age gracefully as well. Similarly colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard spent 18 months in new François Frères barrels. Dried herbs, pepper, some nutty notes, and ample sweet red and black fruits define the bouquet. With medium body, beautiful balance, and a layered, balanced style on the palate, it s another Burgundian release from Jim that has loads to love. I actually like the balance here more than with the Knox Alexander and it s a terrific wine to enjoy over the coming decade or so. From a site in the Santa Maria Valley, the 2015 Pinot Noir Runway Vineyard has a beautiful perfume of dried flowers, sweet fruit, forest floor, and spice. It s medium-bodied, silky and elegant on the palate, with perfect balance, integrated acidity, and a clean finish. It s not incredibly powerful or deep, yet shines for its balance and elegance, and it has the structure to keep for years as well. The 2015 Pinot Noir Isabelle is a selection from multiple vineyards and shows that site specific cuvées are not always the best. I just loved this beauty s bouquet and it has a complex, layered style in its mulberry, cherry, spice box, flowers, and forest floor notes. Just gorgeous on the palate as well, with perfect balance, no hard edges, and a seamless texture, it has fine, integrated tannins and a great finish. It s reminiscent of a top Volnay and will keep for years. aubonclimat.com BARDEN BARDEN 2016 FONTE STA. RITA HILLS $36 WHITE 90 BARDEN 2016 CHARDONNAY STA. RITA HILLS STA. RITA HILLS $48 WHITE 92+ BARDEN 2016 PINOT NOIR STA. RITA HILLS STA. RITA HILLS $68 RED 92 Tart apple, citrus, crushed rocks, and some floral notes emerge from the 2016 Fonte, which is based on 36% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Blanc, 32% Pinot Gris sourced from a handful of sites in the Sta. Rita Hills. It s clean, crisp, and lively on the palate, with beautiful purity of fruit. The 2016 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills comes from La Encantada and La Rinconada, both located on the southern side of the Sta. Rita Hills. It s another vibrant, crisp wine from Doug that offers notes of lemon curd, citrus blossom, and salty minerality. Clean, crisp, and pure on the palate, with high, yet integrated acidity, it has a tight, energetic feel that makes me believe it will be even better with a year or two of bottle age. The 2016 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills comes from four vineyards (La Encantada, Sanford & Benedict, John Sebastiano, and Radian) and spent 10 months in 45% new French oak. Deep ruby-colored, with a classic bouquet of cherries, mulberries, sappy herbs, and spring flowers, it s medium-bodied, has bright acidity, and a youthful, vibrant feel. It s good today but will be better in 2-3 years as well. bardenwines.com BECKMEN VINEYARDS BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $20 WHITE 89 BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 GRENACHE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $32 RED 90 BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 CUVEE LE BEC SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $25 RED 90 BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 GRENACHE BLOCK EIGHT PURISIMA MOUNTAIN VYD. BALLARD CANYON $52 RED 91+ BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 GRENACHE WHOLE CLUSTER PURISIMA MOUNTAIN VYD. BALLARD CANYON $52 RED 94 BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 SYRAH PURISIMA MOUNTAIN BALLARD CANYON $32 RED 93 BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 SYRAH CLONE #1 PURISIMA MOUNTAIN BALLARD CANYON $62 RED 93+ BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 TLB RED WINE LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $65 RED 93 BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2015 SYRAH BLOCK SIX PURISIMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARD BALLARD CANYON $65 RED 94+ BECKMEN VINEYARDS 2016 CUVEE RED BARREL SELECT SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $50 RED 93 The 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (100% varietal) sports a light gold color to go with a vibrant perfume of pineapple, citrus, and hints of minerality. It s medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, and finishes clean and dry. It s a terrific meal starter. Black cherries, roasted herbs, licorice, and assorted underbrush and earthy notes all emerge from the 2016 Grenache, which is 100% Grenache from Purisima Vineyard. It s medium-bodied, supple and polished on the palate, with terrific elegance and purity. Drink it over the coming 4-6 years. I always love this cuvée and the 2016 Cuvée le Bec doesn t disappoint. Based on Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Counoise, it boasts a vivid purple/ruby color as well as loads of black and blue fruits, violets, and peppery herb aromas and flavors. With good complexity and a charming, forward, fruit-filled personality, drink this utterly delicious red over the coming 4-6 years as well. The 2016 Grenache Block Eight Purisima Mountain Vineyard comes from 100% Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache and was raised in neutral puncheons. Sporting a translucent ruby color, with lovely notes of ripe strawberries, kirsch, underbrush, and spice, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a light, elegant texture, and a good finish. Don t let the light color fool you, this has rock solid intensity as well as tannin. It will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for a decade. Slightly deeper ruby, the 100% Grenache 2016 Grenache Whole Cluster Purisima Mountain Vineyard offers more dark fruits, spice box, peppery herbs, and licorice. With building minerality, medium to full-bodied richness, and ample tannin, this brilliant Grenache needs 2-3 years of bottle age and will drink beautifully for a decade or more. This cuvée spent 17 months in neutral puncheons. The 2016 Syrah Purisima Mountain is a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier that was aged 16 months in 40% new French oak. Deep JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 8

9 ruby/purple-colored, with attractive notes of black fruits, smoked herbs, bacon fat, and pepper, it s medium to full-bodied, ripe and polished, with tons of fruit as well as underlying structured and depth. It s a smoking Syrah as well as a great value. Even deeper colored, the 2016 Syrah Clone #1 Purisima Mountain is 100% Syrah aged 16 months in 40% new French oak. It offers more smoky, meaty, barbecue aromas and flavors, full body, bright acidity, and slightly more structure and depth. It needs 2-3 years of bottle age to really come together but should see its 15th birthday in fine form. The 2016 TLB Red Wine checks in as a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah that was aged 18 months in 60% new barrels. This inky colored effort has an exotic bouquet of blueberries, plums, menthol, bay leaf, and leaf pencil. It s ripe, rounded, and supple on the palate, with beautiful purity and polish. I like it today yet it should easily keep for years. The 2015 Syrah Block Six Purisima Mountain Vineyard (100% Syrah) spent 20 months in 60% new French oak. Its inky purple color is followed by a deep, powerful bouquet of smoked black fruits, crushed rocks, graphite, and licorice. Hermitage-like with its building minerality and concentrated, reserved feel, it has terrific mid-palate depth as well as a big finish. Give bottles 2-3 years and enjoy over the following 7-8. The 2016 Cuvée Red Barrel Select checks in as a mix of 50% Mourvèdre, 29% Syrah, and 21% Grenache. Ruby/purple-colored and offering a spicy, complex bouquet of red and black fruits, cured meats, and loamy soil notes, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded, expansive texture, and a great finish. Drink this incredibly charming, character-filled effort over the coming 8-10 years. beckmenvineyards.com BLACK SHEEP FINDS BLACK SHEEP FINDS 2016 CHARDONNAY THE JOY FANTASTIC VINEYARD STA. RITA HILLS $50 WHITE 87 BLACK SHEEP FINDS 2016 PINOT NOIR THE JOY FANTASTIC VINEYARD STA. RITA HILLS $50 RED 87+ BLACK SHEEP FINDS 2016 SYRAH THE JOY FANTASTIC VINEYARD STA. RITA HILLS $50 RED 88 BLACK SHEEP FINDS 2016 SYRAH HOLUS BOLUS STA. RITA HILLS $35 RED 91 BLACK SHEEP FINDS 2016 SYRAH HOLUS BOLUS FRANC DE PIED STA. RITA HILLS $40 RED 91 BLACK SHEEP FINDS 2016 SYRAH HOLUS BOLUS PRESQUI LLE VINEYARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $40 RED 89 The medium-bodied, lightly textured, fleeting 2016 Chardonnay The Joy Fantastic Vineyard sports a medium gold color as well as an exuberant, flamboyant nose of tart citrus, pineapple, and melon ball. It needs more depth palate-wise but is certainly an enjoyable wine. Tart cherries, savory herbs, underbrush and earthy notes drive the 2016 Pinot Noir The Joy Fantastic Vineyard. It s medium-bodied, firm and linear on the palate, yet has good purity of fruit and fine tannin. I followed this wine for two days and it improved nicely with air, so there s some upside here. Give bottles a year but I suspect this score will be low. The 2016 Syrah The Joy Fantastic Vineyard (100% Syrah) sports a deep purple color as well as classic notes of smoky plums and currant fruits, pepper, and olives. It too is lean and firm on the palate, yet it has more flesh and density than some of the other releases here. The 2016 Syrah Holus Bolus offers a St. Joseph-like bouquet of smoky black fruits, olives, and tapenade. Medium to full-bodied, beautiful and elegant on the palate, it s a much more complete wine than the Syrah from the Joy Fantastic Vineyard, with solid mid-palate depth and a great finish. The 2016 Syrah Holus Bolus Franc de Pied is also from the John Sebastiano Vineyard and was raised in 2-3-year-old barrels. Deep rubycolored with a juicy bouquet of black raspberries, cherries, strawberries, green olives, and bacon fat, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, bright acidity, and a clean, balanced profile. Drink it over the coming 5-7 years More peppery herbs, underbrush, and dark fruits emerge from the 2016 Syrah Holus Bolus Presqui lle Vineyard, which is medium-bodied, balanced, classic, and old-school on the palate. Drink this reserved, St. Joseph-like Syrah over the coming 7-8 years. BLAIR FOX CELLARS BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2017 VIOGNIER TIERRA ALTA VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $65 WHITE 90 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 THE AMBUSH FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $35 RED 89 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 SYRAH THE DARE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $65 RED 94 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 LINGER FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $75 RED 92+ BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 SYRAH TIERRA ALTA VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 95 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 SYRAH KIMSEY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 93 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 SYRAH LARNER VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 92+ BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 SYRAH ZOTOVICH VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 92 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 GRENACHE FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $47 RED 90 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 SYRAH FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $47 RED 94 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2015 PETITE SIRAH FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $47 RED 94 The 2017 Viognier Tierra Alta Vineyard comes from a site in Santa Barbara County and was aged in older barrels and concrete eggs. It has a ripe yet pure bouquet of buttered pineapple, orange blossom, and flowers and is ripe, sexy, and opulent on the palate. It s a rich, exotic white to drink over the coming year or two. The 2015 The Ambush Fox Family Vineyard checks in as a blend of 64% Grenache, 17% Syrah, 14% Petite Sirah, and the rest Zinfandel. It has a ripe, upfront bouquet of blackberries, spicy herbs, licorice, and earth. Forward, beautifully textured, and ready to go, drink this pleasure-bent beauty over the coming 5-7 years. The 2015 Syrah The Dare is 100% Syrah sourced from Kimsey, Tierra Alta, Fox Family, Zotovich, and Larner vineyards, all well-known vineyards in Santa Barbara County. It has a beautiful (Cornas-like) bouquet of ripe blackberry and black raspberry fruits, cedarwood, peppery herbs, and earth. With full body, a deep, layered, texture, sweet tannin, and a great finish, it s a beautiful wine from Blair that will keep for a decade or more. The 2015 Linger Fox Family Vineyard is a blend of equal parts Syrah and Petite Sirah that spent 26 months in 3-year-old barrels. Its deep purple color is followed by a ripe bouquet of blueberries, smoked earth, violets, and sappy flowers. It s deep, rich, nicely concentrated, and textured, with building tannins and a great finish. It will keep for years (if not longer). The 2015 Syrah Tierra Alta Vineyard comes from a cooler site in Santa Barbara County and was aged a full 26 months in barrel before being bottled in January It has a rocking bouquet of sweet black and blue fruits, vanilla bean, crushed flowers, and hints of cured meats. This ripe, sexy, full-bodied beauty has a stacked mid-palate, sweet tannins, and a great finish, and while it s rich Syrah, it has an undeniable elegance and purity. Give it a year or two and enjoy bottles over the coming decade. The 2015 Syrah Kimsey Vineyard is the first release from this vineyard, which is in the cooler, southwestern side of Ballard Canyon. It sports a deep ruby/purple color as well as an exotic nose of ripe black and blue fruits, spice box, bay leaf, and cedar. An elegant, medium to full-bodied Syrah, with good acidity and fine tannin, it shines for its balance, elegance, and length. The 2015 Syrah Larner Vineyard comes from a great site at the base of Ballard Canyon and was aged 26 months in barrel (2- and 3-year-old oak). This big, exuberant Syrah gives up lots of plum and blueberry fruits, spicy oak, graphite, and exotic, incense/orange rind-like notes. It s medium to full-bodied on the palate, has a tight, vibrant texture, good acidity and tannins, and a focused finish. It has plenty of potential yet needs bottle age. I loved the bouquet on the 2015 Syrah Zotovich Vineyard (100% Syrah), a spicy, complex effort that gives up tons of black raspberries, cedary spice, dried flowers, and loamy, sandy, earthy notes. With mediumbodied richness, juicy acidity, and ample fruit and texture, you can drink it today or cellar it for a decade. The 2015 Grenache Fox Family Vineyard checks in as 92% Grenache and 8% Syrah that saw the standard 26 months in barrel before bottling. Its medium ruby color is followed by a fun wine that has loads of kirsch and blackberry fruits, spice box, and cedary herbs. It s charming, with a fleshy, rounded texture and a good finish. Drink it over the coming 5-6 years The deep ruby-colored 2015 Syrah Fox Family Vineyard (all from the estate Fox Family Vineyard) is another rich, concentrated 2015 that s JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 9

10 going to benefit from bottle age. Blackberries, currants, smoked earth, and graphite notes all flow to a full-bodied, concentrated, balanced Syrah that has nicely integrated tannin, good mid-palate density, and a great finish. Give it 2-3 years and enjoy over the following decade. BONACCORSI WINE BONACCORSI WINE 2015 PINOT NOIR PENCE STA. RITA HILLS $45 RED 91 BONACCORSI WINE 2015 PINOT NOIR KESSLER-HAAK STA. RITA HILLS $45 RED 90 BONACCORSI WINE 2015 PINOT NOIR FIDDLESTIX STA. RITA HILLS $45 RED 93 BONACCORSI WINE 2015 PINOT NOIR CARGASACCHI STA. RITA HILLS $45 RED 93 BONACCORSI WINE 2015 PINOT NOIR STA. RITA HILLS STA. RITA HILLS $45 RED 92 BONACCORSI WINE 2015 PINOT NOIR SEBASTIANO STA. RITA HILLS $45 RED 92 The 2015 Pinot Noir Pence comes from a vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills and was aged 20 months 25% new French oak. Its medium ruby/translucent color is followed by a complex, Burgundian bouquet of forest floor, moss, and tapenade, all balanced by a core of sweet fruit. It s medium-bodied, supple, and elegant on the palate, and should evolve nicely. The 2015 Pinot Noir Kessler-Haak is another lightly colored effort, offering an earthy style in its forest floor, dried herbs, decayed flowers, and spicedriven aromas and flavors. It too is elegant and silky on the palate, with a seamless texture. This well-known site in the Sta. Rita Hills has produced a slightly deeper colored Pinot Noir. The 2015 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix offers a beautiful bouquet of ripe red fruits, underbrush, leafy herbs, and spice. One of the more fresh, vibrant wines in the lineup, I love its purity of fruit as well as its texture. It should age gracefully. The 2015 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi sports a medium ruby color (as is the case with most of these latest releases from Bonaccorsi) to go with beautifully complex notes of sweet red fruits, leafy herbs, truffle, and spice. It s lively and juicy on the palate, with good acidity and ample sweet fruit, and it shows more and more purity with time in the glass. (I followed these wines for two days.) It s another wine that shows the complex, elegant, Burgundian style of this estate nicely. It will keep for years. The classic appellation 2015 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is ideal for readers looking for a more Old World, savory Pinot Noir from this region. Earthy red fruits, sandy loamy soil notes, and decayed flower characteristics all flow to a medium-bodied, elegant, silky wine that has a great texture, no hard edges, and a nicely balanced, incredibly drinkable style. From one of the Grand Cru sites in the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2015 Pinot Noir Sebastiano has a darker ruby color as well as a smoky, earthy bouquet of red and black fruits, spice, loamy soil, dried herbs. Rich, medium to fullbodied, and straight and clean on the palate, give bottles another year or two to develop more complexity and enjoy over the following decade. bonawine.net BRANDER VINEYARD BRANDER VINEYARD 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $16 WHITE 87 BRANDER VINEYARD 2017 PINOT GRIS LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $24 WHITE 86 BRANDER VINEYARD 2017 SAUVIGNON GRIS LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $25 WHITE 88 BRANDER VINEYARD 2016 SAUVIGNON BLANC AU NATUREL LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $32 WHITE 89 BRANDER VINEYARD 2016 SAUVIGNON BLANC CUVEE NICOLAS LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $22 WHITE 90 BRANDER VINEYARD 2017 ROSE LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $20 ROSE 88 BRANDER VINEYARD 2017 CABERNET SAUVIGNON LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $28 RED 87 BRANDER VINEYARD 2016 BOUCHET LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $40 RED 89 BRANDER VINEYARD 2016 CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVE LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $50 RED 90 The Brander 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Los Olivos District (there are small amounts of Pinot Gris, Semillon, and Riesling) sports a light color to go with racy, grassy notes of citrus and white grapefruits. It s clean, medium to light-bodied, and deliciously quaffable. The 2017 Pinot Gris Los Olivos District (100% Pinot Gris) is another lightly colored effort. More musk melon and citrus notes give way to a vibrant, juicy, crisp white that will shine as a meal starter. The 2017 Sauvignon Gris Los Olivos District has more serious notes of green citrus, white peach, and salty minerality. It s medium-bodied, supple, and elegant on the palate. Bottled in a special looking, cork closed bottle, the 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Au Naturel (100% Sauvignon Blanc) has a Bordeaux Blanc-like bouquet of lemon curd, white grapefruit, and mint. It s clean, mediumbodied, fresh and elegant, yet has solid depth of fruit and texture. It s not going to make old bones but it s a beautiful Sauvignon Blanc. The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Cuvée Nicolas was brought up in oak and has a light to medium gold color as well as a great bouquet of lime, candied citrus, graphite fruit, and mint. It s juicy, lively, has a full, mouthfilling texture, and a great finish. It s a bigger, richer wine than the Au Naturel and is going to shine on the dinner table (as well as be incredibly versatile). The 2017 Rose Los Olivos District is solid stuff, yielding a pretty perfume of strawberries and spice to go with a rounded, balanced, nicely textured vibe on the palate. Drink up. Leading off the reds, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Los Olivos District includes 10% Merlot. It s ruby/purple color is followed by a juicy, lively bouquet of black cherries, leafy herbs, and damp underbrush. Drink this easygoing red over the coming 4-5 years. The 2016 Bouchet Los Olivos District checks in as a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot. It too is ruby/purple-colored and offers a floral, spicy bouquet of red and black fruits, cedar wood, and spring flowers. It s juicy and elegant, with medium body, and has nicely integrated acidity. This beauty has an Old World feel and should evolve nicely, although there s no need to delay gratification. Reminding me of a top Cru Bourgeois (or a St. Julien), the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve has lots of currants, lead pencil, and tobacco leaf notes as well as a medium-bodied, elegant, layered style on the palate. It s not a massive wine, yet has classic Cabernet character, a supple, enjoyable texture, and a beautiful finish. BRAVE & MAIDEN ESTATE BRAVE & MAIDEN ESTATE 2015 SYRAH LIMITED SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $65 RED 92 BRAVE & MAIDEN ESTATE 2015 MERLOT LIMITED SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $65 RED 90 BRAVE & MAIDEN ESTATE 2015 CABERNET FRANC LIMITED SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $65 RED 94 BRAVE & MAIDEN ESTATE 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON LIMITED SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $75 RED 94+ A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2015 Syrah Limited is a ripe, exotic red that has lots of ripe black fruits, black olive, and leafy herblike aromas and flavors. It s ripe, powerful and full-bodied on the palate, with sweet tannins and a voluptuous texture. It s drinking nicely today and certainly bucks the more firm, focused style of the vintage. The 2015 Merlot Limited is all Merlot that was aged 23 months in one-third new French oak. It has moderate amounts of black cherries and blackberry fruits intermixed with plenty of chocolate and leafy herbs. It s medium-bodied, has good acidity, a charming, rounded texture, and a good finish, and should keep for 7-8 years. The 2015 Cabernet Franc Limited is similarly inky colored and reveals a The 2015 Petite Sirah Fox Family Vineyard is another beautiful wine from Blair. Blackberries, black pepper, graphite, and some leafy herb notes all flow to a full-bodied, ripe, rockingly textured red that has beautiful fruit and length. It s going to keep for 15 years. beautiful bouquet of blackberries, currants, spring flowers, cedar wood, and graphite. With medium to full body, fine, integrated tannins, and an elegant prolife, it s a classic Cabernet Franc that has loads to love. It should keep for 15+ years. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited is one of the stars of the show and has classic currants, licorice, tobacco leaf, earth, and graphite aromas and flavors. It s deep, rich, and concentrated, with ripe tannins as well as remarkable purity of fruit on the palate. Like all the wines here, it has plenty of fruit and texture, yet still holds onto classic varietal character. The 2015 is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% each of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, all aged 23 months in one-third new French oak. Braveandmaiden.com JebDunnuck.com New Releases from Santa Barbara County Page 10