Wine Rating System As good as It gets. These wines reach the peak of my personal scale of quality.

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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.

2 Santa Barbara County: The Classic 2014s and Variable 2015s August 2, Jeb Dunnuck This report looks primarily at the 2014s and 2015s from Santa Barbara County. While both are drought years, the vintages are dramatically different. In addition to this report, readers should also read the Understanding Santa Barbara County article published at JebDunnuck.com for an overview of the different AVAs in the region. Starting with the 2014 Vintage, this year is characterized by an early bud break and almost no precipitation throughout the year. Like in 2012 and 2013, the warm, early spring resulted in a healthy fruit set and big (sometimes huge) yields. While it was consistently hot through the growing season, there were no heat spikes (as in 2010) meaning growers could achieve terrific phenolic ripeness, even with incredibly large yields. The wines are ripe, voluptuous and sexy, with forward, supple styles imparted by the large yields. They re not the most concentrated wines out there, however, the majority are already accessible and offer loads of pleasure. In short, it s a classic, charming California vintage to drink while you wait on the 2012s and 2013s. The 2015 Vintage was the last in a historically dry four-year period that started in As in 2014, the vintage started off early with warm weather in the spring and an early bud break. However, several factors resulted in a miserable fruit set which dramatically reduced yields. Almost every winemaker I spoke with commented on the yields, yet most were split between the cause; some blamed the cold, windy weather in May while others looked more towards the accumulation of drought years, consecutive large crop loads, and toxic salt buildup in the soils. Whatever the cause (and I suspect it s a combination of both), this was a dry, stressful vintage for the vines, particularly in the coastal regions of the Sta. Rita Hills and the Santa Maria Valley. Harvest started early in August and was finished by mid to late September for most producers. Growers saw some of their smallest yields ever so there s not much wine to go around. After the huge yields of 2012, 2013 and 2014, this was a relief for many producers, but consumers will need to jump on these top wines before they re gone. As to the overall style of the wines, these are elegant, lightly textured efforts that have more in common with a coolclimate year (2010s, and to a lesser extent, 2013s) than a hot, drought year. Unquestionably, the thicker-skinned varieties of Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cabernet Sauvignon fared better than the thinner-skinned varieties of Grenache and Pinot Noir. The top Syrahs are beautifully concentrated and rich, with notable tannin, yet have a freshness and purity that set them apart. Most will benefit from short term cellaring. The top Pinot Noirs are silky and polished, with mediumbodied, racy profiles, moderate tannin, and lots of salty minerality. However, I found many Pinot Noirs (and to a lesser extent, Grenaches) to have firm, anemic personalities - and quality is far from consistent. Readers will have to be selective with these wines. While the Pinot Noirs will gain more weight with a few years in bottle, I m less optimistic with regards to Grenache. In addition, many wines are overtly stem-influenced. Due to the increased stem-to-juice-ratio (less berries per cluster equals more stem influence), producers who like wholecluster fermentations had to be especially careful as a little whole cluster went a long way in I tasted many wines made with just 10-15% whole clusters in the fermentation, yet tasted as if they were made with 50-75% whole clusters. As for the Chardonnays, harvest decisions and stylistic differences between estates continue to make it almost impossible to generalize about this variety. Suffice to say there are some incredible wines in the vintage for those who opted to harvest ripe fruit. In short, 2015 is an incredibly interesting, intellectual vintage that yielded some thrilling wines. However, quality is far from consistent. The Wines All these wines were tasted at the end of June during the two weeks I spent working in California. This was followed by numerous tastings at my office in Colorado.

3 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2016 ROSE OF GRENACHE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $23 ROSE 88 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2015 GRENACHE SHAKE RIDGE RANCH SIERRA FOOTHILLS $75 RED 90 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2015 GRENACHE VIE CAPRICE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $47 RED 89 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2015 GRENACHE BESSON VINEYARD SANTA CLARA COUNTY $50 RED 89 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2015 GRENACHE PROVISOR VINEYARD DRY CREEK VALLEY $55 RED 86 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2015 GRENACHE MURMUR VINEYARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $39 RED 85 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2015 GRENACHE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $30 RED 83 A TRIBUTE TO GRACE 2015 GRENACHE HIGHLANDS VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 86 Focusing exclusively on Grenache, winemaker Angela Osborne continues to pull from some of the oldest vines and vineyards in California. She makes a silky, elegant style of Grenache that s often reminiscent of a Pinot Noir. Starting with her Rose, the light pink colored 2016 Rose of Grenache (it s all Grenache) offers a pretty, strawberry- and cherry-defined bouquet as well as a silky, pure, deliciously dry style on the palate. It's certainly quaffable and can stand on its own on a hot summer day or shine on the dinner table. Leading off the reds and reminding me of a classy Pinot Noir, the 2015 Grenache Shake Ridge Ranch offers impressive notes of sweet cherries, blood orange and spice, with a seamless, elegant, silky texture. Made from 100% Grenache, with 50% whole cluster and aged 11 months in French oak, it's one of the most balanced, seamless wines I've tasted from Angela. Slightly darker and earthier, the 2015 Grenache Vie Caprice Vineyard is also 100% Grenache that was fermented with plenty of stems (50%) and aged 11 months in barrel. Candied black cherries, raspberries, flowers and blood orange notes flow to a medium-bodied, silky, elegant, impressively balanced Grenache that's masquerading as a Pinot Noir. Drink it over the coming 4-6 years. Coming from an old vine site (some of the vines are 100+years in age) in Santa Clara County, the 2015 Grenache Besson Vineyard from Angela spent 11 months in one ADDENDUM 2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON-SYRAH STAGECOACH VINEYARD ADDENDUM 2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON STAGECOACH VINEYARD ADDENDUM 2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON SKELLENGER LANE ADDENDUM 2014 CABERNET SAUVIGNON NAPA VALLEY neutral French puncheon and one neutral barrel. It has a lighter ruby color to go with notions of raspberries, kirsch, dried soil/sandy notes and spice. Medium-bodied, elegant and silky, this wine has considerable charm framed by polished and pure tannins. It plays nicely in the house style and is certainly delicious. Coming from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma, the 2015 Grenache Provisor Vineyard (100% Grenache made with 50% stems) is slightly leaner and grippier, with plenty of red fruits, apple peel and spice character coming through in a medium-bodied, fresh and elegant style. The 2015 Grenache Murmur Vineyard comes from a site in the Santa Maria Valley and was aged in neutral French oak. It's a silky, polished, lightweight effort that offers notes of raspberries and flowers. Clean, quaffable and delicious, with plenty of character. It would almost take the place of a rosé, and while not my favorite style of Grenache, it is gulpable. Drink it in its youth. Looking like a slightly oxidized rosé, the 2015 Grenache Santa Barbara County is smooth, simple and gulpable. Also very light in color, the 2015 Grenache Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard (100% Grenache) offers more balance and depth, with notes of dried cherries, baking spiced and herbs. It's pretty, silky and seamless on the palate, and is certainly a unique style of Grenache. NAPA ATLAS PEAK $90 RED 91 NAPA ATLAS PEAK $95 RED 93 NAPA VALLEY RUTHERFORD $95 RED 92+ NAPA VALLEY $90 RED 91 While from Napa Valley, the Addendum releases fall under the Fess Parker umbrella and are made by Blair Fox. I was only able to taste a single vintage, but these are unquestionably impressive wines. JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 3

4 Notes of blackberry, plum, licorice, leafy herbs and a kiss of mint emerge from the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah Stagecoach Vineyard. This full-bodied, sweetly fruited, plump and forward blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon and 44% Syrah that is aged 28 months in 22% new French oak. Drink it over the coming decade. Aged 28 months in 40% new French oak, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) sports a saturated ruby/purple color to go with layered, sexy notes of black raspberries, toasted bread, spice-box and licorice. Rich, fullbodied, unctuous and yet still playing in the forward, charming nature of the 2014 vintage, drink it anytime over the coming 15 years. Coming from a famous site in Rutherford, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Skellenger Lane was brought up in 100% new French oak. It offers a darker, richer, more masculine style with ripe tannin as well as lots of black fruits, scorched earth, licorice and charcoal. Big, burly, rich and concentrated, I love its mid-palate and it will be even better in another few years. The classic 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (100% Cabernet Sauvignon) comes from two sites in Napa Valley and was aged 28 months in 67% new French oak. This saturated, purple colored Cabernet offers elegant, silky notes of plums, incense, crushed violets and lead pencil. Ripe, sexy, pure and polished, this Cab is a charmer to drink anytime over the coming decade. Website: ALMA ROSA 2015 CHARDONNAY STA RITA HILLS STA RITA HILLS $30 WHITE 87 ALMA ROSA 2015 CHARDONNAY EL JABALI VINEYARD STA RITA HILLS $34 WHITE 90+ ALMA ROSA 2015 PINOT NOIR STA RITA HILLS STA RITA HILLS $39 RED 88 ALMA ROSA 2015 PINOT NOIR EL JABALÍ VINEYARD STA RITA HILLS $60 RED 86 ALMA ROSA 2015 PINOT NOIR BENTROCK VINEYARD STA RITA HILLS $60 RED 87 ALMA ROSA 2015 PINOT NOIR RANCHO LA VIÑA STA RITA HILLS $60 RED 88 ALMA ROSA 2015 PINOT NOIR LA ENCANTADA STA RITA HILLS $58 RED 86 ALMA ROSA 2015 PINOT NOIR BARREL SELECT STA RITA HILLS $66 RED 89 The appellation blend from Alma Rosa is the 2015 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills that was 50% barrel fermented and aged 10 months (on lees) in 20% new French oak. It's light gold color is followed by a racy, borderline tart Chardonnay that has lots of citrus, spice and mint notes, medium-bodied richness and bright acidity. It's not much fun to drink today, but it should improve marginally with 2-3 years of cellaring. From a vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2015 Chardonnay El Jabali Vineyard was also barrel fermented and spent 10 months in 30% new French oak. Spice, stone fruits, flowers and hints of green herbs emerge from this tight, nicely concentrated, racy Chardonnay that needs a good 2-3 years of bottle age. It has the racy acidity of the vintage, yet also has solid concentration. Starting with the reds, the 2015 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills comes from a multitude of sites and saw a touch of whole clusters and 10 months in 33% new French oak. It was destemmed and aged 11 months in 50% new French oak. Its deep ruby color is followed by a fresh, exotic bouquet of black cherries, mint, leafy herbs and underbrush. Fresh, focused and pure on the palate, it has nicely integrated acidity and fine tannin, all suggesting it should age nicely. Another deeply colored release is the 2015 Pinot Noir El Jabalí Vineyard, a firm, angular, masculine wine that could use more flesh and texture. It s certainly not my favorite in the lineup, yet a year in bottle may make it more friendly. Christmas spice, peppery mint and candied black cherry notes emerge from the 2015 Pinot Noir Bentrock Vineyard, (aged 11 months in 50% new French oak). It's another relatively firm, angular release that shows the difficulty of the vintage. It does have solid purity of fruit though. The 2015 Pinot Noir Rancho La Viña (25% whole clusters and 11 months in 75% new French oak) is enjoyable, with a fresh, lively and focused style in its candied cherry, blackberry and cedary spice bouquet. It's fresh, clean and nicely balanced on the palate, and should drink well for 4-6 years. The 2015 Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard is another decent wine. It offers a complex bouquet of red and black fruits, barnyard, forest floor and green herbs in a medium-bodied, fresh style. This cuvée was completely destemmed and spent 16 months in 75% new French oak. A selection of top barrels, the 2015 Pinot Noir Barrel Select is easily the best of the lineup. It has impressive notes of candied cherries, violets, leather and spice in a medium-bodied, fresh, beautifully textured package. It has plenty to love and shines for its drinkability. Website: almarosawinery.com ANDREMILY 2015 NO 4 CALIFORNIA $90.00 RED ANDREMILY 2015 MOURVEDRE CALIFORNIA $90.00 RED JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 4

5 ANDREMILY 2014 NO 3 CALIFORNIA $90.00 RED 100 ANDREMILY 2014 MOURVEDRE CALIFORNIA $NA RED 98+ Andremily s Jim Binns continues to fashion some of the most exciting wines coming out of California today. Jim left Sine Qua Non last year to focus full time on his own label, and is now making his wines in Ventura. The 2014 Andremily No 3 is unquestionably one of the great California Syrahs, and while I think the 2015 are a small step back, it s not by much. If you get a chance, don t miss these wines! Leading off and a terrific follow-up to the heavenly 2014, the 2015 Andremily No 4 is another wine from Jim that s going to be in the top 2-3 wines of the vintage. A Syrah dominated blend that incorporates 6% Viognier and 4% Mourvèdre, it sports an inky purple color as well as incredible notes of liquid violets, blueberry liqueur, white chocolate, pen ink and lead pencil. Showing more classic peppery, Syrah notes with time in the glass, this opulent, decadent, yet always pure and precise 2015 will benefit from short term cellaring and have two decades of more of ultimate longevity. Aside from John Alban s Mourvèdre from Edna Valley, I ve yet to taste another Mourvèdre that comes close to the quality achieved by this cuvee. The 2015 Mourvèdre is another head turner that checks in as 92% Mourvèdre, 5% Syrah and 3% Viognier (from Alta Mesa and White Hawk vineyards) that will see just under two years in equal parts new and used French oak. Slightly more fresh and focused than the 2014, with incredible purity, it offers full-bodied aromas and flavors of blackberries, blood/iron, peppery herbs and cigar ash. Like all of Jim s wines, it has serious richness and depth on the palate, and in 2015, the addition of the Viognier adds another level of texture and richness that s lacking in a number of cuvees. I suspect it will shut down shortly after bottling (as Mourvèdre does all too frequently), so try a bottle on release then hide the rest. Unquestionably one of the wines of the vintage, Jim Binns 2014 Andremily No 3 is a blend of 89% Syrah, 8% Mourvèdre and 3% Viognier that comes from three great sites in Santa Barbara County: Larner Vineyard, White Hawk and Alta Mesa (Mourvèdre). Tasted twice, this totally profound beauty offers up heavenly notes of crème de cassis, crushed violets, smoked meats, graphite and ample minerality in a full-bodied, expansive, yet pure, elegant and lengthy style. It needs to be forgotten for 2-3 years, and will have 15 years or more of overall longevity. I loved the 2014 Mourvèdre from barrel, and it more than impresses from bottle. Incorporating 14% Syrah, it starts out floral and sweetly fruited, but quickly shows more and more classic Mourvèdre characteristics with its spiced meats, dried earth, black cherry, graphite and peppery herbes de Provence-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, elegant and seamless on the palate, it has savory, yet polished tannin and an incredible finish. This is a singular beauty that reminds me a touch of the Deus ex Machina Chateauneuf du Pape from Clos Saint Jean. Drink it anytime over the coming two decades. Make sure you decant it if drinking anytime soon. Note, this cuvée comes from the Alta Mesa and White Hawk Vineyards, and unfortunately, there s only 70 cases made. Website: andremily.com ANDREW MURRAY 2015 SYRAH ESTATE GROWN SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $NA RED 91 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 SYRAH TOUS LES JOURS SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $20 RED 88 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 GRENACHE CURTIS SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $36 RED 90 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 ESPERANCE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $30 RED 91 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 ETRANGER SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $65 RED 93 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 BRAZEN SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $NA RED 94 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 SYRAH ROASTED SLOPE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 93 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 SYRAH ALISOS SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $36 RED 91 ANDREW MURRAY 2015 SYRAH WATCH HILL SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $50 RED 94 I ve always loved the wines from Andrew Murray, and his latest 2015s are rock solid across the board. In addition, they all have singular, impeccably made characters that make them a joy to drink. The first estate Syrah from the estate in over 10 years, the 2015 Syrah Estate Grown was destemmed and spent 18 months in 50% new French oak. It's a classic, peppery, dark fruit-driven effort that offers lots of fruit, medium to fullbodied richness, no hard edges and a great finish. It's well worth checking out. The 2015 Syrah Tous les Jours comes JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 5

6 from a multitude of sites in the Santa Ynez Valley and is 100% Syrah that saw a touch of whole cluster and aging all in neutral barrels. I always love this wine and it reminds me of a youthful Côtes du Rhône with its raspberry, pepper and garrigue-scented bouquet. Forward, delicious, beautifully textured and ready to go, drink it over the coming 2-4 years. The 2015 Grenache Curtis Vineyard is 100% Grenache from a site in the Santa Ynez Valley. Fermented with 20% whole clusters and aged 18 months in French oak, it offers terrific notes of framboise, spice, herbes de Provence and licorice, medium-bodied richness, and a supple, charming, fruit-driven style that's a joy to drink. A blend of 60% Grenache, 25% Syrah, and 15% Mourvèdre, the 2015 Esperance is a pretty, juicy, darker berry, violets and floral-scented beauty that has forward, delicious fruit, bright acidity and a great finish. If you're looking for an ideal introduction to Rhône variety blends from Santa Barbara county, this is a great place to start. The 2015 Etranger checks in as a blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, 10% Syrah, and 10% Petite Sirah that spent 18 months in 33% new French oak. It has the vibrant plum, black raspberry and passion fruit character that's the hallmark of the vintage as well as medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and a clean, classy finish. It's another pure, classy wine from Andrew Murray. A blend of 70/30 Syrah and Petite Sirah all from the Curtis Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley, the 2015 Brazen was brought up in 50% new French oak. It offers a vibrant purple color to go with classic cool climate Syrah notes of blackberries, peppery herbs, graphite and licorice. Concentrated, fresh and gorgeously pure, it reminds me of a top St. Joseph from France s Northern Rhône Valley. Made from 92% Syrah and 8% Viognier brought up in 20% new French oak, the 2015 Syrah Roasted Slope sports an inky purple color to go with fabulous notes black and blue fruits, olive tapenade, pepper and leafy herbs. Complex, layered and nuanced, it has full-bodied richness, a great texture and no hard edges. Drink this totally pleasure-bent effort over the coming 4-6 years. Also inky colored, as well as a debut release, the 2015 Syrah Alisos Vineyard (there s a splash of Viognier in the blend) saw 30% stems and 18 months in 10% new French oak. It gives up cool climate notes of white pepper, black fruits, licorice and scorched earth, medium-bodied richness, good acidity and a clean finish. Like all the 2015s from Murray, the 2015 Syrah Watch Hill Vineyard sports a deep, saturated purple color that s mostly opaque. A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier that was fermented with 25% whole clusters and aged in 15% new barrels, it lots of black fruits, smoked meats, pepper and charcoal notes, with a serious core of black, black fruit, it's beautifully balanced, has terrific purity and a good finish. ARCADIAN 2011 CHARDONNAY CLOS PEPE VINEYARD STA RITA HILLS $NA WHITE 93 ARCADIAN 2011 PINOT NOIR CLOS PEPE VINEYARD STA RITA HILLS $NA RED 89 ARCADIAN 2011 PINOT NOIR FRANCESCA CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 92 ARCADIAN 2008 SYRAH SLEEPY HOLLOW VINEYARD SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS $NA RED 94 ARCADIAN 2008 SYRAH STOLPMAN VINEYARD SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $NA RED 92 ARCADIAN 2008 SYRAH HOMMAGE A MAX SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $NA RED 92 These late releases from Joe Davis all showed well, with plenty of life ahead of them. The 2011 Chardonnay Clos Pepe Vineyard is aging gracefully, and is still youthful and lively. Seeming mature at first, it freshens up beautifully with time in the glass and offers classic Chardonnay notes of buttered citrus, toasted nuts, candied lemons and toasted bread. Rich, textured and impeccably balanced, it needs a short decant if drinking anytime soon, and has another decade or two of ultimate longevity. richness, a supple, slightly evolved style and a good finish. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. The 2011 Pinot Noir Francesca (a selection of Joe s favorite barrels) offers a more seamless, silky style than the Clos Pepe Vineyard, with plenty of dried cherries, forest floor, plums, mint and baking spices. Medium-bodied, elegant and seamless, this beauty reveals beautiful complexity, has solid mid-palate density plus fine, youthful tannin through a great finish. There s an evolved edge that makes me think it s best over the coming 3-4 years, but I suspect it will keep longer. I reviewed the 2008 Syrah Sleepy Hollow Vineyard a few Leading off the reds and from a cooler, difficult vintage years ago for the Wine Advocate and it showed similarly this (which I m sure Joe loved), the 2011 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe go around, with Northern Rhône like notes of blackcurrants, Vineyard offers lots of scorched earth, spice, forest floor, cured meats, olive tapenade and spring flowers. Complex, licorice plum and black cherry fruits, Medium-bodied JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 6

7 layered, silky and medium-bodied, it s drinking beautifully today yet easily has another decade or more of longevity. This Syrah comes from a cool site in the Santa Lucia Highlands that was planted with a selection of vines from the Northern Rhône, and the wine certainly follows suit. Another beauty that s aging gracefully, the 2008 Syrah Stolpman Vineyard comes from a warmer site in the Santa Ynez Valley, all the way at the top of Ballard Canyon. It offers more spiced plum, blackcurrants, baking spices, incense and dried violet-like aromatics, with a medium to full-bodied, sweetly fruited, elegant, yet still California-styled personality. I like it today, yet it will easily keep for another 5-6 years, and have a gradual decline. I also reviewed the 2008 Syrah Hommage A Max a few years ago and it s named after winemaker Joe Davis s son, Max, and is a cellar selection of 100% Syrah from the Santa Ynez Valley. This cuvée has a terrific track record for aging (the 2003 is sensational), and the 2008 is fully mature, yet has plenty of life. Blackcurrants, olives, leafy herbs, mint and hints of game all flow to a medium-bodied, elegant, seamless 2008 that has bright acidity, solid concentration and a clean finish. Drink it over the coming decade. AU BON CLIMAT 2014 HILDEGARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $35 WHITE 90 AU BON CLIMAT 2014 CHARDONNAY NUITS- SANTA MARIA VALLEY $40 WHITE 94 BLANCHES AU BOUGE-PEERLESS AU BON CLIMAT 2007 HILDEGARD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $NA WHITE 91 AU BON CLIMAT 2014 PINOT NOIR ISABELLE CALIFORNIA $50 RED 92 AU BON CLIMAT 2014 PINOT NOIR KNOX ALEXANDER SANTA MARIA VALLEY $50 RED 89 CLENDENEN FAMILY 2012 CHARDONNAY LE BON CLIMAT SANTA MARIA VALLEY $50 WHITE 92+ CLENDENEN FAMILY 2014 PINOT NOIR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $50 RED 91 I ve always enjoyed the wines from Jim Clendenen, who s first vintage in California was in 1978 for Zaca Mesa. These are classic, concentrated, old school-styled wines that are brought up in plenty of new oak. If you re looking for Red/White Burgundy look-alikes from California, give these a whirl. Starting out and an exotic blend of mostly Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, with a touch of Aligote, all from Bien Nacido and Le Bon Climat vineyards, the 2014 Hildegard was barrel fermented and aged 18 months in new barrels. It s another impressive wine from this estate that I certainly enjoyed. White flowers, white grapefruit, citrus and hints of toast and minerality all emerge from this concentrated, fresh and elegant white that has tons to love. This cuvée also ages gracefully. The 2014 Chardonnay Nuits-Blanches au Bouge- Peerless is 100% Chardonnay and was barrel fermented and aged 20 months in new French oak. It sports a light/medium-gold color as well as fabulous notes of buttered stone fruits, brioche, toasted spice and honeysuckle. Medium-bodied, supple, beautifully textured and layered, it's a Grand Cru Burgundy look-alike, and will age for two decades, with zero chances of premox. The 2007 Hildegard from Au Bon Climate (55% Pinot Gris, 40% Pinot Blanc and 5% Aligote) sports a healthy medium-gold color and offers terrific notes of buttered stone fruits, marzipan, brioche and toasted nuts. Fresh, elegant and beautifully layered and seamless on the palate, it has vibrant acidity and a great finish. It's a beautiful, mature wine to drink over the coming 4-7 years. The 2014 Pinot Noir Isabelle comes from the Bien Nacido and le Bon Climat Vineyards and was barrel fermented and aged in new French oak. It s a beautiful, silky and seamless effort offering classic raspberry, spice, dried flowers and hints of cedar in an ethereally textured package. With good acidity, impeccable balance and a great finish, drink it over the coming 8-10 years. Spice, forest floor, cedar and sweet red and sour cherry notes emerge from the 2014 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander, and it's firm, tight and fresh on the palate, with bright acidity. Jim's wines always show a fresh, focused style, and while the wines ages well, they don't gain much breadth or suppleness. Still, it's solid and does very well in the style. I was able to taste two wines released under the Clendenen Family label. Notes of lemon curd, mint, sappy flowers, buttered toast and honeysuckle all emerge from the 2012 Chardonnay Le Bon Climat, and lead into a richly textured, balanced, medium to full-bodied Chardonnay I'd happily drink anytime over the coming decade. The 2012 was 100% barrel fermented and aged 24 months in new French oak barrels. It s a Montrachet from California. The 2014 Pinot Noir comes mostly from the Rancho La Cuna Vineyard in Los Alamos, yet has 25% from Le Bon Climat vineyard. Aged 24 months in new French oak, it offers notes of dried cherries JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 7

8 and strawberries intermixed with plenty of cedary spice, dried orange rind and dried herbs. Focused and clean on the palate, with terrific purity and tension, it's a classic, Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir that should keep through Website: aubonclimat.com BARBIERI 2015 SYRAH REEVES RANCH VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $46 RED 86 BARBIERI 2014 SYRAH COLSON CANYON VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $46 RED 88? BARBIERI 2014 SYRAH ROMANUS SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $55 RED 85 BARBIERI 2014 SYRAH RODNEY'S VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $48 RED 87 BARBIERI 2013 SYRAH COLSON CANYON VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $46 RED 92 BARBIERI 2013 SYRAH ROMANUS SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $55 RED 92 These latest releases from Paolo Barbieri are way too hit or miss for me. While I loved some of these wines, the 2014s are a serious step back from the 2013s, and the single 2015 I tasted didn t easy my fears. Leading off and brought up in used French barrels (40% whole clusters), the 2015 Syrah Reeves Ranch Vineyard is a decent wine though has some clear cracks showing. It offers lifted, volatile notes of ripe black fruits and plum sauce, medium to full-bodied richness, bright acidity and some dry tannin on the finish. It does have plenty of fruit, so drink up. From a terrific site located to the north of Los Olivos, the 2014 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is 100% Syrah that saw 35% whole cluster and 12 months in used barrels. Its deep purple, opaque color is followed by lifted, perfumed notes of incense, violets, plums and blueberries. It has too much volatile acidity, and the tannin has a dry edge, but it's nevertheless packed with fruit and texture, and is my favorite in the lineup. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. Another wine that has obvious cracks, the 2014 Syrah Romanus (95% Syrah and 5% Viognier) has lifted, volatile notes of black and blue fruit, violets and cedary spice, medium-bodied richness and vibrant acidity. Drink up. The 2014 Syrah Rodney's Vineyard is a fruit forward effort that has plenty of blue fruits, violets, white pepper and spice in a charming, slightly jagged, yet certainly enjoyable style. Drink it over the coming 3-4 years. Made from 100% Syrah and fermented with 30% whole clusters, the 2013 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is a ripe, sexy, yet still classic Syrah that gives up loads of peppery, meaty, graphite and dark fruit-driven aromas and flavors. It's round, opulent and decadent on the palate, with no hard edges, and is a pleasure bent beauty to drink over the coming 6-8 years. The 2013 Syrah Romanus is also terrific. A blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier aged two years in used barrels, it's perfumed and lifted with notes of violets, plums, blueberries and mint then hits the palate with full-bodied richness, vibrant acidity and a clean finish. It's more expensive than the Colson Canyon, but I'm not sure it's any better. Website: BECKMEN 2015 CUVEE LE BEC SANTA YNEZ VALLEY $20 RED 90 BECKMEN 2015 GRENACHE PURISIMA MOUNTAIN BALLARD CANYON $50 RED 89 BECKMEN 2015 SYRAH PURISIMA MOUNTAIN VINEYARD BALLARD CANYON $32 RED 92 BECKMEN 2015 SYRAH CLONE #1 PURISIMA MOUNTAIN BALLARD CANYON $52 RED 91 BECKMEN 2014 PURISIMA MOUNTAIN SYRAH BLOCK SIX BALLARD CANYON $60 RED 93 BECKMEN 2015 CABERNET SAUVIGNON ESTATE LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $60 RED 93 BECKMEN 2014 TLB ESTATE CUVEE LOS OLIVOS DISTRICT $60 RED 92 Located just outside of Los Olivos, the Beckmen Family has been a cornerstone of Santa Ynez s wine industry since They pull largely from their estate Purisima Mountain Vineyard (planted in 1996) in Ballard Canyon and the wines are consistently outstanding. In addition, they re almost always terrific values. A wine that always seems to over deliver, the 2015 Cuvee le Bec (43% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 14% Mourvèdre and 8% Counoise aged 16 months in 10% new French oak) presents a vibrant ruby color along with a crisp, pure bouquet of blackberries, blueberries, violets and pepper. Elegant, silky and layered, it's certainly the most elegant, though concentrated, vintage of this cuvée I've tasted. Incorporating 10% Syrah, the 2015 Grenache Purisima JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 8

9 Mountain Vineyard (destemmed and aged 16 months in mostly neutral oak) offers tons of kirsch, orange peel and spice in its charming, medium to full-bodied, sweetly fruited profile. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. textured 2014 I d be happy to own. It has good acidity and a soft, forward style ideal for drinking over the coming 7-8 years. The 2015 was completely destemmed and spent 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels. A smoking value, the 2015 Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard (100% Syrah aged in 40% new French oak) is a ripe, sexy, exuberant red that has more texture than most. Blueberry, black raspberry, spice and white pepper notes flow to a rounded, plush, straight-up delicious Syrah with enough underlying depth and density to warrant a year or two of bottle age. The 2015 Syrah Clone #1 Purisima Mountain Vineyard offers a slightly cooler-climate style on the nose and gives up lots of black and blue fruits, violets and pepper. It's all about sweet fruit on the palate that is layered, textured and pure, with solid acidity and plenty of length. This cuvée is 100% Clone 1 Syrah and was destemmed and spent 14 months in 50% new French oak. Melted licorice, blackberry liqueur, spice and peppered meats all emerge from the 2014 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah Block Six, and it's a big, rich, beautifully I was able to taste two Bordeaux blends from the estate, both showing beautifully. The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate from Beckmen is 100% varietal and was brought up in 50% new French oak. Cassis, vanilla bean, hints of mint and bay leaf all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated beauty that has wonderful purity, plenty of tannin and a great finish. The 2014 TLB Estate Cuvée checks in as a destemmed blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah that spent 18 months in 50% new French oak. Its saturated purple color is followed by a sweet bouquet of blackcurrants, menthol, smoke tobacco and melted licorice. Big, ripe, sexy and sweetly fruited, it's decadent and opulent, and will be a serious crowd pleasure over the coming 5-7+ years. Website: beckmenvineyards.com BIEN NACIDO ESTATE 2014 PINOT NOIR SOLOMON HILLS SANTA MARIA VALLEY $60 RED 94 BIEN NACIDO ESTATE 2014 PINOT NOIR BIEN NACIDO SANTA MARIA VALLEY $60 RED 92 BIEN NACIDO ESTATE 2014 PINOT NOIR BIEN NACIDO OLD SANTA MARIA VALLEY $NA RED 92 VINES LXXIII BIEN NACIDO ESTATE 2014 PINOT NOIR BIEN NACIDO THE SANTA MARIA VALLEY $NA RED 93 CAPTAIN BIEN NACIDO ESTATE 2014 SYRAH BIEN NACIDO SANTA MARIA VALLEY $57 RED 93+ BIEN NACIDO ESTATE 2014 SYRAH BIEN NACIDO X BLOCK SANTA MARIA VALLEY $NA RED 94 These terrific wines are made by Trey Fletcher, and while the majority come from the namesake vineyard outside of Santa Maria, they make a sensational Pinot Noir from the Solomon Hills Vineyard as well. The 2014 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills is a beauty; I just love this vineyard. Black cherry, framboise, leather, toasted spice and earth emerge from this ripe, rounded, impressively concentrated 2014 that displays tons of character on the palate. It's a bigger, richer 2014 showing the depth and power of this vineyard handily. This cuvée saw 30% whole clusters, native fermented, 18 months in 33% new French oak and was bottled unfiltered. An earthier, mineral-driven style (which is unquestionably the vineyard), the 2014 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard saw the same one-third whole clusters and 18 months in 33% new French oak. It gives up plenty of black cherry, currants, crushed rock, iodine, and peppery herbs nuances in a fresh, yet nicely concentrated package. I like the breadth on the palate of the Solomon Hills Pinot Noir more, yet this is still a stunning wine that will keep for a decade. Another beauty is the 2014 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Old Vines LXXIII, though it's more savory, structured and concentrated than the straight Bien Nacido. Blackcurrants, toasted spices, sour cherry underbrush and hints of salty earth all emerge from this concentrated, structured, yet still nicely textured 2014 that's going to impressive for over a decade. Seeing a touch more new oak (40%), it saw 30% whole clusters and was bottled unfiltered. A new cuvée (for me anyways), the 2014 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido The Captain was the standard winemaking and saw 30% whole clusters, native ferments and 18 months in 40% new French oak. It sports a deeper ruby color as well as terrific red and black fruits, leady herbs, underbrush and leather. It's another concentrated, rich and nicely structured effort that has plenty of ripe tannin, solid mid-palate depth and a good finish. Like the other wines here, it's going to keep for a JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 9

10 decade, and I suspect will be one of the longer-lived wines in the vintage. There s just 98 cases. The 300-case 2014 Syrah Bien Nacido incorporates 4% Viognier and saw 40% stems followed by 18 months in mostly neutral barrels (25% new). It is a firm, cool -climate, structured Syrah that dishes up lots of black (some blue) fruits, pepper, charred earth and graphite. Medium to fullbodied, structured and lengthy, it needs 2-3 years of cellaring. Even more austere, with lots of graphite, charcoal, pepper, scorched earth and black, black fruits, the 2014 Syrah Bien Nacido X Block saw the same 40% whole clusters and 25% new wood. It is medium to full-bodied, has high, integrated acidity, solid mid-palate depth and a great finish. It's another serious wine that needs to be forgotten for 3-4 years. There s just 100 cases made, but it well worth seeking out! Website: biennacidoestate.com BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 SYRAH TIERRA ALTA VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $42 RED 93 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 SYRAH VERNA'S VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $42 RED 92 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 SYRAH LARNER VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $42 RED 94 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 SYRAH ZOTOVICH VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $42 RED 96 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 SYRAH FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 93 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 GRENACHE FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 89 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 PETITE SIRAH FOX FAMILY VYD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $45 RED 92 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 THE AMBUSH FOX FAMILY VYD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $65 RED 92 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 SYRAH THE DARE SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $65 RED 94 BLAIR FOX CELLARS 2014 LINGER FOX FAMILY VINEYARD SANTA BARBARA COUNTY $75 RED 95 I continue to love the wines from Blair Fox, who s more and more focusing on his estate Fox Family Vineyard. These are classic, ripe, textured California wines that has singular characters and always deliver the goods. Starting out, the deeper ruby/purple tinged 2014 Syrah Tierra Alta Vineyard is 100% Syrah and saw 22 months in older French oak. It offers a classic Syrah bouquet of ripe red and black fruits, spiced meats, black olive and pepper, medium to full-bodied richness, a rounded, opulent texture and a great finish. It's a consumer friendly, straight up delicious Syrah to drink over the coming decade. The 2014 Syrah Verna's Vineyard offers a touch bluer fruit characteristic, as well as lots of incense, violet, and spice nuances. Deeply colored, peppery, fresh and focused, yet with terrific purity and freshness, it too will drink nicely through at least Coming from the sandy soils of Larner Vineyard in Ballard Canyon, the 2014 Syrah Larner Vineyard is a plush, sexy beauty that offers lots of black raspberries, toasted bread, spice and dried flower aromas and flavors. Forward, opulent and beautifully textured, it has the soft underbelly of the 2014 vintage, but is impeccably balanced. Sensational stuff, as well as a killer value, the 2014 Syrah Zotovich Vineyard should be snatched up by readers. Black raspberries, incense, pencil lead, white pepper and violet notes give way to a full-bodied, soft, forward, gorgeously layered Syrah that's as drinkable as they come. Like all the 2014s, it charming and forward, but don't let that fool you, this beauty will evolve on its balance and purity. Coming from the family s estate vineyard, the 2014 Syrah Fox Family Vineyard (100% Syrah) offers lots of meaty red and black fruits, dried earth, licorice and graphite aromas and flavors, full-bodied richness and building tannin. I suspect it will gain more complexity with short term cellaring (and it will integrate its tannin), and keep through Blair s 2014 Grenache Fox Family Vineyard is relatively straightforward and charming, with pretty notes of black cherries, raspberries and spice in its medium-bodied, elegant, moderately tannin profile. Give it a year or two and drink up. The blend is 94% Grenache and 6% Syrah. Plums, blueberries, violets, pepper and spring flower notes all emerge from the 2014 Petite Sirah Fox Family Vineyard. This is a beautifully textured, civilized, elegant Petit Verdot with ripe, polished tannin and solid length. A blend of 42% Grenache, 28% Syrah, 16% Petite Sirah and 14% Zinfandel, Blair's 2014 The Ambush Fox Family Vineyard is a deep ruby/purple-tinged effort that offers notes of black cherries, black raspberries, menthol and white pepper. Spicy, medium to full-bodied, elegant and charming, with plenty of fruit and a charming, delicious style. Drink bottles through Made from 100% Syrah and aged in one-third new French oak, the 2014 Syrah The Dare is the top Syrah of the estate. It gives up loads of black raspberries, spiced plum, incense and dried flowers aromas and flavors along with full-bodied richness, a gorgeously plush, layered texture and a great finish. It's hedonistic, yet JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 10

11 has class, structured and length. Enjoy it over the coming decade. Lastly, and a blend of equal parts Petite Sirah and Syrah, the 2014 Linger Fox Family Vineyard was aged 28 months in 3- year-old barrels. Like all of Blair's wines, it doesn't lack for color and is opaque purple. It offers sensational notes of crème de cassis, toasted spice, hints of vanilla and charcoal. This gives way to a full-bodied, seamless, incredibly polished, silky wine that's balanced and long. It's a fabulous red that readers should snatch up. Website: BONACCORSI WINE COMPANY 2014 PINOT NOIR BENTROCK STA RITA HILLS $50 RED 90? BONACCORSI WINE COMPANY 2014 PINOT NOIR CARGASACCHI STA RITA HILLS $50 RED 91 BONACCORSI WINE COMPANY 2014 PINOT NOIR FIDDLESTIX STA RITA HILLS $50 RED 91 BONACCORSI WINE COMPANY 2014 PINOT NOIR KESSLER-HAAK STA RITA HILLS $50 RED 92 BONACCORSI WINE COMPANY 2014 PINOT NOIR PENCE STA RITA HILLS $50 RED 89 BONACCORSI WINE COMPANY 2014 PINOT NOIR SEBASTIANO STA RITA HILLS $50 RED 93 BONACCORSI WINE COMPANY 2014 PINOT NOIR STA. RITA HILLS STA RITA HILLS $50 RED 92 All these latest releases from Bonaccorsi were 100% destemmed and saw just under two years in barrel. All the cuvées, except for the Cargasacchi, saw native fermentations. They all show an Old-World style, with more than a touch of funk (which I love). Leading off, and meaty, gamey, even funky, the 2014 Pinot Noir Bentrock (100% destemmed and aged 22 months in barrel) offers lots of forest floor, aged beef and herbal notes with a medium-bodied nicely textured style on the palate. It cleans up with time in the glass and has lovely elegance and complexity, but the funkiness here will be a love it or hate it quality for most. The 2014 Pinot Noir Cargasacchi is a lovely, elegant, slightly straightforward effort that offers pretty notes of red currants, leafy herbs, spice and forest floor. Silky, seamless and beautifully balanced on the palate, drink it anytime over the coming decade. Like the Cargasacchi, the 2014 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix is a charming, elegant that offers plenty of cranberry, forest floor and dried flower aromas and flavors. Fresh, lively, and pretty with bright acidity, drink this elegant wine anytime over the coming decade. Possessing a darker, earthier quality, the 2014 Pinot Noir Kessler-Haak gives up plenty of currants, leafy herbs, damp earth and hints of tapenade in it ripe, layered and beautifully textured personality. It too will keep for a decade. From an up and coming vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2014 Pinot Noir Pence was completely destemmed and spent 22 months in barrel. Its medium ruby color opens to a pretty, evolved, spice-filled wine that offers plenty of nuance in its underbrush, green herbs and mintlaced aromatics. Lightly textured with fresh acidity, drink it over the coming 7-8 years. The 2014 Pinot Noir Sebastiano comes from a terrific site located on the eastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. It's a classic expression of this region and has plenty of ripe strawberry and cherry fruit intermixed with spice, dried flowers and earth. Medium-bodied, layered and sweetly fruited, with no hard edges, it's beautifully done and will keep for a decade or more. The appellation blend is the 2014 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills and there s roughly 300 cases of this beauty to go around. It's medium-ruby color is followed by the classic forest floor, dried herbs, charcuterie and savory character that's present in all Bonaccorsi's wines. Silky, seamless and elegant, with fine tannin, it's another charming, beautifully balanced 2014 to drink through Website: bonawine.net BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2013 VIN GRIS TUILE CENTRAL COAST $NA ROSE 85 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2016 VIN GRIS DE CIGARE ROSE CENTRAL COAST $NA ROSE 90 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2012 VIN GRIS DE CIGARE RESERVE CENTRAL COAST $NA ROSE 87 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2013 LE CIGARE BLANC CENTRAL COAST $NA WHITE 88 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2013 LE CIGARE BLANC RESERVE CENTRAL COAST $NA WHITE 90 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2011 LE CIGARE BLANC CENTRAL COAST $NA WHITE 89 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2015 GRENACHE POPELOUCHUM SAN BENITO COUNTY $NA RED 90 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2014 CINSAUT COUNOISE CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 88 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2014 GRENACHE CUVEE R CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 91 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2013 LE CIGARE VOLANT CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 90 JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 11

12 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2013 LE CIGARE VOLANT RESERVE CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 90 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2012 LE CIGARE VOLANT CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 90 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2012 LE CIGARE RESERVE CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 89 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2011 LE CIGARE VOLANT CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 88 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2011 LE CIGARE VOLANT RESERVE CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 91 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2009 LE CIGARE VOLANT CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 91 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2009 LE CIGARE VOLANT RESERVE CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 92 BONNY DOON VINEYARD 2011 SYRAH BIEN NACIDO X-BLOCK CENTRAL COAST $NA RED 91 The 2013 Vin Gris Tuile is a blend of 55% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, 10% Roussanne and the rest Cinsault, Carignan and Grenache Blanc. It s aged in glass jars that are left out in the elements, and has orange tinged color. It s enjoyable and gives up a honeyed, caramelized apples, curry and Indian spices. Medium-bodied, supple and enjoyable on the palate, with a juicy finish, it should make for some interesting food and wine pairings. Randall makes a terrific, classically styled rosé and the 2016 Vin Gris de Cigare Rosé is reminiscent of a classy pink from Provence. Grapefruit, strawberries, spice and hints of rose petal all emerge from this medium-bodied, supple, elegant and straight up delicious rose. A rose that goes through malo and is a blend of 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Grenache, and 11% Cinsault, the 2012 Vin Gris De Cigare Reserve Rosé offers an interesting, slightly oxidative bouquet of hazelnuts, brioche, honeycomb and stone fruits. Elegant and medium-bodied, with good minerality, this is beautifully balanced, supple and textured. Brought up in puncheon and stainless, with partial malo, the 2013 Le Cigare Blanc is 55% Roussanne, 26% Grenache Blanc and 19% Picpoul. It s fresh and elegant, with light citrus, brioche, honeysuckle and a touch of minerality on the nose. Clean, classy, beautifully textured and layered, it is enjoyable, yet finishes short, but is well worth drinking and should keep for 2-5 years. My favorite white in the lineup, the 2013 Le Cigare Blanc Reserve checks in as 55% Roussanne, 26% Grenache Blanc and the balance Picpoul. This cuvée went completely through malolactic fermentation, was aged 18 months in glass jars, on lees, and bottled unfiltered. It offers exotic orange blossom and lemon, hints of lees, and a touch of charcoal-like minerality in a medium-bodied, elegant, yet impressively textured package. After tasting the current releases, it was great to taste a slightly older wine, and I think these are certainly ageworthy whites. A blend of 62% Grenache Blanc and 38% Roussanne that was fermented in older puncheons and stainless-steel tanks, the 2011 Le Cigare Blanc offers plenty of lemon, hay and white grapefruit characteristics in its medium-bodied, fresh, lively style. It s aging nicely, has a touch of maturity, yet also vibrant acidity, which should keep it drinking nicely going forward. Moving to the reds, the 2015 Grenache Popelouchum Vineyard is outstanding, with tons of berry and strawberry fruits, floral nuances, medium-bodied richness and an impressive core of sweet fruit. With no hard edges, a light, elegant texture and a good finish, d, drink it anytime over the coming 4-5 years. Coming from an old vine block of Cinsault in Lodi (one of the oldest vineyards in California) and blended with Counoise, the 2014 Cinsault Counoise offers plenty of dusty earth, spice, leather and cherry notes in a medium-bodied, elegant, lightly textured style. It s well done and ideal for drinking over the coming couple of years. Made with 50% whole clusters and a long maceration, the 2014 Grenache Cuvée R offers classic Southern Rhône-like notes of peppery herbs, kirsch and herbes de Provence. This give way to a medium-bodied, gorgeously textured, seamless red that has not hard edges and a great finish. Like all these latest releases from Graham, it s impeccably made and about as gulpable as they come. The 2013 Le Cigare Volant was brought up in puncheon and foudre (the foudre have lees shelves which allow more lees exposure) and is 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre and the rest Cinsault. Tasting like a classy Côtes du Rhône with its black cherries, blackberries, peppery herbs and garrigue aromas and flavors, it s elegant and seamless on a palate offering tons of sweet fruit and loads of charm. The 2013 Le Cigare Volant Reserve (55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 16% Mourvèdre and the rest Cinsault, aged in glass jars) is another fruit forward, juicy, elegant effort that reveal notes of framboise, tart cherries, truffle and forest floor. It s slightly more rounded than the straight cuvée, yet these two are very similar, much more so with plenty of time in the glass. JebDunnuck.com Santa Barbara County 2014s and 2015s P a g e 12