Category Archives: Santa Barbara County

Zaca Mesa Santa Ynez Valley Viognier 2007

Zaca Mesa, Santa Ynez Valley, Estate Grown and Bottled, Viognier 2007 This wine is peaches on steroids all the way through with a rich, very viscous mouthfeel that emphasizes fruit rather than oak or butter, as is seen in some … Continue reading

Posted in California, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley, Viognier | Leave a comment

It’s not the tires

Firestone, Central Coast, Vineyard Select, Riesling 2006 The smell of stone fruits and citrus greets you in the glass. In the mouth the wine is fresh, moderately acidic and graced by obvious residual sugar. The acid levels will seem faint … Continue reading

Posted in California, Central Coast, Monterey County, Riesling, Santa Barbara County | 1 Comment

Power to the Pinot!

Artesa, Carneros, Estate Reserve, Pinot Noir 2006 Artesa has been making some great wines and has shown greater success with their still wine program. This is a light-bodied, red fruit expression of Pinot with the warmth of alcohol. Winemaker David … Continue reading

Posted in California, Carneros, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta. Rita Hills | Leave a comment

Little one in the woods

Rancho Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner 2007 There’s a bit of flintiness in the nose. Sylvaner isn’t typically an aromatic daredevil so that’s OK. In the mouth there’s a very grapy flavor, almost like a native labrusca, very hard to … Continue reading

Posted in California, Clarksburg, Petite Sirah, Santa Barbara County, Sylvaner | Leave a comment

Pinot AVSBNSG

Husch, Anderson Valley, Pinot Noir 2006 Cherries and earth in a light-bodied package – a little rustic and a touch bitter. Aged for 9 months in French oak. P&B in Philo 13.9% $22.99 at Traverso’s Husch Navarro, Anderson Valley Mendocino, … Continue reading

Posted in Anderson Valley, Burgundy, California, Mendocino County, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County | Leave a comment

All over Rhone

Monticello, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Estate Grown, Syrah 2005 Lush and graced by black fruits and a bit of black pepper. P&B in Napa 14.5% $ at the winery Monticello Trinafour, Mendocino County, Niemi Vineyard, Carignane 2006 There’s ample … Continue reading

Posted in California, Carignane, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France, Grenache, Mendocino County, Mourvedre, Napa Valley, Oak Knoll District, Rhône, Rhone Blend, Santa Barbara County, Syrah | Leave a comment

SB Pinot

Flying Goat, Santa Maria Valley, Solomon Hills Vineyard, Pinot Noir 2005 Concentrated cherries, sweet oak in July 08. In February ’09, there’s some nice complexity as well, with the fruits stewing a bit – nice. Winemaker Norm Yost. P&B in … Continue reading

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills | Leave a comment

2 sides of dry part 3

There’s a broad spectrum to what is considered dry white wine, as we see in these two examples from California. Kunde Estate Sonoma Valley Magnolia Lane Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is an exciting wine of floral and citrus notes, high … Continue reading

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, Santa Maria Valley, Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley | Leave a comment

Red style

Like white wine, red wine comes in many shapes and sizes, from the silky, flowing ribbons to brawny, square-jawed brawlers. Here are 3 takes on red wine style. Lincourt Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2004 Easy drinking cherries in a … Continue reading

Posted in Alexander Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Lodi, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sonoma County | Leave a comment

Coooool Pinot

Two star producers show their wares from the Santa Rita Hills (I still find it hard to spell this appellation in the new fashion). Foley Sta. Rita Hills Rancho Santa Rosa Pommard Clone Pinot Noir 2006 Another hit that melds … Continue reading

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, Sta. Rita Hills | Leave a comment