We use cookies for analytics and to improve our site. You agree to our use of cookies by closing this message box or continuing to use our site. To find out more, including how to change your settings, see our Cookie Policy.
Dismiss

This Week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous

Welcome to this week's Must-Try Wines from Vinous! Each week we compile a list of wines from the Vinous database that you need to add to your wine wish list. With all the various regions, producers, and grapes, no week will be the same! All of the wines listed in this feature are available for purchase on Banquet . This week's must-try wines are from Antonio Galloni’s article, Brilliance in Santa Barbara . Enjoy his notes for this week's must-try below! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ “Santa Barbara continues to impress with a wide range of exceptional, world-class wines. After the challenging but ultimately strong 2020 harvest, producers were welcomed with far more favorable conditions in 2021. It is a spectacular vintage for the whites, quite possibly the best I have seen in more than a dozen years of tasting these wines, but ultimately less consistent for the reds, as we will explore in this year’s report.” --Antonio Galloni, Brilliance in Santa Barbara, September 2023 1. 2020 Andremily Mourvèdre 2. 2021 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 3. 2021 Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 4. 2021 Chanin Wine Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard 5. 2021 Liquid Farm Chardonnay La Hermana 6. 2021 Mail Road Wines Chardonnay Mt. Carmel Vineyard 7. 2021 Sandhi Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills 8. 2020 Sine Qua Non Grenache Distenta II 9. 2021 Tensley Syrah Santa Barbara County 10. 2021 Tensley Red Wine All Blocks

Tensley

All Blocks Tensley Vineyards Red Blend 2021

Delectable Wine
9.3

The 2021 Red Wine All Blocks, Tensley's Grenache-based wine, is a knock-out. Bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, spice, menthol and cinnamon are all dialed up. This succulent, juicy 2021 delivers the goods. Dollops of Syrah from Colson Canyon and Mourvèdre from the estate vineyard round out the blend. The 2021 is supremely delicious. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Liquid Farm

La Hermana Chardonnay 2021

Delectable Wine
9.5

The 2021 Chardonnay La Hermana is striking. Bright, focused and wonderfully nuanced, the Hermana captures all the personality of Santa Maria, namely that mix of vibrant acids and tropically-leaning flavors. There is an exoticism here that is just compelling. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Rob liked this

Cambria Estate Winery

Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Delectable Wine
9.2

The 2021 Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard is laced with crushed red berry fruit. Spice, tobacco and mint are some of the notes that grace this expressive, nuanced Pinot. The 2021 was done with fully destemmed fruit, but there is a sense of savoriness here that is quite attractive. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Rob liked this

Andremily

California Mourvedre 2020

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2020 Mourvèdre is another super-classic Andremily wine in this vintage. Blackberry jam, cloves, menthol, licorice and sweet oak are all amplified in this potent Mourvèdre. There's a ton of textural intensity, but varietal character is a bit in the background in this warm year. The 2020 will drink well pretty much on release. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Tensley

Santa Barbara County Syrah 2021

Delectable Wine
9.2

The Syrah (Santa Barbara County) is bold and punchy, with lovely floral top notes that add lift. Blue/purplish fruit, clovers, leather and a dash of black pepper all run through this racy, layered Syrah. This is even better than it was last year. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Rob liked this

Sandhi Wines

Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2021

Delectable Wine
9.1

The 2021 Chardonnay (Sta. Rita Hills) is terrific. Citrus confit, white flowers, almond, chamomile and dried herbs all run through this super-expressive Chardonnay. There's a touch of phenolic intensity, along with a kiss of reduction, that add character. Almost all of this fruit is now estate. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Rob liked this

Chanin

Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2021 Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard marries the aromatic lift of this site with a good deal of stony intensity and drive. There's an understated depth here that is absolutely beguiling. The Los Alamos is usually a more ethereal wine, but the 2021 has an added kick if mid-palate richness that is compelling. Citrus peel, mint, white pepper and chalk linger on the bright, intensely saline finish. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Rob liked this

Sine Qua Non

"Distenta II" Grenache 2020

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2020 Grenache Distenta II is a dense, powerful wine. A blast of dark cherry, plum, espresso, menthol, licorice and cloves hits the palate. This rich, heady Grenache delivers the goods. In a vintage that was so hard for Grenache, Elaine and Manfred Krankl found the way to craft a memorable wine. All this needs is time. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Rob liked this

Mail Road

Mt. Carmel Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Delectable Wine
9.6

The 2021 Chardonnay Mt. Carmel Vineyard is fabulous. All of the pedigree of this south-facing site comes through in a rich, layered, beautifully resonant Chardonnay endowed with tremendous distinction. Lemon confit, orchard fruit, mint, spice, graphite and hazelnut all grace this dramatic Chardonnay. Readers will find a Chardonnay of undeniable class, elegance and personality. Stunning. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago

Brewer-Clifton

Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2021

Delectable Wine
9.4

The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is such a beautiful wine. The appellation Pinot is often one of my favorite wines in this range, as it is again this year. The purity and exuberance of this fruit is compelling. Floral and savory nuances develop in the glass, but earlier bottling and a bit less whole cluster influence work well to accentuate the textural presence and intensity of the fruit. This is such a gorgeous wine. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2023)
 — 7 months ago