Louis Jadot
Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay 1559
Easy drinker. Pale straw hues in the glass and medium white fruits on the nose. Light citrusy lemon, melon and green apple on the palate. A good balance of acidity and minerality. Don't kill this with an icy chill. Drink this with a light chill for optimum flavor. — 2 months ago
Dovecote
Thompson Vineyard Estate Chardonnay 2023
This review is actually for the Thompson vineyards Chardonnay. Loads of lemon zest and pineapple. It has a full mouthfeel with bright acidity. Oak and stainless rounds this out with a full finish. Only 124 cases made. Brilliant Chard. — 3 months ago
Brave & Maiden Estate
Bequest Los Olivos District Cabernet Franc Blend 2021
Just an exquisite red blend from B&M. Produced in a Bordeaux style. Beautiful nose. Opens with blackberry, a hint of cinnamon and a chocolate sweetness to balance it out. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Petit Verdot, 12.5% Merlot, 12.5% Cabernet Franc. This will drink well for a while. Don't pass on this winery/winemaker if you're in Santa Ynez. — 15 days ago
Boen Wines
'Tri Appellation' Santa Barbara, Monterey, Sonoma County Pinot Noir 2021
Wagner did a nice job with this Pinot. Nice clarity in the glass. Notes of bright cherry, herbal notes, black tea and a ting of vanilla. The finish is more than ample. Maybe the bottle age adds a bit on the back end. Better than its RRV sister. — a month ago
7 Cellars
Reserve Elway's Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
This is a big Cab. Took a good 2 hrs to really open up. Good balance and finish with loads of dark cherry, blackberries and stone fruits. It gives you a full mouthfeel. Probably better to lay this down for a few years. It'll drink well 5-10 easy. — 3 months ago
Ladera Vineyards
Howell Mountain Malbec 2015
Last vintage of this Ladera Howell Mtn Malbec. Opens to a mouthful of red berries and a juicy texture. Soft tannins elongate the finish. This is a great juice. — 25 days ago
Zialena Winery
Geyserville Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Not going to blow you away but it's a drinkable good value Cab. 100% fermented in concrete and finished in new and used French Oak. — 2 months ago
Margerum
M5 Santa Barbara County Red Rhone Blend 2022
Visited this winery and found this nice value 5 grape blend. Mostly grenache, syrah, mourvedre, and tad of cinsault and counoise. The wine offers a slight acidity with ample red berry and moderate tannins. After a much needed 30 min decant the wine will open up and expose the finish. Very drinkable. Makes for a great food pairing wine. — 3 months ago
Ken Venezio
Visited this gem of a winery last year. 2021 brings 56% Syrah, 8% Grenache, 23% Mourvédre, and 12% Petite Sirah, with 8% whole cluster fruit in the blend. Not much nose, but you'll initially get some savory spices of fennel and thyme in the glass. As it evolves the complexity shines. Cassis, dark currants and a smokiness. Medium to full bodied. Make a point of visiting for a tasting. — 9 days ago