Randy Fuller

9.3

This wine is dark in color. The nose is complex, offering blackberry and blueberry fruit in addition to anise, black pepper, and herbal notes. The palate is savory, with earth, tar, and spice dominating the flavor package. Tannic grip is easy to handle, yet workman enough to do a job on a rib eye steak. The finish is medium long, and the savory aspect lingers. — 10 days ago

ESF

8.9

Man I just love Norton - it is such a fun, expressive wine. It’s loud & boisterous and downright unruly, but it’s uniquely American. Inky and brimming with black fruit galore & then menthol, medicinal, licorice, forest floor, squirrely spice just pour out of the glass. So expressive. On the palate it is voluptuous w/plenty of acidity & tannins, it’s just a bit clumsy, but it means well. Black fruit compote with kitchen sink spices envelope the palate. Decent finish. Don’t know what the hell you’re supposed to eat with this stuff but it’s a lot of fun. — 3 years ago

Jay Eagan

9.3

The salute to the Rhône region is obvious - while the fruit is great (dark plum) the front of this wine is roasted meat. Also 8% Viognier is a great touch. If you can visit this winery in Santa Barbara! Ask for Andre - super cool guy. — 5 years ago

with Kristine

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

One of the best american Rieslings out there. The Riesling was planted in 2007. Kick On Ranch is just a few miles West of Los Alamos (CA) , getting close to the ocean and Vandenberg Air Force Base. 120 cases. 13.5%. Plenty of acidity, 🍯 , botyris? , fresh cut garden hose. Quite herbal. Oregano. Tatomer’s top of the line offer. He learned the trade in Austria 🇦🇹, Wachau region. This 2019 is very very good. Not Mosel just different - and perhaps quintessential Californian. — 3 days ago

Vanessa

9.1

Sandhi, Sanford & Benedict, Sta. Rita Hills, Pinot Noir, 2016, ABV 13.5%.

This Pinot Noir comes from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County in the Central Coast region of California. Despite California having generally a Mediterranean climate, due to its westerly location, Sta. Rita Hills AVA receives cooling maritime and fog influences from the Pacific Ocean, aiding in the preservation of acidity, lending balance, finesse, and elegance to the resulting wine.

This wine is medium ruby with a medium(+) intensity of youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of candied cherry, strawberry rhubarb, orange peel, violet, tulip, mint, wet stone, white pepper, secondary notes of nutmeg, and tertiary notes of earth and wet leaves.

On the palate this wine is dry, with medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, delicate tannin, and medium(+) intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. This wine has a medium(+) finish.

This is a beautiful wine with a strong fruit character and expression. It is well-balanced and offers concentrated aromatics and flavors and nice complexity. — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Laura Purdy

9.0

This is the Chasselas Dore Sparkling - excellent! — 6 years ago

Monis Mirza

9.2

Found this in New Mexico. If there is a central coast wine that represents the region this would be it. Of course this does not disqualify all the great Pinot produced in Santa Barbara. Truly a treat. — a year ago

Neal Gracey

8.9

Wow, what a surprise! Light and brisk. Honeysuckle big time. No after taste and a great finish like very faint citrus but no fruity. Wonderful in summertime with an ice cube. Lovely!! — 3 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon curd, grapefruit, peach, lime zest and hints of dried apricot. Racy acidity and good minerality. — 5 years ago

Frank Gorman

9.0

American Son 2020 with Scott White — 5 years ago