Six Sigma Ranch
Failla
Keefer Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2013
Evolving beautifully and likely not at its peak yet, this wine was gorgeous with cherry and cranberry compote flavors touched with cedar and dried herbs. On the richer, riper side of things but only just. A very fine way to spend an afternoon with friends (six feet distant). Well done @Ehren Jordan — 5 years ago
Easton
Cooper Ranch Barbera 2009
2009. Aromas of ripe but tart cherries and berries. Mouthfeel is a delight, with concentrated fruit balanced with bright acids and a sleek run to a juicy, cool, and lingering finish. A structured wine with enough complexity for easy versatility when it comes to food pairings. Sausage and peppers, various pastas, grilled meats -- all within the wheelhouse of this youthful, restrained wine. Six years in it's still on the young side. 14.5% abv. — 8 years ago
Gargiulo Vineyards
Frank Wood Ranch Oakville Chardonnay 2016
Probably six months past prime. Dark gold color and oxidizing. Half Chard and half Sauternes. Butterscotch and toffee dominate. Deep wine with a long finish. I’m still trying to find those go to Chards as well as how long to age them. Seems like I drank the ‘16s too slow. — 2 years ago
Lucia Vineyards (Pisoni)
Garys' Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
A wine I’ve enjoyed mostly upon release or near it. I vowed to wait six years and nearly made it. At least it is 2018...just! It’s worth waiting this/that long for it to develop. On the nose; sweetly, baked fruits of; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, and notes of blue fruits. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium, beautiful spice, black fruit tea, limestone minerals, loamy, dry, brown top soil, fresh dark florals and violets. The mouthfeel is full, rich & lush. The tannins are round, still have some teeth and possess velvety round edges. It’s fruit driven but not a bomb and showing elegance & grace. Fruits are perfectly ripe; dark cherries, strawberries, black plum, plums, blackberries, notes of blue fruits and dry cranberries dip in and out. Cinnamon, vanilla, very light clove & nutmeg, caramel, soft, medium beautiful spice that is more pronounced on the palate, black fruit tea, touch of melted brown sugar/molasses, limestone minerals, touch of rich dark sweet turned soil, loamy dry brown top soil, soft understated eucalyptus/mint, dry fresh florals and violets. The round acidity is just right, just a slight very small alcohol burn, the length, structure, tension and beautifully balanced finish are in a very good place. Even better in 2-3 more years in bottle; which is when I’ll have my next one. Photos of; the winemaking duo of Gary Franscioni (left) and Gary Pisoni, Rosella’s Vineyard on the right. As well as, Garys’ Vineyard at the bottom. Producer notes and history...The Santa Lucia Highlands appellation is known for its rich, vibrant Pinot Noirs. However, that wasn’t always the case. The first Pinot was planted in 1973, but results weren’t all that great. Chardonnay was the appellation’s early star. Much of the area’s current fame for Pinot Noir arguably can be traced to Gary Pisoni, a free-spirited wine enthusiast who grew up in a Salinas Valley vegetable farming family. Pisoni decided to plant a few acres of Pinot Noir in 1982 on his family’s horse ranch, at the southern end of what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation but his horses started eating the grapes. So, they had to go. His initial planting were limited by a lack of water until he dug a well on the property. Pisoni started planting even more Pinot Noir. The vineyard is now around 45 acres and nearly all of it Pinot. By the late 1990s, word had spread about the success of his vineyard, and a number of Pinot specialists from around California had started lining up to buy his grapes. He started producing his own wine in 1998. Pisoni isn’t the only Gary who has become a force in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Gary Franscioni, a childhood friend, followed Pisoni’s lead by planting grapes and started Roar Wines in 2001. The two of them now have five vineyards between them...all farmed meticulously with the same crew. They are best of friends...sort of a Mutt & Jeff. They have become a formidable presence in the Highlands, attracting interest from top winemakers and Pinot Noir lovers from all over. Franscioni is also from a vegetable farming family; Pisoni figures they’ve known each other since they were 3 or 4. Franscioni saw his friend’s success and once he got some money together, decided to plant grapes of his own. Franscioni’s property is farther north and cooler as it’s closer to the Monterey Bay. He was going to plant Chardonnay. He woke up and Franscioni recalls imitating Pisoni, and shouted, “plant Pinot!” Franscioni planted what became Rosella’s Vineyard, named for his wife, in 1996. He took Pisoni’s advice and planted four acres of Pinot Noir, although he still planted 12 acres of Chardonnay. It’s now a total of around 50 acres with three-quarters of it Pinot Noir. The next year, they decided to become partners and planted Garys’ Vineyard, a 50 acre parcel where they grow Pinot and a little Syrah. Since then, Franscioni has developed Sierra Mar, 38 acres of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and a tiny amount of Viognier. The two teamed up again to establish Soberanes Vineyard, 35 acres of mostly Pinot Noir, with a little bit of Chardonnay and Syrah. That last vineyard was developed by Pisoni’s son Mark. The Garys might seem an unlikely pair. Pisoni is colorful character to say the least and has an outspoken manner. Franscioni comes across as more serious- minded. However, the collaboration between the two, who often address each other as “partner,” clearly works well. The two are good on their own, but better together. Pisoni being more gregarious acts as the frontman. He is the Ambassador. He’s a check on the rest to keep the quality high. Franscioni and Mark Pisoni run the farming on their own vineyards and work together on the joint ventures. The family involvement doesn’t stop there. Jeff Pisoni makes his family’s wines, which are under the Pisoni and Lucia brands. Franscioni’s son, Adam, joined the family business in time for the 2011 harvest. He handles sales for Roar and helps his father manage the vineyards. The grapes from all five vineyards are in huge demand, because the two families are such careful farmers, constantly tweaking and improving. Prominent customers include; Testarossa, Siduri, Kosta Browne, Copain and Bernardus. When a new vintner approaches them about buying grapes, the partners examine the winery’s track record and the Winemaker. If they like what they see, the winery is put on a waiting list. There’s not very much movement in their vineyards. When Franscioni planted Sierra Mar, he and Pisoni had 62 wineries waiting to buy fruit. Soberanes was developed with the idea of working with some new winemakers. There was some concern, even among the two families, that quality might suffer as the vineyard operations grew. However, there’s no indication that’s the case. In fact, with each new venture, they build on what they’ve learned in their older vineyards. Eventually, there will be even more vineyards. The Pisonis and Franscionis have purchased a 100 acre cactus farm in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There’s still a lease on the property. So, prickly pear cactus will continue to be grown for five more years. But at some point, the land will be planted with vines. Both families understand the importance of continuing to build for the future. The Garys looking back tell a story of being in the same spot some years ago and looking at a field of broccoli out back. He told Franscioni that the field would look a lot better with Pinot Noir vines. Now that parcel is part of Rosella’s Vineyard, and it’s planted with Pinot. Everybody thought he was crazy...most people usually think that when someone makes a bold decision. He’s a person who has always had vision and creativeness. He also has tremendous passion. Good things only happen when a person possesses all three of these qualities. Their wines are primarily available by mailing list. However, Nepenthe in Big Sur, CA acts as a quasi tasting room for some of their wines. — 7 years ago
Bee Hunter
Eagle Point Ranch Grenache 2015
Bee Hunter Wines Eagle Point Ranch Grenache 2015 Mendocino, California
A very pretty color of ruby with a very wide brick rim.
Interesting nose of blackberries, cedar, cooked cherries, raisins, figs, chocolates, sweet vanilla, cola, spices, mint and black pepper.
Medium bodied with medium plus acidity and long legs.
Dry and very fruity on the palate with cooked cherries and strawberries, lemon peel, vanilla, light raisins, dried fruits, cedar, herbs, licorice, cola, chocolates, sweet vinaigrette, spices and black pepper.
Long finish with fine tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a delicious Grenache from Mendocino County in California. Much lighter than I expected it to be, but it is so yummy.
This Single Vineyard is good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime, when it shows the complexity.
This six year old is peaking now, and drinking very nicely with nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.
Alcohol is not showing at all, so watch out. Nicely balanced at this point. Easy drinking and tasty.
A great sipping wine, but good with food too. I paired it with Brie cheese and crackers.
14.8% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$42. — 4 years ago
Six Sigma Ranch
"Cuvée Annette" Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2012
49% CS, 40% Merlot and 11% Petit Verdot.
One of the best wines I've ever tasted from Lake County.
110 cases produced. — 9 years ago
Stephen Redenbaugh
Hard to not drink young…ripe, complex, balanced. I admit to loving Zinfandel with food, and Ridge is right at the top. Blackberry, cherry, plum…noticeably tannic, but works like a charm with my renowned six-hour pasta fagiole and a healthy slug of quintarelli olive oil. Zin and pasta, zin and burgers, zin and ribs…just YUM! — 2 years ago