Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.6

A restrained and old world style with nice aging potential. The nose was well integrated but lacked defining characteristics for me. The palate was ripe with firm but round tannins and present acidity. Graphite along with just ripened black fruit. Opened nicely with time in the glass. #starlane #happycanyon #santabarbara #cabersauvignon #malbec #california #usa #ctbucklinwine — 8 years ago

Zachary Price

9.3

Hanging with some friends last week and one of them opened this little gem. He picked this up in Santa Barbara, where the Happy Canyon Tasting Room recently opened. The Happy Canyon AVA is one of the newest, established in 2009, and one of the smallest, located at the end of the Santa Ynez Valley. They specialize in Bordeaux varietals and they do an excellent job at that. This Cabernet Sauvignon blend will rock your socks off! ~$60 | #happycanyon #cabernetsauvignon #californiawine

On the eyes: Slight Rust, Deep Opaque Ruby, Med+ Stain, Tears, No Gas, Barrel particulates present.

On the nose: Red Berry and Oak, Med Alcohol, Hints of Herb and Minerality.

On the tongue: Med+ Acid, Med+ Tannin, Med Alcohol, Good Body with Long Finish of Overripe Raspberries, Baked with Cassis, rounded out with tobacco, toasted oak and minerals. — 10 years ago

with Jason

Zachary Price

9.2

Part of one of my Foxen wine shipments, always a pleasure to drink - and why not tonight?!? The Grassini vineyard, a relatively new vineyard planted in 2002, specializes in Bordeaux varietals, in the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA (designated in 2009). Happy Canyon is located in the easternmost end of the Santa Ynez valley - a unique microclimate with loamy-clay soils that produce low yielding, highly flavorful wines. Foxen, founded by masters Dick Doré and Bill Wathen in 1985, is one of the most iconic and notable wineries in the Santa Barbara county, (and one of my personal favorites!), that produces high quality Bordeaux and Rhône style single and blended varietal wines. ~$44 | #foxen #cabernertsauvignon #happycanyon

On the eyes: Deep, opaque, purplish-red, med+ stain, med+ stain, no gas/floc.

On the nose: Blackberry, mulberry, stewed sour cherry, and rich earthiness with a bit of smoke and petrol. Med alcohol.

On the tongue: Med+ tannin, med+ acid, Med+ alcohol, full round body. Sour cherry, mulberry, leather, cigar box with a long rich finish. Tastes of Bordeaux. This one drinks young and could use 3-5 in the bottle! — 9 years ago

Winery Explorers

9.2

Santa Barbara County does produce delicious Cabernet too! Very nice tasting at Grassini Family Vineyards. @grassinifamilyvineyards #grassinifamilyvineyards #grassiniwines #santabarbara #happycanyon #sbcwine #winetasting #wine #delectableapp #wineryexplorers — 10 years ago

Zachary Price

8.8

Picked this one up with several other bottles at the Happy Canyon Tasting Room in Santa Barbara. This is a Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc "Bordeaux" style white blend that tastes of France. These grapes are commonly blended as the Sauvignon Blanc provides the acid and the Sémillon provides the structure. A little expensive for a table wine, but if you're in SB, check out the tasting room and try it! ~$35 | #happycanyon #bordeauxblanc #santabarbara

On the eyes: Translucent, Star Bright Pale Yellow. Little to No Stain, Med Tears. No Gas/Floc.

On the nose: Med Alcohol, Green Apple and Hazelnut with aromas of Gravelly Earth.

On the tongue: Med+ Acid, Med Alcohol, Light yielding to Medium Body as it warms. Flavors of Green Apple, Honey, and Hints of Fresh Cut Grass along with a Sweet Nuttiness finishing with Citrus. Good Finish and Nice Complexity. — 10 years ago

Andrew Stover

Sommelier/Wine Director Oya & Sei, Wine Blogger ChiefWino, Founder Vino50

9.1

#wbc14 @Grassiniwines Sauv Blanc 2013. Very Graves-like. Notes of jasmine, pear, melon, lemongrass, round and smooth. Only 13.5 alc! #wine #sommelier #santabarbara #happycanyon
— 10 years ago