Isaac Pirolo

9.3

The Fiddlestix Vineyard is located at mile marker 7.28 on Santa Rosa Road in Lompoc, California, which is situated in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. In the mid-90's Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars, along with the viticultural icon Taz Steinhauer, acquired the 133-acre, former flower farm, across Santa Rosa Road from the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, and in 1998 they planted 100 acres of Pinot Noir. Aside from the small amount earmarked for Fiddlehead's own production, much of the vineyard is contracted to other producers, including Ampelos, Ancien, Anglim, Arcadian, Bonaccorsi, Dragonette, Jonata, Ken Brown, Hartley-Ostini Hitching Post, Gainey, Ortman, Pali, Paul Lato, Prodigal, RN Estate, Rusack, Summerland, Tyler, Vogelzang, Wedell , and TAZ, not to mention Etude.

Opens with an austere earth note in a tone reminiscent of Barbaresco, and in the words of Miles Raymond, it's "tighter than a nun's ass." 45 minutes later, though, and it's singing and juicy. Black cherry, but not overripe, leads this medium bodied, pungent thinker, while a virtual greenhouse of floral shades help twist and shape its direction. Secondary dusty earth and walnut skin reveal the source of its austerity. True to its terroir, there's a tertiary layer of spice and rocks that provides the depth needed to go from good to great. — 9 years ago

Michael Young

Area Manager/Italian Specialist Fine Wine Portfolio, Palm Bay International, Certified Sommelier Court of Master Sommelier, Certified Sommelier Associazione Sommelier Italiano

9.0

Great. Not as good as the Ojai But pretty good. — 11 years ago

with Melody

Ethan Forrest

8.9

Rangy, soft tannins, pleasantly balanced — 11 years ago

with Emily

Nikki Nelson

9.8

2012. Lurvvvvved it. — 12 years ago

Steve Steese

8.9

Steely and grassy with both tangerine and tropical notes. Continues to be a compelling wine every time I try it. — 12 years ago

with Jayme

Richard Jennings

9.9

What a treat! Delicious birth yr Rioja from 1 of my all-time fave trad'l producers, Bilbainas, thanks to Tom Black & Jenny Bonaccorsi. — 12 years ago

Angelica Nierras

9.2

Lovely fruity unexpected pinot noir — 10 years ago

Jean-Francois Pelletier

9.1

Smoked meat on the nose, dark fruit. Strong palate, some kick with lots of dark fruit. Long finish. Showed very well for its age. — 10 years ago

with Chris, Stanley and 1 other

Dave Montagne

9.4

A terrific white wine that has aged beautifully. A real treat. 100% Carricante — 11 years ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Holy spicy fruit Batman. This is an enormous Pinot. — 11 years ago

Ethan Forrest

9.0

Ripe fruit, a little funk, tickly acid, faint soft tannins. If not for the bruisy rose color I'd think it was cru Beaujolais — 11 years ago

with Emily

Matt Guenther

10

J.L. Bonaccorsi 2011 Syrah is exceptional, and I recommend pairing it with an extra sharp cheddar. I'm told it has notes of tobacco and bacon grease, but all I know is that it was good! — 12 years ago

with Caleb

Alex Pitts

Cellar Master Scholium Project

8.9

At A16 rock ridge — 12 years ago

Trilby Carriker

9.1

Wine maker died suddenly. Met his wife. Lovely. Wine is big, crisp Pinot . — 10 years ago

Matt

9.0

Candied strawberries, bing cherry, forest floor, baking spice, beets and balsam. Fine tannins and moderate acid with earth on the finish. — 10 years ago

Michael Walker

9.7

Very tasty - could use a little more fruit - excellent with north fork grass fed ribeye — 11 years ago

Rick Shobin

8.9

Just okay. — 11 years ago

with Robin

John Riddick

9.2

Complexity over 2 days. Initially more a fruit bomb (think Aussie Shiraz). Day 2 brought smokey meat and a Côte-Rotie clone! Super interesting — 12 years ago

Garth Gamble

9.1

Love Santa Rita Hills — 12 years ago

Mark Taylor

9.8

The one that started an obsession for me — 12 years ago