Santa Clara Valley, Central Coast

Morgan

Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2019

We had the 2019 Vintage on 7/26-27/25. Nice bouquet and palate of black cherry, strawberry and cardomom. Beautiful mouthfeel. New World. Would easily buy more. Classic tastes and aromas of SLH. — 5 months ago

Stolpman Vineyards

"Love You Bunches" Carbonic Sangiovese

100% Santa Barbera Sangiovese fermented via Carbonic Maceration. Bright garnet color with a ruby core. Bright aromas of red berry fruit, violets and minerals. Flavors of red cherry, raspberry, currant, cranberry and strawberry fruit with additional notes of rhubarb and that hint of mineral. Medium length finish and crisp acidity. Quite tangy and refreshing. Light bodied and easy to drink. Very Beaujolais-like. Excellent pairing with the meat lovers pizza we had today! — 7 months ago

Tom, Paul and 2 others liked this

Mer Soleil

Reserve Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2022

Taking its name from the sea and sun – the two forces of nature that shape its character. Pale lemon, aromas of Stone and tropical fruits, with floral and sweet spice notes. On the palate flavors of apple, peach & apricot with lemon zest and toasty vanilla notes. Smooth long finish, well balanced, nice acidity, ending with fruit, vanilla oak and mineral character. Sip’s well now. Pair this with some fresh tuna! — 8 months ago

Paul and Tom liked this

A Tribute to Grace Wines

Santa Barbara Highlands Grenache 2018

Jeremy Shanker
9.3

Delicious Grenache. Fonsalette lite — 8 months ago

Pooneet, Tom and 2 others liked this

Stolpman Vineyards

Para Maria de los Tecolotes Syrah - Petit Verdot Blend

This 2022 Syrah petit Verdot blend is a very easy drinking wine. Has som finesse and subtleties. Cooling finish refreshing palate. — a year ago

Liquid Farm

Vogelzang Vineyard Mourvedre Rosé 2019

Still our fave — 4 years ago

Eric, Shay and 25 others liked this

Hope & Grace

Doctor's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Somm David T
9.3

I kid you not, Charles Hendricks is likely the most underrated & under known Winemaker in Napa Valley.

If you have not had his wines, you are missing out on great wines & relative real value for Napa. He makes his own private higher end label-Hendricks, Hope & Grace and midway through the 14 vintage for; James Cole, Regusci & T-Vine.

There are few Winemakers that can make wines that drink well young & some that will age two decades plus stored correctly.

This Santa Lucia Doctor’s Vineyard is really good but, his private label Hendricks Pinot from Santa Lucia is off the charts. His 2008 Hendricks Pinot Noir is the highest rating I have ever given a Ca Pinot Noir, 98.

The 13 Doctor’s Vineyard is better than his 12 & is still a little early right now. It will improve over the next 5 years & hold there a couple of years before its gentle decline.

The nose reveals, ripe, well extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with shades of blueberries. Dark spices, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, touch of savory meats, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender.

The body is full, rich, lush and gorgeous. The structure, tension, length and balance are just hitting their good phase. It is simply a beautiful & complex Pinot Noir. Nicely extracted & slightly baked; blackberries, stewed, deep, dark, black plum, black cherries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, dry pomegranate & cranberries with more blueberries than the nose. Dark spices that bring palate heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanilla, touch of savory meats, peppery notes, anise to black licorice, black tea, wet clay, steeped black tea, touch of herbs dominated with Rosemary, rich, black, earth, dry stones, dry crushed rocks, fresh tobacco, leather notes, volcanic minerals, limestone with bright, fresh & withering florals that are; dark, red, purple, blue mixed in violets and lavender. The acidity is very good & excellent at containing the slightly higher ABV. The long, complex finish is, well balanced fruit & earth, polished and will persist until dawn.

Photos of; Their Doctor’s Vineyard, one of my favorite paintings that used to hang behind the bar in their tasting room & now hangs in Charles’ house (it reminds me of a Jackson Pollock), Winemaker-Charles Hendricks and the front of their tasting room in downtown Yountville.
— 6 years ago

Daniel P., Shay and 25 others liked this
Eric

Eric Premium Badge

You ain’t kidding about that SLH Hendricks!
Stuart Scheff

Stuart Scheff

Great review. I agree!!!

Laetitia Vineyard & Winery

Estate Arroyo Grande Valley Pinot Noir 2013

For me,very nice. Smooth and not to sweet very drinkable — 11 years ago

Hahn Winery

SLH Santa Lucia Highlands Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2021

Medium ruby color. Aromas of cherry, cranberry and hints of red licorice. Cherry and cola on the palate, with a black tea finish. Paired nicely with pulled pork sandwiches.

🏅91 Points - Wine Spectator
— 5 months ago

Dave, Doug and 9 others liked this
Dave

Dave

I think Hahn's "special" productions deserve some love.

A Tribute to Grace Wines

Santa Barbara County Grenache 2023

cinnamon, cinnamon hot candies, floral- the burgundy color iris aroma. Then earthy. dried red cherry. — 7 months ago

Ira and Shay liked this

Stolpman Vineyards

La Cuadrilla Ballard Canyon Red Blend 2022

Timothy Eustis
9.0

Quite perky 2022. Not modern style, much more acidity than expected. Rich robust dark fruit. Tight tannins. Really nice. — 8 months ago

Jay, Tom and 1 other liked this

Melville

Estate Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Light nose and light body. Nothing special but fine for a fish dinner. — 8 months ago

Jonata Winery

La Sangre de Jonata Ballard Canyon Syrah 2015

Even better than the crazy-good 2007, the 2015 La Sangre de Jonata is sheer perfection in a glass and up with the finest Syrahs ever made in California! Checking in as a blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier, aged in barrel, its saturated purple color is followed by out of this world aromatics black raspberries, smoked earth, graphite, game, violets and freshly crushed rock-like minerality. — 10 months ago

Tom, Bob and 21 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Sounds crazy, given the pricing, but underrated stuff.

Sans Liege

The Offering Syrah Blend

This is just a fabulous blend! Let it open up & it gets even better. — 5 years ago

Herman Story

Casual Encounters Syrah Blend

Needed to open up a bit, but finished nicely. — 6 years ago

James and Nikki liked this

Sea Smoke

Ten Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2008

I know it's over the top,but damn it taste good. — 9 years ago

Daniel, Shay and 8 others liked this

Au Bon Climat

La Bauge Au-Dessus Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2002

2002 holding up very nicely -- elegance with structure! — 10 years ago

Jason liked this

Lieu Dit

Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Franc

H
9.1

One of the best bottles in the longest time, balanced body and tannins, plenty of fruit with that peppery finish — 5 months ago

Lieu Dit

Santa Maria Valley Melon de Bourgogne 2021

Blanc de Mer release. New wine. Like Melon Bourgogne with a bit more depth and bite. — 7 months ago

Tom and Adriana liked this

Belle Glos

Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

This is amazing we have had this several times always amazing! — 8 months ago

Blake Gifford
with Blake

Tatomer

Vandenberg Riesling 2023

A solid Riesling. — 8 months ago

Scott@Mister and Ira liked this

Kosta Browne

Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2014

Tasting really good right now. Less sweet than a non single vintage — 9 months ago

Pali Wine Co.

Huntington Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2018

Heavier tasting Pinot. Enjoyed very much. — 4 years ago

Ericsson, LM and 6 others liked this

Mer Soleil

Silver Unoaked Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey Co. Chardonnay

Bright and citrusy. Would drink again. — 6 years ago

Sea Smoke

Southing Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2011

Delicious. Huge cherry fruit & long finish. Wonderful treat. . — 6 years ago

Seaglass Wine

Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir 2015

Licorice and Zinnia on the nose and first taste. Cola and Cranberry, yes I agree! Mulberry and honeysuckle. Very nice sipper. Pink Noir, sure... kinda heavy. Pulled pork extremely a great pair!!! — 8 years ago

Neal liked this

Luli

Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013

Great wine - Kim really likes it. — 9 years ago

Dirty & Rowdy

Santa Barbara Highlands Vineyard Mourvedre 2013

Soul wine! — 11 years ago

Mark, Eric and 1 other liked this
Hardy Wallace

Hardy Wallace Influencer Badge

Aww yeah! Thank you sir!!!!!!!
Ryan Mullins

Ryan Mullins Influencer Badge

Dude! Matt Olsen and I are enjoying this together. This shit is legit, super proud of you!