Talley Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2017
Talley Vineyards 2017 Arroyo Grande Estate Chardonnay displays copious amounts of baked apple and poached pear, buttercream frosting, hazelnut along with a dash of toast. Minerality shines on the palate, from entry to finish—infused with its terroir, both saline and limestone elements that form an energetic spine, nicely balancing out rich layers of toast and […]
Au Contraire Chardonnay 2016
The 2016 Au Contraire Chardonnay is a full-bodied effort, offering up classic aromas of orchard fruit—bruised pear and yellow apple followed by freshly buttered wheat toast and preserved lemon. Lots of juicy yellow fruit and creaminess at the core; the interplay of acid and toast is nicely done. Aged eight months in stainless steel and […]
LXV Wine Summer Satine 2018
In the past, LXV’s Summer Satine has always been a Condrieu-style Viognier, the newly released 2018 vintage holds court as a flaxen-hued Arneis, sourced from the only vineyard in Paso Robles that grows it. Ebullient notes of pear, underripe pineapple, and lemon zest are followed by lighter tones of citrus blossom, crushed herbs, and crisp […]
Burbank Ranch Picnic Meadow Rosé 2014
62% Grenache, 38% Mourvedre Copper-hued, Burbank Ranch’s 2014 Picnic Meadow Rosé is citrus driven, with tones of mandarin and orange creamsicle. In the mouth, it continues in that vein, with creaminess at the mid-palate that is tinged in orange pith and white grapefruit. The finish is softly focused, a gentle dwindling of flavor, it’s past […]
Écluse Rendition 2016
Inlaid with dark, throaty aromas of plums, macerated blackberry, crushed lavender, char, and sweet tobacco. The 2016 Écluse Rendition is a full-throttle Rhône-style blend that’s classic Paso Robles, one that’s nicely framed in well-structured, integrated tannins and a burst of bright acidity to balance out ample juicy black fruit at the mid-palate. 375 Cases Produced […]
Vargas Aha! Albariño 2018
Taught as a drawn bow, the 2018 Vino Vargas Albarino expresses Bosc pear, lemon pith, white flowers, and wet gravel. In the mouth, a sweeping textural landscape with a deep mineral vein that wells up amidst orchard fruit, quince, and dried thyme. The finish is long and protracted. Rare for me to lavish this sort […]
LXV Cira Vineyard Reserve Merlot 2015
LXV’s 2015 Cira Vineyard Reserve Merlot opens with pie cherries, macerated strawberries, cola, mocha, graphite, and spice followed by a pastry note that’s steeped in vanilla bean. As with all of LXV’s Reserve wines long aging in 53% new French oak has resulted in a wine that’s softly focused with satiny, well-integrated tannins and lovely […]
Edna Valley Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Sourced from California’s Central Coast, the 2017 Edna Valley Vineyard Sauvignon is crisp and refreshing. A classic bouquet of melon, dewy pear, guava, and grapefruit are the aromas that comprise the nose. In the mouth, it’s clean and bright—and terminates in a lively streak of lime zest and white grapefruit. A lovely everyday drinker. 13.1% […]
Penman Springs Vineyard Paso Robles Artisan Cuvée Meritage 2016
A blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 14% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Penman Springs Artisan Cuvée Meritage is aged for 18 months in American oak. Boysenberries, black cherries, dried violets, and dutch process cocoa powder make up the nose. Mouthcoating, ripe tannins neatly couch a core of densely packed, sweet black fruit that […]
Orin Swift Blank Stare Sauvignon Blanc 2017
An energetic whorl of pear and juicy musk melon, Opal apple, stargazer lily, and lime zest comprises the nose of Orin Swift’s 2017 Blank Stare. A blend of 97% Sauvignon Blanc and 3% Muscat, 20% barrel fermentation and aging in French oak is evident on the nose and palate, lending a just the right amount […]