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Ancient Peaks Chardonnay 2016

Ancient Peaks Chardonnay 2016

From Ancient Peaks estate, Margarita Vineyard lies within the coastal Santa Lucia Mountains. It’s the southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles AVA, receiving more marine influence than most, and is host to a band of calcium-rich ancient soils including the rocky alluvium in which this Chardonnay is grown. It’s crisp and aromatic, opening with pear and […]

Ancient Peaks ‘Pearl’ Chardonnay 2016

Ancient Peaks 'Pearl' Chardonnay 2016

Located a mere fourteen miles from the Pacific Ocean, Ancient Peak’s 2016 Pearl Chardonnay is sourced from block 26, one of Margarita Vineyard’s cooler microclimates. It’s an expressive wine, with d’Anjou pear and white peach resting beneath lighter notes of pastry cream, lemon curd, and baking spice. In the mouth, it’s all freshness and elegance—a […]

Ancient Peaks Rosé 2017

Ancient Peaks Rosé 2017

Limpid salmon in the glass—tasted blind, I would have thought this an Old World rosé—the expression is both elegant and poised with pie cherries, melon, orange zest, and line-dried linen rounding out the nose. In the mouth, a lean and tensile acid spine gives it lightness and a degree of weightlessness. The finish reveals pink […]

Herzog Lineage Rosé Clarksburg 2017

Herzog Lineage Rosé Clarksburg 2017

The 2017 Herzog Lineage Rosé 2017 offers up a bouquet of pie cherries and pomegranate followed by thyme, dried mint, rose petals, and warm spice. In the mouth, its medium bodied, with a touch of watermelon Jolly Rancher, Snapple iced tea and a trailing wisp of dried herbs and chalk on the finish. Sample Herzog […]

Chalone Vineyard Estate Syrah 2014

Chalone Vineyard Estate Syrah 2014

From Chalone’s historic estate in the Gavilan Mountain Range—it’s the oldest producing vineyard in Monterey County, with an altitude of around 1,800 feet and limestone-based soils, the wines from this small AVA are incredibly distinct. The 2014 Vineyard Estate Syrah boasts roasted plums, blackberries, tobacco, cedar, tar, black pepper, oxblood, and even a bit of […]

Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2015

Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2015

Aromas of stemmy raspberry, black cherries, and macerated blackberry followed by vanilla, sweet tobacco, white pepper, and Oolong tea. There is concentration and power on the palate, but lightness too—as I typically find in the Santa Lucia Highlands, the acidity has a signature energy to it—nervy and coated in marine influence, it dances amidst pure […]

Venteux Paso Robles Grenache 2015

Venteux Paso Robles Grenache 2015

Limpid, translucent garnet in the Glass, the 2015 Venteux Paso Robles Grenache is native yeast fermented—and one of the more delicate expressions of the varietal I’ve found in this region. Eccentric rings of black cherry and fresh blackberry tumble from the glass, followed by a glorious and evolving profusion of cigar box, warm spice, dried […]

Leverage Acceleration 2016

Leverage Acceleration 2016

A new find, Leverage is boutique Paso Robles producer focused on Rhône-style blends. The 2016 Acceleration is a soulful blend of 85% Grenache and 15% Syrah aged in French oak puncheons. Blackberries, black raspberries, and plums tumble from the glass followed by waves of unsalted black licorice, olives, mountain herbs, sweet tobacco, vanilla, and macaroon. […]

Leverage Trajectory 2015

Leverage Trajectory 2015

A polished GSM from Leverage, the 2015 Trajectory is a blend of 43% Grenache, 39% Syrah, and 18% Mourvedre. It unfurls slowly, revealing layers of plums and blackberry reduction sauce, sweet tobacco, cigarillo, spice, marjoram, and milk chocolate. On the palate, it’s not at all heavy. Beautifully lifted fruit is couched in fine tannins, deftly […]

Baileyana Stone Egg Chardonnay 2016

Baileyana Stone Egg Chardonnay 2016

Baileyana’s 2016 Stone Egg Chardonnay is the perfect balance of opulence and restraint. Enveloping aromas of apricot, peach pit, apple blossom, and dried lemon verbena spring from the glass. Luscious and full in the mouth, it’s brimming with stone fruit—fermentation and aging in a concrete egg has further graced this Edna Valley Chardonnay with dimension and a […]

CHRISTINE HAVENS
McMinnville, OR

christine@christine-havens.com