LXV Crimson Jewel 2015
LXV’s 2015 Crimson Jewel is a poetic blend of 80% Brunello clone Sangiovese with 20% Petit Verdot all from the Hearthstone Vineyard—located in the heart of Paso Robles Adelaida District, the blocks are seated on limestone soils and benefit from both high elevation and unique microclimate. The nose is a twiggy garland of black cherries, […]
LXV Heart Note Rosé of Sangiovese 2018
Conch shell pink, LXV’s 2018 Heart Note Rosé of Sangiovese is imbued with pretty aromas of tart pie cherry, pomegranate, melon, line-dried linen, white flowers, and chalk. Tasted blind, it could easily be mistaken for a Provençal pink—minerality shines through, giving it a nimble if porous armature, a feather-light structure that gently terminates in pink […]
Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir 2016
I was pleased to have toured Carmel Road’s stunning Panorama vineyard on the day they had a falconer out to deter starlings just ahead of harvest and equally pleased to meet their capable winemaker. The 2016 Carmel Road Monterey Pinot Noir is loaded with briary fruit anchored by aromas of earthy substrata. Sous bois, dried […]
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
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
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 […]
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
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
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
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. […]