Adelaida Cellars HMR Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
Eccentric rings of roasted apple, dried honey, lemon curd, orange blossom, and dried Medajool figs greet the taster. The 2016 Adelaida Cellars HMR Estate Vineyard Chardonnay is flatout sexy, silkily textured, with a center of gravity that’s nicely balanced against a backdrop of light toast. That classic Paso Robles calcareous vein emerges on the finish—one […]
Calera Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard 2005
I had the pleasure of sampling the 2004 vintage of the Calera Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir in 2014. The 2005 is one that I slightly prefer over the 2004—this bottle has developed beautifully and is within its drinking window. The nose, a symphony of leather, earth, spiced apple rings, Rainier cherries, raspberry, and dried lavender. […]
Bridlewood Monterey County Pinot Noir 2014
A nice value with a distinctive underbrush and red cherry note I attribute to Monterey Pinot Noir, particularly the acidity and what it does in the mouth—a bright burst, even though this is a more delicate, fully translucent example from the region. In addition, wafting cherry blossoms, leaves crackling underfoot, instant coffee, a touch of […]
Talbott Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard 2014
The brawny side of Pinot Noir, Talbott’s Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands. There, Pommard and Dijon clones burrow deep into Chualar gravelly loam soil and sand, resulting in a wine with an equal measure of weight and acidity along with steeped raspberry, cherry, rose hip, underbrush, and spice notes. Bordering […]
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Monterey, Sonoma, & Santa Barbara Counties 2015
J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir is a blend of Pinot Noir from three AVAs: Monterey County, Santa Barbara County and Sonoma County. It’s a big, voluptuous wine, not quite opaque and neatly inlaid with black cherry, roasted strawberry, warm brown spices, and decaying rose petal. Silky on entry, with well-integrated tannins—the acidity hits at […]
L’Aventure Estate Rosé 2016
L’Aventure is a winery I’ve long been curious about—I was delighted to learn that it was one of our stops on a recent media trip to Paso Robles. And now, I understand all the fanfare. These wines all have a shimmering mineral thread running through them, like a silken cord, even in their heavier reds. […]
Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Tablas Blanc 2003
Yesterday I was treated to a wonderful vertical of older vintage Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit de Tablas Blanc, the 2003 was holding up admirably. Indeed, they all were. A blend of 68% Roussanne, 27% Grenache blanc, and 5% Viognier—aged to a deep yellow, the color of daffodils, and bursting with aromas of bruised pear, golden […]
San Simeon Monterey Chardonnay 2014
The frame is not as nimble as I might expect for a Monterey Chardonnay, which is generally a cooler climate AVA. The weight is in fact unctuous, fat, and even slightly oily, much like a light Sauternes—its legs cling to the sides of the glass. Aromatically, the primary expression is one of stone fruit, spice, […]
Murrieta’s Well The Spur 2013
vAnother label from Wente, Murrieta’s Well Winery The Spur 2013 is an estate-grown blend of 40% Petite Sirah, 26% Cabernet, 10% Petit Verdot, 8% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 8% Malbec. Sporting an opaque purple-hued dress, the aromatics are soft and expansive, with layers of plums, ripe boysenberries, black cherries, spice and cedar leading into […]
Murrieta’s Well The Whip 2014
From Wente, Murrieta’s Well Winery The Whip 2014 is an estate-grown blend of 29% Semillon and 27% Chardonnay, with the balance comprised of Sauvignon Blanc, Orange Muscat, Muscat Canelli and Viognier. It offers up a lush bouquet of golden apple, dried pineapple, mango, lemon drop, lemon blossom, and vanilla. There’s as much range [of fruit] […]