San Simeon Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
A well-crafted Cabernet from Paso Robles—a region that has yet to explode in popularity, thus, there are interesting values to be had. San Simeon is a brand owned by San Antonio Winery, which still maintains an urban tasting room in Los Angeles. The winery has been in operation since 1917. Sumptuous aromas and flavors of […]
Windstream Sarmento Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013
Windstream Sarmento Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>One of San Antonio Winery’s brands, the Windstream Sarmento Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2013 shows considerable marine influence, given its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Glass-filling aromatics of rose petal and cinnamon bark. and dry leaves that crunch underfoot. The attack is bright and […]
San Antonio Winery Opaque Paso Robles Zinfandel 2014
True to its name, the Opaque Paso Robles Zinfandel 2014 is, well, opaque. Aside from that the nose is deliciously expressive. Rife with steeped blackberries and plums, anise, cedar, and chocolate mint. Expect a wallop of freshly ground black pepper on the nose and on the palate. The attack is full-bodied and lush, enlivened by […]
William Hill Central Coast Pinot Noir 2014
I have liked ‘s Chardonnay more than their Pinot Noir, the 2014 Sonoma Coast evokes plums, grape jelly, brown sugar. This is an easy-drinking, uncomplicated, and slightly sweet California Pinot that leans toward jammy black fruit—it’s all black cherry at the core, with a touch of cola, and low levels of tannin. 14.5% ABV | […]
Edna Valley Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
A friendly and approachable Central Valley Pinot Noir, Edna Valley offers a dollop of pleasure for the budget conscious—finding decent Pinot Noir in the under $15.00 price category is a challenge. The 2014 edition emits strawberry and raspberry jam, with a whiff of crunchy, dry fall leaves. It’s fairly simple, but pleasant in the mouth, […]
La Marea Mourvedre Spur Ranch Vineyard 2013
For those of you familiar with Ian Brand’s first label, Le P’tit Paysan, La Marea is produced with equal care and craft, and is dedicated to the production of single-vineyard Spanish varieties from San Benito and Montery County. The 2013 Spur Ranch Vineyard Mourvedre is sourced from vines that are at an 1,000 foot elevation […]
Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend Zinfandel 2013
Soft and pliant, the 2013 Ghost Pines Winemaker’s Blend is comprised of 100% Zinfandel of which 53% is sourced from San Joaquin County and the remaining 47% is from Sonoma County. While not overly complex, it does offer inviting aromas of blackberry liqueur, juicy black cherries, vanilla and spice. On the palate, it’s smooth and easy-drinking […]
Edna Valley Vineyard Central Coast Chardonnay 2014
My non-wine friends love this Chardonnay. Given its modest price, it offers up simple notes of yellow peach and ripe pineapple capped off with a whiff of vanilla. Fleshy on the palate and ultra smooth, it’s endowed with sweet tropical fruit and stone fruit in equal measure along with and a kiss of oak. An […]
Sine Qua Non Viognier Mr. K The Noble Man 2000
Rich and amber-hued, this dessert wine offering from cult winery, Sine Qua Non is sourced from 100% botrytized Viognier. Harvested at 42° brix, it’s a remarkable elixir that offers up notes of ripe apricot, orange marmalade, mace and vanilla. Concentrated, waxy and viscous in the mouth, there is enough acidity to bolster hedonistic flavors of […]
Piedrasassi Coastal White 2011
Peidrasassi’s website says their Coastal White is, “Very unconventional.” A bit of an understatement, this blend of 50% Albarino and 50% Sauvignon Blanc that is fermented whole-cluster in a puncheon, and get this, post-fermentation it’s then aged on the skins for a full year! Pronounced notes of candied grapefruit peel, bitter almond, pear seed and […]