LXV Wine Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The 2016 Reserve Cabernet is brimming with earthy, soulful tones of underbrush, black cherry, blackberry, sandalwood, white pepper, and cinnamon bark. On the palate, it’s nimble for a Cabernet, and still tightly-wound at this stage in its development with fine, black tea-infused tannins that firmly anchor the core of this wine, a streak of limestone […]
Saint Tryphon Chardonnay 2015
Heavily laden in fruit, Saint Typhon’s 2015 Santa Barbara Chardonnay explodes with aromas of mango, yellow peach, pineapple, vanilla, acacia blossom, and spice—in some ways, the expression is reminiscent of a lightly styled Sauternes. It’s concentrated, on both the nose and in the mouth, with lush and voluminous fruit that drenches the palate. As with […]
LXV Wine Crimson Jewel 2017
Glinting, translucent garnet in the glass, the 2017 Crimson Jewel is brimming with earthy sensuality. Amarena wild cherries and Mirabelle plums rest beneath lighter, more ethereal notes of baker’s cocoa, underbrush, chalkboard dust, dried oregano, and basil. Stylistically it’s a touch lighter than the 2015 vintage—round and elegant on entry, pleasant tannic grip imparted by […]
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 […]
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% […]