Month: May 2022

2021Âmevive, Rosé of Graciano, Ibarra-Young Vineyard, Los Olivos District, Santa Ynez Valley.Winemaker Alice Anderson says, that the 2021 growing season was a dream, with weather that was consistent with cool…

2020 Samuel Louis Smith, Syrah, Sandstone Terrace, Santa Cruz Mountains.The grippy and stony Samuel Louis Smith 2020 Sandstone Terrace Syrah has terrific length and substance with loads of Olallieberry, blueberry…

2019 La Marea, Grenache, Central Coast.I’ve focused quite a bit on these new releases from Ian Brand, but each one deserves this attention, especially this exceptional Grenache value under his…

2018 Odonata Wines, Sparkling Dry Riesling, Tondre Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands.The latest Odonata wines, as tasted at the Santa Lucia Highlands Sun, Wind & Wine gala, were all excellent and…

2019 Mansfield-Dunne, Pinot Noir, Cortada Alta Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands.I was very impressed with the 2019 Mansfield-Dunne Cortada Alta Pinot, entranced by the aromatics and depth of flavors in a…

2018 Bruliam Wines, Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands.It was great to catch up with Dr. Kerith Overstreet, who is the winemaker of Bruliam Wines, at the Santa Lucia…

2015 Cattleya, Syrah, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands.Maybe the best wine of the 2022 Santa Lucia Highlands Wine, Sun &Wine tasting, this outrageously good Cattleya Soberanes Syrah from the 2015…

2018 Gian Luca Colombo, Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC, Piedmonte, Italy.Not to be confused with Jean-Luc Colombo of Cornas (Rhone) fame, Gian Luca Colombo is an excellent youthful viticoltore in Piedmonte who…

2019 Badia di Coltibuono, Chianti Classico DOCG, Tuscany, Italy.Coltibuono’s 2019 Chianti Classico is bright and fresh, but with solid depth and a rounded mouth feel, allowing for beautiful and charming…

2019 Ryme Cellars, Cabernet Franc, Alegria Vineyard, Russian River Valley.The Husband and wife team of Megan and Ryan Glaab at Ryme Cellars in Sonoma are turning out some fabulous wines…