WINE ADVOCATE – AUGUST 2014
88 Points – 2013 Albariño, Clover Creek Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
“The 2013 Albarino Clover Creek Vineyard is a crisp, juicy effort that offers notions of lychee, white peach and citrus peel to go with a medium-bodied, sweetly fruited and deliciously quaffable personality. It spent four months in stainless steel. Serve this beauty chilled before cold weather arrives. It will be a fabulous meal-starter.” – Jeb Dunnuck
88 Points – 2011 Blues Cuvée, Santa Barbara County
“A blend of 52% Cabernet Franc, 24% Syrah, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot and Malbec, the 2011 Blues Cuvee Red Wine (which gets new art work ever year commemorating blues music) exhibits beautiful plum, chocolate, violet and cedar aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, rich and nicely textured, it’s a delicious, forward effort that will drink nicely through 2019. Drink 2014-2019.” – Jeb Dunnuck
90 Points – 2012 Chardonnay, Cuvée Diana, Sta. Rita Hills
“Leading off the Chardonnays, the 2012 Chardonnay Cuvee Diana is a blend of four vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Seeing roughly 25% of the blend through malolactic fermentation and aging 13 months in 26% new French oak, it’s a pretty, elegant and nicely textured white that offers up-front citrus blossom, white flowers and hints of toast on the nose. It’s an outstanding effort, yet has a forward, supple feel that’s perfect for drinking over the coming year or two. Drink 2014-2016.” – Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points – 2012 Chardonnay, Rita’s Crown Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
“More elegant, layered and seamless, yet still with a rounded, supple style, the brilliant 2012 Chardonnay Rita’s Crown gives up impressive stone fruits, lychee, white flowers, brioche and hints of minerality on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, pure, supple and borderline voluptuous, enjoy this beauty over the coming couple of years as well. Drink 2014-2017.” – Jeb Dunnuck
89 Points – 2011 Evidence, Santa Barbara County
“More tight and reserved, with a slightly more serious feel, the 2011 Evidence (33% Cabernet Franc, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 12% Malbec) spent 21 months in 35% new French oak. Giving up notions of blackcurrants, plum, cedar-box and lead pencil, this medium to full-bodied, concentrated and nicely structured effort will have over a decade of longevity. It’s borderline outstanding and a solid bottle of wine. Drink 2014-2024.” – Jeb Dunnuck
90 Points – 2013 Pinot Grigio, Santa Barbara County
“A naked, pure, crisp and steely effort, the 2013 Pinot Grigio gives up ample green citrus and tinges of minerality to go with a beautifully pure style on the palate. Finishing dry and clean, it too is a beautiful white to enjoy over the coming year or so. Drink 2014-2015.” – Jeb Dunnuck
89 Points – 2012 Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
“The 2012 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block N comes all from the Martini Pinot Noir clone and 40-year-old vines. Wild and perfumed, with gamey meats, underbrush, pepper, mint and black cherry fruit, this medium-bodied, supple and layered effort turns more floral and exotic with air, and has bright acidity and a clean finish. Completely destemmed and aged 15 months in 33% new French oak, it should drink nicely for 4-5 years. Drink 2014-2019.” – Jeb Dunnuck
89+ Points – 2011 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
“The 2011 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard is a focused, structured effort that has crisp red berries, underbrush and hints of minerality to go with its pure, linear style. Completely destemmed and aged 15 months in 30% new French oak, give it another year in the cellar, and it should have a solid 7- to 8-year drink window. Drink 2014-2022.” – Jeb Dunnuck
92 Points – 2012 Pinot Noir, Fe Ciega Vineyard, Block M, Sta. Rita Hills
“Showing the purity of the vintage, the 2012 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Block M comes from the steepest part of the vineyard and vines planted in 2008. Gorgeous all around, with notions of black raspberry, cassis, crushed flowers and sappy herbs/rose petal, this medium-bodied beauty has a pure silky texture, fabulous fruit and an overall seamless, elegant style. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. Drink 2014-2019.” – Jeb Dunnuck
90 Points – 2012 Pinot Noir, La Encantada Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
“The 2012 Pinot Noir La Encantada Vineyard is a mineral-driven effort that needs another year in bottle to round into form (which is atypical in the vintage). Smoke, sweet oak, scorched earth and ripe Pinot Noir fruit all give way to a medium-bodied, concentrated feel on the palate. It’s an outstanding bottle of wine that should be at its best from 2015-2019.” – Jeb Dunnuck
88 Points – 2011 Tempranillo, Santa Ynez Valley
“The 2011 Tempranillo Santa Ynez Valley offers pretty cedar, spice-box and licorice to go with ripe black raspberry and cassis-styled fruit. Medium-bodied, fresh and lively, it has good ripeness and a balanced, pure style. Made from 91% Tempranillo, 5% Syrah and 4% Merlot that spent 21 months in 45% new American oak, drink it over the coming 3-5 years. Drink 2014-2019.” – Jeb Dunnuck