Matthew Cohen

9.3

N: hint oak
P: intense pineapple and acid. Very well done.

Grapevine 32 3/5 25 btg — a month ago

Matthew Doty

8.9

2023 vintage. A solid everyday Malbec. Best with ~1 hr to breathe — 6 months ago

Katie Dooley

9.1

A decent and cheap Chardonnay — 10 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

One of the best american Rieslings out there. The Riesling was planted in 2007. Kick On Ranch is just a few miles West of Los Alamos (CA) , getting close to the ocean and Vandenberg Air Force Base. 120 cases. 13.5%. Plenty of acidity, 🍯 , botyris? , fresh cut garden hose. Quite herbal. Oregano. Tatomer’s top of the line offer. He learned the trade in Austria 🇦🇹, Wachau region. This 2019 is very very good. Not Mosel just different - and perhaps quintessential Californian. — a year ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

Scheurebe Pinot Blanc Blend. Young needs a little bit more age. A great wine to pair with all kinds of food sans steak. Green apple, tart, almond blossoms. Super nice. At Bell‘s in Los Alamos the new and only Michelin ⭐️ place in Santa Barbara County. Very well worth visiting!!! — 4 years ago

Dave Schneider

9.3

This is quite a special wine. I don’t care what the others rated this. I like it. Purchased on my trip to Santa Barbara almost 6 years ago. Now I remember why I bought it at the tasting room. Nice floral bouquet, slightly acidic, light translucent color with less than 13 percent alcohol (that’s a good thing). Very good structure that would suggest this wine is in the middle innings and can probably last a few more years — 5 years ago

Mike Matsumoto

8.9

久しぶりに飲むカリフォルニアピノ。鴨のコンフィを買ってきたので開けました。一人で飲むにはちょっと高めのワインです。三ツ矢酒店税別4000円。
10年ものでガーネット色がいい感じ。家で数年寝かせました。ピノらしいベリー系の香り、酸と甘味のバランス、タンニンによるアフターも申し分なし。鴨によく合います。ああ、おいしい。 — 6 years ago

Matthew Cohen

9.1

N cherry cough syrup a bit. Cranberry.
P almost dusty. Solid. Good cherry. Subtly herbs.

Grapevine 40 — a month ago

Richard Siddall-Jones

9.0

Easy drinking. Dark berries, little oak, smooth tannins — 8 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

occata Classico 2020
Santa Barbara County AVA, California 🇺🇸

Overview
A uniquely Italian-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and the very rare Piedmontese grape Freisa. Grapes are sourced from Los Alamos Vineyard (66%) and Valley View Vineyard (34%), both within Santa Barbara County. This cuvée reflects the region’s versatility and pays homage to Old World traditions with a distinctly Californian expression. Extremely approachable and crowd-pleasing, it’s a true bridge between Italian heritage and California winemaking.

Aromas & Flavors
On the nose, dark cherry, ripe plum, and dried roses are lifted by subtle baking spices and a hint of tobacco leaf. The palate continues with layers of blackberry, cassis, and a whisper of earthy leather, with Freisa adding a rustic twist of red berries and herbal undertones.

Mouthfeel
Medium-to-full bodied with velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and a polished structure. It feels plush and seamless, finishing long yet inviting, with a touch of savory spice.

Winemaking Notes
A thoughtful blend composition highlighting both classic Bordeaux varieties and the rare Italian Freisa, fermented and aged in French oak to achieve elegance while preserving fruit vibrancy.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with osso buco, Tuscan-style grilled steak, roasted lamb, or rich tomato-based pasta. Also versatile enough for charcuterie and hard cheeses.

Verdict
A standout example of Santa Barbara’s Italian-driven winemaking spirit. Elegant, smooth, and versatile — this blend is both serious and fun, making it perfect for casual gatherings yet polished enough to impress the connoisseur. — 10 months ago

Martinez

9.0

Entry-level Chardonnay by the legendary Jim Clendenen - perhaps the most important name in Santa Barbara wine- from three different sites in Santa Barbara County—Bien Nacido, Rancho Vinedo and Los Alamos. Barrel fermented and aged for 8 months in French oak barrels. Clean, pure nose with aromas of lemon zest, minerals (crushed stone, flint) and some vanilla and buttery notes. Fresh, bright, slightly saline, with plenty of acidity and lemony flavors. Great balance. Excellent value ⚡️ — 4 years ago

Justin Lintz

9.2

Good everyday — 5 years ago

Delectable Wine

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9.1

Diatom’s 2009 Chardonnay Bar-M, from vineyards in Los Alamos, is a gorgeous wine and a fabulous value. Tangerine oil, white flowers and light tropical accents give this curvy, airy Santa Barbara Chardonnay so much appeal. Breezy saline notes linger on the wonderfully inviting finish. $25.00 (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2020) — 6 years ago

Kerri

8.9

Medium bodied, fruity, enjoyed it — 2 months ago

FP

9.0

This was good. Best of the grocery store selection and sub $20 — 4 months ago

romo

9.1

Kind of correct, surprisingly. Super-drinkable at maturity. — 8 months ago

Lizzie Moore

9.0

Full bodied, dark. Would go well with red meat dish. — a year ago

Ted Holland

9.2

Wasn’t sure what to expect but Wow!! The nose on this one is strong and classic, think about an English saddle and then double it! Then take a sip, OMG, a red fruit juice bomb with a smokey delicious velvety texture that just won’t stop. It’s big and bold. Can’t wait to share a bottle with friends! — 4 years ago

Roberto Carli

9.2

Balanced Wine, nose leads with dark fruit and spice, black cherry especially. No noticeable new oak but perhaps there is a touch, pallet leads with sour cherry, a touch of strawberry, lots of bitter herbs on the finish, tannins that are more flavorful than textural — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

8.9

Totally commercial easy drinking #bonarda Black fruit and toast. #argentina — 6 years ago