We’re very sad this is among the last of Kitá Wines on the market… Yet we’re also very grateful to still have a couple of bottles to sip and savor over time.
Kitá Wines was situated in Santa Ynez Valley AVA, within the broader Santa Barbara County of the Central Coast of California, where conditions can range from cool and foggy to warm and dry, depending on your proximity to the coast.
The winery was founded in 2010 by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians with renowned Winemaker Tara Gomez (a Chumash descendant) at the helm of day-to-day operations. Kitá Wines closed in April of 2022, leaving an indelible mark on the wine industry with a lasting (and award-winning) reputation for impeccable quality and deliciousness.
This wine is the 2014 Kitá Wines “Kalaš” red blend, comprised of 48% Merlot, 38% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petit Verdot, with 13.5% ABV.
It had a medium garnet hue and vibrant notes of black cherry, blackberry, black currant, plum, violets, green bell pepper, cedar, nutmeg, vanilla, leather, tobacco, and graphite. — 5 months ago
Fresh green/yellow fruit flavor without being overly sweet. A little bit of new rubber band smell. Very drinkable alone or with food with some spice to it. Very friendly ABV. — 3 years ago
From Mag. An absolute wow of a bottle. The nose is crazy intense, lucid and profound. Dark plum fruit with a whiff of band aid, iron, black pepper, a tangy meatiness. Loads of delicate floral notes floating around, but a soulful and pristine bottle. As fresh as an early 2000’s bottle but so much age and precision going on. Wonderful. Just spectacular. — 2 months ago
Crisp and clean. Green and yellow. A bit herbal. — a year ago
Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, 14.5% alc/vol. Nose dominated by Merlot notes, cherry, then later strawberry, while flavors reflect a more balanced blend of the three varietals. Rounded mouthfeel. Peppery finish with some skin tannins. Old school West Coast red, but shifted by use of top Washington state red varietals. A second label offering under a groovy first label brand. Great value. — 2 years ago
Oh yeah. Perfect complement to our grilled fish and jerk chicken. Reggae band and beach vibes blended well with the crisp, coastal taste of this rioja blanco. — 2 years ago
Big storm and power just went out at 3 in the afternoon. Breaks my heart to put work aside and open this!
Almost have it 93. The nose is great. Violets, strawberry, and burnt orange peel. Palate is fun too. Slightly reductive, cherry, strawberry, salinity, and minerality.
I purchased this at North Loop Wine / Spirits in Minneapolis. Check out this shop if you haven’t/can. Great selection! Very helpful staff as well. I asked for the best Pinot under $60 and he passed quite a few easy names to give me this. So glad he did! They have a great selection of high end stuff, maybe best in MN? Thoughts Vikings fans? — 3 years ago
Emily Ferrin
J&K’s 50th @ Gibson’s Italian — 2 months ago