Tom Casagrande

8.9

This is clearly intended to portray a Burgundian profile. And it largely succeeds. The Chablis-like nose has wet stony earth and apply fruit. Crisp acids. Minerally flavors. The problem — and this is a problem I see whenever someone in a region with abundant sunshine actively tries to rein in the ripeness by picking early — is that by picking before the time when nature gives you the ripeness IT wants, the wines somehow lack depth and feel a little “clipped.” So, in sum, I like this, but it lacks the depth to be profound. — 14 days ago

Maria Buckley

8.9

Light, smooth, and delicious. Nothing to complain about here! 😁 — 2 months ago

Hernan Hernandez

9.0

This is the only Chardonnay from Cali that I can actually enjoy so far. Not super oaky and it has some European influence in the wine making process. Bought at Riverdale Vintner. $21.99. — 6 days ago

Michele Weaver

8.9

Tasting around the room - dry pine - light in the legs - slight oaky flavor - it would pair well with food - actually I like this Chardonnay it’s not dry and has a lovely fruit and nut wine -!good sipping wine - very pleasant to the palate-smooth with floral hints well balanced-would go well with oily fishes like tuna or peanut butter sandwiches! — 19 days ago

Joe Davant

8.9

Another solid vintage from LF. Tropical fruits, green apples, plenty of minerality and acidity. — 4 days ago

Jeff Savigny

9.2

Maybe the extra bottle time reaped benefits, but this is just on point! — 14 hours ago

Robert Evans Jr

9.4

California Crew Wine Crew. We did a Chardonnay comparison to start — 10 days ago

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9.2

The 2015 Chardonnay El Camino Vineyard is striking. Lemon confit, orange peel and tropically leaning flavors make a strong opening statement. Broad and ample on the palate, with plenty of supporting acids, the El Camino is a wonderfully complete wine, not to mention a terrific value. Drink it over the next handful of years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2018) — 18 days ago

Eric Shanks

9.3

Butterfly lemon curd. Just south of rich. Great with fish — 8 days ago

Roman Sukley

9.8

2008 Next of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Cumulus Vineyard No. 2" Central Coast Syrah. Pictured next to the inaugural vintage box, and documenting my disturbing inability to remove the cork in one piece, let’s begin with a quote from Manfred regarding the genesis of the brand: “The name is in reference to the fact that it is the next closest relative to SINE QUA NON, yet it is separate and different, and with its own personality, character and style. Implied is also a dose of hopefulness, of wishful thinking, that one of our five kids will someday take it over as his or her own.” (Unless my reverse adoption petition is granted, fingers crossed). The wines all emanate from Cumulus Vineyard, the Krankls’ first true estate vineyard. Most of the Syrah is planted on own-rooted, head-trained vines. The first three vintages were essentially Syrah-based, with some Grenache and Roussanne, all done with fully destemmed fruit. The wine spends around 30 months in French oak, with around 50% new oak. This particular vintage, which might very well be my favorite, is absolutely firing on all cylinders right now on its 10th Anniversary. So good in fact, that I will be looking to pick up a few more asap. 4 hour decant. Midnight black in the stem. Darker even than the 17th Nail from a week ago. Gorgeous bouquet of freshly baked, smokey blueberry pie cooling on the windowsill next to a vase of violets and lavender. Pleasing palate of sweet black cherry compote, licorice and Asian spices with just a hint of bacon fat. Lengthy, spicy finish. Beautiful structure. Lush and concentrated. I may need to add this to my guilty pleasures list as I don’t believe this was a critical standout. At least not by Manfred Krankl standards. Maybe the experts need to revisit?


— 8 days ago