Dry Canyon Cellars

A. Rafanelli

Unfiltered Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 1998

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and loads of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of dark cherry, mixed brambles, mixed flowers, mushroom, a touch of funk, pine sap, forest floor, a little VA, and a mix of cool and warm spices for good measure. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin medium+ and acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. F***ing awesome. One of the greatest experiences with Zinfandel that I’ve ever had. Drink now through 2038. — 21 days ago

Tom, Pooneet and 15 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Pooneet K I believe Dave was still making the wines in 1998. His daughter Shelly makes the wines now and they are very good…but only time will tell if they have the staying power and personality of her father’s wines.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Rafanelli endures...

Dry Creek Vineyard

Hillside & Benchland Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Surprisingly light and fruity for a Cabernet! Made me think of more of a Grenache/Rhone varietal blend than Cab. Red fruit forward with lots of raspberry, a touch of strawberry & blackberry, and a hint of spice. Not what I'd expect from a California Cab but nice nonetheless! — a month ago

A. Rafanelli

Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Wonderful Cabernet at a reasonable price. Medium body, mild tannins and very approachable now. A consistently good Cabernet year after year. — 5 days ago

Littorai

Mays Canyon Pinot Noir 2017

Holding very well, still has some legs but fruit is waning. — a month ago

Ira, Bob and 7 others liked this

Dönnhoff

Tonschiefer Dry Slate Riesling 2023

Magnum. Awesome. Crisp, good fruit, crowd pleaser. Merry Christmas — a month ago

Tom and romo liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Lytton Springs Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel Blend 2019

Dark cherry red. oak vanilla clove cinnamon nutmeg. Jammy raspberry, blueberry and cherry. roasted. Dried plum.
New barrel 15% Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M+ Acidity M Tannin M Body M++ Finish M+ 14.5% Zinfandel, from Dry creek valley 19 @10000, AD, 251210
— a month ago

Hermann J. Wiemer

Reserve Finger Lakes Dry Riesling 2019

Paul J
9.1

Solid Riesling. A tad too sweet for me. Very fruit forward with medium minus acidity. Peaches and candied pineapple dominate. — 13 days ago

Brooke Weaver Jakubowski
with Brooke
Daniel, Tom and 5 others liked this

Jonata Winery

Todos Ballard Canyon Red Bordeaux Blend 2019

Great blend with literally the kitchen sink of varietals (10!). Haven’t had their more pricy cuvées but if this is any indication, they knock it out of the park! Side note, gorgeous tasting room. @Ryan Colthorp came visit for a wine trip! — a day ago

Natasha Bray
with Natasha

Tensley

Colson Canyon Vineyard Syrah 2023

Tensley – Syrah – 2023
Colson Canyon Vineyard – Santa Barbara County – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Syrah from the high-elevation Colson Canyon Vineyard, a benchmark site that consistently delivers powerful yet balanced fruit. This vintage shows tension between ripeness, structure, and freshness.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, blackberry, cracked pepper, violet, licorice, and a subtle smoky undertone. Dark, spicy, and focused.

Mouthfeel
Medium-plus body with sleek acidity and fine, integrated tannins. Concentrated but not heavy, with a long, peppery finish that lingers.

Food Pairings
Grilled lamb, beef skewers, duck confit, pepper-crusted steak, or roasted mushrooms.

Verdict
A balanced, expressive Syrah with depth, spice, and length – a great example of why Santa Barbara continues to challenge the top Rhône-style regions.

Did You Know?
Colson Canyon sits at nearly 1,500 ft elevation, producing small berries with thick skins, a key reason these Syrahs show intense color, aromatics, and age-worthy structure.
— 2 months ago

Tom, Ted and 1 other liked this