Paul Hoffert

9.1

This had a pretty nice nose. Tobacco, leather and dark chocolate highlighted the nose. Nice red fruits and a bit of tea follow up on the palate. I enjoyed the tannins in this one. This was enjoyed as a stand alone bottle but would go great with several dishes we make. You pick. — 3 years ago

Madeleine Ray

8.9

Lovely and fleshy at first, all bright fruit and a soft black pepper edge. Definitive presence of something ferrous and meaty. After some time a deeply savory and more herbaceous note lifts from the glass. Whole cluster, cold soak, long fermentation, and neutral oak allows for a beautiful balance of naturally structured tannin and expression of fruit. — a day ago

Chip Hughes

9.2

Exuberant, fruity and definitely Santa Barbara...but expertly crafted, complex and refined. No intrusive new oak, no cloying grapiness, no hot finish. Textbook stuff. #ojaivineyard #santabarbaracounty #pinotnoir — 3 days ago

Jeff Orlowski

8.9

Full bodied and dry. Vanilla, black cherries, and plums. Spicy, dry, long finish. — 16 days ago

with Michael and Joe

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9.6

Expressive floral, savory and mineral notes give the 2016 Pinot Noir Old Guard much of its super-distinctive personality. Hints of crushed rocks, graphite, blueberry and lavender develop in the glass. Above all else, though, the 2016 is a wine of structural intensity and persistence. I loved it. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2018)
— 13 days ago

Levi Joseph Dawson

9.4

One of the best pinots I've had in a long time. The nose opened up after a bit and displayed cedar, antique, cinnamon qualities. Started drinking it cold, but once it warmed up a delightful young cherry peeked through the acidity. It's a bargain, too! — 6 days ago

with Christopher

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9.5

The 2016 The Big Easy is fabulous. Rich, powerful and flamboyant to its core the Big Easy hits the palate with tremendous fruit intensity. Super-ripe red cherry, raspberry jam, white chocolate, vanillin and new American oak shape this opulent Syrah/Petite Sirah/ Grenache blend. Winemaker Blair Fox has dialed in a style that captures all the exuberance of past editions, but with more nuance than the Big Easy has ever shown. And I say that as someone who has never loved this wine. The 2016 is simply outrageously delicious. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, September 2018)
— 13 days ago

TheSkip

9.0

Hrm. Typically Tensley in style. I found this quite unidimensional and boring despite the critical reviews. I was hoping for better. — 7 days ago

"Odedi"

9.1

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Sweet nose of cooked black plums, blackberries, vanilla, cloves, metals, light alcohol, spices, black pepper, chocolates, mocha, medium roast coffee and cola.

Full bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry and very fruity on the palate with blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries, cherry pie, raisins, figs, oak, licorice, vanilla, cloves, spices, chocolates, mocha, coffee, light vegetables and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a great Red Blend from California. Very fruity still, with nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.

This 4 year old is big and bold, Jammy and fruit forward.

Needs 30 minutes to open up properly and show some tannins.

A good sipping wine by the porch. Good by itself or with food. Has high alcohol so watch out...

15.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$25. — 21 days ago

Sean Grullon

9.0

Cool climate characteristics with new world fruit. It’s a nice Syrah. Savory black pepper, leather, and bacon fat are balanced by plush, buttery blackberries. — 2 days ago