Loved the nose, body and finish — a year ago
2019 vintage. The Lucia “Soberanes Vineyard” Syrah is a mouthful! 180 cases made. Generally, the Santa Lucia Highlands are known for the Pinots but this juice is devastatingly delicious. Roasted nuts, crushed violets, blackberry, blueberry and vanilla bean in the sniffer. Medium-heavy body. The tannins are definitely there but mitigated somewhat with that blackberry (and plum) fruit. Superfine white and black pepper along with that bleached 8.5x11 white paper flav and the California equivalent of the French “garrigue.” 14.1% ABV and supremely balanced. Drink now or hold for a decade +. 9.5/ 95/ A. — 2 years ago
Fresh and buoyant, the 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Cuvée shoots a vibrant array of sweet cherry, black raspberry and clove from the glass. Neatly structured yet enthusiastic, the stem inclusion adds lift and spiciness but doesn’t distract. The 2022 finishes with a linear drive. I admire the concentration of fruit here. Vineyard sites are Pisoni, Garys’ and Soberanes—a blend that really works. (Billy Norris, Vinous, August 2024)
— 3 months ago
N: big. Blueberry.
P: blackberry blueberry hint oak.
$43.33 net — 3 months ago
Pale color. Nose is vanilla, coconut, lemon peel, and flint. Lemon, oak, quince, and minerals with some buttery notes. High acid, high alcohol, medium plus body, and long finish. I’d prefer a bit less oak, but otherwise well balanced. — 5 months ago
2021 vintage. Very very interesting. Soberanes Vineyard fruit. Alban Clone 1. Côte-Rôtie nose of crushed violets, game meats, smoke, bleached white paper. Plenty of darkness with the color. Drinking more on the aged Burgundian/Rhône side so light-medium body with silky highlights. Flavors of ripe blackberry, lavender, tobacco, Chambord and cracked pepper. Does not taste like it just got bottled and über-elegant now. Newish flavors married to a 12-15 year-old chassis makes for fascinating enjoyment. 172 cases/7 barrels made. 6.19.23. — a year ago
Jerry Raphael
Loaded PN, cola, blackberries, blueberries, spice and on and on. Same with the taste, just an excellent wine but that being said this is its best time; not sure how long it will go, so drink up. — 17 days ago