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9.2

The 2019 Pinot Noir Opening Act emerges from Arroyo Seco, near the Santa Lucia Highlands. Cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, mint, dried cherry and incense lend aromatic nuance. The 2019 offers an attractive combination of fruitiness and savory/earthy complexity. Best of all the 2019 is a superb value. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.3

The 2019 Grenache (Sta. Rita Hills) is dark and potent. Black cherry, lavender, spice, menthol and leather give this appellation-level Grenache tons of power. There is a touch of reduction, but the purity of the fruit is so compelling. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.4

The 2019 Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard is a wild, exotic wine. Blueberry jam, chocolate, spice, leather and licorice fill out the layers effortlessly. This unctuous, heady Syrah shows just how distinctive Ballard Canyon is. A year or two in bottle should help soften some of the harder edges. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.5

The 2018 Andremily No. 7 is one of the most complete wines in this range. A cooler, longer growing season compared to 2018 yielded a gorgeous, layered wine with tremendous depth and strong savory accents. Black pepper, lavender, cloves, spice and menthol lend energy and nuance to this heady Syrah-based red. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.5

The 2019 Syrah Colson Canyon Vineyard is one of my favorite wines in this range. Bright and punchy, the Colson Canyon is such a distinctive wine. Red/purplish berry fruit, wild flowers, spice, leather and rose petal open in the glass. More than anything else, I admire the wine's drive. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.3

The 2018 Big Easy is a dense, plush opulent wine. The Big Easy fills the palate with masses of dark fruit, suggesting an ample, full-bodied character wine. Dark cherry, chocolate, licorice, new oak, leather and spice all build as the 2018 shows off its exuberant personality. A touch of new oak adds mid-palate richness and sweetness. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.3

The 2019 Grenache (Santa Barbara County) is a blend from various sites in the appellation. Bright and effusive, the Santa Barbara Grenache is particularly expressive. All the elements are so complementary. Blood orange, mint, spice and star anise lend gorgeous nuance. Bright acids and a spine of tannin make this far more than an entry-level offering. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.3

The 2020 Chardonnay Chene Vineyard is a bright, finely sculpted wine. A brief period of skin contact lends richness that is offset by the brightness of the blocked malo style. Lemon peel, white flowers, mint and almond are some of the notes that grace this beautifully textured, nuanced Chardonnay. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.4

The 2019 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict emerges from Block T15, one of the original parcels planted in 1971. It is a bright, focused jewel of a wine. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper and lemon peel all race out of the glass. The 2019 is a bundle of energy. Give it a few years to come together. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago

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9.3

The 2018 Pinot Noir Isabelle is a powerful, deep wine with equally big tannins that need time to soften. There's terrific density here just waiting to emerge. Copious red fruit, leather, cedar, tobacco and dried herbs occasionally come forward. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2018 for at least a few years. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2021)
— 2 years ago