Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.2

At 15 years this #santabarbara #syrah is fully evolved. Cork condition looked approachable initially but it was crumbly with initial attempts from my Rabbit-style opener. The Ah-So made easy work of the dry cork from there. Pours a deep purple into glass fading it magenta, ruby and slight bricking at the edge. Half an hour in the glass from cellar temperature enticing blackberry compote, beef jerky, charcuterie notes and a slightly peppery cumin note that reminds me of taco seasoning in ground beef. I had to smell this compulsively in my Zalto glass. Palate shows this wine’s age - primary fruit mostly faded away, some coffee, caramel tertiary notes but lovely peppery bite on the finish. Acidity has trailed off as well along with most of the tannins. Marvelous single vineyard SB Syrah. — 4 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

Lovely #pinot #pinotnoir from #staritahills #sbcounty #santabarbara Only 5 barrels produced! 100% #wholecluster — 5 years ago

Penny Sadler

#santabarbara county Gruner this winter maker studied with Knoll — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

9.1

Very successful #newworld #nebbiolo Pale red. Med + intensity and complexity showing flowers, bright red, leather, and mushrooms. Firm and balanced structure. Great tension and complexity. Med finish that warmed up the throat. Drinking so well now but should age well for a few more years. #palmina #santabarbara #california #usa #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.5

Fresh and tasty. Getting me pumped for #sumer #tylerwinery #santabarbara #pinotnoir #rosé #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.8

An intense and pretty nose showing good complexity. Nuts, bright cherry, flowers, and earth. The palate was well balanced and had great fruit density. Delicately structured with warmth present on the finish. Earthy palate with great complexity and nice length. #tylerwinery #pinotnoir #santabarbara #california #ctbucklinwine #usa — 9 years ago

Wine Weirdos

8.6

Lovely age; plenty of integrated fruit still. Purchased at Les Marchands #SantaBarbara
Featured on our #YouTube channel WineWeirdos.com — 10 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

This wine probably wasn’t meant to age, but since it was made well with high acidity, it’s aging marvelously like some of my favorite Pinot Gris from Alsace. #sbcounty #sbcountywines #santabarbaracounty #santabarbara #pinotgrigio — 5 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Pinot Noir from #sbcounty #sbcountywines #santabarbara is great admittedly but there are amazing #Syrah as well #staritahills — 5 years ago

Mason Balistreri

Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits

9.5

Boyancy. #santabarbara #whitcraft #naturalwine — 8 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.8

Wound up and young. Med + intensity with good complexity. Flowers, allspice, black and blue fruit. The palate was bright and well structured with firm tannins. Decent finish of cocoa and heat Needs time. #stolpmanvineyards #syrah #santabarbara #california #usa #ballardcanyon #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.8

Med intensity and complexity showing lemon, white mushrooms and orchard fruit. The tiniest touch of rs that is over shown by refreshing. Short finish. #tatomer #riesling #santabarbara #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.5

Needs time. A little quiet on the nose and palate right now. Great fruit density along with coco, mushroom, and violets. Firm structure and well balanced with tasty spice on palate. Med finish. #vallin #syrah #santabarbara #wholcluster #california #usa #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Zachary Price

8.7

Friday night, check my wine fridge, ah - a forgotten QFC purchase! Excellent! Don't be fooled by the cool label, this is a Pinot Noir made and priced to compete with other low to mid tier grocery label Pinot Noirs. True the grapes come from the Alta Maria Vineyards, Santa Maria Valley AVA-Santa Barbara AVA, but none of the delicate care of a producer to direct customer production has been employed. That's not to say that the taste and price point are not approachable, (winery direct sale of comparable wine will set you back $40+ bucks a pop), it's just don't expect to get blown away. Pair it with some chocolate while you watch TV, and you'll be fine. Interestingly, Joe Wagner and Paul Ontiveros had previously teamed up in a similar venture with the Meiomi brand before it was sold to another company. I guess you just can't keep a good team apart. Drank this one by itself (and maybe a wee bit of dark chocolate) while watching Netflix. ~$16 | #altamaria #pinotnoir #santabarbara

On the eyes: Deep, clear cranberry magenta, med/med+ stain, med tears, no gas/floc.

On the nose: Forest floor, sour red fruit, wet slate, a bit floral. Med alcohol.

On the tongue: med tannin, med+ acid, med alcohol, med smooth body. Bright cranberry, unripe strawberry, stewed fruit character with light toasted, vanilla oaky flavors on the finish. Not a very long finish and a bit unbalanced on acid. — 9 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.2

Excellent #cabfranc #cabernetfranc from #California #sbcountywines #sbcounty #santabarbara #santabarbaracounty #organic #ecological — 5 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.1

Nice crisp stone fruit (apricot and white peach) aromas and flavors and a touch of tangerine. #losolivos #sbcountywines #sbcounty #santabarbaracounty #santabarbara #grenacheblanc #garnachablanca #picpoul #viognier #marsanne #roussanne — 5 years ago

with Rosario

Bill Bender

9.2

As reliable and unique as any rose’ out there, foreign or domestic. This is young and bold now, perhaps the boldest of the LF Farm rose’s I’ve had to date. — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

9.3

Med intensity and complexity on a restrained nose. Fresh orchard fruit and flowers. The palate is where this wine really shows off. Great complexity mixed with depth, power, and restraint. Sweet orchard fruit, Meyer lemon, hazelnut, and flowers. Great balance and length. #wenzlauvienyards #santabarbara #santaritahills #chardonnay #california #usa #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.6

A restrained and old world style with nice aging potential. The nose was well integrated but lacked defining characteristics for me. The palate was ripe with firm but round tannins and present acidity. Graphite along with just ripened black fruit. Opened nicely with time in the glass. #starlane #happycanyon #santabarbara #cabersauvignon #malbec #california #usa #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.8

A very nice #oldworld style of #melondborgogne The nose had nice intensity and restraint showing flowers, lemon, apples, and biscuit. The palate was ripe and rich but balanced well with refreshing acidity. Med complexity with wet stone, flowers, yellow pear and Meyer lemon. Yum! #lieuxdit #santabarbara #biennacido #california #loirevalley #muscadet #ctbucklinwine — 9 years ago