Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.5

Incredible, my first aged CA #chardonnay #santamariavalley from a famous producer. A magnum aged 21 years onsite at the winery proved spectacular. Golden yellow in glass. Nose explodes with honeysuckle, marizpan, quince paste, preserved lemon. Opulent texture on palate, honeyed apple & citrus, vibrant acidity and wet stone finish. — 2 months ago

Zachary Price

9.0

Ah, that Riverbench Pinot Noir....nestled in the Santa Maria Valley, Riverbench specializes in mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The One Palm vintage is made from a single clone, 667, which is typically a blending Pinot for estate cuvées. Per usual, the clone is a finicky one, showing wide variability depending on climate - Too warm? Sugars concentrate and odd flavors emerge, (think apple). Too cold? Tight, spiciness emerges, (think all spice). Riverbench farms the Santa Maria AVA which benefits from an excellent marine influence and a wonderful stewed red cabbage terroir flavor point. Always a favorite of mine - (I did get married there) - and paired with a Chirashi Style rice bowl. Delish! ~$42 | #riverbench #pinotnoir #santamariavalley

On the eyes: Clear, light ruby, quite bright, med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.

On the nose: Stewed cranberry, tart cherry, cedar, slate, hints of braised red cabbage, med alcohol.

On the tongue: med acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, smooth. Sharp cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, hint of red cabbage, finishing with clove and star anise. Nice long pleasant finish, benefits from room temperature (began drinking at 60 degrees), and decanting. — 5 years ago

Winery Explorers

9.1

2011 Cambria Pinot Noir Bench Break Vineyard. #santamariavalley — 7 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

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

8.7

There are a lot of seriously amazing #syrah that is coming out of #sbcounty from #santamariavalley and #staritahills like #storm #dragonette and #holusbolus #zotovich yet this seems like an antithesis to what I love about those wines. This smells and tastes like chocolate milk on acid. Where’s the crushed pepper? Where’s the rich black fruit and herbs? Reminds me of the Wendy’s commercial “where’s the meat?” For me the oak isn’t noble. Seems like staves or chips. This is a 2017 it should be showing complexity and tertiary but it’s just one-dimension fruity raspberries, milk chocolate and acid. Not my thing #losolivos #overrated — 2 years ago

with Rosario

Charles (Chad) Bucklin

Owner and founder of C. T. Bucklin Wine Advising

8.7

Showing well. Very alcoholic and big but some wonderful complexity developed over an hour or so. Blue and black fruit dominated with some orange in the background. Firm structure and nice length. Very delicious. #sansliege #grenache #syrah #mourvedre #viognier #santamariavalley #california #usa #ctbucklinwine — 5 years ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

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

9.2

Deep violet, med+ aromas, stemmy, black currant, intense flavors, high body, a bit astringent. Smokey as well. #ednavalley #santamariavalley #syrah — 6 years ago

Todd Scurci

9.1

#santamariavalley #pinotnoir — 4 years ago

with Annie

Todd Scurci

8.8

#redsky #maine #santamariavalley — 4 years ago

with Annie

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

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

9.5

Deep ruby, med+ intensity of aromas, mint chocolate, black currant, on the palate, rich, some cinnamon and Christmas spice, pumpkin and nutmeg. Loving it. Rich. #syrah #viognier #centralcoastwine #californianwine #staritahills #santamariavalley — 6 years ago

John Sweeney

6.2

2013 - Easily one of the worst Cali Pinots I've had in a while. Which is surprising considering it's predominantly from Bien Nacido and from a good vintage - 2013. Almost no aromatics, zero acidity, flat, and boring. Truly awful stuff. #pinotnoir #biennacido #santamariavalley #wine #awful — 7 years ago