#santamariavalley

J. Wilkes

Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2018

Apple, apricot, some buttery notes on nose. Admirably restrained on palate, medium plus body, good acidity, green apple and touch of spice on the finish from the oak. Tasty #santamariavalley with good QPR. — a year ago

Sans Liege

The Offering Syrah Blend 2012

Charles (Chad) Bucklin
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 — 8 years ago

David liked this

Storm Wines

Slide Hill Vineyard Syrah 2014

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET
9.2

Deep violet, med+ aromas, stemmy, black currant, intense flavors, high body, a bit astringent. Smokey as well. #ednavalley #santamariavalley #syrah — 8 years ago

Bill, Jonathan and 3 others liked this

Au Bon Climat

Nuits-Blanches au Bouge Santa Maria Valley Estate Bottled Chardonnay 2001

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. — 3 years ago

Sanguis

Bossman Syrah 2013

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET
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 — 8 years ago

Bill, TheSkip and 5 others liked this

Cambria Estate Winery

Bench Break Pinot Noir 2011

2011 Cambria Pinot Noir Bench Break Vineyard. #santamariavalley — 9 years ago

Ted liked this

Whitcraft Winery

"My Friend Matt's Vineyard" Los Olivos District Syrah 2017

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET
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 — 4 years ago

Rosario Molina
with Rosario
Martin, Josh and 4 others liked this
David L

David L Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Won’t be purchasing that.

Riverbench Vineyard & Winery

One Palm Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

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.
— 8 years ago

Michael liked this