MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

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

9.0

The flavours and aromas are a strange blend between #châteauneuf and #calipinot for me. Medium+ intensity of aromas. Blood, garrigue and sagebrush. Citrus and red currant. It has surprisingly tangy acidity and yet lacks the polished and balanced finish one would expect for the price of this wine. It also lacks mid palate weight/concentration. I’m not familiar with the vineyard, but it seems like the winemaker wanted to control the alcohol and the ripeness of #santaynezvalley and either harvested early or directly added water. The finish is long #gsm #blend #californianwine #sbcounty #sbcountywines — 5 years ago

Sarah Bray

9.4

Soft, smooth, supple. Drinking beautifully right now, especially with a slight chill. #cabernetfranc #santaynezvalley — 9 years ago

Zachary Price

9.0

Brander vineyard, planted in 1975, is a quiet legend in the Santa Ynez AVA. The vineyard specializes in Bordeaux style wines, with major grape varietals consisting of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Sauvignon Blanc tends not to age well, so drink them within ~3 years of bottling. Warmer climate examples, typical of CA, tend towards grapefruit and tree fruit flavors and typically balance the young juice with high acid. This one was quite crisp and refreshing! ~$17 | #brander #sauvingnonblanc #santaynezvalley

On the eyes: Pale yellow with a hint of green, star bright, clear, med stain, med tears, no floc, gas present.

On the nose: White peach, ripe honeydew, lychee, perfume, and wet chalk. Med alcohol.

On the tongue: Med+ acid, med tannin, med alcohol, med body, effervescent in the mouth. White peaches, ripe honeydew, guava, orange blossom, chalky undertones, perfumed finish. Very nice balance. — 9 years ago

Paul H

9.2

If your not a fan of red fruits then you may want to skip this Pinot Noir. However, take a chance and you will find a lush array of cherries, raspberry, (after winning a debate with friends) Cranberry and something like a radish. odd I know but rather tasty. #California #santaynezvalley #SantaBarbaraCounty #pinotnoir — 7 years ago

Zachary Price

9.0

Holiday vino! This little beauty came in my last shipment from Foxen, one of my favorite producers in Santa Barbara county. The Guillermo Grasso is Foxen’s take on a new world Tuscan - a 50:50 Sangiovese (Faith Vineyard)-Cabernet Sauvignon (Vogelzang Vineyard). 22 months in French Oak - 40% new - gives this wine a hefty punch of tannin and body. While the Vogelzang Vineyard is well known for producing wonderfully complex Cabernet, I’m not as familiar with Faith Vineyard - however a quick Google search shows that the Vineyard, located in Santa Ynez, specializes in Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc on a 7 acre plot. Though Foxen recommends cellaring this one for a few years to mellow out - I’m drinking it early. Paired with fish tacos. ~$35 | #foxen #santaynezvalley #supertuscan

On the eyes: Deep, concentrated blood red, bright - but hazy (unfined and unfiltered), med+ stain, med+ tears, no gas.

On the nose: Strawberry, cherry, rose hips, pencil shavings, tobacco, and a bit of earthy funk. Med+ alcohol.

On the tongue: Med+ acid, med+ tannin, med+ alcohol, full body, firm and tight. Red currants, raspberry, floral high notes, cigar box, and worn leather. A bit cloying and rambunctious - it would benefit from a year or two in the cellar, but still very yummy! Decant it and enjoy! Merry Christmas! — 7 years ago

Jo Florradikal

8.7

ripe bananas, mango, pineapple. stone fruits and hint of minerality. #santaynezvalley #grenacheblanc — 9 years ago

Michelle Carchedi

8.7

Very drinkable! #andrewmurray #santaynezvalley #californiawines — 7 years ago

with Nicolette

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

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

9.1

Intense aromas coming from this #sbcountywines #sbcounty floral and sweet peas. High acidity and a long tangy tangerine finish. #sauvignonblanc #santaynezvalley — 7 years ago

Eric Herron

8.9

Balanced body, but a little too much residual sugar. Nice sweet treat. #koehler #syrah #santaynezvalley #santabarbara — 9 years ago

Landshark 626

8.8

From one of the best wineries in the #solvang & #santaynezvalley — 9 years ago