There are 750 cases (which means good yields for John, although any normal person would call 1.5-1.75 tons per acre financial suicide) of the 2012 Syrah Reva Alban Estate Vineyard, and it's a terrific vintage for this cuvee.... Read More
A beautiful effort that certainly competes with the single-vineyard releases, the 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands offers up a gorgeous bouquet of black cherries, black raspberry, wild herbs, rose petal and Asian spice to... Read More
Coming from a site close to where the Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from, the 2012 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is more structured in 2012, with beautiful balance and focus in its whole cluster-influenced bouquet of Asian... Read More
Coming from a site close to where the Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir comes from, the 2012 Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard is more structured in 2012, with beautiful balance and focus in its whole cluster-influenced bouquet of Asian... Read More
Coming from a former Christmas tree farm turned vineyard, the 2012 Pinot Noir Family Farm Vineyard is one of the more perfumed, forward and textured releases in the lineup. Coming from clay, sandy soils and an east-facing slope... Read More
A ripe, layered effort that took plenty of air time to come together (I followed all of these wines over two days), the 2012 Pinot Noir Horseshoe Vineyard offers gorgeous cherry and raspberry-like notes to go with ample spice-box,... Read More
The 2012 Syrah Broken Stones is a beauty. Made from 79% Syrah, 7% Petite Sirah and the rest Grenache, Mourvedre and Roussanne, it offers up full-bodied, decadent, yet incredibly pure notes of creme de cassis, smoked earth, pepper... Read More
The 2012 Heart Stone Vineyard is 43% Syrah, 41% Grenache and 16% Mourvedre that was aged mostly in concrete (the '11 was aged 100% in concrete) yet also saw some new and neutral puncheons. Fermented with 40% whole clusters,... Read More
There are 1,580 cases of the 2012 James Berry Vineyard and it reminds me of the 2009 Janasse Chaupin (which is one of Justin's favorite wines). Incorporating more Mourvedre than normal, it's made from 43% Grenache, 29%... Read More
Just bottled five weeks ago, the 2012 Terry Hoage Vineyard (330 cases) is a thrilling blend of 51% Syrah, 31% Grenache and 18 % Mourvedre. It has an up front approachable and sexy feel in its cherry blossom and black raspberry... Read More
The more supple, elegant and silky Pinot Noir of the two releases, the 2012 Pinot Noir Southing was completely destemmed, saw a 3-5 day cold soak, fermented in stainless steel and then aged 16 months in 55% new French oak, with... Read More
A much bigger, richer Pinot Noir, the 2012 Pinot Noir Ten is a cellar selection chosen with the focus on structure and richness. Brought up in 65% new French oak, it has sensational purity and depth in its sweet black raspberry,... Read More
A wine that flirts with perfection, the 2012 Cumulus Vineyard #6 is an interesting blend of 38% Syrah, 37% Grenache, 17.4% Petite Sirah and the rest Mourvedre that saw 33 months in 54% new French oak. There's a tiny 191 cases... Read More
A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start - and end - with "Wow." Giving... Read More
A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start - and end - with "Wow." Giving... Read More
Moving to the Grenache-driven efforts, the 2012 Grenache Stein incorporates 16% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre. Aged 22 months in mostly used oak (various sizes), it offers awesome purity and freshness in its black raspberry, cassis,... Read More
Moving to the Grenache-driven efforts, the 2012 Grenache Stein incorporates 16% Syrah and 8% Mourvedre. Aged 22 months in mostly used oak (various sizes), it offers awesome purity and freshness in its black raspberry, cassis,... Read More
The Syrah releases started with the 2012 Syrah Stock. Coming mostly from the Eleven Confessions vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, it also has portions from Cumulus, The Third Twin and White Hawk. Made from 84% Syrah, 7% Grenache,... Read More