January 10, 2020 - This one somehow got lost in the cellar and, while a little bit tired, it did manage to hit some pretty high points. Deep golden color... think young Sauternes. Medium++ intensity on the nose and leaves you pretty certain that you know what a processing plant for dried tropical fruits smells like. Ripe, dried pineapple is the dominant note, but lemon, mango, guava and orange are all mixed in there. There's a strange note that at times feels a bit like straw or a bit mineral, but you can't really put your finger on it. The palate is directly aligned with the nose, with a giant dose of dried fruit and that mineral meets hay thing. Full bodied, with medium- acid, yet it somehow avoids being totally flabby. I think it's the mineral streak that keeps it relatively lively, but there's something holding it together. This was probably better a few years back, but was surprising for eleven year old CA Roussanne.
This not only held up on day two, but it turned a nice corner. It is much less tropical and obvious and, for lack of a better term, has taken on more of a "grown-up", more nuanced profile. When I opened this, I thought that this was likely headed for the kitchen sink, but this has really been a revelation for the potential for this wine specifically, but also a reminder that the greater Santa Barbara area is so young that I don't think anyone is exactly sure what it truly is yet and a few surprises like this are inevitable.
September 22, 2017 - Rumpelstiltskin gold, right out to the edges. By the color and the way it coats the glass, you'd be forgiven for expecting a CA Chardonnay. Tree fruits and flowers (with notes of caramel and vanilla) on the nose. Mouthfeel is round & viscous and very even through to the finish. Nose translates onto the palate, blending with crushed limestone, vanilla and a touch of citrus, well supported by crisp acidity. Medium intensity and a medium long finish. A slightly different approach to a Roussanne, with a tad more weight and viscosity, revealing new aspects of the grape. Stand alone or with food, this wine works!
July 22, 2017 - Deep golden with an almost orange tinge. Weighty, had a little viscosity and a slick mouthfeel. Melon and citrus, with slight (white) pepper (?) on the finish and just enough acid to keep it from being flabby.
March 23, 2016 - Pending
July 27, 2015 - Absolutely loved this wine. It had great mouthfeel, nice weight, yet finished clean with great acidity. It paired perfectly with panko and parsley crusted scallops.
March 6, 2015 - Best bottles (2) yet. At a perfect place for this wine. Really drinking well. Beautiful floral nose, great melon/fruit flavors, smooth mouthfeel, balanced acidity. Nice! I like this wine opened about an hour prior to consumption. Just seem to improve the wine a bit.
March 1, 2015 - Opened with an oxidized note, which resolved on aeration, becoming much better in the glass. medium amber hues, melon and fruit notes, smooth mouthfeel, viscous. Nice wine. Should drink now.
January 9, 2015 - Light yellow color. Floral and citrus nose. Lemon and mineral flavors with a richness. Some detracting discordant notes, but still a good wine
March 17, 2014 - Warm honey yellow in the glass. Nose of pear, caramel, flowers, apricot and dry stones. On the palate, pear, peach, candied perfume with more minerals and ash. Round in the mouth as the sweet notes fade and more dry rocky edges come out. Finishes nicely with hints of spun sugar candy fading out. PJG: 90-91
March 10, 2014 - rich , concentrated with array of flavors hard to discern. Some herbal, some citrus but honey notes. long finish