Wine Enthusiast February 2019 Issue

February 2019


2016 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 95 points
2016 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 95 points
2015 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH – 93 points
2015 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM – 93 points; Editor’s Choice
2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 93 points
2015 ALTITUDE 2292 – 92 points
2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY – 92 points
2016 OLD CORRAL PINOT NOIR – 91 points
2015 SIXTY-TWO TERRACES SYRAH – 91 points
2015 COASTVIEW VINEYARD TERRACES SYRAH – 90 points

 


2016 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: “Pungent amounts of cinnamon, raspberry, wet thyme and dill show on the brilliant nose of this cool-climate, 100% whole cluster bottling by Bradley Brown. It’s tart and tightly wound on the palate like a ready-to-pluck instrument, combining fresh and bright red-fruit flavors with forest-floor spice. ”

2016 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: “Bradley Brown goes 100% whole cluster for this single-vineyard expression with stunning results. Aromas of sagebrush, pine needles, damp thyme and wet soil meet with tart raspberry on the distinctive nose. The palate’s tangy red fruit is lifted by tea leaves, wild green sage and zesty acidity that vibrates the tongue. ”

2015 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah: “This bottling, using grapes grown at 1,400-feet in elevation and made with 31% whole cluster, shows candied blackberry, cola and fennel-frond aromas on the nose. It’s tightly woven on the palate, where pinpoint tannins and bright acid deliver elderberry paste and white-sage flavors. ”

2015 Gabilan Mountains GSM: “From the Antle and Brosseau vineyards in the Chalone AVA, this 53% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache and 17% Syrah blend offers rich caramel, chocolate, black-cherry and bay leaf aromas on the nose. There’s a great display of herbs across the palate, giving depth to the rich black-plum backdrop, framed by rounded acidity and tannic tension. ”

2016 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir: “Grown at about 2,200 feet above the Salinas Valley with views of the Monterey Bay, this bottling, which saw 88% whole-cluster fermentation, shows crushed hibiscus, spicy cinnamon, anise and red plum on the pungent nose. Crisp pomegranate and raspberry flavors meet with sumac and aromatic mints on the palate. ”

2015 Altitude 2292: “Coming from a mountain vineyard nearly 2,300 feet above the eastern Salinas Valley, this blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot offers a taste of a unique terroir. Aromas of red cherry, oregano and cigar box lead into a complex palate of tangy black-plum skin and dried herbs, all framed by strong acid and a light but taut structure. ”

2016 Coastview Vineyard Chardonnay: “Lime skins, grapefruit, ash, lily, chives and dairy aromas make for a unique and dynamic entry to the nose of this bottling from a vineyard high in the mountains near Chalone. There’s a grainy tightness to the palate, where Meyer lemon pith, almond oil and herbal elements battle for attention. ”

2016 Old Corral Pinot Noir: “Quite light in the glass, this bottling from atop the Santa Cruz Mountains offers cherry, pomegranate and strawberry aromas on the nose with a pinch of nutmeg. The palate combines ripe cherry with sarsaparilla spice. ”

2015 Sixty-Two Terraces Syrah: “There is a strong sense of minerality to the nose of this bottling, with aromas of wet stone, turned loam and moist clay covering up the background fruits. The structure is very tannic on the palate, where elderberry and purple-flower flavors emerge from the soil-like core. ”

2015 Coastview Vineyard Terraces Syrah: “Intense waves of black currant, elderberry, lavender and tar show on the nose of this bottling from a vineyard high above the eastern flanks of the Salinas Valley. The palate is framed by solid tannins and acid, offering very ripe black-currant flavors that are ready to drink now. “