Press


Reviews

June 2016


2013 WOODRUFF FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 94 points
2013 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 92 points
2013 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 93 points
2013 COAST GRADE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 93 points
2013 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 92 points
2013 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY – 94 points
2013 HOMESTEAD BLOCK ROUSSANNE – 92 points
2012 OLD CORRAL SYRAH – 93 points
2012 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH – 92 points
2012 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH – 93 points
2012 COASTVIEW VINEYARD GRENACHE – 93 points
2012 GRIZZLY – 92 points
2012 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM – 93 points
2012 ODEON SYRAH-CABERNET SAUVIGNON – 91 points
2013 SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS SYRAH – 91 points
2013 HOMESTEAD – 91 points


2013 Woodruff Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Relatively light in color, this lower-alcohol wine from a vineyard in the Corralitos area shows dried rose petals, bergamot, lavender, cinnamon and a tiny bit of mushroomy funk on the nose. Once sipped, pomegranate, dark cranberry and orange-peel elements are lifted by pencil lead, rosemary and a strong thyme component. "

2013 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " This wine was made with 76% whole-cluster fruit, and it shows with iron rich notes on the nose as well as strong thyme, dark hibiscus, crushed cinnamon stick and other powerful red spices. Light and tannic cranberry fruit and plum-skin tartness pop on the palate as does thyme, green peppercorn and green cardamom. "

2013 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " This is a compelling example of how very low-alcohol wines needn’t be thin or overly green. This shows fennel and dill notes on the nose, along with cola, red cherry, cranberry, star anise and nutmeg. The palate’s sizzling acidity carries zesty pomegranate and cranberry fruit, with touches of black pepper, pork fat, lavender, rosemary and lamb roast. "

2013 Coast Grade Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Cranberry, dried sage, sour cherry, thyme and dried chaparral shrubbery show on the nose of this wine from an oceanview vineyard near Ben Lomond. The palate is fairly lithe and bouncy with acidity, showing lots of crushed bay leaf and wild sage as well as underripe strawberry and richer cranberry notes. "

2013 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Made with only 30% whole-cluster, this bottling by Bradley Brown allows lusher red-cherry fruit to show on the nose, alongside slate, mint and sandalwood notes. Those same red-cherry elements meet with cranberry on the palate, growing more complex as layers of graphite, bay leaf, pine needle and turned forest floor arise. "

2013 Coastview Vineyard Chardonnay: " Light and a little cloudy in the glass, this is a delicious and deep wine from a vineyard in the eastern Salinas Valley, with lime blossoms, squeezed lemons, wet cement and salted white peach on the nose. The palate deftly pairs chalk, sour cream, and lime zest with dried white peach, sea salt and fresh churned butter. "

2013 Homestead Block Roussanne: " Aromas steadily emerge on this bottling of mountaintop grapes, with golden apple oil, condensed honeysuckles, lemon bars and dried mango slices showing the slightest hint of tropicality. The palate is equally deep, with soft white peach sliding into sea salt, dried apples and nut oil, all culminating in a warm, lengthy browned-butter finish. "

2012 Old Corral Syrah: " This wine has an impressively floral and savory fruit bouquet. Squashed mulberry, cherry blossom and black plum integrate expertly into a generous but judicious hickory-smoke element. Black plum baked in sesame sauce, beef char and roasted coffee notes sing together on the palate chorus, which is enhanced by a 9% Grenache. "

2012 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah: " Richer scents of maple smoke and bacon fat integrate well into a sexy purple flower, blackberry and clove-laced black-cherry-syrup character on the nose of this wine, which includes 2% Viognier. A black-pepper-crusted beef quality shows once sipped alongside boysenberries, violets, lilacs, Sichuan peppercorn and even black tea."

2012 Coastview Vineyard Syrah: " Plump black currant, lavender extract, bright purple flowers and touches of raw beef and tar show on the nose of this bottling, made with 20% whole-cluster and 7% Viognier. Black pepper and asphalt show first on the palate, where tannins softly coat the mouth and then stand up to boost elderberry flavors. Thorough, zesty acidity ensures long cellar potential. Drink 2017–2032. "

2012 Coastview Vineyard Grenache: " Layers of fresh purple flowers, from lilacs to lavender, meld with dried rose petals, cinnamon, concentrated hibiscus, orange rind and black tea on the wondrous nose of this bottling. A sanguine character starts the sip before it evolves into dried strawberry and a mix of lavender, mint and thyme, framed by bright acidity and lush texture. "

2012 Grizzly: " The dominant 65% Grenache component makes for a pretty nose of black raspberry, candied berries and elegant violet petals. Thanks to the 35% Syrah, boysenberry, bright strawberry and light raspberry notes meet with darker hibiscus and stronger lavender and savory herbs de provence on the palate."

2012 Gabilan Mountains GSM: " A wondrously rich and extracted nose combines layers of brown spice, dried black cherries, fragrant violets and lilacs with concentrated, almost pruney purple fruit. That ripeness expertly pairs on the palate with strong tannic structure and sparkling acidity, allowing the blackberry, blueberry, caramel and lavender notes to shine without cloying."

2012 Odeon Syrah-Cabernet Sauvignon: " Made with 60% Syrah from Monterey and 40% Cab from Santa Cruz, this blend shows blueberry, black plum and smoked beef on the nose, as well as touches of black pepper and lilac. The palate is plush and soft, with purple fruits enhanced by licorice, espresso, bitter cocoa and beef char notes, all laced with fresh acidity."

2013 Santa Cruz Mountains Syrah: " Bradley Brown’s appellation blend is a nice entry point to this exciting winery. This wine shows lavish smoked black currant and plum flavors, with aromatically lifting spices of anise and black pepper and a savory roast-beef element. The palate packs lots of pepper and relies on plump black cherry, boysenberry and a dark-chocolate syrup richness."

2013 Homestead: " A fabulous, relatively affordable way to break into this cult winery, this blend of 30% Syrah, 26% Carignane, 22% Grenache, 19% Mourvèdre and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon offers teriyaki, char, fresh fennel, scarlet-red roses, anise, pencil lead and black raspberry on the nose. The sip is lively and action-packed with energetic peppercorn and lavender as well as richer tar, soy, blueberry and blackberry elements."