June 2017

2014 WOODRUFF FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 93 points
2014 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 95 points
2014 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 93 points
2014 COAST GRADE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 95 points; Editor’s Choice
2014 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 93 points
2014 HOMESTEAD BLOCK ROUSSANNE – 92 points
2013 OLD CORRAL SYRAH – 92 points
2013 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH – 91 points
2013 GRIZZLY GRENACHE – 92 points
2013 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM – 93 points
2013 ODEON – 92 points
2014 HOMESTEAD – 90 points

2014 Woodruff Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Made from unknown heritage clones, this bottling lays down a cran-raspberry base and then lavishes on the herbal components of thyme, bay leaf, sage- brush and pine resin. That underbrush character is strong on the sip too, from oregano to incense, ensuring that this wine will bring plenty of nuance to any dish served, from light fish to steak. "

2014 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Winemaker Bradley Brown manages to capture all of the redwood forest-like spice of this region in his lithe bottlings. This one offers fresh pomegranate and rose petal on the nose, plus woody touches of sandalwood and cedar. Bright acidity kicks off the sip, dropping into pencil shavings, thyme and cola, with dried raspberry fruit that runs from end to end. "

2014 Alfaro Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Pine resin, bay leaf and cedar aromas give depth and intrigu- ing forest floor nuance to the tart cranberry and red flower scents on the nose of this bottling. The palate is extremely savory, with incense, damp anise and more woody spice flavors decorating the sour plum fruit. Light, energetic and extremely flavorful. —M.K. "

2014 Coast Grade Vineyard Pinot Noir: " This wine is a study of how to make Pinot Noir both extremely light and yet powerfully flavorful. Underripe black raspberry meets with white pepper and dill on the nose. The bright and lively palate dances across the tongue with thyme, rosemary and pine flavors against tart red fruit. It’s easy to guzzle. "

2014 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir: " From a 16-year-old vineyard 2,200 feet up on the eastside of the Salinas Valley, this bottling offers fresh raspberry juice along with touches of bay leaf, pine and incense, like a morning walk through the forest. There is sizzling acidity at the start of the sip, which carries light, bright and tangy strawberry flavors along with more forest floor touches. The structure is upright but light. —M.K. "

2014 Homestead Block Roussanne: " A darker shade of yellow in the glass, this bottling from an Alban clone turns out to be a lighter, more delicate take on Roussanne. Touches of saffron, wax and toasted nuts show on the nose, and that light nutty character does extend to the sip. But the palate also offers apricot and lemon rinds against well measured acidity and a compelling minerality that combines
white rocks and hot sand flavors. —M.K. "

2013 Old Corral Syrah: " From the Alban “Powerblock” clone, this estate bottling shows elegant if still somewhat restrained aromas of black currant and violet on the nose. The palate is extremely well integrated and seamless, with dense black fruits lifted by kicks of purple flowers. Quite beautiful but nothing too flashy in any one direction. "

2013 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah: " Quite dark in the glass, this wine, which is made with 6% Viognier, shows the darkest of purple fruit scents on the nose, and needs quite a bit of time to start opening up, so tightly wound it is. The grippy, tangy and acid-driven texture is what compels the palate, where flavors of blackened blackberry, savory dried beef and char rise firm tannins deep into the finish."

2013 Grizzly: " The aromas on this bottling are rich yet not overly ripe, with cola, sarsaparilla, candied black cherry and strong scents of baked blueberries. The palate shows impressive florality, with violet and lilac touches, as well as subtle creme de cassis flavors. It is simultaneously rich in body but light in flavors, well built for the cellar."

2013 Gabilan Mountains GSM: " Brooding black currant, blackberry pie aromas meet with clove, sweet tobacco, black tea and hot cola on the nose of this blend of 49% Grenache, 27% Syrah and 24% Mourvèdre from the Coastview, Antle and Brosseau vineyards. There is candied Concord grape fruit to the energetic, light- on-its-feet sip, along with bay leaf, sage, marjoram and thyme."

2013 Odeon: " This bottling blends Syrah and Viognier from Chalone’s Brosseau Vine- yard with Cabernet Sauvignon from Santa Clara’s Betchart Vineyard to deliver a dense, lavish core of blueberry and black currant fruit on the nose with hints of milk chocolate and mint. Thick tannins coat the palate, releasing more of that inky fruit along with peppery spice and lilac florality."

2014 Homestead: " This is the culty Santa Cruz Mountains- based winery’s entry level blend of 35% Mourvèdre, 27% Grenache, 19% Carignane, 16% Syrah and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’ll put hooks in newbies, with elegant, soft and silky aromas of violet. The palate combines the purple flowers with acai fruit flavors, making for an addictive sip."