Wine Enthusiast | November, 2020

REVIEWS BY MATT KETTMAN

2018 DUNE & MOUNTAIN PINOT NOIR 95 points
2017 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 95 points
2016 ALTITUDE 2292 94 points
2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 94 points
2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH 94 points
2017 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 94 points
2017 HOMESTEAD 93 points
2017 OLD CORRAL PINOT NOIR (ESTATE) 93 points
2016 ODEON 93 points, Cellar Selection
2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD “TERRACES” SYRAH 93 points, Cellar Selection
2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD GRENACHE 93 points
2017 HOWARD FAMILY VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 93 points
2014 FRENCHIE’S RANCH SYRAH (ESTATE) 92 points
2016 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH (ESTATE) 92 points
2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 92 points
2016 SIXTY-TWO TERRACES SYRAH (ESTATE) 92 points
2019 ROSÉ 91 points
2016 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM 91 points

 

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2018 DUNE & MOUNTAIN PINOT NOIR
There’s plenty of rust, dust and forest-floor spice on the nose of this bottling, alongside dark-cherry, bay leaf and peppercorns aromas. The herbal kick wraps the palate in juniper and more bay, with mulberry, cherry and orange-rind flavors proving endlessly intriguing.

2017 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
Trampled herbs, forest-floor, juniper-berry and cranberry aromas reflect the forest-ringed setting of many vineyards in the Corralitos area. Curry leaf, bay and juniper flavors make for a vividly spicy palate, where hints of dried cranberry and cherry linger in the background.

2016 ALTITUDE 2292
Focused aromas of uncracked peppercorn, dried elderberry and bay leaf show on the interesting and wild nose of this blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 6% Malbec and 4% Petit Verdot. There is a zesty spice of white pepper and fresh boysenberry to the sip, alongside wild mint and dried sagebrush.

2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
Quite light in the glass, this bottling pops on the nose with complex and vibrant aromas of honeysuckle, lemon peel, sea salt, toast and marmalade. The palate starts with a pinpoint flavors of lemon sorbet before warmer touches of hazelnut, peach and oak lead into the finish.

2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH
Crumpled hibiscus, white-pepper, black-raspberry and dried lamb aromas show on this bottling from a vineyard that sits between the Chalone and Mt. Harlan appellations. The floral aspects pop first on the palate, then come richer waves of elderberry and mulberry, with pepper spice lasting long into the finish.

2017 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
Quite light and slightly clouded in the glass, this bottling begins with tart aromas of raspberry and cranberry, bolstered by amazing amounts of green sage, wild peppercorn and crushed pine needle. The wildness consumes the palate, where bay leaf decorates the wild, woody berry flavors.

2017 HOMESTEAD
Light in the glass, this blend of 52% Grenache, 23% Carignan, 20% Syrah and 5% Mourvèdre combines grapes from the Santa Cruz and Gabilan mountains. Aromas of pomegranate, red currant and light herb lead into a tense palate of roasted cherry and fennel pollen.

2017 OLD CORRAL PINOT NOIR
A slightly muddy brick color in the glass, this earthy bottling begins with bay and tea-leaf aromas alongside rust, juniper and cranberry. The wild character paints the palate as well, where pine-needle, dried red-currant and orange-rind flavors make for a vivid sip.

2016 ODEON
Mellow aromas of black currant meet with red flowers, red spice, loam and slate on the nose of this blend of 60% Syrah and 2% Viognier, both from Monterey, and 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, from Santa Cruz. The mountain-grown Cab provides ample structure, allowing the charred meat and elderberry flavors of the Syrah to shine and last a long time. Drink now through 2031.

2016 COASTVIEW VINEYARD “TERRACES” SYRAH
There’s a tarry density to the nose of this bottling, which offers charred meat, crushed rocks and slightly seared blackberry and black plum on the nose. There are savory flavors of beef, violet and dried blackberry on the palate, where a tannic tension is sure to last a while. Drink now through 2031.

2017 HOWARD FAMILY VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
Warm tones of seared peach, ripe melon and delicate butterscotch arise on the nose of this bottling, which hails from 40-year-old vines. The palate simmers with acidity, delivering grapefruit-rind and blanched almond flavors, finishing on a burst of vanilla.

2014 FRENCHIE’S RANCH SYRAH
Dense aromas of black currant, violet, vanilla and baking spice are just now starting to show some age in this six-year-old bottling. Cassis, fudge and tar flavors meet with cracked pepper and incense on the thick palate.

2016 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH
Tight aromas of boysenberry meet with crushed black rocks and dried lilac on the nose of this estate bottling from a vineyard 1,400 feet up on a mountaintop. There is a lot of tension to the sip, where blackberry, cracked pepper and violet flavors show.

2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
Tart strawberry, plum extract, crushed stone and pinches of herb and soil show on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. Dried herbs, dried hibiscus, tea leaves and light red-currant flavors ride bright acidity into the finish.

2016 SIXTY-TWO TERRACES SYRAH
A light shade in the glass, this bottling offers tart black-plum-skin, crushed rock and white-pepper aromas on the nose. Dried dark-fruit flavors mix with juniper and pine needle on the acid-driven sip.

2019 ROSÉ
A faint shade of yellowish pink, this rosé blend of 47% Grenache, 32% Carignan, 13% Syrah and 8% Mourvèdre offers plenty of struck stone aromas on the nose along with lemon-peel, pink-lemonade and plum-skin touches. There’s great zip to the sip, where light lemon, orange and pluot flavors provide a tangy experience.

2016 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM
There’s a strong amount of cedar and clove on the nose of this blend of 45% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 25% Mourvèdre, as well as stewed fruit aromas. Boysenberry-pie flavors show on the sip alongside sandalwood and leather.

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