Wine Anorak | October, 2021
BY JAMIE GOODE
“Since he started out, Bradley has shifted his stylistic direction. He’s veered away from riper wines and small oak towards picking earlier, using whole bunch for the reds, and also maturation in larger-format oak. Farming is organic, and there’s minimal use of sulfites and interventions such as fining and filtration are hallmarks of this winery…” Read the full blog post here…
2017 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR, 95 points
2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY, 94 points
2019 DUNE & MOUNTAIN PINOT NOIR, 94 points
2016 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM, 92 points
2014 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM, 94 points
2014 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY, 94 points
2017 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
The Lester vineyard is located in the Corralitos foothills at the south end of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and benefits from cool fogs and air from the Monterey Bay. Sandy loam soil. 100% whole bunch in 2017. Sweet, textured fruit that’s lively, grainy and spicy with plenty of richness. It’s a bit meaty with some green notes, but the dominant theme here is lovely sweet fruit. Very fine. 95/100
2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
From two rows of vines in the highest vineyard in Monterey County, located at 700 m in the Gabilan Mountains, planted on decomposed quartzite/granite and limestone soils. Fermented and aged used oak. Textural, with some wax and aniseed notes, as well as a bit of nuttiness, and lively spicy notes. Shows pear and grapefruit, as well as lovely freshness on the finish. 94/100
2019 DUNE & MOUNTAIN PINOT NOIR
A blend of Pinot Noir from the Lester (Santa Cruz) and Coastview (Monterey) vineyards, 100% whole bunch. Textured and fine; ripe and balanced. Juicy red cherry fruit and a touch of strawberry. Supple, elegant and fine. 94/100
2016 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM
Grenache and Syrah sourced from the 17 year old vines of the Coastview Vineyard and also the Brosseau Vineyard in the Chalone AVA. Mouvedre is from the Rodnick Farm Vineyard. This year the blend is Grenache (45%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvedre (25%). Much of the Grenache was aged in concrete, with the remainder in neutral barrels. Smooth, ripe and rich with lovely depth and a bit of meatiness. Warm and spicy with rich, bold fruit. Notes of blackberries and cherries, with real depth. 92/100
2014 GABILAN MOUNTAINS GSM
High lying sites with granite/limestone soils. Mourvedre, Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Old oak. Structured yet elegant with beautiful direct black cherry, raspberry and blackberry fruit. Very refined with good structure and nice freshness. Lovely compact fruit. Such elegance. 94/100
2014 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
Clone 96, from two terraced rows in the highest vineyard in Monterey, at 2300 feet. Decomposed quartz and limestone, 2 new barrels out of 9. Distinctive and a little oxidative with some apple and pear fruit, as well as some citrus brightness. Some nice depth and texture here. Very interesting. 93/100