Reviews

December 2014 & February 2015

2012 WOODRUFF FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 93 points
2012 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 91 points
2012 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR – 91 points
2011 OLD CORRAL SYRAH – 94 points
2011 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH – 93 points
2011 COASTVIEW VINEYARD SYRAH – 92 points
2011 GRIZZLY – 93 points
2012 PADEREWSKI VINEYARD GSM – 93 points
2012 HOMESTEAD – 93 points

2012 Woodruff Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " From 35-year-old dry farmed wines (the oldest in Corralitos) and 30% whole cluster/wild yeast fermentation comes aromas of pine pitch and blackberry jelly. The flavors are driven by sagebrush against a backdrop of deep purple fruit, with distinctive notes of juniper and eucalyptus powering the flavors from front to back. "

2012 Lester Family Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Another wildly complicated Pinot Noir from Bradley Brown, this smells of crimini mushrooms, smoldering chemise and sweet cherry tomato reduction sauce, with a pinch of cinnamon. It’s lush with soft red and purple fruit once sipped, with smoky spice on the edges and smashed olives throughout. "

2012 Coastview Vineyard Pinot Noir: " Coming from a vineyard on the eastern slope of the Salinas Valley near the Chalone appellation, this Santa Cruz-made, 20% whole-cluster wine smells of blackberry, unearthed tree roots and licorice. Core flavors of brown spice are surrounded by ripe raspberry and racy, potent acidity. "

2011 Old Corral Syrah: " Like smelling a pepper shaker with an underlying line of boysenberry fruit, this tremendously spicy, low-alcohol Syrah promises a bright future for the 1,400-foot-high vineyard. The pepper matches with purple fruits on the silky palate, altogether delivering a refreshing yet savory experience. "

2011 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah: " Prevalent black pepper scents swirl alluringly with leather, air-dried meats, tea and blackberry fruit on the nose. It’s light, vibrant and peppery on the palate as well, making it a refreshing wine that also delivers a hefty, satisfying flavor profile."

2011 Coastview Vineyard Syrah: " Bradley Brown’s Syrah magic shines again on this wine from a vineyard planted 2,300 feet over the eastside of the Salinas Valley. The wine is redolent on the nose, with black pepper, crushed violet and salted pork. It pulls a tannic punch to the mouth once sipped, with blackberry, leather, heavy-duty tar and persistent pepper. Decant for maximum flavor extraction. "

2011 Grizzly: " Black and white pepper splash all over the aromas of the otherwise cherry meringue driven nose of this blend of 39% Grenache, 33% Syrah, 26% Mourvèdre and 2% Viognier. It’s light and airy on the palate, blending fresh strawberry fruit with a cornucopia of peppercorns. It provides a great example of how a fun, lively wine can be savorily serious as well."

2012 Paderewski Vineyard GSM: " This is one of the winery’s last takes on this vineyard, as they move their focus to Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The nose is blackberry liqueur lifted with chopped black sage, fennel stalk and tobacco leaf. Flavors run from dark red fruit to black spices to tartness on the finish, like a balsamic reduction sauce."

2012 Homestead: " Coming from Monterey and Santa Cruz vineyards, this blend of 34% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 18% Mourvèdre, 21% Carignane and 4% Cabernet Sauvignon features notes of plum jam, sagebrush and root beer. It jumps off the palate with bright acidity and grippy tannins, delivering ripe berry fruit and chili pepper spices, enlivening more senses than just tastebuds."