Wine Enthusiast, May 2022
Wine Enthusiast | May 2022
REVIEWS BY MATT KETTMAN
2019 OLD CORRAL PINOT NOIR 96 points
2019 WIRZ VINEYARD OLD VINE CARIGNANE 95 points, EDITORS’ CHOICE
2019 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 94 points
2019 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93 points
2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD GRENACHE 93 points, CELLAR SELECTION
2020 RODNICK.FARM VINEYARD OLD VINE MOURVEDRE 93 points, EDITORS’ CHOICE
2019 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 93 points
2018 COASTVIEW VINEYARD “TERRACES” SYRAH 93 points, CELLAR SELECTION
2019 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 93 points
2019 HOWARD FAMILY VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 92 points
2018 SIXTY-TWO TERRACES SYRAH 92 points, CELLAR SELECTION
2018 RATTLESNAKE ROCK SYRAH 91 points
2019 HOMESTEAD RED BLEND 91 points, EDITORS’ CHOICE
2018 ODEON CABERNET SAUVIGNON-SYRAH 91 points, CELLAR SELECTION
2019 OLD CORRAL PINOT NOIR
Quite light in the glass, this is a lovely style of lighter Pinot Noir, starting with aromas of light red fruit, peppered meats and sandalwood. There’s a tight tension to the sip, where dried cranberry, orange peel, salumi and peppercorn flavors align into an umami bomb.
2019 WIRZ VINEYARD OLD VINE CARIGNANE
This old vine bottling is a strong argument for California growers to plant Carignane and then get in a time machine. Crunchy aromas of black raspberry, elderberry, lavender, white pepper, dark meats and crumpled purple flowers slide into a tense palate that’s still quite young. Flavors of wild berry, red and purple flowers and tea spice make for a dynamic experience.
2019 LESTER FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
A rusty hue in the glass, this bottling is loaded with bay leaf, sage and wild thyme aromas on the nose, as well as pomegranate and sharp sumac notes. There’s a gritty grip to the palate, where roasted cherry tomato, cranberry and orange rind flavors make for a very flavorful expression.
2019 COASTVIEW VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
There’s a savory aroma set of wet mushroom, pine needle and pepper dust on the nose of this bottling as well as supple plum and hibiscus elements. The palate also shows pine needle as well as cranberry, orange peel and bay leaf, all hanging from a grippy while delicate tannic structure.
2017 COASTVIEW VINEYARD GRENACHE
A lighter hue in the glass, this bottling begins with crushed stone, dark hibiscus tea, white pepper and elegant plum aromas. A sizzling acidity sails through the palate, where cherry, sumac and rose flavors are still very energetic five years into the cellar. Drink now–2030.
2020 RODNICK.FARM VINEYARD OLD VINE MOURVEDRE
From 34-year-old vines planted by legendary Richard Graff, who also imported this Samsonite clone, this rustic bottling is light in the glass and shows aromas of roasted berry, blistered tomato, rose petal and a shaving of oak. Wild strawberry and toasted sagebrush flavors meet with rocky tannins on the sip, which recalls a walk through this rugged appellation.
2019 ALFARO FAMILY VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
Tart raspberry, rustic sagebrush and wild oregano aromas converge on the nose of this bottling from a coveted spot in Corralitos. Lively on the palate, flavors of smashed raspberry, bay leaf and pine needle make for an herbal experience.
2018 COASTVIEW VINEYARD “TERRACES” SYRAH
This bottling from a vineyard that sits 2,200 feet above the Salinas Valley begins with elegant aromas of purple flowers and purple fruits, dusted in subtle hints of cracked pepper. Lavender and violet flavors lead the palate, where hints of elderberry and elderflower should only grow more compelling with patience. Drink now–2033.
2019 COASTVIEW VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
Lemon curd and balm aromas meet with blanched almond and subtle macadamia nut aromas on the nose of this bottling from a remote mountaintop vineyard. The palate is quite dynamic, blending pear and nectarine flesh flavors with lime juice and crushed almonds.
2019 HOWARD FAMILY VINEYARD CHARDONNAY
Stony aromas of wet rocks lead into tart citrus peel, apricot and yellow melon scents on the nose of this bottling. Baked and fresh lemon flavors pop in the palate, where macadamia nut, wet stone and salmon flesh flavors make for an intriguing experience.
2018 SIXTY-TWO TERRACES SYRAH
Lavender and violet aromas decorate the black fruit on the nose of this bottling, which also shows a peppercorn spice streak. The bone-dry palate offers fresh acai and violet flavors, framed by sticky tannins that need some time to resolve. Drink 2023–2038.
2019 HOMESTEAD RED BLEND
Bradley Brown taps many of his Central Coast sources, from the Gabilan to the Santa Cruz mountains, to produce this affordable blend of 57% Grenache, 23% Mourvèdre, 12% Carignane and 8% Syrah. Rich aromas of black plum, fennel, bacon and wood spice on the nose lead into a palate that flashes with tension before flavors of baked red fruit and oaky spice take hold.
2018 ODEON CABERNET SAUVIGNON-SYRAH
This blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon from Betchart Vineyard and 30% Syrah from Rattlesnake Rock Vineyard remains young. Aromas of strawberry and wood spice on the nose lead into tart red plum and dried herb flavors on the palate, with a rocky texture that could use some smoothing. Drink now–2032.