Vintages

2008 Pinot Noir, Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard

On the lonely, foggy, windswept end of the continent lies the Jalama vineyard. This is grape growing on the edge. The grapes here struggle to ripen, and in the struggle, they develop terrific flavors while keeping a lithe texture and weight. This wine is a blend of Dijon clones 114 and 115, was fully destemmed, cold soaked for 7 days, fermented over a couple weeks and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, mostly neutral.

Tasting Note: An exuberant nose of red fruits, cranberry, strawberry and Ranier cherries with an interesting note of blood orange. On the palate, the flavors echo the aromas, cherries and raspberries, with a note of orange peel which blend seamlessly with minerals and a touch of earth Medium bodied and silky with terrific lift and refreshing acidity. The positive finish lingers; showing structure without weight. The wine is ideal with roasted poultry and/or vegetables, wild rice, or sautéed mushrooms.

2008 Pinot Noir, Fiddlestix Vineyard

At the cool western end of the Sta. Rita Hills, Fiddlestix is ideally situated for Pinot Noir. We selected two blocks, consisting of clones 113 and 777. The 113 provides a nice bright cherry tone and spicy aromatic lift, while the 777 provides waves of darker fruit and structure.

Tasting Note: Bigger and weightier than its sibling, the wine provides classic aromas of black cherry and iron, with a dusting of baking spices. On the palate, the wine is full bodied and silky, with a nice balance between the waves of black cherry and blue fruits and the complimentary notes of cola, cinnamon, balsa-wood, leather and gently toasted vanilla. The wine is lifted by clean, round refreshing acidity and ripe tannic structure, leading to a long echoing finish. Pairing suggestions include wine-based stews, grilled beef or lamb, and hearty aged cheeses.

2007 MJM

The 2007 MJM is a barrel select blend of our finest Rhone varietal wines, mostly Syrah. It is a blend of clones from several well-known vineyards including Shadow Canyon (in the cool York Mountain AVA west of Paso Robles), Watch Hill, and the biodynamic Demetria Estate (formerly known as Andrew Murray Vineyard).

Tasting Note: Large scaled, but incredibly light on its feet for such a big guy, never heavy or cloying. The early Magic Johnson comes to mind. Intense aromas of black and blue berries, vanilla, cedar and other lighter, toasted wood spices are intermixed with dried and raw meat notes. The wine is full in the mouth, displaying, a torrent of fresh blackberries, blueberry, and kirsch in a creamy milk-shake-like mélange of flavors. The wine has great depth and concentration, lingering on the palate before the solid but ripe tannins and round acidity arrive to carry them through to the long distinguished finish. MJM would be best served with strongly flavored dishes of beef or game (venison comes to mind), with or without sauces (peppercorn, bordelaise) or strong blue cheese. It’s good on its own too. Of course, MJM would benefit from several years aging, if you could keep your hands off. We suggest buying several.

2009 Rosé, Santa Ynez Valley

A blend of saignee and free run juice of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, this Rosé is made in the classic French style, albeit with a warmth and generosity that speaks to its California roots. We were thrilled to obtain some fantastic Grenache and Mourvedre in 2009, and they are ideal partners for Syrah in a Rosé.

Tasting Note: Aromas of red raspberry, strawberry and citrus. On the palate, the wine delivers a wave of fresh, exuberant red fruits, orange peel and the barest hint of pine (that is the Grenache speaking). The wine is substantial in the mouth, with lovely glycerin texture followed by a lip-smacking, palate cleansing acidity that delivers a long finish. The wine is perfect as an aperitif, paired with little bites (Greek olives), or even grilled seafood. Paella would be perfect.

2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley

The debut. We bonded over a love of Didier Dagueneau’s famous Sauvignons and have spent the ensuing months and years comparing and contrasting the nuances found in white Bordeaux, Pouilly Fume and even the great sweet wines of Sauternes. We knew that Santa Barbara County was promising for Sauvignon Blanc, but how far could we take it if we pushed the envelope? For our wine, we obtained fantastic fruit from extremely low yields, fermented the lots in a mix of tank and barrel and bottled the resulting wine without filtration. This wine reflects its origins; it could only come from Southern California, the land of sunshine, groves of classic citrus fruits, tanned skin, crisp sea breezes, all existing on a bed of mineral-rich coastal soil.

Tasting Note: The Sauvignon Blanc combines the citrus-y (grapefruit, lime) energy of tank fermentation with the rich round tropical fruit (pineapples, melons) flavors developed in barrel (approximately 20% new). The wine is complex and serious, with good weight and balanced acidity, leading to a long finish. We think the wine is crisp enough to pair well with seafood, and substantial enough to pair with poultry or risotto.

2008 Rosé, Santa Ynez Valley

A blend of free run juice and saignee taken from our red grapes as they are cold-soaked, the 2008 Rosé screams to sit in a bucket of ice next to a pool, a beach or a picnic table. It loves the outdoors.

Tasting Note: Our rose is made in the French style: crisp and completely dry. A lovely light red hue in the glass, the wine is filled with aromas and flavors of light summer fruits including strawberry, kiwi, and watermelon. We like the rose as an aperitif, with lighter dishes or simply by itself on sunny days.

2007 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

Syrah was the first wine we made together. Syrah is one of the main reasons we fell in love with the Central Coast. Thanks to our vineyard contacts in the last few vintages we have gained access to fruit from some truly spectacular Syrah vineyards. We sign acreage contracts, allowing us to farm our vineyards to exacting specifications and to ensure low yield/high quality fruit.

Vineyards: Watch Hill, Demetria, and Shadow Canyon. Syrah loves to be blended, with each vineyard, each block, each clone adding complexity and personality to the finished product.

Tasting Note: On the nose the wine delivers notes of freshly crushed blackberries, boysenberries, and blueberries, with a streak of vanilla, bacon fat and a pleasant earthiness. The palate is full bodied, without heaviness, opening as if a creamy blueberry milkshake, then moving into a nuttiness, followed by a note of pine and forest floor, and finishing with pleasant round black and blue fruit glycerin flavors balanced by acidity and fine length.

2007 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

Vineyard Sources: Rancho Las Hermanas (Formerly known as Gaia/Ashley’s) and Cargasacchi-Jalama

Tasting Note: A beguiling nose of deep black cherry and iron, surrounded by fine truffle-and-anise laced
spice draws interest. Swirling the glass reveals additional tones of cola, blueberries,
and root beer. On the palate, the wine is full bodied and silky, nicely balanced between black cherry and blue fruits, gently toasty vanilla and clean, round refreshing acidity. The finish is long and seamless—with superfine tannins providing structure without weight. Today we would pair it with heartier braises and wine-based stews, duck and heavier, aged cheeses.

2007 Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County

Vineyard Sources: Cargasacchi-Jalama
and Rancho Las Hermanas (Formerly known as Gaia/Ashley’s)

Tasting Note: Deep, saturated burgundy in color. On the nose, red fruits (strawberry and bing cherry) and citrus peel (orange) mingle with aromas of baking spices (allspice, cinnamon, and clove), fresh almond, cola and hints of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied, with high toned strawberry and brambly red fruits, giving way to an earthy and spicy finish. Juicy and refreshing, it is best paired with simply prepared grilled meats, roast poultry and mushrooms.

2006 Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

Because we have been “under-the-radar”, we still have a few cases of 2006 Pinot Noir lurking in our cellar. The wine has been in the bottle a year and is really starting to strut its stuff, with new spices and nuances appearing every time we open a bottle. Give her some air before drinking, or keep for 3-5 more years.

Vineyard Sources: Fiddlestix and Gaia. The cool western edge of this renowned AVA produces wines of subtle spice and intricate balance.

Tasting Note: A vibrant garnet in the glass. The nose features a spicy blend of strawberries and cherries with cedar, juniper berries, and Asian spices. Delicate (this is pinot!), silky, and seductive in the mouth the flavors of crushed berries build into a mouth-coating, sappy, finish. The lingering cherry and cranberry notes beg for freshly grilled salmon or creamy potato gratin.

2005 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley

Vineyard Sources: Tierra Alta and Cuatro Vientos in the Santa Ynez Valley

Tasting Note: The nose features classic cool climate syrah aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and dark chocolate with hints of bacon. The wine is well balanced in the mouth with a lush, almost creamy texture. Flavors echo the nose and build to include raspberry and a subtle dusty leather component which leads to a concentrated fruit driven finish.