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Third Place finisher in our 2023 Wine Of The Year blind taste off!

Sustainably farmed Grenache 44%, Syrah 42%, Mourvedre 14% from four vineyard sites in Los Olivos and the greater Santa Ynez Valley - Rolling Vines, Bernat, Coteaux de Clair, and TTT Roblar. The Syrah and Grenache are fermented partly with whole clusters, while the Mourvedre is 100% destemmed. Fermentation is with native yeasts in open-top oak tanks. The wine is matured for 14 months in neutral barrique and bottled without fining or filtration.

Mallea is a collaboration between viticulturist Erik Mallea (director of viticulture at Sanford & Benedict and a co-founder of Willett-Mallea Farming) and winemaker Justin Willett (of Tyler Winery and Lieu-Dit Winery). After working together in various capacities for over a decade, Erik and Justin have started this exciting new project to highlight Santa Barbara County?€?s potential with Rh??ne grape varieties. They are farming four small vineyard sites clustered around Los Olivos in the Santa Ynez Valley of Santa Barbara.

Third place was a nice surprise because it is a brand new wine on the scene, Mallea GSM Santa Barbara County 2021. This is a traditional Rhone blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mouvedre (GSM) but from Santa Barbara County California. The pedigree of the guys behind it is first-rate but what impressed us was the juice in the bottle! If you enjoy Cotes du Rhone or Southern French reds you are going to love Mallea. This is a wine of subtlety and not as flamboyant as our number two wine. Clearly, the wine is masterfully blended as each component adds complexity, and yet the wine is seamless on the palate. Fresh jovial fruit dances on the tongue with its lively acidity while pepper and Mediterranean spices come out in the finish. Mallea GSM provides a ton of pleasure for a very reasonable price.

The labels reference Erik Mallea?€?s Basque heritage, depicting 19th & 20th-century aspen tree carvings by Basque shepherds in the American West. Erik?€?s father, Joxe Mallea-Olaetxe, is a respected scholar of this cultural tradition.

Third Place finisher in our 2022 Wine Of The Year Taste-Off!

A sensational California red blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane and Malbec.Old Soul is a little different with every vintage?€?translating the story of Mendocino County?€?s unique terroir straight to your glass. In winemaker Alex?€?s words, the 2019 vintage was ?€?a dream,?€? with early replenishing rains and a long, even growing season. Look for savory wild herbs and blackberry cobbler notes on the nose. The palate is rich but not too dense, with ripe tannins that wrap around a core of blue and black fruits which linger on the long, slightly toasty finish.

Saracina is located along the Upper Russian River in northern California's wine country. The 250-acre ranch which includes a winery and sustainably farmed vineyards, is also home to a 140-year-old olive trees, vegetable gardens, beehives, and local birds and wildlife. The handcrafted, limited production Saracina wines reflect a conscious sense of this beautiful place in Mendocino County. Founded by husband and wife team John Fetzer and Patty Rock in 2001, Saracina has always been defined by a strong sense of family. In 2018, Marc Taub took on stewardship of Saracina, upholding the spirit of family ownership that has defined this iconic Mendocino County winery since its inception.

The Zinfandel hails from the certified-organic Chapman Vineyard (head-pruned vines on an alluvial bench in Redwood Valley) and the Sawyer Vineyard (perched at 1,000 feet overlooking Lake Mendocino and planted with head-pruned vines on St. George rootstock). The Malbec is estate grown in vineyards rich in black clay/gravel at the base of the foothills. The Petite Sirah is from our own steep hillside vineyards and the Niemi Vineyard (20 year-old vines which have been dry-farmed for 15 years).

The wine was aged in both Burgundian and American four-year-seasoned oak (10% new) for 18 months, which included five months of native malolactic fermentation.

93 points Wine Advocate
The 2021 Christo is a blend of 68% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 8% Petite Sirah and 4% Viognier. The nose features fresh blackcurrant and blueberry aromas with tones of cast iron, violet, sagebrush and conifer. The full-bodied palate is chalky and refreshing with restrained, mineral-driven fruit and a long, perfumed finish. Give it 2-3 years in bottle or a couple hours in a decanter.

60% Syrah, 24% Grenache, 12%Petite Sirah, 4% Viognier

Winemaker's Notes:
"Dark purple ruby core, slightly lighter at the rim showing light staining on the glass. Aromatic with bright ripe black cherry and blackcurrant fruit, baking spice, savory dried autumn leaves, subtle violet floral notes with a hint of caramelized barrel sweetness.
Dry, moderate plus bodied, with ripe red and black cherry, and blackcurrant fruit joined by vanilla and cinnamon spice notes on the entry. The mid-palate is fresh with sustained ripe fruit, toasty oak notes, and softly textured tannins. The finish is moderately long with notes of cherry candy and blackcurrant fruit matched with subtle classic Cabernet savory elements."

#20 on The Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024!

93 pts Wine Spectator
Dynamic yet sleekly elegant, with rich strawberry and apple flavors that are accented by spiced cinnamon and yeast roll as this dances toward the vibrant finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2026.

94 points James Suckling
A mix of red and black fruits with lavender and fresh herbs followed by vanilla, blanched almonds and a hint of black ink and pencil lead. Full-bodied, firm and juicy tannins with good acidity backbone. Sound and harmonious wine with beautiful drinkability. Terrific quality. This needs two or three years to take the edge off

Winemaker Notes:
Pinot Noir jumps off the glass with aromas of berry bramble, mulberry with hints of lilac and violet. The palate is round and generous with layers of mouth-enveloping ripe berries, rhubarb, dried cherries and equally imposing tannins. This is an especially muscular style of Napa Pinot. All the elements meld together effortlessly with secondary flavors of bittersweet chocolate and Provence herbs that lead into a long, silky and smooth finish.

A neatly cut array of refined red and black cherries in a pristinely cast style. The palate has an elegant and neatly defined core of supple, long and ripe fruit flavor and carries a wealth of crisp, fresh, cherry-soaked tannins at the finish.

Winemaker's Notes:
As this wine is poured into your glass, you will notice its beautiful, dark ruby red color. This is a classic Russian River Pinot Noir that expresses aromas and flavors of dark fruit. The first impression starts in the nose with aromas of intense blackberry, cola and black raspberry followed by a touch of vanilla and hints of rhubarb, baking spice, licorice, dark chocolate and earth. The wine is richly textured and balanced with a beautiful brightness. Flavors of black cherry, tobacco and sweet barrel spice shine throughout. Fine tannins round out the long, juicy finish.

Organic

Review is on the previous vintage.
94 points Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Vino de los Ranchos comes from two vineyards, one planted in the 1970s and one in the 1990s, and was vinified using 30% whole clusters. Stone and gravel dust give way to raspberry and cranberry on the nose, plus accents of dried herbs and Earl Grey tea leaves. The light-bodied palate is finely chalky and super fresh, with notable concentration, complexity and spiciness, and it has a long, ethereal finish.

Winemaker Notes
"On the nose, delicate pear and floral notes are backed by toasty almond. On the palate, one finds lively citrus, toast and apple flavors overlaid with persistent effervescence, a creamy mid-palate and a toasty finish."

The Sonoma Brut has been carefully crafted entirely from hand-harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. This brut is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to brut cuvees. Sonoma Brut shows the quality and diversity of our vineyards that allow us to consistently produce cuvees with complexity and clear fruit expression. Aged for a minimum of 18 months, this wine shows delicate pear and floral notes with persistent effervescence and an effortless finish, making it a tremendously versatile sparkling wine.

91 points Wine Spectator
A briar patch in a bottle, this hearty red abounds with bold raspberry, roasted anise and smoky black pepper flavors that build tension and structure toward broad-shouldered tannins. Drink now through 2031

Unshackled Red Blend opens with aromas of raspberry, blueberry, and crushed violets. Flavors of spiced dried cherries, florals and a hint of white pepper translate to a balanced red blend wine supported with a generous mouthfeel. A blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache is barrel-aged in French and American oak casks for 11 months before bottling. Serve just below room temperature by refrigerating this wine bottle for up to 30 minutes. Pair this red wine blend with BBQ Pork Ribs or a Portobello Mushroom burger.

Organic

The review is on the previous vintage.
92 points Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay Vino de los Ranchos, matured for 19 months and sulfured only for bottling, takes some time to reveal scents of lemon peel, beeswax, gravel dust and herbal undertones. The light-bodied palate is bursting with crunchy citrus flavors reminiscent of Chablis. It has stony mineral character, a razor-like spine of acidity, and a touch of textural breadth lends an expansive feel that extends the finish.

"This "crazy value" Napa Cab was sourced from a couple of top "Cult" wineries in the Valley (SHHH...their wines sell for between $75-150/bot!). Deep, rich and plush with classic Napa Cab fruit, it drinks like a wine costing 2-3 times as much! The Hardin Cabernet Sauvignon is a combination of top valley floor and hillside sites, it's a blend of 98 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2 Cabernet Franc aged in French oak (20 new) for about 22 months. A wine that displays the outright richness and power of the vintage. Deep, intense, plum, dark cherry and spice are prevelant right away on the nose and palate. But the signature of the vintage is then on full display with minerality, balancing structure and a vibrant, fresh core that lifts the fruit and carries the wine. A classic Napa Cab that will drink well for many years."~Distributor Notes

Winemaker's Notes:
"Our Sauvignon Blanc is produced from grapes grown in various microclimates of the Napa Valley. The warmer Napa Valley microclimate gives us grapes with melon and citrus characteristics in both aroma and flavor. The cooler areas of Napa Valley provide fruit with a solid, crisp backbone that gives the wine an exciting liveliness and balances the rich creaminess from "sur lie" aging."

Winery Notes:
"Stashing Pinot Noir in brandy barrels creates a lush mouthfeel, with salted caramel and delicious baking spices flavors. Each taste of this California Pinot Noir gives way to aromatic hints of cherry, cardamom and spiced apple. This red wine garners its unique taste thanks to Pinot Noir grapes found all across California's prime winegrowing regions. By blending a portion of Pinot Noir that?€?s been aged in brandy barrels, we produce a complex, smooth and rounded wine. Stack this flavorful, bold California wine up against steak or poultry, or enjoy on its own as a new sort of night cap. For a devilishly good taste, chill this Pinot Noir for 20 minutes prior to serving."

Lava Cap?€?s Cabernet Sauvignon has long been recognized for producing age-worthy wines that showcase vibrant fruit and rich texture. The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon holds true to this, with a dark purple color, and dark black fruit on the nose. On the palate, vibrant fruit mingles with allspice and clove, framed by vibrant acidity and well integrated tannins.

93 points Wine Advocate
The 2021 Dry Riesling Wirz Vineyard comes from some of the oldest Riesling vines in California; the head-pruned, dry-farmed vines were planted in 1952 in Cienega Valley on limestone. It's spicy, delicious and hard to put down, opening with gregarious scents of white peach, candle smoke, lime, biscuit and loads of floral perfume. The light-bodied palate is dry and shimmery, balancing racy acidity with creamy citrus fruit and flinty undertones, and it has a long, spicy finish. 800 cases were made.

92 points Vinous
The 2021 Dry Riesling Nadi Wirz Vineyard is, as the name states, dry. It offers terrific tension and plenty of cut. The lack of sweetness results in an especially taut Riesling. Hints of green apple, slate, crushed rocks, petrol and white flowers linger. This is such a vivid and expressive wine."-

Rich and intense, with complex pear, ginger and spicy apple scents. Turns rich and fruity on the palate. - WS88

Organic / Natural / No Sulfites Added

Lot # 1 ????? Direct press of destemmed grapes to tank for 24h settling off gross lees, transfer to neutral burgundy for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation over 30 days.(50% of final blend)

Lot # 2 ????? Destemmed to holding tank, 48h of skin maceration in reductive environment and cooling, press to racking tank for 24h settling off gross lees, transfer to neutral burgundy for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation over 30+ days (20% of final blend)

Lot # 3 ????? Destemmed to stainless tank, full fermentation over 8 days with full skin contact and punch down protocol, kept very reductive, press directly to neutral burgundy for ageing. (30% of final blend)

All lots aged for 11 months in neutral burgundy with regular topping on full lees and reductive environment.

Unfiltered w/o sulfur addition. 10% abv

93 points Vinous
The 2021 Graciano Portico Hills shows the darker, weightier side of Graciano. Black cherry, plum, gravel, menthol, crushed rocks, dried herbs and incense are all dialed up in this brooding, potent Graciano. The 2021 is going to need some time to soften. (7/2023) Drinking Window 2023-2031

Zac Wasserman is now on his own after a number of years working alongside Joey Tensley.

La Storia Merlot is and has been consistently fine example of the ability of this classic Bordeaux variety to make solid, tasty and age worthy wines. The main aromas and flavors are of dark cherry, plums, a bit of black licorice and herbs. The new oak barrels contribute a touch of vanilla, brown sugar, cocoa dust and toast. On the mouth the wine is soft and viscous, balancing the acidity and the tannins well for such a young wine. The finish is long and soft with suggestion of sweetness backed by ripe tannins. This wine will age well and will reward your patience if stored well in the next 3-6 years.

Organic

91% Cabernet Sauvignon 6% Petite Verdot, 3% Cab Franc. Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from 3 vineyards: the 60yr old Brigantino Vineyard, the 45yr old Wheeler Ranch, and the 75yr old Tres Pinos Creek Vineyard. The Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc come from Paicines AVA, rocky alluvial deposits above the Tres Pinos arroyo. All vineyards experience warm days, cold nights typical of the Central Coast, allowing these late ripening Bordeaux varieties to be picked at high acidity and moderate sugars. Fermented whole berry with a very light crush in open top fermenters, allowing slower extraction, of tannins into the must and lots of oxygen into the fermentation for polymerization of tannins. Pressed after approximately 20 days. Aged for 11 months on lees in mostly neutral barrels with a couple of active oak barrels sprinkled in. 13.2% abv