Tom Casagrande

8.9

Comparing a Virginia Neb with and entry level Italian Neb. This Va. one has lots of up front fruit, with a very slight pruney note, not unpleasant. Nice effort. — 5 months ago

with Dan and Angelo

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

One of the best american Rieslings out there. The Riesling was planted in 2007. Kick On Ranch is just a few miles West of Los Alamos (CA) , getting close to the ocean and Vandenberg Air Force Base. 120 cases. 13.5%. Plenty of acidity, 🍯 , botyris? , fresh cut garden hose. Quite herbal. Oregano. Tatomer’s top of the line offer. He learned the trade in Austria 🇦🇹, Wachau region. This 2019 is very very good. Not Mosel just different - and perhaps quintessential Californian. — 9 months ago

ESF

8.9

Man I just love Norton - it is such a fun, expressive wine. It’s loud & boisterous and downright unruly, but it’s uniquely American. Inky and brimming with black fruit galore & then menthol, medicinal, licorice, forest floor, squirrely spice just pour out of the glass. So expressive. On the palate it is voluptuous w/plenty of acidity & tannins, it’s just a bit clumsy, but it means well. Black fruit compote with kitchen sink spices envelope the palate. Decent finish. Don’t know what the hell you’re supposed to eat with this stuff but it’s a lot of fun. — 4 years ago

Cameron Etezadi

8.9

Surprisingly good and not too sweet. Nice ripe fruits and apples — 5 months ago

Randy Fuller

9.3

This wine is dark in color. The nose is complex, offering blackberry and blueberry fruit in addition to anise, black pepper, and herbal notes. The palate is savory, with earth, tar, and spice dominating the flavor package. Tannic grip is easy to handle, yet workman enough to do a job on a rib eye steak. The finish is medium long, and the savory aspect lingers. — 9 months ago

Neal Gracey

8.9

Wow, what a surprise! Light and brisk. Honeysuckle big time. No after taste and a great finish like very faint citrus but no fruity. Wonderful in summertime with an ice cube. Lovely!! — 3 years ago

Michael Chelus

9.0

Apple, lemon curd, grapefruit, peach, lime zest and hints of dried apricot. Racy acidity and good minerality. — 5 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

8.9

Cambria Estate Winery — Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 — Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California. United States 🇺🇸

Overview:
An estate-grown Pinot Noir crafted entirely from estate fruit at Cambria’s Julia’s Vineyard, delivering a fresh, approachable expression of cool-climate California Pinot with bright fruit purity and everyday elegance.

Aromas & Flavors:
Red plum, strawberry, cranberry, cherry compote, hints of sage, lavender, rose petal, and light leather.

Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with smooth tannins, lively acidity, and gentle spice through the finish. Bright red fruit keeps the palate energetic and easy-drinking while maintaining enough structure to feel polished.

Food Pairings:
Roast chicken, salmon, mushroom pasta, grilled vegetables, pizza with prosciutto or mushrooms, soft cheeses.

Personal Pick:
This is my kind of reliable weeknight Pinot — easy to love, versatile at the table, and always satisfying without demanding too much attention. A bottle I happily keep in regular rotation.

Verdict:
A charming, estate-driven Pinot Noir offering freshness, balance, and excellent everyday value. Perfect for casual dinners and relaxed enjoyment.

🍷 Did You Know?:
Santa Maria Valley’s east–west orientation funnels cool Pacific winds deep into the valley, extending hang time and preserving natural acidity — a key reason the region excels with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. — 8 months ago

Monis Mirza

9.2

Found this in New Mexico. If there is a central coast wine that represents the region this would be it. Of course this does not disqualify all the great Pinot produced in Santa Barbara. Truly a treat. — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Sandhi, Sanford & Benedict, Sta. Rita Hills, Pinot Noir, 2016, ABV 13.5%.

This Pinot Noir comes from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County in the Central Coast region of California. Despite California having generally a Mediterranean climate, due to its westerly location, Sta. Rita Hills AVA receives cooling maritime and fog influences from the Pacific Ocean, aiding in the preservation of acidity, lending balance, finesse, and elegance to the resulting wine.

This wine is medium ruby with a medium(+) intensity of youthful aromas. The aromas include primary notes of candied cherry, strawberry rhubarb, orange peel, violet, tulip, mint, wet stone, white pepper, secondary notes of nutmeg, and tertiary notes of earth and wet leaves.

On the palate this wine is dry, with medium(+) acidity, a medium body, medium alcohol, delicate tannin, and medium(+) intensity in flavors consistent with the nose. This wine has a medium(+) finish.

This is a beautiful wine with a strong fruit character and expression. It is well-balanced and offers concentrated aromatics and flavors and nice complexity. — 5 years ago

with Deked1