Tom Kobylarz

9.5

One of the best Syrah I have had outside the Northern Rhone! — 9 months ago

LM Segal

9.5

Not really fair to rate this now, so damned primary. Dark cassis and coarse cocoa, dark red fruit. Even after an hour not totally sorted but the quality burst through at the back of the palate where it lingered for >a minute. Would love to see this in 10 years. — 5 years ago

Juliet Sussman

9.1

Berry fruity! — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

If you didn’t know already, this is the second wine of Dominus.

The nose reveals; sour dark cherries, blackberries, baked strawberries, sugar style plum, black raspberries, sweetened, lean pomegranate, candied raspberries, blue fruits, vanilla, light clove, anise, steeped, black fruit tea, graphite, dark, rich, turned earth,sweet tarriness, limestone, alluvial soils, dry top soil, leathery notes, cedar, moist crushed rocks, dash of dry herbs with withering, dark, red flowers and old violets.

The body is medium full. The tannins nicely resolved but, still show a fair amount of firmness. The structure, tension, length and balance have hit a high point. Sour dark cherries, blackberries, baked strawberries, sugar style plum, black raspberries, sweetened, lean pomegranate, candied raspberries, a fair amount of blue fruits that hide on the nose, vanilla, light clove, dark spice anise, steeped, black fruit tea, graphite, dark, rich, turned earth, dark tar, limestone, alluvial soils, dry top soil, underbrush, tough shoe leather, cedar, moist crushed rocks, gritty volcanic minerals, dry clay, dash of dry herbs with fresh & withering, dark, red flowers and bright violets. The acidity is vibrant and fresh. The long finish starts ripe, bright candied fruits and slides into slightly dominate, dry earthiness and persists several minutes.

I would say this is still a hold for another 3-5 years. The 05 could show another point or two then. Just missing 92 now.

Photos of; Dominus and their estate vines, wine making legend, Christian Moueix, (been blessed to sit with him through a couple of dinners), their barrel room and the reverse view as you approach the winery. — 7 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. — 10 months ago

James Forsyth

9.3

Did a blind taste off with this and a very high end Napa Cab. Two of six chose this one. Fair enough. It is explosive, complex and delicious. Dark fruit, leather. All very distinctly Bordeaux. Yum. — 6 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.2

Strawberry again, rhubarb, musty attic in a good way — 6 years ago

Loren Gesinsky

9.1

Cork was soaked through and spongy on this 22-year old magnum, but the wine was still drinking nicely, with a fair amount of fruit still evident and balanced well with still active acidity, floral notes, secondary earthy notes, and well integrated tannins. — 4 years ago

Ian Hamel

9.2

2020 fall. Similar to other recent bottles. Really nice wine for a fair price - I’ll be looking for some more — 5 years ago

Gary Grose

8.9

8.9 is a really fair rating for this consistent Pinot from WA. Sometimes the Pinot producers try for too much and miss? This isn’t it. All you want in a subtle Pinot and none of the heavy alcohol content. You get the lite wood and the fruit. Actually doesn’t change much from first glass to last. — 6 years ago