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Lafond
Sta. Rita Hills Riesling 2013
This is a lively Riesling, from a land known more for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This Sta. Rita Hills Riesling comes from the cool part of Santa Barbara County, so Riesling should figure bigger here than it does, I've always thought. The grapes were grown in the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley, in the transverse valley that sucks in the cool Pacific air and shuttles it inland. The winery says the Sta. Rita Hills region is the southernmost cool-climate region in the northern hemisphere. If this one is any indication, a lot of winemakers are missing the boat.
The pale wine gives a beautiful apricot and peach aroma on the nose, with just a touch of gasoline coming on. I love that part of Riesling with a few years under its belt. The palate has stone fruit, too, and some truly edgy earth from the Lafond estate. — 9 years ago
Larmandier-Bernier
Les Chemins D'Avize Millésime Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne
Walnut skins, curling yellow parchment paper, roasted yellow apples, poached pear, and honeysuckle. Larmandier-Bernier's Vieille Vigne de Cramant Grand Cru 2006 always feels autumnal to me and masterfully constructed. Subtle oxidation, ultra-fine mousse and quarried vinosity on the finish makes this a somewhat austere Champagne. One feels compelled to study it, the graceful lines and branching sexpartite ribs, transverse arches, and dappled, dusty sunlight filtered through clerestory windows, its weightless, timeless charm. 12.5% ABV — 10 years ago
Clendenen Family Vineyards
The Pip Santa Maria Valley Nebbiolo 2014
#Nebbiolo is a surprisingly rare grape. Even in its native Piedmont, it accounts for only 8% of vineyard land. There are fewer than 100 hectares planted in the United States. 🕵️♂️🍇
Over 80% of prewar Italian immigrants came from Sicily and Southern Italy. Piedmont was the wealthiest and most politically dominant region. But if fortunes were reversed, could Nebbiolo have taken Primitivo/Zinfandel’s place as a grape relatively uncommon on the boot but dominant in California? 🤔🇮🇹🇺🇸
Probably not. The Nebbiolo vine is *not* for beginners. It flowers early and ripens late, making it susceptible to both spring and autumn frosts. It loves the occasional fog bath (some say the name is derived from ‘nebbia’, Italian for fog ☁️☁️☁️) but is prone to the mildew that may result from such humid conditions. Its fussiness would make Pinot Noir blush: it demands southwesterly exposure, a proper gradient, constant sun above, and fog licking at its toes. #diva
Sound anything like California’s Central Coast? 🌅
In the Santa Maria Valley, where the East-West Transverse Range bends back into the North-South Coastal Range, it’s possible. Vineyard selection still requires extreme discretion - an eye like @JimClendenen’s, perhaps.
Jim began the Nebbiolo program at the legendary #BienNacido vineyard in 1994. Production is small, but if you track down his “The Pip” Nebbiolo, it will only run you about $30. You’ll believe anything is possible when you have real California Nebbiolo of this quality come wafting out of the glass at you! 🙌🙌
🏞.“The Pip” is named after Jim’s old cellar dog Pip, a border collie. So it only seemed right to include one of our own pips! 🐈 — 6 years ago
Transverse
Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2015
Chardonnay.. Really pretty/elegant. Very pulingy Montrachet esc. Apple, toasty lees, caramel, slate minerality and great acid. Bravo to a new world hitting the old world. I'm a fan. Thanks Andrew! — 8 years ago
Bodegas Verdúguez
Sierra Jalameña Crianza Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
dark brooding wine with many layers of savoury elements. Great dusty tannins that seem to transverse the dark fruit into that savoury world. 2008 must have been recorked as it was brand new. — 10 years ago
Freddy R. Troya
10Nineths Radius Pinot Noir 2023 Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California 🇺🇸
Overview A clean, approachable Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir that leans into freshness, elegance, and easy drinkability rather than power or extraction. Produced in a small lot of just 680 cases, this is a polished, straightforward expression of cool-climate Pinot, offering clarity of fruit, balanced structure, and an effortlessly drinkable profile that feels true to the AVA’s coastal DNA.
Aromas & Flavors Bright red cherry, raspberry, and fresh strawberry lead the nose, supported by subtle rose petal, light baking spice, and a touch of damp earth. On the palate, the fruit remains vibrant and pure, with gentle cranberry lift, soft herbal nuances, and a clean, refreshing finish that stays focused and precise rather than layered or dense.
Mouthfeel Light-to-medium body with supple tannins and lively acidity. Silky, smooth, and very easy on the palate, delivering freshness and flow without weight or heaviness. Elegant, balanced, and highly approachable.
Food Pairings Roast chicken or turkey. Grilled salmon or trout. Mushroom risotto or lentil dishes. Charcuterie and soft cheeses. Herb-driven pasta or light poultry dishes.
Verdict A well-made, classic Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir that emphasizes drinkability, finesse, and freshness. Not designed to be profound or highly complex, but very satisfying for casual enjoyment, by-the-glass pours, or pairing versatility. A reliable expression of coastal California Pinot elegance.
Did You Know? Sta. Rita Hills is one of California’s coolest AVAs, shaped by strong transverse ocean winds from the Pacific that funnel inland, extending hang time and preserving natural acidity, a key reason Pinot Noir here often shows vibrant freshness and aromatic precision.
🍷 Personal Pick Not a personal “wow” bottle for my palate, but a very solid, honest Pinot that I’d happily pour in social settings where elegance, freshness, and easy drinkability matter most. — 6 days ago