Santa Barbara + Monterey
May 1, 2024
Four remarkable whites and two reds.
Santa Barbara & Monterey
White
2022 Paysan Sauvignon Blanc `Zabala Vineyard` Arroyo Seco
In the northern part of California’s Central Coast Ian Brand tempers his winemaking with an intuition of what seems right. His intuition is very good as evidenced by our store favorite Chardonnay under the Paysan label. Organically farmed, this Sauvignon Blanc is further evidence of that. From cool coastal Arroyo Secco, it’s not plain Jane Sauvignon , but is made with the savory Musque clone which boldens the wine with a heady rounded licorice note. Will go great with stronger fish dishes, even some more lily spiced oriental foods. Aroma: Bright, intense and savory crisp, forward acid, Mouth: Dry and dark toned. Fleshy, very ripe intense, very ripe, built with intense sweet-savory fruit.
Very Good Plus $23.99, case $19.99
2021 Railsback Freres Roman Ceremony Sauvignon Blanc
Made as a tribute to the Great Bordeaux whites of yesteryear, the Sauvignon Blanc cuttings from the legendary Château d’Yquem were brought to California in 1882 by Charles Wetmore and planted in the Livermore Valley, whose gravely terroir was considered similar to that of Bordeaux. Aroma: Rich baking spices, warm peach skin, nectarine flesh, river rock minerals, and a gentle herbaceousness of lemongrass. Mouth: Fresh and crisp, but thanks to fermentation and aging in old French barriques it has developed a rounder, weightier texture on the palate. Balanced acidity marked by lily, pineapple, pithy lemon, river pebbles and lemongrass - all clinging on tenaciously with the leesy waxiness of papaya essence. It's a lip-smacking, gastronomic wine that White Bordeaux fans should definitely tune in to.
Very Good Plus $34.00, case $28.90
2022 Sandhi Central Coast Chardonnay
Sandhi exists to explore the collaboration between man, Earth, and wine. This Chardonnay gem from Sasha Moorman and Master Sommelier Rajat Parr does just that! Fermented in older oak barrels with ambient yeast, this wine showcases the land of Santa Barbara County. Aroma: The 2022 Chardonnay Central Coast has pure scents of yellow peach, panna cotta, bread dough, pie crust and spicy undertones. Mouth: The medium-bodied palate offers dynamic flavors that range from stone fruit to honey and toasted spice. It has a luxuriously silky texture, bright acidity and a long finish.
Very Good $26.99, case $22.94
2021 Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
Always a favorite wine from one of Sta. Rita Hills benchmark producers, this Chardonnay will dazzle the senses. With the goal of expressing a comprehensive expression of the appellation, Brewer-Clifton selected four unique vineyard sites to create this Sta. Rita Hills bottling.
Aroma: Ripe orchard fruits, butted lemon, crushed stone, and salty, marine-influence notes all emerge from the 2021 Chardonnay Sta. Rita Hills. Mouth: Bright citrus flavors at the core of this white, with yuzu, ruby grapefruit, Meyer lemon and lime zest notes, plus plenty of salty, minerally accents that are followed by hints of lemon basil that linger on the finish.
Excellent $39.00, case $33.15
Red
2019 Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au-dessus Pinot Noir
For over 40 years, Jim Clendenen has classically styled wines of balance, restraint, and longevity. "La Bauge Au-dessus" translates as a “wild party up stairs”. The wine shows off its Old World Burgundian style with complex aromatics and layered flavors that has now become signature characteristics of Pinot from the Santa Maria Valley region. Aroma: Great aromatics and character showing black cherry/cranberry fruit, rose petal, earth and spice. Mouth: The palate is peppery and salty, as those savory elements pair well against the cranberry, orange peel and thyme flavors. Balanced & elegance—a true testament to Santa Maria Valley's finesse. Excellent $36.00, case $30.60
2021 Railsback Freres Roman Ceremony Cabernet Sauvignon
Planted to budwood from Cheval Blanc and is lovingly farmed with the application of biodynamics. Made with minimal intervention, leading to well structured flavor and concentration in an old school style that favors freshness and finesse without sacrificing richness. Aroma: Rich dark plum, pomegranate, dark cherry, earthy tobacco and baking spices.
Mouth: Medium plus-full bodied, balanced acidity, fine tannin, rich dried fruit, dark cherry, blackberry, cola, licorice and tobacco. A perfect wine to kick off the grilling season with a juicy steak dinner. Very Good Plus $34.00, case $28.90
-- Richard Harmer
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