As we enter a new season, let me highlight some tasting notes from summer 2010. I've kept myself busy these past few months with a selection of wines from Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles. As an bonus, I added stars to each review in order to reflect my ratings for each of these wines (✭✭✭✭✭ = Outstanding and ✭ = Below Average). It's all arbitrary folks, but at least you get a sense of what I like and recommend (or not) through these scores and tasting notes. Drumroll, please...
J. Wilkes 2008 Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
Are you looking for an under $20 Pinot Noir from Santa Barbara County? Jeff Wilkes has produced a QPR Pinot Noir exhibiting bright and succulent red cherry spice aromas. Youthful and well-structured, the '08 Pinot Noir culminates with cherry and loamy flavors and earthy expressions. ✭✭✭✭
Vines on the Marycrest 2007 Zinfandel, Remo Belli Vineyard (Paso Robles)
A very distinct medium-bodied wine from some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in Paso Robles, the '07 Zinfandel is a limited release wine with hints of black pepper and black olives on the nose. Blueberries, cocoa and black pepper round out the palate leading to a smooth, round mouthfeel and silky tannins. ✭✭✭✭
The Ojai Vineyard "Ojai Red" (Non-Vintage)
The Ojai Red is a blend of the juice that is left behind after racking the barrels. I couldn't put my finger on the blend or varietal until I thought a little about what I was picking up: raspberry, cranberry and spice linger on the palate, but the wine lacks depth or elegance. So what was it? Pinot Noir from the '07 vintage. Makes sense... ✭✭
Jaffurs Wine Cellars 2007 Viognier, Santa Barbara County
The fruit for the '07 Viognier was sourced from two premier vineyards in Santa Barbara County: Stolpman Vineyards (25%) and Bien Nacido Vineyards (75%). Vibrant tropical fruit flavors, including pineapple and peach with a creamy texture and smooth, round mouthfeel. The '07 Viognier is aromatic, classic and well-balanced - a wonderful food pairing wine, particularly with ceviche, as well as goat or sheep cheese. ✭✭✭✭✭
Harrison-Clarke 2006 Estate Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley
The '06 Estate Syrah is an approachable, well-structured and still relatively youthful wine exhibiting raspberry, blackberry and tobacco aromas, while boasting plum, raspberry and spice flavors. Medium to full-bodied with finely grained tannins. ✭✭✭✭
Stolpman Vineyards 2005 La Coppa Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley
Stolpman Vineyards produces some superb wines, but the '05 La Coppa Syrah seemed to lack all the elements of a good wine or it could be past its prime. ✭
Vines on the Marycrest 2007 Heart of Glass, Paso Robles
The blend: 60% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah. Dried red fruit and herbs on the nose with licorice and herb flavors leading to a silky finish with lingering tannins. ✭✭✭✭
Margerum 2007 M5
The blend: 48% Syrah, 31% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 2% Counoise, 2% Cinsault. Fragrant bouquet of red cherries, raspberry, all spice and red apple skins. Gripping palate leading to a velvety finish with hints of dark cherry cola and cedar. Rustic aromas and elegant texture that will age with grace. ✭✭✭✭
Municipal Winemakers 2008 Syrah, Santa Barbara County
An approachable QPR Syrah from Santa Barbara County (Tierra Alta Vineyard) that requires some additional time in the bottle to develop more character and complexity. The '08 Syrah exhibits spicy red and dark fruit aromas and flavors and a hint of dry cured meats. ✭✭✭
Demetria 2005 Pinot Noir (Jours de Bonheur), Sta. Rita Hills
I've stared at this bottle in my cellar for a couple of years wondering if it was time to open it. While I think it's slightly past its prime, the '05 Pinot Noir evolved into something new and surprising every 5 minutes. A very rustic wine ("barnyard effect") with bright cherry and cola flavors, but the nose tends to be relatively mute. ✭✭✭
Anglim Winery 2007 Zinfandel, St. Peter of Alcantara (Paso Robles)
The '07 Zinfandel exhibits plum aromas with raspberry and dark cocoa flavors finishing with smooth round edges and firm, but elegant tannins. This wine is ready to consume now or in one more year. ✭✭✭✭
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