It seems every release there is a wine that stands out among the crowd, and this year the Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon is indicating it’s ready to stand out. There are lovely aromas of eucalyptus, plum flesh, and perfectly ripe red cherries. As you allow the wine time to open in the bottle and glass you are greeted with chocolate (cocoa), tobacco wrapper, sage, thyme and tarragon. Structurally, the wine is present, but certainly not overwhelming. The wine has well integrated tannins, soft acidity, and a finish of mouth-watering caramel. This wine can stand up to a wide array of heavier foods such as roasted red meats, grilled heavier foods, or chiles/stews. Drink now – 2032.

A classic blend of the Rhone Valley, of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.

Bright red fruit explosive fruit on the nose that carries through on the pallet balanced with modest acidity and tannins. A fantastic expression of varietals that thrive inthe California Sierra Foothills. Great by itself and and an excellent food wine.

Gold Medal winner!

The 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Muns Vineyard Pinot Noir is a lovely cherry fruit forward wine with a backbone of the herbal qualities we love from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The wine exhibits a delicate matrix of these accessory aromas such as lavender, sage, and thyme. On the palate, the structure is lean and graphite-like, lending to a profile that evolves nicely over a dinner. The tannins are still apparent in their youth and provide a texture that begs for fatty foods. For food pairings I would consider duck breast or a pork sirloin steak with a thick and scored fat trim.

Right off the pop the wine throws vibrant tones of alpine blueberries, cigar humidor, and cracked pink peppercorns. From a structural perspective, the wine has a very delicate structure creating a Zinfandel that is more about finesse than sheer volume. As the wine continues to open, the bouquet begins to throw notes of wilting violets and rose petals. 

As soon as you open the bottle this wine expresses notes of darker cherry and dark plum skins alongside lifted green tones of spearmint and Mentos candies. If you allow time for the wine to evolve, you will be greeted with a warmer profile of wet tobacco wrapper, leather, and mossy forest floor. On the palate the wine has a pervasive softness that coats the mouth evenly and leads you to notes of white pepper oil, cherry juice, and incredibly delicate acidity. The wine has an intense concentration of fruit, typical of Lodi and Zinfandel.