The 2021 vintage of the Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir displays the terroir of the Santa Lucia Highlands gracefully. The wine lifts with a bouquet of cinnamon oil, currants, cranberry, and sage. Structurally, the wine has fine tannins that are carried by a soft acidity and concludes with an integrated cedar and light tobacco wrapper coating. Over time the wine opens and becomes more fruit forward and starts to display dynamic notes of violets, rose petals, cardamom, and eucalyptus. The interplay of the tonality makes this wine a joy to drink. For food pairings I would consider something delicate like roast fowl, rabbit, or hard cheeses. Drink now – 2030, serve in large-bowl stemware, and serve at cellar temperature.

The inaugural Dry Creek Zinfandel from Integrity shows up-front notes of flint, pencil shavings, and plum skins. After some time, the wine evokes more floral and savory notes such as bee pollen and purple flowers and eucalyptus. The finish has prevalent tones of caramel, milk chocolate, cardamom, and clove. Texturally, grippy intensity upfront that evolves nicely to a soft, encompassing mouthfeel. 

Immediately upon opening 2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Merlot the wine is black bramble, cedar, tobacco wrapper, and an almost enveloping sense of depth. Upfront the fruit profile is dark and almost brooding, but as the wine evolves over your palate the fruit turns brighter; think pomegranate, currant, and alpine blueberries. The juxtaposition is engaging and brings life to the end palate in the form of bright acidity and a gripping mouthfeel that lingers long after the wine has passed. For food pairings consider something high in both protein and fat; you can go classic with a grilled or roasted cut of beef, or spice things up with yakitori. Drink now – 2030.

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.