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.

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. 

The 2021 vintage of the Santa Lucia Highlands Riesling from Integrity leans slightly away from the fruit forward Rieslings of California and flirts with a more restrained style. On the nose are notes of flinty Asian pear skins, nectarines, and lemon oil. The palate has a softness to it that is a nice contrast to the acidity of the Riesling. As the wine opens with time, all the aforementioned notes become more pronounced in a way that benefits the consumer. Drink now – 2027, serve in all-purpose stemware, and serve alongside crabcakes, lobster rolls, or fries and aioli. - Caileen