Andrew Murray
Heron
Margerum
Qupé
Sanford
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Andrew Murray 2000 Enchante
is a Rhône Valley white blend consisting of viongnier, roussanne, and marsanne.
A gem grown in the Santa Ynez area, this bottle of wine is an elegant, rich, alternative to
the domestic chardonnay.
The nose is honey'ed and sparks of green tea.
On the palate the fruit is rich, with hints of white flowers, pears, honey, and dried apricots.
It is a very smooth wine, yet has enough acidity to pair well with food.
The finish is long, lingering, and luscious.
Retail price $23. Tasted September 16, 2003.
Elegant and stylish, like Rhône Valley white earning two  .
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Andrew Murray 2000 "Les Coteaux" Syrah
is a funky Rhône blend that jumps around in your mouth with flavor and texture.
The wine is bright, with rosehips, dried hibiscus flowers, raspberries, and spicy clove.
The wine also has significant depth offering notes of plum and bitter chocolate.
Sultry tannins add an interesting edge to the bright flavors on the front palate.
The bright flavors allow the acidity to dance through your mouth.
Very balanced, very interesting, skillfully blended, an exceptional bottle at a modest price.
A true Rhône blend of this quality would cost double on the shelf.
This wine drinks beautifully now, but will improve for another 6-8 years.
Retail price $26. Tasted September 16, 2003. A gem earning two out of three .
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Qupé 2001 Central Coast Syrah
is elegant and ripe like a northern Rhône Valley wine,
yet brags a bit like a California "fruit-bomb."
The palate has toasted, spicy, plum flavors, and smokey depth.
Winemaker Bob Lindquist has a knack for syrah and this vintage is no exception.
I was very impressed with the finish, gently lingering on as the seamless flavors echo their final call.
Retail price is $16. Tasted September 10, 2003. One star for a dazzling bottle  .
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Margerum M5 2002 Santa Ynez Valley
is a funky, sexy, incredible wine for the money.
I found the nose to be very spicy and the color a deep ruby.
On the palate I was stunned by the huge flavors of dried
cherries and berries that filled my mouth.
The wine had a touch of tar and roses and
there was a toasted spice note that filled the mid-palate as
clove and plum brought up the finish.
The flavors were layered and like a plot to a great play.
This is spicy blend of Rhône varietals,
24% syrah, 20% grenache, 20% mourvèdre,
and the remaining 36% is cinsault, and counoise.
I'm a sucker for a blend that includes morvèdre and this bottle of wine
set my heart racing on the first sip.
This wine surpasses its price in value without question.
The handmade, selective process of which this wine was produced indicates that
it could easily lay down for another six to eight years.
Retail price $35. Tasted September 12, 2003. Interesting, funky, ripe earning three out of a possible three  .
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Sandford Central Coast 2000 Sauvignon Blanc
There is a little jalapeno pepper on the nose as well spice and honey from its 20% gewürztraminer
that is added to this wine.
The gewürztraminer adds floral flavors of white flowers, earl grey tea, and spice, while the
neutral oak-aged sauvignon blanc has creamy hints of musk melon and peaches.
This is a well made, lush, unusual sauvignon blanc.
Those looking for a "certified organic wine," Sanford is a great choice.
Retail price $10. Tasted August 10, 2003. Well done, one .
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Sanford 2000 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
is an impressive pinot noir for the price.
All cerified organic, estate grown fruit, this pinot noir has many soft interesting flavors.
Raspberries and anise are swept away by a subtle cola finish.
The acidity is a pleasing dash of zestiness.
Retail price $25. Tasted August 10, 2003. Well done, one .
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Sanford 2000 Sanford and Benedict Vineyard SR Hills
The nose is fragrant with herbs and raspberries, while the palate is spicy with cloves, lavender,
and cherry hard-candy.
The acidity allows the fruit to linger on the finish.
This is a very balanced wine.
This producer boasts of their Mount Eden and Dijon clones, as well they should.
Retail price $45. Tasted August 11, 2003. Two .
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Sandford La Rinconada Vineyard SR Hills 2000
The wine is a very pretty reddish-violet as it gushes into my glass.
It is very pleasing to the eye.
The nose was green tea and strawberries.
Flavors of black cherries at the peak of ripeness, tar, and soft hints of freshly raked autumn leaves
were on the palate and the finish was spicy and baked fruits.
Again, the Sanford boasts of their Burgundian clones and has proven to be a worthy caretaker.
This is a great bottle now, but will be stellar with a few years of patience.
Retail price $60. Tasted August 11, 2003. Two .
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Heron 2001 California Chardonnay is a lovely blend of Santa Barbara, Russian River, and Carneros fruit.
This wine's nose has fragrant pear-like tones. On the palate the acidity is a refreshing change.
This wine has seen some oak, yet the affect of the oak is a rich toasted nut flavor, rather than a wood flavor.
Heron Chardonnay is very balance with it's rich tropical flavors and refreshing acidity.
Retail price $12. Tasted April 22, 2003. We give this chardonnay one .
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Cline 2001 Viognier has a beautiful nose rich honeysuckle
and perfume.
The palate is opulent with pear, melon, and white flowers. This wine is delicate, elegant,
and voluptuous.
It has some acidity that will allow it to pair well with lighter foods.
A well made viognier at a great price.
Retail price $12. Tasted October 5, 2003. A great white earning two out of three .
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Cline 2001 Ancient Vines Mourvèdre is intense and exotic with
pronounced Indian Spices on the palate. I tasted cardamom, clove, and allspice mingled in with
black currant. The finish is hints of spearmint. If you want to cause a stir, brown
bag this wine and let friends take turns guessing what it is. You'll fool even the most
experienced wine connoisseurs. Let this wine breathe for at least
90 minutes prior to drinking.
Retail price $20. Tasted February 4, 2003. We give this wine two .
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Cline 2000 California Syrah is a fine example of how sophiticated
value priced syrah can be. The palate is reminiscent of black cherries and black pepper.
This syrah is Rhone style and polished. It has great acidity making it a great choice for grilled beef and
heartier dishes.
Retail price $10. Tasted February 4, 2003. We give this wine one .
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Cline 2000 Live Oak Zinfandel is what zinfandel drinkers look for in a
wine. The tannins are polished and give the wine a great texture. The fruit is lush with jammy berry,
dried fruit, tobacco, and vanilla. The acidity is prime to compliment a steak or buger.
Retail price is $20. Tasted February 4, 2003. We give this wine two .
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