Glowing from the glass with a crimson core and a pale blush on the rim, the 2018 Sta. Rita Hills opens with whispers of fresh pomegranate seeds, strawberry gelato, crème fraiche and fig leaf. The palate is layered and round exhibiting notes of strawberry preserves, redcurrant and rhubarb crisp. Slight oak tannins present themselves on the finish coupled with a hint of lemon, pepper brine.
Sitting just above the wine’s surface, a layer of complex aromas evolves: fresh cranberry, pomegranate and raspberry that turns into crushed gravel, coast redwood forest floor, lemon zest and shiitake mushroom. In the mouth, the wine shows itself as indulgent with a pleasing depth and slight heft; similar cranberry, a touch of blue fruits and hints of lavender combine for a satiating richness. The wine loses with notes of brioche and strawberry tart, with very little tannin and a quenching, balanced acidity.
Clearly the darkest of the three wines, the 2018 Annapolis Ridge Vineyard shows a dark garnet core with a neon cardinal rim. Aromatically, the wine offersnotes of clove, cola and sweet black cherry. On the palate, prominent acidity takes over and assistsby throwing wild blueberry, olallieberry and freshly picked tarragonacross the tongue. The finish is framed by an intriguing textureofsoft velvet and dust pairedwith crisp acidity indicative of itsagingpotential.
The blend exhibits darker aromatics of blueberry, raspberry, black pepper, vanilla crème and a slight funk. The entry is refined yet immense with notes of redcurrant, cherry tart and traces of spice that follow through to the mid-palate. The backbone of acidity and a lengthy finish sets up the wine to age for many years.
To the eye, a lucid crimson sits in the glass. Aromatics of ripe cranberries, forest floor, morels and a touch of bramble engage. The wine slips onto the palate with a silky, enveloping entry of pure juice and ripe cherry with layers evolving while breathing. Incredibly balanced and riveting, the wine closes with concentration and finesse—an exemplar of drinkability.
Nuance and intrigue characterize the wine, starting with a dark crimson and a ruby rim but manifested by the aromatics: white pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, pine resin and crème de menthe. An entry dominated by a bright acidity, the mid-palate explores characteristics of rhubarb, savory and a hint of wild strawberry with a long finish indicative of graceful aging.
A vivid rim with a deep ruby core in the glass, the 2016 MANQUÉ Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru initially displays piercing aromas of wild raspberry, smashed pomegranate and freshly harvested rhubarb. As the wine develops in the glass, additional notes of cherry tomato and musk emerge. On the palate, red fruits continue to dominate as well as an expressive minerality. Lively, youthful and energetic, the wine closes on a high note with refreshing acidity, soft oak tannin and the recognition of long aging potential.
With shades of plush and deep ruby tones, the wine proudly opens with mélange of bright red fruits, pressed violet, framboise, pomegranate and stewed strawberry. Steadily with exposure, the nose begins to reveal a compelling perfume of briar, all spice, cinnamon, forest floor, porcini mushroom and crushed limestone. The palate showcases power and focus instantly with Bing cherry headlining supported by a cast of succulent berry fruits. Middleweight opulence soon follows with a highly refined mouth feel of sanguine acidity and sappy tannins that are silky, round and redolent of its superb soil signature. Lingering indefinitely, its voluminous and elegant flavors continue to please and surely offer the opportunity to cellar for many years.
