94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
92 Points - Wine Spectator
91 Points - Vinous
90 Points - Wine & Spirits
An elegant red, featuring fine-grained red fruit flavors that are filled with lithe minerality and spiciness. Crunchy adidity ties all the elements together. Finishes with touches of cocoa powder. ~ Wine Spectator
The 2017 Pinot Noir Older Barrels is a selection from Ashley's done in all neutral oak, which, not surprisingly, brings out a decidedly understated and gracious expression of the Sta. Rita hills. Floral and spiced notes are nicely lifted over a core of sweet Pinot fruit. ~ Antonio Galloni's Vinous
With its forward strawberry fruit and cinnamon-stick oak spice, this wine is irresistibly Californian in its sunny, fruit-forward disposition. It's simple and crowd-pleasing, for a pork loin dinner. ~ Wine & Spirits
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (Clones Pommard, 667, 777, 115 & 114)
Vineyard Source: 100% Ashley's Vineyard (Blocks W, 4A & 1)
Harvest Dates: 9/6/17 - 9/15/17
Aging: 17 months in 100% neutral 4-year old & older French oak barrels
Cooperage: Ermitage, Seguin Moreau, Sirugue, Meyrieux, Bel Air
Harvest Brix: 23.3 - 26.2
Acid: 0.626 g/100mL
pH: 3.56
Alcohol: 14.1%
Production: 301 cases
94 Points
Rich and generous, with a deep purple hue. Aromas of crushed violets, ripe berries, blueberry pop-tarts, black currant, licorice, chocolate-coated espresso beans, allspice, and cedar box. Full-bodied with a plush, velvety texture.
Drinking Fantastic!
Wonderful texture, and supple mouthfeel. Offering aromas of dark cherry, spice, and tobacco. A full mid palate with flavors of black cherry, blueberry-pomegranate and cherry cola, embellished with toasty oak.
94 Points
Deep garnet-purple in color, with notes of crushed blueberries, ripe, fresh blackberries and warm cassis plus hints of bay leaves, bark and lavender. The medium-bodied palate is chock full of crunchy black fruits, framed by ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness.
94 Points
Aromas of sliced apple, white peach, notes of freshly baked bread with tones of lemon zest. Sleek and rich, features concentrated McIntosh apple, pear, and honeydew melon flavors, with a creamy nuance. Light buttery notes fill the lusciously spiced finish.
93 Points
Rich dark black fruits, blueberries, blackberry bon bons, cassis, fragrant violets, tobacco leaf, and baking spices. Long, plush tannins alongside its dense fruit character. The palate delivers baked berry crisp, black and red fruits, toasted walnuts, brioche and cedar on the finish.
90 Points
Polished with a very modern feel - think rich, concentrated, intense, deep and very long, with tons of sexy black fruit, and just the right touch of French oak. This stuff ROCKS for the price!
Lip Smacking Delicious!
Refreshing flavors of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, fresh spring flowers and a whiff of strawberry leap from the glass... Dry, aromatic, and has a nice roundness and texture. Simply easy drinking, mouth-watering stuff that you know and love.
91 Points
Deep garnet-purple color with enticing and fragrant with notes of blackberry pie, Bourbon soaked maraschino cherries, Madagascar vanilla bean, mission figs, graphite, candied walnut, and cedar. Its palate provides big, round chewy tannins, stewed black plums, brambly black fruit, toasted nuts, char, and a touch of dark roast coffee.
93 Points
Aromas of fresh peach, Asian pear, citrus, and honeycomb to delight your senses. The flavors are just as complex with delightful, with hints of Madagascar vanilla, followed by fresh lemon, green apple, wildflower honey, stone fruit, and a touch of lavender. The rich, dense texture is balanced by its juicy acidity, leading to great minerality and a long, satisfying finish.
94 Points
Showcases skill, balance and depth, offering juicy black cherry, strawberry and cola with savory notes of black tea, nutmeg and earth on its soft and refined palate. Drinking exceptionally well now with a fresh complex bouquet that draws you right into the glass that leads into a long satisfying finish.
Golden straw colored in the glass, wonderfully rich, it's loaded with roasted apple and stone fruit flavors wrapped in caramel, clove, nutmeg, and generous oak followed by a long and fresh lemon oil finish. Full bodied, utterly luscious and satisfies the palate completely.
Ripe, roasted apple, pear, pineapple and accented by caramel, clove and vanilla enter onto the nose and palate of this voluptuous wine, which is generous in oak and fruit. Pear, apple and citrus flavors combine around high-toned, floral aspects. A thread of honeysuckle adds aromatic intrigue that persists through the lengthy finish of creaminess as it goes.
90 Points
Rich and full-bodied Zinfandel graced with elegant structure and richly nuanced flavors of blackberry, cherries, plum and ripe fig. A subtle waft of roasted coffee beans and lightly toasted almonds with soft raspberries in a luxuriously long and persistent finish.
Tropical, rich, with tons of layering and depth... aromas of key lime, papaya, gala apple, cherry blossom and lemon. Flavors of melon, lime, orange, sweet lemon, Asian pear.
93 Points
Deep red hue and hints of violet teasing the senses with seductive aromas of dark fruits, wild berries, cocoa, baking spices, leather, and cigar box. Filled with saturated flavors of ripe blackberry, blueberry, cassis, cherry cola, ripe plum, fresh sage, licorice, clove, and roasted black walnut.
93 Points
Cherry and black raspberry and chaparral on the nose. Currant, blackberry, mulberry and white pepper offer a savory finish that contrasts the hints of vanilla. Medium body. Racy, fine finish.
94 Points
Blueberry, currant and sweet spice on the nose, clean and focused with silky layers of lush red fruit, surrounding a center core of damp earth and graphite. Subtle notes of sandalwood, and tobacco. Medium-bodied, polished and creamy with firm yet well-rounded tannins.
90 Points
Earthy notes of coffee bean, plum, and black pepper. Flavors of juicy black currant and black cherry explode on the palate. An uplifting freshness is carried through the mid-palate with complex and dense tannins.
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