Press
2016 Vintage
Santa Barbara County Chardonnay
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 94 Points
“Aged 18 months in 78% new French oak, the entry level 2016 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County is a winner. Sourced from throughout the Santa Barbara County and aged 18 months in 78% new barrels, it offers a big bouquet of tropical fruits, pineapple, apple blossom, white flowers, and hints of spice. It’s pure, silky and elegant on the palate, with nicely integrated acidity as well as big finish. It’s well worth seeking out, and while it’s the entry level cuvée of the estate, it’s a match for just about every other Chardonnay out there.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 90 Points
“The 2016 Chardonnay (Santa Barbara County) is soft, open-knit and inviting, with lovely yellow orchard fruit and floral character. Tropical overtones add nuance to this very pretty, expressive Chardonnay. Vineyard sources are Sierra Madre and Peake Ranch.”
Sierra Madre Vineyard Chardonnay
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 95 Points
“From a site in the Santa Maria Valley brought up in 22% new French oak, the 2016 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard offers more minerality as well as an obvious salinity in its orchard fruits, crushed rocks, poached pear, and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Deep, rich, and medium to full-bodied, it’s certainly another brilliant Chardonnay from this estate.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 93 Points
“The 2016 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard is gracious, airy and very delicate. Orchard fruit, mint and floral notes are all layered in a Chardonnay that encapsulates the essence of Santa Maria Valley in its understated class.”
Peake Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 96 Points
“The estate release is the 2016 Pinot Noir Peake Ranch Vineyard and it’s a vibrant, floral wine from this appellation. Ripe red and black fruits, dried flowers, forest floor and underbrush notes all give way to a beautifully pure, elegant 2016 that has nicely integrated acidity, a building mid-palate, and a great finish. This wine spent 18 months in in 55% new French oak and is a complete, balanced beauty that has a decade of prime drinking ahead of it.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 93 Points
“The 2016 Pinot Noir Peake Ranch Vineyard is wonderfully deep, nuanced and expressive. Translucent and yet deeply expressive, the 2016 is incredibly inviting. Rose petal, lavender and purplish berry fruit flesh out effortlessly. Orange peel, mint and chalk overtones add an attractive upper register that develops over time.”
John Sebastiano Vineyard Grenache
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 91 Points
“Brought up in 50% new oak, the 2016 Grenache John Sebastiano Vineyard is another elegant wine from this estate. Resembling a Pinot Noir with its sweet red and black fruits, crushed flowers, and spice, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, building yet polished tannins, and a great finish. Drink it over the coming 6-8 years.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 92 Points
“Expressive floral notes and a core of bright red-toned fruit run through the 2016 Grenache John Sebastiano Vineyard. Lifted and wonderfully nuanced, the Grenache is both pretty and distinctive, as so many wines are from this site. The Grenache is not the most complex wine in the range, but it is among the most pleasing.”
John Sebastiano Vineyard Syrah
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 97 Points
“Sourced all from the Sta. Rita Hills section of the John Sebastiano Vineyard, the 2016 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard is a rock star effort that spent 18 months in neutral barrels. Black raspberries, olive tapenade, smoke herbs, and crushed flower notes all flow to a rich, full-bodied beauty that has ultra-fine tannins, thrilling purity, and a great, great finish. I love it.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 94 Points
“The 2016 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard is the most complete wine in the range today. Inky blueberry fruit, mint, lavender and spice develop effortlessly in a perfumed, pliant Syrah that displays all the best the vintage has to offer. The 2016 grows in the glass as the flavors and textures build into the expressive finish. A balance of fruit intensity and restraint is one of the many things I admire about the 2016 today.”
Peake Ranch Vineyard Chardonnay
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 94 Points
“The 2016 Chardonnay Peake Ranch Vineyard comes from the estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and has slightly more minerality and salinity as well as notes of poached pears, spice, honeyed minerality, and toasted bread. It’s supple, soft and rounded on the palate, which is very much in the vintage, yet finishes clean and crisp. Aged 18 months in 45% new French oak, drink it any time over the coming 7-8 years.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 91 Points
“The 2016 Chardonnay Peake Ranch Vineyard is decidedly phenolic and structured in feel. Candied lemon peel and citrus notes add brightness to a wine that can be deceptive in its first approach. I would give the 2016 at least a year or two in the cellar to let the angular contours soften with time.”
Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 93 Points
“There are three Pinot Noirs from Peake Ranch, all brilliant wines. Black cherries, black raspberries, smoked herbs, and hints of licorice define the bouquet of the 2016 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills, which is the entry level Pinot Noir of this estate. It’s a rich, concentrated, powerful Pinot Noir that has moderate tannins, good acidity, and beautiful upfront charm. Aged 18 months in 62% new French oak, drink it any time over the coming 6-7 years.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 89 Points
“The 2016 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is soft, fruity and delicious, all of which make it an excellent choice for near and medium-term drinking. Red berry fruit and floral notes are nicely pushed forward. This is a relatively laid back style for the Sta. Rita Hills, where the Pinots often lean towards exuberance.”
John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 95 Points
“Lastly, the medium ruby-colored 2016 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard boasts a darker, earthier style as well as notes of red, black, and blue fruits, leafy herbs, forest floor, and spice. Prettier and more elegant on the palate, with a seamless texture and fine tannins, it’s another world class Pinot Noir from winemaker Paul Lato. This cuvée spent 18 months in 36% new French oak, and while approachable today, it will keep for 8-10 years.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 93 Points
“A powerful, dense wine, the 2016 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard is another compelling wine from Peake Ranch. The 2016 is going to need a few years to come into its own. Even so, the deep fruit and vertical sense of structure make for a complete and deeply intriguing Pinot that will be fascinating to follow for a number of years.”
Peake Ranch Bellis Noir
Jeb Dunnuck, October 2018 – 95 Points
“The 2016 John Sebastiano Vineyard Bellis Noir checks in as an even split of Grenache and Syrah that was aged 18 months in neutral barrels. This medium ruby/purple-tinged red gives up rocking amounts of spiced black raspberries, olive, spring flowers, and bacon fat. While the Syrah dominates this wine right on opening, the Grenache emerges with time in the glass (I followed this wine for two days) and it’s ethereally textured, seamless, and incredibly layered, with sensational purity of fruit. It’s a brilliant bottle of wine.”
Vinous, September 2018 Antonio Galloni – 92 Points
“The 2016 Bellis Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard, a blend of Grenache and Syrah, is another striking wine from Peake Ranch. Fleshy, flavorful and super-expressive, the 2016 has much to offer. The combination of Grenache aromatics and Syrah structure works very well here.”