Winery - Star Lane Vineyard
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Bone dry and crisp in acidity, with a lean minerality in the way of Santa Ynez Sauvignon Blancs, this bottling has vibrant citrus and floral flavors. It’s compromised by an unripe, green note that makes it somewhat sour.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Rather heavy on the nose, with cream of wheat, toasty wood and white fruit. Quite straightforward with an acidic streak that brings it to attention. Good mouthfeel and elegant, if not exactly the most fruit-forward kid on the block.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The vineyard is in the inland eastern part of the valley, and this is a warm-climate Syrah, lush and frankly delicious. A dry wine, it fills the mouth with ripe blackberry, cherry, herb and peppery spice flavors. The tannins are soft but intricate.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Dark, full-bodied and a little ponderous, showing firm tannins and blackberry, blueberry, plum, mocha and spice flavors that finish dry and spicy. Lacks some complexity, but overall a good red to wash down grilled meats.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a fancy Sauvignon Blanc. The underlying wine is cool-climate balanced, with ripe, very dry fig, citrus, green melon and paprika-spice flavors backed up with firm acids. On top of that is a layer of sweet, smoky oak and the creamy smoothness of sur lies aging.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Here’s a delicious, rewarding Syrah. It brims with wonderfully ripe fruit, yet maintains balance and dryness. Blackberry pie, cherry preserves, cocoa, sweet tobacco, white peppery spice and vanilla bean flavors lead to a long, complicated finish.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Shows the crisp balance and ripe elegance that the best Sauvignon Blancs from this region display. With taut acidity, it brims with mouthwatering flavors of citrus fruits, lemongrass, vanilla and pepper, and is totally dry.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Merlot and Santa Ynez Valley are a great match, and Star Lane’s ’06 shows how well the variety thrives in that Santa Barbara County region. The wine is dry, rich and full-bodied, with beautifully ripe tannins framing black and red currant, tobacco, mocha and herb flavors.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Quite a sophisticated Cab, and one that shows the promise of Happy Canyon, which became an appellation this year. The wine is much drier and leaner than anything in Napa, but quite elegant and intense in blackberries, black currants and dried herbs. It’s a worthy successor to the very fine 2005. The alcohol is 15.1%.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This might be the most expensive Cab ever from Santa Barbara County. It’s certainly a serious wine, full-bodied and rich, with the finely ground tannins you find in Napa Valley. The flavors aren’t bad either, all about cassis, cherries, chocolate and cedar. Yet there’s an herbaceousness that calls to mind old-style Santa Ynez Cabs. Seems best now and for a few years.
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