Reviews
REVIEWS ON CURRENT RELEASES
2006 Heritage Cuvee - Santa Barbara County
-Tasting Panel Magazine (June 2010)
90 POINTS
California State Fair
"87 POINTS...Round, elegant, tasty..."
-Robert M. Parker, Jr. / The Wine Advocate
"EXCEPTIONAL...Waves of ripe, silky fruit...Very stylish."
-BevX.com
2009 Heritage Blanc - Santa Barbara County
94 POINTS...Gold Medal
California State Fair
Double Gold Medal
San Francisco International Wine Competition
"EXCEPTIONAL...Generous with scents of tropical fruits...A charming wine."
-BevX.com
2008 Heritage Blanc - Central Coast
Platinum Medal - Nominated for Best of Show
Critics Challenge Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
2009 Heritage Rose - Santa Barbara County
"90 POINTS...Very Highly Recommended."
-California Grapevine
2006 Syrah - Ambassador's Vineyard
GOLD MEDAL
Critics Challenge Wine Competition
GOLD MEDAL
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
91 POINTS
California State Fair
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...89 POINTS...Rich, plush, plummy."
-California Grapevine (July 2010)
"87 POINTS...Notes of forest floor, berry fruit, charcoal and earth emerge from this pure, mid-weight Syrah."
-Robert M. Parker, Jr. / The Wine Advocate
"87 POINTS...Dark, big, rich...Deep flavors of blackberries, dark chocolate, currants, spices and cedar."
-Wine Enthusiast (July 2010)
"87 POINTS...Starred Review...Has the requisite richness to buffer its back-end tannins."
-Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine (July 2010)
"EXCEPTIONAL...Complex but approachable...Very charming."
-BevX.com
2006 Syrah - Crossroads Vineyard
"89 POINTS...Velvety...Good purity, depth and richness."
-Robert M. Parker, Jr. / The Wine Advocate
"89 POINTS...Powerful in chocolate, blackberry and cherry jam flavors...Rich, tasty wine."
-Wine Enthusiast (July 2010)
GOLD MEDAL
Critics Challenge Wine Competition
"EXCEPTIONAL...Impeccable balance and a supple, luxurious texture...A real beauty."
-BevX.com
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...Dark berry fruit flavors."
-California Grapevine (July 2010)
2006 Syrah - Rock Hollow Vineyard
"88 POINTS...Peppery and meaty, a la a French northern Rhone wine."
-Robert M. Parker, Jr. / The Wine Advocate
"89 POINTS...Highly recommended...Rich, creamy, blueberry and blackberry flavors with a velvety mouthfeel."
-California Grapevine (9/09)
"88 POINTS...Delivers a full measure of very deep fruit."
-Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine (July 2010)
GOLD MEDAL
Critics Challenge Wine Competition
2006 Syrah - Vogelzang Vineyard
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...88 POINTS...Red berry fruit flavors with notes of black pepper."
-California Grapevine (July 2010)
2007 Grenache - Santa Ynez Valley
90 POINTS
California State Fair
GOLD MEDAL
San Francisco International Wine Competition
"87 POINTS...Starred Review...The strawberry-like fruit of Grenache comes through loud and clear here."
-Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine
2009 Viognier, Santa Barbara County
"EXCEPTIONAL...Fresh, vibrant and expressive...Wonderfully complex."
-BevX.com
2007 Viognier, Santa Ynez Valley
“EXCELLENT VALUE…
Lovely apricot and peach-like fruit interwoven with floral nuances.”
Robert Parker / The Wine Advocate (September 2009)
“89 POINTS…HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Plush stone fruit flavors with firm acidity.”
California Grapevine (November 2009)
“RECOMMENDED…
Vanilla and orange blossom aromas and flavors of stone fruit.”
Sante Magazine (October 2009)
“EXCEPTIONAL…
Wonderfully fragrant…Vibrant and expressive.”
BevX.com
GOLD MEDAL
2009 Critics Challenge
HISTORIC REVIEW RECORD
2005 Syrah, Crossroads Vineyard
"Zesty wild berry flavors are well-balanced…"
Spicy tobacco and herb notes add to the intensity and long finish."
Wine Spectator (March 31, 2008)
"89 Points...Highly recommended…"
Ripe blackberry fruit flavors with a hint of mocha."
California Grapevine (November, 2008)
Gold Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
2004 Syrah, Crossroads Vineyard
Gold Medal
2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition
92 Points
Just Wine Points
"Recommended...
Black raspberry and blackberry fruit aromas with hints of espresso."
California Grapevine (August 2007)
2003 Syrah, Crossroads Vineyard
“88 Points...Big, muscular, dense...
Give it another year or so of bottle age and enjoy it over the following 6-8 years.”
Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate
“Four Stars...Exemplary...
Rich and svelte...Blackberry, cassis.”
Quarterly Review of Wines (Spring 2006)
“Four Stars...A luscious Syrah...
Cherry, blackberry, cedar and tobacco aromas/flavors. Very long finish.”
Restaurant Wine (#112)
“88 Points...Crowd-pleasing style...
The fruit is black with touches of peppermint...Smooth gentle texture.”
Wine & Spirits (August 2006)
“90 Points...Very Highly Recommended...
Ripe black cherry and berry fruit flavors with a silky texture and notes of vanilla.”
California Grapevine (April-May 2006)
“Aromas of chocolate, coffee and blueberry...
Long, broad finish...Well integrated, structured and balanced. Very good.”
Colorado Wine News (April-June 2006)
“Starred Review ...Very big-bodied wine...
Sports a slight streak of chocolate from beginning to end."
Connoisseur's Guide (July 2006)
2002 Syrah, Crossroads Vineyard
“Four Stars...Richly flavored and full bodied...
Blackberry, cedar, toast and cherry, long finish.”
Restaurant Wine (#107)
2001 Syrah, Crossroads Vineyard
“91 POINTS...Dense...Luscious...Elegant”
Wine & Spirits, August 2004
“87 POINTS…
Fat, sweet, round and smoky”
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (July-August 2004)
“86 POINTS…
Dried herbs, spicy wood and red as well as black fruits.”
Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate (#154)
“85 POINTS…
Big, ripe and mouthfilling.”
Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine (August 2004)
“Full bodied and rich…
Long, smooth finish.”
Sante Magazine
2000 Syrah, Crossroads Vineyard
"94 POINTS...
Top 10 Syrah of The Year"
Wine & Spirits Magazine, October 2003
"90 POINTS...
Big, sweet nose of blackberry, cocoa, smoke, and earth aromas...Impressively
endowed."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148
"91 Points...
Pitch-black to the rim. Heady scents of blueberry, plum, tobacco, tea and resin. Ripe flavors of black cherry, plum, blueberry and toasted oak."
Wine News, July 2003
"91 Points...
Elegant yet powerful."
Wine Country Living, January, 2004
"Four stars...
Exemplary...Lush, concentrated...black fruit, spice and nutty-oak vanillin flavors; soft, elegant finish."
Quarterly Review of Wines, Summer 2003
"Big, rich and extracted"
this wine has fine textural nuances and great balance."
Dennis Schaefer, Santa Barbara News-Press, June 26, 2003
"Wine of the Week..
Blackberry, tar, violets and pepper. Chocolate and vanilla are apparent on the nose and give a sense of richness to this eminently drinkable wine."
Jordan Mackay, Austin American-Statesman, June 12, 2003
2005 Syrah, Ambassador's Vineyard
"92 Points...A full-bore, supercharged Syrah…"
Flavors of ripe blueberries and red and black peppercorns...Powerful and firm."
Wine & Spirits (December, 2008)
"Highly recommended…"
Blueberry and blackberry flavors with a hint of mocha."
California Grapevine (November, 2008)
"Exceptional...A beautiful wine…"
The palate echoes the nose in being ultra dense and spicy."
BevX.com
Gold Medal
Santa Barbara County Wine Competition
Silver Medal
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
2004 Syrah, Ambassador's Vineyard
94 Points
Just Wine Points
Silver Medal and 92 Points
2007 California State Fair Wine Competition
"Recommended...
Cedary, toasty, blackberry fruit flavors."
California Grapevine (August 2007)
2003 Syrah, Ambassador's Vineyard
“90 Points...Outstanding...
Offers smoky, earthy, creme de cassis notes, full-bodied, powerful flavors, and no hardness or astringency. This ripe, rich Syrah is not for the shy of heart.”
Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate
“Four Stars...Big, rich, dense...
Chewy blackberry and vanilla flavors.”
Quarterly Review of Wines (Spring 2006)
“88 Points...Highly Recommended...
Rich, plush, supple, peppery, blackberry and blueberry fruit flavors.”
California Grapevine (April-May 2006)
Critics Award
2006 Critics Challenge
2002 Syrah, Ambassador's Vineyard
“Five Stars…
Rich, velvety, well-concentrated blackberry and chocolate flavors.”
Quarterly Review of Wines (Summer 2005)
“88 Points…
Smooth and luxurious.”
Wine & Spirits (October 2005)
“Recommended…
Red and black fruit aromas...expansive texture and mouth-filling weight.”
Thom Elkjer, WineCountry.com (November 2005)
2001 Syrah, Ambassador's Vineyard
“89 POINTS…
Serious, firmly built wine.”
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (July-August 2004)
94 Points for Gold Medal
California State Fair
"89 Points...Enough density for two wines."
Wine & Spirits August 2004
“Four+ Stars...A full-throttle Syrah.”
Santa Rosa (Sonoma County) Press Democrat, June 16, 2004
Gold Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
“Full bodied, firm, bold and spicy…”
Sante Magazine (October 2004)
2000 Syrah, Ambassador's Vineyard
Gold Medal
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition
"Four Stars"
Restaurant Wine (Issue #92)
"Highly Recommended"
California Grapevine (February 2003)
2005 Syrah, Vogelzang Vineyard
"88 Points..."
Perfumed, floral notes of wild blueberry and huckleberry are fragrant and tasty, with tangy accents, firm tannins and good structure. Drink now through 2012.”
Wine Spectator (January 31, 2008)
"88 Points...Highly recommended... "
Ripe blackberry fruit flavors with a hint of mocha.”
California Grapevine (November, 2008)
"88 Points..."
Exotic aromas of peppermint and red licorice...Lively, youthful finish with fine-grain tannins, toasted oak and a well-defined sweetness.”
The Wine News (November 2008)
Gold Medal
Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Silver Medal
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
"Recommended...Full bodied and balanced... "
Long, harmonious finish.”
Sante Magazine (September, 2008)
2004 Syrah, Vogelzang Vineyard
Gold Medal for Chairman's Best of Class
2007 Long Beach Grand Cru
"87 Points..."
Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate
97 Points
Just Wine Points
Double Gold Medal for Best Red Wine of Show
2007 Santa Barbara County Wine Competition
Gold Medal and 94 Points
2007 California State Fair Wine Competition
"Highly Recommended...
Full body...firmly structured."
California Grapevine (August 2007)
Silver Medal
2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition
2003 Syrah, Vogelzang Vineyard
“89 Points...A superb value...
Notes of white chocolate, smoky herbs, pepper, and sweet cassis jump from the glass.”
Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate
“Plenty of bright berry fruit and some nice spice…
An excellent choice with pizza or barbecued ribs.”
Laurie Daniel, (March 28, 2007)
2001 Syrah, Vogelzang Vineyard
“Very Highly Recommended...Round and ripe...attractive richness in the finish.”
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences (January 13, 2004)
“88 POINTS…One Puff”
Connoisseur’s Guide to California Wine (August, 2004)
“85 POINTS…
Juicy and fairly intense.”
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar (July-August 2004)
“Recommended…Dense raspberry, black fruit and coffee flavors.”
San Francisco Chronicle (November 11, 2004)
2000 Syrah, Vogelzang Vineyard
"Chronicle Selection"
San Francisco Chronicle (March 6, 2003)
Gold Medal
Santa Barbara County Fair Wine Competition
"Highly Recommended"
California Grapevine (February 2003)
"92 Points"
Patterson’s Beverage Journal
2005 Heritage Cuvée, Santa Barbara County
“Impressive…Plush ripe blackberries and mocha notes…
Chuck Carlson has created yet another delightful Rhone blend.”
Kathy Hardesty, New Times (April 17, 2008)
“Recommended…
Plump berry fruit, some chocolaty oak and firm tannins.”
Laurie Daniel, McClatchy Newspapers (May 21, 2008)
Critics Gold Award
2007 Critics Challenge
“Exceptional…Lush in texture….
A very charming and authentic Rhone-style wine.”
Tim BevX (April 2, 2008)
“86 Points...A very nice wine ….
Closely resembles the genuine article from France in terms of character and complexity.”
Michael Franz, Wine Review Online (May 13, 2008)
“88 Points...Highly recommended ….
Toasty, spicy, ripe cherry and raspberry fruit flavors with oaky overtones.”
California Grapevine (July 2008)
Silver Medal
Los Angeles International Wine Competition
2004 Heritage Cuvée, Santa Barbara County
“TOP 100 BEST BUY OF 2007…90 POINTS….
Firm black cherry-scented fruit, with a fresh, spring blossom note…The structure feels clean and ferrous, providing a tight focus for the cool fruit.”
Wine & Spirits (June 2007)
Critics Gold Award
2007 Critics Challenge
“A lovely Rhône blend….
Spicy plum, red currant, licorice, cinnamon and coriander...”
Tim Teichgraeber, San Francisco Chronicle (July 13, 2007)
"Highly recommended….
Blackberry and black cherry fruit flavors...Approachable and enjoyable.”
California Grapevine (July 2007)
"Recommended….
Classic Rhône blend, medium bodied with some spice...smooth finish.”
Sante Magazine (October 2007)
2003 Heritage Cuvée, Santa Barbara County
“89 Points...Deep yet elegant, with lovely fruit purity...
Copious quantities of Cotes du Rhone-like pepper, dried Provencal herb, black cherry, and currant.”
Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate
"89 Points...A real bargain...
More proof of California's ability to produce complex Rhone blends."
Wine Enthusiast (June 2006)
"90 Points ...
Spicy blackberry fruit and a nice mouthfeel."
Anthony Dias Blue, Patterson's Beverage Journal (April 2006)
"Five stars...Exceptional value...
Richly flavored...toast, cherry, vanilla, blueberry jam, spicy oak."
Restaurant Wine (Issue #111)
"87 Points...Good value...
Dark forest berry flavors...Packed with extract and peppery warmth."
Wine & Spirits (August 2006)
"Highly Recommended ...Good value...
Black cherry and blackberry flavors with good depth and overtones of creamy oak."
California Grapevine (September 2006)
Gold Medal
2006 Critics Challenge
Gold Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
"WINE OF THE WEEK...
Bright and juicy with lush blackberry fruit and racy acidity; long, dense and balanced."
Anthony Dias Blue (February 6, 2006)
"WINE OF THE WEEK...
A fantastic value that's as good as many, many wines at twice the price."
Michael O'Shea, Santa Barbara News-Press (February 3, 2006)
Double Gold Medal
Santa Barbara County Fair
2002 Heritage Cuvée, Santa Barbara County
91 POINTS for Best of Class
California State Fair
"90 POINTS…Top 100 Best Value of 2005...
This Rhône-inspired blend has a generous brightness...Layers of aroma and flavor."
Wine & Spirits (November 2005)
"Excellent...
Four stars...A rich blend...berries, toast, oak and pepper."
Restaurant Wine (#106)
"A great buy..."
Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News (May 25, 2005)
Silver Medal
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
2001 Heritage Cuvée, Central Coast
"90 POINTS…Best Buy…Stylish and delicious.”
Wine Enthusiast (December 1, 2004)
“86 POINTS…Hard to beat at this price.”
Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate (#154)
Gold Medal
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Pacific Rim International Wine Competition
2000 Heritage Cuvée, Central Coast
"89 POINTS...
A southern Rhône-like bouquet of pepper, earth, tree bark and
berries...Spicy and straightforward."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148
"88 POINTS"
Wine Enthusiast, June 2003
"Good value with plenty of fruit..."
Laurie Daniel, San Jose Mercury News, 5/22/03
"A delicious mouthful of wine"
Red and dark berries...Toasty caramel, violets, spice and earth tones."
Dennis Schaefer, Santa Barbara News-Press, June 26, 2003
Silver Medal
West Coast Wine Competition
Silver Medal
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Silver Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
1999 Heritage Cuvée, Central Coast
Gold Medal for Chairman's Best of Class
Long Beach Grand Cru
Gold Medal
Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
(one of only 96 gold medals awarded out of 2,600 wines entered)
Gold Medal
West Coast Wine Competition
(one of only 126 gold medals awarded out of 1,500 wines entered)
Gold Medal
WineFest at Hilton Head
"Exceptional. A superb red wine. Do not miss it."
Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences, 5/24/01
"Wine of the Week"
"Another delightful success for America's Rhone Rangers...Aromas of clove-accented cherry and flavors of cherry, plum and peppery spice."
William Rice Chicago Tribune 4/3/02
2005 The Crossroad, Santa Ynez Valley
“90 Points ...
Reminiscent of a good Côtes du Rhône...Chewy tannins guide the ripe raspberry and strawberry flavors."
Wine & Spirits (October 2008)
“Recommended...
Plump and ripe, with flavors of berries and chocolate."
Laury Daniel, San Jose Mercury News (July 29, 2008)
“Exceptional…The nose is nothing short of beautiful...
Decadent raspberry with exotic brown baking spices…A real charmer."
BevX (April 2, 2008)
“Delicious…Beautifully balanced...
Intensely focused blackberry, black cherry, and wild berry aromas and flavors."
Kathy Hardesty, New Times (March 26, 2008)
“87 Points...Good Value...
Starred review...An attractive Grenache...Reminds of southern Rhône blends. It is ripe, direct and somewhat juicy in style."
Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine
“87 Points...
Grenache comes off as the lead grape, with juicy red cherry notes...Substance lent by the Syrah, in the form of a dark berry component."
Michael Franz, Wine Review Online (May 13, 2008)
“87 Points...Highly recommended...
Toasty raspberry fruit aroma...Raspberry and cherry fruit flavors."
California Grapevine (July 2008)
2004 The Crossroad, Santa Barbara County
“Highly recommended...
Red cherry and raspberry fruit flavors."
California Grapevine (July 2007)
“Recommended...
A full spectrum of fruit aromas...Very round and smooth with good length."
Sante Magazine (September 2007)
2003 The Crossroad, Santa Barbara County
“90 POINTS...
The flavors explode with cherries, blackberries, pomegranates, plums and mocha."
Wine Enthusiast (June 2006)
2007 Heritage Blanc, Santa Barbara County
Gold Medal
2009 Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
"Recommended…
Aromas of honey, lime, tropical fruit...Flavors of pear, apricot, citrus, vanilla and minerals."
Sante Magazine (April, 2009)
2006 Heritage Blanc, Santa Barbara County
Silver Medal and 92 Points
2007 California State Fair Wine Competition
"87 Points…Vivid, bright…
Peach, apricot and mandarin orange and cherry blossom notes…strong aromatics and a long, persistent finish."
Wine Spectator (March 31, 2008)
Silver Medal
2007 San Francisco International Wine Competition
2005 Heritage Blanc, Santa Barbara County
“87 Points...refreshing and tasty...
Crisp, elegant notions of grapefruit, pineapple, and white currants along with good underlying acidity.”
Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate
“A screaming best buy...
Incredibly aromatic with white florals, gardenia, nectarine and caramel.”
Dennis Schaefer, Appellation America
"Very tasty...
Mineral, cream, pear and apple on the palate..."
Colorado Wine News, September, 2006
"Lots of fruit...
Peach, pineapple and honeysuckle...Balanced. "
Wine Enthusiast, November 15, 2005
2002 Heritage Blanc, Santa Barbara County
“87 POINTS…Exotic Nose…Elegant, Attractive.”
Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate (#154)
2001 Heritage Blanc, Santa Barbara County
"One of the most flavorful whites I’ve tasted lately..."
F. Paul Pacult, Sky Magazine, May 2003
Gold Medal for Best of Class
Long Beach Grand Cru
90 Points for Silver Medal
California State Fair
"87 POINTS...
Loads of fruit...Clove, spice, flower and citrus characteristics."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate #148
2000 Heritage Blanc, Santa Barbara County
Gold Medal for Best of Class
New World International Wine Competition
Gold Medal for Chairman's Award
Riverside International Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Orange County Fair
"Exceptional Value"87 Points"
Wine & Spirits Magazine
2004 Heritage Rosé, Santa Barbara County
"Top 100 wine of 2005...
A zingy palate of watermelon, cassis, peach pit, onion peel and river stone."
San Francisco Chronicle
2006 Viognier, Santa Barbara County
"GREAT CALIFORNIA VALUE…87 Points…Lively with citrus flavors, pear, peach and guava note...
Like it for the intensity, persistence and juicy citrus peel notes."
Wine Spectator (March 31, 2008)
Gold Medal
Dallas Morning News Wine Competition
Gold Medal
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Silver Medal
Orange County Fair Wine Competition
2005 Viognier, Santa Barbara County
“87 Points...Admirable freshness...
A honeyed citrus-like note, medium body, and a flowery personality.”
Robert M. Parker's The Wine Advocate
“89 Points...
Orange and litchi flavors …Mouthwatering acidity…Lasts on a savory note.”
Wine & Spirits, October 2006
Gold Medal
2007 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
Gold Medal
Long Beach Grand Cru
“Mouthfilling flavors...
Aromas of mineral and pear which pop out of the glass."
Colorado Wine News, September, 2006
2003 Viognier, Santa Barbara County
“Excellent..
