Lucas & Lewellen Malbec Santa Barbara County 2012
Deep, bright ruby with hints of garnet. Scents of ripe and dried black fruits and cassis with loads of mineral and earth in support. The palate is in full agreement with the aromatics with a rich and semi-tart black fruit driven core with flanking notes of black pepper, mineral, and toasted oak. Dense and rich with perfect balance offering a fresh dose of acidity and soft but framing tannins. Made with 100% Malbec. $28 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Lucas & Lewellen Rosé of Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County 2014
See the Full BevX Featured Review & Beverage of the WeekBrilliant salmon color with hints of ruby. The nose is quite floral with waves of fresh, ripe berries and a hint of mineral and citrus zest. The palate confirms the nose delivering a lush, fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, strawberry, semi-tart red cherry, and plum with accents of mineral, citrus, and cranberry. It's perfectly balanced with a ripe, full center and vibrant acidty. Made with 100% Pinot Noir. $18 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Napa Valley 2013
Brilliant pale straw color. The nose is amazingly complex with citrus and green melon scents in the lead with accents of fresh cut grass, gooseberry, red grapefruit, star fruit, spring flowers, and fiddlehead fern tips. The palate mirrors the nose with big fruit flavors at the core supported by notes of green herbs, citrus and oak. It is surely a big style of Sauvignon Blanc with a firm oak note that adds weight and length. $20 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Reserve Napa Valley 2012
Pale gold color with loads of legs showing its weight. Rich and intense nose with waves of peach and nectarine supported by notes of mineral, bread dough, lemon curd, thyme, and kiwi. The palate echoes the nose with a silky, fruit-driven core with accents of oak, mineral, and a champagne like yeasty backdrop. This is a big and rich Sauvignon Blanc with evident oak influence. $40 – 3 Stars – 86 points
Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc California 2013
Pale straw color. The nose is fresh and vibrant with scents of citrus with supporting tropical fruit notes and hints of green herbs, and fresh-cut green grass. The palate echoes the nose delivering a bright and freshing fruit centered core with accents of mineral, fresh green herbs, and green apple skins. It's a fresh and zesty wine with great balance and a clean finish. $13 – 3.5 Stars – 88 points
Donati Family Vineyard Ezio Cabernet Sauvignon Paicines 2012
Deep, dark garnet red with accents of ruby. The nose is vibrant with scents of forest floor, red and black berries, toasted oak, and loads of brown baking spices and hints of cedar. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich and generous berry-driven core with notes of spice, earth, and oak in support. Big and bold while being perfectly balanced offering a fresh dose of acidity, soft tannins, and long, lingering flavors finishing with sweet spice notes. $40 – 5 Stars – 97 points
Donati Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Paicines 2012
Deep, dark ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe, sweet cherry with more red berries and accents of vanilla, allspice, and toasted oak. The palate is in full accord with the nose with a lush and silky fruit-driven core with generous brown spice notes, vanilla tinged oak, and hints of cassis. Medium to full-bodied with generous flavors with a good balance and little to no discernible tannins. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Donati Family Vineyard The Immigrant Central Coast 2012
Deepest, darkest ruby red color. The aromatics are quite complex with scents of wet, fallen leaves, earth, mineral, dense black fruits, tart cherry, and brown baking spices accented by a generous dose of toasted oak. The palate echoes the nose with a dense berry-driven core flanked by generous notes of dried herbs, earth, spice, and oak. This is a big wine with impeccible balance and great length with moderate tannins. $40 – 4 Stars – 91 points
Donati Family Vineyard Claret Paicines 2012
Darkest, inky ruby red color. The nose is filled with the scents of ripe red cherry, nutmeg, cocoa bean, and mineral, with hints of dried herbs and toasted oak. The palate confirms the nose delivering a rich and bold fruit centered core with hints of tart cherry supporting the ripe red cherry. Medium to full-bodied with great balance thanks to a fresh dose of acidity with soft, chewy tannins and great length. $22 – 4.5 Stars – 94 points
Donati Family Vineyard Merlot Paicines 2012
Deep, dark garnet red color with hints of ruby. Dense, ripe red and black cherries take the lead with a generous dose of brown baking spices in support. The palate echoes the nose with tart cherries supporting the ripe fruit, notes of wet earth, mineral, toasted oak. and hints of black pepper. This is a big and bold wine with great balance as well offering a bright dose of acidity and soft tannins. $25 – 4 Stars – 91 points
