The Hedonistic Taster
Wines from Santa Barbara
by L.M. Archer | FWS, Bourgogne + Champagne Master Level
Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Ever tasted wine from Santa Barbara County? If not, why not?
Well, here’s your chance to learn more about this buzz-worthy wine region gaining so much attention.
The wines here hail from four boutique wineries located within two Santa Barbara sub-regions. Santa Barbara County runs along the coast of southern California. These subregions include Santa Ynez Valley and Sta. Rita Hills.
Santa Ynez Valley runs east-west, featuring cool temperatures on the coast that warm further inland.
In contrast, reliably cooler Sta. Rita Hills runs from Buellton to Lompoc.
Here, varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah planted to rich limestone deposits thrive amidst intense marine winds, fog, and abundant sunshine.
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Folded Hills Estate Lilly Rosé – Santa Ynez Valley
Vintage: 2019
Alcohol: 13.2 %
Suggested Retail: $ 28
Robe: Light salmon hue.
Nose: Red raspberry, Asian pear, saline nose.
Palate: Light body, beautiful balance. Lovely floral (rose) and red raspberry attack; stone fruit and pear mid-palate; super-smooth melon, nectarine finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Folded Hills August White – Santa Ynez Valley
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.7 %
Link to Producer Specs here. SOLD OUT.
Suggested Retail: $ 32
Robe: Pale straw robe.
Nose: White and yellow fruit, white flowers, eau de la mer.
Palate: Light body. White and yellow pear, bright acid attack ; richly textured white nectarine and jasmine mid-palate; discrete tannins fade into a satisfying finish. Superb structure and balance.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Folded Hills Reserve Estate White Wine – Santa Ynez Valley
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.2 %
Suggested Retail: $ 65
Robe: Clear, gold-flecked straw robe.
Nose: Saline, fleurs blanches, stone fruit aromas.
Palate: White peach and nectarine attack carries through mid-palate to a delicate, white flower finish. Exquisite, slip-stream of a pour.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Folded Hills August Red Wine – Santa Ynez Valley
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.6 %
Suggested Retail: $ 43
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Clove, forest floor, red fruit aromas.
Palate: Medium Body. Red cherry, red berry, sous bois attack; black tea, black pepper mid-palate; dark cherry and tobacco finish. Refined tannins, excellent balance, solid structure.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Folded Hills Grant Grenache – Santa Ynez Valley
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.6 %
Suggested Retail: $ 38
Robe: Clear garnet robe.
Nose: A riot of peony, hibiscus, herbs and red fruit aromas.
Palate: Light body, well-balanced acids and tannins. An interesting juxtaposition of aromatic cedar and sage with sweet cherry and red currant on the attack, white pepper mid-palate, and rich black tea, umami finish. An age-worthy, multi-layered wine of exceptional finesse.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Folded Hills G.S.M. – Santa Ynez Valley
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.8 %
Suggested Retail: $ 45
Robe: Exquisite ruby robe.
Nose: Sour cherry and floral nose.
Palate: Light body. Aromas carry through on the attack, but meld into burled notes of leather, tobacco, and coffee mid-palate, leading to a harmonious, elegant finish. Sublime.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Melville Winery Estate Chardonnay – Sta. Rita Hills
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Link to Producer Specs here. SOLD OUT.
Suggested Retail: $ 34
Robe: Star-bright golden robe.
Nose: White fruit, quince, flinty, hint of lees on the nose.
Palate: Light body, bright acids, soft tannins, mineral backbone. Lemon, golden apple attack; golden sultana, white pepper, apricot mid-palate; lingering, ethereal finish.
One of the most beautiful California chardonnays I have yet tasted. Pairs well with salmon and organic greens with miso dressing.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Melville Winery Estate Pinot Noir – Sta. Rita Hills
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.9 %
Suggested Retail: $ 38
Robe: Brilliant ruby robe.
Nose: Clove, geranium, raspberry, blue fruit nose.
Palate: Light body, balanced acids/tannins. Incredible floral attack (violet, rose, lavender), savory sous bois mid-palate; complex, layered finish. Wow. Look out Willamette Valley. One beautiful expression of Pinot Noir.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Melville Winery Estate Syrah – Sta. Rita Hills
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.9 %
Suggested Retail: $ 38
Robe: Dark garnet robe.
Nose: Nutmeg, dusty red fruit, currant, plum nose.
Palate: Incredibly light body, elegant acids, super-fine tannins. White pepper, forest floor, dried rose petal, red fruit on the palate from attack to satisfying finish. Lovely, supple expression of Syrah.
Producer Note: Serve slightly chilled.
More about Melville Winery here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Alma Rosa Chardonnay – Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.9 %
Suggested Retail: $ 38 / 700 cases made.
Robe: Clear gold-green robe.
Nose: Oak, pear, golden apple aromas.
Palate: Light body, mild acids. Stone fruit, poached pear, baking spice notes.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Alma Rosa Pinot Noir – Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.9 %
Suggested Retail: $ 45 / 700 cases made.
Robe: Clear ruby robe.
Nose: Raspberry, bramble berry, earth, game, red currant nose.
Palate: Light body, well-balanced. Hi-toned red fruit, hibiscus attack; bramble berry, red current mid-palate; savory herbal and orange zest finish. Interesting, engaging wine.
More about Alma Rosa Winery here.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: The Hilt Chardonnay ‘The Vanguard’ – Santa Barbara County
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: 14.1 %
Suggested Retail: $ 76
Robe: Clear gold robe.
Nose: Tangy (greek yogurt), butterscotch, savory ambergris nose.
Palate: Light-medium body; balanced acids and tannins. Ripe golden apple attack, burled mid-palate, smokey orange rind finish. A complex, Meursault-like wine of style.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: The Hilt Estate Chardonnay – Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.4 %
Suggested Retail: $ 45
Robe: Clear pale golden robe.
Nose: Asian pear, quince, vanilla nose.
Palate: Light body, well-structured. Lemon meringue attack, steely core; softer, rounder mid-palate; stone fruit finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: The Hilt ‘Radian’ Chardonnay – Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
Radian is a windy, high-altitude vineyard with unusual diatomaceous earth-based soils. Tiny yields produce wines of intense concentration and laser-like focus.
Vintage: 2018
Alcohol: 13.4 %
Suggested Retail: $ 75
Robe: Bright lemon robe.
Nose: Firm golden delicious apple, Meyer lemon, mineral/sea breeze aromas.
Palate: Light body, acid-plus. Lemon zest attack; lemon smarties, white tea mid-palate; white stone fruit (nectarine) finish. Electric, lean, vivid wine of place.
More The Hedonistic Taster here.
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