Santa Maria Valley

Santa Barbara is Pinot Noir country, and the range of expressions in this county are varied. One of the stalwarts, having first started in 1975, is Lucas & Lewellen. For an inexpensive Pinot Noir, L&L does an admirable job of crafting a tightly wound Pinot with excellent fruit, good acidity, and oak influence (a mere 10 months in oak, only a small portion of which was new French) which doesn’t break the bank.

My first time trying this and what a delightful wine.  11.7% abv.  Light yellow/silvery gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with minerality and slight citrus.  light bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is about minerality.  A Californian version of Muscadet.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and would be great with oysters or other shellfish.  Drink over the next few years.

Honestly, I love Viognier from the Rhone Valley, but less so the full throttle Viogniers from California (usually with high alcohol).  Despite that disclaimer, I really enjoyed this.  Unique and different as it is.  Golden in color with green swirls.  The nose has green apples, slight floral notes and just a hint of peach.  Nice acidity.  Oily texture.  Light to medium tannins.  On the palate, the apples are present with a light minerality.  Long finish.  This drinks easy on its own and will work with some lighter foods.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

The is 100% Grenache from California's Central Coast.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, cherries, herbal notes and moist forest floor.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice black cherry and cherry fruit with underlying earthiness.  Seems to be fully mature and at peak.  Tannins all resolved.  Nice finish.  This is a food friendly wine that went well with Pasta Primavera with summer vegetables.  Drink over the next few years.  

From Magnum.  Garnet/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, dust, some black cherries and spice.  medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, nice black raspberry fruit.  Good finish.  Drinking well right now.  Drink over the next five years.  Nice on its own, this will work well with roasted or grilled meats and/or veggies.  

This is a very nice Syrah from California's Central Coast.  It is a big, fruit forward Syrah.  Alc. 15%  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, black pepper, roasted meats and herbs.  Full bodied.  On the palate, this is is juicy with big black raspberry fruit.  Delicious.  Some depth and complexity.  Long finish.  It could use a few more years to sort itself out, but is very tasty right now.  This drinks great on its own and will work great with chili, stews or a burger.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

This is a huge, dark Pinot Noir.  Lovers of Burgundy should at least be forewarned if not directed away.  That said, to those looking for a bit dark, fruity wine, this is delicious.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, baking spices and a bit of licorice.  Full bodied.  Juicy texture.  On the palate, juicy black raspberry fruit.  Very primary although it will no doubt develop over the next five to seven years.  Light tannins.  This drinks nicely on its own and would work with bold spicy foods.  Drink now thru 2028.  

I have had a fair amount of wine from this producer over the years with various results for my tastes.  Sometimes, the wines carry too much oak and others they are amazing.  No doubt, some of the difference is due to the fruit and some the vintage.  And tastes vary.  This one straddles the line for me and goes right up to the edge but doesn't cross that line.  For those who have issues with obvious oak this might cross that line.  Medium golden in color.  The nose has vanilla, lemon, fresh cut lumber and spice.  On the palate, the vanilla and lumber come thru along with a delightful sour le

This wine has taken a long time to come around but it is now in a great drinking window.  Purple in color.  The nose has black raspberries, roasted meats, leather, slight floral notes and black pepper.  On the palate, this is complex with juicy acidity.  Black raspberries, charcoal, black pepper and slight roasted meats.  Great texture.  Long finish.  Very food friendly especially spicy foods.  It is close to peak and should stay here for 5 to 8 years or more.