FMW 93+ Points:  Hayfork Cabernet Sauvignon Lewelling Ranch is a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot. The wine shows off a  very deep purple hue.  On the nose you are greeted with bright scents of boysenberries, plum preserves, and cassis, This 2020 has a lush full-bodied palate, with bold fruit flavors, a touch of chocolate, a touch of spice, and tons of juicy black fruits leading in a long opulent finish.

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “The 2019 Red Wine Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard is cut from the same cloth as the 2018 and has a rich, full-bodied, nicely layered style revealing big, chocolatey fruits as well as notes of scorched earth and graphite.”

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: “From the Russian River Valley, the 2019 Pinot Noir is layered with spice and a perfume of incense, five-spice, and kirsch. The palate is elegant, with beautiful concentration all the way through, and offering notes of raspberry leather, forest herbs, and cedar. Hold 2-4 years and drink over the next 10 or more years.”

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “More subtle and elegant, with slightly less power but possibly more complexity, the 2019 Grenache El Diablo has a beautiful nose of ripe cherry and strawberry fruits as well as herbes de Provence, spring flowers, and baking spices. As seamless as they come on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has a pure, elegant mouthfeel, ultra-fine tannins, and a great finish. It’s another heavenly Grenache from this talented winemaker that readers will love. It too should keep for a decade.”

TWI 98-100 Points: ““This note is written before the final blend of the 2021 Continuum. Deep purple-black in color, it hits the ground running with an intense nose of red and black currant preserves, lilacs, baker’s chocolate, and graphite, leading to an undercurrent of black olives and red loam. On the medium to full-bodied palate it is very lively, grainy and super-concentrated, finishing long and shimmery.”

Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points: “Savory with dried herbs and pine, the 2019 Mouvèdre Radiant Ridge Vineyard is introspective, with black fruit and freshly turned soil, while the palate is stony and mineral. It is full, but surprisingly more focused than the aromatics might suggest. Much more restrained and with a gorgeous texture, this is an incredible expression that is worth seeking out and drinking over the next 15 years”

Wine Spectator 92 Points: ” Jammed with fresh, lively fruit, this Zinfandel abounds with black raspberry, spice, and orange zest accents that linger on the long, supple finish. Drink now through 2032.”

Vinous 90 Points: “The 2021 Zinfandel Juvenile, Turley’s young vines bottling, is terrific. Super-ripe dark cherry, plum, spice, mocha, chocolate, tobacco, and dried herbs give the Juvenile tons of flavor intensity to fill out its plush contours. This racy Zinfandel is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Best of all, it will be easy on the budget, too. “

Vinous 98 Points: “The 2020 El Alma de Jonata’s Cabernet Franc-based wine, is ridiculously great. The Franc is way up in 2020, and that results in a heady, explosive red that takes command of all that senses as it demands full attention. An exotic melange of dark red fruit, wildflowers, mocha, spice, and new leather build as the 2020 gains volume and resonance with air, with plenty of supporting structure to wrap it all together. It’s one of the greatest Bordeaux wines I have tasted in Santa Barabar. Wow!!”

Vinous 100 Points: : “The 2018 Cariad is breathtaking right out of the gate. What a wine! Bright acids and beams of underlying structure give the Cariad tons of energy that really drives its feel. Effusive and vibrant in the glass, with tons of pedigree, Cariad is drop-dead gorgeous in 2018. Winemaker Allison Tauziet opted not to use Petit Verdot in this vintage, choosing instead to use a bit more Franc. I can’t really say the wine is missing the Petit Verdot, while the Franc seems to give added aromatic explosiveness. Then again, all of this fruit is sourced from David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch, a stellar site with a stunning array of clones, including some pretty magical Franc.”

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “Another Sta. Rita Hills release, the 2021 Pinot Noir Atticus John-Sebastiano Vineyard was destemmed and spent 16 months in 66% new French oak. It reveals a translucent ruby hue followed by an awesome bouquet of redcurrants, framboise, dried rose petals, and savory herbs. Medium-bodied, balanced, and elegant, it has incredible tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. Give bottles a year or two and enjoy over the following decade.”

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Robert Parker 99 Points: “A blend of 45% Syrah, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Petit Verdot, the 2020 Estate Cuvée is another outstanding wine from L’Aventure in the challenging 2020 vintage, offering singular concentration and elegance. Deep ruby-purple, it has a pure core of cassis and slowly unfolding accents of licorice, cured meats, tobacco leaves, cedar and truffle. Full-bodied, juicy and alluring, it floods the mouth with layers of blue fruit, floral perfume and spice. It is supported by powdery tannins and boasts a tremendously long, detailed finish.”