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The 2021 Pinot Noir Radius is a gorgeous wine from a favorable growing season. Velvety berry fruit and elegant structure are the orders of the day. Supple and focused, it is supremely clear and precise, with beautiful curves. Tea leaves, blood orange and sweet black cherry flesh out, expanding like a peacock's tail on the epically long finish. What a beautiful wine. (BN)

I initially hoped this wine would be bottled under our Anonymous Wine Collective label. When I was presented with this incredible parcel resting in barrel, I could hardly believe the pedigree of the vineyard source, the quality of the wine, and the exceptional pricing. Alas, the wine needed to find a home more quickly than the process of creating and approving a new Anonymous bottling would allow. Rather than miss the opportunity, I decided to utilize a label design the winery already had ready to go: Root & Stone. As it turns out, the name couldn't be more fitting. This Chardonnay draws incredible mineral intensity from mature vines rooted in the extraordinary rocky, marine shale soils that define this site. The fruit comes from one of the most iconic vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills and is crafted by a winemaker with decades of experience. Under its regular label, this wine sells for $50 per bottle and has a long history of glowing critical acclaim, routinely earning 92-95 points from top publications. Stylistically, this is a leaner, mineral-driven, almost Chablis-like expression of Chardonnay, with racy acidity, bright floral and citrus notes, salty, stony minerality, hints of toasted rye and golden barley, and just a subtle framing of oak. On the palate, the wine has wonderful tension and a beautifully linear feel, carrying through to a mouthwatering finish of rock salt and citrus zest. I'm super stoked on this wine. For anyone who loves taut, mineral-driven Chardonnay rather than a richer, more opulent style, I truly think Root & Stone delivers unbeatable value.

Cranberry, cherry and earthy rhubarb aromas meet with bold chai spice on the nose of this bottling. The palate is rounded with warm baking spices that are wrapped in lush, creamy tannins, proving easy to quaff.

The 2019 Clendenen Family Vineyards “The Pip” Santa Maria Valley Nebbiolo (Winery Direct Library Release) is absolutely lovely to sip. As I write this, it’s late at night, and I’m having it with crackers and some cold leftover steak after receiving it as a reward from an esteemed K&L colleague for catching (and later releasing in the wooded area of my backyard) a massive wolf spider in her bathroom. I wasn’t planning on drinking wine or even eating dinner, but I couldn’t resist opening this bottle as soon as I got home. After the first sip, I felt more than fairly compensated for my efforts. Black plum, juicy berries, dried rose petals, lemon balm, rooibos tea, and a subtle tarry note unfold across the palate, with a stony mineral quality adding another layer of complexity. It’s light on its feet, with food-friendly acidity and the kind of easygoing character that makes it just as enjoyable with a few casual snacks as it is at the dinner table. At full price, it’s an excellent value. At more than 45% off right now, it’s a screaming deal. Buy this for dinner with friends who know and love wine, particularly fans of the late, great Jim Clendenen and Au Bon Climat. As a library release from such a storied producer, it’s the kind of bottle your host or fellow guests will appreciate without ever knowing how little you paid for it. True to Italian tradition, “The Pip” spent three years aging in large 500-liter Hungarian oak puncheons, followed by another year in bottle before its original release. It has now had an additional seven years to rest and is still going strong, a thoughtful and elegantly rendered expression of Nebbiolo. Dog lovers may also get a kick out of the fact that the Pip series is named for Jim’s beloved late Border Collie, Pip. I can’t help smiling at the thought of the two of them being together again. I like to think that all dogs and great winemakers go to heaven.

Utterly clean and delicious aromas of lemon meringue, chiseled chalk and chipped flint show on the attention-grabbing nose of this bottling. There's a lively acidity and chalky grip to the palate, where tight Asian pear and jicama flavors align. (MK)

Welcome to Cherrytown — dark cherry, cherry pit, cherry wood spice, and candied cherry dusted with cinnamon, infused with clove, and laced with candied rose petals. Toasted cedarwood adds depth to the medium-bodied palate, which is framed by velvety tannins and a long, stony, mineral finish. This Pinot is remarkably consistent with the 2022 vintage I reviewed, showcasing Dave Phinney’s characteristically opulent style. It delivers both the hedonism of Phinney’s hallmark ripeness and the freshness that defines the region’s naturally high acidity. (JC)

Lastly, the 2022 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard comes from a site on the eastern end of the Sta. Rita Hills and was destemmed and raised in one-third new barrels for 17 months. Ripe red and blue fruits, cracked black pepper, sappy flowers, violets, and some Cornas-like gaminess all emerge from this beauty, and it's fabulous on the palate, with medium to full-bodied richness, a pure, layered mouthfeel, ripe yet building tannins, and a great finish. It's a brilliant Syrah to drink any time over the coming decade.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Francesca Vineyard comes from a site in the Sta. Rita Hills and was fermented with plenty of stems (60%) and aged in 25% new French oak. It has a little Dujac-like vibe in its stemmy red and black fruits as well as complex notes of underbrush, leather, and leafy herbs. This carries to a medium-bodied Pinot Noir that's beautifully balanced, has fine, polished tannins, and a great finish. It's one hell of a classy Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir to drink over the coming decade.

Bid on this bottle of 1998 Peter Michael "Le Moulin Rouge" Pinot Noir. Wine Advocate: "The 1998 Pinot Noir Le Moulin Rouge reveals tell-tale black cherry and raspberry characteristics, is deep and rich... A medium-bodied wine with zesty acidity.."" (01/2000)

Bid on this magnum of 2019 Next Of Kyn (Sine Qua Non) "Numero Cinco" Central Coast Touriga Nacional (1.5L) (98RP, 98VN). Vinous: "The 2019 Touriga Nacional – Número Cinco marries textural opulence with plenty of structure. Inky dark fruit, chocolate, new leather, incense, spice and graphite infuse the 2019 with tremendous brooding intensity. I would give the 2019 at least a few years in bottle to come together as it is incredibly primary. (AG)" (06/2022)

The 2022 Pinot Noir Peake Ranch Vineyard is tighter and more focused, with juicy black cherry and redcurrant fruit as well as some sappy, floral, and forest floor-like notes. This medium-bodied, focused, beautifully balanced 2022 will benefit from a year or two of bottle age and keep nicely through 2034. 94+

The 2022 GSM from Justin Willett is fleshy and floral, with great inner sweetness and lovely freshness. It's nicely lifted and full of spiced character, with blue fruit, green peppercorn, lavender, blood orange, iron and inky seaweed notes fleshing out in the glass. At only 13.5%, the 2022 has a surprising amount of textural heft. This is a lot of wine for $25. (BN)

The 2024 Syrah Great Places Jessica Lauren Stolpman is the most mind-bending wine in this range, and one of the finest Syrahs I've ever tasted from California. There’s a sense of flash and finesse here that makes this feel so pretty, so enticing. Dark macerated cherry, rosewater, crème de violette, incense and blackcurrant open with boundless concentration, while a pastille-like, velvety texture and ultra-refined tannins convey stunning purity. The inclusion of 85% whole clusters lends the wine remarkable textural vibrancy and aromatic delineation. The 2024 is dynamic and multidimensional, a wine that reaches the top of the mountain. Sensational.

The 2022 Chardonnay Peake Ranch Vineyard offers a touch more complexity, offering ripe citrus and orchard fruits, spice, tropical flowers, and green almond notes in a medium-bodied, pure, focused, balanced package. It has the fruit and suppleness of the vintage yet brings good acidity and a focused, elegant mouthfeel. I love it today, yet it has the balance and vibrancy to evolve nicely for 5-7 years, if not longer.

the 2024 Chardonnay has a medium to light gold hue and offers exotic citrus, minty herbs, and subtle tropical flower notes that all define this clean, crisp, remarkably pure Chardonnay. It puts on weight and richness with time in the glass and is a terrific mix of both richness and freshness. This is a no-brainer purchase for those who love Santa Barbara County Chardonnay, and I love its purity. Drink 2025-2030.

Though light on its feet, this bottling begins with rather bold aromas of cherry, spearmint, wet slate and sharp spice on the nose. The palate sizzles with acidity that offsets a slight viscosity, as blood orange, cranberry, thyme and rainbow peppercorn aromas align.

A big, gorgeous and full-bodied wine. It's syrah-based, with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and other red grape varieties blended in. So dark, deep and robust, with blackberry, black cherry, blueberry and chocolate accents. (JG)

A glowing light lemon core with a watery rim showcases the 2021 Estate Chardonnay from Solomon Hills Estate. It is aged sur lie for 16 months in 41% new French oak. Gorgeous notes of dried lemon peel, fresh Bartlett pears, and white mountain wildflowers meet shades of saline and dried thyme. Lemony acidity hits the mid-palate and doesn’t let go, but the perfect fruit and herbal finish cuts through at the end.

So much purity to the fresh, concentrated beam of cherries, raspberries and red plum preserves, all lifted by flowers and mouthwatering acidity. A kiss of spices and Mediterranean scrub sweeps in, while elegantly long, approachable tannins promise a rewarding life ahead. Drink or hold.

A gorgeous, generous, fruity wine that’s lightly accented by butter and toast on a full-bodied frame. It feels rich and creamy, with layered flavors full of poached pears and baked apples.

Composed of 100% Cinsault, the 2025 Vin Vif (Union Sacre) Central Coast Cinsault underwent 20% whole-cluster, native fermentation in stainless steel. Lovingly punched down by hand twice daily, and aged in neutral puncheons for six months, only 300 cases were produced. Bright and fresh flavors of blueberry and tangy fruit leather mingle with delicate notes of black pepper. Thoughtfully made yet unpretentious, serve this with a chill without a care in the world.

As with all the Pinot Noirs from this talented winemaker, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills was not destemmed and was aged all in 100% neutral oak barrels. Medium ruby-hued, darker berries and redcurrants intermixed with rose, damp forest floor, and subtle spicy, meaty nuances all emerge from the glass. It's remarkably pure and medium-bodied, with a pure, seamless, layered mouthfeel and ultra-fine tannins. This is classic Greg Brewer brilliance with Pinot Noir. Drink bottles any time over the coming decade. Drink 2025-2035.

The 2022 Chardonnay Sierra Madre Vineyard is classy and elegant from start to finish. There's an element of translucence here that is captivating. Readers will find a super-classic Santa Maria Chardonnay done in a steely, brisk style that is quite appealing. (AG)

Bid on this 6-bottle lot of 2021 Fingers Crossed (Faethm) "Unanswered Prayers" California White Blend (OWC - 98JD, (96-98TWI), (94-96RP), 96VN, 95JS) in original wood. Jeb Dunnuck: "Mostly Chardonnay from Sanford & Benedict, but blended with smaller amounts of Roussanne and Marsanne, the 2021 Unanswered Prayers White is one of those riveting whites that brings incredible opulence and richness while staying light on its feet and balanced. Despite being largely Chardonnay (72%), it reminds me of a great Hermitage Blanc with its ripe quince and honeyed stone fruit notes that give way to more flower oil, green almond, and fresh croissants, with more classic Sta. Rita Hills minerality and salinity showing on the palate. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and flawlessly balanced, with good acidity and a mammoth-sized finish. (JD)" (08/2025)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2020 Sine Qua Non “Distenta II” Central Coast White Blend (98RP, 98TWP, 95VN), a rare cult white from Manfred and Elaine Krankl’s legendary Ventura estate, blended from 32% Roussanne, 26% Viognier, 25% Chardonnay, 12% Gelber Muskateller and 5% Petit Manseng. Wine Advocate writes: “Drinking the White Distenta II is an omakase-like experience, an unexpected journey that begins with naturally bitter phenolics, blossoms into soaring perfume and finishes with dessert-like honeyed tones... In the mouth, it’s expansive and luxuriously satiny... If you’re a fan of aromatic, textural whites, purchase as many bottles as you can so that you can follow what’s sure to be unique savory development in bottle over the next 10 to 15+ years. (EB)” (06/2023)

Bid on this bottle of 2014 Sine Qua Non "Testa dei Cherubini" Sta. Rita Hills Grenache (99JD, 98RP, 98VN). Jeb Dunnuck: "As with the extended aged Syrah release, the 2014 Grenache Testa Dei Cherubini (80% Grenache, 15.5% Syrah, and the rest Petite Sirah and Viognier) comes all from the estate Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent just under 38 months in 25% new French oak, with the balance in neutral barrels (varying sizes). Layers of black raspberry, cassis, white chocolate, white flowers, and Asian spices flow to a full-bodied, supple, powerful Grenache that has silky, silky tannins, a seamless texture, no hard edges, and a finish that won’t quit. It’s already approachable, yet in my experience, this extended élevage results in a very stable wine, and I suspect this beauty will have another two decades of longevity." (10/2018)

Bid on this bottle of 2012 Sine Qua Non "Rattrapante - Eleven Confessions Vineyard" Sta. Rita Hills Grenache (100RP, 97VN). Wine Advocate: "A perfect wine any way you look at it, the 2012 Grenache Rattrapante comes all from the Eleven Confessions Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills and spent 33 months in 27% new French oak. My notes start - and end - with “Wow.” Giving up tons of black raspberries, peppery herbs, licorice, dried flowers and cured meats, it’s a massively concentrated, rich and layered Grenache that somehow manages to stay graceful, lively and fresh on the palate. There are roughly 800 cases of this elixir and any Grenache lover should do their best to latch onto a bottle (or two). It’s also worth noting that this cuvee saw 26% whole clusters, which is a small change from past vintages. (JD)" (08/2016)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2003 Sea Smoke "Botella" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (93WS, 90RP), 1-bottle of 2004 Sea Smoke "Botella" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (93WS, 92RP, 90VN), and 1-bottle of 2004 Sea Smoke "Ten" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (94RP, 93WS, 92VN). Of the 2004 Sea Smoke "Ten" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Wine Advocate writes: "The 2004 Pinot Noir Ten (from ten separate clones) possesses a deep ruby/purple-tinged color, sweet cranberry, raspberry, and cherry fruit, and a hint of toasty oak in the background. The most closed as well as the biggest and richest of this trio, it will benefit from another 12 months of cellaring, and should drink well for a decade or more. An impressive example of Pinot Noir, it offers further evidence of the Santa Rita Hills’ potential. (RP)" (08/2006)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Sea Smoke "Ten" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95VN, 94WE). Vinous: "The 2018 Pinot Noir Ten is a classic Sea Smoke wine. Dark, ample and enveloping, the 2018 possesses notable richness and volume right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit cherry, plum, mocha, lavender and sweet spice all meld together, framed by supple, silky tannins that add considerable immediacy and overall appeal. (AG)" (06/2022)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2013 Sea Smoke "Ten" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95WE). Wine Enthusiast: "This is a top bottling from one of the appellation's first superstar wineries. Aromas of baked red cherry and red plum are dusted with nutmeg, clove and a crushed-slate minerality. The palate is lively with dried fennel, white sage and an earthy mintiness, which all give spice to the underlying base of ripe raspberry fruit. It's extremely delicious and deeply layered. (MK)" (11/2016)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2007 Sea Smoke "Ten" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (97WE, 91VN). Wine Enthusiast: "This very dense, tannic Pinot Noir represents a triumph for both the winery, the vintage and the region it represents. A multi-clone blend (hence the name) with high, cool-climate acidity and aged in 100% new oak, it’s still young, fresh and tight. The astringency throws a cloak over the raspberries, cherries, rosehip tea and Indian spice flavors, which reveal themselves only reluctantly. But they’re there, in an imposing texture of velvet and silk. This enormous wine demands time. *Wine Enthusiast Best of 2010, Cellar Selection* " (03/2010)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2018 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95VN, 95WE). Vinous: "The 2018 Pinot Noir Southing is laced with bold dark-fleshed fruit, menthol, licorice, spice and mocha. A wine of volume and depth, the 2018 offers tons of allure, with plush contours and impeccable overall balance. (AG)" (06/2022)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2015 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (93IWR, 92WE, 90WS). Int'l Wine Review: "The 2015 'Southing' Pinot Noir is an outstanding effort sourced from Sea Smokes' south facing Estate Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills. This Pinot Noir is absolutely delectable, however it needs some time in the glass before it begins to fully express itself. Once awakened, the nose evokes a fantastic range of aromatics from blood orange to smoky tones to red cherry preserves, which all come together beautifully. The palate reveals a wonderful velvety texture and a soft mouthfeel, backed by mouth-watering acidity along with a lovely underlying saline mineral steak. Delightful flavors of black cherry cola, mulberry, black tea and Asian spices continue to merge together and leave a gorgeous lasting impression on the finish. (OB)" (11/2018)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2009 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95DC, 92JS, 91RP, 91ST). Decanter: "The 2009 Southing is a coiled-up, red-fruited, muscular Pinot. The nose is compact with whispers of cherry, vanilla, sweet cedar, herbs, and a pronounced iron-like mineral note. Muscular, with powerful beams of tannins, a firm backbone of grippy acidity, and a finish marked by dark chocolate, mint, earth, and conifer. (JC)" (04/2023)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2013 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (94WE, 90WS). Wine Enthusiast: "Ripe and racy on the nose, this always much-anticipated release shows black raspberry, baked strawberry, wet cement, cinnamon and mace spice and cola on the nose. The palate is surprisingly, refreshingly restrained, with sizzling acidity cutting across the chocolate-dipped black cherries, baking spice, dried oregano and rosemary that show in the mid-palate. (MK)" (09/2016)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2007 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95WE, 90ST). Wine Enthusiast: "A fabulously rich and approachable Pinot Noir that offers everything now, yet will also age. The considerable tannins will protect it in the cellar for a good 6-8 years, but it's so fresh and vibrant in cherries, red currants and oak-inspired red licorice that it's hard not to drink it now. Hard to exaggerate the deliciousness factor." (03/2010)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2012 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (95DC, 93WE, 92RP). Decanter: "The 2012 Southing is a powerful pinot with dark, brooding fruit, precision and drive. The nose is alive with black cherry, cedar, and scorched herbs. Muscular, broad, and medium-to-full bodied with deep black cherry, spiced plums, and blood orange. Precise, sculpted tannins are buoyant, and the acid tension is palpable. The finish is marked by more scorched herbs, smoke, and cedar and lasts over a minute. (JC)" (04/2023)

Bid on this magnum of 2013 Sea Smoke "Ten" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (1.5L) (95WE). Wine Enthusiast: "This is a top bottling from one of the appellation's first superstar wineries. Aromas of baked red cherry and red plum are dusted with nutmeg, clove and a crushed-slate minerality. The palate is lively with dried fennel, white sage and an earthy mintiness, which all give spice to the underlying base of ripe raspberry fruit. It's extremely delicious and deeply layered. (MK)" (11/2016)

Bid on this magnum of 2013 Sea Smoke "Southing" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (1.5L) (94WE, 90WS). Wine Enthusiast: "Ripe and racy on the nose, this always much-anticipated release shows black raspberry, baked strawberry, wet cement, cinnamon and mace spice and cola on the nose. The palate is surprisingly, refreshingly restrained, with sizzling acidity cutting across the chocolate-dipped black cherries, baking spice, dried oregano and rosemary that show in the mid-palate. (MK)" (09/2016)

Bid on this bottle of 2009 Sea Smoke "Botella" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (92RP). Wine Advocate: "The 2009 Pinot Noir Botella sweeps across the palate with deep, rich layers of dark fruit. Smoke, licorice, incense and leather develop in the glass. The Botella is one of the more extroverted, juicy Pinots in this lineup. The wine’s persistence, depth and overall sense of harmony are all first-rate. (AG)" (08/2012)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2013 Sea Smoke "Botella" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Sea Smoke remains one of the Central Coast's cult Pinot producers. Available only to the winery's list members, and made only in exceptional years, Botella is named for the deep, clay soils of the portion of the estate vineyard where it is grown. Wine Advocate's Jeb Dunnuck offers this preview from a recent report: "I was thrilled with these latest releases from Sea Smoke and when the region is chasing Burgundian-like ripeness and acid profiles, they continue to show it is possible to make rich, full-bodied and concentrated Pinot Noirs from the Sta. Rita Hills that are a joy to drink." (08/2015)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2000 Au Bon Climat "Isabelle" California Pinot Noir. Wine Spectator: "Rich and intense, with a complex array of concentrated herb, cherry, anise and dusty berry flavors that are long on the finish. Needs a little time. Best after 2006. " (09/2002)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2021 Domaine de la Côte "Sous le Chêne" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir. Established in 2013 by Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman, this estate sits at the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. “Sous le Chêne” belongs to its lineup of site-specific Pinot Noirs, grown in vineyards strongly influenced by the nearby Pacific.

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2021 Domaine de la Côte "Memorious" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (97JS, 95WE, 95WS, 94VN, 93RP). James Suckling: "Crushed stone, raspberry and strawberry character. Medium-bodied with density and a toned structured. White pepper notes come through. Racy and bright. " (03/2023)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2021 Domaine de la Côte "La Côte" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (98JS, 96RP, 96WE, 95VN, 95WS). James Suckling: "Cool yet ripe strawberries, together with crushed spices, such as cloves and cardamom. Then mushroom and bark. Full-bodied with a solid structure and layers of firm tannins. Great finish. " (03/2023)

Bid on this 4-bottle lot of 2021 Domaine de la Côte "Bloom's Field" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir (97DC, 97JS, 97WE, 94RP, 94VN, 93WS). Wine Enthusiast: "This estate bottling shows the most vivid and accessible fruit qualities compared to the rest of the 2021 lineup. Dark berry aromas meet with rose, carnation, achiote and turned earth on the nose. The tightly structured palate's dark-fruit core is decorated in eucalyptus leaf, kalamata olive and strong, dank herb flavors. *Editors' Choice* (MK)" (04/2023)

A pale shade of pink in the glass, this blend of 51% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, and 24% Mourvèdre pairs generous cotton candy and pink rose aromas with earthy wet-rock aromas on the nose. There’s a firm texture and lovely zip to the sip, where light pear and Rainier cherry flavors arise. Best Buy. (MK)

Founded in 2007 by New Zealand-born winemaker Angela Osborne, A Tribute to Grace is devoted to Grenache and takes its name from Osborne’s grandmother. This 2024 red brings that singular focus to fruit grown in Santa Barbara County, one of California’s most geographically varied coastal wine regions.