Tasted out of bottle, the 2014 Cote de Tablas (44% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 12% Counoise and the rest Mourvedre) reveals a vibrant ruby/purple color as well as notes of kirsch, blackberries, crushed flowers and sappy herbs. Medium-bodied, layered and with outstanding purity, this is a no-brainer purchase that can be drunk today with plenty of pleasure, or cellared for 7-8 years.
Jeb Dunnuck - Wine Advocate, August 2016

April rains disrupted flowering and reduced yields, but gave the vines enough water to survive a third year of drought. Mild temper-atures in August proved ideal for ripening. The thirty-four parcels were fermented separately; we combined the twenty-five that best expressed the vineyard’s distinctive character. Thirteen months in barrel has softened tannins and added complexity. Enjoyable in its youth, this fine wine will evolve over the next ten years to 2026.

Tasting both the 2012 and 2013 vintages of Occidental’s Sonoma Coast Pinot was eye opening and this continues in the same vein. It is another real “wow” wine. Occidental is firmly at the top of our list for New World Pinots. Forget this as an “entry-level” wine, the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir easily rivals top Premier Crus (and some Grand Crus) from Burgundy.

This is beautifully fragrant, with an abundance of fruit jumping out of the glass. It is rich yet restrained and superbly structured – the tannins melt seamlessly into the fruit. Give this a couple of years in the cellar and it will be a beauty. While arguably more famous for his Chardonnays, Steve Kistler appears to have the Midas touch when it comes to Pinot Noir. A must buy!

Warm weather brought bud-break in February, and advanced the season for our earliest chardonnay harvest ever. Picked by taste at moderate ripeness, the fruit was whole-cluster pressed and barrel fermented. Natural fermentations finished quickly, allowing early assemblage. Additional aging allowed the wine to clarify; we bottled without filtration. This superb chardonnay will be most enjoyable to 2021.

Ridge Vineyards consistently make wines that compete in terms of quality and desirability with the best that France has to offer. Winemaker Paul Draper has crafted over 40 vintages at Ridge and his practical, hands-off approach to winemaking has resulted in an exceptional and highly sought-after range of wines, including championing historic Zinfandel vineyards.
Although a vineyard was first planted near the top of Monte Bello Ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1885, it lay abandoned until four Stanford Research Institute engineers bought it in 1959. Ridge Vineyards was formed in 1962 and Paul Draper was appointed as winemaker in 1969.  Ridge Monte Bello’s original prominence worldwide came when the 1971 vintage was entered in the famous Judgment of Paris Tasting of 1976, a blind tasting, where it came in 5th out of 10 wines, behind Stag’s Leap, Mouton Rothschild, Montrose and Haut-Brion. 

Fifteen years ago, Ridge planted this hilltop to zinfandel; as the vines matured, flavors intensi¬fied. Spring rain reduced this year’s crop, and a warm August brought early harvest. Smaller berries and lower yields meant concentration; for the first time all seven parcels were equally outstanding, and therefore included. This robust but approachable zinfandel is enjoyable now, or over the next six to seven years to 2023.

I first encountered Flowers Chardonnay at a trade tasting a few years ago and was immediately impressed by both the depth of fruit and pure quality of the wine. The 2014 continues those initial impressions with a beautiful Chardonnay that marries Burgundian elegance with Californian fruit. Orange blossom, lime and a stony minerality combine with an almost saline note – the perfect balance between freshness and richness. Just a touch of buttered toast on the finish from the oak, which doesn’t dominate but plays a perfect supporting role. This surely ranks as one of the great Californian chardonnays. Drink 2016 -2022.
Fergus Stewart, Private Account Manager 

A beautifully bright, pale gold colour.  The nose is enticing, full of aromas of Apple blossom, verbena with a background of wet stone, flint.  The palate is impeccably balanced, medium bodied and yet lifted by crisp, vibrant acidity.  Fresh flavours of Jazz apple, crisp pear and white fruit backed up by a hint of honeyed toast, finishing with great length.  A perfect example of what a cool Sonoma Coast Chardonnay should be. Richness, poise & balance all in one. 2016 – 2020.
Stuart Rae, Commercial Manager 

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is wonderfully savory and mineral, with a host of graphite, liquefied rock, floral and dark stone fruit notes that open up in the glass. Energetic, crystalline and beautifully focused throughout, the 2014 exudes class from the very first taste. Stylistically, it is a bit less generous than the 2013 was at the same stage in its life. This hypothetical blend is every bit as striking as the individual component lots suggested when I tasted them this past spring. Philip Togni adds that a larger than normal crop stretched out the harvest. Today, the 2014 is shaping up to be another uber-classic wine from Togni.
Antonio Galloni - vinous.com, Oct 2015