Brent scored this wine: 95/100

Pale with a ruby rim the nose shows, cherry and other sifted red fruit notes with some minerality, smoke, warm stone and some forest floor. In the mouth it shows a lovely dance of cherries, cedar mineral notes, smoke and some earthiness. The best feature here is the harmony of all its components, beautifully integrated and balanced with a delightful lift of acidity. It is the minerality that puts it over the top. A graceful alliance of new and old world pinot noir elements. B+ to A- ~ 95 Talbott Vineyards produces a large range of classic, balanced, elegant single vineyard pinot noirs. Put Talbott on your “must taste” list if you are a pinot noir lover. Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, located in the Santa Lucia Highlands, was designated one of California’s Grand Cru vineyards by Wine Enthusiast in 2016. First planted in 1972, the vineyard is comprised of 565 planted acres divided into three vineyard parcels, Sleepy Hollow North, Sleepy Hollow West and Sleepy Hollow South. Each grows exclusively Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.

Brent scored this wine: 94/100

Chalk Hill Estate Vineyards and Winery was purchased recently by Bill Foley, proprietor of Foley Family Wines. Founded in 1972 by Fred Furth, the Chalk Hill Estate encompasses 280 acres of vineyards. In the glass the wine is pale with a ruby rim. On the nose there is dark cherry, some vanilla, good acidity and some bright fruit all harmoniously put together. The palate follows the nose with black cherry, vanilla, touch of cola spice, some smoke and the alcohol is elevated but in check and still very well balanced. 100% pinot noir, aged in French and Hungarian oak for six months. B+ ~ 94

Brent scored this wine: 89/100

The colour here is a medium- with a mauve rim. On the nose there are shy berry notes along with richer red fruits. There is a medium minus intensity and some good complexity. The flavours here medium red berry, loganberry, some smoke and a touch of tar. The intensity here is medium but a good underlying acidity keeps everything in balance including the modulated tannins. C+ to B- ~ 89

Brent scored this wine: 87/100

The colour is pale with a ripe cherry rim. On the nose it shows aromas of loganberry and other light berry notes along with smoke and dark cherries. This is very much in the dense, rich, slightly raisinated California style of pinot noir with ripe berries, smoke and cherry cobbler flavours. Plenty of flavour here but not a lot of elegance or detail in the finish. C to C+ ~ 87

Brent scored this wine: 87/100

On the pour , a light lemon with a slight mushroom tone. It begins with canteloupe rind, grapefruit and some alcohol heat. The palate again shows citrus and melon rind but the rest is less distinct. The intensity is medium minus, and the finish is a little short of medium. C to C+ ~ 87