Winery Reflections

Beguilingly bold yet balanced eruptions of wild blueberry, juicy mulberry, crème de cassis, and dark cherry compote lead a rich yet remarkably elegant display delicately overlaid with complex herbal impressions of eucalyptus, menthol, and cigar to***co. Hints of cinnamon, clove, and black pepper subtly impart well integrated bits of spice overlaid by pretty floral tones of iris, rose, and violet. Notes of iron, crushed rock, and leather provide attractively rugged underpinnings while suggestions of pie crust, dark roast coffee, and baking chocolate proudly assert opulence. Impressively dense and layered yet still restrained on the palate with outstanding nuance and complexity present despite ample power; exhibiting a multidimensional and completely authentic representation of that well-loved old school California Cab style. Medium-plus bodied with elevated yet approachable tannin backed by bright acidity. This 2021 Estate "Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon by Koehler Winery is a serious and sophisticated red from Santa Barbara's Santa Ynez Valley. 

Located just outside the town of Los Olivos on the warm end of the famed Foxen Canyon Road, Koehler Winery possesses some of Santa Barbara's oldest vines that still produce outstanding wine to this day. This bottling, crafted using old vine Cabernet Sauvignon planted in 1971, showcases the combination of depth, complexity, and balance that old vine wines can uniquely possess. This effortlessly radiates a range of gorgeous dark berry fruits complicated by clean herbal character, pretty spices, lifted floral tones, iron-led earthiness, and the perfect kiss of chocolaty richness. While delicious today, this classically-structured wine has potentially decades of positive development ahead of it. Outstanding.

Do you enjoy classically-styled Cabernet? 

Koehler Winery

Brilliantly electric and invigorating blasts of freshly-squeezed lime, tart green apple, grapefruit, and underripe white peach lead a captivatingly crisp display complicated by soft floral tones of baby's-breath and daisies. Hints of lemongrass, eucalyptus, and sage delicately contribute pleasant herbal underpinnings further augmented by impressions of ginger, jicama, and almond skin. Notes of crushed rocks and stony minerality playfully assert clean earthy charms partially offset by a delicate kiss of dried honey. Attractively energetic, nervy, and palate-tinglingly fresh yet still packed with surprising depth and complexity; exhibiting a tart, dry, and highly characterful presentation that boasts gorgeous intensity alongside a wonderfully unique flavor profile. Medium bodied and booming with pronounced acidity. This 2023 Estate Thompson Vineyard Grenache Blanc by Dovecote Wine is a vibrant and vivacious white from Santa Barbara's Alisos Canyon.

Native to northeastern Spain and also grown widely throughout Southern France, Grenache Blanc is a well loved yet still underappreciated white grape that is prized for its freshness and bright acidity. This bottling, crafted by Dovecote Wine using Grenache Blanc grown at their iconic Thompson Vineyard, proves that this variety is capable of being simultaneously thirst-quenching and serious. This booms with gorgeously tart and tense citrus, orchard, and stone fruits enhanced by pretty floral character, clean herbal tones, and delicious minterality. It is firing on all cylinders at its current phase of evolution yet will surely continue to evolve for another 3-5 years. Yum.

Do you enjoy Grenache Blanc?

Dovecote Wine

Based out Mendoza's Uco Valley, Domaine Nico is one of Argentina's most unique and exciting producers.

What exactly makes Domaine Nico so unique? Their high elevation vineyards are perched atop a region otherwise heavily focused on Malbec, yet this adventurous crew instead produces a range of absolutely world class Pinot Noir.

We've been fans of Domaine Nico for nearly a decade, so naturally we jumped at the chance to join winemaker Roy Urvieta for dinner during his brief visit to Los Angeles.

The dinner took place at an Argentine restaurant aptly named "Malbec" located in Los Angeles Art's District, and featured a range of authentic Argentine dishes expertly paired with Domaine Nico wines.

From Scallops paired with Brut Rosé to the gorgeous "La Savante" Pinot Noir pared with an incredible beef dish, the entire experience was absolutely sublime. The ethereal balance and alpine freshness of the wines allowed them to pair flawlessly with every dish brought to the table, and tasting them while chatting with Roy about the terroir of each individual parcel made the experience all the more magical.

If you're a fan of Pinot Noir, you absolutely owe it to yourself to try the wines of Domaine Nico!



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