Sine Qua Non LightMotif 2014, California

This California white blend is very tasty, and is drinking beautifully now.

Deep gold in color.

Full bodied with medium plus acidity.

Showing red and green apples, light oak, Mediterranean spices, bitter herbs, earth, light vanilla, caramel and black pepper.

Long finish with almonds and limes.

Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Crisp and engaging.

This 9-year-old still has lots of acidity to take it another 5 to 10 years. A Delicious wine.

Robert Parker 97 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine.

A blend of 47% Roussanne, 21% Chardonnay, 14% Petite Manseng, 11% Viognier and 7% Marsanne. Aged for 19 months in concrete eggs, French oak and stainless steel vats.

15.4% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$250.

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Brecon Estate Grenache 2020, Paso Robles, California

Light ruby/ reddish in color with light intensity.

Spicy and fruity nose of blueberries, cherries, raspberries, milk chocolates, light tobacco, spices and black pepper.

Light to medium in body with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, sweet cherries, light oak, vanilla, citrus, spices, chocolates and peppercorn.

Medium plus on the finish with soft tannins and raspberries.

This is a very tasty Grenache from Paso Robles. Spicy and entertaining. Fruit forward and Interesting.

Nicely balanced and easy drinking with nice complexity.

Good right out of the bottle, and gets spicier after 2 hours of airtime.

Feels like a Zinfandel blend with a Pinot Noir touch.

While some people may assume that screw-top wines are of lower quality, this is definitely not the case with this wine. It also makes it easy to take with, making it an excellent choice for a picnic.

Still young, but already very enjoyable. Tasty and good by itself. A good quality wine. Would be nice to revisit it in 3 years.

A great sipping wine. If you like something lighter, and Pinot Noir is not your favorite taste profile, then this is a great choice.

Paired nicely with light appetizers.

A blend of 93% Grenache, 2% Petite Sirah, 2% Mourvedre, 2% Syrah and 1% Viognier. A small production of less than 2,800 bottles.

14.8% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$55.

Shirah Wine Company Murmur Vineyard Syrah 2016, Santa Barbara County, California

This Single Vineyard Syrah from California is drinking beautifully now.

Full bodied with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with a nice mouthfeel.

Showing blackberries, black currants, plums, cooked cherries, oak, dark chocolates, coffee, pencil lead, earth, vegetables, spices, tobacco leaf, tar, bitter herbs and black pepper.

Medium plus on the finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

Nicely balanced with nice complexity. Fruit forward, tangy and elegant. The high alcohol is well integrated at this point.

This 7-year-old is peaking now and good right out of the bottle.

I had it 4 years ago, and decided to give it a few years in the bottle to mature. Good call on my part. So much better now.

A great sipping wine.

A blend of 97% Syrah and 3% Viognier. Aged for 22 months in French Oak barrels (25% new). Kosher and not Mevushal.

14.7% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$55.

Toca Madera Winery Toca Madera Vineyard GSM 2015, California

This 7 year old GSM from California is still drinking nicely, although definitely not at its peak any longer.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blackberries, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, licorice, spices, chocolates, espresso, peppercorn and pencil lead.

Short finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Single Vineyard is easy drinking now, and good for the pool or beach.

A blend of Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier and Grenache.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

89 points.

$32.

Toca Madera Winery GSM 2015, California

Light ruby/ brick in color.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blue and black fruits, light oak, alcohol, spices, chocolates, coffee and dried fruits.

Very spicy on the finish with soft tannins.

This seven-year-old is still drinking nicely, although on its last leg. I had it two years ago, and it was peaking then, but I forgot it in the cellar. (wine collector problems).

Lost its balance a bit, but showing nice complexity and a soft mouthfeel.

Good right out of the bottle, easy drinking and good by itself. I enjoyed it by the pool with a light chill.

A blend of 55% Syrah, 17% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre and 13% Viognier.

14.2% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$32.

Sine Qua Non Stockholm Syndrome Eleven Confession Vineyard Syrah 2010, California

To celebrate my 7,500th wine review on Vivino, here is a hundred point wine from Santa Rita Hills.

Dark inky in color with a short purple rim.

On the nose black cherries, blackberries, tobacco, chocolates, light vanilla, cedar and black pepper.

Full bodied and soft, with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black plums, cooked cherries, cedar, vanilla, spices, chocolates, tobacco, herbs and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 12 year old Syrah is drinking beautifully now. Well balanced with nice complexity and a great, soft mouthfeel.

Doesn’t feel like a Syrah, but it’s really delicious. Drinks more like a Napa Cabernet, which is fine with me.

This wine is so special, that it was made only in this 2010 vintage. A gorgeous Syrah from a Single Vineyard that will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Wine Advocate 100 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and a very nice wine to share with friends and talk about. Good right out of the bottle, rich and extracted.

Alcohol is nicely integrated by now, so you better watch out.

A blend of 96% Syrah, 3% Roussanne and 1% Viognier. Aged in all new French Oak barrels for 42 months.

15.6% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$1,000.

Halter Ranch Vineyard Adelaida District Grenache Blanc 2020 Paso Robles, California

Pale lemon in color with a golden tint.

Strong nose of citrus, yellow and green apples, earth, limes and spices.

Medium bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with limes, grapefruits, citrus, green apples, river rocks, minerals, earth, spices and herbs.

Tangy finish with black pepper and almonds.

This is a nice Grenache Blanc from Paso robles. Crisp and refreshing. Fruit forward with lots of earth notes, that make it feel like a Southern Rhône White.

A good quality wine. Would be nice to revisit it in a few years and see how it evolved.

Good by itself and better with food.

A blend of 79% Grenache Blanc, 12% Picpoul Blanc and 9% Viognier. Fermented in a mix of Hungarian and French Oak barrels, and aged for 8 months. Only 950 cases produced.

13.6% alcohol by volume.

88 points.

$40.

Titus Vineyards Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2021, California

Pale lemon in color with a green hue.

Nose of citrus, limes, green apples, pears, light spices, herbs and minerals.

Medium bodied with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with lemons, citrus, green apples, limes, spices, minerals, light grapefruits, earth and white pepper.

Tangy finish with limes and grapefruits.

This is a delicious Sauvignon Blanc From Napa Valley. Easy drinking and fruit forward.

Good by itself or with food. A great party wine and good for the pool too.

Rich and tasty. Crisp and refreshing with a nice mouthfeel.

Would be nice to revisit it in a year or two.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

A blend of 96% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Viognier. Aged in (used) French oak barrels for 4 months.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$28.

Aridus Wine Company Viognier 2019, Arizona

Dark golden in color.

Pretty nose of flowers, citrus, lemons, yellow apples, spices and white pepper.

Full bodied and creamy with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with citrus, apples, pears, light tropical fruits, honey suckle, spices and light black pepper.

Tangy finish with limes.

This is a delicious Viognier from Arizona. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Shows nice complexity and easy drinking.

A great sipping wine. Neither bitter nor tart. Love that.

I had the 2018 last year, but this 2019 is so much better.

I had it all by itself by the lake. Delicious wine.

100% Viognier grapes from Southeastern Arizona were aged for 19 months in French oak barrels and stainless steel. A small production of only 350 cases.

14.4% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$35.

Jonata Winery La Sangre de Jonata 2009 Santa Ynez Valley, California

Jonata Winery La Sangre de Jonata 2009 Santa Ynez Valley, California



Deep purple in color with a short purple rim. Not showing age at all.

Nose of black currants, cooked plums, oak, tobacco, licorice, earth, cocoa, spices, tar and wild flowers.

Full bodied and bold with medium acidity.

Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, black currants, plums, dried figs, tobacco, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn, licorice and eucalyptus.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a very tasty Syrah from Santa Ynez Valley in California. Still young, but already delicious.

Spicy, entertaining and very yummy.

Good right out of the bottle and better after 2 hours of airtime, and will probably be even better the next day.

Had it blind and could not believe that it’s a 12 year old.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Robert Parker 94 points.

Thank you Scott for sharing this with me.

A blend of Syrah with 1% Viognier.

15.5% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$150.