Wine Enthusiast • Chardonnay, Bee Sweet Vineyard 94 Points & Editor's Choice • December 2021

Source: Wine Enthusiast • December 2021

2019 Chardonnay, Bee Sweet Vineyard

Stephen Ross Dooley is mastering this vineyard. This bottling begins with aromas of lychee, Meyer lemon pith, light coconut and honeysuckle. The palate's flavors are complex while cohesive, ranging from jicama and nectarine to sea salt and chamomile, with a flash of stone on the acid-washed finish. 

- Matt Kettmann

Wine Enthusiast • Chardonnay, Edna Valley 93 Points & Editor's Choice • December 2021

Source: Wine Enthusiast • December 2021

2019 Chardonnay, Edna Valley

Winemaker Stephen Ross Dooley's appellation blend is a more affordable winner. Tense aromas of yellow apple, light honeysuckle, chiseled stone and mellow nectarine lead into a mineral-washed sip of struck flint and river stone, following by fresh waves of Key lime.

- Matt Kettmann

Wine Enthusiast • Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard 92 Points • December 2021

Source: Wine Enthusiast • December 2021

2020 Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard*

This is a very flinty take on this grape from a vineyard quite close to the coast. The struck stone and lime-peel nose leads into rainy cement and sour citrus flavors on the tightly wound palate.

- Matt Kettmann

Wine Enthusiast • Flying Cloud Sauvignon Blanc 90 Points • December 2021

Source: Wine Enthusiast • December 2021

2020 Flying Cloud Sauvignon Blanc, Edna Valley*

Accessible aromas of tart green apple are cut by grass, wet cement and struck sandstone on the nose of this bottling. There's a tight weave to the sip, which clings to a pithy texture while offering riper red-pear and yellow-apple flavors, finishing on a flash a white pepper. 

- Matt Kettmann

The Drunken Cyclist • Rosé of Pinot Noir 93 Points • June 2021

Retail $25. 100% Pinot Noir. Under screw cap. I would consider Paula and Stephen (Steve) Ross Dooley friends, so I was happy when they decided to send a couple of bottles of their Rosé of Pinot Noir for the tasting. I was even happier to find out that I and the rest of the panel really liked it, despite the fact that it was randomly selected as the first wine of 68 that we tasted. Pale pink with a lovely nose on cotton candy and strawberry/peach. The palate is absolutely singing with great fruit, lovely acidity and a fantastic finish. A really great start to the tasting. Outstanding 93 Points.

The Drunken Cyclist • Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard 95 Points • April 2021

Source: The Drunken Cyclist • April 2021

2017 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard —Estate

The Dooleys entered into a lease agreement for the Stone Corral Vineyard back in 2001 and this 2017 marks the 15th vintage of this wine. I have four words for this wine: Give. It. Some. Time. While it will certainly benefit from some additional cellar time (at least three years), if you are as impatient as I am (OK, as my wife), please decant this lovely wine for a good couple of hours. Upon opening, it is certainly delightful, with bright fruit, tense acidity, and considerable earthiness. But. After a couple of hours open, this transformed from a “lovely Pinot” into a luscious rock-star in the waiting. Holy Cow. Initially, when compared to the Edna Valley ($38) from Stephen Ross, I was more impressed with the less-expensive wine (although only slightly). Now? Eight hours later. Whoa. Rich fruit, racy acidity, earthy tones, all in perfect concert. Yeah. I can hang out here indefinitely. Bravo Steve and Paula, bravo.

- Jeff Kralik.

The Drunken Cyclist • Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 93 Points • April 2021

Source: The Drunken Cyclist • April 2021

2017 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley —Estate

All of the fruit from this wine comes from the Stone Corral Estate Vineyard, but it is blended after the barrel selections for the two barrel, Black Label Arête and the five barrel Stone Corral Vineyard. For only $38? While, yes, that is likely beyond “Tuesday night” status for most of us, it is certainly a bargain for this quality of Pinot. Really light color in the glass with Bing cherry, Bay leaf (is that capitalized?), subtle eucalyptus, and a dash of black pepper. Yowza. The fruit takes the stage first on the palate, but it is quickly followed by the acidity, which ends up stealing the show. A bright, tart, fruity extravaganza of a wine. Whoa.

- Jeff Kralik.