The Drunken Cyclist • 2020 Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard 94 Points • December 2022

Source: The Drunken Cyclist • 2020 Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard 94 Points • December 2022

2020 Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard

Retail $28. Under screw top. As I continue along this wine writing path, I count more and more producers as “friends.” I realize that is perhaps dangerous or at least suggests bias. Perhaps. But when it comes to Stephen and Paula Dooley, owners of Stephen Ross? Our friendship predates my blog, so there is no bias. Perfect logic. So when I say this is one of the best Albariños I have tried–regardless of continent–I am not jaded at all by the affinity I have for the couple. Bright fruit, zingy acidity, and just a level of chutzpah that, as I said, I can’t remember experiencing in an Albariño. Bravo. Outstanding. 94 Points.

The Drunken Cyclist • 2019 Blanc de Noir, San Luis Obispo Coast 91 Points • December 2022

Source: The Drunken Cyclist • 2019 Blanc de Noir, San Luis Obispo Coast 91 Points • December 2022

2019 Blanc de Noir, San Luis Obispo Coast

Pale straw in color with lovely bubbles and hints of croissant. Nice. Lovely on the palate with nice acidity and balance. A little lacking in fruit, but this is very nice. Excellent. 91 Points.

The Drunken Cyclist • 2019 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard 95 Points • November 2022

Source: The Drunken Cyclist • 2019 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard 95 Points • November 2022

2019 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard

Tart bing cherry on the nose with a touch of earth coming through. The palate follows with a quite tart, even sour cherry dominating. Considerable depth. Whoa, really good with maybe a bit of mint on the backend. Outstanding. 95 Points.

The Drunken Cyclist • 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 95 Points • June 2022

Source: The Drunken Cyclist • 2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 95 Points • June 2022

2021 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Edna Valley

Under screwcap. Last year, this was one of the top wines and this 2021 really brought the goods as well. Really tart and fruity on the nose of this light pink wine. The palate is just fantastic with truckloads of fruit, quite tart, lovely balance, it has it all. Whoa. Yowza. A beautiful rosé.

Vinous • Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County 90 Points • November 2021

Source: Vinous • 2019 Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County 90 Points • November 2021

2019 Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County

Limpid ruby-red. Fresh red fruit and floral aromas are complemented by subtle botanical herb and allspice nuances. Sweet and focused in the mouth, offering juicy red berry flavors along with suggestions of cola and candied flowers. Closes on a gently tannic note, with building jamminess and good, spicy tenacity. All used French oak.

- Josh Raynolds

Vinous • Chardonnay, Edna Valley 91 Points • November 2021

Source: Vinous • 2019 Chardonnay, Edna Valley 91 Points • November 2021

2019 Chardonnay, Edna Valley

Light, bright yellow. Citrus and orchard fruit, jasmine and smoky lees on the fragrant nose, along with subtle mineral and ginger notes. Smooth and expansive in the mouth, offering juicy Meyer lemon, pear and honeysuckle flavors that tighten slowly through the midpalate. Shows very good clarity and spicy lift on the long, energetic finish, which repeats the floral and pear notes. 21% new French oak.

- Josh Raynolds

Vinous • Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 92 Points • November 2021

Source: Vinous • 2019 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 92 Points • November 2021

2019 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley

Bright red. Spice-accented raspberry and cherry on the nose, along with hints of woodsmoke, cola and baking spices. Silky and energetic on the palate, offering juicy red berry and floral pastille flavors that deepen and spread out as the wine opens up. Gentle, rounded tannins lend shape to a long, floral-driven finish that shows excellent clarity and building spiciness. All of this fruit comes from the Stone Corral vineyard. 

- Josh Raynolds

Vinous • Chardonnay, Bee Sweet Vineyard 93 Points • November 2021

Source: Vinous • November 2021

2019 Chardonnay, Bee Sweet Vineyard

Shimmering, green-hued straw. Aromas of ripe, smoke-tinged tangerine, melon and pear are complemented by building vanilla, tarragon and buttered toast nuances. Deep but energetic on the palate, offering intense, mineral-accented citrus and orchard fruit flavors braced by a vein of juicy acidity. Shows excellent clarity and solid thrust on a long, smooth finish that echoes the vanilla and mineral notes. One-third new French oak. 

- Josh Raynolds

Vinous • 2019 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard 94 Points • November 2021

Source: Vinous • 2019 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard 94 Points • November 2021

2019 Pinot Noir, Stone Corral Vineyard

Deep, brilliant red. Sharply focused aromas of cherry, black raspberry, potpourri and baking spices are lifted by a smoky mineral flourish. Silky and well-concentrated on the palate, offering sappy red and blue fruit, candied rose and spicecake flavors that show impressive energy and sharp focus. Rich yet lively in style, finishing with strong, spicy cut and fine-grained tannins that sneak in late.

- Josh Raynolds

Vinous • 2020 Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard 91 Points • November 2021

Source: Vinous • 2020 Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard 91 Points • November 2021

2020 Albariño, Spanish Springs Vineyard

Limpid straw. Fresh pear and lime zest qualities on the incisive, mineral- and floral-accented nose. Penetrating and sharply delineated in the mouth, offering vibrant citrus and orchard fruit flavors along with honeysuckle and quinine flourishes. Finishes long and firm, with repeating florality and strong, mineral-driven persistence. This is quite an impressive example of New World Albariño. All stainless steel.

- Josh Raynolds