Mixed Cases   Specials
Showing 61–72 of 80 results
“The 2019 Noisette Cuvee is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. A blast of dark red cherry, rose petal, lavender, spice and tobacco lends freshness as well as vibrancy. The Noisette Cuvee is a blend taken from sites in Yountville, Rutherford, Oakville and Diamond Mountain. Drinking window: 2024-2034. 91-93 points”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (01/22)
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“The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Rancho Pequeño Vineyard comes from a site in eastern Oakville. Scents of dark, loamy earth join black cherries on the nose, while the medium-bodied palate is smooth and silky in feel, finishing bright and fresh, with a dusting of just-ripe tannins. Representing a less-ripe, fresher style of Napa Cab, it’s an elegant, balanced effort. Drink: 2024-2040. 92+ points”
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate (04/23)
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“The 2018 Claret, primarily Merlot blended with smaller portions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, is polished and approachable straight from bottle. It has a medium ruby-purple color and pure scents of red and black currants, dried sage and thyme, graphite, tobacco and desiccated roses. Medium-bodied, it’s grainy and fresh with savory fruits and a long, layered finish. This Claret’s slender frame and broody fruits make for a very drinkable style. Drink: 2022-2032. 95 points“
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (03/22)
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“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Happy Canyon Vineyard RSW is dark, sensual and super-expressive. Justin Willett does a terrific job in crafting a Cabernet that is fresh yet deep, while avoiding the assertive vegetal qualities that can at times be overpowering in Happy Canyon Cabernets. Dark cherry, plum, mocha and savory herbs all build effortlessly in the glass. This classy Cabernet hits all the right notes. Deceptive in its mid-weight structure and charm, the 2019 is delicious now, but I would give it a few years in bottle. Drinking window: 2027-2034. 94 points
Justin Willett continues to make big moves. Willett recently purchased the iconic Fiddlestix vineyard and is now setting up a new base of operations at his Mae Estate vineyard. Extreme heat, sunburn and dehydration were challenges in 2020, as they were throughout the region. Willett opted to use more new oak and a higher percentage of stems in the Pinots to balance the richness of the fruit. The wines are mostly strong across the board, but a wide range like this one is bound to reflect the shortcomings of difficult years, and that is evident in one or two of these wines.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (08/22)
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“The 2021 Chardonnay La Rinconada Vineyard is a bright, steely wine. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, citrus peel and vibrant saline notes abound. This taut, steely Chardonnay really sizzles with tension. It is a notable wine in this range. Drinking window: 2024-2033. 94 points
Justin Willett continues to expand his formidable empire. Readers will note a number of new releases in this year’s collection. When I first met Willett, a dozen years ago, Tyler was a new winery working exclusively with purchased fruit. Today, Tyler owns two estate vineyards, the new Mae Estate and the historic Fiddlestix, both in the Sta. Rita Hills, and produces a far wider range of wines. That is a dramatic transformation in a very short period of time. In general, the Chardonnays see 10 months in barrel followed by 6-8 months in tank. The Pinots spend 18 months in barrel, 33-100% new depending on the wine, with minimal to no racking during that time. There are a ton of highlights here, but I was especially impressed with the Mae and Rinconada Chardonnays and the Fiddlestix and Rinconada Pinots. Although Willett built his reputation on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, in recent years, he has shown just as much talent with Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (09/23)
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“The 2022 Pinot Noir La Rinconada Vineyard is the brightest, most red-fruited of the Pinot Noirs, leading with a stony, lifted and fragrant nose of dried herbs, pomegranate and orange peels. The palate is silky and spry, with a deft plushness filling in the mid-palate, finishing with a dramatically sturdy, tense finish. Due to the compressed harvest, I find it a bit brighter than usual and without its typical low-end richness, but it is a beautiful expression nonetheless. Drink: 2024-2030. 93 points
Justin Willett is unquestionably one of Santa Barbara County’s most talented and versatile vignerons, presenting a range of wines that grows more impressive—and often more extensive—with each vintage. In addition to establishing his own 28-acre Mae Estate vineyard in 2015, he took ownership of the renowned 100-acre Fiddlestix in 2021, adding a historic site with a now-renewed trajectory to his list of achievements. The Tyler portfolio has grown to cover a remarkable amount of ground that requires diverse technical knowledge: crystal-clear sparkling wines that strongly evoke those of Champagne, an array of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines that conjure notions of Burgundy while remaining true to their origins, and an estate Syrah that is an aromatic dead ringer for its lofty Northern Rhône influences. Additionally, the newly established Ad Ripa label provides a home for Willett’s Cabernet Sauvignon program, reviewed separately in this report under that heading.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (10/24)
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“The 2021 Chardonnay Mae Estate Vineyard is bright, aromatic and nicely focused. Citrus peel, mint, white flowers, crushed rocks and dried herbs are all nicely delineated in this focused, vibrant Chardonnay. The airy, gracious finish is striking. This is a wine I would like to spend more time with. Drinking window: 2024-2033. 93 points
Justin Willett continues to expand his formidable empire. Readers will note a number of new releases in this year’s collection. When I first met Willett, a dozen years ago, Tyler was a new winery working exclusively with purchased fruit. Today, Tyler owns two estate vineyards, the new Mae Estate and the historic Fiddlestix, both in the Sta. Rita Hills, and produces a far wider range of wines. That is a dramatic transformation in a very short period of time. In general, the Chardonnays see 10 months in barrel followed by 6-8 months in tank. The Pinots spend 18 months in barrel, 33-100% new depending on the wine, with minimal to no racking during that time. There are a ton of highlights here, but I was especially impressed with the Mae and Rinconada Chardonnays and the Fiddlestix and Rinconada Pinots. Although Willett built his reputation on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, in recent years, he has shown just as much talent with Cabernet Sauvignon.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (09/23)
In Stock
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Mae Estate is scented of briary fruit and nuances of black tea leaves, lavender, sage, bitter orange and Angostura bitters. The medium-bodied palate has a concentrated core of fragrant, layered fruit, finely chalky tannins and energetic acidity. It has a long, perfumed finish with spicy details and will benefit from a few years in bottle. Drink: 2025-2040. 95 points”
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (12/23)
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“The 2021 Chardonnay Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is expressive and dynamic. The nose opens with saline and rocky tones but gains intensity and expression over time, revealing red apple, Meyer lemon, citrus blossom, beeswax and mushroom. The palate is concentrated yet weightless, its detailed, spicy fruit driven by shimmery acidity, and it has a long, latent finish. It will benefit from 3-5 years to unwind, and it will be long lived in the cellar. Drink: 2025-2040. 94+ points”
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (12/23)
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“The 2020 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is a very pretty, aromatic wine from the old-vine section of this site, first planted in 1971. Lifted and ethereal, the 2020 is wonderfully nuanced from start to finish. As always, this is an especially aromatic Pinot and yet the stems (67%) aren‘t especially evident. Gorgeous. Drinking window: 2022-2032. 95 points
Justin Willett continues to make big moves. Willett recently purchased the iconic Fiddlestix vineyard and is now setting up a new base of operations at his Mae Estate vineyard. Extreme heat, sunburn and dehydration were challenges in 2020, as they were throughout the region. Willett opted to use more new oak and a higher percentage of stems in the Pinots to balance the richness of the fruit. The wines are mostly strong across the board, but a wide range like this one is bound to reflect the shortcomings of difficult years, and that is evident in one or two of these wines.”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (08/22)
In Stock
“From 40-year-old self-rooted vines that are organically farmed, the 2021 Pinot Noir Carter Vineyard is a ripe ruby hue and offers notes of grenadine, candied roses, and cinnamon. Its tannins are ripe and fine, and it fills the palate with ripe red fruit, apricot, and notes of crushed stone along with mouthwatering salinity. Drink: 2023-2038. 98 points”
Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com (09/23)
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