Alta Maria
Showing 1 thru -9 of 9
Alta Maria 2008 Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
- $25
A super Chardonnay at a very reasonable price. The grapes come from two vineyards, Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills. The wine is fresh and fragrant, with brisk acidity giving a bracing feel to the citrus, nectarine and pear flavors. There’s a minerality that adds structural integrity to the richness.
— S.H.
(7/1/2010)
Alta Maria 2008 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $25
This is quite a nobly structured Pinot Noir. It’s tempting to describe it as thin, because it trades opulence for dryness and a certain spicy minerality. But that would seriously underestimate its considerable appeal, not to mention the subtle hints of wild cherries and raspberries. The more you sip, the more you like it. At this price, a terrific value.
— S.H.
(9/1/2010)
Alta Maria 2009 Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
- $28
A lovely, sophisticated Pinot Noir, marked by a modest alcohol level and the transparent, silky texture the variety should have. With crisp acidity and fine tannins, it shows dry, complex flavors of berries, cola, pomegranates, sugared herb tea and dusty spices. Should develop over the next six years.
— S.H.
(9/1/2011)
Alta Maria 2009 Alta Maria Vineyards Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $28
No Chardonnay in California is richer or riper than this. It detonates on the palate with an explosion of pineapples, green apples, tangerines, apricots, honey, butterscotch and dusty cinnamon spices. Acidity is pretty and zesty. Would benefit from greater subtlety, but it sure is opulent.
— S.H.
(9/1/2011)
Alta Maria 2005 Syrah (San Luis Obispo County)
- $49
A little on the soft side, and with some heat from high alcohol. But the ripe, firm tannins and complex flavors are big pluses. Blackberries, dark chocolate, black pepper, tobacco and cedar flood the mouth, leading to a long, spicy finish. Should develop through 2011 or so.
— S.H.
(12/1/2008)
Alta Maria 2006 Uriel J. Nielson Vineyard Grenache (Santa Maria Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $60
A promising Grenache. Shows tremendous cherry flavors wrapped into elegantly smooth tannins, and the finish is dry and spicy. Pretty good, but a little fruit-driven and one-dimensional. The next step is to build in extra layers of complexity and depth.
— S.H.
(12/15/2008)
Alta Maria 2010 Sauvignon Blanc (Santa Ynez Valley)
- $22
A nice clean Sauvignon Blanc, whose brisk acidity gives the lemon-drop and lime flavors a kick. Tastes distinctly sweet in the finish. There’s no oak in this fresh, fruity young wine.
— S.H.
(4/1/2012)
Alta Maria 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley)
- Online Exclusive
- $28
An exorbitantly rich Cabernet, one of the ripest from Santa Ynez Valley in memory. Just huge in blackberry, cherry and chocolate flavors, if a bit direct. Drink soon.
— S.H.
(4/1/2012)
Showing 1 thru -9 of 9
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