Whitcraft

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Whitcraft 2011 Pence Ranch Clone 828 Pinot Noir (Santa Ynez Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $50

A deliciously likeable Pinot Noir, sweet as a raspberry crumble pie, yet with qualities of mushrooms, minerals and something formidable from the earth that give it great complexity. The winemaker, Drake Whitcraft, has kept the alcohol to a relatively low 13.4% by volume, so the wine feels light and airy. Yet it possesses great seriousness. The vineyard is within a… — S.H. (6/1/2013)

points

Whitcraft 2009 Morning Dew Ranch Barrel Select Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

Price $75

This Pinot Noir opens with a soft intensity of raspberry liqueur and cherry tart with a sprinkling of orange peel. Unfined and unfiltered, it’s subdued and structured, an intriguing example of the dual power and finesse behind Morning Dew Ranch, Burt Williams’s vineyard in Philo. — V.B. (6/1/2013)

points

Whitcraft 2011 Pence Ranch Pinot Noir (Santa Ynez Valley)

Price $35

Give this lovely Pinot Noir a few hours in the decanter and serve now with your best lamb and steak entrées. It’s dry, refined in the acid-tannin balance and deliciously complex, with waves of raspberries and cherries, pie crust, baking spices and toasted oak. — S.H. (6/1/2013)

points

Whitcraft 2009 Stolpman Vineyard Grenache (Santa Ynez Valley)

Editors' Choice

Price $26

This dry Grenache is light in body and silky, but shows firm acidity that will work well with grilled beef steak or lamb. The red berry and stone-fruit flavors have interesting nuances of minerals and herbs. A great restaurant wine, and one of the finer examples of Grenache on the market. — S.H. (6/1/2013)

points

Whitcraft 2009 Stolpman Vineyard Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $42

Whitcraft has produced a fine, complex young Syrah from the Stolpman Vineyard, in the emerging Ballard Canyon Region. The wine is tannic, with deep flavors of blackberries, red and black currants, grilled meat, tobacco, wild herbs, black pepper and cedar wood. While it’s a bit hot in alcohol, it seems balanced enough to age, allowing the tannins and other elements… — S.H. (6/1/2013)

points

Whitcraft 2008 Aubaine Vineyards Pinot Noir (San Luis Obispo County)

Cellar Selection

Price $60

One of the last ’08s to be released, this Pinot still tastes as fresh as a daisy. The acidity is mouthwatering, while the raspberry, cherry and currant fruit still shows its primary, just-picked quality. Still, there are subtle signs of aging: a hint of dried fruits, a touch of mushroom and leather. The wine is going through a funny phase now, and should emerge… — S.H. (6/1/2013)

points

Whitcraft 2000 French Camp Vineyard Lagrein (San Luis Obispo County)

Editors' Choice

Price $20

Wins the darkest wine of the decade award. Absolutely black, except for a gleam of purple at the edge. Smells big, deep and oaky, with berry and chocolate scents. In the mouth, similar to Cabernet, with blackberry flavors and rich, thick tannins. Interesting as an alternative-type wine, and an ager. An ancient grape from the north of Italy and Austria — S.H. (8/1/2003)

points

Whitcraft 2009 Morning Dew Ranch Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley)

Price $45

Swirl this wine vigorously to get it to evolve quickly in the glass and be rewarded by pretty blueberry aromas and flavors, an interesting example of a Santa Barbara winery playing with Anderson Valley fruit (Burt Williams’ no less). — V.B. (6/1/2013)

Most Reviewed Designations

Aubaine Vineyards Bien Nacido Vineyard Barrel Select French Camp Vineyard Melville Vineyard Morning Dew Ranch Morning Dew Ranch Barrel Select Pence Ranch Pence Ranch Clone 828 Stolpman Vineyard

Most Reviewed Varietals

Chardonnay Grenache Lagrein Pinot Noir Syrah

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

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