Showing items 1
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Byington 2004 Cerro Prieto Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles)
- $32
I like this wine for the way it mimics Napa cult Cab, yet carves out a distinct identity. Like Napa, it’s dry, soft and ripely opulent, with rich blackberry, cassis, cherry, cocoa and oak flavors, housed in sweet, finely ground tannins. Yet there’s an earthy, tobacco and sassafras quality that suggests real terroir. Showing its best now.
— S.H.
(9/1/2007)
Byington 1995 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz County)
- $23
From 2,000-foot vineyards comes this ripe, intense Cabernet. Very pure cassis aromas and flavors, and lots of oak. Rich and dense in the mouth, with young, flashy fruit. Ripe and polished, and what a long finish. Soft but fine tannins. Can drink now or age.
— S.H.
(7/1/1999)
Byington 1997 Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- $20
An immature Chard that shows great promise. Here’s tight, nervous fruit, and steely, crisp acidity, wrapped in an oaky package. The pedigree shows in the polish and earthy complexity. Best to age for a year or so.
— S.H.
(7/1/1999)
Byington 2002 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- $22
A very fine Chard with special features that come from the appellation. The fruit is a melange of key lime pie and white peach, drizzled with vanilla and cinnamon, with hints of smoky oak. These mountains always seem to develop a firm, steely acidity that makes the wines ultraclean.
— S.H.
(12/1/2004)
Byington 2004 Quenneville Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- $35
Here’s a dry Chardonnay, notable for its firm structure. Acidity and oak tannins provide the framework for the candied Meyer lemon, mango, floral, mineral and buttered toast flavors. There’s a touch of bitterness in the finish that suggests very modest aging. Drink now through 2008.
— S.H.
(8/1/2007)
Byington 2004 Estate Pinot Noir (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- $35
Opens with pleasant aromas of cherry and raspberry purée, cola, Asian spice, vanilla and toasted marshmallow, then turns opulently fruity and dry in the mouth. It’s not light-bodied, though; shows a weight of tannic density that suggests serious pairings, such as lamb and steak.
— S.H.
(8/1/2007)
Byington 1998 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- $20
Opens with apple, butter, and toasty oak aromas. Adds mild spices and butterscotch in the mouth, which is of medium weight and fairly round in feel. Long tangy finsh. A solid and straight-ahead wine.
— W.E.
(6/1/2000)
Byington 2003 Bates Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains)
- $35
Soft and ripe, this Cab has polished cherry, blackberry and black raspberry flavors, enriched with spicy, toasty oak. Seems to typify a well-grown, well-made California Cabernet that got plenty of heat during the growing season. Drink now.
— S.H.
(9/1/2007)
Showing items 1
through 8 of
17
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2008 Solsticio
A big wine that handles its 15.3% abv. Smells of pastry, earth and soft…
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