Sanctuary
Showing 1 thru -9 of 12
Sanctuary 2007 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $33
A terrific Pinot from a winery that’s building up a great track record with this bottling from Santa Maria’s most famous vineyard. It’s their best yet, with near-perfect acid-tannin balance, and gorgeous, opulent flavors. Tremendously rich in raspberry and cherry pie, with dusty Indian spices, Provençal herbs and a lovely coat of sweet, smoky oak. So easy to like…
— S.H.
(11/1/2010)
Sanctuary 2006 Mariah Vineyard Zinfandel (Mendocino Ridge)
- Cellar Selection
- $25
This is a Zin for the cellar. It’s fine now in rich fruit, but fairly tannic, and there’s some tension of parts that 3–4 years should resolve. Shows very pure, focused black currant and cedar flavors, liberally dusted with peppery spices. The challenge with these big Zins is balance, which Sanctuary’s ’06 achieves.
— S.H.
(6/1/2010)
Sanctuary 2008 Usibelli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)
- Editors' Choice
- $30
A beautiful Cabernet, at a price that makes it a bargain. It’s drinking really well now, with soft, dusty tannins and a rich edge of milk chocolate to the black cherry and cedar flavors. Feels vital and delicious and alive.
— S.H.
(6/1/2011)
Sanctuary 2004 Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- Cellar Selection
- $45
This full-bodied Pinot has classic Santa Maria character. It’s fairly tannic, but very dry, with blue and black fruit and berry flavors veering into leather, overtones of violets, and masses of crushed spices, not to mention smoky oak. Few California Pinots are ageable, but this seems like a slam dunk. Best 2008 through 2012.
— S.H.
(11/1/2006)
Sanctuary 2005 Usibelli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford)
- $33
Complex and rich, with a wealth of black currant, blackberry and cedar flavors wrapped into softly firm tannins. There’s an herbal quality that makes the wine suited to stews and casseroles. Drink now through 2011.
— S.H.
(5/1/2009)
Sanctuary 2004 Usibelli Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)
- $32
The aim here seems to have been to produce something drier and earthier than the usual Napa Cab, and in this, this Brown-Forman-owned winery has succeeded. It shows the tannic structure of Rutherford, where the vineyard is, and the cherry and herb flavors of that area. But the wine has an elegance and balance that make it particularly useful at the table. Very nice…
— S.H.
(6/1/2008)
Sanctuary 2005 Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- $36
Dense and closed, this wine needs some cellaring to let it develop. It seems to have everything a young Pinot needs: balanced acids and tannins, a silky texture, dryness, and a hearty core of blackberry and cherry fruit. Let it be through 2007, then open for another five or six years.
— S.H.
(7/1/2007)
Sanctuary 2006 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- $34
Obviously well-grown and well-made, this Pinot is totally dry and balanced, with a wealth of currant, plum, pomegranate and cola flavors spiced with powerful cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper. It has a tannic toughness that suggests future possibilities. Best from late 2009 through 2012.
— S.H.
(5/1/2009)
Showing 1 thru -9 of 12
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