92
points
Sunstone 2005 Doce da Alma Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
-
$25
Made from Syrah, this dessert wine’s enormous sweetness makes it really nice to sip. It seduces the palate with peppery honey, chocolate and raspberry truffle flavors finished with cloves and anise. The residual sugar level, undefined by the winery, is huge, and the acidity is balanced, making the wine utterly delicious.
— S.H.
(10/1/2008)
91
points
Sunstone 2005 Estate Bottled Reserve Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
-
$58
Stash this in the cellar for a while, because even though it’s well over three years old, it’s still a big, immature wine. Dry and tannic, it explodes with jammy blackberries, cherries, chocolate, cola, licorice, orange zest and pepper flavors, wrapped into sweet, smoky oak. The parts should begin to come together by the end of 2009.
— S.H.
(7/1/2009)
90
points
Sunstone 1999 Syrah (Santa Ynez Valley)
-
$40
A lovely, elegant wine, with good balance and rich fruit. It’s dry, with a soft, velvety mouthfeel and easy tannins. Not too fruity, with blackberry, peppery flavors and earthier, herbal notes. It has quality written all over it, and is a good example of Syrah from warmer Santa Barbara vineyards.
— S.H.
(12/1/2002)
88
points
Sunstone 2005 Founder's Reserve Red (California)
-
$93
The Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Howell Mountain. The Sangiovese is from Sonoma Valley, and the Cab Franc comes from Santa Ynez Valley. The resulting blend is rewarding. Although it’s a light-bodied wine, the power of the cherry, raspberry, chocolate, anise, vanilla, clove and pepper flavors is considerable.
— S.H.
(10/1/2008)
88
points
Sunstone 2005 Syrah Rosé (Santa Ynez Valley)
-
$26
Despite the pale color and delicate texture, this is a rich, full-bodied rosé, with plenty of flavor. Cherries, raspberries, rosehip tea, cinnamon, white pepper and vanilla mingle to a satisfying, dry finish.
— S.H.
(11/1/2006)