This tasting was the 
most geographically restricted thus far - we tasted wines solely from the small AVAs of Santa Barbara County. Only 100 miles north of Los Angeles, this region has come of age in the last decade producing extraordinary Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Rhone Varietals. What became increasingly clear throughout the tasting is that region and vineyard are paramount in determining the style of the wine. Because the area has so many diverse micro-climates, the range is quite diverse. Finally most of the wines we tasted were all sourced from local Austin establishments including Austin Wine Merchant, Central Market and Specs. A few were sourced from the wineries themselves (Foxen and Melville).
Renard Rousanne 2005, Santa Ynez Valley, Westerly Vineyard
The nose is quite floral - apricot, honey and almonds - however, the delicate aromas belie the strength of the wine. This is actually a bit heavier than expected both in taste and mouth feel. There is a definite minerality to the wine, as well as a hint of melon and almond. I expected much more out of the wine, and was disappointed. This was the least favorite white wine of the group. ~$23
Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2008, Santa Maria Valley
This was the favorite white of the evening. A lovely, lemon tinged nose gives way to a light, mineral driven wine. While there is a touch of the characteristic buttery - perhaps brioche - flavors of Chardonnay, this is not overly oaked and is well balanced. A not overly complicated wine, I would recommend this for a light dinner or as a refreshing summer aperitif. ~ $22
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay 2007, Santa Rita Hills
This is a very complex wine. The nose hints at lemon, lime, and mineral earthiness. This wine has much more pronounced oaky tannins that manifest themselves in a light butteryness. The flavor profile begins with lemon, sage, and finishes with nuanced slate/flint tastes. There is a lot going on here. This richer wine would go well with a heartier dinner selection. ~ $45
Cambria Pinot Noir 2006, Santa Maria Valley, Julia’s Vineyard
Heralding from the northernmost AVA in Santa Barbara County, this is a well-constructed and elegant wine. The nose has lots of cherry and violets with an earthy edge. The palate continues with the red fruit and adds in a toasty component. This wine has nice mouth feel. Not overly complicated, this is a good every day wine. ~ $18
Melville “Terraces” Pinot Noir 2006, Santa Rita Hills, Melville Vineyard
This was my favorite wine of the evening. The wine has a lovely clarity set against a complex flavor structure. The nose has tons of cherry and floral elements. The palate has raspberry and red currants, followed by an earthy finish with hints of pepper. The wine keeps evolving after you taste it. Lovely! This is representative of the Santa Rita Hills in that it is a well-crafted, complex wine that emulates the French style of Pinot Noirs. ~ $50
Ampelos Syrache 2006, Santa Barbara County
This is an intriguing blend of Syrah and Grenache, two Rhone varietals. This is from the warmer climes of Santa Barbara County. The wine is full of bright cassis tones and hints of cherry. The taste profile is more structured, with touches of pepper and earth as well as light oak support. A nice everyday wine. ~ $24
Qupé Syrah 2008, Santa Barbara County
Unfortunately, this wine was oaked! ~ $20
Foxen Syrah 2007, Santa Ynez Valley, Williamson Doré Vineyard
A last minute add in - this is a very rich wine. The color is deep purple, red and it is quite opaque. The nose is a riot of black cassis and vanilla. The palate continues the explosion of black fruit but gets subtle nuances from pepper, cedar and other spices. This is quite an intense wine that would be suitable for a heavier meal, like roast lamb. ~ $44
most geographically restricted thus far - we tasted wines solely from the small AVAs of Santa Barbara County. Only 100 miles north of Los Angeles, this region has come of age in the last decade producing extraordinary Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Rhone Varietals. What became increasingly clear throughout the tasting is that region and vineyard are paramount in determining the style of the wine. Because the area has so many diverse micro-climates, the range is quite diverse. Finally most of the wines we tasted were all sourced from local Austin establishments including Austin Wine Merchant, Central Market and Specs. A few were sourced from the wineries themselves (Foxen and Melville).Renard Rousanne 2005, Santa Ynez Valley, Westerly Vineyard
The nose is quite floral - apricot, honey and almonds - however, the delicate aromas belie the strength of the wine. This is actually a bit heavier than expected both in taste and mouth feel. There is a definite minerality to the wine, as well as a hint of melon and almond. I expected much more out of the wine, and was disappointed. This was the least favorite white wine of the group. ~$23
Au Bon Climat Chardonnay 2008, Santa Maria Valley
This was the favorite white of the evening. A lovely, lemon tinged nose gives way to a light, mineral driven wine. While there is a touch of the characteristic buttery - perhaps brioche - flavors of Chardonnay, this is not overly oaked and is well balanced. A not overly complicated wine, I would recommend this for a light dinner or as a refreshing summer aperitif. ~ $22
Brewer-Clifton Chardonnay 2007, Santa Rita Hills
This is a very complex wine. The nose hints at lemon, lime, and mineral earthiness. This wine has much more pronounced oaky tannins that manifest themselves in a light butteryness. The flavor profile begins with lemon, sage, and finishes with nuanced slate/flint tastes. There is a lot going on here. This richer wine would go well with a heartier dinner selection. ~ $45
Cambria Pinot Noir 2006, Santa Maria Valley, Julia’s Vineyard
Heralding from the northernmost AVA in Santa Barbara County, this is a well-constructed and elegant wine. The nose has lots of cherry and violets with an earthy edge. The palate continues with the red fruit and adds in a toasty component. This wine has nice mouth feel. Not overly complicated, this is a good every day wine. ~ $18
Melville “Terraces” Pinot Noir 2006, Santa Rita Hills, Melville Vineyard
This was my favorite wine of the evening. The wine has a lovely clarity set against a complex flavor structure. The nose has tons of cherry and floral elements. The palate has raspberry and red currants, followed by an earthy finish with hints of pepper. The wine keeps evolving after you taste it. Lovely! This is representative of the Santa Rita Hills in that it is a well-crafted, complex wine that emulates the French style of Pinot Noirs. ~ $50
Ampelos Syrache 2006, Santa Barbara County
This is an intriguing blend of Syrah and Grenache, two Rhone varietals. This is from the warmer climes of Santa Barbara County. The wine is full of bright cassis tones and hints of cherry. The taste profile is more structured, with touches of pepper and earth as well as light oak support. A nice everyday wine. ~ $24
Qupé Syrah 2008, Santa Barbara County
Unfortunately, this wine was oaked! ~ $20
Foxen Syrah 2007, Santa Ynez Valley, Williamson Doré Vineyard
A last minute add in - this is a very rich wine. The color is deep purple, red and it is quite opaque. The nose is a riot of black cassis and vanilla. The palate continues the explosion of black fruit but gets subtle nuances from pepper, cedar and other spices. This is quite an intense wine that would be suitable for a heavier meal, like roast lamb. ~ $44
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