Jeb Dunnuck – September 2023
Reviews by Jeb Dunnuck September 2023 2020 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard The 2020 Syrah John Sebastiano Vineyard comes from a site on the eastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills and displays a darker purple/plum hue that’s followed by a gorgeous nose of bright red cherries, blueberries, exotic spring flowers, ground pepper, camphor, and […]
Antonio Galloni VINOUS – September 2023
Reviews by Antonio Galloni of VINOUS September, 2023 The Ojai Vineyard Adam Tolmach is one of the elder statesmen in Santa Barbara, and yet he possesses a child-like enthusiasm that is palpable. Tolmach certainly isn’t resting on his laurels. A few years ago, Tolmach planted his estate vineyard in Ojai with new bio-types developed at […]
Jeb Dunnuck – August 2022
Reviews by Jeb Dunnuck Aug 29th, 2022 2020 Chardonnay Special Bottling – Puerta Del Mar Made in tiny quantities, the 2020 Chardonnay Puerta Del Mar Vineyard Special Bottling is a deeper, richer, more serious Chardonnay that warrants serious attention. Offering classic Chardonnay stone fruits, toasted brioche, and chalky minerality, it hits the palate […]
Antonio Galloni VINOUS – August 2022
Reviews by Antonio Galloni of VINOUS Aug 25th, 2022 The Ojai Vineyard It’s always fascinating to taste with Adam Tolmach and Fabien Castel, as they both have so much insight to offer on Santa Barbra. This year’s tasting was especially significant as it includes the first wines from the Ojai Estate after it was […]
Jeb Dunnuck – August 2021
Jeb Dunnuck on The Ojai Vineyard August 2021 2018 Syrah – Solomon Hills Special bottling The 2018 Syrah Solomon Hills Special bottling is special juice indeed, and it’s up with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Red and black fruits, pepper, smoked game, and flowers all emerge on the nose of this […]
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – October 2020
by Erin Brooks October 2020 2017 Syrah – Duvarita The 2017 Syrah Duvarita Vineyard has an opaque ruby-purple color and singular aromas of boysenberry and Morello cherry fruit with nuances of violet, lilac, licorice and exotic spices. The palate is full-bodied with concentrated, perfectly ripe fruit, grainy and fresh with a very long, very layered […]
Jeb Dunnuck – August 2020
Jeb Dunnuck August 2020 I continue to love the wines from Adam Tolmach and Fabien Castel. These lean firmly toward the fresher, elegant end of the spectrum, yet I always find the wines to have wonderful depth of fruit, terrific balance, and singular characters. 2018 Chardonnay – Solomon Hills My favorite of the trio, […]
Antonio Galloni – VINOUS August 2020
Antonio Galloni August 2020 There are many highlights in this range from Adam Tolmach and Fabien Castel at Ojai. The whites, both from 2019 and 2018 are impressive across the board. I also found much to like in the 2017 Syrahs. Picking on the early side and aging in neutral oak are two of the […]
Jeb Dunnuck – October 2019
Jeb Dunnuck October 2019 2017 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard Special Bottling Brought up in new French oak barrels, the 2017 Pinot Noir Fe Ciega Vineyard Special Bottling takes the straight Fe Ciega Vineyard release and gives it more oomph, depth, and richness. Stunning notes of red and black currants, scorched earth, wood smoke, and some […]
Antonio Galloni – VINOUS September 2019
Antonio Galloni September 2019 This is gorgeous set of wines from Adam Tolmach and Fabien Castel at Ojai. As always, the wines speak to understatement and nuance more than power and are deeply expressive of site. There are many highlights in this range, but the 2017 Chardonnays and 2016 Syrahs are especially of note. I […]