Californian wines
RED WINES
MerSoleil - Pinot Noir 2016 Reserve Santa Lucia Highlands
California
The nose is fruity, finely powerful and offers a very slight concentration. It reveals notes of black cherry, cassis and small notes of wild strawberry, blueberry associated with discreet hints of liquorice, gray pepper, flowers, sweet spices as well as a discreet hint of cardamom. The palate is fruity, juicy, well-balanced and offers a beautiful acidulous frame, a slight suavity, a fine silkiness as well as a good finesse of the grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, cassis and small notes of plum associated with fine hints of liquorice, tea as well as a very discreet iodine hint and an imperceptible touch of cocoa / dark chocolate. Tannins are well integrated.
Score : 15.75+/20 (91-92/100)
R Collection by Raymond Lot N°5 Field Blend 2016
California
The nose is fruity and offers a small freshness, a very slight complexity as well as a fine crunchiness. It reveals notes of cassis, juicy Boysenberry and slight hints of wild strawberry combined with discreet hints of flowers and spices. The palate is fruity, juicy, well-balanced and offers finesse, a slight minerality, a very slight austerity, a small delicacy, power (but full of balance), suavity, a good freshness as well as a good definition. On the palate this wine expresses notes of cassis, black cherry and small notes of liquorice stick associated with small touches of blueberry, juicy raspberry as well as slight woody hints, caramelization, cocoa and very discreet hints of tobacco. Tannins are fine and well-built. Good length. Gourmandise and beautiful suavity on the finish.
Score : 16/20 (92/100)
Raymond - Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Family Classic
North Coast
The nose is fruity, aromatic and offers a slight concentration, a slight freshness, a slight juiciness as well a very slight power (in the background). It reveals notes of cassis, black cherry, blackberry and juicy black berries combined with hints of wild raspberry, ripe/crushed redcurrants as well as slight hints of liquorice, violet and a very discreet hint of Sichuan pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, gourmande, very slightly tight, well-built and offers a slight acid frame, a small juiciness, a very slight tension, suavity, a very slight depthness, a slight power as well as a very slight creaminess. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, crushed cassis / crème de cassis and fleshy / crushed strawberry associated with small touches of black berries, liquorice, tobacco as well as an imperceptible touch of grove. There are very discreet hints of coffee and chocolate on the persistence. Good length.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Raymond - Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Sommelier Selection
North Coast
The nose offers concentration as well as a small power. It reveals notes of crushed cassis, sour cherry and small notes of crushed redcurrants associated with small touches of blue berries, violet and liquorice. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers juiciness, a good definition, a slight suavity, depthness, a very slight unctuosity as well as fleshy fruit. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy cassis, sour cherry and small notes of blackberry, small fleshy wild berries associated with slight touches of liquorice / Zan, slight toasted touches, chocolate, tobacco as well as a very discreet almond hint (on the finish). Tannins are fine and very slightly firm. Good length.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Tolosa - 1772 Pinot Noir 2016 Pacific Wind - Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is fruity, well-structured and offers a small concentration. It reveals notes of black cherry, cassis and small wild berries associated with small
touches of prunes, iris, lilacs as well as discreet hints of spices. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers a beautiful definition, a fine acidulous frame, a small minerality, a beautiful finesse, a beautiful precision, a beautiful power, a good structure, a beautiful texture as well as a beautiful, round / suave and slightly unctuous matter. On the palate this wine expresses notes of plum, black cherry and small notes of cassis associated with small touches of very ripe red berries, Zan, tobacco as well as very discreet toasted hint, flowers and a very discreet / imperceptible hint of local vegetation (in the background). Tannins are fine and well-built. Good length.
Score : 16.25/20 (92-93/100)
Tolosa - 1772 Pinot Noir 2016 Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is powerful, elegant and offers a beautiful richness, a small structure as well as finesse. It reveals notes of black cherry, blackberry and small notes of plum associated with small touches of Zan, tobacco as well as discreet hints of dried blueberry, a very discreet hint of Sichuan and flowers / violet. The palate is fruity, silky and offers a small freshness, a beautiful suavity, a beautiful fat, a racy minerality, a good structure as well as a good definition. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, crushed plum and small notes of crushed blackberry associated with small touches of Zan, liquorice, violet as well as discreet hints of racy minerality. Tannins are fine and elegant. Good length. The fruit is riper than on the Pacific Wind cuvée.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)
Tolosa - 1772 Pinot Noir 2016 Stone Lion - Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is fruity, beautifully aromatic, elegant and offers a beautiful finesse. It reveals notes of blackberry, plum and small notes of violet associated with small touches of liquorice, slight hints of Zan as well as discreet hints of caramelization, chocolate, wild strawberry and a very discreet hint of Cuben pepper. The palate is fruity, elegant and offers a beautiful delicacy, a slight freshness, a beautiful suavity, a beautiful definition, a melodious side, a beautiful matter (silky and slightly unctuous), a beautiful density, a beautiful juiciness / fleshiness of the fruit as well as richness (but precisely controlled). On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, plum and small notes of ripe blueberry associated with small touches of red berries as well as very slight toasted hints, chocolate, tobacco / Zan and very discreet / imperceptible hints of fresh flowers. Tannins are fine, elegant and well-built. Good length.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Tolosa - Pinot Noir 2016- Hollister - Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is fruity, elegant, well-balanced, racy and offers a beautiful definition. It reveals notes of black cherry, fleshy plum, small notes of wild blackberry and small touches of liquorice, crushed red cherry combined with discreet hints of crushed red berries, liquorice, tobacco as well as very discreet hints of minerality and cassis bud. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, silky and offers a beautiful definition, a small freshness, a beautiful precision, a beautiful structure, finesse, a beautiful suavity, a beautiful texture, a very slight unctuosity as well as depthness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, crushed cassis and small notes of fleshy black plum associated with small touches of red berries, red cherry as well as discreet hints of Zan, caramelization, a very discreet hint of leather and an imperceptible hint of cassis bud. Good length.
Score : 18/20 (96/100)
Tolosa - Pinot Noir 2016 - Solomon Hills Vineyard
Santa Maria Valley
The nose is aromatic, fresh, beautifully elegant and mineral. It reveals notes of blackberry, violet and small notes of plum associated with touches of iris, lilac as well as discreet hints of blue berries, strawberry, discreet toasted hints and caramelization. The palate is fruity, silky, well-balanced and offers a beautiful juiciness, a beautiful definition, a beautiful freshness, a small
depthness as well as a beautiful finesse of the grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of black cherry, crushed cassis and small notes of plum associated with small touches of dried blueberry, wild strawberry, liquorice, Zan as well as discreet hints of tobacco and chocolate. Tannins are fine, elegant and very discreetly firm. There is an imperceptible touch of cocoa / espresso on the aftertaste.
Score : 18.25/20 (96-97/100)
Tolosa - Pinot Noir 2016, Apex Vineyard
Santa Lucia Highlands
The nose is fresh, mineral, aromatic and offers a slight concentration. It reveals notes of crushed cassis, blackberry and small notes of dried wild red berries associated with discreet hints of rose, flowers as well as slight toasted hints, liquorice and vanilla. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful unctuosity, minerality, tension, a small straightness, a beautiful volume, a beautiful definition as well as a good freshness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crushed blackberry, plum and small notes of black cherry, crushed red berries associated with touches of chocolate, caramelization, Zan as well as hints of vanilla. Good length.
Score : 17/20 (94/100)
Tolosa - Primera 2016 - Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is aromatic, structured, elegant, well-built and offers concentration. It reveals notes of cassis and black plum associated with small notes of wild berries, blueberries, fleshy wild strawberry as well as subtle touches of Sichuan pepper, almond and caramelization. The palate is fruity, wellbalanced and offers a beautiful definition, a slight minerality frame, a slight acidity, a beautiful matter, a beautiful roundness, unctuosity as well as a small tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy plum and small notes of crushed raspberry, crushed black cherry associated with touches of liquorice, chocolate, caramelization, vanilla as well as disreet hints of tobacco and an imperceptible hint of flowers. Good length. There are hints of chocolate / vanilla on the persistence.
Score : 17.75/20 (95-96/100)
ROSÉ WINES
Azur 2017
Dry California Rosé Wine
California
The nose is fruity and offers a slight fat. It reveals notes of cherry and ripe raspberry associated with small notes of acidulous redcurrant candy as well as touches of quenette and vine peach. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, beautifully fresh, elegant and offers a beautiful suavity / fat / roundness, a good definition, gourmandise, minerality as well as a small tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of quenette, ripe raspberry, ripe/fresh cherry and small touches of acidulous redcurrant candy associated with slight hints of apple / pear, lemon zest as well as discreet hints of rose. Good length.
Score : 16+/20 (92-93/100)
VGS Château Potelle - Riviéra 2017
Sonoma Coast The nose is fruity and offers a beautiful freshness. It reveals notes of fresh redcurrants, fresh raspberry and small touches of citrus / quince associated with discreet hints of quenette / passion fruits. The palate is fruity, wellbalanced, precise, ”clean”, elegant and offers a beautiful freshness, a good definition, tension, a slight suavity, a good structure, gourmandise as well as a very slight straightness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe / fresh redcurrants, ripe / fresh cherry and small notes of raspberry associated with touches of exotic fruits, juicy / fresh citrus (mandarin ...) as well as discreet hints of almond (in the background). Tannins are fine, elegant and slightly chewy. Good length and good persistence. The finish is quite gourmande.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
WHITE WINES
MerSoleil - Chardonnay Reserve 2016 Santa Lucia Highlands
California
The nose is fruity and offers concentration, a small freshness as well as a very fine fleshiness. It reveals notes of lemon paste, tangerine and small notes of flat peach associated with discreet hints of minerality and lemon flowers. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, a slight mineral frame as well as a slight unctuosity. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of quince, ripe lemon and small notes of peach combined with slight hints of mirabelle plum, flowers as well as a discreet hint of zest, apple and very discreet hints of minerality and an imperceptible toasted touch on the finish.
Score : 15.25 / 20 (90/100)
MerSoleil - Silver - Chardonnay Reserve 2016, Unoaked - Montery Co.
California
The nose is fresh and offers minerality, a slight crystalline side as well as a slight concentration. It reveals notes of apple and small notes of flat peach associated with touches of minerality, fresh mirabelle plum as well discreet hints of zest. The palate is fruity, juicy, well-balanced and offers a good definition, a fine mineral frame, a slight freshness, a slight acid frame, a very slight unctuosity, roundness, a small gourmandise as well as a very discreet tension. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fresh lemon, ripe apple and small notes of ripe / crunchy peach associated with slight touches of zest, quince, fleshy/ juicy mirabelle plum and almost saline minerality. Good length. Fine appetence on the finish. There is an imperceptible salinity hint (in the background) on persistence.
Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)
Raymond Winery - Chardonnay 2015
California
The nose is fresh, fruity and offers a very slight intensity / concentration. It reveals notes of fresh small white fruits and quince associated with subtle hints of mirabelle plum, fresh zests as well as discreet hints of flowers (in the background). The palate is fruity, well-balanced, very slightly tight and offers a good definition, a slight acid frame, a small minerality, a slight richness, a slight creaminess, a good finesse of the grain as well as a small freshness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe lemon, quince and small notes of fleshy / juicy nectarine associated with slight touches of kumquat, slight hints of juicy white grapes, pear and discreet hints of vanilla on the finish / persistence.
Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)
Pine Ridge - Chenin Blanc +Viognier 2016
California
The nose is fruity and a bit closed. It reveals notes of quince, apple and finetouches of mirabelle associated with slight / discreet hints of papaya and flowers. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers suavity, roundness, a slight unctuosity, freshness, an acidulous frame, a good definition as well as a fine gourmandise. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crunchy brugnon, litchi and small notes of mirabelle plum associated with small touches of white fruits, citrus as well as discreet hints of flowers. Good length.
Score : 14.75+/20 (89/100)
R Collection - Sauvignon blanc 2016
California
The nose is fruity and offers a slight freshness. It reveals notes of lemon zest, apple and small notes of fresh / crunchy nectarine associated with slight touches of fresh apricot as well as discreet hints of exotic fruits. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, a slight acidulous frame, suavity as well as a small fat. On the palate this wine expresses notes of ripe citrus (lemon, kumquat) associated with small touches of nectarine, fleshy / juicy vine peach, mirabelle plum as well as slight hints of ripe small white fruits. Good length and good persistence.
Score : 14.5+/20 (88/100)
R Collection by Raymond Lot N°5 Merlot 2016
California
The nose is structured and offers a slight concentration. It reveals notes of cassis, cherry and small notes of berries associated with small touches of liquorice, Zan as well as discreet hints of cassis bud and spices. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, suave and offers a slight acidulous frame, a small fat as well as fluidity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of acidulous cherry candy, cassis and small notes of blackberry associated with small touches of juicy plum as well as discreet hints of crunchy raspberry, spices and a very discreet touch of cassis bud. Tannins are fine. Good length.
Score : 15/20 (89-90/100)
Tolosa - Chardonnay Poletti 2016 Single Vineyard - Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is fresh and offers a beautiful minerality, elegance as well as a very beautiful grain. It reveals notes of quince, mirabelle plum, butter and small notes of oak combined with small hints of crushed white fruits, beeswax, tea / flowers as well as discreet hints of fresh citrus fruits (in the background). The palate is well-balanced, precise, gourmande, elegant, racy and offers a beautiful juiciness, a beautiful freshness, an acidulous frame, a beautiful racy minerality, a beautiful matter, delicacy as well as a beautiful finesse of the grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crushed Brugnon, crushed quenette and small notes of quince, butter associated with small hints of crushed pear. A very beautiful, gourmand, elegant and well-built wine. Good length.
Score : 18.5/20 (97/100)
Tolosa - 1772 - Chardonnay 2016 Pacific Wind - Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is fresh, fruity and offers elegance as well as a small crunchiness. It reveals notes of crunchy brugnon, juicy citrus and small notes of vine peach associated with discreet hints of flowers and zests. The mouth is fresh, fruity, juicy, well-balanced and offers a small freshness, a good definition, a beautiful suavity, a beautiful precision, unctuosity, a beautiful fat (bâtonnage) as well as a beautiful roundness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of quince, fleshy / crunchy mirabelle plum and small notes notes of vine peach associated with small touches of juicy mandarin as well as a very discreet hint of juicy pineapple, butter, beeswax, yellow flowers and toasted touches. Good length.
Score : 17/20 (94/100)
Tolosa - 1772 - Chardonnay 2016 - Edna Ranch
Edna Valley
The nose is aromatic and offers power, elegance as well as a slight concentration. It reveals notes of quince, kumquat and small notes of litchi, quenette associated with slight hints of flowers as well as discreet hints of almond and an imperceptible toasted touch. The palate is mineral, beautifully balanced, racy, round, unctuous and offers a beautiful freshness, a beautiful definition, a beautiful finesse of the grain, juiciness, an acidulous frame, a beautiful suavity / fat as well as a good matter and a beautiful texture. On the palate this wine expresses notes of crushed nectarine, quince and small notes of quenette associated with small touches of citrus, beeswax as well as slight hints of crushed kumquat and discreet hints of apricot (in the background). Good length.