Vertical in the Heights: Lokoya's Spring Mountain Cabernets
Winemaker Chris Carpenter shares 4 vintages of Lokoya's Spring Mountain bottling, back to 2007
The 2013 hasn’t moved much in comparison, as it too is still youthfully locked in by its coiled energy and iron spine. But the fruit is taking on a succulent edge as it ever so slightly starts to work its way to the fore.

Vertical in the Heights: Lokoya's Spring Mountain Cabernets
Winemaker Chris Carpenter shares 4 vintages of Lokoya's Spring Mountain bottling, back to 2007
The 2018 Lokoya Cabernet Sauvignon Spring Mountain District shows the wine in its youthful stage, brimming with spice box and floral aromas and a core of mulberry, red currant and red plum fruit flavors allied to sleek and very lengthy structure. Bramble, violet and sweet bay notes check in as well, and despite how densely packed it is, it provides a mouthwatering edge on the finish.

Earthy cherries, dark plums and a swath of forest floor and licorice combine to take this sweet Pinot to the next level.

Less-expressive fruit on the nose with more earth and savory components. Dark fruit flavors; black cherry and dark, ripe plum mingle with a dusty coffee bean and espresso note. At this price, buy a half dozen and open them up over the next few years; it's a wine that will reward a little patience.

So friendly in its initial red fruit flavors that embrace your palate. Cherry, cigar wrapper and vanilla bean on the nose give way to strawberry and cherry flavors. There's a minerality on the finish that is sneaky good. The quality of the wine at this price is very hard to beat.

All the slippery pleasures that make pinot so special, specifically ones from the Sta. Rita Hills; subtle red fruit flavors, loamy earth and a mysterious spice note.

Pinot's mysterious spice note qualities take center stage in the Siduri Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. Fresh ground nutmeg, Chinese Five Spice and cracked pepper are a spice melange that props up the pomegranate, cranberry and black plum flavors.

The Siduri Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2020 was a dark pinot with an impressive personality. There were dried violets and cinnamon stick on the nose, black cherry and plum fruit flavors with an underlying savory note that includes bacon fat, mushroom and wet leaves.

Tasted over a two-day period, the Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2020 developed into a stellar wine. There were cherry and eucalyptus notes on the nose. Wet earth, cherry, tea and cigar-wrapper flavors emerged on what was a dark and mysterious pinot. It wasn't brawny though; it was still medium in weight, which furthered its charm.

Showing some green, but otherwise totally on-point for a full-figured SBC.

Big time cherry, big time tastiness.

Slightly burly, heavy with cola notes, moving into chocolate territory later in the game. Cherry pits give this a light almond touch, though the wine turns a touch green at times, becoming almost piney on the back end, albeit a touch doughy as the wine finishes.

Earthier than either of the above, but heavy with black cherry notes that temper some of the savory elements. Touches of cloves and green olive spice things up, adding complexity while leaving room for brighter notes of cherry and raspberry to emerge in time. My favorite of the bunch.

Soft and fruit-forward, this wine is gripped with notes of licorice and tea leaf, with a slightly bitter cherry note blanketing the experience. A moderated and slightly thin body props up a pinch of gingerbread, punctuated with just a touch of gritty pepper.

Happy Pinot Noir Day!!
The cool climate Santa Barbara Pinot Noir, using fruit primarily grown in the prestigious Sta. Rita Hills shows loads of black fig, plum, and blackberry with toasted brown spice and woody herb.

Happy Pinot Noir Day!!
The Siduri Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, from fruit grown primarily in the Yamhill-Carlton region of Willamette, shows more red fruits, like wild berry and cherry, with earthy dried leaves and mushrooms. Both are delicious, but each showcases the regional characteristics that make winemaking so exciting.

Siduri Wine Equals Pinot For All
The final wine I tried was from Santa Barbara. It threw me for a loop as it was the most full-bodied and most savory with graphite, pepper, herbs, earth, and blue and black fruits. After finally tracking down the tech sheet, I saw that there was some whole cluster fermentation (which adds earthiness and structure) which at least helped me to realize I wasn’t completely crazy.

Siduri Wine Equals Pinot For All
By far the lightest-bodied of the four wines I tried was the Willamette Valley Pinot. It also seemed softer on the palate (which was a bit of a surprise for me). It had brighter, fresher red fruits compared to the dark fruit of the others.

Siduri Wine Equals Pinot For All
The Russian River wine had some dark fruit as well, but also had cranberry, more red cherry, mushroom, and herbs. It also had a touch more body.

Siduri Wine Equals Pinot For All
The Anderson Valley wine (which I incorrectly guessed to be the Santa Barbara wine) was my personal fave. At least on this day! I loved the combo of fruit and savory characteristics. Black plum, black cherry, baking spice, and forest floor.

2020 Siduri Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County, California — slightly darker ruby, but still translucent with aromas of blackberries, dark cherries and earth. Flavors lead with blackberries and dark cherries with earthy notes in the background and lively acidity. Tannins are a bit firmer, but still fine and slightly drying. The body is medium.
The flavor profile, texture and weight of this Pinot is a bit more substantial than either the Willamette Valley or the Anderson Valley, which is the most delicate of the three.

2020 Siduri Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California — translucent ruby with subtle fruity aromas of raspberries, blackberries and hints of cedar. Flavors are predominantly fruit with raspberries, red cherries and blackberries. Earthy flavors in the background add interest. Lively acidity and fine tannins are present in a barely medium body.
Although aromas are subtle, the flavor profile is full of mixed red fruit flavors with nice acidity and structure. This is an elegant Pinot Noir.

2020 Siduri Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon — translucent ruby with generous aromas of blackberries, berry bramble, mushrooms and earth. Aromas lead with blackberries, raspberries earth and mushrooms with hints of smokiness in the background. The flavors are supported by lively acidity and very smooth tannins in a barely-medium body.
The aromas announce this wine as Pinot Noir and the flavors are a delicious blend of fruit and earthy berry bramble that I love in Pinot Noir. An excellent wine at this price.

My 7 Favorite Wineries In California To Sip Chardonnay
To no one’s surprise, my favorite wine here was the 2018 Estate Chardonnay, but cab lovers will be equally as happy.

We enjoyed the pure fruit character of this wine from the Yamill-Carlton AVA. It’s so different from most California chardonnays with its mineral, honeysuckle, citrus and some tropical fruit notes. Rich on the palate, the oak is restrained.