Winemaker Notes
The aromas show a striking floral-mineral nexus, suggesting plumeria and sandstone, while scents of green guava, pomelo and key limes provide what's just an ostensible sweetness (the wine is dry as can be). The entry is vibrant and expansive, then a citrusy raciness drives the mid-palate before the wine fans out with flavors of ginger, soursop and oceanic salinity.
It's utterly refreshing during the summer heat, and likewise along a rich wintry meal.
Professional Ratings
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Connoisseurs' Guide
A lovely testament to the fact that fine Riesling can be both fruity and fully dry, the latest from the Ojai Vineyard is a vibrant, intensely aromatic rendition that is rife with citrusy fruit that suggests sweet limes at one moment and pomelo at the next with notes of floral perfume and stony soil lending a bit of intriguing complexity. Far from big and blustery, it is a sleek and nuanced, impeccably balanced wine that, albeit decidedly expressive now, is poised to age famously if patience allows, and we see a very long life before it, up to a decade and maybe more when well-cellared.
Riesling possesses a remarkable ability to reflect the character of wherever it is grown while still maintaining its identity. A regal variety of incredible purity and precision, this versatile grape can be just as enjoyable dry or sweet, young or old, still or sparkling and can age longer than nearly any other white variety. Somm Secret—Given how difficult it is to discern the level of sweetness in a Riesling from the label, here are some clues to find the dry ones. First, look for the world “trocken.” (“Halbtrocken” or “feinherb” mean off-dry.) Also a higher abv usually indicates a drier Riesling.
With a dry and mild climate cooled significantly by moist ocean fog and breezes, Santa Barbara County is a grape-grower’s dream. Part of the larger Central Coast appellation, Santa Barbara is home to Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valley. The conditions here provide an opportunity for nearly effortless production of high-quality cool-climate Central Coast wines. This is also the site of the 2004 film Sideways, which caused Pinot Noir’s popularity to skyrocket and brought new acclaim to the region.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the stars of Santa Barbara, producing wines marked by racy acidity. Crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savory Syrah are also important. The region is home to many young and enthusiastic winemakers eager to experiment with less common varieties including Chenin Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, Trousseau Gris, Gamay and Cabernet Franc, making it an exciting area to watch.