1995 Sanford Pinot Noir Barrel Select Sanford & Benedict

A 15 year old Sanford pinot noir! Wow what a treat! This wine is definitely on the down slope, but could be one of the best '95's we've had in the last few years. The fruit is now lacking, but there are still some subtle raspberry and strawberry hints there, although the flavors are much more sour now than I am sure they were 5-8 years ago. A bit of sour cherry, the faintest hints of spice, and a bit of brett. On the palate, I wasn't sure that this was going to be drinkable, but it was plenty drinkable. Again, the fruit was lacking, but there was definitely a bit of cherry, black cherry, and some other dark mixed berries. The finish was nicely integrated, but a bit on the dirty/earthy side. The tannins are gone, the alcohol is gone, and the finish is short, but really, want do you want for a 15 year old pinot from Santa Barbara County? We purposely left about a 1/2 glass in the decanter, vacuumed and threw it in the fridge overnight. Needless to say, on day two this wine was definitely finished, flat, and undrinkable. My suggestion is to drink these up now if you have them, and I wouldn't recommend decanting. Pop and pour these bad boys, and free up some room in the cellar! All in a all, a nice blast from the past, and very enjoyable to drink during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games. This may not be a 95 pointer, but was definitely worthy of 87 points. Cheers!

2006 Sanford Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

This was the 3 month re-visit for Sanford, and you can definitely taste a difference between the 2006 with the new regime at Sanford. Definitely young, and in need of a 3-4 hour decant. Young nose of cherry, raspberry, plum, cola, some floral notes, and that Santa Rita Hills soil. On the palate, some dark cherries and spice. It also has some creaminess, with I am assuming is coming from some French oak barrels, but I do not know that for fact. A little tannic finish and some sour notes as well, but I can expect this from such a young pinot. Regardless, it's going to be a good bottle with some time, and I was a little hesitant about Sanford with Richard and his gang leaving. Can't wait to do a side by side comparison with the 2006 Alma Rosa. 88 points now. Cheers!

2004 Sanford Pinot Noir

Another great bottle of this lovely 2004, so I won't bore you with more of the same tasting notes. Drinking very well now, and I don't see this wine getting any better. Thankfully, we still have a few more as this is getting hard to find. Great wine, highly recommend. Second to last vintage from Richard Sanford and his old crew. From 2006 on, buy the Alma Rosa insead of the Sanford as it is more like this wine.

2004 Sanford Chardonnay

A great second wine to celebrate the 4th of July! Full review to come!

2006 Sanford Pinot Noir - Santa Rita Hills

Sanford's latest release, and another good one...but be patient and give it some time in the bottle...

Nice red/violet color in the glass with raspberry, black cherry, blackberry, other black fruits which I can't identify, a hint of cola, vanilla, oak, and pepper on the nose! Lots of dark berries on the mid-palate, with strong tannins and acidity. The finish was short, and a tad on the sour side. This wine is showing well for being so young, but lacking the complexity and the "candied cherry" that I have grown to love in the '04. In my opinion, this is a better offering right off the bat than the '05, but I said it before, and I will say it again, Sanford hasn't been the same since Richard and Thekla left! Regardless, they are still making a good wine!

In short, this wine is still young in the bottle and needs more time! Based on the tannin structure in this bottle, I think that this bottle will age nice for up to 5 years...maybe more!

2004 Sanford Pinot Noir

This is one of the wines that changed our wine world forever. The '04 is still such a good wine, and I love the fact that we still have a 1/2 case left in the cellar.

Nice ruby color in the glass, with great hints of red fruits, mainly cherry and strawberry on the nose, with hints of cola and herb. More of the same on the palate, and a finish that is absolutely delicious.

This wine is much better than the 2005 in my opinion. Maybe it is attributed to the weather in 2004 versus 2005. Maybe the fruit was just that much better. Or maybe the '05's just need some more time in the bottle. Regardless, I still swear by the '04's, and look forward to getting my hands on some more! 90 points consistently from 5 bottles thus far. Great pinot for sub $25! Also check out Richard's new project, Alma Rosa!