I crave the crisp, saline, and oyster shell character. If oak is used, it is not discernible. In other words - a fresh weightless, tasty Chardonnay with a finish.

The Aether Sierra Madre Chardonnay achieved a beautiful expression of site in 2014. At this very cool and windy location, it can, in some years, be challenging to fully ripen the grapes. The upside to this is the wines retain their acidity and the maritime soils promote fruit flavors that are racy, juicy, fresh and aromatic

As I look through my notes on this wine and it sits before me in the glass, my thoughts are all over the place. Here goes an unedited compilation: Young, dark, ripe cherry, fruit beautifully rendered, dense fruit, baby fat, v.g. balance and firm tannins, carousel of scents and flavors, a paradox, at times heady, will take time to equalize, borderline decadence – undeniable youthful beauty, a bit naughty, always desirable – empty glass tells a good story.

A mosaic of flavors and aromas ever changing and moving through time. In our case the Matrix is the fusion of the energy and flavors of two vineyards with divergent yet simpatico character – Quinta del Mar and Drum Canyon. In simple terms, QDM provides the lush fruit and DC the tension and spine. The fusion though is interconnected at the molecular level and these wines really do like each other. The Matrix should be tasty and thought provoking. An ordered blend made from equal parts ideas and substance.

Slightly darker red than SBC and Pence, the wine moves across the palate horizontally –picture an alluvial fan. It hits the hinterland of my palate. The nose evolves continuously and again decantation is encouraged. On the nose there are sweet pea flowers, cherry and raspberry notes on the palate with a taut finish.

It exhibits natural complexity from the combination of these high-end vineyards. Color is medium ruby, the nose is fresh with moderate ripeness. On the palate there is appealing round Pinot flavors and a taut finish with nice closing flavors. Tangy. Good karmic Pinot energy. Deep down there are some damp, musky accents that surface periodically.

A blend of five Santa Barbara County Vineyards – Pence, Hilliard Bruce, Drum Canyon and Sanford & Benedict in the Santa Rita Hills and Dierberg in the Santa Maria Valley, the 2014 SBC Pinot Noir delivers a complex amalgam of sweet and spicy aromas. The wine is fresh, tangy and silky on the palate, the finish long and memorable, lingering like an outland western sky fading into night.

Medium ruby in color, this wine has aromas of sweet Pinot fruit mingled with damp earth and “stones and bones” – the mineral character I get from this vineyard. Made with 2stem inclusion, there are cut flowers and cinnamon on the nose as well as other soil inflected characteristics. Typically wines from this vineyard can be a bit reticent when young, so decanting is encouraged. Other notes: savory flavors, serious but not stern, persistent.

Composed, brambly, savory and spicy. Terrain, confident, a bit heady with youthful ambition. Wafting perfume that hovers and lingers. Sleek but edgy. Rocky soil inflected dark cherry character