Red Wine from Central Coast

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 95 points: 95+ The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard is bold, pungent and bursting with fruit. Deep and unctuous in texture, but with considerable aromatic lift, the 2014 offers a terrific expression of Happy Canyon. Black...

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 93 points: 93+ Once again, the 2015 Pinot Noir Estate Block M is the most complex Pinot in the range. It is also the only Pinot where the fruit feels like it has three, rather than two, dimensions. Translucent and yet powerful, with...

jamessuckling.com, 95 points: This is so complex and fantastic showing the complexity and drinkability. Full body, layered and gorgeous. Dried berry, dried meat and date. So subtle. This is mostly syrah but hints of nine grape types from sauvignon...

Wine Enthusiast, 94 points: Light raspberry-sorbet notes meet with fresh fennel fronds, pepper and cinnamon on the nose of this bottling from Chad Melville and family. It's tight and tart on the palate, with dried cranberry, pine needle and...

Wine Enthusiast, 90 points: Showcasing the Pisoni signature of huge, bold fruit, this wine has ripe and savory flavors of raspberry, cherry, pomegranate, persimmon. The wine tastes of oak, too, in the form of vanilla and smoky butter. It's a...

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 95 points: Another compelling wine, the 2014 Pinot Noir Old Guard is weightless and gracious on the palate, with more aromatic lift and silkiness than the Vanguard. From a flavor perspective, the two wines aren't that different...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: Wafting from the glass with notes of ripe red cherries, cassis, dried flowers and subtle hints of pencil shavings, the 2014 Pinot Noir Upper Picnic Block is beautifully supple, satiny and medium to full-bodied on the...

jebdunnuck.com, 97 points: (95-97 points) Still in barrel, the Cabernet Sauvignon dominated 2016 My Favorite Neighbor offers smokin’ notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, licorice, smoke tobacco, and hints of violets. With full-bodied r...

Wine Enthusiast, 91 points: There's a wondrously savory nose on this bottling from a longtime grower in the region, with aromas of anise, crushed marjoram, soy, purple flowers and gravel. The light but complex character carries into the palate...

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 91 points: Brilliant ruby-red. Spicy raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by white pepper, lavender and pungent herbs. Pliant red fruit flavors are deepened by candied licorice and bitter chocolate nuances, with a spicy...

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 95 points: The 2014 Pinot Noir Vanguard is deep and implosive, naturally within the Hilt's generally restrained style. Plum, sweet cherry, spice and menthol are all fused together in a pliant, textured Pinot loaded with textural...

jebdunnuck.com, 95 points: (93-95 points) Starting with the 2016-barrel samples, the 2016 Optimus is the entry level cuvee of the estate and is always based on Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. I suspect it’s better than most estate top...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The energy and focus that is typical of the cooler sites within the Santa Lucia Highlands comes through in the 2010 Pinot Noir Rosella’s. Dark red cherries, flowers, mint and spices are woven together nicely as the wine...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: The 2016 Zinfandel Paso Robles is lovely, wafting from the glass with aromas of ripe blackberries, plum preserves and rich spices. On the palate, it's full-bodied, lavish and velvety, with an ample core of ripe...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 95 points: I loved the 2012 Pinot Noir de Villiers. It's a beautifully complete, balanced and satisfying Pinot Noir that does everything right. Giving up tons of sweet black raspberry and strawberry fruits, spice-box, dried flowers...