Santa Barbara Wine Reviews

I drank these 7 wines and tasted bright, cherry, creamy, dark fruit, earthy, mushroom, plum, red fruit, smooth tannin, spice. The wines are organically farmed, small production and came from a variety of sources, including wine clubs, wineries, and wine stores.

Wine reviews by: Jessyca Frederick

Estate Rosé

2021 Stolpman Vineyards Estate Rosé

This particular vintage was never especially fruity — sometimes the strawberry and watermelon leap make your mouth water, but in this vintage the fruit was way more subtle than that.

Tasting notes: bright, strawberry, watermelon

F. Stephen Millier Legend Series Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

2021 Naked Wines F. Stephen Millier Legend Series Santa Barbara Pinot Noir

For $15.99 this Pinot Noir was an impressive doppelganger for Santa Barbara’s more premium product, but the complexity and depth was missing.

Tasting notes: red fruit, earthy

“Special Club” White Wine Blend

2021 Martelloto Wines “Special Club” White Wine Blend

The drier, lemony flavors of the Sauvignon Blanc sort of pushed and pulled on the fruitier, more aromatic Riesling and Chenin Blanc. Lacked expected brightness.

Tasting notes: lemon, fruity

“M” Chardonnay

2021 Martelloto Wines “M” Chardonnay

Barrel fermented for eight months, this Chardonnay was not super oaky. Signature apple and pear flavors harmonized with a touch of creaminess.

Tasting notes: apple, pear, creamy, light oak

Brander Merlot, Los Olivos District

2018 Brander Vineyard and Winery Brander Merlot, Los Olivos District

I really enjoyed this Merlot which we paired with my spicy Turkey Chili. Flavors of dark red fruit, soft tannins, and a medium body made it quite enjoyable.

Tasting notes: red fruit, dark fruit, smooth tannin

Sta. Rita Hills Syrah

2017 Piedrasassi Sta. Rita Hills Syrah

There’s nothing subtle about a Moorman Syrah and the complex flavors of cherry, plum, and spice are what keep critics and wine lovers delighted.

Tasting notes: cherry, plum, spice

Barden Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

2020 Margerum Wine Company Barden Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

A beautifully-made Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills featuring organic fruit from top vineyards in the region: La Encantada, Sanford & Benedict, and Radian.

Tasting notes: red fruit, spice, earthy, mushroom, dried herbs

Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).

Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.

I don’t like wasting money (or anything for that matter). I’m careful about where I spend my money and my mindset as a reviewer is to be careful about where you spend yours. I don’t believe a high price tag equals quality and I know for sure there are wines of very good quality that are also a great value.

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