Antonio Galloni’s August 2020 Vinous Ratings
Posted: Aug 7, 2020
We are honored to share our wines every summer with wine critic and journalist Antonio Galloni of Vinous. Below are the reviews and ratings from his August 2020 tasting, Santa Barbara: An In-Depth Look at the 2018s.
2019 Santa Ynez Valley Sauvignon Blanc: 92 points
“The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is a gorgeous wine that melds together expressive, varietal aromatics and a good bit of texture to back it up. Lemon peel, sage, mint and crushed rocks all race through this expressive, inviting Sauvignon Blanc from Steve Beckmen. This is such a classy, polished wine. Drinking window: 2020 — 2025.”
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2019 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Viognier: 91 points
“The 2019 Viognier Purisima Mountain Vineyard is airy and beautifully perfumed. There is plenty of varietal Viognier character, but the 2019 is more about energy than the honeyed expression of fruit that is typical. Beckmen’s 2019 will appeal most to readers who like floral, crisp, dry whites. Jasmine, mint and candied lemon peel linger on the finish. Drinking window: 2020 — 2025.”
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2018 Estate Grenache: 92 points
“The 2018 Grenache Estate is gorgeous. Fresh, perfumed and nicely lifted, the 2018 offers tons of varietal character. Sweet dried cherry, tobacco, cedar and dried leaves add shades of aromatic complexity to this ethereal, mid-weight Grenache. Drinking window: 2020 — 2028.”
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2018 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Syrah: 94 points
“The 2018 Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard is a fabulous wine that captures the essence of Ballard Canyon. Dark cherry, pepper, spice, leather and tobacco are all signatures of a Syrah that balances power, finesse and energy. Lavender, sage and dried herb overtones add an attractive savory character to the finish. Drinking window: 2020 — 2030.”
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2018 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Clone #1 Syrah: 95 points
“The 2018 Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard Clone #1 is a dense, powerful and plush wine. Blue, black fruit, leather, spice and menthol infuse the 2018 with tremendous depth. A touch of new oak works beautifully to wrap everything together. This heady, sumptuous Syrah has so much to offer. Moreover, it is a terrific example of what Ballard Canyon has to offer. Drinking window: 2021 — 2030.”
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2017 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Block Six Syrah: 94 points
“The 2017 Syrah Purisima Mountain Vineyard Block Six is perhaps a bit less immediate than some of the other wines in this range, but it has plenty of character. Iron, blood orange and firm tannins bring out the more feral side of Syrah. Here, too, time in the glass helps greatly in allowing the wine to show off the full breadth of its personality. A year or two in bottle will do wonders. Drinking window: 2021 — 2029.”
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2017 TLB: 93 points
“The 2017 Red Wine TLB is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Those elements come together so well here. A burst of sweet red cherry, red plum, mocha and rose petal conveys striking immediacy. This gorgeous red hits all the right notes. Drinking window: 2020 — 2027.”
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2018 Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: 94 points
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Ynez Valley) is rich and explosive out of the glass. Inky dark fruit, grilled herbs, leather, licorice and a host of earthy notes flesh out in an expansive wine endowed with tremendous depth and complexity. This is such a gorgeous Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking window: 2021 — 2030.”
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2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: 95 points
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (Los Olivos District) is a total knock-out. Beams of supporting tannin wrap around a core of deep, inky fruit. Blueberry jam, grilled herbs, lavender, sage and spice meld together effortlessly. The 2018 is a gorgeous, expansive wine that only continues to gain volume with time in the glass. Drinking window: 2021 — 2030.”
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2018 Purisima Mountain Vineyard Grenache: 93 points
“Steve Beckmen’s 2018 Grenache Purisima Mountain Vineyard is an absolutely joyous wine. Crushed raspberry, strawberry and floral notes abound in this beautifully perfumed, expressive Ballard Canyon Grenache. The 2018 is not super-complex, but it is irresistibly delicious and total pleasure to taste. Drinking window: 2020 — 2028.”