Arrowsmith, La Flechette, 2019 (Bordeaux Blend - Santa Ynez Valley, CA) Vegan

THEY SAY: A deep cherry red wine with flashes of purple, which has distinct redcurrant, black plum, tree bark and raspberry leaf on the nose. It is medium weight with red fruit flavors and fine-grained tannins. A touch of herbal adds complexity and a suggestion of ageability.

WE SAY: Our first wine from our own vineyard and the wine we learnt everything on! We are very pleased to finally offer this to the public. Just so you know, the name means “little arrow” in French.

Arrowsmith,  2020 Malbec (Malbec - Santa Barbara, California) Vegan $18/$50

THEY SAY: This wine was sourced from Tommy Town, a  sun-baked vineyard in Happy Canyon. It has rich, red fruit flavors of redcurrant and cherry, with subtle plum notes. Gentle acidity and modest tannins provide refined balance to the wine, with excellent potential for cellaring.

WE SAY: Recently, Tim and I have been drinking this like it is water…

Arrowsmith, 2020 Petite Sirah (Petite Syrah – Santa Barbara, California) Vegan 

THEY SAY: The long, hot summer of 2020 gave us perfect Tommy Town fruit again, the result was a wine with the deep, dark berry flavors for which Petite Sirah is renowned. Reminiscent of home-cooked blackberry pie, or the slow-cooked berry confitures of Southern France, this is a rich, full and intense wine. Acidity and tannins are gentle and well balanced, and the wine exhibits subtle licorice notes.

WE SAY: Very deep, very dark, very lovely.

Domaine Dozon Clos Du Saut Au Loup, 2020 (Cabernet Franc – Chinon, France)            

THEY SAY: Vibrant purple color. Traditional notes of plum skin, raspberries and capsicum abound. Manageable tannins and herbal notes underscore a direct fruitiness.

WE SAY: Tim can’t stop talking about this wine, he is crazy for it. I like t too, but he just won’t shut up about it. A subtle, beautiful alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Domaine Dozon Clos Du Saut Au Loup, 2020 (Cabernet Franc – Chinon, France)            

THEY SAY: Vibrant purple color. Traditional notes of plum skin, raspberries and capsicum abound. Manageable tannins and herbal notes underscore a direct fruitiness.

WE SAY: Tim can’t stop talking about this wine, he is crazy for it. I like t too, but he just won’t shut up about it. A subtle, beautiful alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Gusbourne 2018 (Pinot Noir - Kent, England)  

THEY SAY: Smoke, peony petal, a touch of vanilla and ripe, red cherry notions all combine on the youthful nose. The aromas hover between oak and richness and far more tender and shy flowers and fruit. The body is smooth and sonorous, essentially lithe but imbued with the generosity of subtle, smoky oak. 

WE SAY: This is very rare in the USA! We tried very hard to get an English Pinot. We won’t have it for long…

Bastide Miraflors 2018 (Grenache-Syrah - Roussillon, France)

THEY SAY: A fabulous minerality as well as terrific kirsch, black raspberry, wild fennel, white pepper, and hints of black licorice aromas and flavors. Pure, medium to full-bodied, silky, and seamless on the palate, it's perfectly balanced, and way over-delivers.

WE SAY: You’ve tried local GSM, so now try the French’s take on it. Interesting and established.

Lubanzi 2020, 355ml Can (Shiraz, Grenache, Mourvèdre – Swartland, S. Africa)    

THEY SAY: an old-school Rhone blend with contemporary style, we make this wine to showcase the red champion of South Africa, shiraz. Black fruit and spice with barley sugar, lemon iced tea, and hints of cracked black pepper. Deliciously floral, fruity, and earthy. (Fair Trade and Fair For Life Certified).

WE SAY: We are so surprised how much canned wine has come! A solid red blend in a handy can, lovely with your lunch.

Clendenen Family Vineyard, "The Pip" 2017 (& 2018) (Nebbiolo - Santa Maria, California)

THEY SAY: A deep red, oaky wine with aromas and flavors of plums and dried roses. Tastes of plum, blackberry, dried roses and earth. Balance between the richness, the bright acidity, and moderated tannins, make this wine an all-around food wine.

WE SAY: Made by a local legend, it’s like Piedmont in a glass, and takes us right back to North West Italy.

Intense ruby red colour with violet hints, very clear. Very intense, fresh and immediate aroma with notes of ripe red fruits and vegetables. Dry and smooth to the palate, good structure and nose-palate persistence.

Planeta Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2019 (Dorilli, Sicily - Nero d’Avola, Frappato)

THEY SAY: The name of the only Sicilian DOCG derives of ‘cerasa’, cherry in Sicilian dialect. Aromas of cherry, strawberry and pomegranate. A wine in the wake of an ancient tradition, but with a youthful manner like no other Sicilian red wine.      

WE SAY: We rarely like wines from the Italian region but this one has some lovely fruity touches and not too much earthy notes or high tannins. Plus, we honeymooned in sicily!

Late Bottle Vintage Port from Porto, Portugal.

Ricossa Antica Casa DOC 2019 (Barbera, Piemonte, Italy)                    

THEY SAY: The wine has a beautiful medium ruby ​​color with matching highlights. The bouquet is rich with homemade blackberry jam, violet, vanilla, fig, and almonds. In its youthful phase the palate is full-bodied while fresh and elegant. Over time it becomes rounder and more complex while maintaining a unique softness.

WE SAY: If you are looking for a red that is a touch sweet but not a sweet wine per se, this is the one for you! <