Ratings
Praying Mantis Ratings
Vintage 2012:
91 - Josh Raynolds (Vinous) - Sep 2015
91 - Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate & erobertparker.com) - Aug 2015
91 - Vinous - September 2015
Bright purple. Heady smoke- and spice-accented black and blue fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of incense, violet and licorice. Sweet and supple on the palate, offering concentrated cassis and blueberry flavors that are lifted and given focus by juicy acidity and a kick of cracked pepper. Leaves floral pastille and peppery spice notes behind on the long, smooth, gently tannic finish. This suave wine is built to age but it's awfully delicious right now.
-- Josh Raynolds
SGVI Ratings
Vintage 2014:
88 - Vinous - September 2015
Pale gold. Dried orchard and pit fruits on the deeply scented nose and in the mouth. Chewy and concentrated, with a bitter touch of lemon pith adding grip and lift. Shows good clarity and bite on the finish, with the bitter citrus note repeating.
-- Josh Raynolds
Grenache Blanc Ratings
Vintage 2013:
88 - Robert Parker - August 2014
The 2013 Grenache Blanc is another solid white from this estate. Citrus Blossom, green herbs and hints of mint give way to sweetly fruity, medium-bodied, fresh and clean style on the palate. It will be versatile on the dinner table.
White Ratings
Vintage 2008:
88 - Vinous - November 2011
(25% each of viognier, roussanne, marsanne and grenache blanc): Bright gold. Complex scents of nectarine, apple and honeysuckle, with a spicy overtone. Fleshy and deep but precise, with very good depth to its sappy pit fruit flavors. Shows an intense note of candied flowers on the spicy, penetrating finish. This would work with rich or lighter foods.
-- Josh Raynolds
Osiris Ratings
Vintage 2012:
90 - Vinous - September 2015
Deep ruby. Powerful blueberry and cherry liqueur scents are complemented by peppery spices and mocha, with an exotic incense quality building with air. Lush, broad dark berry liqueur flavors show very good depth and appealing
sweetness, with round tannins lending support. Offers plenty of upfront sex appeal but also has the depth to suggest that cellar time would be rewarded.
-- Josh Raynolds
88-90 - Robert Parker - August 2014
The 2012 Osiris is a blend of 54% Grenache, 39% Syrah and 7% Mourvedre. Showing pretty red fruits, kirsch, ground herbs, pepper and meatiness, enjoy this medium to full-bodied, layered and nicely textured blend.
-- Jeb Dunnuck
Vintage 2008:
88+ - Vinous - November 2012
(a 50/50 blend of syrah and grenache): Inky purple. Black and blue fruits, olive and oak spices on the nose, with a suave vanilla undertone. Ripe, lush and round, offering powerful dark berry compote flavors complicated by a hint of woodsmoke. The vanillin oak comes on strong on the finish, which is broad, seamless and very long. I like this wine's depth of fruit but find the oak a distraction right now.
-- Josh Raynolds
88+ - Tanzer Report
(a 50/50 blend of syrah and grenache): Inky purple. Black and blue fruits, olive and oak spices on the nose, with a suave vanilla undertone. Ripe, lush and round, offering powerful dark berry compote flavors complicated by a hint of woodsmoke. The vanillin oak comes on strong on the finish, which is broad, seamless and very long. I like this wine's depth of fruit but find the oak a distraction right now. 88(+?)
Vintage 2006:
91 Points - Robert Parker
Vintage 2005:
88 Points - Robert Parker
Morpheus Ratings
Vintage 2012:
90 - Vinous - September 2015
Opaque ruby. Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of ripe black and blue fruits, violet and spicecake, with a smoky nuance gaining strength in the glass. Smooth and sweet, with round blackberry and boysenberry flavors given spine by juicy acidity. Closes with repeating berry character, silky tannins and very good persistence.
-- Josh Raynolds
89-91 - Robert Parker - August 2014
The 2012 Morpheus is 83% Syrah, 13% Grenache, and 4% Mourvedre. Exhibiting pretty cassis, chocolate-coverd Raspberries, licorice, toasted bread and spice, it has medium to full-bodied richness, a nicely layered, seamless feel and rock-solid mid-palate depth.
-- Jeb Dunnuck
Vintage 2010:
90 - Vinous - November 2013
(58% syrah and 42% grenache): Bright purple. Sexy, floral- accented black and blue fruits on the nose. Fleshy and seamless in texture, offering sweet, oak-spiced boysenberry and mulberry flavors that show very good depth and plushness. Closes smooth and long, with soft tannins adding shape. This drinks very well right now.
-- Josh Raynolds
Vintage 2007:
87 - Vinous - November 2011
(57% mourvedre and 43% syrah): Bright ruby. Ripe cherry and dark berries on the nose, along with a slightly roasted character. Broad and deeply pitched, offering smoky blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavors and slow-building spiciness. Clings nicely on the finish, with the warm note repeating.
-- Josh Raynolds
Vintage 2005:
90 to 92 Points - Robert Parker
Syrah Ratings
Vintage 2012:
(89-91) - Jeb Dunnuck (Wine Advocate & erobertparker.com) - Aug 2014
Vintage 2005:
90 Points - Robert Parker
Halter Ranch Syrah Ratings
Vintage 2007:
91 - Vinous - November 2011
Inky purple. Deeply pitched aromas of blueberry and cherry- cola are complicated by spice and smoke nuances and a hint of cracked pepper. Supple, ripe and powerful, with deep dark fruit compote flavors picking up spiciness with air. A candied licorice note builds with air and carries through the long, sappy finish.
-- Josh Raynolds
Lock Vineyard Syrah Ratings
Vintage 2008:
89 - Vinous - August 2011
The 2008 Syrah Lock Vineyard flows from the glass with extroverted dark fruit, sweet spices, leather and licorice. It is a forward, bold wine with terrific balance and a plump, easygoing personality.
-- Antonio Galloni
Awards
Osiris Awards
Vintage 2005:
Silver Medal - Critics Challenge