772 | Wine | Central Coast, 91 to 95, 2010

"Good dark red. Aromas of blueberry, crushed black raspberry, brown spices, smoked meat, mocha and cocoa; smells like a northern Rhone wine from granite soil. Firm and energetic in the mouth, offering a nice balance of fresh dark fruits and smoky minerality. Bright acidity and a note of black pepper give the palate a zesty quality. Finishes lightly saline, juicy and persistent, with spicy tannins." -Stephen Tanzer

"In this vintage, the 2010 Esprit de Beaucastel is decidedly huge. An exciting array of dark red fruit, black cherries, incense and tar come together beautifully. At first large-scaled and sweeping in personality, the wine finds more refined registers on the finish, where floral notes add a measure of lift and finesse. Today, the 2010 is a baby, though."

"Another super-impressive wine from Foxen. It combines some of the ethereal feel of the Julia’s with the weight of the Sea Smoke. If that sounds appealing, believe me, it is. This is a marvelous Pinot loaded with class and finesse. The Bien Nacido Block 8 (along with the Julia’s) is one of the least expensive of the 2010 Pinots, yet I find it the most compelling of the bunch."

"This red exhibits pure, rich, ripe and concentrated layers of blackberry, boysenberry and black licorice, with tannins that give the flavors depth and traction."

"Bright ruby-red. Assertive aromas of candied raspberry, cherry and fresh rose, with Asian spice accents building with air. Juicy and precise, offering alluringly sweet red fruit flavors and a hint of candied flowers. Shows impressive energy and clarity on the strikingly long finish, which features a zesty blood orange nuance and silky tannins."

"Rich and layered, with a subtle, loamy earth baseline to ripe blueberry and wild berry flavors that are tight yet fan out nicely, offering depth and dimension, gaining persistently."

"Bright red. Assertive aromas of raspberry, cherry and fresh rose, with Asian spice and mineral accents building with air. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet red berry flavors and a hint of candied flowers. Shows impressive energy and clarity on the persistent finish, which features a zesty blood orange nuance."

"Lato-s 2010 Syrah Cinematique Larner Vineyard boasts striking depth and purity. This weightless, totally gracious Syrah impresses for its nuance, delineation and sheer class. Violets, black pepper, exotic spices and a hint of orange rind linger on the finish."

"Captures a rich, vivid mix of dark berry, spice, loamy earth and cedar, with the blackberry and wild berry flavors driving the core. Ends with chewy, gripping tannins that let the flavors cling."