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Central Coast

Central Coast AVA is a huge wine producing area that extends from Santa Barbara County in the south to San Francisco in the north. With more than 100,000 vineyard acres, it includes parts of six counties near the Pacific Ocean. Nearly 20 smaller AVAs lie within the Central Coast AVA. Central Coast earned appellation status in 1985. Included in the appellation are parts of the counties of Contra Costa, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz. Nearly every grape varietal grown in California is grown somewhere in the Central Coast AVA, though Chardonnay accounts for nearly 50% of the entire wine grape crop.

2014 Kosta Browne Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

RP  93   
WS  93   

2015 Williams Selyem Central Coast Pinot Noir

2013 Williams Selyem Vista Verde Vineyard Pinot Noir

2005 Sea Smoke Cellars Ten Pinot Noir

WE  94   
VN  93   
WS  92   
CT  92.3   
BH  90   

2018 Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

Light label condition issue

WE  95   

2009 Alban Vineyards Seymour's Vineyard Syrah

WA  96   

2017 Daou Pessimist

WE  92   
JD  90   

2016 Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

WA  91-93+    

2018 Sandlands Vineyards Contra Costa County Red Table Wine

VN  93+    

2015 The Hilt The Vanguard Pinot Noir

Lightly elevated cork

VN  95   
WA  94   

2021 Whitcraft Pence Ranch Chardonnay

Light label condition issue

WA  92   

2013 Wren Hop Vineyards Architects & Saboteurs Pinot Noir

WS  93   

2021 Madson Winery Sunsprings Vineyard Chardonnay

Light capsule condition issue

WE  93   

2020 Donnachadh Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue

WA  96   
JD  94   
VN  92   
JR  16   

2020 Donnachadh Pinot Noir

Heavy capsule condition issue

WA  96   
JD  94   
VN  92   
JR  16   

1985 Frick Winery Pinot Noir

Light capsule condition issue; light label condition issue