"The 2021 Chardonnay Los Alamos Vineyard marries the aromatic lift of this site with a good deal of stony intensity and drive. There's an understated depth here that is absolutely beguiling. The Los Alamos is usually a more ethereal wine, but the 2021 has an added kick if mid-palate richness that is compelling. Citrus peel, mint, white pepper and chalk linger on the bright, intensely saline finish. (Drink between 2024-2031)" Vinous 94VM

"The 2021 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard is fabulous. Creamy, rich and layered, the 2021 is exquisite. Lemon oil, white pepper, chalk and chamomile all meld together in a Chardonnay of unusual viscosity. Even with all of its intensity, the 2021 remains light on its feet. Gavin Chanin certainly made the most of this fruit. What a wine. (Drink between 2024-2031)" Vinous 96VM

"I tasted the 2023 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) from barrel just prior to bottling. It offers lovely aromatic presence to play off a core of pliant fruit. Sweet red berries, spice, rosewater and orange peel confer exotic beauty throughout. (Drink between 2024-2031)" Vinous 89-90VM

"The 2021 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is beguiling. Bright, lifted and beautifully focused, Chanin's 2021 captures all the magic of this site. Blood orange, mint and sweet spice meld into a core of bright red-toned fruit. Medium in body and yet wonderfully deep, the S&B is a total knock-out. The 50% whole clusters are not at all evident. (Drink between 2023-2033)" Wine Advocate 95WA

""The 2021 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is beguiling. Bright, lifted and beautifully focused, Chanin's 2021 captures all the magic of this site. Blood orange, mint and sweet spice meld into a core of bright red-toned fruit. Medium in body and yet wonderfully deep, the S&B is a total knock-out. The 50% whole clusters are not at all evident. (Drink between 2023-2033)" Wine Advocate 95WA

"From a vineyard in the western Santa Maria Valley hills that had gone nearly fallow, this delicious, eight-barrel bottling challenges conventional viticulture on many fronts. Smooth, rich and spicy aromas of cherry, root beer floats and mace lead from the nose into a clean expression of pure fruit and spice that's emboldened with a crushed-stone minerality. It's excellent and alluring, from back story to finish." Wine Enthusiast 97WE

"From a site on the other (southern) side of the appellation, the 2020 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir saw quite a bit more stems and was fermented with 40% stems and brought up in 20% new oak. It has a wonderful nose of ripe red and black currants as well as subtle woodsmoke, dried herbs, and forest floor. This carries to a pure, medium-bodied, balanced Pinot Noir with ripe tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish. It opens up nicely with time in the glass and will no doubt benefit from another year or two of bottle age.<!--more-->These latest releases from Gavin Chanin are pretty much straight-up brilliant across the board. Gavin pulls from some of the top sites in Santa Barbara County and favors a little bit of stems depending on the vineyard and aging in mostly neutral barrels. These are pure, classic, incredibly impressive wines that offer plenty of enjoyment in their youth, yet they can also evolve and age gracefully. As I write in the reviews, these wines are rarely about power and opulence and shine for their remarkable elegance, purity, and finesse. I love the wines. (Drink starting 2023)" Jeb Dunnuck 94+JD

"The 2020 Syrah Reserve, from Donnachadh, is laced with dark/purplish fruit, lavender, sage, mint and blood orange. The 50% whole clusters work so well here. This understated, beautifully lifted Syrah captures the more delicate side of the year to great effect. (Drink between 2023-2032)" Vinous 93VM