CHANIN
"Not enough can be said about the quality consistently being produced by Gavin Chanin... Pulling primarily from sites like Bien Nacido, Los Alamos, and Sanford & Benedict, Gavin’s wines are always exceedingly elegant, with bright acidity, yet they also have depth, length, and a sense of pure class. In addition, they show singular characters. As to the winemaking, the Pinot Noirs generally see a small percentage of stems, and the new oak is kept in the 20% to 30% range pretty much across the board. Unfortunately, quantities are minuscule, so most of these releases are under 200 cases." - Jeb Dunnuck
"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
""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
"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
