2005 SEA SMOKE CELLARS GRATIS STA. RITA HILLS SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CHARDONNAY- this bottle came from the producer as a gift for those on their mailing list who purchased the 3 Pinot Noirs offered annually; it was received in June 2007 and I believe it was the 2nd release for all {now confirmed, 2001 being the first release}; the color was a cloudy, darkening yellow gold suggesting age and the nose now confirmed it with mildly oxidized notes which on the palate translated into honeyed mango, peach and a late arrival of caramel and butterscotch as well as a dollop of coconut; It had a creamy texture that enhanced the tactile senses, integrated oak and over all, was an interesting and pleasant wine at its apogee if not a hair on the other side.
Blake - Thank you for the note. Also, thank you for the Kansas anecdotes, have added a lot to the tourney. I’ll be rooting for UNC since one of my babies is a Tar Heel alumna. But should be a great game. Seems Carolina’s best chance of winning is only if Bacot is healthy enough, and stays out of foul trouble. (McCormick getting into foul trouble would be a nice bonus). Would not bet against your Jayhawks. Keep up the interesting and personal notes. Best, John
Appreciate your remarks John. Yes, it should be a great game tonight and both teams are peaking beautifully. Caleb Love may be the difference maker. Or his defender, probably Dajaun Harris, could be. And there’s so many more aspects like free throw shooting and how the game is called, close or loose, and Bacons ankle and making shots and … Good luck.
Blast from the past! Loved those from 2002(I believe 01 was first)-2009(when they called it “California Grand Cru”). Free or not, I loved the wines…a richer tropical style with nice citrus cut. Thanks for the look back!
IIRC, 2001 was the 1st release for Sea Smoke and only the Botella and Southing Pinot Noirs were offered. In 2002 the Ten Pinot Noir was added and the 2002 Gratis Chardonnay was gifted to those who bought their full allocation. I know the Gratis was made at least through the 2010 vintage, as that was the last vintage I ordered direct and received the Gratis. According to CT, I opened my last Gratis about 5 years ago and I enjoyed every bottle I drank.
I remember they sent one to a friend who hadn’t ordered In a few years I believe to entice him back. He didn’t come back. On the other hand I was ordering regularly and did not get one. Pissed me off. I left the list after that
I’m not sure what those bottles are … I just took a look and 3 of the notes are dated before the 2002s were released in the fall of 2004. I did order all the '01 Pinots I was offered and I have no recollection of getting an '01 Gratis though. Unfortunately, the 2002 vintage release was the first I entered into CT so I’m relying on my increasingly fallible memory here.
After posting the notes above, I emailed the winery and asked the question about the first vintage and here’s the response:
“The first vintage of Gratis was 2001. We gave it away as a thank you to List members and as an auction item donation to local charities until 2011. At that point, we had so much demand for Chardonnay, we got serious about it, changed the style to be more refined….and stopped giving it away (Gratis as a designator disappeared).”
