Dec 30, 2022
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Sweetzer Cellars
| Owner(s) | Michael Fogelman |
| Web site | www.sweetzer-cellars.myshopify.com |
| Link to this site |
The owners were inspired by a summer trip to France in 2008 and began making wine in an apartment on Sweetzer Ave. in West Hollywood, California, using Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Napa and Sonoma. In 2011, they tried their hand at Pinot Noir.
The wines are now made at a bonded facility in Buellton, Santa Barbara County. Production is about 1,000 cases annually of single vineyard and appellation Pinot Noir, single vineyard and appellation Chardonnay, Syrah and Grenache.
Tasting by appointment.
Articles About Sweetzer Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., pH 3.37, TA 0.73, 250
cases, $28. Vines planted in 2007. Clones 4, 76, 95 and 96. Native and proprietary yeasts.
Fermented 60% stainless steel and 40% neutral oak. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25%
new.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of kiwi, grapefruit and wax with some
unusual whiffs. Flavors of lemon and créme brûlèe in a crisp, tightly wound style with only a hint of
oak vanillin.
Score: 88.
Reviewed July 14, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 529 cases, pH 3.59, TA 0.59, $35.
Sourced from Presqu’ile, La Encantada, and Rita’s Crown vineyards. Clones 115, 667, 777, and “828.” 100%
de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25%
new.
·
Light ruby red color in the glass. Red cherry and berry aromas and flavors are featured in this lighter
weighted wine that is simple and forward. Oak vanillin shows up as a backdrop. Easy going tannins emerge
with some astringency on the finish.
Score: 87.
Reviewed July 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Presqu’ile Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.33, TA 0.75,
137 cases, $40. A barrel selection. Clones 4, 76, 95 and 96. Fermented in 60% stainless and 40% neutral oak.
Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Scents of
butter, yellow nectarine, wax and toasty oak entice. More concentration and length in the mouth than the Santa
Maria Valley bottling with valued flavors of lemon, honey and toasty oak. The acidity is also better integrated in
this wine.
Score: 90.
Reviewed July 14, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 147 cases, pH 3.55,
TA 0.58, $45. Clones 667 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged
18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. The aromas of black cherry,
exotic spices and rose petal are highly satisfying. The gorgeous, well-spiced dark cherry fruit excites the
senses on entree. Nicely composed, with balanced tannins and acidity, and a modest, but pleasing finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed July 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Presqu’ile Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 147 cases, pH 3.64,
TA 0.55, $45. Clones 115, 667 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation,
aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with
aromas of fresh black cherry and spice. Flavors of black cherry and black raspberry are framed by compatible
tannins in a mid weight style. Rather simple, with too much oak input, still evident when the wine was re-tasted
several hours later from a previously opened bottle.
Score: 89.
Reviewed July 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 148 cases, pH 3.62, TA 0.61, $60. Clones 667 and
“828.” 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212
fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Engaging aromas of black cherry,
fertile earth and toasty oak lead to a middleweight wine boasting a
delicious core of cherry and strawberry fruit. Silky in the mouth, with
gentle tannins and a seriously long finish. There is a little more oak
interplay than I like, but the fruit is so luscious, that is easy to overlook.
Score: 92.
Reviewed July 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.1% alc., pH 3.37, TA 0.73, 250 cases, $28. Vines planted in 2007. Clones 4, 76, 95 and 96. Native and proprietary yeasts. Fermented 60% stainless steel and 40% neutral oak. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of kiwi, grapefruit and wax with some unusual whiffs. Flavors of lemon and créme brûlèe in a crisp, tightly wound style with only a hint of oak vanillin. Score: 88. Reviewed July 14, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 529 cases, pH 3.59, TA 0.59, $35. Sourced from Presqu’ile, La Encantada, and Rita’s Crown vineyards. Clones 115, 667, 777, and “828.” 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Red cherry and berry aromas and flavors are featured in this lighter weighted wine that is simple and forward. Oak vanillin shows up as a backdrop. Easy going tannins emerge with some astringency on the finish. Score: 87. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Presqu’ile Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
14.4% alc., pH 3.33, TA 0.75, 137 cases, $40. A barrel selection. Clones 4, 76, 95 and 96. Fermented in 60% stainless and 40% neutral oak. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color in the glass. Scents of butter, yellow nectarine, wax and toasty oak entice. More concentration and length in the mouth than the Santa Maria Valley bottling with valued flavors of lemon, honey and toasty oak. The acidity is also better integrated in this wine. Score: 90. Reviewed July 14, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 147 cases, pH 3.55, TA 0.58, $45. Clones 667 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The aromas of black cherry, exotic spices and rose petal are highly satisfying. The gorgeous, well-spiced dark cherry fruit excites the senses on entree. Nicely composed, with balanced tannins and acidity, and a modest, but pleasing finish. Score: 90. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Presqu’ile Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 147 cases, pH 3.64, TA 0.55, $45. Clones 115, 667 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, 4-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of fresh black cherry and spice. Flavors of black cherry and black raspberry are framed by compatible tannins in a mid weight style. Rather simple, with too much oak input, still evident when the wine was re-tasted several hours later from a previously opened bottle. Score: 89. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Sweetzer Cellars Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 148 cases, pH 3.62, TA 0.61, $60. Clones 667 and “828.” 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Engaging aromas of black cherry, fertile earth and toasty oak lead to a middleweight wine boasting a delicious core of cherry and strawberry fruit. Silky in the mouth, with gentle tannins and a seriously long finish. There is a little more oak interplay than I like, but the fruit is so luscious, that is easy to overlook. Score: 92. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »