New Wines from the Central Coast

On the following pages are tasting notes on the best new releases from California's Central Coast, which stretches roughly from San Francisco down to Santa Barbara. Among the standouts in my recent tastings are wines from Rhone Valley grape varieties, not just syrah but grenache, red blends and white wines as well. With each passing year, it becomes clearer that Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties in particular hold out outstanding potential for Rhone grapes.