A visit to David Bruce requires a bit of a trek along winding roads in the Santa Cruz Mountains \u2014 but the journey is worth it, as David Bruce has a long history of making excellent wines. (It was even included in the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris.)<\/p>\n The two wines covered below are current releases, both made from estate fruit. Thoughts follow.<\/p>\n This is a boldly oaky chardonnay, which surprised me not just because of its mountainous origins, but also because of its age \u2014 now 6 years since harvest. Little has mellowed since bottling, and the wine pours on candied vanilla notes alongside a very sweet and fruity core. Notes of guava are particularly heavy, followed by pineapple, mango, and lemon curd \u2014 then a bit of coconut on the finish. Sharp throughout and full-bodied, this is a wine that is never wanting for flavor. It\u2019ll need an appropriate food pairing to avoid overpowering it, however.\u00a0B+ \/ $49<\/strong><\/p>\n A slightly savory expression of pinot noir, featuring note of kalamata olives, red plums, and cherries \u2014 all laced with exotic spices that evoke a night at the kasbah. (The Sharif don\u2019t like it!) Elements of coriander, saffron, and parsley layer atop the more fruit-forward palate, with a surprising finish that is lightly sweetened with maple \u2014 perhaps fenugreek \u2014 notes. A solid pairing with a wide range of dishes.\u00a0A- \/ $55<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t$55<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n \n\t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.drinkhacker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/DavidBruceEstatePinot2021.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n2021 David Bruce Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains<\/h2>\n
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