Accolades

Wine Enthusiast December 2008

2005 PINOT NOIR ESTATE Stone Corral Vineyard - Edna Valley
Number 38 in The Top 100 wines of 2008

Pinot File Volume 7, Issue 6 - November 17, 2008

2005 Kynsi Winery Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $36. Kynsi is a small family winery located in the Edna Valley appellation of San Luis Obispo owned by Don and Gwen Othman. Pommard and Martini clones. Dark reddish-purple in color. Sensual aromas of black cherries, blackberries, violets and oak toast. Nicely composed red and black fruits with subtle overtones of oak, savory herbs and that signature Bien Nacido white pepper. Impeccable balance and a clean finish. This remarkable wine seduces rather than overpowers with tender, lithe and captivating flavors. This one was kissed by an angel.

Wine Enthusiast September 2008

95 Points - 2005 PINOT NOIR ESTATE Stone Corral Vineyard - Edna Valley
"An enormously opulent wine, brimming with gobs of red cherries, currants, mocha, clove, cinnamon and pepper flavors. Impresses for the lushness and integrity of the structure. Brilliant wine, just gorgeous, a real crowd-pleaser. With its recent track record, Kynsi enters the front ranks of California Pinot Noir producers.-Editors' Choice."

Wine Enthusiast September 2008

93 Points - 2005 PINOT NOIR Bien Nacido Vineyard - Santa Maria Valley
"This pretty Pinot Noir is drinking well now, but has the depth to last for a while. It's succulent and forward in black and red currant, Dr. Pepper, clove, smoky vanilla and pepper flavors. Really a beautiful, alluring wine. - Editors' Choice."

Wine Enthusiast September 2008

90 Points - 2005 PINOT NOIR - Edna Valley
"Here's a vibrantly fruity, fresh young wine. It's light in texture and silky, with crisp, lip-smacking flavors of cherries, raspberries, licorice, cola, cloves and cinnamon. Delicious now."

Wine Enthusiast JUNE 2008

93 Points - 2004 SYRAH ZB Bien Nacido Vineyard - Santa Maria Valley
"The wine is a serious Syrah that further establishes Kynsi's mastery of this variety, which is so hard to make into a complex wine. Dryly tannic, it shows a fabulous range of flavors, among them blackberries, black cherries, chocolate-covered mints, licorice candy and plum jam, and even lighter, pastry notes of pecan sandy cookies. Might age for a while, but probably at its best now."

Wine Enthusiast JUNE 2008

90 Points - 2004 SYRAH Edna Ranch Vineyard - Edna Valley
"A fine, beautiful Syrah that's showing well now for its bright upfront fruit and young vibrant mouthfeel. The flavors of blackberries, mocha, licorice, plums and spices are succulent, while the finish is balanced and dry."

WINE ENTHUSIAST April 2008

90 Points - 2006 PINOT BLANC Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"This is the fourth 90-point score this bottling has earned in as many years, meaning the wine has hit a very nice stride. Made with no oak, it offers a crisp, fruity freshness, with flavors of limes, tangerines, peaches, pears and vanilla."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Issue 172 - OCT 2007

90 Points - 2004 PINOT NOIR Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"Classic Cote de Nuits-like aromas of forest floor, spring flowers, plums, black currants and cherries are found in the complex aromatics of this finely crafted Pinot. While lighter-styled in the mouth, it reveals a lush, complex style with soft tannins, a round, savory, broad mouthfeel, medium body and abundant fruit. Already evolved, it should be consumed over the next 4-5 years."

WINE ENTHUSIAST MAY 2007

90 Points - 2005 PINOT BLANC Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
"Kynsi is showing a commitment to this variety that is praiseworthy, and consumers should take notice. The wine has the full-bodied creaminess of Chardonnay, but with unique fresh melon, guava and green apple flavors that are deep and long on the finish." - S.H.

PINOT NOIR SHOOTOUT 2007

91 Points - 2004 PINOT NOIR Edna Valley
placed 2nd with professional panel A

Wine & Spirits Magazine December 2006

92 Points - 2003 Syrah Edna Ranch Vineyard Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast December 2006

90 Points - 2004 Pinot Blanc Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley

Wine Enthusiast October 2006

91 Points - 2003 Pinot Noir ESTATE Stone Corral Vineyard Edna Valley

Wine Enthusiast Magazine July 2006

94 Points - 2003 Syrah Kalanna Edna Valley

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Issue 166

90 Points - 2003 Syrah Edna Ranch Vineyard Edna Valley
"These impressive offerings from Kynsi (owl lovers will adore the label) include the 2003 Syrah Edna Ranch, a broad, hedonistic, satisfying syrah that terroirists will undoubtedly criticize for its easy appeal and lush, rich fruit. Masochists aside, this is a dark plum/ruby/purple-colored, fruity, deep, rich, soft red to enjoy over the next 3-4 years."

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

92 Points - 2003 Syrah Kalanna Edna Valley
"A seamless blockbuster, it boasts a deep ruby/purple hue along with aromas of smoke, blackberries, creme de cassis, licorice, and earth, a layered style, impressive purity, powerful but well-balanced flavors, decent acidity, and ripe but noticeable tannin. This big, mouthfilling, chewy Syrah should drink effortlessly for 8-10 years."

Wine & Spirits Magazine November 2005

94 Points - 2002 SYRAH - ZB Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley
TOP 100 WINES OF THE WORLD

Wine & Spirits Magazine October 2005

94 Points - 2002 SYRAH - ZB Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley
TOP TEN SYRAHS

Wine Enthusiast Magazine September 2005

92 Points - 2002 Syrah Edna Ranch Vineyard Edna Valley
Editors' Choice - PICTURE OF THE WINE ON THE COVER
"Edna Valley is one of the coolest prime coastal areas in California and this wine is fresh with acidity. It starts with a burst of white pepper and black currants, then turns long and juicy in the mouth, showing just how ripe the grapes got. This is a beautiful Syrah, balanced, rich and nuanced".

91 Points - 2002 Syrah ZB Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley
"Bien Nacido Syrahs are usually tannic in youth and so is this fresh youg wine. Starts with hints of coffee, meat and pepper and has a wonderfully concentrated heart of blackberry, cassis, cherry and spice flavors. Great with rich meats and cheeses, but should improve through 2008".

Wine & Spirits Magazine June 2005

94 Points - 2002 SYRAH - ZB Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley
"There's a red glow within the blackness of this wine, something electric and bright behind the substaintial, satin-textured extract. It's a young powerhouse, still primary in its pure flavor of fresh syrah grapes, spiced by meaty, mineral tannin that grows right out of the grape skins. There's pleasure in the wine's intensity for now, as there will likely be tremendous complexity when it starts to mellow with age".

"Pure black cherry, cola and raspberry aromas repeat on the palate and are enhanced by vanilla and cedar from mid palate through the finish. This Pinot Noir is balanced, structured and has nice round tannins that work together and develope into a long berry finish. This wine will provide much pleasure".

2005 L.A. County Fair Wine Competition

Gold 2002 Pinot Noir ~ Edna Valley
Gold 2002 Syrah ~ Edna Ranch Vineyard
Silver 2002 Syrah ZB ~ Bien Nacido Vineyard
Bronze 2002 Pinot Noir ~ Bien Nacido Vineyard

2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition

Gold 2002 Pinot Noir ~ Bien Nacido Vineyard
Silver 2003 Pinot Blanc ~ Bien Nacido Vineyard
Silver 2002 Syrah ~ Edna Ranch Vineyard
Bronze 2001 Zinfandel West River ~ Barn Owl Vineyard
Bronze 2002 Syrah ZB ~ Bien Nacido Vineyard