“The spare-no-expense policies at Tolosa winery mean that the wines are never cheap, but they are consistently among the most impressive, often flamboyant Pinot Noirs being made.” – Vinous

Stop what you’re doing! This is a fair warning that today’s EPIC offering will sell out.

When Vinous wrote that, did they see 94 Points AND 100 dollars off coming?! That’s right, a cool green Benjamin right back in your pocket.

How does it get better than that?! Just check out this wine is how.

Tolosa is a favorite among locals of the California Central Coast. Located in San Luis Obispo, or SLO to those in the know, they set the bar for high-quality wines. The name pays homage to Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and the wines are heavenly.

And the reputation is because founders Robin and Michelle Baggett are the REAL DEAL. Both active in wine growing and hospitality since the 1980s, after establishing Tolosa in Edna Valley they started **Alpha Omega in Napa and took on Perinet in Priorat to round out their Alpha Omega Collective portfolio. Besides growing and making outstanding wine, Robin’s career in law led him to an 8-year stint as General Counsel to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors.

The Baggett’s ability to make all the magic happen has a lot to do with their trusted winemaker Frederic Delivert. The resume spans more than 3 decades and includes PlumpJack, Cade, Far Niente, Duckhorn, and Hafner as well as Domaines Croix Maro and de la Valmale in France. Since joining Tolosa with the 1997 harvest, his focus has been single vineyard expressions from some of the best in California.

And this one from Solomon Hills Vineyard is right there on the top of the list. From the westernmost end of the Santa Maria Valley AVA, the most informed winemakers, including Daou and Paul Lato, pull what fruit they can from here.

As Antonio Galloni’s Vinous confirms, “Winemaker Frederic Delivert, a native of France who was educated in enology and winemaking, has been in charge since 1997. While there’s no shying away from new oak here, I find the fruit intensity of the wines to be up to the task of handling it. Even better, the tannins are extremely well-managed, allowing for early drinking.”

In the bottle, you’ll be so very pleasantly surprised at what you find for the price you paid. This one over-delivers in such a huge way. Bright red cherries and freshly seeped tea on the nose are wholly alluring. Diving into the glass, brilliant acidity and gorgeous delicate tannins wrap around rhubarb, raspberry, and cola flavors. So much going on in there for so little money.

But this was a small deal which means not enough to go around. Be quick, Operatives!

94 Points— Wine Enthusiast

“There is a rugged core of cranberry, pomegranate and rhubarb on the nose of this bottling from an epic vineyard, along with aromas of applewood smoke, dried fennel and pepper spice. Fresh strawberry and raspberry flavors pop on the sip, with sandalwood and tea leaf in the background.”