The 2015 Pinot Noir Los Alamos Vineyard has a pale garnet color and a classic nose of woodsmoke, cranberries, Bing cherries, tree bark, dried citrus peel, pipe tobacco and dusty earth. In the mouth, it's light-bodied and delicate with finely grained tannins and juicy freshness, finishing long and amaro-tinged. 4,369 cases produced.

Sweet red cherry, hard candy, mint, tobacco and dried flowers are front and center in the 2015 Pinot Noir Los Alamos Vineyard. This is an especially racy, silky style that shows the effects of the drought year in its bold fruit. Fermentation and aging predominantly in tank helps retain a measure of freshness.

From another site in Santa Barbara County, the 2015 Pinot Noir Los Alamos Vineyard was completely destemmed and brought up all in stainless steel. It offers plenty of cherry and wild strawberry fruit, earthy/underbrush nuances, medium-bodied richness and a good finish. Both new releases from the Varner Brothers are sourced from sites in Santa Barbara County. They're solid wines, yet I suspect the best is yet to come from these two incredibly talented winemakers.