Six Exciting New Releases from the Tyler Winery
Justin Tyler Willet founded the Tyler Winery in 2005 at the age of 24. I never heard of the winery until I joined Wine.com in 2014. My friend and colleague, Jonathan Han, had put the wines in front of me knowing that I would become, and I became an instant fan. Each year, I look forward to tasting these delicious Sta. Rita Hills wines. These are not prefab, cookie-cutter wines; they are authentic representatives from this AVA. I tasted these six wines at the Chambers & Chambers 50th Anniversary Tasting at the Terra Gallery in San Francisco.
Tyler Estate Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA
Tyler Chardonnay, La Rinconada Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. (Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA)
· Tyler Estate Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. This is beautiful and compelling with excellent purity. It offers tart apples, chalkiness, and green apples. Unlike others in the marketplace, this wine does not use heavy oakiness to support its structure. You love its friskiness in the finish. (Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA) (My Score: 92 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $50.00
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· Tyler Chardonnay, La Rinconada Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. I have enjoyed this single vineyard bottled in past vintages, and the new release is as good as it gets. It exhibits savory spices, dried leaves, and earthy notes. (Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA) (My Score: 93 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $65.00
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· Tyler Rita Mae Estate Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. Produced from the winery’s very own Mae Estate Vineyard on Highway 246, and planted in 2016, this site looks promising. This wine offers tense, tart apples, and a rich yet jazzy palate. (Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA) (My Score: 93 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $75.00
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· Tyler Estate Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. Chewy and rich on the palate, mild tannins, rustic earth, and tart red fruit flavors. Perfect with a garlic and rosemary-accented roast leg of lamb. (Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA) (My Score: 93 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $50.00
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· Tyler Pinot Noir, La Rinconada Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. A truly flavorful and stylish Pinot Noir, this wine exhibits earthy notes, black fruits, and licorice. Excellent palate presence and a long finish. (Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA) (My Score: 93 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $90.00
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· Tyler Rita Mae Estate Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2021. An authentic wine, this wine offers dusty earth, dried leaves, and black fruits. Should be excellent with a grilled, well-marbled ribeye. (Tasted: May 11, 2023, San Francisco, CA) (My Score: 92 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $85.00
While I have tasted many vintages of Tyler Wines, my memory is not as clear as I would like it to be, I simply remember that the wines have always spoken to my palate. I hope you take the opportunity to try these outstanding wines. Let me know what you think. You can email me at Wilfred.willie.wong@gmail.com
Cheers,
Wilfred Wong
Terra Gallery (May 21. 2023, San Francisco, CA)
