Master Sommelier.

Internationally renowned wine expert and lecturer.

Former Director of Education and Education chair for the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas.

Double Bond came across my radar through a good friend and colleague. This small Central Coast winery was founded by biochemist John Klacking. The winemaking team is headed up by retired physicist John Thunen, who has a long successful track record in small batch production. Double Bond’s portfolio is made up entirely of limited production single varietal wines from established vineyards in Edna Valley and Santa Barbara County. Especially noteworthy are the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Edna Ranch and Wolff Vineyards in Edna Valley, and the Syrah from the Larner Vineyard in the Ballard Canyon of Santa Ynez Valley. Partner Sean McCaffrey says the philosophy of Double Bond is all about combining the best fruit sources with minimal winemaking. The results are impressive. Here are my notes for the wines.

2008 Chardonnay, Edna Ranch Vineyard, Edna Valley 14.2% $28 SRP

Notes: bright, forward tropical fruits with Meyer lemon-lime citrus, a touch of savory herb, and vanilla cream spice. Elegant, well-balanced, and seamless. The best Edna Valley Chardonnay I’ve tasted in a very long time.

2008 Pinot Noir, Wolff Vineyard, Edna Valley 13.8% $45 SRP

Notes: cranberry, sour cherry, and beet aromas with notes of red flowers, lavender, black tea, and barrel spice. Forward, supple, and very long.

2009 Pinot Noir, Wolff Vineyard, Edna Valley 15.2% $45 SRP

Much riper style than the 2008 vintage. Ripe, plummy fruit with notes of craisin, savory herb, mint, and pronounced barrel spice. Rich, lush, and spicy.

2008 Syrah Lanner Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley 15.9% $48 SRP

Ripe black fruits with kirsch, pepper spice, black licorice, dried savory herb, bitter chocolate, and coffee notes. Touch of heat on the finish. Dense, powerful, and concentrated.

Editor of Sommelier Magazine

“Exceptionally well-integrated and balanced, this Pinot shows admirably moderate weight as well as relatively retrained fruit. Consequently, it seems exemplary in sophistication and elegance, yet these virtues don’t come at the cost of any lack of expressiveness. Fruit notes recalling tart pie cherries as well as dried cherries are very appealing, with subtle spice notes and just the faintest whiff of toast. A Double Gold award winner at the 2018 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition.”

A Dozen Favorites from the 2015 Pinot Shootout by Scott W. Clemens | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews

2011 Double Bond, Edna Valley, Wolff Vineyard:

“Enormously complex and layered, this is not a wine that will appeal to everyone, but I love it. Vibrant and silky, it has scents of camphor, cocoa, cinnamon, candied cherry and a hint of forest floor. Ranked third among male judges of our Shootout Panel. 350 cases produced. 95 points.”

2012 Double Bond, Edna Valley, Wolff Vineyard:

“Quite different than the 2011 reviewed above, having a heady nose of violets and hawthorne blossoms. Bright and inviting, on the palate it’s silky smooth with firm structure, fine minerality and a bing cherry finish. 400 cases produced. 92 points.”