Tucked into the far eastern reaches of the Santa Ynez Valley, Happy Canyon welcomes visitors with stunning views of its valley framed by the picturesque scenery of the San Rafael Mountains. This region sits farther inland, enjoying a warmer climate- ideal for ripening late-season grape varieties. Its gently rolling hills, elevated slopes and diverse soils make it especially well-suited for Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Star Lane was planted eleven years before Happy Canyon would be recognized as an American Viticulture Area and is now considered one of the finest Cabernet vineyards in the state!
Second generation family proprietors and siblings Michael Dierberg and Ellen Dierberg Milne consider themselves stewards of Star Lane Vineyard, which was planted in 1998 by their parents Jim and Mary Dierberg. Before taking the helm at Star Lane Vineyard, winemaker Tyler Thomas apprenticed with Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame at the renowned HdV project in Napa. Tyler brings a minimalist approach to crafting wines of great depth from the estate vineyard, leading the wines to garner substantial attention from critics and collectors. Earning 95+ points from Jeb Dunnuck, this wine is truly a show-stopper, and could easily be mistaken for a top-notch Bordeaux in a blind tasting!
ANTONIO GALLONI 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard is fabulous. It benefits from the warmer growing season, which fills out the mid-palate and softens the edges just a touch. Dark red/purplish fruit, cedar, leather, tobacco and incense fill out the layers. This dense, explosive Cabernet is absolutely stunning. It is also an insane value in today's world."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 5% each Petit Verdot and Merlot) sports a vivid purple hue as well as utterly classic aromatics of ripe currants, black cherries, lead pencil, black olive, and sappy, herbal, floral nuances. With nicely integrated oak, medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish, this is another sensational Bordeaux blend from this estate that readers will love."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 22 months in 45% new oak, a bit higher than is typical in the modern era of Star Lane. Aromas of cigar smoke, dried herbs and black fruit compote are echoed on the gently rich, supple palate. In a similar manner to the 2020 Astral bottling, the finish is a bit short and hollowed out, framed with gritty, grainy tannins that need integration yet lack the fruit concentration to absorb them. It remains a lovely wine, albeit possibly more suited for near-term consumption, and I commend the stylistically traditional approach."
Second generation family proprietors and siblings Michael Dierberg and Ellen Dierberg Milne consider themselves stewards of Star Lane Vineyard, which was planted in 1998 by their parents Jim and Mary Dierberg. Before taking the helm at Star Lane Vineyard, winemaker Tyler Thomas apprenticed with Aubert de Villaine of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fame at the renowned HdV project in Napa. Tyler brings a minimalist approach to crafting wines of great depth from the estate vineyard, leading the wines to garner substantial attention from critics and collectors. Earning 95+ points from Jeb Dunnuck, this wine is truly a show-stopper, and could easily be mistaken for a top-notch Bordeaux in a blind tasting!
ANTONIO GALLONI 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard is fabulous. It benefits from the warmer growing season, which fills out the mid-palate and softens the edges just a touch. Dark red/purplish fruit, cedar, leather, tobacco and incense fill out the layers. This dense, explosive Cabernet is absolutely stunning. It is also an insane value in today's world."
JEB DUNNUCK 95 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Star Lane Vineyard (78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc, and 5% each Petit Verdot and Merlot) sports a vivid purple hue as well as utterly classic aromatics of ripe currants, black cherries, lead pencil, black olive, and sappy, herbal, floral nuances. With nicely integrated oak, medium to full body, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish, this is another sensational Bordeaux blend from this estate that readers will love."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon spent 22 months in 45% new oak, a bit higher than is typical in the modern era of Star Lane. Aromas of cigar smoke, dried herbs and black fruit compote are echoed on the gently rich, supple palate. In a similar manner to the 2020 Astral bottling, the finish is a bit short and hollowed out, framed with gritty, grainy tannins that need integration yet lack the fruit concentration to absorb them. It remains a lovely wine, albeit possibly more suited for near-term consumption, and I commend the stylistically traditional approach."
