One of the really good houses of Santa Barbara County, Koehler farms a 40-acre property that includes 50-year-old estate vines. Many serving their viticultural team have been with Koehler Winery for decades. Derek Koehler grew up on the estate and spent a semester in France studying international practices within the wine industry. Today he is in charge of the operations of the family winery. Wines are made by Trace Brueske and were seriously good across the board. I love the 2023 Koehler Viognier (OB, 92) which has great texture and weight. Just as good is the 2023 Koehler Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is rich and dense with good flavor range. Learn more about this outstanding house at https://www.koehlerwinery.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Koehler Family Wines.
2023 Koehler Sauvignon Blanc- Stored on the lees for six months, this 2023 Sauvignon Blanc delivers mango and white grapefruit aromatics alongside shades of ripe peach. The palate is juicy and nicely textured with good richness. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2023 Koehler Grenache Blanc- Coming from the Santa Ynez Valley, this 2023 Grenache Blanc was stored in all neutral wood before bottling. Kiwi and rich melon flavors combine with a smooth mouthfeel and good underlying tension on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 Koehler Chardonnay- A beautiful wine, the 2023 Chardonnay was stored in oak for ten months before bottling. This is rich and viscous stuff with buttercream and shades of poached pear with pineapple notes on the palate. Offering good length, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2023 Koehler Viognier- A beautiful bottling, the 2023 Koehler Viognier offers tangerine zest and star jasmine water on the plate alongside good verve and texture. Medium to full-bodied enjoy this delicious wine now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 Koehler Picpoul- A really novel wine from this region, the 2023 Picpoul shows off good texture and tension once on the mouth. Key limes and shades of cantaloupe combine on the palate, with copious minerals. Soft and round, enjoy now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2023 Koehler Rose- Made from Grenache grapes, as well as some Cinsault and Mourvèdre, this 2023 Rose delivers very pretty red rose water notes on the palate, alongside cranberry and Yakima cherry. Soft and refined, enjoy now and over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2023 Koehler Pinot Gris- A skin contact wine, the 2023 Pinot Gris shows off nutty tones on the nose alongside orange blossom, and delicate red fruits. The palate is juicy and beautifully textured, as this has impressive weight and saltily accents. A joy to consume now, enjoy over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2030- 92
2023 Koehler Gamay- This may be the first Gamay from this region that I have tasted, as the 2023 Koehler Gamay was stored in neutral oak for six months before bottling. This is tension-filled stuff with bubblegum and bright red fruits that mingle well with salty soils and minerals on the palate. Drink 2024-2030- 91
2022 Koehler Pinot Noir- The 2022 Pinot Noir was stored in 30% new French oak barrels before bottling. Coming from this warm vintage, this delivers salty soil character with cola, cran-orange and shades of ripe pomegranate seed. Medium to full-bodied, enjoy this delightful bottling now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2022 Koehler Mencia- A truly unique wine, the 2022 Koehler Mencia was stored for 16 months in neutral oak before bottling. Inky in the glass this offers concentrated black and red fruits with a smooth texture and salty soils. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2022 Koehler Grenache- This 2022 Grenache comes from the Peake Ranch in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. This comes off very pretty with a gorgeous core of red fruits that mingle well with orange peel, stony soils and shades of fresh sage. Medium-bodied, with good tension, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2024-2032- 92
2022 Koehler Cabernet Franc- Coming from the Peake Ranch Vineyard, the 2022 Cabernet Franc offers a lovely herbal edge on the nose alongside pencil lead and rich dark fruits. The palate takes on another layer of complexity with chocolate and salty soils alongside the herbal accents. Drink 2024-2034- 92