Review: Wines of Highland 41, 2025 Releases

Highlands 41 — part of the San Antonio Winery empire — is a Monterey County operation named for Highway 41 and the nearby Creston Highlands. All wines are designed to be very budget friendly, though it seems that there’s only so far you can go on that front while keeping quality high.

Note that the bottle design has changed since this release.

2022 Highlands 41 Chardonnay Monterey County – I don’t know if I’ve ever encountered this much fruit in a California chardonnay before, with notes of lychee and pineapple — plus cotton candy — dominant. Late game flavors meander into bubblegum territory and never quite claw their way out, though a touch of juicy orange attempts to coax it that direction. I was good for half a glass. B-

2022 Highlands 41 Pinot Noir Monterey County – Doughy and a bit simplistic, this pinot has a dusky, smoky edge that effectively keeps much fruit from ever emerging. Torched sugars, barrel char, and an edge of prune are the dominant flavors, with a smoky/beefy quality emerging later in the game. Lightly balsamic, but not in a good way. C

2022 Highlands 41 Black Granite – A complete mystery blend of Paso Robles and Monterey fruit. Unctuous and sweet, but a bit more refined than the pinot, showing clearer notes of blackberry and strawberry, followed by layers of vanilla and milk chocolate. Again a little gummy but at least approachable, though the ample toasted marshmallow notes on the finish feel off. B-

each $15 / highlands41.com

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