Babcock Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2000
Pinot Noir
-
Wine &
Spirits
Product Details
Varietal
Producer
Vintage
2000
Size
750ML
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
When it comes to making great Pinot Noir, it is critical to source fruit from vineyards that are in a genuinely cool climate and that have soils that are ideal for the grape. Representing this concept precisely is our new BATF approved "Santa Rita Hills" appellation. Located in the cool ocean influenced, western end of the Santa Ynez Valley, the region promises, in my opinion, to be one the most profound areas in the New World for the growing of world class Pinot Noir. The only hang-up at the moment is a potential legal challenge from a winery in Chile whose name is Santa Rita. Regardless of what this region is or will be called, the soil, climate, and location are remarkable here, and it shows.
This wine is distinguished by its grapes. There was nothing tricky about the winemaking techniques. Basically, the grapes were handled so as to gently coax the extraction of soft, pure Pinot flavors. Moderate barrel aging is nicely layered in a toasty dimension without overwhelming the fruit. With all three of the contributing vineyards within a one mile radius of Babcock, the resulting wine offers a level of richness and breeding that is seldom found in this price range.
Professional Ratings
- Wine & Spirits
Other Vintages
2001-
Wine
Enthusiast
With 80 acres of grapes farmed meticulously by Babcock Winery and Vineyards for low yields, and ripe fruit of exceptional quality, winemaker Bryan Babcock understands that great wines begin in the vineyard. One of California's brightest stars in the field of winemaking, Babcock was not only selected by the Los Angeles Times as one of the "Ten Best Winemakers of the Year," he was also named by this influential daily as "Most Courageous Winemaker of the Year" for his daring style.
The prestigious James Beard Foundation chose Bryan as one of the "Top Ten Small Production Winemakers in the World," the only American chosen for this oenological dream team. In choosing Bryan for this award, David Moore wrote, "Bryan Babcock best exemplifies the traits I look for in a great winemaker. The quality of Bryan's wines speak for themselves, yet it is his personal commitment to excellence that stands out so much. His relentless experimentation, his willingness to explore the possibilities with so many grape varieties, and his aesthetic are a world apart from the usual American approach to winemaking."
NDV256114_2000 Item# 47522