Bien Nacido Estate Solomon Hills Pinot Noir 2013
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Wine
Enthusiast -
Robert
Parker
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Hand harvested at night, and fermented with native yeast and malolactic fermentation. Aged for 18 months in French Oak; 40% new. This wine was bottled unfiltered. Vibrant aromatics of fennel, cinnamon and blue fruits dominate the aromatics at the moment. These carry through to the spicey fruits on the substantially masculine palate with integrated acidity and great length.
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Wine Enthusiast
Earthy and gamy aromas of rust and blood meet with red cherry juice and cola on the nose of this bottling by Trey Fletcher from the region's most coastal property. It's soft on the palate, with light strawberry, tangy cranberry and red plum fruit, but it's the garrigue components of thyme and eucalyptus that take it to the next level. Add lively energy and it soars. Editors’ Choice
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2013 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills offers lovely notes of spice, autumn leaves, red currants and framboise in a medium to full-bodied, silky, polished package. Fermented with 30% whole clusters and raised 18 months in 40% new French oak, it has terrific complexity, and its tight, lively feel on the palate should allow it to age gracefully over the coming decade as well.
In 1969, brothers Bob & Steve Miller, the fourth generation of a Central Coast California farming family, found a piece of land they instantly knew had vineyard potential. Formerly used for grazing, it was part of one of the earliest Spanish land grants. However, the shale soil and unique climate from the transverse mountain range provided a lens into its potential.
The vineyard was planted in 1973. Bob and Steve called it Bien Nacido, meaning “well born” in Spanish, because of the passion and commitment they shared in bringing it to life.
All the wines are naturally fermented, with no sulfur additions until after malolactic has completed. The wines are never filtered or fined, and only the selections which represent the best expressions make it into the bottles.
The original adobe on the property remains as one of the few privately maintained adobes in California.
Santa Maria Valley lies mainly in northern Santa Barbara County, with a small portion of it overlapping southern San Luis Obispo County. It is close to the Pacific, and runs east-west, which means warmer air in the eastern end draws cool air off the ocean in the west, and brings it through the valley. This effect, combined with abundant sunshine, lengthens the growing season. The longer growing season leads to long hang time, which promotes both ripeness and optimal acidity levels in grape berries. As early as the 1970’s, Santa Maria Valley was recognized as being a superior source of wine grapes, certainly including Chardonnay and Syrah. But arguably the top variety here is Pinot Noir.
Originally a domain primarily of growers, including the Miller Family of the justifiably famous Bien Nacido Vineyard, this AVA is now home to over 30 wineries. Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir consistently offers full flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, often accompanied by notes of spice, cola, vanilla and earth. They show impressive balance and elegance, as well as great versatility with food.