Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This low production Pinot Noir will be scooped up by sommeliers who understand how good it is with so many of their entrées. The alcohol is modest, and the oak is in the background despite being comprised of 75% new French barrels. That’s because the raspberry, cola and tea flavors are so strong, they’re able to stand for themselves. The grape source is from Jim Clendenen’s personal Le Bon Climat Vineyard and Bien Nacido. All in all, this is a gorgeous Pinot that will continue to impress over the next six years.
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Wine Spectator
Offering floral aromas of wilted rose, spice, blackberry and red plum, this is a graceful, supple, tender expression of Pinot, framed by just the right touch of tannins, gripping gently on the finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A small step down, yet still outstanding, the 2010 Pinot Noir Knox Alexander has lively crushed berries, wild flowers, forest floor, toasted spice and hints of green herbs to go with a medium-bodied, pure and elegantly proportioned mouthfeel. Balanced, with a great mid-palate and fine tannin, it needs another year or two to come together and will drink nicely for upwards of a decade.
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.