Winemaker Notes
The wine shows off complex aromatics and layered flavors of cranberry, red berries, rose petals, and spice, all signature characteristics of the wine growing region.
A wonderful pairing with pork chops, wild game or Coq au Vin.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Quite tart aromas of cherry, sagebrush and forest floor duff converge on the nose of this bottling. There’s a fierce herbal streak to the palate, where thyme, sagebrush and eucalyptus leaf elements decorate the tart cranberry and currant flavors.
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Wine & Spirits
Scents of plush cherry fruit and sumptuous oak lead in this wine, sourced mainly from Bien Nacido, with a small contribution from Le Bon Climat Vineyard. In 2018 it has a lavish structure and rich wood accents, of the sort that will keep this wine sturdy and intact for years in the cellar.
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.