Beckon Pinot Noir 2012
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Wilfred
Wong
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
This is Pinot Noir purity—seldom achieved because of marketplace pressures that drive producers to make darker and richer wines. The 2012 Beckon Pinot Noir speaks clearly of the grape variety. Showing red fruit and sage brush notes, this stays on point. A medium bodied wine, this would be a fine choice with lightly grilled salmon. Drinks well now. (Tasted: July 12, 2016, San Francisco, CA)
Beckon wines are crafted to reflect the extraordinary natural forces of the Central Coast, expressed in two of California’s greatest varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Beckon wines come from established vineyards in prime locations. The vineyards are sustainably farmed, ensuring that the wines offer consistent quality from year to year.
Master Winemaker Bob Blue crafts Beckon wines to capture the Central Coast’s natural balance in the bottle. Beckon wines truly are an invitation to taste Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from California’s Central Coast, one of the most exciting frontiers of New World winemaking.
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.