Winemaker Notes
Bright ruby red with fresh, vibrant aromas of wild blackberry, raspberry jam, and cedar box accented by rich floral notes. This wine is juicy and generous on the palate with sweet cherry, field-ripened strawberry, cranberry, and just-baked gingerbread. Perfectly balanced with bright acidity and a supple mouthfeel. Fine-grained tannins provide an authentic textural distinction and structural depth.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Plush aromas of black cherry, baked strawberry, caramel and vanilla make for a rich, inviting nose. There’s a hearty texture to the palate, yet freshness remains intact, with a ripe boysenberry flavor that’s accented by licorice and fennel pollen
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark & Telephone is attractive and opulent on the palate. TASTING NOTES: This wine combines ripe fruit, a shade of smokiness, and candied notes in its aromas and flavors. Pair it with barbecue short ribs with a slightly sweet and savory sauce. (Tasted: April 21, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
Fruity and rich-tasting, this is filled with concentrated dark plum, boysenberry and cherry compote flavors that are liberally spiced. Peppery hints emerge as well, leading to a finish that lingers with toasty notes. Drink now through 2024.
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.