Winemaker Notes
The classic spicy black teas, iron, and dark fruit aromas jump out of the glass with cardamom and pepper. The palate has bright acid, with moderate tannins that balance out the richness very nicely.
Professional Ratings
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The Somm Journal
There’s a reason the cool-climate Bien Nacido Vineyard is world renowned. Grace, fluidity, texture, aromatics, and a connection to the soil on both nose and palate take this Pinot Noir, which is aged 16 months in (30% new) French oak, to great heights. Fragrances of earth, dried leaves, and red plum with a hint of ginger and roasted coffee emanate from the glass. White-peppered rose petals join cherries seasoned with thyme and oregano to head into a juicy whirlpool marked by Old World acidity. Spiced oak influences a finish of balsamic and tobacco leaf.
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Tasting Panel
Grace, fluidity, and texture take this Pinot Noir, aged 16 months in (30% new) French oak, to great heights. Fragrances of earth and dried leaves, red plum, ginger, and roasted coffee emanate from the glass. White-peppered rose petals and cherries seasoned with thyme and oregano head into a juicy whirlpool with Old World acidity. Spiced oak joins balsamic and tobacco leaf on the finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Moving to the Pinot Noirs, the 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley has a spicy, complex bouquet of redcurrants, mulberries, autumn leaves, iodine, and underbrush. With beautiful balance, medium to full body and a great finish, it's a gorgeous Pinot Noir from this estate to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years.
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Wine Enthusiast
Lively aromas of hibiscus, raspberry, cherry, star anise and the slightest gamy funk show on the nose of this bottling. There is a more hearty tone to the complex palate, where riper strawberry and raspberry flavors meet with dewy lavender and resinous herbs.
Bien Nacido Vineyard, one of Santa Maria Valley’s first and most renowned cool-climate vineyards, has been a celebrated source of world-class grapes and estate wines since its founding by 4th generation farming brothers Bob and Steve Miller. The vineyard’s name, meaning "Well Born" in Spanish, reflects its deep historical roots, having been planted on the historic Rancho Tepusquet land grant. The Miller’s planted the first 300 acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in 1973, capitalizing on the region's unique geography, climate, and meticulously farmed, sustainable vineyards. These ideal conditions have made Bien Nacido Estate Vineyards synonymous with distinctive and expressive wines.
Widely acclaimed, Bien Nacido has been recognized as one of the top 20 terroirs in the world by Wine Spectator and named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the 10 vineyards behind the world’s most famous wines. Known for its cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah, the vineyard continues to thrive thanks to its remarkable terroir and a dedicated team that upholds its legacy of excellence with each passing vintage.
Looking ahead, the fifth generation of the Miller family is carrying this legacy forward, shaping the future of Bien Nacido with the same passion and commitment to quality. In 2005, they introduced the Bien Nacido Estate brand—a true reflection of their enduring dedication to farming and winemaking at this world-renowned vineyard. Each vintage is an opportunity to showcase the vineyard’s unique identity, offering a pure expression of the land that has defined Bien Nacido for generations.
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.