Winemaker Notes
Born of a number of blocks high and low on the hillsides of Bien Nacido, the Estate Pinot Noir captures all of the traditional notes from this special site. Intensely perfumed black tea, mandarin rind and potpourri dominate the nose. While on the palate fresh cherries and cotton candy balance out exotic spices, sandal wood and sage.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
You won't find many sites in California as respected as Bien Nacido Vineyard. This vintage is a gracious, giving, and incredibly elegant Earth Mother with a round, down-pillow lightness and notes of ripe cherry, black tea, and iron-kissed soil. Sarsaparilla and allspice gently season cranberry.
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Vinous
The 2022 Syrah Estate Bien Nacido Vineyard is a great example of this site. Inky dark/blue purplish fruit, lavender, black pepper, incense and chocolate are all dialed up. A healthy dollop of stems (35%) and drops of Viognier add aromatic presence that further ratchets things up. The 2022 is a big wine with a ton of character.
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James Suckling
The nose is delicate and pure, with lifted aromas of strawberries, wild raspberries and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied with finely integrated tannins and acidity, offering notes of dark cherries, bergamot and fresh mulberries. Very balanced and nuanced. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Sourced from plantings spanning 1973, 1996 and 2006, the 2022 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard is a beautiful snapshot of the site in a challenging vintage. A classically spice-driven, savory nose lifted by dried herb aromas builds with time in the glass. The palate is silky, suave and plush, leading to a woody, subtly drying finish that I can imagine integrating and softening after a year or so. Nevertheless, I enjoy the balance achieved here between textural richness and alluring refinement.
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Wine Spectator
Juicy and engaging, offering mulled black cherry and raspberry fruit mixed in with dried anise, wood spice and smoldering red tea notes. Shows hints of maturity already, and the finish is generous, so drink in the near term. Drink now through 2028. 4,227 cases made.
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.