Winemaker Notes
Born on the hillsides of Bien Nacido, the Estate Pinot captures all the traditional notes from this special site. A vibrant wine with aromas of ripe raspberry, briar bush, graham cracker, cola, and a hint of Earl Grey tea. The entry is firm and well-balanced with nice weight on the palate. Spicy undertones and present tannins lead to a long, lingering finish. You can expect this wine will age ten years or more.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir Estate Bien Nacido Vineyard is so open-knit and expressive today, boasting excellent focus and layered intensity. New leather, sweet pipe tobacco, orange zest, bitter cherry and lavender run through a layered, fleshy wine with great persistence and drive. The 2023 is a gorgeous Pinot Noir that captures the essence of Bien Nacido in its savory, herbaceous nuances. Compelling.
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James Suckling
Oak duff, rose hips and mixed cherries on the concentrated palate of this complex pinot. Flinty minerality and a touch of umami beneath the forest fruit that emerges with air, and it all resolves with a tactile finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard is also stunning, leaping from the glass with a spice-rich bouquet of cracked pepper, cardamom and clove supported by herbal hints and a dark-fruited background. The palate is lush and silky, anchored by a taut core that continues through the similarly firm, chalky finish. This expanded significantly in the glass in a short time, developing additional savory notes and more complexity on the finish, and it should be a delight to enjoy into its second decade.
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Wine Enthusiast
A fascinatingly gamy quality runs through this entire bottling, starting with singed lamb flesh and dank herb aromas on the nose. The backbone of cranberry fruit on the palate pairs well with the charcuterie-like meatiness, as salt and pepper spice up the tarry finish. Drink now–2040.
Cellar Selection
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.