Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2014 Pinot Noir Sierra Madre Vineyard comes from the Santa Maria Valley and is all Clone 667. Completely destemmed and 50% barrel fermented, it is a rounded, seamless beauty that gives up plenty of caramelized currants, cherries, spice and hints of white pepper in a silky, polished, straight up delicious style. It has no hard edges, the forward, charming nature of the vintage, impeccable balance, and a great finish.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Candied cherry, flowers, lavender and spice all emerge from the 2014 Pinot Noir Sierra Madre Vineyard, which is another silky, seamless and incredibly elegant Pinot Noir from winemaker Jonathan Nagy. Like all of these latest 2014s, it's a sexy, charming, hard to resist effort which should evolve nicely on its balance.
-
Wine Enthusiast
This wine's distinctive nose lays a foundation of underripe raspberry fruit and tops it with sesame, sandalwood and wild thyme aromas. There is significant woody character to the palate, including pine, oak and juniper, all set against bright red fruit.
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.