Winemaker Notes
Cranberry, dark cherry, and blueberry fruit aromas and flavors combine with fresh earth and oak spice character, while full yet silky tannins carry from the mid-palate to the finish, making it an ideal pairing with mushroom pâté or pasta al pomodoro with eggplant.
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Another flagship release is the 2015 Pinot Noir Signature Collection Barbara's Clone 667, which comes from a single clone planted in Julia’s Vineyard and spent 14 months in 70% new French oak. It's slightly more ruby-colored and gives up a more Burgundian bouquet of spiced cherries, forest floor, and dried herbs. It's medium to full-bodied, has terrific purity, and a supple, elegant, layered texture that carries ripe tannins. Drink it over the coming decade.
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.