Winemaker Notes
The nose is both pure and rustic, with aromas of sandalwood, dried roses and pomegranates. Flavors of Bing cherry, white pepper and dried herbs appear on the palate. The finish is lacy and high-toned with a subtle, drying, powdery quality.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard offers a more exotic, iodine, marine-like style as well as beautiful ripe cherry and redcurrant fruits to go with plenty of briny, mineral, and chalky nuances. This is a wine for those who prize minerality over fruit, and it's medium-bodied, with a focused, pure texture, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. I think it will show even better in a few years and keep for a good decade. Rating: 94+
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard, fermented with around 30% whole clusters, is very delicately styled. It has a pale garnet color and spicy scents of aniseed, potpourri, dried citrus, earth and iron. The light-bodied palate is earthy and fresh, with a long spicy finish. Drink it over the next 3-5 years. Best after 2022.
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.