Winemaker Notes
This elegant wine bursts with aromas of strawberry, raspberry and cherry with a slight hint of vanilla. The palate is beautifully balanced with red fruit notes of strawberry and cherry accented by white pepper and baking spices. The finish is long and velvety, leaving you wanting another sip. This complex and fruit forward wine is a beautiful accompaniment to big flavors. We recommend pairing it with filet mignon topped with mushroom and mustard sauce.
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Dark cherry, rustic juniper and scorched-earth aromas make for a fascinating nose on this bottling. The palate picks up dried meat and rich berry jam flavors, with thyme and marjoram adding depth.
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.