Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Lots of blueberry and ripe-strawberry aromas with light burnt lemons. Full-bodied and tight with chewy tannins that are polished and pretty. It’s long and driven with plenty going on. This is a precise and focused red.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Coming from Santa Maria Valley, the 2018 Pinot Noir North Canyon Vineyard is produced from mid-1990s plantings. The wine was aged for 12 months in French oak, 25% new. Medium ruby-purple colored, the nose opens with a delicately scented perfume of Bing cherries, redcurrants and raspberry leaves with touches of lavender, stewed black tea and bouquet garni. The medium-bodied palate has impressive restraint, slowly releasing red berry and savory flavors with compelling freshness, finishing with satiny textured, soft-spoken floral and herbal notes.
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Wine Spectator
This refined red features plenty of minerally and spicy components to the cherry tart, currant and raspberry flavors. The burnished finish lingers with rich acidity and underbrush accents
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.