Winemaker Notes
Enjoy leather, cola and spice, along with candied apples, black cherries and plum on the nose. This full bodied wine also shows black cherry and cola on the palate, which is enhanced by a nice balance of toasted oak and fruit tannins. Pair with big fat juicy BBQ ribs, scallops wrapped with bacon, apple sausage or dark chocolate. This wine will benefit from aging. One of our favorites in the library is the 2001 Dierberg!
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Concentrated aromas of cola, Earl Grey tea, black pepper and mulberry jam make for a very spicy potpourri-like nose on this bottling by Norm Yost. Savory flavors of dried strawberry, salt and pepper, dried fig and a touch of leather show on the sip, which is just starting to show some of its age.
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.