Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2017 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Block 8 saw the same upbringing but comes from a larger block. Its slightly lighter ruby/plum color gives way to a more savory, medium to full-bodied effort that offers classic notes of dried cherries, forest floor, and earthy, loamy soil notes. It too is beautifully balanced and layered, and it a terrific wine. Drink it anytime over the coming decade.
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Tasting Panel
Pale ruby color, silky texture and bursting with cherry and raspberry fruit; juicy, rich and charming with a fresh, bracing acid structure; lively and long with fine balance and good length.
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Wine Enthusiast
Cherry sauce, clove, star anise and hickory-roasted game aromas show on the nose of this block-designated bottling from a historic vineyard. The palate is smooth and intriguing, with flavors of red plum, red currant, thyme and spicy cardamom touches.
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Wine & Spirits
Like the bottling from adjacent block 43, this wine carries the imprint of sea breezes and strawberry. It'??s earthy and more grounded than its counterpart, with a scent of strawberry fruit leather and tar, a fine wisp of smoke and fruit that'??s supported by vanilla oak flavors.
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.