Winemaker Notes
A seductively aromatic bouquet of spiced cherry candies, strawberry rope candy, licorice bites, gentian root and notes of freshly ground black pepper with delicate touches of purple flowers. A brooding and densely packed Pinot Noir withflavors of raspberry pie filling, overripe bing cherry,and a hint of toasted caramel will captivate fromthe first taste. Silky tannins will coat the palatewith additional flavors of sun-ripened cranberryand a long finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
From a site just to the west of Bien Nacido, the 2021 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills Vineyard is slightly deeper ruby-hued, with a terrific, darker cherry, smoked herb, and black tea-driven profile carrying medium to full-bodied richness and depth as well as ripe, supple tannins. As with all these Optik releases, it's impeccably made and a joy to drink.
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Wine Enthusiast
Pomegranate, strawberry, red apple and cinnamon converge on the nose of this bottling, in which winemaker Joey Tensley takes on the Miller family's coolest climate vineyard. The palate is punchy with ripe strawberry flavors that are enhanced by dried herbs and just-cracked spices.
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Tasting Panel
Strawberries burst out of sweet soil alongside tobacco, tomato leaf, and cinnamon. Cracked pepper coats the palate midway, nudging the bright fruit toward a deeper, shadowed shade of black plum. Black tea and oak work well together on the sinewy finish.
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Wine Spectator
Expressive, with juicy plum, black cherry and pomegranate fruit flavors pumping through, laced with light sandalwood and red tea notes that add elegance and perfume. Shows nice length, too. Drink now through 2029. 480 cases made.
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.